Claude Code Workflow: Create Tight Feedback Loops

Problem: You ask Claude to implement something, it writes code, and you have no idea if it works until you manually test it. Slow and frustrating.

Quick Win: Ask Claude to run and iterate in one prompt:

claude "implement the validation function and run tests until they pass"

Claude writes the code, runs your test suite, sees the failures, fixes them, and repeats until green. One prompt, complete feedback loop.

How Claude Code Feedback Loops Actually Work

Claude Code's power is that it runs in your terminal with full access to your tools. The feedback loop is simple:

1. Claude writes code
2. Claude runs it (or runs tests)
3. Claude sees the output or errors
4. Claude fixes based on what it saw
5. Repeat until working

No special flags or config files. Just ask Claude to iterate.

Real Iteration Prompts

Run Until Tests Pass

claude "implement user authentication and run the tests until they all pass"

Claude writes auth code, runs npm test (or your test command), reads failures, fixes them, runs again.

Fix Errors as They Appear

claude "start the dev server and fix any errors that come up"

Claude runs npm run dev, watches the output, and fixes TypeScript errors or runtime issues as they appear.

Iterate on Specific Problems

# When you see an error, paste it
claude "this error appeared: [paste error]. fix it and run again"

Claude gets direct feedback from your terminal output.

Using Your Actual Dev Tools

Claude works with whatever tools your project uses:

# Node.js projects
claude "run npm test and fix any failures"
 
# Python projects
claude "run pytest and fix the failing tests"
 
# With watch mode
claude "run the tests in watch mode and fix issues as they fail"

The dev server, test runner, linter - Claude sees their output and responds.

Structuring Work for Fast Iteration

Break big tasks into pieces Claude can validate:

# Instead of one massive request
claude "build the entire user system"
 
# Break into validatable chunks
claude "create the user model and write a test for it"
claude "add the registration endpoint and test it"
claude "implement login with the tests"

Each chunk has clear success criteria. Claude knows when it's done.

Error-Driven Development

Let errors guide the implementation:

# Start with a failing test
claude "write a test for user registration that checks email validation"
 
# Then make it pass
claude "implement registration to make this test pass"

The test gives Claude concrete feedback. It knows exactly what "done" looks like.

When Things Go Wrong

Error: Claude keeps making the same mistake Fix: Be more specific about what's wrong:

claude "the test still fails because X. try a different approach"

Error: Infinite loop of fixes Fix: Ask Claude to step back:

claude "stop and explain what's going wrong before trying another fix"

Error: Claude can't see the error Fix: Paste the error directly:

claude "here's the full error output: [paste]. fix this specific issue"

Next Steps

Your Claude Code workflow should feel like pair programming: write, run, see results, fix, repeat.

• Set up permission management for smoother execution
• Learn git integration for version control
• Master todo workflows for complex projects
• Explore usage optimization to manage costs

The tightest feedback loop wins. Ask Claude to iterate, and let it.