diff --git a/cron/scheduler.py b/cron/scheduler.py
index e4299836..a03f00b7 100644
--- a/cron/scheduler.py
+++ b/cron/scheduler.py
@@ -236,11 +236,12 @@ def _build_job_prompt(job: dict) -> str:
     # Always prepend [SILENT] guidance so the cron agent can suppress
     # delivery when it has nothing new or noteworthy to report.
     silent_hint = (
-        "[SYSTEM: If you have nothing new or noteworthy to report, respond "
-        "with exactly \"[SILENT]\" (optionally followed by a brief internal "
-        "note). This suppresses delivery to the user while still saving "
-        "output locally. Only use [SILENT] when there are genuinely no "
-        "changes worth reporting.]\n\n"
+        "[SYSTEM: If you have a meaningful status report or findings, "
+        "send them — that is the whole point of this job. Only respond "
+        "with exactly \"[SILENT]\" (nothing else) when there is genuinely "
+        "nothing new to report. [SILENT] suppresses delivery to the user. "
+        "Never combine [SILENT] with content — either report your "
+        "findings normally, or say [SILENT] and nothing more.]\n\n"
     )
     prompt = silent_hint + prompt
     if skills is None: