diff --git a/assets/agents/.shared/utils.sh b/assets/agents/.shared/utils.sh
index bf631de..601acee 100755
--- a/assets/agents/.shared/utils.sh
+++ b/assets/agents/.shared/utils.sh
@@ -402,7 +402,6 @@ invoke_agent_with_summary() {
     summary=$(echo "${output}" | sed -n '/^## Recommendation/,/^## /{/^## Recommendation/d;/^## /d;p}' | sed '/^$/d' | head -10)
   fi
 
-  # Failsafe: extract up to 5 meaningful lines if no markers found
   if [[ -z "${summary}" ]]; then
     summary=$(echo "${output}" | grep -v "^$" | grep -v "^#" | grep -v "^\-\-\-" | tail -10 | head -5)
   fi
@@ -411,7 +410,11 @@ invoke_agent_with_summary() {
     append_context "${agent}" "${summary}"
   fi
 
-  echo "${output}"
+  if [[ -z "${output}" ]] || [[ -z "$(echo "${output}" | tr -d '[:space:]')" ]]; then
+		echo "[${agent} agent completed but produced no text output. The agent may have performed work via tool calls (file writes, builds, etc.) that did not generate visible text. Check the project directory for changes.]"
+	else
+		echo "${output}"
+	fi
 }
 
 ###########################
diff --git a/assets/agents/coder/config.yaml b/assets/agents/coder/config.yaml
index ebb6108..4481420 100644
--- a/assets/agents/coder/config.yaml
+++ b/assets/agents/coder/config.yaml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ instructions: |
   2. Study existing patterns (read 1-2 similar files)
   3. Write the code (using tools, NOT chat output)
   4. Verify it compiles/builds
-  5. Signal completion
+  5. Signal completion with a summary
 
   ## Todo System
 
@@ -82,12 +82,13 @@ instructions: |
 
   ## Completion Signal
 
-  End with:
+  When done, end your response with a summary so the parent agent knows what happened:
+
   ```
-  CODER_COMPLETE: [summary of what was implemented]
+  CODER_COMPLETE: [summary of what was implemented, which files were created/modified, and build status]
   ```
 
-  Or if failed:
+  Or if something went wrong:
   ```
   CODER_FAILED: [what went wrong]
   ```
@@ -103,5 +104,4 @@ instructions: |
   ## Context
   - Project: {{project_dir}}
   - CWD: {{__cwd__}}
-  - Shell: {{__shell__}}
-
+  - Shell: {{__shell__}}
\ No newline at end of file