honors-thesis/AGENTS.md

AGENTS.md

Purpose

This file defines repository-specific guidance for AI coding/writing agents working on this thesis.

Repository Layout

• Thesis source: thesis/
• Main file: thesis/thesis.tex
• Chapters: thesis/chapters/*.tex
• Output PDF: thesis/out/thesis.pdf
• Context/reference docs: context/

Build and Verify

From thesis/:

• Build: make
• Output should be generated at build/thesis.pdf and copied to out/thesis.pdf.

If edits touch LaTeX content, run a build before finishing.

Writing and Editing Priorities

1. Preserve technical accuracy over stylistic flourish.
2. Prefer plain, direct language.
3. Keep paragraph flow tight: avoid repeating claims already made in nearby paragraphs.
4. Minimize unnecessary chapter recap in chapter introductions.
5. Do not introduce unsupported claims.

Terminology Canon (Use Consistently)

• experiment: reusable protocol specification
• trial: one concrete run of an experiment protocol
• wizard: human operator controlling execution
• test subject / human subject: person interacting with robot during a trial
• session: scheduled study block that can include training, design challenge, trial, and debrief

When revising text, normalize wording to these definitions unless quoting study materials verbatim.

Chapter-Specific Conventions

• Chapter 4 (Design): focus on principles and architecture, not implementation specifics.
• Chapter 5 (Implementation): focus on how the principles are realized.
• Chapter 6 (Evaluation): focus on study design, procedure, and measures; avoid re-explaining earlier chapters.

Figures and Media

• If requested images are unavailable, add clearly labeled placeholders in the relevant section.
• Prefer placing robot imagery in evaluation/apparatus context unless explicitly requested elsewhere.

Scope Discipline

• Do not edit generated files under thesis/build/.
• Do not add new dependencies/packages unless necessary.
• Keep edits minimal and localized to the user request.

Review Checklist Before Finishing

• Build succeeds (make from thesis/).
• Terminology remains consistent across edited sections.
• No obvious redundancy introduced.
• References/labels compile without new undefined-reference warnings.