diff --git a/commands/gsd/new-project.md b/commands/gsd/new-project.md
index 308718a9f..e6bb57287 100644
--- a/commands/gsd/new-project.md
+++ b/commands/gsd/new-project.md
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ Use AskUserQuestion:
   - "Standard" — Balanced scope and speed (5-8 phases, 3-5 plans each)
   - "Comprehensive" — Thorough coverage, more phases/plans (8-12 phases, 5-10 plans each)
 
-**Depth controls quantity, not quality.** All depths use 2-3 tasks per plan. Depth determines how many plans get created—more depth means more plans, not bigger plans.
+**Depth controls compression tolerance, not artificial inflation.** All depths use 2-3 tasks per plan. Comprehensive means "don't compress complex work"—it doesn't mean "pad simple work to hit a number."
 
 Create `.planning/config.json` with chosen mode and depth using `templates/config.json` structure.
 
diff --git a/get-shit-done/references/scope-estimation.md b/get-shit-done/references/scope-estimation.md
index 472342fe2..ed3ecb27a 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/references/scope-estimation.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/references/scope-estimation.md
@@ -103,17 +103,22 @@ Each: 30-40% context, peak quality, focused commits
 </estimating_context>
 
 <depth_calibration>
-**Depth controls plan count, not plan size.**
+**Depth controls compression tolerance, not artificial inflation.**
 
-| Depth | Phases | Plans/Phase | Tasks/Plan |
-|-------|--------|-------------|------------|
+| Depth | Typical Phases | Typical Plans/Phase | Tasks/Plan |
+|-------|----------------|---------------------|------------|
 | Quick | 3-5 | 1-3 | 2-3 |
 | Standard | 5-8 | 3-5 | 2-3 |
 | Comprehensive | 8-12 | 5-10 | 2-3 |
 
 Tasks/plan is CONSTANT at 2-3. The 50% context rule applies universally.
 
-Depth determines thoroughness by creating more phases and more plans—never by cramming more into each plan.
+**Key principle:** Derive from actual work. Depth determines how aggressively you combine things, not a target to hit.
+
+- Comprehensive auth = 8 plans (because auth genuinely has 8 concerns)
+- Comprehensive "add favicon" = 1 plan (because that's all it is)
+
+Don't pad small work to hit a number. Don't compress complex work to look efficient.
 
 **Comprehensive depth example:**
 Auth system at comprehensive depth = 8 plans (not 3 big ones):
diff --git a/get-shit-done/workflows/create-roadmap.md b/get-shit-done/workflows/create-roadmap.md
index b54ae3cee..d44214f33 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/workflows/create-roadmap.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/workflows/create-roadmap.md
@@ -89,20 +89,23 @@ cat .planning/config.json 2>/dev/null | grep depth
 ```
 
 <depth_guidance>
-**Phase count targets by depth:**
+**Depth controls compression tolerance, not artificial inflation.**
 
-| Depth | Target Phases | Plans/Phase | Tasks/Plan |
-|-------|---------------|-------------|------------|
+| Depth | Typical Phases | Typical Plans/Phase | Tasks/Plan |
+|-------|----------------|---------------------|------------|
 | Quick | 3-5 | 1-3 | 2-3 |
 | Standard | 5-8 | 3-5 | 2-3 |
 | Comprehensive | 8-12 | 5-10 | 2-3 |
 
-**Tasks/plan is constant (2-3). Depth scales phases and plans, not task density.**
+**Key principle:** Derive phases from actual work. Depth determines how aggressively you combine things, not a target to hit.
+
+- Comprehensive auth system = 8 phases (because auth genuinely has 8 concerns)
+- Comprehensive "add favicon" = 1 phase (because that's all it is)
 
 For comprehensive depth:
 - Don't compress multiple features into single phases
 - Each major capability gets its own phase
-- "Too many phases" is NOT a concern—thoroughness is the goal
+- Let small things stay small—don't pad to hit a number
 - If you're tempted to combine two things, make them separate phases instead
 
 For quick depth:
diff --git a/get-shit-done/workflows/plan-phase.md b/get-shit-done/workflows/plan-phase.md
index 9904a53ab..d8de1e93b 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/workflows/plan-phase.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/workflows/plan-phase.md
@@ -232,20 +232,24 @@ cat .planning/config.json 2>/dev/null | grep depth
 ```
 
 <depth_aware_splitting>
-**Plan count targets by depth:**
+**Depth controls compression tolerance, not artificial inflation.**
 
-| Depth | Plans/Phase | Tasks/Plan |
-|-------|-------------|------------|
+| Depth | Typical Plans/Phase | Tasks/Plan |
+|-------|---------------------|------------|
 | Quick | 1-3 | 2-3 |
 | Standard | 3-5 | 2-3 |
 | Comprehensive | 5-10 | 2-3 |
 
-**Tasks/plan is ALWAYS 2-3. Depth determines how many plans you create, not how big each plan is.**
+**Key principle:** Derive plans from actual work. Depth determines how aggressively you combine things, not a target to hit.
+
+- Comprehensive auth phase = 8 plans (because auth genuinely has 8 concerns)
+- Comprehensive "add config file" phase = 1 plan (because that's all it is)
 
 For comprehensive depth:
-- Create MORE plans, not bigger ones
+- Create MORE plans when the work warrants it, not bigger ones
 - If a phase has 15 tasks, that's 5-8 plans (not 3 plans with 5 tasks each)
 - Don't compress to look efficient—thoroughness is the goal
+- Let small phases stay small—don't pad to hit a number
 - Each plan stays focused: 2-3 tasks, single concern
 
 For quick depth: