After reviewing over 2,500 agent documentation files, we identified what separates high-performing setups from the rest. The winning pattern is consistent: put executable commands upfront rather than burying them in lengthy explanations. Developers clearly prefer seeing working code first—theory comes later. Security boundaries matter too; explicit constraints like "Never commit secrets" save teams from costly mistakes. Beyond that, specifying your tech stack early prevents compatibility headaches down the line. The most resilient agent docs consistently address six fundamental areas that cover the full operational scope. This structure doesn't just look cleaner—it dramatically improves how quickly teams can actually implement and iterate on their systems.