From 70ce005bef50a59f4dec45386dcd884a6fac0ea7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dotta <34892728+cryppadotta@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:11:26 -0500
Subject: [PATCH] Ensure worktree execution starts only after activation
 (#9374)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

## Thinking Path

> - Paperclip is the open-source control plane people use to manage AI
agents and their work.
> - Its scheduler, routines, and heartbeat services decide when agents
automatically begin work.
> - Experimental per-worktree execution is useful for isolated
development, but enabling it previously allowed automatic services to
consider an existing backlog.
> - A worktree activation must therefore create a durable eligibility
boundary rather than merely toggle execution on.
> - This pull request records an activation cutoff and applies it
consistently to automatic routine and heartbeat dispatch.
> - The result is that an enabled worktree executes only work created
after its own activation, while non-worktree behavior remains unchanged.

## Linked Issues or Issue Description

**Problem type:** Bug / safety regression

**Summary:** Enabling experimental run execution in an existing worktree
could start automatic scheduler, routine, watchdog, and heartbeat
activity for work created before that worktree was explicitly armed.

**Expected behavior:** A worktree that has execution enabled only
considers automatically dispatched work created on or after its
activation timestamp. Ambiguous activation state fails closed.
Non-worktree instances keep their existing behavior.

**Related public work:** Refs #8275 (runtime worktree policy gating);
this PR adds an activation-time boundary for automatic execution rather
than changing the general runtime policy.

## What Changed

- Persist a worktree execution activation timestamp and originating
instance ID; stamp them only when the experimental toggle changes from
disabled to enabled.
- Resolve activation state fail-closed when the cutoff is missing,
invalid, disabled, or belongs to another instance.
- Gate automatic routine scheduling, webhooks, watchdog activity, and
heartbeat selection at the activation cutoff; manual runs remain
available.
- Share the canonical worktree truthy-environment helper across routine
dispatch and agent inbox filtering.
- Add cutoff and truthy-runtime regression coverage, plus
experimental-settings UI states that explain armed and suppressed
execution.

## Verification

- `pnpm exec vitest run server/src/__tests__/routines-service.test.ts
server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-service.test.ts` — passes: 2
files, 60 tests.
- `pnpm --filter @paperclipai/server typecheck` — passes.
- Existing CI completed successfully before the follow-up review fixes;
this branch was rebased onto the latest `origin/master` before
retesting.

## Risks

- **Behavioral:** Automatic worktree execution is intentionally more
restrictive; pre-existing work is suppressed until newly created after
activation.
- **Operational:** A malformed or cross-instance activation record fails
closed, requiring an operator to disable and re-enable the experimental
toggle on the intended worktree.
- **Compatibility:** The worktree environment now accepts all canonical
truthy values (`1`, `true`, `yes`, and `on`) consistently; non-worktree
instances are unaffected.
- **Branch metadata:** This existing execution-workspace branch predates
the current naming rule and cannot be renamed under this task's
workspace contract; the code and PR title do not include internal ticket
references.

> `ROADMAP.md` was checked; this targeted execution-safety fix does not
duplicate planned core work.

## Model Used

- Anthropic Claude Code — assisted with the original implementation;
exact model identifier and context window were not recorded in the
repository metadata.
- OpenAI Codex CLI — assisted with PR preparation and review fixes;
exact model identifier and context window are not exposed in this
execution environment. Used with terminal tooling, code editing, and
targeted test execution.

## Checklist

- [x] I have included a thinking path that traces from project context
to this change
- [x] I have specified the model used (with version and capability
details)
- [x] I have checked ROADMAP.md and confirmed this PR does not duplicate
planned core work
- [x] I have searched GitHub for duplicate or related PRs and linked
them above
- [x] I have either (a) linked existing issues with `Fixes: #` / `Closes
#` / `Refs #` OR (b) described the issue in-PR following the relevant
issue template
- [x] I have not referenced internal/instance-local Paperclip issues or
links (only public GitHub `#NNN` / `github.com/paperclipai/paperclip`
URLs)
- [ ] My branch name describes the change (e.g. `docs/...`, `fix/...`)
and contains no internal Paperclip ticket id or instance-derived details
- [x] I have run tests locally and they pass
- [x] I have added or updated tests where applicable
- [x] I have updated relevant documentation to reflect my changes
- [x] I have considered and documented any risks above
- [ ] All Paperclip CI gates are green
- [ ] Greptile is 5/5 with no open P2s, recommendations, or follow-ups
- [x] I will address all Greptile and reviewer comments before
requesting merge

---------

Co-authored-by: Paperclip <noreply@paperclip.ing>
Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 packages/shared/src/types/instance.ts         |  10 +
 .../shared/src/validators/instance.test.ts    |  14 ++
 packages/shared/src/validators/instance.ts    |  10 +-
 ...eartbeat-issue-liveness-escalation.test.ts |  10 +
 .../heartbeat-worktree-suppression.test.ts    |  52 +++++
 .../instance-settings-routes.test.ts          |  37 +++
 .../instance-settings-service.test.ts         | 215 +++++++++++++++++-
 server/src/__tests__/routines-service.test.ts |  88 +++++++
 .../task-watchdogs-scheduler.test.ts          |  12 +
 server/src/__tests__/ui-branding.test.ts      |  24 ++
 server/src/index.ts                           |  11 +
 server/src/routes/agents.ts                   |  19 +-
 server/src/services/heartbeat.ts              | 116 ++++++++--
 server/src/services/instance-settings.ts      | 170 +++++++++++++-
 server/src/services/productivity-review.ts    |   4 +-
 server/src/services/recovery/service.ts       |  47 +++-
 server/src/services/routines.ts               |  72 ++++--
 server/src/services/task-watchdogs.ts         |  26 ++-
 server/src/ui-branding.ts                     |  17 +-
 ui/src/lib/worktree-branding.ts               |  11 +
 .../InstanceExperimentalSettings.test.tsx     |  81 +++++++
 ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.tsx | 105 +++++++--
 22 files changed, 1082 insertions(+), 69 deletions(-)

diff --git a/packages/shared/src/types/instance.ts b/packages/shared/src/types/instance.ts
index b34581ba74..3f426ce68f 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/types/instance.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/types/instance.ts
@@ -70,6 +70,16 @@ export interface InstanceExperimentalSettings {
    * runs actually execute inside the preview. Ignored outside a worktree.
    */
   enableWorktreeRunExecution: boolean;
+  /**
+   * Server-managed cutoff recorded when worktree run execution is enabled in
+   * this instance. Client PATCH payloads must not control this value.
+   */
+  worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: string | null;
+  /**
+   * Server-managed instance id captured with the cutoff so copied settings rows
+   * from another instance fail closed.
+   */
+  worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: string | null;
   issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours: number;
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/validators/instance.test.ts b/packages/shared/src/validators/instance.test.ts
index 09b0c34472..9324f96248 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/validators/instance.test.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/validators/instance.test.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,20 @@ describe("instance experimental settings validators", () => {
     const settings = instanceExperimentalSettingsSchema.parse({});
 
     expect(settings.enableWorktreeRunExecution).toBe(false);
+    expect(settings.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt).toBeNull();
+    expect(settings.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("strips server-managed worktree run execution fields from patches", () => {
+    expect(
+      patchInstanceExperimentalSettingsSchema.parse({
+        enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: "2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z",
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "copied-instance",
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+    });
   });
 
   it("defaults built-in agents off", () => {
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/validators/instance.ts b/packages/shared/src/validators/instance.ts
index 612e5d1a19..e4a074b89b 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/validators/instance.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/validators/instance.ts
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ export const instanceExperimentalSettingsSchema = z.object({
   enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: z.boolean().default(true),
   enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: z.boolean().default(true),
   enableWorktreeRunExecution: z.boolean().default(false),
+  worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: z.string().datetime().nullable().default(null),
+  worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: z.string().min(1).nullable().default(null),
   issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours: z
     .number()
     .int()
@@ -66,7 +68,13 @@ export const instanceExperimentalSettingsSchema = z.object({
     .default(DEFAULT_ISSUE_GRAPH_LIVENESS_AUTO_RECOVERY_LOOKBACK_HOURS),
 }).strict();
 
-export const patchInstanceExperimentalSettingsSchema = instanceExperimentalSettingsSchema.partial();
+export const patchInstanceExperimentalSettingsSchema = instanceExperimentalSettingsSchema
+  .omit({
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: true,
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: true,
+  })
+  .partial()
+  .strip();
 
 export const patchInstanceSettingsSchema = z.object({
   defaultEnvironmentId: z.string().uuid().nullable().optional(),
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-issue-liveness-escalation.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-issue-liveness-escalation.test.ts
index c501e8e52d..7a4a0e3599 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-issue-liveness-escalation.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-issue-liveness-escalation.test.ts
@@ -1249,4 +1249,14 @@ describeEmbeddedPostgres("heartbeat issue graph liveness escalation", () => {
       .where(eq(issueRelations.relatedIssueId, blockedIssueId));
     expect(blockers.some((row) => row.blockerIssueId === escalations[0]!.id)).toBe(false);
   });
+
+  it("handles an armed cutoff when no liveness findings exist", async () => {
+    const heartbeat = heartbeatService(db);
+
+    const result = await heartbeat.reconcileIssueGraphLiveness({
+      issueCreatedAtGte: new Date(),
+    });
+
+    expect(result.findings).toBe(0);
+  });
 });
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-worktree-suppression.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-worktree-suppression.test.ts
index b740512df9..c02a339721 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-worktree-suppression.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-worktree-suppression.test.ts
@@ -133,6 +133,16 @@ describeEmbeddedPostgres("heartbeat worktree suppression", () => {
     return { companyId, agentId, issueId };
   }
 
+  async function armWorktreeRunExecution(cutoff: Date) {
+    await instanceSettingsService(db, {
+      runtimeEnv: {
+        PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+        PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "test-worktree",
+      },
+      now: () => cutoff,
+    }).updateExperimental({ enableWorktreeRunExecution: true });
+  }
+
   async function waitForCompletedRun(runId: string, agentId: string) {
     let latestStatus: string | null = null;
     let latestLastRunId: string | null = null;
@@ -243,6 +253,48 @@ describeEmbeddedPostgres("heartbeat worktree suppression", () => {
     expect(runningCount).toBe(0);
   });
 
+  it("skips pre-cutoff system wakes but allows user wakes in an armed worktree", async () => {
+    const { agentId, issueId } = await insertAgentAndIssue();
+    await armWorktreeRunExecution(new Date(Date.now() + 1_000));
+    const heartbeat = heartbeatService(db, {
+      runtimeEnv: {
+        PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+        PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "test-worktree",
+      },
+    });
+
+    const systemRun = await heartbeat.wakeup(agentId, {
+      source: "assignment",
+      triggerDetail: "system",
+      payload: { issueId },
+      contextSnapshot: { issueId },
+      requestedByActorType: "system",
+    });
+    expect(systemRun).toBeNull();
+
+    const skippedWake = await db
+      .select({ reason: agentWakeupRequests.reason, payload: agentWakeupRequests.payload })
+      .from(agentWakeupRequests)
+      .orderBy(sql`${agentWakeupRequests.createdAt} desc`)
+      .limit(1)
+      .then((rows) => rows[0] ?? null);
+    expect(skippedWake).toMatchObject({ reason: "heartbeat.worktree_execution_cutoff" });
+    expect(skippedWake?.payload).toMatchObject({
+      heartbeatSkip: { reason: "worktree_execution_cutoff", issueId },
+    });
+
+    const userRun = await heartbeat.wakeup(agentId, {
+      source: "on_demand",
+      triggerDetail: "user",
+      payload: { issueId },
+      contextSnapshot: { issueId, skipIssueComment: true },
+      requestedByActorType: "user",
+      requestedByActorId: "operator",
+    });
+    expect(userRun).not.toBeNull();
+    await heartbeat.waitForRunExecutionDrain(userRun!.id);
+  }, 10_000);
+
   it("still creates live-plane assignment runs when suppression is not active", async () => {
     const { agentId, issueId } = await insertAgentAndIssue();
     await db
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-routes.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-routes.test.ts
index 5148b1abfd..8c00f7f1f3 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-routes.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-routes.test.ts
@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ describe("instance settings routes", () => {
         enableIssueGraphLivenessAutoRecovery: true,
         enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: true,
         enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: true,
+        enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
         issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours: 24,
       },
       createdAt: "2026-06-20T00:00:00.000Z",
@@ -114,6 +117,9 @@ describe("instance settings routes", () => {
       enableIssueGraphLivenessAutoRecovery: true,
       enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: true,
       enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: true,
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
       issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours: 24,
     });
     mockInstanceSettingsService.update.mockResolvedValue({
@@ -138,6 +144,9 @@ describe("instance settings routes", () => {
         enableIssueGraphLivenessAutoRecovery: true,
         enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: true,
         enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: true,
+        enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
         issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours: 24,
       },
       createdAt: "2026-06-20T00:00:00.000Z",
@@ -168,6 +177,9 @@ describe("instance settings routes", () => {
         enableIssueGraphLivenessAutoRecovery: true,
         enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: true,
         enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: true,
+        enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
         issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours: 24,
       },
     });
@@ -226,6 +238,9 @@ describe("instance settings routes", () => {
       enableIssueGraphLivenessAutoRecovery: true,
       enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: true,
       enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: true,
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
       issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours: 24,
     });
 
@@ -240,6 +255,28 @@ describe("instance settings routes", () => {
     expect(mockLogActivity).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
   }, 10_000);
 
+  it("strips server-managed worktree run execution fields before updating experimental settings", async () => {
+    const app = await createApp({
+      type: "board",
+      userId: "local-board",
+      source: "local_implicit",
+      isInstanceAdmin: true,
+    });
+
+    await request(app)
+      .patch("/api/instance/settings/experimental")
+      .send({
+        enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: "2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z",
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "copied-instance",
+      })
+      .expect(200);
+
+    expect(mockInstanceSettingsService.updateExperimental).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+    });
+  });
+
   it("allows local board users to read and update the instance default environment", async () => {
     const app = await createApp({
       type: "board",
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-service.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-service.test.ts
index 089a2877e8..802259c192 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-service.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/instance-settings-service.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
-import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
-import { normalizeExperimentalSettings } from "../services/instance-settings.js";
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import type { InstanceExperimentalSettings } from "@paperclipai/shared";
+import {
+  applyExperimentalSettingsPatch,
+  normalizeExperimentalSettings,
+  resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState,
+} from "../services/instance-settings.js";
 
 describe("instance settings service", () => {
   it("ignores retired experimental flags without resetting current settings", () => {
@@ -39,6 +44,8 @@ describe("instance settings service", () => {
       enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: true,
       enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: false,
       enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
       issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours: 48,
     });
   });
@@ -115,4 +122,208 @@ describe("instance settings service", () => {
     expect(normalizeExperimentalSettings({}).enableBuiltInAgents).toBe(false);
     expect(normalizeExperimentalSettings({ enableExternalObjects: true }).enableBuiltInAgents).toBe(false);
   });
+
+  it("sets worktree run execution activation fields on a false to true transition", () => {
+    const activatedAt = new Date("2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z");
+
+    const next = applyExperimentalSettingsPatch(
+      { enableWorktreeRunExecution: false },
+      { enableWorktreeRunExecution: true },
+      {
+        now: () => activatedAt,
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(next.enableWorktreeRunExecution).toBe(true);
+    expect(next.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt).toBe("2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z");
+    expect(next.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId).toBe("worktree-instance");
+  });
+
+  it("clears worktree run execution activation fields on a true to false transition", () => {
+    const next = applyExperimentalSettingsPatch(
+      {
+        enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: "2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z",
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "worktree-instance",
+      },
+      { enableWorktreeRunExecution: false },
+      {
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(next.enableWorktreeRunExecution).toBe(false);
+    expect(next.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt).toBeNull();
+    expect(next.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("refreshes the activation cutoff when worktree run execution is re-toggled", () => {
+    const firstActivation = applyExperimentalSettingsPatch(
+      { enableWorktreeRunExecution: false },
+      { enableWorktreeRunExecution: true },
+      {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z"),
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      },
+    );
+    const disabled = applyExperimentalSettingsPatch(
+      firstActivation,
+      { enableWorktreeRunExecution: false },
+      {
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      },
+    );
+
+    const secondActivation = applyExperimentalSettingsPatch(
+      disabled,
+      { enableWorktreeRunExecution: true },
+      {
+        now: () => new Date("2026-07-10T12:05:00.000Z"),
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(secondActivation.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt).toBe("2026-07-10T12:05:00.000Z");
+    expect(secondActivation.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt).not.toBe(
+      firstActivation.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt,
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("strips client-supplied activation fields before applying experimental patches", () => {
+    const next = applyExperimentalSettingsPatch(
+      { enableWorktreeRunExecution: false },
+      {
+        enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: "2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z",
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "copied-instance",
+      },
+      {
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(next.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt).toBeNull();
+    expect(next.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("resolves worktree run execution as armed only when the cutoff matches the current instance", async () => {
+    const experimental = normalizeExperimentalSettings({
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: "2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z",
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "worktree-instance",
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+        getExperimental: async () => experimental,
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      }),
+    ).resolves.toEqual({
+      armed: true,
+      cutoff: "2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z",
+      activationInstanceId: "worktree-instance",
+      reason: null,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("fails closed when worktree run execution is missing a cutoff", async () => {
+    const experimental = normalizeExperimentalSettings({
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "worktree-instance",
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+        getExperimental: async () => experimental,
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      }),
+    ).resolves.toMatchObject({
+      armed: false,
+      cutoff: null,
+      reason: "missing_cutoff",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("fails closed when worktree run execution was activated by another instance", async () => {
+    const experimental = normalizeExperimentalSettings({
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: "2026-07-10T12:00:00.000Z",
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "source-instance",
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+        getExperimental: async () => experimental,
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "target-instance",
+        },
+      }),
+    ).resolves.toMatchObject({
+      armed: false,
+      cutoff: null,
+      activationInstanceId: "source-instance",
+      reason: "instance_id_mismatch",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("fails closed on settings read errors and avoids reads outside worktree runtimes", async () => {
+    await expect(
+      resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+        getExperimental: async () => {
+          throw new Error("settings unavailable");
+        },
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      }),
+    ).resolves.toMatchObject({
+      armed: false,
+      cutoff: null,
+      reason: "settings_read_error",
+    });
+
+    const getExperimental = vi.fn<() => Promise<InstanceExperimentalSettings>>();
+    await expect(
+      resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+        getExperimental,
+        runtimeEnv: {
+          PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "false",
+          PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-instance",
+        },
+      }),
+    ).resolves.toMatchObject({
+      armed: false,
+      cutoff: null,
+      reason: "not_worktree_runtime",
+    });
+    expect(getExperimental).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
 });
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/routines-service.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/routines-service.test.ts
index cf8e0eebbd..d423f73dae 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/routines-service.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/routines-service.test.ts
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ describeEmbeddedPostgres("routine service live-execution coalescing", () => {
   });
 
   async function seedFixture(opts?: {
+    runtimeEnv?: Record<string, string | undefined>;
     wakeup?: (
       agentId: string,
       wakeupOpts: {
@@ -147,6 +148,7 @@ describeEmbeddedPostgres("routine service live-execution coalescing", () => {
     });
 
     const svc = routineService(db, {
+      runtimeEnv: opts?.runtimeEnv,
       heartbeat: {
         wakeup: async (wakeupAgentId, wakeupOpts) => {
           wakeups.push({ agentId: wakeupAgentId, opts: wakeupOpts });
@@ -204,6 +206,18 @@ describeEmbeddedPostgres("routine service live-execution coalescing", () => {
     return { companyId, agentId, issueSvc, projectId, routine, svc, wakeups };
   }
 
+  async function armWorktreeExecution(cutoff: Date, instanceId = "worktree-routines-test") {
+    await db.insert(instanceSettings).values({
+      singletonKey: "default",
+      general: {},
+      experimental: {
+        enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: cutoff.toISOString(),
+        worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: instanceId,
+      },
+    });
+  }
+
   it("filters listed routines by project", async () => {
     const { companyId, agentId, projectId, routine, svc } = await seedFixture();
     const otherProjectId = randomUUID();
@@ -1746,6 +1760,80 @@ describeEmbeddedPostgres("routine service live-execution coalescing", () => {
     expect(run.status).toBe("issue_created");
   });
 
+  it("records suppressed automatic runs when worktree execution is disabled while allowing manual runs", async () => {
+    const runtimeEnv = { PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "yes", PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-routines-test" };
+    const { companyId, routine, svc } = await seedFixture({ runtimeEnv });
+    const { trigger: scheduleTrigger } = await svc.createTrigger(
+      routine.id,
+      { kind: "schedule", cronExpression: "0 0 * * *", timezone: "UTC" },
+      {},
+    );
+    const { trigger: webhookTrigger } = await svc.createTrigger(
+      routine.id,
+      { kind: "webhook", signingMode: "none" },
+      {},
+    );
+    const pastDue = new Date("2020-01-01T00:00:00.000Z");
+    await db.update(routineTriggers).set({ nextRunAt: pastDue }).where(eq(routineTriggers.id, scheduleTrigger.id));
+
+    expect(await svc.tickScheduledTriggers(new Date())).toEqual({ triggered: 0 });
+    const webhookRun = await svc.firePublicTrigger(webhookTrigger.publicId!, { payload: { event: "created" } });
+    expect(webhookRun).toMatchObject({ source: "webhook", status: "skipped", failureReason: "worktree_execution_cutoff" });
+
+    const manualRun = await svc.runRoutine(routine.id, { source: "manual" });
+    expect(manualRun.status).toBe("issue_created");
+
+    const automatedRuns = await db.select().from(routineRuns).where(eq(routineRuns.routineId, routine.id));
+    expect(automatedRuns.filter((run) => run.failureReason === "worktree_execution_cutoff")).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(automatedRuns.filter((run) => run.linkedIssueId)).toHaveLength(1);
+    const scheduleAfter = await db.select().from(routineTriggers).where(eq(routineTriggers.id, scheduleTrigger.id)).then((rows) => rows[0]);
+    expect(scheduleAfter!.nextRunAt!.getTime()).toBeGreaterThan(pastDue.getTime());
+    expect((await db.select().from(issues).where(eq(issues.companyId, companyId))).filter((issue) => issue.originKind === "routine_execution")).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
+  it("dispatches only post-cutoff scheduled routines in an armed worktree", async () => {
+    const runtimeEnv = { PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true", PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-routines-test" };
+    const { companyId, agentId, projectId, routine: oldRoutine, svc } = await seedFixture({ runtimeEnv });
+    const cutoff = new Date("2025-01-01T00:00:00.000Z");
+    await armWorktreeExecution(cutoff);
+    const newRoutine = await svc.create(companyId, {
+      projectId,
+      goalId: null,
+      parentIssueId: null,
+      title: "new routine",
+      description: null,
+      assigneeAgentId: agentId,
+      priority: "medium",
+      status: "active",
+      concurrencyPolicy: "coalesce_if_active",
+      catchUpPolicy: "skip_missed",
+    }, {});
+    await db.update(routines).set({ createdAt: new Date("2024-12-31T23:59:59.000Z") }).where(eq(routines.id, oldRoutine.id));
+    await db.update(routines).set({ createdAt: new Date("2025-01-01T00:00:01.000Z") }).where(eq(routines.id, newRoutine.id));
+    const { trigger: oldTrigger } = await svc.createTrigger(oldRoutine.id, { kind: "schedule", cronExpression: "0 0 * * *", timezone: "UTC" }, {});
+    const { trigger: newTrigger } = await svc.createTrigger(newRoutine.id, { kind: "schedule", cronExpression: "0 0 * * *", timezone: "UTC" }, {});
+    await db.update(routineTriggers).set({ nextRunAt: new Date("2020-01-01T00:00:00.000Z") }).where(eq(routineTriggers.id, oldTrigger.id));
+    await db.update(routineTriggers).set({ nextRunAt: new Date("2020-01-01T00:00:00.000Z") }).where(eq(routineTriggers.id, newTrigger.id));
+
+    expect(await svc.tickScheduledTriggers(new Date())).toEqual({ triggered: 1 });
+    const oldRuns = await db.select().from(routineRuns).where(eq(routineRuns.routineId, oldRoutine.id));
+    expect(oldRuns).toMatchObject([{ status: "skipped", failureReason: "worktree_execution_cutoff", linkedIssueId: null }]);
+    const newRuns = await db.select().from(routineRuns).where(eq(routineRuns.routineId, newRoutine.id));
+    expect(newRuns).toMatchObject([{ status: "issue_created" }]);
+  });
+
+  it("applies the armed cutoff to webhook dispatch but not manual API runs", async () => {
+    const runtimeEnv = { PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true", PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "worktree-routines-test" };
+    const { routine, svc } = await seedFixture({ runtimeEnv });
+    await armWorktreeExecution(new Date("2025-01-01T00:00:00.000Z"));
+    await db.update(routines).set({ createdAt: new Date("2024-12-31T23:59:59.000Z") }).where(eq(routines.id, routine.id));
+    const { trigger } = await svc.createTrigger(routine.id, { kind: "webhook", signingMode: "none" }, {});
+
+    const webhookRun = await svc.firePublicTrigger(trigger.publicId!, { payload: { event: "created" } });
+    expect(webhookRun).toMatchObject({ status: "skipped", failureReason: "worktree_execution_cutoff", linkedIssueId: null });
+    expect((await svc.runRoutine(routine.id, { source: "api" })).status).toBe("issue_created");
+  });
+
   it("suppresses scheduled ticks while the routine project is paused, then resumes when unpaused", async () => {
     const { companyId, projectId, routine, svc } = await seedFixture();
     const { trigger } = await svc.createTrigger(
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/task-watchdogs-scheduler.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/task-watchdogs-scheduler.test.ts
index e8138f85b1..325d45ff63 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/task-watchdogs-scheduler.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/task-watchdogs-scheduler.test.ts
@@ -663,4 +663,16 @@ describeEmbeddedPostgres("task watchdog scheduler", () => {
       .where(and(eq(issues.companyId, companyId), eq(issues.originKind, "task_watchdog")));
     expect(watchdogIssues).toHaveLength(1);
   });
+
+  it("handles an armed cutoff when no watchdogs are active", async () => {
+    const companyId = await seedCompany();
+    const { service } = createService();
+
+    const result = await service.reconcileTaskWatchdogs({
+      companyId,
+      issueCreatedAtGte: new Date(),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ checked: 0, triggered: 0 });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/ui-branding.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/ui-branding.test.ts
index c649d5c95e..12e46effcb 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/ui-branding.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/ui-branding.test.ts
@@ -65,6 +65,30 @@ describe("ui branding", () => {
     expect(meta).toContain('name="paperclip-worktree-color"');
   });
 
+  it("surfaces the runtime instance id so the UI can fail closed on copied rows", () => {
+    const branding = getWorktreeUiBranding({
+      PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+      PAPERCLIP_WORKTREE_NAME: "paperclip-pr-432",
+      PAPERCLIP_WORKTREE_COLOR: "#4f86f7",
+      PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID: "inst-abc123",
+    });
+    expect(branding.instanceId).toBe("inst-abc123");
+
+    const meta = renderRuntimeBrandingMeta(branding);
+    expect(meta).toContain('name="paperclip-instance-id"');
+    expect(meta).toContain('content="inst-abc123"');
+  });
+
+  it("omits the instance-id meta when the runtime id is unset", () => {
+    const branding = getWorktreeUiBranding({
+      PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
+      PAPERCLIP_WORKTREE_NAME: "paperclip-pr-432",
+      PAPERCLIP_WORKTREE_COLOR: "#4f86f7",
+    });
+    expect(branding.instanceId).toBeNull();
+    expect(renderRuntimeBrandingMeta(branding)).not.toContain('name="paperclip-instance-id"');
+  });
+
   it("rewrites the favicon and runtime branding blocks for worktree instances only", () => {
     const branded = applyUiBranding(TEMPLATE, {
       PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE: "true",
diff --git a/server/src/index.ts b/server/src/index.ts
index e547bd9d97..8d81e21ada 100644
--- a/server/src/index.ts
+++ b/server/src/index.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ import {
   reconcilePersistedRuntimeServicesOnStartup,
   routineService,
 } from "./services/index.js";
+import { resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState } from "./services/instance-settings.js";
 import {
   parseAdapterRegistryEnv,
   reconcileAdapterAvailability,
@@ -838,6 +839,16 @@ export async function startServer(): Promise<StartedServer> {
     drainHeartbeatRunsForShutdown = heartbeat.drainRunningRunsForShutdown;
     const environmentCustomImages = environmentCustomImageService(db as any, { pluginWorkerManager });
     const routines = routineService(db as any, { pluginWorkerManager });
+    const worktreeRunExecutionActivation = await resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+      getExperimental: () => instanceSettingsService(db).getExperimental(),
+    });
+    logger.info(
+      {
+        state: worktreeRunExecutionActivation.armed ? "armed" : "disarmed",
+        cutoff: worktreeRunExecutionActivation.cutoff,
+      },
+      "worktree run-execution cutoff state",
+    );
     const heartbeatSchedulingSuppression = await heartbeat.resolveSchedulingSuppression();
 
     // Reap orphaned runs before timer ticks start so wakeups cannot coalesce
diff --git a/server/src/routes/agents.ts b/server/src/routes/agents.ts
index ec7faa32ea..4ea28fad78 100644
--- a/server/src/routes/agents.ts
+++ b/server/src/routes/agents.ts
@@ -83,7 +83,11 @@ import {
 import { redactEventPayload } from "../redaction.js";
 import { redactCurrentUserValue } from "../log-redaction.js";
 import { renderOrgChartSvg, renderOrgChartPng, type OrgNode, type OrgChartStyle, ORG_CHART_STYLES } from "./org-chart-svg.js";
-import { instanceSettingsService } from "../services/instance-settings.js";
+import {
+  instanceSettingsService,
+  isTruthyRuntimeEnvValue,
+  resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState,
+} from "../services/instance-settings.js";
 import { runClaudeLogin } from "@paperclipai/adapter-claude-local/server";
 import { DEFAULT_CODEX_LOCAL_BYPASS_APPROVALS_AND_SANDBOX } from "@paperclipai/adapter-codex-local";
 import { DEFAULT_CURSOR_LOCAL_MODEL } from "@paperclipai/adapter-cursor-local";
@@ -2042,14 +2046,23 @@ export function agentRoutes(
       includeRoutineExecutions: true,
       limit: ISSUE_LIST_DEFAULT_LIMIT,
     });
-    const issueIds = rows.map((issue) => issue.id);
+    const worktreeActivation = await resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+      getExperimental: () => instanceSettingsService(db).getExperimental(),
+    });
+    const isWorktreeRuntime = isTruthyRuntimeEnvValue(process.env.PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE);
+    const eligibleRows = !isWorktreeRuntime
+      ? rows
+      : worktreeActivation.armed
+      ? rows.filter((issue) => new Date(issue.createdAt) >= new Date(worktreeActivation.cutoff))
+      : [];
+    const issueIds = eligibleRows.map((issue) => issue.id);
     const [dependencyReadiness, recoveryActionByIssue] = await Promise.all([
       issuesSvc.listDependencyReadiness(req.actor.companyId, issueIds),
       recoveryActionsSvc.listActiveForIssues(req.actor.companyId, issueIds),
     ]);
 
     res.json(
-      rows.map((issue) => ({
+      eligibleRows.map((issue) => ({
         id: issue.id,
         identifier: issue.identifier,
         title: issue.title,
diff --git a/server/src/services/heartbeat.ts b/server/src/services/heartbeat.ts
index 67bad29384..32432a830d 100644
--- a/server/src/services/heartbeat.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/heartbeat.ts
@@ -161,7 +161,10 @@ import {
   WORKSPACE_WORKTREE_REQUIRES_PROJECT_MESSAGE,
   WORKSPACE_WORKTREE_REQUIRES_PROJECT_REMEDIATION,
 } from "./execution-workspace-policy.js";
-import { instanceSettingsService } from "./instance-settings.js";
+import {
+  instanceSettingsService,
+  resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivation,
+} from "./instance-settings.js";
 import {
   evaluateExecutionAllowlist,
   isExecutionForcedToKubernetes,
@@ -5018,30 +5021,45 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
   // Only worktree runtimes ever read the setting; a short TTL keeps the hot-path
   // suppression checks off the DB, and a read failure falls back to prior/default
   // (fail closed to suppression).
-  let cachedWorktreeRunExecutionOverride: { value: boolean; at: number } = { value: false, at: 0 };
+  let cachedWorktreeRunExecutionOverride: { allowed: boolean; cutoff: Date | null; at: number } = {
+    allowed: false,
+    cutoff: null,
+    at: 0,
+  };
   const WORKTREE_RUN_EXECUTION_OVERRIDE_TTL_MS = 3_000;
-  const resolveWorktreeRunExecutionOverride = async (): Promise<boolean> => {
-    if (!inWorktreeRuntime) return false;
+  const resolveWorktreeRunExecutionOverride = async () => {
+    if (!inWorktreeRuntime) return { allowed: false, cutoff: null };
     const now = Date.now();
     if (now - cachedWorktreeRunExecutionOverride.at < WORKTREE_RUN_EXECUTION_OVERRIDE_TTL_MS) {
-      return cachedWorktreeRunExecutionOverride.value;
+      return cachedWorktreeRunExecutionOverride;
     }
     try {
-      const experimental = await instanceSettings.getExperimental();
+      const activation = resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivation(
+        await instanceSettings.getExperimental(),
+        runtimeEnv.PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID?.trim() || null,
+      );
+      const cutoff = activation.armed ? new Date(activation.cutoff) : null;
       cachedWorktreeRunExecutionOverride = {
-        value: experimental.enableWorktreeRunExecution === true,
+        allowed: Boolean(activation.armed && cutoff && !Number.isNaN(cutoff.getTime())),
+        cutoff: cutoff && !Number.isNaN(cutoff.getTime()) ? cutoff : null,
         at: now,
       };
     } catch {
       // Keep the prior (default-false) value so a settings read failure fails
       // closed to the safe suppressed state.
     }
-    return cachedWorktreeRunExecutionOverride.value;
+    return cachedWorktreeRunExecutionOverride;
   };
-  const getSchedulingSuppression = async () =>
-    resolveHeartbeatSchedulingSuppression(runtimeEnv, {
-      allowWorktreeRunExecution: await resolveWorktreeRunExecutionOverride(),
+  const getSchedulingSuppression = async () => {
+    const override = await resolveWorktreeRunExecutionOverride();
+    return resolveHeartbeatSchedulingSuppression(runtimeEnv, {
+      allowWorktreeRunExecution: override.allowed,
     });
+  };
+  const getWorktreeExecutionCutoff = async () => {
+    const override = await resolveWorktreeRunExecutionOverride();
+    return override.allowed ? override.cutoff : null;
+  };
 
   const runLogStore = getRunLogStore();
   const secretsSvc = secretService(db);
@@ -9462,6 +9480,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
   }
 
   async function promoteDueScheduledRetries(now = new Date()) {
+    const cutoff = await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff();
     const dueRuns = await db
       .select()
       .from(heartbeatRuns)
@@ -9469,6 +9488,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
         and(
           eq(heartbeatRuns.status, "scheduled_retry"),
           lte(heartbeatRuns.scheduledRetryAt, now),
+          cutoff ? gte(heartbeatRuns.createdAt, cutoff) : undefined,
         ),
       )
       .orderBy(asc(heartbeatRuns.scheduledRetryAt), asc(heartbeatRuns.createdAt), asc(heartbeatRuns.id))
@@ -10745,6 +10765,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
 
   async function resumeQueuedRuns() {
     if ((await getSchedulingSuppression()).suppressed) return;
+    const cutoff = await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff();
 
     const queuedRuns = await db
       .select({ agentId: heartbeatRuns.agentId })
@@ -10753,6 +10774,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
       .where(and(
         eq(heartbeatRuns.status, "queued"),
         eq(companies.status, "active"),
+        cutoff ? gte(heartbeatRuns.createdAt, cutoff) : undefined,
       ));
 
     const agentIds = [...new Set(queuedRuns.map((r) => r.agentId))];
@@ -10762,7 +10784,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
   }
 
   async function reconcileStrandedAssignedIssues() {
-    return recovery.reconcileStrandedAssignedIssues();
+    return recovery.reconcileStrandedAssignedIssues({ issueCreatedAtGte: await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff() });
   }
 
   async function sweepStaleIssueLocks() {
@@ -10783,15 +10805,15 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
   }
 
   async function scanSilentActiveRuns(opts?: { now?: Date; companyId?: string }) {
-    return recovery.scanSilentActiveRuns(opts);
+    return recovery.scanSilentActiveRuns({ ...opts, issueCreatedAtGte: await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff() });
   }
 
   async function reconcileProductivityReviews(opts?: { now?: Date; companyId?: string }) {
-    return productivityReviews.reconcileProductivityReviews(opts);
+    return productivityReviews.reconcileProductivityReviews({ ...opts, issueCreatedAtGte: await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff() });
   }
 
   async function reconcileTaskWatchdogs(opts?: { companyId?: string | null; runId?: string | null }) {
-    return taskWatchdogs.reconcileTaskWatchdogs(opts);
+    return taskWatchdogs.reconcileTaskWatchdogs({ ...opts, issueCreatedAtGte: await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff() });
   }
 
   async function buildRunOutputSilence(
@@ -10813,7 +10835,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
     force?: boolean;
     lookbackHours?: number;
   }) {
-    return recovery.reconcileIssueGraphLiveness(opts);
+    return recovery.reconcileIssueGraphLiveness({ ...opts, issueCreatedAtGte: await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff() });
   }
 
   async function updateRuntimeState(
@@ -10873,6 +10895,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
 
   async function startNextQueuedRunForAgent(agentId: string) {
     if ((await getSchedulingSuppression()).suppressed) return [];
+    const cutoff = await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff();
 
     return withAgentStartLock(agentId, async () => {
       const agent = await getAgent(agentId);
@@ -10892,7 +10915,11 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
       const queuedRuns = await db
         .select()
         .from(heartbeatRuns)
-        .where(and(eq(heartbeatRuns.agentId, agentId), eq(heartbeatRuns.status, "queued")))
+        .where(and(
+          eq(heartbeatRuns.agentId, agentId),
+          eq(heartbeatRuns.status, "queued"),
+          cutoff ? gte(heartbeatRuns.createdAt, cutoff) : undefined,
+        ))
         .orderBy(asc(heartbeatRuns.createdAt));
       if (queuedRuns.length === 0) return [];
 
@@ -14304,6 +14331,10 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
       return null;
     }
 
+    const worktreeExecutionCutoff = opts.requestedByActorType === "user"
+      ? null
+      : await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff();
+
     const company = await db
       .select({ status: companies.status })
       .from(companies)
@@ -14369,11 +14400,19 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
         ? or(eq(issues.id, issueId), eq(issues.identifier, issueId.toUpperCase()))
         : eq(issues.identifier, issueId.toUpperCase());
       const resolvedIssue = await db
-        .select({ id: issues.id, projectId: issues.projectId })
+      .select({ id: issues.id, projectId: issues.projectId, createdAt: issues.createdAt })
         .from(issues)
         .where(and(eq(issues.companyId, agent.companyId), idMatch))
         .then((rows) => rows[0] ?? null);
       if (resolvedIssue) {
+        if (worktreeExecutionCutoff && resolvedIssue.createdAt < worktreeExecutionCutoff) {
+          await writeSkippedHeartbeatRequest("heartbeat.worktree_execution_cutoff", {
+            reason: "worktree_execution_cutoff",
+            cutoff: worktreeExecutionCutoff.toISOString(),
+            issueId: resolvedIssue.id,
+          });
+          return null;
+        }
         projectId = resolvedIssue.projectId ?? null;
         // Canonicalize context to the UUID so downstream lookups always use UUID
         if (resolvedIssue.id !== issueId) {
@@ -14548,6 +14587,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
             assigneeAgentId: issues.assigneeAgentId,
             executionRunId: issues.executionRunId,
             executionAgentNameKey: issues.executionAgentNameKey,
+            createdAt: issues.createdAt,
           })
           .from(issues)
           .where(and(eq(issues.id, issueId), eq(issues.companyId, agent.companyId)))
@@ -14570,6 +14610,30 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
           return { kind: "skipped" as const };
         }
 
+        if (worktreeExecutionCutoff && issue.createdAt < worktreeExecutionCutoff) {
+          await tx.insert(agentWakeupRequests).values({
+            companyId: agent.companyId,
+            agentId,
+            source,
+            triggerDetail,
+            reason: "heartbeat.worktree_execution_cutoff",
+            payload: {
+              ...(payload ?? {}),
+              heartbeatSkip: {
+                reason: "worktree_execution_cutoff",
+                cutoff: worktreeExecutionCutoff.toISOString(),
+                issueId: issue.id,
+              },
+            },
+            status: "skipped",
+            requestedByActorType: opts.requestedByActorType ?? null,
+            requestedByActorId: opts.requestedByActorId ?? null,
+            idempotencyKey: opts.idempotencyKey ?? null,
+            finishedAt: new Date(),
+          });
+          return { kind: "skipped" as const };
+        }
+
         const cancelStaleScheduledRetry = async (scheduledRun: typeof heartbeatRuns.$inferSelect) => {
           const issueCancelled = issue.status === "cancelled";
           if (
@@ -15952,6 +16016,7 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
           skipped: 0,
         };
       }
+      const cutoff = await getWorktreeExecutionCutoff();
 
       const allAgents = await db
         .select({ ...getTableColumns(agents) })
@@ -15969,6 +16034,21 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db, options: HeartbeatServiceOptions = {})
         const policy = parseHeartbeatPolicy(agent);
         if (!policy.enabled || policy.intervalSec <= 0) continue;
 
+        if (cutoff) {
+          const eligibleIssue = await db
+            .select({ id: issues.id })
+            .from(issues)
+            .where(and(
+              eq(issues.companyId, agent.companyId),
+              eq(issues.assigneeAgentId, agent.id),
+              inArray(issues.status, ["todo", "in_progress"]),
+              gte(issues.createdAt, cutoff),
+            ))
+            .limit(1)
+            .then((rows) => rows[0] ?? null);
+          if (!eligibleIssue) continue;
+        }
+
         checked += 1;
         const baseline = new Date(agent.lastHeartbeatAt ?? agent.createdAt).getTime();
         const elapsedMs = now.getTime() - baseline;
diff --git a/server/src/services/instance-settings.ts b/server/src/services/instance-settings.ts
index 01e33d1163..5b8498bdf0 100644
--- a/server/src/services/instance-settings.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/instance-settings.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,164 @@ import { eq } from "drizzle-orm";
 const DEFAULT_SINGLETON_KEY = "default";
 const instanceGeneralSettingsStorageSchema = instanceGeneralSettingsSchema.strip();
 const instanceExperimentalSettingsStorageSchema = instanceExperimentalSettingsSchema.strip();
+const TRUTHY_RUNTIME_ENV_VALUES = new Set(["1", "true", "yes", "on"]);
+
+interface InstanceSettingsServiceOptions {
+  runtimeEnv?: Record<string, string | undefined>;
+  now?: () => Date;
+}
+
+type WorktreeRunExecutionSuppressedReason =
+  | "not_worktree_runtime"
+  | "flag_disabled"
+  | "missing_cutoff"
+  | "missing_instance_id"
+  | "instance_id_mismatch"
+  | "settings_read_error";
+
+export type WorktreeRunExecutionActivationState =
+  | {
+      armed: true;
+      cutoff: string;
+      activationInstanceId: string;
+      reason: null;
+    }
+  | {
+      armed: false;
+      cutoff: null;
+      activationInstanceId: string | null;
+      reason: WorktreeRunExecutionSuppressedReason;
+    };
+
+export function isTruthyRuntimeEnvValue(value: string | undefined) {
+  return typeof value === "string" && TRUTHY_RUNTIME_ENV_VALUES.has(value.trim().toLowerCase());
+}
+
+function getRuntimeInstanceId(env: Record<string, string | undefined>) {
+  const instanceId = env.PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID?.trim();
+  return instanceId ? instanceId : null;
+}
+
+function stripServerManagedExperimentalPatchFields(
+  patch: PatchInstanceExperimentalSettings | Record<string, unknown>,
+): PatchInstanceExperimentalSettings {
+  const {
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: _ignoredActivatedAt,
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: _ignoredActivationInstanceId,
+    ...patchable
+  } = patch as Record<string, unknown>;
+  return patchable as PatchInstanceExperimentalSettings;
+}
+
+export function applyExperimentalSettingsPatch(
+  current: unknown,
+  patch: PatchInstanceExperimentalSettings | Record<string, unknown>,
+  options: InstanceSettingsServiceOptions = {},
+): InstanceExperimentalSettings {
+  const previousExperimental = normalizeExperimentalSettings(current);
+  const patchable = stripServerManagedExperimentalPatchFields(patch);
+  const nextExperimental = normalizeExperimentalSettings({
+    ...previousExperimental,
+    ...patchable,
+  });
+  const hasWorktreeRunExecutionPatch = Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(
+    patchable,
+    "enableWorktreeRunExecution",
+  );
+
+  if (!hasWorktreeRunExecutionPatch) {
+    return nextExperimental;
+  }
+
+  if (nextExperimental.enableWorktreeRunExecution !== true) {
+    return {
+      ...nextExperimental,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (previousExperimental.enableWorktreeRunExecution === true) {
+    return nextExperimental;
+  }
+
+  const runtimeEnv = options.runtimeEnv ?? process.env;
+  if (!isTruthyRuntimeEnvValue(runtimeEnv.PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE)) {
+    return nextExperimental;
+  }
+
+  return {
+    ...nextExperimental,
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: (options.now ?? (() => new Date()))().toISOString(),
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: getRuntimeInstanceId(runtimeEnv),
+  };
+}
+
+function suppressWorktreeRunExecution(
+  reason: WorktreeRunExecutionSuppressedReason,
+  activationInstanceId: string | null = null,
+): WorktreeRunExecutionActivationState {
+  return {
+    armed: false,
+    cutoff: null,
+    activationInstanceId,
+    reason,
+  };
+}
+
+export function resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivation(
+  experimental: InstanceExperimentalSettings,
+  currentInstanceId: string | null | undefined,
+): WorktreeRunExecutionActivationState {
+  if (experimental.enableWorktreeRunExecution !== true) {
+    return suppressWorktreeRunExecution(
+      "flag_disabled",
+      experimental.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId,
+    );
+  }
+  if (!experimental.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt) {
+    return suppressWorktreeRunExecution(
+      "missing_cutoff",
+      experimental.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId,
+    );
+  }
+  if (!currentInstanceId) {
+    return suppressWorktreeRunExecution(
+      "missing_instance_id",
+      experimental.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId,
+    );
+  }
+  if (experimental.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId !== currentInstanceId) {
+    return suppressWorktreeRunExecution(
+      "instance_id_mismatch",
+      experimental.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId,
+    );
+  }
+  return {
+    armed: true,
+    cutoff: experimental.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt,
+    activationInstanceId: currentInstanceId,
+    reason: null,
+  };
+}
+
+export async function resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState(options: {
+  getExperimental: () => Promise<InstanceExperimentalSettings>;
+  runtimeEnv?: Record<string, string | undefined>;
+}): Promise<WorktreeRunExecutionActivationState> {
+  const runtimeEnv = options.runtimeEnv ?? process.env;
+  if (!isTruthyRuntimeEnvValue(runtimeEnv.PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE)) {
+    return suppressWorktreeRunExecution("not_worktree_runtime");
+  }
+  try {
+    return resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivation(
+      await options.getExperimental(),
+      getRuntimeInstanceId(runtimeEnv),
+    );
+  } catch {
+    return suppressWorktreeRunExecution("settings_read_error");
+  }
+}
 
 function normalizeGeneralSettings(raw: unknown): InstanceGeneralSettings {
   const parsed = instanceGeneralSettingsStorageSchema.safeParse(raw ?? {});
@@ -63,6 +221,9 @@ export function normalizeExperimentalSettings(raw: unknown): InstanceExperimenta
       enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: parsed.data.enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward ?? true,
       enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: parsed.data.enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair ?? true,
       enableWorktreeRunExecution: parsed.data.enableWorktreeRunExecution ?? false,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: parsed.data.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt ?? null,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId:
+        parsed.data.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId ?? null,
       issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours:
         parsed.data.issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours ??
         DEFAULT_ISSUE_GRAPH_LIVENESS_AUTO_RECOVERY_LOOKBACK_HOURS,
@@ -88,6 +249,8 @@ export function normalizeExperimentalSettings(raw: unknown): InstanceExperimenta
     enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: true,
     enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: true,
     enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
     issueGraphLivenessAutoRecoveryLookbackHours:
       DEFAULT_ISSUE_GRAPH_LIVENESS_AUTO_RECOVERY_LOOKBACK_HOURS,
   };
@@ -104,7 +267,7 @@ function toInstanceSettings(row: typeof instanceSettings.$inferSelect): Instance
   } as InstanceSettings;
 }
 
-export function instanceSettingsService(db: Db) {
+export function instanceSettingsService(db: Db, options: InstanceSettingsServiceOptions = {}) {
   async function getOrCreateRow() {
     const existing = await db
       .select()
@@ -192,10 +355,7 @@ export function instanceSettingsService(db: Db) {
 
     updateExperimental: async (patch: PatchInstanceExperimentalSettings): Promise<InstanceSettings> => {
       const current = await getOrCreateRow();
-      const nextExperimental = normalizeExperimentalSettings({
-        ...normalizeExperimentalSettings(current.experimental),
-        ...patch,
-      });
+      const nextExperimental = applyExperimentalSettingsPatch(current.experimental, patch, options);
       const now = new Date();
       const [updated] = await db
         .update(instanceSettings)
diff --git a/server/src/services/productivity-review.ts b/server/src/services/productivity-review.ts
index 45962040ba..cae4e37668 100644
--- a/server/src/services/productivity-review.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/productivity-review.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { and, asc, desc, eq, gt, inArray, isNull, notInArray, sql } from "drizzle-orm";
+import { and, asc, desc, eq, gt, gte, inArray, isNull, notInArray, sql } from "drizzle-orm";
 import type { Db } from "@paperclipai/db";
 import { clampIssueRequestDepth } from "@paperclipai/shared";
 import {
@@ -763,6 +763,7 @@ export function productivityReviewService(db: Db, deps?: { enqueueWakeup?: Enque
     now?: Date;
     companyId?: string;
     thresholds?: Partial<ProductivityReviewThresholds>;
+    issueCreatedAtGte?: Date | null;
   }) {
     const now = opts?.now ?? new Date();
     const thresholds = buildThresholds(opts?.thresholds);
@@ -777,6 +778,7 @@ export function productivityReviewService(db: Db, deps?: { enqueueWakeup?: Enque
           inArray(issues.status, ["todo", "in_progress"]),
           sql`${issues.assigneeAgentId} is not null`,
           sql`${issues.originKind} <> ${PRODUCTIVITY_REVIEW_ORIGIN_KIND}`,
+          opts?.issueCreatedAtGte ? gte(issues.createdAt, opts.issueCreatedAtGte) : undefined,
         ),
       )
       .orderBy(asc(issues.updatedAt), asc(issues.id))
diff --git a/server/src/services/recovery/service.ts b/server/src/services/recovery/service.ts
index 53a58e96e2..6ad4b557de 100644
--- a/server/src/services/recovery/service.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/recovery/service.ts
@@ -2009,10 +2009,10 @@ export function recoveryService(db: Db, deps: { enqueueWakeup: RecoveryWakeup })
     return { kind: "created" as const, evaluationIssueId: evaluation.id };
   }
 
-  async function scanSilentActiveRuns(opts?: { now?: Date; companyId?: string }) {
+  async function scanSilentActiveRuns(opts?: { now?: Date; companyId?: string; issueCreatedAtGte?: Date | null }) {
     const now = opts?.now ?? new Date();
     const suspicionBefore = new Date(now.getTime() - ACTIVE_RUN_OUTPUT_SUSPICION_THRESHOLD_MS);
-    const candidates = await db
+    let candidates = await db
       .select()
       .from(heartbeatRuns)
       .where(
@@ -2025,6 +2025,27 @@ export function recoveryService(db: Db, deps: { enqueueWakeup: RecoveryWakeup })
       .orderBy(asc(heartbeatRuns.createdAt))
       .limit(100);
 
+    if (opts?.issueCreatedAtGte) {
+      const issueIds = [...new Set(candidates.flatMap((run) => {
+        const context = parseObject(run.contextSnapshot);
+        const issueId = context.issueId ?? context.taskId;
+        return typeof issueId === "string" && issueId.length > 0 ? [issueId] : [];
+      }))];
+      const eligibleIssueIds = new Set(
+        issueIds.length > 0
+          ? (await db.select({ id: issues.id }).from(issues).where(and(
+              inArray(issues.id, issueIds),
+              gte(issues.createdAt, opts.issueCreatedAtGte),
+            ))).map((issue) => issue.id)
+          : [],
+      );
+      candidates = candidates.filter((run) => {
+        const context = parseObject(run.contextSnapshot);
+        const issueId = context.issueId ?? context.taskId;
+        return typeof issueId === "string" && eligibleIssueIds.has(issueId);
+      });
+    }
+
     const result = {
       scanned: candidates.length,
       created: 0,
@@ -2955,7 +2976,7 @@ export function recoveryService(db: Db, deps: { enqueueWakeup: RecoveryWakeup })
     return updated;
   }
 
-  async function reconcileStrandedAssignedIssues() {
+  async function reconcileStrandedAssignedIssues(opts?: { issueCreatedAtGte?: Date | null }) {
     const candidates = await db
       .select()
       .from(issues)
@@ -2967,6 +2988,7 @@ export function recoveryService(db: Db, deps: { enqueueWakeup: RecoveryWakeup })
             sql`${issues.assigneeAgentId} is not null`,
             eq(issues.status, "in_review"),
           ),
+          opts?.issueCreatedAtGte ? gte(issues.createdAt, opts.issueCreatedAtGte) : undefined,
         ),
       );
 
@@ -4488,8 +4510,25 @@ export function recoveryService(db: Db, deps: { enqueueWakeup: RecoveryWakeup })
     runId?: string | null;
     force?: boolean;
     lookbackHours?: number;
+    issueCreatedAtGte?: Date | null;
   }) {
-    const findings = await collectIssueGraphLivenessFindings();
+    let findings = await collectIssueGraphLivenessFindings();
+    if (opts?.issueCreatedAtGte) {
+      const findingIssueIds = [...new Set(findings.map((finding) => finding.recoveryIssueId))];
+      const eligibleIssueIds = new Set(
+        findingIssueIds.length === 0
+          ? []
+          : (await db
+              .select({ id: issues.id })
+              .from(issues)
+              .where(and(
+                inArray(issues.id, findingIssueIds),
+                gte(issues.createdAt, opts.issueCreatedAtGte),
+              )))
+              .map((issue) => issue.id),
+      );
+      findings = findings.filter((finding) => eligibleIssueIds.has(finding.recoveryIssueId));
+    }
     const experimentalSettings = await instanceSettings.getExperimental();
     const autoRecoveryEnabled = asBoolean(
       experimentalSettings.enableIssueGraphLivenessAutoRecovery,
diff --git a/server/src/services/routines.ts b/server/src/services/routines.ts
index 0d21e4b026..bdc124c195 100644
--- a/server/src/services/routines.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/routines.ts
@@ -65,6 +65,12 @@ import { secretService } from "./secrets.js";
 import { getSecretProvider } from "../secrets/provider-registry.js";
 import { parseCron, validateCron } from "./cron.js";
 import { heartbeatService } from "./heartbeat.js";
+import {
+  instanceSettingsService,
+  isTruthyRuntimeEnvValue,
+  resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState,
+  type WorktreeRunExecutionActivationState,
+} from "./instance-settings.js";
 import { queueIssueAssignmentWakeup, type IssueAssignmentWakeupDeps } from "./issue-assignment-wakeup.js";
 import { logActivity } from "./activity-log.js";
 import type { PluginWorkerManager } from "./plugin-worker-manager.js";
@@ -592,10 +598,13 @@ export function routineService(
   deps: {
     heartbeat?: IssueAssignmentWakeupDeps;
     pluginWorkerManager?: PluginWorkerManager;
+    runtimeEnv?: Record<string, string | undefined>;
   } = {},
 ) {
   const issueSvc = issueService(db);
   const secretsSvc = secretService(db);
+  const instanceSettings = instanceSettingsService(db);
+  const runtimeEnv = deps.runtimeEnv ?? process.env;
   const heartbeat = deps.heartbeat ?? heartbeatService(db, {
     pluginWorkerManager: deps.pluginWorkerManager,
   });
@@ -1155,14 +1164,32 @@ export function routineService(
     }
   }
 
-  // Records a skipped scheduled firing without creating an execution issue. Used when the
-  // routine's project is paused: the tick is still claimed/advanced upstream (no backfill),
-  // and run history + trigger audit reflect the pause-specific skip.
-  async function recordSuppressedScheduleRun(input: {
+  async function getAutomaticRoutineDispatchEligibility(
+    routine: typeof routines.$inferSelect,
+    activation?: WorktreeRunExecutionActivationState,
+  ) {
+    if (!isTruthyRuntimeEnvValue(runtimeEnv.PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE)) return { eligible: true };
+
+    const resolvedActivation = activation ?? await resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+      getExperimental: instanceSettings.getExperimental,
+      runtimeEnv,
+    });
+    if (!resolvedActivation.armed) return { eligible: false };
+
+    const cutoff = new Date(resolvedActivation.cutoff);
+    if (Number.isNaN(cutoff.getTime()) || routine.createdAt < cutoff) return { eligible: false };
+    return { eligible: true };
+  }
+
+  // Records an automatic firing that was claimed but intentionally not dispatched. The
+  // scheduler advances its tick before calling this helper, so suppressed work is never
+  // replayed after a setting or project state changes.
+  async function recordSuppressedAutomaticRun(input: {
     routine: typeof routines.$inferSelect;
     trigger: typeof routineTriggers.$inferSelect;
+    source: "schedule" | "webhook";
     reason: string;
-    nextRunAt: Date | null;
+    nextRunAt?: Date | null;
   }) {
     const triggeredAt = new Date();
     const run = await db.transaction(async (tx) => {
@@ -1173,7 +1200,7 @@ export function routineService(
           companyId: input.routine.companyId,
           routineId: input.routine.id,
           triggerId: input.trigger.id,
-          source: "schedule",
+          source: input.source,
           status: "skipped",
           triggeredAt,
           failureReason: input.reason,
@@ -1187,7 +1214,7 @@ export function routineService(
         routineId: input.routine.id,
         triggerId: input.trigger.id,
         triggeredAt,
-        status: "skipped_paused",
+        status: input.reason === "paused" ? "skipped_paused" : "skipped_worktree_execution_cutoff",
         nextRunAt: input.nextRunAt,
       }, txDb);
       return createdRun;
@@ -1197,14 +1224,14 @@ export function routineService(
       await logActivity(db, {
         companyId: input.routine.companyId,
         actorType: "system",
-        actorId: "routine-scheduler",
+        actorId: input.source === "schedule" ? "routine-scheduler" : "routine-webhook",
         action: "routine.run_skipped",
         entityType: "routine_run",
         entityId: run.id,
         details: {
           routineId: input.routine.id,
           triggerId: input.trigger.id,
-          source: "schedule",
+          source: input.source,
           status: "skipped",
           reason: input.reason,
         },
@@ -2645,6 +2672,16 @@ export function routineService(
         if (!valid) throw unauthorized();
       }
 
+      const eligibility = await getAutomaticRoutineDispatchEligibility(routine);
+      if (!eligibility.eligible) {
+        return recordSuppressedAutomaticRun({
+          routine,
+          trigger,
+          source: "webhook",
+          reason: "worktree_execution_cutoff",
+        });
+      }
+
       return dispatchRoutineRun({
         routine,
         trigger,
@@ -2732,6 +2769,12 @@ export function routineService(
     },
 
     tickScheduledTriggers: async (now: Date = new Date()) => {
+      const worktreeActivation = isTruthyRuntimeEnvValue(runtimeEnv.PAPERCLIP_IN_WORKTREE)
+        ? await resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivationState({
+          getExperimental: instanceSettings.getExperimental,
+          runtimeEnv,
+        })
+        : undefined;
       const due = await db
         .select({
           trigger: routineTriggers,
@@ -2761,11 +2804,13 @@ export function routineService(
         // at the next cron boundary instead of replaying missed firings. Routines with no
         // project are never suppressed here.
         const projectPaused = !!(row.routine.projectId && row.projectPausedAt);
+        const automaticEligibility = await getAutomaticRoutineDispatchEligibility(row.routine, worktreeActivation);
+        const worktreeSuppressed = !automaticEligibility.eligible;
 
         let runCount = 1;
         let claimedNextRunAt = nextCronTickInTimeZone(row.trigger.cronExpression, row.trigger.timezone, now);
 
-        if (!projectPaused && row.routine.catchUpPolicy === "enqueue_missed_with_cap") {
+        if (!projectPaused && !worktreeSuppressed && row.routine.catchUpPolicy === "enqueue_missed_with_cap") {
           let cursor: Date | null = row.trigger.nextRunAt;
           runCount = 0;
           while (cursor && cursor <= now && runCount < MAX_CATCH_UP_RUNS) {
@@ -2792,11 +2837,12 @@ export function routineService(
           .then((rows) => rows[0] ?? null);
         if (!claimed) continue;
 
-        if (projectPaused) {
-          await recordSuppressedScheduleRun({
+        if (projectPaused || worktreeSuppressed) {
+          await recordSuppressedAutomaticRun({
             routine: row.routine,
             trigger: row.trigger,
-            reason: "paused",
+            source: "schedule",
+            reason: worktreeSuppressed ? "worktree_execution_cutoff" : "paused",
             nextRunAt: claimedNextRunAt,
           });
           continue;
diff --git a/server/src/services/task-watchdogs.ts b/server/src/services/task-watchdogs.ts
index daee9a52c7..ed708d530c 100644
--- a/server/src/services/task-watchdogs.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/task-watchdogs.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { createHash } from "node:crypto";
-import { and, asc, eq, inArray, isNull, or, sql } from "drizzle-orm";
+import { and, asc, eq, gte, inArray, isNull, or, sql } from "drizzle-orm";
 import type { Db } from "@paperclipai/db";
 import {
   agentWakeupRequests,
@@ -1560,8 +1560,28 @@ export function taskWatchdogService(db: Db, deps: TaskWatchdogServiceDeps = {})
       return toIssueWatchdog(updated);
     },
 
-    reconcileTaskWatchdogs: async (opts: { companyId?: string | null; runId?: string | null } = {}) => {
-      const rows = await listActiveWatchdogsForCompany(opts.companyId ?? null);
+    reconcileTaskWatchdogs: async (opts: {
+      companyId?: string | null;
+      runId?: string | null;
+      issueCreatedAtGte?: Date | null;
+    } = {}) => {
+      let rows = await listActiveWatchdogsForCompany(opts.companyId ?? null);
+      if (opts.issueCreatedAtGte) {
+        const watchdogIssueIds = [...new Set(rows.map((row) => row.issueId))];
+        const eligibleIssueIds = new Set(
+          watchdogIssueIds.length === 0
+            ? []
+            : (await db
+                .select({ id: issues.id })
+                .from(issues)
+                .where(and(
+                  inArray(issues.id, watchdogIssueIds),
+                  gte(issues.createdAt, opts.issueCreatedAtGte),
+                )))
+                .map((issue) => issue.id),
+        );
+        rows = rows.filter((row) => eligibleIssueIds.has(row.issueId));
+      }
       const result = {
         checked: 0,
         triggered: 0,
diff --git a/server/src/ui-branding.ts b/server/src/ui-branding.ts
index 8195c91e36..5a26482282 100644
--- a/server/src/ui-branding.ts
+++ b/server/src/ui-branding.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@ export type WorktreeUiBranding = {
   color: string | null;
   textColor: string | null;
   faviconHref: string | null;
+  /**
+   * Runtime instance id for this worktree preview. Surfaced to the client so
+   * the experimental "Run tasks in this worktree" card can fail closed when a
+   * copied settings row was armed in a different instance. Null outside a
+   * worktree or when the runtime id is unset.
+   */
+  instanceId: string | null;
 };
 
 function isTruthyEnvValue(value: string | undefined): boolean {
@@ -152,6 +159,7 @@ export function getWorktreeUiBranding(env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv = process.env): Wor
       color: null,
       textColor: null,
       faviconHref: null,
+      instanceId: null,
     };
   }
 
@@ -165,6 +173,7 @@ export function getWorktreeUiBranding(env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv = process.env): Wor
     color,
     textColor,
     faviconHref: createFaviconDataUrl(color, textColor),
+    instanceId: nonEmpty(env.PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID),
   };
 }
 
@@ -181,12 +190,16 @@ export function renderFaviconLinks(branding: WorktreeUiBranding): string {
 export function renderRuntimeBrandingMeta(branding: WorktreeUiBranding): string {
   if (!branding.enabled || !branding.name || !branding.color || !branding.textColor) return "";
 
-  return [
+  const tags = [
     '<meta name="paperclip-worktree-enabled" content="true" />',
     `<meta name="paperclip-worktree-name" content="${escapeHtmlAttribute(branding.name)}" />`,
     `<meta name="paperclip-worktree-color" content="${escapeHtmlAttribute(branding.color)}" />`,
     `<meta name="paperclip-worktree-text-color" content="${escapeHtmlAttribute(branding.textColor)}" />`,
-  ].join("\n");
+  ];
+  if (branding.instanceId) {
+    tags.push(`<meta name="paperclip-instance-id" content="${escapeHtmlAttribute(branding.instanceId)}" />`);
+  }
+  return tags.join("\n");
 }
 
 function replaceMarkedBlock(html: string, startMarker: string, endMarker: string, content: string): string {
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/worktree-branding.ts b/ui/src/lib/worktree-branding.ts
index bfa5a9a2b6..af81fceeb3 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/worktree-branding.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/worktree-branding.ts
@@ -61,6 +61,17 @@ export function isWorktreeRuntime(): boolean {
   return readMetaContent("paperclip-worktree-enabled") === "true";
 }
 
+/**
+ * Runtime instance id of the worktree preview serving this UI, injected by the
+ * server as a `<meta name="paperclip-instance-id">` tag. Returns null outside a
+ * worktree or when the server did not surface the id. Used by the experimental
+ * "Run tasks in this worktree" card to fail closed when a copied settings row
+ * was armed in a different instance.
+ */
+export function getWorktreeInstanceId(): string | null {
+  return readMetaContent("paperclip-instance-id");
+}
+
 export function getWorktreeUiBranding(): WorktreeUiBranding | null {
   if (readMetaContent("paperclip-worktree-enabled") !== "true") return null;
 
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.test.tsx b/ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.test.tsx
index dae5805934..db6a3ed268 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.test.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.test.tsx
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ function defaultExperimentalSettings(): InstanceExperimentalSettingsPayload {
     enableWorkspaceBranchReconcileForward: true,
     enableWorkspaceDirtyQuarantineRepair: true,
     enableWorktreeRunExecution: false,
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+    worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
   };
 }
 
@@ -94,6 +96,21 @@ function setWorktreeRuntimeMeta(enabled: boolean) {
   }
 }
 
+function setWorktreeInstanceIdMeta(instanceId: string | null) {
+  const name = "paperclip-instance-id";
+  let meta = document.querySelector<HTMLMetaElement>(`meta[name="${name}"]`);
+  if (instanceId) {
+    if (!meta) {
+      meta = document.createElement("meta");
+      meta.setAttribute("name", name);
+      document.head.appendChild(meta);
+    }
+    meta.setAttribute("content", instanceId);
+  } else if (meta) {
+    meta.remove();
+  }
+}
+
 describe("InstanceExperimentalSettings — Conference Room Chat card (PAP-11233)", () => {
   let container: HTMLDivElement;
   let root: Root | null = null;
@@ -134,6 +151,7 @@ describe("InstanceExperimentalSettings — Conference Room Chat card (PAP-11233)
     root = null;
     container.remove();
     setWorktreeRuntimeMeta(false);
+    setWorktreeInstanceIdMeta(null);
     vi.clearAllMocks();
   });
 
@@ -279,6 +297,69 @@ describe("InstanceExperimentalSettings — Conference Room Chat card (PAP-11233)
     expect(toggle?.getAttribute("aria-checked")).toBe("true");
   });
 
+  it("shows the cutoff-copy for the worktree run-execution toggle when off", async () => {
+    setWorktreeRuntimeMeta(true);
+    await renderPage();
+
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain(
+      "Only tasks created after enabling will run automatically",
+    );
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain("Toggling off and on resets the cutoff.");
+    // Off => no armed banner and no fail-closed hint.
+    expect(container.textContent).not.toContain("Running tasks created after");
+    expect(container.textContent).not.toContain("Execution is suppressed");
+  });
+
+  it("shows the armed timestamp when the flag matches the current instance", async () => {
+    setWorktreeRuntimeMeta(true);
+    setWorktreeInstanceIdMeta("inst-current");
+    currentExperimentalSettings = {
+      ...currentExperimentalSettings,
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: "2026-07-10T18:34:00.000Z",
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "inst-current",
+    };
+    await renderPage();
+
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain("Running tasks created after");
+    expect(container.textContent).not.toContain("Execution is suppressed");
+    const toggle = container.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(WORKTREE_RUN_EXECUTION_TOGGLE_SELECTOR);
+    expect(toggle?.getAttribute("aria-checked")).toBe("true");
+  });
+
+  it("fails closed with a re-enable hint when the flag was armed in another instance", async () => {
+    setWorktreeRuntimeMeta(true);
+    setWorktreeInstanceIdMeta("inst-current");
+    currentExperimentalSettings = {
+      ...currentExperimentalSettings,
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: "2026-07-10T18:34:00.000Z",
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: "inst-other",
+    };
+    await renderPage();
+
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain("Execution is suppressed");
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain("armed in a different instance");
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain("Toggle it off and back on");
+    expect(container.textContent).not.toContain("Running tasks created after");
+  });
+
+  it("fails closed with a re-enable hint when the activation cutoff is missing", async () => {
+    setWorktreeRuntimeMeta(true);
+    setWorktreeInstanceIdMeta("inst-current");
+    currentExperimentalSettings = {
+      ...currentExperimentalSettings,
+      enableWorktreeRunExecution: true,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt: null,
+      worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId: null,
+    };
+    await renderPage();
+
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain("Execution is suppressed");
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain("missing its activation cutoff");
+    expect(container.textContent).not.toContain("Running tasks created after");
+  });
+
   it("renders and patches the Built-in Agents experimental toggle", async () => {
     await renderPage();
 
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.tsx b/ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.tsx
index 475ee16e13..1eb33d074a 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import type {
   PatchInstanceExperimentalSettings,
 } from "@paperclipai/shared";
 import { instanceSettingsApi } from "@/api/instanceSettings";
-import { isWorktreeRuntime } from "../lib/worktree-branding";
+import { getWorktreeInstanceId, isWorktreeRuntime } from "../lib/worktree-branding";
 import { useBreadcrumbs } from "../context/BreadcrumbContext";
 import { queryKeys } from "../lib/queryKeys";
 import { ToggleSwitch } from "@/components/ui/toggle-switch";
@@ -34,6 +34,43 @@ function formatRecoveryState(state: string) {
   return state.replace(/_/g, " ");
 }
 
+type WorktreeRunExecutionDisplayState =
+  | { kind: "off" }
+  | { kind: "armed"; activatedAt: string }
+  | { kind: "fail_closed"; reason: "missing_cutoff" | "missing_instance_id" | "instance_mismatch" };
+
+/**
+ * Mirror of the server's `resolveWorktreeRunExecutionActivation` fail-closed
+ * ladder (server/src/services/instance-settings.ts) so the card never claims a
+ * copied/legacy row is arming execution. The derived fields are display-only —
+ * the PATCH the toggle sends still writes just the boolean.
+ */
+function resolveWorktreeRunExecutionDisplayState(
+  settings:
+    | Pick<
+        InstanceExperimentalSettings,
+        | "enableWorktreeRunExecution"
+        | "worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt"
+        | "worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId"
+      >
+    | undefined,
+  currentInstanceId: string | null,
+): WorktreeRunExecutionDisplayState {
+  if (settings?.enableWorktreeRunExecution !== true) return { kind: "off" };
+  if (!settings.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt) return { kind: "fail_closed", reason: "missing_cutoff" };
+  if (!currentInstanceId) return { kind: "fail_closed", reason: "missing_instance_id" };
+  if (settings.worktreeRunExecutionActivationInstanceId !== currentInstanceId) {
+    return { kind: "fail_closed", reason: "instance_mismatch" };
+  }
+  return { kind: "armed", activatedAt: settings.worktreeRunExecutionActivatedAt };
+}
+
+function formatActivationTimestamp(iso: string): string {
+  const parsed = new Date(iso);
+  if (Number.isNaN(parsed.getTime())) return iso;
+  return parsed.toLocaleString(undefined, { dateStyle: "medium", timeStyle: "short" });
+}
+
 // PAP-11233: keep Conference Room code intact, but hide the user-facing opt-in for now.
 const SHOW_CONFERENCE_ROOM_EXPERIMENTAL_SETTING = false;
 
@@ -236,6 +273,10 @@ export function InstanceExperimentalSettings() {
 
   const inWorktree = isWorktreeRuntime();
   const enableWorktreeRunExecution = experimentalQuery.data?.enableWorktreeRunExecution === true;
+  const worktreeRunExecutionState = resolveWorktreeRunExecutionDisplayState(
+    experimentalQuery.data,
+    getWorktreeInstanceId(),
+  );
   const enableEnvironments = experimentalQuery.data?.enableEnvironments === true;
   const enableIsolatedWorkspaces = experimentalQuery.data?.enableIsolatedWorkspaces === true;
   // Streamlined left navigation is now the standard sidebar (PAP-12472); the
@@ -327,23 +368,53 @@ export function InstanceExperimentalSettings() {
 
       {inWorktree ? (
         <Card className="block p-5">
-          <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
-            <div className="space-y-1.5">
-              <h2 className="text-sm font-semibold">Run tasks in this worktree</h2>
-              <p className="max-w-2xl text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-                This is an isolated git-worktree preview instance. By default it does not execute agent runs; tasks stay
-                queued so previews never self-run work. Turn this on to let the heartbeat scheduler execute runs here.
-                This setting only affects this worktree instance and is ignored outside a worktree.
-              </p>
+          <div className="flex flex-col gap-4">
+            <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
+              <div className="space-y-1.5">
+                <h2 className="text-sm font-semibold">Run tasks in this worktree</h2>
+                <p className="max-w-2xl text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+                  This is an isolated git-worktree preview instance. Turn this on to let the scheduler execute runs
+                  here. Only tasks created after enabling will run automatically — copied/pre-existing tasks stay
+                  parked. Toggling off and on resets the cutoff.
+                </p>
+              </div>
+              <ToggleSwitch
+                checked={enableWorktreeRunExecution}
+                onCheckedChange={(checked) =>
+                  toggleMutation.mutate({ enableWorktreeRunExecution: checked })
+                }
+                disabled={toggleMutation.isPending}
+                aria-label="Toggle worktree run execution setting"
+              />
             </div>
-            <ToggleSwitch
-              checked={enableWorktreeRunExecution}
-              onCheckedChange={(checked) =>
-                toggleMutation.mutate({ enableWorktreeRunExecution: checked })
-              }
-              disabled={toggleMutation.isPending}
-              aria-label="Toggle worktree run execution setting"
-            />
+
+            {worktreeRunExecutionState.kind === "armed" ? (
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-2 rounded-md border border-emerald-500/30 bg-emerald-500/5 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-foreground">
+                <Play className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 text-emerald-600" />
+                <span>
+                  Running tasks created after{" "}
+                  <span className="font-medium">
+                    {formatActivationTimestamp(worktreeRunExecutionState.activatedAt)}
+                  </span>
+                  .
+                </span>
+              </div>
+            ) : null}
+
+            {worktreeRunExecutionState.kind === "fail_closed" ? (
+              <div className="flex items-start gap-2 rounded-md border border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/5 px-3 py-2 text-sm">
+                <AlertTriangle className="mt-0.5 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 text-amber-700" />
+                <div className="space-y-0.5">
+                  <p className="font-medium text-foreground">Execution is suppressed — effectively off.</p>
+                  <p className="text-muted-foreground">
+                    {worktreeRunExecutionState.reason === "instance_mismatch"
+                      ? "This setting was armed in a different instance and copied here, so no tasks run automatically."
+                      : "This setting is missing its activation cutoff, so no tasks run automatically."}{" "}
+                    Toggle it off and back on to arm execution for tasks created here.
+                  </p>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            ) : null}
           </div>
         </Card>
       ) : null}