diff --git a/codex/SKILL.md.tmpl b/codex/SKILL.md.tmpl
index 9d45b5a39..028587f92 100644
--- a/codex/SKILL.md.tmpl
+++ b/codex/SKILL.md.tmpl
@@ -108,10 +108,6 @@ The probe multi-signal auth logic accepts: `$CODEX_API_KEY` set, `$OPENAI_API_KE
 set, or `${CODEX_HOME:-~/.codex}/auth.json` exists. Avoids false-negatives for
 env-auth users (CI, platform engineers) that file-only checks would reject.
 
-**Update the known-bad list** in `bin/gstack-codex-probe` when a new Codex CLI version
-regresses. Current entries (`0.120.0`, `0.120.1`, `0.120.2`) trace to the stdin
-deadlock fixed in #972.
-
 ---
 
 ## Step 0.6: Resolve portable roots
@@ -190,7 +186,7 @@ mode sections.
 ## Synthesis recommendation (REQUIRED) — all modes
 
 Every mode ends by emitting ONE synthesis recommendation line after presenting
-Codex's verbatim output, in the canonical format the AskUserQuestion judge grades:
+Codex's verbatim output, in this format:
 
 ```
 Recommendation: <action> because <one-line reason that names the most actionable finding>
diff --git a/codex/sections/challenge-mode.md.tmpl b/codex/sections/challenge-mode.md.tmpl
index ee51379c4..e63db70da 100644
--- a/codex/sections/challenge-mode.md.tmpl
+++ b/codex/sections/challenge-mode.md.tmpl
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ Tokens: N | Est. cost: ~$X.XX
 
 3a. **Synthesis recommendation (REQUIRED).** After presenting the full
 adversarial output, emit ONE recommendation line summarizing what the user
-should do, in the canonical format the AskUserQuestion judge grades:
+should do, in this format:
 
 ```
 Recommendation: <action> because <one-line reason that names the most exploitable finding>
diff --git a/codex/sections/consult-mode.md.tmpl b/codex/sections/consult-mode.md.tmpl
index aa668a111..59b71c6be 100644
--- a/codex/sections/consult-mode.md.tmpl
+++ b/codex/sections/consult-mode.md.tmpl
@@ -193,8 +193,8 @@ Session saved — run /codex again to continue this conversation.
    "Note: Claude Code disagrees on X because Y."
 
 8. **Synthesis recommendation (REQUIRED).** Emit ONE recommendation line
-summarizing what the user should do based on Codex's consult output, in the
-canonical format the AskUserQuestion judge grades:
+summarizing what the user should do based on Codex's consult output, in this
+format:
 
 ```
 Recommendation: <action> because <one-line reason that names the most actionable insight from Codex>
diff --git a/codex/sections/review-mode.md.tmpl b/codex/sections/review-mode.md.tmpl
index 7a821055b..855abad66 100644
--- a/codex/sections/review-mode.md.tmpl
+++ b/codex/sections/review-mode.md.tmpl
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ GATE: UNVERIFIED (Codex completed and tagged nothing; read the output above)
 
 5a. **Synthesis recommendation (REQUIRED).** After presenting Codex's verbatim
 output and the GATE verdict, emit ONE recommendation line summarizing what the
-user should do, in the canonical format the AskUserQuestion judge grades:
+user should do, in this format:
 
 ```
 Recommendation: <action> because <one-line reason that names the most actionable finding>