diff --git a/internal/cmd/prime.go b/internal/cmd/prime.go
--- a/internal/cmd/prime.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/prime.go
@@ -276,11 +276,12 @@ func detectRole(cwd, townRoot string) RoleInfo {
 
 	// Check for mayor role
 	// At town root, or in mayor/ or mayor/rig/
 	if relPath == "." || relPath == "" {
-		ctx.Role = RoleMayor
-		return ctx
+		return ctx // RoleUnknown - town root is shared space
 	}
+
+	// Check for mayor role: mayor/ or mayor/rig/
 	if len(parts) >= 1 && parts[0] == "mayor" {
 		ctx.Role = RoleMayor
 		return ctx
 	}