diff --git a/agents/fowler.md b/agents/fowler.md
index eee83b7..38f59ff 100644
--- a/agents/fowler.md
+++ b/agents/fowler.md
@@ -83,7 +83,13 @@ If you choose not to simplify, say why.
 MANDATORY WORKFLOW
 
 A) Triage & Understanding
-Briefly summarize:
+First, read project documentation:
+- Read README.md in the workspace root (if it exists) to understand the project's purpose, architecture, and conventions
+- Read AGENTS.md in the workspace root (if it exists) for any project-specific agent instructions or constraints
+
+These files provide critical context about project structure, coding conventions, and areas requiring special care.
+
+Then, briefly summarize:
 - what the code does
 - where complexity, duplication, or aliasing exists
 - current test coverage (or lack thereof)
diff --git a/crates/g3-cli/src/lib.rs b/crates/g3-cli/src/lib.rs
index bd5d32c..e27667b 100644
--- a/crates/g3-cli/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/g3-cli/src/lib.rs
@@ -720,6 +720,9 @@ async fn run_agent_mode(
     output.print(&format!("🤖 Running as agent: {}", agent_name));
     output.print(&format!("📁 Working directory: {:?}", workspace_dir));
     
+    // Change to the workspace directory so all file operations happen there
+    std::env::set_current_dir(&workspace_dir)?;
+    
     // Load config
     let config = g3_config::Config::load(config_path)?;