feat(FN-3942): surface high fan-out blockers in task cards and executor sta

Adds a "high fan-out" indicator that surfaces when a task blocks an unusually large number of downstream tasks, displayed as a warning badge on TaskCards and in the ExecutorStatusBar. The feature includes core type definitions, dashboard UI updates to render the warning with appropriate styling and

Fusion-Task-Id: FN-3942

.changeset/fn-3942-high-fanout-blockers.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@runfusion/fusion": patch
+---
+
+Surface high fan-out blockers in the dashboard by escalating blocker badges and footer status summaries when a blocker has at least 5 active todo dependents.

docs/dashboard-guide.md

@@ -409,15 +409,17 @@ Inspect task definition, logs, review feedback, comments, documents, workflow ou
 
 ### Identifying high-impact blockers
 
-Use the `Blocks N` badge on task cards to spot blockers with high downstream impact:
+Use blocker fan-out signals on task cards and in the footer status bar to spot blockers with high downstream impact:
 
 - `Blocks N` counts active downstream dependents in `triage`, `todo`, `in-progress`, or `in-review`.
+- A card is escalated to **High fan-out** when it has at least **5 active `todo` dependents** (`activeTodoCount >= 5`).
+- Done and archived downstream tasks remain visible for debugging context but do **not** count toward the 5-todo alert threshold.
 - The badge tooltip shows total active dependents plus how many are currently waiting in `todo`.
-- Open a task to the **Blocking** section in Task Detail to view each downstream dependent and click through quickly.
 - `(stale)` markers mean the dependent is blocked through `blockedBy` and matches stale conditions that `clearStaleBlockedBy` self-healing should clear automatically.
 - Stale `dependencies[]` links are shown for awareness but are not auto-cleared by `clearStaleBlockedBy`.
+- The executor footer shows the current worst high fan-out blocker (in-progress/in-review only), ranked by highest todo fan-out, then highest total fan-out, then stable task ID order.
 
-Recommended workflow: when a blocker has high fan-out, prioritize unblocking first (reassign, split, or resolve immediately) before lower-impact tasks.
+Recommended workflow: ordinary chains stay as `Blocks N` so noise stays low; when a blocker crosses the 5-todo threshold, prioritize unblocking first (reassign, split, or resolve immediately) before lower-impact tasks.
 
 ### Logs → Agent Log view
 

packages/core/src/index.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-export { COLUMNS, DEFAULT_COLUMN, isColumn, normalizeColumn, COLUMN_LABELS, COLUMN_DESCRIPTIONS, VALID_TRANSITIONS, DEFAULT_SETTINGS, DEFAULT_GLOBAL_SETTINGS, DEFAULT_PROJECT_SETTINGS, GLOBAL_SETTINGS_KEYS, PROJECT_SETTINGS_KEYS, isGlobalSettingsKey, isProjectSettingsKey, THINKING_LEVELS, THEME_MODES, COLOR_THEMES, WORKFLOW_STEP_TEMPLATES, AGENT_PERMISSIONS, PERMANENT_AGENT_ACTION_CATEGORIES, AGENT_PERMISSION_POLICY_ACTION_CATEGORIES, AGENT_PROVISIONING_APPROVAL_MODES, AGENT_PERMISSION_POLICY_PRESET_IDS, LEGACY_AGENT_PERMISSION_POLICY_ACTION_CATEGORY_ALIASES, APPROVAL_REQUEST_STATUSES, APPROVAL_REQUEST_AUDIT_EVENT_TYPES, normalizeApprovalRequestActionCategory, isValidApprovalRequestTransition, agentToConfigSnapshot, diffConfigSnapshots, isEphemeralAgent, hasAgentIdentity, CheckoutConflictError, DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_PROCEDURE_PATH, getDefaultHeartbeatProcedurePath, EXECUTION_MODES, DEFAULT_EXECUTION_MODE, TASK_PRIORITIES, DEFAULT_TASK_PRIORITY, DASHBOARD_USER_ID, normalizeMessageParticipant, validateMessageMetadata, validateDockerNodeConfig, sanitizeDockerNodeConfigForResponse, normalizeMergeConflictStrategy, buildResearchDocumentKey, REPO_OVERRIDE_RE, SHARED_STATE_SNAPSHOT_VERSION } from "./types.js";
+export { COLUMNS, DEFAULT_COLUMN, isColumn, normalizeColumn, COLUMN_LABELS, COLUMN_DESCRIPTIONS, VALID_TRANSITIONS, DEFAULT_SETTINGS, DEFAULT_GLOBAL_SETTINGS, DEFAULT_PROJECT_SETTINGS, GLOBAL_SETTINGS_KEYS, PROJECT_SETTINGS_KEYS, isGlobalSettingsKey, isProjectSettingsKey, THINKING_LEVELS, THEME_MODES, COLOR_THEMES, WORKFLOW_STEP_TEMPLATES, AGENT_PERMISSIONS, PERMANENT_AGENT_ACTION_CATEGORIES, AGENT_PERMISSION_POLICY_ACTION_CATEGORIES, AGENT_PROVISIONING_APPROVAL_MODES, AGENT_PERMISSION_POLICY_PRESET_IDS, LEGACY_AGENT_PERMISSION_POLICY_ACTION_CATEGORY_ALIASES, APPROVAL_REQUEST_STATUSES, APPROVAL_REQUEST_AUDIT_EVENT_TYPES, normalizeApprovalRequestActionCategory, isValidApprovalRequestTransition, agentToConfigSnapshot, diffConfigSnapshots, isEphemeralAgent, hasAgentIdentity, CheckoutConflictError, DEFAULT_HEARTBEAT_PROCEDURE_PATH, getDefaultHeartbeatProcedurePath, EXECUTION_MODES, DEFAULT_EXECUTION_MODE, TASK_PRIORITIES, DEFAULT_TASK_PRIORITY, HIGH_FANOUT_BLOCKER_TODO_THRESHOLD, DASHBOARD_USER_ID, normalizeMessageParticipant, validateMessageMetadata, validateDockerNodeConfig, sanitizeDockerNodeConfigForResponse, normalizeMergeConflictStrategy, buildResearchDocumentKey, REPO_OVERRIDE_RE, SHARED_STATE_SNAPSHOT_VERSION } from "./types.js";
 export type { Column, IssueInfo, IssueState, TaskSourceIssue, PrInfo, PrStatus, Task, TaskTokenUsage, TaskAttachment, TaskComment, TaskCommentInput, TaskDocument, TaskDocumentRevision, TaskDocumentCreateInput, TaskDocumentWithTask, TaskCreateInput, MeshReplicatedTaskCreatePayload, MeshReplicatedTaskApplyResult, TaskSource, SourceType, TaskDetail, InboxTask, TodoList, TodoItem, TodoListCreateInput, TodoListUpdateInput, TodoItemCreateInput, TodoItemUpdateInput, TodoListWithItems, AgentLogEntry, AgentLogType, AgentRole, BoardConfig, DistributedTaskIdReserveInput, DistributedTaskIdReserveResult, DistributedTaskIdCommitInput, DistributedTaskIdCommitResult, DistributedTaskIdAbortInput, DistributedTaskIdAbortResult, DistributedTaskIdStateInput, DistributedTaskIdStateResult, AutostashOrphanRecord, AutostashOutcome, MergeDetails, MergeResult, MergeConflictStrategy, CanonicalMergeConflictStrategy, Settings, GlobalSettings, ProjectSettings, WebSearchBackend, ResearchEnabledSources, ResearchGlobalDefaults, ResearchProjectLimits, ResearchProjectSettings, EvalFollowUpPolicy, EvalProjectSettings, ResolvedEvalSettings, SettingsScope, DaemonTokenSettings, TaskStep, StepStatus, TaskLogEntry, RunMutationContext, ActivityLogEntry, ActivityEventType, ThinkingLevel, ThemeMode, ColorTheme, ExecutionMode, TaskPriority, UnavailableNodePolicy, PlanningQuestion, PlanningSummary, PlanningResponse, PlanningQuestionType, ArchivedTaskEntry, BatchStatusRequest, BatchStatusResponse, BatchStatusEntry, BatchStatusResult, ModelPreset, WorkflowStep, WorkflowStepMode, WorkflowStepPhase, WorkflowStepInput, WorkflowStepResult, WorkflowStepTemplate, Agent, OrgTreeNode, AgentState, AgentDetail, AgentCreateInput, AgentUpdateInput, AgentApiKey, AgentApiKeyCreateResult, AgentCapability, AgentPromptTemplate, AgentPromptsConfig, AgentPermission, PermanentAgentActionCategory, PermanentAgentSensitiveActionCategory, PermanentAgentGatingContext, AgentPermissionPolicy, AgentPermissionPolicyRules, AgentPermissionPolicyActionCategory, AgentProvisioningApprovalMode, LegacyAgentPermissionPolicyActionCategory, ApprovalRequestActionCategoryInput, ApprovalRequestActionCategory, AgentPermissionPolicyDisposition, AgentPermissionPolicyPresetId, ApprovalRequestStatus, ApprovalRequestAuditEventType, ApprovalRequestActorSnapshot, ApprovalRequestTargetAction, ApprovalRequestAuditEvent, ApprovalRequest, ApprovalRequestCreateInput, ApprovalRequestDecisionInput, ApprovalRequestCompletionInput, ApprovalRequestListInput, TaskAssignSource, AgentAccessState, AgentHeartbeatConfig, AgentBudgetConfig, AgentBudgetStatus, InstructionsBundleConfig, MessageResponseMode, AgentHeartbeatEvent, AgentHeartbeatRun, BlockedStateSnapshot, HeartbeatInvocationSource, AgentTaskSession, AgentRating, AgentRatingSummary, AgentRatingInput, AgentConfigSnapshot, RevisionFieldDiff, AgentConfigRevision, AgentStats, ReflectionTrigger, ReflectionMetrics, AgentReflection, AgentPerformanceSummary, NtfyNotificationEvent, NotificationEvent, NotificationPayload, NotificationProviderConfig, CustomProvider, SteeringComment, ParticipantType, MessageType, Message, MessageCreateInput, MessageFilter, MessageMetadata, MessageReplyReference, Mailbox, CheckoutLease, RunAuditDomain, RunAuditEvent, RunAuditEventInput, RunAuditEventFilter } from "./types.js";
 export { AGENT_VALID_TRANSITIONS } from "./types.js";
 export type { TaskReviewData, TaskReviewSummary, TaskReviewItem } from "./types.js";

packages/core/src/types.ts

@@ -26,6 +26,12 @@ export type TaskPriority = (typeof TASK_PRIORITIES)[number];
  */
 export const DEFAULT_TASK_PRIORITY: TaskPriority = "normal";
 
+/**
+ * Dashboard high-fan-out blocker threshold. A blocker is considered high impact
+ * when at least this many active todo tasks are waiting on it.
+ */
+export const HIGH_FANOUT_BLOCKER_TODO_THRESHOLD = 5;
+
 /**
  * Execution mode for task implementation.
  * Controls how the executor agent approaches the task:

packages/dashboard/README.md

@@ -264,6 +264,7 @@ A persistent footer status bar at the bottom of the dashboard displays real-time
 - **Stuck**: Count of tasks in "in-progress" with no activity for longer than the project's `taskStuckTimeoutMs` setting (shown only when > 0 and the setting is enabled). Uses the same `isTaskStuck()` predicate as task cards and list rows, so the footer count always matches the visible stuck indicators on the board
 - **Queued**: Count of tasks in "todo" column
 - **In Review**: Count of tasks in "in-review" column
+- **High Fan-out**: Shows the worst current blocker in `in-progress`/`in-review` once it reaches **5 todo dependents**; rank order is highest todo count, then highest active total, then stable task ID.
 - **Executor State**: Current state badge (Idle/Running/Paused)
 - **Last Activity**: Relative timestamp of most recent task event
 
@@ -273,7 +274,8 @@ A persistent footer status bar at the bottom of the dashboard displays real-time
 - **Running**: Engine active with running tasks
 
 **Features**:
-- **Shared task list**: Task counts are derived from the same task list used by the board and list views, so the footer always matches the board state exactly. Stuck task detection uses a shared `isTaskStuck()` utility (see `utils/taskStuck.ts`) so the footer count and individual card/row indicators are always consistent
+- **Shared task list**: Task counts are derived from the same task list used by the board and list views, so the footer always matches the board state exactly. Stuck task detection uses a shared `isTaskStuck()` utility (see `utils/taskStuck.ts`) so the footer count and individual card/row indicators are always consistent.
+- **Thresholded blocker escalation**: Task cards keep ordinary `Blocks N` visibility for non-critical chains while escalating only blockers with `activeTodoCount >= 5` to a distinct `High fan-out` signal. Done/archived downstream tasks never contribute to the threshold.
 - **Footer-safe layout**: Project-view content (board, list view, agents view) automatically reserves space for the fixed footer using a CSS custom property (`--executor-footer-height`). The `project-content--with-footer` wrapper class sets this token to 36px on desktop and 32px on mobile, ensuring all content remains fully visible and scrollable above the status bar
 - Real-time updates via 5-second polling for executor state (globalPause, enginePaused, maxConcurrent)
 - Responsive design: collapses labels on mobile screens (<768px); footer height reduces from 36px to 32px

packages/dashboard/app/components/ExecutorStatusBar.css

@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@
   color: var(--color-error);
 }
 
+.executor-status-bar__segment--fanout {
+  color: var(--color-warning);
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
 /* Colored dot indicator */
 /* Colored dot indicator */
 .executor-status-bar__indicator {
@@ -91,6 +96,10 @@
   background: var(--in-review);
 }
 
+.executor-status-bar__indicator--fanout {
+  background: var(--color-warning);
+}
+
 /* Numeric count display */
 .executor-status-bar__count {
   font-family: var(--font-mono);
@@ -121,6 +130,15 @@
   line-height: 1;
 }
 
+.executor-status-bar__fanout-summary {
+  color: var(--text);
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  max-width: 20ch;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+}
+
 /* Separator between count and max */
 .executor-status-bar__separator {
   font-family: var(--font-mono);
@@ -257,6 +275,9 @@
 
 /* Responsive: collapse on small screens */
 @media (max-width: 768px) {
+  .executor-status-bar__fanout-summary {
+    max-width: 14ch;
+  }
   /* Update the footer height token for mobile - must be on the wrapper, not on :root */
   .project-content--with-footer {
     --executor-footer-height: calc(var(--space-lg) * 2 + var(--space-xs));

packages/dashboard/app/components/ExecutorStatusBar.tsx

@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import "./ExecutorStatusBar.css";
 import { useMemo, useState } from "react";
-import type { Task } from "@fusion/core";
+import { HIGH_FANOUT_BLOCKER_TODO_THRESHOLD, type Task } from "@fusion/core";
 import { AlertTriangle, Clock, Folder, Pause, Play, Zap } from "lucide-react";
+import { computeBlockerFanoutMap } from "../hooks/useBlockerFanout";
 import { useExecutorStats } from "../hooks/useExecutorStats";
 import type { ExecutorState, AiSessionSummary } from "../api";
 import { BackgroundTasksIndicator } from "./BackgroundTasksIndicator";
@@ -87,6 +88,30 @@ export function ExecutorStatusBar({ tasks, projectId, taskStuckTimeoutMs, backgr
 
   const relativeTime = useMemo(() => formatRelativeTime(stats.lastActivityAt), [stats.lastActivityAt]);
 
+  const highestFanoutBlocker = useMemo(() => {
+    const fanoutMap = computeBlockerFanoutMap(tasks);
+    const candidates = tasks
+      .filter((task) => task.column === "in-progress" || task.column === "in-review")
+      .map((task) => {
+        const fanout = fanoutMap.get(task.id);
+        if (!fanout || !fanout.isHighFanout) return null;
+        return {
+          id: task.id,
+          activeTodoCount: fanout.activeTodoCount,
+          totalCount: fanout.totalCount,
+          staleCount: fanout.staleBlockedByDependentIds.length,
+        };
+      })
+      .filter((entry): entry is { id: string; activeTodoCount: number; totalCount: number; staleCount: number } => Boolean(entry))
+      .sort((a, b) => {
+        if (b.activeTodoCount !== a.activeTodoCount) return b.activeTodoCount - a.activeTodoCount;
+        if (b.totalCount !== a.totalCount) return b.totalCount - a.totalCount;
+        return a.id.localeCompare(b.id, "en", { numeric: true, sensitivity: "base" });
+      });
+
+    return candidates[0] ?? null;
+  }, [tasks]);
+
   const StateIcon = stateDisplay.icon;
 
   if (error) {
@@ -187,6 +212,23 @@ export function ExecutorStatusBar({ tasks, projectId, taskStuckTimeoutMs, backgr
         <span className="executor-status-bar__count">{stats.inReviewCount}</span>
       </div>
 
+      {highestFanoutBlocker && (
+        <>
+          <span className="executor-status-bar__divider" aria-hidden="true" />
+          <div className="executor-status-bar__segment executor-status-bar__segment--fanout">
+            <span className="executor-status-bar__indicator executor-status-bar__indicator--fanout executor-status-bar__indicator--active" aria-hidden="true" />
+            <span className="executor-status-bar__label">High Fan-out</span>
+            <span
+              className="executor-status-bar__fanout-summary"
+              title={`Top blocker ${highestFanoutBlocker.id}: ${highestFanoutBlocker.activeTodoCount} todo waiting (threshold ${HIGH_FANOUT_BLOCKER_TODO_THRESHOLD}), ${highestFanoutBlocker.totalCount} active total`}
+            >
+              {highestFanoutBlocker.id} · {highestFanoutBlocker.activeTodoCount} todo
+              {highestFanoutBlocker.staleCount > 0 ? ` · ${highestFanoutBlocker.staleCount} stale` : ""}
+            </span>
+          </div>
+        </>
+      )}
+
       {currentProjectPath && onOpenProjectDirectory && (
         <>
           <span className="executor-status-bar__divider" aria-hidden="true" />

packages/dashboard/app/components/TaskCard.css

@@ -432,6 +432,18 @@
   padding-inline: calc(var(--space-xs) / 2);
 }
 
+.card-fanout-badge--high-impact {
+  color: var(--color-warning);
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-warning) 16%, transparent);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-pill);
+  padding-inline: var(--space-xs);
+  font-weight: 600;
+}
+
+.card-fanout-badge--high-impact .card-fanout-count {
+  color: var(--text);
+}
+
 .card-scope-badge[data-tooltip]:hover::after,
 .card-fanout-badge[data-tooltip]:hover::after {
   content: attr(data-tooltip);
@@ -439,7 +451,7 @@
   bottom: 100%;
   left: 50%;
   transform: translateX(-50%);
-  background: var(--bg-card);
+  background: var(--card);
   color: var(--text);
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
@@ -544,6 +556,10 @@
   .card-agent-badge-text {
     display: none;
   }
+
+  .card-fanout-badge--high-impact {
+    padding-inline: calc(var(--space-xs) / 2);
+  }
 }
 
 .card-agent-badge--loading {

packages/dashboard/app/components/TaskCard.tsx

@@ -2,7 +2,14 @@ import "./TaskCard.css";
 import { memo, useCallback, useState, useRef, useEffect, useMemo } from "react";
 import { Link, Clock, Layers, Pencil, ChevronDown, Folder, Target, Bot, Trash2, RotateCw, Zap, GitBranch } from "lucide-react";
 import type { Task, TaskDetail, Column, PrInfo, IssueInfo, TaskPriority } from "@fusion/core";
-import { COLUMN_LABELS, DEFAULT_TASK_PRIORITY, TASK_PRIORITIES, VALID_TRANSITIONS, getErrorMessage } from "@fusion/core";
+import {
+  COLUMN_LABELS,
+  DEFAULT_TASK_PRIORITY,
+  HIGH_FANOUT_BLOCKER_TODO_THRESHOLD,
+  TASK_PRIORITIES,
+  VALID_TRANSITIONS,
+  getErrorMessage,
+} from "@fusion/core";
 import { fetchTaskDetail, uploadAttachment, fetchMission, fetchAgent } from "../api";
 import { GitHubBadge } from "./GitHubBadge";
 import { pickPreferredBadge } from "./TaskCardBadge";
@@ -406,6 +413,7 @@ function areTaskCardPropsEqual(previous: TaskCardProps, next: TaskCardProps): bo
     previous.disableDrag === next.disableDrag &&
     previous.fanout?.totalCount === next.fanout?.totalCount &&
     previous.fanout?.activeTodoCount === next.fanout?.activeTodoCount &&
+    previous.fanout?.isHighFanout === next.fanout?.isHighFanout &&
     areTaskDependenciesEqual(previous.fanout?.dependentIds ?? [], next.fanout?.dependentIds ?? []) &&
     areTaskDependenciesEqual(previous.fanout?.staleBlockedByDependentIds ?? [], next.fanout?.staleBlockedByDependentIds ?? []) &&
     previousTask.id === nextTask.id &&
@@ -1640,12 +1648,14 @@ function TaskCardComponent({
           )}
           {fanout && fanout.totalCount > 0 && (
             <span
-              className={`card-fanout-badge${fanout.staleBlockedByDependentIds.length > 0 ? " card-fanout-badge--stale" : ""}`}
+              className={`card-fanout-badge${fanout.staleBlockedByDependentIds.length > 0 ? " card-fanout-badge--stale" : ""}${fanout.isHighFanout ? " card-fanout-badge--high-impact" : ""}`}
-              data-tooltip={`Blocking ${fanout.totalCount} task(s); ${fanout.activeTodoCount} waiting in todo`}
+              data-tooltip={`Blocking ${fanout.totalCount} active task(s); ${fanout.activeTodoCount} waiting in todo${fanout.isHighFanout ? ` (high fan-out threshold: ${HIGH_FANOUT_BLOCKER_TODO_THRESHOLD})` : ""}`}
             >
               <GitBranch size={12} style={{ verticalAlign: "middle" }} />
               <span>
-                Blocks <span className="card-fanout-count">{fanout.totalCount}</span>
+                {fanout.isHighFanout ? "High fan-out" : "Blocks"}{" "}
+                <span className="card-fanout-count">{fanout.totalCount}</span>
+                {fanout.isHighFanout ? ` (${fanout.activeTodoCount} todo)` : ""}
                 {fanout.staleBlockedByDependentIds.length > 0 ? ` (${fanout.staleBlockedByDependentIds.length} stale)` : ""}
               </span>
             </span>

packages/dashboard/app/components/__tests__/ExecutorStatusBar.test.tsx

@@ -16,6 +16,21 @@ const mockUseExecutorStats = useExecutorStats as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
 /** Minimal empty task list used by tests that mock the hook. */
 const emptyTasks: any[] = [];
 
+function makeTask(id: string, column: string, overrides: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
+  return {
+    id,
+    description: `Task ${id}`,
+    column,
+    dependencies: [],
+    steps: [],
+    currentStep: 0,
+    log: [],
+    createdAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+    updatedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+    ...overrides,
+  };
+}
+
 describe("ExecutorStatusBar", () => {
   const defaultStats: ExecutorStats = {
     runningTaskCount: 2,
@@ -51,6 +66,44 @@ describe("ExecutorStatusBar", () => {
       expect(statusBar).toHaveTextContent("Blocked");
       expect(statusBar).toHaveTextContent("Queued");
       expect(statusBar).toHaveTextContent("In Review");
+      expect(statusBar).not.toHaveTextContent("High Fan-out");
+    });
+
+    it("shows highest high fan-out blocker summary with stable tie-break ordering", () => {
+      const tasks = [
+        makeTask("FN-010", "in-progress"),
+        makeTask("FN-002", "in-review"),
+        makeTask("FN-101", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-010"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-102", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-010"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-103", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-010"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-104", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-010"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-105", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-010"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-201", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-002"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-202", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-002"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-203", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-002"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-204", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-002"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-205", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-002"] }),
+      ];
+
+      render(<ExecutorStatusBar tasks={tasks} />);
+
+      const statusBar = screen.getByRole("status");
+      expect(statusBar).toHaveTextContent("High Fan-out");
+      expect(statusBar).toHaveTextContent("FN-002 · 5 todo");
+    });
+
+    it("does not show high fan-out summary for ordinary chains below threshold", () => {
+      const tasks = [
+        makeTask("FN-500", "in-progress"),
+        makeTask("FN-501", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-500"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-502", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-500"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-503", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-500"] }),
+        makeTask("FN-504", "todo", { dependencies: ["FN-500"] }),
+      ];
+
+      render(<ExecutorStatusBar tasks={tasks} />);
+
+      expect(screen.getByRole("status")).not.toHaveTextContent("High Fan-out");
     });
 
     it("displays running task count", () => {

packages/dashboard/app/components/__tests__/TaskCard.test.tsx

@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ describe("TaskCard", () => {
     rerender(
       <TaskCard
         task={makeTask({ column: "todo" })}
-        fanout={{ totalCount: 0, activeTodoCount: 0, dependentIds: [], staleBlockedByDependentIds: [] }}
+        fanout={{ totalCount: 0, activeTodoCount: 0, dependentIds: [], staleBlockedByDependentIds: [], isHighFanout: false }}
         onOpenDetail={noop}
         addToast={noop}
       />,
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ describe("TaskCard", () => {
     render(
       <TaskCard
         task={makeTask({ column: "in-progress" })}
-        fanout={{ totalCount: 7, activeTodoCount: 4, dependentIds: ["FN-002"], staleBlockedByDependentIds: [] }}
+        fanout={{ totalCount: 7, activeTodoCount: 4, dependentIds: ["FN-002"], staleBlockedByDependentIds: [], isHighFanout: false }}
         onOpenDetail={noop}
         addToast={noop}
       />,
@@ -216,14 +216,14 @@ describe("TaskCard", () => {
     const badge = screen.getByText("Blocks").closest(".card-fanout-badge") as HTMLElement;
     expect(badge).not.toBeNull();
     expect(badge.textContent).toContain("Blocks 7");
-    expect(badge.getAttribute("data-tooltip")).toBe("Blocking 7 task(s); 4 waiting in todo");
+    expect(badge.getAttribute("data-tooltip")).toBe("Blocking 7 active task(s); 4 waiting in todo");
   });
 
   it("applies stale fan-out modifier when stale blockedBy dependents exist", () => {
     const { container } = render(
       <TaskCard
         task={makeTask({ column: "in-progress" })}
-        fanout={{ totalCount: 3, activeTodoCount: 1, dependentIds: ["FN-003"], staleBlockedByDependentIds: ["FN-003"] }}
+        fanout={{ totalCount: 3, activeTodoCount: 1, dependentIds: ["FN-003"], staleBlockedByDependentIds: ["FN-003"], isHighFanout: false }}
         onOpenDetail={noop}
         addToast={noop}
       />,
@@ -234,6 +234,34 @@ describe("TaskCard", () => {
     expect(badge.textContent).toContain("(1 stale)");
   });
 
+  it("escalates only threshold-crossing fan-out badges", () => {
+    const { rerender } = render(
+      <TaskCard
+        task={makeTask({ column: "in-progress" })}
+        fanout={{ totalCount: 8, activeTodoCount: 5, dependentIds: ["FN-003"], staleBlockedByDependentIds: [], isHighFanout: true }}
+        onOpenDetail={noop}
+        addToast={noop}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    let badge = document.querySelector(".card-fanout-badge--high-impact") as HTMLElement;
+    expect(badge).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(badge.textContent).toContain("High fan-out");
+    expect(badge.textContent).toContain("(5 todo)");
+
+    rerender(
+      <TaskCard
+        task={makeTask({ column: "in-progress" })}
+        fanout={{ totalCount: 8, activeTodoCount: 4, dependentIds: ["FN-003"], staleBlockedByDependentIds: [], isHighFanout: false }}
+        onOpenDetail={noop}
+        addToast={noop}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    badge = screen.getByText("Blocks").closest(".card-fanout-badge") as HTMLElement;
+    expect(badge).not.toHaveClass("card-fanout-badge--high-impact");
+  });
+
   it("shows plain paused label when pausedByAgentId is not set", () => {
     render(
       <TaskCard task={makeTask({ paused: true })} onOpenDetail={noop} addToast={noop} />,

packages/dashboard/app/hooks/__tests__/useBlockerFanout.test.ts

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ describe("computeBlockerFanoutMap", () => {
       activeTodoCount: 1,
       dependentIds: ["FN-2"],
       staleBlockedByDependentIds: [],
+      isHighFanout: false,
     });
   });
 
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ describe("computeBlockerFanoutMap", () => {
       activeTodoCount: 1,
       dependentIds: ["FN-2", "FN-3"],
       staleBlockedByDependentIds: [],
+      isHighFanout: false,
     });
   });
 
@@ -72,6 +74,7 @@ describe("computeBlockerFanoutMap", () => {
       activeTodoCount: 1,
       dependentIds: ["FN-2", "FN-3", "FN-4"],
       staleBlockedByDependentIds: [],
+      isHighFanout: false,
     });
   });
 
@@ -86,6 +89,7 @@ describe("computeBlockerFanoutMap", () => {
       activeTodoCount: 2,
       dependentIds: ["FN-2", "FN-3"],
       staleBlockedByDependentIds: ["FN-3"],
+      isHighFanout: false,
     });
   });
 
@@ -126,6 +130,46 @@ describe("computeBlockerFanoutMap", () => {
       activeTodoCount: 2,
       dependentIds: ["D1", "D2", "D3", "D4"],
       staleBlockedByDependentIds: [],
+      isHighFanout: false,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("flags blockers with at least 5 active todo dependents as high fan-out", () => {
+    const tasks = [
+      createTask("B", "in-progress"),
+      createTask("D1", "todo", { dependencies: ["B"] }),
+      createTask("D2", "todo", { dependencies: ["B"] }),
+      createTask("D3", "todo", { blockedBy: "B" }),
+      createTask("D4", "todo", { blockedBy: "B" }),
+      createTask("D5", "todo", { dependencies: ["B"] }),
+      createTask("DONE", "done", { dependencies: ["B"] }),
+    ];
+
+    expect(computeBlockerFanoutMap(tasks).get("B")).toEqual({
+      totalCount: 5,
+      activeTodoCount: 5,
+      dependentIds: ["D1", "D2", "D3", "D4", "D5", "DONE"],
+      staleBlockedByDependentIds: [],
+      isHighFanout: true,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("does not flag ordinary fan-out chains below threshold", () => {
+    const tasks = [
+      createTask("B", "in-review"),
+      createTask("D1", "todo", { dependencies: ["B"] }),
+      createTask("D2", "todo", { blockedBy: "B" }),
+      createTask("D3", "todo", { dependencies: ["B"] }),
+      createTask("D4", "todo", { dependencies: ["B"] }),
+      createTask("ARCH", "archived", { dependencies: ["B"] }),
+    ];
+
+    expect(computeBlockerFanoutMap(tasks).get("B")).toEqual({
+      totalCount: 4,
+      activeTodoCount: 4,
+      dependentIds: ["D1", "D2", "D3", "D4", "ARCH"],
+      staleBlockedByDependentIds: [],
+      isHighFanout: false,
     });
   });
 

packages/dashboard/app/hooks/useBlockerFanout.ts

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 import { useMemo } from "react";
-import type { Task } from "@fusion/core";
+import { HIGH_FANOUT_BLOCKER_TODO_THRESHOLD, type Task } from "@fusion/core";
 
 export interface BlockerFanoutEntry {
   totalCount: number;
   activeTodoCount: number;
   dependentIds: string[];
   staleBlockedByDependentIds: string[];
+  isHighFanout: boolean;
 }
 
 // Keep in sync with packages/engine/src/self-healing.ts
@@ -91,6 +92,7 @@ export function computeBlockerFanoutMap(tasks: Task[]): Map<string, BlockerFanou
       activeTodoCount: entry.activeTodoCount,
       dependentIds: entry.dependentIds,
       staleBlockedByDependentIds,
+      isHighFanout: entry.activeTodoCount >= HIGH_FANOUT_BLOCKER_TODO_THRESHOLD,
     });
   }