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Claude Code1 min read
The CLAUDE.md pattern — every Claude Code project needs one.
A single file at the root of your repo that tells Claude Code what this project is, what stack to use, and what conventions to follow.
Overview
CLAUDE.md lives at the root of your repo. Claude Code reads it automatically at the start of every conversation. It's the single highest-leverage file in your codebase — the difference between Claude making reasonable defaults and Claude making your defaults.
What goes in CLAUDE.md
• Project description (one paragraph).
• Stack (Next.js version, TypeScript, Tailwind, etc.).
• Files Claude should always read first.
• Coding conventions you care about.
• Things you explicitly don't want (no Cloudflare, no defensive null checks, no comments).
What good CLAUDE.md looks like
Specific. "App Router server components by default; mark client with 'use client' only when needed" is better than "use modern React."
Honest about constraints. "No comments unless they explain a non-obvious why" tells Claude as much as positive instructions.
Update it as you learn
Every time Claude does something annoying, add a rule to CLAUDE.md. Three weeks in, the file fits your project and Claude rarely surprises you.
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