Lab 1
Configure Your First Claude Code Project
Practice the configuration skills that underpin effective Claude Code use in a team setting. You will work through a single, realistic repository scenario from start to finish.
What you will practice
- 1.Project CLAUDE.md — Define project context, conventions, testing expectations, and safety constraints.
- 2.Path-scoped instruction — Configure a
.claude/rules/file for directory-specific guidance. - 3.SKILL.md — Choose the right mechanism for an on-demand, reusable team workflow.
- 4.Reusable workflow definition — Build a focused
review-releaseworkflow with clear steps.
Before you start
No Claude Code installation is required. If you are new to the configuration concepts, expand the primer below before starting.
New to Claude Code configuration? Review the concepts first
Project CLAUDE.md
A repository-level file Claude Code reads automatically. Use it for project context, structure, conventions, testing expectations, and safety rules that are always relevant.
Path-scoped instructions — .claude/rules/
Use path-scoped rules when guidance matters only for a specific part of the codebase, such as migrations, and would add noise elsewhere.
SKILL.md — on-demand workflows
A skill defines a named reusable workflow invoked when needed. Use it for repeatable processes such as release reviews, PR checklists, or migration audits.
Reusable workflow definition
Strong workflows specify what Claude should check, what evidence to look for, and what to report. Concrete steps produce more consistent results than vague instructions.