# Agent Guidance for Tibs

This file gives project-specific guidance for automated coding assistants and contributors working on Tibs.

## Project Snapshot

- Tibs is a Python library for binary data, implemented in Rust with PyO3 and built with maturin.
- The public Python package exposes immutable `Tibs`, mutable `Mutibs`, `View`, and enum types from `src/lib.rs`.
- The package targets Python 3.8+ through `pyo3/abi3-py38`; continue supporting Python 3.8 unless explicitly instructed otherwise.
- The project is in beta. API changes are allowed when they improve the design, but still update tests, docs, examples, and type stubs to match.
- Rust uses edition 2024. Prefer local patterns in `src/` over introducing new abstractions.

## Repository Layout

- `src/`: Rust implementation and PyO3 bindings.
- `tibs.pyi`: public typing surface. Keep this in sync with exposed Python API changes.
- `tests/`: Python tests, including Hypothesis tests and benchmark tests.
- `doc/`: Sphinx source documentation.
- `examples/`: runnable examples that correspond to documentation examples.
- Generated or local-output directories/files such as `target/`, `dist/`, `doc/_build/`, `html/`, logs, benchmark outputs, and temporary scripts should not be edited unless the user asks.

## Development Workflow

- For Rust-only validation, start with `cargo check`.
- To rebuild the Python extension locally, use `make build` or `.venv/bin/maturin develop --release`.
- Running the complete test suite with benchmarks skipped is the usual recommendation: use `make test` or `.venv/bin/python -m pytest --benchmark-skip`.
- For focused Python checks, run targeted pytest commands against the relevant test file or test name.
- If changing docs, prefer updating the source `.rst` files and examples, not generated HTML.
- If changing public behavior, update Rust implementation, `tibs.pyi`, tests, docs, and examples as appropriate.

## Coding Expectations

- Preserve the existing API style: constructors and converters use names like `from_hex`, `to_hex`, properties like `.hex`, and Pythonic indexing/slicing behavior.
- Keep `Tibs` immutable and `Mutibs` mutable; do not blur ownership or mutation behavior between them.
- Error behavior is part of the Python API. Use clear Python exceptions through `PyResult` and existing PyO3 exception patterns.
- Be conservative with dependencies. Prefer the current dependency set unless a new dependency materially simplifies a real problem.
- Performance is crucial at both large and small scales. Any change that could affect performance should be checked thoroughly, with focused benchmarks or comparisons when relevant.
- Avoid obviously quadratic algorithms in core bit operations and search paths unless the input size is provably tiny or the tradeoff is explicitly accepted.
- Keep `tibs.pyi` updated with every change that affects the public Python API or typing surface.
- Match the documentation style of the section being edited. Method/reference docs should include full parameter information and usually examples. User manual pages should be less exhaustive, more conversational, and focused on explaining workflows.
- Keep examples concise and executable-looking; prefer examples that show actual binary data workflows.
- Do not treat generated docs, wheels, benchmark logs, or local scratch files as source of truth.

## Git And Local State

- The worktree may contain user edits and generated artifacts. Do not revert or clean unrelated changes.
- Untracked files are common in this repository and are usually local scratch files. Do not treat them as a problem in status checks, release checks, or summaries unless the user specifically asks about untracked files or the files are directly relevant to the task. Releases are made from GitHub Actions, so local untracked files are not relevant to release readiness.
- Before broad edits, inspect the current diff for files you plan to touch.
- Keep changes tightly scoped to the request.
- Avoid touching generated artifacts such as `dist/`, `target/`, `doc/_build/`, `html/`, benchmark result files, and logs unless explicitly requested.
