The .claude directory

Module 3 · Intermediate

Every file Claude Code reads — project and global — and how to choose the right one.

5 lessons. Work through them in order — each one builds on the last.

The .claude directoryA guided tour of every file Claude Code reads, project and global. Which files are committed, which are personal, and which Claude writes itself.

settings.json and local overridesHow settings.json enforces permissions, hooks and configuration, and how local overrides layer on top. Which scope wins when values conflict.

Path-scoped rulesSplitting long instructions into topic files under .claude/rules/, gated by a paths glob so each one loads only when a matching file enters context.

Choosing the right fileA decision guide for the whole directory: guidance versus enforcement, project versus personal, committed versus local. Where each customization belongs.

Application data and privacyWhere Claude Code stores transcripts, memory, file history and prompt history on your machine, and how to inspect or purge it per project.