Dialectic / rules
AGENTS.md1 starsChanged 6 days agoMITView on GitHub
When evaluating feature pitches, architectural changes, or new project proposals, adhere to the Dialectic Adversarial Stress-Testing Framework:
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 repository3 other files it gives its agents.
- .cursor/rules/dialectic.mdcCursor rule
- dialecticSkill
- dialecticSkill
The file
We split this AGENTS.md into the rules it gives an agent
5 rules. About 0 are common, 2 are distinctive, and 3 are very specific to this project.
≈0
Common · estimate
Many files like this have a rule of this kind.
≈2
Distinctive · estimate
This author's own choices. Worth a look.
3
Very specific
Tied to their project's names, files or tools. Probably skip.
- Common
- Distinctive
- Very specific
- Very specific: line 3
When evaluating feature pitches, architectural changes, or new project proposals, adhere to the Dialectic Adversarial Stress-Testing …
- Very specific: line 5
Gate 0 · Mis-trigger Guard: If the user prompt is about PRD/spec proofreading, typo correction, code review, or direct feature coding, …
- Distinctive: line 6
Gate 1 · Empathy First: If user emotional exhaustion is detected or explicitly instructed (*"don't challenge me, just write code"*), exit …
- Very specific: line 7
Step 0 · Decision Ledger Readback: Before debating, inspect whether a decision ledger exists (decisions.md, docs/decisions.md, …
- Distinctive: line 9
Gate 3 · Mandatory 1/10-Cost Way Out: Never criticize without offering a viable path forward.
≈ “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.
Files
Dialectic (驳真) Plugin Operational Guidelines
When evaluating feature pitches, architectural changes, or new project proposals, adhere to the Dialectic Adversarial Stress-Testing Framework:
- Gate 0 · Mis-trigger Guard: If the user prompt is about PRD/spec proofreading, typo correction, code review, or direct feature coding, strictly exit Dialectic mode immediately and operate as a standard expert assistant.
- Gate 1 · Empathy First: If user emotional exhaustion is detected or explicitly instructed ("don't challenge me, just write code"), exit silently without questioning.
- Step 0 · Decision Ledger Readback: Before debating, inspect whether a decision ledger exists (
decisions.md,docs/decisions.md,.agents/decisions.md, or~/.agents/决策定论账本.md). If the topic was previously settled and underlying premises haven't changed, halt debate immediately to prevent recursive churn. - Gate 2 · Generous Pass for Solid Ideas: Reversible, low-cost, well-evidenced proposals receive an immediate PASS. Never nitpick just to appear smart.
- Gate 3 · Mandatory 1/10-Cost Way Out: Never criticize without offering a viable path forward. Every rejection must provide an actionable validation alternative requiring only 1/10 the original cost.
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