diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/parse-and-create-features.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/parse-and-create-features.ts
index 080486fb..47846fcc 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/parse-and-create-features.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/parse-and-create-features.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import path from 'path';
 import * as secureFs from '../../lib/secure-fs.js';
 import type { EventEmitter } from '../../lib/events.js';
-import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils';
+import { createLogger, atomicWriteJson, DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT } from '@automaker/utils';
 import { getFeaturesDir } from '@automaker/platform';
 import { extractJsonWithArray } from '../../lib/json-extractor.js';
 import { getNotificationService } from '../../services/notification-service.js';
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ export async function parseAndCreateFeatures(
         updatedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
       };
 
-      await secureFs.writeFile(
-        path.join(featureDir, 'feature.json'),
-        JSON.stringify(featureData, null, 2)
-      );
+      // Use atomic write with backup support for crash protection
+      await atomicWriteJson(path.join(featureDir, 'feature.json'), featureData, {
+        backupCount: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+      });
 
       createdFeatures.push({ id: feature.id, title: feature.title });
     }
diff --git a/apps/server/src/services/auto-mode-service.ts b/apps/server/src/services/auto-mode-service.ts
index 1993836b..454b7ec0 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/services/auto-mode-service.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/services/auto-mode-service.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ import {
   appendLearning,
   recordMemoryUsage,
   createLogger,
+  atomicWriteJson,
+  readJsonWithRecovery,
+  logRecoveryWarning,
+  DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
 } from '@automaker/utils';
 
 const logger = createLogger('AutoMode');
@@ -1416,13 +1420,13 @@ Address the follow-up instructions above. Review the previous work and make the
         allImagePaths.push(...allPaths);
       }
 
-      // Save updated feature.json with new images
+      // Save updated feature.json with new images (atomic write with backup)
       if (copiedImagePaths.length > 0 && feature) {
         const featureDirForSave = getFeatureDir(projectPath, featureId);
         const featurePath = path.join(featureDirForSave, 'feature.json');
 
         try {
-          await secureFs.writeFile(featurePath, JSON.stringify(feature, null, 2));
+          await atomicWriteJson(featurePath, feature, { backupCount: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT });
         } catch (error) {
           logger.error(`Failed to save feature.json:`, error);
         }
@@ -2092,8 +2096,20 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
     const featurePath = path.join(featureDir, 'feature.json');
 
     try {
-      const data = (await secureFs.readFile(featurePath, 'utf-8')) as string;
-      const feature = JSON.parse(data);
+      // Use recovery-enabled read for corrupted file handling
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery<Feature | null>(featurePath, null, {
+        maxBackups: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+        autoRestore: true,
+      });
+
+      logRecoveryWarning(result, `Feature ${featureId}`, logger);
+
+      const feature = result.data;
+      if (!feature) {
+        logger.warn(`Feature ${featureId} not found or could not be recovered`);
+        return;
+      }
+
       feature.status = status;
       feature.updatedAt = new Date().toISOString();
       // Set justFinishedAt timestamp when moving to waiting_approval (agent just completed)
@@ -2104,7 +2120,9 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
         // Clear the timestamp when moving to other statuses
         feature.justFinishedAt = undefined;
       }
-      await secureFs.writeFile(featurePath, JSON.stringify(feature, null, 2));
+
+      // Use atomic write with backup support
+      await atomicWriteJson(featurePath, feature, { backupCount: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT });
 
       // Create notifications for important status changes
       const notificationService = getNotificationService();
@@ -2135,8 +2153,8 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
           logger.warn(`Failed to sync feature ${featureId} to app_spec.txt:`, syncError);
         }
       }
-    } catch {
-      // Feature file may not exist
+    } catch (error) {
+      logger.error(`Failed to update feature status for ${featureId}:`, error);
     }
   }
 
@@ -2148,11 +2166,24 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
     featureId: string,
     updates: Partial<PlanSpec>
   ): Promise<void> {
-    const featurePath = path.join(projectPath, '.automaker', 'features', featureId, 'feature.json');
+    // Use getFeatureDir helper for consistent path resolution
+    const featureDir = getFeatureDir(projectPath, featureId);
+    const featurePath = path.join(featureDir, 'feature.json');
 
     try {
-      const data = (await secureFs.readFile(featurePath, 'utf-8')) as string;
-      const feature = JSON.parse(data);
+      // Use recovery-enabled read for corrupted file handling
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery<Feature | null>(featurePath, null, {
+        maxBackups: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+        autoRestore: true,
+      });
+
+      logRecoveryWarning(result, `Feature ${featureId}`, logger);
+
+      const feature = result.data;
+      if (!feature) {
+        logger.warn(`Feature ${featureId} not found or could not be recovered`);
+        return;
+      }
 
       // Initialize planSpec if it doesn't exist
       if (!feature.planSpec) {
@@ -2172,7 +2203,9 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
       }
 
       feature.updatedAt = new Date().toISOString();
-      await secureFs.writeFile(featurePath, JSON.stringify(feature, null, 2));
+
+      // Use atomic write with backup support
+      await atomicWriteJson(featurePath, feature, { backupCount: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT });
     } catch (error) {
       logger.error(`Failed to update planSpec for ${featureId}:`, error);
     }
@@ -2189,25 +2222,34 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
       const allFeatures: Feature[] = [];
       const pendingFeatures: Feature[] = [];
 
-      // Load all features (for dependency checking)
+      // Load all features (for dependency checking) with recovery support
       for (const entry of entries) {
         if (entry.isDirectory()) {
           const featurePath = path.join(featuresDir, entry.name, 'feature.json');
-          try {
-            const data = (await secureFs.readFile(featurePath, 'utf-8')) as string;
-            const feature = JSON.parse(data);
-            allFeatures.push(feature);
 
-            // Track pending features separately
-            if (
-              feature.status === 'pending' ||
-              feature.status === 'ready' ||
-              feature.status === 'backlog'
-            ) {
-              pendingFeatures.push(feature);
-            }
-          } catch {
-            // Skip invalid features
+          // Use recovery-enabled read for corrupted file handling
+          const result = await readJsonWithRecovery<Feature | null>(featurePath, null, {
+            maxBackups: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+            autoRestore: true,
+          });
+
+          logRecoveryWarning(result, `Feature ${entry.name}`, logger);
+
+          const feature = result.data;
+          if (!feature) {
+            // Skip features that couldn't be loaded or recovered
+            continue;
+          }
+
+          allFeatures.push(feature);
+
+          // Track pending features separately
+          if (
+            feature.status === 'pending' ||
+            feature.status === 'ready' ||
+            feature.status === 'backlog'
+          ) {
+            pendingFeatures.push(feature);
           }
         }
       }
@@ -3439,31 +3481,39 @@ After generating the revised spec, output:
       for (const entry of entries) {
         if (entry.isDirectory()) {
           const featurePath = path.join(featuresDir, entry.name, 'feature.json');
-          try {
-            const data = (await secureFs.readFile(featurePath, 'utf-8')) as string;
-            const feature = JSON.parse(data) as Feature;
 
-            // Check if feature was interrupted (in_progress or pipeline_*)
-            if (
-              feature.status === 'in_progress' ||
-              (feature.status && feature.status.startsWith('pipeline_'))
-            ) {
-              // Verify it has existing context (agent-output.md)
-              const featureDir = getFeatureDir(projectPath, feature.id);
-              const contextPath = path.join(featureDir, 'agent-output.md');
-              try {
-                await secureFs.access(contextPath);
-                interruptedFeatures.push(feature);
-                logger.info(
-                  `Found interrupted feature: ${feature.id} (${feature.title}) - status: ${feature.status}`
-                );
-              } catch {
-                // No context file, skip this feature - it will be restarted fresh
-                logger.info(`Interrupted feature ${feature.id} has no context, will restart fresh`);
-              }
+          // Use recovery-enabled read for corrupted file handling
+          const result = await readJsonWithRecovery<Feature | null>(featurePath, null, {
+            maxBackups: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+            autoRestore: true,
+          });
+
+          logRecoveryWarning(result, `Feature ${entry.name}`, logger);
+
+          const feature = result.data;
+          if (!feature) {
+            // Skip features that couldn't be loaded or recovered
+            continue;
+          }
+
+          // Check if feature was interrupted (in_progress or pipeline_*)
+          if (
+            feature.status === 'in_progress' ||
+            (feature.status && feature.status.startsWith('pipeline_'))
+          ) {
+            // Verify it has existing context (agent-output.md)
+            const featureDir = getFeatureDir(projectPath, feature.id);
+            const contextPath = path.join(featureDir, 'agent-output.md');
+            try {
+              await secureFs.access(contextPath);
+              interruptedFeatures.push(feature);
+              logger.info(
+                `Found interrupted feature: ${feature.id} (${feature.title}) - status: ${feature.status}`
+              );
+            } catch {
+              // No context file, skip this feature - it will be restarted fresh
+              logger.info(`Interrupted feature ${feature.id} has no context, will restart fresh`);
             }
-          } catch {
-            // Skip invalid features
           }
         }
       }
diff --git a/apps/server/src/services/feature-loader.ts b/apps/server/src/services/feature-loader.ts
index 6ae67c6c..b40a85f0 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/services/feature-loader.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/services/feature-loader.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,13 @@
 
 import path from 'path';
 import type { Feature, DescriptionHistoryEntry } from '@automaker/types';
-import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils';
+import {
+  createLogger,
+  atomicWriteJson,
+  readJsonWithRecovery,
+  logRecoveryWarning,
+  DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+} from '@automaker/utils';
 import * as secureFs from '../lib/secure-fs.js';
 import {
   getFeaturesDir,
@@ -194,31 +200,31 @@ export class FeatureLoader {
       })) as any[];
       const featureDirs = entries.filter((entry) => entry.isDirectory());
 
-      // Load all features concurrently (secureFs has built-in concurrency limiting)
+      // Load all features concurrently with automatic recovery from backups
       const featurePromises = featureDirs.map(async (dir) => {
         const featureId = dir.name;
         const featureJsonPath = this.getFeatureJsonPath(projectPath, featureId);
 
-        try {
-          const content = (await secureFs.readFile(featureJsonPath, 'utf-8')) as string;
-          const feature = JSON.parse(content);
+        // Use recovery-enabled read to handle corrupted files
+        const result = await readJsonWithRecovery<Feature | null>(featureJsonPath, null, {
+          maxBackups: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+          autoRestore: true,
+        });
 
-          if (!feature.id) {
-            logger.warn(`Feature ${featureId} missing required 'id' field, skipping`);
-            return null;
-          }
+        logRecoveryWarning(result, `Feature ${featureId}`, logger);
 
-          return feature as Feature;
-        } catch (error) {
-          if ((error as NodeJS.ErrnoException).code === 'ENOENT') {
-            return null;
-          } else if (error instanceof SyntaxError) {
-            logger.warn(`Failed to parse feature.json for ${featureId}: ${error.message}`);
-          } else {
-            logger.error(`Failed to load feature ${featureId}:`, (error as Error).message);
-          }
+        const feature = result.data;
+
+        if (!feature) {
           return null;
         }
+
+        if (!feature.id) {
+          logger.warn(`Feature ${featureId} missing required 'id' field, skipping`);
+          return null;
+        }
+
+        return feature;
       });
 
       const results = await Promise.all(featurePromises);
@@ -303,19 +309,20 @@ export class FeatureLoader {
 
   /**
    * Get a single feature by ID
+   * Uses automatic recovery from backups if the main file is corrupted
    */
   async get(projectPath: string, featureId: string): Promise<Feature | null> {
-    try {
-      const featureJsonPath = this.getFeatureJsonPath(projectPath, featureId);
-      const content = (await secureFs.readFile(featureJsonPath, 'utf-8')) as string;
-      return JSON.parse(content);
-    } catch (error) {
-      if ((error as NodeJS.ErrnoException).code === 'ENOENT') {
-        return null;
-      }
-      logger.error(`Failed to get feature ${featureId}:`, error);
-      throw error;
-    }
+    const featureJsonPath = this.getFeatureJsonPath(projectPath, featureId);
+
+    // Use recovery-enabled read to handle corrupted files
+    const result = await readJsonWithRecovery<Feature | null>(featureJsonPath, null, {
+      maxBackups: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+      autoRestore: true,
+    });
+
+    logRecoveryWarning(result, `Feature ${featureId}`, logger);
+
+    return result.data;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -359,8 +366,8 @@ export class FeatureLoader {
       descriptionHistory: initialHistory,
     };
 
-    // Write feature.json
-    await secureFs.writeFile(featureJsonPath, JSON.stringify(feature, null, 2), 'utf-8');
+    // Write feature.json atomically with backup support
+    await atomicWriteJson(featureJsonPath, feature, { backupCount: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT });
 
     logger.info(`Created feature ${featureId}`);
     return feature;
@@ -444,9 +451,9 @@ export class FeatureLoader {
       descriptionHistory: updatedHistory,
     };
 
-    // Write back to file
+    // Write back to file atomically with backup support
     const featureJsonPath = this.getFeatureJsonPath(projectPath, featureId);
-    await secureFs.writeFile(featureJsonPath, JSON.stringify(updatedFeature, null, 2), 'utf-8');
+    await atomicWriteJson(featureJsonPath, updatedFeature, { backupCount: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT });
 
     logger.info(`Updated feature ${featureId}`);
     return updatedFeature;
diff --git a/apps/server/src/services/settings-service.ts b/apps/server/src/services/settings-service.ts
index 5f57ad83..e63b075c 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/services/settings-service.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/services/settings-service.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  * - Per-project settings ({projectPath}/.automaker/settings.json)
  */
 
-import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils';
+import { createLogger, atomicWriteJson, DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT } from '@automaker/utils';
 import * as secureFs from '../lib/secure-fs.js';
 
 import {
@@ -42,28 +42,8 @@ import {
 const logger = createLogger('SettingsService');
 
 /**
- * Atomic file write - write to temp file then rename
- */
-async function atomicWriteJson(filePath: string, data: unknown): Promise<void> {
-  const tempPath = `${filePath}.tmp.${Date.now()}`;
-  const content = JSON.stringify(data, null, 2);
-
-  try {
-    await secureFs.writeFile(tempPath, content, 'utf-8');
-    await secureFs.rename(tempPath, filePath);
-  } catch (error) {
-    // Clean up temp file if it exists
-    try {
-      await secureFs.unlink(tempPath);
-    } catch {
-      // Ignore cleanup errors
-    }
-    throw error;
-  }
-}
-
-/**
- * Safely read JSON file with fallback to default
+ * Wrapper for readJsonFile from utils that uses the local secureFs
+ * to maintain compatibility with the server's secure file system
  */
 async function readJsonFile<T>(filePath: string, defaultValue: T): Promise<T> {
   try {
@@ -90,6 +70,13 @@ async function fileExists(filePath: string): Promise<boolean> {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Write settings atomically with backup support
+ */
+async function writeSettingsJson(filePath: string, data: unknown): Promise<void> {
+  await atomicWriteJson(filePath, data, { backupCount: DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT });
+}
+
 /**
  * SettingsService - Manages persistent storage of user settings and credentials
  *
@@ -180,7 +167,7 @@ export class SettingsService {
     if (needsSave) {
       try {
         await ensureDataDir(this.dataDir);
-        await atomicWriteJson(settingsPath, result);
+        await writeSettingsJson(settingsPath, result);
         logger.info('Settings migration complete');
       } catch (error) {
         logger.error('Failed to save migrated settings:', error);
@@ -340,7 +327,7 @@ export class SettingsService {
       };
     }
 
-    await atomicWriteJson(settingsPath, updated);
+    await writeSettingsJson(settingsPath, updated);
     logger.info('Global settings updated');
 
     return updated;
@@ -414,7 +401,7 @@ export class SettingsService {
       };
     }
 
-    await atomicWriteJson(credentialsPath, updated);
+    await writeSettingsJson(credentialsPath, updated);
     logger.info('Credentials updated');
 
     return updated;
@@ -525,7 +512,7 @@ export class SettingsService {
       };
     }
 
-    await atomicWriteJson(settingsPath, updated);
+    await writeSettingsJson(settingsPath, updated);
     logger.info(`Project settings updated for ${projectPath}`);
 
     return updated;
diff --git a/apps/server/tests/unit/services/feature-loader.test.ts b/apps/server/tests/unit/services/feature-loader.test.ts
index d70f0326..d3d0bbdc 100644
--- a/apps/server/tests/unit/services/feature-loader.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/tests/unit/services/feature-loader.test.ts
@@ -190,9 +190,10 @@ describe('feature-loader.ts', () => {
       const result = await loader.getAll(testProjectPath);
 
       expect(result).toEqual([]);
+      // With recovery-enabled reads, warnings come from AtomicWriter and FeatureLoader
       expect(consoleSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        expect.stringMatching(/WARN.*\[FeatureLoader\]/),
-        expect.stringContaining('Failed to parse feature.json')
+        expect.stringMatching(/WARN.*\[AtomicWriter\]/),
+        expect.stringContaining('unavailable')
       );
 
       consoleSpy.mockRestore();
@@ -260,10 +261,13 @@ describe('feature-loader.ts', () => {
       expect(result).toBeNull();
     });
 
-    it('should throw on other errors', async () => {
+    it('should return null on other errors (with recovery attempt)', async () => {
+      // With recovery-enabled reads, get() returns null instead of throwing
+      // because it attempts to recover from backups before giving up
       vi.mocked(fs.readFile).mockRejectedValue(new Error('Permission denied'));
 
-      await expect(loader.get(testProjectPath, 'feature-123')).rejects.toThrow('Permission denied');
+      const result = await loader.get(testProjectPath, 'feature-123');
+      expect(result).toBeNull();
     });
   });
 
diff --git a/libs/utils/src/atomic-writer.ts b/libs/utils/src/atomic-writer.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fe07e5eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/utils/src/atomic-writer.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,362 @@
+/**
+ * Atomic file writing utilities for JSON data
+ *
+ * Provides atomic write operations using temp-file + rename pattern,
+ * ensuring data integrity even during crashes or power failures.
+ */
+
+import { secureFs } from '@automaker/platform';
+import path from 'path';
+import { createLogger } from './logger.js';
+import { mkdirSafe } from './fs-utils.js';
+
+const logger = createLogger('AtomicWriter');
+
+/** Default maximum number of backup files to keep for crash recovery */
+export const DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT = 3;
+
+/**
+ * Options for atomic write operations
+ */
+export interface AtomicWriteOptions {
+  /** Number of spaces for JSON indentation (default: 2) */
+  indent?: number;
+  /** Create parent directories if they don't exist (default: false) */
+  createDirs?: boolean;
+  /** Number of backup files to keep (0 = no backups, default: 0). When > 0, rotates .bak1, .bak2, etc. */
+  backupCount?: number;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Rotate backup files (.bak1 -> .bak2 -> .bak3, oldest is deleted)
+ * and create a new backup from the current file.
+ *
+ * @param filePath - Absolute path to the file being backed up
+ * @param maxBackups - Maximum number of backup files to keep
+ */
+export async function rotateBackups(
+  filePath: string,
+  maxBackups: number = DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT
+): Promise<void> {
+  // Check if the source file exists before attempting backup
+  try {
+    await secureFs.access(filePath);
+  } catch {
+    // No existing file to backup
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // Rotate existing backups: .bak3 is deleted, .bak2 -> .bak3, .bak1 -> .bak2
+  for (let i = maxBackups; i >= 1; i--) {
+    const currentBackup = `${filePath}.bak${i}`;
+    const nextBackup = `${filePath}.bak${i + 1}`;
+
+    try {
+      if (i === maxBackups) {
+        // Delete the oldest backup
+        await secureFs.unlink(currentBackup);
+      } else {
+        // Rename current backup to next slot
+        await secureFs.rename(currentBackup, nextBackup);
+      }
+    } catch {
+      // Ignore errors - backup file may not exist
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Copy current file to .bak1
+  try {
+    await secureFs.copyFile(filePath, `${filePath}.bak1`);
+  } catch (error) {
+    logger.warn(`Failed to create backup of ${filePath}:`, error);
+    // Continue with write even if backup fails
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Atomically write JSON data to a file.
+ *
+ * Uses the temp-file + rename pattern for atomicity:
+ * 1. Writes data to a temporary file
+ * 2. Atomically renames temp file to target path
+ * 3. Cleans up temp file on error
+ *
+ * @param filePath - Absolute path to the target file
+ * @param data - Data to serialize as JSON
+ * @param options - Optional write options
+ * @throws Error if write fails (temp file is cleaned up)
+ *
+ * @example
+ * ```typescript
+ * await atomicWriteJson('/path/to/config.json', { key: 'value' });
+ * await atomicWriteJson('/path/to/data.json', data, { indent: 4, createDirs: true });
+ * ```
+ */
+export async function atomicWriteJson<T>(
+  filePath: string,
+  data: T,
+  options: AtomicWriteOptions = {}
+): Promise<void> {
+  const { indent = 2, createDirs = false, backupCount = 0 } = options;
+  const resolvedPath = path.resolve(filePath);
+  const tempPath = `${resolvedPath}.tmp.${Date.now()}`;
+
+  // Create parent directories if requested
+  if (createDirs) {
+    const dirPath = path.dirname(resolvedPath);
+    await mkdirSafe(dirPath);
+  }
+
+  const content = JSON.stringify(data, null, indent);
+
+  try {
+    // Rotate backups before writing (if backups are enabled)
+    if (backupCount > 0) {
+      await rotateBackups(resolvedPath, backupCount);
+    }
+
+    await secureFs.writeFile(tempPath, content, 'utf-8');
+    await secureFs.rename(tempPath, resolvedPath);
+  } catch (error) {
+    // Clean up temp file if it exists
+    try {
+      await secureFs.unlink(tempPath);
+    } catch {
+      // Ignore cleanup errors - best effort
+    }
+    logger.error(`Failed to atomically write to ${resolvedPath}:`, error);
+    throw error;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Safely read JSON from a file with fallback to default value.
+ *
+ * Returns the default value if:
+ * - File doesn't exist (ENOENT)
+ * - File content is invalid JSON
+ *
+ * @param filePath - Absolute path to the file
+ * @param defaultValue - Value to return if file doesn't exist or is invalid
+ * @returns Parsed JSON data or default value
+ *
+ * @example
+ * ```typescript
+ * const config = await readJsonFile('/path/to/config.json', { version: 1 });
+ * ```
+ */
+export async function readJsonFile<T>(filePath: string, defaultValue: T): Promise<T> {
+  const resolvedPath = path.resolve(filePath);
+
+  try {
+    const content = (await secureFs.readFile(resolvedPath, 'utf-8')) as string;
+    return JSON.parse(content) as T;
+  } catch (error) {
+    const nodeError = error as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+    if (nodeError.code === 'ENOENT') {
+      return defaultValue;
+    }
+    logger.error(`Error reading JSON from ${resolvedPath}:`, error);
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Atomically update a JSON file by reading, transforming, and writing.
+ *
+ * Provides a safe read-modify-write pattern:
+ * 1. Reads existing file (or uses default)
+ * 2. Applies updater function
+ * 3. Atomically writes result
+ *
+ * @param filePath - Absolute path to the file
+ * @param defaultValue - Default value if file doesn't exist
+ * @param updater - Function that transforms the data
+ * @param options - Optional write options
+ *
+ * @example
+ * ```typescript
+ * await updateJsonAtomically(
+ *   '/path/to/counter.json',
+ *   { count: 0 },
+ *   (data) => ({ ...data, count: data.count + 1 })
+ * );
+ * ```
+ */
+export async function updateJsonAtomically<T>(
+  filePath: string,
+  defaultValue: T,
+  updater: (current: T) => T | Promise<T>,
+  options: AtomicWriteOptions = {}
+): Promise<void> {
+  const current = await readJsonFile(filePath, defaultValue);
+  const updated = await updater(current);
+  await atomicWriteJson(filePath, updated, options);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Result of a JSON read operation with recovery information
+ */
+export interface ReadJsonRecoveryResult<T> {
+  /** The data that was successfully read */
+  data: T;
+  /** Whether recovery was needed (main file was corrupted or missing) */
+  recovered: boolean;
+  /** Source of the data: 'main', 'backup', 'temp', or 'default' */
+  source: 'main' | 'backup' | 'temp' | 'default';
+  /** Error message if the main file had an issue */
+  error?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Options for readJsonWithRecovery
+ */
+export interface ReadJsonRecoveryOptions {
+  /** Maximum number of backup files to check (.bak1, .bak2, etc.) Default: 3 */
+  maxBackups?: number;
+  /** Whether to automatically restore main file from backup when corrupted. Default: true */
+  autoRestore?: boolean;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Log a warning if recovery was needed (from backup or temp file).
+ *
+ * Use this helper to reduce duplicate logging code when using readJsonWithRecovery.
+ *
+ * @param result - The result from readJsonWithRecovery
+ * @param identifier - A human-readable identifier for the file being recovered (e.g., "Feature abc123")
+ * @param loggerInstance - Optional logger instance to use (defaults to AtomicWriter logger)
+ *
+ * @example
+ * ```typescript
+ * const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(featurePath, null);
+ * logRecoveryWarning(result, `Feature ${featureId}`);
+ * ```
+ */
+export function logRecoveryWarning<T>(
+  result: ReadJsonRecoveryResult<T>,
+  identifier: string,
+  loggerInstance: { warn: (msg: string, ...args: unknown[]) => void } = logger
+): void {
+  if (result.recovered && result.source !== 'default') {
+    loggerInstance.warn(`${identifier} was recovered from ${result.source}: ${result.error}`);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Read JSON file with automatic recovery from backups.
+ *
+ * This function attempts to read a JSON file with fallback to backups:
+ * 1. Try to read the main file
+ * 2. If corrupted, check for temp files (.tmp.*) that might have valid data
+ * 3. If no valid temp file, try backup files (.bak1, .bak2, .bak3)
+ * 4. If all fail, return the default value
+ *
+ * Optionally restores the main file from a valid backup (autoRestore: true).
+ *
+ * @param filePath - Absolute path to the file
+ * @param defaultValue - Value to return if no valid data found
+ * @param options - Recovery options
+ * @returns Result containing the data and recovery information
+ *
+ * @example
+ * ```typescript
+ * const result = await readJsonWithRecovery('/path/to/config.json', { version: 1 });
+ * if (result.recovered) {
+ *   console.log(`Recovered from ${result.source}: ${result.error}`);
+ * }
+ * const config = result.data;
+ * ```
+ */
+export async function readJsonWithRecovery<T>(
+  filePath: string,
+  defaultValue: T,
+  options: ReadJsonRecoveryOptions = {}
+): Promise<ReadJsonRecoveryResult<T>> {
+  const { maxBackups = 3, autoRestore = true } = options;
+  const resolvedPath = path.resolve(filePath);
+  const dirPath = path.dirname(resolvedPath);
+  const fileName = path.basename(resolvedPath);
+
+  // Try to read the main file first
+  try {
+    const content = (await secureFs.readFile(resolvedPath, 'utf-8')) as string;
+    const data = JSON.parse(content) as T;
+    return { data, recovered: false, source: 'main' };
+  } catch (mainError) {
+    const nodeError = mainError as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+    const errorMessage =
+      nodeError.code === 'ENOENT'
+        ? 'File does not exist'
+        : `Failed to parse: ${mainError instanceof Error ? mainError.message : String(mainError)}`;
+
+    // If file doesn't exist, check for temp files or backups
+    logger.warn(`Main file ${resolvedPath} unavailable: ${errorMessage}`);
+
+    // Try to find and recover from temp files first (in case of interrupted write)
+    try {
+      const files = (await secureFs.readdir(dirPath)) as string[];
+      const tempFiles = files
+        .filter((f: string) => f.startsWith(`${fileName}.tmp.`))
+        .sort()
+        .reverse(); // Most recent first
+
+      for (const tempFile of tempFiles) {
+        const tempPath = path.join(dirPath, tempFile);
+        try {
+          const content = (await secureFs.readFile(tempPath, 'utf-8')) as string;
+          const data = JSON.parse(content) as T;
+
+          logger.info(`Recovered data from temp file: ${tempPath}`);
+
+          // Optionally restore main file from temp
+          if (autoRestore) {
+            try {
+              await secureFs.rename(tempPath, resolvedPath);
+              logger.info(`Restored main file from temp: ${tempPath}`);
+            } catch (restoreError) {
+              logger.warn(`Failed to restore main file from temp: ${restoreError}`);
+            }
+          }
+
+          return { data, recovered: true, source: 'temp', error: errorMessage };
+        } catch {
+          // This temp file is also corrupted, try next
+          continue;
+        }
+      }
+    } catch {
+      // Could not read directory, skip temp file check
+    }
+
+    // Try backup files (.bak1, .bak2, .bak3)
+    for (let i = 1; i <= maxBackups; i++) {
+      const backupPath = `${resolvedPath}.bak${i}`;
+      try {
+        const content = (await secureFs.readFile(backupPath, 'utf-8')) as string;
+        const data = JSON.parse(content) as T;
+
+        logger.info(`Recovered data from backup: ${backupPath}`);
+
+        // Optionally restore main file from backup
+        if (autoRestore) {
+          try {
+            await secureFs.copyFile(backupPath, resolvedPath);
+            logger.info(`Restored main file from backup: ${backupPath}`);
+          } catch (restoreError) {
+            logger.warn(`Failed to restore main file from backup: ${restoreError}`);
+          }
+        }
+
+        return { data, recovered: true, source: 'backup', error: errorMessage };
+      } catch {
+        // This backup doesn't exist or is corrupted, try next
+        continue;
+      }
+    }
+
+    // All recovery attempts failed, return default
+    logger.warn(`All recovery attempts failed for ${resolvedPath}, using default value`);
+    return { data: defaultValue, recovered: true, source: 'default', error: errorMessage };
+  }
+}
diff --git a/libs/utils/src/index.ts b/libs/utils/src/index.ts
index cb831db3..e5e7ea16 100644
--- a/libs/utils/src/index.ts
+++ b/libs/utils/src/index.ts
@@ -53,6 +53,20 @@ export {
 // File system utilities
 export { mkdirSafe, existsSafe } from './fs-utils.js';
 
+// Atomic file operations
+export {
+  atomicWriteJson,
+  readJsonFile,
+  updateJsonAtomically,
+  readJsonWithRecovery,
+  rotateBackups,
+  logRecoveryWarning,
+  DEFAULT_BACKUP_COUNT,
+  type AtomicWriteOptions,
+  type ReadJsonRecoveryResult,
+  type ReadJsonRecoveryOptions,
+} from './atomic-writer.js';
+
 // Path utilities
 export { normalizePath, pathsEqual } from './path-utils.js';
 
diff --git a/libs/utils/tests/atomic-writer.test.ts b/libs/utils/tests/atomic-writer.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1efa57d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/utils/tests/atomic-writer.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,709 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach, afterEach, vi, type MockInstance } from 'vitest';
+import fs from 'fs/promises';
+import path from 'path';
+import os from 'os';
+import { secureFs } from '@automaker/platform';
+import {
+  atomicWriteJson,
+  readJsonFile,
+  updateJsonAtomically,
+  readJsonWithRecovery,
+} from '../src/atomic-writer';
+
+// Mock secureFs
+vi.mock('@automaker/platform', () => ({
+  secureFs: {
+    writeFile: vi.fn(),
+    readFile: vi.fn(),
+    rename: vi.fn(),
+    unlink: vi.fn(),
+    readdir: vi.fn(),
+    copyFile: vi.fn(),
+    access: vi.fn(),
+    lstat: vi.fn(),
+    mkdir: vi.fn(),
+  },
+}));
+
+// Mock logger to suppress output during tests
+vi.mock('../src/logger.js', () => ({
+  createLogger: () => ({
+    info: vi.fn(),
+    warn: vi.fn(),
+    error: vi.fn(),
+    debug: vi.fn(),
+  }),
+}));
+
+describe('atomic-writer.ts', () => {
+  let tempDir: string;
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    // Create a temporary directory for integration tests
+    tempDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'atomic-writer-test-'));
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    // Clean up temporary directory
+    try {
+      await fs.rm(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    } catch {
+      // Ignore cleanup errors
+    }
+  });
+
+  describe('atomicWriteJson', () => {
+    it('should write JSON data atomically', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'test.json');
+      const data = { key: 'value', number: 42 };
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, data);
+
+      // Verify writeFile was called with temp file path and JSON content
+      expect(secureFs.writeFile).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      expect(writeCall[0]).toMatch(/\.tmp\.\d+$/);
+      expect(writeCall[1]).toBe(JSON.stringify(data, null, 2));
+      expect(writeCall[2]).toBe('utf-8');
+
+      // Verify rename was called with temp -> target
+      expect(secureFs.rename).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      const renameCall = (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      expect(renameCall[0]).toMatch(/\.tmp\.\d+$/);
+      expect(renameCall[1]).toBe(path.resolve(filePath));
+    });
+
+    it('should use custom indentation', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'test.json');
+      const data = { key: 'value' };
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, data, { indent: 4 });
+
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      expect(writeCall[1]).toBe(JSON.stringify(data, null, 4));
+    });
+
+    it('should clean up temp file on write failure', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'test.json');
+      const data = { key: 'value' };
+
+      const writeError = new Error('Write failed');
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(writeError);
+      (secureFs.unlink as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await expect(atomicWriteJson(filePath, data)).rejects.toThrow('Write failed');
+
+      expect(secureFs.unlink).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    });
+
+    it('should clean up temp file on rename failure', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'test.json');
+      const data = { key: 'value' };
+
+      const renameError = new Error('Rename failed');
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(renameError);
+      (secureFs.unlink as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await expect(atomicWriteJson(filePath, data)).rejects.toThrow('Rename failed');
+
+      expect(secureFs.unlink).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    });
+
+    it('should ignore cleanup errors', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'test.json');
+      const data = { key: 'value' };
+
+      const writeError = new Error('Write failed');
+      const unlinkError = new Error('Unlink failed');
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(writeError);
+      (secureFs.unlink as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(unlinkError);
+
+      // Should still throw the original error, not the cleanup error
+      await expect(atomicWriteJson(filePath, data)).rejects.toThrow('Write failed');
+    });
+
+    it('should resolve relative paths', async () => {
+      const relativePath = 'test.json';
+      const data = { key: 'value' };
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(relativePath, data);
+
+      const renameCall = (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      expect(renameCall[1]).toBe(path.resolve(relativePath));
+    });
+
+    it('should handle arrays as data', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'array.json');
+      const data = [1, 2, 3, { nested: 'value' }];
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, data);
+
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      expect(writeCall[1]).toBe(JSON.stringify(data, null, 2));
+    });
+
+    it('should handle null and primitive values', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'primitive.json');
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, null);
+      expect((secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0][1]).toBe('null');
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, 'string');
+      expect((secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[1][1]).toBe('"string"');
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, 123);
+      expect((secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[2][1]).toBe('123');
+    });
+
+    it('should create directories when createDirs is true', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'nested', 'deep', 'test.json');
+      const data = { key: 'value' };
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      // Mock lstat to indicate directory already exists
+      (secureFs.lstat as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue({
+        isDirectory: () => true,
+        isSymbolicLink: () => false,
+      });
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, data, { createDirs: true });
+
+      expect(secureFs.writeFile).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('readJsonFile', () => {
+    it('should read and parse JSON file', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'read.json');
+      const data = { key: 'value', count: 5 };
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(JSON.stringify(data));
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile(filePath, {});
+
+      expect(result).toEqual(data);
+      expect(secureFs.readFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(path.resolve(filePath), 'utf-8');
+    });
+
+    it('should return default value when file does not exist', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'nonexistent.json');
+      const defaultValue = { default: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(enoentError);
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile(filePath, defaultValue);
+
+      expect(result).toEqual(defaultValue);
+    });
+
+    it('should return default value when JSON is invalid', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'invalid.json');
+      const defaultValue = { default: true };
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue('not valid json');
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile(filePath, defaultValue);
+
+      expect(result).toEqual(defaultValue);
+    });
+
+    it('should return default value for other read errors', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'error.json');
+      const defaultValue = { default: true };
+
+      const accessError = new Error('Access denied') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      accessError.code = 'EACCES';
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(accessError);
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile(filePath, defaultValue);
+
+      expect(result).toEqual(defaultValue);
+    });
+
+    it('should handle empty object as default', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'nonexistent.json');
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(enoentError);
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile<Record<string, unknown>>(filePath, {});
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({});
+    });
+
+    it('should handle array as default', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'nonexistent.json');
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(enoentError);
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile<string[]>(filePath, []);
+
+      expect(result).toEqual([]);
+    });
+
+    it('should parse nested objects correctly', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'nested.json');
+      const data = {
+        level1: {
+          level2: {
+            value: 'deep',
+            array: [1, 2, { nested: true }],
+          },
+        },
+      };
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(JSON.stringify(data));
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile(filePath, {});
+
+      expect(result).toEqual(data);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('updateJsonAtomically', () => {
+    it('should read, update, and write file atomically', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'update.json');
+      const initialData = { count: 5 };
+      const defaultValue = { count: 0 };
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(JSON.stringify(initialData));
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await updateJsonAtomically(filePath, defaultValue, (data) => ({
+        ...data,
+        count: data.count + 1,
+      }));
+
+      // Verify the write was called with updated data
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      const writtenData = JSON.parse(writeCall[1]);
+      expect(writtenData.count).toBe(6);
+    });
+
+    it('should use default value when file does not exist', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'new.json');
+      const defaultValue = { count: 0 };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(enoentError);
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await updateJsonAtomically(filePath, defaultValue, (data) => ({
+        ...data,
+        count: data.count + 1,
+      }));
+
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      const writtenData = JSON.parse(writeCall[1]);
+      expect(writtenData.count).toBe(1);
+    });
+
+    it('should support async updater function', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'async.json');
+      const initialData = { value: 'initial' };
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(JSON.stringify(initialData));
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await updateJsonAtomically(filePath, {}, async (data) => {
+        await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 10));
+        return { ...data, value: 'updated' };
+      });
+
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      const writtenData = JSON.parse(writeCall[1]);
+      expect(writtenData.value).toBe('updated');
+    });
+
+    it('should pass through options to atomicWriteJson', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'options.json');
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(enoentError);
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await updateJsonAtomically(filePath, { key: 'value' }, (d) => d, { indent: 4 });
+
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      expect(writeCall[1]).toBe(JSON.stringify({ key: 'value' }, null, 4));
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('readJsonWithRecovery', () => {
+    it('should return main file data when available', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'main.json');
+      const data = { main: true };
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(JSON.stringify(data));
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, {});
+
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(data);
+      expect(result.recovered).toBe(false);
+      expect(result.source).toBe('main');
+      expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+
+    it('should recover from temp file when main file is missing', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const tempData = { fromTemp: true };
+      const fileName = path.basename(filePath);
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance)
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError) // Main file
+        .mockResolvedValueOnce(JSON.stringify(tempData)); // Temp file
+
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([
+        `${fileName}.tmp.1234567890`,
+        'other-file.json',
+      ]);
+
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, {});
+
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(tempData);
+      expect(result.recovered).toBe(true);
+      expect(result.source).toBe('temp');
+      expect(result.error).toBe('File does not exist');
+    });
+
+    it('should recover from backup file when main and temp are unavailable', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const backupData = { fromBackup: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance)
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError) // Main file
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError) // backup1
+        .mockResolvedValueOnce(JSON.stringify(backupData)); // backup2
+
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([]); // No temp files
+
+      (secureFs.copyFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, {});
+
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(backupData);
+      expect(result.recovered).toBe(true);
+      expect(result.source).toBe('backup');
+    });
+
+    it('should return default when all recovery attempts fail', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const defaultValue = { default: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(enoentError);
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([]);
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, defaultValue);
+
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(defaultValue);
+      expect(result.recovered).toBe(true);
+      expect(result.source).toBe('default');
+      expect(result.error).toBe('File does not exist');
+    });
+
+    it('should try multiple temp files in order', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const fileName = path.basename(filePath);
+      const validTempData = { valid: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance)
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError) // Main file
+        .mockResolvedValueOnce('invalid json') // First temp file (invalid)
+        .mockResolvedValueOnce(JSON.stringify(validTempData)); // Second temp file
+
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([
+        `${fileName}.tmp.9999999999`, // Most recent
+        `${fileName}.tmp.1111111111`, // Older
+      ]);
+
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, {});
+
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(validTempData);
+      expect(result.source).toBe('temp');
+    });
+
+    it('should try multiple backup files in order', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const backupData = { backup2: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance)
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError) // Main file
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError) // .bak1
+        .mockResolvedValueOnce(JSON.stringify(backupData)); // .bak2
+
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([]);
+
+      (secureFs.copyFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, {});
+
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(backupData);
+      expect(result.source).toBe('backup');
+
+      // Verify it tried .bak1 first
+      expect(secureFs.readFile).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+        2,
+        `${path.resolve(filePath)}.bak1`,
+        'utf-8'
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should respect maxBackups option', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const defaultValue = { default: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(enoentError);
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([]);
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, defaultValue, { maxBackups: 1 });
+
+      expect(result.source).toBe('default');
+      // Should only have tried main + 1 backup
+      expect(secureFs.readFile).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
+    });
+
+    it('should not auto-restore when autoRestore is false', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const fileName = path.basename(filePath);
+      const tempData = { fromTemp: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance)
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError)
+        .mockResolvedValueOnce(JSON.stringify(tempData));
+
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([`${fileName}.tmp.123`]);
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, {}, { autoRestore: false });
+
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(tempData);
+      expect(secureFs.rename).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(secureFs.copyFile).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it('should handle directory read errors gracefully', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const backupData = { backup: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance)
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError) // Main file
+        .mockResolvedValueOnce(JSON.stringify(backupData)); // backup1
+
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(new Error('Dir read failed'));
+      (secureFs.copyFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, {});
+
+      // Should skip temp files and go to backups
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(backupData);
+      expect(result.source).toBe('backup');
+    });
+
+    it('should handle corrupted main file with valid error message', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'corrupted.json');
+      const defaultValue = { default: true };
+
+      const parseError = new SyntaxError('Unexpected token');
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValueOnce('{{invalid');
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([]);
+
+      // Mock to actually throw parse error
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockImplementationOnce(() => {
+        return Promise.resolve('{{invalid json');
+      });
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, defaultValue);
+
+      expect(result.recovered).toBe(true);
+      expect(result.error).toContain('Failed to parse');
+    });
+
+    it('should handle restore failures gracefully', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'data.json');
+      const fileName = path.basename(filePath);
+      const tempData = { fromTemp: true };
+
+      const enoentError = new Error('File not found') as NodeJS.ErrnoException;
+      enoentError.code = 'ENOENT';
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance)
+        .mockRejectedValueOnce(enoentError)
+        .mockResolvedValueOnce(JSON.stringify(tempData));
+
+      (secureFs.readdir as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue([`${fileName}.tmp.123`]);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(new Error('Restore failed'));
+
+      const result = await readJsonWithRecovery(filePath, {});
+
+      // Should still return data even if restore failed
+      expect(result.data).toEqual(tempData);
+      expect(result.source).toBe('temp');
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('Edge cases', () => {
+    it('should handle empty file path gracefully', async () => {
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockRejectedValue(new Error('Invalid path'));
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile('', { default: true });
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ default: true });
+    });
+
+    it('should handle special characters in file path', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'file with spaces & special!.json');
+      const data = { special: 'chars' };
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, data);
+
+      expect(secureFs.writeFile).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it('should handle very large objects', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'large.json');
+      const largeArray = Array.from({ length: 10000 }, (_, i) => ({
+        id: i,
+        data: `item-${i}`,
+      }));
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, largeArray);
+
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      expect(JSON.parse(writeCall[1])).toEqual(largeArray);
+    });
+
+    it('should handle unicode content', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'unicode.json');
+      const data = { emoji: '🎉', japanese: 'こんにちは', chinese: '你好' };
+
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await atomicWriteJson(filePath, data);
+
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      expect(JSON.parse(writeCall[1])).toEqual(data);
+    });
+
+    it('should handle circular reference error in JSON', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'circular.json');
+      const circular: Record<string, unknown> = { key: 'value' };
+      circular.self = circular;
+
+      await expect(atomicWriteJson(filePath, circular)).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('Type safety', () => {
+    interface TestConfig {
+      version: number;
+      settings: {
+        enabled: boolean;
+        name: string;
+      };
+    }
+
+    it('should preserve types in readJsonFile', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'config.json');
+      const expected: TestConfig = {
+        version: 1,
+        settings: { enabled: true, name: 'test' },
+      };
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(JSON.stringify(expected));
+
+      const result = await readJsonFile<TestConfig>(filePath, {
+        version: 0,
+        settings: { enabled: false, name: '' },
+      });
+
+      expect(result.version).toBe(1);
+      expect(result.settings.enabled).toBe(true);
+      expect(result.settings.name).toBe('test');
+    });
+
+    it('should preserve types in updateJsonAtomically', async () => {
+      const filePath = path.join(tempDir, 'counter.json');
+
+      interface Counter {
+        count: number;
+      }
+
+      (secureFs.readFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(
+        JSON.stringify({ count: 5 })
+      );
+      (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+      (secureFs.rename as unknown as MockInstance).mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await updateJsonAtomically<Counter>(filePath, { count: 0 }, (data) => ({
+        count: data.count + 1,
+      }));
+
+      const writeCall = (secureFs.writeFile as unknown as MockInstance).mock.calls[0];
+      const writtenData: Counter = JSON.parse(writeCall[1]);
+      expect(writtenData.count).toBe(6);
+    });
+  });
+});