diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index c2f3840..587b2b1 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -41,6 +41,13 @@ Known pre-existing errors, don't chase them: `src/utils/access-control/hasLogist
 - Run a single integration test: `bun run vitest run tests/int/api.int.spec.ts`
 - Run a single e2e test: `bun run playwright test tests/e2e/frontend.e2e.spec.ts`
 
+### Dev server & testing protocol
+
+- If a dev server is **already running** when you want to test (port 3000 in use, or Next reports "Another next dev server is already running"), **ask the user whether you should kill the existing server and start a fresh one** before doing anything. A stale `.next/dev/devserver.lock` can also block startup — offer to clear it as part of the same question.
+- If the user says **no**, do **not** start a dev server and do **not** attempt to verify via E2E or Playwright — the user will run the app and test themselves, then report back.
+- Stale dev processes: killing the process is not always enough; remove `.next/dev/devserver.lock` before restarting.
+
+
 ## Generated files — never edit manually
 
 - `src/payload-types.ts` — regenerated by `bun run generate:types`