# The Ultimate Claude Code Guide

> From zero to power user — a comprehensive, self-contained guide to mastering Claude Code.

[![License: CC BY-SA 4.0](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-CC%20BY--SA%204.0-lightgrey.svg)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Author**: [Florian BRUNIAUX](https://github.com/FlorianBruniaux) | Founding Engineer [@Méthode Aristote](https://methode-aristote.fr)

**Contact**: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-bruniaux-43408b83/)

**Written with**: Claude (Anthropic)

---

## About This Guide

This guide is the result of **several months of daily practice and research** with Claude Code. I don't claim to be an "expert" — I'm simply sharing what I've learned along the way, humbly hoping to help my peers and evangelize good practices in AI-assisted development.

A significant source of inspiration for this work was [Claudelog.com](https://claudelog.com/), which I highly recommend for anyone wanting to go deeper.

If you find value in this guide, have questions, or want to discuss Claude Code practices, feel free to reach out on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-bruniaux-43408b83/).

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## What's Inside

| File | Description | Reading Time |
|------|-------------|--------------|
| [`english-ultimate-claude-code-guide.md`](./english-ultimate-claude-code-guide.md) | Complete guide (4000+ lines) | ~2.5 hours |
| [`cheatsheet-en.md`](./cheatsheet-en.md) | 1-page printable daily reference | 5 minutes |
| [`claude-code-ultimate-guide_notebooklm.pdf`](./claude-code-ultimate-guide_notebooklm.pdf) | Audio Deep Dive (NotebookLM podcast) | ~1 hour |
| [`claude-code-ultimate-guide_kimi.pdf`](./claude-code-ultimate-guide_kimi.pdf) | PDF version (Kimi export) | ~2.5 hours |

---

## Guide Overview

### 1. Quick Start (Day 1)
Installation, first workflow, essential commands, permission modes.

### 2. Core Concepts
- **Context Management** — The most critical concept (zones, recovery, poisoning)
- **Plan Mode** — Safe exploration before changes
- **Rewind** — Undo mistakes safely
- **Mental Model** — How Claude sees your codebase

### 3. Configuration
- `CLAUDE.md` files (global, project, local)
- The `.claude/` folder structure
- Settings & permissions
- Precedence rules

### 4. Agents
Create specialized AI personas for specific tasks:
- Code reviewer, debugger, backend architect
- Tool SEO for better agent discovery
- Multi-agent orchestration patterns

### 5. Skills
Reusable knowledge modules:
- Security Guardian (OWASP, secrets management)
- TDD (Red-Green-Refactor cycle)
- Creating your own skills

### 6. Commands
Custom slash commands:
- `/commit`, `/pr`, problem framer
- Variable interpolation with `$ARGUMENTS`

### 7. Hooks
Event-driven automation:
- Security blockers (pre-tool use)
- Auto-formatters (post-tool use)
- Context enrichers (prompt submit)
- Activity logging

### 8. MCP Servers
External tool integrations:
- **Serena** — Semantic code navigation
- **Context7** — Library documentation
- **Sequential** — Structured reasoning
- **Playwright** — Browser automation
- **Postgres** — Database queries

### 9. Advanced Patterns
- The Trinity (Plan + Think + Agents)
- CI/CD & IDE integration
- Tight feedback loops
- Todo as instruction mirrors
- Vibe coding & skeleton projects
- Batch operations

### 10. Reference
Commands table, keyboard shortcuts, troubleshooting, checklists.

### Appendix
Ready-to-use templates for agents, skills, commands, hooks, settings, and prompts.

---

## Quick Start

```bash
# Install Claude Code
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | sh

# Start in your project
cd your-project
claude
```

### The 7 Commands You Need

| Command | Action |
|---------|--------|
| `/help` | Show all commands |
| `/status` | Check context usage |
| `/compact` | Compress context (>70%) |
| `/clear` | Fresh start |
| `/plan` | Safe read-only mode |
| `/rewind` | Undo changes |
| `Ctrl+C` | Cancel operation |

### Context Management (Critical!)

| Context % | Action |
|-----------|--------|
| 0-50% | Work freely |
| 50-70% | Be selective |
| 70-90% | `/compact` now |
| 90%+ | `/clear` required |

---

## The Golden Rules

1. **Always review diffs** before accepting changes
2. **Use `/compact`** before context gets critical (>70%)
3. **Be specific** in requests (WHAT, WHERE, HOW, VERIFY)
4. **Start with Plan Mode** for complex/risky tasks
5. **Create CLAUDE.md** for every project

---

## Who Is This For?

- **Beginners**: Start with Quick Start (15 min) → be productive immediately
- **Intermediate**: Deep dive into Configuration, Agents, Skills
- **Power Users**: Advanced Patterns, MCP orchestration, CI/CD integration

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## Contributing

Found an error? Have a suggestion? Open an issue or PR.

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## Resources

- [Official Claude Code Documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code)
- [Claudelog.com](https://claudelog.com/) — Advanced tips & patterns (inspiration for some sections)

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## License

This work is licensed under [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).

You are free to share and adapt this material, provided you give appropriate credit and distribute your contributions under the same license.

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*Last updated: January 2025 | Version 1.0*