# Ralph Guardrails (Signs)

> Lessons learned from past failures. READ THESE BEFORE ACTING.

## Core Signs

### Sign: Read Before Writing
- **Trigger**: Before modifying any file
- **Instruction**: Always read the existing file first
- **Added after**: Core principle

### Sign: Test After Changes
- **Trigger**: After any code change
- **Instruction**: Run tests to verify nothing broke
- **Added after**: Core principle

### Sign: Commit Checkpoints
- **Trigger**: Before risky changes
- **Instruction**: Commit current working state first
- **Added after**: Core principle

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## Learned Signs

(Signs added from observed failures will appear below)

