this is f*cking crazy
karpathy's CLAUDE.md hit #1 on github trending.
228,000 stars. most devs still haven't read it.
it took my Claude agents accuracy from 65% to 94%.
the 6 rules inside:
• step 1 → surface assumptions
"State your assumptions explicitly. If uncertain, ask."
ambiguous task → list interpretations → ask → build.
• step 2 → cut the scope
"No abstractions for single-use code."
200 lines → refactor → 50 lines → ship.
• step 3 → keep the diff surgical
"Don't refactor things that aren't broken."
request → minimal diff. every changed line traces back.
• step 4 → clean only your orphans
"Remove imports/variables/functions that YOUR changes made unused."
old dead code → flag it, don't delete it.
• step 5 → turn tasks into tests
"Fix the bug" → "Write a test that reproduces it, then make it pass."
vague task → failing test → pass/fail signal.
• step 6 → run the verify loop
"[Step] → verify: [check]"
plan → code → verify → fail? loop → pass → ship.
that's it.
65 lines. 6 rules. 94% accuracy.
save this before everyone else does.
then, read the article on how to build a team of Claude agents with Graphs below ↓