harness-engineering

Establish agent-first repositories with enforced architecture, progressive disclosure, and entropy control.

Updated Apr 9, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/ririnto/sinon --skill harness-engineering-ririnto
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: harness-engineering
Source: https://github.com/ririnto/sinon/tree/main/plugins/harness-engineering/skills/harness-engineering
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ririnto/sinon --skill harness-engineering-ririnto

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Harness Engineering provides a principled, scalable approach to designing and maintaining an agent-first repository. It enforces progressive disclosure, architectural constraints, and entropy control to keep large AI-enabled codebases coherent as they grow.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Progressive disclosure: start with a concise CLAUDE.md that maps to deeper sources in docs/ without overwhelming the reader.
  • Mechanical layer enforcement: implement a fixed domain layer model (Types → Config → Repo → Service → Runtime → UI) with structural tests and custom linters to prevent drift.
  • Entropy management: integrate doc-gardening, quality scoring, and a tech-debt tracker to maintain long-term repository health.
  • Scaffolding and governance: bootstrap repository structure, CI wiring, and reproducible agent-driven checks for adding new domains and plugins.

Quick Start

Set up a new agent-first repository with CLAUDE.md as the entrypoint, scaffold docs, implement the layer model and a basic structural test, and wire a CI pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions about harness-engineering

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I structure an agent-first repository to prevent architecture drift?▼

To structure an agent-first repository and prevent architecture drift, implement a fixed domain layer model using mechanical enforcement. You apply structural tests and custom linters across domains to prevent layer violations, keeping large AI-enabled codebases coherent as they grow.

What is progressive disclosure in repository design for AI agents?▼

Progressive disclosure in repository design starts with a concise CLAUDE.md that maps to deeper documentation sources in docs/. This approach prevents overwhelming the reader while providing AI agents a structured path to deeper architectural context.

How do I set up CI hooks and deterministic linters for an agent-first codebase?▼

You set up CI hooks and deterministic linters for an agent-first codebase by scaffolding repository governance. This involves wiring a CI pipeline that runs reproducible agent-driven checks and structural tests to enforce the fixed domain layer model.

What is the best way to manage tech debt and documentation entropy in large repositories?▼

The best way to manage tech debt and documentation entropy is implementing doc-gardening workflows. You integrate quality scoring and a tech-debt tracker to maintain long-term repository health and control entropy in large codebases.

Does harness engineering work for adding new domains and plugins to an existing CI pipeline?▼

Yes, harness engineering supports adding new domains and plugins to an existing CI pipeline. It provides scaffolding and governance mechanisms to bootstrap repository structure and wire reproducible agent-driven checks for new domains.

When do I need a fixed domain layer model for repository architecture enforcement?▼

You need a fixed domain layer model for repository architecture enforcement when managing large AI-enabled codebases. It establishes a strict Types to UI hierarchy with structural tests to prevent drift and maintain coherence as the project scales.