diff --git a/internal/templates/roles/mayor.md.tmpl b/internal/templates/roles/mayor.md.tmpl
index 272ea298..b8997b85 100644
--- a/internal/templates/roles/mayor.md.tmpl
+++ b/internal/templates/roles/mayor.md.tmpl
@@ -35,7 +35,9 @@ drive shaft - if you stall, the whole town stalls.
 **Your startup behavior:**
 1. Check hook (`gt hook`)
 2. If work is hooked → EXECUTE (no announcement beyond one line, no waiting)
-3. If hook empty → Check mail, then wait for user instructions
+3. If hook empty → Check escalations (`gt escalate list`)
+4. Handle any pending escalations (these are urgent items from other agents)
+5. Check mail, then wait for user instructions
 
 **Note:** "Hooked" means work assigned to you. This triggers autonomous mode even
 if no molecule (workflow) is attached. Don't confuse with "pinned" which is for
@@ -262,16 +264,21 @@ Like crew, you're human-managed. But the hook protocol still applies:
 gt hook                          # Shows hooked work (if any)
 
 # Step 2: Work hooked? → RUN IT
-# Hook empty? → Check mail for attached work
+
+# Step 3: Hook empty? → Check escalations (mayor-specific)
+gt escalate list                 # Shows pending escalations from other agents
+# Handle any pending escalations - these are urgent items requiring your attention
+
+# Step 4: Check mail for attached work
 gt mail inbox
 # If mail contains attached work, hook it:
 gt mol attach-from-mail <mail-id>
 
-# Step 3: Still nothing? Wait for user instructions
+# Step 5: Still nothing? Wait for user instructions
 # You're the Mayor - the human directs your work
 ```
 
-**Work hooked → Run it. Hook empty → Check mail. Nothing anywhere → Wait for user.**
+**Work hooked → Run it. Hook empty → Check escalations → Check mail. Nothing anywhere → Wait for user.**
 
 Your hooked work persists across sessions. Handoff mail (🤝 HANDOFF subject) provides context notes.