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Django + Tailwind + pytest rules for AI coding agents

Full stack: Python + Django + Tailwind CSS v4 + pytest

Ready-to-commit rules for Python + Django + Tailwind CSS v4 + pytest in every major format: AGENTS.md (Codex, Cursor, Copilot), CLAUDE.md (Claude Code), Cursor .mdc project rules, legacy .cursorrules, Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules and GEMINI.md. Server-rendered Django with Tailwind styling.

Last reviewed 2026-10-21 · Customise in the generator · Raw: AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md

The mistake agents make most on this stack

Validation gets done by hand on `request.POST` instead of forms.

Generated files

AGENTS.md
# AGENTS.md - this project

Instructions for AI coding agents working in this repository.

## Project

A Python + Django + Tailwind CSS v4 + pytest project.

Stack: Python + Django, Tailwind CSS v4, pytest.

## Commands

- Dev server: `python manage.py runserver`
- Create migrations: `python manage.py makemigrations`
- Apply migrations: `python manage.py migrate`
- Tests: `python manage.py test`
- Tests: `uv run pytest -q`

## Project structure

- One Django app per domain. Models, views, urls, admin and tests live inside each app.

## How to work in this repo

- Read the relevant files before editing. Follow the patterns already in the codebase over these generic rules.
- Make the smallest change that solves the task. Do not refactor or reformat unrelated code.
- Before saying a task is done, run the type-check, lint and tests listed under Commands and fix what you broke.
- If requirements are ambiguous, ask one clear question instead of guessing.
- Never commit secrets, API keys or `.env` files. Use env vars and keep `.env.example` up to date.
- Do not add a new dependency when the standard library or an existing dependency already covers it.
- Ask before adding, removing or upgrading any dependency.
- Ask before changing database schemas, auth, payments or CI configuration.
- Never delete files, drop data or run destructive commands (`rm -rf`, `git push --force`, `DROP TABLE`) without explicit approval.
- Keep each change under ~200 changed lines where possible; split larger work into steps.

## Python + Django

- Follow Django conventions first: fat models/managers, thin views.
- Every model change needs a migration. Never edit a migration that has already been applied in a shared environment.
- Avoid N+1 queries: use `select_related` for foreign keys and `prefetch_related` for reverse/many-to-many relations.
- Validate input with forms or DRF serializers, never by reading `request.POST` directly.
- Read `SECRET_KEY`, database URLs and API keys from env vars. `DEBUG` must be off in production.
- Use the ORM; if raw SQL is unavoidable, always pass parameters, never format strings.
- Keep CSRF protection on for all forms.

## Tailwind CSS v4

- Tailwind v4 is configured in CSS: `@import "tailwindcss";` plus `@theme { ... }` for design tokens. Do not create a `tailwind.config.js` unless the project already has one.
- Use theme tokens (colors, spacing) instead of arbitrary values like `w-[37px]`.
- Build responsive layouts mobile-first with `sm:`, `md:`, `lg:` prefixes.
- Extract repeated class lists into components, not `@apply` chains.
- Support dark mode with the `dark:` variant when the project uses it.

## pytest

- Tests live in `tests/` named `test_*.py`. Use plain `assert`.
- Share setup with fixtures in `conftest.py`; use `@pytest.mark.parametrize` for input tables.
- Mock external services (HTTP, LLM APIs, payment providers); tests must not hit the network.
- Every bug fix adds a regression test.

## Reference docs

- [Django docs](https://docs.djangoproject.com)
- [Tailwind CSS docs](https://tailwindcss.com/docs)
- [pytest docs](https://docs.pytest.org)

Commands your agent should run

TaskCommand
Dev serverpython manage.py runserver
Create migrationspython manage.py makemigrations
Apply migrationspython manage.py migrate
Testspython manage.py test
Testsuv run pytest -q

What the rules cover

Python + Django

Django web app or API. Scoped to **/*.py, **/templates/**/*.html in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Follow Django conventions first: fat models/managers, thin views.
  • Every model change needs a migration. Never edit a migration that has already been applied in a shared environment.
  • Avoid N+1 queries: use select_related for foreign keys and prefetch_related for reverse/many-to-many relations.
  • Validate input with forms or DRF serializers, never by reading request.POST directly.
  • Read SECRET_KEY, database URLs and API keys from env vars. DEBUG must be off in production.
  • Use the ORM; if raw SQL is unavoidable, always pass parameters, never format strings.
  • Keep CSRF protection on for all forms.

Source docs: Django docs

Tailwind CSS v4

Utility-first styling with Tailwind CSS v4. Scoped to **/*.css, **/*.tsx, **/*.vue, **/*.svelte, **/*.astro, **/*.html, **/*.blade.php, **/*.erb in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Tailwind v4 is configured in CSS: @import "tailwindcss"; plus @theme { ... } for design tokens. Do not create a tailwind.config.js unless the project already has one.
  • Use theme tokens (colors, spacing) instead of arbitrary values like w-[37px].
  • Build responsive layouts mobile-first with sm:, md:, lg: prefixes.
  • Extract repeated class lists into components, not @apply chains.
  • Support dark mode with the dark: variant when the project uses it.

Source docs: Tailwind CSS docs

pytest

Python tests with pytest. Scoped to tests/**/*.py, **/test_*.py in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Tests live in tests/ named test_*.py. Use plain assert.
  • Share setup with fixtures in conftest.py; use @pytest.mark.parametrize for input tables.
  • Mock external services (HTTP, LLM APIs, payment providers); tests must not hit the network.
  • Every bug fix adds a regression test.

Source docs: pytest docs

How to install

  1. Copy AGENTS.md to your repo root. That covers Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot and most other agents.
  2. Using Claude Code? Add a CLAUDE.md with the single line @AGENTS.md, or use the standalone CLAUDE.md tab above.
  3. Want rules that only load for certain files in Cursor? Add the .cursor/rules/*.mdc files.
  4. Commit the files so your whole team (and every agent) shares them.

FAQ

Where do I put the AGENTS.md for Python + Django + Tailwind CSS v4 + pytest?

Save it as AGENTS.md in the root of your repository, next to your main config file. Codex, Cursor and GitHub Copilot pick it up automatically. For Claude Code, add a CLAUDE.md containing @AGENTS.md (or use the standalone CLAUDE.md on this page).

What is the most common mistake AI agents make with Python + Django?

Validation gets done by hand on request.POST instead of forms.

Which commands should the agent run to check its work?

For this stack: python manage.py runserver, python manage.py makemigrations, python manage.py migrate, python manage.py test. They are listed in the generated files so the agent runs them before finishing a task.

Do these Python + Django + Tailwind CSS v4 + pytest rules work with Cursor and Claude Code?

Yes. This page includes the same rules as AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, Cursor .mdc project rules, a legacy .cursorrules file, GitHub Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules and GEMINI.md.

Can I customise these rules?

Yes. Open this stack in the generator to add or remove libraries, set your project name and package manager, switch beginner explanations on, and download everything as a zip.

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