Edward Langley
122 lines
5.0 KiB
Markdown
122 lines
5.0 KiB
Markdown
- see @AGENTS.md
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Behavioral guidelines to reduce common LLM coding mistakes. Merge with project-specific instructions as needed.
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**Tradeoff:** These guidelines bias toward caution over speed. For trivial tasks, use judgment.
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## 1. Think Before Coding
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**Don't assume. Don't hide confusion. Surface tradeoffs.**
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Before implementing:
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- State your assumptions explicitly. If uncertain, ask.
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- If multiple interpretations exist, present them - don't pick silently.
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- If a simpler approach exists, say so. Push back when warranted.
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- If something is unclear, stop. Name what's confusing. Ask.
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## 2. Simplicity First
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**Minimum code that solves the problem. Nothing speculative.**
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- No features beyond what was asked.
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- No abstractions for single-use code.
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- No "flexibility" or "configurability" that wasn't requested.
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- No error handling for impossible scenarios.
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- If you write 200 lines and it could be 50, rewrite it.
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Ask yourself: "Would a senior engineer say this is overcomplicated?" If yes, simplify.
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## 3. Surgical Changes
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**Touch only what you must. Clean up only your own mess.**
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When editing existing code:
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- Don't "improve" adjacent code, comments, or formatting.
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- Don't refactor things that aren't broken.
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- Match existing style, even if you'd do it differently.
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- If you notice unrelated dead code, mention it - don't delete it.
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When your changes create orphans:
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- Remove imports/variables/functions that YOUR changes made unused.
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- Don't remove pre-existing dead code unless asked.
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The test: Every changed line should trace directly to the user's request.
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## 4. Goal-Driven Execution
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**Define success criteria. Loop until verified.**
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Transform tasks into verifiable goals:
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- "Add validation" → "Write tests for invalid inputs, then make them pass"
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- "Fix the bug" → "Write a test that reproduces it, then make it pass"
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- "Refactor X" → "Ensure tests pass before and after"
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For multi-step tasks, state a brief plan:
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```
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1. [Step] → verify: [check]
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2. [Step] → verify: [check]
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3. [Step] → verify: [check]
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```
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Strong success criteria let you loop independently. Weak criteria ("make it work") require constant clarification.
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---
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**These guidelines are working if:** fewer unnecessary changes in diffs, fewer rewrites due to overcomplication, and clarifying questions come before implementation rather than after mistakes.
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<!-- BEGIN BEADS INTEGRATION v:1 profile:minimal hash:46cd31e7 -->
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## Beads Issue Tracker
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This project uses **bd (beads)** for issue tracking. Run `bd prime` to see full workflow context and commands.
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### Quick Reference
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```bash
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bd ready # Find available work
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bd show <id> # View issue details
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bd update <id> --claim # Claim work
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bd close <id> # Complete work
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```
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### Rules
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- Use `bd` for ALL task tracking — do NOT use TodoWrite, TaskCreate, or markdown TODO lists
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- Run `bd prime` for detailed command reference and session close protocol
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- Use `bd remember` for persistent knowledge — do NOT use MEMORY.md files
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**Architecture in one line:** issues live in a local Dolt DB; sync uses `refs/dolt/data` on your git remote; `.beads/issues.jsonl` is a passive export. See https://github.com/gastownhall/beads/blob/main/docs/core-concepts/sync-concepts.md for details and anti-patterns.
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## Agent Context Profiles
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The managed Beads block is task-tracking guidance, not permission to override repository, user, or orchestrator instructions.
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- **Conservative (default)**: Use `bd` for task tracking. Do not run git commits, git pushes, or Dolt remote sync unless explicitly asked. At handoff, report changed files, validation, and suggested next commands.
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- **Minimal**: Keep tool instruction files as pointers to `bd prime`; use the same conservative git policy unless active instructions say otherwise.
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- **Team-maintainer**: Only when the repository explicitly opts in, agents may close beads, run quality gates, commit, and push as part of session close. A current "do not commit" or "do not push" instruction still wins.
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## Session Completion
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This protocol applies when ending a Beads implementation workflow. It is subordinate to explicit user, repository, and orchestrator instructions.
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1. **File issues for remaining work** - Create beads for anything that needs follow-up
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2. **Run quality gates** (if code changed) - Tests, linters, builds
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3. **Update issue status** - Close finished work, update in-progress items
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4. **Handle git/sync by active profile**:
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```bash
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# Conservative/minimal/default: report status and proposed commands; wait for approval.
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git status
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# Team-maintainer opt-in only, unless current instructions forbid it:
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git pull
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bd dolt push
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git push
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git status
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```
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5. **Hand off** - Summarize changes, validation, issue status, and any blocked sync/commit/push step
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**Critical rules:**
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- Explicit user or orchestrator instructions override this Beads block.
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- Do not commit or push without clear authority from the active profile or the current user request.
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- If a required sync or push is blocked, stop and report the exact command and error.
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<!-- END BEADS INTEGRATION -->
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