diff --git a/internal/cmd/deacon.go b/internal/cmd/deacon.go
index cb839b98..45dfdb7f 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/deacon.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/deacon.go
@@ -350,6 +350,12 @@ func startDeaconSession(t *tmux.Tmux) error {
 		Topic:     "patrol",
 	}) // Non-fatal
 
+	// GUPP: Gas Town Universal Propulsion Principle
+	// Send the propulsion nudge to trigger autonomous patrol execution.
+	// Wait for beacon to be fully processed (needs to be separate prompt)
+	time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
+	_ = t.NudgeSession(DeaconSessionName, session.PropulsionNudgeForRole("deacon")) // Non-fatal
+
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/cmd/mayor.go b/internal/cmd/mayor.go
index 7d89702e..04f6705e 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/mayor.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/mayor.go
@@ -153,6 +153,12 @@ func startMayorSession(t *tmux.Tmux) error {
 		Topic:     "cold-start",
 	}) // Non-fatal
 
+	// GUPP: Gas Town Universal Propulsion Principle
+	// Send the propulsion nudge to trigger autonomous coordination.
+	// Wait for beacon to be fully processed (needs to be separate prompt)
+	time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
+	_ = t.NudgeSession(MayorSessionName, session.PropulsionNudgeForRole("mayor")) // Non-fatal
+
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/cmd/start.go b/internal/cmd/start.go
index 989bb3c9..bf659249 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/start.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/start.go
@@ -339,14 +339,32 @@ func ensureRefinerySession(rigName string, r *rig.Rig) (bool, error) {
 	theme := tmux.AssignTheme(rigName)
 	_ = t.ConfigureGasTownSession(sessionName, theme, rigName, "refinery", "refinery")
 
-	// Launch Claude in a respawn loop
+	// Launch Claude directly (no respawn loop - daemon handles restart)
 	// Export GT_ROLE and BD_ACTOR in the command since tmux SetEnvironment only affects new panes
-	runtimeCmd := config.GetRuntimeCommand(r.Path)
-	loopCmd := `export GT_ROLE=refinery BD_ACTOR=` + bdActor + ` GIT_AUTHOR_NAME=` + bdActor + ` && while true; do echo "🛢️ Starting Refinery for ` + rigName + `..."; ` + runtimeCmd + `; echo ""; echo "Refinery exited. Restarting in 2s... (Ctrl-C to stop)"; sleep 2; done`
-	if err := t.SendKeysDelayed(sessionName, loopCmd, 200); err != nil {
+	if err := t.SendKeys(sessionName, config.BuildAgentStartupCommand("refinery", bdActor, "", "")); err != nil {
 		return false, fmt.Errorf("sending command: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Wait for Claude to start (non-fatal)
+	if err := t.WaitForCommand(sessionName, constants.SupportedShells, constants.ClaudeStartTimeout); err != nil {
+		// Non-fatal
+	}
+	time.Sleep(constants.ShutdownNotifyDelay)
+
+	// Inject startup nudge for predecessor discovery via /resume
+	address := fmt.Sprintf("%s/refinery", rigName)
+	_ = session.StartupNudge(t, sessionName, session.StartupNudgeConfig{
+		Recipient: address,
+		Sender:    "deacon",
+		Topic:     "patrol",
+	}) // Non-fatal
+
+	// GUPP: Gas Town Universal Propulsion Principle
+	// Send the propulsion nudge to trigger autonomous patrol execution.
+	// Wait for beacon to be fully processed (needs to be separate prompt)
+	time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
+	_ = t.NudgeSession(sessionName, session.PropulsionNudgeForRole("refinery")) // Non-fatal
+
 	return true, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/cmd/witness.go b/internal/cmd/witness.go
index 543ea92c..a658fc20 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/witness.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/witness.go
@@ -352,6 +352,12 @@ func ensureWitnessSession(rigName string, r *rig.Rig) (bool, error) {
 		Topic:     "patrol",
 	}) // Non-fatal
 
+	// GUPP: Gas Town Universal Propulsion Principle
+	// Send the propulsion nudge to trigger autonomous patrol execution.
+	// Wait for beacon to be fully processed (needs to be separate prompt)
+	time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
+	_ = t.NudgeSession(sessionName, session.PropulsionNudgeForRole("witness")) // Non-fatal
+
 	return true, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/session/names.go b/internal/session/names.go
index 5c8edeba..a3ce5cf2 100644
--- a/internal/session/names.go
+++ b/internal/session/names.go
@@ -43,3 +43,26 @@ func PolecatSessionName(rig, name string) string {
 func PropulsionNudge() string {
 	return "Run `gt hook` to check your hook and begin work."
 }
+
+// PropulsionNudgeForRole generates a role-specific GUPP nudge.
+// Different roles have different startup flows:
+// - polecat/crew: Check hook for slung work
+// - witness/refinery: Start patrol cycle
+// - deacon: Start heartbeat patrol
+// - mayor: Check mail for coordination work
+func PropulsionNudgeForRole(role string) string {
+	switch role {
+	case "polecat", "crew":
+		return PropulsionNudge()
+	case "witness":
+		return "Run `gt prime` to check patrol status and begin work."
+	case "refinery":
+		return "Run `gt prime` to check MQ status and begin patrol."
+	case "deacon":
+		return "Run `gt prime` to check patrol status and begin heartbeat cycle."
+	case "mayor":
+		return "Run `gt prime` to check mail and begin coordination."
+	default:
+		return PropulsionNudge()
+	}
+}