Claude Code Cheatsheet

Essential commands and usage patterns for Claude Code CLI

CLI CommandsCore
Essential commands to get started
claudeLaunch interactive REPL session
claude "query"Start REPL with initial prompt
claude -p "query"Execute query via SDK and exit
claude -cContinue most recent conversation
claude -c -p "query"Continue conversation via SDK
claude -r "id" "query"Resume specific session by ID
claude updateUpdate Claude to latest version
claude mcpConfigure MCP server connections
cat file | claude -p "query"Process piped input content
CLI FlagsOptions
Key command-line options and flags
--add-dirAdd working directories to context
--allowedToolsSpecify allowed tool names
--disallowedToolsSpecify disallowed tool names
--print / -pPrint response and exit immediately
--output-formatSet output format: text/json/stream-json
--input-formatSet input format: text/stream-json
--verboseEnable detailed logging output
--max-turnsLimit maximum agentic turns
--modelSpecify AI model to use
--permission-modeSet permission handling mode
--resumeResume specific session by ID
--continueLoad most recent conversation
--permission-prompt-toolMCP tool for permission prompts
--dangerously-skip-permissionsSkip all permission prompts
Keyboard ShortcutsNavigation
Essential shortcuts for interactive mode
Ctrl+CCancel current operation
Ctrl+DExit Claude session
Ctrl+LClear terminal screen
↑/↓Navigate command history
Esc + EscEdit previous message
\\ + EnterMultiline input (universal)
Option+EnterMultiline input (macOS)
Shift+EnterMultiline input (setup mode)
#Quick memory access
/vimActivate vim editing mode
Slash Commands (A-M)Interactive
Commands available in interactive mode
/add-dirAdd directories to context
/bugReport bug or issue
/clearClear conversation history
/compactCompact current conversation
/configView or modify configuration
/costDisplay usage statistics
/doctorRun system health check
/helpGet usage help and tips
/initInitialize new project setup
/loginSwitch user accounts
/logoutSign out of current account
/mcpManage MCP server connections
/memoryEdit CLAUDE.md memory file
/modelChange active AI model
Slash Commands (P-V)Interactive
Additional interactive commands
/permissionsView or update permissions
/pr_commentsView pull request comments
/reviewRequest code review session
/statusCheck account status
/terminal-setupSetup terminal key bindings
/vimEnter vim editing mode
HooksAutomation
Execute shell commands at lifecycle events
/hooks

Configure hooks in settings file

PreToolUseExecute before tool calls
PostToolUseExecute after tool completion
NotificationExecute when notifications sent
StopExecute when main agent finishes
SubagentStopExecute when subagent finishes
MCP Integration
Model Context Protocol server management

Add MCP Server

claude mcp add <name> <command>

List MCP Servers

claude mcp list

Remove MCP Server

claude mcp remove <server-name>

MCP Authentication

/mcp
Settings Configuration
Configure Claude Code behavior and preferences

List Settings

claude config list

Get Setting

claude config get <key>

Set Setting

claude config set <key> <value>

Edit Settings

Edit ~/.claude/settings.json
Quick Tips
Productivity boosters and best practices

Memory Management

Use /init to create CLAUDE.md for project context

MCP Servers

Configure MCP for extended tool capabilities

Session Management

Use -r to resume specific sessions

Automation

Use hooks for auto-formatting and logging