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DottaandClaude b004519fde docs(agents): shorten AGENTS.md and move data-path detail to a scoped rule (#20557)
## Thinking Path

> - Paperclip is the open source app people use to manage AI agents for
work
> - `AGENTS.md` is the instruction file that each human and AI
contributor reads before a change
> - The file had 311 lines, and most of the text applied to only a few
areas of the repository
> - The file told each contributor to read five documents before every
change and to treat `doc/SPEC-implementation.md` as the build contract
> - The file listed 4 of the 12 rules in `rules/`, so the list was
already out of date
> - This pull request states contributor ownership, makes the code and
tests the source of truth, and moves path-specific detail into a scoped
rule
> - The benefit is a shorter file that agents load on every session,
with detail that loads only for the files it applies to

## Linked Issues or Issue Description

**Issue type**

Outdated or unclear contributor documentation.

**Where is the issue?**

`AGENTS.md` at the repository root.

**What's wrong?**

- The file told contributors to read five documents in order before each
change.
- The file made `doc/SPEC-implementation.md` the build contract and part
of the definition of done. The maintainer considers that document
outdated.
- The file kept a manual list of scoped rules. The list named 4 of the
12 rules.
- Rule 7 (the three data paths) used about 40 lines. The rule applies
only to telemetry, observability, and run-log files.
- The agent preflight instruction was in the verification section, not
in the setup section.
- The design system section had no number and came after the definition
of done.

**Suggested fix**

Keep in `AGENTS.md` only the text that applies to every change. Move
path-specific text to `rules/` and point to `doc/` for detail.

## What Changed

- Added an ownership statement at the top of `AGENTS.md`.
- Section 1 now says that the code and tests are the source of truth.
The spec documents are background.
- Removed the spec from the definition of done and from rule 4.
- Section 2 is now a table that maps a type of change to the document to
read.
- Removed the manual rule list. The instruction to read each matching
rule in `rules/*.mdc` stays.
- Moved agent preflight to section 4. The database reset step now says
that it deletes local data.
- Rule 7 is now a short summary. The full text is in the new
`rules/data-paths.mdc`.
- Added `rules/data-paths.mdc` to `.greptile/files.json` with the same
scope as the rule globs.
- `CONTRIBUTING.md` now links to the new rule.
- Section 7 is now the default command and six labelled rules. Maps and
Storybook are one subsection.
- The design system text is now a subsection of section 9.
- Section numbers did not change, because code comments cite `AGENTS.md
§5.7` and `§6`.

## Verification

- Open `AGENTS.md` and confirm that each link and each path resolves. A
local script checked this.
- Compare `rules/data-paths.mdc` with the old rule 7 text. The
definitions and review levels are the same.
- Confirm that `.greptile/files.json` is valid JSON and that the new
scope matches the rule globs.
- No source code changed. No test suite ran locally.

## Risks

- Contributors no longer treat the spec as a requirement. A change can
now differ from the spec without an update to the spec.
- An agent that does not read scoped rules gets only the summary of the
three data paths. The summary keeps the review level for each path.
- Two Storybook instructions now live only in `maps/README.md` and
`maps/storybook-map/README.md`.

## Model Used

- Claude (Anthropic), in Claude Code with tool use.
- `claude-opus-5-5` added the ownership line and did the first review.
- `claude-fable-5-2` wrote the restructure and this pull request.

## Checklist

- [x] I have included a thinking path that traces from project context
to this change
- [x] I have specified the model used (with version and capability
details)
- [x] I have checked ROADMAP.md and confirmed this PR does not duplicate
planned core work
- [x] I have searched GitHub for duplicate or related PRs and linked
them above
- [x] I have either (a) linked existing issues with `Fixes: #` / `Closes
#` / `Refs #` OR (b) described the issue in-PR following the relevant
issue template
- [x] I have not referenced internal/instance-local Paperclip issues or
links (only public GitHub `#NNN` / `github.com/paperclipai/paperclip`
URLs)
- [x] My branch name describes the change (e.g. `docs/...`, `fix/...`)
and contains no internal Paperclip ticket id or instance-derived details
- [ ] I have run tests locally and they pass
- [x] I have added or updated tests where applicable
- [x] I have updated relevant documentation to reflect my changes
- [x] I have considered and documented any risks above
- [ ] All Paperclip CI gates are green
- [ ] Greptile is 5/5 with no open P2s, recommendations, or follow-ups
- [x] I will address all Greptile and reviewer comments before
requesting merge

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-authored-by: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-11-10 09:19:10 -06:00