diff --git a/frontend/background-issue-sync.js b/frontend/background-issue-sync.js
index 74b0fcc..f3eefce 100644
--- a/frontend/background-issue-sync.js
+++ b/frontend/background-issue-sync.js
@@ -446,6 +446,7 @@ function createBackgroundIssueSync({
           title: item.title,
           body: item.body,
           label_ids: item.labelIds,
+          ...(item.unassigned ? { unassigned: true } : {}),
           ...(item.assignee ? { assignee: item.assignee } : {}),
           ...(item.milestoneId ? { milestone_id: item.milestoneId } : {}),
           ...(item.dueDate ? { due_date: item.dueDate + 'T23:59:59Z' } : {}),
diff --git a/frontend/create-issue-sheet.js b/frontend/create-issue-sheet.js
index b9ab03b..69b853f 100644
--- a/frontend/create-issue-sheet.js
+++ b/frontend/create-issue-sheet.js
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ function normalizeSharedContent(value = {}) {
 }
 
 function createIssueOwnerPicker(issueCapture, documentRef, onChange) {
+  const NO_OWNER = '__unassigned__';
   const select = documentRef.querySelector('#create-issue-assignee');
   const status = documentRef.querySelector('#create-issue-assignee-status');
   const getRepository = () => documentRef.querySelector('#create-issue-repository').value;
@@ -31,6 +32,11 @@ function createIssueOwnerPicker(issueCapture, documentRef, onChange) {
     me.value = '';
     me.textContent = 'Me';
     select.appendChild(me);
+    const noOwner = documentRef.createElement('option');
+    noOwner.value = NO_OWNER;
+    noOwner.textContent = 'No owner';
+    select.appendChild(noOwner);
+    if (selected.unassigned === true) select.value = NO_OWNER;
     if (selected.assignee) {
       const option = documentRef.createElement('option');
       option.value = selected.assignee;
@@ -53,7 +59,8 @@ function createIssueOwnerPicker(issueCapture, documentRef, onChange) {
       const owners = await loadOwners(repository);
       if (request !== ownerRequest || getRepository() !== repository) return;
       const selectedStillEligible = owners.some(owner => owner?.login === selected);
-      reset(repository, selectedStillEligible ? {assignee:selected, assigneeName:selectedName} : {});
+      reset(repository, selected === NO_OWNER ? {unassigned:true} :
+        (selectedStillEligible ? {assignee:selected, assigneeName:selectedName} : {}));
       owners.forEach(owner => {
         if (!owner?.login || owner.login === selected) return;
         const option = documentRef.createElement('option');
@@ -63,7 +70,8 @@ function createIssueOwnerPicker(issueCapture, documentRef, onChange) {
         select.appendChild(option);
       });
       select.dataset.repository = repository;
-      status.textContent = owners.length ? 'Choose yourself or an eligible teammate.' : 'No eligible teammates are available.';
+      status.textContent = owners.length ? 'Choose yourself, no owner, or an eligible teammate.' :
+        'Choose yourself or no owner; no eligible teammates are available.';
     } catch (_error) {
       if (request !== ownerRequest || getRepository() !== repository) return;
       status.textContent = 'Teammates could not be loaded. The issue will stay assigned to you.';
@@ -72,17 +80,21 @@ function createIssueOwnerPicker(issueCapture, documentRef, onChange) {
   function updateActions(hasRepository, hasBlockers, canStart) {
     const submit = documentRef.querySelector('#submit-new-issue');
     const start = documentRef.querySelector('#create-and-start-issue');
-    const hasTeammateOwner = Boolean(select.value);
+    const hasNoOwner = select.value === NO_OWNER;
+    const hasTeammateOwner = Boolean(select.value) && !hasNoOwner;
     submit.disabled = !hasRepository;
-    submit.textContent = hasTeammateOwner ? 'Create & assign' : 'Create & assign to me';
-    start.disabled = !hasRepository || hasBlockers || hasTeammateOwner || !canStart;
+    submit.textContent = hasNoOwner ? 'Create unassigned' :
+      (hasTeammateOwner ? 'Create & assign' : 'Create & assign to me');
+    start.disabled = !hasRepository || hasBlockers || hasTeammateOwner || hasNoOwner || !canStart;
     start.title = hasBlockers ? 'Blocked work cannot start until its blockers are complete.' :
-      (hasTeammateOwner ? 'Work assigned to a teammate cannot be added to your Today queue.' : '');
+      (hasNoOwner ? 'No owner work cannot be added to your Today queue.' :
+        (hasTeammateOwner ? 'Work assigned to a teammate cannot be added to your Today queue.' : ''));
   }
   function fields() {
     return {
-      assignee: select.value,
-      assigneeName: select.selectedOptions?.[0]?.dataset.name || '',
+      assignee: select.value === NO_OWNER ? '' : select.value,
+      assigneeName: select.value === NO_OWNER ? '' : (select.selectedOptions?.[0]?.dataset.name || ''),
+      unassigned: select.value === NO_OWNER,
     };
   }
   function draft(labelIds, blockers, trim = false) {
@@ -152,6 +164,7 @@ function createIssueCapture({ fetchJson, storage, createOperationId = newIssueOp
         labelIds: safeLabelIds(parsed.labelIds),
         operationId: String(parsed.operationId || '').slice(0, 128),
       };
+      if (parsed.unassigned === true) draft.unassigned = true;
       if (typeof parsed.templateName === 'string' && parsed.templateName.trim()) {
         draft.templateName = parsed.templateName.trim().slice(0, 80);
         draft.templateId = String(parsed.templateId || '').slice(0, 80);
@@ -187,12 +200,13 @@ function createIssueCapture({ fetchJson, storage, createOperationId = newIssueOp
       body: String(draft?.body || ''),
       labelIds: safeLabelIds(draft?.labelIds),
     };
+    if (draft?.unassigned === true) safe.unassigned = true;
     if (typeof draft?.templateName === 'string' && draft.templateName.trim()) {
       safe.templateName = draft.templateName.trim().slice(0, 80);
       safe.templateId = String(draft.templateId || '').slice(0, 80);
       safe.capturedBody = String(draft.capturedBody || '').slice(0, 10000);
     }
-    const assignee = safeAssignee(draft?.assignee);
+    const assignee = safe.unassigned ? '' : safeAssignee(draft?.assignee);
     if (assignee) {
       safe.assignee = assignee;
       safe.assigneeName = String(draft?.assigneeName || assignee).replace(/\s+/g, ' ').trim().slice(0, 255);
@@ -203,7 +217,7 @@ function createIssueCapture({ fetchJson, storage, createOperationId = newIssueOp
     if (dueDate) safe.dueDate = dueDate;
     const blockers = safeBlockers(draft?.blockers);
     if (blockers.length) safe.blockers = blockers;
-    const unchanged = ['repository', 'title', 'body', 'milestoneId', 'dueDate', 'assignee', 'assigneeName',
+    const unchanged = ['repository', 'title', 'body', 'milestoneId', 'dueDate', 'assignee', 'assigneeName', 'unassigned',
       'templateName', 'templateId', 'capturedBody']
       .every(key => (previous[key] || '') === (safe[key] || '')) &&
       JSON.stringify(previous.labelIds) === JSON.stringify(safe.labelIds) &&
@@ -677,6 +691,7 @@ function createIssueCapture({ fetchJson, storage, createOperationId = newIssueOp
       },
       body: JSON.stringify({
         title: saved.title, body: saved.body, label_ids: saved.labelIds,
+        ...(saved.unassigned ? {unassigned:true} : {}),
         ...(saved.assignee ? {assignee: saved.assignee} : {}),
         ...(saved.milestoneId ? {milestone_id: saved.milestoneId} : {}),
         ...(saved.dueDate ? {due_date: saved.dueDate + 'T23:59:59Z'} : {}),
diff --git a/frontend/index.html b/frontend/index.html
index 57887ea..d832088 100644
--- a/frontend/index.html
+++ b/frontend/index.html
@@ -806,6 +806,7 @@
       <label class="create-issue-owner" for="create-issue-assignee">Owner
         <select id="create-issue-assignee" aria-describedby="create-issue-assignee-status">
           <option value="">Me</option>
+          <option value="__unassigned__">No owner</option>
         </select>
         <span id="create-issue-assignee-status" class="small" aria-live="polite">Open the owner picker to load eligible teammates.</span>
       </label>
diff --git a/frontend/issue-filing-review.js b/frontend/issue-filing-review.js
index 4d4f897..2952973 100644
--- a/frontend/issue-filing-review.js
+++ b/frontend/issue-filing-review.js
@@ -97,16 +97,17 @@
     function render(payload) {
       const draft = payload.draft;
       options.repository.textContent = draft.repository || 'No repository';
-      options.intent.textContent = INTENT_LABELS[payload.intent] || payload.intent;
+      options.intent.textContent = draft.unassigned === true ? 'Create unassigned' :
+        (INTENT_LABELS[payload.intent] || payload.intent);
       if (options.issueType) options.issueType.textContent = draft.templateName || 'Blank issue';
       options.title.textContent = draft.title;
       options.body.textContent = draft.body || 'No note provided.';
       const labels = (draft.labels || []).map(label => typeof label === 'string' ? label : label.name);
       const milestone = draft.milestone?.title || draft.milestoneTitle || 'No milestone';
       const dueDate = draft.dueDate || draft.due_date || 'No due date';
-      const owner = draft.assignee
+      const owner = draft.unassigned === true ? 'Owner: No owner' : (draft.assignee
         ? 'Owner: ' + (draft.assigneeName || draft.assignee) + ' (@' + draft.assignee + ')'
-        : 'Assigned to you';
+        : 'Assigned to you');
       const planning = [];
       if (Number.isInteger(draft.estimateMinutes)) {
         planning.push('Estimate: ' + draft.estimateMinutes + ' min');
diff --git a/frontend/issue-outbox.js b/frontend/issue-outbox.js
index bcab870..4cc3472 100644
--- a/frontend/issue-outbox.js
+++ b/frontend/issue-outbox.js
@@ -49,6 +49,11 @@ function createIssueOutbox({ storage, fetchJson, coordinator, backgroundSync, ge
     return blockers.length ? blockers : undefined;
   }
 
+  function captureEstimate(value) {
+    const estimate = Number(value);
+    return Number.isInteger(estimate) && estimate >= 5 && estimate <= 1440 ? estimate : undefined;
+  }
+
   function read() {
     try {
       const record = JSON.parse(storage?.getItem(storageKey) || 'null');
@@ -89,14 +94,12 @@ function createIssueOutbox({ storage, fetchJson, coordinator, backgroundSync, ge
       item.assignee = assignee;
       item.assigneeName = String(draft?.assigneeName || assignee).replace(/\s+/g, ' ').trim().slice(0, 255);
     }
+    if (draft?.unassigned === true) item.unassigned = true;
     const sourceCaptureId = String(draft?.sourceCaptureId || '').trim().slice(0, 128);
     if (sourceCaptureId) item.sourceCaptureId = sourceCaptureId;
-    if (draft?.completionIntent === 'create-and-start' && !assignee) {
+    if (draft?.completionIntent === 'create-and-start' && !assignee && !item.unassigned) {
       item.completionIntent = 'create-and-start';
-      const estimateMinutes = Number(draft?.estimateMinutes);
-      if (Number.isInteger(estimateMinutes) && estimateMinutes >= 5 && estimateMinutes <= 1440) {
-        item.estimateMinutes = estimateMinutes;
-      }
+      item.estimateMinutes = captureEstimate(draft?.estimateMinutes);
     }
     const attachment = captureAttachment(draft?.attachment);
     if (attachment) item.attachment = attachment;
@@ -200,62 +203,58 @@ function createIssueOutbox({ storage, fetchJson, coordinator, backgroundSync, ge
     let updated = null;
     const items = read().map(item => {
       if (item.id !== id) return item;
-      const nextRepository = String(draft?.repository || '');
-      const nextTitle = String(draft?.title || '');
-      const nextBody = String(draft?.body || '');
-      const nextLabelIds = Array.isArray(draft?.labelIds) ? draft.labelIds.filter(Number.isInteger).slice(0, 20) : [];
-      const nextAssignee = /^[A-Za-z0-9_.-]+$/.test(String(draft?.assignee || ''))
+      const repository = String(draft?.repository || '');
+      const title = String(draft?.title || '');
+      const body = String(draft?.body || '');
+      const labelIds = Array.isArray(draft?.labelIds) ? draft.labelIds.filter(Number.isInteger).slice(0, 20) : [];
+      const unassigned = draft?.unassigned === true;
+      const assignee = !unassigned && /^[A-Za-z0-9_.-]+$/.test(String(draft?.assignee || ''))
         ? String(draft.assignee) : undefined;
-      const nextAssigneeName = nextAssignee
-        ? String(draft?.assigneeName || nextAssignee).replace(/\s+/g, ' ').trim().slice(0, 255)
+      const assigneeName = assignee
+        ? String(draft?.assigneeName || assignee).replace(/\s+/g, ' ').trim().slice(0, 255)
         : undefined;
-      const nextMilestoneId = Number.isInteger(Number(draft?.milestoneId)) && Number(draft.milestoneId) > 0
+      const milestoneId = Number.isInteger(Number(draft?.milestoneId)) && Number(draft.milestoneId) > 0
         ? Number(draft.milestoneId) : undefined;
-      const nextDueDate = /^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}$/.test(String(draft?.dueDate || ''))
+      const dueDate = /^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}$/.test(String(draft?.dueDate || ''))
         ? String(draft.dueDate) : undefined;
-      const nextAttachment = captureAttachment(draft?.attachment);
-      const nextAttachments = captureAttachments(draft?.attachments);
-      const nextBlockers = captureBlockers(draft?.blockers);
-      const attachmentChanged = JSON.stringify(item.attachment || null) !== JSON.stringify(nextAttachment || null) ||
-        JSON.stringify(item.attachments || null) !== JSON.stringify(nextAttachments || null);
-      const changed = item.repository !== nextRepository || item.title !== nextTitle || item.body !== nextBody
-        || JSON.stringify(item.labelIds || []) !== JSON.stringify(nextLabelIds)
-        || item.assignee !== nextAssignee || item.assigneeName !== nextAssigneeName
-        || item.milestoneId !== nextMilestoneId || item.dueDate !== nextDueDate
-        || item.estimateMinutes !== (() => {
-          const value = Number(draft?.estimateMinutes);
-          return Number.isInteger(value) && value >= 5 && value <= 1440 ? value : undefined;
-        })()
-        || attachmentChanged || JSON.stringify(item.blockers || null) !== JSON.stringify(nextBlockers || null);
+      const attachment = captureAttachment(draft?.attachment);
+      const attachments = captureAttachments(draft?.attachments);
+      const blockers = captureBlockers(draft?.blockers);
+      const attachmentChanged = JSON.stringify(item.attachment || null) !== JSON.stringify(attachment || null) ||
+        JSON.stringify(item.attachments || null) !== JSON.stringify(attachments || null);
+      const changed = item.repository !== repository || item.title !== title || item.body !== body
+        || JSON.stringify(item.labelIds || []) !== JSON.stringify(labelIds)
+        || Boolean(item.unassigned) !== unassigned
+        || item.assignee !== assignee || item.assigneeName !== assigneeName
+        || item.milestoneId !== milestoneId || item.dueDate !== dueDate
+        || item.estimateMinutes !== captureEstimate(draft?.estimateMinutes)
+        || attachmentChanged || JSON.stringify(item.blockers || null) !== JSON.stringify(blockers || null);
       updated = {
         ...item,
-        repository: nextRepository, title: nextTitle,
-        body: nextBody, labelIds: nextLabelIds,
-        assignee: nextAssignee, assigneeName: nextAssigneeName,
-        milestoneId: nextMilestoneId, dueDate: nextDueDate,
-        attachment: nextAttachment, attachments:nextAttachments, blockers:nextBlockers,
+        repository, title, body, labelIds,
+        unassigned: unassigned || undefined,
+        assignee, assigneeName, milestoneId, dueDate,
+        attachment, attachments, blockers,
         operationId: changed ? String(operationId()).slice(0, 128) : item.operationId,
         status: 'queued',
       };
-      if (draft?.completionIntent === 'create-and-start' && !nextAssignee) {
+      if (draft?.completionIntent === 'create-and-start' && !assignee && !unassigned) {
         updated.completionIntent = 'create-and-start';
-        const estimateMinutes = Number(draft?.estimateMinutes);
-        if (Number.isInteger(estimateMinutes) && estimateMinutes >= 5 && estimateMinutes <= 1440) {
-          updated.estimateMinutes = estimateMinutes;
-        } else delete updated.estimateMinutes;
+        updated.estimateMinutes = captureEstimate(draft?.estimateMinutes);
       } else {
         delete updated.completionIntent;
         delete updated.estimateMinutes;
       }
-      if (nextAssignee === undefined) {
+      if (assignee === undefined) {
         delete updated.assignee;
         delete updated.assigneeName;
       }
-      if (nextMilestoneId === undefined) delete updated.milestoneId;
-      if (nextDueDate === undefined) delete updated.dueDate;
-      if (nextAttachment === undefined) delete updated.attachment;
-      if (nextAttachments === undefined) delete updated.attachments;
-      if (nextBlockers === undefined) delete updated.blockers;
+      if (!unassigned) delete updated.unassigned;
+      if (milestoneId === undefined) delete updated.milestoneId;
+      if (dueDate === undefined) delete updated.dueDate;
+      if (attachment === undefined) delete updated.attachment;
+      if (attachments === undefined) delete updated.attachments;
+      if (blockers === undefined) delete updated.blockers;
       if (attachmentChanged) {
         delete updated.attachmentMarkdown;
         delete updated.attachmentMarkdowns;
@@ -340,6 +339,7 @@ function createIssueOutbox({ storage, fetchJson, coordinator, backgroundSync, ge
         },
         body: JSON.stringify({
           title: item.title, body: item.body, label_ids: item.labelIds,
+          ...(item.unassigned ? { unassigned: true } : {}),
           ...(item.assignee ? { assignee: item.assignee } : {}),
           ...(item.milestoneId ? { milestone_id: item.milestoneId } : {}),
           ...(item.dueDate ? { due_date: item.dueDate + 'T23:59:59Z' } : {}),
diff --git a/src/gitea_proxy.py b/src/gitea_proxy.py
index 822e416..7c2814e 100644
--- a/src/gitea_proxy.py
+++ b/src/gitea_proxy.py
@@ -1469,12 +1469,14 @@ async def create_issue(
     repository: str,
     title: str,
     body: str,
-    assignee: str,
+    assignee: str | None,
     label_ids: list[int] | None = None,
     milestone_id: int | None = None,
     due_date: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
-    payload: dict = {"title": title, "body": body, "assignee": assignee}
+    payload: dict = {"title": title, "body": body}
+    if assignee is not None:
+        payload["assignee"] = assignee
     if label_ids:
         payload["labels"] = label_ids
     if milestone_id is not None:
@@ -1497,7 +1499,8 @@ async def create_issue(
         for item in assignees
         if isinstance(item, dict) and isinstance(item.get("login"), str)
     ]
-    if confirmed_assignees != [assignee]:
+    expected_assignees = [assignee] if assignee is not None else []
+    if confirmed_assignees != expected_assignees:
         raise ValueError(
             "Gitea did not confirm self-assignment or exact issue assignment"
         )
diff --git a/src/main.py b/src/main.py
index ab6fde9..0a4b627 100644
--- a/src/main.py
+++ b/src/main.py
@@ -742,6 +742,7 @@ def _validate_binary_attachment(filename: str, content_type: str, content: bytes
 class IssueCreation(BaseModel):
     title: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=255)
     body: str = Field(default="", max_length=10_000)
+    unassigned: bool = False
     assignee: str | None = Field(
         default=None, pattern=r"^[A-Za-z0-9_.-]+$", max_length=255
     )
@@ -766,6 +767,12 @@ class IssueCreation(BaseModel):
     def strip_issue_body(cls, value: str) -> str:
         return value.strip()
 
+    @model_validator(mode="after")
+    def require_one_owner_intent(self):
+        if self.unassigned and self.assignee is not None:
+            raise ValueError("assignee and unassigned cannot be requested together")
+        return self
+
     @field_validator("due_date")
     @classmethod
     def validate_due_date(cls, value: str | None) -> str | None:
@@ -4717,8 +4724,8 @@ async def create_assigned_issue(
         login = user.get("login") if isinstance(user, dict) else None
         if not login or accessible is None:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Repository not found")
-        assignee = login
-        if creation.assignee and creation.assignee != login:
+        assignee = None if creation.unassigned else login
+        if not creation.unassigned and creation.assignee and creation.assignee != login:
             eligible = {
                 item["login"]
                 for item in await gitea_proxy.issue_handoff_candidates(repository)
@@ -4772,6 +4779,7 @@ async def create_assigned_issue(
                 creation.title,
                 creation.body,
                 creation.assignee,
+                creation.unassigned,
                 tuple(creation.label_ids),
                 creation.milestone_id,
                 creation.due_date,
diff --git a/tests/test_background_issue_sync.py b/tests/test_background_issue_sync.py
index 2878089..a4eae9b 100644
--- a/tests/test_background_issue_sync.py
+++ b/tests/test_background_issue_sync.py
@@ -64,6 +64,20 @@ const fetchJson = async (url, options = {{}}) => {{
     }
 
 
+def test_closed_app_sync_preserves_explicit_no_owner():
+    script = f"""
+const createBackgroundIssueSync=require({json.dumps(str(SYNC))});
+let item={{id:'unowned-1',operationId:'unowned-1',ownerLogin:'timmy',status:'queued',repository:'o/r',title:'Backlog capture',body:'',labelIds:[],unassigned:true}};
+const calls=[];const store={{claimNext:async()=>item,complete:async()=>{{item=null;}},release:async()=>{{}},fail:async()=>{{}}}};
+const fetchJson=async(url,options={{}})=>{{calls.push({{url,body:options.body||''}});return url==='api/v1/background-identity'?{{login:'timmy'}}:{{repository:'o/r',number:19,assignees:[]}};}};
+(async()=>{{await createBackgroundIssueSync({{store,fetchJson}}).flush();process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify(calls));}})();
+"""
+    calls = run_node(script)
+    assert json.loads(calls[1]["body"]) == {
+        "title": "Backlog capture", "body": "", "label_ids": [], "unassigned": True
+    }
+
+
 def test_closed_app_sync_delivers_desired_blocker_state():
     script = f"""
 const createBackgroundIssueSync = require({json.dumps(str(SYNC))});
diff --git a/tests/test_issue_api.py b/tests/test_issue_api.py
index 9a39e3b..7a87dd8 100644
--- a/tests/test_issue_api.py
+++ b/tests/test_issue_api.py
@@ -769,6 +769,49 @@ async def test_create_issue_endpoint_validates_and_assigns_selected_initial_owne
     assert calls == [("stackchain/api", "Delegate at capture", "alex")]
 
 
+@pytest.mark.anyio
+async def test_create_issue_endpoint_preserves_explicit_no_owner(monkeypatch):
+    calls = []
+
+    async def user():
+        return {"login": "timmy"}
+
+    async def access(repository):
+        return {"full_name": repository}
+
+    async def create(repository, title, body, assignee, label_ids):
+        calls.append((repository, title, assignee))
+        return {"number": 19, "repository": repository, "assignees": []}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main.gitea_proxy, "current_user", user)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main.gitea_proxy, "repository_access", access)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main.gitea_proxy, "create_issue", create)
+    transport = httpx.ASGITransport(app=main.app)
+    async with httpx.AsyncClient(transport=transport, base_url="http://test") as client:
+        response = await client.post(
+            "/api/v1/repos/stackchain/api/issues",
+            json={"title": "Backlog capture", "unassigned": True},
+        )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 201
+    assert response.json()["assignees"] == []
+    assert calls == [("stackchain/api", "Backlog capture", None)]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.anyio
+async def test_create_issue_endpoint_rejects_named_and_no_owner_together():
+    transport = httpx.ASGITransport(app=main.app)
+    async with httpx.AsyncClient(transport=transport, base_url="http://test") as client:
+        response = await client.post(
+            "/api/v1/repos/stackchain/api/issues",
+            json={"title": "Contradictory owner", "unassigned": True, "assignee": "alex"},
+        )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 422
+    assert "assignee" in response.text
+    assert "unassigned" in response.text
+
+
 @pytest.mark.anyio
 async def test_initial_owner_candidates_require_repository_access_and_are_bounded(monkeypatch):
     async def access(repository):
@@ -1290,6 +1333,33 @@ async def test_gitea_create_issue_posts_self_assignment_and_normalizes_confirmat
     assert result["labels"] == ["P0"]
 
 
+@pytest.mark.anyio
+async def test_gitea_create_issue_omits_assignment_and_confirms_no_owner():
+    requests = []
+
+    async def handler(request):
+        requests.append(request)
+        return httpx.Response(201, json={
+            "id": 83, "number": 19, "title": "Backlog capture", "state": "open",
+            "updated_at": "2026-08-07T03:00:00Z",
+            "html_url": "https://forge.example/stackchain/api/issues/19",
+            "assignees": [], "labels": [],
+        })
+
+    gitea_proxy.start_client(transport=httpx.MockTransport(handler))
+    try:
+        result = await gitea_proxy.create_issue(
+            "stackchain/api", "Backlog capture", "Context", None, []
+        )
+    finally:
+        await gitea_proxy.stop_client()
+
+    assert json.loads(requests[0].content) == {
+        "title": "Backlog capture", "body": "Context"
+    }
+    assert result["assignees"] == []
+
+
 @pytest.mark.anyio
 async def test_gitea_create_issue_requires_exact_selected_initial_owner():
     async def handler(_request):
diff --git a/tests/test_issue_filing_review.py b/tests/test_issue_filing_review.py
index 778fab6..5640f9a 100644
--- a/tests/test_issue_filing_review.py
+++ b/tests/test_issue_filing_review.py
@@ -99,6 +99,22 @@ process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({{metadata:metadata.textContent}}));
     assert run_node(script)["metadata"].endswith("Owner: Alex (@alex)")
 
 
+def test_review_names_explicit_no_owner():
+    script = f"""
+const createReview=require({json.dumps(str(MODULE))});
+function target(){{return{{hidden:true,disabled:false,textContent:'',addEventListener:()=>{{}},replaceChildren:()=>{{}},focus:()=>{{}}}};}}
+const metadata=target(),intent=target();
+const review=createReview({{sheet:target(),confirmButton:target(),backButton:target(),evidenceList:target(),
+  repository:target(),intent,title:target(),body:target(),metadata,
+  document:{{createElement:()=>target(),addEventListener:()=>{{}}}},onConfirm:async()=>{{}}}});
+review.open({{draft:{{repository:'o/r',title:'Backlog capture',unassigned:true}},intent:'create-and-assign'}},target());
+process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({{metadata:metadata.textContent,intent:intent.textContent}}));
+"""
+    output = run_node(script)
+    assert output["metadata"].endswith("Owner: No owner")
+    assert output["intent"] == "Create unassigned"
+
+
 def test_review_names_the_repository_issue_type():
     script = f"""
 const createReview=require({json.dumps(str(MODULE))});
diff --git a/tests/test_issue_outbox.py b/tests/test_issue_outbox.py
index d660644..3db2ad5 100644
--- a/tests/test_issue_outbox.py
+++ b/tests/test_issue_outbox.py
@@ -89,6 +89,24 @@ const queued=outbox.enqueue({{repository:'o/r',title:'Delegate',assignee:'alex',
     }]
 
 
+def test_issue_outbox_preserves_no_owner_and_delivers_unassigned_intent():
+    script = f"""
+const createIssueOutbox=require({json.dumps(str(OUTBOX))});
+const values=new Map();const calls=[];
+const storage={{getItem:k=>values.get(k)||null,setItem:(k,v)=>values.set(k,v),removeItem:k=>values.delete(k)}};
+const outbox=createIssueOutbox({{storage,getOwnerLogin:()=>'timmy',createOperationId:()=>'unowned-outbox',fetchJson:async(url,options)=>{{calls.push(JSON.parse(options.body));return{{number:19,assignees:[]}};}}}});
+const queued=outbox.enqueue({{repository:'o/r',title:'Backlog capture',unassigned:true,completionIntent:'create-and-start'}});
+(async()=>{{await outbox.flush('timmy');process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({{queued,calls}}));}})();
+"""
+    output = run_node(script)
+
+    assert output["queued"]["unassigned"] is True
+    assert "completionIntent" not in output["queued"]
+    assert output["calls"] == [{
+        "title": "Backlog capture", "body": "", "label_ids": [], "unassigned": True
+    }]
+
+
 def test_editing_queued_issue_can_return_initial_owner_to_self():
     script = f"""
 const createIssueOutbox=require({json.dumps(str(OUTBOX))});
@@ -105,6 +123,23 @@ process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify(updated));
     assert output["operationId"] != "1"
 
 
+def test_editing_queued_no_owner_to_self_rotates_delivery_and_allows_start():
+    script = f"""
+const createIssueOutbox=require({json.dumps(str(OUTBOX))});
+const values=new Map();const storage={{getItem:k=>values.get(k)||null,setItem:(k,v)=>values.set(k,v)}};
+let id=0;const outbox=createIssueOutbox({{storage,getOwnerLogin:()=>'timmy',createOperationId:()=>String(++id)}});
+const queued=outbox.enqueue({{repository:'o/r',title:'Backlog',unassigned:true}});
+const updated=outbox.update(queued.id,{{...queued,unassigned:false,completionIntent:'create-and-start',estimateMinutes:30}});
+process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({{queued,updated}}));
+"""
+    output = run_node(script)
+    assert output["queued"]["unassigned"] is True
+    assert "unassigned" not in output["updated"]
+    assert output["updated"]["completionIntent"] == "create-and-start"
+    assert output["updated"]["estimateMinutes"] == 30
+    assert output["updated"]["operationId"] != output["queued"]["operationId"]
+
+
 def test_create_and_start_estimate_survives_outbox_delivery_and_completion():
     script = f"""
 const createIssueOutbox=require({json.dumps(str(OUTBOX))});
diff --git a/tests/test_my_work.py b/tests/test_my_work.py
index 54bb704..5785744 100644
--- a/tests/test_my_work.py
+++ b/tests/test_my_work.py
@@ -4072,6 +4072,25 @@ capture.saveDraft({{repository:'o/r',title:'Delegate',body:'Context',labelIds:[]
     assert json.loads(output["calls"][-1]["body"])["assignee"] == "alex"
 
 
+def test_issue_capture_persists_and_sends_explicit_no_owner():
+    script = f"""
+const createIssueCapture=require({json.dumps(str(CREATE_ISSUE_SHEET))});
+const values=new Map();const calls=[];
+const storage={{getItem:k=>values.get(k)||null,setItem:(k,v)=>values.set(k,v),removeItem:k=>values.delete(k)}};
+const capture=createIssueCapture({{storage,createOperationId:()=>'unowned-op',fetchJson:async(url,options)=>{{calls.push(JSON.parse(options.body));return{{number:19,assignees:[]}};}}}});
+capture.saveDraft({{repository:'o/r',title:'Backlog capture',body:'Context',labelIds:[],unassigned:true}});
+(async()=>{{const draft=capture.loadDraft();await capture.submit(draft);process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({{draft,calls}}));}})();
+"""
+    output = json.loads(subprocess.run(
+        ["node", "-e", script], check=True, capture_output=True, text=True
+    ).stdout)
+
+    assert output["draft"]["unassigned"] is True
+    assert output["calls"] == [{
+        "title": "Backlog capture", "body": "Context", "label_ids": [], "unassigned": True
+    }]
+
+
 def test_issue_capture_applies_and_switches_repository_templates_without_losing_authored_work():
     script = f"""
 const createIssueCapture=require({json.dumps(str(CREATE_ISSUE_SHEET))});
@@ -4122,7 +4141,35 @@ const picker=createIssueCapture.createOwnerPicker(capture,documentRef,()=>{{}});
     output = json.loads(subprocess.run(
         ["node", "-e", script], check=True, capture_output=True, text=True
     ).stdout)
-    assert output == ["", "new"]
+    assert output == ["", "__unassigned__", "new"]
+
+
+def test_initial_owner_picker_exposes_no_owner_and_disables_start():
+    script = f"""
+const createIssueCapture=require({json.dumps(str(CREATE_ISSUE_SHEET))});
+function select(){{return{{value:'',dataset:{{}},children:[],selectedOptions:[],
+  replaceChildren(){{this.children=[];this.value='';this.selectedOptions=[];}},
+  appendChild(option){{this.children.push(option);}},addEventListener:()=>{{}}}};}}
+const owner=select(),status={{textContent:''}},repo={{value:'o/r'}};
+const submit={{disabled:false,textContent:''}},start={{disabled:false,title:''}};
+const documentRef={{querySelector:id=>({{
+  '#create-issue-assignee':owner,'#create-issue-assignee-status':status,
+  '#create-issue-repository':repo,'#submit-new-issue':submit,'#create-and-start-issue':start,
+}}[id]),createElement:()=>({{value:'',textContent:'',dataset:{{}}}})}};
+const picker=createIssueCapture.createOwnerPicker({{loadOwners:async()=>[]}},documentRef,()=>{{}});
+picker.reset('o/r',{{unassigned:true}});owner.value='__unassigned__';
+picker.updateActions(true,false,true);
+process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({{options:owner.children.map(option=>[option.value,option.textContent]),fields:picker.fields(),submit,start}}));
+"""
+    output = json.loads(subprocess.run(
+        ["node", "-e", script], check=True, capture_output=True, text=True
+    ).stdout)
+
+    assert output["options"] == [["", "Me"], ["__unassigned__", "No owner"]]
+    assert output["fields"] == {"assignee": "", "assigneeName": "", "unassigned": True}
+    assert output["submit"]["textContent"] == "Create unassigned"
+    assert output["start"]["disabled"] is True
+    assert "No owner" in output["start"]["title"]
 
 
 @pytest.mark.anyio
@@ -4146,6 +4193,7 @@ async def test_mobile_issue_capture_lazily_selects_an_initial_owner():
     html = await dashboard()
     assert 'id="create-issue-assignee"' in html
     assert '<option value="">Me</option>' in html
+    assert '<option value="__unassigned__">No owner</option>' in html
     assert 'id="create-issue-assignee-status" class="small" aria-live="polite"' in html
     assert "createIssueCapture.createOwnerPicker(issueCapture, document," in html
     assert "() => { saveIssueCaptureDraft(); updateIssueCreateActions(); });" in html