# Agents Md

> This skill should be used when the user asks to "create AGENTS.md", "update AGENTS.md", "maintain agent docs", "set up CLAUDE.md", or needs to keep agent instructions concise. Guides discovery of local skills and enforces minimal documentation style.

- Skill: `sitaggart/agents-md` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sitaggart/agents-md`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sitaggart/agents-md/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Product & Planning
- Author: SiTaggart (https://skillmd.com/u/sitaggart)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sitaggart/agents-md

---


# Maintaining AGENTS.md

AGENTS.md is the canonical agent-facing documentation. Keep it minimal—agents are capable and don't need hand-holding.

## File Setup

1. Create `AGENTS.md` at project root
2. Create symlink: `ln -s AGENTS.md CLAUDE.md`

## Before Writing

Discover local skills to reference:

```bash
find .claude/skills -name "SKILL.md" 2>/dev/null
ls plugins/*/skills/*/SKILL.md 2>/dev/null
```

Read each skill's frontmatter to understand when to reference it.

## Writing Rules

- **Headers + bullets** - No paragraphs
- **Code blocks** - For commands and templates
- **Reference, don't duplicate** - Point to skills: "Use `db-migrate` skill. See `.claude/skills/db-migrate/SKILL.md`"
- **No filler** - No intros, conclusions, or pleasantries
- **Trust capabilities** - Omit obvious context

## Required Sections

### Package Manager

Which tool and key commands only:

```markdown
## Package Manager

Use **pnpm**: `pnpm install`, `pnpm dev`, `pnpm test`
```

### Key Conventions

Project-specific patterns agents must follow. Keep brief.

### Local Skills

Reference each discovered skill:

```markdown
## Database

Use `db-migrate` skill for schema changes. See `.claude/skills/db-migrate/SKILL.md`

## Testing

Use `write-tests` skill. See `.claude/skills/write-tests/SKILL.md`
```

## Optional Sections

Add only if truly needed:

- API route patterns (show template, not explanation)
- CLI commands (table format)
- File naming conventions

## Anti-Patterns

Omit these:

- "Welcome to..." or "This document explains..."
- "You should..." or "Remember to..."
- Content duplicated from skills (reference instead)
- Obvious instructions ("run tests", "write clean code")
- Explanations of why (just say what)
- Long prose paragraphs

## Example Structure

```markdown
# Agent Instructions

## Package Manager

Use **pnpm**: `pnpm install`, `pnpm dev`

## API Routes
[Template code block]

## Database
Use `db-migrate` skill. See `.claude/skills/db-migrate/SKILL.md`

## Testing
Use `write-tests` skill. See `.claude/skills/write-tests/SKILL.md`

## CLI
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `pnpm cli sync` | Sync data |
```