Paths/Claude Engineer/The Claude Code Loop / Explore First
Explore Before You Edit
Editing before reading produces code that duplicates what already exists. Write the rule that keeps the reading first.
Validator
IDLE — checks run live as you type commands; submit when done
01Requirements
live checks- Directory ~/.claude/workflow exists○
- File ~/.claude/workflow/explore.md exists○
- The document states what to read before the first edit○
- The document states when the exploration is enough○
02Walkthrough
4 steps- 01
Create the workflow directory
The session rules live in one place, next to the settings.
mkdir -p ~/.claude/workflow - 02
Write what to read first
The memory file, the entry point, the callers of the thing you are changing, and the test that covers it.
echo '# Explore before you edit\n\n## What to read first\n\n1. CLAUDE.md - the rules the repository already states\n2. the entry point where the request arrives\n3. the callers of the function you are about to change\n4. the test that covers that function' > ~/.claude/workflow/explore.md - 03
Write the stopping rule
Stop reading when you can name the file you will edit, the helper you will reuse and the test you will run. More reading than that is just delay.
echo '\n## When the reading is enough\n\nStop when you can name the file to edit, the helper to reuse and the test to run. Reading past that point is delay, not diligence.' >> ~/.claude/workflow/explore.md - 04
Verify and submit
cat the rule, then submit for validation.
cat ~/.claude/workflow/explore.md
03Stuck?
0 of 3 revealedTake a hint without losing the lab — each one points at the thing to look at, not at the answer.
04AI Tutor
guides, never solvesTell me what you're stuck on — I'll nudge, not solve. Which requirement are you looking at?
04Notebook
saved locally in this browserlearner@lab — ubuntu:24.04
Session is disposable
↑/↓ recalls commands · Ctrl+Enter submits · type help for the command list