<MANDATORY-RULE> For ANY task that writes, edits, or deletes files — invoke `mint` FIRST.

This includes:

• Features (any size)
• Bug fixes (any size)
• Refactors
• Config changes
• Documentation updates (if modifying .md files)
• Test additions/changes
• Dependency updates

You CANNOT use Write, Edit, or Bash (for file ops) tools until mint is invoked. </MANDATORY-RULE>

Using mint

The Rule

Invoke mint BEFORE modifying any file. mint auto-routes to the right mode based on task complexity. You do not decide the workflow — mint does.

How to Invoke

Use the Skill tool to invoke mint with the user's task description. mint will:

• Auto-detect the right mode (quick, plan, research, ship, verify)
• Announce the routing decision
• Execute with quality gates, reviews, and disciplined delegation

When mint Applies

Task	Use mint?
Feature implementation	YES — plan or ship mode
Bug fix	YES — quick or plan mode
Refactor	YES — plan mode
Config change (≤3 files)	YES — quick mode
Research / investigation	YES — research mode
Check quality gates	YES — verify mode
ANY file modification	YES — always
Pure conversation / questions	No
Reading files for context	No

Red Flags

These thoughts mean STOP — you're about to skip mint:

Thought	Reality
"This is just a small fix"	Small fixes use quick mode. Invoke mint.
"I'll just edit this one file"	mint enforces gates even on single files. Invoke mint.
"Let me code first, review later"	mint reviews during execution, not after. Invoke mint.
"This doesn't need planning"	mint decides that, not you. Invoke mint.
"I know what to do"	Knowing what ≠ disciplined execution. Invoke mint.
"I'll use Write/Edit directly"	NO. Invoke mint first. Always.

What mint Provides

• Auto-routing — quick/plan/research/ship/verify based on complexity
• Quality gates — lint + types + tests enforced before every commit
• Multi-stage review — spec review → parallel audit (quality, security, conventions, tests, business)
• Learning loop — past failures become future prevention via issues.md
• Plugin system — stack, PM, design, and memory integrations
• Context protection — main context stays clean, all heavy work delegated to subagents

Configuration

mint expects .mint/config.json in the project root. If it doesn't exist, mint will prompt to run init.

Override

The user can always override mint's routing:

• "No, just quick-fix it" → switches to quick mode
• "Actually plan this out" → switches to plan mode
• "Skip mint, just do X" → respect the override, but warn about skipped gates