diff --git a/security.py b/security.py
index 195aa92..0a22785 100644
--- a/security.py
+++ b/security.py
@@ -7,12 +7,17 @@ Uses an allowlist approach - only explicitly permitted commands can run.
 """
 
 import os
+import re
 import shlex
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional
 
 import yaml
 
+# Regex pattern for valid pkill process names (no regex metacharacters allowed)
+# Matches alphanumeric names with dots, underscores, and hyphens
+VALID_PROCESS_NAME_PATTERN = re.compile(r"^[A-Za-z0-9._-]+$")
+
 # Allowed commands for development tasks
 # Minimal set needed for the autonomous coding demo
 ALLOWED_COMMANDS = {
@@ -474,9 +479,17 @@ def load_org_config() -> Optional[dict]:
             processes = config["pkill_processes"]
             if not isinstance(processes, list):
                 return None
+            # Normalize and validate each process name against safe pattern
+            normalized = []
             for proc in processes:
-                if not isinstance(proc, str) or proc.strip() == "":
+                if not isinstance(proc, str):
                     return None
+                proc = proc.strip()
+                # Block empty strings and regex metacharacters
+                if not proc or not VALID_PROCESS_NAME_PATTERN.fullmatch(proc):
+                    return None
+                normalized.append(proc)
+            config["pkill_processes"] = normalized
 
         return config
 
@@ -536,9 +549,17 @@ def load_project_commands(project_dir: Path) -> Optional[dict]:
             processes = config["pkill_processes"]
             if not isinstance(processes, list):
                 return None
+            # Normalize and validate each process name against safe pattern
+            normalized = []
             for proc in processes:
-                if not isinstance(proc, str) or proc.strip() == "":
+                if not isinstance(proc, str):
                     return None
+                proc = proc.strip()
+                # Block empty strings and regex metacharacters
+                if not proc or not VALID_PROCESS_NAME_PATTERN.fullmatch(proc):
+                    return None
+                normalized.append(proc)
+            config["pkill_processes"] = normalized
 
         return config
 
diff --git a/test_security.py b/test_security.py
index 5bd1867..4bb6d24 100644
--- a/test_security.py
+++ b/test_security.py
@@ -809,6 +809,73 @@ pkill_processes:
                     print(f"  FAIL: pkill python should be allowed with org config: {result}")
                     failed += 1
 
+    # Test 9: Regex metacharacters should be rejected in pkill_processes
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmphome:
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpproject:
+            with temporary_home(tmphome):
+                org_dir = Path(tmphome) / ".autocoder"
+                org_dir.mkdir()
+                org_config_path = org_dir / "config.yaml"
+
+                # Try to register a regex pattern (should be rejected)
+                org_config_path.write_text("""version: 1
+pkill_processes:
+  - ".*"
+""")
+
+                config = load_org_config()
+                if config is None:
+                    print("  PASS: Regex pattern '.*' rejected in pkill_processes")
+                    passed += 1
+                else:
+                    print("  FAIL: Regex pattern '.*' should be rejected")
+                    failed += 1
+
+    # Test 10: Valid process names with dots/underscores/hyphens should be accepted
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmphome:
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpproject:
+            with temporary_home(tmphome):
+                org_dir = Path(tmphome) / ".autocoder"
+                org_dir.mkdir()
+                org_config_path = org_dir / "config.yaml"
+
+                # Valid names with special chars
+                org_config_path.write_text("""version: 1
+pkill_processes:
+  - my-app
+  - app_server
+  - node.js
+""")
+
+                config = load_org_config()
+                if config is not None and config.get("pkill_processes") == ["my-app", "app_server", "node.js"]:
+                    print("  PASS: Valid process names with dots/underscores/hyphens accepted")
+                    passed += 1
+                else:
+                    print(f"  FAIL: Valid process names should be accepted: {config}")
+                    failed += 1
+
+    # Test 11: Names with spaces should be rejected
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmphome:
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpproject:
+            with temporary_home(tmphome):
+                org_dir = Path(tmphome) / ".autocoder"
+                org_dir.mkdir()
+                org_config_path = org_dir / "config.yaml"
+
+                org_config_path.write_text("""version: 1
+pkill_processes:
+  - "my app"
+""")
+
+                config = load_org_config()
+                if config is None:
+                    print("  PASS: Process name with space rejected")
+                    passed += 1
+                else:
+                    print("  FAIL: Process name with space should be rejected")
+                    failed += 1
+
     return passed, failed