diff --git a/run_agent.py b/run_agent.py
index 13b5e2d3c..220921160 100644
--- a/run_agent.py
+++ b/run_agent.py
@@ -2361,7 +2361,13 @@ class AIAgent:
             prompt_parts.append(skills_prompt)
 
         if not self.skip_context_files:
-            context_files_prompt = build_context_files_prompt(skip_soul=_soul_loaded)
+            # Use TERMINAL_CWD for context file discovery when set (gateway
+            # mode).  The gateway process runs from the hermes-agent install
+            # dir, so os.getcwd() would pick up the repo's AGENTS.md and
+            # other dev files — inflating token usage by ~10k for no benefit.
+            _context_cwd = os.getenv("TERMINAL_CWD") or None
+            context_files_prompt = build_context_files_prompt(
+                cwd=_context_cwd, skip_soul=_soul_loaded)
             if context_files_prompt:
                 prompt_parts.append(context_files_prompt)