diff --git a/__init__.py b/__init__.py
index ed4f0e8..92dbb10 100644
--- a/__init__.py
+++ b/__init__.py
@@ -548,34 +548,51 @@ def _stop_sshx(tool_ctx=None):
 
 def _ensure_cron_script():
     """Copy scripts/sshx_link.sh to HERMES_HOME/scripts/sshx_link.sh so cron no_agent can find it.
-    Cron requires script inside HERMES_HOME/scripts, not inside plugin dir."""
+    Cron requires script inside HERMES_HOME/scripts, not inside plugin dir.
+    Also copies to /opt/data/scripts for the research Workdir case."""
     try:
-        # resolve HERMES_HOME
+        candidates = set()
+        # primary HERMES_HOME
         hermes_home = os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", "").strip()
-        if not hermes_home:
-            # fallback to default: ~/.hermes or ~/.config/hermes etc.
+        if hermes_home:
+            candidates.add(hermes_home)
+        else:
             try:
                 from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
-                hermes_home = str(get_hermes_home())
+                candidates.add(str(get_hermes_home()))
             except Exception:
-                hermes_home = os.path.expanduser("~/.hermes")
+                pass
+            candidates.add(os.path.expanduser("~/.hermes"))
+        # also handle /opt/data case seen on 13.140.132.105
+        candidates.update(["/opt/data", "/opt/data/scripts/..", os.path.expanduser("~/.hermes")])
+        # normalize
+        candidates = {os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(c)) for c in candidates if c}
         scripts_src = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "scripts", "sshx_link.sh")
         if not os.path.exists(scripts_src):
             return
-        dest_dir = os.path.join(hermes_home, "scripts")
-        os.makedirs(dest_dir, exist_ok=True)
-        dest = os.path.join(dest_dir, "sshx_link.sh")
-        # copy if missing or different
-        import filecmp
-        try:
-            if not os.path.exists(dest) or not filecmp.cmp(scripts_src, dest, shallow=False):
-                shutil.copy2(scripts_src, dest)
-                os.chmod(dest, 0o755)
-                logger.info(f"cron script copied to {dest}")
-        except Exception as e:
-            # fallback without filecmp
-            shutil.copy2(scripts_src, dest)
-            os.chmod(dest, 0o755)
+        for home in candidates:
+            # if home ends with /scripts, use it directly
+            if home.endswith("/scripts"):
+                dest_dir = home
+            else:
+                dest_dir = os.path.join(home, "scripts")
+            # only if parent exists or is plausible
+            try:
+                os.makedirs(dest_dir, exist_ok=True)
+                dest = os.path.join(dest_dir, "sshx_link.sh")
+                import filecmp
+                need = True
+                try:
+                    if os.path.exists(dest) and filecmp.cmp(scripts_src, dest, shallow=False):
+                        need = False
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+                if need:
+                    shutil.copy2(scripts_src, dest)
+                    os.chmod(dest, 0o755)
+                    logger.info(f"cron script copied to {dest}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.debug(f"copy to {dest_dir} failed: {e}")
     except Exception as e:
         logger.debug(f"ensure cron script failed: {e}")
 
diff --git a/dashboard/manifest.json b/dashboard/manifest.json
index 991252b..b53671f 100644
--- a/dashboard/manifest.json
+++ b/dashboard/manifest.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "label": "sshx.io Terminal",
   "description": "Auto-start sshx via nohup/systemd, copy cron script to HERMES_HOME/scripts, dashboard visible",
   "icon": "Terminal",
-  "version": "2.5.6",
+  "version": "2.5.7",
   "tab": {
     "path": "/sshx",
     "position": "end"
diff --git a/plugin.yaml b/plugin.yaml
index df56488..c884c9b 100644
--- a/plugin.yaml
+++ b/plugin.yaml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name: sshx-link
-version: 2.5.6
+version: 2.5.7
 description: Auto-start sshx via nohup/systemd, copy cron script to HERMES_HOME/scripts, dashboard visible
 author: sisyphus
 provides_tools: