diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e22d27c..2c948ed 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -59,7 +59,10 @@ scripts/analytics/node_modules/
 scripts/analytics/build/
 
 # --- session/local state ---
-# STATE.md is intentionally TRACKED (global continuity rule supersedes the old polyrepo gitignore convention)
+# STATE.md is LOCAL-ONLY (gitignored): no private remote exists and STATE must
+# never reach the public open/ mirror. Deliberate deviation from the global
+# "STATE tracked" rule, justified by the absence of any private remote.
+STATE.md
 REMEMBER.md
 ROADMAP.md
 TODO.md
diff --git a/assets/examples/high-engagement-posts.md b/assets/examples/high-engagement-posts.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0da1b71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/examples/high-engagement-posts.md
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+# High-Engagement Posts Collection
+
+Store your top-performing posts here for pattern analysis. Add 5-10 of your best posts to identify what consistently works for YOUR audience.
+
+> **Placeholder seed.** Your real, per-user collection lives in your external data
+> dir (`~/.claude/linkedin-studio/examples/high-engagement-posts.md`). Replace the
+> example structure below with your own posts.
+
+## How to Use This File
+
+After each successful post (high engagement relative to your baseline):
+
+1. Add a new `## Post N` section (where N is a number) per saved post
+2. Note engagement metrics and timing
+3. Analyze WHY it worked (hook, angle, timing, CTA)
+4. Document the replicable pattern
+
+Claude studies these to learn your successful patterns and apply them to new content.
+
+## Entry Format
+
+Each saved post is one `## Post N` section with these fields:
+
+- **Posted:** date, time, timezone
+- **Engagement:** likes / comments / shares
+- **Reach:** impressions and engagement rate
+- **The Post:** the full post text
+- **Why It Worked:** hook, angle, timing, CTA
+- **Pattern to Replicate:** the elements you want to reuse
+
+(Add your first `## Post N` section above this line once you have a high performer.)
+
+## Patterns Across All High-Performing Posts
+
+**Common Elements:**
+
+- [ ] [Element you notice across your best posts]
+- [ ] [Element 2]
+
+**Audience Preferences (What YOUR Audience Responds To):**
+
+- Format: [Your best-performing format]
+- Length: [Your best-performing length]
+- Tone: [Your best-performing tone]
+- CTAs: [What drives replies for you]
+
+**Topics That Resonate:**
+
+1. [Topic]
+2. [Topic]
+
+**Best Posting Times (Based on YOUR Data):**
+
+- Primary: [Time]
+- Secondary: [Time]
+- Avoid: [Time]
+
+## Update Log
+
+- [Date]: [What you added or learned]