IBM Bob works well with Ultracite when you pair shared Visual Studio Code workspace settings with `AGENTS.md` rules—matching the standard format while keeping editor behavior predictable.
Ultracite uses these IBM Bob settings, rules, and hooks files to keep editor behavior and AI output aligned with your repo standards.
This workspace settings file keeps IBM Bob aligned with Ultracite for format on save, auto-fixes, and TypeScript defaults.
.vscode/settings.json
{ "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode", "editor.formatOnPaste": true, "editor.formatOnSave": true, "emmet.showExpandedAbbreviation": "never", "js/ts.tsdk.path": "node_modules/typescript/lib", "js/ts.tsdk.promptToUseWorkspaceVersion": true, "[css]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[graphql]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[html]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[javascript]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[javascriptreact]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[json]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[jsonc]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[markdown]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[mdx]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[svelte]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[typescript]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[typescriptreact]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[vue]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "[yaml]": { "editor.defaultFormatter": "biomejs.biome" }, "editor.codeActionsOnSave": { "source.fixAll.biome": "explicit", "source.organizeImports.biome": "explicit" }}Append Ultracite's guidance into `AGENTS.md` so IBM Bob keeps any existing project instructions and gains consistent repo standards.
AGENTS.md
# Ultracite Code StandardsThis project uses **Ultracite**, a zero-config preset that enforces strict code quality standards through automated formatting and linting.## Quick Reference- **Format code**: `npx ultracite fix`- **Check for issues**: `npx ultracite check`- **Diagnose setup**: `npx ultracite doctor`your configured linter (the underlying engine) provides robust linting and formatting. Most issues are automatically fixable.---## Core PrinciplesWrite code that is **accessible, performant, type-safe, and maintainable**. Focus on clarity and explicit intent over brevity.### Type Safety & Explicitness- Use explicit types for function parameters and return values when they enhance clarity- Prefer `unknown` over `any` when the type is genuinely unknown- Use const assertions (`as const`) for immutable values and literal types- Leverage TypeScript's type narrowing instead of type assertions- Use meaningful variable names instead of magic numbers - extract constants with descriptive names### Modern JavaScript/TypeScript- Use arrow functions for callbacks and short functions- Prefer `for...of` loops over `.forEach()` and indexed `for` loops- Use optional chaining (`?.`) and nullish coalescing (`??`) for safer property access- Prefer template literals over string concatenation- Use destructuring for object and array assignments- Use `const` by default, `let` only when reassignment is needed, never `var`### Async & Promises- Always `await` promises in async functions - don't forget to use the return value- Use `async/await` syntax instead of promise chains for better readability- Handle errors appropriately in async code with try-catch blocks- Don't use async functions as Promise executors### React & JSX- Use function components over class components- Call hooks at the top level only, never conditionally- Specify all dependencies in hook dependency arrays correctly- Use the `key` prop for elements in iterables (prefer unique IDs over array indices)- Nest children between opening and closing tags instead of passing as props- Don't define components inside other components- Use semantic HTML and ARIA attributes for accessibility: - Provide meaningful alt text for images - Use proper heading hierarchy - Add labels for form inputs - Include keyboard event handlers alongside mouse events - Use semantic elements (`<button>`, `<nav>`, etc.) instead of divs with roles### Error Handling & Debugging- Remove `console.log`, `debugger`, and `alert` statements from production code- Throw `Error` objects with descriptive messages, not strings or other values- Use `try-catch` blocks meaningfully - don't catch errors just to rethrow them- Prefer early returns over nested conditionals for error cases### Code Organization- Keep functions focused and under reasonable cognitive complexity limits- Extract complex conditions into well-named boolean variables- Use early returns to reduce nesting- Prefer simple conditionals over nested ternary operators- Group related code together and separate concerns### Security- Add `rel="noopener"` when using `target="_blank"` on links- Avoid `dangerouslySetInnerHTML` unless absolutely necessary- Don't use `eval()` or assign directly to `document.cookie`- Validate and sanitize user input### Performance- Avoid spread syntax in accumulators within loops- Use top-level regex literals instead of creating them in loops- Prefer specific imports over namespace imports- Avoid barrel files (index files that re-export everything)- Use proper image components (e.g., Next.js `<Image>`) over `<img>` tags### Framework-Specific Guidance**Next.js:**- Use Next.js `<Image>` component for images- Use `next/head` or App Router metadata API for head elements- Use Server Components for async data fetching instead of async Client Components**React 19+:**- Use ref as a prop instead of `React.forwardRef`**Solid/Svelte/Vue/Qwik:**- Use `class` and `for` attributes (not `className` or `htmlFor`)---## Testing- Write assertions inside `it()` or `test()` blocks- Avoid done callbacks in async tests - use async/await instead- Don't use `.only` or `.skip` in committed code- Keep test suites reasonably flat - avoid excessive `describe` nesting## When your configured linter Can't Helpyour configured linter's linter will catch most issues automatically. Focus your attention on:1. **Business logic correctness** - your configured linter can't validate your algorithms2. **Meaningful naming** - Use descriptive names for functions, variables, and types3. **Architecture decisions** - Component structure, data flow, and API design4. **Edge cases** - Handle boundary conditions and error states5. **User experience** - Accessibility, performance, and usability considerations6. **Documentation** - Add comments for complex logic, but prefer self-documenting code---Most formatting and common issues are automatically fixed by your configured linter. Run `npx ultracite fix` before committing to ensure compliance.IBM's AI coding assistant for the IDE, built for agentic modes, literate coding, and enterprise workflows alongside familiar editor ergonomics.
IBM Bob reads `AGENTS.md`, the same rules file used by many AI coding tools. Ultracite writes your standards there so they work across agents while staying version-controlled.
Ultracite still targets the normal `.vscode/settings.json` surface, so format on save, the linter extension, and TypeScript defaults behave like other VS Code–compatible editors.
You can combine editor behavior (settings) with Bob's guidance file so AI output and human edits meet the same bar before review.
Keep Ultracite present in the day-to-day IBM Bob workflow with a few editor-specific habits, not just a one-time setup.
Run npx ultracite@latest init --editors bob to generate .vscode/settings.json and the linter extension defaults Bob-compatible editors expect.
Run with --agents bob (or init both) to append AGENTS.md so Bob picks up Ultracite standards from the shared rules file.
Optionally add extra files under .bob/rules/ for Bob-specific instructions that complement AGENTS.md.
Editor-specific answers for teams rolling out Ultracite in IBM Bob.
These nearby setups make it easier to compare how Ultracite handles shared settings, AI rules, and editor-specific workflow details.
Kiro pairs well with Ultracite when you combine shared VS Code workspace settings with a dedicated steering file that guides spec-driven AI work before code is generated.
Trae works well with Ultracite when you keep the standard VS Code workspace settings in place and add a dedicated project rules file that teaches the AI how your repo expects code to look.
CodeBuddy works best with Ultracite when you combine committed workspace settings, a branded project memory file, and optional PostToolUse hooks that clean up AI edits after they land.
And used by thousands of open source projects.
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