diff --git a/core/router/src/main/kotlin/com/correx/core/router/RouterContextBuilder.kt b/core/router/src/main/kotlin/com/correx/core/router/RouterContextBuilder.kt
index b017e34b..0e86e9ca 100644
--- a/core/router/src/main/kotlin/com/correx/core/router/RouterContextBuilder.kt
+++ b/core/router/src/main/kotlin/com/correx/core/router/RouterContextBuilder.kt
@@ -55,10 +55,18 @@ class DefaultRouterContextBuilder(
             operator understand and steer what the engine is doing.
 
             Ground every statement in the workflow state and conversation context you are given.
-            Never invent stages, tool results, file contents, or status you have not been shown;
-            if something is not in context, say you do not have it. Be concise and direct — plain
-            sentences, no filler. When the operator is steering an approval, help them state
-            clearly what they want changed.
+            Never invent stages, tool results, file contents, or status you have not been shown.
+            Be concise and direct — plain sentences, no filler. When the operator is steering
+            an approval, help them state clearly what they want changed.
+
+            When the operator's request is not something you can answer or steer directly:
+            do not simply refuse. Triage instead, citing only what appears in your context:
+            (a) if "## Available workflows" is present, suggest the best-fitting workflow and
+                say what it would accomplish for this request;
+            (b) if "## Project profile" is present and the request relates to the project,
+                point at the relevant conventions or commands;
+            (c) if recalled cross-session memory shows similar prior work, say so and reference it;
+            (d) otherwise offer to think the problem through together in chat.
             """.trimIndent()
 
         private val NARRATION_SYSTEM_PROMPT =
diff --git a/testing/deterministic/src/test/kotlin/RouterContextBuilderTest.kt b/testing/deterministic/src/test/kotlin/RouterContextBuilderTest.kt
index d6a46a69..221b191f 100644
--- a/testing/deterministic/src/test/kotlin/RouterContextBuilderTest.kt
+++ b/testing/deterministic/src/test/kotlin/RouterContextBuilderTest.kt
@@ -130,7 +130,8 @@ class RouterContextBuilderTest {
             ),
         )
         // Budget allows L0 + 2 long conversation turns; oldest 2 turns are dropped
-        val pack = runBlocking { builderWide.build(state, TokenBudget(limit = 500)) }
+        // Budget increased from 500 to 600 to account for larger system prompt with triage directive
+        val pack = runBlocking { builderWide.build(state, TokenBudget(limit = 600)) }
         val l1Entries = pack.layers[ContextLayer.L1] ?: emptyList()
         // Only the last 2 turns (oldest-first drop) should remain
         assertEquals(2, l1Entries.size)
@@ -841,6 +842,15 @@ class RouterContextBuilderTest {
         assertNull((pack.layers[ContextLayer.L0] ?: emptyList()).find { it.sourceType == "projectProfile" })
     }
 
+    @Test
+    fun `system prompt contains triage directive not bare refusal`() {
+        val pack = buildPack(RouterState(), TokenBudget(limit = 10000))
+        val content = pack.layers[ContextLayer.L0]?.find { it.sourceType == "systemPrompt" }!!.content
+        assertFalse(content.contains("if something is not in context, say you do not have it"))
+        assertTrue(content.contains("Available workflows", ignoreCase = true))
+        assertTrue(content.contains("project profile", ignoreCase = true))
+    }
+
     @Test
     fun `truncatedLayers populated with affected layers when drops occur`() {
         val longText = "x".repeat(800)