diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/AGENTS.md b/desktop/src/features/agents/AGENTS.md
index f803ec5113..832908bf7f 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/AGENTS.md
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/AGENTS.md
@@ -207,7 +207,10 @@ with a TypeScript lookup table or an id comparison in a component.
    [the identity contract](../../../../docs/agent-profile-identity.md).
    Availability dots read relay presence, never a saved deployment
    receipt or runtime status. Failed/disconnected reads are unknown; lifecycle
-   actions retain their separate routing. See
+   actions retain their separate routing. Current exact-key Online/Away presence
+   suppresses Start for an inactive local record without granting Stop authority;
+   list/profile/member startup guards must not interpret Offline as proof of safe
+   startup. See
    [the availability contract](../../../../docs/agent-availability.md).
 14. **Thinking effort has two surfaces: a local-only WRITE control and a
    read-only two-facts DISPLAY.** The write control is `EffortPickerField`
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.test.mjs
index 6bf1b25959..f9b2df050a 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.test.mjs
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.test.mjs
@@ -89,7 +89,31 @@ for (const lifecycle of ["running", "stopped"]) {
         onStart() {},
       }),
     );
-    assert.equal(html.includes('data-testid="start"'), !isActive);
-    assert.equal(html.includes('data-testid="active"'), isActive);
+    assert.equal(html.includes('data-testid="start"'), false);
+    assert.equal(html.includes('data-testid="active"'), true);
+  });
+}
+
+for (const availability of ["online", "away"]) {
+  test(`stale restart and runtime error cannot hide stopped ${availability} presence`, () => {
+    const html = renderToStaticMarkup(
+      createElement(AgentRuntimeAvatarControl, {
+        activeTestId: "active",
+        startTestId: "start",
+        errorTestId: "error",
+        isActive: false,
+        isStarting: false,
+        requiresRestart: true,
+        errorLabel: "Previous startup failed",
+        availability,
+        label: "Agent",
+        onStart() {},
+      }),
+    );
+    assert.match(html, /data-testid="active"/);
+    assert.doesNotMatch(
+      html,
+      /data-testid="start"|data-testid="error"|<button/,
+    );
   });
 }
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.ts
index 07da53c9b0..044bab60a2 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,19 @@ export function resolveAgentAvailability(
   return presenceLoaded && connected ? (status ?? "offline") : undefined;
 }
 
+/** Positive presence blocks another start, but never grants lifecycle control.
+ * Missing/offline presence is not proof that starting another body is safe.
+ */
+export function agentPresenceStartBlockReason(
+  isLifecycleActive: boolean,
+  availability: PresenceStatus | undefined,
+): string | undefined {
+  return !isLifecycleActive &&
+    (availability === "online" || availability === "away")
+    ? "This agent is present on the relay. Starting another instance is unavailable."
+    : undefined;
+}
+
 /** Share the existing presence query/subscription; no separate status cache. */
 export function useAgentAvailability(pubkey: string | null | undefined) {
   const query = usePresenceQuery(pubkey ? [pubkey] : []);
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentRuntimeAvatarControl.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentRuntimeAvatarControl.tsx
index b948a55ce4..65e1e0fa28 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentRuntimeAvatarControl.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentRuntimeAvatarControl.tsx
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import {
 import type { PresenceStatus } from "@/shared/api/types";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import { Spinner } from "@/shared/ui/spinner";
+import { agentPresenceStartBlockReason } from "../lib/useAgentAvailability";
 import { IdentityInitialsAvatar } from "./IdentityInitialsAvatar";
 
 type AgentRuntimeAvatarControlProps = {
@@ -162,7 +163,14 @@ export function AgentRuntimeAvatarControl({
   const availabilityLabel = availability
     ? getPresenceLabel(availability)
     : "Availability unknown";
-  const showStatusDot = isActive && !isRestartAction;
+  const startBlockReason = agentPresenceStartBlockReason(
+    isActive,
+    availability,
+  );
+  // A present identity need not be a process this supervisor owns. Replace
+  // Start (even a stale Restart/error badge) without inventing Stop authority.
+  const showStatusDot =
+    Boolean(startBlockReason) || (isActive && !isRestartAction);
   const hasError = !isActive && !isPending && Boolean(errorLabel);
   const errorActionLabel = `${label} has a runtime error. Open runtime details.`;
   const transition = shouldReduceMotion ? { duration: 0 } : MASK_TRANSITION;
@@ -187,7 +195,7 @@ export function AgentRuntimeAvatarControl({
               className="h-full w-full rounded-full"
               data-testid={activeTestId}
               role="img"
-              title={`${label}: ${availabilityLabel}`}
+              title={startBlockReason ?? `${label}: ${availabilityLabel}`}
             />
           ) : (
             <button
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/UnifiedAgentsSectionCardTarget.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/UnifiedAgentsSectionCardTarget.test.mjs
index 690a921040..b5c4ab7e3c 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/UnifiedAgentsSectionCardTarget.test.mjs
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/UnifiedAgentsSectionCardTarget.test.mjs
@@ -293,3 +293,89 @@ test("errored avatar affordance still opens the explicit pubkey on the runtime t
 
   assert.deepEqual(opened, [{ pubkey: LIVE_PK, options: { tab: "runtime" } }]);
 });
+
+for (const kind of ["persona", "custom", "unknown"]) {
+  test(`${kind} stopped card uses exact-key presence without inventing lifecycle controls`, async () => {
+    installFailOpenIpc();
+    const { relayClient } = await import("../../../shared/api/relayClient.ts");
+    const originalConnection = relayClient.getConnectionState;
+    const originalSubscribe = relayClient.subscribeToConnectionState;
+    relayClient.getConnectionState = () => "connected";
+    relayClient.subscribeToConnectionState = () => () => {};
+    let snapshot = { [ARCHIVED_PK]: "online" };
+    ipcHandlers.set("get_presence", () => Promise.resolve(snapshot));
+    const starts = [];
+    const props = baseProps({
+      agents: [
+        agent({
+          personaId:
+            kind === "custom"
+              ? null
+              : kind === "unknown"
+                ? "missing"
+                : "persona-1",
+        }),
+      ],
+      personas: kind === "persona" ? [persona()] : [],
+      onStartAgent: (key) => starts.push(key),
+      onRestartAgent: () => {
+        throw new Error("presence must not cause Restart");
+      },
+    });
+    try {
+      await act(async () => renderSection(props));
+      const client = clients.at(-1);
+      const refresh = async () => {
+        await act(async () => {
+          await client.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["presence"] });
+        });
+        await act(async () => {
+          await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 10));
+        });
+      };
+      await refresh();
+      // Different-key Online must not suppress this identity's ordinary Start.
+      fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId(`agent-runtime-start-${LIVE_PK}`));
+      assert.deepEqual(starts, [LIVE_PK]);
+      starts.length = 0;
+      for (const status of ["online", "away", "offline", "online"]) {
+        snapshot = { [LIVE_PK]: status };
+        await refresh();
+        const start = screen.queryByTestId(`agent-runtime-start-${LIVE_PK}`);
+        if (status === "offline") {
+          assert.ok(start);
+          fireEvent.click(start);
+          assert.deepEqual(starts, [LIVE_PK]);
+          starts.length = 0;
+        } else {
+          assert.equal(
+            Boolean(start),
+            false,
+            "active exact-key presence must remove Start",
+          );
+          const dot = screen.getByTestId(`agent-runtime-active-${LIVE_PK}`);
+          assert.match(
+            dot.getAttribute("aria-label"),
+            new RegExp(status === "online" ? "Online$" : "Away$"),
+          );
+          fireEvent.click(dot);
+          fireEvent.keyDown(dot, { key: "Enter" });
+          fireEvent.keyDown(dot, { key: " " });
+          assert.deepEqual(starts, []);
+          assert.equal(
+            Boolean(screen.queryByRole("button", { name: /Stop/ })),
+            false,
+          );
+        }
+      }
+      // A successful omitted entry is the existing relay expiry/missing path.
+      snapshot = {};
+      await refresh();
+      fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId(`agent-runtime-start-${LIVE_PK}`));
+      assert.deepEqual(starts, [LIVE_PK]);
+    } finally {
+      relayClient.getConnectionState = originalConnection;
+      relayClient.subscribeToConnectionState = originalSubscribe;
+    }
+  });
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/useManagedAgentActions.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/useManagedAgentActions.ts
index 0627ad6ac3..b9c680b6aa 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/useManagedAgentActions.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/useManagedAgentActions.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,11 @@ import {
   useStopManagedAgentMutation,
   useDeleteManagedAgentMutation,
 } from "@/features/agents/hooks";
+import {
+  agentPresenceStartBlockReason,
+  resolveAgentAvailability,
+} from "../lib/useAgentAvailability";
+import { useRelayConnection } from "@/shared/api/useRelayConnection";
 import { useGlobalAgentConfig } from "@/features/agents/useGlobalAgentConfig";
 import { useChannelsQuery } from "@/features/channels/hooks";
 import { invalidateChannelMembersRosters } from "@/features/channels/rosterFreshness";
@@ -102,6 +107,19 @@ export function useManagedAgentActions() {
   );
 
   const managedPresenceQuery = usePresenceQuery(managedPubkeyList);
+  const relayConnection = useRelayConnection();
+
+  function assertStartNotBlockedByPresence(agent: ManagedAgent) {
+    const reason = agentPresenceStartBlockReason(
+      isManagedAgentActive(agent),
+      resolveAgentAvailability(
+        managedPresenceQuery.data?.[normalizePubkey(agent.pubkey)],
+        managedPresenceQuery.isSuccess,
+        relayConnection === "connected",
+      ),
+    );
+    if (reason) throw new Error(reason);
+  }
 
   const channelsByPubkey = React.useMemo(() => {
     const map: Record<string, { id: string; name: string }[]> = {};
@@ -164,6 +182,7 @@ export function useManagedAgentActions() {
     try {
       const agent = managedAgents.find((c) => c.pubkey === pubkey);
       if (!agent) return;
+      assertStartNotBlockedByPresence(agent);
       await startManagedAgentWithRules({
         agent,
         startManagedAgent: startMutation.mutateAsync,
@@ -184,6 +203,7 @@ export function useManagedAgentActions() {
         (candidate) => candidate.pubkey === pubkey,
       );
       if (!agent) return;
+      assertStartNotBlockedByPresence(agent);
       await respawnManagedAgentWithRules({
         agent,
         startManagedAgent: startMutation.mutateAsync,
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/MembersSidebarMemberCard.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/MembersSidebarMemberCard.tsx
index c6f32d5fc9..00c9ee9a37 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/MembersSidebarMemberCard.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/MembersSidebarMemberCard.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+import {
+  agentPresenceStartBlockReason,
+  useAgentAvailability,
+} from "@/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability";
 import {
   Activity,
   Ban,
@@ -347,6 +351,14 @@ function MemberActionsMenu({
   const isBanned = moderationState?.banned ?? false;
   const isTimedOut = moderationState?.timedOut ?? false;
 
+  const { status: availability } = useAgentAvailability(managedAgent?.pubkey);
+  const startBlockReason = managedAgent
+    ? agentPresenceStartBlockReason(
+        pairAction ? pairAction === "stop" : isManagedAgentActive(managedAgent),
+        availability,
+      )
+    : undefined;
+
   return (
     <DropdownMenu modal={false}>
       <DropdownMenuTrigger asChild>
@@ -376,8 +388,11 @@ function MemberActionsMenu({
             {canViewActivity ? <DropdownMenuSeparator /> : null}
             <DropdownMenuItem
               data-testid={`sidebar-agent-action-${member.pubkey}`}
-              disabled={disabled}
-              onClick={() => onManagedAgentAction(managedAgent)}
+              disabled={disabled || Boolean(startBlockReason)}
+              title={startBlockReason}
+              onClick={() => {
+                if (!startBlockReason) onManagedAgentAction(managedAgent);
+              }}
             >
               {pairAction
                 ? getPairActionIcon(pairAction)
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useMembersSidebarActions.ts b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useMembersSidebarActions.ts
index cc8f406221..4841232b2b 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useMembersSidebarActions.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useMembersSidebarActions.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+import {
+  agentPresenceStartBlockReason,
+  resolveAgentAvailability,
+} from "@/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability";
+import { usePresenceQuery } from "@/features/presence/hooks";
+import { useRelayConnection } from "@/shared/api/useRelayConnection";
+import { normalizePubkey } from "@/shared/lib/pubkey";
 import * as React from "react";
 import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 
@@ -56,6 +63,24 @@ export function useMembersSidebarActions({
   relayUrl,
 }: UseMembersSidebarActionsOptions) {
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  const presenceQuery = usePresenceQuery(
+    controllableManagedBots.map((agent) => agent.pubkey),
+  );
+  const connection = useRelayConnection();
+  function assertStartNotBlockedByPresence(
+    agent: ManagedAgent,
+    lifecycleActive: boolean,
+  ) {
+    const reason = agentPresenceStartBlockReason(
+      lifecycleActive,
+      resolveAgentAvailability(
+        presenceQuery.data?.[normalizePubkey(agent.pubkey)],
+        presenceQuery.isSuccess,
+        connection === "connected",
+      ),
+    );
+    if (reason) throw new Error(reason);
+  }
   const removeMemberMutation = useRemoveChannelMemberMutation(channelId);
   const startManagedAgentMutation = useStartManagedAgentMutation();
   const stopManagedAgentMutation = useStopManagedAgentMutation();
@@ -155,6 +180,7 @@ export function useMembersSidebarActions({
       // agent-wide deploy/!shutdown flow below.
       if (agent.backend.type === "local" && relayUrl) {
         const action = managedAgentPairAction(runtime);
+        assertStartNotBlockedByPresence(agent, action === "stop");
         await runtimeActionMutation.mutateAsync({
           action,
           pubkey: agent.pubkey,
@@ -188,6 +214,7 @@ export function useMembersSidebarActions({
         return;
       }
 
+      assertStartNotBlockedByPresence(agent, false);
       await startManagedAgentWithRules({
         agent,
         startManagedAgent: startManagedAgentMutation.mutateAsync,
@@ -205,6 +232,7 @@ export function useMembersSidebarActions({
   async function handleRespawnAll() {
     await runBulkAgentAction({
       action: async (agent) => {
+        assertStartNotBlockedByPresence(agent, isManagedAgentActive(agent));
         await respawnManagedAgentWithRules({
           agent,
           startManagedAgent: startManagedAgentMutation.mutateAsync,
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelSections.tsx b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelSections.tsx
index c0948c63e9..e6d53d3396 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelSections.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelSections.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,11 @@ import * as React from "react";
 import { ChevronDown, ChevronUp, Pencil } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { useAgentWorking } from "@/features/agents/agentWorkingSignal";
-import { getManagedAgentPrimaryActionLabel } from "@/features/agents/lib/managedAgentControlActions";
+import { agentPresenceStartBlockReason } from "@/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability";
+import {
+  getManagedAgentPrimaryActionLabel,
+  isManagedAgentActive,
+} from "@/features/agents/lib/managedAgentControlActions";
 import { RestartDiffBadge } from "@/features/agents/ui/RestartDiffBadge";
 import { AgentConfigPanel } from "@/features/agents/ui/AgentConfigPanel";
 import type { IdentityArchiveActions } from "@/features/identity-archive/hooks";
@@ -417,6 +421,14 @@ export function ProfileSummaryView({
           concealed={primaryActionsConcealed}
           followMutation={followMutation}
           agentActionDisabled={isAgentActionPending}
+          agentStartBlockReason={
+            managedAgent
+              ? agentPresenceStartBlockReason(
+                  isManagedAgentActive(managedAgent),
+                  presenceStatus,
+                )
+              : undefined
+          }
           agentActionLabel={
             isOwner === true && managedAgent
               ? getManagedAgentPrimaryActionLabel(managedAgent)
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePrimaryActions.tsx b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePrimaryActions.tsx
index 3185de50ff..a649b843ab 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePrimaryActions.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePrimaryActions.tsx
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import { Spinner } from "@/shared/ui/spinner";
 export function ProfilePrimaryActions({
   actionGroupRef,
   agentActionDisabled,
+  agentStartBlockReason,
   agentActionLabel,
   agentActionLive,
   className,
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ export function ProfilePrimaryActions({
 }: {
   actionGroupRef?: Ref<HTMLDivElement>;
   agentActionDisabled?: boolean;
+  agentStartBlockReason?: string;
   agentActionLabel?: string;
   agentActionLive?: boolean;
   className?: string;
@@ -94,7 +96,8 @@ export function ProfilePrimaryActions({
       {onAgentPrimaryAction && agentActionLabel ? (
         <ProfileActionTile
           active
-          disabled={agentActionDisabled}
+          disabled={agentActionDisabled || Boolean(agentStartBlockReason)}
+          title={agentStartBlockReason}
           icon={agentActionLive ? Square : Play}
           label={agentActionLabel}
           onClick={onAgentPrimaryAction}
@@ -216,6 +219,7 @@ function ProfileActionTile({
   label,
   onClick,
   testId,
+  title,
 }: {
   active?: boolean;
   disabled?: boolean;
@@ -224,6 +228,7 @@ function ProfileActionTile({
   label: string;
   onClick: () => void;
   testId?: string;
+  title?: string;
 }) {
   return (
     <button
@@ -234,6 +239,7 @@ function ProfileActionTile({
         active && "bg-foreground text-background hover:bg-foreground/90",
       )}
       data-testid={testId}
+      title={title}
       disabled={disabled}
       onClick={onClick}
       type="button"
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/useAgentLifecycleActions.ts b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/useAgentLifecycleActions.ts
index 62d0d3c7ad..78705584a3 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/useAgentLifecycleActions.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/useAgentLifecycleActions.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ import {
   startManagedAgentWithRules,
   stopManagedAgentWithRules,
 } from "@/features/agents/lib/managedAgentControlActions";
+import {
+  agentPresenceStartBlockReason,
+  useAgentAvailability,
+} from "@/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability";
 import { clearActiveTurnsForAgentOnStop } from "@/features/agents/managedAgentRuntimeHooks";
 import type { Channel, ManagedAgent, RelayAgent } from "@/shared/api/types";
 
@@ -23,6 +27,7 @@ export function useAgentLifecycleActions({
   startManagedAgent: (pubkey: string) => Promise<unknown>;
   stopManagedAgent: (pubkey: string) => Promise<unknown>;
 }) {
+  const { status: availability } = useAgentAvailability(managedAgent?.pubkey);
   const handleAgentPrimaryAction = React.useCallback(async () => {
     if (!managedAgent) return;
 
@@ -41,6 +46,8 @@ export function useAgentLifecycleActions({
         return;
       }
 
+      const blockReason = agentPresenceStartBlockReason(false, availability);
+      if (blockReason) throw new Error(blockReason);
       await startManagedAgentWithRules({
         agent: managedAgent,
         startManagedAgent,
@@ -56,6 +63,7 @@ export function useAgentLifecycleActions({
       );
     }
   }, [
+    availability,
     channels,
     managedAgent,
     relayAgents,
@@ -67,6 +75,11 @@ export function useAgentLifecycleActions({
     if (!managedAgent) return;
 
     try {
+      const blockReason = agentPresenceStartBlockReason(
+        isManagedAgentActive(managedAgent),
+        availability,
+      );
+      if (blockReason) throw new Error(blockReason);
       await respawnManagedAgentWithRules({
         agent: managedAgent,
         startManagedAgent,
@@ -79,7 +92,7 @@ export function useAgentLifecycleActions({
         error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Agent restart failed.",
       );
     }
-  }, [managedAgent, startManagedAgent, stopManagedAgent]);
+  }, [availability, managedAgent, startManagedAgent, stopManagedAgent]);
 
   return { handleAgentPrimaryAction, handleAgentRestart };
 }
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/agent-availability.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/agent-availability.spec.ts
index bf0119fb9a..4dec31c344 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/agent-availability.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/agent-availability.spec.ts
@@ -189,3 +189,162 @@ test("missing snapshot is offline but failed reads cannot reuse cached online",
     ).toHaveAttribute("aria-label", "Stop");
   }
 });
+
+test("stopped local with authored presence has a dot, not an invokable Start", async ({
+  page,
+}, testInfo) => {
+  await installMockBridge(page, {
+    managedAgents: [
+      {
+        pubkey: LOCAL,
+        name: "Present local",
+        status: "stopped",
+        channelNames: ["agents"],
+      },
+    ],
+  });
+  await page.goto("/#/agents");
+  await expect
+    .poll(() =>
+      page.evaluate(() =>
+        window.__BUZZ_E2E_HAS_MOCK_LIVE_SUBSCRIPTION__?.({
+          channelName: "agents",
+          kind: 20001,
+        }),
+      ),
+    )
+    .toBe(true);
+  await page.evaluate(
+    (pubkey) =>
+      window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_PRESENCE__?.({ pubkey, status: "online" }),
+    LOCAL,
+  );
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`agent-runtime-active-${LOCAL}`),
+  ).toHaveAttribute("aria-label", "Present local: Online");
+  await expect(page.getByTestId(`agent-runtime-start-${LOCAL}`)).toHaveCount(0);
+  await page
+    .getByRole("button", { name: "Present local agent profile" })
+    .press("Enter");
+  const action = page.getByTestId("user-profile-agent-primary-action");
+  await expect(action).toHaveAttribute("aria-label", "Start agent");
+  await expect(action).toBeDisabled();
+  await action.evaluate((button: HTMLButtonElement) => button.click());
+  await action.press("Enter");
+  await action.press("Space");
+  expect(
+    await page.evaluate(() =>
+      (window.__BUZZ_E2E_COMMANDS__ ?? []).filter((command) =>
+        ["start_managed_agent", "stop_managed_agent"].includes(command),
+      ),
+    ),
+  ).toEqual([]);
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("user-profile-agent-restart")).toHaveCount(0);
+  const badge = page.getByTestId("user-profile-presence-badge");
+  await expect(badge).toHaveAttribute("aria-label", "Online");
+  await waitForAnimations(page);
+  await page
+    .getByTestId(`managed-agent-${LOCAL}`)
+    .screenshot({ path: testInfo.outputPath("stopped-online-card.png") });
+  await page
+    .getByTestId("user-profile-panel")
+    .screenshot({ path: testInfo.outputPath("stopped-online-profile.png") });
+  for (const status of ["away", "offline"] as const) {
+    await page.evaluate(
+      ({ pubkey, status }) =>
+        window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_PRESENCE__?.({ pubkey, status }),
+      { pubkey: LOCAL, status },
+    );
+    await expect(badge).toHaveAttribute(
+      "aria-label",
+      status === "away" ? "Away" : "Offline",
+    );
+    if (status === "away") {
+      await expect(
+        page.getByTestId(`agent-runtime-active-${LOCAL}`),
+      ).toHaveAttribute("aria-label", "Present local: Away");
+      await expect(action).toBeDisabled();
+    } else {
+      await expect(action).toBeEnabled();
+      await expect(
+        page.getByTestId(`agent-runtime-start-${LOCAL}`),
+      ).toBeVisible();
+    }
+  }
+  // Keyboard activation is restored for the ordinary stopped/offline control.
+  // Runtime startup alone must still not manufacture authored availability.
+  await action.press("Enter");
+  await expect(action).toHaveAttribute("aria-label", "Stop");
+  await expect(badge).toHaveAttribute("aria-label", "Offline");
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`agent-runtime-active-${LOCAL}`),
+  ).toHaveAttribute("aria-label", "Present local: Offline");
+});
+
+test("member menu cannot start a present stopped local runtime", async ({
+  page,
+}) => {
+  await installMockBridge(page, {
+    managedAgents: [
+      {
+        pubkey: LOCAL,
+        name: "Present member",
+        status: "stopped",
+        channelNames: ["agents"],
+      },
+    ],
+  });
+  await page.goto("/");
+  await page.getByTestId("channel-agents").click();
+  await page.getByTestId("channel-members-trigger").click();
+  const row = page.getByTestId(`sidebar-member-${LOCAL}`);
+  await expect(row).toBeVisible();
+  await expect
+    .poll(() =>
+      page.evaluate(() =>
+        window.__BUZZ_E2E_HAS_MOCK_LIVE_SUBSCRIPTION__?.({
+          channelName: "agents",
+          kind: 20001,
+        }),
+      ),
+    )
+    .toBe(true);
+  await page.evaluate(
+    (pubkey) =>
+      window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_PRESENCE__?.({ pubkey, status: "away" }),
+    LOCAL,
+  );
+  await row.hover();
+  const menu = page.getByTestId(`sidebar-member-menu-${LOCAL}`);
+  await menu.focus();
+  await menu.press("Enter");
+  const action = page.getByTestId(`sidebar-agent-action-${LOCAL}`);
+  await expect(action).toContainText("Start");
+  await expect(action).toHaveAttribute("aria-disabled", "true");
+  await action.press("Enter");
+  await action.evaluate((node: HTMLElement) => node.click());
+  expect(
+    await page.evaluate(() =>
+      (window.__BUZZ_E2E_COMMANDS__ ?? []).filter((command) =>
+        /^(start|stop)_managed_agent/.test(command),
+      ),
+    ),
+  ).toEqual([]);
+  await page.evaluate(
+    (pubkey) =>
+      window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_PRESENCE__?.({ pubkey, status: "offline" }),
+    LOCAL,
+  );
+  await expect(action).not.toHaveAttribute("aria-disabled", "true");
+  await action.click();
+  await expect
+    .poll(() =>
+      page.evaluate(
+        () =>
+          (window.__BUZZ_E2E_COMMANDS__ ?? []).filter(
+            (command) => command === "start_managed_agent_runtime",
+          ).length,
+      ),
+    )
+    .toBe(1);
+});
diff --git a/docs/agent-availability.md b/docs/agent-availability.md
index 60b36cb1f9..134fe7afc5 100644
--- a/docs/agent-availability.md
+++ b/docs/agent-availability.md
@@ -12,12 +12,31 @@ remain separate: a deployed provider agent still offers Shutdown while offline.
 Shutdown sends a request, not a confirmed termination, and absence of presence
 is not permission to deploy a duplicate body. Local Stop/Start routing is unchanged.
 
+A locally stopped record with current exact-key Online or Away presence does
+not establish local process ownership. Its card replaces Start (including a
+stale restart/error badge) with the presence dot; its profile and member menu
+retain the lifecycle-derived Start label but disable activation with an
+explanation. No Stop is invented. Local/pair-owned running controls keep their
+existing Stop/Restart routing, even when presence is Offline. The same positive
+presence guard covers list/profile callbacks and member bulk respawn so the
+visible affordance is not the only fence. This is a UI startup guard, **not** a
+distributed singleton lock: missing, expired, failed or disconnected presence
+cannot certify that starting another body is safe. Existing relay query/live
+subscription freshness remains authoritative; no separate heartbeat or cache
+is introduced. Runtime details remain accessible through the card/profile.
+
+
 ## Regression evidence
 
 - `desktop/src/features/agents/lib/useAgentAvailability.test.mjs`: successful,
   missing, unavailable, and disconnected presence; lifecycle routing and badges.
 - `desktop/tests/e2e/agent-availability.spec.ts`: deployed/offline profile and
-  card, live presence and disconnected-state behavior.
+  card, stopped/Online and Away presence, disabled keyboard/click Start in
+  profile and member menu, restored Offline startup, running-but-Offline,
+  live updates and disconnected-state behavior.
+- `desktop/src/features/agents/ui/UnifiedAgentsSectionCardTarget.test.mjs`:
+  mounted persona/custom/unknown cards, exact-key versus other-key presence,
+  Online/Away/offline/missing transitions and actual Start callback activation.
 - `desktop/tests/e2e/agents.spec.ts`: Start badge animation and avatar continuity,
   runtime-only negative control, then authored Online presence.
 - `desktop/tests/e2e/profile.spec.ts`: created-agent initial Online snapshot and