diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..5df1c7562885
--- /dev/null
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+# Apache Paimon
+
+This file provides context and guidelines for AI coding assistants working with the Apache Paimon codebase.
+
+## Syntax Requirements
+
+- Based on JDK 8 and Scala 2.12, higher version syntax features must not be used.
+
+## Build and Test
+
+Prefer the smallest possible build/test scope and use the local iteration speedup techniques below to keep feedback loops fast.
+
+### Build
+
+Prefer using Maven module selection to minimize the build scope.
+
+- Compile a single module: `mvn -pl <module> -DskipTests compile`
+- Compile multiple modules: `mvn -pl <module1>,<module2> -DskipTests compile`
+
+### Test
+
+Prefer running the narrowest tests.
+
+- Run test for a single method: `mvn -pl <module> -Dtest=TestClassName#methodName test`
+- Run test for a single class: `mvn -pl <module> -Dtest=TestClassName test`
+
+### Local Iteration Speedup
+
+#### Use Maven Skip Options
+
+Prefer these skip options for faster local iteration, but don't rely on them for final verification.
+
+```shell
+-Dcheckstyle.skip -Dspotless.check.skip -Denforcer.skip
+```
+
+For example:
+
+```shell
+mvn -pl <module> -Dcheckstyle.skip -Dspotless.check.skip -Denforcer.skip -Dtest=TestClassName#methodName test
+```
+
+#### Use -am (also-make)
+
+If your target module depends on other modules you've changed locally, prefer `-am` to rebuild them together in the same reactor.
+Also add `-DfailIfNoTests=false` to avoid failures for modules without tests.
+
+For example:
+
+```shell
+mvn -pl <module> -am -DfailIfNoTests=false -Dtest=TestClassName#methodName test
+```
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 879f4bcbc065..7d2df173ee32 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -612,8 +612,7 @@ under the License.
                         <exclude>**/*.prefs</exclude>
                         <exclude>**/*.log</exclude>
                         <!-- Administrative files in the main trunk. -->
-                        <exclude>**/README.md</exclude>
-                        <exclude>**/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md</exclude>
+                        <exclude>**/*.md</exclude>
                         <exclude>.github/**</exclude>
                         <!-- IDE files. -->
                         <exclude>**/*.iml</exclude>