Learn · Claude Code fundamentals · CCAR-F

Commands and checkpoints

/init, /context, /compact, /clear and /rewind: the commands that manage a session, and what checkpoints can and can't undo.

Key ideas

/init generates a starter CLAUDE.md by analysing the repo.
/context shows what is using the context window; /compact [focus] summarises to free space.
/clear starts a fresh conversation between unrelated tasks; /resume picks up an earlier session.
/plan or Shift+Tab enters plan mode; Shift+Tab cycles default, acceptEdits and plan.
Every prompt creates a checkpoint; /rewind or Esc Esc restores code, conversation or both.
Bash file changes and edits outside Claude Code aren't tracked: checkpoints are not version control.

Initialise memory, explore, plan, execute, then compact while keeping what you agreed.

Expecting /rewind to undo an rm run through Bash. Bash file changes aren't tracked.
Treating checkpoints as a replacement for Git commits.
Confusing /context (what uses the window) with /compact (summarise to free it).
Piling unrelated tasks into one long conversation instead of using /clear.