- Conserve context tokens: search with `rg` or targeted file lists first, read only files needed for the task, summarize large outputs, and avoid generated folders, dependency folders, build outputs, or full logs unless directly relevant.
- At the start of every user-requested task, briefly check for upstream repository updates and apply a safe fast-forward pull when the working tree is clean. If local changes exist, do not overwrite them.
- If `GITEA_TOKEN` is available locally, use it only for read-only Gitea API checks such as private repository metadata, package-read visibility, and Actions run status. Never print, commit, or store the token.
- After pushing commits that trigger a Gitea workflow, poll the workflow run until it succeeds. If it fails or is cancelled, inspect the failing job/logs, fix the issue when in scope, push again, and repeat the workflow check loop. Fixing and pushing a workflow failure is not a stopping point.
- Gitea Actions artifacts are not Gitea Package Registry packages. If the user expects a package/download entry, add or verify an explicit registry publish step and verify the package URL after the workflow succeeds.
- Keep Codex kit files in source control for agents, but exclude them from user-facing installer/package/release artifacts unless the user explicitly asks to ship repository-maintenance files.