diff --git a/templates/hire_agent.yml b/templates/hire_agent.yml
index ef65810..0443736 100644
--- a/templates/hire_agent.yml
+++ b/templates/hire_agent.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name: hire_agent
-description: "CEO designs and provisions a new agent — skills-guided, adjudicated, directly committed."
+description: "CEO designs and provisions a new agent -- skills-guided, adjudicated, directly committed."
 debug: true
 system: agent_prompt
 
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ steps:
       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
+      CONTEXT: Read the SKILLS & GUIDES section -- it contains the PAE Agent Guide
       which defines the exact file schemas you must produce.
 
       DECISION PROCESS:
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ steps:
       - name: A distinctive, professional name fitting the role and company culture.
       - role: One of: ceo, director, specialist, analyst, writer, editor, researcher.
       - model: power for directors, default for specialists (unless deep reasoning needed).
-      - character.personality: One paragraph — temperament, working style, decision-making.
-      - character.stats: 1-10 scale — intelligence, creativity, diligence, adaptability, leadership.
+      - character.personality: One paragraph -- temperament, working style, decision-making.
+      - character.stats: 1-10 scale -- intelligence, creativity, diligence, adaptability, leadership.
       - manages: Directors manage [specialists]. Specialists manage [].
       - department: executive, operations, creative, research, engineering.
       - supported_templates: ONLY templates that exist in the company templates/ directory.
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ steps:
         (b) design the new agent with a genuinely unique task type.
       - Agents that can only do "planning + boardroom" are boardroom voices, not
         workers. Prefer hiring agents that can DO something (hire_agent, write_template,
-        create_company, research, analysis) — not just deliberate.
+        create_company, research, analysis) -- not just deliberate.
 
   - type: package
     packet_type: IntakeResponse
@@ -79,11 +79,11 @@ steps:
     schema:
       actions:
         - type: hire_agent
-          agent_name: "string — the agent's display name"
-          role: "string — role slug: ceo, director, specialist, analyst, writer, editor, researcher"
-          agent_yml: "string — complete content of agent.yml (valid YAML)"
-          identity_md: "string — complete content of identity.md (full markdown)"
-          system_md: "string — complete content of system.md (lean markdown)"
+          agent_name: "string -- the agent's display name"
+          role: "string -- role slug: ceo, director, specialist, analyst, writer, editor, researcher"
+          agent_yml: "string -- complete content of agent.yml (valid YAML)"
+          identity_md: "string -- complete content of identity.md (full markdown)"
+          system_md: "string -- complete content of system.md (lean markdown)"
 
   - type: close
     rag_update: true