diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/scripts/run-agent.sh b/.gitea/workflows/scripts/run-agent.sh
index f7d36d7..9aaa924 100755
--- a/.gitea/workflows/scripts/run-agent.sh
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/scripts/run-agent.sh
@@ -149,6 +149,12 @@ ${LEARN}
    shown by Gitea. Do NOT begin your reply with your own name, an '@${NAME}' header, or a '🤖/🔨 @you'
    line; just write the content directly.
 
+   Do NOT use the gitea-api skill to post your reply, report, or any comment on THIS thread
+   yourself. The automation already posts your reply exactly once — self-posting it too is what
+   creates the duplicate comments you must avoid. On this thread, use gitea-api only to READ, or to
+   take an explicit action you were asked for (add/remove a label, close the issue, merge the PR).
+   Your report or answer IS your reply text — write it as your reply; do not post it via the API.
+
    TEAM ROSTER (who does what — hand off if a task isn't yours):
    ${ROSTER}