diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f754df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# Repository instructions
+
+## Automatic commits are mandatory
+
+- Automatically commit each completed, validated change before finishing a
+  task. Do not wait for the user to ask for a commit or request confirmation.
+- Keep commits focused. Include the implementation, regression tests, and
+  relevant documentation together; commit independent changes separately.
+- Inspect staged and unstaged changes before committing. Stage only files that
+  belong to the task. Do not commit user recordings, generated transcripts,
+  credentials, or unrelated changes.
+- Use Conventional Commit subjects and explain the change and validation in
+  the commit body, including a `Test Plan:` section.
+- Run the relevant checks, including `python3 -B -m unittest -v`,
+  `bash -n transcribe` for shell changes, and `git diff --cached --check`.
+  Report any validation that could not be completed; never claim a mocked
+  provider test proves live API behavior.
+- After committing, inspect the commit and working tree, and report the commit
+  hash with any remaining work. Do not push unless requested.
+
+## Project layout
+
+- `transcribe`: CLI options, audio preparation, and transcription requests.
+- `chunks.py`: upload boundaries and ordered overlap stitching.
+- `subtitles.py`: timestamp validation and SRT cue formatting.
+- `transcript.py`: readable text paragraphs and speaker markers.
+- `test_*.py` and `tests/fake_provider.py`: local regression tests without real
+  credentials or provider requests.
+
+Keep the CLI and its three Python helpers together. Preserve transcript order,
+scope speaker IDs to their request, and emit stdout only after all chunks and
+output conversion succeed. Progress and errors belong on stderr.