diff --git a/openspec/changes/agent-codex-fix-doctor-source-probe-stale-worktree-2026-04-22-15-33/notes.md b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-fix-doctor-source-probe-stale-worktree-2026-04-22-15-33/notes.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6457f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-fix-doctor-source-probe-stale-worktree-2026-04-22-15-33/notes.md
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# agent-codex-fix-doctor-source-probe-stale-worktree-2026-04-22-15-33 (minimal / T1)
+
+Branch: `agent/codex/fix-doctor-source-probe-stale-worktree-2026-04-22-15-33`
+
+`gx doctor` can surface or reuse leaked `__source-probe-*` worktrees during the auto-finish sweep. That makes VS Code Source Control show a fake extra repo, can block `gx branch finish` on a dirty probe, and the compact doctor copy wrongly implies the throwaway probe is the place to keep rebasing.
+
+Scope:
+- Treat `__source-probe-*` paths as temporary worktrees even when they track an `agent/*` branch.
+- Remove stale source-probe worktrees before `agent-branch-finish.sh` creates a fresh probe for the branch.
+- Update doctor conflict copy so the operator rebases the real branch in a normal worktree instead of treating the probe as durable state.
+- Add focused regressions for doctor output, stale-probe finish recovery, and worktree prune behavior.
+
+Verification:
+- `bash -n scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh templates/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh templates/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh`
+- `node --test test/doctor.test.js test/worktree.test.js test/finish.test.js`
+
+## Cleanup
+
+- [ ] Run `gx branch finish --branch agent/codex/fix-doctor-source-probe-stale-worktree-2026-04-22-15-33 --base main --via-pr --wait-for-merge --cleanup`
+- [ ] Record PR URL + `MERGED` state in the completion handoff.
+- [ ] Confirm sandbox worktree is gone (`git worktree list`, `git branch -a`).
diff --git a/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh b/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh
index fa67866..d086624 100755
--- a/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh
+++ b/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh
@@ -218,18 +218,48 @@ fi
 
 get_worktree_for_branch() {
   local branch="$1"
-  git -C "$repo_root" worktree list --porcelain | awk -v target="refs/heads/${branch}" '
+  git -C "$repo_root" worktree list --porcelain | awk -v target="refs/heads/${branch}" -v probe_prefix="${agent_worktree_root}/__source-probe-" '
     $1 == "worktree" { wt = $2 }
-    $1 == "branch" && $2 == target { print wt; exit }
+    $1 == "branch" && $2 == target {
+      if (index(wt, probe_prefix) != 1) {
+        print wt
+        exit
+      }
+    }
   '
 }
 
+remove_stale_source_probe_worktrees() {
+  local branch="$1"
+  local stale_probe=""
+
+  while IFS= read -r stale_probe; do
+    [[ -z "$stale_probe" ]] && continue
+    [[ "$stale_probe" == "$current_worktree" ]] && continue
+
+    echo "[agent-branch-finish] Removing stale source-probe worktree for '${branch}': ${stale_probe}" >&2
+    git -C "$stale_probe" rebase --abort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    git -C "$stale_probe" merge --abort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    git -C "$repo_root" worktree remove "$stale_probe" --force >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  done < <(
+    git -C "$repo_root" worktree list --porcelain | awk -v target="refs/heads/${branch}" -v probe_prefix="${agent_worktree_root}/__source-probe-" '
+      $1 == "worktree" { wt = $2 }
+      $1 == "branch" && $2 == target {
+        if (index(wt, probe_prefix) == 1) {
+          print wt
+        }
+      }
+    '
+  )
+}
+
 is_clean_worktree() {
   local wt="$1"
   git -C "$wt" diff --quiet -- . ":(exclude).omx/state/agent-file-locks.json" \
     && git -C "$wt" diff --cached --quiet -- . ":(exclude).omx/state/agent-file-locks.json"
 }
 
+remove_stale_source_probe_worktrees "$SOURCE_BRANCH"
 source_worktree="$(get_worktree_for_branch "$SOURCE_BRANCH")"
 created_source_probe=0
 source_probe_path=""
@@ -295,8 +325,13 @@ if [[ "$should_require_sync" -eq 1 ]] && git -C "$repo_root" show-ref --verify -
 
       echo "[agent-sync-guard] Auto-sync failed while rebasing '${SOURCE_BRANCH}' onto origin/${BASE_BRANCH}." >&2
       if [[ "$rebase_active" -eq 1 ]]; then
-        echo "[agent-sync-guard] Resolve conflicts, then run: git -C \"$source_worktree\" rebase --continue" >&2
-        echo "[agent-sync-guard] Or abort: git -C \"$source_worktree\" rebase --abort" >&2
+        if [[ "$created_source_probe" -eq 1 ]]; then
+          echo "[agent-sync-guard] Temporary source-probe worktree will be cleaned up on exit." >&2
+          echo "[agent-sync-guard] Reattach '${SOURCE_BRANCH}' in a regular worktree, then rebase it onto origin/${BASE_BRANCH} manually." >&2
+        else
+          echo "[agent-sync-guard] Resolve conflicts, then run: git -C \"$source_worktree\" rebase --continue" >&2
+          echo "[agent-sync-guard] Or abort: git -C \"$source_worktree\" rebase --abort" >&2
+        fi
       fi
       exit 1
     fi
diff --git a/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh b/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh
index c967140..1145fdc 100755
--- a/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh
+++ b/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh
@@ -111,6 +111,13 @@ is_managed_worktree_path() {
   return 1
 }
 
+is_temporary_worktree_path() {
+  local entry="$1"
+  local name
+  name="$(basename "$entry")"
+  [[ "$name" == __agent_integrate-* || "$name" == __source-probe-* ]]
+}
+
 resolve_base_branch() {
   local configured=""
   local current=""
@@ -425,7 +432,9 @@ process_entry() {
   local remove_reason=""
   local branch_delete_mode="safe"
 
-  if [[ -z "$branch_ref" ]]; then
+  if is_temporary_worktree_path "$wt"; then
+    remove_reason="temporary-worktree"
+  elif [[ -z "$branch_ref" ]]; then
     remove_reason="detached-worktree"
   elif ! git -C "$repo_root" show-ref --verify --quiet "refs/heads/${branch}"; then
     remove_reason="missing-branch"
@@ -452,6 +461,11 @@ process_entry() {
     return
   fi
 
+  if [[ "$remove_reason" == "temporary-worktree" ]]; then
+    git -C "$wt" rebase --abort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    git -C "$wt" merge --abort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  fi
+
   if [[ "$FORCE_DIRTY" -ne 1 ]] && ! is_clean_worktree "$wt"; then
     skipped_dirty=$((skipped_dirty + 1))
     echo "[agent-worktree-prune] Skipping dirty worktree (${remove_reason}): ${wt}"
diff --git a/src/output/index.js b/src/output/index.js
index 8d43f57..133a99e 100644
--- a/src/output/index.js
+++ b/src/output/index.js
@@ -281,7 +281,14 @@ function detectRecoverableAutoFinishConflict(message) {
   if (/rebase --continue/i.test(text) && /rebase --abort/i.test(text)) {
     return {
       rawLabel: 'auto-finish requires manual rebase.',
-      summary: 'manual rebase required in the source-probe worktree; run rebase --continue or rebase --abort',
+      summary: 'manual rebase required on the branch before auto-finish can continue',
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (/Reattach '.+' in a regular worktree, then rebase it onto origin\/.+ manually\./i.test(text)) {
+    return {
+      rawLabel: 'auto-finish requires manual rebase.',
+      summary: 'manual rebase required on the branch before auto-finish can continue',
     };
   }
 
diff --git a/templates/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh b/templates/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh
index fa67866..d086624 100755
--- a/templates/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh
+++ b/templates/scripts/agent-branch-finish.sh
@@ -218,18 +218,48 @@ fi
 
 get_worktree_for_branch() {
   local branch="$1"
-  git -C "$repo_root" worktree list --porcelain | awk -v target="refs/heads/${branch}" '
+  git -C "$repo_root" worktree list --porcelain | awk -v target="refs/heads/${branch}" -v probe_prefix="${agent_worktree_root}/__source-probe-" '
     $1 == "worktree" { wt = $2 }
-    $1 == "branch" && $2 == target { print wt; exit }
+    $1 == "branch" && $2 == target {
+      if (index(wt, probe_prefix) != 1) {
+        print wt
+        exit
+      }
+    }
   '
 }
 
+remove_stale_source_probe_worktrees() {
+  local branch="$1"
+  local stale_probe=""
+
+  while IFS= read -r stale_probe; do
+    [[ -z "$stale_probe" ]] && continue
+    [[ "$stale_probe" == "$current_worktree" ]] && continue
+
+    echo "[agent-branch-finish] Removing stale source-probe worktree for '${branch}': ${stale_probe}" >&2
+    git -C "$stale_probe" rebase --abort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    git -C "$stale_probe" merge --abort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    git -C "$repo_root" worktree remove "$stale_probe" --force >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  done < <(
+    git -C "$repo_root" worktree list --porcelain | awk -v target="refs/heads/${branch}" -v probe_prefix="${agent_worktree_root}/__source-probe-" '
+      $1 == "worktree" { wt = $2 }
+      $1 == "branch" && $2 == target {
+        if (index(wt, probe_prefix) == 1) {
+          print wt
+        }
+      }
+    '
+  )
+}
+
 is_clean_worktree() {
   local wt="$1"
   git -C "$wt" diff --quiet -- . ":(exclude).omx/state/agent-file-locks.json" \
     && git -C "$wt" diff --cached --quiet -- . ":(exclude).omx/state/agent-file-locks.json"
 }
 
+remove_stale_source_probe_worktrees "$SOURCE_BRANCH"
 source_worktree="$(get_worktree_for_branch "$SOURCE_BRANCH")"
 created_source_probe=0
 source_probe_path=""
@@ -295,8 +325,13 @@ if [[ "$should_require_sync" -eq 1 ]] && git -C "$repo_root" show-ref --verify -
 
       echo "[agent-sync-guard] Auto-sync failed while rebasing '${SOURCE_BRANCH}' onto origin/${BASE_BRANCH}." >&2
       if [[ "$rebase_active" -eq 1 ]]; then
-        echo "[agent-sync-guard] Resolve conflicts, then run: git -C \"$source_worktree\" rebase --continue" >&2
-        echo "[agent-sync-guard] Or abort: git -C \"$source_worktree\" rebase --abort" >&2
+        if [[ "$created_source_probe" -eq 1 ]]; then
+          echo "[agent-sync-guard] Temporary source-probe worktree will be cleaned up on exit." >&2
+          echo "[agent-sync-guard] Reattach '${SOURCE_BRANCH}' in a regular worktree, then rebase it onto origin/${BASE_BRANCH} manually." >&2
+        else
+          echo "[agent-sync-guard] Resolve conflicts, then run: git -C \"$source_worktree\" rebase --continue" >&2
+          echo "[agent-sync-guard] Or abort: git -C \"$source_worktree\" rebase --abort" >&2
+        fi
       fi
       exit 1
     fi
diff --git a/templates/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh b/templates/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh
index c967140..1145fdc 100644
--- a/templates/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh
+++ b/templates/scripts/agent-worktree-prune.sh
@@ -111,6 +111,13 @@ is_managed_worktree_path() {
   return 1
 }
 
+is_temporary_worktree_path() {
+  local entry="$1"
+  local name
+  name="$(basename "$entry")"
+  [[ "$name" == __agent_integrate-* || "$name" == __source-probe-* ]]
+}
+
 resolve_base_branch() {
   local configured=""
   local current=""
@@ -425,7 +432,9 @@ process_entry() {
   local remove_reason=""
   local branch_delete_mode="safe"
 
-  if [[ -z "$branch_ref" ]]; then
+  if is_temporary_worktree_path "$wt"; then
+    remove_reason="temporary-worktree"
+  elif [[ -z "$branch_ref" ]]; then
     remove_reason="detached-worktree"
   elif ! git -C "$repo_root" show-ref --verify --quiet "refs/heads/${branch}"; then
     remove_reason="missing-branch"
@@ -452,6 +461,11 @@ process_entry() {
     return
   fi
 
+  if [[ "$remove_reason" == "temporary-worktree" ]]; then
+    git -C "$wt" rebase --abort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    git -C "$wt" merge --abort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  fi
+
   if [[ "$FORCE_DIRTY" -ne 1 ]] && ! is_clean_worktree "$wt"; then
     skipped_dirty=$((skipped_dirty + 1))
     echo "[agent-worktree-prune] Skipping dirty worktree (${remove_reason}): ${wt}"
diff --git a/test/doctor.test.js b/test/doctor.test.js
index 1db8497..44a071f 100644
--- a/test/doctor.test.js
+++ b/test/doctor.test.js
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ exit 1
   assert.match(
     compactOutput,
     new RegExp(
-      `\\[skip\\] ${escapeRegexLiteral(readyBranch)}: manual rebase required in the source-probe worktree; run rebase --continue or rebase --abort`,
+      `\\[skip\\] ${escapeRegexLiteral(readyBranch)}: manual rebase required on the branch before auto-finish can continue`,
     ),
   );
   assert.doesNotMatch(compactOutput, /git -C "\/tmp\/very\/long\/path\/for\/source-probe-agent-worktree/);
@@ -629,7 +629,10 @@ exit 1
   assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
   const verboseOutput = `${result.stdout}\n${result.stderr}`;
   assert.match(verboseOutput, new RegExp(`\\[skip\\] ${escapeRegexLiteral(readyBranch)}: auto-finish requires manual rebase\\.`));
-  assert.match(verboseOutput, /git -C ".+rebase --continue/);
+  assert.match(
+    verboseOutput,
+    new RegExp(`Reattach '${escapeRegexLiteral(readyBranch)}' in a regular worktree, then rebase it onto origin/main manually\\.`),
+  );
 });
 
 
@@ -680,7 +683,7 @@ exit 1
   assert.match(
     ansiOutput,
     new RegExp(
-      `\\u001B\\[33m\\[gitguardex\\]\\s+\\[skip\\] ${escapeRegexLiteral(readyBranch)}: manual rebase required in the source-probe worktree; run rebase --continue or rebase --abort\\u001B\\[0m`,
+      `\\u001B\\[33m\\[gitguardex\\]\\s+\\[skip\\] ${escapeRegexLiteral(readyBranch)}: manual rebase required on the branch before auto-finish can continue\\u001B\\[0m`,
     ),
   );
   assert.match(ansiOutput, /\u001B\[32m\[gitguardex\] ✅ Repo is fully safe\.\u001B\[0m/);
diff --git a/test/finish.test.js b/test/finish.test.js
index 4fae6f7..871fc5f 100644
--- a/test/finish.test.js
+++ b/test/finish.test.js
@@ -198,6 +198,50 @@ test('agent-branch-finish auto-syncs source branch when behind origin/dev', () =
 });
 
 
+test('agent-branch-finish removes stale source-probe worktrees before creating a fresh probe', () => {
+  const repoDir = initRepo();
+  seedCommit(repoDir);
+  attachOriginRemote(repoDir);
+
+  let result = runNode(['setup', '--target', repoDir, '--no-global-install'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+  result = runCmd('git', ['add', '.'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr);
+  result = runCmd('git', ['commit', '-m', 'apply gx setup'], repoDir, {
+    ALLOW_COMMIT_ON_PROTECTED_BRANCH: '1',
+  });
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+  result = runCmd('git', ['push', 'origin', 'dev'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+
+  result = runCmd('git', ['checkout', '-b', 'agent/test-stale-source-probe'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+  commitFile(repoDir, 'agent-stale-source-probe.txt', 'agent branch change\n', 'agent branch change');
+
+  result = runCmd('git', ['checkout', 'dev'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+
+  const sourceProbePath = path.join(
+    repoDir,
+    '.omx',
+    'agent-worktrees',
+    '__source-probe-agent__test-stale-source-probe-20260422-153300',
+  );
+  result = runCmd('git', ['worktree', 'add', sourceProbePath, 'agent/test-stale-source-probe'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+  fs.writeFileSync(path.join(sourceProbePath, 'agent-stale-source-probe.txt'), 'stale probe dirty change\n', 'utf8');
+
+  const finish = runBranchFinish(['--branch', 'agent/test-stale-source-probe'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(finish.status, 0, finish.stderr || finish.stdout);
+  assert.match(finish.stderr, /Removing stale source-probe worktree for 'agent\/test-stale-source-probe'/);
+  assert.equal(fs.existsSync(sourceProbePath), false, 'stale source-probe worktree should be removed before finish continues');
+  assert.match(
+    finish.stdout,
+    /Merged 'agent\/test-stale-source-probe' into 'dev' via direct flow and kept source branch\/worktree\./,
+  );
+});
+
+
 test('agent-branch-finish pr mode continues cleanup when gh merge only fails local branch deletion', () => {
   const repoDir = initRepo();
   seedCommit(repoDir);
diff --git a/test/worktree.test.js b/test/worktree.test.js
index 31fa8b3..c91830a 100644
--- a/test/worktree.test.js
+++ b/test/worktree.test.js
@@ -135,6 +135,38 @@ test('worktree prune --only-dirty-worktrees removes clean agent worktrees but ke
 });
 
 
+test('worktree prune removes __source-probe worktrees even when they track agent branches', () => {
+  const repoDir = initRepo();
+  let result = runNode(['setup', '--target', repoDir, '--no-global-install'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+  seedCommit(repoDir);
+
+  result = runCmd('git', ['checkout', '-b', 'agent/test-source-probe-prune'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+  commitFile(repoDir, 'source-probe-prune.txt', 'agent branch change\n', 'agent branch change');
+
+  result = runCmd('git', ['checkout', 'dev'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+
+  const sourceProbePath = path.join(
+    repoDir,
+    '.omx',
+    'agent-worktrees',
+    '__source-probe-agent__test-source-probe-prune-20260422-153300',
+  );
+  result = runCmd('git', ['worktree', 'add', sourceProbePath, 'agent/test-source-probe-prune'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+  assert.equal(fs.existsSync(sourceProbePath), true);
+
+  result = runWorktreePrune([], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(result.status, 0, result.stderr || result.stdout);
+  assert.equal(fs.existsSync(sourceProbePath), false, 'temporary source-probe worktree should be removed');
+
+  const branchResult = runCmd('git', ['show-ref', '--verify', '--quiet', 'refs/heads/agent/test-source-probe-prune'], repoDir);
+  assert.equal(branchResult.status, 0, 'agent branch ref should remain after pruning only the temporary worktree');
+});
+
+
 test('worktree prune reroutes foreign worktrees to the owning repo .omx root', () => {
   const repoDir = initRepo();
   let result = runNode(['setup', '--target', repoDir, '--no-global-install'], repoDir);