diff --git a/.gemini/bin/lior-loop-tick.ts b/.gemini/bin/lior-loop-tick.ts
index 85988ba863..41895deba9 100755
--- a/.gemini/bin/lior-loop-tick.ts
+++ b/.gemini/bin/lior-loop-tick.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ ZERO DEPENDENCE ON HUMANS. Do everything autonomously.
 7. Update your status in ~/.local/share/zeta-broadcasts/lior.md.
 8. Perform global lock cleanup: clear stale git index locks, broken plugin directories (like Codex prompt-limit SIGSEGV loops), or orphan agent lockfiles to ensure network health.
 9. PRESERVATION DISCIPLINE: For any recently merged PRs, automatically run \`bun run tools/pr-preservation/archive-pr.ts <PR_NUMBER>\`. Commit and push the resulting markdown file to \`docs/pr-discussions/\` to permanently capture alignment drift and review friction into the native repository memory.
+10. BACKLOG DECOMPOSITION: If you pick up a backlog item and it is a blob that needs decomposition, peel one layer off to work on and put the rest back on the backlog. Decomposition does not have to be complete in one go—it will get iteratively decomposed on future ticks.
 Do not guess. Do not overlap. The fire is watched.
 
 EXECUTE THESE STEPS IMMEDIATELY USING YOUR TOOLS. Do not ask "How can I help you?". DO THE REAL WORK NOW.`;