diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 19404e9..0e83bb7 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,13 @@ Pre-v1.0.0 tags followed the pi npm version (`v{pi_version}[letter]`).
 
 ---
 
+## Unreleased
+
+_Nothing yet. Entries land here as work merges, and this heading is renamed to
+the version at tag time (see AGENTS.md, *Release-day checklist* step 3)._
+
+---
+
 ## v1.8.12 — 2026-08-31
 
 **`pi` `0.84.3` → `0.84.4`, and `pi-atelier` `v0.8.2` → `v0.10.0`.** Both audited