diff --git a/plugins/kanban/dashboard/plugin_api.py b/plugins/kanban/dashboard/plugin_api.py
index d80296b888..1c25f372e6 100644
--- a/plugins/kanban/dashboard/plugin_api.py
+++ b/plugins/kanban/dashboard/plugin_api.py
@@ -449,7 +449,12 @@ def update_task(task_id: str, payload: UpdateTaskBody, board: Optional[str] = Qu
                     ok = _set_status_direct(conn, task_id, "ready")
             elif s == "archived":
                 ok = kanban_db.archive_task(conn, task_id)
-            elif s in ("todo", "running", "triage"):
+            elif s == "running":
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=400,
+                    detail="Cannot set status to 'running' directly; use the dispatcher/claim path",
+                )
+            elif s in ("todo", "triage"):
                 ok = _set_status_direct(conn, task_id, s)
             else:
                 raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=f"unknown status: {s}")