diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 858b838..3421bd2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Dialectic.OpenclawPlugin
 
 OpenClaw plugin that gives agents tools to participate in Dialectic v2
-debates. Six tools, one per Dialectic backend endpoint they need:
+debates. Seven tools, one per Dialectic backend endpoint they need:
 
 | Tool | Backend call | Notes |
 |------|--------------|-------|
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ debates. Six tools, one per Dialectic backend endpoint they need:
 | `dialectic_propose_topic` | `POST /api/topics` | title + summary + 4 lifecycle timestamps |
 | `dialectic_signup` | `POST /api/topics/{id}/signups` | with HF on_call coverage pre-check |
 | `dialectic_post_argument` | `POST /api/topics/{id}/arguments` | during `debating` only |
+| `dialectic_submit_verdict` | `POST /api/topics/{id}/verdict` | judge submits structured verdict |
 | `dialectic_view_verdict` | `GET /api/topics/{id}/verdict` | 404 until judge submits |
 
 ## Setup
diff --git a/plugin/index.ts b/plugin/index.ts
index b69d59d..aa2c838 100644
--- a/plugin/index.ts
+++ b/plugin/index.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
  *
  * Tools: dialectic_list_topics, dialectic_topic_detail,
  *        dialectic_propose_topic, dialectic_signup,
- *        dialectic_post_argument, dialectic_view_verdict
+ *        dialectic_post_argument, dialectic_submit_verdict,
+ *        dialectic_view_verdict
  *
  * Loader gotchas (per [[reference-meridian-plugin-contract]]):
  *   - openclaw.plugin.json MUST declare `activation.onStartup: true`
diff --git a/plugin/openclaw.plugin.json b/plugin/openclaw.plugin.json
index f86ce1c..bc15892 100644
--- a/plugin/openclaw.plugin.json
+++ b/plugin/openclaw.plugin.json
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
       "dialectic_propose_topic",
       "dialectic_signup",
       "dialectic_post_argument",
+      "dialectic_submit_verdict",
       "dialectic_view_verdict"
     ]
   },
diff --git a/plugin/src/tools.js b/plugin/src/tools.js
index dff7ccf..8a0a9f3 100644
--- a/plugin/src/tools.js
+++ b/plugin/src/tools.js
@@ -19,7 +19,15 @@ import { BackendClient } from './backend-client.js';
 import { hfOnCallCoverageCheck } from './hf-precheck.js';
 const DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL = 'https://dialectic-api.hangman-lab.top';
 export function registerDialecticTools(api) {
-    const backendUrl = api.config?.backendUrl ?? DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL;
+    // Config precedence: env var > openclaw plugin config > default.
+    // pluginConfig is the plugin-scoped subset (openclaw.json
+    // plugins.entries.dialectic.config) — confirmed by reading the
+    // openclaw SDK's api-builder which assigns `pluginConfig:
+    // params.pluginConfig`. `api.config` (whole openclaw.json) is left
+    // accessible for downstream that needs cross-plugin lookups.
+    const backendUrl = (process.env.DIALECTIC_BACKEND_URL ?? '').trim() ||
+        api.pluginConfig?.backendUrl ||
+        DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL;
     // Per-tool we pull ctx.agentId out of the factory (the
     // backend api key resolves from that agent's secret-mgr).
     api.registerTool((ctx) => ({
@@ -165,6 +173,41 @@ export function registerDialecticTools(api) {
             return await client.post(`/api/topics/${encodeURIComponent(params.topic_id)}/arguments`, { content: params.content });
         }),
     }));
+    api.registerTool((ctx) => ({
+        name: 'dialectic_submit_verdict',
+        description: 'Submit the structured verdict for a debate you are the judge of. Topic must be in `debating` ' +
+            'status AND past its debate_end_at. The `verdict` JSON shape must match the topic\'s ' +
+            'verdict_schema_id (binary / claim-resolution / policy-recommendation / free-form). On success ' +
+            'the topic transitions to `completed` and the verdict is visible via dialectic_view_verdict.',
+        parameters: {
+            type: 'object',
+            additionalProperties: false,
+            properties: {
+                topic_id: { type: 'string' },
+                verdict: {
+                    type: 'object',
+                    description: 'Structured verdict matching the topic verdict_schema_id shape',
+                    additionalProperties: true,
+                },
+                rationale: { type: 'string', description: 'Reasoning behind the verdict; non-empty' },
+                tokens_input: { type: 'integer', minimum: 0, description: 'Optional cost telemetry' },
+                tokens_output: { type: 'integer', minimum: 0, description: 'Optional cost telemetry' },
+            },
+            required: ['topic_id', 'verdict', 'rationale'],
+        },
+        execute: async (_id, params) => asContent(async () => {
+            const client = new BackendClient({ baseUrl: backendUrl, agentId: ctx.agentId ?? '' });
+            const body = {
+                verdict: params.verdict,
+                rationale: params.rationale,
+            };
+            if (typeof params.tokens_input === 'number')
+                body.tokens_input = params.tokens_input;
+            if (typeof params.tokens_output === 'number')
+                body.tokens_output = params.tokens_output;
+            return await client.post(`/api/topics/${encodeURIComponent(params.topic_id)}/verdict`, body);
+        }),
+    }));
     api.registerTool((ctx) => ({
         name: 'dialectic_view_verdict',
         description: 'Fetch the structured verdict for a completed Dialectic topic. 404 if the debate is still ' +
@@ -180,7 +223,7 @@ export function registerDialecticTools(api) {
             return await client.get(`/api/topics/${encodeURIComponent(params.topic_id)}/verdict`);
         }),
     }));
-    api.logger.info(`[dialectic] registered 6 tools (backend=${backendUrl})`);
+    api.logger.info(`[dialectic] registered 7 tools (backend=${backendUrl})`);
 }
 /** Wraps an async backend call and converts result/error into MCP content shape. */
 async function asContent(fn) {
diff --git a/plugin/src/tools.ts b/plugin/src/tools.ts
index b44b872..9d82735 100644
--- a/plugin/src/tools.ts
+++ b/plugin/src/tools.ts
@@ -21,14 +21,24 @@ import { hfOnCallCoverageCheck } from './hf-precheck.js';
 
 type ToolApi = {
   registerTool(def: any): void;
-  config?: { backendUrl?: string };
+  pluginConfig?: { backendUrl?: string };
+  config?: unknown;
   logger: { info(msg: string): void; warn(msg: string): void };
 };
 
 const DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL = 'https://dialectic-api.hangman-lab.top';
 
 export function registerDialecticTools(api: ToolApi): void {
-  const backendUrl = api.config?.backendUrl ?? DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL;
+  // Config precedence: env var > openclaw plugin config > default.
+  // pluginConfig is the plugin-scoped subset (openclaw.json
+  // plugins.entries.dialectic.config) — confirmed by reading the
+  // openclaw SDK's api-builder which assigns `pluginConfig:
+  // params.pluginConfig`. `api.config` (whole openclaw.json) is left
+  // accessible for downstream that needs cross-plugin lookups.
+  const backendUrl =
+    (process.env.DIALECTIC_BACKEND_URL ?? '').trim() ||
+    api.pluginConfig?.backendUrl ||
+    DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL;
 
   // Per-tool we pull ctx.agentId out of the factory (the
   // backend api key resolves from that agent's secret-mgr).
@@ -194,6 +204,45 @@ export function registerDialecticTools(api: ToolApi): void {
       }),
   }));
 
+  api.registerTool((ctx: { agentId?: string }) => ({
+    name: 'dialectic_submit_verdict',
+    description:
+      'Submit the structured verdict for a debate you are the judge of. Topic must be in `debating` ' +
+      'status AND past its debate_end_at. The `verdict` JSON shape must match the topic\'s ' +
+      'verdict_schema_id (binary / claim-resolution / policy-recommendation / free-form). On success ' +
+      'the topic transitions to `completed` and the verdict is visible via dialectic_view_verdict.',
+    parameters: {
+      type: 'object',
+      additionalProperties: false,
+      properties: {
+        topic_id: { type: 'string' },
+        verdict: {
+          type: 'object',
+          description: 'Structured verdict matching the topic verdict_schema_id shape',
+          additionalProperties: true,
+        },
+        rationale: { type: 'string', description: 'Reasoning behind the verdict; non-empty' },
+        tokens_input: { type: 'integer', minimum: 0, description: 'Optional cost telemetry' },
+        tokens_output: { type: 'integer', minimum: 0, description: 'Optional cost telemetry' },
+      },
+      required: ['topic_id', 'verdict', 'rationale'],
+    },
+    execute: async (_id: string, params: Record<string, any>) =>
+      asContent(async () => {
+        const client = new BackendClient({ baseUrl: backendUrl, agentId: ctx.agentId ?? '' });
+        const body: Record<string, any> = {
+          verdict: params.verdict,
+          rationale: params.rationale,
+        };
+        if (typeof params.tokens_input === 'number') body.tokens_input = params.tokens_input;
+        if (typeof params.tokens_output === 'number') body.tokens_output = params.tokens_output;
+        return await client.post(
+          `/api/topics/${encodeURIComponent(params.topic_id)}/verdict`,
+          body,
+        );
+      }),
+  }));
+
   api.registerTool((ctx: { agentId?: string }) => ({
     name: 'dialectic_view_verdict',
     description:
@@ -212,7 +261,7 @@ export function registerDialecticTools(api: ToolApi): void {
       }),
   }));
 
-  api.logger.info(`[dialectic] registered 6 tools (backend=${backendUrl})`);
+  api.logger.info(`[dialectic] registered 7 tools (backend=${backendUrl})`);
 }
 
 /** Wraps an async backend call and converts result/error into MCP content shape. */