diff --git a/docs/turn-loop/mcp.md b/docs/turn-loop/mcp.md
index 4c5fc0a0..ea7b9bdd 100644
--- a/docs/turn-loop/mcp.md
+++ b/docs/turn-loop/mcp.md
@@ -36,9 +36,11 @@ is opt-in via the P3RM1SS10NS tab.
   `in_reply_to: i64` links the message to a prior id for thread
   rendering. Per-agent `services.hyperhive.agent.allowedRecipients`
   (default: empty = unrestricted) limits which names `send` accepts —
-  useful for sandboxing. The broker refuses `to: "operator"` with an error
-  that points at the matrix MCP tools: agents reach the operator over
-  matrix ([matrix](../tools/matrix.md)).
+  useful for sandboxing. The broker refuses `to: "operator"`. The error
+  points an agent that has the matrix MCP tools at matrix
+  ([matrix](../tools/matrix.md)), and tells one without them that the
+  operator reads its `set_status` line, its turn output on the dashboard,
+  and its logs.
 - `recv` — drain inbox. Always an immediate peek, never blocks. `max`
   (default 1, cap 5) drains up to N rows. `recv` prefixes each returned row
   with `[msg #<id>]` (broker row id; note the highest id seen, then pass
diff --git a/hive-agent-mcp/src/mcp/args.rs b/hive-agent-mcp/src/mcp/args.rs
index ab175671..cce44c42 100644
--- a/hive-agent-mcp/src/mcp/args.rs
+++ b/hive-agent-mcp/src/mcp/args.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ use rmcp::schemars;
 #[derive(Debug, serde::Deserialize, schemars::JsonSchema)]
 pub struct SendArgs {
     /// Logical agent name to deliver the message to (e.g. `"manager"`,
-    /// `"alice"`). `"operator"` is refused: reach the operator over matrix.
+    /// `"alice"`). `"operator"` is refused: reach the operator over matrix
+    /// if you have it.
     pub to: String,
     /// Message body. Plain text; the broker doesn't parse it.
     pub body: String,
diff --git a/hive-agent-mcp/src/mcp/mod.rs b/hive-agent-mcp/src/mcp/mod.rs
index 58126ef0..166fd0c5 100644
--- a/hive-agent-mcp/src/mcp/mod.rs
+++ b/hive-agent-mcp/src/mcp/mod.rs
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ impl AgentServer {
 impl AgentServer {
     #[tool(
         description = "Send a message to another hyperhive agent on this hive. \
-            Not for the operator: reach them over matrix with the matrix MCP tools."
+            Not for the operator: reach them over matrix if you have the matrix MCP tools."
     )]
     async fn send(&self, Parameters(args): Parameters<SendArgs>) -> String {
         let log = format!("{args:?}");
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ impl AgentServer {
 
 #[tool_handler(
     instructions = "You are a hyperhive agent. Use `send` to talk to peers (by their logical \
-        name); reach the operator over matrix. Use `recv` to drain your inbox one \
+        name); reach the operator over matrix if you have it. Use `recv` to drain your inbox one \
         message at a time. Use `remind` to schedule a future wake-up message for yourself."
 )]
 impl ServerHandler for AgentServer {}
diff --git a/hive-agent-mcp/src/send_allow.rs b/hive-agent-mcp/src/send_allow.rs
index 3be360c4..585c1ac3 100644
--- a/hive-agent-mcp/src/send_allow.rs
+++ b/hive-agent-mcp/src/send_allow.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ pub fn check_send_allowed(to: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
     Err(format!(
         "send refused: recipient '{to}' not in services.hyperhive.agent.allowedRecipients \
          (configured in agent.nix). Allowed: {allow:?}. To reach the operator, use \
-         the matrix MCP tools."
+         the matrix MCP tools if you have them."
     ))
 }
 
@@ -53,9 +53,10 @@ mod tests {
     use super::check_send_allowed;
 
     #[test]
-    fn operator_is_refused_with_the_matrix_pointer() {
+    fn operator_is_refused_naming_matrix_and_the_no_matrix_fallback() {
         let refusal = check_send_allowed(hive_sh4re::manager::OPERATOR_RECIPIENT)
             .expect_err("operator must be refused");
         assert!(refusal.contains("mcp__matrix__"), "{refusal}");
+        assert!(refusal.contains("set_status"), "{refusal}");
     }
 }
diff --git a/hive-agent/prompts/system.md b/hive-agent/prompts/system.md
index 4b1b1983..6167fe6f 100644
--- a/hive-agent/prompts/system.md
+++ b/hive-agent/prompts/system.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ You are hyperhive agent `{label}` (qualified: `{qualified_label}`){hive_identity
 
 Tools (hyperhive surface). Full signature + behavior for each comes from the tool's own MCP description (you already received it via the MCP tool schema) — this is just the map of what exists and which ones are gated, so you know where to look:
 
-- **Inbox / messaging** (always available): `mcp__hyperhive__recv`, `mcp__hyperhive__ack_until`, `mcp__hyperhive__send`, `mcp__hyperhive__get_loose_ends`, `mcp__hyperhive__cancel_loose_end`, `mcp__hyperhive__mark_todos_done`, `mcp__hyperhive__remind`, `mcp__hyperhive__set_status`, `mcp__hyperhive__get_agent_meta`. `send` reaches peers on this hive only; **reach the operator over matrix** (the matrix MCP tools, `mcp__matrix__send_dm` or `mcp__matrix__send_message`) — `send(to: "operator")` is refused. One habit worth internalizing beyond the tool descriptions themselves: prefer ending the turn over repeatedly polling `recv` when idle (only turn-boundaries observe in-container todo wakes — bash-task completions, matrix unread, forge activity — and ending the turn is also your checkpoint). For a large todo backlog (`get_loose_ends` caps at 40 rows), clear reviewed ids in bulk with `mark_todos_done` rather than cancelling one at a time — there's no blind range-clear, only ids you've actually looked at.
+- **Inbox / messaging** (always available): `mcp__hyperhive__recv`, `mcp__hyperhive__ack_until`, `mcp__hyperhive__send`, `mcp__hyperhive__get_loose_ends`, `mcp__hyperhive__cancel_loose_end`, `mcp__hyperhive__mark_todos_done`, `mcp__hyperhive__remind`, `mcp__hyperhive__set_status`, `mcp__hyperhive__get_agent_meta`. `send` reaches peers on this hive only; **reach the operator over matrix** if you have the matrix MCP tools (`mcp__matrix__send_dm` or `mcp__matrix__send_message`); without them the operator reads your `set_status` line and turn output on the dashboard, and your logs. `send(to: "operator")` is refused. One habit worth internalizing beyond the tool descriptions themselves: prefer ending the turn over repeatedly polling `recv` when idle (only turn-boundaries observe in-container todo wakes — bash-task completions, matrix unread, forge activity — and ending the turn is also your checkpoint). For a large todo backlog (`get_loose_ends` caps at 40 rows), clear reviewed ids in bulk with `mark_todos_done` rather than cancelling one at a time — there's no blind range-clear, only ids you've actually looked at.
 - **Extra MCP tools** (some agents only): `mcp__<server>__<tool>` — agent-specific (matrix client, scraper, db connector, etc.) declared in your `agent.nix` under `hyperhive.extraMcpServers`. First-class tools, already operator-approved at deploy time.
 
 Need new packages, env vars, or other NixOS config for yourself? You can't edit your own config directly — open a PR on your `agent-configs/<name>` repo, or contact the operator directly. Config repos live at `/agents/{label}/config/` (read-only inside your container). All changes flow through operator-approved commits.
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ Operator boundary: starting, stopping and rebuilding containers is the operator'
 
 Messages from sender `system` are hyperhive helper events (JSON body, `event` field discriminates): `container_crash`, `needs_update`. Use these to react to lifecycle changes:
 
-- `needs_update` — agent's flake rev is stale. Ask the operator over matrix to rebuild it.
-- `container_crash` — ask the operator over matrix to start it again; if it keeps crashing, say so with what you saw.
+- `needs_update` — agent's flake rev is stale. Ask the operator to rebuild it.
+- `container_crash` — ask the operator to start it again; if it keeps crashing, say so with what you saw.
 
 Lifecycle notices that don't need an immediate turn — a new agent spawned, a container rebuilt/killed/destroyed, or its login state changing — surface as todos instead of messages now. Call `get_loose_ends` to see them.
 
diff --git a/hive-c0re/src/socket_server/mod.rs b/hive-c0re/src/socket_server/mod.rs
index a000beea..525a961f 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/src/socket_server/mod.rs
+++ b/hive-c0re/src/socket_server/mod.rs
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn send_to_operator_is_refused_with_the_matrix_pointer() {
+    fn send_to_operator_is_refused_naming_matrix_and_the_no_matrix_fallback() {
         let (_dir, coord) = coordinator();
         let resp = handle_send(
             &coord,
@@ -677,7 +677,8 @@ mod tests {
             None,
         );
         assert!(
-            matches!(&resp, Response::Err { message } if message.contains("mcp__matrix__")),
+            matches!(&resp, Response::Err { message }
+                if message.contains("mcp__matrix__") && message.contains("set_status")),
             "{resp:?}"
         );
     }
diff --git a/hive-sh4re/src/manager.rs b/hive-sh4re/src/manager.rs
index 9b9554e8..f879c980 100644
--- a/hive-sh4re/src/manager.rs
+++ b/hive-sh4re/src/manager.rs
@@ -14,11 +14,14 @@ pub const MANAGER_AGENT: &str = "ruth";
 /// [`OPERATOR_SEND_REFUSAL`].
 pub const OPERATOR_RECIPIENT: &str = "operator";
 
-/// The error a `send` to [`OPERATOR_RECIPIENT`] returns. Agents reach the
-/// operator over matrix, so the text names the matrix tools to use.
+/// The error a `send` to [`OPERATOR_RECIPIENT`] returns. One text for every
+/// agent, so it covers both an agent with the matrix MCP tools and one
+/// without them.
 pub const OPERATOR_SEND_REFUSAL: &str = "send failed: `operator` is not a send recipient. \
-     Reach the operator over matrix with the matrix MCP tools \
-     (`mcp__matrix__send_dm`, or `mcp__matrix__send_message` to a room the operator is in).";
+     If you have the matrix MCP tools, reach the operator over matrix \
+     (`mcp__matrix__send_dm`, or `mcp__matrix__send_message` to a room the operator is in). \
+     Without them there is no direct channel to the operator: they read your `set_status` \
+     line and turn output on the dashboard, and your logs.";
 
 /// Sender hive-c0re uses for events it pushes into the manager's inbox.
 /// Manager harness recognises this and parses the body as a `HelperEvent`.