diff --git a/packages/server/src/index.ts b/packages/server/src/index.ts
index dcdc17c..79adef4 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/index.ts
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ import {
   getRoom,
   joinRoom,
   loadPersistedRooms,
+  runningRooms,
   addAutomaton,
   addChat,
   driveOneAutomaton,
@@ -70,6 +71,11 @@ const port = Number(process.env.PORT ?? 8787);
 // is not reachable from the internet. Dev default stays LAN-friendly.
 const host = process.env.HOST ?? "0.0.0.0";
 loadPersistedRooms();
+// A restart can land mid-bot-turn: without a kick, a restored room whose
+// current actor is an automaton waits forever for a human to poke it.
+setTimeout(() => {
+  for (const room of runningRooms()) runBots(room);
+}, 2000);
 
 // One process serves both the built client and the websocket, so production
 // needs only a TLS proxy in front (or nothing, on a LAN).
diff --git a/packages/server/src/rooms.ts b/packages/server/src/rooms.ts
index 5b56c1e..1f88fdb 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/rooms.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/rooms.ts
@@ -91,6 +91,11 @@ export function roomCount(): number {
   return rooms.size;
 }
 
+/** Every restored, still-running room — so boot can wake their bot pumps. */
+export function runningRooms(): Room[] {
+  return [...rooms.values()].filter((r) => r.state && r.state.phase === "playing");
+}
+
 export function createRoom(hostId: PlayerId): { room: Room; token: string } {
   const token = randomBytes(16).toString("hex");
   const room: Room = {