SuperClaude/docs/user-guide/commands.md

SuperClaude Commands Guide

SuperClaude provides 25 commands for Claude Code: /sc:* commands for workflows and @agent-* for specialists.

Command Types

Type	Where Used	Format	Example
Slash Commands	Claude Code	/sc:[command]	/sc:implement "feature"
Agents	Claude Code	@agent-[name]	@agent-security "review"
Installation	Terminal	SuperClaude [command]	SuperClaude install

Quick Test

# Terminal: Verify installation
python3 -m SuperClaude --version
# Claude Code CLI verification: claude --version

# Claude Code: Test commands
/sc:brainstorm "test project"    # Should ask discovery questions
/sc:analyze README.md           # Should provide analysis

Workflow: /sc:brainstorm "idea" → /sc:implement "feature" → /sc:test

🎯 Understanding SuperClaude Commands

How SuperClaude Works

SuperClaude provides behavioral context files that Claude Code reads to adopt specialized behaviors. When you type /sc:implement, Claude Code reads the implement.md context file and follows its behavioral instructions.

SuperClaude commands are NOT executed by software - they are context triggers that modify Claude Code's behavior through reading specialized instruction files from the framework.

Command Types:

• Slash Commands (/sc:*): Trigger workflow patterns and behavioral modes
• Agent Invocations (@agent-*): Manually activate specific domain specialists
• Flags (--think, --safe-mode): Modify command behavior and depth

The Context Mechanism:

1. User Input: You type /sc:implement "auth system"
2. Context Loading: Claude Code reads ~/.claude/superclaude/Commands/implement.md
3. Behavior Adoption: Claude applies domain expertise, tool selection, and validation patterns
4. Enhanced Output: Structured implementation with security considerations and best practices

Key Point: This creates sophisticated development workflows through context management rather than traditional software execution.

Installation vs Usage Commands

🖥️ Terminal Commands (Actual CLI software):

• SuperClaude install - Installs the framework components
• SuperClaude update - Updates existing installation
• SuperClaude uninstall - Removes framework installation
• python3 -m SuperClaude --version - Check installation status

💬 Claude Code Commands (Context triggers):

• /sc:brainstorm - Activates requirements discovery context
• /sc:implement - Activates feature development context
• @agent-security - Activates security specialist context
• All commands work inside Claude Code chat interface only

Quick Start: Try /sc:brainstorm "your project idea" → /sc:implement "feature name" → /sc:test to experience the core workflow.

🧪 Testing Your Setup

🖥️ Terminal Verification (Run in Terminal/CMD)

# Verify SuperClaude is working (primary method)
python3 -m SuperClaude --version
# Example output: SuperClaude 4.1.5

# Claude Code CLI version check
claude --version

# Check installed components
python3 -m SuperClaude install --list-components | grep mcp
# Example output: Shows installed MCP components

💬 Claude Code Testing (Type in Claude Code Chat)

# Test basic /sc: command
/sc:brainstorm "test project"
# Example behavior: Interactive requirements discovery starts

# Test command help
/sc:help
# Example behavior: List of available commands

If tests fail: Check Installation Guide or Troubleshooting

📝 Command Quick Reference

Command Type	Where to Run	Format	Purpose	Example
🖥️ Installation	Terminal/CMD	SuperClaude [command]	Setup and maintenance	SuperClaude install
🔧 Configuration	Terminal/CMD	python3 -m SuperClaude [command]	Advanced configuration	python3 -m SuperClaude --version
💬 Slash Commands	Claude Code	/sc:[command]	Workflow automation	/sc:implement "feature"
🤖 Agent Invocation	Claude Code	@agent-[name]	Manual specialist activation	@agent-security "review"
⚡ Enhanced Flags	Claude Code	/sc:[command] --flags	Behavior modification	/sc:analyze --think-hard

Remember: All /sc: commands and @agent- invocations work inside Claude Code chat, not your terminal. They trigger Claude Code to read specific context files from the SuperClaude framework.

Table of Contents

• Essential Commands - Start here (8 core commands)
• Common Workflows - Command combinations that work
• Full Command Reference - All 25 commands organized by category
• Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions
• Command Index - Find commands by category

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Essential Commands

Core workflow commands for immediate productivity:

/sc:brainstorm - Project Discovery

Purpose: Interactive requirements discovery and project planning
Syntax: /sc:brainstorm "your idea" [--strategy systematic|creative]

Use Cases:

• New project planning: /sc:brainstorm "e-commerce platform"
• Feature exploration: /sc:brainstorm "user authentication system"
• Problem solving: /sc:brainstorm "slow database queries"

/sc:help - Command Reference

Purpose: Displays a list of all available /sc commands and their descriptions. Syntax: /sc:help

Use Cases:

• Discovering available commands: /sc:help
• Getting a quick reminder of command names: /sc:help

/sc:research - Deep Research Command

Purpose: Comprehensive web research with adaptive planning and intelligent search
Syntax: /sc:research "[query]" [--depth quick|standard|deep|exhaustive] [--strategy planning|intent|unified]

Use Cases:

• Technical research: /sc:research "latest React 19 features" --depth deep
• Market analysis: /sc:research "AI coding assistant landscape 2024" --strategy unified
• Academic investigation: /sc:research "quantum computing breakthroughs" --depth exhaustive
• Current events: /sc:research "latest AI developments 2024"

Key Capabilities:

• 6-Phase Workflow: Understand → Plan → TodoWrite → Execute → Track → Validate
• Adaptive Depth: Quick (basic search), Standard (extended), Deep (comprehensive), Exhaustive (maximum depth)
• Planning Strategies: Planning (direct), Intent (clarify first), Unified (collaborative)
• Parallel Execution: Default parallel searches and extractions
• Evidence Management: Clear citations with relevance scoring
• Output Standards: Reports saved to docs/research/[topic]_[timestamp].md

/sc:implement - Feature Development

Purpose: Full-stack feature implementation with intelligent specialist routing
Syntax: /sc:implement "feature description" [--type frontend|backend|fullstack] [--focus security|performance]

Use Cases:

• Authentication: /sc:implement "JWT login system"
• UI components: /sc:implement "responsive dashboard"
• APIs: /sc:implement "REST user endpoints"
• Database: /sc:implement "user schema with relationships"

/sc:analyze - Code Assessment

Purpose: Comprehensive code analysis across quality, security, and performance
Syntax: /sc:analyze [path] [--focus quality|security|performance|architecture]

Use Cases:

• Project health: /sc:analyze .
• Security audit: /sc:analyze --focus security
• Performance review: /sc:analyze --focus performance

/sc:business-panel - Strategic Business Analysis

Purpose: Multi-expert business strategy analysis with 9 renowned thought leaders
Syntax: /sc:business-panel "content" [--mode discussion|debate|socratic] [--experts "name1,name2"]

Use Cases:

• Strategy evaluation: /sc:business-panel "our go-to-market strategy"
• Competitive analysis: /sc:business-panel @competitor_analysis.pdf --mode debate
• Innovation assessment: /sc:business-panel "AI product idea" --experts "christensen,drucker"
• Strategic learning: /sc:business-panel "competitive strategy" --mode socratic

Expert Panel: Christensen, Porter, Drucker, Godin, Kim/Mauborgne, Collins, Taleb, Meadows, Doumont

/sc:spec-panel - Expert Specification Review

Purpose: Multi-expert specification review and improvement using renowned specification and software engineering experts
Syntax: /sc:spec-panel [content|@file] [--mode discussion|critique|socratic] [--focus requirements|architecture|testing|compliance]

Use Cases:

• Specification review: /sc:spec-panel @api_spec.yml --mode critique --focus requirements,architecture
• Requirements workshop: /sc:spec-panel "user story content" --mode discussion
• Architecture validation: /sc:spec-panel @microservice.spec.yml --mode socratic --focus architecture
• Compliance review: /sc:spec-panel @security_requirements.yml --focus compliance
• Iterative improvement: /sc:spec-panel @complex_system.spec.yml --iterations 3

Expert Panel: Wiegers, Adzic, Cockburn, Fowler, Nygard, Newman, Hohpe, Crispin, Gregory, Hightower

/sc:troubleshoot - Problem Diagnosis

Purpose: Systematic issue diagnosis with root cause analysis
Syntax: /sc:troubleshoot "issue description" [--type build|runtime|performance]

Use Cases:

• Runtime errors: /sc:troubleshoot "500 error on login"
• Build failures: /sc:troubleshoot --type build
• Performance problems: /sc:troubleshoot "slow page load"

/sc:test - Quality Assurance

Purpose: Comprehensive testing with coverage analysis
Syntax: /sc:test [--type unit|integration|e2e] [--coverage] [--fix]

Use Cases:

• Full test suite: /sc:test --coverage
• Unit testing: /sc:test --type unit --watch
• E2E validation: /sc:test --type e2e

/sc:improve - Code Enhancement

Purpose: Apply systematic code improvements and optimizations
Syntax: /sc:improve [path] [--type performance|quality|security] [--preview]

Use Cases:

• General improvements: /sc:improve src/
• Performance optimization: /sc:improve --type performance
• Security hardening: /sc:improve --type security

/sc:document - Documentation Generation

Purpose: Generate comprehensive documentation for code and APIs
Syntax: /sc:document [path] [--type api|user-guide|technical] [--format markdown|html]

Use Cases:

• API docs: /sc:document --type api
• User guides: /sc:document --type user-guide
• Technical docs: /sc:document --type technical

/sc:workflow - Implementation Planning

Purpose: Generate structured implementation plans from requirements
Syntax: /sc:workflow "feature description" [--strategy agile|waterfall] [--format markdown]

Use Cases:

• Feature planning: /sc:workflow "user authentication"
• Sprint planning: /sc:workflow --strategy agile
• Architecture planning: /sc:workflow "microservices migration"

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Common Workflows

Proven command combinations:

New Project Setup

/sc:brainstorm "project concept"      # Define requirements
/sc:design "system architecture"      # Create technical design  
/sc:workflow "implementation plan"    # Generate development roadmap

Feature Development

/sc:implement "feature name"          # Build the feature
/sc:test --coverage                   # Validate with tests
/sc:document --type api               # Generate documentation  

Code Quality Improvement

/sc:analyze --focus quality           # Assess current state
/sc:improve --preview                 # Preview improvements
/sc:test --coverage                   # Validate changes

Bug Investigation

/sc:troubleshoot "issue description"  # Diagnose the problem
/sc:analyze --focus problem-area      # Deep analysis
/sc:improve --fix --safe-mode         # Apply targeted fixes

Specification Development

/sc:spec-panel @existing_spec.yml --mode critique  # Expert review
/sc:spec-panel @improved_spec.yml --iterations 2    # Iterative refinement
/sc:document --type technical                        # Generate documentation

Full Command Reference

Development Commands

Command	Purpose	Best For
workflow	Implementation planning	Project roadmaps, sprint planning
implement	Feature development	Full-stack features, API development
build	Project compilation	CI/CD, production builds
design	System architecture	API specs, database schemas

Analysis Commands

Command	Purpose	Best For
analyze	Code assessment	Quality audits, security reviews
research	Web research with intelligent search	Technical research, current events, market analysis
business-panel	Strategic analysis	Business decisions, competitive assessment
spec-panel	Specification review	Requirements validation, architecture analysis
troubleshoot	Problem diagnosis	Bug investigation, performance issues
explain	Code explanation	Learning, code reviews

Quality Commands

Command	Purpose	Best For
improve	Code enhancement	Performance optimization, refactoring
cleanup	Technical debt	Dead code removal, organization
test	Quality assurance	Test automation, coverage analysis
document	Documentation	API docs, user guides

Project Management

Command	Purpose	Best For
estimate	Project estimation	Timeline planning, resource allocation
task	Task management	Complex workflows, task tracking
spawn	Meta-orchestration	Large-scale projects, parallel execution

Utility Commands

Command	Purpose	Best For
help	List all commands	Discovering available commands
git	Version control	Commit management, branch strategies
index	Command discovery	Exploring capabilities, finding commands

Session Commands

Command	Purpose	Best For
load	Context loading	Session initialization, project onboarding
save	Session persistence	Checkpointing, context preservation
reflect	Task validation	Progress assessment, completion validation
select-tool	Tool optimization	Performance optimization, tool selection

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Command Index

By Function:

• Planning: brainstorm, design, workflow, estimate
• Development: implement, build, git
• Analysis: analyze, business-panel, spec-panel, troubleshoot, explain
• Quality: improve, cleanup, test, document
• Management: task, spawn, load, save, reflect
• Utility: help, index, select-tool

By Complexity:

• Beginner: brainstorm, implement, analyze, test, help
• Intermediate: workflow, design, business-panel, spec-panel, improve, document
• Advanced: spawn, task, select-tool, reflect

Troubleshooting

Command Issues:

• Command not found: Verify installation: python3 -m SuperClaude --version
• No response: Restart Claude Code session
• Processing delays: Use --no-mcp to test without MCP servers

Quick Fixes:

• Reset session: /sc:load to reinitialize
• Check status: SuperClaude install --list-components
• Get help: Troubleshooting Guide

Next Steps

• Flags Guide - Control command behavior
• Agents Guide - Specialist activation
• Examples Cookbook - Real usage patterns