diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index d3a0e2e..d503fa4 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "trimkit",
-  "version": "0.5.0",
+  "version": "0.5.1",
   "description": "Claude Code guardrails and utilities",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/settings/claude-md.md b/settings/claude-md.md
index e85cf06..1314535 100644
--- a/settings/claude-md.md
+++ b/settings/claude-md.md
@@ -1,5 +1,19 @@
 # TrimKit Hook Compatibility
 
+## Always pull before branching
+
+Before creating a worktree, branch, or starting any feature work, pull the
+latest from the remote main branch first:
+
+```bash
+git pull --ff-only origin main
+```
+
+Branching from stale code leads to unnecessary rebases and merge conflicts.
+Do this every time — no exceptions.
+
+## No-chaining hook
+
 TrimKit installs a `no-chaining` hook that blocks `&&`, `||`, and unsafe pipes
 in Bash tool calls. Use the patterns below to avoid triggering it.