# Principle Files Are The Contract

> Requires durable files for cross-step state. Apply when passing work between agents, phases, sessions, or reruns.

- Skill: `bostonaholic/principle-files-are-the-contract` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add bostonaholic/principle-files-are-the-contract`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/bostonaholic/principle-files-are-the-contract/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: bostonaholic (https://skillmd.com/u/bostonaholic)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/bostonaholic/principle-files-are-the-contract

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# Files Are the Contract

Persist durable work and gate results in self-declaring files; pass state between steps through files, never shared chat memory.

- A step that produced no artifact did not happen; write before reporting completion.
- Pass a path, not a paraphrase; consumers read the artifact, not the producer's summary.
- Treat files as authoritative after interruption; rebuild ledgers and phase tables by scanning them.
- Revise only by explicit rule: overwrite a revised design; append and never overwrite verdict records.
- Checkpoint long procedures to append-only logs for fresh-context recovery.
- Record decisions, approvals, and pre-images in the artifact directory for later audit.