diff --git a/cecli/commands/compact.py b/cecli/commands/compact.py
index 0ddc5a0ae38..ae91f670900 100644
--- a/cecli/commands/compact.py
+++ b/cecli/commands/compact.py
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ async def execute(cls, io, coder, args, **kwargs):
         message = args.strip() if args else ""
         await coder.compact_context_if_needed(force=True, message=message)
 
+        # CLI-71: compaction is a command, so run_one() returns early after it.
+        # Set the drain flag so any queued prompts process automatically once
+        # compaction finishes, instead of stalling until a manual /run-queue.
+        coder._drain_queue_after_command = True
+
     @classmethod
     def get_help(cls) -> str:
         return "Force compaction of the chat history context."