diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index c7118b1c..5436ade5 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ npm run test:coverage                     # With coverage report
 npx vitest run test/session.test.ts       # Single file
 npx vitest run -t "should create session" # By pattern
 # Tests use ports 3101-3108 to avoid conflicts with dev server (3000)
+# Test timeout: 30s (configured in vitest.config.ts for integration tests)
 
 # TypeScript checking (no linter configured)
 npx tsc --noEmit                          # Type check without building
@@ -92,11 +93,21 @@ test/                             # All tests use vitest, ports 3101-3108
 | Component | File | Purpose |
 |-----------|------|---------|
 | Session | `session.ts` | PTY wrapper for Claude CLI. Modes: `runPrompt()`, `startInteractive()`, `startShell()` |
-| RespawnController | `respawn-controller.ts` | State machine: watching → update → clear → init → monitor → kickstart → repeat |
+| RespawnController | `respawn-controller.ts` | State machine for autonomous session cycling (see diagram below) |
 | ScreenManager | `screen-manager.ts` | GNU screen persistence, ghost discovery, 4-strategy kill |
 | WebServer | `web/server.ts` | Fastify REST + SSE at `/api/events` |
 | InnerLoopTracker | `inner-loop-tracker.ts` | Detects `<promise>PHRASE</promise>`, todos, loop status in output |
 
+### Respawn State Machine
+
+```
+WATCHING → SENDING_UPDATE → WAITING_UPDATE → SENDING_CLEAR → WAITING_CLEAR → SENDING_INIT → WAITING_INIT → WATCHING
+    ↑                                                                                                          |
+    └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+Steps can be skipped via config (`sendClear: false`, `sendInit: false`). Idle detection triggers state transitions.
+
 ### Session Modes
 
 Sessions have a `mode` property (`SessionMode` type):
@@ -182,7 +193,14 @@ Both wait for idle. Configure via `session.setAutoCompact()` / `session.setAutoC
 
 ### Inner Loop Tracking
 
-Detects Ralph loops and todos inside Claude sessions. Patterns: `<promise>PHRASE</promise>`, checkbox todos (`- [ ]`/`- [x]`), icons (`☐`/`◐`/`✓`), cycle counts. API: `GET /api/sessions/:id/inner-state`. UI: collapsible panel below tabs, auto-hides when empty.
+Detects Ralph loops and todos inside Claude sessions. **Disabled by default** - auto-enables when Ralph-related patterns are detected:
+- `/ralph-loop` command
+- `<promise>PHRASE</promise>` completion phrases
+- `TodoWrite` tool usage
+- Iteration patterns (`Iteration 5/50`, `[5/50]`)
+- Todo checkboxes (`- [ ]`/`- [x]`) or indicator icons (`☐`/`◐`/`✓`)
+
+API: `GET /api/sessions/:id/inner-state`. UI: collapsible panel below tabs, shows "Tracking" status when enabled. Use `tracker.enable()` / `tracker.disable()` for manual control.
 
 ### Terminal Display Fix
 
diff --git a/src/inner-loop-tracker.ts b/src/inner-loop-tracker.ts
index 83d24334..61fc40c1 100644
--- a/src/inner-loop-tracker.ts
+++ b/src/inner-loop-tracker.ts
@@ -50,12 +50,16 @@ export interface InnerLoopTrackerEvents {
   loopUpdate: (state: InnerLoopState) => void;
   todoUpdate: (todos: InnerTodoItem[]) => void;
   completionDetected: (phrase: string) => void;
+  enabled: () => void;  // Emitted when tracker auto-enables
 }
 
 /**
  * InnerLoopTracker parses terminal output from Claude Code sessions to detect:
  * 1. Ralph Wiggum loop state (active, completion phrase, cycle count)
  * 2. Todo list items from the TodoWrite tool
+ *
+ * The tracker is DISABLED by default and auto-enables when Ralph-related
+ * patterns are detected (e.g., /ralph-loop, <promise>, todos).
  */
 export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
   private _loopState: InnerLoopState;
@@ -67,6 +71,36 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
     this._loopState = createInitialInnerLoopState();
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Whether the tracker is enabled and actively monitoring
+   */
+  get enabled(): boolean {
+    return this._loopState.enabled;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Enable the tracker (called automatically when Ralph patterns detected)
+   */
+  enable(): void {
+    if (!this._loopState.enabled) {
+      this._loopState.enabled = true;
+      this._loopState.lastActivity = Date.now();
+      this.emit('enabled');
+      this.emit('loopUpdate', this.loopState);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Disable the tracker
+   */
+  disable(): void {
+    if (this._loopState.enabled) {
+      this._loopState.enabled = false;
+      this._loopState.lastActivity = Date.now();
+      this.emit('loopUpdate', this.loopState);
+    }
+  }
+
   get loopState(): InnerLoopState {
     return { ...this._loopState };
   }
@@ -82,6 +116,16 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
     // Remove ANSI escape codes for cleaner parsing
     const cleanData = data.replace(ANSI_ESCAPE_PATTERN, '');
 
+    // If tracker is disabled, only check for patterns that should auto-enable it
+    if (!this._loopState.enabled) {
+      if (this.shouldAutoEnable(cleanData)) {
+        this.enable();
+        // Continue processing now that we're enabled
+      } else {
+        return; // Don't process further when disabled
+      }
+    }
+
     // Buffer data for line-based processing
     this._lineBuffer += cleanData;
 
@@ -100,6 +144,51 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
     this.cleanupExpiredTodos();
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Check if the data contains patterns that should auto-enable the tracker
+   */
+  private shouldAutoEnable(data: string): boolean {
+    // Ralph loop command: /ralph-loop
+    if (RALPH_START_PATTERN.test(data)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // Completion phrase: <promise>...</promise>
+    if (PROMISE_PATTERN.test(data)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // TodoWrite tool usage
+    if (TODOWRITE_PATTERN.test(data)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // Iteration patterns from Ralph loop: "Iteration 5/50", "[5/50]"
+    if (ITERATION_PATTERN.test(data)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // Todo checkboxes: "- [ ] Task" or "- [x] Task"
+    if (TODO_CHECKBOX_PATTERN.test(data)) {
+      // Reset lastIndex since we're reusing the global regex
+      TODO_CHECKBOX_PATTERN.lastIndex = 0;
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // Todo indicator icons: "Todo: ☐", "Todo: ◐", etc.
+    if (TODO_INDICATOR_PATTERN.test(data)) {
+      TODO_INDICATOR_PATTERN.lastIndex = 0;
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // Loop start patterns
+    if (LOOP_START_PATTERN.test(data) && !PROMISE_PATTERN.test(data)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Process a single line of terminal output
    */
@@ -388,8 +477,14 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
 
   /**
    * Mark the loop as started (can be called externally)
+   * Also enables the tracker if not already enabled
    */
   startLoop(completionPhrase?: string, maxIterations?: number): void {
+    // Enable tracker when loop is explicitly started
+    if (!this._loopState.enabled) {
+      this._loopState.enabled = true;
+      this.emit('enabled');
+    }
     this._loopState.active = true;
     this._loopState.startedAt = Date.now();
     this._loopState.cycleCount = 0;
@@ -422,9 +517,10 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
 
   /**
    * Clear all state (e.g., when session is cleared)
+   * Resets to disabled state
    */
   clear(): void {
-    this._loopState = createInitialInnerLoopState();
+    this._loopState = createInitialInnerLoopState(); // This sets enabled: false
     this._todos.clear();
     this._lineBuffer = '';
     this.emit('loopUpdate', this.loopState);
@@ -465,7 +561,11 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
    * Restore state from persisted data
    */
   restoreState(loopState: InnerLoopState, todos: InnerTodoItem[]): void {
-    this._loopState = { ...loopState };
+    // Ensure enabled flag exists (backwards compatibility)
+    this._loopState = {
+      ...loopState,
+      enabled: loopState.enabled ?? false,  // Override after spread for backwards compat
+    };
     this._todos.clear();
     for (const todo of todos) {
       this._todos.set(todo.id, { ...todo });
diff --git a/src/types.ts b/src/types.ts
index fd044442..9eeb519d 100644
--- a/src/types.ts
+++ b/src/types.ts
@@ -251,6 +251,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_CONFIG: AppConfig = {
 export type InnerTodoStatus = 'pending' | 'in_progress' | 'completed';
 
 export interface InnerLoopState {
+  enabled: boolean;  // Whether the tracker is actively monitoring (disabled by default)
   active: boolean;
   completionPhrase: string | null;
   startedAt: number | null;
@@ -280,6 +281,7 @@ export interface InnerStateRecord {
 
 export function createInitialInnerLoopState(): InnerLoopState {
   return {
+    enabled: false,  // Disabled by default, auto-enables when Ralph patterns detected
     active: false,
     completionPhrase: null,
     startedAt: null,
diff --git a/src/web/public/app.js b/src/web/public/app.js
index 897de10c..d3cd8aaa 100644
--- a/src/web/public/app.js
+++ b/src/web/public/app.js
@@ -1919,10 +1919,12 @@ class ClaudemanApp {
     const state = this.innerStates.get(this.activeSessionId);
 
     // Check if there's anything to show
+    // Only show panel if tracker is enabled OR there's active state to display
+    const isEnabled = state?.loop?.enabled === true;
     const hasLoop = state?.loop?.active || state?.loop?.completionPhrase;
     const hasTodos = state?.todos?.length > 0;
 
-    if (!hasLoop && !hasTodos) {
+    if (!isEnabled && !hasLoop && !hasTodos) {
       panel.style.display = 'none';
       return;
     }
@@ -1996,7 +1998,7 @@ class ClaudemanApp {
     const statusText = badge?.querySelector('.ralph-status-text');
     if (!badge || !statusText) return;
 
-    badge.classList.remove('active', 'completed');
+    badge.classList.remove('active', 'completed', 'tracking');
 
     if (loop?.active) {
       badge.classList.add('active');
@@ -2004,6 +2006,9 @@ class ClaudemanApp {
     } else if (loop?.completionPhrase && !loop?.active) {
       badge.classList.add('completed');
       statusText.textContent = 'Complete';
+    } else if (loop?.enabled) {
+      badge.classList.add('tracking');
+      statusText.textContent = 'Tracking';
     } else {
       statusText.textContent = 'Idle';
     }
diff --git a/src/web/public/styles.css b/src/web/public/styles.css
index ad2ace59..12337411 100644
--- a/src/web/public/styles.css
+++ b/src/web/public/styles.css
@@ -556,6 +556,10 @@ body {
   background: var(--green);
 }
 
+.ralph-status-badge.tracking .ralph-status-dot {
+  background: var(--yellow);
+}
+
 @keyframes ralph-pulse {
   0%, 100% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); }
   50% { opacity: 0.6; transform: scale(1.2); }
diff --git a/test/inner-loop-tracker.test.ts b/test/inner-loop-tracker.test.ts
index d7b840da..b8b729d5 100644
--- a/test/inner-loop-tracker.test.ts
+++ b/test/inner-loop-tracker.test.ts
@@ -14,11 +14,14 @@ describe('InnerLoopTracker', () => {
 
   beforeEach(() => {
     tracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+    // Enable tracker by default for most tests (testing detection logic)
+    tracker.enable();
   });
 
   describe('Initialization', () => {
     it('should start with inactive loop state', () => {
-      const state = tracker.loopState;
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      const state = freshTracker.loopState;
       expect(state.active).toBe(false);
       expect(state.completionPhrase).toBeNull();
       expect(state.startedAt).toBeNull();
@@ -28,6 +31,88 @@ describe('InnerLoopTracker', () => {
     it('should start with empty todos', () => {
       expect(tracker.todos).toHaveLength(0);
     });
+
+    it('should start disabled by default', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(false);
+      expect(freshTracker.loopState.enabled).toBe(false);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('Auto-Enable Behavior', () => {
+    it('should not process data when disabled', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      // This pattern doesn't trigger auto-enable
+      freshTracker.processTerminalData('Elapsed: 2.5 hours\n');
+
+      expect(freshTracker.loopState.elapsedHours).toBeNull();
+    });
+
+    it('should auto-enable on /ralph-loop command', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      const enableHandler = vi.fn();
+      freshTracker.on('enabled', enableHandler);
+
+      freshTracker.processTerminalData('/ralph-loop\n');
+
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(true);
+      expect(enableHandler).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it('should auto-enable on completion phrase', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      freshTracker.processTerminalData('<promise>COMPLETE</promise>\n');
+
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it('should auto-enable on TodoWrite detection', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      freshTracker.processTerminalData('TodoWrite: Todos have been modified\n');
+
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it('should auto-enable on todo checkboxes', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      freshTracker.processTerminalData('- [ ] New task\n');
+
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(true);
+      expect(freshTracker.todos).toHaveLength(1);
+    });
+
+    it('should auto-enable on iteration patterns', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      freshTracker.processTerminalData('Iteration 5/50\n');
+
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it('should auto-enable on loop start patterns', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      freshTracker.processTerminalData('Loop started at 2024-01-15\n');
+
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it('should allow manual enable/disable', () => {
+      const freshTracker = new InnerLoopTracker();
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(false);
+
+      freshTracker.enable();
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(true);
+
+      freshTracker.disable();
+      expect(freshTracker.enabled).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('should reset to disabled on clear', () => {
+      tracker.processTerminalData('/ralph-loop\n');
+      expect(tracker.enabled).toBe(true);
+
+      tracker.clear();
+      expect(tracker.enabled).toBe(false);
+    });
   });
 
   describe('Completion Phrase Detection', () => {
@@ -289,6 +374,7 @@ describe('InnerLoopTracker', () => {
   describe('State Restoration', () => {
     it('should restore state from persisted data', () => {
       const loopState: InnerLoopState = {
+        enabled: true,
         active: true,
         completionPhrase: 'RESTORED',
         startedAt: Date.now() - 1000,
@@ -305,12 +391,31 @@ describe('InnerLoopTracker', () => {
 
       tracker.restoreState(loopState, todos);
 
+      expect(tracker.loopState.enabled).toBe(true);
       expect(tracker.loopState.active).toBe(true);
       expect(tracker.loopState.completionPhrase).toBe('RESTORED');
       expect(tracker.loopState.cycleCount).toBe(5);
       expect(tracker.loopState.maxIterations).toBe(50);
       expect(tracker.todos).toHaveLength(2);
     });
+
+    it('should handle missing enabled flag in legacy state', () => {
+      // Simulate old state without enabled flag
+      const loopState = {
+        active: true,
+        completionPhrase: 'TEST',
+        startedAt: Date.now(),
+        cycleCount: 0,
+        maxIterations: null,
+        lastActivity: Date.now(),
+        elapsedHours: null,
+      } as InnerLoopState;
+
+      tracker.restoreState(loopState, []);
+
+      // Should default to false for backwards compatibility
+      expect(tracker.loopState.enabled).toBe(false);
+    });
   });
 
   describe('Enhanced Ralph Detection Patterns', () => {