We have all been there trying to provide every possible detail to our coding agents. But research shows that massive AGENTS.md files actually degrade performance.
The problem:
- Too much context creates redundancy
- Extra noise makes it harder for agents to work effectively
- Comprehensive files often do more harm than good
The fix:
- Start with an empty file
- Add context incrementally
- Focus only on what is essential
This approach keeps your development workflow lean and ensures your agents have the right information without the bloat. It is a simple shift that makes a real difference for engineering teams.
Check out the full practical tests:
The research is in: your AGENTS.md is probably too long - Upsun Developer
Research shows comprehensive AGENTS.md files actually hurt coding agent performance. Learn why less is more and how to build context files that work.
developer.upsun.com
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