diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index cdbdfc0..9f6bf04 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -60,7 +60,22 @@ mkdir -p \
   "$AGENTS_DIR/_assembler/src" \
   "$AGENTS_DIR/_generated" \
   "$HOOKS_DIR" \
-  "$SKILLS_DIR/new-agent"
+  "$SKILLS_DIR/new-agent" \
+  "$HOME_DIR/.claude/memory"
+
+# --- scaffold MEMORY.md placeholder (user-respecting) ----------------------
+# _blocks/memory-protocol.md references ~/.claude/memory/MEMORY.md; without
+# this file the first agent following the protocol fails on read.
+MEMORY_INDEX="$HOME_DIR/.claude/memory/MEMORY.md"
+if [[ ! -f "$MEMORY_INDEX" ]]; then
+  cat > "$MEMORY_INDEX" <<'EOF'
+# Auto Memory — Index
+
+> File-based memory index. Add entries as you save memory files under this directory.
+> See `_blocks/memory-protocol.md` for format.
+EOF
+  say "scaffolded $MEMORY_INDEX"
+fi
 
 # --- copy blocks (overwrite ours; blocks are SSoT from kit) ----------------
 say "copying shared blocks -> $AGENTS_DIR/_blocks/"