diff --git a/.github/scripts/pull-request-dashboard/author_nudge.py b/.github/scripts/pull-request-dashboard/author_nudge.py
index 28c4b79100a..cd138a66658 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/pull-request-dashboard/author_nudge.py
+++ b/.github/scripts/pull-request-dashboard/author_nudge.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
     gh_graphql,
     run_gh,
 )
-from dashboard_override import author_override_guidance
+from dashboard_override import DASHBOARD_COMMAND_PREFIX
 from pr_status_comment import (
     DASHBOARD_APP_SLUG,
     managed_status_comments,
@@ -321,19 +321,14 @@ def render_nudge(
     return "\n".join([
         nudge_marker(episode_id),
         f"Hi @{author} — just a friendly reminder that this pull request is "
-        "waiting on you.",
+        f"waiting on you. The [dashboard status comment]({status_url}) has the "
+        "open items and is kept current.",
         "",
-        f"This pull request still needs your attention. See the "
-        f"[dashboard status comment]({status_url}) for the full list and current "
-        "routing; that comment is kept current.",
-        "",
-        author_override_guidance(
-            "This break-glass handoff works even when required checks, Copilot "
-            "review, or merge conflicts are still outstanding."
-        ),
-        "",
-        "_This reminder is a snapshot; the linked dashboard status is the current "
-        "source of truth._",
+        "- Replying is enough to hand it off — answer, explain why no change is "
+        "needed, or ask a follow-up. The dashboard routes it onward once nothing "
+        "on the list is waiting on you.",
+        "- To hand it back for any other reason, including the dashboard getting "
+        f"this wrong, comment `{DASHBOARD_COMMAND_PREFIX} route:reviewers`.",
         "",
     ])
 
diff --git a/.github/scripts/pull-request-dashboard/test_author_nudge.py b/.github/scripts/pull-request-dashboard/test_author_nudge.py
index 56547b3dde6..38c43eb606d 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/pull-request-dashboard/test_author_nudge.py
+++ b/.github/scripts/pull-request-dashboard/test_author_nudge.py
@@ -187,19 +187,19 @@ def test_nudge_advertises_dashboard_override_command(self) -> None:
 
         self.assertIn("just a friendly reminder", body)
         self.assertIn(
-            "_This reminder is a snapshot; the linked dashboard status is the "
-            "current source of truth._",
+            "The [dashboard status comment](https://example.test/status) has the "
+            "open items and is kept current.",
             body,
         )
         self.assertIn(
-            "comment `/dashboard route:reviewers` to request routing from waiting "
-            "on the author to waiting on reviewers. The dashboard binds the "
-            "request to the head it sees when it reads the command",
+            "- Replying is enough to hand it off — answer, explain why no change "
+            "is needed, or ask a follow-up. The dashboard routes it onward once "
+            "nothing on the list is waiting on you.",
             body,
         )
         self.assertIn(
-            "works even when required checks, Copilot review, or merge conflicts "
-            "are still outstanding",
+            "- To hand it back for any other reason, including the dashboard "
+            "getting this wrong, comment `/dashboard route:reviewers`.",
             body,
         )
 
diff --git a/pull-request-dashboard/README.md b/pull-request-dashboard/README.md
index 36542c0d715..e38bc44d47c 100644
--- a/pull-request-dashboard/README.md
+++ b/pull-request-dashboard/README.md
@@ -240,11 +240,12 @@ or an approver can use it, and replies to any unrecognized `/dashboard` command.
 
 The dashboard posts one reminder when a pull request remains in *Waiting on
 authors* for one week. The friendly reminder @-mentions the author, links to the
-dashboard-managed status comment containing the current blockers, and advertises
-`/dashboard route:reviewers` as a break-glass handoff when the author needs human
-help. The same one-week clock applies while the author route is held on required
-checks, Copilot review, or merge conflicts. An italic footer calls the reminder
-a snapshot and identifies the linked status comment as the live source of truth.
+dashboard-managed status comment containing the current blockers, says that
+answering the open items resumes normal approval-based routing, and advertises
+`/dashboard route:reviewers` as a break-glass handoff for any other reason,
+including the dashboard routing the pull request wrongly. The same one-week clock
+applies while the author route is held on required checks, Copilot review, or
+merge conflicts.
 
 When the dashboard routes the pull request to approvers or maintainers, it
 appends an italic note saying that the pull request is no longer waiting on the