diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 17ef40deb1..9ef3d6c851 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -507,6 +507,7 @@ Disclosure is **continuous**, not a one-time event. A single AI-disclosure parag
 
 - Before opening a pull request, check whether the account that will file it already has three open pull requests in this repository.
 - If so, alert the user that additional submissions may receive lower review priority and ask for explicit permission to proceed. Do not assume consent. If the user is unavailable to provide that permission, including during autonomous or non-interactive operation, do not open the pull request. Preserve the work on a branch and report that confirmation is required.
+- Repository-owned `gh-aw` maintenance workflows are exempt from this open-PR count check and confirmation requirement.
 
 ### Commits
 
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 53d320e766..96818dba35 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ Here are a few things you can do that will increase the likelihood of your pull
 - Write a [good commit message](http://tbaggery.com/2008/04/19/a-note-about-git-commit-messages.html).
 - Test your changes with the Spec-Driven Development workflow to ensure compatibility.
 
-Accounts with three open pull requests may continue submitting changes, but additional submissions may be placed behind contributions from other authors in the review queue. Coding agents should disclose this possibility and obtain the filer's confirmation before opening another pull request.
+Accounts with three open pull requests may continue submitting changes, but additional submissions may be placed behind contributions from other authors in the review queue. Coding agents should disclose this possibility and obtain the filer's confirmation before opening another pull request. Repository-owned `gh-aw` maintenance workflows do not require this confirmation.
 
 ### Evidence gate