diff --git a/fern/squads/handoff/context-and-variables.mdx b/fern/squads/handoff/context-and-variables.mdx
index 5fdf696d6..4536719b4 100644
--- a/fern/squads/handoff/context-and-variables.mdx
+++ b/fern/squads/handoff/context-and-variables.mdx
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ A handoff carries **conversation messages** and **variable values** separately.
 
 Values already collected in the call remain available to later assistants even if the destination receives no earlier messages.
 
+<Note>
+  The destination's system prompt is the first `system` message in its `model.messages`. On a handoff, any additional `system` messages in that array are dropped, so combine all destination instructions into a single system message.
+</Note>
+
 ## Context engineering
 
 Set `contextEngineeringPlan` on an assistant or squad destination. It filters the messages sent to that destination; it does not clear saved variables.