From 1dd2e5ab2f15de1f18f6ad67829c4bcdf35f079a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Anders Lehmann Pier Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2025 09:58:59 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Add comprehensive best practices guide for Claude Projects development workflow --- workflow/best-practices.md | 339 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 339 insertions(+) create mode 100644 workflow/best-practices.md diff --git a/workflow/best-practices.md b/workflow/best-practices.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dc96b29 --- /dev/null +++ b/workflow/best-practices.md @@ -0,0 +1,339 @@ +# Best Practices for Claude Projects Development + +## Core Principles + +### The Golden Rules +1. **Never skip session wrap-ups** - 5 minutes of consolidation saves hours of context rebuilding +2. **Consolidate before you forget** - Document decisions while they're fresh in memory +3. **Trust the system** - Consistency in workflow compounds benefits over time +4. **Stage transitions are checkpoints** - Don't rush between development phases + +### Documentation Discipline +- **Immediate Documentation**: Update docs as decisions are made, not later +- **Decision Rationale**: Always record why choices were made, not just what +- **Pattern Recognition**: Document successful approaches for reuse +- **Context Preservation**: Maintain enough detail for seamless session continuation + +## Workflow Best Practices + +### Daily Session Management + +#### Session Startup (2 minutes) +```markdown +**Efficient Session Start:** +1. Review last session's wrap-up notes +2. Check current sprint priorities +3. Identify any blockers or dependencies +4. Set clear session objective +5. Use session-start prompt for context refresh +``` + +#### During Development (Continuous) +```markdown +**Productive Development Habits:** +- Test changes immediately on multiple devices +- Document architectural decisions as they're made +- Commit working code frequently with clear messages +- Monitor performance impact of new features +- Update knowledge base with discovered patterns +``` + +#### Session Closure (5 minutes - CRITICAL) +```markdown +**Never-Skip Session End:** +1. Use session-end prompt template (always) +2. Document key decisions and rationale +3. Set clear next session priority +4. Assess project health honestly +5. Update knowledge base with new patterns +6. Commit all changes with descriptive messages +``` + +### Knowledge Base Hygiene + +#### Content Organization +```markdown +**Effective Knowledge Structure:** +- game-design/ - Mechanics, progression, user experience +- technical/ - Performance, architecture, cross-platform notes +- development/ - Roadmap, decisions, session logs +- Limit total size to <10MB for optimal Claude Project performance +``` + +#### Content Quality Standards +```markdown +**High-Quality Documentation:** +- Decision Format: Date, Context, Choice, Rationale, Trade-offs, Status +- Pattern Format: Problem, Solution, Code Example, When to Use, Variations +- Process Format: Objective, Steps, Success Criteria, Common Issues +- Always include working code examples, not just descriptions +``` + +#### Maintenance Routine +```markdown +**Weekly Knowledge Base Care:** +- Archive outdated information +- Update status of pending decisions +- Add new patterns discovered during development +- Reorganize content for better accessibility +- Ensure cross-references remain accurate +``` + +## Code Quality Practices + +### Architecture Consistency +```javascript +// Example: Consistent naming and structure +class GameEntity { + constructor(config = {}) { + // Always provide defaults and validate inputs + this.id = config.id || generateUniqueId(); + this.position = { x: config.x || 0, y: config.y || 0 }; + this.state = config.state || 'inactive'; + } + + update(deltaTime) { + // Consistent update pattern across all entities + } + + draw(context) { + // Consistent rendering approach + } + + destroy() { + // Always implement cleanup + } +} +``` + +### Performance-First Development +```javascript +// Example: Performance-conscious patterns +class PerformanceOptimizedRenderer { + constructor() { + this.dirtyRegions = []; + this.frameRequest = null; + } + + markDirty(region) { + // Only redraw what changed + this.dirtyRegions.push(region); + if (!this.frameRequest) { + this.frameRequest = requestAnimationFrame(() => this.render()); + } + } + + render() { + // Batch operations for efficiency + this.dirtyRegions.forEach(region => this.redrawRegion(region)); + this.dirtyRegions.length = 0; + this.frameRequest = null; + } +} +``` + +### Error Handling Standards +```javascript +// Example: Robust error handling +async function robustGameOperation(operation) { + try { + const result = await operation(); + return { success: true, data: result }; + } catch (error) { + // Log error with context + console.error('Game operation failed:', { + operation: operation.name, + error: error.message, + stack: error.stack, + timestamp: new Date().toISOString() + }); + + // Graceful degradation + return { success: false, error: error.message }; + } +} +``` + +## Testing and Quality Assurance + +### Multi-Platform Testing +```markdown +**Essential Testing Routine:** +- Desktop: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (all major platforms) +- Mobile: iOS Safari 14+, Android Chrome 90+ +- Performance: 60fps desktop, 30fps+ mobile +- Compatibility: Test after every significant change +- User Experience: Regular testing with unfamiliar users +``` + +### Performance Monitoring +```javascript +// Example: Built-in performance monitoring +class PerformanceMonitor { + constructor() { + this.metrics = { + frameTime: [], + memoryUsage: [], + inputLatency: [] + }; + } + + trackFrame(frameTime) { + this.metrics.frameTime.push(frameTime); + if (this.metrics.frameTime.length > 60) { + this.metrics.frameTime.shift(); + } + + // Alert on performance issues + const avgFrameTime = this.getAverageFrameTime(); + if (avgFrameTime > 16.67) { // Below 60fps + this.reportPerformanceIssue('frame_rate', avgFrameTime); + } + } +} +``` + +## Project Management Best Practices + +### Stage Transition Management +```markdown +**Successful Stage Transitions:** +1. Complete current stage success criteria fully +2. Run comprehensive stage transition assessment +3. Document lessons learned and carry-forward items +4. Update project configuration for new stage +5. Migrate knowledge base appropriately +6. Test context continuity in new stage setup +``` + +### Risk Management +```markdown +**Proactive Risk Mitigation:** +- Technical Risk: Regular architecture reviews, performance monitoring +- Process Risk: Consistent workflow discipline, documentation hygiene +- Context Risk: Never skip consolidation, maintain decision history +- Quality Risk: Continuous testing, user feedback integration +- Scope Risk: Regular priority assessment, feature scope management +``` + +### Stakeholder Communication +```markdown +**Effective Progress Communication:** +- Weekly Status: Use weekly review template output +- Milestone Reports: Include metrics, demos, next steps +- Issue Escalation: Provide context, impact assessment, proposed solutions +- Success Celebration: Share achievements and lessons learned +``` + +## Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them + +### Context Loss Prevention +```markdown +**Danger Signs:** +- Repeating previous explanations to Claude +- Contradicting earlier architectural decisions +- Unclear about current project priorities +- Difficulty continuing from previous session + +**Prevention:** +- Never skip session end consolidation +- Maintain decision history with rationale +- Regular knowledge base updates +- Use stage transition templates properly +``` + +### Technical Debt Management +```markdown +**Early Warning Signs:** +- Development velocity decreasing +- Bug frequency increasing +- Code changes requiring extensive refactoring +- Team avoiding certain code areas + +**Management Strategy:** +- Allocate 20% time to debt reduction +- Regular code quality assessments +- Refactoring as part of feature work +- Documentation of architectural patterns +``` + +### Performance Degradation Prevention +```markdown +**Monitoring Strategy:** +- Continuous performance tracking +- Automated alerts for regressions +- Regular cross-platform testing +- User experience feedback loops + +**Response Protocol:** +- Immediate investigation of performance alerts +- Root cause analysis with profiling tools +- Systematic optimization with measurement +- Prevention measures for future occurrences +``` + +## Success Patterns + +### High-Velocity Development +```markdown +**Characteristics of Successful Projects:** +- Consistent daily workflow with session consolidation +- Clear documentation of decisions and patterns +- Regular testing across all target platforms +- Proactive technical debt management +- Strong communication and progress tracking +``` + +### Quality Maintenance +```markdown +**Sustainable Quality Practices:** +- Code review for all changes +- Performance testing as part of development +- User experience testing with real users +- Documentation updated with code changes +- Regular architecture and security reviews +``` + +### Team Collaboration +```markdown +**Effective Team Practices:** +- Shared understanding of architecture and patterns +- Consistent development workflow across team members +- Clear ownership and responsibility assignment +- Regular knowledge sharing and cross-training +- Collective ownership of code quality and documentation +``` + +## Continuous Improvement + +### Feedback Loops +```markdown +**Regular Assessment Questions:** +- What's working well in our current workflow? +- Where are we experiencing friction or inefficiency? +- What patterns are we repeating successfully? +- What mistakes are we making repeatedly? +- How can we improve our development velocity? +``` + +### Process Evolution +```markdown +**Iterative Improvement Approach:** +- Monthly workflow retrospectives +- Quarterly architecture reviews +- Regular user feedback integration +- Technology and tool evaluation +- Best practice sharing and adoption +``` + +### Learning Culture +```markdown +**Fostering Continuous Learning:** +- Document lessons learned from each project phase +- Share successful patterns across projects +- Learn from failures and near-misses +- Stay current with technology and industry trends +- Invest in skill development and training +``` + +Remember: These best practices are guidelines, not rigid rules. Adapt them to your specific project needs and team context while maintaining the core principles of consistency, quality, and continuous improvement. \ No newline at end of file