diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
index 7b33ca9..fdf2cae 100644
--- a/examples/README.md
+++ b/examples/README.md
@@ -11,15 +11,32 @@ GitHub projects default to `gh/polling`, and Gitea projects default to
 `gh/gosmee` or `gh/webhook-forward`, and Gitea projects can switch to
 `tea/gosmee`.
 `gh/gosmee` creates a temporary GitHub webhook that targets a generated gosmee
-URL, then keeps the same polling reconciliation path active for startup sync
-and missed-event recovery.
-`gh/webhook-forward` starts
-`gh webhook forward` for `issues` and `issue_comment` events while keeping
-periodic polling reconciliation for startup sync and missed-event recovery.
-`tea/gosmee` creates a temporary Gitea webhook that targets a generated gosmee
-URL, then keeps the same polling reconciliation path active for startup sync
-and missed-event recovery. `--once` still uses a single polling reconciliation
-cycle so existing backlog handling keeps working.
+URL. `gh/webhook-forward` starts `gh webhook forward` for `issues` and
+`issue_comment` events. `tea/gosmee` creates a temporary Gitea webhook that
+targets a generated gosmee URL. Channel-based event sources always run one
+startup reconciliation poll. Set `reconciliation: continuous` plus
+`reconcileInterval` to keep periodic reconciliation active for missed-event
+recovery, or use `reconciliation: startup-only` to skip background polling
+after startup. `--once` still uses a single polling reconciliation cycle so
+existing backlog handling keeps working.
+
+Use a nested `issueAssistant.eventSource` object so source-specific fields stay
+grouped with the selected source type. For example:
+
+```yaml
+issueAssistant:
+  eventSource:
+    type: gh/webhook-forward
+    reconciliation: continuous
+    reconcileInterval: 300s
+```
+
+```yaml
+issueAssistant:
+  eventSource:
+    type: gh/polling
+    pollInterval: 30s
+```
 
 Generated comments include both a visible prefix and footer by default so it is
 clear the reply came from automation even when `gh` or `tea` is authenticated
diff --git a/examples/simple-gitea.yaml b/examples/simple-gitea.yaml
index 47fce2f..3b7890a 100644
--- a/examples/simple-gitea.yaml
+++ b/examples/simple-gitea.yaml
@@ -7,10 +7,14 @@ worktreeDir: ~/.worktrees
 defaults:
   issueAssistant:
     enabled: true
-    # Use tea/gosmee for long-running runs while keeping --once and missed-event
-    # recovery on polling reconciliation.
-    # eventSource: tea/gosmee
-    pollInterval: 30s
+    # Use tea/gosmee for long-running runs.
+    eventSource:
+      type: tea/polling
+      pollInterval: 30s
+    # eventSource:
+    #   type: tea/gosmee
+    #   reconciliation: startup-only
+    #   reconcileInterval: 30s
     maxConcurrentIssues: 3
     mentionTriggers: ["@codex", "@helper"]
     responders:
diff --git a/examples/simple-github.yaml b/examples/simple-github.yaml
index 7cc89cb..fd0f65c 100644
--- a/examples/simple-github.yaml
+++ b/examples/simple-github.yaml
@@ -7,9 +7,14 @@ worktreeDir: ~/.worktrees
 defaults:
   issueAssistant:
     enabled: true
-    # Use gh/gosmee for long-running runs while keeping --once on polling.
-    # eventSource: gh/gosmee
-    pollInterval: 30s
+    # Use gh/gosmee or gh/webhook-forward for long-running runs.
+    eventSource:
+      type: gh/polling
+      pollInterval: 30s
+    # eventSource:
+    #   type: gh/gosmee
+    #   reconciliation: startup-only
+    #   reconcileInterval: 30s
     maxConcurrentIssues: 3
     mentionTriggers: ["@codex", "@helper"]
     commentPrefixTemplate: |
diff --git a/lib/src/config.dart b/lib/src/config.dart
index 3a9eb20..9fb2eac 100644
--- a/lib/src/config.dart
+++ b/lib/src/config.dart
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ export 'config_schema.dart'
     show
         AssistantCapability,
         IssueAssistantEventSourceKind,
+        IssueAssistantReconciliationKind,
         IssueTrackerProvider,
         NotificationConfigDocument,
         NotificationEvent,
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ class AppConfig {
     }
 
     _assertCamelCaseConfigKeys(root);
+    _normalizeLegacyEventSourceConfig(root);
     final document = _parseDocument(root);
     return _fromDocument(path, document);
   }
@@ -133,8 +135,10 @@ class AppConfig {
       defaults: AppConfigDefaultsDocument(
         issueAssistant: IssueAssistantConfigDocument(
           enabled: true,
-          eventSource: IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling,
-          pollInterval: '30s',
+          eventSource: IssueAssistantEventSourceDocument(
+            type: IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling,
+            pollInterval: '30s',
+          ),
           maxConcurrentIssues: 3,
           mentionTriggers: const ['@codex', '@helper'],
         ),
@@ -192,22 +196,26 @@ class ProjectConfig {
 
     final provider = document.provider ?? IssueTrackerProvider.github;
     var issueAssistant = defaultAssistant.merge(document.issueAssistant);
-    if (document.issueAssistant?.eventSource == null &&
-        _isPollingEventSource(issueAssistant.eventSource)) {
+    if (document.issueAssistant?.eventSource?.type == null &&
+        issueAssistant.eventSource is PollingIssueEventSourceConfig) {
       issueAssistant = issueAssistant.copyWith(
-        eventSource: provider == IssueTrackerProvider.github
-            ? IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling
-            : IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling,
+        eventSource:
+            (issueAssistant.eventSource as PollingIssueEventSourceConfig)
+                .copyWith(
+                  type: provider == IssueTrackerProvider.github
+                      ? IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling
+                      : IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling,
+                ),
       );
     }
-    switch (issueAssistant.eventSource) {
+    switch (issueAssistant.eventSource.type) {
       case IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling:
       case IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghGosmee:
       case IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghWebhookForward:
         if (provider != IssueTrackerProvider.github) {
           throw FormatException(
             'projects.$key.issueAssistant.eventSource '
-            '${_eventSourceConfigValue(issueAssistant.eventSource)} '
+            '${_eventSourceConfigValue(issueAssistant.eventSource.type)} '
             'requires provider: github.',
           );
         }
@@ -257,7 +265,6 @@ class IssueAssistantConfig {
   IssueAssistantConfig({
     required this.enabled,
     required this.eventSource,
-    required this.pollInterval,
     required this.maxConcurrentIssues,
     required this.mentionTriggers,
     required this.prompt,
@@ -270,8 +277,7 @@ class IssueAssistantConfig {
   });
 
   final bool enabled;
-  final IssueAssistantEventSourceKind eventSource;
-  final Duration pollInterval;
+  final IssueEventSourceConfig eventSource;
   final int maxConcurrentIssues;
   final List<String> mentionTriggers;
   final String prompt;
@@ -297,11 +303,10 @@ class IssueAssistantConfig {
     );
   }
 
-  IssueAssistantConfig copyWith({IssueAssistantEventSourceKind? eventSource}) {
+  IssueAssistantConfig copyWith({IssueEventSourceConfig? eventSource}) {
     return IssueAssistantConfig(
       enabled: enabled,
       eventSource: eventSource ?? this.eventSource,
-      pollInterval: pollInterval,
       maxConcurrentIssues: maxConcurrentIssues,
       mentionTriggers: mentionTriggers,
       prompt: prompt,
@@ -315,6 +320,56 @@ class IssueAssistantConfig {
   }
 }
 
+sealed class IssueEventSourceConfig {
+  const IssueEventSourceConfig({required this.type});
+
+  final IssueAssistantEventSourceKind type;
+
+  bool get usesChannelEventSource => !_isPollingEventSource(type);
+}
+
+class PollingIssueEventSourceConfig extends IssueEventSourceConfig {
+  const PollingIssueEventSourceConfig({
+    required super.type,
+    required this.pollInterval,
+  });
+
+  final Duration pollInterval;
+
+  PollingIssueEventSourceConfig copyWith({
+    IssueAssistantEventSourceKind? type,
+    Duration? pollInterval,
+  }) {
+    return PollingIssueEventSourceConfig(
+      type: type ?? this.type,
+      pollInterval: pollInterval ?? this.pollInterval,
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+class ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig extends IssueEventSourceConfig {
+  const ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig({
+    required super.type,
+    required this.reconciliation,
+    required this.reconcileInterval,
+  });
+
+  final IssueAssistantReconciliationKind reconciliation;
+  final Duration reconcileInterval;
+
+  ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig copyWith({
+    IssueAssistantEventSourceKind? type,
+    IssueAssistantReconciliationKind? reconciliation,
+    Duration? reconcileInterval,
+  }) {
+    return ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig(
+      type: type ?? this.type,
+      reconciliation: reconciliation ?? this.reconciliation,
+      reconcileInterval: reconcileInterval ?? this.reconcileInterval,
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 class CliResponderConfig {
   CliResponderConfig({
     required this.id,
@@ -407,13 +462,10 @@ class _IssueAssistantConfigResolver {
     final notifications = overlay?.notifications;
     return IssueAssistantConfig(
       enabled: overlay?.enabled ?? base?.enabled ?? true,
-      eventSource:
-          overlay?.eventSource ??
-          base?.eventSource ??
-          _defaultEventSourceForProvider(base),
-      pollInterval: overlay?.pollInterval != null
-          ? _parseDuration(overlay!.pollInterval!)
-          : base?.pollInterval ?? const Duration(seconds: 30),
+      eventSource: _resolveEventSource(
+        base: base?.eventSource,
+        overlay: overlay?.eventSource,
+      ),
       maxConcurrentIssues: _resolvePositiveInt(
         value: overlay?.maxConcurrentIssues,
         fallback: base?.maxConcurrentIssues ?? 3,
@@ -452,10 +504,54 @@ class _IssueAssistantConfigResolver {
     );
   }
 
-  IssueAssistantEventSourceKind _defaultEventSourceForProvider(
-    IssueAssistantConfig? base,
-  ) {
-    return base?.eventSource ?? IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling;
+  IssueEventSourceConfig _resolveEventSource({
+    required IssueEventSourceConfig? base,
+    required IssueAssistantEventSourceDocument? overlay,
+  }) {
+    final type =
+        overlay?.type ?? base?.type ?? IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling;
+    if (_isPollingEventSource(type)) {
+      if (overlay?.reconciliation != null ||
+          overlay?.reconcileInterval != null) {
+        throw FormatException(
+          'Polling event sources do not support reconciliation settings.',
+        );
+      }
+      final fallbackPollInterval = switch (base) {
+        PollingIssueEventSourceConfig(:final pollInterval) => pollInterval,
+        ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig(:final reconcileInterval) =>
+          reconcileInterval,
+        null => const Duration(seconds: 30),
+      };
+      return PollingIssueEventSourceConfig(
+        type: type,
+        pollInterval: overlay?.pollInterval != null
+            ? _parseDuration(overlay!.pollInterval!)
+            : fallbackPollInterval,
+      );
+    }
+
+    final fallbackReconcileInterval = switch (base) {
+      ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig(:final reconcileInterval) =>
+        reconcileInterval,
+      PollingIssueEventSourceConfig(:final pollInterval) => pollInterval,
+      null => const Duration(seconds: 30),
+    };
+    return ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig(
+      type: type,
+      reconciliation:
+          overlay?.reconciliation ??
+          switch (base) {
+            ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig(:final reconciliation) =>
+              reconciliation,
+            _ => IssueAssistantReconciliationKind.continuous,
+          },
+      reconcileInterval: overlay?.reconcileInterval != null
+          ? _parseDuration(overlay!.reconcileInterval!)
+          : overlay?.pollInterval != null
+          ? _parseDuration(overlay!.pollInterval!)
+          : fallbackReconcileInterval,
+    );
   }
 }
 
@@ -582,6 +678,13 @@ void _assertCamelCaseConfigKeys(Map<String, dynamic> root) {
     final issueAssistant = defaults['issueAssistant'];
     if (issueAssistant is Map<String, dynamic>) {
       _assertCamelCaseMap(issueAssistant, scope: 'defaults.issueAssistant');
+      final eventSource = issueAssistant['eventSource'];
+      if (eventSource is Map<String, dynamic>) {
+        _assertCamelCaseMap(
+          eventSource,
+          scope: 'defaults.issueAssistant.eventSource',
+        );
+      }
       final responders = issueAssistant['responders'];
       if (responders is List) {
         for (final responder in responders) {
@@ -621,6 +724,13 @@ void _assertCamelCaseConfigKeys(Map<String, dynamic> root) {
           issueAssistant,
           scope: 'projects.${entry.key}.issueAssistant',
         );
+        final eventSource = issueAssistant['eventSource'];
+        if (eventSource is Map<String, dynamic>) {
+          _assertCamelCaseMap(
+            eventSource,
+            scope: 'projects.${entry.key}.issueAssistant.eventSource',
+          );
+        }
         final responders = issueAssistant['responders'];
         if (responders is List) {
           for (final responder in responders) {
@@ -648,6 +758,80 @@ void _assertCamelCaseConfigKeys(Map<String, dynamic> root) {
   }
 }
 
+void _normalizeLegacyEventSourceConfig(Map<String, dynamic> root) {
+  void normalizeIssueAssistant(
+    Map<String, dynamic> issueAssistant, {
+    required IssueAssistantEventSourceKind? defaultType,
+  }) {
+    final rawEventSource = issueAssistant['eventSource'];
+    Map<String, dynamic>? normalizedEventSource;
+
+    if (rawEventSource is String) {
+      normalizedEventSource = <String, dynamic>{'type': rawEventSource};
+    } else if (rawEventSource is Map<String, dynamic>) {
+      normalizedEventSource = Map<String, dynamic>.from(rawEventSource);
+    } else if (rawEventSource == null) {
+      if (issueAssistant.containsKey('pollInterval') ||
+          issueAssistant.containsKey('reconciliation') ||
+          issueAssistant.containsKey('reconcileInterval')) {
+        normalizedEventSource = <String, dynamic>{};
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (normalizedEventSource == null) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (defaultType != null && !normalizedEventSource.containsKey('type')) {
+      normalizedEventSource['type'] = _eventSourceConfigValue(defaultType);
+    }
+
+    for (final field in [
+      'pollInterval',
+      'reconciliation',
+      'reconcileInterval',
+    ]) {
+      if (issueAssistant.containsKey(field) &&
+          !normalizedEventSource.containsKey(field)) {
+        normalizedEventSource[field] = issueAssistant.remove(field);
+      }
+    }
+
+    issueAssistant['eventSource'] = normalizedEventSource;
+  }
+
+  final defaults = root['defaults'];
+  if (defaults is Map<String, dynamic>) {
+    final issueAssistant = defaults['issueAssistant'];
+    if (issueAssistant is Map<String, dynamic>) {
+      normalizeIssueAssistant(
+        issueAssistant,
+        defaultType: IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  final projects = root['projects'];
+  if (projects is Map<String, dynamic>) {
+    for (final entry in projects.entries) {
+      final project = entry.value;
+      if (project is! Map<String, dynamic>) {
+        continue;
+      }
+      final issueAssistant = project['issueAssistant'];
+      if (issueAssistant is! Map<String, dynamic>) {
+        continue;
+      }
+      normalizeIssueAssistant(
+        issueAssistant,
+        defaultType: project['provider'] == 'gitea'
+            ? IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling
+            : IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 void _assertCamelCaseMap(Map<String, dynamic> map, {required String scope}) {
   for (final key in map.keys) {
     if (key.contains('_')) {
@@ -698,7 +882,6 @@ ${_YamlEmitter().write({'defaults': defaultsSection})}
 
     # capabilities: ["planning", "bug_verification"]
     # commentTag: code-work-spawner
-    # eventSource: gh/polling
     # commentPrefixTemplate: |
 ${_commentBlock(defaultCommentPrefixTemplate, indent: '    #   ')}
     # commentFooterTemplate: |
@@ -727,7 +910,10 @@ ${_YamlEmitter().write({'projects': projectsSection})}
 
     # issueAssistant:
     #   enabled: ${assistant?.enabled ?? true}
-    #   eventSource: gh/gosmee
+    #   eventSource:
+    #     type: gh/gosmee
+    #     reconciliation: startup-only
+    #     reconcileInterval: 30s
     #   mentionTriggers: ["@helper"]
     # sessionPrefix: sample
 '''
diff --git a/lib/src/config_schema.dart b/lib/src/config_schema.dart
index de5ebac..8e82bd4 100644
--- a/lib/src/config_schema.dart
+++ b/lib/src/config_schema.dart
@@ -87,7 +87,6 @@ class IssueAssistantConfigDocument {
   const IssueAssistantConfigDocument({
     this.enabled,
     this.eventSource,
-    this.pollInterval,
     this.maxConcurrentIssues,
     this.mentionTriggers,
     this.prompt,
@@ -100,8 +99,7 @@ class IssueAssistantConfigDocument {
   });
 
   final bool? enabled;
-  final IssueAssistantEventSourceKind? eventSource;
-  final String? pollInterval;
+  final IssueAssistantEventSourceDocument? eventSource;
   final int? maxConcurrentIssues;
   final List<String>? mentionTriggers;
   final String? prompt;
@@ -118,6 +116,34 @@ class IssueAssistantConfigDocument {
   Map<String, dynamic> toJson() => _$IssueAssistantConfigDocumentToJson(this);
 }
 
+@JsonSerializable(
+  checked: true,
+  createToJson: true,
+  disallowUnrecognizedKeys: true,
+  explicitToJson: true,
+  includeIfNull: false,
+)
+class IssueAssistantEventSourceDocument {
+  const IssueAssistantEventSourceDocument({
+    this.type,
+    this.pollInterval,
+    this.reconciliation,
+    this.reconcileInterval,
+  });
+
+  final IssueAssistantEventSourceKind? type;
+  final String? pollInterval;
+  final IssueAssistantReconciliationKind? reconciliation;
+  final String? reconcileInterval;
+
+  factory IssueAssistantEventSourceDocument.fromJson(
+    Map<String, dynamic> json,
+  ) => _$IssueAssistantEventSourceDocumentFromJson(json);
+
+  Map<String, dynamic> toJson() =>
+      _$IssueAssistantEventSourceDocumentToJson(this);
+}
+
 @JsonSerializable(
   checked: true,
   createToJson: true,
@@ -194,6 +220,13 @@ enum IssueAssistantEventSourceKind {
   teaGosmee,
 }
 
+enum IssueAssistantReconciliationKind {
+  @JsonValue('startup-only')
+  startupOnly,
+  @JsonValue('continuous')
+  continuous,
+}
+
 @JsonEnum(fieldRename: FieldRename.snake)
 enum IssueTrackerProvider { github, gitea }
 
diff --git a/lib/src/issue_event_source/base.dart b/lib/src/issue_event_source/base.dart
index e1cdc78..6b7a72f 100644
--- a/lib/src/issue_event_source/base.dart
+++ b/lib/src/issue_event_source/base.dart
@@ -48,6 +48,16 @@ class RoutedIssueEventSource implements IssueEventSource {
     required List<ProjectConfig> projects,
     required IssueEventBatchHandler onBatch,
   }) async {
+    final startupReconcileProjects = projects
+        .where(_shouldRunStartupReconciliation)
+        .toList(growable: false);
+    if (startupReconcileProjects.isNotEmpty) {
+      await sources[IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling]!.runOnce(
+        projects: startupReconcileProjects,
+        onBatch: onBatch,
+      );
+    }
+
     final projectsBySource =
         <IssueAssistantEventSourceKind, List<ProjectConfig>>{
           for (final eventSource in sources.keys)
@@ -98,31 +108,38 @@ class RoutedIssueEventSource implements IssueEventSource {
   Iterable<IssueAssistantEventSourceKind> _registeredSourcesFor(
     ProjectConfig project,
   ) sync* {
-    switch (project.issueAssistant.eventSource) {
+    switch (project.issueAssistant.eventSource.type) {
       case IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling:
         yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling;
       case IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling:
         yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling;
       case IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghGosmee:
-        // Keep reconciliation polling active for startup sync and missed
-        // webhook recovery while gosmee handles low-latency issue/comment
-        // events for GitHub projects.
-        yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling;
+        if (_shouldRunContinuousReconciliation(project)) {
+          yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling;
+        }
         yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghGosmee;
       case IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghWebhookForward:
-        // Keep reconciliation polling active for startup sync and missed
-        // webhook recovery while the forwarded channel handles low-latency
-        // issue/comment events.
-        yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling;
+        if (_shouldRunContinuousReconciliation(project)) {
+          yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling;
+        }
         yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghWebhookForward;
       case IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaGosmee:
-        // Keep reconciliation polling active for startup sync and missed
-        // webhook recovery while gosmee handles low-latency issue/comment
-        // events for Gitea projects.
-        yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling;
+        if (_shouldRunContinuousReconciliation(project)) {
+          yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling;
+        }
         yield IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaGosmee;
     }
   }
+
+  bool _shouldRunStartupReconciliation(ProjectConfig project) =>
+      project.issueAssistant.eventSource.usesChannelEventSource;
+
+  bool _shouldRunContinuousReconciliation(ProjectConfig project) =>
+      project.issueAssistant.eventSource.usesChannelEventSource &&
+      project.issueAssistant.eventSource is ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig &&
+      (project.issueAssistant.eventSource as ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig)
+              .reconciliation ==
+          IssueAssistantReconciliationKind.continuous;
 }
 
 class PollingIssueEventSource implements IssueEventSource {
@@ -242,7 +259,12 @@ class PollingIssueEventSource implements IssueEventSource {
         for (final state in dueStates) {
           while (!state.nextDueAt.isAfter(batchCompletedAt)) {
             state.nextDueAt = state.nextDueAt.add(
-              state.project.issueAssistant.pollInterval,
+              switch (state.project.issueAssistant.eventSource) {
+                PollingIssueEventSourceConfig(:final pollInterval) =>
+                  pollInterval,
+                ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig(:final reconcileInterval) =>
+                  reconcileInterval,
+              },
             );
           }
         }
diff --git a/test/app_config_test.dart b/test/app_config_test.dart
index aecb5c3..34f4171 100644
--- a/test/app_config_test.dart
+++ b/test/app_config_test.dart
@@ -103,9 +103,15 @@ projects:
         defaultCommentFooterTemplate,
       );
       expect(
-        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.pollInterval,
+        (config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource
+                as PollingIssueEventSourceConfig)
+            .pollInterval,
         const Duration(seconds: 30),
       );
+      expect(
+        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource,
+        isA<PollingIssueEventSourceConfig>(),
+      );
       expect(config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.maxConcurrentIssues, 3);
     });
 
@@ -351,7 +357,7 @@ projects:
       // And the repository slug still parses normally.
       expect(config.projects['sample']!.repoSlug.fullName, 'owner/sample');
       expect(
-        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource,
+        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource.type,
         IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling,
       );
     });
@@ -374,7 +380,8 @@ projects:
     repo: owner/sample
     path: ${tempDir.path}
     issueAssistant:
-      eventSource: gh/gosmee
+      eventSource:
+        type: gh/gosmee
 ''');
 
       // When loading the app config from disk.
@@ -382,7 +389,7 @@ projects:
 
       // Then the project keeps gh/gosmee as its event source.
       expect(
-        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource,
+        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource.type,
         IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghGosmee,
       );
 
@@ -409,7 +416,8 @@ projects:
     repo: owner/sample
     path: ${tempDir.path}
     issueAssistant:
-      eventSource: gh/gosmee
+      eventSource:
+        type: gh/gosmee
 ''');
 
       // When loading the app config from disk.
@@ -448,7 +456,8 @@ projects:
     repo: owner/sample
     path: ${tempDir.path}
     issueAssistant:
-      eventSource: gh/webhook-forward
+      eventSource:
+        type: gh/webhook-forward
 ''');
 
       // When loading the app config from disk.
@@ -456,7 +465,7 @@ projects:
 
       // Then the project keeps gh/webhook-forward as its event source.
       expect(
-        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource,
+        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource.type,
         IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghWebhookForward,
       );
 
@@ -464,6 +473,95 @@ projects:
       expect(config.projects['sample']!.provider, IssueTrackerProvider.github);
     });
 
+    /// ```gherkin
+    /// Scenario: Load channel reconciliation settings
+    ///   Given a GitHub project config that uses gh/webhook-forward reconciliation settings
+    ///   When loading the app config from disk
+    ///   Then the project keeps the configured reconciliation mode
+    ///   And the configured reconcile interval is parsed for channel recovery
+    /// ```
+    test('Load channel reconciliation settings', () async {
+      // Given a GitHub project config that uses gh/webhook-forward reconciliation settings.
+      final tempDir = await Directory.systemTemp.createTemp(
+        'cws-channel-reconcile-',
+      );
+      final configFile = File(p.join(tempDir.path, 'agent-orchestrator.yaml'));
+      await configFile.writeAsString('''
+projects:
+  sample:
+    provider: github
+    repo: owner/sample
+    path: ${tempDir.path}
+    issueAssistant:
+      eventSource:
+        type: gh/webhook-forward
+        reconciliation: startup-only
+        reconcileInterval: 5m
+''');
+
+      // When loading the app config from disk.
+      final config = await AppConfig.load(configFile.path);
+
+      // Then the project keeps the configured reconciliation mode.
+      expect(
+        (config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource
+                as ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig)
+            .reconciliation,
+        IssueAssistantReconciliationKind.startupOnly,
+      );
+
+      // And the configured reconcile interval is parsed for channel recovery.
+      expect(
+        (config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource
+                as ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig)
+            .reconcileInterval,
+        const Duration(minutes: 5),
+      );
+    });
+
+    /// ```gherkin
+    /// Scenario: Reuse pollInterval as the fallback reconcile interval
+    ///   Given a legacy channel-based project config that still sets pollInterval
+    ///   When loading the app config from disk
+    ///   Then the project keeps the parsed poll interval for backward compatibility
+    ///   And the same value is reused as the reconcile interval
+    /// ```
+    test('Reuse pollInterval as the fallback reconcile interval', () async {
+      // Given a legacy channel-based project config that still sets pollInterval.
+      final tempDir = await Directory.systemTemp.createTemp(
+        'cws-legacy-channel-poll-',
+      );
+      final configFile = File(p.join(tempDir.path, 'agent-orchestrator.yaml'));
+      await configFile.writeAsString('''
+projects:
+  sample:
+    provider: github
+    repo: owner/sample
+    path: ${tempDir.path}
+    issueAssistant:
+      eventSource:
+        type: gh/webhook-forward
+        pollInterval: 45s
+''');
+
+      // When loading the app config from disk.
+      final config = await AppConfig.load(configFile.path);
+
+      // Then the project keeps the parsed poll interval for backward compatibility.
+      expect(
+        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource,
+        isA<ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig>(),
+      );
+
+      // And the same value is reused as the reconcile interval.
+      expect(
+        (config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource
+                as ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig)
+            .reconcileInterval,
+        const Duration(seconds: 45),
+      );
+    });
+
     /// ```gherkin
     /// Scenario: Reject gh/webhook-forward for non-GitHub providers
     ///   Given a Gitea project config that opts into gh/webhook-forward
@@ -483,7 +581,8 @@ projects:
     repo: owner/sample
     path: ${tempDir.path}
     issueAssistant:
-      eventSource: gh/webhook-forward
+      eventSource:
+        type: gh/webhook-forward
 ''');
 
       // When loading the app config from disk.
@@ -520,7 +619,8 @@ projects:
     repo: owner/sample
     path: ${tempDir.path}
     issueAssistant:
-      eventSource: tea/gosmee
+      eventSource:
+        type: tea/gosmee
 ''');
 
       // When loading the app config from disk.
@@ -528,7 +628,7 @@ projects:
 
       // Then the project keeps tea/gosmee as its event source.
       expect(
-        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource,
+        config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource.type,
         IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaGosmee,
       );
 
@@ -555,7 +655,8 @@ projects:
     repo: owner/sample
     path: ${tempDir.path}
     issueAssistant:
-      eventSource: tea/gosmee
+      eventSource:
+        type: tea/gosmee
 ''');
 
       // When loading the app config from disk.
@@ -719,6 +820,16 @@ projects:
           .replaceFirst('    #     timeout: 10m', '        timeout: 10m')
           .replaceFirst('    # issueAssistant:', '    issueAssistant:')
           .replaceFirst('    #   enabled: true', '      enabled: true')
+          .replaceFirst('    #   eventSource:', '      eventSource:')
+          .replaceFirst('    #     type: gh/gosmee', '        type: gh/gosmee')
+          .replaceFirst(
+            '    #     reconciliation: startup-only',
+            '        reconciliation: startup-only',
+          )
+          .replaceFirst(
+            '    #     reconcileInterval: 30s',
+            '        reconcileInterval: 30s',
+          )
           .replaceFirst(
             '    #   mentionTriggers: ["@helper"]',
             '      mentionTriggers: ["@helper"]',
@@ -749,6 +860,12 @@ projects:
       expect(config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.mentionTriggers, [
         '@helper',
       ]);
+      expect(
+        (config.projects['sample']!.issueAssistant.eventSource
+                as ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig)
+            .reconciliation,
+        IssueAssistantReconciliationKind.startupOnly,
+      );
     });
   });
 }
diff --git a/test/issue_assistant_app_run/gosmee_test.dart b/test/issue_assistant_app_run/gosmee_test.dart
index 4498bfb..7a2d4fe 100644
--- a/test/issue_assistant_app_run/gosmee_test.dart
+++ b/test/issue_assistant_app_run/gosmee_test.dart
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ projects:
     ///   And a gosmee script that starts forwarding without delivering an event
     ///   And a tea script that returns a new issue only on a later reconciliation poll
     ///   And a responder that emits a planning reply
-    ///   And an orchestrator-style config that uses tea/gosmee with a short poll interval
+    ///   And an orchestrator-style config that uses tea/gosmee with continuous reconciliation
     ///   When the long-running app starts and enough time passes for reconciliation polling
     ///   Then it posts exactly one reply for the issue discovered by polling
     ///   And the app performs more than one Gitea issue listing request while running
@@ -344,13 +344,12 @@ exit 1
         'summary': 'posted reconciliation advice',
       });
 
-      // And an orchestrator-style config that uses tea/gosmee with a short poll interval.
+      // And an orchestrator-style config that uses tea/gosmee with continuous reconciliation.
       final configFile = File(p.join(sandbox.path, 'agent-orchestrator.yaml'));
       await configFile.writeAsString('''
 defaults:
   issueAssistant:
     enabled: true
-    pollInterval: 1s
     mentionTriggers: ["@helper"]
     responders:
       - id: primary
@@ -363,6 +362,8 @@ projects:
     path: ${repoDir.path}
     issueAssistant:
       eventSource: tea/gosmee
+      reconciliation: continuous
+      reconcileInterval: 1s
 ''');
       final app = await IssueAssistantApp.open(
         config: await AppConfig.load(configFile.path),
diff --git a/test/issue_assistant_app_run/webhook_forward_test.dart b/test/issue_assistant_app_run/webhook_forward_test.dart
index 2e9c85b..5af5825 100644
--- a/test/issue_assistant_app_run/webhook_forward_test.dart
+++ b/test/issue_assistant_app_run/webhook_forward_test.dart
@@ -168,6 +168,13 @@ JSON
   exit 0
 fi
 
+if [[ "\$1" == "api" && "\$4" == "search/issues" ]]; then
+  cat <<'JSON'
+{"total_count":0,"incomplete_results":false,"items":[]}
+JSON
+  exit 0
+fi
+
 echo "unexpected gh args: \$*" >&2
 exit 1
 ''');
@@ -232,7 +239,7 @@ projects:
     ///   And a gh script that starts webhook forwarding without delivering an event
     ///   And the same gh script returns a new issue only on a later reconciliation poll
     ///   And a responder that emits a planning reply
-    ///   And an orchestrator-style config that uses gh/webhook-forward with a short poll interval
+    ///   And an orchestrator-style config that uses gh/webhook-forward with continuous reconciliation
     ///   When the long-running app starts and enough time passes for reconciliation polling
     ///   Then it posts exactly one reply for the issue discovered by polling
     ///   And the gh webhook forward command is still invoked for the GitHub project
@@ -348,13 +355,12 @@ exit 1
         'summary': 'posted reconciliation advice',
       });
 
-      // And an orchestrator-style config that uses gh/webhook-forward with a short poll interval.
+      // And an orchestrator-style config that uses gh/webhook-forward with continuous reconciliation.
       final configFile = File(p.join(sandbox.path, 'agent-orchestrator.yaml'));
       await configFile.writeAsString('''
 defaults:
   issueAssistant:
     enabled: true
-    pollInterval: 1s
     mentionTriggers: ["@helper"]
     responders:
       - id: primary
@@ -367,6 +373,8 @@ projects:
     path: ${repoDir.path}
     issueAssistant:
       eventSource: gh/webhook-forward
+      reconciliation: continuous
+      reconcileInterval: 1s
 ''');
       final app = await IssueAssistantApp.open(
         config: await AppConfig.load(configFile.path),
diff --git a/test/routed_issue_event_source_test.dart b/test/routed_issue_event_source_test.dart
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c558fb3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/routed_issue_event_source_test.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+import 'package:code_work_spawner/code_work_spawner.dart';
+import 'package:github/github.dart';
+import 'package:test/test.dart';
+
+void main() {
+  /// ```gherkin
+  /// Feature: Routed issue event sources
+  ///
+  ///   As a maintainer configuring channel-based event sources
+  ///   I want startup reconciliation and continuous reconciliation to route differently
+  ///   So that channel sources can opt into either startup-only or background recovery polling
+  /// ```
+  group('RoutedIssueEventSource', () {
+    /// ```gherkin
+    /// Scenario: Run startup-only reconciliation for channel sources
+    ///   Given a routed event source with fake polling and channel handlers
+    ///   And a project that uses gh/webhook-forward with startup-only reconciliation
+    ///   When the routed event source starts in long-running mode
+    ///   Then the polling source runs once for startup reconciliation
+    ///   And only the channel source stays registered for long-running execution
+    /// ```
+    test('Run startup-only reconciliation for channel sources', () async {
+      // Given a routed event source with fake polling and channel handlers.
+      final polling = _RecordingIssueEventSource();
+      final webhookForward = _RecordingIssueEventSource();
+      final routed = RoutedIssueEventSource(
+        sources: {
+          IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling: polling,
+          IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling: polling,
+          IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghWebhookForward: webhookForward,
+        },
+      );
+
+      // And a project that uses gh/webhook-forward with startup-only reconciliation.
+      final project = _project(
+        eventSource: IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghWebhookForward,
+        reconciliation: IssueAssistantReconciliationKind.startupOnly,
+      );
+
+      // When the routed event source starts in long-running mode.
+      await routed.run(projects: [project], onBatch: (_) async {});
+
+      // Then the polling source runs once for startup reconciliation.
+      expect(polling.runOnceProjects, ['sample']);
+
+      // And only the channel source stays registered for long-running execution.
+      expect(polling.runProjects, isEmpty);
+      expect(webhookForward.runProjects, ['sample']);
+    });
+
+    /// ```gherkin
+    /// Scenario: Keep continuous reconciliation polling active for channel sources
+    ///   Given a routed event source with fake polling and channel handlers
+    ///   And a project that uses gh/webhook-forward with continuous reconciliation
+    ///   When the routed event source starts in long-running mode
+    ///   Then the polling source runs once for startup reconciliation
+    ///   And the polling source also stays registered for background recovery
+    /// ```
+    test(
+      'Keep continuous reconciliation polling active for channel sources',
+      () async {
+        // Given a routed event source with fake polling and channel handlers.
+        final polling = _RecordingIssueEventSource();
+        final webhookForward = _RecordingIssueEventSource();
+        final routed = RoutedIssueEventSource(
+          sources: {
+            IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghPolling: polling,
+            IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.teaPolling: polling,
+            IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghWebhookForward: webhookForward,
+          },
+        );
+
+        // And a project that uses gh/webhook-forward with continuous reconciliation.
+        final project = _project(
+          eventSource: IssueAssistantEventSourceKind.ghWebhookForward,
+          reconciliation: IssueAssistantReconciliationKind.continuous,
+        );
+
+        // When the routed event source starts in long-running mode.
+        await routed.run(projects: [project], onBatch: (_) async {});
+
+        // Then the polling source runs once for startup reconciliation.
+        expect(polling.runOnceProjects, ['sample']);
+
+        // And the polling source also stays registered for background recovery.
+        expect(polling.runProjects, ['sample']);
+        expect(webhookForward.runProjects, ['sample']);
+      },
+    );
+  });
+}
+
+class _RecordingIssueEventSource implements IssueEventSource {
+  final List<String> runProjects = <String>[];
+  final List<String> runOnceProjects = <String>[];
+
+  @override
+  Future<void> run({
+    required List<ProjectConfig> projects,
+    required IssueEventBatchHandler onBatch,
+  }) async {
+    runProjects.addAll(projects.map((project) => project.key));
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Future<void> runOnce({
+    required List<ProjectConfig> projects,
+    required IssueEventBatchHandler onBatch,
+  }) async {
+    runOnceProjects.addAll(projects.map((project) => project.key));
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Future<void> close() async {}
+}
+
+ProjectConfig _project({
+  required IssueAssistantEventSourceKind eventSource,
+  required IssueAssistantReconciliationKind reconciliation,
+}) {
+  return ProjectConfig(
+    key: 'sample',
+    provider: IssueTrackerProvider.github,
+    repo: 'owner/sample',
+    repoSlug: RepositorySlug('owner', 'sample'),
+    path: '/tmp/sample',
+    defaultBranch: 'main',
+    sessionPrefix: 'sam',
+    issueAssistant: IssueAssistantConfig(
+      enabled: true,
+      eventSource: ChannelIssueEventSourceConfig(
+        type: eventSource,
+        reconciliation: reconciliation,
+        reconcileInterval: const Duration(seconds: 30),
+      ),
+      maxConcurrentIssues: 3,
+      mentionTriggers: const ['@helper'],
+      prompt: defaultIssueAssistantPrompt,
+      responders: const <CliResponderConfig>[],
+      capabilities: {AssistantCapability.planning},
+      notifications: const <NotificationConfig>[],
+      commentTag: 'code-work-spawner',
+      commentPrefixTemplate: defaultCommentPrefixTemplate,
+      commentFooterTemplate: defaultCommentFooterTemplate,
+    ),
+  );
+}
diff --git a/test/test_support.dart b/test/test_support.dart
index 5956e25..d3ce6c7 100644
--- a/test/test_support.dart
+++ b/test/test_support.dart
@@ -576,10 +576,24 @@ Future<void> writeGitHubGosmeeGhScript({
   required int webhookId,
   required int issueNumber,
   required List<Map<String, Object?>> comments,
+  List<Map<String, Object?>> issueListResponse = const [],
   File? ghLog,
   File? postedBodyFile,
   String? viewerLogin,
 }) async {
+  final searchItems = issueListResponse
+      .map(
+        (issue) => <String, Object?>{
+          ...issue,
+          'repository_url': 'https://api.github.com/repos/$repo',
+        },
+      )
+      .toList(growable: false);
+  final searchResponse = jsonEncode({
+    'total_count': searchItems.length,
+    'incomplete_results': false,
+    'items': searchItems,
+  });
   final buffer = StringBuffer()
     ..writeln('#!/usr/bin/env bash')
     ..writeln('set -euo pipefail');
@@ -599,6 +613,14 @@ Future<void> writeGitHubGosmeeGhScript({
     ..writeln('  exit 0')
     ..writeln('fi');
 
+  buffer
+    ..writeln(r'''if [[ "$1" == "api" && "$4" == "search/issues" ]]; then''')
+    ..writeln("  cat <<'JSON'")
+    ..writeln(searchResponse)
+    ..writeln('JSON')
+    ..writeln('  exit 0')
+    ..writeln('fi');
+
   buffer
     ..writeln(
       'if [[ "\$1" == "api" && "\$4" == '