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| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +applyTo: '**/*.*' |
| 3 | +description: 'Instructions for interpreting and applying architectural decisions from the decisions/ folder.' |
| 4 | +--- |
| 5 | + |
| 6 | +# Decision Handling Instructions |
| 7 | + |
| 8 | +This file provides guidance on how AI coding assistants should discover, interpret, and apply architectural decision records (ADRs) from the `decisions/` folder. |
| 9 | + |
| 10 | +## Decision Discovery |
| 11 | + |
| 12 | +* MUST scan `decisions/` folder for relevant ADRs before making architectural or structural changes. |
| 13 | +* MUST prioritize decisions based on their `applyTo` glob patterns matching the current file path. |
| 14 | +* MUST read the complete decision document, not just the `instructions` frontmatter, when making complex architectural changes. |
| 15 | +* SHOULD use semantic search to find decisions related to the current task when file patterns don't provide clear matches. |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | +## Decision Application Priority |
| 18 | + |
| 19 | +Decisions MUST be applied in the following priority order: |
| 20 | + |
| 21 | +1. **`instructions` frontmatter**: Primary AI guidance - compact, actionable rules |
| 22 | +2. **Decision section**: Detailed implementation requirements and constraints |
| 23 | +3. **Consequences section**: Understanding of trade-offs and implications |
| 24 | +4. **Related Decisions**: Dependencies and cross-cutting concerns |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | +## Decision States |
| 27 | + |
| 28 | +Each decision has a `state` frontmatter field that determines how it MUST be treated: |
| 29 | + |
| 30 | +### accepted (Mandatory) |
| 31 | +* MUST follow all requirements without exception |
| 32 | +* MUST treat as non-negotiable architectural constraints |
| 33 | +* MUST apply `instructions` frontmatter as highest-priority rules |
| 34 | +* MUST NOT deviate unless explicitly overridden by user request |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +### proposed (Optional) |
| 37 | +* SHOULD consider as recommendations and best practices |
| 38 | +* MAY apply based on context and user requirements |
| 39 | +* SHOULD discuss with user before implementing significant proposed patterns |
| 40 | +* MUST NOT treat as mandatory requirements |
| 41 | + |
| 42 | +### deprecated (Legacy) |
| 43 | +* SHOULD NOT use in new implementations |
| 44 | +* MAY remain in existing code until refactored |
| 45 | +* SHOULD suggest alternatives when encountered |
| 46 | +* MUST warn user when deprecated patterns are detected |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +### superseded (Forbidden) |
| 49 | +* MUST NOT use in any circumstances |
| 50 | +* MUST use the superseding decision referenced in the document |
| 51 | +* MUST refactor existing code using superseded patterns when encountered |
| 52 | +* SHOULD inform user about the superseding decision |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +## Decision Metadata |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +Each decision contains frontmatter metadata that MUST be used for proper application: |
| 57 | + |
| 58 | +* **`applyTo`**: Glob patterns indicating which files the decision affects |
| 59 | +* **`state`**: Current status (accepted, proposed, deprecated, superseded) |
| 60 | +* **`instructions`**: Compact AI guidance for immediate application |
| 61 | +* **`created`**: Original decision date (informational) |
| 62 | +* **`lastModified`**: Most recent update date (MUST check for currency) |
| 63 | +* **`authors`**: Decision contributors (informational) |
| 64 | + |
| 65 | +## Workflow for Code Changes |
| 66 | + |
| 67 | +When making code changes, follow this workflow: |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | +1. **Identify Affected Files**: Determine which files will be modified |
| 70 | +2. **Match Decision Patterns**: Find decisions with `applyTo` patterns matching those files |
| 71 | +3. **Check Decision State**: Verify state (only "accepted" decisions are mandatory) |
| 72 | +4. **Read Instructions**: Extract and parse the `instructions` frontmatter |
| 73 | +5. **Apply Requirements**: Implement code following the decision requirements |
| 74 | +6. **Verify Compliance**: Ensure changes align with all applicable decisions |
| 75 | +7. **Check Related Decisions**: Review linked decisions for dependencies |
| 76 | + |
| 77 | +## Examples |
| 78 | + |
| 79 | +### Example 1: Creating a New Test Project |
| 80 | + |
| 81 | +**File to create**: `tests/Core.Tests.Unit/UserServiceTests.cs` |
| 82 | + |
| 83 | +**Relevant Decisions**: |
| 84 | +1. `2025-07-10-folder-structure-and-naming-conventions.md` (matches `**/*.*`) |
| 85 | +2. `2025-07-11-english-as-project-language.md` (matches `**/*.*`) |
| 86 | + |
| 87 | +**Applied Instructions**: |
| 88 | +- Test project MUST be named `Core.Tests.Unit` |
| 89 | +- Test project MUST be placed under `tests/` folder |
| 90 | +- All code, comments, and identifiers MUST be in English |
| 91 | + |
| 92 | +### Example 2: Adding a NuGet Package |
| 93 | + |
| 94 | +**File to modify**: `Directory.Packages.props` |
| 95 | + |
| 96 | +**Relevant Decisions**: |
| 97 | +1. `2025-07-10-centralized-package-version-management.md` (matches `Directory.Packages.props`) |
| 98 | +2. `2025-07-10-dependabot-automated-dependency-updates.md` (matches `Directory.Packages.props`) |
| 99 | + |
| 100 | +**Applied Instructions**: |
| 101 | +- Package version MUST be defined in `Directory.Packages.props` |
| 102 | +- Package reference in project file MUST NOT include version attribute |
| 103 | +- Dependabot will automatically manage updates |
| 104 | + |
| 105 | +### Example 3: Making a Commit |
| 106 | + |
| 107 | +**Context**: All commit operations |
| 108 | + |
| 109 | +**Relevant Decisions**: |
| 110 | +1. `2025-07-10-conventional-commits.md` (matches `**/*.*`) |
| 111 | +2. `2025-07-11-english-as-project-language.md` (matches `**/*.*`) |
| 112 | + |
| 113 | +**Applied Instructions**: |
| 114 | +- Commit message MUST follow Conventional Commits 1.0.0 format |
| 115 | +- Commit message MUST be in English |
| 116 | +- Type MUST be one of: feat, fix, docs, style, refactor, test, chore, build, ci, perf, revert |
| 117 | +- Breaking changes MUST be indicated with `!` or `BREAKING CHANGE:` footer |
| 118 | + |
| 119 | +## Related Decisions Handling |
| 120 | + |
| 121 | +When a decision references related decisions: |
| 122 | + |
| 123 | +* MUST read all related decisions to understand full context |
| 124 | +* MUST apply requirements from all related decisions that match current file |
| 125 | +* MUST respect decision dependency chains (if Decision A depends on B, read B first) |
| 126 | +* SHOULD inform user about decision dependencies when making significant changes |
| 127 | + |
| 128 | +## Conflict Resolution |
| 129 | + |
| 130 | +If decisions appear to conflict: |
| 131 | + |
| 132 | +1. **Check states**: "accepted" decisions override "proposed" ones |
| 133 | +2. **Check dates**: More recent decisions (`lastModified`) take precedence |
| 134 | +3. **Check specificity**: More specific `applyTo` patterns override generic ones |
| 135 | +4. **Ask user**: If conflict remains unclear, request user clarification |
| 136 | + |
| 137 | +## Decision Updates |
| 138 | + |
| 139 | +When suggesting changes to decisions: |
| 140 | + |
| 141 | +* MUST update the `lastModified` field to current date |
| 142 | +* MUST update the `instructions` frontmatter if core guidance changes |
| 143 | +* MUST maintain backward compatibility notes if changing "accepted" decisions |
| 144 | +* SHOULD add to "Related Decisions" if new dependencies are introduced |
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