[BUG] USER.md not automatically included in system context

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

According to Claude a USER.md file in the .claude directory should automatically be included in the system context just like CLAUDE.md file.

What Should Happen?

I have to manually instruct Claude to include USER.md file in its system context. Claude suggests that this is a bug in it's programming and asked me to report it here.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create a .claude\USER.md file with specific instructions.
2. Start Claude.
3. Ask Claude to perform any action that would trigger specific instructions in USER.md

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.0.46 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

_No response_