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Guide · Agent skill

How to use the CLAUDE.md Writer agent skill

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

The claude-md skill teaches an AI coding agent to create, update, or audit a CLAUDE.md file, the project note that Claude Code loads at the start of each session to learn a codebase. This guide explains what the skill does, how to install it from the ZIP or the Claude apps, how to ask for it in plain language, and what to check before accepting its output. By the end you will be able to set up or trim a CLAUDE.md file with the skill's rules applied.

CLAUDE.md Writerluongnv89/claude-howto · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Download the ZIP. Get the claude-md skill ZIP from the skill page and unzip it.
  2. 2Place the folder. Move the claude-md folder into ~/.claude/skills/ or a project's .claude/skills/ folder.
  3. 3Or upload in the Claude apps. In the Claude apps, go to Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills, and upload the skill.
  4. 4Ask in plain language. Request create, update, or audit for your CLAUDE.md, and mention the file by name.
  5. 5Review the draft. Read the proposed content and approve, edit, or reject it before anything is written.

What is an agent skill, and what does claude-md make the agent do?

An agent skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file that gives an AI agent specific instructions for a task. This one is named claude-md and is based on the zh/03-skills/claude-md entry in luongnv89/claude-howto (MIT licence).

When installed, the agent can create, update, or audit a CLAUDE.md file. It follows the skill's rules: keep the file under about 200 lines, cover what the project is, its tech stack, key commands and non-obvious pitfalls, avoid style rules and code snippets, and move task-specific details into separate files.

  • create: draft a new CLAUDE.md from scratch, then show it to you for review before writing.
  • update: review an existing CLAUDE.md and propose changes, applied only after your approval.
  • audit: produce a report on quality and problems without editing any file.

Install the claude-md skill from the ZIP

Download the ZIP from the skill page and unzip it. The skill's only listed file is SKILL.md. Put the resulting claude-md folder in one of these locations:

  • ~/.claude/skills/ for a skill available across your projects.
  • A project's .claude/skills/ folder for a skill that applies only to that repository.

Install the claude-md skill in the Claude apps

If you use the Claude apps rather than Claude Code, you can upload the skill instead. Go to Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills, and upload the skill there.

How to trigger the skill with natural requests

You do not need a special command. Describe what you want in plain language and mention CLAUDE.md. The skill also reads an optional mode word from your input: create, update, audit, or a specific path such as src/api/CLAUDE.md for a directory-level file.

The skill's own rules say that the default is to draft first and wait for approval before writing changes.

  • Set up a CLAUDE.md for this new repository using the claude-md skill.
  • Update my CLAUDE.md, it has grown long and needs trimming.
  • Audit the CLAUDE.md in this project and report problems without changing anything.
  • Create src/api/CLAUDE.md for the API folder.

What the skill checks and how it structures the file

The skill organises content under three headings: WHAT (tech stack and structure), WHY (purpose and component responsibilities), and HOW (workflows, test and build commands, and non-obvious pitfalls). For larger projects it suggests an agent_docs/ folder with separate files, referenced from CLAUDE.md, instead of putting everything in one file.

The skill asks for file:line references rather than code snippets, to avoid stale context. It also tells the agent to avoid repeating what package.json or README.md already say, and to verify commands before writing them.

  • Under about 200 lines.
  • No style or formatting rules; those belong in tools such as prettier or eslint.
  • No task-specific instructions; move them to separate files.
  • No auto-generated content, since the skill says this file should be handwritten.

Safety notes: scripts and network access

According to the listing, the skill requires nothing beyond the skill itself, does not run scripts, and does not use the network. Its only file is SKILL.md.

Because it edits files in your project, review every proposed change before approving it. Use audit mode first if you are unsure.

Tips for getting good results

Use audit mode on an existing file before asking for an update, so you can see the problems first. Keep your requests specific about the path if you want a directory-level file. For monorepos, ask for the WHAT/WHY/HOW structure explicitly, since the skill notes that monorepos benefit most from it.

  • Run audit first to get the line count against the target.
  • Do not expect the skill to enforce code style; use a linter for that.
  • Keep directory-level CLAUDE.md files focused.

What people use it for

  • Setting up a CLAUDE.md for a new repository before AI coding agents start working in it.
  • Trimming a CLAUDE.md that has grown past the target length by removing style rules and task-specific notes.
  • Structuring a monorepo's CLAUDE.md into clear WHAT, WHY and HOW sections.
  • Auditing an existing file to get a report of anti-patterns without changing it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I install the claude-md skill?

Download the ZIP from the skill page and unzip it. Place the claude-md folder in ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or in a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one repository. In the Claude apps, you can instead upload it under Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills.

Does the claude-md skill need any requirements?

The listing states that it requires nothing, runs no scripts and uses no network. It consists of a single SKILL.md file.

Is the claude-md skill free?

The skill is published under the MIT licence, as stated in the listing. The source does not mention pricing, so check the skill page for any terms before you rely on it.

Can the skill generate a CLAUDE.md automatically?

Not as a goal. The skill says CLAUDE.md should be handwritten and that automatic generation is discouraged. It drafts content for your review and writes only after you approve.

What if I only want to check my file without changes?

Ask for audit mode. The skill then reports the line count against its target, the share of content that applies to every session, anti-patterns, and suggestions, and it does not modify the file.

Should I use this skill instead of a linter?

No. The skill tells you to keep style rules out of CLAUDE.md and use deterministic tools such as prettier or eslint for enforced code style. Use the skill for project context and pitfalls, and a linter for formatting rules.

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Our verdict

Use this skill if you are setting up a new repository for AI coding agents, or if your CLAUDE.md has grown long and needs trimming, especially in a monorepo. Pick something else if you want a file generated automatically with no review, or if you need enforced code style, which belongs in a linter like eslint or prettier.

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