diff --git a/gsd-core/workflows/onboard.md b/gsd-core/workflows/onboard.md
index 80fac011c..112b942e1 100644
--- a/gsd-core/workflows/onboard.md
+++ b/gsd-core/workflows/onboard.md
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ Exit.
 
 If the user skips mapping, continue with a warning.
 
-If `is_brownfield` is false and `planning_exists` is false, print:
+If `is_brownfield` is false and `planning_exists` is false and `has_docs_candidates` is false, print:
 
 ```text
 No existing code was detected. For a greenfield project, run:
diff --git a/tests/onboard-command.test.cjs b/tests/onboard-command.test.cjs
index ccaa85c84..9a7b55395 100644
--- a/tests/onboard-command.test.cjs
+++ b/tests/onboard-command.test.cjs
@@ -229,6 +229,11 @@ describe('/gsd:onboard command contract', () => {
       /If `has_docs_candidates` is true and `project_exists` is false:/,
       'workflow must offer docs ingest before project setup even when codebase mapping already created .planning',
     );
+    assert.match(
+      content,
+      /If `is_brownfield` is false and `planning_exists` is false and `has_docs_candidates` is false, print:/,
+      'workflow must not send doc-only repos to new-project before the docs ingest gate',
+    );
     assert.ok(content.includes('new-project'), 'workflow must route to new-project');
     assert.ok(content.includes('.planning/onboarding/SUMMARY.md'), 'workflow must create onboarding summary');
     assert.match(content, /overwrite|idempotent|do not overwrite/i, 'workflow must protect existing planning');