diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index aea6203e..e6465a81 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -50,11 +50,14 @@ Status of the `main` branch. Changes prior to the next official version change w
   - Add JSON language server support via `vscode-json-languageserver` (experimental) #1391
   - Fix: Elixir/Expert deadlock on startup — Expert's build pipeline requires a `textDocument/didOpen` notification to start; Serena now opens `mix.exs` immediately after `initialized` so Expert begins compiling instead of waiting indefinitely #1397
 
-Dashboard:
+* Dashboard:
   - Add configurable dashboard interface mode (new global configuration setting `web_dashboard_interface`):
     Three modes (browser, native app with tray, tray manager for aggregating multiple instances) are supported, depending on the OS
   - Fix: Memory leaks in frontend when using Chromium-based browsers/Windows webview #1389
 
+* Hooks:
+  - Adjusted wording of startup hook, improving project activation instructions #1401.
+
 # v1.1.2 (2026-04-14)
 
 * General:
diff --git a/src/serena/hooks.py b/src/serena/hooks.py
index 4a0ff12f..a9322193 100644
--- a/src/serena/hooks.py
+++ b/src/serena/hooks.py
@@ -339,8 +339,9 @@ class PreToolUseRemindAboutSerenaHook(PreToolUseHook):
 class SessionStartActivateProjectHook(Hook):
     def execute(self) -> None:
         message = (
-            "**IMPORTANT**: Activate the current working directory as project using Serena's tools if not already done. "
-            "If you haven't read Serena Instructions Manual yet, do so. "
+            "**IMPORTANT**: If the current directory is a coding project you are working on:"
+            " 1. activate it using Serena's activate_project tool unless already done. "
+            " 2. if you haven't read Serena Instructions Manual yet, do so. "
             "Follow this instruction before doing anything else."
         )
         result = {