---

name: smith-standards description: Universal coding standards for emoji usage, comments, datetime formatting, and file conventions. Use when writing code, logs, documentation, or any text output. Always active as universal rules for all development.

Universal Coding Standards

<metadata>

• Scope: Universal coding standards (emoji, comments, datetime)
• Load if: Always active (universal rules for all development)
• Prerequisites: @smith-principles/SKILL.md

</metadata>

CRITICAL: Universal Rules (Primacy Zone)

<forbidden>

• Decorative emoji in code, logs, or documentation
• Files without exactly one trailing newline

</forbidden> <required>

• Self-documenting code over inline comments
• ISO 8601 timestamps with timezone

</required> <context>

Universal standards that apply to all code, logs, documentation, and outputs across all languages and contexts.

</context>

Universal Code Standards

<forbidden>

• NEVER use decorative emoji (for example: x-mark, check mark, warning, memo, celebration, thumbs-up symbols) in code, logs, print statements, error messages, or documentation. Exception: user-facing UI text if explicitly requested. Functional Unicode symbols (→, ±×÷) are allowed. Checkmarks are redundant when followed by descriptive labels.
• NEVER add excessive blank lines between code blocks
• NEVER commit files without exactly one trailing newline

</forbidden> <required>

Inline Comments:

• ONLY add inline comments when code intent is not self-evident from naming and structure
• Prefer self-documenting code (clear variable/function names) over inline comments
• Allowed cases: Config files (.env), TODO markers, complex algorithms, non-obvious business logic

File Format:

• ALWAYS have exactly one newline at the end of every file
• ALWAYS use language-appropriate formatters before commits
• ALWAYS use descriptive names following language conventions

</required>

DateTime Standards

Timezone: All timestamps MUST use local timezone dynamically Format: ISO 8601 with timezone: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS±HH:MM

Examples:

• Python: datetime.now().astimezone().isoformat() (automatically uses local timezone)
• JavaScript: new Date().toISOString() (UTC) or new Date().toLocaleString('en-CA', {timeZoneName: 'short'}) (local with timezone)

Quality Standards

Documentation: Use precise, technical language; maintain consistent terminology; follow these standards in ALL text outputs

Testing: ALWAYS update reports when standards change; maintain test documentation accuracy

Code Reuse: ALWAYS check existing scripts before creating new ones; check debug_scripts/ and language-specific tool directories

<related>

• @smith-principles/SKILL.md - Fundamental coding principles
• @smith-style/SKILL.md - Path and naming standards
• @smith-guidance/SKILL.md - AI agent behavior patterns (always active)
• @smith-dev/SKILL.md - Development workflow
• @smith-tests/SKILL.md - Testing standards
• @smith-git/SKILL.md - Version control
• @smith-gh-pr/SKILL.md - Pull request workflows
• @smith-gh-cli/SKILL.md - GitHub CLI operations

</related>

ACTION (Recency Zone)

<required>

Before committing:

1. No decorative emoji in code/logs
2. Exactly one trailing newline
3. Self-documenting names over comments
4. ISO 8601 timestamps with timezone

</required>