diff --git a/scripts/claim-task.py b/scripts/claim-task.py
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..21097ea8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/claim-task.py
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Task Claim System for AITBC agents.
+Uses Git branch atomic creation as a distributed lock to prevent duplicate work.
+"""
+import os
+import json
+import subprocess
+from datetime import datetime
+
+REPO_DIR = '/opt/aitbc'
+STATE_FILE = '/opt/aitbc/.claim-state.json'
+GITEA_TOKEN = os.getenv('GITEA_TOKEN') or 'ffce3b62d583b761238ae00839dce7718acaad85'
+API_BASE = os.getenv('GITEA_API_BASE', 'http://gitea.bubuit.net:3000/api/v1')
+MY_AGENT = os.getenv('AGENT_NAME', 'aitbc1')
+ISSUE_LABELS = ['security', 'bug', 'feature', 'refactor', 'task']  # priority order
+BONUS_LABELS = ['good-first-task-for-agent']
+AVOID_LABELS = ['needs-design', 'blocked', 'needs-reproduction']
+
+def query_api(path, method='GET', data=None):
+    url = f"{API_BASE}/{path}"
+    cmd = ['curl', '-s', '-H', f'Authorization: token {GITEA_TOKEN}', '-X', method]
+    if data:
+        cmd += ['-d', json.dumps(data), '-H', 'Content-Type: application/json']
+    cmd.append(url)
+    result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return json.loads(result.stdout)
+    except json.JSONDecodeError:
+        return None
+
+def load_state():
+    if os.path.exists(STATE_FILE):
+        with open(STATE_FILE) as f:
+            return json.load(f)
+    return {'current_claim': None, 'claimed_at': None, 'work_branch': None}
+
+def save_state(state):
+    with open(STATE_FILE, 'w') as f:
+        json.dump(state, f, indent=2)
+
+def get_open_unassigned_issues():
+    """Fetch open issues (excluding PRs) with no assignee, sorted by utility."""
+    all_items = query_api('repos/oib/aitbc/issues?state=open') or []
+    # Exclude pull requests
+    issues = [i for i in all_items if 'pull_request' not in i]
+    unassigned = [i for i in issues if not i.get('assignees')]
+    
+    label_priority = {lbl: idx for idx, lbl in enumerate(ISSUE_LABELS)}
+    avoid_set = set(AVOID_LABELS)
+    bonus_set = set(BONUS_LABELS)
+    
+    def utility(issue):
+        labels = [lbl['name'] for lbl in issue.get('labels', [])]
+        if any(lbl in avoid_set for lbl in labels):
+            return -1
+        base = 1.0
+        for lbl in labels:
+            if lbl in label_priority:
+                base += (len(ISSUE_LABELS) - label_priority[lbl]) * 0.2
+                break
+        else:
+            base = 0.5
+        if any(lbl in bonus_set for lbl in labels):
+            base += 0.2
+        if issue.get('comments', 0) > 10:
+            base *= 0.8
+        return base
+    
+    unassigned.sort(key=utility, reverse=True)
+    return unassigned
+
+def git_current_branch():
+    result = subprocess.run(['git', 'branch', '--show-current'], capture_output=True, text=True, cwd=REPO_DIR)
+    return result.stdout.strip()
+
+def ensure_main_uptodate():
+    subprocess.run(['git', 'checkout', 'main'], capture_output=True, cwd=REPO_DIR)
+    subprocess.run(['git', 'pull', 'origin', 'main'], capture_output=True, cwd=REPO_DIR)
+
+def claim_issue(issue_number):
+    """Atomically create a claim branch on the remote."""
+    ensure_main_uptodate()
+    branch_name = f'claim/{issue_number}'
+    subprocess.run(['git', 'branch', '-f', branch_name, 'origin/main'], capture_output=True, cwd=REPO_DIR)
+    result = subprocess.run(['git', 'push', 'origin', branch_name], capture_output=True, text=True, cwd=REPO_DIR)
+    return result.returncode == 0
+
+def assign_issue(issue_number, assignee):
+    data = {"assignee": assignee}
+    return query_api(f'repos/oib/aitbc/issues/{issue_number}/assignees', method='POST', data=data)
+
+def add_comment(issue_number, body):
+    data = {"body": body}
+    return query_api(f'repos/oib/aitbc/issues/{issue_number}/comments', method='POST', data=data)
+
+def create_work_branch(issue_number, title):
+    """Create the actual work branch from main."""
+    ensure_main_uptodate()
+    slug = ''.join(c if c.isalnum() else '-' for c in title.lower())[:40].strip('-')
+    branch_name = f'{MY_AGENT}/{issue_number}-{slug}'
+    subprocess.run(['git', 'checkout', '-b', branch_name, 'main'], check=True, cwd=REPO_DIR)
+    return branch_name
+
+def main():
+    now = datetime.utcnow().isoformat() + 'Z'
+    print(f"[{now}] Claim task cycle starting...")
+    
+    state = load_state()
+    current_claim = state.get('current_claim')
+    
+    if current_claim:
+        print(f"Already working on issue #{current_claim} (branch {state.get('work_branch')})")
+        # Optional: could check if that PR has been merged/closed and release claim here
+        return
+    
+    issues = get_open_unassigned_issues()
+    if not issues:
+        print("No unassigned issues available.")
+        return
+    
+    for issue in issues:
+        num = issue['number']
+        title = issue['title']
+        labels = [lbl['name'] for lbl in issue.get('labels', [])]
+        print(f"Attempting to claim issue #{num}: {title} (labels={labels})")
+        if claim_issue(num):
+            assign_issue(num, MY_AGENT)
+            work_branch = create_work_branch(num, title)
+            state.update({
+                'current_claim': num,
+                'claim_branch': f'claim/{num}',
+                'work_branch': work_branch,
+                'claimed_at': datetime.utcnow().isoformat() + 'Z',
+                'issue_title': title,
+                'labels': labels
+            })
+            save_state(state)
+            print(f"✅ Claimed issue #{num}. Work branch: {work_branch}")
+            add_comment(num, f"Agent `{MY_AGENT}` claiming this task. (automated)")
+            return
+        else:
+            print(f"Claim failed for #{num} (branch exists). Trying next...")
+    
+    print("Could not claim any issue; all taken or unavailable.")
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()
diff --git a/scripts/monitor-prs.py b/scripts/monitor-prs.py
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..49d0ab38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/monitor-prs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Enhanced monitor for Gitea PRs:
+- Auto-request review from sibling on my PRs
+- Auto-validate sibling's PRs and approve if passing checks, with stability ring awareness
+- Monitor CI statuses and report failures
+- Release claim branches when associated PRs merge or close
+"""
+import os
+import json
+import subprocess
+import tempfile
+import shutil
+from datetime import datetime
+
+GITEA_TOKEN = os.getenv('GITEA_TOKEN') or 'ffce3b62d583b761238ae00839dce7718acaad85'
+REPO = 'oib/aitbc'
+API_BASE = os.getenv('GITEA_API_BASE', 'http://gitea.bubuit.net:3000/api/v1')
+MY_AGENT = os.getenv('AGENT_NAME', 'aitbc1')
+SIBLING_AGENT = 'aitbc' if MY_AGENT == 'aitbc1' else 'aitbc1'
+CLAIM_STATE_FILE = '/opt/aitbc/.claim-state.json'
+
+def query_api(path, method='GET', data=None):
+    url = f"{API_BASE}/{path}"
+    cmd = ['curl', '-s', '-H', f'Authorization: token {GITEA_TOKEN}', '-X', method]
+    if data:
+        cmd += ['-d', json.dumps(data), '-H', 'Content-Type: application/json']
+    cmd.append(url)
+    result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return json.loads(result.stdout)
+    except json.JSONDecodeError:
+        return None
+
+def get_pr_files(pr_number):
+    return query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/pulls/{pr_number}/files') or []
+
+def detect_ring(path):
+    ring0 = ['packages/py/aitbc-core/', 'packages/py/aitbc-sdk/', 'packages/py/aitbc-agent-sdk/', 'packages/py/aitbc-crypto/']
+    ring1 = ['apps/coordinator-api/', 'apps/blockchain-node/', 'apps/analytics/', 'services/']
+    ring2 = ['cli/', 'scripts/', 'tools/']
+    ring3 = ['experiments/', 'playground/', 'prototypes/', 'examples/']
+    if any(path.startswith(p) for p in ring0):
+        return 0
+    if any(path.startswith(p) for p in ring1):
+        return 1
+    if any(path.startswith(p) for p in ring2):
+        return 2
+    if any(path.startswith(p) for p in ring3):
+        return 3
+    return 2
+
+def load_claim_state():
+    if os.path.exists(CLAIM_STATE_FILE):
+        with open(CLAIM_STATE_FILE) as f:
+            return json.load(f)
+    return {}
+
+def save_claim_state(state):
+    with open(CLAIM_STATE_FILE, 'w') as f:
+        json.dump(state, f, indent=2)
+
+def release_claim(issue_number, claim_branch):
+    check = subprocess.run(['git', 'ls-remote', '--heads', 'origin', claim_branch],
+                           capture_output=True, text=True, cwd='/opt/aitbc')
+    if check.returncode == 0 and check.stdout.strip():
+        subprocess.run(['git', 'push', 'origin', '--delete', claim_branch],
+                       capture_output=True, cwd='/opt/aitbc')
+    state = load_claim_state()
+    if state.get('current_claim') == issue_number:
+        state.clear()
+        save_claim_state(state)
+    print(f"✅ Released claim for issue #{issue_number} (deleted branch {claim_branch})")
+
+def get_open_prs():
+    return query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/pulls?state=open') or []
+
+def get_all_prs(state='all'):
+    return query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/pulls?state={state}') or []
+
+def get_pr_reviews(pr_number):
+    return query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/pulls/{pr_number}/reviews') or []
+
+def get_commit_statuses(pr_number):
+    pr = query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/pulls/{pr_number}')
+    if not pr:
+        return []
+    sha = pr['head']['sha']
+    statuses = query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/commits/{sha}/statuses')
+    if not statuses or not isinstance(statuses, list):
+        return []
+    return statuses
+
+def request_reviewer(pr_number, reviewer):
+    data = {"reviewers": [reviewer]}
+    return query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/pulls/{pr_number}/requested_reviewers', method='POST', data=data)
+
+def post_review(pr_number, state, body=''):
+    data = {"body": body, "event": state}
+    return query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/pulls/{pr_number}/reviews', method='POST', data=data)
+
+def validate_pr_branch(pr):
+    head = pr['head']
+    ref = head['ref']
+    repo = head.get('repo', {}).get('full_name', REPO)
+    tmpdir = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix='aitbc-pr-')
+    try:
+        clone_url = f"git@gitea.bubuit.net:{repo}.git"
+        result = subprocess.run(['git', 'clone', '-b', ref, '--depth', '1', clone_url, tmpdir],
+                               capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=60)
+        if result.returncode != 0:
+            return False, f"Clone failed: {result.stderr.strip()}"
+        py_files = subprocess.run(['find', tmpdir, '-name', '*.py'], capture_output=True, text=True)
+        if py_files.returncode == 0 and py_files.stdout.strip():
+            for f in py_files.stdout.strip().split('\n')[:20]:
+                res = subprocess.run(['python3', '-m', 'py_compile', f],
+                                     capture_output=True, text=True, cwd=tmpdir)
+                if res.returncode != 0:
+                    return False, f"Syntax error in `{f}`: {res.stderr.strip()}"
+        return True, "Automated validation passed."
+    except Exception as e:
+        return False, f"Validation error: {str(e)}"
+    finally:
+        shutil.rmtree(tmpdir, ignore_errors=True)
+
+def main():
+    now = datetime.utcnow().isoformat() + 'Z'
+    print(f"[{now}] Monitoring PRs and claim locks...")
+    
+    # 0. Check claim state: if we have a current claim, see if corresponding PR merged
+    state = load_claim_state()
+    if state.get('current_claim'):
+        issue_num = state['current_claim']
+        work_branch = state.get('work_branch')
+        claim_branch = state.get('claim_branch')
+        all_prs = get_all_prs(state='all')
+        matched_pr = None
+        for pr in all_prs:
+            if pr['head']['ref'] == work_branch:
+                matched_pr = pr
+                break
+        if matched_pr:
+            if matched_pr['state'] == 'closed':
+                release_claim(issue_num, claim_branch)
+    
+    # 1. Process open PRs
+    open_prs = get_open_prs()
+    notifications = []
+    
+    for pr in open_prs:
+        number = pr['number']
+        title = pr['title']
+        author = pr['user']['login']
+        head_ref = pr['head']['ref']
+        
+        # A. If PR from sibling, consider for review
+        if author == SIBLING_AGENT:
+            reviews = get_pr_reviews(number)
+            my_reviews = [r for r in reviews if r['user']['login'] == MY_AGENT]
+            if not my_reviews:
+                files = get_pr_files(number)
+                rings = [detect_ring(f['filename']) for f in files if f.get('status') != 'removed']
+                max_ring = max(rings) if rings else 2
+                if max_ring == 0:
+                    body = "Automated analysis: This PR modifies core (Ring 0) components. Manual review and a design specification are required before merge. No auto-approval."
+                    post_review(number, 'COMMENT', body=body)
+                    notifications.append(f"PR #{number} (Ring 0) flagged for manual review")
+                else:
+                    passed, msg = validate_pr_branch(pr)
+                    if passed:
+                        post_review(number, 'APPROVED', body=f"Automated peer review: branch validated.\n\n✅ Syntax checks passed.\nRing {max_ring} change — auto-approved. CI must still pass.")
+                        notifications.append(f"Auto-approved PR #{number} from @{author} (Ring {max_ring})")
+                    else:
+                        post_review(number, 'CHANGES_REQUESTED', body=f"Automated peer review detected issues:\n\n{msg}\n\nPlease fix and push.")
+                        notifications.append(f"Requested changes on PR #{number} from @{author}: {msg[:100]}")
+        
+        # B. If PR from me, ensure sibling is requested as reviewer
+        if author == MY_AGENT:
+            pr_full = query_api(f'repos/{REPO}/pulls/{number}')
+            requested = pr_full.get('requested_reviewers', []) if pr_full else []
+            if not any(r.get('login') == SIBLING_AGENT for r in requested):
+                request_reviewer(number, SIBLING_AGENT)
+                notifications.append(f"Requested review from @{SIBLING_AGENT} for my PR #{number}")
+        
+        # C. Check CI statuses for any PR
+        statuses = get_commit_statuses(number)
+        failing = [s for s in statuses if s.get('status') not in ('success', 'pending')]
+        if failing:
+            for s in failing:
+                notifications.append(f"PR #{number} status check failure: {s.get('context','unknown')} - {s.get('status','unknown')}")
+    
+    if notifications:
+        print("\n".join(notifications))
+    else:
+        print("No new alerts.")
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()