# AGENTS.md — Build guide for MindNode ## Project scope Create a mind map and synchronized outline, fold branches, add notes and export an SVG plus structured outline. Catalogue verdict: kinda. The visible mind mapping loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. MindNode earns its keep through interaction polish, collaboration, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope. Use the implementation prompt below to define the deliverable. Complete each phase's acceptance checks before extending the scope. ## Working agreement - Inspect the repository and its existing instructions before choosing paths, dependencies or commands. Keep one coherent stack and explain changes to the proposed architecture. - Plan a vertical slice that accepts a real input and produces the useful output described below. Persist only the state the prompt calls for; respect memory-only and upstream-managed workflows. Use fixtures only when they are clearly labelled. - After scaffolding, document the actual install, development, check and build commands in README and keep them synchronized with the package or project manifest. Do not report commands as successful unless they ran. - Work in small steps. At handoff, list implemented flows, checks actually performed, remaining blockers, and any credentials or provider setup the owner must supply. - Do not publish, spend money, contact customers, delete source data or run irreversible migrations without the project owner's authorization. ## Prerequisites - Runtime and tools: TypeScript, React, SVG or Canvas and IndexedDB with a versioned JSON project format. - Before starting: A browser with IndexedDB, licensed example assets and fonts, and an agreed output size. ## Stack and architecture - TypeScript, React, SVG or Canvas and IndexedDB with a versioned JSON project format - Data design: Store TopicNode, ParentID, SiblingOrder and FoldState; enforce one parent per node, prohibit cycles and preserve ordering across outline/map edits. - Setup: A browser with IndexedDB, licensed example assets and fonts, and an agreed output size ## Security and data integrity - Maintain one document model for preview, undo and export. Use stable element IDs; save after completed gestures, handle storage quota errors and provide explicit file backups. - Choose one tree layout and keyboard navigation before elaborate themes. Multiple-parent concepts require a separate graph model rather than corrupting the tree. - Keep secrets outside client bundles and exported projects; document what leaves the device and make retention/deletion controls visible. ## Agent implementation rules - Project rule — domain: Store TopicNode, ParentID, SiblingOrder and FoldState; enforce one parent per node, prohibit cycles and preserve ordering across outline/map edits. - Project rule — scope and recovery: Choose one tree layout and keyboard navigation before elaborate themes. Multiple-parent concepts require a separate graph model rather than corrupting the tree. - Project rule — acceptance: Drag a parent below its own descendant, rename a collapsed branch and export; reject the cycle and keep hidden children present in the structured export. - Project rule — delivery: document real setup commands and permissions; do not claim a build, accuracy level, performance result or security certification that has not been demonstrated. ## Optional agent skills and references - Recommended skill: [vercel-composition-patterns](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/composition-patterns/SKILL.md) — separate document tools, property inspectors and export controls into explicit reusable React components. Follow the maintainer's installation instructions and match its requirements to the chosen runtime. - Recommended skill: [web-design-guidelines](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/web-design-guidelines/SKILL.md) — review keyboard access, focus, validation, error recovery and the readable work/review interface or HTML report. Follow the maintainer's installation instructions and match its requirements to the chosen runtime. Read the linked SKILL.md and its dependencies before adding a skill. Select only the skills matching this project's runtime and task; their documentation does not supply API access, credentials or approval to perform external actions. Pin the reviewed revision where the tool supports it. Follow the chosen agent's documented project-level installation mechanism. ## Distribution ideas These are optional planning notes. Obtain the owner's approval before publishing or contacting anyone. - Demonstrate this working slice using synthetic or explicitly authorized non-sensitive examples: Create a mind map and synchronized outline, fold branches, add notes and export an SVG plus structured outline. - Share a synthetic example export and the acceptance walkthrough; keep real customer, health, financial and source data private: Drag a parent below its own descendant, rename a collapsed branch and export; reject the cycle and keep hidden children present in the structured export. - State the limits before asking someone to replace their existing tool: Choose one tree layout and keyboard navigation before elaborate themes. Multiple-parent concepts require a separate graph model rather than corrupting the tree. ## Engineering roadmap 1. Phase 1 — Pin the working slice and create its example input: Create a mind map and synchronized outline, fold branches, add notes and export an SVG plus structured outline. Confirm setup: A browser with IndexedDB, licensed example assets and fonts, and an agreed output size. 2. Phase 2 — Implement persistence and write-time invariants before decorating the UI: Store TopicNode, ParentID, SiblingOrder and FoldState; enforce one parent per node, prohibit cycles and preserve ordering across outline/map edits. 3. Phase 3 — Connect the working view to real saved state. Maintain one document model for preview, undo and export. Use stable element IDs; save after completed gestures, handle storage quota errors and provide explicit file backups. 4. Phase 4 — Expose the app-specific limits and recovery path in context: Choose one tree layout and keyboard navigation before elaborate themes. Multiple-parent concepts require a separate graph model rather than corrupting the tree. 5. Phase 5 — Walk through this concrete acceptance case and preserve its exported evidence: Drag a parent below its own descendant, rename a collapsed branch and export; reject the cycle and keep hidden children present in the structured export. Finish the README and backup/restore instructions; report unfinished capabilities explicitly. ## Paid-product capabilities outside this build - high-fidelity import and export - presentation and enterprise controls - multiplayer cursors and comments - large template libraries ## Implementation prompt Build the following focused alternative to MindNode. This is a deliberately limited personal or small-team substitute, not parity with the paid service. WORKING SLICE Create a mind map and synchronized outline, fold branches, add notes and export an SVG plus structured outline. SETUP AND ARCHITECTURE Use TypeScript, React, SVG or Canvas and IndexedDB with a versioned JSON project format. Prerequisites: A browser with IndexedDB, licensed example assets and fonts, and an agreed output size. Before integrating anything, record actual versions and permissions, plus model files or provider limits only where used, in the README; make unavailable dependencies visible rather than simulating success. DOMAIN MODEL AND INVARIANTS Store TopicNode, ParentID, SiblingOrder and FoldState; enforce one parent per node, prohibit cycles and preserve ordering across outline/map edits. IMPLEMENTATION CONTRACT Maintain one document model for preview, undo and export. Use stable element IDs; save after completed gestures, handle storage quota errors and provide explicit file backups. Provide an input/setup view, the main work view, and a review/export view appropriate to this workflow. Preserve the last saved state if a job or save fails. Include empty, loading, permission-denied, partial and retryable-error states. Log identifiers and error categories without secret values or unnecessary private content. APP-SPECIFIC BOUNDARY AND RECOVERY Choose one tree layout and keyboard navigation before elaborate themes. Multiple-parent concepts require a separate graph model rather than corrupting the tree. ACCEPTANCE SCENARIO Drag a parent below its own descendant, rename a collapsed branch and export; reject the cycle and keep hidden children present in the structured export. Also reopen the app after an interrupted operation, confirm the saved record/export remains inspectable, and document the recovery action. These are implementation acceptance requirements, not a claim that this guide has been tested. DELIVERY Deliver a runnable repository with migrations or project-format versioning, a non-sensitive example, environment/permission setup, the exact manual acceptance steps, and a backup/export-and-restore walkthrough. Implement the working slice before optional integrations; list any deferred paid-product capabilities honestly. Do not add capabilities outside the working slice just to resemble the original product. PROJECT RULES FOR AGENTS.md Keep the domain invariants above executable at the write boundary. Propose scope changes before adding providers or permissions. Never fabricate source evidence, publish results, identity matches or successful delivery. Preserve user originals and require an explicit confirmation for destructive changes or external publication. ## Completion evidence Demonstrate the prompt's acceptance scenarios against the scoped workflow. Include setup from a clean checkout and failure recovery. Check persistence across restart and export/restore only for the state the prompt says to store; for memory-only tools, confirm that temporary content is discarded as specified. Record actual results and remaining limitations. A detailed plan alone does not establish a working replacement.