𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗡𝗔: 𝟯 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗡𝗔: 𝟯 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀

User preference files tell Claude how you work. They stop generic code. They make Claude a real collaborator.

You make three decisions for every feature.

Architecture

• Use feature-based folders.
• Group files by what they do.
• Avoid layer-based folders.
• Deleting a feature is one folder delete.
• Import files directly.
• Avoid barrel exports.

State Management

• Pick the right tool.
• Use useState for local UI state.
• Use Zustand for shared client state.
• Use TanStack Query for server data.
• Never put server data in Zustand.

Testing

• Unit tests for pure logic.
• Integration tests with real databases.
• E2E tests for critical paths.
• Keep E2E tests small.

Result

• Claude follows these rules.
• You do not repeat yourself.
• Claude builds code your way.

Source: https://dev.to/panditabhis/your-coding-dna-the-three-files-that-shape-every-line-claude-writes-378g