2 files changed, 21 insertions, 5 deletions
diff --git a/internal/hexaiaction/run.go b/internal/hexaiaction/run.go
index f34a4cd..2a3ade1 100644
--- a/internal/hexaiaction/run.go
+++ b/internal/hexaiaction/run.go
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ func logTmuxActionError(stderr io.Writer, err error) error {
 // requireInput validates that input selection is not empty.
 func requireInput(sel string) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(sel) == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("no input provided on stdin")
+		return fmt.Errorf("no input provided on stdin; pipe the selected text or pane contents into hexai-tmux-action")
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -193,11 +193,10 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Wri
 	var client chatDoer = cli
 	parts, err := ParseInput(stdin)
 	if err != nil {
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintln(stderr, logging.AnsiBase+"hexai-tmux-action: failed to read input"+logging.AnsiReset)
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("hexai-tmux-action: failed to read action input from stdin (pipe the selected text or pane contents into hexai-tmux-action): %w", err)
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(parts.Selection) == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("hexai-tmux-action: no input provided on stdin")
+	if err := requireInput(parts.Selection); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("hexai-tmux-action: %w", err)
 	}
 	choice, err := chooser(cfg)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/hexaiaction/run_more_test.go b/internal/hexaiaction/run_more_test.go
index 6a4959e..67ffa96 100644
--- a/internal/hexaiaction/run_more_test.go
+++ b/internal/hexaiaction/run_more_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package hexaiaction
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
+	"log"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
@@ -28,6 +29,22 @@ func TestRun_MissingAPIKey(t *testing.T) {
 	_ = os.Stderr
 }
 
+func TestRun_NoInput_IsActionable(t *testing.T) {
+	runner := NewRunner()
+	runner.loadConfig = func(context.Context, *log.Logger) appconfig.App { return appconfig.Load(nil) }
+	runner.newClient = func(appconfig.App) (actionClient, error) { return llmFake{}, nil }
+	runner.chooseAction = func(appconfig.App) (actionChoice, error) {
+		return actionChoice{kind: ActionSkip}, nil
+	}
+	err := runner.Run(context.Background(), bytes.NewBufferString(""), &bytes.Buffer{}, &bytes.Buffer{})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected actionable no-input error")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "pipe the selected text or pane contents into hexai-tmux-action") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected actionable guidance, got %q", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
 type stubChatDoer struct {
 	calls int
 	msgs  [][]llm.Message