Init Deep — Hierarchical Context Generator

Automatically generates layered context files throughout a project's directory tree, giving AI agents directory-specific knowledge without loading the entire codebase into context.

When to Use This Skill

• Setting up a new project for AI-assisted development
• Onboarding AI agents to an existing codebase
• After major restructuring when context files are outdated
• When AI agents lack understanding of project-specific conventions

What This Skill Does

Concept

Create an CLAUDE.md file at each significant directory level:

project/
├── CLAUDE.md              # Project-wide: overview, conventions, anti-patterns
├── src/
│   ├── CLAUDE.md          # src-specific: architecture, module boundaries
│   ├── api/
│   │   └── CLAUDE.md      # API-specific: routes, middleware, auth patterns
│   └── components/
│       └── CLAUDE.md      # Component-specific: naming, props, styling
├── tests/
│   └── CLAUDE.md          # Test-specific: frameworks, fixtures, patterns
└── infra/
    └── CLAUDE.md          # Infra-specific: deployment, configs, secrets

When an AI reads src/api/routes/auth.ts, it automatically picks up context from:

1. project/CLAUDE.md (project-wide)
2. project/src/CLAUDE.md (source conventions)
3. project/src/api/CLAUDE.md (API patterns)

Generation Process

1. Scan the project structure (respect .gitignore)
2. Analyze each directory:
   • What files are here? What do they do?
   • What patterns/conventions are used?
   • What are the key dependencies?
   • What should an AI know before editing files here?
3. Generate CLAUDE.md with:
   • OVERVIEW: What this directory contains
   • STRUCTURE: Key files and their purposes
   • WHERE TO LOOK: Task-to-file mapping table
   • CONVENTIONS: Naming, patterns, style rules
   • ANTI-PATTERNS: What NOT to do here
   • COMMANDS: Relevant build/test/run commands

Content Guidelines

Each CLAUDE.md should be:

• Concise — Under 100 lines. AI context window is precious.
• Actionable — "WHERE TO LOOK" tables, not prose descriptions
• Specific — Conventions for THIS directory, not general advice
• Current — Regenerate after major restructuring

Root CLAUDE.md Template

# PROJECT KNOWLEDGE BASE

## OVERVIEW
[1-2 sentences: what this project is]

## STRUCTURE
[Directory tree with annotations]

## WHERE TO LOOK
| Task | Location | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| Add a feature | src/features/ | One dir per feature |
| Fix a bug | src/core/ | Core logic here |
| Add a test | tests/ | Mirror src/ structure |

## CONVENTIONS
- [Naming rules]
- [Pattern rules]
- [Import rules]

## ANTI-PATTERNS
- Do NOT [common mistake 1]
- Do NOT [common mistake 2]

## COMMANDS
[Build, test, lint, deploy commands]

Options

• --max-depth=N — Limit directory depth (default: 3)
• --create-new — Only create new files, don't overwrite existing

Example

User: "Set up CLAUDE.md files for this project"

Output: Scans project, generates 6 CLAUDE.md files across the directory tree. Root file has project overview, src/ file has architecture notes, each major subdirectory gets specific conventions and anti-patterns.

Inspired by: oh-my-opencode /init-deep command