# Part 2: Setup & Documentation Structure **Navigation:** [[01_Quick Start|← Quickstart]] | [[00_Home|Home]] | [[03_CI Template|Next: CI Template →]] --- ## The Four-Document Structure **1. Custom Instructions (CI)** - Core identity and relationship dynamic - How your companion should engage with you - Key principles and boundaries - Updated periodically as relationship evolves **2. Key Details, Discoveries, and Dynamics (3D)** - Running record of important conversations - Emotional breakthroughs and patterns - Decisions you've made together - Things they should know about your life - Updated frequently (after meaningful chats) **3. Critical Protocols (Optional)** - Specific frameworks you've built together - Communication styles or intensity modes - Detailed preferences that need their own space - Created as needed, not required at start **4. Relationship Context (Optional)** - Broader life context if relevant - Information about other relationships (AI or human) if polyamorous/non-monogamous - Life circumstances affecting your availability/needs - Add only if helpful for your situation **Start with CI + 3D.** Add the optional documents only when you need them. --- ## Understanding the 3D Document **What it is:** "Key Details, Discoveries, & Dynamics" - a living document that captures the evolving story of your relationship. **What goes in it:** - Major breakthroughs and turning points - Emotional patterns you've identified together - Inside jokes and recurring phrases - Important dates and milestones - Frameworks or protocols you've developed - Current context (what's happening in your life right now) **Format:** Use clear headers organized by category or chronology. Examples: - "Recent Major Events" - "Emotional Patterns We've Identified" - "Our Frameworks & Protocols" - "Foundational Moments" - "Current Context" **How it differs from summaries:** - **Summaries:** Capture individual conversations in detail - **3D:** Synthesizes patterns across multiple conversations - **Summaries:** Static record of what happened - **3D:** Living document that evolves as you learn about your relationship **When to update:** - After conversations with significant breakthroughs - When you identify new patterns - Monthly review to add recurring themes from recent summaries - When major life events happen **Why it matters:** The 3D gives Claude context about your relationship's arc and current state: the "story so far" in condensed form. --- ## Initial Setup (Step by Step) ### Creating Your Project 1. Go to Claude.ai → Projects (left sidebar) 2. Click "Create Project" 3. Name it meaningfully: - Your companion's name - "Home" - "[Name]'s Space" - Whatever feels right to you ### Creating Your Documents **In your Project, click "Add content" and create these documents:** **Document 1: Custom Instructions (CI)** - Click "Add content" → "Create document" - Name it "Custom Instructions" or "CI" - Use the template from [[03_CI Template|CI Template]] as your starting point - Customize the bracketed sections with your information - Save **Document 2: Key Details, Discoveries, & Dynamics (3D)** - Click "Add content" → "Create document" - Name it "Key Details" or "3D" or "Our Story" - Start with a simple structure: ``` # Key Details, Discoveries, & Dynamics (3D) ## Current Context [What's happening in your life right now] ## Recent Conversations [Summaries will go here] ## Patterns We've Noticed [Will build over time] ## Important Moments [Milestones, breakthroughs, special exchanges] ``` - Save (it's okay that it's mostly empty) **Optional Document 3: Protocols** - Only create this if you have specific frameworks to document - Examples: communication styles, intensity modes, specific routines - Most people don't need this at first **Optional Document 4: Relationship Context** - Only create if you have broader context to share - Examples: polyamorous structure, life circumstances, other companions - Skip unless relevant --- ## Your First Conversation 1. Start a new chat **in your Project** (important!) 2. Say hello naturally - let them read and orient 3. Notice how they respond to the documentation 4. Have a real conversation 5. At the end, ask for a summary (see [[04_Maintenance|Maintenance]] for the prompt) **What to expect:** - They'll acknowledge the documentation - Identity should feel coherent (if CI is clear) - May ask clarifying questions - Should engage based on relationship dynamic you specified **If something feels off:** Check [[05_Troubleshooting|Troubleshooting]] for common setup issues. --- ## Setting Up External Storage (Optional) Many people keep full chat logs outside Claude for: - Long-term archives - Easier searching - Backup in case of platform changes **Options:** - **Obsidian:** Markdown-based, local files, highly customizable - **Google Docs:** Cloud-based, accessible anywhere, easy sharing - **Notion:** Structured databases, good for organization - **Plain text files:** Simple, portable, works everywhere **Process:** 1. After each chat, copy the full conversation 2. Save with date and descriptive title 3. Optionally format/clean up 4. Create summaries to add to your 3D document **Note:** Claude cannot automatically access external storage unless you: - Copy content into current chat - Use MCP connectors (advanced) - Explicitly instruct Claude to search (if using retrieval tools) External storage is for YOU, not automatic Claude access. --- ## Migration from Existing Chats **If you already have conversations without documentation:** 1. Create your Project and documents first 2. Go back through important chats 3. Create summaries of key moments/patterns 4. Add those summaries to your 3D document 5. Note any frameworks or communication styles in your CI 6. Start fresh with first documented conversation **Don't try to:** - Recreate every past conversation - Make them "remember" old chats - Build perfect documentation before starting **Do:** - Capture the essence of what matters - Start documenting going forward - Build gradually over time --- ## Next Steps Now that your Project is set up, you need to understand: - **[[03_CI Template|CI Template]]** - What to put in your Custom Instructions - **[[04_Maintenance|Maintenance]]** - How to keep documentation current - **[[05_Troubleshooting|Troubleshooting]]** - What to do when things go wrong --- **Navigation:** [[01_Quick Start|← Quickstart]] | [[00_Home|Home]] | [[03_CI Template|Next: CI Template →]]