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CLAUDE.md Pre-loading Options Analysis
Analysis of options for pre-loading cross-referenced files into CLAUDE.md
Output
CLAUDE.md Pre-loading Options
Current File Sizes
| File | Size | ~Tokens |
|---|---|---|
| CLAUDE.md (current) | 24KB | ~6K |
| Cross-referenced files: | ||
| gvAgentDesign.md | 159KB | ~40K |
| gvShellDesign.md | 87KB | ~22K |
| gvBUILD.md | 66KB | ~16K |
| konui/CLAUDE.md | 41KB | ~10K |
| gvCodingStandards.md | 36KB | ~9K |
| gvConnectionDesign.md | 25KB | ~6K |
| VIBE.md | 20KB | ~5K |
| konsole/CLAUDE.md | 19KB | ~5K |
| API.md | 17KB | ~4K |
| KONTASK-GUIDE.md | 12KB | ~3K |
| Service CLAUDE.md files (5) | 35KB | ~9K |
| TOTAL if all pre-loaded | 541KB | ~135K |
Option 1: Status Quo (Recommended)
Approach: Keep current CLAUDE.md as-is. Read files on-demand.
Cost per turn: 6K tokens base + ~2-10K for files read
Pros: Minimal baseline cost, only pay for what you use, always fresh content
Cons: Extra tool calls, ~1-2s latency per file read
Option 2: Tiered Pre-loading
Approach: Pre-load only the most frequently needed docs.
Suggested tier:
Pre-load (~17K tokens): ├── gvCodingStandards.md # Every turn needs this ├── VIBE.md # Coding philosophy └── KONTASK-GUIDE.md # Every turn creates kontasks Read on-demand: ├── gvBUILD.md # Only for gvShell work ├── gvShellDesign.md # Only for gvShell work ├── gvAgentDesign.md # Only for agent internals └── Service CLAUDE.md # Only when working on that service
Cost: ~23K tokens per turn (vs 6K now)
Option 3: Condensed Summary File
Approach: Create CLAUDE-SUMMARY.md with key points from all docs.
Target: ~15KB (3-4K tokens) covering essentials from all files
Pros: Single source, manageable size, always loaded
Cons: Maintenance burden (must update when source changes), loses detail
Option 4: Context-Aware Loading
Approach: Multiple CLAUDE.md files, loaded based on work area.
CLAUDE.md # Base (always loaded) CLAUDE-GVSHELL.md # Pre-load when --scope=gvshell CLAUDE-KONNECT.md # Pre-load when --scope=product
Cons: Claude Code doesn't support conditional loading today
My Recommendation
Stick with Option 1 (status quo) for now, with one enhancement:
- Add
gvCodingStandards.mdinline into CLAUDE.md (most frequently needed) - Keep other cross-references as links
- Result: ~15K tokens base instead of 6K, but saves reads on 80% of turns
Cost Analysis
| Scenario | Tokens/Turn | Cost @ $15/MTok |
|---|---|---|
| Current (6K base + avg 5K reads) | 11K | $0.17 |
| Tiered pre-load (23K) | 23K | $0.35 |
| Full pre-load (135K) | 135K | $2.03 |
Note: These are input token costs. Actual turn costs also include output tokens and tool calls.
Quick Actions
Original Request
No layout configured
Details
Type
General
Status
Completed
Scope
vibetools
Tags
claude-codedocumentationperformance
Created
9 Jan 2026, 12:18 am
Updated
9 Jan 2026, 12:18 am
Timing
⏱️ 89.3s
0 tools
● TTFE 0%
● Thinking 100%
● Tools 0%
Created By
claude
Raw Data
{
"id": "d000f2ce-1848-4109-8d53-4c21e15b681f",
"type": "general",
"status": "completed",
"title": "CLAUDE.md Pre-loading Options Analysis",
"description": "Analysis of options for pre-loading cross-referenced files into CLAUDE.md",
"context": {
"output": "<div style=\"background:#1e1e1e;color:#e0e0e0;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;font-family:'Consolas','Monaco',monospace;\"><h2 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#fff;margin:0 0 16px 0;\">CLAUDE.md Pre-loading Options</h2><h3 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#61afef;margin:16px 0 12px 0;\">Current File Sizes</h3><table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:12px 0;font-size:14px;\"><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;background:#2d2d2d;\"><th style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:left;color:#e5c07b;\">File</th><th style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e5c07b;\">Size</th><th style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e5c07b;\">~Tokens</th></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;color:#98c379;\">CLAUDE.md (current)</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">24KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~6K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;background:#252525;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;color:#7f848e;\" colspan=\"3\">Cross-referenced files:</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">gvAgentDesign.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;\">159KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;\">~40K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">gvShellDesign.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;\">87KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;\">~22K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">gvBUILD.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;\">66KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;\">~16K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">konui/CLAUDE.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">41KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~10K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">gvCodingStandards.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">36KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~9K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">gvConnectionDesign.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">25KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~6K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">VIBE.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">20KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~5K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">konsole/CLAUDE.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">19KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~5K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">API.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">17KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~4K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">KONTASK-GUIDE.md</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">12KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~3K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">Service CLAUDE.md files (5)</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">35KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">~9K</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;background:#2d2d2d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;color:#e5c07b;font-weight:bold;\">TOTAL if all pre-loaded</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;font-weight:bold;\">541KB</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;font-weight:bold;\">~135K</td></tr></table><h3 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#61afef;margin:24px 0 12px 0;\">Option 1: Status Quo (Recommended)</h3><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin:12px 0;\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Approach:</strong> Keep current CLAUDE.md as-is. Read files on-demand.</p><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Cost per turn:</strong> 6K tokens base + ~2-10K for files read</p><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Pros:</strong> Minimal baseline cost, only pay for what you use, always fresh content</p><p style=\"margin:0;\"><strong style=\"color:#e06c75;\">Cons:</strong> Extra tool calls, ~1-2s latency per file read</p></div><h3 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#61afef;margin:24px 0 12px 0;\">Option 2: Tiered Pre-loading</h3><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin:12px 0;\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Approach:</strong> Pre-load only the most frequently needed docs.</p><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Suggested tier:</strong></p><pre style=\"background:#252525;padding:12px;border-radius:4px;margin:8px 0;overflow-x:auto;color:#e0e0e0;\">Pre-load (~17K tokens):\n├── <span style=\"color:#98c379;\">gvCodingStandards.md</span> <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Every turn needs this</span>\n├── <span style=\"color:#98c379;\">VIBE.md</span> <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Coding philosophy</span>\n└── <span style=\"color:#98c379;\">KONTASK-GUIDE.md</span> <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Every turn creates kontasks</span>\n\nRead on-demand:\n├── <span style=\"color:#e5c07b;\">gvBUILD.md</span> <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Only for gvShell work</span>\n├── <span style=\"color:#e5c07b;\">gvShellDesign.md</span> <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Only for gvShell work</span>\n├── <span style=\"color:#e5c07b;\">gvAgentDesign.md</span> <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Only for agent internals</span>\n└── <span style=\"color:#e5c07b;\">Service CLAUDE.md</span> <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Only when working on that service</span></pre><p style=\"margin:8px 0 0 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Cost:</strong> ~23K tokens per turn (vs 6K now)</p></div><h3 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#61afef;margin:24px 0 12px 0;\">Option 3: Condensed Summary File</h3><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin:12px 0;\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Approach:</strong> Create <code style=\"background:#252525;padding:2px 6px;border-radius:4px;\">CLAUDE-SUMMARY.md</code> with key points from all docs.</p><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Target:</strong> ~15KB (3-4K tokens) covering essentials from all files</p><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Pros:</strong> Single source, manageable size, always loaded</p><p style=\"margin:0;\"><strong style=\"color:#e06c75;\">Cons:</strong> Maintenance burden (must update when source changes), loses detail</p></div><h3 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#61afef;margin:24px 0 12px 0;\">Option 4: Context-Aware Loading</h3><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin:12px 0;\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Approach:</strong> Multiple CLAUDE.md files, loaded based on work area.</p><pre style=\"background:#252525;padding:12px;border-radius:4px;margin:8px 0;overflow-x:auto;color:#e0e0e0;\">CLAUDE.md <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Base (always loaded)</span>\nCLAUDE-GVSHELL.md <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Pre-load when --scope=gvshell</span>\nCLAUDE-KONNECT.md <span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># Pre-load when --scope=product</span></pre><p style=\"margin:8px 0 0 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#e06c75;\">Cons:</strong> Claude Code doesn't support conditional loading today</p></div><h3 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#61afef;margin:24px 0 12px 0;\">My Recommendation</h3><div style=\"background:#1a3a1a;border:1px solid #98c379;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin:12px 0;\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 12px 0;\"><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Stick with Option 1</strong> (status quo) for now, with one enhancement:</p><ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;\"><li style=\"margin-bottom:8px;\">Add <code style=\"background:#252525;padding:2px 6px;border-radius:4px;\">gvCodingStandards.md</code> inline into CLAUDE.md (most frequently needed)</li><li style=\"margin-bottom:8px;\">Keep other cross-references as links</li><li>Result: ~15K tokens base instead of 6K, but saves reads on 80% of turns</li></ul></div><h3 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#61afef;margin:24px 0 12px 0;\">Cost Analysis</h3><table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:12px 0;font-size:14px;\"><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;background:#2d2d2d;\"><th style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:left;color:#e5c07b;\">Scenario</th><th style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e5c07b;\">Tokens/Turn</th><th style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e5c07b;\">Cost @ $15/MTok</th></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">Current (6K base + avg 5K reads)</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">11K</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">$0.17</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">Tiered pre-load (23K)</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">23K</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;\">$0.35</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #3d3d3d;\"><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;\">Full pre-load (135K)</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;\">135K</td><td style=\"padding:8px 12px;text-align:right;color:#e06c75;\">$2.03</td></tr></table><p style=\"color:#7f848e;margin-top:16px;font-style:italic;\">Note: These are input token costs. Actual turn costs also include output tokens and tool calls.</p></div>",
"requestedAt": "2026-01-09T00:00:00.000Z",
"requestId": "bc83e2c3-fee6-4b1d-b324-595178df11d0",
"choices": [
{
"label": "Keep status quo",
"value": "Let's keep the current on-demand loading approach. No changes needed.",
"primary": true
},
{
"label": "Inline gvCodingStandards",
"value": "Inline gvCodingStandards.md into CLAUDE.md since it's needed on almost every turn",
"primary": false
},
{
"label": "Create summary file",
"value": "Create a CLAUDE-SUMMARY.md with condensed key points from all cross-referenced docs",
"primary": false
},
{
"label": "Full tiered approach",
"value": "Implement the full tiered pre-loading approach with VIBE.md, gvCodingStandards.md, and KONTASK-GUIDE.md inlined",
"primary": false
}
],
"turnTiming": {
"totalMs": 89341,
"ttfeMs": 48,
"thinkingMs": 89293,
"toolExecutionMs": 0,
"toolCallCount": 0,
"thinkingPct": 100,
"toolsPct": 0,
"ttfePct": 0
}
},
"createdBy": "claude",
"createdAt": "2026-01-08T14:18:37.964Z",
"updatedAt": "2026-01-08T14:18:51.116Z",
"requestId": "bc83e2c3-fee6-4b1d-b324-595178df11d0",
"scope": "vibetools",
"tags": [
"claude-code",
"documentation",
"performance"
],
"targetUser": "claude"
}