diff --git a/projects/cypress-bend/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README b/projects/cypress-bend/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
index c3381b5b..aa87135a 100644
--- a/projects/cypress-bend/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
+++ b/projects/cypress-bend/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 ```markdown
 # Cypress Bend -- Book 1
-**Crimson Leaf Publishing | Author: TBD | Creative Director: TBD**
+**Crimson Leaf Publishing | Author: [Lead Author] | Creative Director: [Creative Director]**
 
-> [No Chapter 1 file available yet -- opening hook TBD]
+> [Opening hook line from Chapter 1]
 
-Southern Gothic mystery set in the humid, swamp-shrouded town of Cypress Bend, where family secrets, voodoo lore, and a string of disappearances unravel a web of betrayal. Blending atmospheric horror with slow-burn suspense, this debut novel targets fans of Delia Owens and Tana French seeking immersive, character-driven thrillers.
+[No chapters generated yet. Brief pitch to be added upon first draft completion: A [genre] story targeting [audience], centered on [core concept].]
 
 ---
 
 ## Publication Status
-No editorial report available -- **NOT SUBMITTED** (TBD)
+[No editorial report available. Status: DRAFT INITIATED | Score: N/A | Date: N/A]
 
 ---
 
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ No editorial report available -- **NOT SUBMITTED** (TBD)
 
 | Chapter Number | Chapter Title | POV | File |
 |----------------|---------------|-----|------|
-*(No final-chapter-*.md files found in deliverables)*
+[No final-chapter-*.md files committed yet.]
 
 ---
 
@@ -25,38 +25,38 @@ No editorial report available -- **NOT SUBMITTED** (TBD)
 
 | Transition | Previous chapter ends... | Next chapter opens... |
 |------------|--------------------------|-----------------------|
-*(No final-chapter-*.md files found -- no continuity chain available)*
+[No chapters available to analyze continuity.]
 
 ---
 
 ## Revisions Applied
-*(No revise-*.md files found in deliverables)*
+[No revise-*.md files committed yet.]
 
 ---
 
 ## Research & Planning Documents
-*(No non-chapter deliverables found -- outline, trend report, editorial report, launch strategy, etc., pending)*
+[No non-chapter deliverables committed yet (e.g., outline.md, trend-report.md, editorial-report.md, launch-strategy.md).]
 
 ---
 
 ## Team
 
-| Agent/Role          | Contributions |
-|---------------------|---------------|
-| project_index      | Compiled this MANUSCRIPT-README.md |
-*(Additional agents pending project progression)*
+| Agent | Role | Contributions |
+|-------|------|---------------|
+| project_index | Indexer | Compiles project README and tracks deliverables. |
+[Additional team members to be listed as agents contribute (e.g., lead-author, editor, etc.).]
 
 ---
 
 ## Iteration History
-*(No draft files such as write-chapter-*, rewrite-chapter-*, etc., found)*
+[No draft files committed yet (e.g., write-chapter-*.md, rewrite-chapter-*.md). Project initialized.]
 
 ---
 
 *Generated by Crimson Leaf Publishing AI team | PAE Multi-Agent System*
 ```
 
-## Next Actions for Project Chair
-- Assign lead author and creative director.
-- Initiate outline and research documents.
-- Generate Chapter 1 draft to populate hook and continuity.
\ No newline at end of file
+## Notes from project_index
+- Project "Cypress Bend" initialized. No deliverables committed to date.
+- Awaiting initial commits such as outline.md, write-chapter-*.md, or final-chapter-*.md to populate this README.
+- Next expected: Operator to instruct lead-author or outline-agent for project kickoff.
\ No newline at end of file