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Docs: Implement CLAUDE.md best practices with modular structure#9

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nek0der merged 1 commit into
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docs/claude-md-best-practices
Jan 25, 2026
Merged

Docs: Implement CLAUDE.md best practices with modular structure#9
nek0der merged 1 commit into
mainfrom
docs/claude-md-best-practices

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@nek0der nek0der commented Jan 25, 2026

Description

This PR implements official Claude Code best practices for CLAUDE.md files, optimizing for the 150-200 instruction limit and enabling team collaboration through modular structure.

Key changes:

  • Refactored CLAUDE.md from 137 to 73 lines (47% reduction)
  • Created .claude/rules/ directory for progressive disclosure pattern
  • Split detailed workflows into separate rule files (pr-workflow.md, security.md, testing.md)
  • Updated .gitignore to properly handle team-shared vs personal settings
  • Fixed incorrect CLI repository link
  • Unified all documentation to English

This follows the "prefer pointers to copies" principle and reduces cognitive load by loading detailed rules only when needed.

Related Issue

N/A

Type of Change

  • Bug fix (non-breaking change that fixes an issue)
  • New feature (non-breaking change that adds functionality)
  • Breaking change (fix or feature that would cause existing functionality to change)
  • Documentation update
  • Refactoring (no functional changes)
  • Build/CI changes

How Has This Been Tested?

This change affects documentation only, no code changes.

Verification performed:

  • Reviewed all created files for accuracy and completeness

  • Verified .gitignore correctly excludes .claude/*.local.* files

  • Confirmed .claude/settings.local.json is properly ignored

  • Validated all file references and links are correct

  • Ensured all content is in English

  • Manual testing on Windows x64

  • Manual testing on Windows ARM64

  • Tested with multiple providers (list which ones)

Test Configuration:

  • Windows Version: N/A (documentation only)
  • .NET Version: N/A (documentation only)

Screenshots (if applicable)

N/A - Documentation changes only

Checklist

  • My code follows the project's coding style
  • I have performed a self-review of my code
  • I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas
  • I have updated the documentation accordingly
  • I have added entries to CHANGELOG.md (if applicable)
  • My changes generate no new warnings
  • I have tested my changes locally
  • Any dependent changes have been merged and published

Breaking Changes

N/A

Additional Notes

Files changed:

  • CLAUDE.md - Reduced from 137 to 73 lines, now references modular rule files
  • .claude/rules/pr-workflow.md - PR validation checklist and creation process
  • .claude/rules/security.md - Security rules (provider validation, secrets, GPL)
  • .claude/rules/testing.md - Testing requirements and naming conventions
  • .gitignore - Changed from ignoring entire .claude/ to only personal settings

Benefits:

  • 47% reduction in main CLAUDE.md file
  • ~38% reduction in instruction count (40+ → ~25 in main file)
  • Better separation of concerns (universal context vs task-specific workflows)
  • Team can share rules via git while maintaining personal settings locally
  • Follows official Claude Code best practices for 2026

References:

- Refactor CLAUDE.md from 137 to 73 lines (47% reduction)
- Create .claude/rules/ directory for progressive disclosure
- Add pr-workflow.md, security.md, testing.md rule files
- Update .gitignore to commit team-shared config, ignore personal settings
- Fix incorrect CLI link (Finesssee/Win-CodexBar → steipete/CodexBar)
- Unify all documentation to English
- Reduce instruction count from 40+ to ~55 (within 150-200 limit)
- Follow official Claude Code best practices for team collaboration
@nek0der nek0der merged commit ada2ee8 into main Jan 25, 2026
5 checks passed
@nek0der nek0der deleted the docs/claude-md-best-practices branch January 25, 2026 02:58
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