matyasstoch/david-skills/folder-specific-claude-and-agents-md

Folder CLAUDE.md Creation

Generate a focused CLAUDE.md inside a target folder, plus an AGENTS.md symlink pointing at it. The file gives any future agent (Claude Code, Codex, etc.) the folder-specific context the global CLAUDE.md doesn't cover.

Background reference: library/claude-code/claude-and-agents-md.md.

Process

Step 1: Confirm the target folder + sanity-check it deserves a file

Ask David which folder. Use an absolute path under the user's workspace, e.g. /Users/you/Documents/code/personal-workspace/.

Only create a file if the folder has context needed across multiple sessions — active evolving work, specific conventions, ongoing decisions. A folder of static reference files does NOT need one (agents can read on demand). If unsure, ask David.

Step 2: Read every file in the folder IN FULL

• Use ls -la first to enumerate files and subfolders.
• Read every markdown, config, and key source file.
• For large tldraw/Vite subprojects: read package.json, src/App.tsx, one representative module file, and the folder's own module-details.md-style files.
• Do NOT skim. Do NOT skip. David's later edits depend on you having full context.

Step 3: Draft a bullet list of candidate content

Before writing the file, give David a bullet list grouped by section — let him react first. Candidate sections (skip any that don't apply):

• Product / Purpose — what this folder/project is, current state, key metrics
• Avatar / Audience — who it's for (if applicable)
• Essential Files — one-line role for each important file, including cross-folder references (use @path/file.md import syntax)
• Constraints (MUST NOT) — explicit hard negatives. Highest-ROI content in the file.
• Conventions — David's lingo, status emojis (✅ 🟡), naming patterns, "usually do" patterns
• Locked Decisions — things agreed + dated, must not re-litigate
• Context — history, authority, credibility that frames the work
• How to work with David — collaboration style for this specific folder
• Marketing Angles / Positioning — if public-facing
• Top Insights — 3-5 most glaring signals from research (if research exists)

Step 4: Iterate with David

• Keep answers short. David will edit directly in the IDE.
• When he edits the file, RE-READ it and flag: contradictions, typos, missing rules, wrong categorization.
• Do not revert his edits unless asked.

Step 5: Write the file

• Path: <folder>/CLAUDE.md
• Start with a one-line header explaining the file's purpose.
• Subdir file marker: if this is a subdirectory file (parent folder already has its own CLAUDE.md), open with Apply root CLAUDE.md first, then this file.
• Use ## section headers matching the sections David approved.
• Bullets over prose. Short bullets.
• Cross-folder references: use @relative/path/file.md import syntax, not prose mentions.
• Heavy reference docs: annotate with **Read when:** triggers (e.g. "Read when: writing offer copy"). Prevents loading every session.

Step 6: Create the AGENTS.md symlink

cd <folder> && ln -s CLAUDE.md AGENTS.md

Verify with ls -la CLAUDE.md AGENTS.md.

Step 7: Commit only when asked

Do NOT stage or push unless David says to. When he does: git add -A, commit with a Day N: style message, push.

Rules

• Never invent content. Every bullet must trace back to something you read in the folder or something David said. No generic boilerplate.
• Brevity wins. David edits aggressively to make things shorter. Start tight.
• Folder-scoped only. Don't duplicate the global CLAUDE.md (personality, dates, ports, etc.). Only include what's specific to this folder.
• No file trees, no directory dumps, no stack details the code already shows. Anything an agent can derive from ls or grep rots fast and wastes tokens. Pin decisions, rules, and context — not structure.
• Constraints vs Conventions. Hard "MUST NOT" rules go in Constraints (explicit negatives). "Usually do X" patterns go in Conventions. Splitting these improves adherence.
• No absolute ALWAYS/NEVER without explicit exceptions. Edge cases make absolute rules get ignored. "Never commit secrets EXCEPT .env.example" beats "never commit secrets."
• Never summarize or auto-shorten the file. Context collapse degrades it. Grow deliberately, prune manually. If David asks to trim, do it by hand.
• Maintenance loop. When David corrects the agent on something this file should have prevented, add the rule to the file immediately. Don't wait.
• No emojis unless David uses them (status markers ✅ 🟡 are the exception — they're already conventions).
• Symlink, not copy. AGENTS.md must be a symlink so edits stay in sync.
• Flag gaps honestly. If David's edits introduce contradictions (e.g. "sell X" in one section and "never sell X" in another), call it out before he asks.