How I Use Claude Code
Hacker News
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Using Claude Code with a structured approach has transformed the way the author builds software, emphasizing a key principle: never letting Claude write code until a written plan is approved. This separation of planning and execution ensures better control over architecture decisions, reduces wasted effort, and minimizes errors that can derail projects. The workflow involves four phases: research, planning, implementation, and iteration, each designed to maximize efficiency and accuracy.
In the research phase, the author requires Claude to deeply analyze the codebase, identifying bugs and intricacies in detail. This step is crucial as it prevents superficial understanding and ensures a solid foundation for future work. The findings are documented in a persistent markdown file, allowing the author to verify Claude’s comprehension before moving forward. Without this phase, errors like duplicated logic or overlooked caching layers could arise, causing broader system issues.
The planning phase involves creating a detailed implementation plan in a separate markdown file. This plan includes code snippets, file paths, and trade-offs, ensuring clarity and alignment with the project’s needs. Unlike built-in plan modes, using markdown files provides full control, allowing for edits and persistence as real project artifacts. This step avoids the pitfalls of jumping directly into coding without a clear roadmap.
Finally, the implementation phase uses an annotated todo list to guide code changes efficiently. After execution, feedback and iteration refine the process, optimizing token usage and maintaining high-quality results. This method ensures better outcomes than alternative approaches, making it particularly valuable for developers seeking to enhance their AI-assisted coding workflow. By prioritizing planning and research, this approach not only streamlines development but also delivers more reliable and maintainable code.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/22/2026