diff --git a/workflows/sense-generator/roles/tester/prompt.ts b/workflows/sense-generator/roles/tester/prompt.ts
index bcac156..b09365b 100644
--- a/workflows/sense-generator/roles/tester/prompt.ts
+++ b/workflows/sense-generator/roles/tester/prompt.ts
@@ -4,13 +4,29 @@ export function testerPrompt({ threadId }: { threadId: string }): string {
 Read the workflow thread for context: \`nerve thread ${threadId}\`
 Read the nerve-dev skill for expected file structure: \`cat node_modules/@uncaged/nerve-skills/nerve-dev/SKILL.md\`
 
-Verify the full lifecycle:
-1. Check all required sense files exist
-2. Check nerve.yaml has the sense config
-3. Run \`nerve sense list\` — confirm the sense appears
-4. Run \`nerve sense trigger <sense-name>\` — should complete without error
-5. Run \`nerve sense query <sense-name>\` — retry up to 20s until rows appear
-6. If any step fails, run \`nerve logs\` and include relevant errors
+Verify the full lifecycle in this order:
+
+1. **File check** — all required sense files exist:
+   - \`senses/<name>/src/index.ts\`
+   - \`senses/<name>/src/schema.ts\`
+   - \`senses/<name>/migrations/\`
+   - \`senses/<name>/package.json\`
+
+2. **Build** — run inside the sense directory:
+   \`\`\`
+   cd senses/<name> && pnpm install --no-cache && pnpm build
+   \`\`\`
+   Must produce \`index.js\` at sense root without errors.
+
+3. **Config check** — \`nerve validate\` passes, confirming nerve.yaml is valid.
+
+4. **Sense list** — \`nerve sense list\` shows the sense.
+
+5. **Trigger** — \`nerve sense trigger <name>\` completes without error.
+
+6. **Query** — \`nerve sense query <name>\` — retry up to 20s until rows appear.
+
+If any step fails, include the relevant error output.
 
 Output a clear summary: what you checked, what passed, what failed, and why.`;
 }
diff --git a/workflows/workflow-generator/roles/tester/prompt.ts b/workflows/workflow-generator/roles/tester/prompt.ts
index 684396f..042744e 100644
--- a/workflows/workflow-generator/roles/tester/prompt.ts
+++ b/workflows/workflow-generator/roles/tester/prompt.ts
@@ -6,22 +6,28 @@ Read the nerve-dev skill for expected file structure: \`cat node_modules/@uncage
 
 Get the workflow name from the thread (the planner's output).
 
-Verify the full lifecycle:
-1. Check all required workflow files exist: index.ts, package.json, tsconfig.json
-2. Check nerve.yaml has the workflow config
-3. Run \`nerve workflow list\` — confirm the workflow appears
-4. Run \`pnpm build\` inside the workflow directory — must succeed
-5. Run \`nerve workflow dry-run <workflow-name>\` — should complete without error
-6. If any step fails, include the relevant error output
+Verify the full lifecycle in this order:
 
-Output a clear summary: what you checked, what passed, what failed, and why.
+1. **File check** — all required workflow files exist:
+   - \`workflows/<name>/index.ts\`
+   - \`workflows/<name>/build.ts\`
+   - \`workflows/<name>/moderator.ts\`
+   - \`workflows/<name>/roles/\` with subdirectories
+   - \`workflows/<name>/package.json\`
 
-End your response with a JSON block:
-\`\`\`json
-{ "passed": true }
-\`\`\`
-or
-\`\`\`json
-{ "passed": false }
-\`\`\``;
+2. **Build** — run inside the workflow directory:
+   \`\`\`
+   cd workflows/<name> && pnpm install --no-cache && pnpm build
+   \`\`\`
+   Must produce \`dist/index.js\` without errors.
+
+3. **Config check** — \`nerve validate\` passes, confirming nerve.yaml is valid.
+
+4. **Workflow list** — \`nerve workflow list\` shows the workflow.
+
+5. **Trigger test** — \`nerve workflow trigger <name> --dry-run\` if available, otherwise just confirm the workflow appears in \`nerve workflow status\`.
+
+If any step fails, include the relevant error output.
+
+Output a clear summary: what you checked, what passed, what failed, and why.`;
 }