If you are a programming beginner, or not very familiar with command-line tools, this article will introduce, in plain and easy-to-understand terms, the built-in “/” slash commands of the Claude Code tool developed by Anthropic in its v2.0.76 release. These commands are the core control mechanism of Claude Code: you simply type an instruction starting with “/” in the chat interface to quickly manage sessions, check status, and adjust settings, all without writing complex code.

Claude Code is an intelligent coding assistant that runs in the terminal (command line). It can understand your codebase, perform tasks, fix errors, and interact with you through natural language. v2.0.76 is one of the tool's latest stable releases, with a rich set of built-in slash commands that help users operate more efficiently.

Why should you learn about slash commands?

  • Convenient control: These commands act like shortcuts that directly affect the tool's behavior.
  • Beginner-friendly: No programming knowledge required, just type and use.
  • All built-in: The list below covers all of the major built-in commands in v2.0.76 (based on the official documentation and changelog). Custom commands can be created additionally, but this article focuses on the built-in ones.
  • How to use: In a Claude Code session, simply type the command (such as /help) and press Enter. Most commands require no arguments; a few support optional arguments.

Complete list of built-in slash commands

The following are arranged in alphabetical order. Each command includes:

  • Command name
  • Purpose: a brief explanation of what it does.
  • Usage example: how to type it.
  • Beginner tip: why it is useful for beginners, plus things to watch out for.
  1. /add-dirPurpose: Add an additional folder so Claude Code can access the files in it. Usage example: /add-dir /path/to/your/project/folderBeginner tip: Great for multi-folder projects, helping the assistant “see” more content. An incorrect path will prompt you to try again.
  2. /agentsPurpose: Create, manage, or view subagents (task-specific AI assistants). Usage example: /agents (to list) or follow the prompts to create one. Beginner tip: Break large tasks into smaller pieces; beginners can start by viewing the default agents.
  3. /bashesPurpose: View or manage tasks running in the background. Usage example: /bashes (shows the list, with the option to stop them). Beginner tip: Clean up the background when the tool lags, to avoid using up resources.
  4. /bugPurpose: Report a tool problem to the developers. Usage example: /bug describe the problem you encounteredBeginner tip: Reporting bugs helps improve the tool and is highly encouraged.
  5. /clearPurpose: Clear the current chat history and restart a fresh session. Usage example: /clearBeginner tip: A “one-click reset” when the conversation gets messy, like clearing the chat window.
  6. /compact [instructions]Purpose: Compress the chat history to save context space (you can optionally specify what to keep). Usage example: /compact or /compact keep only the codeBeginner tip: Use it during long conversations to avoid exceeding the token limit.
  7. /configPurpose: Open the settings menu to adjust options such as theme and notifications. Usage example: /configBeginner tip: Personalize the tool's appearance and behavior; start here.
  8. /contextPurpose: Show the current context usage (a colorful grid chart). Usage example: /contextBeginner tip: Visually understand how much of the tool's “memory” is used, to avoid going over the limit.
  9. /costPurpose: Show the number of tokens used and a cost estimate. Usage example: /costBeginner tip: Paid users can monitor their spending, like checking data usage.
  10. /doctorPurpose: Diagnose the tool's health and report potential problems. Usage example: /doctorBeginner tip: Run this “checkup” first when the tool acts up.
  11. /exitPurpose: Safely exit the current session. Usage example: /exitBeginner tip: Use it when you finish working; you won't lose saved content.
  12. /export [filename]Purpose: Export the chat history to a file or the clipboard. Usage example: /export chat.txt or /export (clipboard) Beginner tip: Back up important conversations for easy reference later.
  13. /helpPurpose: Show a list of all available commands with brief descriptions. Usage example: /helpBeginner tip: The most used one! When you forget, use this to look up the manual.
  14. /hooksPurpose: Manage automatic hooks (actions triggered when files change). Usage example: /hooksBeginner tip: Enables automation; beginners can skip it for now.
  15. /idePurpose: Connect an external code editor (such as VS Code). Usage example: /ideBeginner tip: Seamlessly integrate your editor for a better experience.
  16. /initPurpose: Initialize a new project and generate a CLAUDE.md guidance file. Usage example: /initBeginner tip: A standard template for starting a new project.
  17. /install-github-appPurpose: Install and connect the GitHub App. Usage example: /install-github-appBeginner tip: Essential for GitHub users, simplifying code pushes.
  18. /loginPurpose: Switch or log in to an Anthropic account. Usage example: /loginBeginner tip: Use it when switching between multiple accounts.
  19. /logoutPurpose: Log out of the current account. Usage example: /logoutBeginner tip: Protect your privacy on a shared computer.
  20. /mcpPurpose: Manage external tool connections (such as GitHub and Jira). Usage example: /mcpBeginner tip: Extend the tool's capabilities by connecting to commonly used services.
  21. /memoryPurpose: View or edit persistent notes (stored in CLAUDE.md). Usage example: /memoryBeginner tip: Like a built-in notepad for recording project key points.
  22. /modelPurpose: Switch the AI model (such as Sonnet or Opus). Usage example: /model claude-3-5-sonnetBeginner tip: Different models have different speeds/capabilities; experiment to choose.
  23. /output-style [style]Purpose: Adjust the response output style (concise/detailed). Usage example: /output-style briefBeginner tip: Match your personal reading preference.
  24. /permissionsPurpose: View or manage tool permissions. Usage example: /permissionsBeginner tip: Control the security boundaries to avoid accidental operations.
  25. /pluginPurpose: Manage plugin installation and configuration. Usage example: /pluginBeginner tip: Extend with extra features.
  26. /pr-commentsPurpose: View GitHub Pull Request comments. Usage example: /pr-commentsBeginner tip: Quickly review feedback during team collaboration.
  27. /privacy-settingsPurpose: Adjust privacy-related options. Usage example: /privacy-settingsBeginner tip: Protect sensitive data.
  28. /release-notesPurpose: View the tool's changelog. Usage example: /release-notesBeginner tip: Learn about new features and fixes.
  29. /rename <name>Purpose: Rename the current session. Usage example: /rename my projectBeginner tip: Manage multiple parallel sessions.
  30. /resume [session]Purpose: Restore a previously saved session. Usage example: /resume session nameBeginner tip: Continue interrupted work.
  31. /reviewPurpose: Ask Claude to review code. Usage example: /reviewBeginner tip: Automatically find bugs and optimization suggestions.
  32. /rewindPurpose: Roll back to a previous checkpoint (undo changes). Usage example: /rewindBeginner tip: Like an “undo” feature, a lifesaver when you make a mistake.
  33. /sandboxPurpose: Enter sandbox mode (restrict network/file access). Usage example: /sandboxBeginner tip: Test code safely while avoiding risk.
  34. /security-reviewPurpose: Perform a code security review. Usage example: /security-reviewBeginner tip: Check for potential vulnerabilities.
  35. /statsPurpose: Show usage statistics charts. Usage example: /statsBeginner tip: View your personal usage habits.
  36. /statusPurpose: Show the version, account, and connection status. Usage example: /statusBeginner tip: Quickly diagnose whether the tool is working properly.
  37. /statuslinePurpose: Enable/disable the bottom status bar. Usage example: /statuslineBeginner tip: Display key information in real time.
  38. /terminal-setupPurpose: Configure terminal shortcuts. Usage example: /terminal-setupBeginner tip: Optimize how smoothly you can operate.
  39. /todosPurpose: Extract TODO items from the code. Usage example: /todosBeginner tip: Manage your task list.
  40. /usagePurpose: Check usage against your paid limits. Usage example: /usageBeginner tip: Avoid accidental overspending.
  41. /vimPurpose: Switch to Vim editing mode. Usage example: /vimBeginner tip: For users familiar with Vim; otherwise you can ignore it.

Conclusion

The above is a complete explanation of all the major built-in slash commands in Claude Code v2.0.76. These commands make using the tool simple and efficient, so that even a programming beginner can get started quickly. Begin your exploration with /help and /status, and you will find that Claude Code is powerful yet friendly. If you want to create custom commands (via the .claude/commands folder), or need example code for a specific command, feel free to ask anytime. We hope this article has been helpful, and happy coding!