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Fill the blanks and get a working CLAUDE.md (FREE Template)

Copy this template, swap the blanks, and your CLAUDE.md exists in minutes.

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Claude
Prompt
# CLAUDE.md — {{project_name}}

## What we're building
{{one_or_two_plain_sentences_about_what_it_is}}, for {{who_it_is_for}}.
Built as a {{simple_website | small_web_app | phone_app | small_tool}}
(unsure? write "you decide — keep it simple" and Claude will pick).
Stores user info like accounts or saved data: {{yes | no | not_sure_you_decide}}
("no" is right for most first projects).

## How to run it
- Start or preview it: `{{command_to_run_it_locally}}`
  (don't know it yet? Write "unsure — tell me how to find this" and Claude will show you.)
- "Done" means: it loads with no errors AND it does the main thing —
  {{the_one_main_thing, e.g. "shows the page" / "saves a signup"}}.

## House rules
1. Never put passwords, secret keys, or private info in the code.
2. Always keep it working on phones, not just computers.
3. Ask me first before deleting files, changing how data is saved,
   or anything that costs money.
4. Don't add new tools or services without explaining, in plain English,
   what each is for and whether it's free.
5. {{your_own_rule — or delete this line}}

## How things are organized
- Main files live in: {{where, e.g. "the main folder"}}
  (unsure? write "you decide — keep it simple and tell me where things go").
- Keep names simple and consistent: all lowercase, words-joined-with-dashes.

## When you're unsure
Ask me in plain English before doing anything risky, expensive, or new.
I'm a beginner: explain choices simply and pick the easy option when in doubt.

What this prompt does

  • Gives you a complete starter file
  • Marks every decision as a blank
  • Ships safe defaults for each blank
  • Hands unknowns back to Claude gracefully

Why it works

The blanks with safe defaults turn setup into a fill-in-the-form task — no AI, no config knowledge needed, so Claude reads clear rules from minute one.

Tips for this prompt

  • Keep the default house rules, they earn their place
  • Fill the "done" line honestly, it drives everything
  • No AI needed, this is pure copy and type
  • Upgrade later with the Architect skill

How to use the prompt

  • Copy the whole template
  • Replace each blank with your answer
  • Write "you decide" on anything unknown
  • Delete lines that don't apply
  • Save as CLAUDE.md in your project folder
Codingclaude mdtemplatebeginnerclaudeguide