diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index c728df6..bc6416c 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -109,6 +109,8 @@ user did not say so yet:
 3. rerun the helper
 4. commit the persistence pass before moving on unless the work is
    deliberately mid-surgery
+5. push the current branch to `origin` after the major pass unless the user
+   explicitly says not to publish yet
 
 ## Operating Discipline