What is the core configuration artifact for Claude Code projects?

The core configuration artifact is a `CLAUDE.md` file created in a project's root directory with three sections: Commands (for running, testing, and building the app), Code Style (language and framework conventions), and Workflow (step-by-step process for using Claude Code effectively).

What are thinking keywords and how do they help with Claude Code?

Thinking keywords are specific phrases like "think step-by-step," "analyze the root cause," "plan before executing," and "verify your assumptions" that trigger deeper reasoning from the Claude Code agent, enabling more thoughtful problem-solving.

What should I do if Claude Code gets stuck or behaves unexpectedly?

The debugging sequence includes: clearing the context or explicitly asking the agent to forget previous instructions if confused, getting extremely specific about paths and filenames, and asking it to check logs or rerun commands with verbose output.

What are the three best practices for working with Claude Code?

Keep contexts small by using grep or find to locate relevant files instead of dumping the whole codebase, iterate in small verified steps rather than large speculative ones, and close the feedback loop immediately by correcting mistakes right away and adding lessons to CLAUDE.md to prevent recurrence.

Skill

Guide Claude for Optimal Code Generation

Name: Claude Code Guide
Availability: OnlineOnly
Author: zebbern

A reference skill for configuring Claude Code via CLAUDE.md, thinking keywords, debugging tactics, and best practices.

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zebbern

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out of 100

Updated last month

Version 13.2.0

Models

claude

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Why it matters

Leverage Claude Code effectively with best practices, configuration templates, and advanced usage patterns for enhanced coding efficiency and quality.

Outcomes

What it gets done

Configure Claude Code with a CLAUDE.md file for project-specific guidelines.

Implement best practices for code style, functional components, and styling.

Utilize thinking keywords for deeper agent reasoning and problem-solving.

Apply debugging strategies and iterative development for robust code.

Install

Add it to your toolbox

Run in your project directory:

curl -fsSL https://spark.entire.vc/get/ag-claude-code-guide | bash

Overview

Claude Code Guide

A reference skill for configuring Claude Code via a CLAUDE.md template, thinking-keyword prompts, and concrete debugging tactics. Use it when setting up a project's CLAUDE.md or debugging a stuck Claude Code agent session.

What it does

Claude Code Guide is a reference for configuring and using Claude Code to its full potential, synthesizing configuration templates, thinking keywords, and debugging tactics. Its core artifact is a CLAUDE.md template to place in a project's root directory:

### Project Guidelines

### Commands

- Run app: `npm run dev`
- Test: `npm test`
- Build: `npm run build`

### Code Style

- Use TypeScript for all new code.
- Functional components with Hooks for React.
- Tailwind CSS for styling.
- Early returns for error handling.

### Workflow

- Read `README.md` first to understand project context.
- Before editing, read the file content.
- After editing, run tests to verify.

It also names specific "thinking keywords" to trigger deeper reasoning in prompts - "Think step-by-step," "Analyze the root cause," "Plan before executing," "Verify your assumptions."

When to use - and when NOT to

Use this skill when setting up a new project's CLAUDE.md, debugging an agent that's stuck or behaving unexpectedly (clear context and start a new session, give extremely specific paths and filenames, or ask it to check logs / run with verbose output), or applying best practices like keeping contexts small (using grep/find to locate relevant files instead of dumping the whole codebase), iterating in small verified steps, and correcting mistakes immediately by adding a lesson to memory or CLAUDE.md.

Inputs and outputs

Input is a new or existing Claude Code project needing configuration or an agent session that's stuck; output is a project CLAUDE.md file with commands, code style, and workflow guidance, plus concrete debugging and prompting techniques to apply during a session.

Who it's for

Developers setting up or troubleshooting Claude Code on a project who want a reference CLAUDE.md template, specific thinking-keyword prompts, and concrete debugging steps rather than reasoning about agent configuration from scratch.

FAQ

Common questions

Discussion