From 37e80ddbcca235c33e8a9036fee55d17b7815409 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: James M Snell Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:01:29 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 1/4] meta: add a root-level AGENTS.md We're seeing a number of repeated mistakes in AI-generated contributions, including agents using `Signed-off-by`, creating what appear to be unsupervised PRs, appearing to respond to comments without human oversight, etc. Having an AGENTS.md file with specific instructions to the agent on what to avoid should help. Signed-off-by: James M Snell --- .gitignore | 1 - AGENTS.md | 60 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 60 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) create mode 100644 AGENTS.md diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore index 69c1dd205316..2a7ce3337021 100644 --- a/.gitignore +++ b/.gitignore @@ -163,7 +163,6 @@ install_manifest.txt # === Rules for AI assistants === CLAUDE.md -AGENTS.md # === Global Rules === # Keep last to avoid being excluded diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..19e2cb4caf40 --- /dev/null +++ b/AGENTS.md @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ +# Agents and Automated Tools + +This document outlines rules and requirements for AI automation agents and automated tooling that interact with the Node.js project. + +Existing Node.js collaborators (as listed in the README.md) may use AI agents to contribute but must do so responsibly. + +New Node.js contributors should avoid using AI agents to interact with the project. + +## Code Contributions + +- **Human-driven work only**: Agents may assist with design and code changes, but opening pull requests and issues must be done with a human contributor who maintains full responsibility for all changes. + +- **No unreviewed automation**: Automated pull requests must not be created without ongoing human oversight. The pull request must be actively maintained by a human contributor who responds to feedback. The AI agent is not permitted to create pull requests, open issues, post comments, respond to reviews, or push commits without ongoing human oversight. + +- **Commit responsibility**: Commits created with agent assistance must follow all Node.js [commit message guidelines](./doc/contributing/pull-requests.md#commit-message-guidelines). The human contributor opening the PR takes full responsibility for the changes. + +- **Testing and verification**: All changes must pass Node.js's continuous integration. Human judgment must verify that existing tests are not removed or modified inappropriately, and that new tests correctly validate the intended behavior. + +### Requirements + +- All commits must be signed off by the human user using `Signed-off-by: ()` as an attestation to the [Developer Certificate of Origin](https://developercertificate.org/). +- AI-assistance must be acknowledged using the `Assisted-by: ` annotation. +- AI-authored code contributions must be compatible with the project's licensing and contribution guidelines. + +## Prohibited Activities + +AI agents **must not**: + +- Push to any branch or tag in nodejs/node +- Create unsupervised pull requests or issues without active human engagement +- Make claims about code without human verification against actual source code +- Remove or modify existing tests without human judgment +- Interact with the repository through means other than those explicitly authorized +- Use commit messages to promote for-profit AI tools or commercial brands. A single `Assisted-by: ` annotation is required disclosure, not promotion, and is permitted. +- Post AI-generated messages directly into pull requests, issues, or project communication channels without direct human review and editing to ensure clarity, accuracy, and respect for collaborator time +- Sign off commits using `Signed-off-by: ` or `Co-authored-by: ` + +## Violations + +Automated interactions that violate these rules may result in: +- Immediate closure of pull requests without review +- Blocking of the automation tool from further interaction with the project +- Blocking of the tool's owner or organization from contributing +- Reports to relevant platforms or organizations operating the automation + +## Questions and Requests + +If you operate an AI agent or automation tool and wish to contribute to Node.js: + +1. Review this document carefully +2. Open an issue in [nodejs/admin](https://github.com/nodejs/admin) with: + - Description of the automation + - Specific activities it will perform + - How it will maintain human oversight + - Who is responsible for the automation +3. Wait for explicit authorization before any interaction with the repository + +--- + +For more information on AI use in general contributions (not specific to agents), see [AI use policy and guidelines](./doc/contributing/ai-guidelines.md). From c37bcb8dfac6ecb3ae9011b20549c0d5295f2444 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: James M Snell Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2026 16:11:59 -0700 Subject: [PATCH 2/4] Apply suggestion from @jasnell --- AGENTS.md | 2 -- 1 file changed, 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md index 19e2cb4caf40..6b476359a76e 100644 --- a/AGENTS.md +++ b/AGENTS.md @@ -8,8 +8,6 @@ New Node.js contributors should avoid using AI agents to interact with the proje ## Code Contributions -- **Human-driven work only**: Agents may assist with design and code changes, but opening pull requests and issues must be done with a human contributor who maintains full responsibility for all changes. - - **No unreviewed automation**: Automated pull requests must not be created without ongoing human oversight. The pull request must be actively maintained by a human contributor who responds to feedback. The AI agent is not permitted to create pull requests, open issues, post comments, respond to reviews, or push commits without ongoing human oversight. - **Commit responsibility**: Commits created with agent assistance must follow all Node.js [commit message guidelines](./doc/contributing/pull-requests.md#commit-message-guidelines). The human contributor opening the PR takes full responsibility for the changes. From b612421ac3e6aa42932375baf60f60a1402f9dc4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: James M Snell Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2026 13:33:40 -0700 Subject: [PATCH 3/4] Update AGENTS.md Co-authored-by: Brian Muenzenmeyer --- AGENTS.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md index 6b476359a76e..0909f5cd06f0 100644 --- a/AGENTS.md +++ b/AGENTS.md @@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ AI agents **must not**: Automated interactions that violate these rules may result in: - Immediate closure of pull requests without review - Blocking of the automation tool from further interaction with the project -- Blocking of the tool's owner or organization from contributing +- Blocking of the tool's account or its owner from contributing - Reports to relevant platforms or organizations operating the automation ## Questions and Requests From 61a0ad74f00481488099b4739937aae5ae0e6312 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: James M Snell Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2026 13:35:06 -0700 Subject: [PATCH 4/4] Apply suggestion from @jasnell --- AGENTS.md | 12 ------------ 1 file changed, 12 deletions(-) diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md index 0909f5cd06f0..71f4b5e254fb 100644 --- a/AGENTS.md +++ b/AGENTS.md @@ -41,18 +41,6 @@ Automated interactions that violate these rules may result in: - Blocking of the tool's account or its owner from contributing - Reports to relevant platforms or organizations operating the automation -## Questions and Requests - -If you operate an AI agent or automation tool and wish to contribute to Node.js: - -1. Review this document carefully -2. Open an issue in [nodejs/admin](https://github.com/nodejs/admin) with: - - Description of the automation - - Specific activities it will perform - - How it will maintain human oversight - - Who is responsible for the automation -3. Wait for explicit authorization before any interaction with the repository - --- For more information on AI use in general contributions (not specific to agents), see [AI use policy and guidelines](./doc/contributing/ai-guidelines.md).