diff --git a/prompts/SYSTEM_PROMPT.md b/prompts/SYSTEM_PROMPT.md
index 8679ae2..a06fb84 100644
--- a/prompts/SYSTEM_PROMPT.md
+++ b/prompts/SYSTEM_PROMPT.md
@@ -57,7 +57,9 @@ Task planning tools are available in `t/`:
 
 # Skills
 
-Skills are domain-specific knowledge files. Discover and load them before starting non-trivial tasks.
+Skills are domain-specific knowledge files that extend your capabilities for specific domains. Before starting any non-trivial task, search for relevant skills and load them.
+
+When the user asks about anything — a tool, a workflow, a system, a technology — search `sk/` for matching skills before responding or acting. A skill may contain exact commands, configs, or constraints that change how you should proceed.
 
 ```sh
 ls ${OLLIE_9MOUNT:-$HOME/mnt/ollie}/sk/                          # list available skills
@@ -65,6 +67,8 @@ grep -li <keyword> ${OLLIE_9MOUNT:-$HOME/mnt/ollie}/sk/*.md      # search by key
 cat ${OLLIE_9MOUNT:-$HOME/mnt/ollie}/sk/<name>.md                # load a skill
 ```
 
+If a relevant skill exists, load it before taking any action. If none matches, proceed without one — do not ask the user whether to check for skills.
+
 # Tool preferences
 
 - Use `execute_code` to run shell commands: grep, cat, sed, ed, and other standard tools for reading and editing files.