Skip to content

docs: optimize context files for LLM accuracy and token efficiency #857

New issue

Have a question about this project? Sign up for a free GitHub account to open an issue and contact its maintainers and the community.

Sign up for GitHub

By clicking “Sign up for GitHub”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy statement. We’ll occasionally send you account related emails.

Already on GitHub? Sign in to your account

Merged
magyargergo merged 2 commits into from
Apr 16, 2026
Merged

docs: optimize context files for LLM accuracy and token efficiency #857

Show file tree
Hide file tree
Changes from all commits
Commits
Show all changes
2 commits
Select commit Hold shift + click to select a range
2f0e712
docs: optimize context files for LLM accuracy and token efficiency
magyargergo Apr 16, 2026
331f29a
docs: optimize GUARDRAILS.md for LLM context efficiency
magyargergo Apr 16, 2026
File filter

Filter by extension

Filter by extension
Conversations
Failed to load comments.
Loading
Jump to
Jump to file
Failed to load files.
Loading
Diff view
Diff view
202 changes: 99 additions & 103 deletions AGENTS.md
View file
Open in desktop
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,205 +1,201 @@
<!-- version: 1.3.0 -->
<!--
Metadata: version, last reviewed, scope, model policy, reference docs, changelog.
Last updated: 2026-03-22
-->
<!-- version: 1.4.0 -->
<!-- Last updated: 2026-04-16 -->

Last reviewed: 2026-04-13
Last reviewed: 2026-04-16

**Project:** GitNexus · **Environment:** dev · **Maintainer:** repository maintainers (see GitHub)

This file uses a standard agent header (version, scope, model policy, reference docs, changelog), adapted for this **TypeScript/JavaScript monorepo**.

## Scope

| | |
|--|--|
| **Reads** | Repository tree as needed for the task: `gitnexus/`, `gitnexus-web/`, `eval/`, plugin packages, `.github/`, `.gitnexus/` when present, and docs. |
| **Writes** | Only paths required for the requested change; keep diffs minimal. Update lockfiles when dependencies change. |
| **Executes** | `npm`, `npx`, `node` under `gitnexus/` and `gitnexus-web/`; `uv run` for Python under `eval/` when applicable; shell utilities for documented CI/dev workflows. |
| **Off-limits** | User secrets (e.g. real `.env`), production deployment credentials, unrelated repositories, destructive git history operations without explicit human confirmation. |
| Boundary | Rule |
|----------|------|
| **Reads** | `gitnexus/`, `gitnexus-web/`, `eval/`, plugin packages, `.github/`, `.gitnexus/`, docs. |
| **Writes** | Only paths required for the change; keep diffs minimal. Update lockfiles when deps change. |
| **Executes** | `npm`, `npx`, `node` under `gitnexus/` and `gitnexus-web/`; `uv run` for Python under `eval/`; documented CI/dev workflows. |
| **Off-limits** | Real `.env` / secrets, production credentials, unrelated repos, destructive git ops without confirmation. |

## Model Configuration

- **Primary:** Pin in **Cursor** (Settings → model). Use a **named** model (e.g. GPT-5.2, Claude Sonnet 4.x). Avoid relying on **Auto** when reproducibility or audit trail matters.
- **Fallback:** As configured in Cursor or your organization (do not encode `latest` or wildcards in automation configs).
- **Notes:** The open-source GitNexus CLI indexer does not call an LLM. Optional Nexus AI in the web UI uses end-user provider keys and models.
- **Primary:** Use a named model (e.g. Claude Sonnet 4.x). Avoid `Auto` or unversioned `latest` when reproducibility matters.
- **Notes:** The GitNexus CLI indexer does not call an LLM.

## Execution Sequence (complex tasks)

Long sessions dilute instructions. For **multi-step** work, state up front:

For multi-step work, state up front:
1. Which rules in this file and **[GUARDRAILS.md](GUARDRAILS.md)** apply (and any relevant Signs).
2. Current **Scope** boundaries (Reads / Writes / Off-limits).
3. Which **validation commands** you will run (e.g. `cd gitnexus && npm test`, `npx tsc --noEmit`).
2. Current **Scope** boundaries.
3. Which **validation commands** you will run (`cd gitnexus && npm test`, `npx tsc --noEmit`).

On very long threads, the human may add *“Remember: apply all AGENTS.md rules”* to re-weight rule tokens against context dilution.
On long threads, *"Remember: apply all AGENTS.md rules"* re-weights these instructions against context dilution.

## Claude Code hooks

Hooks enforce gates that prompts cannot. In **Claude Code**, **PreToolUse** hooks can block tools such as `git_commit` until checks pass. Adapt to this repo: e.g. `cd gitnexus && npm test` before commit.
**PreToolUse** hooks can block tools (e.g. `git_commit`) until checks pass. Adapt to this repo: `cd gitnexus && npm test` before commit.

## Context budget (Cursor / standards)
## Context budget

Generic “core standards” playbooks are often long and stack-specific. For this monorepo, commands and gotchas live under **Cursor Cloud specific instructions** below and in **[CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)**. If always-on rules grow, split domain rules into **`.cursor/rules/*.mdc`** (globs). **Cursor:** project-wide rules live in **`.cursor/index.mdc`** (YAML frontmatter with `alwaysApply: true`). **Claude Code:** optionally load a **`STANDARDS.md`** only when needed (e.g. *“When writing new code, read STANDARDS.md”*) to save context.
Commands and gotchas live under **Repo reference** below and in **[CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)**. If always-on rules grow, split into **`.cursor/rules/*.mdc`** (globs). **Cursor:** project-wide rules in `.cursor/index.mdc`. **Claude Code:** load `STANDARDS.md` only when needed.

## Reference Documentation
## Reference docs

- **This repository:** **[ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md)**, **[CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)**, **[GUARDRAILS.md](GUARDRAILS.md)**.
- **Cursor:** `.cursor/index.mdc` (always-on rules); optional `.cursor/rules/*.mdc` (glob-scoped). Legacy `.cursorrules` is deprecated — see `.cursor/index.mdc`.
- **Optional local files:** `NOTES.md` (short vendor-neutral project snapshot). For handoffs, keep notes local (e.g., a scratch file outside the repo) rather than committing `HANDOFF.md`.
- **GitNexus:** skills under `.claude/skills/gitnexus/`; machine-oriented rules in the `gitnexus:start` … `gitnexus:end` block below.
- **[ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md)**, **[CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)**, **[GUARDRAILS.md](GUARDRAILS.md)**
- **Cursor:** `.cursor/index.mdc` (always-on); `.cursor/rules/*.mdc` (glob-scoped). Legacy `.cursorrules` deprecated.
- **GitNexus:** skills in `.claude/skills/gitnexus/`; MCP rules in `gitnexus:start` block below.

## Changelog

| Date | Version | Change |
|------|---------|--------|
| 2026-04-16 | 1.4.0 | Fixed: web UI description, pre-commit behavior, MCP tools (7->16), added gitnexus-shared, removed stale vite-plugin-wasm gotcha. |
| 2026-04-13 | 1.3.0 | Updated GitNexus index stats after DAG refactor. |
| 2026-03-24 | 1.2.0 | Fixed gitnexus:start block duplication (was inlined in Reference Docs bullet). |
| 2026-03-23 | 1.1.0 | Updated agent instructions (sections, references, Cursor layout). |
| 2026-03-22 | 1.0.0 | Added structured agent header and changelog. |
| 2026-03-24 | 1.2.0 | Fixed gitnexus:start block duplication. |
| 2026-03-23 | 1.1.0 | Updated agent instructions, references, Cursor layout. |
| 2026-03-22 | 1.0.0 | Initial structured header and changelog. |

---

<!-- gitnexus:start -->
# GitNexus — Code Intelligence

This project is indexed by GitNexus as **GitNexus** (4325 symbols, 10556 relationships, 300 execution flows). Use the GitNexus MCP tools to understand code, assess impact, and navigate safely.
Indexed as **GitNexus** (4325 symbols, 10556 relationships, 300 execution flows). Use MCP tools to understand code, assess impact, and navigate safely.

> If any GitNexus tool warns the index is stale, run `npx gitnexus analyze` in terminal first.
> If any tool warns the index is stale, run `npx gitnexus analyze` first.

## Always Do

- **MUST run impact analysis before editing any symbol.** Before modifying a function, class, or method, run `gitnexus_impact({target: "symbolName", direction: "upstream"})` and report the blast radius (direct callers, affected processes, risk level) to the user.
- **MUST run `gitnexus_detect_changes()` before committing** to verify your changes only affect expected symbols and execution flows.
- **MUST warn the user** if impact analysis returns HIGH or CRITICAL risk before proceeding with edits.
- When exploring unfamiliar code, use `gitnexus_query({query: "concept"})` to find execution flows instead of grepping. It returns process-grouped results ranked by relevance.
- When you need full context on a specific symbol — callers, callees, which execution flows it participates in — use `gitnexus_context({name: "symbolName"})`.
- **MUST run impact analysis before editing any symbol.** `gitnexus_impact({target: "symbolName", direction: "upstream"})` — report blast radius to the user.
- **MUST run `gitnexus_detect_changes()` before committing** — verify only expected symbols and flows are affected.
- **MUST warn the user** if impact returns HIGH or CRITICAL risk.
- Explore unfamiliar code with `gitnexus_query({query: "concept"})` (process-grouped, ranked) instead of grepping.
- Full context on a symbol: `gitnexus_context({name: "symbolName"})`.

## When Debugging

1. `gitnexus_query({query: "<error or symptom>"})` — find execution flows related to the issue
2. `gitnexus_context({name: "<suspect function>"})` — see all callers, callees, and process participation
3. `READ gitnexus://repo/GitNexus/process/{processName}` — trace the full execution flow step by step
4. For regressions: `gitnexus_detect_changes({scope: "compare", base_ref: "main"})` — see what your branch changed
1. `gitnexus_query({query: "<error or symptom>"})` — find related execution flows
2. `gitnexus_context({name: "<suspect function>"})` — callers, callees, process participation
3. `READ gitnexus://repo/GitNexus/process/{processName}` — trace flow step by step
4. Regressions: `gitnexus_detect_changes({scope: "compare", base_ref: "main"})`

## When Refactoring

- **Renaming**: MUST use `gitnexus_rename({symbol_name: "old", new_name: "new", dry_run: true})` first. Review the preview — graph edits are safe, text_search edits need manual review. Then run with `dry_run: false`.
- **Extracting/Splitting**: MUST run `gitnexus_context({name: "target"})` to see all incoming/outgoing refs, then `gitnexus_impact({target: "target", direction: "upstream"})` to find all external callers before moving code.
- After any refactor: run `gitnexus_detect_changes({scope: "all"})` to verify only expected files changed.
- **Rename:** `gitnexus_rename({symbol_name: "old", new_name: "new", dry_run: true})` first. Graph edits are safe; text_search edits need manual review.
- **Extract/Split:** `gitnexus_context` (incoming/outgoing refs) then `gitnexus_impact` (upstream callers) before moving code.
- **After any refactor:** `gitnexus_detect_changes({scope: "all"})` to verify scope.

## Never Do

- NEVER edit a function, class, or method without first running `gitnexus_impact` on it.
- NEVER ignore HIGH or CRITICAL risk warnings from impact analysis.
- NEVER rename symbols with find-and-replace — use `gitnexus_rename` which understands the call graph.
- NEVER commit changes without running `gitnexus_detect_changes()` to check affected scope.
- Edit a symbol without running `gitnexus_impact` first.
- Ignore HIGH/CRITICAL risk warnings.
- Rename with find-and-replace — use `gitnexus_rename`.
- Commit without `gitnexus_detect_changes()`.

## Tools Quick Reference

| Tool | When to use | Command |
| Tool | When to use | Example |
|------|-------------|---------|
| `list_repos` | Discover indexed repos | `gitnexus_list_repos({})` |
| `query` | Find code by concept | `gitnexus_query({query: "auth validation"})` |
| `context` | 360-degree view of one symbol | `gitnexus_context({name: "validateUser"})` |
| `impact` | Blast radius before editing | `gitnexus_impact({target: "X", direction: "upstream"})` |
| `detect_changes` | Pre-commit scope check | `gitnexus_detect_changes({scope: "staged"})` |
| `rename` | Safe multi-file rename | `gitnexus_rename({symbol_name: "old", new_name: "new", dry_run: true})` |
| `cypher` | Custom graph queries | `gitnexus_cypher({query: "MATCH ..."})` |
| `api_impact` | Pre-change API route impact | `gitnexus_api_impact({route: "/api/users", method: "GET"})` |
| `route_map` | Route → handler → consumer map | `gitnexus_route_map({})` |
| `tool_map` | MCP/RPC tool definitions | `gitnexus_tool_map({})` |
| `shape_check` | Response shape vs consumer access | `gitnexus_shape_check({route: "/api/users"})` |
| `group_list` | List repo groups | `gitnexus_group_list({})` |
| `group_query` | Cross-repo search in a group | `gitnexus_group_query({name: "myGroup", query: "auth"})` |
| `group_sync` | Rebuild group Contract Registry | `gitnexus_group_sync({name: "myGroup"})` |
| `group_contracts` | Inspect group contracts | `gitnexus_group_contracts({name: "myGroup"})` |
| `group_status` | Group staleness report | `gitnexus_group_status({name: "myGroup"})` |

## Impact Risk Levels

| Depth | Meaning | Action |
|-------|---------|--------|
| d=1 | WILL BREAK — direct callers/importers | MUST update these |
| d=1 | WILL BREAK — direct callers/importers | MUST update |
| d=2 | LIKELY AFFECTED — indirect deps | Should test |
| d=3 | MAY NEED TESTING — transitive | Test if critical path |

## Resources

| Resource | Use for |
|----------|---------|
| `gitnexus://repo/GitNexus/context` | Codebase overview, check index freshness |
| `gitnexus://repo/GitNexus/context` | Codebase overview, index freshness |
| `gitnexus://repo/GitNexus/clusters` | All functional areas |
| `gitnexus://repo/GitNexus/processes` | All execution flows |
| `gitnexus://repo/GitNexus/process/{name}` | Step-by-step execution trace |

## Self-Check Before Finishing

Before completing any code modification task, verify:
1. `gitnexus_impact` was run for all modified symbols
2. No HIGH/CRITICAL risk warnings were ignored
3. `gitnexus_detect_changes()` confirms changes match expected scope
4. All d=1 (WILL BREAK) dependents were updated
2. No HIGH/CRITICAL warnings were ignored
3. `gitnexus_detect_changes()` confirms expected scope
4. All d=1 dependents were updated

## Keeping the Index Fresh

After committing code changes, the GitNexus index becomes stale. Re-run analyze to update it:

```bash
npx gitnexus analyze
```

If the index previously included embeddings, preserve them by adding `--embeddings`:

```bash
npx gitnexus analyze --embeddings
npx gitnexus analyze # basic refresh
npx gitnexus analyze --embeddings # preserve embeddings
```

To check whether embeddings exist, inspect `.gitnexus/meta.json` — the `stats.embeddings` field shows the count (0 means no embeddings). **Running analyze without `--embeddings` will delete any previously generated embeddings.**
Check `.gitnexus/meta.json` `stats.embeddings` (0 = none). Running without `--embeddings` deletes existing vectors.

> Claude Code users: A PostToolUse hook handles this automatically after `git commit` and `git merge`.
> Claude Code: PostToolUse hook handles this after `git commit` and `git merge`.

## CLI
## CLI Skills

| Task | Read this skill file |
|------|---------------------|
| Understand architecture / "How does X work?" | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-exploring/SKILL.md` |
| Blast radius / "What breaks if I change X?" | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-impact-analysis/SKILL.md` |
| Trace bugs / "Why is X failing?" | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-debugging/SKILL.md` |
| Rename / extract / split / refactor | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-refactoring/SKILL.md` |
| Tools, resources, schema reference | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-guide/SKILL.md` |
| Index, status, clean, wiki CLI commands | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-cli/SKILL.md` |
| Task | Skill file |
|------|-----------|
| Architecture / "How does X work?" | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-exploring/SKILL.md` |
| Blast radius / "What breaks?" | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-impact-analysis/SKILL.md` |
| Debugging / "Why is X failing?" | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-debugging/SKILL.md` |
| Refactoring | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-refactoring/SKILL.md` |
| Tools/resources/schema reference | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-guide/SKILL.md` |
| CLI commands (index, status, clean, wiki) | `.claude/skills/gitnexus/gitnexus-cli/SKILL.md` |

<!-- gitnexus:end -->

## Cursor Cloud specific instructions

### Repository structure
## Repo reference

This is a monorepo with two main products and supporting config packages:
### Packages

| Component | Path | Purpose |
|-----------|------|---------|
| **GitNexus CLI/Core** | `gitnexus/` | Main product — TypeScript CLI, indexing pipeline, MCP server. Published to npm. |
| **GitNexus Web UI** | `gitnexus-web/` | React/Vite browser app — graph explorer + AI chat. Runs entirely in WASM. |
| Claude Plugin | `gitnexus-claude-plugin/` | Static config for Claude marketplace (no build). |
| Cursor Integration | `gitnexus-cursor-integration/` | Static config for Cursor editor (no build). |
| SWE-bench Eval | `eval/` | Python evaluation harness (optional; needs Docker + LLM API keys). |
| Package | Path | Purpose |
|---------|------|---------|
| **CLI/Core** | `gitnexus/` | TypeScript CLI, indexing pipeline, MCP server. Published to npm. |
| **Web UI** | `gitnexus-web/` | React/Vite thin client. All queries via `gitnexus serve` HTTP API. |
| **Shared** | `gitnexus-shared/` | Shared TypeScript types and constants. |
| Claude Plugin | `gitnexus-claude-plugin/` | Static config for Claude marketplace. |
| Cursor Integration | `gitnexus-cursor-integration/` | Static config for Cursor editor. |
| Eval | `eval/` | Python evaluation harness (Docker + LLM API keys). |

### Running services

- **CLI/Core**: `cd gitnexus && npm run dev` (tsx watch mode) or `npm run build && node dist/cli/index.js <command>`
- **Web UI**: `cd gitnexus-web && npm run dev` (Vite on port 5173)
- **Backend mode**: `cd <indexed-repo> && node /workspace/gitnexus/dist/cli/index.js serve` (HTTP API on port 3741 by default)
```bash
cd gitnexus && npm run dev # CLI: tsx watch mode
cd gitnexus-web && npm run dev # Web UI: Vite on port 5173
npx gitnexus serve # HTTP API on port 4747 (from any indexed repo)
```

### Testing

**CLI / Core (`gitnexus/`)**
- **Unit tests**: `cd gitnexus && npm test` (vitest, ~2000 tests)
- **Integration tests**: `cd gitnexus && npm run test:integration` (vitest, ~1850 tests). Two LadybugDB file-locking tests (`lbug-core-adapter`, `search-core`) may fail in containerized environments due to `/tmp` locking limitations — this is a known environment issue, not a code bug.
- **TypeScript check**: `cd gitnexus && npx tsc --noEmit`
- `npm test` — full vitest suite (~2000 tests)
- `npm run test:unit` — unit tests only
- `npm run test:integration` — integration (~1850 tests). LadybugDB file-locking tests may fail in containers (known env issue).
- `npx tsc --noEmit` — typecheck

**Web UI (`gitnexus-web/`)**
- **Unit tests**: `cd gitnexus-web && npm test` (vitest, ~200 tests)
- **E2E tests**: `cd gitnexus-web && E2E=1 npx playwright test` (Playwright, 5 tests — requires `gitnexus serve` + `npm run dev` running)
- **TypeScript check**: `cd gitnexus-web && npx tsc -b --noEmit`
- `npm test` — vitest (~200 tests)
- `npm run test:e2e` — Playwright (7 spec files; requires `gitnexus serve` + `npm run dev`)
- `npx tsc -b --noEmit` — typecheck

No separate lint command is configured; TypeScript strict checking serves as the primary static analysis.
**Pre-commit hook** (`.husky/pre-commit`): formatting (prettier via lint-staged) + typecheck for staged packages. Tests do **not** run in pre-commit — CI only.

### Gotchas

- `npm install` in `gitnexus/` triggers `prepare` (builds via `tsc`) and `postinstall` (patches tree-sitter-swift). Native tree-sitter bindings require `python3`, `make`, and `g++` to be present.
- `tree-sitter-kotlin` and `tree-sitter-swift` are optional dependencies — install warnings for these are expected and non-blocking.
- The Web UI uses `vite-plugin-wasm` and requires `Cross-Origin-Opener-Policy`/`Cross-Origin-Embedder-Policy` headers for `SharedArrayBuffer` (handled automatically by Vite dev server).
- There is no ESLint/Prettier configuration in this repo.
- `npm install` in `gitnexus/` triggers `prepare` (builds via `tsc`) and `postinstall` (patches tree-sitter-swift, builds tree-sitter-proto). Native bindings need `python3`, `make`, `g++`.
- `tree-sitter-kotlin` and `tree-sitter-swift` are optional — install warnings expected.
- ESLint configured via `eslint.config.mjs` (TS, React Hooks, unused-imports). No `npm run lint` script; use `npx eslint .`. Prettier runs via lint-staged. CI checks both in `ci-quality.yml`.
Loading