diff --git a/DEPLOY.md b/DEPLOY.md
index cf3d5b8..e2579e0 100644
--- a/DEPLOY.md
+++ b/DEPLOY.md
@@ -84,6 +84,12 @@ sudo -u fenja git clone ssh://git@git.fenja.ai:2222/joh/project-bifrost-platform
      /opt/bifrost-portal
 ```
 
+> **Keep the git checkouts separate.** This portal (`project-bifrost-platform`)
+> and the existing apps (`/opt/fenja`, `/opt/bifrost-customer`) are independent
+> git projects with their own remotes. `/opt/bifrost-portal` is a self-contained
+> checkout — never nest it inside another app's tree, never point its remote at
+> theirs, and only ever run `scripts/deploy.sh` from inside `/opt/bifrost-portal`.
+
 ## 4. Environment file
 
 ```bash