diff --git a/docs/scratchpads/fix-turbo-env-passthrough.md b/docs/scratchpads/fix-turbo-env-passthrough.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b2b27af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/scratchpads/fix-turbo-env-passthrough.md
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# Task Scratchpad — Turbo DATABASE_URL passthrough
+
+## Objective
+
+- Fix CI test execution under Turborepo by passing DB-related environment variables through the `test` task.
+- Preserve the repo's documented local Postgres fallback on host port `5433`.
+
+## Scope
+
+- Edit `turbo.json`
+- Run baseline checks requested by the user and repo rules where feasible
+- Publish branch and open PR if checks are acceptable
+
+## Assumptions
+
+- ASSUMPTION: No PRD update is required because this is a narrow CI/config bug fix that does not change product requirements.
+- ASSUMPTION: `docs/TASKS.md` remains untouched because project guidance marks it orchestrator-only.
+- ASSUMPTION: Local Postgres-backed tests are not runnable in this worktree, so baseline verification will rely on static gates unless the environment already provides DB access.
+
+## Plan
+
+- Record current repo state and avoid touching `.mosaic/orchestrator/session.lock`
+- Add Turbo DB env declarations for test execution and cache invalidation
+- Run `pnpm format:check`, `pnpm typecheck`, and `pnpm lint`
+- Review the diff, then commit/push/PR via provider-appropriate flow
+
+## Verification Log
+
+- `pnpm install` completed in this worktree so repo tooling is available
+- `pnpm format:check` initially failed on `turbo.json`; fixed by formatting the file
+- `pnpm format:check` passed after formatting
+- `pnpm typecheck` passed
+- `pnpm lint` passed
+- Independent review flagged two important adjustments:
+  - keep `DEFAULT_DATABASE_URL` on `5433` because local Docker Compose maps host `5433 -> container 5432`
+  - prefer Turbo `env` over `passThroughEnv` so DB config changes also affect the test cache key
+
+## Risks
+
+- Existing mission/orchestrator files are dirty in the worktree and must be excluded from the scoped change.
+- Local tests were not run because no Postgres service is available in this worktree; CI remains the primary situational validation for the test-task behavior.
diff --git a/turbo.json b/turbo.json
index 3d95141..cf8ef99 100644
--- a/turbo.json
+++ b/turbo.json
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@
     "test": {
       "dependsOn": ["^build"],
       "inputs": ["$TURBO_DEFAULT$"],
-      "outputs": ["coverage/**"]
+      "outputs": ["coverage/**"],
+      "env": ["DATABASE_URL", "DB_POOL_MAX", "DB_IDLE_TIMEOUT", "DB_CONNECT_TIMEOUT"]
     },
     "dev": {
       "cache": false,