Advanced Topics

You know the basics. Now let's unlock the full power of Claude Code—the techniques that separate casual users from power users.

What You'll Learn

Prerequisites

• Completed Start Here setup
• Comfortable with Claude Code basics
• Some terminal/command line experience

The Pro Workflow

This is the most important thing you'll learn. Following this pattern prevents 80% of common issues.

1. Explore First

Before writing code, understand what exists:

Read src/auth/login.ts and src/lib/jwt.ts to understand
our current authentication flow.

Claude reads the code and summarizes. Now you both have context.

2. Plan with Thinking

Request a detailed plan before coding:

I need to add OAuth support. Think through how to implement this.

Use thinking modes for complex tasks:

• think — Basic extended thinking
• think hard — Deeper analysis
• think harder — Very thorough
• ultrathink — Maximum effort

3. Code Systematically

Work through the plan step by step:

Looks good! Start with step 1 - add OAuth provider configuration.

Don't skip steps. Don't rush ahead. Let Claude complete each piece.

4. Commit Cleanly

This looks great! Create a commit with an appropriate message.

Claude analyzes changes and writes a meaningful commit message.

Modules

Quick Reference

CLAUDE.md Files

Your secret weapon for project-specific instructions:

1# My Project
2 
3## Commands
4- `npm run dev` - Start dev server
5- `npm test` - Run tests
6 
7## Code Style
8IMPORTANT: Use TypeScript strict mode
9YOU MUST: Write tests before implementation
10NEVER: Use `any` type

Where to place:

• Project root — Project-specific guidelines
• Parent directory — Monorepo shared config
• ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md — Global preferences

Thinking Modes

Essential Shortcuts

Custom Skills Quick Start

Create .claude/commands/fix-issue.md:

1# Fix GitHub Issue
2 
3Fix issue #$ARGUMENTS from GitHub:
41. Read the issue description
52. Locate relevant code
63. Implement the fix
74. Create commit referencing issue

Use it: /fix-issue 1234

Why These Topics Matter

Once you master the basics, these advanced techniques can:

• 10x your productivity with optimized workflows
• Reduce errors through systematic approaches
• Handle complex projects with multi-Claude patterns
• Automate repetitive tasks with custom skills
• Integrate deeply with your existing tools

Where to Start

Ready to level up?

Best Practices Guide →

Or jump to specific topics:

• Claude Skills →
• MCP and Cursor →