CLAUDE.md - Creator Default

What this is

A CLAUDE.md file lives in the root of a Claude Code project. When you run Claude Code in that folder, it reads the file automatically and treats the contents as persistent context - preferences, conventions, guardrails. It's the closest thing Claude Code has to a "system prompt" for that project.

Most people who start using Claude Code don't have one, and immediately hit walls - Claude doesn't know their preferences, asks too many questions or too few, generates code in styles they don't want. This file fixes that on day one.

Who it's for

✓

Use this if you're new-ish to Claude Code and want a solid baseline configuration to start from.

✓

Use this if you want Claude to communicate concisely, work one step at a time, and not surprise you with destructive actions.

✗

Don't use this if you're building a content automation pipeline - grab the Content Pipeline starter instead.

✗

Don't use this if you're writing Claude skills - grab the Skill Development starter instead.

What's inside

Communication preferences

Direct, concise, no filler. No em dashes. Push-back-once-then-do-it instructions.

Working conventions

One step at a time. Plan mode before big changes. Verify before claiming success.

Code defaults

Node.js LTS, plain JS over TypeScript, single package.json. Easy to swap.

Safety guardrails

An explicit "never do this without asking" list - no surprise file deletions, no destructive git, no global installs.

The file

CLAUDE-creator-default.md

CLAUDE.md - lines

Download as CLAUDE.md Claude Code docs

How to install it

Download the file using the button above. It'll save as CLAUDE.md.

Drop it into the root of your Claude Code project folder. If a CLAUDE.md already exists, back it up first.

Edit it. Scroll to the bottom - there's a "Things you might want to change" section listing every opinion baked in. Edit anything that doesn't match how you work.

Start Claude Code in that folder. The file is read automatically. You'll feel the difference immediately.

Other CLAUDE.md starters