Claude Secret Codes: 100 Prompt Shortcuts That Make You Think Faster

What's inside

• 100 copy-paste codes across writing, learning, brainstorming, analysis, thinking, coding and life-admin
• A one-time activation prompt so the codes actually fire — reliably, every time
• The exact codes I lean on daily to buy back time and think straighter
• I keep this pinned in a Claude Project so every code works the second I type it — no re-explaining, ever.

First, switch the codes on

Claude doesn't ship with these built in — so you teach it once. Paste this at the top of a new chat (or into a Claude Project's custom instructions, which is what I do), and every code below works for the whole conversation.

You now understand a set of shortcut codes. When my message contains one of these codes, apply that mode to your response. Codes can be combined (e.g. "TABLE /plain") and can appear anywhere in my message. If a code applies to text I've pasted, transform that text; otherwise apply it to your answer. Never mention the code back to me or explain what it means — just respond in that mode. If two codes conflict, follow the one I typed first. Confirm you've understood by replying only: "Codes active."

Once Claude replies "Codes active," you're set. Here are all 100.

Core writing & style

1. 1/human — Rewrites it so it sounds like you, not a robot
2. 2/sharpen — Tightens clarity, flow and impact without changing the meaning
3. 3/shorten — Cuts it to the tightest version that still lands
4. 4/expand — Adds depth, detail and supporting context
5. 5/plain — Strips the jargon so anyone can follow it
6. 6/warm — Shifts the tone to warmer and more human
7. 7/formal — Lifts the tone to polished and professional
8. 8/punchy — Rewrites in short, high-impact sentences
9. 9/story — Reworks a flat point into a story that sticks
10. 10/hook — Rewrites the opening line so people keep reading
11. 11/flow — Fixes clunky rhythm and awkward transitions
12. 12/voice — Matches the tone and style of a sample you paste in

Explanation & understanding

1. 1ELI5 — Explains it like you're five
2. 2EL15 — Explains it at a smart-teenager level
3. 3ELIExpert — Explains it with full technical depth
4. 4/why — Digs into the reason or mechanism behind it
5. 5/analogies — Explains it through everyday comparisons
6. 6/firstprinciples — Breaks it down to fundamental truths, then rebuilds
7. 7/deeper — Goes one layer past the obvious answer
8. 8/context — Fills in the background you're missing
9. 9/eli-me — Explains it by building on what you already know
10. 10/sceptic — Explains it, then pokes holes in it

Formatting & output

1. 1TLDR — The shortest useful summary
2. 2BULLETS — Reformats it as clean bullet points
3. 3TABLE — Lays it out as a comparison table
4. 4STEPS — Turns it into a numbered step-by-step
5. 5CHECKLIST — Converts it into a do-it checklist
6. 6/outline — Structures it into a logical outline
7. 7/keypoints — Pulls out only the most important takeaways
8. 8/tighten — Removes filler and repetition
9. 9/scannable — Rewrites it so it's easy to skim
10. 10/oneline — Boils it down to a single sentence

Learning & study

1. 1QUIZME — Builds quiz questions from the material
2. 2FLASHCARDS — Turns it into flashcard-style Q&As
3. 3TESTME — Tests whether you actually understood it
4. 4FEYNMAN — Makes you explain it back in the simplest terms
5. 5SOCRATIC — Teaches by asking you guided questions
6. 6MISCONCEPTIONS — Lists what people commonly get wrong about it
7. 7TIMELINE — Orders the events chronologically
8. 8/teachme — Frames the answer as a proper lesson
9. 9/roadmap — Builds a learning path from zero to competent
10. 10/recall — Quizzes you later on what you learned
11. 11/gaps — Shows you what you still don't understand
12. 12/studyplan — Builds a study plan around your deadline

Brainstorming & ideas

1. 1IDEAS10 — Generates 10 ideas, fast
2. 2ALT3 — Gives you 3 different angles on the same thing
3. 3SCAMPER — Runs it through the SCAMPER creativity framework
4. 4REMIX — Fuses two ideas into a new hybrid
5. 5/brainstorm — Pushes for a big, messy batch of ideas
6. 6/wildcards — Adds the weird, left-field options
7. 7/build — Takes your rough idea and develops it
8. 8/opposite — Flips the idea on its head to find something new
9. 9/namestorm — Generates name options for a thing
10. 10/angles — Lists fresh angles on a familiar topic

Analysis & decision-making

1. 1PROSCONS — Lists the upsides and downsides
2. 2SWOT — Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
3. 3COMPARE — Compares your options side by side
4. 4DECIDE — Builds a decision framework for the call you're facing
5. 5/counter — Argues the strongest case against you
6. 6/steelman — Builds the best version of the opposing view
7. 7/devilsadvocate — Challenges your idea on purpose
8. 8/assumptions — Surfaces the hidden assumptions you're making
9. 9/risks — Maps what could go wrong
10. 10/secondorder — Traces the later, knock-on consequences
11. 11/tradeoffs — Names what you gain and give up with each option
12. 12/pareto — Finds the 20% that drives 80% of the result
13. 13/redteam — Attacks your plan to expose the weak points
14. 14/blindspots — Points out what you're not seeing

Advanced thinking systems

1. 1OODA — Observe, orient, decide, act
2. 2INVERT — Solves it backwards, starting from failure
3. 3LENSSTACK — Views it through several expert perspectives at once
4. 4SYSTEMMAP — Maps the players, forces and feedback loops
5. 5SIGNALVNOISE — Separates what matters from the noise
6. 6BLACKSWAN — Focuses on rare, high-impact possibilities
7. 7META — Questions the framing of the question itself
8. 8HYPOTHESES — Generates competing explanations for what you're seeing
9. 9X10 — Forces a ten-times deeper pass before answering
10. 10REVERSEENGINEER — Works backwards to figure out how it works

Creative & content

1. 1/simulate — Role-plays a scenario or conversation
2. 2/predict — Projects the likely outcomes
3. 3/script — Formats it as a script for video or dialogue
4. 4/thread — Structures it as a social thread
5. 5/carousel — Breaks it into slide-by-slide content
6. 6/repurpose — Turns one idea into several content formats
7. 7/persona — Answers as a specific expert or character
8. 8/whatif — Explores an alternative scenario

Coding & tech

1. 1DEBUG — Finds the likely bug in your code
2. 2EXPLAINCODE — Explains what the code does in plain English
3. 3OPTIMISE — Improves the code for speed and readability
4. 4/annotate — Adds comments explaining each part
5. 5/translate-code — Converts code from one language to another
6. 6/nocode — Explains how to do it without writing any code

Life-admin & power commands

1. 1/plan — Turns a vague goal into a concrete plan
2. 2/prioritise — Ranks your list by what actually matters
3. 3/breakitdown — Splits an overwhelming task into small steps
4. 4/coach — Answers like a sharp mentor, not a cheerleader
5. 5/reframe — Shows you the same situation from a calmer angle
6. 6/clarify — Asks you the questions it needs before answering
7. 7/autoprompt — Rewrites your rough request into a stronger prompt
8. 8/checkme — Pressure-tests your thinking for holes

How to use it

1. 1Paste the activation prompt above into a new chat, or drop it into a Claude Project's custom instructions so it's always on.
2. 2Type your request and add the code wherever you like — /steelman after a plan, TABLE before a comparison, ELI5 on anything confusing.
3. 3Stack them when you want two modes at once, like TLDR /plain or COMPARE /risks.
4. 4Make it yours: add your own codes to the activation prompt. Pick a word, tell Claude what it should do, and it becomes yours — I've got a few private ones I use every day.