Claude Code reads AGENTS.md only when telemetry is on [fixed] (blog.szypowi.cz)

Article summary

Claude Code 2.1.277 added support for AGENTS.md, but the feature is behind a remote feature flag that requires telemetry to be enabled. With telemetry turned off, the local AGENTS.md file is skipped without warning. The author discovered this issue and found a workaround by using a one-line CLAUDE.md file to load the AGENTS.md file. The author argues that this behavior is unacceptable and that reading a local file should not depend on telemetry.

Main themes

• telemetry and privacy
• software development and debugging
• feature rollouts and flagging
• user control and transparency
• AI-generated code and vibe-coding
• bug detection and workarounds

What commenters say

• The behavior is likely a bug rather than an intentional design choice.
• The issue is emblematic of the rough edges that exist in software development, even for simple features.
• The use of feature flags that require telemetry is a common practice, but it can be frustrating for users who want to disable telemetry.
• The lack of transparency and warning when a feature is skipped due to telemetry settings is a significant problem.
• The issue is not unique to this feature, but rather a symptom of a broader approach to feature rollouts and telemetry.
• Some users have found workarounds, such as using a symlink to share skills between agents, but these solutions are not ideal.
• The discussion highlights the tension between the need for telemetry and the desire for user control and transparency.
• The use of AI-generated patches and vibe-coding can lead to subtle but severe bugs that are difficult to detect.