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+# CLAUDE.md
+
+This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.
+
+## Project Philosophy
+
+Ente is focused on privacy, transparency and trust. It's a fully open-source, end-to-end encrypted platform for storing data in the cloud. When contributing, always prioritize:
+- User privacy and data security
+- End-to-end encryption integrity
+- Transparent, auditable code
+- Zero-knowledge architecture principles
+
+## Monorepo Context
+
+This is the Ente Photos mobile app within the Ente monorepo. The monorepo contains:
+- Mobile apps (Photos, Auth, Locker) at `mobile/apps/`
+- Shared packages at `mobile/packages/`
+- Web, desktop, CLI, and server components in parent directories
+
+### Package Architecture
+The Photos app uses two types of packages:
+- **Shared packages** (`../../packages/`): Common code shared across multiple Ente apps (Photos, Auth, Locker)
+- **Photos-specific plugins** (`./plugins/`): Custom Flutter plugins specific to Photos app for separation and testability
+
+## Development Commands
+
+### Using Melos (Monorepo Management)
+```bash
+# From mobile/ directory - bootstrap all packages
+melos bootstrap
+
+# Run Photos app specifically
+melos run:photos:apk
+
+# Build Photos APK
+melos build:photos:apk
+
+# Clean Photos app
+melos clean:photos
+```
+
+### Direct Flutter Commands
+```bash
+# Development run with environment variables
+./run.sh                                    # Uses .env file with --flavor dev
+
+# Development run without env file
+flutter run -t lib/main.dart --flavor independent
+
+# Build release APK
+flutter build apk --release --flavor independent
+
+# iOS build
+cd ios && pod install && cd ..
+flutter build ios
+```
+
+### Code Quality
+```bash
+# Static analysis and linting
+flutter analyze .
+
+# Run tests
+flutter test
+
+# Integration tests
+flutter driver --target=test_driver/integration_test.dart
+
+# Performance tests
+./scripts/app_init_perf_test.sh
+./scripts/gallery_scroll_perf_test.sh
+```
+
+## Architecture Overview
+
+### Service-Oriented Architecture
+The app uses a service layer pattern with 28+ specialized services:
+- **collections_service.dart**: Album and collection management
+- **search_service.dart**: Search functionality with ML support
+- **smart_memories_service.dart**: AI-powered memory curation
+- **sync_service.dart**: Local/remote synchronization
+- **Machine Learning Services**: Face recognition, semantic search, similar images
+
+### Key Patterns
+- **Service Locator**: Dependency injection via `lib/service_locator.dart`
+- **Event Bus**: Loose coupling via `lib/core/event_bus.dart`
+- **Repository Pattern**: Database abstraction in `lib/db/`
+- **Rust Integration**: Performance-critical operations via Flutter Rust Bridge
+
+### Security Architecture
+- End-to-end encryption with `ente_crypto` package
+- BIP39 mnemonic-based key generation (24 words)
+- Secure storage using platform-specific implementations
+- App lock and privacy screen features
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+lib/
+├── core/           # Configuration, constants, networking
+├── services/       # Business logic (28+ services)
+├── ui/            # UI components (18 subdirectories)
+├── models/        # Data models (17 subdirectories)
+├── db/            # SQLite database layer
+├── utils/         # Utilities and helpers
+├── gateways/      # API gateway interfaces
+├── events/        # Event system
+├── l10n/          # Localization files (intl_*.arb)
+└── generated/     # Auto-generated code including localizations
+```
+
+## Localization (Flutter)
+
+- Add new strings to `lib/l10n/intl_en.arb` (English base file)
+- Use `AppLocalizations` to access localized strings in code
+- Example: `AppLocalizations.of(context).yourStringKey`
+- Run code generation after adding new strings: `flutter pub get`
+- Translations managed via Crowdin for other languages
+
+## Key Dependencies
+
+- **Flutter 3.32.8** with Dart SDK >=3.3.0 <4.0.0
+- **Media**: `photo_manager`, `video_editor`, `ffmpeg_kit_flutter`
+- **Storage**: `sqflite`, `flutter_secure_storage`
+- **ML/AI**: Custom ONNX runtime, `ml_linalg`
+- **Rust**: Flutter Rust Bridge for performance
+
+## Development Setup Requirements
+
+1. Install Flutter v3.32.8 and Rust
+2. Install Flutter Rust Bridge: `cargo install flutter_rust_bridge_codegen`
+3. Generate Rust bindings: `flutter_rust_bridge_codegen generate`
+4. Update submodules: `git submodule update --init --recursive`
+5. Enable git hooks: `git config core.hooksPath hooks`
+
+## Important Notes
+
+- Large service files (some 70k+ lines) - consider file context when editing
+- 400+ dependencies - check existing libraries before adding new ones
+- When adding functionality, check both `../../packages/` for shared code and `./plugins/` for Photos-specific plugins
+- Performance-critical paths use Rust integration
+- Always follow existing code conventions and patterns in neighboring files