diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/Terminal.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/Terminal.tsx
index 1e212c8c66a..bb762fca72e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/Terminal.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/Terminal.tsx
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ import { resolveRepairedActiveTerminalTabId } from './terminal/active-terminal-r
 import { scheduleBackgroundTerminalWorktreeMeasure } from './terminal/background-terminal-worktree-visibility'
 import {
   applyBackgroundMountTabRestriction,
-  collectDeferredMountTabIds,
   planColdActivationTabDeferral,
   pruneClosedBackgroundMountTabs,
   revealActivationDeferredTabs,
@@ -85,6 +84,7 @@ import {
 import { getTerminalParkingPolicyOverrides } from './terminal-pane/terminal-parking-e2e-overrides'
 import {
   canWatcherCoverParkedTerminalTab,
+  disposeAllParkedTerminalWatchers,
   pruneParkedTerminalWatchers,
   shouldDeferParkedPtyExitTabClose,
   syncParkedTerminalTabWatchers
@@ -785,6 +785,10 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
   // wake/resume) must not instantiate a TerminalPane per saved tab. A worktree
   // absent from this map mounts all of its tabs.
   const backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef = useRef(new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>())
+  // Why: targeted background mounts share the allowed-tab map above, but only
+  // cold activation deferral should immediately create watcher coverage for
+  // every unmounted tab.
+  const activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef = useRef(new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>())
   // Why: the cold-activation deferral decision must run once per activation
   // transition, not on every re-render of an already-active worktree.
   const lastActivationWorktreeIdRef = useRef<string | null>(null)
@@ -799,6 +803,18 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
         worktreeId,
         detail.tabIds
       )
+      // Why: a targeted wake can reveal a tab that was deferred by an earlier
+      // user activation. Remove it from watcher ownership before its pane mounts.
+      const worktreeTabIds = (useAppStore.getState().tabsByWorktree[worktreeId] ?? []).map(
+        (tab) => tab.id
+      )
+      revealActivationDeferredTabs({
+        restrictions: backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current,
+        deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree: activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current,
+        worktreeId,
+        allTabIds: worktreeTabIds,
+        immediateTabIds: new Set(detail.tabIds ?? worktreeTabIds)
+      })
       scheduleBackgroundTerminalWorktreeMeasure({
         mountedWorktreeIds: mountedWorktreeIdsRef.current,
         measurableBackgroundWorktreeIds: measurableBackgroundWorktreeIdsRef.current,
@@ -1024,6 +1040,7 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
       const tabById = new Map(worktreeTabs.map((tab) => [tab.id, tab]))
       planColdActivationTabDeferral({
         restrictions: backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current,
+        deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree: activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current,
         worktreeId: renderedActiveWorktreeId,
         allTabIds: worktreeTabs.map((tab) => tab.id),
         isTabLive: hasRegisteredRuntimeTerminalTab,
@@ -1046,9 +1063,19 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
       // Why: flipping either kill switch while active must restore the eager
       // mount behavior immediately, not strand an old activation restriction.
       backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current.delete(renderedActiveWorktreeId)
+      activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current.delete(renderedActiveWorktreeId)
     } else {
+      // Why: tabs added after activation never passed the original coverage
+      // gate. Uncoverable/no-PTY tabs must mount now so they can spawn or keep
+      // their non-snapshot-backed live transport.
+      for (const tab of worktreeTabs) {
+        if (!canWatcherCoverParkedTerminalTab(renderedActiveWorktreeId, tab)) {
+          immediateTabIds.add(tab.id)
+        }
+      }
       revealActivationDeferredTabs({
         restrictions: backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current,
+        deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree: activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current,
         worktreeId: renderedActiveWorktreeId,
         allTabIds: worktreeTabs.map((tab) => tab.id),
         immediateTabIds
@@ -1063,7 +1090,8 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
   pruneClosedBackgroundMountTabs(
     backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current,
     mountedWorktreeIdsRef.current,
-    tabsByWorktree
+    tabsByWorktree,
+    activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current
   )
   // Prune IDs of worktrees that no longer exist (deleted/removed)
   const allWorktreeIds = new Set(workspaceSurfaces.map((workspace) => workspace.id))
@@ -1071,6 +1099,7 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
     if (!allWorktreeIds.has(id)) {
       mountedWorktreeIdsRef.current.delete(id)
       backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current.delete(id)
+      activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current.delete(id)
     }
   }
   const anyMountedWorktreeHasLayout = computeAnyMountedWorktreeHasLayout(
@@ -1115,16 +1144,14 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
             }
           }
         }
-        // Why: mount-restricted (activation-deferred / targeted-background)
-        // tabs are unmounted like parked ones; the same byte watchers own
-        // their side effects until first reveal.
-        deferredTabIds = collectDeferredMountTabIds(
-          backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current.get(workspace.id) ?? null,
-          tabs.map((tab) => tab.id)
-        )
+        // Why: activation-deferred tabs are unmounted like parked ones; the
+        // same byte watchers own their side effects until first reveal.
+        // Targeted restrictions keep their existing delayed parking policy.
+        deferredTabIds =
+          activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current.get(workspace.id) ?? null
         for (const tab of tabs) {
           if (
-            deferredTabIds.has(tab.id) &&
+            deferredTabIds?.has(tab.id) &&
             !parkedTabIds.has(tab.id) &&
             canWatcherCoverParkedTerminalTab(workspace.id, tab) &&
             !findActivityTerminalPortal(activityTerminalPortals, {
@@ -1152,19 +1179,25 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
     activeTabId,
     activeView,
     activityTerminalPortals,
+    activeTabIdByWorktree,
     anyMountedWorktreeHasLayout,
     backgroundMountRevision,
     getEffectiveLayoutForWorktree,
+    groupsByWorktree,
     parkedTerminalWorktreeIds,
+    pendingStartupByTabId,
     renderedActiveWorktreeId,
     tabsByWorktree,
+    terminalParkingEnabled,
+    terminalTitleSnapshotAuthorityEnabled,
+    workspaceSessionReady,
     workspaceSurfaces
   ])
   // Why: symmetric with useTerminalTabColdParking's unmount cleanup — when
   // the terminal host unmounts, no reconciliation effect will run again, so
   // dispose every remaining parked watcher here (overlay-layer children have
   // already disposed theirs by the time this parent cleanup runs).
-  useEffect(() => () => pruneParkedTerminalWatchers(new Set()), [])
+  useEffect(() => () => disposeAllParkedTerminalWatchers(), [])
   // Auto-create first tab when worktree activates
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!workspaceSessionReady) {
@@ -2219,6 +2252,9 @@ function Terminal(): React.JSX.Element | null {
                   backgroundMountTabIds={
                     backgroundMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current.get(workspace.id) ?? null
                   }
+                  activationDeferredMountTabIds={
+                    activationDeferredMountTabIdsByWorktreeRef.current.get(workspace.id) ?? null
+                  }
                 />
               )
             })}
@@ -2516,7 +2552,8 @@ const WorktreeSplitSurface = React.memo(function WorktreeSplitSurface({
   shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree,
   shouldColdParkTerminalPanes,
   activityTerminalPortals,
-  backgroundMountTabIds
+  backgroundMountTabIds,
+  activationDeferredMountTabIds
 }: {
   worktreeId: string
   worktreePath: string
@@ -2527,6 +2564,7 @@ const WorktreeSplitSurface = React.memo(function WorktreeSplitSurface({
   shouldColdParkTerminalPanes: boolean
   activityTerminalPortals: ActivityTerminalPortalTarget[]
   backgroundMountTabIds: ReadonlySet<string> | null
+  activationDeferredMountTabIds: ReadonlySet<string> | null
 }): React.JSX.Element {
   const browserPageIds = useAppStore(
     useShallow((state) =>
@@ -2569,6 +2607,7 @@ const WorktreeSplitSurface = React.memo(function WorktreeSplitSurface({
         shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree={shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree}
         activityTerminalPortals={activityTerminalPortals}
         backgroundMountTabIds={backgroundMountTabIds}
+        activationDeferredMountTabIds={activationDeferredMountTabIds}
       />
       {isVisible || backgroundMountTabIds === null ? (
         <>
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/TerminalPaneOverlayLayer.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/TerminalPaneOverlayLayer.tsx
index 35a1f61b32a..15db9323386 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/TerminalPaneOverlayLayer.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/TerminalPaneOverlayLayer.tsx
@@ -11,10 +11,7 @@ import {
 } from '../activity/activity-terminal-portal'
 import TerminalPane from './TerminalPane'
 import { closeTerminalTab } from '../terminal/terminal-tab-actions'
-import {
-  collectDeferredMountTabIds,
-  shouldMountBackgroundWorktreeTab
-} from '../terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount'
+import { shouldMountBackgroundWorktreeTab } from '../terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount'
 import { useNativeChatToggleShortcut } from '../native-chat/use-native-chat-toggle-shortcut'
 import { shouldDeferParkedPtyExitTabClose } from './terminal-parked-tab-watchers'
 import { useTerminalTabColdParking } from './use-terminal-tab-cold-parking'
@@ -64,7 +61,6 @@ type TerminalOverlaySlotProps = {
   activityTerminalPortal: ActivityTerminalPortalTarget | null
   onFocusOwningGroup: ((groupId: string) => void) | undefined
   consumeSuppressedPtyExit: (ptyId: string) => boolean
-  closeTab: (tabId: string) => void
   leaveWorktreeIfEmpty: () => void
 }
 
@@ -81,7 +77,6 @@ const TerminalOverlaySlot = memo(function TerminalOverlaySlot({
   activityTerminalPortal,
   onFocusOwningGroup,
   consumeSuppressedPtyExit,
-  closeTab,
   leaveWorktreeIfEmpty
 }: TerminalOverlaySlotProps): React.JSX.Element {
   const anchorName = groupId !== undefined ? tabGroupBodyAnchorName(groupId) : undefined
@@ -249,15 +244,13 @@ const TerminalOverlaySlot = memo(function TerminalOverlaySlot({
         if (shouldDeferParkedPtyExitTabClose(terminalTabId, ptyId)) {
           return
         }
-        closeTab(terminalTabId)
-        leaveWorktreeIfEmpty()
+        closeTerminalTab(terminalTabId, { onClosed: leaveWorktreeIfEmpty })
       }}
       onCloseTab={() => {
         // Why: route through closeTerminalTab (not the raw store closeTab) so a
         // pinned tab hits the confirmation guard. The overlay's direct
         // store.closeTab was the path that closed pinned terminals silently.
-        closeTerminalTab(terminalTabId)
-        leaveWorktreeIfEmpty()
+        closeTerminalTab(terminalTabId, { onClosed: leaveWorktreeIfEmpty })
       }}
     />
   )
@@ -293,7 +286,8 @@ const TerminalPaneOverlayLayer = memo(function TerminalPaneOverlayLayer({
   coldParkTerminalPanes = false,
   shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree = false,
   activityTerminalPortals = EMPTY_ACTIVITY_PORTALS,
-  backgroundMountTabIds = null
+  backgroundMountTabIds = null,
+  activationDeferredMountTabIds = null
 }: {
   worktreeId: string
   worktreePath: string
@@ -304,6 +298,9 @@ const TerminalPaneOverlayLayer = memo(function TerminalPaneOverlayLayer({
   /** Non-null for targeted background mounts: only these terminal tabs get a
    *  TerminalPane, so waking one slept agent does not connect every saved tab. */
   backgroundMountTabIds?: ReadonlySet<string> | null
+  /** Only cold-activation deferred tabs receive immediate parked watcher
+   *  coverage; targeted mounts keep their existing delayed parking policy. */
+  activationDeferredMountTabIds?: ReadonlySet<string> | null
 }): React.JSX.Element | null {
   const { terminalTabs, unifiedTabs, groups, activeGroupId } = useAppStore(
     useShallow((state) => ({
@@ -315,7 +312,6 @@ const TerminalPaneOverlayLayer = memo(function TerminalPaneOverlayLayer({
   )
   const focusGroup = useAppStore((state) => state.focusGroup)
   const consumeSuppressedPtyExit = useAppStore((state) => state.consumeSuppressedPtyExit)
-  const closeTab = useAppStore((state) => state.closeTab)
   const setActiveWorktree = useAppStore((state) => state.setActiveWorktree)
   const reconcileWorktreeTabModel = useAppStore((state) => state.reconcileWorktreeTabModel)
 
@@ -324,9 +320,8 @@ const TerminalPaneOverlayLayer = memo(function TerminalPaneOverlayLayer({
   // Why: legacy TabGroupPanel routed terminal closes through
   // commands.closeItem → leaveWorktreeIfEmpty, which deselected the worktree
   // when the last renderable tab closed and sent the user back to Landing.
-  // The overlay layer calls store.closeTab directly, so replicate that
-  // post-close check here; otherwise closing the last terminal leaves an
-  // empty TabGroupPanel body selected.
+  // Run this only after the guarded close resolves; a pending/cancelled pinned
+  // close must leave the worktree and paired-web mirror selected.
   const leaveWorktreeIfEmpty = useCallback(() => {
     const state = useAppStore.getState()
     if (state.activeWorktreeId !== worktreeId) {
@@ -366,16 +361,6 @@ const TerminalPaneOverlayLayer = memo(function TerminalPaneOverlayLayer({
     return entries
   }, [groupActiveTabById, unifiedTabs])
 
-  // Why: mount-restricted tabs render no pane (the filter below), so they
-  // need parked-watcher coverage exactly like cold-parked tabs.
-  const deferredMountTabIds = useMemo(
-    () =>
-      collectDeferredMountTabIds(
-        backgroundMountTabIds,
-        terminalTabs.map((tab) => tab.id)
-      ),
-    [backgroundMountTabIds, terminalTabs]
-  )
   const parkedTerminalTabIds = useTerminalTabColdParking({
     worktreeId,
     terminalTabs,
@@ -384,7 +369,7 @@ const TerminalPaneOverlayLayer = memo(function TerminalPaneOverlayLayer({
     coldParkTerminalPanes,
     shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree,
     activityTerminalPortals,
-    deferredMountTabIds
+    activationDeferredMountTabIds
   })
 
   if (!worktreePath) {
@@ -425,7 +410,6 @@ const TerminalPaneOverlayLayer = memo(function TerminalPaneOverlayLayer({
               activityTerminalPortal={activityTerminalPortal}
               onFocusOwningGroup={focusOwningGroup}
               consumeSuppressedPtyExit={consumeSuppressedPtyExit}
-              closeTab={closeTab}
               leaveWorktreeIfEmpty={leaveWorktreeIfEmpty}
             />
           )
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-connection.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-connection.test.ts
index 6c72e259c72..bb6425f338d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-connection.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-connection.test.ts
@@ -4957,6 +4957,7 @@ describe('connectPanePty', () => {
     connectPanePty(pane as never, manager as never, deps as never)
 
     capturedDataCallback.current?.('\x1b]133;D;130\x07thebr ~/repo $ ')
+    await flushAsyncTicks(1)
 
     expect(mockStoreState.dropAgentStatus).toHaveBeenCalledWith(paneKey)
     expect(mockStoreState.removeAgentStatus).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
@@ -4998,6 +4999,7 @@ describe('connectPanePty', () => {
       expect.objectContaining({ agentType: 'codex' })
     )
     capturedDataCallback.current?.('\x1b]133;D;130\x07thebr ~/repo $ ')
+    await flushAsyncTicks(1)
 
     expect(mockStoreState.clearAgentLaunchConfig).toHaveBeenCalledWith(paneKey)
     expect(mockStoreState.dropAgentStatus).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
@@ -7836,6 +7838,65 @@ describe('connectPanePty', () => {
     expect(transport.sendInput).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
+  it('renders the reattach snapshot before live bytes delivered during the spawn reply', async () => {
+    const { connectPanePty } = await import('./pty-connection')
+    const transport = createMockTransport('tab-pty')
+    transport.connect.mockImplementation(
+      async ({ sessionId, callbacks }: { sessionId?: string; callbacks?: ConnectCallbacks }) => {
+        if (!sessionId) {
+          return null
+        }
+        // Why: the real dispatcher drains bytes emitted after snapshot capture
+        // as soon as the spawn IPC resolves, before connect() returns.
+        callbacks?.onData?.('post-snapshot-live')
+        return { id: sessionId, snapshot: 'authoritative-snapshot' }
+      }
+    )
+    transportFactoryQueue.push(transport)
+    const pane = createPane(1)
+    const { writes } = captureCallbackTerminalWrites(pane)
+    const deps = createDeps({
+      restoredLeafId: LEAF_1,
+      restoredPtyIdByLeafId: { [LEAF_1]: 'tab-pty' }
+    })
+
+    connectPanePty(pane as never, createManager(1) as never, deps as never)
+    await flushAsyncTicks(20)
+
+    const snapshotIndex = writes.indexOf('authoritative-snapshot')
+    const liveIndex = writes.indexOf('post-snapshot-live')
+    expect(snapshotIndex).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(0)
+    expect(liveIndex).toBeGreaterThan(snapshotIndex)
+  })
+
+  it('does not fresh-spawn after a dead deferred session delivers its buffered exit', async () => {
+    const { connectPanePty } = await import('./pty-connection')
+    const transport = createMockTransport('tab-pty')
+    transport.connect.mockImplementation(
+      async ({ sessionId, callbacks }: { sessionId?: string; callbacks?: ConnectCallbacks }) => {
+        if (!sessionId) {
+          return 'unexpected-fresh-pty'
+        }
+        callbacks?.onData?.('dead-session-final-frame')
+        return { id: sessionId, exitedBeforeAttach: true }
+      }
+    )
+    transportFactoryQueue.push(transport)
+    const pane = createPane(1)
+    const { writes } = captureCallbackTerminalWrites(pane)
+    const deps = createDeps({
+      restoredLeafId: LEAF_1,
+      restoredPtyIdByLeafId: { [LEAF_1]: 'tab-pty' }
+    })
+
+    connectPanePty(pane as never, createManager(1) as never, deps as never)
+    await flushAsyncTicks(20)
+
+    expect(transport.connect).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(writes).toContain('dead-session-final-frame')
+    expect(deps.updateTabPtyId).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
   // Why: Phase 6 deleted the hidden-skip eligibility grammar. With the kill
   // switch off, EVERY hidden chunk — plain, control-heavy, rich glyphs,
   // synchronized frames, embedded queries — rides the bounded background
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-connection.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-connection.ts
index ae752d77d97..2294c8ef9d7 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-connection.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-connection.ts
@@ -3117,6 +3117,10 @@ export function connectPanePty(
   const hadExistingPaneTransportAtConnect = deps.paneTransportsRef.current.size > 0
   let lastTerminalInputAt = Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY
   let hasReceivedPtyOutput = false
+  let deferredReattachLiveData: { data: string; meta?: PtyDataMeta }[] | null = null
+  let deferredReattachLiveDataChars = 0
+  const MAX_DEFERRED_REATTACH_LIVE_CHARS = 512 * 1024
+  const MAX_DEFERRED_REATTACH_LIVE_CHUNKS = 1_024
   const markTerminalInputSent = (): void => {
     lastTerminalInputAt = performance.now()
   }
@@ -6275,6 +6279,26 @@ export function connectPanePty(
     }
 
     const dataCallback = (data: string, meta?: PtyDataMeta): void => {
+      if (deferredReattachLiveData !== null) {
+        deferredReattachLiveData.push({ data, ...(meta ? { meta } : {}) })
+        deferredReattachLiveDataChars += data.length
+        let dropped = false
+        while (
+          deferredReattachLiveData.length > MAX_DEFERRED_REATTACH_LIVE_CHUNKS ||
+          deferredReattachLiveDataChars > MAX_DEFERRED_REATTACH_LIVE_CHARS
+        ) {
+          const removed = deferredReattachLiveData.shift()
+          deferredReattachLiveDataChars -= removed?.data.length ?? 0
+          dropped = true
+        }
+        if (dropped && deferredReattachLiveData[0]) {
+          deferredReattachLiveData[0].meta = {
+            ...deferredReattachLiveData[0].meta,
+            droppedOutput: true
+          }
+        }
+        return
+      }
       if (data.length > 0) {
         hasReceivedPtyOutput = true
         recordAgentHibernationPaneOutput(cacheKey)
@@ -6464,17 +6488,44 @@ export function connectPanePty(
       }
     })
 
+    const beginReattachLiveDataDeferral = (): void => {
+      deferredReattachLiveData = []
+      deferredReattachLiveDataChars = 0
+    }
+
+    const finishReattachLiveDataDeferral = (deliver: boolean): void => {
+      const chunks = deferredReattachLiveData
+      deferredReattachLiveData = null
+      deferredReattachLiveDataChars = 0
+      if (!deliver || disposed || !chunks) {
+        return
+      }
+      // Why: createOrAttach snapshots precede bytes emitted before its IPC
+      // reply. Paint the authoritative replay first, then admit those live
+      // chunks so the replay clear cannot erase newer output.
+      for (const chunk of chunks) {
+        dataCallback(chunk.data, chunk.meta)
+      }
+    }
+
     const handleReattachResult = (
       result: PtyConnectResult | string | void,
       staleSessionId?: string | null,
       coldRestoreStartup?: ColdRestoreAgentResumeStartup | null
-    ): void => {
+    ): boolean => {
       if (disposed) {
-        return
+        return false
       }
       const connectResult =
         result && typeof result === 'object' && 'id' in result ? (result as PtyConnectResult) : null
 
+      if (connectResult?.exitedBeforeAttach) {
+        // Why: the transport already delivered the dead session's final frame
+        // and exit. Treat it as terminal state, not a failed reattach that
+        // should silently replace a cancelled pinned exit with a fresh shell.
+        return true
+      }
+
       const ptyId =
         connectResult?.id ?? (typeof result === 'string' ? result : transport.getPtyId())
       if (!ptyId) {
@@ -6498,7 +6549,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
         startFreshColdRestoreAgentResume(coldRestoreStartup, {
           forceBlankRestoredViewport: true
         })
-        return
+        return false
       }
       registerEffectiveLaunchConfig(connectResult?.launchConfig, {
         ...(coldRestoreStartup ? { launchToken: coldRestoreStartup.launchToken } : {}),
@@ -6523,7 +6574,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
         startFreshColdRestoreAgentResume(coldRestoreStartup, {
           forceBlankRestoredViewport: true
         })
-        return
+        return false
       }
       setPanePtyFitBinding(ptyId)
       reportPanePtyVisibility(ptyId, deps.isVisibleRef.current)
@@ -6673,6 +6724,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
       scheduleReattachIdleAgentCursorReset()
 
       scheduleRuntimeGraphSync()
+      return true
     }
 
     // Why: if this tab has a deferred SSH session ID, trigger the SSH
@@ -6867,6 +6919,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
             const coldRestoreStartup = buildColdRestoreAgentResumeStartup()
             clearPaneMode2031State()
             clearHiddenOutputRestoreState()
+            beginReattachLiveDataDeferral()
             const reattachPromise = transport.connect({
               url: '',
               cols,
@@ -6908,6 +6961,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
                     : 'undefined'
                 )
                 if (!result && expiredReattachError) {
+                  finishReattachLiveDataDeferral(false)
                   const gen = await preSignalPromise
                   if (typeof gen === 'number') {
                     void window.api.pty.clearPendingPaneSerializer(cacheKey, gen).catch(() => {})
@@ -6922,7 +6976,8 @@ export function connectPanePty(
                   })
                   return
                 }
-                handleReattachResult(result, pendingSessionId, coldRestoreStartup)
+                const accepted = handleReattachResult(result, pendingSessionId, coldRestoreStartup)
+                finishReattachLiveDataDeferral(accepted)
                 const gen = await preSignalPromise
                 if (typeof gen === 'number') {
                   if (!isRemoteRuntimePtyId(pendingSessionId)) {
@@ -6931,6 +6986,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
                 }
               })
               .catch(async (err) => {
+                finishReattachLiveDataDeferral(false)
                 const gen = await preSignalPromise
                 if (typeof gen === 'number') {
                   void window.api.pty.clearPendingPaneSerializer(cacheKey, gen).catch(() => {})
@@ -7053,6 +7109,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
 
       let expiredReattachError = false
       const coldRestoreStartup = buildColdRestoreAgentResumeStartup()
+      beginReattachLiveDataDeferral()
       const reattachPromise = transport.connect({
         url: '',
         cols,
@@ -7084,6 +7141,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
       void Promise.resolve(reattachPromise)
         .then(async (result) => {
           if (!result && expiredReattachError) {
+            finishReattachLiveDataDeferral(false)
             const gen = await preSignalPromise
             if (typeof gen === 'number') {
               void window.api.pty.clearPendingPaneSerializer(cacheKey, gen).catch(() => {})
@@ -7098,7 +7156,12 @@ export function connectPanePty(
             })
             return
           }
-          handleReattachResult(result, deferredReattachSessionId, coldRestoreStartup)
+          const accepted = handleReattachResult(
+            result,
+            deferredReattachSessionId,
+            coldRestoreStartup
+          )
+          finishReattachLiveDataDeferral(accepted)
           const gen = await preSignalPromise
           if (typeof gen === 'number') {
             if (!isRemoteRuntimePtyId(deferredReattachSessionId)) {
@@ -7107,6 +7170,7 @@ export function connectPanePty(
           }
         })
         .catch(async (err) => {
+          finishReattachLiveDataDeferral(false)
           const gen = await preSignalPromise
           if (typeof gen === 'number') {
             void window.api.pty.clearPendingPaneSerializer(cacheKey, gen).catch(() => {})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-dispatcher-pi-routing.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-dispatcher-pi-routing.test.ts
index 2df88ac2973..ae74fb79d34 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-dispatcher-pi-routing.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-dispatcher-pi-routing.test.ts
@@ -309,6 +309,31 @@ describe('dispatcher → transport → onTitleChange for Pi spinner', () => {
     transport.disconnect()
   })
 
+  it('preserves buffered live-session data when reconnect re-admits a consumed id', async () => {
+    const { consumePreHandlerPtyState } = await import('./pty-pre-handler-buffer')
+    const { createIpcPtyTransport } = await import('./pty-transport')
+    const { ensurePtyDispatcher } = await import('./pty-dispatcher')
+    const onData = vi.fn()
+
+    ensurePtyDispatcher()
+    consumePreHandlerPtyState('pty-persisted')
+    dispatcherCallback?.({ id: 'pty-persisted', data: 'live before pane\r\n', rawLength: 18 })
+    ;(window.api.pty.spawn as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockResolvedValueOnce({
+      id: 'pty-persisted',
+      isReattach: true
+    })
+
+    const transport = createIpcPtyTransport()
+    await transport.connect({
+      url: '',
+      sessionId: 'pty-persisted',
+      callbacks: { onData }
+    })
+
+    expect(onData).toHaveBeenCalledWith('live before pane\r\n', { rawLength: 18 })
+    transport.disconnect()
+  })
+
   it('replays pre-handler PTY data before a pre-handler exit', async () => {
     const { createIpcPtyTransport } = await import('./pty-transport')
     const events: string[] = []
@@ -320,7 +345,12 @@ describe('dispatcher → transport → onTitleChange for Pi spinner', () => {
       })
     )
 
-    const transport = createIpcPtyTransport()
+    const cleanupError = vi.spyOn(console, 'error').mockImplementation(() => {})
+    const transport = createIpcPtyTransport({
+      onPtyExit: () => {
+        throw new Error('pre-attach cleanup failed')
+      }
+    })
     const connectPromise = transport.connect({
       url: '',
       callbacks: {
@@ -332,8 +362,46 @@ describe('dispatcher → transport → onTitleChange for Pi spinner', () => {
     dispatcherCallback?.({ id: 'pty-fast-exit', data: 'last line\r\n', rawLength: 11 })
     exitDispatcherCallback?.({ id: 'pty-fast-exit', code: 3 })
     resolveSpawn({ id: 'pty-fast-exit' })
-    await connectPromise
+    const connectResult = await connectPromise
 
     expect(events).toEqual(['data:last line\r\n', 'exit:3'])
+    expect(connectResult).toEqual({ id: 'pty-fast-exit', exitedBeforeAttach: true })
+    expect(cleanupError).toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+    exitDispatcherCallback?.({ id: 'pty-fast-exit', code: 4 })
+    const duplicateExit = vi.fn()
+    const { drainPreHandlerPtyExit } = await import('./pty-pre-handler-buffer')
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit('pty-fast-exit', duplicateExit)
+    expect(duplicateExit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('finalizes a throwing primary exit and still delivers every sidecar', async () => {
+    const { ensurePtyDispatcher, ptyExitHandlers, subscribeToPtyExit } =
+      await import('./pty-dispatcher')
+    const primary = vi.fn(() => {
+      throw new Error('primary exit failed')
+    })
+    const firstSidecar = vi.fn(() => {
+      throw new Error('sidecar exit failed')
+    })
+    const secondSidecar = vi.fn()
+
+    ensurePtyDispatcher()
+    ptyExitHandlers.set('pty-throwing-exit', primary)
+    subscribeToPtyExit('pty-throwing-exit', firstSidecar)
+    subscribeToPtyExit('pty-throwing-exit', secondSidecar)
+
+    expect(() => exitDispatcherCallback?.({ id: 'pty-throwing-exit', code: 9 })).toThrow(
+      'primary exit failed'
+    )
+    expect(firstSidecar).toHaveBeenCalledWith(9, { hadPrimary: true })
+    expect(secondSidecar).toHaveBeenCalledWith(9, { hadPrimary: true })
+
+    expect(() => exitDispatcherCallback?.({ id: 'pty-throwing-exit', code: 10 })).not.toThrow()
+    expect(primary).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    const duplicateExit = vi.fn()
+    const { drainPreHandlerPtyExit } = await import('./pty-pre-handler-buffer')
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit('pty-throwing-exit', duplicateExit)
+    expect(duplicateExit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-dispatcher.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-dispatcher.ts
index b563443d1ee..2b8781a5221 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-dispatcher.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-dispatcher.ts
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ import {
 import { clampUtf8Tail, type EagerBufferChunk } from './pty-eager-buffer-clamp'
 import {
   bufferPreHandlerPtyData,
-  bufferPreHandlerPtyExit,
   clearPreHandlerPtyState,
   drainPreHandlerPtyData,
   drainPreHandlerPtyExit
 } from './pty-pre-handler-buffer'
+import { deliverPtyExitToHandlers } from './pty-exit-delivery'
 import {
   clearReceivedPtyCharTotal,
   isPtyPushDeliveryBlackholed,
@@ -57,7 +57,10 @@ export const ptyDataSidecars = new Map<string, Set<(data: string) => void>>()
  *  guard and suppress xterm auto-replies during replay. */
 export const ptyReplayHandlers = new Map<string, (data: string) => void>()
 export const ptyExitHandlers = new Map<string, (code: number) => void>()
-const ptyExitSidecars = new Map<string, Set<(code: number) => void>>()
+const ptyExitSidecars = new Map<
+  string,
+  Set<(code: number, context: { hadPrimary: boolean }) => void>
+>()
 /** Per-PTY teardown callbacks registered by each transport to clear closure
  *  state (stale-title timer, agent tracker) that would otherwise fire after
  *  the data handler is removed. */
@@ -231,21 +234,22 @@ function attachPtySecondaryPushListeners(unsubscribes: (() => void)[]): void {
       // cumulative totals too so a reused id restarts at zero on both sides.
       clearProcessedPtyCharTotal(payload.id)
       clearReceivedPtyCharTotal(payload.id)
-      const handler = ptyExitHandlers.get(payload.id)
-      if (handler) {
-        clearPreHandlerPtyState(payload.id)
-        handler(payload.code)
-      } else {
-        bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(payload.id, payload.code)
-      }
       const sidecars = ptyExitSidecars.get(payload.id)
-      if (sidecars && sidecars.size > 0) {
-        const snapshot = Array.from(sidecars)
+      if (sidecars) {
         ptyExitSidecars.delete(payload.id)
-        for (const sidecar of snapshot) {
-          sidecar(payload.code)
-        }
       }
+      const primary = ptyExitHandlers.get(payload.id)
+      if (primary) {
+        // Why: exit handlers are one-shot owners. Remove before invocation so
+        // a throwing callback cannot stay registered for a duplicate exit.
+        ptyExitHandlers.delete(payload.id)
+      }
+      deliverPtyExitToHandlers({
+        ptyId: payload.id,
+        code: payload.code,
+        ...(primary ? { primary } : {}),
+        sidecars: sidecars ? Array.from(sidecars) : []
+      })
     })
   )
   // Why: main probes when delivery looks stuck on lost ACKs (data arriving
@@ -267,7 +271,10 @@ function attachPtySecondaryPushListeners(unsubscribes: (() => void)[]): void {
   window.api.pty.rendererDispatcherReady?.()
 }
 
-export function subscribeToPtyExit(ptyId: string, watcher: (code: number) => void): () => void {
+export function subscribeToPtyExit(
+  ptyId: string,
+  watcher: (code: number, context: { hadPrimary: boolean }) => void
+): () => void {
   ensurePtyDispatcher()
   let set = ptyExitSidecars.get(ptyId)
   if (!set) {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-exit-delivery.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-exit-delivery.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..9180aabf890
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-exit-delivery.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import {
+  bufferPreHandlerPtyExit,
+  clearPreHandlerPtyState,
+  consumePreHandlerPtyState
+} from './pty-pre-handler-buffer'
+
+type PtyExitDelivery = {
+  ptyId: string
+  code: number
+  primary?: (code: number) => void
+  sidecars: readonly ((code: number, context: { hadPrimary: boolean }) => void)[]
+}
+
+/** Delivers one exit to its primary owner and every observational sidecar. */
+export function deliverPtyExitToHandlers(delivery: PtyExitDelivery): void {
+  let firstError: unknown
+  let hasError = false
+  try {
+    if (delivery.primary) {
+      clearPreHandlerPtyState(delivery.ptyId)
+      try {
+        delivery.primary(delivery.code)
+      } finally {
+        // Why: ownership is final even when cleanup throws; a duplicate exit
+        // must not become a new pre-handler event for a future mount.
+        consumePreHandlerPtyState(delivery.ptyId)
+      }
+    } else {
+      bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(delivery.ptyId, delivery.code)
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    firstError = error
+    hasError = true
+  }
+
+  for (const sidecar of delivery.sidecars) {
+    try {
+      sidecar(delivery.code, { hadPrimary: delivery.primary !== undefined })
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (!hasError) {
+        firstError = error
+        hasError = true
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  if (hasError) {
+    throw firstError
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-pre-handler-buffer.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-pre-handler-buffer.test.ts
index 7d95304ba90..461e95edfed 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-pre-handler-buffer.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-pre-handler-buffer.test.ts
@@ -1,17 +1,29 @@
-import { afterEach, describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import {
   bufferPreHandlerPtyData,
+  bufferPreHandlerPtyExit,
+  clearConsumedPreHandlerPtyExit,
   clearPreHandlerPtyState,
-  drainPreHandlerPtyData
+  consumePreHandlerPtyState,
+  drainPreHandlerPtyData,
+  drainPreHandlerPtyExit,
+  discardPreHandlerPtyState,
+  hasPreHandlerPtyExit
 } from './pty-pre-handler-buffer'
 
 const RESCAN_PTY_ID = 'pty-pre-handler-rescan'
 const TRIM_PTY_ID = 'pty-pre-handler-trim'
+const EXIT_PTY_ID = 'pty-pre-handler-exit'
+const CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS = Array.from({ length: 65 }, (_, index) => `pty-capped-exit-${index}`)
 
 describe('pre-handler PTY buffer', () => {
   afterEach(() => {
     clearPreHandlerPtyState(RESCAN_PTY_ID)
     clearPreHandlerPtyState(TRIM_PTY_ID)
+    clearPreHandlerPtyState(EXIT_PTY_ID)
+    for (const ptyId of CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS) {
+      clearPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+    }
   })
 
   it('does not rescan historical chunks while buffering small startup output', () => {
@@ -71,4 +83,91 @@ describe('pre-handler PTY buffer', () => {
     expect(drained).toHaveLength(512)
     expect(drained.join('')).toHaveLength(512 * 1_024)
   })
+
+  it('suppresses duplicate exits after an owner consumes the pre-handler state', () => {
+    const onExit = vi.fn()
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, 1)
+    consumePreHandlerPtyState(EXIT_PTY_ID)
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, 2)
+
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, onExit)
+    expect(onExit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyData(EXIT_PTY_ID, 'reattach output')
+    clearConsumedPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID)
+    const data: string[] = []
+    drainPreHandlerPtyData(EXIT_PTY_ID, (chunk) => data.push(chunk))
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, 3)
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, onExit)
+    expect(data).toEqual(['reattach output'])
+    expect(onExit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(3)
+  })
+
+  it('consumes a drained exit even when its handler throws', () => {
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, 7)
+    expect(() =>
+      drainPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, () => {
+        throw new Error('exit handler failed')
+      })
+    ).toThrow('exit handler failed')
+
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, 8)
+    const duplicateExit = vi.fn()
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, duplicateExit)
+    expect(duplicateExit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('reports whether an undelivered exit is waiting for admission', () => {
+    expect(hasPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID)).toBe(false)
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, 7)
+    expect(hasPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID)).toBe(true)
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, vi.fn())
+    expect(hasPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID)).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('discards delayed data and exit until an explicit reconnect', () => {
+    discardPreHandlerPtyState(EXIT_PTY_ID)
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyData(EXIT_PTY_ID, 'late data')
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, 9)
+    const data = vi.fn()
+    const exit = vi.fn()
+    drainPreHandlerPtyData(EXIT_PTY_ID, data)
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID, exit)
+    expect(data).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(exit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+    clearConsumedPreHandlerPtyExit(EXIT_PTY_ID)
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyData(EXIT_PTY_ID, 'new incarnation')
+    drainPreHandlerPtyData(EXIT_PTY_ID, data)
+    expect(data).toHaveBeenCalledWith('new incarnation', undefined)
+  })
+
+  it('retains discard protection beyond the bounded exit-buffer capacity', () => {
+    for (const ptyId of CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS) {
+      discardPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+    }
+
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyData(CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS[0], 'late data')
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS[0], 9)
+    const data = vi.fn()
+    const exit = vi.fn()
+    drainPreHandlerPtyData(CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS[0], data)
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit(CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS[0], exit)
+    expect(data).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(exit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('caps exits buffered without a primary handler', () => {
+    for (const [code, ptyId] of CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS.entries()) {
+      bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(ptyId, code)
+    }
+
+    const exits: number[] = []
+    for (const ptyId of CAPPED_EXIT_PTY_IDS) {
+      drainPreHandlerPtyExit(ptyId, (code) => exits.push(code))
+    }
+    expect(exits).toHaveLength(64)
+    expect(exits).not.toContain(0)
+    expect(exits).toContain(64)
+  })
 })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-pre-handler-buffer.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-pre-handler-buffer.ts
index c3d12fed9fb..83b3a10f1e2 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-pre-handler-buffer.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-pre-handler-buffer.ts
@@ -15,12 +15,16 @@ type BufferedPreHandlerPtyState = {
 
 const preHandlerPtyData = new Map<string, BufferedPreHandlerPtyState>()
 const preHandlerPtyExit = new Map<string, number>()
+const consumedPreHandlerPtyExits = new Map<string, true>()
+const discardedPreHandlerPtyStates = new Map<string, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>()
+const DISCARDED_PRE_HANDLER_PTY_STATE_TTL_MS = 60_000
 
 // Why: Windows startup commands can emit output before pty:spawn resolves and
 // the pane registers its handler. Hold that tiny race window instead of ACKing
 // and dropping the first setup-script bytes.
 const PRE_HANDLER_PTY_DATA_MAX_BYTES = 512 * 1024
 const PRE_HANDLER_PTY_DATA_MAX_PTYS = 64
+const PRE_HANDLER_PTY_EXIT_MAX_PTYS = 64
 // Why: legit pre-attach windows drain within milliseconds and hold little
 // data. Sustained accumulation means a pane lost its data handler (the
 // frozen-pane detach/attach race) — leave a breadcrumb for trace capture.
@@ -28,6 +32,9 @@ const PRE_HANDLER_PTY_DATA_WARN_BYTES = 64 * 1024
 const warnedLostHandlerPtyIds = new Set<string>()
 
 export function bufferPreHandlerPtyData(ptyId: string, data: string, meta?: PtyDataMeta): void {
+  if (discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.has(ptyId)) {
+    return
+  }
   const chunk = clampUtf8Tail(data, PRE_HANDLER_PTY_DATA_MAX_BYTES)
   if (!chunk.data) {
     return
@@ -90,16 +97,83 @@ export function drainPreHandlerPtyData(
 }
 
 export function bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(ptyId: string, code: number): void {
+  if (consumedPreHandlerPtyExits.has(ptyId) || discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.has(ptyId)) {
+    return
+  }
+  if (!preHandlerPtyExit.has(ptyId) && preHandlerPtyExit.size >= PRE_HANDLER_PTY_EXIT_MAX_PTYS) {
+    const oldestPtyId = preHandlerPtyExit.keys().next().value
+    if (typeof oldestPtyId === 'string') {
+      preHandlerPtyExit.delete(oldestPtyId)
+    }
+  }
   preHandlerPtyExit.set(ptyId, code)
 }
 
+// Why: primary handlers and pane-less parked owners have fully handled this
+// exit. Keep a bounded tombstone so duplicate IPC exits cannot be replayed to
+// a future mount or accumulate in the pre-handler map.
+export function consumePreHandlerPtyState(ptyId: string): void {
+  clearPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+  consumedPreHandlerPtyExits.set(ptyId, true)
+  if (consumedPreHandlerPtyExits.size > PRE_HANDLER_PTY_EXIT_MAX_PTYS) {
+    const oldestPtyId = consumedPreHandlerPtyExits.keys().next().value
+    if (typeof oldestPtyId === 'string') {
+      consumedPreHandlerPtyExits.delete(oldestPtyId)
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// Why: a deliberate reconnect can reuse a live session id after a prior
+// incarnation's consumed-exit mark. Re-admit exits without discarding bytes
+// already buffered for the still-live session.
+export function clearConsumedPreHandlerPtyExit(ptyId: string): void {
+  consumedPreHandlerPtyExits.delete(ptyId)
+  const discardTimer = discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.get(ptyId)
+  if (discardTimer) {
+    clearTimeout(discardTimer)
+  }
+  discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.delete(ptyId)
+}
+
+export function isPreHandlerPtyStateDiscarded(ptyId: string): boolean {
+  return discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.has(ptyId)
+}
+
+// Why: removed worktrees have no future pane consumer. Suppress both delayed
+// kill data and exit until an explicit same-id reconnect establishes a new
+// admission boundary.
+export function discardPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId: string): void {
+  consumePreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+  const priorTimer = discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.get(ptyId)
+  if (priorTimer) {
+    clearTimeout(priorTimer)
+  }
+  // Why: a large worktree can remove more PTYs than the bounded data maps.
+  // Time retention protects every delayed kill flush without permanent growth.
+  const timer = setTimeout(
+    () => discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.delete(ptyId),
+    DISCARDED_PRE_HANDLER_PTY_STATE_TTL_MS
+  )
+  discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.set(ptyId, timer)
+}
+
+export function hasPreHandlerPtyExit(ptyId: string): boolean {
+  return preHandlerPtyExit.has(ptyId)
+}
+
 export function drainPreHandlerPtyExit(ptyId: string, handler: (code: number) => void): void {
   const code = preHandlerPtyExit.get(ptyId)
   if (code === undefined) {
     return
   }
   preHandlerPtyExit.delete(ptyId)
-  handler(code)
+  try {
+    handler(code)
+  } finally {
+    // Why: draining transfers ownership to this handler. Even when it throws,
+    // a duplicate exit must not become a new pre-handler event.
+    consumePreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+  }
 }
 
 export function clearPreHandlerPtyData(ptyId: string): void {
@@ -110,5 +184,11 @@ export function clearPreHandlerPtyData(ptyId: string): void {
 export function clearPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId: string): void {
   preHandlerPtyData.delete(ptyId)
   preHandlerPtyExit.delete(ptyId)
+  consumedPreHandlerPtyExits.delete(ptyId)
+  const discardTimer = discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.get(ptyId)
+  if (discardTimer) {
+    clearTimeout(discardTimer)
+  }
+  discardedPreHandlerPtyStates.delete(ptyId)
   warnedLostHandlerPtyIds.delete(ptyId)
 }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport-types.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport-types.ts
index 32da5a2053b..1777091c376 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport-types.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport-types.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,9 @@ export type LocalPtySessionMetadata = {
 
 export type PtyConnectResult = {
   id: string
+  /** The requested session exited while it had no primary pane handler. Its
+   *  buffered final data/exit were delivered, so callers must not fresh-spawn. */
+  exitedBeforeAttach?: boolean
   launchAgent?: TuiAgent
   launchConfig?: SleepingAgentLaunchConfig
   snapshot?: string
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport.test.ts
index 564c6ab4bf3..e3bf3152e7c 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport.test.ts
@@ -342,6 +342,54 @@ describe('createIpcPtyTransport', () => {
     transport.disconnect()
   })
 
+  it('mints a fresh id instead of reopening a discarded same-id session', async () => {
+    const { discardPreHandlerPtyState, clearPreHandlerPtyState } =
+      await import('./pty-pre-handler-buffer')
+    const { createIpcPtyTransport } = await import('./pty-transport')
+    const spawn = window.api.pty.spawn as unknown as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>
+    const discardedId = 'removed-worktree@@discarded-session'
+    discardPreHandlerPtyState(discardedId)
+
+    await createIpcPtyTransport({ cwdFallback: 'worktree' }).connect({
+      url: '',
+      sessionId: discardedId,
+      callbacks: {}
+    })
+
+    expect(spawn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({ cwdFallback: 'worktree' }))
+    expect(spawn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.not.objectContaining({ sessionId: discardedId }))
+    clearPreHandlerPtyState(discardedId)
+  })
+
+  it('delivers a buffered dead-session exit without respawning the same session id', async () => {
+    const { bufferPreHandlerPtyData, bufferPreHandlerPtyExit } =
+      await import('./pty-pre-handler-buffer')
+    const { createIpcPtyTransport } = await import('./pty-transport')
+    const spawn = window.api.pty.spawn as unknown as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>
+    const onDataCallback = vi.fn()
+    const onExitCallback = vi.fn()
+    const onDisconnect = vi.fn()
+    const onPtyExit = vi.fn()
+    const sessionId = 'dead-parked-session'
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyData(sessionId, 'final output')
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(sessionId, 17)
+
+    const transport = createIpcPtyTransport({ onPtyExit })
+    const result = await transport.connect({
+      url: '',
+      sessionId,
+      callbacks: { onData: onDataCallback, onExit: onExitCallback, onDisconnect }
+    })
+
+    expect(result).toEqual({ id: sessionId, exitedBeforeAttach: true })
+    expect(spawn).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(onDataCallback).toHaveBeenCalledWith('final output')
+    expect(onExitCallback).toHaveBeenCalledWith(17)
+    expect(onDisconnect).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(onPtyExit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(sessionId)
+    expect(transport.isConnected()).toBe(false)
+  })
+
   it('returns startup cwd fallback metadata to the connection layer', async () => {
     const { createIpcPtyTransport } = await import('./pty-transport')
     const spawn = window.api.pty.spawn as unknown as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>
@@ -858,7 +906,7 @@ describe('createIpcPtyTransport', () => {
     onExit?.({ id: 'pty-restored', code: 0 })
 
     expect(eagerExit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(sidecarExit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(0)
+    expect(sidecarExit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(0, { hadPrimary: true })
   })
 
   it('fires onBell for bare BELs but ignores BELs inside OSC sequences', async () => {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport.ts
index a58a117212f..d2e946e8a9d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/pty-transport.ts
@@ -22,7 +22,13 @@ import {
   ensurePtyDispatcher,
   getEagerPtyBufferHandle
 } from './pty-dispatcher'
-import { drainPreHandlerPtyData, drainPreHandlerPtyExit } from './pty-pre-handler-buffer'
+import {
+  clearConsumedPreHandlerPtyExit,
+  drainPreHandlerPtyData,
+  drainPreHandlerPtyExit,
+  hasPreHandlerPtyExit,
+  isPreHandlerPtyStateDiscarded
+} from './pty-pre-handler-buffer'
 import { createPtyInputWriteQueue } from './pty-input-write-queue'
 import type { PtyDataMeta } from './pty-dispatcher'
 import type { IpcPtyTransportOptions, PtyConnectResult, PtyTransport } from './pty-transport-types'
@@ -649,7 +655,8 @@ export function createIpcPtyTransport(opts: IpcPtyTransportOptions = {}): PtyTra
     }
   }
 
-  function registerPtyExitHandler(id: string): void {
+  function registerPtyExitHandler(id: string): boolean {
+    const hadBufferedExit = hasPreHandlerPtyExit(id)
     const exitHandler = (code: number): void => {
       if (ptyId !== null && ptyId !== id) {
         // Why: a preserved sleep/reconnect session can report its old exit
@@ -674,7 +681,17 @@ export function createIpcPtyTransport(opts: IpcPtyTransportOptions = {}): PtyTra
     // would otherwise fire stale notifications after the data handler
     // is removed but before the exit event arrives.
     ptyTeardownHandlers.set(id, clearAccumulatedState)
-    drainPreHandlerPtyExit(id, exitHandler)
+    try {
+      drainPreHandlerPtyExit(id, exitHandler)
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (!hadBufferedExit) {
+        throw error
+      }
+      // Why: cleanup callback failures must not turn an already-delivered
+      // pre-attach exit into a generic connect rejection and fallback spawn.
+      console.error('[pty] buffered pre-attach exit cleanup failed', error)
+    }
+    return hadBufferedExit
   }
 
   return {
@@ -686,12 +703,35 @@ export function createIpcPtyTransport(opts: IpcPtyTransportOptions = {}): PtyTra
         return
       }
 
+      if (options.sessionId && hasPreHandlerPtyExit(options.sessionId)) {
+        // Why: an exited parked session can be recreated under the same id by
+        // createOrAttach. Deliver its buffered final frame/exit before spawn so
+        // the dead incarnation cannot disconnect and orphan a fresh shell.
+        ptyId = options.sessionId
+        connected = true
+        registerPtyDataHandler(options.sessionId)
+        registerPtyExitHandler(options.sessionId)
+        return { id: options.sessionId, exitedBeforeAttach: true } satisfies PtyConnectResult
+      }
+
+      const admittedSessionId =
+        options.sessionId && !isPreHandlerPtyStateDiscarded(options.sessionId)
+          ? options.sessionId
+          : undefined
+
+      // Why: reconnecting may intentionally reuse a session id whose prior
+      // exit was consumed. Re-admit exits without clearing bytes already
+      // buffered for a still-live session before its pane registered.
+      if (admittedSessionId) {
+        clearConsumedPreHandlerPtyExit(admittedSessionId)
+      }
+
       try {
         // Why: missing-cwd recovery is only valid for fresh local spawns —
         // reattach must keep the session's exact cwd and SSH-tagged transports
         // resolve cwd on the remote host.
         const shouldSendLocalCwdFallback =
-          cwdFallback === 'worktree' && !connectionId && !options.sessionId
+          cwdFallback === 'worktree' && !connectionId && !admittedSessionId
         const result = await window.api.pty.spawn({
           cols: options.cols ?? 80,
           rows: options.rows ?? 24,
@@ -712,7 +752,7 @@ export function createIpcPtyTransport(opts: IpcPtyTransportOptions = {}): PtyTra
             ? { startupCommandDelivery: options.startupCommandDelivery ?? startupCommandDelivery }
             : {}),
           ...(connectionId ? { connectionId } : {}),
-          ...(options.sessionId ? { sessionId: options.sessionId } : {}),
+          ...(admittedSessionId ? { sessionId: admittedSessionId } : {}),
           // Why: hidden-at-spawn mark must land in main before the PTY's
           // first byte, so it rides the spawn IPC instead of the pane's
           // first visibility sync (terminal-query-authority.md).
@@ -747,7 +787,10 @@ export function createIpcPtyTransport(opts: IpcPtyTransportOptions = {}): PtyTra
         }
 
         registerPtyDataHandler(spawnResult.id)
-        registerPtyExitHandler(spawnResult.id)
+        const exitedBeforeAttach = registerPtyExitHandler(spawnResult.id)
+        if (exitedBeforeAttach) {
+          return { id: spawnResult.id, exitedBeforeAttach: true } satisfies PtyConnectResult
+        }
         if (!connected || ptyId !== spawnResult.id) {
           return undefined
         }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-tab-watchers.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-tab-watchers.test.ts
index 6c5ee048ead..3bb11c1a3ea 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-tab-watchers.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-tab-watchers.test.ts
@@ -28,22 +28,36 @@ vi.mock('./parked-terminal-byte-watcher', () => ({
 
 type ExitSubscription = {
   ptyId: string
-  callback: (code: number) => void
+  callback: (code: number, context: { hadPrimary: boolean }) => void
   unsubscribe: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>
 }
 
 const exitSubscriptions: ExitSubscription[] = []
-const subscribeToPtyExit = vi.fn((ptyId: string, callback: (code: number) => void) => {
-  const unsubscribe = vi.fn()
-  exitSubscriptions.push({ ptyId, callback, unsubscribe })
-  return unsubscribe
-})
+const subscribeToPtyExit = vi.fn(
+  (ptyId: string, callback: (code: number, context: { hadPrimary: boolean }) => void) => {
+    const unsubscribe = vi.fn()
+    exitSubscriptions.push({ ptyId, callback, unsubscribe })
+    return unsubscribe
+  }
+)
 
 vi.mock('./pty-dispatcher', () => ({
   subscribeToPtyExit: (ptyId: string, callback: (code: number) => void) =>
     subscribeToPtyExit(ptyId, callback)
 }))
 
+const consumePreHandlerPtyState = vi.fn()
+vi.mock('./pty-pre-handler-buffer', () => ({
+  discardPreHandlerPtyState: (ptyId: string) => consumePreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+}))
+
+type CloseTerminalTabOptions = { onClosed?: () => void; onCancel?: () => void }
+const closeTerminalTab = vi.fn()
+vi.mock('../terminal/terminal-tab-actions', () => ({
+  closeTerminalTab: (tabId: string, options?: CloseTerminalTabOptions) =>
+    closeTerminalTab(tabId, options)
+}))
+
 type MockStoreState = {
   terminalLayoutsByTabId: Record<
     string,
@@ -224,7 +238,7 @@ describe('terminal-parked-tab-watchers', () => {
     syncParked()
 
     const exited = exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)
-    exited?.callback(0)
+    exited?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: false })
 
     expect(startedWatchers[0].dispose).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
     expect(startedWatchers[1].dispose).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
@@ -244,16 +258,64 @@ describe('terminal-parked-tab-watchers', () => {
     expect(startedWatchers[1].options.initialTitle).toBeUndefined()
   })
 
-  it('drops the parked tab entry when the pty-exit sidecar disposes the last watcher', () => {
+  it('consumes the exit and drops the parked entry after the last-watcher close resolves', () => {
     capturePanes([{ ptyId: PTY_ID, paneId: 1, leafId: LEAF_ID, drivesTabTitle: true }])
     syncParked()
 
-    exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0)
+    exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: false })
 
+    expect(consumePreHandlerPtyState).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds()).toEqual([TAB_ID])
+    const options = closeTerminalTab.mock.calls[0]?.[1] as CloseTerminalTabOptions
+    options.onClosed?.()
+
+    expect(consumePreHandlerPtyState).toHaveBeenCalledWith(PTY_ID)
     expect(startedWatchers[0].dispose).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
     expect(getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds()).toEqual([])
   })
 
+  it('retains the buffered exit and empty registry entry when pinned close is cancelled', () => {
+    capturePanes([{ ptyId: PTY_ID, paneId: 1, leafId: LEAF_ID, drivesTabTitle: true }])
+    syncParked()
+
+    exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: false })
+    const options = closeTerminalTab.mock.calls[0]?.[1] as CloseTerminalTabOptions
+    options.onCancel?.()
+    syncParked({ parkedTabIds: [] })
+
+    expect(consumePreHandlerPtyState).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(startParkedTerminalByteWatcher).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds()).toEqual([TAB_ID])
+
+    expect(shouldDeferParkedPtyExitTabClose(TAB_ID, PTY_ID)).toBe(true)
+    expect(getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds()).toEqual([])
+    expect(shouldDeferParkedPtyExitTabClose(TAB_ID, PTY_ID)).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('consumes a queued parked exit when another confirmation closes the tab first', () => {
+    capturePanes([{ ptyId: PTY_ID, paneId: 1, leafId: LEAF_ID, drivesTabTitle: true }])
+    syncParked()
+    exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: false })
+
+    // Why: a manual pinned close can be ahead of this autonomous exit request
+    // in the confirmation queue and remove the tab before the exit resolves.
+    syncParked({ tabs: [] })
+
+    expect(consumePreHandlerPtyState).toHaveBeenCalledWith(PTY_ID)
+    expect(getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds()).toEqual([])
+  })
+
+  it('does not queue a second close when a retained primary handled the parked exit', () => {
+    capturePanes([{ ptyId: PTY_ID, paneId: 1, leafId: LEAF_ID, drivesTabTitle: true }])
+    syncParked()
+
+    exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: true })
+
+    expect(closeTerminalTab).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(startedWatchers[0].dispose).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds()).toEqual([TAB_ID])
+  })
+
   it('synchronously disposes watchers for the given PTY ids without unparking the tab', () => {
     capturePanes([
       { ptyId: PTY_ID, paneId: 1, leafId: LEAF_ID, drivesTabTitle: true },
@@ -325,6 +387,18 @@ describe('terminal-parked-tab-watchers', () => {
     expect(getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds()).toEqual([])
   })
 
+  it('consumes parked state when child cleanup observes a removed worktree', () => {
+    capturePanes([{ ptyId: PTY_ID, paneId: 1, leafId: LEAF_ID, drivesTabTitle: true }])
+    syncParked()
+
+    disposeParkedTerminalWatchersForWorktree(WORKTREE_ID, {
+      consumePreHandlerState: true
+    })
+
+    expect(consumePreHandlerPtyState).toHaveBeenCalledWith(PTY_ID)
+    expect(getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds()).toEqual([])
+  })
+
   describe('shouldDeferParkedPtyExitTabClose', () => {
     const closeTab = vi.fn()
 
@@ -397,7 +471,7 @@ describe('terminal-parked-tab-watchers', () => {
       expect(closeTab).toHaveBeenCalledWith(TAB_ID)
     })
 
-    it('collapses the exited leaf via the watcher exit sidecar (no host handler while parked)', () => {
+    it('collapses a dead leaf then closes when the last parked split leaf exits', () => {
       // Why: hosts' onPtyExit runs from a mounted TerminalPane, so an exit
       // that lands while parked reaches ONLY the watcher sidecar — it must run
       // the layout collapse itself or the leaf resurrects on reveal.
@@ -418,8 +492,11 @@ describe('terminal-parked-tab-watchers', () => {
         ptyIdsByLeafId: { [LEAF_ID]: PTY_ID, [SECOND_LEAF_ID]: SECOND_PTY_ID }
       }
 
-      exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === SECOND_PTY_ID)?.callback(0)
+      exitSubscriptions
+        .find((entry) => entry.ptyId === SECOND_PTY_ID)
+        ?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: false })
 
+      expect(consumePreHandlerPtyState).toHaveBeenCalledWith(SECOND_PTY_ID)
       expect(mockStoreState.clearRuntimePaneTitle).toHaveBeenCalledWith(TAB_ID, 2)
       expect(mockStoreState.setTabLayout).toHaveBeenCalledWith(TAB_ID, {
         root: { type: 'leaf', leafId: LEAF_ID },
@@ -427,6 +504,11 @@ describe('terminal-parked-tab-watchers', () => {
         expandedLeafId: null,
         ptyIdsByLeafId: { [LEAF_ID]: PTY_ID }
       })
+
+      exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: false })
+      const options = closeTerminalTab.mock.calls[0]?.[1] as CloseTerminalTabOptions
+      options.onClosed?.()
+      expect(consumePreHandlerPtyState).toHaveBeenCalledWith(PTY_ID)
     })
 
     it('does not touch the layout when the last parked watcher exits (tab-level close owns it)', () => {
@@ -439,7 +521,7 @@ describe('terminal-parked-tab-watchers', () => {
         ptyIdsByLeafId: { [LEAF_ID]: PTY_ID }
       }
 
-      exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0)
+      exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: false })
 
       expect(mockStoreState.setTabLayout).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
     })
@@ -453,7 +535,7 @@ describe('terminal-parked-tab-watchers', () => {
 
       // First leaf dies: deferred, then its exit sidecar drops the watcher.
       hostOnPtyExit(TAB_ID, PTY_ID)
-      exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0)
+      exitSubscriptions.find((entry) => entry.ptyId === PTY_ID)?.callback(0, { hadPrimary: false })
       expect(closeTab).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
 
       hostOnPtyExit(TAB_ID, SECOND_PTY_ID)
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-tab-watchers.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-tab-watchers.ts
index 162952a68f8..da3c9710717 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-tab-watchers.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-tab-watchers.ts
@@ -13,9 +13,11 @@
 import { isTerminalLeafId } from '../../../../shared/stable-pane-id'
 import type { TerminalTab } from '../../../../shared/types'
 import { useAppStore } from '@/store'
+import { closeTerminalTab } from '../terminal/terminal-tab-actions'
 import { collectLeafIdsInOrder } from './terminal-layout-leaf-ids'
 import { detachTerminalLayoutLeaf } from './terminal-layout-leaf-detach'
 import { subscribeToPtyExit } from './pty-dispatcher'
+import { discardPreHandlerPtyState } from './pty-pre-handler-buffer'
 import { startParkedTerminalByteWatcher } from './parked-terminal-byte-watcher'
 import { isSnapshotBackedTerminalPty } from './terminal-hidden-view-parking'
 import {
@@ -29,6 +31,8 @@ import {
 // split exists only to break the store-slice import cycle.
 export {
   captureParkedTerminalPaneCandidates,
+  disposeAllParkedTerminalWatchers,
+  disposeRemovedWorktreeParkedTerminalWatchers,
   disposeParkedTerminalWatchersForPtyIds,
   disposeParkedTerminalWatchersForWorktree,
   getParkedTerminalWatcherTabIds,
@@ -151,25 +155,47 @@ function startParkedTabWatchers(
     })
     // Why: a PTY that exits while parked has no pane to run exit cleanup; at
     // minimum its watcher must not outlive it.
-    const unsubscribeExit = subscribeToPtyExit(ptyId, () => {
+    const unsubscribeExit = subscribeToPtyExit(ptyId, (_code, { hadPrimary }) => {
       // Why: while parked this sidecar is the ONLY exit observer — the hosts'
       // onPtyExit runs from a mounted TerminalPane. Run the observed-exit
-      // teardown's data half here for a multi-leaf tab, or the dead leaf's
-      // stale binding reattaches on reveal and the daemon re-creates the
-      // exited session id as a fresh shell, resurrecting the pane.
-      if (disposersByPtyId.size > 1) {
-        useAppStore.getState().clearRuntimePaneTitle(tab.id, pane.paneId)
-        collapseParkedExitedLeaf(tab.id, ptyId)
+      // teardown here or a sole tab survives, while a dead split leaf can
+      // reattach on reveal and resurrect its exited session as a fresh shell.
+      useAppStore.getState().clearRuntimePaneTitle(tab.id, pane.paneId)
+      if (hadPrimary) {
+        // Why: detach intentionally retains the pane transport's primary exit
+        // owner. It already performs the tab/leaf close; this sidecar only
+        // retires parked observation so one exit cannot queue two confirms.
+        disposersByPtyId.get(ptyId)?.()
+        disposersByPtyId.delete(ptyId)
+        return
       }
+      if (disposersByPtyId.size > 1) {
+        // Why: this dead split leaf has no future mount. Consume its buffered
+        // frame and exit, and tombstone duplicate exit notifications.
+        discardPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+        collapseParkedExitedLeaf(tab.id, ptyId)
+        disposersByPtyId.get(ptyId)?.()
+        disposersByPtyId.delete(ptyId)
+        return
+      }
+
+      // Why: the close may wait on pinned-tab confirmation. Dispose side
+      // effects now but retain the empty registry entry so parking does not
+      // restart a watcher against the dead PTY while the dialog is pending.
       disposersByPtyId.get(ptyId)?.()
       disposersByPtyId.delete(ptyId)
-      // Why: with the last watcher gone there is nothing left to watch or
-      // dispose; dropping the entry keeps the registry bounded to parked
-      // tabs that still hold live PTYs.
-      const entry = parkedWatchersByTabId.get(tab.id)
-      if (disposersByPtyId.size === 0 && entry?.disposersByPtyId === disposersByPtyId) {
-        parkedWatchersByTabId.delete(tab.id)
-      }
+      closeTerminalTab(tab.id, {
+        onClosed: () => {
+          discardPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+          const entry = parkedWatchersByTabId.get(tab.id)
+          if (entry?.disposersByPtyId === disposersByPtyId) {
+            parkedWatchersByTabId.delete(tab.id)
+          }
+        },
+        // Why: cancellation keeps the buffered final frame and exit for the
+        // reveal-mounted pane, matching a pinned terminal that exited mounted.
+        onCancel: () => {}
+      })
     })
     paneIdByPtyId.set(ptyId, pane.paneId)
     disposersByPtyId.set(ptyId, () => {
@@ -207,6 +233,13 @@ export function shouldDeferParkedPtyExitTabClose(tabId: string, ptyId: string):
   }
   const remaining = entry.disposersByPtyId.size
   if (remaining === 0) {
+    if (paneId !== undefined) {
+      // Why: an empty entry is the cancelled/pending pinned-close tombstone.
+      // The reveal-mounted pane owns the buffered exit now, so suppress its
+      // close once and drop the registry tombstone.
+      parkedWatchersByTabId.delete(tabId)
+      return true
+    }
     return false
   }
   // Why: this runs from the PTY exit handler, before the exit sidecar above
@@ -241,6 +274,18 @@ function collapseParkedExitedLeaf(tabId: string, ptyId: string): void {
   }
 }
 
+function disposeClosedParkedTabWatchers(
+  tabId: string,
+  entry: { paneIdByPtyId: ReadonlyMap<string, number> }
+): void {
+  // Why: another queued pinned-close request may close the tab before this
+  // exit request resolves. No pane can drain its retained final frame then.
+  for (const ptyId of entry.paneIdByPtyId.keys()) {
+    discardPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+  }
+  disposeParkedTabWatchers(tabId)
+}
+
 /**
  * Reconciles watchers for one worktree against its rendered parked set.
  * Callers run this from an effect keyed on the committed render state, so
@@ -259,7 +304,11 @@ export function syncParkedTerminalTabWatchers(args: {
     if (entry.worktreeId !== args.worktreeId) {
       continue
     }
-    if (!args.parkedTabIds.has(tabId) || !liveTabIds.has(tabId)) {
+    if (!liveTabIds.has(tabId)) {
+      disposeClosedParkedTabWatchers(tabId, entry)
+      continue
+    }
+    if (!args.parkedTabIds.has(tabId) && entry.disposersByPtyId.size > 0) {
       disposeParkedTabWatchers(tabId)
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-watcher-registry.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-watcher-registry.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8af5ca19207
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-watcher-registry.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import {
+  bufferPreHandlerPtyData,
+  bufferPreHandlerPtyExit,
+  clearPreHandlerPtyState,
+  drainPreHandlerPtyData,
+  drainPreHandlerPtyExit,
+  hasPreHandlerPtyExit
+} from './pty-pre-handler-buffer'
+import {
+  parkedWatchersByTabId,
+  pruneParkedTerminalWatchers
+} from './terminal-parked-watcher-registry'
+
+const TAB_ID = 'removed-parked-tab'
+const PTY_ID = 'removed-worktree@@parked-pty'
+
+describe('terminal parked watcher registry removal', () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    parkedWatchersByTabId.delete(TAB_ID)
+    clearPreHandlerPtyState(PTY_ID)
+  })
+
+  it('consumes retained state and suppresses a delayed exit for a removed worktree', () => {
+    const dispose = vi.fn()
+    parkedWatchersByTabId.set(TAB_ID, {
+      worktreeId: 'removed-worktree',
+      tabPtyId: PTY_ID,
+      paneIdByPtyId: new Map([[PTY_ID, 1]]),
+      disposersByPtyId: new Map([[PTY_ID, dispose]])
+    })
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyData(PTY_ID, 'final frame')
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(PTY_ID, 17)
+
+    pruneParkedTerminalWatchers(new Set())
+
+    expect(dispose).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(parkedWatchersByTabId.has(TAB_ID)).toBe(false)
+    expect(hasPreHandlerPtyExit(PTY_ID)).toBe(false)
+    const data = vi.fn()
+    drainPreHandlerPtyData(PTY_ID, data)
+    expect(data).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+    // Why: the actual kill exit can arrive after sidecar disposal and prune.
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyExit(PTY_ID, 18)
+    bufferPreHandlerPtyData(PTY_ID, 'delayed final frame')
+    const exit = vi.fn()
+    const delayedData = vi.fn()
+    drainPreHandlerPtyExit(PTY_ID, exit)
+    drainPreHandlerPtyData(PTY_ID, delayedData)
+    expect(exit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(delayedData).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-watcher-registry.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-watcher-registry.ts
index d6dd76e817a..e9e800991dc 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-watcher-registry.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-watcher-registry.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
  * mid-evaluation. Keeping the maps and pure disposal here lets the slice
  * import cycle-free, mirroring how pty-dispatcher exports its handler maps.
  */
+import { discardPreHandlerPtyState } from './pty-pre-handler-buffer'
 
 export type ParkedTerminalPaneCapture = {
   ptyId: string | null
@@ -84,19 +85,55 @@ export function disposeParkedTerminalWatchersForPtyIds(ptyIds: readonly string[]
   }
 }
 
-export function disposeParkedTerminalWatchersForWorktree(worktreeId: string): void {
+export function disposeParkedTerminalWatchersForWorktree(
+  worktreeId: string,
+  options?: { consumePreHandlerState?: boolean }
+): void {
   for (const [tabId, entry] of parkedWatchersByTabId) {
     if (entry.worktreeId === worktreeId) {
-      disposeParkedTabWatchers(tabId)
+      if (options?.consumePreHandlerState) {
+        disposeRemovedWorktreeParkedTabWatchers(tabId, entry)
+      } else {
+        disposeParkedTabWatchers(tabId)
+      }
     }
   }
 }
 
+export function disposeRemovedWorktreeParkedTerminalWatchers(
+  worktreeId: string,
+  authoritativePtyIds: readonly string[] = []
+): void {
+  for (const ptyId of authoritativePtyIds) {
+    discardPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+  }
+  disposeParkedTerminalWatchersForWorktree(worktreeId, { consumePreHandlerState: true })
+}
+
+export function disposeAllParkedTerminalWatchers(): void {
+  for (const tabId of Array.from(parkedWatchersByTabId.keys())) {
+    disposeParkedTabWatchers(tabId)
+  }
+}
+
+function disposeRemovedWorktreeParkedTabWatchers(
+  tabId: string,
+  entry: ParkedTabWatcherEntry
+): void {
+  // Why: removal unregisters sidecars before PTY kill finishes. Tombstone each
+  // old PTY now so its delayed final flush/exit cannot refill bounded buffers
+  // after this worktree loses every future pane consumer.
+  for (const ptyId of entry.paneIdByPtyId.keys()) {
+    discardPreHandlerPtyState(ptyId)
+  }
+  disposeParkedTabWatchers(tabId)
+}
+
 /** Drops watchers and captures for worktrees that no longer exist. */
 export function pruneParkedTerminalWatchers(liveWorktreeIds: ReadonlySet<string>): void {
   for (const [tabId, entry] of parkedWatchersByTabId) {
     if (!liveWorktreeIds.has(entry.worktreeId)) {
-      disposeParkedTabWatchers(tabId)
+      disposeRemovedWorktreeParkedTabWatchers(tabId, entry)
     }
   }
   for (const [tabId, capture] of capturedPanesByTabId) {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-tab-cold-parking.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-tab-cold-parking.ts
index f7303f828de..56172164490 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-tab-cold-parking.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal-pane/use-terminal-tab-cold-parking.ts
@@ -53,9 +53,9 @@ export function useTerminalTabColdParking(args: {
    *  mounted for their first xterm fit, mirroring the worktree-level guard. */
   shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree: boolean
   activityTerminalPortals: ActivityTerminalPortalTarget[]
-  /** Tabs the mount restriction keeps unmounted (activation deferral /
-   *  targeted background mounts) — parked-equivalent for watcher purposes. */
-  deferredMountTabIds?: ReadonlySet<string>
+  /** Tabs cold activation keeps unmounted — parked-equivalent for watcher
+   *  purposes. Targeted background restrictions intentionally stay bounded. */
+  activationDeferredMountTabIds?: ReadonlySet<string> | null
 }): ReadonlySet<string> {
   const {
     worktreeId,
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ export function useTerminalTabColdParking(args: {
     coldParkTerminalPanes,
     shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree,
     activityTerminalPortals,
-    deferredMountTabIds
+    activationDeferredMountTabIds
   } = args
   const pendingStartupByTabId = useAppStore((state) => state.pendingStartupByTabId)
   const terminalParkingEnabled = useAppStore(
@@ -216,12 +216,11 @@ export function useTerminalTabColdParking(args: {
       ) {
         parked.add(terminalTab.id)
       }
-      // Why: mount-restricted tabs render no pane regardless of the park
-      // policy (the layer filters them out before parking is consulted), so
-      // the watchers must own their side effects. The measure probe never
-      // mounts them either, hence no shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree gate.
+      // Why: activation-deferred tabs render no pane regardless of the park
+      // policy, so watchers must own their side effects immediately. Targeted
+      // restrictions do not enter this set or add a new eager watcher burst.
       if (
-        deferredMountTabIds?.has(terminalTab.id) &&
+        activationDeferredMountTabIds?.has(terminalTab.id) &&
         !hasActivityTerminalPortal &&
         canWatcherCoverParkedTerminalTab(worktreeId, terminalTab)
       ) {
@@ -234,7 +233,7 @@ export function useTerminalTabColdParking(args: {
     assignments,
     coldParkTerminalPanes,
     coldParkedTerminalTabIds,
-    deferredMountTabIds,
+    activationDeferredMountTabIds,
     isWorktreeActive,
     shouldMeasureHiddenWorktree,
     terminalTabs,
@@ -250,11 +249,11 @@ export function useTerminalTabColdParking(args: {
       worktreeId,
       tabs: terminalTabs,
       parkedTabIds: parkedTerminalTabIds,
-      // Why: mount-restricted tabs have no prior pane-owned title slot; pull
-      // main's title-only snapshot when their watcher starts.
-      restoreTitleOnStartTabIds: deferredMountTabIds
+      // Why: activation-deferred tabs have no prior pane-owned title slot;
+      // pull main's title-only snapshot when their watcher starts.
+      restoreTitleOnStartTabIds: activationDeferredMountTabIds ?? undefined
     })
-  }, [deferredMountTabIds, parkedTerminalTabIds, terminalTabs, worktreeId])
+  }, [activationDeferredMountTabIds, parkedTerminalTabIds, terminalTabs, worktreeId])
 
   useEffect(() => () => disposeParkedTerminalWatchersForWorktree(worktreeId), [worktreeId])
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount.test.ts
index 28af7dca43a..2fbf00a5dc4 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount.test.ts
@@ -145,6 +145,26 @@ describe('pruneClosedBackgroundMountTabs', () => {
     expect(pruneClosedBackgroundMountTabs(restrictions, mounted, {})).toBe(false)
     expect(mounted).toEqual(new Set(['wt-visited', 'wt-whole']))
   })
+
+  it('keeps an activation mounted when its last allowed tab closes before deferred tabs', () => {
+    const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([['wt-1', new Set(['tab-visible'])]])
+    const deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([
+      ['wt-1', new Set(['tab-deferred', 'tab-closed'])]
+    ])
+    const mounted = new Set(['wt-1'])
+
+    expect(
+      pruneClosedBackgroundMountTabs(
+        restrictions,
+        mounted,
+        { 'wt-1': [{ id: 'tab-deferred' }] },
+        deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree
+      )
+    ).toBe(true)
+    expect(restrictions.get('wt-1')).toEqual(new Set())
+    expect(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.get('wt-1')).toEqual(new Set(['tab-deferred']))
+    expect(mounted.has('wt-1')).toBe(true)
+  })
 })
 
 describe('cold activation tab deferral', () => {
@@ -153,8 +173,10 @@ describe('cold activation tab deferral', () => {
 
   it('mounts everything at once when few tabs would defer', () => {
     const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([['wt-1', new Set(['tab-1'])]])
+    const deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>()
     const deferring = planColdActivationTabDeferral({
       restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
       worktreeId: 'wt-1',
       allTabIds: tabIds(COLD_ACTIVATION_TAB_DEFER_THRESHOLD + 1),
       isTabLive: () => false,
@@ -163,12 +185,15 @@ describe('cold activation tab deferral', () => {
     })
     expect(deferring).toBe(false)
     expect(restrictions.has('wt-1')).toBe(false)
+    expect(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.has('wt-1')).toBe(false)
   })
 
   it('restricts a cold activation with many tabs to the immediate set', () => {
     const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>()
+    const deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>()
     const deferring = planColdActivationTabDeferral({
       restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
       worktreeId: 'wt-1',
       allTabIds: tabIds(10),
       isTabLive: () => false,
@@ -177,12 +202,17 @@ describe('cold activation tab deferral', () => {
     })
     expect(deferring).toBe(true)
     expect(restrictions.get('wt-1')).toEqual(new Set(['tab-3']))
+    expect(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.get('wt-1')).toEqual(
+      new Set(['tab-1', 'tab-2', 'tab-4', 'tab-5', 'tab-6', 'tab-7', 'tab-8', 'tab-9', 'tab-10'])
+    )
   })
 
   it('keeps live, previously allowed, and non-deferrable tabs mounted', () => {
     const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([['wt-1', new Set(['tab-2'])]])
+    const deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>()
     const deferring = planColdActivationTabDeferral({
       restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
       worktreeId: 'wt-1',
       allTabIds: tabIds(12),
       isTabLive: (tabId) => tabId === 'tab-5',
@@ -196,8 +226,10 @@ describe('cold activation tab deferral', () => {
 
   it('does not defer when most tabs are already live', () => {
     const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>()
+    const deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>()
     const deferring = planColdActivationTabDeferral({
       restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
       worktreeId: 'wt-1',
       allTabIds: tabIds(10),
       isTabLive: (tabId) => tabId !== 'tab-10',
@@ -211,18 +243,24 @@ describe('cold activation tab deferral', () => {
   it('reveals newly visible tabs and lifts the restriction once all are revealed', () => {
     const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([['wt-1', new Set(['tab-1'])]])
     const allTabIds = tabIds(3)
+    const deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([
+      ['wt-1', new Set(['tab-2', 'tab-3'])]
+    ])
 
     revealActivationDeferredTabs({
       restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
       worktreeId: 'wt-1',
       allTabIds,
       immediateTabIds: new Set(['tab-2'])
     })
     expect(restrictions.get('wt-1')).toEqual(new Set(['tab-1', 'tab-2']))
+    expect(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.get('wt-1')).toEqual(new Set(['tab-3']))
 
     const unchanged = restrictions.get('wt-1')
     revealActivationDeferredTabs({
       restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
       worktreeId: 'wt-1',
       allTabIds,
       immediateTabIds: new Set(['tab-2'])
@@ -231,22 +269,47 @@ describe('cold activation tab deferral', () => {
 
     revealActivationDeferredTabs({
       restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
       worktreeId: 'wt-1',
       allTabIds,
       immediateTabIds: new Set(['tab-3'])
     })
     expect(restrictions.has('wt-1')).toBe(false)
+    expect(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.has('wt-1')).toBe(false)
   })
 
-  it('reveal is a no-op for worktrees without a restriction', () => {
-    const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>()
+  it('does not reveal a targeted background restriction as activation deferral', () => {
+    const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([['wt-1', new Set(['tab-1'])]])
+    const deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>()
     revealActivationDeferredTabs({
       restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
       worktreeId: 'wt-1',
       allTabIds: tabIds(3),
-      immediateTabIds: new Set(['tab-1'])
+      immediateTabIds: new Set(['tab-2'])
     })
-    expect(restrictions.has('wt-1')).toBe(false)
+    expect(restrictions.get('wt-1')).toEqual(new Set(['tab-1']))
+    expect(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.has('wt-1')).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('hands a targeted wake from activation watcher ownership to its pane', () => {
+    const restrictions = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([['wt-1', new Set(['tab-1'])]])
+    const deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree = new Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>([
+      ['wt-1', new Set(['tab-2', 'tab-3'])]
+    ])
+    const mounted = new Set(['wt-1'])
+
+    applyBackgroundMountTabRestriction(restrictions, mounted, 'wt-1', ['tab-2'])
+    revealActivationDeferredTabs({
+      restrictions,
+      deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
+      worktreeId: 'wt-1',
+      allTabIds: tabIds(3),
+      immediateTabIds: new Set(['tab-2'])
+    })
+
+    expect(restrictions.get('wt-1')).toEqual(new Set(['tab-1', 'tab-2']))
+    expect(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.get('wt-1')).toEqual(new Set(['tab-3']))
   })
 
   it('collects the tabs a restriction keeps unmounted', () => {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount.ts
index f9486d0d135..aa15f16ec08 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/background-terminal-worktree-mount.ts
@@ -141,6 +141,24 @@ export function shouldMountBackgroundWorktreeTab(
 // until first reveal, parked byte watchers own their side effects meanwhile.
 export const COLD_ACTIVATION_TAB_DEFER_THRESHOLD = 4
 
+function replaceActivationDeferredMountTabs(
+  deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree: Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>,
+  worktreeId: string,
+  restrictedTabIds: ReadonlySet<string> | null,
+  allTabIds: readonly string[]
+): void {
+  const next = collectDeferredMountTabIds(restrictedTabIds, allTabIds)
+  if (next.size === 0) {
+    deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.delete(worktreeId)
+    return
+  }
+  const current = deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.get(worktreeId)
+  if (current?.size === next.size && Array.from(next).every((tabId) => current.has(tabId))) {
+    return
+  }
+  deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.set(worktreeId, next)
+}
+
 /**
  * Decides whether activating `worktreeId` should defer mounting its hidden
  * terminal tabs until each is first revealed. Installs the restriction (tabs
@@ -149,6 +167,7 @@ export const COLD_ACTIVATION_TAB_DEFER_THRESHOLD = 4
  */
 export function planColdActivationTabDeferral(opts: {
   restrictions: Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>
+  deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree: Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>
   worktreeId: string
   allTabIds: readonly string[]
   isTabLive: (tabId: string) => boolean
@@ -157,7 +176,15 @@ export function planColdActivationTabDeferral(opts: {
   isTabDeferrable: (tabId: string) => boolean
   immediateTabIds: ReadonlySet<string>
 }): boolean {
-  const { restrictions, worktreeId, allTabIds, isTabLive, isTabDeferrable, immediateTabIds } = opts
+  const {
+    restrictions,
+    deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree,
+    worktreeId,
+    allTabIds,
+    isTabLive,
+    isTabDeferrable,
+    immediateTabIds
+  } = opts
   const previouslyAllowed = restrictions.get(worktreeId)
   const initial = new Set<string>()
   for (const tabId of allTabIds) {
@@ -175,9 +202,11 @@ export function planColdActivationTabDeferral(opts: {
   const deferredCount = allTabIds.length - initial.size
   if (deferredCount <= COLD_ACTIVATION_TAB_DEFER_THRESHOLD) {
     restrictions.delete(worktreeId)
+    deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.delete(worktreeId)
     return false
   }
   restrictions.set(worktreeId, initial)
+  replaceActivationDeferredMountTabs(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree, worktreeId, initial, allTabIds)
   return true
 }
 
@@ -189,13 +218,21 @@ export function planColdActivationTabDeferral(opts: {
  */
 export function revealActivationDeferredTabs(opts: {
   restrictions: Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>
+  deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree: Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>
   worktreeId: string
   allTabIds: readonly string[]
   immediateTabIds: ReadonlySet<string>
 }): void {
-  const { restrictions, worktreeId, allTabIds, immediateTabIds } = opts
+  const { restrictions, deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree, worktreeId, allTabIds, immediateTabIds } =
+    opts
+  // Why: targeted background mounts share the allowed-tab restriction map,
+  // but only activation deferral may eagerly fan out parked watcher coverage.
+  if (!deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.has(worktreeId)) {
+    return
+  }
   const existing = restrictions.get(worktreeId)
   if (!existing) {
+    deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.delete(worktreeId)
     return
   }
   let grew = false
@@ -208,11 +245,13 @@ export function revealActivationDeferredTabs(opts: {
   const next = grew ? new Set([...existing, ...immediateTabIds]) : existing
   if (allTabIds.length > 0 && allTabIds.every((tabId) => next.has(tabId))) {
     restrictions.delete(worktreeId)
+    deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree.delete(worktreeId)
     return
   }
   if (grew) {
     restrictions.set(worktreeId, next)
   }
+  replaceActivationDeferredMountTabs(deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree, worktreeId, next, allTabIds)
 }
 
 /** Tabs a restriction currently keeps unmounted — the set that needs parked
@@ -234,25 +273,49 @@ export function collectDeferredMountTabIds(
 }
 
 /**
- * Releases targeted mounts after their owning tabs close. Whole-worktree and
- * user-visited mounts have no restriction entry and are intentionally retained.
+ * Releases closed tabs from targeted and activation restrictions. Whole-worktree
+ * and fully user-visited mounts have no restriction entry and are retained.
  */
 export function pruneClosedBackgroundMountTabs(
   restrictions: Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>,
   mountedWorktreeIds: Set<string>,
-  tabsByWorktree: Record<string, readonly { id: string }[]>
+  tabsByWorktree: Record<string, readonly { id: string }[]>,
+  deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree?: Map<string, ReadonlySet<string>>
 ): boolean {
   let changed = false
   for (const [worktreeId, tabIds] of restrictions) {
     const liveTabIds = new Set((tabsByWorktree[worktreeId] ?? []).map((tab) => tab.id))
     const retained = new Set([...tabIds].filter((tabId) => liveTabIds.has(tabId)))
+    const deferred = deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree?.get(worktreeId)
+    const retainedDeferred = deferred
+      ? new Set([...deferred].filter((tabId) => liveTabIds.has(tabId)))
+      : null
+    const deferredChanged = deferred !== undefined && retainedDeferred?.size !== deferred.size
+    if (deferredChanged) {
+      changed = true
+      if (retainedDeferred && retainedDeferred.size > 0) {
+        deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree?.set(worktreeId, retainedDeferred)
+      } else {
+        deferredMountTabIdsByWorktree?.delete(worktreeId)
+        // Why: once every deferred tab is gone, the remaining live tabs are
+        // already allowed; release the now-redundant activation restriction.
+        restrictions.delete(worktreeId)
+        continue
+      }
+    }
     if (retained.size === tabIds.size) {
       continue
     }
     changed = true
     if (retained.size === 0) {
-      restrictions.delete(worktreeId)
-      mountedWorktreeIds.delete(worktreeId)
+      // Why: an activation restriction may legitimately have no allowed tabs
+      // while live deferred tabs remain; keep the active surface mounted.
+      if (retainedDeferred && retainedDeferred.size > 0) {
+        restrictions.set(worktreeId, retained)
+      } else {
+        restrictions.delete(worktreeId)
+        mountedWorktreeIds.delete(worktreeId)
+      }
     } else {
       restrictions.set(worktreeId, retained)
     }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/terminal-tab-actions.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/terminal-tab-actions.test.ts
index a070cdc9331..3fa945bef7b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/terminal-tab-actions.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/terminal-tab-actions.test.ts
@@ -389,6 +389,7 @@ describe('closeTerminalTab', () => {
   it('closes the pinned tab when the confirmation callback runs', () => {
     const requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm = vi.fn()
     const closeUnifiedTab = vi.fn()
+    const onClosed = vi.fn()
     getStateMock.mockReturnValue(
       makePinnedTabState({
         confirmClosePinnedTab: true,
@@ -397,11 +398,35 @@ describe('closeTerminalTab', () => {
       })
     )
 
-    closeTerminalTab('pinned-entity-1')
+    closeTerminalTab('pinned-entity-1', { onClosed })
+    expect(onClosed).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
     const { onConfirm } = requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm.mock.calls[0][0] as { onConfirm: () => void }
     onConfirm()
 
     expect(closeUnifiedTab).toHaveBeenCalledWith('unified-pinned-1')
+    expect(onClosed).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('reports cancellation without finalizing a pinned tab close', () => {
+    const requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm = vi.fn()
+    const closeUnifiedTab = vi.fn()
+    const onClosed = vi.fn()
+    const onCancel = vi.fn()
+    getStateMock.mockReturnValue(
+      makePinnedTabState({
+        confirmClosePinnedTab: true,
+        requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm,
+        closeUnifiedTab
+      })
+    )
+
+    closeTerminalTab('pinned-entity-1', { onClosed, onCancel })
+    const request = requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm.mock.calls[0][0] as { onCancel?: () => void }
+    request.onCancel?.()
+
+    expect(closeUnifiedTab).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(onClosed).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(onCancel).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
   })
 
   it('guards a pinned tab closed by its unified id (workspace overlay path)', () => {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/terminal-tab-actions.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/terminal-tab-actions.ts
index 9991b7648ea..3254f775702 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/terminal-tab-actions.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/terminal/terminal-tab-actions.ts
@@ -149,10 +149,14 @@ export function createNewTerminalTab(
   state.setTabBarOrder(activeWorktreeId, order)
 }
 
-export function closeTerminalTab(tabId: string, options?: { force?: boolean }): void {
+export function closeTerminalTab(
+  tabId: string,
+  options?: { force?: boolean; onClosed?: () => void; onCancel?: () => void }
+): void {
   const state = useAppStore.getState()
   const target = resolveCloseTerminalTabTarget(state, tabId)
   if (!target) {
+    options?.onClosed?.()
     return
   }
   const { worktreeId: owningWorktreeId, terminalTabId } = target
@@ -163,7 +167,8 @@ export function closeTerminalTab(tabId: string, options?: { force?: boolean }):
     guardPinnedTabClose({
       isPinned: true,
       tabLabel: resolvePinnedTabLabel(state, owningWorktreeId, terminalTabId),
-      onClose: () => closeTerminalTab(tabId, { force: true })
+      onClose: () => closeTerminalTab(tabId, { ...options, force: true }),
+      ...(options?.onCancel ? { onCancel: options.onCancel } : {})
     })
     return
   }
@@ -193,6 +198,7 @@ export function closeTerminalTab(tabId: string, options?: { force?: boolean }):
       tabId: hostBackedTabId,
       environmentId: runtimeEnvironmentId
     })
+    options?.onClosed?.()
     return
   }
 
@@ -217,6 +223,7 @@ export function closeTerminalTab(tabId: string, options?: { force?: boolean }):
         }
       }
     }
+    options?.onClosed?.()
     return
   }
 
@@ -230,6 +237,7 @@ export function closeTerminalTab(tabId: string, options?: { force?: boolean }):
   }
 
   closeLocalTerminalTabState(terminalTabId)
+  options?.onClosed?.()
 }
 
 export function closeOtherTerminalTabs(tabId: string, activeWorktreeId: string | null): void {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/pinned-tab-close-confirm.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/pinned-tab-close-confirm.test.ts
index 50f70d178f0..5a39df64b24 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/pinned-tab-close-confirm.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/pinned-tab-close-confirm.test.ts
@@ -89,4 +89,66 @@ describe('createPinnedTabCloseConfirmSlice', () => {
     expect(onCancel).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
     expect(store.getState().pinnedTabCloseConfirm).toBeNull()
   })
+
+  it('queues concurrent requests and advances them in request order', () => {
+    const now = vi.spyOn(Date, 'now').mockReturnValue(1_000)
+    const store = makeStore()
+    const firstConfirm = vi.fn()
+    const secondConfirm = vi.fn()
+    store.getState().requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm({
+      tabLabel: 'First terminal',
+      onConfirm: firstConfirm
+    })
+    store.getState().requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm({
+      tabLabel: 'Second terminal',
+      onConfirm: secondConfirm
+    })
+
+    expect(store.getState().pinnedTabCloseConfirm?.tabLabel).toBe('First terminal')
+    store.getState().confirmPinnedTabClose()
+    expect(firstConfirm).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(secondConfirm).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(store.getState().pinnedTabCloseConfirm?.tabLabel).toBe('Second terminal')
+
+    now.mockReturnValue(1_351)
+    store.getState().confirmPinnedTabClose()
+    expect(secondConfirm).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(store.getState().pinnedTabCloseConfirm).toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('advances the queue when an earlier request is dismissed', () => {
+    const store = makeStore()
+    const firstCancel = vi.fn()
+    store.getState().requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm({
+      tabLabel: 'First terminal',
+      onConfirm: vi.fn(),
+      onCancel: firstCancel
+    })
+    store.getState().requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm({
+      tabLabel: 'Second terminal',
+      onConfirm: vi.fn()
+    })
+
+    store.getState().dismissPinnedTabClose()
+
+    expect(firstCancel).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(store.getState().pinnedTabCloseConfirm?.tabLabel).toBe('Second terminal')
+  })
+
+  it('ignores a rapid second action on the newly advanced request', () => {
+    vi.spyOn(Date, 'now').mockReturnValue(1_000)
+    const store = makeStore()
+    const secondConfirm = vi.fn()
+    store.getState().requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm({ tabLabel: 'First', onConfirm: vi.fn() })
+    store.getState().requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm({
+      tabLabel: 'Second',
+      onConfirm: secondConfirm
+    })
+
+    store.getState().confirmPinnedTabClose()
+    store.getState().confirmPinnedTabClose()
+
+    expect(secondConfirm).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(store.getState().pinnedTabCloseConfirm?.tabLabel).toBe('Second')
+  })
 })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/pinned-tab-close-confirm.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/pinned-tab-close-confirm.ts
index 58f257298a3..df56122b285 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/pinned-tab-close-confirm.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/pinned-tab-close-confirm.ts
@@ -21,29 +21,60 @@ export const createPinnedTabCloseConfirmSlice: StateCreator<
   [],
   [],
   PinnedTabCloseConfirmSlice
-> = (set, get) => ({
-  pinnedTabCloseConfirm: null,
+> = (set, get) => {
+  const queuedRequests: PinnedTabCloseConfirmRequest[] = []
+  let nextRequestActionAllowedAt = 0
+  const INTER_REQUEST_ACTION_GUARD_MS = 350
 
-  requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm: (request) => set({ pinnedTabCloseConfirm: request }),
-
-  confirmPinnedTabClose: () => {
-    const request = get().pinnedTabCloseConfirm
-    if (!request) {
-      return
-    }
-    // Why: clear before running onConfirm so a re-entrant close path can't see
-    // the stale request and re-open the dialog.
-    set({ pinnedTabCloseConfirm: null })
-    request.onConfirm()
-  },
-
-  dismissPinnedTabClose: () => {
-    const request = get().pinnedTabCloseConfirm
-    if (!request) {
-      return
-    }
-    // Why: CLI close requests wait for a response even when the user cancels.
-    set({ pinnedTabCloseConfirm: null })
-    request.onCancel?.()
+  const advanceRequest = (): boolean => {
+    const next = queuedRequests.shift() ?? null
+    set({ pinnedTabCloseConfirm: next })
+    return next !== null
   }
-})
+
+  return {
+    pinnedTabCloseConfirm: null,
+
+    requestPinnedTabCloseConfirm: (request) => {
+      if (get().pinnedTabCloseConfirm) {
+        // Why: autonomous PTY exits can request multiple confirmations in one
+        // tick. Queue them so replacing the visible request cannot strand the
+        // first tab's close cleanup and buffered exit state.
+        queuedRequests.push(request)
+        return
+      }
+      set({ pinnedTabCloseConfirm: request })
+    },
+
+    confirmPinnedTabClose: () => {
+      if (Date.now() < nextRequestActionAllowedAt) {
+        return
+      }
+      const request = get().pinnedTabCloseConfirm
+      if (!request) {
+        return
+      }
+      // Why: advance before running onConfirm so a re-entrant close queues
+      // behind the next real request instead of seeing the stale one.
+      if (advanceRequest()) {
+        nextRequestActionAllowedAt = Date.now() + INTER_REQUEST_ACTION_GUARD_MS
+      }
+      request.onConfirm()
+    },
+
+    dismissPinnedTabClose: () => {
+      if (Date.now() < nextRequestActionAllowedAt) {
+        return
+      }
+      const request = get().pinnedTabCloseConfirm
+      if (!request) {
+        return
+      }
+      // Why: CLI close requests wait for a response even when the user cancels.
+      if (advanceRequest()) {
+        nextRequestActionAllowedAt = Date.now() + INTER_REQUEST_ACTION_GUARD_MS
+      }
+      request.onCancel?.()
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktrees.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktrees.ts
index dfd32303e25..e4110964f82 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktrees.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/worktrees.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import { findRepoForHost } from './repo-host-identity'
 import { ensureHooksConfirmed } from '@/lib/ensure-hooks-confirmed'
 import { cleanupEphemeralVmRuntimesForDeleted } from '@/lib/ephemeral-vm-runtime-cleanup'
 import { tabHasLivePty } from '@/lib/tab-has-live-pty'
+import { disposeRemovedWorktreeParkedTerminalWatchers } from '../../components/terminal-pane/terminal-parked-watcher-registry'
 import {
   callRuntimeRpc,
   getActiveRuntimeTarget,
@@ -3261,6 +3262,9 @@ export const createWorktreeSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], WorktreeSlice>
       const worktreeBeforeRemoval = get()
         .allWorktrees()
         .find((entry) => entry.id === worktreeId)
+      const terminalPtyIdsBeforeRemoval = (get().tabsByWorktree[worktreeId] ?? []).flatMap(
+        (tab) => get().ptyIdsByTabId[tab.id] ?? []
+      )
       const currentOwner = resolveWorktreeRemovalHost(get(), worktreeId)
       if (
         currentOwner.ambiguous ||
@@ -3348,6 +3352,10 @@ export const createWorktreeSlice: StateCreator<AppState, [], [], WorktreeSlice>
       // batch) rather than only the context menu.
       requestVirtualizedScrollAnchorRecord('[data-worktree-sidebar]')
 
+      // Why: explicit deletion provenance is available here before child
+      // unmount cleanup; identity migration and recoverable remounts are not
+      // destructive and must keep their buffered live PTY state.
+      disposeRemovedWorktreeParkedTerminalWatchers(worktreeId, terminalPtyIdsBeforeRemoval)
       set((s) => {
         const next = { ...s.worktreesByRepo }
         for (const repoId of Object.keys(next)) {
diff --git a/tests/e2e/terminal-cold-activation-deferral.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/terminal-cold-activation-deferral.spec.ts
index 5e1c2683256..25cedfaedaa 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/terminal-cold-activation-deferral.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/terminal-cold-activation-deferral.spec.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 import type { Page } from '@stablyai/playwright-test'
 import { test, expect } from './helpers/orca-app'
 import { getActiveTabId, waitForActiveWorktree, waitForSessionReady } from './helpers/store'
-import { waitForActiveTerminalManager, waitForPaneIdentitySnapshot } from './helpers/terminal'
+import {
+  execInTerminal,
+  waitForActivePanePtyId,
+  waitForActiveTerminalManager,
+  waitForPaneIdentitySnapshot
+} from './helpers/terminal'
 
 // Why 8: deferral engages only when more than COLD_ACTIVATION_TAB_DEFER_THRESHOLD
 // (4) tabs would mount cold; 8 tabs with one visible leaves 7 deferred.
@@ -47,6 +52,23 @@ async function getMountedTabIds(page: Page, tabIds: readonly string[]): Promise<
   )
 }
 
+async function enableTerminalAccessibilityDom(page: Page, tabId: string): Promise<void> {
+  await page.evaluate((id) => {
+    const manager = window.__paneManagers?.get(id)
+    const pane = manager?.getActivePane?.() ?? manager?.getPanes?.()[0] ?? null
+    if (!pane) {
+      throw new Error(`Terminal pane for ${id} is unavailable`)
+    }
+    // Why: xterm paints to canvas by default; screen-reader mode mirrors the
+    // visible buffer into DOM rows so the reveal oracle is user-observable.
+    pane.terminal.options.screenReaderMode = true
+    pane.terminal.refresh(0, pane.terminal.rows - 1)
+  }, tabId)
+  await expect(
+    page.locator(`[data-terminal-tab-id=${JSON.stringify(tabId)}] .xterm-accessibility-tree`)
+  ).toBeAttached({ timeout: 10_000 })
+}
+
 test.describe('cold worktree activation deferral', () => {
   test('mounts only the visible tab cold and reveals deferred tabs on demand', async ({
     orcaPage: page
@@ -95,9 +117,27 @@ test.describe('cold worktree activation deferral', () => {
     const tabIds = (await getTerminalTabSnapshots(page, worktreeId)).map((tab) => tab.id)
     const lastActiveTabId = await getActiveTabId(page)
 
-    // Why: workspace-session persistence is debounced; the reload below must
-    // find every tab (and its per-tab layout snapshot) already on disk.
-    await page.waitForTimeout(3_000)
+    // Why: trigger the production synchronous shutdown flush and verify its
+    // persisted result instead of sleeping through the debounce.
+    await page.evaluate(() => window.dispatchEvent(new Event('beforeunload')))
+    await expect
+      .poll(
+        () =>
+          page.evaluate(
+            async ({ id, expectedTabIds }) => {
+              const session = await window.api.session.get()
+              const persistedTabIds = new Set(
+                (session.tabsByWorktree[id] ?? []).map((tab) => tab.id)
+              )
+              return expectedTabIds.every(
+                (tabId) => persistedTabIds.has(tabId) && session.terminalLayoutsByTabId[tabId]
+              )
+            },
+            { id: worktreeId, expectedTabIds: tabIds }
+          ),
+        { timeout: 10_000, message: 'terminal tabs and layouts were not persisted before reload' }
+      )
+      .toBe(true)
 
     // Why reload: a fresh renderer against live daemon sessions is the field
     // scenario — persisted tabs hydrate cold (unregistered, no pending spawn)
@@ -120,19 +160,29 @@ test.describe('cold worktree activation deferral', () => {
       expect(mountedAfterActivation).toContain(lastActiveTabId)
     }
 
-    // Deferred tabs stay unmounted — there is no timer that mounts them later.
-    await page.waitForTimeout(2_000)
-    const mountedAfterSettle = await getMountedTabIds(page, tabIds)
-    expect(mountedAfterSettle.length).toBe(mountedAfterActivation.length)
-
     // Why: unmounted tabs must not go silent — the parked byte watchers own
-    // their side effects while deferred.
-    const watcherCoveredTabIds = await page.evaluate(
-      () =>
-        (
-          window as Window & { __terminalParkingDebug?: { parkedTabIds?: () => string[] } }
-        ).__terminalParkingDebug?.parkedTabIds?.() ?? []
-    )
+    // their side effects while deferred. This also deterministically proves
+    // the post-commit watcher effect flushed; no settle sleep is needed.
+    let watcherCoveredTabIds: string[] = []
+    await expect
+      .poll(
+        async () => {
+          watcherCoveredTabIds = await page.evaluate(
+            () =>
+              (
+                window as Window & { __terminalParkingDebug?: { parkedTabIds?: () => string[] } }
+              ).__terminalParkingDebug?.parkedTabIds?.() ?? []
+          )
+          const mounted = await getMountedTabIds(page, tabIds)
+          return tabIds.every(
+            (tabId) => mounted.includes(tabId) || watcherCoveredTabIds.includes(tabId)
+          )
+        },
+        { timeout: 10_000, message: 'deferred tabs did not receive watcher coverage' }
+      )
+      .toBe(true)
+    const mountedAfterSettle = await getMountedTabIds(page, tabIds)
+    expect(mountedAfterSettle).toEqual(mountedAfterActivation)
     for (const tabId of tabIds) {
       if (!mountedAfterSettle.includes(tabId)) {
         expect(watcherCoveredTabIds).toContain(tabId)
@@ -142,16 +192,43 @@ test.describe('cold worktree activation deferral', () => {
     // Revealing a deferred tab mounts it on demand.
     const deferredTabId = tabIds.find((tabId) => !mountedAfterSettle.includes(tabId))
     expect(deferredTabId).toBeDefined()
+    if (!deferredTabId) {
+      throw new Error('cold activation left no deferred tab to reveal')
+    }
     await page.evaluate((tabId) => {
       const state = window.__store?.getState()
       state?.setActiveTab(tabId)
       state?.setActiveTabType('terminal')
-    }, deferredTabId as string)
+    }, deferredTabId)
     await expect
-      .poll(async () => (await getMountedTabIds(page, [deferredTabId as string])).length, {
+      .poll(async () => (await getMountedTabIds(page, [deferredTabId])).length, {
         timeout: 15_000,
         message: 'revealed deferred tab did not mount'
       })
       .toBe(1)
+
+    await expect
+      .poll(
+        () =>
+          page.evaluate((tabId) => {
+            const parkedTabIds =
+              (
+                window as Window & { __terminalParkingDebug?: { parkedTabIds?: () => string[] } }
+              ).__terminalParkingDebug?.parkedTabIds?.() ?? []
+            return !parkedTabIds.includes(tabId)
+          }, deferredTabId),
+        { timeout: 10_000, message: 'revealed tab retained its parked watcher' }
+      )
+      .toBe(true)
+
+    const revealedPtyId = await waitForActivePanePtyId(page, 15_000)
+    await enableTerminalAccessibilityDom(page, deferredTabId)
+    const outputMarker = `COLD_DEFER_REVEAL_OK_${Date.now()}`
+    await execInTerminal(page, revealedPtyId, `echo ${outputMarker}`)
+    await expect(
+      page.locator(
+        `[data-terminal-tab-id=${JSON.stringify(deferredTabId)}] .xterm-accessibility-tree`
+      )
+    ).toContainText(outputMarker, { timeout: 15_000 })
   })
 })