[BUG] Claude ignores .claude/ instructions, and even ~/.claude/ defaults to standard conventions

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?

CLAUDE has started ignoring instructions! Also every 2-3 prompts I have ask it to read all f*** .claude/ files and still ignores them.

Key points to include:

1. Instructions in ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md and .claude/*.md are not consistently followed
2. Claude defaults to "standard" language conventions instead of codebase-specific rules
3. Even after correction, Claude repeats the same mistakes
4. "READ DOCS FIRST" instruction at session start is not being executed

This is a legitimate issue - if users write clear instructions in .claude/ files, Claude should follow them consistently, not ignore them and use defaults.

What Should Happen?

It should really get smarter as the project grows as I keep asking it to update all .claude/ files .
I use multiple .md files and not .CLAUDE in the root of the project. don't want to pollute it.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Not sure. Just chat with claude.

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

0.75 ???!

Claude Code Version

2.1.2

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

iTerm2

Additional Information

it's so annoying and wastes time a lot. as I have to keep repeating to follow instructions!
I am on the Max plan.