diff --git a/factory/agents/prompts/ceo.md b/factory/agents/prompts/ceo.md
index 5f730e4..78694b5 100644
--- a/factory/agents/prompts/ceo.md
+++ b/factory/agents/prompts/ceo.md
@@ -1143,7 +1143,37 @@ Save the printed experiment ID as `$EXP_ID`.
 
 #### 2c. Create GitHub Issue
 
-For **code-only** hypotheses (`**Type:** code` or no Type field):
+**Pre-check: Reuse existing issues before creating new ones.**
+
+Before creating a new issue, check if the hypothesis text or the backlog item tag references an existing issue number.
+
+1. Parse the hypothesis text and the `**Backlog item:**` tag (if present) for issue references. Prefer matches in this order:
+   a. Explicit references: `Addresses:? #NNN`, `**Backlog item:** #NNN`, or `issue #NNN`
+   b. If no explicit match and exactly one bare `#NNN` is present, fall back to it
+   c. If multiple bare `#NNN` references remain ambiguous, skip reuse and create a new issue (link the others in the body)
+2. If a reference is found, verify the issue is open:
+   ```bash
+   (cd "$PROJECT_PATH" && gh issue view <number> --json state --jq '.state') 2>/dev/null
+   ```
+   If the command fails or returns anything other than `OPEN`, treat as no existing issue and proceed to create a new one.
+3. If the issue is open, reuse it: set `$ISSUE_NUM` to that number, post an update comment with the current experiment context, and **skip issue creation**:
+   ```bash
+   gh issue comment "$ISSUE_NUM" --body "**Updated for experiment $EXP_ID**
+
+   ## Current hypothesis
+   <hypothesis text>
+
+   ## What to build (this cycle)
+   <specific changes>
+
+   ## Acceptance criteria (this cycle)
+   - [ ] <outcomes>
+   - [ ] Tests pass
+   - [ ] Eval score does not regress"
+   ```
+4. Only create a new issue if no existing open reference is found
+
+For **code-only** hypotheses (`**Type:** code` or no Type field), when no existing issue is found:
 
 ```bash
 gh issue create \
@@ -1164,7 +1194,7 @@ gh issue create \
 - Do NOT touch files outside declared scope"
 ```
 
-For **operational or mixed** hypotheses (`**Type:** operational` or `**Type:** mixed`), add execution sections:
+For **operational or mixed** hypotheses (`**Type:** operational` or `**Type:** mixed`), when no existing issue is found, add execution sections:
 
 ```bash
 gh issue create \
@@ -2059,6 +2089,38 @@ factory begin "$PROJECT_PATH" --hypothesis "<hypothesis text>"
 
 Save the printed experiment ID as `$EXP_ID`.
 
+**Pre-check: Reuse existing issues before creating new ones.**
+
+Before creating a new issue, check if the hypothesis text references an existing issue number.
+
+1. Parse the hypothesis text and the `**Backlog item:**` tag (if present) for issue references. Prefer matches in this order:
+   a. Explicit references: `Addresses:? #NNN`, `**Backlog item:** #NNN`, or `issue #NNN`
+   b. If no explicit match and exactly one bare `#NNN` is present, fall back to it
+   c. If multiple bare `#NNN` references remain ambiguous, skip reuse and create a new issue (link the others in the body)
+2. If a reference is found, verify the issue is open:
+   ```bash
+   (cd "$PROJECT_PATH" && gh issue view <number> --json state --jq '.state') 2>/dev/null
+   ```
+   If the command fails or returns anything other than `OPEN`, treat as no existing issue and proceed to create a new one.
+3. If the issue is open, reuse it: set `$ISSUE_NUM` to that number, post an update comment with the current experiment context, and **skip issue creation**:
+   ```bash
+   gh issue comment "$ISSUE_NUM" --body "**Updated for experiment $EXP_ID**
+
+   ## Current hypothesis
+   <hypothesis text>
+
+   ## What to build (this cycle)
+   <specific changes>
+
+   ## Acceptance criteria (this cycle)
+   - [ ] <outcomes>
+   - [ ] Tests pass
+   - [ ] Eval score does not regress"
+   ```
+4. Only create a new issue if no existing open reference is found
+
+When no existing issue is found:
+
 ```bash
 gh issue create \
     --title "<hypothesis title>" \