A CLAUDE.md file so Claude knows your business

Tool

Claude Code

Price

Included in a paid Claude plan

Time

15 min

Level

Beginner

Every Claude Code session starts with no memory of the last one. CLAUDE.md is its written memory: Anthropic's documentation suggests writing down whatever you would otherwise have to re-explain. For a freelancer, that is not only code: your offer, how you name your quotes, the tone of your client emails, what needs your approval.

Where to put the file

• CLAUDE.md at the root of your working folder (for example your business folder): the rules for that folder.
• ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md: your personal preferences, applied in every folder.
• CLAUDE.local.md: private notes for this folder only, kept out of sharing (add it to .gitignore if the folder is on GitHub).

Create a first version

1. Open Claude Code in the folderIn the Terminal, go to your business folder and start Claude Code.

   TerminalCopy

   cd ~/Documents/my-business
   claude

2. Generate a draft with /initClaude looks through the folder and suggests a starting CLAUDE.md. If one already exists, it suggests improvements instead of overwriting it.

   Claude CodeCopy

   /init

3. Add what Claude cannot guessOpen the file with the /memory command and fill it in. Here is a template to adapt with your own details:

   CLAUDE.mdCopy

   # My business
   
   ## Who I am
   - [First name], freelance [trade], clients: [type of clients].
   - Offer and rates: see @offer.md
   
   ## Tone
   - Short, plain answers, no jargon.
   - Client documents: formal tone, no emoji.
   
   ## Where things go
   - Quotes: quotes/ (name: QUO-YYYY-NNN_Client.md)
   - Invoices: invoices/ (an issued invoice is never edited)
   - One folder per client: clients/<client-name>/
   
   ## Always ask before
   - Sending an email, publishing, invoicing, deleting a file.
   
   ## Never
   - Write a password, a key or bank details in a file.
   - Make up legal information: write [TO COMPLETE].

4. Check that it is loadedThe /context command lists the memory files loaded in the session. If yours is not there, Claude cannot see it.

   Claude CodeCopy

   /context

The rules that make the difference

• Concrete and checkable. "Quotes in quotes/, numbered QUO-YYYY-NNN" works better than "be organised".
• Short. Anthropic recommends under 200 lines per file: beyond that, it takes more room and is followed less reliably.
• No contradictions. If two instructions conflict, Claude may pick one arbitrarily. Reread the file now and then.
• Import instead of copying. The @path/file.md syntax loads another file (your offer, your rate card). It still counts towards the space used.
• Grow it as you go. When Claude makes the same mistake twice, add a line.

Good to know. CLAUDE.md is guidance, not a lock: Claude usually follows it, with no guarantee. To truly block an action, Claude Code offers permission settings and "hooks" (scripts that run before an action). And never put a password or an API key in it: the file is readable text, often shared.

Sources

• Claude Code docs: How Claude remembers your project
• Claude Code docs: Quickstart (installation and plans)

Want to go further, with an agent that drafts your quotes or follow-ups from these rules? That is what I build as AI agents.