CLAUDE.md is the project instruction file that Claude Code reads at the start of every session. It sits in the repo root or in .claude/. It tells the agent the stack, the commands to run, the file boundaries, and the rules to follow. Other agents use the same idea under different names: AGENTS.md for Codex, .cursorrules for Cursor, .windsurfrules for Windsurf.

What should a CLAUDE.md contain?

Keep it short and concrete. Name the project and stack. List the build, test, and deploy commands. Name the folders the agent may and may not edit. State the style rules and the do-not rules. Skip general advice the model already knows. Run the CLAUDE.md Reviewer to find lines that cost tokens without changing behavior.

CLAUDE.md vs AGENTS.md: what is the difference?

Both are Markdown instruction files for a coding agent. CLAUDE.md is read by Claude Code. AGENTS.md is the open convention read by OpenAI Codex and many other agents. The content overlaps almost fully, so this converter maps one to the other and adds the preamble each tool expects.

What formats does this convert between?

Five agent config formats: CLAUDE.md (Claude Code), AGENTS.md (OpenAI Codex and other agents), .cursorrules (Cursor), .github/copilot-instructions.md (GitHub Copilot), and .windsurfrules (Windsurf). Paste any input, pick your target.

How is the conversion different per format?

Markdown-based targets (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, copilot-instructions.md) keep the heading structure and add a format-appropriate preamble. Flat rule files (.cursorrules, .windsurfrules) extract imperative rules and drop prose, since Cursor and Windsurf work better with terse rule lists.

Do I need to edit the output?

Usually a quick review — each agent tool has quirks. For Cursor, keep rules imperative and under 2 lines each. For Copilot, first-person voice works best. For CLAUDE.md, include concrete commands. The output gets you 80% there; polish the rest.

Does it work with YAML frontmatter?

Yes. Frontmatter is preserved for markdown-based targets (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, copilot-instructions.md) and dropped for flat rule files which don't support it.

Is this Karpathy-Skills or claude-doctor compatible?

Yes. Paste output from either and convert to your preferred format. The converter doesn't add behavioral rules itself — it restructures what you paste in. If you want a behavioral baseline, paste a known-good CLAUDE.md and convert down.

CLAUDE.md Converter

Paste your CLAUDE.md (or AGENTS.md, or raw rules) and instantly convert it into the format your other agent tool expects. Handles Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and Windsurf. Preserves sections for markdown targets, extracts imperative rules for flat rule-files. Download or copy. No upload, all client-side.

Not sure the file is good yet? Run it through the CLAUDE.md Reviewer first, or check your Claude fundamentals on the free Claude Certified Developer practice test.

Convert to

Cursor — direct imperative rules (no markdown)

Source (any format)

.cursorrules

How the conversion works

• CLAUDE.md / AGENTS.md: keeps headings, adds a standard preamble
• .cursorrules / .windsurfrules: extracts imperative rules, strips prose
• copilot-instructions.md: rewrites as first-person guidance for Copilot
• Frontmatter: preserved where the target format supports it

Today's picks

Three books for ticket and docs work. Check the current price before you buy.

Book · JiraAutomate Everyday Tasks in JiraNo-code automation rulesCheck price on Amazon ↗Book · ConfluenceImplementing Atlassian ConfluenceSpace and page structureCheck price on Amazon ↗Book · DocsHandbook of Technical Writing (10th ed.)Alphabetical reference formatCheck price on Amazon ↗

Amazon affiliate links. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Was this rewrite usable?

Get new tools by email

We add tools most weeks. Give an email address and we send you the new ones, plus short notes on how to use them. No more than one email a week. Unsubscribe with one click.

Example Input and Output

CLAUDE.md to .cursorrules

CLAUDE.md

# Project

Next.js 16 static export.

## Commands

- `npm run build` before every commit

## Rules

- Do not edit backend/
- Use Tailwind, not CSS modules

.cursorrules

Run npm run build before every commit.
Do not edit backend/.
Use Tailwind, not CSS modules.

Flat rule files keep the imperative rules and drop the headings and prose.

Next useful step

Test your AI fundamentals next

If this tool is part of your AI or developer workflow, the free CloudYeti diagnostic shows which AWS AI concepts you already know and where you are weak.

Take the AI diagnostic

How to Use CLAUDE.md Converter

Open the CLAUDE.md Converter
Paste your CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, or raw rules
Pick the target: AGENTS.md, .cursorrules, copilot-instructions.md, or .windsurfrules
Copy or download the converted file and commit it to the repo

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CLAUDE.md?: CLAUDE.md is the project instruction file that Claude Code reads at the start of every session. It sits in the repo root or in .claude/. It tells the agent the stack, the commands to run, the file boundaries, and the rules to follow. Other agents use the same idea under different names: AGENTS.md for Codex, .cursorrules for Cursor, .windsurfrules for Windsurf.
What should a CLAUDE.md contain?: Keep it short and concrete. Name the project and stack. List the build, test, and deploy commands. Name the folders the agent may and may not edit. State the style rules and the do-not rules. Skip general advice the model already knows. Run the CLAUDE.md Reviewer to find lines that cost tokens without changing behavior.
CLAUDE.md vs AGENTS.md: what is the difference?: Both are Markdown instruction files for a coding agent. CLAUDE.md is read by Claude Code. AGENTS.md is the open convention read by OpenAI Codex and many other agents. The content overlaps almost fully, so this converter maps one to the other and adds the preamble each tool expects.
What formats does this convert between?: Five agent config formats: CLAUDE.md (Claude Code), AGENTS.md (OpenAI Codex and other agents), .cursorrules (Cursor), .github/copilot-instructions.md (GitHub Copilot), and .windsurfrules (Windsurf). Paste any input, pick your target.
How is the conversion different per format?: Markdown-based targets (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, copilot-instructions.md) keep the heading structure and add a format-appropriate preamble. Flat rule files (.cursorrules, .windsurfrules) extract imperative rules and drop prose, since Cursor and Windsurf work better with terse rule lists.
Do I need to edit the output?: Usually a quick review — each agent tool has quirks. For Cursor, keep rules imperative and under 2 lines each. For Copilot, first-person voice works best. For CLAUDE.md, include concrete commands. The output gets you 80% there; polish the rest.
Does it work with YAML frontmatter?: Yes. Frontmatter is preserved for markdown-based targets (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, copilot-instructions.md) and dropped for flat rule files which don't support it.
Is this Karpathy-Skills or claude-doctor compatible?: Yes. Paste output from either and convert to your preferred format. The converter doesn't add behavioral rules itself — it restructures what you paste in. If you want a behavioral baseline, paste a known-good CLAUDE.md and convert down.

Related Tools

CLAUDE.md Reviewer

Paste your existing CLAUDE.md and get specific, numbered suggestions for vague rules, missing commands, repo boundaries, and token waste.

CLAUDE.md Generator

Describe your project in 1-2 sentences and get a structured CLAUDE.md. AI-powered by Amazon Nova Micro. Free, no login.

Improve My Prompt

Paste any LLM prompt and get specific, actionable fixes against 12 best-practice rules from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google. Free, no login.

Markdown Editor

Free online Markdown editor with live preview. Write and preview Markdown in real-time with GitHub Flavored Markdown support.

About CLAUDE.md Converter

Convert agent configs between CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, .cursorrules, .github/copilot-instructions.md, and .windsurfrules. One file, every format. This tool runs entirely in your browser, so your content is not sent to a server. MarkdownMe provides free, fast, and reliable Markdown tools for developers, writers, and anyone who works with Markdown.