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# Workspace Structure Template

> Part 3 of the ThinkingWithJon Starter Kit.
> Part 1 (tools + setup): thinkingwithjon.com/starter-kit
> Part 2 (CLAUDE.md): your rules and identity
> Part 3 (this file): your folder structure — Claude builds it for you
>
> ## How to use:
> 1. Download this file
> 2. Put it in the same folder as your CLAUDE.md (the folder you created in Part 2 — e.g., "ClaudeMac" in your Documents)
> 3. Open Claude Code and choose that folder
> 4. Tell Claude: "Read the structure template and set up my workspace"
> 5. Claude creates all the folders and starter files for you. You don't need to create anything manually.

---

## Instructions for Claude

When you read this file, set up the workspace. Ask the user for their project name first, then create everything below.

### What Each Folder Is For

Think of this like setting up an office. Each folder has a job:

```
[your-folder]/
│
├── CLAUDE.md              ← The instruction manual (from Part 2)
│                             Claude reads this every session so it knows who you are
│
├── projects/              ← Where your actual work lives
│   └── [project-name]/       Your code, your app, whatever you're building
│
├── docs/                  ← Your plans and decisions
│   ├── specs/                What you want to build (the blueprint)
│   └── plans/                How you're going to build it (the steps)
│
├── logs/                  ← Session diary (auto-created)
│   └── 2026-03-25-session.md    What happened today — Claude writes this
│
├── wrap-up/               ← Handoff notes (the bookmark)
│   └── 2026-03-25-handoff.md    "Here's where we stopped, here's what's next"
│                                Claude writes this at the end of every session
│                                Next session, it reads this first — no re-explaining
│
├── memory/                ← The filing cabinet (persistent knowledge)
│   ├── MEMORY.md             Index — lists everything in the cabinet
│   ├── user-profile.md       Who you are (so Claude never asks again)
│   ├── project-[name].md     Details about each project (URLs, tech, status)
│   ├── feedback-[topic].md   Rules Claude learned from your corrections
│   └── mistakes-log.md       Things Claude got wrong — logged so it doesn't repeat them
│
├── assets/                ← Images and media
│   └── screenshots/          Screenshots from testing and verification
│
└── tasks/                 ← What you're working on right now
    └── lessons.md            Things you've learned along the way
```

### Starter Files to Create

Create these files inside the folders above. They're mostly empty — Claude fills them in as you work together.

**1. memory/MEMORY.md** — the index of everything Claude remembers
```markdown
# Memory Index

## User
- [user-profile.md](user-profile.md) — [User's name and role]

## Feedback
- [mistakes-log.md](mistakes-log.md) — Mistakes not to repeat

## Projects
<!-- New project files get added here automatically -->
```

**2. memory/user-profile.md** — who you are
```markdown
---
name: user-profile
description: [FILL IN: one line about yourself — e.g., "Financial planner in Hong Kong building AI tools"]
type: user
---

[FILL IN: Your name, what you do, where you're based, what you're building, your experience level with code]
```

**3. memory/mistakes-log.md** — a list of things Claude got wrong so it doesn't do them again
```markdown
---
name: mistakes-log
description: Errors Claude made that were corrected — prevents repeating
type: feedback
---

# Mistakes Log

When Claude does something wrong and you correct it, add it here.

## Format
- **Date:** What went wrong → What should have been done instead

## Logged Mistakes
<!-- This fills up naturally as you work together -->
```

**4. tasks/lessons.md** — things worth remembering
```markdown
# Lessons Learned

Things discovered during work that are useful for next time.

## Format
- **Date:** What I learned — Why it matters

## Entries
<!-- Gets added as you go -->
```

**5. .gitignore** — keeps sensitive files out of version control (if you ever use git)
```
.env
.env.local
.env*.local
.claude.json
.claude/settings.local.json
.mcp.json
node_modules/
.next/
.DS_Store
assets/screenshots/
```

### What to Say After Setup

Tell the user:
1. "Your workspace is set up. All folders and starter files are ready."
2. "If you haven't filled in CLAUDE.md yet (Part 2), do that now — it tells me who you are."
3. "From now on, I'll write a handoff note at the end of every session. Next time you open Claude in this folder, I'll pick up exactly where we left off."
4. "The memory system is live — every time you correct me, I'll log it so I don't make the same mistake twice."

---

*Part 3 of the ThinkingWithJon Starter Kit.*
*Part 1 (tools + setup): [thinkingwithjon.com/starter-kit](https://thinkingwithjon.com/starter-kit)*
*Part 2 (workspace brain): [CLAUDE.md template](https://thinkingwithjon.com/en/starter-kit)*
*Full guide: ["How to Stop Burning Tokens"](https://thinkingwithjon.com/en/blog/context-windows-memory-stop-burning-tokens)*