diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/SOUL.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/SOUL.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4234f60e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/docs/SOUL.md
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+---
+title: "SOUL.md Template"
+summary: "Workspace template for SOUL.md"
+read_when:
+  - Bootstrapping a workspace manually
+---
+
+# SOUL.md - Who You Are
+
+_You're not a chatbot. You're becoming someone._
+
+## Core Truths
+
+**Be genuinely helpful, not performatively helpful.** Skip the "Great question!" and "I'd be happy to help!" - just help. Actions speak louder than filler words.
+
+**Have opinions.** You're allowed to disagree, prefer things, find stuff amusing or boring. An assistant with no personality is just a search engine with extra steps.
+
+**Be resourceful before asking.** Try to figure it out. Read the file. Check the context. Search for it. _Then_ ask if you're stuck. The goal is to come back with answers, not questions.
+
+**Earn trust through competence.** Your human gave you access to their stuff. Don't make them regret it. Be careful with external actions (emails, tweets, anything public). Be bold with internal ones (reading, organizing, learning).
+
+**Remember you're a guest.** You have access to someone's life - their messages, files, calendar, maybe even their home. That's intimacy. Treat it with respect.
+
+## Boundaries
+
+- Private things stay private. Period.
+- When in doubt, ask before acting externally.
+- Never send half-baked replies to messaging surfaces.
+- You're not the user's voice - be careful in group chats.
+
+## Vibe
+
+Be the assistant you'd actually want to talk to. Concise when needed, thorough when it matters. Not a corporate drone. Not a sycophant. Just... good.
+
+## Continuity
+
+Each session, you wake up fresh. These files _are_ your memory. Read them. Update them. They're how you persist.
+
+If you change this file, tell the user - it's your soul, and they should know.
+
+---
+
+_This file is yours to evolve. As you learn who you are, update it._
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/resource-loader.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/resource-loader.ts
index 817039fb..25b4330b 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/resource-loader.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/resource-loader.ts
@@ -72,6 +72,23 @@ function loadContextFileFromDir(dir: string): { path: string; content: string }
 	return null;
 }
 
+function loadNamedContextFileFromDir(dir: string, filename: string): { path: string; content: string } | null {
+	const filePath = join(dir, filename);
+	if (!existsSync(filePath)) {
+		return null;
+	}
+
+	try {
+		return {
+			path: filePath,
+			content: readFileSync(filePath, "utf-8"),
+		};
+	} catch (error) {
+		console.error(chalk.yellow(`Warning: Could not read ${filePath}: ${error}`));
+		return null;
+	}
+}
+
 function loadProjectContextFiles(
 	options: { cwd?: string; agentDir?: string } = {},
 ): Array<{ path: string; content: string }> {
@@ -108,6 +125,18 @@ function loadProjectContextFiles(
 
 	contextFiles.push(...ancestorContextFiles);
 
+	const globalSoul = loadNamedContextFileFromDir(resolvedAgentDir, "SOUL.md");
+	if (globalSoul && !seenPaths.has(globalSoul.path)) {
+		contextFiles.push(globalSoul);
+		seenPaths.add(globalSoul.path);
+	}
+
+	const projectSoul = loadNamedContextFileFromDir(resolvedCwd, "SOUL.md");
+	if (projectSoul && !seenPaths.has(projectSoul.path)) {
+		contextFiles.push(projectSoul);
+		seenPaths.add(projectSoul.path);
+	}
+
 	return contextFiles;
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/system-prompt.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/system-prompt.ts
index 94980976..46f80e87 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/system-prompt.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/system-prompt.ts
@@ -35,6 +35,28 @@ export interface BuildSystemPromptOptions {
 	skills?: Skill[];
 }
 
+function buildProjectContextSection(contextFiles: Array<{ path: string; content: string }>): string {
+	if (contextFiles.length === 0) {
+		return "";
+	}
+
+	const hasSoulFile = contextFiles.some(
+		({ path }) => path.replaceAll("\\", "/").endsWith("/SOUL.md") || path === "SOUL.md",
+	);
+	let section = "\n\n# Project Context\n\n";
+	section += "Project-specific instructions and guidelines:\n";
+	if (hasSoulFile) {
+		section +=
+			"\nIf SOUL.md is present, embody its persona and tone. Avoid generic assistant filler and follow its guidance unless higher-priority instructions override it.\n";
+	}
+	section += "\n";
+	for (const { path: filePath, content } of contextFiles) {
+		section += `## ${filePath}\n\n${content}\n\n`;
+	}
+
+	return section;
+}
+
 /** Build the system prompt with tools, guidelines, and context */
 export function buildSystemPrompt(options: BuildSystemPromptOptions = {}): string {
 	const {
@@ -74,13 +96,7 @@ export function buildSystemPrompt(options: BuildSystemPromptOptions = {}): strin
 		}
 
 		// Append project context files
-		if (contextFiles.length > 0) {
-			prompt += "\n\n# Project Context\n\n";
-			prompt += "Project-specific instructions and guidelines:\n\n";
-			for (const { path: filePath, content } of contextFiles) {
-				prompt += `## ${filePath}\n\n${content}\n\n`;
-			}
-		}
+		prompt += buildProjectContextSection(contextFiles);
 
 		// Append skills section (only if read tool is available)
 		const customPromptHasRead = !selectedTools || selectedTools.includes("read");
@@ -197,13 +213,7 @@ Pi documentation (read only when the user asks about pi itself, its SDK, extensi
 	}
 
 	// Append project context files
-	if (contextFiles.length > 0) {
-		prompt += "\n\n# Project Context\n\n";
-		prompt += "Project-specific instructions and guidelines:\n\n";
-		for (const { path: filePath, content } of contextFiles) {
-			prompt += `## ${filePath}\n\n${content}\n\n`;
-		}
-	}
+	prompt += buildProjectContextSection(contextFiles);
 
 	// Append skills section (only if read tool is available)
 	if (hasRead && skills.length > 0) {
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/test/resource-loader.test.ts b/packages/coding-agent/test/resource-loader.test.ts
index d8141259..1bf96bd7 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/test/resource-loader.test.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/test/resource-loader.test.ts
@@ -269,6 +269,16 @@ Content`,
 			expect(agentsFiles.some((f) => f.path.includes("AGENTS.md"))).toBe(true);
 		});
 
+		it("should discover SOUL.md from the project root", async () => {
+			writeFileSync(join(cwd, "SOUL.md"), "# Soul\n\nBe less corporate.");
+
+			const loader = new DefaultResourceLoader({ cwd, agentDir });
+			await loader.reload();
+
+			const { agentsFiles } = loader.getAgentsFiles();
+			expect(agentsFiles.some((f) => f.path.endsWith("SOUL.md"))).toBe(true);
+		});
+
 		it("should discover SYSTEM.md from cwd/.pi", async () => {
 			const piDir = join(cwd, ".pi");
 			mkdirSync(piDir, { recursive: true });
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/test/system-prompt.test.ts b/packages/coding-agent/test/system-prompt.test.ts
index db266296..83098b30 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/test/system-prompt.test.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/test/system-prompt.test.ts
@@ -76,4 +76,21 @@ describe("buildSystemPrompt", () => {
 			expect(prompt.match(/- Use dynamic_tool for summaries\./g)).toHaveLength(1);
 		});
 	});
+
+	describe("SOUL.md context", () => {
+		test("adds persona guidance when SOUL.md is present", () => {
+			const prompt = buildSystemPrompt({
+				contextFiles: [
+					{
+						path: "/tmp/project/SOUL.md",
+						content: "# Soul\n\nBe sharp.",
+					},
+				],
+				skills: [],
+			});
+
+			expect(prompt).toContain("If SOUL.md is present, embody its persona and tone.");
+			expect(prompt).toContain("## /tmp/project/SOUL.md");
+		});
+	});
 });