# AGENTS.md [Platforms & harness multiplexers](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/platform)AGENTS.md[Last checked Nov 12, 2026](https://www.agentlist.io/changelog) AGENTS.md is a simple, open format for guiding coding agents: a README for agents holding build steps, tests and conventions. [Visit AGENTS.md](https://agents.md/) - [agents.md](https://agents.md/) - [github.com/agentsmd/agents.md](https://github.com/agentsmd/agents.md) - Open format (MIT) - Plain Markdown - Used by 60k+ repos ## At a glance **Who it's for**: Maintainers who want one predictable file that every coding agent reads for project context. **What does it do?**: A dedicated, predictable place to give AI coding agents context and instructions for your project: setup commands, code style, testing and PR instructions. It complements the README, which is written for humans. [agents.md (source for What does it do?)](https://agents.md/) [github.com (source for What does it do?)](https://github.com/agentsmd/agents.md) **Where does it work?**: In any repository. Agents that support the format read the file from the project, and there is nothing to install. [agents.md (source for Where does it work?)](https://agents.md/) **What does it cost?**: Free. It is an open format in a plain Markdown file, and the repo is MIT licensed. [github.com (source for What does it cost?)](https://github.com/agentsmd/agents.md) **Who uses it?**: The site says over 60k open-source projects use it. [agents.md (source for Who uses it?)](https://agents.md/) **Who makes it?**: The agentsmd GitHub organization, which also hosts the agents.md website. [github.com (source for Who makes it?)](https://github.com/agentsmd/agents.md) ## Common questions What is AGENTS.md? AGENTS.md is a simple, open format for guiding coding agents: a README for agents holding build steps, tests and conventions. Who is AGENTS.md for? Maintainers who want one predictable file that every coding agent reads for project context. How much does AGENTS.md cost? Free. It is an open format in a plain Markdown file, and the repo is MIT licensed. Checked against the vendor's pages on Nov 12, 2026. Plans change often, so confirm before you decide. Does AGENTS.md run locally or in the cloud? AGENTS.md runs in the vendor's cloud. You use it through chat apps and an API. What are alternatives to AGENTS.md? See the Platforms & harness multiplexers shortlist for the other options. [See all agent platforms](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/platform) --- Source: [AGENTS.md: pricing & alternatives | agentlist.io](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/agents-md). This is the public page rendered as Markdown; interactive controls require the website.