Tech • IA • Crypto
Your first Claude Code prompt
TL;DR
A coding assistant introduces a “plan mode” and configurable approval settings to safely automate multi-step code changes, exemplified by implementing a full-app dark mode toggle.
KEY POINTS
Adjustable Approval Modes
The tool allows developers to choose between automatic acceptance of file edits and manual approval for each change. In auto-accept mode, file modifications are applied instantly, while command execution still requires user consent. This flexibility lets users balance speed with control depending on their workflow.
Plan Mode for Complex Tasks
A dedicated plan mode analyzes the codebase using read-only access before making changes. It generates a structured implementation strategy and asks clarifying questions where needed. This approach is particularly useful for multi-step features or sensitive refactoring.
Shift-Tab Navigation
Users can quickly toggle between modes using a keyboard shortcut, streamlining transitions between planning and execution. This reduces friction when iterating on feature development or reviewing proposed changes.
Example: Dark Mode Implementation
A sample task demonstrates the system’s capabilities by adding a dark mode toggle across an application. The assistant plans the feature, including UI placement in the header and selection of accessible contrast colors aligned with the existing light theme.
Transparency in Execution
After planning and execution, the system provides a clear breakdown of what changes were made and why. This visibility helps developers audit decisions and maintain confidence in automated edits.
Encouragement of Detailed Prompts
Effectiveness depends heavily on prompt clarity. Detailed instructions improve both the quality of the plan and the final implementation, especially for design-sensitive features like theming.
CONCLUSION
Configurable automation combined with structured planning tools enables developers to safely delegate complex coding tasks while maintaining visibility and control over the outcome.
Full transcript
You talk to clot code like you would talk to any AI assistant. When entering your prompt, here are some things that you can consider that can both protect and make things easier for you. You can choose whether Claude auto accepts every file change it suggests or require it to ask you for explicit permission each time. With shift plus tab, you can cycle between both modes. In auto accept mode, it will automatically approve an edit or creation of a file, but still ask your permission to run commands. There isn't a right or wrong way. It's just whatever you feel the most comfortable with. Within this shift tab menu is the plan mode. Plan mode takes your prompt and uses readonly tools to analyze your codebase and do research on your suggested implementation. It will also ask you questions on items that it wants clarification on. It then returns to you a long detailed plan that it can execute on in more detail. Plan mode works great for planning complex changes or doing a safe code review. A lot of the time you're asking claw to do multi-step implementations towards a feature and this is exactly what plan mode excels at. So why don't we give it a try? I have an application here that desperately needs a uh dark dark mode toggle. So I'm going to use cloud code to implement this for me. So I'm in the root directory of my project. I'm going to hit the shift tab a couple times to go into plan mode. Then let's write out the prompt. My app needs a dark mode implemented across the entire app. Can you create a toggle switch on the header that allows user to toggle between light mode and dark mode? I need you to find a good contrast color that works based on my existing light theme. And let's let Claude plan this out. And after reviewing, I think it looks pretty good. At the end of all this, we can see explicitly what Claude did and how it came to its conclusion. And the dark mode is looking pretty good. Awesome. When using Cloud Code, try to be as descriptive as possible with your prompt. If you want to stay in the loop at every step, you can do that. Use plan mode to let Claude get a little bit more in the nitty-gritty with what you want to achieve before executing on that plan.