Boost Your Development Efficiency with Claude Code Custom Commands

Introduction: The Challenge of a 352-Line CLAUDE.md

"I wrote detailed AI collaboration rules, and my CLAUDE.md became 352 lines long..."

Sound familiar?

Claude Code loads CLAUDE.md at startup, but as the file grows, token consumption increases dramatically. Most of this content describes fixed workflows—loading the same content every time is a waste of resources.

The Solution: Efficiency Through Custom Commands

1. Converting Fixed Workflows to Commands

Extract fixed procedures from CLAUDE.md and place them as custom commands in ~/.claude/commands/.

bash

# Example: session-start.md
# Session Start
/session-start

# Description
Initialize session and prepare work environment.

# Execution
1. Check current status with git status
2. Get latest changes with git pull
3. Review previous work with TodoRead
4. Present today's work plan

2. Results: 20% Token Reduction

Before: 352 lines (all procedures included)
After: 280 lines (20.5% reduction)

Savings: Approximately 20% token reduction per session

16 Practical Custom Commands Created

Development Commands

- /session-start - Initialize at session start - /nakajime - Mid-session checkpoint - /shime - End-of-work wrap-up - /commit - Safe commit procedure

Validation Commands

- /deploy-check - Pre-deployment verification - /design-check - Design application check - /factcheck - Fact verification protocol

Troubleshooting

- /news-fix - News article problem resolution - /error-report - Error reporting format

Documentation

- /daily-template - Daily report template - /improve-propose - Improvement proposal format - /article-request - Article request creation

Process

- /pr-create - PR creation procedure - /todo-manage - Todo management rules - /question-first - Question-first protocol - /backup-create - Backup creation

The True Value of Custom Commands

1. Humans Don't Need to Remember Command Names

Just say "do a mid-checkpoint" and AI references CLAUDE.md to execute the /nakajime command. Natural language instructions mean no need to memorize command names.

2. CLAUDE.md Functions as an Index

Simply include in CLAUDE.md:

markdown

### Work Keywords
- **"nakajime" (mid-checkpoint)**: Execute `/nakajime` command
- **"shime" (wrap-up)**: Execute `/shime` command

AI sees this notation and selects the appropriate command.

3. Load Commands Only When Needed

Instead of loading all procedures every time, only load needed commands at execution time. This achieves significant token reduction.

Japanese Concepts: "Shime" and "Nakajime"

We've commandified Japanese cultural concepts that clearly mark work boundaries, like the "nakajime" at drinking parties.

Nakajime (/nakajime): Execute at work checkpoints. Summarize progress and organize next tasks
Shime (/shime): Execute at work completion. Create daily report and organize todos

These terms are familiar and memorable for Japanese users.

How to Create Custom Commands

1. Create Command File

bash

# Create .md file in ~/.claude/commands/ directory
vim ~/.claude/commands/my-command.md

2. Command Format

markdown

# Command Name
/my-command

# Description
Command overview

# Execution
1. Step 1
2. Step 2
3. Step 3

3. Register in CLAUDE.md

markdown

### Custom Commands
- **"do ○○"**: Execute `/my-command` command

Conclusion: The Trinity of Efficiency

Token Reduction: 20% context reduction
Natural Instructions: "Do a mid-checkpoint" is enough
Standardization: Improved fixed workflow quality

Custom commands aren't just efficiency tools. They're a new form of collaboration that bridges natural human language with precise AI execution.

Why not try converting your frequently used workflows into custom commands?