[BUG] Claude doesn't follow instructions in ./claude/instructions/*.md

Environment

• Platform (select one):
• [X ] Anthropic API
• [ ] AWS Bedrock
• [ ] Google Vertex AI
• [ ] Other:
• Claude CLI version: Claude Code v1.0.77
• Operating System: Windows10
• Terminal: powershell

Bug Description

Created instructions telling claude to communicate impersonally with minimal verbage.
Start claude. Claude communicates as if the instructions does not exist.

communication.md
conversation.md

Steps to Reproduce

1. Add instructions mds telling it not to talk a certain way when performing tasks.
2. Restart claude.
3. Give claude a task to perform.

Expected Behavior

"CHECKING: ...", no step by step explanations

Actual Behavior

"Now I need to ...", "Great!", "Let me..."