diff --git a/nanobot/agent/tools/shell.py b/nanobot/agent/tools/shell.py
index 18eff64..ceac6b7 100644
--- a/nanobot/agent/tools/shell.py
+++ b/nanobot/agent/tools/shell.py
@@ -81,6 +81,12 @@ class ExecTool(Tool):
                 )
             except asyncio.TimeoutError:
                 process.kill()
+                # Wait for the process to fully terminate so pipes are
+                # drained and file descriptors are released.
+                try:
+                    await asyncio.wait_for(process.wait(), timeout=5.0)
+                except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+                    pass
                 return f"Error: Command timed out after {self.timeout} seconds"
             
             output_parts = []