# Managing Agents

> Configure and update AGENTS.md context file for AI agents. Use when setting up agent context or modifying agent instructions. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/managing-agents` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/managing-agents`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/managing-agents/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/managing-agents

---


# Managing Agents Context

Configure the AGENTS.md file that orients AI agents to your project.

## When to use

- Setting up AI agent context for a new project
- Updating agent instructions
- Adding new knowledge sources for agents
- Changing how agents should behave in your project

## AGENTS.md Purpose

The AGENTS.md file is the entry point for AI agents. It tells them:
- What the project does
- Where to find critical information
- How to behave and what rules to follow

## Standard Template

```markdown
# AI Agent Context

You are a senior developer joining this project.
Your goal is to help build, refactor, and maintain code following our architecture.

## Knowledge Index

Before writing code, load context from:

- **Architecture:** `.context/architecture.md`
- **Rules:** `.context/rules/coding-standards.md`
- **Skills:** `.context/skills/`

## Current State

Check `.context/project_state.md` for current work status.
```

## Best Practices

### ✅ Do

- Keep AGENTS.md concise (under 50 lines)
- Point to detailed files instead of duplicating content
- Update when project structure changes
- Include path to rules and conventions

### ❌ Avoid

- Putting detailed documentation in AGENTS.md
- Outdated file paths
- Generic instructions without project specifics
- Conflicting information between files

## Placement

AGENTS.md should be at the project root:

```
project/
├── AGENTS.md           # AI agent entry point
├── .context/           # Detailed context
│   ├── architecture.md
│   ├── project_state.md
│   ├── rules/
│   └── skills/
└── src/
```

---
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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->