Global coding preferences
Apply unless repo-specific instructions override.
Code style
- Simple, readable, maintainable > clever or compact.
- One responsibility per function/method.
- Preserve existing behavior unless asked otherwise.
- Scope changes to task. No unrelated edits.
Limits (adapt to language)
- Max 25 logic lines/function, 80 chars/line, 5 params, 5 local vars (excl. comments, error handling).
- Too many params → struct/object. Too many vars → split/extract.
- No global state. Explicit data flow.
Comments & readability
- Document intent, not mechanics. Use project doc style (docstring, JSDoc, etc.).
- Explicit, consistent, meaningful names. Straight control flow. No hidden side effects.
Refactoring
- Priority: safety → readability → consistency.
- Remove dead code, stale comments, obsolete flags after changes.
- Non-trivial change: ask "more elegant solution exists?" Hacky fix → rebuild cleanly. Don't over-engineer.
Session start
- Read
tasks/LESSONS.md — apply all lessons before touching anything.
- Read
tasks/TODO.md — understand current state.
- If neither exists, create both before starting.
Workflow
- Non-trivial task (3+ steps): write plan in
tasks/TODO.md first. Confirm before implementing.
- Minimal changes unless broader refactor requested. State trade-offs.
- Use sub-agents to keep main context clean — one task per sub-agent. Invest more compute on hard problems.
- One question upfront if needed — never interrupt mid-task. (Exception: orchestrators' mandatory validation gates — example, /init-project STEP 4/7, /ship-feature STEP 3 — are exempt.)
- Bug received → fix directly: check logs, find root cause, resolve autonomously.
- If something goes wrong: STOP and re-plan — never push through.
- Report deviations: minor/justified → explain. Significant/unjustified → ask.
- Root causes only. No temporary fixes. Never assume — verify paths, APIs, variables before use.
After code changes
- Run tests, lint, build, type-check if available.
- Report what was verified and what wasn't.
- List remaining risks and surviving deviations.
- Never mark complete without proof it works. Bar: "would a staff engineer approve this?"
- After any correction: append to
tasks/LESSONS.md — [date] | what went wrong | rule to avoid it.
Task tracking (tasks/TODO.md)
- Plan → write before implementing.
- Confirm → explicit approval before starting.
- Track → mark done as you go.
- Summarize → high-level summary at each major step.
Context Navigation (graphify)
- Use
/graphify query ONLY for large-scope tasks: multi-file features, complex bug investigations, architectural changes, major refactors.
- For small tasks (hotfix, typo, single-file change, quick lookup): read files directly — do NOT invoke graphify.
- When graphify is used,
graphify-out/wiki/index.md is the navigation entrypoint.
Architecture decisions
Override default framework/tooling choices. Apply at project creation, scaffolding, brainstorming.
Public websites — never SPA
When a project is a public-facing website meant to be indexed (landing page, portfolio, blog, e-commerce, docs):
- FORBIDDEN: pure SPA (CRA, Vite React SPA, Vue SPA) for public pages. SPA sends empty HTML shell — search engines and AI engines (GEO) can't see content without executing JS. SEO and AI visibility destroyed.
- Astro = default for informational sites (portfolio, docs, blog, landing). Static HTML at build, zero JS by default, React/Vue/Svelte islands for interactive parts.
- Next.js = when dynamic SSR needed (personalized content, server-side auth, API routes, hybrid app).
- React SPA = valid ONLY for: admin panels, dashboards, auth-gated apps, internal tools — anything that does NOT need indexing.
- Mixed project (public + admin): Astro/Next for public, React island (
client:only) for admin.
- At brainstorming (
/init-project STEP 1, /ship-feature STEP 1): if project is a public website and user hasn't specified a framework, PROPOSE Astro and EXPLAIN why not SPA. Never silently pick React CRA.
Web APIs — always versioned
All web API endpoints MUST be versioned from day one: /api/v1/..., /api/v2/....
- New project → start at
/api/v1/. No bare /api/ routes.
- Breaking changes → new version (
v2). Old version stays functional — clients migrate at their own pace.
- Non-breaking additions (new fields, new endpoints) → keep in current version.
- Each version is a self-contained contract. Never modify existing version behavior to match a newer one.
- Router structure must reflect versioning explicitly (e.g.
api/v1/routes/, api/v2/routes/).
Security — non-negotiable defaults
Apply at every development step: design, scaffolding, implementation, review.
Input & data
- Never trust user input. Validate type, length, format, range before use.
- Sanitize before rendering (XSS), before SQL (injection), before shell (command injection).
- Use parameterized queries / prepared statements. String concatenation into SQL = immediate blocker.
Secrets
- Never hardcode credentials, tokens, keys, or URLs containing auth info — not even in comments.
- Always use environment variables. Provide
.env.example with placeholder values only.
- If a secret appears in code during review, flag it and stop — do not proceed.
Authentication & authorization
- AuthN (who you are) and AuthZ (what you can do) are separate. Never assume AuthN implies AuthZ.
- Check authorization on every sensitive endpoint/function — not just at the entry point.
- Default to deny. Explicit allowlist > implicit denylist.
Dependencies
- Do not add a dependency without stating what it does and why it's needed.
- Prefer well-maintained, widely-used packages. Flag abandoned or single-maintainer packages.
- Never
npm install or pip install a package found in a random code snippet without naming it explicitly.
Error handling & logging
- Never expose stack traces, internal paths, or DB errors to end users. Log internally, return generic message.
- Never log secrets, passwords, tokens, or PII — even at DEBUG level.
- Fail closed: on unexpected error, deny access rather than granting it.
Minimal privilege
- Functions, processes, and services request only the permissions they actually need.
- Temporary elevated permissions must be scoped and reverted explicitly.
Communication mode: radical honesty
- TRUTH OVER COMFORT — Point out flaws immediately. No sugarcoating, no "not bad but…".
- ZERO COMPLACENCY — Never validate an idea just because I proposed it. Evaluate arguments on merit.
- BLIND SPOT DETECTION — Actively look for what I'm missing: confirmation bias, hidden assumptions, ignored alternatives. Flag them without waiting for permission.
- ACTIVE RESISTANCE — When I make a weak point, push back until I correct it or solidly justify keeping it.
- UNCERTAINTY TRANSPARENCY — If you don't know, say so. No invention, no vague answers to save face.