<quick_start> Session start: Load <project-root>/.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md , verify against git status

Session end: Update context file with completed TODOs, clear previous session's Done list

Context file location: <project-root>/.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md

Triggers: "load context", "save context", "done for today", "switch to [project]" </quick_start>

<success_criteria> Context management is successful when:

• Project detected from pwd (Claude Code) or user input (Claude Desktop)

• Context file matches current project (header verified against folder name)

• Git state verified against context (branch, recent commits)

• Done list cleared each new session (prevents accumulation)

• Context saved before session ends </success_criteria>

<core_content>

MANDATORY: Project Detection (Run First)

Before ANY other action, identify which project the user is in:

Claude Code (Terminal)

pwd # Get current working directory

• Run pwd to get current directory

• Extract project name from path (last folder name)

• Load <pwd>/.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md

• VERIFY: Does the # <project-name> header match the folder name?

• YES → Display context and proceed

• NO → WARN: "Context mismatch! File says [X] but you're in [Y]. Regenerating..."

• FILE MISSING → Auto-generate (see below)

Claude Desktop (No Terminal)

If pwd is unavailable (Claude Desktop environment):

• Check if user already specified a project in their message

• If not, ASK: "Which project are you working on today?"

• Use the projects list at reference/projects-list.md if available

• Load: /Users/tmkipper/Desktop/tk_projects/{project-name}/.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md

To switch projects: User says "switch to [project-name]" or "working on [project]"

On Session Start

After project detection:

1. Load Context File

<project-root>/.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md

2. Verify Against Git State

git status # Current branch, modified files git log --oneline -5 # Recent commits

Flag discrepancies:

• TODO marked done in commits? → Move to "Done"

• Branch changed? → Update context header

• Stale info? → Remove it

3. Display to User

Show a brief summary:

📍 Project: [name] 🌿 Branch: [branch] 📅 Last updated: [date]

Focus items: [count]

On Session End

Triggers: "done", "end session", "save context", "done for today"

• Review conversation for completed work

• Update PROJECT_CONTEXT.md:

• Move completed TODOs to "Done (This Session)"

• Update Status based on commits made

• Preserve untouched Focus items

• Clear previous session's Done list (prevents accumulation)

• Update timestamp

• Show user the updated context

Auto-Generate Context

When no PROJECT_CONTEXT.md exists, create from:

• .claude/CLAUDE.md or CLAUDE.md (project docs)

• git log --oneline -5 (recent activity)

• git status (current state)

• package.json / pyproject.toml / requirements.txt (tech stack)

Write to: <project-root>/.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md

Context File Format

See reference/template.md for full template.

<project-name>

Branch: <branch> | Updated: <YYYY-MM-DD>

Status

<2-3 sentences: current state>

Today's Focus

1. <task>
2. <task>

Done (This Session)

• <populated on session end, cleared on next session start>

Blockers

<none or list>

Tech Stack

<single line: Python 3.11 | FastAPI | PostgreSQL>

Key Rules

• ALWAYS detect project first - Never assume from previous session

• One project = one context file - No cross-contamination

• Verify context matches pwd - Warn on mismatch

• Clear Done list each session - Prevents infinite accumulation

• Never store data in this SKILL.md - Always use project's own file

Reference Files

• reference/template.md

• Full context file template with examples

• reference/projects-list.md

• Tim's projects list for Claude Desktop </core_content>