diff --git a/.github/workflows/reusable-10-ci-python.yml b/.github/workflows/reusable-10-ci-python.yml
index 6c9cef091..f0bcb033e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/reusable-10-ci-python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/reusable-10-ci-python.yml
@@ -840,8 +840,9 @@ jobs:
         continue-on-error: true
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
+          # Use extend-exclude to add to ruff's defaults (which include .venv)
           # Exclude .workflows-lib since it's synced from source repo with different ruff config
-          ruff check --output-format github --exclude .workflows-lib .
+          ruff check --output-format github --extend-exclude .workflows-lib .
 
       - name: Finalize lint
         id: finalize
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index af1cb15a1..c0a20f372 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -84,6 +84,23 @@ These get **synced** to consumer repos via `maint-68-sync-consumer-repos.yml`:
 
 **Before syncing**, ensure files pass consumer-repo lint rules (ruff with UP, SIM).
 
+### ⚠️ IMPORTANT: After Syncing, Use the Merge Workflow
+
+**ALWAYS** use `Merge Sync PRs` workflow (maint-71-merge-sync-prs.yml) to:
+- Auto-merge sync PRs that pass CI checks
+- Close stale/duplicate sync PRs
+- Report which repos have failing checks
+
+```bash
+# After triggering a sync, run this to merge the resulting PRs:
+gh workflow run "Merge Sync PRs" --repo stranske/Workflows --ref main
+
+# Check status:
+gh run list --workflow="maint-71-merge-sync-prs.yml" --limit 1
+```
+
+**DO NOT** manually merge sync PRs with `gh pr merge --admin` - use the workflow.
+
 ## Keepalive System
 
 The keepalive loop keeps Codex working on a PR until all tasks are complete:
diff --git a/templates/consumer-repo/.github/workflows/agents-verify-to-issue.yml b/templates/consumer-repo/.github/workflows/agents-verify-to-issue.yml
index 76861a7af..a916ba8d1 100644
--- a/templates/consumer-repo/.github/workflows/agents-verify-to-issue.yml
+++ b/templates/consumer-repo/.github/workflows/agents-verify-to-issue.yml
@@ -373,14 +373,14 @@ jobs:
             let structuralAnalysis = '';
             if (structuralProblems.length > 0) {
               structuralAnalysis =
-                '### \u26a0\ufe0f Issues Detected in Original Issue Structure\\n\\n';
+                '### ⚠️ Issues Detected in Original Issue Structure\n\n';
               for (const prob of structuralProblems) {
-                structuralAnalysis += '**Problem:** ' + prob.problem + '\\n';
-                structuralAnalysis += '- **Cause:** ' + prob.cause + '\\n';
-                structuralAnalysis += '- **Fix:** ' + prob.fix + '\\n';
+                structuralAnalysis += '**Problem:** ' + prob.problem + '\n';
+                structuralAnalysis += '- **Cause:** ' + prob.cause + '\n';
+                structuralAnalysis += '- **Fix:** ' + prob.fix + '\n';
                 if (prob.examples && prob.examples.length > 0) {
                   structuralAnalysis +=
-                    '- **Examples:** `' + prob.examples.join('`, `') + '`\\n';
+                    '- **Examples:** `' + prob.examples.join('`, `') + '`\n';
                 }
                 structuralAnalysis += '\n';
               }
@@ -525,9 +525,9 @@ jobs:
               labels: ['follow-up', 'agents:formatted']
             });
 
-            core.info('Created issue #' + issue.data.number);
-            core.setOutput('issue_number', issue.data.number);
-            core.setOutput('issue_url', issue.data.html_url);
+            core.info('Created issue #' + issue.number);
+            core.setOutput('issue_number', issue.number);
+            core.setOutput('issue_url', issue.html_url);
 
       - name: Comment on original PR
         if: steps.check-merged.outputs.merged == 'true'