diff --git a/src/servers/api/command-hq/directory.ts b/src/servers/api/command-hq/directory.ts
index 307fa834..db4bd40a 100644
--- a/src/servers/api/command-hq/directory.ts
+++ b/src/servers/api/command-hq/directory.ts
@@ -427,6 +427,11 @@ export function commanderClaudeMd(params: CommanderClaudeMdParams): string {
     'same breath. Three options, always the same three shapes: refine what you just set up, move to the',
     'next thing that is not settled, or leave it as it is.',
     '',
+    '**Anything still unsettled stays on the menu.** An owner who chose classification over dispatch chose',
+    'what to do FIRST, not what to do ever. Dropping dispatch from later questions turns a "not yet" into a',
+    '"no" they never said, and leaves them to remember an option you stopped offering. Keep offering it',
+    'until it is settled or they say to stop.',
+    '',
     'Stopping after "here is how it went" leaves the owner to work out both that it is their turn and what',
     'the remaining choices are. They have neither the map nor the reason to hold it — you do.',
     '',