CLAUDE.md Memory Injection

Purpose

Central CLAUDE.md file with project guidelines injected into system prompt, achieving 10% accuracy lift in multi-hop reasoning.

When to Use

• Establishing repo-wide context
• Enforcing coding standards
• Documenting project architecture
• Providing consistent guidelines
• Team onboarding
• Cross-file consistency

Core Instructions

CLAUDE.md Structure

Create CLAUDE.md in repository root:

# Project: Your Project Name

## Overview
Brief project description and goals.

## Architecture

### Directory Structure

src/ services/ # Business logic models/ # Data models routes/ # API endpoints utils/ # Helper functions tests/ # Co-located with code

## Coding Standards

- **Language**: TypeScript with strict mode
- **Style**: ESLint + Prettier
- **Testing**: Jest, 80% coverage minimum
- **Commits**: Conventional Commits format

## Common Patterns

### Error Handling
```typescript
try {
  const result = await operation();
  return result;
} catch (error) {
  logger.error(error);
  throw new AppError('Operation failed', error);
}

API Routes

router.post('/resource',
  validate(schema),
  authenticate,
  async (req, res) => {
    // Handler logic
  }
);

Project-Specific

• Environment: .env for secrets
• Database: PostgreSQL with TypeORM
• API: RESTful, OpenAPI documented
• Deploy: GitHub Actions → Cloud Run

File Conventions

• Components: PascalCase (UserProfile.tsx)
• Utils: camelCase (formatDate.ts)
• Tests: *.test.ts (co-located)
• Config: kebab-case (api-config.ts)

Common Commands

npm run dev       # Start development server
npm test          # Run tests
npm run lint      # Check linting
npm run build     # Production build

References

• Architecture Docs
• API Documentation
• Contributing

### Auto-Injection

Claude Code CLI automatically:
1. Detects `CLAUDE.md` in repository root
2. Loads content into system prompt
3. Injects for every session
4. Maintains consistency across interactions

No manual loading required!

### Benefits

**10% accuracy improvement** in:
- Multi-hop reasoning
- Cross-file consistency
- Following project patterns
- Respecting conventions

**Consistency:**
- Same standards across team
- Automated enforcement
- Self-documenting project
- Onboarding acceleration

## Example Impact

**Without CLAUDE.md:**
```typescript
// Inconsistent patterns
function getUserData(id) {  // Wrong: no types
  return db.query("SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = " + id);  // Wrong: SQL injection risk
}

With CLAUDE.md:

// Follows project standards
async function getUserData(id: string): Promise<User> {
  return await db.users.findOne({ where: { id } });
}

Best Practices

Keep it Focused

• Essential guidelines only
• Not a full documentation site
• Quick reference format
• Link to detailed docs

Update Regularly

• Reflect current practices
• Remove outdated info
• Version with Git
• Review in PRs

Team Collaboration

• Discuss changes in PRs
• Consensus on standards
• Document exceptions
• Keep it living document

Template Sections

Essential:

• Project overview
• Architecture basics
• Coding standards
• Common patterns

Optional:

• Deployment process
• Testing strategy
• Security guidelines
• Performance tips

Performance

• 10% accuracy lift in multi-hop reasoning
• Consistent pattern adherence
• Reduced questions about standards
• Faster onboarding

Version

v1.0.0 (2025-10-23) - Based on context injection patterns