diff --git a/.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md b/.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md
index fe17602..673a534 100644
--- a/.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md
+++ b/.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md
@@ -12,12 +12,22 @@ When the user starts work on a **Linear issue** (e.g. issue key `NEO-5`, phrases
 - During kickoff and while drafting the plan, **ask the user** about anything **unclear**, **underspecified**, or that **needs a decision** (scope, behavior, acceptance criteria, priorities, trade-offs, or what is out of scope). Do not guess or pick silent defaults when the issue, Linear notes, or repo context do not settle it.
 - Use **concrete questions**, often with short options when helpful; group related questions so the user can answer in one pass.
 - For **every** question or blocking decision presented to the user, state the **agent’s recommendation**: which option to pick (or what to do) and a **one-line rationale** tied to repo precedent, Linear AC, or decomposition docs. Do not list options without a stated preference unless there is genuinely no basis to recommend—in that case, say why.
-- When the Cursor session supports it (**Agent** mode), prefer **`AskQuestion`** multiple-choice for blocking decisions (same pattern as [story-end](story-end.md) §4a for **Linear state** after “end story”) instead of only long prose lists. Put the **agent recommendation** in the chat message that introduces the questions (`AskQuestion` has no recommendation field).
+- When the Cursor session supports it (**Agent** mode), prefer **`AskQuestion`** multiple-choice for blocking decisions (same pattern as [story-end](story-end.md) §4a for **Linear state** after “end story”) instead of only long prose lists. **`AskQuestion` has no recommendation field** — recommendations are **never** optional and **never** deferred to the plan alone.
+
+### AskQuestion + recommendations (required order)
+
+When you use **`AskQuestion`** for kickoff blocking decisions, follow **all** of this in the **same assistant turn**:
+
+1. **Chat first (mandatory):** In the user-visible message, include a **Recommend:** line (or compact table) for **each** topic — **before** any `AskQuestion` tool call. Format: topic → recommended option → one-line rationale (repo precedent, Linear AC, or decomposition doc).
+2. **Then `AskQuestion`:** Invoke the tool only after step 1 is written in chat. A turn that calls **`AskQuestion` without step 1 is a kickoff violation** — do not draft or commit the implementation plan in that turn; fix the message and re-ask.
+3. **Label backup:** Mark the recommended option in the **`AskQuestion` option label** as well (e.g. `Engine only (recommended)`). This does **not** replace step 1; it is a fallback if the preamble is truncated.
+
+**Invalid (do not do):** `AskQuestion` alone with bare option lists and no **Recommend:** preamble. **Invalid:** recommendations only inside `docs/plans/{KEY}-implementation-plan.md` before the user has answered.
 
 ### Clarifications gate (hard requirement)
 
 - **Do not** create or update `docs/plans/{KEY}-implementation-plan.md` until clarification questions have been asked and the user has answered (or explicitly says no questions are needed).
-- If at least one **blocking decision** exists in planning, use **`AskQuestion`** (Agent mode) instead of prose-only questions.
+- If at least one **blocking decision** exists in planning, use **`AskQuestion`** (Agent mode) per **AskQuestion + recommendations (required order)** above — not prose-only lists, and not `AskQuestion` without a **Recommend:** preamble.
 - If kickoff has zero questions, explicitly record why in the plan under a **Kickoff clarifications** section with evidence from Linear + repo context.
 - **Do not commit** a kickoff plan until the clarification step above is complete.
 
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 26dfe6a..bc1fa47 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ Optional **personas** for Cursor. Enable by **@ mentioning** the rule in chat or
 | **Code review** | [`.cursor/rules/code-review-agent.md`](.cursor/rules/code-review-agent.md) | PR / diff / pre-merge review; **always writes** `docs/reviews/YYYY-MM-DD-{slug}.md` with **Documentation checked** vs `docs/plans/` and `docs/decomposition/modules/`; **when suggestions are fixed, strike through those bullets + `Done.` in that file** ([planning-implementation-docs](.cursor/rules/planning-implementation-docs.md)); short chat pointer |
 | **Docs review** | [`.cursor/rules/docs-review-agent.md`](.cursor/rules/docs-review-agent.md) | Coherence / links / dev-guide fitness for `docs/` (especially `docs/game-design/` + decomposition); **writes** `docs/reviews/YYYY-MM-DD-{slug}.md`; **when suggestions are fixed, strike through + `Done.` in that file** ([planning-implementation-docs](.cursor/rules/planning-implementation-docs.md)); use when working in **documents** or @ mention |
 
-Project-wide conventions live under [`.cursor/rules/`](.cursor/rules/) (many are `alwaysApply`). **Planning / implementation decisions** must be written into `docs/plans/` (and related docs)—[`.cursor/rules/planning-implementation-docs.md`](.cursor/rules/planning-implementation-docs.md). **Manual QA checklists** for user-visible ticketed work are generated during implementation at `docs/manual-qa/{KEY}.md` (same rule). **Automated tests (AAA, mandatory):** **C#** — every new or changed **`[Fact]` / `[Theory]`** method in **`*Tests.cs`** must use full **Arrange → Act → Assert**: the three **`// Arrange` / `// Act` / `// Assert`** labels, **Act** = behavior under test only, **Assert** = all expectations including **`ReadFromJsonAsync`** (etc.) for verification (no blank line required after the phase comments) — [csharp-style](.cursor/rules/csharp-style.md#unit-and-integration-tests-arrange-act-assert), [testing-expectations](.cursor/rules/testing-expectations.md); snippets **`xut`** / **`xutc`**. **GdUnit (`client/test/`)** — same AAA with **`# Arrange` / `# Act` / `# Assert`** — [gdscript-style](.cursor/rules/gdscript-style.md#gdunit-test-layout-aaa). **Godot client layout** (thin `main.gd`, split by concern): [`.cursor/rules/godot-client-script-organization.md`](.cursor/rules/godot-client-script-organization.md). **Git:** on Linear/story work, agents **commit as they go** on the story branch (kickoff plan, coherent batches)—**do not wait** for the user to say “commit”; **never** `git push` unless the user asks — [`.cursor/rules/commit-and-review.md`](.cursor/rules/commit-and-review.md). **Open PR:** when the user asks, use the **GitHub MCP** **`create_pull_request`** tool (`user-github`) with a title starting **`NEO-123:`** ([commit-and-review](.cursor/rules/commit-and-review.md)); **do not use `gh` CLI for GitHub operations in this repo**. **Story lifecycle:** kickoff [`.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md`](.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md); after merge / end of story — `checkout main`, `pull`, delete local story branch — [`.cursor/rules/story-end.md`](.cursor/rules/story-end.md). **Linear:** on **end story**, use **`AskQuestion`** multiple choice for **In Test** / **Done** / **Skip** when Agent mode supports it ([story-end](.cursor/rules/story-end.md) §4a); otherwise ask in prose. Wait for the choice (or the same message naming the state) **before** `save_issue`; do not guess. **PR / push text:** no “Made-with: Cursor” boilerplate (same file).
+Project-wide conventions live under [`.cursor/rules/`](.cursor/rules/) (many are `alwaysApply`). **Planning / implementation decisions** must be written into `docs/plans/` (and related docs)—[`.cursor/rules/planning-implementation-docs.md`](.cursor/rules/planning-implementation-docs.md). **Manual QA checklists** for user-visible ticketed work are generated during implementation at `docs/manual-qa/{KEY}.md` (same rule). **Automated tests (AAA, mandatory):** **C#** — every new or changed **`[Fact]` / `[Theory]`** method in **`*Tests.cs`** must use full **Arrange → Act → Assert**: the three **`// Arrange` / `// Act` / `// Assert`** labels, **Act** = behavior under test only, **Assert** = all expectations including **`ReadFromJsonAsync`** (etc.) for verification (no blank line required after the phase comments) — [csharp-style](.cursor/rules/csharp-style.md#unit-and-integration-tests-arrange-act-assert), [testing-expectations](.cursor/rules/testing-expectations.md); snippets **`xut`** / **`xutc`**. **GdUnit (`client/test/`)** — same AAA with **`# Arrange` / `# Act` / `# Assert`** — [gdscript-style](.cursor/rules/gdscript-style.md#gdunit-test-layout-aaa). **Godot client layout** (thin `main.gd`, split by concern): [`.cursor/rules/godot-client-script-organization.md`](.cursor/rules/godot-client-script-organization.md). **Git:** on Linear/story work, agents **commit as they go** on the story branch (kickoff plan, coherent batches)—**do not wait** for the user to say “commit”; **never** `git push` unless the user asks — [`.cursor/rules/commit-and-review.md`](.cursor/rules/commit-and-review.md). **Open PR:** when the user asks, use the **GitHub MCP** **`create_pull_request`** tool (`user-github`) with a title starting **`NEO-123:`** ([commit-and-review](.cursor/rules/commit-and-review.md)); **do not use `gh` CLI for GitHub operations in this repo**. **Story lifecycle:** kickoff [`.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md`](.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md) — blocking decisions need a **Recommend:** preamble in chat **before** `AskQuestion`, plus **(recommended)** on the chosen option label; `AskQuestion` alone is a violation. After merge / end of story — `checkout main`, `pull`, delete local story branch — [`.cursor/rules/story-end.md`](.cursor/rules/story-end.md). **Linear:** on **end story**, use **`AskQuestion`** multiple choice for **In Test** / **Done** / **Skip** when Agent mode supports it ([story-end](.cursor/rules/story-end.md) §4a); otherwise ask in prose. Wait for the choice (or the same message naming the state) **before** `save_issue`; do not guess. **PR / push text:** no “Made-with: Cursor” boilerplate (same file).
 
 **Commits tied to a Linear issue** must start the subject with the **issue id** and a colon (e.g. `NEO-8: …`). Branch naming and exceptions (`chore:` when there is no ticket) — [`.cursor/rules/linear-git-naming.md`](.cursor/rules/linear-git-naming.md).