crafting-instructions

# Crafting Instructions for Claude Choose the format for instructions on Claude.ai — Project instructions, Skills, or standalone prompts — and structure them for the format chosen. **Overlap notice.** The Core Optimization Principles below also appear in `writing-instructions`, which carries them in more depth. This skill owns the **format decision**; `writing-instructions` owns **how to write well inside a format**. The two descriptions are close enough that a request can land on either — route by which of those two questions is being asked. ## Decision Framework: Which Format to Use? Ask these questions to determine the right format: ### Use PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS when: - Context needs to persist for ALL conversations in a workspace - Multiple team members collaborate with shared knowledge - Background knowledge required for specific initiative - Custom behavior scoped to one project only **Signals:** "for this project", "all conversations about X", "team workspace", "project-specific" ### Use SKILL when: - Capability needed across MULTIPLE contexts/projects - Procedural knowledge that applies broadly - Instructions should activate automatically when relevant - Want portable expertise that loads on-demand **Signals:** "every time I", "whenever", "reusable", "across projects", "teach Claude how to" ### Use STANDALONE PROMPT when: - One-off request with immediate context - Ad-hoc instructions for single use - Conversational refinement - No need for persistence **Signa...