Claude Code Cheat Sheet (Beta)

Your complete guide to mastering Claude Code - from zero to hero in minutes!

After testing Claude Code extensively, I've developed this comprehensive cheat sheet that will take you from basic to advanced user without wasting time. Whether you're completely new to Claude Code or looking to master advanced features, this guide has you covered.

Quick Start

Install Claude Code, sign in, and start it from the root of the project you want Claude to work on.

macOS, Linux, or WSL

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
claude auth login
claude

Windows PowerShell

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
claude auth login
claude

Windows CMD

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd
claude auth login
claude

Package Managers

# macOS
brew install --cask claude-code

# Windows
winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

Check your installation:

claude --version
claude auth status

📚 Table of Contents

• 🟢 Level 1: Basic Commands
• 🟡 Level 2: Intermediate Commands
• 🟠 Level 3: Advanced Commands
• 🔴 Level 4: Expert Commands
• 🔵 Level 5: Power User Commands
• 🟣 Level 6: Master Commands
• 🤝 Contributing
• 📄 License

Pages

• 🤖 Subagents - Specialized AI agents for specific development tasks

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🟢 Level 1: Basic Commands

Essential commands to get started

Installation & Getting Started

Claude Code requires an account with Claude Code access. After installing, sign in with claude auth login or start claude and follow the browser prompts.

Native Install

# Recommended native install for macOS, Linux, or WSL
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

# Windows PowerShell
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

# Windows CMD
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd

Package Managers

# macOS Homebrew
brew install --cask claude-code

# Windows WinGet
winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

npm

# Deprecated npm fallback
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Authentication

# Sign in
claude auth login

# Check sign-in status
claude auth status

# Sign out
claude auth logout

First Run and Updates

# Start interactive REPL
claude

# Start with initial prompt
claude "summarize this project"

# Check version
claude --version

# Update to latest version
claude update

# Install or reinstall a specific native version
claude install stable
claude install latest
claude install 2.1.118

Basic Navigation

/help                     # Show help and available commands
/exit                     # Exit the REPL
/clear [name]             # Start a fresh conversation; previous session stays resumable
/compact [instructions]   # Summarize current history to free context
/context                  # Visualize context usage
/config                   # Open settings panel
/status                   # Show version, model, account, and connectivity
/doctor                   # Check Claude Code installation health

Basic File Operations and Print Mode

# Print mode - execute a prompt and exit
claude -p "explain this function"

# Process piped content
cat logs.txt | claude -p "explain"