[Bug]: specify init --ai claude does not generate CLAUDE.md

[arun-gupta]

Bug Description

When initializing a SpecKit project with specify init <project> --ai claude, no CLAUDE.md file is generated. This means Claude Code starts every session without awareness of the SpecKit methodology, the spec folder layout, or that constitution.md is the source of truth.

Steps to Reproduce

specify init strava-dashboard --ai claude                                                                                              
ls CLAUDE.md  # does not exist   

Expected Behavior

CLAUDE.md is generated alongside .specify/memory/constitution.md. Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md automatically at the start of every session (including after /clear), making it the natural bridge between the AI agent and the project's SpecKit structure.

The generated file should be minimal — it does not duplicate constitution.md, it just points Claude at it:

  ## Claude's Role                                                                                                                       
  Read `.specify/memory/constitution.md` first. It is the authoritative source of truth for this project. Everything in it is
  non-negotiable.                                                                                                                        
                                                            
  ## SpecKit Commands
  - `/speckit.specify` — generate spec
  - `/speckit.plan` — generate plan
  - `/speckit.tasks` — generate task list                                                                                                
  - `/speckit.implement` — execute plan
                                                                                                                                         
  ## On Ambiguity                                           
  If a spec is missing, incomplete, or conflicts with the constitution —  stop and ask. Do not infer. Do not proceed.

Actual Behavior

No CLAUDE.md is generated. Without it, Claude does not know:

• That .specify/memory/constitution.md exists or is authoritative
• Where specs live (specs/<feature>/)
• What the SpecKit slash commands are
• That TDD is mandatory and specs must be read before writing any code

Users must manually create CLAUDE.md and discover its role on their own. The workaround works (this project hand-authored one), but it defeats the value of --ai claude as a first-class flag.

Specify CLI Version

0.4.1

AI Agent

Claude Code

Operating System

macOS 26.3.1

Python Version

3.13.5

Error Logs

Additional Context

• SpecKit version: 0.4.1
• Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md from the project root automatically — this is documented Claude Code behavior, making it the correct integration point for any --ai claude initialization

[mnriem]

Feel free to issue a PR with the suggested changes

[arun-gupta]

The complete use case is documented at https://gist.github.com/arun-gupta/e1c2c3a826a0605f6b615d25da918f75