diff --git a/cheddahbot/scheduler.py b/cheddahbot/scheduler.py
index 2b58cf8..ffa60e1 100644
--- a/cheddahbot/scheduler.py
+++ b/cheddahbot/scheduler.py
@@ -451,6 +451,7 @@ class Scheduler:
         try:
             # args already built during validation above
             args["clickup_task_id"] = task_id
+            args["clickup_task_status"] = task.status
 
             # Execute the skill via the tool registry
             if hasattr(self.agent, "_tools") and self.agent._tools:
diff --git a/cheddahbot/tools/content_creation.py b/cheddahbot/tools/content_creation.py
index 72879c3..bc070e6 100644
--- a/cheddahbot/tools/content_creation.py
+++ b/cheddahbot/tools/content_creation.py
@@ -771,8 +771,12 @@ def create_content(
     task_id = ctx.get("clickup_task_id", "")
 
     # Determine phase from ClickUp task status
+    # Prefer status passed by scheduler (pre-status-change) over re-fetching
     phase = 1
-    if task_id and ctx:
+    original_status = ctx.get("clickup_task_status", "")
+    if original_status and original_status.lower() == "outline approved":
+        phase = 2
+    elif task_id and ctx:
         client = _get_clickup_client(ctx)
         if client:
             try: