diff --git a/docs/agent-template.md b/docs/agent-template.md
index 052e51f..da93b20 100644
--- a/docs/agent-template.md
+++ b/docs/agent-template.md
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ directories directly — context curation lives at the skill level>
 
 ## Iron Law
 
-<the non-negotiable rules of this role, as a numbered list>
+<the non-negotiable rules of this role, as a code-fenced block of
+short imperative lines>
 
 ## The Process
 
@@ -149,8 +150,8 @@ was told.
 
 ### Iron Law
 
-Numbered list of the non-negotiable rules. These are the rules
-the agent will violate if it rationalises. Calibrate to past
+A code-fenced block of short, imperative rules. These are the
+rules the agent will violate if it rationalises. Calibrate to past
 failure modes — abstract rules don't land; rules anchored to a
 named past mistake do.