Contract.md: The Naughty List for AI Coding Agents (www.discussdontcode.com)

CONTRACT.md introduces a novel approach to managing the complexity of AI programming, targeting the increasing tendency of large language models (LLMs) to overcomplicate tasks. Unlike traditional planning documents or style guides, CONTRACT.md emphasizes a simplicity-first methodology by setting strict limits on the complexity of each component of a project. This shift is significant for the AI/ML community as it advocates for a more efficient development process, enabling developers to focus on creating minimum viable products (MVPs) without getting bogged down in excessive details or "just-in-case" architectures. The framework allows for the identification of key areas—referred to as "rocks"—and establishes ceilings on the acceptable complexity for each. This ensures that only human developers can make amendments, effectively curbing the chaotic influence of AI on project scope and complexity. By prioritizing human control and gradually relaxing constraints as understanding improves, CONTRACT.md offers a practical solution to counteract the tendency of AI to complicate coding processes, fostering a more manageable and user-centered development environment for future projects.