GPT WORLD / INDEPENDENT CODEX FIELD MANUAL Source review · 2026-07-31

Retrospective edition / CODEX

Encode repository truth in AGENTS.md

Durable guidance should name architecture boundaries, commands, conventions, and verification without replacing the current task.

01 / DECIDE

Architecture decision

Use it when contributors and agents repeatedly need the same repository-specific instructions.

Durable guidance should name architecture boundaries, commands, conventions, and verification without replacing the current task. Map input, output, state, and side effects as one observable path before deciding which layer owns encode repository truth in agents.md.

02 / BUILD

Three-step implementation

  1. 01

    Frame the contract

    Write down the caller, data classification, success condition, timeout, cancellation, and ownership. Use it when contributors and agents repeatedly need the same repository-specific instructions.

  2. 02

    Build one narrow path

    Implement one end-to-end path with request correlation, typed state, and reversible failure handling. Durable guidance should name architecture boundaries, commands, conventions, and verification without replacing the current task.

  3. 03

    Prove the outcome

    Turn acceptance into a repeatable fixture, contract test, or browser test. A newcomer can run the documented checks and obtain the same repository interpretation without private context.

03 / BOUND

Production boundary

Keep instructions scoped, executable, current, and free of secrets; nested files should only specialize their subtree.

04 / PROVE

Acceptance evidence

A newcomer can run the documented checks and obtain the same repository interpretation without private context.

SOURCE / HTTP

Reproducible source probe

curl -fsSI 'https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/agent-configuration/agents-md' | sed -n '1,5p'