---
id: BACK-39
title: 'CLI: fix empty agent instruction files on init'
status: Done
assignee:
  - '@codex'
reporter: '@MrLesk'
created_date: '2025-06-10'
updated_date: '2025-06-10'
labels:
  - cli
  - bug
dependencies: []
---

## Description

Backlog init should populate selected agent instruction files with default content instead of creating empty files.

## Acceptance Criteria

- [x] Selected agent instruction files contain default guideline text after running `backlog init`
- [x] Automated test verifies non-empty content is written to each created file

## Implementation Notes

- Imported guideline constants may resolve to file paths when bundled. Added
  `_loadAgentGuideline` helper to read file contents when needed.
- `addAgentInstructions` now loads guideline text before writing files, ensuring
  non-empty content in `AGENTS.md`, `CLAUDE.md`, and `.cursorrules`.
- Updated CLI and tests to verify content length instead of specific words.
