AGENTS.md example
What does an AGENTS.md template look like?
A plain Markdown file named AGENTS.md at the root of the repo. No YAML frontmatter. It names the stack, the commands to run, and what the agent must not touch. The example below is the RulePaste default for Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind, and pnpm. Open the generator if that is not your stack.
Next.js AGENTS.md template
This is the generated file, not a sketch. Change the stack in the generator or sync it with CLAUDE.md.
# Project rules Stack: TypeScript, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, Vitest, pnpm. Follow these rules on every task. If a rule disagrees with existing code, match the code and mention the difference. If a rule disagrees with a direct user instruction, follow the user. ## Working agreement - Read the files you will change before editing them. Do not invent the project layout from memory.- Change only what the task needs. No drive-by refactors, renames, or formatting of untouched lines.- Match the patterns already in the repo over a generic style guide.- Do not add dependencies, config files, or abstractions the task did not ask for.- Do not commit secrets, and do not paste `.env` values, tokens, or private keys into code or chat.- If a requirement is ambiguous, choose the smallest reading, state that assumption, and continue. ## Commands - JavaScript package manager is pnpm. The lockfile to commit is pnpm-lock.yaml. Do not add a second lockfile.- Install: `pnpm install`.- Dev server: `pnpm dev` when that script exists.- Lint: `pnpm lint` when that script exists. Typecheck with the project's typecheck script or `tsc --noEmit` if the repo uses it.- Build: `pnpm build` when you changed a build path.- Tests: `pnpm test`. Single pass, not watch mode: `pnpm exec vitest run`.- Run the narrowest command that checks the change. Do not loop install, build, or the full test suite. ## TypeScript - Leave `strict` on. Do not weaken `tsconfig` to make a build pass.- No new `any`, and no `// @ts-ignore`. Use `unknown` and narrow. `@ts-expect-error` needs a reason on that line.- Match the file's style for `type` versus `interface`. Prefer a string union over a new `enum` unless the file already uses enums.- Use `import type` for type-only imports. Await promises. Do not leave a promise floating.- Do not use a non-null assertion on a value that came from outside the function. Narrow it instead. ## Next.js - Use the App Router. Do not add a `pages/` router unless this repo already has one.- Server Components are the default. Add `"use client"` only for state, effects, browser APIs, or event handlers.- Await `params`, `searchParams`, `cookies()`, `headers()`, and `draftMode()`. On Next.js 15 and later they are async.- Do not assume `fetch` is cached. Add a cache flag or the `use cache` directive only where the surrounding code already does.- Mutations go through Server Actions or route handlers and are validated on the server. Client checks are not the source of truth.- Set metadata with the Metadata API. Use `next/link` for links and `next/image` with width and height, or `fill` plus `sizes`.- Do not import the database or secret env vars into a client component. A module that must stay on the server starts with `import "server-only"`.- Only `NEXT_PUBLIC_` variables may reach client code. Never prefix a secret with `NEXT_PUBLIC_`. ## Tailwind CSS - Style with Tailwind utilities. Do not add a CSS file or a CSS-in-JS library for a one-off.- Tailwind v4 is configured in CSS with `@theme` and usually has no `tailwind.config.js`. Tailwind v3 uses that config file. Do not add the other version's config.- Use the project's color, spacing, and radius tokens. Do not invent a second palette of arbitrary values.- Mobile-first breakpoints. Every control keeps a visible focus style. Icon-only buttons need an accessible name.- If `prettier-plugin-tailwindcss` is installed, let it order classes. Use `dark:` only when the project already has a dark theme. ## Vitest - Put tests next to the code as `*.test.ts`, or in the folder the repo already uses.- Use `describe`, `it`, and `expect`. A test name states the behavior.- Assert on values, text, or roles. Do not snapshot a whole component tree.- Mock only network, time, or the filesystem. Do not mock the function under test.- Run one pass with `vitest run` or the project's test script. Do not leave watch mode running. ## pnpm - pnpm is the package manager. The lockfile is `pnpm-lock.yaml`. Do not commit another JavaScript lockfile.- Add packages with `pnpm add <pkg>` and dev packages with `pnpm add -D <pkg>`. Run scripts with `pnpm <script>`. ## Testing expectations - When you fix a bug, add a test that fails before the fix and passes after, in the repo's current test style.- When you change behavior a caller can observe, update or add a test for that behavior.- Do not test private helpers, framework internals, or third-party libraries. ## Code style - Keep strict type and lint settings on. Do not weaken them to get a green build.- No new `any`, and no empty catch blocks. Prefer `unknown` and narrowing. Handle every fallible call.- Give exported functions an explicit type when the inferred type is not obvious.- Follow the repo formatter. Do not hand-format files the formatter owns.- Do not add comments that restate the code.- Comment only a constraint, invariant, or tradeoff the code itself cannot show.- No file-header banners and no changelog comments. ## Safety - Never commit `.env`, keystores, or credential files. When a new variable is required, add an empty placeholder to the example env file.- Do not disable authentication, authorization, or TLS checks to make a test pass.- Do not force-push, `reset --hard`, drop a database, or delete a directory tree unless the user asked for that exact action.- Do not edit vendored or generated output (`node_modules`, `dist`, `.next`, `vendor`, `Library`, `.godot`). Change the source and regenerate. ## Done when - The change does what was asked and nothing extra.- New or changed behavior is covered at the level in Testing expectations.- The commands in this file that apply to the touched files have been run, or you say which command you could not run.- The diff has no unrelated files, lockfile churn, or secrets. Questions
Can I use the same text in CLAUDE.md?
Do not paste it twice. Put this file at AGENTS.md and point CLAUDE.md at @AGENTS.md so Claude Code and Codex stay on one copy.