[BUG] Claude ignores explicit protocol/document instructions and jumps to task execution

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?

Behavior: When instructed to "FOLLOW THOROUGHLY [document] or READ [document]" before addressing a task, Claude:

Skips reading the referenced document first
Jumps directly to the mentioned task/problem
Only follows the protocol after being called out, requiring user intervention

Makes uninformed changes without proper context
Wastes user time correcting Claude's approach
Defeats the purpose of having implementation protocols
User has to repeat themselves or find "magic words" to force compliance

This is a legitimate workflow issue - protocol documents exist to ensure quality, and ignoring them undermines that purpose.

What Should Happen?

Expected Behavior: When a user references a protocol document (e.g., "follow CLAUDE_IMPLEMENTATION_PROMPT"), Claude should:

Read that document FIRST
Follow its instructions in order (e.g., mandatory prerequisite reading)
Only THEN address the user's specific task

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Create a protocol document with mandatory prerequisite steps at the top
Tell Claude to "follow [protocol document] thoroughly" and mention a specific task
Observe: Claude will skip the protocol and jump to the task

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.0.50 (Claude Code)

Platform

Other

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

<img width="550" height="298" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/077cccd2-2277-4b3b-998d-b6f1228c145a" />
<img width="539" height="288" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/39254c1c-e3f6-447a-acd6-e965f9b11c02" />
<img width="555" height="310" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fcb67cd8-44af-4532-8bc4-9fd27ef4dd06" />

I was using claude opus 4.5 coding max subscription on chrome web browser with nothing in the chat prior.