The Complete Guide to Claude Code
Master CLAUDE.md, MCP Servers, Commands, Skills, Hooks, and learn why single-purpose chats matter for AI-assisted development.
TL;DR
Your global ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md is a security gatekeeper that prevents secrets from reaching production AND a project scaffolding blueprint. MCP servers extend Claude's capabilities exponentially. Context7 gives Claude access to up-to-date documentation. Custom commands automate workflows. Hooks enforce rules deterministically where CLAUDE.md can fail. Skills package reusable expertise. And research shows mixing topics in a single chat causes 39% performance degradation.
What's New in V2
- Part 7: Skills & Hooks - Deterministic enforcement over behavioral suggestion
- Browser MCP comparison guide - Playwright vs Browser MCP vs Browser Use
- Team workflows & Compounding Engineering - Evolving CLAUDE.md, @.claude in PRs
- GitHub repo with ready-to-use templates, hooks, and skills
Guide Contents
Part 1: Security Gatekeeper
Configure your global CLAUDE.md to protect secrets and establish security policies across all projects.
Part 2: Project Scaffolding
Automate new project setup with consistent structure, security files, and quality gates.
Part 3: MCP Servers
Extend Claude's capabilities with database access, browser automation, and external integrations.
Part 4: Context7
Give Claude access to live, up-to-date documentation for any library or framework.
Part 5: Commands & Sub-Agents
Create reusable slash commands and isolated sub-agents for workflow automation.
Part 6: Single-Purpose Chats
Learn why mixing topics destroys accuracy and how to maintain optimal context.
Part 7: Skills & Hooks
Enforce rules deterministically with hooks and package reusable expertise as skills.
Quick Reference & Sources
Complete reference table, GitHub repo, and all sources cited in this guide.