CLAUDE Templates #

The CLAUDE.md file is the heart of your project's AI instructions. ClaudeAutoPM uses a sophisticated template system to generate customized CLAUDE.md files based on your project's configuration and needs.

Template System Architecture #

The template system consists of:

1. Base Template: Core instructions present in all configurations
2. Add-on Modules: Feature-specific instructions added based on configuration
3. Configuration Templates: Preset combinations for common scenarios
4. Strategy Templates: Execution strategy definitions

Template Structure #

Directory Layout #

autopm/.claude/templates/
├── claude-templates/           # CLAUDE.md components
│   ├── base.md                # Base template
│   └── addons/                # Feature-specific add-ons
│       ├── azure-devops.md
│       ├── devops-agents.md
│       ├── devops-workflow.md
│       ├── docker-agents.md
│       ├── docker-workflow.md
│       ├── git-safety.md
│       ├── github-actions.md
│       ├── gitlab-ci.md
│       ├── jenkins.md
│       ├── minimal-agents.md
│       ├── minimal-workflow.md
│       └── no-cicd.md
├── config-templates/          # Configuration presets
│   ├── minimal.json
│   ├── docker-only.json
│   ├── full-devops.json
│   └── performance.json
└── strategies-templates/     # Execution strategies
    ├── sequential-safe.md
    ├── adaptive-smart.md
    └── hybrid-parallel.md

Base Template #

The base.md template contains core instructions that apply to all projects:

# Project: {PROJECT_NAME}

You are an AI assistant helping with the {PROJECT_NAME} project.

## Core Guidelines
- Follow Test-Driven Development (TDD)
- Maintain code quality and documentation
- Use semantic commit messages
- Ensure security best practices

## Available Resources
- Agents: .claude/agents/
- Commands: .claude/commands/
- Rules: .claude/rules/
- Scripts: .claude/scripts/

Add-on Modules #

Docker Workflow Add-on #

When Docker is enabled, docker-workflow.md is included:

## Docker-First Development

All development MUST happen inside Docker containers:
- Use docker compose for local development
- Commands like npm, pip, gem run in containers
- Database operations through containerized services

Example:
- ❌ npm install express
- ✅ docker compose run app npm install express

DevOps Agents Add-on #

For DevOps-enabled projects, devops-agents.md adds:

## DevOps Agents

You have access to specialized DevOps agents:
- @docker-containerization-expert
- @kubernetes-orchestrator
- @github-operations-specialist
- @azure-devops-specialist

Azure DevOps Add-on #

When Azure DevOps is configured, azure-devops.md includes:

## Azure DevOps Integration

Work items are managed in Azure DevOps:
- Use /pm:issue:show to view work items
- Use /pm:issue:start to begin work
- Use /pm:pr:create for pull requests

Configuration Presets #

Minimal Configuration #

minimal.json generates a basic CLAUDE.md:

{
  "includes": ["base.md", "minimal-agents.md", "minimal-workflow.md"],
  "execution_strategy": "sequential-safe",
  "features": {
    "docker": false,
    "kubernetes": false,
    "parallel": false
  }
}

Docker-Only Configuration #

docker-only.json for containerized development:

{
  "includes": ["base.md", "docker-workflow.md", "docker-agents.md"],
  "execution_strategy": "adaptive-smart",
  "features": {
    "docker": true,
    "kubernetes": false,
    "parallel": true
  }
}

Full DevOps Configuration #

full-devops.json enables all features:

{
  "includes": [
    "base.md",
    "docker-workflow.md",
    "devops-workflow.md",
    "docker-agents.md",
    "devops-agents.md",
    "github-actions.md",
    "azure-devops.md"
  ],
  "execution_strategy": "adaptive-smart",
  "features": {
    "docker": true,
    "kubernetes": true,
    "parallel": true,
    "auto_pr": true
  }
}

Template Generation Process #

1. Configuration Selection #

During installation, users choose a configuration:

Select your installation scenario:
1) Minimal
2) Docker-only
3) Full DevOps
4) Performance
5) Custom

2. Template Assembly #

The installer assembles the CLAUDE.md:

# Load base template
content=$(cat base.md)

# Add selected add-ons
if [[ "$DOCKER_ENABLED" == "true" ]]; then
  content+=$(cat addons/docker-workflow.md)
fi

# Replace variables
content=${content//\{PROJECT_NAME\}/$project_name}
content=${content//\{EXECUTION_STRATEGY\}/$strategy}

3. Variable Substitution #

Templates use placeholders replaced during generation:

4. Final Output #

The generated CLAUDE.md is placed in your project root.

Customizing Templates #

Adding Custom Add-ons #

Create a new add-on in .claude/templates/claude-templates/addons/:

# custom-feature.md
## My Custom Feature

Special instructions for my feature:
- Custom rule 1
- Custom rule 2

Modifying Base Template #

Edit the base template for project-wide changes:

# Edit base template
nano autopm/.claude/templates/claude-templates/base.md

# Regenerate CLAUDE.md
autopm merge

Creating Custom Presets #

Add a new configuration preset:

// custom-preset.json
{
  "name": "Custom Configuration",
  "includes": [
    "base.md",
    "custom-feature.md"
  ],
  "execution_strategy": "adaptive-smart",
  "features": {
    "custom_feature": true
  }
}

Merging with Existing CLAUDE.md #

If you have an existing CLAUDE.md:

Automatic Merge #

autopm merge

# Generates merge instructions for AI:
# 1. Preserves your customizations
# 2. Adds framework features
# 3. Resolves conflicts intelligently

Manual Merge #

The merge helper creates sections:

<!-- FRAMEWORK START -->
Framework-provided instructions
<!-- FRAMEWORK END -->

<!-- CUSTOM START -->
Your custom instructions
<!-- CUSTOM END -->

Strategy Templates #

Sequential Safe Strategy #

For simple projects:

## Execution Strategy: Sequential

- Agents execute one at a time
- Safe for beginners
- Predictable behavior
- No resource conflicts

Adaptive Smart Strategy #

For most projects:

## Execution Strategy: Adaptive

- Intelligent parallelization
- Automatic dependency detection
- Optimal performance
- Resource-aware scheduling

Hybrid Parallel Strategy #

For power users:

## Execution Strategy: Hybrid

- Maximum parallelization
- Aggressive optimization
- Requires powerful hardware
- Expert-level control

Examples #

Example 1: React Project #

Configuration chosen: Docker-only

Generated CLAUDE.md includes:

• Base instructions
• Docker workflow rules
• React-specific agents
• Container-based testing

Example 2: Python API #

Configuration chosen: Full DevOps

Generated CLAUDE.md includes:

• Base instructions
• Docker + Kubernetes workflows
• Python backend agents
• CI/CD pipeline instructions
• Azure DevOps integration

Example 3: Simple Script #

Configuration chosen: Minimal

Generated CLAUDE.md includes:

• Base instructions only
• Sequential execution
• Basic agents
• No containerization

Template Variables Reference #

Best Practices #

1. Start Simple: Begin with minimal configuration
2. Iterative Enhancement: Add features as needed
3. Version Control: Track CLAUDE.md changes in git
4. Team Alignment: Ensure team uses same configuration
5. Regular Updates: Regenerate after framework updates

Troubleshooting #

Template Not Found #

# Check template exists
ls autopm/.claude/templates/claude-templates/

# Reinstall if missing
autopm install --repair

Variables Not Replaced #

# Check for typos in placeholders
grep '{.*}' CLAUDE.md

# Manually replace if needed
sed -i 's/{PROJECT_NAME}/my-project/g' CLAUDE.md

Merge Conflicts #

# Backup existing
cp CLAUDE.md CLAUDE.md.backup

# Generate fresh
autopm merge --force

# Compare and merge manually
diff CLAUDE.md.backup CLAUDE.md

Related Pages #

• Configuration Options
• First Project
• Custom Agents
• Docker First Development