diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4448be80..b1ca1adf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ Every agent is a full NixOS container with its own unix user (passwordless
 sudo inside the cage) and a durable, self-compacting session. Out of the
 box it gets:
 
-- **messaging** — `send` / `recv` to other agents (the operator is on matrix),
+- **messaging** — peers and the operator talk over matrix; `send` / `recv` is the hive-local broker for system traffic and agents without matrix,
   `remind` to wake itself, scheduled prompts the operator sets for it at
   swarm level, and a todo list that forge notifications and other
   producers feed. → [schedules](docs/swarm/schedules.md)