managing-claude-code-meta
MUST be loaded when setting up, installing, migrating, reviewing, auditing, or checking CLAUDE.md files in projects. Covers installing the promode CLAUDE.md into new projects, migrating existing CLAUDE.md content to READMEs (progressive disclosure), and auditing projects for conformance. Invoke PROACTIVELY when user mentions CLAUDE.md, project setup, agent configuration, or code meta files.
When & Why to Use This Skill
This Claude skill implements the 'promode' methodology to ensure your repository is always optimized for seamless AI agent collaboration. It automates the installation, migration, and auditing of CLAUDE.md and README files, enabling efficient agent handoffs by standardizing agent instructions and maintaining a clear separation between operational logic and project-specific context.
Use Cases
- Case 1: Initializing a new project with a standardized CLAUDE.md file to establish immediate compatibility with autonomous AI agents.
- Case 2: Refactoring bloated CLAUDE.md files by migrating project-specific details to READMEs to prevent context window saturation.
- Case 3: Auditing existing codebases to ensure they follow progressive disclosure principles, making them 'agent-ready' for fresh AI sessions.
- Case 4: Setting up a structured handoff mechanism where TODO.md and failing tests guide the next agent's actions without manual briefing.
| name | managing-claude-code-meta |
|---|---|
| description | "MUST be loaded when setting up, installing, migrating, reviewing, auditing, or checking CLAUDE.md files in projects. Covers installing the promode CLAUDE.md into new projects, migrating existing CLAUDE.md content to READMEs (progressive disclosure), and auditing projects for conformance. Invoke PROACTIVELY when user mentions CLAUDE.md, project setup, agent configuration, or code meta files." |
The core idea: the repo is always ready for a fresh agent.
Any agent should be able to pick up the work with zero context from previous conversations. The human decides when to bring in a fresh agent; the methodology ensures that's always possible.
How handoff works:
TODO.mdalways answers "what's next?" — this is the primary handoff mechanism- Failing tests capture intended behaviour — the next agent knows what to implement
- Plan docs in
docs/explain approach — the next agent continues where you left off
File responsibilities:
- CLAUDE.md — How the agent works (the promode methodology). Standardised, not project-specific.
- README.md — What the project is. Project-specific knowledge.
- TODO.md — What to do next. Always current.
- Tests — What behaviour is expected. The authoritative documentation.
CLAUDE.md is standardised: Copy standard/MAIN_AGENT_CLAUDE.md exactly into projects. It works universally. All project-specific content belongs in README.md files.
- Install — Set up the standard CLAUDE.md in a new project
- Migrate — Refactor an existing CLAUDE.md, moving content to READMEs
- Audit — Check if a project follows progressive disclosure principles
Wait for response before proceeding.
| Response | Next Action | Workflow | |----------|-------------|----------| | 1, "install", "setup", "new", "create" | Confirm project path | workflows/install.md | | 2, "migrate", "refactor", "move", "convert" | Analyze existing CLAUDE.md | workflows/migrate.md | | 3, "audit", "check", "review", "assess" | Scan project structure | workflows/audit.md |Intent-based routing:
- "set up CLAUDE.md", "add agent config" → workflows/install.md
- "CLAUDE.md is too big", "slim down", "refactor" → workflows/migrate.md
- "is this right?", "check conformance" → workflows/audit.md
After reading the workflow, follow it exactly.
**CLAUDE.md**: Copy `standard/MAIN_AGENT_CLAUDE.md` exactly. Do not modify. This configures the agent with promode methodology.README.md distribution:
project/
├── CLAUDE.md # Agent behaviour (promode methodology)
├── README.md # Project overview, links to main components
└── docs/
└── {feature}/ # Ephemeral planning docs and task specs
- `standard/MAIN_AGENT_CLAUDE.md` — The canonical CLAUDE.md (copy exactly into projects)
- `references/progressive-disclosure.md` — Why and how to distribute content to READMEs
- `references/claude-md-sections.md` — Purpose of each CLAUDE.md section
All in `workflows/`:
| Workflow | Purpose |
|---|---|
| install.md | Install standard CLAUDE.md into new project |
| migrate.md | Migrate existing CLAUDE.md content to READMEs |
| audit.md | Audit project for progressive disclosure conformance |
- CLAUDE.md is an exact copy of
standard/MAIN_AGENT_CLAUDE.md - README.md at project root with overview and navigation
- Component README.md files throughout for domain-specific context
- Tests document system behaviour, not markdown files