diff --git a/docker/scribus-novnc/bridge/server.py b/docker/scribus-novnc/bridge/server.py
index 6747c9d..dc7bca6 100644
--- a/docker/scribus-novnc/bridge/server.py
+++ b/docker/scribus-novnc/bridge/server.py
@@ -96,7 +96,12 @@ def start_scribus():
     global _scribus_proc
 
     if _scribus_proc and _scribus_proc.poll() is None:
-        return jsonify({"ok": True, "message": "Scribus already running", "pid": _scribus_proc.pid})
+        if os.path.exists(SOCKET_PATH):
+            return jsonify({"ok": True, "message": "Scribus already running", "pid": _scribus_proc.pid})
+        # Process alive but runner socket missing — kill and restart
+        _scribus_proc.kill()
+        _scribus_proc.wait(timeout=5)
+        _scribus_proc = None
 
     # Clean up stale socket
     if os.path.exists(SOCKET_PATH):
diff --git a/modules/rdesign/design-agent-route.ts b/modules/rdesign/design-agent-route.ts
index 6b566e6..f7a0ba8 100644
--- a/modules/rdesign/design-agent-route.ts
+++ b/modules/rdesign/design-agent-route.ts
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ async function bridgeState(): Promise<any> {
 	}
 }
 
-/** Start Scribus if not running. */
+/** Start Scribus if not running, verify runner is connected. */
 async function ensureScribusRunning(): Promise<any> {
 	const headers: Record<string, string> = { "Content-Type": "application/json" };
 	if (BRIDGE_SECRET) headers["X-Bridge-Secret"] = BRIDGE_SECRET;
@@ -72,7 +72,25 @@ async function ensureScribusRunning(): Promise<any> {
 			headers,
 			signal: AbortSignal.timeout(20_000),
 		});
-		return await res.json();
+		const result = await res.json();
+		if (result.error) return result;
+
+		// Verify runner is actually connected by checking state
+		const stateRes = await fetch(`${SCRIBUS_BRIDGE_URL}/api/scribus/state`, {
+			headers,
+			signal: AbortSignal.timeout(10_000),
+		});
+		const state = await stateRes.json();
+		if (!state.error) return result;
+
+		// Runner not connected — force restart by calling start again
+		// (server.py now kills zombie Scribus when socket is missing)
+		const retryRes = await fetch(`${SCRIBUS_BRIDGE_URL}/api/scribus/start`, {
+			method: "POST",
+			headers,
+			signal: AbortSignal.timeout(20_000),
+		});
+		return await retryRes.json();
 	} catch (e: any) {
 		return { error: `Bridge unreachable: ${e.message}` };
 	}