diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 5a0fb28f6d..6036a33b06 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -64,10 +64,14 @@ ui/desktop/            # Electron app
 # 1. source bin/activate-hermit
 # 2. Make changes
 # 3. cargo fmt
-# 4. cargo build
-# 5. cargo test -p <crate>
-# 6. cargo clippy --all-targets -- -D warnings
-# 7. [if server] just generate-openapi
+```
+
+### Run these only if the user has asked you to build/test your changes:
+```
+# 1. cargo build
+# 2. cargo test -p <crate>
+# 3. cargo clippy --all-targets -- -D warnings
+# 4. [if server] just generate-openapi
 ```
 
 ## Rules