diff --git a/plugins/voyage/commands/trekexecute.md b/plugins/voyage/commands/trekexecute.md
index 5384214..b9804c0 100644
--- a/plugins/voyage/commands/trekexecute.md
+++ b/plugins/voyage/commands/trekexecute.md
@@ -1547,7 +1547,7 @@ behavior (v5.1.1)` below.
 
 ### Sequencing gate surface
 
-When `/trekexecute --project <dir>` is invoked, optionally run
+When `/trekexecute --project <dir>` is invoked, ALWAYS run
 `brief-validator.mjs --soft --json` against `{dir}/brief.md`. If
 `BRIEF_V51_MISSING_SIGNALS` appears in `errors` (brief_version ≥ 2.1
 without `phase_signals` or `phase_signals_partial: true`), halt with:
diff --git a/plugins/voyage/commands/trekresearch.md b/plugins/voyage/commands/trekresearch.md
index 5b43849..39a1dc7 100644
--- a/plugins/voyage/commands/trekresearch.md
+++ b/plugins/voyage/commands/trekresearch.md
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ behavior (v5.1.1)` below.
 ### Sequencing gate surface
 
 When `/trekresearch --project <dir>` is invoked and `{dir}/brief.md`
-exists, optionally run `brief-validator.mjs --soft --json` against it.
+exists, ALWAYS run `brief-validator.mjs --soft --json` against it.
 If `BRIEF_V51_MISSING_SIGNALS` appears in `errors` (brief_version ≥ 2.1
 without `phase_signals` or `phase_signals_partial: true`), halt with:
 `Brief is brief_version 2.1 but does not carry phase_signals — re-run