diff --git a/orchestration/task_orchestrator.py b/orchestration/task_orchestrator.py
index 6c67d1ce..82d95db1 100644
--- a/orchestration/task_orchestrator.py
+++ b/orchestration/task_orchestrator.py
@@ -48,6 +48,22 @@ class TaskOrchestrator:
         self._subtasks.create(subtask)
         return task, subtask
 
+    def create_child_subtask(
+        self,
+        parent_task_id: UUID,
+        *,
+        inputs: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> SubTask:
+        """Add a new WAITING SubTask under an existing parent Task.
+
+        Skips `_cascade`: a new WAITING child against an IN_PROGRESS parent
+        leaves the parent's status unchanged per `Task.recalculate_from_subtasks`,
+        so calling it here would be a no-op.
+        """
+        subtask = SubTask.create(task_id=parent_task_id, inputs=inputs)
+        self._subtasks.create(subtask)
+        return subtask
+
     def start_subtask(
         self, subtask_id: UUID, cloud_logs_url: Optional[str] = None
     ) -> SubTask:
diff --git a/tests/orchestration/test_task_orchestrator.py b/tests/orchestration/test_task_orchestrator.py
index 1a48127f..c0816d2d 100644
--- a/tests/orchestration/test_task_orchestrator.py
+++ b/tests/orchestration/test_task_orchestrator.py
@@ -134,6 +134,28 @@ def test_run_subtask_happy_path_returns_result_and_cascades_complete(
     assert harness.tasks.get(task.id).status is TaskStatus.COMPLETE
 
 
+def test_create_child_subtask_adds_waiting_child_without_changing_parent_status(
+    harness: Harness,
+) -> None:
+    task, first = harness.orchestrator.create_task_with_subtask(
+        task_source="manual:test"
+    )
+    harness.orchestrator.start_subtask(first.id)
+    assert harness.tasks.get(task.id).status is TaskStatus.IN_PROGRESS
+
+    child = harness.orchestrator.create_child_subtask(
+        task.id, inputs={"split": "a"}
+    )
+
+    persisted_child = harness.subtasks.get(child.id)
+    assert persisted_child.task_id == task.id
+    assert persisted_child.status is SubTaskStatus.WAITING
+    assert persisted_child.inputs == {"split": "a"}
+    assert persisted_child.id != first.id
+    # Cascade is a no-op: parent stays IN_PROGRESS.
+    assert harness.tasks.get(task.id).status is TaskStatus.IN_PROGRESS
+
+
 def test_run_subtask_failing_work_marks_failed_and_reraises(
     harness: Harness,
 ) -> None: