diff --git a/skills/freebsd-os-upgrade/SKILL.md b/skills/freebsd-os-upgrade/SKILL.md
index 0d05f40..f7a7778 100644
--- a/skills/freebsd-os-upgrade/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/freebsd-os-upgrade/SKILL.md
@@ -38,11 +38,16 @@ freebsd-version -u   # installed userland
 uname -r             # running kernel
 
 # 2a. pkgbase (base via pkg, e.g. FreeBSD-kernel-generic):
-#     confirm the base repo points at the TARGET series first — a release-pinned
-#     repo (base_release_0) only delivers patch levels; base_release_<N> or
-#     base_latest is what moves you across a point release. Then:
+#     INSPECT the existing base repo first — a pkgbase host already has one:
+pkg -vv | grep -A6 -i 'FreeBSD-base'
+grep -rn 'base_release\|base_latest\|FreeBSD-base' /etc/pkg /usr/local/etc/pkg/repos/
+#     EDIT that existing entry in place (do NOT append a second FreeBSD-base
+#     block — duplicate repo names give undefined, last-wins behavior). A pinned
+#     base_release_0 only delivers 15.0 patch levels; change it to base_release_1
+#     (or base_latest) to cross to 15.1. If it's already base_latest, skip.
 pkg update
-pkg upgrade            # upgrades base AND ports packages together
+pkg upgrade -n         # DRY RUN first — preview the 15.1 base move, applies nothing
+pkg upgrade            # apply once the plan looks right (base + ports together)
 
 # 2b. freebsd-update (binary base updates):
 freebsd-update -r 15.1-RELEASE upgrade
@@ -63,14 +68,18 @@ pkg update -f && pkg upgrade      # ports packages (separate from base here)
 ## Runbook
 
 1. **Capture pre-status** for after-the-fact comparison — see
-   *Pre-reboot status capture* in the reference (hostname, `freebsd-version
-   -kru`, services, `jls`, `pfctl -s info`). Record permission-limited checks as
-   such, not as "down".
+   *Pre-reboot status capture* in the reference (hostname, `freebsd-version -k`
+   / `-u`, `uname -r`, services, `jls`, `pfctl -s info`). Record
+   permission-limited checks as such, not as "down".
 2. **Upgrade base** (by the method from step 0):
-   - **pkgbase**: confirm the base repo targets the new series first — repoint
-     `FreeBSD-base` from a pinned `base_release_0` to `base_release_<N>` /
-     `base_latest` if needed (a pinned release repo only delivers patch levels),
-     then `pkg update && pkg upgrade` (base + ports together).
+   - **pkgbase**: a pkgbase host already has a `FreeBSD-base` repo — **inspect
+     it** (`pkg -vv | grep -A6 -i FreeBSD-base`) and **edit that existing entry
+     in place**. A pinned `base_release_0` only delivers 15.0 patch levels; point
+     it at `base_release_<N>` / `base_latest` to cross to the new release. Do
+     **not** append a second `FreeBSD-base` block — duplicate repo names give
+     undefined, last-wins behavior. Then `pkg update`, **dry-run** with
+     `pkg upgrade -n` to confirm 15.1 base packages are actually offered, then
+     `pkg upgrade` (base + ports together).
    - **freebsd-update**: `freebsd-update -r <target> upgrade` then
      `freebsd-update install`.
    Either way the new kernel is staged; the system runs the old one until reboot.