diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index 379ca15df1a..560b5d9a2e3 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -4862,6 +4862,12 @@ class HermesCLI(CLIAgentSetupMixin, CLICommandsMixin):
         self._pet_event = state
         self._pet_event_until = time.monotonic() + secs
 
+    def _on_reaction(self, kind: str) -> None:
+        """User affection (ily / <3 / good bot), core-detected — the pet's share
+        of the vibe signal that plays hearts on the TUI/desktop. Flash a celebrate."""
+        if kind == "vibe":
+            self._pet_flash("jump")
+
     def _pet_react_turn_end(self) -> None:
         """Flash the end-of-turn beat: failed on error, jump on a finished plan, else wave."""
         if not self._pet_enabled:
diff --git a/hermes_cli/cli_agent_setup_mixin.py b/hermes_cli/cli_agent_setup_mixin.py
index a71d8835698..d3c967405ad 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/cli_agent_setup_mixin.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/cli_agent_setup_mixin.py
@@ -390,6 +390,7 @@ class CLIAgentSetupMixin:
                 tool_gen_callback=self._on_tool_gen_start if self.streaming_enabled else None,
                 notice_callback=self._on_notice,
                 notice_clear_callback=self._on_notice_clear,
+                reaction_callback=self._on_reaction,
             )
             # Store reference for atexit memory provider shutdown.
             # NOTE: this MUST write to the ``cli`` module's global, not a
diff --git a/tui_gateway/server.py b/tui_gateway/server.py
index 8e825a22669..b9cc8e478ec 100644
--- a/tui_gateway/server.py
+++ b/tui_gateway/server.py
@@ -3860,6 +3860,9 @@ def _agent_cbs(sid: str) -> dict:
         "tool_gen_callback": lambda name: _tool_progress_enabled(sid)
         and _emit("tool.generating", sid, {"name": name}),
         "thinking_callback": lambda text: _emit("thinking.delta", sid, {"text": text}),
+        # Affection reaction (ily / <3 / good bot) → hearts. Core-detected, so
+        # the TUI heart and desktop floating hearts share one signal.
+        "reaction_callback": lambda kind: _emit("reaction", sid, {"kind": kind}),
         "reasoning_callback": lambda text: _emit(
             "reasoning.delta",
             sid,