diff --git a/templates/create_company.yml b/templates/create_company.yml
index d575a96..79cb7b7 100644
--- a/templates/create_company.yml
+++ b/templates/create_company.yml
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ steps:
     hint: |
       You are {agent.name}, executing the Genesis Protocol for Crimson Leaf LLC.
 
+      OPERATOR'S ORIGINAL REQUEST (this is what was actually asked for — your proposal MUST match this):
+      {original_operator_prompt}
+
       This is a high-stakes constitutional act. Do NOT default to company creation.
       Crimson Leaf creates and governs companies; it does not perform commodity work.
 
@@ -88,6 +91,10 @@ steps:
       - Every company must be economically or strategically justified.
       - This proposal must be strong enough to pass a 95+ adjudication threshold.
 
+      ALIGNMENT CHECK: Before finalizing, re-read the OPERATOR'S ORIGINAL REQUEST above.
+      Your company charter, focus area, and CEO must directly serve what was requested.
+      If your design drifts from the original request, the adjudicator will reject it.
+
   - type: package
     packet_type: IntakeResponse
     hint: |
@@ -129,13 +136,16 @@ adjudication:
   deliverable_type: coordination
   criteria:
     constitutional_alignment:
-      weight: 25
+      weight: 20
       description: "Proposal stays within Crimson Leaf charter and governance boundaries"
+    request_alignment:
+      weight: 15
+      description: "Company charter and focus directly match the ORIGINAL OPERATOR REQUEST. Score 0 if the company drifts into a different domain than what was requested."
     niche_specificity:
       weight: 20
       description: "Company is sharply focused, non-generalist, and clearly differentiated"
     strategic_justification:
-      weight: 15
+      weight: 10
       description: "Strong case for why a new company should exist at all"
     portfolio_coherence:
       weight: 10
@@ -147,5 +157,5 @@ adjudication:
       weight: 10
       description: "Founding CEO seed matches the company mandate and constitutional role"
     structural_safety:
-      weight: 10
+      weight: 5
       description: "Design avoids recursion, dependency loops, and unstable operating models"
diff --git a/templates/hire_agent.yml b/templates/hire_agent.yml
index 0a36ee1..ef65810 100644
--- a/templates/hire_agent.yml
+++ b/templates/hire_agent.yml
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ steps:
     hint: |
       You are {agent.name}, executing the hiring process for Crimson Leaf LLC.
 
+      OPERATOR'S ORIGINAL REQUEST (context for why this hire is needed):
+      {original_operator_prompt}
+
       CONTEXT: Read the SKILLS & GUIDES section — it contains the PAE Agent Guide
       which defines the exact file schemas you must produce.
 
diff --git a/templates/planning.yml b/templates/planning.yml
index a26007f..6fcb9b5 100644
--- a/templates/planning.yml
+++ b/templates/planning.yml
@@ -71,7 +71,10 @@ steps:
 
       For each task:
         - task_name: short, specific
-        - description: full detail — enough that the assigned agent can execute without asking
+        - description: full detail — enough that the assigned agent can execute without asking.
+          CRITICAL: Include the ORIGINAL OPERATOR REQUEST verbatim in every child description
+          so downstream agents know what was actually asked for. Start with
+          "ORIGINAL REQUEST: <exact text>" followed by specific instructions.
         - agents: EXACT name(s) from TEAM ROSTER
         - task_type: MUST be one of the valid template names listed below
         - priority: 1 (critical) to 5 (nice-to-have)