Core Commands
The command set every Claude Code session should start from.
| Command | Purpose | Team habit |
|---|
/help | Show available commands in the current session. | Use it as the final source of truth because availability can vary. |
/status | Show version, model, account, and connectivity status. | Capture it when debugging environment drift. |
/config | Open settings for model, theme, editor mode, output style, and preferences. | Remember that v2.1.119+ persists settings to ~/.claude/settings.json. |
/doctor | Diagnose installation, MCP, plugin, and configuration issues. | Run it before changing project config when a teammate reports a broken setup. |
| Command | Purpose | Use carefully |
|---|
/resume | Resume a conversation by ID or name. | Large stale sessions may be summarized before reload. |
/clear | Start a new conversation with empty context. | Previous sessions remain available through /resume. |
/compact | Summarize long context while continuing the same thread. | Add focus instructions when the task has a clear next step. |
/rewind | Return conversation and/or code to a previous point. | Treat it as a recovery tool, not a replacement for git discipline. |
/branch | Branch the current conversation. | Name branches with /rename if you create more than one. |
/exit or /quit | Leave the CLI. | Make handoff notes before closing long-running work. |
| Command | Purpose | Operating note |
|---|
/model | Switch model or inspect the current model. | Gateway model discovery is opt-in from v2.1.129. |
/effort | Adjust thinking effort. | Use higher effort for ambiguous architecture work, lower effort for obvious edits. |
/fast | Toggle fast mode for Opus 4.6. | Higher cost, lower latency, research preview. |
/usage | Check usage, cost, and activity stats. | Standardize on this command; /cost and /stats are shortcuts. |
/extra-usage | Configure extra usage after hitting plan limits. | Confirm billing and admin policy before making it a default workflow. |
/status
/doctor
/model
/usage
For a long task, add:
/plan describe the change and risks before editing