diff --git a/src/agent/doom-loop-note.test.ts b/src/agent/doom-loop-note.test.ts
index e27261ad5..c630514fc 100644
--- a/src/agent/doom-loop-note.test.ts
+++ b/src/agent/doom-loop-note.test.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,48 @@ test("the note offers both escape hatches and the consequence", () => {
   expect(note).toMatch(/ends this run/i);
 });
 
+test("the note offers an on-wire switch before the tool_search fallback", () => {
+  const note = createDoomLoopCorrectiveNote(() => [
+    "manage_tasks",
+    "read_file",
+    "run_shell",
+  ])(repeat);
+  // First escape names a non-looped tool already on the wire...
+  expect(note).toMatch(/already on the wire instead \(for example read_file\)/);
+  // ...positioned ahead of the tool_search / reply-to-operator fallback.
+  expect(note.indexOf("for example read_file")).toBeLessThan(
+    note.indexOf("tool_search"),
+  );
+  expect(note).toMatch(/reply to the operator/i);
+});
+
+test("the note skips tool_search when another remaining tool is on the wire", () => {
+  const note = createDoomLoopCorrectiveNote(() => [
+    "manage_tasks",
+    "tool_search",
+    "read_file",
+  ])(repeat);
+  expect(note).toMatch(/already on the wire instead \(for example read_file\)/);
+  expect(note).not.toMatch(/for example tool_search/);
+});
+
+test("the note uses the fallback when only tool_search remains", () => {
+  const note = createDoomLoopCorrectiveNote(() => [
+    "manage_tasks",
+    "tool_search",
+  ])(repeat);
+  expect(note).not.toMatch(/for example tool_search/);
+  expect(note).toContain("call tool_search to discover a different tool");
+  expect(note).not.toMatch(/already on the wire instead/);
+});
+
+test("the note uses the fallback when every advertised name is looped", () => {
+  const note = createDoomLoopCorrectiveNote(() => ["manage_tasks"])(repeat);
+  expect(note).not.toMatch(/for example /);
+  expect(note).not.toMatch(/already on the wire instead/);
+  expect(note).toContain("call tool_search to discover a different tool");
+});
+
 test("the note reads the wire list lazily per invocation", () => {
   let wire: string[] = ["read_file"];
   const builder = createDoomLoopCorrectiveNote(() => wire);
diff --git a/src/agent/doom-loop-note.ts b/src/agent/doom-loop-note.ts
index e056b7e83..201341098 100644
--- a/src/agent/doom-loop-note.ts
+++ b/src/agent/doom-loop-note.ts
@@ -8,21 +8,37 @@ type Repeat = {
 
 // Corrective note for the doom-loop guard's warning turn (repeat count
 // threshold−1): tells the model the exact call already ran unchanged, shows
-// what else is on the wire, and points at the two escape hatches. The wire
-// list is read lazily so tool_search activations mid-run are reflected.
+// what else is on the wire, and points at the escape hatches — switching to a
+// different tool already on the wire first, tool_search and replying to the
+// operator as fallback. The wire list is read lazily so tool_search
+// activations mid-run are reflected.
 export function createDoomLoopCorrectiveNote(
   wireToolNames: () => readonly string[],
 ): (repeat: Repeat) => string {
   return ({ calls }) => {
-    const repeated = [...new Set(calls.map((c) => c.name))].join(", ");
-    const wire = wireToolNames().join(", ");
+    const looped = new Set(calls.map((c) => c.name));
+    const repeated = [...looped].join(", ");
+    const names = wireToolNames();
+    const wire = names.join(", ");
+    // Name one non-looped tool already on the wire as the first escape, so
+    // the model switches instead of repeating. tool_search stays a fallback
+    // rather than the example — it is named in the fallback sentence.
+    const example = names.find(
+      (name) => !looped.has(name) && name !== "tool_search",
+    );
+    const escape =
+      example === undefined
+        ? `Do not call this batch again — call tool_search to discover a ` +
+          `different tool, or reply to the operator describing what you need.`
+        : `Do not call this batch again — call a different tool already on ` +
+          `the wire instead (for example ${example}). If none of those fits, ` +
+          `call tool_search to discover a different tool or reply to the ` +
+          `operator describing what you need.`;
     return (
       `Loop guard: this exact call (${repeated}) already ran with the same ` +
       `arguments and returned the same result — calling it again changes ` +
-      `nothing. Tools currently on the wire: ${wire}. Do not call this batch ` +
-      `again — reply to the operator describing what you need, or call ` +
-      `tool_search to discover a different tool. The next identical repeat ` +
-      `ends this run.`
+      `nothing. Tools currently on the wire: ${wire}. ${escape} The next ` +
+      `identical repeat ends this run.`
     );
   };
 }