diff --git a/containers/backupchecks/src/backend/app/integrations/autotask/client.py b/containers/backupchecks/src/backend/app/integrations/autotask/client.py
index ef29b0d..d30c07d 100644
--- a/containers/backupchecks/src/backend/app/integrations/autotask/client.py
+++ b/containers/backupchecks/src/backend/app/integrations/autotask/client.py
@@ -559,11 +559,16 @@ class AutotaskClient:
 
 
     def update_ticket_resolution_safe(self, ticket_id: int, resolution_text: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-        """Safely update the Ticket 'resolution' field without changing status.
+        """Safely update the Ticket 'resolution' field with conditional status update.
 
         Autotask Tickets require a full PUT update; therefore we must:
         - GET /Tickets/{id} to retrieve current stabilising fields (including classification/routing)
-        - PUT /Tickets with those stabilising fields unchanged, and only update 'resolution'
+        - Query time entries for the ticket
+        - PUT /Tickets with stabilising fields and conditional status
+
+        Status logic (per API contract section 9):
+        - If NO time entries exist: set status to 5 (Complete)
+        - If time entries exist: keep current status unchanged
 
         IMPORTANT:
         - GET /Tickets/{id} returns the ticket object under the 'item' envelope in most tenants.
@@ -639,14 +644,23 @@ class AutotaskClient:
                 "Cannot safely update ticket resolution because required fields are missing: " + ", ".join(missing)
             )
 
+        # Check for time entries as per API contract section 9
+        # If no time entries exist, we can set status to 5 (Complete)
+        # If time entries exist, status remains unchanged
+        time_entries = self.query_time_entries_by_ticket_id(int(ticket_id))
+        has_time_entries = len(time_entries) > 0
+
+        # Determine final status based on time entry check
+        # Status 5 = Complete (sets completedDate and resolvedDateTime)
+        final_status = resolved_status if has_time_entries else 5
+
         # Build payload with exact values from GET response (including null if that's what we got)
         payload: Dict[str, Any] = {
             "id": int(ticket_id),
             "issueType": resolved_issue_type,
             "subIssueType": resolved_sub_issue_type,
             "source": resolved_source,
-            # Keep status unchanged
-            "status": resolved_status,
+            "status": final_status,
             "resolution": str(resolution_text or ""),
         }
 
@@ -955,3 +969,22 @@ class AutotaskClient:
         if limit and isinstance(limit, int) and limit > 0:
             return items[: int(limit)]
         return items
+
+    def query_time_entries_by_ticket_id(self, ticket_id: int) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Query TimeEntries for a specific ticket.
+
+        Uses POST /TimeEntries/query as per API contract section 6.
+
+        Returns list of time entry items. Empty list if no time entries exist.
+        """
+
+        try:
+            tid = int(ticket_id)
+        except Exception:
+            tid = 0
+        if tid <= 0:
+            return []
+
+        payload = {"filter": [{"op": "eq", "field": "ticketID", "value": tid}]}
+        data = self._request("POST", "TimeEntries/query", json_body=payload)
+        return self._as_items_list(data)
diff --git a/docs/changelog-claude.md b/docs/changelog-claude.md
index 7c8844f..0b214d2 100644
--- a/docs/changelog-claude.md
+++ b/docs/changelog-claude.md
@@ -4,6 +4,13 @@ This file documents all changes made to this project via Claude Code.
 
 ## [2026-02-05]
 
+### Added
+- Autotask conditional ticket status update based on time entries (API contract section 9):
+  - `query_time_entries_by_ticket_id()` - Query time entries for a ticket via POST /TimeEntries/query
+  - `update_ticket_resolution_safe()` now checks for time entries and conditionally sets status:
+    - If NO time entries exist: sets status to 5 (Complete) with completedDate and resolvedDateTime
+    - If time entries exist: keeps current status unchanged (ticket remains open)
+
 ### Fixed
 - Autotask ticket resolution update now correctly preserves exact field values from GET response in PUT payload.
   The `issueType`, `subIssueType`, and `source` fields are copied with their exact values (including null)