diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 53bca146..dfe0d8cb 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
 
 ## v4.5.6, unreleased
 
+### Added
+
+- Show more information during `wwctl container <shell|exec>` about when and if the container image will be rebuilt. #1302
+
 ### Fixed
 
 - Ensure autobuilt overlays include contextual overlay contents. #1296
diff --git a/internal/app/wwctl/container/exec/child/main.go b/internal/app/wwctl/container/exec/child/main.go
index a6502111..715e0db8 100644
--- a/internal/app/wwctl/container/exec/child/main.go
+++ b/internal/app/wwctl/container/exec/child/main.go
@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/warewulf/warewulf/internal/pkg/wwlog"
 )
 
+const exitEval = `$(VALU="$?" ; if [ $VALU == 0 ]; then echo write; else echo discard; fi)`
+const msgStr = `Changes are written back to container and image is rebuilt
+depending on exit status of last called program.
+Type "true" or "false" to enforce or abort image rebuilt.`
+
 func CobraRunE(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) (err error) {
 	if os.Getpid() != 1 {
 		wwlog.Error("PID is not 1: %d", os.Getpid())
@@ -79,7 +84,8 @@ func CobraRunE(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) (err error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "failed to mount")
 	}
-	ps1Str := fmt.Sprintf("[%s] Warewulf> ", containerName)
+	ps1Str := fmt.Sprintf("[%s|%s] Warewulf> ", exitEval, containerName)
+	wwlog.Info(msgStr)
 	if len(lowerObjects) != 0 && nodename == "" {
 		options := fmt.Sprintf("lowerdir=%s,upperdir=%s,workdir=%s",
 			path.Join(runDir, "lower"), containerPath, path.Join(runDir, "work"))