Settings Files in AI

From the Claude Code cheat sheet · Configuration Files · verified Jul 2026

Settings Files

Configuration file hierarchy

bash
# User-level settings
~/.claude/settings.json         # Global configuration
~/.claude.json                  # User state (projects, MCP, etc.)
~/.claude/.credentials.json     # Auth token (macOS uses Keychain)

# Project-level settings
.claude/settings.json       # Project configuration
.claude/settings.local.json # Local overrides (gitignored)
CLAUDE.md                   # Project instructions

# Directory structure
.claude/
├── settings.json          # Project config
├── settings.local.json    # Local overrides
├── commands/              # Custom commands
├── agents/                # Custom subagents
├── output-styles/         # Custom styles
└── hooks/                 # Hook scripts
📌 Project settings override user settings
📌 Use settings.local.json for personal config
📌 CLAUDE.md for project-specific instructions
configfiles

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