The CLAUDE.md I use for every new project (and what I took out after it stopped working)

Every time I start a new project with Claude Code, I add a CLAUDE.md. After enough projects, I know which rules survive and which ones get ignored after session two. Here's what I actually keep. The core rules (always in) Minimal footprint. Only touch files directly related to the task. Do not refactor adjacent code, add comments to unchanged files, or fix things "while you're in there". Do not ask for confirmation before running shell commands or making edits. Execute and report what you did. When uncertain about file location or naming, ask before creating. Do not guess.