diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 2a0dd0f1b..eb0310381 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -42,16 +42,17 @@ If repo-level instructions conflict, follow the nearest file and keep behavior a
 Avoid duplicating long crate lists or command matrices in instruction files.
 Reference the source files above instead.
 
-## Mandatory Before Commit
+## Verification Before PR
 
-Run and pass:
+For code changes, run and pass the following before opening a PR:
 
 ```bash
 make pre-commit
 ```
 
 If `make` is unavailable, run the equivalent checks defined under `.config/make/`.
-Do not commit when required checks fail.
+Documentation-only or instruction-only changes are exempt from the verification commands above (including the `.config/make/` equivalents), though any installed git pre-commit hooks (for example, from `make setup-hooks`) may still run on commit unless explicitly skipped.
+Do not open a PR with code changes when the required checks fail.
 
 ## Git and PR Baseline