Command Development for Claude Code FAQs

Question 1

Why should I write commands as instructions for Claude instead of the user?

Accepted Answer

Commands are prompts for the AI agent; writing them as direct instructions (e.g., 'Review this code') ensures Claude understands its specific task rather than just reporting its intent to the human user.

Question 2

What is the purpose of YAML frontmatter in a command file?

Accepted Answer

Frontmatter allows you to define metadata like the command description, specify which tools (like Read or Bash) are allowed, and choose the specific AI model used for execution.

Question 3

Where should I store my custom Claude Code commands?

Accepted Answer

Project-specific commands go in .claude/commands/, while personal commands available across all projects should be stored in ~/.claude/commands/.

Question 4

Can I run shell commands inside a Claude Code command?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use backticks with an exclamation mark (e.g., !`git status`) to execute bash commands and inject the output into the prompt dynamically.

Question 5

How do I pass variables to a custom slash command?

Accepted Answer

Use $1, $2, etc., for positional arguments, or $ARGUMENTS to capture the entire input string following the command name.

Command Development for Claude Code

About

Key Features

Use Cases

Command Development for Claude Code

About

Key Features

Use Cases