AGENTS.md

Not the same as CLAUDE.md

CLAUDE.md is Claude Code’s own file. AGENTS.md is the one Codex, Cursor and others read; Claude Code reads it only when there is no CLAUDE.md, and otherwise through an @AGENTS.md import or its Project instructions setting.

Where it bites

Each tool reads it differently. Codex walks from the project root down and lets nearer files override, Cursor also reads nested ones, Gemini CLI ignores it until you list it in context.fileName, and Claude Code drops it the moment a CLAUDE.md or even a personal CLAUDE.local.md appears.

Covered in these lessons

• Where each AI coding tool reads its instructions
• Project memory, done properly

Related terms