Quick Reference

📋 CLAUDE.md — Your AI Handbook

Write it once. Claude reads it at the start of every session. No more re-explaining your clients, workflow, or preferences from scratch.

What CLAUDE.md Is

A plain markdown file that lives in your project folder. Claude Code reads it automatically every time you start a session. It's your AI handbook — the thing that makes Claude remember everything about your work without you repeating it. Think of it as a permanent briefing document for your AI assistant.

Write This ✓ vs Skip This ✗
✓ Write this✗ Skip this
Client name, industry, what they doStuff already in your files (Claude can read those)
Brand voice and tone (warm, mentor-like, never corporate)Every possible edge case — keep it focused
Your preferences ("use bullet points, not numbered lists")Things you only need once — put those in your prompt
Key rules ("never mention competitors")Passwords or API keys — those belong in .env
What the project produces and for whomPersonal opinions that might change next week
File and folder structureDuplicate info already in your README
File Locations
LocationScopeUse for
~/.claude/CLAUDE.mdGlobal — all projectsYour personal preferences, writing style, universal rules
[project]/CLAUDE.mdProject — this folder onlyClient info, project-specific rules, file structure
[subfolder]/CLAUDE.mdFolder — that subfolderModule-specific rules (rarely needed)
Example CLAUDE.md (Client Project)
# InSync Healthcare Staffing ## What This Project Is Content and marketing materials for InSync Healthcare Staffing. Owner: Beverly White. We are her content team. ## About InSync InSync connects registered nurses and allied health professionals with hospitals across the US. Beverly treats every nurse like family. Target audience: travel nurses and allied health professionals. ## Brand Voice - Warm, encouraging, mentor-like - Beverly's voice (first-person from Beverly's perspective) - Never corporate, never salesy, never use jargon - Always end with a clear call to action ## Rules - Never mention competitor agencies by name - Keep Facebook posts under 150 words - LinkedIn posts under 250 words - Do not use hashtags unless asked ## File Structure - drafts/ — work in progress - approved/ — client-approved content - templates/ — reusable formats

Start small. Your first CLAUDE.md doesn't need to be perfect. Write the 5 most important things Claude should know about your work. You can add more as you go — Claude reads any updates automatically.

📥 Download the CLAUDE.md Template

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