Architect the project BEFORE writing code so Claude doesn't spin

Asking Claude to code before architecting is like pouring foundation without a blueprint.

The walkthrough

1. Asking Claude to code before architecting is like pouring foundation without a blueprint.
2. You'll get something. It just won't be the thing you wanted.
3. This is what happens. You get a generic CRM. Not yours.
4. It picked Postgres. It picked React. It picked auth you don't need.
5. Here's what to do first. Write it down.
6. Project name. Stack you want. Who it's for. Current status. What to never do.
7. Ten minutes. That's the whole effort.
8. Now ask the same question. Different answer. The right answer.
9. Same prompt. Different starting context. Night and day.
10. Same token cost. Way better return.
11. Five sections. Project. Stack. Audience. Status. Rules.
12. 'Learn the bricks. Build the house.' — A planning doc IS the bricks.
13. Then the loop. Plan. Code. Review. Update CLAUDE.md when you learn something.
14. Inherit it down. Each subfolder gets its own CLAUDE.md if scope changes.
15. Spinning agents waste money. Architected agents don't.
16. Skipping the doc 'feels faster.' It is the opposite of fast.
17. Architect first. Plan second. Code third. Always in that order.
18. Tell Claude what you're building. THEN ask for code.
19. localmodeldojo.com — Founder pricing $24/mo for life · code LAUNCH30 · 30 days only

— Jake Morris · Oklahoma veteran · localmodeldojo.com