diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index ea30f49..110808d 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -39,3 +39,10 @@ Use `make help` as the source of truth for available build/test targets and desc
 - Maintain write-route protections (allowlist and rate limiting).
 - Keep storage behavior transparent for clients (compression is internal).
 - Add or update tests for behavior changes.
+
+## Cobra CLI conventions
+
+- Keep `cmd/pastebin/main.go` focused on `main()` and root command wiring.
+- Put each Cobra subcommand in its own file (for example `cmd/pastebin/server.go`).
+- Start the service through the explicit subcommand (`scratchbox server`), not from the root command directly.
+- Validate command arguments with Cobra arg validators (for example `cobra.NoArgs`) where applicable.