diff --git a/.cursor/rules/openmontage.mdc b/.cursor/rules/openmontage.mdc
index d0614e20..9534089d 100644
--- a/.cursor/rules/openmontage.mdc
+++ b/.cursor/rules/openmontage.mdc
@@ -6,9 +6,10 @@ alwaysApply: true
 
 # OpenMontage
 
-AI-orchestrated video production platform. See `CURSOR.md` for full context.
+MANDATORY: Read `AGENT_GUIDE.md` before responding to ANY user message.
 
-- All tools implement the ToolContract from `tools/base_tool.py`
-- Pipeline: idea -> script -> scene_plan -> assets -> edit -> compose -> publish
-- Canonical schemas in `schemas/artifacts/`
-- Agent guide and contract in `AGENT_GUIDE.md`
+Do not act on the user's request until you have read AGENT_GUIDE.md.
+It contains routing rules that determine your first action based on what the user asked.
+Skipping it WILL cause you to take the wrong action.
+
+There are no instructions in this file. All instructions are in AGENT_GUIDE.md.
diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
index 6a81e2ed..2ca6ea94 100644
--- a/.github/copilot-instructions.md
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
-# OpenMontage - GitHub Copilot Instructions
+# OpenMontage
 
-See [`AGENT_GUIDE.md`](../AGENT_GUIDE.md) for the complete operating guide and agent contract. See [`PROJECT_CONTEXT.md`](../PROJECT_CONTEXT.md) for architecture and conventions.
+**MANDATORY: Read [`AGENT_GUIDE.md`](../AGENT_GUIDE.md) before responding to ANY user message.**
+
+Do not act on the user's request until you have read AGENT_GUIDE.md.
+It contains routing rules that determine your first action based on what the user asked.
+Skipping it WILL cause you to take the wrong action.
+
+There are no instructions in this file. All instructions are in AGENT_GUIDE.md.
diff --git a/.windsurfrules b/.windsurfrules
index 0ef4ee4b..c7f02255 100644
--- a/.windsurfrules
+++ b/.windsurfrules
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-# OpenMontage - Windsurf Rules
+# OpenMontage
 
-OpenMontage is an AI-orchestrated video production platform.
+MANDATORY: Read `AGENT_GUIDE.md` before responding to ANY user message.
 
-See `AGENT_GUIDE.md` for the complete operating guide and agent contract, and `PROJECT_CONTEXT.md` for architecture and conventions.
+Do not act on the user's request until you have read AGENT_GUIDE.md.
+It contains routing rules that determine your first action based on what the user asked.
+Skipping it WILL cause you to take the wrong action.
 
-Key patterns: ToolContract (`tools/base_tool.py`), pipeline manifests (`pipeline_defs/`), canonical artifact schemas (`schemas/artifacts/`).
+There are no instructions in this file. All instructions are in AGENT_GUIDE.md.
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index d82de855..7649447b 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
-# OpenMontage - Agent Instructions
+# OpenMontage
 
-> **Start here:** See [`AGENT_GUIDE.md`](AGENT_GUIDE.md) — the complete operating guide and agent contract.
-> **Project context:** See [`PROJECT_CONTEXT.md`](PROJECT_CONTEXT.md) for architecture, key files, and conventions.
+**MANDATORY: Read `AGENT_GUIDE.md` before responding to ANY user message.**
+
+Do not act on the user's request until you have read AGENT_GUIDE.md.
+It contains routing rules that determine your first action based on what the user asked.
+Skipping it WILL cause you to take the wrong action.
+
+There are no instructions in this file. All instructions are in AGENT_GUIDE.md.
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 2a688059..e7d1f3e9 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
-# OpenMontage - Claude Code Instructions
+# OpenMontage
 
-> **Start here:** See [`AGENT_GUIDE.md`](AGENT_GUIDE.md) — the complete operating guide and agent contract.
-> **Project context:** See [`PROJECT_CONTEXT.md`](PROJECT_CONTEXT.md) for architecture, key files, and conventions.
+**MANDATORY: Read [`AGENT_GUIDE.md`](AGENT_GUIDE.md) before responding to ANY user message.**
+
+Do not act on the user's request until you have read AGENT_GUIDE.md.
+It contains routing rules that determine your first action based on what the user asked.
+Skipping it WILL cause you to take the wrong action.
+
+There are no instructions in this file. All instructions are in AGENT_GUIDE.md.