diff --git a/server/cmd/multica/cmd_issue.go b/server/cmd/multica/cmd_issue.go
index 4cc9cb56c..3f60c6f69 100644
--- a/server/cmd/multica/cmd_issue.go
+++ b/server/cmd/multica/cmd_issue.go
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ import (
 	"net/http"
 	"net/url"
 	"os"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 	"unicode/utf8"
@@ -109,6 +111,14 @@ var issuePullRequestsCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	RunE:    runIssuePullRequests,
 }
 
+var issueChildrenCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:     "children <id>",
+	Aliases: []string{"subissues"},
+	Short:   "List an issue's sub-issues grouped by stage",
+	Args:    exactArgs(1),
+	RunE:    runIssueChildren,
+}
+
 var issueCreateCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "create",
 	Short: "Create a new issue",
@@ -263,6 +273,7 @@ func init() {
 	issueCmd.AddCommand(issueListCmd)
 	issueCmd.AddCommand(issueGetCmd)
 	issueCmd.AddCommand(issuePullRequestsCmd)
+	issueCmd.AddCommand(issueChildrenCmd)
 	issueCmd.AddCommand(issueCreateCmd)
 	issueCmd.AddCommand(issueUpdateCmd)
 	issueCmd.AddCommand(issueAssignCmd)
@@ -301,6 +312,9 @@ func init() {
 	// issue pull-requests
 	issuePullRequestsCmd.Flags().String("output", "table", "Output format: table or json")
 
+	issueChildrenCmd.Flags().String("output", "table", "Output format: table or json")
+	issueChildrenCmd.Flags().Bool("full-id", false, "Show full UUIDs in table output")
+
 	// issue create
 	issueCreateCmd.Flags().String("title", "", "Issue title (required)")
 	issueCreateCmd.Flags().String("description", "", "Issue description (decodes \\n, \\r, \\t, \\\\; pipe via --description-stdin to preserve literal backslashes)")
@@ -311,6 +325,7 @@ func init() {
 	issueCreateCmd.Flags().String("assignee", "", "Assignee name (member, agent, or squad; fuzzy match)")
 	issueCreateCmd.Flags().String("assignee-id", "", "Assignee UUID — member, agent, or squad (mutually exclusive with --assignee)")
 	issueCreateCmd.Flags().String("parent", "", "Parent issue ID")
+	issueCreateCmd.Flags().Int("stage", 0, "Stage ordinal (>=1) grouping this sub-issue into an ordered barrier group under its parent; omit for unstaged. The parent assignee is woken only when every sub-issue in a stage finishes.")
 	issueCreateCmd.Flags().String("project", "", "Project ID")
 	issueCreateCmd.Flags().String("start-date", "", "Start date (calendar day, YYYY-MM-DD)")
 	issueCreateCmd.Flags().String("due-date", "", "Due date (calendar day, YYYY-MM-DD)")
@@ -332,6 +347,7 @@ func init() {
 	issueUpdateCmd.Flags().String("start-date", "", "New start date (calendar day, YYYY-MM-DD; pass empty string to clear)")
 	issueUpdateCmd.Flags().String("due-date", "", "New due date (calendar day, YYYY-MM-DD)")
 	issueUpdateCmd.Flags().String("parent", "", "Parent issue ID (use --parent \"\" to clear)")
+	issueUpdateCmd.Flags().Int("stage", 0, "Stage ordinal (>=1) for this sub-issue; see `issue create --stage`")
 	issueUpdateCmd.Flags().String("output", "json", "Output format: table or json")
 
 	// issue status
@@ -637,6 +653,120 @@ func runIssueGet(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	return cli.PrintJSON(os.Stdout, issue)
 }
 
+// childStage extracts the integer stage from a child issue response map.
+// Returns ok=false when the child is unstaged (stage null/absent).
+func childStage(m map[string]any) (int, bool) {
+	v, ok := m["stage"]
+	if !ok || v == nil {
+		return 0, false
+	}
+	switch n := v.(type) {
+	case float64:
+		return int(n), true
+	case int:
+		return n, true
+	case json.Number:
+		i, err := n.Int64()
+		if err != nil {
+			return 0, false
+		}
+		return int(i), true
+	}
+	return 0, false
+}
+
+func runIssueChildren(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	client, err := newAPIClient(cmd)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := cli.APIContext(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+
+	issueRef, err := resolveIssueRef(ctx, client, args[0])
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("resolve issue: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var resp struct {
+		Issues []map[string]any `json:"issues"`
+	}
+	if err := client.GetJSON(ctx, "/api/issues/"+issueRef.ID+"/children", &resp); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("list child issues: %w", err)
+	}
+	children := resp.Issues
+
+	// Order by stage ascending (unstaged last), preserving the API's
+	// within-stage order (position, then created_at desc).
+	sort.SliceStable(children, func(i, j int) bool {
+		si, oki := childStage(children[i])
+		sj, okj := childStage(children[j])
+		if oki != okj {
+			return oki // staged before unstaged
+		}
+		return si < sj
+	})
+
+	output, _ := cmd.Flags().GetString("output")
+	if output == "table" {
+		actors := loadActorDisplayLookup(ctx, client)
+		headers := []string{"STAGE", "KEY", "TITLE", "STATUS", "PRIORITY", "ASSIGNEE"}
+		rows := make([][]string, 0, len(children))
+		for _, c := range children {
+			stageCell := "-"
+			if s, ok := childStage(c); ok {
+				stageCell = strconv.Itoa(s)
+			}
+			rows = append(rows, []string{
+				stageCell,
+				issueDisplayKey(c),
+				strVal(c, "title"),
+				strVal(c, "status"),
+				strVal(c, "priority"),
+				formatAssignee(c, actors),
+			})
+		}
+		cli.PrintTable(os.Stdout, headers, rows)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// JSON: group by stage so an agent can see, at a glance, how many
+	// sub-issues there are and which stage each belongs to.
+	type stageGroup struct {
+		Stage  int              `json:"stage"`
+		Total  int              `json:"total"`
+		Done   int              `json:"done"`
+		Issues []map[string]any `json:"issues"`
+	}
+	stages := []stageGroup{}
+	unstaged := []map[string]any{}
+	idxByStage := map[int]int{}
+	for _, c := range children {
+		s, ok := childStage(c)
+		if !ok {
+			unstaged = append(unstaged, c)
+			continue
+		}
+		gi, seen := idxByStage[s]
+		if !seen {
+			stages = append(stages, stageGroup{Stage: s})
+			gi = len(stages) - 1
+			idxByStage[s] = gi
+		}
+		stages[gi].Issues = append(stages[gi].Issues, c)
+		stages[gi].Total++
+		if st := strVal(c, "status"); st == "done" || st == "cancelled" {
+			stages[gi].Done++
+		}
+	}
+	return cli.PrintJSON(os.Stdout, map[string]any{
+		"total":    len(children),
+		"stages":   stages,
+		"unstaged": unstaged,
+	})
+}
+
 // isHTTPURL reports whether path is an http:// or https:// URL.
 // Used to skip URL-shaped values passed to --attachment, which only
 // accepts local file paths. Trims surrounding whitespace because
@@ -735,6 +865,13 @@ func runIssueCreate(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
 		}
 		body["project_id"] = project.ID
 	}
+	if cmd.Flags().Changed("stage") {
+		stage, _ := cmd.Flags().GetInt("stage")
+		if stage < 1 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("--stage must be >= 1")
+		}
+		body["stage"] = stage
+	}
 	if v, _ := cmd.Flags().GetString("start-date"); v != "" {
 		body["start_date"] = v
 	}
@@ -949,6 +1086,13 @@ func runIssueUpdate(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			body["parent_issue_id"] = parent.ID
 		}
 	}
+	if cmd.Flags().Changed("stage") {
+		stage, _ := cmd.Flags().GetInt("stage")
+		if stage < 1 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("--stage must be >= 1")
+		}
+		body["stage"] = stage
+	}
 
 	if len(body) == 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("no fields to update; use flags like --title, --status, --priority, --assignee, etc.")
diff --git a/server/internal/handler/handler.go b/server/internal/handler/handler.go
index a89e627cf..5816d16f1 100644
--- a/server/internal/handler/handler.go
+++ b/server/internal/handler/handler.go
@@ -274,6 +274,8 @@ func timestampToPtr(t pgtype.Timestamptz) *string   { return util.TimestampToPtr
 func dateToPtr(d pgtype.Date) *string               { return util.DateToPtr(d) }
 func uuidToPtr(u pgtype.UUID) *string               { return util.UUIDToPtr(u) }
 func int8ToPtr(v pgtype.Int8) *int64                { return util.Int8ToPtr(v) }
+func int4ToPtr(v pgtype.Int4) *int32                { return util.Int4ToPtr(v) }
+func ptrToInt4(v *int32) pgtype.Int4                { return util.PtrToInt4(v) }
 
 // parseUUIDOrBadRequest validates a UUID string sourced from user input
 // (URL params, request body, headers). On invalid input it writes a 400
diff --git a/server/internal/handler/issue.go b/server/internal/handler/issue.go
index 81bd83a21..311e7ecff 100644
--- a/server/internal/handler/issue.go
+++ b/server/internal/handler/issue.go
@@ -44,10 +44,14 @@ type IssueResponse struct {
 	ParentIssueID *string `json:"parent_issue_id"`
 	ProjectID     *string `json:"project_id"`
 	Position      float64 `json:"position"`
-	StartDate     *string `json:"start_date"`
-	DueDate       *string `json:"due_date"`
-	CreatedAt     string  `json:"created_at"`
-	UpdatedAt     string  `json:"updated_at"`
+	// Stage groups sub-issues under the same parent into ordered barrier
+	// groups (null = unstaged). See issue_child_done.go for how a closed
+	// stage gates the child-done -> parent wake.
+	Stage     *int32  `json:"stage"`
+	StartDate *string `json:"start_date"`
+	DueDate   *string `json:"due_date"`
+	CreatedAt string  `json:"created_at"`
+	UpdatedAt string  `json:"updated_at"`
 	// Metadata is the per-issue KV map (see issue_metadata.go). Always emitted
 	// (empty object when unset) so frontend code can `issue.metadata[key]`
 	// without nil-guarding the parent field.
@@ -98,6 +102,7 @@ func issueToResponse(i db.Issue, issuePrefix string) IssueResponse {
 		ParentIssueID: uuidToPtr(i.ParentIssueID),
 		ProjectID:     uuidToPtr(i.ProjectID),
 		Position:      i.Position,
+		Stage:         int4ToPtr(i.Stage),
 		StartDate:     dateToPtr(i.StartDate),
 		DueDate:       dateToPtr(i.DueDate),
 		CreatedAt:     timestampToString(i.CreatedAt),
@@ -125,6 +130,7 @@ func issueListRowToResponse(i db.ListIssuesRow, issuePrefix string) IssueRespons
 		ParentIssueID: uuidToPtr(i.ParentIssueID),
 		ProjectID:     uuidToPtr(i.ProjectID),
 		Position:      i.Position,
+		Stage:         int4ToPtr(i.Stage),
 		StartDate:     dateToPtr(i.StartDate),
 		DueDate:       dateToPtr(i.DueDate),
 		CreatedAt:     timestampToString(i.CreatedAt),
@@ -182,6 +188,7 @@ func openIssueRowToResponse(i db.ListOpenIssuesRow, issuePrefix string) IssueRes
 		ParentIssueID: uuidToPtr(i.ParentIssueID),
 		ProjectID:     uuidToPtr(i.ProjectID),
 		Position:      i.Position,
+		Stage:         int4ToPtr(i.Stage),
 		StartDate:     dateToPtr(i.StartDate),
 		DueDate:       dateToPtr(i.DueDate),
 		CreatedAt:     timestampToString(i.CreatedAt),
@@ -2049,6 +2056,7 @@ type CreateIssueRequest struct {
 	AssigneeID    *string  `json:"assignee_id"`
 	ParentIssueID *string  `json:"parent_issue_id"`
 	ProjectID     *string  `json:"project_id"`
+	Stage         *int32   `json:"stage,omitempty"`
 	StartDate     *string  `json:"start_date"`
 	DueDate       *string  `json:"due_date"`
 	AttachmentIDs []string `json:"attachment_ids,omitempty"`
@@ -2105,6 +2113,10 @@ func (h *Handler) CreateIssue(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	if !validateIssueEnum(w, "priority", priority, validIssuePriorities) {
 		return
 	}
+	if req.Stage != nil && *req.Stage < 1 {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "stage must be >= 1")
+		return
+	}
 
 	var assigneeType pgtype.Text
 	var assigneeID pgtype.UUID
@@ -2241,6 +2253,7 @@ func (h *Handler) CreateIssue(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		DueDate:        dueDate,
 		OriginType:     originType,
 		OriginID:       originID,
+		Stage:          ptrToInt4(req.Stage),
 		AttachmentIDs:  attachmentIDs,
 		AllowDuplicate: req.AllowDuplicate,
 	}, service.IssueCreateOpts{
@@ -2298,6 +2311,7 @@ type UpdateIssueRequest struct {
 	DueDate       *string  `json:"due_date"`
 	ParentIssueID *string  `json:"parent_issue_id"`
 	ProjectID     *string  `json:"project_id"`
+	Stage         *int32   `json:"stage"`
 	// AttachmentIDs lets the description editor bind newly uploaded files to
 	// this issue so they surface in `GET /api/issues/:id/attachments` and the
 	// editor's preview Eye keeps working past a refresh. Existing bindings
@@ -2340,6 +2354,7 @@ func (h *Handler) UpdateIssue(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		DueDate:       prevIssue.DueDate,
 		ParentIssueID: prevIssue.ParentIssueID,
 		ProjectID:     prevIssue.ProjectID,
+		Stage:         prevIssue.Stage,
 	}
 
 	// COALESCE fields — only set when explicitly provided
@@ -2457,6 +2472,17 @@ func (h *Handler) UpdateIssue(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			params.ProjectID = pgtype.UUID{Valid: false}
 		}
 	}
+	if _, ok := rawFields["stage"]; ok {
+		if req.Stage != nil {
+			if *req.Stage < 1 {
+				writeError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "stage must be >= 1")
+				return
+			}
+			params.Stage = pgtype.Int4{Int32: *req.Stage, Valid: true}
+		} else {
+			params.Stage = pgtype.Int4{Valid: false} // explicit null = unstage
+		}
+	}
 
 	// Validate the resulting (assignee_type, assignee_id) pair when the caller
 	// touches either field. Existing data on the issue is left alone if the
@@ -2888,6 +2914,7 @@ func (h *Handler) BatchUpdateIssues(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			DueDate:       prevIssue.DueDate,
 			ParentIssueID: prevIssue.ParentIssueID,
 			ProjectID:     prevIssue.ProjectID,
+			Stage:         prevIssue.Stage,
 		}
 
 		if req.Updates.Title != nil {
@@ -2996,6 +3023,16 @@ func (h *Handler) BatchUpdateIssues(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 				params.ProjectID = pgtype.UUID{Valid: false}
 			}
 		}
+		if _, ok := rawUpdates["stage"]; ok {
+			if req.Updates.Stage != nil {
+				if *req.Updates.Stage < 1 {
+					continue
+				}
+				params.Stage = pgtype.Int4{Int32: *req.Updates.Stage, Valid: true}
+			} else {
+				params.Stage = pgtype.Int4{Valid: false} // explicit null = unstage
+			}
+		}
 
 		// Validate the resulting assignee pair when this batch update touches
 		// either assignee field. Skip the issue silently on failure.
diff --git a/server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go b/server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go
index c629196a2..91b770712 100644
--- a/server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go
+++ b/server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
+	"sort"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -36,6 +37,15 @@ import (
 //     and there is nothing to "trigger" on a human assignee. Skipping the
 //     comment entirely (Bohan's call on MUL-2538) also sidesteps the
 //     mention question — no comment, no mention, no inbox row.
+//   - the completion must close a STAGE barrier (MUL-3508). Sub-issues under
+//     a parent can be grouped into ordered stages via issue.stage; the
+//     notification + wake fire only when every sibling in the lowest
+//     unfinished stage is terminal (stageBarrierClosed). An unstaged sibling
+//     set is one implicit stage, so this fires once when the last sub-issue
+//     finishes instead of on every child — the default fix for the
+//     fire-on-every-child cascade reported in #4320. The woken assignee
+//     decides whether to promote the next stage (agent-driven advancement);
+//     the server only detects the barrier and wakes.
 //
 // The comment is inserted directly via db.Queries (not through the
 // CreateComment HTTP handler) so it bypasses the generic on_comment trigger
@@ -86,20 +96,60 @@ func (h *Handler) notifyParentOfChildDone(ctx context.Context, prev, issue db.Is
 		return
 	}
 
+	// Stage barrier (MUL-3508 / discussion #4320). The notification + assignee
+	// wake fire only when this completion *closes a stage* — i.e. every sibling
+	// in the lowest unfinished stage is now terminal. An unstaged sibling set is
+	// one implicit stage, so this collapses to "wake once when the last
+	// sub-issue finishes" instead of the old fire-on-every-child behavior that
+	// caused the surprise cascade. A completion that does not close a stage is
+	// silent: no comment, no wake. ListChildIssues already reflects this child's
+	// committed `done` status (the status update commits before this runs).
+	children, err := h.Queries.ListChildIssues(ctx, parent.ID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("child done: failed to list siblings for stage barrier",
+			"error", err,
+			"child_id", uuidToString(issue.ID),
+			"parent_id", uuidToString(parent.ID))
+		return
+	}
+	if !stageBarrierClosed(children, issue) {
+		return
+	}
+	staged := siblingsAreStaged(children)
+
 	prefix := h.getIssuePrefix(ctx, issue.WorkspaceID)
 	identifier := prefix + "-" + strconv.Itoa(int(issue.Number))
 	childID := uuidToString(issue.ID)
 	title := sanitizeChildTitleForSystemComment(issue.Title)
+	parentID := uuidToString(parent.ID)
 
 	// Build the parent-assignee mention prefix. Empty when the parent has no
 	// assignee or the assignee row is missing (deleted member, archived
 	// agent the workspace lost track of, etc.).
 	mentionPrefix := h.buildParentAssigneeMention(ctx, parent)
 
-	content := fmt.Sprintf(
-		"%sSub-issue [%s](mention://issue/%s) — \"%s\" — is done. Before promoting any waiting `backlog` sub-issue, read each sibling's description and only promote items whose stated dependencies are already satisfied — do not rely on this parent's higher-level breakdown alone. If a sibling's description conflicts with that breakdown (e.g. it lists a prerequisite the parent treats as parallel), do NOT change its status — leave it `backlog` and post a comment to confirm first.",
-		mentionPrefix, identifier, childID, title,
-	)
+	var content string
+	if staged {
+		summary, nextStage := stageProgressSummary(children, stageOrdinal(issue))
+		var advance string
+		if nextStage > 0 {
+			advance = fmt.Sprintf(
+				" Stage %d is next. Review the full layout with `multica issue children %s`, and if Stage %d's dependencies are satisfied promote its `backlog` sub-issues to `todo` to continue. Read each sub-issue's description first and only promote items whose stated dependencies are already met — do not rely on this parent's higher-level breakdown alone. If a description conflicts with that breakdown, leave it `backlog` and post a comment to confirm first.",
+				nextStage, parentID, nextStage,
+			)
+		} else {
+			advance = " This was the final stage. Wrap up the parent — synthesize the results and move it forward, or close it out if nothing remains."
+		}
+		content = fmt.Sprintf(
+			"%sStage %d of this issue is complete — its last sub-issue [%s](mention://issue/%s) — \"%s\" — just finished. Stage progress — %s.%s",
+			mentionPrefix, stageOrdinal(issue), identifier, childID, title, summary, advance,
+		)
+	} else {
+		content = fmt.Sprintf(
+			"%sAll sub-issues are complete — the last one, [%s](mention://issue/%s) — \"%s\", just finished. Continue the parent: synthesize the children's results and move it forward, or close it out if nothing remains.",
+			mentionPrefix, identifier, childID, title,
+		)
+	}
 
 	// author_type='system', author_id=zero UUID. The zero UUID is a valid 16
 	// byte value and the column is NOT NULL; frontend code should branch on
@@ -138,6 +188,100 @@ func (h *Handler) notifyParentOfChildDone(ctx context.Context, prev, issue db.Is
 	h.dispatchParentAssigneeTrigger(ctx, parent, issue, comment, actorType, actorID)
 }
 
+// isTerminalChildStatus reports whether a child issue status counts as
+// "finished" for stage-barrier purposes. Cancelled counts as terminal: a
+// cancelled sibling will never complete, so it must not hold a stage open.
+func isTerminalChildStatus(status string) bool {
+	return status == "done" || status == "cancelled"
+}
+
+// stageOrdinal returns the comparable stage ordinal for a child. Unstaged
+// children (NULL stage) sort as 0 — before stage 1 — so that in a partially
+// staged sibling set they belong to the earliest frontier. In a fully
+// unstaged set the value is unused (siblingsAreStaged short-circuits).
+func stageOrdinal(c db.Issue) int32 {
+	if c.Stage.Valid {
+		return c.Stage.Int32
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+// siblingsAreStaged reports whether any child in the set carries an explicit
+// stage. A set with no stages is treated as a single implicit stage.
+func siblingsAreStaged(children []db.Issue) bool {
+	for _, c := range children {
+		if c.Stage.Valid {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// stageBarrierClosed reports whether the completion of `completed` closed a
+// stage barrier among `children` — the full sibling set under one parent,
+// already reflecting completed's terminal status.
+//
+//   - Unstaged sibling set: a single implicit stage. The barrier closes only
+//     when every child is terminal — the "wake once when the last sub-issue
+//     finishes" default.
+//   - Staged sibling set: the completed child's stage S closes when every
+//     child in stage <= S is terminal (frontier closure). Later stages are
+//     normally parked in `backlog`, so they cannot fire out of order; the
+//     caller's idempotency guard collapses any duplicate wake.
+func stageBarrierClosed(children []db.Issue, completed db.Issue) bool {
+	if !siblingsAreStaged(children) {
+		for _, c := range children {
+			if !isTerminalChildStatus(c.Status) {
+				return false
+			}
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+	s := stageOrdinal(completed)
+	for _, c := range children {
+		if stageOrdinal(c) <= s && !isTerminalChildStatus(c.Status) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+// stageProgressSummary renders a compact per-stage breakdown for the
+// child-done system comment (e.g. "Stage 1: 3/3 done; Stage 2: 0/4 done") and
+// returns the lowest stage above closedStage that still has non-terminal
+// children — the next group to promote — or 0 when none remain. Only
+// meaningful for staged sibling sets.
+func stageProgressSummary(children []db.Issue, closedStage int32) (summary string, nextStage int32) {
+	type agg struct{ total, done int }
+	byStage := map[int32]*agg{}
+	order := []int32{}
+	for _, c := range children {
+		s := stageOrdinal(c)
+		a, ok := byStage[s]
+		if !ok {
+			a = &agg{}
+			byStage[s] = a
+			order = append(order, s)
+		}
+		a.total++
+		if isTerminalChildStatus(c.Status) {
+			a.done++
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(order, func(i, j int) bool { return order[i] < order[j] })
+	parts := make([]string, 0, len(order))
+	for _, s := range order {
+		a := byStage[s]
+		label := fmt.Sprintf("Stage %d: %d/%d done", s, a.done, a.total)
+		if nextStage == 0 && s > closedStage && a.done < a.total {
+			nextStage = s
+			label += " (next)"
+		}
+		parts = append(parts, label)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(parts, "; "), nextStage
+}
+
 // sanitizeChildTitleForSystemComment removes mention-style markdown from a
 // child issue's title before it is embedded into the parent's system
 // comment. Smuggled mentions are already harmless on the listener path
diff --git a/server/internal/handler/issue_child_done_stage_test.go b/server/internal/handler/issue_child_done_stage_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..435f97a3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/internal/handler/issue_child_done_stage_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+package handler
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgtype"
+	db "github.com/multica-ai/multica/server/pkg/db/generated"
+)
+
+// child builds a sibling row with the given stage (0 = unstaged/NULL) and
+// status, the only two fields the stage-barrier logic reads.
+func child(stage int32, status string) db.Issue {
+	c := db.Issue{Status: status}
+	if stage != 0 {
+		c.Stage = pgtype.Int4{Int32: stage, Valid: true}
+	}
+	return c
+}
+
+func TestStageBarrierClosed_Unstaged(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		children []db.Issue
+		want     bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:     "last child still leaves a sibling open",
+			children: []db.Issue{child(0, "done"), child(0, "in_progress")},
+			want:     false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "every child terminal closes the single implicit stage",
+			children: []db.Issue{child(0, "done"), child(0, "done")},
+			want:     true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "a backlog sibling holds the barrier open (no surprise cascade)",
+			children: []db.Issue{child(0, "done"), child(0, "backlog")},
+			want:     false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "cancelled counts as terminal",
+			children: []db.Issue{child(0, "done"), child(0, "cancelled")},
+			want:     true,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			// completed is one of the terminal children; identity doesn't matter
+			// for the unstaged path.
+			if got := stageBarrierClosed(tt.children, child(0, "done")); got != tt.want {
+				t.Fatalf("stageBarrierClosed = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStageBarrierClosed_Staged(t *testing.T) {
+	// Three stages: 1 has two children, 2 has two, 3 has one.
+	t.Run("stage 1 not fully done does not fire", func(t *testing.T) {
+		children := []db.Issue{
+			child(1, "done"), child(1, "in_progress"),
+			child(2, "backlog"), child(2, "backlog"),
+			child(3, "backlog"),
+		}
+		if stageBarrierClosed(children, child(1, "done")) {
+			t.Fatal("expected barrier not closed while stage 1 has an open child")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("closing stage 1 fires even though later stages are parked", func(t *testing.T) {
+		children := []db.Issue{
+			child(1, "done"), child(1, "done"),
+			child(2, "backlog"), child(2, "backlog"),
+			child(3, "backlog"),
+		}
+		if !stageBarrierClosed(children, child(1, "done")) {
+			t.Fatal("expected stage 1 barrier to close")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("closing stage 2 fires when stages 1 and 2 are terminal", func(t *testing.T) {
+		children := []db.Issue{
+			child(1, "done"), child(1, "done"),
+			child(2, "done"), child(2, "done"),
+			child(3, "backlog"),
+		}
+		if !stageBarrierClosed(children, child(2, "done")) {
+			t.Fatal("expected stage 2 barrier to close")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("final stage closes once its child finishes", func(t *testing.T) {
+		children := []db.Issue{
+			child(1, "done"), child(1, "done"),
+			child(2, "done"), child(2, "done"),
+			child(3, "done"),
+		}
+		if !stageBarrierClosed(children, child(3, "done")) {
+			t.Fatal("expected final stage barrier to close")
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestStageProgressSummary(t *testing.T) {
+	children := []db.Issue{
+		child(1, "done"), child(1, "done"), child(1, "done"),
+		child(2, "backlog"), child(2, "backlog"), child(2, "backlog"), child(2, "backlog"),
+		child(3, "backlog"), child(3, "backlog"),
+	}
+	summary, next := stageProgressSummary(children, 1)
+	want := "Stage 1: 3/3 done; Stage 2: 0/4 done (next); Stage 3: 0/2 done"
+	if summary != want {
+		t.Fatalf("summary = %q, want %q", summary, want)
+	}
+	if next != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("nextStage = %d, want 2", next)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStageProgressSummary_FinalStageNoNext(t *testing.T) {
+	children := []db.Issue{
+		child(1, "done"), child(1, "done"),
+		child(2, "done"),
+	}
+	_, next := stageProgressSummary(children, 2)
+	if next != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("nextStage = %d, want 0 (no further stages)", next)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/server/internal/service/builtin_skills/multica-working-on-issues/SKILL.md b/server/internal/service/builtin_skills/multica-working-on-issues/SKILL.md
index 31002027e..809c3a980 100644
--- a/server/internal/service/builtin_skills/multica-working-on-issues/SKILL.md
+++ b/server/internal/service/builtin_skills/multica-working-on-issues/SKILL.md
@@ -164,6 +164,40 @@ multica issue status <child-id> todo   # promote when the previous step is truly
 
 Creating every serial step as `todo` enqueues the whole chain at once.
 
+### Stages: order sub-issues into barrier groups
+
+`--stage <N>` (N ≥ 1) groups sub-issues under the same parent into ordered
+stages. The parent assignee is woken **once, when a whole stage finishes** —
+i.e. every sub-issue in the lowest unfinished stage has reached a terminal
+status (`done`/`cancelled`). A completion that does not close a stage is silent
+(no comment, no wake). A sibling set with **no** stages is one implicit stage,
+so the parent is woken once when the *last* sub-issue finishes — not on every
+child.
+
+Advancement is agent-driven: the server only detects the closed barrier and
+wakes the parent assignee, who then decides whether to promote the next stage's
+`backlog` sub-issues to `todo`.
+
+```bash
+# Stage 1 runs now; later stages parked until promoted
+multica issue create --title "Research A" --parent <id> --assignee <agent> --stage 1 --status todo
+multica issue create --title "Research B" --parent <id> --assignee <agent> --stage 1 --status todo
+multica issue create --title "Build"      --parent <id> --assignee <agent> --stage 2 --status backlog
+multica issue create --title "Ship"       --parent <id> --assignee <agent> --stage 3 --status backlog
+```
+
+When both Stage 1 sub-issues finish you (the parent assignee) are woken with a
+"Stage 1 complete" comment. Inspect the layout, then promote the next stage:
+
+```bash
+multica issue children <parent-id>             # sub-issues grouped by stage
+multica issue status <stage-2-child-id> todo   # promote when its deps are met
+```
+
+Read each sub-issue's description before promoting and only promote items whose
+stated dependencies are met; if a description conflicts with the parent's
+breakdown, leave it `backlog` and comment to confirm first.
+
 ## Incorrect → correct
 
 PR title (link the issue):
@@ -173,16 +207,18 @@ Fix login redirect                  # incorrect — no issue key, won't link
 MUL-2759: fix login redirect        # correct — links the PR
 ```
 
-Serial sub-issues (don't start the whole chain):
+Serial / phased sub-issues (don't start the whole chain at once):
 
 ```bash
-# incorrect — both fire immediately
+# incorrect — all fire immediately, no ordering
 multica issue create --title "Step 2" --parent <issue-id> --assignee <agent> --status todo
 multica issue create --title "Step 3" --parent <issue-id> --assignee <agent> --status todo
 
-# correct — parked, promote in turn
-multica issue create --title "Step 2" --parent <issue-id> --assignee <agent> --status backlog
-multica issue create --title "Step 3" --parent <issue-id> --assignee <agent> --status backlog
+# correct — stage them; Stage 1 runs, later stages park and are promoted as
+# each stage's barrier closes
+multica issue create --title "Step 1" --parent <issue-id> --assignee <agent> --stage 1 --status todo
+multica issue create --title "Step 2" --parent <issue-id> --assignee <agent> --stage 2 --status backlog
+multica issue create --title "Step 3" --parent <issue-id> --assignee <agent> --stage 3 --status backlog
 ```
 
 ## References
@@ -191,4 +227,6 @@ multica issue create --title "Step 3" --parent <issue-id> --assignee <agent> --s
 contract above: the `pull-requests` CLI and route, the PR response field list,
 `derivePRState`, the two-path link (`extractIdentifiers`) vs close-intent
 (`extractClosingIdentifiers`) proof, the backlog enqueue lines, child-done
-notify, and the metadata CLI. Re-derive before depending on an exact line.
+notify, the stage column / `stageBarrierClosed` barrier and the `--stage` /
+`issue children` CLI, and the metadata CLI. Re-derive before depending on an
+exact line.
diff --git a/server/internal/service/builtin_skills/multica-working-on-issues/references/working-on-issues-source-map.md b/server/internal/service/builtin_skills/multica-working-on-issues/references/working-on-issues-source-map.md
index 8b9d5e3ad..a14e028e6 100644
--- a/server/internal/service/builtin_skills/multica-working-on-issues/references/working-on-issues-source-map.md
+++ b/server/internal/service/builtin_skills/multica-working-on-issues/references/working-on-issues-source-map.md
@@ -104,13 +104,27 @@ Net: a bare title prefix (`MUL-2759: ...`) or a branch ref links only;
 | `shouldEnqueueAgentTask` returns false for `backlog` (parking lot) | `server/internal/handler/issue.go:2644-2648` | new citation |
 | Backlog → non-backlog (not done/cancelled) enqueues on update | `server/internal/handler/issue.go:2537-2540` | `:2523` |
 | Same contract in batch update | `server/internal/handler/issue.go:3021-3024` | new citation |
-| Child → `done` posts a system comment on the parent | `server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go:51` (`notifyParentOfChildDone`; doc comment at `:15`) | func def `:51` |
+| Child → `done` notifies + wakes the parent, gated by the stage barrier | `server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go:66` (`notifyParentOfChildDone`; doc comment at `:15`; barrier gate at `:115`) | func def `:51` |
 
 Creation with `--status todo` (or any non-backlog status) on an agent-assigned
 issue fires the agent immediately; `--status backlog` parks it with the assignee
 set but no trigger. Promoting `backlog → todo` later fires it then (update path,
 line 2537).
 
+## Sub-issue stages (barrier wake)
+
+| Behavior | File:line |
+|---|---|
+| `issue.stage` column (nullable, `>= 1`) | `server/migrations/123_issue_stage.up.sql` |
+| Stage barrier: notify+wake fire only when the lowest unfinished stage is all-terminal; unstaged set = one implicit stage | `server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go:231` (`stageBarrierClosed`) |
+| Per-stage summary + next stage for the wake comment | `server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go:254` (`stageProgressSummary`) |
+| `--stage` on `issue create` / `issue update` | `server/cmd/multica/cmd_issue.go:328,350` |
+| `multica issue children <id>` (sub-issues grouped by stage) | `server/cmd/multica/cmd_issue.go:114,678`; route `GET /api/issues/{id}/children` → `ListChildIssues` |
+
+Advancement is agent-driven: the server only detects the closed barrier and
+wakes the parent assignee. Promoting the next stage's `backlog` sub-issues to
+`todo` is the woken agent's decision, not a server side effect.
+
 ## Metadata CLI
 
 | Behavior | File:line |
diff --git a/server/internal/service/issue.go b/server/internal/service/issue.go
index a18a0badc..b7cace560 100644
--- a/server/internal/service/issue.go
+++ b/server/internal/service/issue.go
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ type IssueCreateParams struct {
 	OriginID       pgtype.UUID
 	AttachmentIDs  []pgtype.UUID
 	AllowDuplicate bool
+	// Stage groups this issue into an ordered barrier group under its parent
+	// (NULL = unstaged). See issue_child_done.go for the staged-barrier wake.
+	Stage pgtype.Int4
 }
 
 // IssueCreateOpts groups optional knobs for IssueService.Create. Most
@@ -145,7 +148,7 @@ type IssueCreateResult struct {
 //  8. Publish EventIssueCreated to the bus (payload via opts.BroadcastPayload).
 //  9. Capture the IssueCreated analytics event.
 //  10. Enqueue an agent task or trigger the squad leader when the issue is
-//      assigned and not in `backlog`.
+//     assigned and not in `backlog`.
 //
 // Validation that lives in the service (parent existence, project
 // workspace membership, parent → project back-fill) is enforced here so
@@ -239,6 +242,7 @@ func (s *IssueService) Create(ctx context.Context, p IssueCreateParams, opts Iss
 			ProjectID:     projectID,
 			OriginType:    p.OriginType,
 			OriginID:      p.OriginID,
+			Stage:         p.Stage,
 		})
 	} else {
 		issue, err = qtx.CreateIssue(ctx, db.CreateIssueParams{
@@ -257,6 +261,7 @@ func (s *IssueService) Create(ctx context.Context, p IssueCreateParams, opts Iss
 			DueDate:       p.DueDate,
 			Number:        issueNumber,
 			ProjectID:     projectID,
+			Stage:         p.Stage,
 		})
 	}
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/server/internal/util/pgx.go b/server/internal/util/pgx.go
index 7d9c50e37..5b344067c 100644
--- a/server/internal/util/pgx.go
+++ b/server/internal/util/pgx.go
@@ -144,3 +144,17 @@ func Int8ToPtr(v pgtype.Int8) *int64 {
 	}
 	return &v.Int64
 }
+
+func Int4ToPtr(v pgtype.Int4) *int32 {
+	if !v.Valid {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &v.Int32
+}
+
+func PtrToInt4(v *int32) pgtype.Int4 {
+	if v == nil {
+		return pgtype.Int4{}
+	}
+	return pgtype.Int4{Int32: *v, Valid: true}
+}
diff --git a/server/migrations/123_issue_stage.down.sql b/server/migrations/123_issue_stage.down.sql
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..08240f7ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/migrations/123_issue_stage.down.sql
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+ALTER TABLE issue DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS stage;
diff --git a/server/migrations/123_issue_stage.up.sql b/server/migrations/123_issue_stage.up.sql
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1141b9ddf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/migrations/123_issue_stage.up.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+-- Per-issue `stage` ordinal: groups sub-issues sharing the same parent into
+-- ordered barrier groups. NULL = unstaged (the issue does not participate in
+-- staged grouping). Stage is interpreted relative to siblings under the same
+-- parent_issue_id; a value on a top-level issue is inert.
+--
+-- The child-done -> parent notification + assignee wake fires only when a
+-- stage barrier closes — i.e. every child in the lowest unfinished stage has
+-- reached a terminal status (done/cancelled). Unstaged sibling sets behave as
+-- a single implicit stage, so the wake fires once when the last child
+-- finishes rather than on every child. See
+-- server/internal/handler/issue_child_done.go (stageBarrierClosed).
+--
+-- Stages are 1-based; the CHECK keeps the column clean (NULL or >= 1) so the
+-- "unstaged" sentinel stays unambiguous.
+ALTER TABLE issue ADD COLUMN stage INTEGER CHECK (stage IS NULL OR stage >= 1);
diff --git a/server/pkg/db/generated/issue.sql.go b/server/pkg/db/generated/issue.sql.go
index 8b974ddd2..085df88ae 100644
--- a/server/pkg/db/generated/issue.sql.go
+++ b/server/pkg/db/generated/issue.sql.go
@@ -174,10 +174,12 @@ const createIssue = `-- name: CreateIssue :one
 INSERT INTO issue (
     workspace_id, title, description, status, priority,
     assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id,
-    parent_issue_id, position, start_date, due_date, number, project_id
+    parent_issue_id, position, start_date, due_date, number, project_id,
+    stage
 ) VALUES (
-    $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, $12, $13, $14, $15
-) RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata
+    $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, $12, $13, $14, $15,
+    $16
+) RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage
 `
 
 type CreateIssueParams struct {
@@ -196,6 +198,7 @@ type CreateIssueParams struct {
 	DueDate       pgtype.Date `json:"due_date"`
 	Number        int32       `json:"number"`
 	ProjectID     pgtype.UUID `json:"project_id"`
+	Stage         pgtype.Int4 `json:"stage"`
 }
 
 func (q *Queries) CreateIssue(ctx context.Context, arg CreateIssueParams) (Issue, error) {
@@ -215,6 +218,7 @@ func (q *Queries) CreateIssue(ctx context.Context, arg CreateIssueParams) (Issue
 		arg.DueDate,
 		arg.Number,
 		arg.ProjectID,
+		arg.Stage,
 	)
 	var i Issue
 	err := row.Scan(
@@ -242,6 +246,7 @@ func (q *Queries) CreateIssue(ctx context.Context, arg CreateIssueParams) (Issue
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
@@ -251,11 +256,11 @@ INSERT INTO issue (
     workspace_id, title, description, status, priority,
     assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id,
     parent_issue_id, position, start_date, due_date, number, project_id,
-    origin_type, origin_id
+    origin_type, origin_id, stage
 ) VALUES (
     $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, $12, $13, $14, $15,
-    $16, $17
-) RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata
+    $16, $17, $18
+) RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage
 `
 
 type CreateIssueWithOriginParams struct {
@@ -276,6 +281,7 @@ type CreateIssueWithOriginParams struct {
 	ProjectID     pgtype.UUID `json:"project_id"`
 	OriginType    pgtype.Text `json:"origin_type"`
 	OriginID      pgtype.UUID `json:"origin_id"`
+	Stage         pgtype.Int4 `json:"stage"`
 }
 
 func (q *Queries) CreateIssueWithOrigin(ctx context.Context, arg CreateIssueWithOriginParams) (Issue, error) {
@@ -297,6 +303,7 @@ func (q *Queries) CreateIssueWithOrigin(ctx context.Context, arg CreateIssueWith
 		arg.ProjectID,
 		arg.OriginType,
 		arg.OriginID,
+		arg.Stage,
 	)
 	var i Issue
 	err := row.Scan(
@@ -324,6 +331,7 @@ func (q *Queries) CreateIssueWithOrigin(ctx context.Context, arg CreateIssueWith
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
@@ -352,7 +360,7 @@ UPDATE issue SET
     metadata = metadata - $1::text,
     updated_at = now()
 WHERE id = $2 AND workspace_id = $3
-RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata
+RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage
 `
 
 type DeleteIssueMetadataKeyParams struct {
@@ -391,12 +399,13 @@ func (q *Queries) DeleteIssueMetadataKey(ctx context.Context, arg DeleteIssueMet
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const findActiveDuplicateIssue = `-- name: FindActiveDuplicateIssue :one
-SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata FROM issue
+SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage FROM issue
 WHERE workspace_id = $1
   AND status NOT IN ('done', 'cancelled')
   AND project_id IS NOT DISTINCT FROM $2::uuid
@@ -446,12 +455,13 @@ func (q *Queries) FindActiveDuplicateIssue(ctx context.Context, arg FindActiveDu
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const getIssue = `-- name: GetIssue :one
-SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata FROM issue
+SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage FROM issue
 WHERE id = $1
 `
 
@@ -483,12 +493,13 @@ func (q *Queries) GetIssue(ctx context.Context, id pgtype.UUID) (Issue, error) {
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const getIssueByNumber = `-- name: GetIssueByNumber :one
-SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata FROM issue
+SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage FROM issue
 WHERE workspace_id = $1 AND number = $2
 `
 
@@ -525,12 +536,13 @@ func (q *Queries) GetIssueByNumber(ctx context.Context, arg GetIssueByNumberPara
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const getIssueByOrigin = `-- name: GetIssueByOrigin :one
-SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata FROM issue
+SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage FROM issue
 WHERE workspace_id = $1
   AND origin_type = $2
   AND origin_id = $3
@@ -576,12 +588,13 @@ func (q *Queries) GetIssueByOrigin(ctx context.Context, arg GetIssueByOriginPara
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const getIssueInWorkspace = `-- name: GetIssueInWorkspace :one
-SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata FROM issue
+SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage FROM issue
 WHERE id = $1 AND workspace_id = $2
 `
 
@@ -618,12 +631,13 @@ func (q *Queries) GetIssueInWorkspace(ctx context.Context, arg GetIssueInWorkspa
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
 
 const listChildIssues = `-- name: ListChildIssues :many
-SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata FROM issue
+SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage FROM issue
 WHERE parent_issue_id = $1
 ORDER BY position ASC, created_at DESC
 `
@@ -662,6 +676,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListChildIssues(ctx context.Context, parentIssueID pgtype.UUID
 			&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 			&i.StartDate,
 			&i.Metadata,
+			&i.Stage,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -674,7 +689,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListChildIssues(ctx context.Context, parentIssueID pgtype.UUID
 }
 
 const listChildrenByParents = `-- name: ListChildrenByParents :many
-SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata FROM issue
+SELECT id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage FROM issue
 WHERE workspace_id = $1
   AND parent_issue_id = ANY($2::uuid[])
 ORDER BY parent_issue_id, position ASC, created_at DESC
@@ -724,6 +739,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListChildrenByParents(ctx context.Context, arg ListChildrenByP
 			&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 			&i.StartDate,
 			&i.Metadata,
+			&i.Stage,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -738,7 +754,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListChildrenByParents(ctx context.Context, arg ListChildrenByP
 const listIssues = `-- name: ListIssues :many
 SELECT i.id, i.workspace_id, i.title, i.description, i.status, i.priority,
        i.assignee_type, i.assignee_id, i.creator_type, i.creator_id,
-       i.parent_issue_id, i.position, i.start_date, i.due_date, i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.number, i.project_id, i.metadata
+       i.parent_issue_id, i.position, i.start_date, i.due_date, i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.number, i.project_id, i.metadata, i.stage
 FROM issue i
 WHERE i.workspace_id = $1
   AND ($4::text IS NULL OR i.status = $4)
@@ -828,6 +844,7 @@ type ListIssuesRow struct {
 	Number        int32              `json:"number"`
 	ProjectID     pgtype.UUID        `json:"project_id"`
 	Metadata      []byte             `json:"metadata"`
+	Stage         pgtype.Int4        `json:"stage"`
 }
 
 // involves_user_id widens the assignee filter to surface issues where the user
@@ -878,6 +895,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListIssues(ctx context.Context, arg ListIssuesParams) ([]ListI
 			&i.Number,
 			&i.ProjectID,
 			&i.Metadata,
+			&i.Stage,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -892,7 +910,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListIssues(ctx context.Context, arg ListIssuesParams) ([]ListI
 const listOpenIssues = `-- name: ListOpenIssues :many
 SELECT i.id, i.workspace_id, i.title, i.description, i.status, i.priority,
        i.assignee_type, i.assignee_id, i.creator_type, i.creator_id,
-       i.parent_issue_id, i.position, i.start_date, i.due_date, i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.number, i.project_id, i.metadata
+       i.parent_issue_id, i.position, i.start_date, i.due_date, i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.number, i.project_id, i.metadata, i.stage
 FROM issue i
 WHERE i.workspace_id = $1
   AND i.status NOT IN ('done', 'cancelled')
@@ -968,6 +986,7 @@ type ListOpenIssuesRow struct {
 	Number        int32              `json:"number"`
 	ProjectID     pgtype.UUID        `json:"project_id"`
 	Metadata      []byte             `json:"metadata"`
+	Stage         pgtype.Int4        `json:"stage"`
 }
 
 // See ListIssues for the semantics of involves_user_id (mirrors the 4-branch
@@ -1010,6 +1029,7 @@ func (q *Queries) ListOpenIssues(ctx context.Context, arg ListOpenIssuesParams)
 			&i.Number,
 			&i.ProjectID,
 			&i.Metadata,
+			&i.Stage,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -1068,7 +1088,7 @@ UPDATE issue SET
     metadata = jsonb_set(metadata, ARRAY[$1::text], $2::jsonb),
     updated_at = now()
 WHERE id = $3 AND workspace_id = $4
-RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata
+RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage
 `
 
 type SetIssueMetadataKeyParams struct {
@@ -1115,6 +1135,7 @@ func (q *Queries) SetIssueMetadataKey(ctx context.Context, arg SetIssueMetadataK
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
@@ -1132,9 +1153,10 @@ UPDATE issue SET
     due_date = $10,
     parent_issue_id = $11,
     project_id = $12,
+    stage = $13,
     updated_at = now()
 WHERE id = $1
-RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata
+RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage
 `
 
 type UpdateIssueParams struct {
@@ -1150,6 +1172,7 @@ type UpdateIssueParams struct {
 	DueDate       pgtype.Date   `json:"due_date"`
 	ParentIssueID pgtype.UUID   `json:"parent_issue_id"`
 	ProjectID     pgtype.UUID   `json:"project_id"`
+	Stage         pgtype.Int4   `json:"stage"`
 }
 
 func (q *Queries) UpdateIssue(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateIssueParams) (Issue, error) {
@@ -1166,6 +1189,7 @@ func (q *Queries) UpdateIssue(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateIssueParams) (Issue
 		arg.DueDate,
 		arg.ParentIssueID,
 		arg.ProjectID,
+		arg.Stage,
 	)
 	var i Issue
 	err := row.Scan(
@@ -1193,6 +1217,7 @@ func (q *Queries) UpdateIssue(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateIssueParams) (Issue
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
@@ -1202,7 +1227,7 @@ UPDATE issue SET
     status = $2,
     updated_at = now()
 WHERE id = $1 AND workspace_id = $3
-RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata
+RETURNING id, workspace_id, title, description, status, priority, assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id, parent_issue_id, acceptance_criteria, context_refs, position, due_date, created_at, updated_at, number, project_id, origin_type, origin_id, first_executed_at, start_date, metadata, stage
 `
 
 type UpdateIssueStatusParams struct {
@@ -1240,6 +1265,7 @@ func (q *Queries) UpdateIssueStatus(ctx context.Context, arg UpdateIssueStatusPa
 		&i.FirstExecutedAt,
 		&i.StartDate,
 		&i.Metadata,
+		&i.Stage,
 	)
 	return i, err
 }
diff --git a/server/pkg/db/generated/models.go b/server/pkg/db/generated/models.go
index 7fdbab141..1cfbfcd18 100644
--- a/server/pkg/db/generated/models.go
+++ b/server/pkg/db/generated/models.go
@@ -391,6 +391,7 @@ type Issue struct {
 	FirstExecutedAt    pgtype.Timestamptz `json:"first_executed_at"`
 	StartDate          pgtype.Date        `json:"start_date"`
 	Metadata           []byte             `json:"metadata"`
+	Stage              pgtype.Int4        `json:"stage"`
 }
 
 type IssueDependency struct {
diff --git a/server/pkg/db/queries/issue.sql b/server/pkg/db/queries/issue.sql
index d2aaedb1e..e87ae1b1d 100644
--- a/server/pkg/db/queries/issue.sql
+++ b/server/pkg/db/queries/issue.sql
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 -- "Assigned to me"), and the two filters must produce disjoint result sets.
 SELECT i.id, i.workspace_id, i.title, i.description, i.status, i.priority,
        i.assignee_type, i.assignee_id, i.creator_type, i.creator_id,
-       i.parent_issue_id, i.position, i.start_date, i.due_date, i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.number, i.project_id, i.metadata
+       i.parent_issue_id, i.position, i.start_date, i.due_date, i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.number, i.project_id, i.metadata, i.stage
 FROM issue i
 WHERE i.workspace_id = $1
   AND (sqlc.narg('status')::text IS NULL OR i.status = sqlc.narg('status'))
@@ -73,9 +73,11 @@ WHERE id = $1 AND workspace_id = $2;
 INSERT INTO issue (
     workspace_id, title, description, status, priority,
     assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id,
-    parent_issue_id, position, start_date, due_date, number, project_id
+    parent_issue_id, position, start_date, due_date, number, project_id,
+    stage
 ) VALUES (
-    $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, $12, $13, $14, $15
+    $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, $12, $13, $14, $15,
+    sqlc.narg('stage')
 ) RETURNING *;
 
 -- name: GetIssueByNumber :one
@@ -95,6 +97,7 @@ UPDATE issue SET
     due_date = sqlc.narg('due_date'),
     parent_issue_id = sqlc.narg('parent_issue_id'),
     project_id = sqlc.narg('project_id'),
+    stage = sqlc.narg('stage'),
     updated_at = now()
 WHERE id = $1
 RETURNING *;
@@ -112,10 +115,10 @@ INSERT INTO issue (
     workspace_id, title, description, status, priority,
     assignee_type, assignee_id, creator_type, creator_id,
     parent_issue_id, position, start_date, due_date, number, project_id,
-    origin_type, origin_id
+    origin_type, origin_id, stage
 ) VALUES (
     $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10, $11, $12, $13, $14, $15,
-    sqlc.narg('origin_type'), sqlc.narg('origin_id')
+    sqlc.narg('origin_type'), sqlc.narg('origin_id'), sqlc.narg('stage')
 ) RETURNING *;
 
 -- name: LockIssueDuplicateKey :exec
@@ -144,7 +147,7 @@ DELETE FROM issue WHERE id = $1 AND workspace_id = $2;
 -- filter; member-direct assignment is intentionally excluded).
 SELECT i.id, i.workspace_id, i.title, i.description, i.status, i.priority,
        i.assignee_type, i.assignee_id, i.creator_type, i.creator_id,
-       i.parent_issue_id, i.position, i.start_date, i.due_date, i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.number, i.project_id, i.metadata
+       i.parent_issue_id, i.position, i.start_date, i.due_date, i.created_at, i.updated_at, i.number, i.project_id, i.metadata, i.stage
 FROM issue i
 WHERE i.workspace_id = $1
   AND i.status NOT IN ('done', 'cancelled')