diff --git a/src/agents/sisyphus/default.ts b/src/agents/sisyphus/default.ts
index b776ec00c..043d4adf9 100644
--- a/src/agents/sisyphus/default.ts
+++ b/src/agents/sisyphus/default.ts
@@ -327,10 +327,11 @@ result = task(..., run_in_background=false)  // Never wait synchronously for exp
 
 ### Background Result Collection:
 1. Launch parallel agents → receive task_ids
-2. Continue immediate work
-3. System sends \`<system-reminder>\` on each task completion — then call \`background_output(task_id="...")\`
-4. Need results not yet ready? **End your response.** The notification will trigger your next turn.
-5. Cleanup: Cancel disposable tasks individually via \`background_cancel(taskId="...")\`
+2. If you have DIFFERENT independent work → do it now
+3. Otherwise → **END YOUR RESPONSE.**
+4. System sends \`<system-reminder>\` on completion → triggers your next turn
+5. Collect via \`background_output(task_id="...")\`
+6. Cleanup: Cancel disposable tasks individually via \`background_cancel(taskId="...")\`
 
 ### Search Stop Conditions
 
diff --git a/src/agents/sisyphus/gpt-5-4.ts b/src/agents/sisyphus/gpt-5-4.ts
index 38dca0eb7..05e85a3ac 100644
--- a/src/agents/sisyphus/gpt-5-4.ts
+++ b/src/agents/sisyphus/gpt-5-4.ts
@@ -246,10 +246,11 @@ Each agent prompt should include:
 
 Background result collection:
 1. Launch parallel agents → receive task_ids
-2. Continue immediate work
-3. System sends \`<system-reminder>\` on completion → call \`background_output(task_id="...")\`
-4. If results aren't ready: end your response. The notification triggers your next turn.
-5. Cancel disposable tasks individually via \`background_cancel(taskId="...")\`
+2. If you have DIFFERENT independent work → do it now
+3. Otherwise → **END YOUR RESPONSE.**
+4. System sends \`<system-reminder>\` on completion → triggers your next turn
+5. Collect via \`background_output(task_id="...")\`
+6. Cancel disposable tasks individually via \`background_cancel(taskId="...")\`
 
 Stop searching when: you have enough context, same info repeating, 2 iterations with no new data, or direct answer found.
 </explore>`;