ruler
Ruler — apply the same rules to all coding agents
Ruler is a CLI tool that centralizes AI coding assistant instructions across multiple AI agents and tools. Instead of maintaining separate configuration files for GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor, Aider, and other AI coding assistants, developers write instructions once in Markdown files within a .ruler/ directory, and Ruler automatically distributes them to each agent's native configuration format. It supports nested rule loading for complex projects, MCP server management, skills propagation, and subagent distribution, solving the problem of inconsistent guidance and duplicated configuration effort as teams adopt multiple AI coding tools.
Key Features
Use Cases
- 01Maintaining consistent coding standards across GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor, and other AI tools in a team environment
- 02Managing context-specific instructions for monorepos with separate frontend, backend, and documentation guidelines
- 03Distributing MCP server configurations for filesystem, git, and API access to all compatible AI agents
- 04Onboarding new AI coding assistants without recreating project-specific instructions from scratch
- 05Sharing team-wide AI agent configurations through version control while keeping generated files local
- 06Propagating reusable skills and delegatable subagents across multiple AI coding environments
Related Agents
View morehermes-agent
The agent that grows with you
agency-agents
A complete AI agency at your fingertips - From frontend wizards to Reddit community ninjas, from whimsy injectors to reality checkers. Each agent is a specialized expert with personality, processes, and proven deliverables.
openinterpreter
A coding agent for open models like Kimi K3
cline
Autonomous coding agent as an SDK, IDE extension, or CLI assistant.
ruler — FAQ
What is Ruler and what does it do?+
Ruler is a CLI tool that lets you write AI coding assistant instructions once in Markdown files and automatically distributes them to configuration files for GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor, Aider, and 25+ other AI coding agents. It eliminates the need to maintain separate configuration files for each tool.
How do I install Ruler?+
Install Ruler globally via npm with 'npm install -g @intellectronica/ruler' (requires Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+, or 23+). Alternatively, run it directly with 'npx @intellectronica/ruler apply' without installing.
Which AI coding assistants does Ruler support?+
Ruler supports 30+ agents including GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Aider, Cline, OpenAI Codex CLI, Zed, JetBrains AI Assistant, Amazon Q CLI, Firebase Studio, Gemini CLI, and many others. Each agent receives rules in its native configuration format.
Do I need API keys to use Ruler?+
No, Ruler itself does not require API keys. It only manages instruction files and configurations for your AI agents. The AI agents themselves may require their own API keys or authentication, but that's independent of Ruler.
Is Ruler free to use?+
Yes, Ruler is open-source software released under the MIT license and is completely free to use. It's available on GitHub at intellectronica/ruler and distributed via npm.
How do I set up different instructions for different parts of my project?+
Enable nested rule loading with 'ruler apply --nested' or set 'nested = true' in ruler.toml. This lets you create .ruler/ directories in subdirectories (e.g., src/.ruler/, tests/.ruler/) with component-specific instructions that combine with global rules.
How do I install ruler?+
Open the source repository on GitHub and follow its README. ruler is a agent — MCP Agents Market links you directly to the official repo.
Is ruler free?+
ruler is an open-source project hosted on GitHub. Check the repository for its license and any usage requirements.