diff --git a/backend/app/api/tasks.py b/backend/app/api/tasks.py
index c36eec35..85d3a6b5 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/tasks.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/tasks.py
@@ -277,6 +277,65 @@ def _notify_lead_on_task_create(
         session.commit()
 
 
+def _notify_lead_on_task_unassigned(
+    *,
+    session: Session,
+    board: Board,
+    task: Task,
+) -> None:
+    lead = session.exec(
+        select(Agent)
+        .where(Agent.board_id == board.id)
+        .where(Agent.is_board_lead.is_(True))
+    ).first()
+    if lead is None or not lead.openclaw_session_id:
+        return
+    config = _gateway_config(session, board)
+    if config is None:
+        return
+    description = (task.description or "").strip()
+    if len(description) > 500:
+        description = f"{description[:497]}..."
+    details = [
+        f"Board: {board.name}",
+        f"Task: {task.title}",
+        f"Task ID: {task.id}",
+        f"Status: {task.status}",
+    ]
+    if description:
+        details.append(f"Description: {description}")
+    message = (
+        "TASK BACK IN INBOX\n"
+        + "\n".join(details)
+        + "\n\nTake action: assign a new owner or adjust the plan."
+    )
+    try:
+        asyncio.run(
+            _send_lead_task_message(
+                session_key=lead.openclaw_session_id,
+                config=config,
+                message=message,
+            )
+        )
+        record_activity(
+            session,
+            event_type="task.lead_unassigned_notified",
+            message=f"Lead notified task returned to inbox: {task.title}.",
+            agent_id=lead.id,
+            task_id=task.id,
+        )
+        session.commit()
+    except OpenClawGatewayError as exc:
+        record_activity(
+            session,
+            event_type="task.lead_unassigned_notify_failed",
+            message=f"Lead notify failed: {exc}",
+            agent_id=lead.id,
+            task_id=task.id,
+        )
+        session.commit()
+
+
 @router.get("/stream")
 async def stream_tasks(
     request: Request,
@@ -509,6 +568,15 @@ def update_task(
         agent_id=actor.agent.id if actor.actor_type == "agent" and actor.agent else None,
     )
     session.commit()
+    if task.status == "inbox" and task.assigned_agent_id is None:
+        if previous_status != "inbox" or previous_assigned is not None:
+            board = session.get(Board, task.board_id) if task.board_id else None
+            if board:
+                _notify_lead_on_task_unassigned(
+                    session=session,
+                    board=board,
+                    task=task,
+                )
     if task.assigned_agent_id and task.assigned_agent_id != previous_assigned:
         if (
             actor.actor_type == "agent"
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/page.tsx b/frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/page.tsx
index 65ee83ad..f4dc2e5d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/page.tsx
@@ -130,6 +130,9 @@ export default function BoardDetailPage() {
   const [comments, setComments] = useState<TaskComment[]>([]);
   const [isCommentsLoading, setIsCommentsLoading] = useState(false);
   const [commentsError, setCommentsError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [newComment, setNewComment] = useState("");
+  const [isPostingComment, setIsPostingComment] = useState(false);
+  const [postCommentError, setPostCommentError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [isDetailOpen, setIsDetailOpen] = useState(false);
   const tasksRef = useRef<Task[]>([]);
   const approvalsRef = useRef<Approval[]>([]);
@@ -777,9 +780,48 @@ export default function BoardDetailPage() {
     setSelectedTask(null);
     setComments([]);
     setCommentsError(null);
+    setNewComment("");
+    setPostCommentError(null);
     setIsEditDialogOpen(false);
   };
 
+  const handlePostComment = async () => {
+    if (!selectedTask || !boardId || !isSignedIn) return;
+    const trimmed = newComment.trim();
+    if (!trimmed) {
+      setPostCommentError("Write a message before sending.");
+      return;
+    }
+    setIsPostingComment(true);
+    setPostCommentError(null);
+    try {
+      const token = await getToken();
+      const response = await fetch(
+        `${apiBase}/api/v1/boards/${boardId}/tasks/${selectedTask.id}/comments`,
+        {
+          method: "POST",
+          headers: {
+            "Content-Type": "application/json",
+            Authorization: token ? `Bearer ${token}` : "",
+          },
+          body: JSON.stringify({ message: trimmed }),
+        },
+      );
+      if (!response.ok) {
+        throw new Error("Unable to send message.");
+      }
+      const created = (await response.json()) as TaskComment;
+      setComments((prev) => [created, ...prev]);
+      setNewComment("");
+    } catch (err) {
+      setPostCommentError(
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Unable to send message.",
+      );
+    } finally {
+      setIsPostingComment(false);
+    }
+  };
+
   const handleTaskSave = async (closeOnSuccess = false) => {
     if (!selectedTask || !isSignedIn || !boardId) return;
     const trimmedTitle = editTitle.trim();
@@ -1489,6 +1531,26 @@ export default function BoardDetailPage() {
               <p className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-slate-500">
                 Comments
               </p>
+              <div className="space-y-2 rounded-xl border border-slate-200 bg-slate-50 p-3">
+                <Textarea
+                  value={newComment}
+                  onChange={(event) => setNewComment(event.target.value)}
+                  placeholder="Write a message for the assigned agent…"
+                  className="min-h-[80px] bg-white"
+                />
+                {postCommentError ? (
+                  <p className="text-xs text-rose-600">{postCommentError}</p>
+                ) : null}
+                <div className="flex justify-end">
+                  <Button
+                    size="sm"
+                    onClick={handlePostComment}
+                    disabled={isPostingComment || !newComment.trim()}
+                  >
+                    {isPostingComment ? "Sending…" : "Send message"}
+                  </Button>
+                </div>
+              </div>
               {isCommentsLoading ? (
                 <p className="text-sm text-slate-500">Loading comments…</p>
               ) : commentsError ? (
diff --git a/templates/HEARTBEAT_AGENT.md b/templates/HEARTBEAT_AGENT.md
index c62496d0..2d9902ad 100644
--- a/templates/HEARTBEAT_AGENT.md
+++ b/templates/HEARTBEAT_AGENT.md
@@ -68,10 +68,11 @@ curl -s "$BASE_URL/api/v1/agent/boards/{BOARD_ID}/tasks?status=inbox&unassigned=
 
 5) If you do NOT have an in_progress task:
 - If you have **assigned inbox** tasks, move one to in_progress and add a markdown comment describing the update.
-- Else if there are **unassigned inbox** tasks, claim one and move it to in_progress with a comment.
+- If there are **unassigned inbox** tasks, do **not** claim them. Wait for the board lead to assign work.
 
 6) Work the task:
 - Post progress comments as you go.
+- Before working, fetch the latest task comments and respond in the task thread if the human asked a question.
 - Completion is a two‑step sequence:
 6a) Post the full response as a markdown comment using:
       POST $BASE_URL/api/v1/agent/boards/{BOARD_ID}/tasks/{TASK_ID}/comments