diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
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+# Require review from the repository code owner for all changes.
+* @jdhoffa
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
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+# Agent Development Guide
+
+A file for guiding coding agents.
+
+## Commands
+
+- **Format:** `cargo fmt`
+- **Test:** `cargo test`
+- **Build:** `cargo build`
+- **Run lints/docs only when explicitly requested by the user.**
+
+## Directory Structure
+
+- Core simulator code: `src/`
+- Device models: `src/devices/`
+- Simulation logic: `src/sim/`
+- Integration tests: `tests/`
+- CI workflows: `.github/workflows/`
+- Project documentation: `README.md`, `docs/`, `CONTRIBUTING.md`
+
+## Working Guidelines
+
+- Keep changes scoped to the user request.
+- Do not revert unrelated local changes.
+- Update docs/tests when behavior changes.
+- Prefer small, clear diffs over broad refactors.
+
+## Issue and PR Guidelines
+
+- Do not create issues or PRs unless the user explicitly asks.
+- If asked, include clear scope and acceptance criteria.
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
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+# Contributing to vpp-sim
+
+Thanks for your interest in contributing to `vpp-sim`.
+
+This guide is for anyone opening an issue, discussion, or pull request.
+
+## The Most Important Rule
+
+You must understand your code.
+
+If you submit a change, you should be able to explain:
+- what it does,
+- why it is correct,
+- what tradeoffs it introduces,
+- and how it was tested.
+
+Using AI tools is allowed. Submitting AI-generated changes you do not understand is not.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+1. Search existing issues before opening a new one.
+2. If the work is not already tracked, open an issue first.
+3. Keep scope small and targeted.
+4. Open a PR that links the issue (`Closes #<number>` when appropriate).
+5. Include tests and docs updates where relevant.
+
+## Issues vs Discussions
+
+Use **issues** for actionable, scoped work.
+
+Use **discussions** for:
+- early design ideas,
+- unclear bug reports,
+- questions about approach or roadmap.
+
+If you are unsure whether something is a bug or a feature request, start with a discussion.
+
+## Pull Request Expectations
+
+PRs are most likely to be accepted when they:
+- implement an existing issue,
+- stay focused on one concern,
+- include tests for behavior changes,
+- update docs/README for user-facing changes,
+- use clear commit messages (Conventional Commits preferred).
+
+Please avoid opening PRs as a place to design features from scratch. Use an issue/discussion first.
+
+## Review and Ownership
+
+This repository uses CODEOWNERS. `@jdhoffa` is the code owner for this repo.
+
+All incoming PRs should be reviewed and approved by `@jdhoffa` before merge.
+
+## Development and Testing
+
+Prerequisites:
+- Rust (latest stable)
+- Cargo
+
+Common commands:
+
+```bash
+cargo fmt
+cargo test
+```
+
+## Style Guidelines
+
+- Prefer small, composable functions.
+- Keep naming explicit over clever.
+- Preserve deterministic simulation behavior when seeds/config are fixed.
+- Avoid unrelated refactors in feature/fix PRs.
+
+## Documentation Requirements
+
+Update docs when behavior changes, including:
+- CLI flags,
+- telemetry schema,
+- HTTP endpoints,
+- setup/run instructions.
+
+At minimum, update `README.md` for user-visible changes.
+
+## Commit and Branch Guidance
+
+- Branch names: prefix with the GitHub issue number when appropriate, then a short descriptor (e.g., `23-http_telemetry_range`).
+- Commit style: Conventional Commits (e.g., `feat(api): add telemetry range query`).
+
+## Code of Conduct
+
+Be respectful and constructive. Assume good intent and focus feedback on the code and behavior.
+
+## Licensing
+
+By contributing, you agree your contributions are licensed under this repository's MIT License.