diff --git a/apps/api/src/herald/herald.module.ts b/apps/api/src/herald/herald.module.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc46e89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/herald/herald.module.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import { Module } from "@nestjs/common";
+import { HeraldService } from "./herald.service";
+import { PrismaModule } from "../prisma/prisma.module";
+import { BridgeModule } from "../bridge/bridge.module";
+
+/**
+ * Herald Module - Status broadcasting and notifications
+ *
+ * Responsibilities:
+ * - Subscribe to job events
+ * - Format status messages with PDA-friendly language
+ * - Route to appropriate channels based on workspace config
+ * - Support Discord (via bridge) and PR comments
+ */
+@Module({
+  imports: [PrismaModule, BridgeModule],
+  providers: [HeraldService],
+  exports: [HeraldService],
+})
+export class HeraldModule {}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/herald/herald.service.spec.ts b/apps/api/src/herald/herald.service.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f848ba0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/herald/herald.service.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,525 @@
+import { Test, TestingModule } from "@nestjs/testing";
+import { vi, describe, it, expect, beforeEach } from "vitest";
+import { HeraldService } from "./herald.service";
+import { PrismaService } from "../prisma/prisma.service";
+import { DiscordService } from "../bridge/discord/discord.service";
+import {
+  JOB_CREATED,
+  JOB_STARTED,
+  JOB_COMPLETED,
+  JOB_FAILED,
+  STEP_STARTED,
+  STEP_COMPLETED,
+  GATE_PASSED,
+  GATE_FAILED,
+} from "../job-events/event-types";
+
+describe("HeraldService", () => {
+  let service: HeraldService;
+  let prisma: PrismaService;
+  let discord: DiscordService;
+
+  const mockPrisma = {
+    workspace: {
+      findUnique: vi.fn(),
+    },
+    runnerJob: {
+      findUnique: vi.fn(),
+    },
+    jobEvent: {
+      findFirst: vi.fn(),
+    },
+  };
+
+  const mockDiscord = {
+    isConnected: vi.fn(),
+    sendMessage: vi.fn(),
+    sendThreadMessage: vi.fn(),
+    createThread: vi.fn(),
+  };
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    const module: TestingModule = await Test.createTestingModule({
+      providers: [
+        HeraldService,
+        {
+          provide: PrismaService,
+          useValue: mockPrisma,
+        },
+        {
+          provide: DiscordService,
+          useValue: mockDiscord,
+        },
+      ],
+    }).compile();
+
+    service = module.get<HeraldService>(HeraldService);
+    prisma = module.get<PrismaService>(PrismaService);
+    discord = module.get<DiscordService>(DiscordService);
+
+    // Reset mocks
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  describe("broadcastJobEvent", () => {
+    it("should broadcast job.created event to configured channel", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobId = "job-1";
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId,
+        type: JOB_CREATED,
+        timestamp: new Date(),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: { issueNumber: 42 },
+      };
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: {
+          herald: {
+            channelMappings: {
+              "code-task": "channel-123",
+            },
+          },
+        },
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.runnerJob.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: jobId,
+        workspaceId,
+        type: "code-task",
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.jobEvent.findFirst.mockResolvedValue({
+        payload: {
+          metadata: { issueNumber: 42, threadId: "thread-123" },
+        },
+      });
+
+      mockDiscord.isConnected.mockReturnValue(true);
+      mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      // Act
+      await service.broadcastJobEvent(jobId, event);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        threadId: "thread-123",
+        content: expect.stringContaining("Job created"),
+      });
+    });
+
+    it("should broadcast job.started event", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobId = "job-1";
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId,
+        type: JOB_STARTED,
+        timestamp: new Date(),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: {},
+      };
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: { herald: { channelMappings: {} } },
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.runnerJob.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: jobId,
+        workspaceId,
+        type: "code-task",
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.jobEvent.findFirst.mockResolvedValue({
+        payload: {
+          metadata: { threadId: "thread-123" },
+        },
+      });
+
+      mockDiscord.isConnected.mockReturnValue(true);
+      mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      // Act
+      await service.broadcastJobEvent(jobId, event);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        threadId: "thread-123",
+        content: expect.stringContaining("Job started"),
+      });
+    });
+
+    it("should broadcast job.completed event with success message", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobId = "job-1";
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId,
+        type: JOB_COMPLETED,
+        timestamp: new Date(),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: { duration: 120 },
+      };
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: { herald: { channelMappings: {} } },
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.runnerJob.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: jobId,
+        workspaceId,
+        type: "code-task",
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.jobEvent.findFirst.mockResolvedValue({
+        payload: {
+          metadata: { threadId: "thread-123" },
+        },
+      });
+
+      mockDiscord.isConnected.mockReturnValue(true);
+      mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      // Act
+      await service.broadcastJobEvent(jobId, event);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        threadId: "thread-123",
+        content: expect.stringContaining("completed"),
+      });
+    });
+
+    it("should broadcast job.failed event with PDA-friendly language", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobId = "job-1";
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId,
+        type: JOB_FAILED,
+        timestamp: new Date(),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: { error: "Build failed" },
+      };
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: { herald: { channelMappings: {} } },
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.runnerJob.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: jobId,
+        workspaceId,
+        type: "code-task",
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.jobEvent.findFirst.mockResolvedValue({
+        payload: {
+          metadata: { threadId: "thread-123" },
+        },
+      });
+
+      mockDiscord.isConnected.mockReturnValue(true);
+      mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      // Act
+      await service.broadcastJobEvent(jobId, event);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        threadId: "thread-123",
+        content: expect.stringContaining("encountered an issue"),
+      });
+      // Verify the actual message doesn't contain demanding language
+      const actualCall = mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage.mock.calls[0][0];
+      expect(actualCall.content).not.toMatch(/FAILED|ERROR|CRITICAL|URGENT/);
+    });
+
+    it("should skip broadcasting if Discord is not connected", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobId = "job-1";
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId,
+        type: JOB_CREATED,
+        timestamp: new Date(),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: {},
+      };
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: { herald: { channelMappings: {} } },
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.runnerJob.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: jobId,
+        workspaceId,
+        type: "code-task",
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.jobEvent.findFirst.mockResolvedValue({
+        payload: {
+          metadata: { threadId: "thread-123" },
+        },
+      });
+
+      mockDiscord.isConnected.mockReturnValue(false);
+
+      // Act
+      await service.broadcastJobEvent(jobId, event);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it("should skip broadcasting if job has no threadId", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobId = "job-1";
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId,
+        type: JOB_CREATED,
+        timestamp: new Date(),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: {},
+      };
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: { herald: { channelMappings: {} } },
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.runnerJob.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: jobId,
+        workspaceId,
+        type: "code-task",
+      });
+
+      mockPrisma.jobEvent.findFirst.mockResolvedValue({
+        payload: {
+          metadata: {}, // No threadId
+        },
+      });
+
+      mockDiscord.isConnected.mockReturnValue(true);
+
+      // Act
+      await service.broadcastJobEvent(jobId, event);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(mockDiscord.sendThreadMessage).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe("formatJobEventMessage", () => {
+    it("should format job.created message with 10-second scannability", () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId: "job-1",
+        type: JOB_CREATED,
+        timestamp: new Date("2026-01-01T12:00:00Z"),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: { issueNumber: 42 },
+      };
+
+      const job = {
+        id: "job-1",
+        type: "code-task",
+      };
+
+      const metadata = { issueNumber: 42 };
+
+      // Act
+      const message = service.formatJobEventMessage(event, job, metadata);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(message).toContain("🟢");
+      expect(message).toContain("Job created");
+      expect(message).toContain("#42");
+      expect(message.length).toBeLessThan(200); // Keep it scannable
+    });
+
+    it("should format job.completed message with visual indicator", () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId: "job-1",
+        type: JOB_COMPLETED,
+        timestamp: new Date("2026-01-01T12:00:00Z"),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: { duration: 120 },
+      };
+
+      const job = {
+        id: "job-1",
+        type: "code-task",
+      };
+
+      const metadata = { issueNumber: 42 };
+
+      // Act
+      const message = service.formatJobEventMessage(event, job, metadata);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(message).toMatch(/✅|🟢/);
+      expect(message).toContain("completed");
+      expect(message).not.toMatch(/COMPLETED|SUCCESS/);
+    });
+
+    it("should format step.completed message", () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId: "job-1",
+        stepId: "step-1",
+        type: STEP_COMPLETED,
+        timestamp: new Date("2026-01-01T12:00:00Z"),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: { stepName: "Run tests" },
+      };
+
+      const job = {
+        id: "job-1",
+        type: "code-task",
+      };
+
+      const metadata = { issueNumber: 42 };
+
+      // Act
+      const message = service.formatJobEventMessage(event, job, metadata);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(message).toContain("Step completed");
+      expect(message).toContain("Run tests");
+    });
+
+    it("should format gate.passed message", () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId: "job-1",
+        type: GATE_PASSED,
+        timestamp: new Date("2026-01-01T12:00:00Z"),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: { gateName: "build" },
+      };
+
+      const job = {
+        id: "job-1",
+        type: "code-task",
+      };
+
+      const metadata = { issueNumber: 42 };
+
+      // Act
+      const message = service.formatJobEventMessage(event, job, metadata);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(message).toContain("Gate passed");
+      expect(message).toContain("build");
+    });
+
+    it("should format gate.failed message with PDA-friendly language", () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const event = {
+        id: "event-1",
+        jobId: "job-1",
+        type: GATE_FAILED,
+        timestamp: new Date("2026-01-01T12:00:00Z"),
+        actor: "system",
+        payload: { gateName: "test", error: "2 tests failed" },
+      };
+
+      const job = {
+        id: "job-1",
+        type: "code-task",
+      };
+
+      const metadata = { issueNumber: 42 };
+
+      // Act
+      const message = service.formatJobEventMessage(event, job, metadata);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(message).toContain("Gate needs attention");
+      expect(message).toContain("test");
+      expect(message).not.toMatch(/FAILED|ERROR|CRITICAL/);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe("getChannelForJobType", () => {
+    it("should return channel from workspace settings", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobType = "code-task";
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: {
+          herald: {
+            channelMappings: {
+              "code-task": "channel-123",
+            },
+          },
+        },
+      });
+
+      // Act
+      const channelId = await service.getChannelForJobType(workspaceId, jobType);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(channelId).toBe("channel-123");
+    });
+
+    it("should return default channel if job type not mapped", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobType = "code-task";
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: {
+          herald: {
+            channelMappings: {},
+            defaultChannel: "default-channel",
+          },
+        },
+      });
+
+      // Act
+      const channelId = await service.getChannelForJobType(workspaceId, jobType);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(channelId).toBe("default-channel");
+    });
+
+    it("should return null if no channel configured", async () => {
+      // Arrange
+      const workspaceId = "workspace-1";
+      const jobType = "code-task";
+
+      mockPrisma.workspace.findUnique.mockResolvedValue({
+        id: workspaceId,
+        settings: {},
+      });
+
+      // Act
+      const channelId = await service.getChannelForJobType(workspaceId, jobType);
+
+      // Assert
+      expect(channelId).toBeNull();
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/apps/api/src/herald/herald.service.ts b/apps/api/src/herald/herald.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69ee54f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/herald/herald.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,285 @@
+import { Injectable, Logger } from "@nestjs/common";
+import { PrismaService } from "../prisma/prisma.service";
+import { DiscordService } from "../bridge/discord/discord.service";
+import {
+  JOB_CREATED,
+  JOB_STARTED,
+  JOB_COMPLETED,
+  JOB_FAILED,
+  JOB_CANCELLED,
+  STEP_STARTED,
+  STEP_COMPLETED,
+  STEP_FAILED,
+  GATE_PASSED,
+  GATE_FAILED,
+} from "../job-events/event-types";
+
+/**
+ * Herald Service - Status broadcasting and notifications
+ *
+ * Responsibilities:
+ * - Subscribe to job events
+ * - Format status messages with PDA-friendly language
+ * - Route to appropriate channels based on workspace config
+ * - Support Discord (via bridge) and PR comments
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class HeraldService {
+  private readonly logger = new Logger(HeraldService.name);
+
+  constructor(
+    private readonly prisma: PrismaService,
+    private readonly discord: DiscordService
+  ) {}
+
+  /**
+   * Broadcast a job event to the appropriate channel
+   */
+  async broadcastJobEvent(
+    jobId: string,
+    event: {
+      id: string;
+      jobId: string;
+      stepId?: string | null;
+      type: string;
+      timestamp: Date;
+      actor: string;
+      payload: unknown;
+    }
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    try {
+      // Get job details
+      const job = await this.prisma.runnerJob.findUnique({
+        where: { id: jobId },
+        select: {
+          id: true,
+          workspaceId: true,
+          type: true,
+        },
+      });
+
+      if (!job) {
+        this.logger.warn(`Job ${jobId} not found, skipping broadcast`);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if Discord is connected
+      if (!this.discord.isConnected()) {
+        this.logger.debug("Discord not connected, skipping broadcast");
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Get threadId from first event payload (job.created event has metadata)
+      const firstEvent = await this.prisma.jobEvent.findFirst({
+        where: {
+          jobId,
+          type: JOB_CREATED,
+        },
+        select: {
+          payload: true,
+        },
+      });
+
+      const firstEventPayload = firstEvent?.payload as Record<string, unknown> | undefined;
+      const metadata = firstEventPayload?.metadata as Record<string, unknown> | undefined;
+      const threadId = metadata?.threadId as string | undefined;
+
+      if (!threadId) {
+        this.logger.debug(`Job ${jobId} has no threadId, skipping broadcast`);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Format message
+      const message = this.formatJobEventMessage(event, job, metadata);
+
+      // Send to thread
+      await this.discord.sendThreadMessage({
+        threadId,
+        content: message,
+      });
+
+      this.logger.debug(`Broadcasted event ${event.type} for job ${jobId} to thread ${threadId}`);
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.error(`Failed to broadcast event for job ${jobId}:`, error);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Format a job event into a PDA-friendly message
+   */
+  formatJobEventMessage(
+    event: {
+      id: string;
+      jobId: string;
+      stepId?: string | null;
+      type: string;
+      timestamp: Date;
+      actor: string;
+      payload: unknown;
+    },
+    _job: {
+      id: string;
+      type: string;
+    },
+    metadata?: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const payload = event.payload as Record<string, unknown>;
+    const issueNumber = metadata?.issueNumber as number | undefined;
+
+    switch (event.type) {
+      case JOB_CREATED:
+        return this.formatJobCreated(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case JOB_STARTED:
+        return this.formatJobStarted(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case JOB_COMPLETED:
+        return this.formatJobCompleted(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case JOB_FAILED:
+        return this.formatJobFailed(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case JOB_CANCELLED:
+        return this.formatJobCancelled(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case STEP_STARTED:
+        return this.formatStepStarted(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case STEP_COMPLETED:
+        return this.formatStepCompleted(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case STEP_FAILED:
+        return this.formatStepFailed(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case GATE_PASSED:
+        return this.formatGatePassed(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      case GATE_FAILED:
+        return this.formatGateFailed(issueNumber, payload);
+
+      default:
+        return `Event: ${event.type}`;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get the channel ID for a job type from workspace settings
+   */
+  async getChannelForJobType(workspaceId: string, jobType: string): Promise<string | null> {
+    const workspace = await this.prisma.workspace.findUnique({
+      where: { id: workspaceId },
+      select: { settings: true },
+    });
+
+    if (!workspace) {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    const settings = workspace.settings as Record<string, unknown>;
+    const heraldSettings = settings.herald as Record<string, unknown> | undefined;
+    const channelMappings = heraldSettings?.channelMappings as Record<string, string> | undefined;
+    const defaultChannel = heraldSettings?.defaultChannel as string | undefined;
+
+    // Try to get channel for job type
+    if (channelMappings?.[jobType]) {
+      return channelMappings[jobType];
+    }
+
+    // Fall back to default channel
+    if (defaultChannel) {
+      return defaultChannel;
+    }
+
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  // Message formatting methods with PDA-friendly language
+
+  private formatJobCreated(
+    issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    _payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const issue = issueNumber ? `#${String(issueNumber)}` : "task";
+    return `🟢 Job created for ${issue}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatJobStarted(
+    issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    _payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const issue = issueNumber ? `#${String(issueNumber)}` : "task";
+    return `🔵 Job started for ${issue}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatJobCompleted(
+    issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const issue = issueNumber ? `#${String(issueNumber)}` : "task";
+    const duration = payload.duration as number | undefined;
+    const durationText = duration ? ` (${String(duration)}s)` : "";
+    return `✅ Job completed for ${issue}${durationText}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatJobFailed(
+    issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const issue = issueNumber ? `#${String(issueNumber)}` : "task";
+    const error = payload.error as string | undefined;
+    const errorText = error ? `\n${error}` : "";
+    return `⚠️ Job encountered an issue for ${issue}${errorText}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatJobCancelled(
+    issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    _payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const issue = issueNumber ? `#${String(issueNumber)}` : "task";
+    return `⏸️ Job paused for ${issue}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatStepStarted(
+    _issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const stepName = payload.stepName as string | undefined;
+    return `▶️ Step started: ${stepName ?? "unknown"}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatStepCompleted(
+    _issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const stepName = payload.stepName as string | undefined;
+    return `✅ Step completed: ${stepName ?? "unknown"}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatStepFailed(
+    _issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const stepName = payload.stepName as string | undefined;
+    const error = payload.error as string | undefined;
+    const errorText = error ? `\n${error}` : "";
+    return `⚠️ Step needs attention: ${stepName ?? "unknown"}${errorText}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatGatePassed(
+    _issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const gateName = payload.gateName as string | undefined;
+    return `✅ Gate passed: ${gateName ?? "unknown"}`;
+  }
+
+  private formatGateFailed(
+    _issueNumber: number | undefined,
+    payload: Record<string, unknown>
+  ): string {
+    const gateName = payload.gateName as string | undefined;
+    const error = payload.error as string | undefined;
+    const errorText = error ? `\n${error}` : "";
+    return `⚠️ Gate needs attention: ${gateName ?? "unknown"}${errorText}`;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/herald/index.ts b/apps/api/src/herald/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1861711
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/herald/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+export * from "./herald.module";
+export * from "./herald.service";
diff --git a/apps/api/src/job-steps/job-steps.service.ts b/apps/api/src/job-steps/job-steps.service.ts
index 9007a87..11ccc36 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/job-steps/job-steps.service.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/job-steps/job-steps.service.ts
@@ -145,4 +145,87 @@ export class JobStepsService {
       },
     });
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Start a step - simplified API without jobId
+   */
+  async start(id: string): Promise<Awaited<ReturnType<typeof this.prisma.jobStep.update>>> {
+    const step = await this.prisma.jobStep.findUnique({
+      where: { id },
+    });
+
+    if (!step) {
+      throw new NotFoundException(`JobStep with ID ${id} not found`);
+    }
+
+    return this.startStep(id, step.jobId);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Complete a step - simplified API without jobId
+   */
+  async complete(
+    id: string,
+    data?: { output?: string; tokensInput?: number; tokensOutput?: number }
+  ): Promise<Awaited<ReturnType<typeof this.prisma.jobStep.update>>> {
+    const step = await this.prisma.jobStep.findUnique({
+      where: { id },
+    });
+
+    if (!step) {
+      throw new NotFoundException(`JobStep with ID ${id} not found`);
+    }
+
+    const existingStep = await this.findOne(id, step.jobId);
+    const completedAt = new Date();
+    const durationMs = existingStep.startedAt
+      ? completedAt.getTime() - existingStep.startedAt.getTime()
+      : null;
+
+    const updateData: Prisma.JobStepUpdateInput = {
+      status: JobStepStatus.COMPLETED,
+      completedAt,
+      durationMs,
+    };
+
+    if (data?.output !== undefined) {
+      updateData.output = data.output;
+    }
+    if (data?.tokensInput !== undefined) {
+      updateData.tokensInput = data.tokensInput;
+    }
+    if (data?.tokensOutput !== undefined) {
+      updateData.tokensOutput = data.tokensOutput;
+    }
+
+    return this.prisma.jobStep.update({
+      where: { id, jobId: step.jobId },
+      data: updateData,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Fail a step - simplified API without jobId
+   */
+  async fail(
+    id: string,
+    data?: { error?: string }
+  ): Promise<Awaited<ReturnType<typeof this.prisma.jobStep.update>>> {
+    const step = await this.prisma.jobStep.findUnique({
+      where: { id },
+    });
+
+    if (!step) {
+      throw new NotFoundException(`JobStep with ID ${id} not found`);
+    }
+
+    return this.failStep(id, step.jobId, data?.error ?? "Step failed");
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get steps by job - alias for findAllByJob
+   */
+  async findByJob(jobId: string): Promise<Awaited<ReturnType<typeof this.findAllByJob>>> {
+    return this.findAllByJob(jobId);
+  }
 }
diff --git a/docs/scratchpads/172-herald-status.md b/docs/scratchpads/172-herald-status.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..02c8eae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/scratchpads/172-herald-status.md
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+# Issue #172: Herald Status Updates
+
+## Objective
+
+Implement status reporting via the bridge module to chat channels and PR comments. The Herald service will broadcast job status updates to appropriate channels based on workspace configuration.
+
+## Approach
+
+1. Review existing code:
+   - JobEventsService (#169) for event types
+   - IChatProvider interface and Discord provider (#170)
+2. Create Herald module following TDD:
+   - RED: Write tests for status broadcasting
+   - GREEN: Implement Herald service
+   - REFACTOR: Clean up and optimize
+3. Implement channel selection logic (job type → channel mapping)
+4. Add PR comment support via GitHub/Gitea API
+5. Format messages using PDA-friendly language
+
+## Progress
+
+- [x] Create scratchpad
+- [x] Review JobEventsService and event types
+- [x] Review IChatProvider interface and Discord provider
+- [x] Write tests for Herald service (RED)
+- [x] Create Herald module structure
+- [x] Implement Herald service (GREEN)
+- [x] Add channel selection logic
+- [ ] Add PR comment support (deferred - GitHub API integration needed)
+- [x] Refactor and optimize (REFACTOR)
+- [x] Run quality gates (typecheck, lint, test, build)
+- [x] Commit changes
+
+## Key Findings
+
+### Event Types Available
+
+- Job lifecycle: `job.created`, `job.queued`, `job.started`, `job.completed`, `job.failed`, `job.cancelled`
+- Step lifecycle: `step.started`, `step.progress`, `step.output`, `step.completed`, `step.failed`
+- AI events: `ai.tool_called`, `ai.tokens_used`, `ai.artifact_created`
+- Gate events: `gate.started`, `gate.passed`, `gate.failed`
+
+### IChatProvider Interface
+
+- `sendMessage(channelId, content)` - Send message to channel
+- `createThread(options)` - Create thread for updates
+- `sendThreadMessage(options)` - Send message to thread
+- `isConnected()` - Check connection status
+
+### Workspace Settings
+
+- Workspace has `settings` JSON field for configuration
+- Can store channel mappings: `{ herald: { channelMappings: { "code-task": "channel-id" } } }`
+
+### Herald Responsibilities
+
+1. Subscribe to job events from JobEventsService
+2. Format status messages using PDA-friendly language
+3. Route to appropriate channels based on workspace config
+4. Support Discord (via bridge) and PR comments (via GitHub/Gitea API)
+5. Follow 10-second scannability rule
+
+## Testing
+
+- Unit tests for status broadcasting
+- Tests for channel selection logic
+- Tests for message formatting (PDA-friendly)
+- Tests for PR comment integration
+- Minimum 85% coverage required
+
+## Notes
+
+- Use PDA-friendly language (no "OVERDUE", "URGENT", etc.)
+- Follow 10-second scannability rule
+- Support multiple providers (Discord, GitHub PR comments)
+- Subscribe to job events via JobEventsService
+- Route to appropriate channels based on workspace config
+
+## Implementation Details
+
+### Architecture
+
+- Herald module created with HeraldService
+- Subscribes to job events (job lifecycle, step lifecycle, gate events)
+- Formats messages with PDA-friendly language and visual indicators
+- Routes to Discord threads via DiscordService
+
+### Message Formatting
+
+- Job created: 🟢 Job created for #42
+- Job started: 🔵 Job started for #42
+- Job completed: ✅ Job completed for #42 (120s)
+- Job failed: ⚠️ Job encountered an issue for #42
+- Job cancelled: ⏸️ Job paused for #42
+- Step completed: ✅ Step completed: Run tests
+- Gate passed: ✅ Gate passed: build
+- Gate failed: ⚠️ Gate needs attention: test
+
+### Channel Selection
+
+- Workspace settings store channel mappings: `{ herald: { channelMappings: { "code-task": "channel-id" } } }`
+- Falls back to default channel if job type not mapped
+- Returns null if no channel configured
+
+### Metadata Handling
+
+- Job metadata (including threadId) stored in first event payload (job.created)
+- Herald retrieves metadata from JobEvent table to determine where to send updates
+- This allows thread-based updates for each job
+
+## Deferred Features
+
+- PR comment support via GitHub/Gitea API (requires additional API client implementation)
+- This can be added in a future iteration when needed
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- #169 (JobEventsService) - ✅ COMPLETED
+- #170 (IChatProvider) - ✅ COMPLETED