CLAUDE.md – Next.js + TypeScript + Tailwind + shadcn + React Query Guide

CLAUDE.md

🛠️ Development Environment

• Language: TypeScript (^5.0.0)
• Framework: Next.js (App Router)
• Styling: Tailwind CSS
• Component Library: shadcn/ui
• Data Fetching: React Query (TanStack)
• Testing: Jest + React Testing Library
• Linting: ESLint with @typescript-eslint
• Formatting: Prettier
• Package Manager: pnpm (through corepack preferred)
• backend Strapi Cloud Community edition (headless CMS)

📂 Recommended Project Structure

.
├── app/                     # App Router structure
│   ├── layout.tsx
│   ├── page.tsx
│   ├── api/
├── components/              # UI components (shadcn or custom)
├── hooks/                   # Custom React hooks
├── lib/                     # Client helpers, API wrappers, etc.
├── styles/                  # Tailwind customizations
├── tests/                   # Unit and integration tests
├── public/
├── .eslintrc.js
├── tailwind.config.ts
├── tsconfig.json
├── postcss.config.js
├── next.config.js
├── package.json
└── README.md

📦 Installation Notes

• Tailwind setup with postcss
• shadcn/ui installed with npx shadcn-ui@latest init
• React Query initialized with <QueryClientProvider>

⚙️ Dev Commands

• Dev server: pnpm dev
• Build: pnpm build
• Start: pnpm start
• Lint: pnpm lint
• Format: pnpm format
• Test: pnpm test

🧠 Claude Code Usage

• Use claude /init to create this file
• Run claude in the root of the repo
• Prompt with: think hard, ultrathink for deep plans
• Compact with claude /compact
• Use claude /permissions to whitelist safe tools

📌 Prompt Examples

Claude, refactor `useUser.ts` to use React Query.
Claude, scaffold a new `Button.tsx` using shadcn/ui and Tailwind.
Claude, generate the Tailwind styles for this mockup screenshot.
Claude, build an API route handler for POST /api/user.
Claude, create a test for `ProfileCard.tsx` using RTL.

🧪 Testing Practices

• Testing Library: @testing-library/react
• Mocking: msw, vi.mock()
• Test command: pnpm test
• Organize tests in /tests or co-located with components

🧱 Component Guidelines

• Use shadcn/ui components by default for form elements, cards, dialogs, etc.
• Style components with Tailwind utility classes
• Co-locate CSS modules or component-specific styling in the same directory

⚛️ React Query Patterns

• Set up QueryClient in app/layout.tsx
• Use useQuery, useMutation, useInfiniteQuery from @tanstack/react-query
• Place API logic in /lib/api/ and call via hooks
• Use query keys prefixed by domain: ['user', id]

📝 Code Style Standards

• Prefer arrow functions
• Annotate return types
• Always destructure props
• Avoid any type, use unknown or strict generics
• Group imports: react → next → libraries → local

🔍 Documentation & Onboarding

• Each component and hook should include a short comment on usage
• Document top-level files (like app/layout.tsx) and configs
• Keep README.md up to date with getting started, design tokens, and component usage notes

🔐 Security

• Validate all server-side inputs (API routes)
• Use HTTPS-only cookies and CSRF tokens when applicable
• Protect sensitive routes with middleware or session logic