diff --git a/scripts/epic-execute-lib/design-phase.sh b/scripts/epic-execute-lib/design-phase.sh
index b66717afe..b0de9bdff 100644
--- a/scripts/epic-execute-lib/design-phase.sh
+++ b/scripts/epic-execute-lib/design-phase.sh
@@ -32,21 +32,30 @@ execute_design_phase() {
 
     log ">>> DESIGN PHASE: $story_id"
 
+    # Story is inlined (small, bounded, and the planner needs it in full)
     local story_contents=$(cat "$story_file")
 
-    # Load architecture file if available
-    local arch_contents=""
+    # Locate the architecture file but pass it by PATH, not embedded contents.
+    # architecture.md is the main unbounded size risk in this prompt.
+    local arch_file=""
     for search_path in "$PROJECT_ROOT/docs/architecture.md" "$PROJECT_ROOT/docs/architecture/architecture.md" "$PROJECT_ROOT/architecture.md"; do
         if [ -f "$search_path" ]; then
-            arch_contents=$(cat "$search_path")
+            arch_file="$search_path"
             break
         fi
     done
 
-    # Load previous decisions for context
+    # Load previous decisions for context, bounded to the last 20KB
+    # (matches the dev phase; the decision log grows across the epic).
     local decision_context=""
     if type get_decision_log_context >/dev/null 2>&1; then
         decision_context=$(get_decision_log_context)
+        local dec_size
+        dec_size=$(get_byte_size "$decision_context")
+        if [ "$dec_size" -gt 20000 ]; then
+            decision_context=$(printf '%s' "$decision_context" | tail -c 20000)
+            [ "$VERBOSE" = true ] && log_warn "Design: decision log truncated to last 20KB"
+        fi
     fi
 
     local design_prompt="You are a senior developer planning the implementation of a story.
@@ -74,9 +83,7 @@ $story_contents
 
 ## Architecture Reference
 
-<architecture>
-$arch_contents
-</architecture>
+**Read the architecture document at:** ${arch_file:-"(none found)"}
 
 ## Previous Decisions in This Epic
 
@@ -84,15 +91,12 @@ $arch_contents
 $decision_context
 </decision-context>
 
-## Exploration Commands
+## Exploration
 
-First, explore the codebase to understand existing patterns:
-\`\`\`bash
-# Find similar implementations
-find . -type f -name \"*.ts\" -o -name \"*.js\" | head -20
-# Check project structure
-ls -la src/ 2>/dev/null || ls -la
-\`\`\`
+First, explore the codebase to understand existing patterns and conventions
+before planning. Use the repository's own structure and language to guide you
+(e.g. inspect the relevant source directories, find files similar to what this
+story touches, and follow existing patterns rather than introducing new ones).
 
 ## Required Output
 
@@ -137,6 +141,9 @@ Be specific and concrete. This plan will guide the implementation phase.
 After outputting the design block, output exactly:
 DESIGN COMPLETE: $story_id"
 
+    # Log prompt size in verbose mode (consistent with other phases)
+    log_prompt_size "$design_prompt" "design-phase"
+
     if [ "$DRY_RUN" = true ]; then
         echo "[DRY RUN] Would execute design phase for $story_id"
         return 0
@@ -151,6 +158,10 @@ DESIGN COMPLETE: $story_id"
     LAST_DESIGN=$(echo "$result" | sed -n '/DESIGN START/,/DESIGN END/p')
 
     if [ -n "$LAST_DESIGN" ]; then
+        # Persist the plan to a per-story file so the dev phase can read it
+        # even after a resume (when the in-memory LAST_DESIGN is empty).
+        persist_design "$story_id" "$LAST_DESIGN"
+
         # Save to decision log
         if type append_to_decision_log >/dev/null 2>&1; then
             append_to_decision_log "DESIGN" "$story_id" "$LAST_DESIGN"
@@ -164,6 +175,27 @@ DESIGN COMPLETE: $story_id"
     fi
 }
 
+# Persist a design plan to a per-story file under DESIGN_DIR.
+# Arguments:
+#   $1 - story_id
+#   $2 - design content
+persist_design() {
+    local story_id="$1"
+    local content="$2"
+
+    if [ -z "${DESIGN_DIR:-}" ]; then
+        return 0
+    fi
+
+    mkdir -p "$DESIGN_DIR" 2>/dev/null || true
+    local design_file="$DESIGN_DIR/${story_id}-design.md"
+    if printf '%s\n' "$content" > "$design_file" 2>/dev/null; then
+        [ "$VERBOSE" = true ] && log "Design plan saved: $design_file"
+    else
+        log_warn "Failed to persist design plan: $design_file"
+    fi
+}
+
 # Get the last design for inclusion in dev phase prompt
 # Returns the design output or empty string if not available
 get_last_design() {
@@ -175,7 +207,17 @@ get_last_design() {
 build_design_context_for_dev() {
     local story_id="$1"
 
-    if [ -z "$LAST_DESIGN" ]; then
+    # Prefer the in-memory plan; fall back to the persisted file so a resumed
+    # run (where LAST_DESIGN is empty) still gets the design context.
+    local design="$LAST_DESIGN"
+    if [ -z "$design" ] && [ -n "${DESIGN_DIR:-}" ]; then
+        local design_file="$DESIGN_DIR/${story_id}-design.md"
+        if [ -f "$design_file" ]; then
+            design=$(cat "$design_file")
+        fi
+    fi
+
+    if [ -z "$design" ]; then
         echo ""
         return
     fi
@@ -186,7 +228,7 @@ build_design_context_for_dev() {
 The following design was created in the planning phase. Follow this plan:
 
 <design-plan>
-$LAST_DESIGN
+$design
 </design-plan>
 
 ### Implementation Guidelines Based on Design
diff --git a/scripts/epic-execute.sh b/scripts/epic-execute.sh
index de799472f..a52a4f8f3 100755
--- a/scripts/epic-execute.sh
+++ b/scripts/epic-execute.sh
@@ -139,6 +139,8 @@ SPRINTS_DIR="$PROJECT_ROOT/docs/sprints"
 EPICS_DIR="$PROJECT_ROOT/docs/epics"
 UAT_DIR="$PROJECT_ROOT/docs/uat"
 LOGS_DIR="$SPRINT_ARTIFACTS_DIR/logs"
+# Per-story design plans (persisted so dev phase can read them after resume)
+DESIGN_DIR="$SPRINT_ARTIFACTS_DIR/design"
 
 # Temporary log file during execution - will be copied to LOGS_DIR on completion
 LOG_FILE="/tmp/bmad-epic-execute-$$.log"