diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 1ddc338..27c8329 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -77,6 +77,12 @@ cd client && npm run test:watch
 - Export pure functions (validators, formatters, etc.) for direct testing
 - Run `npm test` in both `server/` and `client/` before committing
 
+**Doc drift check:**
+```bash
+node scripts/doc-drift.js
+```
+Scans `CLAUDE.md` and `PRD.md` for verifiable code references (file paths, API routes, component names) and cross-checks each against the filesystem and source tree. Prints a PASS/FAIL report with doc name and line number. Exits non-zero on any failure — suitable for CI gating.
+
 ## Application Structure
 
 The default route `/` renders the paycheck-centric main view (`client/src/pages/PaycheckView.jsx`). It shows the current month's two paychecks side-by-side with bills, paid status, one-time expenses, and remaining balance. Month navigation (prev/next) fetches data via `GET /api/paychecks?year=&month=`.
diff --git a/scripts/doc-drift.js b/scripts/doc-drift.js
index 369fd6f..9db41b1 100644
--- a/scripts/doc-drift.js
+++ b/scripts/doc-drift.js
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ function apiRouteExists(routePath) {
   const fragment = clean.replace(/^\/api/, '');
   try {
     const out = execSync(
-      `grep -r --include="*.js" -l "${clean}\\|${fragment}" "${path.join(ROOT, 'server/src/routes')}"`,
+      `grep -rE --include="*.js" -l "${clean}|${fragment}" "${path.join(ROOT, 'server/src/routes')}"`,
       { stdio: ['pipe', 'pipe', 'pipe'] }
     ).toString().trim();
     return out.length > 0;