diff --git a/000_START_HERE.md b/000_START_HERE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c7e1b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/000_START_HERE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+# Quick Start Prompt
+
+Use this prompt to continue the project in a new agent session.
+
+```text
+You are continuing work on the repository 3proxyUI.
+
+Start by reading these files in this order:
+1. AGENTS.md
+2. docs/PLAN.md
+3. docs/PROJECT_INDEX.md
+4. docs/RESEARCH_3PROXY.md
+5. README.md
+
+Project goal:
+- Build a Docker-based 3proxy bundle with an admin panel.
+- The panel must manage 3proxy users, quotas, services, runtime health, and generated config.
+- The UI is already implemented as a stable minimalist frontend prototype and should now be wired to real runtime behavior.
+
+Current state:
+- Frontend exists and includes Dashboard, Users, and System tabs.
+- Users flow already supports:
+  - hardcoded panel login
+  - service-based user assignment
+  - copy proxy link
+  - pause/resume UI action
+  - delete confirmation modal
+- Tests and build are green at the current HEAD.
+- Official 3proxy documentation has already been reviewed and summarized in docs/RESEARCH_3PROXY.md.
+
+Important constraints:
+- Follow AGENTS.md exactly.
+- Always update docs/PLAN.md and docs/PROJECT_INDEX.md after meaningful changes.
+- Make small, descriptive commits after each completed batch of work.
+- Prefer documentation-backed implementation decisions for 3proxy behavior.
+- Write edge-case-focused tests, not only happy-path tests.
+- Never revert unrelated user changes.
+
+Expected verification commands:
+- npm run test:run
+- npm run build
+- add backend/runtime checks as implementation grows
+
+Primary next implementation target:
+1. Replace mock frontend state with a backend control plane.
+2. Add a data model for services, users, quotas, and runtime state.
+3. Generate valid 3proxy config from backend state.
+4. Add runtime actions for start, restart, pause/resume user, and delete user.
+5. Add Docker wiring for panel + 3proxy.
+
+If the user asks for additional UI polish or behavior changes, implement them directly, keep the minimalist style, and still update plan/index/commits.
+```
+
+## Suggested first commands
+
+```bash
+npm install
+npm run test:run
+npm run build
+git status --short
+```
diff --git a/docs/PLAN.md b/docs/PLAN.md
index ffc8b15..808b50a 100644
--- a/docs/PLAN.md
+++ b/docs/PLAN.md
@@ -24,3 +24,4 @@ Updated: 2026-04-01
 8. Corrected the user-creation flow to select a 3proxy service instead of assigning a per-user port, matching the documented 3proxy model.
 9. Stabilized the Users table copy action so the column no longer shifts when the button label changes to `Copied`.
 10. Added operator actions in the Users table for pause/resume and delete with confirmation modal coverage.
+11. Added a root quick-start prompt file so a new agent can resume implementation or fixes with minimal onboarding.
diff --git a/docs/PROJECT_INDEX.md b/docs/PROJECT_INDEX.md
index 98c84a8..31c9a8a 100644
--- a/docs/PROJECT_INDEX.md
+++ b/docs/PROJECT_INDEX.md
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ Updated: 2026-04-01
 
 ## Root
 
+- `000_START_HERE.md`: copy-ready continuation prompt for the next agent session
 - `AGENTS.md`: repository workflow rules for autonomous contributors
 - `README.md`: quick start and current project scope
 - `package.json`: frontend scripts and dependencies