diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 2b07df32..8b86e1e0 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
-Relevant information about the project is in .serena/memories. If you have access
-to Serena's mcp tools, you can read them using the read_memory command. Otherwise
-you can just read them using normal file reading tools. 
+This project uses Serena for development.
+Make sure that you read the project's `critical_info` memory before working on it.
+* When using Serena, the memory is provided either
+  - along with the result of the `initial_instructions` tool, or
+  - upon activating the project with `activate_project`.
+  Be sure to always call the `initial_instructions` tool!
+* When not using Serena, read `./.serena/memories/critical_info.md` manually.  
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 2b07df32..43c994c2 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -1,3 +1 @@
-Relevant information about the project is in .serena/memories. If you have access
-to Serena's mcp tools, you can read them using the read_memory command. Otherwise
-you can just read them using normal file reading tools. 
+@AGENTS.md