diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 2daefc8..200f476 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -49,6 +49,12 @@ Do not run:
 - `terraform apply`
 - `terraform destroy`
 
+If `terraform init` fails because access to `registry.terraform.io` is forbidden, do not summarize the error vaguely. Report the exact stderr. Continue with:
+- `terraform fmt -check -recursive`
+- static review of changed `.tf` files
+
+Only run `terraform validate` when provider installation is available locally or registry access succeeds.
+
 ## Ansible rules
 
 Allowed: