agent-add-rule

# Add Rule — Place Agent Instructions Correctly

Add a new rule or convention to the right location in the progressive disclosure structure.

## Context Spectrum

```
Static (root CLAUDE.md)      — loaded every conversation. Token cost paid on every conversation.
Semi-dynamic (docs/agents/)  — linked from root. Token cost paid only when Claude reads it.
Fully dynamic (skills)       — metadata only in context. Token cost paid only when triggered.
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Ask

Ask the user: **"What rule or convention do you want to add?"**

Accept free text. If the user already provided it (e.g., `/agent-add-rule always use snake_case for database columns`), skip this step.

### Step 2: Analyze Current Structure

Read:

- Root CLAUDE.md
- List files in docs/agents/
- List available skills

Understand what already exists so you don't duplicate or contradict.

### Step 3: Classify

Apply this decision tree:

```
Does the agent consistently get this wrong WITHOUT being told?
├── NO → Skip. The rule costs tokens and is not needed.
│
├── YES → Does it apply to EVERY task?
│   ├── YES → Root CLAUDE.md (static)
│   │         Examples: package manager, multi-tenancy, project scripts
│   │
│   └── NO → docs/agents/ file (semi-dynamic)
│             Examples: lint rules, test thresholds, API conventions
│
└── Is it a repeatable workflow or procedural knowledge?
    ├── YES → Skill (fully dynamic)
    │         Examples: deployment process, PR review checklist, migration procedure
    │
    └── NO → Skip. The rule is not needed.
```

Key questions to ask the user:

1. **"Does the agent consistently get this wrong?"** — If no, consider skipping
2. **"Does this apply to every task or just some?"** — Static vs semi-dynamic
3. **"Is this a rule or a workflow?"** — docs/agents/ vs skill
4. **"Will this change frequently?"** — Skills are easier to evolve independently

### Step 4: Recommend

Present the recommended placement with reasoning:

```
Recommendation: Add to docs/agents/guardrails.md

Reasoning:
- This is a data handling rule, not a universal workflow rule
- It applies only when working with the database
- guardrails.md already covers data isolation patterns
- Adding to root would cost tokens on every conversation unnecessarily
```

### Step 5: Confirm

Ask the user to confirm or override. If they override, respect their choice but note the trade-off:

- Moving to root: "This adds 1-3 lines to every conversation's context"
- Moving to docs/agents/: "This is visible only when explicitly linked and read"
- Moving to skill: "This loads only when the skill is triggered by a matching keyword"

### Step 6: Write

Based on confirmed placement:

**If root CLAUDE.md:**

- Add the rule under the appropriate section (Key Rules, Workflow, etc.)
- This adds 1-2 lines to every conversation's context
- Keep it concise — 1-2 lines max

**If existing docs/agents/ file:**

- Read the target file
- Add the rule under the appropriate section
- Keep consistent formatting with existing content

**If new docs/agents/ file:**

- Create the file with a clear heading and the rule
- Update root CLAUDE.md links section with a new entry including routing signal
- Example: `- API Conventions (docs/agents/api-conventions.md) — REST patterns, error response format, pagination`

**If skill:**

- Tell the user to run `/agent-skill-creator` to scaffold it
- Provide the rule content as input for the skill body

## Examples

### Example 1: Universal Rule → Root

User: "Always use pnpm, never npm"

Classification: Agent gets this wrong without being told + applies to every task → **Root**

Action: Add to Key Rules section in CLAUDE.md

### Example 2: Topic-Specific Rule → docs/agents/

User: "API responses must always include a `requestId` field"

Classification: Agent sometimes misses this + only applies to API work → **Semi-dynamic**

Action: Add to docs/agents/guardrails.md or create docs/agents/api-conventions.md

### Example 3: Complex Workflow → Skill

User: "When deploying, always run migrations first, then build, then deploy to staging, verify, then production"

Classification: Repeatable multi-step procedure → **Fully dynamic (skill)**

Action: Suggest `/agent-skill-creator` to create a deployment skill

### Example 4: Unnecessary Rule → Challenge

User: "Always use `const` instead of `let`"

Classification: ESLint already enforces this → **Not needed**

Response: "ESLint already enforces this via the `prefer-const` rule. Adding it to agent instructions would cost tokens without benefit. Skip?"

### Positive Trigger

User: "Add a new convention that API responses must include a request ID and put it in the right agent config location."

Expected behavior: Use `agent-add-rule` guidance to classify placement, confirm with the user, and apply the rule in the appropriate location.

### Non-Trigger

User: "Implement a feature flag system for staged rollouts in our backend service."

Expected behavior: Do not prioritize `agent-add-rule`; use an implementation-focused skill/workflow instead.

## Principles

- **Validate necessity**: Every rule costs tokens. Only add rules the agent consistently gets wrong without being told.
- **No duplication**: If ESLint, TypeScript, or another tool already enforces it, don't add it
- **Routing signals matter**: When adding to docs/agents/, update the root CLAUDE.md link description so Claude knows when to follow it
- **One level deep**: Never cross-reference between docs/agents/ files. All links go from root

## Troubleshooting

### Skill Does Not Trigger

- Error: The skill is not selected when expected.
- Cause: Request wording does not clearly match the description trigger conditions.
- Solution: Rephrase with explicit domain/task keywords from the description and retry.

### Guidance Conflicts With Another Skill

- Error: Instructions from multiple skills conflict in one task.
- Cause: Overlapping scope across loaded skills.
- Solution: State which skill is authoritative for the current step and apply that workflow first.

### Output Is Too Generic

- Error: Result lacks concrete, actionable detail.
- Cause: Task input omitted context, constraints, or target format.
- Solution: Add specific constraints (environment, scope, format, success criteria) and rerun.