diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 087a502..8bbb184 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1198,7 +1198,7 @@ Companion runtime helper:
   - shared `bootstrap()` helper (`register` + `getCapabilities`) for startup handshakes
   - shared `publishHeartbeat()` helper for periodic `node.status.set` updates with safe defaults
   - optional `defaultSessionId` for canvas helper calls so `sessionId` can be omitted per call
-- `src/companion/heartbeatLoop.ts` provides `CompanionHeartbeatLoop` for periodic heartbeat scheduling (`publishHeartbeat`) with start/stop safety, error hooks, and optional auto-stop after repeated failures.
+- `src/companion/heartbeatLoop.ts` provides `CompanionHeartbeatLoop` for periodic heartbeat scheduling (`publishHeartbeat`) with start/stop safety, `tickNow()` for manual sends, error hooks, and optional auto-stop after repeated failures.
 
 ## Canvas / A2UI Foundation
 
diff --git a/docs/plans/state.json b/docs/plans/state.json
index 4155c9d..b47a7f3 100644
--- a/docs/plans/state.json
+++ b/docs/plans/state.json
@@ -355,6 +355,19 @@
       ],
       "test_status": "pnpm test:run src/companion/runtimeClient.test.ts src/companion/platformClients.test.ts src/companion/platformClients.integration.test.ts src/companion/heartbeatLoop.test.ts + pnpm typecheck passing"
     },
+    "companion-heartbeat-loop-manual-tick": {
+      "status": "completed",
+      "date": "2026-02-17",
+      "updated": "2026-02-17",
+      "summary": "Added `tickNow()` on `CompanionHeartbeatLoop` to allow explicit immediate heartbeat sends independent of the periodic scheduler lifecycle.",
+      "files_modified": [
+        "src/companion/heartbeatLoop.ts",
+        "src/companion/heartbeatLoop.test.ts",
+        "README.md",
+        "docs/plans/state.json"
+      ],
+      "test_status": "pnpm test:run src/companion/heartbeatLoop.test.ts src/companion/runtimeClient.test.ts src/companion/platformClients.test.ts src/companion/platformClients.integration.test.ts + pnpm typecheck passing"
+    },
     "browser-tools-activation-clarity": {
       "status": "completed",
       "date": "2026-02-17",
diff --git a/src/companion/heartbeatLoop.test.ts b/src/companion/heartbeatLoop.test.ts
index 7aa6a40..3532cde 100644
--- a/src/companion/heartbeatLoop.test.ts
+++ b/src/companion/heartbeatLoop.test.ts
@@ -130,4 +130,14 @@ describe('CompanionHeartbeatLoop', () => {
     await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1000);
     expect(publishHeartbeat).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
   });
+
+  it('tickNow sends heartbeat even when loop is not started', async () => {
+    const publishHeartbeat = vi.fn(async () => buildStatusResult());
+    const loop = new CompanionHeartbeatLoop({ publishHeartbeat }, { intervalMs: 1000 });
+
+    expect(loop.running).toBe(false);
+    await loop.tickNow();
+    expect(publishHeartbeat).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(loop.running).toBe(false);
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/companion/heartbeatLoop.ts b/src/companion/heartbeatLoop.ts
index b040941..2e2c889 100644
--- a/src/companion/heartbeatLoop.ts
+++ b/src/companion/heartbeatLoop.ts
@@ -65,6 +65,10 @@ export class CompanionHeartbeatLoop {
     }
   }
 
+  async tickNow(): Promise<void> {
+    await this.tick(true);
+  }
+
   private scheduleNext(): void {
     if (!this.started) {
       return;
@@ -74,8 +78,8 @@ export class CompanionHeartbeatLoop {
     }, this.intervalMs);
   }
 
-  private async tick(): Promise<void> {
-    if (!this.started || this.inFlight) {
+  private async tick(force = false): Promise<void> {
+    if ((!this.started && !force) || this.inFlight) {
       return;
     }
     this.inFlight = true;