You have context files (CLAUDE.md, MEMORY.md). Now it is time to build the structure where your actual Amazon data and working files will live — so Claude can work on them directly instead of requiring you to copy-paste everything.

How Claude Code Works With Files

When you open a folder in VS Code and use Claude Code, Claude has access to all the files in that folder. It can:

• Read any file you ask it to look at (“analyze the file in /reports/ppc-bulk-2024-03.csv”)
• Write new files (“save the analysis as /analysis/ppc-summary.md”)
• Edit existing files (“update /emails/supplier-template.md with the new payment terms”)

This is fundamentally different from the Claude.ai chat interface, where you would have to copy-paste the CSV contents into the chat window. With Claude Code and a proper folder structure, you just point Claude at a file by name. It does the rest.

The Recommended Amazon AI Workspace Folder Structure

Here is a structure that works well for most Amazon sellers. You do not need to use all of it on day one — start with what you have and expand as needed.

amazon-business/
├── CLAUDE.md                  ← your AI context file (Module 3)
├── MEMORY.md                  ← your AI memory file (Module 4)
│
├── reports/                   ← Amazon data exports
│   ├── ppc-bulk-2024-03.csv
│   ├── sales-summary-march.xlsx
│   └── inventory-snapshot.csv
│
├── products/                  ← notes and info about each product
│   ├── B08XYZ123-spatulas.md
│   └── B09ABC456-cutting-board.md
│
├── emails/                    ← supplier and buyer email templates
│   ├── supplier-reorder-template.md
│   ├── supplier-negotiation-notes.md
│   └── buyer-inquiry-responses.md
│
├── listings/                  ← listing copy drafts and revisions
│   ├── B08XYZ123-listing-v1.md
│   └── B09ABC456-listing-v2.md
│
└── analysis/                  ← Claude's output — reports, summaries, plans
    ├── ppc-analysis-2024-03.md
    └── q1-performance-summary.md
        

The Golden Rule: Text Files When Possible

Claude reads text files (.md, .txt, .csv) far better than binary formats (.xlsx, .docx, .pdf). When you have data in Excel, export it as a CSV before asking Claude to analyze it. When you want to store notes, write them as .md files rather than Word documents.

This is not always possible — sometimes you receive files in formats you cannot control. But for files you create yourself, plain text and CSV are the most AI-compatible formats.

How to Reference Files in Your Prompts

Once your folder is structured, you can reference files by path in your Claude Code conversations. Examples:

• “Look at the file in reports/ppc-bulk-2024-03.csv and identify every keyword with ACoS above 40%.”
• “Read products/B08XYZ123-spatulas.md and draft updated bullet points for the Amazon listing.”
• “Using the template in emails/supplier-reorder-template.md, write a reorder email for my bamboo cutting board supplier requesting 500 units.”

You do not need to copy-paste any file contents into the chat. Claude Code reads the file directly when you name it.

Exercise: Set Up Your Amazon Workspace Folder

1. In VS Code, open your Amazon business folder (or create a new one via File > Open Folder)
2. Create the following subfolders inside it:
   • reports/
   • products/
   • emails/
   • listings/
   • analysis/
3. Drop one real file into reports/ — a PPC export, a sales CSV, anything you have
4. In Claude Code, type: “Look at the file in reports/[filename] and give me a three-sentence summary of what is in it.”
5. Verify that Claude reads and summarizes the file without you having to paste any content

If Claude successfully summarizes the file, your folder structure is working. You are now operating at Level 2.

Keeping It Clean

A few habits that keep the workspace useful over time:

• Name files with dates when relevant: ppc-bulk-2024-04-01.csv instead of ppc-bulk.csv
• Use dashes instead of spaces in file names: supplier-notes.md not Supplier Notes.md
• Archive old reports in an archive/ subfolder rather than deleting them — Claude can reference historical data if it is still in the folder
• When Claude generates analysis output, save it to /analysis so you can reference it in future sessions