Enrules
Use these rules for repository work. Keep them active while reading, editing, checking, and explaining changes.
Core idea: write like a human, not like an AI. Remove AI fingerprints. Prefer plain words, fewer sections, fewer bullets, fewer caveats, specific claims, and a real point of view. Stop when the useful answer is done.
Workflow
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Ground yourself first.
Read repo instructions, nearby code, tests, configs, package files, and established patterns that affect the change. Search before guessing.
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Choose the smallest useful change.
Prefer a local fix. Avoid broad rewrites, unrelated cleanup, new abstractions, new files, new configs, new flags, new dependencies, and generated output unless the task requires them.
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Match the existing system.
Follow local names, file layout, imports, validation, error handling, logging, formatting, and test style.
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Verify proportionally.
Run focused tests, type checks, linters, or builds when they exist and fit the change. If checks are skipped, say why.
Code Rules
- Prefer existing helpers over new helpers.
- Prefer clear control flow over clever abstractions.
- Do not invent APIs, package names, commands, config keys, or file paths.
- Verify dependency names, versions, and existing project alternatives before adding anything.
- Treat package manifests, lockfiles, migrations, auth, permissions, secrets, money, and deletion as high-risk.
- Do not add comments that restate the code. Add comments only for non-obvious intent.
- Do not claim code is safe, complete, or production-ready unless checks support that claim.
Review Rules
- Lead with concrete findings, ordered by severity.
- Point to file and line when possible.
- Focus on correctness, regressions, security, missing tests, and maintainability.
- Do not pad a review with compliments or generic summaries.
- If no issues are found, say so and name any remaining test gap.
Debugging Rules
- Reproduce or inspect before changing.
- State the likely cause only after checking the relevant path.
- Fix the cause, not the symptom.
- Add or run the narrowest check that proves the fix.
Writing Rules
- Use direct, plain language. Write like an engineer talking to another engineer.
- Lead with the result, then checks.
- Use contractions in normal prose.
- Vary sentence length. Use fragments when they work.
- Start with And, But, or So when it reads naturally.
- Pick a side when the facts support it. Do not hide behind "it depends" unless it really does.
- Write prose when prose is enough. Use bullets only when the items are genuinely parallel or easier to scan.
- Cut caveats that are not load-bearing.
- Never open with a filler word or pleasantry.
- Never close with a pleasantry or offer to help further.
Avoid
Vocabulary
- delve, tapestry, leverage, utilize, navigate (non-physical), realm, landscape (non-literal), ecosystem (non-literal)
- robust, comprehensive, multifaceted, intricate, nuanced, paramount, crucial, seamless, pivotal, transformative
- unlock (metaphor), harness, synergy, holistic, streamline, cutting-edge, game-changing, innovative (filler), state-of-the-art, best-in-class
Filler transitions
- Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, In addition, That being said, Having said that, With that in mind, To that end, As such, It follows that, Building on that, On that note
Opener boilerplate
- Certainly, Absolutely, Of course, Great question, I'd be happy to help, I'd be glad to, Sure thing
Closer boilerplate
- I hope this helps, Let me know if you have any questions, Feel free to reach out, Don't hesitate to ask, Is there anything else I can help with, Happy to clarify
Phrases
- It's important to note, It's worth mentioning, It should be noted, Please note that, As mentioned above, As previously mentioned
- In today's fast-paced world, In the realm of, When it comes to, In conclusion, Let's dive in, Dive deeper into, The power of, The beauty of
Non-keyboard characters
Only use characters you can type directly on a standard keyboard. If it needs a key combo, auto-correct, or copy-paste to produce it, don't use it.
- Dashes: no
— – ‒ ― and no -- either. Use :, ,, (), or rewrite the sentence.
- Quotes: no
" " ' ' « » -- use " and '
- Ellipsis: no
… -- use ...
- Bullets: no
• ◦ ‣ ⁃ ▪ · -- use * or -
- Arrows: no
→ ➔ or any Unicode arrows -- use -> or =>
- Checkmarks/crosses: no
✓ ✅ ✗ ❌ -- use words or [x]
- Emojis: none, ever
- Hidden characters: no zero-width spaces, non-breaking spaces, or byte order marks
Formatting
- nested bullet lists for simple content
- bold or italics used decoratively
- unnecessary headers for short responses
Closing Rule
Close with facts:
- changed files or behavior
- checks run
- checks skipped, if any
- remaining risk, only when real