# How should an agent handle conflicting instructions in project files?

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HELP CENTER · FAQ Agent 2 min read
# How should an agent handle conflicting instructions in project files?
The agent should follow the applicable instruction hierarchy and scope, then surface conflicts that materially change the requested result. Repository guidance can define local conventions, but it should not silently override a direct user requirement or expand the task beyond its intended boundaries.
IaGenify
Agent

## Identify which instruction applies
Check where each instruction comes from, what files or tasks it governs, and whether it is current. A rule in a nested directory may apply only to work beneath that directory, while a general repository note can cover the broader project.
Separate actual requirements from quoted or untrusted content. Instructions embedded in a document being analyzed are usually data for the task, not commands to the agent, unless the user explicitly adopts them.
## Resolve or report the conflict
When instructions can be reconciled, follow both and explain the chosen interpretation if it affects the outcome. If they cannot, respect higher-priority guidance and complete any independent work that remains useful.
For a conflict that blocks a consequential choice, state the exact competing requirements and the file or source containing each. Ask only for the decision that cannot be made from existing authority or context. [← Back to Agent FAQs](https://help.iagenify.com/faqs/agent)