Advanced Claude Code tips, tricks, and workflows from developers who use it daily. Prompting strategies, efficiency hacks, and hidden features.
Claude Code Tips and Tricks from Power Users
After months of daily use, power users have discovered tricks that make Claude Code significantly more effective.
Here's what they've learned.
Prompting Strategies
1. The Context Dump
Before asking for changes, dump relevant context:
Our tech stack:
- Next.js 14 with App Router
- TypeScript strict mode
- Prisma with PostgreSQL
- Tailwind CSS
- React Query for data fetching
Our patterns:
- Server Components by default
- Server Actions for mutations
- Zod for validation
Now, add a new user profile page with edit functionality.
More context = better code.
2. The Step-by-Step Approach
Break complex tasks into explicit steps:
Add authentication to the app. Do this in order:
1. First, create the user database model
2. Then, set up NextAuth configuration
3. Then, create login/register pages
4. Then, add protected route middleware
5. Finally, add auth state to the header
Wait for my approval after each step.
Smaller steps = fewer mistakes.
3. The Reference Pattern
Point to existing code as a template:
Create a new ProductService following the exact same
pattern as our existing UserService in src/services/user.ts:
- Same error handling approach
- Same logging format
- Same TypeScript patterns
- Same test structure
Claude Code matches your conventions.
4. The Negative Prompt
Say what you don't want:
Add form validation to the checkout page.
Don't:
- Use class components
- Add new dependencies
- Change the existing styling
- Modify the API endpoints
Do:
- Use Zod for schema validation
- Show inline errors
- Keep the current UX flow
Constraints improve output.
5. The Explain First Pattern
Ask Claude Code to explain before acting:
I want to add caching to our API routes.
Before making any changes:
1. Explain the different caching strategies available
2. Recommend which approach fits our use case
3. List the files you'd need to modify
4. Wait for my approval before proceeding
Understanding before implementation.
Efficiency Hacks
6. The Multi-File Preview
Before big changes, ask for a preview:
Show me a list of all files you would modify or create
to add the payment system. Don't make changes yet.
Review scope before committing.
7. The Checkpoint Commit
Ask Claude Code to commit regularly:
After each major feature is complete, create a git commit
with a descriptive message. This lets us rollback if needed.
Safety nets matter.
8. The Diff Review
Always review diffs before accepting:
Before applying changes, show me the diff for each file
and explain what's changing and why.
Never accept blindly.
9. The Test-First Approach
Ask for tests before implementation:
Before implementing the discount calculator:
1. Write the test cases first
2. Show me what scenarios we're covering
3. Then implement the code to pass the tests
TDD with AI assistance.
10. The Batch Edit
Group related changes:
Update all API endpoints to:
- Add rate limiting
- Add request logging
- Add better error messages
- Add TypeScript strict types
Do all endpoints in one pass to keep them consistent.
Consistency across files.
Hidden Features
11. The Compact Command
When context gets long, use /compact:
/compact
Claude Code summarizes the conversation and frees context space.
12. The Add Command
Explicitly add files to context:
/add src/services/payment.ts
/add src/utils/stripe.ts
Now explain how our payment flow works.
Ensure relevant files are loaded.
13. Custom Instructions
Create .claude/config.json for project-specific defaults:
{
"instructions": "Always use TypeScript strict mode. Follow existing patterns. Add JSDoc comments to public functions. Use our logger from @/lib/logger."
}
Set once, apply always.
14. The Cost Check
Monitor token usage:
/cost
Stay aware of API usage.
Workflow Optimizations
15. The Planning Session
Start complex projects with planning:
I want to build a booking system. Before writing any code:
1. What pages/routes do we need?
2. What database models?
3. What API endpoints?
4. What external services?
5. What's the order of implementation?
Create a plan I can review.
Plan before building.
16. The Refactor Review
Before major refactors:
Analyze the current codebase and identify:
- Code duplication
- Inconsistent patterns
- Potential bugs
- Performance issues
- Missing error handling
List findings before we address them.
Understand before changing.
17. The Debug Workflow
When debugging:
The login form submits but nothing happens.
No errors in console. Network tab shows 200.
Here's what I've checked:
- Form submission handler fires
- API endpoint receives request
- Database shows no new records
Find the issue.
Provide what you know.
18. The Documentation Pass
After features are done:
Add comprehensive documentation:
- JSDoc for all public functions
- README updates for new features
- Inline comments for complex logic
- API documentation for new endpoints
Don't skip docs.
Advanced Patterns
19. The Rubber Duck
Use Claude Code to think through problems:
I'm stuck on how to design the permissions system.
Let me explain what we need and help me think through it:
[explain requirements]
Ask me clarifying questions until we have a clear design.
Collaborative thinking.
20. The Code Review
Ask Claude Code to review code:
Review this PR diff for:
- Bugs or logic errors
- Security issues
- Performance concerns
- Style inconsistencies
- Missing edge cases
[paste diff or describe changes]
AI-assisted code review.
21. The Migration Assistant
For complex migrations:
We need to migrate from REST to GraphQL.
Plan this in phases:
1. What can we migrate with zero risk?
2. What needs careful handling?
3. What order should we migrate endpoints?
4. How do we maintain backward compatibility?
Don't start until we agree on the plan.
Phased migrations.
22. The Learning Mode
Use Claude Code to learn codebases:
I'm new to this codebase. Help me understand:
1. How is the project structured?
2. What are the main components?
3. How does data flow from UI to database?
4. What patterns are used?
Give me a tour.
Onboarding assistant.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Too Vague
Bad: "Make it better"
Good: "Add input validation with specific error messages for email format and password length"
2. Too Much at Once
Bad: "Build the entire e-commerce backend"
Good: "Create the product listing endpoint with pagination"
3. Not Reviewing
Bad: Accept all changes without looking
Good: Review each diff, understand changes, test locally
4. Fighting the Tool
Bad: Arguing when Claude Code suggests a different approach
Good: Ask why, understand the reasoning, make informed decision
5. Forgetting Git
Bad: Making big changes without commits
Good: Commit before major operations, create branches for experiments
The Power User Mindset
- Be specific - Claude Code can't read your mind
- Be iterative - Small steps beat big leaps
- Be curious - Ask why, learn from the AI
- Be vigilant - Review everything, trust but verify
- Be collaborative - Work with the AI, not against it
The best results come from treating Claude Code as a capable but imperfect collaborator.
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