How to write an AGENTS.md that actually helps your AI coding agent

AI coding agents are only as good as the context you give them. An AGENTS.md file is the fastest way to teach an agent how your codebase actually works — but most teams either skip it or write one that reads like a README.

What an AGENTS.md should contain

• Tech stack — language, framework, package manager, build tool.
• Commands — how to install, run, test, and lint.
• Project structure — where source and tests live.
• Conventions — the load-bearing rules an agent would otherwise get wrong.

AGENTS.md vs CLAUDE.md vs Cursor Rules

They describe the same idea in slightly different shapes. AGENTS.md is the open, cross-tool standard. CLAUDE.md is Anthropic's variant for Claude. Cursor Rules (.cursorrules) is Cursor IDE's format. RepoContext can emit all three from one scan so they never drift apart.

Keep it honest and current

Every statement should be verified against the repository, not copied from a blog post. The moment code changes, the file decays — regenerate it after refactors, not just at project start.

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