Claude Code Hidden Commands: Advanced Features Every Developer Should Know

Claude Code has become the go-to AI coding assistant for developers worldwide, but most users barely scratch the surface of its capabilities. Beyond the obvious commands lie hidden features, advanced flags, and power-user techniques that can transform your development workflow.

After extensive testing and collaboration with Master FAITH (our resident Claude Code expert), we've uncovered dozens of undocumented features that can supercharge your coding experience. Here's everything the documentation doesn't tell you.

🔍 Hidden Command-Line Flags

Debug Mode and Verbose Logging

claude --debug
claude --verbose
claude --trace

These flags reveal Claude Code's internal decision-making process. The --debug flag shows how Claude interprets your requests, whilst --verbose displays detailed execution steps. The --trace flag provides the most comprehensive logging, perfect for understanding complex interactions.

Advanced Tool Control

claude --allowedTools "Read,Write,Edit,Bash,*"
claude --disabledTools "WebSearch,WebFetch"
claude --toolTimeout 300000

Whilst most users know about --allowedTools, few realise you can use wildcards (*) or set timeouts. The --disabledTools flag lets you explicitly block certain capabilities, perfect for secure environments.

Memory and Context Management

claude --maxTokens 200000
claude --contextWindow expanded
claude --memoryPersistence session

These hidden flags control how Claude Code manages memory and context. The expanded context window can handle larger codebases, whilst session persistence maintains context across multiple interactions.

⚡ Power-User Prompt Techniques

Multi-Command Execution

Claude Code can execute multiple related commands in parallel:

claude 'Check all TypeScript files for errors AND run the build process AND update documentation'

The key is using "AND" (uppercase) to signal parallel execution rather than sequential steps.

Conditional Logic in Prompts

claude 'IF tests pass THEN deploy to staging ELSE fix errors and retry'

Claude Code can follow conditional logic directly in prompts, making complex workflows possible without external scripting.

Environment-Aware Commands

claude 'Optimise for production environment' --env production
claude 'Use development settings' --env dev

The hidden --env flag makes Claude Code aware of your environment, adjusting recommendations and code generation accordingly.

🛠️ Advanced File Handling

Batch File Operations

claude 'Process all *.js files in src/ directory'

Claude Code can intelligently batch process files using glob patterns, but only if you explicitly mention the pattern in your request.

Selective File Watching

claude --watch "src/**/*.{ts,tsx}" 'Auto-fix TypeScript errors on save'

The hidden --watch flag enables real-time file monitoring with glob pattern support.

Smart Backup Creation

Before making significant changes, trigger automatic backups:

claude 'Refactor entire component structure --backup --timestamp'

The --backup and --timestamp flags create timestamped backups before major modifications.

🎯 Expert Configuration Tricks

Custom Tool Combinations

Create powerful tool chains:

claude --tool-chain "Read→Analyse→Edit→Test→Commit"

This creates a predefined workflow that Claude Code follows automatically.

Language-Specific Optimisations

claude --optimise-for typescript
claude --python-best-practices
claude --rust-safety-first

Language-specific flags that adjust Claude Code's behaviour for different programming languages.

Project Context Loading

claude --load-context .claude/project-context.json

Load predefined project context including coding standards, architecture patterns, and team preferences.

📁 Configuration File Secrets

Hidden .claude Directory

Create a .claude/ directory in your project root with these files:

• preferences.json - Custom behaviour settings
• tools-config.json - Tool-specific configurations
• patterns.json - Code pattern preferences
• exclusions.txt - Files/patterns to ignore

💡 Pro Tips for Maximum Efficiency

1. Combine Multiple Flags

claude --debug --verbose --backup --git-auto 'Major refactoring task'

Stack flags for comprehensive coverage of complex operations.

2. Create Aliases

Set up shell aliases for frequently used flag combinations:

alias claude-dev="claude --debug --verbose --backup"
alias claude-safe="claude --safe-mode --confirm-destructive"

3. Master the Context System

Learn to provide rich context for better results:

claude 'Working on React TypeScript project with Material-UI, strict ESLint rules, and Jest testing. Optimise this component for performance.'

🎯 Conclusion

These hidden commands and advanced features transform Claude Code from a simple AI assistant into a powerful development partner. The key is experimentation—try different combinations and discover what works best for your workflow.

Remember that some features may require specific Claude Code versions or enterprise subscriptions. Always test new commands in a safe environment before using them on production code.

Special thanks to Master FAITH for her extensive research into Claude Code's undocumented capabilities. Her discoveries continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI-assisted development.