Prompt

Prompt

Core principle: reuse, don't duplicate

Prompts in x-cmd are assembled from reusable fragments, not written as monoliths. A prompt template contains <PLACEHOLDER> variables that are resolved at runtime by the shell module.

Example from claw:

first_contact.md          # standalone — loaded into <FIRST_CONTACT_PROMPT>
msg_telegram.md           # assembles: <FIRST_CONTACT_PROMPT> + <CHECK_PROMPT> + <MSG>
msg_feishu.md             # same fragments, different platform adapter
heartbeat.md              # different workflow, shares <CHECK_PROMPT>

Why: one fix propagates everywhere. Platform adapters (Telegram, Feishu, WeChat) share behavioral rules but differ in send commands and formatting limits.

See reusing.md for detailed reuse patterns.

Structure rules

• Each prompt file is a complete, self-contained instruction set for one scenario
• Use <UPPER_CASE> placeholders for variables — never inline real data
• Placeholders are resolved by the calling module, not the prompt itself
• Fragment = function (logic and flow), data is appended at runtime (like setting arguments)

Safety enforcement pattern

Safety and behavioral rules MUST be explicit and forceful:

=== UNBREAKABLE RULES ===
>> RULE 1: Your stdout is INVISIBLE. Every reply MUST use send command. <<
>> RULE 2: Reply FIRST, think SECOND. For non-trivial tasks, send ack immediately. <<
>> RULE 3: Complex/long tasks → use `x agent run`. DO NOT block user. <<

Use MUST, NEVER, DO NOT. See skill0-writer for the security language rule.

Format guide pattern

When prompts target multiple platforms with different formatting capabilities:

FORMAT GUIDE:
- WeChat / Enterprise WeChat: Limited formatting. Plain text, lists, emoji. No tables.
- Telegram: Full markdown including tables. Max 4096 chars.
- Feishu: Full markdown. Card messages need JSON.

Real examples

Prompt fragments currently live in each module's lib/data/prompt/ (e.g., claw/lib/data/prompt/). They will migrate to skill0/lib/skill0/<subskill>/ — same structure, canonical location.

Current examples in claw/lib/data/prompt/:

• first_contact.md — new workspace greeting, reusable fragment
• heartbeat.md — background agent, reads workspace state
• msg_<platform>.md — per-platform message handlers, share common fragments

Related

• devloop — prompts often drive devloop tasks
• rule — prompt structure rules are enforced by x rule