diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
index 28fc138..ba1921e 100644
--- a/.github/copilot-instructions.md
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 # CoPilot Instructions for CCBR Repositories
 
+If the repo contains an `AGENTS.md` file, refer to that file instead of this one. `AGENTS.md` takes precedence over `.github/copilot-instructions.md`.
+
 ## Reviewer guidance (what to look for in PRs)
 
 - Reviewers must validate enforcement rules: no secrets, container specified, and reproducibility pins.
-- If code is AI-generated, reviewers must ensure the author documents what was changed and why, and that the PR is labeled `generated-by-AI`.
+- If code is AI-generated, reviewers must ensure the author documents what was changed and why, and that the PR is labeled `AI-assisted`.
 - Reviewers should verify license headers and ownership metadata (for example, `CODEOWNERS`) are present.
 - Reviews must read the code and verify that it adheres to the project's coding standards, guidelines, and best practices in software engineering.
 
@@ -13,7 +15,7 @@
 2. **Pre-merge check (GitHub Action)**: verify `.github/copilot-instructions.md` is present in the repository and that new pipeline files include a `# CRAFT:` header.
 3. **Lint jobs**: `ruff` for Python, `shellcheck` for shell, `lintr` for R, `nf-core lint` for Nextflow, or Snakemake lint checks where applicable.
 4. **Secrets scan**: run `TruffleHog` or `Gitleaks` on PRs to detect accidental credentials.
-5. **AI usage label**: if AI usage is declared, an Action should add `generated-by-AI` label (create this label if it does not exist); the PR body should end with the italicized Markdown line: _Generated using AI_, and any associated commit messages should end with the plain footer line: `Generated using AI`.
+5. **AI usage label**: if AI usage is declared, an Action should add `AI-assisted` label (create this label if it does not exist); the PR body should end with the italicized Markdown line: _AI-assisted_, and any associated commit messages should end with the plain footer line: `_AI-assisted_: <model>` (fill in <model> with the actual model, e.g. Claude Sonnet 5, if known.
 
 _Sample GH Action check (concept): if AI usage is declared, require an AI-assistance disclosure field in the PR body._