diff --git a/.claude/skills/sprint-start/SKILL.md b/.claude/skills/sprint-start/SKILL.md
index f9c26b0f5..957ea3886 100644
--- a/.claude/skills/sprint-start/SKILL.md
+++ b/.claude/skills/sprint-start/SKILL.md
@@ -45,7 +45,38 @@ Then follow the **first matching case**:
 
 ### Case A: An active sprint exists
 
-The active sprint needs to be closed before moving on.
+First, check whether the sprint's work is actually done:
+
+```bash
+db/connectors/sprint status
+```
+
+This shows ticket counts by status (done, in_progress, backlog).
+
+Also check for open PRs that may contain completed work waiting for
+review or merge:
+
+```bash
+tea pr list --login schweitz --repo jpmschweitzer/settled-reach --state open --output simple
+```
+
+Report the full picture to the user:
+- Ticket progress (done / in_progress / backlog counts)
+- Open PRs (if any — these represent work that's done but not merged)
+
+**If tickets remain unfinished** (in_progress or backlog) **or open PRs
+exist**, do NOT close the sprint. Instead, report the current progress
+and ask the user what they want to do:
+
+- **Continue working** — switch to a team branch and run `/sprint-start`
+  there to resume work
+- **Review & merge PRs first** — (only if open PRs exist) merge pending
+  work before deciding whether to close
+- **Close anyway** — proceed with the close workflow below (carries over
+  unfinished tickets)
+
+Use `AskUserQuestion` to confirm. Do not proceed to A1 unless the user
+explicitly chooses to close.
 
 #### A1. Close the active sprint