diff --git a/ship/SKILL.md b/ship/SKILL.md
index 7929a9fb5..5b3fd0525 100644
--- a/ship/SKILL.md
+++ b/ship/SKILL.md
@@ -1580,9 +1580,10 @@ High-confidence findings (agreed on by multiple sources) should be prioritized f
 
 2. **Auto-decide the bump level based on the diff:**
    - Count lines changed (`git diff origin/<base>...HEAD --stat | tail -1`)
+   - Check for feature signals: new route/page files (e.g. `app/*/page.tsx`, `pages/*.ts`), new DB migration/schema files, new test files alongside new source files, or branch name starting with `feat/`
    - **MICRO** (4th digit): < 50 lines changed, trivial tweaks, typos, config
-   - **PATCH** (3rd digit): 50+ lines changed, bug fixes, small-medium features
-   - **MINOR** (2nd digit): **ASK the user** — only for major features or significant architectural changes
+   - **PATCH** (3rd digit): 50+ lines changed, no feature signals detected
+   - **MINOR** (2nd digit): **ASK the user** if ANY feature signal is detected, OR 500+ lines changed, OR new modules/packages added
    - **MAJOR** (1st digit): **ASK the user** — only for milestones or breaking changes
 
 3. Compute the new version:
diff --git a/ship/SKILL.md.tmpl b/ship/SKILL.md.tmpl
index 62842fc52..ea703d4ac 100644
--- a/ship/SKILL.md.tmpl
+++ b/ship/SKILL.md.tmpl
@@ -322,9 +322,10 @@ For each classified comment:
 
 2. **Auto-decide the bump level based on the diff:**
    - Count lines changed (`git diff origin/<base>...HEAD --stat | tail -1`)
+   - Check for feature signals: new route/page files (e.g. `app/*/page.tsx`, `pages/*.ts`), new DB migration/schema files, new test files alongside new source files, or branch name starting with `feat/`
    - **MICRO** (4th digit): < 50 lines changed, trivial tweaks, typos, config
-   - **PATCH** (3rd digit): 50+ lines changed, bug fixes, small-medium features
-   - **MINOR** (2nd digit): **ASK the user** — only for major features or significant architectural changes
+   - **PATCH** (3rd digit): 50+ lines changed, no feature signals detected
+   - **MINOR** (2nd digit): **ASK the user** if ANY feature signal is detected, OR 500+ lines changed, OR new modules/packages added
    - **MAJOR** (1st digit): **ASK the user** — only for milestones or breaking changes
 
 3. Compute the new version: