diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 45d3cf5..c84f23b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -146,6 +146,10 @@ Concretely for the inbox: level 3 has nothing, level 2 has **no `inbox` method a
 engine's model (one inbox ↔ one repo, addressed by `(overlay, pubkey)`, no target
 document in the message) with a JS surface of our own making.
 
+This cascade answers *"we need X — what do we align on?"*. It is **not** a checklist to
+run over what the target exposes: an unused binding method is not a debt, and "it was in
+the unused list" is not a reason to investigate it.
+
 > **Do not confuse these levels with the other "three levels" in this repo.**
 > [`docs/readcap-and-nuri-model.md`](./docs/readcap-and-nuri-model.md) §4quinquies numbers
 > *where a cap is stored* (wallet root key → the Store/User branch registers → the local