diff --git a/doc/workspace-restore-locks.md b/doc/workspace-restore-locks.md
index 7eea72328dc..fb599ae9094 100644
--- a/doc/workspace-restore-locks.md
+++ b/doc/workspace-restore-locks.md
@@ -22,6 +22,13 @@ bounded timeout diagnostics. Missing, stale, or incorrect metadata cannot grant
 or retain ownership. PID reuse, PID namespaces, and wall-clock changes do not
 decide whether a writer owns the lock.
 
+An unchanged returned snapshot still acquires the target writer lock and runs
+both authorization/publication hooks. If every returned path, type, file hash,
+file mode and symlink target matches the baseline, there is no incoming delta.
+The merge then skips the host snapshot scan and leaves concurrent host edits
+untouched. Changed exports retain the full conflict preflight. Checkpoint and
+archive validation still run before the merge.
+
 **Never delete, replace, or move a `.lock.sqlite` file while an instance can
 write to it.** Its stable inode is part of the locking contract. Replacing it
 could let two writers lock different files for the same target. Files remain
diff --git a/maps/agent-access-map/workspaces.md b/maps/agent-access-map/workspaces.md
index ec528d2febd..afcfaf3f9ca 100644
--- a/maps/agent-access-map/workspaces.md
+++ b/maps/agent-access-map/workspaces.md
@@ -75,6 +75,12 @@ then primary source, creation time and ID. A missing or foreign configured sourc
 does not authorize controller hooks. This precedence neither changes existing
 creation validation nor rotates bindings or clears retained copy-only markers.
 Closed-worktree reopening checks current task, agent, organizational and source policies without assuming a future driver. Effective low-trust reopens suppress configured and built-in host scripts. Returned checkpoints must have directory parents for every nested entry before merging, including unchanged entries; invalid output leaves retained host files intact and keeps recovery evidence.
+
+Skipping the host scan for a fully unchanged returned snapshot grants no new
+access. The merge still holds its canonical writer lock and runs both authority
+and publication hooks. Denials still propagate, and checkpoint/archive validation
+is unchanged. [Regression coverage](../../packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-unchanged.test.ts)
+is source-level evidence only.
 Child creation by an admitted agent checks an explicit prospective-task context before the child is saved. The creator run must have an authoritative saved policy and a verified company/agent/parent lineage. Current parent, prospective child and physical source policies must fit that boundary. This creation path does not relax exact task/run checks for existing-task writes. The [child trust regression](../../server/src/__tests__/task-workspace-child-trust.test.ts) is automated source-level evidence, not live agent qualification.
 Source review for these additions: PR #15749 and
 [task workspace routes](../../server/src/routes/task-workspaces.ts),
diff --git a/maps/feature-map/workspaces.md b/maps/feature-map/workspaces.md
index d3e8f2b70c4..39a79412f21 100644
--- a/maps/feature-map/workspaces.md
+++ b/maps/feature-map/workspaces.md
@@ -90,6 +90,12 @@ SSH keeps its explicit remote provision-command path; these checks
 do not claim a new sandbox provision transport.
 Low-trust closed-worktree reopening, including a board-comment reopen of a projectless task, must also suppress both kinds of host provision script. Returned checkpoints must reject file, symlink or missing parents before host writes, even if a nested file is marked unchanged. The retained host file and recovery evidence must survive rejection. These are automated safety contracts, not new live runtime acceptance.
 
+An unchanged returned snapshot skips the host scan after acquiring the writer lock
+and checking authority. Concurrent host edits remain untouched; changed files,
+modes, symlinks and deletions still take the conflict path. The
+[unchanged restore regression](../../packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-unchanged.test.ts)
+checks both hooks under the lock. This is source-level coverage, not a cloud latency result.
+
 For a child created by an admitted agent with an explicit existing workspace, verify that a matching sandbox boundary permits creation before the child has an ID. A changed child policy, unrelated parent, or forged creator run must fail. See the [child workspace trust regression](../../server/src/__tests__/task-workspace-child-trust.test.ts). This automated contract does not add live acceptance evidence.
 
 ### `workspace-management`
diff --git a/packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-merge.ts b/packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-merge.ts
index 98aaeac564f..85fd25155c4 100644
--- a/packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-merge.ts
+++ b/packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-merge.ts
@@ -218,6 +218,14 @@ function entriesMatch(left: SnapshotEntry | null | undefined, right: SnapshotEnt
   return false;
 }
 
+function directorySnapshotsMatch(left: DirectorySnapshot, right: DirectorySnapshot): boolean {
+  if (left.entries.size !== right.entries.size) return false;
+  for (const [relative, entry] of right.entries) {
+    if (!entriesMatch(left.entries.get(relative), entry)) return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
 const LOCK_WAIT_MS = 30_000;
 const LOCK_DIAGNOSTIC_READ_TIMEOUT_MS = 100;
 const activeDirectoryMergeLocks = new Set<string>();
@@ -719,6 +727,10 @@ export async function mergeDirectoryWithBaseline(input: {
   try {
     await withDirectoryMergeLock(input.targetDir, async (canonicalTargetDir) => {
       await input.beforeApply?.();
+      if (!input.snapshots?.current && directorySnapshotsMatch(input.baseline, source)) {
+        await input.afterApply?.();
+        return;
+      }
       // Strict preflight must see excluded children before a directory is
       // replaced. The merge still applies only the filtered source/baseline.
       const current = input.snapshots?.current ?? await captureDirectorySnapshot(canonicalTargetDir,
diff --git a/packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-unchanged.test.ts b/packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-unchanged.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..df6b5da84d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/adapter-utils/src/workspace-restore-unchanged.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+import { promises as fs } from "node:fs";
+import os from "node:os";
+import path from "node:path";
+import { afterEach, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { captureDirectorySnapshot, disposeDirectorySnapshot, mergeDirectoryWithBaseline, withDirectoryMergeLock, WORKSPACE_RESTORE_LOCK_TIMEOUT_CODE } from "./workspace-restore-merge.js";
+
+const roots: string[] = [];
+afterEach(async () => {
+  vi.restoreAllMocks();
+  vi.unstubAllEnvs();
+  for (const root of roots.splice(0)) await fs.rm(root, { recursive: true, force: true });
+});
+
+async function fixture(diskBacked: boolean) {
+  const root = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "paperclip-unchanged-restore-"));
+  roots.push(root);
+  vi.stubEnv("PAPERCLIP_HOME", path.join(root, "home"));
+  const target = path.join(root, "target"), source = path.join(root, "source");
+  await fs.mkdir(target); await fs.mkdir(source);
+  await fs.writeFile(path.join(target, "file"), "baseline");
+  await fs.writeFile(path.join(source, "file"), "baseline");
+  const baseline = await captureDirectorySnapshot(target, { diskBacked, exclude: ["cache"] });
+  const incoming = await captureDirectorySnapshot(source, { diskBacked, exclude: ["cache"] });
+  return { root, target, source, baseline, incoming };
+}
+
+it.each([
+  { diskBacked: false, conflictPolicy: undefined }, { diskBacked: true, conflictPolicy: undefined },
+  { diskBacked: false, conflictPolicy: "reject" as const }, { diskBacked: true, conflictPolicy: "reject" as const },
+])("does not scan host files for an unchanged $diskBacked snapshot with $conflictPolicy and preserves both fenced hooks", async ({ diskBacked, conflictPolicy }) => {
+  const f = await fixture(diskBacked);
+  await fs.writeFile(path.join(f.target, "file"), "concurrent host edit");
+  await fs.mkdir(path.join(f.target, "cache"));
+  await fs.writeFile(path.join(f.target, "cache", "private"), "host only");
+  const read = vi.spyOn(fs, "opendir");
+  read.mockImplementation(async () => { throw new Error("Unexpected host scan"); });
+  const callbacks: string[] = [];
+  const hook = async (name: string) => {
+    callbacks.push(name);
+    await expect(withDirectoryMergeLock(f.target, async () => { throw new Error("Lock was released"); }, undefined, undefined, 20))
+      .rejects.toMatchObject({ code: WORKSPACE_RESTORE_LOCK_TIMEOUT_CODE });
+  };
+  try {
+    await mergeDirectoryWithBaseline({ baseline: f.baseline, sourceDir: f.source, targetDir: f.target,
+      snapshots: { source: f.incoming }, conflictPolicy, beforeApply: () => hook("before"), afterApply: () => hook("after") });
+    expect(read).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(callbacks).toEqual(["before", "after"]);
+    expect(await fs.readFile(path.join(f.target, "file"), "utf8")).toBe("concurrent host edit");
+    expect(await fs.readFile(path.join(f.target, "cache", "private"), "utf8")).toBe("host only");
+  } finally { await disposeDirectorySnapshot(f.incoming); await disposeDirectorySnapshot(f.baseline); }
+});
+
+it("skips the target scan when a captured full export is unchanged", async () => {
+  const f = await fixture(false);
+  const read = vi.spyOn(fs, "opendir");
+  await mergeDirectoryWithBaseline({ baseline: f.baseline, sourceDir: f.source, targetDir: f.target, conflictPolicy: "reject" });
+  expect(read.mock.calls.map(call => path.resolve(String(call[0])))).toEqual([path.resolve(f.source)]);
+});
+
+it.each(["before", "after"])("propagates %s-hook denial for an unchanged checkpoint", async denied => {
+  const f = await fixture(true);
+  const error = new Error("Authority revoked");
+  const before = vi.fn(async () => { if (denied === "before") throw error; });
+  const after = vi.fn(async () => { if (denied === "after") throw error; });
+  try {
+    await expect(mergeDirectoryWithBaseline({ baseline: f.baseline, sourceDir: f.source, targetDir: f.target,
+      snapshots: { source: f.incoming }, beforeApply: before, afterApply: after })).rejects.toBe(error);
+    expect(before).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(after).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(denied === "after" ? 1 : 0);
+    expect(await fs.readFile(path.join(f.target, "file"), "utf8")).toBe("baseline");
+    await withDirectoryMergeLock(f.target, async () => undefined);
+  } finally { await disposeDirectorySnapshot(f.incoming); await disposeDirectorySnapshot(f.baseline); }
+});
+
+async function assertIncomingChange(change: string) {
+  const f = await fixture(true);
+  await disposeDirectorySnapshot(f.incoming);
+  if (change === "hash") await fs.writeFile(path.join(f.source, "file"), "changed");
+  if (change === "mode") await fs.chmod(path.join(f.source, "file"), 0o755);
+  if (change === "kind") { await fs.rm(path.join(f.source, "file")); await fs.mkdir(path.join(f.source, "file")); }
+  if (change === "rename") await fs.rename(path.join(f.source, "file"), path.join(f.source, "renamed"));
+  if (change === "add") await fs.writeFile(path.join(f.source, "added"), "new");
+  if (change === "delete") await fs.rm(path.join(f.source, "file"));
+  const incoming = await captureDirectorySnapshot(f.source, { diskBacked: true, exclude: ["cache"] });
+  const read = vi.spyOn(fs, "opendir");
+  try {
+    await mergeDirectoryWithBaseline({ baseline: f.baseline, sourceDir: f.source, targetDir: f.target,
+      snapshots: { source: incoming }, conflictPolicy: "reject" });
+    expect(read).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    if (change === "hash") expect(await fs.readFile(path.join(f.target, "file"), "utf8")).toBe("changed");
+    if (change === "mode") expect((await fs.stat(path.join(f.target, "file"))).mode & 0o777).toBe(0o755);
+    if (change === "kind") expect((await fs.stat(path.join(f.target, "file"))).isDirectory()).toBe(true);
+    if (change === "rename") expect(await fs.readFile(path.join(f.target, "renamed"), "utf8")).toBe("baseline");
+    if (change === "add") expect(await fs.readFile(path.join(f.target, "added"), "utf8")).toBe("new");
+    if (change === "delete") await expect(fs.stat(path.join(f.target, "file"))).rejects.toMatchObject({ code: "ENOENT" });
+  } finally { await disposeDirectorySnapshot(incoming); await disposeDirectorySnapshot(f.baseline); }
+}
+
+it.each(["hash", "kind", "rename", "add", "delete"])("does not skip an incoming %s change", assertIncomingChange);
+it.skipIf(process.platform === "win32")("does not skip an incoming mode change", () => assertIncomingChange("mode"));
+
+it.skipIf(process.platform === "win32")("does not skip a changed symlink target", async () => {
+  const f = await fixture(false);
+  await fs.rm(path.join(f.target, "file")); await fs.rm(path.join(f.source, "file"));
+  await fs.symlink("old", path.join(f.target, "file")); await fs.symlink("new", path.join(f.source, "file"));
+  const baseline = await captureDirectorySnapshot(f.target), incoming = await captureDirectorySnapshot(f.source);
+  await mergeDirectoryWithBaseline({ baseline, sourceDir: f.source, targetDir: f.target, snapshots: { source: incoming }, conflictPolicy: "reject" });
+  expect(await fs.readlink(path.join(f.target, "file"))).toBe("new");
+});
+
+it("still rejects concurrent edits to a changed incoming file", async () => {
+  const f = await fixture(false);
+  await fs.writeFile(path.join(f.source, "file"), "remote change");
+  await fs.writeFile(path.join(f.target, "file"), "host change");
+  const incoming = await captureDirectorySnapshot(f.source);
+  await expect(mergeDirectoryWithBaseline({ baseline: f.baseline, sourceDir: f.source, targetDir: f.target,
+    snapshots: { source: incoming }, conflictPolicy: "reject" })).rejects.toMatchObject({ code: "DIRECTORY_MERGE_CONFLICT", paths: ["file"] });
+  expect(await fs.readFile(path.join(f.target, "file"), "utf8")).toBe("host change");
+});