Claude Code

Claude Code is a command-line tool from Anthropic that allows developers to delegate coding tasks to Claude directly from their terminal. At CDS, we use Claude Code as a core part of our development workflow.

Why we use it

Claude Code allows us to work faster without sacrificing quality. It's particularly effective for:

• Scaffolding projects — generating boilerplate, configuration files, and folder structures
• Writing and editing content — such as the Markdown pages in this very handbook
• Code generation and refactoring — writing implementations from requirements, modernising legacy code
• Debugging — explaining errors, suggesting fixes, and working through complex issues
• Documentation — generating READMEs, ADRs, and inline documentation

Best practices

Be specific with your prompts

The more context you give Claude Code, the better the output. Include details about the tech stack, coding standards, and the specific outcome you want.

Use CLAUDE.md files

Every repository should include a CLAUDE.md file at the root. This gives Claude Code the context it needs about the project — tech stack, conventions, folder structure, and any specific instructions. This saves time and improves consistency across the team.

Review everything

Claude Code is a tool, not a replacement for engineering judgement. Always review generated code before committing. Treat it like a pull request from a colleague — it needs the same scrutiny.

Iterate

Don't expect perfection on the first pass. Use Claude Code iteratively: generate, review, refine. This mirrors how we work as engineers anyway.

Getting started

If you're new to Claude Code, install it via npm: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. You'll need a valid API key or Anthropic account to authenticate.