Getting Started with Claude Code: Your First 10 Commands
Claude Code is an AI-powered coding assistant that runs in your terminal. It helps you write, edit, debug, and understand code faster. This tutorial covers the 10 essential commands for getting started with Claude Code.
Quick Summary
/help– List all commands/init– Initialize a project/add– Add files to context/ask– Ask questions/edit– Edit files/run– Execute shell commands/test– Run tests/commit– Generate commit messages/review– Review code/exit– Exit Claude Code
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure Claude Code is installed and authenticated:
# Install via npm
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# Authenticate with your API key
claude login
After installation, run claude in your project directory to start the interactive session.
Command 1: /help — Get Started with Built-in Guidance
Displays a list of all available commands and their descriptions.
/help
Example output:
Available commands:
/help Show this help message
/init Initialize a new Claude Code project
/add Add files to the conversation context
/ask Ask a question about your code
/edit Edit a file with AI assistance
/run Run a shell command
/test Run tests
/commit Generate a git commit message
/review Review code
/exit Exit Claude Code
Command 2: /init — Initialize a Project
Sets up Claude Code for your project by creating a claude.config.json file.
/init
Example interaction:
Claude Code: This will create a claude.config.json in your project root. Continue? (Y/n)
> Y
Claude Code: Project initialized. You can now use /add to add files.
Command 3: /add — Add Files to Context
Add one or more files so Claude can read and reference them.
/add src/index.js
Example output:
Added src/index.js (245 lines) to context.
You can also use wildcards:
/add src/**/*.js
Command 4: /ask — Ask Questions About Your Code
Get explanations, suggestions, or answers about your codebase.
/ask What does the parseConfig function do?
Example response:
The `parseConfig` function reads a JSON configuration file, validates required fields, and returns a config object. If validation fails, it throws a ConfigError.
Command 5: /edit — Edit a File with AI
Request changes to a file currently in context.
/edit Refactor parseConfig to use zod for validation
Claude will propose a diff and ask for confirmation before applying changes.
Command 6: /run — Execute Shell Commands
Run shell commands without leaving Claude Code.
/run npm test
Example output:
$ npm test
> [email protected] test
> jest
PASS src/__tests__/parseConfig.test.js
✓ parses valid config (12 ms)
✓ throws on missing field (8 ms)
Tests: 2 passed, 2 total
Command 7: /test — Run Your Tests
Convenience command that runs the project’s test suite.
/test
Equivalent to /run npm test for Node.js projects.
Command 8: /commit — Generate Git Commit Messages
Stage changes and generate a meaningful commit message.
/commit
Example flow:
Claude Code: This is the diff:
... (shows changes)
Proposed commit message:
feat: add input validation to parseConfig
Apply this commit? (Y/n)
> Y
Committed with message: feat: add input validation to parseConfig
Command 9: /review — Get Code Review Feedback
Request a code review on files in context.
/review src/index.js
Example feedback snippet:
Review of src/index.js:
- Good modular structure.
- Consider adding error handling for async operations (line 45).
- The variable name `x` on line 12 could be more descriptive.
Command 10: /exit — Exit Claude Code
Gracefully exit the Claude Code session.
/exit
Next Steps After Learning the Basics
Now that you know the 10 essential commands, explore more advanced features:
- Multi-file editing with
/editacross many files - Refactoring entire modules
- Automation using
/runand custom scripts - Integration with Git and CI/CD workflows
Check out our Advanced Techniques and Best Practices guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use Claude Code with any programming language?
A: Yes, Claude Code works with all major languages including JavaScript, Python, TypeScript, Ruby, Go, and more.
Q: Do I need an internet connection?
A: Yes, Claude Code requires an internet connection to communicate with Anthropic’s API.
Q: How do I add multiple files at once?
A: Use wildcards like /add src/**/*.js or list files separated by spaces.
Q: Can I undo an edit?
A: Yes, if you have version control (Git), you can revert changes. Claude Code always shows a diff before applying, so you can review changes first.
Q: Is my code sent to the cloud?
A: Yes, code you add to the context is sent to Anthropic’s API for processing. Review Anthropic’s privacy policy for details.