diff --git a/.forgejo/kcl-ci/main.k b/.forgejo/kcl-ci/main.k
index 1615f51..9e68513 100644
--- a/.forgejo/kcl-ci/main.k
+++ b/.forgejo/kcl-ci/main.k
@@ -245,6 +245,11 @@ _merge_affected_ref = h.gha_steps("prepare", "affected_files")
 _merge_prompt = """\
 You are automating an upstream sync for our Forgejo fork of anthropics/claude-code-action.
 
+## CRITICAL: Do NOT stop early
+You MUST complete ALL steps below before stopping. Resolving conflicts alone is NOT sufficient.
+Your job is NOT done until you have pushed the branch AND created (or updated) the PR.
+If you stop before pushing and creating the PR, the entire sync fails.
+
 ## Current state
 - Branch: ${_merge_branch_ref}
 - ${_merge_behind_ref} commits behind upstream, ${_merge_ahead_ref} commits ahead (our Forgejo changes)
diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/upstream-sync.yml b/.forgejo/workflows/upstream-sync.yml
index 49bda91..44eee5d 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/upstream-sync.yml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/upstream-sync.yml
@@ -331,6 +331,11 @@ jobs:
         prompt: |-
           You are automating an upstream sync for our Forgejo fork of anthropics/claude-code-action.
 
+          ## CRITICAL: Do NOT stop early
+          You MUST complete ALL steps below before stopping. Resolving conflicts alone is NOT sufficient.
+          Your job is NOT done until you have pushed the branch AND created (or updated) the PR.
+          If you stop before pushing and creating the PR, the entire sync fails.
+
           ## Current state
           - Branch: ${{ steps.prepare.outputs.branch }}
           - ${{ needs.check-upstream.outputs.behind }} commits behind upstream, ${{ needs.check-upstream.outputs.ahead }} commits ahead (our Forgejo changes)