This short setup clip from Ableton's Learn Live series walks through four warping preferences to configure before working with audio clips. In the Record/Warp/Launch tab, under Warp/Fades, the recommended defaults are: Loop/Warp Short Samples set to Auto, Auto-Warp Long Samples off, Default Warp Mode set to Beats, and Create Fades on Clip Edges on.
Getting these right before you start means clips behave predictably when you drop them into a session, and Beats mode gives you a solid starting point for most rhythmic material.