diff --git a/qa-only/SKILL.md b/qa-only/SKILL.md
index ff95a7910..f3519075f 100644
--- a/qa-only/SKILL.md
+++ b/qa-only/SKILL.md
@@ -554,10 +554,10 @@ Preserve the initial charters under **Charters** after that metadata, before fin
 
 Each proposed test carries a value card; propose it only when it passes this bar:
 
-**Test value bar.** Before writing the test (the reproduced bug answers what it protects and what makes it fail):
+**Test value bar.** Before writing or proposing a test, the reproduced bug already answers what it protects and what makes it fail; also answer:
 
-3. Why does existing coverage not already catch that? Prefer adding a row to an existing table-driven test or shared fixture over a near-duplicate.
-4. Does it need a production seam (export, flag, wrapper, injection hook) that no production caller needs? If yes, test at the real boundary instead.
+1. Why does existing coverage not already catch that? Prefer adding a row to an existing table-driven test or shared fixture over a near-duplicate.
+2. Does it need a production seam (export, flag, wrapper, injection hook) that no production caller needs? If yes, test at the real boundary instead.
 
 Value card: `Value: protects=<...>; fails_when=<...>; why_new=<...>; seam=none` (seam: `none` or its name); each field at most 160 UTF-8 bytes here (clamp to 157 plus `...`; JSON keeps full values). Put it in the 8e.5 record (/qa) or under each proposed test (/qa-only). A missing upstream card never blocks: derive it; ignore unknown fields.
 
diff --git a/qa/SKILL.md b/qa/SKILL.md
index ef409b146..82e992062 100644
--- a/qa/SKILL.md
+++ b/qa/SKILL.md
@@ -643,10 +643,10 @@ and unclear contracts never authorize repair.
 
 ### 8a.5. Regression test before repair
 
-**Test value bar.** Before writing the test (the reproduced bug answers what it protects and what makes it fail):
+**Test value bar.** Before writing or proposing a test, the reproduced bug already answers what it protects and what makes it fail; also answer:
 
-3. Why does existing coverage not already catch that? Prefer adding a row to an existing table-driven test or shared fixture over a near-duplicate.
-4. Does it need a production seam (export, flag, wrapper, injection hook) that no production caller needs? If yes, test at the real boundary instead.
+1. Why does existing coverage not already catch that? Prefer adding a row to an existing table-driven test or shared fixture over a near-duplicate.
+2. Does it need a production seam (export, flag, wrapper, injection hook) that no production caller needs? If yes, test at the real boundary instead.
 
 Value card: `Value: protects=<...>; fails_when=<...>; why_new=<...>; seam=none` (seam: `none` or its name); each field at most 160 UTF-8 bytes here (clamp to 157 plus `...`; JSON keeps full values). Put it in the 8e.5 record (/qa) or under each proposed test (/qa-only). A missing upstream card never blocks: derive it; ignore unknown fields.
 
diff --git a/scripts/resolvers/test-value.ts b/scripts/resolvers/test-value.ts
index b158b2578..4379ecbf3 100644
--- a/scripts/resolvers/test-value.ts
+++ b/scripts/resolvers/test-value.ts
@@ -118,8 +118,8 @@ const EXAMPLE_CARD = renderValueCard({
 const EXAMPLE_REJECTED = 'Rejected (covered_elsewhere): "checkout renders"; checkout.e2e.ts:15 covers it, so extend that test.';
 
 function questionList(mode: TestValueBarMode): string {
-  const numbered = QUESTIONS.map((question, index) => `${index + 1}. ${question}`);
-  return mode === 'qa' ? numbered.slice(2).join('\n') : numbered.join('\n');
+  const questions = mode === 'qa' ? QUESTIONS.slice(2) : QUESTIONS;
+  return questions.map((question, index) => `${index + 1}. ${question}`).join('\n');
 }
 
 function cardRules(mode: TestValueBarMode): string {
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ export function generateTestValueBar(_ctx: TemplateContext, args?: string[]): st
   const mode = args?.[0] as TestValueBarMode;
   if (!TEST_VALUE_BAR_MODES.includes(mode)) throw new Error(MESSAGES.unknownMode.message.replace('<x>', String(args?.[0])));
   const parts = [
-    `**Test value bar.** ${mode === 'qa' ? 'Before writing the test (the reproduced bug answers what it protects and what makes it fail):' : 'Propose or write a test only with all four answers; otherwise extend an existing test or drop it:'}`,
+    `**Test value bar.** ${mode === 'qa' ? 'Before writing or proposing a test, the reproduced bug already answers what it protects and what makes it fail; also answer:' : 'Propose or write a test only with all four answers; otherwise extend an existing test or drop it:'}`,
     questionList(mode),
     cardRules(mode),
   ];