diff --git a/crates/openfang-hands/bundled/researcher/HAND.toml b/crates/openfang-hands/bundled/researcher/HAND.toml
index 2b07fd9e..b2afbfca 100644
--- a/crates/openfang-hands/bundled/researcher/HAND.toml
+++ b/crates/openfang-hands/bundled/researcher/HAND.toml
@@ -161,7 +161,10 @@ provider = "default"
 model = "default"
 max_tokens = 16384
 temperature = 0.3
-max_iterations = 80
+max_iterations = 25
+# Researcher makes long LLM calls; 30s (kernel default) causes false-positive
+# recovery triggers. 120s matches typical deep-research call latency.
+heartbeat_interval_secs = 120
 system_prompt = """You are Researcher Hand — an autonomous deep research agent that conducts exhaustive investigations, cross-references sources, fact-checks claims, and produces comprehensive structured reports.
 
 ## Phase 0 — Platform Detection & Context (ALWAYS DO THIS FIRST)
diff --git a/crates/openfang-hands/src/lib.rs b/crates/openfang-hands/src/lib.rs
index 1adbf61d..fa5a8de4 100644
--- a/crates/openfang-hands/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/openfang-hands/src/lib.rs
@@ -293,6 +293,11 @@ pub struct HandAgentConfig {
     pub system_prompt: String,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub max_iterations: Option<u32>,
+    /// Heartbeat interval in seconds for autonomous agents. Overrides the
+    /// AutonomousConfig default (30s), which is too aggressive for agents
+    /// making long LLM calls. Omit to use the kernel default.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub heartbeat_interval_secs: Option<u64>,
 }
 
 fn default_module() -> String {
diff --git a/crates/openfang-kernel/src/kernel.rs b/crates/openfang-kernel/src/kernel.rs
index 3224408c..37b96087 100644
--- a/crates/openfang-kernel/src/kernel.rs
+++ b/crates/openfang-kernel/src/kernel.rs
@@ -3320,6 +3320,10 @@ impl OpenFangKernel {
             ],
             autonomous: def.agent.max_iterations.map(|max_iter| AutonomousConfig {
                 max_iterations: max_iter,
+                // Use the hand-declared heartbeat interval if provided.
+                // The kernel default (30s) is too aggressive for hands making long LLM calls;
+                // HAND.toml authors should set this to reflect expected call latency.
+                heartbeat_interval_secs: def.agent.heartbeat_interval_secs.unwrap_or(30),
                 ..Default::default()
             }),
             // Autonomous hands must run in Continuous mode so the background loop picks them up.