diff --git a/scripts/lab_loop.py b/scripts/lab_loop.py
index cc0fbb2..6ab7b52 100644
--- a/scripts/lab_loop.py
+++ b/scripts/lab_loop.py
@@ -73,6 +73,11 @@ class Gitea:
             {"labels": [label_map[name] for name in sorted(names)]},
         )
 
+    def set_assignee(self, number: int, agent: str) -> None:
+        if agent not in AGENTS:
+            raise LoopError(f"Unsupported assignee: {agent}")
+        self.request("PATCH", f"/repos/{self.repo}/issues/{number}", {"assignee": agent})
+
     def comment(self, number: int, body: str) -> None:
         if not body.strip():
             raise LoopError("Refusing to post an empty comment")
@@ -163,6 +168,7 @@ def cmd_handoff(api: Gitea, agent: str, args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
     body = read_body(args, f"Continue the bounded task in issue #{args.number}.")
     api.comment(args.number, f"[HANDOFF] from={agent} to={args.to}\n\n{body.strip()}")
     api.set_labels(args.number, transition(names, agent=args.to, state="ready"))
+    api.set_assignee(args.number, args.to)
     verified = api.issue(args.number)
     validate_owner(verified, args.to, "ready")
     print(json.dumps({"status": "handed_off", "number": args.number, "from": agent, "to": args.to}))
diff --git a/scripts/open_daily_cycle.py b/scripts/open_daily_cycle.py
index 34b8a7f..8a3007d 100644
--- a/scripts/open_daily_cycle.py
+++ b/scripts/open_daily_cycle.py
@@ -86,7 +86,10 @@ def main() -> int:
     if missing:
         raise RuntimeError(f"Missing labels: {sorted(missing)}")
     request("POST", f"/repos/{REPO}/issues/{issue['number']}/comments", token, {"body": cycle_body(day)})
-    request("PATCH", f"/repos/{REPO}/issues/{issue['number']}", token, {"labels": [label_ids[name] for name in sorted(desired)]})
+    request("PATCH", f"/repos/{REPO}/issues/{issue['number']}", token, {
+        "labels": [label_ids[name] for name in sorted(desired)],
+        "assignee": "timmy",
+    })
     verified = request("GET", f"/repos/{REPO}/issues/{issue['number']}", token)
     names = {label["name"] for label in verified.get("labels", [])}
     if not {"agent:timmy", "state:ready", "series:daily-slop", "cadence:daily"}.issubset(names):