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+# AGENTS.md
+
+This file provides guidance to AI models and human developers working with code in this repository.
+
+## Project Overview
+
+This repository is a Red Hat fork of the upstream Vector project, specifically maintained for OpenShift Logging. It serves as a log collector and forwarder that runs as a daemon set on each OpenShift cluster node to gather application and node logs.
+
+**Important**: The `rh-main` branch is intentionally minimal and contains only documentation. All active development occurs in version-specific branches.
+
+## Branch Structure
+
+The actual implementation code resides in version-specific branches, not in `rh-main`. Current active branches include:
+
+- `v0.47.0-rh` - OpenShift 6.4 (Vector v0.47.0)
+- `v0.37.1-rh` - OpenShift 6.0-6.3 (Vector v0.37.1)
+- `release-5.9` - OpenShift 5.9 (Vector v0.34.1)
+- `release-5.8` - OpenShift 5.8 (Vector v0.28.1)
+
+## Development Workflow
+
+When working on this project:
+
+1. **Branch Selection**: Switch to the appropriate version branch for your target OpenShift release
+2. **Build System**: This is a Rust project using Cargo as the build system
+3. **Integration**: The project is designed to be deployed and configured by the [cluster-logging-operator](https://github.com/openshift/cluster-logging-operator)
+4. **Runtime**: Runs with configuration and `run.sh` files provided by the operator
+
+## Red Hat Specific Modifications
+
+This fork includes several patches not found in upstream Vector:
+
+- **OpenSSL Integration** (LOG-2552): Replaces Ring with OpenSSL for Red Hat compliance
+- **TLS Security Profile** (LOG-3398): Applies OpenShift TLS security settings
+- **Syslog Sink** (LOG-2288): Custom syslog output capability
+- **File Rotation** (LOG-3949): Enhanced file rotation controls
+- **AWS Credentials** (LOG-6789): Fixes for AWS credentials file authentication
+- **CloudWatch Limits** (LOG-7013): Updated to match current AWS event size limits
+
+## Issue Reporting
+
+- File issues at [Red Hat JIRA](https://issues.redhat.com)
+- Include [must-gather](https://github.com/openshift/cluster-logging-operator/tree/master/must-gather) output for debugging
+- Reference the specific OpenShift Logging release version
+
+## Development Notes
+
+- This project is tightly integrated with the OpenShift ecosystem
+- Testing and deployment should consider the cluster-logging-operator context
+- Changes should maintain compatibility with Red Hat's OpenShift Logging architecture
+- Consider upstream contribution potential when making modifications
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+/home/aconway/src/vector/AGENTS.md
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