Claude Code Cheat Sheet
TL;DR Highlight
A cheat sheet for developers who use Claude Code daily but keep forgetting commands — covering everything from keyboard shortcuts to MCP configuration, memory management, and CLI flags, on one page. With auto-update to always stay current.
Who Should Read
Developers who use Claude Code in the terminal daily but frequently forget commands or shortcuts — especially those who want to properly leverage advanced features like MCP server configuration, agent workflows, and context management.
Core Mechanics
- The cheat sheet covers four main areas: keyboard shortcuts (Esc escaping, Ctrl+C canceling, etc.), slash commands (/clear, /compact, /memory), CLI flags (--continue, --resume, --print), and MCP configuration syntax.
- The memory management section is particularly useful: it documents the difference between /memory (view current memory), /memory add (add a memory), and the CLAUDE.md file for persistent project context.
- The MCP section documents the JSON config format for adding MCP servers, which is underdocumented in the official docs and frequently asked about.
- Auto-update is implemented by fetching the latest version from a remote source, so the cheat sheet reflects new Claude Code features as they're released.
- The project is open-source and accepts contributions — several community members have added tips for specific use cases (monorepos, Python projects, etc.).
Evidence
- The cheat sheet became a popular bookmark in developer communities within days of release — many developers reported learning shortcuts they didn't know existed.
- Commenters frequently mentioned the MCP configuration section as the most valuable part, as the official documentation on MCP setup is sparse.
- Several developers noted they'd been using /clear when they should have been using /compact — a common mistake the cheat sheet clarifies.
- The auto-update feature was noted as particularly thoughtful since Claude Code releases updates frequently and cheat sheets for rapidly-evolving tools go stale fast.
How to Apply
- Bookmark or pin the cheat sheet URL in your browser for quick access during Claude Code sessions.
- Pay special attention to /compact vs /clear — /compact summarizes context to free up space while preserving memory, while /clear wipes everything.
- For team adoption, share the MCP configuration section specifically — it answers the most common setup questions.
- If you're using Claude Code with a specific stack (Python, TypeScript, monorepo), check the community contributions section for stack-specific tips.
Code Example
# Analyze a file in non-interactive mode and receive JSON results
cat myfile.py | claude -p "Find bugs in this code" --output-format json --max-budget-usd 2
# Resume by session name
claude -r "my-session-name"
# Continue from the last conversation
claude -c
# Start in plan mode (review before execution)
claude --permission-mode plan
# Minimal headless mode (no hooks/LSP/plugins)
claude --bare
# Set default effort level via environment variable
export CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL=high
export MAX_THINKING_TOKENS=0 # Disable thinking
export IS_DEMO=1 # Remove welcome banner
# Isolated work per feature using Git Worktree
claude --worktree feature/new-apiTerminology
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