## Best Practices for Using Claude Code

1. **Plan before building** - Ask Claude to plan first, then review the plan before execution. This prevents mistakes and saves time.
2. **Be specific and detailed** - Provide clear, precise instructions instead of vague requests. Include expected behaviors and specific details you want handled.
3. **Use persistent context** - Document your coding patterns and style preferences so Claude automatically follows your established patterns without re-explaining them.
4. **Clear context frequently** - Use clear commands between different tasks to reset the context and improve output quality.
5. **Leverage visual references** - Use file mentions and provide screenshots or design mocks when relevant to eliminate ambiguity.