diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/tools/journal.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/tools/journal.py
index 42c2133..500fbdf 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/tools/journal.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/tools/journal.py
@@ -165,7 +165,11 @@ async def _resolve_entity_ids_by_name(
         "STRONGLY PREFER the *_names parameters when linking entities — the server "
         "resolves names to IDs by lookup, so you cannot accidentally invent or "
         "re-use the wrong ID. Use *_ids only when you have an exact ID returned "
-        "from another tool call in this same turn."
+        "from another tool call in this same turn. "
+        "`task_titles` and `note_titles` must be exact titles returned by a prior "
+        "search_notes call in this same turn. Do NOT pass user-typed phrases, "
+        "project names, or invented titles. If you have not searched yet, call "
+        "search_notes first."
     ),
     parameters={
         "content": {