diff --git a/codex-rs/core/src/session/tests.rs b/codex-rs/core/src/session/tests.rs
index cf3debfb74..f095ed127a 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/src/session/tests.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/src/session/tests.rs
@@ -1907,25 +1907,21 @@ async fn build_initial_context_inlines_base_instructions_for_new_turn_contexts()
 
     assert!(turn_context.inline_instructions);
     let initial_context = session.build_initial_context(&turn_context).await;
-    assert!(
-        developer_input_texts(&initial_context)
-            .iter()
-            .any(|text| text.contains(&base_instructions))
-    );
+    let developer_texts = developer_input_texts(&initial_context);
+    assert_eq!(developer_texts.first(), Some(&base_instructions.as_str()));
 
     turn_context.inline_instructions = false;
     let legacy_initial_context = session.build_initial_context(&turn_context).await;
-    assert!(
-        developer_input_texts(&legacy_initial_context)
-            .iter()
-            .all(|text| !text.contains(&base_instructions))
+    assert_eq!(
+        developer_input_texts(&legacy_initial_context),
+        developer_texts[1..]
     );
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn new_turn_context_inherits_inline_instructions_from_reference_context() {
     let (session, turn_context) = make_session_and_context().await;
-    assert!(turn_context.inline_instructions);
+    assert_eq!(turn_context.inline_instructions, true);
 
     let mut legacy_context_item = turn_context.to_turn_context_item();
     legacy_context_item.inline_instructions = false;
@@ -1936,11 +1932,12 @@ async fn new_turn_context_inherits_inline_instructions_from_reference_context()
         .set_reference_context_item(Some(legacy_context_item));
 
     let resumed_turn_context = session.new_default_turn().await;
-    assert!(!resumed_turn_context.inline_instructions);
-    assert!(
-        !resumed_turn_context
+    assert_eq!(resumed_turn_context.inline_instructions, false);
+    assert_eq!(
+        resumed_turn_context
             .to_turn_context_item()
-            .inline_instructions
+            .inline_instructions,
+        false
     );
 }
 
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/auto_review.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/auto_review.rs
index b913a252ab..79b3d232c8 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/auto_review.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/auto_review.rs
@@ -201,9 +201,11 @@ async fn remote_model_override_uses_catalog_model_for_strict_auto_review() -> Re
         .into_iter()
         .find(|request| {
             request.body_contains_text("auto-review-model-override.txt")
-                && request.message_input_texts("developer").iter().any(|text| {
-                    text.starts_with("You are judging one planned coding-agent action.")
-                })
+                && request
+                    .message_input_texts("developer")
+                    .first()
+                    .and_then(|text| text.lines().next())
+                    == Some("You are judging one planned coding-agent action.")
         })
         .expect("expected Guardian request for apply_patch");
     assert_eq!(
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/cli_stream.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/cli_stream.rs
index 0df19c4685..41d5181aa6 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/cli_stream.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/cli_stream.rs
@@ -346,11 +346,8 @@ async fn exec_cli_applies_model_instructions_file() {
     // Inspect the captured request and verify our custom base instructions were
     // included in developer input.
     let request = resp_mock.single_request();
-    let instructions = request.message_input_texts("developer").join("\n\n");
-    assert!(
-        instructions.contains(marker),
-        "instructions did not contain custom marker; got: {instructions}"
-    );
+    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
+    assert_eq!(developer_texts.first().map(String::as_str), Some(marker));
 }
 
 /// Verify that `codex exec --profile ...` preserves the active user config
@@ -409,11 +406,8 @@ async fn exec_cli_profile_applies_model_instructions_file() {
     assert!(output.status.success());
 
     let request = resp_mock.single_request();
-    let instructions = request.message_input_texts("developer").join("\n\n");
-    assert!(
-        instructions.contains(marker),
-        "instructions did not contain profile marker; got: {instructions}"
-    );
+    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
+    assert_eq!(developer_texts.first().map(String::as_str), Some(marker));
 }
 
 /// Tests streaming responses through the CLI using a local Responses API server.
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/client.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/client.rs
index 19a0a5ce09..207790a90b 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/client.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/client.rs
@@ -1240,12 +1240,10 @@ async fn inlines_base_instructions_override_in_request() {
     let request_body = request.body_json();
     let developer_messages = request.message_input_texts("developer");
 
-    assert!(request_body.get("instructions").is_none());
-    assert!(
-        developer_messages
-            .iter()
-            .any(|text| text.contains("test instructions")),
-        "expected base instructions in developer input, got {developer_messages:?}"
+    assert_eq!(request_body.get("instructions"), None);
+    assert_eq!(
+        developer_messages.first().map(String::as_str),
+        Some("test instructions")
     );
 }
 
@@ -1466,12 +1464,10 @@ async fn includes_user_instructions_message_in_request() {
     let request = resp_mock.single_request();
     let request_body = request.body_json();
 
-    assert!(request_body.get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(request_body.get("instructions"), None);
     assert_message_role(&request_body["input"][0], "developer");
-    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
-    let permissions_text = developer_texts
-        .iter()
-        .find(|text| text.contains("`sandbox_mode`"))
+    let permissions_text = request_body["input"][0]["content"][1]["text"]
+        .as_str()
         .expect("permissions message content");
     assert!(
         permissions_text.contains("`sandbox_mode`"),
@@ -2649,12 +2645,10 @@ async fn includes_developer_instructions_message_in_request() {
     let request = resp_mock.single_request();
     let request_body = request.body_json();
 
-    assert!(request_body.get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(request_body.get("instructions"), None);
     assert_message_role(&request_body["input"][0], "developer");
-    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
-    let permissions_text = developer_texts
-        .iter()
-        .find(|text| text.contains("`sandbox_mode`"))
+    let permissions_text = request_body["input"][0]["content"][1]["text"]
+        .as_str()
         .expect("permissions message content");
     assert!(
         permissions_text.contains("`sandbox_mode`"),
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/compact.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/compact.rs
index 1206831033..84bd4e02d9 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/compact.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/compact.rs
@@ -547,13 +547,15 @@ async fn summarize_context_three_requests_and_instructions() {
     let body3 = requests[2].body_json();
 
     // Manual compact should keep the baseline developer instructions.
-    assert!(body1.get("instructions").is_none());
-    assert!(body2.get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(body1.get("instructions"), None);
+    assert_eq!(body2.get("instructions"), None);
     let developer_texts1 = requests[0].message_input_texts("developer");
     let developer_texts2 = requests[1].message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(
-        developer_texts2.starts_with(&developer_texts1),
-        "manual compact should keep the standard developer instructions: {developer_texts2:?}"
+    let baseline_instructions = developer_texts1.first().expect("developer instructions");
+    assert_eq!(
+        developer_texts2.first(),
+        Some(baseline_instructions),
+        "manual compact should keep the standard developer instructions"
     );
 
     // The summarization request should include the injected user input marker.
@@ -1215,13 +1217,10 @@ async fn multiple_auto_compact_per_task_runs_after_token_limit_hit() {
                     && value
                         .get("content")
                         .and_then(|content| content.as_array())
-                        .is_some_and(|content| {
-                            content.iter().any(|item| {
-                                item.get("text")
-                                    .and_then(|text| text.as_str())
-                                    .is_some_and(|text| text.contains("`sandbox_mode`"))
-                            })
-                        })
+                        .and_then(|content| content.get(1))
+                        .and_then(|item| item.get("text"))
+                        .and_then(|text| text.as_str())
+                        .is_some_and(|text| text.contains("`sandbox_mode`"))
                 {
                     return None;
                 }
@@ -1717,13 +1716,17 @@ async fn auto_compact_runs_after_token_limit_hit() {
     let body_first = requests[0].body_json();
     let body_auto = requests[auto_compact_index].body_json();
     let body_follow_up = requests[follow_up_index].body_json();
-    assert!(body_first.get("instructions").is_none());
-    assert!(body_auto.get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(body_first.get("instructions"), None);
+    assert_eq!(body_auto.get("instructions"), None);
     let baseline_developer_texts = requests[0].message_input_texts("developer");
     let auto_developer_texts = requests[auto_compact_index].message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(
-        auto_developer_texts.starts_with(&baseline_developer_texts),
-        "auto compact should keep the standard developer instructions: {auto_developer_texts:?}",
+    let baseline_instructions = baseline_developer_texts
+        .first()
+        .expect("developer instructions");
+    assert_eq!(
+        auto_developer_texts.first(),
+        Some(baseline_instructions),
+        "auto compact should keep the standard developer instructions",
     );
 
     let input_auto = body_auto.get("input").and_then(|v| v.as_array()).unwrap();
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/compact_remote.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/compact_remote.rs
index de98277ba1..215cdca6f3 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/compact_remote.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/compact_remote.rs
@@ -2180,18 +2180,14 @@ async fn remote_compact_trim_estimate_uses_session_base_instructions() -> Result
     .await;
 
     let override_compact_request = override_compact_mock.single_request();
-    assert!(
-        override_compact_request
-            .body_json()
-            .get("instructions")
-            .is_none()
+    assert_eq!(
+        override_compact_request.body_json().get("instructions"),
+        None
     );
     let override_developer_texts = override_compact_request.message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(
-        override_developer_texts
-            .iter()
-            .any(|text| text.contains(&override_base_instructions)),
-        "expected override instructions in developer input, got {override_developer_texts:?}"
+    assert_eq!(
+        override_developer_texts.first().map(String::as_str),
+        Some(override_base_instructions.as_str())
     );
     assert!(
         override_compact_request.has_function_call(override_retained_call_id),
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/mcp_turn_metadata.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/mcp_turn_metadata.rs
index 9fc24f5f8a..a2505231fa 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/mcp_turn_metadata.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/mcp_turn_metadata.rs
@@ -318,8 +318,9 @@ async fn apps_default_prompt_with_auto_review_routes_actual_mcp_approval_to_guar
         .find(|request| {
             request
                 .message_input_texts("developer")
-                .iter()
-                .any(|text| text.starts_with("You are judging one planned coding-agent action."))
+                .first()
+                .and_then(|text| text.lines().next())
+                == Some("You are judging one planned coding-agent action.")
         })
         .expect("expected a Guardian request for the app MCP approval");
     assert!(guardian_request.body_contains_text("calendar_create_event"));
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/model_visible_layout.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/model_visible_layout.rs
index 61905a8fe7..f0155c6fae 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/model_visible_layout.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/model_visible_layout.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use anyhow::Result;
 use codex_config::types::Personality;
 use codex_features::Feature;
+use codex_protocol::models::ContentItem;
 use codex_protocol::models::PermissionProfile;
 use codex_protocol::models::ResponseItem;
 use codex_protocol::protocol::AskForApproval;
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ use core_test_support::skip_if_no_network;
 use core_test_support::test_codex::test_codex;
 use core_test_support::test_codex::turn_permission_fields;
 use core_test_support::wait_for_event;
+use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
 use serde_json::json;
 
 const PRETURN_CONTEXT_DIFF_CWD: &str = "PRETURN_CONTEXT_DIFF_CWD";
@@ -376,6 +378,10 @@ async fn snapshot_model_visible_layout_resume_with_personality_change() -> Resul
         .await?;
     wait_for_event(&codex, |event| matches!(event, EventMsg::TurnComplete(_))).await;
     let initial_request = initial_mock.single_request();
+    let initial_developer_texts = initial_request.message_input_texts("developer");
+    let initial_model_instructions = initial_developer_texts
+        .first()
+        .expect("initial model instructions");
 
     // Rewrite the seed turn into the legacy representation: no persisted compatibility flag and
     // no model instructions in history. The resumed request should therefore use the top-level
@@ -394,8 +400,10 @@ async fn snapshot_model_visible_layout_resume_with_personality_change() -> Resul
                 RolloutItem::ResponseItem(ResponseItem::Message { role, content, .. })
                     if role == "developer" && !removed_inline_instructions =>
                 {
-                    assert!(!content.is_empty(), "developer message should have content");
-                    content.remove(0);
+                    let ContentItem::InputText { text } = content.remove(0) else {
+                        panic!("first developer content should be model instructions");
+                    };
+                    assert_eq!(text, initial_model_instructions.as_str());
                     removed_inline_instructions = true;
                 }
                 _ => {}
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/personality.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/personality.rs
index c34de28abe..e4d00749d9 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/personality.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/personality.rs
@@ -194,14 +194,14 @@ async fn config_personality_some_sets_instructions_template() -> anyhow::Result<
     wait_for_event(&test.codex, |ev| matches!(ev, EventMsg::TurnComplete(_))).await;
 
     let request = resp_mock.single_request();
-    let instructions_text = request.message_input_texts("developer").join("\n\n");
+    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
+    let instructions_text = developer_texts.first().expect("developer instructions");
 
     assert!(
         instructions_text.contains(LOCAL_FRIENDLY_TEMPLATE),
         "expected personality update to include the local friendly template, got: {instructions_text:?}"
     );
 
-    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
     for text in developer_texts {
         assert!(
             !text.contains("<personality_spec>"),
@@ -241,7 +241,8 @@ async fn config_personality_none_sends_no_personality() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     wait_for_event(&test.codex, |ev| matches!(ev, EventMsg::TurnComplete(_))).await;
 
     let request = resp_mock.single_request();
-    let instructions_text = request.message_input_texts("developer").join("\n\n");
+    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
+    let instructions_text = developer_texts.first().expect("developer instructions");
     assert!(
         !instructions_text.contains(LOCAL_FRIENDLY_TEMPLATE),
         "expected no friendly personality template, got: {instructions_text:?}"
@@ -255,7 +256,6 @@ async fn config_personality_none_sends_no_personality() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         "expected personality placeholder to be removed, got: {instructions_text:?}"
     );
 
-    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
     assert!(
         !developer_texts
             .iter()
@@ -294,7 +294,8 @@ async fn default_personality_is_pragmatic_without_config_toml() -> anyhow::Resul
     wait_for_event(&test.codex, |ev| matches!(ev, EventMsg::TurnComplete(_))).await;
 
     let request = resp_mock.single_request();
-    let instructions_text = request.message_input_texts("developer").join("\n\n");
+    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
+    let instructions_text = developer_texts.first().expect("developer instructions");
     assert!(
         instructions_text.contains(LOCAL_PRAGMATIC_TEMPLATE),
         "expected default friendly template, got: {instructions_text:?}"
@@ -636,7 +637,8 @@ async fn remote_model_friendly_personality_instructions_with_feature() -> anyhow
     wait_for_event(&test.codex, |ev| matches!(ev, EventMsg::TurnComplete(_))).await;
 
     let request = resp_mock.single_request();
-    let instructions_text = request.message_input_texts("developer").join("\n\n");
+    let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
+    let instructions_text = developer_texts.first().expect("developer instructions");
 
     assert!(
         instructions_text.contains(friendly_personality_message),
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/prompt_caching.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/prompt_caching.rs
index 1df9230ab0..5f3eb97f03 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/prompt_caching.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/prompt_caching.rs
@@ -206,25 +206,21 @@ async fn prompt_tools_are_consistent_across_requests() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         [base_instructions, APPLY_PATCH_TOOL_INSTRUCTIONS.to_string()].join("\n")
     };
 
-    assert!(body0.get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(body0.get("instructions"), None);
     let developer_texts0 = request0.message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(
-        developer_texts0
-            .iter()
-            .any(|text| text.starts_with(&expected_instructions)),
-        "expected model instructions in developer input, got {developer_texts0:?}"
+    assert_eq!(
+        developer_texts0.first().map(String::as_str),
+        Some(expected_instructions.as_str())
     );
     assert_tool_names(&body0, &expected_tools_names);
 
     let request1 = req2.single_request();
     let body1 = request1.body_json();
-    assert!(body1.get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(body1.get("instructions"), None);
     let developer_texts1 = request1.message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(
-        developer_texts1
-            .iter()
-            .any(|text| text.starts_with(&expected_instructions)),
-        "expected model instructions in developer input, got {developer_texts1:?}"
+    assert_eq!(
+        developer_texts1.first().map(String::as_str),
+        Some(expected_instructions.as_str())
     );
     assert_tool_names(&body1, &expected_tools_names);
 
@@ -290,7 +286,7 @@ async fn gpt_5_tools_without_apply_patch_append_apply_patch_instructions() -> an
     wait_for_event(&codex, |ev| matches!(ev, EventMsg::TurnComplete(_))).await;
 
     let request0 = req1.single_request();
-    assert!(request0.body_json().get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(request0.body_json().get("instructions"), None);
     let developer_texts0 = request0.message_input_texts("developer");
     let instructions0 = developer_texts0.first().expect("developer instructions");
     assert!(
@@ -299,7 +295,7 @@ async fn gpt_5_tools_without_apply_patch_append_apply_patch_instructions() -> an
     );
 
     let request1 = req2.single_request();
-    assert!(request1.body_json().get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(request1.body_json().get("instructions"), None);
     let developer_texts1 = request1.message_input_texts("developer");
     let instructions1 = developer_texts1.first().expect("developer instructions");
     assert_eq!(
@@ -654,24 +650,18 @@ async fn override_before_first_turn_emits_environment_context() -> anyhow::Resul
         "environment context should appear at least once, found {env_count}"
     );
 
-    let permissions_texts: Vec<&str> = input
-        .iter()
-        .filter(|msg| msg["role"].as_str() == Some("developer"))
-        .flat_map(|msg| {
-            msg["content"]
-                .as_array()
-                .into_iter()
-                .flatten()
-                .filter_map(|item| item["text"].as_str())
-        })
-        .collect();
+    let permissions_text = input
+        .first()
+        .and_then(|message| message["content"].as_array())
+        .and_then(|content| content.get(1))
+        .and_then(|item| item["text"].as_str())
+        .expect("permissions instructions");
+    let normalized_permissions = permissions_text.to_ascii_lowercase();
     assert!(
-        permissions_texts.iter().any(|text| {
-            let lower = text.to_ascii_lowercase();
-            (lower.contains("approval policy") || lower.contains("approval_policy"))
-                && lower.contains("never")
-        }),
-        "permissions message should reflect overridden approval policy: {permissions_texts:?}"
+        (normalized_permissions.contains("approval policy")
+            || normalized_permissions.contains("approval_policy"))
+            && normalized_permissions.contains("never"),
+        "permissions message should reflect overridden approval policy: {permissions_text:?}"
     );
 
     let user_texts: Vec<&str> = input
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/remote_models.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/remote_models.rs
index c1d364284a..311450e5ad 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/remote_models.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/remote_models.rs
@@ -827,13 +827,11 @@ async fn remote_models_apply_remote_base_instructions() -> Result<()> {
         .get_model_info("gpt-5.2", &config.to_models_manager_config())
         .await;
     let request = response_mock.single_request();
-    assert!(request.body_json().get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(request.body_json().get("instructions"), None);
     let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(
-        developer_texts
-            .iter()
-            .any(|text| text.contains(&base_model_info.base_instructions)),
-        "expected model instructions in developer input, got {developer_texts:?}"
+    assert_eq!(
+        developer_texts.first().map(String::as_str),
+        Some(base_model_info.base_instructions.as_str())
     );
 
     Ok(())
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/resume.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/resume.rs
index 10c954c8de..9b8f071e97 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/resume.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/resume.rs
@@ -275,8 +275,11 @@ async fn resume_switches_models_preserves_base_instructions() -> Result<()> {
     wait_for_event(&codex, |event| matches!(event, EventMsg::TurnComplete(_))).await;
 
     let initial_request = initial_mock.single_request();
-    assert!(initial_request.body_json().get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(initial_request.body_json().get("instructions"), None);
     let initial_developer_texts = initial_request.message_input_texts("developer");
+    let initial_instructions = initial_developer_texts
+        .first()
+        .expect("initial developer instructions");
 
     let resumed_mock = mount_sse_sequence(
         &server,
@@ -339,22 +342,19 @@ async fn resume_switches_models_preserves_base_instructions() -> Result<()> {
     assert_eq!(requests.len(), 2, "expected two resumed requests");
 
     let first_resumed = &requests[0];
-    assert!(first_resumed.body_json().get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(first_resumed.body_json().get("instructions"), None);
     let first_developer_texts = first_resumed.message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(first_developer_texts.starts_with(&initial_developer_texts));
+    assert_eq!(first_developer_texts.first(), Some(initial_instructions));
     let first_model_switch_count = first_developer_texts
         .iter()
         .filter(|text| text.contains("<model_switch>"))
         .count();
-    assert!(
-        first_model_switch_count >= 1,
-        "expected model switch message on first post-resume turn"
-    );
+    assert_eq!(first_model_switch_count, 1);
 
     let second_resumed = &requests[1];
-    assert!(second_resumed.body_json().get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(second_resumed.body_json().get("instructions"), None);
     let second_developer_texts = second_resumed.message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(second_developer_texts.starts_with(&initial_developer_texts));
+    assert_eq!(second_developer_texts.first(), Some(initial_instructions));
     let second_model_switch_count = second_developer_texts
         .iter()
         .filter(|text| text.contains("<model_switch>"))
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/review.rs b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/review.rs
index 73dcb0dbb8..d2f463e453 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/review.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/tests/suite/review.rs
@@ -628,13 +628,11 @@ async fn review_input_isolated_from_parent_history() {
     );
 
     // Ensure the REVIEW_PROMPT rubric is sent via developer input.
-    assert!(body.get("instructions").is_none());
+    assert_eq!(body.get("instructions"), None);
     let developer_texts = request.message_input_texts("developer");
-    assert!(
-        developer_texts
-            .iter()
-            .any(|text| text.contains(REVIEW_PROMPT)),
-        "expected review instructions in developer input, got {developer_texts:?}"
+    assert_eq!(
+        developer_texts.first().map(String::as_str),
+        Some(REVIEW_PROMPT)
     );
 
     // Also verify that a user interruption note was recorded in the rollout.
diff --git a/codex-rs/memories/write/src/phase1.rs b/codex-rs/memories/write/src/phase1.rs
index 026826b7c9..be317676c8 100644
--- a/codex-rs/memories/write/src/phase1.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/memories/write/src/phase1.rs
@@ -305,9 +305,9 @@ mod job {
             phase: None,
             metadata: None,
         }];
-        prompt.base_instructions = BaseInstructions {
+        prompt.base_instructions = Some(BaseInstructions {
             text: crate::stage_one::PROMPT.to_string(),
-        };
+        });
         prompt.output_schema = Some(output_schema());
         prompt.output_schema_strict = true;
 
diff --git a/codex-rs/protocol/src/protocol.rs b/codex-rs/protocol/src/protocol.rs
index 0627df5307..7448e8ace4 100644
--- a/codex-rs/protocol/src/protocol.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/protocol/src/protocol.rs
@@ -5376,7 +5376,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(item.network, None);
         assert_eq!(item.file_system_sandbox_policy, None);
         assert_eq!(item.comp_hash, None);
-        assert!(!item.inline_instructions);
+        assert_eq!(item.inline_instructions, false);
         Ok(())
     }