diff --git a/GraphcodeKit/Sources/GraphStore.swift b/GraphcodeKit/Sources/GraphStore.swift
index 44dc1a96..77f124cf 100644
--- a/GraphcodeKit/Sources/GraphStore.swift
+++ b/GraphcodeKit/Sources/GraphStore.swift
@@ -2535,6 +2535,10 @@ public actor GraphStore {
   /// banked, a remote loop — would otherwise wait for a launch that never comes. The met
   /// goal is never issued again: a session that cannot be resumed opens on a note instead.
   private func resumeResolvedSession(_ nodeID: UUID) async {
+    if let node = graph.nodes[id: nodeID], !node.isResolved {
+      await ensureChatSession(node)
+      return
+    }
     guard let node = graph.nodes[id: nodeID], node.isResolved, node.state != .stopped,
       let onResumeSession
     else { return }
@@ -2550,6 +2554,16 @@ public actor GraphStore {
     scheduleSessionEnd(nodeID)
   }
 
+  /// A chat-surface loop (Nod) has no terminal pane whose attach would start its session,
+  /// so opening it, or sending to it with nothing running, asks for one here. Unattended
+  /// loops already run; this starts the rest, and is a no-op while a session is alive.
+  private func ensureChatSession(_ node: LoopNode) async {
+    guard node.backend.surface == .chat, node.state != .stopped,
+      await onSessionAlive?(node, graph.project.path) != true
+    else { return }
+    ensureSession(node)
+  }
+
   /// Arms the end of a resolved loop's session, after the grace the Settings choose — long
   /// enough for the resolution ask to be answered. No grace configured keeps it.
   private func scheduleSessionEnd(_ nodeID: UUID, confirming: Bool = false) {
diff --git a/GraphcodeKit/Sources/IPC/DaemonProtocol.swift b/GraphcodeKit/Sources/IPC/DaemonProtocol.swift
index 1cdf9618..f7ecf615 100644
--- a/GraphcodeKit/Sources/IPC/DaemonProtocol.swift
+++ b/GraphcodeKit/Sources/IPC/DaemonProtocol.swift
@@ -238,7 +238,8 @@ public indirect enum GraphCommand: Codable, Sendable, Equatable {
   /// composite restarts its workers.
   case restartNode(UUID)
   /// Bring a resolved loop's ended session back on its transcript — sent when a human
-  /// opens the loop. Never re-issues the met goal.
+  /// opens the loop. Never re-issues the met goal. For a chat-surface (Nod) loop that is
+  /// not resolved, starts its session if none is running: no terminal pane does that.
   case resumeSession(UUID)
   /// `restartNode` for every unresolved loop in the graph, workers included.
   case restartSessions
diff --git a/NodRuntime/src/runtime.ts b/NodRuntime/src/runtime.ts
index 8f03ab87..ce6085eb 100644
--- a/NodRuntime/src/runtime.ts
+++ b/NodRuntime/src/runtime.ts
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ export class NodRuntime {
   private compactRequested = false;
   private runFailed = false;
   private goalContinuations = 0;
+  /** Set once the goal holds: later turns are follow-up chat, never sent back to the goal. */
+  private goalMet = false;
   private toolStarts = new Map<string, { tool: string; at: number }>();
   private recentTools: string[] = [];
   private lastUsage?: UsageReport;
@@ -213,7 +215,7 @@ export class NodRuntime {
       case "markGoalDone":
         if (!this.goal) throw new Error("this loop has no goal");
         this.goal.markDone();
-        if (!this.busy) await this.goal.check(this.turn, { lastMessage: "", toolResults: [] });
+        if (!this.busy && (await this.goal.check(this.turn, { lastMessage: "", toolResults: [] })).met) this.goalMet = true;
         return;
     }
   }
@@ -307,14 +309,17 @@ export class NodRuntime {
     }
 
     const stoppedEarly = this.stopRequested || result.interrupted || this.runFailed;
-    if (this.goal && !stoppedEarly && this.queue.length === 0) await this.checkGoal(turn, result.lastMessage);
+    if (this.goal && !this.goalMet && !stoppedEarly && this.queue.length === 0) await this.checkGoal(turn, result.lastMessage);
   }
 
   private async checkGoal(turn: number, lastMessage: string): Promise<void> {
     const goal = this.goal!;
     void this.options.presence.presence("busy", "checking the goal");
     const verdict = await goal.check(turn, { lastMessage, toolResults: this.recentTools.slice(-20) });
-    if (verdict.met) return;
+    if (verdict.met) {
+      this.goalMet = true;
+      return;
+    }
     const limit = this.options.maxGoalContinuations ?? 20;
     if (this.goalContinuations >= limit) {
       this.options.log.append({ type: "activity", line: `Goal not met after ${limit} checks · waiting for you` });
diff --git a/NodRuntime/test/runtime.test.ts b/NodRuntime/test/runtime.test.ts
index 1868d200..4e8d4429 100644
--- a/NodRuntime/test/runtime.test.ts
+++ b/NodRuntime/test/runtime.test.ts
@@ -365,6 +365,21 @@ describe("goal loops", () => {
     expect(engine.asks[0]!.model).toBe("haiku");
   });
 
+  test("once the goal holds, a follow-up is answered as chat and never sent back to the goal", async () => {
+    const engine = new FakeEngine(
+      [() => ({ lastMessage: "Fixed." }), () => ({ lastMessage: "Octopuses have three hearts." })],
+      [() => met],
+    );
+    const { runtime, records } = setup(engine, { loopType: "goal", goal });
+    await runtime.start();
+    await runtime.whenIdle();
+    runtime.send("Now tell me a fun fact.", "queue");
+    await runtime.whenIdle();
+    expect(engine.turns).toEqual([goal, "Now tell me a fun fact."]);
+    expect(records.filter((r) => r.type === "goalCheck").map((r) => r.type === "goalCheck" && [r.turn, r.met])).toEqual([[1, true]]);
+    expect(records.filter((r) => r.type === "turnStarted").map((r) => r.type === "turnStarted" && r.origin)).toEqual(["user", "user"]);
+  });
+
   test("the goal is not checked while more messages are queued", async () => {
     let release!: () => void;
     const engine = new FakeEngine([async () => (await new Promise<void>((r) => (release = r)), { lastMessage: "" }), () => ({ lastMessage: "" })], [() => met]);
diff --git a/graphcode/Sources/Features/LoopWorkspace/LoopWorkspaceFeature+Nod.swift b/graphcode/Sources/Features/LoopWorkspace/LoopWorkspaceFeature+Nod.swift
index 0d92ed41..d985723b 100644
--- a/graphcode/Sources/Features/LoopWorkspace/LoopWorkspaceFeature+Nod.swift
+++ b/graphcode/Sources/Features/LoopWorkspace/LoopWorkspaceFeature+Nod.swift
@@ -60,9 +60,19 @@ extension LoopWorkspaceFeature {
     case .editPolicyChosen(let policy):
       state.nodChat?.editPolicy = policy
       return .run { _ in await nodSettings.setEditPolicy(policy) }
+
+    case .runtimeNeeded:
+      return requestNodSession(state)
     }
   }
 
+  /// Asks graphcoded for this loop's session: resumed if it ended, started if it never ran.
+  /// A no-op while one is alive, so opening the pane can ask unconditionally.
+  func requestNodSession(_ state: State) -> Effect<Action> {
+    let nodeID = state.node.id
+    return nodGraphEffect(state) { send in try await send(.resumeSession(nodeID)) }
+  }
+
   func nodGraphLayer(_ state: inout State, _ action: Action) -> Effect<Action> {
     switch action {
     case .nodPlanEdited(let plan):
diff --git a/graphcode/Sources/Features/LoopWorkspace/LoopWorkspaceFeature.swift b/graphcode/Sources/Features/LoopWorkspace/LoopWorkspaceFeature.swift
index 8c944a7d..04e27a0e 100644
--- a/graphcode/Sources/Features/LoopWorkspace/LoopWorkspaceFeature.swift
+++ b/graphcode/Sources/Features/LoopWorkspace/LoopWorkspaceFeature.swift
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ extension LoopWorkspaceFeature {
       state.nodChat?.loopTitle = node.title
       state.nodChat?.goal = node.goal?.summary
     }
-    return .none
+    return requestNodSession(state)
   }
 
   /// "Open in zsh tab": typed, not run — the human sees the command at the prompt and
diff --git a/graphcode/Sources/Features/Nod/NodChatFeature.swift b/graphcode/Sources/Features/Nod/NodChatFeature.swift
index 538fbd2a..c4bedae1 100644
--- a/graphcode/Sources/Features/Nod/NodChatFeature.swift
+++ b/graphcode/Sources/Features/Nod/NodChatFeature.swift
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ struct NodChatFeature {
     var commentingHunkID: String?
     var hunkComment = ""
     var sendError: String?
+    /// A command is waiting for the runtime the daemon was asked to start or resume.
+    var isStartingRuntime = false
     /// `NodCommand.type`s this runtime has refused — their actions show disabled.
     var unavailableCommands: Set<String> = []
 
@@ -125,12 +127,16 @@ struct NodChatFeature {
       case graphCommand(name: String, argument: String)
       case messageLoop(UUID)
       case editPolicyChosen(NodSettings.EditPolicy)
+      /// Nothing is running behind the pane: ask graphcoded to start or resume the session.
+      case runtimeNeeded
     }
   }
 
   enum NodCommandOutcome: Equatable {
     case sent(NodCommand)
     case failed(NodCommand, NodControlError)
+    /// The runtime was unreachable; it has been asked for and the command is being retried.
+    case waitingForRuntime
   }
 
   /// Commands the runtime refuses until the graph layer behind them ships. A refusal of
@@ -141,6 +147,10 @@ struct NodChatFeature {
 
   @Dependency(\.nodClient) var nodClient
   @Dependency(\.nodSettings) var nodSettings
+  @Dependency(\.continuousClock) var clock
+
+  /// How long a command waits for a runtime that is being started or resumed.
+  static let runtimeWaitAttempts = 30
 
   var body: some ReducerOf<Self> {
     Reduce { state, action in
@@ -298,12 +308,19 @@ struct NodChatFeature {
         state.sendError = nil
         return .none
 
+      case .commandFinished(.waitingForRuntime):
+        state.isStartingRuntime = true
+        state.sendError = nil
+        return .send(.delegate(.runtimeNeeded))
+
       case .commandFinished(.sent(let command)):
+        state.isStartingRuntime = false
         state.sendError = nil
         if case .setModel(let payload) = command { state.chosenModel = payload.model }
         return persistAlwaysAllow(command, state)
 
       case .commandFinished(.failed(let command, let error)):
+        state.isStartingRuntime = false
         if case .rejected = error, Self.gatedCommands.contains(command.type) {
           state.unavailableCommands.insert(command.type)
           return .none
@@ -352,15 +369,28 @@ struct NodChatFeature {
 
   private func command(_ command: NodCommand, _ state: State) -> Effect<Action> {
     let directory = state.stateDirectory
-    return .run { send in
-      do {
-        try await nodClient.send(directory, command)
-        await send(.commandFinished(.sent(command)))
-      } catch let error as NodControlError {
-        await send(.commandFinished(.failed(command, error)))
-      } catch {
-        await send(.commandFinished(.failed(command, .unreachable(error.localizedDescription))))
+    return .run { [clock] send in
+      var lastError = NodControlError.unreachable("no reply")
+      for attempt in 0..<Self.runtimeWaitAttempts {
+        do {
+          try await nodClient.send(directory, command)
+          await send(.commandFinished(.sent(command)))
+          return
+        } catch let error as NodControlError {
+          // A finished loop's session may have been ended to free the machine, and a chat
+          // loop has no terminal whose attach would start one: ask for it, then retry.
+          guard case .unreachable = error else {
+            await send(.commandFinished(.failed(command, error)))
+            return
+          }
+          lastError = error
+        } catch {
+          lastError = .unreachable(error.localizedDescription)
+        }
+        if attempt == 0 { await send(.commandFinished(.waitingForRuntime)) }
+        try await clock.sleep(for: .seconds(1))
       }
+      await send(.commandFinished(.failed(command, lastError)))
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/graphcode/Sources/Features/Nod/NodChatPaneView.swift b/graphcode/Sources/Features/Nod/NodChatPaneView.swift
index cd83e2f8..e003659a 100644
--- a/graphcode/Sources/Features/Nod/NodChatPaneView.swift
+++ b/graphcode/Sources/Features/Nod/NodChatPaneView.swift
@@ -347,6 +347,13 @@ struct NodChatPaneView: View {
           onCompact: { store.send(.compactNowTapped) },
           onRaiseCap: { store.send(.raiseCapTapped) })
       }
+      if store.isStartingRuntime {
+        HStack(spacing: 8) {
+          ProgressView().controlSize(.small)
+          Text("Starting Nod…").font(.system(size: 11.5)).foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+          Spacer()
+        }
+      }
       if let error = store.sendError {
         HStack(spacing: 8) {
           Text(error).font(.system(size: 11.5)).foregroundStyle(NodStyle.failed)
diff --git a/graphcode/Tests/NodChatFeatureTests.swift b/graphcode/Tests/NodChatFeatureTests.swift
index 04c8c66c..ac0f9bdc 100644
--- a/graphcode/Tests/NodChatFeatureTests.swift
+++ b/graphcode/Tests/NodChatFeatureTests.swift
@@ -34,6 +34,43 @@ struct NodChatFeatureTests {
     return store
   }
 
+  /// A finished loop's session may have ended, and a chat pane cannot attach one into
+  /// being: an unreachable runtime is asked for, and the message is delivered once it is up.
+  @Test
+  func aMessageToAStoppedRuntimeAsksForItAndIsDeliveredWhenItIsUp() async {
+    let attempts = LockIsolated(0)
+    let clock = TestClock()
+    var state = NodChatFeature.State(
+      nodeID: UUID(), stateDirectory: Self.directory, loopTitle: "Monetization",
+      loopType: .goalBased, goal: "Done when every paid route enforces the cap")
+    state.draft = "one more thing"
+    let store = TestStore(initialState: state) {
+      NodChatFeature()
+    } withDependencies: {
+      $0.continuousClock = clock
+      $0.nodClient.send = { _, _ in
+        let attempt = attempts.withValue {
+          $0 += 1
+          return $0
+        }
+        if attempt < 3 { throw NodControlError.unreachable("connect: 2") }
+      }
+    }
+    store.exhaustivity = .off
+
+    await store.send(.returnPressed)
+    await store.skipReceivedActions()
+    #expect(store.state.isStartingRuntime)
+    #expect(store.state.sendError == nil)
+
+    await clock.advance(by: .seconds(2))
+    await store.skipReceivedActions()
+
+    #expect(!store.state.isStartingRuntime)
+    #expect(store.state.sendError == nil)
+    #expect(attempts.value == 3)
+  }
+
   @Test
   func theTailFeedsTheTranscript() async {
     let log = NodLog.monetization
diff --git a/graphcode/Tests/NodChatWiringTests.swift b/graphcode/Tests/NodChatWiringTests.swift
index 4284e0c1..c52d8314 100644
--- a/graphcode/Tests/NodChatWiringTests.swift
+++ b/graphcode/Tests/NodChatWiringTests.swift
@@ -28,9 +28,18 @@ struct NodWorkspaceWiringTests {
     }
     await store.send(.chatSurfaceAppeared)
 
-    let nod = TestStore(initialState: workspace(backend: .nod)) { LoopWorkspaceFeature() }
+    let requests = LockIsolated<[String]>([])
+    let nod = TestStore(initialState: workspace(backend: .nod)) {
+      LoopWorkspaceFeature()
+    } withDependencies: {
+      $0.orchestratorClient.send = { request in requests.withValue { $0.append("\(request)") } }
+    }
     nod.exhaustivity = .off
     await nod.send(.chatSurfaceAppeared)
+    await nod.finish()
+    // No terminal attach starts a chat loop's session, so opening the pane asks for it.
+    #expect(requests.value.count == 1)
+    #expect(requests.value.first?.contains("resumeSession(\(nod.state.node.id))") == true)
     #expect(nod.state.nodChat?.goal == "every paid route enforces the cap")
     #expect(nod.state.nodChat?.loopType == .goalBased)
     #expect(nod.state.nodChat?.nodeID == nod.state.node.id)
@@ -49,6 +58,7 @@ struct NodWorkspaceWiringTests {
         LoopWorkspaceFeature()
       } withDependencies: {
         $0.nodSettings.current = { settings }
+        $0.orchestratorClient.send = { _ in }
       }
       store.exhaustivity = .off
       await store.send(.chatSurfaceAppeared)
@@ -72,6 +82,7 @@ struct NodWorkspaceWiringTests {
         baseDirectory: FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
           .appendingPathComponent(UUID().uuidString))
       $0.terminalSurfaceClient.typeText = { id, text in box.typed.append((id, text)) }
+      $0.orchestratorClient.send = { _ in }
     }
     store.exhaustivity = .off
     await store.send(.chatSurfaceAppeared)
diff --git a/graphcode/Tests/NodLaunchTests.swift b/graphcode/Tests/NodLaunchTests.swift
index 208e323c..396eb43a 100644
--- a/graphcode/Tests/NodLaunchTests.swift
+++ b/graphcode/Tests/NodLaunchTests.swift
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import ComposableArchitecture
 import Foundation
 import Testing
 
@@ -576,6 +577,29 @@ struct NodGraphStoreTests {
     #expect(resolved?.resolution?.detail == "1 of 1 clauses met")
   }
 
+  /// A chat pane has no terminal whose attach would start a session, so opening a Nod loop
+  /// asks for one. A terminal backend's loop is left to its pane.
+  @Test
+  func openingAChatLoopStartsItsSessionOnlyWhenNoneIsRunning() async {
+    let nod = LoopNode(title: "Nod", loopType: .sketch, backend: .nod)
+    let claude = LoopNode(title: "Claude", loopType: .sketch)
+    let started = LockIsolated<[UUID]>([])
+    let alive = LockIsolated(false)
+    var graph = LoopGraph(project: ProjectRef(path: "", name: "p"))
+    graph.nodes.append(contentsOf: [nod, claude])
+    let store = GraphStore(
+      graph: graph,
+      onEnsureSession: { node, _ in started.withValue { $0.append(node.id) } },
+      onSessionAlive: { _, _ in alive.value })
+
+    await store.handle(.resumeSession(claude.id))
+    await store.handle(.resumeSession(nod.id))
+    alive.setValue(true)
+    await store.handle(.resumeSession(nod.id))
+
+    #expect(started.value == [nod.id])
+  }
+
   @Test
   func aNodLoopWaitingOnAHumanSaysWhatItAsks() async {
     let nod = LoopNode(title: "Nod", loopType: .turnBased, backend: .nod, state: .running)