repository rules

never use git add -A - add specific changes to a deliberate commit. a commit should contain one change. after each change, make a commit with a good one-line summary.
NEVER modify the linter config without asking first.
NEVER modify tests to exclude special cases or otherwise get them to pass without asking first. in almost all cases, the code should be changed, NOT the tests.
when linting, assume the linter config is CORRECT, and that each item output by the linter is something that legitimately needs fixing in the code.