To provide a comprehensive reference for configuring and using Claude Code (the agentic coding tool) to its full potential. This skill synthesizes best practices, configuration templates, and advanced usage patterns.

Claude Code Guide Purpose To provide a comprehensive reference for configuring and using Claude Code (the agentic coding tool) to its full potential. This skill synthesizes best practices, configuration templates, and advanced usage patterns. Configuration ( CLAUDE.md ) Read existing project instructions first. Add or update a project CLAUDE.md only within the requested scope, preserving repository conventions and existing instructions. The template below illustrates a React/TypeScript npm project; replace its commands and stack rules with verified project facts. Template (General) Advanced Features Thinking Keywords State the desired investigation and verification criteria explicitly. These phrases describe tasks; they are not guaranteed switches for model reasoning effort: "Think step by step" "Analyze the root cause" "Plan before executing" "Verify your assumptions" Debugging If the agent is stuck or behaving unexpectedly: 1. Clear Context : Save the task state and relevant evidence before starting a new session. A prompt to forget instructions does not erase loaded project rules. 2. Explicit Instructions : Be extremely specific about paths, filenames, and desired outcomes. 3. Logs : Ask the agent to "check the logs" or "run the command with verbose output". Best Practices 1. Small Contexts : Don't dump the entire codebase into the context. Use rg or rg files to locate relevant files first. 2. Iterative Development : Ask for small changes, verify, then proceed. 3. Feedback Loop : If the agent makes a mistake, correct it immediately and ask it to "add a lesson" to its memory (if supported) or CLAUDE.md . Verification Inspect the resulting diff and confirm the intended instructions actually load in the installed host. Project instructions guide behavior; they do not enforce a security boundary. Keep secrets out of tracked instructions. Check current features against [official memory documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/memory). Reference Based on [Claude Code Guide by zebbern](https://github.com/zebbern/claude code guide). When to Use Use when configuring project instructions, diagnosing conflicting Claude Code guidance, or defining verified build/test workflows. Limitations Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above. Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment specific validation, testing, or expert review. Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.

claude-code-guide