Total Instruction Size Limit

The aggregate size of all instruction files in the project must not exceed 100 KB (102,400 bytes). Exceeding this limit wastes context budget and dilutes the effectiveness of individual instructions.

Antipatterns

• Adding extensive documentation and examples to instruction files instead of keeping them concise. Instruction files should contain directives, not documentation.
• Duplicating instructions across multiple files. Each copy adds to the aggregate size without adding value.
• Including large code blocks or data tables in instruction files. Reference external files instead of embedding bulky content.
• Not monitoring total size as the project grows. Individual files may be small, but the aggregate can silently exceed the limit.

Pass / Fail

Pass

Project with 5 instruction files totaling 40 KB:
  CLAUDE.md (15 KB) + 4 scoped rules (6 KB each)
Total: 39 KB -- well under the 100 KB limit.

Fail

Project with 20 instruction files totaling 120 KB:
  CLAUDE.md (30 KB) + 19 scoped rules (5 KB each)
Total: 125 KB -- exceeds the 100 KB limit.

Limitations

Sums byte size across all instruction files (max 100 KB). Does not break down which files are over-contributing or warn when approaching the limit — it is a hard ceiling only.