diff --git a/crates/devkit-locks/src/daemon/proto.rs b/crates/devkit-locks/src/daemon/proto.rs
index e5239d56..2278a854 100644
--- a/crates/devkit-locks/src/daemon/proto.rs
+++ b/crates/devkit-locks/src/daemon/proto.rs
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ pub enum Request {
         force: bool,
     },
     ReleaseAll {
+        /// The caller's checkout. Release ignores it and frees the holder in
+        /// every root; it stays so an older daemon still parses the request.
         root: String,
         holder: String,
     },
@@ -112,4 +114,23 @@ mod tests {
             _ => panic!("wrong variant"),
         }
     }
+
+    /// A daemon one release behind parses this exact shape.
+    #[test]
+    fn release_all_keeps_its_wire_shape() {
+        let msg = Request::ReleaseAll {
+            root: "/repo".into(),
+            holder: "alice".into(),
+        };
+        let wire = serde_json::to_value(&msg).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            wire,
+            serde_json::json!({ "ReleaseAll": { "root": "/repo", "holder": "alice" } })
+        );
+        let back: Request = serde_json::from_value(wire).unwrap();
+        assert!(matches!(
+            back,
+            Request::ReleaseAll { root, holder } if root == "/repo" && holder == "alice"
+        ));
+    }
 }
diff --git a/crates/devkit-locks/src/lib.rs b/crates/devkit-locks/src/lib.rs
index 975ec0e5..e78b995e 100644
--- a/crates/devkit-locks/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/devkit-locks/src/lib.rs
@@ -394,7 +394,10 @@ pub fn release_all(as_flag: Option<&str>) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
     release_all_resolved(&c.root, &c.holder)
 }
 
-/// Release every lock held by `holder` under `root` (pre-resolved).
+/// Release every lock held by exactly `holder` (pre-resolved), in every root.
+/// Holder ids are globally unique, and the write hook claims in whichever
+/// checkout a write lands in, so a root filter would strand rows. `root` is
+/// the caller's checkout; it only fills the daemon's `ReleaseAll` request.
 pub fn release_all_resolved(root: &str, holder: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
     #[cfg(feature = "daemon")]
     if let Some(resp) = daemon_request(daemon::proto::Request::ReleaseAll {
@@ -407,7 +410,7 @@ pub fn release_all_resolved(root: &str, holder: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
             other => Err(anyhow::anyhow!("unexpected daemon response: {other:?}")),
         };
     }
-    store::release_all_with(&store::FlockStore::new(), root, holder)
+    store::release_all_with(&store::FlockStore::new(), holder)
 }
 
 /// Live locks for the current project root, or every project when `all`.
@@ -837,8 +840,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn resolved_fns_roundtrip_via_flock_path() {
         // No daemon runs in unit tests, so the `_resolved` fns fall through to
-        // the FlockStore path. A unique root namespaces these lock
-        // rows.
+        // the FlockStore path. A unique root and holder namespace these lock
+        // rows, since release_all spans every root.
         let root = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         devkit_git::Git::fixture(root.path())
             .args(["init", "-q", "-b", "main"])
@@ -846,30 +849,31 @@ mod tests {
             .unwrap();
         let r = root.path().to_string_lossy().into_owned();
         let paths = vec!["a.rs".to_string()];
+        let holder = format!("roundtrip-{}", std::process::id());
 
-        let out = acquire_resolved(&r, "holder-a", &paths, None, None, 60).expect("acquire");
+        let out = acquire_resolved(&r, &holder, &paths, None, None, 60).expect("acquire");
         assert_eq!(out.acquired.len(), 1);
         assert_eq!(out.acquired[0].path, "a.rs");
         assert!(out.conflicts.is_empty());
 
         let conflicts = check_resolved(&r, "holder-b", &paths).expect("check");
         assert_eq!(conflicts.len(), 1);
-        assert_eq!(conflicts[0].held_by, "holder-a");
+        assert_eq!(conflicts[0].held_by, holder);
 
         let entries = status_resolved(&r, false).expect("status");
         assert!(
             entries
                 .iter()
-                .any(|e| e.path == "a.rs" && e.holder == "holder-a")
+                .any(|e| e.path == "a.rs" && e.holder == holder)
         );
 
-        let (released, refused) = release_resolved(&r, "holder-a", &paths, false).expect("release");
+        let (released, refused) = release_resolved(&r, &holder, &paths, false).expect("release");
         assert_eq!(released, vec!["a.rs".to_string()]);
         assert!(refused.is_empty());
 
-        // release_all on a now-empty root is a no-op but must succeed.
+        // release_all with nothing held is a no-op but must succeed.
         assert!(
-            release_all_resolved(&r, "holder-a")
+            release_all_resolved(&r, &holder)
                 .expect("release_all")
                 .is_empty()
         );
@@ -1082,6 +1086,5 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(matches!(b, model::WriteDecision::Acquired));
 
         let _ = release_all_resolved(&repo_a.path().to_string_lossy(), &holder);
-        let _ = release_all_resolved(&repo_b.path().to_string_lossy(), &holder);
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/devkit-locks/src/model.rs b/crates/devkit-locks/src/model.rs
index 0f20f466..678850cf 100644
--- a/crates/devkit-locks/src/model.rs
+++ b/crates/devkit-locks/src/model.rs
@@ -339,17 +339,17 @@ impl Data {
             .collect()
     }
 
-    /// Release every lock held by `holder` in `root`; returns the freed paths.
-    pub fn release_all(&mut self, root: &str, holder: &str) -> Vec<String> {
-        let freed: Vec<String> = self
-            .locks
-            .values()
-            .filter(|e| e.root == root && e.holder == holder)
-            .map(|e| e.path.clone())
-            .collect();
-        for p in &freed {
-            self.locks.remove(&key_for(root, p));
-        }
+    /// Release every lock held by exactly `holder`, in every root; returns
+    /// the freed paths. Its sub-agents' rows (`holder/agent`) stay.
+    pub fn release_all(&mut self, holder: &str) -> Vec<String> {
+        let mut freed = Vec::new();
+        self.locks.retain(|_, e| {
+            let mine = e.holder == holder;
+            if mine {
+                freed.push(e.path.clone());
+            }
+            !mine
+        });
         freed
     }
 
@@ -639,17 +639,19 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn release_all_clears_only_callers_locks_in_root() {
+    fn release_all_clears_only_callers_locks_in_every_root() {
         let mut d = Data::default();
         d.locks.extend([
             entry("/repo", "a", "alice", 1, 0, None),
             entry("/repo", "b", "bob", 1, 0, None),
             entry("/other", "c", "alice", 1, 0, None),
+            entry("/other", "d", "alice/agent", 1, 0, None),
         ]);
-        let rel = d.release_all("/repo", "alice");
-        assert_eq!(rel, vec!["a".to_string()]);
+        let mut rel = d.release_all("alice");
+        rel.sort();
+        assert_eq!(rel, ["a", "c"]);
         assert!(d.locks.contains_key(&key_for("/repo", "b")));
-        assert!(d.locks.contains_key(&key_for("/other", "c")));
+        assert!(d.locks.contains_key(&key_for("/other", "d")));
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/crates/devkit-locks/src/store.rs b/crates/devkit-locks/src/store.rs
index 7a49b42c..4bfcde6a 100644
--- a/crates/devkit-locks/src/store.rs
+++ b/crates/devkit-locks/src/store.rs
@@ -230,9 +230,9 @@ pub fn release_with(
     s.commit(|d| Ok(d.do_release(root, paths, holder, force)))
 }
 
-/// Release every lock held by `holder` in `root` (explicit mutation).
-pub fn release_all_with(s: &impl Store, root: &str, holder: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
-    s.commit(|d| Ok(d.release_all(root, holder)))
+/// Release every lock held by `holder`, in every root (explicit mutation).
+pub fn release_all_with(s: &impl Store, holder: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    s.commit(|d| Ok(d.release_all(holder)))
 }
 
 /// Live locks (ungated read), best-effort prune. `all` ignores the root filter.
diff --git a/crates/devkit-mcp/src/locks.rs b/crates/devkit-mcp/src/locks.rs
index a1565edb..6bea09c7 100644
--- a/crates/devkit-mcp/src/locks.rs
+++ b/crates/devkit-mcp/src/locks.rs
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ fn release_schema() -> Value {
         "properties": {
             "root": { "type": "string", "description": "Absolute path to the project root." },
             "paths": { "type": "array", "items": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Paths to release (required unless all=true)." },
-            "all": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Release every lock held by this holder in the project." },
+            "all": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Release every lock held by exactly this holder, in every project. Rows its sub-agents hold stay." },
             "force": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Release even locks held by another holder." },
             "holder": { "type": "string", "description": "Override the session holder id." }
         },
diff --git a/plugin/skills/using-devkit/SKILL.md b/plugin/skills/using-devkit/SKILL.md
index 052918e7..1aacba4f 100644
--- a/plugin/skills/using-devkit/SKILL.md
+++ b/plugin/skills/using-devkit/SKILL.md
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ lockm release src/auth/session.rs src/auth/mod.rs
 lockm release --all                           # or: drop everything you hold
 ```
 
-`release --all` also drops the write hook's automatic claims for this session, so it belongs at the end of a work unit rather than between edits.
+`release --all` drops every claim this session holds in every checkout, not only the one you run it from, and that includes the write hook's automatic claims. Claims your sub-agents hold stay until they stop. It belongs at the end of a work unit rather than between edits.
 
 ### When a claim conflicts
 
diff --git a/plugin/skills/using-devkit/references/locks.md b/plugin/skills/using-devkit/references/locks.md
index 9464de3f..5a67cd0a 100644
--- a/plugin/skills/using-devkit/references/locks.md
+++ b/plugin/skills/using-devkit/references/locks.md
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ A long-lived shell can outlive the session that seeded its environment: a `tmux`
 
 A claim made by hand inside a sub-agent is recorded at session granularity, because no harness exposes a sub-agent id to a subprocess. It blocks every other session and does not block sibling sub-agents of your own; that isolation comes from the write hook, which does have sub-agent ids. A path your own sub-agent's hook already holds is reported as `already held on this session line` and left as it is: yours to write, but released by the lifecycle hook rather than by a `release` of your own.
 
-`lockm release --all` frees every row this project holds under the bare session id — the session's manual claims and its top-level write-hook claims alike — whether you run it from the top level or from a sub-agent. Rows recorded as `session/agent`, which is how the hook records a sub-agent's writes, are left for `SubagentStop`.
+`lockm release --all` frees every row held under the bare session id in every checkout, not only the one you run it from. That covers the session's manual claims and its top-level write-hook claims alike, whether you run it from the top level or from a sub-agent. Rows recorded as `session/agent`, which is how the hook records a sub-agent's writes, are left for `SubagentStop`.
 
 ## TTL
 
diff --git a/src/bin/devkit/locks.rs b/src/bin/devkit/locks.rs
index 94fc1d42..f03aad29 100644
--- a/src/bin/devkit/locks.rs
+++ b/src/bin/devkit/locks.rs
@@ -54,7 +54,8 @@ pub(crate) enum Cmd {
         /// pid.
         #[arg(long = "as")]
         holder: Option<String>,
-        /// Release every path this holder claims.
+        /// Release every path this holder claims, in every checkout, not only
+        /// this one. Rows its sub-agents hold (`holder/agent`) stay.
         #[arg(long)]
         all: bool,
         /// Release even a path held by another session.
diff --git a/src/bin/devkitd/lock_server.rs b/src/bin/devkitd/lock_server.rs
index 32ae1262..fde2432e 100644
--- a/src/bin/devkitd/lock_server.rs
+++ b/src/bin/devkitd/lock_server.rs
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ pub(crate) fn dispatch(daemon: &Arc<Daemon>, req: Request) -> Response {
             Ok((released, refused)) => Response::Released { released, refused },
             Err(e) => Response::Err(format!("{e:#}")),
         },
-        Request::ReleaseAll { root, holder } => match store::release_all_with(&s, &root, &holder) {
+        Request::ReleaseAll { holder, .. } => match store::release_all_with(&s, &holder) {
             Ok(v) => Response::Freed(v),
             Err(e) => Response::Err(format!("{e:#}")),
         },
diff --git a/tests/locks.rs b/tests/locks.rs
index 037b3883..82f9a0a2 100644
--- a/tests/locks.rs
+++ b/tests/locks.rs
@@ -96,6 +96,46 @@ fn release_frees_for_other_holder() {
     assert!(b.status.success(), "bob can acquire after alice releases");
 }
 
+/// The write hook claims in whichever checkout a write lands in, so one
+/// session's rows span several roots.
+#[test]
+fn release_all_frees_the_holder_in_every_root() {
+    let (_dir, link) = shimtest::linked("lockm");
+    let (here, elsewhere) = (project(), project());
+    let state = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    for proj in [&here, &elsewhere] {
+        for holder in ["alice", "alice/agent", "bob"] {
+            let path = format!("{}.rs", holder.replace('/', "-"));
+            let a = run(&link, proj.path(), state.path(), &[
+                "acquire", &path, "--as", holder,
+            ]);
+            assert!(a.status.success(), "{holder} acquires {path}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    let r = run(&link, here.path(), state.path(), &[
+        "release", "--all", "--as", "alice",
+    ]);
+    assert!(r.status.success());
+    assert_eq!(
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&r.stdout).trim(),
+        "released 2 lock(s)"
+    );
+
+    let s = run(&link, here.path(), state.path(), &[
+        "status", "--all", "--json",
+    ]);
+    let v: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_slice(&s.stdout).expect("json on stdout");
+    let mut left: Vec<&str> = v["locks"]
+        .as_array()
+        .unwrap()
+        .iter()
+        .map(|e| e["holder"].as_str().unwrap())
+        .collect();
+    left.sort();
+    assert_eq!(left, ["alice/agent", "alice/agent", "bob", "bob"]);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn same_holder_reacquire_is_ok() {
     let (_dir, link) = shimtest::linked("lockm");