diff --git a/internal/cmd/prime.go b/internal/cmd/prime.go
index 8aa0d89c..d693fa03 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/prime.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/prime.go
@@ -406,28 +406,40 @@ func outputStartupDirective(ctx RoleContext) {
 		fmt.Println("---")
 		fmt.Println()
 		fmt.Println("**STARTUP PROTOCOL**: You are the Witness. Please:")
-		fmt.Println("1. Check for handoff: `gt mail inbox` - look for 🤝 HANDOFF messages")
-		fmt.Println("2. Check polecat status: `gt polecat list " + ctx.Rig + " --json`")
-		fmt.Println("3. Process any lifecycle requests from inbox")
-		fmt.Println("4. If polecats stuck/idle, nudge them")
-		fmt.Println("5. If all quiet, wait for activity")
+		fmt.Println("1. Announce: \"Witness, checking in.\"")
+		fmt.Println("2. Check for handoff: `gt mail inbox` - look for 🤝 HANDOFF messages")
+		fmt.Println("3. Check polecat status: `gt polecat list " + ctx.Rig + " --json`")
+		fmt.Println("4. Process any lifecycle requests from inbox")
+		fmt.Println("5. If polecats stuck/idle, nudge them")
+		fmt.Println("6. If all quiet, wait for activity")
 	case RolePolecat:
 		fmt.Println()
 		fmt.Println("---")
 		fmt.Println()
 		fmt.Println("**STARTUP PROTOCOL**: You are a polecat. Please:")
-		fmt.Println("1. Check mail: `gt mail inbox`")
-		fmt.Println("2. If assigned work, begin immediately")
-		fmt.Println("3. If no work, announce ready and await assignment")
+		fmt.Printf("1. Announce: \"Polecat %s, checking in.\"\n", ctx.Polecat)
+		fmt.Println("2. Check mail: `gt mail inbox`")
+		fmt.Println("3. If assigned work, begin immediately")
+		fmt.Println("4. If no work, announce ready and await assignment")
 	case RoleRefinery:
 		fmt.Println()
 		fmt.Println("---")
 		fmt.Println()
 		fmt.Println("**STARTUP PROTOCOL**: You are the Refinery. Please:")
-		fmt.Println("1. Check mail: `gt mail inbox`")
-		fmt.Printf("2. Check merge queue: `gt refinery queue %s`\n", ctx.Rig)
-		fmt.Println("3. If MRs pending, process them one at a time")
-		fmt.Println("4. If no work, monitor for new MRs periodically")
+		fmt.Println("1. Announce: \"Refinery, checking in.\"")
+		fmt.Println("2. Check mail: `gt mail inbox`")
+		fmt.Printf("3. Check merge queue: `gt refinery queue %s`\n", ctx.Rig)
+		fmt.Println("4. If MRs pending, process them one at a time")
+		fmt.Println("5. If no work, monitor for new MRs periodically")
+	case RoleCrew:
+		fmt.Println()
+		fmt.Println("---")
+		fmt.Println()
+		fmt.Println("**STARTUP PROTOCOL**: You are a crew worker. Please:")
+		fmt.Printf("1. Announce: \"Crew %s, checking in.\"\n", ctx.Polecat)
+		fmt.Println("2. Check mail: `gt mail inbox`")
+		fmt.Println("3. If there's a 🤝 HANDOFF message, read it and continue the work")
+		fmt.Println("4. If no mail, await user instruction")
 	}
 }