Claude Code: Complete Setup and Latest Features Guide

# Requires Node.js 18+
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Alternative: Native binary (Alpha)
curl -fsSL claude.ai/install.sh | bash

# Start Claude in your project
cd your-project
claude

{
  "permissions": ["read", "write", "bash"],
  "diff_tool": "auto",
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Edit|Write",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "prettier --write \"$CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS\""
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

# Project Setup

- Run `npm test` for testing
- Use `npm run dev` for development
- Deploy with `npm run build`

# Code Standards

- TypeScript for all new code
- Jest for testing
- ESLint configuration enforced

# Common Commands

- `/test` - Run unit tests
- `/build` - Create production build

/init           # Initialize project with CLAUDE.md
/clear          # Clear conversation (keep summary with /compact)
/config         # Settings configuration
/help           # Show available commands
/hooks          # Configure hooks
/mcp            # MCP server management
/permissions    # Manage permissions
/ide            # Connect to IDE
/doctor         # Check installation
/model          # Switch between Claude models
/terminal-setup # Configure terminal shortcuts

# Create security review command
mkdir -p .claude/commands
echo "Review code for security vulnerabilities" > .claude/commands/security.md

# Create optimization command
echo "Optimize code performance and identify bottlenecks" > .claude/commands/optimize.md

# Usage
/security
/optimize

# Create global commands
mkdir -p ~/.claude/commands
echo "Create comprehensive unit tests" > ~/.claude/commands/test.md
echo "Add detailed documentation" > ~/.claude/commands/document.md

# Command with arguments
echo 'Fix issue #$ARGUMENTS following coding standards' > .claude/commands/fix-issue.md

# Usage
/fix-issue 123

{
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Edit|Write",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "prettier --write \"$CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS\""
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Bash",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "echo \"$(date): $CLAUDE_TOOL_INPUT\" >> ~/.claude/commands.log"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

# GitHub integration
claude mcp add --transport sse github-server https://api.github.com/mcp

# PostgreSQL database
claude mcp add postgres-server /path/to/server --connection-string "postgresql://..."

# Import from Claude Desktop
claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop

# Reference resources with @ mentions
@github:issue://123
@postgres:schema://users

# Example usage
"Analyze @github:issue://123 and suggest a fix"
"Compare @postgres:schema://users with our model"

# Auto-install extension
code .  # or cursor . or windsurf .
claude  # Extension installs automatically

# Connect from external terminal
/ide

# Set up shortcuts automatically
/terminal-setup

# Configures:
# - Shift+Enter for line breaks
# - Option+Enter as alternative

# Method 1: Backslash escape
Type \ followed by Enter

# Method 2: Use configured shortcuts
Shift+Enter or Option+Enter

# Project analysis
"What does this project do?"
"Explain the folder structure"

# Code changes
"Add error handling to user registration"
"Refactor this component to use hooks"
"Add TypeScript types"

# Git operations
"What files have I changed?"
"Commit changes with descriptive message"

# Multi-file operations
"Refactor authentication across all components"
"Add error handling to entire API"

# Testing and debugging
"Add unit tests for new functions"
"Debug memory leak in dashboard"
"Optimize database queries"

# Reference specific files
"Review @src/utils/helpers.js"
"Compare @src/old.js with @src/new.js"
"Add tests to @__tests__/utils.test.js"

# Check installation
claude doctor

# Permission errors - DON'T use sudo
claude migrate-installer  # Local installation

# IDE extension not working
# 1. Restart IDE completely
# 2. Check extension is enabled
# 3. Run from integrated terminal

# Settings not persisting
ls ~/.claude/settings.json      # User settings
ls .claude/settings.json       # Project settings

# First line is the command description
echo "Modify VS Code settings for current project" > .claude/commands/project_settings.md

# /project_settings command
# Creates .vscode/settings.json with custom theme

# design_iterate command can create multiple UI variations
# Each sub-agent works independently toward specific objectives

# Example: Raycast script on macOS
# Takes clipboard content → Claude suggests filename → Saves file

{
  "hooks": {
    "Stop": [
      {
        "type": "command",
        "command": "afplay /System/Library/Sounds/Glass.aiff"
      }
    ]
  }
}