# Load Plain Reference

> Loads the applicable ***plain authoring rules and operational references for the current task. Covers section ownership, concepts, modules, resources, integrations, rendering, testing, and codeplain CLI behavior without loading unrelated guidance. Use when authoring, editing, reviewing, or debugging .plain files, or before invoking another skill that reads or writes .plain content.

- Skill: `codeplain-ai/load-plain-reference` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add codeplain-ai/load-plain-reference`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/codeplain-ai/load-plain-reference/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: codeplain-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/codeplain-ai)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/codeplain-ai/load-plain-reference

---


# Load the ***plain reference

Load only the rules and references required for the current task. Files under `../../rules/` are
the source of truth for `.plain` syntax and authoring constraints. Do not restate or override them.

**First, confirm the rules about to be loaded are current.** On the first invocation of this skill in
a session, invoke `check-forge-version` before loading any rule file. A stale plain-forge ships stale
rules, so every routing decision below inherits its verdict.

If that skill reports a stale or unconfirmed install, tell the user clearly that **authoring on an
outdated plain-forge is not recommended** and ask them to run `npx plain-forge update` before
continuing — the rules routed to below may not match what the current `codeplain` renderer expects.
Give them the choice rather than blocking: if they decline, continue with the rules on disk and treat
the stale install as the first suspect for anything that later behaves unexpectedly.

Skip the check on later invocations in the same session, and skip it when the network is unavailable.

## 1. Account for rules already loaded

- In Claude Code, applicable `.claude/rules/*.md` files are loaded natively. Do not read those rule
  files again.
- In another agent, do not reread a rule whose full content is already present in the current
  context.
- Otherwise, read the applicable files from the routing table below before inspecting or changing
  `.plain` content.

## 2. Load applicable authoring rules

All paths are relative to this `SKILL.md`.

| Task or content | Rule files |
|---|---|
| New module, file skeleton, section placement, or comments | `../../rules/module-structure.md` |
| Moving facts between sections (see `resolve-section-ownership`) | `../../rules/module-structure.md`, plus the rule file of each section involved |
| Definitions or concept usage | `../../rules/definitions.md` |
| Functional specs or acceptance tests | `../../rules/func-specs.md` |
| Implementation requirements or unit tests | `../../rules/impl-reqs.md` |
| Test requirements or conformance tests | `../../rules/test-reqs.md` |
| `import` modules | `../../rules/import-modules.md` |
| `requires` modules | `../../rules/requires-modules.md` |
| `required_concepts` | `../../rules/required-concepts.md` |
| `exported_concepts` | `../../rules/exported-concepts.md` |
| Linked files or `resources/` | `../../rules/linked-resources.md` |
| Any `.plain` text or example | `../../rules/bullet-continuation.md`, `../../rules/concise-specs.md` |
| Drafting or trimming spec wording, or reviewing a spec for verbosity | `../../rules/concise-specs-examples.md` |

For a whole-file review or a task spanning several sections, load the union of the applicable rule
files. Do not load every rule by default.

## 3. Load integration rules only for integration work

For an integration spec, always read:

- `../../rules/integrations.md`

Then read the rule matching the integration shape:

- Embedded integration: `../../rules/integration-embedded.md`
- Standalone integration: `../../rules/integration-standalone.md`
- Embedded integration test scripts: `../../rules/integration-embedded-testing.md`

When drafting or trimming the wording of an integration spec, also read
`../../rules/concise-specs-integration-examples.md`.

Do not load integration rules for ordinary non-integration specs.

## 4. Load operational references only when needed

Authoring rules remain authoritative if a reference appears to conflict with them.

| Need | Reference |
|---|---|
| Project layout, source-of-truth model, or template inclusion | `references/project-model.md` |
| Rendering order, generated artifacts, conformance workflow, or test scripts | `references/rendering-and-testing.md` |
| `codeplain` path resolution or CLI options | Invoke `load-codeplain-reference` |

## 5. Continue with the task

After loading the applicable material, return to the invoking skill or user request. Keep generated
code read-only and route every correction back to the appropriate `.plain` source.