diff --git a/INTENT.md b/INTENT.md
index ba906fe..fbb6059 100644
--- a/INTENT.md
+++ b/INTENT.md
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ The framework must be usable by humans and agents. Human operators need a stable
 4. Migration honest: Core Hub preserves the useful Inter-Hub semantics while making incompatibilities explicit and testable.
 5. Credential-safe: no secrets in Git, State Hub, workplans, logs, or chat. Credential ownership follows the ops-warden/OpenBao/key-cape routing model.
 6. Agent-native: workplans remain file-first, State Hub remains a read/cache/index layer until Core Hub intentionally replaces or absorbs that role.
+7. Self-optimizing: regular reviews identify recurring error states, necessary workarounds, needless complexity from unnecessary information passing, and other inefficiencies so the framework can simplify its own operating patterns over time.
 
 ## Initial Platform Direction