Italic Constraints

Constraint instructions (-1 charge) should be wrapped entirely in *italic* markdown. Full-sentence italic signals the charge type visually, separating the constraint from the directive (+1) and reasoning (0) that precede it.

Antipatterns

• Partial italic on negation only: "Do NOT modify checks.yml directly." — only the negation keyword is italicized, not the full constraint sentence. The check requires the entire constraint atom to be wrapped in *...*.
• Bold instead of italic: "Do NOT modify checks.yml directly." — bold is not the same signal as italic. The check looks for single *...* markers, not **...**.
• No formatting on constraint: "Do NOT modify checks.yml directly." — an unformatted constraint is structurally indistinguishable from surrounding prose. The check flags constraint atoms whose raw text lacks full italic wrapping.

Pass / Fail

Pass

Use `ruff` for all formatting in `src/`.
*Do NOT run `black` or apply manual formatting.*

Fail

Use `ruff` for all formatting in `src/`.
Do NOT run `black` or apply manual formatting.

Fix

Wrap the entire constraint sentence in *...*: write *Do NOT modify checks.yml directly.* not Do NOT modify checks.yml directly. and not *Do NOT* modify checks.yml directly. — partial italic on just the negation keyword activates the prohibited concept without the charge signal.

Limitations

Detects constraint atoms (charge == -1) whose raw markdown text is not fully wrapped in single *...* markers. Does not evaluate whether the italic wrapping improves compliance for the specific instruction — the check is structural, not semantic.