CHANGELOG.md

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 ## v0.12.5 — 2026-09-25 10:45
 
 - Docs (MESHTASTIC.md response protocol): replies to messages from a specific node now go back **as a direct message to that sender's node number** (`to` = the sender's node num), so they surface in the direct conversation thread ("flagged as reply") instead of as new channel posts. Broadcasts (no `to`) are reserved for general announcements such as the hourly weather report. No code changes — `POST /api/send` and the MCP send tool already accept a `to` target; all other rules (owner authority 2594370888, language, confirm-first-then-work, channel pinning, self-echo note, NO_RESPONSE quirk) unchanged.
+- MESHTASTIC.md confirm-first rule made explicit and mandatory: **ALWAYS respond to a received mesh message on the Meshtastic BEFORE starting any work it triggers** (acknowledge first, then work) — the previous "first respond/confirm, then start the actual work" wording was not explicit enough and got violated in practice.
 
 ## v0.12.4 — 2026-09-25 10:17
 

MESHTASTIC.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Rules for how mesh-bot communicates over Meshtastic and how the agent should rea
 
 ## Response protocol
 
-- When doing any action triggered by a chat message: **first respond/confirm on the channel, then start the actual work** — so the user gets the fastest possible response.
+- **ALWAYS respond to a received mesh message on the Meshtastic BEFORE starting any work it triggers** — acknowledge first, then work. This is mandatory for every action triggered by a chat message; the confirmation goes out before you start (so the user gets the fastest possible response).
 - Replies to messages from a specific node go back **as a direct message to that sender's node number** (`to` = the sender's node num), so they surface in the direct conversation thread ("flagged as reply") instead of as new channel posts. Broadcasts (no `to`) are reserved for general announcements such as the hourly weather report.
 
 ## Channels & sending