diff --git a/backend/app/services/knowledge_base_service.py b/backend/app/services/knowledge_base_service.py
index a782895..b8a8770 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/knowledge_base_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/knowledge_base_service.py
@@ -259,8 +259,8 @@ class KnowledgeBaseService:
                 )
                 await session.commit()
 
-                # Invalidate reference docs cache
-                self.reference_docs.invalidate_cache(agent_key)
+                # Update reference docs cache with new spec content
+                self.reference_docs.invalidate_cache(agent_key, new_spec_content=spec_content)
                 logger.info(f"[KB_SERVICE] Pipeline complete for {agent_key}, spec version {spec.version_number}")
 
             except Exception as e:
diff --git a/backend/app/services/reference_docs.py b/backend/app/services/reference_docs.py
index b565ed8..138a1d7 100755
--- a/backend/app/services/reference_docs.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/reference_docs.py
@@ -47,8 +47,14 @@ class ReferenceDocsService:
                 self._db_specs[key] = spec.content
                 print(f"  Loaded DB spec for {key}: {len(spec.content)} chars (v{spec.version_number})")
 
-    def invalidate_cache(self, agent_key: str | None = None) -> None:
-        """Clear cached specs. If agent_key is None, clear all."""
+    def invalidate_cache(self, agent_key: str | None = None, new_spec_content: str | None = None) -> None:
+        """Clear cached specs and optionally replace with new content.
+
+        Args:
+            agent_key: The agent key to invalidate (or None for all).
+            new_spec_content: If provided, immediately populate the DB cache
+                with this content so the next analysis uses it without a restart.
+        """
         if agent_key is None:
             self._db_specs.clear()
             self._barclaycard_brand_spec = None
@@ -57,8 +63,11 @@ class ReferenceDocsService:
             self._channel_tech_specs_spec = None
             self._legal_spec = None
         else:
-            self._db_specs.pop(agent_key, None)
-            # Also clear the file-based cache so next call re-checks DB
+            if new_spec_content is not None:
+                self._db_specs[agent_key] = new_spec_content
+            else:
+                self._db_specs.pop(agent_key, None)
+            # Also clear the file-based cache so it won't be stale
             cache_map = {
                 "legal": "_legal_spec",
                 "brand_barclays": "_barclays_brand_spec",