diff --git a/bin/claude-loop.sh b/bin/claude-loop.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..5350e4d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/claude-loop.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,620 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# claude-loop.sh — Parallel Claude Code agent dispatch loop
+# Runs N workers concurrently against the Gitea backlog.
+# Gracefully handles rate limits with backoff.
+#
+# Usage: claude-loop.sh [NUM_WORKERS]   (default: 2)
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# === CONFIG ===
+NUM_WORKERS="${1:-2}"
+MAX_WORKERS=10        # absolute ceiling
+WORKTREE_BASE="$HOME/worktrees"
+GITEA_URL="http://143.198.27.163:3000"
+GITEA_TOKEN=$(cat "$HOME/.hermes/claude_token")
+CLAUDE_TIMEOUT=900   # 15 min per issue
+COOLDOWN=15           # seconds between issues — stagger clones
+RATE_LIMIT_SLEEP=30   # initial sleep on rate limit
+MAX_RATE_SLEEP=120    # max backoff on rate limit
+LOG_DIR="$HOME/.hermes/logs"
+SKIP_FILE="$LOG_DIR/claude-skip-list.json"
+LOCK_DIR="$LOG_DIR/claude-locks"
+ACTIVE_FILE="$LOG_DIR/claude-active.json"
+
+mkdir -p "$LOG_DIR" "$WORKTREE_BASE" "$LOCK_DIR"
+
+# Initialize files
+[ -f "$SKIP_FILE" ] || echo '{}' > "$SKIP_FILE"
+echo '{}' > "$ACTIVE_FILE"
+
+# === SHARED FUNCTIONS ===
+log() {
+  local msg="[$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')] $*"
+  echo "$msg" >> "$LOG_DIR/claude-loop.log"
+}
+
+lock_issue() {
+  local issue_key="$1"
+  local lockfile="$LOCK_DIR/$issue_key.lock"
+  if mkdir "$lockfile" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo $$ > "$lockfile/pid"
+    return 0
+  fi
+  return 1
+}
+
+unlock_issue() {
+  local issue_key="$1"
+  rm -rf "$LOCK_DIR/$issue_key.lock" 2>/dev/null
+}
+
+mark_skip() {
+  local issue_num="$1"
+  local reason="$2"
+  local skip_hours="${3:-1}"
+  python3 -c "
+import json, time, fcntl
+with open('$SKIP_FILE', 'r+') as f:
+    fcntl.flock(f, fcntl.LOCK_EX)
+    try: skips = json.load(f)
+    except: skips = {}
+    skips[str($issue_num)] = {
+        'until': time.time() + ($skip_hours * 3600),
+        'reason': '$reason',
+        'failures': skips.get(str($issue_num), {}).get('failures', 0) + 1
+    }
+    if skips[str($issue_num)]['failures'] >= 3:
+        skips[str($issue_num)]['until'] = time.time() + (6 * 3600)
+    f.seek(0)
+    f.truncate()
+    json.dump(skips, f, indent=2)
+" 2>/dev/null
+  log "SKIP: #${issue_num} — ${reason}"
+}
+
+update_active() {
+  local worker="$1" issue="$2" repo="$3" status="$4"
+  python3 -c "
+import json, fcntl
+with open('$ACTIVE_FILE', 'r+') as f:
+    fcntl.flock(f, fcntl.LOCK_EX)
+    try: active = json.load(f)
+    except: active = {}
+    if '$status' == 'done':
+        active.pop('$worker', None)
+    else:
+        active['$worker'] = {'issue': '$issue', 'repo': '$repo', 'status': '$status'}
+    f.seek(0)
+    f.truncate()
+    json.dump(active, f, indent=2)
+" 2>/dev/null
+}
+
+cleanup_workdir() {
+  local wt="$1"
+  rm -rf "$wt" 2>/dev/null || true
+}
+
+get_next_issue() {
+  python3 -c "
+import json, sys, time, urllib.request, os
+
+token = '${GITEA_TOKEN}'
+base = '${GITEA_URL}'
+repos = [
+    'Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus',
+    'Timmy_Foundation/autolora',
+]
+
+# Load skip list
+try:
+    with open('${SKIP_FILE}') as f: skips = json.load(f)
+except: skips = {}
+
+# Load active issues (to avoid double-picking)
+try:
+    with open('${ACTIVE_FILE}') as f:
+        active = json.load(f)
+        active_issues = {v['issue'] for v in active.values()}
+except:
+    active_issues = set()
+
+all_issues = []
+for repo in repos:
+    url = f'{base}/api/v1/repos/{repo}/issues?state=open&type=issues&limit=50&sort=created'
+    req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers={'Authorization': f'token {token}'})
+    try:
+        resp = urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=10)
+        issues = json.loads(resp.read())
+        for i in issues:
+            i['_repo'] = repo
+        all_issues.extend(issues)
+    except:
+        continue
+
+# Sort by priority: URGENT > P0 > P1 > bugs > LHF > rest
+def priority(i):
+    t = i['title'].lower()
+    if '[urgent]' in t or 'urgent:' in t: return 0
+    if '[p0]' in t: return 1
+    if '[p1]' in t: return 2
+    if '[bug]' in t: return 3
+    if 'lhf:' in t or 'lhf ' in t.lower(): return 4
+    if '[p2]' in t: return 5
+    return 6
+
+all_issues.sort(key=priority)
+
+for i in all_issues:
+    assignees = [a['login'] for a in (i.get('assignees') or [])]
+    # Take issues assigned to claude OR unassigned (self-assign)
+    if assignees and 'claude' not in assignees:
+        continue
+
+    title = i['title'].lower()
+    if '[philosophy]' in title: continue
+    if '[epic]' in title or 'epic:' in title: continue
+    if '[showcase]' in title: continue
+    if '[do not close' in title: continue
+    if '[meta]' in title: continue
+    if '[governing]' in title: continue
+    if '[permanent]' in title: continue
+    if '[morning report]' in title: continue
+    if '[retro]' in title: continue
+    if '[intel]' in title: continue
+    if 'master escalation' in title: continue
+    if any(a['login'] == 'Rockachopa' for a in (i.get('assignees') or [])): continue
+
+    num_str = str(i['number'])
+    if num_str in active_issues: continue
+
+    entry = skips.get(num_str, {})
+    if entry and entry.get('until', 0) > time.time(): continue
+
+    lock = '${LOCK_DIR}/' + i['_repo'].replace('/', '-') + '-' + num_str + '.lock'
+    if os.path.isdir(lock): continue
+
+    repo = i['_repo']
+    owner, name = repo.split('/')
+
+    # Self-assign if unassigned
+    if not assignees:
+        try:
+            data = json.dumps({'assignees': ['claude']}).encode()
+            req2 = urllib.request.Request(
+                f'{base}/api/v1/repos/{repo}/issues/{i[\"number\"]}',
+                data=data, method='PATCH',
+                headers={'Authorization': f'token {token}', 'Content-Type': 'application/json'})
+            urllib.request.urlopen(req2, timeout=5)
+        except: pass
+
+    print(json.dumps({
+        'number': i['number'],
+        'title': i['title'],
+        'repo_owner': owner,
+        'repo_name': name,
+        'repo': repo,
+    }))
+    sys.exit(0)
+
+print('null')
+" 2>/dev/null
+}
+
+build_prompt() {
+  local issue_num="$1"
+  local issue_title="$2"
+  local worktree="$3"
+  local repo_owner="$4"
+  local repo_name="$5"
+
+  cat <<PROMPT
+You are Claude, an autonomous code agent on the ${repo_name} project.
+
+YOUR ISSUE: #${issue_num} — "${issue_title}"
+
+GITEA API: ${GITEA_URL}/api/v1
+GITEA TOKEN: ${GITEA_TOKEN}
+REPO: ${repo_owner}/${repo_name}
+WORKING DIRECTORY: ${worktree}
+
+== YOUR POWERS ==
+You can do ANYTHING a developer can do.
+
+1. READ the issue and any comments for context:
+   curl -s -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}/issues/${issue_num}"
+   curl -s -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}/issues/${issue_num}/comments"
+
+2. DO THE WORK. Code, test, fix, refactor — whatever the issue needs.
+   - Check for tox.ini / Makefile / package.json for test/lint commands
+   - Run tests if the project has them
+   - Follow existing code conventions
+
+3. COMMIT with conventional commits: fix: / feat: / refactor: / test: / chore:
+   Include "Fixes #${issue_num}" or "Refs #${issue_num}" in the message.
+
+4. PUSH to your branch (claude/issue-${issue_num}) and CREATE A PR:
+   git push origin claude/issue-${issue_num}
+   curl -s -X POST "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}/pulls" \\
+     -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \\
+     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \\
+     -d '{"title": "[claude] <description> (#${issue_num})", "body": "Fixes #${issue_num}\n\n<describe what you did>", "head": "claude/issue-${issue_num}", "base": "main"}'
+
+5. COMMENT on the issue when done:
+   curl -s -X POST "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}/issues/${issue_num}/comments" \\
+     -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \\
+     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \\
+     -d '{"body": "PR created. <summary of changes>"}'
+
+== RULES ==
+- Read CLAUDE.md or project README first for conventions
+- If the project has tox, use tox. If npm, use npm. Follow the project.
+- Never use --no-verify on git commands.
+- If tests fail after 2 attempts, STOP and comment on the issue explaining why.
+- Be thorough but focused. Fix the issue, don't refactor the world.
+
+== CRITICAL: ALWAYS COMMIT AND PUSH ==
+- NEVER exit without committing your work. Even partial progress MUST be committed.
+- Before you finish, ALWAYS: git add -A && git commit && git push origin claude/issue-${issue_num}
+- ALWAYS create a PR before exiting. No exceptions.
+- If a branch already exists with prior work, check it out and CONTINUE from where it left off.
+- Check: git ls-remote origin claude/issue-${issue_num} — if it exists, pull it first.
+- Your work is WASTED if it's not pushed. Push early, push often.
+PROMPT
+}
+
+# === WORKER FUNCTION ===
+run_worker() {
+  local worker_id="$1"
+  local consecutive_failures=0
+
+  log "WORKER-${worker_id}: Started"
+
+  while true; do
+    # Backoff on repeated failures
+    if [ "$consecutive_failures" -ge 5 ]; then
+      local backoff=$((RATE_LIMIT_SLEEP * (consecutive_failures / 5)))
+      [ "$backoff" -gt "$MAX_RATE_SLEEP" ] && backoff=$MAX_RATE_SLEEP
+      log "WORKER-${worker_id}: BACKOFF ${backoff}s (${consecutive_failures} failures)"
+      sleep "$backoff"
+      consecutive_failures=0
+    fi
+
+    # RULE: Merge existing PRs BEFORE creating new work.
+    # Check for open PRs from claude, rebase + merge them first.
+    local our_prs
+    our_prs=$(curl -sf -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \
+      "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus/pulls?state=open&limit=5" 2>/dev/null | \
+      python3 -c "
+import sys, json
+prs = json.loads(sys.stdin.buffer.read())
+ours = [p for p in prs if p['user']['login'] == 'claude'][:3]
+for p in ours:
+    print(f'{p[\"number\"]}|{p[\"head\"][\"ref\"]}|{p.get(\"mergeable\",False)}')
+" 2>/dev/null)
+
+    if [ -n "$our_prs" ]; then
+      local pr_clone_url="http://claude:${GITEA_TOKEN}@143.198.27.163:3000/Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus.git"
+      echo "$our_prs" | while IFS='|' read pr_num branch mergeable; do
+        [ -z "$pr_num" ] && continue
+        if [ "$mergeable" = "True" ]; then
+          curl -sf -X POST -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \
+            -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+            -d '{"Do":"squash","delete_branch_after_merge":true}' \
+            "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus/pulls/${pr_num}/merge" >/dev/null 2>&1
+          log "WORKER-${worker_id}: merged own PR #${pr_num}"
+          sleep 3
+        else
+          # Rebase and push
+          local tmpdir="/tmp/claude-rebase-${pr_num}"
+          cd "$HOME"; rm -rf "$tmpdir" 2>/dev/null
+          git clone -q --depth=50 -b "$branch" "$pr_clone_url" "$tmpdir" 2>/dev/null
+          if [ -d "$tmpdir/.git" ]; then
+            cd "$tmpdir"
+            git fetch origin main 2>/dev/null
+            if git rebase origin/main 2>/dev/null; then
+              git push -f origin "$branch" 2>/dev/null
+              sleep 3
+              curl -sf -X POST -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \
+                -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+                -d '{"Do":"squash","delete_branch_after_merge":true}' \
+                "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus/pulls/${pr_num}/merge" >/dev/null 2>&1
+              log "WORKER-${worker_id}: rebased+merged PR #${pr_num}"
+            else
+              git rebase --abort 2>/dev/null
+              curl -sf -X PATCH -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \
+                -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"state":"closed"}' \
+                "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus/pulls/${pr_num}" >/dev/null 2>&1
+              log "WORKER-${worker_id}: closed unrebaseable PR #${pr_num}"
+            fi
+            cd "$HOME"; rm -rf "$tmpdir"
+          fi
+        fi
+      done
+    fi
+
+    # Get next issue
+    issue_json=$(get_next_issue)
+
+    if [ "$issue_json" = "null" ] || [ -z "$issue_json" ]; then
+      update_active "$worker_id" "" "" "idle"
+      sleep 10
+      continue
+    fi
+
+    issue_num=$(echo "$issue_json" | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin)['number'])")
+    issue_title=$(echo "$issue_json" | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin)['title'])")
+    repo_owner=$(echo "$issue_json" | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin)['repo_owner'])")
+    repo_name=$(echo "$issue_json" | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin)['repo_name'])")
+    issue_key="${repo_owner}-${repo_name}-${issue_num}"
+    branch="claude/issue-${issue_num}"
+    # Use UUID for worktree dir to prevent collisions under high concurrency
+    wt_uuid=$(/usr/bin/uuidgen 2>/dev/null || python3 -c "import uuid; print(uuid.uuid4())")
+    worktree="${WORKTREE_BASE}/claude-${issue_num}-${wt_uuid}"
+
+    # Try to lock
+    if ! lock_issue "$issue_key"; then
+      sleep 5
+      continue
+    fi
+
+    log "WORKER-${worker_id}: === ISSUE #${issue_num}: ${issue_title} (${repo_owner}/${repo_name}) ==="
+    update_active "$worker_id" "$issue_num" "${repo_owner}/${repo_name}" "working"
+
+    # Clone and pick up prior work if it exists
+    rm -rf "$worktree" 2>/dev/null
+    CLONE_URL="http://claude:${GITEA_TOKEN}@143.198.27.163:3000/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}.git"
+    
+    # Check if branch already exists on remote (prior work to continue)
+    if git ls-remote --heads "$CLONE_URL" "$branch" 2>/dev/null | grep -q "$branch"; then
+      log "WORKER-${worker_id}: Found existing branch $branch — continuing prior work"
+      if ! git clone --depth=50 -b "$branch" "$CLONE_URL" "$worktree" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        log "WORKER-${worker_id}: ERROR cloning branch $branch for #${issue_num}"
+        unlock_issue "$issue_key"
+        consecutive_failures=$((consecutive_failures + 1))
+        sleep "$COOLDOWN"
+        continue
+      fi
+      # Rebase on main to resolve stale conflicts from closed PRs
+      cd "$worktree"
+      git fetch origin main >/dev/null 2>&1
+      if ! git rebase origin/main >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        # Rebase failed — start fresh from main
+        log "WORKER-${worker_id}: Rebase failed for $branch, starting fresh"
+        cd "$HOME"
+        rm -rf "$worktree"
+        git clone --depth=1 -b main "$CLONE_URL" "$worktree" >/dev/null 2>&1
+        cd "$worktree"
+        git checkout -b "$branch" >/dev/null 2>&1
+      fi
+    else
+      if ! git clone --depth=1 -b main "$CLONE_URL" "$worktree" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        log "WORKER-${worker_id}: ERROR cloning for #${issue_num}"
+        unlock_issue "$issue_key"
+        consecutive_failures=$((consecutive_failures + 1))
+        sleep "$COOLDOWN"
+        continue
+      fi
+      cd "$worktree"
+      git checkout -b "$branch" >/dev/null 2>&1
+    fi
+    cd "$worktree"
+
+    # Build prompt and run
+    prompt=$(build_prompt "$issue_num" "$issue_title" "$worktree" "$repo_owner" "$repo_name")
+
+    log "WORKER-${worker_id}: Launching Claude Code for #${issue_num}..."
+    CYCLE_START=$(date +%s)
+
+    set +e
+    cd "$worktree"
+    env -u CLAUDECODE gtimeout "$CLAUDE_TIMEOUT" claude \
+      --print \
+      --model sonnet \
+      --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+      -p "$prompt" \
+      </dev/null >> "$LOG_DIR/claude-${issue_num}.log" 2>&1
+    exit_code=$?
+    set -e
+
+    CYCLE_END=$(date +%s)
+    CYCLE_DURATION=$(( CYCLE_END - CYCLE_START ))
+
+    # ── SALVAGE: Never waste work. Commit+push whatever exists. ──
+    cd "$worktree" 2>/dev/null || true
+    DIRTY=$(git status --porcelain 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
+    UNPUSHED=$(git log --oneline "origin/main..HEAD" 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
+
+    if [ "${DIRTY:-0}" -gt 0 ]; then
+      log "WORKER-${worker_id}: SALVAGING $DIRTY dirty files for #${issue_num}"
+      git add -A 2>/dev/null
+      git commit -m "WIP: Claude Code progress on #${issue_num}
+
+Automated salvage commit — agent session ended (exit $exit_code).
+Work in progress, may need continuation." 2>/dev/null || true
+    fi
+
+    # Push if we have any commits (including salvaged ones)
+    UNPUSHED=$(git log --oneline "origin/main..HEAD" 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
+    if [ "${UNPUSHED:-0}" -gt 0 ]; then
+      git push -u origin "$branch" 2>/dev/null && \
+        log "WORKER-${worker_id}: Pushed $UNPUSHED commit(s) on $branch" || \
+        log "WORKER-${worker_id}: Push failed for $branch"
+    fi
+
+    # ── Create PR if branch was pushed and no PR exists yet ──
+    pr_num=$(curl -sf "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}/pulls?state=open&head=${repo_owner}:${branch}&limit=1" \
+      -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" | python3 -c "
+import sys,json
+prs = json.load(sys.stdin)
+if prs: print(prs[0]['number'])
+else: print('')
+" 2>/dev/null)
+
+    if [ -z "$pr_num" ] && [ "${UNPUSHED:-0}" -gt 0 ]; then
+      pr_num=$(curl -sf -X POST "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}/pulls" \
+        -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \
+        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+        -d "$(python3 -c "
+import json
+print(json.dumps({
+    'title': 'Claude: Issue #${issue_num}',
+    'head': '${branch}',
+    'base': 'main',
+    'body': 'Automated PR for issue #${issue_num}.\nExit code: ${exit_code}'
+}))
+")" | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin).get('number',''))" 2>/dev/null)
+      [ -n "$pr_num" ] && log "WORKER-${worker_id}: Created PR #${pr_num} for issue #${issue_num}"
+    fi
+
+    # ── Merge + close on success ──
+    if [ "$exit_code" -eq 0 ]; then
+      log "WORKER-${worker_id}: SUCCESS #${issue_num}"
+
+      if [ -n "$pr_num" ]; then
+        curl -sf -X POST "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}/pulls/${pr_num}/merge" \
+          -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \
+          -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+          -d '{"Do": "squash"}' >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+        curl -sf -X PATCH "${GITEA_URL}/api/v1/repos/${repo_owner}/${repo_name}/issues/${issue_num}" \
+          -H "Authorization: token ${GITEA_TOKEN}" \
+          -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+          -d '{"state": "closed"}' >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+        log "WORKER-${worker_id}: PR #${pr_num} merged, issue #${issue_num} closed"
+      fi
+
+      consecutive_failures=0
+
+    elif [ "$exit_code" -eq 124 ]; then
+      log "WORKER-${worker_id}: TIMEOUT #${issue_num} (work saved in PR)"
+      consecutive_failures=$((consecutive_failures + 1))
+
+    else
+      # Check for rate limit
+      if grep -q "rate_limit\|rate limit\|429\|overloaded" "$LOG_DIR/claude-${issue_num}.log" 2>/dev/null; then
+        log "WORKER-${worker_id}: RATE LIMITED on #${issue_num} — backing off (work saved)"
+        consecutive_failures=$((consecutive_failures + 3))
+      else
+        log "WORKER-${worker_id}: FAILED #${issue_num} exit ${exit_code} (work saved in PR)"
+        consecutive_failures=$((consecutive_failures + 1))
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    # ── METRICS: structured JSONL for reporting ──
+    LINES_ADDED=$(cd "$worktree" 2>/dev/null && git diff --stat origin/main..HEAD 2>/dev/null | tail -1 | grep -oE '[0-9]+ insertion' | grep -oE '[0-9]+' || echo 0)
+    LINES_REMOVED=$(cd "$worktree" 2>/dev/null && git diff --stat origin/main..HEAD 2>/dev/null | tail -1 | grep -oE '[0-9]+ deletion' | grep -oE '[0-9]+' || echo 0)
+    FILES_CHANGED=$(cd "$worktree" 2>/dev/null && git diff --name-only origin/main..HEAD 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ' || echo 0)
+    
+    # Determine outcome
+    if [ "$exit_code" -eq 0 ]; then
+      OUTCOME="success"
+    elif [ "$exit_code" -eq 124 ]; then
+      OUTCOME="timeout"
+    elif grep -q "rate_limit\|rate limit\|429" "$LOG_DIR/claude-${issue_num}.log" 2>/dev/null; then
+      OUTCOME="rate_limited"
+    else
+      OUTCOME="failed"
+    fi
+    
+    METRICS_FILE="$LOG_DIR/claude-metrics.jsonl"
+    python3 -c "
+import json, datetime
+print(json.dumps({
+    'ts': datetime.datetime.utcnow().isoformat() + 'Z',
+    'worker': $worker_id,
+    'issue': $issue_num,
+    'repo': '${repo_owner}/${repo_name}',
+    'title': '''${issue_title}'''[:80],
+    'outcome': '$OUTCOME',
+    'exit_code': $exit_code,
+    'duration_s': $CYCLE_DURATION,
+    'files_changed': ${FILES_CHANGED:-0},
+    'lines_added': ${LINES_ADDED:-0},
+    'lines_removed': ${LINES_REMOVED:-0},
+    'salvaged': ${DIRTY:-0},
+    'pr': '${pr_num:-}',
+    'merged': $( [ '$OUTCOME' = 'success' ] && [ -n '${pr_num:-}' ] && echo 'true' || echo 'false' )
+}))
+" >> "$METRICS_FILE" 2>/dev/null
+
+    # Cleanup
+    cleanup_workdir "$worktree"
+    unlock_issue "$issue_key"
+    update_active "$worker_id" "" "" "done"
+
+    sleep "$COOLDOWN"
+  done
+}
+
+# === MAIN ===
+log "=== Claude Loop Started — ${NUM_WORKERS} workers (max ${MAX_WORKERS}) ==="
+log "Worktrees: ${WORKTREE_BASE}"
+
+# Clean stale locks
+rm -rf "$LOCK_DIR"/*.lock 2>/dev/null
+
+# PID tracking via files (bash 3.2 compatible)
+PID_DIR="$LOG_DIR/claude-pids"
+mkdir -p "$PID_DIR"
+rm -f "$PID_DIR"/*.pid 2>/dev/null
+
+launch_worker() {
+  local wid="$1"
+  run_worker "$wid" &
+  echo $! > "$PID_DIR/${wid}.pid"
+  log "Launched worker $wid (PID $!)"
+}
+
+# Initial launch
+for i in $(seq 1 "$NUM_WORKERS"); do
+  launch_worker "$i"
+  sleep 3
+done
+
+# === DYNAMIC SCALER ===
+# Every 3 minutes: check health, scale up if no rate limits, scale down if hitting limits
+CURRENT_WORKERS="$NUM_WORKERS"
+while true; do
+  sleep 90
+
+  # Reap dead workers and relaunch
+  for pidfile in "$PID_DIR"/*.pid; do
+    [ -f "$pidfile" ] || continue
+    wid=$(basename "$pidfile" .pid)
+    wpid=$(cat "$pidfile")
+    if ! kill -0 "$wpid" 2>/dev/null; then
+      log "SCALER: Worker $wid died — relaunching"
+      launch_worker "$wid"
+      sleep 2
+    fi
+  done
+
+  recent_rate_limits=$(tail -100 "$LOG_DIR/claude-loop.log" 2>/dev/null | grep -c "RATE LIMITED" || true)
+  recent_successes=$(tail -100 "$LOG_DIR/claude-loop.log" 2>/dev/null | grep -c "SUCCESS" || true)
+
+  if [ "$recent_rate_limits" -gt 0 ]; then
+    if [ "$CURRENT_WORKERS" -gt 2 ]; then
+      drop_to=$(( CURRENT_WORKERS / 2 ))
+      [ "$drop_to" -lt 2 ] && drop_to=2
+      log "SCALER: Rate limited — scaling ${CURRENT_WORKERS} → ${drop_to} workers"
+      for wid in $(seq $((drop_to + 1)) "$CURRENT_WORKERS"); do
+        if [ -f "$PID_DIR/${wid}.pid" ]; then
+          kill "$(cat "$PID_DIR/${wid}.pid")" 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -f "$PID_DIR/${wid}.pid"
+          update_active "$wid" "" "" "done"
+        fi
+      done
+      CURRENT_WORKERS=$drop_to
+    fi
+  elif [ "$recent_successes" -ge 2 ] && [ "$CURRENT_WORKERS" -lt "$MAX_WORKERS" ]; then
+    new_count=$(( CURRENT_WORKERS + 2 ))
+    [ "$new_count" -gt "$MAX_WORKERS" ] && new_count=$MAX_WORKERS
+    log "SCALER: Healthy — scaling ${CURRENT_WORKERS} → ${new_count} workers"
+    for wid in $(seq $((CURRENT_WORKERS + 1)) "$new_count"); do
+      launch_worker "$wid"
+      sleep 2
+    done
+    CURRENT_WORKERS=$new_count
+  fi
+done
diff --git a/bin/claudemax-watchdog.sh b/bin/claudemax-watchdog.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..13553008
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/claudemax-watchdog.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# claudemax-watchdog.sh — keep local Claude/Gemini loops alive without stale tmux assumptions
+
+set -uo pipefail
+export PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:$HOME/.local/bin:$HOME/.hermes/bin:/usr/local/bin:$PATH"
+
+LOG="$HOME/.hermes/logs/claudemax-watchdog.log"
+GITEA_URL="http://143.198.27.163:3000"
+GITEA_TOKEN=$(tr -d '[:space:]' < "$HOME/.hermes/gitea_token_vps" 2>/dev/null || true)
+REPO_API="$GITEA_URL/api/v1/repos/Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus"
+MIN_OPEN_ISSUES=10
+CLAUDE_WORKERS=2
+GEMINI_WORKERS=1
+
+log() {
+  echo "[$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')] CLAUDEMAX: $*" >> "$LOG"
+}
+
+start_loop() {
+  local name="$1"
+  local pattern="$2"
+  local cmd="$3"
+  local pid
+
+  pid=$(pgrep -f "$pattern" 2>/dev/null | head -1 || true)
+  if [ -n "$pid" ]; then
+    log "$name alive (PID $pid)"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  log "$name not running. Restarting..."
+  nohup bash -lc "$cmd" >/dev/null 2>&1 &
+  sleep 2
+
+  pid=$(pgrep -f "$pattern" 2>/dev/null | head -1 || true)
+  if [ -n "$pid" ]; then
+    log "Restarted $name (PID $pid)"
+  else
+    log "ERROR: failed to start $name"
+  fi
+}
+
+run_optional_script() {
+  local label="$1"
+  local script_path="$2"
+
+  if [ -x "$script_path" ]; then
+    bash "$script_path" 2>&1 | while read -r line; do
+      log "$line"
+    done
+  else
+    log "$label skipped — missing $script_path"
+  fi
+}
+
+claude_quota_blocked() {
+  local cutoff now mtime f
+  now=$(date +%s)
+  cutoff=$((now - 43200))
+  for f in "$HOME"/.hermes/logs/claude-*.log; do
+    [ -f "$f" ] || continue
+    mtime=$(stat -f %m "$f" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
+    if [ "$mtime" -ge "$cutoff" ] && grep -q "You've hit your limit" "$f" 2>/dev/null; then
+      return 0
+    fi
+  done
+  return 1
+}
+
+if [ -z "$GITEA_TOKEN" ]; then
+  log "ERROR: missing Gitea token at ~/.hermes/gitea_token_vps"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+if claude_quota_blocked; then
+  log "Claude quota exhausted recently — not starting claude-loop until quota resets or logs age out"
+else
+  start_loop "claude-loop" "bash .*claude-loop.sh" "bash ~/.hermes/bin/claude-loop.sh $CLAUDE_WORKERS >> ~/.hermes/logs/claude-loop.log 2>&1"
+fi
+start_loop "gemini-loop" "bash .*gemini-loop.sh" "bash ~/.hermes/bin/gemini-loop.sh $GEMINI_WORKERS >> ~/.hermes/logs/gemini-loop.log 2>&1"
+
+OPEN_COUNT=$(curl -s --max-time 10 -H "Authorization: token $GITEA_TOKEN" \
+  "$REPO_API/issues?state=open&type=issues&limit=100" 2>/dev/null \
+  | python3 -c "import sys, json; print(len(json.loads(sys.stdin.read() or '[]')))" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
+
+log "Open issues: $OPEN_COUNT (minimum: $MIN_OPEN_ISSUES)"
+
+if [ "$OPEN_COUNT" -lt "$MIN_OPEN_ISSUES" ]; then
+  log "Backlog running low. Checking replenishment helper..."
+  run_optional_script "claudemax-replenish" "$HOME/.hermes/bin/claudemax-replenish.sh"
+fi
+
+run_optional_script "autodeploy-matrix" "$HOME/.hermes/bin/autodeploy-matrix.sh"
+log "Watchdog complete."