diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 3a52f292..b615b693 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -22,10 +22,18 @@ PHP_CLI_SERVER_WORKERS=4
 BCRYPT_ROUNDS=12
 
 LOG_CHANNEL=stack
+# Prod: auf `daily` stellen — der `single`-Channel wächst sonst unbegrenzt.
+# Der daily-Channel rotiert mit LOG_DAILY_DAYS (Default 14, siehe Runbook).
 LOG_STACK=single
 LOG_DEPRECATIONS_CHANNEL=null
 LOG_LEVEL=debug
 
+# Betriebs-Alerts (R5.3): fehlgeschlagene Scheduler-Tasks/Queue-Jobs werden als
+# `critical` geloggt und – wenn aktiviert – zusätzlich an MONITORING_ALERT_EMAIL
+# gemeldet (Fallback: LEGAL_CONTACT_EMAIL). In Prod echten Mailer voraussetzen.
+MONITORING_ALERTS_ENABLED=true
+MONITORING_ALERT_EMAIL=
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Multi-Domain-Setup (config/domains.php)
 # Hub: pressekonto (Portal-Backend + Hub-Landing) — Spokes: presseecho,
diff --git a/app/Mail/OperationalAlertMail.php b/app/Mail/OperationalAlertMail.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..29cb5c07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Mail/OperationalAlertMail.php
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Mail;
+
+use Illuminate\Bus\Queueable;
+use Illuminate\Mail\Mailable;
+use Illuminate\Mail\Mailables\Content;
+use Illuminate\Mail\Mailables\Envelope;
+use Illuminate\Queue\SerializesModels;
+
+/**
+ * Betriebs-Alert an das Ops-Postfach (R5.3). Bewusst schlicht und ungebrandet:
+ * es geht um schnelle, verlässliche Zustellung, nicht um CI.
+ */
+class OperationalAlertMail extends Mailable
+{
+    use Queueable, SerializesModels;
+
+    /**
+     * @param  array<string, mixed>  $context
+     */
+    public function __construct(
+        public readonly string $summary,
+        public readonly array $context = [],
+    ) {}
+
+    public function envelope(): Envelope
+    {
+        return new Envelope(
+            subject: '[Monitoring] '.$this->summary,
+        );
+    }
+
+    public function content(): Content
+    {
+        return new Content(
+            text: 'emails.monitoring.alert',
+            with: [
+                'summary' => $this->summary,
+                'context' => $this->context,
+                'appName' => config('app.name'),
+                'environment' => config('app.env'),
+            ],
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php b/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
index 8589eb87..a6896449 100644
--- a/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
+++ b/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ use App\Observers\AdminPerformanceCacheObserver;
 use App\Services\Admin\AdminRequestPerformanceMetrics;
 use App\Services\Newsletter\NullNewsletterSyncClient;
 use App\Services\PressRelease\PressReleaseService;
+use App\Support\OperationalAlert;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Login;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Registered;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Verified;
@@ -31,9 +32,11 @@ use Illuminate\Auth\Notifications\ResetPassword;
 use Illuminate\Auth\Notifications\VerifyEmail;
 use Illuminate\Database\Events\QueryExecuted;
 use Illuminate\Notifications\Messages\MailMessage;
+use Illuminate\Queue\Events\JobFailed;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Event;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Gate;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Queue;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\URL;
 use Illuminate\Support\ServiceProvider;
 use Laravel\Cashier\Cashier;
@@ -91,6 +94,17 @@ class AppServiceProvider extends ServiceProvider
         Gate::define('access-admin', fn (User $user): bool => $user->canAccessAdmin());
         Gate::define('access-customer', fn (User $user): bool => $user->canAccessCustomer());
 
+        // Betriebs-Alert bei fehlgeschlagenem Queue-Job (R5.3): die KI-Jobs
+        // laufen auf der `classification`-Queue — ein stiller Stau in
+        // `failed_jobs` würde jede Einreichung in der Prüfung hängen lassen.
+        Queue::failing(function (JobFailed $event): void {
+            OperationalAlert::send("Queue-Job fehlgeschlagen: {$event->job->resolveName()}", [
+                'connection' => $event->connectionName,
+                'queue' => $event->job->getQueue(),
+                'exception' => $event->exception->getMessage(),
+            ]);
+        });
+
         // Registrierung → Verifizierungsmail; bestätigter Klick → Aktivierung.
         Event::listen(Registered::class, SendEmailVerificationNotification::class);
         Event::listen(Verified::class, ActivateUserAfterVerification::class);
diff --git a/app/Support/OperationalAlert.php b/app/Support/OperationalAlert.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3acc2361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Support/OperationalAlert.php
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Support;
+
+use App\Mail\OperationalAlertMail;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Mail;
+use Throwable;
+
+/**
+ * Zentrale Betriebs-Alerts (R5.3): meldet fehlgeschlagene Scheduler-Tasks und
+ * Queue-Jobs. Der Log-Eintrag (`critical`) ist die verlässliche Ebene und läuft
+ * immer; die Mail ist Best-Effort und darf den auslösenden Prozess nie mit in
+ * den Abgrund reißen (Mailserver down o. ä.).
+ */
+class OperationalAlert
+{
+    /**
+     * @param  array<string, mixed>  $context
+     */
+    public static function send(string $summary, array $context = []): void
+    {
+        Log::critical('[monitoring] '.$summary, $context);
+
+        if (! config('monitoring.alerts.enabled')) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        $recipient = config('monitoring.alerts.mail_to');
+
+        if (empty($recipient)) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            Mail::to($recipient)->send(new OperationalAlertMail($summary, $context));
+        } catch (Throwable $e) {
+            Log::error('[monitoring] Alert-Mail konnte nicht versendet werden.', [
+                'summary' => $summary,
+                'error' => $e->getMessage(),
+            ]);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/config/monitoring.php b/config/monitoring.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1cf6047d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/monitoring.php
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+<?php
+
+return [
+
+    /*
+    |--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    | Betriebs-Alerts (R5.3)
+    |--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    |
+    | Fehlgeschlagene Scheduler-Tasks und Queue-Jobs werden immer als
+    | `critical` ins Log geschrieben (rotierter `daily`-Channel) und – wenn
+    | aktiviert und eine Adresse gesetzt ist – zusätzlich per Best-Effort-Mail
+    | gemeldet. Die Mail ist bewusst nur die zweite Ebene: schlägt der Versand
+    | fehl, bleibt der Log-Eintrag als verlässliche Spur bestehen.
+    |
+    */
+
+    'alerts' => [
+        'enabled' => (bool) env('MONITORING_ALERTS_ENABLED', true),
+
+        // Ops-Postfach. Fällt auf die zentrale Rechts-/Betreiber-Adresse
+        // zurück, solange kein dediziertes Monitoring-Postfach gesetzt ist.
+        'mail_to' => env('MONITORING_ALERT_EMAIL', env('LEGAL_CONTACT_EMAIL', 'info@pressekonto.com')),
+    ],
+
+];
diff --git a/resources/views/emails/monitoring/alert.blade.php b/resources/views/emails/monitoring/alert.blade.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..94526d37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/views/emails/monitoring/alert.blade.php
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+[{{ $appName }} · {{ strtoupper($environment) }}] Betriebs-Alert
+
+{{ $summary }}
+
+@if (! empty($context))
+Kontext:
+@foreach ($context as $key => $value)
+- {{ $key }}: {{ is_scalar($value) || $value === null ? $value : json_encode($value) }}
+@endforeach
+
+@endif
+Diese Meldung stammt vom automatischen Monitoring (R5.3). Der zugehörige
+Log-Eintrag steht als "critical" im Tageslog (Channel "daily").
diff --git a/routes/console.php b/routes/console.php
index f53a5cc8..169d21eb 100644
--- a/routes/console.php
+++ b/routes/console.php
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ use App\Console\Commands\PurgeExpiredPressReleaseDrafts;
 use App\Console\Commands\PurgeMagicLinks;
 use App\Console\Commands\RefreshMarketData;
 use App\Console\Commands\ResetMonthlyPressReleaseQuota;
+use App\Support\OperationalAlert;
+use Illuminate\Console\Scheduling\Event;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Inspiring;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Artisan;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schedule;
@@ -14,6 +16,17 @@ Artisan::command('inspire', function () {
     $this->comment(Inspiring::quote());
 })->purpose('Display an inspiring quote');
 
+/**
+ * Betriebs-Alert bei fehlgeschlagenem Scheduler-Task (R5.3): meldet den Task
+ * per Log + Best-Effort-Mail, damit ein stiller Ausfall (z. B. Rechnungslauf,
+ * Kontingent-Reset) nicht unbemerkt bleibt.
+ */
+$alertOnFailure = fn (string $task) => function (Event $event) use ($task): void {
+    OperationalAlert::send("Geplanter Task fehlgeschlagen: {$task}", [
+        'exit_code' => $event->exitCode,
+    ]);
+};
+
 // ========================================
 // Tägliche Bereinigungen
 // ========================================
@@ -22,7 +35,8 @@ Artisan::command('inspire', function () {
 Schedule::command(PurgeMagicLinks::class, ['--days=30'])
     ->dailyAt('03:00')
     ->withoutOverlapping()
-    ->runInBackground();
+    ->runInBackground()
+    ->onFailure($alertOnFailure('magic-links:purge'));
 
 // PM-Entwürfe: Zombie-Drafts nach 180 Tagen Inaktivität archivieren (wöchentlich)
 Schedule::command(PurgeExpiredPressReleaseDrafts::class, ['--days=180'])
@@ -30,7 +44,8 @@ Schedule::command(PurgeExpiredPressReleaseDrafts::class, ['--days=180'])
     ->sundays()
     ->at('04:00')
     ->withoutOverlapping()
-    ->runInBackground();
+    ->runInBackground()
+    ->onFailure($alertOnFailure('press-releases:purge-drafts'));
 
 // ========================================
 // Geplante PM-Veröffentlichung
@@ -41,7 +56,8 @@ Schedule::command(PurgeExpiredPressReleaseDrafts::class, ['--days=180'])
 Schedule::command(PublishScheduledPressReleases::class)
     ->everyFiveMinutes()
     ->withoutOverlapping()
-    ->runInBackground();
+    ->runInBackground()
+    ->onFailure($alertOnFailure('press-releases:publish-scheduled'));
 
 // ========================================
 // Manueller Rechnungskreis (MAN-) — Legacy-Zahlungen
@@ -53,7 +69,8 @@ Schedule::command(PublishScheduledPressReleases::class)
 Schedule::command(GenerateManualInvoices::class)
     ->dailyAt('04:30')
     ->withoutOverlapping()
-    ->runInBackground();
+    ->runInBackground()
+    ->onFailure($alertOnFailure('billing:generate-manual-invoices'));
 
 // ========================================
 // PM-Kontingent (Kalendermonats-Reset des Tarif-Modells)
@@ -63,7 +80,8 @@ Schedule::command(GenerateManualInvoices::class)
 Schedule::command(ResetMonthlyPressReleaseQuota::class)
     ->monthlyOn(1, '00:05')
     ->withoutOverlapping()
-    ->runInBackground();
+    ->runInBackground()
+    ->onFailure($alertOnFailure('press-releases:reset-monthly-quota'));
 
 // ========================================
 // Börsendaten für den Web-Ticker
@@ -74,4 +92,5 @@ Schedule::command(ResetMonthlyPressReleaseQuota::class)
 Schedule::command(RefreshMarketData::class)
     ->everyFifteenMinutes()
     ->withoutOverlapping()
-    ->runInBackground();
+    ->runInBackground()
+    ->onFailure($alertOnFailure('market:refresh'));
diff --git a/tests/Feature/OperationalAlertTest.php b/tests/Feature/OperationalAlertTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..eb47b739
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Feature/OperationalAlertTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+<?php
+
+use App\Mail\OperationalAlertMail;
+use App\Support\OperationalAlert;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Queue\Job;
+use Illuminate\Queue\Events\JobFailed;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Log;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Mail;
+
+test('an alert always logs critical and mails the configured recipient', function () {
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.enabled', true);
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.mail_to', 'ops@example.com');
+    Mail::fake();
+    Log::spy();
+
+    OperationalAlert::send('Geplanter Task fehlgeschlagen: billing:generate-manual-invoices', ['exit_code' => 1]);
+
+    Log::shouldHaveReceived('critical')->once();
+    Mail::assertSent(OperationalAlertMail::class, function (OperationalAlertMail $mail) {
+        return $mail->hasTo('ops@example.com')
+            && str_contains($mail->summary, 'billing:generate-manual-invoices')
+            && $mail->context === ['exit_code' => 1];
+    });
+});
+
+test('no mail is sent when alerts are disabled', function () {
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.enabled', false);
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.mail_to', 'ops@example.com');
+    Mail::fake();
+
+    OperationalAlert::send('Etwas ist kaputt');
+
+    Mail::assertNothingSent();
+});
+
+test('no mail is sent when no recipient is configured', function () {
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.enabled', true);
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.mail_to', null);
+    Mail::fake();
+
+    OperationalAlert::send('Etwas ist kaputt');
+
+    Mail::assertNothingSent();
+});
+
+test('a mail failure never bubbles up to the caller', function () {
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.enabled', true);
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.mail_to', 'ops@example.com');
+
+    // Mailserver down: der Versand wirft — der Alert muss das schlucken,
+    // damit der auslösende Scheduler-/Queue-Prozess weiterläuft.
+    Mail::shouldReceive('to')->andReturnSelf();
+    Mail::shouldReceive('send')->andThrow(new RuntimeException('mail down'));
+
+    OperationalAlert::send('Etwas ist kaputt');
+
+    expect(true)->toBeTrue();
+});
+
+test('a failing queue job triggers an operational alert via the registered listener', function () {
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.enabled', true);
+    config()->set('monitoring.alerts.mail_to', 'ops@example.com');
+    Mail::fake();
+
+    $job = Mockery::mock(Job::class);
+    $job->shouldReceive('resolveName')->andReturn('App\\Jobs\\ClassifyPressRelease');
+    $job->shouldReceive('getQueue')->andReturn('classification');
+
+    event(new JobFailed('database', $job, new RuntimeException('job boom')));
+
+    Mail::assertSent(OperationalAlertMail::class, function (OperationalAlertMail $mail) {
+        return str_contains($mail->summary, 'ClassifyPressRelease');
+    });
+});