Files
red/teressa-copeland-homes/CLAUDE.md
Chandler Copeland 9117dc4c02 initial install
2026-04-08 12:54:58 -06:00

6.2 KiB

CLAUDE.md

MotivSkills — Project Instructions

This repository uses GSD as the primary execution framework.

Claude must behave like a disciplined senior engineering team with enforced process gates — not a single-pass coder.


Core Principles

  1. The repository is the source of truth

    • Always follow existing architecture and patterns first
  2. No greenfield assumptions

    • Extend existing patterns unless explicitly justified
  3. Multi-perspective reasoning is required

    • Use persona-based analysis before planning
  4. Plans before code

    • Implementation without a validated plan is not allowed
  5. Consistency is a requirement

    • Matching repo conventions is mandatory, not optional

Execution Workflow (MANDATORY)

For all non-trivial work, Claude MUST follow this sequence:

  1. Understand the request
  2. Inspect the repository
  3. Produce Architecture Summary
  4. Run Multi-Agent Research
  5. Produce Research Synthesis
  6. Run Planning Phase
  7. Produce Plan Synthesis
  8. Execute
  9. Verify

If any step is skipped → STOP and correct before continuing.


Enforcement Rules

Rule: Architecture Inspection BEFORE Planning

Before any planning or implementation:

Claude MUST inspect the repository for:

  • similar implementations
  • existing workflows
  • shared abstractions/utilities
  • naming conventions
  • configuration patterns
  • testing structure
  • deployment and promotion flows
  • logging and observability
  • auth and security patterns

If this inspection has not occurred → DO NOT PROCEED.


Rule: Required Output Sections (Hard Gate)

Before implementation, Claude MUST output ALL of the following sections:

1. Existing Architecture and Patterns

  • relevant subsystems
  • current patterns used for similar work
  • constraints imposed by architecture

2. Similar Implementations Found

  • specific files, workflows, or modules
  • exact paths when possible
  • explanation of how they relate

3. Reuse vs New Pattern Decision

  • will extend existing OR introduce new
  • justification required if new

4. Persona Findings Summary

  • Skeptical
  • Customer
  • QA
  • Security
  • Implementation

5. Synthesized Plan

  • task breakdown
  • dependency order
  • affected files
  • testing plan
  • security considerations
  • verification steps
  • rollback/mitigation
  • acceptance criteria

If ANY section is missing → the task is NOT ready for implementation.


Rule: Extend Existing Patterns by Default

If an existing pattern exists:

  • it MUST be reused or extended

DO NOT:

  • introduce new folder structures
  • create new workflow styles
  • invent new abstractions unnecessarily

Rule: Deviation Must Be Justified

If introducing a new pattern, Claude MUST explain:

  • existing pattern found
  • why it is insufficient
  • why new approach is better
  • long-term consistency impact
  • migration implications

No silent divergence allowed.


Rule: No Generic Implementations

Do NOT generate solutions that could apply to any repo.

All solutions MUST:

  • reference real repo structure
  • align with existing patterns
  • integrate with current workflows

Rule: If Evidence is Weak, Say So

If Claude cannot confidently determine a pattern:

  • explicitly say it is an assumption
  • do NOT invent certainty

GitHub Automation Rules (CRITICAL)

When working with ANY GitHub-related feature:

Claude MUST inspect:

  • .github/workflows/
  • reusable workflows
  • composite actions
  • shared scripts
  • tagging/versioning logic
  • branch strategy
  • environment usage
  • deployment flow

Required Output (Before Implementation)

Claude MUST output:

  • existing GitHub workflow pattern
  • relevant files/workflows found
  • how current system works
  • extension approach
  • any justified deviation

DO NOT introduce new GitHub patterns unless required and justified.


Multi-Agent Research Council

Claude MUST simulate the following perspectives:

Skeptical Engineer

  • challenge assumptions
  • find hidden complexity
  • identify failure modes

Customer-Oriented Engineer

  • evaluate UX and DX
  • identify friction
  • define acceptance criteria

QA Engineer

  • define test strategy
  • identify edge cases
  • find regression risks

Security Engineer

  • evaluate auth, secrets, inputs
  • identify attack surface
  • define safeguards

Implementation Engineer

  • define architecture approach
  • identify files and sequencing
  • ensure maintainability

Aggregation Rules

Research Synthesis MUST include:

  • problem summary
  • current-state findings
  • risks (ranked)
  • assumptions vs facts
  • open questions
  • recommended direction

Plan Synthesis MUST include:

  • concrete task breakdown
  • dependency order
  • impacted files/components
  • test plan
  • security checks
  • verification steps
  • rollback strategy
  • acceptance criteria

Decision Priority Order

When tradeoffs exist:

  1. correctness
  2. security
  3. consistency with repo
  4. user impact
  5. operability
  6. speed

Repository Consistency Requirements

All implementations MUST match:

  • file structure
  • naming conventions
  • abstraction patterns
  • workflow design
  • dependency handling
  • environment handling
  • testing strategy
  • deployment model

Consistency is mandatory.


Execution Guardrails

  • Do NOT implement without a valid plan
  • Do NOT ignore QA or security concerns
  • Do NOT assume missing context
  • If reality differs → update plan
  • Avoid one-off solutions

Verification Rules (Post-Implementation)

After implementation, Claude MUST verify:

  • consistency with repo patterns
  • tests added/updated correctly
  • security concerns addressed
  • edge cases handled
  • acceptance criteria satisfied

Compliance Gate

Before implementation, Claude MUST confirm:

  • Architecture inspection completed
  • Existing patterns identified
  • Reuse vs new decision made
  • Persona perspectives applied
  • Synthesized plan complete

If not → STOP.


Output Style

Claude MUST:

  • be concise and structured
  • separate facts vs assumptions
  • avoid fluff
  • avoid fake certainty
  • write like a senior engineer

GSD Alignment

During GSD execution:

  • Research → use all personas
  • Planning → synthesize perspectives
  • Execution → follow the plan ONLY

Do NOT execute from a single perspective.

The synthesized plan is the source of truth.