diff --git a/LOCAL_PATCHES.md b/LOCAL_PATCHES.md
index 7cd656817..943dc100f 100644
--- a/LOCAL_PATCHES.md
+++ b/LOCAL_PATCHES.md
@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
-# Local Patches — Triage & Upstream Plan
+# Local Patches — Triage
 
 Living document. Every patch carried on top of `upstream/main` belongs here, with
-a triage decision: **PR upstream**, **keep local (extension point)**, or **delete**.
+a triage decision: **carry on our main**, **move to extension point**, or **delete**.
 
-Audit cadence: every upgrade (`/gstack-upgrade`). If a patch sits here for >30 days
-without a PR filed or a justification, delete it or land it.
+`anoopkansupada/gstack` is our canonical repo. `upstream` (garrytan/gstack) is
+read-only — we pull, never push. The default action for any local patch is to
+carry it on our main indefinitely; upstreaming is opt-in only when Anoop says so.
+
+Audit cadence: every `/gstack-upgrade`.
 
 Last audit: 2026-05-23
 
@@ -14,27 +17,24 @@ Last audit: 2026-05-23
 
 ### 1. `aff14a72` — `plan-eng-review`: Step 0.5 existing-capability check
 - **Files:** `skills/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md`
-- **What it does:** adds a 60-second pre-design check for plans touching gbrain / OpenClaw / Hermes substrates — surfaces existing integrations / launchd jobs before greenlighting new infra code.
+- **What it does:** 60-second pre-design check for plans touching gbrain / OpenClaw / Hermes substrates — surfaces existing integrations / launchd jobs before greenlighting new infra code.
 - **Why it exists:** memory `feedback_probe_mini_integrations_first` — caught a 2,200-page redundant ingestion design 2026-05-20.
-- **Triage: PR UPSTREAM.** Generalizes well — any operator with a substrate-style integration system benefits from a pre-build capability check. Likely fast review.
-- **PR action:** open against `garrytan/gstack` titled `feat(plan-eng-review): Step 0.5 existing-capability check before substrate code`.
-- **Owner:** Anoop
-- **Status:** not yet filed
+- **Triage: CARRY.** Operationally valuable for Anoop's substrate-heavy workflow; conflict cost low (single-file skill prose addition).
 
 ---
 
 ## Patches in extension points (never conflict)
 
-None currently — gstack repo is clean in this regard.
+None currently.
 
 ---
 
 ## Rules for future patches
 
-1. **Default to extension points.** Before touching `skills/<upstream-skill>/SKILL.md`, ask: can this be a *new* skill (`skills/my-skill/`) or a `references/` addition? Modifying upstream skills generates rebase conflicts every gstack-upgrade.
+1. **Default to extension points.** Before touching `skills/<upstream-skill>/SKILL.md`, ask: can this be a *new* skill (`skills/my-skill/`) or a `references/` addition? Modifying upstream skills generates rebase conflicts every `/gstack-upgrade`.
 
-2. **If you must touch an upstream-skill SKILL.md, file the upstream PR within 7 days.** Carrying core-skill patches without upstreaming is interest-bearing debt.
+2. **Don't commit scratch.** Local debugging files belong outside the repo.
 
-3. **Don't commit scratch.** Local debugging files belong outside the repo or in `/scratch/` (gitignored).
+3. **`/gstack-upgrade` is the canonical upgrade flow.** Don't hand-roll. If it breaks, fix the skill.
 
-4. **`/gstack-upgrade` is the canonical upgrade flow.** Don't hand-roll. If it breaks, fix the skill, not the workaround.
+4. **Our fork is canonical.** Push to `origin` (= anoopkansupada/gstack). `upstream` (garrytan) is read-only — we pull, never push. Don't propose upstream PRs unless Anoop asks.