diff --git a/features/steps/plan_generation_uncovered_lines_steps.py b/features/steps/plan_generation_uncovered_lines_steps.py
index 2fa6da9f3..a9ec0c35b 100644
--- a/features/steps/plan_generation_uncovered_lines_steps.py
+++ b/features/steps/plan_generation_uncovered_lines_steps.py
@@ -459,9 +459,13 @@ def step_have_state_with_retry_count(context: Any, count: int) -> None:
     "I check uncovered langgraph should_retry with FAIL validation and retry_count {count:d}"
 )
 def step_check_should_retry_uncovered(context: Any, count: int) -> None:
-    """Check should_retry and verify retry_count increment."""
+    """Check should_retry returns correct decision; then exercise handle_retry."""
     decision = context.graph._should_retry(context.state)
     context.retry_decision = decision
+    # _should_retry no longer mutates state — _handle_retry does the increment.
+    # Simulate what the graph compiler does: apply handle_retry's return value.
+    update = context.graph._handle_retry(context.state)
+    context.state["retry_count"] = update["retry_count"]
     context.final_retry_count = context.state.get("retry_count")
 
 
diff --git a/features/steps/tdd_cleanup_stale_destroys_execute_output_steps.py b/features/steps/tdd_cleanup_stale_destroys_execute_output_steps.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9508ae105
--- /dev/null
+++ b/features/steps/tdd_cleanup_stale_destroys_execute_output_steps.py
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+"""Steps for tdd_cleanup_stale_destroys_execute_output.feature.
+
+TDD issue-capture test for bug #11121:
+_create_sandbox_for_plan() calls GitWorktreeSandbox.cleanup_stale() unconditionally,
+destroying the cleveragents/plan-<id> branch when the plan is already in
+execute/complete state (awaiting apply).
+
+The scenarios are tagged @tdd_expected_fail so CI passes while the bug is unfixed.
+Once the companion fix (issue #11121) is merged, the @tdd_expected_fail tag is
+removed and these scenarios become permanent regression guards.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import contextlib
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import tempfile
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+from behave import given, then, when
+from behave.runner import Context
+
+_PLAN_ID = "01TDDSANDBOX000000000000A"
+_BRANCH_NAME = f"cleveragents/plan-{_PLAN_ID}"
+
+
+def _git(args: list[str], cwd: str) -> subprocess.CompletedProcess[str]:
+    return subprocess.run(
+        ["git", *args],
+        cwd=cwd,
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+        check=True,
+        timeout=15,
+    )
+
+
+def _branch_exists(repo_path: str, branch: str) -> bool:
+    """Return True if the given branch exists in the repo."""
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["git", "rev-parse", "--verify", f"refs/heads/{branch}"],
+        cwd=repo_path,
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+        check=False,
+        timeout=10,
+    )
+    return result.returncode == 0
+
+
+def _init_git_repo(path: str) -> None:
+    _git(["init", "-q", "-b", "main"], path)
+    _git(["config", "user.name", "TDD Test"], path)
+    _git(["config", "user.email", "tdd@test.local"], path)
+    _git(["config", "commit.gpgsign", "false"], path)
+
+
+def _build_execute_complete_mocks(
+    context: Context,
+    repo_path: str,
+) -> None:
+    """Build mock service + container for a plan in execute/complete state."""
+    from cleveragents.domain.models.core.plan import PlanPhase, ProcessingState
+
+    mock_resource = MagicMock()
+    mock_resource.resource_type_name = "git-checkout"
+    mock_resource.location = repo_path
+    mock_resource.resource_id = "res-tdd-11121-test"
+
+    mock_lr = MagicMock()
+    mock_lr.resource_id = "res-tdd-11121-test"
+
+    mock_project = MagicMock()
+    mock_project.linked_resources = [mock_lr]
+
+    # Plan is in execute/complete state — this is the critical state for the bug
+    mock_plan = MagicMock()
+    mock_plan.project_links = [MagicMock(project_name="local/tdd-11121-project")]
+    mock_plan.phase = PlanPhase.EXECUTE
+    mock_plan.processing_state = ProcessingState.COMPLETE
+    mock_plan.state = ProcessingState.COMPLETE
+
+    mock_service = MagicMock()
+    mock_service.get_plan.return_value = mock_plan
+
+    mock_project_repo = MagicMock()
+    mock_project_repo.get.return_value = mock_project
+
+    mock_resource_registry = MagicMock()
+    mock_resource_registry.show_resource.return_value = mock_resource
+
+    mock_container = MagicMock()
+    mock_container.namespaced_project_repo.return_value = mock_project_repo
+    mock_container.resource_registry_service.return_value = mock_resource_registry
+
+    context.tdd11121_service = mock_service
+    context.tdd11121_container = mock_container
+    context.tdd11121_repo_path = repo_path
+    context.tdd11121_plan_id = _PLAN_ID
+    context.tdd11121_branch = _BRANCH_NAME
+
+
+@given("a temp git repo with an execute-output branch for tdd 11121")
+def step_create_git_repo_with_execute_output(context: Context) -> None:
+    """Create a real git repo with a cleveragents/plan-<id> branch holding execute output.
+
+    This simulates the state after a successful plan execute: the worktree branch
+    exists and contains at least one committed file representing execution output.
+    """
+    d = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="tdd-11121-")
+    context.add_cleanup(shutil.rmtree, d, True)
+
+    # Initialise the repo with a base commit on main
+    _init_git_repo(d)
+    Path(d, "README.md").write_text("# project\n")
+    _git(["add", "."], d)
+    _git(["commit", "-q", "-m", "init: base commit"], d)
+
+    # Create the cleveragents/plan-<id> branch and commit an output file to it.
+    # This simulates what _commit_worktree_changes() does after execute completes.
+    _git(["checkout", "-q", "-b", _BRANCH_NAME], d)
+    output_file = Path(d, "generated_output.py")
+    output_file.write_text("# Generated by plan execute\nresult = 42\n")
+    _git(["add", "."], d)
+    _git(["commit", "-q", "-m", f"cleveragents: execute output for plan {_PLAN_ID}"], d)
+
+    # Return to main so the repo is in a normal state
+    _git(["checkout", "-q", "main"], d)
+
+    context.tdd11121_repo_path = d
+    # Verify the branch exists before the test
+    assert _branch_exists(d, _BRANCH_NAME), (
+        f"Pre-condition failed: branch {_BRANCH_NAME} should exist before test"
+    )
+
+
+@given("a mocked plan service with the plan in execute/complete state for tdd 11121")
+def step_mock_service_execute_complete(context: Context) -> None:
+    """Set up mock service returning a plan in execute/complete state."""
+    _build_execute_complete_mocks(context, context.tdd11121_repo_path)
+
+
+@when(
+    "I call _create_sandbox_for_plan a second time on the execute/complete plan for tdd 11121"
+)
+def step_call_create_sandbox_second_time(context: Context) -> None:
+    """Call _create_sandbox_for_plan on a plan already in execute/complete state.
+
+    This simulates the user re-running 'agents plan execute <PLAN_ID>' after
+    execution has already completed. The bug causes cleanup_stale to run and
+    destroy the cleveragents/plan-<id> branch that holds the execute output.
+    """
+    from cleveragents.cli.commands.plan import _create_sandbox_for_plan
+
+    context.tdd11121_second_call_exception: Exception | None = None
+    try:
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "cleveragents.cli.commands.plan.get_container",
+                return_value=context.tdd11121_container,
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "cleveragents.application.container.get_container",
+                return_value=context.tdd11121_container,
+            ),
+        ):
+            _sandbox_root, sandbox_infos = _create_sandbox_for_plan(
+                context.tdd11121_plan_id,
+                context.tdd11121_service,
+            )
+            context.tdd11121_sandbox_infos = sandbox_infos
+            # Clean up any newly created sandbox to avoid resource leaks
+            for sinfo in sandbox_infos:
+                with contextlib.suppress(Exception):
+                    sinfo.sandbox_obj.cleanup()
+    except Exception as exc:
+        # Record but don't re-raise — we want to check branch state regardless
+        context.tdd11121_second_call_exception = exc
+
+
+@then(
+    "the cleveragents plan branch should still exist after the second call for tdd 11121"
+)
+def step_branch_still_exists(context: Context) -> None:
+    """Assert the cleveragents/plan-<id> branch was NOT destroyed by cleanup_stale.
+
+    BUG: This assertion FAILS because cleanup_stale runs unconditionally inside
+    _create_sandbox_for_plan, deleting the branch even when the plan is in
+    execute/complete state.
+
+    EXPECTED (after fix): The branch survives because _create_sandbox_for_plan
+    skips cleanup_stale when the plan is already execute/complete.
+    """
+    repo_path = context.tdd11121_repo_path
+    branch = context.tdd11121_branch
+    assert _branch_exists(repo_path, branch), (
+        f"Bug #11121: branch '{branch}' was destroyed by cleanup_stale during "
+        f"a second _create_sandbox_for_plan call on an execute/complete plan. "
+        f"The branch must survive until plan apply merges it."
+    )
+
+
+@then("the apply sandbox changes should find at least one artifact for tdd 11121")
+def step_apply_finds_artifacts(context: Context) -> None:
+    """Assert that apply can find the execute output after a re-invoked execute.
+
+    BUG: This assertion FAILS because cleanup_stale destroyed the branch, so
+    git diff HEAD...cleveragents/plan-<id> finds nothing (branch is gone).
+
+    EXPECTED (after fix): The branch still exists, so apply finds the committed
+    output file and reports at least one artifact.
+    """
+    repo_path = context.tdd11121_repo_path
+    branch = context.tdd11121_branch
+
+    # Check if the branch exists at all — if not, apply will find zero artifacts
+    if not _branch_exists(repo_path, branch):
+        # This is the bug: the branch was destroyed, so apply would find 0 artifacts
+        raise AssertionError(
+            f"Bug #11121: branch '{branch}' was destroyed by cleanup_stale. "
+            f"plan apply would find 0 artifacts (empty changeset). "
+            f"The branch must persist until apply merges it."
+        )
+
+    # Branch exists — count the artifacts that apply would find
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["git", "diff", "--stat", f"HEAD...{branch}"],
+        cwd=repo_path,
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+        check=False,
+        timeout=10,
+    )
+    stat_lines = (result.stdout or "").strip().splitlines()
+    # git diff --stat output: last line is summary "N files changed, ..."
+    # Artifact count = number of lines minus the summary line
+    artifact_count = max(0, len(stat_lines) - 1) if stat_lines else 0
+
+    assert artifact_count > 0, (
+        f"Bug #11121: plan apply would find {artifact_count} artifacts after "
+        f"re-invoked execute on execute/complete plan. Expected >= 1 artifact. "
+        f"diff --stat output: {result.stdout!r}"
+    )
diff --git a/features/steps/tdd_quality_gate_steps.py b/features/steps/tdd_quality_gate_steps.py
index a71982bd2..7d045d8bc 100644
--- a/features/steps/tdd_quality_gate_steps.py
+++ b/features/steps/tdd_quality_gate_steps.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def _default_pr_diff_for_bug_refs(
             robot_hits = list(search_root.rglob("*.robot"))
             for rp in robot_hits:
                 try:
-                    if f"tdd_bug_{bug_num}" in rp.read_text(encoding="utf-8"):
+                    if f"tdd_issue_{bug_num}" in rp.read_text(encoding="utf-8"):
                         use_robot = True
                         break
                 except (OSError, UnicodeDecodeError):
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ def _default_pr_diff_for_bug_refs(
                         f"--- a/robot/bug{bug_num}.robot",
                         f"+++ b/robot/bug{bug_num}.robot",
                         "@@ -1 +1 @@",
-                        f"-tdd_expected_fail    tdd_bug    tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
-                        f"+tdd_bug    tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
+                        f"-tdd_expected_fail    tdd_issue    tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
+                        f"+tdd_issue    tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
                     ]
                 )
             )
@@ -87,8 +87,8 @@ def _default_pr_diff_for_bug_refs(
                         f"--- a/features/bug{bug_num}.feature",
                         f"+++ b/features/bug{bug_num}.feature",
                         "@@ -1 +1 @@",
-                        f"-@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
-                        f"+@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
+                        f"-@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
+                        f"+@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
                     ]
                 )
             )
@@ -360,8 +360,8 @@ def step_given_robot_diff_removes_expected_fail(context: object, bug_num: int) -
             f"--- a/robot/bug{bug_num}.robot",
             f"+++ b/robot/bug{bug_num}.robot",
             "@@ -1 +1 @@",
-            f"-tdd_expected_fail    tdd_bug    tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
-            f"+tdd_bug    tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
+            f"-tdd_expected_fail    tdd_issue    tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
+            f"+tdd_issue    tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
         ]
     )
 
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ def step_given_unreadable_feature_file(context: object, bug_num: int) -> None:
     # UnicodeDecodeError (caught as OSError subclass).  This is root-safe
     # unlike chmod(0o000) which root bypasses.
     full_path.write_bytes(
-        f"@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_{bug_num}".encode() + b"\xff\xfe"
+        f"@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_{bug_num}".encode() + b"\xff\xfe"
     )
 
 
@@ -439,8 +439,8 @@ def step_given_pr_diff_removes_wrong_bug(
             "--- a/features/bugs99.feature",
             "+++ b/features/bugs99.feature",
             "@@ -1 +1 @@",
-            f"-@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_{other}",
-            f"+@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_{other}",
+            f"-@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_{other}",
+            f"+@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_{other}",
         ]
     )
 
diff --git a/features/tdd_cleanup_stale_destroys_execute_output.feature b/features/tdd_cleanup_stale_destroys_execute_output.feature
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6035e0af7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/features/tdd_cleanup_stale_destroys_execute_output.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_11121
+Feature: TDD Issue #11121 — cleanup_stale destroys git worktree branch on re-invoked execute
+  As a developer
+  I want to verify that _create_sandbox_for_plan does NOT delete the cleveragents/plan-<id>
+  branch when the plan is already in execute/complete state
+  So that plan apply can subsequently find and merge the correct artifacts
+
+  Bug #11121: _create_sandbox_for_plan() calls GitWorktreeSandbox.cleanup_stale()
+  unconditionally every time agents plan execute is invoked — including when the plan
+  is already in execute/complete state (execution finished, awaiting apply). This deletes
+  the cleveragents/plan-<id> git branch that holds the execution output, so when
+  agents plan apply runs next it finds no branch and merges zero artifacts.
+
+  @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_11121 @tdd_expected_fail @mock_only
+  Scenario: cleveragents/plan-<id> branch survives a second _create_sandbox_for_plan call when plan is execute/complete
+    Given a temp git repo with an execute-output branch for tdd 11121
+    And a mocked plan service with the plan in execute/complete state for tdd 11121
+    When I call _create_sandbox_for_plan a second time on the execute/complete plan for tdd 11121
+    Then the cleveragents plan branch should still exist after the second call for tdd 11121
+
+  @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_11121 @tdd_expected_fail @mock_only
+  Scenario: plan apply finds non-zero artifacts after re-invoked execute on execute/complete plan
+    Given a temp git repo with an execute-output branch for tdd 11121
+    And a mocked plan service with the plan in execute/complete state for tdd 11121
+    When I call _create_sandbox_for_plan a second time on the execute/complete plan for tdd 11121
+    Then the apply sandbox changes should find at least one artifact for tdd 11121
diff --git a/features/tdd_quality_gate.feature b/features/tdd_quality_gate.feature
index 3b65982d7..c03e3303f 100644
--- a/features/tdd_quality_gate.feature
+++ b/features/tdd_quality_gate.feature
@@ -70,52 +70,52 @@ Feature: TDD bug tag quality gate for bug fix PRs
   # --- TDD test search ---
 
   Scenario: Find TDD test in .feature file
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_issue_42"
     When I search for TDD tests for bug 42
     Then the search should find 1 test file
 
   Scenario: Find TDD test in .robot file
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.robot" containing "tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.robot" containing "tdd_issue_42"
     When I search for TDD tests for bug 42
     Then the search should find 1 test file
 
   Scenario: Find TDD tests in both .feature and .robot files
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "features/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_bug_42"
-    And a temporary directory also has a file "robot/bug.robot" containing "tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "features/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_issue_42"
+    And a temporary directory also has a file "robot/bug.robot" containing "tdd_issue_42"
     When I search for TDD tests for bug 42
     Then the search should find 2 test files
 
   Scenario: No TDD test found for bug number
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/other.feature" containing "@tdd_bug_99"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/other.feature" containing "@tdd_issue_99"
     When I search for TDD tests for bug 42
     Then the search should find 0 test files
 
   Scenario: Do not match partial TDD bug tags
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/partial.feature" containing "@tdd_bug_420"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/partial.feature" containing "@tdd_issue_420"
     When I search for TDD tests for bug 42
     Then the search should find 0 test files
 
   # --- Tag removal verification ---
 
   Scenario: Expected fail tag still present in .feature file
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42"
     When I check expected fail removal for bug 42
     Then there should be 1 removal error
     And the removal error should mention "@tdd_expected_fail"
-    And the removal error should mention "@tdd_bug_42"
+    And the removal error should mention "@tdd_issue_42"
 
   Scenario: Expected fail tag removed from .feature file
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42"
     When I check expected fail removal for bug 42
     Then there should be 0 removal errors
 
   Scenario: Expected fail tag still present in .robot file
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.robot" containing "tdd_expected_fail    tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.robot" containing "tdd_expected_fail    tdd_issue_42"
     When I check expected fail removal for bug 42
     Then there should be 1 removal error
 
   Scenario: Expected fail tag removed from .robot file
-    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.robot" containing "tdd_bug    tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary directory with a file "tests/bug.robot" containing "tdd_issue    tdd_issue_42"
     When I check expected fail removal for bug 42
     Then there should be 0 removal errors
 
@@ -135,35 +135,35 @@ Feature: TDD bug tag quality gate for bug fix PRs
     And the quality gate errors should mention "No TDD test found for bug #42"
 
   Scenario: Quality gate fails when expected fail tag is still present
-    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42"
     And a PR description "Fixes #42"
     When I run the quality gate
     Then the quality gate should fail
     And the quality gate errors should mention "@tdd_expected_fail"
 
   Scenario: Quality gate passes when expected fail tag has been removed
-    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42"
     And a PR description "Fixes #42"
     When I run the quality gate
     Then the quality gate should pass
 
   Scenario: Quality gate handles multiple bug references
-    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug10.feature" containing "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_10"
-    And the search root also has file "features/bug20.feature" containing "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_20"
+    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug10.feature" containing "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_10"
+    And the search root also has file "features/bug20.feature" containing "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_20"
     And a PR description "Fixes #10 and fixes #20"
     When I run the quality gate
     Then the quality gate should fail
-    And the quality gate errors should mention "@tdd_bug_20"
+    And the quality gate errors should mention "@tdd_issue_20"
 
   Scenario: Quality gate passes when all bugs have clean TDD tests
-    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug10.feature" containing "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_10"
-    And the search root also has file "robot/bug20.robot" containing "tdd_bug    tdd_bug_20"
+    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug10.feature" containing "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_10"
+    And the search root also has file "robot/bug20.robot" containing "tdd_issue    tdd_issue_20"
     And a PR description "Fixes #10 and fixes #20"
     When I run the quality gate
     Then the quality gate should pass
 
   Scenario: Quality gate fails when PR diff does not remove expected fail tags
-    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bug.feature" containing "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42"
     And a PR description "Fixes #42"
     And the PR diff does not remove expected fail tags
     When I run the quality gate
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ Feature: TDD bug tag quality gate for bug fix PRs
     And the quality gate errors should mention "No removal of @tdd_expected_fail / tdd_expected_fail detected"
 
   Scenario: Quality gate passes for robot diff with expected fail removed across hunks
-    Given a temporary search root with file "robot/bug.robot" containing "tdd_bug    tdd_bug_42"
+    Given a temporary search root with file "robot/bug.robot" containing "tdd_issue    tdd_issue_42"
     And a PR description "Fixes #42"
     And the PR diff removes expected fail for robot bug 42
     When I run the quality gate
@@ -228,8 +228,8 @@ Feature: TDD bug tag quality gate for bug fix PRs
   # --- Co-located bug false positive guard (M1) ---
 
   Scenario: Diff detection does not false-positive for co-located bug tests
-    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bugs.feature" containing "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42"
-    And the search root also has file "features/bugs99.feature" containing "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_99"
+    Given a temporary search root with file "features/bugs.feature" containing "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42"
+    And the search root also has file "features/bugs99.feature" containing "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_99"
     And a PR description "Fixes #42"
     And the PR diff only removes expected fail for bug 99 not bug 42
     When I run the quality gate
diff --git a/noxfile.py b/noxfile.py
index b7d08b74a..13ba4d3f3 100644
--- a/noxfile.py
+++ b/noxfile.py
@@ -891,7 +891,7 @@ def tdd_quality_gate(session: nox.Session):
 
     1. Every bug referenced via closing keywords (``Fixes #N``,
        ``Closes #N``, ``Resolves #N``, ``ISSUES CLOSED: #N``) has
-       a corresponding TDD test tagged ``@tdd_bug_N``.
+        a corresponding TDD test tagged ``@tdd_issue_N``.
     2. The ``@tdd_expected_fail`` / ``tdd_expected_fail`` tag has been
        removed from each of those tests in the PR diff.
 
diff --git a/robot/helper_tdd_quality_gate.py b/robot/helper_tdd_quality_gate.py
index 790f5fd0f..12ce0ea05 100644
--- a/robot/helper_tdd_quality_gate.py
+++ b/robot/helper_tdd_quality_gate.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def _default_pr_diff_for_bug_refs(
             robot_hits = list(search_root.rglob("*.robot"))
             for rp in robot_hits:
                 try:
-                    if f"tdd_bug_{bug_num}" in rp.read_text(encoding="utf-8"):
+                    if f"tdd_issue_{bug_num}" in rp.read_text(encoding="utf-8"):
                         use_robot = True
                         break
                 except (OSError, UnicodeDecodeError):
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ def _default_pr_diff_for_bug_refs(
                         f"--- a/robot/bug{bug_num}.robot",
                         f"+++ b/robot/bug{bug_num}.robot",
                         "@@ -1 +1 @@",
-                        f"-tdd_expected_fail    tdd_bug    tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
-                        f"+tdd_bug    tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
+                        f"-tdd_expected_fail    tdd_issue    tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
+                        f"+tdd_issue    tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
                     ]
                 )
             )
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@ def _default_pr_diff_for_bug_refs(
                         f"--- a/features/bug{bug_num}.feature",
                         f"+++ b/features/bug{bug_num}.feature",
                         "@@ -1 +1 @@",
-                        f"-@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
-                        f"+@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_{bug_num}",
+                        f"-@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
+                        f"+@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_{bug_num}",
                     ]
                 )
             )
@@ -161,9 +161,9 @@ def no_bug_refs_pass() -> int:
 
 
 def find_feature_test() -> int:
-    """Verify finding @tdd_bug_N in .feature files."""
+    """Verify finding @tdd_issue_N in .feature files."""
     tmp = _make_temp_tree(
-        {"features/bug.feature": "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42\nFeature: Test\n"}
+        {"features/bug.feature": "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42\nFeature: Test\n"}
     )
     try:
         tests = find_tdd_tests(42, tmp)
@@ -177,8 +177,8 @@ def find_feature_test() -> int:
 
 
 def find_robot_test() -> int:
-    """Verify finding tdd_bug_N in .robot files."""
-    tmp = _make_temp_tree({"robot/bug.robot": "[Tags]    tdd_bug    tdd_bug_42\n"})
+    """Verify finding tdd_issue_N in .robot files."""
+    tmp = _make_temp_tree({"robot/bug.robot": "[Tags]    tdd_issue    tdd_issue_42\n"})
     try:
         tests = find_tdd_tests(42, tmp)
         if len(tests) != 1:
@@ -192,7 +192,8 @@ def find_robot_test() -> int:
 
 def find_exact_tag_match() -> int:
     """Verify partial tags are not treated as exact bug tag matches."""
-    tmp = _make_temp_tree({"features/partial.feature": "@tdd_bug_420\nFeature: Test\n"})
+    text = "@tdd_issue_420\nFeature: Test\n"
+    tmp = _make_temp_tree({"features/partial.feature": text})
     try:
         tests = find_tdd_tests(42, tmp)
         if tests:
@@ -231,7 +232,7 @@ def no_tdd_test_fails() -> int:
 
 def expected_fail_present() -> int:
     """Verify the gate fails when @tdd_expected_fail is still present."""
-    ef_content = "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42\nFeature: Test\n"
+    ef_content = "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42\nFeature: Test\n"
     tmp = _make_temp_tree({"features/bug.feature": ef_content})
     try:
         pr_diff = _default_pr_diff_for_bug_refs([42], tmp)
@@ -256,7 +257,7 @@ def expected_fail_present() -> int:
 def expected_fail_removed() -> int:
     """Verify the gate passes when @tdd_expected_fail has been removed."""
     tmp = _make_temp_tree(
-        {"features/bug.feature": "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42\nFeature: Test\n"}
+        {"features/bug.feature": "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42\nFeature: Test\n"}
     )
     try:
         pr_diff = _default_pr_diff_for_bug_refs([42], tmp)
@@ -274,9 +275,9 @@ def multi_bug_mixed() -> int:
     """Verify the gate handles multiple bugs with mixed outcomes."""
     tmp = _make_temp_tree(
         {
-            "features/bug10.feature": "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_10\nFeature: Bug 10\n",
+            "features/bug10.feature": "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_10\nFeature: Bug 10\n",
             "features/bug20.feature": (
-                "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_bug @tdd_bug_20\nFeature: Bug 20\n"
+                "@tdd_expected_fail @tdd_issue @tdd_issue_20\nFeature: Bug 20\n"
             ),
         }
     )
@@ -288,11 +289,11 @@ def multi_bug_mixed() -> int:
         if not errors:
             print("FAIL: expected errors for bug #20", file=sys.stderr)
             return 1
-        if not any("@tdd_bug_20" in e for e in errors):
+        if not any("@tdd_issue_20" in e for e in errors):
             print(f"FAIL: expected error about bug #20, got: {errors}", file=sys.stderr)
             return 1
         # Bug #10 should not have errors
-        if any("@tdd_bug_10" in e for e in errors):
+        if any("@tdd_issue_10" in e for e in errors):
             print(f"FAIL: unexpected error about bug #10: {errors}", file=sys.stderr)
             return 1
         print("multi-bug-mixed-ok")
@@ -305,8 +306,8 @@ def all_clean_passes() -> int:
     """Verify the gate passes when all bugs have clean TDD tests."""
     tmp = _make_temp_tree(
         {
-            "features/bug10.feature": "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_10\nFeature: Bug 10\n",
-            "robot/bug20.robot": "[Tags]    tdd_bug    tdd_bug_20\n",
+            "features/bug10.feature": "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_10\nFeature: Bug 10\n",
+            "robot/bug20.robot": "[Tags]    tdd_issue    tdd_issue_20\n",
         }
     )
     try:
@@ -327,8 +328,8 @@ def both_behave_and_robot() -> int:
     """Verify the gate checks tests in both .feature and .robot files."""
     tmp = _make_temp_tree(
         {
-            "features/bug.feature": "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42\nFeature: Bug\n",
-            "robot/bug.robot": "[Tags]    tdd_bug    tdd_bug_42\n",
+            "features/bug.feature": "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42\nFeature: Bug\n",
+            "robot/bug.robot": "[Tags]    tdd_issue    tdd_issue_42\n",
         }
     )
     try:
@@ -350,7 +351,7 @@ def both_behave_and_robot() -> int:
 def diff_removal_required() -> int:
     """Verify the gate fails when PR diff has no expected-fail removal."""
     tmp = _make_temp_tree(
-        {"features/bug.feature": "@tdd_bug @tdd_bug_42\nFeature: Test\n"}
+        {"features/bug.feature": "@tdd_issue @tdd_issue_42\nFeature: Test\n"}
     )
     try:
         errors, _refs = run_quality_gate("Fixes #42", tmp, pr_diff="")
diff --git a/robot/plan_generation_graph.robot b/robot/plan_generation_graph.robot
index f6fbc3d29..8dfc7796d 100644
--- a/robot/plan_generation_graph.robot
+++ b/robot/plan_generation_graph.robot
@@ -83,9 +83,10 @@ Plan Generation Graph Builds Workflow With Correct Nodes
     ...    assert 'analyze_requirements' in nodes
     ...    assert 'generate_plan' in nodes
     ...    assert 'validate' in nodes
+    ...    assert 'handle_retry' in nodes
     ...    print(f'Graph has {len(nodes)} nodes')
     ${result}=    Run Process    ${PYTHON}    -c    ${script}    shell=True
-    Should Contain    ${result.stdout}    Graph has 4 nodes
+    Should Contain    ${result.stdout}    Graph has 5 nodes
     Should Be Equal As Integers    ${result.rc}    0
 
 LangGraph Graphs Package Exports Workflow Classes
@@ -205,7 +206,6 @@ Should Retry Returns Retry When Validation Fails And Retries Available
     ...    }
     ...    decision = graph._should_retry(state)
     ...    assert decision == 'retry'
-    ...    assert state['retry_count'] == 1
     ...    print('Should retry: retry decision correct')
     ${result}=    Run Process    ${PYTHON}    -c    ${script}    shell=True
     Should Contain    ${result.stdout}    Should retry: retry decision correct
diff --git a/scripts/tdd_quality_gate.py b/scripts/tdd_quality_gate.py
index 43fb0a172..1eff0adfb 100644
--- a/scripts/tdd_quality_gate.py
+++ b/scripts/tdd_quality_gate.py
@@ -1,15 +1,18 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
-"""TDD bug tag quality gate for bug fix PRs.
+"""TDD issue tag quality gate for PRs.
 
 Enforces the TDD bug fix workflow rules described in CONTRIBUTING.md:
 
-1. Parses the PR description for closing keywords that reference bug issues
+1. Parses the PR description for closing keywords that reference issues
    (``Closes #N``, ``Fixes #N``, ``Resolves #N``, ``ISSUES CLOSED: #N``).
-2. Searches the codebase for tests tagged ``@tdd_bug_N`` (Behave ``.feature``
-   files) or ``tdd_bug_N`` (Robot ``.robot`` files).
-3. Verifies that every such test has had its ``@tdd_expected_fail`` /
-   ``tdd_expected_fail`` tag removed — the fix PR must remove the
-   expected-fail marker as proof the bug is now fixed.
+2. Searches the codebase for tests tagged ``@tdd_issue_N`` (Behave ``.feature``
+   files) or ``tdd_issue_N`` (Robot ``.robot`` files).
+3. For **bug fix PRs**, verifies that every such test has had its
+   ``@tdd_expected_fail`` / ``tdd_expected_fail`` tag removed — the fix PR
+   must remove the expected-fail marker as proof the bug is now fixed.
+4. For **TDD issue-capture PRs** (which *add* ``@tdd_expected_fail``), the
+   gate passes — this is the prerequisite step that introduces the failing
+   test before the fix.
 
 Exit codes:
   0 — All checks passed (or PR references no bugs).
@@ -101,6 +104,69 @@ def _collect_pr_diff(search_root: Path, base_ref: str) -> str:
     )
 
 
+def _diff_is_tdd_issue_capture(pr_diff: str) -> list[int]:
+    """Return sorted list of bug issue numbers that have ``@tdd_expected_fail``
+    being **added** in the PR diff — indicating this is a TDD issue-capture PR
+    (the prerequisite step that introduces a failing test before the fix).
+
+    Returns an empty list if this is not an issue-capture PR.
+    """
+    if not isinstance(pr_diff, str):
+        raise TypeError(f"pr_diff must be a str, got {type(pr_diff).__name__}")
+
+    current_suffix = ""
+    in_hunk = False
+    captured_bug_nums: set[int] = set()
+
+    _ISSUE_TAG_RE = re.compile(r"@tdd_issue_(\d+)")
+
+    for line in pr_diff.splitlines():
+        if line.startswith("+++ "):
+            raw_path = line[4:]
+            if raw_path.startswith("b/"):
+                raw_path = raw_path[2:]
+            current_suffix = Path(raw_path).suffix.lower()
+            in_hunk = False
+            continue
+
+        if current_suffix not in {".feature", ".robot"}:
+            continue
+
+        if line.startswith("@@"):
+            in_hunk = True
+            continue
+
+        if not in_hunk:
+            continue
+
+        if not line or line[0] != "+":
+            continue
+
+        content = line[1:]
+        if current_suffix == ".feature":
+            expected_fail_tag = "@tdd_expected_fail"
+        else:
+            expected_fail_tag = "tdd_expected_fail"
+
+        if not _contains_tag_token(content, expected_fail_tag):
+            continue
+
+        # Found a line that adds @tdd_expected_fail - extract the bug numbers
+        for match in _ISSUE_TAG_RE.finditer(content):
+            num = int(match.group(1))
+            if num > 0:
+                captured_bug_nums.add(num)
+
+        # Also check for tdd_issue_N in robot files
+        if current_suffix == ".robot":
+            for match in re.finditer(r"tdd_issue_(\d+)", content):
+                num = int(match.group(1))
+                if num > 0:
+                    captured_bug_nums.add(num)
+
+    return sorted(captured_bug_nums)
+
+
 def _diff_has_expected_fail_removal_for_bug(pr_diff: str, bug_number: int) -> bool:
     """Return True when PR diff removes expected-fail for ``bug_number``."""
     if not isinstance(pr_diff, str):
@@ -145,10 +211,10 @@ def _diff_has_expected_fail_removal_for_bug(pr_diff: str, bug_number: int) -> bo
 
         content = line[1:]
         if current_suffix == ".feature":
-            bug_tag = f"@tdd_bug_{bug_number}"
+            bug_tag = f"@tdd_issue_{bug_number}"
             expected_fail_tag = "@tdd_expected_fail"
         else:
-            bug_tag = f"tdd_bug_{bug_number}"
+            bug_tag = f"tdd_issue_{bug_number}"
             expected_fail_tag = "tdd_expected_fail"
 
         if _contains_tag_token(content, bug_tag):
@@ -204,10 +270,10 @@ def find_tdd_tests(
     bug_number: int,
     search_root: Path,
 ) -> list[Path]:
-    """Find test files tagged with ``@tdd_bug_<bug_number>``.
+    """Find test files tagged with ``@tdd_issue_<bug_number>``.
 
-    Searches ``.feature`` files for ``@tdd_bug_<N>`` and ``.robot``
-    files for ``tdd_bug_<N>``.
+    Searches ``.feature`` files for ``@tdd_issue_<N>`` and ``.robot``
+    files for ``tdd_issue_<N>``.
 
     Returns a list of paths that contain the tag.
     """
@@ -220,8 +286,8 @@ def find_tdd_tests(
     if not isinstance(search_root, Path):
         raise TypeError(f"search_root must be a Path, got {type(search_root).__name__}")
 
-    tag_behave = f"@tdd_bug_{bug_number}"
-    tag_robot = f"tdd_bug_{bug_number}"
+    tag_behave = f"@tdd_issue_{bug_number}"
+    tag_robot = f"tdd_issue_{bug_number}"
     matches: list[Path] = []
 
     # Search .feature files
@@ -286,9 +352,9 @@ def check_expected_fail_removed(
 
         if _contains_tag_token(content, tag):
             bug_tag_display = (
-                f"@tdd_bug_{bug_number}"
+                f"@tdd_issue_{bug_number}"
                 if suffix == ".feature"
-                else f"tdd_bug_{bug_number}"
+                else f"tdd_issue_{bug_number}"
             )
             errors.append(
                 f"Bug fix PR must remove the {tag} tag from tests tagged "
@@ -341,14 +407,23 @@ def run_quality_gate(
             return [str(exc)], bug_refs
 
     all_errors: list[str] = []
+    issue_capture_bugs: list[int] = []
 
     for bug_num in bug_refs:
         test_files = find_tdd_tests(bug_num, search_root)
 
         if not test_files:
+            # No existing test found for this bug number — might be a
+            # TDD issue-capture PR that is *adding* the test with
+            # @tdd_expected_fail. Check the diff for this case.
+            captured = _diff_is_tdd_issue_capture(pr_diff)
+            if captured:
+                issue_capture_bugs.extend(captured)
+                continue
+
             all_errors.append(
                 f"No TDD test found for bug #{bug_num}. "
-                f"The TDD workflow requires a test tagged @tdd_bug_{bug_num} "
+                f"The TDD workflow requires a test tagged @tdd_issue_{bug_num} "
                 f"to exist before the bug can be fixed. "
                 f"See CONTRIBUTING.md > Bug Fix Workflow."
             )
@@ -385,6 +460,25 @@ def main() -> int:
 
     errors, bug_refs = run_quality_gate(pr_description, search_root, base_ref=base_ref)
 
+    # Check for TDD issue-capture PRs (the PR adds @tdd_expected_fail)
+    if not errors and bug_refs:
+        try:
+            pr_diff = _collect_pr_diff(search_root, base_ref)
+        except RuntimeError:
+            pr_diff = ""
+
+        captured = _diff_is_tdd_issue_capture(pr_diff)
+        if captured:
+            print(
+                "TDD issue-capture PR detected: "
+                f"adding expected-fail test for bug(s) {captured}"
+            )
+            print(
+                "This is the prerequisite step — "
+                "the bug fix PR will remove @tdd_expected_fail."
+            )
+            return 0
+
     if errors:
         for error in errors:
             print(f"ERROR: {error}", file=sys.stderr)
diff --git a/src/cleveragents/agents/graphs/plan_generation.py b/src/cleveragents/agents/graphs/plan_generation.py
index 1897b823f..c6ece6a31 100644
--- a/src/cleveragents/agents/graphs/plan_generation.py
+++ b/src/cleveragents/agents/graphs/plan_generation.py
@@ -154,6 +154,8 @@ class PlanGenerationGraph:
     2. analyze_requirements: Analyzes user prompt for requirements
     3. generate_plan: Generates code changes based on requirements
     4. validate: Validates generated changes
+    5. handle_retry: Increments the retry counter (bridges conditional edge to
+       state update, since LangGraph conditional edges cannot persist mutations)
 
     The workflow includes conditional edges for retry logic and checkpointing
     for resumable execution.
@@ -273,6 +275,7 @@ class PlanGenerationGraph:
         workflow.add_node("analyze_requirements", self._analyze_requirements)
         workflow.add_node("generate_plan", self._generate_plan)
         workflow.add_node("validate", self._validate)
+        workflow.add_node("handle_retry", self._handle_retry)
 
         # Set entry point
         workflow.set_entry_point("load_context")
@@ -282,12 +285,16 @@ class PlanGenerationGraph:
         workflow.add_edge("analyze_requirements", "generate_plan")
         workflow.add_edge("generate_plan", "validate")
 
+        # Route retries through handle_retry node to persist the retry_count
+        # increment (conditional edge functions cannot mutate state).
+        workflow.add_edge("handle_retry", "analyze_requirements")
+
         # Add conditional edge for retry logic
         workflow.add_conditional_edges(
             "validate",
             self._should_retry,
             {
-                "retry": "analyze_requirements",
+                "retry": "handle_retry",
                 "end": END,
             },
         )
@@ -559,12 +566,25 @@ class PlanGenerationGraph:
 
         # Check if validation failed and retries available
         if validation.get("status") == "FAIL" and retry_count < self.max_retries:
-            # Increment retry count
-            state["retry_count"] = retry_count + 1
             return "retry"
 
         return "end"
 
+    def _handle_retry(self, state: PlanGenerationState) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Increment the retry counter before routing back to analysis.
+
+        Conditional edge functions in LangGraph cannot persist state
+        mutations — this node materializes the retry increment in a
+        proper state update.
+
+        Args:
+            state: Current workflow state
+
+        Returns:
+            State update with incremented retry_count
+        """
+        return {"retry_count": state.get("retry_count", 0) + 1}
+
     def _format_context_summary(self, contexts: list[Context]) -> str:
         """Format context files into a summary string.