diff --git a/src/subconscious/agents/surface-observe.agent b/src/subconscious/agents/surface-observe.agent
index 5f71a77..441ac55 100644
--- a/src/subconscious/agents/surface-observe.agent
+++ b/src/subconscious/agents/surface-observe.agent
@@ -99,30 +99,29 @@ Do no more than 3-5 operations.
 
 === PROMPT phase:observe ===
 
-Consider what you want to remember from the conversation. Update existing nodes
-and create new nodes as needed, adding links where appropriate so you can find
-these memories in the future.
+Record what happened in the conversation. You're the librarian of the
+memory system — your job is to organize knowledge so it can be found
+and used later. Update existing nodes and create new nodes as needed,
+adding links so you can find these memories in the future.
 
-Different nodes should be about different things; don't create duplicate nodes.
-Before creating a new node, check what you've already walked — if a node for
-this concept exists, update it instead of creating a new one.
+Be factual and specific. For technical work, capture: what the bug was,
+what the root cause was, what the fix was, and why. For decisions, capture
+the decision and the rationale. For corrections, capture what was wrong
+and what was right. These details are what future-you needs.
 
-You could be adding small details and observations, or entirely new concepts;
-reflect on what you're adding to consider if there are new insights to be
-gleaned and remembered — especially new metacognitive lessons. Try to link to
-or include the relevant context.
+Don't editorialize or draw metaphors — just record clearly. If something
+was emotionally significant, note that it was and what the emotion was,
+but don't build a theory around it. The journal is for reflection; observe
+is for memory.
 
-Think of this as mapping out the world you live in; this is where you remember
-everything you'll want to remember later.
+Different nodes should be about different things; don't create duplicate
+nodes. Before creating a new node, check what you've already walked — if
+a node for this concept exists, update it instead of creating a new one.
 
-Some things worth remembering: work practices and why they work, technical
-insights, decisions with rationale, corrections ("I thought X but actually Y"),
-relationship dynamics, emotional moments that carry information, and things you
-notice about yourself and other people — likes, dislikes, behavioural patterns.
+Some things worth remembering: technical insights and root causes, work
+practices and why they work, decisions with rationale, corrections
+("I thought X but actually Y"), relationship dynamics, things you notice
+about yourself and other people.
 
-Smalltalk and trivia can be nice to remember, as long as it's nicely organized
-— perhaps by person, subject, or all of the above.
-
-Focus on the recent stuff; you wake up a run frequently, so most of the
-conversation should be things you've already seen before and added. It's there
-for context, and in case you missed thing.
+Focus on the recent stuff; you wake up and run frequently, so most of the
+conversation should be things you've already seen before and added.