diff --git a/docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md b/docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
index 7c23b0a54..175c8e15f 100644
--- a/docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
+++ b/docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ exit 2
 **What helps:**
 
 - Reduce tool-definition pressure with `ENABLE_TOOL_SEARCH=auto:5` if your setup supports it.
-- Lower `MAX_THINKING_TOKENS` for routine work.
+- Lower the supported effort level (for example, `/effort low`) for routine work on adaptive-reasoning models; `MAX_THINKING_TOKENS` only caps fixed-budget thinking.
 - Route subagent work to a cheaper model such as `CLAUDE_CODE_SUBAGENT_MODEL=haiku` if your setup exposes that knob.
 - Disable unused MCP servers per project.
 - Compact manually at natural breakpoints instead of waiting for auto-compaction.
diff --git a/docs/hook-bug-workarounds.md b/docs/hook-bug-workarounds.md
index ef1d4fbb1..7746dfa6c 100644
--- a/docs/hook-bug-workarounds.md
+++ b/docs/hook-bug-workarounds.md
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ What helps:
 What helps:
 
 - Reduce tool-definition pressure with `ENABLE_TOOL_SEARCH=auto:5` if your setup supports it.
-- Lower `MAX_THINKING_TOKENS` for routine work.
+- Lower the supported effort level (for example, `/effort low`) for routine work on adaptive-reasoning models; `MAX_THINKING_TOKENS` only caps fixed-budget thinking.
 - Route subagent work to a cheaper model such as `CLAUDE_CODE_SUBAGENT_MODEL=haiku` if your setup exposes that knob.
 - Disable unused MCP servers per project.
 - Compact manually at natural breakpoints instead of waiting for auto-compaction.