Add AGENTS.md & Prettier Setup For Hackathon Projects

Let's dive into how to add an AGENTS.md file and set up Prettier for your hackathon project. This is particularly useful for projects aimed at integrating with various agent-based systems and ensuring consistent code formatting. We'll cover why these steps are important, how to implement them, and some additional tips to make your hackathon project shine. This guide is tailored for the SheepTester-forks and Calhacks-2025 categories, but the principles apply broadly.

Understanding the Importance of AGENTS.md

In the realm of collaborative and agent-driven systems, the AGENTS.md file serves as a crucial piece of documentation. It's essentially a guide for agents, like Jules, to understand the structure, goals, and key aspects of your project. Think of it as a welcome package or a set of instructions for automated entities interacting with your codebase. When you're working on a hackathon project, especially one aiming for integrations and diverse functionalities, clarity and accessibility are paramount. A well-crafted AGENTS.md file ensures that your project can be easily understood and utilized by various agents, streamlining the integration process.

Why is it so important? Imagine you're building a complex system designed to interact with multiple AI agents or automated tools. Each agent needs a clear understanding of what your project does, how it's structured, and what its goals are. The AGENTS.md file provides this information in a standardized, easily digestible format. It acts as a bridge, ensuring seamless communication between your project and the agents that interact with it. This is particularly crucial in hackathons where time is limited, and quick, efficient integrations can make all the difference.

Moreover, having an AGENTS.md file demonstrates a commitment to best practices in software development. It shows that you're thinking about the long-term usability and maintainability of your project, even within the condensed timeframe of a hackathon. This attention to detail can be a significant differentiator, especially when judges are evaluating projects based on their potential for real-world application and future development. In the context of hackathons like Calhacks-2025, where the focus is often on innovation and practical solutions, a well-documented project stands out.

The content of your AGENTS.md file should be comprehensive yet concise. Include details such as the project's purpose, its architecture, key functionalities, and any specific instructions for agents. You might also want to highlight the prizes you're aiming for, as this provides context for the agents and helps them understand the project's priorities. Remember, the goal is to make your project as accessible and understandable as possible to both human collaborators and automated agents. So, invest the time to create a clear, informative AGENTS.md file – it's an investment that pays off in the form of smoother integrations, better collaboration, and a more polished final product.

Creating Your AGENTS.md File

Now that we've established the importance of an AGENTS.md file, let's delve into the practical steps of creating one for your hackathon project. Think of this file as the introduction to your project for any automated agents or collaborators. It should clearly outline your project's goals, structure, and how agents can effectively interact with it. Let's walk through the key components you should include in your AGENTS.md to make it as informative and useful as possible.

1. Project Overview: Start with a brief, high-level overview of your project. What problem are you solving? What are the main features? What are you hoping to achieve during the hackathon? This section should provide a quick snapshot of your project's purpose and scope. For instance, if you're building a tool for automated code review, state that clearly in the overview. Mentioning the project's category, such as SheepTester-forks or Calhacks-2025, can also help provide context.

2. Project Architecture: Provide a simplified view of your project's architecture. This doesn't need to be an exhaustive technical document, but rather a high-level diagram or description of the main components and how they interact. If you're using specific libraries or frameworks, mention them here. This gives agents a roadmap to navigate your codebase. For example, if your project uses a microservices architecture, you might outline the main services and their responsibilities.

3. Key Functionalities: Highlight the key functionalities or features of your project. What can agents do with your project? What are the main entry points or APIs? This section is crucial for agents looking to integrate with your project. Be specific about the inputs, outputs, and expected behavior of each functionality. If your project involves natural language processing, you might detail the supported languages or the types of queries it can handle.

4. Instructions for Agents: Include specific instructions for agents interacting with your project. This might involve details on authentication, API usage, data formats, or any other relevant information. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for agents to integrate seamlessly. For instance, you might provide examples of API calls or code snippets demonstrating how to use your project's features.

5. Prizes and Goals: Since this is a hackathon project, explicitly mention the prizes you're aiming for. This provides context for agents and helps them understand the project's priorities. For example, if you're targeting a prize for innovation, highlight the novel aspects of your project. This can also be a motivating factor for agents to contribute in specific ways that align with your goals.

6. Contact Information: Include contact information for the project team or maintainers. This allows agents or collaborators to reach out with questions or feedback. A simple email address or a link to your project's repository is sufficient. Effective communication is key to successful collaboration, especially in a hackathon setting.

By including these components in your AGENTS.md file, you'll create a valuable resource that facilitates agent interaction and contributes to the overall success of your hackathon project. Remember, clarity and conciseness are key – aim to make your file as user-friendly as possible for both humans and automated agents.

Setting Up Prettier for Code Formatting

Moving on to code formatting, let's discuss how to set up Prettier for your hackathon project. Consistent code style is essential for readability and collaboration, especially in a fast-paced environment like a hackathon. Prettier is a fantastic tool that automatically formats your code, ensuring a uniform style across your entire project. This saves you time and mental energy, allowing you to focus on the more critical aspects of your project. Let's walk through the steps to integrate Prettier into your workflow seamlessly.

1. Installation: The first step is to install Prettier as a dev dependency in your project. Open your terminal, navigate to your project directory, and run the following command:

npm install --save-dev prettier

This command adds Prettier to your project's package.json file as a development dependency, meaning it's used during development but not required in the production environment. Now that Prettier is installed, you can configure it to format your code.

2. Configuration: While Prettier works out of the box with sensible defaults, you might want to customize its behavior to match your project's coding style. You can create a .prettierrc.js or .prettierrc.json file in the root of your project to define your preferences. Here's an example .prettierrc.js file:

module.exports = {
  semi: false,
  singleQuote: true,
  trailingComma: 'all',
  printWidth: 100,
};

This configuration specifies that Prettier should omit semicolons, use single quotes, add trailing commas wherever possible, and wrap lines at 100 characters. You can adjust these settings to fit your project's style guidelines. Common options include tabWidth for indentation, useTabs for using tabs instead of spaces, and bracketSpacing for spacing inside brackets.

3. Adding an npm Script: To make formatting your code easy, add an npm script to your package.json file. Open package.json and add a `