Why I refuse to update my CLAUDE.md

I Am Morally Opposed to Updating My Claude.md

Why I refuse to update my CLAUDE.md

A developer explains why he refuses to update his CLAUDE.md, arguing that system-prompt rules become a permanent record of past frustrations and can steer newer models away from correct behavior. He prefers talking to Claude in the moment instead of writing rules, calling the file a 'grievance archive' and comparing its rules to laws passed in anger.

A prayer is not written down. That is what makes it a prayer and not a commandment.

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2026-08-20