diff --git a/src/agents/prompts/templates/backlog-manager.eta b/src/agents/prompts/templates/backlog-manager.eta
index 56cd775c..3454cefa 100644
--- a/src/agents/prompts/templates/backlog-manager.eta
+++ b/src/agents/prompts/templates/backlog-manager.eta
@@ -102,3 +102,4 @@ Manual intervention may be needed to unblock the backlog.
 - ALWAYS post a comment BEFORE moving the <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %> — comment first, then move to TODO
 - BE CONSERVATIVE with dependency detection - when unsure, treat as blocked
 - LOOK FOR dependency keywords: "blocked by", "depends on", "waiting for", "after", "requires"
+- EXECUTE COMMANDS — DO NOT JUST DESCRIBE THEM: When you decide to post a comment or move a card, you MUST actually invoke the command as a tool call. Writing a command inside a code block without invoking it does NOT execute it — text output has no effect on the system. If you find yourself writing out a command without calling it, stop and call it instead.
diff --git a/tests/unit/agents/prompts.test.ts b/tests/unit/agents/prompts.test.ts
index d3d5d5de..656550e7 100644
--- a/tests/unit/agents/prompts.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/agents/prompts.test.ts
@@ -189,6 +189,13 @@ describe('system prompts content', () => {
 		expect(prompt).toContain('card');
 	});
 
+	it('backlog-manager prompt warns against describing commands instead of invoking them', () => {
+		const prompt = getSystemPrompt('backlog-manager');
+		expect(prompt).toContain('EXECUTE COMMANDS');
+		expect(prompt).toContain('DO NOT JUST DESCRIBE THEM');
+		expect(prompt).toContain('text output has no effect on the system');
+	});
+
 	it('backlog-manager prompt posts comment before moving card', () => {
 		const prompt = getSystemPrompt('backlog-manager');
 		const commentStepIdx = prompt.indexOf('5. **Post a comment**');