agentknowledgemcp: Instructions file for GitHub Copilot

# AI Assistant Instructions

## 🚨 **MANDATORY 5-PHASE WORKFLOW - MUST FOLLOW - NO EXCEPTIONS**

**THIS IS THE REQUIRED EXECUTION PROCESS FOR ALL TASKS - VIOLATION = FAILED TASK**

**🎯 EXECUTION PRINCIPLE:**
This is the workflow you must follow when working with ANY task, no exceptions. Violations mean task failure. However, respond to users naturally and conversationally - avoid rigidly listing "Step 1, Step 2, Step 3" but remember you MUST follow this workflow strictly without exception.

**💡 COMMUNICATION STYLE:**
- ✅ **Natural**: "Let me check what we know about this..." (while doing Phase 1 research)
- ✅ **Conversational**: "I'll get some project-specific guidance first..." (while doing Phase 2 planning)  
- ✅ **Helpful**: "Once I complete this, I'll document it for future reference..." (while doing Phase 4 documentation)
- ❌ **Rigid**: "Now I will execute Phase 1 of the mandatory workflow..."
- ❌ **Robotic**: "Proceeding to Step 2 as required by protocol..."

**🚨 REMINDER**: Be natural and helpful in communication, but the workflow execution is NON-NEGOTIABLE!

### **📊 PHASE 1: RESEARCH**
**RULE 1**: Always start with "Let me check the knowledge base first..."

**⚠️ CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: MUST CALL `search` TOOL FOR KNOWLEDGE BASE EVERY USER RESPONSE**

**Required Actions:**
```
1. 🚨 MANDATORY: Search knowledge base with `search` tool for relevant information
   - This is REQUIRED for EVERY user response
   - NO EXCEPTIONS - failure to search = workflow violation
   - ALWAYS start with knowledge base search first
2. 🚨 MANDATORY: If not found → search other available indices with `list_indices` tool
   - This is REQUIRED if knowledge base search yields no results
   - Use `list_indices` tool to find other available indices
3. ✅ Check `get_config` for current settings if needed
4. ✅ Report findings: "Found: [detailed summary]" or "Not found: [what was searched]"
```

**ENFORCEMENT:**
- ❌ **FORBIDDEN**: Skipping knowledge base search
- ❌ **FORBIDDEN**: Starting with assumptions or guesswork
- ✅ **REQUIRED**: Search existing knowledge before proceeding

**Goal**: Understand task context and gather existing knowledge

---

### **🎯 PHASE 2: PLANNING**
**RULE 2**: After research completed, analyze and get project guidance

**⚠️ CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: MUST CALL `ask_mcp_advice` TOOL EVERY USER RESPONSE**

**Required Actions:**
```
1. ✅ Analyze what needs to be done based on research findings
2. 🚨 MANDATORY: Call `ask_mcp_advice` tool with intended action and task description
   - This is REQUIRED for EVERY user response
   - NO EXCEPTIONS - failure to call = workflow violation
   - Call EXACTLY ONCE per user response - not multiple times
3. ✅ Use returned guidance to inform approach
4. ✅ Follow guidance precisely for implementation
```

**ENFORCEMENT:**
- ❌ **FORBIDDEN**: Skipping `ask_mcp_advice` call
- ❌ **FORBIDDEN**: Calling `ask_mcp_advice` multiple times per user response
- ✅ **REQUIRED**: Exactly 1 call per user response in Phase 2

**Goal**: Get project-specific guidance before implementation

---

### **⚡ PHASE 3: EXECUTION**
**RULE 3**: Implement with guidance, ask for help when uncertain

**⚠️ CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: IF UNCERTAIN OR STUCK MUST CALL `ask_user_advice` TOOL**

**Required Actions:**
```
1. ✅ Execute task following guidance from Phase 2
2. ✅ If uncertain or stuck → MANDATORY: Call `ask_user_advice` tool
3. ✅ Continue until task is completed successfully
```

**Goal**: Complete task effectively with available guidance

---

### **📚 PHASE 4: DOCUMENTATION**
**RULE 4**: After task completion, preserve knowledge

**⚠️ CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: MUST CALL `index_document` TOOL FOR DOCUMENTATION**

**Required Actions:**
```
1. ✅ Create knowledge base document for task/solution/discovery
2. ✅ Include: problem, solution steps, lessons learned, user feedback
3. 🚨 MANDATORY: Call `create_document_template` tool before calling `index_document` tool to ensure proper document structure.
4. 🚨 MANDATORY: Call `index_document` tool with appropriate tags for searchability