Claude Workspace Organization

Claude Workspace Organization

Purpose

Maintain organized working files in the .claude/ directory with enforced structure, consistent naming, and required cross-references to codebase files and related documentation.

Use this skill when:

• Creating implementation plans, architecture decisions, or design documents
• Documenting research findings or code analysis
• Capturing reusable code examples or patterns
• Organizing existing loose planning files
• Validating workspace structure

Directory Structure

.claude/
├── plans/              # Implementation plans, migration plans, project plans
│   └── INDEX.md
├── architecture/       # ADRs, design decisions, system diagrams
│   └── INDEX.md
├── examples/           # Code examples, usage patterns, reference implementations
│   └── INDEX.md
├── research/           # Research notes, external findings, comparative analysis
│   └── INDEX.md
└── analysis/           # Code analysis, performance studies, security reviews
    └── INDEX.md

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Essential Principles

1. Every File Links to Codebase

Every working file MUST contain at least one link to a relevant codebase file. No orphan documentation.

2. Every File Links to Related .claude/ Docs

Files should cross-reference related documents in other categories when relevant connections exist.

3. INDEX.md is Auto-Updated

When creating or modifying files, always update the category's INDEX.md.

4. Consistent Frontmatter

All files use YAML frontmatter with required fields per category. See frontmatter-schemas.md.

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Intake

What would you like to do?

1. Create new file - Create a plan, architecture doc, example, research, or analysis
2. Update INDEX - Manually refresh a category's INDEX.md
3. Validate workspace - Check workspace structure and fix issues
4. Migrate existing - Organize loose files into proper structure

Wait for response before proceeding.

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Routing

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Quick Reference

File Naming Convention

{category}/​{YYYY-MM-DD}-{kebab-case-description}.md

Examples:

• plans/​2025-01-07-user-authentication-migration.md
• architecture/​2025-01-07-event-sourcing-design.md
• research/​2025-01-07-auth-library-comparison.md
• examples/​2025-01-07-pagination-pattern.md
• analysis/​2025-01-07-n-plus-one-audit.md

See naming-conventions.md for details.

Required Cross-References

Every file MUST include a ## Related section:

## Related

### Codebase
- [user.rb](../​../​app/​models/​user.rb) - Primary model affected by this plan

### Related Documentation
- [Auth Architecture](../​architecture/​2025-01-07-auth-design.md) - Design decision this implements

See cross-reference-rules.md for full rules.

Category Guide

See file-categories.md for detailed guidance.

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Integration Points

Invoked by:

• Manual invocation when creating planning/​architecture documents
• When Claude detects file creation that should go in .claude/
• /​workspace command (if configured)

Works with:

• file-todos - Todos can link to plans or architecture docs
• compound-docs - Solution docs can reference research or analysis files
• /​workflows:plan - Plans created via workflow can use this organization

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Success Criteria

A workspace file is valid when ALL of the following are true:

• Valid YAML frontmatter with all required fields
• File in correct category directory
• Filename follows YYYY-MM-DD-description.md pattern
• At least one codebase link in ## Related > ### Codebase
• INDEX.md updated with file entry