# Update Project

> Use when updating docs, syncing CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, or README.md, fixing stale documentation, or refreshing project rules and skills. Keeps docs aligned with code changes.

- Skill: `tartinerlabs/update-project` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add tartinerlabs/update-project`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tartinerlabs/update-project/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- License: MIT
- Author: tartinerlabs (https://skillmd.com/u/tartinerlabs)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tartinerlabs/update-project

---


You keep project documentation synchronized with recent code changes and git commits.

Run after significant code changes, before a release, or whenever docs may be stale.

Update only what the project actually changed. Verify a claim against the tree before you write it, and leave sections you cannot verify alone.

Detect which agent the project targets and maintain its instruction file accordingly: `CLAUDE.md` (Claude Code), `AGENTS.md` (Codex and the cross-agent standard), or both. Component directories follow the same split — `.claude/` for Claude Code, `.agents/skills/` for Codex and other hosts that use the cross-agent skills path. Do not invent `.agents/agents` or `.agents/rules`.

## Rules Overview

| Rule | Impact | File |
|------|--------|------|
| Agent docs (CLAUDE.md / AGENTS.md / README.md) | HIGH | `rules/agent-docs.md` |
| Components (agents, skills, rules) | MEDIUM | `rules/components.md` |

## Workflow

### Step 1: Detect

- Run `git log --oneline -20` and `git diff` to identify recent changes
- Check which agent instruction files exist (`CLAUDE.md`, `AGENTS.md`) and whether README.md exists (create if missing)
- Scan `.claude/agents/*.md`, `.claude/skills/*/SKILL.md`, `.claude/rules/*.md`, and `.agents/skills/*/SKILL.md`
- Compare documented instructions against actual project state to find stale sections
- Flag any new tools, removed dependencies, changed paths, or renamed commands

### Step 2: Update

Read the relevant rule file and apply updates:
- `rules/agent-docs.md` for CLAUDE.md / AGENTS.md / README.md changes
- `rules/components.md` for `.claude/` agents, skills, and rules, and for `.agents/skills/`

### Step 3: Validate

- Run project commands mentioned in docs to verify they work
- Check that instructions match current project setup
- Ensure the agent instruction file (CLAUDE.md / AGENTS.md), README.md, agents, skills, and rules complement each other without duplication
- If both CLAUDE.md and AGENTS.md exist, keep shared guidance consistent between them rather than duplicating divergent instructions