Always externalize configuration values rather than hardcoding them directly in the code. This improves maintainability, enables easier configuration changes, and ensures consistency across the codebase. Key practices: 1. Replace hardcoded strings with values retrieved from a centralized configuration system 2. Ensure the correct configuration keys are used for specific components 3. Use standardized utility functions that honor user configuration settings Example: ```python # Instead of this: main_system = """Act as an expert software developer.""" # Do this: from . import prompt_manager yaml_prompt_entry = prompt_manager.get_prompt_value('ComponentName', 'main_system') # And when reading files, respect user configuration: # Instead of: with open(file_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as file: content = file.read() # Use utilities that honor user settings: content = io.read_text(file_path) # Respects --encoding setting ``` This approach makes the codebase more flexible, easier to maintain, and respectful of user-defined settings.