diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 09c23223..c394e67e 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ The test suite has no known pre-existing failures or flaky tests. If a test fail
 
 ### Cross-Platform Testing
 
-**CRITICAL**: This project must work on both Unix (macOS/Linux) and Windows. Skipping tests on either platform is **UNACCEPTABLE**.
+**CRITICAL**: This project must work on both Unix (macOS/Linux) and Windows. Skipping tests on either platform is **UNACCEPTABLE**, except on musl targets when an essential dependency or required platform capability is unavailable. Document the unavailable requirement and keep the skip scoped to musl.
 
 - Use `#[cfg(unix)]` and `#[cfg(windows)]` for platform-specific code within tests
 - Both platforms must execute the test and verify the feature works correctly
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ Enforced by `.clippy.toml`:
 
 ### Cross-Platform Requirements
 
-All code must work on both Unix and Windows without platform skipping:
+All code must work on both Unix and Windows without platform skipping. The only exception is for tests on musl targets when an essential dependency or required platform capability is unavailable; document the reason and scope the skip to musl.
 
 - Use `#[cfg(unix)]` / `#[cfg(windows)]` for platform-specific implementations
 - Platform differences should be handled gracefully, not skipped
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index cf998d02..c7bd293d 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ See `playground/README.md` for the full task list and dependency structure.
 
 ## Cross-Platform Development
 
-This project must work on macOS, Linux, and Windows. Skipping tests on any platform is not acceptable.
+This project must work on macOS, Linux, and Windows. Skipping tests on any platform is not acceptable, except on musl targets when an essential dependency or required platform capability is unavailable. Document the unavailable requirement and keep the skip scoped to musl.
 
 - Use `#[cfg(unix)]` / `#[cfg(windows)]` for platform-specific code
 - Use cross-platform libraries where possible (e.g., `terminal_size` instead of raw ioctl/ConPTY)