Claude Code AI best practices

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Motivation

I stopped using Cursor. I moved fully to Claude Code.

After trying both side by side with my team, the conclusion was clear:

👉 Claude Code feels 10x better for real development work.

It’s not just about faster results. Claude Code has many useful features I am a big fan of. It’s like pairing with a senior engineer who never gets tired.

Here are 6 practical tips we use in my team to get the most out of Claude Code:

1. Use the VS Code extension

First of all, install the Claude Code extension. It works with VS Code, Cursor, and Windsurf too. The extension itself is very simple, but it helps you start Claude Code quickly. The nice part is that you can open several windows at once in your IDE, each can be focused on a different part of your project.

2. Create a Claude.md file

Give Claude a foundation by creating a Claude.md file in your repo.

Think of Claude.md as onboarding docs for your AI teammate. Instead of repeating yourself in every prompt, Claude stays aligned and consistent. The result: fewer misunderstandings, more consistent code, and smoother collaboration.

Add the following details:

• The project’s main goal

• The tech stack you use

• Folder structures

• The software practices you follow (TDD, clean code, commit rules, etc.)

💡 Pro tip: Consider using nested Claude.md files so Claude can navigate your codebase and pull in richer context as it works.

3. Explore ➝ Plan ➝ Code

Most devs jump straight to “Hey Claude, implement this feature”

That works, but it’s shallow. I found a better rhythm:

• Ask Claude to explore the existing solution first.

• Then have it plan the change.

• Finally, let it implement.

This layered approach produces code that’s better thought-out, easier to maintain, and often catches edge cases you didn’t think of.

It genuinely feels like working with an engineer who pauses, thinks, and then writes. That’s why I call it the closest thing to AGI coding right now.

4. Use /clear often

Context is Claude’s strength, but also its weakness. Over time, conversations drift. Details blur. Costs go up.

That’s when /clear becomes your friend.

I use it like hitting the reset button:

• It sharpens Claude’s focus

• Reduces hallucinations

• And saves a surprising amount of tokens

It’s like closing and reopening your IDE when things feel “stale.”

Simple habit, huge difference in output quality.

5. Build custom slash commands

One of Claude’s hidden superpowers: custom commands.

They let you create repeatable workflows for things like:

• analyzing server logs

• running common debug steps

• generating test and documentation

You define them once inside .claude/commands/. After that, you can trigger them instantly with a simple slash command.

Think of it as reusable macros for your AI teammate. Productivity on autopilot.

6. Give Claude screenshots

A picture says more than 1000 words.

I am continuously pasting screenshots into Claude: error messages, diagrams, even UI snippets. Claude reads and interprets them with surprising accuracy.

Suddenly, you don’t waste time describing the shape of a bug or the layout of a system. You just show it.

Better input = better output.

Final Thought

Claude Code isn’t just another coding assistant. It is the cutting edge of AI.

Once you start treating Claude like a real teammate - giving it onboarding, resetting when needed, and letting it think in steps - the results feel like magic, helping you to craft better software.

AI won't replace software engineers, but an engineer using AI will.