diff --git a/agent-tracker/cmd/tracker-mcp/main.go b/agent-tracker/cmd/tracker-mcp/main.go
index 61e9998..fbb0137 100644
--- a/agent-tracker/cmd/tracker-mcp/main.go
+++ b/agent-tracker/cmd/tracker-mcp/main.go
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ func main() {
 	}, func(ctx context.Context, _ *mcp.CallToolRequest, input startInput) (*mcp.CallToolResult, any, error) {
 		tmuxID := strings.TrimSpace(input.TmuxID)
 		if tmuxID == "" {
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("tmux_id is required")
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("tmux_id is required; pass session_id::window_id::pane_id (for example, $3::@12::%30)")
 		}
 		target, err := determineContext(tmuxID)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ func main() {
 	}, func(ctx context.Context, _ *mcp.CallToolRequest, input finishInput) (*mcp.CallToolResult, any, error) {
 		tmuxID := strings.TrimSpace(input.TmuxID)
 		if tmuxID == "" {
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("tmux_id is required")
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("tmux_id is required; pass session_id::window_id::pane_id (for example, $3::@12::%30)")
 		}
 		target, err := determineContext(tmuxID)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/codex/AGENTS.md b/codex/AGENTS.md
index 6b0390a..fc0962f 100644
--- a/codex/AGENTS.md
+++ b/codex/AGENTS.md
@@ -20,4 +20,6 @@ CRITICAL REQUIREMENT:
 3. When the response is ready (or you need clarification / are waiting), call `tracker_mark_respond_to_user`, then immediately send it. After that, do not call `tracker_mark_start_working` or `tracker_mark_respond_to_user` again until the user provides new work.
 If the response only requires a direct textual reply with no commands, file interactions, or web searches, skip both tracker calls.
 
+CRITICAL: If the user has not responded since your last `tracker_mark_respond_to_user` call, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT call `tracker_mark_start_working` or `tracker_mark_respond_to_user` again until the user provides new work.
+
 When invoking the tracker MCP tools, you must pass the exact tmux identifiers using the string format `session_id::window_id::pane_id` (two colons). Use the `TMUX_ID` value printed by `co` without modifications.