What is a CLAUDE.md file?

A CLAUDE.md file is a specialized documentation file that provides Claude with the necessary context, tech stack info, and architectural intent to work effectively in a codebase.

How does this skill handle stale information?

The skill mandates a 'Last verified' date using Bash commands to ensure the documentation accurately reflects the current state of the code and isn't based on outdated assumptions.

Why use both top-level and subdirectory CLAUDE.md files?

Top-level files cover project-wide 'how-to' info like commands and conventions, while subdirectory files explain the 'why' and specific 'contracts' of a particular domain.

Will this help reduce Claude's hallucinations?

Yes, by providing explicit boundaries, invariants, and architectural constraints, Claude is significantly less likely to suggest changes that violate your project's core design.

Claude.md Documentation Architect

Name: Claude.md Documentation Architect
Author: brmatola

bybrmatola

0•

Learning & Documentation

Standardizes and automates the creation of CLAUDE.md files to maintain project context and architectural intent across AI sessions.

This skill provides a structured framework for implementing CLAUDE.md files at both the project root and domain levels, bridging the gap created by Claude's stateless nature. It guides the AI to document not just 'what' the code does, but 'why' it exists, the contracts it maintains, and the specific conventions required to work within the codebase. By enforcing mandatory freshness dates and clear file hierarchies, it ensures that AI coding sessions are always grounded in accurate, up-to-date architectural context, reducing hallucinations and the need for repetitive explanations.

Key Features

010 GitHub stars

02Project-wide tech stack and command documentation

03Mandatory Bash-verified freshness dates

04Hierarchical context inheritance (Top-level vs. Subdirectory)

05Domain-specific contract and invariant tracking

06Architectural intent and boundary definitions

Use Cases

01Onboarding Claude to a complex codebase with clear architectural instructions

02Maintaining long-term consistency across multiple AI chat sessions

03Documenting domain-level contracts to prevent regression during AI refactoring

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add brmatola/gremlins writing-claude-md-files

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill