Understanding Claude Code --continue vs --resume

Overview

When working with Claude Code CLI, it's important to understand the distinction between --continue and --resume. Both options help you continue prior work, but they serve different purposes in your workflow.

The --continue Flag

Purpose

Continue the most recent Claude Code interaction in the same working directory.

How it Works

• Uses context from the .claude/ metadata folder in the current directory
• Continues the last executed Claude CLI prompt
• Useful for chaining commands in a linear flow
• Does not require restarting an interactive session

When to Use

• You just ran a prompt and want to build on the result
• You're in the same working directory
• The .claude/ context is still fresh

Example

claude "Generate a Python script that scrapes headlines from Hacker News"
# Review output, then follow up:
claude --continue "Now add error handling and logging"

The --resume Flag

Purpose

Resume a saved or interrupted Claude Code session with full state.

How it Works

• Reloads session context and conversation history from .claude/
• Can be used after exiting the terminal or returning later
• Ideal for longer-term, multi-step projects

When to Use

• You closed your terminal or stopped midway through a task
• You're returning to a project directory after a break
• You want to pick up where you left off

Example

# Yesterday, you started work on a Flask API project
cd ~/projects/flask-api
claude --resume
# Resumes where the session left off, with all task memory intact

Quick Comparison

| Command | Use Case | Scope | Requires .claude/ | Interactive session? | | ------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------ | ------------------ | -------------------- | | claude --continue | Build on recent CLI output | Local folder | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | claude --resume | Reopen stopped or older session | Local folder | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (optional) |

Best Practices

• Use --continue for short, immediate chains of logic
• Use --resume for returning to long-running or paused work
• If you're not sure which to use, check if the .claude/ folder exists in your working directory
• When returning after a break, --resume is usually the safer choice

Common Pitfalls

• Don't use --continue if you've closed your terminal - the context may be lost
• Don't use --resume for simple follow-up questions - it's overkill
• Remember that both require the .claude/ folder to exist in your current directory