Set up your Claude Code workspace operating system
Ready nowThe folder skeleton every brand runs on: SOUL.md, PROFILE.md, PRIORITIES.md (WIP limit 3), SESSION_LOG.md, CLAUDE.md rulebook with a NEVER DO list, boot sequence, auto-memory.
Kit
workspace-os
You need
| Account | Why | Free or paid | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Code (Anthropic Claude Pro or Max) | The AI operator every system runs through. Skills, hooks, memory, MCP servers and the Brain plugin all load inside Claude Code. | Paid | Claude Pro (20 USD/mo) works for light use; Max (100 USD or 200 USD/mo) for daily multi-hour sessions. Anthropic terms require each user to hold their own subscription; never share a login. |
| Node.js 24 (npm, npx) | Runs Claude Code, the Vercel CLI, HyperFrames renders, Playwright, the MCP servers and every serverless function locally. | Free | Free. Node 24 LTS (the Brain MCP server and Vercel functions target Node 24). |
| Homebrew (macOS package manager) | Installs ffmpeg, yt-dlp, gh, node, python, uv, pdftoppm (poppler) and WeasyPrint dependencies. Every local pipeline assumes it. | Free | Free, open source. Apple Silicon Mac assumed (VideoToolbox encoding, mlx-whisper). |
| Python 3.12 + uv | Runs every pipeline script (video gates, library export, research cache, Brain export, PDF generator, MIDI tools) inside per-project virtual environments. | Free | Free. |
What you bring
- Your brand name and one paragraph on who you are
- Your LinkedIn or press kit
- Your 10 real emails and 10 real posts in your own voice
- Your top 3 active projects, with deadlines
The steps
- Install the tools and sign in
- Make the folder and the skeleton
- Write the profile file first
- Write SOUL.md, the personality file
- Write PRIORITIES.md and SESSION_LOG.md
- Write CLAUDE.md, the rulebook
- Extract the voice from evidence, not adjectives
- Wire the task and priority tracker (/ops and /task)
- Test the boot sequence
Get the full playbook
Part of: Foundation