diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 10b8c80..0000000
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,112 +0,0 @@
-# AGENTS.md — Repository-Agnostic Agent Operating Guide
-
-This file defines how agents should work in this repository **before any project-specific customization exists**.
-
-## Purpose
-
-- Keep agent work predictable, auditable, and safe.
-- Minimize repeated discovery work across sessions.
-- Capture durable learnings so future agents can move faster.
-
-## Session startup checklist (run every session)
-
-1. Read `AGENTS.md`.
-2. Read `CLAUDE.md` for execution workflow details.
-3. Read `CONTRIBUTING.md` for commit and PR expectations.
-4. Read `KNOWN_ISSUES.md` for active blockers and workarounds.
-5. Read `docs/agent-handoffs/README.md`.
-6. Scan recent notes in:
-   - `docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/`
-   - `docs/agent-handoffs/incidents/`
-7. If present, review the current run artifacts in:
-   - `src/context/`
-   - `src/todo/`
-   - `src/decisions/`
-   - `src/test_logs/`
-   - `src/issues/`
-
-## Core operating principles
-
-- Default to generic guidance and neutral language.
-- Make the smallest safe change that satisfies the request.
-- Avoid unrelated refactors.
-- Preserve backward compatibility unless explicitly asked otherwise.
-- Prefer explicit commands and documented behavior over assumptions.
-- Record assumptions clearly in your final summary.
-
-## Validation policy
-
-- Run the most relevant checks for changed files (tests, lint, typecheck, build, or targeted scripts).
-- Never claim a check passed unless it was actually executed.
-- If a check cannot run, record:
-  - command attempted,
-  - why it could not complete,
-  - what fallback validation was performed.
-
-## Knowledge-sharing protocol
-
-### What belongs where
-
-- `KNOWN_ISSUES.md`
-  - Active, reproducible issues only.
-  - Include status, impact, workaround, and last verification date.
-- `docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/`
-  - Proven patterns, repeatable fixes, and successful implementation guidance.
-- `docs/agent-handoffs/incidents/`
-  - Failures, root causes, mitigations, and prevention guidance.
-- `src/context/`
-  - Snapshot of current task context (goal, scope, constraints).
-- `src/todo/`
-  - Actionable checklist for in-progress work.
-- `src/decisions/`
-  - Key implementation decisions and rationale.
-- `src/test_logs/`
-  - Commands run and their outcomes.
-- `src/issues/`
-  - One-off investigative or audit outputs not yet promoted to `KNOWN_ISSUES.md`.
-
-### Naming standard (generic)
-
-Use: `YYYY-MM-DD-short-topic.md`
-
-Examples:
-
-- `2026-02-14-validation-before-summary.md`
-- `2026-02-14-missing-baseline-context.md`
-
-Naming rules:
-
-- Keep names concise and descriptive.
-- Avoid company, product, team, customer, and environment names.
-- Prefer neutral technical terms.
-
-### Required sections for reusable notes
-
-Use these headings in learning/incident notes:
-
-1. Context
-2. Observation
-3. Action taken
-4. Validation performed
-5. Recommendation for next agents
-
-### Update decision tree
-
-When you discover reusable context:
-
-1. Check if an existing note already covers it.
-2. If yes, update that note.
-3. If no, add a new note in `learnings/` or `incidents/`.
-4. If the issue is still active/reproducible, add or update `KNOWN_ISSUES.md`.
-
-## Priority order when guidance conflicts
-
-1. System/developer/user instructions in the active session
-2. `AGENTS.md`
-3. `CLAUDE.md`
-4. `CONTRIBUTING.md`
-5. Inline code comments and prompt templates
-
-## Keep this file generic
-
-Only add project-specific details after they are truly needed and explicitly labeled as repository-specific.
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 78be0ca..0000000
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,108 +0,0 @@
-# CLAUDE.md — Generic Agent Execution Workflow
-
-This guide defines an execution flow that works across repositories and tech stacks.
-
-## Default workflow
-
-1. **Load baseline context**
-   - `AGENTS.md`
-   - `CONTRIBUTING.md`
-   - `KNOWN_ISSUES.md`
-   - `docs/agent-handoffs/README.md`
-   - Recent notes in `docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/` and `docs/agent-handoffs/incidents/`
-2. **Clarify the task**
-   - Restate the requested outcome.
-   - Identify constraints, risks, and assumptions.
-3. **Plan minimal changes**
-   - Keep scope tight.
-   - Avoid touching unrelated files.
-4. **Implement**
-   - Apply small, reversible edits.
-   - Favor readability and maintainability.
-5. **Validate**
-   - Run relevant checks for impacted files.
-   - Capture exact commands and outcomes.
-6. **Document and hand off**
-   - Summarize what changed and why.
-   - Record reusable learnings/incidents when appropriate.
-
-## Working files for session state
-
-Use the following folders as lightweight coordination artifacts:
-
-- `src/context/` — Current objective, scope, constraints.
-- `src/todo/` — Task checklist and blockers.
-- `src/decisions/` — Important design/implementation choices.
-- `src/test_logs/` — Validation commands and results.
-- `src/issues/` — Investigations or audits that may become tracked issues.
-
-### Recommended content templates
-
-#### Context note template
-
-- Goal
-- Scope
-- Constraints
-- Open questions
-
-#### Todo note template
-
-- Pending tasks
-- Completed tasks
-- Blocked tasks
-
-#### Decision note template
-
-- Decision
-- Alternatives considered
-- Rationale
-- Consequences/follow-ups
-
-#### Test log template
-
-- Command
-- Result (pass/fail/warn)
-- Notes (environmental limits, retries, artifacts)
-
-## Knowledge-sharing protocol
-
-### Where to write durable knowledge
-
-- `docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/` for reusable successes.
-- `docs/agent-handoffs/incidents/` for failures and mitigations.
-- `KNOWN_ISSUES.md` for active, reproducible unresolved issues.
-
-### File naming
-
-Use `YYYY-MM-DD-short-topic.md`.
-
-### Required structure for learning/incident notes
-
-1. Context
-2. Observation
-3. Action taken
-4. Validation performed
-5. Recommendation for next agents
-
-## Quality checklist before completion
-
-- Scope matches request.
-- Documentation remains repository-agnostic unless explicitly needed.
-- No unsupported claims about testing.
-- Assumptions and limitations are called out.
-- Changes are easy to revert.
-
-## Anti-patterns to avoid
-
-- Embedding product/company-specific guidance in baseline docs.
-- Large refactors when a focused change is sufficient.
-- Skipping validation without recording why.
-- Creating duplicate notes when an update would suffice.
-
-## Customization policy
-
-This file should stay generic until real repository-specific patterns emerge. When customizing:
-
-- Add a clearly labeled section: `Repository-specific overrides`.
-- Keep generic workflow unchanged.
-- Include evidence (commands, failures, repeated incidents) for each override.
diff --git a/src/docs/TORCH.md b/TORCH.md
similarity index 68%
rename from src/docs/TORCH.md
rename to TORCH.md
index e26da11..6058b51 100644
--- a/src/docs/TORCH.md
+++ b/TORCH.md
@@ -1,6 +1,135 @@
 # TORCH: Task Orchestration via Relay-Coordinated Handoff
 
-TORCH is a decentralized task-locking protocol for multi-agent software development.
+TORCH is a decentralized task-locking protocol for multi-agent software development. This document serves as the primary manual for both human operators and AI agents working within a TORCH-enabled repository.
+
+---
+
+## Agent Operating Guide
+
+This section defines how agents should work in this repository.
+
+### Purpose
+
+- Keep agent work predictable, auditable, and safe.
+- Minimize repeated discovery work across sessions.
+- Capture durable learnings so future agents can move faster.
+
+### Session startup checklist (run every session)
+
+1. **Read `TORCH.md`** (this file).
+2. Read `CONTRIBUTING.md` for commit and PR expectations.
+3. Read `KNOWN_ISSUES.md` for active blockers and workarounds.
+4. Read `docs/agent-handoffs/README.md`.
+5. Scan recent notes in:
+   - `docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/`
+   - `docs/agent-handoffs/incidents/`
+6. If present, review the current run artifacts in:
+   - `src/context/`
+   - `src/todo/`
+   - `src/decisions/`
+   - `src/test_logs/`
+   - `src/issues/`
+
+### Core operating principles
+
+- Default to generic guidance and neutral language.
+- Make the smallest safe change that satisfies the request.
+- Avoid unrelated refactors.
+- Preserve backward compatibility unless explicitly asked otherwise.
+- Prefer explicit commands and documented behavior over assumptions.
+- Record assumptions clearly in your final summary.
+
+### Validation policy
+
+- Run the most relevant checks for changed files (tests, lint, typecheck, build, or targeted scripts).
+- Never claim a check passed unless it was actually executed.
+- If a check cannot run, record:
+   - command attempted,
+   - why it could not complete,
+   - what fallback validation was performed.
+
+### Execution Workflow
+
+1. **Load baseline context** (see Session startup checklist above).
+2. **Clarify the task**
+   - Restate the requested outcome.
+   - Identify constraints, risks, and assumptions.
+3. **Plan minimal changes**
+   - Keep scope tight.
+   - Avoid touching unrelated files.
+4. **Implement**
+   - Apply small, reversible edits.
+   - Favor readability and maintainability.
+5. **Validate**
+   - Run relevant checks for impacted files.
+   - Capture exact commands and outcomes.
+6. **Document and hand off**
+   - Summarize what changed and why.
+   - Record reusable learnings/incidents when appropriate.
+
+### Working files for session state
+
+Use the following folders as lightweight coordination artifacts:
+
+- `src/context/` — Current objective, scope, constraints.
+- `src/todo/` — Task checklist and blockers.
+- `src/decisions/` — Important design/implementation choices.
+- `src/test_logs/` — Validation commands and results.
+- `src/issues/` — Investigations or audits that may become tracked issues.
+
+#### Content templates
+
+**Context note:** Goal, Scope, Constraints, Open questions.
+**Todo note:** Pending tasks, Completed tasks, Blocked tasks.
+**Decision note:** Decision, Alternatives considered, Rationale, Consequences/follow-ups.
+**Test log:** Command, Result (pass/fail/warn), Notes (environmental limits, retries, artifacts).
+
+### Knowledge-sharing protocol
+
+#### What belongs where
+
+- `KNOWN_ISSUES.md`: Active, reproducible issues only. Include status, impact, workaround, and last verification date.
+- `docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/`: Proven patterns, repeatable fixes, and successful implementation guidance.
+- `docs/agent-handoffs/incidents/`: Failures, root causes, mitigations, and prevention guidance.
+- `src/context/`, `src/todo/`, etc.: Ephemeral session state.
+
+#### Naming standard
+
+Use: `YYYY-MM-DD-short-topic.md` (e.g., `2026-02-14-validation-before-summary.md`).
+Keep names concise, descriptive, and neutral.
+
+#### Required sections for reusable notes
+
+1. Context
+2. Observation
+3. Action taken
+4. Validation performed
+5. Recommendation for next agents
+
+#### Update decision tree
+
+When you discover reusable context:
+1. Check if an existing note already covers it.
+2. If yes, update that note.
+3. If no, add a new note in `learnings/` or `incidents/`.
+4. If the issue is still active/reproducible, add or update `KNOWN_ISSUES.md`.
+
+### Quality checklist before completion
+
+- Scope matches request.
+- Documentation remains repository-agnostic unless explicitly needed.
+- No unsupported claims about testing.
+- Assumptions and limitations are called out.
+- Changes are easy to revert.
+
+### Anti-patterns to avoid
+
+- Embedding product/company-specific guidance in baseline docs.
+- Large refactors when a focused change is sufficient.
+- Skipping validation without recording why.
+- Creating duplicate notes when an update would suffice.
+
+---
 
 ## Dashboard & Protocol Overview
 
diff --git a/src/ops.mjs b/src/ops.mjs
index 657a09d..5cae20c 100644
--- a/src/ops.mjs
+++ b/src/ops.mjs
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ const EVOLVING_DIRS = ['daily', 'weekly'];
 
 // New constants for full application install
 const APP_DIRS = ['src', 'bin', 'dashboard', 'landing', 'assets', 'scripts'];
-const APP_FILES = ['package.json', 'build.mjs', 'README.md', 'torch-config.example.json'];
+const APP_FILES = ['package.json', 'build.mjs', 'README.md', 'torch-config.example.json', 'TORCH.md'];
 
 function getPaths(root, installDirName) {
     const torchDir = path.resolve(root, installDirName);
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ function transformContent(content, installDirName) {
     .replace(/src\/prompts\/daily\//g, `${prefix}prompts/daily/`)
     .replace(/src\/prompts\/weekly\//g, `${prefix}prompts/weekly/`)
     .replace(/src\/prompts\/roster\.json/g, `${prefix}roster.json`)
-    .replace(/src\/prompts\/scheduler-flow\.md/g, `${prefix}scheduler-flow.md`);
+    .replace(/src\/prompts\/scheduler-flow\.md/g, `${prefix}scheduler-flow.md`)
+    .replace(/TORCH\.md/g, `${prefix}TORCH.md`);
 }
 
 function copyFile(src, dest, transform = false, overwrite = true, installDirName = 'torch') {
diff --git a/src/prompts/META_PROMPTS.md b/src/prompts/META_PROMPTS.md
index 3dd3070..5e4f39b 100644
--- a/src/prompts/META_PROMPTS.md
+++ b/src/prompts/META_PROMPTS.md
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ Use `excluded` from the JSON output as the canonical exclusion set.
 If `excluded` is unavailable, fallback to the union of `locked`, `paused`, and `completed`.
 
 MUST 3: Run these commands in this order:
-1) test -f AGENTS.md && cat AGENTS.md || echo "No AGENTS.md found; continuing" (missing AGENTS.md is non-fatal)
+1) test -f TORCH.md && cat TORCH.md || echo "No TORCH.md found; continuing" (missing TORCH.md is non-fatal)
 2) mkdir -p task-logs/daily task-logs/weekly
 3) ls -1 task-logs/daily/ | sort | tail -n 1
 4) Select next roster agent using this exact algorithm:
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ Use `excluded` from the JSON output as the canonical exclusion set.
 If `excluded` is unavailable, fallback to the union of `locked`, `paused`, and `completed`.
 
 MUST 3: Run these commands in this order:
-1) test -f AGENTS.md && cat AGENTS.md || echo "No AGENTS.md found; continuing" (missing AGENTS.md is non-fatal)
+1) test -f TORCH.md && cat TORCH.md || echo "No TORCH.md found; continuing" (missing TORCH.md is non-fatal)
 2) mkdir -p task-logs/daily task-logs/weekly
 3) ls -1 task-logs/weekly/ | sort | tail -n 1
 4) Select next roster agent using this exact algorithm:
diff --git a/src/prompts/scheduler-flow.md b/src/prompts/scheduler-flow.md
index 56f48e2..47abf08 100644
--- a/src/prompts/scheduler-flow.md
+++ b/src/prompts/scheduler-flow.md
@@ -20,8 +20,7 @@ Prompt authors: do not use legacy unprefixed paths (`context/`, `todo/`, `decisi
 Every agent prompt invoked by the schedulers (daily/weekly) MUST enforce this contract:
 
 1. **Read baseline policy files before implementation**:
-   - `AGENTS.md`
-   - `CLAUDE.md`
+   - `TORCH.md`
    - `KNOWN_ISSUES.md`
    - Canonical path note: active issues are tracked in root `KNOWN_ISSUES.md` (not `docs/KNOWN_ISSUES.md`)
    - `docs/agent-handoffs/README.md`
@@ -68,10 +67,10 @@ Every agent prompt invoked by the schedulers (daily/weekly) MUST enforce this co
 
    Goose Desktop note: `npm run lock:check:<cadence>` can emit large hermit wrapper logs. Use `--json --quiet` (as documented above). If the command still fails due to Goose hermit issues, apply the PATH workaround in `KNOWN_ISSUES.md` before rerunning.
 
-3. Read policy file(s) once before the run loop. This step is conditional: if `AGENTS.md` is missing, continue without failing.
+3. Read policy file(s) once before the run loop. This step is conditional: if `TORCH.md` is missing, continue without failing.
 
    ```bash
-   test -f AGENTS.md && cat AGENTS.md || echo "No AGENTS.md found; continuing"
+   test -f TORCH.md && cat TORCH.md || echo "No TORCH.md found; continuing"
    ```
 
 4. Bootstrap log directories before listing files: