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description: Guide for distinguishing Claude Code features (Commands, Skills, Agents, Hooks, Rules) and selection criteria. Use when decomposing context files, deciding where to add new features, or customizing Claude Code.

Claude Code Features Guide

Guide for choosing between 5 major Claude Code features.

Feature Overview

Decision Flowchart

Copy1. "Should it auto-execute on events like file edits?"
   → Yes: Hooks (implement as shell commands)

2. "Needs independent context for bulk data processing?"
   → Yes: Agents (don't pollute main conversation)

3. "Knowledge not always needed, but should surface when relevant?"
   → Yes: Skills (tool usage guides, domain expertise, patterns)

4. "Standard procedure user explicitly executes?"
   → Yes: Commands (instant /command execution)

5. "Constraints for specific paths or entire project?"
   → Yes: Rules (conditional with paths:)

6. Cannot classify
   → Keep in CLAUDE.md

Feature Details

• @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/commands.md
• @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/skills.md
• @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/agents.md
• @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/hooks.md
• @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/rules.md

References

@${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/references.md