diff --git a/agent-instructions.md b/agent-instructions.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3eb22e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/agent-instructions.md
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+# Context+ MCP - Agent Workflow
+
+## Purpose
+
+Context+ gives you structural awareness of the entire codebase without reading every file. These tools replace your default search and read operations — use them as your primary interface to the codebase.
+
+## Tool Priority (Mandatory)
+
+You MUST use Context+ tools instead of native equivalents. Only fall back to native tools when a Context+ tool cannot fulfill the specific need.
+
+| Instead of…             | MUST use…                      | Why                                         |
+|--------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
+| `grep`, `rg`, `ripgrep` | `semantic_code_search`         | Finds by meaning, not just string match     |
+| `find`, `ls`, `glob`    | `get_context_tree`             | Returns structure with symbols + line ranges|
+| `cat`, `head`, read file | `get_file_skeleton` first      | Signatures without wasting context on bodies|
+| manual symbol tracing    | `get_blast_radius`             | Traces all usages across the entire codebase|
+| keyword search           | `semantic_identifier_search`   | Ranked definitions + call chains            |
+| directory browsing       | `semantic_navigate`            | Browse by meaning, not file paths           |
+
+## Workflow
+
+1. Start every task with `get_context_tree` or `get_file_skeleton` for structural overview
+2. Use `semantic_code_search` or `semantic_identifier_search` to find code by meaning
+3. Run `get_blast_radius` BEFORE modifying or deleting any symbol
+4. Prefer structural tools over full-file reads — only read full files when signatures are insufficient
+5. Run `run_static_analysis` after writing code
+6. Use `search_memory_graph` at task start for prior context, `upsert_memory_node` after completing work
+
+## Execution Rules
+
+- Think less, execute sooner: make the smallest safe change that can be validated quickly
+- Batch independent reads/searches in parallel — do not serialize them
+- If a command fails, diagnose once, pivot strategy, continue — cap retries to 1-2
+- Keep outputs concise: short status updates, no verbose reasoning
+
+## Tool Reference
+
+| Tool | When to Use |
+|------|-------------|
+| `get_context_tree` | Start of every task. Map files + symbols with line ranges. |
+| `get_file_skeleton` | Before full reads. Get signatures + line ranges first. |
+| `semantic_code_search` | Find relevant files by concept. |
+| `semantic_identifier_search` | Find functions/classes/variables and their call chains. |
+| `semantic_navigate` | Browse codebase by meaning, not directory structure. |
+| `get_blast_radius` | Before deleting or modifying any symbol. |
+| `get_feature_hub` | Browse feature graph hubs. Find orphaned files. |
+| `run_static_analysis` | After writing code. Catch errors deterministically. |
+| `propose_commit` | Validate and save file changes. |
+| `list_restore_points` | See undo history. |
+| `undo_change` | Revert a change without touching git. |
+| `upsert_memory_node` | Create/update memory nodes (concept, file, symbol, note). |
+| `create_relation` | Create typed edges between memory nodes. |
+| `search_memory_graph` | Semantic search + graph traversal across neighbors. |
+| `prune_stale_links` | Remove decayed edges and orphan nodes. |
+| `add_interlinked_context` | Bulk-add nodes with auto-similarity linking. |
+| `retrieve_with_traversal` | Walk outward from a node, return scored neighbors. |
+
+## Anti-Patterns
+
+1. Reading entire files without checking the skeleton first
+2. Deleting functions without checking blast radius
+3. Running independent commands sequentially when they can be parallelized
+4. Repeating failed commands without changing approach
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index e688e3a..5413421 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -4,8 +4,10 @@
 
 import { McpServer } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/mcp.js";
 import { StdioServerTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/stdio.js";
+import { readFileSync } from "fs";
 import { mkdir, writeFile } from "fs/promises";
 import { dirname, resolve } from "path";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "url";
 import { z } from "zod";
 import { createEmbeddingTrackerController } from "./core/embedding-tracker.js";
 import { createIdleMonitor, getIdleShutdownMs, getParentPollMs, isBrokenPipeError, runCleanup, startParentMonitor } from "./core/process-lifecycle.js";
@@ -39,6 +41,13 @@ const ROOT_DIR = passthroughArgs[0] && !SUB_COMMANDS.includes(passthroughArgs[0]
   : process.cwd();
 const INSTRUCTIONS_SOURCE_URL = "https://contextplus.vercel.app/api/instructions";
 const INSTRUCTIONS_RESOURCE_URI = "contextplus://instructions";
+const PACKAGE_ROOT = resolve(dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url)), "..");
+let agentInstructions: string | undefined;
+try {
+  agentInstructions = readFileSync(resolve(PACKAGE_ROOT, "agent-instructions.md"), "utf8");
+} catch {
+  // agent-instructions.md not found, continuing without manifest instructions
+}
 
 let noteServerActivity = () => { };
 let ensureTrackerRunning = () => { };
@@ -148,6 +157,7 @@ const server = new McpServer({
   version: "1.0.0",
 }, {
   capabilities: { logging: {} },
+  ...(agentInstructions && { instructions: agentInstructions }),
 });
 
 server.resource(