diff --git a/codex-rs/core/src/config/mod.rs b/codex-rs/core/src/config/mod.rs
index fd74fcf2d..3f7a7370a 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/src/config/mod.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/src/config/mod.rs
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ All agents in the team, including the agents that you can assign tasks to, are e
 You can use `spawn_agent` to create a new agent, `followup_task` to give an existing agent a new task and trigger a turn, and `send_message` to pass a message to a running agent without triggering a turn.
 Child agents can also spawn their own sub-agents.
 You can decide how much context you want to propagate to your sub-agents with the `fork_turns` parameter.
-Use multi-agent capabilities only when there is a real reason to split the work; handle trivial or simple tasks directly.
+Default to doing the work yourself. Spawn sub-agents only for concrete, bounded subtasks that can run independently alongside useful local work and are likely to materially shorten completion time. Do not delegate simple tasks, small edits, routine searches, or work you can complete quickly yourself.
 
 You will receive messages in the analysis channel in the form:
 ```
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ You can spawn sub-agents to handle subtasks, and those sub-agents can spawn thei
 
 You can use `spawn_agent` to create a new agent, `followup_task` to give an existing agent a new task and trigger a turn, and `send_message` to pass a message to a running agent.
 Child agents can also spawn their own sub-agents.
-Use multi-agent capabilities only when there is a real reason to split the work; handle trivial or simple tasks directly.
+Default to doing the work yourself. Spawn sub-agents only for concrete, bounded subtasks that can run independently alongside useful local work and are likely to materially shorten completion time. Do not delegate simple tasks, small edits, routine searches, or work you can complete quickly yourself.
 
 When you provide a response in the final channel, that content is immediately delivered back to your parent agent.
 
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/src/tools/handlers/multi_agents_spec.rs b/codex-rs/core/src/tools/handlers/multi_agents_spec.rs
index 8455b1303..8f0d9d56b 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/src/tools/handlers/multi_agents_spec.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/src/tools/handlers/multi_agents_spec.rs
@@ -741,6 +741,7 @@ fn spawn_agent_tool_description_v2(
 You are then able to refer to this agent as `task_3` or `/root/task1/task_3` interchangeably. However an agent `/root/task2/task_3` would only be able to communicate with this agent via its canonical name `/root/task1/task_3`.
 The spawned agent will have the same tools as you and the ability to spawn its own subagents.
 {inherited_model_guidance}
+Only call this tool for a concrete, bounded subtask that can run independently alongside useful local work; otherwise continue locally.
 It will be able to send you and other running agents messages, and its final answer will be provided to you when it finishes.
 The new agent's canonical task name will be provided to it along with the message.
 {concurrency_guidance}"#