Every CLI flag and keyboard shortcut organized by workflow.
claude # New session
claude --continue # Continue last session
claude --resume # Pick from recent sessions
claude --from-pr 123 # Start from a PR's context
claude --session-id <id> # Resume specific session
claude --fork-session <id> # Fork an existing session
claude --system-prompt "You are a Go expert"
claude --system-prompt-file ./prompts/go.md
claude --append-system-prompt "Also run tests after changes"
claude --agent researcher # Run with specific agent
claude --agents '{"name":"researcher","tools":["Read","Grep"]}'
claude --teammate-mode # Launch as a teammate in agent teams
claude --permission-mode plan # Force plan mode
claude --allowedTools Read,Grep # Whitelist specific tools
claude --disallowedTools Bash # Blacklist tools
claude --print "explain this code" # One-shot, no interactive
claude --output-format json # JSON output for scripting
claude --json-schema '{"type":"object"}' # Structured output
claude --verbose # Debug output
claude --max-budget-usd 5.00 # Cap spending
claude --max-turns 50 # Limit conversation turns
claude --worktree # or -w: auto-create git worktree
claude --add-dir ../lib # Add extra directory to context
claude --mcp-config ./mcp.json # Load MCP config
claude --strict-mcp-config # Fail if MCP server errors
claude --plugin-dir ./my-plugin # Load a plugin directory
claude --chrome # Enable Chrome integration
claude --no-chrome # Disable Chrome integration
claude --ide vscode # Set IDE context
| Key | Action |
|---|
Enter | Submit prompt |
Shift+Tab | Cycle modes (Normal > Auto > Plan) |
Ctrl+C | Cancel current generation |
Ctrl+L | Clear screen |
Ctrl+B | Send current task to background |
Ctrl+F | Kill all background agents (two-press) |
Up/Down | Navigate prompt history |
Esc Esc | Rewind to last checkpoint |
| Key | Action |
|---|
Shift+Down | Navigate between teammates (wraps) |
Shift+Tab | Toggle delegate mode |
| Command | Purpose |
|---|
/clear | Reset conversation |
/compact | Compress context (do at task boundaries) |
/context | Show context window usage |
/resume | Resume a previous session |
/rename | Rename current session |
/cost | Show session cost (API key users) |
/usage | Check plan limits |
/extra-usage | Pay-as-you-go overflow billing |
| Command | Purpose |
|---|
/model | Switch model or effort level |
/fast | Toggle fast mode |
/voice | Toggle voice mode (hold spacebar to talk) |
| Command | Purpose |
|---|
/permissions | Manage tool permissions |
/agents | Create and manage subagents |
/memory | View/edit auto memory |
/doctor | Diagnose configuration issues |
| Command | Purpose |
|---|
/config | Open settings |
/terminal-setup | Configure terminal |
/statusline | Customize status bar |
/keybindings | Customize keyboard shortcuts |
/sandbox | Configure sandboxing |
/vim | Toggle vim keybindings |
| Command | Purpose |
|---|
/export | Export conversation |
/debug | Toggle debug mode |
/rewind | Rewind to checkpoint |
echo "explain this error" | claude --print
SESSION_ID=$(claude --output-format json --print "fix the bug" | jq -r '.session_id')
claude --session-id "$SESSION_ID" --print "now add tests"
claude --max-budget-usd 2.00 --max-turns 20 --print "review this PR"
ultrathink in your prompt triggers maximum reasoning effort/doctor diagnoses config issues — run when things feel off- Manual
/compact at 50% prevents the "agent dumb zone" near capacity
/rename your sessions — easier to find with /resume laterclaude -w is faster than manually creating worktrees- Voice mode (
/voice) — hold spacebar, speak, release to transcribe