cli-reference

# Claude Code CLI Reference

## CLI Commands

### Interactive Mode

**Start interactive REPL:**
```bash
claude
```

**Start with initial prompt:**
```bash
claude "query"
```

### Non-Interactive Mode

**Query via SDK, then exit:**
```bash
claude -p "query"
claude --print "query"
```

**Process piped content:**
```bash
cat file | claude -p "query"
echo "content" | claude -p "analyze this"
```

**Continue most recent conversation:**
```bash
claude -c
claude --continue
```

**Continue via SDK:**
```bash
claude -c -p "query"
```

**Resume session by ID:**
```bash
claude -r "<session-id>" "query"
claude --resume "<session-id>" "query"
```

### Maintenance

**Update to latest version:**
```bash
claude update
```

**Configure MCP servers:**
```bash
claude mcp
```

**Check installation health:**
```bash
claude --doctor
```

**Migrate installer:**
```bash
claude migrate-installer
```

## Key CLI Flags

### Essential Flags

| Flag | Short | Purpose | Example |
|------|-------|---------|---------|
| `--print` | `-p` | Print response without interactive mode | `claude -p "task"` |
| `--continue` | `-c` | Continue most recent conversation | `claude -c "follow up"` |
| `--resume` | `-r` | Resume session by ID | `claude -r abc123 "task"` |
| `--help` | `-h` | Show help information | `claude --help` |
| `--version` | `-v` | Show version | `claude --version` |

### Configuration Flags

| Flag | Purpose | Example |
|------|---------|---------|
| `--add-dir` | Add working directories for access | `claude --add-dir /path/to/dir` |
| `--agents` | Define custom subagents dynamically via JSON | `claude --agents '[{...}]'` |
| `--model` | Set model with alias or full name | `claude --model opus` |
| `--max-turns` | Limit agentic turns in non-interactive mode | `claude --max-turns 5` |
| `--permission-mode` | Begin in specified permission mode | `claude --permission-mode acceptAll` |
| `--allowedTools` | Specify permitted tools | `claude --allowedTools "Bash,Read"` |

### Output & Format Fl