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+# AGENTS.md
+
+Review the `README.md` and `CONTRIBUTING.md` for all relevant repository information.
+
+## Development Tips
+- Ensure you're on at least Node.js v22 or greater when contributing
+- Use `npm install` to install dependencies
+- Use `npm run build` to build the project
+- Do not run `npm version` or `npm publish`; these commands are for humans only.
+- When updating core code, make sure to update relevant documentation.
+  - Public API and usage docs are in `README.md`
+  - Internal documentation is in `CONTRIBUTING.md`
+  - If you change the public API surface in `src/index.ts`, update `README.md#api`.
+- Do not edit files in `dist/`; it is compiled output and gitignored.
+
+## Code Style
+- Use ESM and TypeScript
+- Use erasable syntax only (no `enum` or `namespace`)
+- There is currently no linter or formatter for this project
+
+## Testing Tips
+- Use `npm link` in this directory and `npm link @harperfast/integration-testing` in other project directories to test out changes locally
+- Use `npm run check` to type-check the project without generating a build output
+- There are currently no tests for this project
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+# Contributing
+
+Contributors are encouraged to communicate with maintainers in issues or other channels (such as our community [Discord](https://harper.fast/discord)) before submitting changes.
+
+## Code Organization
+
+Source files are located in `src/`. These are built to the `dist/` directory. The published package includes `dist/`, `scripts/`, and the regular npm metadata and documentation files.
+
+The `src/index.ts` is the source for the main export. This is the public re-export of all the various utilities from `src/harperLifecycle.ts`, `targz.ts`, and more. The `src/run.ts` is the source for the `harper-integration-test-run` bin script. And the `scripts/setup-loopback.sh` is the source for the `harper-integration-test-setup-loopback` bin script.
+
+The package is `"type": "module"` — all source files are ESM by default.
+
+There are two `tsconfig` files:
+
+- `tsconfig.json` — type-checking only (`"noEmit": true`). Used by `npm run check` and editors.
+- `tsconfig.build.json` — emits to `dist/` with source maps and declarations. Used by `npm run build`.
+
+`erasableSyntaxOnly: true` is set, meaning TypeScript-only syntax that cannot be stripped (e.g., `enum`, `namespace`) is not allowed.
+
+## Scripts
+
+```sh
+npm run check   # Type-check only (no output)
+npm run build   # Compile src/ → dist/
+```
+
+There are no automated tests in this package yet. Validation is type-checking plus manual testing via dependent projects.
+
+## Releases
+
+Update the `version` field in `package.json` (recommend using `npm version <major|minor|patch>`) and publish via `npm publish`. The `files` field in `package.json` controls what is included in the published package. Don't forget to push the version commit and tag.