diff --git a/src/triggers/trello/label-added.ts b/src/triggers/trello/label-added.ts
index a1810d1d..42c61f90 100644
--- a/src/triggers/trello/label-added.ts
+++ b/src/triggers/trello/label-added.ts
@@ -62,9 +62,11 @@ export class ReadyToProcessLabelTrigger implements TriggerHandler {
 		} else if (currentListId === lists.todo) {
 			agentType = 'implementation';
 		} else {
-			// Default to splitting if list not recognized
-			logger.warn('Card in unrecognized list, defaulting to splitting', { currentListId, lists });
-			agentType = 'splitting';
+			logger.info('Card not in a trigger-eligible list, skipping ready-to-process label', {
+				currentListId,
+				lists,
+			});
+			return null;
 		}
 
 		logger.info('Agent type determined', { agentType, cardId, listId: currentListId });
diff --git a/tests/unit/triggers/label-added.test.ts b/tests/unit/triggers/label-added.test.ts
index d8f7be02..f0561bc3 100644
--- a/tests/unit/triggers/label-added.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/triggers/label-added.test.ts
@@ -237,14 +237,14 @@ describe('ReadyToProcessLabelTrigger', () => {
 			expect(result.workItemId).toBe('card789');
 		});
 
-		it('defaults to splitting agent when card is in unknown list', async () => {
+		it('returns null when card is in an unrecognized list (e.g. IN PROGRESS)', async () => {
 			mockGetCard.mockResolvedValue({
 				id: 'card999',
 				name: 'Unknown List Card',
 				desc: '',
 				url: 'https://trello.com/c/xyz',
 				shortUrl: 'https://trello.com/c/xyz',
-				idList: 'unknown-list-id',
+				idList: 'in-progress-list-id',
 				labels: [],
 			});
 
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ describe('ReadyToProcessLabelTrigger', () => {
 
 			const result = await trigger.handle(ctx);
 
-			expect(result.agentType).toBe('splitting');
+			expect(result).toBeNull();
 		});
 
 		it('returns null when card ID is missing', async () => {