diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_connection.go b/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_connection.go
index 93e2a44097..39e52564c8 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_connection.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_connection.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
 	"os"
+	"os/user"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -19,11 +20,13 @@ import (
 
 const sshDialTimeout = 30 * time.Second
 
+var sshSystemConfigPath = filepath.Join(string(filepath.Separator), "etc", "ssh", "ssh_config")
+
 // SSHIdentitySource enumerates how kandev obtains an SSH credential.
 type SSHIdentitySource string
 
 const (
-	SSHIdentitySourceAgent SSHIdentitySource = "agent" // use SSH_AUTH_SOCK
+	SSHIdentitySourceAgent SSHIdentitySource = "agent" // use IdentityAgent or SSH_AUTH_SOCK
 	SSHIdentitySourceFile  SSHIdentitySource = "file"  // explicit IdentityFile path
 )
 
@@ -34,7 +37,9 @@ type SSHTarget struct {
 	User           string            // resolved User
 	IdentitySource SSHIdentitySource // agent | file
 	IdentityFile   string            // path when IdentitySource=file
+	IdentityAgent  string            // resolved agent socket override from ssh_config
 	ProxyJump      string            // optional bastion (single hop)
+	OriginalHost   string            // original alias/host, for OpenSSH %n/%k expansion
 
 	// PinnedFingerprint is the SHA256 fingerprint the user trusted in settings.
 	// Empty means "first connect / test mode" — accept any key and return what we saw.
@@ -67,7 +72,9 @@ type SSHConnConfig struct {
 func ResolveSSHTarget(cfg SSHConnConfig) (*SSHTarget, error) {
 	t := initialTargetFromConfig(cfg)
 	if alias := strings.TrimSpace(cfg.HostAlias); alias != "" {
-		inheritFromSSHConfig(alias, t)
+		if err := inheritFromSSHConfig(alias, t); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 	}
 	if err := applyTargetDefaults(t); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -79,6 +86,10 @@ func ResolveSSHTarget(cfg SSHConnConfig) (*SSHTarget, error) {
 // initialTargetFromConfig copies form values into a partially populated target.
 // All fields are trimmed; SSH-config inheritance and final defaults are applied later.
 func initialTargetFromConfig(cfg SSHConnConfig) *SSHTarget {
+	originalHost := strings.TrimSpace(cfg.HostAlias)
+	if originalHost == "" {
+		originalHost = strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Host)
+	}
 	return &SSHTarget{
 		Host:           strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Host),
 		Port:           cfg.Port,
@@ -86,6 +97,7 @@ func initialTargetFromConfig(cfg SSHConnConfig) *SSHTarget {
 		IdentitySource: cfg.IdentitySource,
 		IdentityFile:   strings.TrimSpace(cfg.IdentityFile),
 		ProxyJump:      strings.TrimSpace(cfg.ProxyJump),
+		OriginalHost:   originalHost,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -96,8 +108,8 @@ func initialTargetFromConfig(cfg SSHConnConfig) *SSHTarget {
 // package's package-level Get/GetStrict use a sync.Once to load the config once
 // per process, which breaks tests (and any user who edits their config) — each
 // resolve should see the current on-disk state.
-func inheritFromSSHConfig(alias string, t *SSHTarget) {
-	cfg := loadUserSSHConfig()
+func inheritFromSSHConfig(alias string, t *SSHTarget) error {
+	cfg := loadEffectiveSSHConfig()
 	if t.Host == "" {
 		if v := lookupSSHConfig(cfg, alias, "HostName"); v != "" {
 			t.Host = strings.TrimSpace(v)
@@ -129,17 +141,35 @@ func inheritFromSSHConfig(alias string, t *SSHTarget) {
 			t.ProxyJump = v
 		}
 	}
+	// IdentityAgent refines agent selection and therefore applies even when
+	// the create form explicitly selected "agent". An explicit file source
+	// remains authoritative.
+	if t.IdentitySource != SSHIdentitySourceFile {
+		t.IdentityAgent = strings.TrimSpace(lookupSSHConfig(cfg, alias, "IdentityAgent"))
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
-// loadUserSSHConfig parses $HOME/.ssh/config on demand. Returns nil if the
-// file is absent or unreadable; lookupSSHConfig handles a nil config by
-// returning the empty string.
-func loadUserSSHConfig() *ssh_config.Config {
-	home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
-	if err != nil || home == "" {
+type effectiveSSHConfig struct {
+	user   *ssh_config.Config
+	system *ssh_config.Config
+}
+
+// loadEffectiveSSHConfig parses both user and system config on every resolve.
+// User values win, matching OpenSSH's first-obtained-value behavior.
+func loadEffectiveSSHConfig() effectiveSSHConfig {
+	home, _ := os.UserHomeDir()
+	return effectiveSSHConfig{
+		user:   loadSSHConfigFile(filepath.Join(home, ".ssh", "config")),
+		system: loadSSHConfigFile(sshSystemConfigPath),
+	}
+}
+
+func loadSSHConfigFile(path string) *ssh_config.Config {
+	if path == "" {
 		return nil
 	}
-	f, err := os.Open(filepath.Join(home, ".ssh", "config"))
+	f, err := os.Open(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -151,20 +181,22 @@ func loadUserSSHConfig() *ssh_config.Config {
 	return cfg
 }
 
-func lookupSSHConfig(cfg *ssh_config.Config, alias, key string) string {
-	if cfg == nil {
-		return ""
+func lookupSSHConfig(cfg effectiveSSHConfig, alias, key string) string {
+	for _, candidate := range []*ssh_config.Config{cfg.user, cfg.system} {
+		if candidate == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		v, err := candidate.Get(alias, key)
+		if err == nil && v != "" {
+			return v
+		}
 	}
-	v, err := cfg.Get(alias, key)
-	if err != nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-	return v
+	return ""
 }
 
 // applyTargetDefaults fills in port/user/identity defaults and validates that
-// host is set. Identity defaults: ssh-agent if SSH_AUTH_SOCK is set, otherwise
-// fall back to ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.
+// host is set. Identity defaults: ssh-agent if IdentityAgent or SSH_AUTH_SOCK
+// selects a socket, otherwise fall back to ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.
 func applyTargetDefaults(t *SSHTarget) error {
 	if t.Host == "" {
 		return errors.New("ssh: host is required")
@@ -180,7 +212,7 @@ func applyTargetDefaults(t *SSHTarget) error {
 		t.User = current
 	}
 	if t.IdentitySource == "" {
-		if os.Getenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK") != "" {
+		if t.IdentityAgent != "" || os.Getenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK") != "" {
 			t.IdentitySource = SSHIdentitySourceAgent
 		} else {
 			t.IdentitySource = SSHIdentitySourceFile
@@ -189,6 +221,12 @@ func applyTargetDefaults(t *SSHTarget) error {
 	}
 	if t.IdentitySource == SSHIdentitySourceFile {
 		t.IdentityFile = expandHome(t.IdentityFile)
+	} else if t.IdentityAgent != "" && !strings.EqualFold(t.IdentityAgent, "none") {
+		expanded, err := expandIdentityAgent(t.IdentityAgent, t)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("ssh: expand IdentityAgent %q: %w", t.IdentityAgent, err)
+		}
+		t.IdentityAgent = expanded
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -208,6 +246,109 @@ func expandHome(p string) string {
 	return filepath.Join(home, p[2:])
 }
 
+// expandIdentityAgent implements OpenSSH IdentityAgent tilde, percent-token,
+// ${VAR}, and legacy whole-value $VAR expansion.
+func expandIdentityAgent(value string, t *SSHTarget) (string, error) {
+	tokens, err := identityAgentTokens(t)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	value, err = expandIdentityAgentPercentTokens(expandHome(value), tokens)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	value, err = expandIdentityAgentEnvironment(value)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if strings.HasPrefix(value, "$") {
+		name := value[1:]
+		if name == "" || strings.ContainsAny(name, "/{}") {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid legacy environment variable %q", value)
+		}
+		socket, ok := os.LookupEnv(name)
+		if !ok || socket == "" {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("environment variable %s is not set", name)
+		}
+		return socket, nil
+	}
+	if value == "SSH_AUTH_SOCK" {
+		return os.Getenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK"), nil
+	}
+	return value, nil
+}
+
+func identityAgentTokens(t *SSHTarget) (map[byte]string, error) {
+	localUser, err := user.Current()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("local user: %w", err)
+	}
+	fullHost, err := os.Hostname()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("local hostname: %w", err)
+	}
+	original := t.OriginalHost
+	if original == "" {
+		original = t.Host
+	}
+	return map[byte]string{
+		'%': "%", 'd': localUser.HomeDir, 'h': t.Host, 'i': localUser.Uid,
+		'j': t.ProxyJump, 'k': original, 'L': strings.SplitN(fullHost, ".", 2)[0], 'l': fullHost,
+		'n': original, 'p': strconv.Itoa(t.Port), 'r': t.User, 'u': localUser.Username,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func expandIdentityAgentPercentTokens(value string, tokens map[byte]string) (string, error) {
+	var out strings.Builder
+	for i := 0; i < len(value); i++ {
+		if value[i] != '%' {
+			out.WriteByte(value[i])
+			continue
+		}
+		if i+1 == len(value) {
+			return "", errors.New("trailing % token")
+		}
+		i++
+		replacement, ok := tokens[value[i]]
+		if !ok {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("unsupported token %%%c", value[i])
+		}
+		out.WriteString(replacement)
+	}
+	return out.String(), nil
+}
+
+func expandIdentityAgentEnvironment(value string) (string, error) {
+	// Scan the original value only. Environment contents can contain `${...}`
+	// text, but that text is replacement data, not another expression to expand.
+	var out strings.Builder
+	for cursor := 0; cursor < len(value); {
+		relativeStart := strings.Index(value[cursor:], "${")
+		if relativeStart == -1 {
+			out.WriteString(value[cursor:])
+			break
+		}
+		start := cursor + relativeStart
+		out.WriteString(value[cursor:start])
+		endRel := strings.IndexByte(value[start+2:], '}')
+		if endRel == -1 {
+			return "", errors.New("unterminated environment variable")
+		}
+		end := start + 2 + endRel
+		name := value[start+2 : end]
+		if name == "" {
+			return "", errors.New("empty environment variable name")
+		}
+		env, ok := os.LookupEnv(name)
+		if !ok {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("environment variable %s is not set", name)
+		}
+		out.WriteString(env)
+		cursor = end + 1
+	}
+	return out.String(), nil
+}
+
 // SSHFingerprint returns the SHA256 fingerprint of a host key in the
 // standard `SHA256:<base64>` format used by OpenSSH and the `ssh` CLI.
 func SSHFingerprint(key ssh.PublicKey) string {
@@ -237,13 +378,19 @@ func buildAuthMethods(target *SSHTarget) ([]ssh.AuthMethod, func(), error) {
 	noop := func() {}
 	switch target.IdentitySource {
 	case SSHIdentitySourceAgent:
-		sock := os.Getenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK")
+		if strings.EqualFold(target.IdentityAgent, "none") {
+			return nil, noop, errors.New("ssh-agent identity source selected but IdentityAgent is set to none")
+		}
+		sock := target.IdentityAgent
 		if sock == "" {
-			return nil, noop, errors.New("ssh-agent identity source selected but SSH_AUTH_SOCK is not set; start an agent and add your key (ssh-add)")
+			sock = os.Getenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK")
+		}
+		if sock == "" {
+			return nil, noop, errors.New("ssh-agent identity source selected but SSH_AUTH_SOCK is not set and IdentityAgent did not resolve to a socket; start an agent and add your key (ssh-add)")
 		}
 		conn, err := net.Dial("unix", sock)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, noop, fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to ssh-agent: %w", err)
+			return nil, noop, fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to ssh-agent at %s: %w", sock, err)
 		}
 		ag := agent.NewClient(conn)
 		cleanup := func() { _ = conn.Close() }
@@ -455,7 +602,7 @@ func tofuLogOnlyCallback(proxyJump, _ string) ssh.HostKeyCallback {
 // resolveBastion turns the target's ProxyJump value into a connection
 // SSHTarget. Two accepted shapes:
 //
-//   - alias: looked up in ~/.ssh/config (HostName / Port / User / IdentityFile)
+//   - alias: resolved from effective OpenSSH config (HostName / Port / User / IdentityAgent / IdentityFile)
 //   - literal "[user@]host[:port]": parsed inline, no config lookup
 //
 // The literal form has no Host block to inherit from, so passing it straight
@@ -464,19 +611,34 @@ func tofuLogOnlyCallback(proxyJump, _ string) ssh.HostKeyCallback {
 // Identity defaults flow from the target so the same key reaches the bastion.
 func resolveBastion(target *SSHTarget) (*SSHTarget, error) {
 	if user, host, port, ok := parseLiteralProxyJump(target.ProxyJump); ok {
-		return ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{
+		bastion, err := ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{
 			Host:           host,
 			Port:           port,
 			User:           user,
 			IdentitySource: target.IdentitySource,
 			IdentityFile:   target.IdentityFile,
 		})
+		if err == nil && bastion.IdentitySource == SSHIdentitySourceAgent {
+			bastion.IdentityAgent = target.IdentityAgent
+		}
+		return bastion, err
 	}
-	return ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{
-		HostAlias:      target.ProxyJump,
-		IdentitySource: target.IdentitySource,
-		IdentityFile:   target.IdentityFile,
-	})
+
+	// A jump alias owns its explicitly configured auth. If it has no auth
+	// directive, retain Kandev's existing target-auth fallback behavior.
+	effective := loadEffectiveSSHConfig()
+	hasJumpIdentity := lookupSSHConfig(effective, target.ProxyJump, "IdentityFile") != "" ||
+		lookupSSHConfig(effective, target.ProxyJump, "IdentityAgent") != ""
+	cfg := SSHConnConfig{HostAlias: target.ProxyJump}
+	if !hasJumpIdentity {
+		cfg.IdentitySource = target.IdentitySource
+		cfg.IdentityFile = target.IdentityFile
+	}
+	bastion, err := ResolveSSHTarget(cfg)
+	if err == nil && !hasJumpIdentity && bastion.IdentitySource == SSHIdentitySourceAgent {
+		bastion.IdentityAgent = target.IdentityAgent
+	}
+	return bastion, err
 }
 
 // parseLiteralProxyJump recognizes a `[user@]host[:port]` ProxyJump literal,
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_connection_test.go b/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_connection_test.go
index 9ccf81c487..6307c6ba95 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_connection_test.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_connection_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/kandev/kandev/internal/agent/agents"
 	"github.com/kandev/kandev/internal/common/logger"
@@ -766,3 +767,92 @@ func TestSSHManagedBrokerResumeForcesFreshAgentctlWithNewLease(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("connection metadata required for fresh SSH launch was removed")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestExpandIdentityAgentOpenSSHSyntax(t *testing.T) {
+	home := t.TempDir()
+	t.Setenv("HOME", home)
+	t.Setenv("AGENT_DIR", filepath.Join(home, "agents"))
+	t.Setenv("LEGACY_AGENT", filepath.Join(home, "legacy.sock"))
+	t.Setenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK", filepath.Join(home, "env.sock"))
+	target := &SSHTarget{
+		Host: "resolved.internal", Port: 2222, User: "deploy",
+		ProxyJump: "jump-alias", OriginalHost: "prod",
+	}
+
+	cases := map[string]string{
+		"~/.ssh/agent.sock":                   filepath.Join(home, ".ssh", "agent.sock"),
+		"${AGENT_DIR}/%n-%h-%p-%r-%j-%%.sock": filepath.Join(home, "agents", "prod-resolved.internal-2222-deploy-jump-alias-%.sock"),
+		"$LEGACY_AGENT":                       filepath.Join(home, "legacy.sock"),
+		"SSH_AUTH_SOCK":                       filepath.Join(home, "env.sock"),
+		"@abstract-agent":                     "@abstract-agent",
+	}
+	for input, want := range cases {
+		got, err := expandIdentityAgent(input, target)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("expandIdentityAgent(%q): %v", input, err)
+		} else if got != want {
+			t.Errorf("expandIdentityAgent(%q) = %q, want %q", input, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+
+	allTokens, err := expandIdentityAgent("%d-%i-%k-%L-%l-%u", target)
+	if err != nil || allTokens == "" || !strings.Contains(allTokens, "prod") {
+		t.Fatalf("all token expansion = %q, %v", allTokens, err)
+	}
+	for _, input := range []string{"${MISSING_IDENTITY_AGENT}", "%C", "%Z", "trailing%"} {
+		if _, err := expandIdentityAgent(input, target); err == nil {
+			t.Errorf("expandIdentityAgent(%q) unexpectedly succeeded", input)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExpandIdentityAgentRejectsUnsetLegacyVariable(t *testing.T) {
+	const variable = "MISSING_IDENTITY_AGENT"
+	previous, wasSet := os.LookupEnv(variable)
+	if err := os.Unsetenv(variable); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if wasSet {
+			_ = os.Setenv(variable, previous)
+			return
+		}
+		_ = os.Unsetenv(variable)
+	})
+	t.Setenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK", "/tmp/fallback.sock")
+
+	got, err := expandIdentityAgent("$"+variable, &SSHTarget{Host: "example.com"})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expandIdentityAgent() returned %q without an error", got)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), variable) {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v, want missing variable name %q", err, variable)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExpandIdentityAgentEnvironmentDoesNotReprocessSubstitutedTokens(t *testing.T) {
+	const childEnv = "KANDEV_TEST_EXPAND_IDENTITY_AGENT_ENV"
+	if os.Getenv(childEnv) == "1" {
+		t.Setenv("AGENT", "${AGENT}")
+		got, err := expandIdentityAgentEnvironment("${AGENT}")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if got != "${AGENT}" {
+			t.Fatalf("expanded value = %q, want the substituted token to remain literal", got)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, os.Args[0], "-test.run", "^TestExpandIdentityAgentEnvironmentDoesNotReprocessSubstitutedTokens$")
+	cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), childEnv+"=1")
+	output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+	if ctx.Err() == context.DeadlineExceeded {
+		t.Fatalf("environment expansion did not terminate")
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("child test failed: %v\n%s", err, output)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_dial_test.go b/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_dial_test.go
index 8189a62184..d54954107b 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_dial_test.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/agent/runtime/lifecycle/executor_ssh_dial_test.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 )
@@ -23,6 +24,9 @@ func newTestHomeDir(t *testing.T) string {
 	t.Helper()
 	home := t.TempDir()
 	t.Setenv("HOME", home)
+	previousSystemConfig := sshSystemConfigPath
+	sshSystemConfigPath = filepath.Join(home, "missing-system-ssh-config")
+	t.Cleanup(func() { sshSystemConfigPath = previousSystemConfig })
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(home, ".ssh"), 0o700); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("create fake ~/.ssh: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -653,3 +657,198 @@ func writeKnownHosts(t *testing.T, home, host string, key ssh.PublicKey) {
 		t.Fatalf("write known_hosts: %v", err)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestIdentityAgentInheritanceAndPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
+	home := newTestHomeDir(t)
+	writeSSHConfig(t, home, `Host agent-host
+  HostName target.internal
+  User deploy
+  IdentityAgent ~/.agents/%n.sock
+Host file-host
+  HostName target.internal
+  User deploy
+  IdentityAgent /tmp/config-agent.sock
+`)
+
+	t.Run("explicit agent selection still inherits IdentityAgent", func(t *testing.T) {
+		target, err := ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{
+			HostAlias: "agent-host", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		want := filepath.Join(home, ".agents", "agent-host.sock")
+		if target.IdentityAgent != want {
+			t.Fatalf("IdentityAgent = %q, want %q", target.IdentityAgent, want)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("configured IdentityAgent selects agent without global socket", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Setenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK", "")
+		target, err := ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{HostAlias: "agent-host"})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if target.IdentitySource != SSHIdentitySourceAgent {
+			t.Fatalf("IdentitySource = %q, want agent", target.IdentitySource)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("explicit file source ignores IdentityAgent", func(t *testing.T) {
+		key := writeTestIdentityFile(t)
+		target, err := ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{
+			HostAlias: "file-host", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceFile, IdentityFile: key,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if target.IdentityAgent != "" || target.IdentityFile != key {
+			t.Fatalf("target auth = %+v", target)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestBuildAuthMethodsIdentityAgentOverridesEnvironment(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	configuredPath := filepath.Join(dir, "configured.sock")
+	envPath := filepath.Join(dir, "env.sock")
+	configured, err := net.Listen("unix", configuredPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = configured.Close() })
+	envListener, err := net.Listen("unix", envPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = envListener.Close() })
+	t.Setenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK", envPath)
+
+	_, cleanup, err := buildAuthMethods(&SSHTarget{
+		IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent,
+		IdentityAgent:  configuredPath,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	cleanup()
+
+	_ = configured.(*net.UnixListener).SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(time.Second))
+	conn, err := configured.Accept()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("configured IdentityAgent was not dialed: %v", err)
+	}
+	_ = conn.Close()
+	_ = envListener.(*net.UnixListener).SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(20 * time.Millisecond))
+	if conn, err := envListener.Accept(); err == nil {
+		_ = conn.Close()
+		t.Fatal("SSH_AUTH_SOCK was dialed instead of IdentityAgent")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIdentityAgentNoneDisablesEnvironmentFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("SSH_AUTH_SOCK", "/tmp/should-not-be-used.sock")
+	_, cleanup, err := buildAuthMethods(&SSHTarget{
+		IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent,
+		IdentityAgent:  "none",
+	})
+	cleanup()
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "IdentityAgent is set to none") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveBastionAuthPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
+	home := newTestHomeDir(t)
+	jumpKey := writeTestIdentityFile(t)
+	writeSSHConfig(t, home, fmt.Sprintf(`Host jump-agent
+  HostName jump.internal
+  User jumper
+  IdentityAgent ~/.agents/jump.sock
+Host jump-file
+  HostName jump.internal
+  User jumper
+  IdentityFile %s
+Host jump-fallback
+  HostName jump.internal
+  User jumper
+`, jumpKey))
+
+	t.Run("jump alias IdentityAgent overrides target socket", func(t *testing.T) {
+		bastion, err := resolveBastion(&SSHTarget{ProxyJump: "jump-agent", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent, IdentityAgent: "/target.sock"})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		want := filepath.Join(home, ".agents", "jump.sock")
+		if bastion.IdentitySource != SSHIdentitySourceAgent || bastion.IdentityAgent != want {
+			t.Fatalf("bastion auth = %+v, want agent %q", bastion, want)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("jump alias IdentityFile overrides target agent", func(t *testing.T) {
+		bastion, err := resolveBastion(&SSHTarget{ProxyJump: "jump-file", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent, IdentityAgent: "/target.sock"})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if bastion.IdentitySource != SSHIdentitySourceFile || bastion.IdentityFile != jumpKey {
+			t.Fatalf("bastion auth = %+v", bastion)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("alias without auth falls back to target", func(t *testing.T) {
+		bastion, err := resolveBastion(&SSHTarget{ProxyJump: "jump-fallback", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent, IdentityAgent: "/target.sock"})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if bastion.IdentityAgent != "/target.sock" {
+			t.Fatalf("bastion auth = %+v", bastion)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("literal jump falls back to target", func(t *testing.T) {
+		bastion, err := resolveBastion(&SSHTarget{ProxyJump: "jumper@jump.internal:22", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent, IdentityAgent: "/target.sock"})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if bastion.IdentityAgent != "/target.sock" {
+			t.Fatalf("bastion auth = %+v", bastion)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestEffectiveSSHConfigReadsUserAndSystemFresh(t *testing.T) {
+	home := t.TempDir()
+	t.Setenv("HOME", home)
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(home, ".ssh"), 0o700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	systemPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "ssh_config")
+	previousSystemConfig := sshSystemConfigPath
+	sshSystemConfigPath = systemPath
+	t.Cleanup(func() { sshSystemConfigPath = previousSystemConfig })
+	if err := os.WriteFile(systemPath, []byte("Host system-only\n  HostName from-system.internal\n  User system-user\n  IdentityAgent /system-agent.sock\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	writeSSHConfig(t, home, "Host shared\n  HostName first-user.internal\n  User user-one\n")
+
+	systemTarget, err := ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{HostAlias: "system-only", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if systemTarget.Host != "from-system.internal" || systemTarget.User != "system-user" || systemTarget.IdentityAgent != "/system-agent.sock" {
+		t.Fatalf("system target = %+v", systemTarget)
+	}
+
+	first, err := ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{HostAlias: "shared", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	writeSSHConfig(t, home, "Host shared\n  HostName second-user.internal\n  User user-two\n")
+	second, err := ResolveSSHTarget(SSHConnConfig{HostAlias: "shared", IdentitySource: SSHIdentitySourceAgent})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if first.Host != "first-user.internal" || second.Host != "second-user.internal" || second.User != "user-two" {
+		t.Fatalf("fresh config results = first:%+v second:%+v", first, second)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/en/executors.json b/apps/web/src/locales/en/executors.json
index f556016139..c4ca743694 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/en/executors.json
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/en/executors.json
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@
   "sshFailedToSaveShell": "Failed to save shell",
   "sshFingerprintChanged": "Warning: this fingerprint differs from the one currently pinned (<1>{{fingerprint}}</1>). Trusting it overwrites the pinned key. If you didn’t expect a host re-key, stop here.",
   "sshFingerprintObserved": "Host fingerprint observed:",
-  "sshHostAliasHint": "If set, inherits HostName / Port / User / IdentityFile / ProxyJump from your config.",
+  "sshHostAliasHint": "If set, inherits HostName / Port / User / IdentityAgent / IdentityFile / ProxyJump from your config.",
   "sshHostAliasLabel": "Host alias from {{path}} (optional)",
   "sshIdentityFileHint": "Passphrase-protected keys must be loaded into ssh-agent first.",
   "sshIdentityFilePath": "Identity file path",
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/pseudo/executors.json b/apps/web/src/locales/pseudo/executors.json
index 17e135ffca..83bc002ab6 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/pseudo/executors.json
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/pseudo/executors.json
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@
   "sshFailedToSaveShell": "Ƒàĩĺēď ţō śàvē śĥēĺĺ",
   "sshFingerprintChanged": "Ŵàŕńĩńĝ: ţĥĩś ƒĩńĝēŕƥŕĩńţ ďĩƒƒēŕś ƒŕōḿ ţĥē ōńē ćũŕŕēńţĺŷ ƥĩńńēď (<1>{{fingerprint}}</1>). Ţŕũśţĩńĝ ĩţ ōvēŕŵŕĩţēś ţĥē ƥĩńńēď ķēŷ. Ĩƒ ŷōũ ďĩďń’ţ ēxƥēćţ à ĥōśţ ŕē-ķēŷ, śţōƥ ĥēŕē.",
   "sshFingerprintObserved": "Ĥōśţ ƒĩńĝēŕƥŕĩńţ ōƀśēŕvēď:",
-  "sshHostAliasHint": "Ĩƒ śēţ, ĩńĥēŕĩţś ĤōśţŃàḿē / Ƥōŕţ / Ũśēŕ / ĨďēńţĩţŷƑĩĺē / ƤŕōxŷĴũḿƥ ƒŕōḿ ŷōũŕ ćōńƒĩĝ.",
+  "sshHostAliasHint": "Ĩƒ śēţ, ĩńĥēŕĩţś ĤōśţŃàḿē / Ƥōŕţ / Ũśēŕ / ĨďēńţĩţŷÀĝēńţ / ĨďēńţĩţŷƑĩĺē / ƤŕōxŷĴũḿƥ ƒŕōḿ ŷōũŕ ćōńƒĩĝ.",
   "sshHostAliasLabel": "Ĥōśţ àĺĩàś ƒŕōḿ {{path}} (ōƥţĩōńàĺ)",
   "sshIdentityFileHint": "Ƥàśśƥĥŕàśē-ƥŕōţēćţēď ķēŷś ḿũśţ ƀē ĺōàďēď ĩńţō śśĥ-àĝēńţ ƒĩŕśţ.",
   "sshIdentityFilePath": "Ĩďēńţĩţŷ ƒĩĺē ƥàţĥ",
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/pt-pt/executors.json b/apps/web/src/locales/pt-pt/executors.json
index 6f70956d47..4f57ce75d7 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/pt-pt/executors.json
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/pt-pt/executors.json
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@
   "sshFailedToSaveShell": "Não foi possível guardar a shell",
   "sshFingerprintChanged": "Aviso: esta impressão digital difere da que está atualmente afixada (<1>{{fingerprint}}</1>). Confiar nela substitui a chave afixada. Se não estava à espera de uma mudança de chave do anfitrião, pare aqui.",
   "sshFingerprintObserved": "Impressão digital do anfitrião observada:",
-  "sshHostAliasHint": "Se for definido, herda HostName / Port / User / IdentityFile / ProxyJump da sua configuração.",
+  "sshHostAliasHint": "Se for definido, herda HostName / Port / User / IdentityAgent / IdentityFile / ProxyJump da sua configuração.",
   "sshHostAliasLabel": "Alias de anfitrião de {{path}} (opcional)",
   "sshIdentityFileHint": "As chaves protegidas por frase-passe têm de ser carregadas primeiro no ssh-agent.",
   "sshIdentityFilePath": "Caminho do ficheiro de identidade",
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-cn/executors.json b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-cn/executors.json
index b6601ca31e..6c42684c77 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-cn/executors.json
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-cn/executors.json
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@
   "sshFailedToSaveShell": "保存 shell 失败",
   "sshFingerprintChanged": "警告：此指纹与当前固定的指纹不同（<1>{{fingerprint}}</1>）。信任后将覆盖已固定的密钥。若你未预期主机重新生成密钥，请停止操作。",
   "sshFingerprintObserved": "观察到的主机指纹：",
-  "sshHostAliasHint": "若已设置，将从配置继承 HostName / Port / User / IdentityFile / ProxyJump。",
+  "sshHostAliasHint": "若已设置，将从配置继承 HostName / Port / User / IdentityAgent / IdentityFile / ProxyJump。",
   "sshHostAliasLabel": "来自 {{path}} 的主机别名（可选）",
   "sshIdentityFileHint": "受密码保护的密钥须先加载到 ssh-agent。",
   "sshIdentityFilePath": "身份文件路径",
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-hk/executors.json b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-hk/executors.json
index e9a3de555f..168a7fabd1 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-hk/executors.json
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-hk/executors.json
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@
   "sshFailedToSaveShell": "儲存 shell 失敗",
   "sshFingerprintChanged": "警告：此指紋與目前固定的指紋不同（<1>{{fingerprint}}</1>）。信任後將覆蓋已固定的密鑰。若你未預期主機重新產生密鑰，請停止操作。",
   "sshFingerprintObserved": "觀察到的主機指紋：",
-  "sshHostAliasHint": "若已設定，將從設定繼承 HostName / Port / User / IdentityFile / ProxyJump。",
+  "sshHostAliasHint": "若已設定，將從設定繼承 HostName / Port / User / IdentityAgent / IdentityFile / ProxyJump。",
   "sshHostAliasLabel": "來自 {{path}} 的主機別名（可選）",
   "sshIdentityFileHint": "受密碼保護的密鑰須先載入到 ssh-agent。",
   "sshIdentityFilePath": "身份檔案路徑",
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-tw/executors.json b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-tw/executors.json
index d571722271..7ab8e03214 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-tw/executors.json
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-tw/executors.json
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@
   "sshFailedToSaveShell": "儲存 shell 失敗",
   "sshFingerprintChanged": "警告：此指紋與目前固定的指紋不同（<1>{{fingerprint}}</1>）。信任後將覆蓋已固定的金鑰。若你未預期主機重新產生金鑰，請停止操作。",
   "sshFingerprintObserved": "觀察到的主機指紋：",
-  "sshHostAliasHint": "若已設定，將從設定繼承 HostName / Port / User / IdentityFile / ProxyJump。",
+  "sshHostAliasHint": "若已設定，將從設定繼承 HostName / Port / User / IdentityAgent / IdentityFile / ProxyJump。",
   "sshHostAliasLabel": "來自 {{path}} 的主機別名（可選）",
   "sshIdentityFileHint": "受密碼保護的金鑰須先載入到 ssh-agent。",
   "sshIdentityFilePath": "身分檔案路徑",
diff --git a/docs/public/executors.md b/docs/public/executors.md
index b3e6b0d287..192e6e03f3 100644
--- a/docs/public/executors.md
+++ b/docs/public/executors.md
@@ -309,14 +309,14 @@ Released Kandev bundles include helpers for all four platform combinations. The
 
 ### Create the connection
 
-Choose **Settings > Executors > SSH**. Enter a name plus either a Host or a host alias from `~/.ssh/config`. The backend resolver can inherit `HostName`, `Port`, `User`, `IdentityFile`, and one `ProxyJump`; explicit form values win. The current create form defaults and persists Port `22` and identity source `ssh-agent`, so enter a non-22 alias port and desired identity source explicitly instead of assuming those two values inherit. `IdentitiesOnly` and arbitrary OpenSSH directives are not consumed by Kandev.
+Choose **Settings > Executors > SSH**. Enter a name plus either a Host or a host alias from your OpenSSH client configuration. The backend resolver can inherit `HostName`, `Port`, `User`, `IdentityAgent`, `IdentityFile`, and one `ProxyJump`; explicit form values win. The current create form defaults and persists Port `22` and identity source `ssh-agent`, so enter a non-22 alias port and desired identity source explicitly instead of assuming those two values inherit. `IdentitiesOnly` and arbitrary OpenSSH directives are not consumed by Kandev.
 
 Authentication choices are:
 
-- `ssh-agent (SSH_AUTH_SOCK)`; or
+- ssh-agent, using the host's expanded `IdentityAgent` when configured and otherwise `$SSH_AUTH_SOCK`; or
 - an unencrypted private-key file.
 
-Password and keyboard-interactive authentication are not supported. A passphrase-protected key file must first be loaded with `ssh-add`, then used through ssh-agent.
+`IdentityAgent none` disables agent authentication for that host. Kandev expands `~`, `${VAR}`, whole-value `$VAR`, `SSH_AUTH_SOCK`, and the `%%`, `%d`, `%h`, `%i`, `%j`, `%k`, `%L`, `%l`, `%n`, `%p`, `%r`, and `%u` OpenSSH tokens in agent socket paths; `%C` is not supported. Password and keyboard-interactive authentication are not supported. A passphrase-protected key file must first be loaded with `ssh-add`, then used through ssh-agent.
 
 Run **Test Connection**, independently verify the observed SHA256 host fingerprint, select **Trust this host**, then save. Kandev pins the final target fingerprint and refuses a changed key. With ProxyJump, the target remains pinned, but bastion handling is weaker: Kandev checks `~/.ssh/known_hosts` when available and rejects a changed known key, while an unknown bastion key is accepted on first use. Verify and pre-populate the bastion key yourself.
 
diff --git a/docs/specs/executors/system-design/ssh-executor.md b/docs/specs/executors/system-design/ssh-executor.md
index b6be0b0548..8560424812 100644
--- a/docs/specs/executors/system-design/ssh-executor.md
+++ b/docs/specs/executors/system-design/ssh-executor.md
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ Multiple sessions in the *same* task share the same worktree on disk (same files
 
 ### Auth, connectivity, and host-key trust
 
-- **Auth: SSH key file + system ssh-agent.** Authentication via `golang.org/x/crypto/ssh` using either an explicit `IdentityFile` or the user's running `ssh-agent` (`$SSH_AUTH_SOCK`) — covers 1Password / Secretive / Yubikey / forwarded-agent users who don't keep raw keys on disk. **Passphrase-protected keys are not handled in kandev** — users must load them into `ssh-agent` themselves. Password and keyboard-interactive auth are not supported in v1.
+- **Auth: SSH key file + ssh-agent.** Authentication via `golang.org/x/crypto/ssh` uses either an explicit `IdentityFile` or an ssh-agent. A per-host OpenSSH `IdentityAgent` overrides the backend process's `$SSH_AUTH_SOCK`, covering 1Password / Secretive / Yubikey / forwarded-agent users whose agent socket differs from the desktop process environment. `IdentityAgent none` disables agent authentication for that host. **Passphrase-protected keys are not handled in kandev** — users must load them into `ssh-agent` themselves. Password and keyboard-interactive auth are not supported in v1.
 
-- **`~/.ssh/config` inheritance.** When a `host_alias` is configured, kandev parses `~/.ssh/config` to inherit `HostName`, `Port`, `User`, `IdentityFile`, `ProxyJump`, and `IdentitiesOnly` from the user's existing config. A user whose terminal already does `ssh prod` can paste `prod` into kandev and have it just work.
+- **OpenSSH config inheritance.** When a `host_alias` is configured, kandev resolves user and system OpenSSH client configuration to inherit `HostName`, `Port`, `User`, `IdentityAgent`, `IdentityFile`, and one `ProxyJump`. `IdentityAgent` supports `~`, `${VAR}`, whole-value `$VAR`, `SSH_AUTH_SOCK`, and percent tokens `%%`, `%d`, `%h`, `%i`, `%j`, `%k`, `%L`, `%l`, `%n`, `%p`, `%r`, and `%u`; `%C` is not supported. A user whose terminal already does `ssh prod` can paste `prod` into kandev and have it just work.
 
 - **Connectivity: direct, ProxyJump, mesh-VPN.** Direct TCP to `host:port` (default 22). `ProxyJump` (single bastion in v1; chained jumps deferred) implemented natively via the Go SSH client. Tailscale / WireGuard / corporate VPN: "just works" when the kandev backend process is on the same network namespace.
 
@@ -183,6 +183,12 @@ Multiple sessions in the *same* task share the same worktree on disk (same files
 
 - **GIVEN** a user keeps their SSH key in 1Password (no key file on disk) with their agent running, **WHEN** they select "ssh-agent" as identity source, **THEN** the connection succeeds without kandev ever touching key material; passphrase-protected keys without an agent are explicitly rejected with a "load this key into ssh-agent first" message.
 
+- **GIVEN** a host alias sets `IdentityAgent` to a working agent socket while the backend's `$SSH_AUTH_SOCK` is empty or stale, **WHEN** the user selects "ssh-agent", **THEN** kandev connects through the alias-specific socket.
+
+- **GIVEN** a target and its ProxyJump alias select different `IdentityAgent` sockets, **WHEN** kandev connects through the bastion, **THEN** each hop uses its own configured agent; a jump without an auth directive falls back to the target identity.
+
+- **GIVEN** a literal `[user@]host[:port]` ProxyJump has no matching host stanza, **WHEN** kandev connects through it, **THEN** the jump inherits the target identity.
+
 - **GIVEN** a task already has session A running on an SSH host, **WHEN** the user opens a second session B on the same task, **THEN** kandev reuses the existing task dir (no re-clone), launches a second agentctl on a different remote port with its own local SSH forward over the same SSH connection, and both sessions stream independently against the same worktree.
 
 - **GIVEN** two different tasks are running against the same SSH host, **WHEN** the kandev backend restarts, **THEN** `ResumeRemoteInstance` opens one SSH connection to the host, re-forwards each session's recorded remote port through that single connection, verifies `kill -0 <pid>` on each, and the UI reconnects without losing in-progress turns.