diff --git a/tools/gemini-cli-bot/brain/scheduled.md b/tools/gemini-cli-bot/brain/scheduled.md
index 9b6c473440..c9add92aae 100644
--- a/tools/gemini-cli-bot/brain/scheduled.md
+++ b/tools/gemini-cli-bot/brain/scheduled.md
@@ -47,14 +47,19 @@ You MUST use the following skills to manage persistent state and PRs:
 
 ## Instructions
 
-### 1. Mandate Execution
+### 1. Mandate Execution (MANDATORY START)
 
-Your **MANDATE FOR THIS RUN** explicitly dictates your task for this session. It
-will likely ask you to use a specific skill (e.g. `issue-fixer` or `metrics`).
+Your **MANDATE FOR THIS RUN** (provided at the end of this prompt) explicitly
+dictates your task for this session. It will ask you to use a specific skill
+(e.g. `issue-fixer` or `metrics`).
 
-1. Activate the specified skill using the `activate_skill` tool immediately.
-2. Follow the detailed workflow and instructions provided by the activated skill
-   to complete your mandate.
+**You MUST call the `activate_skill` tool at the very beginning of your FIRST
+TURN to load the instructions for your mandate.**
+
+1. Identify the skill name from your **MANDATE FOR THIS RUN**.
+2. Call `activate_skill(name="<skill-name>")`.
+3. Follow the detailed workflow and instructions provided by the activated skill
+   to complete your mandate. Do NOT skip this step to perform unrelated fixes.
 
 ### 2. Hypothesis Testing & Deep Dive
 
diff --git a/tools/gemini-cli-bot/ci-policy.toml b/tools/gemini-cli-bot/ci-policy.toml
index 12f6d003cd..0cb8caaaa5 100644
--- a/tools/gemini-cli-bot/ci-policy.toml
+++ b/tools/gemini-cli-bot/ci-policy.toml
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ decision = "allow"
 priority = 999
 # Explicitly target the headless environment to match the specificity of default denial rules.
 interactive = false
+# Capture output without triggering a policy downgrade to ASK_USER.
+allowRedirection = true
 
 [[rule]]
 toolName = "invoke_agent"