diff --git a/crates/worker/src/feature.rs b/crates/worker/src/feature.rs
index c13bb603..e91d44a6 100644
--- a/crates/worker/src/feature.rs
+++ b/crates/worker/src/feature.rs
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use thiserror::Error;
 
 use crate::hook::{
-    BeforeSessionRewrite, Hook, HookFailurePolicy, HookRegistryBuilder, OnPromptSubmit, OnTurnEnd,
-    PostToolCall, PreLlmRequest, PreToolCall, RunCommitted, RunExit, WorkerStopping,
+    BeforeSessionRewrite, Hook, HookExecutionPolicy, HookRegistryBuilder, OnPromptSubmit,
+    OnTurnEnd, PostToolCall, PreLlmRequest, PreToolCall, RunCommitted, RunExit, WorkerStopping,
 };
 use background::{
     BackgroundTaskSpec, FeatureBackgroundTask, FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistry,
@@ -903,46 +903,6 @@ fn reject_undeclared_contribution(
     error
 }
 
-/// Model-visible durable notification sink skeleton. The first slice exposes
-/// the boundary without implementing a new event channel.
-pub struct FeatureNotificationSink<'a> {
-    report: &'a mut FeatureInstallReport,
-}
-
-impl FeatureNotificationSink<'_> {
-    pub fn notify_model(&mut self, message: impl Into<String>) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
-        let message = message.into();
-        self.report.diagnostics.push(FeatureDiagnostic::warning(format!(
-            "model notification requested during feature installation but no durable Notify host is attached: {message}"
-        )));
-        self.report.mark_skipped(
-            FeatureContributionKind::Notification,
-            "notify_model",
-            "durable Notify/SystemItem host is not connected during feature installation",
-        );
-        Ok(())
-    }
-}
-
-/// Transient human-facing alert sink skeleton.
-pub struct FeatureAlertSink<'a> {
-    report: &'a mut FeatureInstallReport,
-}
-
-impl FeatureAlertSink<'_> {
-    pub fn alert(&mut self, message: impl Into<String>) {
-        let message = message.into();
-        self.report
-            .diagnostics
-            .push(FeatureDiagnostic::info(format!("feature alert: {message}")));
-        self.report.mark_skipped(
-            FeatureContributionKind::Alert,
-            "alert",
-            "transient alert host is not connected during feature installation",
-        );
-    }
-}
-
 /// Diagnostic sink available to feature installers.
 pub struct FeatureDiagnosticSink<'a> {
     report: &'a mut FeatureInstallReport,
@@ -1073,16 +1033,18 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
     pub fn add_prompt_submit(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<OnPromptSubmit> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::PromptSubmit);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_on_prompt_submit(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_on_prompt_submit(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1090,16 +1052,18 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
     pub fn add_pre_llm_request(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<PreLlmRequest> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::PreLlmRequest);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_pre_llm_request(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_pre_llm_request(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1109,22 +1073,24 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
         name: impl Into<String>,
         hook: impl Hook<PreLlmRequest> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
-        self.add_pre_llm_request(name, HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed, hook)
+        self.add_pre_llm_request(name, HookExecutionPolicy::fail_closed(), hook)
     }
 
     pub fn add_pre_tool_call_with_policy(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<PreToolCall> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::PreToolCall);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_pre_tool_call(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_pre_tool_call(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1134,22 +1100,24 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
         name: impl Into<String>,
         hook: impl Hook<PreToolCall> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
-        self.add_pre_tool_call_with_policy(name, HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed, hook)
+        self.add_pre_tool_call_with_policy(name, HookExecutionPolicy::fail_closed(), hook)
     }
 
     pub fn add_post_tool_call(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<PostToolCall> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::PostToolCall);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_post_tool_call(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_post_tool_call(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1159,22 +1127,24 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
         name: impl Into<String>,
         hook: impl Hook<PostToolCall> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
-        self.add_post_tool_call(name, HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed, hook)
+        self.add_post_tool_call(name, HookExecutionPolicy::fail_closed(), hook)
     }
 
     pub fn add_assistant_turn_end(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<OnTurnEnd> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::AssistantTurnEnd);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_on_turn_end(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_on_turn_end(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1184,22 +1154,24 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
         name: impl Into<String>,
         hook: impl Hook<OnTurnEnd> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
-        self.add_assistant_turn_end(name, HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed, hook)
+        self.add_assistant_turn_end(name, HookExecutionPolicy::fail_closed(), hook)
     }
 
     pub fn add_run_exit(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<RunExit> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::RunExit);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_run_exit(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_run_exit(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1207,16 +1179,18 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
     pub fn add_run_committed(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<RunCommitted> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::RunCommitted);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_run_committed(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_run_committed(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1224,16 +1198,18 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
     pub fn add_before_session_rewrite(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<BeforeSessionRewrite> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::BeforeSessionRewrite);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_before_session_rewrite(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_before_session_rewrite(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1241,16 +1217,18 @@ impl HookContributionRegistrar<'_> {
     pub fn add_worker_stopping(
         &mut self,
         name: impl Into<String>,
-        policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+        policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
         hook: impl Hook<WorkerStopping> + 'static,
     ) -> Result<(), FeatureInstallError> {
         let declaration = HookDeclaration::new(name, FeatureHookPoint::WorkerStopping);
         self.require_declared(&declaration)?;
-        self.hook_builder.add_named_worker_stopping(
-            format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
-            policy,
-            hook,
-        );
+        self.hook_builder
+            .add_named_worker_stopping(
+                format!("{}:{}", self.feature_id, declaration.name),
+                policy,
+                hook,
+            )
+            .map_err(|error| FeatureInstallError::InvalidDescriptor(error.to_string()))?;
         self.record(declaration);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -1592,18 +1570,6 @@ impl FeatureInstallContext<'_> {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn notifications(&mut self) -> FeatureNotificationSink<'_> {
-        FeatureNotificationSink {
-            report: self.report,
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn alerts(&mut self) -> FeatureAlertSink<'_> {
-        FeatureAlertSink {
-            report: self.report,
-        }
-    }
-
     pub fn diagnostics(&mut self) -> FeatureDiagnosticSink<'_> {
         FeatureDiagnosticSink {
             report: self.report,
diff --git a/crates/worker/src/feature/background.rs b/crates/worker/src/feature/background.rs
index 76254e5e..695e45d3 100644
--- a/crates/worker/src/feature/background.rs
+++ b/crates/worker/src/feature/background.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 
 use async_trait::async_trait;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+#[cfg(test)]
 use tokio::sync::Notify;
+use tokio::sync::watch;
 use tokio::task::JoinHandle;
 
 use super::{BackgroundTaskDeclaration, FeatureId, FeatureInstallError};
@@ -22,6 +24,7 @@ const MAX_TASK_CONCURRENCY: u16 = 64;
 const MAX_TASK_ATTEMPTS: u16 = 16;
 const MAX_TASK_TIMEOUT_MS: u64 = 24 * 60 * 60 * 1_000;
 const MAX_RETAINED_DIAGNOSTICS: usize = 128;
+const TASK_SETTLE_TIMEOUT_MS: u64 = 30_000;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
@@ -107,31 +110,43 @@ pub struct BackgroundTaskContext {
     pub feature_id: FeatureId,
     pub task_name: String,
     pub execution_id: u64,
+    pub session_generation: u64,
     pub attempt: u16,
 }
 
-#[derive(Clone, Default)]
+#[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct BackgroundTaskCancellation {
-    cancelled: Arc<AtomicBool>,
-    notify: Arc<Notify>,
+    sender: Arc<watch::Sender<bool>>,
+}
+
+impl Default for BackgroundTaskCancellation {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        let (sender, _receiver) = watch::channel(false);
+        Self {
+            sender: Arc::new(sender),
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl BackgroundTaskCancellation {
     pub fn is_cancelled(&self) -> bool {
-        self.cancelled.load(Ordering::Acquire)
+        *self.sender.borrow()
     }
 
     pub async fn cancelled(&self) {
-        if self.is_cancelled() {
+        let mut receiver = self.sender.subscribe();
+        if *receiver.borrow_and_update() {
             return;
         }
-        self.notify.notified().await;
+        while receiver.changed().await.is_ok() {
+            if *receiver.borrow_and_update() {
+                return;
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     fn cancel(&self) {
-        if !self.cancelled.swap(true, Ordering::AcqRel) {
-            self.notify.notify_one();
-        }
+        self.sender.send_replace(true);
     }
 }
 
@@ -200,6 +215,7 @@ impl FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistryBuilder {
                 running: Mutex::new(BTreeMap::new()),
                 diagnostics: Mutex::new(Vec::new()),
                 next_execution_id: AtomicU64::new(1),
+                session_generation: AtomicU64::new(1),
                 accepting: AtomicBool::new(true),
             }),
         }
@@ -218,6 +234,7 @@ struct RegistryInner {
     running: Mutex<BTreeMap<u64, RunningTask>>,
     diagnostics: Mutex<Vec<BackgroundTaskDiagnostic>>,
     next_execution_id: AtomicU64,
+    session_generation: AtomicU64,
     accepting: AtomicBool,
 }
 
@@ -280,6 +297,7 @@ pub enum BackgroundTaskOutcome {
     TimedOut,
     Failed(HookError),
     JoinFailed,
+    StaleGenerationDiscarded,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -330,6 +348,7 @@ impl FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistry {
         }
 
         let execution_id = self.inner.next_execution_id.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        let session_generation = self.inner.session_generation.load(Ordering::Acquire);
         let cancellation = BackgroundTaskCancellation::default();
         let task_cancellation = cancellation.clone();
         let task = Arc::clone(&registration.task);
@@ -347,10 +366,17 @@ impl FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistry {
                 task_feature_id.clone(),
                 task_task_name.clone(),
                 execution_id,
+                session_generation,
                 task_cancellation,
             )
             .await;
             if let Some(inner) = weak_inner.upgrade() {
+                let outcome =
+                    if inner.session_generation.load(Ordering::Acquire) == session_generation {
+                        outcome
+                    } else {
+                        BackgroundTaskOutcome::StaleGenerationDiscarded
+                    };
                 let mut diagnostics = inner.diagnostics.lock().expect("diagnostics poisoned");
                 diagnostics.push(BackgroundTaskDiagnostic {
                     execution_id,
@@ -405,7 +431,9 @@ impl FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistry {
     }
 
     pub async fn before_session_rewrite(&self) -> Result<(), HookError> {
-        self.settle(false).await
+        self.settle(false).await?;
+        self.inner.session_generation.fetch_add(1, Ordering::AcqRel);
+        Ok(())
     }
 
     pub async fn shutdown(&self) -> Result<(), HookError> {
@@ -469,17 +497,31 @@ impl FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistry {
             }
         }
 
+        let settle_deadline =
+            tokio::time::Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(TASK_SETTLE_TIMEOUT_MS);
         let mut join_failed = false;
-        for (execution_id, feature_id, task_name, handle) in waiting {
-            if handle.await.is_err() {
-                join_failed = true;
+        for (execution_id, feature_id, task_name, mut handle) in waiting {
+            let outcome = match tokio::time::timeout_at(settle_deadline, &mut handle).await {
+                Ok(Ok(())) => None,
+                Ok(Err(_)) => {
+                    join_failed = true;
+                    Some(BackgroundTaskOutcome::JoinFailed)
+                }
+                Err(_) => {
+                    join_failed = true;
+                    handle.abort();
+                    let _ = handle.await;
+                    Some(BackgroundTaskOutcome::TimedOut)
+                }
+            };
+            if let Some(outcome) = outcome {
                 let mut diagnostics = self.inner.diagnostics.lock().expect("diagnostics poisoned");
                 diagnostics.push(BackgroundTaskDiagnostic {
                     execution_id,
                     feature_id,
                     task_name,
                     attempts: 0,
-                    outcome: BackgroundTaskOutcome::JoinFailed,
+                    outcome,
                 });
                 if diagnostics.len() > MAX_RETAINED_DIAGNOSTICS {
                     let remove = diagnostics.len() - MAX_RETAINED_DIAGNOSTICS;
@@ -490,7 +532,7 @@ impl FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistry {
         if join_failed {
             return Err(HookError::new(
                 HookErrorCategory::Internal,
-                "feature background task join failed",
+                "feature background task settlement failed or exceeded its host deadline",
             ));
         }
         Ok(())
@@ -504,6 +546,7 @@ async fn execute_task(
     feature_id: FeatureId,
     task_name: String,
     execution_id: u64,
+    session_generation: u64,
     cancellation: BackgroundTaskCancellation,
 ) -> (u16, BackgroundTaskOutcome) {
     let (max_attempts, delay_ms) = match spec.retry {
@@ -513,22 +556,24 @@ async fn execute_task(
             delay_ms,
         } => (max_attempts, delay_ms),
     };
+    let deadline = tokio::time::Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(spec.timeout_ms);
     for attempt in 1..=max_attempts {
         if cancellation.is_cancelled() {
             return (attempt, BackgroundTaskOutcome::Cancelled);
         }
+        if tokio::time::Instant::now() >= deadline {
+            return (attempt, BackgroundTaskOutcome::TimedOut);
+        }
         let context = BackgroundTaskContext {
             invocation: invocation.clone(),
             feature_id: feature_id.clone(),
             task_name: task_name.clone(),
             execution_id,
+            session_generation,
             attempt,
         };
-        let result = tokio::time::timeout(
-            Duration::from_millis(spec.timeout_ms),
-            task.run(context, cancellation.clone()),
-        )
-        .await;
+        let result =
+            tokio::time::timeout_at(deadline, task.run(context, cancellation.clone())).await;
         match result {
             Ok(Ok(())) => return (attempt, BackgroundTaskOutcome::Completed),
             Ok(Err(_error)) if cancellation.is_cancelled() => {
@@ -541,8 +586,16 @@ async fn execute_task(
             Err(_) => return (attempt, BackgroundTaskOutcome::TimedOut),
         }
         if delay_ms > 0 {
+            let retry_at = std::cmp::min(
+                deadline,
+                tokio::time::Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(delay_ms),
+            );
             tokio::select! {
-                () = tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(delay_ms)) => {}
+                () = tokio::time::sleep_until(retry_at) => {
+                    if tokio::time::Instant::now() >= deadline {
+                        return (attempt, BackgroundTaskOutcome::TimedOut);
+                    }
+                }
                 () = cancellation.cancelled() => {
                     return (attempt, BackgroundTaskOutcome::Cancelled);
                 }
@@ -684,6 +737,98 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn cancellation_observed_when_cancel_races_with_wait_registration() {
+        for _ in 0..100 {
+            let cancellation = BackgroundTaskCancellation::default();
+            let waiter = cancellation.clone();
+            let task = tokio::spawn(async move {
+                waiter.cancelled().await;
+            });
+            cancellation.cancel();
+            tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_millis(100), task)
+                .await
+                .expect("watch-backed cancellation must not lose the transition")
+                .unwrap();
+        }
+    }
+
+    struct AlwaysFails {
+        calls: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    }
+
+    #[async_trait]
+    impl FeatureBackgroundTask for AlwaysFails {
+        async fn run(
+            &self,
+            _context: BackgroundTaskContext,
+            _cancellation: BackgroundTaskCancellation,
+        ) -> Result<(), HookError> {
+            self.calls.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
+            Err(HookError::new(HookErrorCategory::Dependency, "retry"))
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn retry_delay_consumes_one_total_execution_deadline() {
+        let feature = FeatureId::builtin("deadline-test");
+        let declaration = BackgroundTaskDeclaration::worker_managed("deadline", "deadline");
+        let calls = Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0));
+        let mut builder = FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistryBuilder::default();
+        let mut spec = BackgroundTaskSpec::single_flight(declaration, Duration::from_millis(20));
+        spec.shutdown = BackgroundTaskShutdownPolicy::Wait;
+        spec.retry = BackgroundTaskRetryPolicy::Bounded {
+            max_attempts: 3,
+            delay_ms: 100,
+        };
+        builder
+            .register(
+                feature.clone(),
+                spec,
+                AlwaysFails {
+                    calls: Arc::clone(&calls),
+                },
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+        let registry = builder.build();
+        registry.start(&feature, "deadline", invocation()).unwrap();
+        registry.shutdown().await.unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(calls.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 1);
+        assert_eq!(
+            registry.diagnostics()[0].outcome,
+            BackgroundTaskOutcome::TimedOut
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn rewrite_joins_old_tasks_before_advancing_session_generation() {
+        let feature = FeatureId::builtin("generation-test");
+        let declaration = BackgroundTaskDeclaration::worker_managed("generation", "generation");
+        let mut builder = FeatureBackgroundTaskRegistryBuilder::default();
+        builder
+            .register(
+                feature.clone(),
+                BackgroundTaskSpec::single_flight(declaration, Duration::from_secs(1)),
+                WaitForCancellation,
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+        let registry = builder.build();
+        registry
+            .start(&feature, "generation", invocation())
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(registry.inner.session_generation.load(Ordering::Acquire), 1);
+
+        registry.before_session_rewrite().await.unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(registry.inner.session_generation.load(Ordering::Acquire), 2);
+        assert_eq!(registry.diagnostics().len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(
+            registry.diagnostics()[0].outcome,
+            BackgroundTaskOutcome::Cancelled
+        );
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn block_policy_fences_rewrite_without_detaching_the_task() {
         let feature = FeatureId::builtin("rewrite-test");
diff --git a/crates/worker/src/hook.rs b/crates/worker/src/hook.rs
index b326697a..1bebebfb 100644
--- a/crates/worker/src/hook.rs
+++ b/crates/worker/src/hook.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 use std::ops::Deref;
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 
-use agen::HistoryEntry;
 use agen::interceptor::{
     PostToolAction, PreRequestAction, PreToolAction, PromptAction, TurnEndAction,
 };
@@ -29,7 +28,7 @@ use serde_json::Value;
 use session_store::{SystemItem, SystemReminder};
 use thiserror::Error;
 
-use crate::session_history::SessionHistoryMetadata;
+use crate::SessionEntryRef;
 
 const HOOK_DIAGNOSTIC_MAX_BYTES: usize = 1_024;
 
@@ -79,6 +78,39 @@ pub enum HookFailurePolicy {
     AttentionRequired,
 }
 
+const DEFAULT_HOOK_TIMEOUT_MS: u64 = 30_000;
+const MAX_HOOK_TIMEOUT_MS: u64 = 120_000;
+
+/// Host-enforced execution and failure budget for one hook registration.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct HookExecutionPolicy {
+    pub failure: HookFailurePolicy,
+    pub timeout_ms: u64,
+}
+
+impl HookExecutionPolicy {
+    pub const fn new(failure: HookFailurePolicy, timeout_ms: u64) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            failure,
+            timeout_ms,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub const fn fail_closed() -> Self {
+        Self::new(HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed, DEFAULT_HOOK_TIMEOUT_MS)
+    }
+
+    fn validate(self) -> Result<Self, HookError> {
+        if self.timeout_ms == 0 || self.timeout_ms > MAX_HOOK_TIMEOUT_MS {
+            return Err(HookError::new(
+                HookErrorCategory::InvalidInput,
+                format!("hook timeout_ms must be within 1..={MAX_HOOK_TIMEOUT_MS}"),
+            ));
+        }
+        Ok(self)
+    }
+}
+
 fn bounded_utf8(mut value: String, max_bytes: usize) -> String {
     if value.len() <= max_bytes {
         return value;
@@ -421,6 +453,16 @@ pub trait Hook<E: HookEventKind>: Send + Sync {
 // Hook Registry
 // =============================================================================
 
+/// Bounded identity-only view of the committed history visible at a lifecycle
+/// boundary. Hook context never carries history payloads; a Feature that needs
+/// content must use a separately granted session-exploration service.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct HookHistoryRange {
+    pub first_entry_ref: Option<SessionEntryRef>,
+    pub last_entry_ref: Option<SessionEntryRef>,
+    pub entry_count: usize,
+}
+
 /// Stable provenance attached to every Worker lifecycle callback.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct HookInvocationContext {
@@ -452,8 +494,7 @@ pub struct RunExitContext {
 pub struct RunCommittedContext {
     pub invocation: HookInvocationContext,
     pub exit: RunCommittedExit,
-    pub committed_history: Vec<HistoryEntry<SessionHistoryMetadata>>,
-    pub committed_history_len: usize,
+    pub committed_history: HookHistoryRange,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -468,8 +509,7 @@ pub enum SessionRewriteKind {
 pub struct BeforeSessionRewriteContext {
     pub invocation: HookInvocationContext,
     pub kind: SessionRewriteKind,
-    pub current_history: Vec<HistoryEntry<SessionHistoryMetadata>>,
-    pub current_history_len: usize,
+    pub current_history: HookHistoryRange,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -511,20 +551,28 @@ impl HookEventKind for WorkerStopping {
 
 pub(crate) struct RegisteredHook<E: HookEventKind> {
     owner: String,
-    policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+    policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
     hook: Box<dyn Hook<E>>,
 }
 
 impl<E: HookEventKind> RegisteredHook<E> {
     pub(crate) async fn call(&self, input: &E::Input) -> Result<E::Output, HookExecutionError> {
-        self.hook
-            .call(input)
-            .await
-            .map_err(|source| HookExecutionError {
-                owner: self.owner.clone(),
-                policy: self.policy,
-                source,
-            })
+        let result = tokio::time::timeout(
+            std::time::Duration::from_millis(self.policy.timeout_ms),
+            self.hook.call(input),
+        )
+        .await
+        .unwrap_or_else(|_| {
+            Err(HookError::new(
+                HookErrorCategory::Timeout,
+                "hook exceeded its host-enforced execution deadline",
+            ))
+        });
+        result.map_err(|source| HookExecutionError {
+            owner: self.owner.clone(),
+            policy: self.policy.failure,
+            source,
+        })
     }
 
     pub(crate) async fn call_optional(
@@ -567,20 +615,23 @@ pub struct HookRegistryBuilder {
 macro_rules! add_hook_methods {
     ($default:ident, $named:ident, $field:ident, $event:ty) => {
         pub fn $default(&mut self, hook: impl Hook<$event> + 'static) {
-            self.$named("worker.host", HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed, hook);
+            self.$named("worker.host", HookExecutionPolicy::fail_closed(), hook)
+                .expect("host hook policy is valid");
         }
 
         pub fn $named(
             &mut self,
             owner: impl Into<String>,
-            policy: HookFailurePolicy,
+            policy: HookExecutionPolicy,
             hook: impl Hook<$event> + 'static,
-        ) {
+        ) -> Result<(), HookError> {
+            let policy = policy.validate()?;
             self.$field.push(RegisteredHook {
                 owner: owner.into(),
                 policy,
                 hook: Box::new(hook),
             });
+            Ok(())
         }
     };
 }
@@ -706,6 +757,17 @@ impl HookRegistry {
         }
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn record_chain_timeout(&self, lifecycle: &str) {
+        self.record_diagnostic(HookExecutionError {
+            owner: format!("worker.{lifecycle}"),
+            policy: HookFailurePolicy::AttentionRequired,
+            source: HookError::new(
+                HookErrorCategory::Timeout,
+                "hook chain exceeded its host-enforced lifecycle deadline",
+            ),
+        });
+    }
+
     pub fn diagnostics(&self) -> Vec<HookExecutionError> {
         self.diagnostics
             .lock()
@@ -899,28 +961,31 @@ mod tests {
                 call_id: None,
             },
             kind: SessionRewriteKind::Compact,
-            current_history: Vec::new(),
-            current_history_len: 8,
+            current_history: HookHistoryRange::default(),
         }
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn rewrite_denials_are_resolved_by_owner_not_registration_order() {
         let mut builder = HookRegistryBuilder::new();
-        builder.add_named_before_session_rewrite(
-            "z-feature",
-            HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed,
-            RewriteHook {
-                action: BeforeSessionRewriteAction::Deny("z denied".into()),
-            },
-        );
-        builder.add_named_before_session_rewrite(
-            "a-feature",
-            HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed,
-            RewriteHook {
-                action: BeforeSessionRewriteAction::Deny("a denied".into()),
-            },
-        );
+        builder
+            .add_named_before_session_rewrite(
+                "z-feature",
+                HookExecutionPolicy::fail_closed(),
+                RewriteHook {
+                    action: BeforeSessionRewriteAction::Deny("z denied".into()),
+                },
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+        builder
+            .add_named_before_session_rewrite(
+                "a-feature",
+                HookExecutionPolicy::fail_closed(),
+                RewriteHook {
+                    action: BeforeSessionRewriteAction::Deny("a denied".into()),
+                },
+            )
+            .unwrap();
 
         assert_eq!(
             builder
@@ -935,11 +1000,13 @@ mod tests {
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn hook_failure_policy_is_applied_at_the_registry_boundary() {
         let mut fail_open = HookRegistryBuilder::new();
-        fail_open.add_named_before_session_rewrite(
-            "feature",
-            HookFailurePolicy::FailOpenWithDiagnostic,
-            FailingRewriteHook,
-        );
+        fail_open
+            .add_named_before_session_rewrite(
+                "feature",
+                HookExecutionPolicy::new(HookFailurePolicy::FailOpenWithDiagnostic, 30_000),
+                FailingRewriteHook,
+            )
+            .unwrap();
         let fail_open = fail_open.build();
         assert_eq!(
             fail_open
@@ -951,11 +1018,13 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(fail_open.diagnostics().len(), 1);
 
         let mut fail_closed = HookRegistryBuilder::new();
-        fail_closed.add_named_before_session_rewrite(
-            "feature",
-            HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed,
-            FailingRewriteHook,
-        );
+        fail_closed
+            .add_named_before_session_rewrite(
+                "feature",
+                HookExecutionPolicy::fail_closed(),
+                FailingRewriteHook,
+            )
+            .unwrap();
         let error = fail_closed
             .build()
             .before_session_rewrite(&rewrite_context())
@@ -964,6 +1033,54 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(error.source.category, HookErrorCategory::Dependency);
     }
 
+    struct NeverReturns;
+
+    #[async_trait]
+    impl Hook<BeforeSessionRewrite> for NeverReturns {
+        async fn call(
+            &self,
+            _input: &BeforeSessionRewriteContext,
+        ) -> Result<BeforeSessionRewriteAction, HookError> {
+            std::future::pending().await
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn hook_execution_deadline_cancels_a_non_cooperative_callback() {
+        let mut builder = HookRegistryBuilder::new();
+        builder
+            .add_named_before_session_rewrite(
+                "feature",
+                HookExecutionPolicy::new(HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed, 10),
+                NeverReturns,
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+        let registry = builder.build();
+
+        let error = tokio::time::timeout(
+            std::time::Duration::from_millis(100),
+            registry.before_session_rewrite(&rewrite_context()),
+        )
+        .await
+        .expect("host hook deadline must terminate the callback")
+        .unwrap_err();
+        assert_eq!(error.source.category, HookErrorCategory::Timeout);
+        assert_eq!(registry.diagnostics().len(), 1);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn invalid_hook_execution_budget_is_rejected_before_registration() {
+        let mut builder = HookRegistryBuilder::new();
+        let error = builder
+            .add_named_before_session_rewrite(
+                "feature",
+                HookExecutionPolicy::new(HookFailurePolicy::FailClosed, 0),
+                NeverReturns,
+            )
+            .unwrap_err();
+        assert_eq!(error.category, HookErrorCategory::InvalidInput);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn hook_diagnostics_are_utf8_bounded() {
         let error = HookError::new(HookErrorCategory::Internal, "界".repeat(1_000));
diff --git a/crates/worker/src/ipc/interceptor.rs b/crates/worker/src/ipc/interceptor.rs
index 0e5c5b40..30bf4e12 100644
--- a/crates/worker/src/ipc/interceptor.rs
+++ b/crates/worker/src/ipc/interceptor.rs
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ use crate::compact::usage_tracker::UsageTracker;
 use session_store::SystemItem;
 
 use crate::hook::{
-    HookPostToolAction, HookPreRequestAction, HookPreToolAction, HookPromptAction, HookRegistry,
-    HookTurnEndAction, PreRequestContext, PreRequestInfo, PromptSubmitInfo, SystemItemAppendHandle,
-    ToolCallSummary, ToolResultSummary, TurnEndInfo,
+    HookEventKind, HookPostToolAction, HookPreRequestAction, HookPreToolAction, HookPromptAction,
+    HookRegistry, HookTurnEndAction, PreRequestContext, PreRequestInfo, PromptSubmitInfo,
+    RegisteredHook, SystemItemAppendHandle, ToolCallSummary, ToolResultSummary, TurnEndInfo,
 };
 use crate::ipc::notify_buffer::{NotifyBuffer, build_system_item_with_provenance};
 use crate::prompt::catalog::PromptCatalog;
@@ -43,6 +43,32 @@ use agen::token_counter::total_tokens;
 
 /// Maximum number of bytes copied into `TurnEndInfo::final_text_preview`.
 const FINAL_TEXT_PREVIEW_LIMIT: usize = 512;
+const INLINE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(30);
+
+async fn call_hook_before_deadline<E: HookEventKind>(
+    hook: &RegisteredHook<E>,
+    input: &E::Input,
+    deadline: tokio::time::Instant,
+) -> Result<Option<E::Output>, InterceptorError> {
+    let remaining = deadline.saturating_duration_since(tokio::time::Instant::now());
+    if remaining.is_zero() {
+        return Err(InterceptorError::new(
+            InterceptorErrorCategory::Policy,
+            "Worker hook chain exceeded its host-enforced lifecycle deadline",
+        ));
+    }
+    tokio::time::timeout(remaining, hook.call_optional(input))
+        .await
+        .map_err(|_| {
+            InterceptorError::new(
+                InterceptorErrorCategory::Policy,
+                "Worker hook chain exceeded its host-enforced lifecycle deadline",
+            )
+        })?
+        .map_err(|error| {
+            InterceptorError::new(InterceptorErrorCategory::Dependency, error.to_string())
+        })
+}
 
 pub(crate) struct WorkerInterceptor {
     registry: Arc<HookRegistry>,
@@ -246,12 +272,10 @@ impl Interceptor<SessionHistoryMetadata> for WorkerInterceptor {
             input_text: extract_message_text(item).unwrap_or_default(),
             turn_index,
         };
+        let deadline = tokio::time::Instant::now() + INLINE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT;
         let mut cancellations = Vec::new();
         for hook in &self.registry.on_prompt_submit {
-            let Some(action) = hook.call_optional(&info).await.map_err(|error| {
-                InterceptorError::new(InterceptorErrorCategory::Dependency, error.to_string())
-            })?
-            else {
+            let Some(action) = call_hook_before_deadline(hook, &info, deadline).await? else {
                 continue;
             };
             if let HookPromptAction::Cancel(reason) = action {
@@ -354,12 +378,11 @@ impl Interceptor<SessionHistoryMetadata> for WorkerInterceptor {
             .as_ref()
             .map(|_| SystemItemAppendHandle::new(Arc::clone(&pending_hook_system_items)));
         let hook_context = PreRequestContext::new(info, system_item_sink);
+        let deadline = tokio::time::Instant::now() + INLINE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT;
         let mut cancellations = Vec::new();
         let mut should_yield = false;
         for hook in &self.registry.pre_llm_request {
-            let Some(action) = hook.call_optional(&hook_context).await.map_err(|error| {
-                InterceptorError::new(InterceptorErrorCategory::Dependency, error.to_string())
-            })?
+            let Some(action) = call_hook_before_deadline(hook, &hook_context, deadline).await?
             else {
                 continue;
             };
@@ -431,14 +454,12 @@ impl Interceptor<SessionHistoryMetadata> for WorkerInterceptor {
             tool_name: info.call.name.clone(),
             arguments: info.call.input.clone(),
         };
+        let deadline = tokio::time::Instant::now() + INLINE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT;
         let mut aborts = Vec::new();
         let mut should_pause = false;
         let mut denials = Vec::new();
         for hook in &self.registry.pre_tool_call {
-            let Some(action) = hook.call_optional(&summary).await.map_err(|error| {
-                InterceptorError::new(InterceptorErrorCategory::Dependency, error.to_string())
-            })?
-            else {
+            let Some(action) = call_hook_before_deadline(hook, &summary, deadline).await? else {
                 continue;
             };
 
@@ -479,12 +500,10 @@ impl Interceptor<SessionHistoryMetadata> for WorkerInterceptor {
                 attachments: Vec::new(),
             },
         };
+        let deadline = tokio::time::Instant::now() + INLINE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT;
         let mut aborts = Vec::new();
         for hook in &self.registry.post_tool_call {
-            let Some(action) = hook.call_optional(&summary).await.map_err(|error| {
-                InterceptorError::new(InterceptorErrorCategory::Dependency, error.to_string())
-            })?
-            else {
+            let Some(action) = call_hook_before_deadline(hook, &summary, deadline).await? else {
                 continue;
             };
 
@@ -516,12 +535,10 @@ impl Interceptor<SessionHistoryMetadata> for WorkerInterceptor {
             tool_calls_count: self.tool_calls_this_turn.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             final_text_preview,
         };
+        let deadline = tokio::time::Instant::now() + INLINE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT;
         let mut should_pause = false;
         for hook in &self.registry.on_turn_end {
-            let Some(action) = hook.call_optional(&info).await.map_err(|error| {
-                InterceptorError::new(InterceptorErrorCategory::Dependency, error.to_string())
-            })?
-            else {
+            let Some(action) = call_hook_before_deadline(hook, &info, deadline).await? else {
                 continue;
             };
             if matches!(action, HookTurnEndAction::Pause) {
diff --git a/crates/worker/src/lib.rs b/crates/worker/src/lib.rs
index 7db1f37d..d5f7f8d1 100644
--- a/crates/worker/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/worker/src/lib.rs
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ pub use prompt::system::{SystemPromptContext, SystemPromptError, SystemPromptTem
 pub use protocol::{ErrorCode, Event, Method, TurnResult, WorkerStatus};
 pub use runtime::dir::RuntimeDir;
 pub use segment_log_sink::SegmentLogSink;
+pub use session_capture::SessionEntryRef;
 pub use session_history::{
     SessionHistoryDerivation, SessionHistoryEntryId, SessionHistoryMetadata,
     WorkerHistoryProvenance, WorkerSubjectSnapshot,
diff --git a/crates/worker/src/session_capture.rs b/crates/worker/src/session_capture.rs
index 19026fb8..92f14518 100644
--- a/crates/worker/src/session_capture.rs
+++ b/crates/worker/src/session_capture.rs
@@ -23,14 +23,14 @@ const OVERVIEW_ANCHOR_STRIDE: usize = 8;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(transparent)]
-pub(crate) struct SessionEntryRef(String);
+pub struct SessionEntryRef(String);
 
 impl SessionEntryRef {
-    pub(crate) fn from_history_entry_id(entry_id: &crate::SessionHistoryEntryId) -> Self {
+    pub fn from_history_entry_id(entry_id: &crate::SessionHistoryEntryId) -> Self {
         Self(format!("E{}", entry_id.0))
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn parse(value: &str) -> Option<Self> {
+    pub fn parse(value: &str) -> Option<Self> {
         let suffix = value.strip_prefix('E')?;
         if suffix.is_empty()
             || suffix.len() > 64
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ impl SessionEntryRef {
         Some(Self(value.to_string()))
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn as_str(&self) -> &str {
+    pub fn as_str(&self) -> &str {
         &self.0
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/worker/src/worker.rs b/crates/worker/src/worker.rs
index 582a6a81..6b944d39 100644
--- a/crates/worker/src/worker.rs
+++ b/crates/worker/src/worker.rs
@@ -51,10 +51,10 @@ use crate::feature::{
     FeatureRegistryInstallReport, dedupe_instruction_contributions,
 };
 use crate::hook::{
-    BeforeSessionRewriteAction, BeforeSessionRewriteContext, Hook, HookInvocationContext,
-    HookRegistry, HookRegistryBuilder, OnPromptSubmit, OnTurnEnd, PostToolCall, PreLlmRequest,
-    PreToolCall, RunCommittedContext, RunCommittedExit, RunExitContext, SessionRewriteKind,
-    WorkerStoppingContext,
+    BeforeSessionRewriteAction, BeforeSessionRewriteContext, Hook, HookHistoryRange,
+    HookInvocationContext, HookRegistry, HookRegistryBuilder, OnPromptSubmit, OnTurnEnd,
+    PostToolCall, PreLlmRequest, PreToolCall, RunCommittedContext, RunCommittedExit,
+    RunExitContext, SessionRewriteKind, WorkerStoppingContext,
 };
 use crate::in_flight::InFlightEvents;
 use crate::internal_worker::{
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ const COMPACTION_EXTENSION_DOMAIN: &str = "yoi.compaction";
 const LARGE_PASTE_INLINE_MAX_BYTES: usize = 32 * 1024;
 const WORKER_ORCHESTRATION_INSTRUCTION_ID: &str = "worker.orchestration";
 const WORKER_ORCHESTRATION_PROMPT_REF: &str = "common.worker_orchestration";
+const FEATURE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(30);
 
 fn hook_run_exit(exit: &EngineRunExit) -> RunCommittedExit {
     match exit {
@@ -1281,8 +1282,20 @@ impl<C: LlmClient + 'static, St: Store + 'static> Worker<C, St> {
                 invocation: self.hook_invocation_context(None),
                 reason: reason.into(),
             };
-            if let Err(error) = hooks.on_worker_stopping(&context).await {
-                tracing::warn!(error = %error, "worker-stopping hook requires attention");
+            match tokio::time::timeout(
+                FEATURE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT,
+                hooks.on_worker_stopping(&context),
+            )
+            .await
+            {
+                Ok(Ok(())) => {}
+                Ok(Err(error)) => {
+                    tracing::warn!(error = %error, "worker-stopping hook requires attention");
+                }
+                Err(_) => {
+                    hooks.record_chain_timeout("worker-stopping");
+                    tracing::warn!("worker-stopping hook chain exceeded its host deadline");
+                }
             }
         }
         if let Err(error) = self.feature_background_tasks.shutdown().await {
@@ -1860,6 +1873,19 @@ impl<C: LlmClient + 'static, St: Store> Worker<C, St> {
         self.engine.as_ref().expect("worker taken during run")
     }
 
+    fn hook_history_range(&self) -> HookHistoryRange {
+        let entries = self.session.history().entries();
+        HookHistoryRange {
+            first_entry_ref: entries.first().map(|entry| {
+                crate::SessionEntryRef::from_history_entry_id(&entry.annotation.entry_id)
+            }),
+            last_entry_ref: entries.last().map(|entry| {
+                crate::SessionEntryRef::from_history_entry_id(&entry.annotation.entry_id)
+            }),
+            entry_count: entries.len(),
+        }
+    }
+
     fn hook_invocation_context(&self, run_id: Option<String>) -> HookInvocationContext {
         HookInvocationContext {
             workspace_id: self
@@ -3444,8 +3470,17 @@ impl<C: LlmClient + 'static, St: Store> Worker<C, St> {
                 exit: hook_exit,
                 history_len: self.session.history().len(),
             };
-            if let Err(error) = hooks.on_run_exit(&context).await {
-                tracing::warn!(error = %error, "run-exit hook failed; preserving terminal commit");
+            match tokio::time::timeout(FEATURE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT, hooks.on_run_exit(&context))
+                .await
+            {
+                Ok(Ok(())) => {}
+                Ok(Err(error)) => {
+                    tracing::warn!(error = %error, "run-exit hook failed; preserving terminal commit");
+                }
+                Err(_) => {
+                    hooks.record_chain_timeout("run-exit");
+                    tracing::warn!("run-exit hook chain exceeded its host deadline");
+                }
             }
         }
         if matches!(&result, EngineRunExit::Interrupted(_)) {
@@ -3457,11 +3492,19 @@ impl<C: LlmClient + 'static, St: Store> Worker<C, St> {
             let context = RunCommittedContext {
                 invocation: committed_invocation.clone(),
                 exit: hook_exit,
-                committed_history: self.session.history().entries().to_vec(),
-                committed_history_len: self.session.history().len(),
+                committed_history: self.hook_history_range(),
             };
-            if let Err(error) = hooks.on_run_committed(&context).await {
-                tracing::warn!(error = %error, "run-committed hook requires attention");
+            match tokio::time::timeout(FEATURE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT, hooks.on_run_committed(&context))
+                .await
+            {
+                Ok(Ok(())) => {}
+                Ok(Err(error)) => {
+                    tracing::warn!(error = %error, "run-committed hook requires attention");
+                }
+                Err(_) => {
+                    hooks.record_chain_timeout("run-committed");
+                    tracing::warn!("run-committed hook chain exceeded its host deadline");
+                }
             }
         }
         if let Err(error) = self
@@ -3659,14 +3702,21 @@ impl<C: LlmClient + 'static, St: Store> Worker<C, St> {
             let context = BeforeSessionRewriteContext {
                 invocation: self.hook_invocation_context(None),
                 kind,
-                current_history: self.session.history().entries().to_vec(),
-                current_history_len: self.session.history().len(),
+                current_history: self.hook_history_range(),
             };
-            match hooks
-                .before_session_rewrite(&context)
-                .await
-                .map_err(|error| WorkerError::FeatureLifecycle(error.to_string()))?
-            {
+            let action = tokio::time::timeout(
+                FEATURE_HOOK_CHAIN_TIMEOUT,
+                hooks.before_session_rewrite(&context),
+            )
+            .await
+            .map_err(|_| {
+                hooks.record_chain_timeout("before-session-rewrite");
+                WorkerError::FeatureLifecycle(
+                    "session-rewrite hook chain exceeded its host deadline".to_string(),
+                )
+            })?
+            .map_err(|error| WorkerError::FeatureLifecycle(error.to_string()))?;
+            match action {
                 BeforeSessionRewriteAction::Continue => {}
                 BeforeSessionRewriteAction::Deny(reason) => {
                     return Err(WorkerError::FeatureLifecycle(reason));