# Claude Commands Implementation Guide

## Getting Started with Custom Commands

### Basic Setup

1. **Create Commands Directory**
   ```bash
   # For global commands (accessible as /user:command)
   mkdir -p ~/.claude/commands
   
   # For project-specific commands (accessible as /project:command)
   mkdir -p ./.claude/commands
   ```

2. **Basic Command Structure**
   ```markdown
   # .claude/commands/example.md
   You are a helpful assistant that will: $ARGUMENTS
   
   Please follow these guidelines:
   - Be thorough and systematic
   - Provide clear explanations
   - Include error handling
   ```

### Advanced Command Patterns

#### Workflow Automation
```markdown
# .claude/commands/feature.md
Create a new feature: $ARGUMENTS

Steps to follow:
1. Analyze the existing codebase structure
2. Create the necessary files and directories
3. Implement the core functionality
4. Add comprehensive tests
5. Update documentation
6. Create a pull request with proper description

Ensure you follow the project's:
- Coding standards and style guide
- Testing patterns
- Documentation standards
- Git workflow conventions
```

#### Testing Automation
```markdown
# .claude/commands/test-suite.md
Generate comprehensive test suite for: $ARGUMENTS

Requirements:
- Use the project's existing testing framework
- Create unit tests for all public methods
- Add integration tests for complex workflows
- Include edge cases and error scenarios
- Ensure 90%+ code coverage
- Mock external dependencies appropriately
- Follow AAA pattern (Arrange, Act, Assert)
```

#### Code Review Automation
```markdown
# .claude/commands/review.md
Perform a comprehensive code review of: $ARGUMENTS

Review checklist:
- Code quality and style consistency
- Security vulnerabilities
- Performance implications
- Test coverage adequacy
- Documentation completeness
- Accessibility compliance
- Error handling robustness
- Maintainability concerns

Provide:
1. Summary of findings
2. Detailed feedback with line-specific comments
3. Suggested improvements
4. Priority rating (High/Medium/Low)
```

## Team Implementation Strategies

### Repository Setup
```bash
# Standard team structure
.claude/
├── commands/
│   ├── dev/
│   │   ├── setup.md
│   │   ├── test.md
│   │   └── deploy.md
│   ├── review/
│   │   ├── security.md
│   │   └── performance.md
│   └── docs/
│       ├── api.md
│       └── readme.md
└── CLAUDE.md
```

### CLAUDE.md Best Practices
```markdown
# CLAUDE.md
## Project Overview
[Brief description of the project and its purpose]

## Development Environment
- Node.js version: 18+
- Package manager: npm
- Database: PostgreSQL
- Testing: Jest + React Testing Library

## Key Commands
- `npm run dev` - Start development server
- `npm run test` - Run test suite
- `npm run lint` - Run ESLint
- `npm run build` - Build for production

## Architecture Notes
[Key architectural decisions and patterns]

## Testing Strategy
[Testing approach and requirements]

## Common Issues
[Known issues and their solutions]
```

## Advanced Patterns

### Conditional Logic
```markdown
# .claude/commands/smart-deploy.md
Deploy the application: $ARGUMENTS

Before deploying:
1. Check if all tests pass
2. Verify no security vulnerabilities
3. Ensure documentation is up to date
4. Confirm environment variables are set

If staging deployment:
- Deploy to staging environment
- Run smoke tests
- Notify team in #staging channel

If production deployment:
- Require explicit confirmation
- Create deployment checklist
- Deploy with zero-downtime strategy
- Monitor for 15 minutes post-deployment
- Create rollback plan
```

### Multi-Step Workflows
```markdown
# .claude/commands/release-prep.md
Prepare release for: $ARGUMENTS

Complete release preparation workflow:

Phase 1 - Code Preparation:
- Ensure all features are complete
- Run full test suite
- Update version numbers
- Generate changelog

Phase 2 - Documentation:
- Update API documentation
- Review and update README
- Create migration guides if needed

Phase 3 - Quality Assurance:
- Security audit
- Performance benchmarks
- Accessibility testing
- Cross-browser testing

Phase 4 - Release Artifacts:
- Build production assets
- Create release notes
- Tag release in Git
- Prepare deployment scripts

Provide checklist for manual verification.
```

## Integration Examples

### GitHub Actions Integration
```yaml
# .github/workflows/claude-commands.yml
name: Claude Commands CI
on: [push, pull_request]

jobs:
  validate-commands:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      - name: Validate Commands
        run: |
          # Validate command syntax
          find .claude/commands -name "*.md" -exec markdown-lint {} \;
```

### Git Hooks Integration
```bash
#!/bin/sh
# .git/hooks/pre-commit
# Automatically run code review command
claude -p "Review the staged changes for any issues" --staged
```

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

### Command Discovery Problems
1. Ensure correct directory structure: `.claude/commands/`
2. Use `.md` file extension
3. Restart Claude Code after adding new commands
4. Check file permissions

### Permission Issues
1. Commands requiring Bash access need user permission
2. Use explicit permission requests in commands
3. Test commands individually before combining

### Execution Problems
1. Verify command syntax and structure
2. Test with simple commands first
3. Check for conflicting command names
4. Review Claude Code logs for errors

## Performance Optimization

### Token Usage
- Keep commands concise but comprehensive
- Use clear, specific instructions
- Avoid redundant information
- Structure for readability

### Response Time
- Break complex workflows into steps
- Use specific rather than general commands
- Minimize context switching
- Cache common patterns

## Security Considerations

### Command Security
- Never include secrets in commands
- Validate all input parameters
- Use secure coding practices
- Review commands for vulnerabilities

### Access Control
- Use project-specific commands for sensitive operations
- Implement approval workflows for critical commands
- Log command execution for audit trails

## Maintenance

### Regular Updates
- Review and refactor commands quarterly
- Update based on team feedback
- Keep documentation current
- Remove deprecated commands

### Version Control
- Track command changes in Git
- Use semantic versioning for major updates
- Document breaking changes
- Maintain backward compatibility when possible

## Research Date
July 20, 2025