How to Use Claude Code Properly
A practical guide for SaaS founders and developers to get the best results from Claude Code with the right setup, workflow, and prompts.
When I first tried Claude Code, I thought: this could replace half our dev team. But quickly I realized it's not just about what Claude can do it's about how you use it. The difference between a powerful tool and a nightmare often comes down to setup, strategy, and knowing its quirks.
1) Start with Clear Project Memory & Context
Use the /init command right away to generate CLAUDE.md, where you jot down: stack, key file structures, naming conventions, and tech decisions. Keep it updated.
Be explicit: what coding style do you use? Is error handling via try/catch, or using Result<T> types? That level of detail helps avoid misaligned output.
Visual suggestion: A diagram of project context flow “you define CLAUDE.md → Claude loads it every session → you update it with major decisions → helps maintain continuity.”
2) Break Work Into Focused Sessions & Manage Context Window
Don't try to do everything in one session. Define feature by feature.
Use /compact and /clear strategically after finishing a milestone or feature so the context window stays fresh and Claude doesn't lag or lose detail.
Visual: a timeline showing “Feature A → /compact → Feature B → /clear → …”.
3) Use Appropriate Commands, Hooks, & Automations
Leverage slash commands for repetitive tasks (/code-review, /deploy-prep, etc.). They save time.
Use hooks for formatting, testing, pre-tool and post-tool validations. For example: auto-format Python files after each edit.
Configure MCP servers thoughtfully: a server for docs lookup, one for issue tracking. Don't overload with too many keep external integrations only where needed.
4) Version Control, Backups & Diff Reviews are Non‑negotiable
Always run git commit frequently. Claude can commit, but you need to review diffs before pushing.
Maintain backups, either via Git or manual snapshots. We've seen people lose critical files when Claude did directory cleanups.
Visual suggestion: screenshot of a diff view, highlighting areas Claude changed (good and bad).
5) Give Prompting Technique Some Thought
Be extremely specific in your prompts. Don't just say “fix auth bug” share error messages, expected behavior, and which files are involved.
Use planning mode: ask Claude to lay out steps (“Here's how I plan to build this feature… what do you think?”) before coding. It helps catch misunderstandings early.
Be patient: expect iterations. It won't get perfect on first try.
Conclusion / Advice for Founders
If you are building (or scaling) a SaaS product, Claude Code is a tool that can accelerate early development, reduce boilerplate, and help generate features quickly. But to get its full power, you have to use it smartly. Set up project memory, break your work into manageable chunks, enforce code quality with version control and hooks, and prompt precisely. Do this, and Claude becomes a force multiplier. Miss these steps, and you'll spend as much time cleaning up as saving time.