diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3b085b9..c65589c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,30 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.0.19] - 2026-07-27
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Live Activity, Board, channel Threads, global Threads, Texts, Memory, and
+  channel-settings refreshes now keep the current surface visible until fresh
+  data arrives, ignore stale async paints, and restore focused controls,
+  cursor selection, unsaved values, scroll positions, and open or deliberately
+  closed disclosures by stable identity.
+- Activity remembers the selected filter and expanded evidence across live
+  events, Board lane and Texts conversation scrollers retain their reading
+  position, and sidebar/header status updates no longer steal focus or reset
+  navigation state.
+- Background skill-catalog changes no longer close and reopen Settings. The
+  open Skills page stays untouched and offers an explicit **Refresh when
+  ready** action so searches, drafts, focus, and scroll remain user-owned.
+
+### Tests
+
+- Browser regressions now trigger real WebSocket updates while a user owns a
+  Texts draft, Activity evidence, channel-settings cursor selection, Board
+  card, or global Threads position, and prove every state remains stable while
+  the incoming data and Markdown update in place.
+
 ## [0.0.18] - 2026-07-27
 
 ### Added
@@ -532,7 +556,8 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
   notarization, stapled tickets, Gatekeeper verification, persistent
   Application Support, and isolated Apple container machines.
 
-[Unreleased]: https://github.com/gitcommit90/1Helm/compare/v0.0.18...HEAD
+[Unreleased]: https://github.com/gitcommit90/1Helm/compare/v0.0.19...HEAD
+[0.0.19]: https://github.com/gitcommit90/1Helm/releases/tag/v0.0.19
 [0.0.18]: https://github.com/gitcommit90/1Helm/releases/tag/v0.0.18
 [0.0.17]: https://github.com/gitcommit90/1Helm/releases/tag/v0.0.17
 [0.0.16]: https://github.com/gitcommit90/1Helm/releases/tag/v0.0.16
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index be8fd1b..9852cda 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ A fresh data directory opens first-run setup. The source runtime defaults to
 | `PORT` | `8123` | HTTP/WebSocket control-plane port. |
 | `CTRL_DATA_DIR` | `./data` | Databases, routing state, uploads, and narrow workspace mirrors. |
 | `HELM_CHANNEL_COMPUTER_BACKEND` | `apple` on macOS, `lxc` on Linux, `wsl` on Windows | Host isolation backend; `native` and `mock` are explicit development/test overrides. |
-| `HELM_CHANNEL_MACHINE_IMAGE` | `local/1helm-channel-machine:0.0.18` | Versioned channel-machine image contract. |
+| `HELM_CHANNEL_MACHINE_IMAGE` | `local/1helm-channel-machine:0.0.19` | Versioned channel-machine image contract. |
 
 ### Agent-first JSON CLI
 
diff --git a/ios/App/App.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj b/ios/App/App.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
index 8b3c78b..5fc83d5 100644
--- a/ios/App/App.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
+++ b/ios/App/App.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
@@ -302,14 +302,14 @@
 				ASSETCATALOG_COMPILER_APPICON_NAME = AppIcon;
 				CODE_SIGN_ENTITLEMENTS = App/App.entitlements;
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 18;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 19;
 				INFOPLIST_FILE = App/Info.plist;
 				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 15.0;
 				LD_RUNPATH_SEARCH_PATHS = (
 					"$(inherited)",
 					"@executable_path/Frameworks",
 				);
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 0.0.18;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 0.0.19;
 				OTHER_SWIFT_FLAGS = "$(inherited) \"-D\" \"COCOAPODS\" \"-DDEBUG\"";
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.gitcommit90.onehelm.mobile;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = 1Helm;
@@ -326,14 +326,14 @@
 				ASSETCATALOG_COMPILER_APPICON_NAME = AppIcon;
 				CODE_SIGN_ENTITLEMENTS = App/App.entitlements;
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 18;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 19;
 				INFOPLIST_FILE = App/Info.plist;
 				IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 15.0;
 				LD_RUNPATH_SEARCH_PATHS = (
 					"$(inherited)",
 					"@executable_path/Frameworks",
 				);
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 0.0.18;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 0.0.19;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.gitcommit90.onehelm.mobile;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = 1Helm;
 				SWIFT_ACTIVE_COMPILATION_CONDITIONS = "";
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 317d9ee..62be752 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "1helm",
-  "version": "0.0.18",
+  "version": "0.0.19",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "1helm",
-      "version": "0.0.18",
+      "version": "0.0.19",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "license": "AGPL-3.0-only",
       "dependencies": {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 802095d..a9f0fe7 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "1helm",
   "productName": "1Helm",
-  "version": "0.0.18",
+  "version": "0.0.19",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "license": "AGPL-3.0-only",
diff --git a/public/index.html b/public/index.html
index 3741997..2b59c1a 100644
--- a/public/index.html
+++ b/public/index.html
@@ -36,6 +36,6 @@
 </head>
 <body class="h-screen w-screen overflow-hidden antialiased">
   <div id="app" class="h-full w-full"></div>
-  <script type="module" src="/bundle.js?v=4aa9784ca75b"></script>
+  <script type="module" src="/bundle.js?v=0520498da6f9"></script>
 </body>
 </html>
diff --git a/src/client/app.ts b/src/client/app.ts
index 81ff482..1059a88 100644
--- a/src/client/app.ts
+++ b/src/client/app.ts
@@ -152,12 +152,14 @@ const pending: { token: string; name: string; mime: string; size: number }[] = [
 type UiContinuity = {
   active: { key: string; start: number | null; end: number | null; value: string | null; checked: boolean | null; node: HTMLElement | null } | null;
   scroll: Array<{ key: string; top: number; left: number }>;
-  details: string[];
+  details: Array<{ key: string; open: boolean }>;
 };
 
 function continuityKey(element: Element): string | null {
-  const stable = element.closest<HTMLElement>("[data-continuity-key]")?.dataset.continuityKey;
-  if (stable) return `[data-continuity-key="${CSS.escape(stable)}"]`;
+  const stableElement = element.closest<HTMLElement>("[data-continuity-key]");
+  const stable = stableElement?.dataset.continuityKey;
+  const stableSelector = stable ? `[data-continuity-key="${CSS.escape(stable)}"]` : "";
+  if (stableElement === element) return stableSelector;
   if (element.id) return `#${CSS.escape(element.id)}`;
   const composer = (element as HTMLElement).dataset?.composerParent;
   if (composer != null) return `[data-composer-parent="${CSS.escape(composer)}"]`;
@@ -167,11 +169,12 @@ function continuityKey(element: Element): string | null {
   if (labelled) return `${element.tagName.toLowerCase()}[aria-label="${CSS.escape(labelled)}"]`;
   const placeholder = element.getAttribute("placeholder");
   if (placeholder) return `${element.tagName.toLowerCase()}[placeholder="${CSS.escape(placeholder)}"]`;
+  if (stableSelector && stableElement?.querySelectorAll(element.tagName).length === 1) return `${stableSelector} ${element.tagName.toLowerCase()}`;
   return null;
 }
 
 /** Preserve user-owned focus, selection, scroll, and expansion across unavoidable shell paints. */
-function captureUiContinuity(scope: ParentNode): UiContinuity {
+export function captureUiContinuity(scope: ParentNode): UiContinuity {
   const activeElement = document.activeElement instanceof HTMLElement && scope.contains(document.activeElement) ? document.activeElement : null;
   const activeKey = activeElement ? continuityKey(activeElement) || (activeElement.isContentEditable ? "[contenteditable=true]" : null) : null;
   const selection = activeElement instanceof HTMLInputElement || activeElement instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement
@@ -181,16 +184,16 @@ function captureUiContinuity(scope: ParentNode): UiContinuity {
   const scroll = Array.from(scope.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>("[data-continuity-key],#msgs,#threadmsgs,#channelview"))
     .filter((element) => element.scrollTop !== 0 || element.scrollLeft !== 0)
     .flatMap((element) => { const key = continuityKey(element); return key ? [{ key, top: element.scrollTop, left: element.scrollLeft }] : []; });
-  const details = Array.from(scope.querySelectorAll<HTMLDetailsElement>("details[open][data-continuity-key]"))
-    .flatMap((element) => { const key = continuityKey(element); return key ? [key] : []; });
+  const details = Array.from(scope.querySelectorAll<HTMLDetailsElement>("details[data-continuity-key]"))
+    .flatMap((element) => { const key = continuityKey(element); return key ? [{ key, open: element.open }] : []; });
   return { active: activeKey ? { key: activeKey, node: activeElement, ...selection } : null, scroll, details };
 }
 
-function restoreUiContinuity(snapshot: UiContinuity): void {
+export function restoreUiContinuity(snapshot: UiContinuity): void {
   // Restore focus synchronously once the retained surface is reattached. A
   // caller may observe the completed paint before the next animation frame;
   // focus and cursor ownership must already be back with the user by then.
-  for (const key of snapshot.details) { const element = document.querySelector<HTMLDetailsElement>(key); if (element) element.open = true; }
+  for (const saved of snapshot.details) { const element = document.querySelector<HTMLDetailsElement>(saved.key); if (element) element.open = saved.open; }
   if (snapshot.active) {
     const element = snapshot.active.node?.isConnected ? snapshot.active.node : document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(snapshot.active.key);
     if (element) {
@@ -200,6 +203,10 @@ function restoreUiContinuity(snapshot: UiContinuity): void {
       if ((element instanceof HTMLInputElement || element instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement) && snapshot.active.start != null && snapshot.active.end != null) element.setSelectionRange(snapshot.active.start, snapshot.active.end);
     }
   }
+  for (const saved of snapshot.scroll) {
+    const element = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(saved.key);
+    if (element) { element.scrollTop = saved.top; element.scrollLeft = saved.left; }
+  }
   requestAnimationFrame(() => {
     for (const saved of snapshot.scroll) { const element = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(saved.key); if (element) { element.scrollTop = saved.top; element.scrollLeft = saved.left; } }
   });
@@ -472,7 +479,7 @@ function onEvent(e: any): void {
     const msg = e.message as Message;
     if (!msg?.channel_id) return;
     if (msg.photon_conversation_id) {
-      if (S.view === "texts") renderChannelView();
+      if (S.view === "texts") refreshChannelViewWithContinuity();
       return;
     }
     const mine = msg.author?.kind === "user" && msg.author.id === S.me.id;
@@ -506,7 +513,7 @@ function onEvent(e: any): void {
   } else if (e.type === "photon_update") {
     S.photonConfigured = true;
     if (e.conversationId) S.selectedTextConversationId = Number(e.conversationId);
-    if (S.view === "texts") renderChannelView(); else renderHeader();
+    if (S.view === "texts") refreshChannelViewWithContinuity(); else renderHeader();
   } else if (e.type === "message_deleted") {
     applyMessageDeleted(e);
   } else if (e.type === "mention_confirmation") {
@@ -538,7 +545,7 @@ function onEvent(e: any): void {
       // Keep the URL slug in sync after rename without a hard navigation.
       writeRoute(S.channels.find((c) => c.id === S.channelId), S.view, S.threadRoot?.id ?? null, true);
       renderHeader();
-      if (S.view === "settings") renderChannelView();
+      if (S.view === "settings") refreshChannelViewWithContinuity();
       else if (S.view === "chat") { renderMessages(); if (S.threadRoot) renderThread(); }
     }
   } else if (e.type === "channel_deleted") {
@@ -554,17 +561,17 @@ function onEvent(e: any): void {
     renderSidebar();
     if (e.channelId === S.channelId) renderHeader();
   } else if (e.type === "activity" || e.type === "escalation") {
-    if (e.channelId === S.channelId && (S.view === "activity" || S.view === "memory")) renderChannelView();
+    if (e.channelId === S.channelId && (S.view === "activity" || S.view === "memory")) refreshChannelViewWithContinuity();
   } else if (e.type === "thread_update") {
     // Skipper (or API) changed durable session status — refresh board/threads/activity surfaces.
-    if (S.globalThreadsOpen) renderMain();
+    if (S.globalThreadsOpen) refreshMainWithContinuity();
     else if (Number(e.channelId) === Number(S.channelId) && (S.view === "board" || S.view === "threads" || S.view === "activity")) {
-      renderChannelView();
+      refreshChannelViewWithContinuity();
     }
   } else if (e.type === "followup") {
     // Durable agent wake scheduled/cleared — Board and the open thread share this source.
     if (Number(e.channelId) === Number(S.channelId) && (S.view === "board" || S.view === "threads")) {
-      renderChannelView();
+      refreshChannelViewWithContinuity();
     }
     if (Number(e.channelId) === Number(S.channelId) && S.threadRoot && Number(e.rootMessageId) === Number(S.threadRoot.id)) {
       S.threadFollowup = e.followup || null;
@@ -591,17 +598,17 @@ function onEvent(e: any): void {
   } else if (e.type === "provider_update" && e.provider) {
     const i = S.providers.findIndex((p) => p.id === e.provider.id);
     if (i >= 0) S.providers[i] = e.provider; else S.providers = [...S.providers, e.provider];
-    if (S.view === "settings") renderChannelView();
+    if (S.view === "settings") refreshChannelViewWithContinuity();
   } else if (e.type === "provider_deleted") {
     S.providers = S.providers.filter((p) => p.id !== e.providerId);
-    if (S.view === "settings") renderChannelView();
+    if (S.view === "settings") refreshChannelViewWithContinuity();
   } else if (e.type === "providers_changed") {
-    void reloadProviders().then(() => { if (S.view === "settings") renderChannelView(); });
+    void reloadProviders().then(() => { if (S.view === "settings") refreshChannelViewWithContinuity(); });
   } else if (e.type === "skills_changed") {
     void loadWorkspace().then(() => {
       renderSidebar();
       renderHeader();
-      if (S.view === "settings") renderChannelView();
+      if (S.view === "settings") refreshChannelViewWithContinuity();
       refreshOpenSkillsSettings();
     });
   } else if (e.type === "bot_update" && e.bot) {
@@ -883,6 +890,7 @@ function sidebar(drawer = false): HTMLElement {
       class: `nav-item ${active ? "nav-item-active" : "nav-item-idle"} ${unread || working ? "font-semibold text-white" : ""}`,
       title: labels.join(" · "),
       "aria-label": labels.join(", "),
+      dataset: { continuityKey: `sidebar-${drawer ? "mobile" : "desktop"}-channel-${c.id}` },
       onclick: () => { closeMobileMenu(); void openChannel(c.id); },
     },
       c.kind === "dm"
@@ -923,13 +931,14 @@ function sidebar(drawer = false): HTMLElement {
       h("div", { class: "flex items-center gap-1" },
         h("button", { class: "grid h-9 w-9 place-items-center rounded-md text-sidebar-muted hover:bg-sidebar-hover hover:text-white", title: theme === "light" ? "Switch to dark" : "Switch to light", onclick: toggleTheme }, icon(theme === "light" ? "moon" : "sun")),
         drawer ? h("button", { class: "grid h-11 w-11 place-items-center rounded-md text-sidebar-muted hover:bg-sidebar-hover hover:text-white", title: "Close navigation", "aria-label": "Close navigation", dataset: { drawerClose: "" }, onclick: closeMobileMenu }, icon("x", 20)) : null)),
-    h("div", { class: "flex-1 space-y-5 overflow-y-auto px-2 py-3" },
+    h("div", { class: "flex-1 space-y-5 overflow-y-auto px-2 py-3", dataset: { continuityKey: `sidebar-${drawer ? "mobile" : "desktop"}-scroll` } },
       allChannels.length ? h("div", { class: "px-1 pb-1" },
         h("button", {
           type: "button",
           class: `nav-item w-full ${S.globalThreadsOpen ? "nav-item-active" : "nav-item-idle"}`,
           title: "All threads across agent channels",
           "aria-pressed": String(Boolean(S.globalThreadsOpen)),
+          dataset: { continuityKey: `sidebar-${drawer ? "mobile" : "desktop"}-threads` },
           onclick: () => { closeMobileMenu(); openGlobalThreads(); },
         },
           h("span", { class: "shrink-0 text-sidebar-muted" }, icon("thread", 14)),
@@ -1310,7 +1319,29 @@ function openGlobalThreads(): void {
   void loadWorkspace().then(() => renderApp()).catch(() => renderApp());
 }
 
-function renderMain(preserveChannelSurface = false): void {
+function refreshMainWithContinuity(): void {
+  const main = document.getElementById("main");
+  const continuity = main ? captureUiContinuity(main) : null;
+  if (S.globalThreadsOpen) {
+    const container = document.getElementById("channelview");
+    if (!container) { renderMain(true, continuity || undefined); return; }
+    renderGlobalThreads(container, {
+      unreadOnly: S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly,
+      onToggleUnread: (next) => { S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly = next; refreshMainWithContinuity(); },
+      onOpen: (thread) => {
+        S.globalThreadsOpen = false;
+        void openChannel(thread.channel_id, "chat", thread.root_message_id);
+      },
+    }, {
+      preserveExisting: true,
+      onPaint: continuity ? () => restoreUiContinuity(continuity) : undefined,
+    });
+    return;
+  }
+  renderMain(true, continuity || undefined);
+}
+
+function renderMain(preserveChannelSurface = false, continuity?: UiContinuity): void {
   setActiveCoworkChannel(!S.globalThreadsOpen && (S.view === "cowork" || S.view === "notes") ? S.channelId : null);
   const main = document.getElementById("main")!;
   // #msgs is destroyed on every shell rebuild. Capture scroll *before* clear so
@@ -1338,12 +1369,16 @@ function renderMain(preserveChannelSurface = false): void {
     renderGlobalThreadsHeader();
     renderGlobalThreads(document.getElementById("channelview")!, {
       unreadOnly: S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly,
-      onToggleUnread: (next) => { S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly = next; renderMain(); },
+      onToggleUnread: (next) => { S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly = next; refreshMainWithContinuity(); },
       onOpen: (thread) => {
         S.globalThreadsOpen = false;
         void openChannel(thread.channel_id, "chat", thread.root_message_id);
       },
+    }, {
+      preserveExisting: preserveChannelSurface,
+      onPaint: continuity ? () => restoreUiContinuity(continuity) : undefined,
     });
+    if (continuity) restoreUiContinuity(continuity);
     return;
   }
   const channel = S.channels.find((item) => item.id === S.channelId);
@@ -1471,7 +1506,8 @@ function renderGlobalThreadsHeader(): void {
         type: "button",
         class: `btn-subtle min-h-11 text-xs sm:min-h-0 ${S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly ? "border-accent/40 bg-accent-soft text-accent" : ""}`,
         "aria-pressed": String(S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly),
-        onclick: () => { S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly = !S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly; renderMain(); },
+        dataset: { continuityKey: "global-threads-unread" },
+        onclick: () => { S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly = !S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly; refreshMainWithContinuity(); },
       }, S.globalThreadsUnreadOnly ? "Unread · on" : "Unread · off")));
 }
 
@@ -1590,25 +1626,42 @@ function openTerminalOnComputer(computerId: number): void {
   writeRoute(S.channels.find((channel) => channel.id === S.channelId), "terminal", null);
 }
 
-export function renderChannelView(preserveSurface = false): void {
+let channelViewRenderGeneration = 0;
+
+function refreshChannelViewWithContinuity(): void {
+  const container = document.getElementById("channelview");
+  if (!container) return;
+  const continuity = captureUiContinuity(container);
+  renderChannelView(true, () => restoreUiContinuity(continuity));
+}
+
+export function renderChannelView(preserveSurface = false, onPaint?: () => void): void {
   const container = document.getElementById("channelview");
   const channel = S.channels.find((item) => item.id === S.channelId);
   if (!container || !channel) return;
-  if (S.view === "texts") renderTexts(container, S.selectedTextConversationId || undefined, (id) => { S.selectedTextConversationId = id; renderChannelView(); });
+  const generation = ++channelViewRenderGeneration;
+  const options = {
+    preserveExisting: preserveSurface,
+    isCurrent: () => generation === channelViewRenderGeneration && container.isConnected,
+    onPaint: () => { if (generation === channelViewRenderGeneration && container.isConnected) onPaint?.(); },
+  };
+  let paintsAsynchronously = false;
+  if (S.view === "texts") renderTexts(container, S.selectedTextConversationId || undefined, (id) => { S.selectedTextConversationId = id; renderChannelView(); }, options);
   else if (S.view === "board") renderBoard(container, channel.id, (root) => {
     if (!S.messages.some((message) => message.id === root.id)) S.messages.push(root);
     S.messages.sort((a, b) => a.id - b.id);
     S.view = "chat";
     renderApp();
     void openThread(root);
-  });
-  else if (S.view === "threads") renderThreads(container, channel.id, (thread) => { S.view = "chat"; renderApp(); void openThread(thread.root); });
+  }, options);
+  else if (S.view === "threads") renderThreads(container, channel.id, (thread) => { S.view = "chat"; renderApp(); void openThread(thread.root); }, options);
   else if (S.view === "cowork" || S.view === "notes") renderCowork(container, channel.id, channel, S.me, (root) => { S.view = "chat"; renderApp(); void openThread(root); }, preserveSurface);
   else if (S.view === "files") renderFiles(container, channel.id, "", (path) => { stageCoworkPath(channel.id, path); navigateChannelView("cowork"); }, preserveSurface);
-  else if (S.view === "memory") renderMemory(container, channel.id);
-  else if (S.view === "activity") renderActivity(container, channel.id);
+  else if (S.view === "memory") renderMemory(container, channel.id, options);
+  else if (S.view === "activity") renderActivity(container, channel.id, options);
   else if (S.view === "terminal") openTerminals(container, channel.id, S.preferredTerminalComputerId || undefined);
-  else if (S.view === "settings") renderChannelSettings(container, channel, async (deleted) => {
+  else if (S.view === "settings") {
+    renderChannelSettings(container, channel, async (deleted) => {
     await loadWorkspace();
     if (deleted || !S.channels.some((item) => item.id === S.channelId)) {
       S.channelId = S.channels.find((item) => item.name === "main" && item.kind === "channel")?.id || S.channels[0]?.id || 0;
@@ -1624,11 +1677,16 @@ export function renderChannelView(preserveSurface = false): void {
       }
       renderApp();
     }
-  });
+    }, options.onPaint);
+    options.onPaint();
+    paintsAsynchronously = true;
+  }
+  if (preserveSurface && !paintsAsynchronously) options.onPaint();
 }
 
 function renderHeader(): void {
   const el = document.getElementById("hdr"); if (!el) return;
+  const continuity = captureUiContinuity(el);
   const channel = S.channels.find((item) => item.id === S.channelId);
   const agent = channel?.agent;
   clear(el);
@@ -1676,6 +1734,7 @@ function renderHeader(): void {
         class: `grid h-11 w-11 place-items-center rounded-md border border-transparent text-muted transition hover:border-line hover:bg-hover hover:text-fg sm:h-9 sm:w-9 ${S.notesOpen || S.view === "notes" ? "border-line bg-hover text-fg" : ""}`,
         title: "Quick Note", "aria-label": "Open Quick Note", dataset: { quickNoteHeader: "" }, onclick: (event: MouseEvent) => { event.stopPropagation(); openQuickNoteFromHeader(); },
       }, icon("fileText", 18)) : null));
+  restoreUiContinuity(continuity);
 }
 
 function starIcon(filled: boolean): SVGElement {
@@ -3179,7 +3238,9 @@ export function pickList(title: string, items: { id: number; label: string }[],
 }
 export const renderSidebar = (): void => {
   if (!S.channels) return;
+  const continuity = captureUiContinuity(document);
   document.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>("[data-sidebar]").forEach((s) => s.replaceWith(sidebar(s.dataset.sidebar === "mobile")));
+  restoreUiContinuity(continuity);
 };
 const fmtSize = (n: number): string => n < 1024 ? n + " B" : n < 1048576 ? (n / 1024).toFixed(1) + " KB" : (n / 1048576).toFixed(1) + " MB";
 
diff --git a/src/client/channel.ts b/src/client/channel.ts
index 2b4c5af..fbf28a5 100644
--- a/src/client/channel.ts
+++ b/src/client/channel.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,16 @@ import { NOTIFICATION_SOUNDS, channelNotificationPreference, previewNotification
 
 export type ChannelView = "chat" | "texts" | "board" | "threads" | "cowork" | "notes" | "files" | "terminal" | "memory" | "activity" | "settings";
 
+type RenderRefreshOptions = {
+  preserveExisting?: boolean;
+  isCurrent?: () => boolean;
+  onPaint?: () => void;
+};
+
+function refreshIsCurrent(options: RenderRefreshOptions): boolean {
+  return options.isCurrent?.() !== false;
+}
+
 export function openCreateChannel(onCreated: (channel: Channel) => void): void {
   const name = h("input", { class: "field", placeholder: "launch", autocomplete: "off" }) as HTMLInputElement;
   const purpose = h("textarea", { class: "field min-h-28", placeholder: "This channel owns planning and coordinating the product launch." }) as HTMLTextAreaElement;
@@ -166,15 +176,16 @@ function startBoardCountdownTicker(root: HTMLElement): void {
   boardCountdownTimer = window.setInterval(tick, 1000);
 }
 
-export function renderThreads(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen: (thread: ThreadState) => void): void {
-  panelLoading(container, "Threads", "Focused sessions with durable status and rolling summaries.");
+export function renderThreads(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen: (thread: ThreadState) => void, refresh: RenderRefreshOptions = {}): void {
+  if (!refresh.preserveExisting) panelLoading(container, "Threads", "Focused sessions with durable status and rolling summaries.");
   void api<{ threads: ThreadState[] }>(`/api/channels/${channelId}/threads`).then(({ threads }) => {
+    if (!refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) return;
     const list = h("div", { class: "space-y-2" });
     if (!threads.length) list.append(empty("No sessions yet", "Start a top-level message in Chat to open a focused session."));
     for (const thread of threads) {
       list.append(h("article", { class: "card flex w-full min-w-0 items-start gap-2.5 p-3" },
         h("span", { class: "mt-0.5 shrink-0 text-accent" }, icon("thread")),
-        h("button", { class: "min-w-0 flex-1 text-left", type: "button", dataset: { threadOpen: String(thread.id) }, onclick: () => onOpen(thread) },
+        h("button", { class: "min-w-0 flex-1 text-left", type: "button", dataset: { threadOpen: String(thread.id), continuityKey: `channel-thread-${thread.id}` }, onclick: () => onOpen(thread) },
           h("div", { class: "truncate font-semibold text-fg hover:text-accent" }, thread.title),
           h("div", { class: "md mt-0.5 line-clamp-2 text-[13px] leading-snug text-muted", html: md(thread.summary || "No summary yet.") }),
           followupMeta(thread),
@@ -182,7 +193,8 @@ export function renderThreads(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen:
     }
     panelContent(container, "Threads", "Focused sessions with durable status and rolling summaries.", list);
     startBoardCountdownTicker(list);
-  }).catch((error) => panelError(container, error));
+    refresh.onPaint?.();
+  }).catch((error) => { if (refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) panelError(container, error); });
 }
 
 /**
@@ -197,16 +209,19 @@ export function renderThreads(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen:
  * `agent_followups` rows (next pending due_at). Cards with a pending wake sit
  * only in Scheduled so the Captain can see the real countdown.
  */
-export function renderBoard(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen: (root: Message) => void): void {
-  clear(container);
-  container.append(h("div", { class: "board-shell" },
-    h("div", { class: "board-header" },
-      h("div", { class: "min-w-0" },
-        h("h2", { class: "font-display text-xl leading-tight text-fg sm:text-[1.45rem]" }, "Board"),
-        h("p", { class: "mt-0.5 text-xs text-muted sm:text-sm" }, "Sessions by status. Scheduled = durable agent wake with live countdown.")),
-      h("span", { class: "board-header-hint" }, "Loading…"))));
+export function renderBoard(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen: (root: Message) => void, refresh: RenderRefreshOptions = {}): void {
+  if (!refresh.preserveExisting) {
+    clear(container);
+    container.append(h("div", { class: "board-shell" },
+      h("div", { class: "board-header" },
+        h("div", { class: "min-w-0" },
+          h("h2", { class: "font-display text-xl leading-tight text-fg sm:text-[1.45rem]" }, "Board"),
+          h("p", { class: "mt-0.5 text-xs text-muted sm:text-sm" }, "Sessions by status. Scheduled = durable agent wake with live countdown.")),
+        h("span", { class: "board-header-hint" }, "Loading…"))));
+  }
 
   void api<{ threads: ThreadState[] }>(`/api/channels/${channelId}/threads`).then(({ threads }) => {
+    if (!refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) return;
     const statuses: { status: ThreadState["status"]; label: string }[] = [
       { status: "open", label: "Open" },
       { status: "waiting", label: "Waiting" },
@@ -233,7 +248,7 @@ export function renderBoard(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen: (
     const threadCard = (thread: ThreadState): HTMLElement => h("button", {
       class: `board-card${hasPendingFollowup(thread) ? " board-card-scheduled" : ""}`,
       type: "button",
-      dataset: { threadOpen: String(thread.id) },
+      dataset: { threadOpen: String(thread.id), continuityKey: `board-thread-${thread.id}` },
       onclick: () => onOpen(thread.root),
     },
     h("div", { class: "truncate text-[13px] font-semibold leading-snug text-fg" }, thread.title || "Untitled session"),
@@ -257,7 +272,7 @@ export function renderBoard(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen: (
           h("h3", { class: "font-semibold text-fg" }, "Scheduled"),
           h("p", { class: "mt-0.5 text-[11px] text-muted" }, "Agent wake · live countdown")),
         h("span", { class: "font-mono text-[10px] text-faint" }, String(scheduled.length))),
-      h("div", { class: "board-lane-cards" }, ...scheduled.map(threadCard),
+      h("div", { class: "board-lane-cards", dataset: { continuityKey: "board-lane-scheduled" } }, ...scheduled.map(threadCard),
         scheduled.length ? null : h("p", { class: "px-1 py-6 text-center text-xs leading-5 text-faint" }, "No scheduled wakes")));
 
     const lanes = statuses.map(({ status, label }) => {
@@ -266,7 +281,7 @@ export function renderBoard(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen: (
         h("div", { class: "board-lane-heading" },
           h("h3", { class: "font-semibold text-fg" }, label),
           h("span", { class: "font-mono text-[10px] text-faint" }, String(laneThreads.length))),
-        h("div", { class: "board-lane-cards" }, ...laneThreads.map(threadCard),
+        h("div", { class: "board-lane-cards", dataset: { continuityKey: `board-lane-${status}` } }, ...laneThreads.map(threadCard),
           laneThreads.length ? null : h("p", { class: "px-1 py-6 text-center text-xs leading-5 text-faint" }, "No sessions")));
     });
 
@@ -280,7 +295,8 @@ export function renderBoard(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onOpen: (
       h("div", { class: "board-scroll" }, h("div", { class: "board-lanes" }, incoming, scheduledLane, ...lanes)));
     container.append(shell);
     startBoardCountdownTicker(shell);
-  }).catch((error) => panelError(container, error));
+    refresh.onPaint?.();
+  }).catch((error) => { if (refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) panelError(container, error); });
 }
 
 function openBoardComposer(channelId: number, onOpen: (root: Message) => void): void {
@@ -330,10 +346,12 @@ function openBoardComposer(channelId: number, onOpen: (root: Message) => void):
 export function renderGlobalThreads(
   container: HTMLElement,
   opts: { unreadOnly: boolean; onToggleUnread: (next: boolean) => void; onOpen: (thread: GlobalThread) => void },
+  refresh: RenderRefreshOptions = {},
 ): void {
-  panelLoading(container, "Threads", "Sessions across every agent channel. Filter to only unread activity.");
+  if (!refresh.preserveExisting) panelLoading(container, "Threads", "Sessions across every agent channel. Filter to only unread activity.");
   const path = opts.unreadOnly ? "/api/threads?unread=1" : "/api/threads";
   void api<{ threads: GlobalThread[] }>(path).then(({ threads }) => {
+    if (!refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) return;
     const toolbar = h("div", { class: "mb-2" },
       h("p", { class: "text-xs text-muted" }, opts.unreadOnly ? "Unread activity across your channels." : `${threads.length} session${threads.length === 1 ? "" : "s"} · newest first`));
     const list = h("div", { class: "overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-line bg-surface", dataset: { globalThreadsList: "compact" } });
@@ -347,7 +365,7 @@ export function renderGlobalThreads(
       list.append(h("article", { class: `border-b border-line last:border-0 ${thread.unread ? "bg-accent-soft/30" : "hover:bg-hover"}` },
         h("button", {
           class: "flex w-full min-w-0 items-start gap-2.5 px-3 py-2 text-left", type: "button",
-          dataset: { globalThreadOpen: String(thread.id) },
+          dataset: { globalThreadOpen: String(thread.id), continuityKey: `global-thread-${thread.id}` },
           onclick: () => opts.onOpen(thread),
         },
           h("span", { class: `mt-1.5 h-2 w-2 shrink-0 rounded-full ${thread.unread ? "bg-danger" : "bg-line"}`, "aria-label": thread.unread ? "Unread" : undefined }),
@@ -366,15 +384,17 @@ export function renderGlobalThreads(
         h("h2", { class: "font-display text-[1.75rem] leading-tight text-fg" }, "Threads"),
         h("p", { class: "mt-1.5 text-sm text-muted" }, "Sessions across every agent channel. Filter to only unread activity.")),
       toolbar, list));
-  }).catch((error) => panelError(container, error));
+    refresh.onPaint?.();
+  }).catch((error) => { if (refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) panelError(container, error); });
 }
 
 /** Private Captain ↔ Skipper conversations originated through Photon. */
-export function renderTexts(container: HTMLElement, selectedId?: number, onSelect?: (id: number) => void): void {
-  panelLoading(container, "Texts", "Your direct, channel-free conversations with Skipper.");
+export function renderTexts(container: HTMLElement, selectedId?: number, onSelect?: (id: number) => void, refresh: RenderRefreshOptions = {}): void {
+  if (!refresh.preserveExisting) panelLoading(container, "Texts", "Your direct, channel-free conversations with Skipper.");
   void api<{ conversations: TextConversation[] }>("/api/texts").then(async ({ conversations }) => {
+    if (!refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) return;
     const selected = conversations.find((conversation) => conversation.id === selectedId) || conversations[0];
-    const sidebar = h("aside", { class: "min-h-0 overflow-y-auto border-b border-line bg-raised/55 md:border-b-0 md:border-r" });
+    const sidebar = h("aside", { class: "min-h-0 overflow-y-auto border-b border-line bg-raised/55 md:border-b-0 md:border-r", dataset: { continuityKey: "texts-conversations" } });
     sidebar.append(h("div", { class: "border-b border-line px-4 py-3" }, h("div", { class: "eyebrow text-muted" }, "Conversations"), h("p", { class: "mt-1 text-xs leading-5 text-muted" }, "Send /new from your phone to start another.")));
     const list = h("div", { class: "p-2", dataset: { textsThreadList: "" } });
     if (!conversations.length) list.append(empty("No text threads yet", "Text your 1Helm number. Your first message starts a private conversation with Skipper."));
@@ -390,8 +410,9 @@ export function renderTexts(container: HTMLElement, selectedId?: number, onSelec
       conversationPanel.append(h("div", { class: "grid min-h-[24rem] flex-1 place-items-center p-8 text-center" }, h("div", {}, h("div", { class: "text-accent" }, icon("chat", 28)), h("h3", { class: "mt-3 font-display text-xl text-fg" }, "Text Skipper to begin"), h("p", { class: "mt-2 max-w-sm text-sm leading-6 text-muted" }, "Once Photon receives your message, this inbox appears automatically and keeps the conversation available on desktop."))));
     } else {
       const detail = await api<{ conversation: TextConversation }>(`/api/texts/${selected.id}`);
+      if (!refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) return;
       const messages = detail.conversation.messages || [];
-      const stream = h("div", { class: "min-h-0 flex-1 space-y-4 overflow-y-auto px-4 py-5 sm:px-6", dataset: { textsMessages: String(selected.id) } });
+      const stream = h("div", { class: "min-h-0 flex-1 space-y-4 overflow-y-auto px-4 py-5 sm:px-6", dataset: { textsMessages: String(selected.id), continuityKey: `texts-messages-${selected.id}` } });
       for (const message of messages) {
         const captain = message.author.kind === "user" || message.transport === "inbound";
         stream.append(h("div", { class: `flex ${captain ? "justify-end" : "justify-start"}` },
@@ -412,11 +433,12 @@ export function renderTexts(container: HTMLElement, selectedId?: number, onSelec
       input.onkeydown = (event) => { if (event.key === "Enter" && !event.shiftKey) { event.preventDefault(); void submit(); } };
       conversationPanel.append(h("div", { class: "flex min-h-14 items-center gap-3 border-b border-line px-4 py-3" }, h("span", { class: "text-accent" }, icon("chat", 18)), h("div", { class: "min-w-0" }, h("h3", { class: "truncate font-semibold text-fg" }, selected.title || "Text with Skipper"), h("p", { class: "truncate text-xs text-muted" }, selected.active ? "Current thread · phone and desktop share context" : "Closed with /new · still resumable in 1Helm"))), stream,
         h("div", { class: "border-t border-line bg-surface p-3 sm:p-4" }, h("div", { class: "mx-auto flex max-w-3xl items-end gap-2 rounded-xl border border-line bg-raised/45 p-2.5 focus-within:border-accent/50" }, input, send), h("div", { class: "mx-auto mt-1.5 flex max-w-3xl justify-between px-1" }, h("span", { class: "text-[11px] text-faint" }, "Desktop messages stay in 1Helm; return to your phone anytime."), status)));
-      requestAnimationFrame(() => { stream.scrollTop = stream.scrollHeight; });
+      if (!refresh.preserveExisting) requestAnimationFrame(() => { stream.scrollTop = stream.scrollHeight; });
     }
     clear(container);
     container.append(h("div", { class: "flex h-full min-h-0 flex-col" }, h("header", { class: "border-b border-line px-4 py-3" }, h("h2", { class: "font-display text-xl text-fg" }, "Texts"), h("p", { class: "mt-0.5 text-xs text-muted" }, "One continuous thread with Skipper until you send /new.")), h("div", { class: "grid min-h-0 flex-1 grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-[18rem_minmax(0,1fr)]" }, sidebar, conversationPanel)));
-  }).catch((error) => panelError(container, error));
+    refresh.onPaint?.();
+  }).catch((error) => { if (refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) panelError(container, error); });
 }
 
 function workspaceIcon(file: ChannelFile, size = 18): SVGElement {
@@ -724,10 +746,11 @@ export function renderNotes(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, onClose?:
   void reloadList().catch((error) => panelError(container, error));
 }
 
-export function renderMemory(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number): void {
-  panelLoading(container, "Memory / Knowledge", "Provider-neutral continuity owned by this channel, with provenance.");
+export function renderMemory(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, refresh: RenderRefreshOptions = {}): void {
+  if (!refresh.preserveExisting) panelLoading(container, "Memory / Knowledge", "Provider-neutral continuity owned by this channel, with provenance.");
   const load = (): void => {
     void api<{ memory: MemoryItem[] }>(`/api/channels/${channelId}/memory`).then(({ memory }) => {
+      if (!refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) return;
       const current = memory.filter((item) => item.status === "current");
       const list = h("div", { class: "space-y-2" });
       if (!current.length) list.append(empty("No durable knowledge yet", "Record decisions, facts, preferences, and artifact references worth carrying into future sessions. Session recaps live in Threads, not here."));
@@ -737,7 +760,8 @@ export function renderMemory(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number): void {
         h("div", { class: "md text-sm text-fg", html: md(item.content) })));
       const add = h("button", { class: "btn-primary text-sm", onclick: () => addMemory(channelId, load) }, icon("plus"), "Record knowledge");
       panelContent(container, "Memory / Knowledge", "Provider-neutral continuity owned by this channel, with provenance.", h("div", {}, h("div", { class: "mb-4 flex justify-end" }, add), list));
-    }).catch((error) => panelError(container, error));
+      refresh.onPaint?.();
+    }).catch((error) => { if (refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) panelError(container, error); });
   };
   load();
 }
@@ -758,6 +782,7 @@ const ACTIVITY_SYSTEM = new Set(["agent_status", "lifecycle", "profile"]);
 ACTIVITY_SKIPPER.add("computer");
 
 type ActivityFilter = "all" | "skipper" | "work" | "system";
+const activityFilters = new Map<number, ActivityFilter>();
 
 function activityBucket(kind: string): ActivityFilter {
   if (ACTIVITY_SKIPPER.has(kind)) return "skipper";
@@ -833,7 +858,7 @@ function activityCard(item: ActivityItem): HTMLElement {
   if (item.action_result) evidence.push(
     h("div", {}, h("div", { class: "mb-1 font-mono text-[9.5px] uppercase tracking-[0.16em] text-faint" }, "Outcome evidence"),
       h("pre", { class: "m-0 max-h-64 overflow-auto whitespace-pre-wrap break-words font-mono text-[11px] leading-4 text-muted" }, item.action_result)));
-  return h("details", { class: `overflow-hidden rounded-lg border ${border}`, dataset: { actionId: String(item.action_id) } },
+  return h("details", { class: `overflow-hidden rounded-lg border ${border}`, dataset: { actionId: String(item.action_id), continuityKey: `activity-action-${item.action_id}` } },
     h("summary", { class: "cursor-pointer select-none list-none" }, headline),
     h("div", { class: "space-y-3 border-t border-line/70 bg-raised/30 px-4 py-3" },
       ...(evidence.length ? evidence : [h("p", { class: "text-xs text-muted" }, item.status === "running" ? "The action is still running; evidence will appear here when it settles." : "No additional output was retained for this action.")])));
@@ -853,10 +878,11 @@ function activitySection(title: string, copy: string, items: ActivityItem[]): HT
     body);
 }
 
-export function renderActivity(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number): void {
-  panelLoading(container, "Activity", "Ops log for this channel — tools, escalations, and Skipper's background checks (not the chat stream).");
+export function renderActivity(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number, refresh: RenderRefreshOptions = {}): void {
+  if (!refresh.preserveExisting) panelLoading(container, "Activity", "Ops log for this channel — tools, escalations, and Skipper's background checks (not the chat stream).");
   void api<{ activity: ActivityItem[] }>(`/api/channels/${channelId}/activity`).then(({ activity }) => {
-    let filter: ActivityFilter = "all";
+    if (!refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) return;
+    let filter: ActivityFilter = activityFilters.get(channelId) || "all";
     const root = h("div", { class: "space-y-5" });
 
     const paint = (): void => {
@@ -875,7 +901,8 @@ export function renderActivity(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number): void
           type: "button",
           class: `btn-subtle min-h-11 shrink-0 text-sm sm:min-h-0 ${filter === item.id ? "border-accent/40 bg-accent-soft text-accent" : ""}`,
           "aria-pressed": String(filter === item.id),
-          onclick: () => { filter = item.id; paint(); },
+          dataset: { continuityKey: `activity-filter-${channelId}-${item.id}` },
+          onclick: () => { filter = item.id; activityFilters.set(channelId, filter); paint(); },
         }, item.label)));
 
       const blurb = h("p", { class: "text-sm leading-6 text-muted" },
@@ -917,20 +944,22 @@ export function renderActivity(container: HTMLElement, channelId: number): void
 
     paint();
     panelContent(container, "Activity", "Ops log for this channel — tools, escalations, and Skipper's background checks (not the chat stream).", root);
-  }).catch((error) => panelError(container, error));
+    refresh.onPaint?.();
+  }).catch((error) => { if (refreshIsCurrent(refresh)) panelError(container, error); });
 }
 
-export function renderChannelSettings(container: HTMLElement, channel: Channel, onChanged: (deleted?: boolean) => void): void {
+export function renderChannelSettings(container: HTMLElement, channel: Channel, onChanged: (deleted?: boolean) => void, onPaint?: () => void): void {
   const nameField = h("input", {
     class: "field font-mono",
     value: channel.name,
     autocomplete: "off",
     spellcheck: "false",
+    dataset: { continuityKey: `channel-settings-name-${channel.id}` },
     disabled: channel.name === "main" || !channel.can_manage ? true : undefined,
   }) as HTMLInputElement;
-  const purpose = h("textarea", { class: "field min-h-24" }, channel.purpose || "") as HTMLTextAreaElement;
-  const provider = h("select", { class: "field" }, h("option", { value: "" }, "Loading providers…")) as HTMLSelectElement;
-  const model = h("select", { class: "field" }, h("option", { value: channel.agent?.model || "" }, channel.agent?.model || "Choose a model")) as HTMLSelectElement;
+  const purpose = h("textarea", { class: "field min-h-24", "aria-label": "Channel purpose", dataset: { continuityKey: `channel-settings-purpose-${channel.id}` } }, channel.purpose || "") as HTMLTextAreaElement;
+  const provider = h("select", { class: "field", "aria-label": "Serving provider", dataset: { continuityKey: `channel-settings-provider-${channel.id}` } }, h("option", { value: "" }, "Loading providers…")) as HTMLSelectElement;
+  const model = h("select", { class: "field", "aria-label": "Serving model", dataset: { continuityKey: `channel-settings-model-${channel.id}` } }, h("option", { value: channel.agent?.model || "" }, channel.agent?.model || "Choose a model")) as HTMLSelectElement;
   const status = h("p", { class: "min-h-5 text-sm text-muted" });
   const notificationPreference = channelNotificationPreference(channel.id);
   const channelMuted = h("input", { type: "checkbox", checked: notificationPreference.muted, class: "accent-accent" }) as HTMLInputElement;
@@ -971,13 +1000,14 @@ export function renderChannelSettings(container: HTMLElement, channel: Channel,
     }
   };
   provider.onchange = () => { void loadModels(); };
-  void api<{ models: RoutingModel[] }>("/api/workspace/model-policy").then(({ models }) => {
+  void api<{ models: RoutingModel[] }>("/api/workspace/model-policy").then(async ({ models }) => {
     routedModels = models;
     const groups = new Map<string, string>();
     for (const item of models) groups.set(providerKey(item), item.kind === "route" ? "Named routes" : String(item.providerName || item.providerType || "Provider"));
     const current = models.find((item) => item.id === channel.agent?.model);
     clear(provider); provider.append(h("option", { value: "" }, "Choose a provider"), ...[...groups].map(([value, label]) => h("option", { value, selected: current ? providerKey(current) === value : false }, label)));
-    void loadModels();
+    await loadModels();
+    onPaint?.();
   }).catch((error) => { status.textContent = (error as Error).message; });
   const saveName = async (): Promise<void> => {
     if (channel.name === "main") { status.textContent = "#main cannot be renamed."; return; }
@@ -1110,6 +1140,7 @@ export function renderChannelSettings(container: HTMLElement, channel: Channel,
     h("div", { class: "card p-4" }, h("h3", { class: "font-semibold text-fg" }, "Capabilities"), h("div", { class: "mt-3 flex flex-wrap gap-2" }, ...(channel.agent?.capabilities || []).map((capability) => h("span", { class: "chip" }, capability))), h("p", { class: "mt-3 text-xs text-muted" }, "The resident agent is channel-scoped. It calls @skipper for host-level, cross-channel, credential, guest-expert, or missing-capability work.")),
     computerCard,
     lifecycle));
+  onPaint?.();
   if (channel.agent?.provider_id) void loadModels();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/client/settings.ts b/src/client/settings.ts
index 5e0a314..111eacb 100644
--- a/src/client/settings.ts
+++ b/src/client/settings.ts
@@ -105,8 +105,18 @@ export function openSettings(tab: Tab = "agents"): void {
 export function refreshOpenSkillsSettings(): void {
   const overlay = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>("[data-settings-overlay]");
   if (overlay?.dataset.settingsTab !== "skills") return;
-  overlay.remove();
-  openSettings("skills");
+  let notice = overlay.querySelector<HTMLElement>("[data-skills-refresh-notice]");
+  if (notice) return;
+  notice = h("div", {
+    class: "mx-auto mb-4 flex w-full max-w-5xl flex-wrap items-center gap-3 rounded-lg border border-accent/30 bg-accent-soft px-4 py-3 text-sm text-fg",
+    dataset: { skillsRefreshNotice: "" },
+    role: "status",
+  }, h("span", { class: "min-w-0 flex-1" }, "The workspace skill catalog changed in the background."), h("button", {
+    class: "btn-subtle shrink-0 text-xs",
+    type: "button",
+    onclick: () => { overlay.remove(); openSettings("skills"); },
+  }, "Refresh when ready"));
+  overlay.querySelector("main > div")?.prepend(notice);
 }
 
 const adminNote = (): HTMLElement => h("p", { class: "rounded-lg border border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/10 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-300" }, "Only admins can add or edit these.");
diff --git a/src/server/channel-computers.ts b/src/server/channel-computers.ts
index 77d49d0..a9426bf 100644
--- a/src/server/channel-computers.ts
+++ b/src/server/channel-computers.ts
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ const APPLE_RUNTIME_VERSION = "1.1.0";
 export const APPLE_RUNTIME_PACKAGE = `container-${APPLE_RUNTIME_VERSION}-installer-signed.pkg`;
 export const APPLE_RUNTIME_URL = `https://github.com/apple/container/releases/download/${APPLE_RUNTIME_VERSION}/${APPLE_RUNTIME_PACKAGE}`;
 export const APPLE_RUNTIME_SHA256 = "0ca1c42a2269c2557efb1d82b1b38ac553e6a3a3da1b1179c439bcee1e7d6714";
-export const DEFAULT_CHANNEL_IMAGE = process.env.HELM_CHANNEL_MACHINE_IMAGE || "local/1helm-channel-machine:0.0.18";
+export const DEFAULT_CHANNEL_IMAGE = process.env.HELM_CHANNEL_MACHINE_IMAGE || "local/1helm-channel-machine:0.0.19";
 const CONTAINER_CANDIDATES = [process.env.HELM_CONTAINER_CLI, "/usr/local/bin/container", "/opt/homebrew/bin/container", "container"].filter(Boolean) as string[];
 const LXC_RUNTIME_VERSION = "1helm-lxc-runtime-v1";
 const LXC_HELPER_CANDIDATES = [
diff --git a/src/server/db.ts b/src/server/db.ts
index 079368a..89f3c1b 100644
--- a/src/server/db.ts
+++ b/src/server/db.ts
@@ -1005,7 +1005,7 @@ export function migrate(): void {
     const platformBackend = process.platform === "darwin" ? "apple" : process.platform === "win32" ? "wsl" : "lxc";
     const configuredBackend = String(process.env.HELM_CHANNEL_COMPUTER_BACKEND || platformBackend);
     const backend = ["apple", "lxc", "wsl", "native", "mock"].includes(configuredBackend) ? configuredBackend : platformBackend;
-    const image = String(process.env.HELM_CHANNEL_MACHINE_IMAGE || "local/1helm-channel-machine:0.0.18");
+    const image = String(process.env.HELM_CHANNEL_MACHINE_IMAGE || "local/1helm-channel-machine:0.0.19");
     // Earlier Linux/Windows releases persisted the compatibility `native`
     // seam into every channel row. A production host update must actually
     // move those rows onto the platform isolation backend; changing the unit's
diff --git a/src/server/index.ts b/src/server/index.ts
index 46b9fb4..10d333a 100644
--- a/src/server/index.ts
+++ b/src/server/index.ts
@@ -1565,7 +1565,9 @@ const server = createServer(async (req, res) => {
         const resident = agentForChannel(Number(thread.channel_id)); if (resident) scheduleAgentReview(Number(resident.id));
       }
       if (b.summary != null) run("UPDATE threads SET summary=?, updated_at=? WHERE id=?", String(b.summary).slice(0, 10000), now(), thread.id);
-      return json(res, 200, { thread: q1("SELECT * FROM threads WHERE id=?", thread.id) });
+      const updated = q1("SELECT * FROM threads WHERE id=?", thread.id);
+      broadcastToChannel(Number(thread.channel_id), { type: "thread_update", channelId: Number(thread.channel_id), thread: updated });
+      return json(res, 200, { thread: updated });
     }
     if (p === "/api/dm" && m === "POST") {
       const b = await jbody(req);
diff --git a/test/brief-regressions-browser.mjs b/test/brief-regressions-browser.mjs
index 3201199..57c6ef1 100644
--- a/test/brief-regressions-browser.mjs
+++ b/test/brief-regressions-browser.mjs
@@ -213,6 +213,21 @@ try {
   await page.waitForFunction(() => document.querySelector('[data-texts-messages]')?.innerText.includes("Answer complete"), { timeout: 10_000 });
   const outboundAfterDesktop = (await api("/api/testing/photon", { body: {} }, token)).outbound;
   ok(outboundAfterDesktop === outboundBeforeDesktop, "desktop Texts continuation shares Skipper context without echoing app messages back to iMessage");
+  await page.type(`[data-texts-composer="${textConversation}"]`, "Text draft remains under my cursor");
+  await page.evaluate((conversationId) => {
+    const input = document.querySelector(`[data-texts-composer="${conversationId}"]`);
+    input.focus(); input.setSelectionRange(5, 10);
+  }, textConversation);
+  await api("/api/testing/photon", { body: { event: { id: "browser-phone-live-continuity", space_id: "browser-space", space_type: "dm", sender: "+15551234567", text: "Phone update while drafting", timestamp: new Date().toISOString() } } }, token);
+  await page.waitForFunction((conversationId) => {
+    const input = document.querySelector(`[data-texts-composer="${conversationId}"]`);
+    const stream = document.querySelector(`[data-texts-messages="${conversationId}"]`);
+    return document.activeElement === input
+      && input?.value === "Text draft remains under my cursor"
+      && input?.selectionStart === 5 && input?.selectionEnd === 10
+      && stream?.textContent?.includes("Phone update while drafting");
+  }, {}, textConversation);
+  ok(true, "live phone updates preserve the focused Texts draft and exact cursor selection");
 
   await page.setViewport({ width: 1440, height: 900 });
   await page.goto(`${base}/c/${channel.slug}/thread/${rootMessage.id}`, { waitUntil: "networkidle0" });
@@ -318,6 +333,39 @@ try {
   }, actionId);
   ok(activityEvidence.rows === 1 && activityEvidence.open && /Input/.test(activityEvidence.text) && /Outcome evidence/.test(activityEvidence.text) && /status=completed/.test(activityEvidence.text),
     "Activity mutates one outcome-first row and expands to the retained input and outcome evidence");
+  const liveActivityBefore = await page.evaluate((expectedActionId) => {
+    const view = document.getElementById("channelview");
+    const details = document.querySelector(`#channelview details[data-action-id="${expectedActionId}"]`);
+    view.scrollTop = Math.max(1, Math.min(view.scrollHeight - view.clientHeight, 180));
+    details.open = true;
+    window.__briefActivityView = view;
+    return { top: view.scrollTop, action: details.getAttribute("data-continuity-key") };
+  }, actionId);
+  await api(`/api/channels/${channel.id}/messages`, { body: { body: `@${channel.agent.name} run whoami for live activity continuity` } }, token);
+  await page.waitForFunction((expectedAction) => {
+    const details = document.querySelector(`#channelview details[data-action-id="${expectedAction}"]`);
+    return details?.open && document.getElementById("channelview")?.scrollTop > 0;
+  }, {}, actionId);
+  const liveActivityAfter = await page.evaluate(({ expectedActionId, priorTop }) => {
+    const view = document.getElementById("channelview");
+    const details = document.querySelector(`#channelview details[data-action-id="${expectedActionId}"]`);
+    return { sameView: view === window.__briefActivityView, open: details?.open, top: view?.scrollTop, priorTop };
+  }, { expectedActionId: actionId, priorTop: liveActivityBefore.top });
+  ok(liveActivityAfter.sameView && liveActivityAfter.open && Math.abs(liveActivityAfter.top - liveActivityAfter.priorTop) <= 1,
+    "live Activity refreshes preserve the active panel node, expanded evidence, and reading position");
+
+  await page.evaluate(() => [...document.querySelectorAll("nav button")].find((button) => button.textContent.includes("Settings"))?.click());
+  await page.waitForSelector('textarea[aria-label="Channel purpose"]');
+  await page.evaluate(() => {
+    const input = document.querySelector('textarea[aria-label="Channel purpose"]');
+    input.value = "Unsaved settings draft survives background updates.";
+    input.focus(); input.setSelectionRange(8, 16);
+  });
+  await api(`/api/providers/${provider.provider.id}`, { method: "PATCH", body: { name: "Mock live continuity" } }, token);
+  await page.waitForFunction(() => document.activeElement?.getAttribute("aria-label") === "Channel purpose"
+    && document.activeElement?.value === "Unsaved settings draft survives background updates."
+    && document.activeElement?.selectionStart === 8 && document.activeElement?.selectionEnd === 16);
+  ok(true, "live provider updates preserve the focused channel-settings draft and exact cursor selection");
   await page.evaluate(() => [...document.querySelectorAll("nav button")].find((button) => button.textContent.includes("Chat"))?.click());
   await page.waitForSelector('textarea[data-composer-parent="root"]');
   const restoredDraft = await page.$eval('textarea[data-composer-parent="root"]', (element) => element.value);
@@ -424,6 +472,42 @@ try {
   });
   ok(laneScroll?.overflows && laneScroll.before === 0 && laneScroll.after > 0 && laneScroll.lastReachable,
     "a crowded Board swim lane scrolls vertically until its final task is reachable");
+  const boardContinuity = await page.evaluate(() => {
+    const cards = document.querySelector('[data-board-status="open"] .board-lane-cards');
+    const focused = cards?.querySelector('button[data-thread-open]');
+    cards.scrollTop = Math.max(1, Math.floor((cards.scrollHeight - cards.clientHeight) / 2));
+    focused?.focus();
+    return { top: cards?.scrollTop, threadId: focused?.getAttribute("data-thread-open") };
+  });
+  await api(`/api/threads/${Number(boardContinuity.threadId)}`, { method: "PATCH", body: { summary: "**Goal** live Board continuity" } }, token);
+  await page.waitForFunction(({ threadId, priorTop }) => {
+    const focused = document.querySelector(`[data-thread-open="${threadId}"]`);
+    const cards = focused?.closest(".board-lane-cards");
+    return document.activeElement === focused && Math.abs((cards?.scrollTop || 0) - priorTop) <= 1;
+  }, {}, { threadId: boardContinuity.threadId, priorTop: boardContinuity.top });
+  ok(true, "live Board status refreshes preserve the focused session card and lane scroll position");
+
+  await page.evaluate(() => [...document.querySelectorAll('[data-sidebar="desktop"] button')].find((button) => button.textContent?.trim() === "Threads")?.click());
+  await page.waitForSelector('[data-global-threads-list] [data-global-thread-open]');
+  const globalThreadsContinuity = await page.evaluate(() => {
+    const view = document.getElementById("channelview");
+    const focused = document.querySelector('[data-global-thread-open]');
+    view.scrollTop = Math.max(1, Math.floor((view.scrollHeight - view.clientHeight) / 2));
+    focused?.focus();
+    window.__briefGlobalThreadsView = view;
+    return { top: view.scrollTop, threadId: focused?.getAttribute("data-global-thread-open") };
+  });
+  await api(`/api/threads/${Number(globalThreadsContinuity.threadId)}`, { method: "PATCH", body: { summary: "**Session Status** global continuity" } }, token);
+  await page.waitForFunction(({ threadId, priorTop }) => {
+    const view = document.getElementById("channelview");
+    const focused = document.querySelector(`[data-global-thread-open="${threadId}"]`);
+    return view === window.__briefGlobalThreadsView
+      && document.activeElement === focused
+      && Math.abs((view?.scrollTop || 0) - priorTop) <= 1
+      && focused?.querySelector("strong")?.textContent === "Session Status";
+  }, {}, { threadId: globalThreadsContinuity.threadId, priorTop: globalThreadsContinuity.top });
+  ok(true, "live global Threads refreshes preserve the active panel, focused session, scroll position, and rendered Markdown");
+  await page.goto(`${base}/c/${channel.slug}`, { waitUntil: "networkidle0" });
 
   await page.evaluate(() => [...document.querySelectorAll("nav button")].find((button) => button.textContent.includes("Terminal"))?.click());
   await page.waitForSelector(".xterm");
diff --git a/test/channel-computers.mjs b/test/channel-computers.mjs
index 32a04bc..87a7ae0 100644
--- a/test/channel-computers.mjs
+++ b/test/channel-computers.mjs
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ test("Apple channel-computer contract preserves isolation, files, wakes, archive
 test("runtime digest and packaged image recipe stay pinned", async () => {
   assert.equal(computers.APPLE_RUNTIME_SHA256, "0ca1c42a2269c2557efb1d82b1b38ac553e6a3a3da1b1179c439bcee1e7d6714");
   assert.match(computers.APPLE_RUNTIME_URL, /\/1\.1\.0\/container-1\.1\.0-installer-signed\.pkg$/);
-  assert.equal(computers.DEFAULT_CHANNEL_IMAGE, "local/1helm-channel-machine:0.0.18");
+  assert.equal(computers.DEFAULT_CHANNEL_IMAGE, "local/1helm-channel-machine:0.0.19");
   const packaging = await readFile(join(root, "scripts", "package-mac-dmg.cjs"), "utf8");
   assert.match(packaging, /container\(\?:\$\|\\\/\)/, "release packaging includes container/ image assets");
   const image = await readFile(join(root, "container", "Containerfile"), "utf8");
diff --git a/test/feedback-browser.mjs b/test/feedback-browser.mjs
index 1839ff2..59ce407 100644
--- a/test/feedback-browser.mjs
+++ b/test/feedback-browser.mjs
@@ -135,12 +135,15 @@ test("Feedback button saves a real report and the admin inbox shows it", {
   assert.ok(await page.$(`[data-feedback-report="${reports[0].public_id}"]`));
 
   // Keep the Skills control plane open while Skipper creates a new skill. The
-  // WebSocket event must invalidate the view; no page reload or tab hop is used.
+  // WebSocket event must never tear down the user's active settings surface;
+  // it offers an explicit refresh at the user's chosen moment instead.
   await page.evaluate(() => [...document.querySelectorAll('nav[aria-label="Settings sections"] button')]
     .find((button) => button.textContent?.trim() === "Skills")?.click());
   await page.waitForSelector('article[data-skill-slug="outcome-ownership"]');
   await api("/api/skills/learn", { body: { notes: "Turn this UI refresh evidence into a reusable incident postmortem skill." } }, token);
   await waitFor(async () => (await api("/api/skills", {}, token)).skills?.find((skill) => skill.slug === "incident-postmortem"), "new skill in authoritative arsenal");
+  await page.waitForSelector("[data-skills-refresh-notice]");
+  await page.click("[data-skills-refresh-notice] button");
   await page.waitForSelector('article[data-skill-slug="incident-postmortem"]', { timeout: 10_000 });
 
   // Assignment must likewise repaint an already-open channel Settings surface.