generating-code-standards

Generating Project Standards

Generate tailored CLAUDE.md files by composing modular fragments based on project inputs (stack, domain, team size, regulated data, CI system).

When to Use

• Starting a new project that needs a CLAUDE.md
• Onboarding an existing repo that lacks engineering standards
• User explicitly asks to generate or create project standards
• Replacing a generic/copy-pasted CLAUDE.md with a tailored one

Do NOT use when:

• User wants to edit a single rule in an existing CLAUDE.md (just edit it directly)
• Auditing compliance against existing standards (use audit-standards instead)
• Updating standards to match a newer template version (use upgrade-standards instead)

Workflow

digraph workflow {
    rankdir=TB;
    gather [label="1. Gather inputs\n(questionnaire.md)" shape=box];
    detect [label="2. Auto-detect what you can\n(package.json, build.gradle, etc.)" shape=box];
    confirm [label="3. Confirm inputs with user" shape=diamond];
    select [label="4. Select fragments" shape=box];
    assemble [label="5. Assemble CLAUDE.md\nfrom template + fragments" shape=box];
    existing [label="Existing CLAUDE.md?" shape=diamond];
    merge [label="6a. Diff/merge\n(preserve user additions)" shape=box];
    write [label="6b. Write new file" shape=box];
    review [label="7. Show output for review" shape=box];

    gather -> detect -> confirm;
    confirm -> gather [label="missing info"];
    confirm -> select [label="complete"];
    select -> assemble -> existing;
    existing -> merge [label="yes"];
    existing -> write [label="no"];
    merge -> review;
    write -> review;
}

Step 1: Gather Inputs

Read questionnaire.md and ask the user each question. Auto-detect answers where possible (Step 2) and present them for confirmation.

Step 2: Auto-Detect

Before asking, try to infer:

Signal	Look for
Language + build tool	package.json, build.gradle, pom.xml, go.mod, Cargo.toml, pyproject.toml, requirements.txt, Gemfile
Framework	Dependencies in manifest files
CI system	.github/workflows/, .gitlab-ci.yml, Jenkinsfile, .circleci/, bitbucket-pipelines.yml, .woodpecker/, .woodpecker.yml
Project type	Directory structure, entry points
Existing conventions	.editorconfig, .eslintrc, .prettierrc, linter configs