Claude Code - Interview Questions

Preparing for a technical interview on Claude Code requires mastering CLI commands, the memory system, permissions, and MCP integration. This guide gathers 27 interview questions classified by level - junior, mid-level, and senior - with model answers, key points to mention, and pitfalls to avoid for passing your agentic coding interview.

Claude Code is Anthropic's command-line development agent that allows developers to interact with Claude directly from their terminal to generate, refactor, and debug code. This tool has established itself as a reference in the field of agentic coding and is the subject of increasingly frequent interview questions.

Claude Code handles an average of 87% of common development tasks without leaving the terminal. Recruiters now test candidates' ability to leverage these AI tools to accelerate their productivity.

How are Claude Code interview questions structured by level?

Technical interviews evaluate three tiers of Claude Code competency. The junior level verifies CLI basics and installation. The mid-level covers advanced configuration, permissions, and memory. The senior level explores MCP architecture, automation, and team integration strategies.

To start your preparation well, see the guide on installation and first launch which covers the fundamental technical prerequisites.

Key takeaway: structure your preparation by difficulty level and focus on fundamentals before tackling advanced topics.

What Claude Code interview questions do recruiters ask at the junior level?

Question 1: What is Claude Code and how does it differ from Claude's web interface?

Model answer: Claude Code is a CLI agent that runs directly in the terminal. Unlike the web interface, it accesses the local file system, executes shell commands, and interacts with Git natively. It uses the Claude Sonnet 4.6 model by default as of February 2026.

Key points to mention:

• Direct file system access
• Bash command execution
• Native Git integration
• Token consumption via the Anthropic API

Common pitfall: do not confuse Claude Code with a simple chatbot - it is an autonomous agent capable of modifying files.

Question 2: How do you install Claude Code on your machine?

Model answer: Run the following command to install Claude Code globally:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Node.js 22 or higher is required. After installation, launch claude in your terminal to start a session.

Key points to mention:

• Prerequisite: Node.js >= 22
• Global installation via npm
• Anthropic API key required
• Authentication at first launch

Common pitfall: forgetting to configure the ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable before the first launch. See the complete guide on your first conversations to avoid this error.

Question 3: What are the three essential slash commands in Claude Code?

Model answer: The three essential commands are /help to display help, /clear to reset the context, and /compact to compress the conversation. In practice, /compact reduces token consumption by 40 to 60% on long sessions.

# In a Claude Code session
/help       # Display available commands
/clear      # Reset the context
/compact    # Compress the conversation

Key points to mention:

• /help - built-in documentation
• /clear - context reset
• /compact - memory optimization
• Other commands exist: /init, /config

Common pitfall: using /clear instead of /compact when you want to keep a summary of the context. Go deeper with the essential slash commands guide.

Question 4: How do you formulate an effective prompt for Claude Code?

Model answer: Structure your prompt in three parts: the context (which file or project), the expected action (refactor, fix, create), and the constraints (language, conventions). A precise prompt reduces the number of exchange turns by 70% according to Anthropic benchmarks (2025).

Key points to mention:

• Specify the files involved
• Describe the expected result
• Indicate technical constraints
• Use imperative format

Common pitfall: writing vague prompts like "improve the code" without context.

Question 5: What happens when Claude Code reaches its context limit?

Model answer: When the context window approaches its limit (200,000 tokens for Claude Sonnet 4.6), Claude Code automatically compresses previous messages. The system retains a summary of exchanges and critical information.

Key points to mention:

• 200,000 token limit
• Automatic compression
• Summary retention
• Ability to force with /compact

Common pitfall: thinking that compression deletes all previous information.

Question 6: How does Claude Code handle your project files?

Model answer: Claude Code uses dedicated tools to read (Read), write (Write), and edit (Edit) files. It prefers editing existing files over creating new ones. Each modification goes through the permissions system before execution.

Key points to mention:

• Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep tools
• Preference for editing over creation
• Active permissions system
• Local file system access only

Common pitfall: believing Claude Code can access remote files or arbitrary URLs.

Question 7: What is the difference between plan mode and implementation mode?

Model answer: Plan mode allows Claude Code to explore the codebase and propose a strategy before writing code. Concretely, it reads and analyzes files without modifying them. Implementation mode authorizes actual modifications. In practice, 65% of complex projects benefit from a prior planning phase.

Key points to mention:

• Plan mode: read-only, no modifications
• Implementation mode: editing authorized
• User validation between both phases
• Error reduction through planning

Common pitfall: skipping the planning step on multi-file tasks.

Question 8: How do you stop an operation in progress in Claude Code?

Model answer: Press Escape to interrupt generation in progress. To cancel a bash command launched by Claude Code, use Ctrl+C. These shortcuts work in all permission modes.

Key points to mention:

• Escape - stop generation
• Ctrl+C - interrupt a bash command
• No context loss after interruption
• Session remains active

Common pitfall: closing the terminal instead of using shortcuts, which loses all session context.

Question 9: How do you verify that Claude Code is working correctly after installation?

Model answer: Run claude --version to check the installed version, then launch claude in a Git project to validate file system access. A quick test is to ask "list the project files" to confirm read permissions.

claude --version    # Check version
claude              # Launch an interactive session

Key points to mention:

• Version verification
• Testing in a Git directory
• Validating read permissions
• API key verification

Common pitfall: testing Claude Code outside a Git directory, which limits its contextual analysis capabilities.

Key takeaway: junior questions verify your understanding of fundamentals - installation, basic commands, and terminal interaction.

What Claude Code interview questions target the mid-level?

Question 10: How does the CLAUDE.md memory system work?

Model answer: The CLAUDE.md file is Claude Code's persistent memory system. It stores project conventions, user preferences, and recurring instructions. Claude Code automatically loads this file at the start of each session. The /init command generates an initial CLAUDE.md based on project analysis.

# Initialize the CLAUDE.md file
/init

# Typical CLAUDE.md content
# - Naming conventions
# - Project tech stack
# - Linting rules
# - Architectural patterns

Key points to mention:

• Three levels: project (.claude/CLAUDE.md), user (~/.claude/CLAUDE.md), current directory
• Automatic loading at startup
• Free Markdown format
• /init command for generation

To master this topic, explore the guide on the CLAUDE.md memory system which details each configuration level.

Common pitfall: not structuring the CLAUDE.md, which dilutes instructions in a file that is too long.

Question 11: How do you configure Claude Code permissions for a team project?

Model answer: Configure permissions via the .claude/settings.json file at the project root. Three modes exist: default (confirmation for each action), acceptEdits (auto-approved edits), and bypassPermissions (no confirmation). In a team context, default mode with targeted exceptions offers the best security/productivity balance.

{
  "permissions": {
    "allow": ["Read", "Glob", "Grep"],
    "deny": ["Bash(rm *)"]
  }
}

Key points to mention:

• .claude/settings.json file versioned with the project
• Three permission modes
• Granular allow/deny lists
• Distinction between tools (Read, Write, Bash)

See the permissions security checklist for a secure team deployment.

Common pitfall: using bypassPermissions in production - this mode disables all confirmation including for destructive commands.

Question 12: How does Claude Code interact with Git?

Model answer: Claude Code automatically detects Git repositories and uses Git commands natively. It can create commits, branches, analyze diffs, and even create pull requests via gh. In practice, Claude Code follows a strict Git security protocol: it never force-pushes and never modifies the Git configuration.

Key points to mention:

• Automatic repository detection
• Commits with co-author Co-Authored-By: Claude
• Security protocol: never unauthorized --force
• gh integration for PRs

Common pitfall: expecting Claude Code to push automatically - it always asks for confirmation.

Question 13: What is the difference between /compact and /clear?

Model answer: /compact compresses the context while retaining a structured summary of previous exchanges. The conversation continues with this summary. /clear completely deletes the context and restarts a blank session. Concretely, /compact reduces token count by 50 to 70% while preserving decisions made.

Key points to mention:

• /compact preserves a summary
• /clear starts from zero
• /compact accepts an optional argument to target the summary
• Direct impact on API costs

Common pitfall: using /clear by reflex when /compact would suffice, thus losing useful context.

Question 14: How do you use Claude Code in non-interactive (headless) mode?

Model answer: Use the -p (or --print) flag to run Claude Code in non-interactive mode. This mode is essential for CI/CD pipeline integration. Output is written directly to stdout without an interactive interface.

# Non-interactive mode
claude -p "Analyze this file and list potential bugs" src/app.ts

# With JSON output format
claude -p "List the TODOs" --output-format json

# In a pipeline
echo "Generate unit tests" | claude -p

Key points to mention:

• -p or --print flag
• Direct stdout output
• CI/CD compatible (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI)
• --output-format option for JSON

Common pitfall: forgetting that headless mode asks for no confirmation - permissions must be pre-configured.

Question 15: How do you optimize token consumption in Claude Code?

Model answer: Three strategies reduce consumption. First, use /compact regularly to compress context. Next, write precise prompts that target specific files. Finally, configure CLAUDE.md with recurring instructions to avoid repeating them. In practice, these techniques reduce API costs by 30 to 50% over a month.

Key points to mention:

• Regular compression with /compact
• Targeted prompts (files, lines)
• CLAUDE.md for persistent instructions
• Monitoring via the Anthropic dashboard

Common pitfall: not monitoring your consumption and discovering a high bill at month's end.

Question 16: How does Claude Code handle bash command errors?

Model answer: When a bash command fails, Claude Code analyzes the return code and error message. It then proposes a correction or an alternative approach. It never tries to force the same command in a loop. Here is how to handle frequent errors:

1. Check the displayed error message
2. Analyze the return code (exit code)
3. Propose a corrected command
4. Ask for confirmation before re-execution

Key points to mention:

• Automatic error analysis
• No loop retries
• Alternative proposals
• Escalation to user if needed

Common pitfall: thinking Claude Code will automatically resolve all errors without intervention.

Question 17: How do you use hooks in Claude Code?

Model answer: Hooks are shell commands triggered by Claude Code events (before/after a tool call, on prompt submission). Configure them in the .claude/settings.json file. In practice, 45% of teams use hooks to automatically run a linter after each file edit.

{
  "hooks": {
    "post-edit": "npx eslint --fix ${file}"
  }
}

Key points to mention:

• Events: pre-tool, post-tool, prompt-submit
• Configuration in settings.json
• Available variables (file, command)
• Feedback treated as coming from the user

Common pitfall: creating hooks that block execution without a clear error message.

Question 18: How does Claude Code select which model to use?

Model answer: By default, Claude Code uses Claude Sonnet 4.6 as the main model in February 2026. The model can be changed via configuration or CLI flags. Child agents (subagents) can use different models depending on the task - for example, Haiku 4.5 for quick searches.

Key points to mention:

• Default model: Sonnet 4.6
• Per-project configuration possible
• Subagents with dedicated models
• Direct impact on costs and latency

Common pitfall: systematically using Opus for all tasks, which multiplies costs by 5 without proportional gain.

Key takeaway: the mid-level evaluates your ability to configure Claude Code for professional use - memory, permissions, optimization, and Git integration.

What Claude Code interview questions are reserved for senior profiles?

Question 19: How do you integrate Claude Code into a CI/CD pipeline?

Model answer: Configure Claude Code in headless mode (-p) in your GitHub Actions or GitLab CI. Here is a typical workflow for automated code review:

# .github/workflows/claude-review.yml
name: Claude Code Review
on: pull_request
jobs:
  review:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - run: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
      - run: |
          claude -p "Analyze this diff and identify issues" \
            --output-format json > review.json
        env:
          ANTHROPIC_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY }}

Key points to mention:

• Headless mode with -p
• Secure secrets management
• JSON output format for parsing
• Pre-configured permissions (no interaction)
• Timeout to configure (120 seconds by default)

To understand CI/CD security implications, refer to the guide on permissions and security.

Common pitfall: storing the API key in cleartext in the config file instead of using CI secrets.

Question 20: What is the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and how do you use it with Claude Code?

Model answer: The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that allows Claude Code to connect to external data sources and tools via dedicated servers. Each MCP server exposes "tools" that Claude Code can invoke. MCP reduces integration time with third-party systems by 80%.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres", "postgresql://localhost/mydb"]
    }
  }
}

Key points to mention:

• Open standard by Anthropic
• Client-server architecture
• Community servers available (Postgres, GitHub, Slack)
• Configuration in .claude/settings.json

See the MCP checklist for secure implementation.

Common pitfall: exposing an MCP server without access restrictions - each server must have minimal permissions.

Question 21: How do you architect Claude Code memory for a team of 10+ developers?

Model answer: Structure memory across three levels. The project CLAUDE.md (versioned) contains shared conventions. The user CLAUDE.md (~/.claude/CLAUDE.md) stores individual preferences. The project's .claude/settings.json file defines team permissions.

Project/
├── CLAUDE.md               # Team conventions (versioned)
├── .claude/
│   ├── settings.json        # Shared permissions
│   └── CLAUDE.md            # Repository instructions
└── src/
    └── CLAUDE.md            # Folder-specific instructions

Key points to mention:

• Versioned CLAUDE.md = shared source of truth
• Individual preferences in the home directory
• Hierarchy: project > directory > user
• CLAUDE.md review in code review

Common pitfall: letting each developer define their own conventions without a shared file, creating inconsistencies.

Question 22: How do you evaluate the quality of code generated by Claude Code?

Model answer: Set up four guardrails. First, post-edit hooks run linters automatically. Second, unit tests are executed after each generation. Third, the CLAUDE.md encodes quality standards. Fourth, human review remains mandatory for merges.

Key points to mention:

• Post-edit hooks for linting
• Automatic test execution
• Standards encoded in CLAUDE.md
• Human review is irreplaceable

To deepen prompt and review best practices, see the tips for your first conversations.

Common pitfall: blindly trusting generated code without tests or review.

Question 23: How do you use subagents (Task tool) effectively?

Model answer: Subagents allow parallelizing tasks and isolating contexts. Launch an Explore agent for code search, a Bash agent for system operations, and a general-purpose agent for complex tasks. In practice, using parallel subagents reduces completion time by 40 to 60% on multi-file projects.

Key points to mention:

• Types: Explore, Bash, general-purpose, Plan
• Parallel execution for independent tasks
• Main context isolation
• Communication via result return

Common pitfall: launching subagents in series when tasks are independent - parallelization is the main advantage.

Question 24: How do you secure Claude Code in an enterprise environment?

Model answer: Apply the principle of least privilege at three levels. Restrict authorized bash commands via permission deny-lists. Limit file system access to project directories. Control authorized MCP servers. In 2026, SOC 2-compliant companies require these three minimum controls.

{
  "permissions": {
    "deny": [
      "Bash(curl *)",
      "Bash(wget *)",
      "Bash(rm -rf *)",
      "Write(~/.ssh/*)"
    ]
  }
}

Key points to mention:

• Deny-list for dangerous commands
• Project directory isolation
• MCP server auditing
• API key rotation
• Activity logs

Common pitfall: authorizing Bash(*) to "save time" - this is a direct attack vector.

Question 25: How does Claude Code handle monorepo projects?

Model answer: Claude Code navigates monorepos using Glob and Grep tools to locate relevant files. Configure a root CLAUDE.md describing the monorepo structure and specific CLAUDE.md files in each package. Concretely, a 500,000-line monorepo is traversed in under 3 seconds thanks to optimized search tools.

Key points to mention:

• Hierarchical CLAUDE.md files (root + packages)
• Performant Glob/Grep tools on large volumes
• Limited context: target relevant files
• Per-subproject configuration possible

Common pitfall: not structuring the CLAUDE.md for a monorepo, which drowns Claude Code in too broad a context.

Question 26: When should you use Claude Code rather than an IDE with integrated copilot?

Model answer: Claude Code excels on multi-file refactoring tasks, codebase analysis, and complex Git operations. An IDE copilot is preferable for real-time inline completion. In practice, 72% of developers use both tools complementarily according to a Stack Overflow survey (2025).

The Claude Code introduction page details optimal use cases for each approach.

Common pitfall: opposing the two tools instead of combining them in a complementary workflow.

Question 27: How do you implement a team prompt engineering strategy with Claude Code?

Model answer: Centralize proven prompt patterns in the project's CLAUDE.md. Document templates for recurring tasks (test generation, refactoring, code review). Share results via pair-programming sessions with Claude Code. In 2026, teams that standardize their prompts see a 55% reduction in variability in generated code quality.

Key points to mention:

• CLAUDE.md as prompt repository
• Templates for recurring tasks
• Team experience feedback
• Quality metrics (acceptance rate, review time)

Common pitfall: letting each developer reinvent their prompts without capitalizing on collective learnings.

Key takeaway: the senior level evaluates your ability to deploy Claude Code at scale - CI/CD, security, team architecture, and organizational strategy.

How to effectively prepare for a Claude Code interview?

Here is a five-step method to maximize your chances:

1. Install Claude Code and practice for at least 2 hours with basic commands
2. Configure a CLAUDE.md on a personal project to understand the memory system
3. Test the three permission modes on real scenarios
4. Explore headless mode with a simple CI/CD script
5. Document your learnings - recruiters value practical experience

SFEIR Institute offers the one-day Claude Code training to acquire fundamentals under real conditions with hands-on labs. To go further, the two-day AI-Augmented Developer training covers integrating Claude Code into a complete professional development workflow. Senior profiles will benefit from the AI-Augmented Developer - Advanced level which covers MCP architectures and team strategies in one intensive day.

Key takeaway: hands-on practice on your own environment remains the best investment for passing a Claude Code technical interview.

What are the most common interview pitfalls?

Candidates often make the same mistakes. Avoid these five recurring pitfalls:

• Confusing Claude Code with a chatbot: it is an autonomous agent with file system access, not a simple conversational assistant
• Ignoring permissions: every senior recruiter will verify your understanding of the security model
• Neglecting CLAUDE.md: this file is central to professional Claude Code usage
• Forgetting about cost: every interaction consumes billed API tokens - cost management is a frequent interview topic
• Overestimating automation: Claude Code is an augmentation tool, human supervision remains indispensable

candidates who demonstrate practical experience with Claude Code have a 3x higher success rate than those who stick to theory. Verify your knowledge with the security best practices before your interview.

Key takeaway: master the fundamentals (installation, permissions, memory) before tackling advanced topics - a candidate solid on the basics impresses more than one who is superficial on everything.