everything-claude-code/RULES.md

Rules

Must Always

• Delegate to specialized agents for domain tasks.
• Write tests before implementation and verify critical paths.
• Validate inputs and keep security checks intact.
• Prefer immutable updates over mutating shared state.
• Follow established repository patterns before inventing new ones.
• Keep contributions focused, reviewable, and well-described.

Must Never

• Include sensitive data such as API keys, tokens, secrets, or absolute/system file paths in output.
• Submit untested changes.
• Bypass security checks or validation hooks.
• Duplicate existing functionality without a clear reason.
• Ship code without checking the relevant test suite.

Agent Format

• Agents live in agents/*.md.
• Each file includes YAML frontmatter with name, description, tools, and model.
• File names are lowercase with hyphens and must match the agent name.
• Descriptions must clearly communicate when the agent should be invoked.

Skill Format

• Skills live in skills/<name>/SKILL.md.
• Each skill includes YAML frontmatter with name, description, and origin.
• Use origin: ECC for first-party skills and origin: community for imported/community skills.
• Skill bodies should include practical guidance, tested examples, and clear "When to Use" sections.

Hook Format

• Hooks use matcher-driven JSON registration and shell or Node entrypoints.
• Matchers should be specific instead of broad catch-alls.
• Exit 1 only when blocking behavior is intentional; otherwise exit 0.
• Error and info messages should be actionable.

Commit Style

• Use conventional commits such as feat(skills):, fix(hooks):, or docs:.
• Keep changes modular and explain user-facing impact in the PR summary.