diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md
index cd0f8afc8..d4a342646 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
 
 - Added `pi auth check` provider/model auth preflight with optional credential output ([#7152](https://github.com/earendil-works/pi/issues/7152)).
 
+### Changed
+
+- Softened the bash tool's `PI_*` environment guideline in an attempt to reduce unnecessary inspection commands ([#7128](https://github.com/earendil-works/pi/issues/7128)).
+
 ### Fixed
 
 - Fixed right-click not pasting clipboard text in fullscreen mode on Windows.
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/tools/bash.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/tools/bash.ts
index 5bdfe2c4f..d1c804874 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/tools/bash.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/tools/bash.ts
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ const bashSchema = Type.Object({
 
 export const bashToolSystemPromptContribution = {
 	snippet: "Execute bash commands (ls, grep, find, etc.)",
-	guidelines: ["Inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details."],
+	guidelines: ["You can inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details."],
 } as const;
 
 export type BashToolInput = Static<typeof bashSchema>;
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/test/agent-session-dynamic-tools.test.ts b/packages/coding-agent/test/agent-session-dynamic-tools.test.ts
index 719550fed..5edc1f6c0 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/test/agent-session-dynamic-tools.test.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/test/agent-session-dynamic-tools.test.ts
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ describe("AgentSession dynamic tool registration", () => {
 
 		const bashTool = session.agent.state.tools.find((tool) => tool.name === "bash")!;
 		expect(session.systemPrompt).toContain(
-			"Inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.",
+			"You can inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.",
 		);
 		await bashTool.execute("bash-env", { command: "printf ok" });
 		expect(sessionEnv).toMatchObject({
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/test/sdk-session-manager.test.ts b/packages/coding-agent/test/sdk-session-manager.test.ts
index d60ea9d2e..8ab4c431d 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/test/sdk-session-manager.test.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/test/sdk-session-manager.test.ts
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ describe("createAgentSession session manager defaults", () => {
 		});
 		expect(session.sessionFile).toBeTruthy();
 		expect(session.systemPrompt).toContain(
-			"Inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.",
+			"You can inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.",
 		);
 
 		const bashTool = session.agent.state.tools.find((tool) => tool.name === "bash");
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/test/server/create-harness.test.ts b/packages/coding-agent/test/server/create-harness.test.ts
index 9073ef00f..c16f2d37c 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/test/server/create-harness.test.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/test/server/create-harness.test.ts
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ function createPromptTool(name: string, promptSnippet?: string, promptGuidelines
 const defaultPromptTools = [
 	createPromptTool("read", "Read file contents", ["Use read to examine files instead of cat or sed."]),
 	createPromptTool("bash", "Execute bash commands (ls, grep, find, etc.)", [
-		"Inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.",
+		"You can inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.",
 	]),
 	createPromptTool("edit", "Edit files", ["Edit carefully."]),
 	createPromptTool("write", "Create or overwrite files", ["Use write only for new files or complete rewrites."]),
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ describe("coding-agent Harness construction", () => {
 		expect(prompt).toContain("- read: Read file contents");
 		expect(prompt).toContain("- bash: Execute bash commands (ls, grep, find, etc.)");
 		expect(prompt).toContain("Use read to examine files instead of cat or sed.");
-		expect(prompt).toContain("Inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.");
+		expect(prompt).toContain("You can inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.");
 		expect(prompt.indexOf("Use read to examine files")).toBeLessThan(
-			prompt.indexOf("Inspect PI_* environment variables"),
+			prompt.indexOf("You can inspect PI_* environment variables"),
 		);
 	});
 
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ describe("coding-agent Harness construction", () => {
 		[
 			"bash",
 			"Execute bash commands (ls, grep, find, etc.)",
-			"Inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.",
+			"You can inspect PI_* environment variables for current model and session details.",
 		],
 		["read", "Read file contents", "Use read to examine files instead of cat or sed."],
 		[
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ describe("coding-agent Harness construction", () => {
 		expect(prompt).toContain("- write: Create or overwrite files");
 		expect(prompt).toContain("- read: Read file contents");
 		expect(prompt).not.toContain("- bash:");
-		expect(prompt).not.toContain("Inspect PI_* environment variables");
+		expect(prompt).not.toContain("You can inspect PI_* environment variables");
 		expect(prompt).toContain('<project_instructions path="/workspace/AGENTS.md">');
 		expect(prompt).toContain("<name>review</name>");
 		expect(prompt.indexOf("Use write only for new files or complete rewrites.")).toBeLessThan(