generate-rules

Generate Rules

Produce .claude/rules/ files. Each rule file is focused on one concern and loaded automatically alongside CLAUDE.md.

Role in the System

Rules are the constraints — the laws that hooks enforce and agents follow. Every rule exists to protect a workflow invariant. Hooks are the enforcement mechanism; rules are what they enforce. Agents consult rules to stay within boundaries.

Rules (constraints)
  ← Declared from CLAUDE.md standards
  → Enforced by Hooks (automatic)
  → Followed by Agents (by instruction)
  → Respected by Skills (by convention)

Input

Scan results, grill decisions, and the workflow design that determines what invariants need protection. Read .claude/scaffold-decisions.md if it exists — this is the primary source for resolved grill decisions. If standalone, scan first.

Output

Files in .claude/rules/ with optional paths frontmatter for scoping:

---
paths:
  - "src/api/**"
  - "src/middleware/**"
---

# API Conventions

[Rules specific to these paths]

Rule Categories

Generate only categories that apply (based on scan + grill):

Category	File	When
Code style	code-style.md	Style rules beyond CLAUDE.md basics
Testing	testing.md	Test conventions, coverage requirements, framework-specific patterns
Security	security.md	Auth patterns, input validation, secret management
Git workflow	git-workflow.md	Commit format, branch naming, PR process
Architecture	architecture.md	Module boundaries, dependency rules, patterns
Performance	performance.md	Perf-critical paths, caching rules, query patterns
Accessibility	accessibility.md	A11y requirements, ARIA patterns, testing

Rules for Rules

• Each file: one concern, focused, under 50 lines
• Use paths frontmatter to scope rules to relevant directories
• Don't repeat what's in CLAUDE.md — rules extend, not duplicate
• Imperative voice ("Use parameterized queries" not "You should use parameterized queries")
• Include concrete examples when the pattern isn't obvious
• Skip rules that match language/framework defaults

Path Scoping

Use paths frontmatter when rules only apply to specific directories:

---
paths:
  - "src/components/**"    # React components
  - "src/hooks/**"         # Custom hooks
---

Rules without paths apply globally.

Standalone Invocation

/generate-rules — scan + generate. Use --quick-grill for abbreviated interrogation.

$ARGUMENTS:

• --category=security,testing — Generate only specified categories
• --quick-grill — Abbreviated interrogation (3-5 questions)