diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 7a7935e..df899df 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -6,6 +6,11 @@ DataBuild is a bazel-based data build system. Key files:
 - [`manifesto.md`](manifesto.md) - Project philosophy
 - [`core-concepts.md`](core-concepts.md) - Core concepts
 
+## Tenets
+
+- We are building for the future, and choose to do "the right thing" rather than taking shortcuts to get unstuck. If you get stuck, pause and ask for help/input.
+
+
 ## Build & Test
 ```bash
 # Run comprehensive end-to-end tests (validates CLI vs Service consistency)