Five Claude Code Commands to Learn First

If you're new to Claude Code, these five commands are a good place to start. Each one does one clear job. You don't need to learn them all at once. Try one, then add the next when you're ready.

A quick note on terms. A command is a short word that starts with a slash, like /init. You type it into Claude Code and press Enter. Some commands let you add a few words after them, such as a question or a task.

1. /init: explain your project to Claude

/init creates a CLAUDE.md file for your project. This is a guide file that tells Claude how your project works, so it has the background it needs. Start with:

/init

2. /plan: plan before changing anything

/plan puts Claude into plan mode. In plan mode, Claude makes a plan before it changes anything. You can add a short description of what you want. Try this:

/plan fix the login bug

3. /btw: ask a side question

/btw lets you ask a quick side question without adding it to the main conversation. It's handy when you want to check something small and keep the main chat on track. Say:

/btw what does this error message mean?

4. /rewind: go back to an earlier point

/rewind takes your conversation, your code or both back to an earlier point. It also works if you type /undo or /checkpoint. Start with:

/rewind

5. /usage: check your limits and stats

/usage shows your session cost, your plan usage limits and your activity stats. /cost and /stats do the same thing. Type:

/usage

Good to know

• Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan (Pro or Max). It isn't part of the Free plan.
• Type / in Claude Code to see every command.
• /compact summarises the conversation to free up space.
• /clear starts a new conversation.
• /doctor checks your setup, which is useful if something isn't working.
• If a command here looks different in your app, check the / menu for the current list.

Official sources

Claude Code docs: Commands reference

Claude Help: Use Claude Code with your Pro or Max plan