diff --git a/docs/circular-deps.txt b/docs/circular-deps.txt
index 07ecb3b..af4d847 100644
--- a/docs/circular-deps.txt
+++ b/docs/circular-deps.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Circular Dependencies
-Generated: 2026-06-12T07:45:32.728Z
+Generated: 2026-06-12T08:05:45.261Z
 Found: 4 circular chain(s) — these MUST be fixed before modifying involved files.
 
 1. 1) data/guardian-encounters.ts > data/guardian-procedural.ts
diff --git a/docs/dependency-graph.json b/docs/dependency-graph.json
index 93a6139..4f7188b 100644
--- a/docs/dependency-graph.json
+++ b/docs/dependency-graph.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "_meta": {
-    "generated": "2026-06-12T07:45:30.561Z",
+    "generated": "2026-06-12T08:05:43.098Z",
     "description": "Import dependency graph for src/lib/game. Keys are files, values are arrays of files they import.",
     "usage": "To find what a file affects, search for its path in the VALUES. To find what a file depends on, look at its KEY entry."
   },
diff --git a/docs/project-structure.txt b/docs/project-structure.txt
index f993252..f9bafc1 100644
--- a/docs/project-structure.txt
+++ b/docs/project-structure.txt
@@ -203,6 +203,7 @@ Mana-Loop/
 │   │   │   │   ├── bug-352-golem-mana-wipe.test.ts
 │   │   │   │   ├── bug-353-preparation-mana.test.ts
 │   │   │   │   ├── bug-354-unlock-attunement.test.ts
+│   │   │   │   ├── bug-377-mana-auto-unlock.test.ts
 │   │   │   │   ├── bug-fixes.test.ts
 │   │   │   │   ├── combat-actions.test.ts
 │   │   │   │   ├── combat-utils.test.ts
diff --git a/src/lib/game/__tests__/bug-377-mana-auto-unlock.test.ts b/src/lib/game/__tests__/bug-377-mana-auto-unlock.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7265db2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/game/__tests__/bug-377-mana-auto-unlock.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+/**
+ * Regression test for Bug #377:
+ * "All 22 mana types auto-unlocked on first tick via conversion system"
+ *
+ * Expected: Only 'transference' should be unlocked at game start.
+ * The conversion system must NOT auto-unlock elements that have non-zero rates.
+ */
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
+import { useManaStore } from '../stores/manaStore';
+import { resetAllStores, tickN } from './cross-module-helpers';
+import { BASE_UNLOCKED_ELEMENTS } from '../constants/elements';
+
+function getUnlockedElements(): string[] {
+  const elements = useManaStore.getState().elements;
+  return Object.entries(elements)
+    .filter(([, v]) => v.unlocked)
+    .map(([k]) => k);
+}
+
+describe('Bug #377 — mana types must not auto-unlock on first tick', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    resetAllStores();
+  });
+
+  it('only transference is unlocked at game start', () => {
+    const unlocked = getUnlockedElements();
+    expect(unlocked).toEqual(BASE_UNLOCKED_ELEMENTS);
+    expect(unlocked).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(unlocked).toContain('transference');
+  });
+
+  it('running one tick does not unlock any new elements', () => {
+    const before = getUnlockedElements();
+    expect(before).toEqual(['transference']);
+
+    // Run a single game tick
+    tickN(1);
+
+    const after = getUnlockedElements();
+    expect(after).toEqual(['transference']);
+    expect(after).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
+  it('running multiple ticks does not unlock exotic elements', () => {
+    // Run 20 ticks (simulating ~4 seconds of game time)
+    tickN(20);
+
+    const unlocked = getUnlockedElements();
+    expect(unlocked).toEqual(['transference']);
+
+    // Explicitly verify exotic elements remain locked
+    const elements = useManaStore.getState().elements;
+    const exoticElements = ['crystal', 'stellar', 'void', 'soul', 'time', 'plasma'];
+    for (const elem of exoticElements) {
+      expect(elements[elem]?.unlocked).toBe(false);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it('conversion rates for locked elements do not cause unlock after many ticks', () => {
+    // Run 50 ticks
+    tickN(50);
+
+    const unlocked = getUnlockedElements();
+    expect(unlocked).toEqual(['transference']);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/lib/game/stores/gameStore.ts b/src/lib/game/stores/gameStore.ts
index 61e1dac..97f5365 100644
--- a/src/lib/game/stores/gameStore.ts
+++ b/src/lib/game/stores/gameStore.ts
@@ -207,8 +207,7 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameCoordinatorStore>()(
           }
           // Apply net element regen to pools: produced - drained (component consumption)
           for (const [elem, entry] of Object.entries(conversionResult.rates)) {
-            if (entry.paused || !elements[elem]) continue;
-            if (!elements[elem].unlocked) elements[elem] = { ...elements[elem], unlocked: true };
+            if (entry.paused || !elements[elem] || !elements[elem].unlocked) continue;
             const netRate = elementRegen[elem];
             if (netRate === 0) continue;
             const delta = netRate * HOURS_PER_TICK;
@@ -320,8 +319,7 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameCoordinatorStore>()(
                 const regenDelta = Math.max(0, netBoostedRegen - netRawRegen);
                 rawMana = Math.min(rawMana + regenDelta * HOURS_PER_TICK, maxMana);
                 for (const [elem, entry] of Object.entries(conversionResult.rates)) {
-                  if (entry.paused || entry.finalRate <= 0 || !elements[elem]) continue;
-                  if (!elements[elem].unlocked) elements[elem] = { ...elements[elem], unlocked: true };
+                  if (entry.paused || entry.finalRate <= 0 || !elements[elem] || !elements[elem].unlocked) continue;
                   // Normal conversion already applied above; add only the 9× delta
                   elements[elem] = { ...elements[elem], current: Math.min(elements[elem].max, elements[elem].current + entry.finalRate * 9 * HOURS_PER_TICK) };
                 }