diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index fcec8c8..2ba90c1 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -3003,7 +3003,8 @@ async function runServer(): Promise<void> {
     }
 
     server.onclose = shutdown;
-    process.stdin.on('close', shutdown);
+    // Delay exit on stdin close — prevents crash if CodeWhale briefly disconnects during init
+    process.stdin.on('close', () => setTimeout(shutdown, 1000));
     process.on('SIGTERM', shutdown);
     process.on('SIGINT', shutdown);