diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 57356de..d07bf00 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "pepa-pi-bot",
-  "version": "0.2.0-rc.2",
+  "version": "0.2.0-rc.3",
   "private": true,
   "description": "An autonomous, self-extending Minecraft player powered by Pi and Mineflayer.",
   "license": "MIT",
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
     "tui": "tsx tui/tui.tsx",
     "propose:apply": "node scripts/propose-apply.js",
     "stop": "bash scripts/stop.sh",
-    "test": "node --test runtime/skills/contract.test.js runtime/skills/groups.test.js runtime/skills/compat.test.js runtime/skills/recovery-tunnel-out.test.js runtime/curriculum.test.js runtime/social/social.test.js runtime/social/conversation.test.js runtime/social/chat-history.test.js runtime/social/reply-pi.test.js runtime/stuck-incident.test.js runtime/compat.test.js runtime/reflex.test.js runtime/base-site.test.js runtime/locations.test.js runtime/watch-filter.test.js runtime/world-journal.test.js runtime/scenario-memory.test.js runtime/critic.test.js runtime/skill-library.test.js runtime/modes.test.js runtime/pathfinder-watchdog.test.js runtime/knowledge/knowledge.test.js runtime/coach/postmortem.test.js runtime/coach/advice.test.js runtime/coach/reflect.test.js runtime/persona/chatter.test.js scripts/edit-scope.test.js scripts/lint-patch.test.js"
+    "test": "node --test runtime/skills/contract.test.js runtime/skills/groups.test.js runtime/skills/compat.test.js runtime/skills/recovery-tunnel-out.test.js runtime/skills/pillar-up.test.js runtime/curriculum.test.js runtime/social/social.test.js runtime/social/conversation.test.js runtime/social/chat-history.test.js runtime/social/reply-pi.test.js runtime/stuck-incident.test.js runtime/compat.test.js runtime/reflex.test.js runtime/base-site.test.js runtime/locations.test.js runtime/watch-filter.test.js runtime/world-journal.test.js runtime/scenario-memory.test.js runtime/critic.test.js runtime/skill-library.test.js runtime/modes.test.js runtime/pathfinder-watchdog.test.js runtime/knowledge/knowledge.test.js runtime/coach/postmortem.test.js runtime/coach/advice.test.js runtime/coach/reflect.test.js runtime/persona/chatter.test.js scripts/edit-scope.test.js scripts/lint-patch.test.js"
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "better-sqlite3": "^11.10.0",
diff --git a/runtime/coach/advice.js b/runtime/coach/advice.js
index ce7ff37..47c19ec 100644
--- a/runtime/coach/advice.js
+++ b/runtime/coach/advice.js
@@ -20,10 +20,12 @@ const SAFE_OVERRIDES = new Set([
 	"survive.flee",
 	"survive.sleep",
 	"survive.eat",
+	"survive.pillar-up",
 	"recovery.tunnel-out",
 	"explore.far",
 	"explore.wander",
 	"village.build-shelter",
+	"village.choose-base",
 ]);
 
 // Pi-coach occasionally suggests prefer_skill values that are mode names
diff --git a/runtime/coach/postmortem.js b/runtime/coach/postmortem.js
index d7142b1..f26495e 100644
--- a/runtime/coach/postmortem.js
+++ b/runtime/coach/postmortem.js
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import {
 	unanalysedDeaths,
 	record as recordLesson,
 	poiNearby,
+	recordPOI,
 } from "../knowledge/index.js";
 import { info, warn } from "../log.js";
 
@@ -57,6 +58,18 @@ export function attach(bot, ctx = {}) {
 			if (!death) return;
 			const deathId = insertDeath(death);
 			info("coach", `death recorded id=${deathId ?? "-"} cause=${death.cause} hostile=${death.hostile ?? "?"} skill=${death.lastSkill ?? "?"}`);
+			// v0.2.0-rc.3 — mark this spot as a danger POI so spatial recall
+			// surfaces it next time the bot comes near. Expires after 6 hours
+			// so the danger doesn't outlive its relevance.
+			if (typeof death.x === "number" && typeof death.z === "number") {
+				recordPOI({
+					kind: "danger",
+					name: death.hostile ?? death.cause ?? "death",
+					x: death.x, y: death.y ?? 64, z: death.z,
+					expiresAt: Date.now() + 6 * 3600_000,
+					notes: `death id=${deathId} cause=${death.cause}`,
+				});
+			}
 		} catch (e) {
 			warn("coach", `captureDeath failed: ${e?.message ?? e}`);
 		}
diff --git a/runtime/reflex.js b/runtime/reflex.js
index 388ee95..50b3bae 100644
--- a/runtime/reflex.js
+++ b/runtime/reflex.js
@@ -370,6 +370,52 @@ function metricRecoverySkill(ctx, plannedSkillId) {
 	return null;
 }
 
+// v0.2.0-rc.3 — wedged-emergency escape. When the bot has been at the
+// same coarse position for ≥ 60s AND the runtime says we're stuck
+// ("wedged", "no_reachable_target"), AND there's no immediate hostile
+// (defendReflex would have handled it), AND we have a placeable block
+// in inventory, dispatch survive.pillar-up to climb vertically out of
+// pit terrain. This breaks the tunnel-out-fail-fall-back-to-flee loop
+// observed live in the rc.2 deploy.
+const WEDGED_MIN_MS = 60_000;
+const WEDGED_REASONS = new Set(["no_reachable_target", "awaiting_action_cooldown", "planner_empty"]);
+
+function wedgedEscapeSkill(ctx) {
+	const s = ctx.snapshot;
+	if (!s) return null;
+	if (s.closestHostile && (s.closestHostile.distance ?? Infinity) < 6) return null;
+	if (!WEDGED_REASONS.has(s.noProgressReason)) return null;
+	const lastMove = ctx.lastSignificantMoveAt ?? 0;
+	if (Date.now() - lastMove < WEDGED_MIN_MS) return null;
+	// Last attempted escape was recent? give it room.
+	if (ctx.skillBackoff?.["survive.pillar-up"] && Date.now() < ctx.skillBackoff["survive.pillar-up"]) {
+		return null;
+	}
+	const pillar = getSkill("survive.pillar-up");
+	if (!pillar) return null;
+	const pre = pillar.preconditions(ctx);
+	if (!pre.ok) return null;
+	return "survive.pillar-up";
+}
+
+function trackSignificantMovement(ctx) {
+	const s = ctx.snapshot;
+	const pos = s?.position;
+	if (!pos) return;
+	const last = ctx.lastSignificantPos;
+	if (!last) {
+		ctx.lastSignificantPos = { x: pos.x, z: pos.z };
+		ctx.lastSignificantMoveAt = Date.now();
+		return;
+	}
+	const dx = pos.x - last.x;
+	const dz = pos.z - last.z;
+	if (dx * dx + dz * dz >= 16) {
+		ctx.lastSignificantPos = { x: pos.x, z: pos.z };
+		ctx.lastSignificantMoveAt = Date.now();
+	}
+}
+
 function curriculumReflex(ctx) {
 	const s = ctx.snapshot;
 	if (!s.connected) return { action: "noop" };
@@ -378,6 +424,17 @@ function curriculumReflex(ctx) {
 	const since = Date.now() - (ctx.lastCurriculumAt ?? 0);
 	if (since < CURRICULUM_COOLDOWN_MS) return { action: "noop" };
 
+	trackSignificantMovement(ctx);
+	const wedged = wedgedEscapeSkill(ctx);
+	if (wedged) {
+		ctx.lastCurriculumAt = Date.now();
+		ctx.skillBackoff = ctx.skillBackoff ?? {};
+		// Don't pillar-up every tick — cool off for 2 min after each attempt.
+		ctx.skillBackoff["survive.pillar-up"] = Date.now() + 2 * 60_000;
+		ctx.dispatch(() => runSkill(wedged, ctx), wedged, {});
+		return { action: "dispatched", kind: "curriculum-wedged-escape", label: wedged };
+	}
+
 	const plan = s.curriculum?.plan;
 	const wanderHintUntil = ctx.skillBackoff?.["__wander_hint__"] ?? 0;
 	const wantWander = wanderHintUntil && Date.now() < wanderHintUntil;
@@ -421,7 +478,32 @@ function curriculumReflex(ctx) {
 	// explore.far so the bot actually leaves the patch it's stuck in.
 	if (!plan?.skillId || wantWander) {
 		ctx.lastCurriculumAt = Date.now();
-		if (wantWander && consecutiveWanderHints >= 1) {
+		const fallbackId = wantWander && consecutiveWanderHints >= 1 ? "explore.far" : "wander";
+		// v0.2.0-rc.3 — consult advice on the FALLBACK dispatch too. Without
+		// this, Pi-coach lessons like "do not explore.far after a zombie
+		// sighting" never fire (the bot keeps falling into the fallback path
+		// after each curriculum skill bails on no_target / wander_hint).
+		const fbAdvice = consultAdvice({ plannedSkillId: fallbackId === "wander" ? "explore.far" : fallbackId, snapshot: ctx.snapshot });
+		if (fbAdvice.action === "override" && fbAdvice.overrideSkillId) {
+			ctx.dispatch(() => runSkill(fbAdvice.overrideSkillId, ctx), fbAdvice.overrideSkillId, {
+				onComplete: (res) => reportAdviceOutcome({ lessonId: fbAdvice.lessonId, succeeded: !!res?.ok }),
+			});
+			return { action: "dispatched", kind: "curriculum-fallback-advice-override", label: fbAdvice.overrideSkillId, lessonId: fbAdvice.lessonId };
+		}
+		if (fbAdvice.action === "avoid") {
+			// Lesson says don't do the fallback either. Try pillar-up as a
+			// constructive last resort if we have a placeable block — otherwise
+			// just idle for a tick so the next loop can re-evaluate.
+			const pillarSkill = getSkill("survive.pillar-up");
+			if (pillarSkill && pillarSkill.preconditions(ctx).ok) {
+				ctx.dispatch(() => runSkill("survive.pillar-up", ctx), "survive.pillar-up", {
+					onComplete: (res) => reportAdviceOutcome({ lessonId: fbAdvice.lessonId, succeeded: !!res?.ok }),
+				});
+				return { action: "dispatched", kind: "curriculum-fallback-pillar-up", label: "survive.pillar-up", lessonId: fbAdvice.lessonId };
+			}
+			return { action: "noop", kind: "curriculum-fallback-advice-avoid", label: fallbackId, lessonId: fbAdvice.lessonId };
+		}
+		if (fallbackId === "explore.far") {
 			ctx.dispatch(() => runSkill("explore.far", ctx), "explore.far", {});
 			return { action: "dispatched", kind: "curriculum-explore-far", label: "explore.far" };
 		}
diff --git a/runtime/skills/index.js b/runtime/skills/index.js
index e4961d6..0fcc65d 100644
--- a/runtime/skills/index.js
+++ b/runtime/skills/index.js
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import { skill as exploreFar } from "./explore-far.js";
 import { skill as flee } from "./flee.js";
 import { skill as sleep } from "./sleep.js";
 import { skill as tunnelOut } from "./recovery-tunnel-out.js";
+import { skill as pillarUp } from "./pillar-up.js";
 import { skill as diagPhysics } from "./diagnose-physics.js";
 import { skill as diagScan, matchSkill as diagMatch } from "./diagnose-scan.js";
 import { skill as gatherStone } from "./gather-stone.js";
@@ -72,6 +73,7 @@ register(exploreFar);
 register(flee);
 register(sleep);
 register(tunnelOut);
+register(pillarUp);
 register(diagPhysics);
 register(diagScan);
 register(diagMatch);
diff --git a/runtime/skills/pillar-up.js b/runtime/skills/pillar-up.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7ec43a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runtime/skills/pillar-up.js
@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+// survive.pillar-up — escape a pit by placing blocks underneath the bot
+// and jumping onto them. The classic Minecraft "pillaring" technique:
+// look straight down, jump, place block at feet, repeat. Works with
+// any solid placeable block (dirt, cobblestone, sand, etc.). Needs
+// NO pickaxe — this is the bot's escape hatch when tunnel-out keeps
+// failing because the surrounding terrain is unbreakable without tools.
+//
+// Strategy:
+//   1. Find a placeable solid block in inventory (dirt > cobblestone >
+//      stone > netherrack > anything solid).
+//   2. Equip it.
+//   3. Look straight down.
+//   4. Loop up to MAX_PILLAR steps:
+//      - Jump (control:on then off after delay).
+//      - In the jump apex, place block on the block below the bot.
+//      - Land on the new block.
+//      - Check we actually rose +1 in Y.
+//      - Stop early if we cleared open sky above (yaw test).
+
+import pathfinderPkg from "mineflayer-pathfinder";
+const { pathfinder } = pathfinderPkg;
+import { info, warn } from "../log.js";
+
+const PILLAR_PREFERENCE = [
+	"dirt", "cobblestone", "stone", "andesite", "diorite", "granite",
+	"cobbled_deepslate", "deepslate", "sand", "gravel",
+	"oak_planks", "spruce_planks", "birch_planks", "dark_oak_planks",
+	"jungle_planks", "acacia_planks", "mangrove_planks", "cherry_planks",
+	"netherrack",
+];
+
+let pathfinderLoaded = new WeakSet();
+function ensurePathfinder(bot) {
+	if (pathfinderLoaded.has(bot)) return;
+	try { bot.loadPlugin(pathfinder); pathfinderLoaded.add(bot); } catch {}
+}
+
+function pickPillarBlock(bot) {
+	const items = bot.inventory?.items?.() ?? [];
+	for (const name of PILLAR_PREFERENCE) {
+		const found = items.find((i) => i.name === name && i.count > 0);
+		if (found) return found;
+	}
+	// Fallback: any block that looks placeable (has _block suffix or known names).
+	const fallback = items.find((i) =>
+		/^(.*_planks|.*_log|.*_wool|cobble|netherrack|stone|dirt|sand|gravel|terracotta|wood)$/i.test(i.name),
+	);
+	return fallback ?? null;
+}
+
+function sleep(ms) {
+	return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
+}
+
+async function placeBlockAtFeet(bot) {
+	// Find the block directly below the bot (referenceBlock for placement).
+	const pos = bot.entity?.position;
+	if (!pos) return { ok: false, reason: "no position" };
+	const below = bot.blockAt(pos.offset(0, -1, 0));
+	if (!below) return { ok: false, reason: "no block below" };
+	if (below.name === "air" || below.name === "cave_air" || below.name === "void_air") {
+		// We're already mid-air — can't place on air. Need to land first.
+		return { ok: false, reason: "below is air" };
+	}
+	try {
+		// placeBlock direction: place on top face (vec3(0, 1, 0))
+		await bot.placeBlock(below, { x: 0, y: 1, z: 0 });
+		return { ok: true };
+	} catch (e) {
+		return { ok: false, reason: e?.message ?? String(e) };
+	}
+}
+
+async function pillarStep(bot) {
+	const startY = bot.entity?.position?.y ?? 0;
+
+	// Look straight down so placement reference is correct.
+	try { await bot.look(bot.entity.yaw, Math.PI / 2, true); } catch {}
+
+	// Jump — engage control, hold briefly, release. Mineflayer's setControlState
+	// handles the jump for us.
+	bot.setControlState("jump", true);
+	await sleep(80);
+	bot.setControlState("jump", false);
+
+	// In the apex (~200-300ms), try to place. Brief wait so we're airborne.
+	await sleep(200);
+
+	const place = await placeBlockAtFeet(bot);
+	if (!place.ok) {
+		// Likely either still on ground or in air — retry once with longer wait.
+		await sleep(150);
+		const retry = await placeBlockAtFeet(bot);
+		if (!retry.ok) return { ok: false, reason: retry.reason };
+	}
+
+	// Wait for the bot to settle on the new block.
+	await sleep(400);
+	const endY = bot.entity?.position?.y ?? startY;
+	const climbed = endY - startY;
+	return { ok: climbed >= 0.5, climbed };
+}
+
+function inPit(bot) {
+	// Heuristic "we're in a pit": there's a solid block within 3 blocks
+	// in at least 2 of the 4 cardinal directions at head height.
+	const pos = bot.entity?.position;
+	if (!pos) return false;
+	const head = pos.offset(0, 1, 0);
+	let walls = 0;
+	for (const [dx, dz] of [[1, 0], [-1, 0], [0, 1], [0, -1]]) {
+		for (let r = 1; r <= 2; r++) {
+			const b = bot.blockAt?.(head.offset(dx * r, 0, dz * r));
+			if (b && b.name !== "air" && b.name !== "cave_air") {
+				walls += 1;
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return walls >= 2;
+}
+
+export const skill = Object.freeze({
+	id: "survive.pillar-up",
+	title: "Pillar up to escape a pit",
+	timeoutMs: 45_000,
+	preconditions(ctx) {
+		if (!ctx?.bot) return { ok: false, code: "no_bot", detail: "bot missing" };
+		const block = pickPillarBlock(ctx.bot);
+		if (!block) {
+			return { ok: false, code: "missing_material", detail: "no placeable block in inventory (dirt/cobble/planks/etc.)" };
+		}
+		return { ok: true };
+	},
+	async execute(ctx, args = {}) {
+		const bot = ctx.bot;
+		ensurePathfinder(bot);
+		// Stop any active pathing so we control movement.
+		try { bot.pathfinder?.setGoal?.(null); } catch {}
+
+		// Pick + equip a pillar block.
+		const block = pickPillarBlock(bot);
+		if (!block) {
+			return { ok: false, code: "missing_material", detail: "no placeable block", worldDelta: null };
+		}
+		try {
+			await bot.equip(block, "hand");
+		} catch (e) {
+			return { ok: false, code: "failed", detail: `equip failed: ${e?.message ?? e}`, worldDelta: null };
+		}
+		info("action", `pillar-up: using ${block.name} (x${block.count}) to climb`);
+
+		const maxSteps = Math.max(2, Math.min(args?.maxSteps ?? 8, 16));
+		const startY = bot.entity?.position?.y ?? 0;
+		let placed = 0;
+		let lastReason = null;
+
+		for (let i = 0; i < maxSteps; i++) {
+			const step = await pillarStep(bot);
+			if (step.ok) {
+				placed += 1;
+				const inv = bot.inventory?.items?.().find((it) => it.type === block.type);
+				if (!inv || inv.count <= 0) {
+					info("action", `pillar-up: out of ${block.name} after ${placed} steps`);
+					break;
+				}
+			} else {
+				lastReason = step.reason;
+				warn("action", `pillar-up: step ${i + 1} failed (${step.reason})`);
+				// Retry a couple times before giving up — placement timing is finicky.
+				if (i < 2) continue;
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+
+		try { bot.setControlState("jump", false); } catch {}
+		const endY = bot.entity?.position?.y ?? startY;
+		const climbed = endY - startY;
+		const stillPit = inPit(bot);
+
+		if (placed === 0) {
+			return {
+				ok: false,
+				code: "no_progress",
+				detail: lastReason ?? "could not place any blocks",
+				worldDelta: null,
+			};
+		}
+		if (stillPit && climbed < 2) {
+			return {
+				ok: false,
+				code: "still_pitted",
+				detail: { placed, climbed, lastReason },
+				worldDelta: null,
+			};
+		}
+		return {
+			ok: true,
+			code: "done",
+			detail: { placed, climbed, blockType: block.name },
+			worldDelta: { climbedY: climbed, mode: "pillar-up" },
+		};
+	},
+	validate(ctx, result) {
+		return result.ok && (result.worldDelta?.climbedY ?? 0) >= 1;
+	},
+	recover(ctx, result) {
+		if (result.code === "missing_material") {
+			return { hint: "wander", reason: "no pillar block; need to gather dirt or cobble" };
+		}
+		if (result.code === "still_pitted") {
+			return { hint: "wander", reason: "pillar-up didn't escape; try tunnel-out next" };
+		}
+		return null;
+	},
+});
+
+// Test exports
+export const __testing = { pickPillarBlock, inPit, PILLAR_PREFERENCE };
diff --git a/runtime/skills/pillar-up.test.js b/runtime/skills/pillar-up.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8e4ec4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runtime/skills/pillar-up.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+import { test } from "node:test";
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import { skill, __testing } from "./pillar-up.js";
+
+const { pickPillarBlock, inPit, PILLAR_PREFERENCE } = __testing;
+
+function makePos(x, y, z) {
+	return {
+		x, y, z,
+		offset(dx, dy, dz) { return makePos(x + dx, y + dy, z + dz); },
+	};
+}
+function mockBot({ items = [], blocks = {}, pos = makePos(0, 64, 0) } = {}) {
+	const handlers = {};
+	return {
+		entity: { position: pos, yaw: 0, pitch: 0 },
+		inventory: { items: () => items },
+		blockAt(p) { return blocks[`${Math.floor(p.x)},${Math.floor(p.y)},${Math.floor(p.z)}`] ?? { name: "air" }; },
+		on(ev, fn) { handlers[ev] = fn; },
+		setControlState() {},
+		async equip() { return true; },
+		async look() { return true; },
+		async placeBlock() { return true; },
+	};
+}
+
+test("pickPillarBlock: chooses preferred block from inventory", () => {
+	const items = [
+		{ name: "stone", count: 4, type: 1 },
+		{ name: "dirt", count: 12, type: 2 },
+	];
+	const chosen = pickPillarBlock(mockBot({ items }));
+	assert.equal(chosen.name, "dirt", "prefers dirt over stone");
+});
+
+test("pickPillarBlock: returns null when nothing placeable", () => {
+	const chosen = pickPillarBlock(mockBot({ items: [{ name: "carrot", count: 3 }] }));
+	assert.equal(chosen, null);
+});
+
+test("pickPillarBlock: falls back to wood-like names", () => {
+	const chosen = pickPillarBlock(mockBot({ items: [{ name: "oak_planks", count: 5 }] }));
+	assert.equal(chosen.name, "oak_planks");
+});
+
+test("inPit: detects walls in cardinal directions", () => {
+	const blocks = {
+		"1,65,0": { name: "stone" },
+		"-1,65,0": { name: "stone" },
+	};
+	const bot = mockBot({ blocks });
+	assert.equal(inPit(bot), true, "two walls = pit");
+
+	const open = mockBot({ blocks: {} });
+	assert.equal(inPit(open), false);
+});
+
+test("inPit: detects walls 2 blocks away too", () => {
+	const blocks = {
+		"2,65,0": { name: "stone" },
+		"0,65,-2": { name: "stone" },
+	};
+	const bot = mockBot({ blocks });
+	assert.equal(inPit(bot), true);
+});
+
+test("PILLAR_PREFERENCE: dirt is highest priority", () => {
+	assert.equal(PILLAR_PREFERENCE[0], "dirt");
+	assert.ok(PILLAR_PREFERENCE.includes("cobblestone"));
+});
+
+test("skill: preconditions fail without placeable block", () => {
+	const ctx = { bot: mockBot({ items: [{ name: "carrot", count: 1 }] }) };
+	const pre = skill.preconditions(ctx);
+	assert.equal(pre.ok, false);
+	assert.equal(pre.code, "missing_material");
+});
+
+test("skill: preconditions pass with dirt", () => {
+	const ctx = { bot: mockBot({ items: [{ name: "dirt", count: 8 }] }) };
+	const pre = skill.preconditions(ctx);
+	assert.equal(pre.ok, true);
+});
+
+test("skill: id and timeout are sensible", () => {
+	assert.equal(skill.id, "survive.pillar-up");
+	assert.ok(skill.timeoutMs >= 30_000 && skill.timeoutMs <= 90_000);
+});