Getting Started with Claude Code CLI

Claude Code is Anthropic's official terminal-based AI coding assistant. This guide will help you get started.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is a CLI tool that lets you:

• Have conversations with Claude about your codebase
• Get help writing and debugging code
• Execute shell commands with AI assistance
• Use custom skills and agents

Installation

# Install Claude Code globally
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Or with your package manager
pnpm add -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Authentication

After installation, authenticate with your Anthropic account:

claude auth login

This opens a browser window to complete authentication.

Basic Usage

Start Claude Code in your project directory:

cd my-project
claude

You're now in an interactive session. Try:

• "What files are in this project?"
• "Explain the main function in app.ts"
• "Help me add a new API endpoint"

Key Commands

• `/help` - Show available commands
• `/clear` - Clear conversation history
• `/compact` - Condense long conversations
• `/exit` or Ctrl+C - Exit Claude Code

Using Skills

Skills are reusable prompts for common tasks. With ClaudeBoyz installed:

# In Claude Code session
/claudeboyz:launch   # Build a landing page
/claudeboyz:scale    # Add auth + database

Tips for Effective Use

• **Be specific** - "Add a login button to the header" is better than "improve the header"
• **Provide context** - Reference specific files or functions
• **Iterate** - Refine through conversation
• **Review output** - Always check generated code

Next Steps

• Install ClaudeBoyz for production-ready skills
• Explore the /docs page for detailed skill documentation
• Join the community for tips and support

Happy coding!