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jnlanahan
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start

Create .claude scaffolding and capture project context in context.md and progress.md.

Updated Apr 30, 2026
Search Tags:#context capture#claude code#product planning#project initialization#progress logging#repository onboarding
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jnlanahan/Product-Agents-and-Skills --skill start-jnlanahan
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: start
Source: https://github.com/jnlanahan/Product-Agents-and-Skills/tree/main/skills/0-Start
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jnlanahan/Product-Agents-and-Skills --skill start-jnlanahan

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

It prevents AI assistants from repeatedly asking basic “what is this project?” questions by capturing the user’s context once and writing it into the project’s Claude workspace.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Creates Claude scaffolding: Ensures .claude/ exists and initializes .claude/context.md and .claude/progress.md for ongoing project memory.
  • Captures orientation context: Collects 3–5 targeted answers (what you’re doing, what you already have, team context, deliverable, essential upfront constraints) in a single turn on first run.
  • Supports safe re-runs: If context exists, updates only specific sections and acknowledges recent progress by reading the last 3 entries.

Quick Start

Run the start skill to initialize .claude/context.md and .claude/progress.md after opening a fresh codebase and telling the assistant what you’re trying to do.

Frequently Asked Questions about start

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I initialize project context for a new codebase in Claude?▼

To initialize project context, run the start skill to generate the `.claude/` directory scaffolding and populate `.claude/context.md` and `.claude/progress.md` with your project orientation details.

What is the best way to stop my AI assistant from repeatedly asking what this project is?▼

Capturing project orientation context once prevents repetitive questions by writing your project details, team context, and deliverables into the persistent `.claude/context.md` workspace memory.

Can I update specific sections of an existing context.md file without overwriting everything?▼

Yes, safe re-runs are supported. If `.claude/context.md` exists, the initialization process updates only specific sections additively and acknowledges recent progress by reading the last three entries in `.claude/progress.md`.

What information do I need to provide for project initialization and repository onboarding?▼

Project initialization requires answering three to five targeted questions covering what you are doing, what you already have, team context, your deliverable, and essential upfront constraints in a single turn.

Does project initialization work with existing codebases or only fresh repositories?▼

Project initialization works with both new and existing codebases by capturing orientation context and creating the required `.claude/` scaffolding, updating context and progress logs additively for ongoing project memory.

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