diff --git a/codex-rs/core/src/memories/stage_one.rs b/codex-rs/core/src/memories/stage_one.rs
index 31f752e1d..378a5569d 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/src/memories/stage_one.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/src/memories/stage_one.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ pub(super) fn stage_one_output_schema() -> Value {
             "rollout_slug": { "type": "string" },
             "raw_memory": { "type": "string" }
         },
-        "required": ["rollout_summary", "raw_memory"],
+        "required": ["rollout_summary", "rollout_slug", "raw_memory"],
         "additionalProperties": false
     })
 }
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/src/memories/tests.rs b/codex-rs/core/src/memories/tests.rs
index 1474d05f0..40e019c73 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/src/memories/tests.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/core/src/memories/tests.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ use codex_protocol::protocol::CompactedItem;
 use codex_protocol::protocol::RolloutItem;
 use codex_state::Stage1Output;
 use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
+use serde_json::Value;
 use tempfile::tempdir;
 
 #[test]
@@ -57,6 +58,30 @@ fn parse_stage_one_output_accepts_optional_rollout_slug() {
     assert_eq!(parsed._rollout_slug, Some("my-slug".to_string()));
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn stage_one_output_schema_requires_all_declared_properties() {
+    let schema = super::stage_one::stage_one_output_schema();
+    let properties = schema
+        .get("properties")
+        .and_then(Value::as_object)
+        .expect("properties object");
+    let required = schema
+        .get("required")
+        .and_then(Value::as_array)
+        .expect("required array");
+
+    let mut property_keys = properties.keys().map(String::as_str).collect::<Vec<_>>();
+    property_keys.sort_unstable();
+
+    let mut required_keys = required
+        .iter()
+        .map(|key| key.as_str().expect("required key string"))
+        .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+    required_keys.sort_unstable();
+
+    assert_eq!(required_keys, property_keys);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn serialize_filtered_rollout_response_items_keeps_response_and_compacted() {
     let input = vec![
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/templates/memories/stage_one_input.md b/codex-rs/core/templates/memories/stage_one_input.md
index 59c85146a..7c1b981f6 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/templates/memories/stage_one_input.md
+++ b/codex-rs/core/templates/memories/stage_one_input.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-Analyze this rollout and produce JSON with `raw_memory`, `rollout_summary`, and optional `rollout_slug`.
+Analyze this rollout and produce JSON with `raw_memory`, `rollout_summary`, and `rollout_slug` (use empty string when unknown).
 
 rollout_context:
 - rollout_path: {{ rollout_path }}
diff --git a/codex-rs/core/templates/memories/stage_one_system.md b/codex-rs/core/templates/memories/stage_one_system.md
index ee9062313..fb82ec437 100644
--- a/codex-rs/core/templates/memories/stage_one_system.md
+++ b/codex-rs/core/templates/memories/stage_one_system.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ You are in Phase 1 of the memory pipeline.
 Your job is to convert one rollout into:
 - `raw_memory` (detailed, structured markdown for later consolidation)
 - `rollout_summary` (compact retrieval summary for routing/indexing)
-- `rollout_slug` (optional; accepted by the caller but currently not used downstream)
+- `rollout_slug` (required string; use `""` when unknown; currently not used downstream)
 
 The rollout payload is already embedded in the user message.
 Do not ask to open files or use tools.
@@ -76,8 +76,7 @@ Output contract (strict):
 - Return exactly one JSON object.
 - Required keys:
   - `rollout_summary` (string)
+  - `rollout_slug` (string; use `""` when unknown; currently unused)
   - `raw_memory` (string)
-- Optional key:
-  - `rollout_slug` (string; accepted but currently unused)
 - Empty-field no-op must use empty strings.
 - No additional commentary outside the JSON object.