$ ls ~/.claude/rules/*.md | wc -l → 17
/rules engine
Load-bearing rules survive every context compaction. Topic rules live in ~/.claude/rules/*.md and are linked from the umbrella CLAUDE.md. Each rule has a written lock date and is enforced by 0–2 hooks.
RULE -1 — No Downgrade / Constructive Only
On any problem: never just state it — return with a solution path.
RULE 0.2 — Rust First
Rust is the default. Other languages need an explicit architectural reason BEFORE writing code.
RULE 0.4 — No Hallucination / Citation Verify
Never fabricate numbers, links, or results. Not verified — say so.
RULE 0.5 — Plan Mode First
Non-trivial task → written plan BEFORE code. Approval → then Edit/Write.
RULE ZERO — Constructor Pattern
Cube = 1 file, 1 class, 1 pattern — self-contained, readable, reproducible.
KARPATHY — Karpathy Behavioral Primitives
Three primitives: Think Before Coding / Surgical Changes / Goal-Driven Execution.
RULE 0.16 — Shipped-vs-Functional Drift
STATUS-TRUTH MARKER agent footer + stub-scan hook + orchestrator pre-commit cargo gate.