instruction files

AI Firmware is a boot layer of kernel rules, installable skills, and committed memory that makes every new agent repo start senior instead of relearning old lessons.

When an agent hits the same problem twice, encode the fix as a lint rule, CI check, or steering-file instruction that every future session inherits.

Anthropic removed over 80 percent of Claude Code's system prompt for the Claude 5 models and measured no loss on its coding evaluations. How to give your own instruction files the same trim: goals instead of rule lists, context loaded on demand, and a /doctor audit.