diff --git a/src/bmm-skills/4-implementation/bmad-quick-dev/step-02-plan.md b/src/bmm-skills/4-implementation/bmad-quick-dev/step-02-plan.md
index 2ab75284c..7385e634a 100644
--- a/src/bmm-skills/4-implementation/bmad-quick-dev/step-02-plan.md
+++ b/src/bmm-skills/4-implementation/bmad-quick-dev/step-02-plan.md
@@ -24,9 +24,21 @@ deferred_work_file: '{implementation_artifacts}/deferred-work.md'
 
 ### CHECKPOINT 1
 
-Present summary. If token count exceeded 1600 and user chose [K], include the token count and explain why it may be a problem. HALT and ask human: `[A] Approve` | `[E] Edit`
+Present summary. Display the spec file path as a CWD-relative path (no leading `/`) so it is clickable in the terminal. If token count exceeded 1600 and user chose [K], include the token count and explain why it may be a problem.
 
-- **A**: Set status `ready-for-dev` in `{spec_file}`. Everything inside `<frozen-after-approval>` is now locked — only the human can change it. Display the finalized spec path to the user as a CWD-relative path (no leading `/`) so it is clickable in the terminal. → Step 3.
+After presenting the summary, display this note:
+
+---
+
+Before approving, you can open the spec file in an editor or ask me questions and tell me what to change. You can also use `bmad-advanced-elicitation`, `bmad-party-mode`, or `bmad-code-review` skills, ideally in another session to avoid context bloat.
+
+---
+
+HALT and ask human: `[A] Approve` | `[E] Edit`
+
+- **A**: Re-read `{spec_file}` from disk.
+  - **If the file is missing:** HALT. Tell the user the spec file is gone and STOP — do not write anything to `{spec_file}`, do not set status, do not proceed to Step 3. Nothing below this point runs.
+  - **If the file exists:** Compare the content to what you wrote. If it has changed since you wrote it, acknowledge the external edits — show a brief summary of what changed — and proceed with the updated version. Then set status `ready-for-dev` in `{spec_file}`. Everything inside `<frozen-after-approval>` is now locked — only the human can change it. → Step 3.
 - **E**: Apply changes, then return to CHECKPOINT 1.