diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index f676ca7..9a94266 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -5,6 +5,14 @@ This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with co
 <!-- include: docs/standards-and-conventions.md -->
 <!-- include: docs/repository-standards.md -->
 
+## Auto-memory policy
+
+**Do NOT use MEMORY.md.** Never write to MEMORY.md or any file under the
+memory directory. All behavioral rules, conventions, and workflow instructions
+belong in managed, version-controlled documentation (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md,
+skills, or docs/). If you want to persist something, tell the human what you
+would save and let them decide where it belongs.
+
 ## Project Overview
 
 Java wrapper for the IBM MQ administrative REST API, ported from `pymqrest` (Python). Provides method-per-command API (`displayQueue()`, `defineQlocal()`, etc.) with attribute mapping between snake_case and MQSC parameter names.