139 lines
4.8 KiB
Markdown
139 lines
4.8 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "Claude Code Overview"
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aliases: [claude-code-overview, claude-code-product]
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tags: [claude-code, anthropic, cli, ai-coding-assistant, agentic]
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sources: [raw/Claude Code overview.md]
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created: 2026-04-17
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updated: 2026-04-17
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---
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# Claude Code Overview
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Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding assistant — reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands, and integrates with dev tools across terminal, IDE, desktop, and browser.
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---
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## Installation
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**macOS / Linux / WSL:**
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```sh
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curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
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```
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**Windows PowerShell:**
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```powershell
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irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
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```
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**Windows CMD:**
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```bat
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curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd
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```
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- Native Windows installs require **Git for Windows** first
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- Native installs auto-update in background
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- Start in any project: `cd your-project && claude`
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---
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## Core Capabilities
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### Automate tedious tasks
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- Write tests for untested code
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- Fix lint errors across a project
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- Resolve merge conflicts, update dependencies, write release notes
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```sh
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claude "write tests for the auth module, run them, and fix any failures"
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```
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### Build features & fix bugs
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- Describe in plain language → Claude plans, writes across files, verifies
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- Paste an error message → Claude traces root cause, implements fix
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### Git integration
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```sh
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claude "commit my changes with a descriptive message"
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```
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- Stages changes, writes commit messages, creates branches, opens PRs
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- CI automation via GitHub Actions or GitLab CI/CD
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### MCP (Model Context Protocol)
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- Connect Claude to Google Drive, Jira, Slack, custom tools
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- Open standard for AI ↔ external data integration
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- See [[wiki/agent-sdk/overview|Agent SDK Overview]] for programmatic MCP use
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### Customization
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- **`CLAUDE.md`** — project-root file Claude reads every session; set coding standards, preferred libs, review checklists
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- **Auto memory** — Claude saves learnings (build commands, debugging insights) across sessions automatically
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- **Custom commands (skills)** — package repeatable workflows: `/review-pr`, `/deploy-staging`
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- **Hooks** — shell commands before/after Claude actions (auto-format after edit, lint before commit)
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### Multi-agent & Agent SDK
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- Spawn multiple Claude Code agents working simultaneously on subtasks
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- Lead agent coordinates, assigns, and merges results
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- For fully custom workflows: [[wiki/agent-sdk/overview|Agent SDK]] gives full control over orchestration and tool access
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### CLI scripting & Unix composability
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```sh
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# Pipe logs
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tail -200 app.log | claude -p "Slack me if you see any anomalies"
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# CI translation
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claude -p "translate new strings into French and raise a PR for review"
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# Security review on changed files
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git diff main --name-only | claude -p "review these changed files for security issues"
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```
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### Scheduled / recurring tasks
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| Option | Where it runs | Use case |
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|--------|--------------|---------|
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| Routines | Anthropic-managed infra | Morning PR reviews, overnight CI analysis — runs without your computer |
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| Desktop scheduled tasks | Local machine | Direct access to local files/tools |
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| `/loop` | CLI session | Quick polling within a session |
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---
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## Surfaces
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All surfaces share the same CLAUDE.md files, settings, and MCP servers.
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| Surface | Best for |
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|---------|---------|
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| Terminal CLI | Full-featured; edit files, run commands |
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| VS Code / JetBrains | IDE-integrated editing |
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| Desktop app | Visual diff review, Dispatch task routing |
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| Web app | Start tasks, continue on mobile |
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| iOS app + `--teleport` | Mobile continuation of terminal sessions |
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| Remote Control | Continue local session from any device/phone |
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| Slack (`@Claude`) | Route bug reports → pull requests from chat |
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| GitHub Actions / GitLab CI | Automated PR review and issue triage |
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| Chrome extension | Debug live web applications |
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| Agent SDK | Build fully custom agents programmatically |
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---
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## Key Takeaways
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- Claude Code works **across your entire codebase**, not just open files
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- **`CLAUDE.md`** is the primary way to give Claude persistent project context
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- **MCP** enables connections to any external data source or tool
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- **Hooks** automate pre/post actions (format, lint, notify) around Claude's edits
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- **Routines** run scheduled tasks on Anthropic infrastructure — no local machine needed
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- All surfaces (CLI, IDE, desktop, web, mobile) share the same underlying engine
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- The **Agent SDK** is the programmable layer on top of Claude Code for custom automation
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---
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## Related Articles
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- [[wiki/agent-sdk/overview|Agent SDK Overview]] — build custom agents programmatically
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- [[wiki/agent-sdk/hooks-guide|Hooks Guide]] — all 25 hook events, matchers, exit codes
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- [[wiki/agent-sdk/agent-skills-plugins|Agent Skills & Plugins]] — loading skills and MCP servers
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---
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## Sources
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- `raw/Claude Code overview.md` — clipped from code.claude.com/docs/en/overview
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