diff --git a/features/invariant_cli_new_coverage.feature b/features/invariant_cli_new_coverage.feature
index 1b5191ab4..aa40f4d2b 100644
--- a/features/invariant_cli_new_coverage.feature
+++ b/features/invariant_cli_new_coverage.feature
@@ -25,10 +25,9 @@ Feature: Invariant CLI commands coverage
     Then the resolved invariant scope should be "action"
     And the resolved invariant source name should be "deploy-service"
 
-  Scenario: Resolve scope with no flags defaults to GLOBAL
+  Scenario: Resolve scope with no flags raises BadParameter
     When I resolve invariant scope with no flags
-    Then the resolved invariant scope should be "global"
-    And the resolved invariant source name should be "system"
+    Then a BadParameter error should be raised for invariant scope
 
   Scenario: Resolve scope with conflicting flags raises BadParameter
     When I resolve invariant scope with global and project flags
@@ -71,6 +70,12 @@ Feature: Invariant CLI commands coverage
     Then the invariant CLI exit code should be 0
     And the invariant CLI output should contain "JSON constraint"
 
+  Scenario: Add invariant without scope flag raises error
+    Given a mocked InvariantService for invariant CLI add
+    When I invoke invariant add with no scope flags and text "Missing scope"
+    Then the invariant CLI exit code should be non-zero
+    And the invariant CLI output should contain "At least one scope flag is required"
+
   Scenario: Add invariant handles CleverAgentsError
     Given a mocked InvariantService that raises CleverAgentsError on add
     When I invoke invariant add with "--global" and text "will fail"
diff --git a/features/steps/invariant_cli_new_coverage_steps.py b/features/steps/invariant_cli_new_coverage_steps.py
index 3a9074fb5..249b3fdbb 100644
--- a/features/steps/invariant_cli_new_coverage_steps.py
+++ b/features/steps/invariant_cli_new_coverage_steps.py
@@ -91,9 +91,13 @@ def step_resolve_scope_action(context, action):
 
 @when("I resolve invariant scope with no flags")
 def step_resolve_scope_default(context):
-    context.resolved_scope, context.resolved_source = _resolve_scope(
-        is_global=False, project=None, plan=None, action=None
-    )
+    context.inv_bad_parameter_raised = False
+    try:
+        context.resolved_scope, context.resolved_source = _resolve_scope(
+            is_global=False, project=None, plan=None, action=None
+        )
+    except typer.BadParameter:
+        context.inv_bad_parameter_raised = True
 
 
 @when("I resolve invariant scope with global and project flags")
@@ -214,6 +218,12 @@ def step_run_add(context, flags, text):
     context.inv_result = _runner.invoke(app, args)
 
 
+@when('I invoke invariant add with no scope flags and text "{text}"')
+def step_run_add_no_scope(context, text):
+    args = ["add", text]
+    context.inv_result = _runner.invoke(app, args)
+
+
 @then("the invariant CLI exit code should be 0")
 def step_check_exit_zero(context):
     assert context.inv_result.exit_code == 0, (
diff --git a/src/cleveragents/cli/commands/invariant.py b/src/cleveragents/cli/commands/invariant.py
index 2376cb5bd..64bb61bfc 100644
--- a/src/cleveragents/cli/commands/invariant.py
+++ b/src/cleveragents/cli/commands/invariant.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Each invariant belongs to exactly one scope.  Pass the matching flag:
 - ``--action ACTION``: Action-template invariant
 - ``--plan PLAN_ID``: Plan-specific invariant
 
-If no scope flag is given, ``--global`` is assumed.
+At least one scope flag must be provided.
 
 ## Examples
 
@@ -86,6 +86,12 @@ def _resolve_scope(
             "Specify at most one scope flag: --global, --project, --plan, or --action"
         )
 
+    if flags_set == 0:
+        raise typer.BadParameter(
+            "At least one scope flag is required: --global, --project, --plan, "
+            "or --action"
+        )
+
     if project is not None:
         return InvariantScope.PROJECT, project
     if plan is not None:
@@ -93,7 +99,6 @@ def _resolve_scope(
     if action is not None:
         return InvariantScope.ACTION, action
 
-    # Default to global
     return InvariantScope.GLOBAL, "system"