CLAUDE CODE SETUP: CLI-FIRST FEATURES AND VS CODE CAVEATS
A step-by-step guide shows how to install the Claude Code CLI (curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash), authenticate, and use /init to create a claude.m...
A step-by-step guide shows how to install the Claude Code CLI (curl -fsSL claude.ai | bash), authenticate, and use /init to create a claude.md file that seeds project context. The CLI currently has more capabilities than the VS Code extension (full slash commands, MCP server config, checkpoints), so teams may need a CLI-first workflow even inside the IDE.
Using /init and claude.md improves code relevance and consistency across repos.
CLI-first unlocks features like checkpoints and MCP configuration that the VS Code extension lacks today.
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terminal
Measure code accuracy, latency, and token usage with vs. without /init and claude.md across representative backend/data tasks.
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Compare CLI vs VS Code extension for slash command coverage and checkpointing; standardize on the path that meets your needs.
Legacy codebase integration strategies...
- 01.
Pilot the CLI in an existing repo, add claude.md at the root, and document the Explore→Plan→Confirm→Code→Commit flow.
- 02.
Use the IDE terminal to run CLI when the extension falls short, and update onboarding/CI docs to reflect the mixed workflow.
Fresh architecture paradigms...
- 01.
Adopt CLI-first, define a claude.md template and slash-command conventions per repo, and enforce them in project scaffolding.
- 02.
Set token limits and checkpoint practices early, and require tests/reviews for all AI-generated changes.