▸ Launch & screen
The three you'll type most.
claudeStart Claude Code — it opens in whatever folder you're in. Then just type a sentence and press enter.
/clearFresh conversation. Use between unrelated tasks to stay sharp. Your files are untouched — only the chat resets.
/loginSign in or switch accounts. You only log in once per machine.
Sprint habit: one task → finish → /clear → next task. Short sessions are sharper and cheaper.
▸ Getting around
Moving between folders.
cd folderChange directory — go into a folder. e.g. cd Downloads/claude/projects
cd ..Go up one level (two dots = the folder above).
cdGo home — alone, it jumps you back to the start.
lsList what's inside the current folder. Lost? ls to look around, or cd to go home.
▸ Files & folders
Create, edit, delete.
mkdir nameMake a folder here.
touch nameMake an empty file here. e.g. touch notes.txt
nano nameEdit a text file in the terminal. Save: Ctrl+O then Enter · Exit: Ctrl+X
rm nameDelete a file. Permanent — no Trash.
Easier: you can just ask Claude — “make a folder called july and an empty notes file in it.” These are here so the terminal never feels foreign.
▸ Stay sharp & safe
Control the session; control the risk.
/compactTidy the chat — summarises to free room, keeps the key points. Use mid-task when it feels sluggish.
/contextFuel gauge — shows how full the conversation is.
@filePoint at a file so Claude reads exactly the right one.
EscStop Claude mid-task to redirect.
Esc EscRewind / undo the last change.
Shift+TabSwitch modes — Default → Plan → Accept edits. Beginners: stay on Default.
Rule of thumb: quality slips ~200k, wrap up by ~400k — save & /clear. Ask Claude to remind you.
▸ Word decoder
Jargon you'll hear — in plain English.
MCP
Plugging Claude into other apps (GitHub, Slack, Google) so it can reach beyond your files.
Hooks
Auto-rules that run before/after Claude acts — e.g. block it from certain files.
API
Doorways one program opens so other software can talk to it. Software talking to software.
CLAUDE.md
A note file Claude reads every session — “how our office works.” Write once, stop repeating yourself.
WSL / Ubuntu
Free Linux we run inside Windows so Claude has a home. Set up once, in Step 1.
GitHub
Online storage for projects with full change-history. Uses the cloud, but it's really version-control & teamwork.
Compiler
Translates human code into the 1s & 0s a computer runs. You'll rarely meet one.