Agents MD Best Practices
Overview
Refactor an AGENTS.md into a minimal root file with links to focused docs, following progressive disclosure. Produce contradictions to resolve, a root essentials set, grouped files, a suggested docs/ structure, and deletion flags.
Workflow
0) Gather inputs
- •Ask which AGENTS.md to refactor (path or pasted content).
- •Ask whether to apply file changes or draft only.
- •Ask where to place new docs/ (default:
docs/agents/).
1) Parse and normalize
- •Read the AGENTS.md content.
- •Split into individual instructions (one per line/bullet/paragraph).
- •Keep original wording; annotate with a short label so you can reference items precisely.
2) Find contradictions
- •Identify instructions that conflict (opposing directives, incompatible tools, or contradictory constraints).
- •Present each contradiction as a pair (or set) and ask which to keep.
- •Pause before restructuring until contradictions are resolved.
3) Identify essentials for root AGENTS.md
Keep only what belongs in the root file:
- •One-sentence project description.
- •Package manager if not npm.
- •Non-standard build/typecheck commands.
- •Anything truly relevant to every single task.
Ask if the user wants any other item in root before finalizing.
4) Group the rest into categories
- •Cluster remaining instructions into logical, named categories (e.g., TypeScript, Testing, API design, Git workflow, UI, Infra).
- •Create a separate markdown file per category.
- •Keep categories actionable and scoped; avoid mixed topics.
5) Create the file structure
Provide:
- •A minimal root
AGENTS.mdwith markdown links to the category files. - •Each category file with its relevant instructions.
- •A suggested
docs/folder structure.
Use the template in references/output-template.md when helpful.
6) Flag for deletion
Identify instructions that are:
- •Redundant (agent already knows this).
- •Too vague to be actionable.
- •Overly obvious (e.g., “write clean code”).
List these separately with a short reason and ask for confirmation before removing.
Output requirements
- •If no contradictions, explicitly say “No contradictions found.”
- •Use clear section headings in the response: Contradictions, Root AGENTS.md, New Files, Suggested docs/ Structure, Flags for Deletion.
- •Provide file contents in fenced code blocks with filenames.
Guardrails
- •Do not delete or rewrite instructions without user confirmation when conflicts exist or items are flagged.
- •Do not expand scope beyond the AGENTS.md content unless the user asks.