CLAUDE.md Improver
Audit, evaluate, and improve CLAUDE.md files across a codebase to ensure Claude Code has optimal project context.
This skill can write to CLAUDE.md files. After presenting a quality report and getting user approval, it updates CLAUDE.md files with targeted improvements.
Workflow
Phase 1: Discovery
Find all CLAUDE.md files in the repository:
find . -name "CLAUDE.md" -o -name ".claude.md" -o -name ".claude.local.md" 2>/dev/null | head -50
File Types & Locations:
| Type |
Location |
Purpose |
| Project root |
./CLAUDE.md |
Primary project context (checked into git, shared with team) |
| Local overrides |
./.claude.local.md |
Personal/local settings (gitignored, not shared) |
| Global defaults |
~/.claude/CLAUDE.md |
User-wide defaults across all projects |
| Package-specific |
./packages/*/CLAUDE.md |
Module-level context in monorepos |
| Subdirectory |
Any nested location |
Feature/domain-specific context |
Note: Claude auto-discovers CLAUDE.md files in parent directories, making monorepo setups work automatically.
Phase 2: Quality Assessment
For each CLAUDE.md file, evaluate against quality criteria. See references/quality-criteria.md for detailed rubrics.
Quick Assessment Checklist:
| Criterion |
Weight |
Check |
| Commands/workflows documented |
High |
Are build/test/deploy commands present? |
| Architecture clarity |
High |
Can Claude understand the codebase structure? |
| Non-obvious patterns |
Medium |
Are gotchas and quirks documented? |
| Conciseness |
Medium |
No verbose explanations or obvious info? |
| Currency |
High |
Does it reflect current codebase state? |
| Actionability |
High |
Are instructions executable, not vague? |
Quality Scores:
- A (90-100): Comprehensive, current, actionable
- B (70-89): Good coverage, minor gaps
- C (50-69): Basic info, missing key sections
- D (30-49): Sparse or outdated
- F (0-29): Missing or severely outdated
Phase 3: Quality Report Output
ALWAYS output the quality report BEFORE making any updates.
Format:
## CLAUDE.md Quality Report
### Summary
- Files found: X
- Average score: X/100
- Files needing update: X
### File-by-File Assessment
#### 1. ./CLAUDE.md (Project Root)
**Score: XX/100 (Grade: X)**
| Criterion | Score | Notes |
|-----------|-------|-------|
| Commands/workflows | X/20 | ... |
| Architecture clarity | X/20 | ... |
| Non-obvious patterns | X/15 | ... |
| Conciseness | X/15 | ... |
| Currency | X/15 | ... |
| Actionability | X/15 | ... |
**Issues:**
- [List specific problems]
**Recommended additions:**
- [List what should be added]
#### 2. ./packages/api/CLAUDE.md (Package-specific)
...
Phase 4: Targeted Updates
After outputting the quality report, ask user for confirmation before updating.
Update Guidelines (Critical):
-
Propose targeted additions only - Focus on genuinely useful info:
- Commands or workflows discovered during analysis
- Gotchas or non-obvious patterns found in code
- Package relationships that weren't clear
- Testing approaches that work
- Configuration quirks
-
Keep it minimal - Avoid:
- Restating what's obvious from the code
- Generic best practices already covered
- One-off fixes unlikely to recur
- Verbose explanations when a one-liner suffices
-
Show diffs - For each change, show:
- Which CLAUDE.md file to update
- The specific addition (as a diff or quoted block)
- Brief explanation of why this helps future sessions
Diff Format:
### Update: ./CLAUDE.md
**Why:** Build command was missing, causing confusion about how to run the project.
```diff
+ ## Quick Start
+
+ ```bash
+ npm install
+ npm run dev # Start development server on port 3000
+ ```
### Phase 5: Apply Updates
After user approval, apply changes using the Edit tool. Preserve existing content structure.
## Templates
See [references/templates.md](references/templates.md) for CLAUDE.md templates by project type.
## Common Issues to Flag
1. **Stale commands**: Build commands that no longer work
2. **Missing dependencies**: Required tools not mentioned
3. **Outdated architecture**: File structure that's changed
4. **Missing environment setup**: Required env vars or config
5. **Broken test commands**: Test scripts that have changed
6. **Undocumented gotchas**: Non-obvious patterns not captured
## User Tips to Share
When presenting recommendations, remind users:
- **`#` key shortcut**: During a Claude session, press `#` to have Claude auto-incorporate learnings into CLAUDE.md
- **Keep it concise**: CLAUDE.md should be human-readable; dense is better than verbose
- **Actionable commands**: All documented commands should be copy-paste ready
- **Use `.claude.local.md`**: For personal preferences not shared with team (add to `.gitignore`)
- **Global defaults**: Put user-wide preferences in `~/.claude/CLAUDE.md`
## What Makes a Great CLAUDE.md
**Key principles:**
- Concise and human-readable
- Actionable commands that can be copy-pasted
- Project-specific patterns, not generic advice
- Non-obvious gotchas and warnings
**Recommended sections** (use only what's relevant):
- Commands (build, test, dev, lint)
- Architecture (directory structure)
- Key Files (entry points, config)
- Code Style (project conventions)
- Environment (required vars, setup)
- Testing (commands, patterns)
- Gotchas (quirks, common mistakes)
- Workflow (when to do what)
