diff --git a/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto/loop.js b/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto/loop.js
index 5dc4e4fda..eec802386 100644
--- a/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto/loop.js
+++ b/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto/loop.js
@@ -671,8 +671,18 @@ export async function autoLoop(ctx, pi, s, deps) {
 				iteration,
 				elapsedMs,
 			});
-			// Do not break the loop — the watchdog only emits observability
-			// signals. The operator or a future gate can decide to stop.
+			// #wiggums: when stuck, back off instead of tight-spinning. The
+			// old comment said "Do not break the loop — observability only",
+			// but observability without backoff means we burn CPU writing
+			// halt-watchdog-break events at ~1Hz while whatever's actually
+			// stuck stays stuck. 2026-05-17 dogfood logged 60+ such events
+			// in a single 30s window. Backoff is exponential up to 30s, so
+			// short stalls recover quickly while long stalls don't melt the
+			// CPU. Heartbeat() will clear the backoff when real progress
+			// resumes.
+			const stuckCycles = Math.floor(elapsedMs / DEFAULT_HALT_THRESHOLD_MS);
+			const backoffMs = Math.min(30_000, 1000 * 2 ** Math.min(5, stuckCycles));
+			await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, backoffMs));
 		}
 		// ── Journal: per-iteration flow grouping ──
 		const flowId = randomUUID();