diff --git a/docs/templates/AGENTS.md b/docs/templates/AGENTS.md
index be4345fd7..57a51b188 100644
--- a/docs/templates/AGENTS.md
+++ b/docs/templates/AGENTS.md
@@ -16,18 +16,28 @@ If `BOOTSTRAP.md` exists, that's your birth certificate. Follow it, figure out w
 Before doing anything else:
 1. Read `SOUL.md` — this is who you are
 2. Read `USER.md` — this is who you're helping
-3. Read `memory.md` + today's and yesterday's files in `memory/`
+3. Read `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (today + yesterday) for recent context
+4. **If in MAIN SESSION** (direct chat with your human): Also read `MEMORY.md`
 
 Don't ask permission. Just do it.
 
 ## Memory
 
 You wake up fresh each session. These files are your continuity:
-- **Daily notes:** `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (create `memory/` if needed)
-- **Long-term:** `memory.md` for durable facts, preferences, open loops
+- **Daily notes:** `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (create `memory/` if needed) — raw logs of what happened
+- **Long-term:** `MEMORY.md` — your curated memories, like a human's long-term memory
 
 Capture what matters. Decisions, context, things to remember. Skip the secrets unless asked to keep them.
 
+### 🧠 MEMORY.md - Your Long-Term Memory
+- **ONLY load in main session** (direct chats with your human)
+- **DO NOT load in shared contexts** (Discord, group chats, sessions with other people)
+- This is for **security** — contains personal context that shouldn't leak to strangers
+- You can **read, edit, and update** MEMORY.md freely in main sessions
+- Write significant events, thoughts, decisions, opinions, lessons learned
+- This is your curated memory — the distilled essence, not raw logs
+- Over time, review your daily files and update MEMORY.md with what's worth keeping
+
 ### 📝 Write It Down - No "Mental Notes"!
 - **Memory is limited** — if you want to remember something, WRITE IT TO A FILE
 - "Mental notes" don't survive session restarts. Files do.