AI instructions should define boundaries as clearly as they define the desired result. Tell Claude Code which files, APIs, database tables, dependencies, interfaces, or behaviors must remain unchanged. If adding packages, changing schemas, modifying public APIs, or changing configuration is forbidden, say so explicitly. Tell it to stop and ask before destructive actions or high-impact architectural changes when those actions require human approval. Never assume that the AI will know which shortcut is unacceptable just because a developer would know it. Negative requirements are especially important when several solutions can produce the same visible feature. Clear boundaries let Claude Code work aggressively inside the allowed area while reducing unwanted changes outside it. After implementation, check the diff against both the requirements and the forbidden-change list.

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