diff --git a/docs/plans/2026-06-04-059-feat-reclaim-stale-lock-proof-smoke-plan.md b/docs/plans/2026-06-04-059-feat-reclaim-stale-lock-proof-smoke-plan.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f3eebb0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/plans/2026-06-04-059-feat-reclaim-stale-lock-proof-smoke-plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+---
+title: "feat: Reclaim stale scrape lock and proof salvage-before smoke"
+type: feat
+status: active
+date: 2026-06-04
+origin: /lfg — stale MyBook validation leaves lock/meta; proof lacks salvage-before smoke
+---
+
+# feat: Reclaim stale scrape lock and proof salvage-before smoke
+
+## Summary
+
+Add `--reclaim-stale` to `scrape-lock-status.sh` for operators to clear dead-holder lock artifacts, and extend `run-operator-proof-smoke.sh` for `--salvage-before-scrape`.
+
+## Problem Frame
+
+After a crashed scrape, `{archive_root}/.dce-scrape.lock.meta` may reference a dead pid. Operators need a safe reclaim path before restarting KotOR catch-up.
+
+## Requirements
+
+| ID | Requirement |
+|----|-------------|
+| R1 | `scrape-lock-status.sh --reclaim-stale` removes stale `.meta` when holder pid is not running |
+| R2 | Reclaim refuses when flock is actively held or holder pid is running |
+| R3 | Reclaim removes unheld orphan lock file when safe |
+| R4 | `run-operator-proof-smoke.sh` covers `--salvage-before-scrape` |
+| R5 | `run-all-smokes.sh` passes |
+
+## Implementation Units
+
+### U1. Lock reclaim flag
+
+**Files:** `scripts/scrape-lock-status.sh`, `scripts/tests/scrape-lock-status-smoke.sh`
+
+### U2. Proof salvage-before smoke
+
+**Files:** `scripts/tests/run-operator-proof-smoke.sh`
+
+## Scope Boundaries
+
+### Deferred
+
+- GUI bridge doc refresh
+- Live KotOR catch-up on host
diff --git a/scripts/scrape-lock-status.sh b/scripts/scrape-lock-status.sh
index 991a3e1d..1eab5c31 100755
--- a/scripts/scrape-lock-status.sh
+++ b/scripts/scrape-lock-status.sh
@@ -9,11 +9,13 @@ CONFIG_PATH="${DCE_CONFIG_FILE:-$REPO_ROOT/config/scrape-targets.json}"
 usage() {
   cat <<EOF
 Usage:
-  $(basename "$0") [--config PATH]
+  $(basename "$0") [--config PATH] [--reclaim-stale]
 
 Report scrape serialization lock state for the configured archive root.
 Uses the same lock path rules as run-discord-scrape-host.sh.
 
+  --reclaim-stale  Remove stale .meta and unheld lock file when holder pid is dead
+
 Exit codes:
   0  Safe to scrape (no lock, unheld lock file, or stale reclaimable holder)
   1  Another scrape is actively holding the lock
@@ -83,7 +85,31 @@ lock_is_held() {
   return 0
 }
 
+reclaim_stale_lock() {
+  local lock_file=$1 meta_file=$2
+
+  if lock_is_held "$lock_file"; then
+    die "Cannot reclaim: scrape lock is actively held."
+  fi
+
+  if [[ -f "$meta_file" ]]; then
+    local pid
+    pid=$(read_meta_field "$meta_file" pid)
+    if [[ -n "$pid" ]] && kill -0 "$pid" 2>/dev/null; then
+      die "Cannot reclaim: holder pid $pid is still running."
+    fi
+    rm -f "$meta_file"
+    printf 'removed stale lock meta: %s\n' "$meta_file"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ -e "$lock_file" ]] && ! lock_is_held "$lock_file"; then
+    rm -f "$lock_file"
+    printf 'removed unheld lock file: %s\n' "$lock_file"
+  fi
+}
+
 main() {
+  local reclaim=0
   while (($#)); do
     case "$1" in
       --config)
@@ -91,6 +117,10 @@ main() {
         CONFIG_PATH=$2
         shift 2
         ;;
+      --reclaim-stale)
+        reclaim=1
+        shift
+        ;;
       --help|-h)
         usage
         exit 0
@@ -136,10 +166,24 @@ main() {
     if [[ -n "$pid" ]] && ! kill -0 "$pid" 2>/dev/null; then
       printf 'state: stale (reclaimable; holder pid %s is not running)\n' "$pid"
       format_holder_line "$meta_file"
+      if (( reclaim )); then
+        reclaim_stale_lock "$lock_file" "$meta_file"
+        printf 'state: free (stale lock reclaimed)\n'
+      fi
       exit 0
     fi
   fi
 
+  if (( reclaim )); then
+    if [[ -e "$lock_file" ]] && ! lock_is_held "$lock_file"; then
+      reclaim_stale_lock "$lock_file" "$meta_file"
+      printf 'state: free (orphan lock reclaimed)\n'
+      exit 0
+    fi
+    printf 'state: free (nothing to reclaim)\n'
+    exit 0
+  fi
+
   printf 'state: free (lock file present but not held)\n'
   format_holder_line "$meta_file"
   exit 0
diff --git a/scripts/tests/run-operator-proof-smoke.sh b/scripts/tests/run-operator-proof-smoke.sh
index f31b363c..4adb5c83 100755
--- a/scripts/tests/run-operator-proof-smoke.sh
+++ b/scripts/tests/run-operator-proof-smoke.sh
@@ -35,6 +35,19 @@ JSON
 
 printf 'DISCORD_TOKEN=dummy\n' >"$ENV_PATH"
 
+COMPOSE_FILE="$TMP_DIR/docker-compose.yml"
+FAKE_DOCKER="$TMP_DIR/docker"
+cat >"$COMPOSE_FILE" <<'EOF'
+services:
+  discord-scraper:
+    image: fake
+EOF
+cat >"$FAKE_DOCKER" <<'EOF'
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+printf 'run succeeded\n'
+EOF
+chmod +x "$FAKE_DOCKER"
+
 set +e
 output=$(
   DCE_MIN_FREE_MB=0 \
@@ -72,6 +85,30 @@ if [[ "$salvage_status" -ne 0 ]] || ! grep -q 'Salvage-only proof complete' <<<"
   exit 1
 fi
 
+set +e
+salvage_before_output=$(
+  DCE_MIN_FREE_MB=0 \
+    DCE_CONFIG_FILE="$CONFIG_PATH" \
+    DCE_ENV_FILE="$ENV_PATH" \
+    DCE_SKIP_SCRAPE_LOCK=1 \
+    DCE_DOCKER_BIN="$FAKE_DOCKER" \
+    DCE_COMPOSE_FILE="$COMPOSE_FILE" \
+    "$PROOF" --config "$CONFIG_PATH" --target demo --salvage-before-scrape 2>&1
+)
+salvage_before_status=$?
+set -e
+
+if [[ "$salvage_before_status" -ne 0 ]] || ! grep -q 'salvage completed' <<<"$salvage_before_output"; then
+  printf 'run-operator-proof --salvage-before-scrape failed (status=%s)\n' "$salvage_before_status" >&2
+  printf '%s\n' "$salvage_before_output" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+grep -q 'Operator proof passed for demo' <<<"$salvage_before_output" || {
+  printf 'expected operator proof to pass after salvage-before scrape\n' >&2
+  printf '%s\n' "$salvage_before_output" >&2
+  exit 1
+}
+
 command -v flock >/dev/null 2>&1 && {
   LOCK_FILE="$TMP_DIR/archive/.dce-scrape.lock"
   HOLDER_PID=""
diff --git a/scripts/tests/scrape-lock-status-smoke.sh b/scripts/tests/scrape-lock-status-smoke.sh
index d21ef2ff..1cfb6148 100755
--- a/scripts/tests/scrape-lock-status-smoke.sh
+++ b/scripts/tests/scrape-lock-status-smoke.sh
@@ -91,4 +91,19 @@ if [[ "$stale_status" -ne 0 ]] || ! grep -q 'state: stale (reclaimable' <<<"$sta
   exit 1
 fi
 
+set +e
+reclaim_output=$("$STATUS" --config "$CONFIG_PATH" --reclaim-stale 2>&1)
+reclaim_status=$?
+set -e
+
+if [[ "$reclaim_status" -ne 0 ]] || ! grep -q 'removed stale lock meta' <<<"$reclaim_output"; then
+  echo "expected --reclaim-stale to remove stale meta" >&2
+  printf '%s\n' "$reclaim_output" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+[[ ! -f "${LOCK_FILE}.meta" ]] || {
+  echo "expected stale meta removed after reclaim" >&2
+  exit 1
+}
+
 printf 'scrape-lock-status-smoke: ok\n'