Master Claude Code in a Week (Part 1): Introduction & Overview

This is the first part of the "Master Claude Code in a Week" series — a comprehensive guide on using Claude Code from basics to advanced, based on claude-howto — an open-source project trusted by over 10,000 developers.

Series Overview

1. Introduction & Overview ← You are here
2. Slash Commands - Create custom commands
3. Memory - Cross-session context
4. Checkpoints - Save and restore state
5. CLI Reference - Claude Code command line
6. Skills - Reusable capabilities
7. Hooks - Event-driven automation
8. MCP Protocol - Connect external tools
9. Subagents - Specialized AI assistants
10. Plugins & Advanced Features

The Problem with Claude Code Today

You installed Claude Code. You ran a few prompts. Now what?

1. Official docs describe features — but don't show you how to combine them

You know slash commands exist, but not how to chain them with hooks, memory, and subagents into a workflow that actually saves hours.

2. There's no clear learning path

Should you learn MCP before hooks? Skills before subagents? You end up skimming everything and mastering nothing.

3. Examples are too basic

A "hello world" slash command doesn't help you build a production code review pipeline that uses memory, delegates to specialized agents, and runs security scans automatically.

You're leaving 90% of Claude Code's power on the table — and you don't know what you don't know.

What is Claude How To?

claude-howto isn't another feature reference. It's a structured, visual, example-driven guide that teaches you to use every Claude Code feature with production-ready templates you can copy into your project today.

What you get

• 10 tutorial modules covering every Claude Code feature
• Copy-paste configs — slash commands, CLAUDE.md templates, hook scripts, MCP configs, subagent definitions
• Mermaid diagrams explaining how each feature works internally
• Learning path from beginner to power user in 11-13 hours
• Self-assessment — run /self-assessment or /lesson-quiz directly in Claude Code

10 Main Features of Claude Code

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     CLAUDE CODE FEATURES                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│  │   Slash     │  │   Memory    │  │    Checkpoints      │ │
│  │  Commands   │  │  (CLAUDE.md)│  │   (Rewind/Restore)  │ │
│  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └─────────────────────┘ │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│  │    CLI      │  │   Skills    │  │       Hooks         │ │
│  │  Reference  │  │  (SKILL.md) │  │  (Event-triggered)  │ │
│  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └─────────────────────┘ │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│  │    MCP      │  │  Subagents  │  │      Plugins        │ │
│  │  Protocol   │  │ (Specialized)│  │   (Bundled All)     │ │
│  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └─────────────────────┘ │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│
│  │              Advanced Features                          ││
│  │  Planning Mode | Extended Thinking | Background Tasks   ││
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Feature Comparison

Learning Roadmap

Find Your Level

Recommended Learning Order

Total time: 11-13 hours for the complete path.

Get Started in 15 Minutes

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/luongnv89/claude-howto.git
cd claude-howto

2. Copy your first slash command

mkdir -p /path/to/your-project/.claude/commands
cp 01-slash-commands/optimize.md /path/to/your-project/.claude/commands/

3. Try it

In Claude Code, type:

/optimize

4. Set up project memory

cp 02-memory/project-CLAUDE.md /path/to/your-project/CLAUDE.md

5. Install a skill

cp -r 03-skills/code-review ~/.claude/skills/

1-Hour Full Setup

# Slash commands (15 min)
cp 01-slash-commands/*.md .claude/commands/

# Project memory (15 min)
cp 02-memory/project-CLAUDE.md ./CLAUDE.md

# Install skill (15 min)
cp -r 03-skills/code-review ~/.claude/skills/

# Remaining: add hooks, subagents, MCP, and plugins
# Follow the learning path for guided setup

What Can You Build?

Example Workflow: Automated Code Review

User: /review-pr

Claude:
1. Load project memory (coding standards)
2. Fetch PR via GitHub MCP
3. Delegate to code-reviewer subagent
4. Delegate to test-engineer subagent
5. Synthesize findings
6. Provide comprehensive review

Claude How To Directory Structure

claude-howto/
├── 01-slash-commands/      # User-invoked shortcuts
│   ├── optimize.md
│   ├── pr.md
│   ├── generate-api-docs.md
│   └── README.md
├── 02-memory/              # Persistent context
│   ├── project-CLAUDE.md
│   ├── directory-api-CLAUDE.md
│   ├── personal-CLAUDE.md
│   └── README.md
├── 03-skills/              # Reusable capabilities
│   ├── code-review/
│   ├── brand-voice/
│   ├── doc-generator/
│   └── README.md
├── 04-subagents/           # Specialized AI assistants
│   ├── code-reviewer.md
│   ├── test-engineer.md
│   ├── documentation-writer.md
│   └── README.md
├── 05-mcp/                 # External tool access
│   ├── github-mcp.json
│   ├── database-mcp.json
│   └── README.md
├── 06-hooks/               # Event-driven automation
│   ├── format-code.sh
│   ├── pre-commit.sh
│   └── README.md
├── 07-plugins/             # Bundled features
│   ├── pr-review/
│   ├── devops-automation/
│   └── README.md
├── 08-checkpoints/         # Session snapshots
├── 09-advanced-features/   # Planning, thinking, background
├── 10-cli/                 # CLI reference
└── README.md

Next Up

In the next part, we'll dive deep into Slash Commands — how to create custom commands to speed up your daily workflow.

References

• Claude How To Repository
• Claude Code Official Documentation
• Learning Roadmap
• Feature Catalog

This series is translated and expanded from claude-howto — MIT License.