diff --git a/.docs/Recurring-Scrape-Setup.md b/.docs/Recurring-Scrape-Setup.md
index 3737ee87..42f5242a 100644
--- a/.docs/Recurring-Scrape-Setup.md
+++ b/.docs/Recurring-Scrape-Setup.md
@@ -141,6 +141,13 @@ Once preflight passes, install the recurring export:
 
 This creates a managed cron entry that runs monthly (default). The entry can be updated or removed later.
 
+For KotOR yes_general or other post-OOM catch-up, add `--salvage-before-scrape` so each run merges stale `.dce-temp` exports before incremental scrape:
+
+```bash
+./scripts/setup-cron.sh --config config/scrape-targets.json \
+  --target KotOR_discord_msgs --channel 221726893064454144 --salvage-before-scrape
+```
+
 ### 5. Verify Installation
 
 Check that the cron job was installed:
diff --git a/docs/plans/2026-06-04-081-feat-cron-salvage-before-scrape-plan.md b/docs/plans/2026-06-04-081-feat-cron-salvage-before-scrape-plan.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..28efdd6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/plans/2026-06-04-081-feat-cron-salvage-before-scrape-plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+---
+title: "feat: Cron opt-in salvage-before-scrape"
+type: feat
+status: complete
+date: 2026-06-04
+origin: /lfg — plan 080 deferred --salvage-before-scrape on cron installs
+---
+
+# feat: Cron opt-in salvage-before-scrape
+
+## Summary
+
+Add `--salvage-before-scrape` to `setup-cron.sh` so scheduled jobs can merge stale `.dce-temp` exports before incremental scrape (recommended for KotOR catch-up after OOM).
+
+## Problem Frame
+
+Operators use `--salvage-before-scrape` manually on documents scrape and validation; monthly cron (plan 079) runs plain documents scrape without salvage, leaving partial temps unmerged until a manual pass.
+
+## Requirements
+
+| ID | Requirement |
+|----|-------------|
+| R1 | `setup-cron.sh --salvage-before-scrape` appends flag to documents scrape cron command |
+| R2 | Default install unchanged (no salvage unless flag passed) |
+| R3 | Usage and examples document the flag |
+| R4 | `setup-cron-smoke.sh` dry-run asserts flag in preview when passed |
+| R5 | Docs note KotOR/cron salvage opt-in |
+| R6 | `DCE_MIN_FREE_MB=0 ./scripts/run-all-smokes.sh` → 23/23 |
+
+## Implementation Units
+
+### U1. setup-cron.sh
+
+**Files:** `scripts/setup-cron.sh`, `scripts/tests/setup-cron-smoke.sh`
+
+### U2. Docs
+
+**Files:** `docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md`, `docs/recurring-scrape-operator-checklist.md`, `.docs/Recurring-Scrape-Setup.md`
+
+## Verification
+
+```bash
+DCE_MIN_FREE_MB=0 ./scripts/run-all-smokes.sh
+```
+
+## Scope Boundaries
+
+### Deferred
+
+- Live KotOR catch-up on host
+- Prune stale duplicate Latest blocks from PR body
diff --git a/docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md b/docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md
index c2dfd905..14006464 100644
--- a/docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md
+++ b/docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md
@@ -191,6 +191,8 @@ DCE_MIN_FREE_MB=0 ./scripts/run-operator-validation.sh \
 
 **Plan 080 (2026-06-04):** PR #1538 body refreshed with compact plans 070–079 operator delta and 23/23 gate.
 
+**Plan 081 (2026-06-04):** `setup-cron.sh --salvage-before-scrape` opt-in for scheduled salvage-before incremental scrape.
+
 **Disk:** ~65 GiB free on `/home` (2026-05-30); large channel merges still need headroom.
 
 ## CI note (fork PRs)
diff --git a/docs/recurring-scrape-operator-checklist.md b/docs/recurring-scrape-operator-checklist.md
index 3a0cf691..bebf1599 100644
--- a/docs/recurring-scrape-operator-checklist.md
+++ b/docs/recurring-scrape-operator-checklist.md
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Installed jobs are marked `# BEGIN discord-scrape` in `crontab -l`. Logs append
 ./scripts/run-documents-scrape.sh --target KotOR_discord_msgs
 ./scripts/run-documents-scrape.sh --target KotOR_discord_msgs --channel CHANNEL_ID
 ./scripts/setup-cron.sh --target KotOR_discord_msgs --channel CHANNEL_ID
+# After OOM partials: add --salvage-before-scrape so cron merges stale .dce-temp before scrape
 ```
 
 ## Scrape lock and salvage
diff --git a/scripts/setup-cron.sh b/scripts/setup-cron.sh
index ca81f580..9e7695fe 100755
--- a/scripts/setup-cron.sh
+++ b/scripts/setup-cron.sh
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ CRON_EXPRESSION=""
 DRY_RUN=0
 REMOVE=0
 SKIP_PREFLIGHT=0
+SALVAGE_BEFORE=0
 
 TARGETS=()
 GUILDS=()
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ Options:
   --log-file PATH     Cron log file. Default: $LOG_FILE
   --config PATH       Scrape targets JSON. Default: $CONFIG_FILE
   --env-file PATH     Compose env file. Default: $ENV_FILE
+  --salvage-before-scrape  Cron job merges stale .dce-temp exports before incremental scrape
   --skip-preflight    Install the cron job without running the authenticated container preflight.
   --dry-run           Print the cron block instead of installing it.
   --remove            Remove the managed cron block and exit.
@@ -56,7 +58,7 @@ Options:
 Examples:
   $(basename "$0")
   $(basename "$0") --target discord_dms --interval weekly --at 02:30
-  $(basename "$0") --target Cline --channel 123456789012345678 --channel 234567890123456789
+  $(basename "$0") --target KotOR_discord_msgs --channel 221726893064454144 --salvage-before-scrape
 EOF
 }
 
@@ -263,6 +265,10 @@ main() {
         SKIP_PREFLIGHT=1
         shift
         ;;
+      --salvage-before-scrape)
+        SALVAGE_BEFORE=1
+        shift
+        ;;
       --dry-run)
         DRY_RUN=1
         shift
@@ -341,6 +347,9 @@ main() {
     --log-file "$LOG_FILE"
   )
   append_target_args scrape_args
+  if (( SALVAGE_BEFORE == 1 )); then
+    scrape_args+=(--salvage-before-scrape)
+  fi
   scrape_command=$(printf '%q ' "${scrape_args[@]}")
   if command -v flock >/dev/null 2>&1; then
     lock_prefix=$(printf '%q ' "$(command -v flock)" "-n" "/tmp/${JOB_NAME}.lock")
diff --git a/scripts/tests/setup-cron-smoke.sh b/scripts/tests/setup-cron-smoke.sh
index f0fa828d..cf023a96 100755
--- a/scripts/tests/setup-cron-smoke.sh
+++ b/scripts/tests/setup-cron-smoke.sh
@@ -141,4 +141,10 @@ fi
 preview_custom_cron=$(run_setup --cron "15 03 * * 0" --skip-preflight --dry-run)
 grep -q '^15 03 \* \* 0 ' <<<"$preview_custom_cron" || { echo "expected validated custom cron in dry-run output" >&2; exit 1; }
 
+salvage_preview=$(run_setup --salvage-before-scrape --skip-preflight --dry-run)
+grep -q -- '--salvage-before-scrape' <<<"$salvage_preview" || {
+  echo "expected --salvage-before-scrape in cron dry-run preview" >&2
+  exit 1
+}
+
 echo "setup-cron smoke test passed"