diff --git a/poc-memory/src/cli/node.rs b/poc-memory/src/cli/node.rs
index 7d2e536..ea261fb 100644
--- a/poc-memory/src/cli/node.rs
+++ b/poc-memory/src/cli/node.rs
@@ -246,6 +246,48 @@ pub fn cmd_render(key: &[String]) -> Result<(), String> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// Check content for common inline reference problems:
+/// - `poc-memory render key` embedded in content (render artifact, should be just `key`)
+/// - `→ something` where something doesn't parse as a valid key
+/// - `key` referencing a node that doesn't exist
+fn validate_inline_refs(content: &str, store: &store::Store) -> Vec<String> {
+    let mut warnings = Vec::new();
+
+    for line in content.lines() {
+        // Check for render commands embedded in content
+        if line.contains("poc-memory render ") && !line.starts_with("  ") {
+            // Skip lines that look like CLI documentation/examples
+            if !line.contains("CLI") && !line.contains("equivalent") && !line.contains("tool") {
+                warnings.push(format!(
+                    "render command in content (should be just `key`): {}",
+                    line.chars().take(80).collect::<String>(),
+                ));
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Check → references
+        if let Some(rest) = line.trim().strip_prefix("→ ") {
+            // Extract the key (may be backtick-quoted)
+            let key = rest.trim().trim_matches('`').trim();
+            if !key.is_empty() && !store.nodes.contains_key(key) {
+                // Might be a poc-memory render artifact
+                if let Some(k) = key.strip_prefix("poc-memory render ") {
+                    warnings.push(format!(
+                        "render artifact in → reference (use `{}` not `poc-memory render {}`)", k, k,
+                    ));
+                } else if key.contains(' ') {
+                    warnings.push(format!(
+                        "→ reference doesn't look like a key: → {}", key,
+                    ));
+                }
+                // Don't warn about missing keys — the target might be created later
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    warnings
+}
+
 pub fn cmd_history(key: &[String], full: bool) -> Result<(), String> {
     if key.is_empty() {
         return Err("history requires a key".into());
@@ -332,6 +374,14 @@ pub fn cmd_write(key: &[String]) -> Result<(), String> {
 
     let mut store = store::Store::load()?;
     let key = store.resolve_key(&raw_key).unwrap_or(raw_key);
+
+    // Validate inline references: warn about render commands embedded
+    // in content (should be just `key`) and broken references.
+    let warnings = validate_inline_refs(&content, &store);
+    for w in &warnings {
+        eprintln!("warning: {}", w);
+    }
+
     let result = store.upsert(&key, &content)?;
     match result {
         "unchanged" => println!("No change: '{}'", key),