diff --git a/pkg/tools/execute/code.go b/pkg/tools/execute/code.go
index b3a9ea5..b67d4dd 100644
--- a/pkg/tools/execute/code.go
+++ b/pkg/tools/execute/code.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 // CodeStep is one stage in an execution pipeline.
 // Set Code/Language for inline code, Tool/Args for a named script, or Parallel for concurrent fan-out.
 // Set Elevated to run the step outside the sandbox via the configured elevation backend.
+// Set Detach to immediately background the process and return its PID.
 type CodeStep struct {
 	Code     string     `json:"code"`
 	Language string     `json:"language"`
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ type CodeStep struct {
 	Args     []string   `json:"args"`
 	Parallel []CodeStep `json:"parallel"`
 	Elevated bool       `json:"elevated"`
+	Detach   bool       `json:"detach"`
 }
 
 // resolveCodeStep loads a CodeStep into executable (code, language, trusted).
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@ func (e *Server) dispatchSteps(ctx context.Context, steps []CodeStep, timeout in
 		if err != nil {
 			return "", err
 		}
-		return e.executeWithStdin(ctx, code, lang, timeout, sandboxName, trusted, "")
+		return e.executeWithStdin(ctx, code, lang, timeout, sandboxName, trusted, "", steps[0].Detach)
 	}
 
 	// Multiple steps: auto-batch consecutive read-safe steps in parallel;
diff --git a/pkg/tools/execute/pipe.go b/pkg/tools/execute/pipe.go
index cf1bf7a..17c0e1d 100644
--- a/pkg/tools/execute/pipe.go
+++ b/pkg/tools/execute/pipe.go
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func (e *Server) runStage(ctx context.Context, idx int, stage CodeStep, timeout
 		if err != nil {
 			return "", err
 		}
-		return e.executeWithStdin(ctx, code, lang, timeout, sandboxName, trusted, stdinData)
+		return e.executeWithStdin(ctx, code, lang, timeout, sandboxName, trusted, stdinData, stage.Detach)
 	}
 
 	return "", fmt.Errorf("stage %d: requires code, tool, or parallel", idx)
diff --git a/pkg/tools/execute/server.go b/pkg/tools/execute/server.go
index 076f5da..66d9ff6 100644
--- a/pkg/tools/execute/server.go
+++ b/pkg/tools/execute/server.go
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ No stdout chaining between steps — use pipe for that.
 Each step is one of:
 - {code, language}              — inline code (default language: bash)
 - {elevated: true, code}        — run outside sandbox via elevation backend (bash only)
+- {detach: true, code}          — start process and immediately background it; returns PID
 - {parallel: [{code/language}...]} — concurrent fan-out; outputs concatenated in submission order
 
 Supported languages: bash, python3, perl, lua, awk, sed, jq, ed, expect, bc.
@@ -179,6 +180,7 @@ Examples:
 								"code":     {"type": "string", "description": "Inline code to execute."},
 								"language": {"type": "string", "description": "Language interpreter (default: bash)."},
 								"elevated": {"type": "boolean", "description": "Run outside the sandbox via the elevation backend. Only bash is supported."},
+								"detach":   {"type": "boolean", "description": "Start the process and immediately background it. Returns the PID. Use process_list/process_output to inspect."},
 								"parallel": {
 									"type": "array",
 									"description": "Fan-out: steps run concurrently, outputs concatenated in submission order.",
@@ -486,7 +488,7 @@ func (e *Server) Execute(ctx context.Context, code, language string, timeout int
 
 // executeWithStdin is like Execute but feeds stdinData to the command's stdin.
 // For languages where code is itself passed via stdin (ed, expect, bc), stdinData is ignored.
-func (e *Server) executeWithStdin(ctx context.Context, code, language string, timeout int, sandboxName string, trusted bool, stdinData string) (string, error) {
+func (e *Server) executeWithStdin(ctx context.Context, code, language string, timeout int, sandboxName string, trusted bool, stdinData string, detach ...bool) (string, error) {
 	if timeout < 0 {
 		timeout = 30
 	}
@@ -640,6 +642,11 @@ func (e *Server) executeWithStdin(ctx context.Context, code, language string, ti
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("execution failed: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	// If detach requested, immediately signal the detach channel
+	if len(detach) > 0 && detach[0] {
+		close(detachCh)
+	}
+
 	// Wait for completion, context cancellation, or detach signal
 	waitCh := make(chan error, 1)
 	go func() { waitCh <- cmd.Wait() }()