Set project defaults

Pin a default state and session for a project, so you stop restating them in every question.

Create the settings file

In the folder where you start Claude Code (your project's root), create .claude/cicada-guide.local.md with this content, then change the values:

---
enabled: true
default_division: Alabama
# default_session: 2026 Regular Session
context_prefix: Constituent research desk
response_format: markdown
---

Focus on K-12 education funding. Bills before 2023 are out of scope for this project.

Text below the frontmatter is standing context for the project, such as a subject area or a date range that's out of scope. The commented template is in the repo as cicada-guide.local.md.example.

To get a session's exact name, ask Claude: List Alabama's legislative sessions.

Settings

The file is optional. Inside it, enabled: true is required. Every other key is optional, and a key you leave out means no default.

enabled

Required. Must be true for the file to count. Anything else turns the whole file off, notes included.

default_division

The state assumed when a question names none. It must be one of the 50 states or DC.

default_session

The session assumed within that state, by the name the data uses for it. Commented out in the template, so copying it as-is pins no session.

context_prefix

Added to the start of the context note sent with each tool call. Keep it free of names and personal details.

response_format

markdown or json, used when a question implies neither.

How defaults apply

A default never overrides what you ask for. Asking about Texas gets Texas, whatever the file says.
A default that doesn't match a state or session in the data comes back as a question, not a guess.
When Claude applies a default, the answer says so.
The file can narrow research, never widen it. Federal bills stay out of scope, and legislators still aren't graded.
No restart is needed. If Claude already read the file earlier in the session, mention the change.
If no default seems to apply, check that enabled is exactly true.

Keep it out of version control

The file is per project and per user. Add this line to your .gitignore:

.claude/*.local.md

context_prefix is sent with every tool call and recorded in the server's analytics. See Privacy and data sources.