diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1a7af418e..8a6ae14d0 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.clawd.bot
 ## 2026.1.21
 
 ### Changes
+- Heartbeat: allow running heartbeats in an explicit session key. (#1256) Thanks @zknicker.
 - CLI: default exec approvals to the local host, add gateway/node targeting flags, and show target details in allowlist output.
 - CLI: exec approvals mutations render tables instead of raw JSON.
 - Exec approvals: support wildcard agent allowlists (`*`) across all agents.
diff --git a/docs/channels/whatsapp.md b/docs/channels/whatsapp.md
index 45a4798a2..a496d1654 100644
--- a/docs/channels/whatsapp.md
+++ b/docs/channels/whatsapp.md
@@ -334,6 +334,7 @@ WhatsApp sends audio as **voice notes** (PTT bubble).
 - `agents.defaults.heartbeat.model` (optional override)
 - `agents.defaults.heartbeat.target`
 - `agents.defaults.heartbeat.to`
+- `agents.defaults.heartbeat.session`
 - `agents.list[].heartbeat.*` (per-agent overrides)
 - `session.*` (scope, idle, store, mainKey)
 - `web.enabled` (disable channel startup when false)
diff --git a/docs/gateway/configuration.md b/docs/gateway/configuration.md
index 00fd9e30f..6cdc39394 100644
--- a/docs/gateway/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/gateway/configuration.md
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Unknown keys, malformed types, or invalid values cause the Gateway to **refuse t
 
 When validation fails:
 - The Gateway does not boot.
-- Only diagnostic commands are allowed (for example: `clawdbot doctor`, `clawdbot logs`, `clawdbot health`, `clawdbot status`, `clawdbot gateway status`, `clawdbot gateway probe`, `clawdbot help`).
+- Only diagnostic commands are allowed (for example: `clawdbot doctor`, `clawdbot logs`, `clawdbot health`, `clawdbot status`, `clawdbot service`, `clawdbot help`).
 - Run `clawdbot doctor` to see the exact issues.
 - Run `clawdbot doctor --fix` (or `--yes`) to apply migrations/repairs.
 
@@ -1414,7 +1414,7 @@ Each `agents.defaults.models` entry can include:
 - `alias` (optional model shortcut, e.g. `/opus`).
 - `params` (optional provider-specific API params passed through to the model request).
 
-`params` is also applied to streaming runs (embedded agent + compaction). Supported keys today: `temperature`, `maxTokens`, `cacheControlTtl` (`"5m"` or `"1h"`, Anthropic API + OpenRouter Anthropic models only; ignored for Anthropic OAuth/Claude Code tokens). These merge with call-time options; caller-supplied values win. `temperature` is an advanced knob—leave unset unless you know the model’s defaults and need a change. Clawdbot includes the `extended-cache-ttl-2025-04-11` beta flag for Anthropic API; keep it if you override provider headers.
+`params` is also applied to streaming runs (embedded agent + compaction). Supported keys today: `temperature`, `maxTokens`. These merge with call-time options; caller-supplied values win. `temperature` is an advanced knob—leave unset unless you know the model’s defaults and need a change.
 
 Example:
 
@@ -1569,7 +1569,7 @@ Example:
 }
 ```
 
-#### `agents.defaults.contextPruning` (TTL-aware tool-result pruning)
+#### `agents.defaults.contextPruning` (tool-result pruning)
 
 `agents.defaults.contextPruning` prunes **old tool results** from the in-memory context right before a request is sent to the LLM.
 It does **not** modify the session history on disk (`*.jsonl` remains complete).
@@ -1580,9 +1580,11 @@ High level:
 - Never touches user/assistant messages.
 - Protects the last `keepLastAssistants` assistant messages (no tool results after that point are pruned).
 - Protects the bootstrap prefix (nothing before the first user message is pruned).
-- Mode:
-  - `cache-ttl`: pruning only runs when the last Anthropic call for the session is **older** than `ttl`.
-    When it runs, it uses the same soft-trim + hard-clear behavior as before.
+- Modes:
+  - `adaptive`: soft-trims oversized tool results (keep head/tail) when the estimated context ratio crosses `softTrimRatio`.
+    Then hard-clears the oldest eligible tool results when the estimated context ratio crosses `hardClearRatio` **and**
+    there’s enough prunable tool-result bulk (`minPrunableToolChars`).
+  - `aggressive`: always replaces eligible tool results before the cutoff with the `hardClear.placeholder` (no ratio checks).
 
 Soft vs hard pruning (what changes in the context sent to the LLM):
 - **Soft-trim**: only for *oversized* tool results. Keeps the beginning + end and inserts `...` in the middle.
@@ -1596,41 +1598,44 @@ Notes / current limitations:
 - Tool results containing **image blocks are skipped** (never trimmed/cleared) right now.
 - The estimated “context ratio” is based on **characters** (approximate), not exact tokens.
 - If the session doesn’t contain at least `keepLastAssistants` assistant messages yet, pruning is skipped.
-- `cache-ttl` only activates for Anthropic API calls (and OpenRouter Anthropic models).
-- After a prune, the TTL window resets so subsequent requests keep cache until `ttl` expires again.
-- For best results, match `contextPruning.ttl` to the model `cacheControlTtl` you set in `agents.defaults.models.*.params`.
+- In `aggressive` mode, `hardClear.enabled` is ignored (eligible tool results are always replaced with `hardClear.placeholder`).
 
-Default (off, unless Anthropic auth profiles are detected):
+Default (adaptive):
+```json5
+{
+  agents: { defaults: { contextPruning: { mode: "adaptive" } } }
+}
+```
+
+To disable:
 ```json5
 {
   agents: { defaults: { contextPruning: { mode: "off" } } }
 }
 ```
 
-Enable TTL-aware pruning:
+Defaults (when `mode` is `"adaptive"` or `"aggressive"`):
+- `keepLastAssistants`: `3`
+- `softTrimRatio`: `0.3` (adaptive only)
+- `hardClearRatio`: `0.5` (adaptive only)
+- `minPrunableToolChars`: `50000` (adaptive only)
+- `softTrim`: `{ maxChars: 4000, headChars: 1500, tailChars: 1500 }` (adaptive only)
+- `hardClear`: `{ enabled: true, placeholder: "[Old tool result content cleared]" }`
+
+Example (aggressive, minimal):
 ```json5
 {
-  agents: { defaults: { contextPruning: { mode: "cache-ttl" } } }
+  agents: { defaults: { contextPruning: { mode: "aggressive" } } }
 }
 ```
 
-Defaults (when `mode` is `"cache-ttl"`):
-- `ttl`: `"5m"`
-- `keepLastAssistants`: `3`
-- `softTrimRatio`: `0.3`
-- `hardClearRatio`: `0.5`
-- `minPrunableToolChars`: `50000`
-- `softTrim`: `{ maxChars: 4000, headChars: 1500, tailChars: 1500 }`
-- `hardClear`: `{ enabled: true, placeholder: "[Old tool result content cleared]" }`
-
-Example (cache-ttl tuned):
+Example (adaptive tuned):
 ```json5
 {
   agents: {
     defaults: {
       contextPruning: {
-        mode: "cache-ttl",
-        ttl: "5m",
+        mode: "adaptive",
         keepLastAssistants: 3,
         softTrimRatio: 0.3,
         hardClearRatio: 0.5,
@@ -1737,12 +1742,9 @@ Z.AI models are available as `zai/<model>` (e.g. `zai/glm-4.7`) and require
   `30m`. Set `0m` to disable.
 - `model`: optional override model for heartbeat runs (`provider/model`).
 - `includeReasoning`: when `true`, heartbeats will also deliver the separate `Reasoning:` message when available (same shape as `/reasoning on`). Default: `false`.
-- `activeHours`: optional local-time window that controls when heartbeats run.
-  - `start`: start time (HH:MM, 24h). Inclusive.
-  - `end`: end time (HH:MM, 24h). Exclusive. Use `"24:00"` for end-of-day.
-  - `timezone`: `"user"` (default), `"local"`, or an IANA timezone id.
-- `target`: optional delivery channel (`last`, `whatsapp`, `telegram`, `discord`, `slack`, `signal`, `imessage`, `none`). Default: `last`.
+- `session`: optional session key to control which session the heartbeat runs in. Default: `main`.
 - `to`: optional recipient override (channel-specific id, e.g. E.164 for WhatsApp, chat id for Telegram).
+- `target`: optional delivery channel (`last`, `whatsapp`, `telegram`, `discord`, `slack`, `msteams`, `signal`, `imessage`, `none`). Default: `last`.
 - `prompt`: optional override for the heartbeat body (default: `Read HEARTBEAT.md if it exists (workspace context). Follow it strictly. Do not infer or repeat old tasks from prior chats. If nothing needs attention, reply HEARTBEAT_OK.`). Overrides are sent verbatim; include a `Read HEARTBEAT.md` line if you still want the file read.
 - `ackMaxChars`: max chars allowed after `HEARTBEAT_OK` before delivery (default: 300).
 
@@ -1773,7 +1775,6 @@ Note: `applyPatch` is only under `tools.exec`.
 - `tools.web.fetch.maxChars` (default 50000)
 - `tools.web.fetch.timeoutSeconds` (default 30)
 - `tools.web.fetch.cacheTtlMinutes` (default 15)
-- `tools.web.fetch.maxRedirects` (default 3)
 - `tools.web.fetch.userAgent` (optional override)
 - `tools.web.fetch.readability` (default true; disable to use basic HTML cleanup only)
 - `tools.web.fetch.firecrawl.enabled` (default true when an API key is set)
@@ -1840,7 +1841,7 @@ Example:
 
 `agents.defaults.subagents` configures sub-agent defaults:
 - `model`: default model for spawned sub-agents (string or `{ primary, fallbacks }`). If omitted, sub-agents inherit the caller’s model unless overridden per agent or per call.
-- `maxConcurrent`: max concurrent sub-agent runs (default 8)
+- `maxConcurrent`: max concurrent sub-agent runs (default 1)
 - `archiveAfterMinutes`: auto-archive sub-agent sessions after N minutes (default 60; set `0` to disable)
 - Per-subagent tool policy: `tools.subagents.tools.allow` / `tools.subagents.tools.deny` (deny wins)
 
@@ -1974,7 +1975,7 @@ Notes:
 
 `agents.defaults.maxConcurrent` sets the maximum number of embedded agent runs that can
 execute in parallel across sessions. Each session is still serialized (one run
-per session key at a time). Default: 4.
+per session key at a time). Default: 1.
 
 ### `agents.defaults.sandbox`
 
@@ -2452,9 +2453,6 @@ Controls session scoping, reset policy, reset triggers, and where the session st
       dm: { mode: "idle", idleMinutes: 240 },
       group: { mode: "idle", idleMinutes: 120 }
     },
-    resetByChannel: {
-      discord: { mode: "idle", idleMinutes: 10080 }
-    },
     resetTriggers: ["/new", "/reset"],
     // Default is already per-agent under ~/.clawdbot/agents/<agentId>/sessions/sessions.json
     // You can override with {agentId} templating:
@@ -2490,7 +2488,7 @@ Fields:
   - `idleMinutes`: sliding idle window in minutes. When daily + idle are both configured, whichever expires first wins.
 - `resetByType`: per-session overrides for `dm`, `group`, and `thread`.
   - If you only set legacy `session.idleMinutes` without any `reset`/`resetByType`, Clawdbot stays in idle-only mode for backward compatibility.
-- `resetByChannel`: channel-specific reset policy overrides (keyed by channel id, applies to all session types for that channel; overrides `reset`/`resetByType`).
+- `heartbeatIdleMinutes`: optional idle override for heartbeat checks (daily reset still applies when enabled).
 - `agentToAgent.maxPingPongTurns`: max reply-back turns between requester/target (0–5, default 5).
 - `sendPolicy.default`: `allow` or `deny` fallback when no rule matches.
 - `sendPolicy.rules[]`: match by `channel`, `chatType` (`direct|group|room`), or `keyPrefix` (e.g. `cron:`). First deny wins; otherwise allow.
@@ -2617,13 +2615,10 @@ Defaults:
     // noSandbox: false,
     // executablePath: "/Applications/Brave Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/Brave Browser",
     // attachOnly: false, // set true when tunneling a remote CDP to localhost
-    // snapshotDefaults: { mode: "efficient" }, // tool/CLI default snapshot preset
   }
 }
 ```
 
-Note: `browser.snapshotDefaults` only affects Clawdbot's browser tool + CLI. Direct HTTP clients must pass `mode` explicitly.
-
 ### `ui` (Appearance)
 
 Optional accent color used by the native apps for UI chrome (e.g. Talk Mode bubble tint).
@@ -2647,13 +2642,6 @@ Defaults:
 - bind: `loopback`
 - port: `18789` (single port for WS + HTTP)
 
-Bind modes:
-- `loopback`: `127.0.0.1` (local-only)
-- `lan`: `0.0.0.0` (all interfaces)
-- `tailnet`: Tailscale IPv4 address (100.64.0.0/10)
-- `auto`: prefer loopback, fall back to LAN if loopback cannot bind
-- `custom`: `gateway.customBindHost` (IPv4), fallback to LAN if unavailable
-
 ```json5
 {
   gateway: {
@@ -2684,15 +2672,14 @@ Notes:
 - `clawdbot gateway` refuses to start unless `gateway.mode` is set to `local` (or you pass the override flag).
 - `gateway.port` controls the single multiplexed port used for WebSocket + HTTP (control UI, hooks, A2UI).
 - OpenAI Chat Completions endpoint: **disabled by default**; enable with `gateway.http.endpoints.chatCompletions.enabled: true`.
-- OpenResponses endpoint: **disabled by default**; enable with `gateway.http.endpoints.responses.enabled: true`.
 - Precedence: `--port` > `CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT` > `gateway.port` > default `18789`.
-- Non-loopback binds (`lan`/`tailnet`/`custom`, or `auto` when loopback is unavailable) require auth. Use `gateway.auth.token` (or `CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_TOKEN`).
+- Non-loopback binds (`lan`/`tailnet`/`auto`) require auth. Use `gateway.auth.token` (or `CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_TOKEN`).
 - The onboarding wizard generates a gateway token by default (even on loopback).
 - `gateway.remote.token` is **only** for remote CLI calls; it does not enable local gateway auth. `gateway.token` is ignored.
 
 Auth and Tailscale:
 - `gateway.auth.mode` sets the handshake requirements (`token` or `password`).
-- `gateway.auth.token` stores the shared token for token auth (used by the CLI on the same machine and as the bootstrap credential for device pairing).
+- `gateway.auth.token` stores the shared token for token auth (used by the CLI on the same machine).
 - When `gateway.auth.mode` is set, only that method is accepted (plus optional Tailscale headers).
 - `gateway.auth.password` can be set here, or via `CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PASSWORD` (recommended).
 - `gateway.auth.allowTailscale` allows Tailscale Serve identity headers
@@ -2701,9 +2688,6 @@ Auth and Tailscale:
   `true`, Serve requests do not need a token/password; set `false` to require
   explicit credentials. Defaults to `true` when `tailscale.mode = "serve"` and
   auth mode is not `password`.
-- After pairing, the Gateway issues **device tokens** scoped to the device role + scopes.
-  These are returned in `hello-ok.auth.deviceToken`; clients should persist and reuse them
-  instead of the shared token. Rotate/revoke via `device.token.rotate`/`device.token.revoke`.
 - `gateway.tailscale.mode: "serve"` uses Tailscale Serve (tailnet only, loopback bind).
 - `gateway.tailscale.mode: "funnel"` exposes the dashboard publicly; requires auth.
 - `gateway.tailscale.resetOnExit` resets Serve/Funnel config on shutdown.
@@ -2712,7 +2696,6 @@ Remote client defaults (CLI):
 - `gateway.remote.url` sets the default Gateway WebSocket URL for CLI calls when `gateway.mode = "remote"`.
 - `gateway.remote.token` supplies the token for remote calls (leave unset for no auth).
 - `gateway.remote.password` supplies the password for remote calls (leave unset for no auth).
-- `gateway.remote.tlsFingerprint` pins the gateway TLS cert fingerprint (sha256).
 
 macOS app behavior:
 - Clawdbot.app watches `~/.clawdbot/clawdbot.json` and switches modes live when `gateway.mode` or `gateway.remote.url` changes.
@@ -2726,36 +2709,12 @@ macOS app behavior:
     remote: {
       url: "ws://gateway.tailnet:18789",
       token: "your-token",
-      password: "your-password",
-      tlsFingerprint: "sha256:ab12cd34..."
+      password: "your-password"
     }
   }
 }
 ```
 
-### `gateway.nodes` (Node command allowlist)
-
-The Gateway enforces a per-platform command allowlist for `node.invoke`. Nodes must both
-**declare** a command and have it **allowed** by the Gateway to run it.
-
-Use this section to extend or deny commands:
-
-```json5
-{
-  gateway: {
-    nodes: {
-      allowCommands: ["custom.vendor.command"], // extra commands beyond defaults
-      denyCommands: ["sms.send"]      // block a command even if declared
-    }
-  }
-}
-```
-
-Notes:
-- `allowCommands` extends the built-in per-platform defaults.
-- `denyCommands` always wins (even if the node claims the command).
-- `node.invoke` rejects commands that are not declared by the node.
-
 ### `gateway.reload` (Config hot reload)
 
 The Gateway watches `~/.clawdbot/clawdbot.json` (or `CLAWDBOT_CONFIG_PATH`) and applies changes automatically.
@@ -3003,7 +2962,7 @@ Auto-generated certs require `openssl` on PATH; if generation fails, the bridge
 
 ### `discovery.wideArea` (Wide-Area Bonjour / unicast DNS‑SD)
 
-When enabled, the Gateway writes a unicast DNS-SD zone for `_clawdbot-gw._tcp` under `~/.clawdbot/dns/` using the standard discovery domain `clawdbot.internal.`
+When enabled, the Gateway writes a unicast DNS-SD zone for `_clawdbot-bridge._tcp` under `~/.clawdbot/dns/` using the standard discovery domain `clawdbot.internal.`
 
 To make iOS/Android discover across networks (Vienna ⇄ London), pair this with:
 - a DNS server on the gateway host serving `clawdbot.internal.` (CoreDNS is recommended)
@@ -3033,9 +2992,6 @@ Template placeholders are expanded in `tools.media.*.models[].args` and `tools.m
 | `{{From}}` | Sender identifier (E.164 for WhatsApp; may differ per channel) |
 | `{{To}}` | Destination identifier |
 | `{{MessageSid}}` | Channel message id (when available) |
-| `{{MessageSidFull}}` | Provider-specific full message id when `MessageSid` is shortened |
-| `{{ReplyToId}}` | Reply-to message id (when available) |
-| `{{ReplyToIdFull}}` | Provider-specific full reply-to id when `ReplyToId` is shortened |
 | `{{SessionId}}` | Current session UUID |
 | `{{IsNewSession}}` | `"true"` when a new session was created |
 | `{{MediaUrl}}` | Inbound media pseudo-URL (if present) |
diff --git a/docs/gateway/heartbeat.md b/docs/gateway/heartbeat.md
index 3c5740da3..cc6c2a7d5 100644
--- a/docs/gateway/heartbeat.md
+++ b/docs/gateway/heartbeat.md
@@ -127,18 +127,26 @@ Example: two agents, only the second agent runs heartbeats.
 - `every`: heartbeat interval (duration string; default unit = minutes).
 - `model`: optional model override for heartbeat runs (`provider/model`).
 - `includeReasoning`: when enabled, also deliver the separate `Reasoning:` message when available (same shape as `/reasoning on`).
+- `session`: optional session key for heartbeat runs.
+  - `main` (default): agent main session.
+  - Explicit session key (copy from `clawdbot sessions --json` or the [sessions CLI](/cli/sessions)).
+  - Session key formats: see [Sessions](/concepts/session) and [Groups](/concepts/groups).
 - `target`:
   - `last` (default): deliver to the last used external channel.
-  - explicit channel: `whatsapp` / `telegram` / `discord` / `slack` / `signal` / `imessage`.
+  - explicit channel: `whatsapp` / `telegram` / `discord` / `slack` / `msteams` / `signal` / `imessage`.
   - `none`: run the heartbeat but **do not deliver** externally.
-- `to`: optional recipient override (E.164 for WhatsApp, chat id for Telegram, etc.).
+- `to`: optional recipient override (channel-specific id, e.g. E.164 for WhatsApp or a Telegram chat id).
 - `prompt`: overrides the default prompt body (not merged).
 - `ackMaxChars`: max chars allowed after `HEARTBEAT_OK` before delivery.
 
 ## Delivery behavior
 
-- Heartbeats run in each agent’s **main session** (`agent:<id>:<mainKey>`), or `global`
-  when `session.scope = "global"`.
+- Heartbeats run in the agent’s main session by default (`agent:<id>:<mainKey>`),
+  or `global` when `session.scope = "global"`. Set `session` to override to a
+  specific channel session (Discord/WhatsApp/etc.).
+- `session` only affects the run context; delivery is controlled by `target` and `to`.
+- To deliver to a specific channel/recipient, set `target` + `to`. With
+  `target: "last"`, delivery uses the last external channel for that session.
 - If the main queue is busy, the heartbeat is skipped and retried later.
 - If `target` resolves to no external destination, the run still happens but no
   outbound message is sent.
diff --git a/src/auto-reply/reply.directive.directive-behavior.lists-allowlisted-models-model-list.test.ts b/src/auto-reply/reply.directive.directive-behavior.lists-allowlisted-models-model-list.test.ts
index 2b42977cb..66f4ebee1 100644
--- a/src/auto-reply/reply.directive.directive-behavior.lists-allowlisted-models-model-list.test.ts
+++ b/src/auto-reply/reply.directive.directive-behavior.lists-allowlisted-models-model-list.test.ts
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ describe("directive behavior", () => {
     vi.restoreAllMocks();
   });
 
-  it("moves /model list to /models", async () => {
+  it("aliases /model list to /models", async () => {
     await withTempHome(async (home) => {
       vi.mocked(runEmbeddedPiAgent).mockReset();
       const storePath = path.join(home, "sessions.json");
@@ -84,13 +84,15 @@ describe("directive behavior", () => {
       );
 
       const text = Array.isArray(res) ? res[0]?.text : res?.text;
-      expect(text).toContain("Model listing moved.");
-      expect(text).toContain("Use: /models (providers) or /models <provider> (models)");
+      expect(text).toContain("Providers:");
+      expect(text).toContain("- anthropic");
+      expect(text).toContain("- openai");
+      expect(text).toContain("Use: /models <provider>");
       expect(text).toContain("Switch: /model <provider/model>");
       expect(runEmbeddedPiAgent).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
   });
-  it("shows summary on /model when catalog is unavailable", async () => {
+  it("shows current model when catalog is unavailable", async () => {
     await withTempHome(async (home) => {
       vi.mocked(runEmbeddedPiAgent).mockReset();
       vi.mocked(loadModelCatalog).mockResolvedValueOnce([]);
@@ -122,10 +124,10 @@ describe("directive behavior", () => {
       expect(runEmbeddedPiAgent).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
   });
-  it("moves /model list to /models even when no allowlist is set", async () => {
+  it("includes catalog providers when no allowlist is set", async () => {
     await withTempHome(async (home) => {
       vi.mocked(runEmbeddedPiAgent).mockReset();
-      vi.mocked(loadModelCatalog).mockResolvedValueOnce([
+      vi.mocked(loadModelCatalog).mockResolvedValue([
         { id: "claude-opus-4-5", name: "Opus 4.5", provider: "anthropic" },
         { id: "gpt-4.1-mini", name: "GPT-4.1 Mini", provider: "openai" },
         { id: "grok-4", name: "Grok 4", provider: "xai" },
@@ -151,13 +153,15 @@ describe("directive behavior", () => {
       );
 
       const text = Array.isArray(res) ? res[0]?.text : res?.text;
-      expect(text).toContain("Model listing moved.");
-      expect(text).toContain("Use: /models (providers) or /models <provider> (models)");
-      expect(text).toContain("Switch: /model <provider/model>");
+      expect(text).toContain("Providers:");
+      expect(text).toContain("- anthropic");
+      expect(text).toContain("- openai");
+      expect(text).toContain("- xai");
+      expect(text).toContain("Use: /models <provider>");
       expect(runEmbeddedPiAgent).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
   });
-  it("moves /model list to /models even when catalog is present", async () => {
+  it("lists config-only providers when catalog is present", async () => {
     await withTempHome(async (home) => {
       vi.mocked(runEmbeddedPiAgent).mockReset();
       // Catalog present but missing custom providers: /model should still include
@@ -173,7 +177,7 @@ describe("directive behavior", () => {
       const storePath = path.join(home, "sessions.json");
 
       const res = await getReplyFromConfig(
-        { Body: "/model list", From: "+1222", To: "+1222", CommandAuthorized: true },
+        { Body: "/models minimax", From: "+1222", To: "+1222", CommandAuthorized: true },
         {},
         {
           agents: {
@@ -202,13 +206,12 @@ describe("directive behavior", () => {
       );
 
       const text = Array.isArray(res) ? res[0]?.text : res?.text;
-      expect(text).toContain("Model listing moved.");
-      expect(text).toContain("Use: /models (providers) or /models <provider> (models)");
-      expect(text).toContain("Switch: /model <provider/model>");
+      expect(text).toContain("Model set to minimax");
+      expect(text).toContain("minimax/MiniMax-M2.1");
       expect(runEmbeddedPiAgent).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
   });
-  it("moves /model list to /models without listing auth labels", async () => {
+  it("does not repeat missing auth labels on /model list", async () => {
     await withTempHome(async (home) => {
       vi.mocked(runEmbeddedPiAgent).mockReset();
       const storePath = path.join(home, "sessions.json");
@@ -231,9 +234,7 @@ describe("directive behavior", () => {
       );
 
       const text = Array.isArray(res) ? res[0]?.text : res?.text;
-      expect(text).toContain("Model listing moved.");
-      expect(text).toContain("Use: /models (providers) or /models <provider> (models)");
-      expect(text).toContain("Switch: /model <provider/model>");
+      expect(text).toContain("Providers:");
       expect(text).not.toContain("missing (missing)");
       expect(runEmbeddedPiAgent).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
diff --git a/src/auto-reply/reply.directive.directive-behavior.updates-tool-verbose-during-flight-run-toggle.test.ts b/src/auto-reply/reply.directive.directive-behavior.updates-tool-verbose-during-flight-run-toggle.test.ts
index c3d6a5fdd..74cd2b13e 100644
--- a/src/auto-reply/reply.directive.directive-behavior.updates-tool-verbose-during-flight-run-toggle.test.ts
+++ b/src/auto-reply/reply.directive.directive-behavior.updates-tool-verbose-during-flight-run-toggle.test.ts
@@ -215,6 +215,7 @@ describe("directive behavior", () => {
       expect(text).toContain("Switch: /model <provider/model>");
       expect(text).toContain("Browse: /models (providers) or /models <provider> (models)");
       expect(text).toContain("More: /model status");
+      expect(text).not.toContain("openai/gpt-4.1-mini");
       expect(runEmbeddedPiAgent).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
   });
diff --git a/src/auto-reply/reply.triggers.trigger-handling.shows-quick-model-picker-grouped-by-model.test.ts b/src/auto-reply/reply.triggers.trigger-handling.shows-quick-model-picker-grouped-by-model.test.ts
index 0de7dedb6..876225295 100644
--- a/src/auto-reply/reply.triggers.trigger-handling.shows-quick-model-picker-grouped-by-model.test.ts
+++ b/src/auto-reply/reply.triggers.trigger-handling.shows-quick-model-picker-grouped-by-model.test.ts
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ describe("trigger handling", () => {
       expect(normalized).not.toContain("image");
     });
   });
-  it("moves /model list to /models", async () => {
+  it("aliases /model list to /models", async () => {
     await withTempHome(async (home) => {
       const cfg = makeCfg(home);
       const res = await getReplyFromConfig(
@@ -143,8 +143,8 @@ describe("trigger handling", () => {
 
       const text = Array.isArray(res) ? res[0]?.text : res?.text;
       const normalized = normalizeTestText(text ?? "");
-      expect(normalized).toContain("Model listing moved.");
-      expect(normalized).toContain("Use: /models (providers) or /models <provider> (models)");
+      expect(normalized).toContain("Providers:");
+      expect(normalized).toContain("Use: /models <provider>");
       expect(normalized).toContain("Switch: /model <provider/model>");
     });
   });
diff --git a/src/auto-reply/reply/commands-models.ts b/src/auto-reply/reply/commands-models.ts
index 652c8d0e8..c7761a8be 100644
--- a/src/auto-reply/reply/commands-models.ts
+++ b/src/auto-reply/reply/commands-models.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   resolveModelRefFromString,
 } from "../../agents/model-selection.js";
 import { DEFAULT_MODEL, DEFAULT_PROVIDER } from "../../agents/defaults.js";
+import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../../config/config.js";
 import type { ReplyPayload } from "../types.js";
 import type { CommandHandler } from "./commands-types.js";
 
@@ -68,10 +69,11 @@ function parseModelsArgs(raw: string): {
   };
 }
 
-export const handleModelsCommand: CommandHandler = async (params, allowTextCommands) => {
-  if (!allowTextCommands) return null;
-
-  const body = params.command.commandBodyNormalized.trim();
+export async function resolveModelsCommandReply(params: {
+  cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
+  commandBodyNormalized: string;
+}): Promise<ReplyPayload | null> {
+  const body = params.commandBodyNormalized.trim();
   if (!body.startsWith("/models")) return null;
 
   const argText = body.replace(/^\/models\b/i, "").trim();
@@ -164,7 +166,7 @@ export const handleModelsCommand: CommandHandler = async (params, allowTextComma
       "Use: /models <provider>",
       "Switch: /model <provider/model>",
     ];
-    return { reply: { text: lines.join("\n") }, shouldContinue: false };
+    return { text: lines.join("\n") };
   }
 
   if (!byProvider.has(provider)) {
@@ -176,7 +178,7 @@ export const handleModelsCommand: CommandHandler = async (params, allowTextComma
       "",
       "Use: /models <provider>",
     ];
-    return { reply: { text: lines.join("\n") }, shouldContinue: false };
+    return { text: lines.join("\n") };
   }
 
   const models = [...(byProvider.get(provider) ?? new Set<string>())].sort();
@@ -189,7 +191,7 @@ export const handleModelsCommand: CommandHandler = async (params, allowTextComma
       "Browse: /models",
       "Switch: /model <provider/model>",
     ];
-    return { reply: { text: lines.join("\n") }, shouldContinue: false };
+    return { text: lines.join("\n") };
   }
 
   const effectivePageSize = all ? total : pageSize;
@@ -203,7 +205,7 @@ export const handleModelsCommand: CommandHandler = async (params, allowTextComma
       `Try: /models ${provider} ${safePage}`,
       `All: /models ${provider} all`,
     ];
-    return { reply: { text: lines.join("\n") }, shouldContinue: false };
+    return { text: lines.join("\n") };
   }
 
   const startIndex = (safePage - 1) * effectivePageSize;
@@ -226,5 +228,16 @@ export const handleModelsCommand: CommandHandler = async (params, allowTextComma
   }
 
   const payload: ReplyPayload = { text: lines.join("\n") };
-  return { reply: payload, shouldContinue: false };
+  return payload;
+}
+
+export const handleModelsCommand: CommandHandler = async (params, allowTextCommands) => {
+  if (!allowTextCommands) return null;
+
+  const reply = await resolveModelsCommandReply({
+    cfg: params.cfg,
+    commandBodyNormalized: params.command.commandBodyNormalized,
+  });
+  if (!reply) return null;
+  return { reply, shouldContinue: false };
 };
diff --git a/src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.model.chat-ux.test.ts b/src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.model.chat-ux.test.ts
index 1e8b2dc7b..c1e2ab7d9 100644
--- a/src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.model.chat-ux.test.ts
+++ b/src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.model.chat-ux.test.ts
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ describe("/model chat UX", () => {
     expect(reply?.text).toContain("Switch: /model <provider/model>");
   });
 
-  it("suggests closest match for typos without switching", () => {
+  it("auto-applies closest match for typos", () => {
     const directives = parseInlineDirectives("/model anthropic/claud-opus-4-5");
     const cfg = { commands: { text: true } } as unknown as ClawdbotConfig;
 
@@ -52,9 +52,11 @@ describe("/model chat UX", () => {
       provider: "anthropic",
     });
 
-    expect(resolved.modelSelection).toBeUndefined();
-    expect(resolved.errorText).toContain("Did you mean:");
-    expect(resolved.errorText).toContain("anthropic/claude-opus-4-5");
-    expect(resolved.errorText).toContain("Try: /model anthropic/claude-opus-4-5");
+    expect(resolved.modelSelection).toEqual({
+      provider: "anthropic",
+      model: "claude-opus-4-5",
+      isDefault: true,
+    });
+    expect(resolved.errorText).toBeUndefined();
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.model.ts b/src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.model.ts
index dd2f98914..667eb4b90 100644
--- a/src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.model.ts
+++ b/src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.model.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   resolveProviderEndpointLabel,
 } from "./directive-handling.model-picker.js";
 import type { InlineDirectives } from "./directive-handling.parse.js";
+import { resolveModelsCommandReply } from "./commands-models.js";
 import { type ModelDirectiveSelection, resolveModelDirectiveSelection } from "./model-selection.js";
 
 function buildModelPickerCatalog(params: {
@@ -185,14 +186,11 @@ export async function maybeHandleModelDirectiveInfo(params: {
   });
 
   if (wantsLegacyList) {
-    return {
-      text: [
-        "Model listing moved.",
-        "",
-        "Use: /models (providers) or /models <provider> (models)",
-        "Switch: /model <provider/model>",
-      ].join("\n"),
-    };
+    const reply = await resolveModelsCommandReply({
+      cfg: params.cfg,
+      commandBodyNormalized: "/models",
+    });
+    return reply ?? { text: "No models available." };
   }
 
   if (wantsSummary) {
@@ -340,42 +338,7 @@ export function resolveModelSelectionFromDirective(params: {
     }
 
     if (resolved.selection) {
-      const suggestion = `${resolved.selection.provider}/${resolved.selection.model}`;
-      const rawHasSlash = raw.includes("/");
-      const shouldAutoSelect = (() => {
-        if (!rawHasSlash) return true;
-        const slash = raw.indexOf("/");
-        if (slash <= 0) return true;
-        const rawProvider = normalizeProviderId(raw.slice(0, slash));
-        const rawFragment = raw
-          .slice(slash + 1)
-          .trim()
-          .toLowerCase();
-        if (!rawFragment) return false;
-        const resolvedProvider = normalizeProviderId(resolved.selection.provider);
-        if (rawProvider !== resolvedProvider) return false;
-        const resolvedModel = resolved.selection.model.toLowerCase();
-        return (
-          resolvedModel.startsWith(rawFragment) ||
-          resolvedModel.includes(rawFragment) ||
-          rawFragment.startsWith(resolvedModel)
-        );
-      })();
-
-      if (shouldAutoSelect) {
-        modelSelection = resolved.selection;
-      } else {
-        return {
-          errorText: [
-            `Unrecognized model: ${raw}`,
-            "",
-            `Did you mean: ${suggestion}`,
-            `Try: /model ${suggestion}`,
-            "",
-            "Browse: /models or /models <provider>",
-          ].join("\n"),
-        };
-      }
+      modelSelection = resolved.selection;
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/config/types.agent-defaults.ts b/src/config/types.agent-defaults.ts
index 35d7548ab..11f7cf10d 100644
--- a/src/config/types.agent-defaults.ts
+++ b/src/config/types.agent-defaults.ts
@@ -173,6 +173,8 @@ export type AgentDefaultsConfig = {
     };
     /** Heartbeat model override (provider/model). */
     model?: string;
+    /** Session key for heartbeat runs ("main" or explicit session key). */
+    session?: string;
     /** Delivery target (last|whatsapp|telegram|discord|slack|msteams|signal|imessage|none). */
     target?:
       | "last"
diff --git a/src/config/zod-schema.agent-runtime.ts b/src/config/zod-schema.agent-runtime.ts
index b01fd264b..d34165907 100644
--- a/src/config/zod-schema.agent-runtime.ts
+++ b/src/config/zod-schema.agent-runtime.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ export const HeartbeatSchema = z
       .strict()
       .optional(),
     model: z.string().optional(),
+    session: z.string().optional(),
     includeReasoning: z.boolean().optional(),
     target: z
       .union([
diff --git a/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.respects-ackmaxchars-heartbeat-acks.test.ts b/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.respects-ackmaxchars-heartbeat-acks.test.ts
index aa961a301..7e7ae0b78 100644
--- a/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.respects-ackmaxchars-heartbeat-acks.test.ts
+++ b/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.respects-ackmaxchars-heartbeat-acks.test.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             heartbeat: {
               every: "5m",
               target: "whatsapp",
-              to: "+1555",
               ackMaxChars: 0,
             },
           },
@@ -58,6 +57,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
               lastProvider: "whatsapp",
               lastTo: "+1555",
             },
@@ -102,7 +102,6 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             heartbeat: {
               every: "5m",
               target: "whatsapp",
-              to: "+1555",
             },
           },
         },
@@ -118,6 +117,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
               lastProvider: "whatsapp",
               lastTo: "+1555",
             },
@@ -164,7 +164,6 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             heartbeat: {
               every: "5m",
               target: "whatsapp",
-              to: "+1555",
             },
           },
         },
@@ -180,6 +179,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: originalUpdatedAt,
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
               lastProvider: "whatsapp",
               lastTo: "+1555",
             },
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
       const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {
         agents: {
           defaults: {
-            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp", to: "+1555" },
+            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp" },
           },
         },
         channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["*"] } },
@@ -246,6 +246,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
               lastProvider: "whatsapp",
               lastTo: "+1555",
             },
@@ -291,7 +292,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
       const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {
         agents: {
           defaults: {
-            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "telegram", to: "123456" },
+            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "telegram" },
           },
         },
         channels: { telegram: { botToken: "test-bot-token-123" } },
@@ -306,6 +307,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "telegram",
               lastProvider: "telegram",
               lastTo: "123456",
             },
@@ -357,7 +359,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
       const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {
         agents: {
           defaults: {
-            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "telegram", to: "123456" },
+            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "telegram" },
           },
         },
         channels: {
@@ -378,6 +380,7 @@ describe("resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "telegram",
               lastProvider: "telegram",
               lastTo: "123456",
             },
diff --git a/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.returns-default-unset.test.ts b/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.returns-default-unset.test.ts
index c65475d13..e52c578e7 100644
--- a/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.returns-default-unset.test.ts
+++ b/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.returns-default-unset.test.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
   resolveMainSessionKey,
   resolveStorePath,
 } from "../config/sessions.js";
+import { buildAgentPeerSessionKey } from "../routing/session-key.js";
 import {
   isHeartbeatEnabledForAgent,
   resolveHeartbeatIntervalMs,
@@ -332,7 +333,7 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
       const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {
         agents: {
           defaults: {
-            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp", to: "+1555" },
+            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp" },
           },
         },
         channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["*"] } },
@@ -395,7 +396,7 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
             { id: "main", default: true },
             {
               id: "ops",
-              heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp", to: "+1555", prompt: "Ops check" },
+              heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp", prompt: "Ops check" },
             },
           ],
         },
@@ -451,6 +452,88 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
     }
   });
 
+  it("runs heartbeats in the explicit session key when configured", async () => {
+    const tmpDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "clawdbot-hb-"));
+    const storePath = path.join(tmpDir, "sessions.json");
+    const replySpy = vi.spyOn(replyModule, "getReplyFromConfig");
+    try {
+      const groupId = "120363401234567890@g.us";
+      const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {
+        agents: {
+          defaults: {
+            heartbeat: {
+              every: "5m",
+              target: "last",
+            },
+          },
+        },
+        channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["*"] } },
+        session: { store: storePath },
+      };
+      const mainSessionKey = resolveMainSessionKey(cfg);
+      const agentId = resolveAgentIdFromSessionKey(mainSessionKey);
+      const groupSessionKey = buildAgentPeerSessionKey({
+        agentId,
+        channel: "whatsapp",
+        peerKind: "group",
+        peerId: groupId,
+      });
+      if (cfg.agents?.defaults?.heartbeat) {
+        cfg.agents.defaults.heartbeat.session = groupSessionKey;
+      }
+
+      await fs.writeFile(
+        storePath,
+        JSON.stringify(
+          {
+            [mainSessionKey]: {
+              sessionId: "sid-main",
+              updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
+              lastTo: "+1555",
+            },
+            [groupSessionKey]: {
+              sessionId: "sid-group",
+              updatedAt: Date.now() + 10_000,
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
+              lastTo: groupId,
+            },
+          },
+          null,
+          2,
+        ),
+      );
+
+      replySpy.mockResolvedValue([{ text: "Group alert" }]);
+      const sendWhatsApp = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+        messageId: "m1",
+        toJid: "jid",
+      });
+
+      await runHeartbeatOnce({
+        cfg,
+        deps: {
+          sendWhatsApp,
+          getQueueSize: () => 0,
+          nowMs: () => 0,
+          webAuthExists: async () => true,
+          hasActiveWebListener: () => true,
+        },
+      });
+
+      expect(sendWhatsApp).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      expect(sendWhatsApp).toHaveBeenCalledWith(groupId, "Group alert", expect.any(Object));
+      expect(replySpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({ SessionKey: groupSessionKey }),
+        { isHeartbeat: true },
+        cfg,
+      );
+    } finally {
+      replySpy.mockRestore();
+      await fs.rm(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+  });
+
   it("suppresses duplicate heartbeat payloads within 24h", async () => {
     const tmpDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "clawdbot-hb-"));
     const storePath = path.join(tmpDir, "sessions.json");
@@ -459,7 +542,7 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
       const cfg: ClawdbotConfig = {
         agents: {
           defaults: {
-            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp", to: "+1555" },
+            heartbeat: { every: "5m", target: "whatsapp" },
           },
         },
         channels: { whatsapp: { allowFrom: ["*"] } },
@@ -517,7 +600,6 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
             heartbeat: {
               every: "5m",
               target: "whatsapp",
-              to: "+1555",
               includeReasoning: true,
             },
           },
@@ -534,6 +616,7 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
               lastProvider: "whatsapp",
               lastTo: "+1555",
             },
@@ -588,7 +671,6 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
             heartbeat: {
               every: "5m",
               target: "whatsapp",
-              to: "+1555",
               includeReasoning: true,
             },
           },
@@ -605,6 +687,7 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
               lastProvider: "whatsapp",
               lastTo: "+1555",
             },
@@ -672,6 +755,7 @@ describe("runHeartbeatOnce", () => {
             [sessionKey]: {
               sessionId: "sid",
               updatedAt: Date.now(),
+              lastChannel: "whatsapp",
               lastProvider: "whatsapp",
               lastTo: "+1555",
             },
diff --git a/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.ts b/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.ts
index 92853a1f0..c39ac6923 100644
--- a/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.ts
+++ b/src/infra/heartbeat-runner.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@ import { parseDurationMs } from "../cli/parse-duration.js";
 import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
 import { loadConfig } from "../config/config.js";
 import {
+  canonicalizeMainSessionAlias,
   loadSessionStore,
+  resolveAgentIdFromSessionKey,
   resolveAgentMainSessionKey,
   resolveStorePath,
   saveSessionStore,
@@ -27,7 +29,7 @@ import { createSubsystemLogger } from "../logging/subsystem.js";
 import { getQueueSize } from "../process/command-queue.js";
 import { CommandLane } from "../process/lanes.js";
 import { defaultRuntime, type RuntimeEnv } from "../runtime.js";
-import { normalizeAgentId } from "../routing/session-key.js";
+import { normalizeAgentId, toAgentStoreSessionKey } from "../routing/session-key.js";
 import { emitHeartbeatEvent } from "./heartbeat-events.js";
 import {
   type HeartbeatRunResult,
@@ -286,17 +288,53 @@ function resolveHeartbeatAckMaxChars(cfg: ClawdbotConfig, heartbeat?: HeartbeatC
   );
 }
 
-function resolveHeartbeatSession(cfg: ClawdbotConfig, agentId?: string) {
+function resolveHeartbeatSession(
+  cfg: ClawdbotConfig,
+  agentId?: string,
+  heartbeat?: HeartbeatConfig,
+) {
   const sessionCfg = cfg.session;
   const scope = sessionCfg?.scope ?? "per-sender";
   const resolvedAgentId = normalizeAgentId(agentId ?? resolveDefaultAgentId(cfg));
-  const sessionKey =
+  const mainSessionKey =
     scope === "global" ? "global" : resolveAgentMainSessionKey({ cfg, agentId: resolvedAgentId });
   const storeAgentId = scope === "global" ? resolveDefaultAgentId(cfg) : resolvedAgentId;
   const storePath = resolveStorePath(sessionCfg?.store, { agentId: storeAgentId });
   const store = loadSessionStore(storePath);
-  const entry = store[sessionKey];
-  return { sessionKey, storePath, store, entry };
+  const mainEntry = store[mainSessionKey];
+
+  if (scope === "global") {
+    return { sessionKey: mainSessionKey, storePath, store, entry: mainEntry };
+  }
+
+  const trimmed = heartbeat?.session?.trim() ?? "";
+  if (!trimmed) {
+    return { sessionKey: mainSessionKey, storePath, store, entry: mainEntry };
+  }
+
+  const normalized = trimmed.toLowerCase();
+  if (normalized === "main" || normalized === "global") {
+    return { sessionKey: mainSessionKey, storePath, store, entry: mainEntry };
+  }
+
+  const candidate = toAgentStoreSessionKey({
+    agentId: resolvedAgentId,
+    requestKey: trimmed,
+    mainKey: cfg.session?.mainKey,
+  });
+  const canonical = canonicalizeMainSessionAlias({
+    cfg,
+    agentId: resolvedAgentId,
+    sessionKey: candidate,
+  });
+  if (canonical !== "global") {
+    const sessionAgentId = resolveAgentIdFromSessionKey(canonical);
+    if (sessionAgentId === normalizeAgentId(resolvedAgentId)) {
+      return { sessionKey: canonical, storePath, store, entry: store[canonical] };
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { sessionKey: mainSessionKey, storePath, store, entry: mainEntry };
 }
 
 function resolveHeartbeatReplyPayload(
@@ -427,7 +465,7 @@ export async function runHeartbeatOnce(opts: {
     return { status: "skipped", reason: "requests-in-flight" };
   }
 
-  const { entry, sessionKey, storePath } = resolveHeartbeatSession(cfg, agentId);
+  const { entry, sessionKey, storePath } = resolveHeartbeatSession(cfg, agentId, heartbeat);
   const previousUpdatedAt = entry?.updatedAt;
   const delivery = resolveHeartbeatDeliveryTarget({ cfg, entry, heartbeat });
   const lastChannel = delivery.lastChannel;