Tell the agent what outcome you want.

A simple instruction formula

Help me [outcome].
Keep it [local-only / shared later].
First [shape / refine / open / verify / land].
Constraints: [constraints].
Done when: [acceptance signal].

Copyable patterns

Help me turn this idea into the right plan. Do not open a task yet.

Make the plan narrower and more executable without starting implementation yet.

This is ready. Open a local task and keep the workflow local-only.

Run the narrowest honest verification for this slice and tell me what was and was not verified.

Finish the local slice, verify it, and carry it through land.

This is too large. Break it into a compact execution graph before implementation.

What to avoid

Do it.
Continue.
Handle this.
Make it better.

Open a local task only if the scope is already honest.
Finish the slice and carry it through local land.