diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 8ef68d41..9f4b358d 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -31,7 +31,11 @@
 
 ## Phase Completion Protocol
 
-When working with `memory-bank/todo.md` that contains phases:
+Phased work uses a `memory-bank/todo.md` checklist. This file is **transient**: it is
+created for the duration of a phased task and removed when the work lands, so it is not
+part of the Memory Bank core files below and is normally absent from the repository.
+
+When such a `todo.md` exists and contains phases:
 
 1. **After completing each phase**: Run `tox` to validate all tests pass
 2. **If tox passes**:
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 50069e35..d119d7c3 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@
 
 ## Phase Completion Protocol
 
-When working with `memory-bank/todo.md` that contains phases:
+Phased work uses a `memory-bank/todo.md` checklist. This file is **transient**: it is
+created for the duration of a phased task and removed when the work lands, so it is not
+part of the Memory Bank core files below and is normally absent from the repository.
+
+When such a `todo.md` exists and contains phases:
 
 1. **After completing each phase**: Run `tox` to validate all tests pass
 2. **If tox passes**:
diff --git a/tests/README.md b/tests/README.md
index c8921bbc..8ec85d11 100644
--- a/tests/README.md
+++ b/tests/README.md
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ tests/
 ├── test_documentation/         # Tests for documentation examples
 ├── test_examples/              # Tests for example code
 │   └── mloda_basics/           # Tests for basic mloda examples
-├── test_memory_bank/           # Tests for memory bank functionality
 └── test_plugins/               # Tests for plugin implementations
     ├── compute_framework/      # Tests for compute framework plugins
     ├── extender/               # Tests for extender plugins
diff --git a/tests/test_core/test_setup/test_link_on_methods.py b/tests/test_core/test_setup/test_link_on_methods.py
index d8c5f7f4..17ba9bb8 100644
--- a/tests/test_core/test_setup/test_link_on_methods.py
+++ b/tests/test_core/test_setup/test_link_on_methods.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 
 See Also:
     - GitHub Issue #133: JoinSpec Convenience Function
-    - Design Decision: /memory-bank/design-decisions/joinspec-convenience-function.md
 """
 
 from typing import Any, Optional