[IMPORTANT] Use TaskCreate to break ALL work into small tasks BEFORE starting — including tasks for each file read. This prevents context loss from long files. For simple tasks, AI MUST ATTENTION ask user whether to skip.
Quick Summary
Goal: Help users install, configure, troubleshoot, and extend Claude Code CLI (hooks, MCP, skills, commands).
Workflow:
- Categorize — Identify problem type (Setup, Hooks, MCP, Context, Extensibility, Config)
- Diagnose — Follow category-specific diagnostic steps
- Fix & Verify — Apply solution and confirm it resolves the issue
Key Rules:
- Not for writing application code -- use feature/fix/refactor skills instead
- Never modify settings without user approval
- For hooks: check event type, script executability, and JSON output format
Be skeptical. Apply critical thinking, sequential thinking. Every claim needs traced proof, confidence percentages (Idea should be more than 80%).
Claude Code
Purpose
Help users install, configure, troubleshoot, and extend Claude Code CLI -- Anthropic's agentic coding tool with skills, hooks, MCP servers, and slash commands.
When to Use
- Setting up Claude Code for the first time (installation, authentication)
- Troubleshooting hooks that don't fire or produce errors
- Diagnosing MCP server connection failures
- Understanding or resolving context window limits
- Creating or modifying slash commands and agent skills
- Configuring settings (model, allowed tools, output style)
When NOT to Use
- Writing application code -- use
feature-implementation, fix, or refactoring skills
- Creating MCP servers from scratch -- use
mcp-builder skill
- Managing existing MCP server connections -- use
mcp-management skill
- AI prompt engineering -- use
ai-artist skill
Prerequisites
- Access to
.claude/ directory in the project root
- For hooks: read
.claude/hooks/ directory structure
- For skills: read
.claude/skills/ directory structure
Workflow
Step 1: Identify the Problem Category
| User Says |
Category |
Go To |
| "install", "set up", "authenticate" |
Setup |
Step 2A |
| "hook not firing", "hook error" |
Hook Issues |
Step 2B |
| "MCP not connecting", "MCP error" |
MCP Issues |
Step 2C |
| "context too long", "compaction", "token limit" |
Context Issues |
Step 2D |
| "create skill", "create command" |
Extensibility |
Step 2E |
| "configure", "settings", "model" |
Configuration |
Step 2F |
Step 2A: Setup
- Check prerequisites: Node.js 18+, npm
- Verify authentication:
claude auth status
- IF auth fails: guide through
claude auth login
- Verify project detection: check for
CLAUDE.md in project root
Step 2B: Hook Issues
- Read the hook file causing issues
- Check hook event type matches expected trigger (PreToolUse, PostToolUse, SessionStart, Stop, SubagentStop)
- Verify hook script is executable and has correct shebang
- Check
.claude/settings.json for hook registration
- Test hook in isolation: run the script directly with mock input
- Check for syntax errors in hook output (must be valid JSON for PreToolUse/PostToolUse)
Common fixes:
- Hook not firing: wrong event name or tool matcher pattern
- Hook errors: script not finding dependencies (check relative paths)
- Hook blocks unexpectedly: PreToolUse returning
{ "decision": "block" } incorrectly
Step 2C: MCP Issues
- Check
.claude/settings.json for MCP server configuration
- Verify the MCP server process can start: run the command manually
- Check environment variables (API keys, tokens) are set
- Test connectivity:
claude mcp list to see registered servers
- IF timeout: increase timeout in config or check network
Common fixes:
- "Connection refused": MCP server not running or wrong port
- "Authentication failed": expired or missing API token
- "Tool not found": MCP server registered but tool name mismatch
Step 2D: Context Issues
- Check current context usage (Claude will report when near limit)
- IF approaching limit: suggest
/compact command
- Review if large files are being read unnecessarily
- Check for recovery files in
/tmp/ck/swap/ after compaction
- Verify
post-compact-recovery hook is configured for session continuity
Step 2E: Extensibility
- For skills: read
references/agent-skills.md for structure
- For custom slash commands: create skills in
.claude/skills/{name}/SKILL.md
- Verify SKILL.md frontmatter has required fields (name, version, description)
- Test: invoke the skill/command and verify it loads
Step 2F: Configuration
- Read
references/configuration.md for settings hierarchy
- Settings locations:
.claude/settings.json (project), ~/.claude/settings.json (user)
- IMPORTANT: Never modify settings without user approval
- Common settings: model selection, allowed tools, output verbosity
Step 3: Verification
- Confirm the fix resolves the user's issue
- Document any configuration changes made
- Warn if changes affect other team members (project-level settings)
Output Format
## Claude Code: [Issue/Task Summary]
### Problem
[What was wrong or what was requested]
### Solution
[Step-by-step fix or setup instructions]
### Files Changed
[List any config files modified, with before/after]
### Verification
[How to confirm the fix works]
Examples
Example 1: Hook Not Firing
User: "My PreToolUse hook for blocking large file reads isn't triggering"
Diagnosis:
- Read
.claude/settings.json -- hook registered under hooks.PreToolUse
- Check tool matcher:
"matcher": "Read" -- correct
- Run script directly:
node .claude/hooks/block-large-reads.cjs -- works
- Found: Hook command uses
%CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR% but runs from wrong CWD
Fix: Update hook command to use absolute path or verify %CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR% resolves correctly. Check that the hook entry in settings uses the correct variable syntax for the platform (Windows vs Unix).
Example 2: Setting Up a New Slash Command
User: "I want a /deploy command that runs our staging deployment"
Steps:
- Create
.claude/skills/deploy/SKILL.md:
Deploy to staging environment.
Run the following steps:
1. Verify all tests pass: `npm test`
2. Build the project: `npm run build`
3. Deploy: `npm run deploy:staging`
4. Report deployment status
- Test: type
/deploy in Claude Code CLI
- Verify: command appears in autocomplete and executes the workflow
Reference Files
Load these for detailed guidance on specific topics:
| Topic |
File |
| Installation |
references/getting-started.md |
| Slash commands |
references/slash-commands.md |
| Skills creation |
references/agent-skills.md |
| MCP servers |
references/mcp-integration.md |
| Hooks system |
references/hooks-comprehensive.md |
| Configuration |
references/configuration.md |
| Troubleshooting |
references/troubleshooting.md |
| Enterprise |
references/enterprise-features.md |
Related Skills
mcp-builder -- for creating new MCP servers from scratch
mcp-management -- for managing existing MCP server connections
skill-creator -- for creating new agent skills with best practices
Closing Reminders
- MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION break work into small todo tasks using
TaskCreate BEFORE starting
- MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION search codebase for 3+ similar patterns before creating new code
- MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION cite
file:line evidence for every claim (confidence >80% to act)
- MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION add a final review todo task to verify work quality
Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.
1---2name: duc01226-easyplatform-claude-code3description: > **[IMPORTANT]** Use `TaskCreate` to break ALL work into small tasks BEFORE starting — including tasks for each file read. This prevents context loss from long files. For simple tasks, AI MUST ATTENTION ask user whether to skip.4---56> **[IMPORTANT]** Use `TaskCreate` to break ALL work into small tasks BEFORE starting — including tasks for each file read. This prevents context loss from long files. For simple tasks, AI MUST ATTENTION ask user whether to skip.78## Quick Summary910**Goal:** Help users install, configure, troubleshoot, and extend Claude Code CLI (hooks, MCP, skills, commands).1112**Workflow:**13141. **Categorize** — Identify problem type (Setup, Hooks, MCP, Context, Extensibility, Config)152. **Diagnose** — Follow category-specific diagnostic steps163. **Fix & Verify** — Apply solution and confirm it resolves the issue1718**Key Rules:**1920- Not for writing application code -- use feature/fix/refactor skills instead21- Never modify settings without user approval22- For hooks: check event type, script executability, and JSON output format2324**Be skeptical. Apply critical thinking, sequential thinking. Every claim needs traced proof, confidence percentages (Idea should be more than 80%).**2526# Claude Code2728## Purpose2930Help users install, configure, troubleshoot, and extend Claude Code CLI -- Anthropic's agentic coding tool with skills, hooks, MCP servers, and slash commands.3132## When to Use3334- Setting up Claude Code for the first time (installation, authentication)35- Troubleshooting hooks that don't fire or produce errors36- Diagnosing MCP server connection failures37- Understanding or resolving context window limits38- Creating or modifying slash commands and agent skills39- Configuring settings (model, allowed tools, output style)4041## When NOT to Use4243- Writing application code -- use `feature-implementation`, `fix`, or `refactoring` skills44- Creating MCP servers from scratch -- use `mcp-builder` skill45- Managing existing MCP server connections -- use `mcp-management` skill46- AI prompt engineering -- use `ai-artist` skill4748## Prerequisites4950- Access to `.claude/` directory in the project root51- For hooks: read `.claude/hooks/` directory structure52- For skills: read `.claude/skills/` directory structure5354## Workflow5556### Step 1: Identify the Problem Category5758| User Says | Category | Go To |59| ----------------------------------------------- | -------------- | ------- |60| "install", "set up", "authenticate" | Setup | Step 2A |61| "hook not firing", "hook error" | Hook Issues | Step 2B |62| "MCP not connecting", "MCP error" | MCP Issues | Step 2C |63| "context too long", "compaction", "token limit" | Context Issues | Step 2D |64| "create skill", "create command" | Extensibility | Step 2E |65| "configure", "settings", "model" | Configuration | Step 2F |6667### Step 2A: Setup68691. Check prerequisites: Node.js 18+, npm702. Verify authentication: `claude auth status`713. IF auth fails: guide through `claude auth login`724. Verify project detection: check for `CLAUDE.md` in project root7374### Step 2B: Hook Issues75761. Read the hook file causing issues772. Check hook event type matches expected trigger (PreToolUse, PostToolUse, SessionStart, Stop, SubagentStop)783. Verify hook script is executable and has correct shebang794. Check `.claude/settings.json` for hook registration805. Test hook in isolation: run the script directly with mock input816. Check for syntax errors in hook output (must be valid JSON for PreToolUse/PostToolUse)8283**Common fixes:**8485- Hook not firing: wrong event name or tool matcher pattern86- Hook errors: script not finding dependencies (check relative paths)87- Hook blocks unexpectedly: PreToolUse returning `{ "decision": "block" }` incorrectly8889### Step 2C: MCP Issues90911. Check `.claude/settings.json` for MCP server configuration922. Verify the MCP server process can start: run the command manually933. Check environment variables (API keys, tokens) are set944. Test connectivity: `claude mcp list` to see registered servers955. IF timeout: increase timeout in config or check network9697**Common fixes:**9899- "Connection refused": MCP server not running or wrong port100- "Authentication failed": expired or missing API token101- "Tool not found": MCP server registered but tool name mismatch102103### Step 2D: Context Issues1041051. Check current context usage (Claude will report when near limit)1062. IF approaching limit: suggest `/compact` command1073. Review if large files are being read unnecessarily1084. Check for recovery files in `/tmp/ck/swap/` after compaction1095. Verify `post-compact-recovery` hook is configured for session continuity110111### Step 2E: Extensibility1121131. For skills: read `references/agent-skills.md` for structure1142. For custom slash commands: create skills in `.claude/skills/{name}/SKILL.md`1153. Verify SKILL.md frontmatter has required fields (name, version, description)1164. Test: invoke the skill/command and verify it loads117118### Step 2F: Configuration1191201. Read `references/configuration.md` for settings hierarchy1212. Settings locations: `.claude/settings.json` (project), `~/.claude/settings.json` (user)1223. IMPORTANT: Never modify settings without user approval1234. Common settings: model selection, allowed tools, output verbosity124125### Step 3: Verification126127- Confirm the fix resolves the user's issue128- Document any configuration changes made129- Warn if changes affect other team members (project-level settings)130131## Output Format132133```markdown134## Claude Code: [Issue/Task Summary]135136### Problem137138[What was wrong or what was requested]139140### Solution141142[Step-by-step fix or setup instructions]143144### Files Changed145146[List any config files modified, with before/after]147148### Verification149150[How to confirm the fix works]151```152153## Examples154155### Example 1: Hook Not Firing156157**User**: "My PreToolUse hook for blocking large file reads isn't triggering"158159**Diagnosis**:1601611. Read `.claude/settings.json` -- hook registered under `hooks.PreToolUse`1622. Check tool matcher: `"matcher": "Read"` -- correct1633. Run script directly: `node .claude/hooks/block-large-reads.cjs` -- works1644. **Found**: Hook command uses `%CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR%` but runs from wrong CWD165166**Fix**: Update hook command to use absolute path or verify `%CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR%` resolves correctly. Check that the hook entry in settings uses the correct variable syntax for the platform (Windows vs Unix).167168### Example 2: Setting Up a New Slash Command169170**User**: "I want a /deploy command that runs our staging deployment"171172**Steps**:1731741. Create `.claude/skills/deploy/SKILL.md`:175176```markdown177Deploy to staging environment.178179Run the following steps:1801811. Verify all tests pass: `npm test`1822. Build the project: `npm run build`1833. Deploy: `npm run deploy:staging`1844. Report deployment status185```1861872. Test: type `/deploy` in Claude Code CLI1883. Verify: command appears in autocomplete and executes the workflow189190## Reference Files191192Load these for detailed guidance on specific topics:193194| Topic | File |195| --------------- | ----------------------------------- |196| Installation | `references/getting-started.md` |197| Slash commands | `references/slash-commands.md` |198| Skills creation | `references/agent-skills.md` |199| MCP servers | `references/mcp-integration.md` |200| Hooks system | `references/hooks-comprehensive.md` |201| Configuration | `references/configuration.md` |202| Troubleshooting | `references/troubleshooting.md` |203| Enterprise | `references/enterprise-features.md` |204205## Related Skills206207- `mcp-builder` -- for creating new MCP servers from scratch208- `mcp-management` -- for managing existing MCP server connections209- `skill-creator` -- for creating new agent skills with best practices210211---212213## Closing Reminders214215- **MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION** break work into small todo tasks using `TaskCreate` BEFORE starting216- **MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION** search codebase for 3+ similar patterns before creating new code217- **MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION** cite `file:line` evidence for every claim (confidence >80% to act)218- **MANDATORY IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION** add a final review todo task to verify work quality219220---221> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/duc01226) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.222<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-12 -->