I’ve been using Claude Code every day for over 6 months, and in this video I break down the exact workflow changes that stop you from using it like a beginner. I start with pricing because I keep seeing people say Claude Code is “expensive” — and most of the time they’re using an Anthropic API key on a big codebase, which can get out of hand fast. My recommendation is simple: use a Claude subscription if you want predictable spend, then be intentional about model choice. I use Opus for planning and deep troubleshooting, Sonnet for cheaper implementation when the plan is detailed, and Haiku for fast exploration, quick reviews, and docs. From there, I show the habits that actually keep builds on the rails: always enable Thinking Mode, always run Planning Mode first, and store your implementation plans inside the project (not hidden away in your user folder). When context starts getting compacted, I clear the conversation, re-attach the plan, and continue with fresh context. For bigger features, I split the plan into smaller markdown “feature” files, then I orchestrate parallel sub-agents (Sonnet coder agents + Haiku review agents) so the main Opus agent stays clean and efficient. I also cover token-saving tactics like avoiding bloated MCP servers when a lightweight skills setup will do, plus underrated setup wins like a solid CLAUDE.md, custom slash commands, and a .claudeignore to stop Claude wasting tokens in folders it shouldn’t touch.