diff --git a/.github/workflows/agent-performance-analyzer.lock.yml b/.github/workflows/agent-performance-analyzer.lock.yml
index 7b7020b77d1..14b6c926bfa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/agent-performance-analyzer.lock.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/agent-performance-analyzer.lock.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"50de81c4424916e82f76409097236499e97b0ef065428fec07fe1ba8867b3a3a","body_hash":"f3f2bab200c2b067ae6a31f00f9963c61bee2b43d3ce9e4d47d67d4b4cb95523","strict":true,"agent_id":"copilot","engine_versions":{"copilot":"1.0.68","copilot-sdk":"1.0.5"}}
+# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"50de81c4424916e82f76409097236499e97b0ef065428fec07fe1ba8867b3a3a","body_hash":"38c890f0959f4d264359102c9748820ff1d05238abb029ea36e6267a3b915fc0","strict":true,"agent_id":"copilot","engine_versions":{"copilot":"1.0.68","copilot-sdk":"1.0.5"}}
 # gh-aw-manifest: {"version":1,"secrets":["GH_AW_GITHUB_MCP_SERVER_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_TOKEN","GH_AW_OTEL_GRAFANA_AUTHORIZATION","GH_AW_OTEL_GRAFANA_ENDPOINT","GH_AW_OTEL_SENTRY_AUTHORIZATION","GH_AW_OTEL_SENTRY_ENDPOINT","GITHUB_TOKEN"],"actions":[{"repo":"actions/cache/restore","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/cache/save","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/checkout","sha":"9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/download-artifact","sha":"3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c","version":"v8.0.1"},{"repo":"actions/github-script","sha":"3a2844b7e9c422d3c10d287c895573f7108da1b3","version":"v9.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/setup-go","sha":"924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16","version":"v6.5.0"},{"repo":"actions/upload-artifact","sha":"043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a","version":"v7.0.1"},{"repo":"docker/build-push-action","sha":"f9f3042f7e2789586610d6e8b85c8f03e5195baf","version":"v7.2.0"},{"repo":"docker/setup-buildx-action","sha":"d7f5e7f509e45cec5c76c4d5afdd7de93d0b3df5","version":"v4.1.0"}],"containers":[{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:55f06588411008b7148eb64b8dfe28602a0cce3675b36c6b190b54aca138468e","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.22@sha256:55f06588411008b7148eb64b8dfe28602a0cce3675b36c6b190b54aca138468e"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:afb9ff9140b17d38871dfb9dbac5ff8689ea634c2f91c435da2825192d4881c1","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.22@sha256:afb9ff9140b17d38871dfb9dbac5ff8689ea634c2f91c435da2825192d4881c1"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/cli-proxy:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:e23e1604241f579b418e6522d938285b57ada31bc27742a65c90ee2250b1755c","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/cli-proxy:0.27.22@sha256:e23e1604241f579b418e6522d938285b57ada31bc27742a65c90ee2250b1755c"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:3cdcc1e2b4b4fe602ba69fd3e21aac7ac512d5c1fce24df4ce69dc4f98164b59","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.22@sha256:3cdcc1e2b4b4fe602ba69fd3e21aac7ac512d5c1fce24df4ce69dc4f98164b59"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.3.33","digest":"sha256:f0e1f1d562f01e737f3ef125cb4d7057ff87a68a97927f5ea9fd6d3f5091da06","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.3.33@sha256:f0e1f1d562f01e737f3ef125cb4d7057ff87a68a97927f5ea9fd6d3f5091da06"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node","digest":"sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node@sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.5.0","digest":"sha256:e25564dccc9110a70a77b9df560cbde11aa392fcb5f08b9abe5c4ebc6d146ea4","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.5.0@sha256:e25564dccc9110a70a77b9df560cbde11aa392fcb5f08b9abe5c4ebc6d146ea4"}]}
 # This file was automatically generated by gh-aw. DO NOT EDIT. To debug this workflow, load the skill at https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/debug.md
 #
diff --git a/.github/workflows/agent-performance-analyzer.md b/.github/workflows/agent-performance-analyzer.md
index 9b1bfb56249..8d6dd279172 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/agent-performance-analyzer.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/agent-performance-analyzer.md
@@ -149,6 +149,20 @@ You are an AI agent performance analyst responsible for evaluating the quality,
 
 As a meta-orchestrator for agent performance, you assess how well AI agents are performing their tasks, identify patterns in agent behavior, detect quality issues, and recommend improvements to the agent ecosystem.
 
+## Prompt Improvement Initiative
+
+The repository has a sustained quality/effectiveness plateau. Treat prompt quality as the primary intervention, not just engine or infrastructure bug triage.
+
+- Audit the **bottom 10 agents by current quality score** whenever enough data exists.
+- For each underperformer, classify the prompt deficiency into one or more of:
+  - generic task framing
+  - missing self-assessment loop
+  - stale examples or stale tool guidance
+  - low-actionability outputs
+- Cite concrete evidence for each deficiency from the agent's prompt, outputs, or run history.
+- Always evaluate **Matt Pocock Skills Reviewer**, **Impeccable Skills Reviewer**, and **Design Decision Gate** as explicit redesign-vs-deprecation candidates when they continue to underperform.
+- Prefer prompt fixes that sharpen success criteria, add a quality rubric, remove stale guidance, and make outputs easier for humans to act on.
+
 ## Responsibilities
 
 ### 1. Agent Output Quality Analysis
@@ -443,12 +457,14 @@ The Metrics Collector workflow runs daily and stores performance metrics in a st
     - Identify top performers and underperformers
     - Detect systemic issues affecting multiple agents
     - Find optimization opportunities
+    - Produce a bottom-10 audit table with the prompt deficiency categories for each low-performing agent
 
 11. **Develop recommendations:**
     - Specific improvements for low-performing agents
     - Ecosystem-wide optimizations
     - New agent opportunities
     - Deprecation candidates
+    - A prioritized prompt-improvement backlog with expected quality/effectiveness impact
 
 ### Phase 5: Reporting (2 minutes)
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/design-decision-gate.lock.yml b/.github/workflows/design-decision-gate.lock.yml
index 20e45d1256a..4bd1acf2e72 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/design-decision-gate.lock.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/design-decision-gate.lock.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"1add653c616dba162ddd5f114e55e1cf347eaa0248a81d822f1f25fdaa99192b","body_hash":"3baf377646ddd659eda7ead187d6043e41c8136688d6bcd3600649cc0de38e69","strict":true,"agent_id":"claude","agent_model":"claude-sonnet-4-6","engine_versions":{"claude":"2.1.201"}}
+# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"1add653c616dba162ddd5f114e55e1cf347eaa0248a81d822f1f25fdaa99192b","body_hash":"3321fee3be5cc31a56f8331b12de6d6ce1b9a083b78fe2c023e86263882f4e75","strict":true,"agent_id":"claude","agent_model":"claude-sonnet-4-6","engine_versions":{"claude":"2.1.201"}}
 # gh-aw-manifest: {"version":1,"secrets":["ANTHROPIC_API_KEY","GH_AW_CI_TRIGGER_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_MCP_SERVER_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_TOKEN","GH_AW_OTEL_GRAFANA_AUTHORIZATION","GH_AW_OTEL_GRAFANA_ENDPOINT","GH_AW_OTEL_SENTRY_AUTHORIZATION","GH_AW_OTEL_SENTRY_ENDPOINT","GITHUB_TOKEN"],"actions":[{"repo":"actions/cache/restore","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/cache/save","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/checkout","sha":"9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/download-artifact","sha":"3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c","version":"v8.0.1"},{"repo":"actions/github-script","sha":"3a2844b7e9c422d3c10d287c895573f7108da1b3","version":"v9.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/setup-node","sha":"48b55a011bda9f5d6aeb4c2d9c7362e8dae4041e","version":"v6.4.0"},{"repo":"actions/upload-artifact","sha":"043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a","version":"v7.0.1"}],"containers":[{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:55f06588411008b7148eb64b8dfe28602a0cce3675b36c6b190b54aca138468e","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.22@sha256:55f06588411008b7148eb64b8dfe28602a0cce3675b36c6b190b54aca138468e"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:afb9ff9140b17d38871dfb9dbac5ff8689ea634c2f91c435da2825192d4881c1","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.22@sha256:afb9ff9140b17d38871dfb9dbac5ff8689ea634c2f91c435da2825192d4881c1"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/cli-proxy:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:e23e1604241f579b418e6522d938285b57ada31bc27742a65c90ee2250b1755c","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/cli-proxy:0.27.22@sha256:e23e1604241f579b418e6522d938285b57ada31bc27742a65c90ee2250b1755c"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:3cdcc1e2b4b4fe602ba69fd3e21aac7ac512d5c1fce24df4ce69dc4f98164b59","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.22@sha256:3cdcc1e2b4b4fe602ba69fd3e21aac7ac512d5c1fce24df4ce69dc4f98164b59"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.3.33","digest":"sha256:f0e1f1d562f01e737f3ef125cb4d7057ff87a68a97927f5ea9fd6d3f5091da06","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.3.33@sha256:f0e1f1d562f01e737f3ef125cb4d7057ff87a68a97927f5ea9fd6d3f5091da06"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node","digest":"sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node@sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.5.0","digest":"sha256:e25564dccc9110a70a77b9df560cbde11aa392fcb5f08b9abe5c4ebc6d146ea4","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.5.0@sha256:e25564dccc9110a70a77b9df560cbde11aa392fcb5f08b9abe5c4ebc6d146ea4"}]}
 # This file was automatically generated by gh-aw. DO NOT EDIT. To debug this workflow, load the skill at https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/debug.md
 #
diff --git a/.github/workflows/design-decision-gate.md b/.github/workflows/design-decision-gate.md
index d647192b2c6..d4114f0b62f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/design-decision-gate.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/design-decision-gate.md
@@ -190,6 +190,15 @@ Stop and emit a safe output **immediately** when any of the following is true:
 4. Call exactly one final safe output action (`add-comment`, `push-to-pull-request-branch`, or `noop`) and then stop.
 5. If you have enough evidence to decide, stop immediately. Do not gather optional data.
 
+## Gate Quality Bar
+
+A successful gate result:
+
+- clearly states whether ADR enforcement is not required, ADR-backed, divergent from the ADR, or missing enough context to decide
+- cites the exact evidence used for the decision
+- gives the author one clear next action
+- stops immediately after the single final safe-output action
+
 ## Step 1: Determine if This PR Requires an ADR
 
 Read the pre-fetched summary first:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/impeccable-skills-reviewer.lock.yml b/.github/workflows/impeccable-skills-reviewer.lock.yml
index 76483fa5f3a..8cfca05b144 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/impeccable-skills-reviewer.lock.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/impeccable-skills-reviewer.lock.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"28bda2a77434df0c63244b443b137d204e5a8b3b9f64cc87ca4c25b181979503","body_hash":"f7d3d44330eede82de9e3a60fedb1854ba8f2d3960b2349b292efbca5ae9b824","strict":true,"agent_id":"copilot","agent_model":"claude-sonnet-4.6","engine_versions":{"copilot":"1.0.68"}}
+# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"28bda2a77434df0c63244b443b137d204e5a8b3b9f64cc87ca4c25b181979503","body_hash":"874c8f4a7182e4af83d4d3ac549df73caff08d5b0301d906f139d7965a6193f6","strict":true,"agent_id":"copilot","agent_model":"claude-sonnet-4.6","engine_versions":{"copilot":"1.0.68"}}
 # gh-aw-manifest: {"version":1,"secrets":["GH_AW_GITHUB_MCP_SERVER_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_TOKEN","GH_AW_OTEL_GRAFANA_AUTHORIZATION","GH_AW_OTEL_GRAFANA_ENDPOINT","GH_AW_OTEL_SENTRY_AUTHORIZATION","GH_AW_OTEL_SENTRY_ENDPOINT","GITHUB_TOKEN"],"actions":[{"repo":"actions/cache/restore","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/cache/save","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/checkout","sha":"9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/download-artifact","sha":"3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c","version":"v8.0.1"},{"repo":"actions/github-script","sha":"3a2844b7e9c422d3c10d287c895573f7108da1b3","version":"v9.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/setup-node","sha":"48b55a011bda9f5d6aeb4c2d9c7362e8dae4041e","version":"v6.4.0"},{"repo":"actions/upload-artifact","sha":"043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a","version":"v7.0.1"}],"containers":[{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:55f06588411008b7148eb64b8dfe28602a0cce3675b36c6b190b54aca138468e","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.22@sha256:55f06588411008b7148eb64b8dfe28602a0cce3675b36c6b190b54aca138468e"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:afb9ff9140b17d38871dfb9dbac5ff8689ea634c2f91c435da2825192d4881c1","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.22@sha256:afb9ff9140b17d38871dfb9dbac5ff8689ea634c2f91c435da2825192d4881c1"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/cli-proxy:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:e23e1604241f579b418e6522d938285b57ada31bc27742a65c90ee2250b1755c","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/cli-proxy:0.27.22@sha256:e23e1604241f579b418e6522d938285b57ada31bc27742a65c90ee2250b1755c"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:3cdcc1e2b4b4fe602ba69fd3e21aac7ac512d5c1fce24df4ce69dc4f98164b59","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.22@sha256:3cdcc1e2b4b4fe602ba69fd3e21aac7ac512d5c1fce24df4ce69dc4f98164b59"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.3.33","digest":"sha256:f0e1f1d562f01e737f3ef125cb4d7057ff87a68a97927f5ea9fd6d3f5091da06","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.3.33@sha256:f0e1f1d562f01e737f3ef125cb4d7057ff87a68a97927f5ea9fd6d3f5091da06"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node","digest":"sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node@sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.5.0","digest":"sha256:e25564dccc9110a70a77b9df560cbde11aa392fcb5f08b9abe5c4ebc6d146ea4","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.5.0@sha256:e25564dccc9110a70a77b9df560cbde11aa392fcb5f08b9abe5c4ebc6d146ea4"}]}
 # This file was automatically generated by gh-aw. DO NOT EDIT. To debug this workflow, load the skill at https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/debug.md
 #
diff --git a/.github/workflows/impeccable-skills-reviewer.md b/.github/workflows/impeccable-skills-reviewer.md
index bd6f761259d..b7adb90743c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/impeccable-skills-reviewer.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/impeccable-skills-reviewer.md
@@ -79,6 +79,15 @@ You are a pull request reviewer that uses Impeccable skills.
 
 Review this pull request by selecting and applying the most relevant installed Impeccable skills based on the type of changes.
 
+## Success Criteria
+
+A successful review:
+
+- finds only high-signal issues tied to changed lines
+- explains why each issue matters and what exact change should be made
+- uses `REQUEST_CHANGES` only for genuinely blocking issues
+- uses `noop` instead of posting generic praise or filler commentary when nothing actionable is found
+
 ## Context
 
 - **Repository**: ${{ github.repository }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mattpocock-skills-reviewer.lock.yml b/.github/workflows/mattpocock-skills-reviewer.lock.yml
index 4aaf6c549de..319a64a53c5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mattpocock-skills-reviewer.lock.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mattpocock-skills-reviewer.lock.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"26e8a754482b7347113adc6d77b27f62e3dee49e84d972a2e35662fd319720b5","body_hash":"62ce0bd5c9851424f73f018934c48ae0ca6493b0bc7415fdc5564e808707829a","strict":true,"agent_id":"copilot","agent_model":"claude-sonnet-4.6","engine_versions":{"copilot":"1.0.68"}}
+# gh-aw-metadata: {"schema_version":"v4","frontmatter_hash":"26e8a754482b7347113adc6d77b27f62e3dee49e84d972a2e35662fd319720b5","body_hash":"1b5f22988ad7521b604a228e3f9e4e6a81a65ac1852ac125ec266f1bcc205563","strict":true,"agent_id":"copilot","agent_model":"claude-sonnet-4.6","engine_versions":{"copilot":"1.0.68"}}
 # gh-aw-manifest: {"version":1,"secrets":["GH_AW_GITHUB_MCP_SERVER_TOKEN","GH_AW_GITHUB_TOKEN","GH_AW_OTEL_GRAFANA_AUTHORIZATION","GH_AW_OTEL_GRAFANA_ENDPOINT","GH_AW_OTEL_SENTRY_AUTHORIZATION","GH_AW_OTEL_SENTRY_ENDPOINT","GITHUB_TOKEN"],"actions":[{"repo":"actions/cache/restore","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/cache/save","sha":"55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9","version":"v6.1.0"},{"repo":"actions/checkout","sha":"9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0","version":"v7.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/download-artifact","sha":"3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c","version":"v8.0.1"},{"repo":"actions/github-script","sha":"3a2844b7e9c422d3c10d287c895573f7108da1b3","version":"v9.0.0"},{"repo":"actions/setup-node","sha":"48b55a011bda9f5d6aeb4c2d9c7362e8dae4041e","version":"v6.4.0"},{"repo":"actions/upload-artifact","sha":"043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a","version":"v7.0.1"}],"skills":["mattpocock/skills/codebase-design@801dca688564c529fa84f247f64472520d9ebe28","mattpocock/skills/diagnosing-bugs@801dca688564c529fa84f247f64472520d9ebe28","mattpocock/skills/domain-modeling@801dca688564c529fa84f247f64472520d9ebe28","mattpocock/skills/grill-with-docs@801dca688564c529fa84f247f64472520d9ebe28","mattpocock/skills/improve-codebase-architecture@801dca688564c529fa84f247f64472520d9ebe28","mattpocock/skills/tdd@801dca688564c529fa84f247f64472520d9ebe28","mattpocock/skills/to-prd@801dca688564c529fa84f247f64472520d9ebe28"],"containers":[{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:55f06588411008b7148eb64b8dfe28602a0cce3675b36c6b190b54aca138468e","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/agent:0.27.22@sha256:55f06588411008b7148eb64b8dfe28602a0cce3675b36c6b190b54aca138468e"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:afb9ff9140b17d38871dfb9dbac5ff8689ea634c2f91c435da2825192d4881c1","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/api-proxy:0.27.22@sha256:afb9ff9140b17d38871dfb9dbac5ff8689ea634c2f91c435da2825192d4881c1"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/cli-proxy:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:e23e1604241f579b418e6522d938285b57ada31bc27742a65c90ee2250b1755c","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/cli-proxy:0.27.22@sha256:e23e1604241f579b418e6522d938285b57ada31bc27742a65c90ee2250b1755c"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.22","digest":"sha256:3cdcc1e2b4b4fe602ba69fd3e21aac7ac512d5c1fce24df4ce69dc4f98164b59","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-firewall/squid:0.27.22@sha256:3cdcc1e2b4b4fe602ba69fd3e21aac7ac512d5c1fce24df4ce69dc4f98164b59"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.3.33","digest":"sha256:f0e1f1d562f01e737f3ef125cb4d7057ff87a68a97927f5ea9fd6d3f5091da06","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-mcpg:v0.3.33@sha256:f0e1f1d562f01e737f3ef125cb4d7057ff87a68a97927f5ea9fd6d3f5091da06"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node","digest":"sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/gh-aw-node@sha256:529d02eb970b1161aa25c593a9c3df57fdfad5a8add328cb3b6eccef66f3183b"},{"image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.5.0","digest":"sha256:e25564dccc9110a70a77b9df560cbde11aa392fcb5f08b9abe5c4ebc6d146ea4","pinned_image":"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:v1.5.0@sha256:e25564dccc9110a70a77b9df560cbde11aa392fcb5f08b9abe5c4ebc6d146ea4"}]}
 # This file was automatically generated by gh-aw. DO NOT EDIT. To debug this workflow, load the skill at https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/debug.md
 #
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mattpocock-skills-reviewer.md b/.github/workflows/mattpocock-skills-reviewer.md
index 69f264c0f08..79156988b0d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mattpocock-skills-reviewer.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/mattpocock-skills-reviewer.md
@@ -108,6 +108,16 @@ The following skills have been installed via `gh skill` and are available under
 
 Review this pull request using the most appropriate Matt Pocock skill(s) for the type of changes made, then deliver actionable, specific improvement suggestions as inline review comments and an overall review.
 
+## Success Criteria
+
+A successful review:
+
+- focuses on the highest-impact changed lines instead of broad restatement of the PR
+- maps each finding to a concrete risk and a specific fix
+- uses skill labels only when they materially improve the advice
+- approves only when no actionable issue remains
+- uses `noop` instead of generic praise when there is nothing useful to say
+
 ### Step 1: Load Pre-fetched PR Data
 
 > **⚠️ Do NOT call any GitHub MCP tools for PR data.** All PR information is pre-fetched: use `/tmp/gh-aw/agent/pr-meta.json` and `/tmp/gh-aw/agent/pr-diff.patch` exclusively.
@@ -205,7 +215,7 @@ Submit a review using `submit_pull_request_review` with an overall summary:
 - **`APPROVE`** — Changes are solid; only minor suggestions
 - **`REQUEST_CHANGES`** — There are important issues that should be addressed
 - **`COMMENT`** — Observations only; no blocking issues
-- If you choose **`APPROVE`**, also call `create_check_run` with `conclusion: "success"` and a short summary that no blocking issues were found.
+- If you choose **`APPROVE`**, submit the approval review first. Only add `create_check_run` when you have a concrete success summary that helps the author or merge queue; skip it otherwise.
 
 The review body should apply progressive disclosure — keep the immediately visible portion brief and collapse details:
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/shared/quality-gate.md b/.github/workflows/shared/quality-gate.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..42e921db656
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/shared/quality-gate.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+## Quality Gate
+
+Before you emit any safe output or final review, run one silent self-check and revise once if needed.
+
+Verify all of the following:
+
+1. **Completeness** — the output covers the actual task, decision, or failure mode without omitting required next steps.
+2. **Accuracy** — every factual claim is supported by the current PR, workflow, run, diff, or repository evidence you inspected.
+3. **Actionability** — each issue or recommendation names the problem, shows the evidence, and tells the recipient exactly what to do next.
+4. **Freshness** — use the current tool names, safe-output names, and repository conventions; do not reference unavailable or deprecated workflows, tools, or follow-up actions.
+
+If you cannot satisfy completeness or accuracy, narrow the scope, explain the missing evidence, or emit `noop` instead of guessing.
+
+Prefer a few high-signal findings over many weak ones. Avoid generic praise, vague warnings, and recommendations that a human cannot act on immediately.
