diff --git a/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto-post-unit.js b/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto-post-unit.js
index 73fd51458..192c40013 100644
--- a/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto-post-unit.js
+++ b/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto-post-unit.js
@@ -370,6 +370,7 @@ export async function autoCommitUnit(basePath, unitType, unitId, ctx) {
  * - "dispatched" — a signal caused stop/pause
  * - "continue" — proceed normally
  * - "retry" — artifact verification failed, s.pendingVerificationRetry set for loop re-iteration
+ * - unexpected execute-task file changes pause autonomy before verification/advance
  */
 export async function postUnitPreVerification(pctx, opts) {
 	const {
@@ -979,6 +980,20 @@ export async function postUnitPreVerification(pctx, opts) {
 											dedupe_key: `safety:file-change:${s.currentUnit.id}`,
 										},
 									);
+									if (taskRow.status === "complete") {
+										updateTaskStatus(sMid, sSid, sTid, "pending", null);
+									}
+									ctx.ui.notify(
+										`Safety: pausing ${s.currentUnit.type} ${s.currentUnit.id} because it changed files outside the task plan.`,
+										"error",
+										{
+											kind: "progress",
+											source: "safety",
+											dedupe_key: `safety:file-change-pause:${s.currentUnit.id}`,
+										},
+									);
+									await pauseAuto(ctx, pi);
+									return "dispatched";
 								}
 							}
 						}