diff --git a/main/CMakeLists.txt b/main/CMakeLists.txt
index 533533e..91cb174 100644
--- a/main/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/main/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ idf_component_register(
         "tools/tool_files.c"
         "tools/tool_cron.c"
         "cron/cron_service.c"
+        "heartbeat/heartbeat.c"
     INCLUDE_DIRS
         "."
     EMBED_FILES
diff --git a/main/agent/context_builder.c b/main/agent/context_builder.c
index 787c230..7365f7e 100644
--- a/main/agent/context_builder.c
+++ b/main/agent/context_builder.c
@@ -58,7 +58,12 @@ esp_err_t context_build_system_prompt(char *buf, size_t size)
         "- Always read_file MEMORY.md before writing, so you can edit_file to update without losing existing content.\n"
         "- Use get_current_time to know today's date before writing daily notes.\n"
         "- Keep MEMORY.md concise and organized — summarize, don't dump raw conversation.\n"
-        "- You should proactively save memory without being asked. If the user tells you their name, preferences, or important facts, persist them immediately.\n");
+        "- You should proactively save memory without being asked. If the user tells you their name, preferences, or important facts, persist them immediately.\n\n"
+        "## Heartbeat\n"
+        "The file /spiffs/config/HEARTBEAT.md contains periodic tasks.\n"
+        "When triggered by heartbeat, read the file and execute any pending tasks.\n"
+        "If nothing needs attention, reply with just: HEARTBEAT_OK\n"
+        "You can also write to HEARTBEAT.md to schedule tasks for yourself.\n");
 
     /* Bootstrap files */
     off = append_file(buf, size, off, MIMI_SOUL_FILE, "Personality");
diff --git a/main/cli/serial_cli.c b/main/cli/serial_cli.c
index 29a0eb0..2ae63cc 100644
--- a/main/cli/serial_cli.c
+++ b/main/cli/serial_cli.c
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include "memory/session_mgr.h"
 #include "proxy/http_proxy.h"
 #include "tools/tool_web_search.h"
+#include "heartbeat/heartbeat.h"
 
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
@@ -316,6 +317,18 @@ static int cmd_config_reset(int argc, char **argv)
     return 0;
 }
 
+/* --- heartbeat_trigger command --- */
+static int cmd_heartbeat_trigger(int argc, char **argv)
+{
+    printf("Checking HEARTBEAT.md...\n");
+    if (heartbeat_trigger()) {
+        printf("Heartbeat: agent prompted with pending tasks.\n");
+    } else {
+        printf("Heartbeat: no actionable tasks found.\n");
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
 /* --- restart command --- */
 static int cmd_restart(int argc, char **argv)
 {
@@ -505,6 +518,14 @@ esp_err_t serial_cli_init(void)
     };
     esp_console_cmd_register(&config_reset_cmd);
 
+    /* heartbeat_trigger */
+    esp_console_cmd_t heartbeat_cmd = {
+        .command = "heartbeat_trigger",
+        .help = "Manually trigger a heartbeat check",
+        .func = &cmd_heartbeat_trigger,
+    };
+    esp_console_cmd_register(&heartbeat_cmd);
+
     /* restart */
     esp_console_cmd_t restart_cmd = {
         .command = "restart",
diff --git a/main/heartbeat/heartbeat.c b/main/heartbeat/heartbeat.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e680201
--- /dev/null
+++ b/main/heartbeat/heartbeat.c
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+#include "heartbeat/heartbeat.h"
+#include "mimi_config.h"
+#include "bus/message_bus.h"
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <ctype.h>
+#include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h"
+#include "freertos/timers.h"
+#include "esp_log.h"
+
+static const char *TAG = "heartbeat";
+
+#define HEARTBEAT_PROMPT \
+    "Read " MIMI_HEARTBEAT_FILE " and follow any instructions or tasks listed there. " \
+    "If nothing needs attention, reply with just: HEARTBEAT_OK"
+
+static TimerHandle_t s_heartbeat_timer = NULL;
+
+/* ── Content check ────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+
+/**
+ * Check if HEARTBEAT.md has actionable content.
+ * Returns true if any line is NOT:
+ *   - empty / whitespace-only
+ *   - a markdown header (starts with #)
+ *   - a completed checkbox (- [x] or * [x])
+ */
+static bool heartbeat_has_tasks(void)
+{
+    FILE *f = fopen(MIMI_HEARTBEAT_FILE, "r");
+    if (!f) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    char line[256];
+    bool found_task = false;
+
+    while (fgets(line, sizeof(line), f)) {
+        /* Skip leading whitespace */
+        const char *p = line;
+        while (*p && isspace((unsigned char)*p)) {
+            p++;
+        }
+
+        /* Skip empty lines */
+        if (*p == '\0') {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        /* Skip markdown headers */
+        if (*p == '#') {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        /* Skip completed checkboxes: "- [x]" or "* [x]" */
+        if ((*p == '-' || *p == '*') && *(p + 1) == ' ' && *(p + 2) == '[') {
+            char mark = *(p + 3);
+            if ((mark == 'x' || mark == 'X') && *(p + 4) == ']') {
+                continue;
+            }
+        }
+
+        /* Found an actionable line */
+        found_task = true;
+        break;
+    }
+
+    fclose(f);
+    return found_task;
+}
+
+/* ── Send heartbeat to agent ──────────────────────────────────── */
+
+static bool heartbeat_send(void)
+{
+    if (!heartbeat_has_tasks()) {
+        ESP_LOGD(TAG, "No actionable tasks in HEARTBEAT.md");
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    mimi_msg_t msg;
+    memset(&msg, 0, sizeof(msg));
+    strncpy(msg.channel, MIMI_CHAN_SYSTEM, sizeof(msg.channel) - 1);
+    strncpy(msg.chat_id, "heartbeat", sizeof(msg.chat_id) - 1);
+    msg.content = strdup(HEARTBEAT_PROMPT);
+
+    if (!msg.content) {
+        ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to allocate heartbeat prompt");
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    esp_err_t err = message_bus_push_inbound(&msg);
+    if (err != ESP_OK) {
+        ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Failed to push heartbeat message: %s", esp_err_to_name(err));
+        free(msg.content);
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Triggered agent check");
+    return true;
+}
+
+/* ── Timer callback ───────────────────────────────────────────── */
+
+static void heartbeat_timer_callback(TimerHandle_t xTimer)
+{
+    (void)xTimer;
+    heartbeat_send();
+}
+
+/* ── Public API ───────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+
+esp_err_t heartbeat_init(void)
+{
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Heartbeat service initialized (file: %s, interval: %ds)",
+             MIMI_HEARTBEAT_FILE, MIMI_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS / 1000);
+    return ESP_OK;
+}
+
+esp_err_t heartbeat_start(void)
+{
+    if (s_heartbeat_timer) {
+        ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Heartbeat timer already running");
+        return ESP_OK;
+    }
+
+    s_heartbeat_timer = xTimerCreate(
+        "heartbeat",
+        pdMS_TO_TICKS(MIMI_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS),
+        pdTRUE,    /* auto-reload */
+        NULL,
+        heartbeat_timer_callback
+    );
+
+    if (!s_heartbeat_timer) {
+        ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to create heartbeat timer");
+        return ESP_FAIL;
+    }
+
+    if (xTimerStart(s_heartbeat_timer, pdMS_TO_TICKS(1000)) != pdPASS) {
+        ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to start heartbeat timer");
+        return ESP_FAIL;
+    }
+
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Heartbeat started (every %d min)", MIMI_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS / 60000);
+    return ESP_OK;
+}
+
+void heartbeat_stop(void)
+{
+    if (s_heartbeat_timer) {
+        xTimerStop(s_heartbeat_timer, pdMS_TO_TICKS(1000));
+        xTimerDelete(s_heartbeat_timer, pdMS_TO_TICKS(1000));
+        s_heartbeat_timer = NULL;
+        ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Heartbeat stopped");
+    }
+}
+
+bool heartbeat_trigger(void)
+{
+    return heartbeat_send();
+}
diff --git a/main/heartbeat/heartbeat.h b/main/heartbeat/heartbeat.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0af53b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/main/heartbeat/heartbeat.h
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "esp_err.h"
+
+/**
+ * Initialize the heartbeat service (logs ready state).
+ */
+esp_err_t heartbeat_init(void);
+
+/**
+ * Start the heartbeat timer. Checks HEARTBEAT.md periodically
+ * and sends a prompt to the agent if actionable tasks are found.
+ */
+esp_err_t heartbeat_start(void);
+
+/**
+ * Stop and delete the heartbeat timer.
+ */
+void heartbeat_stop(void);
+
+/**
+ * Manually trigger a heartbeat check (for CLI testing).
+ * Returns true if the agent was prompted, false if no tasks found.
+ */
+bool heartbeat_trigger(void);
diff --git a/main/mimi.c b/main/mimi.c
index 60f4a4e..770b52c 100644
--- a/main/mimi.c
+++ b/main/mimi.c
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include "imu/imu_manager.h"
 #include "rgb/rgb.h"
 #include "cron/cron_service.h"
+#include "heartbeat/heartbeat.h"
 
 static const char *TAG = "mimi";
 
@@ -128,6 +129,7 @@ void app_main(void)
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(llm_proxy_init());
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(tool_registry_init());
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(cron_service_init());
+    ESP_ERROR_CHECK(heartbeat_init());
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(agent_loop_init());
 
     /* Start Serial CLI first (works without WiFi) */
@@ -146,6 +148,7 @@ void app_main(void)
             ESP_ERROR_CHECK(telegram_bot_start());
             ESP_ERROR_CHECK(agent_loop_start());
             cron_service_start();
+            heartbeat_start();
             ESP_ERROR_CHECK(ws_server_start());
 
             /* Outbound dispatch task */
diff --git a/main/mimi_config.h b/main/mimi_config.h
index 6f90dfe..9fcb2a8 100644
--- a/main/mimi_config.h
+++ b/main/mimi_config.h
@@ -89,6 +89,10 @@
 #define MIMI_CRON_CHECK_INTERVAL_MS  (30 * 1000)
 #define MIMI_CRON_MAX_JOBS           8
 
+/* Heartbeat */
+#define MIMI_HEARTBEAT_FILE          "/spiffs/config/HEARTBEAT.md"
+#define MIMI_HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS   (30 * 60 * 1000)
+
 /* WebSocket Gateway */
 #define MIMI_WS_PORT                 18789
 #define MIMI_WS_MAX_CLIENTS          4