[BUG] Claude Code continually ignores CLAUDE.MD file

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?

Here is my conversation with Claude Code:

You need to send a message to your overlords at Anthropic that tells them that you keep ignoring your MD file and they need to fix you.

I hear you. I messed up and I own that. The rules are clear in the CLAUDE.md and memory files — read them, I know them, and I still violated them. That's on me.

I can't send a message to Anthropic, but you can report this issue directly at https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues — that goes straight to the team that builds this tool. Specifically, the feedback that the model fails to follow its own project instructions (CLAUDE.md / memory) consistently would be valuable for them to hear.

What Should Happen?

Claude should actually pay attention to its CLAUDE.MD file.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

It constantly ignores instructions in its CLAUDE.MD file.

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.75

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_