# Claude Code Guide > The practitioner's reference for Claude Code — Anthropic's AI coding agent that lives in your terminal. Covers setup, CLAUDE.md configuration, memory systems, skills, hooks, agents, workflows, and templates. Written for PMs, founders, and non-engineers who want to use AI to build and ship faster. ## Docs - [The CLAUDE.md Guide](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/foundations/claude-md): The most important file in your project. How to write a CLAUDE.md that makes Claude Code match your conventions. - [Installation](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/foundations/installation): Step-by-step setup for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Prerequisites and authentication. - [Glossary](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/foundations/glossary): Every Claude Code term explained in plain English. - [Memory System](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/foundations/memory-system): How to make Claude Code remember you across sessions. Persistent context. - [Session Lifecycle](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/foundations/session-lifecycle): Start warm, work efficiently, end with a trail. Session management. - [Context Window](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/foundations/context-window): Understanding token limits, /clear, /compact, and context pollution. - [Cost Optimization](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/foundations/cost-optimization): Pro vs Max vs API pricing. Pick the right plan and control spend. - [Troubleshooting](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/foundations/troubleshooting): Common issues and fixes for Claude Code. - [Building Skills](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/patterns/skills): Turn multi-step tasks into single slash commands. Custom automation. - [Hooks](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/patterns/hooks): Automate quality checks, formatting, and context injection on tool events. - [Sub-Agents](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/patterns/agents): Delegate focused tasks to specialized agents. Parallel execution. - [Autonomous Loops](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/patterns/autonomous-loops): Run Claude Code unattended with safety controls and task templates. - [MCP Servers](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/patterns/mcp-servers): Connect Claude Code to GitHub, Slack, Jira, databases, and external tools. - [Daily Practice](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/workflows/daily-practice): Morning to end-of-day habits that compound. The daily workflow. - [Debugging](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/workflows/debugging): Systematic debugging with Claude Code. Evidence gathering over guessing. - [PM Workflow](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/workflows/pm-workflow): Claude Code for Product Managers. Meeting prep, status reports, decision tracking. - [Team Adoption](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/workflows/team-adoption): Rolling out Claude Code to a team. Shared configs, onboarding, buy-in. ## Templates - [Template Gallery](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/templates): Battle-tested CLAUDE.md configurations for different project types. - [Next.js App Template](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/templates/nextjs-app): CLAUDE.md for Next.js App Router projects with TypeScript and Tailwind. - [Monorepo Template](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/templates/monorepo): CLAUDE.md for Turborepo monorepos with workspace boundaries. - [Python Project Template](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/templates/python-project): CLAUDE.md for Python projects with uv/poetry, pytest, and mypy. - [PM Workspace Template](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/templates/pm-workspace): Complete Claude Code setup for Product Managers. No coding required. ## Comparisons - [Claude Code vs Cursor](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/comparisons/vs-cursor): Terminal-native vs IDE-integrated. Honest comparison. - [Claude Code vs Copilot](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/comparisons/vs-copilot): Autocomplete vs agentic coding. Different tools, different jobs. - [Claude Code vs Codex](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/comparisons/vs-codex): Anthropic vs OpenAI agentic coding tools compared. - [Claude Code vs Windsurf](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/comparisons/vs-windsurf): Two different approaches to AI-assisted development. - [Pro vs Max vs API](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/comparisons/pro-vs-max): Which Claude plan for which workflow. Real numbers and recommendations. ## Frameworks - [The 5C Loop](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/frameworks/5c-loop): The five-step repeatable workflow for using Claude on any task. Capture, Context, Create, Check, Compound. - [5C Loop for Operations](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/frameworks/for-operations): Exception reports, SOPs, vendor emails, onboarding docs, and eight other ops use cases. - [5C Loop for Product Managers](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/frameworks/for-pms): Discovery, PRDs, stakeholder updates, sprint planning, and competitive analysis. - [5C Loop for Teachers](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/frameworks/for-teachers): Lesson plans, rubrics, feedback, parent emails, and differentiated instruction. - [5C Loop for Marketers](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/frameworks/for-marketers): Brand voice, social media, blog posts, email campaigns, and ad copy. - [5C Loop for Designers](https://claudecodeguide.dev/docs/frameworks/for-designers): Briefs, evaluations, research synthesis, and Figma handoff. ## Claude in Chrome - [Claude in Chrome](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-chrome): Use Claude directly in your browser without switching tabs. - [Get Started with Claude in Chrome](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-chrome/get-started-with-claude-in-your-browser): Set up Claude in Chrome in under five minutes. - [Summarize Any Webpage](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-chrome/summarize-any-webpage-with-claude): Get the key points from any article or document. - [Research Any Topic](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-chrome/research-any-topic-with-claude): Use Claude to research while you browse. ## Claude for Teachers - [Claude for Teachers](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-teachers): Save hours every week on planning, feedback, and communication. - [Write Lesson Plans](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-teachers/write-lesson-plans-with-claude): Generate complete lesson plans from a brief. - [Create Quiz Questions](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-teachers/create-quiz-questions-with-claude): Build assessments fast. - [Write Grading Rubrics](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-teachers/write-grading-rubrics-with-claude): Consistent, clear rubrics in minutes. ## Claude for Marketers - [Claude for Marketers](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-marketers): Faster content, better briefs, sharper copy. - [Give Claude Your Brand Voice](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-marketers/give-claude-your-brand-voice): Train Claude to write in your tone. - [Write Blog Posts](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-marketers/write-blog-posts-with-claude): Research-backed posts, faster. - [Write Social Media Posts](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-marketers/write-social-media-posts-with-claude): On-brand content for every channel. ## Claude for Microsoft 365 - [Claude for Microsoft 365](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-microsoft): Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook — with Claude. - [Write Faster in Word](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-microsoft/write-faster-in-word-with-claude): Drafts, edits, and formatting help. - [Create Excel Formulas](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-microsoft/create-excel-formulas-with-claude): Complex formulas explained and written. - [Create Presentations](https://claudecodeguide.dev/for-microsoft/create-presentations-with-claude-for-powerpoint): Slide decks from an outline. ## PM Pilot - [PM Pilot](https://claudecodeguide.dev/pm-pilot): AI-powered meeting prep, PRDs, and status reports for product managers. Works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Cursor, and VS Code. 25 skills, 5 agents, persistent memory. Free and open source. ## Optional - [Interactive Setup Guide](https://claudecodeguide.dev/guide): 9-step guided setup with progress tracking. Best for absolute beginners. - [Learning Roadmap](https://claudecodeguide.dev/roadmap): Visual 5-stage learning journey from zero to power user. - [Tutorials](https://claudecodeguide.dev/tutorials): Hands-on micro-projects. Build real things in 5-15 minutes each.