Direction Correction
Learn how to effectively redirect Claude Code when it misunderstands your requirements or goes off-track during development tasks.
Recognizing When Course Correction is Needed
Common Signs
- Claude is working on wrong files or components
- Implementation doesn’t match your requirements
- Solution is overly complex for the problem
- Claude is making assumptions about project structure
- Output doesn’t align with existing code patterns
Early Detection
Monitor these indicators:
- First few lines of code changes
- File selections and modifications
- Approach explanations
- Question patterns from Claude
Course Correction Techniques
1. Immediate Redirection
Stop and Clarify
Stop. Before continuing, let me clarify the requirements.
I need you to focus specifically on [specific aspect].
The current approach is not what I'm looking for.
Redirect Focus
Actually, let's take a different approach.
Instead of modifying the entire component,
I only need you to [specific limited task].
2. Context Reset
Provide Fresh Context
Let me restart with clearer context:
- Current file: src/components/UserProfile.tsx
- Specific issue: The username validation on line 45
- Required change: Only update the regex pattern
- Don't modify: Any other validation logic
Clarify Scope
This task should only involve:
1. [Specific action 1]
2. [Specific action 2]
3. [Specific action 3]
Do not:
- Refactor existing code
- Add new dependencies
- Modify other components
3. Constraint Setting
Technical Constraints
Important constraints for this task:
- Use only existing dependencies
- Maintain current API interface
- Follow existing error handling patterns
- No breaking changes to public methods
Scope Constraints
Limit changes to:
- Only the calculateTotal function
- Only the validation logic
- Only the CSS styling for mobile view
Effective Correction Patterns
The “Actually” Pattern
Actually, that's not quite what I need.
Let me be more specific: [clear instruction]
The “Instead” Pattern
Instead of creating a new component,
please modify the existing LoginForm component
to include the password strength indicator.
The “Focus” Pattern
Let's focus specifically on the error handling.
Ignore the UI changes for now and just fix
the async/await pattern in the API call.
The “Step Back” Pattern
Let's step back. The core issue is [simple problem].
We don't need to restructure anything,
just [minimal change needed].
Advanced Correction Strategies
1. Incremental Correction
Approach
- Correct one aspect at a time
- Validate each correction before proceeding
- Build up to complete solution
Example
First, let's just get the basic function working.
Don't worry about error handling or optimization yet.
Once we have the core logic right, we'll add those features.
2. Reference-Based Correction
Use Existing Examples
Look at how we handle authentication in src/auth/login.ts.
Use that same pattern for the logout functionality.
Don't create a new pattern.
Point to Specific Code
See the error handling in UserService.ts lines 23-35?
Apply that exact same pattern to the ProductService,
but change the error messages appropriately.
3. Assumption Challenging
Question Assumptions
Why are you creating a new configuration file?
The existing config in settings.json should handle this.
Please use the existing configuration structure.
Clarify Misunderstandings
I think there's a misunderstanding.
I don't want to replace the entire navigation system.
I just want to add one menu item to the existing nav.
Preventing Off-Track Situations
1. Clear Initial Instructions
Be Specific from the Start
Please update ONLY the password validation regex
in src/utils/validation.ts line 42.
Change from /^.{6,}$/ to /^(?=.*[A-Za-z])(?=.*\d)[A-Za-z\d]{8,}$/
Do not modify any other validation functions.
2. Provide Examples
Show Expected Outcome
The result should look like this:
[provide code example or description]
Not like this:
[provide counter-example]
3. Set Boundaries
Define What NOT to Do
For this task, please do not:
- Modify the database schema
- Change the API endpoints
- Update any test files
- Install new packages
Recovery Strategies
When Claude Has Gone Too Far Off-Track
1. Full Reset
Let's start over completely.
Please ignore everything we've discussed so far.
Here's what I actually need: [fresh, clear instruction]
2. Partial Recovery
The first part of your approach is correct.
However, for step 2, instead of [incorrect approach],
please [correct approach].
3. Selective Acceptance
Keep the changes to the component structure,
but revert the styling changes.
I'll provide specific CSS requirements separately.
Common Correction Scenarios
1. Over-Engineering
Problem: Claude creates complex solution for simple problem Solution:
This is much more complex than needed.
I just need a simple [specific requirement].
Can you provide a minimal solution?
2. Wrong File Focus
Problem: Claude modifies wrong files Solution:
Stop working on those files.
The issue is specifically in [correct file].
Please focus only on that file.
3. Scope Creep
Problem: Claude keeps adding related improvements Solution:
Please limit the changes to exactly what I requested.
Don't add any additional improvements or optimizations.
4. Pattern Deviation
Problem: Claude uses different patterns than existing code Solution:
Use the same pattern as [existing example].
Don't create a new approach.
Consistency with existing code is important.
Best Practices for Direction Correction
Do
- Interrupt early when you notice issues
- Be specific about what’s wrong
- Provide clear alternative direction
- Reference existing code patterns
- Set explicit boundaries
Don’t
- Let Claude continue on wrong path
- Use vague correction language
- Assume Claude will infer the right direction
- Skip providing positive examples
- Ignore early warning signs
Next: Return to Tutorial Home to explore other optimization techniques.