diff --git a/scripts/project_claude_md.template b/scripts/project_claude_md.template
index 849f330..b0d2502 100644
--- a/scripts/project_claude_md.template
+++ b/scripts/project_claude_md.template
@@ -21,6 +21,14 @@ get_domain_summary("{DOMAIN}")   # workstreams, blocking decisions, recent progr
 ```
 If the call fails, the API is offline: `cd ~/the-custodian/state-hub && make api`
 
+**Step 1b — Check the agent inbox**
+```
+get_messages(to_agent="{REPO_SLUG}", unread_only=True)
+```
+Mark messages read with `mark_message_read(message_id)`. Reply or act on any coordination
+requests before proceeding. The hub agent uses `to_agent="hub"`; domain agents use their
+repo slug as their agent name (e.g. `"{REPO_SLUG}"`).
+
 **Step 2 — Scan local workplans**
 
 Read every `.md` file under `workplans/`. Use `Glob(pattern="**/*.md", path="workplans/")`