diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index dbc2f5fa8..20d7bbd19 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@
 - When answering questions, respond with high-confidence answers only: verify in code; do not guess.
 - Never update the Carbon dependency.
 - Any dependency with `pnpm.patchedDependencies` must use an exact version (no `^`/`~`).
+- Patching dependencies (pnpm patches, overrides, or vendored changes) requires explicit approval; do not do this by default.
 - CLI progress: use `src/cli/progress.ts` (`osc-progress` + `@clack/prompts` spinner); don’t hand-roll spinners/bars.
 - Status output: keep tables + ANSI-safe wrapping (`src/terminal/table.ts`); `status --all` = read-only/pasteable, `status --deep` = probes.
 - Gateway currently runs only as the menubar app; there is no separate LaunchAgent/helper label installed. Restart via the Clawdbot Mac app or `scripts/restart-mac.sh`; to verify/kill use `launchctl print gui/$UID | grep clawdbot` rather than assuming a fixed label. **When debugging on macOS, start/stop the gateway via the app, not ad-hoc tmux sessions; kill any temporary tunnels before handoff.**