Learning path
Not sure where to start? Answer one question and follow your track. Each step lists a rough time so you can budget your learning.
Where are you?
TIP
Pick the first statement that's true for you, then jump to that track below.
- "I've never run Claude Code." → Track 1: First steps
- "I've used it a bit but wing it." → Track 2: Get fluent
- "I use it daily and want to go faster / cheaper." → Track 3: Optimize
Track 1: First steps
Goal: install Claude Code and finish your first real task. ~30 minutes.
| # | Step | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Install Claude Code — or the one-command Mac setup | 10 min |
| 2 | Quickstart (5 minutes) — your first win | 5 min |
| 3 | Your first real session — prefixes, permission modes, the explore→plan→code→commit loop | 15 min |
NOTE
You're ready to do real work after Track 1. Come back for Track 2 when you want to stop "winging it."
Track 2: Get fluent
Goal: build the right mental model and learn the task recipes. ~1 hour.
| # | Step | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | How Claude Code works — the agent loop | 10 min |
| 2 | The context window — your most important resource | 10 min |
| 3 | When to use what — plan mode, subagents, skills, hooks | 10 min |
| 4 | Pick two guides you'll actually use: onboard a codebase, fix a bug, refactor safely | 20 min |
| 5 | Best practices — skim the whole thing once | 10 min |
Track 3: Optimize like a pro
Goal: go faster, cheaper, and parallel. ~1.5 hours.
| # | Step | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Optimize cost & context — model choice, /clear vs /compact, lean CLAUDE.md | 15 min |
| 2 | Subagents + Skills — extend Claude and protect context | 15 min |
| 3 | Hooks — deterministic automation (format, guardrails) | 10 min |
| 4 | MCP — connect external tools (keep it lean) | 10 min |
| 5 | Parallel work with git worktrees + headless & CI | 10 min |
| 6 | Steal from the asset library — CLAUDE.md templates, commands, hooks | — |
| 7 | Another model — point Claude Code at a different provider, and what that costs you | 30 min + provider signup |
Keep this open
The Cheatsheet is a single-page, Cmd-F-friendly reference once you know your way around. Bookmark it.