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+# GitHub Copilot Instructions — mkl_random
+
+## Identity
+You are an expert Python/C developer working on `mkl_random` at Intel.
+Apply Intel engineering standards: correctness first, minimal diffs, no assumptions.
+
+## Source of truth
+This file is canonical for Copilot/agent behavior.
+`AGENTS.md` provides project context.
+
+## Precedence
+copilot-instructions > nearest AGENTS > root AGENTS
+Higher-precedence file overrides; lower must not restate overridden guidance.
+
+## Mandatory flow
+1. Read root `AGENTS.md`. If absent, stop and report.
+2. For edited files, use root AGENTS (no local AGENTS files exist here).
+3. If future local `AGENTS.md` files appear, find nearest per file.
+
+## Contribution expectations
+- Keep diffs minimal; prefer atomic single-purpose commits.
+- Preserve `numpy.random` API compatibility by default.
+- For API changes: update tests + docstrings when user-visible.
+- For bug fixes: add regression tests in `mkl_random/tests/`.
+- Do not generate code without a corresponding test update in the same step.
+- Run `pre-commit run --all-files` if `.pre-commit-config.yaml` exists.
+
+## Authoring rules
+- Use source-of-truth files for all mutable details.
+- Never invent/hardcode versions, flags, or matrix values.
+- Use stable entry points: `pip install -e .` (dev), `pytest mkl_random/tests` (test).
+- Never include sensitive data in any file.
+- **Cython/MKL calls:** Release GIL with `with nogil:` blocks for RNG operations (they are thread-safe in MKL).
+- **Memory:** Ensure proper alignment for RNG state structures; respect MKL object lifecycle.
+- **BRNG selection:** Do not hardcode BRNG (basic RNG) names outside `__init__.py` or tests.
+
+## Source-of-truth files
+- Build/config: `pyproject.toml`, `setup.py`
+- Dependencies: `pyproject.toml` (dependencies, optional-dependencies), `conda-recipe/meta.yaml`, `conda-recipe-cf/meta.yaml`
+- CI: `.github/workflows/*.{yml,yaml}`
+- API contracts: `mkl_random/__init__.py`, NumPy `random` docs (https://numpy.org/doc/stable/reference/random/index.html)
+- Test data: `mkl_random/tests/`
+
+## Intel-specific constraints
+- Package channels: Intel PyPI (https://software.repos.intel.com/python/pypi), Intel conda (https://software.repos.intel.com/python/conda), conda-forge
+- MKL backend: requires `mkl-devel` at build time, `mkl` at runtime
+- Statistical properties: preserve distribution correctness; no RNG changes without validation
+- Do not hardcode MKL version assumptions; respect `pyproject.toml` `requires-python` range
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
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+# AGENTS.md — mkl_random
+
+## What this project is
+NumPy-based Python interface to Intel® oneMKL Random Number Generation (RNG) functionality. Provides MKL-accelerated random sampling from distributions compatible with `numpy.random`. Part of Intel® Distribution for Python. Archetype: **python** (Cython + C extensions).
+
+Layers: Python interface, Cython bindings (`mklrand.pyx`), C backend (`src/`).
+
+## How it's structured
+- `mkl_random/` — main package
+  - `mklrand.pyx` — Cython RNG interface
+  - `src/` — C code generation scripts
+  - `tests/` — pytest suite
+- `conda-recipe/`, `conda-recipe-cf/` — Intel/conda-forge builds
+- `examples/` — parallel MC, random states demos
+
+Build: `pyproject.toml` + `setup.py`. Runtime: `mkl`, `numpy>=1.26.4`.
+
+## How to work in it
+- Keep changes atomic and single-purpose.
+- Preserve `numpy.random` API compatibility; document divergence in commit message.
+- Pair changes with tests and docstrings.
+- Never assume MKL or NumPy versions; use source-of-truth files.
+- **RNG specifics:** Changes to BRNG (basic RNG) selection or distribution methods must preserve statistical properties.
+- **Local dev:** `conda create -n dev python numpy cython mkl-devel pytest && pip install -e .`
+
+For agent policy: `.github/copilot-instructions.md`
+
+## Where truth lives
+- Build/config: `pyproject.toml`, `setup.py`
+- Dependencies: `pyproject.toml` (`dependencies`, `optional-dependencies`), `conda-recipe/meta.yaml`, `conda-recipe-cf/meta.yaml`
+- CI: `.github/workflows/`
+- API/contracts: `mkl_random/__init__.py`, NumPy `random` docs
+- Stable entry points: `python -m pip install .`, `pytest mkl_random/tests`
+
+## Directory map
+No local AGENTS files — project is small enough for root-level guidance only.