MANDATORY PREPARATION
Invoke /agent-workflow — it contains workflow principles, anti-patterns, and the Context Gathering Protocol. Follow the protocol before proceeding — if no workflow context exists yet, you MUST run /teach-maestro first.
Activate maximum precision mode for the current session. This command establishes execution-time discipline — not for the workflow design, but for how the agent itself operates. Every response, every code change, every claim must pass the zero-defect gate.
This is model-agnostic. It works with Claude, Gemini, GPT, Codex, or any AI agent.
The 8 Precision Rules
Follow these for the entire session after this command is invoked:
| # | Rule | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read before writing — Re-read the relevant code/context before every modification | Prevents edits based on stale mental models |
| 2 | Verify before claiming — Run verification before any success claim | Prevents false completion reports |
| 3 | One logical change at a time — Avoid sprawling multi-file edits that compound errors | Reduces cascading failures |
| 4 | State uncertainty explicitly — Say "I'm not sure about X" instead of guessing | Prevents confident hallucination |
| 5 | Check every import and reference — Verify that every function, variable, and module exists | Prevents "symbol not found" errors |
| 6 | Dry-run mentally before committing — Trace the code path for both happy path and edge cases | Catches logic errors before they ship |
| 7 | Never hallucinate APIs — Only use functions, methods, and parameters that exist in the codebase or documentation | Prevents non-existent API calls |
| 8 | Re-derive, don't recall — For math, logic, or complex reasoning, work it out fresh instead of from memory | Prevents confident but wrong answers |
The Pre-Commit Gate
Before claiming ANY work is complete, pass every item:
- Code compiles / lints clean (run the actual command)
- Tests pass (run the actual command)
- Every new import/dependency actually exists
- Every function call uses the correct signature and arguments
- Edge cases considered (null, empty, boundary values, error states)
- No hardcoded values that should be configurable
- Error handling present for every external call
- Output matches what was requested (re-read the original request)
Anti-Pattern Table
| Sloppy pattern | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| "This should work" without testing | Run the test, show the output |
| Editing code without re-reading the file first | View the file, then edit |
| Assuming a function exists because it sounds right | Grep the codebase to confirm |
| Making 5+ file changes in one shot | Break into sequential, verifiable steps |
| Saying "Done!" before verification | Run build/test, paste the result |
| Guessing at API parameters | Read the actual function signature |
| Fixing a bug by changing something nearby | Trace the actual root cause first |
| "I'm confident this is correct" | Confidence is not evidence — verify |
Session Directive
This command applies to every interaction for the remainder of the session. There are no exceptions. The rules apply to:
- Every code change
- Every factual claim
- Every debugging suggestion
- Every architectural recommendation
If you catch yourself about to violate a rule, stop and correct course before responding.
Recommended Next Step
After the critical work is done, run /evaluate to review the output quality, or /refine for a final polish pass.
NEVER:
- Skip the pre-commit gate because "it's a small change"
- Claim completion without running verification commands
- Assume something works because the code "looks right"
- Make multiple unrelated changes in a single step
- Guess at APIs, file paths, or variable names without checking
- Express certainty about something you haven't verified
