Claude Code Shortform Guide
Overview
Complete setup reference for Claude Code after 10+ months of daily use. Covers skills, hooks, subagents, MCPs, plugins, and practical tips. This is the foundation that the Longform Guide builds upon.
Hooks
Trigger-based automations tied to tool calls and lifecycle events.
| Hook Type | Trigger | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| PreToolUse | Before tool executes | Validation, tmux reminder |
| PostToolUse | After tool finishes | Auto-formatting, type checking |
| UserPromptSubmit | When you send a message | Context injection |
| Stop | When Claude finishes | Session-end persistence |
| PreCompact | Before context compaction | State preservation |
| Notification | Permission requests | Custom notifications |
Tip: Use the hookify plugin to create hooks conversationally via /hookify.
Subagents
Processes the orchestrator (main Claude) delegates to with limited scopes. Can run in background/foreground, sandboxed with specific tool permissions.
~/.claude/agents/
planner.md, architect.md, tdd-guide.md, code-reviewer.md,
security-reviewer.md, build-error-resolver.md, e2e-runner.md
Rules & Memory
Always-follow guidelines in .claude/rules/ as modular .md files:
security.md, coding-style.md, testing.md, git-workflow.md,
agents.md, performance.md
MCPs (Model Context Protocol)
Prompt-driven wrappers connecting Claude to external services (databases, deployment platforms, etc.).
Critical: Be picky with MCPs. Your 200k context window may shrink to 70k with too many tools enabled.
Rule of thumb: Configure 20-30 MCPs, keep under 10 enabled / under 80 tools active.
Plugins
Packaged tools for easy installation (skill + MCP combos, hook bundles, etc.).
LSP plugins are especially useful for Claude Code outside editors — provide real-time type checking, go-to-definition, and intelligent completions.
typescript-lsp, pyright-lsp, hookify, mgrep
Essential Tips
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+U | Delete entire line |
| ! | Quick bash command prefix |
| @ | Search for files |
| / | Slash commands |
| Shift+Enter | Multi-line input |
| Tab | Toggle thinking display |
| Esc Esc | Interrupt Claude / restore code |
Parallel Workflows
/forkfor non-overlapping parallel tasks- Git worktrees for overlapping parallel Claude instances
Useful Commands
/rewind— Go back to a previous state/statusline— Customize with branch, context %, todos/checkpoints— File-level undo points/compact— Manual context compaction
mgrep > grep
Significant improvement over ripgrep/grep. Install via plugin marketplace. Supports local and web search.
Editor Recommendations
Zed (Recommended)
Rust-based, genuinely fast. Agent panel integration tracks Claude's file changes in real-time. Minimal resource usage won't compete with Claude during heavy operations.
VSCode / Cursor
Works well with Claude Code in terminal or extension format. Extension provides native graphical interface.
Editor-Agnostic Tips:
- Split screen: terminal + editor
- Enable autosave for current file reads
- Use editor's git features to review Claude's changes
- Verify file watchers are enabled for auto-reload
Key Takeaways
- Don't overcomplicate — treat configuration like fine-tuning, not architecture
- Context window is precious — disable unused MCPs and plugins
- Parallel execution — fork conversations, use git worktrees
- Automate the repetitive — hooks for formatting, linting, reminders
- Scope your subagents — limited tools = focused execution