diff --git a/alembic/versions/017_add_trade_setup_strategy_rank.py b/alembic/versions/017_add_trade_setup_strategy_rank.py
index 788341f..81f070b 100644
--- a/alembic/versions/017_add_trade_setup_strategy_rank.py
+++ b/alembic/versions/017_add_trade_setup_strategy_rank.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """Add production strategy rank fields to trade setups.
 
 Revision ID: 017_add_trade_setup_strategy_rank
-Revises: 016_add_signal_context_snapshots
+Revises: 016
 Create Date: 2026-07-03 20:15:00.000000
 """
 
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import sqlalchemy as sa
 
 
 revision = "017_add_trade_setup_strategy_rank"
-down_revision = "016_add_signal_context_snapshots"
+down_revision = "016"
 branch_labels = None
 depends_on = None
 
diff --git a/alembic/versions/018_clear_paper_exit_mode.py b/alembic/versions/018_clear_paper_exit_mode.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ca3cdd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic/versions/018_clear_paper_exit_mode.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+"""Clear the stored paper exit mode so the promoted ATR-trail default applies.
+
+The July 2026 promotion moved the paper-trade auto-exit default from ``time``
+(30-day hold on the initial stop) to ``atr_trailing`` (initial stop + 3x ATR
+trailing stop, max 30 trading days) — the exit the production backtest
+validated, now implemented live in ``paper_trade_service``.
+
+``get_exit_policy`` reads a stored ``paper_exit_mode`` row before falling back
+to the code default, so any environment that persisted the old ``time`` value
+(e.g. via Admin -> Paper-Trade Exit, or an earlier deploy) would silently keep
+the old exit and never run the promoted ATR trail. Following the precedent of
+migration 015, the stored row is cleared here so the new code default takes
+effect. Admins can re-tune in Admin -> Paper-Trade Exit if desired. Note: this
+changes how open paper trades close, so Track Record comparability resets from
+this deploy.
+
+Revision ID: 018_clear_paper_exit_mode
+Revises: 017_add_trade_setup_strategy_rank
+Create Date: 2026-07-04 00:00:00.000000
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+
+revision = "018_clear_paper_exit_mode"
+down_revision = "017_add_trade_setup_strategy_rank"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.execute(
+        sa.text("DELETE FROM system_settings WHERE key = 'paper_exit_mode'")
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    # One-way data reset: the prior stored value isn't recoverable. The code
+    # default applies until re-tuned, so there is nothing to restore.
+    pass