Who this is for
Anyone with at least one agent installed — or practicing verify-only if install comes later.
Which machine are you on? (saved across terminal + folder lessons)
↑ Pick one to see only your path. (Showing all until you do.)
The emergency brake
- Agent lists home clutter (Desktop, Downloads, Pictures)? Exit the agent,
cdto the project, verify again, relaunch. Never “work around” it. - No agent installed yet? Stop after the verify ritual. This lesson keeps — return after TA-02.
Run the verify ritual
About 5 min
Every time, before any agent:
pwd ls
pwd dir
You should see your project files (README.md, src, package.json — whatever belongs). If you see Desktop, Downloads, Pictures — stop and cd into the project.
Try this
Run the two verify commands in your project terminal.
You should see: pwd ending in your project name, and ls/dir showing project files — not a home dump.
cd to the project and verify again. No agent was started, nothing to unwind.
Launch from here
About 10 min
Only after verify:
claude # or: codex # or: grok # or: hermes
First prompt idea: “What files are in this folder? Summarize this project in three bullets.” The answer should match this project — not your whole user profile.
Grab the verify card:
↓ Download the verify card (PDF)
Prefer paper via browser? Print-ready HTML version (File → Print → Save as PDF).
Practice wrong-folder recovery
About 5 min
- Deliberately
cdto your home folder. Runpwd. See the wrong place. cdback to the project. Runpwd. See the right place.
That round trip is the recovery. Exit, cd, verify, relaunch — every time.
Pass your entire Users directory as the working tree “so the agent has context.” Smaller folder = smaller mistake.
Success check
pwdshows the project leaf folderls/dirshows project files, not a home dump- Agent answer matches this project or verify-only completed pending install
Common failure modes
| Failure | Fix |
|---|---|
| Agent “sees” dozens of top-level folders | You launched from home — exit, cd, relaunch |
| Dragged files into chat from elsewhere | Prefer opening the terminal in the project; don’t whole-disk browse |
| WSL agent on a Windows path by accident | pwd should start with /home or the intended /mnt/c/…/my-app |
Don't skip pwd
Don’t pass your entire Users directory as context. Don’t skip pwd because “I already know.” Knowing is what the check is for.
Bring the exact path and the exact error text to a free 30-minute consult. Copy them first — vague “it doesn't work” wastes the call.