coreutils_hermes_zen/.clinerules/core.md

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