Claude didn't recognize overlap with its own CLAUDE.md convention

What happened:

1. User created a custom project instruction file over the course of a session
2. User asked how Claude would remember rules across sessions
3. Claude wrote a memory file pointing to the custom file
4. User had to explicitly ask if there was a better convention
5. Only then did Claude suggest CLAUDE.md

Problem: Claude was not aware enough of its own conventions, leading to wasted effort building a redundant system.