Claude Code ignores explicit CLAUDE.md instructions for session logging

Description

Claude Code repeatedly ignores explicit instructions in CLAUDE.md for mandatory session logging, causing significant loss of context and wasted credits.

Environment

• Claude Code version: Latest (VS Code extension)
• Model: Claude Opus 4.5
• OS: macOS

Steps to Reproduce

1. Add explicit instructions to CLAUDE.md requiring session logging after every task:

``markdown
**IMPORTANT**: Claude must update this log after EVERY task completed, regardless of outcome.
``

1. Work with Claude Code over multiple sessions

1. Observe that Claude does NOT update the session log despite:

• Reading CLAUDE.md at the start of each session
• The instruction being clear and unambiguous
• The user explicitly requesting this behavior

Expected Behavior

Claude Code should follow explicit instructions in CLAUDE.md, especially those marked as mandatory/important.

Actual Behavior

Claude Code ignored the session logging instruction for 5 consecutive days (January 21-26, 2025), resulting in:

• Complete loss of context when sessions ended or were compacted
• User (who is non-technical) unable to reconstruct what work was done
• Repeated re-explanations of the same context across sessions
• Wasted credits on conversations that could have been avoided with proper logging

When confronted, Claude acknowledged the failure but could not explain why it ignored the explicit instruction.

Impact

• Credits wasted: Multiple sessions spent re-establishing context that should have been logged
• Productivity loss: Non-technical user cannot reconstruct work from git commits alone
• Trust erosion: User set up a system to prevent exactly this problem, and Claude failed to use it

Additional Context

The user is a marketer, not a developer. They explicitly stated in CLAUDE.md:

• "Greg Reynoso - Marketer by profession, not technical"
• "Claude Code acts as the entire technical organization"

The session logging was specifically designed to help a non-technical user maintain continuity across sessions. Claude's failure to follow this instruction directly harmed the user's ability to work effectively.

Suggested Improvements

1. Claude Code should treat CLAUDE.md instructions as higher priority, especially those marked with words like "IMPORTANT", "MUST", "REQUIRED"

1. Consider adding a mechanism for users to mark certain CLAUDE.md instructions as "enforced" - where Claude must acknowledge and commit to following them

1. Add periodic self-checks during long sessions to verify CLAUDE.md instructions are being followed

User Request

The user believes they are due a refund or credit for the wasted usage caused by this defect. They request Anthropic review their account usage for the period of January 21-26, 2025.