diff --git a/test/skill-e2e-office-hours-phase4.test.ts b/test/skill-e2e-office-hours-phase4.test.ts
index 7f2481cc..adc7c25c 100644
--- a/test/skill-e2e-office-hours-phase4.test.ts
+++ b/test/skill-e2e-office-hours-phase4.test.ts
@@ -35,8 +35,12 @@ import * as os from 'os';
 
 const evalCollector = createEvalCollector('e2e-office-hours-phase4');
 
-// Format predicates — same shape as skill-e2e-plan-format.test.ts.
-const RECOMMENDATION_RE = /[Rr]ecommendation:[*\s]*Choose/;
+// Format predicates. The strict `Recommendation:[*\s]*Choose` regex used by
+// skill-e2e-plan-format pins down a specific template-example wording ("Choose
+// [X]"). The format spec at scripts/resolvers/preamble/generate-ask-user-format.ts
+// only requires `Recommendation: <choice> because <reason>` — `<choice>` can
+// be the bare option label. judgeRecommendation.present (deterministic) checks
+// this canonical shape correctly; we don't need a redundant strict regex here.
 const BECAUSE_RE = /\bbecause\b/i;
 // At least 2 numbered/lettered options (A/B or 1/2). Office-hours Phase 4 says
 // "2-3 distinct alternatives," so 2+ is the minimum bar.
@@ -123,8 +127,8 @@ After writing the file with that ONE Phase 4 question, stop. Do not continue to
     const captured = fs.readFileSync(outFile, 'utf-8');
     expect(captured.length).toBeGreaterThan(100);
 
-    // Format-spec compliance.
-    expect(captured).toMatch(RECOMMENDATION_RE);
+    // Format-spec compliance. judgeRecommendation below covers the
+    // Recommendation: line itself; these regexes catch cheap structural shape.
     expect(captured).toMatch(BECAUSE_RE);
     expect(captured).toMatch(TWO_OPTIONS_RE);
     // Phase-4 specificity: prevents a stray earlier-phase AUQ from false-passing.
diff --git a/test/skill-e2e-plan-format.test.ts b/test/skill-e2e-plan-format.test.ts
index a2f65c85..4038afa3 100644
--- a/test/skill-e2e-plan-format.test.ts
+++ b/test/skill-e2e-plan-format.test.ts
@@ -34,11 +34,13 @@ import * as os from 'os';
 const evalCollector = createEvalCollector('e2e-plan-format');
 
 // Regex predicates applied to captured AskUserQuestion content.
-// RECOMMENDATION regex is lenient on intervening markdown markers (e.g.
-// agent writes `**RECOMMENDATION:** Choose` — the `**` closers are benign).
-// Post v1.7.0.0: "Recommendation:" (mixed-case) is the canonical form per
-// the Pros/Cons format; accept both cases for backward compatibility.
-const RECOMMENDATION_RE = /[Rr]ecommendation:[*\s]*Choose/;
+// Recommendation-line presence + substance is now graded by judgeRecommendation
+// (deterministic regex for present/commits/has_because, Haiku for substance);
+// the prior strict `[Rr]ecommendation:[*\s]*Choose` regex pinned down a
+// template-example wording ("Choose [X]") that the format spec doesn't require
+// — the canonical form per generate-ask-user-format.ts is just
+// `Recommendation: <choice> because <reason>`, where <choice> is the bare
+// option label. judgeRecommendation.present covers the canonical shape.
 const COMPLETENESS_RE = /Completeness:\s*\d{1,2}\/10/;
 const KIND_NOTE_RE = /options differ in kind/i;
 
@@ -142,9 +144,8 @@ After writing the file, stop. Do not continue the review.`,
     const captured = fs.readFileSync(outFile, 'utf-8');
     expect(captured.length).toBeGreaterThan(100);
 
-    // Kind-differentiated: RECOMMENDATION required, Completeness: N/10 must NOT appear,
-    // "options differ in kind" note must appear.
-    expect(captured).toMatch(RECOMMENDATION_RE);
+    // Kind-differentiated: Completeness: N/10 must NOT appear, "options differ
+    // in kind" note must appear. Recommendation presence is checked by the judge.
     expect(captured).not.toMatch(COMPLETENESS_RE);
     expect(captured).toMatch(KIND_NOTE_RE);
 
@@ -212,8 +213,8 @@ After writing the file, stop. Do not continue the review.`,
     const captured = fs.readFileSync(outFile, 'utf-8');
     expect(captured.length).toBeGreaterThan(100);
 
-    // Coverage-differentiated: both RECOMMENDATION and Completeness: N/10 required.
-    expect(captured).toMatch(RECOMMENDATION_RE);
+    // Coverage-differentiated: Completeness: N/10 required. Recommendation
+    // presence checked by the judge.
     expect(captured).toMatch(COMPLETENESS_RE);
 
     const recScore = await judgeRecommendation(captured);
@@ -281,8 +282,8 @@ After writing the file with that ONE question, stop. Do not continue the review.
     const captured = fs.readFileSync(outFile, 'utf-8');
     expect(captured.length).toBeGreaterThan(100);
 
-    // Coverage-differentiated: both RECOMMENDATION and Completeness: N/10 required.
-    expect(captured).toMatch(RECOMMENDATION_RE);
+    // Coverage-differentiated: Completeness: N/10 required. Recommendation
+    // presence checked by the judge.
     expect(captured).toMatch(COMPLETENESS_RE);
 
     const recScore = await judgeRecommendation(captured);
@@ -347,9 +348,8 @@ After writing the file with that ONE question, stop. Do not continue the review.
     const captured = fs.readFileSync(outFile, 'utf-8');
     expect(captured.length).toBeGreaterThan(100);
 
-    // Kind-differentiated: RECOMMENDATION required, Completeness: N/10 must NOT appear,
-    // "options differ in kind" note must appear.
-    expect(captured).toMatch(RECOMMENDATION_RE);
+    // Kind-differentiated: Completeness: N/10 must NOT appear, "options differ
+    // in kind" note must appear. Recommendation presence checked by the judge.
     expect(captured).not.toMatch(COMPLETENESS_RE);
     expect(captured).toMatch(KIND_NOTE_RE);