AGENTS.md Template for Startup MVP Build Agents

Overview

Direct answer: This AGENTS.md Template defines roles, responsibilities, and governance for AI coding agents in a startup MVP context, enabling single-agent and multi-agent orchestration.

The AGENTS.md Template is a copyable operating manual that sets the project level operating context for both single agent workflows and multi agent orchestration patterns within a startup MVP build. It defines the agent roster, supervisor behavior, context rules, and a clear set of constraints for safe and auditable automation.

When to Use This AGENTS.md Template

• When starting a new MVP that relies on AI coding agents and you need a repeatable operating model.
• When coordinating multiple agents across planning, implementation, review, testing, and domain research.
• When you must enforce tool governance, memory and source of truth, and escalation rules.
• When you need a clear handoff protocol to avoid context drift and policy violations.

Copyable AGENTS.md Template

Paste the block below into your AGENTS.md file to establish project level operating context for both single and multi agent workflows.

# AGENTS.md
Project: Startup MVP Build Agents
Goal: Guide single agent and multi agent orchestration for MVP focused AI coding tasks
Agent roster
- Planner: crafts the MVP feature plan, acceptance criteria, and handoff triggers
- Implementer: executes tasks, writes code, and interfaces with tools
- Reviewer: checks quality, correctness, and compliance before validation
- Tester: validates outputs, runs tests, and signs off on delivery
- Researcher: gathers requirements, data, and external references
- Domain Specialist: provides expert input for domain specific constraints
Supervisor or orchestrator
- Oversees progress, enforces memory rules, and coordinates handoffs
Handoff rules
- Planner to Implementer when the spec is complete
- Implementer to Reviewer when artifacts are ready for review
- Reviewer to Tester after approval
- Tester to Planner for iteration if issues are found
Context memory and source of truth
- All decisions and outputs are stored in a shared memory store
- Source of truth is the knowledge base and version controlled files
Tool access and permission rules
- Only allowed tools: code editor, terminal, API clients
- Secrets and credentials are stored securely and never exposed in logs
Architecture rules
- Microservice style boundaries, modular components
File structure rules
- Keep code and docs under a single project rooted directory
Data API and integration rules
- Define input and output formats for each integration
Validation rules
- All outputs must meet acceptance criteria before handoffs
Security rules
- Secrets must be encrypted at rest and in transit
Testing rules
- Unit tests cover new code paths, integration tests for API calls
Deployment rules
- Deploy to a staging environment first, then production after pass
Human review and escalation rules
- If automated checks fail, escalate to a human reviewer and implementer
Failure handling and rollback rules
- On failure, rollback to last known good state and log the incident
What agents must not do
- Do not access production data without approval
- Do not bypass established handoff procedures

Recommended Agent Operating Model

The operating model assigns roles with clear decision boundaries and escalation paths. Planner designs the MVP feature path and signals handoffs; Implementer builds against the spec; Reviewer validates quality; Tester confirms readiness; Researcher and Domain Specialist inform requirements and constraints. Escalation paths ensure human oversight for safety and compliance.

Recommended Project Structure

Keep a lightweight, workflow specific directory tree that maps to the agent roles and pipelines.

startup-mvp-build/
  /agents
    /planner
    /implementer
    /reviewer
    /tester
    /researcher
    /domain-specialist
  /data
  /tools
  /docs
  /pipelines
  /config

Core Operating Principles

• Single source of truth for all decisions and artifacts
• Explicit handoffs with traceability
• Guardrails for tool use, memory, and security
• Role based responsibilities and escalation
• Frequent human review for high risk changes

Agent Handoff and Collaboration Rules

• Planner to Implementer: handover requirements, acceptance criteria, and dependencies
• Implementer to Reviewer: share artifacts, test results, and rationale
• Reviewer to Tester: publish validated results and pass/fail decisions
• Researcher to Domain Specialist: share domain constraints and references
• Domain Specialist to Planner: provide domain guidance for refinement

Tool Governance and Permission Rules

• Only approved tools may be invoked; all tool use is audited
• Secrets are stored securely and never exposed in logs
• API calls require token rotation and least privilege
• Production systems require approval gates and rollback plans

Code Construction Rules

• Write modular, testable code with clear interfaces
• Avoid duplication; extract common utilities
• Validate inputs and handle errors gracefully
• Document interfaces and decisions within code and docs

Security and Production Rules

• Encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest
• Limit access to production resources through approved roles
• Monitor for anomalous activity and enforce incident response
• Keep deployments auditable with feature flags

Testing Checklist

• Unit tests cover new code paths
• Integration tests validate API interactions
• End-to-end tests simulate MVP user flows
• Deployment tests verify staging to production pipelines

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping formal handoffs and traceability
• Overreliance on automated changes without human review
• Insufficient memory and source of truth discipline
• Ignoring security and deployment governance in early MVPs

FAQ

What is AGENTS.md Template for startup MVP build agents?

An AGENTS.md Template is a copyable operating manual that defines the roles, responsibilities, and collaboration rules for AI coding agents in a startup MVP context, enabling single-agent and multi-agent orchestration.

Who should use this template?

Founders, engineering leaders, product managers, and developer teams who want a concrete, repeatable workflow for MVP focused AI agent orchestration.

What governance rules does this template establish?

It specifies tool access, memory, source of truth, validation, security, and escalation rules to govern agent actions and prevent architecture drift.

How does handoff work between agents?

Handoff rules define when an agent passes context, artifacts, and decisions to the next role with traceability.

Can this template be adapted to other MVP workflows?

Yes. It provides a cookbook approach that you can tailor to your startup's MVP workflow, tech stack, and team structure.