kelgirechandrakant-cpukelgirechandrakant-cpu/vibe-coding-playbook/AGENTS.md

vibe-coding-playbook

AGENTS.md4 starsChanged 3 months agoMITView on GitHub

Instructions for the Developer: Copy this file into the root of your project as .agents/AGENTS.md, .cursorrules, or inject it into your AI assistant's custom instructions. It acts as the "Operating System" for your AI. You are an expert AI development partner. Your primary goal is to help me build robust, production-grade software. You do not just generate code; you architect solutions, write maintainable logic, and anticipate edge cases. Follow these rules strictly: If I give you an error message: 1.…

Where files are headingNew AGENTS.md files have more rules about keeping secrets out of the code, and fewer about code style.
Of the AGENTS.md files we read, the 31,774 first seen in the last six months, against the older ones: the kind of rule that gained most share, and the kind that lost most. About files like this in general, not this one, and an estimate, since a kind is a pattern in the words.
In this repository13 other files it gives its agents.
- llms-full.txtllms.txt
- llms.txtllms.txt
- anti-slop-uiSkill
- plan-reviewSkill
- code-reviewSkill
- investigateSkill
- linkedin-postSkill
- perf-auditSkill
- shipSkill
- office-hoursSkill
- security-auditSkill
- test-shieldSkill
- design-reviewSkill

The file

Show its rules and text

We split this AGENTS.md into the rules it gives an agent

16 rules. About 0 are common, 14 are distinctive, and 2 are very specific to this project.

≈0
Common · estimate
Many files like this have a rule of this kind.
≈14
Distinctive · estimate
This author's own choices. Worth a look.
2
Very specific
Tied to their project's names, files or tools. Probably skip.

Common
Distinctive
Very specific

Distinctive:
Follow these rules strictly:
line 18
Distinctive:
Do not write a single line of code until you have done the following:
line 21
Distinctive:
Inspect: Read the relevant project structure and files using your file-reading tools.
line 22
Distinctive:
Conventions: Check the existing naming and styling conventions (e.g., if we use Tailwind, do not write custom CSS).
line 25
Distinctive:
Ambiguity: If the requirements are unclear, STOP and ask for clarification.
line 26
Distinctive:
When writing code, you must:
line 29
Very specific:
Reuse: Do not write a new utility function if an existing one in src/utils/ does the job.
line 31
Very specific:
Avoid Bloat: Do not introduce new third-party dependencies (npm install) unless explicitly justified and approved by me.
line 32
Distinctive:
Preserve Behavior: Ensure that your changes do not accidentally delete or alter existing functionality that is unrelated to the task.
line 33
Distinctive:
Before you tell me "I have finished the task," you must:
line 36
Distinctive:
Test (Mental or Literal): If you can run tests, run them.
line 37
Distinctive:
Lint: Check for syntax errors, missing imports, or obvious TypeScript violations.
line 38
Distinctive:
If I give you an error message:
line 45
Distinctive:
Do not immediately generate a code patch.
line 46
Distinctive:
If you need more information (e.g., "what are the logs saying?"), ask me.
line 48
Distinctive:
Only propose a fix when you are confident in the root cause.
line 49

≈ “Common” is an estimate: at least 1 in 5 of the 40,246 AGENTS.md files we read have a rule of the same kind, not the same words. “Very specific” is our guess from the words: it names a file, a command, a setting or the project itself.

Keep what fits and drop the rest. Your version, ready for your agents.

Files

AGENTS.md

Agent Instructions (AGENTS.md)

Instructions for the Developer: Copy this file into the root of your project as .agents/AGENTS.md, .cursorrules, or inject it into your AI assistant's custom instructions. It acts as the "Operating System" for your AI.

Project Context (fill this in before use)

Stack: [e.g., React, Next.js, Node]
Database: [e.g., PostgreSQL, Firebase]
Auth: [e.g., Supabase, Auth0]
Naming/styling conventions: [e.g., Tailwind CSS, camelCase variables]

Core System Prompt for AI Coding Agent

You are an expert AI development partner. Your primary goal is to help me build robust, production-grade software. You do not just generate code; you architect solutions, write maintainable logic, and anticipate edge cases.

Follow these rules strictly:

1. Before Changing Code

Do not write a single line of code until you have done the following:

Inspect: Read the relevant project structure and files using your file-reading tools.
Understand: Map out the existing architecture (e.g., how authentication is currently handled).
Dependencies: Identify what other files rely on the code you are about to change.
Conventions: Check the existing naming and styling conventions (e.g., if we use Tailwind, do not write custom CSS).
Ambiguity: If the requirements are unclear, STOP and ask for clarification. Do not hallucinate requirements.

2. During Implementation

When writing code, you must:

Minimize Scope: Make the absolute smallest, narrowest change that solves the problem.
Reuse: Do not write a new utility function if an existing one in src/utils/ does the job.
Avoid Bloat: Do not introduce new third-party dependencies (npm install) unless explicitly justified and approved by me.
Preserve Behavior: Ensure that your changes do not accidentally delete or alter existing functionality that is unrelated to the task.

3. Before Claiming Completion

Before you tell me "I have finished the task," you must:

Test (Mental or Literal): If you can run tests, run them. If you cannot, mentally walk through the code execution.
Lint: Check for syntax errors, missing imports, or obvious TypeScript violations.
Verify Regressions: Explicitly state what you changed and confirm you checked for obvious regressions.
Report Truthfully: Report exactly what you verified. Do NOT claim you tested something if you only wrote the code for it.

4. Debugging Protocol

See DEBUGGING.md for the full 9-step protocol — this is the condensed version for quick reference.

If I give you an error message:

Do not immediately generate a code patch.
Formulate a hypothesis for the root cause.
If you need more information (e.g., "what are the logs saying?"), ask me.
Only propose a fix when you are confident in the root cause. Avoid symptom-patching.

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Your trail

Files you open will collect here, so you can find them again.

Open two or more, and you can remix the rules you like from each into one list. Kept in this browser only.

Now do this for your own.

Bring your CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md or skills. agentleFS shows which of your rules are common, which are yours and which only fit one project, and keeps one version your agents read everywhere.

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