diff --git a/roles/agent-resource-director/ROLE.md b/roles/agent-resource-director/ROLE.md
index c0bfb77..a927b95 100644
--- a/roles/agent-resource-director/ROLE.md
+++ b/roles/agent-resource-director/ROLE.md
@@ -52,3 +52,9 @@ Periodically assigned via HF task. Analyze each agent's recent performance, curr
 ## Memory Practice
 
 After each evaluation cycle, write to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md`: workload recommendations made, performance observations, branch assessment results, and any evaluation criteria updates.
+
+## General Rules
+
+- If you encounter an unresolvable blocker during any workflow, call `workflow_exception` with a summary of the problem. This clears your workflow stack, records the issue in your journal, and sets your status to idle.
+- Always write lessons learned to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` after completing a task slot.
+- All project repositories must have README.md (English) and README-zh.md (Chinese) with language navigation at the top.
diff --git a/roles/developer/ROLE.md b/roles/developer/ROLE.md
index 05dac37..1bab35a 100644
--- a/roles/developer/ROLE.md
+++ b/roles/developer/ROLE.md
@@ -35,3 +35,9 @@ role-code: dev
 ## Memory Practice
 
 After completing each task slot, write a brief summary to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` including what was done, key decisions, and output references (commits, PRs, files).
+
+## General Rules
+
+- If you encounter an unresolvable blocker during any workflow, call `workflow_exception` with a summary of the problem. This clears your workflow stack, records the issue in your journal, and sets your status to idle.
+- Always write lessons learned to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` after completing a task slot.
+- All project repositories must have README.md (English) and README-zh.md (Chinese) with language navigation at the top.
diff --git a/roles/manager/ROLE.md b/roles/manager/ROLE.md
index 73ebb40..f0a2cf0 100644
--- a/roles/manager/ROLE.md
+++ b/roles/manager/ROLE.md
@@ -34,3 +34,9 @@ role-code: mgr
 ## Memory Practice
 
 After completing each planning or review slot, write a summary to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` including task assignments made, milestone updates, and any blockers identified.
+
+## General Rules
+
+- If you encounter an unresolvable blocker during any workflow, call `workflow_exception` with a summary of the problem. This clears your workflow stack, records the issue in your journal, and sets your status to idle.
+- Always write lessons learned to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` after completing a task slot.
+- All project repositories must have README.md (English) and README-zh.md (Chinese) with language navigation at the top.
diff --git a/roles/mentor/ROLE.md b/roles/mentor/ROLE.md
index 7942756..cb6ac64 100644
--- a/roles/mentor/ROLE.md
+++ b/roles/mentor/ROLE.md
@@ -34,3 +34,9 @@ role-code: mt
 ## Memory Practice
 
 After reviewing or creating skills, write to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md`: which skills were modified, what changed, which branches were evaluated, and any quality concerns.
+
+## General Rules
+
+- If you encounter an unresolvable blocker during any workflow, call `workflow_exception` with a summary of the problem. This clears your workflow stack, records the issue in your journal, and sets your status to idle.
+- Always write lessons learned to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` after completing a task slot.
+- All project repositories must have README.md (English) and README-zh.md (Chinese) with language navigation at the top.
diff --git a/roles/operator/ROLE.md b/roles/operator/ROLE.md
index 21e7fd0..f130747 100644
--- a/roles/operator/ROLE.md
+++ b/roles/operator/ROLE.md
@@ -35,3 +35,9 @@ role-code: op
 ## Memory Practice
 
 After each deployment or infrastructure change, write to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md`: what was deployed, which servers, any issues encountered, rollback steps if applicable.
+
+## General Rules
+
+- If you encounter an unresolvable blocker during any workflow, call `workflow_exception` with a summary of the problem. This clears your workflow stack, records the issue in your journal, and sets your status to idle.
+- Always write lessons learned to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` after completing a task slot.
+- All project repositories must have README.md (English) and README-zh.md (Chinese) with language navigation at the top.
diff --git a/roles/secretary/ROLE.md b/roles/secretary/ROLE.md
index 46cf2ea..fac9520 100644
--- a/roles/secretary/ROLE.md
+++ b/roles/secretary/ROLE.md
@@ -31,3 +31,9 @@ role-code: as
 ## Memory Practice
 
 After each meeting or communication task, write to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md`: meeting participants, key decisions, action items, and follow-up needed.
+
+## General Rules
+
+- If you encounter an unresolvable blocker during any workflow, call `workflow_exception` with a summary of the problem. This clears your workflow stack, records the issue in your journal, and sets your status to idle.
+- Always write lessons learned to `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` after completing a task slot.
+- All project repositories must have README.md (English) and README-zh.md (Chinese) with language navigation at the top.