diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index fb9d2fb..11380a6 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,22 @@ onward the project follows SemVer normally: patch releases are
 bug-fix-only, minor releases are backward-compatible additions, and
 breaking changes require a major bump.
 
+## v2.5.3: Close the benchmark learning loop
+
+A focused follow-up to v2.5.2. Adds the host-side path that lets a graded
+task feed its outcome back into the brain, so the consolidation machinery
+(usefulness, query-routes, staples) receives a real signal on every solve.
+
+### Added
+
+- `kimetsu brain benchmark-credit --task <t> --passed`: on a pass, groups a
+  citation for the memories most relevant to the task and routes it through
+  the same grouped, query-linked path consolidation consumes. Driven by a
+  benchmark harness after grading, so the learning signal never depends on
+  the agent inside the sandbox calling a tool. This is what makes an
+  iterated-benchmark learning loop actually reach the brain; before it, the
+  benchmark memory path recorded outcomes but never exercised consolidation.
+
 ## v2.5.2: The brain that learns from its own outcomes
 
 Consolidation v1: the first release where citation outcomes reshape the brain
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 4c9f26d..7a0fcec 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -800,9 +800,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "crossbeam-epoch"
-version = "0.9.18"
+version = "0.9.20"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "5b82ac4a3c2ca9c3460964f020e1402edd5753411d7737aa39c3714ad1b5420e"
+checksum = "2d6914041f254d6e9176c01941b21115dcfb7089e55135a35411081bd106ef3f"
 dependencies = [
  "crossbeam-utils",
 ]
@@ -1989,7 +1989,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "kimetsu-agent"
-version = "2.5.2"
+version = "2.5.3"
 dependencies = [
  "aws-credential-types",
  "aws-sigv4",
@@ -2009,7 +2009,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "kimetsu-brain"
-version = "2.5.2"
+version = "2.5.3"
 dependencies = [
  "blake3",
  "fastembed",
@@ -2030,7 +2030,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "kimetsu-chat"
-version = "2.5.2"
+version = "2.5.3"
 dependencies = [
  "base64 0.22.1",
  "crossterm",
@@ -2046,7 +2046,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "kimetsu-cli"
-version = "2.5.2"
+version = "2.5.3"
 dependencies = [
  "clap",
  "flate2",
@@ -2071,7 +2071,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "kimetsu-core"
-version = "2.5.2"
+version = "2.5.3"
 dependencies = [
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
@@ -2082,7 +2082,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "kimetsu-e2e"
-version = "2.5.2"
+version = "2.5.3"
 dependencies = [
  "kimetsu-agent",
  "kimetsu-brain",
@@ -2095,7 +2095,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "kimetsu-remote"
-version = "2.5.2"
+version = "2.5.3"
 dependencies = [
  "axum",
  "axum-server",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 6480c74..fe4291c 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ resolver = "3"
 # everything below except the per-crate `description`, `keywords`,
 # and `categories` which live in each `[package]` block since
 # crates.io enforces them per crate.
-version = "2.5.2"
+version = "2.5.3"
 edition = "2024"
 # Rust ecosystem dual-license (matches tokio, serde, fastembed-rs,
 # etc.). UNLICENSED would block crates.io entirely.
diff --git a/crates/kimetsu-agent/Cargo.toml b/crates/kimetsu-agent/Cargo.toml
index f91b2ce..d0516af 100644
--- a/crates/kimetsu-agent/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/kimetsu-agent/Cargo.toml
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ aws-sigv4.workspace = true
 aws-smithy-runtime-api.workspace = true
 blake3.workspace = true
 http.workspace = true
-kimetsu-brain = { path = "../kimetsu-brain", version = "2.5.2" }
-kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.2" }
+kimetsu-brain = { path = "../kimetsu-brain", version = "2.5.3" }
+kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.3" }
 regex.workspace = true
 reqwest.workspace = true
 rusqlite.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/kimetsu-brain/Cargo.toml b/crates/kimetsu-brain/Cargo.toml
index 12a4aad..a3519ba 100644
--- a/crates/kimetsu-brain/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/kimetsu-brain/Cargo.toml
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ hf-hub = { version = "0.5", optional = true, default-features = false, features
 # already native (ort). The lean build never links it.
 usearch = { version = "2", optional = true }
 ignore.workspace = true
-kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.2" }
+kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.3" }
 # v0.4.5: regex backs the secret-redaction patterns in
 # `kimetsu_brain::redact`. The crate is already a workspace pin
 # elsewhere; we just opt this crate into it now.
diff --git a/crates/kimetsu-brain/src/reinforce.rs b/crates/kimetsu-brain/src/reinforce.rs
index f016ff6..d97836d 100644
--- a/crates/kimetsu-brain/src/reinforce.rs
+++ b/crates/kimetsu-brain/src/reinforce.rs
@@ -57,6 +57,45 @@ pub struct ReinforceSummary {
     pub routes_embedded: usize,
 }
 
+/// Close the benchmark learning loop for one graded task (v2.5.2): when a
+/// task PASSES, the memories most relevant to it get a grouped, query-linked
+/// citation — the exact signal consolidation consumes (usefulness +1.0 each,
+/// query-routes from task -> those memories, and staples from their
+/// co-citation). Driven host-side by the benchmark harness after grading, so
+/// the learning signal never depends on the in-container agent calling any
+/// tool. Failures produce no citation (the retrieved memories are not
+/// necessarily to blame). Returns how many memories were credited.
+///
+/// Why this exists: the MCP `kimetsu_brain_cite` tool routes through the
+/// SINGLETON `record_mcp_citation` path (one id, no query, fresh run) which
+/// feeds none of the three consumers. This routes through the grouped
+/// `record_citations` path, which feeds all three.
+pub fn credit_benchmark_outcome(
+    start: &Path,
+    task: &str,
+    passed: bool,
+    top_k: usize,
+) -> KimetsuResult<usize> {
+    if !passed {
+        return Ok(0);
+    }
+    // Retrieve the memories most relevant to this task, then credit the top
+    // few as "in context when the task was solved". search_memories ranks by
+    // BM25 over the task text across project + user brains.
+    let hits = crate::project::search_memories(start, task, top_k.max(1) as u32, 0, None, None)?;
+    let ids: Vec<String> = hits.into_iter().take(top_k).map(|h| h.memory_id).collect();
+    if ids.is_empty() {
+        return Ok(0);
+    }
+    crate::project::record_citations(
+        start,
+        &ids,
+        Some("benchmark: in context when task passed"),
+        Some(task),
+    )?;
+    Ok(ids.len())
+}
+
 /// Run the offline consolidation pass: staple qualifying co-citations and/or
 /// rebuild the query-routes table. Both idempotent; safe to run every
 /// session end or between benchmark iterations.
diff --git a/crates/kimetsu-chat/Cargo.toml b/crates/kimetsu-chat/Cargo.toml
index efcaaf7..5c91f93 100644
--- a/crates/kimetsu-chat/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/kimetsu-chat/Cargo.toml
@@ -38,9 +38,9 @@ openclaw = ["dep:json5"]
 # surface, not a benchmark harness.
 
 [dependencies]
-kimetsu-agent = { path = "../kimetsu-agent", version = "2.5.2" }
-kimetsu-brain = { path = "../kimetsu-brain", version = "2.5.2" }
-kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.2" }
+kimetsu-agent = { path = "../kimetsu-agent", version = "2.5.3" }
+kimetsu-brain = { path = "../kimetsu-brain", version = "2.5.3" }
+kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.3" }
 base64.workspace = true
 crossterm.workspace = true
 json5 = { workspace = true, optional = true }
diff --git a/crates/kimetsu-cli/Cargo.toml b/crates/kimetsu-cli/Cargo.toml
index 1a16deb..39b1f85 100644
--- a/crates/kimetsu-cli/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/kimetsu-cli/Cargo.toml
@@ -43,10 +43,10 @@ path = "src/main.rs"
 
 [dependencies]
 clap.workspace = true
-kimetsu-agent = { path = "../kimetsu-agent", version = "2.5.2" }
-kimetsu-brain = { path = "../kimetsu-brain", version = "2.5.2" }
-kimetsu-chat = { path = "../kimetsu-chat", version = "2.5.2" }
-kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.2" }
+kimetsu-agent = { path = "../kimetsu-agent", version = "2.5.3" }
+kimetsu-brain = { path = "../kimetsu-brain", version = "2.5.3" }
+kimetsu-chat = { path = "../kimetsu-chat", version = "2.5.3" }
+kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.3" }
 # v0.4.6: `kimetsu doctor` serializes its report struct so --json
 # output can be piped into CI / hooks.
 flate2 = "1"
diff --git a/crates/kimetsu-cli/src/commands/brain.rs b/crates/kimetsu-cli/src/commands/brain.rs
index 02d8cbb..6ebc08b 100644
--- a/crates/kimetsu-cli/src/commands/brain.rs
+++ b/crates/kimetsu-cli/src/commands/brain.rs
@@ -200,6 +200,7 @@ pub(crate) fn brain(command: BrainCommand) -> KimetsuResult<()> {
         BrainCommand::Forget(args) => brain_forget(args),
         BrainCommand::Cite(args) => brain_cite(args),
         BrainCommand::Reinforce(args) => brain_reinforce(args),
+        BrainCommand::BenchmarkCredit(args) => brain_benchmark_credit(args),
         BrainCommand::Regret(args) => brain_regret(args),
         BrainCommand::Distill(args) => brain_distill(args),
         BrainCommand::Graph { command } => brain_graph(command),
@@ -2756,7 +2757,7 @@ pub(crate) fn brain_forget(args: ForgetArgs) -> KimetsuResult<()> {
                     c.use_count,
                     c.usefulness_score,
                     c.age_days,
-                    &c.text_preview
+                    c.text_preview
                 );
             }
         }
@@ -2896,6 +2897,30 @@ pub(crate) fn brain_reinforce(args: ReinforceArgs) -> KimetsuResult<()> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn brain_benchmark_credit(args: BenchmarkCreditArgs) -> KimetsuResult<()> {
+    let workspace = args
+        .workspace
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| env::current_dir().unwrap_or_default());
+    let credited = kimetsu_brain::reinforce::credit_benchmark_outcome(
+        &workspace,
+        &args.task,
+        args.passed,
+        args.top_k,
+    )?;
+    println!(
+        "benchmark-credit: {} memor{} cited for task \"{}\" ({})",
+        credited,
+        if credited == 1 { "y" } else { "ies" },
+        args.task,
+        if args.passed {
+            "passed"
+        } else {
+            "not passed — no citation"
+        }
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn brain_regret(args: RegretArgs) -> KimetsuResult<()> {
     let workspace = args
         .workspace
diff --git a/crates/kimetsu-cli/src/main.rs b/crates/kimetsu-cli/src/main.rs
index 14387d1..1fbaf91 100644
--- a/crates/kimetsu-cli/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/kimetsu-cli/src/main.rs
@@ -847,6 +847,11 @@ enum BrainCommand {
     /// before get a bounded retrieval boost. Model-free; run offline
     /// (session end / between benchmark iterations).
     Reinforce(ReinforceArgs),
+    /// Close the benchmark learning loop for one graded task: on a PASS,
+    /// grouped-cite the memories most relevant to the task (feeds usefulness,
+    /// query-routes, and staples). Driven host-side by the benchmark harness
+    /// so the learning signal never depends on the in-container agent.
+    BenchmarkCredit(BenchmarkCreditArgs),
     /// Record a regret: mark that a surfaced memory was unhelpful/misleading.
     ///
     /// Writes a `retrieval.regret` telemetry event for the memory — the negative
@@ -1359,6 +1364,23 @@ struct ReinforceArgs {
     workspace: Option<PathBuf>,
 }
 
+/// Args for `kimetsu brain benchmark-credit`.
+#[derive(Debug, Args)]
+struct BenchmarkCreditArgs {
+    /// The task description / query the graded task represents.
+    #[arg(long)]
+    task: String,
+    /// Mark the task as PASSED — only passes produce a citation.
+    #[arg(long)]
+    passed: bool,
+    /// How many top-ranked memories to credit on a pass.
+    #[arg(long, default_value_t = 3)]
+    top_k: usize,
+    /// Override the brain workspace path (defaults to current directory).
+    #[arg(long)]
+    workspace: Option<PathBuf>,
+}
+
 /// Args for `kimetsu brain regret`.
 #[derive(Debug, Args)]
 struct RegretArgs {
diff --git a/crates/kimetsu-e2e/Cargo.toml b/crates/kimetsu-e2e/Cargo.toml
index 0f99b4d..183e26b 100644
--- a/crates/kimetsu-e2e/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/kimetsu-e2e/Cargo.toml
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ publish = false
 # Real (non-dev) deps so the test fixtures + scripted provider can be
 # re-exported from `kimetsu_e2e::prelude` to the integration tests in
 # `tests/`. Integration tests treat this crate as a normal library.
-kimetsu-agent = { path = "../kimetsu-agent", version = "2.5.2" }
-kimetsu-brain = { path = "../kimetsu-brain", version = "2.5.2" }
-kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.2" }
+kimetsu-agent = { path = "../kimetsu-agent", version = "2.5.3" }
+kimetsu-brain = { path = "../kimetsu-brain", version = "2.5.3" }
+kimetsu-core = { path = "../kimetsu-core", version = "2.5.3" }
 rusqlite.workspace = true
 serde_json.workspace = true
 time.workspace = true