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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions​

What is Claude Code?​

Claude Code is Anthropic's official command-line interface for AI-assisted software development. It's an agentic coding assistant that can read files, write code, run commands, and manage your development workflow.

How is Claude Code different from GitHub Copilot?​

While GitHub Copilot provides inline code suggestions, Claude Code is a full development partner that can:

  • Understand entire codebases
  • Execute multi-step tasks autonomously
  • Run terminal commands and manage Git
  • Integrate with external services via MCP

What programming languages does Claude support?​

Claude Code supports all major programming languages including:

  • JavaScript/TypeScript
  • Python
  • Java
  • C/C++
  • Go
  • Rust
  • Ruby
  • And many more

Installation & Setup​

Do I need an Anthropic account?​

Yes, you need either:

  • An Anthropic account (recommended)
  • A valid API key

You can sign up at anthropic.com.

Can I use Claude Code offline?​

No, Claude Code requires an internet connection to communicate with Anthropic's API.

How do I update Claude Code?​

Update using npm:

npm update -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Usage & Best Practices​

How do I manage long conversations?​

Long sessions can degrade performance. Best practices:

  • Use /clear between unrelated tasks
  • Start new sessions for different projects
  • Keep CLAUDE.md files concise and organized

What is Plan Mode?​

Plan Mode (toggled with Shift+Tab) prevents Claude from executing actions until you approve a plan. This is useful for:

  • Complex tasks requiring careful thought
  • Learning what Claude intends to do
  • Avoiding costly mistakes

How do context windows work?​

Claude has a ~200k token context window. Use /context to monitor usage. When approaching limits:

  • Clear unnecessary conversation history
  • Summarize completed work
  • Use .claudeignore to exclude large files

Security & Privacy​

Is my code secure?​

Yes, Claude Code follows strict security practices:

  • Code is transmitted over encrypted connections
  • Anthropic doesn't train on your code without permission
  • You control which tools Claude can use

Can I use Claude Code on proprietary code?​

Yes, but check your organization's policies. Claude Code is designed for professional use with appropriate security measures.

How do I restrict Claude's permissions?​

Use the /permissions command or configure allowed tools in settings:

{
  "allowedTools": ["Read", "Edit", "Bash(ls:*)", "Bash(git status:*)"]
}

Troubleshooting​

Claude is slow or unresponsive​

Try these solutions:

  1. Check your internet connection
  2. Use /clear to reset context
  3. Switch to a lighter model (Haiku) for simple tasks
  4. Restart your Claude session

"Command not found" after installation​

Ensure npm's global bin directory is in your PATH:

export PATH=$(npm bin -g):$PATH

Permission denied errors​

Common solutions:

  • Use sudo npm install -g (not recommended)
  • Configure npm to use a different directory
  • Check file permissions in your project

Claude made unwanted changes​

  • Use Git to revert changes: git checkout .
  • Enable Plan Mode to preview actions
  • Be more specific in your instructions

Advanced Features​

What are MCP servers?​

Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers extend Claude's capabilities beyond your local machine, enabling:

  • Web browsing
  • Database connections
  • API integrations
  • Custom tool development

Can I create custom agents?​

Yes! Custom agents can be created through:

  • CLAUDE.md configurations
  • MCP server development
  • Output style customization

How do I use Claude Code in CI/CD?​

Use headless mode for automation:

claude -p "Run tests and fix any linting errors" --dangerously-skip-permissions

Billing & Limits​

How is usage billed?​

Claude Code usage is billed based on:

  • Token consumption (input/output)
  • Model selection (Opus > Sonnet > Haiku)
  • Additional features (MCP servers)

Are there rate limits?​

Yes, rate limits depend on your plan:

  • Free tier: Limited requests per day
  • Pro tier: Higher limits
  • Enterprise: Custom limits

Can I monitor my usage?​

Use the Anthropic dashboard to track:

  • Token consumption
  • API calls
  • Billing details

Getting Help​

Where can I report bugs?​

Report issues at: github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues

Is there a community?​

Yes! Join the community:

How do I stay updated?​

  • Follow the Changelog
  • Subscribe to the Anthropic newsletter
  • Watch the GitHub repository

Still have questions?​

If your question isn't answered here:

  1. Check the detailed guides
  2. Search the community forums
  3. Ask in Discord
  4. Contact support for account-specific issues