diff --git a/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge-index.test.ts b/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge-index.test.ts
index 6e9241a9559..3b37ff58985 100644
--- a/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge-index.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge-index.test.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ const { runWslProcessMock, stopping } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   stopping: { value: false }
 }))
 
+// The E9 running check has its own cases; these cover the chain once the distro runs.
+vi.mock('../wsl/wsl-unc-access-gate', () => ({ assertWslUncPathRunning: async () => {} }))
 vi.mock('../wsl/wsl-runner', () => ({
   runWslProcess: runWslProcessMock
 }))
@@ -225,4 +227,91 @@ describe('startWslCodexSessionBridgeInBackground', () => {
     expect(openStateDb).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
     expect(runWslProcessMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
+
+  it('links nothing in a distro that stopped after the launch that started the chain (E9)', async () => {
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, 'warn').mockImplementation(() => {})
+    const openStateDb = vi.fn(async () => true)
+    await startWslCodexSessionBridgeInBackground(TARGET, {
+      openStateDb,
+      healPending: vi.fn(),
+      requireRunning: async () => {
+        throw new Error("WSL distro 'Ubuntu' is not running.")
+      }
+    })
+
+    expect(openStateDb).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(runWslProcessMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    warn.mockRestore()
+  })
+
+  it('ends the index heal before its next batch once the distro stops (E9)', async () => {
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, 'warn').mockImplementation(() => {})
+    runWslProcessMock
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(bridgeResult([NEWER]))
+      .mockResolvedValue(markerClearResult)
+    let running = true
+    let stoppedBeforeNextBatch: boolean | undefined
+    const healPending = vi.fn<typeof healPendingCodexAccountThreads>(
+      async (_home, _pending, options = {}) => {
+        running = false
+        await options
+          .afterBatch?.([{ threadId: '22222222-2222-4222-8222-222222222222', outcome: 'healed' }])
+          .catch(() => {})
+        stoppedBeforeNextBatch = options.shouldStop?.()
+        return {
+          outcome: 'stopped' as const,
+          healedThreads: 1,
+          missingThreads: 0,
+          failedThreads: 0
+        }
+      }
+    )
+
+    await startWslCodexSessionBridgeInBackground(TARGET, {
+      openStateDb: vi.fn(async () => true),
+      healPending,
+      requireRunning: async () => {
+        if (!running) {
+          throw new Error("WSL distro 'Ubuntu' is not running.")
+        }
+      }
+    })
+
+    expect(stoppedBeforeNextBatch).toBe(true)
+    // Only the link step ran; the marker clear after the stop never spawned.
+    expect(runWslProcessMock).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    warn.mockRestore()
+  })
+
+  it('ends the index heal when a running-list probe sees the distro stop (E9)', async () => {
+    runWslProcessMock
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(bridgeResult([NEWER]))
+      .mockResolvedValue(markerClearResult)
+    let emitStop: (stopped: string[]) => void = () => {}
+    let stopped: boolean | undefined
+    const healPending = vi.fn<typeof healPendingCodexAccountThreads>(
+      async (_home, _pending, options = {}) => {
+        emitStop(['ubuntu'])
+        stopped = options.shouldStop?.()
+        return {
+          outcome: 'stopped' as const,
+          healedThreads: 0,
+          missingThreads: 0,
+          failedThreads: 0
+        }
+      }
+    )
+
+    await startWslCodexSessionBridgeInBackground(TARGET, {
+      openStateDb: vi.fn(async () => true),
+      healPending,
+      requireRunning: async () => {},
+      subscribeStops: (listener) => {
+        emitStop = (distros) => listener(distros, [])
+        return () => {}
+      }
+    })
+
+    expect(stopped).toBe(true)
+  })
 })
diff --git a/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge.test.ts b/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge.test.ts
index 8b680bd1e3f..4997f79d40c 100644
--- a/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge.test.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ const { runWslProcessMock } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   runWslProcessMock: vi.fn()
 }))
 
+// The E9 running check has its own cases; these cover the chain once the distro runs.
+vi.mock('../wsl/wsl-unc-access-gate', () => ({ assertWslUncPathRunning: async () => {} }))
 vi.mock('../wsl/wsl-runner', () => ({
   runWslProcess: runWslProcessMock
 }))
diff --git a/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge.ts b/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge.ts
index 4cf6f64ca12..48feace5a56 100644
--- a/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge.ts
+++ b/src/main/codex/wsl-codex-session-bridge.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import { posix as pathPosix } from 'node:path'
 import { normalizeRuntimePathForComparison } from '../../shared/cross-platform-path'
 import { parseWslUncPath } from '../../shared/wsl-paths'
 import { runWslProcess } from '../wsl/wsl-runner'
+import { assertWslUncPathRunning } from '../wsl/wsl-unc-access-gate'
+import { onRunningWslDistrosStopped } from '../wsl-running-distro-cache'
 import { isCodexAccountSessionBridgeStopping } from './codex-account-session-bridge'
 import {
   createCodexAccountStateDb,
@@ -57,11 +59,16 @@ const WSL_SESSION_BRIDGE_MAX_OUTPUT_BYTES = 64 * 1024 * 1024
 type WslBridgeDependencies = {
   openStateDb: typeof createCodexAccountStateDb
   healPending: typeof healPendingCodexAccountThreads
+  /** Throws unless the distro runs; each step outlives the launch that started the chain (E9). */
+  requireRunning: (distro: string) => Promise<void>
+  subscribeStops: typeof onRunningWslDistrosStopped
 }
 
 const defaultWslBridgeDependencies: WslBridgeDependencies = {
   openStateDb: createCodexAccountStateDb,
-  healPending: healPendingCodexAccountThreads
+  healPending: healPendingCodexAccountThreads,
+  requireRunning: (distro) => assertWslUncPathRunning('', distro),
+  subscribeStops: onRunningWslDistrosStopped
 }
 
 const emptySummary: WslCodexSessionBridgeSummary = {
@@ -119,7 +126,10 @@ async function bridgeAndIndexWslCodexSessions(
   const buildInvocation = (_codexHomePath: string, timeoutMs: number) =>
     buildWslHealInvocation(target.distro, paths.managedHomePath, timeoutMs)
   const homeKey = normalizeRuntimePathForComparison(target.managedCodexHomePath)
+  // Every wsl.exe step below re-checks: the user may stop the distro mid-chain, and a step would boot it.
+  const requireRunning = (): Promise<void> => dependencies.requireRunning(target.distro)
   if (!homesWithCompleteIndex.has(homeKey)) {
+    await requireRunning()
     // Why: linking before Codex's first open makes that open index everything,
     // and every other Codex on the home gives up after 30s (#20669).
     const complete = await dependencies.openStateDb(target.managedCodexHomePath, {
@@ -134,6 +144,7 @@ async function bridgeAndIndexWslCodexSessions(
   if (isCodexAccountSessionBridgeStopping()) {
     return
   }
+  await requireRunning()
   const summary = await syncWslCodexSessionsIntoManagedHome(target)
   const pendingThreads = new Map<string, string>()
   const markerByThreadId = new Map<string, string>()
@@ -149,6 +160,7 @@ async function bridgeAndIndexWslCodexSessions(
   }
   if (markersWithoutThread.length > 0) {
     // Why: no thread id means thread/read can never settle it, so it would be reported forever.
+    await requireRunning()
     await clearIndexPendingMarkers(target.distro, paths, markersWithoutThread).catch(
       (error: unknown) => {
         console.warn('[codex-session-bridge] Could not clear WSL index markers:', error)
@@ -156,12 +168,29 @@ async function bridgeAndIndexWslCodexSessions(
     )
   }
   if (pendingThreads.size > 0 && !isCodexAccountSessionBridgeStopping()) {
-    await dependencies.healPending(target.managedCodexHomePath, pendingThreads, {
-      buildInvocation,
-      shouldStop: isCodexAccountSessionBridgeStopping,
-      afterBatch: (settled) =>
-        clearSettledIndexPendingMarkers(target.distro, paths, settled, markerByThreadId)
+    await requireRunning()
+    // Batches spawn synchronously from here on; a confirmed stop ends the heal before the next one.
+    const distroKey = target.distro.toLowerCase()
+    let distroStopped = false
+    const unsubscribe = dependencies.subscribeStops((stopped) => {
+      distroStopped ||= stopped.some((distro) => distro.toLowerCase() === distroKey)
     })
+    try {
+      await dependencies.healPending(target.managedCodexHomePath, pendingThreads, {
+        buildInvocation,
+        shouldStop: () => distroStopped || isCodexAccountSessionBridgeStopping(),
+        afterBatch: async (settled) => {
+          // Also the check before the next batch: a refused read ends the heal there.
+          await requireRunning().catch((error: unknown) => {
+            distroStopped = true
+            throw error
+          })
+          await clearSettledIndexPendingMarkers(target.distro, paths, settled, markerByThreadId)
+        }
+      })
+    } finally {
+      unsubscribe()
+    }
   }
   if (summary.bridgeFailed) {
     throw new Error(`WSL codex session bridge could not link every session for ${target.distro}`)
diff --git a/src/main/git/runner-wsl-direct-read.test.ts b/src/main/git/runner-wsl-direct-read.test.ts
index 7b5ea88d154..3bfb793bd23 100644
--- a/src/main/git/runner-wsl-direct-read.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/git/runner-wsl-direct-read.test.ts
@@ -308,7 +308,13 @@ describe('WSL direct Git reads', () => {
           return command
         }
         const terminator = createMockChild()
-        queueMicrotask(() => terminator.emit('close', 0, null))
+        queueMicrotask(() => {
+          // The kill first confirms the distro still runs, so it cannot boot a stopped one (E9).
+          if (args?.includes('--running')) {
+            terminator.stdout.emit('data', Buffer.from(`${DISTRO}\n`))
+          }
+          terminator.emit('close', 0, null)
+        })
         return terminator
       })
       const controller = new AbortController()
@@ -326,8 +332,10 @@ describe('WSL direct Git reads', () => {
 
       await expect(pending).rejects.toMatchObject({ name: 'AbortError' })
       expect(command.kill).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-      expect(spawnMock.mock.calls[1]?.[1]?.join(' ')).toContain('kill -TERM')
-      expect(spawnMock.mock.calls[1]?.[1]).toContain('4321')
+      const kill = spawnMock.mock.calls.find(([, args]) =>
+        String(args?.join(' ')).includes('kill -TERM')
+      )
+      expect(kill?.[1]).toContain('4321')
     })
   })
 
diff --git a/src/main/git/wsl-process-group-termination.test.ts b/src/main/git/wsl-process-group-termination.test.ts
index 790083786f3..857ec4e766e 100644
--- a/src/main/git/wsl-process-group-termination.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/git/wsl-process-group-termination.test.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,17 @@
 import type { ChildProcess } from 'node:child_process'
-import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import type * as BackgroundDistroGate from '../wsl-background-distro-gate'
 
-const { runWslProcessMock } = vi.hoisted(() => ({ runWslProcessMock: vi.fn() }))
+const { runWslProcessMock, readWslDistroRunningStateMock } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  runWslProcessMock: vi.fn(),
+  readWslDistroRunningStateMock: vi.fn()
+}))
 
 vi.mock('../wsl/wsl-runner', () => ({ runWslProcess: runWslProcessMock }))
+vi.mock('../wsl-background-distro-gate', async (importOriginal) => ({
+  ...(await importOriginal<typeof BackgroundDistroGate>()),
+  readWslDistroRunningState: readWslDistroRunningStateMock
+}))
 
 import { createWslProcessGroupTermination } from './wsl-process-group-termination'
 
@@ -11,6 +19,8 @@ describe('WSL process-group termination', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     runWslProcessMock.mockReset()
     runWslProcessMock.mockResolvedValue({ code: 0, timedOut: false })
+    // Windows CI runs the real gate; these cases kill in a running distro.
+    readWslDistroRunningStateMock.mockReset().mockResolvedValue('running')
   })
 
   it('wraps the guest command in a reported process group', () => {
@@ -92,4 +102,45 @@ describe('WSL process-group termination', () => {
     await expect(termination.signal({} as ChildProcess)).resolves.toBe(true)
     expect(runWslProcessMock.mock.calls[0]?.[0]?.args).toEqual(['4321'])
   })
+
+  describe('on Windows (E9)', () => {
+    const originalPlatform = process.platform
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      Object.defineProperty(process, 'platform', { configurable: true, value: 'win32' })
+    })
+
+    afterEach(() => {
+      Object.defineProperty(process, 'platform', { configurable: true, value: originalPlatform })
+    })
+
+    // oxlint-disable-next-line typescript/consistent-type-assertions -- SAFETY: the guest barrier never reads the host child.
+    const child = {} as ChildProcess
+
+    function reportedGroup(): ReturnType<typeof createWslProcessGroupTermination> {
+      const termination = createWslProcessGroupTermination('Ubuntu')
+      const wrapped = termination.wrapGuestArgs(['git', 'fetch']).join(' ')
+      const marker = wrapped.match(/(__ORCA_WSL_PROCESS_GROUP_[0-9a-f-]+__=)/)?.[1]
+      termination.observeStderr?.(Buffer.from(`${marker}4321\n`))
+      return termination
+    }
+
+    it('treats a group in a stopped distro as gone instead of booting it to kill', async () => {
+      readWslDistroRunningStateMock.mockResolvedValue('stopped')
+      await expect(reportedGroup().force(child)).resolves.toBe(true)
+      expect(runWslProcessMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('claims nothing when WSL cannot say whether the distro runs', async () => {
+      readWslDistroRunningStateMock.mockResolvedValue('unverifiable')
+      await expect(reportedGroup().signal(child)).resolves.toBe(false)
+      expect(runWslProcessMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('kills in a running distro as before', async () => {
+      readWslDistroRunningStateMock.mockResolvedValue('running')
+      await expect(reportedGroup().signal(child)).resolves.toBe(true)
+      expect(runWslProcessMock).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    })
+  })
 })
diff --git a/src/main/git/wsl-process-group-termination.ts b/src/main/git/wsl-process-group-termination.ts
index 8a696cdb600..61d0c834cbc 100644
--- a/src/main/git/wsl-process-group-termination.ts
+++ b/src/main/git/wsl-process-group-termination.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { randomUUID } from 'node:crypto'
 import type { ProcessTerminationBarrier } from '@orca/process-host/process-spec'
 import { quotePosixShell } from '../../shared/shell-argument-quoting'
 import { runWslProcess } from '../wsl/wsl-runner'
+import { blockedWslDistroForPath } from '../wsl/wsl-unc-access-gate'
 
 const GUEST_TERMINATION_ATTEMPTS = 40
 const GUEST_TERMINATION_INTERVAL_SECONDS = '0.025'
@@ -32,6 +33,12 @@ export function createWslProcessGroupTermination(distro: string): WslProcessGrou
     if (processGroupId === null) {
       return false
     }
+    // A cancel or timeout can land after the distro stopped; a kill would boot it again (E9).
+    // A confirmed stop already ended the group, while an unanswered read proves nothing.
+    const blocked = await blockedWslDistroForPath('', distro)
+    if (blocked) {
+      return blocked.state === 'stopped'
+    }
     const script = [
       '_orca_group=$1',
       `kill -${signal} "-$_orca_group" 2>/dev/null || :`,
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-guest-process-table.test.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-guest-process-table.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1f4e9302105
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-guest-process-table.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import type * as BackgroundDistroGate from '../wsl-background-distro-gate'
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  runWslProcess: vi.fn(),
+  readWslDistroRunningState: vi.fn()
+}))
+vi.mock('./wsl-runner', () => ({ runWslProcess: mocks.runWslProcess }))
+vi.mock('../wsl-background-distro-gate', async (importOriginal) => ({
+  ...(await importOriginal<typeof BackgroundDistroGate>()),
+  readWslDistroRunningState: mocks.readWslDistroRunningState
+}))
+
+import { readWslGuestProcessTable } from './wsl-guest-process-table'
+import { runAsWslUserAct } from './wsl-unc-access-gate'
+
+describe('readWslGuestProcessTable never boots a stopped distro (E9)', () => {
+  const originalPlatform = process.platform
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    Object.defineProperty(process, 'platform', { configurable: true, value: 'win32' })
+    mocks.runWslProcess.mockReset().mockResolvedValue({
+      environmentResolved: true,
+      code: 0,
+      stdout: '',
+      stderr: '',
+      timedOut: false
+    })
+    mocks.readWslDistroRunningState.mockReset().mockResolvedValue('stopped')
+  })
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    Object.defineProperty(process, 'platform', { configurable: true, value: originalPlatform })
+  })
+
+  it('reports an empty table for a stopped distro without listing it', async () => {
+    await expect(readWslGuestProcessTable('Ubuntu')).resolves.toEqual([])
+    expect(mocks.runWslProcess).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('reports an unreadable table when WSL cannot say whether the distro runs', async () => {
+    mocks.readWslDistroRunningState.mockResolvedValue('unverifiable')
+    await expect(readWslGuestProcessTable('Ubuntu')).resolves.toBeNull()
+    expect(mocks.runWslProcess).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('lists a running distro, and a user move may list a stopped one', async () => {
+    mocks.readWslDistroRunningState.mockResolvedValue('running')
+    await readWslGuestProcessTable('Ubuntu')
+    expect(mocks.runWslProcess).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    mocks.readWslDistroRunningState.mockResolvedValue('stopped')
+    await runAsWslUserAct('Debian', () => readWslGuestProcessTable('Debian'))
+    expect(mocks.runWslProcess).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-guest-process-table.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-guest-process-table.ts
index df837b26fa9..654d00f8146 100644
--- a/src/main/wsl/wsl-guest-process-table.ts
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-guest-process-table.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
   type WslGuestProcessRow
 } from '../persistence/moving-wsl-projects/wsl-move-guest-foreground'
 import { runWslProcess } from './wsl-runner'
+import { blockedWslDistroForPath } from './wsl-unc-access-gate'
 
 const readsInFlight = new Map<string, Promise<WslGuestProcessRow[] | null>>()
 
@@ -19,7 +20,18 @@ export function readWslGuestProcessTable(distro: string): Promise<WslGuestProces
   if (inFlight) {
     return inFlight
   }
-  const read = runWslProcess({
+  const read = readRunningGuestProcessTable(distro).finally(() => readsInFlight.delete(key))
+  readsInFlight.set(key, read)
+  return read
+}
+
+async function readRunningGuestProcessTable(distro: string): Promise<WslGuestProcessRow[] | null> {
+  // An automatic move must not boot the distro to list it (E9); a stopped one runs nothing.
+  const blocked = await blockedWslDistroForPath('', distro)
+  if (blocked) {
+    return blocked.state === 'stopped' ? [] : null
+  }
+  return runWslProcess({
     distro,
     script: WSL_GUEST_PANE_PROCESS_SCRIPT,
     loginPath: 'none',
@@ -32,7 +44,4 @@ export function readWslGuestProcessTable(distro: string): Promise<WslGuestProces
         : parseWslGuestPaneProcesses(result.stdout)
     )
     .catch(() => null)
-    .finally(() => readsInFlight.delete(key))
-  readsInFlight.set(key, read)
-  return read
 }
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-host-connector.test.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-host-connector.test.ts
index 16e14bc7e0f..ace018279c8 100644
--- a/src/main/wsl/wsl-host-connector.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-host-connector.test.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import type { WslRunningDistrosRead } from '../wsl-background-distro-gate'
 import type * as TunnelIdentity from '../managed-server/lifecycle/orcad-managed-tunnel-identity'
 
 const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
-  readRunning: vi.fn<() => Promise<WslRunningDistrosRead>>(),
+  readRunning: vi.fn<(distro: string) => Promise<WslRunningDistrosRead>>(),
   connect: vi.fn(),
   stopServer: vi.fn(async () => ({ stopped: true })),
   verify: vi.fn(),
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ vi.mock('./wsl-orcad-connection', async (importOriginal) => ({
   }
 }))
 vi.mock('../wsl-background-distro-gate', () => ({
-  readConfirmedRunningWslDistros: mocks.readRunning,
+  // Settled per distro: a list taken while it stops still names it (E9).
+  readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros: mocks.readRunning,
   listConfirmedRunningWslDistros: vi.fn(async () => [])
 }))
 vi.mock('../managed-server/lifecycle/orcad-managed-tunnel-identity', async (importOriginal) => ({
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ it('uses owned readiness without discovery and coalesces cold cleanup without wa
   await expect(passive).resolves.toBe(false)
   await expect(removal).resolves.toEqual({ stopped: true })
   expect(mocks.readRunning).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  expect(mocks.readRunning).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Ubuntu')
   mocks.readRunning.mockResolvedValueOnce({ status: 'unavailable' })
   await expect(connector.stopServer('Ubuntu', 'wsl:ubuntu')).resolves.toMatchObject({
     stopped: false
@@ -120,6 +122,11 @@ it('a no-boot call joins a booting connect but stays no-boot itself (E9)', async
     'Ubuntu',
     expect.objectContaining({ requireRunning: expect.any(Function) })
   )
+  // That check is a settled read, so a distro still stopping counts as stopped.
+  const [, ensureOptions] = mocks.managerEnsure.mock.lastCall ?? []
+  mocks.readRunning.mockClear().mockResolvedValueOnce({ status: 'confirmed', distros: ['Ubuntu'] })
+  await expect(ensureOptions?.requireRunning('Ubuntu')).resolves.toBe(true)
+  expect(mocks.readRunning).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Ubuntu')
   finish()
   await first
 })
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-host-connector.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-host-connector.ts
index d883675a0ef..4f29c70d440 100644
--- a/src/main/wsl/wsl-host-connector.ts
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-host-connector.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { WslOrcadBridgeActivity } from './wsl-orcad-bridge-activity'
 import { listenWslOrcadStdioBridge } from './wsl-orcad-stdio-bridge'
 import { createWslOrcadPairingRecovery } from './wsl-orcad-pairing-repair'
-import { readConfirmedRunningWslDistros } from '../wsl-background-distro-gate'
+import { readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros } from '../wsl-background-distro-gate'
 import { parsePairingCode } from '../../shared/pairing'
 import { pairedRuntimeConnectionFromOffer } from '../../shared/paired-runtime-connection'
 import { verifyOrcadPairingIdentity } from '../managed-server/lifecycle/orcad-managed-tunnel-identity'
@@ -100,9 +100,10 @@ export function createWslHostConnector(options: {
     string,
     { promise: Promise<WslOrcadConnection>; noBoot: boolean; intent: boolean }
   >()
-  // Read right before a no-boot reconnect spawns anything in the distro (E9).
+  // Read right before a no-boot reconnect spawns anything in the distro (E9); settled, since a
+  // list taken while the distro stops still names it.
   const requireRunning = async (distro: string): Promise<boolean> =>
-    confirmsRunning(await readConfirmedRunningWslDistros(), wslDistroHolderKey(distro))
+    confirmsRunning(await readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros(distro), wslDistroHolderKey(distro))
   const coldProbes = new Map<
     string,
     {
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ export function createWslHostConnector(options: {
     connection: WslOrcadConnection | null
   ): Promise<Reachability> => {
     // Bridge dialing spawns wsl.exe; passive checks must first prove the distro runs.
-    const running = await readConfirmedRunningWslDistros()
+    const running = await readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros(distro)
     if (running.status === 'unavailable') {
       return 'unavailable'
     }
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-state.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-state.ts
index d06ccd2e79e..67b34293468 100644
--- a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-state.ts
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-state.ts
@@ -19,10 +19,13 @@ export type WslOrcadLivenessDependencies = {
     WslOrcadConnectionManager,
     'ensure' | 'get' | 'publish' | 'close' | 'retireListener'
   >
-  /** `afterExit`: answer only from a probe started once that exit's settle window has passed. */
-  readRunning: (afterExit?: {
+  /**
+   * A settled read for `distro`: never a list probed while it may still be stopping (E9). With
+   * `exitedAt`, also only a probe started once that exit's settle window has passed.
+   */
+  readRunning: (target: {
     distro: string
-    exitedAt: number | null
+    exitedAt?: number | null
   }) => Promise<WslRunningDistrosRead>
   readIdentity: (distro: string, orcadPid: number | null) => Promise<WslGuestIdentity | null>
   openWatch: (connection: WslOrcadConnection) => Promise<WslOrcadWatch>
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor.test.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor.test.ts
index b4e9828ab43..5f5d10620c5 100644
--- a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor.test.ts
@@ -73,7 +73,9 @@ function harness(options: { visible?: boolean } = {}) {
       return connection
     }
   )
-  const readRunning = vi.fn(async () => state.running)
+  const readRunning = vi.fn(
+    async (_target: { distro: string; exitedAt?: number | null }) => state.running
+  )
   const requireRunning = vi.fn(async (_distro: string) => true)
   const readIdentity = vi.fn(async () => state.identity)
   const collectCensus = vi.fn(async () => CENSUS)
@@ -343,6 +345,10 @@ describe('WslOrcadLivenessSupervisor', () => {
     for (const [, opts] of recoveryCalls) {
       expect(opts).toMatchObject({ requireRunning: h.requireRunning })
     }
+    // Its backoff gate reads too: every read names the distro, so the wiring can settle it.
+    for (const [target] of h.readRunning.mock.calls) {
+      expect(target).toMatchObject({ distro: 'Ubuntu' })
+    }
   })
 
   it('reports ready itself when a user connect supersedes a recovery', async () => {
@@ -427,6 +433,15 @@ describe('WslOrcadLivenessSupervisor', () => {
     expect(h.readRunning).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2, { distro: 'Ubuntu', exitedAt })
   })
 
+  it('asks for a settled read of its own distro on every check, not a bare list (E9)', async () => {
+    const h = harness()
+    await h.supervisor.connect('Ubuntu')
+    h.lastWatch().exit(1)
+    await h.settle()
+    // The wiring answers a distro-scoped read only from a probe past that distro's stop settle.
+    expect(h.readRunning).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(1, { distro: 'Ubuntu' })
+  })
+
   it('waits for a still-listed distro to settle after a failed exit before probing inside it', async () => {
     const h = harness()
     await h.supervisor.connect('Ubuntu')
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor.ts
index b98a06cf1ab..ed7e663656e 100644
--- a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor.ts
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor.ts
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ export class WslOrcadLivenessSupervisor {
 
   private async run(entry: Supervised, trigger: Trigger): Promise<void> {
     const generation = entry.generation
-    let running = await this.deps.readRunning()
+    let running = await this.deps.readRunning({ distro: entry.distro })
     if (entry.generation !== generation) {
       return
     }
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ export class WslOrcadLivenessSupervisor {
         ensure: (options) => this.deps.manager.ensure(entry.distro, { ...options, requireRunning }),
         collectCensus: this.deps.collectCensus,
         arm: (connection) => this.arm(entry, connection),
-        readRunning: this.deps.readRunning
+        readRunning: () => this.deps.readRunning({ distro: entry.distro })
       },
       reason
     )
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-wiring.test.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-wiring.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a932a5707b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-wiring.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import { beforeEach, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import type { WslOrcadLivenessDependencies } from './wsl-orcad-liveness-state'
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => {
+  const captured: { deps: WslOrcadLivenessDependencies | null } = { deps: null }
+  return { readSettled: vi.fn(), captured }
+})
+vi.mock('../wsl-background-distro-gate', () => ({
+  deferUntilWslDistroRunning: vi.fn(),
+  readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros: mocks.readSettled
+}))
+vi.mock('./wsl-orcad-liveness-supervisor', () => ({
+  WslOrcadLivenessSupervisor: class {
+    constructor(deps: WslOrcadLivenessDependencies) {
+      mocks.captured.deps = deps
+    }
+  }
+}))
+
+import { createWslOrcadLivenessSupervisor } from './wsl-orcad-liveness-wiring'
+import { EXIT_SETTLE_MS } from './wsl-orcad-liveness-evidence'
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  mocks.readSettled.mockReset().mockResolvedValue({ status: 'confirmed', distros: ['Ubuntu'] })
+  createWslOrcadLivenessSupervisor({
+    // oxlint-disable-next-line typescript/consistent-type-assertions -- SAFETY: the captured deps under test never touch these.
+    manager: {} as never,
+    // oxlint-disable-next-line typescript/consistent-type-assertions -- SAFETY: the captured deps under test never touch these.
+    bridgeActivity: {} as never,
+    // oxlint-disable-next-line typescript/consistent-type-assertions -- SAFETY: the captured deps under test never touch these.
+    holder: {} as never,
+    hasUserVisibleWork: () => false
+  })
+})
+
+it('reads a settled running list for heartbeats and recovery, not one probed mid-stop (E9)', async () => {
+  await mocks.captured.deps?.readRunning({ distro: 'Ubuntu' })
+  expect(mocks.readSettled).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith('Ubuntu', undefined)
+
+  await mocks.captured.deps?.readRunning({ distro: 'Ubuntu', exitedAt: 1_000 })
+  expect(mocks.readSettled).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith('Ubuntu', 1_000 + EXIT_SETTLE_MS)
+})
+
+it('checks a no-boot reconnect against a settled read of its own distro (E9)', async () => {
+  await expect(mocks.captured.deps?.requireRunning?.('Ubuntu')).resolves.toBe(true)
+  expect(mocks.readSettled).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith('Ubuntu')
+
+  mocks.readSettled.mockResolvedValue({ status: 'confirmed', distros: [] })
+  await expect(mocks.captured.deps?.requireRunning?.('Ubuntu')).resolves.toBe(false)
+})
diff --git a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-wiring.ts b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-wiring.ts
index 1aecf19a686..09a91a229b4 100644
--- a/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-wiring.ts
+++ b/src/main/wsl/wsl-orcad-liveness-wiring.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import { requestOrcadTerminalCensus } from '../ssh/orcad-terminal-census-client'
 import { subscribeSystemPowerLifecycle } from '../system-power-lifecycle'
 import {
   deferUntilWslDistroRunning,
-  readConfirmedRunningWslDistros,
   readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros
 } from '../wsl-background-distro-gate'
 import type { WslDistroHolder } from './wsl-distro-holder'
@@ -48,13 +47,11 @@ export function createWslOrcadLivenessSupervisor(options: {
 }): WslOrcadLivenessSupervisor {
   return new WslOrcadLivenessSupervisor({
     manager: options.manager,
-    readRunning: (afterExit) =>
-      afterExit
-        ? readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros(
-            afterExit.distro,
-            afterExit.exitedAt === null ? undefined : afterExit.exitedAt + EXIT_SETTLE_MS
-          )
-        : readConfirmedRunningWslDistros(),
+    readRunning: ({ distro, exitedAt }) =>
+      readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros(
+        distro,
+        exitedAt === null || exitedAt === undefined ? undefined : exitedAt + EXIT_SETTLE_MS
+      ),
     readIdentity: (distro, orcadPid) => readWslGuestIdentity(transportFor(distro), orcadPid),
     openWatch: (connection) =>
       probeThenWatchWslOrcadBridges(
@@ -70,7 +67,10 @@ export function createWslOrcadLivenessSupervisor(options: {
     hasUserVisibleWork: options.hasUserVisibleWork,
     deferUntilRunning: deferUntilWslDistroRunning,
     requireRunning: async (distro) =>
-      confirmsRunning(await readConfirmedRunningWslDistros(), wslDistroHolderKey(distro)),
+      confirmsRunning(
+        await readSettledConfirmedRunningWslDistros(distro),
+        wslDistroHolderKey(distro)
+      ),
     ensureHolder: (distro) => options.holder.ensureHeld(distro),
     subscribePower: subscribeSystemPowerLifecycle
   })