How I Ship 10x Faster with Claude Code: The 5-Layer Workflow System

After 8 months of daily Claude Code use, I have distilled my workflow into a 5-layer system.

Layer 1: CLAUDE.md — Project Memory

This is the foundation. CLAUDE.md is a file at your project root that Claude reads automatically every session.

Bad CLAUDE.md: Generic advice like “write clean code, use Git.”

Good CLAUDE.md: Specific tech stack, exact commands, architecture diagram, unique conventions.

Rule: only write what is unique to your project.

Layer 2: Plan Mode — Direction Before Speed

Trigger: any change touching 3+ files. Claude explores code, designs a plan, waits for your approval before writing anything.

Layer 3: Small Tasks — One Unit, One Commit

Each task changes ONE logical unit. After each task, the project is still runnable. You know exactly which commit introduced a bug.

Layer 4: Git — Your Undo Button

Commit after every small task. The commit history IS your project journal.

Layer 5: Worktree — Parallel Without Collision

git worktree add ../bugfix .claude/worktrees/hotfix
cd ../bugfix
# Fix bug in isolation
cd -
git worktree prune

Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Bonus: Context Compounding

Level Vehicle Project CLAUDE.md Session Memory system Knowledge Base Linked notes

After 8 months, Claude does not just understand my project — it understands how I think.

Quick Start

Day 1: Write a proper CLAUDE.md
Day 2: Use Plan Mode before cross-file changes
Day 3: Break tasks into small steps
Day 5: Try Worktree
Day 7: Write your first Memory
Day 14: Review commits for patterns

☕ Support This Content

If my articles saved you time, scan the QR code below to buy me a coffee.

Follow @mgj for weekly AI engineering content.