diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index d3ab711..98ceaf6 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ All source code lives under `src/reactor_sim`. Submodules map to plant systems:
 - `python -m pip install -e .[dev]` — install editable package with optional tooling when dev dependencies are defined.
 
 ## Operations & Control Hooks
-Manual commands live in `reactor_sim.commands.ReactorCommand`. Pass a `command_provider` callable to `ReactorSimulation` to adjust rods, pumps, turbine, coolant demand, or the attached `ElectricalConsumer`. Use `ReactorCommand.scram_all()` for full shutdown, `ReactorCommand(consumer_online=True, consumer_demand=600)` to hook the grid, or toggle pumps (`primary_pump_on=False`) to simulate faults. Control helpers in `control.py` expose `set_rods`, `increment_rods`, and `scram`. For hands-on runs, launch the curses dashboard (`FISSION_DASHBOARD=1 FISSION_REALTIME=1 python run_simulation.py`) and use the on-screen shortcuts (q quit/save, space SCRAM, p/o pumps, t turbine, +/- rods, [/ ] consumer demand, s/d setpoint).
+Manual commands live in `reactor_sim.commands.ReactorCommand`. Pass a `command_provider` callable to `ReactorSimulation` to adjust rods, pumps, turbine, coolant demand, or the attached `ElectricalConsumer`. Use `ReactorCommand.scram_all()` for full shutdown, `ReactorCommand(consumer_online=True, consumer_demand=600)` to hook the grid, or toggle pumps (`primary_pump_on=False`) to simulate faults. Control helpers in `control.py` expose `set_rods`, `increment_rods`, and `scram`, and you can switch `set_manual_mode(True)` to pause the automatic rod controller. For hands-on runs, launch the curses dashboard (`FISSION_DASHBOARD=1 FISSION_REALTIME=1 python run_simulation.py`) and use the on-screen shortcuts (q quit/save, space SCRAM, p/o pumps, t turbine, +/- rods in 0.05 steps, [/ ] consumer demand, s/d setpoint, `a` toggles auto/manual rods). Recommended startup: enable manual rods (`a`), withdraw to ~0.3 before ramping the turbine/consumer, then re-enable auto control when you want closed-loop operation.
 The plant now boots cold (ambient core temperature, idle pumps); scripts must sequence startup: enable pumps, gradually withdraw rods, connect the consumer after turbine spin-up, and use `ControlSystem.set_power_setpoint` to chase desired output. Set `FISSION_REALTIME=1` to run continuously with real-time pacing; optionally set `FISSION_SIM_DURATION=infinite` for indefinite runs and send SIGINT/Ctrl+C to stop. Use `FISSION_SIM_DURATION=600` (default) for bounded offline batches.
 
 ## Coding Style & Naming Conventions
diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/commands.py b/src/reactor_sim/commands.py
index 071d488..1a7e59d 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/commands.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/commands.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ class ReactorCommand:
     power_setpoint: float | None = None
     consumer_online: bool | None = None
     consumer_demand: float | None = None
+    rod_manual: bool | None = None
 
     @classmethod
     def scram_all(cls) -> "ReactorCommand":
diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/constants.py b/src/reactor_sim/constants.py
index d8391e9..111c581 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/constants.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/constants.py
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ GENERATOR_EFFICIENCY = 0.96
 ENVIRONMENT_TEMPERATURE = 295.0  # K
 AMU_TO_KG = 1.660_539_066_60e-27
 MEV_TO_J = 1.602_176_634e-13
-ELECTRON_FISSION_CROSS_SECTION = 5e-23  # cm^2, tuned for simulation scale
+ELECTRON_FISSION_CROSS_SECTION = 5e-16  # cm^2, tuned for simulation scale
diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/control.py b/src/reactor_sim/control.py
index 8ceec32..7ea5d96 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/control.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/control.py
@@ -21,8 +21,11 @@ def clamp(value: float, lo: float, hi: float) -> float:
 class ControlSystem:
     setpoint_mw: float = 3_000.0
     rod_fraction: float = 0.5
+    manual_control: bool = False
 
     def update_rods(self, state: CoreState, dt: float) -> float:
+        if self.manual_control:
+            return self.rod_fraction
         error = (state.power_output_mw - self.setpoint_mw) / self.setpoint_mw
         adjustment = -error * 0.3
         adjustment = clamp(adjustment, -constants.CONTROL_ROD_SPEED * dt, constants.CONTROL_ROD_SPEED * dt)
@@ -50,6 +53,11 @@ class ControlSystem:
         self.setpoint_mw = clamp(megawatts, 100.0, 4_000.0)
         LOGGER.info("Power setpoint %.0f -> %.0f MW", previous, self.setpoint_mw)
 
+    def set_manual_mode(self, manual: bool) -> None:
+        if self.manual_control != manual:
+            self.manual_control = manual
+            LOGGER.info("Rod control %s", "manual" if manual else "automatic")
+
     def coolant_demand(self, primary: CoolantLoopState) -> float:
         desired_temp = 580.0
         error = (primary.temperature_out - desired_temp) / 100.0
diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py b/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
index 461f47b..a98ed1c 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ class ReactorDashboard:
             DashboardKey("[/]", "Adjust consumer demand −/+50 MW"),
             DashboardKey("s", "Setpoint −250 MW"),
             DashboardKey("d", "Setpoint +250 MW"),
+            DashboardKey("a", "Toggle auto rod control"),
         ]
 
     def run(self) -> None:
@@ -112,23 +113,28 @@ class ReactorDashboard:
                 self._queue_command(ReactorCommand(power_setpoint=self.reactor.control.setpoint_mw - 250.0))
             elif ch in (ord("d"), ord("D")):
                 self._queue_command(ReactorCommand(power_setpoint=self.reactor.control.setpoint_mw + 250.0))
+            elif ch in (ord("a"), ord("A")):
+                self._queue_command(ReactorCommand(rod_manual=not self.reactor.control.manual_control))
 
     def _queue_command(self, command: ReactorCommand) -> None:
         if self.pending_command is None:
             self.pending_command = command
-            return
-        for field in command.__dataclass_fields__:  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-            value = getattr(command, field)
-            if value is None or value is False:
-                continue
-            if field == "rod_step" and getattr(self.pending_command, field) is not None:
-                setattr(
-                    self.pending_command,
-                    field,
-                    getattr(self.pending_command, field) + value,
-                )
-            else:
-                setattr(self.pending_command, field, value)
+        else:
+            for field in command.__dataclass_fields__:  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+                value = getattr(command, field)
+                if value is None or value is False:
+                    continue
+                if field == "rod_step" and getattr(self.pending_command, field) is not None:
+                    setattr(
+                        self.pending_command,
+                        field,
+                        getattr(self.pending_command, field) + value,
+                    )
+                else:
+                    setattr(self.pending_command, field, value)
+        if self.pending_command.rod_position is not None and self.pending_command.rod_manual is None:
+            self.pending_command.rod_manual = True
+
 
     def _next_command(self, _: float, __: PlantState) -> Optional[ReactorCommand]:
         cmd = self.pending_command
diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/reactor.py b/src/reactor_sim/reactor.py
index 1ddb96b..9222302 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/reactor.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/reactor.py
@@ -182,7 +182,10 @@ class Reactor:
             self._set_turbine_state(False)
         if command.power_setpoint is not None:
             self.control.set_power_setpoint(command.power_setpoint)
+        if command.rod_manual is not None:
+            self.control.set_manual_mode(command.rod_manual)
         if command.rod_position is not None:
+            self.control.set_manual_mode(True)
             overrides["rod_fraction"] = self.control.set_rods(command.rod_position)
             self.shutdown = self.shutdown or command.rod_position >= 0.95
         elif command.rod_step is not None: