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README - Claude Projects vs Skills Exercise Pack
Inventory Optimization Pro | inventoryoptimization.pro
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This pack contains everything you need to run the full
"Claude Projects vs Skills" exercise in your own Claude account.

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WHAT IS INSIDE THIS ZIP
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1. monthly-inventory-closing-skill.md
   The Skill file. This is your standard operating procedure
   for running a monthly inventory closing report. Install
   this as a Skill in Claude before setting up either Project.

   The Skill enforces two rules:
   - Project instructions always win. Where the Project speaks,
     the Skill steps aside. Where the Project is silent, the
     Skill fills the gap.
   - HTML color output uses a strict CSS variable system.
     Only four variables are Project-controlled: --accent,
     --highlight, --bg, and --text. All other colors are fixed
     infrastructure. No named color variables (--red, --navy,
     etc.) are permitted anywhere in the output. This ensures
     that Project B's navy and gold brand overrides IOP red
     reliably, and Project A's IOP red is retained without
     any color instructions needed.

2. project-a-instructions.txt
   Project instructions for Empresa Costa Rica S.A.
   Copy into a new Claude Project, then upload the matching
   dataset. Open the file for step-by-step setup guidance.

3. project-a-dataset-empresa-costa-rica.csv
   Raw QBO transaction export for Project A. Three warehouse
   locations: San Jose (CRC), Managua (NIO), Panama City (PAB).
   The data is a flat journal/invoice/bill extract - no section
   headers, no reporting instructions. Claude derives all
   balances, COGS, and FX conversions from the raw transactions.
   Includes realistic data quality issues: a missing COGS figure
   in Managua, an unconfirmed purchase order in San Jose, a
   storm-damage write-down, and a late submission from the
   Managua warehouse.

4. project-b-instructions.txt
   Project instructions for Singapore Manufacturing Co Pte Ltd.
   Copy into a second new Claude Project, then upload the
   matching dataset.

5. project-b-dataset-singapore-manufacturing.csv
   Raw SAP S/4HANA transaction extract for Project B.
   Contains standard SAP movement type codes (101, 261, 561,
   601) across Raw Materials and Finished Goods for three
   product lines: Aerospace, Automotive, Industrial.
   Includes realistic SAP-style issues: a parked goods receipt
   with an open invoice query, a delivery hold on an aerospace
   shipment pending customer QC sign-off, and a cycle count
   adjustment. The slow-moving aging report uses SAP's system
   threshold - Claude must apply the finance thresholds from
   the Project instructions instead.

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HOW TO RUN THE EXERCISE
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STEP 1 - Install the Skill
Go to Claude.ai > Settings > Skills and install the
monthly-inventory-closing-skill.md file.

STEP 2 - Set up Project A
Create a new Project in Claude. Paste the contents of
project-a-instructions.txt into the Project Instructions.
Upload project-a-dataset-empresa-costa-rica.csv into
the Project files.

STEP 3 - Set up Project B
Create a second new Project. Paste the contents of
project-b-instructions.txt into the Project Instructions.
Upload project-b-dataset-singapore-manufacturing.csv into
the Project files.

STEP 4 - Run the test
Open Project A and type:
"Run the monthly inventory closing report for October 2025."

Then open Project B and type the exact same prompt.
Compare the two outputs. Same prompt. Same Skill.
Completely different reports.

STEP 5 - Spot the override in action
In Project A: Claude uses 60-day slow-moving threshold (not
the Skill's 90-day default), adds the Warehouse Consolidation
Bridge, applies the 3-step FX chain, and keeps IOP red
branding. No color instructions are needed in Project A -
the Skill default applies automatically.

In Project B: Claude uses navy (#1B3A6B) and gold (#C9A84C)
branding with no IOP red anywhere in the output, splits every
table into RM and FG columns, applies dual slow-moving
thresholds (150 days RM / 90 days FG), replaces Section 4
with Margin Exposure by Product Line, and suppresses generic
data quality warnings because the ERP is SAP.

The Skill did none of that by default. The Projects did.

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DISCLAIMER
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This exercise uses fictional companies and simplified data
designed to illustrate how Claude Projects and Skills interact.
It is not a complete inventory reconciliation methodology or a
substitute for professional accounting advice.
For educational purposes only.

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Inventory Optimization Pro | inventoryoptimization.pro
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