diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 79e3e5bf..26b0bd5f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -7,3 +7,6 @@ mempalace/__pycache__/
 
 # Prevent agents from writing to wrong path (see issue #1145)
 public/nexus/
+
+__pycache__/
+*.pyc
diff --git a/app.js b/app.js
index 21c5c222..2018abea 100644
--- a/app.js
+++ b/app.js
@@ -713,6 +713,8 @@ async function init() {
   connectHermes();
   fetchGiteaData();
   setInterval(fetchGiteaData, 30000); // Refresh every 30s
+  updateHeartbeatBriefing(); // Initial briefing load
+  setInterval(updateHeartbeatBriefing, 60000); // Refresh briefing every 60s
 
   composer = new EffectComposer(renderer);
   composer.addPass(new RenderPass(scene, camera));
@@ -1140,6 +1142,7 @@ async function fetchGiteaData() {
       const worldState = JSON.parse(atob(content.content));
       updateNexusCommand(worldState);
       updateSovereignHealth();
+      updateHeartbeatBriefing();
     }
   } catch (e) {
     console.error('Failed to fetch Gitea data:', e);
@@ -1235,6 +1238,127 @@ function updateNexusCommand(state) {
   terminal.updatePanelText(lines);
 }
 
+// ═══ HEARTBEAT BRIEFING PANEL ═════════════════════════════════════════
+async function updateHeartbeatBriefing() {
+  const container = document.getElementById('heartbeat-briefing-content');
+  const pulseDot = document.querySelector('.hb-pulse-dot');
+  if (!container) return;
+
+  let data = null;
+  try {
+    // Derive briefing endpoint from current location or fallback to localhost
+    const briefingUrl = window.location.protocol === 'file:'
+      ? 'http://localhost:8766/api/briefing'
+      : `${window.location.protocol}//${window.location.hostname}:8766/api/briefing`;
+    const res = await fetch(briefingUrl);
+    if (res.ok) data = await res.json();
+  } catch (e) {
+    // Server not reachable — show honest offline state
+  }
+
+  if (!data) {
+    if (pulseDot) pulseDot.classList.add('offline');
+    container.innerHTML = '<div class="hb-empty">Briefing offline<br>No connection to Nexus gateway</div>';
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (pulseDot) pulseDot.classList.remove('offline');
+
+  let html = '';
+
+  // ── Core Heartbeat ──
+  html += '<div class="briefing-section">';
+  html += '<div class="briefing-section-label">Nexus Core</div>';
+  const hb = data.core_heartbeat;
+  if (hb) {
+    const age = hb.age_secs != null ? hb.age_secs : '?';
+    const ageLabel = typeof age === 'number'
+      ? (age < 60 ? `${age.toFixed(0)}s ago` : `${(age / 60).toFixed(1)}m ago`)
+      : age;
+    const isAlive = typeof age === 'number' && age < 120;
+    html += `<div class="hb-core-row">
+      <span class="hb-core-status ${isAlive ? 'alive' : 'dead'}">${isAlive ? '● ALIVE' : '○ STALE'}</span>
+      <span class="hb-core-meta">cycle ${hb.cycle || '?'} · ${hb.model || 'unknown'} · ${ageLabel}</span>
+    </div>`;
+    html += `<div class="hb-core-meta">status: ${hb.status || '?'}</div>`;
+  } else {
+    html += '<div class="hb-core-row"><span class="hb-core-status dead">○ NO DATA</span></div>';
+  }
+  html += '</div>';
+
+  // ── Cron Heartbeats ──
+  const cron = data.cron_heartbeat;
+  if (cron && cron.jobs && cron.jobs.length > 0) {
+    html += '<div class="briefing-section">';
+    html += '<div class="briefing-section-label">Cron Heartbeats</div>';
+    html += `<div class="hb-cron-row">
+      <span class="hb-cron-healthy">● ${cron.healthy_count} healthy</span>
+      ${cron.stale_count > 0 ? `<span class="hb-cron-stale">⚠ ${cron.stale_count} stale</span>` : ''}
+    </div>`;
+    for (const job of cron.jobs.slice(0, 5)) {
+      const cls = job.healthy ? 'healthy' : 'stale';
+      html += `<div class="hb-cron-job">
+        <span class="hb-cron-job-name">${esc(job.job)}</span>
+        <span class="hb-cron-job-status ${cls}">${esc(job.message)}</span>
+      </div>`;
+    }
+    if (cron.jobs.length > 5) {
+      html += `<div class="hb-core-meta">+${cron.jobs.length - 5} more jobs</div>`;
+    }
+    html += '</div>';
+  }
+
+  // ── Morning Report ──
+  const report = data.morning_report;
+  if (report) {
+    html += '<div class="briefing-section">';
+    html += '<div class="briefing-section-label">Latest Report</div>';
+
+    // Aggregate stats
+    let totalClosed = 0, totalMerged = 0;
+    if (report.repos) {
+      for (const r of Object.values(report.repos)) {
+        totalClosed += r.closed_issues || 0;
+        totalMerged += r.merged_prs || 0;
+      }
+    }
+    html += `<div class="hb-stats-row">
+      <div class="hb-stat"><span class="hb-stat-value" style="color:#4af0c0">${totalClosed}</span><span class="hb-stat-label">Closed</span></div>
+      <div class="hb-stat"><span class="hb-stat-value" style="color:#7b5cff">${totalMerged}</span><span class="hb-stat-label">Merged</span></div>
+      <div class="hb-stat"><span class="hb-stat-value" style="color:#ffd700">${(report.blockers || []).length}</span><span class="hb-stat-label">Blockers</span></div>
+    </div>`;
+
+    // Highlights (up to 3)
+    if (report.highlights && report.highlights.length > 0) {
+      for (const h of report.highlights.slice(0, 3)) {
+        html += `<div class="hb-core-meta">+ ${esc(h)}</div>`;
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Blockers
+    if (report.blockers && report.blockers.length > 0) {
+      for (const b of report.blockers) {
+        html += `<div class="hb-blocker">⚠ ${esc(b)}</div>`;
+      }
+    }
+
+    html += `<div class="hb-timestamp">Report: ${esc(report.generated_at || '?')}</div>`;
+    html += '</div>';
+  }
+
+  // ── Timestamp ──
+  html += `<div class="hb-timestamp">Briefing updated: ${new Date().toLocaleTimeString('en-US', { hour12: false })}</div>`;
+
+  container.innerHTML = html;
+}
+
+function esc(str) {
+  if (!str) return '';
+  const d = document.createElement('div');
+  d.textContent = String(str);
+  return d.innerHTML;
+}
+
 // ═══ AGENT PRESENCE SYSTEM ═══
 function createAgentPresences() {
   const agentData = [
diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 54ada489..b741d986 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -96,6 +96,12 @@
       <div class="panel-header">SOVEREIGN HEALTH</div>
       <div id="sovereign-health-content" class="panel-content"></div>
     </div>
+    <div class="hud-panel hud-panel-briefing" id="heartbeat-briefing-log">
+      <div class="panel-header">
+        <span class="hb-pulse-dot"></span> HEARTBEAT BRIEFING
+      </div>
+      <div id="heartbeat-briefing-content" class="panel-content"></div>
+    </div>
     <div class="hud-panel" id="calibrator-log">
       <div class="panel-header">ADAPTIVE CALIBRATOR</div>
       <div id="calibrator-log-content" class="panel-content"></div>
diff --git a/server.py b/server.py
index fe1e9d76..46e51881 100644
--- a/server.py
+++ b/server.py
@@ -3,17 +3,156 @@
 The Nexus WebSocket Gateway — Robust broadcast bridge for Timmy's consciousness.
 This server acts as the central hub for the-nexus, connecting the mind (nexus_think.py),
 the body (Evennia/Morrowind), and the visualization surface.
+
+Serves HTTP alongside WebSocket:
+  GET /api/briefing  — heartbeat + morning report data for the HUD briefing panel
 """
 import asyncio
 import json
 import logging
+import os
 import signal
 import sys
-from typing import Set
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from http.server import HTTPServer, SimpleHTTPRequestHandler
+from pathlib import Path
+from threading import Thread
+from typing import Any, Dict, Set
 
 # Branch protected file - see POLICY.md
 import websockets
 
+
+# ── HTTP Briefing Endpoint ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+HEARTBEAT_PATH = Path.home() / ".nexus" / "heartbeat.json"
+REPORTS_DIR = Path.home() / ".local" / "timmy" / "reports"
+CRON_HEARTBEAT_DIR_PRIMARY = Path("/var/run/bezalel/heartbeats")
+CRON_HEARTBEAT_DIR_FALLBACK = Path.home() / ".bezalel" / "heartbeats"
+
+
+def _read_json_file(path: Path) -> Any:
+    """Read and parse a JSON file. Returns None on failure."""
+    try:
+        return json.loads(path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def _resolve_cron_dir() -> Path:
+    """Return the first writable cron heartbeat directory."""
+    for d in [CRON_HEARTBEAT_DIR_PRIMARY, CRON_HEARTBEAT_DIR_FALLBACK]:
+        if d.exists() and os.access(str(d), os.R_OK):
+            return d
+    return CRON_HEARTBEAT_DIR_FALLBACK
+
+
+def _read_cron_heartbeats() -> list:
+    """Read all .last files from the cron heartbeat directory."""
+    hb_dir = _resolve_cron_dir()
+    if not hb_dir.exists():
+        return []
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc).timestamp()
+    jobs = []
+    for f in sorted(hb_dir.glob("*.last")):
+        data = _read_json_file(f)
+        if data is None:
+            jobs.append({"job": f.stem, "healthy": False, "message": "corrupt"})
+            continue
+        ts = float(data.get("timestamp", 0))
+        interval = int(data.get("interval", 3600))
+        age = now - ts
+        is_stale = age > (2 * interval)
+        jobs.append({
+            "job": f.stem,
+            "healthy": not is_stale,
+            "age_secs": round(age, 1),
+            "interval": interval,
+            "last_seen": datetime.fromtimestamp(ts, tz=timezone.utc).isoformat() if ts else None,
+            "message": f"{'STALE' if is_stale else 'OK'} ({age:.0f}s / {interval}s)" if ts else "no timestamp",
+        })
+    return jobs
+
+
+def _latest_morning_report() -> Dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Find the most recent morning report file."""
+    if not REPORTS_DIR.exists():
+        return None
+    reports = sorted(REPORTS_DIR.glob("morning-*.json"), reverse=True)
+    if not reports:
+        return None
+    return _read_json_file(reports[0])
+
+
+def _build_briefing() -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Assemble the full briefing payload from real files."""
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+
+    # Core heartbeat
+    core_hb = _read_json_file(HEARTBEAT_PATH)
+    if core_hb:
+        beat_ts = float(core_hb.get("timestamp", 0))
+        core_hb["age_secs"] = round(now.timestamp() - beat_ts, 1) if beat_ts else None
+
+    # Cron heartbeats
+    cron_jobs = _read_cron_heartbeats()
+    healthy_count = sum(1 for j in cron_jobs if j.get("healthy"))
+    stale_count = sum(1 for j in cron_jobs if not j.get("healthy"))
+
+    # Morning report
+    report = _latest_morning_report()
+
+    return {
+        "generated_at": now.isoformat(),
+        "core_heartbeat": core_hb,
+        "cron_heartbeat": {
+            "jobs": cron_jobs,
+            "healthy_count": healthy_count,
+            "stale_count": stale_count,
+        },
+        "morning_report": report,
+    }
+
+
+class BriefingHandler(SimpleHTTPRequestHandler):
+    """Minimal HTTP handler that only serves /api/briefing."""
+
+    def do_GET(self):
+        if self.path == "/api/briefing":
+            try:
+                data = _build_briefing()
+                body = json.dumps(data).encode("utf-8")
+                self.send_response(200)
+                self.send_header("Content-Type", "application/json")
+                self.send_header("Content-Length", str(len(body)))
+                self.send_header("Access-Control-Allow-Origin", "*")
+                self.end_headers()
+                self.wfile.write(body)
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.send_error(500, str(e))
+        elif self.path == "/api/health":
+            body = json.dumps({"status": "ok"}).encode("utf-8")
+            self.send_response(200)
+            self.send_header("Content-Type", "application/json")
+            self.send_header("Access-Control-Allow-Origin", "*")
+            self.end_headers()
+            self.wfile.write(body)
+        else:
+            self.send_error(404)
+
+    def log_message(self, fmt, *args):
+        pass  # Suppress HTTP access logs — WS gateway logs are enough
+
+
+def start_http_server(port: int = 8766):
+    """Run the HTTP server in a daemon thread."""
+    server = HTTPServer(("0.0.0.0", port), BriefingHandler)
+    thread = Thread(target=server.serve_forever, daemon=True)
+    thread.start()
+    logger = logging.getLogger("nexus-gateway")
+    logger.info(f"Briefing HTTP server started on http://0.0.0.0:{port}")
+    return server
+
 # Configuration
 PORT = 8765
 HOST = "0.0.0.0"  # Allow external connections if needed
@@ -80,6 +219,9 @@ async def broadcast_handler(websocket: websockets.WebSocketServerProtocol):
 
 async def main():
     """Main server loop with graceful shutdown."""
+    # Start HTTP briefing endpoint alongside WS
+    http_server = start_http_server(port=8766)
+
     logger.info(f"Starting Nexus WS gateway on ws://{HOST}:{PORT}")
     
     # Set up signal handlers for graceful shutdown
diff --git a/style.css b/style.css
index 2c3f70eb..3948677e 100644
--- a/style.css
+++ b/style.css
@@ -1224,6 +1224,138 @@ canvas#nexus-canvas {
 
 .pse-status { color: #4af0c0; font-weight: 600; }
 
+/* ═══ HEARTBEAT BRIEFING PANEL ═════════════════════════════════════ */
+.hud-panel-briefing {
+  width: 320px;
+  max-height: 420px;
+  border-left-color: #7b5cff;
+}
+.hud-panel-briefing .panel-header {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 6px;
+  color: #7b5cff;
+}
+.hud-panel-briefing .panel-content {
+  max-height: 360px;
+  overflow-y: auto;
+}
+/* Pulse dot */
+.hb-pulse-dot {
+  width: 6px;
+  height: 6px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: #4af0c0;
+  box-shadow: 0 0 6px #4af0c0;
+  animation: hb-dot-pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+.hb-pulse-dot.offline {
+  background: #ff4466;
+  box-shadow: 0 0 6px #ff4466;
+  animation: none;
+}
+@keyframes hb-dot-pulse {
+  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.4; }
+  50%       { opacity: 1; }
+}
+/* Briefing sections */
+.briefing-section {
+  margin-bottom: 8px;
+  padding-bottom: 6px;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(123, 92, 255, 0.12);
+}
+.briefing-section:last-child { border-bottom: none; margin-bottom: 0; }
+.briefing-section-label {
+  font-size: 9px;
+  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  color: #8a9ab8;
+  margin-bottom: 4px;
+}
+/* Core heartbeat row */
+.hb-core-row {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 10px;
+  align-items: center;
+  margin-bottom: 4px;
+}
+.hb-core-status {
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-size: 11px;
+}
+.hb-core-status.alive { color: #4af0c0; }
+.hb-core-status.dead  { color: #ff4466; }
+.hb-core-meta {
+  font-size: 10px;
+  color: #8a9ab8;
+}
+/* Cron jobs */
+.hb-cron-row {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 8px;
+  font-size: 10px;
+  margin-bottom: 2px;
+}
+.hb-cron-healthy { color: #4af0c0; }
+.hb-cron-stale   { color: #ff4466; font-weight: 700; }
+.hb-cron-job {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  font-size: 10px;
+  padding: 1px 0;
+}
+.hb-cron-job-name { color: #e0f0ff; }
+.hb-cron-job-status.healthy { color: #4af0c0; }
+.hb-cron-job-status.stale   { color: #ff4466; font-weight: 700; }
+/* Morning report stats */
+.hb-stats-row {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 12px;
+  font-size: 10px;
+}
+.hb-stat {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 1px;
+}
+.hb-stat-value {
+  font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-size: 14px;
+}
+.hb-stat-label {
+  font-size: 9px;
+  color: #8a9ab8;
+  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+/* Blockers */
+.hb-blocker {
+  font-size: 10px;
+  color: #ff4466;
+  padding: 1px 0;
+}
+/* Narrative */
+.hb-narrative {
+  font-size: 10px;
+  color: #8a9ab8;
+  line-height: 1.5;
+  font-style: italic;
+}
+/* Empty / offline state */
+.hb-empty {
+  font-size: 10px;
+  color: #8a9ab8;
+  text-align: center;
+  padding: 12px 0;
+}
+/* Timestamp */
+.hb-timestamp {
+  font-size: 9px;
+  color: rgba(138, 154, 184, 0.6);
+  margin-top: 4px;
+}
 
 /* ═══════════════════════════════════════════
    MNEMOSYNE — MEMORY CRYSTAL INSPECTION PANEL