coding-agent-startup-flow.md

Coding Agent Startup Flow

Use this at the beginning of every session after initialization is complete.

Fixed Startup Template

1. Run pwd and confirm the repository root.
2. Read claude-progress.md.
3. Read feature_list.json.
4. Review recent commits with git log --oneline -5.
5. Run ./init.sh.
6. Run a baseline smoke or end-to-end path.
7. If the baseline is broken, fix that first.
8. Select the highest-priority unfinished feature.
9. Work only on that feature until it is verified or explicitly blocked.

Why This Order Matters

• pwd prevents accidental work in the wrong directory.
• progress and feature files recover durable state before new edits begin.
• recent commits explain what changed most recently.
• init.sh standardizes startup instead of relying on memory.
• baseline verification catches broken starting states before new work hides them.

End-Of-Session Mirror

The same session should end by:

1. recording progress
2. updating feature state
3. writing a handoff if needed
4. committing safe work
5. leaving a clean restart path