Rule Selector

Rule Selector

Intelligently detects your tech stack and configures optimal coding rules.

When to Use

• Setting up rules for a new project
• Onboarding to an existing codebase
• Updating rules after adding new dependencies
• Auditing rule configuration for optimization
• Generating team-specific rule profiles

Instructions

Step 1: Detect Project Type

Scan for configuration files to identify the tech stack:

# Check for package managers and configs
ls -la package.json requirements.txt go.mod Cargo.toml pom.xml build.gradle composer.json Gemfile

# Check for framework-specific files
ls -la next.config.* nuxt.config.* angular.json svelte.config.* astro.config.*

Step 2: Parse Dependencies

Extract framework and library information:

Node.js/JavaScript Projects:

# Parse package.json for key dependencies
cat package.json | jq '.dependencies + .devDependencies | keys[]' | grep -E "react|next|vue|angular|svelte"

Python Projects:

# Parse requirements.txt or pyproject.toml
cat requirements.txt | grep -E "fastapi|django|flask|pytorch|tensorflow"

Go Projects:

# Parse go.mod
cat go.mod | grep -E "gin|echo|fiber|chi"

Step 3: Load Rule Index

Load the rule index to discover all available rules dynamically:

• @.claude/context/rule-index.json

The index contains metadata for all 1,081+ rules with technology mappings.

Version Compatibility Check (CRITICAL):

Before using the rule index, verify version compatibility:

// Load and validate index version
const ruleIndex = JSON.parse(await fs.readFile('.claude/context/rule-index.json', 'utf-8'));
const indexVersion = ruleIndex.version || '0.0.0';
const minRequired = '1.0.0'; // From skill frontmatter

if (!isVersionCompatible(indexVersion, minRequired)) {
  console.warn(`
⚠️  RULE INDEX VERSION MISMATCH
   Current index version: ${indexVersion}
   Required version: ${minRequired}+

   The rule index may be outdated. Please regenerate it:

   Command: pnpm index-rules
   Or:      node scripts/generate-rule-index.mjs

   This ensures all rules are discoverable by the skill.
  `);

  // Offer to regenerate automatically
  const shouldRegenerate = await promptUser('Regenerate rule index now? (y/n)');
  if (shouldRegenerate) {
    await execAsync('pnpm index-rules');
    // Reload index after regeneration
    ruleIndex = JSON.parse(await fs.readFile('.claude/context/rule-index.json', 'utf-8'));
  }
}

// Helper function for semantic version comparison
function isVersionCompatible(current, required) {
  const [cMajor, cMinor, cPatch] = current.split('.').map(Number);
  const [rMajor, rMinor, rPatch] = required.split('.').map(Number);

  // Major version must match (breaking changes)
  if (cMajor !== rMajor) return false;

  // Minor version must be >= required (new features are backward compatible)
  if (cMinor < rMinor) return false;

  // Patch version doesn't matter for compatibility
  return true;
}

When to Increment Index Version:

Update the version in scripts/generate-rule-index.mjs when:

Version History:

• 1.1.0: Added versioning metadata, schema_version, and increment guide
• 1.0.0: Initial release with master rules and library rules support

Fallback Strategy (CRITICAL for drop-in reliability):

If .claude/context/rule-index.json is missing or cannot be loaded:

1. Attempt to load pre-built index (should exist in repo):

   • Check if file exists at .claude/context/rule-index.json
   • If exists, load it (pre-built index includes common stacks)

2. If pre-built index missing, fall back to direct directory scan:

   • Scan .claude/rules-master/ directory directly
   • Scan .claude/rules-library/ (formerly archive) directory directly
   • Build temporary index in memory from discovered rules
   • Continue with rule selection using temporary index
   • Log fallback in reasoning: "Used directory scan fallback - rule-index.json not found"

3. Never fail - Always provide rule recommendations even if index is missing

Empty Directory Handling:

If no configuration files are detected (package.json, requirements.txt, go.mod, etc.):

1. Detect empty state:

   • Check for common config files: package.json, requirements.txt, go.mod, Cargo.toml, pom.xml, build.gradle, composer.json, Gemfile
   • Check for framework configs: next.config.*, nuxt.config.*, angular.json, svelte.config.*, astro.config.*
   • If none found: Empty directory detected

2. Prompt user with Quick Pick list for common stacks:

   "No configuration files detected. Please select your intended stack:
   
   **Quick Pick (Common Stacks):**
   1. Next.js - Full-stack React framework with App Router
   2. Python API - FastAPI/Django REST API service
   3. Go Service - Go microservice or API
   4. React SPA - React single-page application
   5. TypeScript App - TypeScript application
   6. Vue.js App - Vue.js application
   7. Other - Describe your stack using keywords
   
   Or describe your stack using one of these keywords:
   
   **Supported Stack Keywords:**
   - `nextjs-app` - Next.js application
   - `react-spa` - React single-page application
   - `fastapi-backend` - FastAPI backend service
   - `django-backend` - Django backend service
   - `go-microservice` - Go microservice
   - `python-api` - Python API service
   - `typescript-app` - TypeScript application
   - `vue-app` - Vue.js application
   - `angular-app` - Angular application
   - `nodejs-api` - Node.js API service
   - `mobile-react-native` - React Native mobile app
   - `mobile-flutter` - Flutter mobile app
   
   **Or describe your stack in natural language:**
   - Example: 'React with Python backend'
   - Example: 'Next.js TypeScript with PostgreSQL'
   - Example: 'Go microservices'
   - Example: 'Python FastAPI with MongoDB'
   "
   

3. Parse user description:

   • Extract technologies from user input
   • Map to rule categories using technology keywords
   • Generate profile based on parsed technologies
   • If user uses a Stack Keyword: Map directly to corresponding rules (e.g., nextjs-app → Next.js + TypeScript + React rules)

4. Generate manifest.yaml:

   • Use parsed technologies to select rules
   • Create stack profile with selected rules
   • Document that profile was generated from user description

Supported Stack Keywords

When prompting users in empty directory scenarios, suggest these keywords for better rule mapping:

Usage: When user provides a keyword, map directly to corresponding technology rules. For natural language descriptions, extract technologies and map to rules.

Step 4: Map Technologies to Rules

For each detected technology, query the index's technology_map:

// Pseudocode
const detectedTech = ['nextjs', 'react', 'typescript', 'tailwind'];
const recommendedRules = [];

detectedTech.forEach(tech => {
  const rules = index.technology_map[tech] || [];
  recommendedRules.push(...rules);
});

// Prioritize master rules over library rules
const masterRules = recommendedRules.filter(r => r.type === 'master');
const libraryRules = recommendedRules.filter(r => r.type === 'library');

Technology Mapping:

• Detected technologies from Step 2 → Query index.technology_map[tech]
• Get all rules for each technology
• Prioritize master rules (from .claude/rules-master/)
• Supplement with library rules (from .claude/rules-library/, formerly archive)

Step 5: Generate Stack Profile

Create a custom profile in manifest.yaml using rules from the index:

# Generated stack profile for: my-nextjs-app
# Rules discovered from rule index
stack_profiles:
  my-nextjs-app:
    # Auto-detected: Next.js 14 + TypeScript + Tailwind + Prisma
    include:
      # Master rules (from index, type: "master")
      - '.claude/rules-master/TECH_STACK_NEXTJS.md'
      - '.claude/rules-master/PROTOCOL_ENGINEERING.md'

      # Library rules (from index, type: "library", formerly archive)
      # Selected based on technology_map queries
      - '.claude/rules-library/nextjs.mdc'
      - '.claude/rules-library/typescript.mdc'
      - '.claude/rules-library/react.mdc'
      - '.claude/rules-library/tailwind.mdc'
      - '.claude/rules-library/vitest-unit-testing-cursorrules-prompt-file/**/*.mdc'

    exclude:
      # Exclude rules for technologies NOT detected
      # Query index.technology_map for all technologies
      # Exclude rules not matching detected stack
      - '.claude/rules-library/angular-*/**'
      - '.claude/rules-library/vue-*/**'
      - '.claude/rules-library/python-*/**'
      - '.claude/rules-library/go-*/**'
      - '.claude/rules-library/swift-*/**'
      - '.claude/rules-library/android-*/**'

    # Priority order (master rules first)
    priority:
      - TECH_STACK_NEXTJS # Master rule (highest priority)
      - PROTOCOL_ENGINEERING # Master rule (universal)
      - nextjs # Library rule (framework-specific)
      - typescript # Library rule (language)

    metadata:
      generated: '2025-11-29'
      generated_by: 'rule-selector (index-based)'
      detected_stack:
        - 'next@14.0.0'
        - 'react@18.2.0'
        - 'typescript@5.3.0'
        - 'tailwindcss@3.4.0'
        - '@prisma/client@5.7.0'
      rules_source: 'rule-index.json'
      total_rules_available: 1081
      rules_selected: 7

Detection Patterns

Frontend Detection

# React Ecosystem
react_detection:
  signals:
    - package.json: "react", "react-dom"
  variants:
    next: "next" in dependencies
    gatsby: "gatsby" in dependencies
    remix: "@remix-run" in dependencies
    vite_react: "vite" + "@vitejs/plugin-react"
  rules:
    base: ["react.mdc"]
    next: ["nextjs.mdc", "nextjs-app-router-*"]
    gatsby: ["gatsby-*"]

# Vue Ecosystem
vue_detection:
  signals:
    - package.json: "vue"
  variants:
    nuxt: "nuxt" in dependencies
    vue3: version >= 3.0
  rules:
    base: ["vue.mdc"]
    nuxt: ["vue3-nuxt-3-*"]
    vue3: ["vue3-composition-api-*"]

# Angular Ecosystem
angular_detection:
  signals:
    - package.json: "@angular/core"
    - angular.json exists
  rules: ["angular-typescript-*"]

# Svelte Ecosystem
svelte_detection:
  signals:
    - package.json: "svelte"
  variants:
    sveltekit: "@sveltejs/kit" in dependencies
  rules:
    base: ["svelte.mdc"]
    sveltekit: ["sveltekit-*"]

Backend Detection

# Python Ecosystem
python_detection:
  signals:
    - requirements.txt exists
    - pyproject.toml exists
    - "*.py" files present
  variants:
    fastapi: "fastapi" in requirements
    django: "django" in requirements
    flask: "flask" in requirements
    ml: "pytorch" or "tensorflow" in requirements
  rules:
    base: ["python.mdc"]
    fastapi: ["fastapi.mdc", "python-fastapi-*"]
    django: ["python-django-*"]
    ml: ["python-llm-ml-workflow-*"]

# Node.js Backend
node_backend_detection:
  signals:
    - package.json: "express" or "fastify" or "nestjs"
  rules: ["node-express.mdc", "javascript-*"]

# Go Backend
go_detection:
  signals:
    - go.mod exists
    - "*.go" files present
  rules: ["go-*", "backend-scalability-*"]

Testing Detection

testing_detection:
  e2e:
    cypress: ['cypress-e2e-testing-*', 'cypress-api-testing-*']
    playwright: ['playwright-e2e-testing-*', 'playwright-api-testing-*']
  unit:
    jest: ['jest-unit-testing-*']
    vitest: ['vitest-unit-testing-*']
    pytest: ['python-*'] # Python testing included in python rules
  bdd:
    cucumber: ['gherkin-*']

Output Formats

Format 1: Manifest Update (default)

Generates updated .claude/rules/manifest.yaml:

# AUTO-GENERATED by rule-selector skill
# Project: my-nextjs-app
# Generated: 2025-11-29T10:00:00Z

stack_profiles:
  # ... generated profile ...

loading_policy:
  max_rules_files: 5 # Increased for comprehensive stack
  selection: 'most_relevant'
  auto_detect: true

Format 2: Recommendation Report

## Rule Selection Report

**Project**: /path/to/my-nextjs-app
**Scan Date**: 2025-11-29

### Detected Stack

| Category  | Technology   | Version | Confidence |
| --------- | ------------ | ------- | ---------- |
| Framework | Next.js      | 14.0.0  | High       |
| Language  | TypeScript   | 5.3.0   | High       |
| Styling   | Tailwind CSS | 3.4.0   | High       |
| Database  | Prisma       | 5.7.0   | High       |
| Testing   | Vitest       | 1.0.0   | High       |

### Recommended Rules

**Primary Rules** (always load):

1. `nextjs.mdc` - Next.js App Router best practices
2. `typescript.mdc` - TypeScript coding standards
3. `react.mdc` - React component patterns

**Secondary Rules** (load when relevant): 4. `tailwind.mdc` - Tailwind CSS conventions 5. `clean-code.mdc` - Universal code quality

**Testing Rules** (load during test tasks): 6. `vitest-unit-testing-*` - Unit testing patterns

### Rules NOT Recommended

These rules are excluded as irrelevant to your stack:

- `angular-*` (No Angular detected)
- `vue-*` (No Vue detected)
- `python-*` (No Python detected)
- `cypress-*` (Playwright detected instead)

### Optimization Suggestions

1. **Context Budget**: Your stack needs ~5 rule files. Current limit is 3.
   → Recommend increasing `max_rules_files` to 5

2. **Missing Coverage**: No accessibility rules detected.
   → Consider adding `accessibility-guidelines.mdc`

3. **Duplicate Coverage**: Both `nextjs.mdc` and `react.mdc` cover components.
   → `nextjs.mdc` takes priority for Next.js projects

Format 3: JSON (for automation)

{
  "project_path": "/path/to/my-nextjs-app",
  "scan_timestamp": "2025-11-29T10:00:00Z",
  "detected_stack": {
    "framework": { "name": "nextjs", "version": "14.0.0", "confidence": 0.95 },
    "language": { "name": "typescript", "version": "5.3.0", "confidence": 1.0 },
    "styling": { "name": "tailwindcss", "version": "3.4.0", "confidence": 0.9 },
    "testing": { "name": "vitest", "version": "1.0.0", "confidence": 0.85 }
  },
  "recommended_rules": {
    "primary": ["nextjs.mdc", "typescript.mdc", "react.mdc"],
    "secondary": ["tailwind.mdc", "clean-code.mdc"],
    "testing": ["vitest-unit-testing-cursorrules-prompt-file"]
  },
  "excluded_rules": ["angular-*", "vue-*", "python-*"],
  "manifest_updates": {
    "stack_profile_name": "my-nextjs-app",
    "include_patterns": ["..."],
    "exclude_patterns": ["..."]
  }
}

Quick Commands

# Auto-detect and show recommendations
/select-rules

# Auto-detect and update manifest.yaml
/select-rules --apply

# Detect for specific directory
/select-rules --path ./packages/web

# Generate JSON output
/select-rules --format json

# Show what rules would be excluded
/select-rules --show-excluded

# Force re-detection (ignore cached)
/select-rules --fresh

Integration with Project Setup

New Project Workflow

1. User creates new project
2. Run: /select-rules --apply
3. Skill detects stack from package.json
4. Generates optimized manifest.yaml
5. Rules auto-load on next Claude session

Monorepo Support

For monorepos with multiple packages:

stack_profiles:
  monorepo_web:
    root: 'packages/web'
    include: ['nextjs-*', 'react-*']

  monorepo_api:
    root: 'packages/api'
    include: ['fastapi-*', 'python-*']

  monorepo_shared:
    root: 'packages/shared'
    include: ['typescript.mdc', 'clean-code.mdc']

Version Checking

Overview

The rule-selector skill relies on the rule index (.claude/context/rule-index.json) for dynamic rule discovery. To ensure compatibility, the skill validates the index version before use.

Version Compatibility Rules

Semantic Versioning (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH):

• MAJOR: Breaking changes to index structure (must match exactly)
• MINOR: New features/rules added (backward compatible, skill requires minimum)
• PATCH: Bug fixes and re-indexing (always compatible)

Compatibility Check:

// Skill requires: 1.2.0
// Index version: 1.3.0 ✅ Compatible (same major, higher minor)
// Index version: 1.1.0 ❌ Incompatible (lower minor version)
// Index version: 2.0.0 ❌ Incompatible (different major version)

Automatic Version Validation

When the skill loads the rule index, it automatically:

1. Checks version compatibility against min_required_version in frontmatter
2. Warns if outdated with clear instructions to regenerate
3. Offers auto-regeneration (if running in interactive mode)
4. Falls back gracefully to directory scanning if index is severely outdated

Warning Message Format

When version mismatch is detected:

⚠️  RULE INDEX VERSION MISMATCH
   Current index version: 1.0.0
   Required version: 1.2.0+

   The rule index may be outdated. Please regenerate it:

   Command: pnpm index-rules
   Or:      node scripts/generate-rule-index.mjs

   This ensures all rules are discoverable by the skill.

Regeneration Commands

Standard Regeneration (updates index with all current rules):

pnpm index-rules

Manual Regeneration (if pnpm not available):

node scripts/generate-rule-index.mjs

Prebuilt Index (lightweight, common stacks only):

pnpm index-rules:prebuilt

When to Regenerate

Regenerate the rule index when:

Version Increment Guide for Maintainers

When updating scripts/generate-rule-index.mjs, increment version as follows:

Major Version (X.0.0) - Breaking Changes:

// Example: Renamed field
const index = {
  version: '2.0.0', // Breaking: renamed 'technology_map' to 'tech_index'
  tech_index: techMap, // <- Renamed from 'technology_map'
  rules: allRules,
};

Minor Version (1.X.0) - New Features (Backward Compatible):

// Example: New metadata field
const index = {
  version: '1.2.0', // Minor: added 'templates' metadata
  rules: allRules.map(rule => ({
    ...rule,
    templates: extractTemplates(rule.path), // <- New field
  })),
  technology_map: techMap,
};

Patch Version (1.0.X) - Bug Fixes:

// Example: Fixed technology detection bug
function extractTechnologies(filePath, content) {
  // Fixed: Now correctly detects 'nextjs' from 'next.js'
  const normalized = tech === 'next.js' ? 'nextjs' : tech;
  return normalized;
}
// Version: 1.0.1 (patch bump for bug fix)

Self-Healing Index

If a requested rule is not found in the index, the skill will:

1. Log the missing rule with file path
2. Suggest regeneration via pnpm index-rules
3. Offer auto-regeneration (if running interactively)
4. Fall back to directory scan (if index regeneration fails)

This ensures the skill remains functional even with stale or missing indexes.

Testing Version Compatibility

Test Scenario 1: Current Index

# Check current index version
cat .claude/context/rule-index.json | jq '.version'
# Output: "1.1.0"

# Check skill requirements
cat .claude/skills/rule-selector/SKILL.md | grep min_required_version
# Output: min_required_version: 1.0.0

# Result: ✅ Compatible (1.1.0 >= 1.0.0)

Test Scenario 2: Outdated Index

# Simulate outdated index (edit version to 0.9.0)
# Run skill - should show warning and offer regeneration

Best Practices

1. Run on Setup: Always run rule-selector when starting a new project
2. Update Periodically: Re-run after major dependency changes
3. Review Exclusions: Check excluded rules to ensure nothing important is missed
4. Customize Priorities: Adjust rule priority based on team preferences
5. Document Decisions: Keep notes on why certain rules were included/excluded
6. Keep Index Fresh: Regenerate index after adding/moving rules (pnpm index-rules)
7. Check Version Compatibility: Validate index version matches skill requirements