Claude Project Starter v2.0

A self-bootstrapping development system that sets up a complete AI-assisted workflow for any project.

What This Is

• Generic Commands & Agents: Reusable workflow tools that work across any project
• AI Memory System: Persistent project knowledge in .ai/ that prevents context loss
• Sync System: Keep your projects up-to-date with /pull-cps and /push-cps

Installation

One-Command Install (Recommended)

Install into any project with a single command:

npx create-claude-project

The installer will:

1. Ask if you're setting up a new or existing project
2. Copy all necessary files (.claude/, .ai/, installers)
3. Guide you to the next steps

Choose Your Path

| Scenario | Installer Will Guide You To | |----------|------------------------------| | New project (empty or minimal code) | @INSTALL-NEW.md - Asks questions, populates .ai/ from your answers | | Existing project (has code already) | @INSTALL-EXISTING.md - Explores your codebase, extracts knowledge into .ai/ |

Quick Start

1. Run the installer in your project directory:

   cd your-project
   npx create-claude-project

2. Follow the installer prompts (new vs existing)

3. Open Claude Code and run the appropriate installer:

   • For new projects: @INSTALL-NEW.md
   • For existing projects: @INSTALL-EXISTING.md

4. Start building:

   /prd → /TaskGen → /execute → /commit → /update

Manual Installation (Alternative)

If you prefer to install manually:

git clone https://github.com/iainforrest/claude-project-starter.git
cp -r claude-project-starter/.claude your-project/
cp -r claude-project-starter/.ai your-project/
cp claude-project-starter/INSTALL-*.md your-project/

Then run the appropriate installer with Claude Code.

Key Architecture (v2.0)

.claude/                    # Generic (syncs across projects)
├── commands/               # Workflow commands (/prd, /TaskGen, /execute, etc.)
├── agents/                 # Specialized AI agents (CTO, Security, UI/UX, etc.)
└── WORKFLOW.md             # Command/agent documentation

.ai/                        # Project-specific (never syncs)
├── ARCHITECTURE.json       # Your project's patterns and data flows
├── BUSINESS.json           # Your features and requirements
├── FILES.json              # Your file index with cross-references
├── PATTERNS.md             # Your implementation patterns
├── QUICK.md                # Your build commands and shortcuts
└── ...                     # Other memory files

The key insight: Commands and agents are fully generic - they read from .ai/ for all project-specific context. This means:

• Commands work identically across all projects
• Updates can be synced without customization
• Project knowledge lives in one place (.ai/)

Development Workflow

The Command Flow

/prd [feature idea]     → Generate Product Requirements Document
/TaskGen [prd-file]     → Break PRD into implementation tasks
/execute [tasks-file]   → Systematically execute tasks
/commit                 → Intelligent grouped git commits
/update                 → Update .ai/ memory from git diffs

Sync Commands

/pull-cps               → Pull latest commands/agents from this repo
/push-cps               → Push improvements back as PR

Commands Reference

| Command | Purpose | Output | |---------|---------|--------| | /prd | Generate requirements from feature idea | /tasks/prd-[name].md | | /TaskGen | Convert PRD to implementation tasks | /tasks/tasks-[name].md | | /execute | Execute tasks with build verification | Implemented code | | /commit | Group and commit changes intelligently | Git commits | | /update | Update memory system from git diffs | Updated .ai/ files | | /pull-cps | Sync latest from starter repo | Updated commands/agents | | /push-cps | Contribute improvements back | GitHub PR |

Specialized Agents

Agents provide domain expertise and are invoked automatically or on request:

| Agent | Expertise | |-------|-----------| | cto-technical-advisor | Architecture decisions, feasibility assessment | | security-auditor | Security reviews, vulnerability detection | | ui-ux-expert | Interface design, accessibility, user flows | | prd-writer | Requirements documentation | | task-writer | Task breakdown with complexity ratings | | update-memory-agent | Git diff analysis, memory updates |

Memory System (.ai/)

The memory system is your project's brain. It's populated during installation and grows with your project.

| File | Purpose | |------|---------| | ARCHITECTURE.json | Patterns, data flows, integration points | | BUSINESS.json | Features, requirements, performance targets | | FILES.json | File index with dependencies and cross-refs | | PATTERNS.md | Implementation templates and examples | | QUICK.md | Build commands, debugging tips, shortcuts | | TODO.md | Current and completed tasks | | SPRINT_UPDATE.md | Process for updating memory | | README.md | Guide to the memory system |

Key rule: Commands reference .ai/ for context. Keep it updated with /update.

Keeping in Sync

Pull Updates

When new commands or agents are added to this repo:

/pull-cps

This compares your .claude/ with the latest, shows diffs, and lets you selectively update.

Push Improvements

When you improve a command or agent:

/push-cps

This validates your changes are generic (no project-specific content), then creates a PR.

What Syncs vs What Doesn't

| Syncs | Never Syncs | |-------|-------------| | .claude/commands/*.md | .ai/* (project-specific) | | .claude/agents/*.md | .claude/settings.local.json | | .claude/WORKFLOW.md | Project-specific commands |

What's New in v2.0

• Sync System: /pull-cps and /push-cps commands for keeping projects updated
• Cleaner Architecture: Commands/agents are now fully generic
• Memory-First Design: All project context lives in .ai/
• Dual Installation: Separate paths for new vs existing projects
• Better Agents: Enhanced prd-writer and task-writer with structured output

Project Structure After Installation

your-project/
├── .claude/
│   ├── commands/           # Workflow commands
│   │   ├── prd.md
│   │   ├── TaskGen.md
│   │   ├── execute.md
│   │   ├── commit.md
│   │   ├── update.md
│   │   ├── pull-cps.md
│   │   └── push-cps.md
│   ├── agents/             # Specialized agents
│   │   ├── prd-writer.md
│   │   ├── task-writer.md
│   │   ├── update-memory-agent.md
│   │   ├── cto-technical-advisor.md
│   │   ├── security-auditor.md
│   │   └── ui-ux-expert.md
│   └── WORKFLOW.md
├── .ai/
│   ├── ARCHITECTURE.json   # Your patterns
│   ├── BUSINESS.json       # Your features
│   ├── FILES.json          # Your files
│   ├── PATTERNS.md         # Your templates
│   ├── QUICK.md            # Your commands
│   └── ...
├── tasks/                  # Generated PRDs and task lists
└── CLAUDE.md               # Project overview (create with `claude init`)

Philosophy

AI works best with persistent, structured knowledge.

The memory system prevents Claude from "forgetting" your project between sessions. The generic commands ensure consistent workflows. Together, they enable rapid, high-quality development.

Key Benefits

• Zero Context Loss: Memory system preserves project knowledge
• Consistent Quality: Commands enforce best practices
• Rapid Development: Templates and patterns enable fast implementation
• Stay Current: Sync commands keep all projects updated
• Contribute Back: Improvements benefit everyone

Credits

Originally inspired by Ryan Carson and his approach to AI-assisted development, discovered through How to AI with Claire Vo.

• Ryan Carson's AI Dev Tasks
• How to AI with Claire Vo - YouTube

Ready to start? Choose your installation path:

• New project → INSTALL-NEW.md
• Existing project → INSTALL-EXISTING.md