Claude Code Core Commands: Full 2026 Edition

Claude Code is a leading AI large model, and this guide lists and explains all of its core command‑line interface (CLI) commands as of the 2026 version.

1. claude – Start interactive mode

Enter the interactive chat where you type prompts prefixed with You: and receive responses prefixed with Claude:.

claude

2. claude -p – Single‑execution mode

Suitable for quick questions without entering the interactive console.

claude -p "Explain Redis persistence principles"

Typical output:

RDB
AOF
Mixed persistence

3. claude -c – Continue the most recent session

Resumes the last conversation without re‑entering the context.

claude -c

4. claude --resume – Resume a specified session

Allows you to pick a historic session (e.g., yesterday’s analysis) and continue it directly.

claude --resume

5. claude --version – Show version

Displays the current CLI version, useful for compatibility checks.

claude --version
1.2.0

6. claude doctor – Diagnose environment

Checks Node version, network status, permission configuration, and Claude installation. claude doctor Sample output:

✓ Network OK
✓ Authentication OK
✓ CLI OK

7. /help – View help

Lists all supported commands; ideal for newcomers.

/help

8. /init – Initialize a project

Generates a CLAUDE.md file and automatically analyses the project structure (e.g., Java, SpringBoot, React) to produce documentation.

/init

9. /clear – Clear conversation context

Deletes the current dialogue to avoid long‑session pollution; useful when switching projects.

/clear

10. /status – Show current status

Displays the active model, token usage, context length, and project directory. /status Example:

Model: Claude Sonnet
Context: 45%

11. /memory – View memory content

Shows stored project rules, coding standards, and historical preferences. /memory Example entries:

Java uses Lombok
Unified logging standards

12. /config – View configuration

Lists model configuration, permission configuration, and tool configuration; useful for troubleshooting.

/config

13. /permissions – Manage permissions

Allows setting file write, Bash command execution, and network permissions. /permissions Sample entries:

AllowFileWrite
AllowBashCommand

14. /review – Code review

Claude scans the specified source file for bugs, security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and coding‑style problems. /review UserService.java Typical output:

Found 3 potential issues

15. /compact – Compress context

Keeps core content while deleting redundant dialogue, saving tokens and improving response speed for very long sessions.

/compact

16. /exit – Exit Claude Code

Terminates the current session; you can also press Ctrl+C.

/exit