Generate AGENTS.md Workflow¶

Create a standalone AGENTS.md file for cross-tool compatibility.

When to Use¶

• Multi-tool teams - Some use Claude Code, others use Cursor
• CI/CD integration - Simpler instructions for automated tools
• Different content - Want different rules for different tools

Background: AGENTS.md Standard¶

AGENTS.md is a universal standard for AI coding assistant instructions, adopted by 20,000+ repositories.

Option 1: Symlink (Recommended)¶

The simplest approach - both files stay in sync:

ln -s CLAUDE.md AGENTS.md

Pros:

• Zero maintenance
• Always in sync
• No duplication

Cons:

• Same content for all tools
• Symlinks not supported on some Windows setups

Option 2: Generate Standalone¶

Use the workflow to generate a separate file:

@.claude/skills/generate-agents-md/SKILL.md

Generate AGENTS.md for cross-tool compatibility

What AI Does¶

1. Extracts Operations section from CLAUDE.md
2. Extracts Boundaries section from CLAUDE.md
3. Adds Quick Reference for common tasks
4. Creates standalone AGENTS.md

Output Structure¶

# AGENTS.md

## Operations
- Setup Commands
- Testing Commands
- Build Commands
- Code Style Commands

## Boundaries
- Protected Files
- Never Commit
- Ask Before Modifying

## Quick Reference
- Task classification
- Common guardrails
- Code standards

Comparison¶

CLAUDE.md (Full)¶

~500 lines containing:

• Operations
• Boundaries
• Quick Reference
• Core Guardrails (35+ rules)
• 4D Methodology
• SDLC stages
• Context System
• Anti-Patterns

AGENTS.md (Operations-Only)¶

~200 lines containing:

• Operations
• Boundaries
• Quick Reference

When to Use Each¶

Use Symlink When¶

• Single-tool team
• Want identical behavior across tools
• On Unix/Mac (symlinks work)

Use Standalone When¶

• Multi-tool team with different needs
• Want simpler instructions for some tools
• Need Windows compatibility
• CI/CD tools that need minimal context

Maintaining Both Files¶

If using standalone AGENTS.md:

After CLAUDE.md Changes¶

@.claude/skills/generate-agents-md/SKILL.md

Regenerate AGENTS.md to match updated CLAUDE.md

Keeping in Sync¶

Add to your PR checklist:

• If CLAUDE.md changed, regenerate AGENTS.md

Example Generated AGENTS.md¶

# AGENTS.md

> AI coding assistant instructions (operations-focused)
> For full methodology, see CLAUDE.md

## Operations

### Setup Commands
```bash
npm install          # Install dependencies
npm run dev          # Start development server

Testing Commands¶

npm test             # Run tests
npm run test:cov     # With coverage

Build Commands¶

npm run build        # Production build
npm run lint         # Lint check

Boundaries¶

Protected Files¶

• package-lock.json (dependency lock)
• .env files (environment config)
• Database migrations (once deployed)

Never Commit¶

• Secrets, API keys
• node_modules/
• .env files

Ask Before Modifying¶

• Authentication logic
• Public API contracts
• CI/CD configuration

Quick Reference¶

Task Classification¶

• ATOMIC: <5 files, clear scope
• FEATURE: 5-10 files
• COMPLEX: >10 files

Code Standards¶

• Functions ≤50 lines
• Files ≤300 lines
• Tests >80% for business logic
• Conventional commits ```

Related¶