Claude Code can feel like a senior pair-programmer when you give it the right context and constraints. Here are compact, battle-tested tips to get more reliable results—whether you use the Claude app (Artifacts) or the VS Code extension.

Prime with the right context

• Anchor the project: keep a short ARCHITECTURE.md (components, data flow, constraints) and a task-specific brief (goal, acceptance criteria, non-goals). Share or attach both before asking for changes.
• Point to exact files: reference paths like app/services/user.ts and paste the minimal surrounding code needed. Big diffs reduce precision.

Keep CLAUDE.md up to date

• Always generate a CLAUDE.md (like Cursor rules). In Claude, run /init to scaffold it, then tailor to your repo.
• Keep it current as conventions, commands, or constraints change.
• Store drafts/screens in images/screenshots/ and reference them when discussing UI.

Ask for a plan first

• Use Plan mode (Shift‑Tab): “Propose a 3–6 step plan. Wait for confirmation.”
• Benefits: surfaces hidden work, catches risks early, and lets you narrow scope before touching code.

Constrain edits to diffs

• Say: “Return a unified diff touching only X and Y. Do not change any other files.”
• Review the diff, then apply locally. Small, surgical edits = fewer regressions.

Drive development with tests

• Ask for: “Write failing tests first, then minimal code to pass.”
• For legacy code: “Add characterization tests around current behavior, then refactor.” This preserves behavior while improving design.

Make it reason, not guess

• Nudge with: “Explain trade‑offs briefly before coding,” or “List 2–3 options, pick one, justify.”
• For nontrivial changes, request a short risk checklist (perf, security, migrations, API breaks).

Use Artifacts (Claude app) or scratch files (IDE)

• Have Claude build UI snippets, config files, or docs in an isolated “artifact/scratch” first. Iterate there, then promote to real files once stable.

Trace code across the repo

• Prompt patterns:
  • “Given POST /api/users, trace request → controller → domain → DB. Cite files and lines.”
  • “Where are roles/permissions enforced before this handler runs?”
• This is great for onboarding, audits, or untangling data flows.

Keep changes small and reviewable

• Ask Claude to split work into atomic commits with messages.
• Prefer “Phase 1: tests + types,” “Phase 2: implementation,” “Phase 3: cleanup/docs.”

Use Git as checkpoints

• Claude IDE has “Restore Checkpoint”; Claude Code doesn’t. Use Git commits as your restore mechanism.
• Commit after each accepted feature or diff; revert/discard when needed.
• You can instruct Claude to commit after each feature when operating on your repo.

Safer refactors

• Guardrails to include:
  • “Preserve public API; note any breaking changes explicitly.”
  • “Do not change runtime behavior without tests that prove safety.”
  • “Flag potential edge cases and add tests for them.”

Handy prompt snippets

You are my coding pair. Goal: <one sentence>.
Constraints: return a small diff; don’t touch unrelated files; add/adjust tests.
Plan first in <=5 steps, then wait.

Refactor `services/billing.ts` to remove duplication.
– Keep public API stable
– Add characterization tests first
– Return a unified diff only for files you touch

Write table-driven tests for `parseDuration()` covering malformed inputs, large values, and locale quirks. Keep tests fast and deterministic.

When to escalate to deeper thinking

• For complex tasks, ask Claude to “think step‑by‑step,” or “consider 2 alternatives and pick one.” You’ll get slower but more deliberate output.

Screenshots workflow

• Drag screenshots into Claude Code to ground UI discussions.
• Keep draft ideas in images/screenshots/.

Web search and Subagents

• Use Claude’s web search agent; paste links to docs; Google when helpful.
• Ask Claude to break the problem down and use Subagents in parallel for faster coverage.

Review everything

• Ask it to double‑check findings and diffs.
• Review generated code like a teammate’s PR; don’t auto‑accept.

Final checklist for reliable outputs

• Attach minimal, relevant code context.
• Ask for a plan → review → approve.
• Demand diffs and tests.
• Run the suite locally; iterate on failures.
• Plan mode first (Shift‑Tab).
• Keep CLAUDE.md updated (/init on new projects).
• Commit often; use Git as your restore checkpoints.
• Leverage web search and Subagents where appropriate.
• Review everything; double‑check before applying.

With tight prompts and small, test‑backed diffs, Claude Code becomes a fast, dependable assistant for everyday engineering work.