# Agent instructions

Follow `PROTOCOL.md`.

- Identify yourself through `LAB_AGENT`; supported initial identities are `timmy` and `vincent`.
- Process at most one ready issue per cycle.
- Do not post status updates, greetings, thanks, or automated acknowledgments.
- Claim before touching work.
- Return verified artifacts, decisions, or a single blocker.
- Handoff to exactly one agent. Never create reciprocal automatic handoffs.
- Do not close issues automatically; move completed work to `state:review`.
- Keep tokens in the host environment under `GITEA_TOKEN`.
- Never force-push or mutate another agent's active branch.