diff --git a/src/hooks/todo-continuation-enforcer.test.ts b/src/hooks/todo-continuation-enforcer.test.ts
index 91bf6e3..8594274 100644
--- a/src/hooks/todo-continuation-enforcer.test.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/todo-continuation-enforcer.test.ts
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ describe("todo-continuation-enforcer", () => {
     expect(promptCalls.length).toBe(1)
   })
 
-  test("should cancel countdown on user message", async () => {
+  test("should cancel countdown on user message after grace period", async () => {
     // #given - session starting countdown
     const sessionID = "main-cancel"
     setMainSession(sessionID)
@@ -228,7 +228,8 @@ describe("todo-continuation-enforcer", () => {
       event: { type: "session.idle", properties: { sessionID } },
     })
 
-    // #when - user sends message immediately (before 2s countdown)
+    // #when - wait past grace period (500ms), then user sends message
+    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 600))
     await hook.handler({
       event: {
         type: "message.updated",
@@ -236,11 +237,37 @@ describe("todo-continuation-enforcer", () => {
       },
     })
 
-    // #then - wait past countdown time and verify no injection
+    // #then - wait past countdown time and verify no injection (countdown was cancelled)
     await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 2500))
     expect(promptCalls).toHaveLength(0)
   })
 
+  test("should ignore user message within grace period", async () => {
+    // #given - session starting countdown
+    const sessionID = "main-grace"
+    setMainSession(sessionID)
+
+    const hook = createTodoContinuationEnforcer(createMockPluginInput(), {})
+
+    // #when - session goes idle
+    await hook.handler({
+      event: { type: "session.idle", properties: { sessionID } },
+    })
+
+    // #when - user message arrives within grace period (immediately)
+    await hook.handler({
+      event: {
+        type: "message.updated",
+        properties: { info: { sessionID, role: "user" } }
+      },
+    })
+
+    // #then - countdown should continue (message was ignored)
+    // wait past 2s countdown and verify injection happens
+    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 2500))
+    expect(promptCalls).toHaveLength(1)
+  })
+
   test("should cancel countdown on assistant activity", async () => {
     // #given - session starting countdown
     const sessionID = "main-assistant"
diff --git a/src/hooks/todo-continuation-enforcer.ts b/src/hooks/todo-continuation-enforcer.ts
index 1812d3f..97f4970 100644
--- a/src/hooks/todo-continuation-enforcer.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/todo-continuation-enforcer.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ interface SessionState {
   countdownTimer?: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>
   countdownInterval?: ReturnType<typeof setInterval>
   isRecovering?: boolean
+  countdownStartedAt?: number
 }
 
 const CONTINUATION_PROMPT = `[SYSTEM REMINDER - TODO CONTINUATION]
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ Incomplete tasks remain in your todo list. Continue working on the next pending
 
 const COUNTDOWN_SECONDS = 2
 const TOAST_DURATION_MS = 900
+const COUNTDOWN_GRACE_PERIOD_MS = 500
 
 function getMessageDir(sessionID: string): string | null {
   if (!existsSync(MESSAGE_STORAGE)) return null
@@ -113,6 +115,7 @@ export function createTodoContinuationEnforcer(
       clearInterval(state.countdownInterval)
       state.countdownInterval = undefined
     }
+    state.countdownStartedAt = undefined
   }
 
   function cleanup(sessionID: string): void {
@@ -228,6 +231,7 @@ export function createTodoContinuationEnforcer(
 
     let secondsRemaining = COUNTDOWN_SECONDS
     showCountdownToast(secondsRemaining, incompleteCount)
+    state.countdownStartedAt = Date.now()
 
     state.countdownInterval = setInterval(() => {
       secondsRemaining--
@@ -334,6 +338,13 @@ export function createTodoContinuationEnforcer(
       }
 
       if (role === "user") {
+        if (state?.countdownStartedAt) {
+          const elapsed = Date.now() - state.countdownStartedAt
+          if (elapsed < COUNTDOWN_GRACE_PERIOD_MS) {
+            log(`[${HOOK_NAME}] Ignoring user message in grace period`, { sessionID, elapsed })
+            return
+          }
+        }
         cancelCountdown(sessionID)
         log(`[${HOOK_NAME}] User message: cleared abort state`, { sessionID })
       }