> Markdown twin of https://adna.network/glossary/glossary-readme-md/
> Index: https://adna.network/llms.txt · Full corpus: https://adna.network/llms-full.txt
> State is a build-time snapshot generated 2026-08-30 (UTC); nothing here is live.

# README.md — aDNA Glossary

## Plain-Language Definition

README.md is the guide written *for humans* that sits at the project root and optionally in subdirectories. While [AGENTS.md](/glossary/glossary-agents-md) serves agents, README.md serves people browsing in GitHub, an IDE, or a knowledge-base tool. It explains what the project is and how to navigate it.

## Technical Definition

A human-facing per-directory guide optimized for browsing. Every aDNA instance MUST have a root README.md. Subdirectory README.md files are OPTIONAL — create them when human navigation would benefit. README.md complements AGENTS.md: agents read AGENTS.md for machine-optimized instructions; humans read README.md for narrative context. (aDNA Standard §4.6)

## Usage Examples

- This vault's root `README.md` is the first thing a human sees on GitHub — it explains what aDNA.aDNA is, how to explore the vault, and where to start.
- The dual README.md / AGENTS.md pattern embodies the [dual-audience principle](/learn/concepts/dual-audience): same content, two registers.

## See Also

- [AGENTS.md](/glossary/glossary-agents-md)
- [Governance File](/glossary/glossary-governance-file)
- [Dual Audience (concept)](/learn/concepts/dual-audience)