diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 4923bd115b..0c2d15a67c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ Format follows [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Fixed
+- `--auto` new-project setup no longer writes `workflow.auto_advance: true` into `.planning/config.json`; the temporary auto-chain now stays ephemeral so later manual `/gsd:execute-phase` runs do not unexpectedly jump into the next phase (#932)
+
 ## [1.22.4] - 2026-03-03
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/get-shit-done/workflows/new-project.md b/get-shit-done/workflows/new-project.md
index 4e52ca658d..6efc49f955 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/workflows/new-project.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/workflows/new-project.md
@@ -179,11 +179,13 @@ Create `.planning/config.json` with mode set to "yolo":
     "plan_check": true|false,
     "verifier": true|false,
     "nyquist_validation": depth !== "quick",
-    "auto_advance": true
+    "auto_advance": false
   }
 }
 ```
 
+`--auto` should only drive the current setup chain. Do **not** persist `workflow.auto_advance: true` into project config, or later manual `/gsd:execute-phase` runs can unexpectedly auto-transition into the next phase.
+
 **If commit_docs = No:** Add `.planning/` to `.gitignore`.
 
 **Commit config.json:**