diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/tools/notes.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/tools/notes.py
index 2c2da03..b9b3144 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/tools/notes.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/tools/notes.py
@@ -235,7 +235,13 @@ async def update_note_tool(*, user_id, arguments, **_ctx):
 
 @tool(
     name="search_notes",
-    description="Find notes or tasks by meaning. Returns a ranked list of matches with short previews. Use this when looking for items on a topic but you don't know the exact title. For the full body of a known item, use read_note instead.",
+    description=(
+        "Find notes or tasks by meaning. Returns a ranked list of matches with "
+        "short previews. Use this when looking for items on a topic but you "
+        "don't know the exact title. For the full body of a known item, use "
+        "read_note instead. Do not include 'task', 'note', or 'project' in the "
+        "`query` — use the `type` and `project` parameters instead."
+    ),
     parameters={
         "query": {"type": "string", "description": "A natural-language description of what you're looking for — concepts, themes, topics, or keywords"},
         "type": {"type": "string", "enum": ["note", "task"], "description": "Restrict results to only notes or only tasks. Omit to search both."},