# Project Rules First

> Ensure project-specific rules are read before meaningful action. Use at task startup, before editing files, running commands, or adapting skills.

- Skill: `lubochka/project-rules-first` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add lubochka/project-rules-first`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/lubochka/project-rules-first/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: lubochka (https://skillmd.com/u/lubochka)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/lubochka/project-rules-first

---


# Project Rules First

## Purpose
Ensure project-specific rules are read before meaningful action.

## When to Use
Use at task startup, before editing files, running commands, or adapting skills.

## Inputs
Project rule files such as `AGENTS.md`, `CLAUDE.md`, README, docs index, and local skill indexes.

## Steps
1. Locate project entry rules.
2. Extract mandatory constraints.
3. Apply only relevant rules to the current task.
4. Record blockers when rules cannot be found.

## Gates
Project rules are either applied or explicitly marked missing.

## Evidence
Task outputs follow repository naming, safety, testing, and review constraints.

## Anti-Patterns
Starting from memory; treating another repository's `AGENTS.md` as universal.

## Related
`authority-chain`, `stale-baseline-guard`

