agents-md-refactor

Files (2)

• README.md
• SKILL.md

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Agents Markdown File Refactor

Refactor bloated agent instruction files (AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, COPILOT.md, AmazonQ.md, etc.) to follow **progressive disclosure principles** - keeping essentials at root and organizing the rest into linked, categorized files.

---

## Triggers

Use this skill when:

- "refactor my AGENTS.md" / "refactor my CLAUDE.md"
- "split my agent instructions"
- "organize my CLAUDE.md file"
- "my AGENTS.md is too long"
- "progressive disclosure for my instructions"
- "clean up my agent config"

---

## Quick Reference

| Phase | Action | Output |
|-------|--------|--------|
| 1. Analyze | Find contradictions | List of conflicts to resolve |
| 2. Extract | Identify essentials | Core instructions for root file |
| 3. Categorize | Group remaining instructions | Logical categories |
| 4. Structure | Create file hierarchy | Root + linked files |
| 5. Prune | Flag for deletion | Redundant/vague instructions |

---

## Process

### Phase 1: Find Contradictions

Identify any instructions that conflict with each other.

**Look for:**

- Contradictory style guidelines (e.g., "use semicolons" vs "no semicolons")
- Conflicting workflow instructions
- Incompatible tool preferences
- Mutually exclusive patterns

**For each contradiction found:**

```markdown
## Contradiction Found

**Instruction A:** [quote]
**Instruction B:** [quote]

**Question:** Which should take precedence, or should both be conditional?
```

Ask the user to resolve before proceeding.

---

### Phase 2: Identify the Essentials

Extract ONLY what belongs in the root agent file. The root should be minimal - information that applies to **every single task**.

**Essential content (keep in root):**
| Category | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Project description | One sentence: "A React dashboard for analytics" |
| Package manager | Only if not npm (e.g., "Uses pnpm") |
| Non-standard commands | Custom build/test/typecheck commands |
| Critical overrides | Things that MUST override defaults |
| Universal rules | Applies to 100% of tasks |

**NOT essential (move to linked files):**

- Language-specific conventions
- Testing guidelines
- Code style details
- Framework patterns
- Documentation standards
- Git workflow details

---

### Phase 3: Group the Rest

Organize remaining instructions into logical categories.

**Common categories:**
| Category | Contents |
|----------|----------|
| `typescript.md` | TS conventions, type patterns, strict mode rules |
| `testing.md` | Test frameworks, coverage, mocking patterns |
| `code-style.md` | Formatting, naming, comments, structure |
| `git-workflow.md` | Commits, branches, PRs, reviews |
| `architecture.md` | Patterns, folder structure, dependencies |
| `api-design.md` | REST/GraphQL conventions, error handling |
| `security.md` | Auth patterns, input validation, secrets |
| `performance.md` | Optimization rules, caching, lazy loading |

**Grouping rules:**

1. Each file should be self-contained for its topic
2. Aim for 3-8 files (not too granular, not too broad)
3. Name files clearly: `{topic}.md`
4. Include only actionable instructions

---

### Phase 4: Create the File Structure

**Output structure:**

```text
project-root/
├── CLAUDE.md (or AGENTS.md)     # Minimal root with links
└── .claude/                      # Or docs/agent-instructions/
    ├── typescript.md
    ├── testing.md
    ├── code-style.md

From thimslugga/agent-skills, MIT.

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