Claude Terminal Commands
Reference Sheet
Use this page as a quick command launcher for Claude Code. Commands are ordered from the ones most people use first to the more specialized ones later. Each card shows the command name, what it does, and a full example you can copy directly with the button on the right. Replace any placeholder text like file names, prompts, paths, session names, or PR numbers before running it in your terminal.
Most Popular Claude CLI Commands
Start an interactive Claude Code session in the current project.
claudeStart Claude with an initial prompt already provided.
claude "give me an overview of this codebase"Run a single prompt non-interactively, print the result, then exit.
claude -p "explain what this repository does"Pipe file content into Claude for quick analysis or summarization.
cat build-error.txt | claude -p "concisely explain the root cause of this build error"Continue the most recent conversation in the current directory.
claude --continueOpen the conversation picker or resume a named/session-specific conversation.
claude --resume auth-refactorStart a session and give it a memorable name for easier resuming later.
claude -n auth-refactorReturn structured JSON output for scripting and automation workflows.
cat code.py | claude -p "analyze this code for bugs" --output-format json > analysis.jsonReturn plain text output explicitly for scripts and redirection.
cat data.txt | claude -p "summarize this data" --output-format text > summary.txtStream JSON events in real time while Claude processes the request.
cat log.txt | claude -p "parse this log file for errors" --output-format stream-jsonInteractive Slash Commands
Show available slash commands inside an active Claude session.
/helpGenerate a starter CLAUDE.md file for the current project.
/initSwitch to a different saved conversation from inside Claude.
/resumeRename the current session so it is easier to find later.
/rename auth-refactorOpen Claude Code settings and configuration options.
/configReview and adjust permission rules for tools and domains.
/permissionsInspect or configure hooks tied to Claude Code lifecycle events.
/hooksRun installation and environment diagnostics.
/doctorConfigure or inspect custom subagents.
/agentsCompact conversation context when a session becomes long.
/compactInstall, Setup, and Integrations
Install Claude Code with the recommended shell installer.
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bashInstall Claude Code on macOS with Homebrew stable channel.
brew install --cask claude-codeInstall Claude Code from PowerShell.
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iexInstall Claude Code from Command Prompt.
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmdConnect an MCP server so Claude can use external tools and data sources.
claude mcp add my-server -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /path/to/projectPopular Workflow Examples
Start Claude and ask for a high-level architectural summary.
claude "give me an overview of this codebase and identify the main architecture patterns"Ask Claude to locate files relevant to a feature area.
claude "find the files that handle user authentication and explain how they work together"Continue a prior session and give a precise next task.
claude --continue -p "check for type errors introduced by the latest changes"Resume work associated with a specific pull request number.
claude --from-pr 123Use Claude as a scripted lint/review step inside package.json.
"lint:claude": "claude -p 'you are a linter. please look at the changes vs. main and report any issues related to typos. report the filename and line number on one line, and a description of the issue on the second line. do not return any other text.'"