diff --git a/agents/atlas/agent.yml b/agents/atlas/agent.yml
index b2000444..266af65b 100644
--- a/agents/atlas/agent.yml
+++ b/agents/atlas/agent.yml
@@ -24,3 +24,4 @@ supported_templates:
   - book_research
   - ai_article_research
   - blog_research
+  - title_conflict_check
diff --git a/templates/project_review.yml b/templates/project_review.yml
index 2b455791..1f27228e 100644
--- a/templates/project_review.yml
+++ b/templates/project_review.yml
@@ -34,6 +34,34 @@ steps:
       Otherwise: output exactly: {project.slug}
       One word only. No explanation.
 
+  - type: think
+    max_tokens: 400
+    output_key: title_check_content
+    hint: |
+      The current phase is: {project_phase}
+
+      If the phase is PLANNING (meaning no chapters have been written yet):
+      Write a title conflict check task message for this project.
+      Include:
+      - Book title: {project.name}
+      - Genre: [look it up from the project context above]
+      - Instruction: Check Amazon, Goodreads, and major publishers for exact or near-exact
+        title matches in the same genre that could cause reader confusion or marketing conflict.
+
+      If the phase is NOT PLANNING (WRITING, EDITORIAL, or COMPLETE):
+      Output exactly: none
+
+      Output ONLY the task message or the word none. No preamble.
+
+  - type: tool
+    action: enqueue_strategy
+    optional: true
+    params:
+      company_slug: "{company.slug}"
+      project_slug: "{project.slug}"
+      task_type: "title_conflict_check"
+      content: "{title_check_content}"
+
   - type: tool
     action: enqueue_strategy
     optional: true
diff --git a/templates/title_conflict_check.yml b/templates/title_conflict_check.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4ed501d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/title_conflict_check.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+name: title_conflict_check
+description: "Atlas checks whether a CLP book title conflicts with existing published works on Amazon and Goodreads before production begins."
+debug: true
+model: power
+system: agent_prompt
+
+agent_prompt:
+  - "= identity.md"
+
+sections:
+  - agent
+  - project
+  - rag
+  - message
+  - instructions
+
+steps:
+  - type: think
+    max_tokens: 200
+    output_key: search_query_amazon
+    hint: |
+      The book title and genre to check are described in the task message above.
+
+      Extract the book title and formulate ONE precise search query to find
+      whether this exact title exists as a published book:
+
+      Format: "[book title] novel" site:amazon.com OR site:goodreads.com
+
+      Output ONLY the search query. Nothing else.
+
+  - type: tool
+    capability: Tool_WebSearcher
+    input_from: search_query_amazon
+    mode: research
+    max_results: 5
+    fetch_pages: 2
+    optional: true
+    output_key: amazon_results
+
+  - type: think
+    max_tokens: 200
+    output_key: search_query_variants
+    hint: |
+      The book title and genre are in the task message above.
+      The first search checked for exact title matches.
+
+      Now formulate ONE query to find close-title variants in the SAME genre.
+      Look for: similar titles, same first word, rhyming titles, or near-identical phrasing
+      that could cause reader confusion.
+
+      Example: if title is "Crimson Vows", search for "crimson romance novel" or
+      "paranormal romance vows book"
+
+      Output ONLY the search query. Nothing else.
+
+  - type: tool
+    capability: Tool_WebSearcher
+    input_from: search_query_variants
+    mode: research
+    max_results: 5
+    fetch_pages: 2
+    optional: true
+    output_key: variant_results
+
+  - type: think
+    max_tokens: 2000
+    output_key: conflict_assessment
+    hint: |
+      You are Atlas, Director of Research & Content Strategy at Crimson Leaf Publishing.
+
+      The book to check is described in the task message.
+
+      === AMAZON / GOODREADS SEARCH RESULTS ===
+      {amazon_results}
+      === END AMAZON RESULTS ===
+
+      === CLOSE-TITLE VARIANT SEARCH RESULTS ===
+      {variant_results}
+      === END VARIANT RESULTS ===
+
+      Assess title conflicts. Cite specific search findings with [Title](URL) where found.
+      If search results are empty, note it and base assessment on structural analysis only.
+
+      Structure the document as:
+
+      # Title Conflict Check: [book title from task message]
+
+      Genre: [genre from task message]
+
+      ---
+
+      ## Exact Match Check
+      [Is there a published book with this EXACT title? Name it with [Title](URL) if found.
+      If not found: "No exact match found in search results."]
+
+      ## Close Conflict Check
+      [Are there books with similar titles in the same genre that could cause reader confusion?
+      List any found with [Title](URL). If none: "No close conflicts found."]
+
+      ## Positioning Risk Assessment
+      [Could readers reasonably confuse CL's book with any existing work?
+      Consider: title similarity, same genre, similar cover/premise potential.
+      Rate: LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH with a one-sentence reason.]
+
+      ## Verdict
+      CLEAR -- No conflicts found. Safe to proceed with this title.
+      CAUTION -- Minor risk. Proceeding is acceptable but consider alternatives.
+      CONFLICT -- Significant conflict found. Recommend renaming before production.
+
+      ## Alternative Title Suggestions
+      [Required if Verdict is CAUTION or CONFLICT. Suggest 2-3 alternatives that:
+      - Fit the same genre and tone
+      - Are unlikely to conflict with existing works
+      - Would work for the intended audience]
+      [If Verdict is CLEAR: "No alternatives needed."]
+
+  - type: document
+    source_step: conflict_assessment
+    dest_path: "deliverables/title-conflict/title-conflict-{project.slug}.md"
+    commit_msg: "research: title conflict check for {project.slug}"
+
+  - type: reply
+    target: channel
+    channel_name: "crimson_leaf_publishing:live-feed"
+    hint: |
+      Write ONE line summarizing the title conflict check result.
+      Format: "Title check [{project.name}]: CLEAR|CAUTION|CONFLICT -- [one sentence reason]."
+      Example: "Title check [Cypress Bend]: CLEAR -- No exact or close matches found on Amazon or Goodreads."
+      Example: "Title check [Crimson Vows]: CAUTION -- Found 'Crimson Promise' (paranormal romance, 2024) with similar branding."
+
+adjudication:
+  enabled: true
+  pass_threshold: 65
+  deliverable_type: analysis
+  criteria:
+    coverage:
+      weight: 50
+      description: "Searched both exact title and close variants, checked Amazon and Goodreads -- verdict is based on search results not assumptions"
+    accuracy:
+      weight: 30
+      description: "Verdict (CLEAR/CAUTION/CONFLICT) is supported by actual search findings -- not over- or under-stated"
+    utility:
+      weight: 20
+      description: "If CAUTION or CONFLICT, at least 2 alternative titles are provided with brief rationale"