diff --git a/bin/box-readback-loopback.py b/bin/box-readback-loopback.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..d22e72f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/box-readback-loopback.py
@@ -0,0 +1,424 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""box-readback-loopback.py — Synchronous Readback Gate & Cognitive-Aware True Loopback Engine.
+
+Architecture:
+1. Readback Gate:
+   - Synchronously awaits agent confirmation (up to 45s) after task dispatch.
+   - Validates via Hybrid Tag ([READBACK] Ticket #...) + Semantic Fallback.
+   - Marks ticket 'in-progress' upon confirmation; marks 'blocked' and releases agent on timeout.
+2. Cognitive-Aware True Loopbacks:
+   - Zero Token Burn: 100% silent while git commits or PRs are progressing.
+   - Cognitive Guard: Defer loopbacks while agent is THINKING / GENERATING.
+   - Dual-Layer Escalation:
+     * 15m inactive: Tier 1 non-intrusive Gitea ticket comment (@agent inquiry).
+     * 45m inactive: Tier 2 direct chat DM escalation (muse-cli-node send).
+     * 90m inactive: Tier 3 failure escalation (mark 'blocked', alert #lobby, release agent).
+"""
+
+import json
+import os
+import re
+import socket
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import time
+import urllib.request
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+
+# Local imports
+try:
+    import agent_cognitive_probe as acp
+except ImportError:
+    acp = None
+
+REMOTE_HOST = "100.123.153.75"  # bl control node
+DEFAULT_GITEA_URL = "https://tea.muse-dev.online"
+LOOPBACK_STATE_FILE = Path("/tmp/box-loopback-state.json")
+
+
+def is_running_on_bl():
+    try:
+        hn = socket.gethostname().lower()
+        if "bl" in hn:
+            return True
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return os.path.exists("/var/run/netns/warp-muse") or os.path.exists("/run/netns/warp-muse")
+
+
+def get_gitea_token():
+    token = os.environ.get("GITEA_TOKEN", "3c26744525bceaf385aa09737f7e41af613627b6")
+    return token
+
+
+def gitea_api(endpoint: str, method: str = "GET", data: dict = None):
+    token = get_gitea_token()
+    url = f"{DEFAULT_GITEA_URL}/api/v1{endpoint}"
+    headers = {
+        "Authorization": f"token {token}",
+        "Content-Type": "application/json",
+        "User-Agent": "Box-Work-CLI/1.0",
+    }
+    payload = json.dumps(data).encode("utf-8") if data else None
+    req = urllib.request.Request(url, data=payload, headers=headers, method=method)
+    try:
+        with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=10) as r:
+            if r.status in (200, 201):
+                return json.loads(r.read().decode())
+            return {"status": r.status}
+    except urllib.error.HTTPError as e:
+        try:
+            return json.loads(e.read().decode())
+        except Exception:
+            return {"error": str(e), "code": e.code}
+    except Exception as e:
+        return {"error": str(e)}
+
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# CHAT COMMUNICATION HELPERS
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def send_agent_chat(agent: str, message: str) -> bool:
+    """Delivers a message directly into the agent's web chat session."""
+    if is_running_on_bl():
+        cmd = ["/home/super/Projects/NetVM/bin/muse-cli-node", agent, "send", message]
+    else:
+        cmd = ["ssh", "-q", f"super@{REMOTE_HOST}",
+               f"/home/super/Projects/NetVM/bin/muse-cli-node {agent} send {subprocess.list2cmdline([message])}"]
+    try:
+        res = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=15)
+        return res.returncode == 0
+    except Exception:
+        return False
+
+
+def get_agent_history(agent: str, limit: int = 5) -> list:
+    """Retrieves recent chat messages from the agent's active session."""
+    if is_running_on_bl():
+        cmd = ["/home/super/Projects/NetVM/bin/muse-cli-node", agent, "history", "--limit", str(limit)]
+    else:
+        cmd = ["ssh", "-q", f"super@{REMOTE_HOST}",
+               f"/home/super/Projects/NetVM/bin/muse-cli-node {agent} history --limit {limit}"]
+    try:
+        res = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=15)
+        if res.returncode == 0 and res.stdout.strip():
+            data = json.loads(res.stdout.strip())
+            if isinstance(data, list):
+                return data
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return []
+
+
+def get_latest_chat_seq(agent: str) -> int:
+    """Finds the maximum sequence number in the agent's chat history."""
+    history = get_agent_history(agent, limit=3)
+    seqs = [m.get("seq", 0) for m in history if isinstance(m, dict) and "seq" in m]
+    return max(seqs) if seqs else 0
+
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# READBACK GATE
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def validate_readback(text: str, issue_num: int, agent: str) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    """Validates an agent readback using Hybrid Tag + Semantic Fallback.
+    
+    Returns (is_valid, excerpt).
+    """
+    if not text:
+        return False, ""
+
+    clean_text = text.strip()
+    issue_pattern = rf"#?{issue_num}\b"
+
+    # 1. Strict Tag Match: [READBACK] Ticket #<num> ...
+    if re.search(r"\[READBACK\]", clean_text, re.IGNORECASE) and re.search(issue_pattern, clean_text):
+        snippet = clean_text[:200].replace("\n", " ")
+        return True, snippet
+
+    # 2. Semantic Fallback: Mentions ticket number AND branch/accepted status
+    has_issue = bool(re.search(issue_pattern, clean_text))
+    has_branch_or_ack = bool(re.search(
+        rf"(dev/{agent}/|branch|accepted|working on|confirm|start(ed|ing)|received)",
+        clean_text, re.IGNORECASE
+    ))
+
+    if has_issue and has_branch_or_ack:
+        snippet = clean_text[:200].replace("\n", " ")
+        return True, snippet
+
+    return False, ""
+
+
+def wait_for_readback(agent: str, issue_num: int, initial_seq: int, timeout_s: int = 45, poll_s: float = 3.0) -> dict:
+    """Synchronously polls for agent readback within timeout_s."""
+    start_time = time.time()
+    deadline = start_time + timeout_s
+
+    while time.time() < deadline:
+        elapsed = int(time.time() - start_time)
+        print(f"\r  ⏳ Awaiting Readback from @{agent} ({elapsed}s / {timeout_s}s)...", end="", flush=True)
+
+        history = get_agent_history(agent, limit=4)
+        for msg in history:
+            seq = msg.get("seq", 0)
+            role = msg.get("role", "")
+            text = msg.get("text", "")
+
+            # Only check new assistant messages
+            if seq > initial_seq and role == "assistant":
+                valid, excerpt = validate_readback(text, issue_num, agent)
+                if valid:
+                    print()
+                    return {
+                        "success": True,
+                        "snippet": excerpt,
+                        "elapsed": elapsed,
+                        "seq": seq,
+                    }
+
+        time.sleep(poll_s)
+
+    print()
+    return {
+        "success": False,
+        "timeout": True,
+        "elapsed": timeout_s,
+    }
+
+
+def handle_readback_success(agent: str, issue_num: int, snippet: str):
+    """Marks ticket in-progress and records confirmation on Gitea."""
+    # Label ticket in-progress
+    gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/labels", method="POST", data={"labels": ["in-progress"]})
+    # Post confirmation comment
+    comment_body = f"🤖 **Readback Confirmed** by @{agent}:\n> {snippet}"
+    gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/comments", method="POST", data={"body": comment_body})
+
+
+def handle_readback_timeout(agent: str, issue_num: int, title: str):
+    """Labels ticket blocked and unassigns agent so they return to IDLE."""
+    # Label ticket blocked
+    gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/labels", method="POST", data={"labels": ["blocked"]})
+    # Post explanation comment
+    comment_body = (
+        f"⚠️ **Readback Timeout**: Agent @{agent} did not confirm ticket #{issue_num} "
+        f"within 45 seconds of dispatch. Releasing assignment to prevent deadlocks."
+    )
+    gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/comments", method="POST", data={"body": comment_body})
+    # Unassign agent
+    gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}", method="PATCH", data={"assignees": []})
+
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# COGNITIVE-AWARE TRUE LOOPBACK ENGINE
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def load_loopback_state() -> dict:
+    if LOOPBACK_STATE_FILE.exists():
+        try:
+            with open(LOOPBACK_STATE_FILE) as f:
+                return json.load(f)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+    return {}
+
+
+def save_loopback_state(state: dict):
+    try:
+        with open(LOOPBACK_STATE_FILE, "w") as f:
+            json.dump(state, f, indent=2)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+
+def get_ticket_git_activity(agent: str, issue_num: int) -> datetime | None:
+    """Checks the latest commit timestamp on the agent's branch dev/<agent>/<issue>-*."""
+    # Check Gitea branches for dev/<agent>/<issue_num>-*
+    branches = gitea_api("/repos/super/box/branches")
+    if isinstance(branches, list):
+        target_prefix = f"dev/{agent}/{issue_num}"
+        for b in branches:
+            name = b.get("name", "")
+            if target_prefix in name:
+                commit = b.get("commit", {})
+                ts_str = commit.get("timestamp")
+                if ts_str:
+                    try:
+                        return datetime.fromisoformat(ts_str.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+                    except Exception:
+                        pass
+    return None
+
+
+def get_ticket_last_activity(issue: dict, agent: str) -> tuple[datetime, str]:
+    """Finds the most recent activity timestamp (git commit, comment, or issue creation)."""
+    issue_num = issue["number"]
+    latest_dt = datetime.fromisoformat(issue["created_at"].replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+    source = "issue_created"
+
+    # Check comments
+    comments = gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/comments")
+    if isinstance(comments, list):
+        for c in comments:
+            c_dt = datetime.fromisoformat(c["created_at"].replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+            if c_dt > latest_dt:
+                latest_dt = c_dt
+                source = "gitea_comment"
+
+    # Check git branch commit
+    git_dt = get_ticket_git_activity(agent, issue_num)
+    if git_dt and git_dt > latest_dt:
+        latest_dt = git_dt
+        source = "git_commit"
+
+    return latest_dt, source
+
+
+def run_loopback_sweep(dry_run: bool = False, verbose: bool = True) -> list:
+    """Executes a single sweep of all open assigned tickets according to the 3-tier escalation model."""
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    state = load_loopback_state()
+    actions_taken = []
+
+    issues = gitea_api("/repos/super/box/issues?state=open")
+    if not isinstance(issues, list):
+        if verbose:
+            print("Failed to fetch open issues from Gitea.")
+        return []
+
+    assigned_issues = [i for i in issues if i.get("assignee")]
+    if verbose:
+        print(f"\n=== LOOPBACK SWEEP: {len(assigned_issues)} ACTIVE ASSIGNED TICKETS ({now.strftime('%H:%M:%SZ')}) ===")
+
+    for iss in assigned_issues:
+        issue_num = iss["number"]
+        title = iss.get("title", "")
+        agent = iss["assignee"]["username"]
+        key = str(issue_num)
+        ticket_state = state.get(key, {})
+
+        last_dt, source = get_ticket_last_activity(iss, agent)
+        inactive_s = (now - last_dt).total_seconds()
+        inactive_m = int(inactive_s // 60)
+
+        # Check cognitive state
+        cog = acp.get_passive_cognitive_state(agent) if acp else {"status": "IDLE", "cognitive_lock": False}
+        cog_status = cog.get("status", "IDLE")
+        is_thinking = cog_status == "THINKING" or cog.get("cognitive_lock")
+
+        if verbose:
+            print(f"Ticket #{issue_num} (@{agent}): {inactive_m}m inactive (source: {source}) | Cognitive: {cog_status}")
+
+        # Tier 0: Inactive < 15m or active git commits -> Complete silence
+        if inactive_m < 15 or source == "git_commit":
+            if verbose:
+                print("  👉 Status: Active or within silent grace period (<15m). No action.")
+            continue
+
+        # Check cognitive guard: Defer if agent is thinking/generating
+        if is_thinking and cog_status != "INPUT_WAIT":
+            if verbose:
+                print(f"  🧠 Cognitive Guard: Deferring loopback — @{agent} is currently {cog_status}.")
+            continue
+
+        # Tier 1: 15m <= Inactivity < 45m -> Non-intrusive Gitea ticket comment
+        if 15 <= inactive_m < 45:
+            if ticket_state.get("tier1_sent"):
+                if verbose:
+                    print("  👉 Tier 1 comment already dispatched. Waiting for 45m threshold.")
+                continue
+
+            msg = (
+                f"🤖 @{agent} **Loopback Tier 1 Check** ({inactive_m}m elapsed):\n"
+                f"No git commits recorded on feature branch for Ticket #{issue_num}. "
+                f"Are you progressing or blocked? Reply with status or push a commit."
+            )
+            action_desc = f"Tier 1: Posted Gitea comment to #{issue_num} (@{agent})"
+            actions_taken.append(action_desc)
+
+            if not dry_run:
+                gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/comments", method="POST", data={"body": msg})
+                ticket_state["tier1_sent"] = now.isoformat()
+                state[key] = ticket_state
+                save_loopback_state(state)
+            if verbose:
+                print(f"  ✓ {action_desc}")
+
+        # Tier 2: 45m <= Inactivity < 90m -> Direct Chat DM Escalation
+        elif 45 <= inactive_m < 90:
+            if ticket_state.get("tier2_sent"):
+                if verbose:
+                    print("  👉 Tier 2 chat DM already dispatched. Waiting for 90m threshold.")
+                continue
+
+            chat_msg = (
+                f"[LOOPBACK ALERT] Ticket #{issue_num} ('{title}'): "
+                f"{inactive_m} minutes inactive with no git commits. "
+                f"Please confirm if blocked on tool execution, terminal approvals, or environment."
+            )
+            action_desc = f"Tier 2: Escalated to chat DM for @{agent} on #{issue_num}"
+            actions_taken.append(action_desc)
+
+            if not dry_run:
+                send_agent_chat(agent, chat_msg)
+                gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/comments", method="POST", data={
+                    "body": f"📣 **Loopback Tier 2 Escalation**: Inactivity reached {inactive_m}m. Sent direct chat DM to @{agent}."
+                })
+                ticket_state["tier2_sent"] = now.isoformat()
+                state[key] = ticket_state
+                save_loopback_state(state)
+            if verbose:
+                print(f"  ✓ {action_desc}")
+
+        # Tier 3: Inactivity >= 90m (or unhandled INPUT_WAIT > 15m) -> Fail-closed escalation
+        elif inactive_m >= 90 or (cog_status == "INPUT_WAIT" and inactive_m >= 15):
+            action_desc = f"Tier 3: Ticket #{issue_num} marked BLOCKED; released @{agent} assignment"
+            actions_taken.append(action_desc)
+
+            if not dry_run:
+                # Label blocked
+                gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/labels", method="POST", data={"labels": ["blocked"]})
+                # Post failure comment
+                gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}/comments", method="POST", data={
+                    "body": (
+                        f"🚨 **Loopback Tier 3 Escalation**: Inactivity reached {inactive_m}m with zero git progress. "
+                        f"Ticket marked `blocked` and unassigned from @{agent} for operator intervention."
+                    )
+                })
+                # Unassign agent
+                gitea_api(f"/repos/super/box/issues/{issue_num}", method="PATCH", data={"assignees": []})
+                ticket_state["tier3_sent"] = now.isoformat()
+                state[key] = ticket_state
+                save_loopback_state(state)
+            if verbose:
+                print(f"  🚨 {action_desc}")
+
+    if verbose:
+        print()
+    return actions_taken
+
+
+def main():
+    import argparse
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Synchronous Readback & Cognitive True Loopback Engine")
+    sub = parser.add_subparsers(dest="cmd")
+
+    p_sweep = sub.add_parser("sweep", help="Run a loopback sweep across open tickets")
+    p_sweep.add_argument("--dry-run", action="store_true", help="Evaluate conditions without sending messages")
+    p_sweep.add_argument("--json", action="store_true", help="Output actions as JSON")
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+    if not args.cmd or args.cmd == "sweep":
+        dry_run = getattr(args, "dry_run", False)
+        as_json = getattr(args, "json", False)
+        actions = run_loopback_sweep(dry_run=dry_run, verbose=not as_json)
+        if as_json:
+            print(json.dumps({"ok": True, "actions": actions}, indent=2))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/bin/box-work.py b/bin/box-work.py
index dbdd81f..4043088 100755
--- a/bin/box-work.py
+++ b/bin/box-work.py
@@ -31,6 +31,11 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     acp = None
 
+try:
+    import box_readback_loopback as brl
+except ImportError:
+    brl = None
+
 # Color helpers
 USE_COLOR = sys.stdout.isatty() or os.environ.get("CLICOLOR_FORCE") == "1"
 
@@ -741,18 +746,47 @@ def cmd_start(args):
             pass
     s.close()
 
-    # 4. Notify agent via muse-chat-api if available
-    chat_script = REPO_ROOT / "bin" / "muse-chat-api.py"
-    if chat_script.exists():
-        msg = f"New build ticket #{issue_num} assigned to you: {title}. Clone/pull ~/workspace/box, checkout dev/{agent}/{issue_num}-work, commit citing 'Fixes #{issue_num}', and push."
-        try:
-            cmd = f"python3 {chat_script} --account {agent} send '{msg}'"
-            os.system(f"{cmd} >/dev/null 2>&1")
-            print(c_green(f"✓ Delivered briefing to {agent} chat session"))
-        except Exception:
-            pass
+    # 4. Notify agent via direct chat with Readback requirement
+    prompt_msg = (
+        f"New build ticket #{issue_num} assigned to you: {title}.\n"
+        f"Goal: {body}\n\n"
+        f"Please confirm with Readback:\n"
+        f"[READBACK] Ticket #{issue_num} | Branch: dev/{agent}/{issue_num}-work | Plan: <short summary>"
+    )
 
-    print(c_bold(f"\nWork ticket #{issue_num} is active and assigned to {agent}.\n"))
+    initial_seq = brl.get_latest_chat_seq(agent) if brl else 0
+    delivered = brl.send_agent_chat(agent, prompt_msg) if brl else False
+    if delivered:
+        print(c_green(f"✓ Delivered briefing to @{agent} chat session"))
+    else:
+        chat_script = REPO_ROOT / "bin" / "muse-chat-api.py"
+        if chat_script.exists():
+            os.system(f"python3 {chat_script} --account {agent} send '{prompt_msg}' >/dev/null 2>&1")
+            print(c_green(f"✓ Delivered briefing to @{agent} chat session (via muse-chat-api)"))
+        else:
+            print(c_yellow(f"⚠️ Direct chat delivery unconfirmed for @{agent}"))
+
+    # 5. Synchronous Readback Gate (Wait up to 45s)
+    if getattr(args, "no_readback", False):
+        print(c_yellow(f"[OVERRIDE] Skipping readback gate (--no-readback specified)."))
+        print(c_bold(f"\nWork ticket #{issue_num} is active and assigned to {agent}.\n"))
+    elif brl:
+        print(c_bold(f"\nEngaging Synchronous Readback Gate (timeout: 45s)..."))
+        rb_res = brl.wait_for_readback(agent, issue_num, initial_seq, timeout_s=45)
+        if rb_res["success"]:
+            brl.handle_readback_success(agent, issue_num, rb_res["snippet"])
+            print(c_green(f"\n🎉 Readback Confirmed from @{agent} in {rb_res['elapsed']}s!"))
+            print(c_dim(f"   Excerpt: {rb_res['snippet'][:120]}..."))
+            print(c_bold(f"\nWork ticket #{issue_num} is confirmed in-progress and assigned to {agent}.\n"))
+        else:
+            brl.handle_readback_timeout(agent, issue_num, title)
+            print(c_red(f"\n❌ [READBACK TIMEOUT] Agent @{agent} failed to confirm Ticket #{issue_num} within 45s."))
+            print(c_yellow(f"   • Ticket marked 'blocked' in Gitea"))
+            print(c_yellow(f"   • Assignment released so @{agent} returns to IDLE"))
+            print(c_dim(f"\nTo retry: box work start '{title}' --to {agent}\nTo bypass: box work start '{title}' --to {agent} --no-readback\n"))
+            sys.exit(1)
+    else:
+        print(c_bold(f"\nWork ticket #{issue_num} is active and assigned to {agent}.\n"))
 
 def cmd_assign(args):
     issue_num = args.issue
@@ -863,18 +897,34 @@ def cmd_cognitive(args):
         sys.exit(1)
     acp.cmd_status(args)
 
+def cmd_loopback(args):
+    if not brl:
+        print(c_red("Error: box_readback_loopback module not found."))
+        sys.exit(1)
+    dry_run = getattr(args, "dry_run", False)
+    as_json = getattr(args, "json", False)
+    actions = brl.run_loopback_sweep(dry_run=dry_run, verbose=not as_json)
+    if as_json:
+        print(json.dumps({"ok": True, "actions": actions}, indent=2))
+
 WORK_COMMAND_EXAMPLES = {
     "box work": [
         "box work                                # View fleet workspace dashboard & signals",
+        "box work loopback [--dry-run]           # Sweep open tickets with 3-tier loopback escalation",
         "box work cognitive [agent...]           # Live zero-click cognitive sensor probe across fleet",
         "box work menu <agent> [tab]             # Inspect agent profile menu (tasks, timers, approvals)",
         "box work check [agent]                  # Audit pre-flight health gates",
         "box work heal <agent>                   # Automated remediation & chat nudge",
-        "box work start \"<title>\" --to <agent>   # Start & dispatch new build ticket",
+        "box work start \"<title>\" --to <agent>   # Start & dispatch new build ticket with readback gate",
         "box work assign <issue#> --to <agent>   # Assign existing ticket",
         "box work merge <pr#>                    # Verify tests and merge PR to master",
         "box work chats --agent <name>           # View live multi-agent chat feed",
     ],
+    "box work loopback": [
+        "box work loopback                       # Sweep active tickets and escalate inactivity",
+        "box work loopback --dry-run             # Dry-run inspect without sending pings or comments",
+        "box work loopback --json                # Machine-readable output for systemd cron",
+    ],
     "box work menu": [
         "box work menu muse upcoming             # Inspect timers & recurring cron loops",
         "box work menu 646 activity              # Inspect recent tasks & active processes",
@@ -1000,6 +1050,7 @@ def main():
     p_start.add_argument("--goal", help="Optional detailed goal description")
     p_start.add_argument("--force", action="store_true", help="Bypass pre-flight health gate")
     p_start.add_argument("--no-heal", action="store_true", help="Fail immediately without attempting auto-heal if pre-flight checks fail")
+    p_start.add_argument("--no-readback", action="store_true", help="Bypass synchronous 45s readback gate")
 
     p_assign = sub.add_parser("assign", help="Assign existing ticket to an agent")
     p_assign.add_argument("issue", type=int, help="Issue number (e.g. 215)")
@@ -1026,6 +1077,10 @@ def main():
     p_cog.add_argument("agents", nargs="*", help="Optional agent usernames")
     p_cog.add_argument("--json", action="store_true", help="Output JSON")
 
+    p_loop = sub.add_parser("loopback", help="Sweep active tickets with 3-tier loopback escalation")
+    p_loop.add_argument("--dry-run", action="store_true", help="Inspect without modifying tickets or sending DMs")
+    p_loop.add_argument("--json", action="store_true", help="Output actions as JSON")
+
     args = parser.parse_args()
     action = args.work_action
 
@@ -1047,6 +1102,8 @@ def main():
         cmd_menu(args)
     elif action == "cognitive":
         cmd_cognitive(args)
+    elif action == "loopback":
+        cmd_loopback(args)
     else:
         parser.print_help()
 
diff --git a/bin/box_readback_loopback.py b/bin/box_readback_loopback.py
new file mode 120000
index 0000000..a7675de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/box_readback_loopback.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+box-readback-loopback.py
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/bin/super-cli.py b/bin/super-cli.py
index 720b232..0c9e9db 100755
--- a/bin/super-cli.py
+++ b/bin/super-cli.py
@@ -1493,6 +1493,8 @@ def cmd_work(args):
         box_work.cmd_menu(args)
     elif action == "cognitive":
         box_work.cmd_cognitive(args)
+    elif action == "loopback":
+        box_work.cmd_loopback(args)
     else:
         box_work.cmd_status(args)
 
@@ -6998,6 +7000,7 @@ def build_parser():
     p_w_start.add_argument("--goal", help="Optional detailed goal description")
     p_w_start.add_argument("--force", action="store_true", help="Bypass pre-flight health gate")
     p_w_start.add_argument("--no-heal", action="store_true", help="Fail immediately without attempting auto-heal if pre-flight checks fail")
+    p_w_start.add_argument("--no-readback", action="store_true", help="Bypass synchronous 45s readback gate")
     p_w_assign = work_sub.add_parser("assign", parents=[common], help="Assign existing ticket to an agent")
     p_w_assign.add_argument("issue", type=int, help="Issue number (e.g. 215)")
     p_w_assign.add_argument("--to", dest="agent", required=True, help="Agent username")
@@ -7013,6 +7016,8 @@ def build_parser():
     p_w_menu.add_argument("tab", nargs="?", default="activity", choices=["activity", "upcoming", "approvals", "identity", "all"], help="Menu tab to view")
     p_w_cog = work_sub.add_parser("cognitive", parents=[common], help="Probe real-time cognitive sensor (thinking, generating, sidechats)")
     p_w_cog.add_argument("agents", nargs="*", help="Optional agent usernames")
+    p_w_loop = work_sub.add_parser("loopback", parents=[common], help="Sweep active tickets with 3-tier loopback escalation")
+    p_w_loop.add_argument("--dry-run", action="store_true", help="Inspect without modifying tickets or sending DMs")
 
     p_tasks = subparsers.add_parser("tasks", parents=[common], help="Agent work queue: pending/claimed/done files (distinct from scheduled jobs)")
     p_tasks.add_argument("--dir", default=None, help="Task queue dir (default: fleet/tasks)")
diff --git a/systemd/box-work-loopback.service b/systemd/box-work-loopback.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab3f90b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/systemd/box-work-loopback.service
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Box Work Cognitive-Aware True Loopback Sweeper
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=oneshot
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /home/super/Projects/NetVM/bin/box-work.py loopback
+WorkingDirectory=/home/super/Projects/NetVM
+StandardOutput=journal
+StandardError=journal
diff --git a/systemd/box-work-loopback.timer b/systemd/box-work-loopback.timer
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..82a5d5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/systemd/box-work-loopback.timer
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Run Box Work Cognitive True Loopback Sweeper every 5 minutes
+
+[Timer]
+OnBootSec=1min
+OnUnitActiveSec=5min
+Persistent=true
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=timers.target
diff --git a/tests/test_box_readback_loopback.py b/tests/test_box_readback_loopback.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5b38a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_box_readback_loopback.py
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+"""test_box_readback_loopback.py — Unit tests for Readback Gate and True Loopback Engine."""
+
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+from datetime import datetime, timezone, timedelta
+import os
+import sys
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "bin"))
+import box_readback_loopback as brl
+
+
+class TestReadbackValidation(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def test_strict_tag_match(self):
+        text = "[READBACK] Ticket #219 | Branch: dev/pip/219-work | Plan: run pytest"
+        valid, excerpt = brl.validate_readback(text, 219, "pip")
+        self.assertTrue(valid)
+        self.assertIn("Ticket #219", excerpt)
+
+    def test_semantic_fallback_match(self):
+        text = "Understood. I am working on ticket 219 on dev/pip/219-work."
+        valid, excerpt = brl.validate_readback(text, 219, "pip")
+        self.assertTrue(valid)
+        self.assertIn("219", excerpt)
+
+    def test_irrelevant_message_rejected(self):
+        text = "Heartbeat check-in completed, all systems green."
+        valid, excerpt = brl.validate_readback(text, 219, "pip")
+        self.assertFalse(valid)
+        self.assertEqual(excerpt, "")
+
+    def test_wrong_ticket_rejected(self):
+        text = "[READBACK] Ticket #218 | Branch: dev/pip/218-work"
+        valid, excerpt = brl.validate_readback(text, 219, "pip")
+        self.assertFalse(valid)
+
+
+class TestLoopbackEscalation(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.acp.get_passive_cognitive_state")
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.gitea_api")
+    def test_loopback_silence_when_active(self, mock_gitea, mock_cog):
+        # 5 minutes inactive -> silence
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+        recent = (now - timedelta(minutes=5)).isoformat()
+        mock_gitea.return_value = [
+            {"number": 219, "title": "Test", "created_at": recent, "assignee": {"username": "dev"}}
+        ]
+        mock_cog.return_value = {"status": "IDLE", "cognitive_lock": False}
+
+        actions = brl.run_loopback_sweep(dry_run=True, verbose=False)
+        self.assertEqual(len(actions), 0)
+
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.acp.get_passive_cognitive_state")
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.gitea_api")
+    def test_loopback_tier1_after_15m_when_idle(self, mock_gitea, mock_cog):
+        # 20 minutes inactive -> Tier 1
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+        old = (now - timedelta(minutes=20)).isoformat()
+        mock_gitea.side_effect = lambda ep, **kwargs: (
+            [{"number": 999, "title": "Stalled", "created_at": old, "assignee": {"username": "dev"}}]
+            if ep == "/repos/super/box/issues?state=open"
+            else []
+        )
+        mock_cog.return_value = {"status": "IDLE", "cognitive_lock": False}
+
+        actions = brl.run_loopback_sweep(dry_run=True, verbose=False)
+        self.assertTrue(any("Tier 1" in a for a in actions))
+
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.acp.get_passive_cognitive_state")
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.gitea_api")
+    def test_loopback_defers_when_thinking(self, mock_gitea, mock_cog):
+        # 25 minutes inactive, but agent is THINKING -> defer
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+        old = (now - timedelta(minutes=25)).isoformat()
+        mock_gitea.side_effect = lambda ep, **kwargs: (
+            [{"number": 999, "title": "Stalled", "created_at": old, "assignee": {"username": "dev"}}]
+            if ep == "/repos/super/box/issues?state=open"
+            else []
+        )
+        mock_cog.return_value = {"status": "THINKING", "cognitive_lock": True}
+
+        actions = brl.run_loopback_sweep(dry_run=True, verbose=False)
+        self.assertEqual(len(actions), 0)
+
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.acp.get_passive_cognitive_state")
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.gitea_api")
+    def test_loopback_tier2_after_45m(self, mock_gitea, mock_cog):
+        # 50 minutes inactive -> Tier 2
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+        old = (now - timedelta(minutes=50)).isoformat()
+        mock_gitea.side_effect = lambda ep, **kwargs: (
+            [{"number": 999, "title": "Stalled", "created_at": old, "assignee": {"username": "dev"}}]
+            if ep == "/repos/super/box/issues?state=open"
+            else []
+        )
+        mock_cog.return_value = {"status": "IDLE", "cognitive_lock": False}
+
+        actions = brl.run_loopback_sweep(dry_run=True, verbose=False)
+        self.assertTrue(any("Tier 2" in a for a in actions))
+
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.acp.get_passive_cognitive_state")
+    @patch("box_readback_loopback.gitea_api")
+    def test_loopback_tier3_after_90m(self, mock_gitea, mock_cog):
+        # 95 minutes inactive -> Tier 3
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+        old = (now - timedelta(minutes=95)).isoformat()
+        mock_gitea.side_effect = lambda ep, **kwargs: (
+            [{"number": 999, "title": "Stalled", "created_at": old, "assignee": {"username": "dev"}}]
+            if ep == "/repos/super/box/issues?state=open"
+            else []
+        )
+        mock_cog.return_value = {"status": "IDLE", "cognitive_lock": False}
+
+        actions = brl.run_loopback_sweep(dry_run=True, verbose=False)
+        self.assertTrue(any("Tier 3" in a for a in actions))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()