diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index fe642d2..1276b87 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Legacy-work relation: CTO planning, adapter design, transportability, Case/Herme
 - Treat this file as route-local instruction after parent `AGENTS.md` files and before chat memory.
 - Start broad or ambiguous work with `cortex graph context`; use it only as Derived State, then read local files.
 - Before edits, read `AGENTS.md`, `README.md`, and `WORKBOARD.yaml`; keep writes route-local unless Core authorizes promotion.
-- Run the validator before handoff or done claims; raise proof only for runtime, provider, secret, memory, profile exposure, branch, release, or readiness effects.
+- Use Karpathy rules, small routing seams, real evals, and cartesian/pragmatic/efficient/elegant no-live execution; run validator before handoff/done and escalate live/risk effects.
 - Record proof and handoffs as refs-only artifacts. Do not write Hindsight memory, Core SOT, sibling repos, or live runtime state without route approval.
 
 ## Repo-Custom Agent Contract