40+ Claude Code Tips: From Basics to Advanced

Here are my tips for getting the most out of Claude Code, including a custom status line script, cutting the system prompt in half, using Gemini CLI as Claude Code's minion, and Claude Code running itself in a container. Also includes the dx plugin.

📺 Quick demo - See some of these tips in action with a multi-Claude workflow and voice input:

Table of Contents

• Tip 0: Customize your status line
• Tip 1: Learn a few essential slash commands
• Tip 2: Talk to Claude Code with your voice
• Tip 3: Break down large problems into smaller ones
• Tip 4: Using Git and GitHub CLI like a pro
• Tip 5: AI context is like milk; it's best served fresh and condensed!
• Tip 6: Getting output out of your terminal
• Tip 7: Set up terminal aliases for quick access
• Tip 8: Proactively compact your context
• Tip 9: Complete the write-test cycle for autonomous tasks
• Tip 10: Cmd+A and Ctrl+A are your friends
• Tip 11: Use Gemini CLI as a fallback for blocked sites
• Tip 12: Invest in your own workflow
• Tip 13: Search through your conversation history
• Tip 14: Multitasking with terminal tabs
• Tip 15: Slim down the system prompt
• Tip 16: Git worktrees for parallel branch work
• Tip 17: Manual exponential backoff for long-running jobs
• Tip 18: Claude Code as a writing assistant
• Tip 19: Markdown is the s**t
• Tip 20: Use Notion to preserve links when pasting
• Tip 21: Containers for long-running risky tasks
• Tip 22: The best way to get better at using Claude Code is by using it
• Tip 23: Clone/fork and half-clone conversations
• Tip 24: Use realpath to get absolute paths
• Tip 25: Understanding CLAUDE.md vs Skills vs Slash Commands vs Plugins
• Tip 26: Interactive PR reviews
• Tip 27: Claude Code as a research tool
• Tip 28: Mastering different ways of verifying its output
• Tip 29: Claude Code as a DevOps engineer
• Tip 30: Keep CLAUDE.md simple and concise
• Tip 31: Claude Code as the universal interface
• Tip 32: It's all about choosing the right level of abstraction
• Tip 33: Audit your approved commands
• Tip 34: Write lots of tests (and use TDD)
• Tip 35: Be braver in the unknown; iterative problem solving
• Tip 36: Running bash commands and agents in the background
• Tip 37: The era of personalized software is here
• Tip 38: Navigating and editing your input box
• Tip 39: Spend some time planning, but also prototype quickly
• Tip 40: Simplify overcomplicated code
• Tip 41: Automation of automation
• Tip 42: Share your knowledge and contribute where you can
• Tip 43: Keep learning!
• Install the dx plugin