diff --git a/cheddahbot/config.py b/cheddahbot/config.py
index bfcdf14..024543d 100644
--- a/cheddahbot/config.py
+++ b/cheddahbot/config.py
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ class ClickUpConfig:
     error_status: str = "error"
     task_type_field_name: str = "Work Category"
     default_auto_execute: bool = False
+    poll_task_types: list[str] = field(default_factory=list)
     skill_map: dict = field(default_factory=dict)
     enabled: bool = False
 
diff --git a/cheddahbot/scheduler.py b/cheddahbot/scheduler.py
index 89b23a3..548037d 100644
--- a/cheddahbot/scheduler.py
+++ b/cheddahbot/scheduler.py
@@ -357,12 +357,14 @@ class Scheduler:
         now_ms = int(datetime.now(UTC).timestamp() * 1000)
         due_date_lt = now_ms + (self.DUE_DATE_WINDOW_WEEKS * 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000)
 
+        # Explicit allowlist of Work Category values to poll
+        allowed_types = self.config.clickup.poll_task_types or list(skill_map.keys())
+
         custom_fields_filter = None
         if self._field_filter_cache and self._field_filter_cache.get("options"):
             field_id = self._field_filter_cache["field_id"]
             options = self._field_filter_cache["options"]
-            # Only include options that map to skills we have
-            matching_opt_ids = [options[name] for name in skill_map if name in options]
+            matching_opt_ids = [options[name] for name in allowed_types if name in options]
             if matching_opt_ids:
                 import json as _json
 
@@ -378,12 +380,8 @@ class Scheduler:
         )
 
         for task in tasks:
-            # ClickUp status filtering is the dedup: tasks in poll_statuses
-            # are eligible; once moved to "automation underway", they won't
-            # appear in the next poll.
-
-            # Client-side verify: Work Category must be in skill_map
-            if task.task_type not in skill_map:
+            # Client-side verify: Work Category must be in allowed types AND skill_map
+            if task.task_type not in allowed_types or task.task_type not in skill_map:
                 continue
 
             # Respect auto_execute flag — skip tasks that require manual trigger
diff --git a/config.yaml b/config.yaml
index bf9524a..8bed54d 100644
--- a/config.yaml
+++ b/config.yaml
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ email:
 clickup:
   poll_interval_minutes: 20       # 3x per hour
   poll_statuses: ["to do", "outline approved"]
+  poll_task_types: ["Press Release", "On Page Optimization", "Content Creation", "Link Building"]
   review_status: "internal review"
   pr_review_status: "pr needs review"
   in_progress_status: "in progress"
diff --git a/tests/test_scheduler.py b/tests/test_scheduler.py
index a36e296..a92bbe9 100644
--- a/tests/test_scheduler.py
+++ b/tests/test_scheduler.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ class _FakeClickUpConfig:
     error_status: str = "error"
     task_type_field_name: str = "Work Category"
     default_auto_execute: bool = True
+    poll_task_types: list[str] = field(default_factory=lambda: ["Press Release"])
     skill_map: dict = field(default_factory=lambda: {"Press Release": _PR_MAPPING})
     enabled: bool = True