Document development workflow in README, fix Go version requirement

README.md

@@ -395,10 +395,30 @@ CREATE TABLE snapshot_blobs (
 
 ## requirements
 
-* Go 1.24 or later
+* Go 1.26 or later
 * S3-compatible object storage
 * Sufficient disk space for local index (typically <1GB)
 
+## development workflow
+
+All changes follow this workflow. No exceptions.
+
+1. Create a feature branch off `main`.
+2. Write tests.
+3. Write the implementation.
+4. Fix implementation errors until it compiles and tests pass.
+5. Fix linting errors (`make lint`).
+6. Update documentation and README as required by the change.
+7. Format code (`make fmt`).
+8. Run `make check` (lint + fmt-check + test). Fix any issues. Repeat until clean.
+9. Commit on the branch.
+10. Merge to `main`.
+11. Push.
+
+Do not commit directly to `main`. Do not skip steps.
+
+Repository policies for AI agents are in [`AGENTS.md`](AGENTS.md).
+
 ## license
 
 [MIT](https://opensource.org/license/mit/)