fix(skill): suppress trailing Sources: block from WebSearch tool mandate

The WebSearch tool has a system-level mandate to append a Sources: section at the end of every response. SKILL.md's old "DO NOT output Sources: list" instruction was too weak to override it. Fix: redirect citations into the stats block's Web: line as inline links. The WebSearch citation requirement is satisfied there; an explicit note after the stats block tells the model not to append a separate trailing section. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-03-02 23:44:35 -08:00
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+---
+title: "fix: suppress trailing Sources: block from WebSearch tool mandate"
+type: fix
+status: active
+date: 2026-03-02
+---
+
+# fix: Suppress Trailing Sources: Block from WebSearch Tool Mandate
+
+## Problem
+
+After the skill completes, a `Sources:` block appears below the invitation text:
+
+```
+I'm now an expert on the Dor Brothers. Some things I can help with:
+...
+
+Sources:
+  - Movie starring Logan Paul made exclusively with AI released - Newsweek
+  - The Dor Brothers: Pioneers in AI Video Production
+  - ...
+```
+
+This happens because the `WebSearch` tool has a **system-level mandatory instruction**:
+> "After answering the user's question, you MUST include a 'Sources:' section at the end of your response"
+
+SKILL.md already says `DO NOT output "Sources:" list` (line 214) but this is too vague - it doesn't address the WebSearch tool mandate explicitly, so the tool's system instruction wins. The model dutifully appends Sources: after all skill output is done.
+
+## Root Cause
+
+Two competing instructions:
+1. **WebSearch system mandate** (higher authority): "MUST include Sources: at end of response"
+2. **SKILL.md line 214** (lower authority): "DO NOT output Sources: list"
+
+The model follows #1 because it's framed as a critical system requirement.
+
+The fix: **satisfy the WebSearch citation requirement INSIDE the stats block**, then explicitly tell the model the requirement is already fulfilled and no trailing section is needed.
+
+## Proposed Solution
+
+**Two-part SKILL.md edit only. No Python changes.**
+
+### Part 1: Update the Step 2 instruction (line 214)
+
+**Current:**
+```
+- **DO NOT output "Sources:" list** - this is noise, we'll show stats at the end
+```
+
+**Replace with:**
+```
+- **DO NOT output a separate "Sources:" block** — instead, include the top 3-5 web
+  source names as inline links on the 🌐 Web: stats line (see stats format below).
+  This satisfies the WebSearch tool's citation requirement inline without a trailing section.
+```
+
+### Part 2: Update the stats block format to include web source links
+
+**Current stats line:**
+```
+├─ 🌐 Web: {N} pages (supplementary)
+```
+
+**Replace with:**
+```
+├─ 🌐 Web: {N} pages — [Source Name](url), [Source Name](url), [Source Name](url)
+```
+
+And immediately after the closing `---` of the stats block, add:
+
+```
+**WebSearch citation note:** Source links are included in the 🌐 Web: line above.
+The WebSearch tool citation requirement is satisfied. Do NOT append a separate
+"Sources:" section after the invitation.
+```
+
+## Acceptance Criteria
+
+- [ ] The trailing `Sources:` block no longer appears after the invitation
+- [ ] Web source links appear cleanly on the `🌐 Web:` stats line
+- [ ] Manual test: run `/last30days dor brothers` and confirm no trailing Sources: block
+- [ ] Synced to all 4 destinations via `sync.sh`
+
+## Implementation Steps
+
+1. Edit `SKILL.md` line 214 (Step 2 section) - replace weak "DO NOT" with redirect instruction
+2. Edit `SKILL.md` stats block format - add `— [Source](url), ...` to the 🌐 Web: line
+3. Add WebSearch citation note after the stats block closing `---`
+4. Run `bash scripts/sync.sh` to deploy
+5. Test with `/last30days [any topic]` and confirm no trailing Sources:
+
+## Context
+
+- **Why not just fight the mandate?** The WebSearch system instruction is authoritative. We can't override it with a soft "don't do this." We need to redirect it.
+- **Why the stats block?** It's the natural place for source metadata and it appears before the invitation, so satisfying the citation there prevents the trailing append.
+- **SKILL.md is the only file that needs to change.** No Python script changes required.
+
+## Sources & References
+
+- SKILL.md line 214: current weak instruction
+- SKILL.md stats block section: where web source links will live
+- Screenshot: user-reported Sources: trailing block (session context)