Starting and resuming work
The command set every Claude Code session should start from.
Key takeaways
- For a new project, check instructions and permissions; for resumed work, check the saved conversation and working directory.
- Choose deliberately between compacting, starting fresh, and branching.
Start a project
- Review project instructions with /init.
- Check tool permissions with /permissions.
- Choose a model and its persistence scope with /model.
- Use /plan to define the scope and verification criteria for a large change.
Continue earlier work
Open the conversation with /resume and inspect the working directory, current changes, and remaining checks. If the conversation is long, preserve important decisions with /compact.
Use the branch, fork, and subtask comparison to choose between continuing another approach yourself, starting a separate session, and receiving a bounded subtask result.
Finish the change
Inspect the scope with /diff, review it with /code-review, and observe application behavior with /verify.
Model availability and API operating details are in the model guide.