diff --git a/extensions/slack/src/monitor/message-handler/dispatch.ts b/extensions/slack/src/monitor/message-handler/dispatch.ts
index c0ffee77815..e2ddb143407 100644
--- a/extensions/slack/src/monitor/message-handler/dispatch.ts
+++ b/extensions/slack/src/monitor/message-handler/dispatch.ts
@@ -560,7 +560,6 @@ export async function dispatchPreparedSlackMessage(prepared: PreparedSlackMessag
       };
 
   let dispatchError: unknown;
-  let didAdvanceStatusReaction = false;
   let queuedFinal = false;
   let counts: { final?: number; block?: number } = {};
   try {
@@ -589,13 +588,11 @@ export async function dispatchPreparedSlackMessage(prepared: PreparedSlackMessag
         onReasoningEnd: onDraftBoundary,
         onReasoningStream: statusReactionsEnabled
           ? async () => {
-              didAdvanceStatusReaction = true;
               await statusReactions.setThinking();
             }
           : undefined,
         onToolStart: statusReactionsEnabled
           ? async (payload) => {
-              didAdvanceStatusReaction = true;
               await statusReactions.setTool(payload.name);
             }
           : undefined,
@@ -646,9 +643,9 @@ export async function dispatchPreparedSlackMessage(prepared: PreparedSlackMessag
       } else {
         void statusReactions.restoreInitial();
       }
-    } else if (didAdvanceStatusReaction) {
-      // Silent success should preserve the original ack instead of looking like
-      // we delivered a visible reply.
+    } else {
+      // Silent success should preserve queued state and clear any stall timers
+      // instead of transitioning to terminal/stall reactions after return.
       await statusReactions.restoreInitial();
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/channels/status-reactions.slack-lifecycle.test.ts b/src/channels/status-reactions.slack-lifecycle.test.ts
index 54918267153..629ee773743 100644
--- a/src/channels/status-reactions.slack-lifecycle.test.ts
+++ b/src/channels/status-reactions.slack-lifecycle.test.ts
@@ -94,6 +94,29 @@ describe("Slack status reaction lifecycle", () => {
     expect(active.has(DEFAULT_EMOJIS.error)).toBe(false);
   });
 
+  it("restoreInitial clears stall timers without re-adding queued emoji", async () => {
+    const { adapter, active } = createSlackMockAdapter();
+    const ctrl = createStatusReactionController({
+      enabled: true,
+      adapter,
+      initialEmoji: "eyes",
+      timing: { debounceMs: 0, stallSoftMs: 10, stallHardMs: 20 },
+    });
+
+    void ctrl.setQueued();
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1);
+    expect(active.has("eyes")).toBe(true);
+    expect(adapter.setReaction).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+    await ctrl.restoreInitial();
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(30);
+
+    expect(adapter.setReaction).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(active.has("eyes")).toBe(true);
+    expect(active.has(DEFAULT_EMOJIS.stallSoft)).toBe(false);
+    expect(active.has(DEFAULT_EMOJIS.stallHard)).toBe(false);
+  });
+
   it("does nothing when disabled", async () => {
     const { adapter, active } = createSlackMockAdapter();
     const ctrl = createStatusReactionController({
diff --git a/src/channels/status-reactions.ts b/src/channels/status-reactions.ts
index 060555a997c..475b4cd1f27 100644
--- a/src/channels/status-reactions.ts
+++ b/src/channels/status-reactions.ts
@@ -379,7 +379,14 @@ export function createStatusReactionController(params: {
       return;
     }
 
+    const alreadyInitial = currentEmoji === initialEmoji;
+    const initialAlreadyPending = pendingEmoji === initialEmoji;
     clearAllTimers();
+    if (alreadyInitial || initialAlreadyPending) {
+      pendingEmoji = "";
+      return;
+    }
+
     await enqueue(async () => {
       await applyEmoji(initialEmoji);
       pendingEmoji = "";