diff --git a/pkg/multiagent/handoff.go b/pkg/multiagent/handoff.go
index 44ad707da..50d342885 100644
--- a/pkg/multiagent/handoff.go
+++ b/pkg/multiagent/handoff.go
@@ -41,12 +41,18 @@ func FindAgentsByCapability(resolver AgentResolver, capability string) []AgentIn
 	return matches
 }
 
+// DefaultMaxHandoffDepth is the maximum handoff chain depth when not configured.
+const DefaultMaxHandoffDepth = 3
+
 // HandoffRequest describes a delegation from one agent to another.
 type HandoffRequest struct {
 	FromAgentID string
 	ToAgentID   string
 	Task        string
 	Context     map[string]string // k-v to write to blackboard before handoff
+	Depth       int               // current depth level (0 = top-level)
+	Visited     []string          // agent IDs already in the call chain
+	MaxDepth    int               // max allowed depth (0 = use DefaultMaxHandoffDepth)
 }
 
 // HandoffResult contains the outcome of a handoff execution.
@@ -59,7 +65,32 @@ type HandoffResult struct {
 }
 
 // ExecuteHandoff delegates a task to a target agent, injecting blackboard context.
+// It enforces recursion guards: depth limit and cycle detection.
 func ExecuteHandoff(ctx context.Context, resolver AgentResolver, board *Blackboard, req HandoffRequest, channel, chatID string) *HandoffResult {
+	// Recursion guard: depth limit
+	maxDepth := req.MaxDepth
+	if maxDepth == 0 {
+		maxDepth = DefaultMaxHandoffDepth
+	}
+	if req.Depth >= maxDepth {
+		return &HandoffResult{
+			AgentID: req.ToAgentID,
+			Success: false,
+			Error:   fmt.Sprintf("handoff depth limit reached (%d/%d): %v -> %s", req.Depth, maxDepth, req.Visited, req.ToAgentID),
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Recursion guard: cycle detection
+	for _, v := range req.Visited {
+		if v == req.ToAgentID {
+			return &HandoffResult{
+				AgentID: req.ToAgentID,
+				Success: false,
+				Error:   fmt.Sprintf("handoff cycle detected: %q already in chain %v", req.ToAgentID, req.Visited),
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	target := resolver.GetAgentInfo(req.ToAgentID)
 	if target == nil {
 		return &HandoffResult{
@@ -76,6 +107,30 @@ func ExecuteHandoff(ctx context.Context, resolver AgentResolver, board *Blackboa
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Propagate depth and visited to target agent's handoff tool
+	newVisited := make([]string, len(req.Visited)+1)
+	copy(newVisited, req.Visited)
+	newVisited[len(req.Visited)] = req.ToAgentID
+
+	if target.Tools != nil {
+		// Wire session blackboard to target's tools
+		if tool, ok := target.Tools.Get("blackboard"); ok {
+			if ba, ok := tool.(BoardAware); ok {
+				ba.SetBoard(board)
+			}
+		}
+		if tool, ok := target.Tools.Get("handoff"); ok {
+			if ba, ok := tool.(BoardAware); ok {
+				ba.SetBoard(board)
+			}
+			if ht, ok := tool.(*HandoffTool); ok {
+				ht.depth = req.Depth + 1
+				ht.visited = newVisited
+				ht.maxDepth = maxDepth
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Build system prompt incorporating agent role, system prompt, and blackboard
 	systemPrompt := buildHandoffSystemPrompt(target, board)
 
diff --git a/pkg/multiagent/handoff_tool.go b/pkg/multiagent/handoff_tool.go
index 75276f3d2..e0d344d91 100644
--- a/pkg/multiagent/handoff_tool.go
+++ b/pkg/multiagent/handoff_tool.go
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ type HandoffTool struct {
 	fromAgentID   string
 	originChannel string
 	originChatID  string
+	depth         int      // current handoff depth (0 = top-level)
+	visited       []string // agent IDs already in the call chain
+	maxDepth      int      // max allowed depth (0 = use DefaultMaxHandoffDepth)
 }
 
 // NewHandoffTool creates a handoff tool bound to a specific source agent.
@@ -133,6 +136,9 @@ func (t *HandoffTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) *tools.T
 		ToAgentID:   agentID,
 		Task:        task,
 		Context:     contextMap,
+		Depth:       t.depth,
+		Visited:     t.visited,
+		MaxDepth:    t.maxDepth,
 	}, t.originChannel, t.originChatID)
 
 	if !result.Success {