diff --git a/src/features/boulder-state/index.ts b/src/features/boulder-state/index.ts
index f404e4e0e..17618996b 100644
--- a/src/features/boulder-state/index.ts
+++ b/src/features/boulder-state/index.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 export * from "./types"
 export * from "./constants"
 export * from "./storage"
+export * from "./top-level-task"
diff --git a/src/features/boulder-state/storage.test.ts b/src/features/boulder-state/storage.test.ts
index e52174cef..a8740662d 100644
--- a/src/features/boulder-state/storage.test.ts
+++ b/src/features/boulder-state/storage.test.ts
@@ -11,8 +11,11 @@ import {
   getPlanName,
   createBoulderState,
   findPrometheusPlans,
+  getTaskSessionState,
+  upsertTaskSessionState,
 } from "./storage"
 import type { BoulderState } from "./types"
+import { readCurrentTopLevelTask } from "./top-level-task"
 
 describe("boulder-state", () => {
   const TEST_DIR = join(tmpdir(), "boulder-state-test-" + Date.now())
@@ -134,6 +137,24 @@ describe("boulder-state", () => {
       expect(result?.session_ids).toEqual(["session-1", "session-2"])
       expect(result?.plan_name).toBe("my-plan")
     })
+
+    test("should default task_sessions to empty object when missing from JSON", () => {
+      // given - boulder.json without task_sessions field
+      const boulderFile = join(SISYPHUS_DIR, "boulder.json")
+      writeFileSync(boulderFile, JSON.stringify({
+        active_plan: "/path/to/plan.md",
+        started_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+        session_ids: ["session-1"],
+        plan_name: "plan",
+      }))
+
+      // when
+      const result = readBoulderState(TEST_DIR)
+
+      // then
+      expect(result).not.toBeNull()
+      expect(result!.task_sessions).toEqual({})
+    })
   })
 
   describe("writeBoulderState", () => {
@@ -249,6 +270,115 @@ describe("boulder-state", () => {
     })
   })
 
+  describe("task session state", () => {
+    test("should persist and read preferred session for a top-level plan task", () => {
+      // given - existing boulder state
+      const state: BoulderState = {
+        active_plan: "/plan.md",
+        started_at: "2026-01-02T10:00:00Z",
+        session_ids: ["session-1"],
+        plan_name: "plan",
+      }
+      writeBoulderState(TEST_DIR, state)
+
+      // when
+      upsertTaskSessionState(TEST_DIR, {
+        taskKey: "todo:1",
+        taskLabel: "1",
+        taskTitle: "Implement auth flow",
+        sessionId: "ses_task_123",
+        agent: "sisyphus-junior",
+        category: "deep",
+      })
+      const result = getTaskSessionState(TEST_DIR, "todo:1")
+
+      // then
+      expect(result).not.toBeNull()
+      expect(result?.session_id).toBe("ses_task_123")
+      expect(result?.task_title).toBe("Implement auth flow")
+      expect(result?.agent).toBe("sisyphus-junior")
+      expect(result?.category).toBe("deep")
+    })
+
+    test("should overwrite preferred session for the same top-level plan task", () => {
+      // given - existing boulder state with prior preferred session
+      const state: BoulderState = {
+        active_plan: "/plan.md",
+        started_at: "2026-01-02T10:00:00Z",
+        session_ids: ["session-1"],
+        plan_name: "plan",
+        task_sessions: {
+          "todo:1": {
+            task_key: "todo:1",
+            task_label: "1",
+            task_title: "Implement auth flow",
+            session_id: "ses_old",
+            updated_at: "2026-01-02T10:00:00Z",
+          },
+        },
+      }
+      writeBoulderState(TEST_DIR, state)
+
+      // when
+      upsertTaskSessionState(TEST_DIR, {
+        taskKey: "todo:1",
+        taskLabel: "1",
+        taskTitle: "Implement auth flow",
+        sessionId: "ses_new",
+      })
+      const result = getTaskSessionState(TEST_DIR, "todo:1")
+
+      // then
+      expect(result?.session_id).toBe("ses_new")
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe("readCurrentTopLevelTask", () => {
+    test("should return the first unchecked top-level task in TODOs", () => {
+      // given - plan with nested and top-level unchecked tasks
+      const planPath = join(TEST_DIR, "current-task-plan.md")
+      writeFileSync(planPath, `# Plan
+
+## TODOs
+- [x] 1. Finished task
+  - [ ] nested acceptance checkbox
+- [ ] 2. Current task
+
+## Final Verification Wave
+- [ ] F1. Final review
+`)
+
+      // when
+      const result = readCurrentTopLevelTask(planPath)
+
+      // then
+      expect(result).not.toBeNull()
+      expect(result?.key).toBe("todo:2")
+      expect(result?.title).toBe("Current task")
+    })
+
+    test("should fall back to final-wave task when implementation tasks are complete", () => {
+      // given - plan with only final-wave work remaining
+      const planPath = join(TEST_DIR, "final-wave-current-task-plan.md")
+      writeFileSync(planPath, `# Plan
+
+## TODOs
+- [x] 1. Finished task
+
+## Final Verification Wave
+- [ ] F1. Final review
+`)
+
+      // when
+      const result = readCurrentTopLevelTask(planPath)
+
+      // then
+      expect(result).not.toBeNull()
+      expect(result?.key).toBe("final-wave:f1")
+      expect(result?.title).toBe("Final review")
+    })
+  })
+
   describe("getPlanProgress", () => {
     test("should count completed and uncompleted checkboxes", () => {
       // given - plan file with checkboxes
diff --git a/src/features/boulder-state/storage.ts b/src/features/boulder-state/storage.ts
index ab84368b7..36286a745 100644
--- a/src/features/boulder-state/storage.ts
+++ b/src/features/boulder-state/storage.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 import { existsSync, readFileSync, writeFileSync, mkdirSync, readdirSync } from "node:fs"
 import { dirname, join, basename } from "node:path"
-import type { BoulderState, PlanProgress } from "./types"
+import type { BoulderState, PlanProgress, TaskSessionState } from "./types"
 import { BOULDER_DIR, BOULDER_FILE, PROMETHEUS_PLANS_DIR } from "./constants"
 
 export function getBoulderFilePath(directory: string): string {
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ export function readBoulderState(directory: string): BoulderState | null {
     if (!Array.isArray(parsed.session_ids)) {
       parsed.session_ids = []
     }
+    if (!parsed.task_sessions || typeof parsed.task_sessions !== "object" || Array.isArray(parsed.task_sessions)) {
+      parsed.task_sessions = {}
+    }
     return parsed as BoulderState
   } catch {
     return null
@@ -82,6 +85,50 @@ export function clearBoulderState(directory: string): boolean {
   }
 }
 
+export function getTaskSessionState(directory: string, taskKey: string): TaskSessionState | null {
+  const state = readBoulderState(directory)
+  if (!state?.task_sessions) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  return state.task_sessions[taskKey] ?? null
+}
+
+export function upsertTaskSessionState(
+  directory: string,
+  input: {
+    taskKey: string
+    taskLabel: string
+    taskTitle: string
+    sessionId: string
+    agent?: string
+    category?: string
+  },
+): BoulderState | null {
+  const state = readBoulderState(directory)
+  if (!state) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  const taskSessions = state.task_sessions ?? {}
+  taskSessions[input.taskKey] = {
+    task_key: input.taskKey,
+    task_label: input.taskLabel,
+    task_title: input.taskTitle,
+    session_id: input.sessionId,
+    ...(input.agent !== undefined ? { agent: input.agent } : {}),
+    ...(input.category !== undefined ? { category: input.category } : {}),
+    updated_at: new Date().toISOString(),
+  }
+
+  state.task_sessions = taskSessions
+  if (writeBoulderState(directory, state)) {
+    return state
+  }
+
+  return null
+}
+
 /**
  * Find Prometheus plan files for this project.
  * Prometheus stores plans at: {project}/.sisyphus/plans/{name}.md
diff --git a/src/features/boulder-state/top-level-task.ts b/src/features/boulder-state/top-level-task.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d92970b56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/features/boulder-state/top-level-task.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+import { existsSync, readFileSync } from "node:fs"
+
+import type { TopLevelTaskRef } from "./types"
+
+const TODO_HEADING_PATTERN = /^##\s+TODOs\b/i
+const FINAL_VERIFICATION_HEADING_PATTERN = /^##\s+Final Verification Wave\b/i
+const SECOND_LEVEL_HEADING_PATTERN = /^##\s+/
+const UNCHECKED_CHECKBOX_PATTERN = /^(\s*)[-*]\s*\[\s*\]\s*(.+)$/
+const TODO_TASK_PATTERN = /^(\d+)\.\s+(.+)$/
+const FINAL_WAVE_TASK_PATTERN = /^(F\d+)\.\s+(.+)$/i
+
+type PlanSection = "todo" | "final-wave" | "other"
+
+function buildTaskRef(
+  section: "todo" | "final-wave",
+  taskLabel: string,
+): TopLevelTaskRef | null {
+  const pattern = section === "todo" ? TODO_TASK_PATTERN : FINAL_WAVE_TASK_PATTERN
+  const match = taskLabel.match(pattern)
+  if (!match) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  const rawLabel = match[1]
+  const title = match[2].trim()
+
+  return {
+    key: `${section}:${rawLabel.toLowerCase()}`,
+    section,
+    label: rawLabel,
+    title,
+  }
+}
+
+export function readCurrentTopLevelTask(planPath: string): TopLevelTaskRef | null {
+  if (!existsSync(planPath)) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const content = readFileSync(planPath, "utf-8")
+    const lines = content.split(/\r?\n/)
+    let section: PlanSection = "other"
+
+    for (const line of lines) {
+      if (SECOND_LEVEL_HEADING_PATTERN.test(line)) {
+        section = TODO_HEADING_PATTERN.test(line)
+          ? "todo"
+          : FINAL_VERIFICATION_HEADING_PATTERN.test(line)
+            ? "final-wave"
+            : "other"
+      }
+
+      const uncheckedTaskMatch = line.match(UNCHECKED_CHECKBOX_PATTERN)
+      if (!uncheckedTaskMatch) {
+        continue
+      }
+
+      if (uncheckedTaskMatch[1].length > 0) {
+        continue
+      }
+
+      if (section !== "todo" && section !== "final-wave") {
+        continue
+      }
+
+      const taskRef = buildTaskRef(section, uncheckedTaskMatch[2].trim())
+      if (taskRef) {
+        return taskRef
+      }
+    }
+
+    return null
+  } catch {
+    return null
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/features/boulder-state/types.ts b/src/features/boulder-state/types.ts
index b1a225380..ba488f381 100644
--- a/src/features/boulder-state/types.ts
+++ b/src/features/boulder-state/types.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ export interface BoulderState {
   agent?: string
   /** Absolute path to the git worktree root where work happens */
   worktree_path?: string
+  /** Preferred reusable subagent sessions keyed by current top-level plan task */
+  task_sessions?: Record<string, TaskSessionState>
 }
 
 export interface PlanProgress {
@@ -28,3 +30,31 @@ export interface PlanProgress {
   /** Whether all tasks are done */
   isComplete: boolean
 }
+
+export interface TaskSessionState {
+  /** Stable identifier for the current top-level plan task (e.g. todo:1 / final-wave:F1) */
+  task_key: string
+  /** Original task label from the plan file */
+  task_label: string
+  /** Full task title from the plan file */
+  task_title: string
+  /** Preferred reusable subagent session */
+  session_id: string
+  /** Agent associated with the task session, when known */
+  agent?: string
+  /** Category associated with the task session, when known */
+  category?: string
+  /** Last update timestamp */
+  updated_at: string
+}
+
+export interface TopLevelTaskRef {
+  /** Stable identifier for the current top-level plan task */
+  key: string
+  /** Task section in the Prometheus plan */
+  section: "todo" | "final-wave"
+  /** Original label token (e.g. 1 / F1) */
+  label: string
+  /** Full task title extracted from the checkbox line */
+  title: string
+}
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/atlas-hook.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/atlas-hook.ts
index 855cdacb6..a814cfe2c 100644
--- a/src/hooks/atlas/atlas-hook.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/atlas-hook.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import type { AtlasHookOptions, SessionState } from "./types"
 export function createAtlasHook(ctx: PluginInput, options?: AtlasHookOptions) {
   const sessions = new Map<string, SessionState>()
   const pendingFilePaths = new Map<string, string>()
+  const pendingTaskRefs = new Map<string, { key: string; label: string; title: string } | null>()
   const autoCommit = options?.autoCommit ?? true
 
   function getState(sessionID: string): SessionState {
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ export function createAtlasHook(ctx: PluginInput, options?: AtlasHookOptions) {
 
   return {
     handler: createAtlasEventHandler({ ctx, options, sessions, getState }),
-    "tool.execute.before": createToolExecuteBeforeHandler({ ctx, pendingFilePaths }),
-    "tool.execute.after": createToolExecuteAfterHandler({ ctx, pendingFilePaths, autoCommit, getState }),
+    "tool.execute.before": createToolExecuteBeforeHandler({ ctx, pendingFilePaths, pendingTaskRefs }),
+    "tool.execute.after": createToolExecuteAfterHandler({ ctx, pendingFilePaths, pendingTaskRefs, autoCommit, getState }),
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/boulder-continuation-injector.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/boulder-continuation-injector.ts
index 4f8e35802..2e01e9ab7 100644
--- a/src/hooks/atlas/boulder-continuation-injector.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/boulder-continuation-injector.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ export async function injectBoulderContinuation(input: {
   total: number
   agent?: string
   worktreePath?: string
+  preferredTaskSessionId?: string
+  preferredTaskTitle?: string
   backgroundManager?: BackgroundManager
   sessionState: SessionState
 }): Promise<void> {
@@ -26,6 +28,8 @@ export async function injectBoulderContinuation(input: {
     total,
     agent,
     worktreePath,
+    preferredTaskSessionId,
+    preferredTaskTitle,
     backgroundManager,
     sessionState,
   } = input
@@ -40,9 +44,13 @@ export async function injectBoulderContinuation(input: {
   }
 
   const worktreeContext = worktreePath ? `\n\n[Worktree: ${worktreePath}]` : ""
+  const preferredSessionContext = preferredTaskSessionId
+    ? `\n\n[Preferred reuse session for current top-level plan task${preferredTaskTitle ? `: ${preferredTaskTitle}` : ""}: ${preferredTaskSessionId}]`
+    : ""
   const prompt =
     BOULDER_CONTINUATION_PROMPT.replace(/{PLAN_NAME}/g, planName) +
     `\n\n[Status: ${total - remaining}/${total} completed, ${remaining} remaining]` +
+    preferredSessionContext +
     worktreeContext
 
   try {
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/idle-event.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/idle-event.ts
index 1f5cfeb2c..2d64c8eed 100644
--- a/src/hooks/atlas/idle-event.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/idle-event.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 import type { PluginInput } from "@opencode-ai/plugin"
-import { getPlanProgress, readBoulderState } from "../../features/boulder-state"
+import {
+  getPlanProgress,
+  getTaskSessionState,
+  readBoulderState,
+  readCurrentTopLevelTask,
+} from "../../features/boulder-state"
 import { log } from "../../shared/logger"
 import { injectBoulderContinuation } from "./boulder-continuation-injector"
 import { HOOK_NAME } from "./hook-name"
@@ -31,6 +36,14 @@ async function injectContinuation(input: {
   input.sessionState.lastContinuationInjectedAt = Date.now()
 
   try {
+    const currentBoulder = readBoulderState(input.ctx.directory)
+    const currentTask = currentBoulder
+      ? readCurrentTopLevelTask(currentBoulder.active_plan)
+      : null
+    const preferredTaskSession = currentTask
+      ? getTaskSessionState(input.ctx.directory, currentTask.key)
+      : null
+
     await injectBoulderContinuation({
       ctx: input.ctx,
       sessionID: input.sessionID,
@@ -39,6 +52,8 @@ async function injectContinuation(input: {
       total: input.progress.total,
       agent: input.agent,
       worktreePath: input.worktreePath,
+      preferredTaskSessionId: preferredTaskSession?.session_id,
+      preferredTaskTitle: preferredTaskSession?.task_title,
       backgroundManager: input.options?.backgroundManager,
       sessionState: input.sessionState,
     })
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/index.test.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/index.test.ts
index 269d7928b..8ec696558 100644
--- a/src/hooks/atlas/index.test.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/index.test.ts
@@ -404,12 +404,174 @@ describe("atlas hook", () => {
 
       // then - should include verification instructions
       expect(output.output).toContain("LYING")
-      expect(output.output).toContain("PHASE 1")
-      expect(output.output).toContain("PHASE 2")
+     expect(output.output).toContain("PHASE 1")
+     expect(output.output).toContain("PHASE 2")
       
       cleanupMessageStorage(sessionID)
     })
 
+     test("should persist preferred subagent session for the current top-level task", async () => {
+       // given - boulder state with a current top-level task, Atlas caller
+       const sessionID = "session-task-session-track-test"
+       setupMessageStorage(sessionID, "atlas")
+
+      const planPath = join(TEST_DIR, "task-session-plan.md")
+      writeFileSync(planPath, `# Plan
+
+## TODOs
+- [ ] 1. Implement auth flow
+  - [ ] nested acceptance checkbox
+`)
+
+      const state: BoulderState = {
+        active_plan: planPath,
+        started_at: "2026-01-02T10:00:00Z",
+        session_ids: ["session-1"],
+        plan_name: "task-session-plan",
+      }
+      writeBoulderState(TEST_DIR, state)
+
+      const hook = createAtlasHook(createMockPluginInput())
+      const output = {
+        title: "Sisyphus Task",
+        output: `Task completed successfully
+
+<task_metadata>
+session_id: ses_auth_flow_123
+</task_metadata>`,
+        metadata: {
+          agent: "sisyphus-junior",
+          category: "deep",
+        },
+      }
+
+      // when
+      await hook["tool.execute.after"](
+        { tool: "task", sessionID },
+        output
+      )
+
+      // then
+     const updatedState = readBoulderState(TEST_DIR)
+      expect(updatedState?.task_sessions?.["todo:1"]?.session_id).toBe("ses_auth_flow_123")
+      expect(updatedState?.task_sessions?.["todo:1"]?.task_title).toBe("Implement auth flow")
+      expect(updatedState?.task_sessions?.["todo:1"]?.agent).toBe("sisyphus-junior")
+      expect(updatedState?.task_sessions?.["todo:1"]?.category).toBe("deep")
+
+      cleanupMessageStorage(sessionID)
+    })
+
+     test("should preserve the delegated task key even after the plan advances to the next task", async () => {
+       // given - Atlas caller starts task 1, then the plan advances before task output is processed
+       const sessionID = "session-stable-task-key-test"
+       setupMessageStorage(sessionID, "atlas")
+
+      const planPath = join(TEST_DIR, "stable-task-key-plan.md")
+      writeFileSync(planPath, `# Plan
+
+## TODOs
+- [ ] 1. Implement auth flow
+- [ ] 2. Add API validation
+`)
+
+      writeBoulderState(TEST_DIR, {
+        active_plan: planPath,
+        started_at: "2026-01-02T10:00:00Z",
+        session_ids: ["session-1"],
+        plan_name: "stable-task-key-plan",
+      })
+
+      const hook = createAtlasHook(createMockPluginInput())
+
+      // when - Atlas delegates task 1
+      await hook["tool.execute.before"](
+        { tool: "task", sessionID, callID: "call-task-1" },
+        { args: { prompt: "Implement auth flow" } }
+      )
+
+      // and the plan is advanced before the task output is processed
+      writeFileSync(planPath, `# Plan
+
+## TODOs
+- [x] 1. Implement auth flow
+- [ ] 2. Add API validation
+`)
+
+      await hook["tool.execute.after"](
+        { tool: "task", sessionID, callID: "call-task-1" },
+        {
+          title: "Sisyphus Task",
+          output: `Task completed successfully
+
+<task_metadata>
+session_id: ses_auth_flow_123
+</task_metadata>`,
+          metadata: {
+            agent: "sisyphus-junior",
+            category: "deep",
+          },
+        }
+      )
+
+      // then - the completed task session is still recorded against task 1, not task 2
+     const updatedState = readBoulderState(TEST_DIR)
+      expect(updatedState?.task_sessions?.["todo:1"]?.session_id).toBe("ses_auth_flow_123")
+      expect(updatedState?.task_sessions?.["todo:2"]).toBeUndefined()
+
+      cleanupMessageStorage(sessionID)
+    })
+
+     test("should not overwrite the current task mapping when task() explicitly resumes an older session", async () => {
+       // given - current plan is on task 2, but Atlas explicitly resumes an older session for a previous task
+       const sessionID = "session-cross-task-resume-test"
+       setupMessageStorage(sessionID, "atlas")
+
+      const planPath = join(TEST_DIR, "cross-task-resume-plan.md")
+      writeFileSync(planPath, `# Plan
+
+## TODOs
+- [x] 1. Implement auth flow
+- [ ] 2. Add API validation
+`)
+
+      writeBoulderState(TEST_DIR, {
+        active_plan: planPath,
+        started_at: "2026-01-02T10:00:00Z",
+        session_ids: ["session-1"],
+        plan_name: "cross-task-resume-plan",
+      })
+
+      const hook = createAtlasHook(createMockPluginInput())
+
+      // when - Atlas resumes an explicit prior session
+      await hook["tool.execute.before"](
+        { tool: "task", sessionID, callID: "call-resume-old-task" },
+        { args: { prompt: "Follow up on previous task", session_id: "ses_old_task_111" } }
+      )
+
+      await hook["tool.execute.after"](
+        { tool: "task", sessionID, callID: "call-resume-old-task" },
+        {
+          title: "Sisyphus Task",
+          output: `Task continued successfully
+
+<task_metadata>
+session_id: ses_old_task_111
+</task_metadata>`,
+          metadata: {
+            agent: "sisyphus-junior",
+            category: "deep",
+          },
+        }
+      )
+
+      // then - Atlas does not poison task 2's preferred session mapping
+      const updatedState = readBoulderState(TEST_DIR)
+      expect(updatedState?.task_sessions?.["todo:2"]).toBeUndefined()
+
+      cleanupMessageStorage(sessionID)
+    })
+
     describe("completion gate output ordering", () => {
       const COMPLETION_GATE_SESSION = "completion-gate-order-test"
 
@@ -1147,6 +1309,48 @@ describe("atlas hook", () => {
       expect(callArgs.body.parts[0].text).toContain("2 remaining")
     })
 
+    test("should include preferred reuse session in continuation prompt for current top-level task", async () => {
+      // given - boulder state with tracked preferred session
+      const planPath = join(TEST_DIR, "preferred-session-plan.md")
+      writeFileSync(planPath, `# Plan
+
+## TODOs
+- [ ] 1. Implement auth flow
+`)
+
+      writeBoulderState(TEST_DIR, {
+        active_plan: planPath,
+        started_at: "2026-01-02T10:00:00Z",
+        session_ids: [MAIN_SESSION_ID],
+        plan_name: "preferred-session-plan",
+        task_sessions: {
+          "todo:1": {
+            task_key: "todo:1",
+            task_label: "1",
+            task_title: "Implement auth flow",
+            session_id: "ses_auth_flow_123",
+            updated_at: "2026-01-02T10:00:00Z",
+          },
+        },
+      })
+
+      const mockInput = createMockPluginInput()
+      const hook = createAtlasHook(mockInput)
+
+      // when
+      await hook.handler({
+        event: {
+          type: "session.idle",
+          properties: { sessionID: MAIN_SESSION_ID },
+        },
+      })
+
+      // then
+      const callArgs = mockInput._promptMock.mock.calls[0][0]
+      expect(callArgs.body.parts[0].text).toContain("Preferred reuse session for current top-level plan task")
+      expect(callArgs.body.parts[0].text).toContain("ses_auth_flow_123")
+    })
+
     test("should inject when last agent is sisyphus and boulder targets atlas explicitly", async () => {
        // given - boulder explicitly set to atlas, but last agent is sisyphus (initial state after /start-work)
        const planPath = join(TEST_DIR, "test-plan.md")
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/subagent-session-id.test.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/subagent-session-id.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8d4416c9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/subagent-session-id.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+import { describe, expect, test } from "bun:test"
+
+import { extractSessionIdFromOutput } from "./subagent-session-id"
+
+describe("extractSessionIdFromOutput", () => {
+  test("extracts Session ID blocks from background output", () => {
+    // given
+    const output = `Background task launched.\n\nSession ID: ses_bg_12345`
+
+    // when
+    const result = extractSessionIdFromOutput(output)
+
+    // then
+    expect(result).toBe("ses_bg_12345")
+  })
+
+  test("extracts session_id from task metadata blocks", () => {
+    // given
+    const output = `Task completed.\n\n<task_metadata>\nsession_id: ses_sync_12345\n</task_metadata>`
+
+    // when
+    const result = extractSessionIdFromOutput(output)
+
+    // then
+    expect(result).toBe("ses_sync_12345")
+  })
+
+  test("returns undefined when no session id is present", () => {
+    // given
+    const output = "Task completed without metadata"
+
+    // when
+    const result = extractSessionIdFromOutput(output)
+
+    // then
+    expect(result).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  test("prefers the session id inside the trailing task_metadata block", () => {
+    // given
+    const output = `The previous attempt mentioned session_id: ses_wrong_body_123 but that was only context.
+
+<task_metadata>
+session_id: ses_real_metadata_456
+</task_metadata>`
+
+    // when
+    const result = extractSessionIdFromOutput(output)
+
+    // then
+    expect(result).toBe("ses_real_metadata_456")
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/subagent-session-id.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/subagent-session-id.ts
index 12cf619b1..9494d5a33 100644
--- a/src/hooks/atlas/subagent-session-id.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/subagent-session-id.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,10 @@
-export function extractSessionIdFromOutput(output: string): string {
-  const match = output.match(/Session ID:\s*(ses_[a-zA-Z0-9]+)/)
-  return match?.[1] ?? "<session_id>"
+export function extractSessionIdFromOutput(output: string): string | undefined {
+  const taskMetadataMatches = [...output.matchAll(/<task_metadata>[\s\S]*?session_id:\s*(ses_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)[\s\S]*?<\/task_metadata>/gi)]
+  const lastTaskMetadataMatch = taskMetadataMatches.at(-1)
+  if (lastTaskMetadataMatch) {
+    return lastTaskMetadataMatch[1]
+  }
+
+  const explicitSessionMatches = [...output.matchAll(/Session ID:\s*(ses_[a-zA-Z0-9_]+)/g)]
+  return explicitSessionMatches.at(-1)?.[1]
 }
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/tool-execute-after.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/tool-execute-after.ts
index 55fb8ddd6..ed23ce011 100644
--- a/src/hooks/atlas/tool-execute-after.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/tool-execute-after.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 import type { PluginInput } from "@opencode-ai/plugin"
-import { appendSessionId, getPlanProgress, readBoulderState } from "../../features/boulder-state"
+import {
+  appendSessionId,
+  getPlanProgress,
+  getTaskSessionState,
+  readBoulderState,
+  readCurrentTopLevelTask,
+  upsertTaskSessionState,
+} from "../../features/boulder-state"
 import { log } from "../../shared/logger"
 import { isCallerOrchestrator } from "../../shared/session-utils"
 import { collectGitDiffStats, formatFileChanges } from "../../shared/git-worktree"
@@ -18,13 +25,18 @@ import { isWriteOrEditToolName } from "./write-edit-tool-policy"
 import type { SessionState } from "./types"
 import type { ToolExecuteAfterInput, ToolExecuteAfterOutput } from "./types"
 
+function resolvePreferredSessionId(currentSessionId?: string, trackedSessionId?: string): string {
+  return currentSessionId ?? trackedSessionId ?? "<session_id>"
+}
+
 export function createToolExecuteAfterHandler(input: {
   ctx: PluginInput
   pendingFilePaths: Map<string, string>
+  pendingTaskRefs: Map<string, { key: string; label: string; title: string } | null>
   autoCommit: boolean
   getState: (sessionID: string) => SessionState
 }): (toolInput: ToolExecuteAfterInput, toolOutput: ToolExecuteAfterOutput) => Promise<void> {
-  const { ctx, pendingFilePaths, autoCommit, getState } = input
+  const { ctx, pendingFilePaths, pendingTaskRefs, autoCommit, getState } = input
   return async (toolInput, toolOutput): Promise<void> => {
     // Guard against undefined output (e.g., from /review command - see issue #1035)
     if (!toolOutput) {
@@ -68,10 +80,21 @@ export function createToolExecuteAfterHandler(input: {
       const gitStats = collectGitDiffStats(ctx.directory)
       const fileChanges = formatFileChanges(gitStats)
       const subagentSessionId = extractSessionIdFromOutput(toolOutput.output)
+      const pendingTaskRef = toolInput.callID ? pendingTaskRefs.get(toolInput.callID) : undefined
+      if (toolInput.callID) {
+        pendingTaskRefs.delete(toolInput.callID)
+      }
 
       const boulderState = readBoulderState(ctx.directory)
       if (boulderState) {
         const progress = getPlanProgress(boulderState.active_plan)
+        const shouldSkipTaskSessionUpdate = pendingTaskRef === null
+        const currentTask = shouldSkipTaskSessionUpdate
+          ? null
+          : pendingTaskRef ?? readCurrentTopLevelTask(boulderState.active_plan)
+        const trackedTaskSession = currentTask
+          ? getTaskSessionState(ctx.directory, currentTask.key)
+          : null
         const sessionState = toolInput.sessionID ? getState(toolInput.sessionID) : undefined
 
         if (toolInput.sessionID && !boulderState.session_ids?.includes(toolInput.sessionID)) {
@@ -82,6 +105,22 @@ export function createToolExecuteAfterHandler(input: {
           })
         }
 
+        if (currentTask && subagentSessionId) {
+          upsertTaskSessionState(ctx.directory, {
+            taskKey: currentTask.key,
+            taskLabel: currentTask.label,
+            taskTitle: currentTask.title,
+            sessionId: subagentSessionId,
+            agent: toolOutput.metadata?.agent as string | undefined,
+            category: toolOutput.metadata?.category as string | undefined,
+          })
+        }
+
+        const preferredSessionId = resolvePreferredSessionId(
+          subagentSessionId,
+          trackedTaskSession?.session_id,
+        )
+
         // Preserve original subagent response - critical for debugging failed tasks
         const originalResponse = toolOutput.output
         const shouldPauseForApproval = sessionState
@@ -102,11 +141,11 @@ export function createToolExecuteAfterHandler(input: {
         }
 
         const leadReminder = shouldPauseForApproval
-          ? buildFinalWaveApprovalReminder(boulderState.plan_name, progress, subagentSessionId)
-          : buildCompletionGate(boulderState.plan_name, subagentSessionId)
+          ? buildFinalWaveApprovalReminder(boulderState.plan_name, progress, preferredSessionId)
+          : buildCompletionGate(boulderState.plan_name, preferredSessionId)
         const followupReminder = shouldPauseForApproval
           ? null
-          : buildOrchestratorReminder(boulderState.plan_name, progress, subagentSessionId, autoCommit, false)
+          : buildOrchestratorReminder(boulderState.plan_name, progress, preferredSessionId, autoCommit, false)
 
         toolOutput.output = `
 <system-reminder>
@@ -132,10 +171,13 @@ ${
           plan: boulderState.plan_name,
           progress: `${progress.completed}/${progress.total}`,
           fileCount: gitStats.length,
+          preferredSessionId,
           waitingForFinalWaveApproval: shouldPauseForApproval,
         })
       } else {
-        toolOutput.output += `\n<system-reminder>\n${buildStandaloneVerificationReminder(subagentSessionId)}\n</system-reminder>`
+        toolOutput.output += `\n<system-reminder>\n${buildStandaloneVerificationReminder(
+          resolvePreferredSessionId(subagentSessionId),
+        )}\n</system-reminder>`
 
         log(`[${HOOK_NAME}] Verification reminder appended for orchestrator`, {
           sessionID: toolInput.sessionID,
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/tool-execute-before.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/tool-execute-before.ts
index 51f670000..d020adaca 100644
--- a/src/hooks/atlas/tool-execute-before.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/tool-execute-before.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { log } from "../../shared/logger"
 import { SYSTEM_DIRECTIVE_PREFIX } from "../../shared/system-directive"
 import { isCallerOrchestrator } from "../../shared/session-utils"
 import type { PluginInput } from "@opencode-ai/plugin"
+import { readBoulderState, readCurrentTopLevelTask } from "../../features/boulder-state"
 import { HOOK_NAME } from "./hook-name"
 import { ORCHESTRATOR_DELEGATION_REQUIRED, SINGLE_TASK_DIRECTIVE } from "./system-reminder-templates"
 import { isSisyphusPath } from "./sisyphus-path"
@@ -10,11 +11,12 @@ import { isWriteOrEditToolName } from "./write-edit-tool-policy"
 export function createToolExecuteBeforeHandler(input: {
   ctx: PluginInput
   pendingFilePaths: Map<string, string>
+  pendingTaskRefs: Map<string, { key: string; label: string; title: string } | null>
 }): (
   toolInput: { tool: string; sessionID?: string; callID?: string },
   toolOutput: { args: Record<string, unknown>; message?: string }
 ) => Promise<void> {
-  const { ctx, pendingFilePaths } = input
+  const { ctx, pendingFilePaths, pendingTaskRefs } = input
 
   return async (toolInput, toolOutput): Promise<void> => {
     if (!(await isCallerOrchestrator(toolInput.sessionID, ctx.client))) {
@@ -43,6 +45,25 @@ export function createToolExecuteBeforeHandler(input: {
 
     // Check task - inject single-task directive
     if (toolInput.tool === "task") {
+      if (toolInput.callID) {
+        const requestedSessionId = toolOutput.args.session_id as string | undefined
+        if (requestedSessionId) {
+          pendingTaskRefs.set(toolInput.callID, null)
+        } else {
+          const boulderState = readBoulderState(ctx.directory)
+          const currentTask = boulderState
+            ? readCurrentTopLevelTask(boulderState.active_plan)
+            : null
+          if (currentTask) {
+            pendingTaskRefs.set(toolInput.callID, {
+              key: currentTask.key,
+              label: currentTask.label,
+              title: currentTask.title,
+            })
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
       const prompt = toolOutput.args.prompt as string | undefined
       if (prompt && !prompt.includes(SYSTEM_DIRECTIVE_PREFIX)) {
         toolOutput.args.prompt = `<system-reminder>${SINGLE_TASK_DIRECTIVE}</system-reminder>\n` + prompt
diff --git a/src/hooks/atlas/verification-reminders.ts b/src/hooks/atlas/verification-reminders.ts
index cb988984e..80217798d 100644
--- a/src/hooks/atlas/verification-reminders.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/atlas/verification-reminders.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
 import { VERIFICATION_REMINDER } from "./system-reminder-templates"
 
+function buildReuseHint(sessionId: string): string {
+  return `
+**PREFERRED REUSE SESSION FOR THE CURRENT TOP-LEVEL PLAN TASK**
+
+- Reuse \`${sessionId}\` first if verification fails or the result needs follow-up.
+- Start a fresh subagent session only when reuse is unavailable or would cross task boundaries.
+`
+}
+
 export function buildCompletionGate(planName: string, sessionId: string): string {
   return `
 **COMPLETION GATE — DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL THIS IS DONE**
@@ -25,7 +34,8 @@ task(session_id="${sessionId}", prompt="fix: checkbox not recorded correctly")
 
 **Your completion is NOT tracked until the checkbox is marked in the plan file.**
 
-**VERIFICATION_REMINDER**`
+**VERIFICATION_REMINDER**
+${buildReuseHint(sessionId)}`
 }
 
 function buildVerificationReminder(sessionId: string): string {
@@ -38,7 +48,9 @@ ${VERIFICATION_REMINDER}
 **If ANY verification fails, use this immediately:**
 \`\`\`
 task(session_id="${sessionId}", prompt="fix: [describe the specific failure]")
-\`\`\``
+\`\`\`
+
+${buildReuseHint(sessionId)}`
 }
 
 export function buildOrchestratorReminder(