diff --git a/.github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md b/.github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md
index c615af23fb..5eb4d6dfad 100644
--- a/.github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md
+++ b/.github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ These resources contain workflow patterns, best practices, safe outputs, and per
      - **Advanced static analysis** → See `.github/aw/serena-tool.md` for guidance on when and how to use Serena language server (only for advanced coding tasks when user explicitly requests it)
      - **Orchestration patterns** → See `.github/aw/orchestration.md` for guidance on coordinating multi-step work and tracking progress across runs (use when the workflow is acting as a coordinator)
      - **GitHub Projects (v2)** → See `.github/aw/projects.md` for GitHub Projects (v2) integration patterns and safe-outputs setup (use when the workflow updates project boards or posts project status updates)
+     - **⚡ CLI Tool Discovery** → Before configuring complex manual setup, check if `gh aw` provides a CLI command for the task (see CLI Automation Discovery section below)
 
    - ⚠️ For GitHub write operations (creating issues, adding comments, etc.), always use `safe-outputs` instead of GitHub tools
 
@@ -321,6 +322,15 @@ These resources contain workflow patterns, best practices, safe outputs, and per
 
    **DO NOT use `post-steps:` for these scenarios.** `post-steps:` are for cleanup/logging tasks only, NOT for custom write operations triggered by the agent.
 
+   **CLI Automation Discovery:**
+
+   ⚡ **IMPORTANT**: Before recommending manual setup, check if `gh aw` provides a CLI command (use `gh aw --help` to explore). Examples:
+   - `gh aw project new --with-project-setup` - Creates project boards with views and fields
+   - `gh aw secrets` - Manages repository secrets
+   - `gh aw init` / `gh aw new` / `gh aw add` - Repository and workflow setup
+
+   **For GitHub Projects workflows**: Recommend `gh aw project new "Title" --owner org --with-project-setup` instead of manual board/field creation
+
    **Security Education for Common Patterns:**
 
    When creating workflows with certain patterns, always educate users about security risks:
diff --git a/.github/aw/projects.md b/.github/aw/projects.md
index 869dde1200..3af9d9e535 100644
--- a/.github/aw/projects.md
+++ b/.github/aw/projects.md
@@ -17,9 +17,10 @@ Use GitHub Projects safe-outputs when designing workflows that:
 
 ## Core Projects Patterns
 
+- **Create projects with automation** - Use `gh aw project new --with-project-setup` for quick setup with standard views and fields (recommended)
 - **Track items and fields** with `update-project` (add issue/PR items, create/update fields, optionally create views)
 - **Post periodic run summaries** with `create-project-status-update` (status, dates, and a concise markdown summary)
-- **Create new projects** with `create-project` (optional; prefer manual creation unless automation is explicitly desired)
+- **Create new projects programmatically** with `create-project` safe-output (advanced; prefer CLI for initial setup)
 
 ## Prerequisites and Authentication