Prime: Load Project Context
Objective
Build comprehensive understanding of the codebase by analyzing structure, documentation, and key files. If external task references are provided, load them first so the codebase analysis is anchored to the actual work.
Process
Step 0: Load External Context
Run this step BEFORE the codebase analysis. It accepts optional arguments:
[jira-issue-keys] [confluence-page-ids]
.
- Jira keys may be a single key () or comma-separated ().
- Confluence page ids are numeric page ids.
If Jira issue keys are provided:
- Call
mcp__atlassian__getAccessibleAtlassianResources
to obtain the .
- For each Jira key, call
mcp__atlassian__getJiraIssue
with that , the issue key, and responseContentFormat: "markdown"
.
- Treat the returned issue summary, description, and acceptance criteria as the task context for everything that follows.
If Confluence page ids are provided:
- Call
mcp__atlassian__getConfluencePage
for each page id with contentFormat: "markdown"
(use the from above, fetching it via mcp__atlassian__getAccessibleAtlassianResources
if it was not already retrieved).
- Treat the returned page content as supporting context (specs, design docs, requirements).
If no arguments are provided: Skip this step entirely and proceed to Step 1.
Briefly summarize any external context loaded before continuing — this frames the rest of the priming.
1. Analyze Project Structure
List all tracked files:
!
Show directory structure:
On Linux, run:
tree -L 3 -I 'node_modules|__pycache__|.git|dist|build'
2. Read Core Documentation
- Read CLAUDE.md or similar global rules file
- Read README files at project root and major directories
- Read any architecture documentation
3. Identify Key Files
Based on the structure, identify and read:
- Main entry points (main.py, index.ts, app.py, etc.)
- Core configuration files (pyproject.toml, package.json, tsconfig.json)
- Key model/schema definitions
- Important service or controller files
4. Understand Current State
Check current branch and status:
!
Output Report
Provide a concise summary covering:
External Task Context (if loaded)
- Jira issue(s): key, title, one-line goal, acceptance criteria
- Confluence page(s): title and what they specify
Project Overview
- Purpose and type of application
- Primary technologies and frameworks
- Current version/state
Architecture
- Overall structure and organization
- Key architectural patterns identified
- Important directories and their purposes
Tech Stack
- Languages and versions
- Frameworks and major libraries
- Build tools and package managers
- Testing frameworks
Core Principles
- Code style and conventions observed
- Documentation standards
- Testing approach
Current State
- Active branch
- Recent changes or development focus
- Any immediate observations or concerns
Make this summary easy to scan - use bullet points and clear headers.