diff --git a/web/src/api.ts b/web/src/api.ts
index 7ba95b6..d7d7f56 100644
--- a/web/src/api.ts
+++ b/web/src/api.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ import type {
   CreateSessionRequest,
   DaemonInfo,
   DirListing,
+  GitRoot,
+  RecentDirs,
   Session,
   Uuid,
+  WebInfo,
 } from "./types.js";
 
 async function jsonOrError<T>(res: Response): Promise<T> {
@@ -58,6 +61,26 @@ export async function listDir(daemonId: string, path: string): Promise<DirListin
   return jsonOrError(await fetch(url, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
 }
 
+/** Identity + spawn presets of the daemon this web app is connected to (#26). */
+export async function getWebInfo(): Promise<WebInfo> {
+  return jsonOrError(await fetch("/api/web/info", { credentials: "same-origin" }));
+}
+
+/** Recently-used working dirs on `daemonId`'s host, newest-first and deduped by
+ * dir (#26). Drives the spawn form's recents picker. */
+export async function recentDirs(daemonId: string): Promise<RecentDirs> {
+  const url = `/api/daemons/${encodeURIComponent(daemonId)}/recent-dirs`;
+  return jsonOrError(await fetch(url, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
+}
+
+/** Probe the enclosing git repo of `path` on `daemonId`'s host (#26). `root` is
+ * absent when the path isn't inside a repo. `path` may be `~`/relative/absolute;
+ * the daemon resolves it against its home dir. */
+export async function gitRoot(daemonId: string, path: string): Promise<GitRoot> {
+  const url = `/api/daemons/${encodeURIComponent(daemonId)}/gitroot?path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}`;
+  return jsonOrError(await fetch(url, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
+}
+
 export function eventsWsUrl(): string {
   const proto = location.protocol === "https:" ? "wss:" : "ws:";
   return `${proto}//${location.host}/api/events`;
diff --git a/web/src/catalog.ts b/web/src/catalog.ts
index d6cf1b4..b6df5a4 100644
--- a/web/src/catalog.ts
+++ b/web/src/catalog.ts
@@ -273,7 +273,8 @@ export function renderTopbar(store: CatalogStore): HTMLElement {
   spawnBtn.className = "btn btn-primary spawn-btn";
   spawnBtn.textContent = "+ Spawn";
   spawnBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
-    openSpawnModal(store.snapshot().daemons);
+    const snap = store.snapshot();
+    openSpawnModal(snap.daemons, undefined, snap.sessions);
   });
   actions.appendChild(spawnBtn);
   return header;
@@ -387,9 +388,10 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore): SidebarHandle {
     treeHost.replaceChildren();
     if (sessions.length === 0) {
       treeHost.appendChild(
-        renderEmpty(state.daemons.size === 0, filter.trim().length > 0, () =>
-          openSpawnModal(store.snapshot().daemons),
-        ),
+        renderEmpty(state.daemons.size === 0, filter.trim().length > 0, () => {
+          const snap = store.snapshot();
+          openSpawnModal(snap.daemons, undefined, snap.sessions);
+        }),
       );
       return;
     }
@@ -406,13 +408,18 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore): SidebarHandle {
   const cloneHandler = (ev: Event) => {
     const s = (ev as CustomEvent<Session>).detail;
     const rawName = typeof s.metadata?.name === "string" ? s.metadata.name : "";
-    openSpawnModal(store.snapshot().daemons, {
-      daemon_id: s.daemon_id,
-      cwd: s.cwd,
-      command: s.command,
-      name: rawName,
-      label: sessionLabel(s) ?? "",
-    });
+    const snap = store.snapshot();
+    openSpawnModal(
+      snap.daemons,
+      {
+        daemon_id: s.daemon_id,
+        cwd: s.cwd,
+        command: s.command,
+        name: rawName,
+        label: sessionLabel(s) ?? "",
+      },
+      snap.sessions,
+    );
   };
   document.addEventListener("catalog-clone", cloneHandler);
 
diff --git a/web/src/main.ts b/web/src/main.ts
index d2e4012..f4eb6cb 100644
--- a/web/src/main.ts
+++ b/web/src/main.ts
@@ -70,7 +70,10 @@ function renderWelcome(): HTMLElement {
   spawn.type = "button";
   spawn.className = "btn btn-primary";
   spawn.textContent = "+ Spawn session";
-  spawn.addEventListener("click", () => openSpawnModal(store.snapshot().daemons));
+  spawn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+    const snap = store.snapshot();
+    openSpawnModal(snap.daemons, undefined, snap.sessions);
+  });
   (el.querySelector(".empty-actions") as HTMLElement).appendChild(spawn);
   return el;
 }
diff --git a/web/src/mock.ts b/web/src/mock.ts
index 10363c2..a23eafd 100644
--- a/web/src/mock.ts
+++ b/web/src/mock.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,57 @@ function sess(
   };
 }
 
+/** Stub the spawn-form backend endpoints (#26) so `?mock&spawn` renders the full
+ * tile-first flow — presets, recents, gitroot — with no daemon running. Dev-only;
+ * delegates every other request to the real `fetch`. */
+function stubSpawnApi(): void {
+  const real = globalThis.fetch.bind(globalThis);
+  const json = (body: unknown) =>
+    new Response(JSON.stringify(body), {
+      status: 200,
+      headers: { "content-type": "application/json" },
+    });
+  globalThis.fetch = (input: RequestInfo | URL, init?: RequestInit) => {
+    const url = typeof input === "string" ? input : input instanceof URL ? input.href : input.url;
+    const path = url.startsWith("http") ? new URL(url).pathname + new URL(url).search : url;
+    if (path.startsWith("/api/web/info")) {
+      return Promise.resolve(
+        json({
+          daemon_id: "thinkpad",
+          hostname: "thinkpad.lan",
+          version: "0.1.0",
+          daemon_url: "wss://thinkpad.lan/daemon",
+          presets: [
+            { id: "claude", label: "Claude", command: "claude" },
+            { id: "opencode", label: "opencode", command: "opencode" },
+            { id: "zsh", label: "Shell", command: "zsh" },
+            { id: "custom", label: "Custom…", command: "" },
+          ],
+        }),
+      );
+    }
+    if (path.includes("/recent-dirs")) {
+      return Promise.resolve(
+        json({
+          dirs: [
+            { cwd: "/home/dev/git/maestro", last_command: "claude", last_used: "2026-06-20T10:00:00Z" },
+            { cwd: "/home/dev/git/dotfiles", last_command: "zsh", last_used: "2026-06-19T18:00:00Z" },
+            { cwd: "/home/dev/work/acme/api", last_command: "opencode", last_used: "2026-06-18T09:00:00Z" },
+          ],
+          truncated: false,
+        }),
+      );
+    }
+    if (path.includes("/gitroot")) {
+      const root = path.includes("maestro") || path.includes("dotfiles")
+        ? { root: "/home/dev/git/maestro" }
+        : {};
+      return Promise.resolve(json(root));
+    }
+    return real(input, init);
+  };
+}
+
 export function seedMock(store: CatalogStore): void {
   const daemons: DaemonInfo[] = [
     { daemon_id: "thinkpad", hostname: "thinkpad.lan", version: "0.1.0", daemon_url: "wss://thinkpad.lan/daemon", home_dir: "/home/dev" },
@@ -57,10 +108,16 @@ export function seedMock(store: CatalogStore): void {
     sessions,
   });
 
-  // `?mock&spawn` auto-opens the spawn modal for visual review.
+  // `?mock&spawn` auto-opens the spawn modal for visual review, with the spawn
+  // backend endpoints stubbed so presets/recents/gitroot all render.
   if (location.search.includes("spawn")) {
+    stubSpawnApi();
     void import("./spawn.js").then((m) =>
-      m.openSpawnModal(new Map(daemons.map((d) => [d.daemon_id, d]))),
+      m.openSpawnModal(
+        new Map(daemons.map((d) => [d.daemon_id, d])),
+        undefined,
+        new Map(sessions.map((s) => [s.id, s])),
+      ),
     );
   }
 }
diff --git a/web/src/names.ts b/web/src/names.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1fcf15a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/src/names.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+// Client-side session-handle generator for the spawn form's instant reroll
+// (#23/#27). Mirrors the wordlists in `crates/maestro-names/src/lib.rs` verbatim
+// — the Rust generator is the source of truth, but the web wants a zero-round-
+// trip reroll, so the lists are duplicated here. Keep them in sync.
+
+/** Musical adjectives — tempo, dynamics, and articulation markings. */
+const ADJECTIVES = [
+  "allegro", "andante", "adagio", "presto", "vivace", "largo", "grave", "lento",
+  "moderato", "crescendo", "staccato", "legato", "forte", "dolce", "agitato",
+  "cantabile", "sostenuto", "tremolo", "rubato", "marcato", "brillante",
+  "maestoso", "grazioso", "espressivo", "tranquillo", "animato", "spirito",
+  "sotto", "vivo", "feroce",
+];
+
+/** Musical nouns — instruments and forms from the concert hall. */
+const NOUNS = [
+  "cello", "violin", "viola", "oboe", "flute", "clarinet", "bassoon", "trumpet",
+  "trombone", "tuba", "horn", "timpani", "harp", "piano", "organ", "lyre",
+  "lute", "fugue", "sonata", "octave", "chord", "cadence", "prelude", "rondo",
+  "nocturne", "scherzo", "refrain", "coda", "motif", "overture",
+];
+
+function pick<T>(list: T[]): T {
+  return list[Math.floor(Math.random() * list.length)];
+}
+
+/** A fresh `adjective-noun` handle, e.g. `allegro-cello`. */
+export function generateName(): string {
+  return `${pick(ADJECTIVES)}-${pick(NOUNS)}`;
+}
diff --git a/web/src/spawn.ts b/web/src/spawn.ts
index b0490e4..c3f6817 100644
--- a/web/src/spawn.ts
+++ b/web/src/spawn.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
-import { createSession } from "./api.js";
-import { attachDirAutocomplete } from "./dirAutocomplete.js";
-import type { CreateSessionRequest, DaemonInfo } from "./types.js";
+import { createSession, getWebInfo, recentDirs, gitRoot } from "./api.js";
+import { attachDirAutocomplete, type DirAutocompleteHandle } from "./dirAutocomplete.js";
+import { generateName } from "./names.js";
+import type {
+  CreateSessionRequest,
+  DaemonInfo,
+  RecentDir,
+  Session,
+  SpawnPreset,
+} from "./types.js";
 
 /** Seed values for the spawn form — used by "clone" to reopen the dialog with
  * the same daemon, cwd, command, name, and label as an existing session. */
@@ -12,9 +19,22 @@ export interface SpawnPrefill {
   label?: string;
 }
 
+/** Built-ins used when the daemon's `/api/web/info` presets can't be fetched
+ * (older daemon, transient error). Mirrors `maestro_config::builtin_presets`. */
+const FALLBACK_PRESETS: SpawnPreset[] = [
+  { id: "claude", label: "Claude", command: "claude" },
+  { id: "opencode", label: "opencode", command: "opencode" },
+  { id: "zsh", label: "Shell", command: "zsh" },
+  { id: "custom", label: "Custom…", command: "" },
+];
+
+/** How many host tiles to show before collapsing the rest behind "More…". */
+const MAX_HOST_TILES = 4;
+
 export function openSpawnModal(
   daemons: Map<string, DaemonInfo>,
   prefill?: SpawnPrefill,
+  sessions?: Map<string, Session>,
 ): void {
   const existing = document.getElementById("modal-host");
   if (existing) existing.remove();
@@ -23,52 +43,61 @@ export function openSpawnModal(
   host.id = "modal-host";
   host.className = "modal-backdrop";
   host.innerHTML = `
-    <div class="modal" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="spawn-title">
+    <div class="modal spawn-modal" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="spawn-title">
       <header class="modal-header">
         <h2 id="spawn-title">Spawn session</h2>
         <button type="button" class="btn btn-icon close" aria-label="Close">✕</button>
       </header>
       <form class="modal-body" id="spawn-form">
-        <label>
-          Daemon
-          <select name="daemon_id" required></select>
-        </label>
-        <label>
-          Working directory
-          <input name="cwd" type="text" required placeholder="/home/user/project" inputmode="text" autocomplete="off" />
-        </label>
-        <label>
-          Command
-          <input name="command" type="text" required value="claude" placeholder="bash" autocomplete="off" />
-        </label>
-        <label>
-          Name (optional)
-          <input name="name" type="text" placeholder="e.g. impl" autocomplete="off" />
-        </label>
+        <div class="field">
+          <span class="field-label">Host</span>
+          <div class="tile-row" id="host-tiles"></div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="field">
+          <span class="field-label">Command</span>
+          <div class="tile-row" id="cmd-tiles"></div>
+          <input class="raw-input" id="cmd-raw" name="command_raw" type="text" hidden
+                 placeholder="bash -l" autocomplete="off" />
+        </div>
+        <div class="field">
+          <span class="field-label">Working directory</span>
+          <div class="picker" id="recents"></div>
+          <div class="raw-wrap" id="cwd-raw-wrap" hidden>
+            <input class="raw-input" id="cwd-raw" name="cwd_raw" type="text"
+                   placeholder="/home/user/project" inputmode="text" autocomplete="off" />
+          </div>
+        </div>
+        <fieldset class="worktree">
+          <legend>
+            <label class="row-inline">
+              <input type="checkbox" name="worktree_enabled" id="wt-enabled" />
+              Create git worktree
+            </label>
+          </legend>
+          <p class="wt-hint" id="wt-hint" hidden></p>
+          <div class="wt-body" id="wt-body" hidden>
+            <p class="wt-repo" id="wt-repo"></p>
+            <label>
+              Branch
+              <input name="worktree_branch" type="text" placeholder="feat/foo" autocomplete="off" />
+            </label>
+            <label class="row-inline">
+              <input type="checkbox" name="worktree_cleanup_on_kill" />
+              Remove worktree when session is killed
+            </label>
+          </div>
+        </fieldset>
+        <div class="field">
+          <span class="field-label">Name</span>
+          <div class="name-row">
+            <input name="name" type="text" autocomplete="off" />
+            <button type="button" class="btn btn-icon reroll" id="reroll" aria-label="Generate a new name" title="New name">↻</button>
+          </div>
+        </div>
         <label>
           Label (optional)
           <input name="label" type="text" placeholder="personal/maestro" autocomplete="off" />
         </label>
-        <fieldset class="worktree">
-          <legend>
-            <label class="row-inline">
-              <input type="checkbox" name="worktree_enabled" />
-              Create git worktree
-            </label>
-          </legend>
-          <label>
-            Base repo
-            <input name="worktree_base_repo" type="text" placeholder="/path/to/repo" autocomplete="off" />
-          </label>
-          <label>
-            Branch
-            <input name="worktree_branch" type="text" placeholder="feat/foo" autocomplete="off" />
-          </label>
-          <label class="row-inline">
-            <input type="checkbox" name="worktree_cleanup_on_kill" />
-            Remove worktree when session is killed
-          </label>
-        </fieldset>
         <p class="form-error" role="alert" aria-live="polite"></p>
         <div class="modal-actions">
           <button type="button" class="btn btn-ghost cancel">Cancel</button>
@@ -79,73 +108,343 @@ export function openSpawnModal(
   `;
   document.body.appendChild(host);
 
-  const select = host.querySelector("select[name=daemon_id]") as HTMLSelectElement;
-  if (daemons.size === 0) {
-    const opt = document.createElement("option");
-    opt.value = "";
-    opt.textContent = "(no daemons connected)";
-    opt.disabled = true;
-    opt.selected = true;
-    select.appendChild(opt);
-  } else {
-    for (const d of daemons.values()) {
-      const opt = document.createElement("option");
-      opt.value = d.daemon_id;
-      opt.textContent = `${d.daemon_id} (${d.hostname})`;
-      select.appendChild(opt);
-    }
-  }
+  const form = host.querySelector("#spawn-form") as HTMLFormElement;
+  const errEl = form.querySelector(".form-error") as HTMLElement;
+  const hostTiles = host.querySelector("#host-tiles") as HTMLElement;
+  const cmdTiles = host.querySelector("#cmd-tiles") as HTMLElement;
+  const cmdRaw = host.querySelector("#cmd-raw") as HTMLInputElement;
+  const recentsEl = host.querySelector("#recents") as HTMLElement;
+  const cwdRawWrap = host.querySelector("#cwd-raw-wrap") as HTMLElement;
+  const cwdRaw = host.querySelector("#cwd-raw") as HTMLInputElement;
+  const wtEnabled = host.querySelector("#wt-enabled") as HTMLInputElement;
+  const wtHint = host.querySelector("#wt-hint") as HTMLElement;
+  const wtBody = host.querySelector("#wt-body") as HTMLElement;
+  const wtRepo = host.querySelector("#wt-repo") as HTMLElement;
+  const branchInput = host.querySelector("input[name=worktree_branch]") as HTMLInputElement;
+  const nameInput = host.querySelector("input[name=name]") as HTMLInputElement;
 
-  // Prefill the working directory with the selected daemon's home dir, and keep
-  // it in sync when the daemon changes — unless the user has typed their own.
-  const cwdInput = host.querySelector("input[name=cwd]") as HTMLInputElement;
-  let cwdEdited = false;
-  cwdInput.addEventListener("input", () => {
-    cwdEdited = true;
+  // ---- form state ------------------------------------------------------
+  let selectedHostId = "";
+  let presets: SpawnPreset[] = FALLBACK_PRESETS;
+  let selectedPresetId = "";
+  let command = ""; // resolved command (preset's, or the raw custom input)
+  let cwd = ""; // chosen working directory
+  let inferredBaseRepo: string | null = null; // from the gitroot probe
+  let probeToken = 0; // guards async gitroot probes against races
+  let showAllHosts = false;
+  // A clone's cwd, applied once the (async) recents load for the initial host
+  // settles — so the fetch can't race past and clobber the seeded directory.
+  let cloneCwd: string | null = prefill?.cwd ?? null;
+
+  // ---- name ------------------------------------------------------------
+  nameInput.value = prefill?.name ?? generateName();
+  (host.querySelector("#reroll") as HTMLButtonElement).addEventListener("click", () => {
+    nameInput.value = generateName();
   });
-  const applyHomeDir = () => {
-    if (cwdEdited) return;
-    const home = daemons.get(select.value)?.home_dir;
-    if (home) cwdInput.value = home;
-  };
-  select.addEventListener("change", applyHomeDir);
-  applyHomeDir();
 
-  // Clone: seed the form from an existing session. cwd is marked edited so the
-  // home-dir sync won't clobber it on daemon change.
-  if (prefill) {
-    (host.querySelector("#spawn-title") as HTMLElement).textContent =
-      "Clone session";
-    const set = (name: string, value: string | undefined) => {
-      if (value == null) return;
-      const field = host.querySelector(
-        `[name=${name}]`,
-      ) as HTMLInputElement | HTMLSelectElement | null;
-      if (field) field.value = value;
-    };
-    if (prefill.daemon_id && daemons.has(prefill.daemon_id)) {
-      select.value = prefill.daemon_id;
+  // ---- command tiles ---------------------------------------------------
+  function selectPreset(id: string): void {
+    selectedPresetId = id;
+    const preset = presets.find((p) => p.id === id);
+    const isCustom = !preset || preset.command === "";
+    cmdRaw.hidden = !isCustom;
+    if (isCustom) {
+      command = cmdRaw.value.trim();
+      cmdRaw.focus();
+    } else {
+      command = preset!.command;
     }
-    set("command", prefill.command);
-    set("name", prefill.name);
-    set("label", prefill.label);
-    if (prefill.cwd) {
-      cwdInput.value = prefill.cwd;
-      cwdEdited = true;
+    for (const tile of cmdTiles.querySelectorAll(".tile")) {
+      tile.classList.toggle("is-active", (tile as HTMLElement).dataset.id === id);
     }
   }
 
-  // Live directory autocomplete (NAP-329) on the path fields, scoped to the
-  // currently-selected daemon — re-reading `select.value` per query means it
-  // tracks host changes for free.
-  const baseRepoInput = host.querySelector(
-    "input[name=worktree_base_repo]",
-  ) as HTMLInputElement;
-  const autocompletes = [
-    attachDirAutocomplete(cwdInput, () => select.value),
-    attachDirAutocomplete(baseRepoInput, () => select.value),
+  function renderCommandTiles(): void {
+    cmdTiles.replaceChildren();
+    for (const p of presets) {
+      const tile = document.createElement("button");
+      tile.type = "button";
+      tile.className = "tile";
+      tile.dataset.id = p.id;
+      tile.innerHTML = `<span class="tile-label">${escapeHtml(p.label)}</span>`;
+      tile.addEventListener("click", () => selectPreset(p.id));
+      cmdTiles.appendChild(tile);
+    }
+  }
+
+  cmdRaw.addEventListener("input", () => {
+    if (selectedPresetId === "custom" || presets.find((p) => p.id === selectedPresetId)?.command === "") {
+      command = cmdRaw.value.trim();
+    }
+  });
+
+  // Presets ride `/api/web/info`; render fallbacks immediately, then refine.
+  renderCommandTiles();
+  applyInitialCommand();
+  getWebInfo()
+    .then((info) => {
+      if (info.presets?.length) {
+        presets = info.presets;
+        renderCommandTiles();
+        applyInitialCommand();
+      }
+    })
+    .catch(() => {
+      /* keep fallbacks */
+    });
+
+  // Pick a sensible starting command: a clone's command (matched to a preset or
+  // dropped into custom), else the first non-custom preset.
+  function applyInitialCommand(): void {
+    const wanted = prefill?.command;
+    if (wanted) {
+      const match = presets.find((p) => p.command === wanted && p.command !== "");
+      if (match) {
+        selectPreset(match.id);
+      } else {
+        const custom = presets.find((p) => p.command === "");
+        cmdRaw.value = wanted;
+        selectPreset(custom ? custom.id : "custom");
+        command = wanted;
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    const first = presets.find((p) => p.command !== "");
+    if (first) selectPreset(first.id);
+  }
+
+  // ---- working-directory picker ---------------------------------------
+  function showRawCwd(prefillValue?: string): void {
+    cwdRawWrap.hidden = false;
+    if (prefillValue != null) cwd = prefillValue;
+    cwdRaw.value = cwd;
+    markActiveRecent(null);
+    cwdRaw.focus();
+    cwdRaw.select();
+  }
+
+  cwdRaw.addEventListener("input", () => {
+    cwd = cwdRaw.value.trim();
+    if (wtEnabled.checked) probeGitRoot();
+  });
+
+  function markActiveRecent(activeCwd: string | null): void {
+    for (const row of recentsEl.querySelectorAll(".recent-row")) {
+      row.classList.toggle(
+        "is-active",
+        (row as HTMLElement).dataset.cwd === activeCwd,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  function selectRecent(dir: RecentDir): void {
+    cwd = dir.cwd;
+    cwdRawWrap.hidden = true;
+    markActiveRecent(dir.cwd);
+    // Picking a recent dir can pre-select the command it was last used with.
+    const match = presets.find((p) => p.command === dir.last_command && p.command !== "");
+    if (match) selectPreset(match.id);
+    if (wtEnabled.checked) probeGitRoot();
+  }
+
+  async function loadRecents(): Promise<void> {
+    recentsEl.replaceChildren(loadingRow());
+    let dirs: RecentDir[] = [];
+    try {
+      dirs = (await recentDirs(selectedHostId)).dirs ?? [];
+    } catch {
+      dirs = [];
+    }
+    recentsEl.replaceChildren();
+    for (const dir of dirs) {
+      recentsEl.appendChild(recentRow(dir));
+    }
+    // Persistent escape hatch + empty-history fallback.
+    recentsEl.appendChild(otherDirRow());
+    if (cloneCwd) {
+      // A clone seeds the directory verbatim into the raw input, regardless of
+      // this host's history.
+      showRawCwd(cloneCwd);
+      cloneCwd = null;
+    } else if (dirs.length === 0) {
+      // No history: default to raw input prefilled with the host's home dir.
+      const home = daemons.get(selectedHostId)?.home_dir ?? "";
+      showRawCwd(home);
+    } else {
+      cwdRawWrap.hidden = true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  function recentRow(dir: RecentDir): HTMLElement {
+    const row = document.createElement("button");
+    row.type = "button";
+    row.className = "recent-row";
+    row.dataset.cwd = dir.cwd;
+    row.innerHTML = `
+      <span class="recent-dir">${escapeHtml(dir.cwd)}</span>
+      <span class="recent-cmd">${escapeHtml(dir.last_command)}</span>`;
+    row.addEventListener("click", () => selectRecent(dir));
+    return row;
+  }
+
+  function otherDirRow(): HTMLElement {
+    const row = document.createElement("button");
+    row.type = "button";
+    row.className = "recent-row recent-other";
+    row.innerHTML = `<span class="recent-dir">Other directory…</span>`;
+    row.addEventListener("click", () => {
+      const home = daemons.get(selectedHostId)?.home_dir ?? "";
+      showRawCwd(cwd || home);
+    });
+    return row;
+  }
+
+  function loadingRow(): HTMLElement {
+    const p = document.createElement("p");
+    p.className = "picker-loading";
+    p.textContent = "Loading recent directories…";
+    return p;
+  }
+
+  // ---- worktree (branch-only; base_repo inferred via /gitroot) ----------
+  async function probeGitRoot(): Promise<void> {
+    const token = ++probeToken;
+    if (!cwd) {
+      inferredBaseRepo = null;
+      wtBody.hidden = true;
+      wtHint.hidden = false;
+      wtHint.textContent = "Choose a working directory first.";
+      return;
+    }
+    wtHint.hidden = false;
+    wtHint.textContent = "Checking for a git repository…";
+    wtBody.hidden = true;
+    let root: string | undefined;
+    try {
+      root = (await gitRoot(selectedHostId, cwd)).root;
+    } catch {
+      root = undefined;
+    }
+    if (token !== probeToken) return; // a newer probe superseded us
+    if (root) {
+      inferredBaseRepo = root;
+      wtHint.hidden = true;
+      wtBody.hidden = false;
+      wtRepo.textContent = `repo: ${root} (inferred)`;
+    } else {
+      inferredBaseRepo = null;
+      wtEnabled.checked = false;
+      wtBody.hidden = true;
+      wtHint.hidden = false;
+      wtHint.textContent = "Not inside a git repository — pick a dir in a repo to use a worktree.";
+    }
+  }
+
+  wtEnabled.addEventListener("change", () => {
+    if (wtEnabled.checked) {
+      probeGitRoot();
+    } else {
+      inferredBaseRepo = null;
+      wtBody.hidden = true;
+      wtHint.hidden = true;
+    }
+  });
+
+  // ---- host tiles ------------------------------------------------------
+  // Order hosts by most-recently-spawned-on first, so the common case is the
+  // pre-selected tile.
+  function orderedHosts(): DaemonInfo[] {
+    const list = [...daemons.values()];
+    const lastUsed = new Map<string, number>();
+    for (const s of sessions?.values() ?? []) {
+      const t = Date.parse(s.created_at);
+      if (Number.isFinite(t)) {
+        lastUsed.set(s.daemon_id, Math.max(lastUsed.get(s.daemon_id) ?? 0, t));
+      }
+    }
+    return list.sort((a, b) => (lastUsed.get(b.daemon_id) ?? 0) - (lastUsed.get(a.daemon_id) ?? 0));
+  }
+
+  function selectHost(id: string): void {
+    selectedHostId = id;
+    for (const tile of hostTiles.querySelectorAll(".tile")) {
+      tile.classList.toggle("is-active", (tile as HTMLElement).dataset.id === id);
+    }
+    // Recents + any worktree inference are host-scoped — refresh on change.
+    cwd = "";
+    inferredBaseRepo = null;
+    if (wtEnabled.checked) {
+      wtEnabled.checked = false;
+      wtBody.hidden = true;
+      wtHint.hidden = true;
+    }
+    void loadRecents();
+  }
+
+  function renderHostTiles(): void {
+    hostTiles.replaceChildren();
+    const ordered = orderedHosts();
+    if (ordered.length === 0) {
+      const empty = document.createElement("p");
+      empty.className = "picker-loading";
+      empty.textContent = "(no daemons connected)";
+      hostTiles.appendChild(empty);
+      return;
+    }
+    const visible = showAllHosts ? ordered : ordered.slice(0, MAX_HOST_TILES);
+    for (const d of visible) {
+      const tile = document.createElement("button");
+      tile.type = "button";
+      tile.className = "tile tile-host";
+      tile.dataset.id = d.daemon_id;
+      tile.innerHTML = `
+        <span class="tile-label">${escapeHtml(d.hostname)}</span>
+        <span class="tile-sub">${escapeHtml(d.daemon_id)}</span>`;
+      tile.addEventListener("click", () => selectHost(d.daemon_id));
+      hostTiles.appendChild(tile);
+    }
+    if (!showAllHosts && ordered.length > MAX_HOST_TILES) {
+      const more = document.createElement("button");
+      more.type = "button";
+      more.className = "tile tile-more";
+      more.innerHTML = `<span class="tile-label">More…</span>`;
+      more.addEventListener("click", () => {
+        showAllHosts = true;
+        renderHostTiles();
+        // Keep the current selection highlighted after re-render.
+        if (selectedHostId) {
+          hostTiles
+            .querySelector(`.tile[data-id="${cssEscape(selectedHostId)}"]`)
+            ?.classList.add("is-active");
+        }
+      });
+      hostTiles.appendChild(more);
+    }
+  }
+
+  renderHostTiles();
+  // Pre-select: a clone's host if present & connected, else the most-recent.
+  const ordered = orderedHosts();
+  const initialHost =
+    prefill?.daemon_id && daemons.has(prefill.daemon_id)
+      ? prefill.daemon_id
+      : ordered[0]?.daemon_id;
+  if (initialHost) selectHost(initialHost);
+
+  // ---- clone seed ------------------------------------------------------
+  if (prefill) {
+    (host.querySelector("#spawn-title") as HTMLElement).textContent = "Clone session";
+    (host.querySelector("input[name=label]") as HTMLInputElement).value = prefill.label ?? "";
+    // The cwd itself is applied by loadRecents once the initial host's recents
+    // settle (see `cloneCwd`), so a slow fetch can't clobber it.
+  }
+
+  // ---- live dir autocomplete on the raw cwd input (NAP-329) ------------
+  const autocompletes: DirAutocompleteHandle[] = [
+    attachDirAutocomplete(cwdRaw, () => selectedHostId),
   ];
 
+  // ---- lifecycle -------------------------------------------------------
   const close = () => {
     autocompletes.forEach((a) => a.destroy());
     host.remove();
@@ -163,49 +462,56 @@ export function openSpawnModal(
     { once: true },
   );
 
-  const form = host.querySelector("#spawn-form") as HTMLFormElement;
-  const errEl = form.querySelector(".form-error") as HTMLElement;
-
+  // ---- submit ----------------------------------------------------------
   form.addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
     e.preventDefault();
     errEl.textContent = "";
-    const data = new FormData(form);
-    const daemonId = String(data.get("daemon_id") ?? "");
-    const cwd = String(data.get("cwd") ?? "").trim();
-    const command = String(data.get("command") ?? "").trim();
-    if (!daemonId || !cwd || !command) {
-      errEl.textContent = "Daemon, cwd, and command are required.";
+    if (!selectedHostId) {
+      errEl.textContent = "Pick a host.";
       return;
     }
-    const name = String(data.get("name") ?? "").trim();
-    const label = String(data.get("label") ?? "").trim();
+    if (!cwd) {
+      errEl.textContent = "Pick a working directory.";
+      return;
+    }
+    if (!command) {
+      errEl.textContent = "Pick a command (or fill the custom command).";
+      return;
+    }
+
     const metadata: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+    const name = nameInput.value.trim();
+    const label = (host.querySelector("input[name=label]") as HTMLInputElement).value.trim();
     if (name) metadata.name = name;
     if (label) metadata.label = label;
 
     const req: CreateSessionRequest = {
-      daemon_id: daemonId,
+      daemon_id: selectedHostId,
       cwd,
       command,
       metadata,
     };
-    if (data.get("worktree_enabled")) {
-      const baseRepo = String(data.get("worktree_base_repo") ?? "").trim();
-      const branch = String(data.get("worktree_branch") ?? "").trim();
-      if (!baseRepo || !branch) {
-        errEl.textContent = "Worktree requires base repo and branch.";
+
+    if (wtEnabled.checked) {
+      const branch = branchInput.value.trim();
+      if (!inferredBaseRepo) {
+        errEl.textContent = "Worktree needs a directory inside a git repository.";
+        return;
+      }
+      if (!branch) {
+        errEl.textContent = "Worktree requires a branch name.";
         return;
       }
       req.worktree = {
-        base_repo: baseRepo,
+        base_repo: inferredBaseRepo,
         branch,
-        cleanup_on_kill: Boolean(data.get("worktree_cleanup_on_kill")),
+        cleanup_on_kill: Boolean(
+          (host.querySelector("input[name=worktree_cleanup_on_kill]") as HTMLInputElement).checked,
+        ),
       };
     }
 
-    const submitBtn = form.querySelector(
-      "button[type=submit]",
-    ) as HTMLButtonElement;
+    const submitBtn = form.querySelector("button[type=submit]") as HTMLButtonElement;
     submitBtn.disabled = true;
     try {
       const session = await createSession(req);
@@ -216,7 +522,20 @@ export function openSpawnModal(
       submitBtn.disabled = false;
     }
   });
-
-  const firstInput = form.querySelector("input, select") as HTMLElement | null;
-  firstInput?.focus();
+}
+
+function escapeHtml(s: string): string {
+  return s
+    .replace(/&/g, "&amp;")
+    .replace(/</g, "&lt;")
+    .replace(/>/g, "&gt;")
+    .replace(/"/g, "&quot;");
+}
+
+/** Escape a string for use inside a CSS attribute selector. Uses the native
+ * `CSS.escape` when available, with a conservative fallback. */
+function cssEscape(s: string): string {
+  const cssApi = (globalThis as { CSS?: { escape?: (v: string) => string } }).CSS;
+  if (cssApi?.escape) return cssApi.escape(s);
+  return s.replace(/["\\]/g, "\\$&");
 }
diff --git a/web/src/styles.css b/web/src/styles.css
index 775e5b6..781e61a 100644
--- a/web/src/styles.css
+++ b/web/src/styles.css
@@ -1421,6 +1421,183 @@ textarea {
   border-radius: var(--r-2);
 }
 
+/* ---------- spawn form: tiles + recents picker (#27) ---------- */
+
+.spawn-modal .field {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: var(--sp-2);
+}
+
+.field-label {
+  font-size: var(--fs-13);
+  color: var(--ink);
+}
+
+/* One-click tiles: host row + command row. */
+.tile-row {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: var(--sp-2);
+}
+
+.tile {
+  flex: 1 1 auto;
+  min-width: 96px;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 2px;
+  align-items: flex-start;
+  padding: var(--sp-2) var(--sp-3);
+  background: var(--surface-2);
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border-radius: var(--r-2);
+  color: var(--ink);
+  font-family: inherit;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  text-align: left;
+  transition:
+    border-color var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out),
+    background var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out);
+}
+
+.tile:hover {
+  border-color: var(--border-strong);
+}
+
+.tile.is-active {
+  border-color: var(--accent);
+  background: var(--accent-tint);
+}
+
+.tile-label {
+  font-size: var(--fs-14);
+  font-weight: 600;
+}
+
+.tile-sub {
+  font-size: var(--fs-12);
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+}
+
+.tile-more {
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+  min-width: 0;
+  justify-content: center;
+  align-items: center;
+  color: var(--muted);
+}
+
+/* Recent-dirs picker rows. */
+.picker {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: var(--sp-1);
+  max-height: 220px;
+  overflow-y: auto;
+  scrollbar-width: thin;
+  scrollbar-color: var(--border-strong) transparent;
+}
+
+.recent-row {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: baseline;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  gap: var(--sp-3);
+  padding: 6px var(--sp-3);
+  background: var(--surface-2);
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border-radius: var(--r-2);
+  color: var(--ink);
+  font-family: inherit;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  text-align: left;
+  transition:
+    border-color var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out),
+    background var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out);
+}
+
+.recent-row:hover {
+  border-color: var(--border-strong);
+}
+
+.recent-row.is-active {
+  border-color: var(--accent);
+  background: var(--accent-tint);
+}
+
+.recent-dir {
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: var(--fs-14);
+  overflow: hidden;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.recent-cmd {
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: var(--fs-12);
+  color: var(--muted);
+}
+
+.recent-other .recent-dir {
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-family: inherit;
+  font-style: italic;
+}
+
+.picker-loading {
+  margin: 0;
+  padding: 6px var(--sp-3);
+  color: var(--faint);
+  font-size: var(--fs-13);
+}
+
+.raw-wrap {
+  display: flex;
+}
+
+.raw-input {
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
+/* Worktree-by-branch: inferred repo line + inline hint. */
+.wt-hint {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: var(--fs-12);
+  color: var(--muted);
+}
+
+.wt-body {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: var(--sp-3);
+}
+
+.wt-repo {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: var(--fs-12);
+  color: var(--muted);
+}
+
+/* Generated-name field with a reroll button. */
+.name-row {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: var(--sp-2);
+  align-items: center;
+}
+
+.name-row input {
+  flex: 1 1 auto;
+}
+
+.reroll {
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+}
+
 /* ---------- directory autocomplete (NAP-329) ---------- */
 
 .dir-ac {
diff --git a/web/src/types.ts b/web/src/types.ts
index b14560d..6f43503 100644
--- a/web/src/types.ts
+++ b/web/src/types.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,45 @@ export interface DirListing {
   truncated?: boolean;
 }
 
+/** A spawn-form command preset advertised by the daemon (#22/#26). The `custom`
+ * preset has an empty `command` and reveals the free-text command input. */
+export interface SpawnPreset {
+  id: string;
+  label: string;
+  command: string;
+}
+
+/** `GET /api/web/info` — the connected daemon's identity plus its spawn presets
+ * (#26). Mirrors the daemon-side `WebInfo`. */
+export interface WebInfo {
+  daemon_id: string;
+  hostname: string;
+  version: string;
+  daemon_url: string;
+  /** Command presets (claude/opencode/zsh + custom), config-resolved. */
+  presets: SpawnPreset[];
+}
+
+/** One deduplicated recent working dir for the spawn form's recents picker
+ * (#24/#26). */
+export interface RecentDir {
+  cwd: string;
+  last_command: string;
+  last_used: IsoTimestamp;
+}
+
+/** `GET /api/daemons/:id/recent-dirs` — a host's recent working dirs (#26). */
+export interface RecentDirs {
+  dirs: RecentDir[];
+  truncated?: boolean;
+}
+
+/** `GET /api/daemons/:id/gitroot?path=` — the enclosing repo toplevel of a path
+ * on a host, or absent when the path isn't inside a repo (#26). */
+export interface GitRoot {
+  root?: string;
+}
+
 export interface WorktreeSpec {
   base_repo: string;
   branch: string;