diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/composer-utils.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/composer-utils.ts
index 617e65051119..7ad1d487a0d8 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/composer-utils.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/composer-utils.ts
@@ -60,8 +60,10 @@ export function slashChipKindForItem(item: Unstable_TriggerItem): SlashChipKind
   return 'command'
 }
 
-/** True for a skill completion — the only kind offered mid-message. */
-export const isSkillItem = (item: Unstable_TriggerItem) => slashChipKindForItem(item) === 'skill'
+/** True for a skill completion — the only kind offered mid-message,
+ *  alongside plugin-contributed mentions (e.g. bot roster names). */
+export const isSkillItem = (item: Unstable_TriggerItem) =>
+  slashChipKindForItem(item) === 'skill' || (item.metadata as { mention?: boolean } | undefined)?.mention === true
 
 /** A `/` query is at its arg stage once it's past the command name. */
 export const slashArgStage = (query: string) => query.includes(' ')
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/contrib.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/contrib.ts
index 94d19457a58f..56549e560bf4 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/contrib.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/contrib.ts
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ export const COMPOSER_AREAS = {
   actions: 'composer.actions',
   middleware: 'composer.middleware',
   attachments: 'composer.attachments',
-  microActions: 'composer.microActions'
+  microActions: 'composer.microActions',
+  mentions: 'composer.mentions'
 } as const
 
 export interface ComposerDraft {
@@ -137,3 +138,48 @@ export function useComposerMicroActionProviders(): ComposerMicroActionProvider[]
     [contributions]
   )
 }
+
+/**
+ * Payload of a `composer.mentions` data contribution — extra entries offered
+ * by the composer's `@` picker alongside file/URL/git references.
+ *
+ * `resolve` is called with the live session context and returns the entries
+ * to offer, or `[]` for "nothing from me". Entries render as a group headed
+ * by `group` when present; the text is what picking the row inserts (use the
+ * same wire shape the gateway's `complete.path` uses, e.g. `@researcher`).
+ */
+export interface ComposerMentionProvider {
+  resolve: (ctx: ComposerMentionContext) => ComposerMentionEntry[]
+}
+
+export interface ComposerMentionEntry {
+  /** Raw text inserted on pick, e.g. `@researcher` (no trailing space — the
+   *  composer adds it, matching file refs). */
+  text: string
+  /** Row label. Defaults to `text`. */
+  display?: string
+  /** Secondary line under the label (role/title). */
+  meta?: string
+  /** Optional section header rendered above the group ("Bots"). When absent,
+   *  entries merge into the plain list. */
+  group?: string
+}
+
+/** What a mention provider gets to branch on. Deliberately small — every
+ *  field here is a standing compatibility promise to the plugins using it. */
+export interface ComposerMentionContext {
+  sessionId: string
+  /** The profile the live gateway is routed to ('' when detached). */
+  gatewayProfile: string
+}
+
+/** Mention providers, memoised against the registry's own stable snapshot —
+ *  resolved once per composer render, not per keystroke. */
+export function useComposerMentionProviders(): ComposerMentionProvider[] {
+  const contributions = useContributions(COMPOSER_AREAS.mentions)
+
+  return useMemo(
+    () => contributions.map(c => c.data as ComposerMentionProvider).filter(p => typeof p?.resolve === 'function'),
+    [contributions]
+  )
+}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/hooks/use-at-completions.test.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/hooks/use-at-completions.test.ts
index cc1818f43b29..cd6eb48b054d 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/hooks/use-at-completions.test.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/hooks/use-at-completions.test.ts
@@ -20,10 +20,12 @@ function gatewayStub(latencyMs = 40) {
   return { calls, gateway }
 }
 
-function setup(latencyMs = 40) {
+function setup(latencyMs = 40, mentionEntries = []) {
   const { calls, gateway } = gatewayStub(latencyMs)
 
-  const { result } = renderHook(() => useAtCompletions({ gateway: gateway as never, sessionId: 's1', cwd: '/repo' }))
+  const { result } = renderHook(() =>
+    useAtCompletions({ gateway: gateway as never, sessionId: 's1', cwd: '/repo', mentionEntries })
+  )
 
   return { calls, result }
 }
@@ -105,3 +107,79 @@ describe('PERF: @ path completions are cached and skip the debounce', () => {
     vi.useRealTimers()
   })
 })
+
+describe('plugin-contributed mentions ride along the @ picker', () => {
+  const mentions = [
+    { text: '@researcher', display: 'Researcher', meta: 'Model research', group: 'Bots' },
+    { text: '@bookie', display: 'Bookie', meta: 'Betting analytics', group: 'Bots' }
+  ]
+
+  function setupWithMentions(latencyMs = 40) {
+    const { calls, gateway } = gatewayStub(latencyMs)
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() =>
+      useAtCompletions({ gateway: gateway as never, sessionId: 's1', cwd: '/repo', mentionEntries: mentions as never[] })
+    )
+
+    return { calls, result }
+  }
+
+  it('offers matching mentions alongside path completions', async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+    queryClient.clear()
+
+    const { result } = setupWithMentions()
+
+    await type(result, ['res'], 0)
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(200)
+    })
+
+    const items = result.current.adapter.search?.('res') ?? []
+    const labels = items.map(i => i.label)
+
+    // Gateway returned @folder:resx/ — the bot mention must ride along.
+    expect(labels).toContain('Researcher')
+    expect(labels).not.toContain('Bookie')
+    expect(labels).toContain('resx/')
+
+    vi.useRealTimers()
+  })
+
+  it('filters mentions by their display name too', async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+    queryClient.clear()
+
+    const { result } = setupWithMentions()
+
+    await type(result, ['book'], 0)
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(200)
+    })
+
+    const labels = result.current.adapter.search?.('book')?.map(i => i.label) ?? []
+    expect(labels).toContain('Bookie')
+    expect(labels).not.toContain('Researcher')
+
+    vi.useRealTimers()
+  })
+
+  it('tags mention items so the mid-message filter keeps them', async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+    queryClient.clear()
+
+    const { result } = setupWithMentions()
+
+    await type(result, ['@'], 0)
+    await act(async () => {
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(200)
+    })
+
+    const items = result.current.adapter.search?.('@') ?? []
+    const mentionItem = items.find(i => i.label === 'Researcher')
+    expect(mentionItem).toBeTruthy()
+    expect((mentionItem?.metadata as { mention?: boolean } | undefined)?.mention).toBe(true)
+
+    vi.useRealTimers()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/hooks/use-at-completions.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/hooks/use-at-completions.ts
index 1f8a12df3365..e5ec0acff09e 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/hooks/use-at-completions.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/hooks/use-at-completions.ts
@@ -82,13 +82,15 @@ function classify(entry: CompletionEntry): {
   }
 }
 
-/** Live `@` completions backed by the gateway's `complete.path` RPC. */
+/** Live `@` completions backed by the gateway's `complete.path` RPC, plus
+ *  plugin-contributed mention entries (composer.mentions area). */
 export function useAtCompletions(options: {
   gateway: HermesGateway | null
   sessionId: string | null
   cwd: string | null
+  mentionEntries: CompletionEntry[]
 }): { adapter: Unstable_TriggerAdapter; loading: boolean } {
-  const { gateway, sessionId, cwd } = options
+  const { gateway, sessionId, cwd, mentionEntries } = options
   const enabled = Boolean(gateway)
 
   // Cache key: the completion depends on the query AND the directory it's
@@ -127,12 +129,24 @@ export function useAtCompletions(options: {
 
         const items = result.items ?? []
 
-        return { items: items.length > 0 ? items : starters, query }
+        // Plugin-contributed mentions ride along whenever their handle/name
+        // matches what the user is typing. They are grouped so the picker
+        // reads as one list with a labeled "Bots" (or plugin-chosen) section,
+        // not a wall of mixed kinds.
+        const displayOf = (e: CompletionEntry) => (typeof e.display === 'string' ? e.display : e.text)
+        const mentionMatches = mentionEntries.filter(
+          e => !query || e.text.toLowerCase().includes(query.toLowerCase()) || displayOf(e).toLowerCase().includes(query.toLowerCase())
+        )
+
+        return { items: items.length > 0 ? [...items, ...mentionMatches] : [...starters, ...mentionMatches], query }
       } catch {
-        return { items: starters, query }
+        return {
+          items: [...starters, ...mentionEntries.filter(e => !query || e.text.toLowerCase().includes(query.toLowerCase()))],
+          query
+        }
       }
     },
-    [cacheKey, gateway, sessionId, cwd]
+    [cacheKey, gateway, mentionEntries, sessionId, cwd]
   )
 
   const toItem = useCallback((entry: CompletionEntry, index: number): Unstable_TriggerItem => {
@@ -153,7 +167,9 @@ export function useAtCompletions(options: {
       type: classified.type,
       label: classified.display,
       ...(classified.meta ? { description: classified.meta } : {}),
-      metadata
+      // Mark plugin-contributed mentions so the mid-message trigger keeps
+      // them alongside skills (bots are legitimate inline references).
+      ...(entry.group ? { metadata: { ...metadata, mention: true } } : { metadata })
     }
   }, [])
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
index c61f81f1fc2c..6d9b6f932823 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import { $hudMode } from '@/store/hud'
 import { sessionBlockingPrompt } from '@/store/prompts'
 import { toggleReview } from '@/store/review'
 import { $gatewayState } from '@/store/session'
+import { $activeGatewayProfile } from '@/store/profile'
 import { $threadScrolledUp } from '@/store/thread-scroll'
 import { $autoSpeakReplies } from '@/store/voice-prefs'
 import { useTheme } from '@/themes'
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ import {
   slashArgStage
 } from './composer-utils'
 import { ContextMenu } from './context-menu'
-import { COMPOSER_AREAS, runComposerMiddleware } from './contrib'
+import { COMPOSER_AREAS, runComposerMiddleware, useComposerMentionProviders } from './contrib'
 import { ComposerControls } from './controls'
 import { ComposerDirectiveActions } from './directive-actions'
 import { COMPOSER_DROP_ACTIVE_CLASS, COMPOSER_DROP_FADE_CLASS } from './drop-affordance'
@@ -202,7 +203,25 @@ export function ChatBar({
   const composingRef = useRef(false) // true during IME composition (CJK input)
 
   const { availableThemes, themeName } = useTheme()
-  const at = useAtCompletions({ gateway: gateway ?? null, sessionId: sessionId ?? null, cwd: cwd ?? null })
+  const gatewayProfileName = useStore($activeGatewayProfile)
+  // Plugin-contributed `@` mentions (e.g. bot roster names) — resolved once
+  // per composer render, then filtered per keystroke inside useAtCompletions.
+  const mentionProviders = useComposerMentionProviders()
+  const mentionEntries = useMemo(() => {
+    const ctx = {
+      sessionId: sessionId ?? '',
+      gatewayProfile: (gatewayProfileName || '').trim()
+    }
+
+    return mentionProviders.flatMap(provider => {
+      try {
+        return provider.resolve(ctx) ?? []
+      } catch {
+        return []
+      }
+    })
+  }, [gatewayProfileName, mentionProviders, sessionId])
+  const at = useAtCompletions({ gateway: gateway ?? null, sessionId: sessionId ?? null, cwd: cwd ?? null, mentionEntries })
   const slash = useSlashCompletions({ activeSkin: themeName, gateway: gateway ?? null, skinThemes: availableThemes })
   const emoji = useEmojiCompletions()
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/thread/user-edit-composer.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/thread/user-edit-composer.tsx
index c54e9ec6f6c9..840b4e8b47de 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/thread/user-edit-composer.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/thread/user-edit-composer.tsx
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ export const UserEditComposer: FC<UserEditComposerProps> = ({ cwd, gateway, sess
   const [staging, setStaging] = useState(false)
   const expanded = draft.includes('\n')
   const canSubmit = draft.trim().length > 0
-  const at = useAtCompletions({ cwd, gateway, sessionId })
+  const at = useAtCompletions({ cwd, gateway, sessionId, mentionEntries: [] })
   const slash = useSlashCompletions({ gateway })
   const emoji = useEmojiCompletions()
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/sdk/index.ts b/apps/desktop/src/sdk/index.ts
index 7d13ada9a376..80ded25815f5 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/sdk/index.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/sdk/index.ts
@@ -179,7 +179,13 @@ export const host = {
 // Every contribution surface, plugin-reachable: register keybinds, palette
 // commands, routes, themes, panes, composer extensions, and bar items with
 // the same area ids + payload types core uses.
-export { COMPOSER_AREAS, type ComposerAttachmentProvider, type ComposerMiddleware } from '@/app/chat/composer/contrib'
+export {
+  COMPOSER_AREAS,
+  type ComposerAttachmentProvider,
+  type ComposerMentionEntry,
+  type ComposerMentionProvider,
+  type ComposerMiddleware
+} from '@/app/chat/composer/contrib'
 
 // -- ui: the design language --------------------------------------------------