diff --git a/.changeset/graceful-sloths-wake.md b/.changeset/graceful-sloths-wake.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..58bd4e24d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/graceful-sloths-wake.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+type: Fixed
+pr: 3420
+---
+**`/gsd-progress --next` no longer falls through to the default route** — the command now surfaces raw arguments on a dedicated line before flag parsing so `--next`, `--do`, and `--forensic` routing instructions remain stable for the model.
diff --git a/commands/gsd/progress.md b/commands/gsd/progress.md
index 62f9d3f7b..1c76d2769 100644
--- a/commands/gsd/progress.md
+++ b/commands/gsd/progress.md
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ Three modes:
 </execution_context>
 
 <process>
-Parse the first token of $ARGUMENTS:
+Arguments provided: "$ARGUMENTS"
+Parse the first token from the provided arguments:
 - If it is `--next`: strip the flag, execute the next workflow (passing remaining args e.g. --force).
 - If it is `--do`: strip the flag, pass remainder as freeform intent to the do workflow.
 - Otherwise: execute the progress workflow end-to-end (pass --forensic through if present).
diff --git a/tests/bug-3418-progress-flag-routing.test.cjs b/tests/bug-3418-progress-flag-routing.test.cjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2bf7dc97d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/bug-3418-progress-flag-routing.test.cjs
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+// allow-test-rule: source-text-is-the-product
+// The command markdown is loaded directly by runtime prompt assembly.
+
+const { test, describe } = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const fs = require('fs');
+const path = require('path');
+
+describe('#3418: /gsd-progress flag routing prompt contract', () => {
+  test('progress command surfaces raw arguments on a dedicated line before routing parse', () => {
+    const command = fs.readFileSync(
+      path.join(__dirname, '..', 'commands', 'gsd', 'progress.md'),
+      'utf8'
+    );
+
+    assert.ok(
+      command.includes('Arguments provided: "$ARGUMENTS"'),
+      'progress.md must surface $ARGUMENTS on a dedicated line for stable flag parsing'
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('progress command must not inline-substitute $ARGUMENTS into parse instruction text', () => {
+    const command = fs.readFileSync(
+      path.join(__dirname, '..', 'commands', 'gsd', 'progress.md'),
+      'utf8'
+    );
+
+    assert.ok(
+      !command.includes('Parse the first token of $ARGUMENTS:'),
+      'progress.md must keep parse instructions independent from argument interpolation'
+    );
+  });
+});