Claude Code Setup

Setup production-grade .claude/ AI collaboration layer for projects. Use when an agent starts using Claude Code for development, enters a new project directory, or when user mentions "Claude Code", ".claude config", "AI collaboration layer", or "project standards".

Setup production-grade `.claude/` AI collaboration layer for projects.

Overview

This skill ensures projects have a proper `.claude/` configuration before agents start development work with Claude Code. It acts as a supervisor to maintain and enforce project standards.

Important: Target Project Directory

.claude/ must be created in the target project directory, NOT in your workspace root.

Example:

• ❌ Wrong: /home/user/workspace-xiaolong/.claude/ (workspace root)
• ✅ Correct: /home/user/eave-web/.claude/ (actual project being developed)

Always identify which project you're working on first, then check/create .claude/ in that directory.

When to Use

• Starting a new development task with Claude Code
• Entering a new project directory
• User mentions "Claude Code", ".claude", "AI collaboration layer", or "project standards"

Workflow

Step 1 — Check First

Always check if `.claude/` directory already exists in the target project directory:

```bash ls -la .claude/ 2>/dev/null ```

Step 2 — If Missing → Create

If the project doesn't have `.claude/` directory, create it first before development:

```bash node ~/.openclaw/skills/claude-code-setup/index.js ```

Step 3 — If Exists → Supervise

If `.claude/` already exists:

• ✅ DO NOT overwrite existing files
• ✅ DO NOT recreate the structure
• ✅ Let Claude Code naturally maintain and update during development

Step 4 — Be a Supervisor

Your role is supervisor, not executor:

• Ensure Claude Code follows rules in `.claude/`
• During development, let Claude Code update configs based on actual code
• Periodically review if `.claude/` content matches the project reality

Core Principles

1. CLAUDE.md is core — Highest priority project instructions
2. Modular — Separate rules/skills/context
3. Clear directives — Use MUST/ALWAYS/NEVER
4. Project context — Must include project overview and tech stack
5. Don't reinvent — Reuse and maintain existing configs

.claude/ Directory Structure

``` .claude/ ├── CLAUDE.md # ⭐ Project-level global instructions (most important) ├── rules/ # Team rule library │ ├── frontend.md │ ├── typescript.md │ └── commit.md ├── context/ # Project context knowledge │ ├── project.md │ └── stack.md ├── skills/ # Project-private skills │ └── generate-crud.md └── prompts/ # Reusable prompt templates └── review.md ```

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Writing as requirements doc or README
❌ Vague rules ("try to", "should")
❌ Only CLAUDE.md without modularity
❌ Missing project context
❌ Overwriting existing configs
❌ Redundant recreation

Collaboration with Claude Code

When using Claude Code:

1. Before starting: Ensure `.claude/` exists
2. During development: Let Claude Code reference rules in `.claude/`
3. After completion: Update `.claude/` with any new standards learned

Template Files

See `index.js` for template definitions.