diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 611a5d7..0000000
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,58 +0,0 @@
-# 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`
\ No newline at end of file