# CLAUDE.md vs DESIGN.md: Usage Guide for Claude Code

What information to include in each file for effective product design collaboration

- **Source:** [UX Planet](https://uxplanet.org)
- **Published:** 2026-07-15
- **Topic:** [Product Management](https://brifing.si/c/product)
- **Original article:** <https://uxplanet.org/claude-md-vs-design-md-what-to-put-in-each-for-claude-code-53647d015bfd?source=rss----819cc2aaeee0---4>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/001b6e95-3c14-4799-976f-67680a559256

## Two Essential Documents for Claude Code

CLAUDE.md and DESIGN.md are markdown files product teams use to enrich Claude Code context. While CLAUDE.md contains operational instructions on project execution, DESIGN.md focuses on product look and feel. This distinction enables more organized teamwork across disciplines.

## Purpose of CLAUDE.md

CLAUDE.md serves as a project's operational manual. It includes commands, architecture details, workflows, coding rules, and verification processes. For a mobile app project, it might specify which frameworks to use or how testing pipelines should operate - all technical implementation guidance.

## Role of DESIGN.md

DESIGN.md acts as the single source of truth for design. It documents visual and experiential elements like color palettes, typography rules, UI components, and user interactions. Teams frequently reference this file to maintain consistency across the design system.

## What to Include in CLAUDE.md

CLAUDE.md should contain project-specific working instructions. Typical content includes code review processes, branch strategies, test automation details, and deployment steps. Operational aspects like communication channels and meeting rituals can also be documented here for team alignment.

## Recommended Content for DESIGN.md

DESIGN.md should capture design rationale, user flow diagrams, accessibility standards, and responsive behavior rules. Animation specifics, micro-interactions, and key findings from user testing also belong in this document to guide implementation decisions.

## Synergistic Benefits of Both Documents

When used together, these documents create a clear framework for technical and design teams. CLAUDE.md answers 'how' questions while DESIGN.md addresses 'what' - aligning stakeholder expectations. This approach minimizes communication gaps, especially valuable for distributed teams collaborating on complex projects.

## Sources covering this story

- https://uxplanet.org/claude-md-vs-design-md-what-to-put-in-each-for-claude-code-53647d015bfd?source=rss----819cc2aaeee0---4 — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._