diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a474367..289ff28 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 ⚡️ Delivers core agent functionality in just **~4,000** lines of code — **99% smaller** than Clawdbot's 430k+ lines.
 
-📏 Real-time line count: **3,761 lines** (run `bash core_agent_lines.sh` to verify anytime)
+📏 Real-time line count: **3,781 lines** (run `bash core_agent_lines.sh` to verify anytime)
 
 ## 📢 News
 
diff --git a/nanobot/agent/loop.py b/nanobot/agent/loop.py
index 889921a..6bdf6ff 100644
--- a/nanobot/agent/loop.py
+++ b/nanobot/agent/loop.py
@@ -451,6 +451,14 @@ class AgentLoop:
 ## Conversation to Process
 {conversation}
 
+**IMPORTANT**: Both values MUST be strings, not objects or arrays.
+
+Example:
+{{
+  "history_entry": "[2026-02-14 22:50] User asked about...",
+  "memory_update": "- Host: HARRYBOOK-T14P\n- Name: Nado"
+}}
+
 Respond with ONLY valid JSON, no markdown fences."""
 
         try:
@@ -473,8 +481,14 @@ Respond with ONLY valid JSON, no markdown fences."""
                 return
 
             if entry := result.get("history_entry"):
+                # Defensive: ensure entry is a string (LLM may return dict)
+                if not isinstance(entry, str):
+                    entry = json.dumps(entry, ensure_ascii=False)
                 memory.append_history(entry)
             if update := result.get("memory_update"):
+                # Defensive: ensure update is a string
+                if not isinstance(update, str):
+                    update = json.dumps(update, ensure_ascii=False)
                 if update != current_memory:
                     memory.write_long_term(update)