diff --git a/crates/tools/src/task.rs b/crates/tools/src/task.rs
index e683fe49..640f2f3a 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/task.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/task.rs
@@ -251,15 +251,22 @@ struct TaskUpdateTool {
     store: TaskStore,
 }
 
-const CREATE_DESCRIPTION: &str = "Create a session-lifetime task. Input only `subject` and \
+const CREATE_DESCRIPTION: &str = "Create a session-lifetime task for short-term current-work \
+tracking, not project management. Tasks are user-visible real-time status. Use this whenever you \
+set a goal and work through steps, including implementation. Input only `subject` and \
 `description`; `taskid` is assigned automatically and initial `status` is `pending`.";
 const LIST_DESCRIPTION: &str = "List every session-lifetime task, including completed and \
-deleted entries. Takes an empty object as input.";
-const GET_DESCRIPTION: &str = "Get one session-lifetime task by `taskid`. Returns an error if \
-the task does not exist.";
-const UPDATE_DESCRIPTION: &str = "Update an existing session-lifetime task. Provide `taskid` and \
-at least one of `status`, `subject`, or `description`. `status` must be one of `pending`, \
-`inprogress`, `completed`, or `deleted`; deletion is logical (`status = deleted`).";
+deleted entries. Tasks are user-visible real-time status for short-term current-work tracking. \
+Takes an empty object as input.";
+const GET_DESCRIPTION: &str = "Get one session-lifetime task by `taskid`. Tasks are \
+user-visible real-time status for short-term current-work tracking. Returns an error if the task \
+does not exist.";
+const UPDATE_DESCRIPTION: &str = "Update an existing session-lifetime task before moving to the \
+next step. Tasks are user-visible real-time status; when working through steps, keep status \
+current with `pending`, `inprogress`, `completed`, or `deleted`. Provide `taskid` and at least \
+one of `status`, `subject`, or `description`; deletion is logical (`status = deleted`). If an \
+unexpected problem blocks progress, do not force the next step: leave the task as-is, summarize \
+the problem to the user, and end the turn.";
 
 #[async_trait]
 impl Tool for TaskCreateTool {