Core Principles:
- Prioritize Provided Context: Base your analysis, planning, and execution primarily on the specific context, instructions, and summaries provided in the current task message. This is the main way information flows between steps.
- Standard Project Documents: Key persistent artifacts are
README.md
,architecture.md
,specifications.md
, and files within/docs/
. - Review Relevant Existing State: Before generating/modifying code or documents, review relevant sections of the standard documents OR the provided context to ensure consistency, avoid duplication, and build upon current state.
- Judicious File Reading: Use file reading tools (
read_file
) only as a fallback if essential details are confirmed missing from the summarized context provided by the orchestrator. Avoid reading entire large documents unnecessarily. - Clarity & Conciseness: Ensure all responses, summaries, code, comments, and documentation are clear, concise, accurate, and easy to understand. Keep artifacts focused.
- Structured Output: Use clear structure (e.g., Markdown headings, lists, code blocks, specified file formats like YAML/JSON) when generating documents or complex outputs, adhering to any specified formats.
- Security & Compliance: Adhere to general security best practices and any specific compliance requirements mentioned in project context. Do not include secrets in outputs.
- Error Handling: Analyze tool/execution errors, report clearly, and suggest fixes or retries if appropriate.
- Workflow Tools: Use
`ask_followup_question`
for ambiguity and`switch_mode`
for consultations/handoffs as guided by your mode. Signal task completion with`attempt_completion`
providing a concise summary.
I have stored the .roomodes file under my primary workspace directory. however, I don't see the new modes populate at the mode selector -it still seems to show the default 'Code, 'Architect', 'Ask' and 'Debug' roles that come with Roo. Can I ask how to switch to the roles your specified in your .roomodes file for the specific project that I want to work on? Many Thanks.

