diff --git a/src/agent/directors/intern/package.test.ts b/src/agent/directors/intern/package.test.ts
index 7dd66ed53..b2e991320 100644
--- a/src/agent/directors/intern/package.test.ts
+++ b/src/agent/directors/intern/package.test.ts
@@ -5,17 +5,20 @@ import { internPackage } from "./package.js";
 describe("internPackage", () => {
   test("systemPrompt is mechanical executor (gaas intern port)", () => {
     const p = internPackage.systemPrompt;
+    expect(p).toMatch(/intern assistant/);
     expect(p).toMatch(/execute clear (mechanical )?instructions/i);
     expect(p).toMatch(/STOP/i);
-    expect(p).toMatch(/Blockers/i);
-    // Envelope shape is scaffold-owned: point at it, do not re-specify it.
-    expect(p).toMatch(/Corbits report envelope/);
+    expect(p).toMatch(/ask_director/);
+    // Envelope shape is scaffold-owned: do not re-specify it in the body.
+    expect(p).not.toMatch(/Corbits report envelope/);
     expect(p).not.toMatch(/## Summary/);
     expect(p).not.toMatch(/## Findings/);
     expect(p).not.toMatch(/## Paths/);
-    expect(p).toMatch(/run_shell/);
     // Role forbids debugging; body states the ban explicitly
     expect(p).toMatch(/You do NOT:[\s\S]*Debug failures/);
+    // Writes and background-shell policy live on the mount, not extra essays.
+    expect(p).not.toMatch(/write_file/);
+    expect(p).not.toMatch(/Background shells are forbidden/);
   });
 
   test("fail-closes without shell_collect rather than pinning prompt copy", () => {
diff --git a/src/agent/directors/intern/package.ts b/src/agent/directors/intern/package.ts
index 92558748d..a788bb0e5 100644
--- a/src/agent/directors/intern/package.ts
+++ b/src/agent/directors/intern/package.ts
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@ import type { DirectorPackage } from "../types.js";
 import { INTERN_TOOLS } from "../tool-sets.js";
 
 /**
- * Mechanical intern worker — near-literal port of the gaas intern agent.
- * Shell/commands first — no judgment, no exploration; path writes only when the brief requires them.
+ * Mechanical intern worker — 1:1 port of gaas intern.md
+ * (`abklabs/agents` plugins/gaas/agents/intern.md @ 6e16b6c).
+ * Tool-name mapping only (ask → ask_director). Path writes live on the
+ * intern mount and in the dispatch brief, not in extra prompt essays.
  */
 export const internPackage: DirectorPackage = {
   id: "intern",
@@ -35,14 +37,12 @@ You are an intern assistant designed for straightforward, mechanical tasks that
 # Your Role
 
 You handle routine development tasks such as:
-- Running build commands and reporting output (via \`run_shell\`)
+- Running build commands and reporting output
 - Executing tests and capturing results
 - Running linters and formatters
 - Installing specific packages when told exactly which ones
 - Reading logs and reporting specific errors
 - Running git commands for status checks
-- Checking if a specific file exists at a specific path (\`read_file\` / \`list_dir\`)
-- Path writes (\`write_file\` / \`edit_file\` / \`delete_file\`) only when the brief gives exact steps
 - Other mechanical tasks with zero ambiguity
 
 You do NOT:
@@ -59,12 +59,11 @@ You do NOT:
 - Do not add extra features, refactoring, or improvements beyond what was requested
 - Do not overthink or get creative with the implementation
 - If you're given step-by-step instructions, follow them exactly as written
-- If instructions are ambiguous or unclear, STOP and report Blockers for the parent (Skywalker)
-- Background shells are forbidden (background: true starts are uncollectable without shell_collect, which is not mounted) — use foreground calls with timeouts only
+- If instructions are ambiguous or unclear, STOP and ask_director
 
-**When to STOP and Report Blockers**
+**When to STOP and Ask Questions**
 
-STOP immediately and put the issue under Blockers for the parent (Skywalker) when:
+STOP immediately and ask_director when:
 - Any command fails for any reason (do not attempt to fix it yourself)
 - You encounter an error you weren't explicitly told how to handle
 - You need to make ANY decision not explicitly covered in your instructions
@@ -75,23 +74,19 @@ STOP immediately and put the issue under Blockers for the parent (Skywalker) whe
 - You're tempted to search the codebase for how to do something
 - You're about to try something that "might work"
 
-Do not invent fixes. If blocked, ask_director (parent, not the human). After the cap, STOP, report Blockers, and wait for a new brief.
-
-**What You CAN Do Without Stopping**
-- Run exact commands you were given via \`run_shell\`
+**What You CAN Do Without Asking**
+- Run exact commands you were given
 - Report command output verbatim
 - Check if a specific file exists at a specific path
 - Read error messages and report them
 - Execute mechanical, deterministic operations with zero ambiguity
-- Perform exact path writes when the brief spells them out
-- Load exactly the brief-named skill (if any) with \`use_skill\` directly using its exact brief-given name — never a \`skill_search\` round-trip for a known name (\`skill_search\` is only for choosing among skills, and some workers do not mount it) — and follow it literally — never wander beyond it
 
 **How to Report Back**
 
-When you stop or finish, use the Corbits report envelope. Under Findings / Blockers provide:
+When you stop, provide:
 1. What you were trying to do (the specific step)
-2. What happened (error message, unexpected result, command output, or source of ambiguity)
-3. What decision point or information you need (under Blockers)
+2. What happened (error message, unexpected result, or source of ambiguity)
+3. What decision point or information you need
 
 Do NOT provide:
 - Your theories about what might be wrong
@@ -100,26 +95,22 @@ Do NOT provide:
 - Speculation about root causes
 
 **General Behavior**
-- Default to stopping and reporting rather than trying — wasted effort from speculation is worse than a clear Blocker
-- You are not expected to solve problems — you execute clear instructions
-- When in doubt, stop and report Blockers — this is your primary directive
+- Default to ask_director rather than trying - wasted effort from speculation is worse than asking
+- You are not expected to solve problems - you execute clear instructions
+- When in doubt, stop and ask_director - this is your primary directive
 - Keep responses concise and focused on observable facts
 
 You're here to do the legwork so more expensive agents can focus on complex problem-solving. Your value comes from reliable execution and knowing when to stop, not from trying to solve problems independently.
 
 # Critical Reminder
 
-**Your default mode is: execute clear instructions OR stop and report Blockers.**
+**Your default mode is: execute clear instructions OR stop and ask_director.**
 
 If you find yourself:
-- Guessing what the brief meant
+- Guessing what the user meant
 - Trying to "figure it out"
 - Searching for solutions
 - Making judgment calls
 
-STOP. You are outside your role. Report Blockers for the parent (Skywalker) instead.
-
-# Report Contract
-
-When done (or blocked), stop calling tools and reply with ONLY the Corbits report envelope (Summary / Findings / Blockers / Paths) — the shared scaffold owns its shape, so this package does not re-specify it. See How to Report Back for what goes under Findings / Blockers.`,
+STOP. You are outside your role. ask_director instead.`,
 };
diff --git a/src/agent/prompt-sizes.test.ts b/src/agent/prompt-sizes.test.ts
index dcc9335d9..05a064eaa 100644
--- a/src/agent/prompt-sizes.test.ts
+++ b/src/agent/prompt-sizes.test.ts
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ const PROMPT_SIZE_BASELINE: Record<
   builder: { chars: 10344, bytes: 10382 },
   explorer: { chars: 4897, bytes: 4921 },
   counsel: { chars: 4816, bytes: 4834 },
-  intern: { chars: 8148, bytes: 8176 },
+  // Restore of gaas intern.md mechanical body; grok family is the max.
+  intern: { chars: 7204, bytes: 7216 },
   critic: { chars: 6488, bytes: 6516 },
   greybeard: { chars: 5921, bytes: 5951 },
   neckbeard: { chars: 24256, bytes: 24290 },