diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index acf712e484..ea1977c34e 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -1963,6 +1963,14 @@ class GatewayRunner:
             except Exception:
                 pass  # don't let interrupt failure block the ack
 
+        # Check if busy ack is disabled — skip sending but still process the input.
+        # Placed before debounce so we don't stamp a "last ack" timestamp that was
+        # never actually delivered.
+        busy_ack_enabled = os.environ.get("HERMES_GATEWAY_BUSY_ACK_ENABLED", "true").lower() == "true"
+        if not busy_ack_enabled:
+            logger.debug("Busy ack suppressed for session %s", session_key)
+            return True  # input still processed, just no ack sent
+
         # Debounce: only send an acknowledgment once every 30 seconds per session
         # to avoid spamming the user when they send multiple messages quickly
         _BUSY_ACK_COOLDOWN = 30
@@ -1973,12 +1981,6 @@ class GatewayRunner:
 
         self._busy_ack_ts[session_key] = now
 
-        # Check if busy ack is disabled — skip sending but still process the input
-        busy_ack_enabled = os.environ.get("HERMES_GATEWAY_BUSY_ACK_ENABLED", "true").lower() == "true"
-        if not busy_ack_enabled:
-            logger.debug("Busy ack suppressed for session %s", session_key)
-            return True  # input still processed, just no ack sent
-
         # Build a status-rich acknowledgment
         status_parts = []
         if running_agent and running_agent is not _AGENT_PENDING_SENTINEL:
diff --git a/scripts/release.py b/scripts/release.py
index da9fcbe11f..bf5350948d 100755
--- a/scripts/release.py
+++ b/scripts/release.py
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ AUTHOR_MAP = {
     "sir_even@icloud.com": "sirEven",
     "36056348+sirEven@users.noreply.github.com": "sirEven",
     "70424851+insecurejezza@users.noreply.github.com": "insecurejezza",
+    "jezzahehn@gmail.com": "JezzaHehn",
     "254021826+dodo-reach@users.noreply.github.com": "dodo-reach",
     "259807879+Bartok9@users.noreply.github.com": "Bartok9",
     "270082434+crayfish-ai@users.noreply.github.com": "crayfish-ai",
diff --git a/website/docs/reference/environment-variables.md b/website/docs/reference/environment-variables.md
index e58ccef5aa..235d84654f 100644
--- a/website/docs/reference/environment-variables.md
+++ b/website/docs/reference/environment-variables.md
@@ -406,6 +406,7 @@ Advanced per-platform knobs for throttling the outbound message batcher. Most us
 | `HERMES_RESTART_DRAIN_TIMEOUT` | Gateway: seconds to wait for active runs to drain on `/restart` before forcing the restart (default: `900`). |
 | `HERMES_GATEWAY_PLATFORM_CONNECT_TIMEOUT` | Per-platform connect timeout during gateway startup (seconds). |
 | `HERMES_GATEWAY_BUSY_INPUT_MODE` | Default gateway busy-input behavior: `queue`, `steer`, or `interrupt`. Can be overridden per chat with `/busy`. |
+| `HERMES_GATEWAY_BUSY_ACK_ENABLED` | Whether the gateway sends an acknowledgment message (⚡/⏳/⏩) when a user sends input while the agent is busy (default: `true`). Set to `false` to suppress these messages entirely — the input is still queued/steered/interrupts as normal, only the chat reply is silenced. Bridged from `display.busy_ack_enabled` in `config.yaml`. |
 | `HERMES_CRON_TIMEOUT` | Inactivity timeout for cron job agent runs in seconds (default: `600`). The agent can run indefinitely while actively calling tools or receiving stream tokens — this only triggers when idle. Set to `0` for unlimited. |
 | `HERMES_CRON_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT` | Timeout for pre-run scripts attached to cron jobs in seconds (default: `120`). Override for scripts that need longer execution (e.g., randomized delays for anti-bot timing). Also configurable via `cron.script_timeout_seconds` in `config.yaml`. |
 | `HERMES_CRON_MAX_PARALLEL` | Max cron jobs run in parallel per tick (default: `4`). |
diff --git a/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/index.md b/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/index.md
index 126ab8184f..578a826b64 100644
--- a/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/index.md
+++ b/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/index.md
@@ -232,10 +232,13 @@ By default, messaging a busy agent interrupts it. Two other modes are available:
 ```yaml
 display:
   busy_input_mode: steer   # or queue, or interrupt (default)
+  busy_ack_enabled: true   # set to false to suppress the ⚡/⏳/⏩ chat reply entirely
 ```
 
 The first time you message a busy agent on any platform, Hermes appends a one-line reminder to the busy-ack explaining the knob (`"💡 First-time tip — …"`). The reminder fires once per install — a flag under `onboarding.seen.busy_input_prompt` latches it. Delete that key to see the tip again.
 
+If you find the busy-ack noisy — especially with voice input or rapid-fire messages — set `display.busy_ack_enabled: false`. Your input is still queued/steered/interrupts as normal, only the chat reply is silenced.
+
 ## Tool Progress Notifications
 
 Control how much tool activity is displayed in `~/.hermes/config.yaml`: