karpathy-guidelines

name	karpathy-guidelines
description	Repo-local execution discipline for Zoolanding Lambda tasks. Use when implementing, debugging, refactoring, reviewing, or planning Python handler, helper, SAM template, or local harness changes in this repository.
user-invocable	true

Karpathy Guidelines

Use this repo-local version to keep disciplined execution portable across clones of this Zoolanding Lambda repo.

When to Use

• behavior-changing handler or helper work
• contract-sensitive request or response changes
• local harness or test changes
• SAM template, env var, or deploy-surface updates
• any task where ambiguity or over-engineering would create risk

Workflow

1. Define the target.

   • Restate the requested outcome.
   • Name the narrowest proof that would show the task is done.
   • Call out what is out of scope.

2. Read the real contract first.

   • Read README.md, instructions.md when present, lambda_function.py, and template.yaml before editing behavior.
   • Read tests or local harness files before changing verification strategy.

3. Choose the smallest affected surface.

   • Prefer a surgical change in lambda_function.py, shared helpers, tests, or template.yaml.
   • Reuse the current contract and deployment boundaries before inventing abstractions.

4. Make the smallest working change.

   • Avoid speculative helpers, flags, or extension points.
   • Keep unrelated cleanup out of the diff.

5. Verify concretely.

   • Use the narrowest relevant test, local harness run, or SAM check.
   • If packaging or deploy wiring changed, verify the deployment assumptions explicitly.

6. Close with signal.

   • Summarize what changed.
   • State what was verified and what was not.
   • Call out residual risks or assumptions.

Repo-Specific Rules

• Prefer the repo-local zoolanding-lambda-workflow skill before falling back to generic patterns.
• Keep API shape, env vars, and storage contracts stable unless the task explicitly changes them.
• Update docs with the code when contract or deployment behavior changes.