diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,2 +1,12 @@
-# ai-business-ideas
+# AI Business Ideas
 
+## How to add an idea
+
+1. Propose a new idea title.
+2. The AI agent will run a structured intake using `TEMPLATE.md`.
+3. The agent must complete the template before anything is added to this repo.
+4. Once complete, the idea is committed as its own subdirectory here, e.g. `ideas/<idea-name>/IDEA.md`.
+
+## Rule
+
+Do not skip sections, abbreviate fields, or add ideas without a full template record.