diff --git a/docs/cli/plan-mode.md b/docs/cli/plan-mode.md
index 03dd92967f..51f0078206 100644
--- a/docs/cli/plan-mode.md
+++ b/docs/cli/plan-mode.md
@@ -109,8 +109,9 @@ structure, and consultation level are proportional to the task's complexity:
     - **Iterate:** Provide feedback to refine the plan.
     - **Refine manually:** Press **Ctrl + X** to open the plan file in your
       [preferred external editor]. This allows you to manually refine the plan
-      steps before approval. The CLI will automatically refresh and show the
-      updated plan after you save and close the editor.
+      steps before approval. If you make any changes and save the file, the CLI
+      will automatically send the updated plan back to the agent for review and
+      iteration.
 
 For more complex or specialized planning tasks, you can
 [customize the planning workflow with skills](#customizing-planning-with-skills).
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/ExitPlanModeDialog.test.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/ExitPlanModeDialog.test.tsx
index d691caba1a..2bf1f723a6 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/ExitPlanModeDialog.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/ExitPlanModeDialog.test.tsx
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import { waitFor } from '../../test-utils/async.js';
 import { ExitPlanModeDialog } from './ExitPlanModeDialog.js';
 import { useKeypress } from '../hooks/useKeypress.js';
 import { keyMatchers, Command } from '../keyMatchers.js';
-import { openFileInEditor } from '../utils/editorUtils.js';
 import {
   ApprovalMode,
   validatePlanContent,
@@ -41,10 +40,6 @@ vi.mock('node:fs', async (importOriginal) => {
     ...actual,
     existsSync: vi.fn(),
     realpathSync: vi.fn((p) => p),
-    promises: {
-      ...actual.promises,
-      readFile: vi.fn(),
-    },
   };
 });
 
@@ -546,7 +541,7 @@ Implement a comprehensive authentication system with multiple providers.
         expect(onFeedback).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
       });
 
-      it('opens plan in external editor when Ctrl+X is pressed', async () => {
+      it('automatically submits feedback when Ctrl+X is used to edit the plan', async () => {
         const { stdin, lastFrame } = renderDialog({ useAlternateBuffer });
 
         await act(async () => {
@@ -557,27 +552,16 @@ Implement a comprehensive authentication system with multiple providers.
           expect(lastFrame()).toContain('Add user authentication');
         });
 
-        // Reset the mock to track the second call during refresh
-        vi.mocked(processSingleFileContent).mockClear();
-
         // Press Ctrl+X
         await act(async () => {
           writeKey(stdin, '\x18'); // Ctrl+X
         });
 
         await waitFor(() => {
-          expect(openFileInEditor).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-            mockPlanFullPath,
-            expect.anything(),
-            expect.anything(),
-            undefined,
+          expect(onFeedback).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+            'I have edited the plan or annotated it with feedback. Review the edited plan, update if necessary, and present it again for approval.',
           );
         });
-
-        // Verify that content is refreshed (processSingleFileContent called again)
-        await waitFor(() => {
-          expect(processSingleFileContent).toHaveBeenCalled();
-        });
       });
     },
   );
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/ExitPlanModeDialog.tsx b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/ExitPlanModeDialog.tsx
index 6a5da1c299..39e1b8a155 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/ui/components/ExitPlanModeDialog.tsx
+++ b/packages/cli/src/ui/components/ExitPlanModeDialog.tsx
@@ -156,11 +156,15 @@ export const ExitPlanModeDialog: React.FC<ExitPlanModeDialogProps> = ({
   const handleOpenEditor = useCallback(async () => {
     try {
       await openFileInEditor(planPath, stdin, setRawMode, getPreferredEditor());
+
+      onFeedback(
+        'I have edited the plan or annotated it with feedback. Review the edited plan, update if necessary, and present it again for approval.',
+      );
       refresh();
     } catch (err) {
       debugLogger.error('Failed to open plan in editor:', err);
     }
-  }, [planPath, stdin, setRawMode, getPreferredEditor, refresh]);
+  }, [planPath, stdin, setRawMode, getPreferredEditor, refresh, onFeedback]);
 
   useKeypress(
     (key) => {