diff --git a/hive-c0re/src/forge/repos.rs b/hive-c0re/src/forge/repos.rs
index c090f523..de80776b 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/src/forge/repos.rs
+++ b/hive-c0re/src/forge/repos.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ use anyhow::{Context, Result};
 use forgejo_api::structs::{
     AddCollaboratorOption, AddCollaboratorOptionPermission, CreateBranchProtectionOption,
     CreateOrgOption, CreateRepoOption, CreateTeamOption, CreateTeamOptionPermission,
-    EditRepoOption, MigrateRepoOptions, MigrateRepoOptionsService, Repository,
+    EditRepoOption, EditTeamOption, EditTeamOptionPermission, MigrateRepoOptions,
+    MigrateRepoOptionsService, Repository,
 };
 use forgejo_api::{ApiErrorKind, ForgejoError};
 use reqwest::StatusCode;
@@ -575,37 +576,68 @@ async fn ensure_mirror_repo(
 /// real validation error (bad request shape, missing units, etc.) that
 /// must surface so it can be fixed; the previous 422-swallowing hid the
 /// true cause and left the team silently uncreated every boot.
+/// Repo-unit access flags for the `operators` team.
+/// Explicit list so Forgejo doesn't reject a null/absent `units` field;
+/// a `write`-permission team needs at least `repo.code` + `repo.pulls`
+/// to review and merge PRs.
+const OPERATORS_TEAM_UNITS: &[&str] = &[
+    "repo.code",
+    "repo.issues",
+    "repo.pulls",
+    "repo.releases",
+    "repo.wiki",
+    "repo.projects",
+    "repo.packages",
+];
+
 pub(super) async fn ensure_operators_team(org: &str, token: &str) -> Result<()> {
-    // Explicit units so Forgejo doesn't reject a null/absent units field.
-    // A `write`-permission team needs at minimum repo.code and repo.pulls
-    // to review and merge PRs. Include the full standard set so members
-    // can see the whole repo surface.
-    let units = Some(vec![
-        "repo.code".to_owned(),
-        "repo.issues".to_owned(),
-        "repo.pulls".to_owned(),
-        "repo.releases".to_owned(),
-        "repo.wiki".to_owned(),
-        "repo.projects".to_owned(),
-        "repo.packages".to_owned(),
-    ]);
+    let units_vec: Vec<String> = OPERATORS_TEAM_UNITS.iter().map(|&s| s.to_owned()).collect();
     let team = CreateTeamOption {
         can_create_org_repo: Some(false),
         description: Some("hyperhive operators — merge gate for agent repos".to_owned()),
         includes_all_repositories: Some(true),
         name: OPERATORS_TEAM.to_owned(),
         permission: Some(CreateTeamOptionPermission::Write),
-        units,
+        units: Some(units_vec.clone()),
         units_map: None,
     };
-    match api(token)?.org_create_team(org, team).await {
+    let client = api(token)?;
+    match client.org_create_team(org, team).await {
         Ok(_) => {
             tracing::info!(%org, "forge: created {OPERATORS_TEAM} team");
             Ok(())
         }
-        // 409: team already exists — idempotent.
+        // 409: team already exists — reconcile settings to desired state so
+        // a team created with an older/wrong shape self-heals on next boot.
+        // List teams to find the id (required by org_edit_team), then
+        // unconditionally PATCH to the desired settings.  Members are a
+        // separate endpoint; this never touches membership.
         Err(e) if is_conflict(&e) => {
-            tracing::debug!(%org, "forge: {OPERATORS_TEAM} team already exists");
+            let (_headers, teams) = client
+                .org_list_teams(org)
+                .await
+                .with_context(|| format!("list teams for {org}"))?;
+            let team_id = teams
+                .into_iter()
+                .find(|t| t.name.as_deref() == Some(OPERATORS_TEAM))
+                .and_then(|t| t.id)
+                .with_context(|| {
+                    format!("{OPERATORS_TEAM} team not found in {org} after 409 conflict")
+                })?;
+            let edit = EditTeamOption {
+                can_create_org_repo: Some(false),
+                description: Some("hyperhive operators — merge gate for agent repos".to_owned()),
+                includes_all_repositories: Some(true),
+                name: OPERATORS_TEAM.to_owned(),
+                permission: Some(EditTeamOptionPermission::Write),
+                units: Some(units_vec),
+                units_map: None,
+            };
+            client
+                .org_edit_team(team_id, edit)
+                .await
+                .with_context(|| format!("reconcile {org}/{OPERATORS_TEAM} team settings"))?;
+            tracing::debug!(%org, "forge: reconciled {OPERATORS_TEAM} team settings");
             Ok(())
         }
         // 422 and any other error: surface it — don't mask a real failure