diff --git a/apps/extension/src/content/HelpRequestOverlay.tsx b/apps/extension/src/content/HelpRequestOverlay.tsx
index 7da83fb..e3f867d 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/content/HelpRequestOverlay.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/content/HelpRequestOverlay.tsx
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ export interface HelpRequestData {
   prompt: string;
   /** Custom overlay title; falls back to i18n when omitted. */
   title?: string;
+  /** Full task UI on the subject tab; compact status UI on related tabs. */
+  displayMode?: "full" | "compact";
   /** CSS selectors to scroll to + flash-highlight. */
   selectors: string[];
   onContinue: (note: string) => void;
@@ -174,6 +176,8 @@ function measure(selectors: string[]): Box[] {
 
 export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
   const { t } = useTranslation("extension");
+  const isCompact = request?.displayMode === "compact";
+  const effectiveSelectors = isCompact ? [] : (request?.selectors ?? []);
   const [note, setNote] = useState("");
   const [collapsed, setCollapsed] = useState(false);
   const [boxes, setBoxes] = useState<Box[]>([]);
@@ -207,8 +211,9 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
   // Scroll the first matched target into view once per distinct request id.
   useLayoutEffect(() => {
     if (!request) return;
+    if (isCompact) return;
     if (lastScrolledIdRef.current === request.id) return;
-    for (const sel of request.selectors) {
+    for (const sel of effectiveSelectors) {
       const el = querySelectorSafe(sel);
       if (el) {
         lastScrolledIdRef.current = request.id;
@@ -216,7 +221,7 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
         break;
       }
     }
-  }, [request]);
+  }, [request, isCompact, effectiveSelectors]);
 
   // Keep highlight boxes aligned with the page as it scrolls / resizes.
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -225,7 +230,7 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
       return;
     }
     const update = () => {
-      const nextBoxes = measure(request.selectors);
+      const nextBoxes = measure(effectiveSelectors);
       setBoxes((prev) => (boxesEqual(prev, nextBoxes) ? prev : nextBoxes));
     };
     update();
@@ -237,7 +242,7 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
       window.removeEventListener("resize", update);
       window.clearInterval(interval);
     };
-  }, [request]);
+  }, [request, effectiveSelectors]);
 
   const onHeaderPointerDown = useCallback(
     (e: ReactPointerEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
@@ -294,8 +299,12 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
       setPanelPos(null);
       return;
     }
+    if (isCompact) {
+      setPanelPos(null);
+      return;
+    }
     if (userMovedRef.current) return;
-    const measured = boxes.length > 0 ? boxes : measure(request.selectors);
+    const measured = boxes.length > 0 ? boxes : measure(effectiveSelectors);
     const anchor = unionBox(measured);
     const banner = bannerRef.current;
     if (!anchor || !banner) {
@@ -319,7 +328,7 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
     }
     const nextPos = placePanel(anchor, panelW, panelH, placementRef.current.placement);
     setPanelPos((prev) => (panelPosEqual(prev, nextPos) ? prev : nextPos));
-  }, [request, boxes, collapsed]);
+  }, [request, boxes, collapsed, isCompact, effectiveSelectors]);
 
   if (!request) return null;
 
@@ -342,6 +351,8 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
           z-index: 2147483647;
           display: flex;
           flex-direction: column;
+          justify-content: flex-start;
+          min-height: 0;
           gap: 10px;
           width: var(--bsk-help-banner-width);
           max-width: calc(100vw - ${VIEWPORT_MARGIN * 2}px);
@@ -359,16 +370,25 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
         .bsk-help-banner[data-collapsed="true"] {
           gap: 0;
           width: var(--bsk-help-banner-width);
-          padding: 10px 12px;
+          padding: 12px;
+        }
+
+        .bsk-help-banner[data-display-mode="compact"] {
+          width: min(360px, calc(100vw - ${VIEWPORT_MARGIN * 2}px));
+          padding: 12px 14px;
+          gap: 0;
+          border-radius: 12px;
         }
 
         .bsk-help-drag-strip {
-          flex-shrink: 0;
+          position: absolute;
+          top: 6px;
+          left: 0;
+          right: 0;
           display: flex;
           align-items: center;
           justify-content: center;
           height: 12px;
-          margin: -8px 0 -10px;
           cursor: grab;
           user-select: none;
           touch-action: none;
@@ -395,15 +415,20 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
         }
 
         .bsk-help-banner[data-collapsed="true"] .bsk-help-drag-strip {
-          margin: -6px 0 -8px;
+          top: 4px;
         }
 
         .bsk-help-header {
+          flex-shrink: 0;
           display: flex;
           align-items: center;
           gap: 10px;
         }
 
+        .bsk-help-banner[data-display-mode="compact"] .bsk-help-header {
+          gap: 8px;
+        }
+
         .bsk-help-title {
           flex: 1 1 auto;
           min-width: 0;
@@ -414,31 +439,34 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
           color: #111;
         }
 
+        .bsk-help-compact-title {
+          flex: 1 1 auto;
+          min-width: 0;
+          overflow: hidden;
+          text-overflow: ellipsis;
+          white-space: nowrap;
+          font-size: 13px;
+          font-weight: 500;
+          color: #374151;
+        }
+
         .bsk-help-banner[data-collapsed="true"] .bsk-help-title {
           white-space: nowrap;
         }
 
         .bsk-help-header-actions {
           flex-shrink: 0;
-          display: flex;
+          display: none;
           align-items: center;
           gap: 10px;
           margin-left: auto;
           overflow: hidden;
-          max-width: 0;
-          opacity: 0;
-          transform: translateX(8px);
-          pointer-events: none;
-          transition:
-            max-width var(--bsk-help-duration) var(--bsk-help-ease),
-            opacity 220ms var(--bsk-help-ease),
-            transform var(--bsk-help-duration) var(--bsk-help-ease);
         }
 
         .bsk-help-banner[data-collapsed="true"] .bsk-help-header-actions {
+          display: flex;
           max-width: 280px;
           opacity: 1;
-          transform: translateX(0);
           pointer-events: auto;
         }
 
@@ -471,15 +499,13 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
         }
 
         .bsk-help-body {
-          display: grid;
-          grid-template-rows: 1fr;
+          display: block;
+          flex-shrink: 0;
           min-width: 0;
-          transition: grid-template-rows var(--bsk-help-duration) var(--bsk-help-ease);
         }
 
         .bsk-help-banner[data-collapsed="true"] .bsk-help-body {
           position: absolute;
-          grid-template-rows: 0fr;
           width: 0;
           height: 0;
           overflow: hidden;
@@ -528,6 +554,7 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
         .bsk-help-footer-actions {
           display: flex;
           justify-content: flex-end;
+          flex-wrap: wrap;
           gap: 10px;
         }
 
@@ -539,7 +566,8 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
           font-size: 13px;
           font-weight: 500;
           color: #4b5563;
-          flex-shrink: 0;
+          min-width: 0;
+          white-space: normal;
         }
 
         .bsk-help-btn-continue {
@@ -550,16 +578,30 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
           font-size: 13px;
           font-weight: 600;
           color: #fff;
-          flex-shrink: 0;
+          min-width: 0;
+          white-space: normal;
         }
 
         .bsk-help-header-actions .bsk-help-btn-cancel,
         .bsk-help-header-actions .bsk-help-btn-continue {
           padding: 6px 12px;
+          white-space: nowrap;
         }
 
         .bsk-help-header-actions .bsk-help-btn-continue {
           padding: 6px 14px;
+          max-width: 180px;
+        }
+
+        .bsk-help-banner[data-display-mode="compact"] .bsk-help-header-actions {
+          display: flex;
+          max-width: none;
+        }
+
+        .bsk-help-banner[data-display-mode="compact"] .bsk-help-header-actions .bsk-help-btn-cancel,
+        .bsk-help-banner[data-display-mode="compact"] .bsk-help-header-actions .bsk-help-btn-continue {
+          padding: 6px 10px;
+          font-size: 12px;
         }
 
         .bsk-help-footer-actions .bsk-help-btn-cancel {
@@ -584,29 +626,31 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
         }
       `}</style>
 
-      {boxes.map((b, i) => (
-        <div
-          // biome-ignore lint/suspicious/noArrayIndexKey: boxes are positional
-          key={i}
-          data-slot="help-highlight"
-          style={{
-            position: "fixed",
-            top: b.top,
-            left: b.left,
-            width: b.width,
-            height: b.height,
-            borderRadius: 6,
-            zIndex: 2147483646,
-            pointerEvents: "none",
-            animation: "bsk-help-flash 1.2s ease-in-out infinite",
-          }}
-        />
-      ))}
+      {!isCompact &&
+        boxes.map((b, i) => (
+          <div
+            // biome-ignore lint/suspicious/noArrayIndexKey: boxes are positional
+            key={i}
+            data-slot="help-highlight"
+            style={{
+              position: "fixed",
+              top: b.top,
+              left: b.left,
+              width: b.width,
+              height: b.height,
+              borderRadius: 6,
+              zIndex: 2147483646,
+              pointerEvents: "none",
+              animation: "bsk-help-flash 1.2s ease-in-out infinite",
+            }}
+          />
+        ))}
 
       <div
         ref={bannerRef}
         data-slot="help-request-banner"
         data-collapsed={collapsed ? "true" : "false"}
+        data-display-mode={isCompact ? "compact" : "full"}
         data-anchored={panelPos ? "true" : "false"}
         data-dragging={dragging ? "true" : "false"}
         data-placement={panelPos?.placement}
@@ -629,15 +673,17 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
               : undefined
         }
       >
-        <div
-          data-slot="help-drag-handle"
-          className="bsk-help-drag-strip"
-          role="img"
-          aria-label={t("helpRequest.dragHandle")}
-          onPointerDown={onHeaderPointerDown}
-        >
-          <span className="bsk-help-drag-pill" aria-hidden />
-        </div>
+        {!isCompact && (
+          <div
+            data-slot="help-drag-handle"
+            className="bsk-help-drag-strip"
+            role="img"
+            aria-label={t("helpRequest.dragHandle")}
+            onPointerDown={onHeaderPointerDown}
+          >
+            <span className="bsk-help-drag-pill" aria-hidden />
+          </div>
+        )}
 
         <div className="bsk-help-header">
           <img
@@ -645,77 +691,87 @@ export function HelpRequestOverlay({ request }: Props) {
             alt="browser-skill"
             style={{ width: 22, height: 22, borderRadius: 4 }}
           />
-          <span className="bsk-help-title">{request.title ?? t("helpRequest.title")}</span>
-          <div className="bsk-help-header-actions" aria-hidden={!collapsed}>
-            <button
-              type="button"
-              data-slot={collapsed ? "help-cancel-button" : undefined}
-              className="bsk-help-btn-cancel"
-              tabIndex={collapsed ? 0 : -1}
-              onClick={() => request.onCancel()}
-            >
-              {t("helpRequest.cancel")}
-            </button>
+          {isCompact ? (
+            <span className="bsk-help-compact-title">{t("helpRequest.compactStatus")}</span>
+          ) : (
+            <span className="bsk-help-title">{request.title ?? t("helpRequest.title")}</span>
+          )}
+          {!isCompact && (
+            <div className="bsk-help-header-actions" aria-hidden={!collapsed}>
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                data-slot={collapsed ? "help-cancel-button" : undefined}
+                className="bsk-help-btn-cancel"
+                tabIndex={collapsed ? 0 : -1}
+                onClick={() => request.onCancel()}
+              >
+                {t("helpRequest.cancel")}
+              </button>
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                data-slot={collapsed ? "help-continue-button" : undefined}
+                className="bsk-help-btn-continue"
+                tabIndex={collapsed ? 0 : -1}
+                onClick={() => request.onContinue(note)}
+              >
+                {t("helpRequest.continue")}
+              </button>
+            </div>
+          )}
+          {!isCompact && (
             <button
               type="button"
-              data-slot={collapsed ? "help-continue-button" : undefined}
-              className="bsk-help-btn-continue"
-              tabIndex={collapsed ? 0 : -1}
-              onClick={() => request.onContinue(note)}
+              data-slot="help-collapse-toggle"
+              className="bsk-help-collapse-toggle"
+              aria-label={collapsed ? t("helpRequest.expand") : t("helpRequest.collapse")}
+              aria-expanded={!collapsed}
+              onClick={() => setCollapsed((c) => !c)}
             >
-              {t("helpRequest.continue")}
+              <span className="bsk-help-collapse-icon">
+                <RiArrowDownSLine size={20} aria-hidden />
+              </span>
             </button>
-          </div>
-          <button
-            type="button"
-            data-slot="help-collapse-toggle"
-            className="bsk-help-collapse-toggle"
-            aria-label={collapsed ? t("helpRequest.expand") : t("helpRequest.collapse")}
-            aria-expanded={!collapsed}
-            onClick={() => setCollapsed((c) => !c)}
-          >
-            <span className="bsk-help-collapse-icon">
-              <RiArrowDownSLine size={20} aria-hidden />
-            </span>
-          </button>
+          )}
         </div>
 
-        <div className="bsk-help-body" aria-hidden={collapsed}>
-          <div className="bsk-help-body-inner">
-            <div className="bsk-help-body-content">
-              <p className="bsk-help-prompt">{request.prompt}</p>
-              <input
-                type="text"
-                className="bsk-help-note-input"
-                aria-label={t("helpRequest.noteLabel")}
-                placeholder={t("helpRequest.notePlaceholder")}
-                value={note}
-                tabIndex={collapsed ? -1 : 0}
-                onChange={(e) => setNote(e.target.value)}
-              />
-              <div className="bsk-help-footer-actions">
-                <button
-                  type="button"
-                  data-slot={collapsed ? undefined : "help-cancel-button"}
-                  className="bsk-help-btn-cancel"
-                  tabIndex={collapsed ? -1 : 0}
-                  onClick={() => request.onCancel()}
-                >
-                  {t("helpRequest.cancel")}
-                </button>
-                <button
-                  type="button"
-                  data-slot={collapsed ? undefined : "help-continue-button"}
-                  className="bsk-help-btn-continue"
+        {!isCompact && (
+          <div className="bsk-help-body" aria-hidden={collapsed}>
+            <div className="bsk-help-body-inner">
+              <div className="bsk-help-body-content">
+                <p className="bsk-help-prompt">{request.prompt}</p>
+                <input
+                  type="text"
+                  className="bsk-help-note-input"
+                  aria-label={t("helpRequest.noteLabel")}
+                  placeholder={t("helpRequest.notePlaceholder")}
+                  value={note}
                   tabIndex={collapsed ? -1 : 0}
-                  onClick={() => request.onContinue(note)}
-                >
-                  {t("helpRequest.continue")}
-                </button>
+                  onChange={(e) => setNote(e.target.value)}
+                />
+                <div className="bsk-help-footer-actions">
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    data-slot={collapsed ? undefined : "help-cancel-button"}
+                    className="bsk-help-btn-cancel"
+                    tabIndex={collapsed ? -1 : 0}
+                    onClick={() => request.onCancel()}
+                  >
+                    {t("helpRequest.cancel")}
+                  </button>
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    data-slot={collapsed ? undefined : "help-continue-button"}
+                    className="bsk-help-btn-continue"
+                    tabIndex={collapsed ? -1 : 0}
+                    onClick={() => request.onContinue(note)}
+                  >
+                    {t("helpRequest.continue")}
+                  </button>
+                </div>
               </div>
             </div>
           </div>
-        </div>
+        )}
       </div>
     </>
   );
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/content/__tests__/HelpRequestOverlay.test.tsx b/apps/extension/src/content/__tests__/HelpRequestOverlay.test.tsx
index 828213e..98eba65 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/content/__tests__/HelpRequestOverlay.test.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/content/__tests__/HelpRequestOverlay.test.tsx
@@ -38,6 +38,31 @@ describe("HelpRequestOverlay", () => {
     expect(screen.getByText("Please complete the captcha")).toBeTruthy();
   });
 
+  it("renders a compact status without full request controls", () => {
+    const el = document.createElement("div");
+    el.id = "login";
+    el.getBoundingClientRect = () =>
+      ({ top: 10, left: 10, width: 100, height: 40, right: 110, bottom: 50 }) as DOMRect;
+    document.body.append(el);
+
+    const { container } = renderOverlay(
+      baseRequest({
+        displayMode: "compact",
+        selectors: ["#login"],
+      }),
+    );
+
+    expect(screen.getByText(i18n.t("helpRequest.compactStatus", { ns: "extension" }))).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(screen.queryByText("Please complete the captcha")).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("textbox")).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByLabelText(i18n.t("helpRequest.collapse", { ns: "extension" }))).toBeNull();
+    expect(container.querySelector("[data-slot='help-continue-button']")).toBeNull();
+    expect(container.querySelector("[data-slot='help-cancel-button']")).toBeNull();
+    expect(document.querySelectorAll("[data-slot='help-highlight']").length).toBe(0);
+
+    el.remove();
+  });
+
   it("renders a custom title when provided", () => {
     renderOverlay(baseRequest({ title: "Verify your identity" }));
     expect(screen.getByText("Verify your identity")).toBeTruthy();
@@ -204,6 +229,15 @@ describe("HelpRequestOverlay", () => {
     expect(styles).toContain("width: 0");
   });
 
+  it("uses natural body height in the expanded layout", () => {
+    const { container } = renderOverlay(baseRequest());
+    const styles = overlayStyles(container);
+
+    expect(styles).toMatch(/\.bsk-help-body\s*\{[^}]*display:\s*block;/s);
+    expect(styles).not.toMatch(/\.bsk-help-body\s*\{[^}]*grid-template-rows/s);
+    expect(styles).toMatch(/\.bsk-help-banner\s*\{[^}]*justify-content:\s*flex-start;/s);
+  });
+
   it("keeps the same banner width when collapsed", () => {
     const { container } = renderOverlay(baseRequest());
     const styles = overlayStyles(container);
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/entrypoints/content.ts b/apps/extension/src/entrypoints/content.ts
index d721d70..d92baa8 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/entrypoints/content.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/entrypoints/content.ts
@@ -14,10 +14,14 @@ import {
   type RecordCaptureController,
 } from "@/content/record-capture";
 import {
-  HELP_RESPONSE,
+  HELP_ACK,
+  HELP_FINISH,
+  HELP_QUERY,
+  type HelpAckMessage,
   type HelpCancelMessage,
+  type HelpFinishMessage,
+  type HelpQueryResponse,
   type HelpRequestMessage,
-  type HelpResponseMessage,
   isHelpCancelMessage,
   isHelpRequestMessage,
 } from "@/lib/help-bridge";
@@ -55,8 +59,6 @@ export default defineContentScript({
     if (window.top !== window) return;
 
     const overlays = new OverlayController();
-    let activeHelpRespond: ((outcome: "continued" | "cancelled", note?: string) => void) | null =
-      null;
     let recordCapture: RecordCaptureController | null = null;
     let activeRecordRequestId: string | null = null;
     let reactRoot: ReactDOM.Root | null = null;
@@ -116,8 +118,7 @@ export default defineContentScript({
     function resetAgentOverlayState(sessionId: string) {
       const previousHelp = overlays.resetAgentOverlays(sessionId);
       if (previousHelp) {
-        activeHelpRespond?.("cancelled");
-        activeHelpRespond = null;
+        void sendHelpFinish(previousHelp.id, "cancelled");
       }
       recordCapture?.dispose();
       recordCapture = null;
@@ -156,7 +157,7 @@ export default defineContentScript({
         | OverlayAgentOverlayResetMessage
         | OverlayAutomationBypassMessage,
       _sender: chrome.runtime.MessageSender,
-      sendResponse: (response: BorrowResponseMessage | HelpResponseMessage) => void,
+      sendResponse: (response: BorrowResponseMessage | HelpAckMessage) => void,
     ) => {
       if (isRecordContentMessage(message)) {
         const needsAsync = handleRecordContentMessage(
@@ -220,41 +221,30 @@ export default defineContentScript({
       if (isHelpCancelMessage(message)) {
         const state = overlays.snapshot();
         if (state.activeHelp && state.activeHelp.id === message.requestId) {
-          activeHelpRespond?.("cancelled");
+          overlays.clearAgentHelpRequest(message.requestId);
+          renderOverlay();
         }
         return false;
       }
 
       if (isHelpRequestMessage(message)) {
         const helpMsg = message as HelpRequestMessage;
-        let responded = false;
-        const respond = (outcome: "continued" | "cancelled", note?: string) => {
-          if (responded) return;
-          responded = true;
-          const reply: HelpResponseMessage = {
-            type: HELP_RESPONSE,
-            outcome,
-            ...(note ? { note } : {}),
-          };
-          sendResponse(reply);
-          activeHelpRespond = null;
-          overlays.clearAgentHelpRequest(helpMsg.requestId);
-          renderOverlay();
-        };
         const previousHelp = overlays.setAgentHelpRequest({
           id: helpMsg.requestId,
           prompt: helpMsg.prompt,
           ...(helpMsg.title ? { title: helpMsg.title } : {}),
+          ...(helpMsg.displayMode ? { displayMode: helpMsg.displayMode } : {}),
           selectors: helpMsg.selectors,
-          onContinue: (note: string) => respond("continued", note.trim() ? note : undefined),
-          onCancel: () => respond("cancelled"),
+          onContinue: (note: string) =>
+            void sendHelpFinish(helpMsg.requestId, "continued", note.trim() ? note : undefined),
+          onCancel: () => void sendHelpFinish(helpMsg.requestId, "cancelled"),
         });
-        if (previousHelp) {
-          activeHelpRespond?.("cancelled");
+        if (previousHelp && previousHelp.id !== helpMsg.requestId) {
+          void sendHelpFinish(previousHelp.id, "cancelled");
         }
-        activeHelpRespond = respond;
         renderOverlay();
-        return true; // async sendResponse
+        sendResponse({ type: HELP_ACK, ok: true });
+        return false;
       }
 
       if (message.type === "borrow-request") {
@@ -282,9 +272,60 @@ export default defineContentScript({
       return false;
     };
 
+    async function sendHelpFinish(
+      requestId: string,
+      outcome: "continued" | "cancelled",
+      note?: string,
+    ): Promise<void> {
+      const msg: HelpFinishMessage = {
+        type: HELP_FINISH,
+        requestId,
+        outcome,
+        ...(note ? { note } : {}),
+      };
+      overlays.clearAgentHelpRequest(requestId);
+      renderOverlay();
+      await chrome.runtime.sendMessage(msg).catch((err) => {
+        console.debug("[bsk overlay] help finish failed", err);
+      });
+    }
+
+    function mountHelpRequest(helpMsg: Omit<HelpRequestMessage, "type">): void {
+      overlays.setAgentHelpRequest({
+        id: helpMsg.requestId,
+        prompt: helpMsg.prompt,
+        ...(helpMsg.title ? { title: helpMsg.title } : {}),
+        ...(helpMsg.displayMode ? { displayMode: helpMsg.displayMode } : {}),
+        selectors: helpMsg.selectors,
+        onContinue: (note: string) =>
+          void sendHelpFinish(helpMsg.requestId, "continued", note.trim() ? note : undefined),
+        onCancel: () => void sendHelpFinish(helpMsg.requestId, "cancelled"),
+      });
+    }
+
+    async function queryActiveHelpWithRetry(): Promise<boolean> {
+      for (let attempt = 0; attempt < 6; attempt += 1) {
+        try {
+          const helpQuery = (await chrome.runtime.sendMessage({
+            type: HELP_QUERY,
+          })) as HelpQueryResponse | undefined;
+          if (helpQuery?.active && helpQuery.request) {
+            mountHelpRequest(helpQuery.request);
+            renderOverlay();
+            return true;
+          }
+        } catch (err) {
+          console.debug("[bsk overlay] help query failed", err);
+        }
+        await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, 150));
+      }
+      return false;
+    }
+
     async function syncAgentOverlay(): Promise<void> {
       if (!(await anySessionLive())) return;
       try {
+        const helpActive = await queryActiveHelpWithRetry();
         const reply = (await chrome.runtime.sendMessage({
           kind: OVERLAY_MSG_WHO_AM_I,
         })) as OverlayWhoAmIResponse | undefined;
@@ -319,6 +360,10 @@ export default defineContentScript({
           });
         }
 
+        if (!helpActive && overlays.snapshot().activeHelp === null) {
+          void queryActiveHelpWithRetry();
+        }
+
         overlays.activateAgentSession(reply.sessionId);
         renderOverlay();
       } catch (err) {
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/lib/__tests__/help-bridge.test.ts b/apps/extension/src/lib/__tests__/help-bridge.test.ts
index 1a14283..50b4b81 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/lib/__tests__/help-bridge.test.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/lib/__tests__/help-bridge.test.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,17 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import {
+  HELP_ACK,
   HELP_CANCEL,
+  HELP_FINISH,
+  HELP_QUERY,
   HELP_REQUEST,
   HELP_RESPONSE,
+  isHelpAckMessage,
   isHelpCancelMessage,
+  isHelpFinishMessage,
+  isHelpQueryMessage,
   isHelpRequestMessage,
+  isHelpResponseMessage,
 } from "../help-bridge";
 
 describe("help-bridge", () => {
@@ -12,6 +19,9 @@ describe("help-bridge", () => {
     expect(HELP_REQUEST).toBe("bsk-help-request");
     expect(HELP_RESPONSE).toBe("bsk-help-response");
     expect(HELP_CANCEL).toBe("bsk-help-cancel");
+    expect(HELP_ACK).toBe("bsk-help-ack");
+    expect(HELP_QUERY).toBe("bsk-help-query");
+    expect(HELP_FINISH).toBe("bsk-help-finish");
   });
 
   it("type-guards a help-request message", () => {
@@ -20,6 +30,7 @@ describe("help-bridge", () => {
         type: HELP_REQUEST,
         requestId: "r1",
         prompt: "log in",
+        displayMode: "compact",
         selectors: ["#login"],
         timeoutMs: 1000,
       }),
@@ -55,4 +66,18 @@ describe("help-bridge", () => {
     expect(isHelpCancelMessage({ type: HELP_REQUEST, requestId: "r1" })).toBe(false);
     expect(isHelpCancelMessage(null)).toBe(false);
   });
+
+  it("type-guards lifecycle messages", () => {
+    expect(isHelpAckMessage({ type: HELP_ACK, ok: true })).toBe(true);
+    expect(isHelpQueryMessage({ type: HELP_QUERY })).toBe(true);
+    expect(isHelpFinishMessage({ type: HELP_FINISH, requestId: "r1", outcome: "continued" })).toBe(
+      true,
+    );
+    expect(isHelpResponseMessage({ type: HELP_RESPONSE, outcome: "cancelled", note: "no" })).toBe(
+      true,
+    );
+    expect(isHelpFinishMessage({ type: HELP_FINISH, requestId: "r1", outcome: "weird" })).toBe(
+      false,
+    );
+  });
 });
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/lib/help-bridge.ts b/apps/extension/src/lib/help-bridge.ts
index 6f82b10..b73b45c 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/lib/help-bridge.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/lib/help-bridge.ts
@@ -6,12 +6,15 @@
  * Mirrors the borrow-confirmation message style (see
  * `@/tools/borrow-confirmation`). The background asks a specific tab to
  * enter "help mode" (render HelpRequestOverlay + hide ControlOverlay);
- * the content script replies once the user clicks Continue / Cancel.
+ * the content script acks display, then later reports Done / Cancel.
  */
 
 export const HELP_REQUEST = "bsk-help-request";
 export const HELP_RESPONSE = "bsk-help-response";
 export const HELP_CANCEL = "bsk-help-cancel";
+export const HELP_ACK = "bsk-help-ack";
+export const HELP_QUERY = "bsk-help-query";
+export const HELP_FINISH = "bsk-help-finish";
 
 export interface HelpRequestMessage {
   type: typeof HELP_REQUEST;
@@ -19,11 +22,18 @@ export interface HelpRequestMessage {
   prompt: string;
   /** Custom overlay title; omitted when the extension should use its default. */
   title?: string;
+  /** Full task UI on the subject tab; compact status UI on related tabs. */
+  displayMode?: "full" | "compact";
   /** CSS selectors to scroll to + flash-highlight (may be empty). */
   selectors: string[];
   timeoutMs: number;
 }
 
+export interface HelpAckMessage {
+  type: typeof HELP_ACK;
+  ok: true;
+}
+
 export interface HelpResponseMessage {
   type: typeof HELP_RESPONSE;
   outcome: "continued" | "cancelled";
@@ -35,6 +45,22 @@ export interface HelpCancelMessage {
   requestId: string;
 }
 
+export interface HelpQueryMessage {
+  type: typeof HELP_QUERY;
+}
+
+export interface HelpQueryResponse {
+  active: boolean;
+  request?: Omit<HelpRequestMessage, "type">;
+}
+
+export interface HelpFinishMessage {
+  type: typeof HELP_FINISH;
+  requestId: string;
+  outcome: "continued" | "cancelled";
+  note?: string;
+}
+
 export function isHelpRequestMessage(msg: unknown): msg is HelpRequestMessage {
   if (typeof msg !== "object" || msg === null) {
     return false;
@@ -45,6 +71,7 @@ export function isHelpRequestMessage(msg: unknown): msg is HelpRequestMessage {
     typeof m.requestId === "string" &&
     typeof m.prompt === "string" &&
     (m.title === undefined || typeof m.title === "string") &&
+    (m.displayMode === undefined || m.displayMode === "full" || m.displayMode === "compact") &&
     Array.isArray(m.selectors) &&
     m.selectors.every((selector) => typeof selector === "string") &&
     typeof m.timeoutMs === "number"
@@ -58,3 +85,36 @@ export function isHelpCancelMessage(msg: unknown): msg is HelpCancelMessage {
   const m = msg as Record<string, unknown>;
   return m.type === HELP_CANCEL && typeof m.requestId === "string";
 }
+
+export function isHelpResponseMessage(msg: unknown): msg is HelpResponseMessage {
+  if (typeof msg !== "object" || msg === null) return false;
+  const m = msg as Record<string, unknown>;
+  return (
+    m.type === HELP_RESPONSE &&
+    (m.outcome === "continued" || m.outcome === "cancelled") &&
+    (m.note === undefined || typeof m.note === "string")
+  );
+}
+
+export function isHelpAckMessage(msg: unknown): msg is HelpAckMessage {
+  if (typeof msg !== "object" || msg === null) return false;
+  const m = msg as Record<string, unknown>;
+  return m.type === HELP_ACK && m.ok === true;
+}
+
+export function isHelpQueryMessage(msg: unknown): msg is HelpQueryMessage {
+  if (typeof msg !== "object" || msg === null) return false;
+  const m = msg as Record<string, unknown>;
+  return m.type === HELP_QUERY;
+}
+
+export function isHelpFinishMessage(msg: unknown): msg is HelpFinishMessage {
+  if (typeof msg !== "object" || msg === null) return false;
+  const m = msg as Record<string, unknown>;
+  return (
+    m.type === HELP_FINISH &&
+    typeof m.requestId === "string" &&
+    (m.outcome === "continued" || m.outcome === "cancelled") &&
+    (m.note === undefined || typeof m.note === "string")
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/human-loop.test.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/human-loop.test.ts
index 9375f54..9f6e9c7 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/human-loop.test.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/human-loop.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,53 @@
-import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
 import type { RequestHelpParams } from "@/transport/types";
-import { handleRequestHelp, type RequestHelpDeps } from "../human-loop";
+import { handleRequestHelp, type RequestHelpDeps, resetHelpLifecycleForTests } from "../human-loop";
+
+function chromeEvent<T extends (...args: never[]) => unknown>() {
+  const listeners = new Set<T>();
+  return {
+    addListener: vi.fn((listener: T) => {
+      listeners.add(listener);
+    }),
+    removeListener: vi.fn((listener: T) => {
+      listeners.delete(listener);
+    }),
+    emit: (...args: Parameters<T>) => {
+      for (const listener of [...listeners]) listener(...args);
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function installHelpLifecycleChrome() {
+  const runtimeOnMessage =
+    chromeEvent<
+      (
+        message: unknown,
+        sender: chrome.runtime.MessageSender,
+        sendResponse: (response: unknown) => void,
+      ) => unknown
+    >();
+  const tabsOnActivated = chromeEvent<(activeInfo: chrome.tabs.TabActiveInfo) => unknown>();
+  const tabsOnCreated = chromeEvent<(tab: chrome.tabs.Tab) => unknown>();
+  const tabsOnUpdated =
+    chromeEvent<(tabId: number, changeInfo: chrome.tabs.TabChangeInfo) => unknown>();
+  const webNavigationOnCompleted =
+    chromeEvent<(details: chrome.webNavigation.WebNavigationFramedCallbackDetails) => unknown>();
+
+  vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+    runtime: { onMessage: runtimeOnMessage },
+    tabs: { onActivated: tabsOnActivated, onCreated: tabsOnCreated, onUpdated: tabsOnUpdated },
+    webNavigation: { onCompleted: webNavigationOnCompleted },
+  });
+
+  return {
+    runtimeOnMessage,
+    tabsOnActivated,
+    tabsOnCreated,
+    tabsOnUpdated,
+    webNavigationOnCompleted,
+  };
+}
 
 function fakeManager(sessionId: string, agentWindowId: number, tabId: number) {
   const mgr = {
@@ -27,14 +73,19 @@ function baseDeps(over: Partial<RequestHelpDeps> = {}): RequestHelpDeps {
     windows: { update: vi.fn(async () => ({}) as never) },
     activateTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
     sendToTab: vi.fn(async () => ({ type: "bsk-help-response", outcome: "continued", note: "ok" })),
-    watchTabNavigation: () => () => {},
     cdp: { send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) } as unknown as RequestHelpDeps["cdp"],
     notifications: null,
+    autoAttachLifecycle: false,
     ...over,
   };
 }
 
 describe("handleRequestHelp", () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    resetHelpLifecycleForTests();
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+  });
+
   it("rejects unknown session", async () => {
     const res = await handleRequestHelp(
       fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
@@ -78,22 +129,29 @@ describe("handleRequestHelp", () => {
     expect(sentMsg.title).toBeUndefined();
   });
 
-  it("returns navigated when the tab navigates during the wait", async () => {
-    const unwatch = vi.fn();
+  it("does not complete merely because the tab navigates during the wait", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
     const deps = baseDeps({
       sendToTab: vi.fn(() => new Promise(() => {})),
-      watchTabNavigation: vi.fn((_tabId, cb) => {
-        queueMicrotask(() => cb());
-        return unwatch;
-      }),
     });
-    const res = await handleRequestHelp(
-      fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
-      baseParams({ tab_id: 5 }),
-      deps,
-    );
-    expect(res).toMatchObject({ outcome: "navigated", tab_id: 5 });
-    expect(unwatch).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    try {
+      const pending = handleRequestHelp(
+        fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
+        baseParams({ tab_id: 5, timeout_ms: 10 }),
+        deps,
+      );
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(5);
+      let settled = false;
+      void pending.then(() => {
+        settled = true;
+      });
+      await Promise.resolve();
+      expect(settled).toBe(false);
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(10);
+      await expect(pending).resolves.toMatchObject({ outcome: "timed_out", tab_id: 5 });
+    } finally {
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+    }
   });
 
   it("returns timed_out when the wait expires", async () => {
@@ -115,6 +173,160 @@ describe("handleRequestHelp", () => {
     }
   });
 
+  it("returns completed when explicit completion criteria match", async () => {
+    const deps = baseDeps({
+      sendToTab: vi.fn(async () => ({ type: "bsk-help-ack", ok: true })),
+      cdp: {
+        send: vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string) => {
+          if (method === "Runtime.evaluate") return { result: { value: true } };
+          return {};
+        }),
+      } as unknown as RequestHelpDeps["cdp"],
+    });
+    const res = await handleRequestHelp(
+      fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
+      baseParams({
+        tab_id: 5,
+        completion_criteria: {
+          any: [{ selector_exists: "#account-menu" }],
+          stable_for_ms: 0,
+        },
+      }),
+      deps,
+    );
+    expect(res).toMatchObject({ outcome: "completed", completed_by: "system", tab_id: 5 });
+  });
+
+  it("keeps user control active on new tabs without moving completion off the primary tab", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    const chromeEvents = installHelpLifecycleChrome();
+    const sendToTab = vi.fn(async () => ({ type: "bsk-help-ack", ok: true }));
+    const deps = baseDeps({
+      autoAttachLifecycle: undefined,
+      sendToTab,
+      tabsApi: {
+        get: vi.fn(async (tabId: number) => ({
+          id: tabId,
+          windowId: 99,
+          active: tabId === 6,
+          url: tabId === 6 ? "https://app.example/reset/success" : "https://app.example/login",
+        })) as never,
+        query: vi.fn(async () => [{ id: 5, windowId: 99, active: true }] as never),
+      },
+    });
+
+    try {
+      const pending = handleRequestHelp(
+        fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
+        baseParams({
+          tab_id: 5,
+          timeout_ms: 1_000,
+          completion_criteria: {
+            any: [{ url_contains: "/reset/success" }],
+            stable_for_ms: 0,
+          },
+        }),
+        deps,
+      );
+      await vi.waitFor(() => expect(sendToTab).toHaveBeenCalledWith(5, expect.anything()));
+
+      chromeEvents.tabsOnActivated.emit({ tabId: 6, windowId: 99 });
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(200);
+
+      await vi.waitFor(() =>
+        expect(sendToTab).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          6,
+          expect.objectContaining({
+            type: "bsk-help-request",
+            displayMode: "compact",
+            selectors: [],
+          }),
+        ),
+      );
+
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1_000);
+      await expect(pending).resolves.toMatchObject({
+        outcome: "timed_out",
+        tab_id: 5,
+      });
+      expect(sendToTab).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        6,
+        expect.objectContaining({ type: "bsk-help-cancel" }),
+      );
+    } finally {
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("lets same-window tabs query active help after content-script load", async () => {
+    const chromeEvents = installHelpLifecycleChrome();
+    const ac = new AbortController();
+    const cdpSend = vi.fn(async () => ({ root: { nodeId: 1 }, nodeIds: [] }));
+    const deps = baseDeps({
+      autoAttachLifecycle: undefined,
+      signal: ac.signal,
+      sendToTab: vi.fn(async () => ({ type: "bsk-help-ack", ok: true })),
+      cdp: {
+        send: cdpSend,
+      } as unknown as RequestHelpDeps["cdp"],
+    });
+
+    const pending = handleRequestHelp(
+      fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
+      baseParams({ tab_id: 5, timeout_ms: 60_000 }),
+      deps,
+    );
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(deps.sendToTab).toHaveBeenCalledWith(5, expect.anything()));
+
+    const sameWindowResponse = vi.fn();
+    chromeEvents.runtimeOnMessage.emit(
+      { type: "bsk-help-query" },
+      { tab: { id: 6 } as chrome.tabs.Tab },
+      sameWindowResponse,
+    );
+    await vi.waitFor(() =>
+      expect(sameWindowResponse).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        active: true,
+        request: expect.objectContaining({
+          requestId: expect.any(String),
+          prompt: "log in",
+          displayMode: "compact",
+          selectors: [],
+        }),
+      }),
+    );
+
+    const subjectResponse = vi.fn();
+    chromeEvents.runtimeOnMessage.emit(
+      { type: "bsk-help-query" },
+      { tab: { id: 5 } as chrome.tabs.Tab },
+      subjectResponse,
+    );
+    await vi.waitFor(() =>
+      expect(subjectResponse).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        active: true,
+        request: expect.objectContaining({
+          requestId: expect.any(String),
+          prompt: "log in",
+          displayMode: "full",
+        }),
+      }),
+    );
+
+    ac.abort();
+    await expect(pending).resolves.toMatchObject({ code: "cancelled" });
+    expect(cdpSend).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      5,
+      "DOM.querySelectorAll",
+      expect.objectContaining({ selector: "[data-bsk-help]" }),
+    );
+    expect(cdpSend).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      6,
+      "DOM.querySelectorAll",
+      expect.objectContaining({ selector: "[data-bsk-help]" }),
+    );
+  });
+
   it("tags ref targets via CDP and reports them matched", async () => {
     const mgr = {
       get: (id: string) =>
@@ -190,38 +402,40 @@ describe("handleRequestHelp", () => {
     expect("code" in res).toBe(false);
   });
 
-  it("returns protocol_error when sendToTab rejects", async () => {
+  it("keeps waiting when the initial overlay delivery rejects", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
     const deps = baseDeps({
       sendToTab: vi.fn(async () => {
         throw new Error("no receiver");
       }),
     });
-    const res = await handleRequestHelp(
-      fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
-      baseParams({ tab_id: 5 }),
-      deps,
-    );
-    expect("code" in res && res.code).toBe("protocol_error");
+    try {
+      const res = handleRequestHelp(
+        fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
+        baseParams({ tab_id: 5, timeout_ms: 10 }),
+        deps,
+      );
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(20);
+      await expect(res).resolves.toMatchObject({ outcome: "timed_out" });
+    } finally {
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+    }
   });
 
-  it("returns protocol_error for a malformed help response", async () => {
-    const undefinedReply = baseDeps({ sendToTab: vi.fn(async () => undefined) });
-    const res1 = await handleRequestHelp(
-      fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
-      baseParams({ tab_id: 5 }),
-      undefinedReply,
-    );
-    expect("code" in res1 && res1.code).toBe("protocol_error");
-
-    const badOutcome = baseDeps({
-      sendToTab: vi.fn(async () => ({ type: "bsk-help-response", outcome: "weird" })),
-    });
-    const res2 = await handleRequestHelp(
-      fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
-      baseParams({ tab_id: 5 }),
-      badOutcome,
-    );
-    expect("code" in res2 && res2.code).toBe("protocol_error");
+  it("keeps waiting for explicit completion after a malformed help response", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    const deps = baseDeps({ sendToTab: vi.fn(async () => undefined) });
+    try {
+      const res = handleRequestHelp(
+        fakeManager("abcd", 99, 5),
+        baseParams({ tab_id: 5, timeout_ms: 10 }),
+        deps,
+      );
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(20);
+      await expect(res).resolves.toMatchObject({ outcome: "timed_out" });
+    } finally {
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+    }
   });
 
   it("reports selector match status from CDP", async () => {
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts
index 5091141..17f5456 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import type {
 import { isRequestFrame } from "@/transport/types";
 import { handleConsole } from "./console";
 import { handleEvaluate } from "./evaluate";
-import { defaultWatchTabNavigation, handleRequestHelp } from "./human-loop";
+import { handleRequestHelp } from "./human-loop";
 import { handleClick, handleFill, handlePress, handleSelect } from "./interaction";
 import {
   handleNavigate,
@@ -394,7 +394,6 @@ export class ToolDispatcher {
             await chrome.tabs.update(tabId, { active: true });
           },
           sendToTab: (tabId, msg) => chrome.tabs.sendMessage(tabId, msg),
-          watchTabNavigation: defaultWatchTabNavigation,
           ...(this.cdp ? { cdp: this.cdp } : {}),
           notifications: makeHelpNotifications(),
           notificationCopy: this.helpNotificationCopy?.(),
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/human-loop.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/human-loop.ts
index aeb6c9d..9b65325 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/tools/human-loop.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/human-loop.ts
@@ -1,21 +1,24 @@
-// `tool.request_help` — pause and ask the human to act on a tab.
-//
-// Brings the target tab to the foreground, resolves `ref` targets to a
-// temporary attribute selector via CDP, asks the content script to enter
-// help mode (HelpRequestOverlay + hidden ControlOverlay), and blocks
-// until the user clicks Continue / Cancel, the wait times out, or the
-// daemon cancels the RPC.
+// `tool.request_help` — pause automation and let the human control a tab.
 
 import {
+  HELP_ACK,
   HELP_CANCEL,
+  HELP_FINISH,
+  HELP_QUERY,
   HELP_REQUEST,
-  HELP_RESPONSE,
   type HelpCancelMessage,
+  type HelpFinishMessage,
+  type HelpQueryResponse,
   type HelpRequestMessage,
-  type HelpResponseMessage,
+  isHelpAckMessage,
+  isHelpFinishMessage,
+  isHelpQueryMessage,
+  isHelpResponseMessage,
 } from "@/lib/help-bridge";
-import type { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import type { SessionContext, SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
 import type {
+  HelpCompletionCondition,
+  HelpCompletionCriteria,
   HelpTarget,
   RequestHelpParams,
   RequestHelpResult,
@@ -34,53 +37,59 @@ import {
 import { lookupSnapshotRef } from "./snapshot-ref";
 
 const DEFAULT_HELP_TIMEOUT_MS = 300_000;
-/** Attribute the overlay highlights for resolved `ref` targets. */
 const HELP_ATTR = "data-bsk-help";
+const HELP_SEND_RETRIES = 3;
+const HELP_SEND_RETRY_DELAY_MS = 350;
+const HELP_REARM_DEBOUNCE_MS = 150;
+const HELP_REARM_MAX_ATTEMPTS = 12;
+const HELP_REARM_RETRY_DELAY_MS = 400;
+const DEFAULT_COMPLETION_STABLE_MS = 1_000;
+const COMPLETION_POLL_MS = 500;
 
 export interface RequestHelpNotifications {
   create(id: string, options: chrome.notifications.NotificationOptions<true>): Promise<string>;
   clear(id: string): Promise<boolean>;
 }
 
-export type TabNavigationUnsubscribe = () => void;
-
 export interface RequestHelpDeps {
   tabsApi: ChromeTabsApi;
   windows: {
     update(windowId: number, info: { focused?: boolean }): Promise<chrome.windows.Window>;
   };
-  /** Activate a tab inside its window. */
   activateTab(tabId: number): Promise<void>;
-  /** Send the help-request to the tab's content script and await reply. */
   sendToTab(tabId: number, msg: HelpRequestMessage | HelpCancelMessage): Promise<unknown>;
-  /**
-   * Watch for navigation on `tabId` (full page load or SPA URL change).
-   * Invokes `onNavigated` once; returns unsubscribe.
-   */
-  watchTabNavigation: (tabId: number, onNavigated: () => void) => TabNavigationUnsubscribe;
   cdp?: CdpRunner;
-  /** Pass `null` to skip OS notifications (tests). */
   notifications: RequestHelpNotifications | null;
   notificationCopy?: { title: string; body: string };
   signal?: AbortSignal;
+  autoAttachLifecycle?: boolean;
 }
 
-/** Default navigation watcher: full reload (`loading`) and SPA (`url`). */
-export function defaultWatchTabNavigation(
-  tabId: number,
-  onNavigated: () => void,
-): TabNavigationUnsubscribe {
-  const listener = (updatedTabId: number, changeInfo: chrome.tabs.TabChangeInfo) => {
-    if (updatedTabId !== tabId) return;
-    if (changeInfo.url !== undefined || changeInfo.status === "loading") {
-      chrome.tabs.onUpdated.removeListener(listener);
-      onNavigated();
-    }
-  };
-  chrome.tabs.onUpdated.addListener(listener);
-  return () => chrome.tabs.onUpdated.removeListener(listener);
+interface ActiveHelpRequest {
+  ctx: SessionContext;
+  requestId: string;
+  primaryTabId: number;
+  overlayTabIds: Set<number>;
+  prompt: string;
+  title?: string;
+  targets: HelpTarget[];
+  selectors: string[];
+  timeoutMs: number;
+  notificationId: string;
+  resolvedTargets?: ResolvedTarget[];
+  completionCriteria?: HelpCompletionCriteria;
+  deps: RequestHelpDeps;
+  settled: boolean;
+  resolve: (value: RequestHelpResult | RpcError) => void;
+  timeoutTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>;
+  completionTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null;
+  completionMatchedSince: number | null;
+  abortHandler: (() => void) | null;
 }
 
+const activeHelpRequests = new Map<string, ActiveHelpRequest>();
+const helpRearmTimers = new Map<number, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>();
+
 let defaultDeps: RequestHelpDeps | null = null;
 function getDefaultDeps(): RequestHelpDeps {
   if (!defaultDeps) {
@@ -91,7 +100,6 @@ function getDefaultDeps(): RequestHelpDeps {
         await chrome.tabs.update(tabId, { active: true });
       },
       sendToTab: (tabId, msg) => chrome.tabs.sendMessage(tabId, msg),
-      watchTabNavigation: defaultWatchTabNavigation,
       notifications: {
         create: (id, opts) =>
           new Promise((resolve, reject) =>
@@ -113,11 +121,50 @@ function makeRequestId(tabId: number): string {
   return `${tabId}-${Date.now().toString(36)}-${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 8)}`;
 }
 
-/**
- * Tag a `ref` target's DOM node with `data-bsk-help="<i>"` via CDP so the
- * content overlay can highlight it with a plain attribute selector.
- * Returns the selector on success, or null when the ref can't resolve.
- */
+function sleep(ms: number): Promise<void> {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
+}
+
+function helpRequestMessage(help: ActiveHelpRequest, tabId: number): HelpRequestMessage {
+  const isPrimaryTab = tabId === help.primaryTabId;
+  return {
+    type: HELP_REQUEST,
+    requestId: help.requestId,
+    prompt: help.prompt,
+    ...(help.title ? { title: help.title } : {}),
+    displayMode: isPrimaryTab ? "full" : "compact",
+    selectors: isPrimaryTab ? help.selectors : [],
+    timeoutMs: help.timeoutMs,
+  };
+}
+
+async function sendHelpRequestWithAck(
+  tabId: number,
+  msg: HelpRequestMessage,
+  deps: RequestHelpDeps,
+): Promise<HelpFinishMessage | null> {
+  let lastError: unknown;
+  for (let attempt = 0; attempt < HELP_SEND_RETRIES; attempt += 1) {
+    try {
+      const response = await deps.sendToTab(tabId, msg);
+      if (isHelpAckMessage(response)) return null;
+      if (isHelpResponseMessage(response)) {
+        return {
+          type: HELP_FINISH,
+          requestId: msg.requestId,
+          outcome: response.outcome,
+          ...(response.note ? { note: response.note } : {}),
+        };
+      }
+      lastError = new Error("content script did not ack HELP_REQUEST");
+    } catch (err) {
+      lastError = err;
+    }
+    if (attempt + 1 < HELP_SEND_RETRIES) await sleep(HELP_SEND_RETRY_DELAY_MS);
+  }
+  throw lastError ?? new Error("failed to show help overlay");
+}
+
 async function tagRefTarget(
   cdp: CdpRunner,
   tabId: number,
@@ -145,7 +192,6 @@ async function tagRefTarget(
   }
 }
 
-/** Returns true when `selector` matches a live element in the page. */
 async function selectorExists(
   cdp: CdpRunner,
   tabId: number,
@@ -163,7 +209,6 @@ async function selectorExists(
   }
 }
 
-/** Remove every help attribute we added (best-effort cleanup). */
 async function clearRefTags(cdp: CdpRunner | undefined, tabId: number): Promise<void> {
   if (!cdp) return;
   try {
@@ -180,34 +225,16 @@ async function clearRefTags(cdp: CdpRunner | undefined, tabId: number): Promise<
       await cdp.send(tabId, "DOM.removeAttribute", { nodeId, name: HELP_ATTR }).catch(() => {});
     }
   } catch {
-    // best-effort
+    // Best-effort cleanup.
   }
 }
 
-export async function handleRequestHelp(
-  manager: SessionManager,
-  params: RequestHelpParams,
-  deps: RequestHelpDeps = getDefaultDeps(),
-): Promise<RequestHelpResult | RpcError> {
-  const ctxOrErr = lookupSession(manager, params, "request_help");
-  if (isRpcError(ctxOrErr)) return ctxOrErr;
-  const ctx = ctxOrErr;
-  if (!params.prompt || typeof params.prompt !== "string") {
-    return { code: "invalid_params", message: "request_help requires a prompt" };
-  }
-  if (deps.signal?.aborted) {
-    return { code: "cancelled", message: "request_help aborted" };
-  }
-
-  const target = await resolveTargetTab(manager, ctx, params.tab_id, deps.tabsApi);
-  if (isRpcError(target)) return target;
-  const denied = enforceAgentWindow(ctx, target, "request_help");
-  if (denied) return denied;
-  const tabId = target.tabId;
-
-  // Resolve targets → selectors. `selector` passes through; `ref` is
-  // tagged with an attribute via CDP and reported as its attr selector.
-  const targets = params.targets ?? [];
+async function resolveHelpTargets(
+  ctx: ReturnType<SessionManager["get"]>,
+  tabId: number,
+  targets: HelpTarget[],
+  deps: RequestHelpDeps,
+): Promise<{ selectors: string[]; resolvedTargets?: ResolvedTarget[] }> {
   const selectors: string[] = [];
   const resolved: ResolvedTarget[] = [];
   let rootNodeId: number | undefined;
@@ -221,22 +248,20 @@ export async function handleRequestHelp(
       rootNodeId = undefined;
     }
   }
-  for (let i = 0; i < targets.length; i++) {
-    const tgt = targets[i] as HelpTarget;
+
+  for (let i = 0; i < targets.length; i += 1) {
+    const tgt = targets[i];
     if (tgt.selector) {
       selectors.push(tgt.selector);
-      let matched: boolean;
-      if (deps.cdp) {
-        matched =
-          rootNodeId !== undefined
-            ? await selectorExists(deps.cdp, tabId, rootNodeId, tgt.selector)
-            : false;
-      } else {
-        matched = true;
-      }
+      const matched =
+        deps.cdp && rootNodeId !== undefined
+          ? await selectorExists(deps.cdp, tabId, rootNodeId, tgt.selector)
+          : deps.cdp
+            ? false
+            : true;
       resolved.push({ matched, selector: tgt.selector });
     } else if (tgt.ref) {
-      const looked = lookupSnapshotRef(ctx, tgt.ref, tabId);
+      const looked = ctx ? lookupSnapshotRef(ctx, tgt.ref, tabId) : null;
       const backendNodeId = looked?.backendNodeId ?? null;
       let sel: string | null = null;
       if (backendNodeId !== null && deps.cdp) {
@@ -247,7 +272,407 @@ export async function handleRequestHelp(
     }
   }
 
-  // Bring the tab to the foreground.
+  return { selectors, resolvedTargets: resolved.length > 0 ? resolved : undefined };
+}
+
+async function refreshHelpTargets(help: ActiveHelpRequest): Promise<void> {
+  await clearRefTags(help.deps.cdp, help.primaryTabId);
+  const { selectors, resolvedTargets } = await resolveHelpTargets(
+    help.ctx,
+    help.primaryTabId,
+    help.targets,
+    help.deps,
+  );
+  help.selectors = selectors;
+  help.resolvedTargets = resolvedTargets;
+}
+
+async function cleanupHelp(help: ActiveHelpRequest): Promise<void> {
+  if (help.deps.notifications) {
+    await help.deps.notifications.clear(help.notificationId).catch(() => {});
+  }
+  const tabsToCancel = new Set([help.primaryTabId, ...help.overlayTabIds]);
+  await Promise.all(
+    [...tabsToCancel].map((tabId) =>
+      Promise.all([
+        clearRefTags(help.deps.cdp, tabId),
+        help.deps
+          .sendToTab(tabId, { type: HELP_CANCEL, requestId: help.requestId })
+          .catch(() => {}),
+      ]),
+    ),
+  );
+}
+
+function finishHelp(
+  help: ActiveHelpRequest,
+  value: RequestHelpResult | RpcError,
+  notifyContent = true,
+): void {
+  if (help.settled) return;
+  help.settled = true;
+  activeHelpRequests.delete(help.requestId);
+  clearTimeout(help.timeoutTimer);
+  if (help.completionTimer) clearInterval(help.completionTimer);
+  if (help.abortHandler) help.deps.signal?.removeEventListener("abort", help.abortHandler);
+  clearRearmTimer(help.primaryTabId);
+  for (const tabId of help.overlayTabIds) clearRearmTimer(tabId);
+  if (notifyContent) void cleanupHelp(help);
+  help.resolve(value);
+}
+
+function findHelpByKnownTabId(tabId: number): ActiveHelpRequest | null {
+  for (const help of activeHelpRequests.values()) {
+    if (!help.settled && (help.primaryTabId === tabId || help.overlayTabIds.has(tabId))) {
+      return help;
+    }
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+async function findHelpForTab(
+  tabId: number,
+  deps: RequestHelpDeps,
+): Promise<ActiveHelpRequest | null> {
+  const direct = findHelpByKnownTabId(tabId);
+  if (direct) return direct;
+
+  try {
+    const tab = await deps.tabsApi.get(tabId);
+    const windowId = tab.windowId;
+    if (typeof windowId !== "number") return null;
+    for (const help of activeHelpRequests.values()) {
+      if (!help.settled && help.ctx.agentWindowId === windowId) return help;
+    }
+  } catch {
+    return null;
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+function clearRearmTimer(tabId: number): void {
+  const timer = helpRearmTimers.get(tabId);
+  if (!timer) return;
+  clearTimeout(timer);
+  helpRearmTimers.delete(tabId);
+}
+
+async function sendCurrentHelpOverlay(help: ActiveHelpRequest): Promise<HelpFinishMessage | null> {
+  const legacyFinish = await sendHelpRequestWithAck(
+    help.primaryTabId,
+    helpRequestMessage(help, help.primaryTabId),
+    help.deps,
+  );
+  help.overlayTabIds.add(help.primaryTabId);
+  return legacyFinish;
+}
+
+async function refreshAndSendHelpOverlay(
+  help: ActiveHelpRequest,
+  tabId: number,
+): Promise<HelpFinishMessage | null> {
+  if (tabId === help.primaryTabId) await refreshHelpTargets(help);
+  const legacyFinish = await sendHelpRequestWithAck(
+    tabId,
+    helpRequestMessage(help, tabId),
+    help.deps,
+  );
+  help.overlayTabIds.add(tabId);
+  return legacyFinish;
+}
+
+async function rearmHelp(help: ActiveHelpRequest, tabId: number): Promise<boolean> {
+  for (let attempt = 0; attempt < HELP_REARM_MAX_ATTEMPTS; attempt += 1) {
+    try {
+      const legacyFinish = await refreshAndSendHelpOverlay(help, tabId);
+      if (legacyFinish && !help.settled) {
+        finishHelp(help, {
+          outcome: legacyFinish.outcome,
+          ...(legacyFinish.note ? { note: legacyFinish.note } : {}),
+          tab_id: help.primaryTabId,
+          resolved_targets: help.resolvedTargets,
+        });
+      }
+      return true;
+    } catch {
+      if (attempt + 1 < HELP_REARM_MAX_ATTEMPTS) await sleep(HELP_REARM_RETRY_DELAY_MS);
+    }
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+function scheduleRearmForTab(tabId: number, deps: RequestHelpDeps): void {
+  const existing = helpRearmTimers.get(tabId);
+  if (existing) clearTimeout(existing);
+  helpRearmTimers.set(
+    tabId,
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      helpRearmTimers.delete(tabId);
+      void (async () => {
+        const help = await findHelpForTab(tabId, deps);
+        if (!help) return;
+        await rearmHelp(help, tabId);
+      })();
+    }, HELP_REARM_DEBOUNCE_MS),
+  );
+}
+
+let detachHelpObservation: (() => void) | null = null;
+
+export function ensureHelpLifecycleListeners(deps: RequestHelpDeps = getDefaultDeps()): void {
+  if (detachHelpObservation) return;
+  const detachRuntime = attachHelpRuntimeListener(deps);
+  const detachTabs = attachHelpTabListener(deps);
+  const detachNav = attachHelpNavigationListener(deps);
+  detachHelpObservation = () => {
+    detachRuntime();
+    detachTabs();
+    detachNav();
+  };
+}
+
+export function resetHelpLifecycleForTests(): void {
+  detachHelpObservation?.();
+  detachHelpObservation = null;
+  for (const timer of helpRearmTimers.values()) clearTimeout(timer);
+  helpRearmTimers.clear();
+  for (const help of activeHelpRequests.values()) {
+    clearTimeout(help.timeoutTimer);
+    if (help.completionTimer) clearInterval(help.completionTimer);
+  }
+  activeHelpRequests.clear();
+}
+
+function attachHelpRuntimeListener(deps: RequestHelpDeps): () => void {
+  const listener = (
+    message: unknown,
+    sender: chrome.runtime.MessageSender,
+    sendResponse: (response: HelpQueryResponse) => void,
+  ) => {
+    if (isHelpFinishMessage(message)) {
+      void finishHelpFromContent(message, sender, deps);
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    if (isHelpQueryMessage(message)) {
+      const tabId = sender.tab?.id;
+      if (tabId === undefined) {
+        sendResponse({ active: false });
+        return false;
+      }
+      void (async () => {
+        const help = await findHelpForTab(tabId, deps);
+        if (!help) {
+          sendResponse({ active: false });
+          return;
+        }
+        if (tabId === help.primaryTabId) await refreshHelpTargets(help);
+        help.overlayTabIds.add(tabId);
+        sendResponse({
+          active: true,
+          request: {
+            requestId: help.requestId,
+            prompt: help.prompt,
+            ...(help.title ? { title: help.title } : {}),
+            displayMode: tabId === help.primaryTabId ? "full" : "compact",
+            selectors: tabId === help.primaryTabId ? help.selectors : [],
+            timeoutMs: help.timeoutMs,
+          },
+        });
+      })();
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+  };
+  chrome.runtime.onMessage.addListener(listener);
+  return () => chrome.runtime.onMessage.removeListener(listener);
+}
+
+async function finishHelpFromContent(
+  message: HelpFinishMessage,
+  sender: chrome.runtime.MessageSender,
+  deps: RequestHelpDeps,
+): Promise<void> {
+  const help = activeHelpRequests.get(message.requestId);
+  if (!help || help.settled) return;
+  const tabId = sender.tab?.id;
+  if (tabId !== undefined) {
+    const match = await findHelpForTab(tabId, deps);
+    if (match !== help) return;
+  }
+  finishHelp(help, {
+    outcome: message.outcome,
+    ...(message.note ? { note: message.note } : {}),
+    tab_id: help.primaryTabId,
+    resolved_targets: help.resolvedTargets,
+  });
+}
+
+function attachHelpTabListener(deps: RequestHelpDeps): () => void {
+  const onCreated = (tab: chrome.tabs.Tab) => {
+    if (typeof tab.id !== "number") return;
+    scheduleRearmForTab(tab.id, deps);
+  };
+  const onActivated = (activeInfo: chrome.tabs.TabActiveInfo) => {
+    scheduleRearmForTab(activeInfo.tabId, deps);
+  };
+  chrome.tabs.onCreated?.addListener(onCreated);
+  chrome.tabs.onActivated?.addListener(onActivated);
+  return () => {
+    chrome.tabs.onCreated?.removeListener(onCreated);
+    chrome.tabs.onActivated?.removeListener(onActivated);
+  };
+}
+
+function attachHelpNavigationListener(deps: RequestHelpDeps): () => void {
+  const onMainFrameComplete = (tabId: number) => scheduleRearmForTab(tabId, deps);
+
+  if (chrome.webNavigation?.onCompleted) {
+    const completedListener = (
+      details: chrome.webNavigation.WebNavigationFramedCallbackDetails,
+    ) => {
+      if (details.frameId !== 0) return;
+      onMainFrameComplete(details.tabId);
+    };
+    chrome.webNavigation.onCompleted.addListener(completedListener);
+    return () => chrome.webNavigation.onCompleted.removeListener(completedListener);
+  }
+
+  const listener = (tabId: number, info: chrome.tabs.TabChangeInfo) => {
+    if (info.status !== "complete") return;
+    onMainFrameComplete(tabId);
+  };
+  chrome.tabs.onUpdated?.addListener(listener);
+  return () => chrome.tabs.onUpdated?.removeListener(listener);
+}
+
+async function evaluateCompletionCondition(
+  condition: HelpCompletionCondition,
+  help: ActiveHelpRequest,
+): Promise<boolean> {
+  if (condition.url_contains || condition.url_matches) {
+    let url = "";
+    try {
+      const tab = await help.deps.tabsApi.get(help.primaryTabId);
+      url = tab.url ?? "";
+    } catch {
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (condition.url_contains && !url.includes(condition.url_contains)) return false;
+    if (condition.url_matches) {
+      try {
+        if (!new RegExp(condition.url_matches).test(url)) return false;
+      } catch {
+        return false;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (
+    condition.selector_exists ||
+    condition.selector_missing ||
+    condition.text_exists ||
+    condition.text_missing
+  ) {
+    if (!help.deps.cdp) return false;
+    const expression = `(() => {
+      const selectorExists = ${JSON.stringify(condition.selector_exists ?? null)};
+      const selectorMissing = ${JSON.stringify(condition.selector_missing ?? null)};
+      const textExists = ${JSON.stringify(condition.text_exists ?? null)};
+      const textMissing = ${JSON.stringify(condition.text_missing ?? null)};
+      if (selectorExists && !document.querySelector(selectorExists)) return false;
+      if (selectorMissing && document.querySelector(selectorMissing)) return false;
+      const text = document.body ? document.body.innerText || "" : "";
+      if (textExists && !text.includes(textExists)) return false;
+      if (textMissing && text.includes(textMissing)) return false;
+      return true;
+    })()`;
+    try {
+      const result = await help.deps.cdp.send<{ result?: { value?: boolean } }>(
+        help.primaryTabId,
+        "Runtime.evaluate",
+        { expression, returnByValue: true },
+      );
+      if (result.result?.value !== true) return false;
+    } catch {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+async function completionCriteriaMatches(help: ActiveHelpRequest): Promise<boolean> {
+  const criteria = help.completionCriteria;
+  if (!criteria) return false;
+  const any = criteria.any ?? [];
+  const all = criteria.all ?? [];
+  const hasAny = any.length > 0;
+  const hasAll = all.length > 0;
+  if (!hasAny && !hasAll) return false;
+
+  if (hasAll) {
+    for (const condition of all) {
+      if (!(await evaluateCompletionCondition(condition, help))) return false;
+    }
+  }
+  if (hasAny) {
+    for (const condition of any) {
+      if (await evaluateCompletionCondition(condition, help)) return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+function startCompletionPolling(help: ActiveHelpRequest): void {
+  if (!help.completionCriteria) return;
+  const stableMs = help.completionCriteria.stable_for_ms ?? DEFAULT_COMPLETION_STABLE_MS;
+  const check = async () => {
+    if (help.settled) return;
+    const matched = await completionCriteriaMatches(help);
+    const now = Date.now();
+    if (!matched) {
+      help.completionMatchedSince = null;
+      return;
+    }
+    help.completionMatchedSince ??= now;
+    if (now - help.completionMatchedSince < stableMs) return;
+    finishHelp(help, {
+      outcome: "completed",
+      completed_by: "system",
+      tab_id: help.primaryTabId,
+      resolved_targets: help.resolvedTargets,
+    });
+  };
+  help.completionTimer = setInterval(() => void check(), COMPLETION_POLL_MS);
+  void check();
+}
+
+export async function handleRequestHelp(
+  manager: SessionManager,
+  params: RequestHelpParams,
+  deps: RequestHelpDeps = getDefaultDeps(),
+): Promise<RequestHelpResult | RpcError> {
+  const ctxOrErr = lookupSession(manager, params, "request_help");
+  if (isRpcError(ctxOrErr)) return ctxOrErr;
+  const ctx = ctxOrErr;
+  if (!params.prompt || typeof params.prompt !== "string") {
+    return { code: "invalid_params", message: "request_help requires a prompt" };
+  }
+  if (deps.signal?.aborted) return { code: "cancelled", message: "request_help aborted" };
+
+  const target = await resolveTargetTab(manager, ctx, params.tab_id, deps.tabsApi);
+  if (isRpcError(target)) return target;
+  const denied = enforceAgentWindow(ctx, target, "request_help");
+  if (denied) return denied;
+
+  if (deps.autoAttachLifecycle !== false) ensureHelpLifecycleListeners(deps);
+  const tabId = target.tabId;
+  const initialTargets = params.targets ?? [];
+  const { selectors, resolvedTargets } = await resolveHelpTargets(ctx, tabId, initialTargets, deps);
+
   await deps.windows.update(target.windowId, { focused: true }).catch(() => {});
   await deps.activateTab(tabId).catch(() => {});
 
@@ -255,7 +680,6 @@ export async function handleRequestHelp(
   const notificationId = `bsk-help:${requestId}`;
   const timeoutMs = params.timeout_ms ?? DEFAULT_HELP_TIMEOUT_MS;
 
-  // OS notification (best-effort).
   if (deps.notifications) {
     const copy = deps.notificationCopy ?? {
       title: "BrowserSkill: Agent needs your help",
@@ -272,85 +696,59 @@ export async function handleRequestHelp(
       .catch(() => {});
   }
 
-  const cleanup = async () => {
-    await clearRefTags(deps.cdp, tabId);
-    if (deps.notifications) await deps.notifications.clear(notificationId).catch(() => {});
-    // Retract the overlay in case we resolved via timeout / abort.
-    await deps
-      .sendToTab(tabId, { type: HELP_CANCEL, requestId } satisfies HelpCancelMessage)
-      .catch(() => {});
-  };
-
-  const request: HelpRequestMessage = {
-    type: HELP_REQUEST,
-    requestId,
-    prompt: params.prompt,
-    ...(params.title ? { title: params.title } : {}),
-    selectors,
-    timeoutMs,
-  };
-
-  const resolvedTargets = resolved.length > 0 ? resolved : undefined;
-
-  return new Promise<RequestHelpResult | RpcError>((resolveOuter) => {
-    let settled = false;
-    const unwatchNav = deps.watchTabNavigation(tabId, () => {
-      finish({ outcome: "navigated", tab_id: tabId, resolved_targets: resolvedTargets });
-    });
+  return new Promise<RequestHelpResult | RpcError>((resolve) => {
+    const timeoutTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+      finishHelp(help, {
+        outcome: "timed_out",
+        tab_id: help.primaryTabId,
+        resolved_targets: help.resolvedTargets,
+      });
+    }, timeoutMs);
 
-    const finish = (value: RequestHelpResult | RpcError) => {
-      if (settled) return;
-      settled = true;
-      if (timer !== null) clearTimeout(timer);
-      unwatchNav();
-      deps.signal?.removeEventListener("abort", onAbort);
-      void cleanup();
-      resolveOuter(value);
+    const help: ActiveHelpRequest = {
+      ctx,
+      requestId,
+      primaryTabId: tabId,
+      overlayTabIds: new Set(),
+      prompt: params.prompt,
+      ...(params.title ? { title: params.title } : {}),
+      targets: initialTargets,
+      selectors,
+      timeoutMs,
+      notificationId,
+      resolvedTargets,
+      completionCriteria: params.completion_criteria,
+      deps,
+      settled: false,
+      resolve,
+      timeoutTimer,
+      completionTimer: null,
+      completionMatchedSince: null,
+      abortHandler: null,
     };
 
-    const onAbort = () => finish({ code: "cancelled", message: "request_help aborted" });
-
-    const timer = setTimeout(() => {
-      finish({ outcome: "timed_out", tab_id: tabId, resolved_targets: resolvedTargets });
-    }, timeoutMs) as unknown as number;
-
-    if (deps.signal) {
-      if (deps.signal.aborted) {
-        onAbort();
-        return;
-      }
-      deps.signal.addEventListener("abort", onAbort, { once: true });
+    const onAbort = () => finishHelp(help, { code: "cancelled", message: "request_help aborted" });
+    help.abortHandler = onAbort;
+    activeHelpRequests.set(requestId, help);
+    if (deps.signal?.aborted) {
+      onAbort();
+      return;
     }
+    deps.signal?.addEventListener("abort", onAbort, { once: true });
+    startCompletionPolling(help);
 
-    deps
-      .sendToTab(tabId, request)
-      .then((reply) => {
-        const res = reply as HelpResponseMessage | undefined;
-        if (
-          !res ||
-          res.type !== HELP_RESPONSE ||
-          (res.outcome !== "continued" && res.outcome !== "cancelled")
-        ) {
-          finish({
-            code: "protocol_error",
-            message: `invalid help response from tab ${tabId}`,
-          });
-          return;
-        }
-        finish({
-          outcome: res.outcome,
-          ...(res.note ? { note: res.note } : {}),
-          tab_id: tabId,
-          resolved_targets: resolvedTargets,
+    void sendCurrentHelpOverlay(help)
+      .then((legacyFinish) => {
+        if (!legacyFinish || help.settled) return;
+        finishHelp(help, {
+          outcome: legacyFinish.outcome,
+          ...(legacyFinish.note ? { note: legacyFinish.note } : {}),
+          tab_id: help.primaryTabId,
+          resolved_targets: help.resolvedTargets,
         });
       })
-      .catch((err) => {
-        finish({
-          code: "protocol_error",
-          message: `failed to show help overlay on tab ${tabId}: ${
-            err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err)
-          }`,
-        });
+      .catch(() => {
+        scheduleRearmForTab(tabId, deps);
       });
   });
 }
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts b/apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts
index bcff0e3..6ed8106 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts
@@ -514,7 +514,22 @@ export interface HelpTarget {
   selector?: string;
 }
 
-export type HelpOutcome = "continued" | "cancelled" | "timed_out" | "navigated";
+export type HelpOutcome = "continued" | "cancelled" | "timed_out" | "completed" | "navigated";
+
+export interface HelpCompletionCondition {
+  url_contains?: string;
+  url_matches?: string;
+  selector_exists?: string;
+  selector_missing?: string;
+  text_exists?: string;
+  text_missing?: string;
+}
+
+export interface HelpCompletionCriteria {
+  any?: HelpCompletionCondition[];
+  all?: HelpCompletionCondition[];
+  stable_for_ms?: number;
+}
 
 export interface ResolvedTarget {
   matched: boolean;
@@ -528,11 +543,13 @@ export interface RequestHelpParams {
   prompt: string;
   title?: string;
   targets?: HelpTarget[];
+  completion_criteria?: HelpCompletionCriteria;
   timeout_ms?: number;
 }
 
 export interface RequestHelpResult {
   outcome: HelpOutcome;
+  completed_by?: "system";
   note?: string;
   tab_id: number;
   resolved_targets?: ResolvedTarget[];
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md b/crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md
index ab32ff7..3e5599a 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ Details and flags: **`bsk <cmd> --help`**
 When a step needs a human (captcha, login, OTP) or you want the user to
 confirm an important action, pause and ask:
 
-    bsk request-help --session <id> --prompt "Solve the captcha, then click Continue" \
+    bsk request-help --session <id> --prompt "Solve the captcha, then click Done only after the site accepts it" \
       --title "Captcha required" --target @e7 --target "#submit" --timeout 5m
 
 - `--prompt` (required): what the user should do.
@@ -193,15 +193,21 @@ confirm an important action, pause and ask:
   prompt with no `--target` for cases where there is genuinely no specific
   element to point at (e.g. "wait for the page to finish loading").
 - `--timeout` (default `5m`): how long to wait.
+- `--completion-criteria` (optional): JSON success detector. Use it only
+  when there is a concrete post-help success signal, e.g.
+  `{"any":[{"url_contains":"/dashboard"},{"selector_exists":"[data-testid='account-menu']"}],"stable_for_ms":1000}`.
 
 The target tab is brought to the foreground; the page stays interactive
 while the agent control mask is hidden. The call blocks until the user
-acts. The result `outcome` is one of:
+explicitly acts, the timeout expires, cancellation arrives, or explicit
+completion criteria match. Page reloads, SPA route changes, and captcha
+refreshes do not return control by themselves. The result `outcome` is one of:
 
-- `continued` — the user finished and clicked Continue (treat as confirm).
+- `continued` — the user finished and clicked Done / return control (treat as confirm).
 - `cancelled` — the user clicked Cancel (treat as reject/abort).
 - `timed_out` — nobody acted within the timeout.
-- `navigated` — the page navigated while waiting (full reload or SPA URL change). Snapshot refs are stale; run `bsk snapshot` on the new page, then decide whether to call `bsk request-help` again.
+- `completed` — the explicit `--completion-criteria` matched while the user had control.
+- `navigated` — deprecated legacy outcome. Do not rely on navigation as a completion signal.
 
 `note` carries any text the user typed back. `resolved_targets` reports
 which refs/selectors matched a live element.
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/human_loop.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/human_loop.rs
index 1c6bb8e..deda217 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/human_loop.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/human_loop.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 
 use anyhow::Context;
 use bsk_protocol::Method;
-use bsk_protocol::tools::{HelpTarget, RequestHelpParams, RequestHelpResult};
+use bsk_protocol::tools::{
+    HelpCompletionCriteria, HelpTarget, RequestHelpParams, RequestHelpResult,
+};
 use clap::Args;
 
 use crate::cli::ensure_daemon::ensure_daemon;
@@ -41,6 +43,10 @@ pub struct RequestHelpArgs {
     /// Hard timeout (default 5m). Accepts `5m`, `300s`, `300000ms`.
     #[arg(long, default_value = "5m", value_parser = parse_timeout_ms)]
     pub timeout: u32,
+
+    /// JSON success detector, e.g. '{"any":[{"url_contains":"/dashboard"}],"stable_for_ms":1000}'.
+    #[arg(long = "completion-criteria")]
+    pub completion_criteria: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// Classify a `--target` value as a ref or a selector. Refs are `@eN`
@@ -68,6 +74,12 @@ pub fn parse_target(raw: &str) -> HelpTarget {
 pub fn dispatch(args: RequestHelpArgs, format: Format) -> Result<(), CliError> {
     let info = ensure_daemon().context("ensure daemon is running")?;
     let targets: Vec<HelpTarget> = args.target.iter().map(|t| parse_target(t)).collect();
+    let completion_criteria = args
+        .completion_criteria
+        .as_deref()
+        .map(serde_json::from_str::<HelpCompletionCriteria>)
+        .transpose()
+        .context("parse --completion-criteria JSON")?;
     let params = RequestHelpParams {
         session_id: args.session,
         tab_id: args.tab_id,
@@ -78,6 +90,7 @@ pub fn dispatch(args: RequestHelpArgs, format: Format) -> Result<(), CliError> {
         } else {
             Some(targets)
         },
+        completion_criteria,
         timeout_ms: Some(args.timeout),
     };
     let reply = call(info.sock_path, params, args.timeout)?;
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_request_help_params.json b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_request_help_params.json
index cf50ad5..9faad8a 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_request_help_params.json
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_request_help_params.json
@@ -7,6 +7,17 @@
     "session_id"
   ],
   "properties": {
+    "completion_criteria": {
+      "description": "Optional explicit success detector. Navigation by itself is not a completion signal; these criteria must match before the tool can auto-complete without the user clicking Done.",
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "$ref": "#/definitions/HelpCompletionCriteria"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
     "prompt": {
       "description": "Message shown to the user explaining what to do.",
       "type": "string"
@@ -50,6 +61,78 @@
     }
   },
   "definitions": {
+    "HelpCompletionCondition": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "properties": {
+        "selector_exists": {
+          "type": [
+            "string",
+            "null"
+          ]
+        },
+        "selector_missing": {
+          "type": [
+            "string",
+            "null"
+          ]
+        },
+        "text_exists": {
+          "type": [
+            "string",
+            "null"
+          ]
+        },
+        "text_missing": {
+          "type": [
+            "string",
+            "null"
+          ]
+        },
+        "url_contains": {
+          "type": [
+            "string",
+            "null"
+          ]
+        },
+        "url_matches": {
+          "type": [
+            "string",
+            "null"
+          ]
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "HelpCompletionCriteria": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "properties": {
+        "all": {
+          "type": [
+            "array",
+            "null"
+          ],
+          "items": {
+            "$ref": "#/definitions/HelpCompletionCondition"
+          }
+        },
+        "any": {
+          "type": [
+            "array",
+            "null"
+          ],
+          "items": {
+            "$ref": "#/definitions/HelpCompletionCondition"
+          }
+        },
+        "stable_for_ms": {
+          "type": [
+            "integer",
+            "null"
+          ],
+          "format": "uint32",
+          "minimum": 0.0
+        }
+      }
+    },
     "HelpTarget": {
       "description": "One component the user is asked to look at / interact with. Exactly one of `ref` / `selector` should be supplied (mirrors the click/fill convention). When neither matches a live element the overlay still shows the prompt and reports the miss via [`ResolvedTarget`].",
       "type": "object",
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_request_help_result.json b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_request_help_result.json
index cea8d70..1b6ad4b 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_request_help_result.json
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_request_help_result.json
@@ -7,6 +7,16 @@
     "tab_id"
   ],
   "properties": {
+    "completed_by": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "$ref": "#/definitions/HelpCompletedBy"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
     "note": {
       "type": [
         "string",
@@ -31,10 +41,16 @@
     }
   },
   "definitions": {
+    "HelpCompletedBy": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "enum": [
+        "system"
+      ]
+    },
     "HelpOutcome": {
       "oneOf": [
         {
-          "description": "User completed the step and clicked Continue.",
+          "description": "User completed the step and clicked Done / return control.",
           "type": "string",
           "enum": [
             "continued"
@@ -55,7 +71,14 @@
           ]
         },
         {
-          "description": "The page navigated while waiting (full reload or SPA URL change).",
+          "description": "Explicit success criteria matched while the user had control.",
+          "type": "string",
+          "enum": [
+            "completed"
+          ]
+        },
+        {
+          "description": "The page navigated while waiting (full reload or SPA URL change). Deprecated: navigation alone should not end a help request.",
           "type": "string",
           "enum": [
             "navigated"
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/human_loop.rs b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/human_loop.rs
index 534cb18..7afbfc1 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/human_loop.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/human_loop.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
 //! Lets an agent pause and ask the human to complete an in-page step
 //! (captcha, login, confirmation). The extension brings the target tab
 //! to the foreground, highlights the requested components, and blocks
-//! until the user clicks Continue / Cancel (or the call times out).
+//! until the user clicks Done / Cancel, explicit completion criteria match,
+//! or the call times out.
 
 use schemars::JsonSchema;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
@@ -41,6 +42,11 @@ pub struct RequestHelpParams {
     /// Optional components to scroll to + flash-highlight.
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub targets: Option<Vec<HelpTarget>>,
+    /// Optional explicit success detector. Navigation by itself is not a
+    /// completion signal; these criteria must match before the tool can
+    /// auto-complete without the user clicking Done.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub completion_criteria: Option<HelpCompletionCriteria>,
     /// Hard upper bound on the wait. Defaults to 300000 (5 min),
     /// enforced daemon-side via the generic tool timeout.
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
@@ -48,16 +54,46 @@ pub struct RequestHelpParams {
     pub timeout_ms: Option<u32>,
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct HelpCompletionCriteria {
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub any: Option<Vec<HelpCompletionCondition>>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub all: Option<Vec<HelpCompletionCondition>>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    #[schemars(range(min = 0))]
+    pub stable_for_ms: Option<u32>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct HelpCompletionCondition {
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub url_contains: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub url_matches: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub selector_exists: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub selector_missing: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub text_exists: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub text_missing: Option<String>,
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
 pub enum HelpOutcome {
-    /// User completed the step and clicked Continue.
+    /// User completed the step and clicked Done / return control.
     Continued,
     /// User declined / aborted via the overlay's Cancel button.
     Cancelled,
     /// The wait expired before the user acted.
     TimedOut,
+    /// Explicit success criteria matched while the user had control.
+    Completed,
     /// The page navigated while waiting (full reload or SPA URL change).
+    /// Deprecated: navigation alone should not end a help request.
     Navigated,
 }
 
@@ -67,11 +103,18 @@ impl HelpOutcome {
             Self::Continued => "continued",
             Self::Cancelled => "cancelled",
             Self::TimedOut => "timed_out",
+            Self::Completed => "completed",
             Self::Navigated => "navigated",
         }
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum HelpCompletedBy {
+    System,
+}
+
 /// Per-target resolution status echoed back so the agent can tell which
 /// `ref` / `selector` actually matched a live element.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
@@ -87,6 +130,8 @@ pub struct ResolvedTarget {
 pub struct RequestHelpResult {
     pub outcome: HelpOutcome,
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub completed_by: Option<HelpCompletedBy>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub note: Option<String>,
     pub tab_id: i64,
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
@@ -123,6 +168,7 @@ mod tests {
             prompt: "log in".into(),
             title: None,
             targets: None,
+            completion_criteria: None,
             timeout_ms: None,
         };
         let v = serde_json::to_value(&p).unwrap();
@@ -140,6 +186,10 @@ mod tests {
             serde_json::to_value(HelpOutcome::TimedOut).unwrap(),
             json!("timed_out")
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            serde_json::to_value(HelpOutcome::Completed).unwrap(),
+            json!("completed")
+        );
         assert_eq!(
             serde_json::to_value(HelpOutcome::Continued).unwrap(),
             json!("continued")
@@ -158,6 +208,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn result_round_trips() {
         let r = RequestHelpResult {
             outcome: HelpOutcome::Continued,
+            completed_by: None,
             note: Some("done".into()),
             tab_id: 7,
             resolved_targets: Some(vec![ResolvedTarget {
diff --git a/packages/i18n/src/locales/en-US/extension.json b/packages/i18n/src/locales/en-US/extension.json
index c597f9a..b3c5663 100644
--- a/packages/i18n/src/locales/en-US/extension.json
+++ b/packages/i18n/src/locales/en-US/extension.json
@@ -74,10 +74,11 @@
   },
   "helpRequest": {
     "title": "Agent needs your help",
+    "compactStatus": "Agent is still waiting for you to finish this step",
     "noteLabel": "Optional note back to the agent",
     "notePlaceholder": "Add a note for the agent (optional)",
-    "continue": "Continue",
-    "cancel": "Cancel",
+    "continue": "Done, return control",
+    "cancel": "Cancel request",
     "collapse": "Collapse",
     "expand": "Expand",
     "dragHandle": "Drag to move",
diff --git a/packages/i18n/src/locales/zh-CN/extension.json b/packages/i18n/src/locales/zh-CN/extension.json
index 18e85c6..7f6f509 100644
--- a/packages/i18n/src/locales/zh-CN/extension.json
+++ b/packages/i18n/src/locales/zh-CN/extension.json
@@ -74,10 +74,11 @@
   },
   "helpRequest": {
     "title": "Agent 需要你的帮助",
+    "compactStatus": "当前 Agent 仍在等待你完成此步骤",
     "noteLabel": "给 Agent 的备注（可选）",
     "notePlaceholder": "给 Agent 留言（可选）",
-    "continue": "继续",
-    "cancel": "取消",
+    "continue": "完成并交还控制权",
+    "cancel": "取消请求",
     "collapse": "折叠",
     "expand": "展开",
     "dragHandle": "拖动以移动",
diff --git a/skill/SKILL.md b/skill/SKILL.md
index ab32ff7..3e5599a 100644
--- a/skill/SKILL.md
+++ b/skill/SKILL.md
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ Details and flags: **`bsk <cmd> --help`**
 When a step needs a human (captcha, login, OTP) or you want the user to
 confirm an important action, pause and ask:
 
-    bsk request-help --session <id> --prompt "Solve the captcha, then click Continue" \
+    bsk request-help --session <id> --prompt "Solve the captcha, then click Done only after the site accepts it" \
       --title "Captcha required" --target @e7 --target "#submit" --timeout 5m
 
 - `--prompt` (required): what the user should do.
@@ -193,15 +193,21 @@ confirm an important action, pause and ask:
   prompt with no `--target` for cases where there is genuinely no specific
   element to point at (e.g. "wait for the page to finish loading").
 - `--timeout` (default `5m`): how long to wait.
+- `--completion-criteria` (optional): JSON success detector. Use it only
+  when there is a concrete post-help success signal, e.g.
+  `{"any":[{"url_contains":"/dashboard"},{"selector_exists":"[data-testid='account-menu']"}],"stable_for_ms":1000}`.
 
 The target tab is brought to the foreground; the page stays interactive
 while the agent control mask is hidden. The call blocks until the user
-acts. The result `outcome` is one of:
+explicitly acts, the timeout expires, cancellation arrives, or explicit
+completion criteria match. Page reloads, SPA route changes, and captcha
+refreshes do not return control by themselves. The result `outcome` is one of:
 
-- `continued` — the user finished and clicked Continue (treat as confirm).
+- `continued` — the user finished and clicked Done / return control (treat as confirm).
 - `cancelled` — the user clicked Cancel (treat as reject/abort).
 - `timed_out` — nobody acted within the timeout.
-- `navigated` — the page navigated while waiting (full reload or SPA URL change). Snapshot refs are stale; run `bsk snapshot` on the new page, then decide whether to call `bsk request-help` again.
+- `completed` — the explicit `--completion-criteria` matched while the user had control.
+- `navigated` — deprecated legacy outcome. Do not rely on navigation as a completion signal.
 
 `note` carries any text the user typed back. `resolved_targets` reports
 which refs/selectors matched a live element.