8 Essential Claude Code Slash Commands to Double Your Productivity

Many users install Claude Code but only type prompts in the chat box, wasting up to two hours a day. This guide presents eight slash commands that unlock the tool’s full potential.

/init – Initialize a new project

Running /init in a project directory makes Claude scan the codebase and generate a CLAUDE.md file that serves as a project brief, including structure, tech stack, coding standards, and build commands.

# In the project folder
/init
# Or specify a path
/init /path/to/your/project

After generation, manually add team‑specific rules (e.g., ESLint enforcement, camelCase naming) so Claude follows them precisely.

/clear – Reset the conversation before switching tasks

When moving between unrelated modules, residual context can corrupt Claude’s output and waste tokens. /clear wipes the conversation history, giving Claude a clean slate.

Switching to a completely different feature module

Finishing a task and starting a new one

Claude’s answers start drifting

Want to save tokens

/clear

Practical tip: run /clear after each small feature; it improves answer accuracy and cuts token usage by over 40%.

/compact – Compress long conversations

Unlike /clear, /compact summarizes the existing dialogue, keeping key information while freeing context space, which speeds up Claude’s responses.

Conversation has become long and slow

Context is nearly full but you need to continue the current task

Taking a break in a long task and resuming later

# Simple compression
/compact
# Compression with focus on a topic
/compact authentication

Use /clear when changing tasks; use /compact when staying on the same task but needing a lighter context.

/model – Switch AI models to save cost

Claude Code supports three models:

Haiku : fast, low‑cost, ideal for comments and formatting

Sonnet : best‑value, suitable for everyday development

Opus : most capable, for complex architecture and deep reasoning, but highest token consumption

# List models
/model
# Switch model
/model sonnet
/model haiku
/model opus

Practical tip: use Haiku for simple tasks, Opus for heavy debugging or design, and Sonnet for most work; this can cut token usage by nearly half compared to always using Opus.

/permissions – Fine‑grained control over AI actions

The command lets you specify which tools Claude may run automatically and which require manual confirmation, crucial for enterprise projects.

# View current permissions
/permissions
# Allow a tool
/allow Edit
# Deny a tool
/deny Bash
# Reset to defaults
/reset-permissions

/review – Automated code review

/review

analyzes current changes, checking code quality, potential bugs, and best‑practice adherence.

# Review all changes
/review
# Review a specific file
/review src/components/Button.tsx

Typical workflow: develop a feature → run /review → fix reported issues → submit.

/cost – Monitor token usage and cost

/cost

displays the number of tokens used, estimated expense, and input/output token ratios.

/cost

Practical tip: check /cost at the start of the day and every half hour during long tasks; if usage spikes, consider /compact or switching to a lighter model.

/memory – Persist project knowledge

The command manages the CLAUDE.md memory file, allowing you to edit or augment it with team conventions, design patterns, business logic, and FAQs.

# View memory file
/memory
# Edit memory file
/memory edit

Unlike ordinary chat, the memory file persists across sessions, so Claude automatically loads it next time, eliminating repeated project briefings.

Advanced tip: combine commands

Combining commands multiplies efficiency. Examples:

# New project onboarding
/init
/memory edit

# Long‑session management
/context
/compact
/cost

# Pre‑commit review
/review
/cost

Conclusion

Mastering these eight commands—project initialization, context clearing and compression, model switching, permission management, code review, cost monitoring, and memory handling—covers Claude Code’s core use cases and enables developers to fully leverage the AI assistant.