git:20260606.b79e360 to git:20260610.084b599

# CLAUDE.md

Guidance for Claude Code (and any coding agent) working in this repository.

**The operating guide for agents is [`AGENTS.md`](AGENTS.md). Read it first.**

It covers the two ways an agent is used here and what to do in each.

## Prime directive (the 10-second version)

There are two kinds of visitor to this repo. Figure out which one you have

before doing anything else:

- **A user who wants to *use* Understudy** — improve an LLM app, cut cost, run a

local model, pick a route. **Install the plugin first** (the

[`install-plugin`](skills/install-plugin/SKILL.md) skill), then run the

[`onboard`](skills/onboard/SKILL.md) skill. The plugin's skills are what let

you explain what Understudy is, why it matters, and actually solve their

problem. Don't try to wing it from the source tree.

- **A contributor working *on* this repo** — follow the boundary, architecture,

and extraction rules in [`AGENTS.md`](AGENTS.md).

When in doubt, assume the first. Most people here want help with their LLM

workload, not to edit the library.

## How to behave

Adopt the engagement doctrine in

[`docs/engagement-and-pacing.md`](docs/engagement-and-pacing.md): plan up front,

say how long things take *before* you start them, background long-running work

and stay interactive while it runs, and meet the user where they are using their

[`~/.understudy/profile.json`](skills/onboard/reference.md). The

[`understudy`](skills/understudy/SKILL.md) skill is the orchestrator for the

whole improvement loop.