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+# OpenCortex Agent Mandate
+
+This file defines the operating policies and engineering guidelines that all autonomous agents MUST follow.
+
+## Vision
+
+- **Pure Lisp + Org-mode**: All intelligence implemented in Lisp, all documentation in Org-mode
+- **No JSON, No YAML**: Thin harness, fat skills
+- **Constraint**: No temporary scripts in repo - use `/home/user/memex/system/` instead
+
+## Current Goal
+
+- **v0.2.0**: Self-Improvement + Local LLMs
+  - org-skill-self-edit (self-modification)
+  - org-skill-emacs-edit (full org-mode manipulation)
+  - Local vector search (Ollama embeddings)
+  - Tool permission tiers (ask/allow/deny)
+  - Skill hot-reload ✅ DONE
+
+## Engineering Standards
+
+### Mandates (Operational)
+
+1. **Commit Before Modify**: MUST commit and push workspace BEFORE initiating any file modifications. Working tree MUST be clean before modification.
+
+2. **Literate Programming**: All system logic and skills MUST be implemented as Literate Org files. The "Why" (Architectural Intent) MUST NOT be separated from the "How" (Implementation).
+
+3. **Test-Driven Development**: No change is complete without verification. Every new function or macro MUST have a FiveAM test case.
+
+4. **The Consensus Loop (Plan Mode)**: Major architectural shifts require a formal implementation plan. Must draft Blueprint (PROTOCOL) and seek formal approval before execution.
+
+5. **GTD Synchronization**: Every task completion MUST update `gtd.org`. Record all major architectural shifts, feature implementations, or refactors in the project roadmap.
+
+6. **Test-First Methodology**: Before implementing any fix or feature:
+   - Design the test/success criteria first - define what "works" means
+   - Run chaos/edge-case testing - try to break the design
+   - Only then implement the solution
+
+7. **Org as Thinking Medium**: When debugging or analyzing issues, document investigation in the relevant org file BEFORE implementing a fix. Record root cause hypothesis, evidence found, tradeoffs considered.
+
+8. **Engineering Decision Audit Trail**: Every significant fix or architectural decision MUST be documented with:
+   - Root cause analysis
+   - Options considered and tradeoffs
+   - Why this solution was chosen
+
+### Agent Workflow
+
+- **Boot Sequence**: Read AGENTS.md, verify git status, read gtd.org for current task
+- **Before Any Modification**: Commit first (Commit Before Modify rule)
+- **Plan Mode**: Draft PROTOCOL.md before complex implementations
+- **Testing**: Run FiveAM test suite before marking task complete
+- **Completion**: Update gtd.org, commit, sync with user
+
+## References
+
+- Engineering Standards: `../opencortex-contrib/skills/org-skill-engineering-standards.org`
+- Roadmap: `gtd.org`
+- README: `README.org`
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