Project configuration
Complete project setup layers
Five layers that turn Claude from a generic assistant into a project-aware team member.
The five layers
CLAUDE.md instructions
A markdown file that tells Claude about your stack, conventions, and constraints. It is loaded automatically at the start of every session.
~/.claude/CLAUDE.md
/project/CLAUDE.md
Skills library
Reusable prompt-and-tool bundles that teach Claude specific workflows — testing, deployment, database migrations, and more.
.claude/skills/
~/.claude/skills/
Agent definitions
Named agent profiles that combine a persona, a set of skills, and permission boundaries. Each agent focuses on one job.
.claude/agents/
~/.claude/agents/
MCP server connections
Model Context Protocol servers that give Claude live access to databases, APIs, file systems, and other external services.
/project/.mcp.json
Community skills + marketplace plugins
Third-party skills and plugins from the community marketplace. Drop them in and Claude gains new capabilities instantly.
github.com / marketplace
What your AI can reach
Your project files
Read, create, edit, and delete files anywhere in your project tree. Claude sees the same directory you do.
Your live data
Query and modify your database through MCP connections — Postgres, SQLite, Supabase, and more.
Your code history
Browse commits, create branches, open pull requests, and review diffs without leaving the terminal.
Session scratchpad
Claude can write and read temporary notes during a session to track decisions, plans, and intermediate results.
Live internet data
Search the web for documentation, Stack Overflow answers, and package information in real time.
Your live environment
Trigger deploys, check build status, and tail logs from Vercel, Railway, or your own CI pipeline.
Where your data lives
Database
Supabase, Postgres, SQLite, or any database reachable through an MCP server or CLI.
File storage
Local disk, S3 buckets, or cloud storage accessed via signed URLs and CLI tools.
Deployment
Vercel, Railway, Fly.io — wherever your app is hosted and your builds run.
GitHub
Repositories, issues, pull requests, Actions workflows, and the GitHub API.
API services
Stripe, Resend, OpenAI, and any third-party service your project depends on.
Local machine
Your terminal, file system, running processes, and environment variables.