agent-md-refactor

Refactoring a bloated AGENTS.md file uses a five-phase process to find contradictions, identify essentials, group remaining topics, create a minimal root structure, and generate categorized linked files for organized navigation.

Progressive disclosure for agent instruction files keeps essential universal rules in a minimal root file while moving detailed topics into linked, categorized documents to improve readability and enforce consistent practices.

Yes, the refactoring process applies to CLAUDE.md, COPILOT.md, and similar agent configuration files across AI task workflows, restructuring them into a minimal root with linked documentation.

Structuring a minimal root file involves identifying essential rules for the root, grouping detailed topics into categories, and creating a navigable folder of topic-specific linked documents to replace the original configuration.

Organizing large AI workflow configuration files is best achieved by splitting them into a minimal root file containing universal guidance and a clear folder of linked, topic-specific documents covering standards and workflow rules.

You should split your agent configuration file when it grows unwieldy, making it hard to locate universal guidance and enforce consistent practices across your AI development team workflows.