# Project Scaffold Workflow

A repeatable recipe for bootstrapping a new project directory with AI-assisted development in mind.

## Steps

### 1. Create the directory

```bash
mkdir <project-name>
cd <project-name>
```

### 2. Create the project brief

Copy and fill in `templates/IDEA.md`:

```bash
cp /path/to/Seth-Workflow-April-2026/templates/IDEA.md ./IDEA.md
```

Edit `IDEA.md` with:
- What the project does (plain language)
- What problem it solves
- Known constraints or preferences

This is the starting point an AI agent reads before any code exists. Keep it honest and rough.

### 3. Create AI session memory

```bash
cp /path/to/Seth-Workflow-April-2026/templates/SESSION.md ./SESSION.md
```

Fill in the project summary and context file pointers. The session notes section grows over time as the AI accumulates decisions and discoveries.

### 4. Create project instructions

```bash
cp /path/to/Seth-Workflow-April-2026/templates/CLAUDE.md ./CLAUDE.md
```

Fill in project state, architecture, key files, and conventions. This is loaded at the start of every AI session.

### 5. Create infrastructure context (if applicable)

```bash
cp /path/to/Seth-Workflow-April-2026/templates/CONTEXT.md ./CONTEXT.md
```

Fill in deployment details, dependencies, and configuration. This is for static facts about where and how the project runs.

### 6. Install rules

```bash
mkdir -p .claude/rules
cp /path/to/Seth-Workflow-April-2026/rules/*.md .claude/rules/
```

These are auto-loaded by Claude Code at session start.

### 7. Init git and push

```bash
git init
echo ".env" >> .gitignore
echo ".env.*" >> .gitignore
echo "!.env.example" >> .gitignore
git add -A
git commit -m "init: scaffold project"
git remote add origin <your-git-url>
git push -u origin main
```

## Result

A new project directory should contain:

| File | Type | Purpose |
|------|------|---------|
| `IDEA.md` | file | Plain-language project brief |
| `SESSION.md` | file | AI session memory (grows over time) |
| `CLAUDE.md` | file | Project instructions for AI assistant |
| `CONTEXT.md` | file | Static infrastructure facts |
| `.claude/rules/*.md` | directory | Auto-loaded behavior rules |
| `.gitignore` | file | Excludes secrets and env files |

## Maintenance

- **CLAUDE.md**: Update when components, tools, or architecture change
- **SESSION.md**: Append after each session with decisions and discoveries
- **CONTEXT.md**: Update when infrastructure changes
- **IDEA.md**: Rarely changes after initial creation (it's a snapshot of the original intent)