diff --git a/desktop/package.json b/desktop/package.json
index cd33d1926..6f3f7855c 100644
--- a/desktop/package.json
+++ b/desktop/package.json
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@
     "@tiptap/starter-kit": "^3.22.3",
     "class-variance-authority": "^0.7.1",
     "clsx": "^2.1.1",
+    "embla-carousel-react": "^8.6.0",
     "emoji-mart": "^5.6.0",
     "jdenticon": "^3.3.0",
     "lucide-react": "^1.0.0",
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/observerRelayStore.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/observerRelayStore.ts
index 9dafffdd5..e8474ed5e 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/observerRelayStore.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/observerRelayStore.ts
@@ -443,6 +443,19 @@ export function injectObserverEventsForE2E(
   notifyListeners();
 }
 
+/**
+ * Synchronize the observer store with a sorted buffer of events for one agent.
+ * Used by test harnesses and replay bridges that already hold decoded frames.
+ */
+export function syncAgentObserverEvents(
+  agentPubkey: string,
+  events: ObserverEvent[],
+) {
+  for (const event of events) {
+    appendAgentEvent(agentPubkey, event);
+  }
+}
+
 export function resetAgentObserverStore() {
   generation += 1;
   const unsubscribe = unsubscribeRelay;
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/CompactMessageSummary.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/CompactMessageSummary.tsx
index 9b786d8ab..89aeba920 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/CompactMessageSummary.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/CompactMessageSummary.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,15 @@
 import * as React from "react";
 import { CheckCheck } from "lucide-react";
 
+import { useAppNavigation } from "@/app/navigation/useAppNavigation";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+import { useProfilePanel } from "@/shared/context/ProfilePanelContext";
+import { Markdown } from "@/shared/ui/markdown";
 import { UserAvatar } from "@/shared/ui/UserAvatar";
+import { useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant } from "../agentSessionTranscriptContext";
+import { MessageLinkHoverCue } from "../activityRenderClasses/MessageLinkHoverCue";
 import { TranscriptTimestamp } from "../activityRenderClasses/TranscriptTimestamp";
+import { useTranscriptBubbleOverflow } from "../activityRenderClasses/useTranscriptBubbleOverflow";
 import { compactSummaryTone } from "./CompactToolSummaryRow";
 import type { SentMessageLink } from "./messageLinks";
 import { SentMessageContextDialog } from "./SentMessageContextDialog";
@@ -20,6 +26,7 @@ export function CompactMessageSummary({
   label,
   messageLink,
   preview,
+  pubkey,
   result,
   timestamp,
 }: {
@@ -34,34 +41,139 @@ export function CompactMessageSummary({
   label: string;
   messageLink: SentMessageLink | null;
   preview: string | null;
+  pubkey: string;
   result: string;
   timestamp: string;
 }) {
   const [detailsOpen, setDetailsOpen] = React.useState(false);
+  const variant = useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant();
+  const { goChannel } = useAppNavigation();
+  const { openProfilePanel } = useProfilePanel();
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
+  const shouldClampBubble = !isCompactPreview;
+  const [bubbleRef, hasBubbleOverflow] =
+    useTranscriptBubbleOverflow(shouldClampBubble);
+  const canOpenMessage = shouldClampBubble && messageLink !== null;
   const mutedTone = compactSummaryTone();
+  const avatarClassName = cn(
+    "mr-2 mt-1 shrink-0",
+    isCompactPreview ? "size-5" : "size-7",
+  );
+  const handleBubbleClick = React.useCallback(
+    (event: React.MouseEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
+      if (!messageLink || isNestedInteractiveTarget(event)) return;
+      event.preventDefault();
+      event.stopPropagation();
+      void goChannel(messageLink.channelId, {
+        messageId: messageLink.messageId,
+      });
+    },
+    [goChannel, messageLink],
+  );
+  const handleBubbleKeyDown = React.useCallback(
+    (event: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
+      if (
+        !messageLink ||
+        isNestedInteractiveTarget(event) ||
+        (event.key !== "Enter" && event.key !== " ")
+      ) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      event.preventDefault();
+      event.stopPropagation();
+      void goChannel(messageLink.channelId, {
+        messageId: messageLink.messageId,
+      });
+    },
+    [goChannel, messageLink],
+  );
+  const bubbleLinkProps = canOpenMessage
+    ? {
+        onClick: handleBubbleClick,
+        onKeyDown: handleBubbleKeyDown,
+        role: "link" as const,
+        tabIndex: 0,
+      }
+    : {};
   return (
     <>
       <div className="flex max-w-full flex-row items-start justify-start">
-        <UserAvatar
-          avatarUrl={avatarUrl}
-          className="mr-2 mt-1 shrink-0"
-          displayName={displayName}
-          size="xs"
-          testId="transcript-agent-sent-avatar"
-        />
-        <div className="flex max-w-[85%] min-w-0 flex-col items-start gap-1">
+        {openProfilePanel && !isCompactPreview ? (
+          <button
+            aria-label={`Open ${displayName} profile`}
+            className={cn(
+              avatarClassName,
+              "pointer-events-auto rounded-full focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring",
+            )}
+            onClick={(event) => {
+              event.preventDefault();
+              event.stopPropagation();
+              openProfilePanel(pubkey);
+            }}
+            type="button"
+          >
+            <UserAvatar
+              avatarUrl={avatarUrl}
+              className="size-full text-xs"
+              displayName={displayName}
+              size="sm"
+              testId="transcript-agent-sent-avatar"
+            />
+          </button>
+        ) : (
+          <UserAvatar
+            avatarUrl={avatarUrl}
+            className={cn(
+              avatarClassName,
+              isCompactPreview ? "text-3xs" : "text-xs",
+            )}
+            displayName={displayName}
+            size="sm"
+            testId="transcript-agent-sent-avatar"
+          />
+        )}
+        <div className="flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col items-start gap-1">
           <div
             className={cn(
-              "min-w-0 rounded-2xl border px-3 py-2 text-sm leading-relaxed shadow-sm",
-              isError
-                ? "border-destructive/25 bg-destructive/10 text-destructive"
-                : "border-primary/15 bg-primary/6 text-foreground",
+              "w-full min-w-0 rounded-2xl border px-3 py-2 shadow-sm",
+              isCompactPreview
+                ? "text-xs leading-4"
+                : "text-sm leading-relaxed",
+              shouldClampBubble && "relative max-h-36 overflow-hidden",
+              canOpenMessage &&
+                "group/bubble cursor-pointer transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring",
+              isCompactPreview
+                ? isError
+                  ? "border-destructive/25 bg-destructive/10 text-destructive"
+                  : "border-transparent bg-muted text-foreground"
+                : isError
+                  ? "border-destructive/25 bg-destructive/10 text-destructive"
+                  : "border-transparent bg-muted text-foreground",
+              canOpenMessage &&
+                (isError ? "hover:bg-destructive/15" : "hover:bg-muted/90"),
             )}
             data-testid="transcript-tool-message-preview"
+            ref={bubbleRef}
+            {...bubbleLinkProps}
           >
-            <p className="whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word">
-              {preview || "Message content unavailable."}
-            </p>
+            <Markdown
+              className={isCompactPreview ? "text-xs leading-4" : "leading-5"}
+              content={preview || "Message content unavailable."}
+            />
+            {hasBubbleOverflow ? (
+              <span
+                className={cn(
+                  "pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 h-8 rounded-b-2xl bg-linear-to-b from-transparent",
+                  isError
+                    ? "to-destructive/10"
+                    : isCompactPreview
+                      ? "to-muted"
+                      : "to-muted",
+                )}
+              />
+            ) : null}
+            {canOpenMessage ? <MessageLinkHoverCue /> : null}
           </div>
           <div className="inline-flex max-w-full items-center gap-1.5 px-1">
             <TranscriptTimestamp
@@ -100,3 +212,16 @@ export function CompactMessageSummary({
     </>
   );
 }
+
+function isNestedInteractiveTarget(
+  event: React.MouseEvent<HTMLElement> | React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLElement>,
+) {
+  const target =
+    event.target instanceof Element
+      ? event.target.closest(
+          "a,button,input,select,textarea,summary,[role='button'],[role='link']",
+        )
+      : null;
+
+  return target !== null && target !== event.currentTarget;
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/CompactToolSummaryRow.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/CompactToolSummaryRow.tsx
index 825adff68..2feeb8f97 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/CompactToolSummaryRow.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/CompactToolSummaryRow.tsx
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@ import * as React from "react";
 import { ChevronDown } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
-import { rewriteRelayUrl } from "@/shared/lib/mediaUrl";
+import { useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant } from "../agentSessionTranscriptContext";
 import type { AgentActivityAction } from "../agentSessionTypes";
-import type { CompactFileEditSummary } from "../agentSessionToolSummary";
-import { isInlineImageData } from "../agentSessionUtils";
+import type {
+  CompactFileEditSummary,
+  CompactToolKind,
+} from "../agentSessionToolSummary";
+import { resolveToolImageSrc } from "../agentSessionUtils";
 import {
   ActivityRowLabel,
   splitActivityRowLabel,
@@ -13,13 +16,14 @@ import {
 } from "../activityRenderClasses/ActivityRow";
 
 export function compactSummaryTone() {
-  return "text-muted-foreground/60 group-open:text-foreground";
+  return "text-muted-foreground/60 transition-colors group-hover/row:text-foreground group-open:text-foreground";
 }
 
 export function CompactToolSummaryRow({
   action,
   duration,
   fileEditSummary,
+  kind,
   label,
   preview,
   thumbnailSrc,
@@ -27,19 +31,22 @@ export function CompactToolSummaryRow({
   action: AgentActivityAction | null;
   duration: string | null;
   fileEditSummary: CompactFileEditSummary | null;
+  kind: CompactToolKind;
   label: string;
   preview: string | null;
   thumbnailSrc: string | null;
 }) {
   const [thumbnailFailed, setThumbnailFailed] = React.useState(false);
+  const variant = useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant();
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
   const mutedTone = compactSummaryTone();
   const resolvedThumbnail = React.useMemo(() => {
     if (!thumbnailSrc || thumbnailFailed) return null;
-    return resolveImageSrc(thumbnailSrc);
+    return resolveToolImageSrc(thumbnailSrc);
   }, [thumbnailFailed, thumbnailSrc]);
   const actionLabel = fileEditSummary
     ? null
-    : getCompactToolActionLabel(action, label, preview);
+    : getCompactToolActionLabel(action, kind, label, preview);
 
   return (
     <>
@@ -53,7 +60,13 @@ export function CompactToolSummaryRow({
           verb={actionLabel.verb}
         />
       ) : (
-        <span className={cn("shrink-0 text-sm font-semibold", mutedTone)}>
+        <span
+          className={cn(
+            "shrink-0 font-semibold",
+            isCompactPreview ? "text-xs" : "text-sm",
+            mutedTone,
+          )}
+        >
           {label}
         </span>
       )}
@@ -69,7 +82,11 @@ export function CompactToolSummaryRow({
         />
       ) : !fileEditSummary && !actionLabel && preview ? (
         <span
-          className={cn("min-w-0 max-w-48 truncate text-sm", mutedTone)}
+          className={cn(
+            "min-w-0 max-w-48 truncate",
+            isCompactPreview ? "text-xs" : "text-sm",
+            mutedTone,
+          )}
           title={preview}
         >
           {preview}
@@ -90,6 +107,7 @@ export function CompactToolSummaryRow({
 
 function getCompactToolActionLabel(
   action: AgentActivityAction | null,
+  kind: CompactToolKind,
   label: string,
   preview: string | null,
 ): (ActivityRowLabelParts & { title?: string }) | null {
@@ -108,10 +126,11 @@ function getCompactToolActionLabel(
   if (!preview) return parts;
 
   if (
-    label === "Ran command" ||
-    label === "Read file" ||
-    label === "Updated todos" ||
-    label === "Viewed image"
+    kind === "shell" ||
+    kind === "file-read" ||
+    kind === "skill-read" ||
+    kind === "plan" ||
+    kind === "image"
   ) {
     return { verb: parts.verb, object: preview, title: preview };
   }
@@ -138,7 +157,3 @@ function CompactFileEditSummaryView({
     />
   );
 }
-
-function resolveImageSrc(source: string): string {
-  return isInlineImageData(source) ? source : rewriteRelayUrl(source);
-}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ShellCommandBlock.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ShellCommandBlock.tsx
index 198762262..02a82534a 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ShellCommandBlock.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ShellCommandBlock.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { Terminal } from "lucide-react";
 
+import { ScrollFadeMonoPanel } from "../FileContentBlock";
 import { parseShellToolOutput } from "../agentSessionUtils";
 
 export function ShellCommandBlock({
@@ -14,17 +15,28 @@ export function ShellCommandBlock({
 
   return (
     <div
-      className="rounded-lg bg-muted/40 px-3 py-2 font-mono text-xs leading-5"
+      className="overflow-hidden rounded-lg bg-muted font-mono text-xs leading-5"
       data-testid="transcript-shell-command"
     >
-      <p className="whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word text-muted-foreground/70">
-        <Terminal className="mr-2 inline h-3.5 w-3.5 align-[-0.1875rem] text-accent-foreground" />
-        {command}
-      </p>
+      <ScrollFadeMonoPanel
+        fadeFromClassName="from-muted"
+        maxHeightClassName="max-h-36"
+      >
+        <p className="whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word text-muted-foreground/70">
+          <Terminal className="mr-2 inline h-3.5 w-3.5 align-[-0.1875rem] text-primary" />
+          {command}
+        </p>
+      </ScrollFadeMonoPanel>
       {stdout ? (
-        <pre className="mt-2 max-h-64 overflow-auto whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word text-foreground">
-          {stdout}
-        </pre>
+        <ScrollFadeMonoPanel
+          className="mt-2"
+          fadeFromClassName="from-muted"
+          maxHeightClassName="max-h-36"
+        >
+          <pre className="whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word text-foreground">
+            {stdout}
+          </pre>
+        </ScrollFadeMonoPanel>
       ) : null}
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/TodoToolSummary.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/TodoToolSummary.tsx
index 736a24622..0ac9a9195 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/TodoToolSummary.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/TodoToolSummary.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import type { TranscriptItem } from "../agentSessionTypes";
 import type { CompactToolSummary } from "../agentSessionToolSummary";
+import { useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant } from "../agentSessionTranscriptContext";
 import {
   asRecord,
   formatTranscriptTimestampTitle,
@@ -27,6 +29,8 @@ export function TodoToolSummary({
   item: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "tool" }>;
 }) {
   const todos = buildTodoDisplayItems(item.args, item.result, fallbackPreview);
+  const variant = useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant();
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
   const actionLabel = {
     verb: "Updated",
     object: fallbackPreview ?? "todos",
@@ -57,7 +61,14 @@ export function TodoToolSummary({
             ))}
           </div>
         ) : (
-          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground/80">No todos.</p>
+          <p
+            className={cn(
+              "text-muted-foreground/80",
+              isCompactPreview ? "text-xs" : "text-sm",
+            )}
+          >
+            No todos.
+          </p>
         )}
       </ActivityRowContent>
     </ActivityRow>
@@ -72,8 +83,16 @@ export function isTodoSummary(summary: CompactToolSummary) {
 }
 
 function TodoCheckboxRow({ todo }: { todo: TodoDisplayItem }) {
+  const variant = useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant();
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
+
   return (
-    <div className="flex min-w-0 items-start gap-2 text-sm leading-5 text-muted-foreground">
+    <div
+      className={cn(
+        "flex min-w-0 items-start gap-2 leading-5 text-muted-foreground",
+        isCompactPreview ? "text-xs" : "text-sm",
+      )}
+    >
       <input
         checked={todo.checked}
         className="mt-0.5 h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0 cursor-default accent-primary"
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ToolDetailBlocks.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ToolDetailBlocks.tsx
index 440188110..ef7d381e0 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ToolDetailBlocks.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ToolDetailBlocks.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import type { FileEditDiff } from "../agentSessionFileEditDiff";
+import type { FileReadContent } from "../agentSessionFileRead";
+import { FileContentBlock } from "../FileContentBlock";
 import { FileEditDiffBlock, hasFileEditLineDiff } from "../FileEditDiffView";
 import { formatCodeValue } from "../agentSessionUtils";
 import { ShellCommandBlock } from "./ShellCommandBlock";
@@ -9,6 +11,7 @@ export function ToolDetailBlocks({
   args,
   description,
   fileEditDiff,
+  fileReadContent,
   hasArgs,
   hasResult,
   imagePreview,
@@ -19,6 +22,7 @@ export function ToolDetailBlocks({
   args: Record<string, unknown>;
   description?: string;
   fileEditDiff: FileEditDiff | null;
+  fileReadContent: FileReadContent | null;
   hasArgs: boolean;
   hasResult: boolean;
   imagePreview: { src: string | null; title: string | null } | null;
@@ -28,8 +32,10 @@ export function ToolDetailBlocks({
 }) {
   const showFileEditDiff =
     fileEditDiff && hasFileEditLineDiff(fileEditDiff) && !isError;
-  const showShellCommand = shellCommand != null && !showFileEditDiff;
-  const showParameters = hasArgs && !showFileEditDiff;
+  const showFileReadContent = fileReadContent != null && !isError;
+  const showFileContent = showFileEditDiff || showFileReadContent;
+  const showShellCommand = shellCommand != null && !showFileContent;
+  const showParameters = hasArgs && !showFileContent;
 
   return (
     <div className="space-y-4 py-2 text-popover-foreground outline-hidden">
@@ -56,6 +62,13 @@ export function ToolDetailBlocks({
       {!showShellCommand && hasResult ? (
         showFileEditDiff ? (
           <FileEditDiffBlock diff={fileEditDiff} />
+        ) : showFileReadContent ? (
+          <FileContentBlock
+            footerText={fileReadContent.footerText}
+            footerTitle={fileReadContent.footerTitle}
+            lines={fileReadContent.lines}
+            path={fileReadContent.path}
+          />
         ) : (
           <ToolCodeBlock
             label={isError ? "Error" : "Result"}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ToolItem.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ToolItem.tsx
index 5b4c7e4fb..e0f2ce9fb 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ToolItem.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ToolItem.tsx
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import type { AgentTranscriptIdentityProps } from "../activityRenderClasses/type
 import {
   formatTranscriptTimestampTitle,
   getToolDurationDisplay,
-  getToolString,
 } from "../agentSessionUtils";
 import { CompactMessageSummary } from "./CompactMessageSummary";
 import {
@@ -77,6 +76,7 @@ export function ToolItem({
           label={compactSummary.label}
           messageLink={messageLink}
           preview={compactSummary.preview}
+          pubkey={agentPubkey}
           result={item.result}
           timestamp={item.timestamp}
         />
@@ -113,9 +113,7 @@ export function ToolItem({
       >
         <summary
           className={cn(
-            "max-w-full cursor-pointer list-none",
-            compactSummary.presentation === "inline" &&
-              "inline-flex items-center gap-1.5",
+            "group/row flex min-h-6 max-w-full cursor-pointer list-none items-center gap-1.5",
             compactSummaryTone(),
           )}
         >
@@ -123,6 +121,7 @@ export function ToolItem({
             action={compactSummary.action}
             duration={duration}
             fileEditSummary={compactSummary.fileEditSummary}
+            kind={compactSummary.kind}
             preview={compactSummary.preview}
             thumbnailSrc={compactSummary.thumbnailSrc}
             label={compactSummary.label}
@@ -133,25 +132,20 @@ export function ToolItem({
           args={item.args}
           description={buzzTool?.label}
           fileEditDiff={compactSummary.fileEditDiff}
+          fileReadContent={compactSummary.fileReadContent}
           hasArgs={hasArgs}
           hasResult={hasResult}
           imagePreview={
-            compactSummary.thumbnailSrc != null && isExpanded
+            compactSummary.imageContent != null && isExpanded
               ? {
-                  src: compactSummary.thumbnailSrc,
-                  title: compactSummary.preview,
+                  src: compactSummary.imageContent.src,
+                  title: compactSummary.imageContent.title,
                 }
               : null
           }
           isError={item.isError}
           result={item.result}
-          shellCommand={
-            compactSummary.kind === "shell"
-              ? (getToolString(item.args, ["command"]) ??
-                compactSummary.preview ??
-                "command")
-              : null
-          }
+          shellCommand={compactSummary.shellContent}
         />
       </details>
     </div>
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ViewImageToolPreview.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ViewImageToolPreview.tsx
index 78d37dcb7..741730d51 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ViewImageToolPreview.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionToolItem/ViewImageToolPreview.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 import * as React from "react";
-import * as DialogPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-dialog";
 
-import { rewriteRelayUrl } from "@/shared/lib/mediaUrl";
-import { isInlineImageData } from "../agentSessionUtils";
+import { SimpleImageLightbox } from "@/shared/ui/SimpleImageLightbox";
+import { resolveToolImageSrc } from "../agentSessionUtils";
 
 export function ViewImageToolPreview({
   src,
@@ -13,7 +12,7 @@ export function ViewImageToolPreview({
 }) {
   const [lightboxOpen, setLightboxOpen] = React.useState(false);
   const [imageFailed, setImageFailed] = React.useState(false);
-  const resolvedSrc = React.useMemo(() => resolveImageSrc(src), [src]);
+  const resolvedSrc = React.useMemo(() => resolveToolImageSrc(src), [src]);
   const alt = title ?? "Viewed image";
 
   if (imageFailed) {
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ export function ViewImageToolPreview({
         src={resolvedSrc}
         title={title ?? undefined}
       />
-      <ImageLightbox
+      <SimpleImageLightbox
         alt={alt}
         onOpenChange={setLightboxOpen}
         open={lightboxOpen}
@@ -42,67 +41,3 @@ export function ViewImageToolPreview({
     </>
   );
 }
-
-function ImageLightbox({
-  alt,
-  onOpenChange,
-  open,
-  src,
-}: {
-  alt: string;
-  onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
-  open: boolean;
-  src: string;
-}) {
-  return (
-    <DialogPrimitive.Root open={open} onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
-      <DialogPrimitive.Portal>
-        <DialogPrimitive.Overlay className="fixed inset-0 z-50 bg-black/80 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0" />
-        <DialogPrimitive.Content
-          className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center p-8"
-          onInteractOutside={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
-          onPointerDownOutside={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
-        >
-          <DialogPrimitive.Title className="sr-only">
-            {alt}
-          </DialogPrimitive.Title>
-          <DialogPrimitive.Description className="sr-only">
-            Full-size image preview. Press Escape or click outside the image to
-            close.
-          </DialogPrimitive.Description>
-          <DialogPrimitive.Close
-            aria-label="Close lightbox"
-            className="absolute inset-0 cursor-default"
-          />
-          <img
-            alt={alt}
-            className="relative max-h-[90vh] max-w-[90vw] rounded-lg object-contain"
-            src={src}
-          />
-          <DialogPrimitive.Close className="absolute right-4 top-4 rounded-full bg-black/50 p-2 text-white/80 transition-colors hover:bg-black/70 hover:text-white focus:outline-hidden focus:ring-2 focus:ring-white/30">
-            <svg
-              aria-hidden="true"
-              fill="none"
-              height="20"
-              viewBox="0 0 24 24"
-              width="20"
-              xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
-            >
-              <path
-                d="M18 6L6 18M6 6l12 12"
-                stroke="currentColor"
-                strokeLinecap="round"
-                strokeLinejoin="round"
-                strokeWidth="2"
-              />
-            </svg>
-          </DialogPrimitive.Close>
-        </DialogPrimitive.Content>
-      </DialogPrimitive.Portal>
-    </DialogPrimitive.Root>
-  );
-}
-
-function resolveImageSrc(source: string): string {
-  return isInlineImageData(source) ? source : rewriteRelayUrl(source);
-}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionTranscriptList.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionTranscriptList.tsx
index 709d1a110..39c1900bb 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionTranscriptList.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentSessionTranscriptList.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,32 @@
 import * as React from "react";
+import { motion, useReducedMotion } from "motion/react";
 import { CheckCheck, Radio } from "lucide-react";
 
+import {
+  useActiveAgentTurns,
+  type ActiveTurnSummary,
+} from "@/features/agents/activeAgentTurnsStore";
 import type { UserProfileLookup } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
+import { useAnchoredScroll } from "@/features/messages/ui/useAnchoredScroll";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import {
   Dialog,
   DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
   DialogHeader,
   DialogTitle,
 } from "@/shared/ui/dialog";
-import type { TranscriptItem } from "./agentSessionTypes";
+import { Toggle } from "@/shared/ui/toggle";
+import { FuzzyLogo } from "@/shared/ui/buzz-logo/FuzzyLogo";
+import type { PromptSection, TranscriptItem } from "./agentSessionTypes";
+import { TurnLivenessIndicator } from "./TurnLivenessIndicator";
 import { PromptSectionList as PromptContextSections } from "./PromptSectionAccordion";
+import {
+  AgentSessionTranscriptVariantProvider,
+  type AgentSessionTranscriptVariant,
+  useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant,
+} from "./agentSessionTranscriptContext";
+import { useTranscriptAnimationEnabled } from "./transcriptAnimationPreference";
 import { TranscriptActivityItem } from "./activityRenderClasses/TranscriptActivityItem";
 import {
   ActivityRow,
@@ -37,12 +53,35 @@ import { UserMessageBubble } from "./activityRenderClasses/UserMessageBubble";
 
 const TRANSCRIPT_ACP_SOURCE_STORAGE_KEY = "buzz:show-transcript-acp-source";
 
+const ROW_ENTER_SPRING = {
+  damping: 38,
+  stiffness: 480,
+  type: "spring",
+} as const;
+const ROW_ENTER_FROM = { opacity: 0, y: 12 } as const;
+const ROW_ENTER_TO = { opacity: 1, y: 0 } as const;
+
+/**
+ * False during the mount commit, true afterwards. Children mounted with the
+ * initial batch (history load) read false and skip their enter animation;
+ * children appended later read true and animate in.
+ */
+function useHasCompletedInitialRender() {
+  const ref = React.useRef(false);
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    ref.current = true;
+  }, []);
+  return ref;
+}
+
 /**
  * Opt-in only: source pills are useful while iterating on observer parsing, but
  * they should not appear for every local dev session.
  */
 const SHOW_TRANSCRIPT_ACP_SOURCE = shouldShowTranscriptAcpSource();
 
+export type AgentSessionTranscriptEmptyState = "idle" | "loading";
+
 function shouldShowTranscriptAcpSource() {
   const envValue = import.meta.env.VITE_SHOW_TRANSCRIPT_ACP_SOURCE;
   if (envValue === "1" || envValue === "true") {
@@ -66,56 +105,197 @@ export function AgentSessionTranscriptList({
   agentAvatarUrl,
   agentName,
   agentPubkey,
+  autoTail = false,
+  channelId = null,
   emptyDescription,
+  emptyState = "idle",
   items,
   profiles,
+  contentContainerClassName,
+  scrollScopeKey,
+  variant = "default",
 }: AgentTranscriptIdentityProps & {
+  autoTail?: boolean;
+  channelId?: string | null;
   emptyDescription: string;
+  emptyState?: AgentSessionTranscriptEmptyState;
   items: TranscriptItem[];
   profiles?: UserProfileLookup;
+  contentContainerClassName?: string;
+  scrollScopeKey?: string | null;
+  variant?: AgentSessionTranscriptVariant;
 }) {
+  const activeTurns = useActiveAgentTurns(agentPubkey);
+  const isTurnLive = React.useMemo(
+    () => isAgentTurnLive(activeTurns, channelId),
+    [activeTurns, channelId],
+  );
   const displayBlocks = React.useMemo(
     () => buildTranscriptDisplayBlocks(items),
     [items],
   );
+  const scrollContainerRef = React.useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const contentRef = React.useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const anchoredScroll = useAnchoredScroll({
+    channelId: autoTail ? (scrollScopeKey ?? agentPubkey) : null,
+    contentRef,
+    isLoading: false,
+    messages: items,
+    scrollContainerRef,
+  });
+
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
+  const animationPreferenceEnabled = useTranscriptAnimationEnabled();
+  const shouldReduceMotion = useReducedMotion();
+  const animationsDisabled =
+    Boolean(shouldReduceMotion) || !animationPreferenceEnabled;
+  // Position (layout) animations are only safe when this component owns the
+  // scroll container: `layoutScroll` below tells motion to subtract our scroll
+  // offset when measuring rows. When an ancestor scrolls instead (autoTail
+  // off), scrolling would register as false position deltas and rows would
+  // visibly spring back toward their pre-scroll position, so only the enter
+  // animation runs there.
+  const layoutAnimationsEnabled = !animationsDisabled && autoTail;
+  const hasCompletedInitialRenderRef = useHasCompletedInitialRender();
+  const hasRenderableContent =
+    items.length > 0 && hasRenderableDisplayContent(displayBlocks, variant);
+
+  const scrollContainerClassNames = cn(
+    "w-full",
+    autoTail ? "h-full overflow-y-auto" : null,
+  );
+
+  if (!hasRenderableContent) {
+    const isLoading = emptyState === "loading" || isTurnLive;
 
-  if (items.length === 0) {
     return (
-      <div className="flex min-h-40 flex-col items-center justify-center px-6 py-10 text-center">
-        <Radio className="mx-auto h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" />
-        <p className="mt-3 text-sm font-medium">No ACP activity yet</p>
-        <p className="mt-1 text-sm text-muted-foreground">{emptyDescription}</p>
+      <div className={scrollContainerClassNames}>
+        <div className="flex h-full min-h-40 flex-col items-center justify-center px-6 py-10 text-center">
+          {isLoading ? (
+            <FuzzyLogo
+              ariaLabel="Waiting for ACP activity"
+              className="mx-auto text-muted-foreground"
+              fuzz={false}
+              loop
+            />
+          ) : (
+            <>
+              <Radio className="mx-auto h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+              <p className="mt-3 text-sm font-medium">No ACP activity yet</p>
+              <p className="mt-1 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+                {emptyDescription}
+              </p>
+            </>
+          )}
+        </div>
       </div>
     );
   }
 
   return (
-    <div className="w-full">
+    <motion.div
+      className={scrollContainerClassNames}
+      layoutScroll
+      onScroll={autoTail ? anchoredScroll.onScroll : undefined}
+      ref={autoTail ? scrollContainerRef : undefined}
+    >
       <div
         aria-label="Live ACP transcript"
         aria-live="polite"
-        className="flex w-full flex-col gap-2.5"
+        className={cn(
+          "flex w-full flex-col",
+          isCompactPreview ? "gap-1" : "gap-4",
+          autoTail && "pb-4",
+          contentContainerClassName,
+        )}
+        ref={autoTail ? contentRef : undefined}
         role="log"
       >
-        {displayBlocks.map((block) => (
-          <div
-            className="content-visibility-auto"
-            key={getDisplayBlockKey(block)}
-          >
-            <TranscriptDisplayBlockView
-              agentAvatarUrl={agentAvatarUrl}
-              agentName={agentName}
-              agentPubkey={agentPubkey}
-              block={block}
-              profiles={profiles}
-            />
-          </div>
-        ))}
+        <AgentSessionTranscriptVariantProvider value={variant}>
+          {displayBlocks.map((block) => {
+            const blockKey = getDisplayBlockKey(block);
+            return (
+              <motion.div
+                animate={ROW_ENTER_TO}
+                data-message-id={blockKey}
+                initial={
+                  animationsDisabled || !hasCompletedInitialRenderRef.current
+                    ? false
+                    : ROW_ENTER_FROM
+                }
+                key={blockKey}
+                layout={layoutAnimationsEnabled ? "position" : false}
+                transition={ROW_ENTER_SPRING}
+              >
+                {/* content-visibility stays on a non-animated child: motion
+                    measures the outer wrapper for layout animations, which
+                    would otherwise force skipped offscreen rows to render. */}
+                <div className="content-visibility-auto">
+                  <TranscriptDisplayBlockView
+                    agentAvatarUrl={agentAvatarUrl}
+                    agentName={agentName}
+                    agentPubkey={agentPubkey}
+                    block={block}
+                    profiles={profiles}
+                  />
+                </div>
+              </motion.div>
+            );
+          })}
+          {isTurnLive && !isCompactPreview ? <TurnLivenessIndicator /> : null}
+        </AgentSessionTranscriptVariantProvider>
       </div>
-    </div>
+    </motion.div>
   );
 }
 
+function isAgentTurnLive(
+  activeTurns: ActiveTurnSummary[],
+  channelId: string | null,
+) {
+  if (activeTurns.length === 0) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!channelId) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  return activeTurns.some((turn) => turn.channelId === channelId);
+}
+
+function hasRenderableDisplayContent(
+  displayBlocks: TranscriptDisplayBlock[],
+  variant: AgentSessionTranscriptVariant,
+) {
+  if (variant !== "compactPreview") {
+    return displayBlocks.length > 0;
+  }
+
+  return displayBlocks.some(hasRenderableCompactBlock);
+}
+
+function hasRenderableCompactBlock(block: TranscriptDisplayBlock) {
+  if (block.kind === "single") {
+    return isRenderableCompactItem(block.item);
+  }
+
+  return block.segments.some((segment) => {
+    if (segment.kind === "item") {
+      return isRenderableCompactItem(segment.item);
+    }
+    if (segment.kind === "prompt") {
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (segment.kind === "summary") {
+      return segment.summary.items.some(isRenderableCompactItem);
+    }
+    return false;
+  });
+}
+
+function isRenderableCompactItem(item: TranscriptItem) {
+  return item.renderClass !== "raw-rail" && item.renderClass !== "suppressed";
+}
+
 function TranscriptAcpSourceBadge({ source }: { source: string }) {
   return (
     <span
@@ -145,6 +325,18 @@ function TranscriptDisplayBlockView({
   block: TranscriptDisplayBlock;
   profiles?: UserProfileLookup;
 }) {
+  const variant = useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant();
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
+  const animationPreferenceEnabled = useTranscriptAnimationEnabled();
+  const shouldReduceMotion = useReducedMotion();
+  // Streaming tool calls land as new segments inside the current turn block
+  // (the block key stays `turn:<id>`), so the list-level enter animation
+  // never fires for them — each segment animates in here instead. Segments
+  // present when the block mounts (history load, or the first paint of a new
+  // turn — the block wrapper already animates that) skip the transition.
+  const hasCompletedInitialRenderRef = useHasCompletedInitialRender();
+  const animateSegmentEnter = animationPreferenceEnabled && !shouldReduceMotion;
+
   if (block.kind === "single") {
     return (
       <TranscriptItemRow
@@ -159,19 +351,29 @@ function TranscriptDisplayBlockView({
 
   return (
     <div
-      className="flex flex-col gap-2.5"
+      className={cn("flex flex-col", isCompactPreview ? "gap-2.5" : "gap-4")}
       data-testid="transcript-turn-group"
       data-turn-id={block.turnId}
     >
       {block.segments.map((segment) => (
-        <TranscriptTurnSegmentView
-          agentAvatarUrl={agentAvatarUrl}
-          agentName={agentName}
-          agentPubkey={agentPubkey}
+        <motion.div
+          animate={ROW_ENTER_TO}
+          initial={
+            animateSegmentEnter && hasCompletedInitialRenderRef.current
+              ? ROW_ENTER_FROM
+              : false
+          }
           key={getTurnSegmentKey(block.turnId, segment)}
-          profiles={profiles}
-          segment={segment}
-        />
+          transition={ROW_ENTER_SPRING}
+        >
+          <TranscriptTurnSegmentView
+            agentAvatarUrl={agentAvatarUrl}
+            agentName={agentName}
+            agentPubkey={agentPubkey}
+            profiles={profiles}
+            segment={segment}
+          />
+        </motion.div>
       ))}
     </div>
   );
@@ -398,89 +600,71 @@ function PromptUserMessage({
   setup?: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "lifecycle" }>[];
   systemPrompt?: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "metadata" }> | null;
 }) {
+  const [contextOpen, setContextOpen] = React.useState(false);
+  const contextSections = React.useMemo(
+    () => [...(systemPrompt?.sections ?? []), ...(context?.sections ?? [])],
+    [context, systemPrompt],
+  );
+
   return (
     <>
       <UserMessageBubble
         bubbleClassName="p-2.5"
         footer={
           <TurnSetupFooter
+            contextOpen={contextOpen}
+            hasContext={contextSections.length > 0}
             items={setup}
             messageLink={getTranscriptMessageLink(item)}
+            onContextOpenChange={setContextOpen}
             timestamp={item.timestamp}
           />
         }
         item={item}
         profiles={profiles}
       />
-      {systemPrompt && systemPrompt.sections.length > 0 ? (
-        <PromptContextInline context={systemPrompt} />
-      ) : null}
-      {context && context.sections.length > 0 ? (
-        <PromptContextInline context={context} />
-      ) : null}
-    </>
-  );
-}
-
-function PromptContextInline({
-  context,
-}: {
-  context: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "metadata" }>;
-}) {
-  const [dialogOpen, setDialogOpen] = React.useState(false);
-
-  return (
-    <>
-      <div
-        className="mt-1 space-y-2 pl-2"
-        data-testid="transcript-prompt-context-inline"
-      >
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
-          <p className="text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground/70">
-            {context.title}
-          </p>
-          <button
-            className="text-xs text-muted-foreground/50 hover:text-muted-foreground transition-colors"
-            data-testid="transcript-prompt-context-expand"
-            onClick={() => setDialogOpen(true)}
-            type="button"
-          >
-            View full
-          </button>
-        </div>
-        <PromptContextSections sections={context.sections} />
-      </div>
       <PromptContextDialog
-        context={context}
-        onOpenChange={setDialogOpen}
-        open={dialogOpen}
+        onOpenChange={setContextOpen}
+        open={contextOpen}
+        sections={contextSections}
+        setup={setup}
       />
     </>
   );
 }
 
 function PromptContextDialog({
-  context,
   onOpenChange,
   open,
+  sections,
+  setup,
 }: {
-  context: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "metadata" }>;
   onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
   open: boolean;
+  sections: PromptSection[];
+  setup: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "lifecycle" }>[];
 }) {
-  if (!open || context.sections.length === 0) {
+  if (!open || sections.length === 0) {
     return null;
   }
 
+  const setupText = formatPromptSetupSummary(setup);
+
   return (
     <Dialog onOpenChange={onOpenChange} open={open}>
       <DialogContent className="max-w-xl overflow-hidden p-0">
         <div className="flex max-h-[85vh] flex-col">
           <DialogHeader className="px-6 pb-3 pt-5 pr-14">
-            <DialogTitle>{context.title}</DialogTitle>
+            <DialogTitle>Prompt context</DialogTitle>
+            {setupText ? (
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                <CheckCheck className="h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0 text-muted-foreground" />
+                <DialogDescription>{setupText}</DialogDescription>
+              </div>
+            ) : null}
           </DialogHeader>
           <div className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-y-auto px-6 pb-6 pt-2">
-            <PromptContextSections sections={context.sections} />
+            <PromptContextSections sections={sections} />
           </div>
         </div>
       </DialogContent>
@@ -488,14 +672,28 @@ function PromptContextDialog({
   );
 }
 
+function formatPromptSetupSummary(
+  items: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "lifecycle" }>[],
+) {
+  const label = formatTurnSetupLabel(items);
+  const detail = turnSetupDetail(items);
+  return [label, detail].filter(Boolean).join(" · ");
+}
+
 function TurnSetupFooter({
+  contextOpen = false,
+  hasContext = false,
   items,
   messageLink = null,
+  onContextOpenChange,
   showTimestamp = true,
   timestamp,
 }: {
+  contextOpen?: boolean;
+  hasContext?: boolean;
   items: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "lifecycle" }>[];
   messageLink?: { channelId: string; messageId: string } | null;
+  onContextOpenChange?: (open: boolean) => void;
   showTimestamp?: boolean;
   timestamp: string;
 }) {
@@ -503,8 +701,9 @@ function TurnSetupFooter({
   const detail = turnSetupDetail(items);
   const tooltipText = [label, detail].filter(Boolean).join(" · ");
   const showSetup = items.length > 0;
+  const showContext = hasContext && onContextOpenChange != null;
 
-  if (!showSetup) {
+  if (!showSetup && !showContext) {
     return showTimestamp ? (
       <TranscriptTimestamp messageLink={messageLink} timestamp={timestamp} />
     ) : null;
@@ -515,10 +714,25 @@ function TurnSetupFooter({
       className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-muted-foreground/80"
       data-testid="transcript-turn-setup"
     >
-      <span className="inline-flex shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-sm text-muted-foreground/70">
-        <CheckCheck className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
-        <span className="sr-only">{tooltipText}</span>
-      </span>
+      {showContext ? (
+        <Toggle
+          aria-label={`${contextOpen ? "Hide" : "Show"} prompt context`}
+          className="data-[state=on]:bg-primary/10 data-[state=on]:text-primary dark:data-[state=on]:bg-primary/15"
+          data-testid="transcript-prompt-context-toggle"
+          onPressedChange={onContextOpenChange}
+          pressed={contextOpen}
+          size="xs"
+          title={tooltipText || "Show prompt context"}
+          variant="ghost"
+        >
+          <CheckCheck aria-hidden="true" />
+        </Toggle>
+      ) : (
+        <span className="inline-flex shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-sm text-muted-foreground/70">
+          <CheckCheck className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+          <span className="sr-only">{tooltipText}</span>
+        </span>
+      )}
       {showTimestamp ? (
         <TranscriptTimestamp messageLink={messageLink} timestamp={timestamp} />
       ) : null}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/FileContentBlock.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/FileContentBlock.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3e9766300
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/FileContentBlock.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+import type * as React from "react";
+
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+
+export type FileContentLineKind = "add" | "remove" | "context" | "meta";
+
+export type FileContentLine = {
+  kind: FileContentLineKind;
+  text: string;
+};
+
+/** Scrollable mono panel with top/bottom fade affordances for overflow. */
+export function ScrollFadeMonoPanel({
+  children,
+  className,
+  fadeFromClassName = "from-muted",
+  maxHeightClassName = "max-h-64",
+}: {
+  children: React.ReactNode;
+  className?: string;
+  fadeFromClassName?: string;
+  maxHeightClassName?: string;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div className={cn("relative", className)}>
+      <div
+        className={cn(
+          "overflow-auto font-mono text-xs leading-5",
+          maxHeightClassName,
+        )}
+      >
+        <div className="px-3 py-2">{children}</div>
+      </div>
+      <div
+        aria-hidden
+        className={cn(
+          "pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 top-0 h-4 bg-linear-to-b to-transparent",
+          fadeFromClassName,
+        )}
+      />
+      <div
+        aria-hidden
+        className={cn(
+          "pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 h-4 bg-linear-to-t to-transparent",
+          fadeFromClassName,
+        )}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+export function FileContentBlock({
+  footerText,
+  footerTitle,
+  lines,
+  path,
+}: {
+  footerText?: string;
+  footerTitle?: string;
+  lines: FileContentLine[];
+  path: string;
+}) {
+  const resolvedFooterText = footerText ?? path;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex max-h-64 flex-col overflow-hidden rounded-md border border-border/50 bg-muted/35 text-xs leading-5 text-foreground">
+      <div className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-auto">
+        <pre className="py-2 font-mono">
+          <FileContentLines lines={lines} />
+        </pre>
+      </div>
+      <div
+        className="relative z-10 shrink-0 truncate border-t border-border/50 bg-muted/35 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-normal leading-5 text-muted-foreground/70"
+        title={footerTitle ?? resolvedFooterText}
+      >
+        {resolvedFooterText}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function FileContentLines({ lines }: { lines: FileContentLine[] }) {
+  return lines.map((line, index) => (
+    <FileContentLineView
+      // biome-ignore lint/suspicious/noArrayIndexKey: file content lines are positional
+      key={index}
+      line={line}
+    />
+  ));
+}
+
+function FileContentLineView({ line }: { line: FileContentLine }) {
+  return (
+    <span
+      className={cn(
+        "block min-w-full whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word px-3",
+        line.kind === "add" &&
+          "border-l-2 border-green-500/50 bg-green-500/12 text-foreground dark:bg-green-500/10",
+        line.kind === "remove" &&
+          "border-l-2 border-red-500/50 bg-red-500/12 text-foreground dark:bg-red-500/10",
+        line.kind === "meta" && "text-muted-foreground/70",
+      )}
+    >
+      {line.text || " "}
+    </span>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/FileEditDiffView.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/FileEditDiffView.tsx
index 6a250a5f3..1a121c080 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/FileEditDiffView.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/FileEditDiffView.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import type {
   FileEditDiff,
   FileEditDiffLine,
 } from "./agentSessionFileEditDiff";
+import { FileContentBlock, type FileContentLine } from "./FileContentBlock";
 
 export function hasFileEditLineDiff(diff: FileEditDiff) {
   return diff.lines.some(
@@ -12,45 +12,18 @@ export function hasFileEditLineDiff(diff: FileEditDiff) {
 
 export function FileEditDiffBlock({ diff }: { diff: FileEditDiff }) {
   return (
-    <div className="flex max-h-64 flex-col overflow-hidden rounded-md border border-border/50 bg-muted/35 text-xs leading-5 text-foreground">
-      <pre className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-auto py-2 font-mono">
-        <FileEditDiffLines diff={diff} />
-      </pre>
-      <div
-        className="truncate border-t border-border/50 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-normal text-muted-foreground/70"
-        title={diff.path}
-      >
-        {diff.path}
-      </div>
-    </div>
+    <FileContentBlock
+      lines={diff.lines
+        .filter((line) => line.kind !== "meta")
+        .map(toFileContentLine)}
+      path={diff.path}
+    />
   );
 }
 
-function FileEditDiffLines({ diff }: { diff: FileEditDiff }) {
-  return diff.lines
-    .filter((line) => line.kind !== "meta")
-    .map((line, index) => (
-      <FileEditDiffLineView
-        // biome-ignore lint/suspicious/noArrayIndexKey: diff lines are positional
-        key={index}
-        line={line}
-      />
-    ));
-}
-
-function FileEditDiffLineView({ line }: { line: FileEditDiffLine }) {
-  return (
-    <span
-      className={cn(
-        "block min-w-full whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word px-3",
-        line.kind === "add" &&
-          "border-l-2 border-green-500/50 bg-green-500/12 text-foreground dark:bg-green-500/10",
-        line.kind === "remove" &&
-          "border-l-2 border-red-500/50 bg-red-500/12 text-foreground dark:bg-red-500/10",
-        line.kind === "meta" && "text-muted-foreground/70",
-      )}
-    >
-      {line.text || " "}
-    </span>
-  );
+function toFileContentLine(line: FileEditDiffLine): FileContentLine {
+  return {
+    kind: line.kind,
+    text: line.text,
+  };
 }
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/ManagedAgentSessionPanel.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/ManagedAgentSessionPanel.tsx
index ae4909cb4..eebedfdcb 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/ManagedAgentSessionPanel.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/ManagedAgentSessionPanel.tsx
@@ -14,13 +14,17 @@ import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import { Badge } from "@/shared/ui/badge";
 import { Skeleton } from "@/shared/ui/skeleton";
 import { Spinner } from "@/shared/ui/spinner";
-import { AgentSessionTranscriptList } from "./AgentSessionTranscriptList";
+import {
+  AgentSessionTranscriptList,
+  type AgentSessionTranscriptEmptyState,
+} from "./AgentSessionTranscriptList";
 import { RawEventRail } from "./RawEventRail";
 import type {
   ConnectionState,
   ObserverEvent,
   TranscriptItem,
 } from "./agentSessionTypes";
+import type { AgentSessionTranscriptVariant } from "./agentSessionTranscriptContext";
 import {
   deriveLatestSessionId,
   resolveDisplayEvents,
@@ -34,12 +38,17 @@ type ManagedAgentSessionPanelProps = {
   agent: Pick<ManagedAgent, "pubkey" | "name" | "status"> & {
     avatarUrl?: string | null;
   };
+  autoTail?: boolean;
   channelId?: string | null;
   className?: string;
   emptyDescription?: string;
+  emptyState?: AgentSessionTranscriptEmptyState;
+  panelPadding?: boolean;
   rawLayout?: "responsive" | "exclusive";
   showHeader?: boolean;
   showRaw?: boolean;
+  transcriptContentClassName?: string;
+  transcriptVariant?: AgentSessionTranscriptVariant;
   profiles?: UserProfileLookup;
   rawEventsOverride?: ObserverEvent[];
   transcriptOverride?: TranscriptItem[];
@@ -47,12 +56,17 @@ type ManagedAgentSessionPanelProps = {
 
 export function ManagedAgentSessionPanel({
   agent,
+  autoTail = false,
   channelId = null,
   className,
   emptyDescription = "Mention this agent in a channel to watch the next turn.",
+  emptyState = "idle",
+  panelPadding = true,
   rawLayout = "responsive",
   showHeader = true,
   showRaw = true,
+  transcriptContentClassName,
+  transcriptVariant = "default",
   profiles,
   rawEventsOverride,
   transcriptOverride,
@@ -88,7 +102,9 @@ export function ManagedAgentSessionPanel({
   return (
     <section
       className={cn(
-        "rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-background/80 p-4 shadow-xs",
+        "rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-background/80 shadow-xs",
+        panelPadding && "p-4",
+        autoTail && "flex flex-col overflow-hidden",
         className,
       )}
     >
@@ -106,7 +122,10 @@ export function ManagedAgentSessionPanel({
         agentName={agent.name}
         agentPubkey={agent.pubkey}
         connectionState={connectionState}
+        autoTail={autoTail}
+        channelId={channelId}
         emptyDescription={emptyDescription}
+        emptyState={emptyState}
         errorMessage={errorMessage}
         events={displayEvents}
         hasObserver={hasObserver}
@@ -115,6 +134,8 @@ export function ManagedAgentSessionPanel({
         rawLayout={rawLayout}
         showRaw={showRaw}
         transcript={displayTranscript}
+        transcriptContentClassName={transcriptContentClassName}
+        transcriptVariant={transcriptVariant}
       />
     </section>
   );
@@ -159,8 +180,11 @@ function SessionBody({
   agentAvatarUrl,
   agentName,
   agentPubkey,
+  autoTail,
   connectionState,
+  channelId,
   emptyDescription,
+  emptyState,
   errorMessage,
   events,
   hasObserver,
@@ -169,12 +193,17 @@ function SessionBody({
   rawLayout,
   showRaw,
   transcript,
+  transcriptContentClassName,
+  transcriptVariant,
 }: {
   agentAvatarUrl: string | null;
   agentName: string;
   agentPubkey: string;
+  autoTail: boolean;
+  channelId: string | null;
   connectionState: ConnectionState;
   emptyDescription: string;
+  emptyState: AgentSessionTranscriptEmptyState;
   errorMessage: string | null;
   events: ObserverEvent[];
   hasObserver: boolean;
@@ -183,6 +212,8 @@ function SessionBody({
   rawLayout: "responsive" | "exclusive";
   showRaw: boolean;
   transcript: TranscriptItem[];
+  transcriptContentClassName?: string;
+  transcriptVariant: AgentSessionTranscriptVariant;
 }) {
   const rawRail = resolveRawRailLayout(showRaw, rawLayout);
 
@@ -215,15 +246,22 @@ function SessionBody({
             rawRail.mode === "side"
               ? "mt-4 grid gap-4 xl:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_20rem]"
               : "mt-0",
+            autoTail && "min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-hidden",
           )}
         >
           <AgentSessionTranscriptList
             agentAvatarUrl={agentAvatarUrl}
             agentName={agentName}
             agentPubkey={agentPubkey}
+            channelId={channelId}
             emptyDescription={emptyDescription}
+            emptyState={emptyState}
             items={transcript}
             profiles={profiles}
+            contentContainerClassName={transcriptContentClassName}
+            scrollScopeKey={`${agentPubkey}:${channelId ?? "all"}`}
+            autoTail={autoTail}
+            variant={transcriptVariant}
           />
           {rawRail.mode === "side" ? <RawEventRail events={events} /> : null}
         </div>
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/PromptSectionAccordion.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/PromptSectionAccordion.tsx
index 4fb25f820..0b5e58cc6 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/PromptSectionAccordion.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/PromptSectionAccordion.tsx
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export function PromptSectionAccordion({
             <div
               className={cn(
                 "text-sm font-semibold text-foreground",
-                !open && "line-clamp-2",
+                !open && "line-clamp-2 wrap-break-word",
               )}
             >
               {section.title}
@@ -55,7 +55,9 @@ export function PromptSectionAccordion({
             <div
               className={cn(
                 "mt-1 text-xs leading-5 text-foreground/70",
-                open ? "whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word" : "line-clamp-2",
+                open
+                  ? "whitespace-pre-wrap wrap-break-word"
+                  : "line-clamp-2 wrap-break-word",
               )}
             >
               {body.length > 0 ? (
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/TurnLivenessIndicator.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/TurnLivenessIndicator.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..611d79d9b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/TurnLivenessIndicator.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import { motion, useReducedMotion } from "motion/react";
+
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+import { FuzzyLogo } from "@/shared/ui/buzz-logo/FuzzyLogo";
+import { useTranscriptAnimationEnabled } from "./transcriptAnimationPreference";
+
+const MARKS = ["first", "second", "third"] as const;
+const STAGGER_SECONDS = 0.25;
+const CYCLE_SECONDS = 1.8;
+
+export function TurnLivenessIndicator({
+  className,
+  fuzz = false,
+}: {
+  className?: string;
+  /** Defaults to false — the indicator stays mounted for whole turns. */
+  fuzz?: boolean;
+}) {
+  const animationsEnabled = useTranscriptAnimationEnabled();
+  const shouldReduceMotion = useReducedMotion();
+  const showStaggeredRow = animationsEnabled && !shouldReduceMotion;
+
+  if (!showStaggeredRow) {
+    return (
+      <div
+        aria-label="Agent turn in progress"
+        className={cn("opacity-25", className)}
+        data-testid="turn-liveness-indicator"
+        role="status"
+      >
+        <FuzzyLogo
+          ariaLabel="Agent turn in progress"
+          className="text-foreground"
+          fuzz={fuzz}
+          loop
+          loopRestSeconds={2}
+        />
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      aria-label="Agent turn in progress"
+      className={cn("flex items-center gap-1.5 opacity-25", className)}
+      data-testid="turn-liveness-indicator"
+      role="status"
+    >
+      {MARKS.map((mark, index) => (
+        <motion.div
+          animate={{
+            opacity: [0, 1, 1, 0],
+            y: [4, 0, -1, -4],
+          }}
+          key={mark}
+          transition={{
+            delay: index * STAGGER_SECONDS,
+            duration: CYCLE_SECONDS,
+            ease: "easeInOut",
+            repeat: Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY,
+            times: [0, 0.3, 0.7, 1],
+          }}
+        >
+          <FuzzyLogo
+            ariaLabel=""
+            className="w-5! text-foreground"
+            fuzz={fuzz}
+            pulse={false}
+          />
+        </motion.div>
+      ))}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/ActivityRow.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/ActivityRow.tsx
index 11fbe7ae9..54e97a59d 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/ActivityRow.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/ActivityRow.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import * as React from "react";
 import { ChevronDown } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+import { useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant } from "../agentSessionTranscriptContext";
 
 export type ActivityRowLabelParts = {
   verb: string;
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ export function ActivityRow({
     >
       <summary
         className={cn(
-          "inline-flex min-h-6 max-w-full cursor-pointer list-none items-center gap-1.5 text-muted-foreground",
+          "group/row flex min-h-6 w-full max-w-full cursor-pointer list-none items-center gap-1.5 text-muted-foreground",
           openToneScope === "summary"
             ? "group-open/summary:text-foreground"
             : "group-open:text-foreground",
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ export function ActivityRow({
         {summaryChildren}
         <ChevronDown
           className={cn(
-            "h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0 text-muted-foreground/60 transition-transform",
+            "h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0 text-muted-foreground/60 transition-transform group-hover/row:text-foreground",
             openToneScope === "summary"
               ? "group-open/summary:rotate-180 group-open/summary:text-foreground"
               : "group-open:rotate-180 group-open:text-foreground",
@@ -113,6 +114,9 @@ export function ActivityRowLabel({
   stats?: ActivityRowStats | null;
   title?: string;
 }) {
+  const variant = useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant();
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
+
   return (
     <span
       className={cn("inline-flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1.5", className)}
@@ -120,12 +124,13 @@ export function ActivityRowLabel({
     >
       <span
         className={cn(
-          "shrink-0 text-sm font-semibold text-muted-foreground/50",
+          "shrink-0 font-semibold text-muted-foreground/50",
+          isCompactPreview ? "text-xs" : "text-sm",
           openToneScope === "none"
             ? null
             : openToneScope === "summary"
-              ? "group-open/summary:text-foreground"
-              : "group-open:text-foreground",
+              ? "transition-colors group-hover/row:text-foreground group-open/summary:text-foreground"
+              : "transition-colors group-hover/row:text-foreground group-open:text-foreground",
         )}
       >
         {verb}
@@ -133,12 +138,13 @@ export function ActivityRowLabel({
       {object ? (
         <span
           className={cn(
-            "min-w-0 truncate text-sm font-normal text-muted-foreground/60",
+            "min-w-0 truncate font-normal text-muted-foreground/60",
+            isCompactPreview ? "text-xs" : "text-sm",
             openToneScope === "none"
               ? null
               : openToneScope === "summary"
-                ? "group-open/summary:text-foreground"
-                : "group-open:text-foreground",
+                ? "transition-colors group-hover/row:text-foreground group-open/summary:text-foreground"
+                : "transition-colors group-hover/row:text-foreground group-open:text-foreground",
           )}
         >
           {object}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/MessageActivity.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/MessageActivity.tsx
index 8428d73b7..00651b352 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/MessageActivity.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/MessageActivity.tsx
@@ -1,17 +1,11 @@
-import {
-  resolveUserLabel,
-  type UserProfileLookup,
-} from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
-import { normalizePubkey } from "@/shared/lib/pubkey";
+import type { UserProfileLookup } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
 import { Markdown } from "@/shared/ui/markdown";
-import { UserAvatar } from "@/shared/ui/UserAvatar";
+import { useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant } from "../agentSessionTranscriptContext";
+import { formatTranscriptTimestampTitle } from "../agentSessionUtils";
 import type { TranscriptItem } from "../agentSessionTypes";
 import { ToolActivity } from "./ToolActivity";
 import { TranscriptTimestamp } from "./TranscriptTimestamp";
-import type {
-  ActivityRenderClassItemProps,
-  AgentTranscriptIdentityProps,
-} from "./types";
+import type { ActivityRenderClassItemProps } from "./types";
 import { UserMessageBubble } from "./UserMessageBubble";
 
 export function MessageActivity(props: ActivityRenderClassItemProps) {
@@ -22,38 +16,21 @@ export function MessageActivity(props: ActivityRenderClassItemProps) {
     return null;
   }
 
-  return (
-    <MessageItem
-      agentAvatarUrl={props.agentAvatarUrl}
-      agentName={props.agentName}
-      agentPubkey={props.agentPubkey}
-      item={props.item}
-      profiles={props.profiles}
-    />
-  );
+  return <MessageItem item={props.item} profiles={props.profiles} />;
 }
 
 function MessageItem({
-  agentAvatarUrl,
-  agentName,
-  agentPubkey,
   item,
   profiles,
-}: AgentTranscriptIdentityProps & {
+}: {
   item: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "message" }>;
   profiles?: UserProfileLookup;
 }) {
+  const variant = useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant();
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
   const isAssistant = item.role === "assistant";
   const text = item.text.trim();
   const messageLink = getTranscriptMessageLink(item);
-  const agentProfile = profiles?.[normalizePubkey(agentPubkey)] ?? null;
-  const assistantLabel = resolveUserLabel({
-    pubkey: agentPubkey,
-    fallbackName: agentName,
-    profiles,
-    preferResolvedSelfLabel: true,
-  });
-  const assistantAvatarUrl = agentProfile?.avatarUrl ?? agentAvatarUrl;
 
   if (!isAssistant) {
     return (
@@ -77,24 +54,18 @@ function MessageItem({
       data-testid="transcript-assistant-message"
     >
       <div className="group relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col items-start gap-1">
-        <div className="mb-0.5 flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs">
-          <UserAvatar
-            avatarUrl={assistantAvatarUrl}
-            className="shrink-0"
-            displayName={assistantLabel}
-            size="xs"
-            testId="transcript-assistant-avatar"
+        <div
+          className={
+            isCompactPreview
+              ? "w-full min-w-0 text-xs leading-4"
+              : "w-full min-w-0 text-sm"
+          }
+          title={formatTranscriptTimestampTitle(item.timestamp)}
+        >
+          <Markdown
+            className={isCompactPreview ? "text-xs leading-4" : "leading-5"}
+            content={text || " "}
           />
-          <span className="text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">
-            {assistantLabel}
-          </span>
-          <TranscriptTimestamp
-            messageLink={messageLink}
-            timestamp={item.timestamp}
-          />
-        </div>
-        <div className="w-full min-w-0 text-sm">
-          <Markdown content={text || " "} tight />
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/MessageLinkHoverCue.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/MessageLinkHoverCue.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7b4e38d18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/MessageLinkHoverCue.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+import { ArrowUpRight } from "lucide-react";
+
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+
+/**
+ * Hover affordance for transcript message bubbles that navigate to the
+ * original message in chat. Rendered inside a `group/bubble` container; fades
+ * in on hover or keyboard focus of the bubble.
+ */
+export function MessageLinkHoverCue({ className }: { className?: string }) {
+  return (
+    <span
+      aria-hidden="true"
+      className={cn(
+        "pointer-events-none absolute right-1.5 top-1.5 inline-flex items-center gap-0.5 rounded-md bg-background/95 py-0.5 pl-1.5 pr-1 text-2xs font-medium text-muted-foreground",
+        "opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-150 group-hover/bubble:opacity-100 group-focus-visible/bubble:opacity-100",
+        className,
+      )}
+    >
+      Open in chat
+      <ArrowUpRight className="h-3 w-3" />
+    </span>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/PlanActivity.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/PlanActivity.tsx
index 3f7283312..334a1b080 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/PlanActivity.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/PlanActivity.tsx
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ export function PlanActivity(props: ActivityRenderClassItemProps) {
       <ActivityRowLabel object="plan" openToneScope="tool" verb="Updated" />
       <ActivityRowContent className="pt-1 pb-1.5 text-sm leading-5 text-muted-foreground">
         <Markdown
+          className="leading-5"
           content={props.item.text.trim() || "No plan details."}
-          tight
         />
       </ActivityRowContent>
     </ActivityRow>
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/ThoughtActivity.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/ThoughtActivity.tsx
index fab78de10..8dfaea86e 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/ThoughtActivity.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/ThoughtActivity.tsx
@@ -22,8 +22,11 @@ export function ThoughtActivity(props: ActivityRenderClassItemProps) {
       title={formatTranscriptTimestampTitle(props.item.timestamp)}
     >
       <ActivityRowLabel openToneScope="tool" verb={props.item.title} />
-      <ActivityRowContent className="pt-1 pb-1.5 text-sm leading-6 text-muted-foreground">
-        <Markdown compact content={props.item.text.trim() || " "} />
+      <ActivityRowContent className="pt-1 pb-1.5 text-sm leading-5 text-muted-foreground">
+        <Markdown
+          className="leading-5"
+          content={props.item.text.trim() || " "}
+        />
       </ActivityRowContent>
     </ActivityRow>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/TranscriptActivityItem.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/TranscriptActivityItem.tsx
index 0fe9f98bf..09759129c 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/TranscriptActivityItem.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/TranscriptActivityItem.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ export const ACTIVITY_RENDER_CLASS_PRESENTERS = {
   message: MessageActivity,
   "relay-op": ToolActivity,
   "file-edit": ToolActivity,
+  "file-read": ToolActivity,
+  "skill-read": ToolActivity,
+  image: ToolActivity,
   shell: ToolActivity,
   status: LifecycleActivity,
   thought: ThoughtActivity,
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/UserMessageBubble.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/UserMessageBubble.tsx
index a49cec218..181e4febf 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/UserMessageBubble.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/UserMessageBubble.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
-import type * as React from "react";
+import * as React from "react";
 
 import {
   resolveUserLabel,
   type UserProfileLookup,
 } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
+import { useAppNavigation } from "@/app/navigation/useAppNavigation";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+import { useProfilePanel } from "@/shared/context/ProfilePanelContext";
 import { Markdown } from "@/shared/ui/markdown";
 import { UserAvatar } from "@/shared/ui/UserAvatar";
+import { useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant } from "../agentSessionTranscriptContext";
 import type { TranscriptItem } from "../agentSessionTypes";
+import { MessageLinkHoverCue } from "./MessageLinkHoverCue";
+import { useTranscriptBubbleOverflow } from "./useTranscriptBubbleOverflow";
 
 export function UserMessageBubble({
   bubbleClassName,
@@ -24,7 +29,18 @@ export function UserMessageBubble({
   item: Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "message" }>;
   profiles?: UserProfileLookup;
 }) {
+  const variant = useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant();
+  const { goChannel } = useAppNavigation();
+  const { openProfilePanel } = useProfilePanel();
+  const isCompactPreview = variant === "compactPreview";
+  const shouldClampBubble = !isCompactPreview;
+  const [bubbleRef, hasBubbleOverflow] =
+    useTranscriptBubbleOverflow(shouldClampBubble);
   const text = item.text.trim();
+  const messageLink =
+    shouldClampBubble && item.channelId && item.messageId
+      ? { channelId: item.channelId, messageId: item.messageId }
+      : null;
   const authorProfile = item.authorPubkey
     ? profiles?.[item.authorPubkey.toLowerCase()]
     : null;
@@ -35,36 +51,126 @@ export function UserMessageBubble({
         profiles,
       })
     : item.title || "User";
+  const handleBubbleClick = React.useCallback(
+    (event: React.MouseEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
+      if (!messageLink || isNestedInteractiveTarget(event)) return;
+      event.preventDefault();
+      event.stopPropagation();
+      void goChannel(messageLink.channelId, {
+        messageId: messageLink.messageId,
+      });
+    },
+    [goChannel, messageLink],
+  );
+  const handleBubbleKeyDown = React.useCallback(
+    (event: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
+      if (
+        !messageLink ||
+        isNestedInteractiveTarget(event) ||
+        (event.key !== "Enter" && event.key !== " ")
+      ) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      event.preventDefault();
+      event.stopPropagation();
+      void goChannel(messageLink.channelId, {
+        messageId: messageLink.messageId,
+      });
+    },
+    [goChannel, messageLink],
+  );
+  const bubbleLinkProps = messageLink
+    ? {
+        onClick: handleBubbleClick,
+        onKeyDown: handleBubbleKeyDown,
+        role: "link" as const,
+        tabIndex: 0,
+      }
+    : {};
 
   return (
     <div
-      className="flex flex-row items-start justify-end animate-in fade-in duration-200 motion-reduce:animate-none"
+      className={cn(
+        "flex flex-row items-start animate-in fade-in duration-200 motion-reduce:animate-none",
+        isCompactPreview ? "justify-start" : "justify-end",
+      )}
       data-role="user-message"
       data-testid="transcript-user-message"
     >
-      <UserAvatar
-        avatarUrl={authorProfile?.avatarUrl ?? null}
-        className="order-last ml-2 mt-1 shrink-0"
-        displayName={authorLabel}
-        size="xs"
-      />
+      {isCompactPreview ? null : item.authorPubkey && openProfilePanel ? (
+        <button
+          aria-label={`Open ${authorLabel} profile`}
+          className="pointer-events-auto order-last ml-2 mt-1 size-7 shrink-0 rounded-full focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+          onClick={(event) => {
+            event.preventDefault();
+            event.stopPropagation();
+            if (item.authorPubkey) {
+              openProfilePanel(item.authorPubkey);
+            }
+          }}
+          type="button"
+        >
+          <UserAvatar
+            avatarUrl={authorProfile?.avatarUrl ?? null}
+            className="size-full text-xs"
+            displayName={authorLabel}
+            size="sm"
+          />
+        </button>
+      ) : (
+        <UserAvatar
+          avatarUrl={authorProfile?.avatarUrl ?? null}
+          className="order-last ml-2 mt-1 size-7 shrink-0 text-xs"
+          displayName={authorLabel}
+          size="sm"
+        />
+      )}
       <div
         className={cn(
-          "group relative flex max-w-[85%] min-w-0 flex-col items-end gap-1",
+          "group relative flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col items-end gap-1",
+          isCompactPreview && "items-start",
           className,
         )}
       >
         <div
           className={cn(
-            "w-full min-w-0 rounded-2xl bg-muted p-3 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground",
+            "w-full min-w-0 rounded-2xl border border-border/70 bg-transparent p-3 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground",
+            shouldClampBubble && "relative max-h-36 overflow-hidden",
+            messageLink &&
+              "group/bubble cursor-pointer transition-colors hover:border-border hover:bg-muted/40 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring",
+            isCompactPreview && "p-2 text-xs leading-4",
             bubbleClassName,
           )}
+          ref={bubbleRef}
+          {...bubbleLinkProps}
         >
-          <Markdown content={text || " "} mediaInset tight />
+          <Markdown
+            className={isCompactPreview ? "text-xs leading-4" : "leading-5"}
+            content={text || " "}
+            mediaInset
+          />
           {children}
+          {hasBubbleOverflow ? (
+            <span className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 h-8 rounded-b-2xl bg-linear-to-b from-transparent to-background" />
+          ) : null}
+          {messageLink ? <MessageLinkHoverCue /> : null}
         </div>
         {footer}
       </div>
     </div>
   );
 }
+
+function isNestedInteractiveTarget(
+  event: React.MouseEvent<HTMLElement> | React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLElement>,
+) {
+  const target =
+    event.target instanceof Element
+      ? event.target.closest(
+          "a,button,input,select,textarea,summary,[role='button'],[role='link']",
+        )
+      : null;
+
+  return target !== null && target !== event.currentTarget;
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/useTranscriptBubbleOverflow.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/useTranscriptBubbleOverflow.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..92d228827
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/activityRenderClasses/useTranscriptBubbleOverflow.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+export function useTranscriptBubbleOverflow(enabled: boolean) {
+  const ref = React.useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const [hasOverflow, setHasOverflow] = React.useState(false);
+
+  React.useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    const element = ref.current;
+    if (!enabled || !element) {
+      setHasOverflow(false);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const updateOverflow = () => {
+      setHasOverflow(element.scrollHeight > element.clientHeight + 1);
+    };
+
+    updateOverflow();
+
+    if (typeof ResizeObserver === "undefined") {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const observer = new ResizeObserver(updateOverflow);
+    observer.observe(element);
+    if (element.firstElementChild) {
+      observer.observe(element.firstElementChild);
+    }
+
+    return () => observer.disconnect();
+  }, [enabled]);
+
+  return [ref, hasOverflow] as const;
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionFileRead.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionFileRead.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c19488a02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionFileRead.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import test from "node:test";
+
+import {
+  buildFileReadContent,
+  buildSkillReadContent,
+} from "./agentSessionFileRead.ts";
+
+const baseDescriptor = {
+  renderClass: "file-read",
+  label: "Read file",
+  preview: "src/App.tsx",
+  groupKey: "read_file",
+};
+
+function makeTool(overrides = {}) {
+  return {
+    id: "tool:1",
+    type: "tool",
+    title: "read_file",
+    toolName: "read_file",
+    buzzToolName: null,
+    status: "completed",
+    args: { path: "src/App.tsx" },
+    result: "",
+    isError: false,
+    timestamp: "2026-06-14T19:00:00.000Z",
+    startedAt: "2026-06-14T19:00:00.000Z",
+    completedAt: "2026-06-14T19:00:01.000Z",
+    descriptor: baseDescriptor,
+    ...overrides,
+  };
+}
+
+test("buildFileReadContent returns null for non file-read render class", () => {
+  assert.equal(
+    buildFileReadContent(makeTool(), {
+      ...baseDescriptor,
+      renderClass: "generic",
+    }),
+    null,
+  );
+});
+
+test("buildFileReadContent parses range header and meta footer", () => {
+  const path = "src/App.tsx";
+  const result = [
+    `${path} (lines 81-300 of 438)`,
+    "81:export function App() {",
+    "82:  return null;",
+    "[showing lines 81-300 of 438; use offset=300 to continue]",
+  ].join("\n");
+
+  const content = buildFileReadContent(
+    makeTool({ args: { path }, result }),
+    baseDescriptor,
+  );
+
+  assert.ok(content);
+  assert.equal(content.path, path);
+  assert.equal(content.footerText, `${path} (lines 81-300 of 438)`);
+  assert.equal(content.lines.length, 3);
+  assert.equal(content.lines[0]?.kind, "context");
+  assert.equal(content.lines[2]?.kind, "meta");
+});
+
+test("buildFileReadContent handles empty result text", () => {
+  assert.equal(
+    buildFileReadContent(makeTool({ result: "   " }), baseDescriptor),
+    null,
+  );
+});
+
+const skillDescriptor = {
+  renderClass: "skill-read",
+  label: "Read skill",
+  preview: "block-safe-github",
+  groupKey: "skill:load",
+};
+
+test("buildSkillReadContent returns null for non skill-read render class", () => {
+  assert.equal(
+    buildSkillReadContent(
+      makeTool({
+        toolName: "load_skill",
+        args: { name: "block-safe-github" },
+      }),
+      baseDescriptor,
+    ),
+    null,
+  );
+});
+
+test("buildSkillReadContent maps skill body into file content panel", () => {
+  const content = buildSkillReadContent(
+    makeTool({
+      toolName: "load_skill",
+      args: { name: "block-safe-github" },
+      result:
+        "# Safe GitHub usage at Block\n\nAll Block code must live in org repos.",
+      descriptor: skillDescriptor,
+    }),
+    skillDescriptor,
+  );
+
+  assert.ok(content);
+  assert.equal(content.path, "block-safe-github");
+  assert.equal(content.footerText, "block-safe-github/SKILL.md");
+  assert.equal(content.lines.length, 3);
+  assert.equal(content.lines[0]?.text, "# Safe GitHub usage at Block");
+  assert.equal(
+    content.lines[2]?.text,
+    "All Block code must live in org repos.",
+  );
+});
+
+test("buildSkillReadContent uses the supporting-file path in the footer", () => {
+  const skillRef = "block-safe-github/references/foo.md";
+  const content = buildSkillReadContent(
+    makeTool({
+      toolName: "load_skill",
+      args: { name: skillRef },
+      result: "# Reference\n",
+      descriptor: {
+        ...skillDescriptor,
+        label: "Read skill file",
+        preview: skillRef,
+        groupKey: "skill:load-file",
+      },
+    }),
+    {
+      ...skillDescriptor,
+      label: "Read skill file",
+      preview: skillRef,
+      groupKey: "skill:load-file",
+    },
+  );
+
+  assert.ok(content);
+  assert.equal(content.footerText, skillRef);
+});
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionFileRead.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionFileRead.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d5fb7c9c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionFileRead.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+import type {
+  AgentActivityDescriptor,
+  TranscriptItem,
+} from "./agentSessionTypes";
+import {
+  asRecord,
+  getToolString,
+  parseToolResultValue,
+} from "./agentSessionUtils";
+
+type ToolItem = Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "tool" }>;
+
+export type FileReadContentLine = {
+  kind: "context" | "meta";
+  text: string;
+};
+
+export type FileReadContent = {
+  footerText: string;
+  footerTitle: string;
+  lines: FileReadContentLine[];
+  path: string;
+};
+
+export function buildSkillReadContent(
+  item: ToolItem,
+  descriptor: AgentActivityDescriptor,
+): FileReadContent | null {
+  if (descriptor.renderClass !== "skill-read") {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const skillRef =
+    getToolString(item.args, ["name"]) ??
+    descriptor.preview ??
+    descriptor.object;
+  if (!skillRef) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const resultText = getResultText(item.result);
+  if (!resultText.trim()) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const rawLines = trimTrailingEmptyLines(resultText.split(/\r?\n/));
+  const lines =
+    rawLines.length > 0
+      ? rawLines.map((line) => ({
+          kind: "context" as const,
+          text: line,
+        }))
+      : [{ kind: "meta" as const, text: "No skill content returned." }];
+
+  const footerText = skillRef.includes("/") ? skillRef : `${skillRef}/SKILL.md`;
+
+  return {
+    footerText,
+    footerTitle: skillRef,
+    lines,
+    path: skillRef,
+  };
+}
+
+export function buildFileReadContent(
+  item: ToolItem,
+  descriptor: AgentActivityDescriptor,
+): FileReadContent | null {
+  if (descriptor.renderClass !== "file-read") {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const path =
+    getToolString(item.args, ["path", "file", "file_path", "target_file"]) ??
+    descriptor.object ??
+    descriptor.preview;
+  if (!path) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const resultText = getResultText(item.result);
+  if (!resultText.trim()) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const parsed = parseReadFileOutput(resultText, path);
+  return {
+    footerText: parsed.footerText,
+    footerTitle: parsed.footerTitle,
+    lines: parsed.lines,
+    path,
+  };
+}
+
+function parseReadFileOutput(resultText: string, path: string) {
+  const rawLines = trimTrailingEmptyLines(resultText.split(/\r?\n/));
+  const firstLine = rawLines[0] ?? "";
+  const remainingLines = rawLines.slice(1);
+  const hasRangeHeader =
+    firstLine.startsWith(path) && /\s\(lines \d+-\d+ of \d+\)$/.test(firstLine);
+  const contentLines = hasRangeHeader ? remainingLines : rawLines;
+  const lines =
+    contentLines.length > 0
+      ? contentLines.map((line) => ({
+          kind: isReadFileMetaLine(line)
+            ? ("meta" as const)
+            : ("context" as const),
+          text: line,
+        }))
+      : [{ kind: "meta" as const, text: "No file content returned." }];
+
+  return {
+    footerText: hasRangeHeader ? firstLine : path,
+    footerTitle: hasRangeHeader ? `${path}\n${firstLine}` : path,
+    lines,
+  };
+}
+
+function getResultText(result: string): string {
+  const parsed = parseToolResultValue(result);
+  if (typeof parsed === "string") {
+    return parsed;
+  }
+
+  const record = asRecord(parsed);
+  return (
+    getRecordString(record, ["content", "text", "output", "stdout"]) ?? result
+  );
+}
+
+function getRecordString(
+  record: Record<string, unknown>,
+  keys: string[],
+): string | null {
+  for (const key of keys) {
+    const value = record[key];
+    if (typeof value === "string") {
+      return value;
+    }
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+function isReadFileMetaLine(line: string) {
+  return /^\[showing lines \d+-\d+ of \d+; use offset=\d+ to continue\]$/.test(
+    line,
+  );
+}
+
+function trimTrailingEmptyLines(lines: string[]) {
+  let end = lines.length;
+  while (end > 0 && lines[end - 1] === "") {
+    end -= 1;
+  }
+  return end === lines.length ? lines : lines.slice(0, end);
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionImageContent.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionImageContent.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a5e033c0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionImageContent.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import test from "node:test";
+
+import { buildImageContent } from "./agentSessionImageContent.ts";
+
+const imageDescriptor = {
+  renderClass: "image",
+  label: "Viewed image",
+  preview: "screenshot.png",
+  groupKey: "view_image",
+};
+
+function makeTool(overrides = {}) {
+  return {
+    id: "tool:1",
+    type: "tool",
+    title: "view_image",
+    toolName: "view_image",
+    buzzToolName: null,
+    status: "completed",
+    args: {},
+    result: "",
+    isError: false,
+    timestamp: "2026-06-14T19:00:00.000Z",
+    startedAt: "2026-06-14T19:00:00.000Z",
+    completedAt: "2026-06-14T19:00:01.000Z",
+    descriptor: imageDescriptor,
+    ...overrides,
+  };
+}
+
+test("buildImageContent returns null for non image render class", () => {
+  assert.equal(
+    buildImageContent(makeTool(), {
+      ...imageDescriptor,
+      renderClass: "generic",
+    }),
+    null,
+  );
+});
+
+test("buildImageContent accepts http and data image sources", () => {
+  const http = buildImageContent(
+    makeTool({
+      args: { source: "https://example.com/image.png" },
+    }),
+    imageDescriptor,
+  );
+  assert.deepEqual(http, {
+    src: "https://example.com/image.png",
+    title: "screenshot.png",
+  });
+
+  const data = buildImageContent(
+    makeTool({
+      args: { source: "data:image/png;base64,abc" },
+    }),
+    imageDescriptor,
+  );
+  assert.equal(data?.src, "data:image/png;base64,abc");
+});
+
+test("buildImageContent rejects local filesystem paths", () => {
+  assert.equal(
+    buildImageContent(
+      makeTool({ args: { source: "desktop/assets/screenshot.png" } }),
+      imageDescriptor,
+    ),
+    null,
+  );
+});
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionImageContent.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionImageContent.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7eaa46147
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionImageContent.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import type {
+  AgentActivityDescriptor,
+  TranscriptItem,
+} from "./agentSessionTypes";
+import { getToolString } from "./agentSessionUtils";
+
+type ToolItem = Extract<TranscriptItem, { type: "tool" }>;
+
+export type ImageToolContent = {
+  src: string;
+  title: string | null;
+};
+
+export function buildImageContent(
+  item: ToolItem,
+  descriptor: AgentActivityDescriptor,
+): ImageToolContent | null {
+  if (descriptor.renderClass !== "image") {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const source = getToolString(item.args, ["source"]);
+  if (!source) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const trimmed = source.trim();
+  if (
+    !trimmed.startsWith("data:image/") &&
+    !trimmed.startsWith("http://") &&
+    !trimmed.startsWith("https://")
+  ) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return {
+    src: trimmed,
+    title: descriptor.preview ?? descriptor.object ?? null,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolClassifier.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolClassifier.test.mjs
index a32c14a76..10efb79cb 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolClassifier.test.mjs
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolClassifier.test.mjs
@@ -53,6 +53,41 @@ test("parseBuzzCliCommand promotes buzz message sends to message descriptors", (
   assert.equal(descriptor?.operation, "messages.send");
 });
 
+test("classifyTool promotes load_skill to skill-read descriptors", () => {
+  const descriptor = classifyTool({
+    title: "load_skill",
+    toolName: "load_skill",
+    buzzToolName: null,
+    args: { name: "block-safe-github" },
+    result: "# Safe GitHub usage at Block\n",
+    isError: false,
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(descriptor.renderClass, "skill-read");
+  assert.equal(descriptor.label, "Read skill");
+  assert.equal(descriptor.preview, "block-safe-github");
+  assert.deepEqual(descriptor.action, {
+    verb: "Read",
+    object: "block-safe-github",
+  });
+  assert.equal(descriptor.groupKey, "skill:load");
+});
+
+test("classifyTool promotes supporting-file load_skill to skill-read file descriptors", () => {
+  const descriptor = classifyTool({
+    title: "load_skill",
+    toolName: "load_skill",
+    buzzToolName: null,
+    args: { name: "block-safe-github/references/foo.md" },
+    result: "# Reference\n",
+    isError: false,
+  });
+
+  assert.equal(descriptor.renderClass, "skill-read");
+  assert.equal(descriptor.label, "Read skill file");
+  assert.equal(descriptor.groupKey, "skill:load-file");
+});
+
 test("classifyTool promotes buzz CLI shell commands to relay operations", () => {
   const descriptor = classifyTool({
     title: "Shell",
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolClassifier.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolClassifier.ts
index d5acfec2c..67f627134 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolClassifier.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolClassifier.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,9 @@ const TOOL_CLASS_LABELS: Record<AgentActivityRenderClass, string> = {
   message: "Message",
   "relay-op": "Buzz relay op",
   "file-edit": "File edit",
+  "file-read": "File read",
+  "skill-read": "Skill read",
+  image: "Image",
   shell: "Shell command",
   status: "Status",
   thought: "Thought",
@@ -99,6 +102,7 @@ const TOOL_CLASS_LABELS: Record<AgentActivityRenderClass, string> = {
 };
 
 const providers: ToolClassifierProvider[] = [
+  classifyLoadSkillTool,
   classifyDeveloperHarnessTool,
   classifyBuzzTool,
 ];
@@ -139,6 +143,28 @@ export function renderClassLabel(renderClass: AgentActivityRenderClass) {
   return TOOL_CLASS_LABELS[renderClass];
 }
 
+function classifyLoadSkillTool(
+  input: ToolClassificationInput,
+): AgentActivityDescriptor | null {
+  const isLoadSkill = [input.toolName, input.title, input.buzzToolName].some(
+    (value) => value && normalizeToolNameText(value) === "load_skill",
+  );
+  if (!isLoadSkill) return null;
+
+  const skillRef = getToolString(input.args, ["name"]);
+  const object = skillRef ?? "skill";
+  const isSupportingFile = skillRef?.includes("/") ?? false;
+
+  return {
+    renderClass: "skill-read",
+    label: isSupportingFile ? "Read skill file" : "Read skill",
+    preview: skillRef,
+    action: { verb: "Read", object },
+    source: "harness",
+    groupKey: isSupportingFile ? "skill:load-file" : "skill:load",
+  };
+}
+
 function classifyDeveloperHarnessTool(
   input: ToolClassificationInput,
 ): AgentActivityDescriptor | null {
@@ -164,7 +190,7 @@ function classifyDeveloperHarnessTool(
   if (kind === "read_file") {
     const path = getToolString(input.args, ["path"]);
     return {
-      renderClass: "generic",
+      renderClass: "file-read",
       label: "Read file",
       preview: path,
       action: { verb: "Read", object: path ?? "file" },
@@ -176,7 +202,7 @@ function classifyDeveloperHarnessTool(
   if (kind === "view_image") {
     const source = getToolString(input.args, ["source"]);
     return {
-      renderClass: "generic",
+      renderClass: "image",
       label: "Viewed image",
       preview: source ? basenameOrUrl(source) : null,
       action: {
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolSummary.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolSummary.test.mjs
index bdfec16a0..fab1f539a 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolSummary.test.mjs
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolSummary.test.mjs
@@ -96,8 +96,10 @@ test("buildCompactToolSummary formats view_image thumbnail source", () => {
     }),
   );
 
+  assert.equal(summary.kind, "image");
   assert.equal(summary.label, "Viewed image");
   assert.equal(summary.thumbnailSrc, source);
+  assert.equal(summary.imageContent?.src, source);
   assert.equal(summary.preview, source);
 });
 
@@ -109,24 +111,53 @@ test("buildCompactToolSummary uses basename for local view_image paths", () => {
     }),
   );
 
+  assert.equal(summary.kind, "image");
   assert.equal(summary.thumbnailSrc, null);
+  assert.equal(summary.imageContent, null);
   assert.equal(summary.preview, "screenshot.png");
 });
 
 test("buildCompactToolSummary formats read_file path preview", () => {
+  const path = "desktop/src/app/App.tsx";
   const summary = buildCompactToolSummary(
     makeTool({
       toolName: "read_file",
-      args: { path: "desktop/src/app/App.tsx" },
+      args: { path },
+      result: `${path} (lines 1-2 of 2)\n1:export {}\n2: `,
     }),
   );
 
+  assert.equal(summary.kind, "file-read");
   assert.equal(summary.label, "Read file");
-  assert.equal(summary.preview, "desktop/src/app/App.tsx");
+  assert.equal(summary.preview, path);
+  assert.deepEqual(summary.action, {
+    verb: "Read",
+    object: path,
+  });
+  assert.ok(summary.fileReadContent);
+});
+
+test("buildCompactToolSummary formats load_skill into skill-read file panel", () => {
+  const summary = buildCompactToolSummary(
+    makeTool({
+      toolName: "load_skill",
+      args: { name: "block-safe-github" },
+      result: "# Safe GitHub usage at Block\n",
+    }),
+  );
+
+  assert.equal(summary.kind, "skill-read");
+  assert.equal(summary.label, "Read skill");
+  assert.equal(summary.preview, "block-safe-github");
   assert.deepEqual(summary.action, {
     verb: "Read",
-    object: "desktop/src/app/App.tsx",
+    object: "block-safe-github",
   });
+  assert.ok(summary.fileReadContent);
+  assert.equal(
+    summary.fileReadContent?.footerText,
+    "block-safe-github/SKILL.md",
+  );
 });
 
 test("buildCompactToolSummary formats todo list preview", () => {
@@ -176,6 +207,29 @@ test("buildCompactToolSummary promotes non-send buzz CLI commands to relay ops",
   assert.equal(summary.preview, "channel-1");
   assert.deepEqual(summary.action, { verb: "Read", object: "channel-1" });
   assert.equal(summary.presentation, "inline");
+  assert.equal(summary.shellContent, "buzz channels get --channel channel-1");
+});
+
+test("buildCompactToolSummary exposes shellContent for shell-sourced buzz CLI reads", () => {
+  const command =
+    "sleep 45; buzz messages thread --channel channel-uuid --event abc | tail -n 20";
+  const summary = buildCompactToolSummary(
+    makeTool({
+      toolName: "shell",
+      args: { command },
+      result: JSON.stringify({
+        stdout: "[1782969453] user: hello",
+        exit_code: 0,
+      }),
+    }),
+  );
+
+  assert.equal(summary.kind, "relay-op");
+  assert.equal(summary.shellContent, command);
+  assert.deepEqual(summary.action, {
+    verb: "Read",
+    object: "channel-uuid",
+  });
 });
 
 test("buildCompactToolSummary derives structured actions for native Buzz MCP tools", () => {
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolSummary.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolSummary.ts
index ddcd734dd..ed7edda93 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolSummary.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionToolSummary.ts
@@ -11,11 +11,23 @@ import {
   type FileEditDiff,
   type FileEditDiffSummary,
 } from "./agentSessionFileEditDiff";
+import {
+  buildFileReadContent,
+  buildSkillReadContent,
+  type FileReadContent,
+} from "./agentSessionFileRead";
+import {
+  buildImageContent,
+  type ImageToolContent,
+} from "./agentSessionImageContent";
 
 export type CompactToolKind =
   | "message"
   | "relay-op"
   | "file-edit"
+  | "file-read"
+  | "skill-read"
+  | "image"
   | "shell"
   | "status"
   | "thought"
@@ -33,6 +45,9 @@ export type CompactToolSummary = {
   preview: string | null;
   fileEditSummary: FileEditDiffSummary | null;
   fileEditDiff: FileEditDiff | null;
+  fileReadContent: FileReadContent | null;
+  imageContent: ImageToolContent | null;
+  shellContent: string | null;
   /** When set, the compact row renders a tiny image instead of text preview. */
   thumbnailSrc: string | null;
   presentation: "inline" | "message";
@@ -55,7 +70,12 @@ export function buildCompactToolSummary(item: ToolItem): CompactToolSummary {
         deletions: fileEditDiff.deletions,
       }
     : null;
-  const thumbnailSrc = getThumbnailSrc(item, descriptor);
+  const fileReadContent =
+    buildFileReadContent(item, descriptor) ??
+    buildSkillReadContent(item, descriptor);
+  const imageContent = buildImageContent(item, descriptor);
+  const shellContent = buildShellContent(item, descriptor);
+  const thumbnailSrc = imageContent?.src ?? null;
   const failed = item.isError || item.status === "failed";
   const running = item.status === "executing" || item.status === "pending";
   return {
@@ -65,6 +85,9 @@ export function buildCompactToolSummary(item: ToolItem): CompactToolSummary {
     preview: fileEditSummary?.filename ?? descriptor.preview,
     fileEditSummary,
     fileEditDiff,
+    fileReadContent,
+    imageContent,
+    shellContent,
     thumbnailSrc,
     presentation: descriptor.renderClass === "message" ? "message" : "inline",
     descriptor,
@@ -91,22 +114,18 @@ function labelForStatus(
   return label;
 }
 
-function getThumbnailSrc(
+function buildShellContent(
   item: ToolItem,
   descriptor: AgentActivityDescriptor,
 ): string | null {
-  const operation =
-    descriptor.operation ?? descriptor.groupKey ?? item.toolName;
-  if (!operation.includes("view_image") && item.toolName !== "view_image") {
+  const command = getToolString(item.args, ["command"]);
+  if (!command) {
     return null;
   }
 
-  const source = getToolString(item.args, ["source"]);
-  if (!source) return null;
-  const trimmed = source.trim();
-  return trimmed.startsWith("data:image/") ||
-    trimmed.startsWith("http://") ||
-    trimmed.startsWith("https://")
-    ? trimmed
-    : null;
+  if (descriptor.renderClass === "shell" || descriptor.source === "shell") {
+    return command;
+  }
+
+  return null;
 }
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptContext.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptContext.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fd5554390
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptContext.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+export type AgentSessionTranscriptVariant = "default" | "compactPreview";
+
+const AgentSessionTranscriptVariantContext =
+  React.createContext<AgentSessionTranscriptVariant>("default");
+
+export const AgentSessionTranscriptVariantProvider =
+  AgentSessionTranscriptVariantContext.Provider;
+
+export function useAgentSessionTranscriptVariant() {
+  return React.useContext(AgentSessionTranscriptVariantContext);
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptGrouping.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptGrouping.test.mjs
index e16f1cd77..9c0bd30fc 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptGrouping.test.mjs
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptGrouping.test.mjs
@@ -216,9 +216,9 @@ test("buildTranscriptDisplayBlocks groups same-kind tool runs within a turn", ()
   const items = [1, 2, 3].map((index) => ({
     id: `tool:${index}`,
     type: "tool",
-    renderClass: "generic",
+    renderClass: "file-read",
     descriptor: {
-      renderClass: "generic",
+      renderClass: "file-read",
       label: "Read file",
       preview: `file-${index}.ts`,
       groupKey: "read_file",
@@ -313,10 +313,10 @@ test("buildTranscriptDisplayBlocks keeps non-contiguous same-kind runs expanded"
   });
 
   const [block] = buildTranscriptDisplayBlocks([
-    mkTool("read-1", "Read file", "generic", "read_file"),
+    mkTool("read-1", "Read file", "file-read", "read_file"),
     mkTool("shell-1", "Ran command", "shell", "shell:command"),
-    mkTool("read-2", "Read file", "generic", "read_file"),
-    mkTool("read-3", "Read file", "generic", "read_file"),
+    mkTool("read-2", "Read file", "file-read", "read_file"),
+    mkTool("read-3", "Read file", "file-read", "read_file"),
   ]);
 
   assert.equal(block.kind, "turn");
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptGrouping.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptGrouping.ts
index 46e99eb09..e9d0fb0ce 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptGrouping.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTranscriptGrouping.ts
@@ -167,8 +167,11 @@ function sameKindLabel(item: TranscriptItem, count: number): string {
   if (renderClass === "file-edit") {
     return `Edited ${count} file${count === 1 ? "" : "s"}`;
   }
-  if (label === "Read file") return `Read ${count} files`;
-  if (label === "Ran command") return `Ran ${count} commands`;
+  if (renderClass === "file-read") return `Read ${count} files`;
+  if (renderClass === "skill-read") {
+    return `Read ${count} skill${count === 1 ? "" : "s"}`;
+  }
+  if (renderClass === "shell") return `Ran ${count} commands`;
   if (renderClass === "relay-op") return `Ran ${count} Buzz relay ops`;
   return `${label} ×${count}`;
 }
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTypes.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTypes.ts
index c64702a98..4736358ef 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTypes.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTypes.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ export type AgentActivityRenderClass =
   | "message"
   | "relay-op"
   | "file-edit"
+  | "file-read"
+  | "skill-read"
+  | "image"
   | "shell"
   | "status"
   | "thought"
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionUtils.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionUtils.ts
index 76404eae8..346454dee 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionUtils.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/agentSessionUtils.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { rewriteRelayUrl } from "@/shared/lib/mediaUrl";
+
 export function getToolString(
   record: Record<string, unknown>,
   keys: string[],
@@ -113,6 +115,11 @@ export function isInlineImageData(source: string): boolean {
   return source.startsWith("data:image/");
 }
 
+/** Resolve a tool image source for display (inline data URIs or relay URLs). */
+export function resolveToolImageSrc(source: string): string {
+  return isInlineImageData(source) ? source : rewriteRelayUrl(source);
+}
+
 function getToolNumber(
   record: Record<string, unknown>,
   keys: string[],
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/transcriptAnimationPreference.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/transcriptAnimationPreference.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..45ec37e40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/transcriptAnimationPreference.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+/**
+ * User preference for animating transcript activity rows as they stream in.
+ * Persisted in localStorage and shared across every transcript surface
+ * (thread panel, profile live-activity preview). This is a device-level UI
+ * preference, not workspace-scoped data, so it is intentionally not reset on
+ * workspace switch.
+ */
+const STORAGE_KEY = "buzz:animate-transcript-activity";
+
+const listeners = new Set<() => void>();
+
+let animationEnabled = readStoredPreference();
+
+function readStoredPreference(): boolean {
+  if (typeof window === "undefined") {
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    return window.localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_KEY) !== "0";
+  } catch {
+    return true;
+  }
+}
+
+function subscribe(listener: () => void): () => void {
+  listeners.add(listener);
+  return () => {
+    listeners.delete(listener);
+  };
+}
+
+function getSnapshot(): boolean {
+  return animationEnabled;
+}
+
+function getServerSnapshot(): boolean {
+  return true;
+}
+
+/** Update the preference and notify all subscribed components. */
+export function setTranscriptAnimationEnabled(enabled: boolean): void {
+  animationEnabled = enabled;
+
+  try {
+    window.localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, enabled ? "1" : "0");
+  } catch {
+    // Persistence is best-effort; the in-memory value still applies.
+  }
+
+  for (const listener of listeners) {
+    listener();
+  }
+}
+
+/** Whether transcript activity rows should animate in. */
+export function useTranscriptAnimationEnabled(): boolean {
+  return React.useSyncExternalStore(subscribe, getSnapshot, getServerSnapshot);
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/AgentSessionThreadPanel.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/AgentSessionThreadPanel.tsx
index 572c7a780..4a2067143 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/AgentSessionThreadPanel.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/AgentSessionThreadPanel.tsx
@@ -1,37 +1,52 @@
 import * as React from "react";
-import { Octagon, Settings, TerminalSquare } from "lucide-react";
+import { Octagon, Settings, Sparkles, TerminalSquare } from "lucide-react";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
 
-import { ManagedAgentSessionPanel } from "@/features/agents/ui/ManagedAgentSessionPanel";
 import { isManagedAgentActive } from "@/features/agents/lib/managedAgentControlActions";
+import { scopeByChannel } from "@/features/agents/ui/agentSessionPanelLayout";
+import type {
+  ObserverEvent,
+  TranscriptItem,
+} from "@/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTypes";
+import { ManagedAgentSessionPanel } from "@/features/agents/ui/ManagedAgentSessionPanel";
+import {
+  useAgentTranscript,
+  useObserverEvents,
+} from "@/features/agents/ui/useObserverEvents";
 import { cancelManagedAgentTurn } from "@/shared/api/agentControl";
 import type { Channel } from "@/shared/api/types";
 import { useEscapeKey } from "@/shared/hooks/useEscapeKey";
 import { useIsThreadPanelOverlay } from "@/shared/hooks/use-mobile";
 import { useStickToBottom } from "@/shared/hooks/useStickToBottom";
+import { useNow } from "@/shared/lib/useNow";
 import { AuxiliaryPanel } from "@/shared/layout/AuxiliaryPanel";
 import { AuxiliaryPanelBody } from "@/shared/layout/AuxiliaryPanel";
 import {
   AuxiliaryPanelHeader,
   AuxiliaryPanelHeaderActions,
   AuxiliaryPanelHeaderGroup,
-  AuxiliaryPanelTitle,
+  AuxiliaryPanelHeaderTitleBlock,
 } from "@/shared/layout/AuxiliaryPanel";
 import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
 import type { UserProfileLookup } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
 import {
   DropdownMenu,
-  DropdownMenuCheckboxItem,
   DropdownMenuContent,
   DropdownMenuItem,
   DropdownMenuSeparator,
   DropdownMenuTrigger,
 } from "@/shared/ui/dropdown-menu";
+import { Switch } from "@/shared/ui/switch";
+import {
+  setTranscriptAnimationEnabled,
+  useTranscriptAnimationEnabled,
+} from "@/features/agents/ui/transcriptAnimationPreference";
 import type { ChannelAgentSessionAgent } from "./useChannelAgentSessions";
 
 type AgentSessionThreadPanelProps = {
   agent: ChannelAgentSessionAgent;
   channel: Channel | null;
+  channelId?: string | null;
   canInterruptTurn: boolean;
   isWorking: boolean;
   layout?: "standalone" | "split";
@@ -47,6 +62,7 @@ export function AgentSessionThreadPanel({
   agent,
   canInterruptTurn,
   channel,
+  channelId = null,
   isWorking,
   layout = "standalone",
   isSinglePanelView = false,
@@ -62,7 +78,32 @@ export function AgentSessionThreadPanel({
   useEscapeKey(onClose, isOverlay || isSinglePanelView);
 
   const { ref: scrollRef, onScroll } = useStickToBottom<HTMLDivElement>();
-  const rawFeedScopeKey = `${agent.pubkey}:${channel?.id ?? "all"}`;
+  const sessionChannelId = channelId ?? channel?.id ?? null;
+  const now = useNow(1000);
+  const { events } = useObserverEvents(isLive, agent.pubkey);
+  const transcript = useAgentTranscript(isLive, agent.pubkey);
+  const scopedEvents = React.useMemo(
+    () => scopeByChannel(events, sessionChannelId),
+    [events, sessionChannelId],
+  );
+  const scopedTranscript = React.useMemo(
+    () => scopeByChannel(transcript, sessionChannelId),
+    [sessionChannelId, transcript],
+  );
+  const latestActivityAt = React.useMemo(
+    () =>
+      getLatestActivityTimestamp({
+        events: scopedEvents,
+        transcript: scopedTranscript,
+      }),
+    [scopedEvents, scopedTranscript],
+  );
+  const lastUpdatedLabel = formatLastUpdatedLabel(latestActivityAt, now);
+  const lastUpdatedTitle =
+    latestActivityAt === null
+      ? undefined
+      : `Last updated ${new Date(latestActivityAt).toLocaleString()}`;
+  const rawFeedScopeKey = `${agent.pubkey}:${sessionChannelId ?? "all"}`;
   const [rawFeedState, setRawFeedState] = React.useState(() => ({
     scopeKey: rawFeedScopeKey,
     show: false,
@@ -75,6 +116,7 @@ export function AgentSessionThreadPanel({
     },
     [rawFeedScopeKey],
   );
+  const animateActivity = useTranscriptAnimationEnabled();
   async function handleInterruptTurn() {
     if (!channel) {
       return;
@@ -123,11 +165,13 @@ export function AgentSessionThreadPanel({
             className="min-w-56"
             onCloseAutoFocus={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
           >
-            <DropdownMenuCheckboxItem
-              checked={showRawFeed}
+            <DropdownMenuItem
               className="items-start gap-3"
               data-testid="agent-session-toggle-raw-feed"
-              onCheckedChange={handleRawFeedChange}
+              onSelect={(event) => {
+                event.preventDefault();
+                handleRawFeedChange(!showRawFeed);
+              }}
               title={
                 showRawFeed
                   ? "Hide raw JSON-RPC payloads."
@@ -145,7 +189,45 @@ export function AgentSessionThreadPanel({
                   Show raw JSON-RPC activity.
                 </span>
               </span>
-            </DropdownMenuCheckboxItem>
+              <Switch
+                aria-hidden="true"
+                checked={showRawFeed}
+                className="pointer-events-none mt-0.5"
+                tabIndex={-1}
+              />
+            </DropdownMenuItem>
+            <DropdownMenuItem
+              className="items-start gap-3"
+              data-testid="agent-session-toggle-animate-activity"
+              disabled={showRawFeed}
+              onSelect={(event) => {
+                event.preventDefault();
+                setTranscriptAnimationEnabled(!animateActivity);
+              }}
+              title={
+                showRawFeed
+                  ? "Raw activity rows don't animate in."
+                  : animateActivity
+                    ? "Stop animating new activity rows."
+                    : "Animate new activity rows as they arrive."
+              }
+            >
+              <span className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+                <span className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm font-medium">
+                  <Sparkles className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+                  Show Animations
+                </span>
+                <span className="mt-0.5 block text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                  Slide new activity rows in as they arrive.
+                </span>
+              </span>
+              <Switch
+                aria-hidden="true"
+                checked={animateActivity && !showRawFeed}
+                className="pointer-events-none mt-0.5"
+                tabIndex={-1}
+              />
+            </DropdownMenuItem>
             <DropdownMenuSeparator />
             <DropdownMenuItem
               className="items-start gap-3"
@@ -185,13 +267,16 @@ export function AgentSessionThreadPanel({
   const agentHeaderContent = (
     <>
       <AuxiliaryPanelHeaderGroup
+        align="start"
         backButtonAriaLabel="Back from activity"
         backButtonTestId="agent-session-back"
         onBack={onBackToProfile}
       >
-        <AuxiliaryPanelTitle>
-          {showRawFeed ? "Raw ACP Activity" : "Activity"}
-        </AuxiliaryPanelTitle>
+        <AuxiliaryPanelHeaderTitleBlock
+          subtitle={lastUpdatedLabel}
+          subtitleTitle={lastUpdatedTitle}
+          title={showRawFeed ? "Raw ACP Activity" : "Activity"}
+        />
       </AuxiliaryPanelHeaderGroup>
       {agentHeaderActions}
     </>
@@ -223,10 +308,10 @@ export function AgentSessionThreadPanel({
       >
         <ManagedAgentSessionPanel
           agent={agent}
-          channelId={channel?.id ?? null}
+          channelId={sessionChannelId}
           className="border-0 bg-transparent p-0 shadow-none"
           emptyDescription={
-            channel
+            sessionChannelId
               ? `Mention ${agent.name} in the channel to see its work here.`
               : `Mention ${agent.name} in any channel to see its work here.`
           }
@@ -239,3 +324,69 @@ export function AgentSessionThreadPanel({
     </AuxiliaryPanel>
   );
 }
+
+function getLatestActivityTimestamp({
+  events,
+  transcript,
+}: {
+  events: readonly ObserverEvent[];
+  transcript: readonly TranscriptItem[];
+}): number | null {
+  let latest: number | null = null;
+
+  const record = (timestamp: string) => {
+    const parsed = Date.parse(timestamp);
+    if (!Number.isFinite(parsed)) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (latest === null || parsed > latest) {
+      latest = parsed;
+    }
+  };
+
+  for (const event of events) {
+    record(event.timestamp);
+  }
+
+  for (const item of transcript) {
+    record(item.timestamp);
+  }
+
+  return latest;
+}
+
+function formatLastUpdatedLabel(timestamp: number | null, now: number): string {
+  if (timestamp === null) {
+    return "No updates yet";
+  }
+
+  return `Last updated ${formatRelativeActivityTime(timestamp, now)}`;
+}
+
+function formatRelativeActivityTime(timestamp: number, now: number): string {
+  const elapsedMs = Math.max(0, now - timestamp);
+  const totalSeconds = Math.floor(elapsedMs / 1_000);
+
+  if (totalSeconds < 60) {
+    return "just now";
+  }
+
+  const totalMinutes = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 60);
+  if (totalMinutes < 60) {
+    return `${totalMinutes}m ago`;
+  }
+
+  const totalHours = Math.floor(totalMinutes / 60);
+  if (totalHours < 24) {
+    return `${totalHours}h ago`;
+  }
+
+  const totalDays = Math.floor(totalHours / 24);
+  if (totalDays < 7) {
+    return `${totalDays}d ago`;
+  }
+
+  const totalWeeks = Math.floor(totalDays / 7);
+  return `${totalWeeks}w ago`;
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/BotActivityBar.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/BotActivityBar.tsx
index 17c267c2d..519969ad3 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/BotActivityBar.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/BotActivityBar.tsx
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ export type BotActivityAgent = Pick<ManagedAgent, "pubkey" | "name">;
 type BotActivityBarProps = {
   agents: BotActivityAgent[];
   channelId?: string | null;
-  onOpenAgentSession: (pubkey: string) => void;
+  onOpenAgentSession: (pubkey: string, channelId?: string | null) => void;
   openAgentSessionPubkey: string | null;
   profiles?: UserProfileLookup;
   typingBotPubkeys: string[];
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ export function BotActivityComposerAction({
                 onClick={() => {
                   clearHoverTimer();
                   setOpen(false);
-                  onOpenAgentSession(agent.pubkey);
+                  onOpenAgentSession(agent.pubkey, channelId);
                 }}
                 type="button"
               >
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.tsx
index 7145507fa..098027051 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.tsx
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ export const ChannelPane = React.memo(function ChannelPane({
   profiles,
   openThreadHeadId,
   shouldShowThreadSkeleton,
+  openAgentSessionChannelId,
   openAgentSessionPubkey,
   onProfilePanelViewChange,
   onProfilePanelTabChange,
@@ -824,13 +825,18 @@ export const ChannelPane = React.memo(function ChannelPane({
               agent={selectedAgent}
               canInterruptTurn={selectedAgent.canInterruptTurn}
               channel={
-                agentSessionSelection.isAgentInActivityList({
-                  activityAgents,
-                  selectedAgent,
-                })
-                  ? activeChannel
-                  : null
+                openAgentSessionChannelId
+                  ? activeChannel?.id === openAgentSessionChannelId
+                    ? activeChannel
+                    : null
+                  : agentSessionSelection.isAgentInActivityList({
+                        activityAgents,
+                        selectedAgent,
+                      })
+                    ? activeChannel
+                    : null
               }
+              channelId={openAgentSessionChannelId}
               isWorking={botTypingEntries.some(
                 (entry) =>
                   entry.pubkey.toLowerCase() ===
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.types.ts b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.types.ts
index db0ffaba2..4a4e45286 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.types.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.types.ts
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ export type ChannelPaneProps = {
   onMarkRead?: (message: TimelineMessage) => void;
   onExpandThreadReplies: (message: TimelineMessage) => void;
   onJoinChannel?: () => Promise<void>;
-  onOpenAgentSession: (pubkey: string) => void;
+  onOpenAgentSession: (pubkey: string, channelId?: string | null) => void;
   onOpenDm?: (pubkeys: string[]) => Promise<void> | void;
   onOpenMembers?: () => void;
   onOpenProfilePanel: (pubkey: string) => void;
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ export type ChannelPaneProps = {
   profiles?: UserProfileLookup;
   openThreadHeadId: string | null;
   shouldShowThreadSkeleton: boolean;
+  openAgentSessionChannelId: string | null;
   openAgentSessionPubkey: string | null;
   onProfilePanelViewChange: (
     view: ProfilePanelView,
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx
index 659f8c44d..662d6a74e 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx
@@ -108,12 +108,14 @@ export function ChannelScreen({
   const {
     channelManagementOpen,
     clearMessageRouteTarget,
+    openAgentSessionChannelId,
     openAgentSessionPubkey,
     openThreadHeadId,
     profilePanelPubkey,
     profilePanelTab,
     profilePanelView,
     setChannelManagementOpen,
+    setOpenAgentSessionChannelId,
     setOpenAgentSessionPubkey,
     setOpenThreadHeadId,
     setProfilePanelTab,
@@ -598,6 +600,7 @@ export function ChannelScreen({
     profilePanelPubkey,
     setChannelManagementOpen,
     setExpandedThreadReplyIds,
+    setOpenAgentSessionChannelId,
     setOpenAgentSessionPubkey,
     setOpenThreadHeadId,
     setProfilePanelPubkey,
@@ -938,6 +941,7 @@ export function ChannelScreen({
                   onThreadPanelResizeStart={handleThreadPanelResizeStart}
                   onTargetReached={handleTargetReached}
                   onToggleReaction={effectiveToggleReaction}
+                  openAgentSessionChannelId={openAgentSessionChannelId}
                   openAgentSessionPubkey={openAgentSessionPubkey}
                   openThreadHeadId={effectiveOpenThreadHeadId}
                   shouldShowThreadSkeleton={shouldShowThreadSkeleton}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useChannelAgentSessions.ts b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useChannelAgentSessions.ts
index b4a8708fa..aed40a39d 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useChannelAgentSessions.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useChannelAgentSessions.ts
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ type UseChannelAgentSessionsOptions = {
   profilePanelPubkey?: string | null;
   setChannelManagementOpen: (open: boolean) => void;
   setExpandedThreadReplyIds: (value: Set<string>) => void;
+  setOpenAgentSessionChannelId: PanelValueSetter;
   setOpenAgentSessionPubkey: PanelValueSetter;
   setOpenThreadHeadId: (value: string | null) => void;
   setProfilePanelPubkey: (value: string | null) => void;
@@ -164,6 +165,7 @@ export function useChannelAgentSessions({
   profilePanelPubkey = null,
   setChannelManagementOpen,
   setExpandedThreadReplyIds,
+  setOpenAgentSessionChannelId,
   setOpenAgentSessionPubkey,
   setOpenThreadHeadId,
   setProfilePanelPubkey,
@@ -187,17 +189,19 @@ export function useChannelAgentSessions({
   }, [setOpenAgentSessionPubkey]);
 
   const openAgentSession = React.useCallback(
-    (pubkey: string) => {
+    (pubkey: string, channelId?: string | null) => {
       setOpenThreadHeadId(null);
       setExpandedThreadReplyIds(new Set());
       setThreadScrollTargetId(null);
       setThreadReplyTargetId(null);
       setChannelManagementOpen(false);
       setOpenAgentSessionPubkey(pubkey);
+      setOpenAgentSessionChannelId(channelId ?? null);
     },
     [
       setChannelManagementOpen,
       setExpandedThreadReplyIds,
+      setOpenAgentSessionChannelId,
       setOpenAgentSessionPubkey,
       setOpenThreadHeadId,
       setThreadReplyTargetId,
@@ -206,10 +210,11 @@ export function useChannelAgentSessions({
   );
 
   const selectAgentSession = React.useCallback(
-    (pubkey: string) => {
+    (pubkey: string, channelId?: string | null) => {
       setOpenAgentSessionPubkey(pubkey);
+      setOpenAgentSessionChannelId(channelId ?? null);
     },
-    [setOpenAgentSessionPubkey],
+    [setOpenAgentSessionChannelId, setOpenAgentSessionPubkey],
   );
 
   const openThreadAndCloseAgentSession = React.useCallback(
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useChannelPanelHistoryState.ts b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useChannelPanelHistoryState.ts
index 028d935f1..15a201f44 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useChannelPanelHistoryState.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/useChannelPanelHistoryState.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ import {
  *
  * Params: `thread` (open thread head id), `profile` (profile panel pubkey),
  * `profileView` (profile panel focused view), `profileTab` (profile summary
- * tab), `agentSession` (agent session panel pubkey), `channelManagement`
+ * tab), `agentSession` (agent session panel pubkey), `agentSessionChannel`
+ * (optional channel scope for the agent session panel), `channelManagement`
  * (presence flag for the channel-management panel — open/closed only, so it
  * carries a sentinel `"1"` rather than an id).
  */
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ export type PanelValueSetter = (
 
 const CHANNEL_SEARCH_KEYS = [
   "agentSession",
+  "agentSessionChannel",
   "channelManagement",
   "messageId",
   "profile",
@@ -75,7 +77,16 @@ export function useChannelPanelHistoryState() {
   );
 
   const setOpenAgentSessionPubkey = React.useCallback<PanelValueSetter>(
-    (value, options) => applyPatch({ agentSession: value }, options),
+    (value, options) =>
+      applyPatch(
+        { agentSession: value, agentSessionChannel: value ? undefined : null },
+        options,
+      ),
+    [applyPatch],
+  );
+
+  const setOpenAgentSessionChannelId = React.useCallback<PanelValueSetter>(
+    (value, options) => applyPatch({ agentSessionChannel: value }, options),
     [applyPatch],
   );
 
@@ -97,12 +108,14 @@ export function useChannelPanelHistoryState() {
   return {
     channelManagementOpen: values.channelManagement != null,
     clearMessageRouteTarget,
+    openAgentSessionChannelId: values.agentSessionChannel,
     openAgentSessionPubkey: values.agentSession,
     openThreadHeadId: values.thread,
     profilePanelPubkey: values.profile,
     profilePanelTab: profilePanelTabFromSearch(values.profileTab),
     profilePanelView: profilePanelViewFromSearch(values.profileView),
     setChannelManagementOpen,
+    setOpenAgentSessionChannelId,
     setOpenAgentSessionPubkey,
     setOpenThreadHeadId,
     setProfilePanelTab,
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/messages/ui/ComposerAttachments.tsx b/desktop/src/features/messages/ui/ComposerAttachments.tsx
index 2ab4ec3c8..e40ede573 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/messages/ui/ComposerAttachments.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/messages/ui/ComposerAttachments.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import * as React from "react";
 import { AnimatePresence, LayoutGroup, motion } from "motion/react";
-import * as DialogPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-dialog";
 import { FileText, HatGlasses, Play, X } from "lucide-react";
 
 import type { BlobDescriptor } from "@/shared/api/tauri";
@@ -10,7 +9,7 @@ import {
   type UploadingAttachmentPreview,
 } from "@/features/messages/lib/useMediaUpload";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
-import { MODAL_BACKDROP_BLUR_CLASS } from "@/shared/ui/modalBackdrop";
+import { SimpleImageLightbox } from "@/shared/ui/SimpleImageLightbox";
 import { Progress } from "@/shared/ui/progress";
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from "@/shared/ui/tooltip";
 
@@ -146,103 +145,28 @@ export const ComposerAttachments = React.memo(function ComposerAttachments({
                 transition={{ type: "spring", stiffness: 500, damping: 30 }}
                 className="group relative"
               >
-                <div
-                  className="relative h-[55px] max-w-[55px]"
-                  style={mediaStyle}
-                >
-                  <DialogPrimitive.Root>
-                    <DialogPrimitive.Trigger asChild>
-                      <div className="h-full w-full cursor-pointer overflow-hidden rounded-2xl border border-border/70">
-                        {isVideo ? (
-                          <div className="relative flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center bg-muted text-white">
-                            {videoPosterUrl ? (
-                              <img
-                                src={videoPosterUrl}
-                                alt={`Video attachment ${hash}`}
-                                className="h-full w-full object-cover"
-                              />
-                            ) : (
-                              <div className="h-full w-full bg-muted/80" />
-                            )}
-                            <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black/15" />
-                            <div className="absolute flex h-5 w-5 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-black/55 backdrop-blur-sm">
-                              <Play className="h-4 w-4 fill-white text-white" />
-                            </div>
-                          </div>
-                        ) : (
-                          <img
-                            src={thumbUrl}
-                            alt={`Attachment ${hash}`}
-                            className="h-full w-full object-cover"
-                          />
-                        )}
-                        {isSpoilered ? (
-                          <div
-                            className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center rounded-2xl bg-background/55 text-foreground/70 backdrop-blur-[1px]"
-                            data-composer-media-spoiler=""
-                          >
-                            <HatGlasses className="h-4 w-4" />
-                          </div>
-                        ) : null}
-                      </div>
-                    </DialogPrimitive.Trigger>
-                    <DialogPrimitive.Portal>
-                      <DialogPrimitive.Overlay
-                        className={cn(
-                          "fixed inset-0 z-50 bg-black/80 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0",
-                          MODAL_BACKDROP_BLUR_CLASS,
-                        )}
-                      />
-                      <DialogPrimitive.Content
-                        className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center p-8"
-                        onPointerDownOutside={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
-                        onInteractOutside={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
-                      >
-                        <DialogPrimitive.Title className="sr-only">
-                          Attachment {hash} preview
-                        </DialogPrimitive.Title>
-                        <DialogPrimitive.Description className="sr-only">
-                          Full-size attachment preview. Press Escape or click
-                          outside to close.
-                        </DialogPrimitive.Description>
-                        <DialogPrimitive.Close
-                          className="absolute inset-0 cursor-default"
-                          aria-label="Close lightbox"
-                        />
-                        {isVideo ? (
-                          // biome-ignore lint/a11y/useMediaCaption: user-uploaded video, no captions available
-                          <video
-                            src={rewriteRelayUrl(attachment.url)}
-                            controls
-                            className="relative max-h-[90vh] max-w-[90vw] rounded-lg"
-                          />
-                        ) : (
-                          <img
-                            alt={`Attachment ${hash}`}
-                            className="relative max-h-[90vh] max-w-[90vw] rounded-lg object-contain"
-                            src={rewriteRelayUrl(attachment.url)}
-                          />
-                        )}
-                        <DialogPrimitive.Close className="absolute right-4 top-4 rounded-full bg-black/50 p-2 text-white/80 transition-colors hover:bg-black/70 hover:text-white focus:outline-hidden focus:ring-2 focus:ring-white/30">
-                          <X className="h-4 w-4" />
-                          <span className="sr-only">Close</span>
-                        </DialogPrimitive.Close>
-                      </DialogPrimitive.Content>
-                    </DialogPrimitive.Portal>
-                  </DialogPrimitive.Root>
-                  <Tooltip>
-                    <TooltipTrigger asChild>
-                      <button
-                        type="button"
-                        onClick={() => onRemove(attachment.url)}
-                        className="absolute -right-1 -top-1 hidden h-4 w-4 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-foreground text-background group-hover:flex"
-                      >
-                        <X className="h-2.5 w-2.5" />
-                      </button>
-                    </TooltipTrigger>
-                    <TooltipContent>Remove attachment</TooltipContent>
-                  </Tooltip>
-                </div>
+                <AttachmentMediaLightbox
+                  alt={`Attachment ${hash} preview`}
+                  hash={hash}
+                  isSpoilered={isSpoilered}
+                  isVideo={isVideo}
+                  mediaStyle={mediaStyle}
+                  thumbUrl={thumbUrl}
+                  url={attachment.url}
+                  videoPosterUrl={videoPosterUrl ?? null}
+                />
+                <Tooltip>
+                  <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+                    <button
+                      type="button"
+                      onClick={() => onRemove(attachment.url)}
+                      className="absolute -right-1 -top-1 hidden h-4 w-4 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-foreground text-background group-hover:flex"
+                    >
+                      <X className="h-2.5 w-2.5" />
+                    </button>
+                  </TooltipTrigger>
+                  <TooltipContent>Remove attachment</TooltipContent>
+                </Tooltip>
               </motion.div>
             );
           })}
@@ -308,3 +232,83 @@ export const ComposerAttachments = React.memo(function ComposerAttachments({
     </LayoutGroup>
   );
 });
+
+function AttachmentMediaLightbox({
+  alt,
+  hash,
+  isSpoilered,
+  isVideo,
+  mediaStyle,
+  thumbUrl,
+  url,
+  videoPosterUrl,
+}: {
+  alt: string;
+  hash: string;
+  isSpoilered: boolean;
+  isVideo: boolean;
+  mediaStyle: React.CSSProperties;
+  thumbUrl: string;
+  url: string;
+  videoPosterUrl: string | null;
+}) {
+  const [lightboxOpen, setLightboxOpen] = React.useState(false);
+  const previewSrc = rewriteRelayUrl(url);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="relative h-[55px] max-w-[55px]" style={mediaStyle}>
+      <button
+        className="h-full w-full cursor-pointer overflow-hidden rounded-2xl border border-border/70"
+        onClick={() => setLightboxOpen(true)}
+        type="button"
+      >
+        {isVideo ? (
+          <div className="relative flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center bg-muted text-white">
+            {videoPosterUrl ? (
+              <img
+                alt={`Video attachment ${hash}`}
+                className="h-full w-full object-cover"
+                src={videoPosterUrl}
+              />
+            ) : (
+              <div className="h-full w-full bg-muted/80" />
+            )}
+            <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black/15" />
+            <div className="absolute flex h-5 w-5 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-black/55 backdrop-blur-sm">
+              <Play className="h-4 w-4 fill-white text-white" />
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        ) : (
+          <img
+            alt={`Attachment ${hash}`}
+            className="h-full w-full object-cover"
+            src={thumbUrl}
+          />
+        )}
+        {isSpoilered ? (
+          <div
+            className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center rounded-2xl bg-background/55 text-foreground/70 backdrop-blur-[1px]"
+            data-composer-media-spoiler=""
+          >
+            <HatGlasses className="h-4 w-4" />
+          </div>
+        ) : null}
+      </button>
+      <SimpleImageLightbox
+        alt={alt}
+        onOpenChange={setLightboxOpen}
+        open={lightboxOpen}
+        src={previewSrc}
+      >
+        {isVideo ? (
+          // biome-ignore lint/a11y/useMediaCaption: user-uploaded video, no captions available
+          <video
+            className="relative max-h-[90vh] max-w-[90vw] rounded-lg"
+            controls
+            src={previewSrc}
+          />
+        ) : undefined}
+      </SimpleImageLightbox>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/messages/ui/useAnchoredScroll.ts b/desktop/src/features/messages/ui/useAnchoredScroll.ts
index cd4db35bf..2c0176df7 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/messages/ui/useAnchoredScroll.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/messages/ui/useAnchoredScroll.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import * as React from "react";
 
 import { classifyTimelineMessageDelta } from "@/features/messages/lib/timelineSnapshot";
-import type { TimelineMessage } from "@/features/messages/types";
 
 /**
  * Distance (in CSS pixels) below which we consider the scroll position
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ type UseAnchoredScrollOptions = {
   isLoading: boolean;
   /** Source of truth for the rendered list. Used to detect new-at-bottom
    *  arrivals and to seed/refresh the anchor pre-render. */
-  messages: TimelineMessage[];
+  messages: Array<{ id: string }>;
 
   /** When set, scroll to and highlight this message on mount and on change. */
   targetMessageId?: string | null;
@@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ export function useAnchoredScroll({
   const prevLastMessageIdRef = React.useRef<string | undefined>(undefined);
   const prevFirstMessageIdRef = React.useRef<string | undefined>(undefined);
   const prevMessageCountRef = React.useRef(0);
-  const prevMessagesRef = React.useRef<TimelineMessage[]>([]);
+  const prevMessagesRef = React.useRef<Array<{ id: string }>>([]);
   const handledTargetIdRef = React.useRef<string | null>(null);
   const highlightTimeoutRef = React.useRef<number | null>(null);
   // Tracks a pending rAF queued by pinToBottomOnMount so it can be cancelled
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityAgent.ts b/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityAgent.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2bc4fe446
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityAgent.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import type { ManagedAgent, RelayAgent } from "@/shared/api/types";
+
+export type ProfileActivityAgent = Pick<
+  ManagedAgent,
+  "pubkey" | "name" | "status"
+> & {
+  avatarUrl?: string | null;
+};
+
+export function resolveProfileActivityAgent({
+  effectivePubkey,
+  isBot,
+  managedAgent,
+  profile,
+  relayAgent,
+  viewerIsOwner,
+}: {
+  effectivePubkey: string | null;
+  isBot: boolean;
+  managedAgent: ManagedAgent | undefined;
+  profile: { avatarUrl?: string | null; displayName?: string | null } | null;
+  relayAgent: RelayAgent | undefined;
+  viewerIsOwner: boolean;
+}): ProfileActivityAgent | null {
+  if (managedAgent) {
+    return {
+      avatarUrl: managedAgent.avatarUrl,
+      name: managedAgent.name,
+      pubkey: managedAgent.pubkey,
+      status: managedAgent.status,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (!viewerIsOwner || !effectivePubkey || !isBot) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return {
+    avatarUrl: profile?.avatarUrl ?? null,
+    name: relayAgent?.name ?? profile?.displayName?.trim() ?? "Agent",
+    pubkey: effectivePubkey,
+    status: relayAgent?.status === "offline" ? "stopped" : "deployed",
+  };
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityCarousel.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityCarousel.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..066e77463
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityCarousel.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import test from "node:test";
+
+import { resolveActivityChannelId } from "./profileActivityCarousel.ts";
+
+test("preserves the selected channel when slides reorder", () => {
+  assert.equal(
+    resolveActivityChannelId(
+      ["engineering", "general"],
+      "general",
+      "engineering",
+    ),
+    "general",
+  );
+});
+
+test("falls back to the preferred channel when the selection disappears", () => {
+  assert.equal(
+    resolveActivityChannelId(["recent", "general"], "live", "general"),
+    "general",
+  );
+});
+
+test("falls back to the first slide when neither selection is available", () => {
+  assert.equal(
+    resolveActivityChannelId(["recent"], "live", "general"),
+    "recent",
+  );
+  assert.equal(resolveActivityChannelId([], "live", "general"), null);
+});
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityCarousel.ts b/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityCarousel.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b3cf2ac91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityCarousel.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+export function resolveActivityChannelId(
+  slides: string[],
+  selectedChannelId: string | null,
+  preferredChannelId: string | null,
+): string | null {
+  if (selectedChannelId && slides.includes(selectedChannelId)) {
+    return selectedChannelId;
+  }
+  if (preferredChannelId && slides.includes(preferredChannelId)) {
+    return preferredChannelId;
+  }
+  return slides[0] ?? null;
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityFeedScope.ts b/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityFeedScope.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..596c04ec9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/lib/profileActivityFeedScope.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,267 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+import type { ActiveTurnSummary } from "@/features/agents/activeAgentTurnsStore";
+import { subscribeActiveAgentTurns } from "@/features/agents/activeAgentTurnsStore";
+import { isManagedAgentActive } from "@/features/agents/lib/managedAgentControlActions";
+import {
+  getAgentObserverSnapshot,
+  getAgentTranscript,
+  subscribeAgentObserverStore,
+} from "@/features/agents/observerRelayStore";
+import type {
+  ObserverEvent,
+  TranscriptItem,
+} from "@/features/agents/ui/agentSessionTypes";
+import type { ProfileActivityAgent } from "@/features/profile/lib/profileActivityAgent";
+import { normalizePubkey } from "@/shared/lib/pubkey";
+
+export type ProfileActivityFeedScope = {
+  /** Distinct channel ids to surface in the embed switcher. */
+  channelIds: string[];
+  /** Whether the observer feed has any events or transcript for this agent. */
+  hasFeedContent: boolean;
+  /** True while the active-turn store reports live work for this agent. */
+  isLive: boolean;
+  /** Latest observed activity timestamp, keyed by channel id. */
+  latestActivityAtByChannel: Record<string, number>;
+  /** Preferred channel scope when no explicit selection exists yet. */
+  preferredChannelId: string | null;
+};
+
+const cachedScopes = new Map<string, ProfileActivityFeedScope>();
+
+function channelIdsEqual(
+  left: readonly string[],
+  right: readonly string[],
+): boolean {
+  if (left.length !== right.length) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  for (let index = 0; index < left.length; index += 1) {
+    if (left[index] !== right[index]) {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+function scopesEqual(
+  left: ProfileActivityFeedScope,
+  right: ProfileActivityFeedScope,
+): boolean {
+  return (
+    left.hasFeedContent === right.hasFeedContent &&
+    left.isLive === right.isLive &&
+    left.preferredChannelId === right.preferredChannelId &&
+    latestActivityByChannelEqual(
+      left.latestActivityAtByChannel,
+      right.latestActivityAtByChannel,
+    ) &&
+    channelIdsEqual(left.channelIds, right.channelIds)
+  );
+}
+
+function latestActivityByChannelEqual(
+  left: Record<string, number>,
+  right: Record<string, number>,
+): boolean {
+  const leftKeys = Object.keys(left);
+  const rightKeys = Object.keys(right);
+  if (leftKeys.length !== rightKeys.length) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  for (const key of leftKeys) {
+    if (left[key] !== right[key]) {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+function stableFeedScope(
+  cacheKey: string,
+  next: ProfileActivityFeedScope,
+): ProfileActivityFeedScope {
+  const cached = cachedScopes.get(cacheKey);
+  if (cached && scopesEqual(cached, next)) {
+    return cached;
+  }
+
+  cachedScopes.set(cacheKey, next);
+  return next;
+}
+
+function collectChannelIdsFromFeed(
+  events: readonly ObserverEvent[],
+  transcript: readonly TranscriptItem[],
+): string[] {
+  const channelIds = new Set<string>();
+  for (const event of events) {
+    if (event.channelId) {
+      channelIds.add(event.channelId);
+    }
+  }
+  for (const item of transcript) {
+    if (item.channelId) {
+      channelIds.add(item.channelId);
+    }
+  }
+  return [...channelIds].sort((left, right) => left.localeCompare(right));
+}
+
+function deriveLatestChannelId(
+  events: readonly ObserverEvent[],
+  transcript: readonly TranscriptItem[],
+): string | null {
+  for (let index = transcript.length - 1; index >= 0; index -= 1) {
+    const channelId = transcript[index]?.channelId;
+    if (channelId) {
+      return channelId;
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (let index = events.length - 1; index >= 0; index -= 1) {
+    const channelId = events[index]?.channelId;
+    if (channelId) {
+      return channelId;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
+
+function parseTimestampMillis(timestamp: string): number | null {
+  const millis = Date.parse(timestamp);
+  return Number.isNaN(millis) ? null : millis;
+}
+
+function collectLatestActivityAtByChannel({
+  activeTurns,
+  events,
+  transcript,
+}: {
+  activeTurns: readonly ActiveTurnSummary[];
+  events: readonly ObserverEvent[];
+  transcript: readonly TranscriptItem[];
+}): Record<string, number> {
+  const latestActivityAtByChannel: Record<string, number> = {};
+
+  const record = (channelId: string | null | undefined, timestamp: number) => {
+    if (!channelId) {
+      return;
+    }
+    const previous = latestActivityAtByChannel[channelId];
+    if (previous === undefined || timestamp > previous) {
+      latestActivityAtByChannel[channelId] = timestamp;
+    }
+  };
+
+  for (const turn of activeTurns) {
+    record(turn.channelId, turn.anchorAt);
+  }
+
+  for (const event of events) {
+    const timestamp = parseTimestampMillis(event.timestamp);
+    if (timestamp !== null) {
+      record(event.channelId, timestamp);
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (const item of transcript) {
+    const timestamp = parseTimestampMillis(item.timestamp);
+    if (timestamp !== null) {
+      record(item.channelId, timestamp);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return latestActivityAtByChannel;
+}
+
+export function deriveProfileActivityFeedScope({
+  activeTurns,
+  events,
+  transcript,
+}: {
+  activeTurns: readonly ActiveTurnSummary[];
+  events: readonly ObserverEvent[];
+  transcript: readonly TranscriptItem[];
+}): ProfileActivityFeedScope {
+  const hasFeedContent = events.length > 0 || transcript.length > 0;
+  const isLive = activeTurns.length > 0;
+  const latestActivityAtByChannel = collectLatestActivityAtByChannel({
+    activeTurns,
+    events,
+    transcript,
+  });
+
+  if (isLive) {
+    const channelIds = [...activeTurns]
+      .map((turn) => turn.channelId)
+      .sort((left, right) => left.localeCompare(right));
+
+    return {
+      channelIds,
+      hasFeedContent: true,
+      isLive: true,
+      latestActivityAtByChannel,
+      preferredChannelId: channelIds[0] ?? null,
+    };
+  }
+
+  const feedChannelIds = collectChannelIdsFromFeed(events, transcript);
+  const latestChannelId = deriveLatestChannelId(events, transcript);
+
+  return {
+    channelIds: feedChannelIds,
+    hasFeedContent,
+    isLive: false,
+    latestActivityAtByChannel,
+    preferredChannelId: latestChannelId,
+  };
+}
+
+export function useProfileActivityFeedScope(
+  activityAgent: ProfileActivityAgent | null,
+  activeTurns: readonly ActiveTurnSummary[],
+): ProfileActivityFeedScope {
+  const agentCacheKey = activityAgent
+    ? normalizePubkey(activityAgent.pubkey)
+    : "none";
+  const hasObserver =
+    activityAgent !== null && isManagedAgentActive(activityAgent);
+
+  const getSnapshot = React.useCallback(() => {
+    if (!activityAgent || !hasObserver) {
+      return stableFeedScope(
+        agentCacheKey,
+        deriveProfileActivityFeedScope({
+          activeTurns,
+          events: [],
+          transcript: [],
+        }),
+      );
+    }
+
+    const { events } = getAgentObserverSnapshot(activityAgent.pubkey, true);
+    const transcript = getAgentTranscript(activityAgent.pubkey, true);
+    return stableFeedScope(
+      agentCacheKey,
+      deriveProfileActivityFeedScope({ activeTurns, events, transcript }),
+    );
+  }, [activeTurns, activityAgent, agentCacheKey, hasObserver]);
+
+  const snapshot = React.useSyncExternalStore((onStoreChange) => {
+    const unsubscribeObserver = subscribeAgentObserverStore(onStoreChange);
+    const unsubscribeTurns = subscribeActiveAgentTurns(onStoreChange);
+    return () => {
+      unsubscribeObserver();
+      unsubscribeTurns();
+    };
+  }, getSnapshot);
+
+  return snapshot;
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanel.tsx b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanel.tsx
index ff854ef3a..359954c1d 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanel.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanel.tsx
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ import {
   useUserProfileQuery,
   useUsersBatchQuery,
 } from "@/features/profile/hooks";
+import { ownsAuthorAgent } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
+import { resolveProfileActivityAgent } from "@/features/profile/lib/profileActivityAgent";
 import {
   AgentInfoFocusedView,
   AgentInstructionsFocusedView,
@@ -90,7 +92,6 @@ import type {
   Channel,
   CreateManagedAgentInput,
   CreatePersonaInput,
-  ManagedAgent,
   UpdatePersonaInput,
 } from "@/shared/api/types";
 import { UserProfilePanelFrame } from "@/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelFrame";
@@ -269,47 +270,32 @@ export function UserProfilePanel({
   // the relay routes and the client decrypts those frames with the owner's OWN
   // key, so the agent's seckey is never needed. Computed here (before the gates
   // that consume it) so visibility keys off declared ownership, not key custody.
-  const isCurrentUserOwner =
-    currentPubkey !== undefined &&
-    ownerPubkey !== null &&
-    ownerPubkey.toLowerCase() === currentPubkey.toLowerCase();
+  const isCurrentUserOwner = ownsAuthorAgent(profile, currentPubkey);
   // The viewer may see owner-scoped data if they declared-own the agent OR they
   // manage it locally (older agents may not advertise an owner pubkey). Every
   // real boundary is server-side, so this only controls what UI we paint.
   const viewerIsOwner = isCurrentUserOwner || isOwner === true;
 
-  // Populate the active-turns store for this agent so useActiveAgentTurns works
-  // even if the Agents page hasn't been visited yet.
-  const bridgeAgents = React.useMemo(
+  const activityAgent = React.useMemo(
     () =>
-      managedAgent
-        ? [{ pubkey: managedAgent.pubkey, status: managedAgent.status }]
-        : [],
-    [managedAgent],
+      resolveProfileActivityAgent({
+        effectivePubkey,
+        isBot,
+        managedAgent,
+        profile: profile ?? null,
+        relayAgent,
+        viewerIsOwner,
+      }),
+    [effectivePubkey, isBot, managedAgent, profile, relayAgent, viewerIsOwner],
   );
-  // The observer bridge subscribes on the OWNER's own pubkey and decrypts the
-  // agent's telemetry with the owner's key — no agent seckey needed. It only
-  // decrypts frames whose agent pubkey is "known", and only subscribes when an
-  // agent is running/deployed. For a remote agent we own but don't manage
-  // locally, `managedAgent` is undefined, so we seed the bridge from the relay
-  // agent (treated as "deployed") when the viewer is the declared owner. This
-  // mirrors what the composer-area ingress already does in ChannelScreen.
-  const observerBridgeAgents = React.useMemo(() => {
-    if (managedAgent) {
-      return [{ pubkey: managedAgent.pubkey, status: managedAgent.status }];
-    }
-    if (viewerIsOwner && relayAgent) {
-      return [
-        {
-          pubkey: relayAgent.pubkey,
-          status: "deployed" as ManagedAgent["status"],
-        },
-      ];
-    }
-    return [];
-  }, [managedAgent, relayAgent, viewerIsOwner]);
-  useActiveAgentTurnsBridge(bridgeAgents);
-  useManagedAgentObserverBridge(observerBridgeAgents);
+  const activityBridgeAgents = React.useMemo(
+    () => (activityAgent ? [activityAgent] : []),
+    [activityAgent],
+  );
+  // Populate the active-turns store for this agent so useActiveAgentTurns works
+  // even if the Agents page hasn't been visited yet.
+  useActiveAgentTurnsBridge(activityBridgeAgents);
+  useManagedAgentObserverBridge(activityBridgeAgents);
   const canEditAgent =
     isOwner === true &&
     (managedAgent !== undefined ||
@@ -680,10 +666,13 @@ export function UserProfilePanel({
     ],
   );
 
-  const handleOpenActivity = React.useCallback(() => {
-    if (!effectivePubkey) return;
-    onOpenAgentSession?.(effectivePubkey);
-  }, [effectivePubkey, onOpenAgentSession]);
+  const handleOpenActivity = React.useCallback(
+    (channelId?: string | null) => {
+      if (!effectivePubkey) return;
+      onOpenAgentSession?.(effectivePubkey, channelId ?? null);
+    },
+    [effectivePubkey, onOpenAgentSession],
+  );
 
   const handleOpenChannel = React.useCallback(
     (channelId: string) => {
@@ -835,6 +824,7 @@ export function UserProfilePanel({
           isFollowing={isFollowing}
           isOwner={viewerIsOwner}
           isSelf={isSelf}
+          activityAgent={activityAgent}
           managedAgent={managedAgent}
           memoriesLoading={memoryQuery.isLoading}
           memoryCount={memoryCount}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelSections.tsx b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelSections.tsx
index aa201cc28..50fe03138 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelSections.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelSections.tsx
@@ -17,12 +17,11 @@ import { toast } from "sonner";
 import { MemorySection } from "@/features/agent-memory/ui/MemorySection";
 import { useActiveAgentTurns } from "@/features/agents/activeAgentTurnsStore";
 import { getManagedAgentPrimaryActionLabel } from "@/features/agents/lib/managedAgentControlActions";
-import { formatElapsed } from "@/features/agents/ui/agentSessionUtils";
 import { ManagedAgentLogPanel } from "@/features/agents/ui/ManagedAgentLogPanel";
 import { AgentConfigPanel } from "@/features/agents/ui/AgentConfigPanel";
-import { useAppNavigation } from "@/app/navigation/useAppNavigation";
 import { getPresenceLabel } from "@/features/presence/lib/presence";
 import { PresenceDot } from "@/features/presence/ui/PresenceBadge";
+import type { ProfileActivityAgent } from "@/features/profile/lib/profileActivityAgent";
 import type {
   useFollowMutation,
   useUnfollowMutation,
@@ -54,7 +53,6 @@ import type {
 } from "@/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelUtils";
 import { useFeatureEnabled } from "@/shared/features";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
-import { useNow } from "@/shared/lib/useNow";
 import { Alert, AlertDescription, AlertTitle } from "@/shared/ui/alert";
 import { Badge } from "@/shared/ui/badge";
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from "@/shared/ui/tooltip";
@@ -64,6 +62,7 @@ export { AgentInstructionsFocusedView } from "@/features/profile/ui/UserProfileP
 // ── Summary view ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export type ProfileSummaryViewProps = {
+  activityAgent: ProfileActivityAgent | null;
   canAddToChannel: boolean;
   canEditAgent: boolean;
   canOpenAgentLogs: boolean;
@@ -95,7 +94,7 @@ export type ProfileSummaryViewProps = {
   agentSettingsFields: ProfileField[];
   diagnosticsFields: ProfileField[];
   onAddToChannel: () => void;
-  onOpenActivity: () => void;
+  onOpenActivity: (channelId?: string | null) => void;
   onOpenChannel: (channelId: string) => void;
   onOpenDiagnostics: () => void;
   onOpenInstructions: () => void;
@@ -172,6 +171,7 @@ function RuntimeTabStatusDot({ status }: { status: RuntimeTabStatus }) {
 }
 
 export function ProfileSummaryView({
+  activityAgent,
   canAddToChannel,
   canEditAgent,
   canOpenAgentLogs,
@@ -217,7 +217,6 @@ export function ProfileSummaryView({
   unfollowMutation,
   userStatus,
 }: ProfileSummaryViewProps) {
-  const { goChannel } = useAppNavigation();
   const activeTurns = useActiveAgentTurns(isBot ? pubkey : null);
 
   const showMemoriesTab = isOwner === true && Boolean(pubkey);
@@ -371,20 +370,6 @@ export function ProfileSummaryView({
         />
       ) : null}
 
-      {activeTurns.length > 0 ? (
-        <div className="flex flex-wrap justify-center gap-1.5">
-          {activeTurns.map(({ channelId, anchorAt }) => (
-            <ProfileWorkingBadge
-              key={channelId}
-              channelId={channelId}
-              name={channelIdToName[channelId] ?? channelId}
-              anchorAt={anchorAt}
-              onNavigate={goChannel}
-            />
-          ))}
-        </div>
-      ) : null}
-
       {showTabSection ? (
         <section className="space-y-3">
           {showTabBar ? (
@@ -396,7 +381,10 @@ export function ProfileSummaryView({
           ) : null}
           {activeTab === "info" ? (
             <ProfileInfoTabContent
+              activeTurns={activeTurns}
+              activityAgent={activityAgent}
               agentInfoFields={agentInfoFields}
+              channelIdToName={channelIdToName}
               isArchived={isArchived}
               onOpenActivity={onOpenActivity}
               pubkey={pubkey}
@@ -450,30 +438,6 @@ export function ProfileSummaryView({
   );
 }
 
-function ProfileWorkingBadge({
-  channelId,
-  name,
-  anchorAt,
-  onNavigate,
-}: {
-  channelId: string;
-  name: string;
-  anchorAt: number;
-  onNavigate: (channelId: string) => void;
-}) {
-  const now = useNow(1000);
-
-  return (
-    <Badge
-      className="cursor-pointer motion-safe:animate-pulse normal-case tracking-normal hover:opacity-80"
-      variant="default"
-      onClick={() => onNavigate(channelId)}
-    >
-      Working in #{name} · {formatElapsed(now - anchorAt)}
-    </Badge>
-  );
-}
-
 // ── Hero & metadata ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 function ProfileHero({
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelTabs.tsx b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelTabs.tsx
index f19a3658b..25b0fccb9 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelTabs.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelTabs.tsx
@@ -2,10 +2,18 @@ import * as React from "react";
 import type { LucideIcon } from "lucide-react";
 import { Activity, Archive, ChevronRight, Info, Wrench } from "lucide-react";
 
+import type { ActiveTurnSummary } from "@/features/agents/activeAgentTurnsStore";
+import { ManagedAgentSessionPanel } from "@/features/agents/ui/ManagedAgentSessionPanel";
 import {
   AgentDetailsRows,
   AgentInstructionRow,
 } from "@/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelAgentDetails";
+import type { ProfileActivityAgent } from "@/features/profile/lib/profileActivityAgent";
+import { resolveActivityChannelId } from "@/features/profile/lib/profileActivityCarousel";
+import {
+  type ProfileActivityFeedScope,
+  useProfileActivityFeedScope,
+} from "@/features/profile/lib/profileActivityFeedScope";
 import {
   type ProfileField,
   ProfileFieldGroup,
@@ -13,7 +21,14 @@ import {
 } from "@/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelFields";
 import type { ProfilePanelTab } from "@/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePanelUtils";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+import { useNow } from "@/shared/lib/useNow";
 import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
+import {
+  Carousel,
+  type CarouselApi,
+  CarouselContent,
+  CarouselItem,
+} from "@/shared/ui/carousel";
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from "@/shared/ui/tooltip";
 
 export function ProfileIngressRow({
@@ -255,15 +270,21 @@ export function ProfileTabBar({
 }
 
 export function ProfileInfoTabContent({
+  activeTurns,
+  activityAgent,
   agentInfoFields,
+  channelIdToName,
   isArchived,
   onOpenActivity,
   pubkey,
   showActivityIngress,
 }: {
+  activeTurns: ActiveTurnSummary[];
+  activityAgent: ProfileActivityAgent | null;
   agentInfoFields: ProfileField[];
+  channelIdToName: Record<string, string>;
   isArchived: boolean;
-  onOpenActivity: () => void;
+  onOpenActivity: (channelId?: string | null) => void;
   pubkey: string | null;
   showActivityIngress: boolean;
 }) {
@@ -280,6 +301,9 @@ export function ProfileInfoTabContent({
       ]
     : agentInfoFields;
   const hasInfoFields = infoFields.length > 0;
+  const feedScope = useProfileActivityFeedScope(activityAgent, activeTurns);
+  const showLiveActivityEmbed =
+    showActivityIngress && (feedScope.isLive || feedScope.hasFeedContent);
 
   if (!hasInfoFields && !showActivityIngress) {
     return null;
@@ -288,19 +312,390 @@ export function ProfileInfoTabContent({
   return (
     <div className="space-y-2">
       {showActivityIngress ? (
-        <ProfileIngressRow
-          icon={Wrench}
-          label="Activity log"
-          onClick={onOpenActivity}
-          testId={`user-profile-view-activity-${pubkey}`}
-          trailing="View"
-        />
+        showLiveActivityEmbed && activityAgent ? (
+          <ProfileLiveActivityEmbed
+            activeTurns={activeTurns}
+            activityAgent={activityAgent}
+            channelIdToName={channelIdToName}
+            feedScope={feedScope}
+            onOpenActivity={onOpenActivity}
+          />
+        ) : (
+          <ProfileIngressRow
+            icon={Wrench}
+            label="Activity log"
+            onClick={() => onOpenActivity(null)}
+            testId={`user-profile-view-activity-${pubkey}`}
+            trailing="View"
+          />
+        )
       ) : null}
       {hasInfoFields ? <ProfileFieldGroup fields={infoFields} /> : null}
     </div>
   );
 }
 
+function ProfileLiveActivityEmbed({
+  activeTurns,
+  activityAgent,
+  channelIdToName,
+  feedScope,
+  onOpenActivity,
+}: {
+  activeTurns: ActiveTurnSummary[];
+  activityAgent: ProfileActivityAgent;
+  channelIdToName: Record<string, string>;
+  feedScope: ProfileActivityFeedScope;
+  onOpenActivity: (channelId?: string | null) => void;
+}) {
+  const [carouselApi, setCarouselApi] = React.useState<CarouselApi>();
+  const [selectedChannelId, setSelectedChannelId] = React.useState<
+    string | null
+  >(null);
+  const [mountedChannelIds, setMountedChannelIds] = React.useState<Set<string>>(
+    () => new Set(),
+  );
+
+  const slides = React.useMemo(() => {
+    const channelIds = feedScope.isLive
+      ? activeTurns.map((turn) => turn.channelId)
+      : feedScope.channelIds;
+    return [...new Set(channelIds)];
+  }, [activeTurns, feedScope.channelIds, feedScope.isLive]);
+
+  const activeChannelId = resolveActivityChannelId(
+    slides,
+    selectedChannelId,
+    feedScope.preferredChannelId,
+  );
+  const selectedIndex = activeChannelId ? slides.indexOf(activeChannelId) : 0;
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (!carouselApi || !activeChannelId) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const syncSelectedChannel = () => {
+      setSelectedChannelId(slides[carouselApi.selectedScrollSnap()] ?? null);
+    };
+
+    carouselApi.on("select", syncSelectedChannel);
+    carouselApi.on("reInit", syncSelectedChannel);
+
+    return () => {
+      carouselApi.off("select", syncSelectedChannel);
+      carouselApi.off("reInit", syncSelectedChannel);
+    };
+  }, [activeChannelId, carouselApi, slides]);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (!carouselApi || !activeChannelId) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const targetIndex = slides.indexOf(activeChannelId);
+    if (targetIndex >= 0 && carouselApi.selectedScrollSnap() !== targetIndex) {
+      carouselApi.scrollTo(targetIndex, true);
+    }
+    setSelectedChannelId(activeChannelId);
+  }, [activeChannelId, carouselApi, slides]);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (!activeChannelId) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setMountedChannelIds((current) => {
+      if (current.has(activeChannelId)) {
+        return current;
+      }
+      const next = new Set(current);
+      next.add(activeChannelId);
+      return next;
+    });
+  }, [activeChannelId]);
+
+  const selectedTurn = feedScope.isLive
+    ? (activeTurns.find((turn) => turn.channelId === activeChannelId) ??
+      activeTurns[0] ??
+      null)
+    : null;
+  const activeChannelName = activeChannelId
+    ? (channelIdToName[activeChannelId] ?? activeChannelId)
+    : null;
+  const lastLiveAt =
+    (activeChannelId
+      ? feedScope.latestActivityAtByChannel[activeChannelId]
+      : undefined) ??
+    selectedTurn?.anchorAt ??
+    null;
+  const emptyState = feedScope.isLive ? "loading" : "idle";
+  const emptyDescription = "Live activity will appear here.";
+  const openSelectedActivity = React.useCallback(() => {
+    onOpenActivity(activeChannelId);
+  }, [activeChannelId, onOpenActivity]);
+
+  const handleDotSelect = React.useCallback(
+    (index: number) => {
+      const targetIndex =
+        slides.length === 2 && index === selectedIndex
+          ? (selectedIndex + 1) % slides.length
+          : index;
+      carouselApi?.scrollTo(targetIndex);
+    },
+    [carouselApi, selectedIndex, slides.length],
+  );
+
+  if (slides.length === 0) {
+    return (
+      <section
+        aria-label={`Open activity feed. Last live ${formatLastLiveLabel(lastLiveAt, Date.now())}.`}
+        className="relative flex h-56 cursor-pointer flex-col overflow-hidden rounded-2xl border bg-background text-left shadow-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+        data-testid={`user-profile-live-activity-${activityAgent.pubkey}`}
+      >
+        <button
+          aria-label={`Open activity feed. Last live ${formatLastLiveLabel(lastLiveAt, Date.now())}.`}
+          className="absolute inset-0 z-10 rounded-2xl focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+          onClick={openSelectedActivity}
+          type="button"
+        />
+        <LiveActivityOpenButton
+          activeChannelId={activeChannelId}
+          lastLiveAt={lastLiveAt}
+          onOpenActivity={onOpenActivity}
+        />
+        <ManagedAgentSessionPanel
+          agent={activityAgent}
+          autoTail={true}
+          channelId={null}
+          className="relative z-0 min-h-0 flex-1 border-0 bg-transparent px-4 text-xs shadow-none **:data-message-id:pointer-events-none"
+          emptyDescription={emptyDescription}
+          emptyState={emptyState}
+          panelPadding={false}
+          rawLayout="responsive"
+          showHeader={false}
+          showRaw={false}
+          transcriptContentClassName="py-4"
+          transcriptVariant="compactPreview"
+        />
+        <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 z-20">
+          <div className="absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 flex flex-col items-start bg-linear-to-t from-background via-background/90 to-transparent px-3 pb-3 pt-24">
+            <div className="min-w-0">
+              <span className="block text-sm font-semibold text-muted-foreground">
+                Latest Activity
+              </span>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div>
+      <section
+        aria-label={`Open activity feed. Last live ${formatLastLiveLabel(lastLiveAt, Date.now())}.`}
+        className="relative flex h-56 cursor-pointer flex-col overflow-hidden rounded-2xl border bg-background text-left shadow-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+        data-testid={`user-profile-live-activity-${activityAgent.pubkey}`}
+      >
+        <button
+          aria-label={`Open activity feed. Last live ${formatLastLiveLabel(lastLiveAt, Date.now())}.`}
+          className="absolute inset-0 z-10 rounded-2xl focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+          onClick={openSelectedActivity}
+          type="button"
+        />
+        <LiveActivityOpenButton
+          activeChannelId={activeChannelId}
+          lastLiveAt={lastLiveAt}
+          onOpenActivity={onOpenActivity}
+        />
+        <Carousel
+          className="relative z-0 flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col"
+          opts={{
+            align: "start",
+            containScroll: "trimSnaps",
+            dragFree: false,
+            watchDrag: false,
+          }}
+          setApi={setCarouselApi}
+        >
+          <CarouselContent className="ml-0 h-full flex-1">
+            {slides.map((channelId) => {
+              const isMounted = mountedChannelIds.has(channelId);
+
+              return (
+                <CarouselItem
+                  className="h-full basis-full pl-0"
+                  data-mounted={isMounted ? "true" : "false"}
+                  data-testid={`user-profile-activity-slide-${channelId}`}
+                  key={channelId}
+                >
+                  {isMounted ? (
+                    <ManagedAgentSessionPanel
+                      agent={activityAgent}
+                      autoTail={true}
+                      channelId={channelId}
+                      className="h-full min-h-0 border-0 bg-transparent px-4 text-xs shadow-none **:data-message-id:pointer-events-none"
+                      emptyDescription={emptyDescription}
+                      emptyState={emptyState}
+                      panelPadding={false}
+                      rawLayout="responsive"
+                      showHeader={false}
+                      showRaw={false}
+                      transcriptContentClassName="py-4"
+                      transcriptVariant="compactPreview"
+                    />
+                  ) : (
+                    <div aria-hidden="true" className="h-full" />
+                  )}
+                </CarouselItem>
+              );
+            })}
+          </CarouselContent>
+        </Carousel>
+        <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 z-20">
+          <div className="absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 flex flex-col items-start bg-linear-to-t from-background via-background/80 to-transparent px-3 pb-3 pt-16">
+            <div className="min-w-0">
+              <span className="block text-xs font-semibold text-muted-foreground">
+                Latest Activity
+              </span>
+              {activeChannelName ? (
+                <span
+                  className="block truncate text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground/75"
+                  data-testid="user-profile-activity-channel-label"
+                  title={`#${activeChannelName}`}
+                >
+                  #{activeChannelName}
+                </span>
+              ) : null}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+      <ActivityCarouselDots
+        channelIdToName={channelIdToName}
+        onSelect={handleDotSelect}
+        selectedIndex={selectedIndex}
+        slides={slides}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ActivityCarouselDots({
+  channelIdToName,
+  onSelect,
+  selectedIndex,
+  slides,
+}: {
+  channelIdToName: Record<string, string>;
+  onSelect: (index: number) => void;
+  selectedIndex: number;
+  slides: string[];
+}) {
+  if (slides.length <= 1) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      aria-label="Choose active channel feed"
+      className="mt-2 flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5"
+      role="tablist"
+    >
+      {slides.map((channelId, index) => {
+        const isSelected = index === selectedIndex;
+        const channelName = channelIdToName[channelId] ?? channelId;
+
+        return (
+          <button
+            aria-label={`Show #${channelName} activity`}
+            aria-selected={isSelected}
+            className="group relative flex items-center justify-center before:absolute before:-inset-2 before:content-['']"
+            data-testid={`user-profile-activity-dot-${channelId}`}
+            key={channelId}
+            onClick={(event) => {
+              event.stopPropagation();
+              onSelect(index);
+            }}
+            role="tab"
+            type="button"
+          >
+            <span
+              aria-hidden="true"
+              className={cn(
+                "relative z-10 block rounded-full bg-foreground transition-all",
+                isSelected
+                  ? "h-1 w-4"
+                  : "h-1 w-1 opacity-30 group-hover:opacity-60",
+              )}
+            />
+          </button>
+        );
+      })}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function LiveActivityOpenButton({
+  activeChannelId,
+  lastLiveAt,
+  onOpenActivity,
+}: {
+  activeChannelId: string | null;
+  lastLiveAt: number | null;
+  onOpenActivity: (channelId?: string | null) => void;
+}) {
+  const now = useNow(15_000);
+  const label = formatLastLiveLabel(lastLiveAt, now);
+
+  return (
+    <Button
+      aria-label={`Open full activity. Last live ${label}.`}
+      className="absolute right-3 top-3 z-40 rounded-full bg-primary px-2.5 text-xs font-semibold text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90"
+      onClick={(event) => {
+        event.stopPropagation();
+        onOpenActivity(activeChannelId);
+      }}
+      size="xs"
+      title={`Last live ${label}`}
+      type="button"
+    >
+      {label}
+    </Button>
+  );
+}
+
+function formatLastLiveLabel(timestamp: number | null, now: number): string {
+  if (timestamp === null) {
+    return "No activity yet";
+  }
+
+  const elapsedMs = Math.max(0, now - timestamp);
+  const totalSeconds = Math.floor(elapsedMs / 1000);
+  if (totalSeconds < 60) {
+    return "Just now";
+  }
+
+  const totalMinutes = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 60);
+  if (totalMinutes < 60) {
+    return `${totalMinutes}m ago`;
+  }
+
+  const totalHours = Math.floor(totalMinutes / 60);
+  if (totalHours < 24) {
+    return `${totalHours}h ago`;
+  }
+
+  const totalDays = Math.floor(totalHours / 24);
+  if (totalDays < 7) {
+    return `${totalDays}d ago`;
+  }
+
+  const totalWeeks = Math.floor(totalDays / 7);
+  return `${totalWeeks}w ago`;
+}
+
 function ArchiveStatusTooltip() {
   return (
     <Tooltip>
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePopover.tsx b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePopover.tsx
index 02d5b384b..6b00c26a1 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePopover.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/profile/ui/UserProfilePopover.tsx
@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ import {
 import { useIsManagedAgent } from "@/features/agent-memory/hooks";
 import { useIdentityQuery } from "@/shared/api/hooks";
 import { useActiveAgentTurns } from "@/features/agents/activeAgentTurnsStore";
-import { truncatePubkey } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
+import {
+  ownsAuthorAgent,
+  truncatePubkey,
+} from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
 import { formatElapsed } from "@/features/agents/ui/agentSessionUtils";
 import { usePresenceQuery } from "@/features/presence/hooks";
 import { useUserStatusQuery } from "@/features/user-status/hooks";
@@ -230,7 +233,6 @@ export function UserProfilePopover({
   // shape as the pane/sidebar/memory fixes. Every real boundary is server-side;
   // this only decides whether to paint the "View activity log" button.
   const isOwner = useIsManagedAgent(isBotProfile ? pubkey : null);
-  const ownerPubkey = profile?.ownerPubkey ?? null;
   const identityQuery = useIdentityQuery();
   const currentPubkey = identityQuery.data?.pubkey;
   const isSelf =
@@ -240,10 +242,7 @@ export function UserProfilePopover({
   const showHumanProfileActions =
     showProfileActions && !isBotProfile && !isAgentClassificationPending;
   const selfProfileQuery = useProfileQuery(open && showProfileActions);
-  const isCurrentUserOwner =
-    currentPubkey !== undefined &&
-    ownerPubkey !== null &&
-    ownerPubkey.toLowerCase() === currentPubkey.toLowerCase();
+  const isCurrentUserOwner = ownsAuthorAgent(profile, currentPubkey);
   const viewerIsOwner = isCurrentUserOwner || isOwner === true;
   const canViewActivity =
     isBotProfile && viewerIsOwner && Boolean(onOpenAgentSession);
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/context/AgentSessionContext.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/context/AgentSessionContext.tsx
index 8fd4903c4..666773ce7 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/context/AgentSessionContext.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/context/AgentSessionContext.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import * as React from "react";
 
 type AgentSessionContextValue = {
-  onOpenAgentSession: ((pubkey: string) => void) | null;
+  onOpenAgentSession:
+    | ((pubkey: string, channelId?: string | null) => void)
+    | null;
 };
 
 const AgentSessionContext = React.createContext<AgentSessionContextValue>({
@@ -13,7 +15,7 @@ export function AgentSessionProvider({
   onOpenAgentSession,
 }: {
   children: React.ReactNode;
-  onOpenAgentSession: (pubkey: string) => void;
+  onOpenAgentSession: (pubkey: string, channelId?: string | null) => void;
 }) {
   const value = React.useMemo(
     () => ({ onOpenAgentSession }),
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/SimpleImageLightbox.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/ui/SimpleImageLightbox.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ca8be5b05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/SimpleImageLightbox.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import type * as React from "react";
+import * as DialogPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-dialog";
+
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+import { MODAL_BACKDROP_BLUR_CLASS } from "@/shared/ui/modalBackdrop";
+
+export function SimpleImageLightbox({
+  alt,
+  children,
+  onOpenChange,
+  open,
+  src,
+}: {
+  alt: string;
+  children?: React.ReactNode;
+  onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+  open: boolean;
+  src: string;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <DialogPrimitive.Root open={open} onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
+      <DialogPrimitive.Portal>
+        <DialogPrimitive.Overlay
+          className={cn(
+            "fixed inset-0 z-50 bg-black/80 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0",
+            MODAL_BACKDROP_BLUR_CLASS,
+          )}
+        />
+        <DialogPrimitive.Content
+          className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center p-8"
+          onInteractOutside={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
+          onPointerDownOutside={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
+        >
+          <DialogPrimitive.Title className="sr-only">
+            {alt}
+          </DialogPrimitive.Title>
+          <DialogPrimitive.Description className="sr-only">
+            Full-size image preview. Press Escape or click outside the image to
+            close.
+          </DialogPrimitive.Description>
+          <DialogPrimitive.Close
+            aria-label="Close lightbox"
+            className="absolute inset-0 cursor-default"
+          />
+          {children ?? (
+            <img
+              alt={alt}
+              className="relative max-h-[90vh] max-w-[90vw] rounded-lg object-contain"
+              src={src}
+            />
+          )}
+          <DialogPrimitive.Close className="absolute right-4 top-4 rounded-full bg-black/50 p-2 text-white/80 transition-colors hover:bg-black/70 hover:text-white focus:outline-hidden focus:ring-2 focus:ring-white/30">
+            <svg
+              aria-hidden="true"
+              fill="none"
+              height="20"
+              viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+              width="20"
+              xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+            >
+              <path
+                d="M18 6L6 18M6 6l12 12"
+                stroke="currentColor"
+                strokeLinecap="round"
+                strokeLinejoin="round"
+                strokeWidth="2"
+              />
+            </svg>
+          </DialogPrimitive.Close>
+        </DialogPrimitive.Content>
+      </DialogPrimitive.Portal>
+    </DialogPrimitive.Root>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/BuzzLogoAnimation.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/BuzzLogoAnimation.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3f8a8b874
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/BuzzLogoAnimation.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,722 @@
+import { useId, useLayoutEffect, useRef } from "react";
+import type { CSSProperties } from "react";
+import "./buzz-logo-animation.css";
+
+const LOOP = "indefinite";
+const EASE = ".16 1 .3 1";
+
+type TextureKey = "soft" | "fuzzy";
+type VariantKey = "v1" | "v2" | "v3" | "v4" | "v5" | "v6" | "v7" | "v8";
+type Timing = [string, string];
+type PartTimings = Record<string, Timing>;
+type VariantConfig = {
+  duration: string;
+  texture?: TextureKey;
+  body: PartTimings;
+  leftEye: PartTimings;
+  rightEye: PartTimings;
+  topSlot: PartTimings;
+  bottomSlot: PartTimings;
+  leftSide: PartTimings;
+  rightSide: PartTimings;
+};
+
+type TextureConfig = {
+  blur: string;
+  displacement: string;
+  frequency: string;
+  frequencyValues: string;
+  grainAlpha: string;
+  seedValues: string;
+};
+
+export type BuzzLogoAnimationProps = {
+  ariaLabel?: string;
+  className?: string;
+  fullScreen?: boolean;
+  loop?: boolean;
+  /**
+   * When looping, hide the mark for this many seconds between plays. The morph
+   * runs at its native speed, then the mark disappears for the rest window
+   * before the cycle repeats. Only applies when `loop` is true.
+   */
+  loopRestSeconds?: number;
+  reverse?: boolean;
+  showBackground?: boolean;
+  style?: CSSProperties;
+  /** When false, skips the looping feTurbulence texture filter (CPU-heavy). */
+  textured?: boolean;
+  variant?: VariantKey;
+};
+const TEXTURES: Record<TextureKey, TextureConfig> = {
+  soft: {
+    blur: "6.4",
+    displacement: "7",
+    frequency: "0.86",
+    frequencyValues: "0.82;0.98;0.78;1.04;0.82",
+    grainAlpha: ".34",
+    seedValues: "4;13;7;19;4",
+  },
+  fuzzy: {
+    blur: "9",
+    displacement: "10",
+    frequency: "1.06",
+    frequencyValues: "1;1.18;0.96;1.24;1",
+    grainAlpha: ".5",
+    seedValues: "6;21;11;27;6",
+  },
+};
+
+const VARIANTS: Record<string, VariantConfig> = {
+  v1: {
+    duration: "2s",
+    body: {
+      x: [
+        "0;0.1;0.22;0.29;0.39;0.45;0.82;1",
+        "186;186;124;128;128;128;128;128",
+      ],
+      y: ["0;0.1;0.22;0.29;0.39;0.45;0.82;1", "108;108;45;49;-5;0;0;0"],
+      width: [
+        "0;0.1;0.22;0.29;0.39;0.45;0.82;1",
+        "93;93;218;210;210;210;210;210",
+      ],
+      height: [
+        "0;0.1;0.22;0.29;0.39;0.45;0.82;1",
+        "93;93;218;210;318;309;309;309",
+      ],
+      rx: ["0;0.1;0.22;0.29;0.39;0.45;0.82;1", "14;14;38;34;36;34;34;34"],
+    },
+    leftEye: {
+      cx: ["0;0.42;0.5;0.55;0.82;1", "233.4;233.4;188.5;193.3;193.3;193.3"],
+      cy: ["0;0.42;0.5;0.55;0.82;1", "154.5;154.5;80.5;84.4;84.4;84.4"],
+    },
+    rightEye: {
+      cx: ["0;0.42;0.5;0.55;0.82;1", "233.4;233.4;280;276;276;276"],
+      cy: ["0;0.42;0.5;0.55;0.82;1", "154.5;154.5;80.5;84.4;84.4;84.4"],
+    },
+    topSlot: {
+      opacity: ["0;0.57;0.58;0.69;1", "0;0;1;1;1"],
+      x: ["0;0.57;0.64;0.69;1", "234.8;234.8;162;166.3;166.3"],
+      width: ["0;0.57;0.64;0.69;1", "0;0;146;136.9;136.9"],
+    },
+    bottomSlot: {
+      opacity: ["0;0.72;0.73;0.86;1", "0;0;1;1;1"],
+      x: ["0;0.72;0.8;0.86;1", "234.8;234.8;162;166.9;166.9"],
+      width: ["0;0.72;0.8;0.86;1", "0;0;146;136.2;136.2"],
+    },
+    leftSide: {
+      opacity: ["0;0.84;0.85;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+      cx: ["0;0.78;0.88;0.94;1", "233;233;233;86;91.7"],
+    },
+    rightSide: {
+      opacity: ["0;0.84;0.85;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+      cx: ["0;0.78;0.88;0.94;1", "233;233;233;380;374.3"],
+    },
+  },
+  v2: {
+    duration: "1.9s",
+    body: {
+      x: ["0;0.16;0.33;0.4;0.52;0.6;1", "186;186;124;124;128;128;128"],
+      y: ["0;0.16;0.33;0.4;0.52;0.6;1", "108;108;45;45;-6;0;0"],
+      width: ["0;0.16;0.33;0.4;0.52;0.6;1", "93;93;218;218;210;210;210"],
+      height: ["0;0.16;0.33;0.4;0.52;0.6;1", "93;93;218;218;318;309;309"],
+      rx: ["0;0.16;0.33;0.4;0.52;0.6;1", "14;14;38;38;36;34;34"],
+    },
+    leftEye: {
+      cx: ["0;0.47;0.64;0.7;1", "233.4;233.4;188.5;193.3;193.3"],
+      cy: ["0;0.47;0.64;0.7;1", "154.5;154.5;80.5;84.4;84.4"],
+    },
+    rightEye: {
+      cx: ["0;0.47;0.64;0.7;1", "233.4;233.4;280;276;276"],
+      cy: ["0;0.47;0.64;0.7;1", "154.5;154.5;80.5;84.4;84.4"],
+    },
+    topSlot: {
+      opacity: ["0;0.62;0.63;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+      x: ["0;0.62;0.76;0.82;1", "234.8;234.8;162;166.3;166.3"],
+      width: ["0;0.62;0.76;0.82;1", "0;0;146;136.9;136.9"],
+    },
+    bottomSlot: {
+      opacity: ["0;0.72;0.73;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+      x: ["0;0.72;0.86;0.92;1", "234.8;234.8;162;166.9;166.9"],
+      width: ["0;0.72;0.86;0.92;1", "0;0;146;136.2;136.2"],
+    },
+    leftSide: {
+      opacity: ["0;0.81;0.82;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+      cx: ["0;0.82;0.94;1", "233;233;82;91.7"],
+    },
+    rightSide: {
+      opacity: ["0;0.81;0.82;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+      cx: ["0;0.82;0.94;1", "233;233;384;374.3"],
+    },
+  },
+};
+
+VARIANTS.v3 = { ...VARIANTS.v1, duration: "1.45s" };
+VARIANTS.v4 = {
+  duration: "0.95s",
+  body: {
+    x: ["0;0.18;0.31;0.42;1", "186;124;128;128;128"],
+    y: ["0;0.18;0.31;0.42;1", "108;45;-6;0;0"],
+    width: ["0;0.18;0.31;1", "93;218;210;210"],
+    height: ["0;0.18;0.31;0.42;1", "93;218;318;309;309"],
+    rx: ["0;0.18;0.31;0.42;1", "14;38;36;34;34"],
+  },
+  leftEye: {
+    cx: ["0;0.3;0.52;0.62;1", "233.4;233.4;188.5;193.3;193.3"],
+    cy: ["0;0.3;0.52;0.62;1", "154.5;154.5;80.5;84.4;84.4"],
+  },
+  rightEye: {
+    cx: ["0;0.3;0.52;0.62;1", "233.4;233.4;280;276;276"],
+    cy: ["0;0.3;0.52;0.62;1", "154.5;154.5;80.5;84.4;84.4"],
+  },
+  topSlot: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.46;0.47;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    x: ["0;0.46;0.66;0.76;1", "234.8;234.8;162;166.3;166.3"],
+    width: ["0;0.46;0.66;0.76;1", "0;0;146;136.9;136.9"],
+  },
+  bottomSlot: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.58;0.59;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    x: ["0;0.58;0.76;0.86;1", "234.8;234.8;162;166.9;166.9"],
+    width: ["0;0.58;0.76;0.86;1", "0;0;146;136.2;136.2"],
+  },
+  leftSide: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.7;0.71;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    cx: ["0;0.7;0.9;1", "233;233;82;91.7"],
+  },
+  rightSide: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.7;0.71;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    cx: ["0;0.7;0.9;1", "233;233;384;374.3"],
+  },
+};
+VARIANTS.v5 = {
+  duration: "0.88s",
+  body: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.03;0.08;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    x: [
+      "0;0.08;0.16;0.23;0.35;0.47;0.6;1",
+      "233.4;200;186;186;120;132;127;128",
+    ],
+    y: ["0;0.08;0.16;0.23;0.35;0.47;0.6;1", "154.5;121;108;108;42;-12;3;0"],
+    width: ["0;0.08;0.16;0.23;0.35;0.47;0.6;1", "0;66;93;93;226;204;212;210"],
+    height: ["0;0.08;0.16;0.23;0.35;0.47;0.6;1", "0;66;93;93;226;326;304;309"],
+    rx: ["0;0.08;0.16;0.23;0.35;0.47;0.6;1", "0;33;46.5;14;40;37;33;34"],
+  },
+  leftEye: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.18;0.2;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    cx: ["0;0.23;0.45;0.58;0.68;1", "233.4;233.4;185;196;193.3;193.3"],
+    cy: ["0;0.23;0.45;0.58;0.68;1", "154.5;154.5;76;87;84.4;84.4"],
+  },
+  rightEye: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.18;0.2;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    cx: ["0;0.23;0.45;0.58;0.68;1", "233.4;233.4;283;273;276;276"],
+    cy: ["0;0.23;0.45;0.58;0.68;1", "154.5;154.5;76;87;84.4;84.4"],
+  },
+  topSlot: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.42;0.43;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    x: ["0;0.42;0.6;0.72;0.82;1", "234.8;234.8;158;169;166.3;166.3"],
+    width: ["0;0.42;0.6;0.72;0.82;1", "0;0;153;132;136.9;136.9"],
+  },
+  bottomSlot: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.54;0.55;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    x: ["0;0.54;0.72;0.84;0.94;1", "234.8;234.8;158;169;166.9;166.9"],
+    width: ["0;0.54;0.72;0.84;0.94;1", "0;0;153;132;136.2;136.2"],
+  },
+  leftSide: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.66;0.67;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    cx: ["0;0.66;0.84;0.96;1", "233;233;76;95;91.7"],
+  },
+  rightSide: {
+    opacity: ["0;0.66;0.67;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    cx: ["0;0.66;0.84;0.96;1", "233;233;390;371;374.3"],
+  },
+};
+
+function scaleTiming([keyTimes, values]: Timing, scale: number): Timing {
+  const times = keyTimes.split(";").map((time) => Number(time) * scale);
+  const splitValues = values.split(";");
+
+  const lastTime = times[times.length - 1];
+  if (lastTime !== undefined && lastTime < 1) {
+    times.push(1);
+    const lastValue = splitValues[splitValues.length - 1];
+    if (lastValue !== undefined) {
+      splitValues.push(lastValue);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return [
+    times.map((time) => String(Number(time.toFixed(4)))).join(";"),
+    splitValues.join(";"),
+  ];
+}
+
+function scaleVariant(
+  variant: VariantConfig,
+  duration: string,
+  scale: number,
+): VariantConfig {
+  return Object.fromEntries(
+    Object.entries(variant).map(([part, timings]) => {
+      if (part === "duration") {
+        return [part, duration];
+      }
+      if (part === "texture") {
+        return [part, timings];
+      }
+
+      return [
+        part,
+        Object.fromEntries(
+          Object.entries(timings as PartTimings).map(([attribute, timing]) => [
+            attribute,
+            scaleTiming(timing, scale),
+          ]),
+        ),
+      ];
+    }),
+  ) as VariantConfig;
+}
+
+function reverseTiming([keyTimes, values]: Timing): Timing {
+  const times = keyTimes.split(";").map((time) => 1 - Number(time));
+  const splitValues = values.split(";");
+  const pairs = times
+    .map((time, index) => ({ time, value: splitValues[index] }))
+    .reverse();
+
+  return [
+    pairs.map(({ time }) => String(Number(time.toFixed(4)))).join(";"),
+    pairs.map(({ value }) => value).join(";"),
+  ];
+}
+
+function reverseVariant(variant: VariantConfig): VariantConfig {
+  return Object.fromEntries(
+    Object.entries(variant).map(([part, timings]) => {
+      if (part === "duration" || part === "texture") {
+        return [part, timings];
+      }
+
+      return [
+        part,
+        Object.fromEntries(
+          Object.entries(timings as PartTimings).map(([attribute, timing]) => [
+            attribute,
+            reverseTiming(timing),
+          ]),
+        ),
+      ];
+    }),
+  ) as VariantConfig;
+}
+
+VARIANTS.v6 = scaleVariant(VARIANTS.v5, "1.38s", 0.64);
+VARIANTS.v6.leftEye.ry = [
+  "0;0.64;0.72;0.78;0.84;0.9;0.96;1",
+  "27;27;2;27;27;2;27;27",
+];
+VARIANTS.v6.rightEye.ry = VARIANTS.v6.leftEye.ry;
+VARIANTS.v7 = {
+  ...VARIANTS.v5,
+  texture: "fuzzy",
+  leftSide: {
+    ...VARIANTS.v5.leftSide,
+    opacity: ["0;0.54;0.55;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    cx: ["0;0.54;0.74;0.9;1", "233;233;76;95;91.7"],
+  },
+  rightSide: {
+    ...VARIANTS.v5.rightSide,
+    opacity: ["0;0.54;0.55;1", "0;0;1;1"],
+    cx: ["0;0.54;0.74;0.9;1", "233;233;390;371;374.3"],
+  },
+};
+VARIANTS.v8 = {
+  ...VARIANTS.v7,
+  leftEye: {
+    ...VARIANTS.v7.leftEye,
+    ry: ["0;0.76;0.84;0.92;1", "27;27;2;27;27"],
+  },
+  rightEye: {
+    ...VARIANTS.v7.rightEye,
+    ry: ["0;0.76;0.84;0.92;1", "27;27;2;27;27"],
+  },
+};
+
+function splines(keyTimes: string) {
+  return Array.from(
+    { length: keyTimes.split(";").length - 1 },
+    () => EASE,
+  ).join(";");
+}
+
+function SvgAnimate({
+  attributeName,
+  duration,
+  keyTimes,
+  repeatCount,
+  values,
+}: {
+  attributeName: string;
+  duration: string;
+  keyTimes: string;
+  repeatCount: string;
+  values: string;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <animate
+      attributeName={attributeName}
+      begin="indefinite"
+      dur={duration}
+      calcMode="spline"
+      fill={repeatCount === LOOP ? "remove" : "freeze"}
+      keySplines={splines(keyTimes)}
+      keyTimes={keyTimes}
+      repeatCount={repeatCount}
+      values={values}
+    />
+  );
+}
+
+function animationsFor(
+  config: PartTimings,
+  duration: string,
+  repeatCount: string,
+) {
+  return Object.entries(config).map(([attributeName, [keyTimes, values]]) => (
+    <SvgAnimate
+      key={attributeName}
+      attributeName={attributeName}
+      duration={duration}
+      keyTimes={keyTimes}
+      repeatCount={repeatCount}
+      values={values}
+    />
+  ));
+}
+
+function idPart(value: string) {
+  return value.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]/g, "");
+}
+
+function TextureFilter({
+  id,
+  texture,
+}: {
+  id: string;
+  texture: TextureConfig;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <filter
+      id={id}
+      x="-80"
+      y="-80"
+      width="626"
+      height="469"
+      filterUnits="userSpaceOnUse"
+      colorInterpolationFilters="sRGB"
+    >
+      <feGaussianBlur
+        in="SourceGraphic"
+        stdDeviation={texture.blur}
+        result="softLogo"
+      />
+      <feTurbulence
+        type="fractalNoise"
+        baseFrequency={texture.frequency}
+        numOctaves="5"
+        seed="7"
+        result="textureNoise"
+      >
+        <animate
+          attributeName="baseFrequency"
+          begin="indefinite"
+          dur="0.34s"
+          repeatCount={LOOP}
+          values={texture.frequencyValues}
+        />
+        <animate
+          attributeName="seed"
+          begin="indefinite"
+          dur="0.34s"
+          repeatCount={LOOP}
+          values={texture.seedValues}
+        />
+      </feTurbulence>
+      <feDisplacementMap
+        in="softLogo"
+        in2="textureNoise"
+        scale={texture.displacement}
+        xChannelSelector="R"
+        yChannelSelector="G"
+        result="buzzedLogo"
+      />
+      <feColorMatrix
+        in="textureNoise"
+        type="matrix"
+        values={`0 0 0 0 0
+                0 0 0 0 0
+                0 0 0 0 0
+                ${texture.grainAlpha} ${texture.grainAlpha} ${texture.grainAlpha} 0 0`}
+        result="grainAlpha"
+      />
+      <feComposite
+        in="buzzedLogo"
+        in2="grainAlpha"
+        operator="in"
+        result="grainLogo"
+      />
+      <feMerge>
+        <feMergeNode in="buzzedLogo" />
+        <feMergeNode in="grainLogo" />
+      </feMerge>
+    </filter>
+  );
+}
+
+function CutoutMask({
+  config,
+  duration,
+  id,
+  repeatCount,
+}: {
+  config: VariantConfig;
+  duration: string;
+  id: string;
+  repeatCount: string;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <mask
+      id={id}
+      x="-80"
+      y="-80"
+      width="626"
+      height="469"
+      maskUnits="userSpaceOnUse"
+      maskContentUnits="userSpaceOnUse"
+    >
+      <rect x="-80" y="-80" width="626" height="469" fill="#fff" />
+      <ellipse
+        cx="233.4"
+        cy="154.5"
+        rx="27"
+        ry="27"
+        fill="#000"
+        opacity={"opacity" in config.leftEye ? "0" : undefined}
+      >
+        {animationsFor(config.leftEye, duration, repeatCount)}
+      </ellipse>
+      <ellipse
+        cx="233.4"
+        cy="154.5"
+        rx="27"
+        ry="27"
+        fill="#000"
+        opacity={"opacity" in config.rightEye ? "0" : undefined}
+      >
+        {animationsFor(config.rightEye, duration, repeatCount)}
+      </ellipse>
+      <rect
+        x="234.8"
+        y="157.2"
+        width="0"
+        height="38.3"
+        rx="5"
+        fill="#000"
+        opacity="0"
+      >
+        {animationsFor(config.topSlot, duration, repeatCount)}
+      </rect>
+      <rect
+        x="234.8"
+        y="235.1"
+        width="0"
+        height="37.6"
+        rx="5"
+        fill="#000"
+        opacity="0"
+      >
+        {animationsFor(config.bottomSlot, duration, repeatCount)}
+      </rect>
+    </mask>
+  );
+}
+
+function InkShapes({
+  config,
+  duration,
+  repeatCount,
+}: {
+  config: VariantConfig;
+  duration: string;
+  repeatCount: string;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <>
+      <circle
+        className="buzz-logo__ink"
+        cx="233"
+        cy="154.5"
+        r="91.7"
+        opacity="0"
+      >
+        {animationsFor(config.leftSide, duration, repeatCount)}
+      </circle>
+      <circle
+        className="buzz-logo__ink"
+        cx="233"
+        cy="154.5"
+        r="91.7"
+        opacity="0"
+      >
+        {animationsFor(config.rightSide, duration, repeatCount)}
+      </circle>
+
+      <rect
+        className="buzz-logo__ink"
+        x="186"
+        y="108"
+        width="93"
+        height="93"
+        rx="14"
+        opacity={"opacity" in config.body ? "0" : undefined}
+      >
+        {animationsFor(config.body, duration, repeatCount)}
+      </rect>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Hides the parent group during the rest window of a stretched loop cycle:
+ * fully visible while the morph plays, then a quick fade to invisible for the
+ * remainder of the cycle. SMIL `<animate>` targets its parent element.
+ */
+function RestWindowFade({
+  cycleSeconds,
+  morphSeconds,
+  repeatCount,
+}: {
+  cycleSeconds: number;
+  morphSeconds: number;
+  repeatCount: string;
+}) {
+  const fadeSeconds = 0.15;
+  const visibleEnd = morphSeconds / cycleSeconds;
+  const fadeEnd = Math.min((morphSeconds + fadeSeconds) / cycleSeconds, 1);
+  const keyTimes = ["0", visibleEnd.toFixed(4), fadeEnd.toFixed(4), "1"].join(
+    ";",
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <animate
+      attributeName="opacity"
+      begin="indefinite"
+      calcMode="linear"
+      dur={`${cycleSeconds}s`}
+      fill={repeatCount === LOOP ? "remove" : "freeze"}
+      keyTimes={keyTimes}
+      repeatCount={repeatCount}
+      values="1;1;0;0"
+    />
+  );
+}
+
+export default function BuzzLogoAnimation({
+  ariaLabel = "Buzz logo animation",
+  className = "",
+  fullScreen = true,
+  loop = false,
+  loopRestSeconds = 0,
+  reverse = false,
+  showBackground = true,
+  style,
+  textured = true,
+  variant = "v8",
+}: BuzzLogoAnimationProps) {
+  const markRef = useRef<SVGSVGElement>(null);
+  const idSuffix = idPart(useId());
+  const baseConfig = VARIANTS[variant] ?? VARIANTS.v8;
+  const restSeconds = loop ? Math.max(loopRestSeconds, 0) : 0;
+  const morphSeconds = Number.parseFloat(baseConfig.duration);
+  const cycleSeconds = morphSeconds + restSeconds;
+  // Stretch the loop period to morph + rest, packing the morph keyframes into
+  // the start of the cycle at native speed. scaleTiming holds the final values
+  // for the remainder; the rest-window opacity animation below hides them.
+  const config =
+    restSeconds > 0
+      ? scaleVariant(
+          baseConfig,
+          `${cycleSeconds}s`,
+          morphSeconds / cycleSeconds,
+        )
+      : baseConfig;
+  const animatedConfig = reverse ? reverseVariant(config) : config;
+  const repeatCount = loop ? LOOP : "1";
+  const maskId = `buzz-logo-cutouts-${idSuffix}`;
+  const textureId = `buzz-logo-texture-${idSuffix}`;
+  const texture = TEXTURES[config.texture ?? "soft"] ?? TEXTURES.soft;
+  const classes = [
+    "buzz-logo",
+    fullScreen && "buzz-logo--screen",
+    !fullScreen && "buzz-logo--compact",
+    showBackground && "buzz-logo--background",
+    className,
+  ]
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .join(" ");
+
+  // biome-ignore lint/correctness/useExhaustiveDependencies: restart SMIL when visual props change
+  useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    const svg = markRef.current;
+
+    if (!svg || typeof svg.setCurrentTime !== "function") {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    svg.pauseAnimations?.();
+    svg.setCurrentTime?.(0);
+    svg.querySelectorAll("animate").forEach((animation) => {
+      animation.beginElement?.();
+    });
+    svg.unpauseAnimations?.();
+  }, [loop, reverse, restSeconds, textured, variant]);
+
+  return (
+    <div className={classes} style={style} role="img" aria-label={ariaLabel}>
+      <svg
+        ref={markRef}
+        className="buzz-logo__mark"
+        viewBox="0 0 466 309"
+        width="466"
+        height="309"
+        aria-hidden="true"
+      >
+        <defs>
+          <CutoutMask
+            id={maskId}
+            config={animatedConfig}
+            duration={animatedConfig.duration}
+            repeatCount={repeatCount}
+          />
+          {textured && <TextureFilter id={textureId} texture={texture} />}
+        </defs>
+        <g filter={textured ? `url(#${textureId})` : undefined}>
+          {restSeconds > 0 ? (
+            <RestWindowFade
+              cycleSeconds={cycleSeconds}
+              morphSeconds={morphSeconds}
+              repeatCount={repeatCount}
+            />
+          ) : null}
+          <g mask={`url(#${maskId})`}>
+            <InkShapes
+              config={animatedConfig}
+              duration={animatedConfig.duration}
+              repeatCount={repeatCount}
+            />
+          </g>
+        </g>
+      </svg>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/FuzzyLogo.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/FuzzyLogo.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..845033aad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/FuzzyLogo.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+import BuzzLogoAnimation, {
+  type BuzzLogoAnimationProps,
+} from "./BuzzLogoAnimation";
+
+export type FuzzyLogoProps = {
+  /** When false, skips the looping feTurbulence texture filter and uses a CSS pulse instead. */
+  fuzz?: boolean;
+  className?: string;
+  ariaLabel?: string;
+  loop?: boolean;
+  /** When looping, hide the mark for this many seconds between plays. */
+  loopRestSeconds?: number;
+  /** Set false when a parent drives its own opacity animation over the mark. */
+  pulse?: boolean;
+  reverse?: boolean;
+  variant?: BuzzLogoAnimationProps["variant"];
+};
+
+/**
+ * The fuzzy Buzz mark. v8 ships a built-in animated texture (looping fractal-noise
+ * turbulence + grain) applied via an SVG filter. Set `fuzz={false}` to render the
+ * crisp geometry with a lightweight CSS pulse — recommended for long-lived mounts.
+ */
+export function FuzzyLogo({
+  fuzz = true,
+  className,
+  ariaLabel = "Buzz logo",
+  loop = false,
+  loopRestSeconds = 0,
+  pulse = true,
+  reverse = false,
+  variant = "v8",
+}: FuzzyLogoProps) {
+  // The rest-window loop already reads as "alive"; skip the pulse so the two
+  // opacity animations don't fight.
+  const hasRestWindow = loop && loopRestSeconds > 0;
+
+  return (
+    <BuzzLogoAnimation
+      ariaLabel={ariaLabel}
+      className={cn(
+        pulse && !fuzz && !hasRestWindow && "buzz-logo--pulse",
+        className,
+      )}
+      fullScreen={false}
+      loop={loop}
+      loopRestSeconds={loopRestSeconds}
+      reverse={reverse}
+      showBackground={false}
+      textured={fuzz}
+      variant={variant}
+    />
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/buzz-logo-animation.css b/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/buzz-logo-animation.css
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dce20a847
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/buzz-logo/buzz-logo-animation.css
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+.buzz-logo {
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  inline-size: fit-content;
+}
+
+.buzz-logo--screen {
+  min-block-size: 100vh;
+  inline-size: 100%;
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.buzz-logo--background {
+  background-color: #d7d72e;
+  background-image: radial-gradient(
+    circle,
+    rgba(35, 30, 30, 0.16) 1.2px,
+    transparent 1.3px
+  );
+  background-position: 0 0;
+  background-size: 37px 37px;
+}
+
+.buzz-logo__mark {
+  display: block;
+  inline-size: min(466px, calc(100vw - 32px));
+  block-size: auto;
+  overflow: visible;
+}
+
+.buzz-logo--compact {
+  inline-size: 1.5rem;
+}
+
+.buzz-logo--compact .buzz-logo__mark {
+  inline-size: 100%;
+  block-size: auto;
+  max-inline-size: 100%;
+}
+
+.buzz-logo__ink {
+  fill: currentColor;
+}
+
+@keyframes buzz-logo-pulse {
+  0%,
+  100% {
+    opacity: 0.55;
+  }
+  50% {
+    opacity: 1;
+  }
+}
+
+.buzz-logo--pulse .buzz-logo__mark {
+  animation: buzz-logo-pulse 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .buzz-logo animate {
+    display: none;
+  }
+
+  .buzz-logo--pulse .buzz-logo__mark {
+    animation: none;
+    opacity: 0.8;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/carousel.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/ui/carousel.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..33a71a8e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/carousel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,265 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import useEmblaCarousel, {
+  type UseEmblaCarouselType,
+} from "embla-carousel-react";
+import { ArrowLeft, ArrowRight } from "lucide-react";
+
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
+import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
+
+type CarouselApi = UseEmblaCarouselType[1];
+type UseCarouselParameters = Parameters<typeof useEmblaCarousel>;
+type CarouselOptions = UseCarouselParameters[0];
+type CarouselPlugin = UseCarouselParameters[1];
+
+type CarouselProps = {
+  opts?: CarouselOptions;
+  plugins?: CarouselPlugin;
+  orientation?: "horizontal" | "vertical";
+  setApi?: (api: CarouselApi) => void;
+};
+
+type CarouselContextProps = {
+  carouselRef: ReturnType<typeof useEmblaCarousel>[0];
+  api: ReturnType<typeof useEmblaCarousel>[1];
+  scrollPrev: () => void;
+  scrollNext: () => void;
+  canScrollPrev: boolean;
+  canScrollNext: boolean;
+} & CarouselProps;
+
+const CarouselContext = React.createContext<CarouselContextProps | null>(null);
+
+function useCarousel() {
+  const context = React.useContext(CarouselContext);
+
+  if (!context) {
+    throw new Error("useCarousel must be used within a <Carousel />");
+  }
+
+  return context;
+}
+
+const Carousel = React.forwardRef<
+  HTMLDivElement,
+  React.HTMLAttributes<HTMLDivElement> & CarouselProps
+>(
+  (
+    {
+      orientation = "horizontal",
+      opts,
+      setApi,
+      plugins,
+      className,
+      children,
+      ...props
+    },
+    ref,
+  ) => {
+    const [carouselRef, api] = useEmblaCarousel(
+      {
+        ...opts,
+        axis: orientation === "horizontal" ? "x" : "y",
+      },
+      plugins,
+    );
+    const [canScrollPrev, setCanScrollPrev] = React.useState(false);
+    const [canScrollNext, setCanScrollNext] = React.useState(false);
+
+    const onSelect = React.useCallback((carouselApi: CarouselApi) => {
+      if (!carouselApi) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      setCanScrollPrev(carouselApi.canScrollPrev());
+      setCanScrollNext(carouselApi.canScrollNext());
+    }, []);
+
+    const scrollPrev = React.useCallback(() => {
+      api?.scrollPrev();
+    }, [api]);
+
+    const scrollNext = React.useCallback(() => {
+      api?.scrollNext();
+    }, [api]);
+
+    const handleKeyDown = React.useCallback(
+      (event: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
+        if (event.key === "ArrowLeft") {
+          event.preventDefault();
+          scrollPrev();
+        } else if (event.key === "ArrowRight") {
+          event.preventDefault();
+          scrollNext();
+        }
+      },
+      [scrollPrev, scrollNext],
+    );
+
+    React.useEffect(() => {
+      if (!api || !setApi) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      setApi(api);
+    }, [api, setApi]);
+
+    React.useEffect(() => {
+      if (!api) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      onSelect(api);
+      api.on("reInit", onSelect);
+      api.on("select", onSelect);
+
+      return () => {
+        api?.off("select", onSelect);
+      };
+    }, [api, onSelect]);
+
+    return (
+      <CarouselContext.Provider
+        value={{
+          api,
+          canScrollNext,
+          canScrollPrev,
+          carouselRef,
+          opts,
+          orientation,
+          plugins,
+          scrollNext,
+          scrollPrev,
+          setApi,
+        }}
+      >
+        {/* biome-ignore lint/a11y/useSemanticElements: shadcn carousel pattern */}
+        <div
+          aria-roledescription="carousel"
+          className={cn("relative", className)}
+          onKeyDownCapture={handleKeyDown}
+          ref={ref}
+          role="region"
+          {...props}
+        >
+          {children}
+        </div>
+      </CarouselContext.Provider>
+    );
+  },
+);
+Carousel.displayName = "Carousel";
+
+const CarouselContent = React.forwardRef<
+  HTMLDivElement,
+  React.HTMLAttributes<HTMLDivElement>
+>(({ className, ...props }, ref) => {
+  const { carouselRef, orientation } = useCarousel();
+
+  return (
+    <div className="h-full overflow-hidden" ref={carouselRef}>
+      <div
+        className={cn(
+          "flex",
+          orientation === "horizontal" ? "-ml-4" : "-mt-4 flex-col",
+          className,
+        )}
+        ref={ref}
+        {...props}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+});
+CarouselContent.displayName = "CarouselContent";
+
+const CarouselItem = React.forwardRef<
+  HTMLDivElement,
+  React.HTMLAttributes<HTMLDivElement>
+>(({ className, children, ...props }, ref) => {
+  const { orientation } = useCarousel();
+
+  return (
+    // biome-ignore lint/a11y/useSemanticElements: shadcn carousel pattern
+    <div
+      aria-roledescription="slide"
+      className={cn(
+        "min-w-0 shrink-0 grow-0 basis-full",
+        orientation === "horizontal" ? "pl-4" : "pt-4",
+        className,
+      )}
+      ref={ref}
+      role="group"
+      {...props}
+    >
+      {children}
+    </div>
+  );
+});
+CarouselItem.displayName = "CarouselItem";
+
+const CarouselPrevious = React.forwardRef<
+  HTMLButtonElement,
+  React.ComponentProps<typeof Button>
+>(({ className, variant = "outline", size = "icon", ...props }, ref) => {
+  const { canScrollPrev, orientation, scrollPrev } = useCarousel();
+
+  return (
+    <Button
+      className={cn(
+        "absolute h-8 w-8 rounded-full",
+        orientation === "horizontal"
+          ? "-left-12 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2"
+          : "-top-12 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 rotate-90",
+        className,
+      )}
+      disabled={!canScrollPrev}
+      onClick={scrollPrev}
+      ref={ref}
+      size={size}
+      variant={variant}
+      {...props}
+    >
+      <ArrowLeft className="h-4 w-4" />
+      <span className="sr-only">Previous slide</span>
+    </Button>
+  );
+});
+CarouselPrevious.displayName = "CarouselPrevious";
+
+const CarouselNext = React.forwardRef<
+  HTMLButtonElement,
+  React.ComponentProps<typeof Button>
+>(({ className, variant = "outline", size = "icon", ...props }, ref) => {
+  const { canScrollNext, orientation, scrollNext } = useCarousel();
+
+  return (
+    <Button
+      className={cn(
+        "absolute h-8 w-8 rounded-full",
+        orientation === "horizontal"
+          ? "-right-12 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2"
+          : "-bottom-12 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 rotate-90",
+        className,
+      )}
+      disabled={!canScrollNext}
+      onClick={scrollNext}
+      ref={ref}
+      size={size}
+      variant={variant}
+      {...props}
+    >
+      <ArrowRight className="h-4 w-4" />
+      <span className="sr-only">Next slide</span>
+    </Button>
+  );
+});
+CarouselNext.displayName = "CarouselNext";
+
+export {
+  type CarouselApi,
+  Carousel,
+  CarouselContent,
+  CarouselItem,
+  CarouselNext,
+  CarouselPrevious,
+};
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/markdown.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/ui/markdown.tsx
index 365edd7aa..fe1537363 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/ui/markdown.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/markdown.tsx
@@ -74,7 +74,6 @@ import type {
   ImetaEntry,
   MarkdownProps,
   MarkdownRuntime,
-  MarkdownVariant,
 } from "./markdown/types";
 import { SpoilerInline } from "./markdown/SpoilerInline";
 import {
@@ -1527,17 +1526,10 @@ function ImageBlock({ alt, dim, resolvedSrc, src }: ImageBlockProps) {
 }
 
 function createMarkdownComponents(
-  variant: MarkdownVariant,
   runtimeRef: React.RefObject<MarkdownRuntime>,
   interactive = true,
   mediaInset = false,
 ): Components {
-  const paragraphClassName =
-    variant === "tight"
-      ? "leading-5"
-      : variant === "compact"
-        ? "leading-6"
-        : "leading-[inherit]";
   const listItemClassName = "[&_p]:inline";
   const listClassName = "space-y-1 pl-6 marker:text-muted-foreground/80";
 
@@ -1782,10 +1774,10 @@ function createMarkdownComponents(
       }
 
       if (hasBlockMedia(childArray)) {
-        return <div className={paragraphClassName}>{children}</div>;
+        return <div>{children}</div>;
       }
 
-      return <p className={paragraphClassName}>{children}</p>;
+      return <p>{children}</p>;
     },
     pre: ({ children }) => {
       if (!interactive) return <span>{children}</span>;
@@ -1940,7 +1932,6 @@ function createMarkdownComponents(
 function MarkdownInner({
   channelNames,
   className,
-  compact = false,
   content,
   customEmoji,
   imetaByUrl,
@@ -1950,7 +1941,6 @@ function MarkdownInner({
   mentionNames,
   mentionPubkeysByName,
   searchQuery,
-  tight = false,
   videoReviewContext,
 }: MarkdownProps) {
   const { channels: rawChannels } = useChannelNavigation();
@@ -1991,16 +1981,9 @@ function MarkdownInner({
     onOpenMessageLink,
   });
 
-  const variant: MarkdownVariant = tight
-    ? "tight"
-    : compact
-      ? "compact"
-      : "default";
-
   const components = React.useMemo(
-    () =>
-      createMarkdownComponents(variant, runtimeRef, interactive, mediaInset),
-    [variant, runtimeRef, interactive, mediaInset],
+    () => createMarkdownComponents(runtimeRef, interactive, mediaInset),
+    [runtimeRef, interactive, mediaInset],
   );
 
   // biome-ignore lint/suspicious/noExplicitAny: PluggableList type not directly importable
@@ -2055,7 +2038,7 @@ function MarkdownInner({
       className={cn(
         MESSAGE_MARKDOWN_CLASS,
         [
-          "max-w-none [overflow-wrap:anywhere] text-sm leading-5 text-foreground",
+          "max-w-none wrap-anywhere text-sm leading-5 text-foreground",
           "[&>*:first-child]:mt-0 [&>*:last-child]:mb-0",
           "[&>*+*]:mt-3",
           "[&>p+p]:mt-1.5",
@@ -2068,13 +2051,6 @@ function MarkdownInner({
           "[&>*+hr]:mt-4 [&>hr+*]:mt-4",
           "[&>p+ul]:mt-1.5 [&>p+ol]:mt-1.5 [&>div+ul]:mt-1.5 [&>div+ol]:mt-1.5",
         ].join(" "),
-        // Variant overrides: density tweaks for agent-session transcript surfaces.
-        // Layered after the base owl-spacing set so tailwind-merge lets the
-        // narrower leading + tighter inter-block gaps win for compact/tight.
-        variant === "compact" &&
-          "leading-6 [&>*+*]:mt-2 [&>*+h1]:mt-3 [&>*+h2]:mt-3 [&>*+h3]:mt-3 [&>*+blockquote]:mt-3 [&>blockquote+*]:mt-3 [&>*+[data-code-block]]:mt-3 [&>[data-code-block]+*]:mt-3 [&>*+[data-table-block]]:mt-3 [&>[data-table-block]+*]:mt-3 [&>*+hr]:mt-3.5 [&>hr+*]:mt-3.5 [&>p+ul]:mt-1 [&>p+ol]:mt-1 [&>div+ul]:mt-1 [&>div+ol]:mt-1",
-        variant === "tight" &&
-          "leading-5 [&>*+*]:mt-2 [&>*+h1]:mt-2.5 [&>*+h2]:mt-2.5 [&>*+h3]:mt-2.5 [&>*+blockquote]:mt-3 [&>blockquote+*]:mt-3 [&>*+[data-code-block]]:mt-3 [&>[data-code-block]+*]:mt-3 [&>*+[data-table-block]]:mt-3 [&>[data-table-block]+*]:mt-3 [&>*+hr]:mt-3.5 [&>hr+*]:mt-3.5 [&>p+ul]:mt-1 [&>p+ol]:mt-1 [&>div+ul]:mt-1 [&>div+ol]:mt-1",
         className,
       )}
     >
@@ -2100,11 +2076,9 @@ export const Markdown = React.memo(
   (prev, next) =>
     prev.content === next.content &&
     prev.className === next.className &&
-    prev.compact === next.compact &&
     prev.customEmoji === next.customEmoji &&
     prev.interactive === next.interactive &&
     prev.mediaInset === next.mediaInset &&
-    prev.tight === next.tight &&
     prev.agentMentionPubkeysByName === next.agentMentionPubkeysByName &&
     prev.mentionPubkeysByName === next.mentionPubkeysByName &&
     shallowArrayEqual(prev.mentionNames, next.mentionNames) &&
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/markdown/types.ts b/desktop/src/shared/ui/markdown/types.ts
index 144814cd7..3eac5b53f 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/ui/markdown/types.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/markdown/types.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ export type MarkdownRuntime = {
 export type MarkdownProps = {
   channelNames?: string[];
   className?: string;
-  compact?: boolean;
   content: string;
   customEmoji?: CustomEmoji[];
   imetaByUrl?: ImetaLookup;
@@ -45,8 +44,5 @@ export type MarkdownProps = {
   mentionPubkeysByName?: Record<string, string>;
   mediaInset?: boolean;
   searchQuery?: string;
-  tight?: boolean;
   videoReviewContext?: VideoReviewContext;
 };
-
-export type MarkdownVariant = "default" | "compact" | "tight";
diff --git a/desktop/src/testing/e2eBridge.ts b/desktop/src/testing/e2eBridge.ts
index 5008656f7..17bd096cd 100644
--- a/desktop/src/testing/e2eBridge.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/testing/e2eBridge.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ import { relayClient } from "@/shared/api/relayClient";
 import type { ConnectionState } from "@/shared/api/relayClientShared";
 import type { RelayEvent } from "@/shared/api/types";
 import { syncAgentTurnsFromEvents } from "@/features/agents/activeAgentTurnsStore";
-import { injectObserverEventsForE2E } from "@/features/agents/observerRelayStore";
+import {
+  injectObserverEventsForE2E,
+  syncAgentObserverEvents,
+} from "@/features/agents/observerRelayStore";
 import {
   CUSTOM_EMOJI_SET_D_TAG,
   KIND_EMOJI_SET,
@@ -677,6 +680,7 @@ declare global {
       agentPubkey: string;
       channelId: string;
       turnId: string;
+      kind?: "turn_started" | "turn_completed";
     }) => void;
     __BUZZ_E2E_SEED_OBSERVER_EVENTS__?: (input: {
       agentPubkey: string;
@@ -7290,20 +7294,21 @@ export function maybeInstallE2eTauriMocks() {
     agentPubkey,
     channelId,
     turnId,
+    kind = "turn_started",
   }) => {
     seedTurnSeq += 1;
-    syncAgentTurnsFromEvents(agentPubkey, [
-      {
-        seq: seedTurnSeq,
-        timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
-        kind: "turn_started",
-        agentIndex: 0,
-        channelId,
-        sessionId: null,
-        turnId,
-        payload: null,
-      },
-    ]);
+    const event = {
+      seq: seedTurnSeq,
+      timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
+      kind,
+      agentIndex: 0,
+      channelId,
+      sessionId: null,
+      turnId,
+      payload: null,
+    };
+    syncAgentTurnsFromEvents(agentPubkey, [event]);
+    syncAgentObserverEvents(agentPubkey, [event]);
   };
   window.__BUZZ_E2E_SEED_OBSERVER_EVENTS__ = ({ agentPubkey, events }) => {
     injectObserverEventsForE2E(agentPubkey, events);
diff --git a/desktop/test-loader-hooks.mjs b/desktop/test-loader-hooks.mjs
index 5d1eae3c6..73c8fa643 100644
--- a/desktop/test-loader-hooks.mjs
+++ b/desktop/test-loader-hooks.mjs
@@ -35,7 +35,29 @@ function resolveSourcePath(basePath) {
   return `${basePath}.ts`;
 }
 
+// emoji-mart ships a bundled CJS main that node's cjs-module-lexer cannot
+// extract named exports from (`import { init } from "emoji-mart"` throws
+// under node ESM even though the bundler handles it). Tests never exercise
+// the picker, so serve inert stubs for the emoji-mart entrypoints.
+const stubModules = new Map([
+  [
+    "emoji-mart",
+    "export const init = () => {};\n" +
+      "export const SearchIndex = { search: async () => [] };\n" +
+      "export default {};\n",
+  ],
+  ["@emoji-mart/react", "export default function Picker() { return null; }\n"],
+]);
+
+const STUB_URL_PREFIX = "buzz-test-stub:";
+
 export function resolve(specifier, context, nextResolve) {
+  if (stubModules.has(specifier)) {
+    return {
+      shortCircuit: true,
+      url: `${STUB_URL_PREFIX}${specifier}`,
+    };
+  }
   if (specifier === "@features-manifest") {
     const resolved = path.join(repoRoot, "preview-features.json");
     return nextResolve(resolved, context);
@@ -69,6 +91,26 @@ export function resolve(specifier, context, nextResolve) {
 }
 
 export async function load(url, context, nextLoad) {
+  if (url.startsWith(STUB_URL_PREFIX)) {
+    return {
+      format: "module",
+      shortCircuit: true,
+      source: stubModules.get(url.slice(STUB_URL_PREFIX.length)) ?? "",
+    };
+  }
+
+  // The app bundler loads .json imports without attributes (e.g. the bare
+  // `@emoji-mart/data` entrypoint); node's ESM resolver requires
+  // `with { type: "json" }` on every hop. Serve json here so transitive
+  // imports from source under test don't need bundler-only semantics.
+  if (url.endsWith(".json")) {
+    return {
+      format: "json",
+      shortCircuit: true,
+      source: fs.readFileSync(fileURLToPath(url), "utf8"),
+    };
+  }
+
   if (url.endsWith(".tsx")) {
     const source = fs.readFileSync(fileURLToPath(url), "utf8");
     const transpiled = ts.transpileModule(source, {
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/active-turn-resilience.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/active-turn-resilience.spec.ts
index f8e3c39ae..c85063093 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/active-turn-resilience.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/active-turn-resilience.spec.ts
@@ -118,10 +118,16 @@ test.describe("active turn badge resilience", () => {
     ]);
 
     const paulPanel = await openAgentProfile(page, AGENT_PAUL);
-    await expect(paulPanel).toContainText("Working in #general", {
-      timeout: 5_000,
-    });
-    await expect(paulPanel).toContainText("Working in #engineering");
+    await expect(paulPanel).toBeVisible();
+
+    // The profile panel surfaces active turns via the live-activity embed only
+    // where an agent session can open (channel surfaces). In the Agents view
+    // the store-driven working state shows as sidebar channel badges — the
+    // same activeAgentTurnsStore this test exercises.
+    const generalBadge = page.getByTestId("channel-working-general");
+    const engineeringBadge = page.getByTestId("channel-working-engineering");
+    await expect(generalBadge).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    await expect(engineeringBadge).toBeVisible();
 
     // Simulate the all-at-once relay drop: no further frames, advance the clock
     // past both thresholds. This fires several real prune ticks; shouldPausePrune
@@ -130,7 +136,7 @@ test.describe("active turn badge resilience", () => {
     // pre-fix code every badge would be gone after the first tick past 25s.
     await page.clock.fastForward(FRAME_GAP_MS);
 
-    await expect(paulPanel).toContainText("Working in #general");
-    await expect(paulPanel).toContainText("Working in #engineering");
+    await expect(generalBadge).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(engineeringBadge).toBeVisible();
   });
 });
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
index d61dc208d..74df14f4e 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
 } from "../helpers/bridge";
 
 const GENERAL_CHANNEL_ID = "9a1657ac-f7aa-5db0-b632-d8bbeb6dfb50";
+const AGENTS_CHANNEL_ID = "94a444a4-c0a3-5966-ab05-530c6ddc2301";
 const MOCK_IDENTITY_PUBKEY = "deadbeef".repeat(8);
 // Relay-only agent owned by the mock viewer (see e2eBridge.ts
 // OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY). Classified as a bot via mockRelayAgents and
@@ -17,6 +18,12 @@ const OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY =
   "a1b2c3d4e5f60718293a4b5c6d7e8f90112233445566778899aabbccddeeff00";
 
 type MockFeedWindow = Window & {
+  __BUZZ_E2E_SEED_ACTIVE_TURNS__?: (input: {
+    agentPubkey: string;
+    channelId: string;
+    turnId: string;
+    kind?: "turn_started" | "turn_completed";
+  }) => void;
   __BUZZ_E2E_PUSH_MOCK_FEED_ITEM__?: (item: {
     category: "mention" | "needs_action" | "activity" | "agent_activity";
     channel_id: string | null;
@@ -1142,6 +1149,156 @@ test("members sidebar exposes view-activity for a viewer-owned relay agent", asy
   ).toBeVisible();
 });
 
+test("profile renders live activity for a viewer-owned relay agent", async ({
+  page,
+}) => {
+  await page.goto("/");
+
+  await openMembersSidebar(page, "agents");
+  await page
+    .getByTestId(`sidebar-member-open-profile-${OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY}`)
+    .click();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("members-sidebar")).not.toBeVisible();
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-view-activity-${OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY}`),
+  ).toBeVisible();
+
+  await page.waitForFunction(
+    () =>
+      typeof (window as MockFeedWindow).__BUZZ_E2E_SEED_ACTIVE_TURNS__ ===
+      "function",
+  );
+  await page.evaluate(
+    ({ agentPubkey, channelId }) => {
+      const seedActiveTurns = (window as MockFeedWindow)
+        .__BUZZ_E2E_SEED_ACTIVE_TURNS__;
+      if (!seedActiveTurns) {
+        throw new Error("Mock active-turn helper is not installed.");
+      }
+      seedActiveTurns({
+        agentPubkey,
+        channelId,
+        turnId: "owned-relay-profile-turn",
+      });
+    },
+    {
+      agentPubkey: OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY,
+      channelId: AGENTS_CHANNEL_ID,
+    },
+  );
+
+  const liveActivity = page.getByTestId(
+    `user-profile-live-activity-${OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY}`,
+  );
+  await expect(liveActivity).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(liveActivity).toContainText("Latest Activity");
+  await expect(liveActivity).toContainText("#agents");
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-dot-${AGENTS_CHANNEL_ID}`),
+  ).toHaveCount(0);
+
+  await page.evaluate(
+    ({ agentPubkey, channelId, turnId }) => {
+      const seedActiveTurns = (window as MockFeedWindow)
+        .__BUZZ_E2E_SEED_ACTIVE_TURNS__;
+      if (!seedActiveTurns) {
+        throw new Error("Mock active-turn helper is not installed.");
+      }
+      seedActiveTurns({
+        agentPubkey,
+        channelId,
+        turnId,
+        kind: "turn_completed",
+      });
+    },
+    {
+      agentPubkey: OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY,
+      channelId: AGENTS_CHANNEL_ID,
+      turnId: "owned-relay-profile-turn",
+    },
+  );
+
+  await expect(liveActivity).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(liveActivity).toContainText("Latest Activity");
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-view-activity-${OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY}`),
+  ).not.toBeVisible();
+});
+
+test("profile activity carousel switches channels via progress dots", async ({
+  page,
+}) => {
+  await page.goto("/");
+
+  await openMembersSidebar(page, "agents");
+  await page
+    .getByTestId(`sidebar-member-open-profile-${OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY}`)
+    .click();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("members-sidebar")).not.toBeVisible();
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-view-activity-${OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY}`),
+  ).toBeVisible();
+
+  await page.waitForFunction(
+    () =>
+      typeof (window as MockFeedWindow).__BUZZ_E2E_SEED_ACTIVE_TURNS__ ===
+      "function",
+  );
+
+  await page.evaluate(
+    ({ agentPubkey, channels }) => {
+      const seedActiveTurns = (window as MockFeedWindow)
+        .__BUZZ_E2E_SEED_ACTIVE_TURNS__;
+      if (!seedActiveTurns) {
+        throw new Error("Mock active-turn helper is not installed.");
+      }
+
+      for (const [index, channelId] of channels.entries()) {
+        seedActiveTurns({
+          agentPubkey,
+          channelId,
+          turnId: `owned-relay-profile-turn-${index}`,
+        });
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      agentPubkey: OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY,
+      channels: [AGENTS_CHANNEL_ID, GENERAL_CHANNEL_ID],
+    },
+  );
+
+  const liveActivity = page.getByTestId(
+    `user-profile-live-activity-${OWNED_RELAY_AGENT_PUBKEY}`,
+  );
+  await expect(liveActivity).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(liveActivity).toContainText("#agents");
+
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-dot-${AGENTS_CHANNEL_ID}`),
+  ).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-dot-${GENERAL_CHANNEL_ID}`),
+  ).toBeVisible();
+
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-slide-${GENERAL_CHANNEL_ID}`),
+  ).toHaveAttribute("data-mounted", "false");
+
+  await page
+    .getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-dot-${GENERAL_CHANNEL_ID}`)
+    .click();
+
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId("user-profile-activity-channel-label"),
+  ).toContainText("#general");
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-slide-${GENERAL_CHANNEL_ID}`),
+  ).toHaveAttribute("data-mounted", "true");
+  await expect(
+    page.getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-slide-${AGENTS_CHANNEL_ID}`),
+  ).toHaveAttribute("data-mounted", "true");
+});
+
 test("typing indicator shows avatars and maintains stable name order", async ({
   page,
 }) => {
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/observer-feed-screenshots.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/observer-feed-screenshots.spec.ts
index bb177d21d..745f25b53 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/observer-feed-screenshots.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/observer-feed-screenshots.spec.ts
@@ -91,8 +91,18 @@ async function seedObserverEvents(
 }
 
 async function settleAnimations(panel: import("@playwright/test").Locator) {
+  // Only await finite animations — live surfaces (e.g. the turn liveness
+  // indicator) run infinite loops whose `finished` promise never resolves.
   await panel.evaluate((el) =>
-    Promise.all(el.getAnimations({ subtree: true }).map((a) => a.finished)),
+    Promise.all(
+      el
+        .getAnimations({ subtree: true })
+        .filter((a) => {
+          const timing = a.effect?.getTiming();
+          return timing?.iterations !== Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY;
+        })
+        .map((a) => a.finished),
+    ),
   );
 }
 
@@ -114,15 +124,14 @@ test.describe("observer feed screenshots", () => {
     });
   });
 
-  test("01 — prompt context inline (collapsed-but-labeled)", async ({
-    page,
-  }) => {
+  test("01 — prompt context dialog (via Checks ingress)", async ({ page }) => {
     await installMockBridge(page, { managedAgents: MANAGED_AGENTS });
     const feedPanel = await openObserverFeedPanel(page, OBSERVER_AGENT_PUBKEY);
 
-    // session/prompt event: the per-turn prompt context that #1381 stopped
-    // rendering inline. The payload contains sections that parsePromptText
-    // extracts and the transcript renders as a collapsed PromptContextInline.
+    // session/prompt event: per-turn prompt context. The payload contains
+    // sections that parsePromptText extracts; the transcript keeps them out
+    // of the feed until the CheckCheck footer toggle opens the
+    // PromptContextDialog modal.
     await seedObserverEvents(page, OBSERVER_AGENT_PUBKEY, [
       {
         seq: 1,
@@ -156,13 +165,22 @@ test.describe("observer feed screenshots", () => {
       },
     ]);
 
-    // The inline context element should be visible with collapsed sections.
+    // The context stays out of the feed until the CheckCheck ingress opens
+    // the dialog.
+    await expect(feedPanel.getByText("Prompt context")).toHaveCount(0);
+    const contextToggle = feedPanel.getByTestId(
+      "transcript-prompt-context-toggle",
+    );
+    await expect(contextToggle).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    await contextToggle.click();
+    const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog");
+    await expect(dialog).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
     await expect(
-      feedPanel.getByTestId("transcript-prompt-context-inline"),
+      dialog.getByTestId("transcript-prompt-context-sections"),
     ).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
-    await settleAnimations(feedPanel);
-    await feedPanel.screenshot({
-      path: `${SHOTS}/01-prompt-context-inline.png`,
+    await settleAnimations(dialog);
+    await dialog.screenshot({
+      path: `${SHOTS}/01-prompt-context-dialog.png`,
     });
   });
 
@@ -323,7 +341,7 @@ test.describe("observer feed screenshots", () => {
     });
   });
 
-  test("05 — prompt context inline (sections expanded)", async ({ page }) => {
+  test("05 — prompt context dialog (sections expanded)", async ({ page }) => {
     await installMockBridge(page, { managedAgents: MANAGED_AGENTS });
     const feedPanel = await openObserverFeedPanel(page, OBSERVER_AGENT_PUBKEY);
 
@@ -360,19 +378,23 @@ test.describe("observer feed screenshots", () => {
       },
     ]);
 
-    await expect(
-      feedPanel.getByTestId("transcript-prompt-context-inline"),
-    ).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    // Open the dialog via the CheckCheck ingress, then expand every section.
+    const contextToggle = feedPanel.getByTestId(
+      "transcript-prompt-context-toggle",
+    );
+    await expect(contextToggle).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    await contextToggle.click();
+    const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog");
+    await expect(dialog).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
 
-    // Click each section accordion button to expand it.
-    const sectionButtons = feedPanel
+    const sectionButtons = dialog
       .getByTestId("transcript-prompt-context-sections")
       .getByRole("button");
     for (const btn of await sectionButtons.all()) {
       await btn.click();
     }
-    await settleAnimations(feedPanel);
-    await feedPanel.screenshot({
+    await settleAnimations(dialog);
+    await dialog.screenshot({
       path: `${SHOTS}/05-prompt-context-expanded.png`,
     });
   });
@@ -618,7 +640,7 @@ test.describe("observer feed screenshots", () => {
     });
   });
 
-  test("11 — first-turn ordering: user bubble → System prompt → Prompt context", async ({
+  test("11 — first-turn bundle: user bubble + Checks ingress dialog", async ({
     page,
   }) => {
     await installMockBridge(page, { managedAgents: MANAGED_AGENTS });
@@ -626,8 +648,9 @@ test.describe("observer feed screenshots", () => {
 
     // Full realistic pool.rs first-turn wire sequence:
     // turn_started → session/new → session_resolved → session/prompt
-    // Verifies the ordering fix: System prompt renders between the user message
-    // bubble and the Prompt context inline block (not after it).
+    // Verifies the prompt bundle keeps context out of the feed: the system
+    // prompt and prompt context both live in the dialog opened via the
+    // CheckCheck footer ingress, with system-prompt sections listed first.
     await seedObserverEvents(page, OBSERVER_AGENT_PUBKEY, [
       {
         seq: 1,
@@ -699,15 +722,24 @@ test.describe("observer feed screenshots", () => {
     await expect(feedPanel.getByTestId("transcript-prompt-bundle")).toBeVisible(
       { timeout: 5_000 },
     );
-    // System prompt should appear inside the bundle, above prompt context.
-    await expect(feedPanel.getByText("System prompt")).toBeVisible({
-      timeout: 5_000,
-    });
-    await expect(feedPanel.getByText("Prompt context")).toBeVisible({
-      timeout: 5_000,
-    });
-    await settleAnimations(feedPanel);
-    await feedPanel.screenshot({
+    // Neither the system prompt nor the prompt context renders in the feed.
+    await expect(feedPanel.getByText("System prompt")).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(feedPanel.getByText("Prompt context")).toHaveCount(0);
+
+    // Open the dialog: system-prompt sections (Base/System) come before the
+    // prompt-context sections (Buzz event/Thread context).
+    await feedPanel.getByTestId("transcript-prompt-context-toggle").click();
+    const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog");
+    await expect(dialog).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    const sectionTitles = await dialog
+      .getByTestId("transcript-prompt-context-sections")
+      .locator("article")
+      .allInnerTexts();
+    expect(sectionTitles.length).toBe(4);
+    expect(sectionTitles[0]).toContain("Base");
+    expect(sectionTitles[1]).toContain("System");
+    await settleAnimations(dialog);
+    await dialog.screenshot({
       path: `${SHOTS}/11-first-turn-ordering.png`,
     });
   });
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/profile-active-turn.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/profile-active-turn.spec.ts
index c6943e617..db20847dd 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/profile-active-turn.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/profile-active-turn.spec.ts
@@ -94,9 +94,14 @@ test.describe("profile active turn indicator", () => {
 
     const panel = page.getByTestId("user-profile-panel");
     await expect(panel).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(panel).toContainText("Working in #general", {
-      timeout: 5_000,
-    });
+    const liveActivity = panel.getByTestId(
+      `user-profile-live-activity-${AGENT_PUBKEY}`,
+    );
+    await expect(liveActivity).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    await expect(liveActivity).toContainText("Latest Activity");
+    await expect(
+      liveActivity.getByTestId("user-profile-activity-channel-label"),
+    ).toContainText("#general");
   });
 
   test("02 — profile panel: agent working in two channels", async ({
@@ -113,10 +118,18 @@ test.describe("profile active turn indicator", () => {
 
     const panel = page.getByTestId("user-profile-panel");
     await expect(panel).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(panel).toContainText("Working in #general", {
-      timeout: 5_000,
-    });
-    await expect(panel).toContainText("Working in #engineering");
+    const liveActivity = panel.getByTestId(
+      `user-profile-live-activity-${AGENT_PUBKEY}`,
+    );
+    await expect(liveActivity).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    await expect(liveActivity).toContainText("Latest Activity");
+    // One carousel dot per working channel.
+    await expect(
+      panel.getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-dot-${CHANNEL_GENERAL}`),
+    ).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(
+      panel.getByTestId(`user-profile-activity-dot-${CHANNEL_ENGINEERING}`),
+    ).toBeVisible();
   });
 
   test("03 — hover popover: agent working", async ({ page }) => {
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/scroll-history.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/scroll-history.spec.ts
index ba19b38bb..92ccb71ed 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/scroll-history.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/scroll-history.spec.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,12 @@ import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
 
 import { installMockBridge } from "../helpers/bridge";
 
-const CHANNEL_HISTORY_PREPEND_SETTLE_PX = 28;
+// First-pass settle budget for a full channel-history prepend. CI Linux font
+// rasterization can leave the restored anchor a subpixel off the local value
+// (observed 28.5 vs 28), so keep headroom above the exact settle while staying
+// well below a row-sized jump (~46px), which is what the real anchor-shove bug
+// produces.
+const CHANNEL_HISTORY_PREPEND_SETTLE_PX = 32;
 
 async function getTimelineMetrics(page: import("@playwright/test").Page) {
   return page.getByTestId("message-timeline").evaluate((element) => {
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 5cf5c5091..205043006 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -132,6 +132,9 @@ importers:
       clsx:
         specifier: ^2.1.1
         version: 2.1.1
+      embla-carousel-react:
+        specifier: ^8.6.0
+        version: 8.6.0(react@19.2.7)
       emoji-mart:
         specifier: ^5.6.0
         version: 5.6.0
@@ -1641,7 +1644,6 @@ packages:
     engines: {node: '>= 10'}
     cpu: [riscv64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@tauri-apps/cli-linux-x64-gnu@2.11.2':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-Ru4gwJKPG0ctVGchRGpRup4Y4lW2SSfFnrbQcyHhCliKy4g8Qz97TrUgCur4CbWyAgKxvGh3SjrkA0LDYzDGiw==}
@@ -2089,6 +2091,19 @@ packages:
   electron-to-chromium@1.5.361:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-Q6Hts7N9FnJc5LeGRINFvLhCI9xZmNtTDe5ZbcVezQz7cU4a8Aua3GH1b8J2XY8Al9PF+OCwYqhgsOOheMdvkA==}
 
+  embla-carousel-react@8.6.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-0/PjqU7geVmo6F734pmPqpyHqiM99olvyecY7zdweCw+6tKEXnrE90pBiBbMMU8s5tICemzpQ3hi5EpxzGW+JA==}
+    peerDependencies:
+      react: ^16.8.0 || ^17.0.1 || ^18.0.0 || ^19.0.0 || ^19.0.0-rc
+
+  embla-carousel-reactive-utils@8.6.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-fMVUDUEx0/uIEDM0Mz3dHznDhfX+znCCDCeIophYb1QGVM7YThSWX+wz11zlYwWFOr74b4QLGg0hrGPJeG2s4A==}
+    peerDependencies:
+      embla-carousel: 8.6.0
+
+  embla-carousel@8.6.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-SjWyZBHJPbqxHOzckOfo8lHisEaJWmwd23XppYFYVh10bU66/Pn5tkVkbkCMZVdbUE5eTCI2nD8OyIP4Z+uwkA==}
+
   emoji-mart@5.6.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-eJp3QRe79pjwa+duv+n7+5YsNhRcMl812EcFVwrnRvYKoNPoQb5qxU8DG6Bgwji0akHdp6D4Ln6tYLG58MFSow==}
 
@@ -3063,7 +3078,7 @@ packages:
     engines: {node: '>= 0.4'}
 
   wrappy@1.0.2:
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-l4Sp/DRseor9wL6EvV2+TuQn63dMkPjZ/sp9XkghTEbV9KlPS1xUsZ3u7/IQO4wxtcFB4bgpQPRcR3QCvezPcQ==}
+    resolution: {integrity: sha1-tSQ9jz7BqjXxNkYFvA0QNuMKtp8=}
 
   yallist@3.1.1:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-a4UGQaWPH59mOXUYnAG2ewncQS4i4F43Tv3JoAM+s2VDAmS9NsK8GpDMLrCHPksFT7h3K6TOoUNn2pb7RoXx4g==}
@@ -4739,6 +4754,18 @@ snapshots:
 
   electron-to-chromium@1.5.361: {}
 
+  embla-carousel-react@8.6.0(react@19.2.7):
+    dependencies:
+      embla-carousel: 8.6.0
+      embla-carousel-reactive-utils: 8.6.0(embla-carousel@8.6.0)
+      react: 19.2.7
+
+  embla-carousel-reactive-utils@8.6.0(embla-carousel@8.6.0):
+    dependencies:
+      embla-carousel: 8.6.0
+
+  embla-carousel@8.6.0: {}
+
   emoji-mart@5.6.0: {}
 
   enhanced-resolve@5.21.5: