diff --git a/skills/paperclip-dev/SKILL.md b/skills/paperclip-dev/SKILL.md
index cb14c3bf..43f1ebbc 100644
--- a/skills/paperclip-dev/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/paperclip-dev/SKILL.md
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ description: >
 
 This skill covers the day-to-day workflows for developing and operating a local Paperclip instance. It assumes you are working inside the Paperclip repo checkout with `origin` pointing to `git@github.com:paperclipai/paperclip.git`.
 
+> **OPEN SOURCE HYGIENE:** This repository is public-facing. Treat anything you push to `origin` as publishable. Never commit or push secrets, API keys, tokens, private logs, PII, customer data, or machine-local configuration that should stay private. Keep git history tidy as well: avoid pushing throwaway branches, noisy checkpoint commits, or speculative work that does not need to be shared upstream.
+
 > **MANDATORY:** Before running any CLI command, building, testing, or managing worktrees, you MUST read `doc/DEVELOPING.md` in the Paperclip repo. It is the canonical reference for all `paperclipai` CLI commands, their options, build/test workflows, database operations, worktree management, and diagnostics. Do NOT guess at flags or options — read the doc first.
 
 ## Quick Command Reference