WorkflowVerified 17 days ago
Pin Verification Commands in the Repo Root
Agents finish faster and lie less when Definition of Done is an executable command block in AGENTS.md or PROGRESS.md.
The principle
Done is not a feeling. It is pytest, eval, lint, build, or a publish URL check that actually ran.
Why it matters
Coding and content agents both claim success early. Executable verification collapses debates and reduces silent regressions.
How to apply it
- Put a short verification block at the top of AGENTS.md or PROGRESS.md.
- Require agents to paste command output before marking complete.
- For web content: npm run build plus live HTTP 200.
- For social: publisher state and release URL checks.
Red flags
- "Should pass" without output
- Skipping flaky tests to declare victory
Quick win
Add five lines of real commands to your repo root instructions today.
harnessverificationagentsengineering