diff --git a/.claude/commands/next-task.md b/.claude/commands/next-task.md
index c377ac5..200e8ec 100644
--- a/.claude/commands/next-task.md
+++ b/.claude/commands/next-task.md
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
-Work the task backlog in CLAUDE.md.
+Work the task backlog.
 
-1. Read CLAUDE.md, especially "Critical context" and "Task backlog".
+1. Read CLAUDE.md, especially "Critical context" and "Task backlog". ALSO check
+   `.claude/tasks/` for standalone task specs (e.g. T8+) that aren't inline in the
+   backlog — treat those as first-class backlog items.
 2. Pick the lowest-numbered task that is not yet done (default: $ARGUMENTS if a
-   task id like T1 is given).
+   task id like T8 is given). Note: T1-T7 are done + live-verified; new work
+   generally lives in `.claude/tasks/`.
 3. Restate the task and its acceptance criteria before writing any code.
 4. Implement it demo-grade, following the repo conventions:
    - Fusion is shared SaaS — never build/host it or automate its console config.
@@ -11,6 +14,6 @@ Work the task backlog in CLAUDE.md.
    - Never commit AWS creds, secrets, or real PII; seed data is synthetic only.
    - Terraform runs with `-chdir=terraform`.
 5. Do NOT run deploys or anything that incurs AWS spend without asking first.
-6. When done: note what you changed in the relevant file, tick the task in
-   CLAUDE.md, and state how you verified the acceptance criteria (or what still
-   needs a human/live check).
+6. When done: note what you changed in the relevant file, tick the task (in its
+   `.claude/tasks/` file or in CLAUDE.md), and state how you verified the
+   acceptance criteria (or what still needs a human/live check).