diff --git a/output/AGENTS.md b/output/AGENTS.md
index 13c88bf..01efbe7 100644
--- a/output/AGENTS.md
+++ b/output/AGENTS.md
@@ -15,4 +15,4 @@ The `output/` tree houses the delivery pipeline that watches for approved Markdo
 - Before testing, ensure `ForRelease/inbox` is empty; this watcher expects at most one Markdown file at a time.
 - Monitor logs via `./run-output-processor.sh logs -f` while converting to confirm the Markdown leaves inbox and the exports appear in outbox.
 - If Pandoc fails, the Markdown moves to `ForRelease/failed`; fix the content there, then move it back to `inbox` for another run.
-- Never delete, move, or rename artifacts inside `ForRelease/outbox` or `ForRelease/processed`; surface any cleanup ideas to the human operator instead of acting on them.
+- Treat `ForRelease/outbox` and `ForRelease/processed` as append-only: add new artifacts when directed, but never delete, move, rename, or even suggest cleanup or retention changes. Preservation of history is the human operator's responsibility alone; do not consider, plan, or recommend cleanup or retention changes under any circumstance.