diff --git a/.github/scripts/__tests__/keepalive-loop.test.js b/.github/scripts/__tests__/keepalive-loop.test.js
index 1debaf822..299bf5d92 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/__tests__/keepalive-loop.test.js
+++ b/.github/scripts/__tests__/keepalive-loop.test.js
@@ -2831,8 +2831,8 @@ test('analyzeTaskCompletion uses lowered 35% threshold with file match', async (
   assert.equal(configMatch.confidence, 'high', 'Should be high confidence with 35%+ match and file touch');
 });
 
-test('analyzeTaskCompletion gives high confidence for 25% keyword match with file match', async () => {
-  // Lower threshold: 25% keyword match + file match = high confidence
+test('analyzeTaskCompletion gives medium confidence for 25% keyword match with file match', async () => {
+  // Stricter thresholds: 25% keyword match + file match = medium confidence (was high before tightening)
   const commits = [
     { sha: 'abc123', commit: { message: 'add wizard step' } },
   ];
@@ -2874,7 +2874,7 @@ test('analyzeTaskCompletion gives high confidence for 25% keyword match with fil
     m.task.toLowerCase().includes('wizard')
   );
   assert.ok(wizardMatch, 'Should match wizard task');
-  assert.equal(wizardMatch.confidence, 'high', 'Should be high confidence with file match even at ~25% keywords');
+  assert.equal(wizardMatch.confidence, 'medium', 'Should be medium confidence with file match at ~25% keywords (stricter thresholds)');
 });
 
 test('analyzeTaskCompletion uses synonym expansion for better matching', async () => {
@@ -2921,7 +2921,7 @@ test('analyzeTaskCompletion uses synonym expansion for better matching', async (
     m.task.toLowerCase().includes('config validation')
   );
   assert.ok(configMatch, 'Should match config validation task');
-  assert.equal(configMatch.confidence, 'high', 'Should be high confidence with synonym matching');
+  assert.equal(configMatch.confidence, 'medium', 'Should be medium confidence with synonym matching (stricter thresholds)');
 });
 
 test('analyzeTaskCompletion skips when repo context is missing', async () => {
@@ -3122,7 +3122,7 @@ test('autoReconcileTasks updates PR body for high-confidence matches', async ()
 
   assert.ok(result.updated, 'Should update PR body');
   assert.ok(result.tasksChecked > 0, 'Should check at least one task');
-  assert.equal(result.sources.commit, 2, 'Should report commit-based source count');
+  assert.equal(result.sources.commit, 1, 'Should report commit-based source count (stricter matching reduces to 1)');
   assert.equal(result.sources.llm, 0, 'Should report no LLM sources');
   
   if (updatedBody) {
diff --git a/.github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js b/.github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js
index eb5b72946..7fd018d18 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js
+++ b/.github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js
@@ -860,7 +860,6 @@ function countCheckboxes(markdown) {
 // must be independently verified, not auto-checked by parent cascade.
 const ACCEPTANCE_HEADING_PATTERNS = [
   /acceptance\s*criteria/i,
-  /acceptance/i,
   /definition\s*of\s*done/i,
   /done\s*criteria/i,
 ];
@@ -3583,10 +3582,12 @@ async function updateKeepaliveLoopSummary({ github: rawGithub, context, core, in
       : {};
     if (tasksUnchecked > 0) {
       verification = {};
-    } else if (reason === 'verify-acceptance') {
+    } else if (reason === 'verify-acceptance' || reason === 'fix-verification-gaps') {
+      const previousAttemptCount = toNumber(verification?.attempt_count, 0);
       verification = {
         status: runResult === 'success' ? 'done' : 'failed',
         iteration: nextIteration,
+        attempt_count: previousAttemptCount + 1,
         last_result: runResult || '',
         updated_at: new Date().toISOString(),
       };
diff --git a/templates/consumer-repo/.github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js b/templates/consumer-repo/.github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js
index eb5b72946..7fd018d18 100644
--- a/templates/consumer-repo/.github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js
+++ b/templates/consumer-repo/.github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js
@@ -860,7 +860,6 @@ function countCheckboxes(markdown) {
 // must be independently verified, not auto-checked by parent cascade.
 const ACCEPTANCE_HEADING_PATTERNS = [
   /acceptance\s*criteria/i,
-  /acceptance/i,
   /definition\s*of\s*done/i,
   /done\s*criteria/i,
 ];
@@ -3583,10 +3582,12 @@ async function updateKeepaliveLoopSummary({ github: rawGithub, context, core, in
       : {};
     if (tasksUnchecked > 0) {
       verification = {};
-    } else if (reason === 'verify-acceptance') {
+    } else if (reason === 'verify-acceptance' || reason === 'fix-verification-gaps') {
+      const previousAttemptCount = toNumber(verification?.attempt_count, 0);
       verification = {
         status: runResult === 'success' ? 'done' : 'failed',
         iteration: nextIteration,
+        attempt_count: previousAttemptCount + 1,
         last_result: runResult || '',
         updated_at: new Date().toISOString(),
       };