diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 4c1df27..518b225 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ Replace this bracketed text.>
 ## Systems of Record (do not duplicate)
 
 - **Redmine** is the single system of record for ALL project work — tickets, schedules, Gantt, dependencies. Use the `redmine-cli`. **Do not use Gitea issues.** Reference tickets as `[#NNN]`.
+- **NEVER close a Redmine ticket without explicit user permission.** You may SUGGEST a close when the result is clearly scoped and delivered. If it's ambiguous whether the work is truly complete, don't suggest a close — leave that decision to the user. This applies to ALL tickets, no exceptions.
 - **Discourse** is the single system of record for documentation. Use the `discourse-cli`. **Do not author long-form docs in gitea.**
 - **Git-tracked `.md` files are stubs** that point to the relevant Discourse topic URL. Operational files that must live next to code (`AGENTS.md`, `STATUS.md`, `questions-v*.md`) are the documented exceptions.
 - `STATUS.md` is a scratchpad for token efficiency, **not** a system of record.