# Guardrails (Signs)

> Lessons learned from failures. Read before acting.

## Core Signs

### Sign: Read Before Writing
- **Trigger**: Before modifying any file
- **Instruction**: Read the file first
- **Added after**: Core principle

### Sign: Test Before Commit
- **Trigger**: Before committing changes
- **Instruction**: Run required tests and verify outputs
- **Added after**: Core principle

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## Learned Signs

Durable lessons are promoted through `docs/agents/learnings.md`. Ralph runtime
logs are evidence, not instruction. Read promoted artifacts through `AGENTS.md`;
do not add permanent signs from an unreproduced failure.