Claude Code Project Starter Wizard

Getting Started with Claude Code

Setting up Claude Code correctly from the start saves hours of friction later. The most important file in any Claude Code project is CLAUDE.md — a markdown file at your repository root that tells Claude about your project. Think of it as onboarding documentation: project structure, coding conventions, build commands, test commands, and any special rules.

Running claude /init creates a basic CLAUDE.md, but the real power comes from customizing it for your specific stack. A well-written CLAUDE.md reduces hallucinations, keeps Claude aligned with your coding style, and eliminates repetitive instructions. For example, a TypeScript Next.js project benefits from explicit rules about using server components by default, importing from specific barrel files, and running pnpm lint before committing.

Beyond CLAUDE.md, the .claude/settings.json file controls tool permissions. You can allowlist specific bash commands (like npm test, git status), deny dangerous patterns (like rm -rf /), and configure MCP servers for database access, API integrations, or file system operations. For solo developers, permissive settings work fine. For teams, explicit allowlists prevent accidents and ensure consistency across developers.

Project Setup Best Practices

The difference between a productive Claude Code session and a frustrating one often comes down to initial setup. Here are the practices that experienced Claude Code users follow.

• Start with CLAUDE.md. Always create or update this file before your first session. Include your tech stack, directory structure, coding standards, and common commands. Claude reads this file at the start of every session.
• Use project-level settings. Place .claude/settings.json in your repo root and commit it. This ensures every developer on the team has the same tool permissions and MCP server configuration.
• Configure MCP servers for your workflow. If you use GitHub, add the GitHub MCP server. If you have a database, add a database MCP server. These give Claude direct access to your tools without manual copy-pasting.
• Add pre-commit hooks. A simple lint check before every commit catches issues early. Claude Code can generate these hooks for you, ensuring code quality stays high even during rapid iteration.
• Set up CI/CD early. GitHub Actions workflows that run Claude Code for automated code review or test generation pay dividends quickly. Use the --dangerously-skip-permissions flag in CI with a dedicated API key.
• Keep CLAUDE.md under 200 lines. Concise instructions work better than verbose ones. Focus on rules and conventions, not documentation. Link to external docs if Claude needs reference material.
• Version control everything. CLAUDE.md, settings.json, MCP config, and git hooks should all be committed. This makes your Claude Code setup reproducible and shareable across the team.

Common Questions

How do I initialize Claude Code?

Run claude /init in your project root. This creates a CLAUDE.md file with basic project context. You can also create CLAUDE.md manually — Claude reads it automatically at the start of every session. The file supports standard markdown formatting including headers, lists, and code blocks.

What should CLAUDE.md contain?

Include your project overview, tech stack, directory structure, coding standards, build commands, test commands, and any special rules. Keep it concise — 50 to 200 lines. Think of it as onboarding documentation for a new developer who happens to be an AI. Avoid including sensitive information like API keys or passwords.

Do I need settings.json?

For solo developers, it is optional — CLAUDE.md alone works well. For teams, settings.json is highly recommended. It controls tool permissions (which tools Claude can use), bash command allowlists, and MCP server configuration. Place it at .claude/settings.json and commit it to version control.

How do I add MCP servers?

Add MCP servers in .claude/settings.json under the mcpServers key. Each server needs a command (like npx), an args array, and optional env variables. Popular servers include GitHub, Supabase, filesystem, PostgreSQL, Slack, and Notion. Use the MCP Config Generator to build your configuration interactively.

What is the best team setup?

Commit CLAUDE.md and .claude/settings.json to version control. Use project-level settings for shared tool permissions. Each developer can add personal overrides in ~/.claude/settings.json. For enterprise teams, restrict bash commands to a vetted allowlist and enable audit logging.

Can I use Claude Code with monorepos?

Yes. Place a root CLAUDE.md with shared rules, then add package-specific CLAUDE.md files in each workspace directory. Claude reads all CLAUDE.md files from the current directory up to the repo root, so rules cascade naturally. Use settings.json to configure MCP servers that span multiple packages.

How do I set up CI/CD?

Use claude --dangerously-skip-permissions -p "your prompt" in CI/CD pipelines. Set the ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable as a GitHub Actions secret. Create a dedicated CI CLAUDE.md with stricter rules. Common use cases include automated code review on pull requests, test generation, and migration tasks.

What languages does Claude Code support?

Claude Code works with any programming language. It has deep expertise in JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Rust, Go, Java, Ruby, C#, PHP, Swift, and Kotlin. Framework-specific knowledge includes React, Next.js, Vue, Svelte, Django, FastAPI, Flask, Express, Actix, Axum, Gin, and many more. CLAUDE.md helps Claude understand your specific stack and conventions.

Related tools: Getting Started Guide · CLAUDE.md Generator · Configuration Reference · MCP Config Generator · Permission Configurator