/init

Lesson in the Claude Code Roadmap · Stage 9: Hooks

Last updated 14 September 2026

What is /init?

The /init command is the initialization utility used to set up Claude Code for a specific project directory. When you run this command, it creates a CLAUDE.md file in your current folder. This file serves as the "foundation" for the assistant, allowing you to define project-specific coding standards, build commands, and test suites that Claude will automatically reference in every future session within that repository.

Study this in the interactive course See the whole Claude Code roadmap

Free resources to learn /init

Official docsBuilt-in commands
Official docsWrite an effective CLAUDE.md
ArticleBuild your own /init command like Claude Code

/init: common questions

Can I learn /init in Hindi?

This lesson is written in English. Once you sign in, open it in the interactive course and ask the AI tutor to explain /init in Hindi or Hinglish. The tutor answers from this lesson’s own text, so it stays on the syllabus, and it runs on your own Google, OpenAI or Anthropic key.

Is this /init tutorial for beginners?

It is lesson 72 of 109 in the free Claude Code roadmap, in stage 9, Hooks. If you are new to Claude Code, start from stage 1 and come back here in order; if you already know the earlier stages, this lesson stands on its own.