diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/board-access-denial.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/board-access-denial.test.ts
index d8217041624..c545fa7831c 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/board-access-denial.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/board-access-denial.test.ts
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ describe("board-only denial", () => {
     expect(res.body.code).toBe(BOARD_ACCESS_REQUIRED_CODE);
     expect(res.body.remediation).toContain("this denial is final");
     expect(res.body.remediation).toContain("do not search for one");
+    expect(res.body.remediation).toContain("reply now");
     expect(res.body.remediation).toContain(link);
   });
 
diff --git a/server/src/routes/authz.ts b/server/src/routes/authz.ts
index 9b16388328e..7be801f0faa 100644
--- a/server/src/routes/authz.ts
+++ b/server/src/routes/authz.ts
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ export function boardAccessRequired(req: Request) {
     : "They can do it in the Paperclip web app or with their own board credentials. Link a page only if you already know its route; do not search for one.";
   return forbidden("Board access required", {
     code: BOARD_ACCESS_REQUIRED_CODE,
-    remediation: `This action is board-only by design and this denial is final: no agent credential, tool or other API route can do it, so do not search for one. Tell the person that a board user must do it. ${where}`,
+    remediation: `This action is board-only by design and this denial is final: no agent credential, tool or other API route can do it, so do not search for one. Stop working on this step and reply now: tell the person that a board user must do it. ${where}`,
   });
 }