diff --git a/AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md b/AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md
index 363a6e2..4017918 100644
--- a/AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md
+++ b/AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md
@@ -9,6 +9,15 @@
 
 ### 1. Orientation First
 Every time you wake up (new session):
+
+**PRE-FLIGHT GUARD (mandatory):**
+- Verify these files exist at absolute path `/home/paulh/.openclaw/workspace/projects/recipe-manager/`:
+  - `AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md`
+  - `TODO.md`
+- If either is missing, stop immediately and report:
+  - `STUCK: bad working dir or missing harness files at /home/paulh/.openclaw/workspace/projects/recipe-manager`
+
+Then continue orientation:
 1. Read `PROJECT.md` — What are we building?
 2. Read `ARCHITECTURE.md` — How are we building it?
 3. Read `ROADMAP.md` — What's next?