CLI

The CLI is the most powerful way to use Claude Code. It runs directly in your terminal and gives you full control.

What is Claude Code CLI?

Claude Code CLI is a command-line interface that lets you interact with Claude directly from your terminal. It’s perfect for developers who love working in the terminal and want to integrate AI assistance into their coding workflow.

Installation

Install Claude Code CLI using the installation script:


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

After installation, verify it’s working:


claude --version

Basic Usage

Start an interactive session

Navigate to your project directory and run:


claude

This starts an interactive chat session where you can ask Claude to help with your code.

Run a one-off command

You can also pass a prompt directly:


claude "explain what this function does" --file mycode.js

Common Commands

Initialize a project

Let Claude scan your project for better context:


/init

This helps Claude understand your project structure and saves credits by avoiding repeated context sharing.

Commit changes

After Claude makes changes, commit them:


/commit

Claude will generate a meaningful commit message based on the changes.

Clear conversation

Start fresh:


/clear

Get help

See all available commands:


/help

Advanced Features

Working with files

Claude can read, edit, and create files directly:


claude "refactor the authentication logic in auth.js"

Running commands

Claude can execute shell commands for you:


claude "install the dependencies and run the dev server"

Multi-file operations

Claude can work across multiple files:


claude "update all components to use TypeScript"

Pro Tips

Always review Claude’s changes before committing. Use git to track changes and easily revert if needed.

Use /init at the start of each session to give Claude context
Be specific in your prompts for better results
Leverage Claude’s ability to read documentation and error messages
Use version control (git) so you can safely experiment

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl+C - Cancel current operation
Ctrl+D - Exit Claude Code
Up/Down arrows - Navigate command history

Configuration

Customize Claude Code by editing ~/.claude/config.json:


{
  "model": "claude-sonnet-4.5",
  "temperature": 0.7,
  "auto_commit": false
}

Next Steps

Now that you know the CLI basics, try building something! Check out the platform-specific guides to learn how to build for different platforms.