Claude Code tips

Use the latest models

Run /model and choose Sonnet 4.6 or Opus 4.6. They are both a lot better than the previous version (4.5).

Opus is more expensive than Sonnet but as it may slightly improve quality, it could pay for itself. Allow others to worry about cost.

Plan mode first

Press Shift+Tab twice to enter plan mode. Iterate on the plan before any code is written. Good plans lead to one-shot implementations.

AGENTS.md as team knowledge

Check AGENTS.md into git so the whole team benefits. Create a CLAUDE.md file with claude /init and then symlink it to AGENTS.md. Ask Claude how to do that.

Verification loops

Give Claude a way to check its work. Require it to run tests, linters, and type-checkers.

Session control

Esc — interrupt Claude mid-response
Esc Esc — rewind to a previous checkpoint (restores code and/or conversation)
Ctrl+Z — suspend, fg to resume
claude --continue or /resume — resume later in the same project directory
To exit Claude, type exit, or use Ctrl+C twice.

Linear MCP

Claude can read and update Linear tickets directly. Install:

claude mcp add --transport sse linear-server https://mcp.linear.app/sse -s user

GitLab CLI

Claude can use glab directly (no MCP needed). Install with Homebrew: brew install glab

See Anthropic's guide: Claude Code Best Practices