Techniques
The techniques fall into five groups. They overlap on purpose: a rule in AGENTS.md is usually backed by a static check, the static check is backed by a test, and the test is backed by mutation testing. Each layer catches what the one above lets through.
- Instructing the agents
One rulebook, a plan before code, and guardrails for autonomous work
- Machines and proofs
Lifecycles declared as data and checked for every possible run
- Static checks and ratchets
Lint, duplication, dead code, purity and lists that only shrink
- Testing that bites
Coverage, assertion quality, mutation testing, stories and real sandboxes
- Workflow and gates
Precommit, CI, stacked pull requests, reviews and a pinned toolchain