diff --git a/internal/deacon/manager.go b/internal/deacon/manager.go
index ec16bbf7..662fef5f 100644
--- a/internal/deacon/manager.go
+++ b/internal/deacon/manager.go
@@ -79,9 +79,11 @@ func (m *Manager) Start(agentOverride string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("ensuring Claude settings: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Build startup command first
-	// Restarts are handled by daemon via ensureDeaconRunning on each heartbeat
-	startupCmd, err := config.BuildAgentStartupCommandWithAgentOverride("deacon", "", m.townRoot, "", "", agentOverride)
+	// Build startup command with initial prompt for autonomous patrol.
+	// The prompt triggers GUPP: deacon starts patrol immediately without waiting for input.
+	// This prevents the agent from sitting idle at the prompt after SessionStart hooks run.
+	initialPrompt := "I am Deacon. Start patrol: check gt hook, if empty create mol-deacon-patrol wisp and execute it."
+	startupCmd, err := config.BuildAgentStartupCommandWithAgentOverride("deacon", "", m.townRoot, "", initialPrompt, agentOverride)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("building startup command: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/witness/manager.go b/internal/witness/manager.go
index 78e262a8..3c9a93c8 100644
--- a/internal/witness/manager.go
+++ b/internal/witness/manager.go
@@ -277,7 +277,10 @@ func buildWitnessStartCommand(rigPath, rigName, townRoot, agentOverride string,
 	if roleConfig != nil && roleConfig.StartCommand != "" {
 		return beads.ExpandRolePattern(roleConfig.StartCommand, townRoot, rigName, "", "witness"), nil
 	}
-	command, err := config.BuildAgentStartupCommandWithAgentOverride("witness", rigName, townRoot, rigPath, "", agentOverride)
+	// Add initial prompt for autonomous patrol startup.
+	// The prompt triggers GUPP: witness starts patrol immediately without waiting for input.
+	initialPrompt := "I am Witness for " + rigName + ". Start patrol: check gt hook, if empty create mol-witness-patrol wisp and execute it."
+	command, err := config.BuildAgentStartupCommandWithAgentOverride("witness", rigName, townRoot, rigPath, initialPrompt, agentOverride)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("building startup command: %w", err)
 	}