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Write a request Claude Code can act on
Describe the outcome you want, the part of the project involved, the constraints it must respect, and what will count as complete. If you expect Claude Code to make a change, say so directly rather than asking only for suggestions. Include a verification request so the final response can distinguish work performed from work still needed.
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For example: “Inspect the authentication module and fix the reported session-expiration bug. Keep the public interface unchanged. Run the relevant tests and tell me what changed and which command you ran.” This is a useful shape for a request, not a guarantee of correctness. Anthropic recommends explicit direction, output formats, constraints, and relevant context in its prompting guidance.
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State requirements such as compatibility, files or interfaces that must not change, coding conventions, or performance limits. Add a short reason when it affects the right solution—for example, that an interface is consumed by external clients. Motivation can help clarify trade-offs; unrelated background only makes the task harder to scan.
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Put recurring project conventions in project memory
Do not repeat stable project facts in every prompt. Claude Code’s project memory can preserve relevant context across sessions, while the current request can focus on the change at hand. Useful recurring notes may include architecture, style conventions, build and test commands, and project-specific requirements.
Keep memory concise, specific, and current. Stale instructions can misdirect later work, so review them when the project or workflow changes. Anthropic documents memory behavior, scope, and file names in How Claude remembers your project.
Structure multi-part tasks when it helps
A short request usually needs no special syntax. When a task combines several inputs—such as instructions, source material, examples, and constraints—separate them clearly so their roles are unambiguous. Anthropic’s prompting guidance describes XML tags as one option for organizing complex prompts, not a requirement for everyday coding requests.
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For example, a multi-part prompt could label the goal, context, constraints, and expected output separately. Use examples when the desired pattern is difficult to explain in words, and make clear whether an example is authoritative or merely illustrative.
Match Claude Code’s permissions to the task
Permission settings affect what Claude Code can do; they do not prove that its output will be better. For unfamiliar or consequential work, begin with a planning or review-oriented workflow, inspect the proposed approach, and grant only the access needed to proceed. For routine actions you trust, configure narrowly rather than granting broad authority by default.
Anthropic documents permission modes and tool controls in its CLI reference and explains permission configuration in Configure permissions. Available controls and labels can change, so consult the current documentation for exact options.
Break larger changes into stages
For work that spans multiple files or decisions, ask Claude Code to investigate first, then review a plan before implementation. Define a clear completion condition and divide the work into manageable steps. This makes it easier to catch a wrong assumption before it spreads through a larger change. Anthropic recommends incremental progress and clear success criteria for long-running agentic coding tasks, while cautioning against unnecessary overengineering.
For workflow examples, see Anthropic’s Common workflows.
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Review the result before relying on it
Ask Claude Code to identify the changes it made and state which checks it actually ran. Inspect the diff for unrelated edits, confirm that the implementation respects project constraints, and run the appropriate checks yourself when needed. A statement that tests passed is useful only if the session actually ran those tests; do not treat an unverified claim as a substitute for checking.
Anthropic’s guidance emphasizes investigating the code before making claims about it and avoiding overengineering. The practical measure of a good result is whether the change meets the stated requirements and survives the relevant review—not whether the prompt used a particular format.
A practical sequence for everyday work
- State the outcome: say what should change or be investigated, and where.
- Set boundaries: name interfaces, files, conventions, or behavior that must remain unchanged.
- Specify completion: state the expected output and relevant checks or explanation.
- Use project memory: rely on concise, current notes for conventions that recur across tasks.
- Scale structure and permissions: organize complex inputs and limit autonomy when inspection should come first.
- Inspect the work: review the diff and verify checks before accepting the change.
Claude Code installation and access depend on Anthropic’s current setup options; consult Set up Claude Code for current requirements.
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