Anthropic Just Added These Features to Claude Code

Claude Code Updates and Features

Introduction to Claude Code Masterclass

• The video begins with an introduction to new updates in Claude Code, emphasizing the importance of mastering it for effective use in various companies.

• The speaker promotes their Claude Code Masterclass as a comprehensive resource, highlighting a limited-time sale that will increase prices.

New Plans Directory Setting

• A new feature allows users to define a custom plans directory within their config folder, moving away from the default .claude directory.

• This change enables easier inspection and management of plans, allowing integration with tools like Gemini CLI or Codex CLI for plan review and critique.

Workflow Enhancements

• Users can now implement workflows using the PostToolUse hook, which automates saving plans into organized folders and facilitates feedback loops with other agents.

• Multiple sub-agents can be utilized for different reviews (e.g., security checks or cost analysis), enhancing the iterative improvement process of plans.

Practical Application Example

• An example is provided where a plan is archived with timestamps and session IDs for easy reference in future sessions.

• The speaker demonstrates passing a plan to headless versions of Codex CLI and Gemini CLI for additional feedback before finalizing it.

Planning Mode Improvements

• New options in planning mode allow users to either engage in discussion or skip directly to planning, streamlining the process.

• The context window's capacity has been improved; users can now clear context automatically after planning, preventing token loss during execution.

Token Management Strategy

• Concerns are raised about token usage during planning; previous strategies involved manually transferring plans between chats to avoid compaction issues.

• With recent updates, users can automatically load final plans into new chats, providing more space for execution without losing critical information.

Overview of Claude Code's Planning and Review Features

Archive and Review Plans

• The speaker discusses the use of approximately 78,000 tokens in a new context window for managing plans, highlighting two hooks: archive plan and review plan.

• External reviews from Codex CLI and Gemini CLI flagged important issues with the current plan, prompting improvements while allowing execution to continue despite warnings.

Workflow Automation with Hooks

• The speaker encourages users interested in automated plan reviews to create their own hooks or join a Masterclass for detailed guidance on using different sub-agents for reviewing plans.

• Claude Code has introduced a planning mode in its desktop application, enabling multiple planning agents to run concurrently, which could enhance decision-making by considering various perspectives.

MCP Tool Enhancements

• A new feature allows auto-enabling of MCP tool search if tool descriptions exceed a certain percentage of the context window, improving efficiency by reducing clutter.

• Previously messy displays of MCP tools have been streamlined; now only essential information is loaded unless more details are requested through the MCP search tool.

Customization Options for Users

• Users can customize settings in settings.json to adjust how much context is allocated to MCP tools, offering flexibility based on individual needs.

• The standardization of progressive disclosure in coding agents is noted as an evolving trend that enhances user experience by providing relevant information when necessary.

New Hook Functionality

• Introduction of a new hook allows automatic command execution during each session initiation with Claude Code, enhancing workflow integration.

• Different modes such as init-only and maintenance provide options for running scripts without starting a full session or ensuring system upkeep efficiently.

Team Integration Features

• The ability to onboard new team members seamlessly through commands like claude --init demonstrates efforts to integrate Claude Code into collaborative workflows effectively.

• PreToolUse hooks now support additional context input before executing commands, enhancing data management capabilities within Claude Code.

Claude Code Enhancements and Features

User Permissions and Contextual Awareness

• Claude Code can now request user permission with a reason visible to the user but not to itself, enhancing safety in potentially dangerous actions.

• Additional context can be provided to Claude Code, such as operating in a production environment, allowing it to proceed with caution during operations.

Diff View and Suggestions

• The desktop version of Claude Code introduces a diff view that highlights lines added or deleted, improving code review processes.

• Users can add their own suggestions and comments by clicking on plus buttons next to code lines, facilitating collaborative feedback.

Enhanced Instruction Capabilities

• When granting permission for actions, users can provide additional instructions (e.g., renaming branches), which are passed along with the approval for better clarity.

• Two new variables have been added for improved status line displays, allowing users to copy context over easily.

Status Line Updates

• Users can utilize the /statusline command to update the status line sub-agent with current context without manual calculations.

Autocomplete Features and Command Integration

• New icons have been introduced in the @autocomplete feature for different suggestion types: + for files, * for agents, and diamond symbols for MCP server tools.

• Slash commands and skills have been merged behind the scenes in Claude Code while maintaining separate folders for user organization.