diff --git a/cmd/review-bot/main.go b/cmd/review-bot/main.go
index 109436f..842230e 100644
--- a/cmd/review-bot/main.go
+++ b/cmd/review-bot/main.go
@@ -168,7 +168,15 @@ func main() {
 		if !strings.HasPrefix(promptPath, absWorkspace+string(filepath.Separator)) && promptPath != absWorkspace {
 			log.Fatalf("system-prompt-file resolves outside workspace (got %q, workspace %q)", promptPath, absWorkspace)
 		}
-		data, err := os.ReadFile(promptPath)
+		// Resolve symlinks and re-validate to prevent symlink traversal
+		resolvedPath, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(promptPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("Failed to resolve system prompt file %q: %v", promptPath, err)
+		}
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(resolvedPath, absWorkspace+string(filepath.Separator)) && resolvedPath != absWorkspace {
+			log.Fatalf("system-prompt-file symlink resolves outside workspace (got %q, workspace %q)", resolvedPath, absWorkspace)
+		}
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(resolvedPath)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatalf("Failed to read system prompt file %q: %v", promptPath, err)
 		}
@@ -226,25 +234,7 @@ func main() {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Worst-wins: if we're about to APPROVE but a sibling review from the same
-	// user already has REQUEST_CHANGES, post as REQUEST_CHANGES too so we don't
-	// override the blocking state.
-	if event == "APPROVED" && *reviewerName != "" {
-		existing, err := giteaClient.ListReviews(ctx, owner, repoName, prNumber)
-		if err == nil {
-			for _, r := range existing {
-				if !r.Stale && r.State == "REQUEST_CHANGES" {
-					// Check it's from the same user (same token) but a different role
-					sentinelCheck := fmt.Sprintf("<!-- review-bot:%s -->", *reviewerName)
-					if !strings.Contains(r.Body, sentinelCheck) {
-						log.Printf("Sibling review %d has REQUEST_CHANGES; escalating to REQUEST_CHANGES", r.ID)
-						event = "REQUEST_CHANGES"
-						break
-					}
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	}
+	sentinel := fmt.Sprintf("<!-- review-bot:%s -->", *reviewerName)
 
 	log.Printf("Posting review (event=%s)...", event)
 	posted, err := giteaClient.PostReview(ctx, owner, repoName, prNumber, event, reviewBody)
@@ -254,7 +244,6 @@ func main() {
 	log.Printf("Review posted (id=%d, user=%s)", posted.ID, posted.User.Login)
 
 	// Delete stale reviews from this bot using sentinel matching
-	sentinel := fmt.Sprintf("<!-- review-bot:%s -->", *reviewerName)
 	if *updateExisting && *reviewerName != "" {
 		reviews, err := giteaClient.ListReviews(ctx, owner, repoName, prNumber)
 		if err != nil {