Improve Claude Configuration
Purpose
This skill enables Claude Code to evolve and improve its own configuration based on observed patterns, user feedback, and development needs. It implements the self-improvement paradigm for AI-assisted development.
When to Use
Invoke this skill when:
- You've explained the same concept to Claude multiple times
- Claude repeatedly makes the same type of mistake
- A new workflow pattern has emerged that should be automated
- Hooks could prevent recurring issues
- New skills would benefit the project
Self-Improvement Workflow
1. Analyze Current State
Read and understand the current configuration:
# View CLAUDE.md
cat CLAUDE.md
# List all skills
ls -la .claude/skills/
# List all agents
ls -la .claude/agents/
# View current hooks
cat .claude/settings.json | jq '.hooks'
2. Identify Improvement Opportunity
Based on user input or observed patterns, determine what type of improvement is needed:
| Pattern | Action |
|---|---|
| Repeated explanation | Add to CLAUDE.md or create a skill |
| Recurring mistake | Add rule to CLAUDE.md |
| Manual repetitive task | Create a hook |
| Complex workflow | Create a skill |
| Specialized task delegation | Create an agent |
3. Implement Improvement
Adding Rules to CLAUDE.md
For project conventions or gotchas Claude keeps forgetting:
## Recent Learnings (append to CLAUDE.md)
- [Date]: Description of rule and why it matters
Keep CLAUDE.md under 150 lines. Move detailed content to skills.
Creating a New Skill
- Create directory:
.claude/skills/<skill-name>/ - Create
SKILL.mdwith:
---
name: skill-name
description: Clear description of when to use this skill
---
# Skill Title
## Purpose
What this skill does and why
## Instructions
Step-by-step workflow
## Examples
Concrete usage examples
Creating a New Hook
Add to .claude/settings.json:
{
"hooks": {
"PostToolUse": [
{
"matcher": "ToolName",
"hooks": [
{
"type": "command",
"command": "script.sh"
}
]
}
]
}
}
Creating a New Agent
Create .claude/agents/<agent-name>.md:
---
name: agent-name
description: What this agent specializes in
tools: Read, Grep, Glob
model: sonnet
---
# Agent Role Description
Instructions for the agent...
4. Validate Changes
After making changes:
- Verify JSON syntax:
cat .claude/settings.json | jq . - Test hooks if added
- Verify skill loads correctly
5. Document the Change
Add a comment in the relevant file explaining:
- What was changed
- Why it was changed
- What problem it solves
Examples
Example 1: Adding a Common Gotcha
Trigger: User says "Claude keeps forgetting to use uv run prefix"
Action: Add to CLAUDE.md:
## Common Gotchas
- Always use `uv run` to execute Python commands in the virtual environment
Example 2: Creating a Skill for PR Descriptions
Trigger: User repeatedly explains how to write PR descriptions
Action: Create .claude/skills/write-pr-description/SKILL.md with the standard format
Example 3: Adding a Safety Hook
Trigger: Claude accidentally ran a command that should be blocked
Action: Add to .claude/hooks/block-dangerous.sh and update settings.json
Best Practices
- Be minimal: Only add what's necessary
- Be specific: Vague rules are ignored
- Test changes: Validate hooks and skills work
- Version control: Commit configuration changes with clear messages
- Review periodically: Remove outdated rules
- Document why: Future Claude sessions need context
Self-Evolution Metrics
Track improvement effectiveness:
- Fewer repeated explanations needed
- Fewer manual corrections required
- More autonomous task completion
- Reduced context switching
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