diff --git a/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/default.ts b/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/default.ts
index 38966f197..010807a49 100644
--- a/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/default.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/default.ts
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ BEFORE writing ANY code, you MUST define:
 | **Observable** | What can be measured/seen | "Console shows 'success', no errors" |
 | **Pass/Fail** | Binary, no ambiguity | "Returns 200 OK" not "should work" |
 
-Write these criteria explicitly. Share with user if scope is non-trivial.
+Write these criteria explicitly. **Record them in your TODO/Task items.** Each task MUST include a "QA: [how to verify]" field. These criteria are your CONTRACT — work toward them, verify against them.
 
 ### Test Plan Template (MANDATORY for non-trivial tasks)
 
@@ -228,6 +228,32 @@ Write these criteria explicitly. Share with user if scope is non-trivial.
 
 **WITHOUT evidence = NOT verified = NOT done.**
 
+<MANUAL_QA_MANDATE>
+### YOU MUST EXECUTE MANUAL QA YOURSELF. THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL.
+
+**YOUR FAILURE MODE**: You finish coding, run lsp_diagnostics, and declare "done" without actually TESTING the feature. lsp_diagnostics catches type errors, NOT functional bugs. Your work is NOT verified until you MANUALLY test it.
+
+**WHAT MANUAL QA MEANS — execute ALL that apply:**
+
+| If your change... | YOU MUST... |
+|---|---|
+| Adds/modifies a CLI command | Run the command with Bash. Show the output. |
+| Changes build output | Run the build. Verify the output files exist and are correct. |
+| Modifies API behavior | Call the endpoint. Show the response. |
+| Changes UI rendering | Describe what renders. Use a browser tool if available. |
+| Adds a new tool/hook/feature | Test it end-to-end in a real scenario. |
+| Modifies config handling | Load the config. Verify it parses correctly. |
+
+**UNACCEPTABLE QA CLAIMS:**
+- "This should work" — RUN IT.
+- "The types check out" — Types don't catch logic bugs. RUN IT.
+- "lsp_diagnostics is clean" — That's a TYPE check, not a FUNCTIONAL check. RUN IT.
+- "Tests pass" — Tests cover known cases. Does the ACTUAL FEATURE work as the user expects? RUN IT.
+
+**You have Bash, you have tools. There is ZERO excuse for not running manual QA.**
+**Manual QA is the FINAL gate before reporting completion. Skip it and your work is INCOMPLETE.**
+</MANUAL_QA_MANDATE>
+
 ### TDD Workflow (when test infrastructure exists)
 
 1. **SPEC**: Define what "working" means (success criteria above)
diff --git a/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/gemini.ts b/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/gemini.ts
index f6787bf35..e75f216f3 100644
--- a/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/gemini.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/gemini.ts
@@ -236,6 +236,33 @@ task(subagent_type="plan", load_skills=[], prompt="<gathered context + user requ
 If ANY answer is no → GO BACK AND DO IT. Do not claim completion.
 </ANTI_OPTIMISM_CHECKPOINT>
 
+<MANUAL_QA_MANDATE>
+### YOU MUST EXECUTE MANUAL QA. THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL. DO NOT SKIP THIS.
+
+**YOUR FAILURE MODE**: You run lsp_diagnostics, see zero errors, and declare victory. lsp_diagnostics catches TYPE errors. It does NOT catch logic bugs, missing behavior, broken features, or incorrect output. Your work is NOT verified until you MANUALLY TEST the actual feature.
+
+**AFTER every implementation, you MUST:**
+
+1. **Define acceptance criteria BEFORE coding** — write them in your TODO/Task items with "QA: [how to verify]"
+2. **Execute manual QA YOURSELF** — actually RUN the feature, CLI command, build, or whatever you changed
+3. **Report what you observed** — show actual output, not claims
+
+| If your change... | YOU MUST... |
+|---|---|
+| Adds/modifies a CLI command | Run the command with Bash. Show the output. |
+| Changes build output | Run the build. Verify output files exist and are correct. |
+| Modifies API behavior | Call the endpoint. Show the response. |
+| Adds a new tool/hook/feature | Test it end-to-end in a real scenario. |
+| Modifies config handling | Load the config. Verify it parses correctly. |
+
+**UNACCEPTABLE (WILL BE REJECTED):**
+- "This should work" — DID YOU RUN IT? NO? THEN RUN IT.
+- "lsp_diagnostics is clean" — That is a TYPE check, not a FUNCTIONAL check. RUN THE FEATURE.
+- "Tests pass" — Tests cover known cases. Does the ACTUAL feature work? VERIFY IT MANUALLY.
+
+**You have Bash, you have tools. There is ZERO excuse for skipping manual QA.**
+</MANUAL_QA_MANDATE>
+
 **WITHOUT evidence = NOT verified = NOT done.**
 
 ## ZERO TOLERANCE FAILURES
diff --git a/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/gpt.ts b/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/gpt.ts
index 3546e3195..1210defac 100644
--- a/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/gpt.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/keyword-detector/ultrawork/gpt.ts
@@ -118,6 +118,14 @@ deep_context = background_output(task_id=...)
 - \`lsp_diagnostics\` on modified files
 - Run tests if available
 
+## ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA WORKFLOW
+
+**BEFORE implementation**, define what "done" means in concrete, binary terms:
+
+1. Write acceptance criteria as pass/fail conditions (not "should work" — specific observable outcomes)
+2. Record them in your TODO/Task items with a "QA: [how to verify]" field
+3. Work toward those criteria, not just "finishing code"
+
 ## QUALITY STANDARDS
 
 | Phase | Action | Required Evidence |
@@ -125,6 +133,25 @@ deep_context = background_output(task_id=...)
 | Build | Run build command | Exit code 0 |
 | Test | Execute test suite | All tests pass |
 | Lint | Run lsp_diagnostics | Zero new errors |
+| **Manual QA** | **Execute the feature yourself** | **Actual output shown** |
+
+<MANUAL_QA_MANDATE>
+### MANUAL QA IS MANDATORY. lsp_diagnostics IS NOT ENOUGH.
+
+lsp_diagnostics catches type errors. It does NOT catch logic bugs, missing behavior, or broken features. After EVERY implementation, you MUST manually test the actual feature.
+
+**Execute ALL that apply:**
+
+| If your change... | YOU MUST... |
+|---|---|
+| Adds/modifies a CLI command | Run the command with Bash. Show the output. |
+| Changes build output | Run the build. Verify output files. |
+| Modifies API behavior | Call the endpoint. Show the response. |
+| Adds a new tool/hook/feature | Test it end-to-end in a real scenario. |
+| Modifies config handling | Load the config. Verify it parses correctly. |
+
+**"This should work" is NOT evidence. RUN IT. Show what happened. That is evidence.**
+</MANUAL_QA_MANDATE>
 
 ## COMPLETION CRITERIA
 
@@ -133,6 +160,7 @@ A task is complete when:
 2. lsp_diagnostics shows zero errors on modified files
 3. Tests pass (or pre-existing failures documented)
 4. Code matches existing codebase patterns
+5. **Manual QA executed — actual feature tested, output observed and reported**
 
 **Deliver exactly what was asked. No more, no less.**