Why Systems Beat Sessions
If you have been using Claude Code for a while, you have probably noticed a pattern: every new session starts from zero. You explain your project, your preferences, your conventions -- again and again. That is the session trap, and it is costing you hours every week.
The alternative is to build a system. A persistent configuration that tells Claude Code who you are, how you work, and what matters in your codebase. Once you set this up, every session starts with full context instead of a blank slate.
The Foundation: CLAUDE.md
The single most impactful file in your project is CLAUDE.md. This is the file Claude Code reads at the start of every session. Think of it as your project's operating manual for the AI.
# My Project
## Stack
- Next.js 15, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
- Prisma ORM with PostgreSQL
## Conventions
- Use server components by default
- Keep components under 150 lines
- All API routes return { data, error } shape
This is not documentation for humans. It is instructions for Claude Code. Keep it concise, structured, and actionable. Every line should change how Claude behaves in your project.
Beyond the Basics: Memory and Context
A good CLAUDE.md gets you 80% of the way there. The remaining 20% comes from layered context: project-specific rules, domain memory that persists across sessions, and patterns that compound over time.
The key insight is that Claude Code is not just a tool you use -- it is a system you build. The more structure you give it, the more capable it becomes. Start with CLAUDE.md, then iterate. Every session teaches you what context was missing.
Your First Step
Create a CLAUDE.md in your project root today. Start with three sections: what the project is, what stack it uses, and what conventions matter. Run a session and see what changes. Then refine. That is the PrimeLine way: small systems, compounding returns.