How Rule 4 (Suppress Tangents) in i-have-adhd Benefits ADHD Users

Rule 4 (Suppress Tangents) directs the model to resolve the primary issue completely before introducing secondary topics, thereby reducing cognitive overload and preventing distraction for ADHD users.

The ayghri/i-have-adhd repository defines a deterministic set of interaction rules designed to make AI outputs accessible for users with ADHD. Rule 4 specifically targets the fragmentation of attention by prohibiting the model from mixing multiple problems or solutions within a single response. This rule operationalizes the repository’s core philosophy: keep output sequential, action-oriented, and free from unsolicited side-talk that fractures focus.

What is Rule 4 (Suppress Tangents)?

Rule 4 is formally defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md at lines 64-70. According to the source code, this rule instructs the model to finish addressing the primary issue before introducing any secondary topics. When additional concerns exist, the model must present them as a separate, optional question rather than embedding them within the solution narrative.

This behavioral constraint transforms standard AI responses into linear, digestible units that respect the cognitive load limitations common in ADHD profiles.

Cognitive Benefits of Suppressing Tangents for ADHD Users

Reduces Cognitive Overload

ADHD brains typically operate with limited working memory capacity. When a response mixes primary fixes with tangential remarks about outdated dependencies or formatting issues, the reader must simultaneously hold multiple problem states in mind. This mental juggling increases the probability of task abandonment or error. By isolating the main task according to Rule 4, the model ensures the user focuses on one concrete action at a time, preventing the paralysis that comes from cognitive overcrowding.

Minimizes Distraction

Tangential remarks function as unsolicited interruptions that trigger attention shifts. For users prone to "hyper-focus shifts," a sudden mention of an unrelated bug or library update can derail the current task pathway into a rabbit hole of secondary concerns. Rule 4 suppresses these digressions, keeping the reader locked into the current step until completion, which reduces task-switching fatigue and preserves mental momentum.

Creates Clear Task Boundaries

Presenting secondary issues only after resolving the primary concern establishes natural stopping points. This structure respects the ADHD need for frequent micro-rewards and dopamine reinforcement, allowing the user to decide whether to continue or take a break after each concrete achievement. The deterministic boundary makes task management predictable rather than overwhelming.

Improves Progress Visibility

By deferring additional topics, the model can explicitly highlight the completed action ("Here’s the fix") before asking about subsequent issues. This explicit demarcation makes wins visible, reinforcing a sense of achievement that sustains motivation through complex workflows. According to the repository’s design philosophy, this visibility is critical for users who struggle with sustaining effort in open-ended tasks.

Implementation Examples in i-have-adhd

Correct Usage Following SKILL.md

The following pattern demonstrates proper adherence to Rule 4, where the secondary concern is isolated and offered as an optional follow-up:

Here’s the fix for the login bug.

Separately: your `package.json` lists an outdated library. Want me to update it next?

Incorrect Usage to Avoid

This example violates Rule 4 by embedding tangential issues within the primary solution, creating a fractured attention landscape:

Here’s the fix for the login bug. By the way, your `package.json` lists an outdated library, and your README is missing a usage section.

Technical Foundation in the Repository

The behavior defined by Rule 4 relies on three key files within ayghri/i-have-adhd:

• skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md – Contains the canonical definition of Rule 4 at lines 64-70, establishing the "finish primary issue first" protocol.
• README.md – Provides the architectural overview explaining how these ADHD-friendly constraints improve model interactions.
• INSTALL.md – Documents the runtime configurations necessary to enforce the skill’s deterministic output rules across different deployment environments.

Summary

• Rule 4 in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md (lines 64-70) mandates sequential issue resolution, preventing the interleaving of primary and secondary topics.
• Isolating primary tasks reduces cognitive overload for users with limited working memory capacity.
• Suppressing tangents prevents distraction and the task-switching fatigue associated with unsolicited interruptions.
• Clear boundaries enable micro-reward opportunities essential for ADHD motivation and dopamine regulation.
• Explicit completion markers improve progress visibility, reinforcing achievement and sustaining momentum through complex tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rule 4 defined in the i-have-adhd repository?

Rule 4 is defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md at lines 64-70. This section specifies that the model must finish the primary issue before introducing secondary topics and must present additional concerns as separate, optional questions.

How does suppressing tangents differ from simply being concise?

Conciseness reduces word count, while suppressing tangents specifically addresses temporal ordering and cognitive isolation. Rule 4 requires completing one cognitive task fully before initiating another, whereas a concise response might still interleave multiple topics efficiently but confusingly.

Can Rule 4 be combined with other ADHD-friendly rules in the repository?

Yes, Rule 4 operates synergistically with the nine other rules defined in SKILL.md, such as deterministic output structures and action-oriented formatting. Together, these constraints create a comprehensive interaction pattern that minimizes cognitive debt across the entire user session.

Does enforcing Rule 4 slow down complex troubleshooting?

No, enforcing Rule 4 typically accelerates completion by preventing the cognitive debt of interrupted tasks. While it serializes discussions that might otherwise happen in parallel, the reduction in context-switching overhead and the clarity of task boundaries generally result in faster overall resolution for ADHD users.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}