[feedback] standing-directive-decay: An operator modifier (bundle from prior art, pre-prepared) decays over a session while action-attached rules s

Context. Solo-operator project using Claude Code (desktop app, Windows 11) with a lead session on Claude Fable 5.1 orchestrating Opus 5.5 / Sonnet subagents (worktree-isolated), a JSON task store, PreToolUse/SubagentStop hooks and a harvest-train commit flow. This finding was measured on or before 2026-09-22 and filed on 2026-09-28 at the operator's request; numbers are from tool output. No secrets, identities or private paths.

Class / model / severity. standing-directive-decay / Fable 5.1 (lead) / HIGH

Finding. An operator modifier (bundle from prior art, pre-prepared) decays over a session while action-attached rules survive; the operator steered bundling three times in one session and for three weeks overall.

Evidence (measured). Prepared bundles existed as files (ten manifests, a queue) and the lead still composed single dispatches at slot-free moments (ledger 09:0xZ-09:2xZ; memory feedback-standing-directive-decay n+3).

Minimal reproduction. Give a long-running agent a how-modifier at turn 1 and measure adherence at turn 50 without restatement.

Ask. On the second hearing of a modifier, propose the verb step that makes it structural; re-apply the modifier list at each action, not the last instruction.