Everything from lecture 02 on one page. Print it or keep it open next to the terminal. The keys work the same in VS Code and the desktop app unless a button replaces them.
Inside Claude Code, ? on an empty line shows the same list, and /help lists every command.
Keys
The six to learn first:
| Key | Does |
|---|---|
| Esc | Stops Claude mid-work. Nothing breaks. Type what you want instead. |
| Esc Esc | Clears what you have typed. On an empty line: opens the rewind menu to undo file changes. Not moves or deletes done by commands: see Working safely. |
| Shift + Tab | Switches the permission mode. Windows fallback if the terminal swallows it: Alt + M. |
| ↑ ↓ | Your previous prompts. |
| Tab | Accepts the suggested completion, for a command or a file name. |
| ? | On an empty line: shows every shortcut. |
Nice to know:
| Key | Does | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Clears the input. Pressed twice: exits. | ||
| Ctrl + L | Redraws the screen if it looks broken. | ||
| Ctrl + R | Searches your prompt history. | ||
| Ctrl + O | Opens the transcript: every message and every tool call. See Reading the Claude Code screen. | ||
| New line | A line break without sending. | Shift + Enter in Windows Terminal. \ then Enter anywhere. | Shift + Enter in Terminal. \ then Enter anywhere. |
| Paste an image | Puts a screenshot into the context. | Alt + V (also in WSL) | Ctrl + V; Cmd + V in iTerm2 |
| @ | Mentions a file or folder. See File mention. | ||
| / | Opens the command menu. See Slash command. | ||
| ! | At the start of a line: runs a terminal command yourself, without Claude. | ||
| Alt + P | Switches the model, same as /model. | Option + P |
Slash commands
The ten to know first:
| Type | Does |
|---|---|
/help | Lists every command and shortcut. |
/clear | Starts a new session. The old one is saved. |
/resume | Picks a saved session in this folder. |
/model | Picks the model tier. See Claude model family. |
/effort | Sets how long the model thinks: low, medium, high, xhigh, max. The default is medium on Opus 5.5, high on the others. See Effort. |
/context | Shows what is in the context window and how full it is. |
/usage | Shows how much of your five-hour and weekly allowance is left. /cost does the same. See Usage limits. |
/memory | Lists your instructions files and opens the one you pick. |
/statusline | Sets up the status line in plain English. See Set up a status line. |
/exit | Leaves Claude Code. |
The next ones you will meet:
| Type | Does |
|---|---|
/compact | Summarises the conversation so far to make room in the context. Add a focus: /compact keep the list of deadlines. You should rarely need it: see Compaction. |
| Esc Esc | Rewinds file changes to an earlier point. There is no typed command for it. |
/permissions | Shows and edits which tools may run without asking. |
/mcp | Lists your connectors and the tools each one adds. Switch one off for this project, or sign in to one again. |
/status | Shows the version, the model, the account and the folder. |
/doctor | Checks the installation and fixes common problems. |
/export | Saves the conversation as a text file. |
/login | Signs in again or switches accounts. |
/init | Creates a starter CLAUDE.md for the folder. |
The ⏺ lines
Every ⏺ line with a name and brackets is a tool call. The names you will see most: Read · Write · Update · Search · PowerShell or Bash (runs a program) · Web Search · Fetch · Agent. A connector’s tool shows the connector’s name first, then the action, for example claude.ai Gmail - search_threads (MCP). The action may also show as a short title. Reading the Claude Code screen explains which lines to read.
Permission modes
Shift + Tab cycles through them. The label at the bottom of the screen tells you which one is on. See Permission mode for when to use which.
| Mode | Label | Runs without asking |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | ⏸ manual mode on | Reading only. Every change and every command asks. |
| Accept edits | ⏵⏵ accept edits on | Reading and file edits. Other commands ask. |
| Plan | ⏸ plan mode on | Reading. Instead of working, it writes a plan and waits. |
| Auto | ⏵⏵ auto mode on | Everything a second, smaller model judges safe. |
On Pro, Max and Team plans a new session starts in Auto. The habit to build is Plan, then Auto: switch to Plan, describe the task, read the plan, and choose “Yes, and use auto mode”.
Starting from the terminal
Open a terminal in your project folder first (Windows: right-click the folder, Open in Terminal; Mac: drag the folder onto Terminal), then:
| Type | Does |
|---|---|
claude | Starts a new session in this folder. |
claude -c | Continues the most recent session in this folder. |
claude -r | Shows the session picker before starting. |
claude "what is in this folder?" | Starts and asks the first question in one go. |
Official documentation
Related
- Claude Code in the terminal - the same things explained, not just listed
- Slash command, Session, File mention, Effort, Permission mode, Compaction - the terms behind the tables
- Reading the Claude Code screen and Working safely - what to watch, and how to stay safe