Apply Arc's coding rules to the current project. Copies rules to .ruler/ directory. Use when asked to "set up coding rules", "apply standards", "configure rules", or when starting a project that should follow Arc's conventions.
Install
npx skillscat add howells/arc/rules Install via the SkillsCat registry.
BANNED TOOLS — calling these is a skill violation:
EnterPlanMode— BANNED. Do NOT call this tool. This skill has its own structured process. Execute the steps below directly.ExitPlanMode— BANNED. You are never in plan mode.</tool_restrictions>
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Apply Arc's coding standards to the current project.
Step 1: Check for existing rules
Use Glob tool: .ruler/*.md
If .ruler/ does not exist: Go to Step 2 (Fresh Install)
If .ruler/ exists: Go to Step 3 (Update Flow)
Step 2: Fresh Install
Copy all rules from Arc to the project:
cp -r ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/rules/ .ruler/Tell the user:
Rules copied to .ruler/
Files added:
- stack.md, api.md, ai-sdk.md, cli.md, code-style.md, env.md, git.md, integrations.md, tooling.md
- nextjs.md, react.md, tailwind.md, testing.md
- turborepo.md, typescript.md, versions.md
- interface/ (animation, design, forms, interactions, layout, performance, typography)Go to Step 4 (Offer Ruler)
Step 3: Update Flow
Existing .ruler/ found. Ask the user:
Found existing .ruler/ in this project.
Update with Arc's latest rules? This will:
1. Backup current rules to .ruler.backup-TIMESTAMP/
2. Overwrite with Arc's rules
You can review changes with `git diff .ruler/` after.
Update rules? (y/n)If yes:
# Create backup
cp -r .ruler/ ".ruler.backup-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)/"
# Copy fresh rules
rm -rf .ruler/
cp -r ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/rules/ .ruler/Tell the user:
Rules updated. Backup saved to .ruler.backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS/
Review changes with: git diff .ruler/Go to Step 4 (Offer Ruler)
If no:
Keeping existing rules. You can manually compare with Arc's rules at:
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/rules/Done.
Step 4: Offer Ruler
Ask the user:
Want me to run `npx ruler apply` to distribute rules to other AI agents (Copilot, Cursor, etc.)?If yes:
npx ruler applyIf ruler is not installed (command fails):
Ruler not found. Rules are in .ruler/ and ready for use.
To distribute to other AI agents, install ruler:
npm install -g ruler
Then run:
npx ruler applyIf no:
Rules are ready in .ruler/. Run `npx ruler apply` later if you want to distribute to other agents.Step 5: Suggest Linear (for complex projects)
After rules are set up, check project complexity:
# Count source files
find . -type f \( -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.tsx" -o -name "*.js" -o -name "*.jsx" \) | grep -v node_modules | wc -lIf >50 files or monorepo detected:
This looks like a complex project. Consider setting up Linear MCP for issue tracking:
1. Add to .mcp.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"linear": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@anthropic/linear-mcp"]
}
}
}
2. Arc will then:
- Query active issues in /arc:suggest
- Create issues from /arc:audit findings
- Link work to issues for context
See .ruler/tooling.md for details.If small project: Skip this suggestion.
Done.
- Rules are copied, not symlinked, so projects can customize - Backup ensures user customizations are never lost - Ruler is optional — Arc works without it - After copying, rules are immediately available to Arc skills that read from `.ruler/`