Claude Code: CLAUDE.md vs Skills vs Hooks vs Subagents
July 2026 · 9 min read
Quick answer
Put always-needed project context in CLAUDE.md, repeatable workflows in Skills, automation checks in Hooks, isolated tasks in Subagents, and external tool access in MCP. The right steering method depends on when the instruction should load, how long it should persist, and how much authority it needs.
The Steering Problem
Claude Code can be steered in several ways, and the overlap can feel confusing. The trick is to ask when the instruction should appear and what it should control.
Always-on project rules belong in a different place than a one-time review workflow or a hook that blocks unsafe commands.
Decision Table
| Method | Use it for | Avoid it for |
|---|---|---|
| CLAUDE.md | Project conventions and commands | Large reference docs used rarely |
| Skills | Reusable workflows | Always-on project context |
| Hooks | Automated checks and guardrails | Long reasoning tasks |
| Subagents | Focused delegated work | Tasks needing full conversation context |
| MCP | External tools and data | Simple saved instructions |
A Practical Setup
Start with CLAUDE.md for build commands, test commands, architecture notes, and code style. Add Skills when you repeat workflows like release notes, code review, or support docs.
Add Hooks only when you want automation to run at specific moments. Add Subagents when a task is bounded and you only need the result back.
Common Mistake
The common mistake is dumping every instruction into CLAUDE.md. That bloats context and makes it harder to update workflows. Keep CLAUDE.md lean and move occasional workflows into Skills.
If you work in Claude.ai after Claude Code, use ClaudeKit to save prompts and fork conversation paths while you test different implementation plans.
Sources and further reading
- Anthropic: Steering Claude Code
- Claude Code docs: Extend Claude Code
- Claude Code docs: How Claude Code works
- Claude Code docs: Hooks reference
- Claude Code docs: Create custom subagents
FAQ
What should go in CLAUDE.md?
Put project conventions, build commands, test commands, architecture notes, and always-needed instructions in CLAUDE.md.
When should I use Claude Code Skills?
Use Skills for repeatable workflows that are not needed in every session, such as code review, release notes, or deployment checklists.
Are hooks the same as subagents?
No. Hooks run automated checks at events; subagents perform focused tasks in isolated context and return results.
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