update-claude-documentation

name	update-claude-documentation
description	Update project documentation files (README.md, PROJECT_BRIEF.md, TECH_STACK.md, ARCHITECTURE.md, docs/API.md, docs/DATABASE.md, CLAUDE.md) when significant changes occur. Use for feature additions, architecture changes, dependency updates, API/database modifications. Ensures consistency across all docs.

Update Claude Documentation

Update project documentation systematically after significant changes. Keep all files consistent and accurate.

Core Principle: Documentation tells one cohesive story. Each file serves a specific audience but must reflect the same reality.

Style Rule: Be precise and concise. Do not add verbose or unnecessary text to any documentation file.

Modularize Instructions (Token Economy): Avoid packing everything into a single CLAUDE.md. Prefer multiple focused docs (e.g., docs/setup.md, docs/api.md, docs/workflows.md) and reference them only when needed to reduce context bloat.

Docs Organization Rule (Required): All documentation markdown now lives under docs/ plus a semantic subdirectory (overview, architecture, pharmacy, localization, etc.). Do not add new files directly to the repo root—move existing root markdown into the appropriate docs/<module> folder before editing, then update docs/agents/AGENTS.md and always update docs/plans/AGENTS.md when plans are added or their status changes. The canonical landing doc is now docs/overview/README.md, and the root README.md should only point people into docs/.

When to Use

✅ Adding/removing features ✅ Architecture or design pattern changes ✅ Dependency or tech stack updates ✅ API endpoints or database schema changes ✅ Project directory restructuring ✅ Development workflow changes

❌ Typo fixes (do directly) ❌ Code comments ❌ WIP features not yet merged

Documentation Files

File	Audience	Purpose
PROJECT_BRIEF.md	Stakeholders, new devs	30-sec overview
README.md	Developers	Setup, usage guide
TECH_STACK.md	Developers, DevOps	Tech inventory
ARCHITECTURE.md	Senior devs, architects	System design
docs/API.md	API consumers	API reference
docs/DATABASE.md	Backend devs, DBAs	Schema docs
CLAUDE.md	Claude Code	Dev patterns
docs/setup.md	Developers	Setup details
docs/api.md	API consumers	API usage guide
docs/workflows.md	Developers	Workflow rules

Change → File Mapping

New Feature:

• README.md (usage)
• docs/API.md (if adds endpoints)
• docs/DATABASE.md (if adds tables)
• ARCHITECTURE.md (if adds components)
• CLAUDE.md (if changes patterns)
• PROJECT_BRIEF.md (if significant)

Tech Stack Change:

• TECH_STACK.md (always)
• README.md (setup instructions)
• ARCHITECTURE.md (if affects design)
• CLAUDE.md (if affects workflows)

Architecture Change:

• ARCHITECTURE.md (always)
• README.md (overview section)
• CLAUDE.md (patterns)
• PROJECT_BRIEF.md (if major)

API/Database Change:

• docs/API.md or docs/DATABASE.md (always)
• ARCHITECTURE.md (if changes contracts)
• CLAUDE.md (if affects patterns)
• README.md (if affects usage)

Update Workflow

1. Understand Change (2-5 min)

Document:

• Type: Feature/Architecture/Tech Stack/API/Database
• What: One sentence description
• Impact: Who/what affected
• Breaking: Yes/No (what breaks)

2. Map to Files (1-2 min)

Order: Specific → General

1. Technical Specs (API.md, DATABASE.md)
2. Architecture (ARCHITECTURE.md, TECH_STACK.md)
3. AI Instructions (CLAUDE.md)
4. User Guides (README.md)
5. Overview (PROJECT_BRIEF.md)

3. Read Current State (2-3 min)

Read all affected files in parallel.

4. Update Systematically (10-20 min)

Per-file checklist:

• Update primary section
• Update related sections
• Update examples/code snippets
• Add migration notes if breaking

5. Verify Consistency (2-3 min)

Check across all files:

• Terminology consistent
• Version numbers match
• File paths consistent
• Component names consistent
• Features described consistently

6. Final Review (1 min)

• New dev can understand from README
• CLAUDE.md has context
• Breaking changes marked
• Examples work
• No contradictions

Total: 15-30 minutes

Common Mistakes

❌ Updating only one file

# Updated README but forgot CLAUDE.md

# Result: AI doesn't know new pattern

❌ Inconsistent terminology

# README.md: "Authentication Service"

# ARCHITECTURE.md: "Auth Module"

# CLAUDE.md: "Login System"

# Pick ONE term everywhere

❌ Forgetting breaking changes

# Renamed API endpoint but README examples still use old path

# Add migration notes EVERYWHERE affected

❌ General → Specific order

# BAD: Update BRIEF first, then API.md

# GOOD: Update API.md first (precise), then BRIEF (summary)

Quick Reference

Update Order:

API/DB Specs → Architecture → CLAUDE → README → BRIEF

Consistency Checks:

Terminology, Versions, Paths, Names, Features

Time Budget:

Small change: 5-10 min
Medium change: 15-30 min
Major refactor: 45-60 min

Summary

Process: Understand → Map → Read → Update → Verify → Review

Key Rules:

1. Update specific docs first, general last
2. Read all affected files before editing
3. Keep terminology consistent
4. Mark breaking changes everywhere
5. Test examples before committing
6. One reality, multiple perspectives

Remember: Documentation debt compounds fast. Update immediately when making changes.