diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/Orchestrator.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/Orchestrator.ts
index 568025d523b3..c9e6a9cd8527 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/Orchestrator.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/Orchestrator.ts
@@ -631,6 +631,7 @@ function commandThreadId(command: OrchestrationV2ServerCommand): ThreadId {
     case "thread.pull-request-link.sync":
     case "thread.pull-request.watch":
     case "thread.pull-request-watch.sync":
+    case "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen":
     case "thread.pull-request.sync":
     case "thread.title.regeneration.complete":
     case "thread.project.adopt-folder":
@@ -782,6 +783,26 @@ function withPullRequestWatch(
   return ended === undefined ? rest : { ...rest, endedWatch: ended };
 }
 
+function syncedPullRequestWatch(
+  existing: ThreadPullRequestWatch | undefined,
+  command: {
+    readonly watch: ThreadPullRequestWatch | null;
+    readonly checksPendingBefore?: boolean | undefined;
+  },
+): ThreadPullRequestWatch | undefined {
+  if (command.watch === null) return undefined;
+  // A push cleared the answer while this read was in flight, so its answer is the old head's.
+  if (command.checksPendingBefore === undefined || existing?.checksPending !== undefined) {
+    return command.watch;
+  }
+  return withoutChecksAnswer(command.watch);
+}
+
+const withoutChecksAnswer = ({
+  checksPending: _answer,
+  ...watch
+}: ThreadPullRequestWatch): ThreadPullRequestWatch => watch;
+
 function legacyPullRequestLink(
   thread: OrchestrationV2AppThread,
   linked: ThreadLinkedPullRequest,
@@ -3871,6 +3892,7 @@ const makeOrchestrator = Effect.fn("orchestrationV2.Orchestrator.layer")(functio
           | "thread.pull-request-link.sync"
           | "thread.pull-request.watch"
           | "thread.pull-request-watch.sync"
+          | "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen"
           | "thread.pull-request.sync"
           | "thread.title.regeneration.complete"
           | "thread.runtime-mode.set"
@@ -4669,6 +4691,18 @@ const makeOrchestrator = Effect.fn("orchestrationV2.Orchestrator.layer")(functio
             updatedAt: command.type === "thread.pull-request-link.sync" ? thread.updatedAt : now,
           };
         }
+        case "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen": {
+          const linked = threadPullRequestsOf(thread);
+          if (!linked.some((link) => link.watch?.checksPending !== undefined)) return thread;
+          return {
+            ...thread,
+            pullRequests: linked.map((link) =>
+              link.watch?.checksPending === undefined
+                ? link
+                : { ...link, watch: withoutChecksAnswer(link.watch) },
+            ),
+          };
+        }
         case "thread.pull-request.watch":
         case "thread.pull-request-watch.sync": {
           const key = normalizeThreadPullRequestKey(command);
@@ -4705,7 +4739,7 @@ const makeOrchestrator = Effect.fn("orchestrationV2.Orchestrator.layer")(functio
           const watch =
             command.type === "thread.pull-request-watch.sync"
               ? existing.watch?.startedAt === command.startedAt
-                ? (command.watch ?? undefined)
+                ? syncedPullRequestWatch(existing.watch, command)
                 : existing.watch
               : !command.watching
                 ? undefined
@@ -4736,6 +4770,8 @@ const makeOrchestrator = Effect.fn("orchestrationV2.Orchestrator.layer")(functio
                     ...(existing.endedWatch?.approvalAnnounced !== undefined && {
                       approvalAnnounced: existing.endedWatch.approvalAnnounced,
                     }),
+                    // A finished-checks answer may be an older head's; a fresh read decides.
+                    ...(existing.endedWatch?.checksPending === true && { checksPending: true }),
                     ...(existing.endedWatch?.checksAwaitedSince !== undefined && {
                       checksAwaitedSince: existing.endedWatch.checksAwaitedSince,
                     }),
@@ -4823,6 +4859,20 @@ const makeOrchestrator = Effect.fn("orchestrationV2.Orchestrator.layer")(functio
           };
       }
     })();
+    if (command.type === "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen") {
+      if (updatedThread === thread) return;
+      yield* emit(
+        events,
+        command,
+      )({
+        type: "thread.pull-request-synced",
+        threadId: command.threadId,
+        providerInstanceId: updatedThread.providerInstanceId,
+        occurredAt: now,
+        payload: updatedThread,
+      });
+      return;
+    }
     if (
       command.type === "thread.pull-request-link.sync" ||
       command.type === "thread.pull-request-watch.sync"
@@ -14481,6 +14531,9 @@ const makeOrchestrator = Effect.fn("orchestrationV2.Orchestrator.layer")(functio
       case "provider.switch":
         yield* dispatchThreadMutation(command, events, effects);
         break;
+      case "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen":
+        yield* dispatchThreadMutation(command, events, effects);
+        break;
       case "thread.pull-request-watch.sync":
         yield* dispatchPullRequestWatchSync(command, events, effects);
         break;
@@ -14838,6 +14891,8 @@ const makeOrchestrator = Effect.fn("orchestrationV2.Orchestrator.layer")(functio
           planned.events.length > 0 ||
           isUnobservedAcknowledgement(command) ||
           command.type === "thread.background-work.settle" ||
+          // A read can answer a watch again before a push's reopen lands; nothing is left to clear.
+          command.type === "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen" ||
           command.type === "thread.interrupt.unresponsive" ||
           command.type === "thread.stop" ||
           command.type === "subagent.stop" ||
diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestSyncReactor.test.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestSyncReactor.test.ts
index 02a8e43c1d0e..8ec62d07e75e 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestSyncReactor.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestSyncReactor.test.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import {
   ThreadId,
   TurnItemId,
   type OrchestrationV2Command as OrchestrationCommand,
+  type OrchestrationV2InternalCommand,
   type OrchestrationV2DomainEvent,
   type OrchestrationV2Run,
   type OrchestrationProjectShell,
@@ -51,6 +52,10 @@ type SyncCommand = Extract<
   { readonly type: "thread.pull-request-link.sync" }
 >;
 type LinkCommand = Extract<OrchestrationCommand, { readonly type: "thread.pull-request.link" }>;
+type ChecksReopenCommand = Extract<
+  OrchestrationV2InternalCommand,
+  { readonly type: "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen" }
+>;
 
 const testCrypto = SecureRandom.make((size) => new Uint8Array(size).fill(1));
 
@@ -189,6 +194,7 @@ const makeHarness = Effect.fn("makePullRequestSyncHarness")(function* (options:
   const shellSnapshotReads = yield* Ref.make(0);
   const syncCommands = yield* Ref.make<ReadonlyArray<SyncCommand>>([]);
   const linkCommands = yield* Ref.make<ReadonlyArray<LinkCommand>>([]);
+  const reopenCommands = yield* Queue.unbounded<ChecksReopenCommand>();
   const summaryCalls = yield* Ref.make<ReadonlyArray<PullRequestRef>>([]);
   const stackCalls = yield* Ref.make<ReadonlyArray<PullRequestRef>>([]);
   const domainEvents = yield* Queue.unbounded<OrchestrationV2DomainEvent>();
@@ -223,6 +229,11 @@ const makeHarness = Effect.fn("makePullRequestSyncHarness")(function* (options:
         Effect.as({ sequence: 1, storedEvents: [] }),
       );
     }
+    if (command.type === "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen") {
+      return Queue.offer(reopenCommands, command).pipe(
+        Effect.as({ sequence: 1, storedEvents: [] }),
+      );
+    }
     return Effect.die(new Error(`Unexpected command: ${command.type}`));
   };
 
@@ -284,6 +295,7 @@ const makeHarness = Effect.fn("makePullRequestSyncHarness")(function* (options:
     shellSnapshotReads,
     syncCommands,
     linkCommands,
+    reopenCommands,
     summaryCalls,
     stackCalls,
     domainEvents,
@@ -1880,6 +1892,56 @@ describe("PullRequestSyncReactor", () => {
     ),
   );
 
+  it.effect("reopens a watch's checks when its thread's agent pushes", () =>
+    Effect.scoped(
+      Effect.gen(function* () {
+        yield* TestClock.setTime(Date.parse(NOW));
+        const watch = {
+          startedAt: NOW,
+          headSha: "aaaaaaaaaa",
+          failedChecks: [],
+          passed: true,
+          passedChecks: ["test"],
+          remarksThrough: NOW,
+          remarkIds: [],
+          conflicting: false,
+          wakes: 0,
+        };
+        const fixture = yield* makeHarness({
+          snapshot: makeSnapshot([
+            makeThread("agent", {
+              pullRequests: [
+                makeLink(7, { state: "open" }, { watch: { ...watch, checksPending: false } }),
+              ],
+            }),
+            makeThread("unread", {
+              pullRequests: [makeLink(8, { state: "open" }, { watch })],
+            }),
+          ]),
+        });
+
+        yield* Effect.gen(function* () {
+          yield* startAndSweep(fixture);
+          const agent = ThreadId.make("agent");
+          yield* Queue.offerAll(fixture.domainEvents, [
+            commandRan(agent, "git status && echo 'then git push'", undefined, "status"),
+            // A watch that has not read its checks yet has no answer to forget.
+            commandRan(ThreadId.make("unread"), "git push", undefined, "unread-push"),
+            commandRan(agent, "cd app && git -C . push --force-with-lease", undefined, "push"),
+            commandRan(agent, '/bin/zsh -lc "gh stack submit --auto"', undefined, "stack"),
+          ]);
+          for (const item of ["push", "stack"]) {
+            const command = yield* Queue.take(fixture.reopenCommands);
+            assert.deepStrictEqual(
+              [command.threadId, command.commandId],
+              [agent, `server:pr-push-checks:agent:item:agent:${item}`],
+            );
+          }
+        }).pipe(Effect.provide(fixture.layer));
+      }),
+    ),
+  );
+
   it.effect("reads open links again when the run ends, after `merge --auto` left them open", () =>
     Effect.scoped(
       Effect.gen(function* () {
diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestSyncReactor.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestSyncReactor.ts
index 7573a95bb436..b654364d3a7f 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestSyncReactor.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestSyncReactor.ts
@@ -72,6 +72,11 @@ const CREATE_COMMANDS = sourceControlDefinitions.definitions.flatMap(
 );
 const createCommandCount = (code: string) =>
   CREATE_COMMANDS.reduce((count, { run }) => count + [...code.matchAll(run)].length, 0);
+// A push, directly or through a stack tool, that can start checks on a linked pull request.
+const PUSH_COMMAND = new RegExp(
+  `${COMMAND_START}(?:git(?:\\s+-[cC]\\s+\\S+)*\\s+push|gh\\s+stack\\s+(?:push|submit)|cafe\\s+stack\\s+submit|jj\\s+git\\s+push)(?=$|[\\s;&|)])`,
+  "u",
+);
 
 // Codex runs each command as `/bin/zsh -lc <script>`, quoting the script in pieces such as
 // `"a "'`b`'" c"`.
@@ -134,6 +139,8 @@ function shellSegments(script: string): ReadonlyArray<string> {
 const shellCode = (script: string) =>
   script.replace(HEREDOC_BODY, "<<").replace(QUOTED_OR_COMMENT, "''");
 
+const isPushCommand = (input: string) => PUSH_COMMAND.test(shellCode(shellScript(input)));
+
 type CommandExecution = Extract<OrchestrationV2TurnItem, { readonly type: "command_execution" }>;
 
 /**
@@ -757,6 +764,32 @@ export const make = Effect.gen(function* () {
     },
   );
 
+  // A push can start new checks, so the thread's watches forget whether checks were running and
+  // hold the thread until they read the pull request again. The run is still going, so the
+  // thread never shows as done in between.
+  const reopenWatchedChecks = Effect.fn("PullRequestSyncReactor.reopenWatchedChecks")(
+    function* (threadId: ThreadId, item: CommandExecution) {
+      if (isOrchestrationV2WorkActive(item.status) || !isPushCommand(item.input)) return;
+      const threads = yield* projections.getThreadsWithPullRequests(threadId);
+      const answered = threads.some((thread) =>
+        (thread.pullRequests ?? []).some((link) => link.watch?.checksPending !== undefined),
+      );
+      if (!answered) return;
+      yield* engine.dispatch({
+        type: "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen",
+        // Stable per command, so a repeated settlement clears an answer read since only once.
+        commandId: CommandId.make(`server:pr-push-checks:${threadId}:${item.id}`),
+        threadId,
+      });
+    },
+    (effect, threadId) =>
+      effect.pipe(
+        Effect.catchCause(
+          logSkipped("reopening a watch's checks after a push failed", { threadId }),
+        ),
+      ),
+  );
+
   const start: PullRequestSyncReactor["Service"]["start"] = Effect.fn(
     "PullRequestSyncReactor.start",
   )(function* () {
@@ -787,7 +820,10 @@ export const make = Effect.gen(function* () {
           case "turn-item.updated": {
             const item = event.payload;
             if (item.type !== "command_execution") return Effect.void;
-            const linked = linkCreatedChangeRequests(event.threadId, item);
+            const linked = Effect.andThen(
+              linkCreatedChangeRequests(event.threadId, item),
+              reopenWatchedChecks(event.threadId, item),
+            );
             if (!isChangeRequestCloseCommand(item.input)) return linked;
             const ended = closeCommands.get(event.threadId) ?? new Set<string>();
             closeCommands.set(event.threadId, ended);
diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestWatchReactor.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestWatchReactor.ts
index 6ebd999a783a..ddfe74160459 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestWatchReactor.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/PullRequestWatchReactor.ts
@@ -165,11 +165,13 @@ function planRead(
   if (last === undefined || group.targets.some((target) => !last.watches.has(watchKey(target)))) {
     return { detail: true, activity: true };
   }
-  // Nothing on the host changes when the no-checks deadline passes, so it alone prompts a read.
+  // Nothing on the host changes when the no-checks deadline passes, or when a push to another
+  // branch clears a watch's answer, so either alone prompts a read.
   const checksDue = group.targets.some(
     ({ watch }) =>
-      watch.checksAwaitedSince != null &&
-      now - Date.parse(watch.checksAwaitedSince) >= PULL_REQUEST_WATCH_NO_CHECKS_MS,
+      watch.checksPending === undefined ||
+      (watch.checksAwaitedSince != null &&
+        now - Date.parse(watch.checksAwaitedSince) >= PULL_REQUEST_WATCH_NO_CHECKS_MS),
   );
   if (fingerprint === null) {
     const read =
@@ -189,6 +191,10 @@ function planRead(
   };
 }
 
+// Lets the orchestrator tell that a push cleared the answer while this read was in flight.
+const checksPendingBeforeOf = ({ watch }: WatchTarget) =>
+  watch.checksPending === undefined ? {} : { checksPendingBefore: watch.checksPending };
+
 function watchesEqual(left: ThreadPullRequestWatch, right: ThreadPullRequestWatch): boolean {
   return (
     left.startedAt === right.startedAt &&
@@ -205,7 +211,8 @@ function watchesEqual(left: ThreadPullRequestWatch, right: ThreadPullRequestWatc
     left.mergeQueueRemovalId === right.mergeQueueRemovalId &&
     left.wakes === right.wakes &&
     left.awaitingBaseline === right.awaitingBaseline &&
-    left.checksAwaitedSince === right.checksAwaitedSince
+    left.checksAwaitedSince === right.checksAwaitedSince &&
+    left.checksPending === right.checksPending
   );
 }
 
@@ -314,6 +321,7 @@ export const make = Effect.gen(function* () {
       ...identityOf(target.link),
       startedAt: target.watch.startedAt,
       watch: next,
+      ...checksPendingBeforeOf(target),
       ...(endedWatch === undefined ? {} : { endedWatch }),
       ...(wake === undefined
         ? {}
@@ -455,11 +463,13 @@ export const make = Effect.gen(function* () {
       ...identityOf(first.target.link),
       startedAt: first.target.watch.startedAt,
       watch: first.next,
+      ...checksPendingBeforeOf(first.target),
       ...(first.endedWatch === undefined ? {} : { endedWatch: first.endedWatch }),
       others: rest.map((item) => ({
         ...identityOf(item.target.link),
         startedAt: item.target.watch.startedAt,
         watch: item.next,
+        ...checksPendingBeforeOf(item.target),
         ...(item.endedWatch === undefined ? {} : { endedWatch: item.endedWatch }),
         ...(item.wake.includesRemarks === true ? { includesRemarks: true } : {}),
       })),
diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/ThreadSettlementService.test.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/ThreadSettlementService.test.ts
index baf51b8feffd..2822b8a0ecfb 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/ThreadSettlementService.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/ThreadSettlementService.test.ts
@@ -147,6 +147,17 @@ describe("isAutoSettlementCandidate", () => {
         NOW_MS,
       ),
     ).toBe(true);
+    // A pull request watch whose checks finished holds nothing, yet still keeps the thread.
+    expect(
+      ThreadSettlementService.isAutoSettlementCandidate(
+        shell({
+          pendingBackgroundTasks: [
+            { taskId: "pull-request-watch:github.com/acme/app#1", kind: "monitor" },
+          ],
+        }),
+        NOW_MS,
+      ),
+    ).toBe(false);
   });
 
   it("never settles, or keeps snoozed, a thread whose guest is waiting on the owner", () => {
diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/ThreadSettlementService.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/ThreadSettlementService.ts
index fd5324e6b895..cfcf1b1e057c 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/ThreadSettlementService.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/ThreadSettlementService.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import {
   backgroundWorkHoldsCompletion,
+  isPullRequestWatchTask,
   turnItemUpdateCanEndBackgroundWork,
 } from "@t3tools/shared/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork";
 import { resolveProjectSettings } from "@t3tools/shared/projectSettings";
@@ -154,7 +155,10 @@ export function isAutoSettlementCandidate(
   // A guest is waiting on the owner; settling would hide the Request.
   if ((thread.pendingGuestMessageCount ?? 0) > 0) return false;
   if (thread.activityRunStatus != null) return false;
-  if (backgroundWorkHoldsCompletion(thread.pendingBackgroundTasks ?? [])) return false;
+  const pendingTasks = thread.pendingBackgroundTasks ?? [];
+  if (backgroundWorkHoldsCompletion(pendingTasks)) return false;
+  // Settling ends a watch, which would silently drop a reviewer's later comments.
+  if (pendingTasks.some(isPullRequestWatchTask)) return false;
   if (threadHasQueuedTurnStart(thread, nowMs)) return false;
   // Interrupted runs must keep the same snooze protection the sidebar shows.
   return !isSnoozed(thread, nowMs);
diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/pullRequestWatch.test.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/pullRequestWatch.test.ts
index 11c228e088fe..eb2ae2756d54 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/pullRequestWatch.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/pullRequestWatch.test.ts
@@ -217,6 +217,7 @@ describe("evaluatePullRequestWatch", () => {
       );
       assert.deepEqual(empty.changes, []);
       assert.isUndefined(empty.next.awaitingBaseline);
+      assert.isTrue(empty.next.checksPending);
       assert.deepEqual(
         evaluatePullRequestWatch(empty.next, detail({ checks: [check("test", status)] }), noRemarks)
           .changes,
@@ -862,4 +863,61 @@ describe("evaluatePullRequestWatch", () => {
     const silent = detail({ capabilities: capabilities(false), checks: [] });
     assert.isTrue(anHourLater(watch(), silent).every((kinds) => kinds.length === 0));
   });
+
+  it("counts checks as pending until every one, a review bot's included, has finished", () => {
+    const pending = (checks: ReadonlyArray<PullRequestCheck>, from = watch()) =>
+      evaluatePullRequestWatch(from, detail({ checks }), noRemarks).next.checksPending;
+    const ci = { ...check("test", "success"), required: true };
+    assert.isTrue(pending([ci, check("CodeRabbit", "pending")]));
+    assert.isFalse(pending([ci, check("CodeRabbit", "success")]));
+    assert.isFalse(pending([ci, check("CodeRabbit", "failure")]));
+    assert.isFalse(pending([ci, check("deploy", "action-required")]));
+    // A failed read keeps the last answer, as does one with only an unreadable approval check.
+    assert.isFalse(pending([], watch({ headSha: "aaaaaaaaaa", checksPending: false })));
+    const unreadable = { ...check("approvals", "action-required"), placeholder: true };
+    assert.isTrue(pending([unreadable], watch({ headSha: "aaaaaaaaaa", checksPending: true })));
+  });
+
+  it("waits a while for a new head's checks on every host", () => {
+    const pushed = (checksAlwaysReport: boolean) =>
+      evaluatePullRequestWatch(
+        watch({ headSha: "aaaaaaaaaa", checksPending: false }),
+        detail({
+          headSha: "bbbbbbbbbb",
+          capabilities: capabilities(checksAlwaysReport),
+          checks: [],
+        }),
+        noRemarks,
+      ).next.checksPending;
+    assert.isTrue(pushed(true));
+    assert.isTrue(pushed(false));
+
+    // Once the no-checks window passes, the watch stops waiting for them.
+    for (const checksAlwaysReport of [true, false]) {
+      let current = watch({ headSha: "aaaaaaaaaa" });
+      for (const minute of [0, 20]) {
+        current = evaluate(
+          current,
+          detail({
+            headSha: "bbbbbbbbbb",
+            capabilities: capabilities(checksAlwaysReport),
+            checks: [],
+          }),
+          noRemarks,
+          minute * 60_000,
+        ).next;
+      }
+      assert.isFalse(current.checksPending);
+    }
+
+    // A watch with no answer waits on an empty list only while the no-checks clock runs.
+    const unanswered = (checksAwaitedSince: string | null) =>
+      evaluatePullRequestWatch(
+        watch({ headSha: "bbbbbbbbbb", checksAwaitedSince }),
+        detail({ headSha: "bbbbbbbbbb", checks: [] }),
+        noRemarks,
+      ).next.checksPending;
+    assert.isFalse(unanswered(null));
+    assert.isTrue(unanswered(STARTED));
+  });
 });
diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/pullRequestWatch.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/pullRequestWatch.ts
index 07e3115e45f9..e12d9a124df8 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/pullRequestWatch.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/pullRequestWatch.ts
@@ -64,12 +64,17 @@ export function evaluatePullRequestWatch(
   let owedChecks = headMoved ? [] : (watch.owedChecks ?? []);
   let awaitingApproval = headMoved ? [] : (watch.awaitingApproval ?? []);
   let approvalAnnounced = headMoved ? false : (watch.approvalAnnounced ?? false);
+  // A watch with no answer (saved before the field, or since a push) waits only while the clock
+  // below runs.
+  let checksPending = headMoved ? false : (watch.checksPending ?? watch.checksAwaitedSince != null);
   // An unavailable approval read cannot establish success or that no checks exist.
   const unread = detail.checks.some((check) => check.placeholder === true);
   const checks = detail.checks.filter((check) => check.placeholder !== true);
   const failed = checks.filter(isFailedCheck);
   const awaiting = checks.filter((check) => check.status === "action-required");
   if (checks.length > 0) {
+    // A run awaiting approval waits on a person, like a review, so only running checks count.
+    checksPending = checks.some((check) => check.status === "pending");
     const newlyFailed = failed.filter((check) => !failedChecks.includes(check.name));
     if (!checksBaseline && newlyFailed.length > 0) {
       changes.push({ kind: "checks-failed", failed: newlyFailed });
@@ -152,22 +157,23 @@ export function evaluatePullRequestWatch(
     passedChecks = passedNow ? gateNames : [];
   }
 
-  // Only a head never read with checks waits for them: an empty read after checks were seen is
-  // the failed read above. A watch saved before this field may have seen pending checks on its
-  // head, so its clock starts only at the next push. Where a host's empty list can mean the
-  // repository runs no checks at all, nothing waits.
-  let checksAwaitedSince = watch.checksAwaitedSince;
-  if (detail.capabilities.checksAlwaysReport === true) {
-    const awaitedBefore =
-      headMoved || watch.awaitingBaseline === "all"
-        ? DateTime.formatIso(DateTime.makeUnsafe(now))
-        : (watch.checksAwaitedSince ?? null);
-    checksAwaitedSince = checks.length > 0 ? null : awaitedBefore;
-    const awaitedMs = checksAwaitedSince === null ? 0 : now - Date.parse(checksAwaitedSince);
-    if (!unread && awaitedMs >= PULL_REQUEST_WATCH_NO_CHECKS_MS) {
+  // Only a head never read with checks waits for them; a legacy watch's clock starts at its next
+  // push. CI can register late on any host, so every host waits, but running out of time is news
+  // only where a host always reports checks: elsewhere an empty list can mean there are none.
+  const awaitedBefore =
+    headMoved || watch.awaitingBaseline === "all"
+      ? DateTime.formatIso(DateTime.makeUnsafe(now))
+      : (watch.checksAwaitedSince ?? null);
+  let checksAwaitedSince = checks.length > 0 ? null : awaitedBefore;
+  const awaitedMs = checksAwaitedSince === null ? 0 : now - Date.parse(checksAwaitedSince);
+  if (!unread && awaitedMs >= PULL_REQUEST_WATCH_NO_CHECKS_MS) {
+    if (detail.capabilities.checksAlwaysReport === true) {
       changes.push({ kind: "no-checks", minutes: Math.round(awaitedMs / 60_000) });
-      checksAwaitedSince = null;
     }
+    checksAwaitedSince = null;
+    checksPending = false;
+  } else if (checksAwaitedSince !== null) {
+    checksPending = true;
   }
 
   const own = (detail.viewer ?? detail.author?.login)?.toLowerCase();
@@ -241,6 +247,7 @@ export function evaluatePullRequestWatch(
           awaitingBaseline: "checks" as const,
         }),
       checksAwaitedSince,
+      checksPending,
     },
     exhausted: commentsOnly && wakes >= PULL_REQUEST_WATCH_WAKE_LIMIT,
   };
diff --git a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/runtimeLayer.test.ts b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/runtimeLayer.test.ts
index c66af723d5d8..b7493b85844b 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/runtimeLayer.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/orchestration-v2/runtimeLayer.test.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import {
   type OrchestrationV2ShellSnapshot,
   type OrchestrationV2RuntimeRequest,
   ProjectId,
+  type PullRequestCheck,
   type PullRequestDetail,
   type PullRequestComment,
   PullRequestOperationError,
@@ -4265,6 +4266,153 @@ it.layer(layerTest)("OrchestrationV2LayerLive lifecycle", (it) => {
       }),
   );
 
+  it.effect(
+    "records when a watched PR's checks finish, unless a push cleared that during the read",
+    () =>
+      Effect.gen(function* () {
+        const orchestrator = yield* Orchestrator.OrchestratorV2;
+        const threadId = ThreadId.make("runtime-pull-request-watch-quiet");
+        const projectId = ProjectId.make("pr-watch-quiet-project");
+        yield* seedProject({
+          projectId,
+          title: "Watch quiet",
+          workspaceRoot: "/workspace/watch-quiet",
+          defaultModelSelection: null,
+          createdAt: "2026-10-01T00:00:00.000Z",
+        });
+        yield* orchestrator.dispatch({
+          type: "thread.create",
+          createdBy: "user",
+          creationSource: "web",
+          commandId: CommandId.make("pr-watch-quiet-create"),
+          threadId,
+          projectId,
+          title: "Watch quiet",
+          modelSelection,
+          runtimeMode: "full-access",
+          interactionMode: "default",
+          branch: null,
+          worktreePath: null,
+        });
+        // Two watches, as with a stack, so news on both wakes the thread once for both.
+        for (const number of [17, 18]) {
+          yield* orchestrator.dispatch({
+            type: "thread.pull-request.watch",
+            commandId: CommandId.make(`pr-watch-quiet-start-${number}`),
+            threadId,
+            host: "github.com",
+            repository: "pingdotgg/t3code",
+            number,
+            watching: true,
+            link: { url: `https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/pull/${number}`, source: "agent" },
+          });
+        }
+
+        let e2e: PullRequestCheck["status"] = "pending";
+        let comments: ReadonlyArray<PullRequestComment> = [];
+        let gate: {
+          readonly started: Deferred.Deferred<void>;
+          readonly release: Deferred.Deferred<void>;
+        } | null = null;
+        const host = Layer.mergeAll(
+          NodeServices.layer,
+          NodeCrypto.layer,
+          Layer.mock(PullRequestService.PullRequestService)({
+            detail: (input) =>
+              Effect.gen(function* () {
+                if (gate !== null) {
+                  yield* Deferred.succeed(gate.started, undefined);
+                  yield* Deferred.await(gate.release);
+                }
+                return {
+                  ...watchedPullRequestDetail({
+                    projectId,
+                    number: input.number,
+                    at: "2026-10-02T12:00:00.000Z",
+                  }),
+                  checks: [
+                    { name: "test", status: "failure" as const, description: null, url: null },
+                    { name: "e2e", status: e2e, description: null, url: null },
+                  ],
+                };
+              }),
+            activity: () =>
+              Effect.sync(() => ({
+                comments,
+                commentCount: comments.length,
+                commentsTruncated: false,
+                reviewThreads: [],
+                commits: [],
+              })),
+          }),
+        );
+        const summaries = Effect.map(
+          orchestrator.getThreadRecords(threadId, ["messages"]),
+          ({ messages }) => messages.flatMap((message) => message.notification?.summary ?? []),
+        );
+        const checksPending = Effect.map(orchestrator.getThreadShell(threadId), (thread) => {
+          const answers = (thread?.pullRequests ?? []).map((link) => link.watch?.checksPending);
+          assert.lengthOf(answers, 2);
+          assert.strictEqual(answers[0], answers[1]);
+          return answers[0];
+        });
+
+        const reactor = yield* PullRequestWatchReactor.make.pipe(Effect.provide(host));
+        yield* reactor.sweep;
+        assert.deepEqual(yield* summaries, []);
+        assert.isTrue(yield* checksPending);
+        const reopen = (id: string) =>
+          orchestrator.dispatch({
+            type: "thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen",
+            commandId: CommandId.make(`pr-watch-quiet-${id}`),
+            threadId,
+          });
+        // A push forgets a running answer too, so a read begun before it cannot settle it.
+        yield* reopen("push-pending");
+        assert.isUndefined(yield* checksPending);
+
+        e2e = "success";
+        yield* TestClock.adjust("10 minutes");
+        yield* reactor.sweep;
+        assert.deepEqual(yield* summaries, []);
+        assert.isFalse(yield* checksPending);
+
+        // A push clears the answer while a read with news is in flight. That read's answer is the
+        // old head's, so the answer stays cleared while its news still wakes the agent.
+        const started = yield* Deferred.make<void>();
+        const release = yield* Deferred.make<void>();
+        gate = { started, release };
+        comments = [
+          {
+            id: "comment-1",
+            kind: "issue-comment",
+            author: { login: "reviewer", name: null, avatarUrl: null },
+            body: "Looks good once CI passes.",
+            createdAt: "2999-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
+            url: null,
+            path: null,
+            reviewState: null,
+          },
+        ];
+        yield* TestClock.adjust("10 minutes");
+        const inFlight = yield* reactor.sweep.pipe(Effect.forkChild({ startImmediately: true }));
+        yield* Deferred.await(started);
+        yield* reopen("push");
+        // Another push before the watch read again finds nothing to clear, which is fine.
+        yield* reopen("push-again");
+        gate = null;
+        yield* Deferred.succeed(release, undefined);
+        yield* Fiber.join(inFlight);
+        assert.lengthOf(yield* summaries, 1);
+        assert.isUndefined(yield* checksPending);
+
+        // The next sweep reads it again though nothing on the host changed.
+        yield* TestClock.adjust("2 minutes");
+        yield* reactor.sweep;
+        assert.isFalse(yield* checksPending);
+      }),
+  );
+
   it.effect.each(["pending", "action-required"] as const)("recovers %s watches", (initialStatus) =>
     Effect.gen(function* () {
       const orchestrator = yield* Orchestrator.OrchestratorV2;
@@ -4363,9 +4511,14 @@ it.layer(layerTest)("OrchestrationV2LayerLive lifecycle", (it) => {
       yield* worker.drain();
       assert.deepEqual(yield* summaries, []);
 
-      // A new watch on the same pull request knows what the last one told.
+      // A new watch on the same pull request knows what the last one told, and that its checks
+      // were still running. A finished answer may be an older head's, so it reads again.
       yield* watch(false, "stop");
       yield* watch(true, "again");
+      assert.strictEqual(
+        (yield* orchestrator.getThreadShell(threadId))?.pullRequests?.[0]?.watch?.checksPending,
+        approval ? undefined : true,
+      );
       yield* restarted.sweep;
       yield* worker.drain();
       assert.deepEqual(yield* summaries, []);
diff --git a/docs/user/source-control.md b/docs/user/source-control.md
index 1f3abfa4fd2f..2ebd53ced856 100644
--- a/docs/user/source-control.md
+++ b/docs/user/source-control.md
@@ -340,9 +340,12 @@ watch already reported; unlinking the pull request clears that. Subagents cannot
 it yourself, use the row menu in the **Linked pull requests** panel. In the thread details card, a
 watched pull request shows an eye; click it to stop watching.
 
-A watched thread counts as working between wakes, so it stays in the **Working** section and does
-not auto-settle. Agents stop watching when they hand the work back to you, and the thread then
-returns to your inbox.
+A watched thread counts as working while the pull request still has checks running, so it stays in
+the **Working** section, including after the agent pushes a fix. Once every check has finished,
+including review bots that report as checks, the thread returns to your inbox: what happens next is
+up to a person. That includes a workflow waiting for a maintainer to approve it, which runs only
+once someone does. The watch stays on and still wakes the agent on new comments, failed checks or
+conflicts, and a watched thread never auto-settles.
 
 Cross-repository links use a project on the same host. Azure DevOps reviews require a project checked
 out from the matching organization and repository.
diff --git a/docs/user/thread-sidebar.md b/docs/user/thread-sidebar.md
index 09ce63e2a3e6..c9d98bca8ccb 100644
--- a/docs/user/thread-sidebar.md
+++ b/docs/user/thread-sidebar.md
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ open.
 
 Threads that are working or waiting on work they will resume from move into a collapsed
 **Working** section below the active list.
-That includes subagents, watched pull requests, and background commands or monitors the agent
+That includes subagents, watched pull requests with checks still running, and background commands or monitors the agent
 says it is waiting on. A dev server or other process an agent leaves running does not keep a thread
 there. A thread returns to the top of the active list when it finishes, fails, or needs an approval or
 answer. The Working section lists the thread you last sent work to first. Pinned threads stay in
diff --git a/packages/contracts/src/orchestrationV2.ts b/packages/contracts/src/orchestrationV2.ts
index fa94d70d7326..76803cfc3b18 100644
--- a/packages/contracts/src/orchestrationV2.ts
+++ b/packages/contracts/src/orchestrationV2.ts
@@ -3533,6 +3533,15 @@ const OrchestrationV2InternalCommand = Schema.Union([
     threadId: ThreadId,
     projectId: ProjectId,
   }),
+  /**
+   * After a push, the thread's watches forget whether their checks were running, since the push
+   * can start new ones. Applied to the watches as they are then, so no earlier read overwrites them.
+   */
+  Schema.Struct({
+    type: Schema.Literal("thread.pull-request-watch.checks-reopen"),
+    commandId: CommandId,
+    threadId: ThreadId,
+  }),
   Schema.Struct({
     type: Schema.Literal("thread.pull-request-watch.sync"),
     commandId: CommandId,
@@ -3540,6 +3549,11 @@ const OrchestrationV2InternalCommand = Schema.Union([
     ...ThreadPullRequestKey.fields,
     startedAt: IsoDateTime,
     watch: Schema.NullOr(ThreadPullRequestWatch),
+    /**
+     * The watch's `checksPending` when this read started. A push that clears it during the read
+     * makes the read's answer describe the old head, so the cleared answer stays.
+     */
+    checksPendingBefore: Schema.optional(Schema.Boolean),
     /** With `watch: null`, the state the ended watch keeps instead of its last saved one. */
     endedWatch: Schema.optional(ThreadPullRequestWatch),
     /** More watches of this thread recorded together, which `wake` also reports on. */
@@ -3549,6 +3563,7 @@ const OrchestrationV2InternalCommand = Schema.Union([
           ...ThreadPullRequestKey.fields,
           startedAt: IsoDateTime,
           watch: Schema.NullOr(ThreadPullRequestWatch),
+          checksPendingBefore: Schema.optional(Schema.Boolean),
           endedWatch: Schema.optional(ThreadPullRequestWatch),
           includesRemarks: Schema.optional(Schema.Boolean),
         }),
diff --git a/packages/contracts/src/threadPullRequest.ts b/packages/contracts/src/threadPullRequest.ts
index 4f206a0b604d..7775f0755ff0 100644
--- a/packages/contracts/src/threadPullRequest.ts
+++ b/packages/contracts/src/threadPullRequest.ts
@@ -111,6 +111,11 @@ export const ThreadPullRequestWatch = Schema.Struct({
    * none did. Null once either happened; absent on watches saved before it existed.
    */
   checksAwaitedSince: Schema.optional(Schema.NullOr(IsoDateTime)),
+  /**
+   * Whether the host was still running checks on the head at the last read. Only then does the
+   * watch keep its thread waiting; absent on watches not read since it existed.
+   */
+  checksPending: Schema.optional(Schema.Boolean),
 });
 export type ThreadPullRequestWatch = typeof ThreadPullRequestWatch.Type;
 
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.test.ts b/packages/shared/src/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.test.ts
index 1b5331c0d1be..a35767d4f270 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.test.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.test.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { ProviderInstanceId, ProviderThreadId } from "@t3tools/contracts";
 import {
   backgroundWorkHoldsCompletion,
   derivePendingBackgroundWork,
+  monitorHoldsWakeCompletion,
 } from "./orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.ts";
 
 describe("backgroundWorkHoldsCompletion", () => {
@@ -434,6 +435,44 @@ describe("derivePendingBackgroundWork kinds", () => {
       ]);
     });
 
+    it("stops a watch whose checks all finished from holding the thread, while still listing it", () => {
+      const tasks = derivePendingBackgroundWork({
+        latestRun: { id: "run-1" as never, ordinal: 1, status: "completed" },
+        providerThreads: [],
+        turnItems: [],
+        pullRequests: [{ ...link(1, {}), watch: { ...watch, passed: true, checksPending: false } }],
+      });
+      expect(tasks).toEqual([
+        {
+          taskId: "pull-request-watch:github.com/acme/app#1",
+          description: "Watching pull request #1",
+          kind: "monitor",
+        },
+      ]);
+      expect(backgroundWorkHoldsCompletion(tasks)).toBe(false);
+      // Unlike a monitor that wakes per line, it lets a comment wake's run complete too.
+      expect(
+        monitorHoldsWakeCompletion({
+          latestRunBackgroundWake: true,
+          pendingBackgroundTasks: tasks,
+        }),
+      ).toBe(false);
+      expect(
+        monitorHoldsWakeCompletion({
+          latestRunBackgroundWake: true,
+          pendingBackgroundTasks: [...tasks, { taskId: "tail", kind: "monitor" }],
+        }),
+      ).toBe(true);
+
+      const running = derivePendingBackgroundWork({
+        latestRun: { id: "run-1" as never, ordinal: 1, status: "completed" },
+        providerThreads: [],
+        turnItems: [],
+        pullRequests: [{ ...link(1, {}), watch: { ...watch, checksPending: true } }],
+      });
+      expect(backgroundWorkHoldsCompletion(running)).toBe(true);
+    });
+
     it("lists no watch while a run is active", () => {
       expect(
         derivePendingBackgroundWork({
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.ts b/packages/shared/src/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.ts
index dfdf9a24ace1..3b25db88acec 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/orchestrationV2PendingBackgroundWork.ts
@@ -108,13 +108,23 @@ function backgroundWorkKindHoldsCompletion(kind: PendingBackgroundWorkTask["kind
   }
 }
 
-/** A monitor wakes the agent once per line, so a progress wake run's completion waits for the monitor to end. */
+const PULL_REQUEST_WATCH_TASK_ID = "pull-request-watch:";
+
+export const isPullRequestWatchTask = (task: Pick<PendingBackgroundWorkTask, "taskId">) =>
+  task.taskId.startsWith(PULL_REQUEST_WATCH_TASK_ID);
+
+/**
+ * A monitor wakes the agent once per line, so a progress wake run's completion waits for the
+ * monitor to end. A pull request watch wakes only on news and holds while its checks run.
+ */
 export function monitorHoldsWakeCompletion(
   thread: Pick<OrchestrationV2ThreadShell, "latestRunBackgroundWake" | "pendingBackgroundTasks">,
 ): boolean {
   return (
     thread.latestRunBackgroundWake === true &&
-    (thread.pendingBackgroundTasks ?? []).some((task) => task.kind === "monitor")
+    (thread.pendingBackgroundTasks ?? []).some(
+      (task) => task.kind === "monitor" && !isPullRequestWatchTask(task),
+    )
   );
 }
 
@@ -313,10 +323,11 @@ function pullRequestWatchTasks(
           {
             // Links store their normalized identity, and this id only has to be unique within the
             // thread, so it reads those fields instead of parsing the URL.
-            taskId: `pull-request-watch:${link.host.toLowerCase()}/${link.repository.toLowerCase()}#${link.number}`,
+            taskId: `${PULL_REQUEST_WATCH_TASK_ID}${link.host.toLowerCase()}/${link.repository.toLowerCase()}#${link.number}`,
             description: `Watching pull request #${link.number}`,
             kind: "monitor" as const,
-            awaited: true as const,
+            // Once every check finished, a person moves the PR next: the watch stays on but holds nothing.
+            ...(link.watch.checksPending === false ? {} : { awaited: true as const }),
           },
         ],
   );