Claude How To # Claude Code Feature Catalog > Quick reference guide to all Claude Code features: commands, agents, skills, plugins, and hooks. **Navigation**: [Commands](#-slash-commands) | [Sub-Agents](#-sub-agents) | [Skills](#-skills) | [Plugins](#-plugins) | [MCP Servers](#-mcp-servers) | [Hooks](#-hooks) --- ## Slash Commands Commands are user-invoked shortcuts that execute specific actions. ### Built-in Commands | Command | Description | When to Use | |---------|-------------|-------------| | `/help` | Show help information | Get started, learn commands | | `/clear` | Clear conversation history | Start fresh, reduce context | | `/model` | Switch AI model | Change performance/cost | | `/config` | View/edit configuration | Customize behavior | | `/status` | Show session status | Check current state | | `/agents` | List available agents | See delegation options | | `/skills` | List available skills | See auto-invoke capabilities | | `/hooks` | List configured hooks | Debug automation | | `/mcp` | List MCP servers | Check external integrations | | `/memory` | View loaded memory files | Debug context loading | | `/plugin` | Manage plugins | Install/remove extensions | | `/plan` | Enter planning mode | Complex implementations | | `/rewind` | Rewind to checkpoint | Undo changes, explore alternatives | | `/checkpoint` | Manage checkpoints | Save/restore states | | `/cost` | Show token usage costs | Monitor spending | | `/context` | Show context window usage | Manage conversation length | | `/export` | Export conversation | Save for reference | | `/login` | Authenticate with Anthropic | Access features | | `/logout` | Sign out | Switch accounts | | `/sandbox` | Toggle sandbox mode | Safe command execution | | `/vim` | Toggle vim mode | Vim-style editing | | `/doctor` | Run diagnostics | Troubleshoot issues | | `/release-notes` | Show release notes | Check new features | | `/permissions` | Manage permissions | Control access | | `/session` | Manage sessions | Multi-session workflows | | `/rename` | Rename current session | Organize sessions | | `/resume` | Resume previous session | Continue work | | `/todo` | View/manage todo list | Track tasks | | `/tasks` | View background tasks | Monitor async operations | ### Custom Commands (Examples) | Command | Description | When to Use | Scope | Installation | |---------|-------------|-------------|-------|--------------| | `/optimize` | Analyze code for optimization | Performance improvement | Project | `cp 01-slash-commands/optimize.md .claude/commands/` | | `/pr` | Prepare pull request | Before submitting PRs | Project | `cp 01-slash-commands/pr.md .claude/commands/` | | `/generate-api-docs` | Generate API documentation | Document APIs | Project | `cp 01-slash-commands/generate-api-docs.md .claude/commands/` | | `/commit` | Create git commit with context | Commit changes | User | `cp 01-slash-commands/commit.md .claude/commands/` | | `/push-all` | Stage, commit, and push | Quick deployment | User | `cp 01-slash-commands/push-all.md .claude/commands/` | | `/doc-refactor` | Restructure documentation | Improve docs | Project | `cp 01-slash-commands/doc-refactor.md .claude/commands/` | | `/setup-ci-cd` | Setup CI/CD pipeline | New projects | Project | `cp 01-slash-commands/setup-ci-cd.md .claude/commands/` | | `/unit-test-expand` | Expand test coverage | Improve testing | Project | `cp 01-slash-commands/unit-test-expand.md .claude/commands/` | > **Scope**: `User` = personal workflows (`~/.claude/commands/`), `Project` = team-shared (`.claude/commands/`) **Reference**: [01-slash-commands/](01-slash-commands/) | [Official Docs](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/slash-commands) **Quick Install (All Custom Commands)**: ```bash cp 01-slash-commands/*.md .claude/commands/ ``` --- ## Sub-Agents Specialized AI assistants with isolated contexts for specific tasks. ### Built-in Sub-Agents | Agent | Description | Tools | Model | When to Use | |-------|-------------|-------|-------|-------------| | **general-purpose** | Multi-step tasks, research | All tools | Sonnet | Complex research, multi-file tasks | | **Explore** | Codebase exploration | Read, Glob, Grep | Haiku | Quick searches, understanding code | | **Plan** | Implementation planning | Read, Glob, Grep, Bash | Sonnet | Architecture design, planning | | **Bash** | Command execution | Bash | Sonnet | Git operations, terminal tasks | | **code-reviewer** | Code quality analysis | Read, Glob, Grep | Sonnet | PR reviews, quality checks | | **code-architect** | Feature architecture design | Read, Glob, Grep, LS | Sonnet | New feature planning | | **code-explorer** | Deep codebase analysis | Read, Glob, Grep, LS | Sonnet | Understanding existing features | | **clean-code-reviewer** | Clean Code principles | Read, Grep, Glob, Bash | Sonnet | Maintainability review | ### Custom Sub-Agents (Examples) | Agent | Description | When to Use | Scope | Installation | |-------|-------------|-------------|-------|--------------| | `code-reviewer` | Comprehensive code quality | Code review sessions | Project | `cp 04-subagents/code-reviewer.md .claude/agents/` | | `test-engineer` | Test strategy & coverage | Test planning | Project | `cp 04-subagents/test-engineer.md .claude/agents/` | | `documentation-writer` | Technical documentation | API docs, guides | Project | `cp 04-subagents/documentation-writer.md .claude/agents/` | | `secure-reviewer` | Security-focused review | Security audits | Project | `cp 04-subagents/secure-reviewer.md .claude/agents/` | | `implementation-agent` | Full feature implementation | Feature development | Project | `cp 04-subagents/implementation-agent.md .claude/agents/` | | `debugger` | Root cause analysis | Bug investigation | User | `cp 04-subagents/debugger.md .claude/agents/` | | `data-scientist` | SQL queries, data analysis | Data tasks | User | `cp 04-subagents/data-scientist.md .claude/agents/` | > **Scope**: `User` = personal (`~/.claude/agents/`), `Project` = team-shared (`.claude/agents/`) **Reference**: [04-subagents/](04-subagents/) | [Official Docs](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/sub-agents) **Quick Install (All Custom Agents)**: ```bash cp 04-subagents/*.md .claude/agents/ ``` --- ## Skills Auto-invoked capabilities with instructions, scripts, and templates. ### Example Skills | Skill | Description | When Auto-Invoked | Scope | Installation | |-------|-------------|-------------------|-------|--------------| | `code-review` | Comprehensive code review | "Review this code", "Check quality" | Project | `cp -r 03-skills/code-review .claude/skills/` | | `brand-voice` | Brand consistency checker | Writing marketing copy | Project | `cp -r 03-skills/brand-voice .claude/skills/` | | `doc-generator` | API documentation generator | "Generate docs", "Document API" | Project | `cp -r 03-skills/doc-generator .claude/skills/` | | `refactor` | Systematic code refactoring (Martin Fowler) | "Refactor this", "Clean up code" | User | `cp -r 03-skills/refactor ~/.claude/skills/` | > **Scope**: `User` = personal (`~/.claude/skills/`), `Project` = team-shared (`.claude/skills/`) ### Skill Structure ``` ~/.claude/skills/skill-name/ ├── SKILL.md # Skill definition & instructions ├── scripts/ # Helper scripts └── templates/ # Output templates ``` **Reference**: [03-skills/](03-skills/) | [Official Docs](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/skills) **Quick Install (All Skills)**: ```bash cp -r 03-skills/* ~/.claude/skills/ ``` --- ## Plugins Bundled collections of commands, agents, MCP servers, and hooks. ### Example Plugins | Plugin | Description | Components | When to Use | Scope | Installation | |--------|-------------|------------|-------------|-------|--------------| | `pr-review` | PR review workflow | 3 commands, 3 agents, GitHub MCP | Code reviews | Project | `/plugin install pr-review` | | `devops-automation` | Deployment & monitoring | 4 commands, 3 agents, K8s MCP | DevOps tasks | Project | `/plugin install devops-automation` | | `documentation` | Doc generation suite | 4 commands, 3 agents, templates | Documentation | Project | `/plugin install documentation` | > **Scope**: `Project` = team-shared, `User` = personal workflows ### Plugin Structure ``` .claude-plugin/ ├── plugin.json # Manifest file ├── commands/ # Slash commands ├── agents/ # Sub-agents ├── skills/ # Skills ├── mcp/ # MCP configurations ├── hooks/ # Hook scripts └── scripts/ # Utility scripts ``` **Reference**: [07-plugins/](07-plugins/) | [Official Docs](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/plugins) **Plugin Management Commands**: ```bash /plugin list # List installed plugins /plugin install # Install plugin /plugin remove # Remove plugin /plugin update # Update plugin ``` --- ## MCP Servers Model Context Protocol servers for external tool and API access. ### Common MCP Servers | Server | Description | When to Use | Scope | Installation | |--------|-------------|-------------|-------|--------------| | **GitHub** | PR management, issues, code | GitHub workflows | Project | `cp 05-mcp/github-mcp.json .claude/mcp.json` | | **Database** | SQL queries, data access | Database operations | Project | `cp 05-mcp/database-mcp.json .claude/mcp.json` | | **Filesystem** | Advanced file operations | Complex file tasks | User | `cp 05-mcp/filesystem-mcp.json .claude/mcp.json` | | **Slack** | Team communication | Notifications, updates | Project | Configure in settings | | **Google Docs** | Document access | Doc editing, review | Project | Configure in settings | | **Asana** | Project management | Task tracking | Project | Configure in settings | | **Stripe** | Payment data | Financial analysis | Project | Configure in settings | | **Memory** | Persistent memory | Cross-session recall | User | Configure in settings | | **Context7** | Library documentation | Up-to-date docs lookup | Built-in | Built-in | > **Scope**: `Project` = team (`.claude/mcp.json`), `User` = personal (`~/.claude/mcp.json`), `Built-in` = pre-installed ### MCP Configuration Example ```json { "mcpServers": { "github": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"], "env": { "GITHUB_TOKEN": "${GITHUB_TOKEN}" } } } } ``` **Reference**: [05-mcp/](05-mcp/) | [MCP Protocol Docs](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) **Quick Install (GitHub MCP)**: ```bash export GITHUB_TOKEN="your_token" && cp 05-mcp/github-mcp.json .claude/mcp.json ``` --- ## Hooks Event-driven automation that executes shell commands on Claude Code events. ### Hook Events | Event | Description | When Triggered | Use Cases | |-------|-------------|----------------|-----------| | `PreToolUse` | Before tool execution | Before any tool runs | Validation, logging | | `PostToolUse` | After tool completion | After any tool completes | Formatting, notifications | | `PermissionRequest` | Permission dialog shown | Before sensitive actions | Custom approval flows | | `UserPromptSubmit` | Before prompt processing | User sends message | Input validation | | `Notification` | Notification sent | Claude sends notification | External alerts | | `Stop` | Agent finishes responding | Response complete | Cleanup, reporting | | `SubagentStop` | Subagent finishes | Subagent task complete | Chain actions | | `PreCompact` | Before compact operation | Context compression | State preservation | | `SessionStart` | Session begins/resumes | Session initialization | Setup tasks | ### Example Hooks | Hook | Description | Event | Scope | Installation | |------|-------------|-------|-------|--------------| | `validate-bash.py` | Command validation | PreToolUse:Bash | Project | `cp 06-hooks/validate-bash.py .claude/hooks/` | | `security-scan.py` | Security scanning | PostToolUse:Write | Project | `cp 06-hooks/security-scan.py .claude/hooks/` | | `format-code.sh` | Auto-formatting | PostToolUse:Write | User | `cp 06-hooks/format-code.sh ~/.claude/hooks/` | | `validate-prompt.py` | Prompt validation | UserPromptSubmit | Project | `cp 06-hooks/validate-prompt.py .claude/hooks/` | | `context-tracker.py` | Token usage tracking | Stop | User | `cp 06-hooks/context-tracker.py ~/.claude/hooks/` | | `pre-commit.sh` | Pre-commit validation | PreToolUse:Bash | Project | `cp 06-hooks/pre-commit.sh .claude/hooks/` | | `log-bash.sh` | Command logging | PostToolUse:Bash | User | `cp 06-hooks/log-bash.sh ~/.claude/hooks/` | > **Scope**: `Project` = team (`.claude/settings.json`), `User` = personal (`~/.claude/settings.json`) ### Hook Configuration ```json { "hooks": { "PreToolUse": [ { "matcher": "Bash", "command": "~/.claude/hooks/validate-bash.py" } ], "PostToolUse": [ { "matcher": "Write", "command": "~/.claude/hooks/format-code.sh" } ] } } ``` **Reference**: [06-hooks/](06-hooks/) | [Official Docs](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/hooks) **Quick Install (All Hooks)**: ```bash mkdir -p ~/.claude/hooks && cp 06-hooks/*.sh ~/.claude/hooks/ && chmod +x ~/.claude/hooks/*.sh ``` --- ## Memory Files Persistent context loaded automatically across sessions. ### Memory Types | Type | Location | Scope | When to Use | |------|----------|-------|-------------| | **Project Memory** | `./CLAUDE.md` | Project (team) | Team standards, project rules | | **Directory Memory** | `./src/api/CLAUDE.md` | Directory | Module-specific rules | | **Personal Memory** | `~/.claude/CLAUDE.md` | User (personal) | Personal preferences | > **Scope**: `Project` = shared with team via git, `Directory` = module-specific, `User` = personal preferences **Reference**: [02-memory/](02-memory/) | [Official Docs](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/memory) **Quick Install**: ```bash cp 02-memory/project-CLAUDE.md ./CLAUDE.md cp 02-memory/personal-CLAUDE.md ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md ``` --- ## Quick Reference Matrix ### Feature Selection Guide | Need | Recommended Feature | Why | |------|---------------------|-----| | Quick shortcut | Slash Command | Manual, immediate | | Persistent context | Memory | Auto-loaded | | Complex automation | Skill | Auto-invoked | | Specialized task | Sub-Agent | Isolated context | | External data | MCP Server | Real-time access | | Event automation | Hook | Event-triggered | | Complete solution | Plugin | All-in-one bundle | ### Installation Priority | Priority | Feature | Command | |----------|---------|---------| | 1. Essential | Memory | `cp 02-memory/project-CLAUDE.md ./CLAUDE.md` | | 2. Daily Use | Slash Commands | `cp 01-slash-commands/*.md .claude/commands/` | | 3. Quality | Sub-Agents | `cp 04-subagents/*.md .claude/agents/` | | 4. Automation | Hooks | `cp 06-hooks/*.sh ~/.claude/hooks/ && chmod +x ~/.claude/hooks/*.sh` | | 5. External | MCP | `cp 05-mcp/github-mcp.json .claude/mcp.json` | | 6. Advanced | Skills | `cp -r 03-skills/* ~/.claude/skills/` | | 7. Complete | Plugins | `/plugin install pr-review` | --- ## Complete One-Command Installation Install all examples from this repository: ```bash # Create directories mkdir -p .claude/{commands,agents,skills} ~/.claude/{hooks,skills} # Install all features cp 01-slash-commands/*.md .claude/commands/ && \ cp 02-memory/project-CLAUDE.md ./CLAUDE.md && \ cp -r 03-skills/* ~/.claude/skills/ && \ cp 04-subagents/*.md .claude/agents/ && \ cp 06-hooks/*.sh ~/.claude/hooks/ && \ chmod +x ~/.claude/hooks/*.sh ``` --- ## Additional Resources - [Official Claude Code Documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code) - [MCP Protocol Specification](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) - [Learning Roadmap](LEARNING-ROADMAP.md) - [Main README](README.md) --- **Last Updated**: January 2026