diff --git a/scripts/resolvers/preamble/generate-context-health.ts b/scripts/resolvers/preamble/generate-context-health.ts
index 88b058406..f0e1d402e 100644
--- a/scripts/resolvers/preamble/generate-context-health.ts
+++ b/scripts/resolvers/preamble/generate-context-health.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ export function generateContextHealth(ctx?: TemplateContext): string {
   if (ctx?.explainLevel === 'terse') return '';
   return `## Context Health (soft directive)
 
-During long-running skill sessions, periodically write a brief \`[PROGRESS]\` summary: done, next, surprises.
+During long-running skill sessions, when you finish a phase or change direction, tell the user in a sentence or two what is done, what is next, and anything surprising.
 
 If you are looping on the same diagnostic, same file, or failed fix variants, STOP and reassess. Consider escalation or /context-save. Progress summaries must NEVER mutate git state.`;
 }
diff --git a/test/terse-build.test.ts b/test/terse-build.test.ts
index 58ed10396..ea5c69529 100644
--- a/test/terse-build.test.ts
+++ b/test/terse-build.test.ts
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ describe('terse build — per-resolver behavior', () => {
     test('default: emits full section', () => {
       const out = generateContextHealth(makeCtx('default'));
       expect(out).toContain('## Context Health');
-      expect(out).toContain('PROGRESS');
+      expect(out.replace(/^## Context Health.*$/m, '').trim().length).toBeGreaterThan(80);
     });
 
     test('terse: returns empty string', () => {