8 Practical Claude Code Features to Help Developers Build Faster and Smarter

The quiet power behind a truly smart developer tool isn't how flashy it looks; it's how invisible yet powerful it is once it fits into your workflow. That's what Claude Code is chasing. Claude Code by Anthropic AI is a popular agentic coding agent that operates within the terminal or integrates into IDEs like VS Code and JetBrains; it can understand your codebase and helps you code faster through natural language commands. Anthropic AI announced 8 practical Claude Code features to help developers build faster and smarter. These features make complicated parts of coding simpler and help developers build faster and with more insight.

Here are the 8 practical Claude Code features to help developers build faster and smarter:

1. Extended Thinking: Let Claude Plan It Out

Sometimes, you don't need code but a plan. "Think" is now a real command that asks Claude to pause and map out what it's about to do. You describe the task, let Claude Code collect the necessary context from your project, and then simply ask it to "think."

• Type "think hard," and Claude gives you a more detailed plan.

• Great for big changes or risky edits.

• Saves time by catching missteps early.

• Reduces back-and-forth for complex tasks.

2. Vim Mode: Command-Line Devs, Rejoice

Claude Code includes Vim's distinct insert and command modes directly into the prompt editing experience. Activating it is as simple as typing the slash command /vim. Now, you can edit prompts with classic Vim insert/command modes without leaving Claude Code.

• Use /vim to toggle modes.

• It offers fast, familiar editing for terminal-first developers.

• No mouse is required.

• It is great for power users who live in shortcuts.

3. Custom Slash Commands: Build Your Own Workflows

Devs can create personalized shortcuts for your common or complex workflows, no longer limiting to Claude's built-ins. By adding Markdown files to your .claude/commands/ or ~/.claude/commands/ directories, you can define your own multi-step actions like triaging GitHub issues or running a specific build sequence and then trigger them instantly.

• Add new commands to .claude/commands/

• Automate repeatable tasks like issue triage.

• Tailor Claude to your team or project.

• Use directly from the terminal with a single command.

4. Faster Tool Use: No More Waiting Around

Claude Code got a speed boost, and it shows. It gives snappier performance for common operations, with a particular improvement mentioned for Git-related actions, and other common tools feel way more responsive.

• Reduced latency across popular tools.

• Smoother interactions inside the terminal.

• Improves overall UX for frequent command usage.

• Helps maintain focus in fast-paced dev cycles.

5. Auto-Accept Mode: Skip Confirmations, Keep Flowing

Auto-accept mode is an effective addition for tasks where you trust Claude Code's direction and want to move quickly. Activated with Shift+Tab, this mode allows Claude to implement changes without pausing for your approval at every single step.

• Claude proceeds without needing your go-ahead.

• Speeds up bulk or minor changes.

• Easy to exit when the review is needed.

• It keeps you in flow for longer stretches.

6. Filepath Autocomplete: Hit Tab, Get There Faster

Scrolling through directories and typing out filepaths can be tedious and error-prone. You can type in Claude Code and hit the Tab key, and it will intelligently suggest files and filepaths that match your input.

• It saves time typing long paths.

• Helps prevent typos and wrong references.

• It works especially well with large codebases.

• Supports more fluid in-terminal coding.

7. Auto-Compact Context: Longer Conversations, Less Bloat

One challenge with AI assistants is hitting context limits during long or complex problem-solving sessions. Claude Code now features auto-compaction for its conversation history. This feature intelligently compacts past messages, so you don't run into context limits mid-task.

• Retains key info, trims filler.

• Keeps sessions going without resetting.

• It is ideal for longer workflows or multi-step problems.

• Reduces token usage without losing clarity.

8. Web Fetch: Pull Docs Right Into the Terminal

Switching between your terminal and a web browser to look up documentation, specs, or examples can easily break your flow. With the new web fetch capability, you can paste a URL directly into Claude Code, and the agent will pull the content from that webpage and use it as context for your current task.

• It brings in an external context, like docs or spec sheets.

• Eliminates switching to the browser.

• It helps answer API or design questions in the flow.

• Works for almost any publicly viewable webpage.

Final Thoughts:

Claude Code is an amazing agentic coding assistant for developers who need help with their existing terminal and Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Developers need help inside real-world codebases that are full of context, quirks, and shifting priorities, which is what Claude is trying to provide. With these 8 practical features, Claude Code could feel less like a chatbot and more like a coding partner who just gets it when you need it. You can give it a test drive if you're looking for something that doesn't try to over-explain and is smart help.