diff --git a/.github/workflows/issue-monster.md b/.github/workflows/issue-monster.md
index 4ebc54b59cf..7ec7a7418b2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/issue-monster.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/issue-monster.md
@@ -631,6 +631,19 @@ Issue Monster runs frequently (every 30 minutes), so keeping each run lean is cr
 - ✅ **Skip integrity-blocked issues**: If `issue_read` is blocked by integrity policy, skip that issue and continue — never call `missing_data` for integrity errors
 - ❌ **Don't force batching**: If only 1-2 clearly separate issues exist, assign only those
 
+## Formatting Requirements
+
+- **Header Levels**: Use h3 (`###`) or lower for all headers in your report to maintain proper document hierarchy. Never use h1 (`#`) or h2 (`##`) headers.
+- **Progressive Disclosure**: Wrap long sections or verbose details in `<details><summary>Section Name</summary>` tags to improve readability and reduce scrolling.
+- Keep critical information visible (summary, key outcomes, and recommendations) and use collapsible sections for secondary details.
+
+### Recommended Report Structure
+
+1. **Overview**: 1-2 paragraphs summarizing key findings (always visible)
+2. **Critical Information**: Key metrics, status, critical issues (always visible)
+3. **Details**: Use `<details><summary>Section Name</summary>` for expanded content
+4. **Recommendations**: Actionable next steps (always visible)
+
 ## Success Criteria
 
 A successful run means:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr-sous-chef.md b/.github/workflows/pr-sous-chef.md
index 08713a5be97..0967f808e41 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr-sous-chef.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr-sous-chef.md
@@ -234,6 +234,19 @@ At the end, call **exactly one** `noop` with a compact summary including counts
 - branch_update_attempts
 - formatter_pushes (number of PRs that had formatting fixes committed and pushed)
 
+## Formatting Requirements
+
+- **Header Levels**: Use h3 (`###`) or lower for all headers in your report to maintain proper document hierarchy. Never use h1 (`#`) or h2 (`##`) headers.
+- **Progressive Disclosure**: Wrap long sections or verbose details in `<details><summary>Section Name</summary>` tags to improve readability and reduce scrolling.
+- Keep critical information visible (summary, key outcomes, and recommendations) and use collapsible sections for secondary details.
+
+### Recommended Report Structure
+
+1. **Overview**: 1-2 paragraphs summarizing key findings (always visible)
+2. **Critical Information**: Key metrics, status, critical issues (always visible)
+3. **Details**: Use `<details><summary>Section Name</summary>` for expanded content
+4. **Recommendations**: Actionable next steps (always visible)
+
 ## agent: `pr-processor`
 ---
 description: Processes one PR with minimal API calls and returns skip/nudge decisions
diff --git a/.github/workflows/smoke-ci.md b/.github/workflows/smoke-ci.md
index 01bdeb9db0b..9a7d20af55e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/smoke-ci.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/smoke-ci.md
@@ -89,5 +89,18 @@ For scheduled runs (non-pull_request), use GitHub MCP to find the newest open pu
 - If one exists, call `update_pull_request` for that PR number with `operation: "append"` and a short body line including the run URL.
 - If none exists, call `noop` with a short message indicating no PR was available.
 
+## Formatting Requirements
+
+- **Header Levels**: Use h3 (`###`) or lower for all headers in your report to maintain proper document hierarchy. Never use h1 (`#`) or h2 (`##`) headers.
+- **Progressive Disclosure**: Wrap long sections or verbose details in `<details><summary>Section Name</summary>` tags to improve readability and reduce scrolling.
+- Keep critical information visible (summary, key outcomes, and recommendations) and use collapsible sections for secondary details.
+
+### Recommended Report Structure
+
+1. **Overview**: 1-2 paragraphs summarizing key findings (always visible)
+2. **Critical Information**: Key metrics, status, critical issues (always visible)
+3. **Details**: Use `<details><summary>Section Name</summary>` for expanded content
+4. **Recommendations**: Actionable next steps (always visible)
+
 Do not run any shell commands.
 Do not call any tools other than `cache-memory`, `repo-memory`, `github`, `create_issue`, `update_issue`, `add_comment`, `add_labels`, `remove_labels`, `update_pull_request`, or `noop`.