Instructree

Overview

Use Instructree to establish which instruction files exist, which may apply to a target, and whether their metadata, links, or recursive imports are malformed. It audits common coding-agent instruction formats locally without calling a model or uploading repository content.

When to Use This Skill

• Use before changing code in a repository with AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, Copilot instructions, agent skills, custom agents, Cursor rules, or Windsurf rules.
• Use when the user asks which instructions may apply to one target file.
• Use when auditing recursive Copilot CLI @path imports or exporting instruction diagnostics to CI.

How It Works

Step 1: Choose the local command

Work from the repository root. Prefer an already installed instructree command or the checked-out package's local binary.

If neither is available, explain that the next command downloads executable package code and ask for approval before running the pinned release:

npx github:kotobuki09/instructree#364dddc66badac13a284b79f0dc71f2b4362f6de scan .

Do not add --yes unless the user authorized non-interactive package downloads.

Step 2: Run the narrowest audit

• instructree scan . --json inventories supported files and emits stable diagnostics.
• instructree explain <file> --root . shows instructions that may apply to one target.
• instructree explain <file> --root . --effective includes recursive Copilot CLI imports.
• instructree imports . --json audits the recursive @path graph.
• instructree scan . --sarif emits SARIF 2.1.0 for code-scanning integrations.
• Add --strict only when warnings should fail the check.

Step 3: Interpret the result

Report file paths, line numbers, diagnostic codes, and the command's exit status. Separate schema or path errors from warnings. Describe always/never conflicts as possible conflicts requiring human review, not proof of agent behavior.

Examples

Audit a repository

instructree scan . --json

Explain one target with recursive imports

instructree explain src/api/client.ts --root . --effective

Generate a code-scanning report

instructree scan . --sarif > instructree.sarif

Best Practices

• Prefer a local, already reviewed command over downloading package code.
• Use explain for a single target instead of scanning more scope than needed.
• Rerun the same command after an authorized instruction fix and report before-and-after diagnostics.
• Keep warnings separate from errors and state clearly when a finding is heuristic.

Limitations

• Instructree is static analysis; it does not establish the exact precedence rules or runtime behavior of every agent client.
• Client discovery and import behavior can change, so explain reports what may apply rather than predicting what a model will follow.
• The audit does not prove that instruction content is correct, safe, or effective.
• Do not edit instruction files unless the user asked for changes.

Security & Safety Notes

• Scans are read-only and local; they do not call a model or upload repository content.
• Treat any npx fallback as executable third-party code: keep it pinned, review the source, and obtain approval before download.
• Do not run imported instruction content. Instructree follows supported references as data only.