diff --git a/internal/cmd/crew_at.go b/internal/cmd/crew_at.go
index e32f94f3..2a83beca 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/crew_at.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/crew_at.go
@@ -103,7 +103,10 @@ func runCrewAt(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	runtimeConfig := config.LoadRuntimeConfig(r.Path)
-	_ = runtime.EnsureSettingsForRole(worker.ClonePath, "crew", runtimeConfig)
+	if err := runtime.EnsureSettingsForRole(worker.ClonePath, "crew", runtimeConfig); err != nil {
+		// Non-fatal but log warning - missing settings can cause agents to start without hooks
+		style.PrintWarning("could not ensure settings for %s: %v", name, err)
+	}
 
 	// Check if session exists
 	t := tmux.NewTmux()
diff --git a/internal/session/startup.go b/internal/session/startup.go
index 0d67ef3f..e22096e0 100644
--- a/internal/session/startup.go
+++ b/internal/session/startup.go
@@ -81,5 +81,13 @@ func FormatStartupNudge(cfg StartupNudgeConfig) string {
 		beacon += "\n\nWork is on your hook. Run `gt hook` now and begin immediately."
 	}
 
+	// For start/restart, add fallback instructions in case SessionStart hook fails
+	// to inject context via gt prime. This prevents the "No recent activity" state
+	// where agents sit idle because they received only metadata, no instructions.
+	// See: gt-uoc64 (crew workers starting without proper context injection)
+	if cfg.Topic == "start" || cfg.Topic == "restart" {
+		beacon += "\n\nRun `gt prime` now for full context, then check your hook and mail."
+	}
+
 	return beacon
 }
diff --git a/internal/session/startup_test.go b/internal/session/startup_test.go
index 35b7a9ea..a1e05b7a 100644
--- a/internal/session/startup_test.go
+++ b/internal/session/startup_test.go
@@ -86,6 +86,35 @@ func TestFormatStartupNudge(t *testing.T) {
 				"ready",
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			name: "start includes fallback instructions",
+			cfg: StartupNudgeConfig{
+				Recipient: "beads/crew/fang",
+				Sender:    "human",
+				Topic:     "start",
+			},
+			wantSub: []string{
+				"[GAS TOWN]",
+				"beads/crew/fang",
+				"<- human",
+				"start",
+				"gt prime", // fallback instruction for when SessionStart hook fails
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "restart includes fallback instructions",
+			cfg: StartupNudgeConfig{
+				Recipient: "gastown/crew/george",
+				Sender:    "human",
+				Topic:     "restart",
+			},
+			wantSub: []string{
+				"[GAS TOWN]",
+				"gastown/crew/george",
+				"restart",
+				"gt prime", // fallback instruction for when SessionStart hook fails
+			},
+		},
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {