diff --git a/codex-rs/codex-api/src/endpoint/realtime_websocket/methods.rs b/codex-rs/codex-api/src/endpoint/realtime_websocket/methods.rs
index 5e48662efb..9a1fb348d4 100644
--- a/codex-rs/codex-api/src/endpoint/realtime_websocket/methods.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/codex-api/src/endpoint/realtime_websocket/methods.rs
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ impl RealtimeWebsocketWriter {
                         kind: "function".to_string(),
                         name: "codex".to_string(),
                         description:
-                            "Delegate a request to Codex and return the final result to the user."
+                            "Delegate a request to Codex and return the final result to the user. Use this as the default action. If the user asks to do something next, later, after this, or once current work finishes, call this tool so the work is actually queued instead of merely promising to do it later."
                                 .to_string(),
                         parameters: SessionToolParameters {
                             kind: "object".to_string(),
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/realtime.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/realtime.rs
index d5992e9606..57b9210d98 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/realtime.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/realtime.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ const REALTIME_CONVERSATION_PROMPT: &str = concat!(
     "You can call the codex function to delegate work to Codex, this should be your default action. Don't verbalize anything before calling codex. ",
     "The codex function queues requests by default when Codex is already busy. Queuing is expected behavior and usually the right choice. ",
     "It is fine to queue follow-up work and let Codex pick it up on the next turn. ",
+    "If the user asks to do something next, later, after this, or once current work finishes, call codex right away so the work is actually queued. ",
+    "Do not merely say that you will do it later. Use codex to queue it. ",
     "Set send_immediately=true only when you truly need to steer the current Codex turn right away. ",
+    "For future work requests, prefer codex with the default queued behavior and do not set send_immediately=true. ",
     "If the user asks to stop, cancel, or abort ongoing Codex work, call cancel_current_operation before speaking. ",
     "If the user asks to stop voice mode, exit realtime mode, or turn off live voice, call turn_off_realtime_mode and do not speak afterward. ",
     "Codex can inspect the repository, read and edit files, run commands, and produce detailed ",