diff --git a/src/inner-loop-tracker.ts b/src/inner-loop-tracker.ts
index 4b25c035..f1ea15ee 100644
--- a/src/inner-loop-tracker.ts
+++ b/src/inner-loop-tracker.ts
@@ -280,6 +280,9 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
   /** Flag indicating pending loopUpdate emission */
   private _loopUpdatePending: boolean = false;
 
+  /** When true, prevents auto-enable on pattern detection */
+  private _autoEnableDisabled: boolean = false;
+
   /**
    * Creates a new InnerLoopTracker instance.
    * Starts in disabled state until Ralph patterns are detected.
@@ -289,6 +292,28 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
     this._loopState = createInitialInnerLoopState();
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Prevent auto-enable from pattern detection.
+   * Use this when the user has explicitly disabled the Ralph tracker.
+   */
+  disableAutoEnable(): void {
+    this._autoEnableDisabled = true;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Allow auto-enable from pattern detection.
+   */
+  enableAutoEnable(): void {
+    this._autoEnableDisabled = false;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Whether auto-enable is disabled.
+   */
+  get autoEnableDisabled(): boolean {
+    return this._autoEnableDisabled;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Whether the tracker is enabled and actively monitoring output.
    * Disabled by default; auto-enables when Ralph patterns detected.
@@ -500,6 +525,10 @@ export class InnerLoopTracker extends EventEmitter {
 
     // If tracker is disabled, only check for patterns that should auto-enable it
     if (!this._loopState.enabled) {
+      // Don't auto-enable if explicitly disabled by user setting
+      if (this._autoEnableDisabled) {
+        return;
+      }
       if (this.shouldAutoEnable(cleanData)) {
         this.enable();
         // Continue processing now that we're enabled
diff --git a/src/web/server.ts b/src/web/server.ts
index adef1575..30d1791f 100644
--- a/src/web/server.ts
+++ b/src/web/server.ts
@@ -262,13 +262,14 @@ export class WebServer extends EventEmitter {
     // Configure inner loop (Ralph Wiggum) settings
     this.app.post('/api/sessions/:id/inner-config', async (req) => {
       const { id } = req.params as { id: string };
-      const { enabled, completionPhrase, maxIterations, maxTodos, todoExpirationMinutes, reset } = req.body as {
+      const { enabled, completionPhrase, maxIterations, maxTodos, todoExpirationMinutes, reset, disableAutoEnable } = req.body as {
         enabled?: boolean;
         completionPhrase?: string;
         maxIterations?: number;
         maxTodos?: number;
         todoExpirationMinutes?: number;
         reset?: boolean | 'full';  // true = soft reset (keep enabled), 'full' = complete reset
+        disableAutoEnable?: boolean;  // Prevent auto-enable on pattern detection
       };
       const session = this.sessions.get(id);
 
@@ -285,6 +286,15 @@ export class WebServer extends EventEmitter {
         }
       }
 
+      // Configure auto-enable behavior
+      if (disableAutoEnable !== undefined) {
+        if (disableAutoEnable) {
+          session.innerLoopTracker.disableAutoEnable();
+        } else {
+          session.innerLoopTracker.enableAutoEnable();
+        }
+      }
+
       // Enable/disable the tracker
       if (enabled !== undefined) {
         if (enabled) {