Cline: `.clinerules/` location, format and template

Where Cline reads project instructions, whether it reads AGENTS.md, and what the format allows. From the official documentation, checked Oct 7, 2026. See also Cline: pricing, popularity and alternatives.

Project files

.clinerules/ (or .cline/rules/) folder of Markdown files
Also detects .cursorrules, .windsurfrules and AGENTS.md, each with an on/off toggle

Global (all projects)

~/Documents/Cline/Rules (Windows: Documents\Cline\Rules); ~/.agents/AGENTS.md for cross-tool rules

AGENTS.md

✓ Yes, in the project and ~/.agents/AGENTS.md.

Format and limits

Optional front matter paths (list of globs) makes a rule conditional; no front matter = always on.
Workspace rules beat global rules when they conflict.

Sources: docs.cline.bot/features/cline-rules

Templates

AGENTS.md for a TypeScript projectAGENTS.md

# AGENTS.md

## Project
One paragraph: what this repository does and who uses it.

## Commands
- Install: `pnpm install`
- Dev server: `pnpm dev`
- Tests: `pnpm test` (run before you finish)
- Lint and types: `pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck`

## Layout
- `src/app/`: routes and pages
- `src/lib/`: shared logic, no UI code
- `tests/`: mirrors `src/`

## Conventions
- TypeScript strict mode; avoid `any`.
- Follow the patterns already in `src/` before adding new ones.
- Small, focused functions; name things for what they do.

## Boundaries
- Never read or edit `.env*` files or commit secrets.
- Ask before adding a dependency or changing a public API.

## Done means
Tests pass, lint is clean, and the change is explained in the PR description.

Written by AgentGid as a starting point; swap in your own commands and folders.

Cline: .clinerules/ location, format and template