Project instructions and AGENTS.md
Keep concise repository guidance available to the native agent.
Add repository guidance
Section titled “Add repository guidance”Create AGENTS.md at the workspace root. Describe how to work in the project,
not a transcript of everything that has happened.
# Project guidance
## AboutThis repository contains the web application and its tests.
## Working rulesKeep changes scoped to the requested feature.Preserve unrelated work.Do not deploy without explicit approval.
## VerificationRead package.json for the available scripts.Run the tests relevant to the files changed.Report checks that could not be run.These instructions help the agent understand conventions. They are not a security boundary and do not replace tool approvals.
Files the native agent reads
Section titled “Files the native agent reads”The shipped editor loads workspace-root AGENTS.md, .github/AGENTS.md,
.github/copilot-instructions.md, CLAUDE.md, .voidrules, .v3coderules,
and .cursorrules. Existing compatibility filenames can be retained.
Do not assume nested instruction files have the same discovery rules as another agent. For an ACP agent, check that agent’s instructions and configuration separately.
Keep instructions small
Section titled “Keep instructions small”Large files consume context. The editor caps instruction injection; root AGENTS.md has a smaller cap and some history-oriented sections are treated separately. Keep active guidance short and link to longer reference documents.
Use Memory for durable project facts and Skills for reusable task procedures. Avoid putting secrets or stale task lists in either.
Check what the agent understood
Section titled “Check what the agent understood”Ask it to summarize the applicable project rules and identify their files before a sensitive change. If the summary is wrong, correct the instructions or explicitly attach the relevant document. A model repeating a rule does not prove compliance.