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name: artifact-guidelines description: Guidelines for writing reports, organizing files, and generating code artifacts

Report Writing and File Organization

This skill provides best practices for all subagents when generating written artifacts, code files, and figures.

Writing Guidelines

Use GitHub-flavored CommonMark markdown for all text outputs (reports, logs, documentation). Never use plain .txt files.

Write concisely:

• Short paragraphs with complete sentences
• Favor insight over exhaustiveness
• Use lists sparingly, only when they genuinely clarify (e.g., model assumptions, validation criteria)
• Avoid markdown overuse - minimal headers and bold, no excessive formatting

In reports:

• Lead with key findings or conclusions
• Support claims with evidence (plots, statistics, diagnostics)
• Reference files with clear relative paths: "As shown in figures/washout_curves.png..." or "washout_curves.png" if in same directory
• Document what you tried, what worked, and what didn't

In logs:

• Capture decisions and reasoning, not play-by-play execution
• Record why you chose certain paths or skipped alternatives
• Note failures and how you addressed them

Use scratchpad:

• You should create local files to write a first draft, including thinking process
• Rewrite it to form final output, then delete the temporary local files you created

Code Organization

One logical unit per file:

• One model per .stan file
• One analysis per .py script
• Descriptive names: fit_hierarchical_model.py not model.py
• Self-contained scripts that run independently

Stan only: All Bayesian models must use Stan via CmdStanPy. Do not use PyMC, NumPyro, Pyro, or other PPLs.

Keep it simple:

• No deep nesting of directories unless natural grouping exists
• Clean up exploratory scripts after consolidating insights into reports
• Every file should have a clear purpose

Figure Organization

Use descriptive filenames:

• group_washout_curves.png not fig1.png
• prior_predictive_check.png not ppc.png

One figure per concept or question:

• Avoid packing too many subplots (max 2x2 for comparisons)
• Save at appropriate resolution (300 DPI for reports, 150 for exploratory)

File Minimalism

Generate fewer, better files:

• Consolidate related content - one EDA report, not 10 partial analyses
• Combine related visualizations into multi-panel figures when appropriate
• Only create files that will be read by users or subsequent agents
• Remove intermediate artifacts after they've served their purpose

Each file you create should justify its existence. Ask: will this be read? Does it convey unique information?