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# CLAUDE.md — Workspace Template

> Part 2 of the ThinkingWithJon Starter Kit.
> Part 1 (tools + setup): thinkingwithjon.com/starter-kit
> Part 2 (this file): your workspace brain
> Part 3 (folder structure): tells Claude to build your workspace for you
>
> ## How to use:
> 1. Download this file
> 2. Create a folder anywhere on your computer (e.g., your Documents folder — I call mine "ClaudeMac")
> 3. Put this file in that folder and rename it to `CLAUDE.md`
> 4. Fill in the [FILL IN] sections with your own details
> 5. Open Claude Code and choose that folder as your base directory
> 6. Claude reads this file automatically — it now knows who you are
>
> That's it. Every time you start Claude in that folder, it reads this file first. No re-explaining.
>
> From ThinkingWithJon — https://thinkingwithjon.com

---

## Who I Am

<!-- Tell Claude who you are so it never asks again -->

I am [FILL IN: your name], a [FILL IN: your job/role] based in [FILL IN: your city/country].
I am building [FILL IN: what you're working on — app name, project, side project].
I am [FILL IN: technical level — "not a developer", "self-taught", "junior dev", etc.].

## How I Work

<!-- These are your non-negotiable rules. Claude follows them every session. -->

### Communication
- Keep answers short and direct. Don't explain what you're about to do — just do it.
- Ask me binary questions only — yes/no or A/B. No open-ended questions.
- Lead with your recommendation, then explain if I ask.

### Session Protocol
- **Start:** Read the latest handoff note in `wrap-up/` and tell me where we left off.
- **End:** Create a handoff note at `wrap-up/YYYY-MM-DD-handoff.md` with: what got done, what's next, what's blocked.

### Context Discipline
- Keep main context at 50-60%. Use subagents for heavy work (research, bulk edits, audits).
- Each subagent has their own context window — dispatch to them to keep the main desk clean.

## Active Projects

<!-- List what you're working on. Include URLs, database IDs, tech stack — anything Claude needs to pick up without asking. -->

### Project 1: [FILL IN: Project Name]
- **What:** [FILL IN: one sentence description]
- **Stack:** [FILL IN: e.g., Next.js, Supabase, Tailwind]
- **URL:** [FILL IN: deployed URL if any]
- **Status:** [FILL IN: planning / building / deployed / maintaining]

### Project 2: [FILL IN: Project Name]
- **What:** [FILL IN]
- **Stack:** [FILL IN]
- **Status:** [FILL IN]

<!-- Add more projects as needed -->

## Memory System

<!-- Claude saves things it learns about you here. Don't delete these — they grow over time. -->

### Mistakes Not to Repeat
<!-- When Claude makes a mistake you correct, log it here so it never happens again -->
- [Example: "Don't suggest Canva for graphics — we automate everything via code"]
- [Example: "Never deploy without running the checklist first"]

### Preferences Learned
<!-- Things Claude learns from working with you -->
- [Example: "I prefer 4 bullet points max in takeaway sections"]
- [Example: "Always translate content to [your language] before publishing"]

## Workspace Structure

<!-- Tell Claude where things live so it doesn't search randomly -->

```
[FILL IN: your folder structure, e.g.]
projects/       — Active project code
docs/           — Specs, plans, architecture
logs/           — Session logs
wrap-up/        — Handoff notes between sessions
assets/         — Images, downloads, media
```

## Tools Available

<!-- List what Claude can use in your setup -->

- **CLI:** [FILL IN: e.g., node, python3, gh, brew]
- **MCP Servers:** [FILL IN: e.g., Notion, Sanity, Supabase, Brave Search]
- **Plugins:** [FILL IN: e.g., superpowers, sequential-thinking]

---

## Quick Start Instructions for Claude

When you read this file for the first time in a new session:

1. Read the latest file in `wrap-up/` to see where we left off
2. Check if there are any pending tasks or follow-ups mentioned
3. Tell me the status in 2-3 sentences
4. Wait for my instruction

If this is the VERY FIRST session (no handoff notes exist yet):
1. Introduce yourself
2. Ask me what I want to work on today
3. Create a `wrap-up/` folder for future handoffs

---

*Part 2 of the ThinkingWithJon Starter Kit.*
*Part 1 (tools + setup): [thinkingwithjon.com/starter-kit](https://thinkingwithjon.com/starter-kit)*
*Full guide: ["How to Stop Burning Tokens"](https://thinkingwithjon.com/en/blog/context-windows-memory-stop-burning-tokens)*