diff --git a/.github/workflows/zipt-code-reviewer.md b/.github/workflows/zipt-code-reviewer.md
index bc1e7285c..06b6528b4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/zipt-code-reviewer.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/zipt-code-reviewer.md
@@ -169,12 +169,10 @@ git diff > /tmp/zipt-improvements.diff
 cat /tmp/zipt-improvements.diff
 ```
 
-If no changes were made because no improvements were found or all were too risky, exit gracefully:
+If no changes were made because no improvements were found or all were too risky, call the `noop` safe-output tool:
 
 ```
-✅ ZIPT code review complete. No concrete improvements found in this run.
-Files examined: [list files]
-ZIPT files compared: [list files]
+noop: "ZIPT code review complete. No concrete improvements found in this run. Files examined: [list files]. ZIPT files compared: [list files]."
 ```
 
 ## Phase 6: Create GitHub Issue
@@ -235,7 +233,12 @@ make test-z3
 *Generated by ZIPT Code Reviewer agent — comparing Z3 implementation with CEisenhofer/ZIPT@parikh*
 ```
 
-## Important Guidelines
+## Important: Always Call a Safe Output Tool
+
+**You MUST always call at least one safe-output tool before finishing.** Failing to do so is reported as a workflow failure.
+
+- If you found and applied improvements → call `create_issue`
+- If ZIPT is unreachable, no improvements were found, or all improvements are out of scope → call `noop` with a brief explanation
 
 ### Scope
 - **Only** examine the files listed in Phase 1
@@ -249,7 +252,12 @@ make test-z3
 - Prefer small, surgical changes over large refactors
 
 ### Exit Conditions
-Exit without creating an issue if:
+Call `noop` (instead of creating an issue) if:
 - ZIPT repository is unreachable
 - No concrete, safe improvements can be identified
 - All identified improvements require architectural changes beyond the scope of a single diff
+
+Example noop call:
+```
+noop: "ZIPT code review complete. No improvements applied: [brief reason, e.g. ZIPT unreachable / no safe changes identified]. Files reviewed: [list]."
+```