Switch Projects

Manage context when switching between projects tracked in ~/.claude/projects.json.

Registry Location

Projects are tracked in ~/.claude/projects.json:

{
  "projects": {
    "name": {
      "path": "/absolute/path",
      "last_worked": "YYYY-MM-DD"
    }
  }
}

Commands

"work on <project>" / "switch to <project>" / "resume <project>"

1. •Save context for current project (if switching from another tracked project):
   • •Write a summary to the current project's CLAUDE.local.md with:
     • •What was done this session
     • •Any pending items or next steps
     • •Relevant context for resuming later
   • •Update last_worked to today's date in ~/.claude/projects.json
2. •Read ~/.claude/projects.json
3. •Look up target project path by name
4. •Update target project's last_worked to today's date
5. •Read the project's CLAUDE.local.md if it exists
6. •Read the project's decisions.md if it exists
7. •Check git status, current branch, recent commits
8. •Summarize context and continue

"resume" (no project specified)

1. •Read ~/.claude/projects.json
2. •Find project with most recent last_worked date
3. •Offer to resume that one, or list recent projects to choose from
4. •Once selected, follow the "work on" steps above (skip step 1 if no current project)

"list projects" / "what projects do I have?"

1. •Read ~/.claude/projects.json
2. •List projects sorted by last_worked date (most recent first)
3. •Show name, path, and last worked date

Adding New Projects

When working in a directory that's not in the registry:

• •Offer to add it: "This project isn't tracked yet. Add it to your projects?"
• •If yes, add to ~/.claude/projects.json with current date

Project Context Files

When resuming a project, read these files if they exist:

CLAUDE.local.md

This file captures current state, not history. It gets overwritten (not appended) when:

• •Switching away from a project (summary of where you left off)
• •Creating a plan for a non-trivial task
• •Completing a plan (clear or update)

Example content:

# project-name

## Current State
Implemented the new authentication flow. Tests passing.

## Pending
- Add rate limiting to login endpoint
- Update API docs

## Context
Using JWT tokens, decided against sessions (see decisions.md)

Relationship with SessionEnd Hook

The SessionEnd hook updates last_worked timestamps based on file operations. This skill also updates timestamps on explicit switches. Both are safe:

• •They write the same date (idempotent)
• •Hook catches implicit work (editing files without switching)
• •Skill captures explicit switches with context summaries