AGENTS.md: Credit and Attribution Instructions for Coding Agents

LinkResource

A template file named AGENTS.md ensures coding agents credit original authors, retain existing attributions, and double-check file changes before finishing.

Key points

  1. The AGENTS.md file instructs agents to credit the author with links to their profile, repository, and commit.
  2. Attribution must appear on the first screen of the README before installation instructions.
  3. Softened phrases like 'informed' or 'inspired' are replaced with direct authorship credits, preserving existing names.
  4. Before reporting completion, the agent must re-read modified files to verify links, placement, and ensure only credit text was altered.

Why it matters

Automated coding agents often overwrite or dilute open-source author credits during code modifications. Standardised agent prompt files enforce explicit attribution workflows and verify metadata before code is finalized.

Analysis

The 1.8 KB template focuses on solving credit erosion caused by automated coding tools. By mandating top-level README placement, specific links, and a final self-review pass, it sets clear guardrails against LLM agents stripping human contributor attribution.

Mentioned links

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Summary generated by AI (Gemini 3.8 Flash, 5 October 2026). It may contain errors – the original source is authoritative.

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