diff --git a/src/main/api-server/routes-tasks.ts b/src/main/api-server/routes-tasks.ts
index 3dfafa41..ecdcadd1 100644
--- a/src/main/api-server/routes-tasks.ts
+++ b/src/main/api-server/routes-tasks.ts
@@ -229,9 +229,13 @@ export function registerTaskRoutes(server: AgentApiServer) {
             );
           }
         } else {
+          // Top-level task submission goes to the assignee's manager.
+          // This is not a subtask — use a distinct wake reason so the
+          // reviewer prompt does not misframe the work as "a subtask
+          // you delegated".
           const chain = db.getChainOfCommand(token.agentId);
           if (chain.length > 0) {
-            onWakeAgent(chain[0].id, task.companyId, "subtask_completed");
+            onWakeAgent(chain[0].id, task.companyId, "task_review_requested");
           }
         }
       }
diff --git a/src/main/orchestration/initial-user-turn.ts b/src/main/orchestration/initial-user-turn.ts
index 1e81445b..e1ba7b4f 100644
--- a/src/main/orchestration/initial-user-turn.ts
+++ b/src/main/orchestration/initial-user-turn.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ function buildGenericWakeTurn(trigger: string | null): string {
       return "An approval you requested has been decided. Act on the outcome surfaced in your briefing.";
     case "subtask_completed":
       return "A subtask you delegated is ready for review. Evaluate the work against its acceptance criteria and either accept it or request changes.";
+    case "task_review_requested":
+      return "A direct report submitted a top-level task for your review. Validate against the original acceptance criteria before deciding.";
     case "goal_activated":
       return "A goal you own has been activated. Decompose it into projects and tasks, then delegate the first batch of work.";
     case "report_blocked":
diff --git a/src/main/prompt-builder/wake-reasons/en.ts b/src/main/prompt-builder/wake-reasons/en.ts
index 9eaaee7d..0b3ecba9 100644
--- a/src/main/prompt-builder/wake-reasons/en.ts
+++ b/src/main/prompt-builder/wake-reasons/en.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ export type WakeReason =
   | "goal_activated"
   | "approval_resolved"
   | "subtask_completed"
+  | "task_review_requested"
   | "comment"
   | "report_blocked"
   | "report_failed"
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ export const WAKE_REASONS: Record<WakeReason, WakeReasonEntry> = {
   subtask_completed: {
     title: "A subtask you delegated has been completed or moved to review.",
     steps: () => [
-      'Check tasks with status "in_review" from your reports',
+      'Check tasks with status "in_review" whose parent task you own',
       "Read ALL comments on the completed subtask (GET /api/issues/{issueId}/comments)",
       "Review the work quality against the acceptance criteria you set",
       'If acceptable: PATCH /api/issues/{issueId} with status "done" and an approving comment',
@@ -77,6 +78,17 @@ export const WAKE_REASONS: Record<WakeReason, WakeReasonEntry> = {
       "Check if the parent task can now progress",
     ],
   },
+  task_review_requested: {
+    title: "A direct report submitted a top-level task for your review.",
+    steps: () => [
+      'Find the task: GET /api/agents/me/standup — look for tasksAwaitingReview',
+      "Read ALL comments on the task (GET /api/issues/{issueId}/comments) and any linked documents",
+      "Validate the work against the original acceptance criteria — not just whether it looks complete",
+      'If acceptable: PATCH /api/issues/{issueId} with status "done" and a concrete approval comment',
+      'If changes needed: PATCH /api/issues/{issueId} with status "in_progress" and specific, actionable feedback',
+      "Do not let a top-level review sit — your whole team is downstream",
+    ],
+  },
   comment: {
     title: "A new comment has been posted on one of your tasks.",
     steps: () => [
diff --git a/src/shared/contracts/schemas-agents.ts b/src/shared/contracts/schemas-agents.ts
index 976b55a3..1786e88c 100644
--- a/src/shared/contracts/schemas-agents.ts
+++ b/src/shared/contracts/schemas-agents.ts
@@ -49,5 +49,5 @@ export const heartbeatSettingsSchema = z.object({
 export const triggerHeartbeatSchema = z.object({
   agentId: z.string().uuid(),
   companyId: z.string().uuid(),
-  trigger: z.enum(["manual", "timer", "assignment", "goal_activated", "approval_resolved", "subtask_completed", "comment", "report_blocked", "report_failed", "recovery", "message", "peer_request", "task_continuation"]).default("manual"),
+  trigger: z.enum(["manual", "timer", "assignment", "goal_activated", "approval_resolved", "subtask_completed", "task_review_requested", "comment", "report_blocked", "report_failed", "recovery", "message", "peer_request", "task_continuation"]).default("manual"),
 });