diff --git a/doc/native-workspace-finalization-recovery.md b/doc/native-workspace-finalization-recovery.md
index e03d218631a..67006f986d0 100644
--- a/doc/native-workspace-finalization-recovery.md
+++ b/doc/native-workspace-finalization-recovery.md
@@ -414,6 +414,9 @@ stop-and-retain receipts and must not have a competing allocation owner.
 Active warm allocations keep the same retention retry path. Only historical
 stopping or stopped sources require the ephemeral policy, because a reusable
 released allocation may already have a new owner.
+Daytona stop-only cleanup also accepts a freshly verified archived allocation.
+It first confirms that provider auto-delete is disabled. It leaves the archive
+cold, with its files preserved, and records the process as stopped.
 For a cancelled native run, the file-recovery form also offers an optional
 confirmation that no external actions were performed. Leave it unchecked unless
 the run history verifies that fact. The default records files without certifying
diff --git a/maps/feature-map/workspaces.md b/maps/feature-map/workspaces.md
index 64d735e10ec..7709d432293 100644
--- a/maps/feature-map/workspaces.md
+++ b/maps/feature-map/workspaces.md
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ Later cancelled runs require their own confirmed stop and board file repair.
 Their evidence is preserved with the reconstruction and rechecked before dispatch.
 Stop retains unfinished native files; startup also repairs missing historical
 retention without replaying the cancelled turn.
+Daytona stop-only cleanup confirms retention and accepts an already archived source.
 Cancelled native file recovery can record a verified no-action outcome. Its
 confirmation stays optional and resets when the source changes.
 Retained sandboxes keep their existing export recovery path. Automated coverage:
diff --git a/packages/plugins/sandbox-providers/daytona/src/plugin.test.ts b/packages/plugins/sandbox-providers/daytona/src/plugin.test.ts
index 1803bcd1dbd..5ccce8d2442 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/sandbox-providers/daytona/src/plugin.test.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/sandbox-providers/daytona/src/plugin.test.ts
@@ -1961,6 +1961,39 @@ describe("Daytona sandbox provider plugin", () => {
     expect(sandbox.delete).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it.each([true, false])("preserves an archived source only after fresh retention confirmation: %s", async confirmed => {
+    process.env.DAYTONA_API_KEY = "host-key";
+    const sandbox = createMockSandbox({ id: "sandbox-already-archived", state: "archived" });
+    sandbox.stop.mockRejectedValue(new Error("The provider rejects Stop for an archived sandbox"));
+    sandbox.refreshData.mockImplementation(async () => { sandbox.autoDeleteInterval = confirmed ? -1 : 0; });
+    mockGet.mockResolvedValue(sandbox);
+    const stop = plugin.definition.onEnvironmentStopLease!({
+      driverKey: "daytona", companyId: "company-1", environmentId: "env-1",
+      providerLeaseId: sandbox.id, config: { reuseLease: false },
+    });
+    if (confirmed) await expect(stop).resolves.toEqual({ providerLeaseId: sandbox.id, state: "stopped" });
+    else await expect(stop).rejects.toThrow("retention policy was not confirmed");
+    expect(sandbox.setAutoDeleteInterval).toHaveBeenCalledWith(-1);
+    expect(sandbox.refreshData).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(sandbox.stop).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(sandbox.start).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(sandbox.archive).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(sandbox.delete).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("stops an archived handle that a fresh provider read shows has resumed", async () => {
+    process.env.DAYTONA_API_KEY = "host-key";
+    const sandbox = createMockSandbox({ id: "sandbox-archive-resumed", state: "archived" });
+    sandbox.refreshData.mockImplementation(async () => { sandbox.state = "started"; });
+    mockGet.mockResolvedValue(sandbox);
+    await expect(plugin.definition.onEnvironmentStopLease!({
+      driverKey: "daytona", companyId: "company-1", environmentId: "env-1",
+      providerLeaseId: sandbox.id, config: { reuseLease: false },
+    })).resolves.toEqual({ providerLeaseId: sandbox.id, state: "stopped" });
+    expect(sandbox.stop).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(sandbox.delete).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   it("stops reusable leases and deletes ephemeral leases on release", async () => {
     process.env.DAYTONA_API_KEY = "host-key";
     const reusable = createMockSandbox({ id: "sandbox-reusable" });
diff --git a/packages/plugins/sandbox-providers/daytona/src/plugin.ts b/packages/plugins/sandbox-providers/daytona/src/plugin.ts
index 96b9c3f0d04..1df4747794f 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/sandbox-providers/daytona/src/plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/sandbox-providers/daytona/src/plugin.ts
@@ -2800,7 +2800,9 @@ const plugin = definePlugin({
       await withLivenessTimeout("sandbox.setAutoDeleteInterval", deadline, () => sandbox.setAutoDeleteInterval(-1));
       await withLivenessTimeout("sandbox.refreshData", deadline, () => sandbox.refreshData());
       if (sandbox.autoDeleteInterval !== -1) throw new Error("Daytona retention policy was not confirmed");
-      if (sandbox.state !== "stopped") {
+      // An archive already has no live process and retains its filesystem.
+      // Daytona rejects Stop in this state; leave the confirmed archive cold.
+      if (sandbox.state !== "stopped" && sandbox.state !== "archived") {
         await terminateAtProvider(scope, "sandbox.stop", () => sandbox.stop(Math.min(toTimeoutSeconds(config.timeoutMs), 30)));
       }
       sandboxHandleSessionStore.clear(scope);