Anthropic has updated its Claude Code tool to version 2.1.277, which was released on September 19. The update introduces support for a new configuration file format known as AGENTS.md.

The system now prioritizes the existing CLAUDE.md file for specific workflows and command configurations. If this file is missing in the project folder, the software will automatically detect and utilize the AGENTS.md file instead.

The AGENTS.md file is designed to serve as a universal instruction manual for artificial intelligence agents. It allows developers to define project-level rules that remain consistent across different AI programming tools.

This implementation aims to reduce configuration overhead when switching between various development environments. It also simplifies the process of onboarding new contributors to open-source projects by providing a standardized set of guidelines.