diff --git a/.github/workflows/README.md b/.github/workflows/README.md
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index 0000000..09ce573
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+++ b/.github/workflows/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# GitHub Actions workflows
+
+This table is a quick guide to the workflows in this directory. The `Audits`
+workflow's seven `run-audits` jobs are the required merge checks listed in the
+active `Protect main` repository ruleset. Other workflow runs are informative
+or conditional; their presence alone does not make them merge requirements.
+
+| Workflow | Trigger | Merge gate | Script or action |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| [Audits](audits.yml) | Push to `main`; pull requests | Required: `run-audits` matrix | `fair.py` and `unfair.py` for each audit; conditional profiler and benchmark-harness checks |
+| [Benchmark diff](benchmark-diff.yml) | Pull requests; manual dispatch; `rerun-benchmark` label | Informational; full rerun opt-in | `scripts/diff_results.py` and benchmark CLI |
+| [Build Explainers](build-explainers.yml) | Push to `main`; pull requests matching documentation paths | Informational | `scripts/build_explainers.py`, `scripts/generate_og_images.py`, and generated-file checks |
+| [Validate CITATION.cff](citation.yml) | Push or pull request changing `CITATION.cff` | Informational | `citation-file-format/cffconvert-github-action` |
+| [CODEOWNERS Access](codeowners-access.yml) | Changes to `.github/CODEOWNERS`; weekly schedule; manual dispatch | Informational | `actions/github-script` checks declared owners' access |
+| [CodeQL](codeql.yml) | Push or pull request to `main`; weekly schedule | Informational | GitHub CodeQL actions |
+| [External links](external-links.yml) | Weekly schedule; manual dispatch | Informational | `scripts/check_external_links.py` |
+| [Favicons](favicons.yml) | Changes to the logo or favicon generator | Informational | `scripts/generate_favicons.py` |
+| [First Interaction](first.interaction.yml) | New issue opened | Informational | `actions/github-script` sends the first-contributor greeting |
+| [lint](lint.yml) | Push; pull request | Informational | `make lint` and `scripts/check_issue_refs.py` |
+| [PR Review Ping](pr-review-ping.yml) | Pull request opened or reopened | Informational | `actions/github-script` notifies path owners |
+| [Traction vs GitHub](traction-live.yml) | Weekly schedule; manual dispatch | Informational | `scripts/check_traction.py --live` |
+| [Validate workflow YAML](validate-workflow.yml) | Push or pull request changing workflow files | Informational | PyYAML validates workflow YAML |
+
+The repository ruleset is the source of truth for required checks; update the
+merge-gate column if that policy changes.
diff --git a/tests/test_workflow_docs.py b/tests/test_workflow_docs.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ec4262
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+++ b/tests/test_workflow_docs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import re
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+WORKFLOW_DIR = ROOT / ".github" / "workflows"
+WORKFLOW_DOC = WORKFLOW_DIR / "README.md"
+
+
+def test_workflow_reference_documents_every_workflow_file():
+    rows = [line for line in WORKFLOW_DOC.read_text().splitlines() if line.startswith("|")]
+    assert rows[0] == "| Workflow | Trigger | Merge gate | Script or action |"
+    documented = set(re.findall(r"\]\(([^)]+\.ya?ml)\)", "\n".join(rows)))
+    actual = {
+        path.name
+        for path in WORKFLOW_DIR.iterdir()
+        if path.suffix in {".yml", ".yaml"} and path != WORKFLOW_DOC
+    }
+
+    assert documented == actual