diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index 63f7e31096f..759c09b4619 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -6527,6 +6527,19 @@ class HermesCLI:
         parts = cmd_original.split(None, 1)
         target = parts[1].strip() if len(parts) > 1 else ""
 
+        # Strip common outer brackets/quotes users may type literally from the
+        # usage hint (e.g. ``/resume <abc123>`` or ``/resume [abc123]``).  The
+        # `/resume` help text shows angle brackets as a placeholder and a few
+        # users copy them through verbatim.  Stripping them keeps the lookup
+        # working without changing the help string.
+        if len(target) >= 2 and (
+            (target[0] == "<" and target[-1] == ">")
+            or (target[0] == "[" and target[-1] == "]")
+            or (target[0] == '"' and target[-1] == '"')
+            or (target[0] == "'" and target[-1] == "'")
+        ):
+            target = target[1:-1].strip()
+
         if not target:
             _cprint("  Usage: /resume <number|session_id_or_title>")
             if self._show_recent_sessions(reason="resume"):
diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index 367adbe61db..cb8b60e556d 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -12743,6 +12743,16 @@ class GatewayRunner:
         session_key = self._session_key_for_source(source)
         name = event.get_command_args().strip()
 
+        # Strip common outer brackets/quotes users may type literally from the
+        # usage hint (e.g. ``/resume <abc123>``). Mirrors the CLI behavior.
+        if len(name) >= 2 and (
+            (name[0] == "<" and name[-1] == ">")
+            or (name[0] == "[" and name[-1] == "]")
+            or (name[0] == '"' and name[-1] == '"')
+            or (name[0] == "'" and name[-1] == "'")
+        ):
+            name = name[1:-1].strip()
+
         def _list_titled_sessions() -> list[dict]:
             user_source = source.platform.value if source.platform else None
             sessions = self._session_db.list_sessions_rich(source=user_source, limit=10)
@@ -12780,7 +12790,13 @@ class GatewayRunner:
             target_id = target.get("id")
             name = target.get("title") or name
         else:
-            target_id = self._session_db.resolve_session_by_title(name)
+            # Try direct session ID lookup first (so `/resume <session_id>`
+            # works in the gateway, not just `/resume <title>`).
+            session = self._session_db.get_session(name)
+            if session:
+                target_id = session["id"]
+            else:
+                target_id = self._session_db.resolve_session_by_title(name)
         if not target_id:
             return t("gateway.resume.not_found", name=name)
         # Compression creates child continuations that hold the live transcript.