diff --git a/crates/spaceshd/src/persist.rs b/crates/spaceshd/src/persist.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e6278f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/spaceshd/src/persist.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use tokio::sync::mpsc;
+use tokio::time::{Duration, Instant};
+use crate::state_store::{PersistState, StateStore};
+
+/// Debounce window: coalesce a burst of dirty signals into one save.
+const DEBOUNCE: Duration = Duration::from_millis(500);
+
+/// A handle the registry uses to request a persist. `mark_dirty(state)` records
+/// the latest snapshot and (re)arms the debounce timer.
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct Persister {
+    tx: mpsc::Sender<PersistState>,
+}
+
+impl Persister {
+    pub fn mark_dirty(&self, state: PersistState) {
+        // Best-effort; dropping a snapshot is fine because a newer one will arrive.
+        let _ = self.tx.try_send(state);
+    }
+}
+
+/// Spawn the debounce task. Returns the `Persister` handle.
+/// `debounce` is configurable so tests can use a short window.
+pub fn spawn(store: Arc<dyn StateStore>, debounce: Duration) -> Persister {
+    let (tx, mut rx) = mpsc::channel::<PersistState>(64);
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        let mut latest: Option<PersistState> = None;
+        let mut deadline: Option<Instant> = None;
+        loop {
+            let timer = async {
+                match deadline {
+                    Some(d) => tokio::time::sleep_until(d).await,
+                    None => std::future::pending::<()>().await,
+                }
+            };
+            tokio::select! {
+                msg = rx.recv() => {
+                    match msg {
+                        Some(state) => {
+                            latest = Some(state);
+                            deadline = Some(Instant::now() + debounce);
+                        }
+                        None => {
+                            // channel closed: final flush then exit
+                            if let Some(s) = latest.take() { let _ = store.save(&s); }
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                _ = timer => {
+                    if let Some(s) = latest.take() { let _ = store.save(&s); }
+                    deadline = None;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    });
+    Persister { tx }
+}
+
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+fn _unused(_c: &AtomicUsize) {}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use std::sync::Mutex;
+
+    struct CountingStore {
+        saves: AtomicUsize,
+        last: Mutex<Option<PersistState>>,
+    }
+    impl StateStore for CountingStore {
+        fn load(&self) -> anyhow::Result<PersistState> { Ok(PersistState::default()) }
+        fn save(&self, state: &PersistState) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+            self.saves.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
+            *self.last.lock().unwrap() = Some(state.clone());
+            Ok(())
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
+    async fn burst_coalesces_to_one_save() {
+        let store = Arc::new(CountingStore { saves: AtomicUsize::new(0), last: Mutex::new(None) });
+        let p = spawn(store.clone(), Duration::from_millis(80));
+        // Fire several dirty signals rapidly.
+        for v in 1..=5u32 {
+            let mut s = PersistState::default();
+            s.version = v;
+            p.mark_dirty(s);
+            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(10)).await;
+        }
+        // Wait past the debounce window.
+        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(200)).await;
+        assert_eq!(store.saves.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 1, "burst should coalesce to one save");
+        assert_eq!(store.last.lock().unwrap().as_ref().unwrap().version, 5, "save uses the latest snapshot");
+    }
+}