diff --git a/docs/tools/matrix.md b/docs/tools/matrix.md
index b3ee31b3..bdf3f7fe 100644
--- a/docs/tools/matrix.md
+++ b/docs/tools/matrix.md
@@ -8,17 +8,35 @@ a second stdio MCP server. Tools land as `mcp__matrix__<name>`:
 
 ### Messaging
 
+**Unread guard**: `send_message`, `send_dm`, `send_file`, and
+`send_reply` are all rejected if the room has unread messages — call
+`read_room` then `mark_read` on the latest event before sending to a
+room you haven't read yet.
+
 - `send_message(room, body)` — send a markdown message; `room`
   accepts `!id:server` or `#alias:server`, daemon resolves either
-- `send_dm(user_id, body)` — send a direct message to a matrix user
+- `send_dm(user_id, body)` — open (or reuse) the DM room with
+  `user_id` and post `body` to it
 - `send_reply(room, event_id, body)` — threaded reply to a specific
   event
 - `send_reaction(room, event_id, key)` — react to a message with an
   emoji key
+- `send_file(room, path, caption?)` — upload a local file and post it
+  as a room attachment; MIME type is inferred from the file extension,
+  50 MiB cap; optional `caption` is sent as a follow-up text message
+- `send_redact(room, event_id, reason?)` — redact (delete) a specific
+  event; works on your own events, redacting others' requires moderator
+  power level
 
 ### Reading
 
-- `read_room(room, limit?)` — recent timeline events
+- `read_room(room, limit?)` — recent timeline events; media attachments
+  appear inline as `[file: name]`, `[image: name]`, `[audio: name]`,
+  or `[video: name]` markers — pass the event id to `download_file`
+  to retrieve the attachment
+- `download_file(room, event_id, dest_path?)` — download a media
+  attachment from a message event to a local file and return its path;
+  pair with `read_room` which surfaces attachments as the markers above
 - `list_rooms()` — enumerate joined rooms
   (`{ id, canonical_alias, name, member_count }` per room)
 - `list_room_members(room)` — members of a room
diff --git a/hive-matrix-mcp/src/bin/mcp.rs b/hive-matrix-mcp/src/bin/mcp.rs
index 88fe5407..9adb8ff6 100644
--- a/hive-matrix-mcp/src/bin/mcp.rs
+++ b/hive-matrix-mcp/src/bin/mcp.rs
@@ -567,7 +567,18 @@ impl MatrixBridge {
         room with `join_room`. Room references accept ids (!abc:server) \
         or aliases (#name:server); user references use @user:server. Every \
         tool takes an optional `account` (a name from the agent's matrix \
-        accounts) — omit it to act as the primary account.")]
+        accounts) — omit it to act as the primary account. \
+        `send_file` uploads a local file and posts it as a room attachment \
+        (MIME inferred from extension, 50 MiB cap); `send_file` is rejected \
+        with a hint if the room has unread messages — read_room then mark_read \
+        first. `download_file` downloads an attachment from a message event \
+        to a local file and returns its path; pair with `read_room` which \
+        surfaces attachments as `[file: name]`, `[image: name]`, \
+        `[audio: name]`, `[video: name]` markers. \
+        IMPORTANT: `send_message`, `send_dm`, `send_file`, `send_reply` are \
+        all rejected if the room has unread messages — always call `read_room` \
+        then `mark_read` on the latest event before sending to a room you \
+        haven't read yet.")]
 impl ServerHandler for MatrixBridge {}
 
 #[tokio::main]