Create Rule

Create Rule

Create rules — always-on constraints applied to every agent session. Unlike skills, rules don't need triggers. They're loaded at session start and apply to all work.

Workflow

1. Gather intent — Understand what the rule should enforce. Collect:

   • A short name (lowercase, hyphenated)
   • What conventions or constraints to enforce
   • Any style guides or standards to draw from

2. Investigate the repo — Before asking questions, search for facts that reduce ambiguity:

   • Existing rules and conventions
   • Style guides, linter configs, or formatting standards
   • Patterns in existing files that reveal implicit conventions

   Don't ask the user what you can look up yourself.

3. Clarify — Ask only questions that materially affect the rule. Push until these are clear:

   • Which file types or contexts the rule applies to
   • Hard requirements vs preferences
   • Any exceptions or edge cases

4. Write RULE.md — Structure:

   # Rule Name
   
   Brief description of what this rule enforces.
   
   ## Section
   
   - Convention one
   - Convention two
   

   Writing principles:

   • Be specific. "Use - for unordered lists" is enforceable. "Use consistent formatting" is not.
   • State conventions, not explanations. The agent doesn't need to know why a convention exists to follow it.
   • Group by concern. Separate sections for structure, spacing, emphasis, etc.
   • Keep it short. Rules are loaded every session — every line costs tokens on every interaction.

5. Validate — Check the rule against existing files:

   • Pick 2–3 representative files in the repo
   • Verify the conventions are consistent with what's already there
   • Note any conflicts with existing patterns

6. Confirm — Show the user the created rule and ask if adjustments are needed.

Example Scenario

User: "Every model formats markdown differently, I want consistency."

1. Skill checks repo for .editorconfig, linter configs, existing rules — finds none

2. Asks: "Which conventions matter most — headings, lists, code blocks, line length?"

3. Reads 2–3 existing markdown files to extract implicit patterns

4. Creates markdown-style/RULE.md with specific, enforceable conventions grouped by concern:

   # Markdown Style
   
   Enforces consistent markdown formatting across all generated files.
   
   ## Lists
   
   - Use `-` for unordered list items, never `*` or `+`.
   - Indent nested lists with 2 spaces.
   
   ## Headings
   
   - Use ATX headings (`#`), never setext (`===` or `---`).
   - One blank line before and after every heading.
   
   ## Code Blocks
   
   - Use fenced code blocks (` ``` `) with an explicit language tag.
   - Never use indented code blocks.
   
   ## Line Length
   
   - Wrap prose at 80 characters.
   - Do not wrap code blocks or tables.
   

5. Validates against existing files — no conflicts

Common Failures

• Too vague to enforce — "use consistent formatting" is unenforceable. "Use - for unordered lists" is clear.
• Conflicts with existing tooling — the rule says one thing, the linter config says another. Check for .editorconfig, linter configs, and formatter settings first.
• Too long — rules load every session. A 200-line rule costs tokens on every interaction, even when irrelevant.
• Overlaps with existing rules — check .agents/rules/ for rules that already cover the same concern.

A good rule is enforceable by reading it literally. If an agent has to interpret intent, the rule is too vague.

Quality Checklist

Before finalizing, verify:

Design

• Every convention is specific enough to apply mechanically
• No convention requires inferring intent
• Sections are grouped by concern, not by discovery order

Validation

• Checked 2–3 existing repo files — no conflicts found
• Checked .editorconfig, linter configs, and formatters
• Checked .agents/rules/ for overlapping rules

Token efficiency

• No sentence that restates another
• No explanations — only conventions
• Rule is as short as it can be while remaining complete