diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-endpoint-ownership.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-endpoint-ownership.test.ts
index cf6af2e0956..e9cf11a6879 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-endpoint-ownership.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-endpoint-ownership.test.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 55555,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write() {},
     resize() {},
     kill() {},
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-health.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-health.test.ts
index 7d0d64271fa..aa4b56a6ceb 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-health.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-health.test.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 55555,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write() {},
     resize() {},
     kill() {},
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-idle-shutdown.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-idle-shutdown.test.ts
index 05f4b3aa39f..3892d89fcc6 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-idle-shutdown.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-idle-shutdown.test.ts
@@ -80,6 +80,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & { exit(code: number): void }
   return {
     pid: 9345,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-main.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-main.test.ts
index ea3884adb14..43948e4398e 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-main.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-main.test.ts
@@ -95,6 +95,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess() {
   return {
     pid: 99999,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => setTimeout(() => onExitCb?.(0), 5)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-preflight-client-replacement.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-preflight-client-replacement.test.ts
index 7fbb46ebfd5..170329e4c8d 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-preflight-client-replacement.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-preflight-client-replacement.test.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 55555,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     confirmForegroundProcess: vi.fn(async () => null),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-adapter-test-harness.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-adapter-test-harness.ts
index f7676bbec2f..5e93fd422c7 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-adapter-test-harness.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-adapter-test-harness.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,10 @@ export function createMockSubprocess(dataOnSubscribe?: string): SubprocessHandle
     // Why: getCwd falls back to OS pid lookup; an implausibly-high fake pid can't collide with a real process' cwd.
     pid: 999_999_999,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     confirmShellForeground: vi.fn(async () => false),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-process-inspection.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-process-inspection.ts
index bbc44568501..00f3757153e 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-process-inspection.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-process-inspection.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
   type SessionInfo
 } from './types'
 import type { PtyProcessInspection } from '../providers/pty-process-inspection'
+import type { PtyProcessInspectionEvidence } from '../../shared/pty-process-inspection-evidence'
 
 export abstract class DaemonPtyProcessInspection extends DaemonPtyBufferSnapshots {
   // Why: daemon-backed PTYs can host long-lived agents while detached; cleanup prompts must not treat them as idle shells.
@@ -42,6 +43,12 @@ export abstract class DaemonPtyProcessInspection extends DaemonPtyBufferSnapshot
     return this.client.request<{
       foregroundProcess: string | null
       hasChildProcesses: boolean
+      // Why optional: daemons survive in-place app updates, so a pre-evidence
+      // daemon omits the field and readers fall back to the legacy collapse
+      // (readPtyProcessInspectionEvidence). The composed pre-v27 result above
+      // stays evidence-less for the same reason: an old daemon's published
+      // values are the only answer it can give.
+      processEvidence?: PtyProcessInspectionEvidence
     }>('inspectProcess', { sessionId: id })
   }
 
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-router-history-handoff.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-router-history-handoff.test.ts
index e57375467ef..315102902fe 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-router-history-handoff.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-router-history-handoff.test.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & {
   return {
     pid: 999_999_999,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     pause: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-upgrade-adoption.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-upgrade-adoption.test.ts
index 99c2a792e1e..a2cb70edd11 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-upgrade-adoption.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-upgrade-adoption.test.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ function createFixtureSubprocess(pid: number): FixtureSubprocess {
   return {
     pid,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     pause: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-reattach-checkpoint-isolation.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-reattach-checkpoint-isolation.test.ts
index b2c0bf59cbc..fcddfe90568 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-reattach-checkpoint-isolation.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-reattach-checkpoint-isolation.test.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & { emitData: (data: string) =
   return {
     pid: 4242,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => setTimeout(() => onExit?.(0), 1)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-restore-scrollback-depth.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-restore-scrollback-depth.test.ts
index b2c2c7c5028..ee43785fac8 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-restore-scrollback-depth.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-restore-scrollback-depth.test.ts
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & {
   return {
     pid: 4242,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => setTimeout(() => onExit?.(0), 1)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-self-retirement-respawn.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-self-retirement-respawn.test.ts
index 7d70d02e70a..4259abdec43 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-self-retirement-respawn.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-self-retirement-respawn.test.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ function fixtureSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: process.pid,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: () => {},
     resize: () => {},
     kill: () => queueMicrotask(() => onExit?.(0)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-attach-only.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-attach-only.test.ts
index 60e9ee83495..4f2560c209e 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-attach-only.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-attach-only.test.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 55555,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => onExit?.(0)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-attachment-lifecycle.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-attachment-lifecycle.test.ts
index 2f4d1b734ac..69f8205e2ef 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-attachment-lifecycle.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-attachment-lifecycle.test.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 55_555,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => onExit?.(0)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-error-handling.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-error-handling.test.ts
index 7ab9d1ffa95..766407e8b58 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-error-handling.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-server-error-handling.test.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 44444,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write() {},
     resize() {},
     kill: exit,
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-server.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-server.test.ts
index 27727aa2b3d..a3ac6024b6d 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-server.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-server.test.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & {
   return {
     pid: 55555,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     confirmForegroundProcess: confirmForegroundProcessMock,
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-session-scrollback-window.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-session-scrollback-window.test.ts
index b2dfb5118c9..05654ffa4b1 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-session-scrollback-window.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-session-scrollback-window.test.ts
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ describe('daemon session scrollback window', () => {
     return {
       pid: 4242,
       getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+      observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+        processName: null,
+        evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+      }),
       write: vi.fn(),
       resize: vi.fn(),
       kill: vi.fn(() => {
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-shutdown-final-checkpoint-caller-deadline.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-shutdown-final-checkpoint-caller-deadline.test.ts
index 64ae0f77ba0..5339151bb3f 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-shutdown-final-checkpoint-caller-deadline.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-shutdown-final-checkpoint-caller-deadline.test.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & { emitData: (data: string) =
   return {
     pid: 4243,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => setTimeout(() => onExit?.(0), 1)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-spawner.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-spawner.test.ts
index a2ad26130ff..f04a2140016 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-spawner.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-spawner.test.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 88888,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => setTimeout(() => onExitCb?.(0), 5)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-stream-droppability-lifecycle.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-stream-droppability-lifecycle.test.ts
index fda1fe25b98..a7d19d59150 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-stream-droppability-lifecycle.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-stream-droppability-lifecycle.test.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): MockSubprocess {
   return {
     pid: 55_555,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => onExit?.(0)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/daemon-transport-attachment-release.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/daemon-transport-attachment-release.test.ts
index 7b7c5e4fee6..a83766864a7 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/daemon-transport-attachment-release.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/daemon-transport-attachment-release.test.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ function fixtureSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 1234,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: () => {},
     resize: () => {},
     kill: () => {
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/issue-6814-daemon-failure-classification.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/issue-6814-daemon-failure-classification.test.ts
index 35b84245a83..a84b76b1ab3 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/issue-6814-daemon-failure-classification.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/issue-6814-daemon-failure-classification.test.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 55555,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write() {},
     resize() {},
     kill() {},
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/foreground-identity-refresh.ts b/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/foreground-identity-refresh.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..daa93c372d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/foreground-identity-refresh.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+import type * as pty from 'node-pty'
+import { resolveAgentForegroundProcessWithAvailability } from '../../providers/agent-foreground-process'
+import {
+  judgeCachedAgentJobEvidence,
+  WINDOWS_DETACHED_DESCENDANT_IDENTITY_MAX_AGE_MS
+} from '../../providers/windows-cached-agent-revalidation'
+import {
+  isWindowsPtyJobReadable,
+  readWindowsPtyJobProcessIds
+} from '../../providers/windows-pty-job-membership'
+import {
+  isAgentForegroundWrapperProcess,
+  recognizeAgentProcess
+} from '../../../shared/agent-process-recognition'
+import { shouldInspectOuterWrapperForegroundProcess } from '../../../shared/foreground-wrapper-agent'
+import { isShellProcess } from '../../../shared/shell-process-detection'
+
+export const FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS = 1000
+const SHELL_FOREGROUND_REFRESH_RETRY_MS = 5_000
+const WINDOWS_IDLE_SHELL_FOREGROUND_REFRESH_RETRY_MS = 15_000
+const SHELL_FOREGROUND_OUTPUT_HOT_WINDOW_MS = 10_000
+// Why 30s: comfortably above the slowest idle refresh cadence (15s on Windows)
+// so a healthy idle pane always holds corroboration, while a pane whose scans
+// stopped settling loses shell-exit authority within seconds.
+const SHELL_TITLE_SCAN_CORROBORATION_MAX_AGE_MS = 30_000
+
+// `pid` anchors the identity to the row that proved it (null when ambiguous).
+export type CachedAgentForeground = {
+  processName: string
+  pid: number | null
+  refreshedAt: number
+}
+
+/** Outcome of the most recently settled identity scan. `sawAgent` is only
+ *  meaningful when `available` — an unavailable scan observed nothing. */
+export type ForegroundScanSettlement = { at: number; available: boolean; sawAgent: boolean }
+
+export type ForegroundIdentityState = {
+  cachedAgentForeground: CachedAgentForeground | null
+  startupAgentForeground: { processName: string; expiresAt: number } | null
+  lastScanSettlement: ForegroundScanSettlement | null
+  refreshInFlight: boolean
+  lastRefreshStartedAt: number
+  lastOutputAt: number
+}
+
+export function getActiveStartupAgent(
+  state: ForegroundIdentityState,
+  now = Date.now()
+): { processName: string; expiresAt: number } | null {
+  if (!state.startupAgentForeground) {
+    return null
+  }
+  if (now > state.startupAgentForeground.expiresAt) {
+    state.startupAgentForeground = null
+    return null
+  }
+  return state.startupAgentForeground
+}
+
+/**
+ * A shell-shaped title is exit evidence only when a completed scan agrees the
+ * pane is idle. node-pty's POSIX title read silently falls back to the spawned
+ * shell file when the native read fails, so under the same distress that
+ * degrades the scan, "title == shell" observes nothing — and a scan that last
+ * saw the agent cannot corroborate its absence either.
+ */
+export function isShellTitleCorroborated(
+  settlement: ForegroundScanSettlement | null,
+  now: number
+): boolean {
+  return (
+    settlement !== null &&
+    settlement.available &&
+    !settlement.sawAgent &&
+    now - settlement.at <= SHELL_TITLE_SCAN_CORROBORATION_MAX_AGE_MS
+  )
+}
+
+/**
+ * The throttled async identity scan behind the tracker's synchronous reads:
+ * resolves the pane's real foreground agent through the process table, keeps
+ * or retires the cached identity, and records how its last scan settled so
+ * the sync read can tell an observed idle shell from a degraded read.
+ */
+export function createForegroundIdentityRefresh(args: {
+  process: pty.IPty
+  state: ForegroundIdentityState
+  contextPaths: string[]
+  isDead: () => boolean
+  getFallbackProcess: () => string | null
+  shouldInspectFallback: (fallbackProcess: string | null) => boolean
+}): (fallbackProcess: string | null) => void {
+  const proc = args.process
+  const state = args.state
+  return (fallbackProcess) => {
+    if (args.isDead() || !proc.pid) {
+      return
+    }
+    const fallbackIsShell = fallbackProcess !== null && isShellProcess(fallbackProcess)
+    const fallbackRecognition = recognizeAgentProcess(fallbackProcess)
+    if (
+      !fallbackProcess ||
+      (fallbackRecognition !== null &&
+        !shouldInspectOuterWrapperForegroundProcess(fallbackRecognition)) ||
+      !args.shouldInspectFallback(fallbackProcess)
+    ) {
+      return
+    }
+    const now = Date.now()
+    const idleNoEvidenceShell =
+      fallbackIsShell && !getActiveStartupAgent(state, now) && !state.cachedAgentForeground
+    const retryMs = !idleNoEvidenceShell
+      ? FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS
+      : process.platform === 'win32' &&
+          now - state.lastOutputAt > SHELL_FOREGROUND_OUTPUT_HOT_WINDOW_MS
+        ? WINDOWS_IDLE_SHELL_FOREGROUND_REFRESH_RETRY_MS
+        : SHELL_FOREGROUND_REFRESH_RETRY_MS
+    if (state.refreshInFlight || now - state.lastRefreshStartedAt < retryMs) {
+      return
+    }
+    state.refreshInFlight = true
+    state.lastRefreshStartedAt = now
+    const identityOlderThan = (ms: number): boolean =>
+      state.cachedAgentForeground !== null &&
+      Date.now() - state.cachedAgentForeground.refreshedAt > ms
+    const retireStaleForegroundIdentity = ({ onlyWhenAged = false } = {}): void => {
+      const currentFallbackProcess = args.getFallbackProcess()
+      if (
+        fallbackIsShell &&
+        !getActiveStartupAgent(state) &&
+        currentFallbackProcess !== null &&
+        isShellProcess(currentFallbackProcess) &&
+        (!onlyWhenAged || identityOlderThan(WINDOWS_DETACHED_DESCENDANT_IDENTITY_MAX_AGE_MS))
+      ) {
+        state.cachedAgentForeground = null
+        state.startupAgentForeground = null
+      } else if (
+        identityOlderThan(FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS) &&
+        currentFallbackProcess !== null &&
+        isAgentForegroundWrapperProcess(currentFallbackProcess)
+      ) {
+        state.cachedAgentForeground = null
+      }
+    }
+    const anchor = state.cachedAgentForeground
+    void resolveAgentForegroundProcessWithAvailability(proc.pid, fallbackProcess, {
+      contextPaths: args.contextPaths,
+      ...(anchor?.pid != null
+        ? { anchorProcessId: anchor.pid, anchorProcessName: anchor.processName }
+        : {})
+    })
+      .then<string | void>(({ processName, processId, available, anchorPidForeign }) => {
+        state.lastScanSettlement = {
+          at: Date.now(),
+          available,
+          sawAgent: available && recognizeAgentProcess(processName) !== null
+        }
+        if (args.isDead() || !available) {
+          return
+        }
+        if (!processName || !recognizeAgentProcess(processName)) {
+          if (
+            process.platform === 'win32' &&
+            fallbackIsShell &&
+            state.cachedAgentForeground !== null
+          ) {
+            // Job, not console: needs no console attachment, so no fork (#10857).
+            const verdict = judgeCachedAgentJobEvidence({
+              jobProcessIds: readWindowsPtyJobProcessIds(proc),
+              jobSupported: isWindowsPtyJobReadable(),
+              shellPid: proc.pid,
+              anchorProcessId: state.cachedAgentForeground.pid,
+              identityAgeMs: Date.now() - state.cachedAgentForeground.refreshedAt
+            })
+            // Unverifiable is never exit proof (ssh-execution-boundary.md): hold.
+            if (verdict === 'unavailable') {
+              return
+            }
+            if (verdict === 'unsupported') {
+              // No job to consult on this build, and the scan that got here was
+              // available and found no agent. Trust it, as every other platform
+              // does, rather than holding a dead name forever (#16059).
+              retireStaleForegroundIdentity()
+              return
+            }
+            if (verdict === 'confirmed' || verdict === 'recheck') {
+              if (anchorPidForeign === true) {
+                // The scan proved the pid recycled to a non-agent: retire now.
+                retireStaleForegroundIdentity()
+                return
+              }
+              // The anchor pid is still in the job: the scan lost the row, not
+              // the agent. Restamp so a live agent never ages out (#9258).
+              state.cachedAgentForeground = {
+                ...state.cachedAgentForeground,
+                refreshedAt: Date.now()
+              }
+              return
+            }
+            if (verdict === 'exited' || verdict === 'anchor-exited') {
+              // Safe mid-restart: an available scan already found no agent.
+              retireStaleForegroundIdentity()
+              return
+            }
+            // Unanchored superset evidence cannot tell a working agent from a
+            // leftover; the age bound settles it.
+            retireStaleForegroundIdentity({ onlyWhenAged: true })
+            return
+          }
+          retireStaleForegroundIdentity()
+          return
+        }
+        state.cachedAgentForeground = {
+          processName,
+          pid: processId ?? null,
+          refreshedAt: Date.now()
+        }
+        state.startupAgentForeground = null
+        return processName
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        // Best-effort only: foreground enrichment must never affect PTY health.
+        state.lastScanSettlement = { at: Date.now(), available: false, sawAgent: false }
+      })
+      .finally(() => {
+        state.refreshInFlight = false
+      })
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/foreground-process-tracker.ts b/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/foreground-process-tracker.ts
index 115b795202d..c47340e5ae4 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/foreground-process-tracker.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/foreground-process-tracker.ts
@@ -2,15 +2,6 @@ import type * as pty from 'node-pty'
 import { getAgentForegroundContextPaths } from '../../providers/agent-foreground-context-paths'
 import { resolveAgentForegroundProcessWithAvailability } from '../../providers/agent-foreground-process'
 import { confirmPtyShellForeground } from './pty-shell-foreground-confirmation'
-import {
-  judgeCachedAgentJobEvidence,
-  WINDOWS_DETACHED_DESCENDANT_IDENTITY_MAX_AGE_MS
-} from '../../providers/windows-cached-agent-revalidation'
-import {
-  isWindowsPtyJobReadable,
-  readWindowsPtyJobProcessIds
-} from '../../providers/windows-pty-job-membership'
-
 import { readWindowsConsoleAttachedProcessIds } from '../../providers/windows-console-attached-processes'
 import {
   isAgentForegroundWrapperProcess,
@@ -24,19 +15,22 @@ import {
 import { isShellProcess } from '../../../shared/shell-process-detection'
 import { resolveFallbackForegroundProcess } from './foreground-fallback-process'
 import { parsePtySessionId } from '../pty-session-id'
+import type { ForegroundProcessObservation } from '../session-subprocess-handle'
+import {
+  createForegroundIdentityRefresh,
+  FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS,
+  getActiveStartupAgent,
+  isShellTitleCorroborated,
+  type ForegroundIdentityState
+} from './foreground-identity-refresh'
 
-const FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS = 1000
-const SHELL_FOREGROUND_REFRESH_RETRY_MS = 5_000
-const WINDOWS_IDLE_SHELL_FOREGROUND_REFRESH_RETRY_MS = 15_000
-const SHELL_FOREGROUND_OUTPUT_HOT_WINDOW_MS = 10_000
 const STARTUP_AGENT_FOREGROUND_BOOTSTRAP_MS = 5_000
 
-type CachedAgentForeground = { processName: string; pid: number | null; refreshedAt: number }
-
 export type PtyForegroundProcessTracker = {
   recordOutput(data: string): void
   markDead(): void
   getForegroundProcess(): string | null
+  observeForegroundProcess(): ForegroundProcessObservation
   confirmForegroundProcess(): Promise<string | null>
   confirmShellForeground(): Promise<boolean>
 }
@@ -50,214 +44,121 @@ export function createPtyForegroundProcessTracker(args: {
   isDead: () => boolean
 }): PtyForegroundProcessTracker {
   const proc = args.process
-  let lastOutputAt = 0
-  // `pid` anchors the identity to the row that proved it (null when ambiguous).
-  let cachedAgentForeground: CachedAgentForeground | null = null
   const contextPaths = getAgentForegroundContextPaths({
     cwd: args.cwd,
     worktreeId: parsePtySessionId(args.sessionId).worktreeId
   })
-  let startupAgentForeground: { processName: string; expiresAt: number } | null =
-    args.startupAgentRecognition
+  const state: ForegroundIdentityState = {
+    cachedAgentForeground: null,
+    startupAgentForeground: args.startupAgentRecognition
       ? {
           processName: args.startupAgentRecognition.processName,
           expiresAt: Date.now() + STARTUP_AGENT_FOREGROUND_BOOTSTRAP_MS
         }
-      : null
-  let foregroundRefreshInFlight = false
-  let lastForegroundRefreshStartedAt = 0
+      : null,
+    lastScanSettlement: null,
+    refreshInFlight: false,
+    lastRefreshStartedAt: 0,
+    lastOutputAt: 0
+  }
   const getFallbackProcess = (): string | null =>
     resolveFallbackForegroundProcess(proc.process, args.shellPath)
-  const getActiveStartupAgent = (
-    now = Date.now()
-  ): { processName: string; expiresAt: number } | null => {
-    if (!startupAgentForeground) {
-      return null
-    }
-    if (now > startupAgentForeground.expiresAt) {
-      startupAgentForeground = null
-      return null
-    }
-    return startupAgentForeground
-  }
   const shouldInspectFallback = (fallbackProcess: string | null): boolean =>
     fallbackProcess !== null &&
     (isShellProcess(fallbackProcess) ||
       isAgentForegroundWrapperProcess(fallbackProcess) ||
       shouldInspectOuterWrapperForegroundName(fallbackProcess) ||
       process.platform !== 'win32')
+  const scheduleRefresh = createForegroundIdentityRefresh({
+    process: proc,
+    state,
+    contextPaths,
+    isDead: args.isDead,
+    getFallbackProcess,
+    shouldInspectFallback
+  })
 
-  const scheduleRefresh = (fallbackProcess: string | null): void => {
-    if (args.isDead() || !proc.pid) {
-      return
+  const observed = (processName: string | null): ForegroundProcessObservation => ({
+    processName,
+    evidence: { verdict: 'observed', processName }
+  })
+  const unverifiable = (
+    processName: string | null,
+    reason: string
+  ): ForegroundProcessObservation => ({
+    processName,
+    evidence: { verdict: 'unverifiable', reason }
+  })
+
+  const observeForegroundProcess = (): ForegroundProcessObservation => {
+    if (args.isDead()) {
+      // The pty's own exit marked death: a host observation, not a failed read.
+      return observed(null)
     }
-    const fallbackIsShell = fallbackProcess !== null && isShellProcess(fallbackProcess)
-    const fallbackRecognition = recognizeAgentProcess(fallbackProcess)
-    if (
-      !fallbackProcess ||
-      (fallbackRecognition !== null &&
-        !shouldInspectOuterWrapperForegroundProcess(fallbackRecognition)) ||
-      !shouldInspectFallback(fallbackProcess)
-    ) {
-      return
-    }
-    const now = Date.now()
-    const idleNoEvidenceShell =
-      fallbackIsShell && !getActiveStartupAgent(now) && !cachedAgentForeground
-    const retryMs = !idleNoEvidenceShell
-      ? FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS
-      : process.platform === 'win32' && now - lastOutputAt > SHELL_FOREGROUND_OUTPUT_HOT_WINDOW_MS
-        ? WINDOWS_IDLE_SHELL_FOREGROUND_REFRESH_RETRY_MS
-        : SHELL_FOREGROUND_REFRESH_RETRY_MS
-    if (foregroundRefreshInFlight || now - lastForegroundRefreshStartedAt < retryMs) {
-      return
-    }
-    foregroundRefreshInFlight = true
-    lastForegroundRefreshStartedAt = now
-    const identityOlderThan = (ms: number): boolean =>
-      cachedAgentForeground !== null && Date.now() - cachedAgentForeground.refreshedAt > ms
-    const retireStaleForegroundIdentity = ({ onlyWhenAged = false } = {}): void => {
-      const currentFallbackProcess = getFallbackProcess()
-      if (
-        fallbackIsShell &&
-        !getActiveStartupAgent() &&
-        currentFallbackProcess !== null &&
-        isShellProcess(currentFallbackProcess) &&
-        (!onlyWhenAged || identityOlderThan(WINDOWS_DETACHED_DESCENDANT_IDENTITY_MAX_AGE_MS))
-      ) {
-        cachedAgentForeground = null
-        startupAgentForeground = null
-      } else if (
-        identityOlderThan(FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS) &&
-        currentFallbackProcess !== null &&
-        isAgentForegroundWrapperProcess(currentFallbackProcess)
-      ) {
-        cachedAgentForeground = null
+    try {
+      const fallbackProcess = getFallbackProcess()
+      const fallbackRecognition = recognizeAgentProcess(fallbackProcess)
+      const inspectOuterWrapper =
+        fallbackRecognition !== null &&
+        shouldInspectOuterWrapperForegroundProcess(fallbackRecognition)
+      if (fallbackProcess && fallbackRecognition && !inspectOuterWrapper) {
+        state.cachedAgentForeground = {
+          processName: fallbackProcess,
+          pid: null,
+          refreshedAt: Date.now()
+        }
+        state.startupAgentForeground = null
+        return observed(fallbackProcess)
       }
+      scheduleRefresh(fallbackProcess)
+      const now = Date.now()
+      if (
+        state.cachedAgentForeground &&
+        now - state.cachedAgentForeground.refreshedAt <= FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS
+      ) {
+        return observed(state.cachedAgentForeground.processName)
+      }
+      if (
+        state.cachedAgentForeground &&
+        fallbackProcess !== null &&
+        (isAgentForegroundWrapperProcess(fallbackProcess) ||
+          inspectOuterWrapper ||
+          (process.platform === 'win32' && isShellProcess(fallbackProcess)))
+      ) {
+        return observed(state.cachedAgentForeground.processName)
+      }
+      const activeStartupAgentForeground = getActiveStartupAgent(state, now)
+      if (fallbackProcess && isShellProcess(fallbackProcess) && activeStartupAgentForeground) {
+        return observed(activeStartupAgentForeground.processName)
+      }
+      if (fallbackProcess === null) {
+        // A successful read that named nothing usable observed nothing.
+        return unverifiable(null, 'pty reported no usable foreground title')
+      }
+      if (
+        isShellProcess(fallbackProcess) &&
+        !isShellTitleCorroborated(state.lastScanSettlement, now)
+      ) {
+        return unverifiable(fallbackProcess, 'shell title without a corroborating foreground scan')
+      }
+      return observed(fallbackProcess)
+    } catch {
+      return unverifiable(null, 'foreground title read threw')
     }
-    const anchor = cachedAgentForeground
-    void resolveAgentForegroundProcessWithAvailability(proc.pid, fallbackProcess, {
-      contextPaths,
-      ...(anchor?.pid != null
-        ? { anchorProcessId: anchor.pid, anchorProcessName: anchor.processName }
-        : {})
-    })
-      .then<string | void>(({ processName, processId, available, anchorPidForeign }) => {
-        if (args.isDead() || !available) {
-          return
-        }
-        if (!processName || !recognizeAgentProcess(processName)) {
-          if (process.platform === 'win32' && fallbackIsShell && cachedAgentForeground !== null) {
-            // Job, not console: needs no console attachment, so no fork (#10857).
-            const verdict = judgeCachedAgentJobEvidence({
-              jobProcessIds: readWindowsPtyJobProcessIds(proc),
-              jobSupported: isWindowsPtyJobReadable(),
-              shellPid: proc.pid,
-              anchorProcessId: cachedAgentForeground.pid,
-              identityAgeMs: Date.now() - cachedAgentForeground.refreshedAt
-            })
-            // Unverifiable is never exit proof (ssh-execution-boundary.md): hold.
-            if (verdict === 'unavailable') {
-              return
-            }
-            if (verdict === 'unsupported') {
-              // No job to consult on this build, and the scan that got here was
-              // available and found no agent. Trust it, as every other platform
-              // does, rather than holding a dead name forever (#16059).
-              retireStaleForegroundIdentity()
-              return
-            }
-            if (verdict === 'confirmed' || verdict === 'recheck') {
-              if (anchorPidForeign === true) {
-                // The scan proved the pid recycled to a non-agent: retire now.
-                retireStaleForegroundIdentity()
-                return
-              }
-              // The anchor pid is still in the job: the scan lost the row, not
-              // the agent. Restamp so a live agent never ages out (#9258).
-              cachedAgentForeground = { ...cachedAgentForeground, refreshedAt: Date.now() }
-              return
-            }
-            if (verdict === 'exited' || verdict === 'anchor-exited') {
-              // Safe mid-restart: an available scan already found no agent.
-              retireStaleForegroundIdentity()
-              return
-            }
-            // Unanchored superset evidence cannot tell a working agent from a
-            // leftover; the age bound settles it.
-            retireStaleForegroundIdentity({ onlyWhenAged: true })
-            return
-          }
-          retireStaleForegroundIdentity()
-          return
-        }
-        cachedAgentForeground = { processName, pid: processId ?? null, refreshedAt: Date.now() }
-        startupAgentForeground = null
-        return processName
-      })
-      .catch(() => {
-        // Best-effort only: foreground enrichment must never affect PTY health.
-      })
-      .finally(() => {
-        foregroundRefreshInFlight = false
-      })
   }
 
   return {
     recordOutput: (data) => {
       if (data.length > 0) {
-        lastOutputAt = Date.now()
+        state.lastOutputAt = Date.now()
       }
     },
     markDead: () => {
-      cachedAgentForeground = null
-      startupAgentForeground = null
-    },
-    getForegroundProcess: () => {
-      if (args.isDead()) {
-        return null
-      }
-      try {
-        const fallbackProcess = getFallbackProcess()
-        const fallbackRecognition = recognizeAgentProcess(fallbackProcess)
-        const inspectOuterWrapper =
-          fallbackRecognition !== null &&
-          shouldInspectOuterWrapperForegroundProcess(fallbackRecognition)
-        if (fallbackProcess && fallbackRecognition && !inspectOuterWrapper) {
-          cachedAgentForeground = {
-            processName: fallbackProcess,
-            pid: null,
-            refreshedAt: Date.now()
-          }
-          startupAgentForeground = null
-          return fallbackProcess
-        }
-        scheduleRefresh(fallbackProcess)
-        const now = Date.now()
-        if (
-          cachedAgentForeground &&
-          now - cachedAgentForeground.refreshedAt <= FOREGROUND_AGENT_CACHE_TTL_MS
-        ) {
-          return cachedAgentForeground.processName
-        }
-        if (
-          cachedAgentForeground &&
-          fallbackProcess !== null &&
-          (isAgentForegroundWrapperProcess(fallbackProcess) ||
-            inspectOuterWrapper ||
-            (process.platform === 'win32' && isShellProcess(fallbackProcess)))
-        ) {
-          return cachedAgentForeground.processName
-        }
-        const activeStartupAgentForeground = getActiveStartupAgent(now)
-        if (fallbackProcess && isShellProcess(fallbackProcess) && activeStartupAgentForeground) {
-          return activeStartupAgentForeground.processName
-        }
-        return fallbackProcess
-      } catch {
-        return null
-      }
+      state.cachedAgentForeground = null
+      state.startupAgentForeground = null
     },
+    getForegroundProcess: () => observeForegroundProcess().processName,
+    observeForegroundProcess,
     confirmForegroundProcess: async () => {
       if (args.isDead() || !proc.pid) {
         return null
@@ -294,16 +195,16 @@ export function createPtyForegroundProcessTracker(args: {
         }
         const recognized = recognizeAgentProcess(resolution.processName)
         if (recognized) {
-          cachedAgentForeground = {
+          state.cachedAgentForeground = {
             processName: recognized.processName,
             pid: resolution.processId ?? null,
             refreshedAt: Date.now()
           }
-          startupAgentForeground = null
+          state.startupAgentForeground = null
           return recognized.processName
         }
-        cachedAgentForeground = null
-        startupAgentForeground = null
+        state.cachedAgentForeground = null
+        state.startupAgentForeground = null
         return resolution.processName
       } catch {
         return null
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/subprocess-handle.ts b/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/subprocess-handle.ts
index e2abd59c6ea..fdbf438ab79 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/subprocess-handle.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/subprocess-handle.ts
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ export function createDaemonPtySubprocessHandle(args: {
       ? { startupCommandDeliveredInShellArgs: true }
       : {}),
     getForegroundProcess: foreground.getForegroundProcess,
+    observeForegroundProcess: foreground.observeForegroundProcess,
     confirmForegroundProcess: foreground.confirmForegroundProcess,
     confirmShellForeground: foreground.confirmShellForeground,
     write: (data) => {
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/reattach-snapshot.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/reattach-snapshot.test.ts
index 9bbf7a103d6..4ce026cbbb2 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/reattach-snapshot.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/reattach-snapshot.test.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & {
   return {
     pid: 42,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => setTimeout(() => onExitCb?.(0), 5)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/repro-12101-mouse-tracking-survives-agent-death.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/repro-12101-mouse-tracking-survives-agent-death.test.ts
index f58536f36b8..8532fdafdf1 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/repro-12101-mouse-tracking-survives-agent-death.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/repro-12101-mouse-tracking-survives-agent-death.test.ts
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ function createFakeSubprocess(foregroundProcess: string) {
     forceKilled: false,
     pid: 4242,
     getForegroundProcess: () => foregroundProcess,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: foregroundProcess,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: foregroundProcess }
+    }),
     write: (data: string) => void written.push(data),
     resize: () => {},
     kill: () => {},
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/session-ingest-throughput.bench.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/session-ingest-throughput.bench.test.ts
index c10d86661ca..468da3ce949 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/session-ingest-throughput.bench.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/session-ingest-throughput.bench.test.ts
@@ -66,6 +66,10 @@ function makeSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & { emit: (data: string) => void } {
   return {
     pid: 4242,
     getForegroundProcess: () => 'bench',
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: 'bench',
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: 'bench' }
+    }),
     write: () => {},
     resize: () => {},
     kill: () => {},
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/session-pending-output.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/session-pending-output.test.ts
index 2c95ce248bb..e24958aef14 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/session-pending-output.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/session-pending-output.test.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess() {
   return {
     pid: 12345,
     getForegroundProcess: (): string | null => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write(_data: string) {},
     resize(_cols: number, _rows: number) {},
     kill() {},
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/session-subprocess-handle.ts b/src/main/daemon/session-subprocess-handle.ts
index f14469afbb4..50866f83fa6 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/session-subprocess-handle.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/session-subprocess-handle.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,26 @@
 import type { TerminalExitCause } from '../../shared/terminal-exit-cause'
+import type { PtyForegroundProcessEvidence } from '../../shared/pty-process-inspection-evidence'
 
 import type { JobTerminationOutcome } from '../windows/windows-pty-job'
 
+/** A foreground read plus the evidence verdict behind it. `processName` keeps
+ *  the exact legacy collapse every existing caller sees; the evidence says
+ *  whether anything actually observed the pane, so a degraded read is never
+ *  exit evidence (docs/reference/ssh-execution-boundary.md). */
+export type ForegroundProcessObservation = {
+  processName: string | null
+  evidence: PtyForegroundProcessEvidence
+}
+
 export type SubprocessHandle = {
   pid: number
   /** Live foreground process name of the PTY (node-pty's `.process`), e.g.
    *  'claude' / 'codex' / 'zsh'. Null once the child has exited. */
   getForegroundProcess(): string | null
+  /** getForegroundProcess plus the evidence verdict behind the read. Required,
+   *  not optional: an omitting handle would silently recreate the coercion of
+   *  degraded reads into exit evidence. */
+  observeForegroundProcess(): ForegroundProcessObservation
   /** Await process-table evidence captured after this confirmation request. */
   confirmForegroundProcess?(): Promise<string | null>
   /** Proves a fresh post-boundary PTY process tree contains only the shell. */
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/session-terminal-control.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/session-terminal-control.test.ts
index 0677ab45bba..2b77f47a25d 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/session-terminal-control.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/session-terminal-control.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import { Session } from './session'
+import type { ForegroundProcessObservation } from './session-subprocess-handle'
 import { PRODUCER_PAUSE_FAILSAFE_MS } from './session-producer-pause'
 
 function createRecordingSubprocess() {
@@ -30,6 +31,10 @@ function createRecordingSubprocess() {
     getForegroundProcess(): string | null {
       return this.foregroundProcess
     },
+    observeForegroundProcess(): ForegroundProcessObservation {
+      const processName = this.foregroundProcess
+      return { processName, evidence: { verdict: 'observed', processName } }
+    },
     write(data: string) {
       written.push(data)
     },
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/session.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/session.test.ts
index 191b8ee7eaa..04945e1cc74 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/session.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/session.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import { Session } from './session'
+import type { ForegroundProcessObservation } from './session-subprocess-handle'
 import { SESSION_FORCE_KILL_RETRY_MS } from './session-termination-controller'
 import { HeadlessEmulator } from './headless-emulator'
 import type { SessionState, ShellReadyState } from './types'
@@ -41,6 +42,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess() {
     getForegroundProcess(): string | null {
       return this.foregroundProcess
     },
+    observeForegroundProcess(): ForegroundProcessObservation {
+      const processName = this.foregroundProcess
+      return { processName, evidence: { verdict: 'observed', processName } }
+    },
     confirmShellForeground: vi.fn(async () => true),
     write(data: string) {
       written.push(data)
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/session.ts b/src/main/daemon/session.ts
index b0f1dfa538d..77a8757670a 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/session.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/session.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import {
   SessionTerminationController,
   IMMEDIATE_KILL_PHYSICAL_EXIT_TIMEOUT_MS
 } from './session-termination-controller'
-import type { SubprocessHandle } from './session-subprocess-handle'
+import type { ForegroundProcessObservation, SubprocessHandle } from './session-subprocess-handle'
 import type { JobTerminationOutcome } from '../windows/windows-pty-job'
 import type { SessionOptions } from './session-options'
 import type { TuiAgent } from '../../shared/tui-agent'
@@ -252,8 +252,8 @@ export class Session {
     return this.output.getCwd()
   }
 
-  getForegroundProcess(): string | null {
-    return this.subprocess.getForegroundProcess()
+  observeForegroundProcess(): ForegroundProcessObservation {
+    return this.subprocess.observeForegroundProcess()
   }
 
   async confirmForegroundProcess(): Promise<string | null> {
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/slow-daemon-session-verification.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/slow-daemon-session-verification.test.ts
index 082f1949a5f..8aba0f12579 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/slow-daemon-session-verification.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/slow-daemon-session-verification.test.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 55555,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => setTimeout(() => onExitCb?.(0), 5)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-agent-session.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-agent-session.test.ts
index 1cf929fb93f..0937f296279 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-agent-session.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-agent-session.test.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ function createClaimedSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & {
   return {
     pid: 99_999,
     getForegroundProcess: () => 'codex',
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: 'codex',
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: 'codex' }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-attach-only.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-attach-only.test.ts
index 97284451233..d688d43d476 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-attach-only.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-attach-only.test.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ describe('TerminalHost attach-only sessions', () => {
       return {
         pid: 99999,
         getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+        observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+          processName: null,
+          evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+        }),
         write: vi.fn(),
         resize: vi.fn(),
         kill: vi.fn(() => onExit?.(0)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-concurrent-create.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-concurrent-create.test.ts
index aa7b9fda956..49824961ebd 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-concurrent-create.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-concurrent-create.test.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ function mockSubprocess(
   return {
     pid: 4242,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     ...(options.confirmShellForeground
       ? { confirmShellForeground: options.confirmShellForeground }
       : {}),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-process-evidence.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-process-evidence.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..990d82b1015
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-process-evidence.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import { isShellProcess } from '../../shared/agent-detection'
+import type { PtyChildProcessesEvidence } from '../../shared/pty-process-inspection-evidence'
+import type { PtyProcessInspection } from '../providers/pty-process-inspection'
+import type { ForegroundProcessObservation } from './session-subprocess-handle'
+
+/**
+ * Wire result for the daemon 'inspectProcess' request. The legacy fields keep
+ * the exact pre-evidence collapse (a degraded read still publishes the shell
+ * title it fell back to); only the optional `processEvidence` distinguishes
+ * "observed idle" from "could not ask", so a degraded read is never exit
+ * evidence (docs/reference/ssh-execution-boundary.md). The field is additive:
+ * older app clients ignore it and see byte-identical content.
+ */
+export function buildDaemonInspectProcessResult(
+  observation: ForegroundProcessObservation
+): PtyProcessInspection {
+  const foregroundProcess = observation.processName
+  return {
+    foregroundProcess,
+    hasChildProcesses: foregroundProcess !== null && !isShellProcess(foregroundProcess),
+    processEvidence: {
+      foreground: observation.evidence,
+      children: deriveChildProcessesEvidence(observation)
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+/** A daemon pane's only child signal IS the foreground observation, so the
+ *  children verdict can never outrank the foreground's. Observed null means
+ *  the host itself watched the pane die — positive absence, not a failure. */
+function deriveChildProcessesEvidence(
+  observation: ForegroundProcessObservation
+): PtyChildProcessesEvidence {
+  if (observation.evidence.verdict !== 'observed') {
+    return { verdict: 'unverifiable', reason: observation.evidence.reason }
+  }
+  const processName = observation.evidence.processName
+  if (processName !== null && !isShellProcess(processName)) {
+    return { verdict: 'live' }
+  }
+  return { verdict: 'exited' }
+}
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-pty-owner-backend.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-pty-owner-backend.test.ts
index 3dc14863884..b3276f1ab24 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-pty-owner-backend.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-pty-owner-backend.test.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ function createSubprocess(shellPath: string): TestSubprocess {
     pid: 99_999,
     shellPath,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => onExit?.(0)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-readiness-reporting.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-readiness-reporting.test.ts
index 677bcae258a..d556d4df852 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-readiness-reporting.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-readiness-reporting.test.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ function createSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & { exit: () => void } {
     pid: 4242,
     shellPath: '/opt/homebrew/bin/zsh',
     getForegroundProcess: () => 'zsh',
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: 'zsh',
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: 'zsh' }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-session-reaping-leak.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-session-reaping-leak.test.ts
index c937607a33a..0f671926ddd 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-session-reaping-leak.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-session-reaping-leak.test.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle & {
   return {
     pid: 99999,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => {
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-startup.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-startup.test.ts
index fafa34eedc0..3cf7c404ce7 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-startup.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-startup.test.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@ function mockSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 1,
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-wsl-context.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-wsl-context.test.ts
index 3958e370684..2b0d56e1658 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-wsl-context.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host-wsl-context.test.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ function createSubprocess(): SubprocessHandle {
   return {
     pid: 123,
     getForegroundProcess: () => null,
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => onExit?.(0)),
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host.test.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host.test.ts
index 8755005b42e..fdb76dfeee2 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host.test.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ function createMockSubprocess(
       : {}),
     ...(options.shellPath ? { shellPath: options.shellPath } : {}),
     getForegroundProcess: vi.fn(() => null),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: null,
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: null }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: vi.fn(() => {
diff --git a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host.ts b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host.ts
index f85980b5453..8fd1ed2f105 100644
--- a/src/main/daemon/terminal-host.ts
+++ b/src/main/daemon/terminal-host.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ import { resolveTerminalHostSessionCwd } from './terminal-host-session-cwd'
 import { TerminalHostTombstones } from './terminal-host-tombstones'
 import { listLiveTerminalHostSessions } from './terminal-host-session-listing'
 import { createOrAttachTerminalSession } from './terminal-host-session-create'
-import { isShellProcess } from '../../shared/agent-detection'
+import { buildDaemonInspectProcessResult } from './terminal-host-process-evidence'
+import type { PtyProcessInspection } from '../providers/pty-process-inspection'
 import { TerminalAttachCanceledError } from './daemon-errors'
 
 export type { CreateOrAttachOptions, CreateOrAttachResult } from './terminal-host-create-contract'
@@ -211,18 +212,13 @@ export class TerminalHost {
     if (!session || !session.isAlive) {
       return null
     }
-    return session.getForegroundProcess()
+    return session.observeForegroundProcess().processName
   }
 
-  inspectProcess(sessionId: string): {
-    foregroundProcess: string | null
-    hasChildProcesses: boolean
-  } {
-    const foregroundProcess = this.getAliveSession(sessionId).getForegroundProcess()
-    return {
-      foregroundProcess,
-      hasChildProcesses: foregroundProcess !== null && !isShellProcess(foregroundProcess)
-    }
+  inspectProcess(sessionId: string): PtyProcessInspection {
+    return buildDaemonInspectProcessResult(
+      this.getAliveSession(sessionId).observeForegroundProcess()
+    )
   }
 
   async confirmForegroundProcess(sessionId: string): Promise<string | null> {
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/remote-agent-session-host-authority.integration.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/remote-agent-session-host-authority.integration.test.ts
index 56d74744238..74835315d40 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/remote-agent-session-host-authority.integration.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/remote-agent-session-host-authority.integration.test.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ function createControlledSubprocess(): ControlledSubprocess {
   return {
     pid: 41_000,
     getForegroundProcess: () => (exited ? null : 'claude'),
+    observeForegroundProcess: () => ({
+      processName: exited ? null : 'claude',
+      evidence: { verdict: 'observed' as const, processName: exited ? null : 'claude' }
+    }),
     write: vi.fn(),
     resize: vi.fn(),
     kill: () => exit(0),
diff --git a/tests/e2e/daemon-completion-evidence/daemon-inspection-evidence-wire.unit.test.ts b/tests/e2e/daemon-completion-evidence/daemon-inspection-evidence-wire.unit.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..378efdcebf3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/daemon-completion-evidence/daemon-inspection-evidence-wire.unit.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { rmSync } from 'node:fs'
+import type * as pty from 'node-pty'
+
+const { execFileMock, execFileSyncMock, killWithDescendantSweepMock, forceKillPosixMock } =
+  vi.hoisted(() => ({
+    execFileMock: vi.fn(),
+    execFileSyncMock: vi.fn(),
+    killWithDescendantSweepMock: vi.fn(),
+    forceKillPosixMock: vi.fn()
+  }))
+
+// The identity scan's `ps -axo` fork; scripted to fail so no scan can settle.
+vi.mock('child_process', () => ({
+  execFile: execFileMock,
+  execFileSync: execFileSyncMock
+}))
+
+vi.mock('../../../src/main/pty-descendant-termination', () => ({
+  killWithDescendantSweep: killWithDescendantSweepMock
+}))
+
+// Teardown escalation must never signal a real process group from a test.
+vi.mock('../../../src/main/pty/posix-pty-process-groups', () => ({
+  forceKillPosixPtyProcessGroups: forceKillPosixMock
+}))
+
+import { createDaemonPtySubprocessHandle } from '../../../src/main/daemon/pty-subprocess/subprocess-handle'
+import {
+  startDaemonAdapterHarness,
+  type DaemonAdapterHarness
+} from '../../../src/main/daemon/daemon-pty-adapter-test-harness'
+import { inspectPtyProviderProcessForRenderer } from '../../../src/main/providers/pty-process-inspection'
+
+/**
+ * The daemon inspection evidence must survive the REAL wire: DaemonServer →
+ * request router → JSON socket → DaemonPtyAdapter. The sibling suite proves
+ * the monitor consequences in-process; this one proves the `processEvidence`
+ * field actually crosses the daemon protocol, beside byte-identical legacy
+ * fields, on the exact socket a macOS daemon pane uses.
+ */
+describe('daemon inspection evidence over the daemon socket', () => {
+  const SHELL_PID = 999_999_311
+  const AGENT_SESSION_ID = 'repo-daemon-wire::/tmp/wt@@wire0001'
+  const SHELL_SESSION_ID = 'repo-daemon-wire::/tmp/wt@@wire0002'
+
+  type MockNodePty = pty.IPty & { process: string; _fireExit: (exitCode: number) => void }
+
+  function createMockNodePtyProcess(): MockNodePty {
+    const exitListeners: ((e: { exitCode: number; signal?: number }) => void)[] = []
+    const proc = {
+      pid: SHELL_PID,
+      cols: 80,
+      rows: 24,
+      process: 'codex',
+      handleFlowControl: false,
+      onData: vi.fn(() => ({ dispose: vi.fn() })),
+      onExit: vi.fn((cb: (e: { exitCode: number; signal?: number }) => void) => {
+        exitListeners.push(cb)
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() }
+      }),
+      write: vi.fn(),
+      resize: vi.fn(),
+      clear: vi.fn(),
+      pause: vi.fn(),
+      resume: vi.fn(),
+      kill: vi.fn(() => {
+        setTimeout(() => proc._fireExit(0), 5)
+      }),
+      _fireExit: (exitCode: number) => {
+        exitListeners.forEach((cb) => cb({ exitCode, signal: 0 }))
+      }
+    }
+    return proc as unknown as MockNodePty
+  }
+
+  let harness: DaemonAdapterHarness
+  let procsBySession: Map<string, MockNodePty>
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    execFileMock.mockReset()
+    execFileMock.mockImplementation(
+      (_command: string, _args: string[], _opts: unknown, cb: unknown) => {
+        ;(cb as (err: Error | null, result: { stdout: string; stderr: string }) => void)(
+          new Error('ps unavailable in wire test'),
+          { stdout: '', stderr: '' }
+        )
+      }
+    )
+    killWithDescendantSweepMock.mockReset()
+    killWithDescendantSweepMock.mockResolvedValue(undefined)
+    forceKillPosixMock.mockReset()
+    procsBySession = new Map()
+    forceKillPosixMock.mockImplementation(() => {
+      setTimeout(() => procsBySession.forEach((proc) => proc._fireExit(137)), 1)
+    })
+    harness = await startDaemonAdapterHarness((opts) => {
+      const proc = createMockNodePtyProcess()
+      proc.process = opts.sessionId === AGENT_SESSION_ID ? 'codex' : 'zsh'
+      procsBySession.set(opts.sessionId, proc)
+      return createDaemonPtySubprocessHandle({
+        process: proc,
+        shellPath: '/bin/zsh',
+        spawnCwd: '/tmp/wt',
+        env: { PATH: '/usr/bin' },
+        startupCommandDeliveredInShellArgs: false,
+        reportsChildExitStatus: true,
+        requestedCwd: '/tmp/wt',
+        sessionId: opts.sessionId,
+        startupAgentRecognition: null
+      })
+    })
+  })
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    harness.adapter?.dispose()
+    await harness.server?.shutdown()
+    rmSync(harness.dir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+    vi.restoreAllMocks()
+  })
+
+  it('carries observed and unverifiable evidence across the socket, legacy fields intact', async () => {
+    const agentPane = await harness.adapter.spawn({
+      sessionId: AGENT_SESSION_ID,
+      cols: 80,
+      rows: 24
+    })
+    const shellPane = await harness.adapter.spawn({
+      sessionId: SHELL_SESSION_ID,
+      cols: 80,
+      rows: 24
+    })
+
+    // A recognized agent title is a direct observation — no scan involved.
+    expect(await inspectPtyProviderProcessForRenderer(harness.adapter, agentPane.id)).toEqual({
+      foregroundProcess: 'codex',
+      hasChildProcesses: true,
+      processEvidence: {
+        foreground: { verdict: 'observed', processName: 'codex' },
+        children: { verdict: 'live' }
+      }
+    })
+
+    // A shell-shaped title with no settled scan: node-pty's silent shell
+    // fallback makes it indistinguishable from a degraded read. The legacy
+    // fields keep the exact pre-evidence collapse the monitor used to read as
+    // exit proof; the evidence now says "could not ask".
+    expect(await inspectPtyProviderProcessForRenderer(harness.adapter, shellPane.id)).toEqual({
+      foregroundProcess: 'zsh',
+      hasChildProcesses: false,
+      processEvidence: {
+        foreground: { verdict: 'unverifiable', reason: expect.any(String) },
+        children: { verdict: 'unverifiable', reason: expect.any(String) }
+      }
+    })
+  })
+})