diff --git a/src/mind/dmn.rs b/src/mind/dmn.rs
index da25906..599a379 100644
--- a/src/mind/dmn.rs
+++ b/src/mind/dmn.rs
@@ -476,18 +476,13 @@ impl Subconscious {
             match result {
                 Ok(_) => {
                     let name = self.agents[idx].name.clone();
-                    let outputs = std::mem::take(&mut self.agents[idx].auto.outputs);
-                    // Merge into shared persistent state
-                    for (k, v) in &outputs {
-                        self.state.insert(k.clone(), v.clone());
-                    }
 
-                    // Inject all outputs into the conscious agent under one lock
-                    let has_outputs = outputs.contains_key("surface")
-                        || outputs.contains_key("reflection")
-                        || outputs.contains_key("thalamus");
+                    // Check state for outputs (written by the output tool closure)
+                    let has_outputs = self.state.contains_key("surface")
+                        || self.state.contains_key("reflection")
+                        || self.state.contains_key("thalamus");
                     if has_outputs {
-                        if let Some(surface_str) = outputs.get("surface") {
+                        if let Some(surface_str) = self.state.get("surface").cloned() {
                             let store = crate::store::Store::cached().await.ok();
                             let store_guard = match &store {
                                 Some(s) => Some(s.lock().await),
@@ -505,7 +500,7 @@ impl Subconscious {
                             }
                         }
 
-                        if let Some(reflection) = outputs.get("reflection") {
+                        if let Some(reflection) = self.state.get("reflection").cloned() {
                             if !reflection.trim().is_empty() {
                                 agent.push_node(AstNode::dmn(format!(
                                     "--- subconscious reflection ---\n{}",
@@ -514,7 +509,7 @@ impl Subconscious {
                             }
                         }
 
-                        if let Some(nudge) = outputs.get("thalamus") {
+                        if let Some(nudge) = self.state.get("thalamus").cloned() {
                             let nudge = nudge.trim();
                             if !nudge.is_empty() && nudge != "ok" {
                                 agent.push_node(AstNode::dmn(format!(