Claude Code — Commands Reference
Complete reference for all built-in slash commands, keyboard shortcuts, and CLI flags.
Type / on an empty prompt to see every available command (including custom and MCP-provided).
Session Management
| Command |
What it does |
Example |
/clear |
Wipe conversation history, start fresh. Project memory (CLAUDE.md) stays. |
/clear between unrelated tasks |
/compact [focus] |
Summarize conversation to free context. Optional focus keeps specific info. |
/compact keep the API schema decisions |
/rewind |
Roll conversation and code back to an earlier checkpoint. |
/rewind → pick checkpoint from list |
/resume [session] |
Reopen a previous session and continue. Alias: /continue. |
/resume → select from recent sessions |
/fork [name] |
Branch current conversation into a new session. |
/fork experiment-with-redis |
/rename [name] |
Rename the current session. |
/rename auth-refactor |
/exit |
Quit the CLI. Alias: /quit. |
/exit |
| Command |
What it does |
Example |
/help |
List all available commands. |
/help |
/status |
Show account, model, working directory, version. |
/status |
/doctor |
Diagnose install and environment issues. |
/doctor after connection errors |
/cost |
Show token usage and spend for current session. |
/cost to check before long task |
/usage |
Show plan usage limits and rate-limit status. |
/usage when hitting rate limits |
/context |
Visualize context window — what is loaded and where space goes. |
/context when responses degrade |
/stats |
Dashboard: daily usage, session history, model preferences. |
/stats |
/diff |
Interactive viewer of uncommitted changes and per-turn diffs. |
/diff before committing |
File & Project Management
| Command |
What it does |
Example |
/init |
Explore codebase, generate a starter CLAUDE.md. |
/init in a new project |
/memory |
View or edit CLAUDE.md files in scope. |
/memory to add project rules |
/add-dir |
Grant Claude file access to an additional directory for this session. |
/add-dir ../shared-lib |
/undo |
Revert the last file edit Claude made. |
/undo if edit was wrong |
Code Actions
| Command |
What it does |
Example |
/plan |
Enter Plan Mode — Claude explains approach before executing. |
/plan refactor the auth module |
/simplify |
Review recent changes for reuse, quality, efficiency — then apply fixes. |
/simplify after large refactor |
/copy |
Copy last response or selected code block to clipboard. |
/copy |
/export [file] |
Save conversation to a file or clipboard. |
/export session-log.md |
Configuration
| Command |
What it does |
Example |
/model |
View or switch the active model mid-session. |
/model → select opus/sonnet |
/config |
Open interactive settings UI. Alias: /settings. |
/config |
/permissions |
View or change which tools require approval. |
/permissions |
/login / /logout |
Authenticate, switch accounts, or sign out. |
/login |
| Command |
What it does |
Example |
/mcp |
Manage MCP server connections and authentication. |
/mcp |
/agents |
List, create, or edit subagents. |
/agents |
/hooks |
View hook configuration for tool events. |
/hooks |
/skills |
List skills available in this session. |
/skills |
/btw |
Quick side question — doesn't add to main context. |
/btw what's the node version? |
/feedback |
Report an issue to Anthropic with session context. Alias: /bug. |
/feedback |
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key |
Action |
| Shift + Tab |
Cycle permission mode: default → acceptEdits → plan |
| Esc |
Interrupt Claude mid-response |
| Esc, Esc |
Open rewind/checkpoint menu |
| Ctrl + C |
Cancel input, or exit on empty prompt |
| Ctrl + R |
Reverse search through prompt history |
| Ctrl + O |
Expand to verbose full transcript view |
| ↑ / ↓ |
Scroll through prompt history |
@ + path |
Reference a file or directory in prompt |
/ |
Open command menu |
? |
Show shortcuts for current terminal/IDE |
CLI Flags (Terminal)
Commands you run before entering interactive mode:
| Command |
What it does |
Example |
claude |
Start interactive session. |
claude |
claude "query" |
Start with initial prompt. |
claude "explain this repo" |
claude -c |
Continue most recent conversation. |
claude -c |
claude -r "name" |
Resume session by ID or name. |
claude -r auth-refactor |
claude --model name |
Start with specific model. |
claude --model opus |
claude --enable-auto-mode |
Enable auto-approve mode (no confirmations). |
For trusted automation |
claude auth login |
Authenticate from terminal. |
claude auth login |
claude mcp |
Configure MCP servers. |
claude mcp add github |
claude agents |
List configured subagents. |
claude agents |
Common Workflows
Start a new task cleanly
/clear
/plan refactor payment processing to use Stripe SDK
Check context before a long session
/context ← see how much space is left
/compact ← free up if needed
Debug installation issues
/doctor ← check environment
/status ← verify model and account
Review and commit work
/diff ← review all changes
/simplify ← clean up code
Switch model mid-task
/model ← pick faster model for simple tasks, stronger for complex ones
See also