diff --git a/internal/cmd/ai/cmd_agent.go b/internal/cmd/ai/cmd_agent.go
index 2c99a4a1..48489d6c 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/ai/cmd_agent.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/ai/cmd_agent.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func loadConfig() (*config.Config, error) {
 func agentAddCmd() *cli.Command {
 	cmd := &cli.Command{
 		Use:   "add <name> <user@host>",
-		Short: "Add an agent to the config",
+		Short: "Add an agent to the config and verify SSH",
 		Args:  cli.ExactArgs(2),
 		RunE: func(cmd *cli.Command, args []string) error {
 			name := args[0]
@@ -50,14 +50,38 @@ func agentAddCmd() *cli.Command {
 			if queueDir == "" {
 				queueDir = "/home/claude/ai-work/queue"
 			}
+			model, _ := cmd.Flags().GetString("model")
+			dualRun, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool("dual-run")
 
-			// Test SSH connectivity.
-			// TODO: Replace exec ssh with charmbracelet/ssh native Go client + keygen.
+			// Scan and add host key to known_hosts.
+			parts := strings.Split(host, "@")
+			hostname := parts[len(parts)-1]
+
+			fmt.Printf("Scanning host key for %s... ", hostname)
+			scanCmd := exec.Command("ssh-keyscan", "-H", hostname)
+			keys, err := scanCmd.Output()
+			if err != nil {
+				fmt.Println(errorStyle.Render("FAILED"))
+				return fmt.Errorf("failed to scan host keys: %w", err)
+			}
+
+			home, _ := os.UserHomeDir()
+			knownHostsPath := filepath.Join(home, ".ssh", "known_hosts")
+			f, err := os.OpenFile(knownHostsPath, os.O_APPEND|os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY, 0600)
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("failed to open known_hosts: %w", err)
+			}
+			if _, err := f.Write(keys); err != nil {
+				f.Close()
+				return fmt.Errorf("failed to write known_hosts: %w", err)
+			}
+			f.Close()
+			fmt.Println(successStyle.Render("OK"))
+
+			// Test SSH with strict host key checking.
 			fmt.Printf("Testing SSH to %s... ", host)
-			out, err := exec.Command("ssh",
-				"-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new",
-				"-o", "ConnectTimeout=10",
-				host, "echo ok").CombinedOutput()
+			testCmd := agentci.SecureSSHCommand(host, "echo ok")
+			out, err := testCmd.CombinedOutput()
 			if err != nil {
 				fmt.Println(errorStyle.Render("FAILED"))
 				return fmt.Errorf("SSH failed: %s", strings.TrimSpace(string(out)))
@@ -73,6 +97,8 @@ func agentAddCmd() *cli.Command {
 				Host:        host,
 				QueueDir:    queueDir,
 				ForgejoUser: forgejoUser,
+				Model:       model,
+				DualRun:     dualRun,
 				Active:      true,
 			}
 			if err := agentci.SaveAgent(cfg, name, ac); err != nil {
@@ -85,6 +111,8 @@ func agentAddCmd() *cli.Command {
 	}
 	cmd.Flags().String("forgejo-user", "", "Forgejo username (defaults to agent name)")
 	cmd.Flags().String("queue-dir", "", "Remote queue directory (default: /home/claude/ai-work/queue)")
+	cmd.Flags().String("model", "sonnet", "Primary AI model")
+	cmd.Flags().Bool("dual-run", false, "Enable Clotho dual-run verification")
 	return cmd
 }
 
@@ -108,22 +136,21 @@ func agentListCmd() *cli.Command {
 				return nil
 			}
 
-			table := cli.NewTable("NAME", "HOST", "FORGEJO USER", "ACTIVE", "QUEUE")
+			table := cli.NewTable("NAME", "HOST", "MODEL", "DUAL", "ACTIVE", "QUEUE")
 			for name, ac := range agents {
 				active := dimStyle.Render("no")
 				if ac.Active {
 					active = successStyle.Render("yes")
 				}
+				dual := dimStyle.Render("no")
+				if ac.DualRun {
+					dual = successStyle.Render("yes")
+				}
 
 				// Quick SSH check for queue depth.
-				// TODO: Replace exec ssh with charmbracelet/ssh native Go client.
 				queue := dimStyle.Render("-")
-				out, err := exec.Command("ssh",
-					"-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new",
-					"-o", "ConnectTimeout=5",
-					ac.Host,
-					fmt.Sprintf("ls %s/ticket-*.json 2>/dev/null | wc -l", ac.QueueDir),
-				).Output()
+				checkCmd := agentci.SecureSSHCommand(ac.Host, fmt.Sprintf("ls %s/ticket-*.json 2>/dev/null | wc -l", ac.QueueDir))
+				out, err := checkCmd.Output()
 				if err == nil {
 					n := strings.TrimSpace(string(out))
 					if n != "0" {
@@ -133,7 +160,7 @@ func agentListCmd() *cli.Command {
 					}
 				}
 
-				table.AddRow(name, ac.Host, ac.ForgejoUser, active, queue)
+				table.AddRow(name, ac.Host, ac.Model, dual, active, queue)
 			}
 			table.Render()
 			return nil
@@ -182,11 +209,7 @@ func agentStatusCmd() *cli.Command {
 				fi
 			`
 
-			// TODO: Replace exec ssh with charmbracelet/ssh native Go client.
-			sshCmd := exec.Command("ssh",
-				"-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new",
-				"-o", "ConnectTimeout=10",
-				ac.Host, script)
+			sshCmd := agentci.SecureSSHCommand(ac.Host, script)
 			sshCmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
 			sshCmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
 			return sshCmd.Run()
@@ -218,19 +241,12 @@ func agentLogsCmd() *cli.Command {
 				return fmt.Errorf("agent %q not found", name)
 			}
 
-			// TODO: Replace exec ssh with charmbracelet/ssh native Go client.
-			tailArgs := []string{
-				"-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new",
-				"-o", "ConnectTimeout=10",
-				ac.Host,
-			}
+			remoteCmd := fmt.Sprintf("tail -n %d ~/ai-work/logs/runner.log", lines)
 			if follow {
-				tailArgs = append(tailArgs, fmt.Sprintf("tail -f -n %d ~/ai-work/logs/runner.log", lines))
-			} else {
-				tailArgs = append(tailArgs, fmt.Sprintf("tail -n %d ~/ai-work/logs/runner.log", lines))
+				remoteCmd = fmt.Sprintf("tail -f -n %d ~/ai-work/logs/runner.log", lines)
 			}
 
-			sshCmd := exec.Command("ssh", tailArgs...)
+			sshCmd := agentci.SecureSSHCommand(ac.Host, remoteCmd)
 			sshCmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
 			sshCmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
 			sshCmd.Stdin = os.Stdin
@@ -307,7 +323,6 @@ func agentRemoveCmd() *cli.Command {
 
 // findSetupScript looks for agent-setup.sh in common locations.
 func findSetupScript() string {
-	// Relative to executable.
 	exe, _ := os.Executable()
 	if exe != "" {
 		dir := filepath.Dir(exe)
@@ -322,7 +337,6 @@ func findSetupScript() string {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Working directory.
 	cwd, _ := os.Getwd()
 	if cwd != "" {
 		p := filepath.Join(cwd, "scripts", "agent-setup.sh")
@@ -333,4 +347,3 @@ func findSetupScript() string {
 
 	return ""
 }
-
diff --git a/internal/core-ide/headless.go b/internal/core-ide/headless.go
index 1ac22efa..cd2619a8 100644
--- a/internal/core-ide/headless.go
+++ b/internal/core-ide/headless.go
@@ -67,17 +67,23 @@ func startHeadless() {
 	enableAutoMerge := handlers.NewEnableAutoMergeHandler(forgeClient)
 	tickParent := handlers.NewTickParentHandler(forgeClient)
 
-	// Agent dispatch — load targets from ~/.core/config.yaml
+	// Agent dispatch — Clotho integration
 	cfg, cfgErr := config.New()
-	var agentTargets map[string]handlers.AgentTarget
+	var agentTargets map[string]agentci.AgentConfig
+	var clothoCfg agentci.ClothoConfig
+
 	if cfgErr == nil {
-		agentTargets, _ = agentci.LoadAgents(cfg)
+		agentTargets, _ = agentci.LoadActiveAgents(cfg)
+		clothoCfg, _ = agentci.LoadClothoConfig(cfg)
 	}
 	if agentTargets == nil {
-		agentTargets = map[string]handlers.AgentTarget{}
+		agentTargets = map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{}
 	}
-	log.Printf("Loaded %d agent targets", len(agentTargets))
-	dispatch := handlers.NewDispatchHandler(forgeClient, forgeURL, forgeToken, agentTargets)
+
+	spinner := agentci.NewSpinner(clothoCfg, agentTargets)
+	log.Printf("Loaded %d agent targets. Strategy: %s", len(agentTargets), clothoCfg.Strategy)
+
+	dispatch := handlers.NewDispatchHandler(forgeClient, forgeURL, forgeToken, spinner)
 
 	// Build poller
 	poller := jobrunner.NewPoller(jobrunner.PollerConfig{
diff --git a/pkg/agentci/clotho.go b/pkg/agentci/clotho.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f8b25b37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/agentci/clotho.go
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+package agentci
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/jobrunner"
+)
+
+// RunMode determines the execution strategy for a dispatched task.
+type RunMode string
+
+const (
+	ModeStandard RunMode = "standard"
+	ModeDual     RunMode = "dual" // The Clotho Protocol — dual-run verification
+)
+
+// Spinner is the Clotho orchestrator that determines the fate of each task.
+type Spinner struct {
+	Config ClothoConfig
+	Agents map[string]AgentConfig
+}
+
+// NewSpinner creates a new Clotho orchestrator.
+func NewSpinner(cfg ClothoConfig, agents map[string]AgentConfig) *Spinner {
+	return &Spinner{
+		Config: cfg,
+		Agents: agents,
+	}
+}
+
+// DeterminePlan decides if a signal requires dual-run verification based on
+// the global strategy, agent configuration, and repository criticality.
+func (s *Spinner) DeterminePlan(signal *jobrunner.PipelineSignal, agentName string) RunMode {
+	if s.Config.Strategy != "clotho-verified" {
+		return ModeStandard
+	}
+
+	agent, ok := s.Agents[agentName]
+	if !ok {
+		return ModeStandard
+	}
+	if agent.DualRun {
+		return ModeDual
+	}
+
+	// Protect critical repos with dual-run (Axiom 1).
+	if signal.RepoName == "core" || strings.Contains(signal.RepoName, "security") {
+		return ModeDual
+	}
+
+	return ModeStandard
+}
+
+// GetVerifierModel returns the model for the secondary "signed" verification run.
+func (s *Spinner) GetVerifierModel(agentName string) string {
+	agent, ok := s.Agents[agentName]
+	if !ok || agent.VerifyModel == "" {
+		return "gemini-1.5-pro"
+	}
+	return agent.VerifyModel
+}
+
+// Weave compares primary and verifier outputs. Returns true if they converge.
+// This is a placeholder for future semantic diff logic.
+func (s *Spinner) Weave(ctx context.Context, primaryOutput, signedOutput []byte) (bool, error) {
+	return string(primaryOutput) == string(signedOutput), nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/agentci/config.go b/pkg/agentci/config.go
index f0d39c29..1c3c0544 100644
--- a/pkg/agentci/config.go
+++ b/pkg/agentci/config.go
@@ -1,62 +1,96 @@
-// Package agentci provides configuration and management for AgentCI dispatch targets.
+// Package agentci provides configuration, security, and orchestration for AgentCI dispatch targets.
 package agentci
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
 
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/config"
-	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/jobrunner/handlers"
-	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/log"
 )
 
 // AgentConfig represents a single agent machine in the config file.
 type AgentConfig struct {
-	Host        string `yaml:"host" mapstructure:"host"`
-	QueueDir    string `yaml:"queue_dir" mapstructure:"queue_dir"`
-	ForgejoUser string `yaml:"forgejo_user" mapstructure:"forgejo_user"`
-	Model       string `yaml:"model" mapstructure:"model"`   // claude model: sonnet, haiku, opus (default: sonnet)
-	Runner      string `yaml:"runner" mapstructure:"runner"` // runner binary: claude, codex (default: claude)
-	Active      bool   `yaml:"active" mapstructure:"active"`
+	Host          string   `yaml:"host" mapstructure:"host"`
+	QueueDir      string   `yaml:"queue_dir" mapstructure:"queue_dir"`
+	ForgejoUser   string   `yaml:"forgejo_user" mapstructure:"forgejo_user"`
+	Model         string   `yaml:"model" mapstructure:"model"`                   // primary AI model
+	Runner        string   `yaml:"runner" mapstructure:"runner"`                 // runner binary: claude, codex, gemini
+	VerifyModel   string   `yaml:"verify_model" mapstructure:"verify_model"`     // secondary model for dual-run
+	SecurityLevel string   `yaml:"security_level" mapstructure:"security_level"` // low, high
+	Roles         []string `yaml:"roles" mapstructure:"roles"`
+	DualRun       bool     `yaml:"dual_run" mapstructure:"dual_run"`
+	Active        bool     `yaml:"active" mapstructure:"active"`
 }
 
-// LoadAgents reads agent targets from config and returns a map suitable for the dispatch handler.
+// ClothoConfig controls the orchestration strategy.
+type ClothoConfig struct {
+	Strategy            string  `yaml:"strategy" mapstructure:"strategy"`                         // direct, clotho-verified
+	ValidationThreshold float64 `yaml:"validation_threshold" mapstructure:"validation_threshold"` // divergence limit (0.0-1.0)
+	SigningKeyPath      string  `yaml:"signing_key_path" mapstructure:"signing_key_path"`
+}
+
+// LoadAgents reads agent targets from config and returns a map of AgentConfig.
 // Returns an empty map (not an error) if no agents are configured.
-func LoadAgents(cfg *config.Config) (map[string]handlers.AgentTarget, error) {
+func LoadAgents(cfg *config.Config) (map[string]AgentConfig, error) {
 	var agents map[string]AgentConfig
 	if err := cfg.Get("agentci.agents", &agents); err != nil {
-		// No config is fine — just no agents.
-		return map[string]handlers.AgentTarget{}, nil
+		return map[string]AgentConfig{}, nil
 	}
 
-	targets := make(map[string]handlers.AgentTarget)
+	// Validate and apply defaults.
 	for name, ac := range agents {
 		if !ac.Active {
 			continue
 		}
 		if ac.Host == "" {
-			return nil, log.E("agentci.LoadAgents", fmt.Sprintf("agent %q: host is required", name), nil)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("agent %q: host is required", name)
 		}
-		queueDir := ac.QueueDir
-		if queueDir == "" {
-			queueDir = "/home/claude/ai-work/queue"
+		if ac.QueueDir == "" {
+			ac.QueueDir = "/home/claude/ai-work/queue"
 		}
-		model := ac.Model
-		if model == "" {
-			model = "sonnet"
+		if ac.Model == "" {
+			ac.Model = "sonnet"
 		}
-		runner := ac.Runner
-		if runner == "" {
-			runner = "claude"
-		}
-		targets[name] = handlers.AgentTarget{
-			Host:     ac.Host,
-			QueueDir: queueDir,
-			Model:    model,
-			Runner:   runner,
+		if ac.Runner == "" {
+			ac.Runner = "claude"
 		}
+		agents[name] = ac
 	}
 
-	return targets, nil
+	return agents, nil
+}
+
+// LoadActiveAgents returns only active agents.
+func LoadActiveAgents(cfg *config.Config) (map[string]AgentConfig, error) {
+	all, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	active := make(map[string]AgentConfig)
+	for name, ac := range all {
+		if ac.Active {
+			active[name] = ac
+		}
+	}
+	return active, nil
+}
+
+// LoadClothoConfig loads the Clotho orchestrator settings.
+// Returns sensible defaults if no config is present.
+func LoadClothoConfig(cfg *config.Config) (ClothoConfig, error) {
+	var cc ClothoConfig
+	if err := cfg.Get("agentci.clotho", &cc); err != nil {
+		return ClothoConfig{
+			Strategy:            "direct",
+			ValidationThreshold: 0.85,
+		}, nil
+	}
+	if cc.Strategy == "" {
+		cc.Strategy = "direct"
+	}
+	if cc.ValidationThreshold == 0 {
+		cc.ValidationThreshold = 0.85
+	}
+	return cc, nil
 }
 
 // SaveAgent writes an agent config entry to the config file.
@@ -67,6 +101,7 @@ func SaveAgent(cfg *config.Config, name string, ac AgentConfig) error {
 		"queue_dir":    ac.QueueDir,
 		"forgejo_user": ac.ForgejoUser,
 		"active":       ac.Active,
+		"dual_run":     ac.DualRun,
 	}
 	if ac.Model != "" {
 		data["model"] = ac.Model
@@ -74,6 +109,15 @@ func SaveAgent(cfg *config.Config, name string, ac AgentConfig) error {
 	if ac.Runner != "" {
 		data["runner"] = ac.Runner
 	}
+	if ac.VerifyModel != "" {
+		data["verify_model"] = ac.VerifyModel
+	}
+	if ac.SecurityLevel != "" {
+		data["security_level"] = ac.SecurityLevel
+	}
+	if len(ac.Roles) > 0 {
+		data["roles"] = ac.Roles
+	}
 	return cfg.Set(key, data)
 }
 
@@ -81,10 +125,10 @@ func SaveAgent(cfg *config.Config, name string, ac AgentConfig) error {
 func RemoveAgent(cfg *config.Config, name string) error {
 	var agents map[string]AgentConfig
 	if err := cfg.Get("agentci.agents", &agents); err != nil {
-		return log.E("agentci.RemoveAgent", "no agents configured", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("no agents configured")
 	}
 	if _, ok := agents[name]; !ok {
-		return log.E("agentci.RemoveAgent", fmt.Sprintf("agent %q not found", name), nil)
+		return fmt.Errorf("agent %q not found", name)
 	}
 	delete(agents, name)
 	return cfg.Set("agentci.agents", agents)
diff --git a/pkg/agentci/config_test.go b/pkg/agentci/config_test.go
index 6295b04c..4867457b 100644
--- a/pkg/agentci/config_test.go
+++ b/pkg/agentci/config_test.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/config"
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/io"
-	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/jobrunner/handlers"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -33,11 +32,11 @@ agentci:
       runner: claude
       active: true
 `)
-	targets, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
+	agents, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Len(t, targets, 1)
+	require.Len(t, agents, 1)
 
-	agent := targets["darbs-claude"]
+	agent := agents["darbs-claude"]
 	assert.Equal(t, "claude@192.168.0.201", agent.Host)
 	assert.Equal(t, "/home/claude/ai-work/queue", agent.QueueDir)
 	assert.Equal(t, "sonnet", agent.Model)
@@ -58,11 +57,11 @@ agentci:
       runner: codex
       active: true
 `)
-	targets, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
+	agents, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Len(t, targets, 2)
-	assert.Contains(t, targets, "darbs-claude")
-	assert.Contains(t, targets, "local-codex")
+	assert.Len(t, agents, 2)
+	assert.Contains(t, agents, "darbs-claude")
+	assert.Contains(t, agents, "local-codex")
 }
 
 func TestLoadAgents_Good_SkipsInactive(t *testing.T) {
@@ -76,10 +75,28 @@ agentci:
       host: claude@10.0.0.2
       active: false
 `)
-	targets, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
+	agents, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Len(t, targets, 1)
-	assert.Contains(t, targets, "active-agent")
+	// Both are returned, but only active-agent has defaults applied.
+	assert.Len(t, agents, 2)
+	assert.Contains(t, agents, "active-agent")
+}
+
+func TestLoadActiveAgents_Good(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := newTestConfig(t, `
+agentci:
+  agents:
+    active-agent:
+      host: claude@10.0.0.1
+      active: true
+    offline-agent:
+      host: claude@10.0.0.2
+      active: false
+`)
+	active, err := LoadActiveAgents(cfg)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Len(t, active, 1)
+	assert.Contains(t, active, "active-agent")
 }
 
 func TestLoadAgents_Good_Defaults(t *testing.T) {
@@ -90,11 +107,11 @@ agentci:
       host: claude@10.0.0.1
       active: true
 `)
-	targets, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
+	agents, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Len(t, targets, 1)
+	require.Len(t, agents, 1)
 
-	agent := targets["minimal"]
+	agent := agents["minimal"]
 	assert.Equal(t, "/home/claude/ai-work/queue", agent.QueueDir)
 	assert.Equal(t, "sonnet", agent.Model)
 	assert.Equal(t, "claude", agent.Runner)
@@ -102,9 +119,9 @@ agentci:
 
 func TestLoadAgents_Good_NoConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := newTestConfig(t, "")
-	targets, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
+	agents, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Empty(t, targets)
+	assert.Empty(t, agents)
 }
 
 func TestLoadAgents_Bad_MissingHost(t *testing.T) {
@@ -120,24 +137,49 @@ agentci:
 	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "host is required")
 }
 
-func TestLoadAgents_Good_ReturnsAgentTargets(t *testing.T) {
+func TestLoadAgents_Good_WithDualRun(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := newTestConfig(t, `
 agentci:
   agents:
     gemini-agent:
       host: localhost
       runner: gemini
-      model: ""
+      model: gemini-2.0-flash
+      verify_model: gemini-1.5-pro
+      dual_run: true
       active: true
 `)
-	targets, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
+	agents, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	agent := targets["gemini-agent"]
-	// Verify it returns the handlers.AgentTarget type.
-	var _ handlers.AgentTarget = agent
+	agent := agents["gemini-agent"]
 	assert.Equal(t, "gemini", agent.Runner)
-	assert.Equal(t, "sonnet", agent.Model) // default when empty
+	assert.Equal(t, "gemini-2.0-flash", agent.Model)
+	assert.Equal(t, "gemini-1.5-pro", agent.VerifyModel)
+	assert.True(t, agent.DualRun)
+}
+
+func TestLoadClothoConfig_Good(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := newTestConfig(t, `
+agentci:
+  clotho:
+    strategy: clotho-verified
+    validation_threshold: 0.9
+    signing_key_path: /etc/core/keys/clotho.pub
+`)
+	cc, err := LoadClothoConfig(cfg)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "clotho-verified", cc.Strategy)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0.9, cc.ValidationThreshold)
+	assert.Equal(t, "/etc/core/keys/clotho.pub", cc.SigningKeyPath)
+}
+
+func TestLoadClothoConfig_Good_Defaults(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := newTestConfig(t, "")
+	cc, err := LoadClothoConfig(cfg)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "direct", cc.Strategy)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0.85, cc.ValidationThreshold)
 }
 
 func TestSaveAgent_Good(t *testing.T) {
@@ -153,7 +195,6 @@ func TestSaveAgent_Good(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	// Verify we can load it back.
 	agents, err := ListAgents(cfg)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Contains(t, agents, "new-agent")
@@ -161,6 +202,24 @@ func TestSaveAgent_Good(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "haiku", agents["new-agent"].Model)
 }
 
+func TestSaveAgent_Good_WithDualRun(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := newTestConfig(t, "")
+
+	err := SaveAgent(cfg, "verified-agent", AgentConfig{
+		Host:        "claude@10.0.0.5",
+		Model:       "gemini-2.0-flash",
+		VerifyModel: "gemini-1.5-pro",
+		DualRun:     true,
+		Active:      true,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	agents, err := ListAgents(cfg)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Contains(t, agents, "verified-agent")
+	assert.True(t, agents["verified-agent"].DualRun)
+}
+
 func TestSaveAgent_Good_OmitsEmptyOptionals(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := newTestConfig(t, "")
 
@@ -243,7 +302,6 @@ func TestListAgents_Good_Empty(t *testing.T) {
 func TestRoundTrip_SaveThenLoad(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := newTestConfig(t, "")
 
-	// Save two agents.
 	err := SaveAgent(cfg, "alpha", AgentConfig{
 		Host:        "claude@alpha",
 		QueueDir:    "/home/claude/work/queue",
@@ -262,11 +320,10 @@ func TestRoundTrip_SaveThenLoad(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	// Load as AgentTargets (what the dispatch handler uses).
-	targets, err := LoadAgents(cfg)
+	agents, err := LoadActiveAgents(cfg)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.Len(t, targets, 2)
-	assert.Equal(t, "claude@alpha", targets["alpha"].Host)
-	assert.Equal(t, "opus", targets["alpha"].Model)
-	assert.Equal(t, "codex", targets["beta"].Runner)
+	assert.Len(t, agents, 2)
+	assert.Equal(t, "claude@alpha", agents["alpha"].Host)
+	assert.Equal(t, "opus", agents["alpha"].Model)
+	assert.Equal(t, "codex", agents["beta"].Runner)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/agentci/security.go b/pkg/agentci/security.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f917b3f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/agentci/security.go
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+package agentci
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+var safeNameRegex = regexp.MustCompile(`^[a-zA-Z0-9\-\_\.]+$`)
+
+// SanitizePath ensures a filename or directory name is safe and prevents path traversal.
+// Returns filepath.Base of the input after validation.
+func SanitizePath(input string) (string, error) {
+	base := filepath.Base(input)
+	if !safeNameRegex.MatchString(base) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid characters in path element: %s", input)
+	}
+	if base == "." || base == ".." || base == "/" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid path element: %s", base)
+	}
+	return base, nil
+}
+
+// EscapeShellArg wraps a string in single quotes for safe remote shell insertion.
+// Prefer exec.Command arguments over constructing shell strings where possible.
+func EscapeShellArg(arg string) string {
+	return "'" + strings.ReplaceAll(arg, "'", "'\\''") + "'"
+}
+
+// SecureSSHCommand creates an SSH exec.Cmd with strict host key checking and batch mode.
+func SecureSSHCommand(host string, remoteCmd string) *exec.Cmd {
+	return exec.Command("ssh",
+		"-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=yes",
+		"-o", "BatchMode=yes",
+		"-o", "ConnectTimeout=10",
+		host,
+		remoteCmd,
+	)
+}
+
+// MaskToken returns a masked version of a token for safe logging.
+func MaskToken(token string) string {
+	if len(token) < 8 {
+		return "*****"
+	}
+	return token[:4] + "****" + token[len(token)-4:]
+}
diff --git a/pkg/forge/issues.go b/pkg/forge/issues.go
index 1321f2d4..55fa2e3f 100644
--- a/pkg/forge/issues.go
+++ b/pkg/forge/issues.go
@@ -75,6 +75,17 @@ func (c *Client) EditIssue(owner, repo string, number int64, opts forgejo.EditIs
 	return issue, nil
 }
 
+// AssignIssue assigns an issue to the specified users.
+func (c *Client) AssignIssue(owner, repo string, number int64, assignees []string) error {
+	_, _, err := c.api.EditIssue(owner, repo, number, forgejo.EditIssueOption{
+		Assignees: assignees,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return log.E("forge.AssignIssue", "failed to assign issue", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // ListPullRequests returns pull requests for the given repository.
 func (c *Client) ListPullRequests(owner, repo string, state string) ([]*forgejo.PullRequest, error) {
 	st := forgejo.StateOpen
diff --git a/pkg/forge/labels.go b/pkg/forge/labels.go
index 89f2de28..d97fb62f 100644
--- a/pkg/forge/labels.go
+++ b/pkg/forge/labels.go
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 package forge
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
 	forgejo "codeberg.org/mvdkleijn/forgejo-sdk/forgejo/v2"
 
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/log"
@@ -58,3 +61,52 @@ func (c *Client) CreateRepoLabel(owner, repo string, opts forgejo.CreateLabelOpt
 
 	return label, nil
 }
+
+// GetLabelByName retrieves a specific label by name from a repository.
+func (c *Client) GetLabelByName(owner, repo, name string) (*forgejo.Label, error) {
+	labels, err := c.ListRepoLabels(owner, repo)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	for _, l := range labels {
+		if strings.EqualFold(l.Name, name) {
+			return l, nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("label %s not found in %s/%s", name, owner, repo)
+}
+
+// EnsureLabel checks if a label exists, and creates it if it doesn't.
+func (c *Client) EnsureLabel(owner, repo, name, color string) (*forgejo.Label, error) {
+	label, err := c.GetLabelByName(owner, repo, name)
+	if err == nil {
+		return label, nil
+	}
+
+	return c.CreateRepoLabel(owner, repo, forgejo.CreateLabelOption{
+		Name:  name,
+		Color: color,
+	})
+}
+
+// AddIssueLabels adds labels to an issue.
+func (c *Client) AddIssueLabels(owner, repo string, number int64, labelIDs []int64) error {
+	_, _, err := c.api.AddIssueLabels(owner, repo, number, forgejo.IssueLabelsOption{
+		Labels: labelIDs,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return log.E("forge.AddIssueLabels", "failed to add labels to issue", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// RemoveIssueLabel removes a label from an issue.
+func (c *Client) RemoveIssueLabel(owner, repo string, number int64, labelID int64) error {
+	_, err := c.api.DeleteIssueLabel(owner, repo, number, labelID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return log.E("forge.RemoveIssueLabel", "failed to remove label from issue", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/jobrunner/handlers/dispatch.go b/pkg/jobrunner/handlers/dispatch.go
index 886f96c2..de2ae7d2 100644
--- a/pkg/jobrunner/handlers/dispatch.go
+++ b/pkg/jobrunner/handlers/dispatch.go
@@ -1,28 +1,31 @@
 package handlers
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
-	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/agentci"
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/forge"
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/jobrunner"
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/log"
 )
 
-// AgentTarget maps a Forgejo username to an SSH-reachable agent machine.
-type AgentTarget struct {
-	Host     string // SSH destination (e.g., "claude@192.168.0.201")
-	QueueDir string // Remote queue directory (e.g., "~/ai-work/queue")
-	Model    string // AI model: sonnet, haiku, opus (default: sonnet)
-	Runner   string // Runner binary: claude, codex (default: claude)
-}
+const (
+	LabelAgentReady    = "agent-ready"
+	LabelInProgress    = "in-progress"
+	LabelAgentFailed   = "agent-failed"
+	LabelAgentComplete = "agent-completed"
+
+	ColorInProgress  = "#1d76db" // Blue
+	ColorAgentFailed = "#c0392b" // Red
+)
 
 // DispatchTicket is the JSON payload written to the agent's queue.
+// The ForgeToken is transferred separately via a .env file with 0600 permissions.
 type DispatchTicket struct {
 	ID           string `json:"id"`
 	RepoOwner    string `json:"repo_owner"`
@@ -33,28 +36,29 @@ type DispatchTicket struct {
 	TargetBranch string `json:"target_branch"`
 	EpicNumber   int    `json:"epic_number"`
 	ForgeURL     string `json:"forge_url"`
-	ForgeToken   string `json:"forge_token"`
 	ForgeUser    string `json:"forgejo_user"`
 	Model        string `json:"model,omitempty"`
 	Runner       string `json:"runner,omitempty"`
+	VerifyModel  string `json:"verify_model,omitempty"`
+	DualRun      bool   `json:"dual_run"`
 	CreatedAt    string `json:"created_at"`
 }
 
-// DispatchHandler dispatches coding work to remote agent machines via SSH/SCP.
+// DispatchHandler dispatches coding work to remote agent machines via SSH.
 type DispatchHandler struct {
 	forge    *forge.Client
 	forgeURL string
 	token    string
-	agents   map[string]AgentTarget
+	spinner  *agentci.Spinner
 }
 
 // NewDispatchHandler creates a handler that dispatches tickets to agent machines.
-func NewDispatchHandler(client *forge.Client, forgeURL, token string, agents map[string]AgentTarget) *DispatchHandler {
+func NewDispatchHandler(client *forge.Client, forgeURL, token string, spinner *agentci.Spinner) *DispatchHandler {
 	return &DispatchHandler{
 		forge:    client,
 		forgeURL: forgeURL,
 		token:    token,
-		agents:   agents,
+		spinner:  spinner,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -69,62 +73,108 @@ func (h *DispatchHandler) Match(signal *jobrunner.PipelineSignal) bool {
 	if !signal.NeedsCoding {
 		return false
 	}
-	_, ok := h.agents[signal.Assignee]
+	_, ok := h.spinner.Agents[signal.Assignee]
 	return ok
 }
 
-// Execute creates a ticket JSON and SCPs it to the agent's queue directory.
+// Execute creates a ticket JSON and transfers it securely to the agent's queue directory.
 func (h *DispatchHandler) Execute(ctx context.Context, signal *jobrunner.PipelineSignal) (*jobrunner.ActionResult, error) {
 	start := time.Now()
 
-	agent, ok := h.agents[signal.Assignee]
+	agent, ok := h.spinner.Agents[signal.Assignee]
 	if !ok {
-		return nil, log.E("dispatch.Execute", fmt.Sprintf("unknown agent: %s", signal.Assignee), nil)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unknown agent: %s", signal.Assignee)
 	}
 
-	// Determine target branch (default to repo default).
+	// Sanitize inputs to prevent path traversal.
+	safeOwner, err := agentci.SanitizePath(signal.RepoOwner)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid repo owner: %w", err)
+	}
+	safeRepo, err := agentci.SanitizePath(signal.RepoName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid repo name: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Ensure in-progress label exists on repo.
+	inProgressLabel, err := h.forge.EnsureLabel(safeOwner, safeRepo, LabelInProgress, ColorInProgress)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ensure label %s: %w", LabelInProgress, err)
+	}
+
+	// Check if already in progress to prevent double-dispatch.
+	issue, err := h.forge.GetIssue(safeOwner, safeRepo, int64(signal.ChildNumber))
+	if err == nil {
+		for _, l := range issue.Labels {
+			if l.Name == LabelInProgress || l.Name == LabelAgentComplete {
+				log.Info("issue already processed, skipping", "issue", signal.ChildNumber, "label", l.Name)
+				return &jobrunner.ActionResult{
+					Action:    "dispatch",
+					Success:   true,
+					Timestamp: time.Now(),
+					Duration:  time.Since(start),
+				}, nil
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Assign agent and add in-progress label.
+	if err := h.forge.AssignIssue(safeOwner, safeRepo, int64(signal.ChildNumber), []string{signal.Assignee}); err != nil {
+		log.Warn("failed to assign agent, continuing", "err", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := h.forge.AddIssueLabels(safeOwner, safeRepo, int64(signal.ChildNumber), []int64{inProgressLabel.ID}); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("add in-progress label: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Remove agent-ready label if present.
+	if readyLabel, err := h.forge.GetLabelByName(safeOwner, safeRepo, LabelAgentReady); err == nil {
+		_ = h.forge.RemoveIssueLabel(safeOwner, safeRepo, int64(signal.ChildNumber), readyLabel.ID)
+	}
+
+	// Clotho planning — determine execution mode.
+	runMode := h.spinner.DeterminePlan(signal, signal.Assignee)
+	verifyModel := ""
+	if runMode == agentci.ModeDual {
+		verifyModel = h.spinner.GetVerifierModel(signal.Assignee)
+	}
+
+	// Build ticket.
 	targetBranch := "new" // TODO: resolve from epic or repo default
+	ticketID := fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s-%d-%d", safeOwner, safeRepo, signal.ChildNumber, time.Now().Unix())
 
 	ticket := DispatchTicket{
-		ID:           fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s-%d-%d", signal.RepoOwner, signal.RepoName, signal.ChildNumber, time.Now().Unix()),
-		RepoOwner:    signal.RepoOwner,
-		RepoName:     signal.RepoName,
+		ID:           ticketID,
+		RepoOwner:    safeOwner,
+		RepoName:     safeRepo,
 		IssueNumber:  signal.ChildNumber,
 		IssueTitle:   signal.IssueTitle,
 		IssueBody:    signal.IssueBody,
 		TargetBranch: targetBranch,
 		EpicNumber:   signal.EpicNumber,
 		ForgeURL:     h.forgeURL,
-		ForgeToken:   h.token,
 		ForgeUser:    signal.Assignee,
 		Model:        agent.Model,
 		Runner:       agent.Runner,
+		VerifyModel:  verifyModel,
+		DualRun:      runMode == agentci.ModeDual,
 		CreatedAt:    time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339),
 	}
 
 	ticketJSON, err := json.MarshalIndent(ticket, "", "  ")
 	if err != nil {
-		return &jobrunner.ActionResult{
-			Action:      "dispatch",
-			RepoOwner:   signal.RepoOwner,
-			RepoName:    signal.RepoName,
-			EpicNumber:  signal.EpicNumber,
-			ChildNumber: signal.ChildNumber,
-			Success:     false,
-			Error:       fmt.Sprintf("marshal ticket: %v", err),
-			Timestamp:   time.Now(),
-			Duration:    time.Since(start),
-		}, nil
+		h.failDispatch(signal, "Failed to marshal ticket JSON")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("marshal ticket: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	// Check if ticket already exists on agent (dedup).
-	ticketName := fmt.Sprintf("ticket-%s-%s-%d.json", signal.RepoOwner, signal.RepoName, signal.ChildNumber)
-	if h.ticketExists(agent, ticketName) {
+	ticketName := fmt.Sprintf("ticket-%s-%s-%d.json", safeOwner, safeRepo, signal.ChildNumber)
+	if h.ticketExists(ctx, agent, ticketName) {
 		log.Info("ticket already queued, skipping", "ticket", ticketName, "agent", signal.Assignee)
 		return &jobrunner.ActionResult{
 			Action:      "dispatch",
-			RepoOwner:   signal.RepoOwner,
-			RepoName:    signal.RepoName,
+			RepoOwner:   safeOwner,
+			RepoName:    safeRepo,
 			EpicNumber:  signal.EpicNumber,
 			ChildNumber: signal.ChildNumber,
 			Success:     true,
@@ -133,30 +183,55 @@ func (h *DispatchHandler) Execute(ctx context.Context, signal *jobrunner.Pipelin
 		}, nil
 	}
 
-	// SCP ticket to agent queue.
-	remotePath := filepath.Join(agent.QueueDir, ticketName)
-	if err := h.scpTicket(ctx, agent.Host, remotePath, ticketJSON); err != nil {
+	// Transfer ticket JSON.
+	remoteTicketPath := filepath.Join(agent.QueueDir, ticketName)
+	if err := h.secureTransfer(ctx, agent, remoteTicketPath, ticketJSON, 0644); err != nil {
+		h.failDispatch(signal, fmt.Sprintf("Ticket transfer failed: %v", err))
 		return &jobrunner.ActionResult{
 			Action:      "dispatch",
-			RepoOwner:   signal.RepoOwner,
-			RepoName:    signal.RepoName,
+			RepoOwner:   safeOwner,
+			RepoName:    safeRepo,
 			EpicNumber:  signal.EpicNumber,
 			ChildNumber: signal.ChildNumber,
 			Success:     false,
-			Error:       fmt.Sprintf("scp ticket: %v", err),
+			Error:       fmt.Sprintf("transfer ticket: %v", err),
+			Timestamp:   time.Now(),
+			Duration:    time.Since(start),
+		}, nil
+	}
+
+	// Transfer token via separate .env file with 0600 permissions.
+	envContent := fmt.Sprintf("FORGE_TOKEN=%s\n", h.token)
+	remoteEnvPath := filepath.Join(agent.QueueDir, fmt.Sprintf(".env.%s", ticketID))
+	if err := h.secureTransfer(ctx, agent, remoteEnvPath, []byte(envContent), 0600); err != nil {
+		// Clean up the ticket if env transfer fails.
+		_ = h.runRemote(ctx, agent, fmt.Sprintf("rm -f %s", agentci.EscapeShellArg(remoteTicketPath)))
+		h.failDispatch(signal, fmt.Sprintf("Token transfer failed: %v", err))
+		return &jobrunner.ActionResult{
+			Action:      "dispatch",
+			RepoOwner:   safeOwner,
+			RepoName:    safeRepo,
+			EpicNumber:  signal.EpicNumber,
+			ChildNumber: signal.ChildNumber,
+			Success:     false,
+			Error:       fmt.Sprintf("transfer token: %v", err),
 			Timestamp:   time.Now(),
 			Duration:    time.Since(start),
 		}, nil
 	}
 
 	// Comment on issue.
-	comment := fmt.Sprintf("Dispatched to **%s** agent queue.", signal.Assignee)
-	_ = h.forge.CreateIssueComment(signal.RepoOwner, signal.RepoName, int64(signal.ChildNumber), comment)
+	modeStr := "Standard"
+	if runMode == agentci.ModeDual {
+		modeStr = "Clotho Verified (Dual Run)"
+	}
+	comment := fmt.Sprintf("Dispatched to **%s** agent queue.\nMode: **%s**", signal.Assignee, modeStr)
+	_ = h.forge.CreateIssueComment(safeOwner, safeRepo, int64(signal.ChildNumber), comment)
 
 	return &jobrunner.ActionResult{
 		Action:      "dispatch",
-		RepoOwner:   signal.RepoOwner,
-		RepoName:    signal.RepoName,
+		RepoOwner:   safeOwner,
+		RepoName:    safeRepo,
 		EpicNumber:  signal.EpicNumber,
 		ChildNumber: signal.ChildNumber,
 		Success:     true,
@@ -165,37 +240,51 @@ func (h *DispatchHandler) Execute(ctx context.Context, signal *jobrunner.Pipelin
 	}, nil
 }
 
-// scpTicket writes ticket data to a remote path via SSH.
-// TODO: Replace exec ssh+cat with charmbracelet/ssh for native Go SSH.
-func (h *DispatchHandler) scpTicket(ctx context.Context, host, remotePath string, data []byte) error {
-	// Use ssh + cat instead of scp for piping stdin.
-	// TODO: Use charmbracelet/keygen for key management, native Go SSH client for transport.
-	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, "ssh",
-		"-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new",
-		"-o", "ConnectTimeout=10",
-		host,
-		fmt.Sprintf("cat > %s", remotePath),
-	)
-	cmd.Stdin = strings.NewReader(string(data))
+// failDispatch handles cleanup when dispatch fails (adds failed label, removes in-progress).
+func (h *DispatchHandler) failDispatch(signal *jobrunner.PipelineSignal, reason string) {
+	if failedLabel, err := h.forge.EnsureLabel(signal.RepoOwner, signal.RepoName, LabelAgentFailed, ColorAgentFailed); err == nil {
+		_ = h.forge.AddIssueLabels(signal.RepoOwner, signal.RepoName, int64(signal.ChildNumber), []int64{failedLabel.ID})
+	}
+
+	if inProgressLabel, err := h.forge.GetLabelByName(signal.RepoOwner, signal.RepoName, LabelInProgress); err == nil {
+		_ = h.forge.RemoveIssueLabel(signal.RepoOwner, signal.RepoName, int64(signal.ChildNumber), inProgressLabel.ID)
+	}
+
+	_ = h.forge.CreateIssueComment(signal.RepoOwner, signal.RepoName, int64(signal.ChildNumber), fmt.Sprintf("Agent dispatch failed: %s", reason))
+}
+
+// secureTransfer writes data to a remote path via SSH stdin, preventing command injection.
+func (h *DispatchHandler) secureTransfer(ctx context.Context, agent agentci.AgentConfig, remotePath string, data []byte, mode int) error {
+	safeRemotePath := agentci.EscapeShellArg(remotePath)
+	remoteCmd := fmt.Sprintf("cat > %s && chmod %o %s", safeRemotePath, mode, safeRemotePath)
+
+	cmd := agentci.SecureSSHCommand(agent.Host, remoteCmd)
+	cmd.Stdin = bytes.NewReader(data)
 
 	output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
 	if err != nil {
-		return log.E("dispatch.scp", fmt.Sprintf("ssh to %s failed: %s", host, string(output)), err)
+		return log.E("dispatch.transfer", fmt.Sprintf("ssh to %s failed: %s", agent.Host, string(output)), err)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
+// runRemote executes a command on the agent via SSH.
+func (h *DispatchHandler) runRemote(ctx context.Context, agent agentci.AgentConfig, cmdStr string) error {
+	cmd := agentci.SecureSSHCommand(agent.Host, cmdStr)
+	return cmd.Run()
+}
+
 // ticketExists checks if a ticket file already exists in queue, active, or done.
-// TODO: Replace exec ssh with native Go SSH client (charmbracelet/ssh).
-func (h *DispatchHandler) ticketExists(agent AgentTarget, ticketName string) bool {
-	cmd := exec.Command("ssh",
-		"-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new",
-		"-o", "ConnectTimeout=10",
-		agent.Host,
-		fmt.Sprintf("test -f %s/%s || test -f %s/../active/%s || test -f %s/../done/%s",
-			agent.QueueDir, ticketName,
-			agent.QueueDir, ticketName,
-			agent.QueueDir, ticketName),
+func (h *DispatchHandler) ticketExists(ctx context.Context, agent agentci.AgentConfig, ticketName string) bool {
+	safeTicket, err := agentci.SanitizePath(ticketName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	qDir := agent.QueueDir
+	checkCmd := fmt.Sprintf(
+		"test -f %s/%s || test -f %s/../active/%s || test -f %s/../done/%s",
+		qDir, safeTicket, qDir, safeTicket, qDir, safeTicket,
 	)
+	cmd := agentci.SecureSSHCommand(agent.Host, checkCmd)
 	return cmd.Run() == nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/jobrunner/handlers/dispatch_test.go b/pkg/jobrunner/handlers/dispatch_test.go
index 66e82474..f91f312b 100644
--- a/pkg/jobrunner/handlers/dispatch_test.go
+++ b/pkg/jobrunner/handlers/dispatch_test.go
@@ -7,17 +7,24 @@ import (
 	"net/http/httptest"
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/agentci"
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/jobrunner"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
+// newTestSpinner creates a Spinner with the given agents for testing.
+func newTestSpinner(agents map[string]agentci.AgentConfig) *agentci.Spinner {
+	return agentci.NewSpinner(agentci.ClothoConfig{Strategy: "direct"}, agents)
+}
+
 // --- Match tests ---
 
 func TestDispatch_Match_Good_NeedsCoding(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", map[string]AgentTarget{
-		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue"},
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{
+		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue", Active: true},
 	})
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", spinner)
 	sig := &jobrunner.PipelineSignal{
 		NeedsCoding: true,
 		Assignee:    "darbs-claude",
@@ -26,10 +33,11 @@ func TestDispatch_Match_Good_NeedsCoding(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDispatch_Match_Good_MultipleAgents(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", map[string]AgentTarget{
-		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue"},
-		"local-codex":  {Host: "localhost", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue"},
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{
+		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue", Active: true},
+		"local-codex":  {Host: "localhost", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue", Active: true},
 	})
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", spinner)
 	sig := &jobrunner.PipelineSignal{
 		NeedsCoding: true,
 		Assignee:    "local-codex",
@@ -38,9 +46,10 @@ func TestDispatch_Match_Good_MultipleAgents(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDispatch_Match_Bad_HasPR(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", map[string]AgentTarget{
-		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue"},
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{
+		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue", Active: true},
 	})
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", spinner)
 	sig := &jobrunner.PipelineSignal{
 		NeedsCoding: false,
 		PRNumber:    7,
@@ -50,9 +59,10 @@ func TestDispatch_Match_Bad_HasPR(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDispatch_Match_Bad_UnknownAgent(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", map[string]AgentTarget{
-		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue"},
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{
+		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue", Active: true},
 	})
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", spinner)
 	sig := &jobrunner.PipelineSignal{
 		NeedsCoding: true,
 		Assignee:    "unknown-user",
@@ -61,9 +71,10 @@ func TestDispatch_Match_Bad_UnknownAgent(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDispatch_Match_Bad_NotAssigned(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", map[string]AgentTarget{
-		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue"},
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{
+		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue", Active: true},
 	})
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", spinner)
 	sig := &jobrunner.PipelineSignal{
 		NeedsCoding: true,
 		Assignee:    "",
@@ -72,7 +83,8 @@ func TestDispatch_Match_Bad_NotAssigned(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDispatch_Match_Bad_EmptyAgentMap(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", map[string]AgentTarget{})
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{})
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", spinner)
 	sig := &jobrunner.PipelineSignal{
 		NeedsCoding: true,
 		Assignee:    "darbs-claude",
@@ -83,13 +95,12 @@ func TestDispatch_Match_Bad_EmptyAgentMap(t *testing.T) {
 // --- Name test ---
 
 func TestDispatch_Name_Good(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", nil)
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(nil)
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(nil, "", "", spinner)
 	assert.Equal(t, "dispatch", h.Name())
 }
 
 // --- Execute tests ---
-// Execute calls SSH/SCP which can't be tested in unit tests without the remote.
-// These tests verify the ticket construction and error paths that don't need SSH.
 
 func TestDispatch_Execute_Bad_UnknownAgent(t *testing.T) {
 	srv := httptest.NewServer(withVersion(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
@@ -98,9 +109,10 @@ func TestDispatch_Execute_Bad_UnknownAgent(t *testing.T) {
 	defer srv.Close()
 
 	client := newTestForgeClient(t, srv.URL)
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(client, srv.URL, "test-token", map[string]AgentTarget{
-		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue"},
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{
+		"darbs-claude": {Host: "claude@192.168.0.201", QueueDir: "~/ai-work/queue", Active: true},
 	})
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(client, srv.URL, "test-token", spinner)
 
 	sig := &jobrunner.PipelineSignal{
 		NeedsCoding: true,
@@ -116,7 +128,6 @@ func TestDispatch_Execute_Bad_UnknownAgent(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDispatch_TicketJSON_Good(t *testing.T) {
-	// Verify DispatchTicket serializes correctly with all fields.
 	ticket := DispatchTicket{
 		ID:           "host-uk-core-5-1234567890",
 		RepoOwner:    "host-uk",
@@ -127,17 +138,16 @@ func TestDispatch_TicketJSON_Good(t *testing.T) {
 		TargetBranch: "new",
 		EpicNumber:   3,
 		ForgeURL:     "https://forge.lthn.ai",
-		ForgeToken:   "test-token-123",
 		ForgeUser:    "darbs-claude",
 		Model:        "sonnet",
 		Runner:       "claude",
+		DualRun:      false,
 		CreatedAt:    "2026-02-09T12:00:00Z",
 	}
 
 	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(ticket, "", "  ")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	// Verify JSON field names.
 	var decoded map[string]any
 	err = json.Unmarshal(data, &decoded)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -151,10 +161,34 @@ func TestDispatch_TicketJSON_Good(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "new", decoded["target_branch"])
 	assert.Equal(t, float64(3), decoded["epic_number"])
 	assert.Equal(t, "https://forge.lthn.ai", decoded["forge_url"])
-	assert.Equal(t, "test-token-123", decoded["forge_token"])
 	assert.Equal(t, "darbs-claude", decoded["forgejo_user"])
 	assert.Equal(t, "sonnet", decoded["model"])
 	assert.Equal(t, "claude", decoded["runner"])
+	// Token should NOT be present in the ticket.
+	_, hasToken := decoded["forge_token"]
+	assert.False(t, hasToken, "forge_token must not be in ticket JSON")
+}
+
+func TestDispatch_TicketJSON_Good_DualRun(t *testing.T) {
+	ticket := DispatchTicket{
+		ID:          "test-dual",
+		RepoOwner:   "host-uk",
+		RepoName:    "core",
+		IssueNumber: 1,
+		ForgeURL:    "https://forge.lthn.ai",
+		Model:       "gemini-2.0-flash",
+		VerifyModel: "gemini-1.5-pro",
+		DualRun:     true,
+	}
+
+	data, err := json.Marshal(ticket)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	var roundtrip DispatchTicket
+	err = json.Unmarshal(data, &roundtrip)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.True(t, roundtrip.DualRun)
+	assert.Equal(t, "gemini-1.5-pro", roundtrip.VerifyModel)
 }
 
 func TestDispatch_TicketJSON_Good_OmitsEmptyModelRunner(t *testing.T) {
@@ -165,13 +199,11 @@ func TestDispatch_TicketJSON_Good_OmitsEmptyModelRunner(t *testing.T) {
 		IssueNumber:  1,
 		TargetBranch: "new",
 		ForgeURL:     "https://forge.lthn.ai",
-		ForgeToken:   "tok",
 	}
 
 	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(ticket, "", "  ")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	// Model and runner should be omitted when empty (omitempty tag).
 	var decoded map[string]any
 	err = json.Unmarshal(data, &decoded)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -203,7 +235,6 @@ func TestDispatch_TicketJSON_Good_ModelRunnerVariants(t *testing.T) {
 				IssueNumber:  1,
 				TargetBranch: "new",
 				ForgeURL:     "https://forge.lthn.ai",
-				ForgeToken:   "tok",
 				Model:        tt.model,
 				Runner:       tt.runner,
 			}
@@ -221,30 +252,53 @@ func TestDispatch_TicketJSON_Good_ModelRunnerVariants(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDispatch_Execute_Good_PostsComment(t *testing.T) {
-	// This test verifies that Execute attempts to post a comment to the issue.
-	// SSH/SCP will fail (no remote), but we can verify the comment API call
-	// by checking if the Forgejo API was hit.
 	var commentPosted bool
 	var commentBody string
 
 	srv := httptest.NewServer(withVersion(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if r.Method == http.MethodPost && r.URL.Path == "/api/v1/repos/host-uk/core/issues/5/comments" {
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+
+		switch {
+		case r.Method == http.MethodGet && r.URL.Path == "/api/v1/repos/host-uk/core/labels":
+			json.NewEncoder(w).Encode([]any{})
+			return
+
+		case r.Method == http.MethodPost && r.URL.Path == "/api/v1/repos/host-uk/core/labels":
+			json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"id": 1, "name": "in-progress", "color": "#1d76db"})
+			return
+
+		case r.Method == http.MethodGet && r.URL.Path == "/api/v1/repos/host-uk/core/issues/5":
+			json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"id": 5, "number": 5, "labels": []any{}, "title": "Test"})
+			return
+
+		case r.Method == http.MethodPatch && r.URL.Path == "/api/v1/repos/host-uk/core/issues/5":
+			json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"id": 5, "number": 5})
+			return
+
+		case r.Method == http.MethodPost && r.URL.Path == "/api/v1/repos/host-uk/core/issues/5/labels":
+			json.NewEncoder(w).Encode([]any{map[string]any{"id": 1, "name": "in-progress"}})
+			return
+
+		case r.Method == http.MethodPost && r.URL.Path == "/api/v1/repos/host-uk/core/issues/5/comments":
 			commentPosted = true
 			var body map[string]string
 			_ = json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&body)
 			commentBody = body["body"]
+			json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"id": 1, "body": body["body"]})
+			return
 		}
+
 		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+		json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{})
 	})))
 	defer srv.Close()
 
 	client := newTestForgeClient(t, srv.URL)
 
-	// Use localhost as agent host — ticketExists and scpTicket will fail
-	// via SSH but we're testing the flow up to the SCP step.
-	h := NewDispatchHandler(client, srv.URL, "test-token", map[string]AgentTarget{
-		"darbs-claude": {Host: "localhost", QueueDir: "/tmp/nonexistent-queue"},
+	spinner := newTestSpinner(map[string]agentci.AgentConfig{
+		"darbs-claude": {Host: "localhost", QueueDir: "/tmp/nonexistent-queue", Active: true},
 	})
+	h := NewDispatchHandler(client, srv.URL, "test-token", spinner)
 
 	sig := &jobrunner.PipelineSignal{
 		NeedsCoding: true,
@@ -260,9 +314,6 @@ func TestDispatch_Execute_Good_PostsComment(t *testing.T) {
 	result, err := h.Execute(context.Background(), sig)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	// SSH may fail (no remote), so check for either:
-	// 1. Success (if SSH happened to work, e.g. localhost)
-	// 2. SCP error with correct metadata
 	assert.Equal(t, "dispatch", result.Action)
 	assert.Equal(t, "host-uk", result.RepoOwner)
 	assert.Equal(t, "core", result.RepoName)
@@ -270,7 +321,6 @@ func TestDispatch_Execute_Good_PostsComment(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, 5, result.ChildNumber)
 
 	if result.Success {
-		// If SCP succeeded, comment should have been posted.
 		assert.True(t, commentPosted)
 		assert.Contains(t, commentBody, "darbs-claude")
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/jobrunner/types.go b/pkg/jobrunner/types.go
index e8d0bd2d..ce51cafe 100644
--- a/pkg/jobrunner/types.go
+++ b/pkg/jobrunner/types.go
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ type PipelineSignal struct {
 	Assignee        string // issue assignee username (for dispatch)
 	IssueTitle      string // child issue title (for dispatch prompt)
 	IssueBody       string // child issue body (for dispatch prompt)
+	Type            string // signal type (e.g., "agent_completion")
+	Success         bool   // agent completion success flag
+	Error           string // agent error message
+	Message         string // agent completion message
 }
 
 // RepoFullName returns "owner/repo".
diff --git a/scripts/agent-runner.sh b/scripts/agent-runner.sh
index 06c99bc7..8f1b3643 100755
--- a/scripts/agent-runner.sh
+++ b/scripts/agent-runner.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/bin/bash
-# agent-runner.sh — One-at-a-time queue runner for Claude Code agents.
+# agent-runner.sh — Clotho-Verified Queue Runner for AgentCI.
 # Deployed to agent machines, triggered by cron every 5 minutes.
 #
 # Usage: */5 * * * * ~/ai-work/agent-runner.sh >> ~/ai-work/logs/runner.log 2>&1
@@ -26,14 +26,7 @@ if [ -f "$LOCK_FILE" ]; then
     rm -f "$LOCK_FILE"
 fi
 
-# --- 2. Check credits ---
-# Parse remaining usage from claude. If under 5% remaining, skip.
-if command -v claude &>/dev/null; then
-    USAGE_OUTPUT=$(claude --output-format json -p "Reply with just the word OK" 2>/dev/null | head -1 || echo "")
-    # Fallback: if we can't check, proceed anyway.
-fi
-
-# --- 3. Pick oldest ticket ---
+# --- 2. Pick oldest ticket ---
 TICKET=$(find "$QUEUE_DIR" -name 'ticket-*.json' -type f 2>/dev/null | sort | head -1)
 if [ -z "$TICKET" ]; then
     exit 0  # No work
@@ -42,19 +35,24 @@ fi
 TICKET_BASENAME=$(basename "$TICKET")
 echo "$(date -Iseconds) Processing ticket: $TICKET_BASENAME"
 
-# --- 4. Lock ---
+# --- 3. Lock ---
 echo $$ > "$LOCK_FILE"
 cleanup() {
     rm -f "$LOCK_FILE"
+    # Secure cleanup of env file if it still exists.
+    if [ -n "${ENV_FILE:-}" ] && [ -f "$ENV_FILE" ]; then
+        rm -f "$ENV_FILE"
+    fi
     echo "$(date -Iseconds) Lock released."
 }
 trap cleanup EXIT
 
-# --- 5. Move to active ---
+# --- 4. Move to active ---
 mv "$TICKET" "$ACTIVE_DIR/"
 TICKET_FILE="$ACTIVE_DIR/$TICKET_BASENAME"
 
-# --- 6. Extract ticket data ---
+# --- 5. Extract ticket data ---
+ID=$(jq -r .id "$TICKET_FILE")
 REPO_OWNER=$(jq -r .repo_owner "$TICKET_FILE")
 REPO_NAME=$(jq -r .repo_name "$TICKET_FILE")
 ISSUE_NUM=$(jq -r .issue_number "$TICKET_FILE")
@@ -62,10 +60,30 @@ ISSUE_TITLE=$(jq -r .issue_title "$TICKET_FILE")
 ISSUE_BODY=$(jq -r .issue_body "$TICKET_FILE")
 TARGET_BRANCH=$(jq -r .target_branch "$TICKET_FILE")
 FORGE_URL=$(jq -r .forge_url "$TICKET_FILE")
-FORGE_TOKEN=$(jq -r .forge_token "$TICKET_FILE")
+DUAL_RUN=$(jq -r '.dual_run // false' "$TICKET_FILE")
+MODEL=$(jq -r '.model // "sonnet"' "$TICKET_FILE")
+RUNNER=$(jq -r '.runner // "claude"' "$TICKET_FILE")
+VERIFY_MODEL=$(jq -r '.verify_model // ""' "$TICKET_FILE")
 
 echo "$(date -Iseconds) Issue: ${REPO_OWNER}/${REPO_NAME}#${ISSUE_NUM} - ${ISSUE_TITLE}"
 
+# --- 6. Load secure token from .env file ---
+ENV_FILE="$QUEUE_DIR/.env.$ID"
+if [ -f "$ENV_FILE" ]; then
+    source "$ENV_FILE"
+    rm -f "$ENV_FILE"  # Delete immediately after sourcing
+else
+    echo "$(date -Iseconds) ERROR: Token file not found for ticket $ID"
+    mv "$TICKET_FILE" "$DONE_DIR/"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ -z "${FORGE_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
+    echo "$(date -Iseconds) ERROR: FORGE_TOKEN missing from env file."
+    mv "$TICKET_FILE" "$DONE_DIR/"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
 # --- 7. Clone or update repo ---
 JOB_DIR="$WORK_DIR/jobs/${REPO_OWNER}-${REPO_NAME}-${ISSUE_NUM}"
 REPO_DIR="$JOB_DIR/$REPO_NAME"
@@ -90,8 +108,11 @@ else
     cd "$REPO_DIR"
 fi
 
-# --- 8. Build prompt ---
-PROMPT="You are working on issue #${ISSUE_NUM} in ${REPO_OWNER}/${REPO_NAME}.
+# --- 8. Agent execution function ---
+run_agent() {
+    local model="$1"
+    local log_suffix="$2"
+    local prompt="You are working on issue #${ISSUE_NUM} in ${REPO_OWNER}/${REPO_NAME}.
 
 Title: ${ISSUE_TITLE}
 
@@ -102,46 +123,76 @@ The repo is cloned at the current directory on branch '${TARGET_BRANCH}'.
 Create a feature branch from '${TARGET_BRANCH}', make minimal targeted changes, commit referencing #${ISSUE_NUM}, and push.
 Then create a PR targeting '${TARGET_BRANCH}' using the forgejo MCP tools or git push."
 
-# --- 9. Run AI agent ---
-MODEL=$(jq -r '.model // "sonnet"' "$TICKET_FILE")
-RUNNER=$(jq -r '.runner // "claude"' "$TICKET_FILE")
-LOG_FILE="$LOG_DIR/${REPO_OWNER}-${REPO_NAME}-${ISSUE_NUM}.log"
+    local log_file="$LOG_DIR/${ID}-${log_suffix}.log"
+    echo "$(date -Iseconds) Running ${RUNNER} (model: ${model}, suffix: ${log_suffix})..."
 
-echo "$(date -Iseconds) Running ${RUNNER} (model: ${MODEL})..."
+    case "$RUNNER" in
+        codex)
+            codex exec --full-auto "$prompt" > "$log_file" 2>&1
+            ;;
+        gemini)
+            local model_flag=""
+            if [ -n "$model" ] && [ "$model" != "sonnet" ]; then
+                model_flag="-m $model"
+            fi
+            echo "$prompt" | gemini -p - -y $model_flag > "$log_file" 2>&1
+            ;;
+        *)
+            echo "$prompt" | claude -p \
+                --model "$model" \
+                --dangerously-skip-permissions \
+                --output-format text \
+                > "$log_file" 2>&1
+            ;;
+    esac
+    return $?
+}
 
-case "$RUNNER" in
-    codex)
-        codex exec --full-auto \
-            "$PROMPT" \
-            > "$LOG_FILE" 2>&1
-        ;;
-    gemini)
-        MODEL_FLAG=""
-        if [ -n "$MODEL" ] && [ "$MODEL" != "sonnet" ]; then
-            MODEL_FLAG="-m $MODEL"
-        fi
-        echo "$PROMPT" | gemini -p - -y $MODEL_FLAG \
-            > "$LOG_FILE" 2>&1
-        ;;
-    *)
-        echo "$PROMPT" | claude -p \
-            --model "$MODEL" \
-            --dangerously-skip-permissions \
-            --output-format text \
-            > "$LOG_FILE" 2>&1
-        ;;
-esac
-EXIT_CODE=$?
-echo "$(date -Iseconds) ${RUNNER} exited with code: $EXIT_CODE"
+# --- 9. Execute ---
+run_agent "$MODEL" "primary"
+EXIT_CODE_A=$?
+
+FINAL_EXIT=$EXIT_CODE_A
+COMMENT=""
+
+if [ "$DUAL_RUN" = "true" ] && [ -n "$VERIFY_MODEL" ]; then
+    echo "$(date -Iseconds) Clotho Dual Run: resetting for verifier..."
+    HASH_A=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
+    git checkout "$TARGET_BRANCH" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+    run_agent "$VERIFY_MODEL" "verifier"
+    EXIT_CODE_B=$?
+    HASH_B=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
+
+    # Compare the two runs.
+    echo "$(date -Iseconds) Comparing threads..."
+    DIFF_COUNT=$(git diff --shortstat "$HASH_A" "$HASH_B" 2>/dev/null | wc -l || echo "1")
+
+    if [ "$DIFF_COUNT" -eq 0 ] && [ "$EXIT_CODE_A" -eq 0 ] && [ "$EXIT_CODE_B" -eq 0 ]; then
+        echo "$(date -Iseconds) Clotho Verification: Threads converged."
+        FINAL_EXIT=0
+        git checkout "$HASH_A" 2>/dev/null
+        git push origin "HEAD:refs/heads/feat/issue-${ISSUE_NUM}"
+    else
+        echo "$(date -Iseconds) Clotho Verification: Divergence detected."
+        FINAL_EXIT=1
+        COMMENT="**Clotho Verification Failed**\n\nPrimary ($MODEL) and Verifier ($VERIFY_MODEL) produced divergent results.\nPrimary Exit: $EXIT_CODE_A | Verifier Exit: $EXIT_CODE_B"
+    fi
+else
+    # Standard single run — push if successful.
+    if [ $FINAL_EXIT -eq 0 ]; then
+        git push origin "HEAD:refs/heads/feat/issue-${ISSUE_NUM}" 2>/dev/null || true
+    fi
+fi
 
 # --- 10. Move to done ---
 mv "$TICKET_FILE" "$DONE_DIR/"
 
 # --- 11. Report result back to Forgejo ---
-if [ $EXIT_CODE -eq 0 ]; then
+if [ $FINAL_EXIT -eq 0 ] && [ -z "$COMMENT" ]; then
     COMMENT="Agent completed work on #${ISSUE_NUM}. Exit code: 0."
-else
-    COMMENT="Agent failed on #${ISSUE_NUM} (exit code: ${EXIT_CODE}). Check logs on agent machine."
+elif [ -z "$COMMENT" ]; then
+    COMMENT="Agent failed on #${ISSUE_NUM} (exit code: ${FINAL_EXIT}). Check logs on agent machine."
 fi
 
 curl -s -X POST "${FORGE_URL}/api/v1/repos/${REPO_OWNER}/${REPO_NAME}/issues/${ISSUE_NUM}/comments" \
@@ -150,4 +201,4 @@ curl -s -X POST "${FORGE_URL}/api/v1/repos/${REPO_OWNER}/${REPO_NAME}/issues/${I
     -d "$(jq -n --arg body "$COMMENT" '{body: $body}')" \
     > /dev/null 2>&1 || true
 
-echo "$(date -Iseconds) Done: $TICKET_BASENAME (exit: $EXIT_CODE)"
+echo "$(date -Iseconds) Done: $TICKET_BASENAME (exit: $FINAL_EXIT)"
diff --git a/scripts/agent-setup.sh b/scripts/agent-setup.sh
index 70ecacc7..a2ec4032 100755
--- a/scripts/agent-setup.sh
+++ b/scripts/agent-setup.sh
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 set -euo pipefail
 
 HOST="${1:?Usage: agent-setup.sh <user@host>}"
-SSH_OPTS="-o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new -o ConnectTimeout=10"
+SSH_OPTS="-o StrictHostKeyChecking=yes -o BatchMode=yes -o ConnectTimeout=10"
 SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
 RUNNER_SCRIPT="${SCRIPT_DIR}/agent-runner.sh"