Reference

Claude Code cheatsheet

Quick reference card for Claude Code: all commands, shortcuts, and tips in one page.

Slash commands

Type these commands directly in the Claude Code prompt (interactive session).

CommandDescription
/helpShow help and list available commands
/clearClear the current conversation history
/compactCompress context (automatic summary of previous exchanges)
/costShow the token cost of the current session
/doctorSystem diagnostics: network, MCP, permissions, version
/initGenerate a CLAUDE.md file in the current directory
/reviewRequest a code review on modified files
/memoryView or edit persistent memory (active CLAUDE.md file)
/modelView or change the current model (haiku, sonnet, opus)
/permissionsView and manage permissions granted to tools
/bugOpen a bug report to Anthropic
/configShow the active configuration (merged settings.json)
/loginAuthenticate via browser (Claude.ai Max)
/logoutLog out from your Claude.ai account
/statusShow account status, quotas, and connected MCPs
/mcpManage MCPs: list, enable, disable
/install-githubInstall the official GitHub MCP
/terminal-setupConfigure terminal integration (shell hooks)
/vimEnable vi/vim input mode in the terminal
/resumeResume the last interrupted session

Keyboard shortcuts

ShortcutAction
EscapeCancel the current generation (without quitting)
Ctrl+CInterrupt generation or exit the current prompt
Ctrl+DQuit Claude Code cleanly
Ctrl+LClear the terminal display (not the context)
Shift+TabInsert a line break in the prompt (multiline)
Alt+T / Option+TToggle Extended Thinking on/off
Ctrl+OShow reasoning details (verbose thinking)
Up ArrowRecall the previous command from history
Down ArrowMove forward through command history
TabAutocompletion (files, slash commands)

Configuration files

Files are read in this order, from highest to lowest priority.

FileScopeDescription
.claude/settings.jsonProjectProject-local configuration (committed or not)
.claude/settings.local.jsonProject (local)Local overrides, not committed (gitignored)
~/.claude/settings.jsonUserGlobal configuration for all projects
CLAUDE.mdProjectNatural language instructions read at startup
.claude/CLAUDE.mdProject (hidden)Alternative variant of the CLAUDE.md file
~/.claude/CLAUDE.mdGlobalGlobal instructions applied to all projects
.claude/agents/Project.md files defining custom agents
~/.claude/agents/GlobalGlobal agents available across all projects
.claude/skills/ProjectCustom Skills (slash commands) for the project
~/.claude/skills/GlobalGlobal Skills available everywhere

3 execution modes

Interactive mode (default)

# Launch an interactive REPL session
claude


# Launch with a specific model
claude --model claude-sonnet-4-6

Used for day-to-day development. Claude maintains context between exchanges.

Print mode (--print / -p)

# Execute a task, display the result, then quit
claude --print "Explain what this file does"


# Short alias
claude -p "Summarize the contents of README.md"


# With JSON format
claude --print --output-format json "List the functions in src/utils.ts"


# Pipe mode (stdin -> stdout)
echo "Fix the typos in this text" | claude --print
cat file.ts | claude --print "Add JSDoc comments"

Headless / SDK mode

# For automation and CI/CD
claude --print --max-turns 1 --output-format stream-json "prompt"


# Environment variables for non-interactive mode
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-... claude --print "prompt"

MCP commands

CommandDescription
claude mcp add <name> -- <cmd> <args>Add an MCP via stdio (global scope by default)
claude mcp add --scope project <name> -- <cmd>Add an MCP at project scope
claude mcp add --transport sse <name> <url>Add an MCP via SSE transport
claude mcp remove <name>Remove a configured MCP
claude mcp listList all configured MCPs with their status
claude mcp logs <name>Show logs for a specific MCP
claude mcp get <name>Show detailed configuration for an MCP
# Practical examples
claude mcp add filesystem -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~/projects
claude mcp add github -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github
claude mcp add --scope project postgres -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres $DATABASE_URL
claude mcp list
claude mcp logs github

claude config commands

CommandDescription
claude config listList all active configuration options
claude config get <key>Show the value of an option
claude config set <key> <value>Set a configuration option
claude config add <key> <value>Add a value to a list
claude config remove <key> <value>Remove a value from a list
# Examples
claude config set model claude-sonnet-4-6
claude config get model
claude config list

Next steps

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