fix(maestro): tool icon left of diff stat on sidebar meta line

Meta line fragment order was command last, after the blocked-work diff
stat, so the tool icon sat right of the diff count instead of left.
Reorder to duration/detail/command/diff-stat in both web and TUI
sidebars per docs/SIDEBAR.md, and update the contract doc + TUI tests
to match.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CLAUDE.md

@@ -71,6 +71,11 @@ before changing anything that creates or removes one.
 sidebars — line layout, activity colours, duration format, state precedence.
 Read it before changing sidebar rendering.
 
+`docs/RESTART.md` is the contract for what clients do when the daemon restarts
+or is upgraded under them — the build stamp on `/api/info`, the status
+indicator's states, the blocking overlay, grace and poll timings. Read it
+before changing reconnect behaviour on either client.
+
 `nix run .#dev` (or `just dev`) brings up the whole local stack under
 process-compose: a debug daemon on 127.0.0.1:7071, then Vite on :5173 once the
 daemon answers `/api/info`. The SPA proxies `/api/*` back to the daemon, so only

crates/maestro-cli/tests/against_mock_daemon.rs

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ async fn info_carries_version_and_presets() {
             label: "Claude".into(),
             command: "claude".into(),
         }],
+        ..Default::default()
     });
 
     let info = mock.client().daemon_info().await.expect("info");

crates/maestro-config/src/lib.rs

@@ -174,10 +174,20 @@ pub struct TuiSection {
 /// Palette presets supported by the TUI's `[tui].theme` setting.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum TuiTheme {
-    /// The terminal-native dark palette and the default.
+    /// The graphite dark palette and the default.
     Dark,
     /// A high-contrast light palette.
     Light,
+    /// Ice Cyan — cyan accent on the graphite base.
+    IceCyan,
+    /// Periwinkle — indigo base, blue-violet accent.
+    Periwinkle,
+    /// Amber Phosphor — CRT amber on warm graphite.
+    AmberPhosphor,
+    /// Ember — warm orange-red accent.
+    Ember,
+    /// Orchid — muted violet accent.
+    Orchid,
     /// Named ANSI colours, allowing the terminal to provide the colour set.
     Ansi,
     /// Solarized Dark.
@@ -204,6 +214,11 @@ pub enum TuiTheme {
 pub const TUI_THEMES: &[(&str, TuiTheme)] = &[
     ("dark", TuiTheme::Dark),
     ("light", TuiTheme::Light),
+    ("ice-cyan", TuiTheme::IceCyan),
+    ("periwinkle", TuiTheme::Periwinkle),
+    ("amber-phosphor", TuiTheme::AmberPhosphor),
+    ("ember", TuiTheme::Ember),
+    ("orchid", TuiTheme::Orchid),
     ("ansi", TuiTheme::Ansi),
     ("solarized-dark", TuiTheme::SolarizedDark),
     ("solarized-light", TuiTheme::SolarizedLight),

crates/maestro-daemon/build.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+//! Stamps the daemon binary with the commit it was built from, so
+//! `GET /api/info` can tell clients which release they are talking to.
+//!
+//! Two sources, in order:
+//!
+//! 1. `MAESTRO_BUILD_COMMIT` / `MAESTRO_BUILD_DATE` / `MAESTRO_BUILD_DIRTY` in
+//!    the environment. The Nix build has no `.git` in its source tree (crane
+//!    filters it out), so `flake.nix` passes the flake's own revision this way.
+//! 2. The git checkout the crate is being compiled in.
+//!
+//! Neither available leaves the values empty; clients treat that as "unknown
+//! release" rather than an error.
+
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::process::Command;
+
+fn main() {
+    println!("cargo:rerun-if-env-changed=MAESTRO_BUILD_COMMIT");
+    println!("cargo:rerun-if-env-changed=MAESTRO_BUILD_DATE");
+    println!("cargo:rerun-if-env-changed=MAESTRO_BUILD_DIRTY");
+    // Rebuild when HEAD moves, so a plain `cargo build` after a commit or a
+    // branch switch restamps instead of serving the previous hash.
+    for f in ["HEAD", "ORIG_HEAD"] {
+        if let Some(p) = git_dir().map(|d| d.join(f)) {
+            if p.exists() {
+                println!("cargo:rerun-if-changed={}", p.display());
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    let commit = env_or_git("MAESTRO_BUILD_COMMIT", &["rev-parse", "--short=12", "HEAD"]);
+    let date = env_or_git("MAESTRO_BUILD_DATE", &["log", "-1", "--format=%cI"]);
+    let dirty = match std::env::var("MAESTRO_BUILD_DIRTY") {
+        Ok(v) => v == "1" || v.eq_ignore_ascii_case("true"),
+        Err(_) => !git(&["status", "--porcelain"])
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+            .is_empty(),
+    };
+
+    println!("cargo:rustc-env=MAESTRO_BUILD_COMMIT={commit}");
+    println!("cargo:rustc-env=MAESTRO_BUILD_DATE={date}");
+    println!("cargo:rustc-env=MAESTRO_BUILD_DIRTY={dirty}");
+}
+
+/// The environment variable if set and non-empty, else what git reports, else
+/// an empty string.
+fn env_or_git(var: &str, args: &[&str]) -> String {
+    match std::env::var(var) {
+        Ok(v) if !v.trim().is_empty() => v.trim().to_string(),
+        _ => git(args).unwrap_or_default(),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Run `git` inside the crate's source tree. `None` when git is missing, the
+/// tree is not a checkout, or the command fails — every one of which is a
+/// legitimate way to build Maestro.
+fn git(args: &[&str]) -> Option<String> {
+    let out = Command::new("git")
+        .args(args)
+        .current_dir(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"))
+        .output()
+        .ok()?;
+    if !out.status.success() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    Some(String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout).trim().to_string())
+}
+
+/// Absolute path of the `.git` directory (a worktree's `.git` is a file
+/// pointing elsewhere, and `--git-common-dir` resolves both).
+fn git_dir() -> Option<PathBuf> {
+    let dir = git(&["rev-parse", "--path-format=absolute", "--git-common-dir"])?;
+    if dir.is_empty() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    Some(PathBuf::from(dir))
+}

crates/maestro-daemon/src/lib.rs

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ pub mod panes;
 pub mod proc;
 pub mod projects;
 pub mod pty;
+pub mod release;
 pub mod session;
 pub mod sidecar;
 pub mod spawn_history;

crates/maestro-daemon/src/local_api.rs

@@ -155,6 +155,8 @@ async fn daemon_info(State(s): State<LocalApiState>) -> Json<DaemonInfo> {
         version: PROTOCOL_VERSION.into(),
         home_dir: (*s.home_dir).clone(),
         presets: (*s.presets).clone(),
+        build: crate::release::build_info(),
+        instance: crate::release::instance_id().to_string(),
     })
 }
 

crates/maestro-daemon/src/release.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+//! What release this daemon is, and which run of it.
+//!
+//! Two facts ride `GET /api/info` so clients can render a status indicator and
+//! survive an upgrade:
+//!
+//! * [`build_info`] — the commit the binary was compiled from, stamped by
+//!   `build.rs`. Shown in the indicator's tooltip; a change across a reconnect
+//!   means the operator upgraded, so a browser reloads its assets.
+//! * [`instance_id`] — a fresh id per daemon process. A change with the same
+//!   commit means a plain restart, which clients ride out silently.
+
+use std::sync::OnceLock;
+
+use maestro_protocol::BuildInfo;
+
+/// The commit this binary was built from. Every field is empty when the build
+/// happened outside a git checkout and no `MAESTRO_BUILD_*` override was given.
+pub fn build_info() -> BuildInfo {
+    BuildInfo {
+        commit: env!("MAESTRO_BUILD_COMMIT").to_string(),
+        commit_date: env!("MAESTRO_BUILD_DATE").to_string(),
+        dirty: env!("MAESTRO_BUILD_DIRTY") == "true",
+    }
+}
+
+/// Identity of this daemon process, stable for its lifetime and different on
+/// every start. Clients diff it across a reconnect to detect a restart.
+pub fn instance_id() -> &'static str {
+    static ID: OnceLock<String> = OnceLock::new();
+    ID.get_or_init(|| uuid::Uuid::new_v4().to_string())
+}

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/local_api.rs

@@ -91,6 +91,35 @@ async fn info_returns_daemon_identity() {
     assert!(resp["version"].is_string());
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn info_reports_build_and_instance() {
+    // The status indicator needs a release to name and a process to compare
+    // against after a reconnect. `commit`/`commit_date` are empty when the
+    // binary was built outside a checkout, so only their presence is asserted;
+    // `instance` is a fresh uuid per daemon process.
+    let h = spawn("naps-laptop").await;
+    let resp: serde_json::Value = reqwest::get(url(h.addr, "/api/info"))
+        .await
+        .unwrap()
+        .json()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(resp["build"]["commit"].is_string());
+    assert!(resp["build"]["commit_date"].is_string());
+    assert!(resp["build"]["dirty"].is_boolean());
+    let instance = resp["instance"].as_str().unwrap();
+    assert!(Uuid::parse_str(instance).is_ok(), "instance is a uuid");
+
+    // Same process, same id — a client only treats a *changed* id as a restart.
+    let again: serde_json::Value = reqwest::get(url(h.addr, "/api/info"))
+        .await
+        .unwrap()
+        .json()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(again["instance"].as_str().unwrap(), instance);
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn list_sessions_starts_empty_and_reflects_creates() {
     let h = spawn("naps-laptop").await;

crates/maestro-protocol/src/lib.rs

@@ -485,6 +485,40 @@ pub struct SpawnPreset {
     pub command: String,
 }
 
+/// Build provenance of the running daemon: the commit it was compiled
+/// from and when that commit was authored.
+///
+/// Clients show it in the status indicator's tooltip, and compare `commit`
+/// across a reconnect to tell an upgrade apart from a plain restart — an
+/// upgrade means the served assets changed, so a browser reloads rather than
+/// resuming against new code with an old bundle.
+///
+/// Stamped at compile time by `maestro-daemon/build.rs`, which reads the git
+/// checkout it is built in, or the `MAESTRO_BUILD_COMMIT` / `MAESTRO_BUILD_DATE`
+/// environment variables when there is no checkout (the Nix build). Every field
+/// is empty when neither is available; clients must render that gracefully.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Default, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct BuildInfo {
+    /// Abbreviated commit hash the binary was built from. Empty if unknown.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub commit: String,
+    /// Commit date of `commit`, RFC 3339 (`2026-09-02T14:03:11+01:00`). Empty
+    /// if unknown.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub commit_date: String,
+    /// Whether the working tree carried uncommitted changes at build time.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub dirty: bool,
+}
+
+impl BuildInfo {
+    /// Whether anything is known about this build. A client with `false` here
+    /// shows the indicator without a release line rather than an empty one.
+    pub fn is_known(&self) -> bool {
+        !self.commit.is_empty()
+    }
+}
+
 /// Payload of `GET /api/info` — daemon identity, protocol version, and the
 /// spawn presets clients render as one-click tiles.
 ///
@@ -503,6 +537,15 @@ pub struct DaemonInfo {
     pub home_dir: String,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub presets: Vec<SpawnPreset>,
+    /// Which commit this daemon was built from.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub build: BuildInfo,
+    /// Identity of this daemon *process*, regenerated on every start. Two
+    /// replies carrying different ids mean the daemon restarted in between —
+    /// which is how a client that lost its socket tells a restart from a
+    /// network blip, even when the build did not change.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub instance: String,
 }
 
 /// Payload of `GET /api/names?count=N` (#53) — a batch of fresh

crates/maestro-testing/src/lib.rs

@@ -278,6 +278,7 @@ async fn daemon_info(State(s): State<AppState>) -> Response {
             version: PROTOCOL_VERSION.into(),
             home_dir: "/home/mock".into(),
             presets: Vec::new(),
+            ..Default::default()
         });
     Json(info).into_response()
 }

crates/maestro-tui/src/app.rs

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ use uuid::Uuid;
 use crate::action::Action;
 use crate::catalog::CatalogStore;
 use crate::config::TuiConfig;
+use crate::daemon_link::DaemonLink;
 use crate::draft::{DraftInputResult, DraftPane};
 use crate::emulators::SessionEmulators;
 use crate::input::{
@@ -58,6 +59,9 @@ pub struct App {
     help: HelpOverlay,
     chord: ChordState,
     daemon: DaemonClient,
+    /// Liveness + release of the daemon (`docs/RESTART.md`): drives the status
+    /// bar's indicator, and locks the keyboard behind the restart overlay.
+    link: DaemonLink,
     /// The spawn form behind [`OverlayKind::Spawn`], kept here rather than in
     /// `AppState` so the overlay enum stays comparable — the same reason the
     /// rename buffer lives here.
@@ -127,7 +131,12 @@ pub enum Effect {
 }
 
 impl App {
-    pub fn new(cfg: TuiConfig, catalog: CatalogStore, daemon: DaemonClient) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(
+        cfg: TuiConfig,
+        catalog: CatalogStore,
+        daemon: DaemonClient,
+        link: DaemonLink,
+    ) -> Self {
         let (draft_tx, draft_rx) = tokio::sync::mpsc::unbounded_channel();
         let chord_timeout = cfg.chord_timeout;
         let help = HelpOverlay {
@@ -148,6 +157,7 @@ impl App {
             help,
             chord: ChordState::new(chord_timeout),
             daemon,
+            link,
             http,
             rename_input: TextInput::default(),
             draft_tx,
@@ -182,6 +192,10 @@ impl App {
                 _ = self.catalog.changed() => {
                     // Render on next loop iteration.
                 }
+                _ = self.link.changed() => {
+                    // The status indicator and the restart overlay both read
+                    // the link; redraw on the next loop iteration.
+                }
                 _ = tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(33)) => {
                     let effects = self.poll_due_probes_at(std::time::Instant::now());
                     self.perform(effects).await;
@@ -198,6 +212,21 @@ impl App {
         };
         let key = self.clicks.promote(key, std::time::Instant::now());
 
+        // The daemon is gone: everything a key could do goes through it, so
+        // only the quit binding still resolves until it answers again.
+        if self.link.is_blocking() {
+            let known = self.cfg.keymap.known_bindings(self.state.mode);
+            if let ChordResult::Resolved(canon) = self.chord.feed(&key, &known) {
+                if matches!(
+                    self.cfg.keymap.resolve(self.state.mode, &canon),
+                    Some(Action::Quit)
+                ) {
+                    return Ok(true);
+                }
+            }
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
+
         // Overlay intercept first.
         let (decision, effects) = self.handle_overlay_input(&key);
         self.perform(effects).await;
@@ -572,9 +601,27 @@ impl App {
         Some(None)
     }
 
-    /// Put the spawn form up with a fresh draft behind it.
+    /// Put the spawn form up with a fresh draft behind it, preselecting the
+    /// project of the session the operator was last on — so `n` then Enter
+    /// spawns another session there, the way "spawn similar" would. A
+    /// worktree session seeds its *base repository*, not its checkout: the
+    /// daemon never adopts an existing worktree (docs/WORKTREES.md), same
+    /// rule as web/src/spawnSimilar.ts.
     fn open_spawn_modal(&mut self) {
-        self.draft = Some(DraftPane::default());
+        let seed_cwd = self.state.active_session().and_then(|sid| {
+            self.catalog
+                .snapshot()
+                .sessions
+                .iter()
+                .find(|s| s.id == sid)
+                .map(|s| match &s.worktree {
+                    Some(wt) => wt.base_repo.clone(),
+                    None => s.cwd.clone(),
+                })
+        });
+        let mut draft = DraftPane::default();
+        draft.seed_cwd = seed_cwd;
+        self.draft = Some(draft);
         self.state.open_spawn_modal();
     }
 
@@ -831,6 +878,9 @@ impl App {
             return;
         };
         draft.home_dir = home_dir;
+        // The fast path resolved its own project; its pick wins over the
+        // focused session's, so the seed never lands on top of it.
+        draft.seed_cwd = None;
         if !presets.is_empty() {
             draft.set_presets(presets);
         }
@@ -919,6 +969,7 @@ impl App {
             None => "session".into(),
         };
 
+        let link_status = self.link.status();
         let inputs = RenderInputs {
             sidebar: &sidebar,
             home_dir: &self.home_dir,
@@ -928,6 +979,7 @@ impl App {
             draft: self.draft.as_ref(),
             help: &self.help,
             rename_input: &self.rename_input,
+            link: &link_status,
         };
 
         let mut new_region = RegionMap::default();
@@ -1176,7 +1228,12 @@ mod tests {
 
     fn make_app_at(base: &str) -> App {
         let cfg = TuiConfig::load(&TuiSection::default()).unwrap();
-        App::new(cfg, CatalogStore::default(), DaemonClient::new(base))
+        App::new(
+            cfg,
+            CatalogStore::default(),
+            DaemonClient::new(base),
+            DaemonLink::default(),
+        )
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -1640,6 +1697,41 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(draft.command(), "claude");
     }
 
+    /// Opening the form preselects the project of the session in the pane, so
+    /// `n` then Enter spawns another session there.
+    #[test]
+    fn opening_the_spawn_modal_seeds_the_focused_sessions_project() {
+        use maestro_protocol::{CatalogEvent, SessionWorktree};
+
+        let sid = Uuid::from_u128(21);
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        app.catalog.apply_event(CatalogEvent::Snapshot {
+            sessions: vec![test_session(sid, "/repos/maestro")],
+        });
+        app.state.attach_to_focused(sid);
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenSpawnModal);
+        assert_eq!(
+            app.draft.as_ref().unwrap().seed_cwd.as_deref(),
+            Some(std::path::Path::new("/repos/maestro"))
+        );
+
+        // A worktree session seeds its base repository: the daemon never
+        // adopts an existing worktree (docs/WORKTREES.md).
+        let mut wt_session = test_session(sid, "/repos/maestro/worktrees/flugelhorn");
+        wt_session.worktree = Some(SessionWorktree {
+            base_repo: "/repos/maestro".into(),
+            path: "/repos/maestro/worktrees/flugelhorn".into(),
+        });
+        app.catalog.apply_event(CatalogEvent::Snapshot {
+            sessions: vec![wt_session],
+        });
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenSpawnModal);
+        assert_eq!(
+            app.draft.as_ref().unwrap().seed_cwd.as_deref(),
+            Some(std::path::Path::new("/repos/maestro"))
+        );
+    }
+
     /// A valid form flows through: pick a project (set directly — the picker
     /// itself is covered in `draft.rs`), select the custom tile, type a
     /// command, then submit from the Spawn row.
@@ -1653,11 +1745,11 @@ mod tests {
         draft.base_repo = Some(std::path::PathBuf::from("/srv/work"));
         draft.probed_cwd = Some(std::path::PathBuf::from("/srv/work"));
         draft.selected_preset = draft.presets.len() - 1; // custom
-        app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::Tab); // preset → custom command
+        app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::Tab); // dir picker → preset
+        app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::Tab); // → custom command
         for c in "claude".chars() {
             app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::char(c));
         }
-        app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::Tab); // → dir picker
         app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::Tab); // → name
         for c in "crimson-otter".chars() {
             app.handle_draft_input(&InputKey::char(c));
@@ -1772,6 +1864,7 @@ mod tests {
                 Duration::from_millis(200),
                 Duration::from_millis(500),
             ),
+            DaemonLink::default(),
         );
         app.dispatch(Action::OpenSpawnModal);
         let req = CreateSessionRequest {

crates/maestro-tui/src/catalog.rs

@@ -127,11 +127,24 @@ impl CatalogStore {
     /// apply them. Reconnects with exponential backoff on disconnect. Never
     /// returns — spawn it on a Tokio task.
     pub async fn run_events_loop(self, ws_url: String) {
+        self.run_events_loop_reporting(ws_url, crate::daemon_link::DaemonLink::default())
+            .await
+    }
+
+    /// [`Self::run_events_loop`], reporting every connect and disconnect to
+    /// `link` — the socket dying is the first sign the daemon went down or was
+    /// upgraded under the client (`docs/RESTART.md`).
+    pub async fn run_events_loop_reporting(
+        self,
+        ws_url: String,
+        link: crate::daemon_link::DaemonLink,
+    ) {
         let mut backoff = Duration::from_secs(1);
         loop {
             match tokio_tungstenite::connect_async(&ws_url).await {
                 Ok((ws, _resp)) => {
                     backoff = Duration::from_secs(1);
+                    link.note_connected();
                     let (_sink, mut stream) = ws.split();
                     while let Some(frame) = stream.next().await {
                         match frame {
@@ -152,6 +165,7 @@ impl CatalogStore {
                     tracing::debug!(error = ?e, "catalog: connect failed");
                 }
             }
+            link.note_disconnected(std::time::Instant::now());
             tracing::debug!(?backoff, "catalog: sleeping before reconnect");
             tokio::time::sleep(jitter(backoff)).await;
             backoff = std::cmp::min(backoff.saturating_mul(2), Duration::from_secs(30));

crates/maestro-tui/src/config.rs

@@ -80,6 +80,11 @@ impl TuiConfig {
         let palette = match section.theme.unwrap_or(TuiTheme::Dark) {
             TuiTheme::Dark => Palette::DARK,
             TuiTheme::Light => Palette::LIGHT,
+            TuiTheme::IceCyan => Palette::ICE_CYAN,
+            TuiTheme::Periwinkle => Palette::PERIWINKLE,
+            TuiTheme::AmberPhosphor => Palette::AMBER_PHOSPHOR,
+            TuiTheme::Ember => Palette::EMBER,
+            TuiTheme::Orchid => Palette::ORCHID,
             TuiTheme::Ansi => Palette::ANSI,
             TuiTheme::SolarizedDark => Palette::SOLARIZED_DARK,
             TuiTheme::SolarizedLight => Palette::SOLARIZED_LIGHT,
@@ -172,6 +177,11 @@ mod tests {
         for (theme, expected) in [
             (TuiTheme::Dark, Palette::DARK),
             (TuiTheme::Light, Palette::LIGHT),
+            (TuiTheme::IceCyan, Palette::ICE_CYAN),
+            (TuiTheme::Periwinkle, Palette::PERIWINKLE),
+            (TuiTheme::AmberPhosphor, Palette::AMBER_PHOSPHOR),
+            (TuiTheme::Ember, Palette::EMBER),
+            (TuiTheme::Orchid, Palette::ORCHID),
             (TuiTheme::Ansi, Palette::ANSI),
             (TuiTheme::SolarizedDark, Palette::SOLARIZED_DARK),
             (TuiTheme::SolarizedLight, Palette::SOLARIZED_LIGHT),

crates/maestro-tui/src/daemon_link.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,343 @@
+//! Liveness and identity of the daemon behind this TUI.
+//!
+//! The status bar renders [`LinkStatus`], and [`LinkState::Down`] puts the
+//! restart overlay up and locks the keyboard. `docs/RESTART.md` is the
+//! contract; this is the TUI half of what `web/src/daemonLink.ts` does.
+
+use std::sync::{Arc, RwLock};
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+use maestro_protocol::{BuildInfo, DaemonClient, DaemonInfo};
+use tokio::sync::Notify;
+
+/// How long a lost connection stays quiet before the overlay blocks the UI.
+pub const GRACE: Duration = Duration::from_millis(1200);
+/// Cadence of `GET /api/info` while the daemon is unreachable.
+pub const POLL: Duration = Duration::from_millis(700);
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum LinkState {
+    /// No probe has landed yet.
+    Connecting,
+    /// The daemon answered.
+    Online,
+    /// The events socket dropped, still inside the grace window.
+    Reconnecting,
+    /// Unreachable past the grace window: the overlay is up.
+    Down,
+}
+
+/// What happened between two `/api/info` replies.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum RestartKind {
+    Same,
+    Restarted,
+    Upgraded,
+}
+
+/// Compare two daemon replies. The commit decides first — a different one is
+/// new code. `instance` catches a restart of the same build, and is the only
+/// signal for a daemon built outside a git checkout (empty commit), which must
+/// never be read as an upgrade.
+pub fn compare_identity(before: &DaemonInfo, after: &DaemonInfo) -> RestartKind {
+    let a = before.build.commit.as_str();
+    let b = after.build.commit.as_str();
+    if !a.is_empty() && !b.is_empty() && a != b {
+        return RestartKind::Upgraded;
+    }
+    if !before.instance.is_empty()
+        && !after.instance.is_empty()
+        && before.instance != after.instance
+    {
+        return RestartKind::Restarted;
+    }
+    RestartKind::Same
+}
+
+/// One line naming a release: `f89be4a716c7 · 2026-09-02`, `(dirty)` when the
+/// build carried uncommitted changes.
+pub fn format_release(build: &BuildInfo) -> String {
+    if build.commit.is_empty() {
+        return "unknown release".to_string();
+    }
+    let mut out = build.commit.clone();
+    if build.commit_date.len() >= 10 {
+        out.push_str(" · ");
+        out.push_str(&build.commit_date[..10]);
+    }
+    if build.dirty {
+        out.push_str(" (dirty)");
+    }
+    out
+}
+
+/// Snapshot of the link, taken once per frame by the renderer.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct LinkStatus {
+    pub state: LinkState,
+    /// The release the daemon last reported. `None` until the first probe.
+    pub build: Option<BuildInfo>,
+    /// Failed probes in the current outage — the overlay counts them so a long
+    /// restart doesn't read as a hang.
+    pub attempts: u32,
+    /// Set once the daemon comes back on a different commit. The TUI is its own
+    /// binary, so it keeps running against the new daemon and shows this until
+    /// the user restarts it onto the new client.
+    pub upgraded_to: Option<BuildInfo>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone)]
+pub struct DaemonLink {
+    inner: Arc<Inner>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default)]
+struct Inner {
+    state: RwLock<State>,
+    notify: Notify,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct State {
+    state: LinkState,
+    identity: Option<DaemonInfo>,
+    attempts: u32,
+    /// When the events socket dropped, for the grace window.
+    down_since: Option<Instant>,
+    upgraded_to: Option<BuildInfo>,
+}
+
+impl Default for State {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            state: LinkState::Connecting,
+            identity: None,
+            attempts: 0,
+            down_since: None,
+            upgraded_to: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl DaemonLink {
+    pub fn status(&self) -> LinkStatus {
+        let s = self.read();
+        LinkStatus {
+            state: s.state,
+            build: s.identity.as_ref().map(|i| i.build.clone()),
+            attempts: s.attempts,
+            upgraded_to: s.upgraded_to.clone(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Whether the UI is locked behind the restart overlay.
+    pub fn is_blocking(&self) -> bool {
+        self.read().state == LinkState::Down
+    }
+
+    /// Wait until anything about the link changes, so the render loop redraws.
+    pub async fn changed(&self) {
+        self.inner.notify.notified().await;
+    }
+
+    /// The events socket dropped. Starts the grace window.
+    pub fn note_disconnected(&self, now: Instant) {
+        {
+            let mut s = self.write();
+            if s.state == LinkState::Down {
+                return;
+            }
+            s.state = LinkState::Reconnecting;
+            s.attempts = 0;
+            s.down_since = Some(now);
+        }
+        self.wake();
+    }
+
+    /// The events socket came back. Does not clear the state on its own: the
+    /// socket carries no identity, and only a probe can say which daemon
+    /// answered.
+    pub fn note_connected(&self) {
+        self.wake();
+    }
+
+    /// Fold in a successful `/api/info`. A reply on a new commit is recorded as
+    /// an upgrade; either way the link is back online.
+    pub fn apply_info(&self, info: DaemonInfo) {
+        {
+            let mut s = self.write();
+            if let Some(before) = &s.identity {
+                if compare_identity(before, &info) == RestartKind::Upgraded {
+                    s.upgraded_to = Some(info.build.clone());
+                }
+            }
+            s.identity = Some(info);
+            s.state = LinkState::Online;
+            s.attempts = 0;
+            s.down_since = None;
+        }
+        self.wake();
+    }
+
+    /// Fold in a failed probe. The overlay goes up once the grace window since
+    /// the disconnect has passed.
+    pub fn probe_failed(&self, now: Instant) {
+        {
+            let mut s = self.write();
+            s.attempts = s.attempts.saturating_add(1);
+            let since = *s.down_since.get_or_insert(now);
+            if now.duration_since(since) >= GRACE {
+                s.state = LinkState::Down;
+            } else if s.state == LinkState::Online {
+                s.state = LinkState::Reconnecting;
+            }
+        }
+        self.wake();
+    }
+
+    /// Long-running task: keep [`LinkStatus`] true. Probes on a flat cadence
+    /// while the daemon is unreachable and idles while it is up. Never returns.
+    pub async fn run_probe_loop(self, daemon: DaemonClient) {
+        loop {
+            if self.read().state == LinkState::Online {
+                // A tick bounds the wait so a disconnect racing the notify
+                // costs a second, not the whole outage.
+                let _ = tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(1), self.changed()).await;
+                continue;
+            }
+            match daemon.daemon_info().await {
+                Ok(info) => self.apply_info(info),
+                Err(_) => {
+                    self.probe_failed(Instant::now());
+                    tokio::time::sleep(POLL).await;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn wake(&self) {
+        self.inner.notify.notify_waiters();
+    }
+
+    fn read(&self) -> std::sync::RwLockReadGuard<'_, State> {
+        self.inner
+            .state
+            .read()
+            .expect("daemon link rwlock poisoned")
+    }
+
+    fn write(&self) -> std::sync::RwLockWriteGuard<'_, State> {
+        self.inner
+            .state
+            .write()
+            .expect("daemon link rwlock poisoned")
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn info(commit: &str, instance: &str) -> DaemonInfo {
+        DaemonInfo {
+            hostname: "konishi".into(),
+            version: "0.1.0".into(),
+            home_dir: "/home/naps".into(),
+            presets: Vec::new(),
+            build: BuildInfo {
+                commit: commit.into(),
+                commit_date: "2026-09-02T14:03:11Z".into(),
+                dirty: false,
+            },
+            instance: instance.into(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn identity_tells_upgrade_from_restart() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            compare_identity(&info("aaa", "i1"), &info("bbb", "i2")),
+            RestartKind::Upgraded
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            compare_identity(&info("aaa", "i1"), &info("aaa", "i2")),
+            RestartKind::Restarted
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            compare_identity(&info("aaa", "i1"), &info("aaa", "i1")),
+            RestartKind::Same
+        );
+        // No build stamp: the instance still reports the restart, and nothing
+        // ever claims a phantom upgrade.
+        assert_eq!(
+            compare_identity(&info("", "i1"), &info("", "i2")),
+            RestartKind::Restarted
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn release_line_pairs_hash_with_date() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            format_release(&info("f89be4a716c7", "i1").build),
+            "f89be4a716c7 · 2026-09-02"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            format_release(&BuildInfo {
+                commit: "abc".into(),
+                commit_date: String::new(),
+                dirty: true,
+            }),
+            "abc (dirty)"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(format_release(&BuildInfo::default()), "unknown release");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn grace_window_holds_the_overlay_back() {
+        let link = DaemonLink::default();
+        link.apply_info(info("aaa", "i1"));
+        assert_eq!(link.status().state, LinkState::Online);
+
+        let t0 = Instant::now();
+        link.note_disconnected(t0);
+        assert_eq!(link.status().state, LinkState::Reconnecting);
+        assert!(!link.is_blocking());
+
+        link.probe_failed(t0 + Duration::from_millis(400));
+        assert_eq!(link.status().state, LinkState::Reconnecting);
+
+        link.probe_failed(t0 + GRACE);
+        assert_eq!(link.status().state, LinkState::Down);
+        assert!(link.is_blocking());
+        assert_eq!(link.status().attempts, 2);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_plain_restart_unlocks_without_an_upgrade_note() {
+        let link = DaemonLink::default();
+        link.apply_info(info("aaa", "i1"));
+        let t0 = Instant::now();
+        link.note_disconnected(t0);
+        link.probe_failed(t0 + GRACE);
+        assert!(link.is_blocking());
+
+        link.apply_info(info("aaa", "i2"));
+        assert_eq!(link.status().state, LinkState::Online);
+        assert!(link.status().upgraded_to.is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn an_upgrade_unlocks_and_names_the_new_release() {
+        let link = DaemonLink::default();
+        link.apply_info(info("aaa", "i1"));
+        let t0 = Instant::now();
+        link.note_disconnected(t0);
+        link.probe_failed(t0 + GRACE);
+
+        link.apply_info(info("bbb", "i2"));
+        let status = link.status();
+        assert_eq!(status.state, LinkState::Online);
+        assert_eq!(status.upgraded_to.unwrap().commit, "bbb");
+        assert!(!link.is_blocking());
+    }
+}

crates/maestro-tui/src/draft.rs

@@ -221,6 +221,11 @@ pub struct DraftPane {
     pub cwd_raw_visible: bool,
     pub cwd_raw: crate::text_input::TextInput,
     pub picked_cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
+    /// Directory to preselect once the project scan lands — the project of
+    /// the session the operator was last looking at, so `n` then Enter
+    /// respawns there without touching the picker. Consumed by the first
+    /// [`Self::set_projects`]; `None` once applied or when nothing seeded it.
+    pub seed_cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
     /// The repository picked in step one ([`group_key`] of its main box),
     /// `None` until a box is picked. Looked up fresh in `groups` rather than
     /// cached, so a project-list refresh can't leave it stale.
@@ -293,6 +298,7 @@ impl Default for DraftPane {
             cwd_raw_visible: false,
             cwd_raw: crate::text_input::TextInput::default(),
             picked_cwd: None,
+            seed_cwd: None,
             selected_group_key: None,
             worktree_choice: WorktreeChoice::New,
             name: crate::text_input::TextInput::default(),
@@ -315,7 +321,9 @@ impl Default for DraftPane {
             branches_for: None,
             needs_branches: false,
             error: None,
-            focused_field: DraftField::Preset,
+            // The picker owns the keyboard on open: typing filters projects
+            // straight away, and Tab from here reaches the command tiles.
+            focused_field: DraftField::DirPicker,
             home_dir: String::new(),
         }
     }
@@ -358,6 +366,26 @@ impl DraftPane {
             })
             .collect();
         self.highlighted = self.highlighted.min(self.entry_count().saturating_sub(1));
+        self.apply_seed_cwd();
+    }
+
+    /// Preselect the seeded directory now that the scan has landed: highlight
+    /// its repository box and pick it, so Enter from the untouched picker
+    /// spawns there. A seed no box matches is dropped — the operator picks by
+    /// hand, exactly as before.
+    fn apply_seed_cwd(&mut self) {
+        let Some(seed) = self.seed_cwd.take() else {
+            return;
+        };
+        let hit = self.visible_groups().iter().enumerate().find_map(|(i, g)| {
+            let matches = g.main.path == seed || g.worktrees.iter().any(|w| w.project.path == seed);
+            matches.then(|| (i, (*g).clone()))
+        });
+        let Some((index, group)) = hit else {
+            return;
+        };
+        self.highlighted = index;
+        self.select_group(&group);
     }
 
     /// Fill the local name batch from `GET /api/names`, seeding the field
@@ -705,14 +733,14 @@ impl DraftPane {
     }
 
     fn field_order(&self) -> Vec<DraftField> {
-        let mut order = vec![DraftField::Preset];
-        if self.is_custom() {
-            order.push(DraftField::CustomCommand);
-        }
-        order.push(DraftField::DirPicker);
+        let mut order = vec![DraftField::DirPicker];
         if self.cwd_raw_visible {
             order.push(DraftField::CwdRaw);
         }
+        order.push(DraftField::Preset);
+        if self.is_custom() {
+            order.push(DraftField::CustomCommand);
+        }
         order.push(DraftField::Name);
         order.push(DraftField::Advanced);
         if !self.advanced_collapsed {
@@ -1116,15 +1144,17 @@ impl DraftPane {
             + u16::from(self.error.is_some());
         let list_capacity = (inner.height.saturating_sub(fixed)).max(1) as usize;
 
-        let mut constraints = vec![Constraint::Length(1)];
-        if show_custom {
-            constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1));
-        }
-        constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1));
+        // The picker leads the form: it is where focus lands on open, and Tab
+        // walks down from it into the command tiles.
+        let mut constraints = vec![Constraint::Length(1)]; // dir filter
         constraints.push(Constraint::Length(list_capacity as u16));
         if show_raw {
             constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1));
         }
+        constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1)); // command tiles
+        if show_custom {
+            constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1));
+        }
         constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1)); // name
         constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1)); // advanced header
         if show_wt_choice {
@@ -1163,36 +1193,6 @@ impl DraftPane {
         // Tracks where the terminal cursor belongs for the focused text field.
         let mut cursor: Option<(u16, u16)> = None;
 
-        // -- command presets ---------------------------------------------------
-        let tiles_row = next_row();
-        let mut tiles = vec![Span::raw(format!("{:<GUTTER$}", "cmd:"))];
-        for (i, preset) in self.presets.iter().enumerate() {
-            if i > 0 {
-                tiles.push(Span::raw(" "));
-            }
-            let mut style = Style::default();
-            if i == self.selected_preset {
-                style = style.add_modifier(Modifier::REVERSED);
-            }
-            tiles.push(Span::styled(format!("[{}]", preset.label), style));
-        }
-        f.render_widget(Paragraph::new(Line::from(tiles)), tiles_row);
-
-        // -- custom command (only while a custom tile is selected) -------------
-        if show_custom {
-            let row = next_row();
-            draw_gutter(f, row, "");
-            let col = draw_text_field(
-                f,
-                &self.custom_command,
-                row,
-                field_style(DraftField::CustomCommand),
-            );
-            if self.focused_field == DraftField::CustomCommand {
-                cursor = Some((col, row.y));
-            }
-        }
-
         // -- directory picker ----------------------------------------------------
         let filter_row = next_row();
         draw_gutter(f, filter_row, "dir:");
@@ -1280,6 +1280,36 @@ impl DraftPane {
             }
         }
 
+        // -- command presets ---------------------------------------------------
+        let tiles_row = next_row();
+        let mut tiles = vec![Span::raw(format!("{:<GUTTER$}", "cmd:"))];
+        for (i, preset) in self.presets.iter().enumerate() {
+            if i > 0 {
+                tiles.push(Span::raw(" "));
+            }
+            let mut style = Style::default();
+            if i == self.selected_preset {
+                style = style.add_modifier(Modifier::REVERSED);
+            }
+            tiles.push(Span::styled(format!("[{}]", preset.label), style));
+        }
+        f.render_widget(Paragraph::new(Line::from(tiles)), tiles_row);
+
+        // -- custom command (only while a custom tile is selected) -------------
+        if show_custom {
+            let row = next_row();
+            draw_gutter(f, row, "");
+            let col = draw_text_field(
+                f,
+                &self.custom_command,
+                row,
+                field_style(DraftField::CustomCommand),
+            );
+            if self.focused_field == DraftField::CustomCommand {
+                cursor = Some((col, row.y));
+            }
+        }
+
         // -- name + reroll ---------------------------------------------------------
         let name_row = next_row();
         draw_gutter(f, name_row, "name:");
@@ -1681,7 +1711,10 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn left_right_cycles_presets_wrapping_into_custom() {
-        let mut draft = DraftPane::default();
+        let mut draft = DraftPane {
+            focused_field: DraftField::Preset,
+            ..DraftPane::default()
+        };
         draft.on_input(&InputKey::Right);
         assert_eq!(draft.command(), "opencode");
         draft.on_input(&InputKey::Left);
@@ -1704,17 +1737,22 @@ mod tests {
         draft.selected_preset = draft.presets.len() - 1;
         assert!(draft.is_custom());
         assert_eq!(
-            draft.field_order()[..2],
-            [DraftField::Preset, DraftField::CustomCommand],
-            "custom command sits between presets and the dir picker"
+            draft.field_order()[..3],
+            [
+                DraftField::DirPicker,
+                DraftField::Preset,
+                DraftField::CustomCommand
+            ],
+            "the picker leads; custom command sits right after the tiles"
         );
+        draft.next_field(); // DirPicker → Preset
         draft.next_field();
         assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::CustomCommand);
         typed(&mut draft, "bash -l");
         assert_eq!(draft.command(), "bash -l");
         // Tab walks past the hidden fields in order.
         draft.next_field();
-        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::DirPicker);
+        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::Name);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -1777,8 +1815,11 @@ mod tests {
             ],
             Utc::now(),
         );
-        draft.next_field(); // Preset → DirPicker
-        assert_eq!(draft.focused_field, DraftField::DirPicker);
+        assert_eq!(
+            draft.focused_field,
+            DraftField::DirPicker,
+            "the form opens with the project filter focused"
+        );
         typed(&mut draft, "maes");
         assert_eq!(
             draft.visible_groups().len(),
@@ -1890,6 +1931,47 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(draft.on_input(&InputKey::Enter), DraftInputResult::Submit);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn a_seeded_directory_is_preselected_so_one_enter_spawns_there() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane {
+            seed_cwd: Some(PathBuf::from("/repos/other")),
+            ..DraftPane::default()
+        };
+        draft.set_projects(
+            vec![
+                project("maestro", "/repos/maestro", 1, Some("claude")),
+                project("other", "/repos/other", 2, Some("zsh")),
+            ],
+            Utc::now(),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            draft.picked_cwd.as_deref(),
+            Some(Path::new("/repos/other")),
+            "the seeded project is picked before a key is pressed"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(draft.selection(), 1, "and its row is the highlighted one");
+        assert_eq!(
+            draft.on_input(&InputKey::Enter),
+            DraftInputResult::Submit,
+            "one Enter spawns in the seeded project"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(draft.picked_cwd.as_deref(), Some(Path::new("/repos/other")));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_seed_no_project_matches_leaves_the_picker_untouched() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane {
+            seed_cwd: Some(PathBuf::from("/gone")),
+            ..DraftPane::default()
+        };
+        draft.set_projects(
+            vec![project("maestro", "/repos/maestro", 1, None)],
+            Utc::now(),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(draft.picked_cwd, None);
+        assert_eq!(draft.selection(), 0);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn dir_picker_enter_on_other_directory_never_submits_directly_97() {
         let mut draft = DraftPane::default();
@@ -2140,7 +2222,7 @@ mod tests {
         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(GUTTER as u16 + 2, 1));
+        assert_eq!(pos, ratatui::layout::Position::new(GUTTER as u16 + 2, 0));
     }
 
     #[test]

crates/maestro-tui/src/lib.rs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ pub mod app;
 pub mod catalog;
 pub mod cli;
 pub mod config;
+pub mod daemon_link;
 pub mod draft;
 pub mod emulators;
 pub mod fast_forward;
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ use ratatui::Terminal;
 use crate::app::App;
 use crate::catalog::CatalogStore;
 use crate::config::TuiConfig;
+use crate::daemon_link::DaemonLink;
 
 /// Inputs for [`run`]. Built by the umbrella binary from the parsed
 /// `TuiArgs` plus any global flags.
@@ -94,8 +96,15 @@ pub async fn run(cfg: RunConfig) -> Result<(), TuiError> {
     let ws_url = daemon
         .events_url()
         .map_err(|e| TuiError::Config(e.to_string()))?;
+    // The link watches the same daemon over `/api/info`; the events socket
+    // reports its own connects and disconnects into it (`docs/RESTART.md`).
+    let link = DaemonLink::default();
     let bg_catalog = catalog.clone();
-    tokio::spawn(async move { bg_catalog.run_events_loop(ws_url).await });
+    let ws_link = link.clone();
+    tokio::spawn(async move { bg_catalog.run_events_loop_reporting(ws_url, ws_link).await });
+    let probe_link = link.clone();
+    let probe_daemon = daemon.clone();
+    tokio::spawn(async move { probe_link.run_probe_loop(probe_daemon).await });
 
     // Wait briefly for the bootstrap Snapshot to land. If it doesn't, we
     // still enter the UI — the sidebar will populate when events flow.
@@ -107,7 +116,7 @@ pub async fn run(cfg: RunConfig) -> Result<(), TuiError> {
     let backend = CrosstermBackend::new(std::io::stdout());
     let mut terminal = Terminal::new(backend).map_err(|e| TuiError::Terminal(e.to_string()))?;
 
-    let app = App::new(tui_cfg, catalog, daemon);
+    let app = App::new(tui_cfg, catalog, daemon, link);
     app.run(&mut terminal).await
 }
 

crates/maestro-tui/src/overlays.rs

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //! Overlay widgets: spawn modal, kill-confirm prompt, rename prompt, help
-//! overlay, transient toast.
+//! overlay, restart overlay, transient toast.
 //!
 //! All overlays are centered popups drawn over the rest of the UI; the
 //! `Clear` widget wipes the underlying buffer before drawing.
@@ -33,6 +33,42 @@ impl SpawnModal {
     }
 }
 
+/// Shown while the daemon is unreachable past the grace window, over
+/// everything else, with the keyboard locked (`docs/RESTART.md`). Nothing to
+/// dismiss: it clears itself when a probe succeeds.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct RestartOverlay {
+    /// Failed probes so far, so a long restart doesn't read as a hang.
+    pub attempts: u32,
+    /// The release the daemon was running before it went away.
+    pub release: String,
+}
+
+impl RestartOverlay {
+    pub fn render(&self, f: &mut Frame, parent: Rect) {
+        let area = centered(parent, 54, 7);
+        f.render_widget(Clear, area);
+        let block = Block::default()
+            .title(" daemon restarting ")
+            .borders(Borders::ALL);
+        let inner = block.inner(area);
+        f.render_widget(block, area);
+        let attempts = if self.attempts <= 1 {
+            String::new()
+        } else {
+            format!(" ({} attempts)", self.attempts)
+        };
+        let lines = vec![
+            Line::from("Waiting for the daemon to come back…"),
+            Line::from(format!("Polling /api/info{attempts}")),
+            Line::from(""),
+            Line::from(format!("was: {}", self.release)),
+            Line::from("Sessions are held by tmux and survive the restart."),
+        ];
+        f.render_widget(Paragraph::new(lines), inner);
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct KillConfirm {
     pub label: String,

crates/maestro-tui/src/palette.rs

@@ -13,15 +13,17 @@
 //!
 //! Each surface carries its own activity colours. A state colour picked for
 //! the dark card background is not legible on the selection background, so
-//! the selected card uses the selection surface's own state colours; the dot
-//! keeps carrying the state either way (docs/SIDEBAR.md).
+//! the selected card uses the selection surface's own state colours; the
+//! rail keeps carrying the state either way (docs/SIDEBAR.md).
 //!
-//! [`Palette::DARK`] is the default. [`Palette::LIGHT`] is its light peer and
-//! [`Palette::ANSI`] uses terminal-provided ANSI colours. The remaining
-//! presets ([`Palette::presets`]) adapt well-known editor themes — Solarized,
-//! Catppuccin, GitHub, Tokyo Night, Gruvbox, Nord, Dracula — with individual
-//! colours lifted or darkened where the originals fall short of the contrast
-//! floors asserted below.
+//! [`Palette::DARK`] — graphite, no accent hue — is the default.
+//! [`Palette::LIGHT`] is its light peer and [`Palette::ANSI`] uses
+//! terminal-provided ANSI colours. Five house presets recolour the graphite
+//! base with an accent (Ice Cyan, Periwinkle, Amber Phosphor, Ember, Orchid);
+//! the remaining presets ([`Palette::presets`]) adapt well-known editor
+//! themes — Solarized, Catppuccin, GitHub, Tokyo Night, Gruvbox, Nord,
+//! Dracula — with individual colours lifted or darkened where the originals
+//! fall short of the contrast floors asserted below.
 //!
 //! Out of scope: PTY cell colours. Those belong to the program running in the
 //! pane and pass through `pane::translate_color` verbatim.
@@ -135,73 +137,75 @@ pub struct Palette {
 }
 
 impl Palette {
-    /// The dark terminal-native palette and the default preset.
+    /// The graphite dark palette and the default preset: pure near-neutral
+    /// chrome with an ink-coloured accent, so activity colours are the only
+    /// hue on screen.
     pub const DARK: Palette = Palette {
         card: Surface {
-            bg: Color::Rgb(0x1f, 0x23, 0x2b),
-            fg: Color::Rgb(0xe5, 0xe7, 0xeb),
-            muted: Color::Rgb(0xae, 0xb7, 0xc4),
-            dim: Color::Rgb(0x85, 0x8f, 0x9e),
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x1d, 0x1f, 0x22),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xe6, 0xe8, 0xeb),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xb1, 0xb4, 0xb9),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0x86, 0x89, 0x8e),
             active: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
-            idle: Color::Rgb(0xae, 0xb7, 0xc4),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xb1, 0xb4, 0xb9),
             awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
             error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
         },
         selection: Surface {
-            bg: Color::Rgb(0x3d, 0x51, 0x44),
-            fg: Color::Rgb(0xf3, 0xf7, 0xf4),
-            muted: Color::Rgb(0xd0, 0xd9, 0xd3),
-            dim: Color::Rgb(0xa1, 0xb0, 0xa6),
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x3f, 0x43, 0x48),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xf0, 0xf2, 0xf5),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xce, 0xd1, 0xd5),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0xa5, 0xa8, 0xab),
             active: Color::Rgb(0x9a, 0xf0, 0xa6),
-            idle: Color::Rgb(0xc4, 0xcf, 0xc7),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xd5, 0xd8, 0xdb),
             awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf6, 0xd9, 0x78),
             error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xa8, 0xa3),
         },
-        chrome_bg: Color::Rgb(0x1f, 0x23, 0x2b),
-        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0x28, 0x30, 0x2a),
-        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
-        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x68, 0x73, 0x84),
-        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
-        group_row: Color::Rgb(0xb6, 0xc1, 0xd3),
-        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
-        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0x1f, 0x23, 0x2b),
+        chrome_bg: Color::Rgb(0x1d, 0x1f, 0x22),
+        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0x28, 0x2a, 0x2d),
+        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0xe2, 0xe5, 0xe8),
+        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0x75, 0x79),
+        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0xe2, 0xe5, 0xe8),
+        group_row: Color::Rgb(0xba, 0xbe, 0xc3),
+        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0xe2, 0xe5, 0xe8),
+        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0x17, 0x1b, 0x20),
         mode_insert_bg: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
-        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0x1f, 0x23, 0x2b),
+        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0x1d, 0x1f, 0x22),
         error_text: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
     };
 
-    /// A high-contrast light peer to [`Self::DARK`].
+    /// A high-contrast light peer to [`Self::DARK`]: ink-on-paper graphite.
     pub const LIGHT: Palette = Palette {
         card: Surface {
             bg: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xff, 0xff),
-            fg: Color::Rgb(0x27, 0x31, 0x3d),
-            muted: Color::Rgb(0x4c, 0x5b, 0x6b),
-            dim: Color::Rgb(0x68, 0x78, 0x8a),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0x20, 0x24, 0x2a),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0x56, 0x5b, 0x63),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0x7b, 0x81, 0x89),
             active: Color::Rgb(0x21, 0x7a, 0x3c),
-            idle: Color::Rgb(0x4c, 0x5b, 0x6b),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0x56, 0x5b, 0x63),
             awaiting: Color::Rgb(0x8f, 0x63, 0x00),
             error: Color::Rgb(0xb4, 0x23, 0x18),
         },
         selection: Surface {
-            bg: Color::Rgb(0xb5, 0xcf, 0xba),
-            fg: Color::Rgb(0x1d, 0x2a, 0x24),
-            muted: Color::Rgb(0x3f, 0x55, 0x45),
-            dim: Color::Rgb(0x52, 0x68, 0x5a),
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0xc5, 0xc7, 0xca),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0x15, 0x19, 0x1e),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0x43, 0x48, 0x4f),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0x5e, 0x64, 0x6b),
             active: Color::Rgb(0x15, 0x5b, 0x2e),
-            idle: Color::Rgb(0x3f, 0x55, 0x45),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0x38, 0x3e, 0x45),
             awaiting: Color::Rgb(0x69, 0x46, 0x00),
-            error: Color::Rgb(0xa5, 0x1d, 0x14),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0x99, 0x1a, 0x12),
         },
         chrome_bg: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xff, 0xff),
-        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0xee, 0xf5, 0xef),
-        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0x21, 0x7a, 0x3c),
-        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x65, 0x73, 0x6b),
-        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0x21, 0x7a, 0x3c),
-        group_row: Color::Rgb(0x3f, 0x55, 0x45),
-        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0x21, 0x7a, 0x3c),
-        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xff, 0xff),
-        mode_insert_bg: Color::Rgb(0xb6, 0x81, 0x08),
-        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0x0b, 0x12, 0x0e),
+        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0xef, 0xf0, 0xf2),
+        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0x36, 0x3b, 0x41),
+        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x76, 0x7b, 0x82),
+        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0x36, 0x3b, 0x41),
+        group_row: Color::Rgb(0x4e, 0x53, 0x5a),
+        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0x23, 0x27, 0x2c),
+        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0xf9, 0xfa, 0xfb),
+        mode_insert_bg: Color::Rgb(0x8f, 0x63, 0x00),
+        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xff, 0xff),
         error_text: Color::Rgb(0xb4, 0x23, 0x18),
     };
 
@@ -556,14 +560,195 @@ impl Palette {
         error_text: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x59, 0x59),
     };
 
+    /// Ice Cyan — signal-cyan accent on the graphite slate base.
+    pub const ICE_CYAN: Palette = Palette {
+        card: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x1c, 0x20, 0x25),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xe4, 0xe8, 0xed),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xaf, 0xb5, 0xbc),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0x84, 0x8a, 0x91),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xaf, 0xb5, 0xbc),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+        },
+        selection: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x24, 0x4d, 0x59),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xee, 0xf2, 0xf7),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xcd, 0xd1, 0xd7),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0xa4, 0xa8, 0xae),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x9a, 0xf0, 0xa6),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xd3, 0xd8, 0xde),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf6, 0xd9, 0x78),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xa8, 0xa3),
+        },
+        chrome_bg: Color::Rgb(0x1c, 0x20, 0x25),
+        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0x26, 0x2a, 0x30),
+        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0x61, 0xe3, 0xf1),
+        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x70, 0x75, 0x7b),
+        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0x61, 0xe3, 0xf1),
+        group_row: Color::Rgb(0xb8, 0xbe, 0xc6),
+        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0x61, 0xe3, 0xf1),
+        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0x0f, 0x22, 0x2b),
+        mode_insert_bg: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
+        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0x1c, 0x20, 0x25),
+        error_text: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+    };
+
+    /// Periwinkle — indigo-tinted base with a soft blue-violet accent.
+    pub const PERIWINKLE: Palette = Palette {
+        card: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x1d, 0x1e, 0x29),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xe5, 0xe7, 0xf1),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xb1, 0xb3, 0xc2),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0x86, 0x88, 0x96),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xb1, 0xb3, 0xc2),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+        },
+        selection: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x3b, 0x43, 0x6c),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xef, 0xf1, 0xfb),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xce, 0xd0, 0xdc),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0xa5, 0xa7, 0xb2),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x9a, 0xf0, 0xa6),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xd4, 0xd7, 0xe3),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf6, 0xd9, 0x78),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xa8, 0xa3),
+        },
+        chrome_bg: Color::Rgb(0x1d, 0x1e, 0x29),
+        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0x27, 0x29, 0x35),
+        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0x97, 0xa7, 0xfd),
+        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x71, 0x74, 0x80),
+        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0x97, 0xa7, 0xfd),
+        group_row: Color::Rgb(0xba, 0xbd, 0xcc),
+        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0x97, 0xa7, 0xfd),
+        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0x12, 0x14, 0x28),
+        mode_insert_bg: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
+        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0x1d, 0x1e, 0x29),
+        error_text: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+    };
+
+    /// Amber Phosphor — CRT amber on warm graphite. The awaiting colour
+    /// shifts orange so it stays distinct from the amber accent.
+    pub const AMBER_PHOSPHOR: Palette = Palette {
+        card: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x22, 0x1f, 0x1a),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xec, 0xe7, 0xe1),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xba, 0xb3, 0xaa),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0x8f, 0x88, 0x7f),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xba, 0xb3, 0xaa),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x9b, 0x50),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+        },
+        selection: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x55, 0x43, 0x26),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xf6, 0xf1, 0xeb),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xd6, 0xd0, 0xc9),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0xad, 0xa7, 0xa0),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x9a, 0xf0, 0xa6),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xdd, 0xd6, 0xcf),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xb9, 0x72),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xa8, 0xa3),
+        },
+        chrome_bg: Color::Rgb(0x22, 0x1f, 0x1a),
+        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0x2d, 0x29, 0x25),
+        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0xf9, 0xbb, 0x51),
+        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x7a, 0x73, 0x6c),
+        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0xf9, 0xbb, 0x51),
+        group_row: Color::Rgb(0xc4, 0xbc, 0xb3),
+        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0xf9, 0xbb, 0x51),
+        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0x2f, 0x1e, 0x01),
+        mode_insert_bg: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x9b, 0x50),
+        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0x22, 0x1f, 0x1a),
+        error_text: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+    };
+
+    /// Ember — warm orange-red accent on a cleaner warm neutral.
+    pub const EMBER: Palette = Palette {
+        card: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x23, 0x1e, 0x1b),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xed, 0xe6, 0xe3),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xbc, 0xb2, 0xad),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0x90, 0x87, 0x82),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xbc, 0xb2, 0xad),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+        },
+        selection: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x5d, 0x3e, 0x30),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xf7, 0xf0, 0xed),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xd7, 0xcf, 0xcb),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0xae, 0xa6, 0xa2),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x9a, 0xf0, 0xa6),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xde, 0xd5, 0xd1),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf6, 0xd9, 0x78),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xa8, 0xa3),
+        },
+        chrome_bg: Color::Rgb(0x23, 0x1e, 0x1b),
+        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0x2e, 0x29, 0x26),
+        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0xf7, 0x89, 0x55),
+        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x7b, 0x72, 0x6e),
+        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0xf7, 0x89, 0x55),
+        group_row: Color::Rgb(0xc6, 0xbb, 0xb6),
+        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0xf7, 0x89, 0x55),
+        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0x2a, 0x14, 0x0a),
+        mode_insert_bg: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
+        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0x23, 0x1e, 0x1b),
+        error_text: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+    };
+
+    /// Orchid — muted violet accent on a faintly violet base.
+    pub const ORCHID: Palette = Palette {
+        card: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x21, 0x1e, 0x25),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xe9, 0xe6, 0xee),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xb6, 0xb2, 0xbd),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0x8b, 0x87, 0x91),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x72, 0xd6, 0x87),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xb6, 0xb2, 0xbd),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+        },
+        selection: Surface {
+            bg: Color::Rgb(0x51, 0x3c, 0x63),
+            fg: Color::Rgb(0xf3, 0xf0, 0xf8),
+            muted: Color::Rgb(0xd3, 0xcf, 0xd8),
+            dim: Color::Rgb(0xa9, 0xa6, 0xaf),
+            active: Color::Rgb(0x9a, 0xf0, 0xa6),
+            idle: Color::Rgb(0xd9, 0xd5, 0xdf),
+            awaiting: Color::Rgb(0xf6, 0xd9, 0x78),
+            error: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0xa8, 0xa3),
+        },
+        chrome_bg: Color::Rgb(0x21, 0x1e, 0x25),
+        sidebar_focus_bg: Color::Rgb(0x2c, 0x28, 0x30),
+        border_focused: Color::Rgb(0xd1, 0x9f, 0xf5),
+        border_unfocused: Color::Rgb(0x76, 0x72, 0x7c),
+        focus_accent: Color::Rgb(0xd1, 0x9f, 0xf5),
+        group_row: Color::Rgb(0xc0, 0xbb, 0xc7),
+        mode_normal_bg: Color::Rgb(0xd1, 0x9f, 0xf5),
+        mode_normal_fg: Color::Rgb(0x22, 0x13, 0x2c),
+        mode_insert_bg: Color::Rgb(0xf2, 0xc9, 0x5c),
+        mode_insert_fg: Color::Rgb(0x21, 0x1e, 0x25),
+        error_text: Color::Rgb(0xff, 0x82, 0x7a),
+    };
+
     /// The default preset, retained as a named compatibility constant.
     pub const DEFAULT: Palette = Self::DARK;
 
     /// All preset names and their complete palettes.
-    pub fn presets() -> [(&'static str, Palette); 12] {
+    pub fn presets() -> [(&'static str, Palette); 17] {
         [
             ("dark", Self::DARK),
             ("light", Self::LIGHT),
+            ("ice-cyan", Self::ICE_CYAN),
+            ("periwinkle", Self::PERIWINKLE),
+            ("amber-phosphor", Self::AMBER_PHOSPHOR),
+            ("ember", Self::EMBER),
+            ("orchid", Self::ORCHID),
             ("ansi", Self::ANSI),
             ("solarized-dark", Self::SOLARIZED_DARK),
             ("solarized-light", Self::SOLARIZED_LIGHT),

crates/maestro-tui/src/render.rs

@@ -3,14 +3,17 @@
 //! hit-test mouse clicks.
 
 use ratatui::layout::{Constraint, Direction, Layout, Rect};
-use ratatui::style::Modifier;
+use ratatui::style::{Modifier, Style};
 use ratatui::text::Span;
 use ratatui::widgets::Paragraph;
 use ratatui::Frame;
 
+use maestro_protocol::ActivityState;
+
+use crate::daemon_link::{format_release, LinkState, LinkStatus};
 use crate::input::Region;
 use crate::keymap::Mode;
-use crate::overlays::{HelpOverlay, KillConfirm, RenamePrompt, SpawnModal, Toast};
+use crate::overlays::{HelpOverlay, KillConfirm, RenamePrompt, RestartOverlay, SpawnModal, Toast};
 use crate::palette;
 use crate::pane::Pane;
 use crate::sidebar::Sidebar;
@@ -83,6 +86,9 @@ pub struct RenderInputs<'a> {
     pub help: &'a HelpOverlay,
     /// Edit buffer behind the rename prompt (#125).
     pub rename_input: &'a crate::text_input::TextInput,
+    /// Liveness + release of the daemon, for the status bar's indicator and the
+    /// restart overlay (`docs/RESTART.md`).
+    pub link: &'a crate::daemon_link::LinkStatus,
 }
 
 /// Draw one frame. Returns the `RegionMap` the input router will consult for
@@ -145,7 +151,7 @@ pub fn draw(f: &mut Frame, inputs: RenderInputs<'_>) -> RegionMap {
 
     // Status bar — always visible, never eclipsed by overlays so the user can
     // always see the current mode + key hints.
-    render_status_bar(f, status_area, inputs.state);
+    render_status_bar(f, status_area, inputs.state, inputs.link);
 
     match inputs.state.overlay() {
         Some(OverlayKind::Spawn) => {
@@ -203,6 +209,22 @@ pub fn draw(f: &mut Frame, inputs: RenderInputs<'_>) -> RegionMap {
         None => {}
     }
 
+    // Last, so it covers whatever else is up: while the daemon is gone none of
+    // it can act (`docs/RESTART.md`).
+    if inputs.link.state == LinkState::Down {
+        RestartOverlay {
+            attempts: inputs.link.attempts,
+            release: inputs
+                .link
+                .build
+                .as_ref()
+                .map(format_release)
+                .unwrap_or_else(|| "unknown release".to_string()),
+        }
+        .render(f, area);
+        map.modal = Some(area);
+    }
+
     map
 }
 
@@ -220,7 +242,16 @@ fn render_title_bar(f: &mut Frame, area: Rect, title: &str, focused: bool) {
 /// Render the always-visible status bar at the bottom of the frame. Surfaces
 /// mode + focused panel + the most useful key hints so the user is never
 /// guessing what state they're in.
-fn render_status_bar(f: &mut Frame, area: Rect, state: &AppState) {
+fn render_status_bar(f: &mut Frame, area: Rect, state: &AppState, link: &LinkStatus) {
+    // The daemon indicator is pinned right and sized to its own text, so a
+    // narrow terminal truncates the key hints rather than the release.
+    let label = link_label(link);
+    let indicator_w = (label.chars().count() as u16).saturating_add(3);
+    let cols = Layout::default()
+        .direction(Direction::Horizontal)
+        .constraints([Constraint::Min(0), Constraint::Length(indicator_w)])
+        .split(area);
+
     let mode_label = match state.mode {
         Mode::Normal => "[NORMAL]",
         Mode::Insert => "[INSERT]",
@@ -238,7 +269,42 @@ fn render_status_bar(f: &mut Frame, area: Rect, state: &AppState) {
         Span::styled(format!(" {mode_label} "), mode_style),
         Span::raw(format!("  {focus_label}  •  {hint}")),
     ]);
-    f.render_widget(Paragraph::new(line), area);
+    f.render_widget(Paragraph::new(line), cols[0]);
+
+    let indicator = ratatui::text::Line::from(vec![
+        Span::styled(" ●", Style::default().fg(link_colour(link.state))),
+        Span::raw(format!(" {label} ")),
+    ]);
+    f.render_widget(Paragraph::new(indicator), cols[1]);
+}
+
+/// The status dot's colour: the same three the sidebar cards use for session
+/// activity, so "green is fine, red is broken" reads the same everywhere.
+fn link_colour(state: LinkState) -> ratatui::style::Color {
+    let card = palette::active().card;
+    match state {
+        LinkState::Online => card.activity(ActivityState::Active),
+        LinkState::Connecting | LinkState::Reconnecting => {
+            card.activity(ActivityState::AwaitingInput)
+        }
+        LinkState::Down => card.activity(ActivityState::Error),
+    }
+}
+
+/// What sits next to the dot. The browser shows the release on hover; a
+/// terminal has no hover, so it is always on the line — replaced by the state
+/// while the daemon is not answering, which is the more urgent fact.
+fn link_label(link: &LinkStatus) -> String {
+    match link.state {
+        LinkState::Connecting => "connecting…".to_string(),
+        LinkState::Reconnecting => "reconnecting…".to_string(),
+        LinkState::Down => "daemon unreachable".to_string(),
+        LinkState::Online => match (&link.upgraded_to, &link.build) {
+            (Some(build), _) => format!("updated: {} (restart tui)", format_release(build)),
+            (None, Some(build)) => format_release(build),
+            (None, None) => "unknown release".to_string(),
+        },
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -246,6 +312,16 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::input::Region;
 
+    /// A link that answered — the normal case every other render test assumes.
+    fn online_link() -> LinkStatus {
+        LinkStatus {
+            state: LinkState::Online,
+            build: None,
+            attempts: 0,
+            upgraded_to: None,
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn region_map_resolves_known_areas() {
         let map = RegionMap {
@@ -331,6 +407,96 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    fn frame_text(link: &LinkStatus) -> String {
+        use crate::overlays::HelpOverlay;
+        use std::collections::HashSet;
+
+        let sidebar = Sidebar {
+            sessions: Vec::new(),
+            highlight: None,
+            attached: HashSet::new(),
+        };
+        let help = HelpOverlay { lines: Vec::new() };
+        let state = AppState::new();
+        let inputs = RenderInputs {
+            sidebar: &sidebar,
+            home_dir: "",
+            pane_title: "session",
+            pane: None,
+            draft: None,
+            state: &state,
+            help: &help,
+            rename_input: &crate::text_input::TextInput::default(),
+            link,
+        };
+        let backend = ratatui::backend::TestBackend::new(120, 24);
+        let mut terminal = ratatui::Terminal::new(backend).unwrap();
+        terminal
+            .draw(|f| {
+                draw(f, inputs);
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        let buf = terminal.backend().buffer().clone();
+        buf.content()
+            .iter()
+            .map(|c| c.symbol())
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+            .join("")
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn the_status_bar_names_the_release_the_daemon_is_running() {
+        let text = frame_text(&LinkStatus {
+            state: LinkState::Online,
+            build: Some(maestro_protocol::BuildInfo {
+                commit: "f89be4a716c7".into(),
+                commit_date: "2026-09-02T14:03:11Z".into(),
+                dirty: false,
+            }),
+            attempts: 0,
+            upgraded_to: None,
+        });
+        assert!(text.contains("f89be4a716c7"), "{text}");
+        assert!(text.contains("2026-09-02"), "{text}");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn an_unreachable_daemon_covers_the_frame_with_the_restart_overlay() {
+        let up = frame_text(&LinkStatus {
+            state: LinkState::Online,
+            build: None,
+            attempts: 0,
+            upgraded_to: None,
+        });
+        assert!(!up.contains("daemon restarting"));
+
+        let down = frame_text(&LinkStatus {
+            state: LinkState::Down,
+            build: None,
+            attempts: 4,
+            upgraded_to: None,
+        });
+        assert!(down.contains("daemon restarting"), "{down}");
+        assert!(down.contains("(4 attempts)"), "{down}");
+        assert!(down.contains("daemon unreachable"), "{down}");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn an_upgraded_daemon_tells_the_user_to_restart_the_tui() {
+        let text = frame_text(&LinkStatus {
+            state: LinkState::Online,
+            build: Some(maestro_protocol::BuildInfo::default()),
+            attempts: 0,
+            upgraded_to: Some(maestro_protocol::BuildInfo {
+                commit: "bbb111222333".into(),
+                commit_date: "2026-09-03T09:00:00Z".into(),
+                dirty: false,
+            }),
+        });
+        assert!(text.contains("updated: bbb111222333"), "{text}");
+        assert!(text.contains("restart tui"), "{text}");
+    }
+
     /// The spawn form is a modal: the frame shows it over whatever the pane
     /// was displaying, framed by its own border.
     #[test]
@@ -356,6 +522,7 @@ mod tests {
             state: &state,
             help: &help,
             rename_input: &crate::text_input::TextInput::default(),
+            link: &online_link(),
         };
 
         let backend = ratatui::backend::TestBackend::new(80, 24);
@@ -408,6 +575,7 @@ mod tests {
                 state: &state,
                 help: &help,
                 rename_input: &crate::text_input::TextInput::default(),
+                link: &online_link(),
             };
             let backend = ratatui::backend::TestBackend::new(80, 24);
             let mut terminal = ratatui::Terminal::new(backend).unwrap();
@@ -447,6 +615,7 @@ mod tests {
                 state: &state,
                 help: &help,
                 rename_input: &crate::text_input::TextInput::default(),
+                link: &online_link(),
             };
             let backend = ratatui::backend::TestBackend::new(80, 24);
             let mut terminal = ratatui::Terminal::new(backend).unwrap();

crates/maestro-tui/src/sidebar.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 //! Sidebar widget — session cards per `docs/SIDEBAR.md`.
 //!
-//! Line 1: status glyph (● attached / ○ live / ✗ dead) + name.
-//! Line 2: activity dot + duration in the state's colour, plus the
+//! Line 1: activity rail + status glyph (● attached / ○ live / ✗ dead) + name.
+//! Line 2: activity rail + duration in the state's colour, plus the
 //! adaptive detail, blocked-work, exited, and command fragments.
 
 use std::collections::{BTreeMap, HashSet};
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ const META_LINE_AFTER_SECS: i64 = 30;
 const PLAUSIBLE_SINCE_YEAR: i32 = 2010;
 const INDENT: &str = "  ";
 const META_INDENT: &str = "    ";
+/// docs/SIDEBAR.md: a one-column activity rail leads the indent gutter on
+/// both card rows, replacing the old inline dot glyph on the meta line.
+const RAIL: &str = "▌";
 
 /// Cards use the selection surface only while the sidebar owns focus. An
 /// unfocused highlight remains an edge-marked cursor without claiming the
@@ -203,7 +206,9 @@ impl Sidebar {
         );
         let chevron = Span::styled(chevron, base);
         let count = Span::styled(count, surface.muted_style().bg(row_bg));
-        let label_budget = width.saturating_sub(prefix.width() + chevron.width() + count.width());
+        // "1 +" is the blank leading column matching the session rows' rail.
+        let label_budget =
+            width.saturating_sub(1 + prefix.width() + chevron.width() + count.width());
         let mut label = Vec::new();
         if let Some(stem) = name.stem {
             label.push(Span::styled(
@@ -213,7 +218,9 @@ impl Sidebar {
         }
         label.push(Span::styled(name.last, base));
 
-        let mut spans = vec![prefix, chevron];
+        // A blank leading column, matching the width the activity rail adds
+        // to session rows, so folder labels keep aligning under names.
+        let mut spans = vec![Span::styled(" ", base), prefix, chevron];
         spans.extend(fit_to_width(label, label_budget));
         spans.push(count);
         pad_to_width(spans, width, base)
@@ -227,11 +234,13 @@ impl Sidebar {
         };
         let highlighted = self.highlight == Some(SidebarItem::Session(s.id));
         let base = card_base(highlighted, focused);
-        let prefix = INDENT.chars().count() + 2;
+        let prefix = 1 + INDENT.chars().count() + 2;
         let name_budget = width.saturating_sub(prefix);
 
         let edge = highlighted && !focused;
+        let rail_style = base.fg(activity_color(s.activity, highlighted, focused));
         let mut spans: Vec<Span<'static>> = vec![
+            Span::styled(RAIL, rail_style),
             Span::styled(
                 if edge { "▏ " } else { INDENT },
                 if edge {
@@ -250,7 +259,8 @@ impl Sidebar {
         pad_to_width(spans, width, base)
     }
 
-    /// The adaptive second line: `<dot> [<duration>] [<detail>] [<blocked work> | exited] <command>`.
+    /// The adaptive second line: `[<duration>] [<detail>] <command> [<blocked work> | exited]`,
+    /// led by the activity rail (docs/SIDEBAR.md).
     fn meta_row(&self, s: &Session, width: usize, focused: bool) -> Vec<Span<'static>> {
         let now = Utc::now();
         let held = held_for(s, now);
@@ -261,7 +271,7 @@ impl Sidebar {
         let dead = s.status == SessionStatus::Dead;
         let highlighted = self.highlight == Some(SidebarItem::Session(s.id));
         let base = card_base(highlighted, focused);
-        let dot_style =
+        let rail_style =
             base.patch(Style::default().fg(activity_color(s.activity, highlighted, focused)));
         let muted = palette::active()
             .surface(highlighted && focused)
@@ -269,6 +279,7 @@ impl Sidebar {
             .bg(base.bg.unwrap_or(palette::active().chrome_bg));
         let edge = highlighted && !focused;
         let mut spans = vec![
+            Span::styled(RAIL, rail_style),
             Span::styled(
                 if edge { "  ▏ " } else { META_INDENT },
                 if edge {
@@ -277,11 +288,9 @@ impl Sidebar {
                     base
                 },
             ),
-            Span::styled("●", dot_style),
         ];
         if let Some(d) = held.filter(|_| held_secs >= META_LINE_AFTER_SECS) {
-            spans.push(Span::styled(" ", base));
-            spans.push(Span::styled(format_state_duration(d), dot_style));
+            spans.push(Span::styled(format_state_duration(d), rail_style));
         }
         let mut tail: Vec<Span<'static>> = Vec::new();
         if let Some(b) = blocked {
@@ -320,8 +329,8 @@ impl Sidebar {
                 budget,
             ));
         }
-        spans.extend(tail);
         spans.extend(fit_to_width(vec![command], command_w));
+        spans.extend(tail);
         spans
     }
 }
@@ -689,7 +698,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     /// The additions and deletions are the only coloured fragments: they are
     /// what a reader scans for, and colouring the rest would make the line
-    /// compete with the activity dot.
+    /// compete with the activity rail.
     #[test]
     fn the_diff_colours_only_its_additions_and_deletions() {
         let mut s = session_named(1, "claude");
@@ -735,8 +744,8 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(content(&all[0]), "sessions");
         assert!(row_containing(&all, "claude").contains('○'));
         assert!(
-            all[3].contains('●'),
-            "line 2 must carry the dot: {:?}",
+            all[3].contains(RAIL),
+            "line 2 must carry the rail: {:?}",
             all[3]
         );
         assert!(
@@ -752,7 +761,7 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     /// Rule 1 of docs/SIDEBAR.md: held in state longer than 30s earns the
-    /// meta line, with the floored duration next to the dot.
+    /// meta line, with the floored duration next to the rail.
     #[test]
     fn long_held_session_gets_a_meta_line_with_duration() {
         let mut s = session_named(1, "claude");
@@ -765,7 +774,7 @@ mod tests {
         let all = rows(&draw(&sb, 28, 8));
         let idx = all.iter().position(|l| l.contains("claude")).unwrap();
         let meta = &all[idx + 1];
-        assert!(meta.contains('●'), "meta line carries the dot: {meta:?}");
+        assert!(meta.contains(RAIL), "meta line carries the rail: {meta:?}");
         assert!(meta.contains("1m"), "expected 1m in: {meta:?}");
     }
 
@@ -782,10 +791,10 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(fmt(7200), "2h");
     }
 
-    /// The dot and duration carry the activity state's colour; the state word
-    /// is never spelled out (docs/SIDEBAR.md colour table).
+    /// The rail and duration carry the activity state's colour; the state
+    /// word is never spelled out (docs/SIDEBAR.md colour table).
     #[test]
-    fn meta_line_dot_uses_the_contract_colour_per_state() {
+    fn meta_line_rail_uses_the_contract_colour_per_state() {
         for state in [
             ActivityState::Active,
             ActivityState::Idle,
@@ -808,7 +817,7 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
-    /// The selected card keeps carrying its state on the dot, but in the
+    /// The selected card keeps carrying its state on the rail, but in the
     /// selection surface's own colours. A state colour picked for the dark
     /// card background painted onto the selection background is the contrast
     /// bug this palette fixes — this test fails if it comes back.
@@ -845,7 +854,7 @@ mod tests {
             );
             assert!(
                 on_selection(p.selection.activity(state)),
-                "{state:?}: the dot must still carry the state on the selected card"
+                "{state:?}: the rail must still carry the state on the selected card"
             );
             let ratio = palette::contrast_ratio(p.selection.bg, p.selection.activity(state))
                 .expect("palette roles are RGB");
@@ -918,9 +927,11 @@ mod tests {
         let all = rows(&draw(&sb, 28, 8));
         let idx = all.iter().position(|l| l.contains("claude")).unwrap();
         let meta = content(&all[idx + 1]);
+        let ellipsis = meta.find('…').expect("truncated command must contain …");
+        let tail = meta.find("~120").expect("diff stat must survive: {meta:?}");
         assert!(
-            meta.trim_end().ends_with('…'),
-            "truncated command must end with …: {meta:?}"
+            ellipsis < tail,
+            "command must truncate before the diff stat: {meta:?}"
         );
         assert!(
             content(&all[idx + 2]).trim().is_empty(),
@@ -945,7 +956,7 @@ mod tests {
         let all = rows(&draw(&sb, 40, 8));
         let idx = all.iter().position(|l| l.contains("claude")).unwrap();
         let meta = &all[idx + 1];
-        assert!(meta.contains('●'), "meta line carries the dot: {meta:?}");
+        assert!(meta.contains(RAIL), "meta line carries the rail: {meta:?}");
         assert!(
             meta.contains("1m"),
             "duration precedes the detail: {meta:?}"
@@ -1018,7 +1029,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     /// docs/SIDEBAR.md: a payload predating #102 carries an epoch
     /// `activity_since` and so contributes no duration — a card must not claim
-    /// the session has been idle since 1970. The dot still renders when some
+    /// the session has been idle since 1970. The rail still renders when some
     /// other trigger puts line 2 on screen.
     #[test]
     fn epoch_activity_since_renders_no_duration() {
@@ -1035,10 +1046,10 @@ mod tests {
             rendered.contains("exited"),
             "dead session must still show line 2:\n{rendered}"
         );
-        for line in rendered.lines().filter(|l| l.contains('●')) {
+        for line in rendered.lines().filter(|l| l.contains(RAIL)) {
             assert!(
                 !line
-                    .split('●')
+                    .split(RAIL)
                     .nth(1)
                     .unwrap_or("")
                     .trim_start()
@@ -1101,7 +1112,7 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn narrow_meta_line_keeps_dot_and_truncates_command() {
+    fn narrow_meta_line_keeps_rail_and_truncates_command() {
         let s = session_named(1, "name");
         let sb = Sidebar {
             sessions: vec![s],
@@ -1110,8 +1121,8 @@ mod tests {
         };
         let all = rows(&draw(&sb, 9, 6));
         assert!(
-            all[3].contains('●'),
-            "dot must survive narrow cards: {:?}",
+            all[3].contains(RAIL),
+            "rail must survive narrow cards: {:?}",
             all[3]
         );
         assert!(
@@ -1122,7 +1133,7 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn blocked_warning_survives_before_a_truncated_command() {
+    fn blocked_warning_survives_after_a_truncated_command() {
         let mut s = session_named(1, "name");
         s.command = "a-program-name-that-cannot-fit".into();
         s.blocked_work = Some(InTheWay {
@@ -1137,7 +1148,12 @@ mod tests {
         let all = rows(&draw(&sb, 29, 6));
         assert!(all[3].contains("~1"), "{:?}", all[3]);
         let meta = content(&all[3]);
-        assert!(meta.ends_with('…'), "command must truncate: {meta:?}");
+        let ellipsis = meta.find('…').expect("command must truncate");
+        let tail = meta.find("~1").unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            ellipsis < tail,
+            "diff stat must follow the truncated command: {meta:?}"
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]

docs/INSTALL.md

@@ -154,15 +154,22 @@ chord_timeout_ms = 1000      # how long to hold a partial chord like `ctrl-w`
 # want extra Insert-mode bindings)
 ```
 
-`theme` selects the complete TUI palette. `dark` is the default and follows
-Maestro's terminal-native dark product palette; `light` is its light peer;
-`ansi` uses the terminal's named ANSI colours for terminals without truecolour.
-The remaining presets adapt well-known editor themes, with individual colours
-lifted or darkened where the originals fall short of the WCAG AA contrast
-floors the palette tests assert:
+`theme` selects the complete TUI palette. `dark` is the default: Maestro's
+graphite palette, near-neutral chrome where the activity colours are the only
+hue on screen; `light` is its light peer; `ansi` uses the terminal's named
+ANSI colours for terminals without truecolour. Five house presets recolour
+the graphite base with an accent, and the remaining presets adapt well-known
+editor themes — in both groups individual colours are lifted or darkened
+where they would fall short of the WCAG AA contrast floors the palette tests
+assert:
 
 | name              | based on         |
 |-------------------|------------------|
+| `ice-cyan`        | graphite base, signal-cyan accent |
+| `periwinkle`      | indigo base, blue-violet accent   |
+| `amber-phosphor`  | warm graphite, CRT-amber accent   |
+| `ember`           | warm graphite, orange-red accent  |
+| `orchid`          | violet base, muted violet accent  |
 | `solarized-dark`  | Solarized Dark   |
 | `solarized-light` | Solarized Light  |
 | `catppuccin`      | Catppuccin Mocha |

docs/RESTART.md

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+# Restart and upgrade contract
+
+Maestro is upgraded in place: the operator reinstalls the binary and systemd
+restarts the daemon under every browser tab and TUI that is attached to it.
+tmux keeps the sessions alive across that (see `docs/INSTALL.md`), but clients
+lose their sockets. This document is the contract for what a client does about
+it — what the daemon publishes, how a client tells a restart from a blip, and
+what the user sees while it happens.
+
+## What the daemon publishes
+
+`GET /api/info` carries two fields beyond identity and presets:
+
+| field      | meaning                                                        |
+| ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `build`    | `{ commit, commit_date, dirty }` — the commit the binary was compiled from |
+| `instance` | uuid regenerated on every daemon start                          |
+
+`build` is stamped at compile time by `crates/maestro-daemon/build.rs`, which
+runs `git` in the checkout it is compiled in. The Nix build has no `.git` in the
+crane-filtered source tree, so `flake.nix` passes the flake's own revision as
+`MAESTRO_BUILD_COMMIT` / `MAESTRO_BUILD_DATE` / `MAESTRO_BUILD_DIRTY`. A build
+with neither source reports empty strings — clients render that as
+"unknown release" and fall back to `instance` alone.
+
+`instance` is the one that never goes missing. It says *this process*, so two
+replies that differ on it are two runs of the daemon, even when the commit did
+not change (a plain `systemctl restart`, or a crash).
+
+## How a client reads them
+
+Three verdicts, from comparing the reply before an outage with the one after
+(`compareIdentity` in `web/src/daemonLink.ts`, mirrored by
+`crates/maestro-tui/src/daemon_link.rs`):
+
+- **upgraded** — both commits are known and differ. New server code.
+- **restarted** — commits match (or are unknown) and `instance` differs.
+- **same** — neither changed; the socket blipped, the daemon never moved.
+
+Only *upgraded* is special. A browser tab is holding a bundle that the upgraded
+daemon no longer serves, so it reloads the page rather than driving new server
+code from an old bundle. The TUI is its own binary — a reload would not replace
+it — so it stays up, reconnects, and says which release it is now talking to;
+the user restarts `maestro tui` when they want the new client.
+
+## What the user sees
+
+The **status indicator** lives in the sidebar footer, left of the spawn button,
+in both clients. Its colour is the link state, and it names the running release
+— commit hash and commit date — on hover (web) or in the status bar (TUI).
+
+| state          | colour | meaning                                              |
+| -------------- | ------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
+| `connecting`   | amber  | first probe hasn't landed                            |
+| `online`       | green  | daemon answered; same process, or a resolved new one |
+| `reconnecting` | amber  | socket dropped, still inside the grace window        |
+| `down`         | red    | unreachable past the grace window — the UI blocks    |
+| `updating`     | red    | answered on a new commit; the page is reloading      |
+
+`updating` is web-only, because reloading is web-only. The TUI goes straight
+back to `online` after an upgrade and puts `updated: <hash> (restart tui)` on
+its status bar instead, until the user restarts it.
+
+The **restart overlay** is up for exactly `down` and `updating`. It is not
+dismissable and it swallows the app's keyboard shortcuts: everything behind it
+would act on a daemon that is not there. In the TUI the quit binding still
+resolves, so a blocked client is never a trapped one. It clears itself the
+moment a probe succeeds — there is no "retry" button, because the client is
+already retrying.
+
+## Timing
+
+- **Grace window** — 1200 ms between the socket dropping and the overlay
+  appearing. A wifi hiccup or a laptop waking up should not throw a modal.
+- **Poll cadence** — `GET /api/info` every 700 ms while unreachable, flat, not
+  backed off: a restart takes a second or two and the point is to unlock as soon
+  as it is over. The events socket keeps its own exponential backoff for the
+  session stream; the two are independent, and the probe is what decides state.
+
+The events socket dropping is the trigger, not a timer: the daemon cannot warn
+anyone it is about to die, so its socket closing is the earliest signal there
+is. A reconnect of that socket does **not** by itself clear the state — only a
+probe does, because the socket carries no identity and reconnecting to an
+upgraded daemon must reload rather than resume.

docs/SIDEBAR.md

@@ -37,23 +37,45 @@ itself is not.
 Line 2 reads left to right:
 
 ```
-<dot> [<duration>] [<detail>] [<diff stat> | exited] <command>
+[<duration>] [<detail>] <command> [<diff stat> | exited]
 ```
 
-Its minimum content is therefore the dot and the command.
+Its minimum content is therefore just the command.
 
-`<dot>` is a single filled glyph (`●` on both clients) carrying the activity
-state's colour, and `<duration>` follows in the same colour when shown. There
-is no state word and no second badge: the dot exists so the state is still
-legible when a row is dimmed or the terminal renders the duration in the
-default fg. The dot is an unconditional part of line 2; the bracketed
-fragments appear only when their trigger holds.
+The activity state does not render as an inline glyph on line 2 — a **rail**
+carries it instead: a coloured bar in the gutter to the left of the card, the
+space nesting already reserves for indentation. The rail paints for every
+card, `Idle` included, and is independent of whatever line 2 has to say; a
+card with nothing else to report still shows its rail next to the bare
+command. `<duration>` follows in the rail's colour when shown. There is no
+state word and no second badge: the rail exists so the state is still legible
+when a row is dimmed or the terminal renders the duration in the default fg.
+
+In the **web client** the rail is a 5px bar positioned inside the row's own
+indent gutter — it shifts outward with nesting depth exactly as the gutter
+does — spanning the full card height. It carries motion, reserved for states
+that need attention (DESIGN.md's "living signals" rule): a slow breathing
+opacity while `Active`, a hard blink while `AwaitingInput`, a fast flash while
+`Error`. `Idle` is solid and still, on purpose. `prefers-reduced-motion`
+leaves every state as a solid bar.
+
+In the **TUI** the rail is a one-column-wide block glyph (`▌`) in the state's
+palette role, leading the existing indent gutter (`INDENT`/`META_INDENT`) on
+both the name row and the meta row, so the two lines read as one continuous
+bar. Folder headers gain a matching blank leading column so labels still
+align under session names. The TUI has no render cadence to animate against,
+so its rail is always static — colour is the whole signal there, as it
+always was.
+
+Either client's rail carries the accessibility duty the old inline dot did:
+it is the element whose `title`/`aria-label` names the state, so status still
+never relies on colour alone.
 
 `<duration>` renders only once the session has been held in its current
 activity state longer than **30 seconds** (`activity_since` from #102) — under
-that threshold the duration is absent and the dot renders alone. A payload
-that predates #102 (no usable `activity_since`) likewise contributes no
-duration — the dot still renders. This rule now governs only the duration
+that threshold the duration is absent and the rail carries the state alone. A
+payload that predates #102 (no usable `activity_since`) likewise contributes
+no duration — the rail still renders. This rule now governs only the duration
 fragment; it no longer decides whether line 2 exists.
 
 `<detail>` is an agent-reported string (#105) — e.g. why a session is in
@@ -61,7 +83,7 @@ fragment; it no longer decides whether line 2 exists.
 while an agent-reported state is in force (see Precedence): when the report
 lapses at its TTL or is replaced, the detail goes with it. The detail
 truncates with `…` ahead of the trailing fragments — a long detail never
-pushes `<blocked work>`, `exited`, or `<command>` off the line, and neither
+pushes `<command>`, `<blocked work>`, or `exited` off the line, and neither
 client ever lets it wrap.
 
 `<diff stat>` is the blocked-work breakdown (#83) in diff notation, replacing

flake.nix

@@ -33,6 +33,25 @@
 
           version = (lib.importTOML ./Cargo.toml).workspace.package.version;
 
+          # Build provenance for `GET /api/info`. The Rust source tree crane
+          # hands to the compiler has no `.git`, so `maestro-daemon/build.rs`
+          # cannot ask git itself — the flake's own revision is passed instead.
+          # A dirty tree has no `rev`, and `dirtyRev` carries a `-dirty` suffix.
+          rev = inputs.self.rev or inputs.self.dirtyRev or "";
+          # `lastModifiedDate` is `YYYYMMDDhhmmss` in UTC; clients want RFC 3339.
+          ld = inputs.self.lastModifiedDate or "";
+          iso =
+            if ld == "" then
+              ""
+            else
+              "${builtins.substring 0 4 ld}-${builtins.substring 4 2 ld}-${builtins.substring 6 2 ld}"
+              + "T${builtins.substring 8 2 ld}:${builtins.substring 10 2 ld}:${builtins.substring 12 2 ld}Z";
+          buildStamp = {
+            MAESTRO_BUILD_COMMIT = builtins.substring 0 12 rev;
+            MAESTRO_BUILD_DATE = iso;
+            MAESTRO_BUILD_DIRTY = if inputs.self ? rev then "0" else "1";
+          };
+
           # Cargo source filtering keeps only *.rs, *.toml and Cargo.lock. The
           # SPA is built separately (below) and handed to the Rust build as a
           # path, so nothing under web/ needs to be in this source tree.
@@ -85,6 +104,7 @@
 
           maestro = craneLib.buildPackage (
             commonArgs
+            // buildStamp
             // {
               inherit cargoArtifacts;
               pname = "maestro";

web/src/attach.ts

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import "@xterm/xterm/css/xterm.css";
 import { attachWsUrl } from "./routes.js";
 import { escapeHtml } from "./html.js";
 import { INITIAL_RECONNECT_MS, MAX_RECONNECT_MS } from "./reconnect.js";
-import { applyModsToChar, cursorSeq } from "./keys.js";
+import { applyModsToChar, cursorSeq, tildeSeq } from "./keys.js";
 import { requestToggleDrawer } from "./drawer.js";
 import { splitCommand, toolIconSvg } from "./toolIcon.js";
 import type { ClientControl, Uuid } from "./types.js";
@@ -433,11 +433,17 @@ export function createAttachConnection(
  * - `mod` is a sticky one-shot modifier toggle (Ctrl / Alt).
  * - `cursor` is a cursor/navigation key, identified by its CSI final byte, so a
  *   pending modifier can promote it to the `\x1b[1;<n><final>` form.
+ * - `tilde` is a `~`-terminated navigation key (PgUp/PgDn), identified by its
+ *   CSI parameter, whose modified form is `\x1b[<code>;<n>~`.
+ * - `char` is a literal character (the symbols the soft keyboard buries behind
+ *   a page switch), folded through a pending modifier like typed input.
  * - `seq` is a plain key (Esc, Tab) sent verbatim.
  */
 type KeyDef =
   | { label: string; mod: Modifier }
   | { label: string; cursor: CursorFinal }
+  | { label: string; tilde: number }
+  | { label: string; char: string }
   | { label: string; seq: string };
 
 type Modifier = "ctrl" | "alt";
@@ -445,14 +451,17 @@ type Modifier = "ctrl" | "alt";
 type CursorFinal = "A" | "B" | "C" | "D" | "H" | "F";
 
 /**
- * The keys the mobile soft keyboard hides, ordered to flow row-major into a
- * 5-column / 2-row grid (NAP-342 review):
+ * The keys the mobile soft keyboard hides, ordered to flow row-major into an
+ * 8-column / 2-row grid (#7):
  *
- *     Esc  Tab  Home  ↑   End
- *     Ctrl Alt   ←    ↓    →
+ *     Esc  Tab  Home  ↑   End  PgUp  -  /
+ *     Ctrl Alt   ←    ↓    →   PgDn  |  ~
  *
- * — Esc/Tab + the Ctrl/Alt sticky modifiers on the left, and the cursor keys as
- * a real-keyboard inverted-T on the right, with Home/End filling its top corners.
+ * — Esc/Tab + the Ctrl/Alt sticky modifiers on the left, the cursor keys as a
+ * real-keyboard inverted-T in the middle with Home/End filling its top corners,
+ * then the paging pair and the shell symbols that cost a soft-keyboard page
+ * switch to reach. Narrower screens scroll the bar sideways rather than
+ * shrinking the caps below a thumb's width.
  */
 const KEY_DEFS: KeyDef[] = [
   { label: "Esc", seq: "\x1b" },
@@ -460,11 +469,17 @@ const KEY_DEFS: KeyDef[] = [
   { label: "Home", cursor: "H" },
   { label: "↑", cursor: "A" },
   { label: "End", cursor: "F" },
+  { label: "PgUp", tilde: 5 },
+  { label: "-", char: "-" },
+  { label: "/", char: "/" },
   { label: "Ctrl", mod: "ctrl" },
   { label: "Alt", mod: "alt" },
   { label: "←", cursor: "D" },
   { label: "↓", cursor: "B" },
   { label: "→", cursor: "C" },
+  { label: "PgDn", tilde: 6 },
+  { label: "|", char: "|" },
+  { label: "~", char: "~" },
 ];
 
 /**
@@ -521,6 +536,16 @@ function buildKeyBar(send: (data: string) => void): KeyBar {
         send(cursorSeq(def.cursor, armed.ctrl, armed.alt));
         clearMods();
       });
+    } else if ("tilde" in def) {
+      btn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+        send(tildeSeq(def.tilde, armed.ctrl, armed.alt));
+        clearMods();
+      });
+    } else if ("char" in def) {
+      btn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+        send(applyModsToChar(def.char, armed.ctrl, armed.alt));
+        clearMods();
+      });
     } else {
       btn.addEventListener("click", () => {
         send(def.seq);

web/src/catalog.test.ts

@@ -224,9 +224,10 @@ describe("session cards (#107)", () => {
       activity_since: ago(5_000),
     });
     const el = renderSidebar(storeWith([s])).el;
-    const line2 = rowFor(el, s.id)?.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".card-line2");
+    const row = rowFor(el, s.id);
+    const line2 = row?.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".card-line2");
     expect(line2).not.toBeNull();
-    expect(line2?.querySelector(".activity-dot")).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(row?.querySelector(".activity-rail")).not.toBeNull();
     expect(line2?.querySelector(".activity-duration")).toBeNull();
     expect(line2?.querySelector(".leaf-cmd")).not.toBeNull();
   });
@@ -238,9 +239,10 @@ describe("session cards (#107)", () => {
       activity_since: ago(4 * 60_000 + 30_000),
     });
     const el = renderSidebar(storeWith([s])).el;
-    const line2 = rowFor(el, s.id)?.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".card-line2");
+    const row = rowFor(el, s.id);
+    const line2 = row?.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".card-line2");
     expect(line2?.dataset.activity).toBe("active");
-    expect(line2?.querySelector(".activity-dot")).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(row?.querySelector(".activity-rail")).not.toBeNull();
     expect(line2?.querySelector(".activity-duration")?.textContent).toBe("4m");
   });
 
@@ -355,9 +357,9 @@ describe("session cards (#107)", () => {
     });
     const el = renderSidebar(storeWith([s])).el;
     const row = rowFor(el, s.id) as HTMLElement;
-    const dot = row.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".activity-dot");
-    expect(dot?.getAttribute("title")).toContain("Awaiting input");
-    expect(dot?.getAttribute("aria-label")).toContain("Awaiting input");
+    const rail = row.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".activity-rail");
+    expect(rail?.getAttribute("title")).toContain("Awaiting input");
+    expect(rail?.getAttribute("aria-label")).toContain("Awaiting input");
     expect(row.textContent).not.toMatch(/awaiting.?input/i);
   });
 

web/src/catalog.ts

@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@ import {
 } from "./activity.js";
 import type { TreeNode } from "./tree.js";
 import { buildTree } from "./tree.js";
-import { createThemeToggle } from "./theme.js";
+import { createPaletteSelect, createThemeToggle } from "./theme.js";
+import type { DaemonLink } from "./daemonLink.js";
+import { createStatusIndicator } from "./statusIndicator.js";
 
 /** Ask the shell to open the spawn modal. Handled in main.ts, where the
  *  multi-view controller lives; dispatched from every Spawn affordance. */
@@ -56,8 +58,9 @@ const collapsed = new Set<string>();
  * would otherwise replace the field the user is typing into. */
 let renamingId: string | null = null;
 
-// docs/SIDEBAR.md: the state word is never rendered — the dot's colour carries
-// it. It survives only in tooltips/aria labels so meaning is not colour-only.
+// docs/SIDEBAR.md: the state word is never rendered — the rail's colour
+// carries it. It survives only in tooltips/aria labels so meaning is not
+// colour-only.
 const STATE_WORDS: Record<string, string> = {
   active: "Active",
   idle: "Idle",
@@ -65,24 +68,31 @@ const STATE_WORDS: Record<string, string> = {
   error: "Error",
 };
 
+/** docs/SIDEBAR.md: the activity rail sits inside the row's own indent
+ * gutter, so it shifts outward with nesting depth exactly as that gutter
+ * does. `depth * 16 + 8` is the same expression `renderNode` uses for the
+ * row's own padding — the rail sits just inside it. */
+function activityRailMarkup(slug: string, stateWord: string, depth: number): string {
+  const left = depth * 16 + 2;
+  return `<span class="activity-rail" data-activity="${slug}" style="left:${left}px" role="img" title="${escapeHtml(stateWord)}" aria-label="${escapeHtml(stateWord)}"></span>`;
+}
+
 function metaLine(s: Session, now: number): string {
   const dead = s.status === "Dead";
   const blockers = sessionBlockers(s);
   const slug = activityColorSlug(s.activity ?? "Idle");
-  const stateWord = STATE_WORDS[slug] ?? STATE_WORDS.idle;
   const held = activityHeldMs(s.activity_since, now);
   const duration =
     held !== null && held >= META_LINE_MIN_HOLD_MS ? activityDurationLabel(held) : null;
 
   const fragments = [
-    `<span class="activity-dot" role="img" title="${escapeHtml(stateWord)}" aria-label="${escapeHtml(stateWord)}"></span>`,
     duration ? `<span class="activity-duration">${duration}</span>` : "",
     s.activity_detail
       ? `<span class="activity-detail">${escapeHtml(s.activity_detail)}</span>`
       : "",
+    commandFragment(s.command),
     blockers ? blockedFragment(blockers) : "",
     dead ? `<span class="card-flag">exited</span>` : "",
-    commandFragment(s.command),
   ];
   return `<span class="card-line2" data-activity="${slug}">${fragments.join("")}</span>`;
 }
@@ -154,14 +164,15 @@ function renderNode(node: TreeNode, depth: number): HTMLElement {
   const running = s.status === "Running";
   row.dataset.status = running ? "running" : "dead";
   const name = sessionName(s);
-  const stateWord =
-    STATE_WORDS[activityColorSlug(s.activity ?? "Idle")] ?? STATE_WORDS.idle;
+  const slug = activityColorSlug(s.activity ?? "Idle");
+  const stateWord = STATE_WORDS[slug] ?? STATE_WORDS.idle;
   row.setAttribute(
     "aria-label",
     `${name}, ${running ? "running" : "exited"}, ${stateWord}`,
   );
   // docs/SIDEBAR.md: line 1 reserves action width, and line 2 is unconditional.
   row.innerHTML = `
+    ${activityRailMarkup(slug, stateWord, depth)}
     <span class="card-line1">
       <span class="leaf-name">${escapeHtml(name)}</span>
       <span class="leaf-actions">
@@ -336,6 +347,9 @@ export interface SidebarOptions {
   /** Pointerdown on a session row — the multi-view controller decides drag vs
    *  tap (issue #32). Tap falls through to the row's normal click (open). */
   onLeafDrag?: (sessionId: string, e: PointerEvent) => void;
+  /** Daemon link behind the footer's status dot. Omitted in tests and in the
+   *  design kit, which render the sidebar without a daemon. */
+  link?: DaemonLink;
 }
 
 export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): SidebarHandle {
@@ -380,6 +394,7 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
   helpBtn.addEventListener("click", () => toggleHelp());
   footer.appendChild(helpBtn);
   footer.appendChild(createThemeToggle());
+  footer.appendChild(createPaletteSelect());
   // DEV-only shortcut to the standalone design kit (?kit). Lets you reach it by
   // clicking inside a proxied preview (e.g. crit live) that has no address bar.
   if (import.meta.env.DEV) {
@@ -390,6 +405,10 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
     kit.title = "Open the design kit (DEV)";
     footer.appendChild(kit);
   }
+  // Daemon status sits beside the spawn button: colour for the link state,
+  // hover for the release the daemon is running.
+  const status = opts.link ? createStatusIndicator(opts.link) : null;
+  if (status) footer.appendChild(status.el);
   const spawnBtn = document.createElement("button");
   spawnBtn.type = "button";
   spawnBtn.className = "btn btn-primary spawn-btn";
@@ -617,6 +636,7 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
     },
     dispose() {
       clearInterval(clock);
+      status?.dispose();
       // An unfinished rename would otherwise leave every later sidebar
       // refusing to refresh.
       renamingId = null;

web/src/daemonLink.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+import { DaemonLink, compareIdentity, formatRelease } from "./daemonLink.js";
+import type { Scheduler } from "./events.js";
+import type { DaemonInfo } from "./types.js";
+
+function info(commit: string, instance: string, date = "2026-09-02T14:03:11+01:00"): DaemonInfo {
+  return {
+    hostname: "konishi",
+    version: "0.1.0",
+    presets: [],
+    build: { commit, commit_date: date, dirty: false },
+    instance,
+  };
+}
+
+/** Scheduler whose timers only fire when the test says so. */
+function manual(): Scheduler & { run(): void; pending(): number } {
+  let next = 1;
+  const timers = new Map<number, () => void>();
+  return {
+    setTimer(fn) {
+      const h = next++;
+      timers.set(h, fn);
+      return h;
+    },
+    clearTimer(h) {
+      timers.delete(h);
+    },
+    run() {
+      const due = [...timers.entries()];
+      timers.clear();
+      for (const [, fn] of due) fn();
+    },
+    pending: () => timers.size,
+  };
+}
+
+describe("compareIdentity", () => {
+  it("reads a changed commit as an upgrade", () => {
+    expect(compareIdentity(info("aaa", "i1"), info("bbb", "i2"))).toBe("upgraded");
+  });
+
+  it("reads a changed instance on the same commit as a plain restart", () => {
+    expect(compareIdentity(info("aaa", "i1"), info("aaa", "i2"))).toBe("restarted");
+  });
+
+  it("reads an unchanged process as no event at all", () => {
+    expect(compareIdentity(info("aaa", "i1"), info("aaa", "i1"))).toBe("same");
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to the instance when the build is unknown", () => {
+    // A daemon built outside a checkout reports empty commits; the instance is
+    // still enough to see the restart, and never claims a phantom upgrade.
+    expect(compareIdentity(info("", "i1"), info("", "i2"))).toBe("restarted");
+    expect(compareIdentity(info("", "i1"), info("", "i1"))).toBe("same");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("formatRelease", () => {
+  it("pairs the short hash with a readable date", () => {
+    expect(formatRelease({ commit: "f89be4a716c7", commit_date: "2026-09-02T14:03:11Z", dirty: false })).toBe(
+      "f89be4a716c7 · 2026-09-02",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("marks a dirty build", () => {
+    expect(formatRelease({ commit: "f89be4a", commit_date: "", dirty: true })).toBe("f89be4a (dirty)");
+  });
+
+  it("says so when the release is unknown", () => {
+    expect(formatRelease(undefined)).toBe("unknown release");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("DaemonLink", () => {
+  it("starts online once the first probe lands", async () => {
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => info("aaa", "i1"),
+      scheduler: manual(),
+      reload: () => {},
+    });
+    await link.start();
+    expect(link.status().state).toBe("online");
+    expect(link.status().build?.commit).toBe("aaa");
+  });
+
+  it("holds the modal back during the grace period, then blocks", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => {
+        throw new Error("down");
+      },
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload: () => {},
+      graceMs: 1000,
+    });
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    // Still inside the grace window: the dot goes amber, nothing blocks.
+    expect(link.status().state).toBe("reconnecting");
+    sched.run();
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(link.status().state).toBe("down");
+  });
+
+  it("unlocks without reloading when the same build comes back", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    const reload = vi.fn();
+    let reply: DaemonInfo | null = info("aaa", "i1");
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => {
+        if (!reply) throw new Error("down");
+        return reply;
+      },
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload,
+    });
+    await link.start();
+
+    reply = null;
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    sched.run(); // grace expires → blocked, poll scheduled
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(link.status().state).toBe("down");
+
+    // Same commit, new process: a restart, not an upgrade — the page stays.
+    reply = info("aaa", "i2");
+    await link.probe();
+    expect(reload).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(link.status().state).toBe("online");
+  });
+
+  it("reloads the page when the daemon comes back on a new commit", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    const reload = vi.fn();
+    let reply = info("aaa", "i1");
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => reply,
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload,
+    });
+    await link.start();
+
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    reply = info("bbb", "i2");
+    await link.probe();
+    expect(reload).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    // Left blocked deliberately: the reload is what ends this page's life, and
+    // flashing an unlocked UI in between would let the user act on stale code.
+    expect(link.status().state).toBe("updating");
+  });
+
+  it("keeps polling on a scheduled cadence while the daemon is unreachable", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    let attempts = 0;
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => {
+        attempts += 1;
+        throw new Error("down");
+      },
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload: () => {},
+    });
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    sched.run(); // grace → first poll
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    const first = attempts;
+    expect(first).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    sched.run(); // next poll tick
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(attempts).toBeGreaterThan(first);
+    link.stop();
+  });
+
+  it("notifies subscribers on every state change", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    const seen: string[] = [];
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => info("aaa", "i1"),
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload: () => {},
+    });
+    link.subscribe((s) => seen.push(s.state));
+    await link.start();
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    sched.run();
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(seen).toContain("reconnecting");
+    expect(seen[0]).toBe("connecting");
+  });
+});

web/src/daemonLink.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+// The link to the daemon behind this page: is it up, and which release is it?
+// The sidebar's status indicator and the restart overlay both read this one
+// controller. See docs/RESTART.md for the restart contract it implements.
+
+import { getDaemonInfo } from "./api.js";
+import type { Scheduler } from "./events.js";
+import type { BuildInfo, DaemonInfo } from "./types.js";
+
+/**
+ * - `connecting` — first probe hasn't landed yet.
+ * - `online` — the daemon answered and is the same process, or a resolved new one.
+ * - `reconnecting` — the socket dropped, but within the grace window; a blip
+ *   shouldn't throw a modal in the user's face.
+ * - `down` — unreachable past the grace window: the overlay blocks the UI and
+ *   the poll runs until it answers.
+ * - `updating` — it answered on a different commit; the page is reloading and
+ *   stays blocked until it does.
+ */
+export type LinkState = "connecting" | "online" | "reconnecting" | "down" | "updating";
+
+export interface LinkStatus {
+  state: LinkState;
+  /** The release the daemon last reported. Undefined until the first probe,
+   *  and on a daemon too old to carry one. */
+  build?: BuildInfo;
+  /** Hostname the daemon reports, for the indicator's tooltip. */
+  hostname?: string;
+  /** How many probes have failed in the current outage — the overlay counts
+   *  attempts so a long restart doesn't look frozen. */
+  attempts: number;
+}
+
+/** What happened between two `/api/info` replies. */
+export type RestartKind = "same" | "restarted" | "upgraded";
+
+/** How long a dropped socket may stay dropped before the UI blocks. Long enough
+ *  to ride out a wifi hiccup, short enough that a real restart is visible. */
+export const GRACE_MS = 1200;
+/** Cadence of the `/api/info` poll while the daemon is unreachable. */
+export const POLL_MS = 700;
+
+const browserScheduler: Scheduler = {
+  setTimer: (fn, ms) => window.setTimeout(fn, ms),
+  clearTimer: (h) => window.clearTimeout(h),
+};
+
+/**
+ * Compare two daemon replies.
+ *
+ * The commit decides first: a different one means new code, which for a browser
+ * means new assets. The per-process `instance` catches the rest — a restart of
+ * the same build, which needs no reload. A daemon built outside a git checkout
+ * reports an empty commit, so an empty-vs-empty pair never counts as an
+ * upgrade; the instance still reports the restart.
+ */
+export function compareIdentity(before: DaemonInfo, after: DaemonInfo): RestartKind {
+  const a = before.build?.commit ?? "";
+  const b = after.build?.commit ?? "";
+  if (a && b && a !== b) return "upgraded";
+  if (before.instance && after.instance && before.instance !== after.instance) return "restarted";
+  return "same";
+}
+
+/** One line naming a release: `f89be4a716c7 · 2026-09-02`, with `(dirty)` when
+ *  the build carried uncommitted changes. Empty builds say so rather than
+ *  rendering a blank tooltip. */
+export function formatRelease(build: BuildInfo | undefined): string {
+  if (!build?.commit) return "unknown release";
+  const day = build.commit_date ? build.commit_date.slice(0, 10) : "";
+  const parts = [build.commit];
+  if (day) parts.push(`· ${day}`);
+  if (build.dirty) parts.push("(dirty)");
+  return parts.join(" ");
+}
+
+export interface DaemonLinkOptions {
+  /** Injectable for tests; defaults to `GET /api/info`. */
+  fetchInfo?: () => Promise<DaemonInfo>;
+  scheduler?: Scheduler;
+  /** What an upgrade does. Injectable so tests don't navigate. */
+  reload?: () => void;
+  graceMs?: number;
+  pollMs?: number;
+}
+
+export type LinkListener = (status: LinkStatus) => void;
+
+export class DaemonLink {
+  private state: LinkState = "connecting";
+  private identity: DaemonInfo | null = null;
+  private attempts = 0;
+  private graceTimer: number | null = null;
+  private pollTimer: number | null = null;
+  private readonly listeners = new Set<LinkListener>();
+  private readonly fetchInfo: () => Promise<DaemonInfo>;
+  private readonly scheduler: Scheduler;
+  private readonly reload: () => void;
+  private readonly graceMs: number;
+  private readonly pollMs: number;
+
+  constructor(opts: DaemonLinkOptions = {}) {
+    this.fetchInfo = opts.fetchInfo ?? getDaemonInfo;
+    this.scheduler = opts.scheduler ?? browserScheduler;
+    this.reload = opts.reload ?? (() => window.location.reload());
+    this.graceMs = opts.graceMs ?? GRACE_MS;
+    this.pollMs = opts.pollMs ?? POLL_MS;
+  }
+
+  /** Record the release we started against. Everything later is a diff on it. */
+  async start(): Promise<void> {
+    await this.probe();
+  }
+
+  status(): LinkStatus {
+    return {
+      state: this.state,
+      build: this.identity?.build,
+      hostname: this.identity?.hostname,
+      attempts: this.attempts,
+    };
+  }
+
+  subscribe(listener: LinkListener): () => void {
+    this.listeners.add(listener);
+    listener(this.status());
+    return () => this.listeners.delete(listener);
+  }
+
+  /** The events socket dropped. Starts the grace timer and the poll. */
+  noteDisconnected(): void {
+    if (this.state === "down" || this.state === "updating") return;
+    this.attempts = 0;
+    this.setState("reconnecting");
+    if (this.graceTimer === null) {
+      this.graceTimer = this.scheduler.setTimer(() => {
+        this.graceTimer = null;
+        if (this.state === "reconnecting") this.setState("down");
+        void this.poll();
+      }, this.graceMs);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /** The events socket came back. It carries no identity of its own, so the
+   *  state only clears once a probe confirms *which* daemon answered — a
+   *  reconnect to an upgraded daemon must reload, not resume. */
+  noteConnected(): void {
+    if (this.state === "online" || this.state === "updating") return;
+    void this.probe();
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * One `/api/info` round-trip. Resolves `true` when the daemon answered.
+   *
+   * A first answer becomes the baseline. A later one that differs on commit
+   * reloads the page; anything else (plain restart, or the same process) puts
+   * the UI back online.
+   */
+  async probe(): Promise<boolean> {
+    let info: DaemonInfo;
+    try {
+      info = await this.fetchInfo();
+    } catch {
+      this.attempts += 1;
+      this.emit();
+      return false;
+    }
+    const before = this.identity;
+    this.identity = info;
+    if (before && compareIdentity(before, info) === "upgraded") {
+      // Stay blocked through the reload: an unlocked frame here would let the
+      // user drive new server code from the bundle it just replaced.
+      this.setState("updating");
+      this.reload();
+      return true;
+    }
+    this.attempts = 0;
+    this.clearTimers();
+    this.setState("online");
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  /** Stop polling. The page's own teardown; not used in normal operation. */
+  stop(): void {
+    this.clearTimers();
+  }
+
+  private async poll(): Promise<void> {
+    if (this.state === "online" || this.state === "updating") return;
+    const ok = await this.probe();
+    if (ok || this.pollTimer !== null) return;
+    this.pollTimer = this.scheduler.setTimer(() => {
+      this.pollTimer = null;
+      void this.poll();
+    }, this.pollMs);
+  }
+
+  private clearTimers(): void {
+    if (this.graceTimer !== null) {
+      this.scheduler.clearTimer(this.graceTimer);
+      this.graceTimer = null;
+    }
+    if (this.pollTimer !== null) {
+      this.scheduler.clearTimer(this.pollTimer);
+      this.pollTimer = null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  private setState(state: LinkState): void {
+    if (this.state === state) return;
+    this.state = state;
+    this.emit();
+  }
+
+  private emit(): void {
+    const s = this.status();
+    for (const fn of this.listeners) fn(s);
+  }
+}

web/src/events.test.ts

@@ -160,3 +160,21 @@ describe("CatalogStore reconnect", () => {
     expect(store.backoff()).toBe(INITIAL_BACKOFF_MS);
   });
 });
+
+describe("connection listeners", () => {
+  it("report the socket opening and dropping", () => {
+    const sock = new FakeSocket();
+    const store = new CatalogStore({
+      socket: () => sock as unknown as WebSocket,
+      scheduler: fakeScheduler(),
+    });
+    const seen: boolean[] = [];
+    store.subscribeConnection((up) => seen.push(up));
+    store.start();
+    // Nothing on subscribe — the daemon link's own probe sets the first state.
+    expect(seen).toEqual([]);
+    sock.open();
+    sock.drop();
+    expect(seen).toEqual([true, false]);
+  });
+});

web/src/events.ts

@@ -33,9 +33,15 @@ export interface CatalogStoreOptions {
   refetch?: () => Promise<Session[]>;
 }
 
+/** Called with `true` when the events socket opens, `false` when it drops.
+ *  Drives the daemon link (daemonLink.ts) — the socket dying is the first sign
+ *  the daemon went down or was upgraded under the page. */
+export type ConnectionListener = (up: boolean) => void;
+
 export class CatalogStore {
   private state: CatalogState = { sessions: new Map() };
   private listeners = new Set<CatalogListener>();
+  private connectionListeners = new Set<ConnectionListener>();
   private ws: WebSocket | null = null;
   private reconnectTimer: number | null = null;
   private backoffMs = INITIAL_BACKOFF_MS;
@@ -70,6 +76,13 @@ export class CatalogStore {
     }
   }
 
+  /** Watch the socket's up/down transitions. Not called on subscribe: the
+   *  caller's own probe decides the starting state. */
+  subscribeConnection(listener: ConnectionListener): () => void {
+    this.connectionListeners.add(listener);
+    return () => this.connectionListeners.delete(listener);
+  }
+
   subscribe(listener: CatalogListener): () => void {
     this.listeners.add(listener);
     listener(this.snapshot());
@@ -99,10 +112,12 @@ export class CatalogStore {
 
     ws.onopen = () => {
       this.backoffMs = INITIAL_BACKOFF_MS;
+      this.emitConnection(true);
     };
 
     ws.onclose = () => {
       this.ws = null;
+      this.emitConnection(false);
       this.scheduleReconnect();
     };
 
@@ -161,6 +176,10 @@ export class CatalogStore {
     }
   }
 
+  private emitConnection(up: boolean): void {
+    for (const fn of this.connectionListeners) fn(up);
+  }
+
   private emit(): void {
     const snap = this.snapshot();
     for (const fn of this.listeners) fn(snap);

web/src/keys.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
-import { applyModsToChar, cursorSeq, toCtrl } from "./keys.js";
+import { applyModsToChar, cursorSeq, tildeSeq, toCtrl } from "./keys.js";
 
 describe("toCtrl", () => {
   it("maps letters to their control code, case-insensitively", () => {
@@ -43,3 +43,16 @@ describe("cursorSeq", () => {
     expect(cursorSeq("A", true, true)).toBe("\x1b[1;7A");
   });
 });
+
+describe("tildeSeq", () => {
+  it("uses the bare CSI form when unmodified", () => {
+    expect(tildeSeq(5, false, false)).toBe("\x1b[5~");
+    expect(tildeSeq(6, false, false)).toBe("\x1b[6~");
+  });
+
+  it("keeps the parameter in place when modified, unlike the cursor keys", () => {
+    expect(tildeSeq(5, true, false)).toBe("\x1b[5;5~");
+    expect(tildeSeq(6, false, true)).toBe("\x1b[6;3~");
+    expect(tildeSeq(6, true, true)).toBe("\x1b[6;7~");
+  });
+});

web/src/keys.ts

@@ -23,6 +23,18 @@ export function applyModsToChar(ch: string, ctrl: boolean, alt: boolean): string
  *  pending — `\x1b[1;<n><final>`, n = 1 + alt(2) + ctrl(4) (xterm convention). */
 export function cursorSeq(final: string, ctrl: boolean, alt: boolean): string {
   if (!ctrl && !alt) return `\x1b[${final}`;
-  const n = 1 + (alt ? 2 : 0) + (ctrl ? 4 : 0);
-  return `\x1b[1;${n}${final}`;
+  return `\x1b[1;${modParam(ctrl, alt)}${final}`;
+}
+
+/** Modifier parameter of the xterm CSI forms: n = 1 + alt(2) + ctrl(4). */
+function modParam(ctrl: boolean, alt: boolean): number {
+  return 1 + (alt ? 2 : 0) + (ctrl ? 4 : 0);
+}
+
+/** Sequence for the `~`-terminated navigation keys (PgUp `5`, PgDn `6`), which
+ *  carry modifiers as `\x1b[<code>;<n>~` rather than the cursor keys' `1;<n>`
+ *  form. */
+export function tildeSeq(code: number, ctrl: boolean, alt: boolean): string {
+  if (!ctrl && !alt) return `\x1b[${code}~`;
+  return `\x1b[${code};${modParam(ctrl, alt)}~`;
 }

web/src/kit.ts

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 // critiqued as a whole — buttons (including terminal-native variants for
 // review), inputs, chips, badges, session rows, and empty states.
 import "./kit.css";
-import { createThemeToggle } from "./theme.js";
+import { createPaletteSelect, createThemeToggle } from "./theme.js";
 
 function h(tag: string, className?: string, html?: string): HTMLElement {
   const el = document.createElement(tag);
@@ -66,12 +66,15 @@ function leafRow(opts: {
   (row as HTMLAnchorElement).href = "#/kit";
   row.dataset.status = opts.status;
   if (opts.active) row.classList.add("is-active");
-  row.style.paddingLeft = `${(opts.indent ?? 0) * 16 + 8}px`;
+  const depth = opts.indent ?? 0;
+  row.style.paddingLeft = `${depth * 16 + 8}px`;
   const flags = [
     opts.status === "dead" ? `<span class="card-flag">exited</span>` : "",
     opts.cmd !== opts.name ? `<span class="card-flag leaf-cmd">${opts.cmd}</span>` : "",
   ].join("");
+  const activity = opts.activity ?? "idle";
   row.innerHTML = `
+    <span class="activity-rail" data-activity="${activity}" style="left:${depth * 16 + 2}px" title="${activity}"></span>
     <span class="card-line1">
       <span class="leaf-name">${opts.name}</span>
       <span class="leaf-actions">
@@ -79,7 +82,7 @@ function leafRow(opts: {
         <button class="leaf-act leaf-kill" type="button" title="Kill session">✕</button>
       </span>
     </span>
-    ${opts.activity ? `<span class="card-line2" data-activity="${opts.activity}"><span class="activity-dot" title="${opts.activity}"></span><span class="activity-duration">${opts.duration ?? ""}</span>${flags}</span>` : ""}
+    ${opts.activity ? `<span class="card-line2" data-activity="${opts.activity}"><span class="activity-duration">${opts.duration ?? ""}</span>${flags}</span>` : ""}
   `;
   return row;
 }
@@ -102,7 +105,7 @@ export function renderKit(): HTMLElement {
   back.className = "btn btn-ghost";
   back.href = "?mock";
   back.textContent = "← back to app";
-  headerActions.append(back, createThemeToggle());
+  headerActions.append(back, createThemeToggle(), createPaletteSelect());
   header.appendChild(headerActions);
   page.appendChild(header);
 
@@ -113,7 +116,7 @@ export function renderKit(): HTMLElement {
   {
     const { el, body } = section(
       "Color tokens",
-      "Slate neutrals (hue ~256) + signal-green = alive. Swap by theme toggle.",
+      "Graphite neutrals; activity colours are the only hue. Swap by theme toggle + palette picker.",
     );
     body.classList.add("kit-swatches");
     const tokens = [
@@ -201,11 +204,15 @@ export function renderKit(): HTMLElement {
     const activeLine = h(
       "span",
       "card-line2",
-      `<span class="activity-dot"></span><span class="activity-duration">4m</span>`,
+      `<span class="activity-duration">4m</span>`,
     );
     activeLine.setAttribute("data-activity", "active");
+    const rail = h("span", "activity-rail");
+    rail.dataset.activity = "active";
+    rail.style.cssText = "position:static;display:inline-block;height:14px;";
     body.append(
       specimen("folder-count", h("span", "folder-count", "4")),
+      specimen("activity-rail · active", rail),
       specimen("card-line2 · active", activeLine),
       specimen("attach-state · open", h("span", "attach-state", "live")),
     );
@@ -225,7 +232,7 @@ export function renderKit(): HTMLElement {
   {
     const { el, body } = section(
       "Session rows — nested by host, then directory",
-      "docs/SIDEBAR.md cards: line 1 is name + top-right actions (the name truncates before it can reach them); line 2 only when there's something to say — dot + duration in the state's colour, then blocked-work / exited fragments.",
+      "docs/SIDEBAR.md cards: line 1 is name + top-right actions (the name truncates before it can reach them); the activity rail sits in the indent gutter to the left; line 2 carries duration in the state's colour, then blocked-work / exited fragments, whenever there's something to say.",
     );
     const list = h("div", "kit-tree");
     list.append(

web/src/main.ts

@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ import { ConnectionPool } from "./connections.js";
 import { installDrawer, installDrawerSwipe, requestToggleDrawer } from "./drawer.js";
 import { installHudKeybind } from "./debug.js";
 import { installHelpKeybind, isHelpOpen, isTypingTarget } from "./help.js";
+import { DaemonLink } from "./daemonLink.js";
 import { CatalogStore } from "./events.js";
+import { installRestartOverlay } from "./restartOverlay.js";
 import { shouldRetryClose } from "./reconnect.js";
 import {
   createSession,
@@ -22,7 +24,7 @@ import {
 } from "./fastForward.js";
 import { FALLBACK_PRESETS } from "./spawnForm.js";
 import { openSpawnModal } from "./spawnModal.js";
-import { spawnSimilarSeed } from "./spawnSimilar.js";
+import { spawnSimilarProjectSeed, spawnSimilarSeed } from "./spawnSimilar.js";
 import { mountHud, type Hud } from "./hud.js";
 import { emptyLayout, type Layout, openSessions } from "./layout.js";
 import { createMultiView, type MultiView } from "./multiview.js";
@@ -69,6 +71,15 @@ if (import.meta.env.DEV && location.search.includes("kit")) {
 async function bootApp(): Promise<void> {
 
 const store = new CatalogStore();
+
+// The daemon's identity and liveness: names the release in the sidebar's status
+// dot, and blocks the UI behind the restart overlay while the daemon is away
+// (docs/RESTART.md). The events socket is the trigger — it dies first.
+const link = new DaemonLink();
+installRestartOverlay(link);
+store.subscribeConnection((up) => (up ? link.noteConnected() : link.noteDisconnected()));
+void link.start();
+
 store.start();
 
 // Dev-only: `?mock` seeds a representative catalog so the UI can be reviewed
@@ -89,6 +100,7 @@ shellEl.dataset.route = "catalog";
 let mv: MultiView;
 const sidebar = renderSidebar(store, {
   onLeafDrag: (id, e) => mv?.beginSessionDrag(id, e),
+  link,
 });
 const content = document.createElement("section");
 content.className = "content";
@@ -243,7 +255,14 @@ function requestOpenSpawn(): void {
   // (#100). "Spawn similar" and the fast-forward key below deliberately keep
   // the old behaviour: both act on the session in front of you, so a split
   // beside it is the point.
-  openSpawnModal({ onSuccess: (session) => mountSpawned(session, { newTab: true }) });
+  // The session you were last on preselects its project: `n` then Enter spawns
+  // another session there without touching the picker.
+  const focused = mv?.focusedSessionId() ?? null;
+  const current = focused ? store.snapshot().sessions.get(focused) : undefined;
+  openSpawnModal({
+    seed: current ? spawnSimilarProjectSeed(current) : undefined,
+    onSuccess: (session) => mountSpawned(session, { newTab: true }),
+  });
 }
 document.addEventListener(OPEN_SPAWN_EVENT, () => requestOpenSpawn());
 document.addEventListener(SPAWN_SIMILAR_EVENT, (ev) => {

web/src/restartOverlay.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+// Blocking overlay for a daemon that went away — see docs/RESTART.md.
+//
+// Mounted while the link is `down` or `updating`, torn down the moment it is
+// back. It owns no polling of its own: DaemonLink polls, and this only renders
+// what the link reports.
+
+import { formatRelease, type DaemonLink, type LinkStatus } from "./daemonLink.js";
+
+export interface RestartOverlayHandle {
+  dispose(): void;
+}
+
+/** Mount the overlay controller. It stays subscribed for the page's lifetime. */
+export function installRestartOverlay(
+  link: DaemonLink,
+  host: HTMLElement = document.body,
+): RestartOverlayHandle {
+  let el: HTMLElement | null = null;
+  let title: HTMLElement | null = null;
+  let detail: HTMLElement | null = null;
+  let release: HTMLElement | null = null;
+
+  const unsubscribe = link.subscribe((status) => render(status));
+
+  function render(status: LinkStatus): void {
+    const blocking = status.state === "down" || status.state === "updating";
+    if (!blocking) {
+      unmount();
+      return;
+    }
+    if (!el) mount();
+    const updating = status.state === "updating";
+    title!.textContent = updating ? "Maestro was updated" : "Maestro is restarting";
+    detail!.textContent = updating
+      ? "Reloading this page onto the new release…"
+      : attemptText(status.attempts);
+    release!.textContent = formatRelease(status.build);
+  }
+
+  /** The poll runs while this is up; saying how many tries have gone by is what
+   *  separates "still restarting" from "wedged" for someone staring at it. */
+  function attemptText(attempts: number): string {
+    if (attempts <= 1) return "Waiting for the daemon to come back…";
+    return `Waiting for the daemon to come back… (${attempts} attempts)`;
+  }
+
+  function mount(): void {
+    el = document.createElement("div");
+    el.className = "modal-backdrop restart-backdrop";
+    const dialog = document.createElement("div");
+    dialog.className = "modal restart-modal";
+    dialog.setAttribute("role", "alertdialog");
+    dialog.setAttribute("aria-modal", "true");
+    dialog.setAttribute("aria-labelledby", "restart-title");
+
+    title = document.createElement("h2");
+    title.id = "restart-title";
+    detail = document.createElement("p");
+    detail.className = "restart-detail";
+    release = document.createElement("p");
+    release.className = "restart-release";
+    const spinner = document.createElement("div");
+    spinner.className = "restart-spinner";
+    spinner.setAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
+
+    dialog.append(spinner, title, detail, release);
+    el.appendChild(dialog);
+    host.appendChild(el);
+    // The app's shortcuts live on `window`, so hiding the UI behind a backdrop
+    // does not stop them: `n` would still open a spawn form against a daemon
+    // that is not there. Swallow keys in the capture phase until the link is
+    // back, without `preventDefault` so the browser's own chords still work.
+    window.addEventListener("keydown", swallow, true);
+  }
+
+  function swallow(e: KeyboardEvent): void {
+    e.stopImmediatePropagation();
+  }
+
+  function unmount(): void {
+    if (!el) return;
+    window.removeEventListener("keydown", swallow, true);
+    el.remove();
+    el = null;
+  }
+
+  return {
+    dispose(): void {
+      unsubscribe();
+      unmount();
+    },
+  };
+}

web/src/spawnForm.ts

@@ -122,12 +122,6 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   const form = document.createElement("form");
   form.className = "spawn-form";
   form.innerHTML = `
-    <div class="field">
-      <span class="field-label">Command</span>
-      <div class="tile-row cmd-tiles"></div>
-      <input class="raw-input cmd-raw" name="command_raw" type="text" hidden
-             placeholder="bash -l" autocomplete="off" />
-    </div>
     <div class="field">
       <span class="field-label">Project</span>
       <input class="raw-input project-filter" type="text" placeholder="Filter projects…"
@@ -139,6 +133,12 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
                placeholder="/home/user/project" inputmode="text" autocomplete="off" />
       </div>
     </div>
+    <div class="field">
+      <span class="field-label">Command</span>
+      <div class="tile-row cmd-tiles"></div>
+      <input class="raw-input cmd-raw" name="command_raw" type="text" hidden
+             placeholder="bash -l" autocomplete="off" />
+    </div>
     <div class="field">
       <span class="field-label">Name</span>
       <div class="name-row">
@@ -896,8 +896,14 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
 
     e.preventDefault();
     if (target === filterInput) {
-      const top = visibleGroups(filterInput.value)[0];
-      if (top && top.main.path !== selectedGroup?.main.path) selectProject(top);
+      // Resolve the filter to a project only when the current pick isn't one
+      // of the matches: a filter typed past it means the operator moved on,
+      // while a pick that still matches (including the seeded one the form
+      // opens with) keeps its worktree choice.
+      const visible = visibleGroups(filterInput.value);
+      const stillMatches =
+        selectedGroup != null && visible.some((g) => g.main.path === selectedGroup?.main.path);
+      if (!stillMatches && visible[0]) selectProject(visible[0]);
     }
     form.requestSubmit();
   });

web/src/spawnFormEnter.test.ts

@@ -68,9 +68,12 @@ describe("spawnForm Enter-to-submit (#97)", () => {
     for (let i = 0; i < 40; i++) await Promise.resolve();
   };
 
-  async function mount(projects: Project[]): Promise<HTMLFormElement> {
+  async function mount(
+    projects: Project[],
+    seed?: Parameters<typeof createSpawnForm>[0]["seed"],
+  ): Promise<HTMLFormElement> {
     stubFetch(projects);
-    handle = createSpawnForm({ onSuccess() {} });
+    handle = createSpawnForm({ seed, onSuccess() {} });
     document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
     await drain();
     return handle.el;
@@ -232,6 +235,24 @@ describe("spawnForm Enter-to-submit (#97)", () => {
       expect(box(form, OTHER.path).classList.contains("is-active")).toBe(true);
     });
 
+    it("submits in the seeded project rather than the freshest one", async () => {
+      // What `n` then Enter must do: the modal opens parked on the project of
+      // the session you were last on (OTHER here), even though MAESTRO's
+      // worktree is the freshest row in the list.
+      const form = await mount([MAESTRO, WT_A, OTHER], {
+        cwd: OTHER.path,
+        cwdRawVisible: false,
+      });
+      expect(box(form, OTHER.path).classList.contains("is-active")).toBe(true);
+      const spy = submitSpy();
+      form.addEventListener("submit", spy);
+
+      pressEnter(form.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".project-filter")!);
+
+      expect(spy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      expect(box(form, OTHER.path).classList.contains("is-active")).toBe(true);
+    });
+
     it("does not clobber an already-chosen worktree when the filter still matches it", async () => {
       const form = await mount([MAESTRO, WT_A]);
       box(form, MAESTRO.path).click();

web/src/spawnModal.test.ts

@@ -52,6 +52,16 @@ describe("spawn modal", () => {
     expect(host.querySelector(".form-actions .cancel")).toBeTruthy();
   });
 
+  it("opens with the project filter focused, ahead of the command tiles", async () => {
+    openSpawnModal({ onSuccess: () => {} });
+    await flush();
+
+    const form = modal()!.querySelector("form.spawn-form")!;
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(form.querySelector(".project-filter"));
+    const fields = [...form.querySelectorAll(".field .field-label")].map((el) => el.textContent);
+    expect(fields.slice(0, 2)).toEqual(["Project", "Command"]);
+  });
+
   it("titles a seeded open as a clone", async () => {
     openSpawnModal({ seed: { command: "claude" }, onSuccess: () => {} });
     await flush();

web/src/spawnModal.ts

@@ -59,6 +59,9 @@ export function openSpawnModal(opts: SpawnModalOptions): void {
     },
   });
   dialog.appendChild(form.el);
+  // The project filter owns the keyboard on open: typing narrows the list and
+  // Tab from here reaches the command tiles, matching the TUI's draft pane.
+  form.el.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".project-filter")?.focus();
 
   function close(): void {
     if (closeCurrent === close) closeCurrent = null;

web/src/spawnSimilar.test.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
-import { spawnSimilarSeed } from "./spawnSimilar.js";
+import { spawnSimilarProjectSeed, spawnSimilarSeed } from "./spawnSimilar.js";
 import type { Session } from "./types.js";
 
 function session(overrides: Partial<Session> = {}): Session {
@@ -43,3 +43,23 @@ describe("spawnSimilarSeed (#28)", () => {
     expect(seed.name).toBeUndefined();
   });
 });
+
+describe("spawnSimilarProjectSeed", () => {
+  it("seeds the project alone, leaving command and worktree at their defaults", () => {
+    const seed = spawnSimilarProjectSeed(session());
+    expect(seed.cwd).toBe("/repos/app");
+    expect(seed.cwdRawVisible).toBe(false);
+    expect(seed.command).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(seed.worktreeEnabled).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("seeds a worktree session's base repository", () => {
+    const seed = spawnSimilarProjectSeed(
+      session({
+        cwd: "/repos/app-worktrees/feature",
+        worktree: { path: "/repos/app-worktrees/feature", base_repo: "/repos/app" },
+      }),
+    );
+    expect(seed.cwd).toBe("/repos/app");
+  });
+});

web/src/spawnSimilar.ts

@@ -28,3 +28,17 @@ export function spawnSimilarSeed(s: Session): SpawnFormSeed {
     cwdRawVisible: false,
   };
 }
+
+/** The project half of a clone: the session's repository, nothing else.
+ *
+ *  The plain spawn modal opens on this so the picker is already parked on the
+ *  project you were last looking at — one Enter spawns there — while the
+ *  command, worktree decision and name stay at the form's own defaults. Same
+ *  base-repository rule as `spawnSimilarSeed`. */
+export function spawnSimilarProjectSeed(s: Session): SpawnFormSeed {
+  const wt = s.worktree ?? null;
+  return {
+    cwd: wt ? wt.base_repo : s.cwd,
+    cwdRawVisible: false,
+  };
+}

web/src/statusIndicator.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import { DaemonLink } from "./daemonLink.js";
+import { installRestartOverlay } from "./restartOverlay.js";
+import { createStatusIndicator } from "./statusIndicator.js";
+import type { DaemonInfo } from "./types.js";
+import type { Scheduler } from "./events.js";
+
+function info(commit: string, instance: string): DaemonInfo {
+  return {
+    hostname: "konishi",
+    version: "0.1.0",
+    presets: [],
+    build: { commit, commit_date: "2026-09-02T14:03:11Z", dirty: false },
+    instance,
+  };
+}
+
+function manual(): Scheduler & { run(): void } {
+  let next = 1;
+  const timers = new Map<number, () => void>();
+  return {
+    setTimer(fn) {
+      const h = next++;
+      timers.set(h, fn);
+      return h;
+    },
+    clearTimer(h) {
+      timers.delete(h);
+    },
+    run() {
+      const due = [...timers.values()];
+      timers.clear();
+      for (const fn of due) fn();
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+describe("status indicator", () => {
+  it("shows the release on the tooltip once the daemon answers", async () => {
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => info("f89be4a716c7", "i1"),
+      scheduler: manual(),
+      reload: () => {},
+    });
+    const ind = createStatusIndicator(link);
+    await link.start();
+
+    expect(ind.el.dataset.state).toBe("online");
+    const tip = ind.el.querySelector(".status-tip")!.textContent ?? "";
+    expect(tip).toContain("f89be4a716c7");
+    expect(tip).toContain("2026-09-02");
+    expect(tip).toContain("konishi");
+    expect(ind.el.getAttribute("aria-label")).toContain("Connected");
+    ind.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("tracks the link through a drop", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => {
+        throw new Error("down");
+      },
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload: () => {},
+    });
+    const ind = createStatusIndicator(link);
+    expect(ind.el.dataset.state).toBe("connecting");
+
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    expect(ind.el.dataset.state).toBe("reconnecting");
+    sched.run();
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(ind.el.dataset.state).toBe("down");
+    ind.dispose();
+    link.stop();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("restart overlay", () => {
+  it("blocks once the daemon is unreachable and unlocks when it answers", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    let reply: DaemonInfo | null = info("aaa", "i1");
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => {
+        if (!reply) throw new Error("down");
+        return reply;
+      },
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload: () => {},
+    });
+    const overlay = installRestartOverlay(link);
+    await link.start();
+    expect(document.querySelector(".restart-backdrop")).toBeNull();
+
+    reply = null;
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    expect(document.querySelector(".restart-backdrop")).toBeNull(); // grace
+    sched.run();
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    const dialog = document.querySelector(".restart-modal");
+    expect(dialog?.textContent).toContain("Maestro is restarting");
+
+    // Restarted on the same build: no reload, and the overlay goes away.
+    reply = info("aaa", "i2");
+    await link.probe();
+    expect(document.querySelector(".restart-backdrop")).toBeNull();
+    overlay.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("swallows the app's shortcuts while it is up", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => {
+        throw new Error("down");
+      },
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload: () => {},
+    });
+    const overlay = installRestartOverlay(link);
+    let sawKey = false;
+    window.addEventListener("keydown", () => {
+      sawKey = true;
+    });
+
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    sched.run();
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    window.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent("keydown", { key: "n", bubbles: true }));
+    expect(sawKey).toBe(false);
+
+    overlay.dispose();
+    link.stop();
+    window.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent("keydown", { key: "n", bubbles: true }));
+    expect(sawKey).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("says the page is reloading after an upgrade", async () => {
+    const sched = manual();
+    let reply = info("aaa", "i1");
+    const link = new DaemonLink({
+      fetchInfo: async () => reply,
+      scheduler: sched,
+      reload: () => {},
+    });
+    const overlay = installRestartOverlay(link);
+    await link.start();
+    link.noteDisconnected();
+    reply = info("bbb", "i2");
+    await link.probe();
+    const dialog = document.querySelector(".restart-modal");
+    expect(dialog?.textContent).toContain("Maestro was updated");
+    expect(dialog?.textContent).toContain("bbb");
+    overlay.dispose();
+  });
+});

web/src/statusIndicator.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+// The sidebar footer's daemon-status dot, sat next to the spawn button.
+//
+// Colour is the link state; hovering (or focusing — it is a button, so the
+// keyboard reaches it) reveals the release the daemon is running: commit hash
+// and commit date.
+
+import { formatRelease, type DaemonLink, type LinkState, type LinkStatus } from "./daemonLink.js";
+
+/** One human-readable phrase per link state, used for both the tooltip's first
+ *  line and the button's accessible name. */
+const LABELS: Record<LinkState, string> = {
+  connecting: "Connecting…",
+  online: "Connected",
+  reconnecting: "Reconnecting…",
+  down: "Daemon unreachable",
+  updating: "Updated — reloading",
+};
+
+export interface StatusIndicatorHandle {
+  el: HTMLElement;
+  dispose(): void;
+}
+
+export function createStatusIndicator(link: DaemonLink): StatusIndicatorHandle {
+  const el = document.createElement("button");
+  el.type = "button";
+  el.className = "btn btn-ghost btn-icon status-chip";
+  el.setAttribute("aria-describedby", "status-tip");
+
+  const dot = document.createElement("span");
+  dot.className = "status-dot";
+  dot.setAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
+  el.appendChild(dot);
+
+  const tip = document.createElement("span");
+  tip.className = "status-tip";
+  tip.id = "status-tip";
+  tip.setAttribute("role", "tooltip");
+  el.appendChild(tip);
+
+  const unsubscribe = link.subscribe((status) => render(status));
+
+  function render(status: LinkStatus): void {
+    const label = LABELS[status.state];
+    const release = formatRelease(status.build);
+    el.dataset.state = status.state;
+    el.setAttribute("aria-label", `${label} — ${release}`);
+    tip.textContent = "";
+    tip.append(line("status-tip-state", status.hostname ? `${label} · ${status.hostname}` : label));
+    tip.append(line("status-tip-release", release));
+  }
+
+  function line(cls: string, text: string): HTMLElement {
+    const span = document.createElement("span");
+    span.className = cls;
+    span.textContent = text;
+    return span;
+  }
+
+  return {
+    el,
+    dispose(): void {
+      unsubscribe();
+      el.remove();
+    },
+  };
+}

web/src/styles.css

@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 /* =========================================================================
    maestro web — design system
    Register: product (a tool; design serves the task).
-   Identity: precise, calm, alive. Monospace-as-UI; signal-green = "alive".
+   Identity: precise, calm, alive. Monospace-as-UI; graphite chrome where the
+   activity colours (green = alive) are the only hue on screen.
    Theme: dark (default) + light, all via OKLCH custom-property tokens.
+   Palette: `data-palette` on <html> swaps the accent + base tint (see the
+   "palettes" section at the end of the token area); graphite is the bare
+   document.
    ========================================================================= */
 
 :root {
@@ -63,24 +67,25 @@
   /* ---- color: dark (default) ---- */
   color-scheme: dark;
 
-  --bg: oklch(0.178 0.012 256);
-  --bg-grid: oklch(0.215 0.014 256);
-  --surface: oklch(0.214 0.014 256);
-  --surface-2: oklch(0.252 0.016 256);
-  --surface-3: oklch(0.292 0.018 256);
-  --border: oklch(0.318 0.018 256);
-  --border-strong: oklch(0.4 0.022 256);
+  --bg: oklch(0.172 0.006 256);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.21 0.007 256);
+  --surface: oklch(0.208 0.007 256);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.246 0.008 256);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.286 0.009 256);
+  --border: oklch(0.312 0.01 256);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.395 0.012 256);
 
-  --ink: oklch(0.945 0.006 256);
-  --muted: oklch(0.722 0.014 256);
-  --faint: oklch(0.58 0.014 256);
+  --ink: oklch(0.945 0.004 256);
+  --muted: oklch(0.72 0.008 256);
+  --faint: oklch(0.58 0.008 256);
 
-  /* signal green = "alive", primary action, focus, selection */
-  --accent: oklch(0.83 0.16 152);
-  --accent-strong: oklch(0.88 0.17 152);
-  --accent-ink: oklch(0.2 0.03 256);
-  --accent-tint: oklch(0.83 0.16 152 / 0.12);
-  --accent-ring: oklch(0.83 0.16 152 / 0.55);
+  /* graphite: the accent is ink itself — primary action, focus, selection.
+     The activity colours below stay the only hue on screen. */
+  --accent: oklch(0.92 0.005 256);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.97 0.003 256);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.2 0.012 256);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.92 0.005 256 / 0.1);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.92 0.005 256 / 0.5);
 
   --live: oklch(0.84 0.17 152);
   --live-glow: oklch(0.84 0.17 152 / 0.55);
@@ -92,30 +97,30 @@
   --shadow-1: 0 1px 2px oklch(0 0 0 / 0.4);
   --shadow-2:
     0 12px 28px -8px oklch(0 0 0 / 0.6), 0 2px 8px oklch(0 0 0 / 0.4);
-  --term-bg: oklch(0.158 0.012 256);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.155 0.006 256);
 }
 
 :root[data-theme="light"],
 :root[data-theme="light"] body {
   color-scheme: light;
 
-  --bg: oklch(0.985 0.003 256);
-  --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.006 256);
+  --bg: oklch(0.985 0.002 256);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.004 256);
   --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
-  --surface-2: oklch(0.965 0.004 256);
-  --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.006 256);
-  --border: oklch(0.892 0.008 256);
-  --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.012 256);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.965 0.003 256);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.004 256);
+  --border: oklch(0.892 0.005 256);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.008 256);
 
-  --ink: oklch(0.26 0.014 256);
-  --muted: oklch(0.47 0.016 256);
-  --faint: oklch(0.62 0.016 256);
+  --ink: oklch(0.26 0.012 256);
+  --muted: oklch(0.47 0.012 256);
+  --faint: oklch(0.62 0.012 256);
 
-  --accent: oklch(0.6 0.15 151);
-  --accent-strong: oklch(0.55 0.16 151);
-  --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.01 152);
-  --accent-tint: oklch(0.6 0.15 151 / 0.12);
-  --accent-ring: oklch(0.6 0.15 151 / 0.5);
+  --accent: oklch(0.27 0.01 256);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.2 0.01 256);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.985 0.002 256);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.27 0.01 256 / 0.1);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.27 0.01 256 / 0.45);
 
   --live: oklch(0.6 0.16 151);
   --live-glow: oklch(0.6 0.16 151 / 0.45);
@@ -136,23 +141,23 @@
   :root:not([data-theme]) {
     color-scheme: light;
 
-    --bg: oklch(0.985 0.003 256);
-    --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.006 256);
+    --bg: oklch(0.985 0.002 256);
+    --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.004 256);
     --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
-    --surface-2: oklch(0.965 0.004 256);
-    --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.006 256);
-    --border: oklch(0.892 0.008 256);
-    --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.012 256);
+    --surface-2: oklch(0.965 0.003 256);
+    --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.004 256);
+    --border: oklch(0.892 0.005 256);
+    --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.008 256);
 
-    --ink: oklch(0.26 0.014 256);
-    --muted: oklch(0.47 0.016 256);
-    --faint: oklch(0.62 0.016 256);
+    --ink: oklch(0.26 0.012 256);
+    --muted: oklch(0.47 0.012 256);
+    --faint: oklch(0.62 0.012 256);
 
-    --accent: oklch(0.6 0.15 151);
-    --accent-strong: oklch(0.55 0.16 151);
-    --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.01 152);
-    --accent-tint: oklch(0.6 0.15 151 / 0.12);
-    --accent-ring: oklch(0.6 0.15 151 / 0.5);
+    --accent: oklch(0.27 0.01 256);
+    --accent-strong: oklch(0.2 0.01 256);
+    --accent-ink: oklch(0.985 0.002 256);
+    --accent-tint: oklch(0.27 0.01 256 / 0.1);
+    --accent-ring: oklch(0.27 0.01 256 / 0.45);
 
     --live: oklch(0.6 0.16 151);
     --live-glow: oklch(0.6 0.16 151 / 0.45);
@@ -169,6 +174,311 @@
   }
 }
 
+/* ---- palettes ----
+   `data-palette` on <html> recolours the accent + base tint on top of the
+   light/dark machinery above. Graphite (the default) is the bare document.
+   Each palette ships a dark block, a pinned-light block, and a system-light
+   block; `--live`/`--danger`/`--warn` stay semantic and are not redefined
+   (except amber-phosphor, whose accent would collide with the stock warn). */
+
+/* ice-cyan: signal-cyan accent on the slate base. */
+:root[data-palette="ice-cyan"] {
+  --bg: oklch(0.178 0.012 256);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.215 0.014 256);
+  --surface: oklch(0.214 0.014 256);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.252 0.016 256);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.292 0.018 256);
+  --border: oklch(0.318 0.018 256);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.4 0.022 256);
+  --ink: oklch(0.945 0.006 256);
+  --muted: oklch(0.722 0.014 256);
+  --faint: oklch(0.58 0.014 256);
+  --accent: oklch(0.85 0.115 205);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.89 0.12 205);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.24 0.03 230);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.85 0.115 205 / 0.12);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.85 0.115 205 / 0.55);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.158 0.012 256);
+}
+:root[data-palette="ice-cyan"][data-theme="light"],
+:root[data-palette="ice-cyan"][data-theme="light"] body {
+  --bg: oklch(0.985 0.003 256);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.006 256);
+  --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.965 0.004 256);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.006 256);
+  --border: oklch(0.892 0.008 256);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.012 256);
+  --ink: oklch(0.26 0.014 256);
+  --muted: oklch(0.47 0.016 256);
+  --faint: oklch(0.62 0.016 256);
+  --accent: oklch(0.52 0.1 220);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.47 0.11 220);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.005 220);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.52 0.1 220 / 0.12);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.52 0.1 220 / 0.5);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.012 256);
+}
+@media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
+  :root[data-palette="ice-cyan"]:not([data-theme]) {
+    --bg: oklch(0.985 0.003 256);
+    --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.006 256);
+    --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+    --surface-2: oklch(0.965 0.004 256);
+    --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.006 256);
+    --border: oklch(0.892 0.008 256);
+    --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.012 256);
+    --ink: oklch(0.26 0.014 256);
+    --muted: oklch(0.47 0.016 256);
+    --faint: oklch(0.62 0.016 256);
+    --accent: oklch(0.52 0.1 220);
+    --accent-strong: oklch(0.47 0.11 220);
+    --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.005 220);
+    --accent-tint: oklch(0.52 0.1 220 / 0.12);
+    --accent-ring: oklch(0.52 0.1 220 / 0.5);
+    --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.012 256);
+  }
+}
+/* periwinkle: indigo base, blue-violet accent. */
+:root[data-palette="periwinkle"] {
+  --bg: oklch(0.175 0.018 278);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.212 0.021 278);
+  --surface: oklch(0.212 0.021 278);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.25 0.024 278);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.29 0.026 278);
+  --border: oklch(0.318 0.026 278);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.4 0.028 278);
+  --ink: oklch(0.93 0.012 278);
+  --muted: oklch(0.71 0.02 278);
+  --faint: oklch(0.57 0.022 278);
+  --accent: oklch(0.75 0.125 275);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.79 0.13 275);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.18 0.04 278);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.75 0.125 275 / 0.14);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.75 0.125 275 / 0.55);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.155 0.018 278);
+}
+:root[data-palette="periwinkle"][data-theme="light"],
+:root[data-palette="periwinkle"][data-theme="light"] body {
+  --bg: oklch(0.982 0.004 278);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.008 278);
+  --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.96 0.006 278);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.008 278);
+  --border: oklch(0.885 0.01 278);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.014 278);
+  --ink: oklch(0.27 0.02 278);
+  --muted: oklch(0.47 0.02 278);
+  --faint: oklch(0.62 0.02 278);
+  --accent: oklch(0.5 0.17 272);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.45 0.17 272);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.005 272);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.5 0.17 272 / 0.12);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.5 0.17 272 / 0.5);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.018 278);
+}
+@media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
+  :root[data-palette="periwinkle"]:not([data-theme]) {
+    --bg: oklch(0.982 0.004 278);
+    --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.008 278);
+    --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+    --surface-2: oklch(0.96 0.006 278);
+    --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.008 278);
+    --border: oklch(0.885 0.01 278);
+    --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.014 278);
+    --ink: oklch(0.27 0.02 278);
+    --muted: oklch(0.47 0.02 278);
+    --faint: oklch(0.62 0.02 278);
+    --accent: oklch(0.5 0.17 272);
+    --accent-strong: oklch(0.45 0.17 272);
+    --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.005 272);
+    --accent-tint: oklch(0.5 0.17 272 / 0.12);
+    --accent-ring: oklch(0.5 0.17 272 / 0.5);
+    --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.018 278);
+  }
+}
+
+/* amber-phosphor: CRT amber on warm graphite. `--warn` shifts orange so the
+   awaiting colour stays distinct from the accent. */
+:root[data-palette="amber-phosphor"] {
+  --bg: oklch(0.178 0.008 70);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.214 0.01 70);
+  --surface: oklch(0.214 0.01 70);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.252 0.012 70);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.292 0.013 70);
+  --border: oklch(0.318 0.014 70);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.4 0.016 70);
+  --ink: oklch(0.94 0.008 78);
+  --muted: oklch(0.72 0.014 75);
+  --faint: oklch(0.58 0.014 75);
+  --accent: oklch(0.83 0.14 78);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.87 0.145 78);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.25 0.05 78);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.83 0.14 78 / 0.13);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.83 0.14 78 / 0.55);
+  --warn: oklch(0.76 0.15 55);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.158 0.008 70);
+}
+:root[data-palette="amber-phosphor"][data-theme="light"],
+:root[data-palette="amber-phosphor"][data-theme="light"] body {
+  --bg: oklch(0.983 0.004 78);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.007 78);
+  --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.962 0.005 78);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.007 78);
+  --border: oklch(0.888 0.01 78);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.012 78);
+  --ink: oklch(0.27 0.015 70);
+  --muted: oklch(0.47 0.016 70);
+  --faint: oklch(0.62 0.016 70);
+  --accent: oklch(0.6 0.13 70);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.55 0.13 70);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.01 78);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.6 0.13 70 / 0.12);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.6 0.13 70 / 0.5);
+  --warn: oklch(0.58 0.14 50);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.008 70);
+}
+@media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
+  :root[data-palette="amber-phosphor"]:not([data-theme]) {
+    --bg: oklch(0.983 0.004 78);
+    --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.007 78);
+    --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+    --surface-2: oklch(0.962 0.005 78);
+    --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.007 78);
+    --border: oklch(0.888 0.01 78);
+    --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.012 78);
+    --ink: oklch(0.27 0.015 70);
+    --muted: oklch(0.47 0.016 70);
+    --faint: oklch(0.62 0.016 70);
+    --accent: oklch(0.6 0.13 70);
+    --accent-strong: oklch(0.55 0.13 70);
+    --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.01 78);
+    --accent-tint: oklch(0.6 0.13 70 / 0.12);
+    --accent-ring: oklch(0.6 0.13 70 / 0.5);
+    --warn: oklch(0.58 0.14 50);
+    --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.008 70);
+  }
+}
+
+/* ember: warm orange-red accent. */
+:root[data-palette="ember"] {
+  --bg: oklch(0.18 0.009 50);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.216 0.011 50);
+  --surface: oklch(0.216 0.011 50);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.254 0.013 50);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.294 0.014 50);
+  --border: oklch(0.32 0.015 50);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.4 0.017 50);
+  --ink: oklch(0.94 0.007 50);
+  --muted: oklch(0.72 0.013 50);
+  --faint: oklch(0.58 0.013 50);
+  --accent: oklch(0.74 0.15 45);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.78 0.155 45);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.2 0.04 45);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.74 0.15 45 / 0.14);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.74 0.15 45 / 0.55);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.158 0.009 50);
+}
+:root[data-palette="ember"][data-theme="light"],
+:root[data-palette="ember"][data-theme="light"] body {
+  --bg: oklch(0.983 0.004 50);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.006 50);
+  --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.962 0.005 50);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.006 50);
+  --border: oklch(0.888 0.009 50);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.012 50);
+  --ink: oklch(0.27 0.014 50);
+  --muted: oklch(0.47 0.015 50);
+  --faint: oklch(0.62 0.015 50);
+  --accent: oklch(0.58 0.17 40);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.53 0.17 40);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.008 40);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.58 0.17 40 / 0.11);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.58 0.17 40 / 0.5);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.009 50);
+}
+@media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
+  :root[data-palette="ember"]:not([data-theme]) {
+    --bg: oklch(0.983 0.004 50);
+    --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.006 50);
+    --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+    --surface-2: oklch(0.962 0.005 50);
+    --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.006 50);
+    --border: oklch(0.888 0.009 50);
+    --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.012 50);
+    --ink: oklch(0.27 0.014 50);
+    --muted: oklch(0.47 0.015 50);
+    --faint: oklch(0.62 0.015 50);
+    --accent: oklch(0.58 0.17 40);
+    --accent-strong: oklch(0.53 0.17 40);
+    --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.008 40);
+    --accent-tint: oklch(0.58 0.17 40 / 0.11);
+    --accent-ring: oklch(0.58 0.17 40 / 0.5);
+    --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.009 50);
+  }
+}
+
+/* orchid: muted violet accent on a faintly violet base. */
+:root[data-palette="orchid"] {
+  --bg: oklch(0.177 0.014 305);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.213 0.017 305);
+  --surface: oklch(0.213 0.017 305);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.251 0.02 305);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.291 0.021 305);
+  --border: oklch(0.318 0.022 305);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.4 0.024 305);
+  --ink: oklch(0.935 0.01 305);
+  --muted: oklch(0.715 0.018 305);
+  --faint: oklch(0.575 0.018 305);
+  --accent: oklch(0.78 0.13 310);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.82 0.135 310);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.22 0.05 310);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.78 0.13 310 / 0.14);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.78 0.13 310 / 0.55);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.155 0.014 305);
+}
+:root[data-palette="orchid"][data-theme="light"],
+:root[data-palette="orchid"][data-theme="light"] body {
+  --bg: oklch(0.983 0.004 305);
+  --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.007 305);
+  --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+  --surface-2: oklch(0.961 0.005 305);
+  --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.007 305);
+  --border: oklch(0.886 0.01 305);
+  --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.013 305);
+  --ink: oklch(0.27 0.018 305);
+  --muted: oklch(0.47 0.018 305);
+  --faint: oklch(0.62 0.018 305);
+  --accent: oklch(0.5 0.17 308);
+  --accent-strong: oklch(0.45 0.17 308);
+  --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.005 308);
+  --accent-tint: oklch(0.5 0.17 308 / 0.11);
+  --accent-ring: oklch(0.5 0.17 308 / 0.5);
+  --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.014 305);
+}
+@media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
+  :root[data-palette="orchid"]:not([data-theme]) {
+    --bg: oklch(0.983 0.004 305);
+    --bg-grid: oklch(0.93 0.007 305);
+    --surface: oklch(1 0 0);
+    --surface-2: oklch(0.961 0.005 305);
+    --surface-3: oklch(0.93 0.007 305);
+    --border: oklch(0.886 0.01 305);
+    --border-strong: oklch(0.82 0.013 305);
+    --ink: oklch(0.27 0.018 305);
+    --muted: oklch(0.47 0.018 305);
+    --faint: oklch(0.62 0.018 305);
+    --accent: oklch(0.5 0.17 308);
+    --accent-strong: oklch(0.45 0.17 308);
+    --accent-ink: oklch(0.99 0.005 308);
+    --accent-tint: oklch(0.5 0.17 308 / 0.11);
+    --accent-ring: oklch(0.5 0.17 308 / 0.5);
+    --term-bg: oklch(0.165 0.014 305);
+  }
+}
+
 /* ---------- reset / base ---------- */
 
 * {
@@ -435,6 +745,163 @@ textarea {
   flex: 1 1 auto;
 }
 
+/* Palette picker: a ghost-button-shaped <select>. */
+.palette-select {
+  appearance: none;
+  height: var(--control-h);
+  padding: 0 var(--sp-2);
+  border: 1px solid transparent;
+  border-radius: var(--r-2);
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: var(--fs-12);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  max-width: 9ch;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  transition:
+    color var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out),
+    border-color var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out);
+}
+
+.palette-select:hover {
+  color: var(--ink);
+  border-color: var(--border-strong);
+}
+
+.palette-select:focus-visible {
+  border-color: var(--accent);
+  color: var(--ink);
+}
+
+/* ---------- daemon status dot ---------- */
+
+/* Colour is the link state; the tooltip names the release the daemon is
+   running. The chip is a button so the keyboard reaches the tooltip too. */
+.status-chip {
+  position: relative;
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+  overflow: visible;
+}
+
+.status-dot {
+  width: 8px;
+  height: 8px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: var(--muted);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px transparent;
+  transition:
+    background var(--dur) var(--ease-out),
+    box-shadow var(--dur) var(--ease-out);
+}
+
+.status-chip[data-state="online"] .status-dot {
+  background: var(--live);
+}
+
+.status-chip[data-state="connecting"] .status-dot,
+.status-chip[data-state="reconnecting"] .status-dot {
+  background: var(--warn);
+  animation: pulse 1.1s var(--ease-out) infinite;
+}
+
+.status-chip[data-state="down"] .status-dot,
+.status-chip[data-state="updating"] .status-dot {
+  background: var(--danger);
+  animation: pulse 1.1s var(--ease-out) infinite;
+}
+
+.status-tip {
+  position: absolute;
+  bottom: calc(100% + var(--sp-2));
+  left: 0;
+  z-index: var(--z-sticky);
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 2px;
+  min-width: 180px;
+  padding: var(--sp-2);
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border-radius: var(--r-2);
+  background: var(--surface-2);
+  box-shadow: var(--shadow-2);
+  font-size: var(--fs-11);
+  text-align: left;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  opacity: 0;
+  visibility: hidden;
+  transition:
+    opacity var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out),
+    visibility var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out);
+}
+
+.status-chip:hover .status-tip,
+.status-chip:focus-visible .status-tip {
+  opacity: 1;
+  visibility: visible;
+}
+
+.status-tip-state {
+  color: var(--fg);
+}
+
+.status-tip-release {
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+}
+
+/* ---------- restart overlay ---------- */
+
+/* Up while the daemon is unreachable or being replaced. Nothing to dismiss:
+   it clears itself when the link is back (docs/RESTART.md). */
+.restart-modal {
+  max-width: 380px;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: var(--sp-2);
+  padding: var(--sp-5) var(--sp-4);
+  text-align: center;
+}
+
+.restart-modal h2 {
+  font-size: var(--fs-15);
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.restart-detail {
+  margin: 0;
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-size: var(--fs-13);
+}
+
+.restart-release {
+  margin: 0;
+  color: var(--faint);
+  font-size: var(--fs-11);
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+}
+
+.restart-spinner {
+  width: 18px;
+  height: 18px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  border: 2px solid var(--border-strong);
+  border-top-color: var(--accent);
+  animation: spin 900ms linear infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes spin {
+  to {
+    transform: rotate(360deg);
+  }
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .restart-spinner,
+  .status-dot {
+    animation: none;
+  }
+}
+
 .sidebar-search .search {
   width: 100%;
   max-width: none;
@@ -926,12 +1393,34 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   color: var(--danger);
 }
 
-.activity-dot {
-  width: 7px;
-  height: 7px;
-  border-radius: 50%;
+/* docs/SIDEBAR.md: the activity rail replaces the old inline dot. It sits
+   inside the row's own indent gutter (`.tree-leaf` is already positioned),
+   at a `left` set inline per nesting depth — see `activityRailMarkup` in
+   catalog.ts. Idle stays solid and still on purpose: motion is reserved for
+   states that need attention (DESIGN.md's "living signals" rule). */
+.activity-rail {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 4px;
+  bottom: 4px;
+  width: 5px;
+  border-radius: 2px;
   background: currentColor;
-  flex: 0 0 auto;
+}
+
+.activity-rail[data-activity="active"] {
+  color: var(--live);
+  animation: pulse 2.4s var(--ease-out) infinite;
+}
+.activity-rail[data-activity="idle"] {
+  color: var(--border-strong);
+}
+.activity-rail[data-activity="awaiting-input"] {
+  color: var(--warn);
+  animation: blink 1.2s steps(1) infinite;
+}
+.activity-rail[data-activity="error"] {
+  color: var(--danger);
+  animation: rail-flash 1.4s ease-out infinite;
 }
 
 .activity-duration {
@@ -1371,20 +1860,29 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
 
 /* ---------- mobile special-key bar (Termux-style) ---------- */
 
-/* Two compact rows (Termux layout) in a 5-column grid the 10 keys flow into:
-   Esc/Tab + Ctrl/Alt on the left, cursor keys as a real-keyboard inverted-T on
-   the right (Home/End fill the top corners). Layout is always defined; only
-   *visibility* is gated: hidden on precise-pointer devices (a physical keyboard
-   already has these keys), shown on touch where the soft keyboard omits them.
-   The shell tracks the visual viewport (see `#app`), so it lands above it. */
+/* Two compact rows (Termux layout) in an 8-column grid the 16 keys flow into:
+   Esc/Tab + Ctrl/Alt on the left, cursor keys as a real-keyboard inverted-T in
+   the middle (Home/End fill the top corners), then PgUp/PgDn and the shell
+   symbols. Columns never shrink below a thumb's width — on a narrow phone the
+   bar scrolls sideways instead. Layout is always defined; only *visibility* is
+   gated: hidden on precise-pointer devices (a physical keyboard already has
+   these keys), shown on touch where the soft keyboard omits them. The shell
+   tracks the visual viewport (see `#app`), so it lands above it. */
 .attach-keybar {
   display: none;
-  grid-template-columns: repeat(5, 1fr);
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(8, minmax(2.5rem, 1fr));
   gap: var(--sp-1);
   padding: var(--sp-1) var(--sp-2);
   padding-bottom: calc(var(--sp-1) + env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px));
   border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
   background: var(--surface);
+  overflow-x: auto;
+  overscroll-behavior-x: contain;
+  scrollbar-width: none;
+}
+
+.attach-keybar::-webkit-scrollbar {
+  display: none;
 }
 
 /* Shown on touch only while *this* terminal is focused (`keybar-active`, toggled
@@ -2117,6 +2615,25 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   }
 }
 
+@keyframes rail-flash {
+  0%,
+  100% {
+    opacity: 1;
+  }
+  15% {
+    opacity: 0.25;
+  }
+  30% {
+    opacity: 1;
+  }
+  45% {
+    opacity: 0.25;
+  }
+  60% {
+    opacity: 1;
+  }
+}
+
 /* ---------- responsive ---------- */
 
 @media (max-width: 520px) {
@@ -2166,7 +2683,8 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   }
   .brand-dot,
   [data-status="running"] .leaf-status::before,
-  .tally-live::before {
+  .tally-live::before,
+  .activity-rail {
     animation: none;
   }
 }

web/src/theme.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { beforeAll, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import {
+  createPaletteSelect,
+  initTheme,
+  PALETTES,
+  resolvedPalette,
+  setPalette,
+} from "./theme.js";
+
+// happy-dom's vitest environment ships no localStorage global; back it with a
+// plain in-memory map so persistence is observable.
+let store = new Map<string, string>();
+beforeAll(() => {
+  Object.defineProperty(window, "localStorage", {
+    value: {
+      getItem: (k: string) => store.get(k) ?? null,
+      setItem: (k: string, v: string) => store.set(k, v),
+      removeItem: (k: string) => store.delete(k),
+    },
+  });
+});
+
+describe("palette selection", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    store = new Map();
+    delete document.documentElement.dataset.palette;
+    delete document.documentElement.dataset.theme;
+  });
+
+  it("defaults to graphite with no data-palette attribute", () => {
+    initTheme();
+    expect(resolvedPalette()).toBe("graphite");
+    expect(document.documentElement.dataset.palette).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("setPalette stamps data-palette and persists", () => {
+    setPalette("ember");
+    expect(document.documentElement.dataset.palette).toBe("ember");
+    expect(resolvedPalette()).toBe("ember");
+
+    // A fresh boot re-applies the stored palette.
+    delete document.documentElement.dataset.palette;
+    initTheme();
+    expect(document.documentElement.dataset.palette).toBe("ember");
+  });
+
+  it("selecting graphite removes the attribute again", () => {
+    setPalette("orchid");
+    setPalette("graphite");
+    expect(document.documentElement.dataset.palette).toBeUndefined();
+    initTheme();
+    expect(document.documentElement.dataset.palette).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("ignores an unknown stored palette", () => {
+    localStorage.setItem("maestro-palette", "glorb");
+    initTheme();
+    expect(resolvedPalette()).toBe("graphite");
+    expect(document.documentElement.dataset.palette).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("the picker lists every palette and applies the chosen one", () => {
+    const select = createPaletteSelect();
+    expect([...select.options].map((o) => o.value)).toEqual([...PALETTES]);
+    expect(select.value).toBe("graphite");
+
+    select.value = "periwinkle";
+    select.dispatchEvent(new Event("change"));
+    expect(document.documentElement.dataset.palette).toBe("periwinkle");
+    expect(localStorage.getItem("maestro-palette")).toBe("periwinkle");
+  });
+});

web/src/theme.ts

@@ -1,10 +1,26 @@
 // Theme: dark (default) + light, persisted. When the user hasn't pinned a
 // theme we follow the OS via CSS `prefers-color-scheme`; pinning sets an
 // explicit `data-theme` on <html> that overrides the media query.
+//
+// Palette: orthogonal to light/dark. Each palette ships both a dark and a
+// light token set in styles.css; `data-palette` on <html> selects it, and
+// graphite — the default — is the bare document with no attribute.
 
 type Theme = "light" | "dark";
 const KEY = "maestro-theme";
 
+/** Every `data-palette` value, in picker order. Graphite is the default. */
+export const PALETTES = [
+  "graphite",
+  "ice-cyan",
+  "periwinkle",
+  "amber-phosphor",
+  "ember",
+  "orchid",
+] as const;
+export type Palette = (typeof PALETTES)[number];
+const PALETTE_KEY = "maestro-palette";
+
 function stored(): Theme | null {
   const v = localStorage.getItem(KEY);
   return v === "light" || v === "dark" ? v : null;
@@ -21,18 +37,46 @@ export function resolvedTheme(): Theme {
   return stored() ?? systemTheme();
 }
 
-/** Apply a pinned theme at boot (no-op when following the system). */
+function storedPalette(): Palette | null {
+  const v = localStorage.getItem(PALETTE_KEY);
+  return (PALETTES as readonly string[]).includes(v ?? "")
+    ? (v as Palette)
+    : null;
+}
+
+/** The palette in force (stored or the graphite default). */
+export function resolvedPalette(): Palette {
+  return document.documentElement.dataset.palette as Palette | undefined
+    ?? storedPalette()
+    ?? "graphite";
+}
+
+/** Pin a palette. Graphite is the bare document, so it clears the attribute. */
+export function setPalette(p: Palette): void {
+  localStorage.setItem(PALETTE_KEY, p);
+  if (p === "graphite") delete document.documentElement.dataset.palette;
+  else document.documentElement.dataset.palette = p;
+}
+
+/** Apply the pinned theme + palette at boot (no-ops when unpinned). */
 export function initTheme(): void {
   // Dev-only `?theme=light|dark` override for visual review; stripped in prod.
   if (import.meta.env.DEV) {
     const q = new URLSearchParams(location.search).get("theme");
     if (q === "light" || q === "dark") {
       document.documentElement.dataset.theme = q;
+      applyStoredPalette();
       return;
     }
   }
   const pinned = stored();
   if (pinned) document.documentElement.dataset.theme = pinned;
+  applyStoredPalette();
+}
+
+function applyStoredPalette(): void {
+  const p = storedPalette();
+  if (p && p !== "graphite") document.documentElement.dataset.palette = p;
 }
 
 function setTheme(t: Theme): void {
@@ -58,3 +102,22 @@ export function createThemeToggle(): HTMLButtonElement {
   });
   return btn;
 }
+
+/** A footer dropdown that picks the colour palette. */
+export function createPaletteSelect(): HTMLSelectElement {
+  const select = document.createElement("select");
+  select.className = "palette-select";
+  select.setAttribute("aria-label", "Colour palette");
+  select.title = "Colour palette";
+  for (const p of PALETTES) {
+    const opt = document.createElement("option");
+    opt.value = p;
+    opt.textContent = p;
+    select.appendChild(opt);
+  }
+  select.value = resolvedPalette();
+  select.addEventListener("change", () => {
+    setPalette(select.value as Palette);
+  });
+  return select;
+}

web/src/types.ts

@@ -86,6 +86,24 @@ export interface DaemonInfo {
   home_dir?: string;
   /** Command presets (claude/opencode/zsh + custom), config-resolved. */
   presets: SpawnPreset[];
+  /** Which commit the daemon was built from. Absent on older daemons. */
+  build?: BuildInfo;
+  /** Identity of the daemon *process*, regenerated on every start — a changed
+   * value across a reconnect means the daemon restarted. Absent on older
+   * daemons, which the restart flow treats as "cannot tell". */
+  instance?: string;
+}
+
+/** Build provenance of the running daemon: what the status indicator names in
+ * its tooltip, and what tells an upgrade apart from a plain restart. Every
+ * field is empty when the binary was built outside a git checkout. */
+export interface BuildInfo {
+  /** Abbreviated commit hash. */
+  commit: string;
+  /** Commit date, RFC 3339. */
+  commit_date: string;
+  /** Whether the tree had uncommitted changes at build time. */
+  dirty: boolean;
 }
 
 /** One deduplicated recent working dir for the spawn form's recents picker