diff --git a/docs/plugins/compound-engineering.md b/docs/plugins/compound-engineering.md
index c74a391e49..4d7194a06b 100644
--- a/docs/plugins/compound-engineering.md
+++ b/docs/plugins/compound-engineering.md
@@ -49,8 +49,15 @@ sessions resume/retry back to their current question.
 
 Turn execution is **detached**: start/answer/resume return as soon as the
 session row reflects the request, with the agent turn running in the background
-(failures persist into session state — never an unhandled rejection). While a
-turn runs, the engine streams mid-turn progress (thinking/text deltas + tool
+(failures persist into session state — never an unhandled rejection). **Close**
+only leaves the flow UI; it does not stop the detached agent. **Cancel** is the
+explicit stop action for `launching`/`active`/`awaiting_input` sessions: it
+aborts any live in-process handle, flushes live working output into history, and
+keeps the session row as terminal `interrupted` with `Cancelled by user` so the
+conversation can be inspected or resumed. **Discard** is different: it removes a
+settled session row entirely after disposing any live handle.
+
+While a turn runs, the engine streams mid-turn progress (thinking/text deltas + tool
 markers) through the seam's `onProgress` option; the orchestrator buffers it
 and `GET /sessions/:id` attaches it as transient `liveActivity`. The per-turn
 timeout is **inactivity-based** (progress re-arms it), so long actively-working
@@ -69,9 +76,11 @@ HTTP endpoints (under `/api/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/`):
 - `POST /sessions` → start a stage session
 - `POST /sessions/:id/answer` → answer the awaiting question (send `projectId`)
 - `POST /sessions/:id/resume` → resume an awaiting/interrupted session (send `projectId`)
+- `POST /sessions/:id/cancel` → cancel an in-flight session; stops the agent and keeps the row as `interrupted`
 - `GET /sessions/:id` → current persisted session state (push + poll fallback)
 - `GET /sessions` → list sessions (filter by status/stage)
 - `GET /sessions/:id/links` → the work→board pipeline-link records for a session
+- `DELETE /sessions/:id` → discard a session; stops any live handle and deletes the row
 
 ## Sync model
 
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/README.md b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/README.md
index b354ecc037..643eb66132 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/README.md
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/README.md
@@ -74,10 +74,17 @@ activity; from there you can:
 - **switch** between sessions — the panel stays visible while a flow is open,
   and a session you switch away from keeps running server-side,
 - **resume** an `interrupted`/`error` session from where it stopped,
+- **cancel** an in-flight (`launching`/`active`/`awaiting_input`) session via
+  `POST /sessions/:id/cancel`, which stops any live in-process handle, flushes
+  live progress into history, and keeps the row as `interrupted` with a
+  `Cancelled by user` marker for inspection/resume,
 - **discard** a settled (completed/error/interrupted) session via
   `DELETE /sessions/:id`, which disposes any live handle before deleting the
   row (pipeline-link rows are kept — board-task provenance survives).
 
+Cancel and discard are intentionally different: cancel stops work but preserves
+conversation/progress; discard removes the row entirely.
+
 The list refreshes on any CE push event and falls back to polling
 `GET /sessions` while any session has a turn in flight.
 
@@ -85,7 +92,9 @@ The list refreshes on any CE push event and falls back to polling
 
 Turn execution is **detached**: `POST /sessions`, `/answer`, and `/resume`
 return as soon as the session row reflects the request, with the agent turn
-running in the background. While it runs:
+running in the background. Closing the flow does not cancel the server-side
+agent; use `POST /sessions/:id/cancel` (or the dashboard Cancel button) to stop
+an in-flight turn while preserving the session as `interrupted`. While it runs:
 
 - The engine streams **live progress** through the seam's `onProgress` option
   (thinking/text deltas + tool start/end markers — a host capability any
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/__tests__/orchestrator-cancel.test.ts b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/__tests__/orchestrator-cancel.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9a0d77544d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/__tests__/orchestrator-cancel.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import type { InteractiveAiSession } from "@fusion/core";
+import { CE_EVENTS, CeOrchestrator } from "../session/orchestrator.js";
+import { getCeSessionStore, type CeActivityTurn, type CeSessionStatus } from "../session/session-store.js";
+import { makeHarness, type TestHarness } from "./_harness.js";
+
+interface OrchestratorInternals {
+  live: Map<string, InteractiveAiSession>;
+  activity: Map<string, CeActivityTurn[]>;
+}
+
+function internals(orch: CeOrchestrator): OrchestratorInternals {
+  return orch as unknown as OrchestratorInternals;
+}
+
+function liveHandle(): InteractiveAiSession {
+  return {
+    prompt: vi.fn(),
+    answer: vi.fn(),
+    nextEvent: vi.fn(),
+    dispose: vi.fn(),
+  };
+}
+
+describe("CeOrchestrator.cancel", () => {
+  let h: TestHarness;
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    h?.close();
+  });
+
+  it("interrupts an in-flight session with a live handle, flushes progress, disposes, and emits", () => {
+    h = makeHarness();
+    const store = getCeSessionStore(h.ctx);
+    const orch = new CeOrchestrator({ ctx: h.ctx });
+    const session = store.update(store.create({ stage: "brainstorm" }).id, { status: "active" })!;
+    const handle = liveHandle();
+    internals(orch).live.set(session.id, handle);
+    internals(orch).activity.set(session.id, [
+      { kind: "thinking", text: "drafting cancellable progress", at: new Date().toISOString() },
+    ]);
+
+    const cancelled = orch.cancel(session.id)!;
+
+    expect(cancelled.status).toBe("interrupted");
+    expect(cancelled.error).toBe("Cancelled by user");
+    expect(handle.dispose).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(orch.getLiveActivity(session.id)).toEqual([]);
+    expect(cancelled.conversationHistory.some((t) => t.text.includes("drafting cancellable progress"))).toBe(true);
+    expect(h.emitted).toContainEqual({
+      event: CE_EVENTS.interrupted,
+      data: { sessionId: session.id, message: "Cancelled by user" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it.each<CeSessionStatus>(["launching", "active", "awaiting_input"])(
+    "interrupts %s without requiring a live handle",
+    (status) => {
+      h = makeHarness();
+      const store = getCeSessionStore(h.ctx);
+      const orch = new CeOrchestrator({ ctx: h.ctx });
+      const session = store.update(store.create({ stage: "brainstorm" }).id, { status })!;
+
+      const cancelled = orch.cancel(session.id)!;
+
+      expect(cancelled.status).toBe("interrupted");
+      expect(cancelled.error).toBe("Cancelled by user");
+      expect(h.emitted.map((e) => e.event)).toEqual([CE_EVENTS.interrupted]);
+    },
+  );
+
+  it.each<CeSessionStatus>(["completed", "error", "interrupted"])(
+    "is idempotent for terminal status %s",
+    (status) => {
+      h = makeHarness();
+      const store = getCeSessionStore(h.ctx);
+      const orch = new CeOrchestrator({ ctx: h.ctx });
+      const session = store.update(store.create({ stage: "brainstorm" }).id, {
+        status,
+        error: status === "completed" ? null : "already settled",
+      })!;
+      const handle = liveHandle();
+      internals(orch).live.set(session.id, handle);
+
+      const cancelled = orch.cancel(session.id)!;
+
+      expect(cancelled).toEqual(session);
+      expect(handle.dispose).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(h.emitted).toEqual([]);
+      expect(store.get(session.id)!.status).toBe(status);
+    },
+  );
+
+  it("returns undefined for an unknown session", () => {
+    h = makeHarness();
+    const orch = new CeOrchestrator({ ctx: h.ctx });
+
+    expect(orch.cancel("missing")).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(h.emitted).toEqual([]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/__tests__/session-routes.test.ts b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/__tests__/session-routes.test.ts
index 2d06285cca..f7906b1ea6 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/__tests__/session-routes.test.ts
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/__tests__/session-routes.test.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ describe("session routes (polling transport)", () => {
         "POST /sessions",
         "POST /sessions/:id/answer",
         "POST /sessions/:id/resume",
+        "POST /sessions/:id/cancel",
         "GET /sessions/:id",
         "GET /sessions",
         "DELETE /sessions/:id",
@@ -70,6 +71,40 @@ describe("session routes (polling transport)", () => {
     expect(store.get(keep.id)).toBeDefined();
   });
 
+  it("POST /sessions/:id/cancel interrupts an in-flight session", async () => {
+    const { getCeSessionStore } = await import("../session/session-store.js");
+    const store = getCeSessionStore(h.ctx);
+    const created = store.update(store.create({ stage: "brainstorm" }).id, { status: "active" })!;
+
+    const res = await call("POST", "/sessions/:id/cancel", { params: { id: created.id } }, h.ctx);
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    const session = (res.body as { session: { status: string; error: string | null } }).session;
+    expect(session.status).toBe("interrupted");
+    expect(session.error).toBe("Cancelled by user");
+  });
+
+  it("POST /sessions/:id/cancel returns 404 for an unknown session", async () => {
+    const res = await call("POST", "/sessions/:id/cancel", { params: { id: "nope" } }, h.ctx);
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(404);
+    expect((res.body as { error: string }).error).toMatch(/not found/i);
+  });
+
+  it("POST /sessions/:id/cancel is idempotent for terminal sessions", async () => {
+    const { getCeSessionStore } = await import("../session/session-store.js");
+    const store = getCeSessionStore(h.ctx);
+    const created = store.update(store.create({ stage: "brainstorm" }).id, { status: "completed" })!;
+
+    const res = await call("POST", "/sessions/:id/cancel", { params: { id: created.id } }, h.ctx);
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    const session = (res.body as { session: { status: string; error: string | null } }).session;
+    expect(session.status).toBe("completed");
+    expect(session.error).toBeNull();
+    expect(store.get(created.id)!.status).toBe("completed");
+  });
+
   it("GET /sessions lists every session so a client can manage multiple concurrently", async () => {
     const { getCeSessionStore } = await import("../session/session-store.js");
     const store = getCeSessionStore(h.ctx);
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CeFlow.tsx b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CeFlow.tsx
index 63af5f95b6..b2a24fbbb5 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CeFlow.tsx
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CeFlow.tsx
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ export interface CeFlowProps {
   onAnswer: (questionId: string, response: unknown) => void;
   /** Resume an interrupted/error session. */
   onResume?: () => void;
+  /** Cancel an in-flight session while preserving it as interrupted. */
+  onCancel?: () => void;
   /** Back to the launcher. */
   onClose?: () => void;
 }
@@ -506,7 +508,7 @@ function QuestionPanel({
 // ── Flow surface ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export function CeFlow(props: CeFlowProps) {
-  const { session, busy, error, onAnswer, onResume, onClose } = props;
+  const { session, busy, error, onAnswer, onResume, onCancel, onClose } = props;
 
   const question = session?.currentQuestion ?? undefined;
 
@@ -526,6 +528,7 @@ export function CeFlow(props: CeFlowProps) {
   const status = session.status;
   const settledTerminal = status === "completed";
   const recoverable = status === "interrupted" || status === "error";
+  const cancellable = status === "launching" || status === "active" || status === "awaiting_input";
   const working = status === "active" || status === "launching";
 
   return (
@@ -535,6 +538,17 @@ export function CeFlow(props: CeFlowProps) {
         <span className="ce-flow-status" data-testid="ce-flow-status">
           {status.replace("_", " ")}
         </span>
+        {onCancel && cancellable ? (
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className="btn ce-flow-cancel"
+            data-testid="ce-flow-cancel"
+            onClick={onCancel}
+            disabled={Boolean(busy)}
+          >
+            Cancel
+          </button>
+        ) : null}
         {onClose ? (
           <button type="button" className="btn ce-flow-close" onClick={onClose}>
             Close
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CompoundEngineeringView.css b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CompoundEngineeringView.css
index 88471cddd3..c59aae9d28 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CompoundEngineeringView.css
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CompoundEngineeringView.css
@@ -177,6 +177,18 @@
     width: 100%;
     padding: var(--space-sm);
   }
+
+  .ce-session-row {
+    align-items: stretch;
+    flex-direction: column;
+  }
+
+  .ce-session-cancel,
+  .ce-session-discard,
+  .ce-flow-cancel,
+  .ce-flow-close {
+    margin-left: 0;
+  }
 }
 
 /* --- Stage launcher (U6) --- */
@@ -228,9 +240,13 @@
   color: var(--text-muted);
   text-transform: capitalize;
 }
+.ce-flow-cancel,
 .ce-flow-close {
   margin-left: auto;
 }
+.ce-flow-cancel + .ce-flow-close {
+  margin-left: 0;
+}
 .ce-flow-transcript {
   list-style: none;
   margin: 0;
@@ -425,6 +441,10 @@
   font-size: 0.72rem;
   color: var(--text-dim);
 }
+.ce-session-cancel,
+.ce-session-discard {
+  flex: none;
+}
 
 /* ── Q&A transcript bubbles ────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 .ce-flow-transcript {
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CompoundEngineeringView.tsx b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CompoundEngineeringView.tsx
index 49506a298a..601311f9ae 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CompoundEngineeringView.tsx
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/CompoundEngineeringView.tsx
@@ -74,12 +74,14 @@ function SessionsPanel({
   activeSessionId,
   disabled,
   onOpen,
+  onCancel,
   onDiscard,
 }: {
   sessions: CeSession[];
   activeSessionId?: string;
   disabled: boolean;
   onOpen: (session: CeSession) => void;
+  onCancel: (session: CeSession) => void;
   onDiscard: (session: CeSession) => void;
 }) {
   if (sessions.length === 0) return null;
@@ -124,7 +126,17 @@ function SessionsPanel({
                 >
                   Discard
                 </button>
-              ) : null}
+              ) : (
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="btn ce-session-cancel"
+                  data-testid="ce-session-cancel"
+                  disabled={disabled}
+                  onClick={() => onCancel(s)}
+                >
+                  Cancel
+                </button>
+              )}
             </li>
           );
         })}
@@ -282,6 +294,7 @@ export function CompoundEngineeringView(props: CompoundEngineeringViewProps) {
     ...(subscribeList ? { subscribe: subscribeList } : {}),
   });
   const [launcherOpen, setLauncherOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [sessionActionBusy, setSessionActionBusy] = useState(false);
 
   const totalArtifacts = result?.totalArtifacts ?? 0;
   const totalErrors = result?.totalErrors ?? 0;
@@ -310,9 +323,23 @@ export function CompoundEngineeringView(props: CompoundEngineeringViewProps) {
     [ceSession, projectId],
   );
 
+  const onCancelSession = useCallback(
+    (s: CeSession) => {
+      setSessionActionBusy(true);
+      void ceSessions
+        .cancel(s.id)
+        .then(() => {
+          if (ceSession.session?.id === s.id) ceSession.reset();
+        })
+        .finally(() => setSessionActionBusy(false));
+    },
+    [ceSession, ceSessions],
+  );
+
   const onDiscardSession = useCallback(
     (s: CeSession) => {
-      void ceSessions.remove(s.id);
+      setSessionActionBusy(true);
+      void ceSessions.remove(s.id).finally(() => setSessionActionBusy(false));
     },
     [ceSessions],
   );
@@ -336,16 +363,18 @@ export function CompoundEngineeringView(props: CompoundEngineeringViewProps) {
         <SessionsPanel
           sessions={ceSessions.sessions}
           activeSessionId={ceSession.session.id}
-          disabled={ceSession.busy}
+          disabled={ceSession.busy || sessionActionBusy}
           onOpen={onOpenSession}
+          onCancel={onCancelSession}
           onDiscard={onDiscardSession}
         />
         <CeFlow
           session={ceSession.session}
-          busy={ceSession.busy}
+          busy={ceSession.busy || sessionActionBusy}
           error={ceSession.error}
           onAnswer={ceSession.answer}
           onResume={ceSession.resume}
+          onCancel={() => onCancelSession(ceSession.session!)}
           onClose={onCloseFlow}
         />
       </div>
@@ -376,8 +405,9 @@ export function CompoundEngineeringView(props: CompoundEngineeringViewProps) {
 
       <SessionsPanel
         sessions={ceSessions.sessions}
-        disabled={ceSession.busy}
+        disabled={ceSession.busy || sessionActionBusy}
         onOpen={onOpenSession}
+        onCancel={onCancelSession}
         onDiscard={onDiscardSession}
       />
 
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/__tests__/CeFlow.test.tsx b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/__tests__/CeFlow.test.tsx
index ede600ce43..abfc7898d8 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/__tests__/CeFlow.test.tsx
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/__tests__/CeFlow.test.tsx
@@ -419,6 +419,26 @@ describe("CeFlow — lifecycle surfaces", () => {
     expect(screen.getByTestId("ce-activity-tool")).toHaveTextContent("Grep");
   });
 
+  it.each(["launching", "active", "awaiting_input"] as const)("offers cancel on a %s session", (status) => {
+    const onCancel = vi.fn();
+    render(<CeFlow session={makeSession({ status, currentQuestion: null })} onAnswer={vi.fn()} onCancel={onCancel} />);
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId("ce-flow-cancel"));
+    expect(onCancel).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it.each(["completed", "error", "interrupted"] as const)("hides cancel on a terminal %s session", (status) => {
+    render(<CeFlow session={makeSession({ status, currentQuestion: null })} onAnswer={vi.fn()} onCancel={vi.fn()} />);
+
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId("ce-flow-cancel")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it("disables cancel while busy", () => {
+    render(<CeFlow session={makeSession({ status: "active", currentQuestion: null })} busy onAnswer={vi.fn()} onCancel={vi.fn()} />);
+
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("ce-flow-cancel")).toBeDisabled();
+  });
+
   it("offers resume on an interrupted session", () => {
     const onResume = vi.fn();
     render(
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/__tests__/CompoundEngineeringView.test.tsx b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/__tests__/CompoundEngineeringView.test.tsx
index 0adffa55b9..32ee6e9f68 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/__tests__/CompoundEngineeringView.test.tsx
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/__tests__/CompoundEngineeringView.test.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@ const listArtifacts = vi.fn(async (): Promise<DiscoveryResult> => {
 });
 const listSessions = vi.fn(async (): Promise<CeSession[]> => []);
 const deleteSession = vi.fn(async (_id: string, _projectId?: string): Promise<void> => undefined);
+const cancelSession = vi.fn(async (_id: string, _projectId?: string): Promise<CeSession> => {
+  throw new Error("cancelSession mock not configured");
+});
 const getSession = vi.fn(async (_id: string, _projectId?: string): Promise<CeSession> => {
   throw new Error("getSession mock not configured");
 });
@@ -16,6 +19,7 @@ vi.mock("../hooks/api.js", () => ({
   getArtifactPreviewUrl: (id: string) => `/preview/${id}`,
   listSessions: () => listSessions(),
   deleteSession: (id: string, projectId?: string) => deleteSession(id, projectId),
+  cancelSession: (id: string, projectId?: string) => cancelSession(id, projectId),
   getSession: (id: string, projectId?: string) => getSession(id, projectId),
   startSession: vi.fn(),
   answerSession: vi.fn(),
@@ -79,6 +83,8 @@ describe("CompoundEngineeringView", () => {
     listSessions.mockResolvedValue([]);
     deleteSession.mockReset();
     deleteSession.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    cancelSession.mockReset();
+    cancelSession.mockImplementation(async (id: string, projectId?: string) => mkCeSession({ id, projectId: projectId ?? null, status: "interrupted", error: "Cancelled by user" }));
     getSession.mockReset();
   });
 
@@ -193,8 +199,21 @@ describe("CompoundEngineeringView", () => {
     ]);
     // Awaiting sessions advertise that they need the user.
     expect(rows[0].textContent).toMatch(/needs your input/i);
-    // Only the terminal session can be discarded.
+    // Only non-terminal sessions can be cancelled; only terminal sessions can be discarded.
+    expect(screen.getAllByTestId("ce-session-cancel")).toHaveLength(2);
     expect(screen.getAllByTestId("ce-session-discard")).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(rows[0].querySelector("[data-testid='ce-session-cancel']")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(rows[1].querySelector("[data-testid='ce-session-cancel']")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(rows[2].querySelector("[data-testid='ce-session-cancel']")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it("renders no cancel affordance for an empty sessions list", async () => {
+    listArtifacts.mockResolvedValue(makeResult({}));
+    listSessions.mockResolvedValue([]);
+    render(<CompoundEngineeringView projectId="p1" enabledOverride />);
+
+    await screen.findByTestId("ce-empty-state");
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId("ce-session-cancel")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
   it("opens an existing session from the list into the flow (and back without losing it)", async () => {
@@ -233,6 +252,38 @@ describe("CompoundEngineeringView", () => {
     expect(deleteSession).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it("cancels an in-flight session via the list", async () => {
+    listArtifacts.mockResolvedValue(makeResult({}));
+    listSessions.mockResolvedValue([mkCeSession({ id: "running", stage: "plan", status: "active" })]);
+    render(<CompoundEngineeringView projectId="p1" enabledOverride />);
+
+    await screen.findByTestId("ce-sessions");
+    listSessions.mockResolvedValue([mkCeSession({ id: "running", stage: "plan", status: "interrupted", error: "Cancelled by user" })]);
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId("ce-session-cancel"));
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(cancelSession).toHaveBeenCalledWith("running", "p1"));
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.queryByTestId("ce-session-cancel")).not.toBeInTheDocument());
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("ce-session-discard")).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it("cancels an open flow and returns to the refreshed sessions overview", async () => {
+    listArtifacts.mockResolvedValue(makeResult({}));
+    listSessions.mockResolvedValue([mkCeSession({ id: "flow", stage: "plan", status: "active" })]);
+    getSession.mockResolvedValue(mkCeSession({ id: "flow", stage: "plan", status: "active" }));
+    render(<CompoundEngineeringView projectId="p1" enabledOverride />);
+
+    await screen.findByTestId("ce-sessions");
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId("ce-session-open"));
+    await screen.findByTestId("ce-flow");
+    listSessions.mockResolvedValue([mkCeSession({ id: "flow", stage: "plan", status: "interrupted", error: "Cancelled by user" })]);
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId("ce-flow-cancel"));
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(cancelSession).toHaveBeenCalledWith("flow", "p1"));
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.queryByTestId("ce-flow")).not.toBeInTheDocument());
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("ce-sessions")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("ce-session-discard")).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it("discards a terminal session via the list", async () => {
     listArtifacts.mockResolvedValue(makeResult({}));
     listSessions.mockResolvedValue([mkCeSession({ id: "done", stage: "plan", status: "completed" })]);
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/__tests__/useCeSessions.test.tsx b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/__tests__/useCeSessions.test.tsx
index da0c740f85..ba26a55d1e 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/__tests__/useCeSessions.test.tsx
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/__tests__/useCeSessions.test.tsx
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ function Harness({
       <span data-testid="err">{s.error ?? ""}</span>
       <button onClick={() => void s.refresh()}>refresh</button>
       <button onClick={() => void s.remove("s1")}>remove</button>
+      <button onClick={() => void s.cancel("s1")}>cancel</button>
     </div>
   );
 }
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ describe("useCeSessions (multi-session list)", () => {
 
   it("lists all sessions on mount with the projectId", async () => {
     const list = vi.fn(async () => [mkSession({ id: "s1" }), mkSession({ id: "s2", stage: "plan" })]);
-    const transport: CeSessionsTransport = { list, remove: vi.fn() };
+    const transport: CeSessionsTransport = { list, remove: vi.fn(), cancel: vi.fn() };
     render(<Harness transport={transport} />);
 
     await act(async () => {});
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ describe("useCeSessions (multi-session list)", () => {
       remove: vi.fn(async () => {
         removed = true;
       }),
+      cancel: vi.fn(),
     };
     render(<Harness transport={transport} />);
     await act(async () => {});
@@ -80,6 +82,43 @@ describe("useCeSessions (multi-session list)", () => {
     expect(screen.getByTestId("ids")).toHaveTextContent("s2");
   });
 
+  it("cancel() cancels via the transport then refreshes the list", async () => {
+    let cancelled = false;
+    const transport: CeSessionsTransport = {
+      list: vi.fn(async () => [mkSession({ id: "s1", status: cancelled ? "interrupted" : "active" })]),
+      remove: vi.fn(),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {
+        cancelled = true;
+      }),
+    };
+    render(<Harness transport={transport} />);
+    await act(async () => {});
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("ids")).toHaveTextContent("s1");
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      screen.getByText("cancel").click();
+    });
+    expect(transport.cancel).toHaveBeenCalledWith("s1", "p1");
+    expect(transport.list).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
+  });
+
+  it("cancel() surfaces a transport error without crashing", async () => {
+    const transport: CeSessionsTransport = {
+      list: vi.fn(async () => [mkSession({ id: "s1", status: "active" })]),
+      remove: vi.fn(),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {
+        throw new Error("cancel failed");
+      }),
+    };
+    render(<Harness transport={transport} />);
+    await act(async () => {});
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      screen.getByText("cancel").click();
+    });
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("err")).toHaveTextContent("cancel failed");
+  });
+
   it("refreshes when a push event fires", async () => {
     let fire: (() => void) | undefined;
     const subscribe: CeSessionsSubscribe = (onAnyEvent) => {
@@ -92,6 +131,7 @@ describe("useCeSessions (multi-session list)", () => {
     const transport: CeSessionsTransport = {
       list: vi.fn(async () => Array.from({ length: n }, (_, i) => mkSession({ id: `s${i + 1}` }))),
       remove: vi.fn(),
+      cancel: vi.fn(),
     };
     render(<Harness transport={transport} subscribe={subscribe} />);
     await act(async () => {});
@@ -114,6 +154,7 @@ describe("useCeSessions (multi-session list)", () => {
         return [mkSession({ id: "s1", status: calls >= 3 ? "completed" : "active" })];
       }),
       remove: vi.fn(),
+      cancel: vi.fn(),
     };
     render(<Harness transport={transport} />);
     await act(async () => {
@@ -140,6 +181,7 @@ describe("useCeSessions (multi-session list)", () => {
         throw new Error("kaput");
       }),
       remove: vi.fn(),
+      cancel: vi.fn(),
     };
     render(<Harness transport={transport} />);
     await act(async () => {});
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/api.ts b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/api.ts
index b2a0b0433b..d0e931e097 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/api.ts
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/api.ts
@@ -92,6 +92,16 @@ export async function resumeSession(sessionId: string, projectId?: string): Prom
   return data.session;
 }
 
+/** Cancel an in-flight session without deleting it. `projectId` must match start (see answerSession). */
+export async function cancelSession(sessionId: string, projectId?: string): Promise<CeSession> {
+  const data = await request<{ session: CeSession }>(`/sessions/${encodeURIComponent(sessionId)}/cancel`, {
+    method: "POST",
+    headers: { "content-type": "application/json" },
+    body: JSON.stringify({ projectId }),
+  });
+  return data.session;
+}
+
 /** List CE sessions, newest-activity first (optionally filtered by status/stage). */
 export async function listSessions(
   opts: { projectId?: string; status?: string; stage?: string } = {},
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/useCeSessions.ts b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/useCeSessions.ts
index 663b7a5f65..2797a0e807 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/useCeSessions.ts
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/dashboard/hooks/useCeSessions.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
 import type { CeSession } from "../../session/session-store.js";
-import { deleteSession as deleteSessionApi, listSessions as listSessionsApi } from "./api.js";
+import { cancelSession as cancelSessionApi, deleteSession as deleteSessionApi, listSessions as listSessionsApi } from "./api.js";
 
 /**
  * Injectable list transport so component tests can drive the session list
@@ -9,11 +9,15 @@ import { deleteSession as deleteSessionApi, listSessions as listSessionsApi } fr
 export interface CeSessionsTransport {
   list(projectId?: string): Promise<CeSession[]>;
   remove(sessionId: string, projectId?: string): Promise<void>;
+  cancel(sessionId: string, projectId?: string): Promise<void>;
 }
 
 const defaultTransport: CeSessionsTransport = {
   list: (projectId) => listSessionsApi({ projectId }),
   remove: (id, projectId) => deleteSessionApi(id, projectId),
+  cancel: async (id, projectId) => {
+    await cancelSessionApi(id, projectId);
+  },
 };
 
 /**
@@ -41,6 +45,8 @@ export interface UseCeSessionsResult {
   refresh(): Promise<void>;
   /** Discard a session and refresh the list. */
   remove(sessionId: string): Promise<void>;
+  /** Cancel an in-flight session and refresh the list. */
+  cancel(sessionId: string): Promise<void>;
 }
 
 /** Statuses with an agent turn in flight — the list keeps polling while any exist. */
@@ -123,5 +129,18 @@ export function useCeSessions(options: UseCeSessionsOptions = {}): UseCeSessions
     [transport, projectId, refresh],
   );
 
-  return { sessions, loading, error, refresh, remove };
+  const cancel = useCallback(
+    async (sessionId: string) => {
+      try {
+        await transport.cancel(sessionId, projectId);
+      } catch (err) {
+        if (mounted.current) setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err));
+        return;
+      }
+      await refresh();
+    },
+    [transport, projectId, refresh],
+  );
+
+  return { sessions, loading, error, refresh, remove, cancel };
 }
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/routes/session-routes.ts b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/routes/session-routes.ts
index 2c6e9d647d..4f597f1f63 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/routes/session-routes.ts
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/routes/session-routes.ts
@@ -104,6 +104,17 @@ export function createSessionRoutes(): PluginRouteDefinition[] {
         }
       },
     },
+    {
+      method: "POST",
+      path: "/sessions/:id/cancel",
+      description: "Cancel an in-flight CE session (stops the agent, keeps the row as interrupted).",
+      handler: async (req: unknown, ctx: PluginContext): Promise<PluginRouteResponse> => {
+        const id = (req as RouteRequest).params.id;
+        const session = getOrchestrator(ctx).cancel(id);
+        if (!session) return { status: 404, body: { error: `Session ${id} not found` } };
+        return { status: 200, body: { session } };
+      },
+    },
     {
       method: "GET",
       path: "/sessions/:id",
diff --git a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/session/orchestrator.ts b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/session/orchestrator.ts
index 1f51d00092..229423f3bb 100644
--- a/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/session/orchestrator.ts
+++ b/plugins/fusion-plugin-compound-engineering/src/session/orchestrator.ts
@@ -651,6 +651,26 @@ export class CeOrchestrator {
     return this.store.get(sessionId);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Cancel a session: stop any live in-process handle but keep the persisted row
+   * for inspection/resume by marking it `interrupted`. Unlike discard(), cancel
+   * preserves the conversation and progress; discard stops the handle AND deletes
+   * the row. Terminal sessions are idempotent no-ops.
+   */
+  cancel(sessionId: string): CeSession | undefined {
+    const session = this.store.get(sessionId);
+    if (!session) return undefined;
+    if (session.status === "completed" || session.status === "error" || session.status === "interrupted") {
+      return session;
+    }
+
+    // Preserve no-silent-loss ordering: interruptSession flushes live activity
+    // before disposeLive clears the transient buffers (same as runTurn failure).
+    const interrupted = this.interruptSession(sessionId, new Error("Cancelled by user"));
+    this.disposeLive(sessionId);
+    return interrupted;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Discard a session: dispose any live in-process handle (so an in-flight
    * agent doesn't keep running unobserved) and delete the persisted row.