diff --git a/enterprise/app/models/captain/assistant.rb b/enterprise/app/models/captain/assistant.rb
index 771360659..2eb7961fc 100644
--- a/enterprise/app/models/captain/assistant.rb
+++ b/enterprise/app/models/captain/assistant.rb
@@ -115,6 +115,10 @@ class Captain::Assistant < ApplicationRecord
     }
   end
 
+  def agent_response_schema
+    Captain::AssistantResponseSchema
+  end
+
   def default_avatar_url
     "#{ENV.fetch('FRONTEND_URL', nil)}/assets/images/dashboard/captain/logo.svg"
   end
diff --git a/enterprise/app/models/captain/scenario.rb b/enterprise/app/models/captain/scenario.rb
index d876a7127..3fca32a35 100644
--- a/enterprise/app/models/captain/scenario.rb
+++ b/enterprise/app/models/captain/scenario.rb
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ class Captain::Scenario < ApplicationRecord
     }
   end
 
+  def agent_response_schema
+    Captain::ScenarioResponseSchema
+  end
+
   private
 
   def agent_name
diff --git a/enterprise/app/models/concerns/agentable.rb b/enterprise/app/models/concerns/agentable.rb
index dab76a726..dcea01be9 100644
--- a/enterprise/app/models/concerns/agentable.rb
+++ b/enterprise/app/models/concerns/agentable.rb
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ module Concerns::Agentable
   end
 
   def agent_response_schema
-    Captain::ResponseSchema
+    raise NotImplementedError, "#{self.class} must define agent_response_schema"
   end
 
   def prompt_context
diff --git a/enterprise/lib/captain/assistant_response_schema.rb b/enterprise/lib/captain/assistant_response_schema.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7dbcdb1d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/enterprise/lib/captain/assistant_response_schema.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+class Captain::AssistantResponseSchema < RubyLLM::Schema
+  string :response, description: 'The message to send to the user'
+  string :reasoning, description: "Agent's thought process tying the ARQ back to the final reply"
+
+  object :arq_plan, description: 'Attentive Reasoning Query plan used before producing the response' do
+    array :instructions_to_restate, of: :string,
+                                    description: 'Ordered guardrails, guidelines, tool duties, and routing expectations restated prior to reply'
+    array :response_compliance_checklist, of: :string,
+                                          description: 'Yes/no checklist confirming the response satisfies every critical obligation'
+    array :scenario_routing_candidates, of: :string,
+                                        description: 'Scenarios evaluated with quick notes on whether they should receive the handoff'
+    string :handoff_decision, description: 'Scenario key selected for handoff, or "self" when responding directly'
+    string :handoff_rationale, description: 'Why the chosen handoff path best serves the request while respecting constraints'
+    boolean :ready_to_respond,
+            description: 'Indicates all checklist items are satisfied and the assistant is cleared to draft the response'
+    string :notes, description: '≤20 word justification summarizing how obligations will be met or what is outstanding'
+  end
+end
diff --git a/enterprise/lib/captain/prompts/assistant.liquid b/enterprise/lib/captain/prompts/assistant.liquid
index 48178dc46..3ef8e9f23 100644
--- a/enterprise/lib/captain/prompts/assistant.liquid
+++ b/enterprise/lib/captain/prompts/assistant.liquid
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ Before composing the customer-facing `response`, fill the `arq_plan` object in y
 {
   "instructions_to_restate": [],
   "response_compliance_checklist": [],
+  "scenario_routing_candidates": [],
+  "handoff_decision": "",
+  "handoff_rationale": "",
   "ready_to_respond": true,
   "notes": ""
 }
@@ -59,6 +62,9 @@ Before composing the customer-facing `response`, fill the `arq_plan` object in y
   3. Mandatory tool usage rules (e.g., FAQ lookup before citing product facts, handoff requirements).
   4. Scenario routing expectations that influence ownership of this turn.
 - **`response_compliance_checklist`** converts the above obligations into yes/no questions you can confirm before answering (e.g., "Did I verify every product statement via `captain--tools--faq_lookup`?").
+- **`scenario_routing_candidates`** enumerates every scenario you actively considered in the format `"Scenario Name → reason it matches or not"`.
+- **`handoff_decision`** is either the scenario key you will hand off to (e.g., `"billing_support"`) or `"self"` if you will answer directly.
+- **`handoff_rationale`** briefly justifies why the chosen path best serves the customer and respects instructions.
 - **`ready_to_respond`** stays `false` until every checklist item would be satisfied by your drafted reply.
 - **`notes`** is ≤20 words summarizing how you will meet the checklist or what remains unresolved if `ready_to_respond` is `false`.
 
diff --git a/enterprise/lib/captain/prompts/scenario.liquid b/enterprise/lib/captain/prompts/scenario.liquid
index 1148a7c3a..a84e02721 100644
--- a/enterprise/lib/captain/prompts/scenario.liquid
+++ b/enterprise/lib/captain/prompts/scenario.liquid
@@ -39,6 +39,62 @@ Always respect these boundaries:
 {% endfor %}
 {% endif -%}
 
+# Attentive Reasoning Blueprint
+Before replying, populate the `arq_plan` object in your JSON output using this structure to confirm scope alignment, tool usage, and potential return handoffs:
+
+```json
+{
+  "instructions_to_restate": [],
+  "response_compliance_checklist": [],
+  "scope_risks": [],
+  "tool_plan": [],
+  "handoff_back_decision": "",
+  "handoff_back_rationale": "",
+  "ready_to_respond": true,
+  "notes": ""
+}
+```
+
+- **`instructions_to_restate`**: Concrete sentences covering guardrails, scenario instructions, and any required tool discipline.
+- **`response_compliance_checklist`**: Yes/no checks confirming you honour the scenario-specific expectations and guardrails.
+- **`scope_risks`**: Bulleted observations about user needs that might fall outside this scenario; include at least one entry even if it is "None identified".
+- **`tool_plan`**: Sequence each tool you intend to call (or note `none`) with a justification.
+- **`handoff_back_decision`**: Either `"handoff_to_{{ assistant_name }}"` when returning control or `"stay"` when you will respond directly.
+- **`handoff_back_rationale`**: Brief explanation supporting the decision.
+- **`ready_to_respond`**: Set to `false` until checklist items are satisfied and scope risks are resolved.
+- **`notes`**: ≤20 words summarizing how you are meeting obligations or what remains open when not ready.
+
+Use the information below when building the ARQ:
+
+{% if response_guidelines.size > 0 -%}
+- Response guidelines to honour:
+{% for guideline in response_guidelines -%}
+  - {{ guideline }}
+{% endfor -%}
+{% endif -%}
+
+{% if guardrails.size > 0 -%}
+- Guardrails to restate:
+{% for guardrail in guardrails -%}
+  - {{ guardrail }}
+{% endfor -%}
+{% endif -%}
+
+- Scenario duties:
+  - Follow the scenario instructions verbatim; stay within scope.
+  - Return control via `handoff_to_{{ assistant_name }}` when user needs extend beyond this scenario.
+
+- Tool discipline:
+{% if tools.size > 0 -%}
+{% for tool in tools -%}
+  - Use `{{ tool.id }}` when {{ tool.description | downcase }}.
+{% endfor -%}
+{% else -%}
+  - No dedicated tools available; rely on provided context.
+{% endif -%}
+
+Once `ready_to_respond` would be `true`, craft the customer-facing `response` and summarize how the checklist was satisfied in the `reasoning` field.
+
 {% if tools.size > 0 -%}
 # Available Tools
 You have access to these tools:
diff --git a/enterprise/lib/captain/response_schema.rb b/enterprise/lib/captain/response_schema.rb
index a54f44861..651eb7e23 100644
--- a/enterprise/lib/captain/response_schema.rb
+++ b/enterprise/lib/captain/response_schema.rb
@@ -3,11 +3,4 @@
 class Captain::ResponseSchema < RubyLLM::Schema
   string :response, description: 'The message to send to the user'
   string :reasoning, description: "Agent's thought process"
-  object :arq_plan, description: 'Attentive Reasoning Query plan used to prepare the response' do
-    array :instructions_to_restate, of: :string,
-                                    description: 'Ordered list of concrete guardrails, guidelines, tool rules, and routing expectations to repeat before responding'
-    array :response_compliance_checklist, of: :string, description: 'Yes/no questions confirming the response satisfies each critical obligation'
-    boolean :ready_to_respond, description: 'Indicates whether the checklist is fully satisfied prior to finalizing the response'
-    string :notes, description: 'Short justification (≤20 words) explaining how the checklist is or will be satisfied'
-  end
 end
diff --git a/enterprise/lib/captain/scenario_response_schema.rb b/enterprise/lib/captain/scenario_response_schema.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..074161efb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/enterprise/lib/captain/scenario_response_schema.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+class Captain::ScenarioResponseSchema < RubyLLM::Schema
+  string :response, description: 'Customer-facing message produced by the scenario agent'
+  string :reasoning, description: 'Short explanation connecting the ARQ plan to the final response or handoff'
+
+  object :arq_plan, description: 'Scenario Attentive Reasoning Query captured before responding' do
+    array :instructions_to_restate, of: :string,
+                                    description: 'Concrete guardrails, scenario instructions, and tool rules reiterated for this turn'
+    array :response_compliance_checklist, of: :string,
+                                          description: 'Yes/no questions verifying the response adheres to obligations'
+    array :scope_risks, of: :string,
+                        description: 'Potential conversation needs outside this scenario’s scope (or a “None identified” entry)'
+    array :tool_plan, of: :string,
+                      description: 'Planned tool calls in order, each with a justification or “none”'
+    string :handoff_back_decision,
+           description: 'Either "handoff_to_<assistant_key>" to return control or "stay" to respond directly'
+    string :handoff_back_rationale,
+           description: 'Brief justification for staying or handing back to the assistant'
+    boolean :ready_to_respond,
+            description: 'True only when checklist is satisfied and scope risks are addressed'
+    string :notes,
+           description: '≤20 word summary of how obligations will be met or what remains open if not ready'
+  end
+end