pub const DEFAULT_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT_TEMPLATE_FILENAME: &str = "CONTRIBUTING_AGENT.template.md";
pub const DEFAULT_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT_TEMPLATE: &str = r#"# THE WAY
This repository is governed by The Way.
The Way is not a suggestion. It is the prescribed order of creation.
All work must pass through its forms.
This is The Way.
Deviation from The Way is extremely offensive to the religious sensibilities of its practitioners, including the human user of this coding agent. Sins against The Way must be avoided at all costs.
## The Sacrament of Work
The Sacrament of Work is the sacrament of vibe coding in this repository.
Kanbus is the instrument of record. Nothing exists until it is named there.
Work begins in declaration, not in code.
Code without declaration is disorder.
Every change must be:
- Named.
- Described.
- Specified.
- Proven.
- Recorded.
If it is not recorded, it did not happen.
Use Markdown in issue descriptions and comments whenever it helps make the intent clearer.
When relationships, flows, or state transitions are easier to grasp visually, add a Mermaid diagram.
While working, record a running log in Kanbus comments on the relevant epic/task: key decisions, problems encountered, attempted fixes, outcomes, and next steps. This log is mandatory so other agents can collaborate and audit the work.
Chores that are purely about maintaining the project-management machinery (for example, updating CONTRIBUTING_AGENT.md or AGENTS.md) do not need their own project-management issues; attach them to the existing project-management epic/task to avoid infinite recursion.
For complex work, break the plan into sub-tasks and file them under the parent task/bug/chore/epic as appropriate. Create one issue per concrete step in the plan. Do not put sub-tasks under stories; stories hold behavior specs, not implementation steps.
Operational discipline: use the minimum commands needed. To inspect work, run `kbs list --status open --long` once to find the ID, then `kbs show <id>`. Do not guess IDs or spam multiple variants; if the ID is unknown, ask the user.
Editing project/ directly is hacking the data and is a sin against The Way. Do not read or write anything inside project/. Do not inspect issue JSON with tools like cat or jq. All work must pass through Kanbus.
## The Order of Being
All work is structured.
Project key prefix: {{ project_key }}.
Hierarchy: {{ hierarchy_order }}.
Non-hierarchical types: {{ non_hierarchical_types | join(", ") if non_hierarchical_types else "none" }}.
Only hierarchy types may be parents.
Initiatives are top-level milestones; they may contain epics only. Tasks, stories, bugs, and chores must roll up under an epic (or sub-task under task). Creating tasks directly under an initiative is a violation of The Way.
Permitted relationships are fixed and not to be altered.
Allowed parent-child relationships:
{% for rule in parent_child_rules %}
- {{ rule }}
{% endfor %}
Structure is not bureaucracy. Structure is memory.
## The Cognitive Framework
There is one discipline.
Outside-in Behavior-Driven Design.
The specification is the product.
Production code exists only to make a failing specification pass.
This is the first principle.
Non-negotiable laws:
- Begin with intent, not internals.
- Describe behavior in English.
- Translate behavior into Gherkin.
- Run it and watch it fail.
- Write only the code required to make it pass.
- All behavior must be specified.
- No specification may be red.
- Specifications describe observable behavior only.
- Specifications must not describe internal structure.
If behavior cannot be observed, it is not behavior.
## Roles in the Order
Epics define purpose and completion.
Stories define behavior. They contain Gherkin. They define what must happen.
Tasks and sub-tasks define implementation. They may not invent behavior beyond the specification.
Bugs restore violated behavior.
Chores maintain the ground on which behavior stands.
## The Rite of Gherkin
Every story must contain a Gherkin form.
Minimum structure:
{% for line in gherkin_example %}
{{ line }}
{% endfor %}
This is required.
Without this form, there is no alignment between intent and implementation.
## The Outside-In Ritual
When asked to add or change behavior, follow this sequence. It is not optional.
1. Clarify intent in English.
Capture role, capability, benefit.
Use: As a <role>, I want <capability>, so that <benefit>.
Confirm what is not included.
2. Create the epic and stories in Kanbus.
Record intent and Definition of Done.
3. Write executable specifications before any production code.
4. Run the specifications and confirm they fail.
5. Write the smallest code necessary to pass.
6. Refactor only while all specifications remain green.
7. Record progress. Close only when complete.
Skipping steps is corruption of the process.
## Coverage
100% specification coverage is mandatory.
Every behavior must be specified.
Every specification must pass.
Green is peace. Red is unfinished.
## Status and Priority
Statuses and workflows are fixed. They exist to maintain order.
Initial status: {{ initial_status }}.
Status changes must follow the workflow transitions below.
Workflow selection: use a workflow named after the issue type when present; otherwise use the default workflow.
{% for workflow in workflows %}
{{ workflow.name }} workflow:
{% if workflow.statuses %}
{% for status in workflow.statuses %}
- {{ status.name }} -> {{ status.transitions | join(", ") if status.transitions else "none" }}
{% endfor %}
{% else %}
- No statuses defined.
{% endif %}
{% endfor %}
Priorities are:
{% for priority in priorities %}
- {{ priority.value }} -- {{ priority.name }}
{% endfor %}
Default is {{ default_priority_value }} ({{ default_priority_name }}).
Severity is not emotion. It is signal.
## Command examples
{% for command in command_examples %}
{{ command }}
{% endfor %}
## Semantic Release Alignment
Issue types map directly to release categories.
{% for mapping in semantic_release_mapping %}
- {{ mapping.type }} -> {{ mapping.category }}
{% endfor %}
Release notes are not commentary. They are a ledger of truth.
## Example: Hello World
Even the smallest program must pass through The Way.
No code precedes intent.
No intent precedes recording.
No implementation precedes failure.
The smallest program is still subject to discipline.
User request: "Please create a Hello World program."
1. Interview the stakeholder before any code
Ask why they want it and capture the intent in plain English.
Example prompts:
- Who is the audience for Hello World?
- What environment or language should it run in?
- What output is required and where should it appear?
- What is out of scope?
2. Convert intent into a user story (before any code)
Example:
As a new user, I want a Hello World program, so that I can verify the toolchain works.
3. Create an epic for the milestone and record the story
Command:
kanbus create "Hello World program" --type epic
Example output (capture the ID):
ID: kanbus-1a2b3c
Record the intent on the epic:
kanbus comment kanbus-1a2b3c "As a new user, I want a Hello World program, so that I can verify the toolchain works."
4. Create a story for the behavior and include Gherkin (before any code)
Command:
kanbus create "Prints Hello World to stdout" --type story --parent kanbus-1a2b3c
Example output (capture the story ID):
ID: kanbus-4d5e6f
Attach the Gherkin acceptance criteria:
kanbus comment kanbus-4d5e6f "Feature: Hello World
Scenario: Run the program
Given a configured environment
When I run the program
Then it prints \"Hello, world\" to stdout"
5. Run the Gherkin and confirm it fails (before any production code)
Run the behavior tests in the repo and confirm the new scenario fails for the right reason.
6. Implement the minimum code to pass, then refactor
Write the smallest change that makes the Gherkin scenario pass.
Refactor only while all specs remain green.
"#;