diff --git a/internal/agent/systemprompt.go b/internal/agent/systemprompt.go
index 031bfc1ad..711e554f0 100644
--- a/internal/agent/systemprompt.go
+++ b/internal/agent/systemprompt.go
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ func buildSkillsSection(skillsSummary string, hasSkillSearch, hasSkillManage boo
 			"## Skills (mandatory)",
 			"",
 			"Before replying, scan `<available_skills>` below.",
-			"If a skill clearly applies, read its SKILL.md at the `<location>` path with `read_file`, then follow it.",
+			"If a skill clearly applies, read its SKILL.md at the `<location>` path with `read_file` (use the EXACT absolute path provided), then follow it.",
 			"If multiple could apply, choose the most specific one. Never read more than one skill up front.",
 			"If none apply, proceed normally.",
 			"",
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ func buildSkillsSection(skillsSummary string, hasSkillSearch, hasSkillManage boo
 			"Before replying, check if a skill applies:",
 			"1. Run `skill_search` with **English keywords** describing the domain (e.g. \"weather\", \"translate\", \"github\").",
 			"   Even if the user writes in another language, always search in English.",
-			"2. If a match is found, read its SKILL.md at the returned `location` with `read_file`, then follow it.",
+			"2. If a match is found, read its SKILL.md at the returned `location` with `read_file` (use the EXACT absolute path provided), then follow it.",
 			"3. If multiple skills match, choose the most specific one. Never read more than one skill up front.",
 			"4. If no match, proceed normally.",
 			"",
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ func buildSkillsSection(skillsSummary string, hasSkillSearch, hasSkillManage boo
 func buildWorkspaceSection(workspace string, sandboxEnabled bool, containerDir string) []string {
 	// Matching TS: when sandboxed, display container workdir; add guidance about host paths for file tools.
 	displayDir := workspace
-	guidance := "All file tool paths resolve relative to this directory. Use relative paths (e.g. \"docs/notes.md\", \".\") — do not guess absolute paths."
+	guidance := "All file tool paths resolve relative to this directory. Use relative paths (e.g. \"docs/notes.md\", \".\") for your own files. For skills, use the EXACT absolute path provided."
 	if sandboxEnabled && containerDir != "" {
 		displayDir = containerDir
 		guidance = fmt.Sprintf(
diff --git a/internal/tools/skill_search.go b/internal/tools/skill_search.go
index ec2e55c73..271e83390 100644
--- a/internal/tools/skill_search.go
+++ b/internal/tools/skill_search.go
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func (t *SkillSearchTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) *Res
 
 	// Include explicit next-step instruction in the result so the model follows through.
 	instruction := fmt.Sprintf(
-		"\n\nACTION REQUIRED: Call use_skill with name \"%s\", then read_file with path \"%s\" to read the skill instructions, then follow them.",
+		"\n\nACTION REQUIRED: Call use_skill with name \"%s\", then read_file with path \"%s\" (use the EXACT absolute path provided) to read the skill instructions, then follow them.",
 		results[0].Name, results[0].Location,
 	)