diff --git a/tests/test_agent.py b/tests/test_agent.py
index d33726b..7e5cceb 100644
--- a/tests/test_agent.py
+++ b/tests/test_agent.py
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ def make_ctx() -> LocalRunContext[NoAuth]:
     workspace.outputs_prefix = "outputs"
     workspace.write_prefixes = ("outputs/",)
     workspace.current_mode = WorkspaceMode.READ_WRITE_OVERLAY
+    workspace._apply_patches_directly = True
     return LocalRunContext(
         auth=NoAuth(),
         workspace=workspace,
@@ -179,7 +180,10 @@ def test_execute_requires_digest_bound_approval(monkeypatch: Any) -> None:
 
 def test_provider_timeout_returns_reconciliation(monkeypatch: Any) -> None:
     async def run() -> None:
-        MockAsyncClient.queue = [httpx.TimeoutException("slow stripe")]
+        MockAsyncClient.queue = [
+            httpx.TimeoutException("slow stripe"),
+            FakeResponse(200, {"ok": True, "ts": "3.4", "channel": "C123"}),
+        ]
         MockAsyncClient.calls = []
         monkeypatch.setattr("agent.httpx.AsyncClient", MockAsyncClient)
         agent = ReceivesSupportEmailChecks1919313()