diff --git a/hermes_cli/profiles.py b/hermes_cli/profiles.py
index 6a20472a5e..50fefe33c4 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/profiles.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/profiles.py
@@ -351,11 +351,13 @@ def _iter_named_profile_dirs(*, live_only: bool = True) -> List[Path]:
 
 
 def list_profile_names() -> List[str]:
-    """Cheap name-only listing (``default`` + profile dirs). Unlike :func:`list_profiles` this
-    reads NO per-profile config — safe for hot paths (cron target listings, create validation)."""
+    """Cheap name-only listing (``default`` + LIVE profile dirs). Unlike :func:`list_profiles` this
+    reads NO per-profile config — safe for hot paths (cron target listings, create validation).
+    Tombstoned shells are skipped like everywhere else: a stale process that re-mkdirs a deleted
+    profile's directory must not resurface it as a ``bot-chat:<name>`` cron target."""
     names = ["default"]
     with contextlib.suppress(OSError):
-        names.extend(entry.name for entry in _iter_named_profile_dirs(live_only=False))
+        names.extend(entry.name for entry in _iter_named_profile_dirs())
     return names
 
 
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_deleted_profile_tombstone.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_deleted_profile_tombstone.py
index 3b4feea99a..1a70208845 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_deleted_profile_tombstone.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_deleted_profile_tombstone.py
@@ -13,11 +13,13 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import pytest
 
+from cron.scheduler_delivery import BOT_CHAT_PLATFORM, cron_delivery_targets
 from hermes_cli.config import ensure_hermes_home
 from hermes_cli.profiles import (
     backfill_profile_envs,
     create_profile,
     delete_profile,
+    list_profile_names,
     list_profiles,
     profile_exists,
     profiles_to_serve,
@@ -122,6 +124,11 @@ class TestDeletedProfileTombstone:
         assert "worker" not in _named_homes(profile_env)
         served = [name for name, _ in profiles_to_serve(True)]
         assert "worker" not in served
+        # The name-only hot path (cron Bot Chat targets, kanban profile hints)
+        # honors the same tombstone: a recreated shell must not resurface as a
+        # `bot-chat:worker` delivery target.
+        assert "worker" not in list_profile_names()
+        assert f"{BOT_CHAT_PLATFORM}:worker" not in [t["id"] for t in cron_delivery_targets()]
 
     def test_tombstoned_home_is_not_bootstrapped(self, profile_env, monkeypatch):
         profile_dir = create_profile("worker", no_alias=True, no_skills=True)