diff --git a/shutdown-routine/SKILL.md b/shutdown-routine/SKILL.md
index 00a1b92..4bc35e5 100644
--- a/shutdown-routine/SKILL.md
+++ b/shutdown-routine/SKILL.md
@@ -51,15 +51,11 @@ Ask:
 
 > "Is there anything you could have done better today?"
 
-If the user gives you an answer for what could have been improved, then add their reply to the user's journal with: `scripts/add_improvement_journal_entry "USER'S REPLY"`
+**Two mutually exclusive paths — pick ONE:**
 
-If the user responds that nothing needed improvement from today, ask this follow-up question
+- **If the user gives a substantive answer** about what could have been improved: add their reply to the user's journal with: `scripts/add_improvement_journal_entry "USER'S REPLY"`. Then move directly to Step 4. Do NOT ask "how would you like to raise the bar?"
+- **If the user responds that nothing needed improvement**: ask the follow-up question: "How would you like to raise the bar?" Then enter their reply into tomorrow's daily note (filename `dn_yymmdd.md` where yymmdd is tomorrow's date) in this section:
 
-> "How would you like to raise the bar?"
-
-Then enter the user's reply into tomorrow's daily note. (filename dn_yymmdd.md where yymmdd is tomorrow's date)
-
-Put their ansewr into this part of the file:
 ```md
 # Today I *get* to
 raise the bar: USER'S REPLY