Last refreshed: June 9, 2026
Claude Projects are the most underutilized feature on paid Claude plans. Without Projects, every new conversation starts from scratch. With Projects, you create persistent knowledge bases that Claude draws on automatically. This guide shows you how to set up Projects that actually improve your work.
Claude Projects Features by Plan (June 2026)
| Feature | Free | Pro ($20/mo) | Team ($25/seat) | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projects available | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Projects | — | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Files per Project | — | Up to 20 files | Up to 20 files | Custom |
| Custom instructions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shared Projects (team) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Persistent context | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What Claude Projects Do
- Persistent system prompts: Instructions Claude follows in every Project conversation
- Knowledge base files: Documents, PDFs, and data Claude references without re-uploading
- Conversation history: All Project conversations are grouped and accessible
- Separate memory spaces: Each Project has isolated memory
Setting Up a Project
- In Claude.ai, click “New Project” in the left sidebar
- Name your Project specifically (“Content Writing” not “Work”)
- Write your system prompt in Project Instructions
- Upload knowledge base files
- Start a conversation within the Project
Writing an Effective System Prompt
A strong system prompt tells Claude: who you are and what you do, primary tasks for this Project, tone and style preferences, output format requirements, domain-specific knowledge to assume, and anything Claude should never do in this Project. A weak system prompt (“You are a helpful assistant”) gives Claude nothing useful.
Project Ideas by Role
- Writers: Upload brand voice guide, audience personas, and style examples
- Developers: Upload architecture docs, API documentation, and coding standards
- Legal: Upload relevant statutes, prior contracts, and compliance frameworks
- Researchers: Upload literature review, key papers, and research notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Claude Projects available on the free plan?
No. Projects require a Claude Pro subscription or higher.
Does Claude remember everything across Project conversations?
Claude has access to Project knowledge base files and system prompt in every conversation. Specific conversation memory depends on whether Claude’s memory feature is enabled.
What is Claude Projects?
Claude Projects is a feature in claude.ai (Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise plans) that lets you create persistent workspaces. Each Project has its own custom instructions, uploaded knowledge files, and conversation history that carries across sessions. Claude remembers everything in the Project — unlike regular conversations that start fresh each time.
How do I create a Claude Project?
In claude.ai, click ‘New Project’ in the left sidebar. Give it a name, write custom instructions (what Claude should know about you and the work), and upload any relevant files — PDFs, text documents, code files, CSVs. Then start a conversation. Everything in the Project persists — new conversations in the same Project share the same context.
What files can I upload to a Claude Project?
Claude Projects support text files (.txt, .md), PDFs, code files (.py, .js, .ts, etc.), CSV files, and images. Maximum file size is 30MB per file, up to 20 files per Project on Pro/Max/Team plans. For best results, upload reference documents, style guides, company knowledge, and anything Claude should know consistently across conversations.
Can my team share a Claude Project?
Yes, on Claude Team and Enterprise plans, Projects can be shared across team members. Shared Projects give everyone the same custom instructions and knowledge base, so the whole team benefits from the same context setup. Individual conversations within a shared Project remain private unless explicitly shared.
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