diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 743572be3c..a60cb37892 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -200,6 +200,7 @@ See @docs/testing/*.md for detailed patterns.
 ## External Resources
 
 - Vue: <https://vuejs.org/api/>
+- @docs/typescript/type-safety.md
 - Tailwind: <https://tailwindcss.com/docs/styling-with-utility-classes>
 - VueUse: <https://vueuse.org/functions.html>
 - shadcn/vue: <https://www.shadcn-vue.com/>
diff --git a/docs/typescript/type-safety.md b/docs/typescript/type-safety.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a557c7e734
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/typescript/type-safety.md
@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+---
+globs:
+  - '**/*.ts'
+  - '**/*.tsx'
+  - '**/*.vue'
+---
+
+# Type Safety Rules
+
+## Never Use Type Assertions (`as`)
+
+Type assertions bypass TypeScript's type checking. Instead, use proper type guards and narrowing.
+
+### DOM Elements
+
+❌ **Wrong:**
+```typescript
+const el = e.target as HTMLInputElement
+el.value
+```
+
+✅ **Correct:**
+```typescript
+if (e.target instanceof HTMLInputElement) {
+  e.target.value
+}
+```
+
+### Optional Properties on Objects
+
+❌ **Wrong:**
+```typescript
+const obj = value as { prop?: string }
+if (obj.prop) { ... }
+```
+
+✅ **Correct:**
+```typescript
+if ('prop' in value && typeof value.prop === 'string') {
+  value.prop
+}
+```
+
+### Constructor/Static Properties
+
+❌ **Wrong:**
+```typescript
+const ctor = node.constructor as { type?: string }
+const type = ctor.type
+```
+
+✅ **Correct:**
+```typescript
+const ctor = node.constructor
+const type = 'type' in ctor && typeof ctor.type === 'string' ? ctor.type : undefined
+```
+
+## Fix the Source Type, Don't Cast
+
+When you find yourself needing a cast, ask: "Can I fix the type definition instead?"
+
+### Missing Interface Properties
+
+If a property exists at runtime but not in the type, add it to the interface:
+
+❌ **Wrong:**
+```typescript
+const box = this.search_box as { close?: () => void }
+box?.close?.()
+```
+
+✅ **Correct:**
+```typescript
+// Update the type definition
+search_box?: HTMLDivElement & ICloseable
+
+// Then use directly
+this.search_box?.close()
+```
+
+### Callback Parameter Types
+
+If a callback receives a different type than declared, fix the callback signature:
+
+❌ **Wrong:**
+```typescript
+onDrawTooltip?: (link: LLink) => void
+// Later...
+onDrawTooltip(link as LLink)  // link is actually LinkSegment
+```
+
+✅ **Correct:**
+```typescript
+onDrawTooltip?: (link: LinkSegment) => void
+// Later...
+onDrawTooltip(link)  // No cast needed
+```
+
+## Create Type Guard Functions
+
+For repeated type checks, create reusable type guards:
+
+```typescript
+interface IPanel extends Element, ICloseable {
+  node?: LGraphNode
+  graph?: LGraph
+}
+
+function isPanel(el: Element): el is IPanel {
+  return 'close' in el && typeof el.close === 'function'
+}
+
+// Usage
+for (const panel of panels) {
+  if (!isPanel(panel)) continue
+  panel.close()  // TypeScript knows panel is IPanel
+}
+```
+
+## When Casts Are Unavoidable
+
+Some casts are genuinely unavoidable. Document why:
+
+```typescript
+/**
+ * @deprecated Prefer {@link structuredClone}
+ * Note: JSON.parse returns `unknown`, so type assertions are unavoidable here.
+ * This function is deprecated precisely because it cannot be made type-safe.
+ */
+cloneObject<T>(obj: T): T {
+  const cloned: unknown = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(obj))
+  return cloned as T  // Unavoidable - JSON.parse returns unknown
+}
+```
+
+### Acceptable Cast Scenarios
+
+1. **`JSON.parse` results** - Returns `unknown`, must be cast
+2. **Conditional types in return positions** - TypeScript can't always narrow these
+3. **Third-party library limitations** - When you can't fix the source types
+
+## Prefer Specific Over General
+
+Use the most specific type possible:
+
+❌ **Wrong:**
+```typescript
+const value = obj as any
+const value = obj as unknown
+const value = obj as Record<string, unknown>
+```
+
+✅ **Correct:**
+```typescript
+// Use the actual expected type
+const value: ISerialisedNode = obj
+// Or use type guards to narrow
+if (isSerialisedNode(obj)) { ... }
+```
+
+## Union Types and Narrowing
+
+For union types, use proper narrowing instead of casting:
+
+❌ **Wrong:**
+```typescript
+// NodeId = number | string
+(node.id as number) - (other.id as number)
+```
+
+✅ **Correct:**
+```typescript
+if (typeof node.id === 'number' && typeof other.id === 'number') {
+  node.id - other.id
+}
+```
+
+## Summary
+
+1. **Never use `as`** unless absolutely unavoidable
+2. **Use `instanceof`** for class/DOM element checks
+3. **Use `'prop' in obj`** for property existence checks
+4. **Use `typeof`** for primitive type checks
+5. **Fix source types** instead of casting at usage sites
+6. **Create type guards** for repeated patterns
+7. **Document unavoidable casts** with clear explanations