diff --git a/lib/paper/engine.js b/lib/paper/engine.js
index af55370..04fed73 100644
--- a/lib/paper/engine.js
+++ b/lib/paper/engine.js
@@ -96,8 +96,11 @@ export class PaperEngine {
       return null;
     }
 
+    // FIX: Pre-format the ID exactly as SurrealDB expects it to ensure perfect sync
+    const tradeId = `paper_positions:pt_${Date.now()}_${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 8)}`;
+    
     const trade = {
-      id: `pt_${Date.now()}_${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 8)}`,
+      id: tradeId,
       strategy: signal.strategy,
       ticker: signal.ticker,
       side: signal.side.toLowerCase(),
@@ -124,7 +127,8 @@ export class PaperEngine {
     acct.openPositions.set(trade.ticker, list);
 
     try {
-      await db.create('paper_positions', trade);
+      // Force SurrealDB to use our exact record link ID
+      await db.create(tradeId, trade);
       await this._saveState(acct);
     } catch (e) {
       console.error('[Paper] DB write error:', e.message);
@@ -172,21 +176,21 @@ export class PaperEngine {
         if (won) acct.wins++;
         else acct.losses++;
 
+        const recordId = pos.id.includes(':') ? pos.id : `paper_positions:${pos.id}`;
+        
         try {
-          // FIX: Use explicit record identifier for SurrealDB updates
-          const recordId = pos.id.includes(':') ? pos.id : `paper_positions:${pos.id}`;
           const updated = await db.query(
             `UPDATE ${recordId} SET settled = true, result = $result, pnl = $pnl, settleTime = $settleTime`,
             { result, pnl: pos.pnl, settleTime: pos.settleTime }
           );
           const rows = updated[0] || [];
           if (rows.length === 0) {
-            await db.create('paper_positions', { ...pos });
+            await db.create(recordId, { ...pos, id: recordId });
           }
         } catch (e) {
           console.error('[Paper] Settle DB error:', e.message);
           try {
-            await db.create('paper_positions', { ...pos });
+            await db.create(recordId, { ...pos, id: recordId });
           } catch (e2) {
             console.error('[Paper] Settle DB fallback error:', e2.message);
           }
@@ -217,9 +221,6 @@ export class PaperEngine {
     return Array.from(tickers);
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Check unresolved tickers periodically for delayed Kalshi results
-   */
   async checkOrphans(getMarketFn) {
     const orphanTickers = this.getOpenTickers();
     if (!orphanTickers.length) return { settled: [], expired: [] };
@@ -263,15 +264,16 @@ export class PaperEngine {
         acct.totalPnL -= pos.cost;
         acct.losses++;
 
+        const recordId = pos.id.includes(':') ? pos.id : `paper_positions:${pos.id}`;
+
         try {
-          const recordId = pos.id.includes(':') ? pos.id : `paper_positions:${pos.id}`;
           const updated = await db.query(
             `UPDATE ${recordId} SET settled = true, result = $result, pnl = $pnl, settleTime = $settleTime`,
             { result: 'expired', pnl: pos.pnl, settleTime: pos.settleTime }
           );
           const rows = updated[0] || [];
           if (rows.length === 0) {
-            await db.create('paper_positions', { ...pos });
+            await db.create(recordId, { ...pos, id: recordId });
           }
         } catch (e) {
           console.error('[Paper] Force-expire DB error:', e.message);