Print this. Tape it next to your laptop. You only need these.
Terminal — getting around
Command
What it does
pwd
Where am I? (print current folder)
ls
List files/folders here
ls -la
List everything with details
cd FOLDER
Go into a folder (use Tab to auto-complete the name!)
cd ..
Go up one level
cd ~
Go home
clear
Clear the screen
mkdir NAME
Make a new folder
touch NAME
Make a new empty file
rm NAME
⚠️ Delete a file (no undo! be careful)
code .
Open the current folder in VS Code
open .
Open the current folder in Finder (macOS)
Survival keys:Ctrl + C = stop a stuck command · Up arrow = repeat last
command · Tab = auto-complete names.
Homebrew — installing software
Command
What it does
brew install NAME
Install a command-line tool
brew install --cask NAME
Install a graphical app
brew list
What have I installed?
brew upgrade
Update everything
brew --version
Check Homebrew works
uv — Python projects
Command
What it does
uv init NAME
Create a new project
uv add PACKAGE
Add an ingredient the project needs
uv run FILE.py
Run a Python program
uv python install 3.12
Install a Python version
Git — save points
Command
What it does
git init
Start watching this folder
git status
What's changed?
git add -A
Stage all changes for the next save point
git commit -m "message"
Make a save point
git restore .
⤺ Undo all changes back to last save point
Safety habit: before a big change → git add -A then git commit -m "before X".
If it goes wrong → git restore ..
Claude Code
Command
What it does
claude
Start Claude Code (run it inside a project folder)
claude --version
Check it's installed
Type /help inside Claude Code
See built-in commands
Press Ctrl + C (twice)
Exit Claude Code
How to ask well:
Describe the outcome, not the method.
Give context only you know ("the date is after the label 'Effective:'").
Big jobs → one step at a time. Ask it to plan first.
Wrong result → say expected vs. actual, specifically.
Confused → "explain that simply."
Before deleting/overwriting → "show me what you'll change first."
The daily rhythm
cd ~/work-automation/my-project # go to your project
claude # start Claude Code
# ...describe what you want, step by step...
# ...verify the results in VS Code...
git add -A && git commit -m "done" # save your work
The non-negotiables
⚠️ rm has no undo. Don't rm anything you can't recreate.
🔒 Work on copies, never your only copy of real files.
🔒 Don't paste sensitive data (client info, passwords, tokens) into any chat.
🔒 Don't connect Claude Code to company SaaS tools without IT approval —
download & process locally.
👀 Preview (dry-run) then execute. Spot-check the output.