Session start: Load /.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md , verify against git status Session end: Update context file with completed TODOs, clear previous session's Done list Context file location: /.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md Triggers: "load context", "save context", "done for today", "switch to [project]" Context management is successful when: Project detected from pwd (Claude Code) or user input (Claude Desktop) Context file matches current project (header verified against folder name) Git state verified against context (branch, recent commits) Done list cleared each new session (prevents accumulation) Context saved before session ends MANDATORY: Project Detection (Run First) Before ANY other action, identify which project the user is in: Claude Code (Terminal) pwd

Get current working directory

Run

pwd

to get current directory

Extract project name from path (last folder name)

Load

/.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md

VERIFY

Does the

header match the folder name?

YES

→ Display context and proceed

NO

→ WARN: "Context mismatch! File says [X] but you're in [Y]. Regenerating..."

FILE MISSING

→ Auto-generate (see below)

Claude Desktop (No Terminal)

If

pwd

is unavailable (Claude Desktop environment):

Check if user already specified a project in their message

If not, ASK: "Which project are you working on today?"

Use the projects list at

reference/projects-list.md

if available

Load:

/Users/tmkipper/Desktop/tk_projects/{project-name}/.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md

To switch projects

User says "switch to [project-name]" or "working on [project]" On Session Start After project detection: 1. Load Context File /.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md 2. Verify Against Git State git status

Current branch, modified files

git log --oneline -5

Recent commits

Flag discrepancies: TODO marked done in commits? → Move to "Done" Branch changed? → Update context header Stale info? → Remove it 3. Display to User Show a brief summary: 📍 Project: [name] 🌿 Branch: [branch] 📅 Last updated: [date] Focus items: [count] On Session End Triggers: "done", "end session", "save context", "done for today" Review conversation for completed work Update PROJECT_CONTEXT.md: Move completed TODOs to "Done (This Session)" Update Status based on commits made Preserve untouched Focus items Clear previous session's Done list (prevents accumulation) Update timestamp Show user the updated context Auto-Generate Context When no PROJECT_CONTEXT.md exists, create from: .claude/CLAUDE.md or CLAUDE.md (project docs) git log --oneline -5 (recent activity) git status (current state) package.json / pyproject.toml / requirements.txt (tech stack) Write to: /.claude/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md Context File Format See reference/template.md for full template.

** Branch ** : < branch

| ** Updated ** : < YYYY-MM-DD

Status <2-3 sentences: current state>

Today's Focus 1. [ ] < task

2. [ ] < task

Done (This Session)

< populated on session end, cleared on next session start

Blockers < none or list

Tech Stack < single line: Python 3.11 | FastAPI | PostgreSQL

Key Rules ALWAYS detect project first - Never assume from previous session One project = one context file - No cross-contamination Verify context matches pwd - Warn on mismatch Clear Done list each session - Prevents infinite accumulation Never store data in this SKILL.md - Always use project's own file Reference Files reference/template.md - Full context file template with examples reference/projects-list.md - Tim's projects list for Claude Desktop