---
url: /validators/claude-md.md
description: >-
  Validate your CLAUDE.md files for size limits, import integrity, circular
  imports, and content structure using claudelint's CLAUDE.md validator rules.
---

# CLAUDE.md Validator

The CLAUDE.md validator checks your project's CLAUDE.md files for correctness, size limits, import integrity, and content structure.

## What It Checks

* File size limits (40KB default)
* `@import` directive syntax and referenced file existence
* Circular import detection
* Import depth limits (max 5 levels)
* YAML frontmatter in `.claude/rules/*.md` files
* `paths` glob pattern validity

## Rules

This validator includes  rules. See the [CLAUDE.md rules category](/rules/claude-md/claude-md-content-too-many-sections) for the complete list.

## CLI Usage

```bash
# Validate CLAUDE.md files only
claudelint validate-claude-md

# With verbose output
claudelint validate-claude-md --verbose

# With auto-fix
claudelint validate-claude-md --fix
```

## Plugin Skill

If you have the [claudelint plugin](/integrations/claude-code-plugin) installed, you can run this validator inside Claude Code with `/validate-cc-md` or by asking "Is my CLAUDE.md ok?"

## See Also

* [Claude Code Memory](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/memory) - Official CLAUDE.md documentation
* [Configuration](/guide/configuration) - Customize rule severity
* [Troubleshooting](/guide/troubleshooting) - Common issues