diff --git a/docs/research/2026-08-10-settings-track-handoff.md b/docs/research/2026-08-10-settings-track-handoff.md
index 80966b4b..b4152fc9 100644
--- a/docs/research/2026-08-10-settings-track-handoff.md
+++ b/docs/research/2026-08-10-settings-track-handoff.md
@@ -141,6 +141,23 @@ plausibly video/audio/mouse).
    subsystems don't exist yet (chess rank...) — the implement-vs-store
    split per row.
 
+8. **Headless bot settings (user-directed 2026-08-10):** character
+   options must be settable by bots too. DESIGN CONSTRAINT for the plan:
+   the option map (option -> CharacterOptions1/2 bit or PlayerModule
+   property -> wire) is RUNTIME-owned, exposed as a typed set-option
+   command on the shared IGameRuntimeCommands surface; the graphical
+   Options panel and the headless host are BOTH consumers of that one
+   seam (CH3's hear-chat toggles are the proven precedent). The headless
+   session config (K1 strict versioned JSON) gains an optional
+   `characterOptions` block of declared desired values; at login, after
+   the PlayerDescription seeds actual state, the host DIFFS declared vs
+   actual and sends only changes through the shared command path
+   (0x0005 per change or one 0x01A1 blob) — idempotent on reconnect.
+   Presentation-only settings (opacity/audio/quality) stay graphical-only;
+   the strict schema keeps them out of bot config by construction.
+   Research: verify which options a bot can meaningfully hold and whether
+   ACE rejects any option change from a logged-in session.
+
 ## Process (binding, from Campaign CH's five gate rounds)
 
 - Model split: Opus research lanes → Fable (main loop) plans →