![Claude How To](claude-howto-logo.svg) # πŸ“š Claude Code Learning Roadmap **New to Claude Code?** This comprehensive guide will help you master Claude Code features progressively, starting with the simplest and most frequently used capabilities. --- ## 🎯 Learning Philosophy The folders in this repository are numbered in **recommended learning order** based on three key principles: 1. **Dependencies** - Foundational concepts come first 2. **Complexity** - Easier features before advanced ones 3. **Frequency of Use** - Most common features taught early This approach ensures you build a solid foundation while gaining immediate productivity benefits. --- ## πŸ—ΊοΈ Your Learning Path ```mermaid graph TD A[1. Slash Commands
⭐ START HERE] --> B[2. Memory
Essential Foundation] B --> C[3. Skills
Auto-invoked Capabilities] C --> D[4. Subagents
Task Delegation] D --> E[5. MCP
External Integration] E --> F[6. Hooks
Event Automation] F --> G[7. Plugins
Bundled Solutions] G --> H[8. Checkpoints
Safe Experimentation] H --> I[9. Advanced Features
Power User Tools] I --> J[10. CLI Reference
Command Mastery] style A fill:#90EE90 style B fill:#87CEEB style C fill:#87CEEB style D fill:#FFD700 style E fill:#FFD700 style F fill:#FFA500 style G fill:#FF6347 style H fill:#FF6347 style I fill:#8B0000,color:#fff style J fill:#87CEEB ``` **Color Legend:** - 🟒 Green: Beginner - Start here! - πŸ”΅ Light Blue: Beginner+ - Essential foundations - 🟑 Gold: Intermediate - Common usage - 🟠 Orange: Intermediate-Advanced - Specialized - πŸ”΄ Red: Advanced - Power user features - πŸ”΄ Dark Red: Most Advanced - Expert territory --- ## πŸ“Š Complete Roadmap Table | Step | Feature | Complexity | Time | Dependencies | Why Learn This | Key Benefits | |------|---------|-----------|------|--------------|----------------|--------------| | **1** | [Slash Commands](01-slash-commands/) | ⭐ Beginner | 30 min | None | Quick productivity wins | Instant automation, team standards | | **2** | [Memory](02-memory/) | ⭐⭐ Beginner+ | 45 min | None | Essential for all features | Persistent context, preferences | | **3** | [Skills](03-skills/) | ⭐⭐ Intermediate | 1 hour | Slash Commands | Automatic expertise | Reusable capabilities, consistency | | **4** | [Subagents](04-subagents/) | ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate+ | 1.5 hours | Memory, Commands | Complex task handling | Delegation, specialized expertise | | **5** | [MCP](05-mcp/) | ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate+ | 1 hour | Configuration | Live data access | Real-time integration, APIs | | **6** | [Hooks](06-hooks/) | ⭐⭐ Intermediate | 1 hour | Tools, Commands | Workflow automation | Validation, quality gates | | **7** | [Plugins](07-plugins/) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced | 2 hours | All previous | Complete solutions | Team onboarding, distribution | | **8** | [Checkpoints](08-checkpoints/) | ⭐⭐ Intermediate | 45 min | Session management | Safe exploration | Experimentation, recovery | | **9** | [Advanced Features](09-advanced-features/) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced | 2-3 hours | All previous | Power user tools | Planning, headless, permissions | | **10** | [CLI Reference](10-cli/) | ⭐⭐ Beginner+ | 1 hour | None | CLI mastery | Scripting, CI/CD, automation | **Total Learning Time**: ~11-13 hours (spread across 4-5 weeks recommended) --- ## 🎯 Learning Milestones ### Milestone 1: Essential Productivity (Week 1) **Topics**: Slash Commands + Memory **Time**: 1-2 hours **Complexity**: ⭐ Beginner **Goal**: Immediate productivity boost with custom commands and persistent context #### What You'll Achieve βœ… Create custom slash commands for repetitive tasks βœ… Set up project memory for team standards βœ… Configure personal preferences βœ… Understand how Claude loads context automatically #### Hands-on Exercises ```bash # Exercise 1: Install your first slash command mkdir -p .claude/commands cp 01-slash-commands/optimize.md .claude/commands/ # Exercise 2: Create project memory cp 02-memory/project-CLAUDE.md ./CLAUDE.md # Exercise 3: Try it out # In Claude Code, type: /optimize ``` #### Success Criteria - [ ] Successfully invoke `/optimize` command - [ ] Claude remembers your project standards from CLAUDE.md - [ ] You understand when to use slash commands vs. memory #### Next Steps Once comfortable, read: - [01-slash-commands/README.md](01-slash-commands/README.md) - [02-memory/README.md](02-memory/README.md) --- ### Milestone 2: Automation (Week 2) **Topics**: Skills + Hooks **Time**: 2-3 hours **Complexity**: ⭐⭐ Intermediate **Goal**: Automate common workflows and quality checks #### What You'll Achieve βœ… Auto-invoke specialized capabilities βœ… Set up event-driven automation βœ… Enforce code quality standards βœ… Create custom hooks for your workflow #### Hands-on Exercises ```bash # Exercise 1: Install a skill cp -r 03-skills/code-review ~/.claude/skills/ # Exercise 2: Set up hooks mkdir -p ~/.claude/hooks cp 06-hooks/pre-commit.sh ~/.claude/hooks/ chmod +x ~/.claude/hooks/pre-commit.sh # Exercise 3: Configure hooks in settings # Add to ~/.claude/config.json: { "hooks": { "PreCommit": "~/.claude/hooks/pre-commit.sh" } } ``` #### Success Criteria - [ ] Code review skill automatically invoked when relevant - [ ] Pre-commit hook runs before git commits - [ ] You understand skill auto-invocation vs. hook triggers #### Next Steps - Create your own custom skill - Set up additional hooks for your workflow - Read: [03-skills/README.md](03-skills/README.md) - Read: [06-hooks/README.md](06-hooks/README.md) --- ### Milestone 3: Advanced Integration (Week 3-4) **Topics**: Subagents + MCP + Plugins **Time**: 4-5 hours **Complexity**: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate-Advanced **Goal**: Integrate external services and delegate complex tasks #### What You'll Achieve βœ… Delegate work to specialized AI agents βœ… Access live data from GitHub, databases, etc. βœ… Install complete bundled solutions βœ… Understand when to use each integration type #### Hands-on Exercises ```bash # Exercise 1: Set up GitHub MCP export GITHUB_TOKEN="your_github_token" cp 05-mcp/github-mcp.json ~/.claude/mcp.json # Exercise 2: Test MCP integration # In Claude Code: /mcp__github__list_prs # Exercise 3: Install subagents mkdir -p .claude/agents cp 04-subagents/*.md .claude/agents/ # Exercise 4: Install a complete plugin # In Claude Code: /plugin install pr-review ``` #### Success Criteria - [ ] Successfully query GitHub data via MCP - [ ] Claude delegates complex tasks to subagents - [ ] You've installed and used a plugin - [ ] You understand the difference between MCP, subagents, and plugins #### Integration Exercise Try this complete workflow: 1. Use MCP to fetch a GitHub PR 2. Let Claude delegate review to code-reviewer subagent 3. Use hooks to run tests automatically 4. See how the plugin bundles everything together #### Next Steps - Set up additional MCP servers (database, Slack, etc.) - Create custom subagents for your domain - Read: [04-subagents/README.md](04-subagents/README.md) - Read: [05-mcp/README.md](05-mcp/README.md) - Read: [07-plugins/README.md](07-plugins/README.md) --- ### Milestone 4: Power User (Week 5+) **Topics**: Checkpoints + Advanced Features **Time**: 3-4 hours **Complexity**: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced **Goal**: Master advanced workflows and experimentation #### What You'll Achieve βœ… Safe experimentation with checkpoints βœ… Planning mode for complex features βœ… Headless mode for CI/CD βœ… Fine-grained permission control βœ… Background task management #### Hands-on Exercises ```bash # Exercise 1: Try checkpoint workflow # In Claude Code: /checkpoint save "Before experiment" # ... make experimental changes ... /checkpoint rewind "Before experiment" # Exercise 2: Use planning mode /plan Implement user authentication system # Exercise 3: Try headless mode claude-code --headless --task "Run all tests and generate report" # Exercise 4: Configure advanced features # See 09-advanced-features/config-examples.json ``` #### Success Criteria - [ ] Created and reverted to a checkpoint - [ ] Used planning mode for a complex feature - [ ] Ran Claude Code in headless mode - [ ] Configured permission modes - [ ] Used background tasks for long operations #### Advanced Exercise Complete this end-to-end workflow: 1. Create checkpoint "Clean state" 2. Use planning mode to design a feature 3. Implement with subagent delegation 4. Run tests in background 5. If tests fail, rewind to checkpoint 6. Try alternative approach 7. Use headless mode in CI/CD #### Next Steps - Set up CI/CD integration - Create custom configuration for your team - Read: [08-checkpoints/README.md](08-checkpoints/README.md) - Read: [09-advanced-features/README.md](09-advanced-features/README.md) --- ### Milestone 5: CLI Mastery (Anytime) **Topics**: CLI Reference **Time**: 1 hour **Complexity**: ⭐⭐ Beginner+ **Goal**: Master command-line usage for scripting and automation #### What You'll Achieve βœ… Understand all CLI commands and flags βœ… Use print mode for scripting βœ… Integrate Claude Code into CI/CD pipelines βœ… Process files and logs via piping βœ… Configure custom agents via CLI #### Hands-on Exercises ```bash # Exercise 1: Interactive vs Print mode claude "explain this project" # Interactive claude -p "explain this function" # Print mode # Exercise 2: Process file content cat error.log | claude -p "explain this error" # Exercise 3: JSON output for scripts claude -p --output-format json "list all functions" # Exercise 4: Session management claude -r "feature-auth" "continue implementation" # Exercise 5: CI/CD integration claude -p --max-turns 3 --output-format json "review code" ``` #### Success Criteria - [ ] Used print mode for non-interactive queries - [ ] Piped file content to Claude for analysis - [ ] Generated JSON output for scripting - [ ] Resumed a previous session - [ ] Understood permission and tool flags #### CLI Integration Exercise Create a simple CI/CD script: 1. Use `claude -p` to review changed files 2. Output results as JSON 3. Process with `jq` for specific issues 4. Integrate into GitHub Actions workflow #### Next Steps - Create shell aliases for common commands - Set up batch processing scripts - Read: [10-cli/README.md](10-cli/README.md) --- ## ⚑ Quick Start Paths ### If You Only Have 15 Minutes **Goal**: Get your first win 1. Copy one slash command: `cp 01-slash-commands/optimize.md .claude/commands/` 2. Try it in Claude Code: `/optimize` 3. Read: [01-slash-commands/README.md](01-slash-commands/README.md) **Outcome**: You'll have a working slash command and understand the basics --- ### If You Have 1 Hour **Goal**: Set up essential productivity tools 1. **Slash commands** (15 min): Copy and test `/optimize` and `/pr` 2. **Project memory** (15 min): Create CLAUDE.md with your project standards 3. **Install a skill** (15 min): Set up code-review skill 4. **Try them together** (15 min): See how they work in harmony **Outcome**: Basic productivity boost with commands, memory, and auto-skills --- ### If You Have a Weekend **Goal**: Become proficient with most features **Saturday Morning** (3 hours): - Complete Milestone 1: Slash Commands + Memory - Complete Milestone 2: Skills + Hooks **Saturday Afternoon** (3 hours): - Complete Milestone 3: Subagents + MCP - Install and explore plugins **Sunday** (4 hours): - Complete Milestone 4: Checkpoints + Advanced Features - Build a custom plugin for your team - Set up complete CI/CD workflow **Outcome**: You'll be a Claude Code power user ready to train others --- ## πŸ’‘ Learning Tips ### βœ… Do - **Follow the numbered order** (01 β†’ 02 β†’ 03...) - **Complete hands-on exercises** for each topic - **Start simple** and add complexity gradually - **Test each feature** before moving to the next - **Take notes** on what works for your workflow - **Refer back** to earlier concepts as you learn advanced topics - **Experiment safely** using checkpoints - **Share knowledge** with your team ### ❌ Don't - **Skip directly to advanced features** - you'll miss foundations - **Try to learn everything at once** - it's overwhelming - **Copy configurations without understanding them** - you won't know how to debug - **Forget to test** - always verify features work - **Rush through milestones** - take time to understand - **Ignore the documentation** - each README has valuable details - **Work in isolation** - discuss with teammates --- ## πŸŽ“ Learning Styles ### Visual Learners - Study the mermaid diagrams in each README - Watch the command execution flow - Draw your own workflow diagrams - Use the visual learning path above ### Hands-on Learners - Complete every hands-on exercise - Experiment with variations - Break things and fix them - Create your own examples ### Reading Learners - Read each README thoroughly - Study the code examples - Review the comparison tables - Read the blog posts linked in resources ### Social Learners - Set up pair programming sessions - Teach concepts to teammates - Join Claude Code community discussions - Share your custom configurations --- ## πŸ“ˆ Progress Tracking Use this checklist to track your progress: ### Week 1: Foundations - [ ] Completed 01-slash-commands - [ ] Completed 02-memory - [ ] Created first custom slash command - [ ] Set up project memory - [ ] Milestone 1 achieved ### Week 2: Automation - [ ] Completed 03-skills - [ ] Completed 06-hooks - [ ] Installed first skill - [ ] Set up pre-commit hook - [ ] Milestone 2 achieved ### Week 3-4: Integration - [ ] Completed 04-subagents - [ ] Completed 05-mcp - [ ] Completed 07-plugins - [ ] Connected GitHub MCP - [ ] Created custom subagent - [ ] Installed plugin - [ ] Milestone 3 achieved ### Week 5+: Mastery - [ ] Completed 08-checkpoints - [ ] Completed 09-advanced-features - [ ] Completed 10-cli - [ ] Used planning mode successfully - [ ] Set up headless CI/CD - [ ] Created team plugin - [ ] Used CLI for scripting and automation - [ ] Milestone 4 & 5 achieved --- ## πŸ†˜ Common Learning Challenges ### Challenge 1: "Too many concepts at once" **Solution**: Focus on one milestone at a time. Complete all exercises before moving forward. ### Challenge 2: "Don't know which feature to use when" **Solution**: Refer to the [Use Case Matrix](README.md#use-case-matrix) in the main README. ### Challenge 3: "Configuration not working" **Solution**: Check the [Troubleshooting](README.md#troubleshooting) section and verify file locations. ### Challenge 4: "Concepts seem to overlap" **Solution**: Review the [Feature Comparison](README.md#feature-comparison) table to understand differences. ### Challenge 5: "Hard to remember everything" **Solution**: Create your own cheat sheet. Use checkpoints to experiment safely. --- ## 🎯 What's Next After Completion? Once you've completed all milestones: 1. **Create team documentation** - Document your team's Claude Code setup 2. **Build custom plugins** - Package your team's workflows 3. **Contribute examples** - Share with the community 4. **Mentor others** - Help teammates learn 5. **Optimize workflows** - Continuously improve based on usage 6. **Stay updated** - Follow Claude Code releases and new features --- ## πŸ“š Additional Resources ### Official Documentation - [Claude Code Documentation](https://docs.claude.com/en/docs/claude-code) - [MCP Protocol Specification](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) - [Plugin Marketplace](https://plugins.claude.com) ### Blog Posts - [Discovering Claude Code Slash Commands](https://medium.com/@luongnv89/discovering-claude-code-slash-commands-cdc17f0dfb29) ### Community - [Claude Code Examples](https://github.com/anthropic/claude-examples) - [MCP Servers Repository](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers) --- ## πŸ’¬ Feedback & Support - **Found an issue?** Create an issue in the repository - **Have a suggestion?** Submit a pull request - **Need help?** Check the documentation or ask the community --- **Last Updated**: December 2025 **Maintained by**: Claude How-To Contributors **License**: Educational purposes, free to use and adapt --- [← Back to Main README](README.md)