diff --git a/tgbot.js b/tgbot.js
index 6607a60..79fedd6 100644
--- a/tgbot.js
+++ b/tgbot.js
@@ -119,7 +119,28 @@ async function notifyEvent(evt) {
     } else if (evt.type === 'registered' && evt.referrerId) {
       const chat = memberChat(evt.referrerId);
       if (!chat) return;
-      await dm(chat, `🎉 #${evt.id} just joined on your link!\nThe first 48 hours decide everything — run the play: https://rmcircle.team/training#lesson-6\nSay hello now: reply here with:\nmsg ${evt.id} Welcome to the team!`);
+      let msg = `🎉 #${evt.id} just joined on your link!\nThe first 48 hours decide everything — run the play: https://rmcircle.team/training#lesson-6\nSay hello now: reply here with:\nmsg ${evt.id} Welcome to the team!`;
+      // If THIS registration is the one that took them to two directs, they have
+      // just crossed the eligibility gate and nothing else in the system tells
+      // them. Qualification is where members stall — 53 of them sat at Ascensus
+      // because getting two felt like the finish line. Say what it actually
+      // opened, at the only moment they are guaranteed to be paying attention.
+      try {
+        const me = await fetchMember(evt.referrerId);
+        if (me && Number(me.directCount) === 2) {
+          const ns = me.nextStep || {}, op = ns.opens || {};
+          msg += `\n\n━━━━━━━━━━━━━━\n✅ That was your SECOND direct — you are now QUALIFIED.\n\n` +
+            `From here you catch your two's first upgrades in full, without owning the level yourself.`;
+          if (op.perCatch > 0 && ns.cost > 0) {
+            msg += `\n\nYour next rung costs ${ns.cost.toFixed(2)} POL and extends your reach to generation ${op.gen}` +
+              (op.genSize > 0 ? `, where you already have ${op.genSize} ${op.genSize === 1 ? 'person' : 'people'}` : '') +
+              `. Each one pays you ${op.perCatch.toFixed(2)} POL — double what the rung costs, because every level is twice the last.` +
+              `\n\nThe trap is spending your catches instead of climbing with them: https://rmcircle.team/training#lesson-8` +
+              `\n\nYour dashboard: https://rmcircle.team/my/${evt.referrerId}`;
+          }
+        }
+      } catch (e) { /* the join notice still goes out */ }
+      await dm(chat, msg);
     }
   } catch (e) { console.error('tgbot notifyEvent', e.message); }
 }