diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 0b12f1652..acd32bb7d 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -57,10 +57,15 @@ See [docs/DEVOPS.md](docs/DEVOPS.md) for build, test, lint, and CI procedures. A
 3. Read the relevant `decisions/*.md` domain file(s) referenced in the briefing
 4. Background context: `docs/briefings/{your-name}.md`, `docs/discussions/`
 
-### SQLite access
-**Never use the `sqlite3` CLI** - it crashes in Claude Code due to a known std::bad_alloc bug.
+### Ticket and database access
+**Prefer the ticket CLI over raw SQL.** The CLI handles column names, joins, and output formatting correctly:
+```bash
+db/connectors/ticket list --sprint 2 --team server
+db/connectors/ticket show 78
+db/connectors/ticket sprint --active
+```
 
-Use the whitelistable wrapper scripts:
+Only fall back to raw SQL for queries the CLI doesn't support. **Never use the `sqlite3` CLI** — it crashes in Claude Code due to a known std::bad_alloc bug. Use the wrapper scripts instead:
 ```bash
 db/connectors/sqlite-query "SELECT * FROM tickets WHERE status='in_progress'"
 db/connectors/sqlite-exec "UPDATE tickets SET status='done' WHERE id=1"