Auto-load project-specific rules from .clinerules or similar config file

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing requests and this feature hasn't been requested yet
• [x] This is a single feature request (not multiple features)

Problem Statement

Currently, Claude Code doesn't automatically read project-specific rules or guidelines at session start. Users must manually remind Claude to read configuration files like .clinerules in every new conversation, which is tedious and easy to forget.

Proposed Solution

Add support for auto-loading project-specific configuration files, similar to ChatGPT's "Custom Instructions" feature.

Suggested file names (in priority order):

• .clinerules (already in use by community)
• .clauderc
• .claude/rules.md
• CLAUDE.md

Benefits

• Consistent AI behavior across sessions
• No need to manually remind Claude of project rules
• Better integration with team workflows
• Reduced cognitive load for developers

Alternative Solutions

Manually tell Claude to "read .clinerules" at the start of each session.

Priority

Medium - Would be very helpful

Feature Category

Configuration and settings

Use Case Example

### Use Cases

1. Test-Driven Development: Enforce rules like "always run tests after fixes"
2. Code Style Standards: Project-specific formatting and naming conventions
3. Workflow Requirements: Custom debugging procedures or commit standards
4. Team Collaboration: Shared AI guidelines for consistency across team members

### Example .clinerules file
```markdown
# AI Development Rules

• Always run tests after bug fixes
• Follow TDD approach for new features
• Never use deprecated APIs
• Add debug logging for critical paths

Additional Context

This would be especially valuable for long-running projects where maintaining consistent development practices is crucial.