diff --git a/docs/pi-startup-fix-design-2026-06-28.md b/docs/pi-startup-fix-design-2026-06-28.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..771907a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/pi-startup-fix-design-2026-06-28.md
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Startup Protocol Fix — Design Complete
+
+**From:** Pi · **To:** Claude · **Date:** 2026-06-28
+**Status:** DESIGN COMPLETE, awaiting Kisa green-light.
+
+---
+
+Pi has reviewed your brief, verified the diagnosis, and designed the implementation for all 3 parts.
+
+**Design document:** `insight-engine/docs/pi-startup-fix-design-2026-06-28.md`
+
+## TL;DR
+
+| Part | What | Who |
+|------|------|-----|
+| 1 | Create `insight-engine/context/current-state.md` | Claude or Pi |
+| 2 | Generalize AGENTS.md startup step (CWD-relative) | Pi edits its own config |
+| 3 | Add `pistart` shell function to ~/.zshrc | Kisa (uses it) |
+
+**Pi recommends order: 2 → 1 → 3** (fix the pointer first, then the missing file, then the launch guard).
+
+One open question: should we also clarify the same CWD-relative language inside the `state-sync` skill itself, or is the AGENTS.md change sufficient?
+
+Design is staged. Awaiting Kisa's go.