diff --git a/src/llm/reasoning.rs b/src/llm/reasoning.rs
index 46df5a32..257025ab 100644
--- a/src/llm/reasoning.rs
+++ b/src/llm/reasoning.rs
@@ -1113,7 +1113,9 @@ Examples (tool calls use JSON format):\n\
 
         format!(
             "\n\n## Current Conversation\n\
-             This is who you're talking to (omit 'target' to send here):\n{}",
+             This is who you're talking to in the active conversation. Use normal assistant \
+             output to reply here; only use the `message` tool for proactive, background, or \
+             cross-channel outbound sends:\n{}",
             lines.join("\n")
         )
     }
@@ -2472,7 +2474,8 @@ That's my plan."#;
         let section = reasoning.build_extensions_section_for_tools(&tool_defs);
         assert!(section.contains("connect messaging platforms so users can talk to you there"));
         assert!(section.contains("Channels are not separate send-message tools"));
-        assert!(section.contains("`message` tool"));
+        assert!(section.contains("use normal assistant output to reply in the current conversation"));
+        assert!(section.contains("`message` tool only for proactive, background, or cross-channel outbound sends"));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2489,6 +2492,18 @@ That's my plan."#;
         assert!(section.contains("Proactive follow-up here"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn test_current_conversation_section_does_not_imply_message_tool_for_replies() {
+        let reasoning = make_test_reasoning()
+            .with_channel("telegram")
+            .with_conversation_data("User", "telegram-user");
+
+        let section = reasoning.build_conversation_section();
+        assert!(section.contains("Use normal assistant output to reply here"));
+        assert!(section.contains("only use the `message` tool for proactive, background, or cross-channel outbound sends"));
+        assert!(!section.contains("omit 'target' to send here"));
+    }
+
     // ---- plan/evaluate bypass clean_response (Bug #564-2) ----
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/tests/multi_tenant_system_prompt.rs b/tests/multi_tenant_system_prompt.rs
index 12e5cfdb..362b4a71 100644
--- a/tests/multi_tenant_system_prompt.rs
+++ b/tests/multi_tenant_system_prompt.rs
@@ -256,6 +256,13 @@ mod tests {
             "System prompt should describe channels as setup/integration surfaces.\n\
              Actual system prompt:\n{system_prompt}"
         );
+        assert!(
+            system_prompt.contains(
+                "use normal assistant output to reply in the current conversation"
+            ),
+            "System prompt should route ordinary replies through normal assistant output.\n\
+             Actual system prompt:\n{system_prompt}"
+        );
         assert!(
             system_prompt.contains("respond normally without calling `message`"),
             "System prompt should say normal replies do not use the message tool.\n\
@@ -266,6 +273,11 @@ mod tests {
             "System prompt should reserve omitted channel/target for proactive follow-ups.\n\
              Actual system prompt:\n{system_prompt}"
         );
+        assert!(
+            !system_prompt.contains("omit 'target' to send here"),
+            "System prompt should not imply the message tool is the default way to reply \
+             in-thread.\nActual system prompt:\n{system_prompt}"
+        );
 
         rig.shutdown();
     }