Claude Code Now Teaches You How to Use It: The /powerup Command Explained

TL;DR: Type /powerup inside Claude Code and you get 10 interactive lessons with live demos that take you from beginner to power user. Covers @ mentions, plan mode, undo, background tasks, memory, MCP tools, custom skills, AI agents, remote control, and model switching. The lessons adapt to your current project.

The number one reason people don’t use Claude Code is they don’t know where to start. There are dozens of features, slash commands, and workflows, and no obvious path from “I just installed this” to “I’m productive.”

That just changed. Claude Code now has a built-in training system called /powerup. Type it in any session and you get 10 interactive lessons with animated demos that teach you the features most users never discover.

Here’s what each one covers and which ones to learn first.

The 10 Power-Ups

1. Talk to Your Codebase

Use @ to mention specific files and line references. Instead of “look at my auth file,” say “@src/auth.ts lines 15-30.” Claude gets precise context and gives better answers. This alone makes every conversation more productive.

2. Steer with Modes

Press Shift+Tab to cycle between permission modes. Plan mode makes Claude think through the approach before writing code. Auto mode lets Claude run without asking permission for every action. Use plan mode for new features, auto mode for repetitive tasks.

3. Undo Anything

Type /rewind or press Esc+Esc to undo any change Claude made. It rolls back both the conversation and the code changes. If Claude breaks something, you’re never stuck.

4. Run in the Background

Use /tasks to run long processes in the background while you keep working. Start a test suite, a build, or a deployment and continue your conversation. Claude notifies you when it’s done.

5. Teach Claude Your Rules

Create a CLAUDE.md file in your project root or use /memory to save project context. Claude reads this at the start of every session. Put your coding standards, architecture decisions, and project context here so Claude never forgets.

6. Extend with Tools (MCP)

Use /mcp to connect external tools and APIs. Notion, Google Docs, databases, image generators - anything with an MCP server can plug into Claude Code. This is how you turn Claude from a code editor into a full automation platform.

7. Automate Your Workflow

Build custom slash commands (skills) and event-triggered automation (hooks). Skills let you create reusable workflows. Hooks run automatically when events happen - format code on save, run tests before commits.

8. Multiply Yourself (Agents)

Use /agents to spawn subagents that work on tasks in parallel. Research a bug while building a feature while running tests. Each agent works in isolation so they don’t interfere with each other.

9. Code from Anywhere

Use /remote-control to control Claude from your phone. Use /teleport to move a session between terminal and web. Start on your laptop, text a task while you’re out, come back and everything is done.

10. Dial the Model

Use /model to switch between Claude models and /effort to adjust reasoning depth. Use the fastest model for simple tasks and the most powerful for complex decisions. This optimizes your token usage.

Which Power-Ups to Learn First

Based on immediate impact:

#5 (CLAUDE.md) - Biggest immediate improvement. Set up your project memory before anything else.
#2 (Plan mode) - Always plan before building. Prevents 90% of bugs.
#6 (MCP tools) - Connect the tools you use daily. This is what turns Claude Code into a platform.
#3 (Undo) - Knowing you can rewind makes you more willing to experiment.
#8 (Agents) - Most powerful but learn the others first.

The Context-Aware Advantage

The reason /powerup works better than YouTube tutorials is that each lesson adapts to your current project. If you already have a CLAUDE.md file, the memory lesson acknowledges it and shows you advanced techniques. If you don’t, it walks you through creating one. The lessons meet you where you are.

FAQ

How long do the lessons take? Each lesson is a few minutes. You can do all 10 in under an hour, or learn one at a time between work sessions.

Do I need to do them in order? No. Pick whichever feature you’re most curious about. Though I recommend starting with #5 (memory) and #2 (plan mode) for the biggest immediate impact.

Is this the same as reading the docs? No. The lessons include animated demos that show the features in action. Much easier to learn by watching than reading.

Does /powerup cost extra? No. It’s built into Claude Code. If you have a Claude subscription, you have access.