Instructions for Managing CLAUDE.md Files

Determine Action Type

CREATE: New CLAUDE.md file requested UPDATE: Modify existing CLAUDE.md (keywords: "update", "add", "modify", "change") OPTIMIZE: Audit and clean an existing CLAUDE.md chain (keywords: "optimize", "audit", "clean up", "reduce tokens", "improve")

Updating Existing CLAUDE.md Files

Make surgical edits in the relevant section (or a new heading), preserving the file's existing organization. After editing, check the file's line count against the size guidance below, because longer files consume more context and may reduce adherence.

Optimizing CLAUDE.md Files

The goal is that every line earns its place for the current model, not the shortest file. Rules lose value when cut from their reason, so compress wording, never reasons.