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+# AGENTS.md
+
+## Purpose
+This document defines mandatory standards for contributors and automation agents working in this repository.
+
+## Core Engineering Standards
+- Favor small, focused changes with clear intent and minimal blast radius.
+- Keep scripts idempotent where possible and safe by default (`-DryRun` first for destructive operations).
+- Use approved PowerShell verbs, descriptive names, and explicit parameter contracts.
+- Avoid global state; pass data through parameters and return values.
+- Implement robust error handling with actionable messages and non-zero exits on failure paths.
+- Update README/CHANGELOG when behavior, interface, or operational guidance changes.
+
+## Architecture Standards
+- Enforce modularity: isolate responsibilities into reusable functions/modules (`Netclean.psm1` first, wrapper scripts second).
+- Keep orchestration separate from side-effecting operations.
+- Design for testability: pure logic should be callable without requiring machine-wide mutation.
+- Preserve separation of concerns:
+  - detection/inspection
+  - decision logic
+  - mutation/remediation
+  - logging/reporting
+- Prefer composable functions over monolithic scripts.
+
+## Security and DevSecOps Standards
+- Follow least-privilege and explicit-elevation patterns; require Administrator only when necessary.
+- Never commit secrets, credentials, tokens, or sensitive host artifacts.
+- Validate all file/registry/network inputs before use.
+- Use safe defaults: require explicit flags for destructive or forceful operations.
+- Keep AV/EDR and virtual adapter safeguards intact unless a change explicitly requires otherwise.
+- Treat CI as a security gate: lint, test, and review findings must be resolved before merge.
+- Ensure supply-chain hygiene by pinning or constraining dependency/module versions where practical.
+
+## PowerShell Standards (Microsoft + Community Best Practices)
+- Target PowerShell 5.1+ and `pwsh` compatibility where feasible.
+- Follow existing `PSScriptAnalyzerSettings.psd1`; do not introduce new warnings/errors.
+- Avoid `Invoke-Expression`, aliases, and `Write-Host` for control flow.
+- Use `SupportsShouldProcess` for state-changing functions and respect `-WhatIf` semantics where applicable.
+- Use structured output objects for automation; reserve console-only output for user guidance.
+- Handle external command failures explicitly and preserve exit codes.
+
+## Testing Standards (Pester + TDD)
+- Apply TDD for new behavior and bug fixes:
+  1. Write or update a failing Pester test.
+  2. Implement the minimal code change.
+  3. Refactor while keeping tests green.
+- Add regression tests for every fixed defect.
+- Keep tests deterministic, isolated, and non-destructive.
+- Prefer mocking/stubbing for destructive commands and system dependencies.
+- Maintain and expand coverage of safety-critical paths (`-DryRun`, backup/restore, protections).
+
+## GitHub Standards
+- Use feature branches from `main`; keep commits atomic and descriptive.
+- Pull requests must include:
+  - problem summary
+  - change summary
+  - validation evidence (PSScriptAnalyzer + Pester)
+  - risk/rollback notes for operational changes
+- Ensure GitHub Actions workflows pass before merge.
+- Require review for changes affecting cleanup logic, security protections, CI, or release packaging.
+
+## Performance and Efficiency Standards
+- Minimize repeated registry, file system, and process queries; cache where safe within a run.
+- Prefer bulk operations over repeated shell-outs when equivalent behavior is available.
+- Keep logging informative but bounded; avoid excessive noise in normal success paths.
+- Maintain predictable runtime and fail fast on unrecoverable prerequisites.
+
+## Definition of Done
+A change is complete only when all are true:
+- Requirements are met with minimal, modular implementation.
+- New/changed behavior is covered by Pester tests (unless documentation-only).
+- `PSScriptAnalyzer` reports no blocking findings.
+- Security/safety checks are preserved or improved.
+- CI workflows pass.