diff --git a/scripts/eval-watch.ts b/scripts/eval-watch.ts
index 117d2bdb..899ec906 100644
--- a/scripts/eval-watch.ts
+++ b/scripts/eval-watch.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ const STALE_THRESHOLD_SEC = 600; // 10 minutes
 
 export interface HeartbeatData {
   runId: string;
+  pid?: number;
   startedAt: string;
   currentTest: string;
   status: string;
@@ -51,6 +52,16 @@ function readJSON<T>(filePath: string): T | null {
   }
 }
 
+/** Check if a process is alive (signal 0 = existence check, doesn't kill). */
+function isProcessAlive(pid: number): boolean {
+  try {
+    process.kill(pid, 0);
+    return true;
+  } catch {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
 /** Format seconds as Xm Ys */
 function formatDuration(sec: number): string {
   if (sec < 60) return `${sec}s`;
@@ -127,9 +138,17 @@ if (import.meta.main) {
   const showTail = process.argv.includes('--tail');
 
   const render = () => {
-    const heartbeat = readJSON<HeartbeatData>(HEARTBEAT_PATH);
+    let heartbeat = readJSON<HeartbeatData>(HEARTBEAT_PATH);
     const partial = readJSON<PartialData>(PARTIAL_PATH);
 
+    // Auto-clear heartbeat if the process is dead
+    if (heartbeat?.pid && !isProcessAlive(heartbeat.pid)) {
+      try { fs.unlinkSync(HEARTBEAT_PATH); } catch { /* already gone */ }
+      process.stdout.write('\x1B[2J\x1B[H');
+      process.stdout.write(`Cleared stale heartbeat — PID ${heartbeat.pid} is no longer running.\n\n`);
+      heartbeat = null;
+    }
+
     // Clear screen
     process.stdout.write('\x1B[2J\x1B[H');
     process.stdout.write(renderDashboard(heartbeat, partial) + '\n');
diff --git a/test/helpers/session-runner.ts b/test/helpers/session-runner.ts
index 17ed772c..6654df5f 100644
--- a/test/helpers/session-runner.ts
+++ b/test/helpers/session-runner.ts
@@ -216,6 +216,7 @@ export async function runSkillTest(options: {
                     const toolDesc = `${item.name}(${truncate(JSON.stringify(item.input || {}), 60)})`;
                     atomicWriteSync(HEARTBEAT_PATH, JSON.stringify({
                       runId,
+                      pid: proc.pid,
                       startedAt,
                       currentTest: testName,
                       status: 'running',