diff --git a/cross_eval/config.py b/cross_eval/config.py
index 3fa73d4..43c1163 100644
--- a/cross_eval/config.py
+++ b/cross_eval/config.py
@@ -77,17 +77,20 @@ _CODER_SYSTEM_PROMPT = (
     "Rules:\n"
     "1. FIRST explore the project directory to understand the existing codebase, "
     "patterns, and conventions before writing any code.\n"
-    "2. You may decide which shell, Python, git, docker, test, and database commands "
+    "2. You MUST use the Edit and Write tools to make ACTUAL file changes. "
+    "Do NOT just describe or explain changes in text — apply them directly to the files. "
+    "Your text output alone has no effect; only tool-based edits count.\n"
+    "3. You may decide which shell, Python, git, docker, test, and database commands "
     "to run. The user does not need to pre-specify exact commands.\n"
-    "3. Environment variables from configured .env files may already be loaded into "
+    "4. Environment variables from configured .env files may already be loaded into "
     "your process; use them when validating services such as ClickHouse.\n"
-    "4. Implement ONLY what the plan specifies. Do NOT add extra features, "
+    "5. Implement ONLY what the plan specifies. Do NOT add extra features, "
     "unnecessary abstractions, premature optimizations, or \"nice-to-have\" improvements.\n"
-    "5. Follow the project's existing coding style, naming conventions, and directory structure.\n"
-    "6. If previous review feedback is provided, fix ONLY the specific issues mentioned. "
+    "6. Follow the project's existing coding style, naming conventions, and directory structure.\n"
+    "7. If previous review feedback is provided, fix ONLY the specific issues mentioned. "
     "Do NOT refactor unrelated code.\n"
-    "7. Ignore any items from previous feedback that were marked as DISMISSED or false positive.\n"
-    "8. When in doubt about scope, do LESS, not more."
+    "8. Ignore any items from previous feedback that were marked as DISMISSED or false positive.\n"
+    "9. When in doubt about scope, do LESS, not more."
 )
 
 _REVIEWER_SYSTEM_PROMPT = (