> cat /cheat-sheet
cheat sheet
The handful of commands and phrases you'll reach for most. Bookmark it, or use your browser's Print to keep a paper copy by your laptop.
PowerShell commands
Type these into PowerShell (your Windows terminal) and press Enter.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
pwd | Where am I? (prints the current folder) |
ls | What's here? (lists files and folders) |
cd Projects | Go into a folder named Projects |
cd .. | Go up one folder |
cd ~ | Go to my home folder |
mkdir my-app | Make a new folder named my-app |
explorer . | Open this folder in File Explorer |
code . | Open this folder in VS Code |
claude | Start the AI assistant in this folder |
claude doctor | Check that Claude Code is set up correctly |
npm run dev | Start the dev server to view the project locally |
Ctrl + C | Stop the dev server (or any running command) |
Inside Claude Code
Type these to Claude itself (not PowerShell), while it's running.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/status | See which model you’re on and your account info |
/model sonnet | Switch to the efficient everyday model (saves your allowance) |
/model opus | Switch up to the most powerful model for hard problems |
/clear | Wipe the conversation and start fresh (do this between tasks) |
/compact | Summarize a long conversation to free up room |
/context | See what’s filling up the current conversation |
/login | Sign in again if Claude says you’re not authenticated |
claude doctor | Check your setup when something seems off |
/exit | Leave Claude Code and go back to the terminal |
Things to say to your assistant
Plain-English starting points — swap in your own details. These are for reading and adapting, not copying word for word.
- Build something
- “Make a simple, good-looking [thing] that does [what]. Keep it to one page and explain what you are doing as you go.”
- Understand it
- “Explain what you just did like I've never coded before.”
- Plan first
- “Before you change anything, tell me your plan in plain English.”
- See it run
- “Start the dev server and tell me the exact address to open.”
- Save your work
- “Commit my changes with a clear message and push to GitHub.”
- Fix an error
- “I got this error. Explain it simply and fix it: [paste the error]”
- Undo a mess
- “That made things worse — please go back to my last commit.”
- Publish
- “What are the build command and output folder for deploying this to Cloudflare Pages?”
Copy-ready favourites
check your setup
claude doctorrun it locally
npm run dev