diff --git a/frontend/src/api/client.ts b/frontend/src/api/client.ts
index 34e8d7e..5e40391 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/client.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/api/client.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ export interface PipelineStageItem {
 	error: string | null;
 	merge_failure: string | null;
 	agent: AgentAssignment | null;
+	review_hold: boolean | null;
+	manual_qa: boolean | null;
 }
 
 export interface PipelineState {
@@ -312,8 +314,42 @@ export const api = {
 			baseUrl,
 		);
 	},
+	/** Approve a story in QA, moving it to merge. */
+	approveQa(storyId: string) {
+		return callMcpTool("approve_qa", { story_id: storyId });
+	},
+	/** Reject a story in QA, moving it back to current with notes. */
+	rejectQa(storyId: string, notes: string) {
+		return callMcpTool("reject_qa", { story_id: storyId, notes });
+	},
+	/** Launch the QA app for a story's worktree. */
+	launchQaApp(storyId: string) {
+		return callMcpTool("launch_qa_app", { story_id: storyId });
+	},
 };
 
+async function callMcpTool(
+	toolName: string,
+	args: Record<string, unknown>,
+): Promise<string> {
+	const res = await fetch("/mcp", {
+		method: "POST",
+		headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+		body: JSON.stringify({
+			jsonrpc: "2.0",
+			id: 1,
+			method: "tools/call",
+			params: { name: toolName, arguments: args },
+		}),
+	});
+	const json = await res.json();
+	if (json.error) {
+		throw new Error(json.error.message);
+	}
+	const text = json.result?.content?.[0]?.text ?? "";
+	return text;
+}
+
 export class ChatWebSocket {
 	private static sharedSocket: WebSocket | null = null;
 	private static refCount = 0;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/WorkItemDetailPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/components/WorkItemDetailPanel.tsx
index 10820af..dc2b34c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/WorkItemDetailPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/WorkItemDetailPanel.tsx
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ interface WorkItemDetailPanelProps {
 	storyId: string;
 	pipelineVersion: number;
 	onClose: () => void;
+	/** True when the item is in QA and awaiting human review. */
+	reviewHold?: boolean;
 }
 
 function TestCaseRow({ tc }: { tc: TestCaseResult }) {
@@ -109,6 +111,7 @@ export function WorkItemDetailPanel({
 	storyId,
 	pipelineVersion,
 	onClose,
+	reviewHold: _reviewHold,
 }: WorkItemDetailPanelProps) {
 	const [content, setContent] = useState<string | null>(null);
 	const [stage, setStage] = useState<string>("");
diff --git a/server/src/agents/lifecycle.rs b/server/src/agents/lifecycle.rs
index 71957c7..2907620 100644
--- a/server/src/agents/lifecycle.rs
+++ b/server/src/agents/lifecycle.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::process::Command;
 
-use crate::io::story_metadata::clear_front_matter_field;
+use crate::io::story_metadata::{clear_front_matter_field, write_rejection_notes};
 use crate::slog;
 
 pub(super) fn item_type_from_id(item_id: &str) -> &'static str {
@@ -219,6 +219,52 @@ pub fn move_story_to_qa(project_root: &Path, story_id: &str) -> Result<(), Strin
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// Move a story from `work/3_qa/` back to `work/2_current/` and write rejection notes.
+///
+/// Used when a human reviewer rejects a story during manual QA.
+/// Clears the `review_hold` front matter field and appends rejection notes to the story file.
+pub fn reject_story_from_qa(
+    project_root: &Path,
+    story_id: &str,
+    notes: &str,
+) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let sk = project_root.join(".story_kit").join("work");
+    let qa_path = sk.join("3_qa").join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
+    let current_dir = sk.join("2_current");
+    let current_path = current_dir.join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
+
+    if current_path.exists() {
+        return Ok(()); // Already in 2_current — idempotent.
+    }
+
+    if !qa_path.exists() {
+        return Err(format!(
+            "Work item '{story_id}' not found in work/3_qa/. Cannot reject."
+        ));
+    }
+
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&current_dir)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to create work/2_current/ directory: {e}"))?;
+    std::fs::rename(&qa_path, &current_path)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to move '{story_id}' from 3_qa/ to 2_current/: {e}"))?;
+
+    // Clear review_hold since the story is going back for rework.
+    if let Err(e) = clear_front_matter_field(&current_path, "review_hold") {
+        slog!("[lifecycle] Warning: could not clear review_hold from '{story_id}': {e}");
+    }
+
+    // Write rejection notes into the story file so the coder can see what needs fixing.
+    if !notes.is_empty()
+        && let Err(e) = write_rejection_notes(&current_path, notes)
+    {
+        slog!("[lifecycle] Warning: could not write rejection notes to '{story_id}': {e}");
+    }
+
+    slog!("[lifecycle] Rejected '{story_id}' from work/3_qa/ back to work/2_current/");
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 /// Move a bug from `work/2_current/` or `work/1_backlog/` to `work/5_done/` and auto-commit.
 ///
 /// * If the bug is in `2_current/`, it is moved to `5_done/` and committed.
@@ -552,4 +598,51 @@ mod tests {
             "should return false when no feature branch"
         );
     }
+
+    // ── reject_story_from_qa tests ────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    #[test]
+    fn reject_story_from_qa_moves_to_current() {
+        use std::fs;
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let root = tmp.path();
+        let qa_dir = root.join(".story_kit/work/3_qa");
+        let current_dir = root.join(".story_kit/work/2_current");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&qa_dir).unwrap();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&current_dir).unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            qa_dir.join("50_story_test.md"),
+            "---\nname: Test\nreview_hold: true\n---\n# Story\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        reject_story_from_qa(root, "50_story_test", "Button color wrong").unwrap();
+
+        assert!(!qa_dir.join("50_story_test.md").exists());
+        assert!(current_dir.join("50_story_test.md").exists());
+        let contents = fs::read_to_string(current_dir.join("50_story_test.md")).unwrap();
+        assert!(contents.contains("Button color wrong"));
+        assert!(contents.contains("## QA Rejection Notes"));
+        assert!(!contents.contains("review_hold"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn reject_story_from_qa_errors_when_not_in_qa() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let result = reject_story_from_qa(tmp.path(), "99_nonexistent", "notes");
+        assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("not found in work/3_qa/"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn reject_story_from_qa_idempotent_when_in_current() {
+        use std::fs;
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let root = tmp.path();
+        let current_dir = root.join(".story_kit/work/2_current");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&current_dir).unwrap();
+        fs::write(current_dir.join("51_story_test.md"), "---\nname: Test\n---\n# Story\n").unwrap();
+
+        reject_story_from_qa(root, "51_story_test", "notes").unwrap();
+        assert!(current_dir.join("51_story_test.md").exists());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/agents/mod.rs b/server/src/agents/mod.rs
index fee1216..3c1373c 100644
--- a/server/src/agents/mod.rs
+++ b/server/src/agents/mod.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use serde::Serialize;
 
 pub use lifecycle::{
     close_bug_to_archive, feature_branch_has_unmerged_changes, move_story_to_archived,
-    move_story_to_merge, move_story_to_qa,
+    move_story_to_merge, move_story_to_qa, reject_story_from_qa,
 };
 pub use pool::AgentPool;
 
diff --git a/server/src/agents/pool.rs b/server/src/agents/pool.rs
index 5cc969b..db7ce43 100644
--- a/server/src/agents/pool.rs
+++ b/server/src/agents/pool.rs
@@ -889,25 +889,37 @@ impl AgentPool {
                     };
 
                     if coverage_passed {
-                        // Spikes skip merge — they stay in 3_qa/ for human review.
-                        if super::lifecycle::item_type_from_id(story_id) == "spike" {
-                            // Mark the spike as held for review so auto-assign won't
-                            // restart QA on it.
+                        // Check whether this item needs human review before merging.
+                        let needs_human_review = {
+                            let item_type = super::lifecycle::item_type_from_id(story_id);
+                            if item_type == "spike" {
+                                true // Spikes always need human review.
+                            } else {
+                                // Stories/bugs: check the manual_qa front matter field (defaults to true).
+                                let qa_dir = project_root.join(".story_kit/work/3_qa");
+                                let story_path = qa_dir.join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
+                                crate::io::story_metadata::requires_manual_qa(&story_path)
+                            }
+                        };
+
+                        if needs_human_review {
+                            // Hold in 3_qa/ for human review.
                             let qa_dir = project_root.join(".story_kit/work/3_qa");
-                            let spike_path = qa_dir.join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
-                            if let Err(e) = crate::io::story_metadata::write_review_hold(&spike_path) {
+                            let story_path = qa_dir.join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
+                            if let Err(e) = crate::io::story_metadata::write_review_hold(&story_path) {
                                 slog_error!("[pipeline] Failed to set review_hold on '{story_id}': {e}");
                             }
                             slog!(
-                                "[pipeline] QA passed for spike '{story_id}'. \
-                                 Stopping for human review (skipping merge). \
+                                "[pipeline] QA passed for '{story_id}'. \
+                                 Holding for human review. \
                                  Worktree preserved at: {worktree_path:?}"
                             );
-                            // Free up the QA slot without advancing the spike.
+                            // Free up the QA slot without advancing.
                             self.auto_assign_available_work(&project_root).await;
                         } else {
                             slog!(
-                                "[pipeline] QA passed gates and coverage for '{story_id}'. Moving to merge."
+                                "[pipeline] QA passed gates and coverage for '{story_id}'. \
+                                 manual_qa: false — moving directly to merge."
                             );
                             if let Err(e) = super::lifecycle::move_story_to_merge(&project_root, story_id) {
                                 slog_error!("[pipeline] Failed to move '{story_id}' to 4_merge/: {e}");
@@ -1746,23 +1758,35 @@ impl AgentPool {
                 };
 
                 if coverage_passed {
-                    // Spikes skip the merge stage — stay in 3_qa/ for human review.
-                    if super::lifecycle::item_type_from_id(story_id) == "spike" {
-                        let spike_path = project_root
+                    // Check whether this item needs human review before merging.
+                    let needs_human_review = {
+                        let item_type = super::lifecycle::item_type_from_id(story_id);
+                        if item_type == "spike" {
+                            true
+                        } else {
+                            let story_path = project_root
+                                .join(".story_kit/work/3_qa")
+                                .join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
+                            crate::io::story_metadata::requires_manual_qa(&story_path)
+                        }
+                    };
+
+                    if needs_human_review {
+                        let story_path = project_root
                             .join(".story_kit/work/3_qa")
                             .join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
-                        if let Err(e) = crate::io::story_metadata::write_review_hold(&spike_path) {
+                        if let Err(e) = crate::io::story_metadata::write_review_hold(&story_path) {
                             eprintln!(
-                                "[startup:reconcile] Failed to set review_hold on spike '{story_id}': {e}"
+                                "[startup:reconcile] Failed to set review_hold on '{story_id}': {e}"
                             );
                         }
                         eprintln!(
-                            "[startup:reconcile] Spike '{story_id}' passed QA — holding for human review."
+                            "[startup:reconcile] '{story_id}' passed QA — holding for human review."
                         );
                         let _ = progress_tx.send(ReconciliationEvent {
                             story_id: story_id.clone(),
                             status: "review_hold".to_string(),
-                            message: "Spike passed QA — waiting for human review.".to_string(),
+                            message: "Passed QA — waiting for human review.".to_string(),
                         });
                     } else if let Err(e) = super::lifecycle::move_story_to_merge(project_root, story_id) {
                         eprintln!(
@@ -2655,7 +2679,12 @@ mod tests {
         // Set up story in 3_qa/
         let qa_dir = root.join(".story_kit/work/3_qa");
         fs::create_dir_all(&qa_dir).unwrap();
-        fs::write(qa_dir.join("51_story_test.md"), "test").unwrap();
+        // manual_qa: false so the story skips human review and goes straight to merge.
+        fs::write(
+            qa_dir.join("51_story_test.md"),
+            "---\nname: Test\nmanual_qa: false\n---\ntest",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
 
         let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
         pool.run_pipeline_advance(
diff --git a/server/src/http/context.rs b/server/src/http/context.rs
index 33f0644..3002ac1 100644
--- a/server/src/http/context.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/context.rs
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ pub struct AppContext {
     /// Receiver for permission requests. The active WebSocket handler locks
     /// this and polls for incoming permission forwards.
     pub perm_rx: Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<PermissionForward>>>,
+    /// Child process of the QA app launched for manual testing.
+    /// Only one instance runs at a time.
+    pub qa_app_process: Arc<std::sync::Mutex<Option<std::process::Child>>>,
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -69,6 +72,7 @@ impl AppContext {
             reconciliation_tx,
             perm_tx,
             perm_rx: Arc::new(tokio::sync::Mutex::new(perm_rx)),
+            qa_app_process: Arc::new(std::sync::Mutex::new(None)),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/http/mcp.rs b/server/src/http/mcp.rs
index 30ebd5a..cfb889e 100644
--- a/server/src/http/mcp.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/mcp.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::agents::{close_bug_to_archive, feature_branch_has_unmerged_changes, move_story_to_archived, move_story_to_merge, move_story_to_qa, AgentStatus, PipelineStage};
+use crate::agents::{close_bug_to_archive, feature_branch_has_unmerged_changes, move_story_to_archived, move_story_to_merge, move_story_to_qa, reject_story_from_qa, AgentStatus, PipelineStage};
 use crate::config::ProjectConfig;
 use crate::log_buffer;
 use crate::slog;
@@ -862,6 +862,52 @@ fn handle_tools_list(id: Option<Value>) -> JsonRpcResponse {
                         "required": ["story_id"]
                     }
                 },
+                {
+                    "name": "approve_qa",
+                    "description": "Approve a story that passed machine QA and is awaiting human review. Moves the story from work/3_qa/ to work/4_merge/ and starts the mergemaster agent.",
+                    "inputSchema": {
+                        "type": "object",
+                        "properties": {
+                            "story_id": {
+                                "type": "string",
+                                "description": "Story identifier (e.g. '247_story_human_qa_gate')"
+                            }
+                        },
+                        "required": ["story_id"]
+                    }
+                },
+                {
+                    "name": "reject_qa",
+                    "description": "Reject a story during human QA review. Moves the story from work/3_qa/ back to work/2_current/ with rejection notes so the coder agent can fix the issues.",
+                    "inputSchema": {
+                        "type": "object",
+                        "properties": {
+                            "story_id": {
+                                "type": "string",
+                                "description": "Story identifier (e.g. '247_story_human_qa_gate')"
+                            },
+                            "notes": {
+                                "type": "string",
+                                "description": "Explanation of what is broken or needs fixing"
+                            }
+                        },
+                        "required": ["story_id", "notes"]
+                    }
+                },
+                {
+                    "name": "launch_qa_app",
+                    "description": "Launch the app from a story's worktree for manual QA testing. Automatically assigns a free port, writes it to .story_kit_port, and starts the backend server. Only one QA app instance runs at a time.",
+                    "inputSchema": {
+                        "type": "object",
+                        "properties": {
+                            "story_id": {
+                                "type": "string",
+                                "description": "Story identifier whose worktree app to launch"
+                            }
+                        },
+                        "required": ["story_id"]
+                    }
+                },
                 {
                     "name": "get_pipeline_status",
                     "description": "Return a structured snapshot of the full work item pipeline. Includes all active stages (current, qa, merge, done) with each item's stage, name, and assigned agent. Also includes upcoming backlog items.",
@@ -979,6 +1025,9 @@ async fn handle_tools_call(
         "report_merge_failure" => tool_report_merge_failure(&args, ctx),
         // QA tools
         "request_qa" => tool_request_qa(&args, ctx).await,
+        "approve_qa" => tool_approve_qa(&args, ctx).await,
+        "reject_qa" => tool_reject_qa(&args, ctx).await,
+        "launch_qa_app" => tool_launch_qa_app(&args, ctx).await,
         // Pipeline status
         "get_pipeline_status" => tool_get_pipeline_status(ctx),
         // Diagnostics
@@ -1947,6 +1996,159 @@ async fn tool_request_qa(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String, Strin
     .map_err(|e| format!("Serialization error: {e}"))
 }
 
+async fn tool_approve_qa(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String, String> {
+    let story_id = args
+        .get("story_id")
+        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+        .ok_or("Missing required argument: story_id")?;
+
+    let project_root = ctx.agents.get_project_root(&ctx.state)?;
+
+    // Clear review_hold before moving
+    let qa_path = project_root
+        .join(".story_kit/work/3_qa")
+        .join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
+    if qa_path.exists() {
+        let _ = crate::io::story_metadata::clear_front_matter_field(&qa_path, "review_hold");
+    }
+
+    // Move story from work/3_qa/ to work/4_merge/
+    move_story_to_merge(&project_root, story_id)?;
+
+    // Start the mergemaster agent
+    let info = ctx
+        .agents
+        .start_agent(&project_root, story_id, Some("mergemaster"), None)
+        .await?;
+
+    serde_json::to_string_pretty(&json!({
+        "story_id": info.story_id,
+        "agent_name": info.agent_name,
+        "status": info.status.to_string(),
+        "message": format!(
+            "Story '{story_id}' approved. Moved to work/4_merge/ and mergemaster agent '{}' started.",
+            info.agent_name
+        ),
+    }))
+    .map_err(|e| format!("Serialization error: {e}"))
+}
+
+async fn tool_reject_qa(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String, String> {
+    let story_id = args
+        .get("story_id")
+        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+        .ok_or("Missing required argument: story_id")?;
+    let notes = args
+        .get("notes")
+        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+        .ok_or("Missing required argument: notes")?;
+
+    let project_root = ctx.agents.get_project_root(&ctx.state)?;
+
+    // Move story from work/3_qa/ back to work/2_current/ with rejection notes
+    reject_story_from_qa(&project_root, story_id, notes)?;
+
+    // Restart the coder agent with rejection context
+    let story_path = project_root
+        .join(".story_kit/work/2_current")
+        .join(format!("{story_id}.md"));
+    let agent_name = if story_path.exists() {
+        let contents = std::fs::read_to_string(&story_path).unwrap_or_default();
+        crate::io::story_metadata::parse_front_matter(&contents)
+            .ok()
+            .and_then(|meta| meta.agent)
+    } else {
+        None
+    };
+    let agent_name = agent_name.as_deref().unwrap_or("coder-opus");
+
+    let context = format!(
+        "\n\n---\n## QA Rejection\n\
+         Your previous implementation was rejected during human QA review.\n\
+         Rejection notes:\n{notes}\n\n\
+         Please fix the issues described above and try again."
+    );
+    if let Err(e) = ctx
+        .agents
+        .start_agent(&project_root, story_id, Some(agent_name), Some(&context))
+        .await
+    {
+        slog_warn!("[qa] Failed to restart coder for '{story_id}' after rejection: {e}");
+    }
+
+    Ok(format!(
+        "Story '{story_id}' rejected and moved back to work/2_current/. Coder agent '{agent_name}' restarted with rejection notes."
+    ))
+}
+
+async fn tool_launch_qa_app(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String, String> {
+    let story_id = args
+        .get("story_id")
+        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+        .ok_or("Missing required argument: story_id")?;
+
+    let project_root = ctx.agents.get_project_root(&ctx.state)?;
+
+    // Find the worktree path for this story
+    let worktrees = crate::worktree::list_worktrees(&project_root)?;
+    let wt = worktrees
+        .iter()
+        .find(|w| w.story_id == story_id)
+        .ok_or_else(|| format!("No worktree found for story '{story_id}'"))?;
+    let wt_path = wt.path.clone();
+
+    // Stop any existing QA app instance
+    {
+        let mut guard = ctx.qa_app_process.lock().unwrap();
+        if let Some(mut child) = guard.take() {
+            let _ = child.kill();
+            let _ = child.wait();
+            slog!("[qa-app] Stopped previous QA app instance.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Find a free port starting from 3100
+    let port = find_free_port(3100);
+
+    // Write .story_kit_port so the frontend dev server knows where to connect
+    let port_file = wt_path.join(".story_kit_port");
+    std::fs::write(&port_file, port.to_string())
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to write .story_kit_port: {e}"))?;
+
+    // Launch the server from the worktree
+    let child = std::process::Command::new("cargo")
+        .args(["run"])
+        .env("STORYKIT_PORT", port.to_string())
+        .current_dir(&wt_path)
+        .stdout(std::process::Stdio::null())
+        .stderr(std::process::Stdio::null())
+        .spawn()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to launch QA app: {e}"))?;
+
+    {
+        let mut guard = ctx.qa_app_process.lock().unwrap();
+        *guard = Some(child);
+    }
+
+    serde_json::to_string_pretty(&json!({
+        "story_id": story_id,
+        "port": port,
+        "worktree_path": wt_path.to_string_lossy(),
+        "message": format!("QA app launched on port {port} from worktree at {}", wt_path.display()),
+    }))
+    .map_err(|e| format!("Serialization error: {e}"))
+}
+
+/// Find a free TCP port starting from `start`.
+fn find_free_port(start: u16) -> u16 {
+    for port in start..start + 100 {
+        if std::net::TcpListener::bind(("127.0.0.1", port)).is_ok() {
+            return port;
+        }
+    }
+    start // fallback
+}
+
 /// Run `git log <base>..HEAD --oneline` in the worktree and return the commit
 /// summaries, or `None` if git is unavailable or there are no new commits.
 async fn get_worktree_commits(worktree_path: &str, base_branch: &str) -> Option<Vec<String>> {
@@ -2383,11 +2585,14 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(names.contains(&"move_story_to_merge"));
         assert!(names.contains(&"report_merge_failure"));
         assert!(names.contains(&"request_qa"));
+        assert!(names.contains(&"approve_qa"));
+        assert!(names.contains(&"reject_qa"));
+        assert!(names.contains(&"launch_qa_app"));
         assert!(names.contains(&"get_server_logs"));
         assert!(names.contains(&"prompt_permission"));
         assert!(names.contains(&"get_pipeline_status"));
         assert!(names.contains(&"rebuild_and_restart"));
-        assert_eq!(tools.len(), 36);
+        assert_eq!(tools.len(), 39);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -3934,6 +4139,80 @@ stage = "coder"
         assert!(!req_names.contains(&"agent_name"));
     }
 
+    // ── approve_qa in tools list ──────────────────────────────────
+
+    #[test]
+    fn approve_qa_in_tools_list() {
+        let resp = handle_tools_list(Some(json!(1)));
+        let tools = resp.result.unwrap()["tools"].as_array().unwrap().clone();
+        let tool = tools.iter().find(|t| t["name"] == "approve_qa");
+        assert!(tool.is_some(), "approve_qa missing from tools list");
+        let t = tool.unwrap();
+        let required = t["inputSchema"]["required"].as_array().unwrap();
+        let req_names: Vec<&str> = required.iter().map(|v| v.as_str().unwrap()).collect();
+        assert!(req_names.contains(&"story_id"));
+    }
+
+    // ── reject_qa in tools list ──────────────────────────────────
+
+    #[test]
+    fn reject_qa_in_tools_list() {
+        let resp = handle_tools_list(Some(json!(1)));
+        let tools = resp.result.unwrap()["tools"].as_array().unwrap().clone();
+        let tool = tools.iter().find(|t| t["name"] == "reject_qa");
+        assert!(tool.is_some(), "reject_qa missing from tools list");
+        let t = tool.unwrap();
+        let required = t["inputSchema"]["required"].as_array().unwrap();
+        let req_names: Vec<&str> = required.iter().map(|v| v.as_str().unwrap()).collect();
+        assert!(req_names.contains(&"story_id"));
+        assert!(req_names.contains(&"notes"));
+    }
+
+    // ── launch_qa_app in tools list ──────────────────────────────
+
+    #[test]
+    fn launch_qa_app_in_tools_list() {
+        let resp = handle_tools_list(Some(json!(1)));
+        let tools = resp.result.unwrap()["tools"].as_array().unwrap().clone();
+        let tool = tools.iter().find(|t| t["name"] == "launch_qa_app");
+        assert!(tool.is_some(), "launch_qa_app missing from tools list");
+        let t = tool.unwrap();
+        let required = t["inputSchema"]["required"].as_array().unwrap();
+        let req_names: Vec<&str> = required.iter().map(|v| v.as_str().unwrap()).collect();
+        assert!(req_names.contains(&"story_id"));
+    }
+
+    // ── approve_qa missing story_id ──────────────────────────────
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn tool_approve_qa_missing_story_id() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
+        let result = tool_approve_qa(&json!({}), &ctx).await;
+        assert!(result.is_err());
+        assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("story_id"));
+    }
+
+    // ── reject_qa missing arguments ──────────────────────────────
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn tool_reject_qa_missing_story_id() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
+        let result = tool_reject_qa(&json!({"notes": "broken"}), &ctx).await;
+        assert!(result.is_err());
+        assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("story_id"));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn tool_reject_qa_missing_notes() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
+        let result = tool_reject_qa(&json!({"story_id": "1_story_test"}), &ctx).await;
+        assert!(result.is_err());
+        assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("notes"));
+    }
+
     // ── tool_validate_stories with file content ───────────────────
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/server/src/http/workflow.rs b/server/src/http/workflow.rs
index ae1f6f9..45f16d2 100644
--- a/server/src/http/workflow.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/workflow.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,12 @@ pub struct UpcomingStory {
     pub merge_failure: Option<String>,
     /// Active agent working on this item, if any.
     pub agent: Option<AgentAssignment>,
+    /// True when the item is held in QA for human review.
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub review_hold: Option<bool>,
+    /// Whether the item requires manual QA (defaults to true when absent).
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub manual_qa: Option<bool>,
 }
 
 pub struct StoryValidationResult {
@@ -117,12 +123,12 @@ fn load_stage_items(
             .to_string();
         let contents = fs::read_to_string(&path)
             .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to read story file {}: {e}", path.display()))?;
-        let (name, error, merge_failure) = match parse_front_matter(&contents) {
-            Ok(meta) => (meta.name, None, meta.merge_failure),
-            Err(e) => (None, Some(e.to_string()), None),
+        let (name, error, merge_failure, review_hold, manual_qa) = match parse_front_matter(&contents) {
+            Ok(meta) => (meta.name, None, meta.merge_failure, meta.review_hold, meta.manual_qa),
+            Err(e) => (None, Some(e.to_string()), None, None, None),
         };
         let agent = agent_map.get(&story_id).cloned();
-        stories.push(UpcomingStory { story_id, name, error, merge_failure, agent });
+        stories.push(UpcomingStory { story_id, name, error, merge_failure, agent, review_hold, manual_qa });
     }
 
     stories.sort_by(|a, b| a.story_id.cmp(&b.story_id));
diff --git a/server/src/http/ws.rs b/server/src/http/ws.rs
index 65ceda4..3028385 100644
--- a/server/src/http/ws.rs
+++ b/server/src/http/ws.rs
@@ -693,6 +693,8 @@ mod tests {
             error: None,
             merge_failure: None,
             agent: None,
+            review_hold: None,
+            manual_qa: None,
         };
         let resp = WsResponse::PipelineState {
             backlog: vec![story],
@@ -830,6 +832,8 @@ mod tests {
                 error: None,
                 merge_failure: None,
                 agent: None,
+                review_hold: None,
+                manual_qa: None,
             }],
             current: vec![UpcomingStory {
                 story_id: "2_story_b".to_string(),
@@ -837,6 +841,8 @@ mod tests {
                 error: None,
                 merge_failure: None,
                 agent: None,
+                review_hold: None,
+                manual_qa: None,
             }],
             qa: vec![],
             merge: vec![],
@@ -846,6 +852,8 @@ mod tests {
                 error: None,
                 merge_failure: None,
                 agent: None,
+                review_hold: None,
+                manual_qa: None,
             }],
         };
         let resp: WsResponse = state.into();
@@ -1002,6 +1010,8 @@ mod tests {
                     model: Some("claude-3-5-sonnet".to_string()),
                     status: "running".to_string(),
                 }),
+                review_hold: None,
+                manual_qa: None,
             }],
             qa: vec![],
             merge: vec![],
diff --git a/server/src/io/story_metadata.rs b/server/src/io/story_metadata.rs
index af27573..51e7f9c 100644
--- a/server/src/io/story_metadata.rs
+++ b/server/src/io/story_metadata.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ pub struct StoryMetadata {
     pub merge_failure: Option<String>,
     pub agent: Option<String>,
     pub review_hold: Option<bool>,
+    pub manual_qa: Option<bool>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ struct FrontMatter {
     merge_failure: Option<String>,
     agent: Option<String>,
     review_hold: Option<bool>,
+    manual_qa: Option<bool>,
 }
 
 pub fn parse_front_matter(contents: &str) -> Result<StoryMetadata, StoryMetaError> {
@@ -67,6 +69,7 @@ fn build_metadata(front: FrontMatter) -> StoryMetadata {
         merge_failure: front.merge_failure,
         agent: front.agent,
         review_hold: front.review_hold,
+        manual_qa: front.manual_qa,
     }
 }
 
@@ -193,6 +196,32 @@ pub fn set_front_matter_field(contents: &str, key: &str, value: &str) -> String
     result
 }
 
+/// Append rejection notes to a story file body.
+///
+/// Adds a `## QA Rejection Notes` section at the end of the file so the coder
+/// agent can see what needs fixing.
+pub fn write_rejection_notes(path: &Path, notes: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let contents =
+        fs::read_to_string(path).map_err(|e| format!("Failed to read story file: {e}"))?;
+
+    let section = format!("\n\n## QA Rejection Notes\n\n{notes}\n");
+    let updated = format!("{contents}{section}");
+    fs::write(path, &updated).map_err(|e| format!("Failed to write story file: {e}"))?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Check whether a story requires manual QA (defaults to true).
+pub fn requires_manual_qa(path: &Path) -> bool {
+    let contents = match fs::read_to_string(path) {
+        Ok(c) => c,
+        Err(_) => return true,
+    };
+    match parse_front_matter(&contents) {
+        Ok(meta) => meta.manual_qa.unwrap_or(true),
+        Err(_) => true,
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn parse_unchecked_todos(contents: &str) -> Vec<String> {
     contents
         .lines()
@@ -367,4 +396,45 @@ workflow: tdd
         assert!(contents.contains("review_hold: true"));
         assert!(contents.contains("name: My Spike"));
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_manual_qa_from_front_matter() {
+        let input = "---\nname: Story\nmanual_qa: false\n---\n# Story\n";
+        let meta = parse_front_matter(input).expect("front matter");
+        assert_eq!(meta.manual_qa, Some(false));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn manual_qa_defaults_to_none() {
+        let input = "---\nname: Story\n---\n# Story\n";
+        let meta = parse_front_matter(input).expect("front matter");
+        assert_eq!(meta.manual_qa, None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn requires_manual_qa_defaults_true() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = tmp.path().join("story.md");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "---\nname: Test\n---\n# Story\n").unwrap();
+        assert!(requires_manual_qa(&path));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn requires_manual_qa_false_when_set() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = tmp.path().join("story.md");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "---\nname: Test\nmanual_qa: false\n---\n# Story\n").unwrap();
+        assert!(!requires_manual_qa(&path));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn write_rejection_notes_appends_section() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = tmp.path().join("story.md");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "---\nname: Test\n---\n# Story\n").unwrap();
+        write_rejection_notes(&path, "Button color is wrong").unwrap();
+        let contents = std::fs::read_to_string(&path).unwrap();
+        assert!(contents.contains("## QA Rejection Notes"));
+        assert!(contents.contains("Button color is wrong"));
+    }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/main.rs b/server/src/main.rs
index 32ea4ad..a33a4e5 100644
--- a/server/src/main.rs
+++ b/server/src/main.rs
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
         reconciliation_tx,
         perm_tx,
         perm_rx,
+        qa_app_process: Arc::new(std::sync::Mutex::new(None)),
     };
 
     let app = build_routes(ctx);