Agent Bootstrap Hardening
Use this skill when a user wants to improve core workspace files for better reliability, speed, and safety.
Scope
Target files (if present):
AGENTS.md
SOUL.md
USER.md
HEARTBEAT.md
MEMORY.md
memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
- optional helper docs:
RESOLVER.md, QUALITY.md
Workflow
- Inventory current files and obvious gaps.
- Score each file quickly with the rubric in
references/rubric.md.
- Harden content with minimal edits:
- keep instructions concise and operational
- tighten safety boundaries and approval rules
- reduce duplicated or theory-heavy text
- preserve user tone/persona intent
- Add missing primitives when useful:
RESOLVER.md for execution routing
QUALITY.md for lightweight pre-send checks
- Return summary:
- what changed
- why it improved behavior
- remaining risks/todos
Editing rules
- Prefer small, targeted diffs over wholesale rewrites.
- Avoid introducing process that cannot be followed consistently.
- Keep AGENTS and SOUL readable in one pass.
- Preserve explicit user preferences and platform-specific norms.
Guardrails
- Never weaken privacy or approval boundaries.
- Never add hidden/external exfil behavior.
- Do not claim setup is “secure” without caveats.
- If uncertain about impact, ask before applying broad policy changes.
Output contract
Provide:
- Hardening summary (3–8 bullets)
- Files changed list
- Next recommended step (single highest-leverage follow-up)