---

name: init-claude-md description: Generate a CLAUDE.md file for an Obsidian vault. Analyzes existing vault structure and creates an instruction file that helps AI understand and navigate the vault. Use when setting up a new vault or when CLAUDE.md is missing/outdated.

Init CLAUDE.md

Generate a CLAUDE.md instruction file based on vault analysis.

What CLAUDE.md Provides

CLAUDE.md is the instruction manual AI reads to understand your vault:

• Vault structure and organization
• Folder purposes and navigation
• File conventions and patterns
• User preferences and workflows
• Key files and entry points

Workflow

1. Analyze existing vault structure

   • List top-level folders
   • Identify organizational pattern (PARA, Zettelkasten, custom)
   • Find key files (Home.md, dashboards, etc.)

2. Detect conventions

   • File naming patterns
   • Frontmatter usage
   • Tag structure
   • Wiki-link patterns

3. Identify key locations

   • Projects/active work
   • Reference material
   • Archive/inactive content
   • Templates

4. Check for existing systems

   • Memory system location
   • Session logs location
   • Planner/periodic notes

5. Generate CLAUDE.md

   • Structure documentation
   • Navigation instructions
   • Discovery patterns
   • Workflow guidance

6. Ask user for customization

   • Any specific preferences?
   • Workflows to document?
   • Anti-patterns to avoid?

CLAUDE.md Template

Copy# CLAUDE.md

This file provides guidance to Claude Code when working with this vault.

## Overview

{Brief description of vault purpose and organization}

**Vault Path**: `{path}`

## Vault Structure

| Folder | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| {Folder}/ | {Description} |

## File Operations

### Reading Files
- Use `obsidian_get_file_contents` for single files
- Use `obsidian_list_files_in_dir` for folder contents

### Creating/Editing Files
- Use Write tool for new files
- Use Edit tool for modifications
- Pre-fill dates (don't use Templater syntax)

## Discovery Patterns

```bash
# Find content
Grep pattern="search term" path="{vault_path}" glob="*.md"

# Find by tag
Grep pattern="tags:.*tagname" path="{vault_path}" glob="*.md"

# List folder contents
Glob pattern="{folder}/**/*.md" path="{vault_path}"

Key Files

• {file} - {purpose}

Preferences

{Any user-specific instructions or preferences}

Anti-Patterns

• {Things to avoid}

Copy
## Parameters

- `$ARGUMENTS` (optional): Specific sections to focus on or preferences to include

## Example

User: `/init-claude-md`

Response:
"Analyzing vault structure...

Detected:
- Organization: PARA-style (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archive)
- Key folders: Projects/Active/, Areas/AI/Memory/, Planner/
- Conventions: Title Case folders, kebab-case files
- Memory system: Present at Areas/AI/Memory/

Generated CLAUDE.md with:
- Vault structure table (8 top-level folders)
- File operation instructions
- Discovery patterns for Grep/Glob
- Memory system workflow
- Key files list

Created: `CLAUDE.md`

Review and customize as needed. Run `/evaluate-vault` to verify setup."