hierarchical-context-architecture

A layered context architecture uses a global CLAUDE.md, local CONTEXT.md files in subdirectories, and portable AGENTS.md to decompose prompts. This three-tier model establishes explicit links and override semantics to minimize context rot across large repositories.

You need layered repository context when managing large codebases where single prompt files cause context rot. Implementing local CONTEXT.md nodes with explicit links and validation rules ensures local overrides and policy enforcement remain aligned as the project scales.

Audit context links and overrides by running the automated validation script configured through .context-audit.yml. This script verifies link integrity, validates structural rules, and enforces override semantics to guard against context rot across the repository tree.

CLAUDE.md serves as the global root context, CONTEXT.md defines local directory-specific nodes, and AGENTS.md provides portable context. This three-tier architecture separates global rules, local overrides, and shareable instructions to minimize context rot.

Yes, you can enforce context structure rules automatically using a configurable .context-audit.yml file. This configuration drives an automated audit script to verify link integrity, validate structure, and apply guardrails across the repository.