diff --git a/tests/tui_gateway/test_protocol.py b/tests/tui_gateway/test_protocol.py
index 4f09af7aeabf..274ad8906be4 100644
--- a/tests/tui_gateway/test_protocol.py
+++ b/tests/tui_gateway/test_protocol.py
@@ -264,6 +264,48 @@ def test_block_and_respond(capture):
     assert result[0] == "my_answer"
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("event", ["secret.request", "sudo.request"])
+def test_sensitive_prompt_timeout_emits_expiry(capture, event):
+    server, buf = capture
+
+    assert server._block(event, "s1", {}, timeout=0) == ""
+
+    messages = [json.loads(line) for line in buf.getvalue().splitlines()]
+    request, expiry = [message["params"] for message in messages]
+    assert request["type"] == event
+    assert expiry["type"] == event.removesuffix(".request") + ".expire"
+    assert expiry["session_id"] == "s1"
+    assert expiry["payload"]["request_id"] == request["payload"]["request_id"]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("method", "value_key"),
+    [("secret.respond", "value"), ("sudo.respond", "password")],
+)
+def test_late_sensitive_prompt_response_is_idempotent(server, method, value_key):
+    response = server.handle_request(
+        {
+            "id": "late-response",
+            "method": method,
+            "params": {"request_id": "expired-request", value_key: ""},
+        }
+    )
+
+    assert response["result"] == {"status": "expired"}
+
+
+def test_late_clarify_response_remains_protocol_error(server):
+    response = server.handle_request(
+        {
+            "id": "late-clarify",
+            "method": "clarify.respond",
+            "params": {"request_id": "expired-request", "answer": ""},
+        }
+    )
+
+    assert response["error"]["code"] == 4009
+
+
 def test_clear_pending(server):
     ev = threading.Event()
     # _pending values are (sid, Event) tuples
diff --git a/tui_gateway/server.py b/tui_gateway/server.py
index 192cb6c0f9fa..c0a3f3f4c47c 100644
--- a/tui_gateway/server.py
+++ b/tui_gateway/server.py
@@ -2035,15 +2035,26 @@ def _block(event: str, sid: str, payload: dict, timeout: int = 300) -> str:
         _pending[rid] = (sid, ev)
         payload["request_id"] = rid
         _pending_prompt_payloads[rid] = (event, dict(payload))
+    answered = False
+    answer = ""
+    answer_present = False
     try:
         _emit(event, sid, payload)
-        ev.wait(timeout=timeout)
+        answered = ev.wait(timeout=timeout)
     finally:
         with _prompt_lock:
             _pending.pop(rid, None)
             _pending_prompt_payloads.pop(rid, None)
-    with _prompt_lock:
-        return _answers.pop(rid, "")
+            answer_present = rid in _answers
+            answer = _answers.pop(rid, "")
+
+    if not answered and not answer_present and event in {"secret.request", "sudo.request"}:
+        _emit(
+            f"{event.removesuffix('.request')}.expire",
+            sid,
+            {"request_id": rid},
+        )
+    return answer
 
 
 def _clear_pending(sid: str | None = None) -> None:
@@ -10163,11 +10174,13 @@ def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
 # ── Methods: respond ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 
-def _respond(rid, params, key):
+def _respond(rid, params, key, *, allow_expired=False):
     r = params.get("request_id", "")
     with _prompt_lock:
         entry = _pending.get(r)
         if not entry:
+            if allow_expired and r:
+                return _ok(rid, {"status": "expired"})
             return _err(rid, 4009, f"no pending {key} request")
         _, ev = entry
         _answers[r] = params.get(key, "")
@@ -10188,12 +10201,12 @@ def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
 
 @method("sudo.respond")
 def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
-    return _respond(rid, params, "password")
+    return _respond(rid, params, "password", allow_expired=True)
 
 
 @method("secret.respond")
 def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
-    return _respond(rid, params, "value")
+    return _respond(rid, params, "value", allow_expired=True)
 
 
 @method("approval.respond")
diff --git a/ui-tui/README.md b/ui-tui/README.md
index 159db8293b61..fe5ab7c8db1d 100644
--- a/ui-tui/README.md
+++ b/ui-tui/README.md
@@ -287,7 +287,9 @@ Primary event types the client handles today:
 | `clarify.request`          | `{ question, choices?, request_id }`                                        |
 | `approval.request`         | `{ command, description, allow_permanent? }`                                |
 | `sudo.request`             | `{ request_id }`                                                            |
+| `sudo.expire`              | `{ request_id }` clears a timed-out sudo prompt                             |
 | `secret.request`           | `{ prompt, env_var, request_id }`                                           |
+| `secret.expire`            | `{ request_id }` clears a timed-out secret prompt                           |
 | `background.complete`      | `{ task_id, text }`                                                         |
 | `billing.step_up.verification` | `{ verification_url, user_code }`                                       |
 | `review.summary`           | `{ text }`                                                                  |
@@ -487,4 +489,4 @@ tui_gateway/
   server.py              RPC handlers and session logic
   render.py              optional rich/ANSI bridge
   slash_worker.py        persistent HermesCLI subprocess for slash commands
-```
\ No newline at end of file
+```
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/__tests__/createGatewayEventHandler.test.ts b/ui-tui/src/__tests__/createGatewayEventHandler.test.ts
index fad5f6b4564f..ba36ef6b4960 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/__tests__/createGatewayEventHandler.test.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/__tests__/createGatewayEventHandler.test.ts
@@ -1307,6 +1307,24 @@ describe('createGatewayEventHandler', () => {
     expect(appended.some(msg => msg.role === 'system' && msg.text.startsWith('ask '))).toBe(false)
   })
 
+  it('clears only the matching sensitive prompt when the gateway expires it', () => {
+    const onEvent = createGatewayEventHandler(buildCtx([]))
+
+    patchOverlayState({
+      secret: { envVar: 'NEW_KEY', prompt: 'Enter new key', requestId: 'secret-new' },
+      sudo: { requestId: 'sudo-1' }
+    })
+
+    onEvent({ payload: { request_id: 'secret-old' }, type: 'secret.expire' } as any)
+    expect(getOverlayState().secret?.requestId).toBe('secret-new')
+
+    onEvent({ payload: { request_id: 'secret-new' }, type: 'secret.expire' } as any)
+    expect(getOverlayState().secret).toBeNull()
+
+    onEvent({ payload: { request_id: 'sudo-1' }, type: 'sudo.expire' } as any)
+    expect(getOverlayState().sudo).toBeNull()
+  })
+
   // ── Credits notice (Strategy B) ──────────────────────────────────────
   describe('credits notice', () => {
     it('shows a notice immediately when idle (no turn in flight)', () => {
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/__tests__/useInputHandlers.test.ts b/ui-tui/src/__tests__/useInputHandlers.test.ts
index fa9372d5356e..ef9e676f73e1 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/__tests__/useInputHandlers.test.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/__tests__/useInputHandlers.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 
+import { getOverlayState, patchOverlayState, resetOverlayState } from '../app/overlayStore.js'
 import {
   applyVoiceRecordResponse,
+  dismissSensitivePrompt,
   handleIdleHotkeyExit,
   shouldAllowIdleHotkeyExit,
   shouldFallThroughForScroll
@@ -112,3 +114,33 @@ describe('applyVoiceRecordResponse', () => {
     expect(setProcessing).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false)
   })
 })
+
+describe('dismissSensitivePrompt', () => {
+  it('clears a sudo overlay before a stale cancel RPC resolves', async () => {
+    resetOverlayState()
+    patchOverlayState({ sudo: { requestId: 'sudo-1' } })
+    const rpc = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null)
+    const sys = vi.fn()
+
+    const pending = dismissSensitivePrompt(getOverlayState(), rpc, sys)
+
+    expect(getOverlayState().sudo).toBeNull()
+    expect(sys).toHaveBeenCalledWith('sudo cancelled')
+    expect(rpc).toHaveBeenCalledWith('sudo.respond', { password: '', request_id: 'sudo-1' })
+    await pending
+  })
+
+  it('clears a secret overlay before a stale cancel RPC resolves', async () => {
+    resetOverlayState()
+    patchOverlayState({ secret: { envVar: 'API_KEY', prompt: 'Enter API key', requestId: 'secret-1' } })
+    const rpc = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null)
+    const sys = vi.fn()
+
+    const pending = dismissSensitivePrompt(getOverlayState(), rpc, sys)
+
+    expect(getOverlayState().secret).toBeNull()
+    expect(sys).toHaveBeenCalledWith('secret entry cancelled')
+    expect(rpc).toHaveBeenCalledWith('secret.respond', { request_id: 'secret-1', value: '' })
+    await pending
+  })
+})
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
index 5bb819790d4f..72cad059eb5c 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
@@ -807,6 +807,16 @@ export function createGatewayEventHandler(ctx: GatewayEventHandlerContext): (ev:
 
         return
 
+      case 'sudo.expire':
+        patchOverlayState(prev => (prev.sudo?.requestId === ev.payload.request_id ? { ...prev, sudo: null } : prev))
+
+        return
+
+      case 'secret.expire':
+        patchOverlayState(prev => (prev.secret?.requestId === ev.payload.request_id ? { ...prev, secret: null } : prev))
+
+        return
+
       case 'background.complete':
         dropBgTask(ev.payload.task_id)
         sys(`[bg ${ev.payload.task_id}] ${ev.payload.text}`)
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts
index 2f95c565e85a..3461cd241a88 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/useInputHandlers.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,13 @@ import { computePrecisionWheelStep, initPrecisionWheel } from '../lib/precisionW
 import { computeWheelStep, initWheelAccelForHost } from '../lib/wheelAccel.js'
 
 import { getInputSelection } from './inputSelectionStore.js'
-import type { InputHandlerActions, InputHandlerContext, InputHandlerResult } from './interfaces.js'
+import type {
+  GatewayRpc,
+  InputHandlerActions,
+  InputHandlerContext,
+  InputHandlerResult,
+  OverlayState
+} from './interfaces.js'
 import { $isBlocked, $overlayState, patchOverlayState } from './overlayStore.js'
 import { turnController } from './turnController.js'
 import { patchTurnState } from './turnStore.js'
@@ -97,6 +103,30 @@ export function applyVoiceRecordResponse(
   }
 }
 
+export function dismissSensitivePrompt(
+  overlay: Pick<OverlayState, 'secret' | 'sudo'>,
+  rpc: GatewayRpc,
+  sys: (text: string) => void
+) {
+  if (overlay.sudo) {
+    const requestId = overlay.sudo.requestId
+
+    patchOverlayState({ sudo: null })
+    sys('sudo cancelled')
+
+    return rpc<SudoRespondResponse>('sudo.respond', { password: '', request_id: requestId })
+  }
+
+  if (overlay.secret) {
+    const requestId = overlay.secret.requestId
+
+    patchOverlayState({ secret: null })
+    sys('secret entry cancelled')
+
+    return rpc<SecretRespondResponse>('secret.respond', { request_id: requestId, value: '' })
+  }
+}
+
 export function useInputHandlers(ctx: InputHandlerContext): InputHandlerResult {
   const { actions, composer, gateway, terminal, voice, wheelStep } = ctx
   const { actions: cActions, refs: cRefs, state: cState } = composer
@@ -149,16 +179,8 @@ export function useInputHandlers(ctx: InputHandlerContext): InputHandlerResult {
         .then(r => r && (patchOverlayState({ approval: null }), patchTurnState({ outcome: 'denied' })))
     }
 
-    if (overlay.sudo) {
-      return gateway
-        .rpc<SudoRespondResponse>('sudo.respond', { password: '', request_id: overlay.sudo.requestId })
-        .then(r => r && (patchOverlayState({ sudo: null }), actions.sys('sudo cancelled')))
-    }
-
-    if (overlay.secret) {
-      return gateway
-        .rpc<SecretRespondResponse>('secret.respond', { request_id: overlay.secret.requestId, value: '' })
-        .then(r => r && (patchOverlayState({ secret: null }), actions.sys('secret entry cancelled')))
+    if (overlay.sudo || overlay.secret) {
+      return dismissSensitivePrompt(overlay, gateway.rpc, actions.sys)
     }
 
     if (overlay.modelPicker) {
@@ -373,7 +395,7 @@ export function useInputHandlers(ctx: InputHandlerContext): InputHandlerResult {
         return
       }
 
-      if (isCtrl(key, ch, 'c')) {
+      if (isCtrl(key, ch, 'c') || (key.escape && (overlay.secret || overlay.sudo))) {
         cancelOverlayFromCtrlC()
       } else if (key.escape && overlay.sessions) {
         patchOverlayState({ sessions: false })
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts
index 761f4a851afb..a7b5e2d2e4ee 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/useMainApp.ts
@@ -911,7 +911,13 @@ export function useMainApp(gw: GatewayClient) {
         return
       }
 
-      return respondWith('sudo.respond', { password: pw, request_id: overlay.sudo.requestId }, () => {
+      const requestId = overlay.sudo.requestId
+
+      if (!pw) {
+        patchOverlayState({ sudo: null })
+      }
+
+      return respondWith('sudo.respond', { password: pw, request_id: requestId }, () => {
         patchOverlayState({ sudo: null })
         patchUiState({ status: 'running…' })
       })
@@ -925,7 +931,13 @@ export function useMainApp(gw: GatewayClient) {
         return
       }
 
-      return respondWith('secret.respond', { request_id: overlay.secret.requestId, value }, () => {
+      const requestId = overlay.secret.requestId
+
+      if (!value) {
+        patchOverlayState({ secret: null })
+      }
+
+      return respondWith('secret.respond', { request_id: requestId, value }, () => {
         patchOverlayState({ secret: null })
         patchUiState({ status: 'running…' })
       })
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/gatewayTypes.ts b/ui-tui/src/gatewayTypes.ts
index 6eb0317fc2f7..58f1aec7da83 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/gatewayTypes.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/gatewayTypes.ts
@@ -698,6 +698,7 @@ export type GatewayEvent =
     }
   | { payload: { request_id: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'sudo.request' }
   | { payload: { env_var: string; prompt: string; request_id: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'secret.request' }
+  | { payload: { request_id: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'secret.expire' | 'sudo.expire' }
   | { payload: { task_id: string; text: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'background.complete' }
   | { payload?: { text?: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'review.summary' }
   | { payload: SubagentEventPayload; session_id?: string; type: 'subagent.spawn_requested' }
diff --git a/website/docs/developer-guide/programmatic-integration.md b/website/docs/developer-guide/programmatic-integration.md
index d21edbf85c38..16963bdd08f9 100644
--- a/website/docs/developer-guide/programmatic-integration.md
+++ b/website/docs/developer-guide/programmatic-integration.md
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ terminal.resize         clipboard.paste         image.attach
 
 ### Events streamed back
 
-`message.delta`, `message.complete`, `tool.start`, `tool.progress`, `tool.complete`, `approval.request`, `clarify.request`, `sudo.request`, `secret.request`, `gateway.ready`, plus session lifecycle and error events.
+`message.delta`, `message.complete`, `tool.start`, `tool.progress`, `tool.complete`, `approval.request`, `clarify.request`, `sudo.request`, `sudo.expire`, `secret.request`, `secret.expire`, `gateway.ready`, plus session lifecycle and error events. Expiry events carry the original `{ request_id }`; external hosts should clear only the matching pending prompt.
 
 ### Pi-style RPC mapping