diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index ed8abc0..ebc89b9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -127,4 +127,4 @@ jobs:
           ### Changes
           See [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) for details.
         draft: false
-        prerelease: ${{ contains(github.ref, 'alpha') || contains(github.ref, 'beta') || contains(github.ref, 'rc') }}
\ No newline at end of file
+        prerelease: ${{ contains(github.ref, 'alpha') || contains(github.ref, 'beta') || contains(github.ref, 'rc') }}
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1faeaac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+# CLAUDE.md
+
+This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.
+
+## Project Overview
+
+Commerce Operations Foundation MCP Server - implements the Order Network eXchange Standard (onX) providing a standardized interface between AI agents and fulfillment systems via the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+/server          - Core MCP server implementation (main development here)
+/adapter-template - Template for creating custom fulfillment adapters
+/schemas         - JSON Schema definitions for domain models
+/backends        - Backend-specific capability manifests
+/docs            - Specification and integration guides
+```
+
+## Development Commands
+
+All primary development happens in `/server`. Run these from the `server/` directory:
+
+```bash
+# Build
+npm run build          # Compile TypeScript
+npm run dev            # Run with hot reload (vite-node)
+npm start              # Run production build
+
+# Test
+npm test               # Build + run all tests
+npm run test:unit      # Unit tests only
+npm run test:integration  # Integration tests
+npx vitest tests/unit/adapters/adapter-factory.test.ts  # Single test file
+npx vitest tests/unit --grep "pattern"                  # Tests matching pattern
+
+# Quality
+npm run lint           # ESLint
+npm run format         # Prettier
+npm run typecheck      # Type checking
+```
+
+For adapter development (`adapter-template/`):
+```bash
+npm run build          # tsc
+npm run dev            # tsc --watch
+npm test               # Jest with ES modules
+```
+
+## Architecture
+
+### MCP Server (server/)
+
+Three-layer architecture:
+1. **Protocol Layer** - MCP SDK integration, stdio transport, request routing
+2. **Service Layer** - `ServiceOrchestrator` facade, `AdapterManager`, health monitoring, validation
+3. **Adapter Layer** - `AdapterFactory` with dynamic loading (built-in, NPM, or local adapters)
+
+**Tools**: 5 action tools + 7 query tools defined in `src/tools/`, registered via `registerTools()` in `ToolRegistry`
+
+**Configuration**: Environment variables override config file which overrides defaults. Key vars: `ADAPTER_TYPE`, `ADAPTER_NAME/PACKAGE/PATH`, `LOG_LEVEL`
+
+See [server/CLAUDE.md](server/CLAUDE.md) for detailed server architecture.
+
+### ES Module Requirements
+
+- All imports use `.js` extension
+- `type: "module"` in package.json
+- Use `import`/`export`, not `require`
+
+---
+
+# MCP Server Principles
+
+The MCP server acts as an adapter between a generic tool schema and a concrete backend. It does not implement business logic, does not infer missing data, and remains fully backend-agnostic.
+
+---
+
+## Core Principles
+
+### 1. Backend-Agnostic Behavior
+
+- The MCP server must not assume or enforce backend-specific requirements.
+- It implements only the tool specification and passes requests/responses through.
+- It performs no additional validation beyond the minimal schema validation defined by the MCP tool.
+
+### 2. No Business Logic Inside the MCP Server
+
+- The MCP server must not fill in missing fields.
+- It must not generate placeholder values (e.g., "Unknown", "N/A").
+- It must not attempt to "fix" or "repair" incomplete requests.
+- It must not apply heuristics to guess user intent or missing data.
+
+### 3. Transparent Error Propagation
+
+- Backend errors must be returned to the agent exactly as received.
+- The MCP server must not modify, hide, or reinterpret backend errors.
+- The agent is responsible for asking the user for missing information.
+
+---
+
+## Error Handling Philosophy
+
+### Behavior When Required Fields Are Missing
+
+If the backend requires additional fields (e.g., `customerName`) that are not mandatory in the MCP schema:
+
+1. The MCP server forwards the request unchanged to the backend.
+2. The backend returns an error.
+3. The MCP server returns this error unchanged to the agent.
+4. The agent asks the user for the missing information.
+
+### General Error Handling Rules
+
+- The MCP server must propagate backend errors transparently.
+- It must never attempt to repair or complete invalid requests.
+- Backend-specific error codes and messages should pass through unchanged.
+
+---
+
+## Capability Definition
+
+Each backend integration must define its own **capability manifest** that specifies:
+
+1. **Actions** (write operations) - Methods that modify state
+2. **Queries** (read operations) - Methods that retrieve data without side effects
+3. **Error documentation** - Backend-specific error handling rules
+
+See the `backends/` directory for backend-specific capability definitions.
+
+---
+
+## Usage Rules for Claude
+
+These rules apply to all MCP server integrations:
+
+- Claude MUST use only the methods defined in the backend's capability manifest.
+- Claude MUST NOT invent new methods or assume additional capabilities.
+- Claude MUST choose the correct method based on user intent (read vs. write).
+- Claude MUST follow all error-handling rules defined in the backend's error documentation.
+- Claude MUST NOT attempt to bypass the MCP server or call backend endpoints directly.
+
+---
+
+## Backend Integrations
+
+| Backend | Capability Manifest |
+|---------|---------------------|
+| [your-backend] | [backends/your-backend/CAPABILITIES.md](backends/your-backend/CAPABILITIES.md) |
+
+> To add a new backend, create a new directory under `backends/` with a `CAPABILITIES.md` file following the same structure.
diff --git a/backends/README.md b/backends/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea35486
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backends/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# Backend Integrations
+
+This directory contains backend-specific capability definitions for the MCP server.
+
+## Structure
+
+Each backend has its own directory containing:
+
+```
+backends/
+├── README.md                    # This file
+└── [your-backend]/              # Your backend
+    └── CAPABILITIES.md          # Capability manifest
+```
+
+## Adding a New Backend
+
+1. Create a new directory under `backends/` with your backend name
+2. Create a `CAPABILITIES.md` file following this structure:
+
+```markdown
+# [Backend Name] Backend Capabilities
+
+## Canonical Tool List
+[List all supported methods]
+
+### Actions (Write Operations)
+[Methods that modify state]
+
+### Queries (Read Operations)
+[Methods that retrieve data]
+
+## Usage Rules for Claude
+[Backend-specific usage guidelines]
+
+## Error Documentation
+[Links to error handling documentation]
+```
+
+3. Update the "Backend Integrations" table in the root `CLAUDE.md`
+
+## Principles
+
+All backend integrations must follow the generic MCP adapter principles defined in [CLAUDE.md](../CLAUDE.md):
+
+- Backend-agnostic behavior
+- No business logic in the adapter
+- Transparent error propagation
diff --git a/backends/your-backend/CAPABILITIES.md b/backends/your-backend/CAPABILITIES.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1f2b2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backends/your-backend/CAPABILITIES.md
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+# [Your Backend] Capabilities
+
+This document defines the MCP server capabilities for your backend integration.
+It follows the generic MCP adapter principles defined in [CLAUDE.md](../../CLAUDE.md).
+
+---
+
+## Canonical Tool List
+
+These operations define the full surface area of the MCP specification for this backend integration.
+
+The MCP server MUST NOT introduce additional methods, rename existing ones, or change their semantics.
+Each method maps directly to a backend functionality, e.g. API endpoints as described below.
+
+---
+
+### Actions (Write Operations)
+
+These operations modify state in the backend.
+Claude should use them only when the user explicitly requests a state-changing operation.
+
+- **createSalesOrder(input)**
+  Maps to: `POST /api/orders`
+  Creates a new sales order in the backend.
+
+- **cancelOrder(input)**
+  Maps to: `POST /api/orders/:id/cancel`
+  Cancels an existing order.
+
+- **updateOrder(input)**
+  Maps to: `PATCH /api/orders/:id`
+  Updates fields of an existing order.
+
+> Note: Additional action methods may be implemented in future iterations.
+
+---
+
+### Queries (Read Operations)
+
+These operations retrieve data from the backend and MUST NOT modify state.
+
+- **getOrders(input)**
+  Maps to: `GET /api/orders/:id`
+  Retrieves order details.
+
+> Note: Additional query methods may be implemented in future iterations.
+
+---
+
+## Usage Rules for Claude
+
+- Claude MUST use these methods as the only valid tool interface for interacting with this backend.
+- Claude MUST NOT invent new methods or assume additional capabilities.
+- Claude MUST choose the correct method based on user intent (read vs. write).
+- Claude MUST follow all error-handling rules defined in the linked error documentation.
+- Claude MUST NOT attempt to bypass the MCP server or call backend endpoints directly.
+
+---
+
+## Error Documentation
+
+The MCP server must propagate backend errors transparently and never attempt to repair or complete invalid requests.
+
+| Operation | Error Reference |
+|-----------|-----------------|
+| Create order | [Link to error documentation] |
+| Cancel order | [Link to error documentation] |
+| Update order | [Link to error documentation] |
+| Get order | [Link to error documentation] |
+
+> Note: Replace these with links to your actual error documentation.
+
+---
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- [Link to your backend API documentation]
+- [Link to authentication documentation]
+- [Link to additional resources]