local-cal/.opencode/context/core/context-system/guides/creation.md

Context File Creation Standards

Purpose: Ensure all context files follow the same format and structure

Last Updated: 2026-02-15

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Critical Rules

<critical_rules priority="absolute" enforcement="strict"> Files MUST be under line limits (see below) All files MUST follow MVI principle Files MUST be in correct folder MUST update navigation.md when creating files </critical_rules>

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Creation Workflow

1. Determine Function

Ask: Is this a concept, example, guide, lookup, or error?
→ Place in correct folder

2. Apply Template

Use standard template for file type (see templates.md)

3. Apply MVI

• Core: 1-3 sentences
• Key points: 3-5 bullets
• Example: <10 lines
• Reference: Link to docs

4. Validate Size

Ensure file under limit. If not, split or reference external.

5. Add Cross-References

Link to related concepts/, examples/, guides/, errors/

6. Update Navigation

Add entry to navigation.md in parent directory

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File Naming Conventions

Type	Format	Example
Concept	{concept-name}.md	authentication.md
Example	{example-name}.md	jwt-example.md
Guide	{action-name}.md	creating-agents.md
Lookup	{reference-name}.md	commands.md
Error	{error-category}.md	auth-errors.md

Rules:

• Use kebab-case (lowercase with hyphens)
• Be descriptive but concise
• Avoid redundant category in name (not concept-authentication.md)

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Standard Metadata (Frontmatter)

<!-- Context: {path} | Priority: {level} | Version: {X.Y} | Updated: {YYYY-MM-DD} -->

Priority levels: critical, high, medium, low

When to use:

• critical: Core system files, always needed
• high: Frequently referenced, important patterns
• medium: Useful but not essential
• low: Nice-to-have, rarely needed

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File Size Limits

File Type	Max Lines
Concept	100
Example	80
Guide	150
Lookup	100
Error	150

Enforcement: Strict. If over limit, split into multiple files or reference external docs.

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Cross-Reference Guidelines

Format: See {type}/{filename}.md for {what}

Examples:

• See concepts/authentication.md for JWT details
• See examples/jwt-example.md for working code
• See errors/auth-errors.md for troubleshooting

Best practices:

• Link to related concepts
• Link to examples from guides
• Link to errors from guides
• Create bidirectional links when relevant

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Navigation Update Process

When creating a file, update parent navigation.md:

| File | Description | Priority |
|------|-------------|----------|
| new-file.md | Brief description | high |

Keep navigation:

• Alphabetical within priority groups
• Grouped by priority (critical → high → medium → low)
• Descriptions <10 words

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Validation Before Commit

• File under line limit?
• MVI format applied?
• Frontmatter added?
• In correct folder?
• Navigation.md updated?
• Cross-references added?
• Can be scanned in <30 seconds?

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Common Creation Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
File too long	Split into multiple files or compress
Missing frontmatter	Add HTML comment at top
Wrong folder	Move to correct function folder
No cross-references	Add links to related files
Verbose explanations	Apply MVI compression
Missing from navigation	Update navigation.md

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Template Selection

File Type	Template	Use When
Concept	Concept template	Explaining what something is
Example	Example template	Showing working code
Guide	Guide template	Step-by-step instructions
Lookup	Lookup template	Quick reference data
Error	Error template	Troubleshooting issues

See templates.md for full templates.

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Related

• templates.md - File templates
• mvi.md - MVI principle
• compact.md - Compression techniques
• structure.md - Directory structure