diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca03650
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# Open Audit Mission (OAM)
+
+OAM is the examination and audit-authority workflow within Open Institutional
+Computation.
+
+It governs who may examine a bounded institutional-continuity claim, what evidence is
+examined, how disposition/correction/replay are recorded, and whether an examination
+result is fit for later institutional reliance.
+
+OAM does not create institutional authority, compile policy, establish ZTL logical
+warrant, or authorize exact runtime execution.
+
+## Architectural relationship
+
+```
+OIC  → admitted machine-operational control state
+ZTL  → bounded logical warrant
+VEIP → exact-action / execution-integrity boundary
+OAM  → examination, audit disposition, correction and later reliance
+```
+
+OAM may affect whether an institution subsequently relies on, accepts, corrects,
+escalates, or rejects an examined result. That is examination and evidentiary
+authority, not runtime causal authority.
+
+Canonical category thesis:
+https://github.com/veraxis-protocol/institutional-continuity/blob/main/THESIS.md
+
+## STATUS
+
+Architecture definition only.
+No production implementation or readiness claim.