# AGENTS.md trim checklist (10 checks)

A practical pass for `AGENTS.md`, `CLAUDE.md`, and Cursor rules.
Use with [Clogmeter](https://clogmeter.vercel.app/#tool) — free, browser-only.

Published: 2026-11-07 · Author: Dale · https://clogmeter.vercel.app/guides/agents-md-trim-checklist

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1. **Weigh before you cut.** Paste the files into the free inspector so you know token cost and can spot duplicates/conflicts before deleting by gut feel.

2. **Kill duplicate always/never lists.** Keep one canonical Always/Never section. Delete or replace copies with a one-line pointer — duplicates still cost tokens and confuse the model.

3. **Resolve conflicting always/never rules first.** Contradictory “always X” / “never X” (or near-opposites across files) make the model hedge. Cut one side before trimming anything else.

4. **Prefer path-scoped rules over always-on.** If a rule only applies under `src/api/**` (or similar), use a path-scoped Cursor rule or nested `AGENTS.md` / `CLAUDE.md` instead of stuffing the root file.

5. **Move rare procedures to skills.** Release checklists, migration steps, and once-a-month workflows belong in on-demand skills or docs — not in the always-on root file.

6. **Delete what tools already enforce.** Linters, formatters, typecheckers, hooks, and CI already catch many “always/never” rules. Markdown that repeats them is advisory noise.

7. **Skip directory trees and stack inventories.** Agents can discover the repo by reading it. Pasted trees and long tech-stack lists burn tokens every turn without improving adherence.

8. **Keep one source of truth across tools.** Prefer a canonical `AGENTS.md` with thin `CLAUDE.md` / Cursor adapters. Avoid divergent copies or symlinks that double-count the same text.

9. **Enforce hard “never” rules outside markdown.** If ignoring a rule once would hurt, use a hook, permission, linter, or CI check. Prose alone is advisory.

10. **Re-weigh after the trim.** Run the inspector again on the cleaned set. Confirm the token drop and that no new conflicts appeared. Export a trimmed copy if useful.

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## Next step

Open the free inspector: https://clogmeter.vercel.app/#tool

Optional: weekly context-trim tips are free via the form on the [HTML checklist page](https://clogmeter.vercel.app/guides/agents-md-trim-checklist).