Book excerpt: Organocopper compounds are now an integral part of every modern synthesis laboratory, allowing important stages of synthesis to be carried out in an elegant fashion. Yet a certain amount of experience is needed if they are to be used effectively. Non-experts in the field often have difficulty in choosing the most suitable reagent for a particular substrate and the prerequisites for the reaction.This manual, edited by Norbert Krause, answers such questions, since it contains all the useful tips and tricks on organocopper compounds - information gained from personal experience by the international team of authors. This allows those working in laboratories in both academia and industry to determine the optimal reagent for their needs using the substrates available for reaction and the desired products. The result is a more effective use of these synthesis tools in everyday laboratory practice.