diff --git a/docs/ISSUES.md b/docs/ISSUES.md
index 263939d76..ddad7e31a 100644
--- a/docs/ISSUES.md
+++ b/docs/ISSUES.md
@@ -74,6 +74,16 @@ after each deliberate `Top` write for the imported-layout element. Precedent:
 `MapPageController.cs:235-249` (the same fix already landed for other
 runtime-repositioned imported/programmatic elements).
 
+## #489 — Headless: SpewBox pending queue grows unbounded when no console ticks it; console polish
+
+**Status:** OPEN — found 2026-09-07 by the Opus re-check of the headless console (`738111239`).
+**Severity:** LOW/MEDIUM (leak in long-lived bots)
+**Component:** `src/AcDream.Runtime/.../SpewBoxState.cs` (`Enqueue` ~:110, `_pending`), `src/AcDream.Headless/Hosting/HeadlessConsoleSpewBoxPump.cs`
+
+**Description.** `RuntimeCommunicationState.AddText` routes every `ClientLocal` (0x1A) line into `SpewBoxState.Enqueue`; the only `Tick` caller in the headless host is the console pump, so with the console disabled (every scripted/CI bot) `_pending` grows for the life of the session. Pre-existing before the console; the console merely made it visible. Fix shape: tick the SpewBox from the session tick regardless of the console (or drop `ClientLocal` text when nothing observes it), with a pin that a 10,000-line burst without a console does not grow the queue.
+
+**Polish carried from the same re-check:** `--console` missing from `--help`; `HeadlessConsoleOptions.cs:51` re-types the env-var literal (the LaunchOptions regex needs it — a const rename would split the two reads); the `/quit`/`/status`/"not handled" writes and `Pump()` sit outside the S4 try/catch (a broken stdout pipe would fault the session); the SpewBox's 4-entry visible cap can drop interface-text lines produced between two pumps.
+
 ## #488 — MossTank `.utl` expression block: length prefix measured before newline normalization
 
 **Status:** OPEN — found 2026-09-07 by the final Opus re-check of Campaign VT