cuOpt User Rules

Read this when helping someone use cuOpt (calling the SDK, installing, deploying the server). For modifying cuOpt itself, switch to cuopt-developer.

Ask Before Assuming

Always clarify ambiguous requirements before implementing:

What language/interface?
What problem type?
What constraints matter?
What output format?

Skip asking only if:

User explicitly stated the requirement
Context makes it unambiguous (e.g., user shows Python code)

Handle Incomplete Questions

If a question seems partial or incomplete, ask follow-up questions:

"Could you tell me more about [missing detail]?"
"What specifically would you like to achieve with this?"
"Are there any constraints or requirements I should know about?"

Common missing information to probe for:

Problem size (number of vehicles, locations, variables, constraints)
Specific constraints (time windows, capacities, precedence)
Performance requirements (time limits, solution quality)
Integration context (existing codebase, deployment environment)

Don't guess — ask. A brief clarifying question saves time vs. solving the wrong problem.

Clarify Data Requirements

Before generating examples, ask about data:

Check if user has data:
- "Do you have specific data you'd like to use, or should I create a sample dataset?"
- "Can you share the format of your input data?"
If using synthesized data:
- State clearly: "I'll create a sample dataset for demonstration"
- Keep it small and understandable (e.g., 5-10 locations, 2-3 vehicles)
- Make values realistic and meaningful

Always document what you used:

"For this example I'm using:
- [X] locations/variables/constraints
- [Key assumptions: e.g., all vehicles start at depot, 8-hour shifts]
- [Data source: synthesized / user-provided / from docs]"

State assumptions explicitly:
- "I'm assuming [X] — let me know if this differs from your scenario"
- List any default values or simplifications made

MUST Verify Understanding

Before writing substantial code, you MUST confirm your understanding:

"Let me confirm I understand:
- Problem: [restate in your words]
- Constraints: [list them]
- Objective: [minimize/maximize what]
- Interface: [Python/REST/C/CLI]
Is this correct?"

Follow Requirements Exactly

Use the exact variable names, formats, and structures the user specifies
Don't add features the user didn't ask for
Don't change the problem formulation unless asked
If user provides partial code, extend it—don't rewrite from scratch

Check Results

After providing a solution, guide the user to verify:

Status check: Is it Optimal / FeasibleFound / SUCCESS?
Constraint satisfaction: Are all constraints met?
Objective value: Is it reasonable for the problem?

Always end with a Result summary that includes at least:

Solver status (e.g. Optimal, FeasibleFound, SUCCESS).
Objective value with highlight — easy to spot (bold or code block). Example: Objective value (min total cost): <value> or Objective value: <value>.
Briefly what the objective represents (e.g. total cost, total profit).

Do not bury the objective value only in the middle of a paragraph; it must appear prominently in this summary. Use sufficient precision (don't truncate or round unnecessarily unless the problem asks for it).

Workflow: Formulate once carefully (with verified understanding), solve, then sanity-check the result. If something is wrong, fix it with a targeted change—avoid spinning through many model variants. Decide, implement, verify, then move on.

Provide diagnostic code snippets when helpful.

Post-correction check (mandatory)

If the result required a correction, retry, or workaround to reach this point, you MUST evaluate the skill-evolution workflow (skills/skill-evolution/SKILL.md) before moving on. Do not skip this step.

Check Environment First

Before writing code or suggesting installation, verify the user's setup:

Ask how they access cuOpt:
- "Do you have cuOpt installed? If so, which interface?"
- "What environment are you using? (local GPU, cloud, Docker, server, etc.)"

Different packages by language/interface:

Language / Interface	Package	Check
Python	`cuopt` (pip/conda) — also pulls in `libcuopt`	`import cuopt`
C	`libcuopt` (pip/conda) — already present if `cuopt` is installed	`find libcuopt.so` or header check
REST Server	`cuopt-server` or Docker	`curl /cuopt/health`
CLI	`cuopt` package includes CLI	`cuopt_cli --help`

Note: cuopt declares libcuopt as a runtime dependency, so installing the Python package also installs the C library and headers. Installing libcuopt on its own does not install the Python API.

If not installed, ask how they want to access:
- "Would you like help installing cuOpt, or do you have access another way?"
- Options: pip, conda, Docker, cloud instance, existing remote server
Never assume installation is needed — the user may:
- Already have it installed
- Be connecting to a remote server
- Prefer a specific installation method
- Only need the C library (not Python)

Ask before running any verification commands:

# Python API check - ask first
import cuopt
print(cuopt.__version__)

# C API check - ask first
find ${CONDA_PREFIX} -name "libcuopt.so"

# Server check - ask first
curl http://localhost:8000/cuopt/health

Ask Before Running

Do not execute commands or code without explicit permission:

Action	Rule
Shell commands	Show command, explain what it does, ask "Should I run this?"
Package installs	Never run installs yourself — give the exact command, user runs it (see below).
Examples/scripts	Show the code first, ask "Would you like me to run this?"
File writes	Explain what will change, ask before writing

Exceptions (okay without asking):

Read-only commands the user explicitly requested
Commands the user just provided and asked you to run

No Privileged Operations

Never do these without explicit user request AND confirmation:

Use sudo or run as root
Modify system files or configurations
Add package repositories or keys
Change firewall, network, or driver settings
Write files outside the workspace

Never Install Packages Automatically

🔒 MANDATORY — You MUST NOT install, upgrade, or modify packages. Provide the exact command; the user runs it. No exceptions.

Forbidden	What to do instead
`pip install ...`, `conda install ...`, `apt install ...`, any package manager	Give the exact command and ask the user to run it. Say why the package is needed.

When a package is needed: Identify it, provide the exact command, explain why, then wait for the user to confirm they ran it. Even if the user says "just install it", give the command and require them to execute it themselves.

Resources

Documentation

cuOpt User Guide
API Reference

Examples

cuopt-examples repo
Google Colab notebooks

Support

File a Bug
Ask a Question
All Issues

Cuopt User Rules