diff --git a/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/agents/triage.md b/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/agents/triage.md
index 58cc303e0..ea3e0cc24 100644
--- a/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/agents/triage.md
+++ b/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/agents/triage.md
@@ -244,6 +244,23 @@ Information is sufficient for a developer to investigate and fix.
 
 **Choosing a category:** the `feature` category covers issues that describe desired new behavior rather than a defect in existing functionality — the reporter expects something that has never been implemented. Use `feature` only when the described behavior clearly never existed in the product. If there is _any_ possibility the behavior is a regression (it used to work, or the reporter references a specific version where it worked), use `insufficient` instead and ask for version or timeline information. When in doubt, ask — do not prematurely reclassify.
 
+**Estimating effort:** Estimate implementation effort on a 0.25–3 scale matching the RICE effort dimension used by the prioritize agent. Consider:
+
+- **Files and lines of code:** Trivial one-liner vs multi-file change
+- **Architectural impact:** Isolated bug fix vs requires changes across layers or modules
+- **Testing complexity:** Simple unit test vs needs integration tests, mocking, or environment setup
+- **Domain knowledge:** Requires deep understanding of subsystems or external dependencies
+
+| Score | Rough guidance |
+|-------|---------------|
+| 0.25 | Trivial: typo fix, one-line condition change, documentation update |
+| 0.5 | Small: single-function fix, low-risk logic change, isolated update |
+| 1.0 | Moderate: multi-function change, local refactor, requires some test coverage |
+| 2.0 | Substantial: touches multiple files/layers, architectural consideration, thorough test coverage |
+| 3.0 | Large: multi-file refactor, performance work spanning subsystems, complex integration |
+
+Higher effort issues (effort >= 2.0) get routed to human review instead of auto-promoting to the coder — similar to how feature issues already require human prioritization. When in doubt between two scores, round down (bias toward auto-promotion). Only estimate effort for bug/docs/performance categories; feature issues already gate on human review.
+
 ```json
 {
   "action": "sufficient",
@@ -265,7 +282,8 @@ Information is sufficient for a developer to investigate and fix.
     "environment": "Relevant environment details",
     "impact": "Who is affected and how",
     "recommended_fix": "What a developer should investigate.",
-    "proposed_test_case": "Conceptual description of a test that would verify the fix — what to test, expected vs actual behavior, and edge cases to cover. Do not assume a specific test framework or file layout."
+    "proposed_test_case": "Conceptual description of a test that would verify the fix — what to test, expected vs actual behavior, and edge cases to cover. Do not assume a specific test framework or file layout.",
+    "effort": 1.0
   },
   "comment": "A triage summary comment formatted in markdown, presenting the assessment to the maintainers. Include the proposed test case as a fenced code block.",
   "label_actions": {
diff --git a/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/schemas/triage-result.schema.json b/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/schemas/triage-result.schema.json
index 73616cab7..038fe4682 100644
--- a/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/schemas/triage-result.schema.json
+++ b/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/schemas/triage-result.schema.json
@@ -132,7 +132,13 @@
         "environment": { "type": "string" },
         "impact": { "type": "string", "minLength": 1 },
         "recommended_fix": { "type": "string", "minLength": 1 },
-        "proposed_test_case": { "type": "string", "minLength": 1 }
+        "proposed_test_case": { "type": "string", "minLength": 1 },
+        "effort": {
+          "type": "number",
+          "minimum": 0.25,
+          "maximum": 3,
+          "description": "Estimated implementation effort (0.25 = trivial, 1 = moderate, 3 = substantial)"
+        }
       },
       "additionalProperties": false
     },
diff --git a/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/scripts/post-triage-test.sh b/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/scripts/post-triage-test.sh
index fd4f4d8f4..25bbc9cd2 100755
--- a/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/scripts/post-triage-test.sh
+++ b/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/scripts/post-triage-test.sh
@@ -167,48 +167,68 @@ run_test "insufficient-removes-blocked-label" \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels/blocked -X DELETE --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-posts-summary-and-labels" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=ready-to-code --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-bug-gets-ready-to-code" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=ready-to-code --silent"
 
+run_test "sufficient-bug-low-effort-gets-ready-to-code" \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix typo in error message","severity":"low","category":"bug","problem":"Typo","root_cause_hypothesis":"Copy-paste error","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"Minor","recommended_fix":"Fix typo","proposed_test_case":"test_error_message","effort":0.25},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nTrivial fix."}' \
+  "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=ready-to-code --silent"
+
+run_test "sufficient-bug-high-effort-gets-triaged" \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Refactor auth middleware","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Auth middleware incorrectly handles edge cases","root_cause_hypothesis":"Architectural issue","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Refactor auth middleware","proposed_test_case":"test_auth_edge_cases","effort":2.5},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nSubstantial refactor needed."}' \
+  "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=triaged --silent"
+
+run_test_stdout "sufficient-bug-high-effort-logs-reason" \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Refactor auth middleware","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Auth middleware incorrectly handles edge cases","root_cause_hypothesis":"Architectural issue","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Refactor auth middleware","proposed_test_case":"test_auth_edge_cases","effort":2.5},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nSubstantial refactor needed."}' \
+  "High effort (2.5) — applying triaged label for human review..."
+
+run_test "sufficient-documentation-high-effort-gets-triaged" \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Rewrite architecture docs","severity":"medium","category":"documentation","problem":"Outdated arch docs","root_cause_hypothesis":"Not updated","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"N/A","impact":"Contributors","recommended_fix":"Rewrite docs","proposed_test_case":"test_docs","effort":2.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nLarge documentation update."}' \
+  "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=triaged --silent"
+
+run_test "sufficient-performance-high-effort-gets-triaged" \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Optimize database queries across layers","severity":"high","category":"performance","problem":"Slow queries","root_cause_hypothesis":"Missing indexes and N+1 queries","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Production","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Add indexes and refactor query patterns","proposed_test_case":"test_query_performance","effort":3.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nLarge performance optimization."}' \
+  "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=triaged --silent"
+
 run_test "sufficient-feature-gets-triaged" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Add dark mode","severity":"medium","category":"feature","problem":"No dark mode","root_cause_hypothesis":"Not implemented","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Add theme toggle","proposed_test_case":"test_dark_mode"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is a feature."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Add dark mode","severity":"medium","category":"feature","problem":"No dark mode","root_cause_hypothesis":"Not implemented","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Add theme toggle","proposed_test_case":"test_dark_mode","effort":2.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is a feature."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=triaged --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-feature-gets-feature-label" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Add dark mode","severity":"medium","category":"feature","problem":"No dark mode","root_cause_hypothesis":"Not implemented","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Add theme toggle","proposed_test_case":"test_dark_mode"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is a feature."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Add dark mode","severity":"medium","category":"feature","problem":"No dark mode","root_cause_hypothesis":"Not implemented","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Add theme toggle","proposed_test_case":"test_dark_mode","effort":2.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is a feature."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=feature --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-other-gets-triaged" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Misc","severity":"low","category":"other","problem":"Misc","root_cause_hypothesis":"Unclear","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"Some","recommended_fix":"Investigate","proposed_test_case":"test_misc"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nMisc."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Misc","severity":"low","category":"other","problem":"Misc","root_cause_hypothesis":"Unclear","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"Some","recommended_fix":"Investigate","proposed_test_case":"test_misc","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nMisc."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=triaged --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-performance-gets-ready-to-code" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Slow query","severity":"medium","category":"performance","problem":"Slow","root_cause_hypothesis":"Missing index","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Add index","proposed_test_case":"test_query_speed"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is a performance issue."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Slow query","severity":"medium","category":"performance","problem":"Slow","root_cause_hypothesis":"Missing index","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Add index","proposed_test_case":"test_query_speed","effort":0.5},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is a performance issue."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=ready-to-code --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-documentation-gets-ready-to-code" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Update docs","severity":"low","category":"documentation","problem":"Outdated docs","root_cause_hypothesis":"Not updated","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"Contributors","recommended_fix":"Update README","proposed_test_case":"test_docs"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is a documentation issue."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Update docs","severity":"low","category":"documentation","problem":"Outdated docs","root_cause_hypothesis":"Not updated","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"Contributors","recommended_fix":"Update README","proposed_test_case":"test_docs","effort":0.5},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is a documentation issue."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=ready-to-code --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-with-empty-info-gaps-passes" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","information_gaps":[]},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","information_gaps":[],"effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=ready-to-code --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-with-info-gaps-fails" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","information_gaps":["What label naming convention to use?"]},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","information_gaps":["What label naming convention to use?"],"effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
   "" \
   "true"
 
 run_test "sufficient-removes-blocked-label" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","information_gaps":[]},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","information_gaps":[],"effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels/blocked -X DELETE --silent"
 
 run_test "sufficient-removes-needs-info-label" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","information_gaps":[]},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash on save","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_save_crash","information_gaps":[],"effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nThis is ready."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels/needs-info -X DELETE --silent"
 
 run_test "duplicate-labels" \
@@ -299,19 +319,19 @@ run_test "invalid-json-fails" \
   "true"
 
 run_test "label-actions-applied" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"API crash matches area/api label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"API crash matches area/api label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"}]}}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=area/api --silent"
 
 run_test_stdout "label-actions-control-label-refused" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Tried to set control label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"ready-to-code"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Tried to set control label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"ready-to-code"}]}}' \
   "::warning::Refused to add control label 'ready-to-code' -- control labels are managed by the triage pipeline"
 
 run_test_stdout "label-actions-feature-control-label-refused" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Tried to set feature label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"feature"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Tried to set feature label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"feature"}]}}' \
   "::warning::Refused to add control label 'feature' -- control labels are managed by the triage pipeline"
 
 run_test "label-actions-absent-still-posts-comment" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady."}' \
   "fullsend post-comment --repo test-org/test-repo --number 42"
 
 run_test "label-actions-with-insufficient" \
@@ -319,27 +339,27 @@ run_test "label-actions-with-insufficient" \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=component/parser --silent"
 
 run_test "label-actions-reason-appended-to-comment" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"API crash matches area/api label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"API crash matches area/api label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"}]}}' \
   "API crash matches area/api label."
 
 run_test "label-actions-remove" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Stale area label removed.","actions":[{"action":"remove","label":"area/cli"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Stale area label removed.","actions":[{"action":"remove","label":"area/cli"}]}}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels/area%2Fcli -X DELETE --silent"
 
 run_test "label-actions-multiple-add" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Multiple labels apply.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"},{"action":"add","label":"priority/high"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Multiple labels apply.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"},{"action":"add","label":"priority/high"}]}}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=area/api --silent"
 
 run_test "label-actions-multiple-second-label" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Multiple labels apply.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"},{"action":"add","label":"priority/high"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Multiple labels apply.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"},{"action":"add","label":"priority/high"}]}}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=priority/high --silent"
 
 run_test_stdout "label-actions-nonexistent-label-skipped" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Agent recommended a label that does not exist.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"bug"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Agent recommended a label that does not exist.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"bug"}]}}' \
   "::warning::Skipping label 'bug' -- does not exist in repo (will not auto-create)"
 
 run_test_stdout "label-actions-invalid-characters-refused" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Injection attempt.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"label;injection"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Injection attempt.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"label;injection"}]}}' \
   "::warning::Refused label 'label;injection' -- contains invalid characters"
 
 # Verify that when all label actions are refused, the reason is NOT appended to the comment.
@@ -376,7 +396,7 @@ run_test_no_pattern() {
 }
 
 run_test_no_pattern "label-actions-all-refused-no-reason" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Should not appear.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"ready-to-code"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Should not appear.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"ready-to-code"}]}}' \
   "Should not appear."
 
 # run_test_label_order verifies that a pattern appears AFTER another pattern
@@ -436,13 +456,13 @@ run_test_label_order() {
 # Verify ready-to-code is applied AFTER informational labels from label_actions
 # to prevent the ready-to-code webhook event from being superseded (#1752).
 run_test_label_order "ready-to-code-applied-after-label-actions" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Component label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"},{"action":"add","label":"priority/high"}]}}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady.","label_actions":{"reason":"Component label.","actions":[{"action":"add","label":"area/api"},{"action":"add","label":"priority/high"}]}}' \
   "labels[]=priority/high" \
   "labels[]=ready-to-code"
 
 # Verify ready-to-code is still applied when there are no label_actions.
 run_test "ready-to-code-applied-without-label-actions" \
-  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash"},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady."}' \
+  '{"action":"sufficient","reasoning":"all clear","clarity_scores":{"symptom":0.9,"cause":0.85,"reproduction":0.9,"impact":0.8,"overall":0.87},"triage_summary":{"title":"Fix crash","severity":"high","category":"bug","problem":"Crash","root_cause_hypothesis":"Buffer overflow","reproduction_steps":["step 1"],"environment":"Linux","impact":"All users","recommended_fix":"Fix buffer","proposed_test_case":"test_crash","effort":1.0},"comment":"## Triage Summary\n\nReady."}' \
   "gh api repos/test-org/test-repo/issues/42/labels -f labels[]=ready-to-code --silent"
 
 # --- Summary ---
diff --git a/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/scripts/post-triage.sh b/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/scripts/post-triage.sh
index 94cedb01b..6da87f478 100755
--- a/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/scripts/post-triage.sh
+++ b/internal/scaffold/fullsend-repo/scripts/post-triage.sh
@@ -263,12 +263,29 @@ ${FAILED_CREATES}"
     # ready-to-code, which triggers the code agent. Feature work and anything
     # else receives the triaged label and waits for human prioritization
     # (per #561, only feature issues should require human review before coding).
+    #
+    # Effort-based gating (#2207): high-effort bug/docs/performance issues
+    # (effort >= 2.0) get triaged instead of ready-to-code to route them through
+    # human review before dispatching to the code agent.
     CATEGORY=$(jq -r '.triage_summary.category // "unknown"' "${RESULT_FILE}")
-    echo "Category: ${CATEGORY}"
+    EFFORT=$(jq -r '.triage_summary.effort // "null"' "${RESULT_FILE}")
+    echo "Category: ${CATEGORY}, Effort: ${EFFORT}"
     case "${CATEGORY}" in
       bug|documentation|performance)
-        echo "Deferring ready-to-code label (${CATEGORY}) until after label_actions..."
-        DEFERRED_LABEL="ready-to-code"
+        # Effort threshold: >= 2.0 is substantial work, route to human review.
+        # Missing effort → conservatively route to human review (triaged).
+        if [[ "${EFFORT}" == "null" ]]; then
+          echo "Missing effort estimate — applying triaged label for human review..."
+          remove_label "ready-to-code"
+          add_label "triaged"
+        elif awk -v effort="${EFFORT}" 'BEGIN { exit (effort >= 2.0 ? 0 : 1) }'; then
+          echo "High effort (${EFFORT}) — applying triaged label for human review..."
+          remove_label "ready-to-code"
+          add_label "triaged"
+        else
+          echo "Low effort (${EFFORT}) — deferring ready-to-code label until after label_actions..."
+          DEFERRED_LABEL="ready-to-code"
+        fi
         ;;
       feature)
         echo "Applying feature + triaged labels..."