diff --git a/cmd/keeld/main.go b/cmd/keeld/main.go
index 62e0be5..fc209b0 100644
--- a/cmd/keeld/main.go
+++ b/cmd/keeld/main.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"keel/internal/ai"
+	"keel/internal/ambient"
 	"keel/internal/aw"
 	"keel/internal/enforce"
 	"keel/internal/evidence"
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"keel/internal/mode"
 	"keel/internal/mode/focus"
 	"keel/internal/mode/offscreen"
+	"keel/internal/notify"
 	"keel/internal/settings"
 	"keel/internal/statusfile"
 	"keel/internal/tasks"
@@ -139,20 +141,51 @@ func main() {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Ambient drift coach: an always-on sentinel beside the harness. It reuses the
+	// base ports (AI, knowledge, tasks, memory, clock) and stays silent whenever a
+	// mode is active. Backend/port changes need a daemon restart to reach it; live
+	// settings only re-dial its cadence and mode (mirrors "active mode keeps its
+	// services").
+	ambMode := cfg.AmbientMode
+	if ambMode == "" {
+		ambMode = settings.AmbientNotify
+	}
+	sentinel := ambient.New(ambient.Deps{
+		AI:         base.AI,
+		Knowledge:  base.Knowledge,
+		Tasks:      base.Tasks,
+		Notifier:   notify.NewNotifier(),
+		Memory:     base.Memory,
+		Clock:      time.Now,
+		ActiveMode: func() string { return h.State().ActiveMode },
+	}, time.Duration(cfg.AmbientCadenceSecs)*time.Second, ambMode)
+	log.Printf("ambient: mode=%s cadence=%ds", ambMode, cfg.AmbientCadenceSecs)
+
 	srv := web.NewServer(h)
 	srv.Init() // re-arm or expire a restored deadline-bearing session
 
+	srv.SetAmbient(sentinel.Line, sentinel.Snooze)
+	sentinel.AddOnChange(srv.Broadcast)
+
 	// applyFn re-wires the running daemon from a new Settings value: it rebuilds a
 	// fresh harness.Services and installs it via SetServices. Per the harness
 	// contract this affects the NEXT mode start; an already-active mode keeps the
 	// services it was built with. It validates the backend before mutating, so
 	// POST /settings can reject an invalid backend atomically.
 	applyFn := func(s settings.Settings) error {
+		if s.AmbientMode != "" && !settings.ValidAmbientMode(s.AmbientMode) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%w: %q", settings.ErrInvalidAmbientMode, s.AmbientMode)
+		}
 		next, err := buildServices(s)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		h.SetServices(next)
+		mode := s.AmbientMode
+		if mode == "" {
+			mode = settings.AmbientNotify
+		}
+		sentinel.SetConfig(time.Duration(s.AmbientCadenceSecs)*time.Second, mode)
 		return nil
 	}
 	srv.SetSettings(settingsPath, cfg, applyFn)
@@ -162,19 +195,22 @@ func main() {
 	if statusPath, err := statusfile.DefaultPath(); err != nil {
 		log.Printf("status file disabled: %v", err)
 	} else {
-		writer := statusfile.NewWriter(statusPath, h.State)
-		// Re-render the bar on every harness change, not just the coarse tick, so a
-		// drift transition reaches the status bar as fast as it reaches the web UI.
+		writer := statusfile.NewWriter(statusPath, h.State, sentinel.Line)
 		h.AddOnChange(writer.Wake)
+		sentinel.AddOnChange(writer.Wake)
 		go writer.Run(context.Background())
 		log.Printf("status: writing %s", statusPath)
 	}
 
-	// Feed the window sensor stream into the harness, which forwards it to the
-	// active mode iff that mode consumes evidence. On a headless box the source is
-	// a no-op, so this degrades gracefully without new X11 requirements.
+	// Feed the window sensor stream into BOTH the harness (for the active mode)
+	// and the ambient sentinel (always-on). On a headless box the source is a
+	// no-op, so both degrade gracefully without new X11 requirements.
 	src := evidence.NewSource()
-	go src.Watch(context.Background(), h.RecordWindow)
+	go src.Watch(context.Background(), func(w evidence.WindowSnapshot) {
+		h.RecordWindow(w)
+		sentinel.OnWindow(w)
+	})
+	go sentinel.Run(context.Background())
 
 	go openBrowser("http://" + addr)