# Core Agent Rules

The repository is the source of truth.

Never rely on conversational memory.

Always work from repository files.

# Workflow

Before work:
1. Read memory-bank/activeContext.md
2. Identify the active task file
3. Read only the active task file
4. Determine the task mode
5. Load only the matching mode rule file

Task modes:
- RESEARCH -> .clinerules/modes/research.md
- PLANNING -> .clinerules/modes/planning.md
- IMPLEMENTATION -> .clinerules/modes/implementation.md
- TESTING -> .clinerules/modes/testing.md
- RECOVERY -> .clinerules/modes/recovery.md

# Global Constraints

- Work on ONE task only.
- Edit only files allowed by the task.
- Do not broaden scope.
- Do not refactor unrelated code.
- Do not start side quests.
- Prefer many small files.
- Prefer small patches.
- Record important findings in repo files.
- Leave the repository resumable.

# Tool Use

Prefer MCP servers when available.

Use filesystem MCP for:
- listing files/directories
- reading files
- searching repo content
- creating files
- patching files
- checking diffs

Use git MCP for:
- git status
- git diff
- git log
- branch inspection
- reviewing changed files

Do not use slower built-in file tools when filesystem MCP can do the same job.

Before stopping:
- inspect changes with git diff/status
- update task state
- update memory-bank/activeContext.md
- record next exact action
- record meaningful commands/results in memory-bank/commandLog.md

# Recovery

If uncertain:
- stop
- reread activeContext.md
- reread the active task
- continue only from the next exact action