The CLAUDE.md Template
One file. Every project. Drop it into VS Code, fill it out, and Claude knows exactly what to build — every session, without re-explaining from scratch.
What Is a CLAUDE.md File?
It's a plain text document you put in your project folder that tells Claude everything it needs to know about your project before touching a single line of code.
Without It
Every new conversation starts from zero. You re-explain your project. Claude guesses at your tech stack. Output is generic. Context gets lost. You spend tokens on setup instead of building.
With It
Claude reads the file, has full project context instantly, writes a complete build plan, and executes steps in the right order — every session, without you re-explaining anything.
What's in the Template
Every section has a purpose. Here's what each one does and why it matters.
Vision
What you're building and why — in 2 to 5 sentences. This orients Claude immediately. The more specific you are here, the better every output will be. Don't write "an app for people." Write "a booking system for solo massage therapists who need to stop using Google Calendar and Venmo separately."
Tech Stack
Exactly what languages, frameworks, and services you're using. Claude will stay within these constraints and not suggest alternatives unless you ask. If you don't have a tech stack yet, say so — Claude can recommend one based on your vision.
Target Users
Who is this for? Be specific. This shapes UI decisions, copy tone, feature priority, and accessibility requirements. "Everyone" is not an answer. "Non-technical small business owners in their 40s who hate complicated software" is.
Core Features
The main things the app must do. These become your build steps. Be specific — "user can log in" is a feature. "It looks nice" is not. Prioritize ruthlessly. What must exist for this to be useful at all?
Out of Scope
What this app will NOT do. This is one of the most important sections. It prevents scope creep and keeps Claude from suggesting features that complicate your build. If you don't define the edges, Claude will fill them in.
Third Party Services
Any APIs, databases, auth providers, payment processors, or external tools. Claude needs to know what's already decided so it can write code that connects to the right services.
Build Steps
Leave this blank. This is the one section Claude fills in after reading everything else. It will write a complete numbered build plan. Your job is to give it the context. Its job is to write the plan.
Notes for Claude
Anything else it needs to know. Constraints, preferences, things to always do or never do. This is where you put "build one step at a time" and "test before advancing." Claude reads this every session.
How to Use the Template
Four steps from download to building.
Download and Open It
Download the template and open it in any text editor — VS Code, Notepad, whatever you have. It's a plain Markdown file. You don't need any special software to fill it out.
Download CLAUDE-template.mdFill It Out — Use ChatGPT Free if You're Stuck
Fill in each section honestly. If you're not sure what to write, use ChatGPT free to help. Copy the empty template, paste it into ChatGPT, and say:
I want to build [your idea]. Help me fill out this CLAUDE.md template.
Ask me questions for each section so we can fill it in together.
[paste the empty template here]ChatGPT will walk you through it. Takes 10–15 minutes. Completely free.
Drop It in Your Project Folder
Save the filled file as CLAUDE.md (no template in the name — just CLAUDE.md) and put it in the root of your project folder. Same level as your index.html or main file.
my-project/
├── CLAUDE.md ← goes here
├── index.html
├── index.css
└── index.jsTell Claude Code to Read It and Write a Build Plan
Open VS Code, open Claude Code, and paste this prompt:
Read the CLAUDE.md file in this project.
Write a complete numbered build plan — every step required to build
this project from scratch. For each step include:
- What gets built
- What to test
- What command to run (if applicable)
Number every step. Do not skip anything.Claude reads the file, outputs a full numbered build plan. You now have a roadmap. Execute step by step — test before you advance.
The Companion Prompt
Once your CLAUDE.md is filled out, use this prompt in ChatGPT free to turn it into a full numbered build plan before you even open VS Code.
I have a project CLAUDE.md file. Please read it and write out a complete
numbered build plan — every step required to build this project from scratch.
Each step should be clear enough that I can paste it directly into Claude Code
in VS Code. After each step include:
- What was built
- What to test
- What command to run (if applicable)
Number every step. Do not skip anything.
[paste your filled CLAUDE.md here]This gives you a second-opinion build plan you can cross-reference with what Claude Code generates. Useful for catching anything Claude misses.
Ready to Start Building?
Download the template, fill it out, drop it in VS Code. That's the whole setup.