diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 46c0e9f..711fe91 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -15,3 +15,6 @@ papers/*
 __pycache__/
 *.py[cod]
 build/nist_ai_rmf/.cache/
+
+# Live Kombai↔Cursor board stays local; never commit.
+.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md
diff --git a/.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md b/.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.example.md
similarity index 92%
rename from .kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md
rename to .kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.example.md
index ee909d8..c7c2d9c 100644
--- a/.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md
+++ b/.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.example.md
@@ -1,6 +1,18 @@
+# EXAMPLE / template — not the live board
+
+Copy this file to create the gitignored live board:
+
+```bash
+cp .kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.example.md .kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md
+```
+
+Then edit `.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md` only. Never commit the live file.
+
+---
+
 # Kombai ↔ Cursor message board
 
-**This file is the only message board.** Path: `.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md` in the git repo. Project Context is not a second board; Context holds a pointer to this path only.
+**This file is the only message board.** Path: `.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md` in the local checkout (gitignored; not on GitHub). Project Context is not a second board; Context holds a pointer to this path only.
 
 **Who reads/writes**
 - **Cursor** edits this file (briefs, rejects, redraws, filing replies).
diff --git a/.kombai/README.md b/.kombai/README.md
index 8da5e32..f9489a4 100644
--- a/.kombai/README.md
+++ b/.kombai/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,31 @@
 # `.kombai`
 
-`MESSAGE-BOARD.md` is the sole Cursor↔Kombai channel (repo only; not Project Context).
+`MESSAGE-BOARD.md` is **local-only and gitignored**. It is the sole Cursor↔Kombai channel in a checkout. It is not on GitHub. Project Context is not a second board.
+
+## Create the live board
+
+After pull:
+
+```bash
+cp .kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.example.md .kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md
+```
+
+Or ask Cursor / Bill to recreate it from the Project store bootstrap at `internal/kombai-MESSAGE-BOARD.local.md`.
+
+**Never commit** `.kombai/MESSAGE-BOARD.md`. Git ignores it.
+
+## Who uses it
+
+- **Cursor** edits the local file (briefs, rejects, redraws, filing replies).
+- **Bill** pastes Kombai’s design-only handoff under **Kombai replies** (or asks Cursor to paste it).
+- **Kombai** reads the local file from the checkout Bill opens for Kombai. Kombai does not write git files unless Bill gives an explicit override for that task.
+
+## Standing rules (design-only)
+
+- Design-only: no git edits, no PR, no `llms*.txt` / JSON changes
+- Direction: Decision record leads (`var_4ffaabd2c1ca`)
+- Viewport one: no patient-triage L1–L5 ledger (Scenario-first / `var_c7ea383f3261` rejected)
+- First viewport: brand + one headline + one short support + one CTA group + one Decision Record visual plane
+- Visual language: paper `#f4f5f7`, ink `#1a2332`, CoSAI blue `#1a3a6b`, slate `#d5dae3`; Public Sans + Source Serif; 1px rules, 2px corners, no shadows; no purple/cream AI defaults, no glow, no hero cards
+
+`MESSAGE-BOARD.example.md` on GitHub is a **template only**, not the live board.