diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 9671bb3..a5beecc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -15,3 +15,13 @@ jobs:
           components: clippy, rustfmt
       - uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v2
       - run: ./scripts/check
+
+  audit:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
+      - uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v2
+      - name: Install cargo-audit
+        uses: taiki-e/install-action@cargo-audit
+      - run: cargo audit
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 4244280..649ac1f 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@ Read `README.md` and `docs/engineering-spec.md` before making non-trivial change
 ## Quality Policy
 
 - `./scripts/check` is the local definition of done for code changes. Run it before calling work done.
+- `./scripts/audit` checks for known vulnerable dependencies. It is a separate security gate, not part of `./scripts/check`. CI runs `cargo audit` automatically; locally, install `cargo-audit` and run `./scripts/audit` or `cargo audit` directly.
 - Behavior changes should include automated coverage: a unit test, an integration test (e.g., `tests/cli.rs`), example-config validation (`tests/examples.rs`), or a documented reason why no automated test fits.
 - Docs-only changes must leave the repo green under `./scripts/check`.
-- Do not add new CI requirements or local-tool dependencies in this issue set — that belongs to future CI work.
 
 ## Current V1 Direction
 
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ Read `README.md` and `docs/engineering-spec.md` before making non-trivial change
 ## Workflow
 
 - Run `./scripts/check` before calling work done.
+- Run `./scripts/audit` before release or when dependency security matters. CI runs it on every push.
 - Update `README.md`, `docs/engineering-spec.md`, or this file when behavior, structure, or workflow changes.
 - For non-trivial implementation, write or update the relevant spec before code.
 - Keep commits small and honest.
diff --git a/scripts/audit b/scripts/audit
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..65c095a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/audit
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# Run cargo audit to check for known vulnerabilities in dependencies.
+# Requires cargo-audit: cargo install cargo-audit
+#
+# CI runs cargo audit automatically. This script is a convenience
+# for local use and provides a clear error if cargo-audit is not installed.
+
+if ! cargo audit --version &>/dev/null; then
+  echo "cargo-audit not installed. Install with: cargo install cargo-audit" >&2
+  echo "CI runs cargo audit automatically on every push." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+cargo audit