Use when creating agents.md files - provides plain markdown format with NO frontmatter, free-form structure, and project context guidelines for AI coding assistants
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Details
Usage
After installing, this skill will be available to your AI coding assistant.
Verify installation:
skills listSkill Instructions
name: creating-agents-md description: Use when creating agents.md files - provides plain markdown format with NO frontmatter, free-form structure, and project context guidelines for AI coding assistants
Creating agents.md Files
Overview
The agents.md format provides project-specific context for AI coding assistants. It's the simplest format: plain markdown only with NO YAML frontmatter, NO special syntax.
CRITICAL:
- No frontmatter - Pure markdown only (no YAML)
- Free-form content - No required structure
- Single file - Typically
agents.mdin project root
Quick Reference
| Aspect | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | Plain markdown |
| Frontmatter | None (forbidden) |
| Structure | Free-form |
| File location | agents.md in project root |
Creating agents.md Files
Plain markdown with no frontmatter:
# TaskMaster Development Guide
## Project Overview
TaskMaster is a task management application for remote teams, built with real-time collaboration features and offline-first architecture.
## Architecture
### Frontend
- React 18 with TypeScript
- Vite for build tooling
- Zustand for state management
- React Query for server state
- Tailwind CSS for styling
### Backend
- Node.js with Express
- PostgreSQL with Prisma ORM
- WebSocket for real-time features
- Redis for caching and pub/sub
- JWT for authentication
## Coding Conventions
- Use TypeScript strict mode
- Functional components with hooks (no class components)
- Server components by default in Next.js
- Colocate tests with source files (*.test.tsx)
- Use Zod for runtime validation
## File Structure
\`\`\`
src/
components/ # Reusable UI components
features/ # Feature-based modules
hooks/ # Custom React hooks
lib/ # Utility functions
pages/ # Route pages
types/ # TypeScript types
\`\`\`
## Development Workflow
1. Create feature branch from `main`
2. Write tests first (TDD)
3. Implement feature
4. Run `pnpm test` and `pnpm lint`
5. Create PR with description
6. Merge after approval
## Testing
- Use Vitest for unit tests
- Use Playwright for E2E tests
- Aim for 80% coverage on new code
- Mock external dependencies
What to Include
Focus on project-specific information AI doesn't already know:
High Priority:
- Project overview and purpose
- Architecture decisions and patterns
- Tech stack and dependencies
- File structure and organization
- Coding conventions
- Development workflow
- Testing approach
- Domain knowledge and business logic
Skip:
- General programming best practices
- Language syntax explanations
- Framework basics
- Obvious code quality rules
Example: Backend API Project
# Payment Gateway API
## Overview
RESTful API for payment processing with support for multiple payment providers.
## Tech Stack
- Node.js 20.x
- Express
- PostgreSQL 15
- Redis for rate limiting
- Stripe and PayPal integrations
## API Design
### Endpoints
All endpoints follow REST conventions:
- `GET /api/payments` - List payments
- `GET /api/payments/:id` - Get payment details
- `POST /api/payments` - Create payment
- `PUT /api/payments/:id` - Update payment
- `DELETE /api/payments/:id` - Cancel payment
### Error Handling
Return consistent error format:
\`\`\`json
{
"error": {
"code": "PAYMENT_FAILED",
"message": "Payment could not be processed",
"details": {...}
}
}
\`\`\`
## Security
- All endpoints require JWT authentication
- Rate limiting: 100 requests/minute per IP
- Input validation with Zod schemas
- SQL injection prevention via Prisma
- PCI DSS compliance for payment data
## Database
### Conventions
- Use snake_case for table/column names
- Add timestamps (created_at, updated_at) to all tables
- Use UUIDs for primary keys
- Foreign keys follow `{table}_id` pattern
Example: Frontend Component Library
# Design System Components
A React component library following Atomic Design principles.
## Component Structure
All components follow this structure:
\`\`\`
ComponentName/
ComponentName.tsx # Main component
ComponentName.test.tsx # Tests
ComponentName.stories.tsx # Storybook stories
index.ts # Exports
\`\`\`
## Styling
- Use Tailwind CSS utility classes
- Create custom classes in `styles/components/` for complex components
- Follow BEM naming for custom classes
- Responsive by default (mobile-first)
## TypeScript
\`\`\`typescript
// Good: Explicit prop types
interface ButtonProps {
variant: 'primary' | 'secondary' | 'ghost';
size?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg';
disabled?: boolean;
onClick?: () => void;
children: React.ReactNode;
}
export function Button({ variant, size = 'md', ...props }: ButtonProps) {
return <button className={cn(variants[variant], sizes[size])} {...props} />;
}
\`\`\`
## Accessibility
- All interactive elements must be keyboard accessible
- Use semantic HTML (button, nav, main, etc.)
- Include ARIA labels for icon-only buttons
- Test with screen readers
- Maintain minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio
Content Format
Free-form markdown including:
- Project overview: Purpose and goals
- Architecture notes: Technical decisions and patterns
- Conventions: Coding standards and practices
- Context: Domain knowledge and business logic
- Workflows: Development processes
- File structure: Directory organization
- Dependencies: Key libraries and tools
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Adding YAML frontmatter | No frontmatter allowed - plain markdown only |
| Generic best practices | Focus on project-specific patterns |
| Verbose explanations | Be concise, AI already knows general concepts |
| Language tutorials | Skip basics, focus on project conventions |
| Missing context | Include domain knowledge and business logic |
Writing Style
Concise (Good):
## Testing
- Vitest for unit tests
- Playwright for E2E
- 80% coverage target
- Mock external dependencies
Verbose (Bad):
## Testing
When you are writing tests, it's important to understand that we use Vitest
for our unit tests because it's fast and modern. For end-to-end testing,
we have chosen to use Playwright because it provides excellent cross-browser
support and has a great developer experience...
File Placement
Typically in project root:
project-root/
agents.md # Main file
src/
tests/
package.json
Can also be in subdirectories for monorepos:
monorepo/
packages/
frontend/
agents.md # Frontend-specific context
backend/
agents.md # Backend-specific context
Validation
Documentation: /Users/khaliqgant/Projects/prpm/app/packages/converters/docs/agents-md.md
Schema location: /Users/khaliqgant/Projects/prpm/app/packages/converters/schemas/agents-md.schema.json
Best Practices
- Be concise: Focus on project-specific info (AI knows general practices)
- Keep updated: Review and update as project evolves
- Real examples: Show actual code patterns from your project
- Plain markdown: No YAML frontmatter or special syntax
- Human-readable: Write for both AI and human developers
- Project-specific: Avoid generic advice that AI already knows
- Natural structure: Organize however makes sense for your project
Migration from Other Formats
When converting to agents.md:
- Strip all frontmatter - Remove YAML headers completely
- Focus on content - Keep only markdown content
- Combine files - Merge multiple rule files into one cohesive document
- Simplify - Remove format-specific features (globs, regex, etc.)
- Plain markdown only - Use standard markdown syntax
Official Specification
For the authoritative specification, see: https://github.com/openai/agents.md
Remember: agents.md uses plain markdown with NO frontmatter. Free-form structure. Focus on project-specific context AI doesn't already know.
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