feat(maestro): worktree on by default with new-or-existing branch picker (#61)

- toggle defaults on for any target the project scan reports (repo or
  worktree); only the free-text escape hatch pays for /api/gitroot
- branch mode control switches between creating a new branch (named
  after the session name, as before) and picking an existing one from
  GET /api/branches; branches held by another worktree stay visible but
  disabled, labelled with that worktree's path
- emits create_branch: false on the wire for existing-mode picks
- branch-list load follows the form's ready/destroyed discipline so a
  late response cannot corrupt a rebuilt draft

Cargo.lock

@@ -1102,6 +1102,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "futures-util",
  "libc",
  "maestro-config",
+ "maestro-names",
  "maestro-protocol",
  "reqwest",
  "serde",
@@ -1146,6 +1147,13 @@ dependencies = [
  "thiserror 1.0.69",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "maestro-names"
+version = "0.1.0"
+dependencies = [
+ "rand 0.8.6",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "maestro-protocol"
 version = "0.1.0"

Cargo.toml

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ dirs = "5"
 futures-util = { version = "0.3", default-features = false, features = ["sink", "std"] }
 libc = "0.2"
 maestro-config = { path = "crates/maestro-config" }
+maestro-names = { path = "crates/maestro-names" }
 maestro-protocol = { path = "crates/maestro-protocol" }
 maestro-testing = { path = "crates/maestro-testing" }
 maestro-tui = { path = "crates/maestro-tui" }

crates/maestro-cli/src/cli.rs

@@ -67,8 +67,15 @@ pub struct SpawnArgs {
     /// Branch name for the worktree (required with --worktree-from).
     #[arg(long)]
     pub branch: Option<String>,
-    /// Remove the worktree when the session is killed.
+    /// Check out an existing branch instead of creating one. Without it the
+    /// daemon runs `worktree add -b`, which fails if the branch is already
+    /// there.
     #[arg(long)]
+    pub existing_branch: bool,
+    /// Remove the worktree when the session is killed. Kept for wire
+    /// compatibility (#56): the daemon now always cleans up on kill, guarded
+    /// against unsaved work.
+    #[arg(long, default_value_t = true)]
     pub cleanup_on_kill: bool,
     /// After spawning, attach immediately.
     #[arg(long, short = 'a')]
@@ -147,6 +154,52 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn cleanup_on_kill_defaults_true_for_the_wire() {
+        let cli = Cli::try_parse_from([
+            "maestro",
+            "spawn",
+            "--cwd",
+            "/tmp",
+            "--command",
+            "bash",
+            "--worktree-from",
+            "/repos/foo",
+            "--branch",
+            "feat/x",
+        ])
+        .unwrap();
+        match cli.command {
+            Command::Spawn(a) => assert!(a.cleanup_on_kill),
+            _ => panic!("wrong subcommand"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Review fix: without a flag the CLI always sent `create_branch: true`,
+    /// so the daemon's existing-branch path was unreachable and spawning onto
+    /// a branch that already existed just failed.
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_spawn_onto_an_existing_branch() {
+        let cli = Cli::try_parse_from([
+            "maestro",
+            "spawn",
+            "--cwd",
+            "/tmp",
+            "--command",
+            "bash",
+            "--worktree-from",
+            "/repo",
+            "--branch",
+            "feat/existing",
+            "--existing-branch",
+        ])
+        .unwrap();
+        let Command::Spawn(a) = cli.command else {
+            panic!("expected spawn")
+        };
+        assert!(a.existing_branch);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn spawn_worktree_requires_branch() {
         let err = Cli::try_parse_from([

crates/maestro-cli/src/sessions.rs

@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ pub async fn run_spawn(client: &DaemonClient, args: SpawnArgs) -> Result<Session
             base_repo: repo.clone(),
             branch: branch.clone(),
             cleanup_on_kill: args.cleanup_on_kill,
+            create_branch: !args.existing_branch,
         }),
         _ => None,
     };

crates/maestro-config/src/lib.rs

@@ -87,8 +87,9 @@ pub struct DaemonSection {
     /// Root for everything daemon-local: sidecars, FIFOs, etc.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub state_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
-    /// Root for ephemeral worktrees the daemon creates on `CreateSession`
-    /// with a `worktree` spec.
+    /// Override root for ephemeral worktrees the daemon creates on
+    /// `CreateSession` with a `worktree` spec. Unset by default: worktrees
+    /// then live inside their base repo at `<repo>/worktrees/<branch>` (#56).
     #[serde(default)]
     pub worktree_root: Option<PathBuf>,
     /// Per-session PTY replay buffer cap in bytes (NAP-229). Each new attach
@@ -161,6 +162,15 @@ pub struct SpawnSection {
     /// it resolves to just the `custom` tile.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub presets: Option<Vec<SpawnPreset>>,
+    /// Root directories the daemon scans for git repositories (#54), `~`
+    /// expanded by the daemon against its own home. When absent the daemon
+    /// scans `["~"]`.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub project_roots: Option<Vec<String>>,
+    /// How many directory levels below each [`Self::project_roots`] entry the
+    /// scanner descends (#54). When absent the daemon uses `3`.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub project_scan_depth: Option<u32>,
 }
 
 impl SpawnSection {
@@ -386,6 +396,7 @@ mod tests {
                 label: "fish".into(),
                 command: "fish".into(),
             }]),
+            ..Default::default()
         };
         let ids: Vec<String> = section
             .resolve()
@@ -402,6 +413,7 @@ mod tests {
         // only the implicit custom tile.
         let section = SpawnSection {
             presets: Some(vec![]),
+            ..Default::default()
         };
         let ids: Vec<String> = section
             .resolve()
@@ -420,6 +432,7 @@ mod tests {
                 label: "x".into(),
                 command: "x".into(),
             }]),
+            ..Default::default()
         };
         assert_eq!(empty_id.resolve().unwrap_err(), SpawnConfigError::EmptyId);
 
@@ -429,6 +442,7 @@ mod tests {
                 label: "x".into(),
                 command: "".into(),
             }]),
+            ..Default::default()
         };
         assert_eq!(
             empty_cmd.resolve().unwrap_err(),
@@ -451,6 +465,7 @@ mod tests {
                     command: "a2".into(),
                 },
             ]),
+            ..Default::default()
         };
         assert_eq!(
             dup.resolve().unwrap_err(),
@@ -463,6 +478,7 @@ mod tests {
                 label: "Custom".into(),
                 command: "whatever".into(),
             }]),
+            ..Default::default()
         };
         assert_eq!(
             reserved.resolve().unwrap_err(),
@@ -496,6 +512,30 @@ presets = [
         assert_eq!(ids, ["claude", "zsh", "custom"]);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn spawn_project_scan_fields_default_to_none() {
+        // Absent [spawn].project_* → None; the daemon applies its own defaults.
+        assert_eq!(SpawnSection::default().project_roots, None);
+        assert_eq!(SpawnSection::default().project_scan_depth, None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn spawn_project_scan_fields_parse_from_toml() {
+        let cfg = toml::from_str::<MaestroConfigFile>(
+            r#"
+[spawn]
+project_roots = ["~/code", "/srv/work"]
+project_scan_depth = 5
+"#,
+        )
+        .expect("parse");
+        assert_eq!(
+            cfg.spawn.project_roots,
+            Some(vec!["~/code".to_string(), "/srv/work".to_string()])
+        );
+        assert_eq!(cfg.spawn.project_scan_depth, Some(5));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn partial_file_loads_with_section_defaults() {
         // Only [daemon] present (typical single-host install).

crates/maestro-daemon/Cargo.toml

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ dirs.workspace = true
 futures-util.workspace = true
 libc.workspace = true
 maestro-config.workspace = true
+maestro-names.workspace = true
 maestro-protocol.workspace = true
 serde.workspace = true
 serde_json.workspace = true
@@ -32,5 +33,6 @@ reqwest.workspace = true
 tokio-tungstenite.workspace = true
 urlencoding = "2"
 tempfile.workspace = true
+maestro-names.workspace = true
 # `test-util` enables `start_paused` for instant timeout tests (NAP-270).
 tokio = { workspace = true, features = ["test-util"] }

crates/maestro-daemon/src/branches.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+//! `GET /api/branches` — local branches of one repository (#55).
+//!
+//! Spawning into a worktree on an *existing* branch needs to know which
+//! branches the repository has and which are taken: git refuses to check the
+//! same branch out in two worktrees at once. Each [`BranchInfo`] answers for
+//! one local branch — its name, whether it is the main checkout's HEAD, and
+//! which linked worktree (if any) holds it.
+//!
+//! Read-only, like [`crate::gitroot`]: two git probes (`for-each-ref`,
+//! `worktree list --porcelain`) with no write path anywhere. A path outside
+//! any repository yields an empty list rather than an error, matching how
+//! `/api/gitroot` reports "not a repository".
+
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::process::Command;
+
+use axum::extract::{Query, State};
+use axum::response::{IntoResponse, Response};
+use axum::Json;
+use maestro_protocol::BranchInfo;
+use serde::Deserialize;
+
+use crate::local_api::LocalApiState;
+
+/// Query string for `GET /api/branches`. Same `path` convention as
+/// `/api/dirs` and `/api/gitroot`: resolved against the daemon's home dir.
+#[derive(Debug, Deserialize)]
+pub struct BranchesQuery {
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub path: String,
+}
+
+pub async fn handler(State(s): State<LocalApiState>, Query(q): Query<BranchesQuery>) -> Response {
+    let dir = crate::dirlist::resolve(&s.home_dir, &q.path);
+    Json(list(&dir)).into_response()
+}
+
+/// List the enclosing repository's local branches. Empty when `dir` is not
+/// inside a repository.
+pub fn list(dir: &Path) -> Vec<BranchInfo> {
+    let Some(root) = crate::gitroot::find_root(dir) else {
+        return Vec::new();
+    };
+    let worktrees = worktree_branches(&root);
+    // The first porcelain record is always the main checkout; its branch is
+    // the HEAD answer. Linked worktrees are the occupancy map.
+    let head_branch = worktrees.first().and_then(|(branch, _)| branch.clone());
+    let occupied: HashMap<&str, &Path> = worktrees
+        .iter()
+        .skip(1)
+        .filter_map(|(branch, path)| branch.as_deref().map(|b| (b, path.as_path())))
+        .collect();
+
+    branch_names(&root)
+        .into_iter()
+        .map(|name| BranchInfo {
+            is_head: head_branch.as_deref() == Some(name.as_str()),
+            worktree: occupied.get(name.as_str()).copied().map(Path::to_path_buf),
+            name,
+        })
+        .collect()
+}
+
+fn run_git(root: &Path, args: &[&str]) -> Option<String> {
+    let out = Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(root)
+        .args(args)
+        .output()
+        .ok()?;
+    if !out.status.success() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    Some(String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout).into_owned())
+}
+
+fn branch_names(root: &Path) -> Vec<String> {
+    run_git(
+        root,
+        &["for-each-ref", "refs/heads", "--format=%(refname:short)"],
+    )
+    .map(|out| {
+        out.lines()
+            .filter(|l| !l.is_empty())
+            .map(str::to_owned)
+            .collect()
+    })
+    .unwrap_or_default()
+}
+
+fn worktree_branches(root: &Path) -> Vec<(Option<String>, PathBuf)> {
+    let out = match run_git(root, &["worktree", "list", "--porcelain"]) {
+        Some(out) => out,
+        None => return Vec::new(),
+    };
+    parse_worktrees(&out)
+}
+
+/// Parse `git worktree list --porcelain` into `(branch, toplevel)` records,
+/// branch-less for detached/bare checkouts. Records are separated by blank
+/// lines; each `worktree` line starts a new one.
+fn parse_worktrees(out: &str) -> Vec<(Option<String>, PathBuf)> {
+    let mut result: Vec<(Option<String>, PathBuf)> = Vec::new();
+    let mut pending: Option<PathBuf> = None;
+    let mut branch: Option<String> = None;
+
+    for line in out.lines() {
+        if let Some(path) = line.strip_prefix("worktree ") {
+            if let Some(prev) = pending.take() {
+                result.push((branch.take(), prev));
+            }
+            pending = Some(PathBuf::from(path));
+        } else if let Some(b) = line.strip_prefix("branch ") {
+            branch = Some(b.trim_start_matches("refs/heads/").to_owned());
+        }
+    }
+    if let Some(path) = pending {
+        result.push((branch.take(), path));
+    }
+    result
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_main_and_linked_worktrees() {
+        let out = "\
+worktree /repos/maestro
+HEAD 0123abcd
+branch refs/heads/main
+
+worktree /repos/wt-feature
+HEAD 4567abcd
+branch refs/heads/spawn-v2
+
+";
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_worktrees(out),
+            vec![
+                (Some("main".into()), PathBuf::from("/repos/maestro")),
+                (Some("spawn-v2".into()), PathBuf::from("/repos/wt-feature")),
+            ]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn detached_head_yields_no_branch() {
+        let out = "\
+worktree /repos/detached
+HEAD 0123abcd
+detached
+
+";
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_worktrees(out),
+            vec![(None, PathBuf::from("/repos/detached"))]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn empty_output_yields_no_records() {
+        assert!(parse_worktrees("").is_empty());
+    }
+}

crates/maestro-daemon/src/cli.rs

@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ async fn run(config_override: Option<PathBuf>) -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
     let _ = default_state_dir();
     std::fs::create_dir_all(config.sidecar_dir())?;
     std::fs::create_dir_all(config.fifo_dir())?;
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(&config.worktree_root)?;
+    // No worktree dir to pre-create: without an override the worktrees live
+    // under their base repos, created on demand (#56).
 
     let sidecar = SidecarStore::new(config.sidecar_dir());
     let worktree_mgr = WorktreeManager::new(config.worktree_root.clone());
@@ -71,11 +72,19 @@ async fn run(config_override: Option<PathBuf>) -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
     tracing::info!(recovered, "adopted existing tmux sessions");
     manager.start_liveness_watcher(DEFAULT_LIVENESS_INTERVAL);
 
+    let projects = std::sync::Arc::new(crate::projects::ProjectScanner::new(
+        config.project_roots.clone(),
+        config.project_scan_depth,
+        PathBuf::from(&config.home_dir),
+    ));
+    projects.start_background_refresh();
+
     let router = local_api::router(local_api::state_for(
         manager,
         config.hostname.clone(),
         config.home_dir.clone(),
         config.spawn_presets.clone(),
+        projects,
     ));
 
     let listener = TcpListener::bind(config.bind_addr).await?;

crates/maestro-daemon/src/config.rs

@@ -23,6 +23,14 @@ pub const DEFAULT_BIND_ADDR: &str = "127.0.0.1:7070";
 /// `[daemon].spawn_history_days` is unset. `0` in config disables history.
 pub const DEFAULT_SPAWN_HISTORY_DAYS: u32 = 30;
 
+/// Default scan roots for project discovery (#54) when `[spawn].project_roots`
+/// is unset: the whole home directory, with the scanner's own ignore list
+/// keeping it cheap.
+pub const DEFAULT_PROJECT_ROOTS: [&str; 1] = ["~"];
+/// Default directory depth for project discovery (#54) when
+/// `[spawn].project_scan_depth` is unset.
+pub const DEFAULT_PROJECT_SCAN_DEPTH: u32 = 3;
+
 /// Env var that overrides `[daemon].bind_addr`.
 pub const ENV_DAEMON_BIND_ADDR: &str = "MAESTRO_DAEMON_BIND_ADDR";
 /// Env var that overrides `[daemon].tmux_tmpdir`.
@@ -53,7 +61,10 @@ pub struct DaemonConfig {
     pub home_dir: String,
     pub bind_addr: SocketAddr,
     pub state_dir: PathBuf,
-    pub worktree_root: PathBuf,
+    /// `[daemon].worktree_root` override (#56). `None` — the default — places
+    /// worktrees inside their base repo at `<repo>/worktrees/<branch>`;
+    /// operators who want them elsewhere set this.
+    pub worktree_root: Option<PathBuf>,
     /// Per-session PTY replay buffer cap in bytes (NAP-229). Each new attach
     /// receives this much of the prior PTY output before the live stream.
     /// Default `pty::DEFAULT_REPLAY_BYTES`; `0` disables.
@@ -71,6 +82,12 @@ pub struct DaemonConfig {
     /// built-ins) with the implicit `custom` tile appended. Advertised to
     /// clients in `GET /api/info`.
     pub spawn_presets: Vec<maestro_config::SpawnPreset>,
+    /// Project-discovery scan roots (#54): `[spawn].project_roots` (default
+    /// [`DEFAULT_PROJECT_ROOTS`]) with `~` expanded against the daemon's home.
+    pub project_roots: Vec<PathBuf>,
+    /// Project-discovery depth (#54): `[spawn].project_scan_depth`, default
+    /// [`DEFAULT_PROJECT_SCAN_DEPTH`].
+    pub project_scan_depth: u32,
 }
 
 impl DaemonConfig {
@@ -131,9 +148,6 @@ pub fn load_config(path: &Path, env: EnvOverrides) -> Result<DaemonConfig, Confi
         Some(p) => p,
         None => default_state_dir()?,
     };
-    let worktree_root = daemon
-        .worktree_root
-        .unwrap_or_else(|| state_dir.join("worktrees"));
 
     let pty_replay_bytes = daemon
         .pty_replay_bytes
@@ -147,19 +161,53 @@ pub fn load_config(path: &Path, env: EnvOverrides) -> Result<DaemonConfig, Confi
         .spawn_history_days
         .unwrap_or(DEFAULT_SPAWN_HISTORY_DAYS);
 
+    // `~` in scan roots means the daemon's own home; an unresolvable home
+    // leaves the tilde as-is and the scanner treats the root as missing.
+    let project_roots: Vec<PathBuf> = file
+        .spawn
+        .project_roots
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| {
+            DEFAULT_PROJECT_ROOTS
+                .iter()
+                .map(|s| s.to_string())
+                .collect()
+        })
+        .iter()
+        .map(|root| expand_tilde(root, &home_dir))
+        .collect();
+    let project_scan_depth = file
+        .spawn
+        .project_scan_depth
+        .unwrap_or(DEFAULT_PROJECT_SCAN_DEPTH);
+
     Ok(DaemonConfig {
         hostname,
         home_dir,
         bind_addr,
         state_dir,
-        worktree_root,
+        worktree_root: daemon.worktree_root,
         pty_replay_bytes,
         tmux_tmpdir,
         spawn_history_days,
         spawn_presets,
+        project_roots,
+        project_scan_depth,
     })
 }
 
+/// Expand a leading `~` (or `~/…`) against `home`. Other paths pass through.
+fn expand_tilde(path: &str, home: &str) -> PathBuf {
+    match path.strip_prefix("~") {
+        Some(_) if home.is_empty() => PathBuf::from(path),
+        Some(rest) => {
+            let mut p = PathBuf::from(home);
+            p.push(rest.trim_start_matches('/'));
+            p
+        }
+        None => PathBuf::from(path),
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn default_state_dir() -> Result<PathBuf, ConfigError> {
     Ok(maestro_config::default_state_dir("maestro")?)
 }
@@ -188,7 +236,7 @@ mod tests {
         let cfg = load_config(&path, EnvOverrides::default()).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(cfg.bind_addr, default_bind_addr());
         assert!(cfg.state_dir.ends_with("maestro"));
-        assert!(cfg.worktree_root.ends_with("worktrees"));
+        assert!(cfg.worktree_root.is_none());
         assert!(!cfg.hostname.is_empty());
     }
 
@@ -280,6 +328,56 @@ spawn_history_days = 0
         assert_eq!(cfg.spawn_history_days, 0);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn project_scan_defaults_to_home_root_at_depth_3() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("config.toml");
+        std::fs::write(&path, "").unwrap();
+        let cfg = load_config(&path, EnvOverrides::default()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(cfg.project_scan_depth, DEFAULT_PROJECT_SCAN_DEPTH);
+        assert_eq!(
+            cfg.project_roots,
+            vec![PathBuf::from(cfg.home_dir.clone())],
+            "bare ~ must expand to the daemon's home"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn project_scan_roots_expand_tilde_and_pass_through_absolutes() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("config.toml");
+        std::fs::write(
+            &path,
+            r#"
+[spawn]
+project_roots = ["~/code", "/srv/work"]
+project_scan_depth = 5
+"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let cfg = load_config(&path, EnvOverrides::default()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(cfg.project_scan_depth, 5);
+        assert_eq!(
+            cfg.project_roots,
+            vec![
+                PathBuf::from(cfg.home_dir.clone()).join("code"),
+                PathBuf::from("/srv/work"),
+            ]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn tilde_expansion_handles_bare_and_nested_forms() {
+        assert_eq!(expand_tilde("~", "/home/u"), PathBuf::from("/home/u"));
+        assert_eq!(
+            expand_tilde("~/a/b", "/home/u"),
+            PathBuf::from("/home/u/a/b")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(expand_tilde("/abs", "/home/u"), PathBuf::from("/abs"));
+        // Unresolvable home leaves the tilde as-is rather than mangling it.
+        assert_eq!(expand_tilde("~", ""), PathBuf::from("~"));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn system_hostname_is_nonempty() {
         let h = system_hostname();

crates/maestro-daemon/src/lib.rs

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 pub mod activity;
 pub mod attach;
+pub mod branches;
 pub mod cli;
 pub mod config;
 pub mod dirlist;
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ pub mod gitroot;
 pub mod local_api;
 pub mod panes;
 pub mod proc;
+pub mod projects;
 pub mod pty;
 pub mod session;
 pub mod sidecar;

crates/maestro-daemon/src/local_api.rs

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use axum::routing::{any, delete, get};
 use axum::{Json, Router};
 use maestro_config::SpawnPreset;
 use maestro_protocol::{
-    routes, ApiError, CatalogEvent, CreateSessionRequest, DaemonInfo, GitRoot, Session,
+    routes, ApiError, CatalogEvent, CreateSessionRequest, DaemonInfo, GitRoot, NameBatch, Session,
     PROTOCOL_VERSION,
 };
 use serde::Deserialize;
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ pub struct LocalApiState {
     pub home_dir: Arc<String>,
     /// Resolved spawn presets (#22/#26) advertised in `GET /api/info`.
     pub presets: Arc<Vec<SpawnPreset>>,
+    /// Project discovery (#54) backing `GET /api/projects`.
+    pub projects: Arc<crate::projects::ProjectScanner>,
 }
 
 pub fn router(state: LocalApiState) -> Router {
@@ -44,7 +46,10 @@ pub fn router(state: LocalApiState) -> Router {
         .route(routes::patterns::SESSION, delete(kill_session))
         .route(routes::DIRS, get(list_dir))
         .route(routes::RECENT_DIRS, get(recent_dirs))
+        .route(routes::PROJECTS, get(projects))
         .route(routes::GITROOT, get(git_root))
+        .route(routes::BRANCHES, get(crate::branches::handler))
+        .route(routes::NAMES, get(names))
         .route(routes::INFO, get(daemon_info))
         .route(routes::EVENTS, any(events_ws))
         .route(routes::patterns::ATTACH, any(attach_ws))
@@ -98,6 +103,15 @@ async fn recent_dirs(State(s): State<LocalApiState>) -> Response {
     Json(crate::spawn_history::to_wire(s.manager.recent_dirs())).into_response()
 }
 
+/// Discovered git repositories and worktrees, newest activity first (#54).
+/// `last_activity` is the later of the repo's git HEAD mtime and the newest
+/// spawn-history use of any directory inside it.
+async fn projects(State(s): State<LocalApiState>) -> Response {
+    let repos = s.projects.repos().await;
+    let history = s.manager.all_recent_dirs();
+    Json(crate::projects::to_projects(&repos, &history)).into_response()
+}
+
 /// Probe the enclosing git repo of `path`, to infer the worktree `base_repo`
 /// for the spawn form (#26). `path` is resolved against the daemon's home dir
 /// (empty/`~`/relative), like [`list_dir`].
@@ -109,6 +123,22 @@ async fn git_root(State(s): State<LocalApiState>, Query(q): Query<DirQuery>) ->
     .into_response()
 }
 
+/// Query string for `GET /api/names`. `count` defaults to 1 and is capped at
+/// [`maestro_names::MAX_BATCH`] (#53).
+#[derive(Debug, Deserialize)]
+struct NamesQuery {
+    count: Option<usize>,
+}
+
+/// Fresh session handles for the spawn form's instant reroll (#53). The web
+/// client fetches one batch per draft pane and rerolls locally from it.
+async fn names(Query(q): Query<NamesQuery>) -> Json<NameBatch> {
+    let count = q.count.unwrap_or(1).clamp(1, maestro_names::MAX_BATCH);
+    Json(NameBatch {
+        names: maestro_names::generate_batch(count),
+    })
+}
+
 async fn daemon_info(State(s): State<LocalApiState>) -> Json<DaemonInfo> {
     Json(DaemonInfo {
         hostname: (*s.hostname).clone(),
@@ -157,18 +187,23 @@ fn error_response(status: StatusCode, code: &str, message: &str) -> Response {
 }
 
 /// Convenience constructor — pulls the bits `LocalApiState` needs from
-/// `DaemonConfig` so callers don't have to assemble it by hand.
+/// `DaemonConfig` so callers don't have to assemble it by hand. The project
+/// scanner starts with its cache cold; wire
+/// [`ProjectScanner::start_background_refresh`](crate::projects::ProjectScanner::start_background_refresh)
+/// on the returned handle's scanner to keep it eventually fresh.
 pub fn state_for(
     manager: SessionManager,
     hostname: impl Into<String>,
     home_dir: impl Into<String>,
     presets: Vec<SpawnPreset>,
+    projects: Arc<crate::projects::ProjectScanner>,
 ) -> LocalApiState {
     LocalApiState {
         manager,
         hostname: Arc::new(hostname.into()),
         home_dir: Arc::new(home_dir.into()),
         presets: Arc::new(presets),
+        projects,
     }
 }
 

crates/maestro-daemon/src/projects.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,530 @@
+//! Project discovery for `GET /api/projects` (#54).
+//!
+//! Scans `[spawn].project_roots` (default the whole home) for `.git` entries —
+//! directory or file, so linked worktrees count too — up to
+//! `[spawn].project_scan_depth` levels. Descent stops at the first repo found:
+//! nested independent repos are not discovered, but worktrees of every hit
+//! still are, via `git worktree list`, which also catches linked worktrees
+//! living outside the roots.
+//!
+//! Hidden directories are skipped everywhere; heavy well-known directories
+//! (`node_modules`, `Downloads`, …) are skipped when they sit directly in the
+//! home directory, so scanning all of home stays cheap.
+//!
+//! Results are cached behind a short TTL and refreshed on a slow background
+//! timer ([`ProjectScanner::start_background_refresh`]) — repositories appear
+//! rarely, and `/api/projects` may be polled.
+
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
+
+use crate::spawn_history::RecentDir;
+
+/// Directory names never descended when they sit directly in the home dir, so
+/// scanning all of home stays cheap (#54). Hidden dirs are skipped everywhere
+/// regardless.
+pub const DEFAULT_HOME_IGNORE: &[&str] =
+    &["node_modules", "Downloads", "Library", "go", "snap", "opt"];
+
+/// How long a discovery snapshot is served as-is before the next request
+/// triggers a rescan. Short: a scan is a bounded filesystem walk plus one
+/// `git worktree list` per hit.
+pub const CACHE_TTL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(5);
+/// Background refresh cadence. Repositories appear rarely; this keeps the
+/// served list eventually fresh without anyone asking.
+pub const REFRESH_INTERVAL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(60);
+
+/// One repository or linked worktree found by [`discover`].
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct DiscoveredRepo {
+    pub path: PathBuf,
+    /// Basename of `path`.
+    pub name: String,
+    pub is_worktree: bool,
+    /// The main checkout this worktree belongs to; set only when
+    /// [`Self::is_worktree`].
+    pub base_repo: Option<PathBuf>,
+    /// Mtime of the checkout's git HEAD — "someone committed / checked out
+    /// here". The later-of merge with spawn history happens in
+    /// [`to_projects`], which also sorts.
+    pub head_mtime: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
+}
+
+/// Repo toplevels under each root of `roots`, at most `max_depth` levels deep.
+/// A dir holding `.git` (dir *or* file) is a hit and is not descended into;
+/// hidden directories are never entered, and `DEFAULT_HOME_IGNORE` names are
+/// skipped directly under `home`.
+pub fn scan_roots(roots: &[PathBuf], max_depth: u32, home: &Path) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
+    let mut found = Vec::new();
+    for root in roots {
+        walk(root, 0, max_depth, home, &mut found);
+    }
+    found.sort();
+    found.dedup();
+    found
+}
+
+fn walk(dir: &Path, depth: u32, max_depth: u32, home: &Path, found: &mut Vec<PathBuf>) {
+    let entries = match std::fs::read_dir(dir) {
+        Ok(e) => e,
+        Err(_) => return,
+    };
+    let mut subdirs = Vec::new();
+    let mut has_git = false;
+    for entry in entries.flatten() {
+        match entry.file_name().to_string_lossy().into_owned() {
+            name if name == ".git" => has_git = true,
+            name if name.starts_with('.') => {}
+            name if dir == home && DEFAULT_HOME_IGNORE.contains(&name.as_str()) => {}
+            _ => {
+                if entry.file_type().map(|t| t.is_dir()).unwrap_or(false) {
+                    subdirs.push(entry.path());
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    if has_git {
+        // Match `git worktree list` output, which prints real paths.
+        found.push(std::fs::canonicalize(dir).unwrap_or_else(|_| dir.to_path_buf()));
+        return;
+    }
+    if depth >= max_depth {
+        return;
+    }
+    for sub in subdirs {
+        walk(&sub, depth + 1, max_depth, home, found);
+    }
+}
+
+/// Every discovered project: the scanned repos plus all worktrees their
+/// `git worktree list` reports (linked worktrees can live outside the roots).
+/// A hit whose git invocation fails still lists, un-worktreed.
+pub fn discover(roots: &[PathBuf], max_depth: u32, home: &Path) -> Vec<DiscoveredRepo> {
+    let scanned = scan_roots(roots, max_depth, home);
+    let mut map: Vec<(PathBuf, PathBuf)> = Vec::new(); // (checkout, main)
+    for repo in scanned {
+        if map.iter().any(|(c, _)| c == &repo) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        let worktrees = list_worktrees(&repo).unwrap_or_else(|| vec![repo.clone()]);
+        let main = worktrees[0].clone();
+        for wt in worktrees {
+            if !map.iter().any(|(c, _)| c == &wt) {
+                map.push((wt, main.clone()));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    map.into_iter()
+        .map(|(path, main)| {
+            let is_worktree = path != main;
+            DiscoveredRepo {
+                name: path
+                    .file_name()
+                    .map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
+                    .unwrap_or_default(),
+                is_worktree,
+                base_repo: is_worktree.then_some(main),
+                head_mtime: head_mtime(&path),
+                path,
+            }
+        })
+        .collect()
+}
+
+/// `git worktree list --porcelain` from `repo`: absolute paths, main first.
+/// `None` when git fails (broken/bare checkout).
+fn list_worktrees(repo: &Path) -> Option<Vec<PathBuf>> {
+    let out = std::process::Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(repo)
+        .args(["worktree", "list", "--porcelain"])
+        .output()
+        .ok()?;
+    if !out.status.success() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let mut paths = Vec::new();
+    for line in String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout).lines() {
+        if let Some(p) = line.strip_prefix("worktree ") {
+            paths.push(PathBuf::from(p));
+        }
+    }
+    (!paths.is_empty()).then_some(paths)
+}
+
+/// Mtime of the checkout's HEAD file. For a linked worktree `.git` is a file
+/// holding a `gitdir:` pointer; resolve it so worktrees report their own HEAD
+/// rather than nothing.
+fn head_mtime(repo: &Path) -> Option<DateTime<Utc>> {
+    let dot_git = repo.join(".git");
+    let head = if dot_git.is_dir() {
+        dot_git.join("HEAD")
+    } else {
+        let ptr = std::fs::read_to_string(&dot_git).ok()?;
+        let gitdir = ptr.trim().strip_prefix("gitdir:")?.trim();
+        // Relative pointers are relative to the worktree.
+        let p = Path::new(gitdir);
+        let p = if p.is_absolute() {
+            p.to_path_buf()
+        } else {
+            repo.join(p)
+        };
+        p.join("HEAD")
+    };
+    let mtime = std::fs::metadata(head).ok()?.modified().ok()?;
+    Some(DateTime::<Utc>::from(mtime))
+}
+
+/// Fold spawn history into the discovery snapshot and produce the wire list,
+/// sorted newest-activity-first. `history` must be newest-first (what
+/// [`SpawnHistory::all_recent_dirs`](crate::spawn_history::SpawnHistory)
+/// returns): the first entry whose cwd sits inside a project is its most
+/// recent use.
+pub fn to_projects(
+    repos: &[DiscoveredRepo],
+    history: &[RecentDir],
+) -> Vec<maestro_protocol::Project> {
+    let mut projects: Vec<maestro_protocol::Project> = repos
+        .iter()
+        .map(|repo| {
+            let last_use = history.iter().find(|h| contains(&repo.path, &h.cwd));
+            maestro_protocol::Project {
+                path: repo.path.clone(),
+                name: repo.name.clone(),
+                is_worktree: repo.is_worktree,
+                base_repo: repo.base_repo.clone(),
+                last_activity: max_opt(repo.head_mtime, last_use.map(|u| u.last_used)),
+                last_command: last_use.map(|u| u.last_command.clone()),
+            }
+        })
+        .collect();
+    projects.sort_by_key(|p| std::cmp::Reverse(p.last_activity));
+    projects
+}
+
+/// Whether `dir` is `project` itself or anywhere inside it.
+fn contains(project: &Path, dir: &Path) -> bool {
+    dir == project || dir.starts_with(project)
+}
+
+fn max_opt(a: Option<DateTime<Utc>>, b: Option<DateTime<Utc>>) -> Option<DateTime<Utc>> {
+    match (a, b) {
+        (Some(a), Some(b)) => Some(a.max(b)),
+        (a, b) => a.or(b),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Cached discovery behind a short TTL plus an optional slow background
+/// refresh. Clone-free shared handle via `Arc` in [`crate::local_api`].
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct ProjectScanner {
+    roots: Vec<PathBuf>,
+    max_depth: u32,
+    home: PathBuf,
+    ttl: Duration,
+    cache: tokio::sync::Mutex<Option<(Instant, std::sync::Arc<Vec<DiscoveredRepo>>)>>,
+}
+
+impl ProjectScanner {
+    /// Scanner over the resolved config roots. An empty `roots` list scans
+    /// nothing and always serves an empty list.
+    pub fn new(roots: Vec<PathBuf>, max_depth: u32, home: PathBuf) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            roots,
+            max_depth,
+            home,
+            ttl: CACHE_TTL,
+            cache: tokio::sync::Mutex::new(None),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Scanner that never discovers anything — tests and embedders that don't
+    /// want the endpoint populated.
+    pub fn disabled() -> Self {
+        Self::new(Vec::new(), 0, PathBuf::new())
+    }
+
+    /// Cached snapshot, rescanning (off-thread) when the TTL has lapsed.
+    pub async fn repos(&self) -> std::sync::Arc<Vec<DiscoveredRepo>> {
+        let mut cache = self.cache.lock().await;
+        if let Some((at, repos)) = cache.as_ref() {
+            if at.elapsed() < self.ttl {
+                return repos.clone();
+            }
+        }
+        let roots = self.roots.clone();
+        let max_depth = self.max_depth;
+        let home = self.home.clone();
+        // Blocking fs walk + git subprocesses must not stall the reactor.
+        let repos = std::sync::Arc::new(
+            tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || discover(&roots, max_depth, &home))
+                .await
+                .unwrap_or_default(),
+        );
+        *cache = Some((Instant::now(), repos.clone()));
+        repos
+    }
+
+    /// Rescan now, ignoring the TTL. Called by the background timer.
+    async fn refresh(&self) {
+        self.repos().await;
+    }
+
+    /// Spawn the slow background refresh task. Drop the returned handle to
+    /// detach it; it stops when the runtime shuts down.
+    pub fn start_background_refresh(self: &std::sync::Arc<Self>) -> tokio::task::JoinHandle<()> {
+        let scanner = std::sync::Arc::clone(self);
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let mut ticker = tokio::time::interval(REFRESH_INTERVAL);
+            ticker.set_missed_tick_behavior(tokio::time::MissedTickBehavior::Delay);
+            ticker.tick().await; // the immediate first tick — wait a full interval
+            loop {
+                scanner.refresh().await;
+                ticker.tick().await;
+            }
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::spawn_history::RecentDir;
+
+    /// Real git repo at `<root>/<name>`, one initial commit so HEAD exists.
+    fn make_repo(root: &Path, name: &str) -> PathBuf {
+        let path = root.join(name);
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&path).unwrap();
+        run_git(&path, &["init", "-q"]);
+        std::fs::write(path.join("f.txt"), "x\n").unwrap();
+        run_git(&path, &["add", "-A"]);
+        run_git(
+            &path,
+            &[
+                "-c",
+                "user.email=t@t",
+                "-c",
+                "user.name=t",
+                "commit",
+                "-qm",
+                "init",
+            ],
+        );
+        path
+    }
+
+    fn run_git(dir: &Path, args: &[&str]) {
+        let out = std::process::Command::new("git")
+            .arg("-C")
+            .arg(dir)
+            .args(args)
+            .output()
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            out.status.success(),
+            "git {args:?} failed: {} | {}",
+            String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr),
+            String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout)
+        );
+    }
+
+    fn names(repos: &[DiscoveredRepo]) -> Vec<String> {
+        let mut v: Vec<String> = repos.iter().map(|r| r.name.clone()).collect();
+        v.sort();
+        v
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn scan_finds_repos_and_stops_at_the_first_hit() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let outer = make_repo(tmp.path(), "outer");
+        // A nested independent repo inside `outer` is NOT discovered
+        // separately: descent stops once a repo is found.
+        make_repo(&outer, "vendored");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(tmp.path().join("plain/deep/deeper")).unwrap();
+
+        let found = scan_roots(
+            &[tmp.path().to_path_buf()],
+            3,
+            Path::new("/nonexistent-home"),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(found, vec![outer]);
+
+        let discovered = discover(
+            &[tmp.path().to_path_buf()],
+            3,
+            Path::new("/nonexistent-home"),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(names(&discovered), ["outer"]);
+        assert!(!discovered[0].is_worktree);
+        assert_eq!(discovered[0].base_repo, None);
+        assert!(discovered[0].head_mtime.is_some());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn scan_respects_depth_hidden_dirs_and_home_ignore() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let home = tmp.path().join("home");
+
+        // Hidden dirs are never entered, at any depth.
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(home.join(".secret/.git")).unwrap();
+        // node_modules directly under home is not descended…
+        let _ignored = make_repo(&home.join("node_modules"), "dep");
+        // …but the same name deeper down is fair game.
+        let kept = make_repo(&home.join("code/node_modules"), "dep2");
+
+        // Depth cap: a repo three levels below the root is the last tier —
+        // found at depth 3, but a fourth-level repo isn't.
+        let at_three = home.join("a/b/c");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(at_three.join(".git")).unwrap();
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(home.join("a/b/c/d/.git")).unwrap();
+
+        let found = scan_roots(std::slice::from_ref(&home), 3, &home);
+        assert!(found.iter().all(|p| !p.starts_with(home.join(".secret"))));
+        assert!(found
+            .iter()
+            .all(|p| !p.starts_with(home.join("node_modules"))));
+        assert!(found.contains(&kept.canonicalize().unwrap()));
+        assert!(found.contains(&at_three.canonicalize().unwrap()));
+        assert!(!found.iter().any(|p| p.ends_with("d")));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn worktrees_outside_the_roots_are_discovered_via_git_worktree_list() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let root = tmp.path().join("scan-root");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&root).unwrap();
+        let main = make_repo(&root, "main-repo");
+        // Linked worktree deliberately outside the scan root.
+        let wt = tmp.path().join("elsewhere/wt-of-main");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(wt.parent().unwrap()).unwrap();
+        run_git(
+            &main,
+            &[
+                "worktree",
+                "add",
+                "-q",
+                "-b",
+                "feature",
+                &wt.to_string_lossy(),
+            ],
+        );
+
+        let discovered = discover(&[root], 3, Path::new("/nonexistent-home"));
+        assert_eq!(names(&discovered), ["main-repo", "wt-of-main"]);
+        let wt_entry = discovered.iter().find(|d| d.name == "wt-of-main").unwrap();
+        assert!(wt_entry.is_worktree);
+        assert_eq!(
+            wt_entry.base_repo.as_deref(),
+            Some(main.canonicalize().unwrap().as_path())
+        );
+        let main_entry = discovered.iter().find(|d| d.name == "main-repo").unwrap();
+        assert!(!main_entry.is_worktree);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn head_mtime_resolves_a_worktrees_git_file_pointer() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let main = make_repo(tmp.path(), "m");
+        let wt = tmp.path().join("wt");
+        run_git(
+            &main,
+            &["worktree", "add", "-q", "-b", "b2", &wt.to_string_lossy()],
+        );
+        assert!(head_mtime(&wt).is_some());
+    }
+
+    fn recent(cwd: &str, cmd: &str, at: &str) -> RecentDir {
+        RecentDir {
+            cwd: PathBuf::from(cwd),
+            last_command: cmd.into(),
+            last_used: DateTime::parse_from_rfc3339(at)
+                .unwrap()
+                .with_timezone(&Utc),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn to_projects_merges_history_and_sorts_newest_first() {
+        let repo_old = DiscoveredRepo {
+            path: PathBuf::from("/w/old"),
+            name: "old".into(),
+            is_worktree: false,
+            base_repo: None,
+            // Committed recently but never spawned in.
+            head_mtime: Some(t("2026-08-23T10:00:00Z")),
+        };
+        let repo_hist = DiscoveredRepo {
+            path: PathBuf::from("/w/hist"),
+            name: "hist".into(),
+            is_worktree: false,
+            base_repo: None,
+            // Old commit…
+            head_mtime: Some(t("2026-08-01T10:00:00Z")),
+        };
+        let repo_stale = DiscoveredRepo {
+            path: PathBuf::from("/w/stale"),
+            name: "stale".into(),
+            is_worktree: false,
+            base_repo: None,
+            head_mtime: None,
+        };
+
+        let history = vec![
+            // Newest overall: a subdir of /w/hist (first match wins for it).
+            recent("/w/hist/crates", "opencode", "2026-08-22T09:00:00Z"),
+            recent("/w/hist", "claude", "2026-08-20T09:00:00Z"),
+        ];
+        let projects = to_projects(&[repo_old, repo_hist, repo_stale], &history);
+
+        let paths: Vec<&str> = projects.iter().map(|p| p.path.to_str().unwrap()).collect();
+        assert_eq!(paths, ["/w/old", "/w/hist", "/w/stale"]);
+
+        // old: git activity wins (never spawned).
+        assert_eq!(projects[0].last_activity, Some(t("2026-08-23T10:00:00Z")));
+        assert_eq!(projects[0].last_command, None);
+        // hist: spawn history beats the old commit; command from the newest
+        // matching entry (the crates/ one, not the repo root one).
+        assert_eq!(projects[1].last_activity, Some(t("2026-08-22T09:00:00Z")));
+        assert_eq!(projects[1].last_command.as_deref(), Some("opencode"));
+        // stale: neither source knows anything.
+        assert_eq!(projects[2].last_activity, None);
+        assert_eq!(projects[2].last_command, None);
+    }
+
+    fn t(s: &str) -> DateTime<Utc> {
+        DateTime::parse_from_rfc3339(s).unwrap().with_timezone(&Utc)
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn scanner_caches_within_ttl_and_rescans_after() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let mut scanner = ProjectScanner::new(
+            vec![tmp.path().to_path_buf()],
+            3,
+            PathBuf::from("/nonexistent"),
+        );
+
+        let empty = scanner.repos().await;
+        assert!(empty.is_empty());
+
+        make_repo(tmp.path(), "late");
+        // Within the TTL the cached (empty) snapshot is still served.
+        let still_empty = scanner.repos().await;
+        assert!(still_empty.is_empty());
+
+        // After the TTL lapses the rescan sees the new repo.
+        scanner.ttl = Duration::ZERO;
+        let fresh = scanner.repos().await;
+        assert_eq!(fresh.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(fresh[0].name, "late");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn disabled_scanner_always_serves_empty() {
+        let scanner = ProjectScanner::disabled();
+        assert_eq!(scanner.roots, Vec::<PathBuf>::new());
+    }
+}

crates/maestro-daemon/src/session.rs

@@ -38,13 +38,12 @@ pub const DEFAULT_LIVENESS_INTERVAL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(2);
 pub struct SessionRecord {
     pub session: Session,
     pub fifo_path: PathBuf,
-    /// Worktree we created at spawn time and that should be cleaned up on
-    /// kill (if `cleanup_worktree_on_kill`).
+    /// Worktree we created at spawn time; removed on kill unless the
+    /// dirty-work guard refuses (#56).
     pub worktree_path: Option<PathBuf>,
     /// `base_repo` from the original `WorktreeSpec`. Needed because `git
     /// worktree remove` is invoked from the base repo.
     pub worktree_base_repo: Option<PathBuf>,
-    pub cleanup_worktree_on_kill: bool,
     pub bridge: PtyBridge,
 }
 
@@ -170,6 +169,16 @@ impl SessionManager {
             .unwrap_or_default()
     }
 
+    /// Every deduped recent dir, newest-first, without the picker's result
+    /// cap (#54): project enrichment folds the whole history.
+    pub fn all_recent_dirs(&self) -> Vec<RecentDir> {
+        self.inner
+            .spawn_history
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(|h| h.all_recent_dirs())
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+    }
+
     /// Subscribe to session deltas. Each subscriber gets its own lag domain —
     /// a slow client makes only itself resync.
     pub fn events(&self) -> broadcast::Receiver<CatalogEvent> {
@@ -213,24 +222,20 @@ impl SessionManager {
     /// Spawn a new session. On success returns the freshly-created `Session`.
     pub async fn create(&self, req: CreateSessionRequest) -> Result<Session, SessionError> {
         let (effective_cwd, worktree_path, worktree_base_repo) = match &req.worktree {
-            Some(WorktreeSpec {
-                base_repo, branch, ..
-            }) => {
-                let path = self
-                    .inner
-                    .worktree_mgr
-                    .add(base_repo, branch)
-                    .map_err(SessionError::Worktree)?;
+            Some(spec) => {
+                let WorktreeSpec {
+                    base_repo, branch, ..
+                } = spec;
+                let path = if spec.create_branch {
+                    self.inner.worktree_mgr.add_new(base_repo, branch)
+                } else {
+                    self.inner.worktree_mgr.add_existing(base_repo, branch)
+                }
+                .map_err(SessionError::Worktree)?;
                 (path.clone(), Some(path), Some(base_repo.clone()))
             }
             None => (req.cwd.clone(), None, None),
         };
-        let cleanup_worktree_on_kill = req
-            .worktree
-            .as_ref()
-            .map(|w| w.cleanup_on_kill)
-            .unwrap_or(false);
-
         let id = Uuid::new_v4();
         // Build the FIFO + reader task *before* asking tmux to spawn the
         // command — otherwise the child's first bytes race the separate
@@ -315,7 +320,6 @@ impl SessionManager {
                     fifo_path,
                     worktree_path,
                     worktree_base_repo,
-                    cleanup_worktree_on_kill,
                     bridge,
                 },
             );
@@ -357,8 +361,9 @@ impl SessionManager {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Kill a session and remove its on-disk artifacts. The worktree is only
-    /// pruned if the create request set `cleanup_on_kill: true`.
+    /// Kill a session and remove its on-disk artifacts. The worktree is
+    /// always pruned -- unless it holds uncommitted changes or commits not on
+    /// any other ref, in which case the guard leaves it on disk (#56).
     ///
     /// This is also how an already-dead session is dismissed. tmux is only
     /// asked to kill something it still has — calling `kill-session` on a
@@ -454,7 +459,6 @@ impl SessionManager {
                     fifo_path,
                     worktree_path: None,
                     worktree_base_repo: None,
-                    cleanup_worktree_on_kill: false,
                     bridge,
                 },
             );
@@ -703,9 +707,18 @@ async fn cleanup_record(inner: &Arc<Inner>, id: Uuid, record: SessionRecord, kil
     if let Err(e) = inner.sidecar.delete(id) {
         tracing::warn!(error = ?e, %id, "cleanup: failed to delete sidecar");
     }
-    if record.cleanup_worktree_on_kill {
-        if let (Some(base), Some(path)) = (&record.worktree_base_repo, &record.worktree_path) {
-            let _ = inner.worktree_mgr.remove(base, path);
+    // Cleanup is unconditional now (#56): `cleanup_on_kill` is no longer a
+    // user-facing choice. The manager's guard is what protects unsaved work --
+    // when it refuses, leave the tree on disk and say where it is so the
+    // operator can find it.
+    if let (Some(base), Some(path)) = (&record.worktree_base_repo, &record.worktree_path) {
+        if let Err(e) = inner.worktree_mgr.remove(base, path) {
+            tracing::warn!(
+                %id,
+                path = %path.display(),
+                error = %e,
+                "left worktree on disk"
+            );
         }
     }
     let _ = inner.events.send(CatalogEvent::SessionRemoved { id });

crates/maestro-daemon/src/spawn_history.rs

@@ -143,11 +143,23 @@ impl SpawnHistory {
     /// Recent working dirs, newest use first, deduped by `cwd`, within the
     /// recency cap, capped at `max_results`. Empty when disabled or unreadable.
     pub fn recent_dirs(&self) -> Vec<RecentDir> {
-        self.recent_dirs_as_of(Utc::now())
+        self.recent_dirs_capped(Utc::now(), self.max_results)
+    }
+
+    /// Every deduped recent dir, newest-first, without the picker's result
+    /// cap (#54): project enrichment folds the whole history, not its first
+    /// page, so a project spawned in long ago still reads as fresh.
+    pub fn all_recent_dirs(&self) -> Vec<RecentDir> {
+        self.recent_dirs_capped(Utc::now(), usize::MAX)
     }
 
     /// [`recent_dirs`](Self::recent_dirs) with an explicit clock for testing.
+    #[cfg(test)]
     fn recent_dirs_as_of(&self, now: DateTime<Utc>) -> Vec<RecentDir> {
+        self.recent_dirs_capped(now, self.max_results)
+    }
+
+    fn recent_dirs_capped(&self, now: DateTime<Utc>, max_results: usize) -> Vec<RecentDir> {
         if !self.is_enabled() {
             return Vec::new();
         }
@@ -168,7 +180,7 @@ impl SpawnHistory {
                 last_command: rec.command,
                 last_used: rec.at,
             });
-            if out.len() >= self.max_results {
+            if out.len() >= max_results {
                 break;
             }
         }
@@ -362,4 +374,28 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(recents[0].cwd, PathBuf::from("/d4"));
         assert_eq!(recents[1].cwd, PathBuf::from("/d3"));
     }
+
+    /// Project enrichment (#54) folds the whole log, not just the picker's
+    /// first page.
+    #[test]
+    fn all_recent_dirs_skips_the_result_cap() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let mut h = SpawnHistory::new(tmp.path().join("h.jsonl"), 30);
+        h.max_results = 2;
+        // Recent enough to survive the 30-day cap against the real clock.
+        let base = Utc::now() - Duration::hours(1);
+        for i in 0..5 {
+            h.append(&rec(
+                &format!("/d{i}"),
+                "claude",
+                base + Duration::minutes(i),
+            ))
+            .unwrap();
+        }
+        assert_eq!(h.recent_dirs().len(), 2);
+        let all = h.all_recent_dirs();
+        assert_eq!(all.len(), 5);
+        assert_eq!(all[0].cwd, PathBuf::from("/d4"));
+        assert_eq!(all[4].cwd, PathBuf::from("/d0"));
+    }
 }

crates/maestro-daemon/src/worktree.rs

@@ -4,64 +4,124 @@
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::process::{Command, Output};
 
-use uuid::Uuid;
-
 #[derive(Debug, thiserror::Error)]
 pub enum WorktreeError {
     #[error("failed to spawn git: {0}")]
     Spawn(#[from] std::io::Error),
     #[error("git exited with code {code}: {stderr}")]
     NonZero { code: i32, stderr: String },
+    /// A worktree already occupies the target path. The caller decides what
+    /// to do; the daemon never relocates to a different directory (#56).
+    #[error("worktree path already exists: {}", .path.display())]
+    PathExists { path: PathBuf },
+    /// The worktree holds unsaved work; removal was refused (#56).
+    #[error("left {} on disk: {}", .path.display(), .reason)]
+    Guarded { path: PathBuf, reason: String },
 }
 
-/// Generates a unique path under `root` and runs `git worktree add` rooted at
-/// `base_repo`. Each call appends a UUID-suffixed directory so concurrent
-/// `add()`s never collide.
+/// Runs `git worktree add` rooted at `base_repo`. By default worktrees land
+/// inside the repository itself at `<repo>/worktrees/<branch>` (#56) so they
+/// are findable from the repo; an operator-set root overrides that.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct WorktreeManager {
-    root: PathBuf,
+    /// `[daemon].worktree_root` override. `None` uses the default
+    /// `<repo>/worktrees/<branch>` placement.
+    root_override: Option<PathBuf>,
 }
 
 impl WorktreeManager {
-    pub fn new(root: impl Into<PathBuf>) -> Self {
-        Self { root: root.into() }
+    pub fn new(root_override: Option<PathBuf>) -> Self {
+        Self { root_override }
     }
 
-    pub fn root(&self) -> &Path {
-        &self.root
+    pub fn root(&self) -> Option<&Path> {
+        self.root_override.as_deref()
     }
 
-    /// `git -C <base_repo> worktree add -b <branch> <generated-path>`.
-    /// Returns the path of the new worktree on success.
-    pub fn add(&self, base_repo: &Path, branch: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, WorktreeError> {
-        std::fs::create_dir_all(&self.root)?;
-        let path = self.generate_path(branch);
-        let out = Command::new("git")
-            .arg("-C")
-            .arg(base_repo)
-            .args(["worktree", "add", "-b", branch])
-            .arg(&path)
-            .output()?;
+    /// Where a worktree for `branch` will be created: the override root, or
+    /// `<base_repo>/worktrees/<sanitized branch>` by default. The path is
+    /// predictable (no UUID suffix), so an existing directory at the target
+    /// is an error rather than a silently different location.
+    fn target_path(&self, base_repo: &Path, branch: &str) -> PathBuf {
+        let slug = sanitize_branch_for_path(branch);
+        match &self.root_override {
+            Some(root) => root.join(slug),
+            None => base_repo.join("worktrees").join(slug),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// `git -C <base_repo> worktree add -b <branch> <path>` — creates the
+    /// branch. Returns the path of the new worktree on success.
+    pub fn add_new(&self, base_repo: &Path, branch: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, WorktreeError> {
+        self.run_add(base_repo, branch, true)
+    }
+
+    /// `git -C <base_repo> worktree add <path> <branch>` — checks out a branch
+    /// that must already exist (#56).
+    pub fn add_existing(&self, base_repo: &Path, branch: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, WorktreeError> {
+        self.run_add(base_repo, branch, false)
+    }
+
+    fn run_add(
+        &self,
+        base_repo: &Path,
+        branch: &str,
+        create_branch: bool,
+    ) -> Result<PathBuf, WorktreeError> {
+        let path = self.target_path(base_repo, branch);
+        // Clear registrations whose directory is gone before testing the
+        // path, so a previously-leaked entry doesn't block this branch.
+        prune(base_repo)?;
+        if path.symlink_metadata().is_ok() {
+            return Err(WorktreeError::PathExists { path });
+        }
+        // The parent (`<repo>/worktrees` or the override root) may not exist
+        // yet; the target itself must not.
+        if let Some(parent) = path.parent() {
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(parent)?;
+        }
+        let mut cmd = Command::new("git");
+        cmd.arg("-C").arg(base_repo).args(["worktree", "add"]);
+        if create_branch {
+            cmd.arg("-b").arg(branch).arg(&path);
+        } else {
+            // Existing branch: `worktree add <path> <branch>` with no `-b`.
+            cmd.arg(&path).arg(branch);
+        }
+        let out = cmd.output()?;
         check(out)?;
         Ok(path)
     }
 
-    /// `git -C <base_repo> worktree remove --force <path>`.
+    /// `git -C <base_repo> worktree remove <path>` — but only when the
+    /// worktree holds nothing unique (#56). A worktree with uncommitted
+    /// changes, or with commits reachable from no other ref, is refused and
+    /// left on disk so the operator can rescue it; cleanup is unconditional,
+    /// which makes this guard the only thing standing between a stray kill
+    /// and destroyed work.
     pub fn remove(&self, base_repo: &Path, path: &Path) -> Result<(), WorktreeError> {
+        // Gone from disk already (operator `rm -rf`, or a create that failed
+        // half-way). Probing it with git would fail and be misread as unsaved
+        // work, stranding the registration — and since paths are
+        // deterministic, `worktree add` would then refuse that branch forever
+        // with "missing but already registered" (#56 review).
+        if !path.exists() {
+            return prune(base_repo);
+        }
+        if let Some(reason) = unsafe_to_remove(path)? {
+            return Err(WorktreeError::Guarded {
+                path: path.to_path_buf(),
+                reason,
+            });
+        }
         let out = Command::new("git")
             .arg("-C")
             .arg(base_repo)
-            .args(["worktree", "remove", "--force"])
+            .args(["worktree", "remove"])
             .arg(path)
             .output()?;
         check(out)
     }
-
-    fn generate_path(&self, branch: &str) -> PathBuf {
-        let slug = sanitize_branch_for_path(branch);
-        let unique = Uuid::new_v4().simple();
-        self.root.join(format!("{slug}-{unique}"))
-    }
 }
 
 fn sanitize_branch_for_path(branch: &str) -> String {
@@ -79,6 +139,51 @@ fn sanitize_branch_for_path(branch: &str) -> String {
     out
 }
 
+/// `Some(reason)` when deleting `path` would destroy work.
+///
+/// Only an unclean working tree qualifies. `git worktree remove` deletes the
+/// checkout but keeps `refs/heads/<branch>`, so committed work — pushed or
+/// not — stays reachable and is never at risk. Guarding on "commits on no
+/// other ref" instead would refuse every ordinary unpushed feature branch,
+/// and because the path is deterministic that branch could then never be
+/// spawned again (#56 review).
+fn unsafe_to_remove(path: &Path) -> Result<Option<String>, WorktreeError> {
+    // `--ignored=no` keeps build output out of it; untracked sources count,
+    // since removal would delete them.
+    let status = run_git(path, ["status", "--porcelain", "--ignored=no"])?;
+    if !status.stdout.is_empty() {
+        return Ok(Some("has uncommitted changes".into()));
+    }
+    Ok(None)
+}
+
+/// `git -C <base_repo> worktree prune` — drops registrations whose directory
+/// no longer exists.
+fn prune(base_repo: &Path) -> Result<(), WorktreeError> {
+    let out = Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(base_repo)
+        .args(["worktree", "prune"])
+        .output()?;
+    check(out)
+}
+
+fn run_git(
+    dir: &Path,
+    args: impl IntoIterator<Item = &'static str>,
+) -> Result<Output, WorktreeError> {
+    let mut cmd = Command::new("git");
+    cmd.arg("-C").arg(dir).args(args);
+    let out = cmd.output()?;
+    if !out.status.success() {
+        return Err(WorktreeError::NonZero {
+            code: out.status.code().unwrap_or(-1),
+            stderr: String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr).into_owned(),
+        });
+    }
+    Ok(out)
+}
+
 fn check(out: Output) -> Result<(), WorktreeError> {
     if out.status.success() {
         Ok(())

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/attach.rs

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ async fn spawn_daemon_ws() -> Harness {
         "test-host",
         "/home/test",
         Vec::new(),
+        std::sync::Arc::new(maestro_daemon::projects::ProjectScanner::disabled()),
     ));
     let listener = TcpListener::bind(SocketAddr::from((Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST, 0)))
         .await

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/branches.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+//! Integration tests for `GET /api/branches` (#55).
+
+mod common;
+
+use std::net::{Ipv4Addr, SocketAddr};
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::process::Command;
+use std::sync::Arc;
+
+use common::DaemonFixture;
+use maestro_daemon::local_api;
+use tokio::net::TcpListener;
+use tokio::sync::oneshot;
+
+struct Harness {
+    addr: SocketAddr,
+    _shutdown: oneshot::Sender<()>,
+    _fx: DaemonFixture,
+}
+
+async fn spawn() -> Harness {
+    let fx = DaemonFixture::new();
+    let presets = maestro_config::SpawnSection::default().resolve().unwrap();
+    let router = local_api::router(local_api::state_for(
+        fx.manager.clone(),
+        "naps-laptop",
+        "/home/test",
+        presets,
+        Arc::new(maestro_daemon::projects::ProjectScanner::disabled()),
+    ));
+    let listener = TcpListener::bind(SocketAddr::from((Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST, 0)))
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    let addr = listener.local_addr().unwrap();
+    let (tx, rx) = oneshot::channel::<()>();
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        let _ = axum::serve(listener, router)
+            .with_graceful_shutdown(async move {
+                let _ = rx.await;
+            })
+            .await;
+    });
+    Harness {
+        addr,
+        _shutdown: tx,
+        _fx: fx,
+    }
+}
+
+fn git(repo: &Path, args: &[&str]) {
+    let out = Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(repo)
+        .args(args)
+        .output()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        out.status.success(),
+        "git {args:?} failed: {}",
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr)
+    );
+}
+
+/// A real repo on `main` with a second branch `feature`, and a linked
+/// worktree at `<tmp>/wt-feature` holding `feature`.
+fn repo_with_occupied_branch() -> tempfile::TempDir {
+    let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let repo = tmp.path();
+    git(repo, &["init", "-q", "-b", "main"]);
+    git(
+        repo,
+        &[
+            "-c",
+            "user.email=t@t",
+            "-c",
+            "user.name=t",
+            "commit",
+            "-qm",
+            "init",
+            "--allow-empty",
+        ],
+    );
+    git(repo, &["branch", "feature"]);
+    let wt = tmp.path().join("wt-feature");
+    git(repo, &["worktree", "add", &wt.to_string_lossy(), "feature"]);
+    tmp
+}
+
+async fn get_branches(addr: SocketAddr, path: &Path) -> Vec<maestro_protocol::BranchInfo> {
+    reqwest::get(format!(
+        "http://{addr}/api/branches?path={}",
+        urlencoding::encode(&path.to_string_lossy())
+    ))
+    .await
+    .unwrap()
+    .json()
+    .await
+    .unwrap()
+}
+
+/// #55: every local branch is listed; the main checkout's HEAD reports
+/// `is_head`, and a branch held by a linked worktree reports that worktree's
+/// path so the client can explain why the entry is disabled.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn branches_lists_local_branches_and_worktree_occupancy() {
+    let tmp = repo_with_occupied_branch();
+    let h = spawn().await;
+
+    let mut branches = get_branches(h.addr, tmp.path()).await;
+    branches.sort_by(|a, b| a.name.cmp(&b.name));
+
+    assert_eq!(
+        branches.iter().map(|b| b.name.as_str()).collect::<Vec<_>>(),
+        ["feature", "main"]
+    );
+
+    let main = branches.iter().find(|b| b.name == "main").unwrap();
+    assert!(main.is_head, "main is the main checkout's HEAD");
+    assert_eq!(main.worktree, None, "HEAD occupancy rides `is_head`");
+
+    let feature = branches.iter().find(|b| b.name == "feature").unwrap();
+    assert!(!feature.is_head);
+    assert_eq!(
+        feature.worktree.as_deref(),
+        Some(tmp.path().join("wt-feature").as_path()),
+        "the linked worktree holding the branch must be reported"
+    );
+}
+
+/// #55: a path outside any repository is not an error — an empty list,
+/// matching how `/api/gitroot` reports "not a repository".
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn branches_returns_empty_for_a_path_outside_a_repository() {
+    let h = spawn().await;
+    let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let plain = tmp.path().join("plain");
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&plain).unwrap();
+
+    let branches = get_branches(h.addr, &plain).await;
+    assert!(branches.is_empty());
+}

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/common/mod.rs

@@ -115,7 +115,6 @@ pub struct DaemonFixture {
     pub tmux: TmuxFixture,
     pub manager: SessionManager,
     pub state_dir: TempDir,
-    pub worktree_root: TempDir,
 }
 
 impl DaemonFixture {
@@ -132,9 +131,9 @@ impl DaemonFixture {
     fn build(history_days: Option<u32>) -> Self {
         let tmux = TmuxFixture::new();
         let state_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
-        let worktree_root = TempDir::new().unwrap();
         let sidecar = SidecarStore::new(state_dir.path().join("sessions"));
-        let worktree_mgr = WorktreeManager::new(worktree_root.path().to_path_buf());
+        // Default placement: worktrees land under their base repo (#56).
+        let worktree_mgr = WorktreeManager::new(None);
         let mut manager = SessionManager::new(
             Arc::new(tmux.tmux.clone()),
             sidecar,
@@ -149,7 +148,6 @@ impl DaemonFixture {
             tmux,
             manager,
             state_dir,
-            worktree_root,
         }
     }
 

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/local_api.rs

@@ -26,6 +26,17 @@ struct Harness {
 }
 
 async fn spawn(hostname: &str) -> Harness {
+    spawn_with(
+        hostname,
+        std::sync::Arc::new(maestro_daemon::projects::ProjectScanner::disabled()),
+    )
+    .await
+}
+
+async fn spawn_with(
+    hostname: &str,
+    projects: std::sync::Arc<maestro_daemon::projects::ProjectScanner>,
+) -> Harness {
     let fx = DaemonFixture::new();
     let manager = fx.manager.clone();
     // Built-in presets (claude/opencode/zsh + custom) so `/api/info` advertises
@@ -36,6 +47,7 @@ async fn spawn(hostname: &str) -> Harness {
         hostname,
         "/home/test",
         presets,
+        projects,
     ));
     let listener = TcpListener::bind(SocketAddr::from((Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST, 0)))
         .await
@@ -153,6 +165,124 @@ async fn recent_dirs_returns_empty_without_history() {
     assert_eq!(resp["truncated"], false);
 }
 
+/// #54: `GET /api/projects` lists every git repo under the scan roots, with
+/// real git checkouts — not mocks.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn projects_lists_repos_under_the_scan_roots() {
+    let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    for name in ["alpha", "beta"] {
+        let repo = tmp.path().join(name);
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&repo).unwrap();
+        for args in [
+            vec!["init", "-q"],
+            vec![
+                "-c",
+                "user.email=t@t",
+                "-c",
+                "user.name=t",
+                "commit",
+                "-qm",
+                "init",
+                "--allow-empty",
+            ],
+        ] {
+            let out = std::process::Command::new("git")
+                .arg("-C")
+                .arg(&repo)
+                .args(&args)
+                .output()
+                .unwrap();
+            assert!(out.status.success());
+        }
+    }
+
+    let scanner = std::sync::Arc::new(maestro_daemon::projects::ProjectScanner::new(
+        vec![tmp.path().to_path_buf()],
+        3,
+        tmp.path().to_path_buf(),
+    ));
+    let h = spawn_with("naps-laptop", scanner).await;
+
+    let projects: Vec<maestro_protocol::Project> = reqwest::get(url(h.addr, "/api/projects"))
+        .await
+        .unwrap()
+        .json()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+
+    let mut names: Vec<&str> = projects.iter().map(|p| p.name.as_str()).collect();
+    names.sort();
+    assert_eq!(names, ["alpha", "beta"]);
+    for p in &projects {
+        assert!(!p.is_worktree);
+        assert_eq!(p.base_repo, None);
+        assert!(p.last_activity.is_some(), "fresh commit ⇒ HEAD mtime known");
+    }
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn projects_returns_empty_for_a_disabled_scanner() {
+    let h = spawn("naps-laptop").await;
+    let projects: Vec<maestro_protocol::Project> = reqwest::get(url(h.addr, "/api/projects"))
+        .await
+        .unwrap()
+        .json()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(projects.is_empty());
+}
+
+/// #53: every returned handle splits into a known adjective and noun.
+fn assert_valid_names(batch: &maestro_protocol::NameBatch) {
+    for name in &batch.names {
+        let (adj, noun) = name.split_once('-').unwrap_or_else(|| {
+            panic!("handle {name:?} is not adjective-noun");
+        });
+        assert!(
+            maestro_names::ADJECTIVES.contains(&adj),
+            "{adj} not in ADJECTIVES"
+        );
+        assert!(maestro_names::NOUNS.contains(&noun), "{noun} not in NOUNS");
+    }
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn names_defaults_to_one_handle() {
+    let h = spawn("naps-laptop").await;
+    let batch: maestro_protocol::NameBatch = reqwest::get(url(h.addr, "/api/names"))
+        .await
+        .unwrap()
+        .json()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(batch.names.len(), 1);
+    assert_valid_names(&batch);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn names_honors_count_and_caps_it() {
+    use maestro_names::MAX_BATCH;
+    let h = spawn("naps-laptop").await;
+
+    let batch: maestro_protocol::NameBatch = reqwest::get(url(h.addr, "/api/names?count=5"))
+        .await
+        .unwrap()
+        .json()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(batch.names.len(), 5);
+    assert_valid_names(&batch);
+
+    let batch: maestro_protocol::NameBatch =
+        reqwest::get(url(h.addr, &format!("/api/names?count={}", MAX_BATCH * 10)))
+            .await
+            .unwrap()
+            .json()
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(batch.names.len(), MAX_BATCH);
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn gitroot_probes_path() {
     // #26: resolves the query against the daemon home dir and walks up for a

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/session_decisions.rs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ impl Fx {
         let manager = SessionManager::new(
             fake.clone(),
             SidecarStore::new(pick(tmp.path())),
-            WorktreeManager::new(tmp.path().join("worktrees")),
+            WorktreeManager::new(Some(tmp.path().join("worktrees"))),
             fifo_dir,
         );
         Self { manager, fake, tmp }
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ fn attaching_spawn_history_after_cloning_panics() {
     let manager = SessionManager::new(
         fake,
         SidecarStore::new(tmp.path().join("sidecars")),
-        WorktreeManager::new(tmp.path().join("worktrees")),
+        WorktreeManager::new(Some(tmp.path().join("worktrees"))),
         tmp.path().join("fifos"),
     );
     let _clone = manager.clone();

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/session_manager.rs

@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@ use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::time::Duration;
 
-use common::{wait_for_async, DaemonFixture};
+use common::{init_repo, wait_for_async, DaemonFixture};
 use maestro_protocol::CreateSessionRequest;
-use maestro_protocol::{CatalogEvent, SessionStatus};
+use maestro_protocol::{CatalogEvent, SessionStatus, WorktreeSpec};
 use tempfile::TempDir;
 
 #[tokio::test]
@@ -123,8 +123,7 @@ async fn recover_adopts_existing_tmux_sessions() {
 
     // build a parallel manager pointing at the same dirs + same tmux server
     let sidecar = maestro_daemon::sidecar::SidecarStore::new(fx.sidecar_dir());
-    let worktree_mgr =
-        maestro_daemon::worktree::WorktreeManager::new(fx.worktree_root.path().to_path_buf());
+    let worktree_mgr = maestro_daemon::worktree::WorktreeManager::new(None);
     let revived = maestro_daemon::SessionManager::new(
         Arc::new(fx.tmux.tmux.clone()),
         sidecar,
@@ -214,7 +213,6 @@ async fn recover_re_pipes_pane_so_output_reaches_subscribers() {
     let sidecar_dir = fx.sidecar_dir();
     let fifo_dir = fx.fifo_dir();
     let tmux = fx.tmux.tmux.clone();
-    let worktree_root = fx.worktree_root.path().to_path_buf();
 
     // Drop the original manager. Its PtyBridge closes the FIFO's only
     // reader, so tmux's `cat >> fifo` writer hits SIGPIPE and exits — but
@@ -223,7 +221,7 @@ async fn recover_re_pipes_pane_so_output_reaches_subscribers() {
     drop(fx.manager);
 
     let sidecar = maestro_daemon::sidecar::SidecarStore::new(sidecar_dir);
-    let worktree_mgr = maestro_daemon::worktree::WorktreeManager::new(worktree_root);
+    let worktree_mgr = maestro_daemon::worktree::WorktreeManager::new(None);
     let revived =
         maestro_daemon::SessionManager::new(Arc::new(tmux), sidecar, worktree_mgr, fifo_dir);
     assert_eq!(revived.recover().await.expect("recover"), 1);
@@ -365,6 +363,72 @@ async fn liveness_watcher_marks_dead_sessions_and_keeps_them_until_dismissed() {
     assert!(!fx.fifo_dir().join(format!("{}.fifo", s.id)).exists());
 }
 
+/// Cleanup is unconditional (#56): even a spec that says "don't clean up"
+/// loses its worktree on kill — the guard, not the flag, protects work.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn kill_removes_worktree_even_when_spec_says_keep() {
+    let fx = DaemonFixture::new();
+    let repo = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    init_repo(repo.path());
+    let wt_path = repo.path().join("worktrees").join("feat-keep");
+
+    let s = fx
+        .manager
+        .create(CreateSessionRequest {
+            cwd: repo.path().to_path_buf(),
+            command: "sleep 30".into(),
+            env: HashMap::new(),
+            metadata: HashMap::new(),
+            worktree: Some(WorktreeSpec {
+                base_repo: repo.path().to_path_buf(),
+                branch: "feat/keep".into(),
+                cleanup_on_kill: false,
+                create_branch: true,
+            }),
+        })
+        .await
+        .expect("create");
+    assert!(wt_path.exists());
+
+    fx.manager.kill(s.id).await.expect("kill");
+    assert!(!wt_path.exists(), "worktree must be removed on kill");
+}
+
+/// The guard (#56): a worktree holding uncommitted changes survives the kill,
+/// left on disk where the operator can find it.
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn kill_leaves_worktree_with_unsaved_work_on_disk() {
+    let fx = DaemonFixture::new();
+    let repo = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    init_repo(repo.path());
+    let wt_path = repo.path().join("worktrees").join("feat-guarded");
+
+    let s = fx
+        .manager
+        .create(CreateSessionRequest {
+            cwd: repo.path().to_path_buf(),
+            command: "sleep 30".into(),
+            env: HashMap::new(),
+            metadata: HashMap::new(),
+            worktree: Some(WorktreeSpec {
+                base_repo: repo.path().to_path_buf(),
+                branch: "feat/guarded".into(),
+                cleanup_on_kill: true,
+                create_branch: true,
+            }),
+        })
+        .await
+        .expect("create");
+    std::fs::write(wt_path.join("README"), b"unsaved edits\n").unwrap();
+
+    fx.manager.kill(s.id).await.expect("kill");
+    assert!(
+        wt_path.exists(),
+        "dirty worktree must be left on disk, not destroyed"
+    );
+    assert!(fx.manager.snapshot().await.is_empty());
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn liveness_watcher_leaves_running_sessions_alone() {
     let fx = DaemonFixture::new();

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/worktree.rs

@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ fn add_creates_worktree_on_new_branch() {
     init_repo(&repo);
 
     let wt_root = TempDir::new().unwrap();
-    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(wt_root.path());
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(Some(wt_root.path().to_path_buf()));
 
-    let path = mgr.add(&repo, "feat/example").expect("add worktree");
+    let path = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/example").expect("add worktree");
     assert!(path.exists());
     assert!(path.join("README").exists());
     assert!(path.starts_with(wt_root.path()));
@@ -42,6 +42,63 @@ fn add_creates_worktree_on_new_branch() {
     assert!(branches.iter().any(|b| b == "feat/example"), "{branches:?}");
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn add_places_worktree_inside_the_base_repo_by_default() {
+    let repo_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let repo = repo_dir.path().to_path_buf();
+    init_repo(&repo);
+
+    // No override: the worktree must land where the repository keeps its
+    // own worktrees (#56), not under some daemon state dir.
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(None);
+
+    let path = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/example").expect("add worktree");
+    assert_eq!(path, repo.join("worktrees").join("feat-example"));
+    assert!(path.exists());
+    assert!(path.join("README").exists());
+
+    let branches = worktree_branches(&repo);
+    assert!(branches.iter().any(|b| b == "feat/example"), "{branches:?}");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn worktree_root_override_redirects_placement() {
+    let repo_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let repo = repo_dir.path().to_path_buf();
+    init_repo(&repo);
+
+    let wt_root = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(Some(wt_root.path().to_path_buf()));
+
+    let path = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/example").expect("add worktree");
+    assert_eq!(path, wt_root.path().join("feat-example"));
+    assert!(path.exists());
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn existing_directory_at_target_path_is_an_error_carrying_the_path() {
+    let repo_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let repo = repo_dir.path().to_path_buf();
+    init_repo(&repo);
+
+    // A predictable path means collisions are possible; they must be
+    // reported, never silently relocated.
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(repo.join("worktrees").join("feat-collide")).unwrap();
+
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(None);
+    let err = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/collide").unwrap_err();
+    let msg = format!("{err}");
+    assert!(
+        msg.contains(
+            repo.join("worktrees")
+                .join("feat-collide")
+                .to_str()
+                .unwrap()
+        ),
+        "{msg}"
+    );
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn add_twice_generates_distinct_paths() {
     let repo_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
@@ -49,10 +106,10 @@ fn add_twice_generates_distinct_paths() {
     init_repo(&repo);
 
     let wt_root = TempDir::new().unwrap();
-    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(wt_root.path());
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(Some(wt_root.path().to_path_buf()));
 
-    let p1 = mgr.add(&repo, "feat/a").expect("add a");
-    let p2 = mgr.add(&repo, "feat/b").expect("add b");
+    let p1 = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/a").expect("add a");
+    let p2 = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/b").expect("add b");
     assert_ne!(p1, p2);
     assert!(p1.exists());
     assert!(p2.exists());
@@ -65,9 +122,9 @@ fn remove_prunes_worktree() {
     init_repo(&repo);
 
     let wt_root = TempDir::new().unwrap();
-    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(wt_root.path());
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(Some(wt_root.path().to_path_buf()));
 
-    let path = mgr.add(&repo, "feat/gone").expect("add");
+    let path = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/gone").expect("add");
     assert!(path.exists());
 
     mgr.remove(&repo, &path).expect("remove");
@@ -79,6 +136,136 @@ fn remove_prunes_worktree() {
     assert_eq!(branches, vec!["main".to_string()]);
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn add_existing_checks_out_branch_without_creating_it() {
+    let repo_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let repo = repo_dir.path().to_path_buf();
+    init_repo(&repo);
+
+    // Pre-create the branch with its own commit so we can tell a checkout
+    // from an accidental `-b`.
+    let created = Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(&repo)
+        .args(["checkout", "-q", "-b", "feat/dup"])
+        .status()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(created.success());
+    std::fs::write(repo.join("FEATURE"), b"dup\n").unwrap();
+    let staged = Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(&repo)
+        .args(["add", "."])
+        .status()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(staged.success());
+    let committed = Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(&repo)
+        .args(["commit", "-q", "-am", "wip"])
+        .status()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(committed.success());
+    let back = Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(&repo)
+        .args(["checkout", "-q", "main"])
+        .status()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(back.success());
+
+    let wt_root = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(Some(wt_root.path().to_path_buf()));
+
+    let path = mgr.add_existing(&repo, "feat/dup").expect("add existing");
+    assert!(path.exists());
+    assert!(path.join("README").exists());
+
+    // The branch set is unchanged: `feat/dup` was checked out, not recreated.
+    let branches = worktree_branches(&repo);
+    let mut sorted = branches.clone();
+    sorted.sort();
+    assert_eq!(
+        sorted,
+        vec!["feat/dup".to_string(), "main".to_string()],
+        "{branches:?}"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn remove_refuses_worktree_with_uncommitted_changes() {
+    let repo_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let repo = repo_dir.path().to_path_buf();
+    init_repo(&repo);
+
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(None);
+    let path = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/dirty").expect("add");
+    std::fs::write(path.join("README"), b"unsaved edits\n").unwrap();
+
+    mgr.remove(&repo, &path)
+        .expect_err("dirty worktree must be refused");
+    assert!(path.exists(), "guarded worktree must stay on disk");
+
+    // Committing it makes removal safe: `worktree remove` keeps
+    // `refs/heads/feat/dirty`, so the work is still reachable. Refusing here
+    // instead would make every unpushed branch a one-shot, since the path is
+    // deterministic and the leftover tree blocks the next spawn (#56 review).
+    run_git(&path, &["add", "."]);
+    run_git(&path, &["commit", "-q", "-m", "saved"]);
+
+    mgr.remove(&repo, &path).expect("committed work can go");
+    assert!(!path.exists());
+    assert!(
+        worktree_branches(&repo).contains(&"main".to_string()),
+        "the branch survives removal"
+    );
+    let branches = String::from_utf8(
+        Command::new("git")
+            .arg("-C")
+            .arg(&repo)
+            .args(["for-each-ref", "--format=%(refname:short)", "refs/heads"])
+            .output()
+            .unwrap()
+            .stdout,
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+    assert!(branches.contains("feat/dirty"), "{branches}");
+}
+
+/// A worktree whose directory vanished must be pruned, not misread as holding
+/// unsaved work — otherwise the registration is stranded and, because paths
+/// are deterministic, that branch can never be spawned again (#56 review).
+#[test]
+fn remove_prunes_a_worktree_whose_directory_vanished() {
+    let repo_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let repo = repo_dir.path().to_path_buf();
+    init_repo(&repo);
+
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(None);
+    let path = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/gone").expect("add");
+    std::fs::remove_dir_all(&path).unwrap();
+
+    mgr.remove(&repo, &path)
+        .expect("a vanished worktree prunes");
+    // The registration is gone too, so the same branch can be spawned again.
+    mgr.add_existing(&repo, "feat/gone")
+        .expect("branch is spawnable again");
+}
+
+fn run_git(dir: &std::path::Path, args: &[&str]) {
+    let out = Command::new("git")
+        .arg("-C")
+        .arg(dir)
+        .args(args)
+        .output()
+        .expect("git spawn");
+    assert!(
+        out.status.success(),
+        "git {args:?} failed: {}",
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr)
+    );
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn add_fails_when_branch_already_exists() {
     let repo_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
@@ -95,9 +282,9 @@ fn add_fails_when_branch_already_exists() {
     assert!(status.success());
 
     let wt_root = TempDir::new().unwrap();
-    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(wt_root.path());
+    let mgr = WorktreeManager::new(Some(wt_root.path().to_path_buf()));
 
-    let err = mgr.add(&repo, "feat/dup").unwrap_err();
+    let err = mgr.add_new(&repo, "feat/dup").unwrap_err();
     let msg = format!("{err}");
     assert!(msg.contains("git exited"), "{msg}");
 }

crates/maestro-e2e/tests/e2e.rs

@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ async fn multi_attach_sees_same_output() {
 }
 
 #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread")]
-async fn cleanup_on_kill_removes_worktree() {
+async fn kill_removes_clean_worktree() {
     let (_daemon, client) = bring_up().await;
 
     let base = TempDir::new().unwrap();
@@ -129,18 +129,19 @@ async fn cleanup_on_kill_removes_worktree() {
             base_repo: base.path().to_path_buf(),
             branch: "feature/e2e".into(),
             cleanup_on_kill: true,
+            create_branch: true,
         }),
     };
 
     let s = client.spawn_session(&req).await.expect("spawn worktree");
-    // The daemon's WorktreeManager puts new worktrees under
-    // `<state_dir>/worktrees/<branch>`. We can't peek the daemon's state dir
-    // directly from here, but we can verify by asking git: a worktree must
-    // exist that lives outside the original repo.
+    // Worktrees live inside the base repo at `<repo>/worktrees/<branch>`
+    // (#56), so `git worktree list` must show the predictable in-repo path.
     let worktrees = git_worktree_list(base.path());
     assert!(
-        worktrees.iter().any(|w| w.contains("feature/e2e")),
-        "expected a worktree for feature/e2e branch, got: {worktrees:?}"
+        worktrees
+            .iter()
+            .any(|w| w.contains("worktrees/feature-e2e")),
+        "expected a worktree for feature/e2e under <repo>/worktrees, got: {worktrees:?}"
     );
 
     client.kill_session(s.id).await.expect("kill");
@@ -160,6 +161,85 @@ async fn cleanup_on_kill_removes_worktree() {
     );
 }
 
+/// The guard (#56): killing a session whose worktree holds uncommitted
+/// changes must leave the tree on disk — cleanup is unconditional, so this
+/// guard is what keeps a stray kill from destroying work.
+#[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread")]
+async fn kill_spares_worktree_with_uncommitted_changes() {
+    let (_daemon, client) = bring_up().await;
+
+    let base = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    init_repo(base.path());
+    let wt_path = base.path().join("worktrees").join("feature-unsaved");
+
+    let req = CreateSessionRequest {
+        cwd: base.path().to_path_buf(),
+        command: "sleep 30".into(),
+        env: HashMap::new(),
+        metadata: HashMap::new(),
+        worktree: Some(WorktreeSpec {
+            base_repo: base.path().to_path_buf(),
+            branch: "feature/unsaved".into(),
+            cleanup_on_kill: true,
+            create_branch: true,
+        }),
+    };
+
+    let s = client.spawn_session(&req).await.expect("spawn worktree");
+    assert!(wt_path.exists());
+    std::fs::write(wt_path.join("README"), b"unsaved edits\n").unwrap();
+
+    client.kill_session(s.id).await.expect("kill");
+
+    // The session is gone but the dirty worktree stays findable on disk.
+    let deadline = Instant::now() + Duration::from_secs(5);
+    while Instant::now() < deadline {
+        let sessions = client.list_sessions().await.unwrap_or_default();
+        if sessions.is_empty() {
+            break;
+        }
+        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+    }
+    assert!(
+        wt_path.exists(),
+        "guarded worktree must be left on disk after kill"
+    );
+}
+
+#[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread")]
+async fn spawn_on_existing_branch_checks_it_out() {
+    let (_daemon, client) = bring_up().await;
+
+    let base = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    init_repo(base.path());
+    run_git(&["branch", "feature/existing"], base.path());
+
+    let req = CreateSessionRequest {
+        cwd: base.path().to_path_buf(),
+        command: "sleep 30".into(),
+        env: HashMap::new(),
+        metadata: HashMap::new(),
+        worktree: Some(WorktreeSpec {
+            base_repo: base.path().to_path_buf(),
+            branch: "feature/existing".into(),
+            cleanup_on_kill: true,
+            create_branch: false,
+        }),
+    };
+
+    let s = client
+        .spawn_session(&req)
+        .await
+        .expect("spawn on existing branch");
+    let worktrees = git_worktree_list(base.path());
+    assert!(
+        worktrees.iter().any(|w| w.contains("feature/existing")),
+        "expected a worktree checked out at feature/existing, got: {worktrees:?}"
+    );
+
+    client.kill_session(s.id).await.expect("kill");
+}
+
 #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread")]
 async fn daemon_restart_recovers_session() {
     let (mut daemon, client) = bring_up().await;

crates/maestro-names/Cargo.toml

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[package]
+name = "maestro-names"
+version.workspace = true
+edition.workspace = true
+license.workspace = true
+repository.workspace = true
+publish.workspace = true
+description = "Session-handle generator: musical adjective-noun wordlists"
+
+[dependencies]
+rand.workspace = true

crates/maestro-names/src/lib.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+//! The one home of the session-handle wordlists (#53).
+//!
+//! Previously duplicated in `web/src/names.ts`; every client now gets handles
+//! from here, served by `GET /api/names`.
+
+/// Musical adjectives — tempo, dynamics, and articulation markings.
+pub const ADJECTIVES: &[&str] = &[
+    "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.
+pub const NOUNS: &[&str] = &[
+    "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",
+];
+
+/// Upper bound for a `GET /api/names?count=N` batch.
+pub const MAX_BATCH: usize = 100;
+
+/// A fresh `adjective-noun` handle, e.g. `allegro-cello`.
+pub fn generate() -> String {
+    use rand::seq::SliceRandom;
+    let mut rng = rand::thread_rng();
+    format!(
+        "{}-{}",
+        ADJECTIVES.choose(&mut rng).unwrap(),
+        NOUNS.choose(&mut rng).unwrap()
+    )
+}
+
+/// `count` fresh handles (the caller clamps; this only trusts its input).
+pub fn generate_batch(count: usize) -> Vec<String> {
+    (0..count).map(|_| generate()).collect()
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn generated_name_is_adjective_dash_noun() {
+        let name = generate();
+        let (adj, noun) = name.split_once('-').expect("name contains a dash");
+        assert!(ADJECTIVES.contains(&adj), "{adj} not in ADJECTIVES");
+        assert!(NOUNS.contains(&noun), "{noun} not in NOUNS");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn batch_returns_the_requested_count() {
+        assert_eq!(generate_batch(1).len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(generate_batch(50).len(), 50);
+        for name in generate_batch(10) {
+            let (adj, noun) = name.split_once('-').unwrap();
+            assert!(ADJECTIVES.contains(&adj) && NOUNS.contains(&noun));
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rerolls_can_differ() {
+        // 30x30=900 combinations; 20 draws all matching has probability ~1e-40.
+        let first = generate();
+        let differs = (0..20).any(|_| generate() != first);
+        assert!(differs);
+    }
+}

crates/maestro-protocol/src/client.rs

@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ use uuid::Uuid;
 
 use crate::routes::{self, UrlError};
 use crate::{
-    ApiError, CreateSessionRequest, DaemonInfo, DirListing, ErrorInfo, GitRoot, RecentDirs, Session,
+    ApiError, CreateSessionRequest, DaemonInfo, DirListing, ErrorInfo, GitRoot, Project,
+    RecentDirs, Session,
 };
 
 /// Time budget for establishing a TCP connection to the daemon.
@@ -138,6 +139,10 @@ impl DaemonClient {
             .await
     }
 
+    pub async fn list_projects(&self) -> Result<Vec<Project>, ClientError> {
+        self.get(routes::PROJECTS, &[]).await
+    }
+
     // -- plumbing -----------------------------------------------------------
 
     async fn get<T: DeserializeOwned>(

crates/maestro-protocol/src/lib.rs

@@ -111,8 +111,20 @@ pub enum ActivityState {
 pub struct WorktreeSpec {
     pub base_repo: PathBuf,
     pub branch: String,
-    #[serde(default)]
+    /// Kept on the wire for CLI compatibility (#56) but no longer a
+    /// user-facing choice: the daemon always cleans up on kill, guarded
+    /// against unsaved work. Defaults to `true`.
+    #[serde(default = "default_true")]
     pub cleanup_on_kill: bool,
+    /// When false, `branch` must already exist and is checked out as-is
+    /// (#56); when true (the default, and what every payload meant before
+    /// the field existed) the daemon creates it with `worktree add -b`.
+    #[serde(default = "default_true")]
+    pub create_branch: bool,
+}
+
+fn default_true() -> bool {
+    true
 }
 
 /// HTTP `POST /api/sessions` body.
@@ -176,6 +188,45 @@ pub struct GitRoot {
     pub root: Option<PathBuf>,
 }
 
+/// One discovered git repository (or linked worktree) for `GET /api/projects`
+/// (#54). The daemon reports the timestamp; clients decide what "stale" means
+/// (the web UI dims entries older than 7 days).
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct Project {
+    /// Absolute path of the repository/worktree toplevel.
+    pub path: PathBuf,
+    /// Basename of `path`.
+    pub name: String,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub is_worktree: bool,
+    /// The main checkout this worktree belongs to. Set only when
+    /// [`Self::is_worktree`].
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub base_repo: Option<PathBuf>,
+    /// Later of the repo's git HEAD mtime and the newest spawn-history use of
+    /// any directory inside it. `None` when neither is known.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub last_activity: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
+    /// Command last spawned in this project, from spawn history.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub last_command: Option<String>,
+}
+
+/// One local branch of a repository for `GET /api/branches` (#55). A client
+/// disables the entry when `is_head` is set or `worktree` is present — git
+/// refuses to check the same branch out in two worktrees at once.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct BranchInfo {
+    /// Short branch name (`main`, `feature/foo`).
+    pub name: String,
+    /// Whether this branch is the main checkout's current HEAD. The main
+    /// checkout's occupancy reports here rather than through `worktree`.
+    pub is_head: bool,
+    /// Toplevel path of the linked worktree holding this branch, if any.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub worktree: Option<PathBuf>,
+}
+
 /// Structured failure used everywhere we don't want to leak a string-only error.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct ErrorInfo {
@@ -243,6 +294,13 @@ pub struct DaemonInfo {
     pub presets: Vec<SpawnPreset>,
 }
 
+/// Payload of `GET /api/names?count=N` (#53) — a batch of fresh
+/// `adjective-noun` session handles generated by the `maestro-names` crate.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct NameBatch {
+    pub names: Vec<String>,
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Catalog events (`WS /api/events`)
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -317,6 +375,34 @@ mod tests {
         serde_json::from_str(&json).expect("deserialize")
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn project_round_trips_and_defaults_on_legacy_payload() {
+        let full = Project {
+            path: PathBuf::from("/home/u/tea/maestro"),
+            name: "maestro".into(),
+            is_worktree: true,
+            base_repo: Some(PathBuf::from("/home/u/tea/maestro-main")),
+            last_activity: Some(
+                DateTime::parse_from_rfc3339("2026-08-23T12:00:00Z")
+                    .unwrap()
+                    .with_timezone(&Utc),
+            ),
+            last_command: Some("claude".into()),
+        };
+        assert_eq!(full, round_trip(&full));
+
+        // A payload from a daemon predating the optional fields still decodes.
+        let legacy = serde_json::json!({
+            "path": "/home/u/proj",
+            "name": "proj",
+        });
+        let p: Project = serde_json::from_value(legacy).unwrap();
+        assert!(!p.is_worktree);
+        assert_eq!(p.base_repo, None);
+        assert_eq!(p.last_activity, None);
+        assert_eq!(p.last_command, None);
+    }
+
     fn sample_session() -> Session {
         Session {
             id: Uuid::from_u128(0x0123_4567_89ab_cdef_0123_4567_89ab_cdef),
@@ -393,6 +479,7 @@ mod tests {
                 base_repo: PathBuf::from("/home/naps62/projects/maestro"),
                 branch: "feat/foo".into(),
                 cleanup_on_kill: true,
+                create_branch: true,
             }),
         };
         assert_eq!(req, round_trip(&req));
@@ -410,6 +497,31 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(req.metadata.is_empty());
     }
 
+    /// A client that predates the new/existing discriminator sends no
+    /// `create_branch`; the daemon must read that as "create a new branch" —
+    /// exactly what every payload meant before the field existed (#56).
+    #[test]
+    fn worktree_spec_defaults_on_legacy_payload() {
+        let json = serde_json::json!({
+            "base_repo": "/home/naps62/projects/maestro",
+            "branch": "feat/foo",
+        });
+        let spec: WorktreeSpec = serde_json::from_value(json).unwrap();
+        assert!(spec.create_branch);
+        assert!(spec.cleanup_on_kill);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn worktree_spec_round_trips_existing_branch_mode() {
+        let spec = WorktreeSpec {
+            base_repo: PathBuf::from("/work"),
+            branch: "feat/foo".into(),
+            cleanup_on_kill: true,
+            create_branch: false,
+        };
+        assert_eq!(spec, round_trip(&spec));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn catalog_event_round_trips_and_tags() {
         let session = sample_session();

crates/maestro-protocol/src/routes.rs

@@ -17,14 +17,24 @@ pub const INFO: &str = "/api/info";
 pub const DIRS: &str = "/api/dirs";
 /// `GET` spawn history.
 pub const RECENT_DIRS: &str = "/api/recent-dirs";
+/// `GET` discovered git repositories and worktrees, newest activity first.
+pub const PROJECTS: &str = "/api/projects";
 /// `GET` the enclosing repository of a path. Takes a `path` query param.
 pub const GITROOT: &str = "/api/gitroot";
+/// `GET` one repository's local branches. Takes a `path` query param.
+pub const BRANCHES: &str = "/api/branches";
+/// `GET` a batch of generated session handles (#53). Takes a `count` query
+/// param (default 1, capped at [`maestro_names`]' batch cap).
+pub const NAMES: &str = "/api/names";
 /// `WS` catalog snapshot + session deltas.
 pub const EVENTS: &str = "/api/events";
 
-/// Name of the query parameter [`DIRS`] and [`GITROOT`] both take.
+/// Name of the query parameter [`DIRS`], [`GITROOT`], and [`BRANCHES`] take.
 pub const PATH_QUERY: &str = "path";
 
+/// Name of the query parameter [`NAMES`] takes.
+pub const COUNT_QUERY: &str = "count";
+
 /// `DELETE /api/sessions/:id`.
 pub fn session(id: Uuid) -> String {
     format!("{SESSIONS}/{id}")
@@ -172,7 +182,17 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn every_route_sits_under_the_api_prefix() {
-        for path in [SESSIONS, INFO, DIRS, RECENT_DIRS, GITROOT, EVENTS] {
+        for path in [
+            SESSIONS,
+            INFO,
+            DIRS,
+            RECENT_DIRS,
+            PROJECTS,
+            GITROOT,
+            BRANCHES,
+            NAMES,
+            EVENTS,
+        ] {
             assert!(path.starts_with(API_PREFIX), "{path} escapes {API_PREFIX}");
         }
         assert!(attach(id()).starts_with(API_PREFIX));

crates/maestro-tui/src/action.rs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ pub enum Action {
     // Catalog actions on the highlighted sidebar row
     AttachHighlighted,
     ToggleAttachHighlighted,
-    OpenSpawnModal,
+    NewDraftPane,
     KillHighlighted,
 
     // Tabs
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ impl Action {
             "SidebarPrev" => return Ok(Action::SidebarPrev),
             "AttachHighlighted" => return Ok(Action::AttachHighlighted),
             "ToggleAttachHighlighted" => return Ok(Action::ToggleAttachHighlighted),
-            "OpenSpawnModal" => return Ok(Action::OpenSpawnModal),
+            "NewDraftPane" => return Ok(Action::NewDraftPane),
             "KillHighlighted" => return Ok(Action::KillHighlighted),
             "NewTab" => return Ok(Action::NewTab),
             "CloseTab" => return Ok(Action::CloseTab),
@@ -202,6 +202,7 @@ mod tests {
         for a in [
             Action::EnterInsert,
             Action::Quit,
+            Action::NewDraftPane,
             Action::FocusPane(Direction::Right),
             Action::GotoTab(7),
         ] {
@@ -209,4 +210,14 @@ mod tests {
             assert_eq!(Action::parse(&s).unwrap(), a, "round-trip for {a:?}");
         }
     }
+
+    /// The spawn modal is gone (issue #63); its old action string must not
+    /// resolve to anything.
+    #[test]
+    fn the_removed_spawn_modal_action_no_longer_parses() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            Action::parse("OpenSpawnModal").unwrap_err(),
+            ActionParseError::Unknown("OpenSpawnModal".into())
+        );
+    }
 }

crates/maestro-tui/src/app.rs

@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@
 //! changes, and a 30Hz heartbeat.
 //!
 //! Actions mutate `AppState` directly. Side effects that talk to the daemon
-//! (`AttachHighlighted` spawning a `SessionTask`, `OpenSpawnModal` submit
-//! firing a POST, `KillHighlighted` confirm firing a DELETE) live inline in
-//! `dispatch` / `handle_overlay_input`.
+//! (`AttachHighlighted` spawning a `SessionTask`, a draft-pane submit firing
+//! a POST, `KillHighlighted` confirm firing a DELETE) live inline in
+//! `dispatch` / the Insert-mode pane routing.
 
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
 use std::io::Stdout;
@@ -24,15 +24,16 @@ use uuid::Uuid;
 use crate::action::Action;
 use crate::catalog::CatalogStore;
 use crate::config::TuiConfig;
+use crate::draft::DraftInputResult;
 use crate::emulators::SessionEmulators;
 use crate::input::{canonicalise, ChordResult, ChordState, ClickTracker, InputKey};
 use crate::keymap::Mode;
-use crate::overlays::{HelpOverlay, SpawnModal};
+use crate::overlays::HelpOverlay;
 use crate::pane::{Pane, PaneStatus};
 use crate::render::{draw, RegionMap, RenderInputs};
 use crate::session_task::{SessionInput, SessionTask};
 use crate::sidebar::Sidebar;
-use crate::state::{AppState, Focus, OverlayKind};
+use crate::state::{AppState, Focus, OverlayKind, PaneRef};
 use crate::tabs::TabBar;
 use crate::TuiError;
 
@@ -49,7 +50,6 @@ pub struct App {
     catalog: CatalogStore,
     emulators: SessionEmulators,
     state: AppState,
-    spawn: SpawnModal,
     help: HelpOverlay,
     chord: ChordState,
     daemon: DaemonClient,
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@ impl App {
             catalog,
             emulators: SessionEmulators::default(),
             state: AppState::new(),
-            spawn: SpawnModal::default(),
             help,
             chord: ChordState::new(chord_timeout),
             daemon,
@@ -152,7 +151,15 @@ impl App {
                     self.perform(effects).await;
                 } else if self.state.mode == Mode::Insert && matches!(self.state.focus, Focus::Pane)
                 {
-                    if let Some(effect) = self.forward_to_session(&key) {
+                    // Insert mode over a focused pane: a draft eats the key
+                    // into its form, a session gets the raw bytes.
+                    let effect = if matches!(self.state.active_tab().pane, Some(PaneRef::Draft(_)))
+                    {
+                        self.handle_draft_input(&key)
+                    } else {
+                        self.forward_to_session(&key)
+                    };
+                    if let Some(effect) = effect {
                         self.perform(vec![effect]).await;
                     }
                 }
@@ -179,27 +186,7 @@ impl App {
     }
 
     fn handle_overlay_input(&mut self, key: &InputKey) -> (OverlayDecision, Vec<Effect>) {
-        use crate::overlays::SpawnInputResult;
         match self.state.overlay().cloned() {
-            Some(OverlayKind::Spawn) => {
-                let mut effects = Vec::new();
-                match self.spawn.on_input(key) {
-                    SpawnInputResult::Consumed => {}
-                    SpawnInputResult::Cancel => {
-                        self.state.dismiss_overlay();
-                    }
-                    SpawnInputResult::Submit => {
-                        effects.push(Effect::Spawn(CreateSessionRequest {
-                            cwd: std::path::PathBuf::from(self.spawn.cwd.clone()),
-                            command: self.spawn.command.clone(),
-                            env: Default::default(),
-                            metadata: Default::default(),
-                            worktree: None,
-                        }));
-                    }
-                }
-                (OverlayDecision::Consumed, effects)
-            }
             Some(OverlayKind::KillConfirm(id)) => match key {
                 InputKey::Char { c: 'y', .. } => {
                     self.state.dismiss_overlay();
@@ -265,14 +252,7 @@ impl App {
                 };
                 self.state.show_overlay(OverlayKind::Help);
             }
-            Action::OpenSpawnModal => {
-                self.spawn = SpawnModal {
-                    cwd: String::new(),
-                    command: String::new(),
-                    focused_field: Default::default(),
-                };
-                self.state.show_overlay(OverlayKind::Spawn);
-            }
+            Action::NewDraftPane => self.state.open_draft_pane(),
             Action::AttachHighlighted | Action::ToggleAttachHighlighted => {
                 if let Some(sid) = self.pick_sidebar_target() {
                     effects.push(Effect::Attach(sid));
@@ -322,41 +302,38 @@ impl App {
     /// Encode a keystroke for the focused pane. `None` when there is nothing
     /// attached to send it to.
     fn forward_to_session(&mut self, key: &InputKey) -> Option<Effect> {
-        let sid = self.state.active_tab().pane?;
+        let sid = self.state.active_session()?;
         self.emulators.get(sid)?;
-        let bytes = match key {
-            InputKey::Char { c, ctrl, alt, .. } => {
-                let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(8);
-                if *alt {
-                    out.push(0x1b);
-                }
-                if *ctrl && c.is_ascii_alphabetic() {
-                    out.push((c.to_ascii_uppercase() as u8) - b'@');
-                } else {
-                    let mut b = [0u8; 4];
-                    let s = c.encode_utf8(&mut b);
-                    out.extend_from_slice(s.as_bytes());
-                }
-                out
-            }
-            InputKey::Enter => b"\r".to_vec(),
-            InputKey::Tab => b"\t".to_vec(),
-            InputKey::BackTab => b"\x1b[Z".to_vec(),
-            InputKey::Backspace => vec![0x7f],
-            InputKey::Esc => vec![0x1b],
-            InputKey::Up => b"\x1b[A".to_vec(),
-            InputKey::Down => b"\x1b[B".to_vec(),
-            InputKey::Right => b"\x1b[C".to_vec(),
-            InputKey::Left => b"\x1b[D".to_vec(),
-            InputKey::Mouse { .. } => return None,
-        };
+        let bytes = encode_key(key)?;
         Some(Effect::Forward { id: sid, bytes })
     }
 
+    /// Feed one keystroke into the active tab's draft form. Returns the spawn
+    /// effect when the user accepted the form.
+    fn handle_draft_input(&mut self, key: &InputKey) -> Option<Effect> {
+        let PaneRef::Draft(draft) = self.state.active_tab_mut().pane.as_mut()? else {
+            return None;
+        };
+        if draft.on_input(key) != DraftInputResult::Submit {
+            return None;
+        }
+        Some(Effect::Spawn(CreateSessionRequest {
+            cwd: std::path::PathBuf::from(draft.cwd.value().to_string()),
+            command: draft.command.value().to_string(),
+            env: Default::default(),
+            metadata: Default::default(),
+            worktree: None,
+        }))
+    }
+
     async fn submit_spawn(&mut self, req: CreateSessionRequest) {
         match self.daemon.create_session(&req).await {
-            Ok(_) => {
-                self.state.dismiss_overlay();
+            Ok(session) => {
+                // Fill the pane in place with the new session (web parity,
+                // #57) and attach to it right away.
+                let sid = session.id;
+                self.state.complete_spawn(sid);
+                self.attach(sid);
             }
             Err(e) => self.state.toast(format!("spawn failed: {e}")),
         }
@@ -374,7 +351,12 @@ impl App {
         terminal: &mut Terminal<CrosstermBackend<Stdout>>,
     ) -> Result<(), TuiError> {
         let snap = self.catalog.snapshot();
-        let attached: HashSet<Uuid> = self.state.tabs.iter().filter_map(|t| t.pane).collect();
+        let attached: HashSet<Uuid> = self
+            .state
+            .tabs
+            .iter()
+            .filter_map(crate::state::Tab::session)
+            .collect();
         let sidebar = Sidebar {
             sessions: snap.sessions.clone(),
             highlight: self.state.sidebar_highlight,
@@ -384,7 +366,7 @@ impl App {
             tab_names: self.state.tabs.iter().map(|t| t.name.clone()).collect(),
             active_idx: self.state.active_tab_idx,
         };
-        let active_sid = self.state.active_tab().pane;
+        let active_sid = self.state.active_session();
         let pane = active_sid.and_then(|sid| {
             self.emulators.get(sid).map(|h| Pane {
                 screen: h.screen.clone(),
@@ -392,13 +374,17 @@ impl App {
                 focused: matches!(self.state.focus, Focus::Pane),
             })
         });
+        let draft = match self.state.active_tab().pane.as_ref() {
+            Some(PaneRef::Draft(d)) => Some(d),
+            _ => None,
+        };
 
         let inputs = RenderInputs {
             sidebar: &sidebar,
             tab_bar: &tab_bar,
             pane: pane.as_ref(),
             state: &self.state,
-            spawn: &self.spawn,
+            draft,
             help: &self.help,
         };
 
@@ -446,6 +432,52 @@ fn visible_sidebar_order(snap: &crate::catalog::CatalogSnapshot) -> Vec<Uuid> {
     snap.sessions.iter().map(|s| s.id).collect()
 }
 
+/// Wire encoding for a keystroke headed to a session's PTY. `None` for keys
+/// with no byte representation (mouse events). A bracketed paste is forwarded
+/// verbatim — the remote readline reassembles it, since the pane's PTY also
+/// has bracketed paste enabled.
+fn encode_key(key: &InputKey) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
+    match key {
+        InputKey::Char { c, ctrl, alt, .. } => {
+            let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(8);
+            if *alt {
+                out.push(0x1b);
+            }
+            if *ctrl && c.is_ascii_alphabetic() {
+                out.push((c.to_ascii_uppercase() as u8) - b'@');
+            } else {
+                let mut b = [0u8; 4];
+                let s = c.encode_utf8(&mut b);
+                out.extend_from_slice(s.as_bytes());
+            }
+            Some(out)
+        }
+        InputKey::Enter => Some(b"\r".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::Tab => Some(b"\t".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::BackTab => Some(b"\x1b[Z".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::Backspace => Some(vec![0x7f]),
+        InputKey::Esc => Some(vec![0x1b]),
+        InputKey::Up => Some(b"\x1b[A".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::Down => Some(b"\x1b[B".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::Right => Some(b"\x1b[C".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::Left => Some(b"\x1b[D".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::Home => Some(b"\x1b[H".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::End => Some(b"\x1b[F".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::Delete => Some(b"\x1b[3~".to_vec()),
+        InputKey::Paste(text) => {
+            // Wrap in the DECSET 2004 markers. Raw bytes look like typed keys
+            // to an app that enabled bracketed paste, so a multi-line paste
+            // would execute line by line instead of arriving as one block.
+            let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(text.len() + 12);
+            out.extend_from_slice(b"\x1b[200~");
+            out.extend_from_slice(text.as_bytes());
+            out.extend_from_slice(b"\x1b[201~");
+            Some(out)
+        }
+        InputKey::Mouse { .. } => None,
+    }
+}
+
 /// Build the lines shown by the help overlay from the live keymap, so the
 /// user always sees the bindings that are actually active (defaults + their
 /// own `[tui.keymap.*]` overrides).
@@ -513,10 +545,33 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn open_spawn_modal_sets_overlay() {
+    fn new_draft_pane_opens_a_focused_draft_in_the_empty_tab() {
         let mut app = make_app();
-        app.dispatch(Action::OpenSpawnModal);
-        assert!(matches!(app.state.overlay(), Some(OverlayKind::Spawn)));
+        app.dispatch(Action::NewDraftPane);
+        assert!(matches!(
+            app.state.active_tab().pane,
+            Some(PaneRef::Draft(_))
+        ));
+        assert_eq!(app.state.focus, Focus::Pane);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.mode, Mode::Insert);
+        assert!(app.state.overlay().is_none(), "no overlay involved");
+    }
+
+    /// A tab already showing a session gets a new tab for the draft.
+    #[test]
+    fn new_draft_pane_over_a_session_opens_a_new_tab() {
+        let sid = Uuid::from_u128(10);
+        let mut app = app_with_highlighted_session(sid);
+        app.dispatch(Action::AttachHighlighted);
+
+        app.dispatch(Action::NewDraftPane);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.tabs.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.active_tab_idx, 1);
+        assert!(matches!(
+            app.state.active_tab().pane,
+            Some(PaneRef::Draft(_))
+        ));
+        assert_eq!(app.state.tabs[0].session(), Some(sid));
     }
 
     /// Seed the catalog with one session and highlight it.
@@ -551,7 +606,7 @@ mod tests {
             app.dispatch(Action::AttachHighlighted),
             vec![Effect::Attach(sid)]
         );
-        assert_eq!(app.state.active_tab().pane, Some(sid));
+        assert_eq!(app.state.active_tab().session(), Some(sid));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -584,23 +639,35 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn submitting_the_spawn_modal_carries_the_typed_fields() {
+    fn typing_into_the_draft_then_enter_carries_the_typed_fields() {
         let mut app = make_app();
-        app.dispatch(Action::OpenSpawnModal);
-        app.spawn.cwd = "/srv/work".into();
-        app.spawn.command = "claude".into();
-        app.spawn.focused_field = crate::overlays::SpawnField::Submit;
+        app.dispatch(Action::NewDraftPane);
 
-        let (_, effects) = app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Enter);
-        match effects.as_slice() {
-            [Effect::Spawn(req)] => {
+        for c in "/srv/work".chars() {
+            app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::char(c));
+        }
+        app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::Tab); // cwd → command
+        for c in "claude".chars() {
+            app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::char(c));
+        }
+        app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::Tab); // command → submit
+
+        match app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::Enter) {
+            Some(Effect::Spawn(req)) => {
                 assert_eq!(req.cwd, std::path::PathBuf::from("/srv/work"));
                 assert_eq!(req.command, "claude");
             }
-            other => panic!("expected one Spawn effect, got {other:?}"),
+            other => panic!("expected a Spawn effect, got {other:?}"),
         }
     }
 
+    /// Keys fed while no draft exists must be ignored, not panic.
+    #[test]
+    fn draft_input_is_a_no_op_without_a_draft() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        assert!(app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::char('x')).is_none());
+    }
+
     /// Regression: `Toast` returned `Pass` and nothing ever cleared it, so a
     /// failure message stayed on screen until another overlay replaced it.
     #[test]
@@ -629,6 +696,39 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(app.forward_to_session(&InputKey::Enter).is_none());
     }
 
+    /// A draft pane is not a session: forwarding must not try to reach it.
+    #[test]
+    fn forwarding_is_a_no_op_with_a_draft_pane() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        app.dispatch(Action::NewDraftPane);
+        assert!(app.forward_to_session(&InputKey::Enter).is_none());
+    }
+
+    /// Regression review fix: `Paste(_)` used to be silently dropped, so a
+    /// paste into an attached session vanished once bracketed paste was
+    /// enabled. It also has to keep its DECSET 2004 markers — without them a
+    /// remote shell reads the payload as typed keys and runs a multi-line
+    /// paste line by line.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_bracketed_paste_reaches_the_session_with_its_markers() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            encode_key(&InputKey::Paste("cd /tmp/foo\nls".into())),
+            Some(b"\x1b[200~cd /tmp/foo\nls\x1b[201~".to_vec())
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn mouse_events_have_no_wire_encoding() {
+        use crate::input::{MouseKind, Region};
+        assert!(encode_key(&InputKey::Mouse {
+            kind: MouseKind::Click,
+            region: Region::Pane,
+            col: 3,
+            row: 4,
+        })
+        .is_none());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn kill_highlighted_opens_confirm() {
         use chrono::Utc;

crates/maestro-tui/src/config.rs

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ const DEFAULT_NORMAL: &[(&str, &str)] = &[
     ("up", "SidebarPrev"),
     // Catalog actions
     ("enter", "AttachHighlighted"),
-    ("s", "OpenSpawnModal"),
+    ("s", "NewDraftPane"),
     ("x", "KillHighlighted"),
     // Tabs
     ("ctrl-t", "NewTab"),
@@ -155,6 +155,10 @@ mod tests {
             cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Normal, "g t"),
             Some(Action::NextTab),
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Normal, "s"),
+            Some(Action::NewDraftPane),
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]

crates/maestro-tui/src/draft.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,272 @@
+//! Draft pane — the spawn form living in an ordinary pane (issue #63).
+//!
+//! An empty pane renders a [`DraftPane`] instead of nothing; submitting hands
+//! the caller a built request and the pane is replaced with the new session,
+//! matching the web client's inline draft panes (#57). Field editing goes
+//! through [`crate::text_input::TextInput`]; Tab / BackTab walk the fields.
+//!
+//! Scope note: presets, the project list, generated names, and the worktree
+//! section land with issues #64/#65 — this is cwd + command only.
+
+use ratatui::layout::{Constraint, Layout, Rect};
+use ratatui::style::{Modifier, Style};
+use ratatui::text::{Line, Span};
+use ratatui::widgets::{Block, Borders, Paragraph};
+use ratatui::Frame;
+
+use crate::input::InputKey;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum DraftField {
+    #[default]
+    Cwd,
+    Command,
+    Submit,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct DraftPane {
+    pub cwd: crate::text_input::TextInput,
+    pub command: crate::text_input::TextInput,
+    pub focused_field: DraftField,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum DraftInputResult {
+    Consumed,
+    Submit,
+}
+
+impl DraftPane {
+    pub fn next_field(&mut self) {
+        self.focused_field = match self.focused_field {
+            DraftField::Cwd => DraftField::Command,
+            DraftField::Command => DraftField::Submit,
+            DraftField::Submit => DraftField::Cwd,
+        };
+    }
+
+    pub fn prev_field(&mut self) {
+        self.focused_field = match self.focused_field {
+            DraftField::Cwd => DraftField::Submit,
+            DraftField::Command => DraftField::Cwd,
+            DraftField::Submit => DraftField::Command,
+        };
+    }
+
+    /// Handle one keystroke while this draft owns input (Insert mode, pane
+    /// focused). Returns [`DraftInputResult::Submit`] when the user accepts;
+    /// the caller fires the POST and replaces the draft with the session.
+    pub fn on_input(&mut self, key: &InputKey) -> DraftInputResult {
+        match key {
+            InputKey::Tab => {
+                self.next_field();
+                DraftInputResult::Consumed
+            }
+            InputKey::BackTab => {
+                self.prev_field();
+                DraftInputResult::Consumed
+            }
+            InputKey::Enter => match self.focused_field {
+                DraftField::Submit => DraftInputResult::Submit,
+                _ => {
+                    self.next_field();
+                    DraftInputResult::Consumed
+                }
+            },
+            // Everything else — characters, motion, editing, paste — goes to
+            // the focused field's text input.
+            other => {
+                match self.focused_field {
+                    DraftField::Cwd => self.cwd.handle_key(other),
+                    DraftField::Command => self.command.handle_key(other),
+                    DraftField::Submit => {}
+                }
+                DraftInputResult::Consumed
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Draw into the pane area. `pane_focused` gates the field highlight and
+    /// cursor placement the same way a session pane hides its cursor when
+    /// unfocused.
+    pub fn render(&self, f: &mut Frame, area: Rect, pane_focused: bool) {
+        let block = Block::default().title(" draft ").borders(Borders::ALL);
+        let inner = block.inner(area);
+        f.render_widget(block, area);
+        let rows = Layout::vertical([
+            Constraint::Length(2),
+            Constraint::Length(2),
+            Constraint::Length(1),
+        ])
+        .split(inner);
+
+        let style_for = |field: DraftField| {
+            if pane_focused && self.focused_field == field {
+                Style::default().add_modifier(Modifier::REVERSED)
+            } else {
+                Style::default()
+            }
+        };
+
+        // Each text field renders through the shared `TextInput`, which
+        // handles horizontal scrolling and reports where the terminal cursor
+        // belongs. Label is fixed-width 8 chars + 1 space = column 9.
+        let label = |text: &str| Paragraph::new(Line::from(Span::raw(format!("{text:8} "))));
+        f.render_widget(label("cwd:"), rows[0]);
+        f.render_widget(label("command:"), rows[1]);
+        let draw_field =
+            |f: &mut Frame, input: &crate::text_input::TextInput, row: Rect, style: Style| -> u16 {
+                let area = Rect {
+                    x: row.x.saturating_add(9),
+                    y: row.y,
+                    width: row.width.saturating_sub(9),
+                    height: 1,
+                };
+                input.render(area, f.buffer_mut(), style)
+            };
+        let cwd_col = draw_field(f, &self.cwd, rows[0], style_for(DraftField::Cwd));
+        let cmd_col = draw_field(f, &self.command, rows[1], style_for(DraftField::Command));
+
+        f.render_widget(
+            Paragraph::new(Line::from(vec![Span::styled(
+                "[ Spawn ]",
+                style_for(DraftField::Submit),
+            )])),
+            rows[2],
+        );
+
+        if pane_focused {
+            match self.focused_field {
+                DraftField::Cwd => f.set_cursor_position((cwd_col, rows[0].y)),
+                DraftField::Command => f.set_cursor_position((cmd_col, rows[1].y)),
+                DraftField::Submit => {
+                    // The submit button is indicated by the REVERSED style; no
+                    // cursor placement.
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use ratatui::backend::TestBackend;
+    use ratatui::Terminal;
+
+    fn render_to_string(w: u16, h: u16, draw: impl FnOnce(&mut Frame)) -> String {
+        let backend = TestBackend::new(w, h);
+        let mut terminal = Terminal::new(backend).unwrap();
+        terminal.draw(draw).unwrap();
+        let buf = terminal.backend().buffer().clone();
+        let mut out = String::new();
+        for y in 0..buf.area.height {
+            for x in 0..buf.area.width {
+                out.push_str(buf[(x, y)].symbol());
+            }
+            out.push('\n');
+        }
+        out
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn draft_pane_renders_field_labels_and_values() {
+        let draft = DraftPane {
+            cwd: crate::text_input::TextInput::with_value("/x"),
+            command: crate::text_input::TextInput::with_value("bash"),
+            focused_field: DraftField::Cwd,
+        };
+        let rendered = render_to_string(80, 20, |f| draft.render(f, f.area(), true));
+        for s in ["cwd", "command", "draft", "Spawn", "/x", "bash"] {
+            assert!(rendered.contains(s), "missing {s:?}:\n{rendered}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn field_rotation_wraps_in_both_directions() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane::default();
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Cwd);
+        draft.next_field();
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Command);
+        draft.next_field();
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Submit);
+        draft.next_field();
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Cwd);
+        draft.prev_field();
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Submit);
+
+        draft.on_input(&InputKey::BackTab);
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Command);
+        draft.on_input(&InputKey::Tab);
+        draft.on_input(&InputKey::Tab);
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Cwd);
+    }
+
+    /// Editing keys must reach the focused field's text input, not a bare
+    /// String — this is what gives the operator cursor motion and word ops.
+    #[test]
+    fn editing_keys_reach_the_focused_text_input() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane::default();
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Cwd);
+        for k in [
+            InputKey::char('/'),
+            InputKey::char('t'),
+            InputKey::char('m'),
+            InputKey::char('p'),
+        ] {
+            draft.on_input(&k);
+        }
+        draft.on_input(&InputKey::Left);
+        draft.on_input(&InputKey::Backspace);
+        assert_eq!(draft.cwd.value(), "/tp");
+
+        // Tab to command, then a paste and ctrl-w land there, not in cwd.
+        draft.on_input(&InputKey::Tab);
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Command);
+        draft.on_input(&InputKey::Paste("/tmp/foo".into()));
+        assert_eq!(draft.command.value(), "/tmp/foo");
+        draft.on_input(&InputKey::ctrl_char('w'));
+        assert_eq!(draft.command.value(), "");
+        assert_eq!(draft.cwd.value(), "/tp", "cwd untouched while unfocused");
+    }
+
+    /// Enter walks forward until the submit field, where it submits.
+    #[test]
+    fn enter_walks_fields_then_submits_from_submit() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane::default();
+        assert_eq!(draft.on_input(&InputKey::Enter), DraftInputResult::Consumed);
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Command);
+        assert_eq!(draft.on_input(&InputKey::Enter), DraftInputResult::Consumed);
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Submit);
+        assert_eq!(draft.on_input(&InputKey::Enter), DraftInputResult::Submit);
+    }
+
+    /// The terminal cursor must sit right after the typed text in the focused
+    /// field (label is 8 chars + 1 space, block border takes column 0).
+    #[test]
+    fn render_places_the_cursor_after_the_typed_text_when_focused() {
+        let draft = DraftPane {
+            cwd: crate::text_input::TextInput::with_value("abc"),
+            ..DraftPane::default()
+        };
+        let backend = TestBackend::new(80, 20);
+        let mut terminal = Terminal::new(backend).unwrap();
+        terminal.draw(|f| draft.render(f, f.area(), true)).unwrap();
+        let pos = terminal.get_cursor_position().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(pos, ratatui::layout::Position::new(1 + 9 + 3, 1));
+
+        // Unfocused pane: no field highlight either.
+        let rendered_unfocused = render_to_string(80, 20, |f| draft.render(f, f.area(), false));
+        let backend = TestBackend::new(80, 20);
+        let mut terminal = Terminal::new(backend).unwrap();
+        terminal.draw(|f| draft.render(f, f.area(), false)).unwrap();
+        let buf = terminal.backend().buffer();
+        assert!(
+            !buf.content()
+                .iter()
+                .any(|c| c.modifier.contains(ratatui::style::Modifier::REVERSED)),
+            "unfocused draft must not highlight fields:\n{rendered_unfocused}"
+        );
+    }
+}

crates/maestro-tui/src/input.rs

@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ pub enum InputKey {
     Down,
     Left,
     Right,
+    Home,
+    End,
+    Delete,
+    /// Bracketed paste: crossterm delivers the whole payload as one event, so
+    /// text fields can insert it as a single operation.
+    Paste(String),
     Mouse {
         kind: MouseKind,
         region: Region,
@@ -126,6 +132,12 @@ impl InputKey {
             InputKey::Down => "down".into(),
             InputKey::Left => "left".into(),
             InputKey::Right => "right".into(),
+            InputKey::Home => "home".into(),
+            InputKey::End => "end".into(),
+            InputKey::Delete => "delete".into(),
+            // Pastes are not bindable; the canonical form exists only to
+            // satisfy exhaustiveness and never round-trips through `parse`.
+            InputKey::Paste(_) => "paste".into(),
             InputKey::Mouse { kind, region, .. } => {
                 let k = match kind {
                     MouseKind::Click => "click",
@@ -191,6 +203,9 @@ impl InputKey {
             "down" => return Ok(InputKey::Down),
             "left" => return Ok(InputKey::Left),
             "right" => return Ok(InputKey::Right),
+            "home" => return Ok(InputKey::Home),
+            "end" => return Ok(InputKey::End),
+            "delete" => return Ok(InputKey::Delete),
             _ => {}
         }
         // Modifier chain: ctrl-, alt-, shift- prefixes, then a single char.
@@ -262,9 +277,13 @@ where
                 KeyCode::Down => InputKey::Down,
                 KeyCode::Left => InputKey::Left,
                 KeyCode::Right => InputKey::Right,
+                KeyCode::Home => InputKey::Home,
+                KeyCode::End => InputKey::End,
+                KeyCode::Delete => InputKey::Delete,
                 _ => return None,
             })
         }
+        CtEvent::Paste(text) => Some(InputKey::Paste(text.clone())),
         CtEvent::Mouse(MouseEvent {
             kind, column, row, ..
         }) => {
@@ -578,12 +597,25 @@ mod tests {
             "down",
             "left",
             "right",
+            "home",
+            "end",
+            "delete",
         ] {
             let k = InputKey::parse(s).unwrap();
             assert_eq!(k.canonical(), s, "round-trip {s:?}");
         }
     }
 
+    /// A bracketed paste must arrive as one key carrying the whole payload,
+    /// not a burst of per-character keys.
+    #[test]
+    fn canonicalise_paste_event_carries_the_whole_payload() {
+        use crossterm::event::Event as CtEvent;
+        let ev = CtEvent::Paste("/srv/work/maestro".into());
+        let k = canonicalise(&ev, |_, _| Region::Unknown).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(k, InputKey::Paste("/srv/work/maestro".into()));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn canonical_round_trips_mouse() {
         let s = "mouse:click(pane)";

crates/maestro-tui/src/lib.rs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ pub mod app;
 pub mod catalog;
 pub mod cli;
 pub mod config;
+pub mod draft;
 pub mod emulators;
 pub mod input;
 pub mod keymap;
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ pub mod sidebar;
 pub mod state;
 pub mod tabs;
 pub mod terminal;
+pub mod text_input;
 
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::time::Duration;

crates/maestro-tui/src/overlays.rs

@@ -1,163 +1,16 @@
-//! Overlay widgets: spawn modal, kill-confirm prompt, help overlay,
-//! transient toast.
+//! Overlay widgets: kill-confirm prompt, help overlay, transient toast.
+//!
+//! The spawn form is no longer an overlay (issue #63) — it lives in draft
+//! panes ([`crate::draft::DraftPane`]).
 //!
 //! All overlays are centered popups drawn over the rest of the UI; the
 //! `Clear` widget wipes the underlying buffer before drawing.
 
-use ratatui::layout::{Constraint, Layout, Rect};
-use ratatui::style::{Modifier, Style};
+use ratatui::layout::Rect;
 use ratatui::text::Line;
 use ratatui::widgets::{Block, Borders, Clear, List, ListItem, Paragraph};
 use ratatui::Frame;
 
-#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
-pub enum SpawnField {
-    #[default]
-    Cwd,
-    Command,
-    Submit,
-}
-
-#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone)]
-pub struct SpawnModal {
-    pub cwd: String,
-    pub command: String,
-    pub focused_field: SpawnField,
-}
-
-impl SpawnModal {
-    pub fn next_field(&mut self) {
-        self.focused_field = match self.focused_field {
-            SpawnField::Cwd => SpawnField::Command,
-            SpawnField::Command => SpawnField::Submit,
-            SpawnField::Submit => SpawnField::Cwd,
-        };
-    }
-
-    pub fn prev_field(&mut self) {
-        self.focused_field = match self.focused_field {
-            SpawnField::Cwd => SpawnField::Submit,
-            SpawnField::Command => SpawnField::Cwd,
-            SpawnField::Submit => SpawnField::Command,
-        };
-    }
-
-    /// Handle one keystroke while this modal owns input. Returns
-    /// [`SpawnInputResult::Submit`] when the user accepts; the caller fires
-    /// the POST and dismisses the modal.
-    pub fn on_input(&mut self, key: &crate::input::InputKey) -> SpawnInputResult {
-        use crate::input::InputKey;
-        match key {
-            InputKey::Tab => {
-                self.next_field();
-                SpawnInputResult::Consumed
-            }
-            InputKey::BackTab => {
-                self.prev_field();
-                SpawnInputResult::Consumed
-            }
-            InputKey::Esc => SpawnInputResult::Cancel,
-            InputKey::Enter => match self.focused_field {
-                SpawnField::Submit => SpawnInputResult::Submit,
-                _ => {
-                    self.next_field();
-                    SpawnInputResult::Consumed
-                }
-            },
-            InputKey::Char { c, .. } => {
-                match self.focused_field {
-                    SpawnField::Cwd => self.cwd.push(*c),
-                    SpawnField::Command => self.command.push(*c),
-                    SpawnField::Submit => {}
-                }
-                SpawnInputResult::Consumed
-            }
-            InputKey::Backspace => {
-                match self.focused_field {
-                    SpawnField::Cwd => {
-                        self.cwd.pop();
-                    }
-                    SpawnField::Command => {
-                        self.command.pop();
-                    }
-                    _ => {}
-                }
-                SpawnInputResult::Consumed
-            }
-            _ => SpawnInputResult::Consumed,
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn render(&self, f: &mut Frame, parent: Rect) {
-        let area = centered(parent, 60, 10);
-        f.render_widget(Clear, area);
-        let block = Block::default().title(" spawn ").borders(Borders::ALL);
-        let inner = block.inner(area);
-        f.render_widget(block, area);
-        let rows = Layout::vertical([
-            Constraint::Length(2),
-            Constraint::Length(2),
-            Constraint::Length(1),
-        ])
-        .split(inner);
-        let highlight = |field: SpawnField| {
-            if self.focused_field == field {
-                Style::default().add_modifier(Modifier::REVERSED)
-            } else {
-                Style::default()
-            }
-        };
-        let field_row = |label: &str, value: &str, style: Style| {
-            Paragraph::new(Line::from(vec![
-                ratatui::text::Span::raw(format!("{label:8} ")),
-                ratatui::text::Span::styled(value.to_string(), style),
-            ]))
-        };
-        f.render_widget(
-            field_row("cwd:", &self.cwd, highlight(SpawnField::Cwd)),
-            rows[0],
-        );
-        f.render_widget(
-            field_row("command:", &self.command, highlight(SpawnField::Command)),
-            rows[1],
-        );
-        f.render_widget(
-            Paragraph::new(Line::from(vec![ratatui::text::Span::styled(
-                "[ Spawn ]",
-                highlight(SpawnField::Submit),
-            )])),
-            rows[2],
-        );
-
-        // Place the cursor at the end of the currently-focused text field so
-        // the user can see where their typing lands. Label is fixed-width
-        // 8 chars + 1 space = column 9 inside the row.
-        let cursor_col_for = |value: &str| -> u16 {
-            inner
-                .x
-                .saturating_add(9)
-                .saturating_add(value.chars().count() as u16)
-        };
-        match self.focused_field {
-            SpawnField::Cwd => f.set_cursor_position((cursor_col_for(&self.cwd), rows[0].y)),
-            SpawnField::Command => {
-                f.set_cursor_position((cursor_col_for(&self.command), rows[1].y))
-            }
-            SpawnField::Submit => {
-                // The submit button is indicated by the REVERSED style; no
-                // cursor placement.
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
-pub enum SpawnInputResult {
-    Consumed,
-    Cancel,
-    Submit,
-}
-
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct KillConfirm {
     pub label: String,
@@ -264,33 +117,6 @@ mod tests {
         out
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn spawn_modal_renders_field_labels() {
-        let modal = SpawnModal {
-            cwd: "/x".into(),
-            command: "bash".into(),
-            focused_field: SpawnField::Cwd,
-        };
-        let rendered = render_to_string(80, 20, |f| modal.render(f, f.area()));
-        for s in ["cwd", "command", "Spawn", "/x", "bash"] {
-            assert!(rendered.contains(s), "missing {s:?}:\n{rendered}");
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn spawn_modal_field_rotation() {
-        let mut modal = SpawnModal::default();
-        assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Cwd);
-        modal.next_field();
-        assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Command);
-        modal.next_field();
-        assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Submit);
-        modal.next_field();
-        assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Cwd);
-        modal.prev_field();
-        assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Submit);
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn kill_confirm_renders_prompt() {
         let modal = KillConfirm {
@@ -308,34 +134,11 @@ mod tests {
         let help = HelpOverlay {
             lines: vec![
                 "i           EnterInsert".into(),
-                "s           OpenSpawnModal".into(),
+                "s           NewDraftPane".into(),
             ],
         };
         let rendered = render_to_string(80, 12, |f| help.render(f, f.area()));
         assert!(rendered.contains("EnterInsert"));
-        assert!(rendered.contains("OpenSpawnModal"));
-    }
-    /// Shift-Tab walked nowhere: `prev_field` existed with no caller, so the
-    /// spawn modal could only be cycled forwards.
-    #[test]
-    fn shift_tab_walks_the_spawn_modal_backwards() {
-        let mut modal = SpawnModal::default();
-        assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Cwd);
-
-        modal.on_input(&crate::input::InputKey::BackTab);
-        assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Submit);
-
-        modal.on_input(&crate::input::InputKey::BackTab);
-        assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Command);
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn tab_and_shift_tab_are_inverses() {
-        let mut modal = SpawnModal::default();
-        for _ in 0..3 {
-            modal.on_input(&crate::input::InputKey::Tab);
-            modal.on_input(&crate::input::InputKey::BackTab);
-            assert_eq!(modal.focused_field, SpawnField::Cwd);
-        }
+        assert!(rendered.contains("NewDraftPane"));
     }
 }

crates/maestro-tui/src/render.rs

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use ratatui::Frame;
 
 use crate::input::Region;
 use crate::keymap::Mode;
-use crate::overlays::{HelpOverlay, KillConfirm, SpawnModal, Toast};
+use crate::overlays::{HelpOverlay, KillConfirm, Toast};
 use crate::pane::Pane;
 use crate::sidebar::Sidebar;
 use crate::state::{AppState, Focus, OverlayKind};
@@ -63,8 +63,9 @@ pub struct RenderInputs<'a> {
     pub sidebar: &'a Sidebar,
     pub tab_bar: &'a TabBar,
     pub pane: Option<&'a Pane>,
+    /// Inline spawn form when the active tab's pane is a draft (issue #63).
+    pub draft: Option<&'a crate::draft::DraftPane>,
     pub state: &'a AppState,
-    pub spawn: &'a SpawnModal,
     pub help: &'a HelpOverlay,
 }
 
@@ -131,6 +132,9 @@ pub fn draw(f: &mut Frame, inputs: RenderInputs<'_>) -> RegionMap {
     if let Some(p) = inputs.pane {
         p.render(f, pane_area);
     }
+    if let Some(d) = inputs.draft {
+        d.render(f, pane_area, pane_focused);
+    }
     map.pane = Some(pane_area);
 
     // Status bar — always visible, never eclipsed by overlays so the user can
@@ -138,10 +142,6 @@ pub fn draw(f: &mut Frame, inputs: RenderInputs<'_>) -> RegionMap {
     render_status_bar(f, status_area, inputs.state);
 
     match inputs.state.overlay() {
-        Some(OverlayKind::Spawn) => {
-            inputs.spawn.render(f, area);
-            map.modal = Some(area);
-        }
         Some(OverlayKind::KillConfirm(id)) => {
             let kc = KillConfirm {
                 label: id.to_string(),
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ fn render_status_bar(f: &mut Frame, area: Rect, state: &AppState) {
         Focus::Pane => "pane",
     };
     let hint = match state.mode {
-        Mode::Normal => "j/k: nav  •  enter: attach  •  s: spawn  •  ?: help  •  ^Wq: quit",
+        Mode::Normal => "j/k: nav  •  enter: attach  •  s: new draft  •  ?: help  •  ^Wq: quit",
         Mode::Insert => "^a: back to normal",
     };
     let mode_style = match state.mode {
@@ -266,4 +266,57 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(map.region_at(15, 10), Region::Modal);
         assert_eq!(map.region_at(3, 12), Region::SidebarRow); // outside modal
     }
+
+    /// Issue #63: an empty pane is a draft — the frame must show the spawn
+    /// form where the terminal would otherwise be.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_draft_pane_renders_the_spawn_form_in_its_pane_area() {
+        use crate::overlays::HelpOverlay;
+        use crate::state::PaneRef;
+        use std::collections::HashSet;
+
+        let mut state = AppState::new();
+        state.open_draft_pane();
+        let draft = match &state.tabs[0].pane {
+            Some(PaneRef::Draft(d)) => d,
+            other => panic!("expected a draft pane, got {other:?}"),
+        };
+        let sidebar = Sidebar {
+            sessions: Vec::new(),
+            highlight: None,
+            attached: HashSet::new(),
+        };
+        let tab_bar = TabBar {
+            tab_names: vec!["1".into()],
+            active_idx: 0,
+        };
+        let help = HelpOverlay { lines: Vec::new() };
+        let inputs = RenderInputs {
+            sidebar: &sidebar,
+            tab_bar: &tab_bar,
+            pane: None,
+            draft: Some(draft),
+            state: &state,
+            help: &help,
+        };
+
+        let backend = ratatui::backend::TestBackend::new(80, 24);
+        let mut terminal = ratatui::Terminal::new(backend).unwrap();
+        terminal
+            .draw(|f| {
+                draw(f, inputs);
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        let buf = terminal.backend().buffer().clone();
+        let mut out = String::new();
+        for y in 0..buf.area.height {
+            for x in 0..buf.area.width {
+                out.push_str(buf[(x, y)].symbol());
+            }
+            out.push('\n');
+        }
+        for s in ["draft", "cwd:", "command:", "[ Spawn ]"] {
+            assert!(out.contains(s), "missing {s:?}:\n{out}");
+        }
+    }
 }

crates/maestro-tui/src/state.rs

@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 //! `AppState` — the top-level mutable state of the running TUI.
 //!
 //! v1 keeps it small on purpose: a list of tabs (each bound to at most one
-//! session), an active tab index, focus split between sidebar and pane, the
-//! current input mode, and an optional overlay (spawn modal, kill confirm,
-//! help, transient toast).
+//! session or a draft form), an active tab index, focus split between sidebar
+//! and pane, the current input mode, and an optional overlay (kill confirm,
+//! help, transient toast). The spawn form is no longer an overlay — an empty
+//! pane is a draft pane (issue #63).
 //!
-//! v1.5 will replace `Tab::pane: Option<SessionId>` with a split tree.
+//! v1.5 will replace `Tab::pane`'s single slot with a split tree.
 
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
+use crate::draft::DraftPane;
 use crate::keymap::Mode;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -17,15 +19,31 @@ pub enum Focus {
     Pane,
 }
 
+/// What a tab's pane slot holds: a live session, or an inline draft form.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq)]
+pub enum PaneRef {
+    Session(Uuid),
+    Draft(DraftPane),
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct Tab {
     pub name: String,
-    pub pane: Option<Uuid>,
+    pub pane: Option<PaneRef>,
+}
+
+impl Tab {
+    /// The session this tab shows, if it shows one. Draft panes have none.
+    pub fn session(&self) -> Option<Uuid> {
+        match &self.pane {
+            Some(PaneRef::Session(sid)) => Some(*sid),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum OverlayKind {
-    Spawn,
     KillConfirm(Uuid),
     Help,
     Toast(String),
@@ -108,7 +126,8 @@ impl AppState {
     ///
     /// Returns the session that tab was showing, if any, so the caller can
     /// release its emulator. Without that the tab's WebSocket task and vt100
-    /// parser outlive the tab forever.
+    /// parser outlive the tab forever. A draft pane holds no session and
+    /// releases nothing.
     pub fn close_tab(&mut self) -> Option<Uuid> {
         if self.tabs.len() <= 1 {
             return None;
@@ -117,9 +136,10 @@ impl AppState {
         if self.active_tab_idx >= self.tabs.len() {
             self.active_tab_idx = self.tabs.len() - 1;
         }
+        let sid = closed.session()?;
         // Only release it if no other tab still shows the same session.
-        let still_shown = self.tabs.iter().any(|t| t.pane == closed.pane);
-        closed.pane.filter(|_| !still_shown)
+        let still_shown = self.tabs.iter().any(|t| t.session() == Some(sid));
+        (!still_shown).then_some(sid)
     }
 
     pub fn next_tab(&mut self) {
@@ -147,11 +167,37 @@ impl AppState {
     /// drop straight into Insert mode so keystrokes go to the session
     /// without an extra `i` press. The leader returns to Normal.
     pub fn attach_to_focused(&mut self, session_id: Uuid) {
-        self.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(session_id);
+        self.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(PaneRef::Session(session_id));
         self.focus = Focus::Pane;
         self.mode = Mode::Insert;
     }
 
+    /// Open a draft form in a pane (issue #63): reuse the empty active pane,
+    /// otherwise open a fresh tab for it — v1 has no split tree, so "split"
+    /// means a new tab. Focus lands in the pane, Insert mode on, so typing
+    /// starts immediately, same flow as [`Self::attach_to_focused`].
+    pub fn open_draft_pane(&mut self) {
+        if self.active_tab().pane.is_some() {
+            self.new_tab();
+        }
+        self.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(PaneRef::Draft(DraftPane::default()));
+        self.focus = Focus::Pane;
+        self.mode = Mode::Insert;
+    }
+
+    /// A draft submit succeeded: replace whatever the active tab showed with
+    /// the new session in place, matching the web client's behaviour (#57).
+    pub fn complete_spawn(&mut self, sid: Uuid) {
+        self.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(PaneRef::Session(sid));
+        self.focus = Focus::Pane;
+        self.mode = Mode::Insert;
+    }
+
+    /// The session shown by the active tab's pane, if any.
+    pub fn active_session(&self) -> Option<Uuid> {
+        self.active_tab().session()
+    }
+
     /// Move the sidebar highlight by `delta` (positive = down) within the
     /// given ordered list of selectable session ids. Wraps. No-op on empty.
     pub fn move_sidebar_highlight(&mut self, order: &[Uuid], delta: i32) {
@@ -288,7 +334,7 @@ mod tests {
         let mut state = AppState::new();
         let sid = Uuid::from_u128(7);
         state.attach_to_focused(sid);
-        assert_eq!(state.tabs[0].pane, Some(sid));
+        assert_eq!(state.tabs[0].session(), Some(sid));
         assert_eq!(state.focus, Focus::Pane);
         // The user expects to type into the session right away; the leader
         // (default ctrl-a) is the way back.
@@ -314,7 +360,7 @@ mod tests {
         let mut state = AppState::new();
         let sid = Uuid::from_u128(3);
         state.new_tab();
-        state.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(sid);
+        state.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(PaneRef::Session(sid));
 
         assert_eq!(state.close_tab(), Some(sid));
     }
@@ -324,9 +370,9 @@ mod tests {
     fn close_tab_keeps_a_session_another_tab_still_shows() {
         let mut state = AppState::new();
         let sid = Uuid::from_u128(4);
-        state.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(sid);
+        state.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(PaneRef::Session(sid));
         state.new_tab();
-        state.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(sid);
+        state.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(PaneRef::Session(sid));
 
         assert_eq!(state.close_tab(), None);
     }
@@ -334,7 +380,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn close_tab_is_a_no_op_on_the_last_tab() {
         let mut state = AppState::new();
-        state.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(Uuid::from_u128(5));
+        state.active_tab_mut().pane = Some(PaneRef::Session(Uuid::from_u128(5)));
         assert_eq!(state.close_tab(), None);
         assert_eq!(state.tabs.len(), 1);
     }
@@ -347,4 +393,52 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(state.dismiss_overlay());
         assert!(state.overlay().is_none());
     }
+
+    /// Issue #63: `s` over an empty pane turns that pane into a draft —
+    /// focused, Insert mode on, typing starts immediately.
+    #[test]
+    fn open_draft_reuses_the_empty_active_pane() {
+        let mut state = AppState::new();
+        state.open_draft_pane();
+        assert!(matches!(state.active_tab().pane, Some(PaneRef::Draft(_))));
+        assert_eq!(state.focus, Focus::Pane);
+        assert_eq!(state.mode, Mode::Insert);
+        assert_eq!(state.tabs.len(), 1);
+    }
+
+    /// A tab already showing a session gets a fresh tab for the draft; v1
+    /// has no split tree, so a new tab is the "split".
+    #[test]
+    fn open_draft_over_a_session_opens_a_new_tab() {
+        let mut state = AppState::new();
+        state.attach_to_focused(Uuid::from_u128(9));
+        state.open_draft_pane();
+        assert_eq!(state.tabs.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(state.active_tab_idx, 1);
+        assert!(matches!(state.active_tab().pane, Some(PaneRef::Draft(_))));
+        // The session tab is untouched.
+        assert_eq!(state.tabs[0].session(), Some(Uuid::from_u128(9)));
+    }
+
+    /// Web parity (#57): submitting fills the pane in place.
+    #[test]
+    fn complete_spawn_replaces_the_draft_with_the_session() {
+        let mut state = AppState::new();
+        state.open_draft_pane();
+        let sid = Uuid::from_u128(21);
+        state.complete_spawn(sid);
+        assert_eq!(state.active_tab().session(), Some(sid));
+        assert_eq!(state.focus, Focus::Pane);
+        assert_eq!(state.mode, Mode::Insert);
+    }
+
+    /// A closed draft tab holds no session, so nothing is released.
+    #[test]
+    fn close_tab_reports_nothing_for_a_draft_pane() {
+        let mut state = AppState::new();
+        state.open_draft_pane();
+        state.new_tab();
+        state.active_tab_idx = 0;
+        assert_eq!(state.close_tab(), None);
+    }
 }

crates/maestro-tui/src/terminal.rs

@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
 
 use std::io;
 
-use crossterm::event::{DisableMouseCapture, EnableMouseCapture};
+use crossterm::event::{
+    DisableBracketedPaste, DisableMouseCapture, EnableBracketedPaste, EnableMouseCapture,
+};
 use crossterm::execute;
 use crossterm::terminal::{
     disable_raw_mode, enable_raw_mode, EnterAlternateScreen, LeaveAlternateScreen,
@@ -26,7 +28,12 @@ impl TerminalGuard {
     pub fn enter() -> Result<Self, TerminalError> {
         enable_raw_mode()?;
         let mut out = io::stdout();
-        execute!(out, EnterAlternateScreen, EnableMouseCapture)?;
+        execute!(
+            out,
+            EnterAlternateScreen,
+            EnableMouseCapture,
+            EnableBracketedPaste
+        )?;
         Ok(TerminalGuard)
     }
 
@@ -34,7 +41,12 @@ impl TerminalGuard {
     /// call it without producing weird errors.
     fn restore() {
         let mut out = io::stdout();
-        let _ = execute!(out, DisableMouseCapture, LeaveAlternateScreen);
+        let _ = execute!(
+            out,
+            DisableBracketedPaste,
+            DisableMouseCapture,
+            LeaveAlternateScreen
+        );
         let _ = disable_raw_mode();
     }
 }

crates/maestro-tui/src/text_input.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,462 @@
+//! Single-line text-input primitive shared by every TUI form field.
+//!
+//! Owns a `String`, a character-indexed cursor, and horizontal scroll state.
+//! All editing goes through [`TextInput::handle_key`] so callers feed the same
+//! canonical [`InputKey`] stream the rest of the app uses; bracketed paste
+//! arrives as one [`InputKey::Paste`] and is inserted as a single operation.
+//!
+//! This is the one piece of the TUI form layer that unit-tests without a
+//! terminal: drive it with `InputKey` sequences and inspect value/cursor.
+
+use ratatui::buffer::Buffer;
+use ratatui::layout::Rect;
+use ratatui::style::Style;
+
+use crate::input::InputKey;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct TextInput {
+    value: String,
+    /// Cursor position as a char offset into `value`.
+    cursor: usize,
+    /// Char offset of the leftmost visible cell. A `Cell` so `render` can
+    /// re-clamp it without `&mut self` — widgets are drawn through shared
+    /// references in this codebase.
+    scroll: std::cell::Cell<usize>,
+}
+
+impl TextInput {
+    pub fn with_value(value: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        let mut input = Self {
+            value: value.into(),
+            ..Self::default()
+        };
+        input.cursor = input.value.chars().count();
+        input
+    }
+
+    pub fn value(&self) -> &str {
+        &self.value
+    }
+
+    pub fn cursor(&self) -> usize {
+        self.cursor
+    }
+
+    /// Char offset of the leftmost visible cell; only meaningful after
+    /// [`TextInput::render`] has clamped it to the field width.
+    pub fn scroll_offset(&self) -> usize {
+        self.scroll.get()
+    }
+
+    /// Insert `text` at the cursor as one operation. Used both for typed
+    /// characters and for whole bracketed-paste payloads.
+    pub fn insert(&mut self, text: &str) {
+        let at = self.byte_offset(self.cursor);
+        self.value.insert_str(at, text);
+        self.cursor += text.chars().count();
+    }
+
+    pub fn handle_key(&mut self, key: &InputKey) {
+        match key {
+            InputKey::Char {
+                c,
+                ctrl: false,
+                alt: false,
+                ..
+            } => self.insert(&c.to_string()),
+            InputKey::Char {
+                c: 'w', ctrl: true, ..
+            } => self.delete_word_backwards(),
+            InputKey::Char {
+                c: 'k', ctrl: true, ..
+            } => self.kill_to_end(),
+            // Emacs-style word motion; ctrl-arrow reaches us as a plain
+            // Left/Right today, so these are the dependable binding.
+            InputKey::Char {
+                c: 'b', ctrl: true, ..
+            } => self.cursor = self.word_left(),
+            InputKey::Char {
+                c: 'f', ctrl: true, ..
+            } => self.cursor = self.word_right(),
+            InputKey::Left => {
+                self.cursor = self.cursor.saturating_sub(1);
+            }
+            InputKey::Right => {
+                if self.cursor < self.value.chars().count() {
+                    self.cursor += 1;
+                }
+            }
+            InputKey::Home => self.cursor = 0,
+            InputKey::End => self.cursor = self.value.chars().count(),
+            InputKey::Backspace => {
+                if self.cursor > 0 {
+                    let at = self.byte_offset(self.cursor - 1);
+                    let end = self.byte_offset(self.cursor);
+                    self.value.replace_range(at..end, "");
+                    self.cursor -= 1;
+                }
+            }
+            InputKey::Delete => {
+                if self.cursor < self.value.chars().count() {
+                    let at = self.byte_offset(self.cursor);
+                    let end = self.byte_offset(self.cursor + 1);
+                    self.value.replace_range(at..end, "");
+                }
+            }
+            InputKey::Paste(text) => self.insert(text),
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Draw into `area` (expected one row tall), scrolling horizontally so the
+    /// cursor stays visible, and return the screen column where the caller
+    /// should place the terminal cursor.
+    pub fn render(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, style: Style) -> u16 {
+        let width = area.width as usize;
+        let len = self.value.chars().count();
+        let scroll = self.scroll.get().min(len);
+        let scroll = if self.cursor < scroll {
+            self.cursor
+        } else if width > 0 && self.cursor.saturating_sub(scroll) >= width {
+            self.cursor + 1 - width
+        } else {
+            scroll
+        };
+        self.scroll.set(scroll);
+        for (col, c) in self.value.chars().skip(scroll).take(width).enumerate() {
+            buf[(area.x + col as u16, area.y)]
+                .set_symbol(&c.to_string())
+                .set_style(style);
+        }
+        area.x + self.cursor.saturating_sub(scroll) as u16
+    }
+
+    fn byte_offset(&self, char_index: usize) -> usize {
+        self.value
+            .char_indices()
+            .nth(char_index)
+            .map(|(b, _)| b)
+            .unwrap_or(self.value.len())
+    }
+
+    fn is_word_char(c: char) -> bool {
+        c.is_alphanumeric() || c == '_'
+    }
+
+    /// Start of the word before the cursor, skipping any separators first —
+    /// emacs `backward-word`.
+    fn word_left(&self) -> usize {
+        let chars: Vec<char> = self.value.chars().collect();
+        let mut i = self.cursor;
+        while i > 0 && !Self::is_word_char(chars[i - 1]) {
+            i -= 1;
+        }
+        while i > 0 && Self::is_word_char(chars[i - 1]) {
+            i -= 1;
+        }
+        i
+    }
+
+    /// Start of the word after the cursor, skipping the rest of the current
+    /// word first — emacs `forward-word`.
+    fn word_right(&self) -> usize {
+        let chars: Vec<char> = self.value.chars().collect();
+        let len = chars.len();
+        let mut i = self.cursor;
+        while i < len && !Self::is_word_char(chars[i]) {
+            i += 1;
+        }
+        while i < len && Self::is_word_char(chars[i]) {
+            i += 1;
+        }
+        i
+    }
+
+    fn kill_to_end(&mut self) {
+        let at = self.byte_offset(self.cursor);
+        self.value.truncate(at);
+    }
+
+    /// Shell-style ctrl-w: kill back to the previous whitespace, taking any
+    /// trailing whitespace run with it — so `cd /tmp/foo` loses the whole
+    /// path segment in one keystroke.
+    fn delete_word_backwards(&mut self) {
+        let chars: Vec<char> = self.value.chars().collect();
+        let mut i = self.cursor;
+        while i > 0 && chars[i - 1].is_whitespace() {
+            i -= 1;
+        }
+        while i > 0 && !chars[i - 1].is_whitespace() {
+            i -= 1;
+        }
+        let at = self.byte_offset(i);
+        let end = self.byte_offset(self.cursor);
+        self.value.replace_range(at..end, "");
+        self.cursor = i;
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    use InputKey::{Backspace, Delete, End, Home, Left, Right};
+
+    fn typed(s: &str) -> Vec<InputKey> {
+        s.chars().map(InputKey::char).collect()
+    }
+
+    fn fed(keys: &[InputKey]) -> TextInput {
+        let mut input = TextInput::default();
+        for k in keys {
+            input.handle_key(k);
+        }
+        input
+    }
+
+    fn ctrl(c: char) -> InputKey {
+        InputKey::ctrl_char(c)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn typing_lands_in_order() {
+        let input = fed(&typed("hello"));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "hello");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 5);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn backspace_removes_the_last_typed_char() {
+        let mut input = fed(&typed("hello"));
+        input.handle_key(&Backspace);
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "hell");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 4);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn left_then_insert_fixes_a_middle_typo() {
+        let mut input = fed(&typed("helo"));
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        input.handle_key(&InputKey::char('l'));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "hello");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 3);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn motion_keys_stop_at_the_edges() {
+        let mut input = fed(&typed("abc"));
+        for _ in 0..5 {
+            input.handle_key(&Left);
+        }
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 0);
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 0);
+        for _ in 0..5 {
+            input.handle_key(&Right);
+        }
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 3);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn home_and_end_jump_to_the_ends() {
+        let mut input = fed(&typed("abcdef"));
+        input.handle_key(&Home);
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 0);
+        input.handle_key(&InputKey::char('x'));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "xabcdef");
+        input.handle_key(&End);
+        input.handle_key(&InputKey::char('!'));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "xabcdef!");
+    }
+
+    /// Cursor starts after the final `/`; word-left lands on word starts,
+    /// never inside a separator run.
+    #[test]
+    fn ctrl_b_walks_left_one_word_at_a_time() {
+        let mut input = TextInput::with_value("/tmp/foo bar-baz/");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 17);
+        for expected in [13, 9, 5, 1, 0, 0] {
+            input.handle_key(&ctrl('b'));
+            assert_eq!(input.cursor(), expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn ctrl_f_walks_right_one_word_at_a_time() {
+        let mut input = TextInput::with_value("/tmp/foo bar");
+        input.handle_key(&Home);
+        for expected in [4, 8, 12, 12] {
+            input.handle_key(&ctrl('f'));
+            assert_eq!(input.cursor(), expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn backspace_deletes_before_the_cursor() {
+        let mut input = fed(&typed("abcdef"));
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        input.handle_key(&Backspace);
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "abdef");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 2);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn backspace_on_empty_input_is_a_noop() {
+        let mut input = TextInput::default();
+        input.handle_key(&Backspace);
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 0);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn delete_removes_the_char_under_the_cursor() {
+        let mut input = fed(&typed("abcdef"));
+        input.handle_key(&Home);
+        input.handle_key(&Delete);
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "bcdef");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 0);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn delete_past_the_end_is_a_noop() {
+        let mut input = TextInput::with_value("abc");
+        input.handle_key(&End);
+        input.handle_key(&Delete);
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "abc");
+    }
+
+    /// `cd /tmp/foo` with ctrl-w leaves `cd ` — the whole path segment is one
+    /// word to a shell (readline kills back to whitespace, spaces included).
+    #[test]
+    fn ctrl_w_deletes_the_word_behind_the_cursor() {
+        let mut input = fed(&[typed("cd ").as_slice(), typed("/tmp/foo").as_slice()].concat());
+        input.handle_key(&ctrl('w'));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "cd ");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 3);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn ctrl_w_stops_before_the_separator_run() {
+        let mut input = TextInput::with_value("a   b");
+        input.cursor = 5;
+        input.handle_key(&ctrl('w'));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "a   ");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 4);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn ctrl_k_kills_everything_after_the_cursor() {
+        let mut input = fed(&typed("spawn --debug extra"));
+        for _ in 0..14 {
+            input.handle_key(&Left);
+        }
+        input.handle_key(&ctrl('k'));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "spawn");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 5);
+    }
+
+    /// A paste arrives as one event carrying the whole payload and must land
+    /// at the cursor as a single insertion, not per-character.
+    #[test]
+    fn paste_inserts_whole_payload_at_the_cursor() {
+        let mut input = fed(&typed("cd "));
+        input.handle_key(&InputKey::Paste("/srv/work".into()));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "cd /srv/work");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 12);
+        // What follows still behaves like ordinary typed text.
+        input.handle_key(&InputKey::char('/'));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "cd /srv/work/");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn paste_between_existing_text_keeps_both_halves() {
+        let mut input = TextInput::with_value("ac");
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        input.handle_key(&InputKey::Paste("b×".into()));
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "ab×c");
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 3, "cursor counts chars, not bytes");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rendering_an_empty_field_points_at_its_first_column() {
+        let input = TextInput::default();
+        let area = Rect::new(10, 5, 20, 1);
+        let mut buf = Buffer::empty(area);
+        let col = input.render(area, &mut buf, Style::default());
+        assert_eq!(col, 10);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rendering_reports_the_visible_cursor_column() {
+        let mut input = TextInput::with_value("hello");
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        input.handle_key(&Left);
+        let area = Rect::new(10, 5, 20, 1);
+        let mut buf = Buffer::empty(area);
+        let col = input.render(area, &mut buf, Style::default());
+        assert_eq!(col, 13);
+        for (i, expected) in ["h", "e", "l", "l", "o"].iter().enumerate() {
+            assert_eq!(buf[(10 + i as u16, 5)].symbol(), *expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rendering_a_value_wider_than_the_field_shows_its_tail() {
+        let value = "0123456789abcdefghij";
+        let input = TextInput::with_value(value);
+        let area = Rect::new(0, 0, 10, 1);
+        let mut buf = Buffer::empty(area);
+        let col = input.render(area, &mut buf, Style::default());
+        assert_eq!(col, 9, "cursor sits on the last visible column");
+        for (i, expected) in value.chars().skip(input.scroll_offset()).enumerate() {
+            assert_eq!(
+                buf[(i as u16, 0)].symbol(),
+                expected.to_string(),
+                "cell {i}"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Moving left into the hidden region must scroll the window back so the
+    /// cursor never disappears off the left edge.
+    #[test]
+    fn moving_left_into_the_hidden_region_scrolls_back() {
+        let value = "0123456789abcdefghij";
+        let mut input = TextInput::with_value(value);
+        let area = Rect::new(0, 0, 10, 1);
+        let mut buf = Buffer::empty(area);
+        input.render(area, &mut buf, Style::default());
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 20);
+
+        input.handle_key(&Home);
+        for _ in 0..5 {
+            input.handle_key(&Right);
+        }
+        let mut buf = Buffer::empty(area);
+        let col = input.render(area, &mut buf, Style::default());
+        assert_eq!(input.cursor(), 5);
+        assert_eq!(
+            input.value().chars().nth(input.scroll_offset()),
+            Some('5'),
+            "window scrolled back to the cursor"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(col, 0);
+        assert_eq!(buf[(0, 0)].symbol(), "5");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn shrinking_the_value_clamps_scroll_and_cursor() {
+        let mut input = TextInput::with_value("0123456789abcdefghij");
+        input.handle_key(&Home);
+        input.handle_key(&ctrl('k'));
+        let area = Rect::new(0, 0, 10, 1);
+        let mut buf = Buffer::empty(area);
+        let col = input.render(area, &mut buf, Style::default());
+        assert_eq!(input.value(), "");
+        assert_eq!(col, 0);
+    }
+}

docs/INSTALL.md

@@ -280,8 +280,9 @@ maestro daemon                  # foreground; or wire your own service manager
 ```
 
 Every setting has a default, so `~/.config/maestro/config.toml` is optional —
-create it only to change the bind address, worktree root, spawn presets, or TUI
-keymap.
+create it only to change the bind address, spawn presets, or TUI
+keymap. (Worktrees live inside their base repos at `<repo>/worktrees/<branch>`;
+set `[daemon].worktree_root` only to override that.)
 
 ## Non-Linux hosts
 

web/package.json

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
     "@xterm/xterm": "^5.5.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
+    "happy-dom": "^20.11.6",
     "typescript": "^5.6.3",
     "vite": "^5.4.10",
     "vitest": "^2.1.9"

web/pnpm-lock.yaml

@@ -15,15 +15,18 @@ importers:
         specifier: ^5.5.0
         version: 5.5.0
     devDependencies:
+      happy-dom:
+        specifier: ^20.11.6
+        version: 20.11.6
       typescript:
         specifier: ^5.6.3
         version: 5.9.3
       vite:
         specifier: ^5.4.10
-        version: 5.4.21
+        version: 5.4.21(@types/node@26.2.0)
       vitest:
         specifier: ^2.1.9
-        version: 2.1.9
+        version: 2.1.9(@types/node@26.2.0)(happy-dom@20.11.6)
 
 packages:
 
@@ -296,6 +299,15 @@ packages:
   '@types/estree@1.0.8':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-dWHzHa2WqEXI/O1E9OjrocMTKJl2mSrEolh1Iomrv6U+JuNwaHXsXx9bLu5gG7BUWFIN0skIQJQ/L1rIex4X6w==}
 
+  '@types/node@26.2.0':
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-5IviulTZeRNp2vAJ514cc/HUlY5nZ9fCbq9DMyC52BrhFZACo3nI0R7qBxhQmo/d27NFe96ur/b7Wwxklda+kg==}
+
+  '@types/whatwg-mimetype@3.0.2':
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-c2AKvDT8ToxLIOUlN51gTiHXflsfIFisS4pO7pDPoKouJCESkhZnEy623gwP9laCy5lnLDAw1vAzu2vM2YLOrA==}
+
+  '@types/ws@8.18.1':
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-ThVF6DCVhA8kUGy+aazFQ4kXQ7E1Ty7A3ypFOe0IcJV8O/M511G99AW24irKrW56Wt44yG9+ij8FaqoBGkuBXg==}
+
   '@vitest/expect@2.1.9':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-UJCIkTBenHeKT1TTlKMJWy1laZewsRIzYighyYiJKZreqtdxSos/S1t+ktRMQWu2CKqaarrkeszJx1cgC5tGZw==}
 
@@ -337,6 +349,10 @@ packages:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-Izi8RQcffqCeNVgFigKli1ssklIbpHnCYc6AknXGYoB6grJqyeby7jv12JUQgmTAnIDnbck1uxksT4dzN3PWBA==}
     engines: {node: '>=12'}
 
+  buffer-image-size@0.6.4:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-nEh+kZOPY1w+gcCMobZ6ETUp9WfibndnosbpwB1iJk/8Gt5ZF2bhS6+B6bPYz424KtwsR6Rflc3tCz1/ghX2dQ==}
+    engines: {node: '>=4.0'}
+
   cac@6.7.14:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-b6Ilus+c3RrdDk+JhLKUAQfzzgLEPy6wcXqS7f/xe1EETvsDP6GORG7SFuOs6cID5YkqchW/LXZbX5bc8j7ZcQ==}
     engines: {node: '>=8'}
@@ -362,6 +378,10 @@ packages:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-h5k/5U50IJJFpzfL6nO9jaaumfjO/f2NjK/oYB2Djzm4p9L+3T9qWpZqZ2hAbLPuuYq9wrU08WQyBTL5GbPk5Q==}
     engines: {node: '>=6'}
 
+  entities@7.0.1:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-TWrgLOFUQTH994YUyl1yT4uyavY5nNB5muff+RtWaqNVCAK408b5ZnnbNAUEWLTCpum9w6arT70i1XdQ4UeOPA==}
+    engines: {node: '>=0.12'}
+
   es-module-lexer@1.7.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-jEQoCwk8hyb2AZziIOLhDqpm5+2ww5uIE6lkO/6jcOCusfk6LhMHpXXfBLXTZ7Ydyt0j4VoUQv6uGNYbdW+kBA==}
 
@@ -382,6 +402,10 @@ packages:
     engines: {node: ^8.16.0 || ^10.6.0 || >=11.0.0}
     os: [darwin]
 
+  happy-dom@20.11.6:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-Hldbg8AdAa5a5oDcZpjqnGitp7JB0hqWmfv/8qr+kft4vzSD8BHsbdRfzYvL/0QcbKcURC/yyoygbeDQarPvYg==}
+    engines: {node: '>=20.0.0'}
+
   loupe@3.2.1:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-CdzqowRJCeLU72bHvWqwRBBlLcMEtIvGrlvef74kMnV2AolS9Y8xUv1I0U/MNAWMhBlKIoyuEgoJ0t/bbwHbLQ==}
 
@@ -451,6 +475,9 @@ packages:
     engines: {node: '>=14.17'}
     hasBin: true
 
+  undici-types@8.3.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-j375ScV60dom+YkPFIfTLcOiPxkN/buHz5GobjLhixFuANaNs3C9l4GmrWqejgXWJ7BbJcFYpTEUkS1Ge8bpZQ==}
+
   vite-node@2.1.9:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-AM9aQ/IPrW/6ENLQg3AGY4K1N2TGZdR5e4gu/MmmR2xR3Ll1+dib+nook92g4TV3PXVyeyxdWwtaCAiUL0hMxA==}
     engines: {node: ^18.0.0 || >=20.0.0}
@@ -512,11 +539,27 @@ packages:
       jsdom:
         optional: true
 
+  whatwg-mimetype@3.0.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-nt+N2dzIutVRxARx1nghPKGv1xHikU7HKdfafKkLNLindmPU/ch3U31NOCGGA/dmPcmb1VlofO0vnKAcsm0o/Q==}
+    engines: {node: '>=12'}
+
   why-is-node-running@2.3.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-hUrmaWBdVDcxvYqnyh09zunKzROWjbZTiNy8dBEjkS7ehEDQibXJ7XvlmtbwuTclUiIyN+CyXQD4Vmko8fNm8w==}
     engines: {node: '>=8'}
     hasBin: true
 
+  ws@8.21.3:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-201TZ/kPWxoPr/OKWjquZR1SWKXcvxdH+e1xrx89b3YbmzLMFCLfnaG1HFIgWzJOEWZ7MvpK++odZufgYR50Rw==}
+    engines: {node: '>=10.0.0'}
+    peerDependencies:
+      bufferutil: ^4.0.1
+      utf-8-validate: '>=5.0.2'
+    peerDependenciesMeta:
+      bufferutil:
+        optional: true
+      utf-8-validate:
+        optional: true
+
 snapshots:
 
   '@esbuild/aix-ppc64@0.21.5':
@@ -667,6 +710,16 @@ snapshots:
 
   '@types/estree@1.0.8': {}
 
+  '@types/node@26.2.0':
+    dependencies:
+      undici-types: 8.3.0
+
+  '@types/whatwg-mimetype@3.0.2': {}
+
+  '@types/ws@8.18.1':
+    dependencies:
+      '@types/node': 26.2.0
+
   '@vitest/expect@2.1.9':
     dependencies:
       '@vitest/spy': 2.1.9
@@ -674,13 +727,13 @@ snapshots:
       chai: 5.3.3
       tinyrainbow: 1.2.0
 
-  '@vitest/mocker@2.1.9(vite@5.4.21)':
+  '@vitest/mocker@2.1.9(vite@5.4.21(@types/node@26.2.0))':
     dependencies:
       '@vitest/spy': 2.1.9
       estree-walker: 3.0.3
       magic-string: 0.30.21
     optionalDependencies:
-      vite: 5.4.21
+      vite: 5.4.21(@types/node@26.2.0)
 
   '@vitest/pretty-format@2.1.9':
     dependencies:
@@ -715,6 +768,10 @@ snapshots:
 
   assertion-error@2.0.1: {}
 
+  buffer-image-size@0.6.4:
+    dependencies:
+      '@types/node': 26.2.0
+
   cac@6.7.14: {}
 
   chai@5.3.3:
@@ -733,6 +790,8 @@ snapshots:
 
   deep-eql@5.0.2: {}
 
+  entities@7.0.1: {}
+
   es-module-lexer@1.7.0: {}
 
   esbuild@0.21.5:
@@ -770,6 +829,19 @@ snapshots:
   fsevents@2.3.3:
     optional: true
 
+  happy-dom@20.11.6:
+    dependencies:
+      '@types/node': 26.2.0
+      '@types/whatwg-mimetype': 3.0.2
+      '@types/ws': 8.18.1
+      buffer-image-size: 0.6.4
+      entities: 7.0.1
+      whatwg-mimetype: 3.0.0
+      ws: 8.21.3
+    transitivePeerDependencies:
+      - bufferutil
+      - utf-8-validate
+
   loupe@3.2.1: {}
 
   magic-string@0.30.21:
@@ -843,13 +915,15 @@ snapshots:
 
   typescript@5.9.3: {}
 
-  vite-node@2.1.9:
+  undici-types@8.3.0: {}
+
+  vite-node@2.1.9(@types/node@26.2.0):
     dependencies:
       cac: 6.7.14
       debug: 4.4.3
       es-module-lexer: 1.7.0
       pathe: 1.1.2
-      vite: 5.4.21
+      vite: 5.4.21(@types/node@26.2.0)
     transitivePeerDependencies:
       - '@types/node'
       - less
@@ -861,18 +935,19 @@ snapshots:
       - supports-color
       - terser
 
-  vite@5.4.21:
+  vite@5.4.21(@types/node@26.2.0):
     dependencies:
       esbuild: 0.21.5
       postcss: 8.5.15
       rollup: 4.60.4
     optionalDependencies:
+      '@types/node': 26.2.0
       fsevents: 2.3.3
 
-  vitest@2.1.9:
+  vitest@2.1.9(@types/node@26.2.0)(happy-dom@20.11.6):
     dependencies:
       '@vitest/expect': 2.1.9
-      '@vitest/mocker': 2.1.9(vite@5.4.21)
+      '@vitest/mocker': 2.1.9(vite@5.4.21(@types/node@26.2.0))
       '@vitest/pretty-format': 2.1.9
       '@vitest/runner': 2.1.9
       '@vitest/snapshot': 2.1.9
@@ -888,9 +963,12 @@ snapshots:
       tinyexec: 0.3.2
       tinypool: 1.1.1
       tinyrainbow: 1.2.0
-      vite: 5.4.21
-      vite-node: 2.1.9
+      vite: 5.4.21(@types/node@26.2.0)
+      vite-node: 2.1.9(@types/node@26.2.0)
       why-is-node-running: 2.3.0
+    optionalDependencies:
+      '@types/node': 26.2.0
+      happy-dom: 20.11.6
     transitivePeerDependencies:
       - less
       - lightningcss
@@ -902,7 +980,11 @@ snapshots:
       - supports-color
       - terser
 
+  whatwg-mimetype@3.0.0: {}
+
   why-is-node-running@2.3.0:
     dependencies:
       siginfo: 2.0.0
       stackback: 0.0.2
+
+  ws@8.21.3: {}

web/src/api.ts

@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
 import * as routes from "./routes.js";
 import type {
   ApiError,
+  Branches,
   CreateSessionRequest,
   DaemonInfo,
   DirListing,
   GitRoot,
+  NameBatch,
+  Projects,
   RecentDirs,
   Session,
   Uuid,
@@ -61,12 +64,17 @@ export async function getDaemonInfo(): Promise<DaemonInfo> {
   return jsonOrError(await fetch(routes.INFO, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
 }
 
-/** Recently-used working dirs, newest-first and deduped by dir (#26). Drives the
- * spawn form's recents picker. */
+/** Recently-used working dirs, newest-first and deduped by dir (#26). */
 export async function recentDirs(): Promise<RecentDirs> {
   return jsonOrError(await fetch(routes.RECENT_DIRS, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
 }
 
+/** Every discovered git repository / worktree, newest-activity-first (#54).
+ * Drives the spawn form's project picker. */
+export async function projects(): Promise<Projects> {
+  return jsonOrError(await fetch(routes.PROJECTS, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
+}
+
 /** Probe the enclosing git repo of `path` (#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. */
@@ -75,4 +83,18 @@ export async function gitRoot(path: string): Promise<GitRoot> {
   return jsonOrError(await fetch(url, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
 }
 
+/** A batch of fresh session handles for the spawn form's instant reroll (#53).
+ * Rerolls consume the batch locally; only exhaustion goes back to the daemon. */
+export async function fetchNames(count: number): Promise<NameBatch> {
+  const url = `${routes.NAMES}?${routes.COUNT_QUERY}=${encodeURIComponent(count)}`;
+  return jsonOrError(await fetch(url, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
+}
+
+/** One repository's local branches, with worktree occupancy (#55). Empty for
+ * a path outside any repo. Drives the spawn form's existing-branch picker. */
+export async function fetchBranches(path: string): Promise<Branches> {
+  const url = routes.withPathQuery(routes.BRANCHES, path);
+  return jsonOrError(await fetch(url, { credentials: "same-origin" }));
+}
+
 export { eventsWsUrl } from "./routes.js";

web/src/dirAutocomplete.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { beforeEach, afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+vi.mock("./api.js", () => ({ listDir: vi.fn() }));
+
+import { attachDirAutocomplete, type DirAutocompleteHandle } from "./dirAutocomplete.js";
+import { listDir } from "./api.js";
+
+const listDirMock = vi.mocked(listDir);
+
+let input: HTMLInputElement;
+let nextField: HTMLInputElement;
+let docKeydown: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+let ac: DirAutocompleteHandle | undefined;
+
+function popup(): HTMLUListElement {
+  return document.querySelector(".dir-ac") as HTMLUListElement;
+}
+
+function items(): HTMLElement[] {
+  return [...popup().querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(".dir-ac-item")];
+}
+
+async function type(value: string): Promise<void> {
+  input.focus();
+  input.value = value;
+  input.dispatchEvent(new Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+  await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(100); // past the fetch debounce
+}
+
+/** Dispatch a cancelable, bubbling keydown on the input; report whether the
+ * default browser behaviour (focus move, form submit) was suppressed. */
+function press(key: string): { defaultPrevented: boolean } {
+  const evt = new KeyboardEvent("keydown", { key, bubbles: true, cancelable: true });
+  input.dispatchEvent(evt);
+  return { defaultPrevented: evt.defaultPrevented };
+}
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  vi.useFakeTimers();
+  document.body.replaceChildren();
+  input = document.createElement("input");
+  nextField = document.createElement("input");
+  document.body.append(input, nextField);
+  docKeydown = vi.fn();
+  document.addEventListener("keydown", docKeydown);
+  listDirMock.mockReset().mockResolvedValue({ path: "/tmp", entries: ["proj-a", "proj-b", "other"], truncated: false });
+});
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  ac?.destroy();
+  document.removeEventListener("keydown", docKeydown);
+  vi.useRealTimers();
+});
+
+describe("dirAutocomplete dismissal", () => {
+  it("Escape closes the popup, keeps the typed value and does not propagate", async () => {
+    ac = attachDirAutocomplete(input);
+    await type("/tmp/pro");
+    expect(popup().hidden).toBe(false);
+
+    const { defaultPrevented } = press("Escape");
+
+    expect(defaultPrevented).toBe(true);
+    expect(popup().hidden).toBe(true);
+    expect(input.value).toBe("/tmp/pro");
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(input);
+    expect(docKeydown).not.toHaveBeenCalled(); // a draft pane's Escape handler must not fire
+  });
+
+  it("blur dismisses the popup", async () => {
+    ac = attachDirAutocomplete(input);
+    await type("/tmp/pro");
+    expect(popup().hidden).toBe(false);
+
+    input.blur();
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(150);
+
+    expect(popup().hidden).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("does not reopen on refocus until the operator types again", async () => {
+    ac = attachDirAutocomplete(input);
+    await type("/tmp/pro");
+    input.blur();
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(150);
+
+    input.focus();
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(150);
+    expect(popup().hidden).toBe(true);
+
+    await type("/tmp/ot");
+    expect(popup().hidden).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("dirAutocomplete keyboard model", () => {
+  it("Tab commits the highlighted entry and lets focus move to the next field", async () => {
+    ac = attachDirAutocomplete(input);
+    await type("/tmp/pro"); // highlight defaults to the first match: proj-a
+
+    nextField.focus();
+    const { defaultPrevented } = press("Tab");
+
+    expect(input.value).toBe("/tmp/proj-a/");
+    expect(defaultPrevented).toBe(false); // native tab navigation proceeds
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(nextField); // focus was not yanked back
+  });
+
+  it("Tab with nothing highlighted just moves on", async () => {
+    ac = attachDirAutocomplete(input);
+    await type("/tmp/nope-matches-nothing");
+    expect(popup().hidden).toBe(true);
+
+    const { defaultPrevented } = press("Tab");
+
+    expect(defaultPrevented).toBe(false);
+    expect(input.value).toBe("/tmp/nope-matches-nothing");
+  });
+
+  it("arrows move the highlight and Enter commits it without submitting", async () => {
+    ac = attachDirAutocomplete(input);
+    await type("/tmp/");
+
+    press("ArrowDown");
+    expect(items()[1].classList.contains("is-active")).toBe(true);
+
+    const enter = press("Enter");
+    expect(enter.defaultPrevented).toBe(true); // no form submit
+    expect(input.value).toBe("/tmp/proj-b/");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("dirAutocomplete opening", () => {
+  it("still opens on focus when not previously dismissed", async () => {
+    ac = attachDirAutocomplete(input);
+    input.focus();
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(50);
+
+    expect(popup().hidden).toBe(false);
+    expect(listDirMock).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});

web/src/dirAutocomplete.ts

@@ -4,15 +4,19 @@
 // per directory, and filters the trailing path segment locally — so typing within a segment is instant and only crossing a `/`
 // hits the network. Keyboard model mirrors `cd dir/sub<tab>`:
 //
-//   Tab    complete the longest common prefix; if one match, accept it (and
-//          append `/` so the next level loads); if nothing to extend, cycle.
+//   Tab    commit the highlighted entry and let focus move on; with nothing
+//          highlighted, plain tab navigation
 //   ↑/↓    move the highlight
 //   Enter  accept the highlighted entry (and suppress form submit)
-//   Esc    close the dropdown
+//   Esc    close the dropdown, refocus the input, and swallow the key so it
+//          can't also discard a surrounding draft pane
+//
+// Once dismissed (Esc or blur) the popup stays closed until the operator types
+// again — refocusing alone doesn't reopen it.
 //
 // Failures (offline daemon, permission denied) degrade to no suggestions.
 
-import { longestCommonPrefix, splitPath } from "./paths.js";
+import { splitPath } from "./paths.js";
 import { listDir } from "./api.js";
 
 export interface DirAutocompleteHandle {
@@ -42,6 +46,9 @@ export function attachDirAutocomplete(input: HTMLInputElement): DirAutocompleteH
   let fetchSeq = 0;
   let debounce: number | undefined;
   let open = false;
+  // Set when the operator dismissed the popup (Esc, blur, outside click); a
+  // refocus must not reopen it — only new typing does.
+  let dismissed = false;
 
 
   function close(): void {
@@ -54,6 +61,11 @@ export function attachDirAutocomplete(input: HTMLInputElement): DirAutocompleteH
     window.removeEventListener("resize", reposition);
   }
 
+  function dismiss(): void {
+    dismissed = true;
+    close();
+  }
+
   function reposition(): void {
     const r = input.getBoundingClientRect();
     dropdown.style.left = `${r.left}px`;
@@ -97,6 +109,14 @@ export function attachDirAutocomplete(input: HTMLInputElement): DirAutocompleteH
   }
 
   function applyFilter(entries: string[], prefix: string): void {
+    // A fetch can outlive the dismissal that was meant to close this popup
+    // (Tab-commit re-arms a refresh, then blur dismisses 120ms later). Showing
+    // it now would anchor a dropdown under an unfocused input that nothing
+    // closes until the next interaction.
+    if (dismissed || document.activeElement !== input) {
+      close();
+      return;
+    }
     const lower = prefix.toLowerCase();
     filtered = entries.filter((e) => e.toLowerCase().startsWith(lower));
     highlight = filtered.length > 0 ? 0 : -1;
@@ -132,21 +152,28 @@ export function attachDirAutocomplete(input: HTMLInputElement): DirAutocompleteH
   }
 
   // Accept `name` as the next path segment: complete it and append `/` so the
-  // child directory's listing loads immediately (the drill-in gesture).
-  function accept(name: string): void {
+  // child directory's listing loads on the next interaction (the drill-in
+  // gesture). Unlike `accept`, doesn't steal focus — Tab uses this to commit
+  // and move to the next field in one gesture.
+  function commit(name: string): void {
     const { dir } = splitPath(input.value);
     input.value = `${dir}${name}/`;
-    input.focus();
-    // Notify other listeners (spawn.ts marks the field user-edited) and load
-    // the child level.
+    // Notify other listeners (spawnForm marks the field user-edited).
     input.dispatchEvent(new Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
   }
 
+  function accept(name: string): void {
+    commit(name);
+    input.focus();
+  }
+
   function onInput(): void {
+    dismissed = false;
     scheduleRefresh();
   }
 
   function onFocus(): void {
+    if (dismissed) return;
     refresh();
   }
 
@@ -154,27 +181,17 @@ export function attachDirAutocomplete(input: HTMLInputElement): DirAutocompleteH
     if (e.key === "Escape") {
       if (open) {
         e.preventDefault();
-        close();
+        // Swallow the key: an Escape that bubbles would also discard the
+        // draft pane hosting this form.
+        e.stopPropagation();
+        dismiss();
+        input.focus();
       }
       return;
     }
     if (e.key === "Tab") {
-      if (!open || filtered.length === 0) return; // let focus move normally
-      e.preventDefault();
-      if (filtered.length === 1) {
-        accept(filtered[0]);
-        return;
-      }
-      const { dir, prefix } = splitPath(input.value);
-      const lcp = longestCommonPrefix(filtered);
-      if (lcp.length > prefix.length) {
-        input.value = `${dir}${lcp}`;
-        input.dispatchEvent(new Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
-      } else {
-        // Nothing to extend — cycle the highlight like a second shell <tab>.
-        highlight = (highlight + 1) % filtered.length;
-        render();
-      }
+      if (!open || highlight < 0 || highlight >= filtered.length) return; // plain tab navigation
+      commit(filtered[highlight]); // no preventDefault — focus moves to the next field
       return;
     }
     if (!open) return;
@@ -196,7 +213,7 @@ export function attachDirAutocomplete(input: HTMLInputElement): DirAutocompleteH
 
   function onBlur(): void {
     // Delay so a dropdown mousedown can complete first.
-    window.setTimeout(close, 120);
+    window.setTimeout(dismiss, 120);
   }
 
   input.addEventListener("input", onInput);

web/src/mock.ts

@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ 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;
+/** Stub the spawn-form backend endpoints (#26/#59) so `?mock&spawn` renders the
+ * full flow — presets, projects, gitroot — with no daemon running. Dev-only;
  * delegates every other request to the real `fetch`. */
 function stubSpawnApi(): void {
   const real = globalThis.fetch.bind(globalThis);
@@ -61,16 +61,39 @@ function stubSpawnApi(): void {
         }),
       );
     }
-    if (path.includes("/recent-dirs")) {
+    if (path.includes("/projects")) {
+      const now = Date.now();
+      const iso = (daysAgo: number) => new Date(now - daysAgo * 86_400_000).toISOString();
       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,
-        }),
+        json([
+          {
+            path: "/home/dev/git/maestro",
+            name: "maestro",
+            is_worktree: false,
+            last_activity: iso(0),
+            last_command: "claude",
+          },
+          {
+            path: "/home/dev/worktrees/maestro-59",
+            name: "maestro-59",
+            is_worktree: true,
+            base_repo: "/home/dev/git/maestro",
+            last_activity: iso(1),
+            last_command: "opencode",
+          },
+          {
+            path: "/home/dev/git/dotfiles",
+            name: "dotfiles",
+            is_worktree: false,
+            last_activity: iso(30),
+            last_command: "zsh",
+          },
+          {
+            path: "/home/dev/work/acme/api",
+            name: "api",
+            is_worktree: false,
+          },
+        ]),
       );
     }
     if (path.includes("/gitroot")) {
@@ -113,7 +136,7 @@ export function seedMock(store: CatalogStore): void {
   });
 
   // `?mock&spawn` auto-opens the spawn modal for visual review, with the spawn
-  // backend endpoints stubbed so presets/recents/gitroot all render.
+  // backend endpoints stubbed so presets/projects/gitroot all render.
   if (location.search.includes("spawn")) {
     stubSpawnApi();
     void import("./spawn.js").then((m) => m.openSpawnModal());

web/src/multiview.ts

@@ -152,10 +152,16 @@ export function createMultiView(opts: MultiViewOptions): MultiView {
           leaf.draft = values;
         },
         onSuccess: (session) => {
-          leaf.sessionId = session.id;
-          leaf.draft = null;
+          // The pane can be closed while the POST is in flight. Mounting the
+          // session onto a leaf no longer in the tree would strand it in no
+          // pane at all, so only claim the leaf while it is still there.
           const t = activeTab(layout);
-          if (leaves(t.root).includes(leaf)) t.focusedLeafId = leaf.id;
+          const attached = leaves(t.root).includes(leaf);
+          if (attached) {
+            leaf.sessionId = session.id;
+            leaf.draft = null;
+            t.focusedLeafId = leaf.id;
+          }
           render();
           opts.onOpenSessionsChange?.();
         },

web/src/names.ts

@@ -1,29 +0,0 @@
-// Client-side session-handle generator for the spawn form's instant reroll
-// (#23/#27). The spawn form rerolls without a round trip, so the wordlists
-// live here; nothing server-side generates handles.
-
-/** 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)}`;
-}

web/src/persistence.test.ts

@@ -99,4 +99,30 @@ describe("serializeLayout", () => {
     }
     expect(leaves(restored!.tabs[0].root).map((l) => l.sessionId)).toEqual(["s1", null]);
   });
+
+  it("keeps the draft out of the stored blob itself, not just out of hydrate", () => {
+    // A draft pane only exists once a tab has split, so the strip has to walk
+    // into split branches; asserting on the restored layout alone passes even
+    // when the draft was written to localStorage, because hydrate drops it.
+    const layout = hydrate({
+      tabs: [
+        {
+          id: "t",
+          root: {
+            kind: "split",
+            dir: "row",
+            a: { kind: "leaf", id: "l1", sessionId: "s1" },
+            b: { kind: "leaf", id: "l2", sessionId: null },
+          },
+        },
+      ],
+      activeTabId: "t",
+    }) as Layout;
+    const draftLeaf = leaves(layout.tabs[0].root).find((l) => !l.sessionId)!;
+    draftLeaf.draft = { command: "claude", cwd: "/home/user/secret-project", name: "amber-fox" };
+
+    const raw = serializeLayout(layout);
+    expect(raw).not.toContain("secret-project");
+    expect(raw).not.toContain("amber-fox");
+  });
 });

web/src/persistence.ts

@@ -34,7 +34,12 @@ export function serializeLayout(layout: Layout): string {
 }
 
 function stripDrafts(node: Node | null): Node | null {
-  if (!node || node.kind !== "leaf") return node;
+  if (!node) return node;
+  // Recurse: a draft pane only exists once a tab has split, so a shallow strip
+  // would persist every half-filled form it was meant to drop.
+  if (node.kind === "split") {
+    return { ...node, a: stripDrafts(node.a)!, b: stripDrafts(node.b)! };
+  }
   return { ...node, draft: null };
 }
 

web/src/projectList.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import { filterProjects, groupProjects, isStale, sortProjects } from "./projectList.js";
+import type { Project } from "./types.js";
+
+const NOW = new Date("2026-08-23T12:00:00Z");
+
+function project(overrides: Partial<Project>): Project {
+  return {
+    path: `/home/user/${overrides.name ?? "proj"}`,
+    name: "proj",
+    is_worktree: false,
+    last_activity: undefined,
+    last_command: undefined,
+    ...overrides,
+  } as Project;
+}
+
+describe("isStale", () => {
+  it("marks projects with no known activity stale", () => {
+    expect(isStale(project({ name: "never" }), NOW)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("is fresh within 7 days and stale beyond", () => {
+    const fresh = project({ name: "fresh", last_activity: "2026-08-17T00:00:00Z" });
+    const stale = project({ name: "stale", last_activity: "2026-08-16T11:59:00Z" });
+    expect(isStale(fresh, NOW)).toBe(false);
+    expect(isStale(stale, NOW)).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("sortProjects", () => {
+  it("sorts newest-activity first", () => {
+    const a = project({ name: "a", last_activity: "2026-08-20T00:00:00Z" });
+    const b = project({ name: "b", last_activity: "2026-08-22T00:00:00Z" });
+    expect(sortProjects([a, b], NOW).map((p) => p.name)).toEqual(["b", "a"]);
+  });
+
+  it("sorts stale rows after fresh ones, each block newest first", () => {
+    const freshOld = project({ name: "fresh-old", last_activity: "2026-08-18T00:00:00Z" });
+    const freshNew = project({ name: "fresh-new", last_activity: "2026-08-23T00:00:00Z" });
+    const staleNew = project({ name: "stale-new", last_activity: "2026-08-10T00:00:00Z" });
+    const staleNone = project({ name: "stale-none" });
+    const sorted = sortProjects([staleNew, freshOld, staleNone, freshNew], NOW);
+    expect(sorted.map((p) => p.name)).toEqual(["fresh-new", "fresh-old", "stale-new", "stale-none"]);
+  });
+
+  it("does not mutate the input", () => {
+    const a = project({ name: "a", last_activity: "2026-08-01T00:00:00Z" });
+    const b = project({ name: "b", last_activity: "2026-08-02T00:00:00Z" });
+    sortProjects([a, b], NOW);
+    expect(a.name).toBe("a");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("groupProjects", () => {
+  it("keeps plain repositories as their own single-entry group", () => {
+    const solo = project({ name: "solo" });
+    expect(groupProjects(sortProjects([solo], NOW))).toEqual([{ main: solo, worktrees: [] }]);
+  });
+
+  it("nests worktrees under their base repository even when fresher than it", () => {
+    const main = project({ name: "maestro" });
+    const wt = project({
+      name: "wt",
+      path: "/elsewhere/wt",
+      is_worktree: true,
+      base_repo: main.path,
+      last_activity: "2026-08-23T00:00:00Z",
+    });
+    const groups = groupProjects(sortProjects([wt, main], NOW));
+    expect(groups).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(groups[0].main).toBe(main);
+    expect(groups[0].worktrees).toEqual([wt]);
+  });
+
+  it("orders groups by the freshest member and worktrees by activity", () => {
+    const mainA = project({ name: "a", path: "/w/a", last_activity: "2026-08-01T00:00:00Z" });
+    const wtA = project({
+      name: "a-wt",
+      path: "/w/a-wt",
+      is_worktree: true,
+      base_repo: "/w/a",
+      last_activity: "2026-08-20T00:00:00Z",
+    });
+    const mainB = project({ name: "b", path: "/w/b", last_activity: "2026-08-15T00:00:00Z" });
+    const wtB1 = project({
+      name: "b-wt1",
+      path: "/w/b-wt1",
+      is_worktree: true,
+      base_repo: "/w/b",
+      last_activity: "2026-08-19T00:00:00Z",
+    });
+    const wtB2 = project({
+      name: "b-wt2",
+      path: "/w/b-wt2",
+      is_worktree: true,
+      base_repo: "/w/b",
+      last_activity: "2026-08-21T00:00:00Z",
+    });
+
+    const groups = groupProjects(sortProjects([mainA, mainB, wtB1, wtA, wtB2], NOW));
+    expect(groups.map((g) => g.main.name)).toEqual(["b", "a"]);
+    const gA = groups.find((g) => g.main.name === "a")!;
+    const gB = groups.find((g) => g.main.name === "b")!;
+    expect(gA.worktrees.map((p) => p.name)).toEqual(["a-wt"]);
+    expect(gB.worktrees.map((p) => p.name)).toEqual(["b-wt2", "b-wt1"]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("filterProjects", () => {
+  const maestro = project({ name: "maestro", path: "/home/u/git/maestro" });
+  const tea = project({ name: "tea", path: "/home/u/work/tea" });
+
+  it("matches on name case-insensitively", () => {
+    expect(filterProjects([maestro, tea], "MAES")).toEqual([maestro]);
+  });
+
+  it("matches on the full path", () => {
+    expect(filterProjects([maestro, tea], "work")).toEqual([tea]);
+  });
+
+  it("returns everything unchanged for an empty query", () => {
+    expect(filterProjects([maestro, tea], "  ")).toEqual([maestro, tea]);
+  });
+});

web/src/projectList.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+// Pure helpers behind the spawn form's project picker (#59): staleness,
+// recency ordering, worktree grouping, and free-text filtering. The daemon
+// reports the timestamps; what "stale" means is a client decision (#54).
+
+import type { Project } from "./types.js";
+
+/** Projects whose last activity is older than this are dimmed and sort after
+ * fresh ones — still reachable, visibly stale (#59). */
+export const STALE_AFTER_DAYS = 7;
+
+export function isStale(project: Project, now: Date): boolean {
+  if (!project.last_activity) return true;
+  const age = now.getTime() - Date.parse(project.last_activity);
+  return !(age >= 0) || age > STALE_AFTER_DAYS * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
+}
+
+/** Fresh rows first, each block newest-activity-first; unknown or future
+ * timestamps sort as stalest. Ties fall back to name so the order is stable. */
+export function sortProjects(projects: Project[], now: Date): Project[] {
+  return [...projects].sort((a, b) => {
+    const staleDiff = (isStale(a, now) ? 1 : 0) - (isStale(b, now) ? 1 : 0);
+    if (staleDiff !== 0) return staleDiff;
+    const ta = timeOf(a);
+    const tb = timeOf(b);
+    if (ta !== tb) return tb - ta;
+    return a.name.localeCompare(b.name) || a.path.localeCompare(b.path);
+  });
+}
+
+function timeOf(project: Project): number {
+  return project.last_activity ? Date.parse(project.last_activity) : Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY;
+}
+
+/** One repository group: the main checkout followed by its linked worktrees.
+ * A group's position follows its freshest member, since a worktree worked on
+ * today should pull its (dormant) base repo up with it. */
+export interface ProjectGroup {
+  main: Project;
+  worktrees: Project[];
+}
+
+/** Group `sorted` projects by their base repository. A worktree nests under
+ * its main checkout even when the main sorts later; a main checkout missing
+ * from the list doesn't drop its worktrees. */
+export function groupProjects(sorted: Project[]): ProjectGroup[] {
+  const members = new Map<string, Project[]>();
+  const keys: string[] = [];
+  for (const p of sorted) {
+    const key = p.base_repo ?? p.path;
+    let list = members.get(key);
+    if (!list) {
+      list = [];
+      members.set(key, list);
+      keys.push(key);
+    }
+    list.push(p);
+  }
+  return keys.map((key) => {
+    const list = members.get(key)!;
+    const main = list.find((p) => p.path === key && !p.is_worktree) ?? list[0];
+    // Keep the daemon's newest-first order within the group.
+    const worktrees = list
+      .filter((p) => p !== main)
+      .sort((a, b) => timeOf(b) - timeOf(a));
+    return { main, worktrees };
+  });
+}
+
+/** Substring filter over project name and full path, case-insensitive. */
+export function filterProjects(projects: Project[], query: string): Project[] {
+  const q = query.trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (!q) return [...projects];
+  return projects.filter(
+    (p) => p.name.toLowerCase().includes(q) || p.path.toLowerCase().includes(q),
+  );
+}

web/src/projectPicker.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+import { createSpawnForm, type SpawnFormHandle } from "./spawnForm.js";
+import type { Project } from "./types.js";
+
+const NOW = "2026-08-23T12:00:00Z";
+
+function project(overrides: Partial<Project>): Project {
+  return {
+    path: `/home/user/${overrides.name ?? "proj"}`,
+    name: "proj",
+    is_worktree: false,
+    ...overrides,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Three fetches gate the form's initial load: /api/info, /api/projects, and
+ * the /api/names batch (#53). */
+function stubFetch(info: unknown, projects: Project[]): void {
+  vi.stubGlobal(
+    "fetch",
+    vi.fn(async (input: RequestInfo | URL) => {
+      const url = String(input);
+      const body = url.includes("/api/info")
+        ? info
+        : url.includes("/api/projects")
+          ? projects
+          : url.includes("/api/names")
+            ? { names: ["allegro-cello", "presto-fugue", "adagio-lyre"] }
+            : undefined;
+      return new Response(JSON.stringify(body), { status: 200 });
+    }),
+  );
+}
+
+function rowPaths(form: HTMLFormElement): string[] {
+  return [...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".project-row:not(.project-other)")].map(
+    (r) => r.dataset.cwd ?? "",
+  );
+}
+
+describe("spawnForm project picker", () => {
+  let handle: SpawnFormHandle | null = null;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers({ now: Date.parse(NOW) });
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    handle?.destroy();
+    handle = null;
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  async function mount(projects: Project[], seed?: Parameters<typeof createSpawnForm>[0]["seed"]) {
+    stubFetch({ hostname: "h", version: "0", home_dir: "/home/user", presets: [] }, projects);
+    handle = createSpawnForm({
+      seed,
+      onSuccess() {},
+    });
+    document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+    for (let i = 0; i < 20; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+    return handle;
+  }
+
+  it("renders one row per project, fresh before stale", async () => {
+    const fresh = project({ name: "fresh", path: "/home/user/fresh", last_activity: NOW });
+    const stale = project({
+      name: "stale",
+      path: "/home/user/stale",
+      last_activity: "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+    });
+    const form = (await mount([stale, fresh])).el;
+    expect(rowPaths(form)).toEqual(["/home/user/fresh", "/home/user/stale"]);
+    const rows = [...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".project-row")];
+    expect(rows[1].classList.contains("is-stale")).toBe(true);
+    expect(rows[0].classList.contains("is-stale")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("nests worktrees under their base repository", async () => {
+    const main = project({ name: "maestro", path: "/home/user/maestro" });
+    const wt = project({
+      name: "wt",
+      path: "/elsewhere/wt",
+      is_worktree: true,
+      base_repo: main.path,
+    });
+    const form = (await mount([wt, main])).el;
+    expect(rowPaths(form)).toEqual(["/home/user/maestro", "/elsewhere/wt"]);
+    const [mainRow, wtRow] = [
+      ...form.querySelectorAll(".project-row:not(.project-other)"),
+    ];
+    expect(wtRow.classList.contains("is-worktree")).toBe(true);
+    expect(mainRow.classList.contains("is-worktree")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("filters rows as the operator types", async () => {
+    const a = project({ name: "maestro", path: "/home/user/maestro" });
+    const b = project({ name: "tea", path: "/home/user/work/tea" });
+    const form = (await mount([a, b])).el;
+    const filter = form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".project-filter")!;
+    filter.value = "tea";
+    filter.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+    expect(rowPaths(form)).toEqual(["/home/user/work/tea"]);
+    filter.value = "zzz";
+    filter.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+    expect(rowPaths(form)).toEqual([]);
+    expect(form.querySelector(".picker-empty")).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  it("picking a project selects its cwd and pre-selects its last command", async () => {
+    const p = project({
+      name: "maestro",
+      path: "/home/user/maestro",
+      last_command: "claude",
+    });
+    const onChange = vi.fn();
+    stubFetch(
+      {
+        hostname: "h",
+        version: "0",
+        home_dir: "/home/user",
+        presets: [
+          { id: "claude", label: "Claude", command: "claude" },
+          { id: "custom", label: "Custom…", command: "" },
+        ],
+      },
+      [p],
+    );
+    handle = createSpawnForm({ onSuccess() {}, onChange });
+    const form = handle.el;
+    document.body.appendChild(form);
+    for (let i = 0; i < 20; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+    onChange.mockClear();
+
+    const row = form.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(".project-row")!;
+    row.click();
+
+    const values = form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>("input[name=name]")!.value;
+    const last = onChange.mock.lastCall![0];
+    expect(last.cwd).toBe("/home/user/maestro");
+    expect(last.command).toBe("claude");
+    expect(values).toBeTruthy();
+    // The raw input stays hidden — the picked row is the source of truth.
+    expect((form.querySelector(".cwd-raw-wrap") as HTMLElement).hidden).toBe(true);
+    expect(row.classList.contains("is-active")).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps an 'Other directory…' escape hatch that reveals the raw input", async () => {
+    const p = project({ name: "maestro", path: "/home/user/maestro" });
+    const form = (await mount([p])).el;
+    const other = form.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(".project-other")!;
+    other.click();
+    expect((form.querySelector(".cwd-raw-wrap") as HTMLElement).hidden).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to the raw input when no projects exist", async () => {
+    const form = (await mount([])).el;
+    expect((form.querySelector(".cwd-raw-wrap") as HTMLElement).hidden).toBe(false);
+    const raw = form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".cwd-raw")!;
+    expect(raw.value).toBe("/home/user");
+  });
+});

web/src/routes.ts

@@ -9,12 +9,18 @@ export const SESSIONS = "/api/sessions";
 export const INFO = "/api/info";
 export const DIRS = "/api/dirs";
 export const RECENT_DIRS = "/api/recent-dirs";
+export const PROJECTS = "/api/projects";
 export const GITROOT = "/api/gitroot";
+export const NAMES = "/api/names";
+export const BRANCHES = "/api/branches";
 export const EVENTS = "/api/events";
 
 /** Name of the query parameter `DIRS` and `GITROOT` both take. */
 export const PATH_QUERY = "path";
 
+/** Name of the query parameter `NAMES` takes. */
+export const COUNT_QUERY = "count";
+
 export function session(id: Uuid): string {
   return `${SESSIONS}/${encodeURIComponent(id)}`;
 }

web/src/spawnForm.test.ts

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ const base: SpawnFormValues = {
   name: "amber-fox",
   worktreeEnabled: false,
   worktreeBranch: "",
-  worktreeCleanup: false,
+  worktreeBranchMode: "new",
 };
 
 describe("buildSpawnRequest", () => {
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ describe("buildSpawnRequest", () => {
     expect(res).toEqual({ req: { cwd: base.cwd, command: base.command, metadata: {} } });
   });
 
-  it("attaches a trimmed branch and cleanup flag when worktree is enabled", () => {
+  it("attaches a trimmed branch when worktree is enabled, and always cleans up", () => {
     const res = buildSpawnRequest(
-      { ...base, worktreeEnabled: true, worktreeBranch: " feat/foo ", worktreeCleanup: true },
+      { ...base, worktreeEnabled: true, worktreeBranch: "  feat/foo  " },
       "/home/user/project",
     );
     expect(res).toEqual({
@@ -34,11 +34,50 @@ describe("buildSpawnRequest", () => {
         cwd: base.cwd,
         command: base.command,
         metadata: { name: "amber-fox" },
-        worktree: { base_repo: "/home/user/project", branch: "feat/foo", cleanup_on_kill: true },
+        worktree: {
+          base_repo: "/home/user/project",
+          branch: "feat/foo",
+          cleanup_on_kill: true,
+          create_branch: true,
+        },
       },
     });
   });
 
+  it("checks out an existing branch when the mode is existing (#61)", () => {
+    const res = buildSpawnRequest(
+      {
+        ...base,
+        worktreeEnabled: true,
+        worktreeBranch: "spawn-v2",
+        worktreeBranchMode: "existing",
+      },
+      "/home/user/project",
+    );
+    expect(res).toEqual({
+      req: {
+        cwd: base.cwd,
+        command: base.command,
+        metadata: { name: "amber-fox" },
+        worktree: {
+          base_repo: "/home/user/project",
+          branch: "spawn-v2",
+          cleanup_on_kill: true,
+          create_branch: false,
+        },
+      },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("rejects an existing-mode worktree with no branch picked", () => {
+    expect(
+      buildSpawnRequest(
+        { ...base, worktreeEnabled: true, worktreeBranch: "", worktreeBranchMode: "existing" },
+        "/repo",
+      ),
+    ).toHaveProperty("error");
+  });
+
   it("rejects a missing working directory", () => {
     expect(buildSpawnRequest({ ...base, cwd: "" }, null)).toHaveProperty("error");
   });

web/src/spawnForm.ts

@@ -1,10 +1,21 @@
 import { escapeHtml } from "./html.js";
-import { createSession, getDaemonInfo, recentDirs, gitRoot } from "./api.js";
+import {
+  createSession,
+  fetchBranches,
+  fetchNames,
+  getDaemonInfo,
+  projects as fetchProjects,
+  gitRoot,
+} from "./api.js";
 import { attachDirAutocomplete } from "./dirAutocomplete.js";
-import { generateName } from "./names.js";
-import type { CreateSessionRequest, RecentDir, Session, SpawnPreset } from "./types.js";
+import { filterProjects, groupProjects, isStale, sortProjects } from "./projectList.js";
+import type { BranchInfo, CreateSessionRequest, Project, Session, SpawnPreset } from "./types.js";
 import { abbreviateCwd, abbreviateFolderName } from "./types.js";
 
+/** Where a worktree's branch comes from: freshly created (default) or picked
+ * from the repository's existing branches (#61). */
+export type WorktreeBranchMode = "new" | "existing";
+
 /** Seed values for the spawn form — used by "clone" to reopen with the same
  * cwd, command, and name as an existing session, and by draft panes to restore
  * their own half-filled state after a re-render. */
@@ -14,7 +25,7 @@ export interface SpawnFormSeed {
   name?: string;
   worktreeEnabled?: boolean;
   worktreeBranch?: string;
-  worktreeCleanup?: boolean;
+  worktreeBranchMode?: WorktreeBranchMode;
   cwdRawVisible?: boolean;
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +37,8 @@ export interface SpawnFormValues {
   name: string;
   worktreeEnabled: boolean;
   worktreeBranch: string;
-  worktreeCleanup: boolean;
+  /** "new" creates the branch; "existing" checks out a picked one (#61). */
+  worktreeBranchMode: WorktreeBranchMode;
   /** Whether the cwd lives in the raw text input (vs a picked recent row). */
   cwdRawVisible?: boolean;
 }
@@ -49,13 +61,21 @@ export function buildSpawnRequest(
   };
 
   if (values.worktreeEnabled) {
+    const mode = values.worktreeBranchMode ?? "new";
     const branch = values.worktreeBranch.trim();
     if (!baseRepo) return { error: "Worktree needs a directory inside a git repository." };
-    if (!branch) return { error: "Worktree requires a branch name." };
+    if (!branch) {
+      return { error: mode === "existing" ? "Pick an existing branch." : "Worktree requires a branch name." };
+    }
     req.worktree = {
       base_repo: baseRepo,
       branch,
-      cleanup_on_kill: values.worktreeCleanup,
+      // The daemon always cleans up, guarded against unsaved work (#56);
+      // the wire field stays for older daemons.
+      cleanup_on_kill: true,
+      // Existing-mode picks must check out as-is; the daemon creates
+      // anything else with `worktree add -b` (#56/#61).
+      create_branch: mode !== "existing",
     };
   }
 
@@ -87,7 +107,7 @@ export interface SpawnFormOptions {
   onSuccess: (session: Session) => void;
 }
 
-/** The spawn form itself — preset tiles, recent-dirs picker, name, worktree.
+/** The spawn form itself — preset tiles, project picker, name, worktree.
  * Shared by the modal (`spawn.ts`) and inline draft panes (issue #57). */
 export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   const prefill = opts.seed ?? {};
@@ -103,7 +123,9 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     </div>
     <div class="field">
       <span class="field-label">Working directory</span>
-      <div class="picker recents"></div>
+      <input class="raw-input project-filter" type="text" placeholder="Filter projects…"
+             autocomplete="off" />
+      <div class="picker projects"></div>
       <div class="raw-wrap cwd-raw-wrap" hidden>
         <input class="raw-input cwd-raw" name="cwd_raw" type="text"
                placeholder="/home/user/project" inputmode="text" autocomplete="off" />
@@ -126,13 +148,23 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
       <p class="wt-hint" hidden></p>
       <div class="wt-body" hidden>
         <p class="wt-repo"></p>
-        <label>
+        <div class="wt-mode" role="radiogroup" aria-label="Branch source">
+          <label class="row-inline">
+            <input type="radio" name="worktree_branch_mode" value="new" />
+            New branch
+          </label>
+          <label class="row-inline">
+            <input type="radio" name="worktree_branch_mode" value="existing" />
+            Existing branch
+          </label>
+        </div>
+        <label class="wt-new-wrap">
           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 class="wt-exist-wrap" hidden>
+          Branch
+          <select class="branch-select"></select>
         </label>
       </div>
     </fieldset>
@@ -147,17 +179,21 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   const errEl = form.querySelector(".form-error") as HTMLElement;
   const cmdTiles = form.querySelector(".cmd-tiles") as HTMLElement;
   const cmdRaw = form.querySelector(".cmd-raw") as HTMLInputElement;
-  const recentsEl = form.querySelector(".recents") as HTMLElement;
+  const recentsEl = form.querySelector(".projects") as HTMLElement;
+  const filterInput = form.querySelector(".project-filter") as HTMLInputElement;
   const cwdRawWrap = form.querySelector(".cwd-raw-wrap") as HTMLElement;
   const cwdRaw = form.querySelector(".cwd-raw") as HTMLInputElement;
   const wtEnabled = form.querySelector("input[name=worktree_enabled]") as HTMLInputElement;
   const wtHint = form.querySelector(".wt-hint") as HTMLElement;
   const wtBody = form.querySelector(".wt-body") as HTMLElement;
   const wtRepo = form.querySelector(".wt-repo") as HTMLElement;
+  const modeRadios = [
+    ...form.querySelectorAll<HTMLInputElement>("input[name=worktree_branch_mode]"),
+  ];
+  const newWrap = form.querySelector(".wt-new-wrap") as HTMLElement;
+  const existWrap = form.querySelector(".wt-exist-wrap") as HTMLElement;
   const branchInput = form.querySelector("input[name=worktree_branch]") as HTMLInputElement;
-  const cleanupInput = form.querySelector(
-    "input[name=worktree_cleanup_on_kill]",
-  ) as HTMLInputElement;
+  const branchSelect = form.querySelector(".branch-select") as HTMLSelectElement;
   const nameInput = form.querySelector("input[name=name]") as HTMLInputElement;
 
   // ---- form state ------------------------------------------------------
@@ -166,20 +202,34 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   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 inferredBaseRepo: string | null = null; // from the gitroot probe or the project scan
   let probeToken = 0; // guards async gitroot probes against races
-  // A seed's cwd, applied once the (async) recents load for the initial host
+  // A seed's cwd, applied once the (async) projects load for the initial host
   // settles — so the fetch can't race past and clobber the seeded directory.
   let seedCwd: string | null = prefill.cwd ?? null;
+  let branchMode: WorktreeBranchMode = prefill.worktreeBranchMode ?? "new";
+  let branchToken = 0; // guards async branch-list loads against races
+  // Branch list for the current cwd — refetched whenever the target changes.
+  let branchCache: { cwd: string; branches: BranchInfo[] } | null = null;
 
+  // `emit` stays silent until the initial load settles and goes silent again
+  // once the form is destroyed. Construction runs with `cwd === ""` and the
+  // seed is only restored two fetches later, so emitting in between would
+  // blank the leaf's draft; and `multiview.render()` rebuilds forms while the
+  // old one's fetches are still in flight, so a destroyed form emitting would
+  // clobber the live one's leaf (#57 review).
+  let ready = false;
+  let destroyed = false;
+  const branchValue = () => (branchMode === "existing" ? branchSelect.value : branchInput.value);
   const emit = () => {
+    if (!ready || destroyed) return;
     opts.onChange?.({
       command,
       cwd,
       name: nameInput.value,
       worktreeEnabled: wtEnabled.checked,
-      worktreeBranch: branchInput.value,
-      worktreeCleanup: cleanupInput.checked,
+      worktreeBranch: branchValue(),
+      worktreeBranchMode: branchMode,
       cwdRawVisible: !cwdRawWrap.hidden,
     });
   };
@@ -187,13 +237,51 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   // ---- name (also seeds the worktree branch) ---------------------------
   // The worktree branch defaults to the session name — including a clone's
   // prefilled name — and tracks it on reroll/edit until the user types their
-  // own branch.
+  // own branch. Only in "new" mode: an existing-branch pick is not a name.
   let branchEdited = Boolean(prefill.worktreeBranch);
   const syncBranchToName = () => {
-    if (!branchEdited) branchInput.value = nameInput.value;
+    if (!branchEdited && branchMode === "new") branchInput.value = nameInput.value;
   };
-  nameInput.value = prefill.name ?? generateName();
+  // Handles come from `GET /api/names` in batches (#53): the first one seeds
+  // the field, rerolls consume the rest locally so they stay instant, and a
+  // new batch is fetched when (and only when) the queue runs dry. One refill
+  // at a time keeps rapid rerolls from storming the daemon.
+  const NAME_BATCH_SIZE = 20;
+  let nameQueue: string[] = [];
+  let nameFetch: Promise<void> | null = null;
+  // Guards against a late batch clobbering something the operator already
+  // typed or rerolled.
+  let nameTouched = Boolean(prefill.name);
+  const refillNames = (): Promise<void> => {
+    if (!nameFetch) {
+      nameFetch = fetchNames(NAME_BATCH_SIZE)
+        .then((batch) => {
+          if (!destroyed) nameQueue.push(...batch.names);
+        })
+        .catch(() => {
+          /* reroll just stays on the current name */
+        })
+        .finally(() => {
+          nameFetch = null;
+        });
+    }
+    return nameFetch;
+  };
+
+  nameInput.value = prefill.name ?? "";
+  if (!nameTouched) {
+    void refillNames().then(() => {
+      if (destroyed || nameTouched || nameInput.value) return;
+      const next = nameQueue.shift();
+      if (next !== undefined) {
+        nameInput.value = next;
+        syncBranchToName();
+        emit();
+      }
+    });
+  }
   nameInput.addEventListener("input", () => {
+    nameTouched = true;
     syncBranchToName();
     emit();
   });
@@ -202,21 +290,36 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     emit();
   });
   (form.querySelector(".reroll") as HTMLButtonElement).addEventListener("click", () => {
-    nameInput.value = generateName();
-    syncBranchToName();
-    emit();
+    nameTouched = true;
+    const apply = () => {
+      if (destroyed) return;
+      const next = nameQueue.shift();
+      if (next === undefined) return;
+      nameInput.value = next;
+      syncBranchToName();
+      emit();
+    };
+    // Only hit the daemon when the local batch is exhausted.
+    if (nameQueue.length === 0) {
+      void refillNames().then(apply);
+    } else {
+      apply();
+    }
   });
   syncBranchToName(); // seed the branch from the initial name
 
   // ---- command tiles ---------------------------------------------------
-  function selectPreset(id: string): void {
+  // `focus` is false for the two initial applications (construction, and again
+  // when `/api/info` resolves): a draft pane must not grab the caret out from
+  // under the operator seconds after it mounts.
+  function selectPreset(id: string, focus = true): 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();
+      if (focus) cmdRaw.focus();
     } else {
       command = preset!.command;
     }
@@ -270,17 +373,17 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     if (wanted) {
       const match = presets.find((p) => p.command === wanted && p.command !== "");
       if (match) {
-        selectPreset(match.id);
+        selectPreset(match.id, false);
       } else {
         const custom = presets.find((p) => p.command === "");
         cmdRaw.value = wanted;
-        selectPreset(custom ? custom.id : "custom");
+        selectPreset(custom ? custom.id : "custom", false);
         command = wanted;
       }
       return;
     }
     const first = presets.find((p) => p.command !== "");
-    if (first) selectPreset(first.id);
+    if (first) selectPreset(first.id, false);
   }
 
   // ---- working-directory picker ---------------------------------------
@@ -288,21 +391,25 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     cwdRawWrap.hidden = false;
     if (prefillValue != null) cwd = prefillValue;
     cwdRaw.value = cwd;
-    markActiveRecent(null);
+    markActiveProject(null);
     if (focus) {
       cwdRaw.focus();
       cwdRaw.select();
     }
+    // Both the visibility and the directory are draft state: without this a
+    // render before the operator types snaps back to the project picker.
+    emit();
   }
 
   cwdRaw.addEventListener("input", () => {
     cwd = cwdRaw.value.trim();
+    branchCache = null;
     emit();
     if (wtEnabled.checked) probeGitRoot();
   });
 
-  function markActiveRecent(activeCwd: string | null): void {
-    for (const row of recentsEl.querySelectorAll(".recent-row")) {
+  function markActiveProject(activeCwd: string | null): void {
+    for (const row of recentsEl.querySelectorAll(".project-row")) {
       row.classList.toggle(
         "is-active",
         (row as HTMLElement).dataset.cwd === activeCwd,
@@ -310,75 +417,101 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     }
   }
 
-  function selectRecent(dir: RecentDir): void {
-    cwd = dir.cwd;
+  function selectProject(project: Project): void {
+    cwd = project.path;
     cwdRawWrap.hidden = true;
-    markActiveRecent(dir.cwd);
+    markActiveProject(project.path);
+    // The scan already knows this directory is inside a repo (#61): the
+    // toggle defaults back on and no /api/gitroot round trip is needed.
+    wtEnabled.checked = true;
+    applyProjectRepo(project.base_repo ?? project.path);
     emit();
-    // 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 !== "");
+    // Picking a project pre-selects the command it was last used with.
+    const match = presets.find((p) => p.command === project.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()).dirs ?? [];
-    } catch {
-      dirs = [];
-    }
+  let discovered: Project[] = []; // daemon snapshot, daemon-sorted
+
+  function renderProjects(): void {
     recentsEl.replaceChildren();
-    for (const dir of dirs) {
-      recentsEl.appendChild(recentRow(dir));
+    const sorted = sortProjects(filterProjects(discovered, filterInput.value), new Date());
+    for (const group of groupProjects(sorted)) {
+      recentsEl.appendChild(projectRow(group.main));
+      for (const wt of group.worktrees) recentsEl.appendChild(projectRow(wt));
+    }
+    if (discovered.length > 0 && sorted.length === 0) {
+      const empty = document.createElement("p");
+      empty.className = "picker-empty";
+      empty.textContent = "No projects match.";
+      recentsEl.appendChild(empty);
     }
-    // Persistent escape hatch + empty-history fallback.
     recentsEl.appendChild(otherDirRow());
+    markActiveProject(cwdRawWrap.hidden ? cwd : null);
+  }
+
+  filterInput.addEventListener("input", renderProjects);
+
+  async function loadProjects(): Promise<void> {
+    recentsEl.replaceChildren(loadingRow());
+    try {
+      discovered = await fetchProjects();
+    } catch {
+      discovered = [];
+    }
+    if (destroyed) return;
+    renderProjects();
     if (seedCwd) {
-      // A seed sets the directory verbatim, regardless of recorded history.
+      // A seed sets the directory verbatim, regardless of what the scan found.
       // `cwdRawVisible === false` marks a draft restore whose cwd came from a
-      // picked recent row: keep the picker and don't steal focus. Otherwise
-      // land focused in the raw input (clone / empty-history flows).
+      // picked row: keep the picker and don't steal focus. Otherwise land
+      // focused in the raw input (clone / no-match flows).
       if (prefill.cwdRawVisible === false) {
         cwd = seedCwd;
         cwdRaw.value = seedCwd;
-        markActiveRecent(cwd);
+        markActiveProject(cwd);
       } else {
-        showRawCwd(seedCwd);
+        showRawCwd(seedCwd, false);
       }
       seedCwd = null;
-    } else if (dirs.length === 0) {
-      // No history: default to raw input prefilled with the daemon's home dir.
-      showRawCwd(homeDir);
+    } else if (discovered.length === 0) {
+      // Nothing discovered yet: default to raw input prefilled with home.
+      showRawCwd(homeDir, false);
     } else {
       cwdRawWrap.hidden = true;
     }
-    // The seeded cwd is in place — a restored worktree can probe now.
-    if (wtEnabled.checked) void probeGitRoot();
+    // Everything seeded: the form may publish from here on.
+    ready = true;
+    resolveBaseRepo();
+    emit();
   }
 
-  function recentRow(dir: RecentDir): HTMLElement {
+  function projectRow(project: Project): HTMLElement {
     const row = document.createElement("button");
     row.type = "button";
-    row.className = "recent-row";
-    row.dataset.cwd = dir.cwd;
+    row.className = `project-row${project.is_worktree ? " is-worktree" : ""}${
+      isStale(project, new Date()) ? " is-stale" : ""
+    }`;
+    row.dataset.cwd = project.path;
     // Abbreviate exactly like the sidebar: home → `~`, then collapse leading
     // segments to initials (`~/g/n/maestro`). The full path stays in the tooltip
     // and `dataset.cwd` (what's actually submitted).
-    const display = abbreviateFolderName(abbreviateCwd(dir.cwd, homeDir));
+    const display = abbreviateFolderName(abbreviateCwd(project.path, homeDir));
     row.innerHTML = `
-      <span class="recent-dir" title="${escapeHtml(dir.cwd)}">${display}</span>
-      <span class="recent-cmd">${escapeHtml(dir.last_command)}</span>`;
-    row.addEventListener("click", () => selectRecent(dir));
+      <span class="project-info">
+        <span class="project-name">${escapeHtml(project.name)}</span>
+        <span class="recent-dir" title="${escapeHtml(project.path)}">${display}</span>
+      </span>
+      <span class="recent-cmd">${escapeHtml(project.last_command ?? "")}</span>`;
+    row.addEventListener("click", () => selectProject(project));
     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.className = "project-row project-other";
+    row.innerHTML = `<span class="project-info"><span class="recent-dir">Other directory…</span></span>`;
     row.addEventListener("click", () => showRawCwd(cwd || homeDir));
     return row;
   }
@@ -386,11 +519,41 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   function loadingRow(): HTMLElement {
     const p = document.createElement("p");
     p.className = "picker-loading";
-    p.textContent = "Loading recent directories…";
+    p.textContent = "Loading projects…";
     return p;
   }
 
-  // ---- worktree (branch-only; base_repo inferred via /gitroot) ----------
+  // ---- worktree (branch-only; base_repo inferred via scan or /gitroot) --
+  // The project scan already reports repo membership, so a picked project
+  // resolves its base repo locally (#61); only the free-text escape hatch
+  // pays for a /api/gitroot probe.
+  function applyProjectRepo(repo: string): void {
+    inferredBaseRepo = repo;
+    branchCache = null;
+    wtHint.hidden = true;
+    wtBody.hidden = false;
+    wtRepo.textContent = `repo: ${repo}`;
+    if (branchMode === "existing") void loadBranches();
+  }
+
+  /** Decide how the worktree section describes the current target. Called
+   * once the initial load has settled `cwd`. */
+  function resolveBaseRepo(): void {
+    if (!cwd) {
+      inferredBaseRepo = null;
+      wtBody.hidden = true;
+      wtHint.hidden = false;
+      wtHint.textContent = "Choose a working directory first.";
+      return;
+    }
+    const project = discovered.find((p) => p.path === cwd);
+    if (project) {
+      applyProjectRepo(project.base_repo ?? project.path);
+      return;
+    }
+    void probeGitRoot();
+  }
+
   async function probeGitRoot(): Promise<void> {
     const token = ++probeToken;
     if (!cwd) {
@@ -411,45 +574,101 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     }
     if (token !== probeToken) return; // a newer probe superseded us
     if (root) {
-      inferredBaseRepo = root;
-      wtHint.hidden = true;
-      wtBody.hidden = false;
-      wtRepo.textContent = `repo: ${root} (inferred)`;
+      applyProjectRepo(root);
     } else {
       inferredBaseRepo = null;
+      // Publish the untick too, or the next render seeds the box checked with
+      // no inferred repo and submitting fails.
       wtEnabled.checked = false;
+      emit();
       wtBody.hidden = true;
       wtHint.hidden = false;
       wtHint.textContent = "Not inside a git repository — pick a dir in a repo to use a worktree.";
     }
   }
 
+  // ---- existing-branch picker (#61) -------------------------------------
+  function setBranchMode(mode: WorktreeBranchMode): void {
+    branchMode = mode;
+    for (const radio of modeRadios) radio.checked = radio.value === mode;
+    newWrap.hidden = mode !== "new";
+    existWrap.hidden = mode !== "existing";
+    if (mode === "existing") void loadBranches();
+    emit();
+  }
+
+  /** Fetch the target repo's branches once per cwd. Like every async load in
+   * this form: token-guarded, and nothing touches the DOM (or emits) after
+   * destroy() — a late response into a rebuilt form would corrupt that
+   * form's draft (#57 review). */
+  async function loadBranches(): Promise<void> {
+    if (!cwd || !inferredBaseRepo) return;
+    const token = ++branchToken;
+    if (branchCache?.cwd !== cwd) {
+      const target = cwd;
+      let branches: BranchInfo[];
+      try {
+        branches = await fetchBranches(target);
+      } catch {
+        return; // picker just stays empty; "new" mode still works
+      }
+      if (destroyed || token !== branchToken || cwd !== target) return;
+      branchCache = { cwd: target, branches };
+    }
+    renderBranchOptions();
+  }
+
+  function renderBranchOptions(): void {
+    if (destroyed) return;
+    const branches = branchCache?.cwd === cwd ? branchCache.branches : [];
+    branchSelect.replaceChildren();
+    const opt = (label: string, value: string) => {
+      const o = document.createElement("option");
+      o.textContent = label;
+      o.value = value;
+      return o;
+    };
+    if (branches.length === 0) {
+      branchSelect.appendChild(opt("No local branches found.", ""));
+      return;
+    }
+    for (const b of branches) {
+      // A branch another worktree holds stays visible but unpickable — git
+      // would refuse to check it out twice; the path says who holds it.
+      const o = opt(b.worktree ? `${b.name} — held by ${b.worktree}` : b.name, b.name);
+      o.disabled = Boolean(b.worktree);
+      o.title = b.worktree ?? "";
+      branchSelect.appendChild(o);
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (const radio of modeRadios) {
+    radio.addEventListener("change", () => {
+      if (radio.checked) setBranchMode(radio.value as WorktreeBranchMode);
+    });
+  }
+  branchSelect.addEventListener("change", () => emit());
+
   wtEnabled.addEventListener("change", () => {
     emit();
     if (wtEnabled.checked) {
-      probeGitRoot();
+      resolveBaseRepo();
     } else {
       inferredBaseRepo = null;
       wtBody.hidden = true;
       wtHint.hidden = true;
     }
   });
-  cleanupInput.addEventListener("change", emit);
 
-  // A seeded worktree restores its checkbox/body up front; its gitroot probe
-  // waits for loadRecents to apply the seeded cwd.
-  if (prefill.worktreeEnabled || prefill.worktreeBranch || prefill.worktreeCleanup) {
-    wtEnabled.checked = Boolean(prefill.worktreeEnabled);
-    if (prefill.worktreeBranch) branchInput.value = prefill.worktreeBranch;
-    cleanupInput.checked = Boolean(prefill.worktreeCleanup);
-    wtBody.hidden = !wtEnabled.checked;
-    wtHint.hidden = true;
-    emit();
-  }
+  // The toggle defaults ON (#61): the operator almost always wants a
+  // worktree, and every non-repo target unticks it via the gitroot probe.
+  wtEnabled.checked = prefill.worktreeEnabled ?? true;
+  if (prefill.worktreeBranch) branchInput.value = prefill.worktreeBranch;
+  setBranchMode(branchMode);
 
   // Seed ordering: the raw-cwd application races the async info load (which
-  // provides homeDir for the recents' abbreviations), so recents wait for it.
-  void infoLoad.then(() => loadRecents());
+  // provides homeDir for the projects' abbreviations), so projects wait for it.
+  void infoLoad.then(() => loadProjects());
 
   // ---- live dir autocomplete on the raw cwd input (NAP-329) ------------
   const autocomplete = attachDirAutocomplete(cwdRaw);
@@ -464,8 +683,8 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
         cwd,
         name: nameInput.value,
         worktreeEnabled: wtEnabled.checked,
-        worktreeBranch: branchInput.value,
-        worktreeCleanup: cleanupInput.checked,
+        worktreeBranch: branchValue(),
+        worktreeBranchMode: branchMode,
       },
       inferredBaseRepo,
     );
@@ -488,6 +707,7 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   return {
     el: form,
     destroy() {
+      destroyed = true;
       autocomplete.destroy();
       form.remove();
     },

web/src/spawnFormNames.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+import { createSpawnForm, type SpawnFormHandle } from "./spawnForm.js";
+
+const BATCH_A = ["allegro-cello", "presto-fugue", "adagio-lyre"];
+const BATCH_B = ["forte-oboe", "largo-tuba", "vivace-harp"];
+
+/** Stub the three fetches the form's initial load makes. Records every
+ * /api/names URL so tests can assert how many batches were fetched. */
+function stubFetch(batches: string[][]): string[] {
+  let batch = 0;
+  const nameUrls: string[] = [];
+  vi.stubGlobal(
+    "fetch",
+    vi.fn(async (input: RequestInfo | URL) => {
+      const url = String(input);
+      if (url.includes("/api/names")) {
+        nameUrls.push(url);
+        const names = batches[Math.min(batch, batches.length - 1)];
+        batch += 1;
+        return new Response(JSON.stringify({ names }), { status: 200 });
+      }
+      const body = url.includes("/api/info")
+        ? { hostname: "h", version: "0", home_dir: "/home/user", presets: [] }
+        : [];
+      return new Response(JSON.stringify(body), { status: 200 });
+    }),
+  );
+  return nameUrls;
+}
+
+describe("spawnForm name batch (#53)", () => {
+  let handle: SpawnFormHandle | null = null;
+  let nameUrls: string[];
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    handle?.destroy();
+    handle = null;
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  async function mount(seed?: Parameters<typeof createSpawnForm>[0]["seed"]) {
+    nameUrls = stubFetch([BATCH_A, BATCH_B]);
+    handle = createSpawnForm({ seed, onSuccess() {} });
+    document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+    for (let i = 0; i < 40; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+    return handle.el;
+  }
+
+  const nameOf = (form: HTMLFormElement) =>
+    form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>("input[name=name]")!.value;
+
+  function reroll(form: HTMLFormElement): void {
+    form.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(".reroll")!.click();
+  }
+
+  async function drain(): Promise<void> {
+    for (let i = 0; i < 40; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+  }
+
+  it("seeds its name from a fetched batch when no seed provides one", async () => {
+    const form = await mount();
+    expect(BATCH_A).toContain(nameOf(form));
+    expect(nameUrls).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(nameUrls[0]).toContain("/api/names");
+    expect(nameUrls[0]).toContain("count=");
+  });
+
+  it("keeps a seeded name and defers fetching until the first reroll", async () => {
+    const form = await mount({ name: "my-session" });
+    expect(nameOf(form)).toBe("my-session");
+    expect(nameUrls ?? []).toHaveLength(0);
+
+    reroll(form);
+    await drain();
+    expect(nameOf(form)).not.toBe("my-session");
+    expect(nameUrls).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
+  it("rerolls locally from the batch with no extra round trips", async () => {
+    const form = await mount();
+    expect(nameUrls).toHaveLength(1);
+    const seen = new Set([nameOf(form)]);
+
+    for (let i = 0; i < BATCH_A.length; i++) {
+      reroll(form);
+      seen.add(nameOf(form));
+    }
+    await drain();
+
+    // Every value came from the one fetched batch.
+    expect(seen.size).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
+    for (const value of seen) {
+      expect([...BATCH_A, ...BATCH_B]).toContain(value);
+    }
+    expect(nameUrls).toHaveLength(2); // refetch fired when the batch ran out
+    expect(nameUrls[1]).toContain("/api/names");
+  });
+
+  it("refetches only once even if rerolls outpace the network", async () => {
+    const form = await mount();
+    // Drain the batch without awaiting between rerolls.
+    for (let i = 0; i < BATCH_A.length + 1; i++) reroll(form);
+    await drain();
+    // One refill in flight covers the whole run — no fetch storm.
+    expect(nameUrls.length).toBeLessThanOrEqual(2);
+  });
+
+  it("does not clobber an operator-typed name when the batch arrives late", async () => {
+    nameUrls = stubFetch([BATCH_A]);
+    handle = createSpawnForm({ onSuccess() {} });
+    const form = handle.el;
+    document.body.appendChild(form);
+
+    // The operator types before the fetch resolves.
+    const input = form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>("input[name=name]")!;
+    input.value = "hand-typed";
+    input.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+    for (let i = 0; i < 40; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+
+    expect(nameOf(form)).toBe("hand-typed");
+  });
+});

web/src/spawnFormWorktree.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,172 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+import { createSpawnForm, type SpawnFormHandle, type SpawnFormValues } from "./spawnForm.js";
+
+const PROJECTS = [
+  { path: "/home/user/maestro", name: "maestro", last_activity: "2026-08-20T10:00:00Z" },
+];
+
+const BRANCHES = [
+  { name: "main", is_head: true },
+  { name: "spawn-v2", is_head: false, worktree: "/home/user/wt-spawn" },
+  { name: "free-branch", is_head: false },
+];
+
+/** Stub the fetches the form makes. `gateBranches` (when given) holds the
+ * /api/branches response until released, so tests can destroy the form while
+ * its branch list is still in flight. */
+function stubFetch(opts?: {
+  gateBranches?: (release: () => void) => void;
+}): string[] {
+  const urls: string[] = [];
+  const gated = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+    if (opts?.gateBranches) opts.gateBranches(resolve);
+    else resolve();
+  });
+  vi.stubGlobal(
+    "fetch",
+    vi.fn(async (input: RequestInfo | URL) => {
+      const url = String(input);
+      urls.push(url);
+      if (url.includes("/api/names")) {
+        return new Response(JSON.stringify({ names: ["amber-fox"] }), { status: 200 });
+      }
+      if (url.includes("/api/branches")) {
+        await gated;
+        return new Response(JSON.stringify(BRANCHES), { status: 200 });
+      }
+      if (url.includes("/api/projects")) {
+        return new Response(JSON.stringify(PROJECTS), { status: 200 });
+      }
+      return new Response(
+        JSON.stringify({ hostname: "h", version: "0", home_dir: "/home/user", presets: [] }),
+        { status: 200 },
+      );
+    }),
+  );
+  return urls;
+}
+
+describe("spawnForm worktree defaults and branch picker (#61)", () => {
+  let handle: SpawnFormHandle | null = null;
+  let urls: string[];
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    handle?.destroy();
+    handle = null;
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  async function mount(
+    seed?: Parameters<typeof createSpawnForm>[0]["seed"],
+    onChange?: (values: SpawnFormValues) => void,
+  ) {
+    urls = stubFetch();
+    handle = createSpawnForm({ seed, onSuccess() {}, onChange });
+    document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+    for (let i = 0; i < 40; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+    return handle.el;
+  }
+
+  const drain = async () => {
+    for (let i = 0; i < 40; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+  };
+
+  function pickProject(form: HTMLFormElement): void {
+    form.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(".project-row.project-other")!.click();
+    form
+      .querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".project-row")
+      .forEach((row) => row.dataset.cwd === "/home/user/maestro" && row.click());
+  }
+
+  it("defaults the worktree toggle on for a picked project with no gitroot probe", async () => {
+    const form = await mount();
+    expect(form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>("input[name=worktree_enabled]")!.checked).toBe(
+      true,
+    );
+
+    pickProject(form);
+    await drain();
+
+    expect(urls.some((u) => u.includes("/api/gitroot"))).toBe(false);
+    expect(form.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".wt-repo")!.textContent).toContain(
+      "/home/user/maestro",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("still probes the gitroot for a free-text directory", async () => {
+    const form = await mount();
+
+    // Escape hatch: switch to a free-text dir; only now does /api/gitroot fire.
+    form.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".project-row.project-other")!.click();
+    const raw = form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>("input[name=cwd_raw]")!;
+    raw.value = "/opt/somewhere";
+    raw.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+    await drain();
+
+    expect(urls.some((u) => u.includes("/api/gitroot"))).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("populates existing branches, disabling ones held by another worktree", async () => {
+    const form = await mount();
+    pickProject(form);
+
+    const radio = form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(
+      'input[name=worktree_branch_mode][value="existing"]',
+    )!;
+    radio.click();
+    await drain();
+
+    const select = form.querySelector<HTMLSelectElement>(".branch-select")!;
+    expect(urls.some((u) => u.includes("/api/branches?path="))).toBe(true);
+    const options = [...select.options];
+    expect(options.map((o) => o.value)).toEqual(["main", "spawn-v2", "free-branch"]);
+    const held = options.find((o) => o.value === "spawn-v2")!;
+    expect(held.disabled).toBe(true);
+    expect(held.textContent).toContain("/home/user/wt-spawn");
+    expect(options.find((o) => o.value === "free-branch")!.disabled).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("emits the branch mode as draft state when it changes", async () => {
+    const changes: SpawnFormValues[] = [];
+    const form = await mount(undefined, (v) => changes.push(v));
+    await drain();
+
+    const radio = form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(
+      'input[name=worktree_branch_mode][value="existing"]',
+    )!;
+    radio.click();
+    await drain();
+
+    const modes = changes.map((c) => (c as { worktreeBranchMode?: string }).worktreeBranchMode);
+    expect(modes).toContain("new");
+    expect(modes.at(-1)).toBe("existing");
+  });
+
+  it("does not repopulate a destroyed form when the branch list lands late", async () => {
+    const gate: { release?: () => void } = {};
+    urls = stubFetch({ gateBranches: (r) => (gate.release = r) });
+    handle = createSpawnForm({ onSuccess() {} });
+    document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+    for (let i = 0; i < 40; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+
+    pickProject(handle.el);
+    handle.el
+      .querySelector<HTMLInputElement>('input[name=worktree_branch_mode][value="existing"]')!
+      .click();
+
+    handle.destroy();
+    gate.release?.();
+    await drain();
+
+    expect(
+      handle.el.querySelector<HTMLSelectElement>(".branch-select")!.options.length,
+    ).toBe(0);
+  });
+});

web/src/styles.css

@@ -1448,7 +1448,8 @@ textarea {
   color: var(--muted);
 }
 
-/* Recent-dirs picker rows. */
+/* Project picker rows (#59). Worktree rows are indented under their base
+   repository; rows stale beyond 7 days are dimmed but still selectable. */
 .picker {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
@@ -1459,7 +1460,11 @@ textarea {
   scrollbar-color: var(--border-strong) transparent;
 }
 
-.recent-row {
+.project-filter {
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
+.project-row {
   display: flex;
   align-items: baseline;
   justify-content: space-between;
@@ -1477,18 +1482,40 @@ textarea {
     background var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out);
 }
 
-.recent-row:hover {
+.project-row:hover {
   border-color: var(--border-strong);
 }
 
-.recent-row.is-active {
+.project-row.is-active {
   border-color: var(--accent);
   background: var(--accent-tint);
 }
 
+.project-row.is-worktree {
+  margin-left: var(--sp-4);
+}
+
+.project-row.is-stale {
+  opacity: 0.55;
+}
+
+.project-info {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: baseline;
+  gap: var(--sp-2);
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.project-name {
+  font-size: var(--fs-13);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
 .recent-dir {
   font-family: var(--font-mono);
-  font-size: var(--fs-14);
+  font-size: var(--fs-12);
+  color: var(--muted);
   overflow: hidden;
   text-overflow: ellipsis;
   white-space: nowrap;
@@ -1501,12 +1528,18 @@ textarea {
   color: var(--muted);
 }
 
-.recent-other .recent-dir {
-  color: var(--muted);
+.project-other .recent-dir {
   font-family: inherit;
   font-style: italic;
 }
 
+.picker-empty {
+  margin: 0;
+  padding: 6px var(--sp-3);
+  color: var(--faint);
+  font-size: var(--fs-13);
+}
+
 .picker-loading {
   margin: 0;
   padding: 6px var(--sp-3);
@@ -1542,6 +1575,16 @@ textarea {
   color: var(--muted);
 }
 
+/* New-vs-existing branch source (#61). */
+.wt-mode {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: var(--sp-4);
+}
+
+.branch-select {
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
 /* Generated-name field with a reroll button. */
 .name-row {
   display: flex;
@@ -2079,6 +2122,12 @@ textarea {
   overflow-y: auto;
   scrollbar-width: thin;
   scrollbar-color: var(--border-strong) transparent;
+  /* The modal form got its stacking and padding from `.modal-body`; in a pane
+     the form is the host, so it carries them itself. */
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: var(--sp-2);
+  padding: var(--sp-3);
 }
 
 /* pane tools cluster (disconnect / split / close), top-right corner. The attach

web/src/types.ts

@@ -83,12 +83,56 @@ export interface GitRoot {
   root?: string;
 }
 
+/** `GET /api/names?count=N` — a batch of fresh session handles (#53). Mirrors
+ * `maestro_protocol::NameBatch`. */
+export interface NameBatch {
+  names: string[];
+}
+
+/** One discovered git repository (or linked worktree) for `GET /api/projects`
+ * (#54). Mirrors `maestro_protocol::Project`. */
+export interface Project {
+  /** Absolute path of the repository/worktree toplevel. */
+  path: string;
+  /** Basename of `path`. */
+  name: string;
+  is_worktree?: boolean;
+  /** The main checkout this worktree belongs to; absent on plain repos. */
+  base_repo?: string;
+  /** Later of the repo's git HEAD mtime and the newest spawn-history use of
+   * any directory inside it; absent when neither is known. */
+  last_activity?: IsoTimestamp;
+  /** Command last spawned in this project, from spawn history. */
+  last_command?: string;
+}
+
+/** `GET /api/projects` — every discovered project, sorted by the daemon
+ * newest-activity-first (#54). */
+export type Projects = Project[];
+
 export interface WorktreeSpec {
   base_repo: string;
   branch: string;
   cleanup_on_kill?: boolean;
+  /** When false, `branch` already exists and is checked out as-is (#61).
+   * Defaults to true (create a new branch) on older daemons. */
+  create_branch?: boolean;
 }
 
+/** One local branch of the enclosing repository, from `GET /api/branches`
+ * (#55). Mirrors `maestro_protocol::BranchInfo`. */
+export interface BranchInfo {
+  /** Short branch name (`main`, `feature/foo`). */
+  name: string;
+  /** Whether this branch is the main checkout's current HEAD. */
+  is_head: boolean;
+  /** Toplevel path of the linked worktree holding this branch, if any. */
+  worktree?: string | null;
+}
+
+/** `GET /api/branches?path=` — the local branches of one repository (#55). */
+export type Branches = BranchInfo[];
+
 export interface CreateSessionRequest {
   cwd: string;
   command: string;