Tools & Agentic Tasks in Claude Code
Claude Code can do more than answer questions — it can take actions. It reads and writes files, runs terminal commands, uses MCP-connected tools, and chains multiple steps together autonomously.
File System Actions
Claude can read any file you share via @, create new files, and apply edits across multiple files in one request. Ask: "Add error handling to every function in @utils.ts" — Claude does it all at once.
Terminal & Commands
Claude opens the VS Code integrated terminal and runs commands — installs packages, runs tests, starts servers, executes scripts. It reads the output and continues working based on the result.
Web Search
Claude Code can search the web mid-conversation. Ask: "What is the current Stripe webhook signature format?" Claude searches, reads the relevant docs, and answers — without you leaving VS Code.
MCP Tools
Model Context Protocol (MCP) connects Claude to external systems — your database, CRM, order management system, or any API. Once configured, you can ask Claude to query live data directly from chat.
The Agentic Loop — How Claude Chains Steps
You give a high-level task
"Add a discount code field to the checkout form, hook it up to our promotions table, and write a test for it."
Claude plans the steps
Claude reads @checkout.tsx, @promotions.ts, and the database schema — then outlines what it intends to do before acting. You can approve or redirect at this point.
Claude executes and checks
It edits the form component, updates the API route, runs the tests, reads the output. If a test fails, it fixes the error and re-runs without being asked.
Claude reports back
Once all steps complete, Claude summarises what it changed and flags anything it wasn't certain about — giving you a clear handoff for review.
Setting Up MCP Tools for ThreadCo
// .vscode/settings.json — add MCP servers for Claude Code { "claude.mcpServers": { "threadco-orders": { "command": "node", "args": ["./mcp-servers/orders-server.js"], "description": "Look up ThreadCo order status and tracking info" }, "threadco-stock": { "command": "node", "args": ["./mcp-servers/stock-server.js"], "description": "Check live stock levels by SKU" } } }
You (in Claude Code chat): Customer #4821 is asking where their order is. Look up the order and draft a reply email. Claude (uses threadco-orders MCP tool automatically): Order #4821 — Maya Johnson Status: Shipped Carrier: Royal Mail, tracking GB12345678 Estimated delivery: Thursday 17 April Draft reply: "Hi Maya, your order shipped yesterday via Royal Mail. Tracking number: GB12345678 — expected Thursday. Let us know if it doesn't arrive by Friday and we'll investigate."
Module 16 (MCP In Depth) walks through configuring MCP servers, available server types, and how to build a custom MCP server for your own systems.