diff --git a/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md b/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md
index 1cf7d548..42f13f69 100644
--- a/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md
+++ b/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md
@@ -94,14 +94,20 @@ fi
 echo "Install type: $INSTALL_TYPE at $INSTALL_DIR"
 ```
 
+The install type and directory path printed above will be used in all subsequent steps.
+
 ### Step 3: Save old version
 
+Use the install directory from Step 2's output below:
+
 ```bash
 OLD_VERSION=$(cat "$INSTALL_DIR/VERSION" 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 ```
 
 ### Step 4: Upgrade
 
+Use the install type and directory detected in Step 2:
+
 **For git installs** (global-git, local-git):
 ```bash
 cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
@@ -125,7 +131,7 @@ rm -rf "$INSTALL_DIR.bak" "$TMP_DIR"
 
 ### Step 4.5: Sync local vendored copy
 
-After upgrading the primary install, check if there's also a local copy in the current project that needs updating:
+Use the install directory from Step 2. Check if there's also a local vendored copy that needs updating:
 
 ```bash
 _ROOT=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null)
diff --git a/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md.tmpl b/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md.tmpl
index 4a124be1..a199db6c 100644
--- a/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md.tmpl
+++ b/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md.tmpl
@@ -92,14 +92,20 @@ fi
 echo "Install type: $INSTALL_TYPE at $INSTALL_DIR"
 ```
 
+The install type and directory path printed above will be used in all subsequent steps.
+
 ### Step 3: Save old version
 
+Use the install directory from Step 2's output below:
+
 ```bash
 OLD_VERSION=$(cat "$INSTALL_DIR/VERSION" 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 ```
 
 ### Step 4: Upgrade
 
+Use the install type and directory detected in Step 2:
+
 **For git installs** (global-git, local-git):
 ```bash
 cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
@@ -123,7 +129,7 @@ rm -rf "$INSTALL_DIR.bak" "$TMP_DIR"
 
 ### Step 4.5: Sync local vendored copy
 
-After upgrading the primary install, check if there's also a local copy in the current project that needs updating:
+Use the install directory from Step 2. Check if there's also a local vendored copy that needs updating:
 
 ```bash
 _ROOT=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null)