Among constantly emerging developer support tools, Claude Code released by Anthropic stands out. Rather than mere code completion, it functions as an “autonomous agent” supporting everything from design to editing, testing, and version control—a potential reliable development partner.
This article clearly explains Claude Code’s basic features, differences from other tools, and concrete usage scenarios.
Table of Contents
- What is Claude Code?
- Feature Comparison with Other Representative Tools
- Claude Code Usage Examples and Practical Effects
- Initial Setup (Complete in 5 Minutes)
- Frequently Used Commands & Shortcuts
- Practical TIPS
- Learning Skills Systematically with Anthropic’s Official Course “Claude Code in Action”
- Learning Content Structure
- Practical Exercise Examples
- Prerequisites for Course Participation
- Security Design and Safe Operation
- Cost Design and Usage Limit Understanding
- About Rate Limits
- Summary
What is Claude Code?
Anthropic’s “Agentic (autonomous) coding CLI” is a development support tool that behaves like a human assistant. Rather than just completing code fragments, it can survey entire projects, autonomously considering “where and how to fix” and “how changes affect other areas” before executing tasks—that’s its defining characteristic.
Specifically, it operates in terminals or VS Code, handling complete development workflows including modifying code across multiple files, running tests, committing, and creating pull requests. To ensure even first-time users can safely delegate tasks, it’s designed to confirm “Is this change acceptable?” before each action.
Claude Code combines both usability and execution capability, unlike other AI coding support tools. The following table compares differences with representative tools.
Feature Comparison with Other Representative Tools
| Item | Claude Code | GitHub Copilot Chat | Cursor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codebase Recognition | Autonomous exploration of entire projects | Centered on opened files | Same |
| Execution Environment | Local CLI (no cloud required) | VS Code / JetBrains extensions | Dedicated IDE |
| Action Scope | Edit, test, Git operations, PR | Primarily editing support | Edit + partial execution |
| Model | Claude Opus 4/ Sonnet 4, etc. | GPT-4 series | Claude / GPT-4 |
Thus Claude Code isn’t merely a “code completion tool” but fulfills an “agentic” role covering execution and version control, capable of handling complex projects.
Claude Code Usage Examples and Practical Effects
Claude Code goes beyond simple code generation or completion, offering features that automate and streamline diverse tasks directly connected to actual operations. Below we introduce five particularly practical representative use cases.
- Codebase Q&A
For questions like “Where’s authentication processing?” it explores the entire codebase, identifies relevant locations, and responds with summaries. Enables rapid overall project comprehension.
- Bug Fixing & Test Automation
Communicating errors discovered via npm test or CI in natural language prompts correction candidates and specific content. Automatic retesting after corrections enables efficient bug response with minimal rework.
- Refactoring & Large-Scale Modifications
ESLint, type definition errors, library version updates, and other multi-file changes are appropriately rewritten after understanding impact scope. Maintains consistency even across broad modifications.
- Issue to PR Completion
Reads issues registered in GitHub or GitLab, implements necessary changes as code. Can execute from Git commits to pull request creation in one batch. Enables significant time savings for teams wanting detailed work management.
- CLAUDE.md Memory
Using the /init command, project characteristics, design policies, and cautions can be organized in Markdown format. This serves as “memory” for you and your team, useful as handover material or explanatory documentation for new project members.
Initial Setup (Complete in 5 Minutes)
Claude Code is a CLI tool installed and used in local environments, requiring no cloud integration or complex configuration for setup. Here we introduce basic implementation procedures for developers to start using it quickly. With minimal special dependencies, setup is possible via identical steps in any OS environment as long as Node.js is installed.
- Prepare Node.js 18+ and execute:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
- Navigate to project directory:
cd your-project-directory
- Launch CLI:
claude
- Authentication:
OAuth integration via Anthropic Console or Claude Max plan. Enterprise use can also connect to Bedrock / Vertex AI.
- Supports macOS / Linux / WSL2 (Windows), 4 GB+ RAM recommended.
Frequently Used Commands & Shortcuts
Since Claude Code is primarily terminal-based, understanding several key commands and shortcuts is important for daily use. Here we list particularly high-frequency, practically useful commands. While intuitive syntax familiar to CLI users is central, flexibly switching between interactive and one-line modes enables more versatile task handling.
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
claude | Launch interactive mode |
claude -p "query" | Single-line execution (non-interactive) |
claude --continue | Resume recent session |
claude commit / create a pr | Automate Git operations |
/init | Generate CLAUDE.md |
/config | Change settings (model switching, etc.) |
-
Shift+Enter for line breaks, immediate memory addition with
#prefix, Vi keybindings also possible via/vim. -
One-liner execution accepts pipe input like
cat error.log | claude -p "explain the cause".
Practical TIPS
Here we introduce practical refinements and usage know-how for naturally incorporating Claude Code into daily operations. Covering hints for integrating as part of development flows and operation examples for effective use in specific use cases, this content deepens practical understanding.
- Onboarding
Confirm project overview with > summarize this project and create CLAUDE.md via /init for use as simple internal documentation.
- Rapid Debugging
Simply paste error logs and ask “How do I fix this error?” for correction code and verification methods.
- Parallel Development
Use claude --resume to switch work content, progressing without confusion.
- Large-Scale Refactoring
Consult on major change strategies using > think longer about, then smoothly review entire codebase via /review.
Learning Skills Systematically with Anthropic’s Official Course “Claude Code in Action”
Beyond daily usage TIPS, Anthropic’s official learning course “Claude Code in Action” enables systematic learning from basics to applications. Through exercise formats using practical challenges, you can acquire and organize skills directly connected to real work.
Learning Content Structure
| Category | Main Learning Content | Learning Points |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Skills | - Understanding AI architecture- Context management via CLAUDE.md- Distinguishing Planning/Thinking mode usage | Grasp project overview, achieving efficient interactions |
| Applied Skills | - Custom command design- Automation via Hooks (type checking, formatting, etc.)- MCP server integration- GitHub PR review support | Apply complex changes and automation at production level, improving development efficiency |
Practical Exercise Examples
-
Preventing Type Change Propagation Omissions: Run
tsc --noEmitwith PostToolUse for immediate detection of modification oversights -
Preventing DB Query Duplication: Automate existing function verification, promoting reuse
-
Protecting Confidential Files: Block
.envaccess with PreToolUse -
Improving UI Generation Accuracy: Verify display results with Playwright MCP, refining prompts
Prerequisites for Course Participation
-
Basic CLI operation
-
Git usage experience
-
Node.js and npm environment setup skills
-
(Optional) AWS Bedrock or Google Vertex AI connection configuration
With official procedures in place, learning can begin quickly with foundational skills.
For those thinking “I’ve become comfortable using Claude Code practically, but want more systematic learning,” this course offers opportunities to comprehensively acquire production-ready skills.
※Details here: “Claude Code in Action” (Anthropic Official)
You may also want to read
Claude Code Official Tips Collection: Practical Techniques to Boost Productivity
Security Design and Safe Operation
The most important aspect of using Claude Code is visualizing “what scope generative AI can operate within” and minimizing risks. This section organizes Claude Code’s safety design philosophy and operational precautions.
First, Claude Code has sufficient security considerations for confident use in development settings.
All processing executes in local environments, with communication directly interfacing Anthropic’s API, without intermediary third-party servers. This minimizes leakage risks when handling confidential codebases.
Furthermore, safe design always requesting user confirmation before operations eliminates concerns about “unauthorized changes” even with automated processing.
For streamlining development and verification, the --dangerously-skip-permissions option can skip confirmations, but this is not recommended in production environments.
Cost Design and Usage Limit Understanding
Claude Code employs two primary billing structures—“subscription (Pro/Max)” and “API pay-as-you-go”—designed to support individual users to enterprise teams broadly. Flexible selection according to usage purpose is characteristic.
| Billing Structure | Use Cases | Pricing (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription (Pro/Max) | Daily use / Using Claude Code in both web and terminal | Pro: $17/month (annual) or $20/month, Max: $100 or $200/month (5×/20× usage) |
| API Pay-as-you-go (Anthropic API) | Charge per use. For PoC or automation with fine-grained control | Depends on usage (unit prices by model) |
No standalone Claude Code subscription exists. Included in Pro/Max (individual) or Team Premium seats, or used as API pay-as-you-go.
About Rate Limits
From August 2025, Anthropic introduced new weekly usage limits to maintain overall service stability. Primarily for controlling heavy users, understanding the mechanism helps prevent operational troubles. Below are key limits and response points.
- Session System + Weekly Limits
Paid plans have 5-hour session limits plus weekly limits (check remaining at Settings → Usage).
- Shared Counting
Claude main and Claude Code usage counts toward common limits.
- on the web Handling
Operates as cloud sessions, sharing limits with other Claude Code usage.
- Team Weekly Guidelines (Premium Seats)
Sonnet 4: 50–95 hours/week, Opus 4/4.1: 3–7 hours/week as limit guidelines. After reaching limits, continue via Extra usage (when enabled) switching to standard API rates.
- Individual (Pro/Max) Additional Usage
Even after reaching limits, continuation possible via enabling Extra usage (paid) or switching to Console API credits (optional).
Summary
Claude Code is essentially “a full-stack AI engineer resident in your terminal”. Setup is just one line: npm install. Natural language enables completing “think → write → test → PR,” making it
An immediate solution to workplace challenges like:
“Code reviews bottleneck and halt development”
“Explaining codebases to newcomers creates heavy burden”
First try the /init → claude commit flow in small projects to experience its potential.