diff --git a/public/break_escape/js/systems/npc-barks.js b/public/break_escape/js/systems/npc-barks.js
index 9d2fafba..25263e23 100644
--- a/public/break_escape/js/systems/npc-barks.js
+++ b/public/break_escape/js/systems/npc-barks.js
@@ -346,6 +346,9 @@ export default class NPCBarkSystem {
     this._updateClearAllButton();
     this._trimBarkStackToFit();
 
+    // Auto-dismiss after 7 seconds
+    el._autoDismissTimer = setTimeout(() => this._removeBark(el), 7000);
+
     // Handle clicks - either custom handler or auto-open phone
     if (typeof payload.onClick === 'function') {
       el.addEventListener('click', () => payload.onClick(el));
@@ -366,6 +369,11 @@ export default class NPCBarkSystem {
   _removeBark(el) {
     if (!el || !el.parentNode) return;
 
+    if (el._autoDismissTimer) {
+      clearTimeout(el._autoDismissTimer);
+      el._autoDismissTimer = null;
+    }
+
     const finish = () => {
       if (el.parentNode) el.parentNode.removeChild(el);
       this.activeBarkCount--;