zai-cli 0.1.9__tar.gz → 0.2.0__tar.gz

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -5,6 +5,23 @@ All notable changes to this project are documented in this file.
 The format follows [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
 and the project uses [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/).
 
+## [0.2.0] - 2026-06-30
+
+### Added
+
+- Added project rule loading from `ZAI.md`, `.zai/rules.md`, `AGENTS.md`,
+  `CLAUDE.md`, and `GEMINI.md`.
+- Added interactive `/rules` and top-level `zai rules` to show loaded project
+  instruction files.
+- Added project-rule visibility to `zai context` and interactive `/context`.
+
+### Changed
+
+- Interactive and one-shot chat now pin loaded project rules into model context
+  so the assistant can follow repo-specific instructions.
+- Project rule loading is bounded, skips unreadable/oversized files, and redacts
+  obvious secrets before rules are added to context.
+
 ## [0.1.9] - 2026-06-30
 
 ### Added

{zai_cli-0.1.9/zai_cli.egg-info → zai_cli-0.2.0}/PKG-INFO

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Metadata-Version: 2.4
 Name: zai-cli
-Version: 0.1.9
+Version: 0.2.0
 Summary: Your personal AI CLI — free, fast, and smart
 License-Expression: MIT
 Project-URL: Homepage, https://github.com/HumaizaNaz/zai_cli
@@ -343,10 +343,49 @@ When `zai` starts in a folder that already has `.zai/project_memory.json`, it
 loads a short pinned summary so future answers can use that folder's context.
 Different folders keep different memories.
 
+## Project rules
+
+Add project instruction files when you want `zai` to consistently follow repo
+rules without copy-pasting them into every prompt.
+
+Supported files:
+
+```text
+ZAI.md
+.zai/rules.md
+AGENTS.md
+CLAUDE.md
+GEMINI.md
+```
+
+When `zai` starts, it loads bounded text from these files in the project root
+and current folder, redacts obvious secrets, and pins the rules into model
+context. Use these files for coding style, preferred test commands, folders to
+avoid, release steps, and project-specific constraints.
+
+Inspect loaded rules:
+
+```text
+zai rules
+/rules
+zai context
+/context
+```
+
+Project rules are different from project memory:
+
+- Project rules are explicit instructions written by the user/repo.
+- Project memory is a generated or remembered summary in
+  `.zai/project_memory.json`.
+- Repo maps are generated structure summaries used on demand.
+- Session history is the current or saved conversation.
+
 Memory types:
 
 - Session history: previous conversation messages saved globally under `~/.zai`.
 - Project memory: small per-folder facts in `.zai/project_memory.json`.
+- Project rules: explicit instruction files such as `ZAI.md` or
+  `.zai/rules.md`.
 - Repo map: generated structure summary used for repository questions; it is not
   long-term memory.
 
@@ -393,6 +432,7 @@ zai auth login <provider>   Connect a provider API key
 zai auth logout <provider>  Remove a provider API key from zai
 zai auth doctor             Show auth troubleshooting guidance
 zai context                 Show loaded project context status
+zai rules                   Show loaded project instruction files
 zai memory show             Show last task metadata
 zai memory projects         List remembered projects
 zai memory project          Show project-scoped memory
@@ -482,6 +522,7 @@ Inside `zai` interactive mode:
 /model <name>               Change model for this interactive session
 /providers                  Show provider connection status
 /context                    Show loaded project context status
+/rules                      Show loaded project instruction files
 /memory                     Show last task metadata
 /commands                   List built-in and plugin slash commands
 ```

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/README.md

@@ -286,10 +286,49 @@ When `zai` starts in a folder that already has `.zai/project_memory.json`, it
 loads a short pinned summary so future answers can use that folder's context.
 Different folders keep different memories.
 
+## Project rules
+
+Add project instruction files when you want `zai` to consistently follow repo
+rules without copy-pasting them into every prompt.
+
+Supported files:
+
+```text
+ZAI.md
+.zai/rules.md
+AGENTS.md
+CLAUDE.md
+GEMINI.md
+```
+
+When `zai` starts, it loads bounded text from these files in the project root
+and current folder, redacts obvious secrets, and pins the rules into model
+context. Use these files for coding style, preferred test commands, folders to
+avoid, release steps, and project-specific constraints.
+
+Inspect loaded rules:
+
+```text
+zai rules
+/rules
+zai context
+/context
+```
+
+Project rules are different from project memory:
+
+- Project rules are explicit instructions written by the user/repo.
+- Project memory is a generated or remembered summary in
+  `.zai/project_memory.json`.
+- Repo maps are generated structure summaries used on demand.
+- Session history is the current or saved conversation.
+
 Memory types:
 
 - Session history: previous conversation messages saved globally under `~/.zai`.
 - Project memory: small per-folder facts in `.zai/project_memory.json`.
+- Project rules: explicit instruction files such as `ZAI.md` or
+  `.zai/rules.md`.
 - Repo map: generated structure summary used for repository questions; it is not
   long-term memory.
 
@@ -336,6 +375,7 @@ zai auth login <provider>   Connect a provider API key
 zai auth logout <provider>  Remove a provider API key from zai
 zai auth doctor             Show auth troubleshooting guidance
 zai context                 Show loaded project context status
+zai rules                   Show loaded project instruction files
 zai memory show             Show last task metadata
 zai memory projects         List remembered projects
 zai memory project          Show project-scoped memory
@@ -425,6 +465,7 @@ Inside `zai` interactive mode:
 /model <name>               Change model for this interactive session
 /providers                  Show provider connection status
 /context                    Show loaded project context status
+/rules                      Show loaded project instruction files
 /memory                     Show last task metadata
 /commands                   List built-in and plugin slash commands
 ```

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/tests/test_interactive.py

@@ -182,21 +182,22 @@ def test_interactive_project_memory_commands(tmp_path, monkeypatch, capsys):
     (tmp_path / "pyproject.toml").write_text("[project]\nname='demo'\n")
     with patch("zai.cli.interactive.has_available_provider", return_value=True):
         with patch("zai.cli.interactive.fire_hook", return_value=True):
-            with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.load_all", return_value={}):
-                with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.get_errors", return_value={}):
-                    with patch("zai.cli.interactive._connect_mcp_servers"):
-                        with patch(
-                            "zai.cli.interactive.InteractiveInput.prompt",
-                            side_effect=[
-                                "/memory project",
-                                "/memory refresh",
-                                "/remember uses pytest",
-                                "/forget 1",
-                                EOFError(),
-                            ],
-                        ):
-                            with patch("zai.cli.interactive.run_agent") as run_agent:
-                                run_interactive("groq")
+            with patch("zai.cli.interactive.add_project"):
+                with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.load_all", return_value={}):
+                    with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.get_errors", return_value={}):
+                        with patch("zai.cli.interactive._connect_mcp_servers"):
+                            with patch(
+                                "zai.cli.interactive.InteractiveInput.prompt",
+                                side_effect=[
+                                    "/memory project",
+                                    "/memory refresh",
+                                    "/remember uses pytest",
+                                    "/forget 1",
+                                    EOFError(),
+                                ],
+                            ):
+                                with patch("zai.cli.interactive.run_agent") as run_agent:
+                                    run_interactive("groq")
 
     output = capsys.readouterr().out
     assert "Project Memory" in output
@@ -210,26 +211,27 @@ def test_interactive_auth_commands_do_not_call_ai(tmp_path, monkeypatch, capsys)
     monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
     with patch("zai.cli.interactive.has_available_provider", return_value=True):
         with patch("zai.cli.interactive.fire_hook", return_value=True):
-            with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.load_all", return_value={}):
-                with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.get_errors", return_value={}):
-                    with patch("zai.cli.interactive._connect_mcp_servers"):
-                        with patch(
-                            "zai.cli.interactive.InteractiveInput.prompt",
-                            side_effect=[
-                                "/auth status",
-                                "/auth login gemini",
-                                "/auth logout gemini",
-                                EOFError(),
-                            ],
-                        ):
-                            with (
-                                patch("zai.cli.interactive.Prompt.ask", return_value="gemini-key"),
-                                patch("zai.cli.interactive.Confirm.ask", return_value=False),
-                                patch("zai.cli.interactive.save_provider_key") as save,
-                                patch("zai.cli.interactive.delete_provider_key", return_value=True) as delete,
-                                patch("zai.cli.interactive.run_agent") as run_agent,
+            with patch("zai.cli.interactive.add_project"):
+                with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.load_all", return_value={}):
+                    with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.get_errors", return_value={}):
+                        with patch("zai.cli.interactive._connect_mcp_servers"):
+                            with patch(
+                                "zai.cli.interactive.InteractiveInput.prompt",
+                                side_effect=[
+                                    "/auth status",
+                                    "/auth login gemini",
+                                    "/auth logout gemini",
+                                    EOFError(),
+                                ],
                             ):
-                                run_interactive("groq")
+                                with (
+                                    patch("zai.cli.interactive.Prompt.ask", return_value="gemini-key"),
+                                    patch("zai.cli.interactive.Confirm.ask", return_value=False),
+                                    patch("zai.cli.interactive.save_provider_key") as save,
+                                    patch("zai.cli.interactive.delete_provider_key", return_value=True) as delete,
+                                    patch("zai.cli.interactive.run_agent") as run_agent,
+                                ):
+                                    run_interactive("groq")
 
     output = capsys.readouterr().out
     assert "Provider status" in output
@@ -242,6 +244,7 @@ def test_interactive_auth_commands_do_not_call_ai(tmp_path, monkeypatch, capsys)
 def test_interactive_context_and_providers_do_not_call_ai(tmp_path, monkeypatch, capsys):
     monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
     (tmp_path / "app.py").write_text("print('hi')\n")
+    (tmp_path / "ZAI.md").write_text("Use pytest.\n")
     with patch("zai.cli.interactive.has_available_provider", return_value=True):
         with patch("zai.cli.interactive.fire_hook", return_value=True):
             with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.load_all", return_value={}):
@@ -252,6 +255,7 @@ def test_interactive_context_and_providers_do_not_call_ai(tmp_path, monkeypatch,
                             side_effect=[
                                 "/providers",
                                 "/context",
+                                "/rules",
                                 "/context tokens",
                                 "/context summary",
                                 EOFError(),
@@ -263,6 +267,9 @@ def test_interactive_context_and_providers_do_not_call_ai(tmp_path, monkeypatch,
     output = capsys.readouterr().out
     assert "Provider status" in output
     assert "Project context" in output
+    assert "Project rules loaded:" in output
+    assert "ZAI.md" in output
+    assert "Project Rules" in output
     assert "unread files are not loaded" in output
     assert "Estimated tokens used" in output
     assert "No compacted summary" in output
@@ -270,6 +277,34 @@ def test_interactive_context_and_providers_do_not_call_ai(tmp_path, monkeypatch,
     run_agent.assert_not_called()
 
 
+def test_interactive_pins_project_rules_before_agent_call(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+    (tmp_path / "ZAI.md").write_text("Use the custom test command.\n")
+    with patch("zai.cli.interactive.has_available_provider", return_value=True):
+        with patch("zai.cli.interactive.fire_hook", return_value=True):
+            with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.load_all", return_value={}):
+                with patch("zai.cli.interactive.plugin_loader.get_errors", return_value={}):
+                    with patch("zai.cli.interactive._connect_mcp_servers"):
+                        with patch(
+                            "zai.cli.interactive.InteractiveInput.prompt",
+                            side_effect=["do work", EOFError()],
+                        ):
+                            with (
+                                patch(
+                                    "zai.cli.interactive.run_agent",
+                                    return_value="done",
+                                ) as run_agent,
+                                patch("zai.cli.interactive.Confirm.ask", return_value=False),
+                            ):
+                                run_interactive("groq")
+
+    history = run_agent.call_args.args[1]
+    assert any(
+        message.pinned and "Use the custom test command" in message.content
+        for message in history
+    )
+
+
 def test_interactive_manual_compact_summarizes_history(tmp_path, monkeypatch, capsys):
     monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
     prompts = [

zai_cli-0.2.0/tests/test_project_rules.py

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+from zai.core.project_rules import (
+    format_project_rules,
+    load_project_rules,
+    project_rules_prompt,
+)
+
+
+def test_load_project_rules_from_root_and_current_folder(tmp_path):
+    (tmp_path / ".git").mkdir()
+    (tmp_path / "ZAI.md").write_text("Use pytest.\n", encoding="utf-8")
+    nested = tmp_path / "pkg"
+    nested.mkdir()
+    (nested / "AGENTS.md").write_text("Nested rule.\n", encoding="utf-8")
+
+    rules = load_project_rules(nested)
+
+    assert [rule.relative_path for rule in rules] == ["ZAI.md", "pkg/AGENTS.md"]
+    assert "Use pytest" in project_rules_prompt(rules)
+    assert "pkg/AGENTS.md" in format_project_rules(rules)
+
+
+def test_project_rules_redact_secrets_and_skip_large_files(tmp_path):
+    (tmp_path / "ZAI.md").write_text(
+        "api_key = sk-secret-value-1234567890\nFollow style.\n",
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+    (tmp_path / "CLAUDE.md").write_text("x" * (70 * 1024), encoding="utf-8")
+
+    rules = load_project_rules(tmp_path)
+
+    assert len(rules) == 1
+    assert "sk-secret" not in rules[0].content
+    assert "[REDACTED_SECRET]" in rules[0].content

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/tests/test_settings_cli.py

@@ -141,18 +141,34 @@ def test_context_command_is_honest_about_unloaded_files(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     app = settings_app()
     monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
     (tmp_path / "app.py").write_text("print('hi')\n")
+    (tmp_path / "ZAI.md").write_text("Use pytest.\n")
 
     result = CliRunner().invoke(app, ["context"])
 
     assert result.exit_code == 0
     assert f"Folder: {tmp_path}" in result.output
     assert "Project memory: missing" in result.output
+    assert "Project rules:" in result.output
+    assert "ZAI.md" in result.output
     assert "Repo map/index: not loaded yet" in result.output
     assert "unread files are not loaded" in result.output
     assert "Estimated tokens used" in result.output
     assert "app.py is loaded" not in result.output
 
 
+def test_rules_command_shows_loaded_project_rules(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    app = settings_app()
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+    (tmp_path / ".zai").mkdir()
+    (tmp_path / ".zai" / "rules.md").write_text("Never commit secrets.\n")
+
+    result = CliRunner().invoke(app, ["rules"])
+
+    assert result.exit_code == 0
+    assert "Project Rules" in result.output
+    assert ".zai/rules.md" in result.output
+
+
 def test_context_tokens_and_summary_commands(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     app = settings_app()
     monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)

zai_cli-0.2.0/zai/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+__version__ = "0.2.0"

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/zai/cli/interactive.py

@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@ from ..core.project_memory import (
     refresh_project_memory,
     remember_fact,
 )
+from ..core.project_rules import (
+    format_project_rules,
+    load_project_rules,
+    project_rules_prompt,
+)
 from ..core.session import (
     delete_session,
     list_sessions,
@@ -58,7 +63,7 @@ CORE_COMMANDS = {
     "help", "clear", "files", "diff", "undo", "plan", "test",
     "watch", "commit", "review", "fix", "explain", "feature",
     "session", "resume", "model", "providers", "context", "compact", "memory", "remember",
-    "forget", "commands", "auth", "setup", "exit", "quit",
+    "forget", "rules", "commands", "auth", "setup", "exit", "quit",
 }
 
 INTERACTIVE_COMMANDS = [
@@ -71,6 +76,7 @@ INTERACTIVE_COMMANDS = [
     ("/context", "Show loaded project context"),
     ("/context tokens", "Show estimated context token usage"),
     ("/context summary", "Show compacted context summary"),
+    ("/rules", "Show loaded project instruction files"),
     ("/compact", "Summarize older session history now"),
     ("/exit", "Exit interactive mode"),
     ("/quit", "Exit interactive mode"),
@@ -102,6 +108,7 @@ PLAIN_COMMAND_ALIASES = {
     "auth status": "/auth status",
     "providers": "/providers",
     "context": "/context",
+    "rules": "/rules",
     "keys": "/setup",
     "api keys": "/setup",
     "model list": "/model list",
@@ -193,6 +200,7 @@ def _show_commands() -> None:
         ("Project", "/context", "Show loaded project context"),
         ("Project", "/context tokens", "Show estimated context token usage"),
         ("Project", "/context summary", "Show compacted context summary"),
+        ("Project", "/rules", "Show loaded project instruction files"),
         ("Project", "/compact", "Summarize older session history now"),
         ("Project", "/files", "List files in the current folder"),
         ("Project", "/diff", "Show git diff"),
@@ -493,6 +501,13 @@ def run_interactive(model: str = None) -> None:
     project_memory = load_project_memory(cwd)
     if project_memory:
         console.print("[dim]Project memory loaded: .zai/project_memory.json[/dim]")
+    project_rules = load_project_rules(cwd)
+    if project_rules:
+        console.print(
+            "[dim]Project rules loaded: "
+            + ", ".join(rule.relative_path for rule in project_rules)
+            + "[/dim]"
+        )
     memory_offer_shown = project_memory is not None
     if (Path(cwd) / "CLAUDE.md").exists():
         console.print(f"[dim]CLAUDE.md loaded from {cwd}[/dim]")
@@ -554,6 +569,12 @@ def run_interactive(model: str = None) -> None:
             content=project_memory_prompt(project_memory),
             pinned=True,
         ))
+    if project_rules:
+        initial_history.append(Message(
+            role="user",
+            content=project_rules_prompt(project_rules),
+            pinned=True,
+        ))
     session_context.replace_messages(initial_history)
     history = session_context.get_messages()
 
@@ -630,6 +651,12 @@ def run_interactive(model: str = None) -> None:
                     context_limit=session_context.max_tokens,
                     detail=detail,
                 ))
+            elif stripped == "/rules":
+                console.print(Panel(
+                    format_project_rules(load_project_rules(cwd)),
+                    title="[cyan]Project Rules[/cyan]",
+                    border_style="cyan",
+                ))
             elif stripped == "/compact":
                 before = len(history)
                 compacted, summary = manual_compact_messages(

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/zai/cli/settings.py

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ from ..core.project_memory import (
     refresh_project_memory,
     remember_fact,
 )
+from ..core.project_rules import format_project_rules, load_project_rules
 from ..core.session import (
     delete_session,
     export_session,
@@ -445,6 +446,15 @@ def context(
         console.print("[red]Usage: zai context [show|tokens|summary][/red]")
 
 
+def rules():
+    """Show project instruction files loaded by zai."""
+    console.print(Panel(
+        format_project_rules(load_project_rules(".")),
+        title="[cyan]Project Rules[/cyan]",
+        border_style="cyan",
+    ))
+
+
 def session(
     action: str = typer.Argument("list", help="list, show, search, rename, delete"),
     name: Optional[str] = typer.Argument(None),
@@ -616,6 +626,7 @@ def register_settings_commands(app: typer.Typer) -> None:
     app.command()(auth)
     app.command()(model)
     app.command()(context)
+    app.command()(rules)
     app.command()(memory)
     app.command()(session)
     app.command()(undo)

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/zai/cli/status.py

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from rich.table import Table
 from ..config import get_api_key, get_model_config, get_models, load_config
 from ..core.auth import auth_status, get_auth_provider
 from ..core.project_memory import load_project_memory
+from ..core.project_rules import load_project_rules
 from ..core.repomap import _cache_path
 from ..core.tokens import (
     compacted_summaries,
@@ -152,6 +153,7 @@ def context_lines(
 ) -> list[str]:
     root = Path(cwd).resolve()
     memory = load_project_memory(root)
+    rules = load_project_rules(root)
     repo_cache = _cache_path(root)
     recent_files = recent_files or []
     messages = messages or []
@@ -164,6 +166,11 @@ def context_lines(
             if memory
             else "Project memory: missing"
         ),
+        (
+            "Project rules: " + ", ".join(rule.relative_path for rule in rules)
+            if rules
+            else "Project rules: none found"
+        ),
         (
             "Repo map/index: cache available at .zai/cache/repomap.json"
             if repo_cache.exists()

zai_cli-0.2.0/zai/core/project_rules.py

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+"""Project instruction file discovery and prompt formatting."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+
+RULE_FILENAMES = (
+    "ZAI.md",
+    ".zai/rules.md",
+    "AGENTS.md",
+    "CLAUDE.md",
+    "GEMINI.md",
+)
+MAX_RULE_FILE_BYTES = 64 * 1024
+MAX_RULE_PROMPT_CHARS = 24_000
+
+SECRET_PATTERNS = (
+    re.compile(r"(?i)(api[_-]?key|token|secret|password)\s*[:=]\s*['\"]?[^'\"\s]+"),
+    re.compile(r"(?i)bearer\s+[a-z0-9._\-]+"),
+    re.compile(r"sk-[A-Za-z0-9_\-]{12,}"),
+)
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ProjectRule:
+    """A loaded project instruction file."""
+
+    path: Path
+    relative_path: str
+    content: str
+
+
+def _project_root(cwd: str | Path = ".") -> Path:
+    path = Path(cwd).resolve()
+    for candidate in (path, *path.parents):
+        if (candidate / ".git").exists():
+            return candidate
+    return path
+
+
+def redact_rule_secrets(text: str) -> str:
+    redacted = text
+    for pattern in SECRET_PATTERNS:
+        redacted = pattern.sub("[REDACTED_SECRET]", redacted)
+    return redacted
+
+
+def _read_rule(path: Path, base: Path) -> ProjectRule | None:
+    try:
+        if not path.is_file() or path.stat().st_size > MAX_RULE_FILE_BYTES:
+            return None
+        content = path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    except (OSError, UnicodeError):
+        return None
+    content = redact_rule_secrets(content.strip())
+    if not content:
+        return None
+    if len(content) > MAX_RULE_PROMPT_CHARS:
+        content = content[:MAX_RULE_PROMPT_CHARS] + "\n\n[... project rules truncated ...]"
+    return ProjectRule(
+        path=path,
+        relative_path=path.relative_to(base).as_posix(),
+        content=content,
+    )
+
+
+def load_project_rules(cwd: str | Path = ".") -> list[ProjectRule]:
+    """Load bounded project rules from project root and current folder."""
+    current = Path(cwd).resolve()
+    root = _project_root(current)
+    bases = [root]
+    if current != root:
+        bases.append(current)
+
+    rules: list[ProjectRule] = []
+    seen: set[Path] = set()
+    for base in bases:
+        for name in RULE_FILENAMES:
+            path = (base / name).resolve()
+            if path in seen:
+                continue
+            seen.add(path)
+            rule = _read_rule(path, root)
+            if rule:
+                rules.append(rule)
+    return rules
+
+
+def project_rules_prompt(rules: list[ProjectRule]) -> str:
+    if not rules:
+        return ""
+    lines = [
+        "Project rules loaded from instruction files.",
+        "Follow these rules for this project unless the user explicitly says otherwise.",
+    ]
+    for rule in rules:
+        lines.append(f"\n--- {rule.relative_path} ---\n{rule.content}")
+    return "\n".join(lines).strip()
+
+
+def format_project_rules(rules: list[ProjectRule]) -> str:
+    if not rules:
+        return (
+            "No project rules found. Add ZAI.md or .zai/rules.md in this project "
+            "to give zai persistent instructions."
+        )
+    lines = ["Loaded project rules:"]
+    for rule in rules:
+        lines.append(f"- {rule.relative_path} ({len(rule.content):,} chars)")
+    return "\n".join(lines)

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/zai/main.py

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import os
+
 import typer
 from typing import Optional
 from typer.core import TyperGroup
@@ -15,6 +17,7 @@ from .core.fallback import (
 )
 from .core.context import ContextManager
 from .core.memory import save_session, get_last_session
+from .core.project_rules import load_project_rules, project_rules_prompt
 from .core.errors import show_error, AllModelsFailedError
 from .core.runtime import configure as configure_runtime
 from .core.runtime import plain_enabled, print_exception
@@ -55,6 +58,7 @@ if sys.stdout.encoding and sys.stdout.encoding.lower() != 'utf-8':
 console = Console()
 
 context = ContextManager()
+_RULES_LOADED_FOR: str | None = None
 INTERACTIVE_COMMANDS = [
     ("/help", "Show interactive help"),
     ("/commands", "List built-in and plugin slash commands"),
@@ -63,6 +67,7 @@ INTERACTIVE_COMMANDS = [
     ("/auth login <provider>", "Connect a provider"),
     ("/providers", "Show provider connection status"),
     ("/context", "Show loaded project context"),
+    ("/rules", "Show loaded project instruction files"),
     ("/clear", "Clear the terminal"),
     ("/files", "List files in the current folder"),
     ("/diff", "Show git diff"),
@@ -124,6 +129,7 @@ def _parse_files_from_response(content: str) -> dict:
 
 
 def _chat(message: str, model: str = None) -> str:
+    global _RULES_LOADED_FOR
     config = load_config()
     preferred = model or config["default_model"]
     context.set_model(preferred)
@@ -132,6 +138,13 @@ def _chat(message: str, model: str = None) -> str:
         show_error("No AI provider available. Run: zai setup, or start Ollama.")
         return ""
 
+    cwd = os.getcwd()
+    if _RULES_LOADED_FOR != cwd:
+        rules = load_project_rules(cwd)
+        if rules:
+            context.add("user", project_rules_prompt(rules), pinned=True)
+        _RULES_LOADED_FOR = cwd
+
     context.add("user", message)
 
     if config.get("auto_compact", True) and context.is_near_limit(

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0/zai_cli.egg-info}/PKG-INFO

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Metadata-Version: 2.4
 Name: zai-cli
-Version: 0.1.9
+Version: 0.2.0
 Summary: Your personal AI CLI — free, fast, and smart
 License-Expression: MIT
 Project-URL: Homepage, https://github.com/HumaizaNaz/zai_cli
@@ -343,10 +343,49 @@ When `zai` starts in a folder that already has `.zai/project_memory.json`, it
 loads a short pinned summary so future answers can use that folder's context.
 Different folders keep different memories.
 
+## Project rules
+
+Add project instruction files when you want `zai` to consistently follow repo
+rules without copy-pasting them into every prompt.
+
+Supported files:
+
+```text
+ZAI.md
+.zai/rules.md
+AGENTS.md
+CLAUDE.md
+GEMINI.md
+```
+
+When `zai` starts, it loads bounded text from these files in the project root
+and current folder, redacts obvious secrets, and pins the rules into model
+context. Use these files for coding style, preferred test commands, folders to
+avoid, release steps, and project-specific constraints.
+
+Inspect loaded rules:
+
+```text
+zai rules
+/rules
+zai context
+/context
+```
+
+Project rules are different from project memory:
+
+- Project rules are explicit instructions written by the user/repo.
+- Project memory is a generated or remembered summary in
+  `.zai/project_memory.json`.
+- Repo maps are generated structure summaries used on demand.
+- Session history is the current or saved conversation.
+
 Memory types:
 
 - Session history: previous conversation messages saved globally under `~/.zai`.
 - Project memory: small per-folder facts in `.zai/project_memory.json`.
+- Project rules: explicit instruction files such as `ZAI.md` or
+  `.zai/rules.md`.
 - Repo map: generated structure summary used for repository questions; it is not
   long-term memory.
 
@@ -393,6 +432,7 @@ zai auth login <provider>   Connect a provider API key
 zai auth logout <provider>  Remove a provider API key from zai
 zai auth doctor             Show auth troubleshooting guidance
 zai context                 Show loaded project context status
+zai rules                   Show loaded project instruction files
 zai memory show             Show last task metadata
 zai memory projects         List remembered projects
 zai memory project          Show project-scoped memory
@@ -482,6 +522,7 @@ Inside `zai` interactive mode:
 /model <name>               Change model for this interactive session
 /providers                  Show provider connection status
 /context                    Show loaded project context status
+/rules                      Show loaded project instruction files
 /memory                     Show last task metadata
 /commands                   List built-in and plugin slash commands
 ```

{zai_cli-0.1.9 → zai_cli-0.2.0}/zai_cli.egg-info/SOURCES.txt

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ tests/test_mcp.py
 tests/test_plugins.py
 tests/test_process.py
 tests/test_project_memory.py
+tests/test_project_rules.py
 tests/test_providers.py
 tests/test_release_preflight.py
 tests/test_search.py
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ zai/core/hooks.py
 zai/core/memory.py
 zai/core/process.py
 zai/core/project_memory.py
+zai/core/project_rules.py
 zai/core/repomap.py
 zai/core/runtime.py
 zai/core/security.py

zai_cli-0.1.9/zai/__init__.py

@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-__version__ = "0.1.9"