diff --git a/00-META/process/02-graduation.md b/00-META/process/02-graduation.md
index e124f9d9..63d6578a 100644
--- a/00-META/process/02-graduation.md
+++ b/00-META/process/02-graduation.md
@@ -33,7 +33,10 @@ about an hour, and said to the operator if it runs past.
    - **Pre-check each record before proposing it**, as for research (playbook [01](01-research.md), step
      5): every record, issue or design it names is in `links`; each deferral names its issue; each figure
      is given as measured; no word on a glossary *Not:* line.
-3. **Write the design.** Create the document under `03-DESIGN/01-to-be/` with frontmatter:
+3. **Write the design.** **One design per thing** (the operator, 2026-10-16): when a to-be design already
+   covers what the decisions change, they rewrite that design, as *Amending an existing design* below says,
+   and no second design is written beside it that refers to it. Only for something no design covers, create
+   the document under `03-DESIGN/01-to-be/` with frontmatter:
 
    ```yaml
    ---