diff --git a/linear/src/engine.py b/linear/src/engine.py
index 2401849..c0b4a52 100644
--- a/linear/src/engine.py
+++ b/linear/src/engine.py
@@ -433,7 +433,33 @@ def on_linear_ready_gate(self, issue: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[Action]:
                 Action("linear", "set_status", issue_key, {"status": self.cfg.backlog_status}),
             ]
 
-        return []
+        # At this point the issue has a valid classifier intake + canonical type.
+        # Surface routing defaults with minimal safe automation.
+        qa_route, pm_route, route_reason = self.classify_route(actual_type, intake)
+        out: List[Action] = [
+            Action(
+                "linear",
+                "comment",
+                issue_key,
+                {
+                    "body": (
+                        "Routing recommendation (from `linear_type_classifier_v1.json`): "
+                        f"QA={qa_route}, PM={pm_route}. Reason: {route_reason}"
+                    )
+                },
+            )
+        ]
+        if qa_route == "skip":
+            out.insert(
+                0,
+                Action(
+                    "linear",
+                    "set_label",
+                    issue_key,
+                    {"group": self.cfg.qa_gate_group, "value": self.cfg.qa_skipped},
+                ),
+            )
+        return out
 
     def on_linear_comment(
         self,
diff --git a/linear/tests/test_engine.py b/linear/tests/test_engine.py
index b285dab..9761adc 100644
--- a/linear/tests/test_engine.py
+++ b/linear/tests/test_engine.py
@@ -78,7 +78,21 @@ def test_ready_gate_accepts_emoji_type_label(self):
             "description": "Linear Classification\n- Output: code\n- Behavior change: yes\n- Broken existing behavior: no\n- Evidence: acceptance criteria\n- Children expected: no\n- PM-testable: yes\n\nObjective\nScope\nRequired outputs\nVerification plan\nRollback note\nAcceptance / closure criteria",
         }
         actions = self.bot.on_linear_ready_gate(issue)
-        self.assertEqual(actions, [])
+        self.assertTrue(any(a.kind == "comment" and "Routing recommendation" in a.payload["body"] for a in actions))
+        self.assertFalse(any(a.kind == "set_status" for a in actions))
+        self.assertFalse(any(a.kind == "set_label" and a.payload.get("value") == "qa-skipped" for a in actions))
+
+    def test_ready_gate_design_autosets_qa_skipped(self):
+        issue = {
+            "identifier": "BIT-45",
+            "status": "Ready",
+            "labels": ["🎨 Design"],
+            "estimate": 3,
+            "description": "Linear Classification\n- Output: design artifact\n- Behavior change: no\n- Broken existing behavior: no\n- Evidence: design acceptance\n- Children expected: no\n- PM-testable: yes\n\nObjective\nScope\nRequired outputs\nVerification plan\nRollback note\nAcceptance / closure criteria",
+        }
+        actions = self.bot.on_linear_ready_gate(issue)
+        self.assertTrue(any(a.kind == "set_label" and a.payload.get("value") == "qa-skipped" for a in actions))
+        self.assertTrue(any(a.kind == "comment" and "QA=skip" in a.payload["body"] for a in actions))
 
     def test_ready_gate_plan_parent_requires_estimate(self):
         issue = {