diff --git a/docs/guides/claude-design-hyperframes.md b/docs/guides/claude-design-hyperframes.md
index f009be5dd7..e4fe9cc96a 100644
--- a/docs/guides/claude-design-hyperframes.md
+++ b/docs/guides/claude-design-hyperframes.md
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ The skeleton handles most structural rules. These are the runtime rules the skel
 | `Math.random()`                   | Seeded PRNG (only if you need randomness)      |
 | `Date.now()`, `performance.now()` | Hard-coded timing or `tl.time()` in `onUpdate` |
 | `setInterval`, `setTimeout`       | Timeline tweens + `onUpdate`                   |
-| `repeat: -1`                      | `repeat: Math.max(0, Math.floor(duration / cycle) - 1)` |
+| `repeat: -1` without root `data-duration` | a finite root `data-duration` (export clips to it), or `repeat: Math.max(0, Math.floor(duration / cycle) - 1)` |
 | `stagger: { from: "random" }`     | `from: "start"`, `"center"`, `"end"`           |
 | Async timeline construction       | Synchronous at page load                       |
 
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ Run before delivering. Check with actual code, not assumptions.
 - [ ] Shader transitions have boundary INSIDE the window: `time < boundary < time + duration`
 - [ ] No transition shorter than 0.3s
 - [ ] No exit tweens except on the final scene
-- [ ] No `Date.now()`, unseeded `Math.random()`, `repeat: -1`
+- [ ] No `Date.now()`, unseeded `Math.random()`, or `repeat: -1` without a finite root `data-duration`
 - [ ] No SVG filter data URLs as `background-image`
 - [ ] `window.__timelines["main"] = tl` matches `data-composition-id`
 
diff --git a/docs/guides/claude-design-send-to-hyperframes.md b/docs/guides/claude-design-send-to-hyperframes.md
index 51d1133e98..ee1e6dad69 100644
--- a/docs/guides/claude-design-send-to-hyperframes.md
+++ b/docs/guides/claude-design-send-to-hyperframes.md
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ The cloud renderer seeks the timeline frame-by-frame. Non-deterministic or self-
 | `Date.now()`, `performance.now()` | hard-coded timing or `tl.time()` in `onUpdate` |
 | `setInterval`, `setTimeout` | timeline tweens + `onUpdate` |
 | `requestAnimationFrame` | GSAP tweens |
-| `repeat: -1` | `repeat: Math.max(0, Math.floor(duration / cycle) - 1)` |
+| `repeat: -1` without root `data-duration` | a finite root `data-duration` (export clips to it), or `repeat: Math.max(0, Math.floor(duration / cycle) - 1)` |
 | `stagger: { from: "random" }` | `from: "start"`, `"center"`, or `"end"` |
 | async timeline construction | build synchronously at page load |
 | `video.play()` / `audio.play()` | the framework owns playback |
@@ -427,6 +427,6 @@ You don't author any of this. Produce a clean, on-brand, correctly-timed silent
 - [ ] No exit tweens except on the final scene
 
 **Renders correctly:**
-- [ ] No `Date.now()`, unseeded `Math.random()`, `setInterval/Timeout`, `requestAnimationFrame`, `repeat: -1`
+- [ ] No `Date.now()`, unseeded `Math.random()`, `setInterval/Timeout`, `requestAnimationFrame`, or `repeat: -1` without a finite root `data-duration`
 - [ ] Timeline built synchronously; paused; framework owns playback
 - [ ] Colors and fonts exact; brand substance preserved: real headline/copy, distinctive figures/stats/data points, product names, and signature visuals carried over verbatim (form adapted, never genericized or invented); no placeholders; ≥2 animation patterns + mid-scene activity per scene
diff --git a/skills/figma/SKILL.md b/skills/figma/SKILL.md
index 9189125076..5403989f10 100644
--- a/skills/figma/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/figma/SKILL.md
@@ -129,4 +129,4 @@ Storyboard files follow a grammar you can parse mechanically — don't eyeball,
 
 ## Determinism
 
-Never leave a Figma URL in the composition — freeze first. Never emit `repeat: -1`. Timelines paused, finite, literal `window.__timelines` keys. All Figma I/O at import time; render sees local files only.
+Never leave a Figma URL in the composition — freeze first. Never emit `repeat: -1` without a finite root `data-duration`. Timelines paused, finite, literal `window.__timelines` keys. All Figma I/O at import time; render sees local files only.
diff --git a/skills/hyperframes-animation/SKILL.md b/skills/hyperframes-animation/SKILL.md
index 00aaaeed5c..a3ce0a80fb 100644
--- a/skills/hyperframes-animation/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/hyperframes-animation/SKILL.md
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ Multiple runtimes can coexist in one composition. Each registers its instances o
 
 ## Critical Constraints
 
-**Prerequisite: `hyperframes-core` → Non-Negotiable Rules** (single paused timeline, `data-duration` governs length, no `Math.random` / `Date.now` / `performance.now`, no `repeat: -1`, no page-load `gsap.set` on later-scene clips, no `display` or raw `visibility` tweens, and no timeline construction inside `async` / `setTimeout` / `Promise`). GSAP `autoAlpha` and zero-duration visibility sets at explicit timeline boundaries remain allowed by core. Use those exceptions only on non-clip elements or wrappers inside a clip; the framework owns `.clip` lifecycle. Don't restate the full contract here.
+**Prerequisite: `hyperframes-core` → Non-Negotiable Rules** (single paused timeline, `data-duration` governs length, no `Math.random` / `Date.now` / `performance.now`, no `repeat: -1` without a finite root `data-duration`, no page-load `gsap.set` on later-scene clips, no `display` or raw `visibility` tweens, and no timeline construction inside `async` / `setTimeout` / `Promise`). GSAP `autoAlpha` and zero-duration visibility sets at explicit timeline boundaries remain allowed by core. Use those exceptions only on non-clip elements or wrappers inside a clip; the framework owns `.clip` lifecycle. Don't restate the full contract here.
 
 Animation-craft additions on top of core's contract:
 
diff --git a/skills/hyperframes-animation/adapters/gsap-timeline-and-labels.md b/skills/hyperframes-animation/adapters/gsap-timeline-and-labels.md
index 98256c8560..504b9256a1 100644
--- a/skills/hyperframes-animation/adapters/gsap-timeline-and-labels.md
+++ b/skills/hyperframes-animation/adapters/gsap-timeline-and-labels.md
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ tl.to(".a", { x: 100 }).to(".b", { y: 50 }).to(".c", { opacity: 0 });
 Timeline options:
 
 - **paused: true** — required in HyperFrames. The framework drives the playhead.
-- **repeat**, **yoyo** — apply to the whole timeline. `repeat: -1` is forbidden; use finite counts.
+- **repeat**, **yoyo** — apply to the whole timeline. `repeat: -1` requires a finite root `data-duration` (export clips to it); otherwise use finite counts.
 - **defaults** — vars merged into every child tween. Use this instead of repeating `ease` and `duration` on every line.
 
 ## Position Parameter
diff --git a/skills/hyperframes-animation/adapters/gsap.md b/skills/hyperframes-animation/adapters/gsap.md
index d47b3d0df6..74a71c57e6 100644
--- a/skills/hyperframes-animation/adapters/gsap.md
+++ b/skills/hyperframes-animation/adapters/gsap.md
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ HyperFrames is stricter than vanilla GSAP. Animate only:
 - Use both `svgOrigin` and `transformOrigin` on the same SVG element.
 - Chain animations with `delay` when a timeline can sequence them.
 - Create tweens before the DOM exists.
-- Use infinite `repeat: -1` in HyperFrames compositions — use finite repeat counts computed from the visible duration.
+- Use infinite `repeat: -1` without a finite root `data-duration` (with one, export clips to that window); when a loop must end before the composition does, use a finite repeat count computed from the visible duration.
 
 ## Credits And References
 
diff --git a/skills/hyperframes-animation/rules-index.md b/skills/hyperframes-animation/rules-index.md
index 8568d22791..48327c8840 100644
--- a/skills/hyperframes-animation/rules-index.md
+++ b/skills/hyperframes-animation/rules-index.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Stated once here so individual rules don't repeat it. Every recipe in `rules/`:
 
 - runs on ONE **paused** GSAP timeline registered on `window.__timelines` (never autoplay, never a second timeline);
 - is **seek-safe both directions**: `fromTo` with explicit from-states (t=0 correct under seek; `immediateRender: false` when re-owning a target), absolute values — never relative `+=` tweens; state readable as a pure function of timeline time, no mutable trackers;
-- is **deterministic**: no `Math.random()`, no `Date.now()` — index-derived pseudo-random and baked schedules only; finite repeats, never `repeat: -1`;
+- is **deterministic**: no `Math.random()`, no `Date.now()` — index-derived pseudo-random and baked schedules only; finite repeats (`repeat: -1` only under a finite root `data-duration`);
 - animates **transforms and paint-only properties** — `width`/`height`/`top`/`left` tweens are forbidden (use scale/translate proxies, masks, or `anchored-layout-expand`);
 - caps group staggers so an arrival reads as one beat (`items × stagger ≤ ~0.5s`);
 - puts **no CSS `transition`** on animated elements (they interpolate independently of seek and flicker) and hints compositors with `will-change: transform` where many tweens run at once;
diff --git a/skills/hyperframes-core/SKILL.md b/skills/hyperframes-core/SKILL.md
index f3dc06d769..b680819561 100644
--- a/skills/hyperframes-core/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/hyperframes-core/SKILL.md
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ Each composition registers **exactly one** `gsap.timeline({ paused: true })` at
 
 Surfaced here; full rationale in the linked reference. Do not violate:
 
-- No render-time clocks / unseeded `Math.random` / network / input-state; no `repeat: -1` (use a finite count). → `determinism-rules.md`
+- No render-time clocks / unseeded `Math.random` / network / input-state; `repeat: -1` only under a finite root `data-duration` (export clips to it — otherwise use a finite count). → `determinism-rules.md`
 - Animate only the visual-property allowlist; never tween `display` or raw `visibility`. GSAP `autoAlpha` and zero-duration timeline boundary sets are the only visibility exceptions, and only on non-clip elements or wrappers inside a clip. The framework alone controls `.clip` visibility. Do not `gsap.set` later-scene clips at page load. → `determinism-rules.md`
 - No `<br>` in body text; transformed elements must be block-level + sized; pulsing absolute decoratives need peak clearance. → `determinism-rules.md`
 - `<video>`/`<audio>` work at **any nesting depth** (including inside a sub-comp `<template>` or wrapper); the framework owns playback and seeks/decodes media wherever it lives. The one caveat is timelines, not placement: a sub-comp timeline can't animate host-root elements. → `variables-and-media.md`
diff --git a/skills/hyperframes-core/references/determinism-rules.md b/skills/hyperframes-core/references/determinism-rules.md
index 44aef98358..0670b1b349 100644
--- a/skills/hyperframes-core/references/determinism-rules.md
+++ b/skills/hyperframes-core/references/determinism-rules.md
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Rendered frames must be reproducible from the requested time. Do **not** use any
 - Unseeded `Math.random()`. Use a seeded PRNG if random-looking placement is needed.
 - Render-time network fetches for required assets. Inline or pre-bundle them.
 - Hover, scroll, pointer, or focus state. The renderer has no input events.
-- Infinite loops such as `repeat: -1`. Compute a finite count: `repeat: Math.max(0, Math.floor(duration / cycleDuration) - 1)` — **`floor`, not `ceil`** (`ceil` overshoots `data-duration` and trips the `gsap_repeat_ceil_overshoot` lint; `max(0, …)` avoids a negative repeat = infinite).
+- Unbounded infinite loops. `repeat: -1` is allowed only when the root declares a finite `data-duration` — deterministic seeking and export clip to that explicit window (`gsap_infinite_repeat` demotes to a warning). Without a finite composition duration it stays a hard error: the timeline can report an unbounded length and render planning fails. When the loop itself must end **before** the composition does, compute a finite count: `repeat: Math.max(0, Math.floor(duration / cycleDuration) - 1)` — **`floor`, not `ceil`** (`ceil` overshoots `data-duration` and trips the `gsap_repeat_ceil_overshoot` lint; `max(0, …)` avoids a negative repeat = infinite).
 
 Also avoid:
 
diff --git a/skills/remotion-to-hyperframes/references/limitations.md b/skills/remotion-to-hyperframes/references/limitations.md
index 948b95e731..a6cdc752c1 100644
--- a/skills/remotion-to-hyperframes/references/limitations.md
+++ b/skills/remotion-to-hyperframes/references/limitations.md
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ output but visually-identical video, so SSIM passes — just flag it.
 A bounded GSAP repeat can reproduce _visual_ repetition when its finite count is derived
 from the visible duration. If the looped child has cross-iteration state (a counter, a
 randomness seed), HF won't reproduce it identically per iteration. Bow out unless the child
-is fully deterministic per-iteration; never use `repeat: -1`.
+is fully deterministic per-iteration; use `repeat: -1` only when the root declares a finite `data-duration`.
 
 ### Remotion's `<Img>` with crossOrigin
 
diff --git a/skills/talking-head-recut/SKILL.md b/skills/talking-head-recut/SKILL.md
index a9c797ff52..7bbba247dd 100644
--- a/skills/talking-head-recut/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/talking-head-recut/SKILL.md
@@ -1153,7 +1153,7 @@ decides where the actual visible card sits.
 - Register one paused master timeline as `window.__timelines["talking-head-recut"]`.
 - Build timelines synchronously at page load; no `async`, `setTimeout`, Promises, or media `play()` calls.
 - Do not use `Math.random()` or `Date.now()` in render paths.
-- Do not use `repeat: -1`; calculate finite repeats from the video duration.
+- `repeat: -1` is allowed only under the finite root `data-duration`; for loops that must end earlier, calculate finite repeats from the video duration.
 - Prefer GSAP transforms and opacity (`x`, `y`, `scale`, `rotation`, `opacity`) over layout properties (`top`, `left`, `width`, `height`) for motion.
 - Animate wrappers such as `#video-wrap`, not the video element dimensions directly.
 - Avoid animating the same property on the same element from multiple timelines at the same time.