fix(core/rumble): the Deck's keepalive stops being swallowed by its own renewals

Three faults in the shared rumble policy engine, all answered by one change of
shape: the free-running jitter phase becomes `last_emit` — the exact value last
handed to an embedder — and every emit routes through one helper. That single
field answers all three live questions: would re-sending this be a no-op device
write, is this stop redundant, and would the nudge invent a stop.

The Steam Deck declares a 40 ms keepalive with a 1-LSB nudge, because an
SDL-class layer discards a write identical to the last one. But the nudge lived
only in the keepalive branch, so every host renewal re-emitted the raw level,
collided with the last jittered write, was discarded, AND re-anchored the
keepalive timer. The gap between distinct device writes stretched to 80 ms at
the 400 ms default TTL and 100 ms at the hatch floor — two to two and a half
times the cadence the quirk exists to guarantee. Nudging on any repeat closes
it: 40 ms throughout.

Level (1, 0) turned that nudge into (0, 0) — the value the engine reserves for
"stop now" — and handed it out with a non-zero backstop, under a live lease.
It is the only such level: high must already be zero, and low ^ 1 == 0 implies
low == 1. The nudge now steps the LSB up instead, so the phase still alternates
and no stop is ever invented.

A zero for a pad the engine already believes silent is now dropped. Under the
legacy hatch the host re-sends zeros for every latched pad every 500 ms for the
rest of the session, which cost Android an unconditional log line and a binder
cancel() at 2 Hz per pad. The deliberate stop-burst heal is untouched, because
a stop that was LOST leaves the pad buzzing, and that is exactly the guard's
pass condition.

The client also now bounds the lease it will honour. RUMBLE_TTL_CEIL_MS is
sender-side only, so a modified or third-party host could stamp a long TTL and
wedge its pump, leaving Apple — whose renderer deliberately keeps no staleness
policy of its own — and a Deck slot buzzing for all of it.

Every new test was proven to fail with its own fix reverted, including the two
that guard against over-reach: a default-quirks pad must still get the level
verbatim, or an off-by-one amplitude would land in Apple's identical-target
comparison and Android's one-shots.

One suspicion from the audit did NOT survive: a v2 envelope carrying ttl_ms 0
cannot take the legacy backstop, because the expiry check preempts the relay
branch. No fix; pinned with a test so that ordering stays load-bearing.

Verified: 17/17 rumble tests, clippy --all-targets --features quic -D warnings
= 0, fmt clean, generated C header unchanged. (`c_abi_harness_round_trips`
fails on this Mac with a linker error, identically on an unmodified tree.)

From the 2026-08-03 force-feedback sweep (B12, B22, R9, T1).

.gitea/workflows/android-promote.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+# Move a versionCode that is ALREADY on Google Play between tracks — no rebuild.
+#
+# Why this is separate from android.yml: promotion must not rebuild. A rebuild produces a fresh
+# versionCode (github.run_number) from possibly-newer sources, so it ships something nobody tested;
+# promoting assigns the byte-identical artifact the testers already ran. Bolting this onto
+# android.yml would mean an `if:` on all ten of its build steps.
+#
+# What it is for:
+#   * promote a tested build up a track (alpha -> production)
+#   * roll production back by re-pointing it at an older versionCode (to_track=production,
+#     version_code=<the good one>, from_track blank)
+#   * halt a rollout (status=halted)
+#
+# Defaults are deliberately the safe ones: dry_run starts TRUE, so a mis-typed versionCode
+# validates and deletes the edit instead of publishing. Flip it to false only when the dry run
+# printed what you meant.
+name: android-promote
+
+# Two concurrent promotions would race on the same Play edit; the loser fails with a stale-edit
+# error. One at a time, and never cancel one mid-flight — a half-applied track change is worse
+# than a queued one.
+concurrency:
+  group: android-promote
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      version_code:
+        description: 'versionCode already on Play (e.g. 10816)'
+        required: true
+      to_track:
+        description: 'destination track'
+        required: true
+        default: 'production'
+      from_track:
+        description: 'track to verify it is on, then clear (blank = touch nothing else)'
+        required: false
+        default: 'alpha'
+      notes_tag:
+        description: "tag whose docs/releases/whatsnew/<tag>.txt to attach, e.g. v0.23.0 (blank = none)"
+        required: false
+        default: ''
+      status:
+        description: 'completed (100%) | inProgress (needs user_fraction) | halted | draft'
+        required: true
+        default: 'completed'
+      user_fraction:
+        description: 'staged rollout fraction for inProgress, e.g. 0.2 (blank otherwise)'
+        required: false
+        default: ''
+      dry_run:
+        description: 'validate only, publish nothing'
+        required: true
+        default: 'true'
+
+jobs:
+  promote:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    # Same image as android.yml purely for python3 + openssl (play-upload.py's only deps); it is
+    # already warm on the runner. Nothing here builds.
+    container:
+      image: 192.168.1.58:5010/punktfunk-android-ci:latest
+    timeout-minutes: 15
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Promote
+        env:
+          SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON: ${{ secrets.SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON }}
+          VERSION_CODE: ${{ inputs.version_code }}
+          TO_TRACK: ${{ inputs.to_track }}
+          FROM_TRACK: ${{ inputs.from_track }}
+          NOTES_TAG: ${{ inputs.notes_tag }}
+          STATUS: ${{ inputs.status }}
+          USER_FRACTION: ${{ inputs.user_fraction }}
+          DRY_RUN: ${{ inputs.dry_run }}
+        run: |
+          set -- --package io.unom.punktfunk \
+                 --promote "$VERSION_CODE" \
+                 --track "$TO_TRACK" --status "$STATUS"
+          # Explicit `if`, not `[ ] && …`: under `sh -e` a false AND-OR list that ends up LAST in
+          # the script aborts the step, and these get reordered.
+          if [ -n "$FROM_TRACK" ]; then set -- "$@" --promote-from "$FROM_TRACK"; fi
+          if [ -n "$USER_FRACTION" ]; then set -- "$@" --user-fraction "$USER_FRACTION"; fi
+          if [ -n "$NOTES_TAG" ]; then
+            NOTES="docs/releases/whatsnew/${NOTES_TAG}.txt"
+            # Fail loudly rather than silently publishing with the PREVIOUS release's text still
+            # showing on the store listing.
+            [ -f "$NOTES" ] || { echo "ERROR: no such notes file: $NOTES"; exit 1; }
+            set -- "$@" --release-notes-file "$NOTES"
+          fi
+          if [ "$DRY_RUN" = "true" ]; then set -- "$@" --no-commit; fi
+          echo "promoting versionCode=$VERSION_CODE -> $TO_TRACK (dry_run=$DRY_RUN)"
+          python3 clients/android/ci/play-upload.py "$@"

.gitea/workflows/android.yml

@@ -34,9 +34,10 @@ on:
       - 'rust-toolchain.toml'
       - 'scripts/ci/**'
       - '.gitea/workflows/android.yml'
-    # Single project version: a `vX.Y.Z` tag is THE release (uploads to Play's `alpha` closed
-    # track for manual promotion + attaches the .aab/.apk to the unified Gitea Release). A main
-    # push is canary (Play `internal`).
+    # Single project version: a `vX.Y.Z` tag is THE release (publishes to Play `production` at
+    # 100% + attaches the .aab/.apk to the unified Gitea Release). A main push is canary
+    # (Play `internal`). Production access was granted 2026-08-01; before that a tag could only
+    # reach `alpha` and someone had to promote it by hand in the Console.
     tags: ['v*']
   pull_request:
     paths:
@@ -75,6 +76,56 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      # FIRST, because it costs a second and everything after it costs ten minutes.
+      #
+      # A release tag MUST carry its own Play "What's new". If the file is absent Play does not
+      # show nothing — it carries the PREVIOUS release's text onto this version, so production
+      # users read notes for a build they are not getting. That is the same defect the v0.22.3
+      # notes shipped (see docs/releases/README.md), and it is invisible until someone reads the
+      # store listing. Failing here also means a missing file cannot leave a half-published
+      # release: nothing is built, nothing is attached to the Gitea release, nothing reaches Play.
+      #
+      # Canary is exempt on purpose: it has no curated notes, and Play reusing text for internal
+      # testers costs nothing.
+      - name: Play release notes gate (tags only)
+        if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v')
+        run: |
+          NOTES="docs/releases/whatsnew/${GITHUB_REF_NAME}.txt"
+          if [ ! -f "$NOTES" ]; then
+            echo "ERROR: $NOTES does not exist."
+            echo "A production release needs its own Play 'What's new' (<=500 chars, written for"
+            echo "phone/TV users). Without it Play reuses the previous release's text."
+            echo "See docs/releases/README.md; copy docs/releases/whatsnew/TEMPLATE.txt."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          # A verbatim copy of another release's file is the same bug wearing a hat: the store
+          # listing still describes the wrong build. Cheap to check, and only ever trips on an
+          # actual copy-paste that was never edited.
+          for other in docs/releases/whatsnew/*.txt; do
+            if [ "$other" != "$NOTES" ] && [ "$other" != "docs/releases/whatsnew/TEMPLATE.txt" ]; then
+              if cmp -s "$NOTES" "$other"; then
+                echo "ERROR: $NOTES is byte-identical to $other."
+                echo "Write notes describing THIS release, not the one before it."
+                exit 1
+              fi
+            fi
+          done
+          # Length is checked here as well as in play-upload.py. Not redundant: the uploader is
+          # the last line of defence (and the only one android-promote.yml gets), but it runs at
+          # step 9 — this catches an unedited TEMPLATE copy at step 1 instead of after the build.
+          # Must count CHARACTERS, not bytes: Play's cap is 500 chars and `•` is 3 bytes in UTF-8,
+          # so `wc -c` would reject a file that is comfortably legal.
+          python3 - "$NOTES" <<'PY'
+          import sys
+          path = sys.argv[1]
+          text = open(path, encoding="utf-8").read().strip()
+          if not text:
+              sys.exit(f"ERROR: {path} is empty.")
+          if len(text) > 500:
+              sys.exit(f"ERROR: {path} is {len(text)} chars; Play allows 500. Trim it.")
+          print(f"Play release notes OK: {path} ({len(text)}/500 chars)")
+          PY
+
       # Everything below the checkout used to be four download steps (JDK, SDK,
       # NDK+CMake, cargo-ndk — the flakiest, heaviest part of the job); it is all baked
       # into the image now. This guard only re-asserts the Android targets so a
@@ -122,11 +173,20 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           eval "$(bash scripts/ci/pf-version.sh)"   # -> PF_BASE (one minor ahead of the latest stable tag)
           case "$GITHUB_REF" in
-            refs/tags/v*) VN="${GITHUB_REF_NAME#v}"; TRACK="alpha" ;;   # alpha = built-in closed testing
+            refs/tags/v*) VN="${GITHUB_REF_NAME#v}"; TRACK="production" ;;
             *)            VN="${PF_BASE}-ci${GITHUB_RUN_NUMBER}"; TRACK="internal" ;;
           esac
           echo "VERSION_NAME=$VN" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
           echo "PLAY_TRACK=$TRACK" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          # Play's own "What's new" (500-char cap, its own file — the vX.Y.Z.md body is ~34 KB).
+          # On a tag the gate step above already proved this exists, so the else branch is only
+          # ever the canary path. See docs/releases/README.md.
+          NOTES="docs/releases/whatsnew/${GITHUB_REF_NAME}.txt"
+          if [ -f "$NOTES" ]; then
+            echo "PLAY_NOTES=$NOTES" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          else
+            echo "no Play release notes at $NOTES (canary — Play keeps the previous text)"
+          fi
           echo "android version $VN -> Play track '$TRACK'"
 
       - name: Build Release (signed AAB + universal APK)
@@ -199,15 +259,21 @@ jobs:
       # Direct Publishing-API upload instead of r0adkll/upload-google-play — that action hides the
       # real API error behind "Unknown error occurred."; this prints it. stdlib + openssl only (no
       # pip), reuses SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON (raw JSON or base64), auto-handles changesNotSentForReview.
-      # Track: canary main -> `internal`; a vX.Y.Z release -> `alpha` (closed testing) for manual
-      # promotion to production in the Play console.
+      # Track: canary main -> `internal`; a vX.Y.Z release -> `production` at 100% (`completed`).
+      #
+      # A tag therefore ships to real users with no further click. Two things keep that honest:
+      # the tag is only pushed once every platform is green, and Play reviews each production
+      # release before it reaches anyone. To ramp instead of going straight to 100%, this is
+      # `--status inProgress --user-fraction 0.2`; to undo a bad one, halt or roll back from the
+      # Console (or `android-promote.yml`, which can re-point production at an older versionCode).
       - name: Upload to Google Play
         if: github.event_name == 'push' && (github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' || startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v'))
         env:
           SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON: ${{ secrets.SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON }}
         run: |
           echo "uploading to Play track '$PLAY_TRACK'"
-          python3 clients/android/ci/play-upload.py \
-            --package io.unom.punktfunk \
-            --aab clients/android/app/build/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab \
-            --track "$PLAY_TRACK" --status completed
+          set -- --package io.unom.punktfunk \
+                 --aab clients/android/app/build/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab \
+                 --track "$PLAY_TRACK" --status completed
+          if [ -n "${PLAY_NOTES:-}" ]; then set -- "$@" --release-notes-file "$PLAY_NOTES"; fi
+          python3 clients/android/ci/play-upload.py "$@"

Cargo.lock

@@ -947,7 +947,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "cursor-probe"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "pf-capture",
@@ -1036,7 +1036,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "display-disturb"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "windows 0.62.2 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
 ]
@@ -2221,7 +2221,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "latency-probe"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lazy_static"
@@ -2326,7 +2326,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "libvpl-sys"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "bindgen",
  "cmake",
@@ -2361,7 +2361,7 @@ checksum = "0ceec5bc11778974d1bcb055b18002eba7f4b3518b6a0081b3af5f21666da9ad"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "loss-harness"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "punktfunk-core",
 ]
@@ -2850,7 +2850,7 @@ checksum = "9b4f627cb1b25917193a259e49bdad08f671f8d9708acfd5fe0a8c1455d87220"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-capture"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ashpd",
@@ -2871,7 +2871,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-client-core"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ash",
@@ -2897,7 +2897,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-clipboard"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ashpd",
@@ -2915,7 +2915,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-console-ui"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ash",
@@ -2936,7 +2936,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-encode"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ash",
@@ -2960,7 +2960,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-ffvk"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "ash",
  "bindgen",
@@ -2969,7 +2969,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-frame"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "libc",
@@ -2981,7 +2981,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-gpu"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "pf-host-config",
@@ -2995,11 +2995,11 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-host-config"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-inject"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ashpd",
@@ -3028,14 +3028,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-paths"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "tracing",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-presenter"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ash",
@@ -3050,7 +3050,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-update"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
@@ -3058,7 +3058,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-update-check"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
@@ -3070,7 +3070,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-vdisplay"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ashpd",
@@ -3103,7 +3103,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-win-display"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "pf-paths",
@@ -3115,7 +3115,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pf-zerocopy"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ash",
@@ -3323,7 +3323,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-cli"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "pf-client-core",
  "punktfunk-core",
@@ -3334,7 +3334,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-client-android"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "android_logger",
  "jni",
@@ -3350,7 +3350,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-client-linux"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-channel",
@@ -3367,7 +3367,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-client-session"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "pf-client-core",
@@ -3382,7 +3382,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-client-windows"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "async-channel",
  "ffmpeg-next",
@@ -3402,7 +3402,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-core"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "aes-gcm",
  "bytes",
@@ -3434,7 +3434,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-host"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "aes",
  "aes-gcm",
@@ -3519,7 +3519,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-probe"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "mdns-sd",
@@ -3533,7 +3533,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-tray"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ksni",
@@ -3556,7 +3556,7 @@ checksum = "d55d956fa96f5ec02be2e13af0e20391a5aa83d6a074e3ad368959d0fab299ea"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pyrowave-sys"
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 dependencies = [
  "bindgen",
  "cmake",

Cargo.toml

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ exclude = [
 ndk = { path = "clients/android/native/vendor/ndk" }
 
 [workspace.package]
-version = "0.22.3"
+version = "0.24.0"
 edition = "2021"
 rust-version = "1.82"
 license = "MIT OR Apache-2.0"

api/openapi.json

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
       "name": "MIT OR Apache-2.0",
       "identifier": "MIT OR Apache-2.0"
     },
-    "version": "0.22.3"
+    "version": "0.23.0"
   },
   "paths": {
     "/api/v1/clients": {
@@ -2170,6 +2170,51 @@
         }
       }
     },
+    "/api/v1/plugins/logs": {
+      "post": {
+        "tags": [
+          "plugins"
+        ],
+        "summary": "Ingest runner log lines",
+        "description": "The plugin/script runner ships its output here so the console's **Logs** page can show it.\n\nPlugins are not host child processes — the runner is a separate `bun` process that `import()`s\neach plugin in-process — so nothing a plugin logs passes through the host's own `tracing`, and\nbefore this endpoint the console's log page could not show a single plugin line. On Linux the\nfallback was `journalctl --user -u punktfunk-scripting`; on Windows the runner task writes no\nlog file at all, so a failing plugin was diagnosable only by stopping the scheduled task and\nre-running the runner by hand. Both are shell access on the host box, which is exactly what the\nconsole exists to avoid.\n\nLines land in the same ring as the host's own, sharing one `seq` cursor, targeted\n`plugin:<source>` — so `GET /logs` needs no second cursor and the console needs no second poll.",
+        "operationId": "ingestPluginLogs",
+        "requestBody": {
+          "content": {
+            "application/json": {
+              "schema": {
+                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/PluginLogBatch"
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "required": true
+        },
+        "responses": {
+          "204": {
+            "description": "Lines ingested"
+          },
+          "400": {
+            "description": "Batch too large",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "401": {
+            "description": "Missing or invalid bearer token",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
     "/api/v1/plugins/{id}": {
       "put": {
         "tags": [
@@ -3495,7 +3540,7 @@
         "operationId": "forceUpdateCheck",
         "responses": {
           "200": {
-            "description": "Refreshed update-check state (`last_error` carries a failed check)",
+            "description": "Refreshed update-check state (`last_error` carries a failed check; `not_published` an empty channel, which is not one)",
             "content": {
               "application/json": {
                 "schema": {
@@ -6238,6 +6283,50 @@
           "gamestream"
         ]
       },
+      "PluginLogBatch": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "description": "A batch of runner log lines.",
+        "required": [
+          "entries"
+        ],
+        "properties": {
+          "entries": {
+            "type": "array",
+            "items": {
+              "$ref": "#/components/schemas/PluginLogLine"
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "PluginLogLine": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "description": "One log line produced by the runner or a plugin inside it (`POST /plugins/logs`).",
+        "required": [
+          "ts_ms",
+          "level",
+          "source",
+          "msg"
+        ],
+        "properties": {
+          "level": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "`ERROR` | `WARN` | `INFO` | `DEBUG` | `TRACE`. Anything else is coerced to `INFO`."
+          },
+          "msg": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "source": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Which unit emitted it — a plugin's `definePlugin` name, a package name, or `runner`.\nSurfaced in the console's target column as `plugin:<source>`."
+          },
+          "ts_ms": {
+            "type": "integer",
+            "format": "int64",
+            "description": "When the line was produced, unix milliseconds. Kept verbatim — see\n[`crate::log_capture::LogRing::push_remote`].",
+            "minimum": 0
+          }
+        }
+      },
       "PluginRegistration": {
         "type": "object",
         "description": "Register/renew body for `PUT /plugins/{id}`.",
@@ -7372,7 +7461,8 @@
           "apply",
           "channel_hint",
           "check_disabled",
-          "available"
+          "available",
+          "not_published"
         ],
         "properties": {
           "apply": {
@@ -7452,6 +7542,10 @@
               }
             ]
           },
+          "not_published": {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "description": "The check reached the feed and found this channel has **no release published yet** —\nan expected state (a channel nobody has announced to answers with a 404), not a\nfailure. Mutually exclusive with `last_error`, so a UI can say \"nothing published yet\"\ninstead of painting an empty feed as a broken host. Never set once a manifest has been\nseen for this channel: a feed that loses a document it used to serve stays an error."
+          },
           "opt_in_hint": {
             "type": [
               "string",

clients/android/app/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/GamepadSettingsScreen.kt

@@ -395,9 +395,21 @@ private fun buildSettingsRows(
             "mic", null, "Microphone", "Send this device's microphone to the host's virtual mic.",
             s.micEnabled,
         ) { update(s.copy(micEnabled = it)) },
+        toggle(
+            "echoCancel", null, "Echo cancellation",
+            "Filter the stream's own audio out of the mic pickup. Applies while the microphone is on.",
+            s.echoCancel,
+        ) { update(s.copy(echoCancel = it)) },
 
+        toggle(
+            "padForward", "Controllers", "Forward controllers",
+            "Send this device's controllers to the host. Turn it off when your controller " +
+                "already reaches the host another way — USB passthrough such as VirtualHere — " +
+                "so games don't see two of them.",
+            s.gamepadForwarding,
+        ) { update(s.copy(gamepadForwarding = it)) },
         choice(
-            "padType", "Controllers", "Controller type",
+            "padType", null, "Controller type",
             "The virtual pad the host creates — Automatic matches this controller.",
             GAMEPAD_OPTIONS, s.gamepad,
         ) { update(s.copy(gamepad = it)) },

clients/android/app/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/HostConnect.kt

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package io.unom.punktfunk
 
 import android.content.Context
 import android.os.Build
+import android.util.Log
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.Gamepad
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.NativeBridge
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.VideoDecoders
@@ -45,18 +46,40 @@ suspend fun connectToHost(
         // Transport-level half of "Low-latency mode (experimental)" (DSCP marking on the media
         // sockets) — must be applied before connect, since sockets are tagged at creation.
         NativeBridge.nativeSetLowLatencyMode(settings.lowLatencyMode)
+        val multiSlice = VideoDecoders.multiSliceTolerant()
+        val partialFrame = VideoDecoders.partialFrameCapable()
+        // Slice-progressive delivery: decoder truth AND the async decode loop — the legacy
+        // sync loop feeds whole AUs only, so parts must never arrive when it is selected.
+        val frameParts = settings.lowLatencyMode && partialFrame
+        val codecBits = VideoDecoders.decodableCodecBits()
+        // Automatic codec (P5, measured NP3 ↔ RTX 4090): AV1 beat HEVC by ~1.2 ms end-to-end at
+        // identical conditions, so under "Automatic" this device prefers AV1 when it hardware-
+        // decodes it (the AV1 bit is only ever set for a real, non-blocked hardware decoder) AND
+        // it lacks FEATURE_PartialFrame — a partial-frame device keeps HEVC, whose slice overlap
+        // AV1 cannot ride (AV1 has no slices; the host's chunked poll never arms). The host
+        // honors the preference only inside the probed shared codec set, so an AV1-less encoder
+        // still resolves HEVC. An explicit user choice always wins unchanged.
+        val preferredCodec = settings.preferredCodec().takeIf { it != 0 }
+            ?: if (codecBits and 4 != 0 && !partialFrame) 4 else 0
+        // The connect-time capability readout (`adb logcat -s pf.caps`): the P2 slice pipeline
+        // is client-inert unless BOTH probes pass — this line says which decoder failed one.
+        Log.i(
+            "pf.caps",
+            VideoDecoders.capsReport() +
+                " → multiSlice=$multiSlice parts=$frameParts prefer=$preferredCodec" +
+                " (lowLatency=${settings.lowLatencyMode})",
+        )
         NativeBridge.nativeConnect(
             host, port, w, h, hz,
             identity.certPem, identity.privateKeyPem, pinHex,
             settings.bitrateKbps, settings.compositor, gamepadPref,
-            hdrEnabled, VideoDecoders.multiSliceTolerant(),
-            // Slice-progressive delivery: decoder truth AND the async decode loop — the legacy
-            // sync loop feeds whole AUs only, so parts must never arrive when it is selected.
-            settings.lowLatencyMode && VideoDecoders.partialFrameCapable(),
+            hdrEnabled, multiSlice,
+            frameParts,
             settings.audioChannels,
             // What this device can decode (H.264|HEVC always, AV1 when a real decoder exists) +
-            // the user's soft codec preference — the host resolves the emitted codec from both.
-            VideoDecoders.decodableCodecBits(), settings.preferredCodec(), timeoutMs,
+            // the soft codec preference (user choice, or the Automatic AV1 rule above) — the
+            // host resolves the emitted codec from both.
+            codecBits, preferredCodec, timeoutMs,
             launch,
             // The host's approval-list / trust-store label for this device — the same
             // Build.MODEL convention the pairing dialogs use for nativePair.

clients/android/app/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/Profiles.kt

@@ -38,10 +38,12 @@ data class SettingsOverlay(
     val compositor: Int? = null,
     val audioChannels: Int? = null,
     val micEnabled: Boolean? = null,
+    val echoCancel: Boolean? = null,
     val touchMode: TouchMode? = null,
     val mouseMode: MouseMode? = null,
     val invertScroll: Boolean? = null,
     val gamepad: Int? = null,
+    val gamepadForwarding: Boolean? = null,
     val statsVerbosity: StatsVerbosity? = null,
     /**
      * Android-only tier-P addition (design §3): the decode pipeline is a device fact everywhere
@@ -70,10 +72,12 @@ data class SettingsOverlay(
         compositor = compositor ?: base.compositor,
         audioChannels = audioChannels ?: base.audioChannels,
         micEnabled = micEnabled ?: base.micEnabled,
+        echoCancel = echoCancel ?: base.echoCancel,
         touchMode = touchMode ?: base.touchMode,
         mouseMode = mouseMode ?: base.mouseMode,
         invertScroll = invertScroll ?: base.invertScroll,
         gamepad = gamepad ?: base.gamepad,
+        gamepadForwarding = gamepadForwarding ?: base.gamepadForwarding,
         statsVerbosity = statsVerbosity ?: base.statsVerbosity,
         lowLatencyMode = lowLatencyMode ?: base.lowLatencyMode,
         presentPriority = presentPriority ?: base.presentPriority,
@@ -103,10 +107,14 @@ data class SettingsOverlay(
         compositor = if (after.compositor != before.compositor) after.compositor else compositor,
         audioChannels = if (after.audioChannels != before.audioChannels) after.audioChannels else audioChannels,
         micEnabled = if (after.micEnabled != before.micEnabled) after.micEnabled else micEnabled,
+        echoCancel = if (after.echoCancel != before.echoCancel) after.echoCancel else echoCancel,
         touchMode = if (after.touchMode != before.touchMode) after.touchMode else touchMode,
         mouseMode = if (after.mouseMode != before.mouseMode) after.mouseMode else mouseMode,
         invertScroll = if (after.invertScroll != before.invertScroll) after.invertScroll else invertScroll,
         gamepad = if (after.gamepad != before.gamepad) after.gamepad else gamepad,
+        gamepadForwarding =
+            if (after.gamepadForwarding != before.gamepadForwarding) after.gamepadForwarding
+            else gamepadForwarding,
         statsVerbosity = if (after.statsVerbosity != before.statsVerbosity) after.statsVerbosity else statsVerbosity,
         lowLatencyMode = if (after.lowLatencyMode != before.lowLatencyMode) after.lowLatencyMode else lowLatencyMode,
         presentPriority = if (after.presentPriority != before.presentPriority) after.presentPriority else presentPriority,
@@ -128,10 +136,12 @@ data class SettingsOverlay(
         "compositor" -> copy(compositor = null)
         "audio_channels" -> copy(audioChannels = null)
         "mic_enabled" -> copy(micEnabled = null)
+        "echo_cancel" -> copy(echoCancel = null)
         "touch_mode" -> copy(touchMode = null)
         "mouse_mode" -> copy(mouseMode = null)
         "invert_scroll" -> copy(invertScroll = null)
         "gamepad" -> copy(gamepad = null)
+        "gamepad_forwarding" -> copy(gamepadForwarding = null)
         "stats_verbosity" -> copy(statsVerbosity = null)
         "low_latency_mode" -> copy(lowLatencyMode = null)
         "present_priority" -> copy(presentPriority = null)
@@ -150,10 +160,12 @@ data class SettingsOverlay(
         if (compositor != null) add("compositor")
         if (audioChannels != null) add("audio_channels")
         if (micEnabled != null) add("mic_enabled")
+        if (echoCancel != null) add("echo_cancel")
         if (touchMode != null) add("touch_mode")
         if (mouseMode != null) add("mouse_mode")
         if (invertScroll != null) add("invert_scroll")
         if (gamepad != null) add("gamepad")
+        if (gamepadForwarding != null) add("gamepad_forwarding")
         if (statsVerbosity != null) add("stats_verbosity")
         if (lowLatencyMode != null) add("low_latency_mode")
         if (presentPriority != null) add("present_priority")
@@ -180,10 +192,12 @@ data class SettingsOverlay(
         compositor?.let { j.put("compositor", it) }
         audioChannels?.let { j.put("audio_channels", it) }
         micEnabled?.let { j.put("mic_enabled", it) }
+        echoCancel?.let { j.put("echo_cancel", it) }
         touchMode?.let { j.put("touch_mode", it.name) }
         mouseMode?.let { j.put("mouse_mode", it.storedName) }
         invertScroll?.let { j.put("invert_scroll", it) }
         gamepad?.let { j.put("gamepad", it) }
+        gamepadForwarding?.let { j.put("gamepad_forwarding", it) }
         statsVerbosity?.let { j.put("stats_verbosity", it.name) }
         lowLatencyMode?.let { j.put("low_latency_mode", it) }
         presentPriority?.let { j.put("present_priority", it) }
@@ -198,9 +212,10 @@ data class SettingsOverlay(
         /** Keys this build models; everything else in a stored overlay is carried through. */
         private val KNOWN = setOf(
             "width", "height", "refresh_hz", "bitrate_kbps", "render_scale", "codec",
-            "hdr_enabled", "compositor", "audio_channels", "mic_enabled", "touch_mode",
-            "mouse_mode", "invert_scroll", "gamepad", "stats_verbosity", "low_latency_mode",
-            "present_priority", "smooth_buffer",
+            "hdr_enabled", "compositor", "audio_channels", "mic_enabled", "echo_cancel",
+            "touch_mode", "mouse_mode", "invert_scroll", "gamepad", "gamepad_forwarding",
+            "stats_verbosity",
+            "low_latency_mode", "present_priority", "smooth_buffer",
         )
 
         internal fun fromJson(j: JSONObject): SettingsOverlay = SettingsOverlay(
@@ -214,12 +229,14 @@ data class SettingsOverlay(
             compositor = j.optIntOrNull("compositor"),
             audioChannels = j.optIntOrNull("audio_channels"),
             micEnabled = j.optBooleanOrNull("mic_enabled"),
+            echoCancel = j.optBooleanOrNull("echo_cancel"),
             touchMode = j.optStringOrNull("touch_mode")
                 ?.let { n -> TouchMode.entries.firstOrNull { it.name == n } },
             mouseMode = j.optStringOrNull("mouse_mode")
                 ?.let { n -> MouseMode.entries.firstOrNull { it.storedName == n } },
             invertScroll = j.optBooleanOrNull("invert_scroll"),
             gamepad = j.optIntOrNull("gamepad"),
+            gamepadForwarding = j.optBooleanOrNull("gamepad_forwarding"),
             statsVerbosity = j.optStringOrNull("stats_verbosity")
                 ?.let { n -> StatsVerbosity.entries.firstOrNull { it.name == n } },
             lowLatencyMode = j.optBooleanOrNull("low_latency_mode"),

clients/android/app/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/Settings.kt

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package io.unom.punktfunk
 
 import android.content.Context
+import android.hardware.display.DisplayManager
 import android.os.Build
 import android.util.Log
 import android.view.Display
@@ -33,6 +34,17 @@ data class Settings(
     val hdrEnabled: Boolean = true,
     val compositor: Int = 0,
     val gamepad: Int = 0,
+    /**
+     * Forward this device's controllers to the host at all. Default on — that was the
+     * unconditional behaviour before this became a setting.
+     *
+     * Off is for a couch whose controller reaches the host another way: a USB passthrough tool
+     * (VirtualHere and friends), or a pad simply plugged into the host itself. Leaving it on
+     * there gives the host two controllers for one pair of hands, and games read both. It also
+     * stops this device CLAIMING the pad — a device held open is one a passthrough tool can't
+     * bind — which is why it gates the USB capture paths, not just the wire sends.
+     */
+    val gamepadForwarding: Boolean = true,
     /** Requested audio channel count: 2 (stereo), 6 (5.1) or 8 (7.1). The host clamps to what it
      * can capture; the resolved count drives the decoder + AAudio layout. */
     val audioChannels: Int = 2,
@@ -41,6 +53,15 @@ data class Settings(
      * the host resolves (AV1 is only advertised/offered when the device has a real AV1 decoder). */
     val codec: String = "auto",
     val micEnabled: Boolean = false,
+    /**
+     * Cancel acoustic echo on the mic uplink (plus noise suppression): the capture opens under
+     * the VoiceCommunication preset so the HAL's own AEC/NS process it, with the Java effects
+     * attached as a backstop where available. On by default — a phone/tablet plays the game audio
+     * out of the same device its mic hears, so without this the host hears its own stream back.
+     * Turn off for a headset-only setup where the untouched full-band capture sounds better.
+     * Only meaningful while [micEnabled] is on.
+     */
+    val echoCancel: Boolean = true,
     /**
      * How much the in-stream stats overlay shows — see [StatsVerbosity]. Defaults to
      * [StatsVerbosity.NORMAL] (the res/fps line + latency headline + reliability counters); the full
@@ -206,9 +227,11 @@ class SettingsStore(context: Context) {
         hdrEnabled = prefs.getBoolean(K_HDR, true),
         compositor = prefs.getInt(K_COMPOSITOR, 0),
         gamepad = prefs.getInt(K_GAMEPAD, 0),
+        gamepadForwarding = prefs.getBoolean(K_GAMEPAD_FORWARDING, true),
         audioChannels = prefs.getInt(K_AUDIO_CH, 2),
         codec = prefs.getString(K_CODEC, "auto") ?: "auto",
         micEnabled = prefs.getBoolean(K_MIC, false),
+        echoCancel = prefs.getBoolean(K_ECHO_CANCEL, true),
         statsVerbosity = prefs.getString(K_STATS_VERBOSITY, null)
             ?.let { name -> StatsVerbosity.entries.firstOrNull { it.name == name } }
             // Migration from the pre-tier Boolean "stats_hud_enabled": an explicit OFF stays off;
@@ -251,9 +274,11 @@ class SettingsStore(context: Context) {
             .putBoolean(K_HDR, s.hdrEnabled)
             .putInt(K_COMPOSITOR, s.compositor)
             .putInt(K_GAMEPAD, s.gamepad)
+            .putBoolean(K_GAMEPAD_FORWARDING, s.gamepadForwarding)
             .putInt(K_AUDIO_CH, s.audioChannels)
             .putString(K_CODEC, s.codec)
             .putBoolean(K_MIC, s.micEnabled)
+            .putBoolean(K_ECHO_CANCEL, s.echoCancel)
             .putString(K_STATS_VERBOSITY, s.statsVerbosity.name)
             .putString(K_TOUCH_MODE, s.touchMode.name)
             .putBoolean(K_GAMEPAD_UI, s.gamepadUiEnabled)
@@ -279,9 +304,11 @@ class SettingsStore(context: Context) {
         const val K_HDR = "hdr_enabled"
         const val K_COMPOSITOR = "compositor"
         const val K_GAMEPAD = "gamepad"
+        const val K_GAMEPAD_FORWARDING = "gamepad_forwarding"
         const val K_AUDIO_CH = "audio_channels"
         const val K_CODEC = "codec"
         const val K_MIC = "mic_enabled"
+        const val K_ECHO_CANCEL = "echo_cancel"
         const val K_STATS_VERBOSITY = "stats_verbosity"
 
         /** Pre-tier Boolean the [K_STATS_VERBOSITY] enum replaced — read once for migration, never
@@ -319,14 +346,31 @@ class SettingsStore(context: Context) {
     }
 }
 
+/**
+ * The display to probe for capability/mode queries: the context's own display when it is already
+ * associated with one, else the DEFAULT display via [DisplayManager]. A `punktfunk://` deep-link
+ * COLD start can reach the connect before the activity is attached to its display —
+ * `context.display` then throws, and the old `false`/1080p60 fallbacks silently downgraded the
+ * whole session (no HDR advertised / non-native mode) with nothing in the log. The default
+ * display IS the panel on phones and TVs; the activity-display distinction only matters on
+ * multi-display setups, where the attached path still wins whenever it is available.
+ */
+private fun probeDisplay(context: Context): Display? =
+    runCatching { context.display }.getOrNull()
+        ?: runCatching {
+            context.getSystemService(DisplayManager::class.java)
+                ?.getDisplay(Display.DEFAULT_DISPLAY)
+        }.getOrNull().also {
+            if (it != null) Log.i("punktfunk", "display probe: context unattached — using DEFAULT_DISPLAY")
+        }
+
 /**
  * The device's native display mode as a landscape `(width, height, hz)` — the long edge is the
- * width, since we stream a desktop. Falls back to 1920×1080@60 if the display can't be read.
- * [context] must be a visual (Activity) context.
+ * width, since we stream a desktop. Falls back to 1920×1080@60 if no display can be read at all
+ * (see [probeDisplay] for the cold-start fallback that makes that a last resort).
  */
 fun nativeDisplayMode(context: Context): Triple<Int, Int, Int> {
-    // getDisplay() throws on a non-visual context rather than returning null — guard it.
-    val display = runCatching { context.display }.getOrNull() ?: return Triple(1920, 1080, 60)
+    val display = probeDisplay(context) ?: return Triple(1920, 1080, 60)
     val mode = display.mode
     val w = mode.physicalWidth
     val h = mode.physicalHeight
@@ -341,7 +385,12 @@ fun nativeDisplayMode(context: Context): Triple<Int, Int, Int> {
  * capability gate the Apple/Windows clients apply.
  */
 fun displaySupportsHdr(context: Context): Boolean {
-    val display = runCatching { context.display }.getOrNull() ?: return false
+    val display = probeDisplay(context)
+    if (display == null) {
+        // Distinguishable from a real SDR verdict — a silent `false` here cost an HDR session.
+        Log.w("punktfunk", "display HDR probe: no display reachable — advertising SDR")
+        return false
+    }
     val types = buildSet {
         // API 34+: the sanctioned per-mode query (Display.Mode.getSupportedHdrTypes). The
         // deprecated Display-level hdrCapabilities can return EMPTY on Android 14+ devices

clients/android/app/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/SettingsScreen.kt

@@ -673,12 +673,22 @@ private fun DisplaySettings(s: Settings, update: (Settings) -> Unit, context: an
         // Only codecs this device can actually decode are offered — a preference the client never
         // advertises would be a dead setting (see [codecOptionsFor]).
         val av1Capable = remember { VideoDecoders.pickDecoder("video/av01") != null }
+        // Mirror the Automatic AV1 rule in HostConnect (hardware AV1 AND no partial-frame
+        // support) so the picker says what "Automatic" actually does on THIS device.
+        val autoPrefersAv1 = remember {
+            VideoDecoders.decodableCodecBits() and 4 != 0 && !VideoDecoders.partialFrameCapable()
+        }
         SettingDropdown(
             label = "Video codec",
             options = codecOptionsFor(s.codec, av1Capable),
             selected = s.codec,
             field = "codec",
-            caption = "A preference — the host falls back if it can't encode this one.",
+            caption = if (autoPrefersAv1) {
+                "A preference — the host falls back if it can't encode this one. " +
+                    "Automatic prefers AV1 on this device."
+            } else {
+                "A preference — the host falls back if it can't encode this one."
+            },
         ) { c -> update(s.copy(codec = c)) }
 
         // HDR is only meaningful on a panel that can present HDR10; on an SDR display the toggle is
@@ -794,17 +804,37 @@ private fun AudioSettings(s: Settings, update: (Settings) -> Unit, onMicChange:
             field = "mic_enabled",
             onCheckedChange = onMicChange,
         )
+        ToggleRow(
+            title = "Echo cancellation",
+            subtitle = "Filters the stream's own audio out of the mic pickup",
+            checked = s.echoCancel,
+            enabled = s.micEnabled,
+            field = "echo_cancel",
+            onCheckedChange = { on -> update(s.copy(echoCancel = on)) },
+        )
     }
 }
 
 @Composable
 private fun ControllerSettings(s: Settings, update: (Settings) -> Unit, onOpenControllers: () -> Unit) {
     SettingsGroup(footer = "Applies from the next session.") {
+        // The master switch, above everything it governs. Profileable, so it shows in both
+        // scopes: a "Work" profile can decline to forward what "Game" forwards.
+        ToggleRow(
+            title = "Forward controllers",
+            subtitle = "Send this device's controllers to the host. Turn it off when your " +
+                "controller already reaches the host another way — USB passthrough such as " +
+                "VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host — so games don't see two of them",
+            checked = s.gamepadForwarding,
+            field = "gamepad_forwarding",
+            onCheckedChange = { on -> update(s.copy(gamepadForwarding = on)) },
+        )
         SettingDropdown(
             label = "Controller type",
             options = GAMEPAD_OPTIONS,
             selected = s.gamepad,
             field = "gamepad",
+            enabled = s.gamepadForwarding,
             caption = "The virtual pad the host creates. Automatic matches your controller; " +
                 "every connected one is forwarded as its own player.",
         ) { g -> update(s.copy(gamepad = g)) }
@@ -834,6 +864,7 @@ private fun ControllerSettings(s: Settings, update: (Settings) -> Unit, onOpenCo
                 subtitle = "Stream a Steam Controller 2 as-is — Steam on the host drives its " +
                     "trackpads, gyro and haptics directly",
                 checked = s.sc2Capture,
+                enabled = s.gamepadForwarding,
                 onCheckedChange = { on -> update(s.copy(sc2Capture = on)) },
             )
             // Same no-vibrator-gate reasoning as the SC2 row: this capture renders feedback on
@@ -843,6 +874,7 @@ private fun ControllerSettings(s: Settings, update: (Settings) -> Unit, onOpenCo
                 subtitle = "Drive a USB-connected Sony pad directly — rumble on any phone, " +
                     "plus adaptive triggers, lightbar and gyro",
                 checked = s.dsCapture,
+                enabled = s.gamepadForwarding,
                 onCheckedChange = { on -> update(s.copy(dsCapture = on)) },
             )
         }
@@ -995,6 +1027,7 @@ private fun <T> SettingDropdown(
     selected: T,
     field: String? = null,
     caption: String? = null,
+    enabled: Boolean = true,
     onSelect: (T) -> Unit,
 ) {
     var expanded by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
@@ -1002,18 +1035,25 @@ private fun <T> SettingDropdown(
         ?: options.firstOrNull()?.second.orEmpty()
     Column {
         OverrideBadge(field)
-        ExposedDropdownMenuBox(expanded = expanded, onExpandedChange = { expanded = it }) {
+        ExposedDropdownMenuBox(
+            expanded = expanded && enabled,
+            onExpandedChange = { if (enabled) expanded = it },
+        ) {
             OutlinedTextField(
                 value = selectedLabel,
                 onValueChange = {},
                 readOnly = true,
+                enabled = enabled,
                 label = { Text(label) },
                 trailingIcon = { ExposedDropdownMenuDefaults.TrailingIcon(expanded = expanded) },
                 modifier = Modifier
                     .menuAnchor(ExposedDropdownMenuAnchorType.PrimaryNotEditable)
                     .fillMaxWidth(),
             )
-            ExposedDropdownMenu(expanded = expanded, onDismissRequest = { expanded = false }) {
+            ExposedDropdownMenu(
+                expanded = expanded && enabled,
+                onDismissRequest = { expanded = false },
+            ) {
                 options.forEach { (value, lbl) ->
                     DropdownMenuItem(
                         text = { Text(lbl) },

clients/android/app/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/StatsOverlay.kt

@@ -18,11 +18,13 @@ import kotlin.math.roundToInt
  * The live stats overlay — the unified HUD (`design/stats-unification.md`): headline is
  * `capture→displayed` tiled by `host+network` + `decode` + `display` when the platform delivered
  * OnFrameRendered render callbacks this window (`dispValid`), falling back to the v1
- * `capture→decoded` headline without the `display` term when it didn't. Reads the 26-double
- * layout from [NativeBridge.nativeVideoStats]:
+ * `capture→decoded` headline without the `display` term when it didn't. Reads the 33-double
+ * layout from [NativeBridge.nativeVideoStats] (that KDoc is the authoritative index list):
  * `[fps, mbps, e2eP50Ms, e2eP95Ms, latValid, skew, w, h, hz, lostTotal, bitDepth, colorPrimaries,
  * colorTransfer, chromaFormatIdc, hostNetP50Ms, decodeP50Ms, hostP50Ms, netP50Ms, lost, skipped,
- * fec, frames, dispValid, displayP50Ms, e2eDispP50Ms, e2eDispP95Ms]`.
+ * fec, frames, dispValid, displayP50Ms, e2eDispP50Ms, e2eDispP95Ms, paceP50Ms, latchP50Ms,
+ * presentsWindow, presenterActive, feedP50Ms, codecP50Ms, skippedOverflowWindow]`. Every read
+ * is length-guarded, so an older native lib simply omits the lines it can't feed.
  *
  * [verbosity] selects how many lines render (each tier a superset of the last — see
  * [StatsVerbosity]):
@@ -129,10 +131,30 @@ internal fun StatsOverlay(
                 } else {
                     ""
                 }
+                // P3 decode split (s[30]/s[31]): `feed` = received→queued (hand-off + input-slot
+                // wait) + `codec` = queued→decoded (codec-pure) — rendered when a sample landed.
+                val decodeTerm = if (s.size >= 33 && (s[30] > 0 || s[31] > 0)) {
+                    "decode ${"%.1f".format(s[15])} " +
+                        "(feed ${"%.1f".format(s[30])} + codec ${"%.1f".format(s[31])})"
+                } else {
+                    "decode ${"%.1f".format(s[15])}"
+                }
                 statLine(
-                    "= $hostTerms + decode ${"%.1f".format(s[15])}$displayTerm$presents",
+                    "= $hostTerms + $decodeTerm$displayTerm$presents",
                     Color.White,
                 )
+                // Metric fairness: the Apple client's HUD shaves ~2 refresh periods of OS
+                // pipeline floor off its shown display/end-to-end; Android shows raw. This twin
+                // applies the same shave so iPhone↔Android HUD numbers compare directly.
+                if (dispValid && hz > 0) {
+                    val shave = 2000.0 / hz
+                    statLine(
+                        "≈ Apple-HUD equiv: end-to-end " +
+                            "${"%.1f".format((s[24] - shave).coerceAtLeast(0.0))} · display " +
+                            "${"%.1f".format((s[23] - shave).coerceAtLeast(0.0))} (−2 refresh)",
+                        Color(0xFFA8D8B8),
+                    )
+                }
             }
         }
         counterLine(s, lost)?.let { statLine(it, Color(0xFFFFB0B0)) }
@@ -178,12 +200,17 @@ private fun counterLine(s: DoubleArray, lostTotal: Long): String? {
     val fec = s[20].toLong()
     val frames = s[21].toLong()
     if (lost == 0L && skipped == 0L && fec == 0L) return null
+    // The overflow subset of `skipped` (s[32]): whole AUs dropped before feeding — the decoder
+    // fell behind. Absent (0 / old layout) the plain count keeps meaning benign pacing drops.
+    val overflow = if (s.size >= 33) s[32].toLong() else 0L
     return buildList {
         if (lost > 0) {
             val pct = 100.0 * lost / (frames + lost).coerceAtLeast(1)
             add("lost $lost (${"%.1f".format(pct)}%)")
         }
-        if (skipped > 0) add("skipped $skipped")
+        if (skipped > 0) {
+            add(if (overflow > 0) "skipped $skipped (⚠ $overflow overflow)" else "skipped $skipped")
+        }
         if (fec > 0) add("FEC $fec")
     }.joinToString(" · ")
 }

clients/android/app/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/StreamScreen.kt

@@ -9,11 +9,15 @@ import android.content.IntentFilter
 import android.content.pm.ActivityInfo
 import android.content.pm.PackageManager
 import android.hardware.usb.UsbManager
+import android.media.audiofx.AcousticEchoCanceler
+import android.media.audiofx.AudioEffect
+import android.media.audiofx.NoiseSuppressor
 import android.net.wifi.WifiManager
 import android.os.Build
 import android.text.InputType
 import android.util.Log
 import android.view.KeyEvent
+import android.view.Surface
 import android.view.SurfaceHolder
 import android.view.SurfaceView
 import android.view.View
@@ -25,12 +29,20 @@ import android.view.inputmethod.InputMethodManager
 import android.widget.Toast
 import androidx.activity.compose.BackHandler
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
+import androidx.compose.foundation.clickable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
+import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Row
+import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Spacer
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.aspectRatio
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
+import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.width
 import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Mic
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.MicOff
+import androidx.compose.material3.Icon
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.DisposableEffect
@@ -41,6 +53,7 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
+import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.pointer.pointerInput
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
@@ -97,6 +110,38 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO,
     ) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED
 
+    // The Java AEC/NS pair backstopping the native VoiceCommunication capture preset, hung off the
+    // audio session id `nativeStartMic` returns. Attached in surfaceCreated (where the mic starts)
+    // and released on every path that stops the mic — the surface teardown AND the final dispose —
+    // so a surface recreate re-attaches to the fresh stream instead of leaking effect engines.
+    // All three touch points run on the main thread; a plain list is race-free.
+    val micEffects = remember { mutableListOf<AudioEffect>() }
+
+    // In-stream mic mute. Per SESSION and never persisted (no setting backs it): a new stream
+    // always starts unmuted. The authoritative flag lives on the native handle, which is why a mute
+    // survives the mic stop/start a surface recreate performs — this state is the UI's mirror of
+    // it, and survives the same recreate because the composition outlives the surface.
+    var micMuted by remember(handle) { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    // Whether a capture is actually RUNNING, not merely wanted — set from surfaceCreated on what
+    // nativeMicActive reports. A device that refused every AAudio input rung gets no mute control
+    // rather than one that lies about a mic being heard.
+    var micRunning by remember(handle) { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    // Transient confirmation of a mic-chord toggle (null = nothing showing). Only the gamepad path
+    // needs it: the touch button confirms itself by changing under the finger, but a chord has no
+    // on-screen state of its own, and "did that register?" is exactly the doubt to answer.
+    var micHint by remember { mutableStateOf<String?>(null) }
+    LaunchedEffect(micHint) {
+        if (micHint != null) {
+            delay(1600)
+            micHint = null
+        }
+    }
+    // The one place mute is toggled — Compose state + the native flag, always together.
+    val setMicMuted = { muted: Boolean ->
+        micMuted = muted
+        NativeBridge.nativeSetMicMuted(handle, muted)
+    }
+
     // Live decode stats for the HUD. `statsOn` (verbosity != OFF) gates the whole native pipeline:
     // the per-frame sampling (nativeSetVideoStatsEnabled — a hidden HUD costs one atomic load per
     // frame) AND the 1 s poll loop, which only runs while the overlay is visible. Enabling resets
@@ -276,7 +321,9 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         // Multi-controller router: a stable wire pad index per connected controller, per-device axis
         // state, Arrival/Remove on hot-plug, and feedback routed back by pad index. Forwards every
         // controller (Automatic). Built here, released on dispose.
-        val router = GamepadRouter(context, handle, initialSettings.gamepad)
+        val router = GamepadRouter(
+            context, handle, initialSettings.gamepad, initialSettings.gamepadForwarding,
+        )
         activity?.gamepadRouter = router
         // Select+Start+L1+R1 chord leaves the stream — a deliberate quit (signal it so the host skips
         // the keep-alive linger), unlike a host-ended / backgrounded drop. The router debounces it
@@ -287,6 +334,16 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         // Show a "hold to quit" hint the moment the chord completes (the router debounces the actual
         // exit); it clears when the buttons release early or the hold elapses. Runs on the main thread.
         router.onExitArmed = { armed -> exitArming = armed }
+        // Select + Y toggles the mic — the couch reach for the on-screen mute button, which a
+        // gamepad/TV user has no pointer for. Ignored when no capture is running (there is nothing
+        // to mute, and claiming otherwise would be the lie the control exists to avoid).
+        router.onMicChord = {
+            if (micRunning) {
+                val next = !micMuted
+                setMicMuted(next)
+                micHint = if (next) "Microphone muted" else "Microphone live"
+            }
+        }
         // Physical mouse: uncaptured hover/click/wheel forwards as absolute pointing; captured
         // (setting or the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Q chord) raw deltas forward as relative mouse-look.
         // The local cursor is hidden over the stream — the host's own cursor, composited into
@@ -387,7 +444,11 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         // The menu-time capture (UI navigation) must let go before the stream-mode capture can
         // claim the interfaces; it resumes in onDispose once the stream releases them.
         activity?.stopSc2MenuNav()
-        val sc2 = if (initialSettings.sc2Capture) Sc2Capture(context, router) else null
+        val sc2 = if (initialSettings.sc2Capture && initialSettings.gamepadForwarding) {
+            Sc2Capture(context, router)
+        } else {
+            null
+        }
         var sc2UsbReceiver: BroadcastReceiver? = null
         if (sc2 != null) {
             feedback.onHidRaw = sc2::onHidRaw
@@ -437,7 +498,11 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         // the automatic fallback. Host feedback routes back through feedback.sink; the claim
         // frees the pad's InputDevice slot itself (see DsCapture.startUsb), so the wire index
         // hands over deterministically.
-        val ds = if (initialSettings.dsCapture) DsCapture(context, router) else null
+        val ds = if (initialSettings.dsCapture && initialSettings.gamepadForwarding) {
+            DsCapture(context, router)
+        } else {
+            null
+        }
         var dsUsbReceiver: BroadcastReceiver? = null
         if (ds != null) {
             feedback.sink = ds
@@ -483,6 +548,7 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
             dsUsbReceiver?.let { runCatching { context.unregisterReceiver(it) } }
             ds?.stop() // rumble-stop on the physical pad + release the USB link + free the wire slot
             router.onExitArmed = null // don't poke Compose state from release()'s disarm while tearing down
+            router.onMicChord = null // same: no mute toggle on buttons released during teardown
             router.release() // flush every slot (nothing sticks host-side) + drop the hot-plug listener
             activity?.gamepadRouter = null
             // Mouse/remote-pointer teardown: lift held buttons, drop the grab, restore the cursor.
@@ -519,6 +585,7 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
             activity?.requestedOrientation =
                 priorOrientation ?: ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_UNSPECIFIED
             // Leaving the stream: stop the mic + audio + decode threads and tear down the session.
+            releaseMicEffects(micEffects)
             NativeBridge.nativeStopMic(handle)
             NativeBridge.nativeStopAudio(handle)
             NativeBridge.nativeStopVideo(handle)
@@ -609,10 +676,38 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
                                         .roundToInt(),
                             )
                             NativeBridge.nativeStartAudio(handle, lowLatencyMode)
-                            if (micWanted) NativeBridge.nativeStartMic(handle)
+                            if (micWanted) {
+                                val sessionId =
+                                    NativeBridge.nativeStartMic(handle, initialSettings.echoCancel)
+                                if (initialSettings.echoCancel) {
+                                    attachMicEffects(sessionId, micEffects)
+                                }
+                                // Did a capture actually open? That — not the setting — is what
+                                // puts the mute control on screen. A restart after a surface
+                                // recreate comes back already muted if the user muted: the flag
+                                // lives on the session handle, so nothing has to be re-applied.
+                                micRunning = NativeBridge.nativeMicActive(handle)
+                            }
                         }
 
-                        override fun surfaceChanged(holder: SurfaceHolder, format: Int, width: Int, height: Int) {}
+                        override fun surfaceChanged(holder: SurfaceHolder, format: Int, width: Int, height: Int) {
+                            // Re-assert the frame-rate vote: a buffer-geometry change can reset
+                            // the surface's frame-rate setting on some OEM builds, silently
+                            // dropping the 120 Hz pin mid-stream. Mirrors the native hint's
+                            // policy (FIXED_SOURCE; ALWAYS only on the TV low-latency path —
+                            // phones stay seamless so a re-hint can never force a mode flicker).
+                            if (streamHz > 0) runCatching {
+                                holder.surface.setFrameRate(
+                                    streamHz.toFloat(),
+                                    Surface.FRAME_RATE_COMPATIBILITY_FIXED_SOURCE,
+                                    if (isTv && lowLatencyMode) {
+                                        Surface.CHANGE_FRAME_RATE_ALWAYS
+                                    } else {
+                                        Surface.CHANGE_FRAME_RATE_ONLY_IF_SEAMLESS
+                                    },
+                                )
+                            }
+                        }
 
                         override fun surfaceDestroyed(holder: SurfaceHolder) {
                             // Surface gone (backgrounding, or on the way out). Stop the threads that
@@ -620,7 +715,12 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
                             // DisposableEffect has closed it, the handle is freed; dereferencing it
                             // here is the use-after-free that crashed on back-navigation.
                             if (!closed.get()) {
+                                releaseMicEffects(micEffects)
                                 NativeBridge.nativeStopMic(handle)
+                                // No capture, no control — but the MUTE state is deliberately left
+                                // standing (native keeps it on the handle), so the restart in
+                                // surfaceCreated brings the user's choice back with it.
+                                micRunning = false
                                 NativeBridge.nativeStopAudio(handle)
                                 NativeBridge.nativeStopVideo(handle)
                             }
@@ -695,9 +795,106 @@ fun StreamScreen(session: ActiveSession, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
                 }
             },
         )
+        // Mic mute, LAST in the stack — the one in-stream control, so unlike the purely visual
+        // overlays above it has to sit on top of the gesture layer to receive its own taps (it
+        // costs the stream that small corner of touch area, which is why it exists only while a
+        // capture actually runs). On TV it is the indicator alone: the Select + Y chord is the
+        // control there, and a focusable button would fight the game for the D-pad.
+        if (micRunning && (micMuted || !isTv)) {
+            MicMuteControl(
+                muted = micMuted,
+                onToggle = if (isTv) null else ({ setMicMuted(!micMuted) }),
+                modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.TopEnd).padding(12.dp),
+            )
+        }
+        // Chord confirmation (gamepad/TV) — the counterpart to the button changing under a finger.
+        micHint?.let { MicChordHint(it, Modifier.align(Alignment.TopCenter).padding(top = 16.dp)) }
     }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Attach the Java echo-canceller + noise-suppressor pair to the mic stream's audio session — the
+ * backstop for HALs whose VoiceCommunication capture path doesn't cancel on its own (the native
+ * side already opened the stream under that preset). [sessionId] `<= 0` means native allocated no
+ * session (echo cancellation off, or the preset fell back to the plain open), so there is nothing
+ * to hang an effect on. Created effects land in [into] for [releaseMicEffects]; `create()`
+ * returning null (unsupported / claimed) is quietly nothing — the HAL preset still does its part.
+ * Needs no extra permission: the effect APIs attach to our own recording session.
+ */
+private fun attachMicEffects(sessionId: Int, into: MutableList<AudioEffect>) {
+    if (sessionId <= 0) return
+    if (AcousticEchoCanceler.isAvailable()) {
+        AcousticEchoCanceler.create(sessionId)?.let { it.setEnabled(true); into.add(it) }
+    }
+    if (NoiseSuppressor.isAvailable()) {
+        NoiseSuppressor.create(sessionId)?.let { it.setEnabled(true); into.add(it) }
+    }
+}
+
+/** Release every attached mic effect engine. Idempotent — the list is cleared, and both stop
+ * paths (surface teardown, final dispose) may call it in either order. */
+private fun releaseMicEffects(effects: MutableList<AudioEffect>) {
+    effects.forEach { runCatching { it.release() } }
+    effects.clear()
+}
+
+/**
+ * The in-stream mic control and its muted indicator, in one element: a dim mic glyph while the
+ * uplink is live, a red **Muted** badge while it isn't — so the state that matters is the loud one,
+ * readable at couch distance and impossible to mistake for the stream's own picture.
+ *
+ * [onToggle] `null` makes it a pure indicator (the TV/gamepad surface, where the Select + Y chord
+ * is the control); non-null makes the badge itself the touch target. Rendering it at all is the
+ * caller's decision — it means a capture is genuinely running.
+ */
+@Composable
+private fun MicMuteControl(muted: Boolean, onToggle: (() -> Unit)?, modifier: Modifier = Modifier) {
+    val shape = RoundedCornerShape(10.dp)
+    Row(
+        modifier = modifier
+            .clip(shape)
+            .background(if (muted) Color(0xE0B3261E) else Color.Black.copy(alpha = 0.45f))
+            .then(if (onToggle != null) Modifier.clickable(onClick = onToggle) else Modifier)
+            .padding(horizontal = 12.dp, vertical = 10.dp),
+        verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+    ) {
+        Icon(
+            imageVector = if (muted) Icons.Filled.MicOff else Icons.Filled.Mic,
+            // Spoken state first, then the action — a talkback user needs to know they are muted
+            // before they need to know how to stop being muted.
+            contentDescription = if (muted) {
+                "Microphone muted. Activate to unmute."
+            } else {
+                "Microphone live. Activate to mute."
+            },
+            tint = Color.White,
+            modifier = Modifier.size(20.dp),
+        )
+        if (muted) {
+            Spacer(Modifier.width(6.dp))
+            Text("Muted", color = Color.White, fontSize = 14.sp)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Transient confirmation that the mic chord (Select + Y) registered. The badge above already says
+ * *muted*, but nothing on screen says *un*muted — and "did that press do anything?" is the whole
+ * doubt a chord with no button under the finger creates. Same pill vocabulary as the other
+ * in-stream cues; the caller clears it after a beat.
+ */
+@Composable
+private fun MicChordHint(text: String, modifier: Modifier = Modifier) {
+    Text(
+        text,
+        modifier = modifier
+            .background(Color.Black.copy(alpha = 0.55f), RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
+            .padding(horizontal = 14.dp, vertical = 8.dp),
+        color = Color.White,
+        fontSize = 15.sp,
+    )
+}
+
 /**
  * The "hold to quit" cue shown while the gamepad exit chord (Select + Start + L1 + R1) is held. The
  * chord no longer quits on a quick press — the router debounces it on a ~1 s hold — so this confirms

clients/android/app/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/TouchInput.kt

@@ -105,8 +105,20 @@ internal suspend fun PointerInputScope.streamTouchPassthrough(handle: Long, styl
                                 NativeBridge.nativeSendTouch(handle, it, 2, 0, 0, sw, sh)
                             }
                         c.positionChanged() ->
-                            ids[c.id]?.let {
-                                NativeBridge.nativeSendTouch(handle, it, 1, x, y, sw, sh)
+                            ids[c.id]?.let { id ->
+                                // Batched MotionEvents coalesce intermediate points into the
+                                // historical list — forward them in order so a fast swipe keeps
+                                // its real curvature on the host (usually empty during a stream:
+                                // unbuffered dispatch is requested, so this costs nothing).
+                                for (hs in c.historical) {
+                                    NativeBridge.nativeSendTouch(
+                                        handle, id, 1,
+                                        hs.position.x.roundToInt().coerceIn(0, sw - 1),
+                                        hs.position.y.roundToInt().coerceIn(0, sh - 1),
+                                        sw, sh,
+                                    )
+                                }
+                                NativeBridge.nativeSendTouch(handle, id, 1, x, y, sw, sh)
                             }
                     }
                     c.consume()
@@ -289,7 +301,10 @@ internal suspend fun PointerInputScope.streamTouchInput(
                         accY -= outY
                     }
                 } else {
-                    moveAbs(p.position.x, p.position.y) // direct: cursor follows the finger
+                    // Direct: cursor follows the finger — historical points first (batched
+                    // MotionEvent samples), so the host cursor traces the finger's real path.
+                    for (hs in p.historical) moveAbs(hs.position.x, hs.position.y)
+                    moveAbs(p.position.x, p.position.y)
                 }
             }
             ev.changes.forEach { it.consume() }

clients/android/ci/play-upload.py

@@ -6,13 +6,23 @@ Why hand-rolled: stdlib + `openssl` only (no pip on the runner), and it prints G
 error at the stage it fails instead of a catch-all. Reuses the SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON secret and
 tolerates it being raw JSON *or* base64-encoded JSON.
 
-Usage:
+Usage (upload a new build):
   SERVICE_ACCOUNT_JSON='<raw-or-base64 SA key>' \
     python3 play-upload.py --package io.unom.punktfunk \
       --aab path/to/app-release.aab --track internal --status completed [--no-commit]
 
---no-commit: do insert -> upload -> track-update -> validate, then delete the edit (publishes
-nothing). Use it to dry-run the credentials/AAB without touching the live track.
+Usage (promote a build that is already on Play, no rebuild):
+  python3 play-upload.py --package io.unom.punktfunk \
+      --promote 10816 --promote-from alpha --track production
+
+Promotion assigns an EXISTING versionCode to another track, so what ships to production is the
+byte-identical artifact the testers ran — rebuilding would burn a fresh versionCode and ship
+something nobody has tested. --promote-from additionally asserts the code really is on that track
+(catches a typo'd versionCode before it reaches production) and empties it in the SAME edit, so
+the move is atomic: testers are never left pinned to a code that production also serves.
+
+--no-commit: do insert -> upload/assign -> track-update -> validate, then delete the edit
+(publishes nothing). Use it to dry-run the credentials/AAB/notes without touching the live track.
 """
 import argparse, base64, json, os, subprocess, sys, tempfile, time
 import urllib.request, urllib.parse, urllib.error
@@ -104,18 +114,79 @@ def access_token(sa) -> str:
     return tok["access_token"]
 
 
+# Play's "What's new" is capped at 500 characters per language. The cap lives in the Console
+# (the REST reference does not state it) and the API rejects longer text at commit — i.e. AFTER
+# the AAB has uploaded — so check it up front and print the actual count.
+NOTES_MAX = 500
+
+
+def load_release_notes(path, language):
+    with open(path, encoding="utf-8") as f:
+        text = f.read().strip()
+    if not text:
+        sys.exit(f"ERROR: release-notes file is empty: {path}")
+    if len(text) > NOTES_MAX:
+        sys.exit(f"ERROR: release notes are {len(text)} chars, Play allows {NOTES_MAX}: {path}")
+    print(f"release notes: {len(text)}/{NOTES_MAX} chars ({language})")
+    return [{"language": language, "text": text}]
+
+
+def put_track(app, edit, tok, track, version_codes, status, user_fraction=None, notes=None):
+    """PUT one track. An empty version_codes list clears the track (what promotion does to the
+    track it promoted OUT of)."""
+    release = {"status": status, "versionCodes": [str(v) for v in version_codes]}
+    if user_fraction is not None:
+        release["userFraction"] = user_fraction
+    if notes:
+        release["releaseNotes"] = notes
+    # Clearing a track means "no active releases", not "an empty release".
+    body = {"track": track, "releases": [release] if version_codes else []}
+    call("PUT", f"{app}/edits/{edit}/tracks/{track}", token=tok,
+         data=json.dumps(body).encode(), content_type="application/json")
+
+
+def assert_on_track(app, edit, tok, track, vc):
+    """Fail before anything is written if --promote names a versionCode that is not actually on
+    the track we claim to be promoting out of."""
+    got = call("GET", f"{app}/edits/{edit}/tracks/{track}", token=tok)
+    live = [c for r in got.get("releases", []) for c in r.get("versionCodes", [])]
+    if str(vc) not in live:
+        sys.exit(f"ERROR: versionCode {vc} is not on track '{track}' (it has: {live or 'nothing'})")
+    print(f"verified versionCode={vc} is live on '{track}'")
+
+
 def main():
     ap = argparse.ArgumentParser()
     ap.add_argument("--package", required=True)
-    ap.add_argument("--aab", required=True)
+    ap.add_argument("--aab", help="upload this bundle (mutually exclusive with --promote)")
+    ap.add_argument("--promote", type=int, metavar="VERSIONCODE",
+                    help="assign an already-uploaded versionCode instead of uploading")
+    ap.add_argument("--promote-from", metavar="TRACK",
+                    help="with --promote: assert the code is on TRACK, then clear TRACK")
     ap.add_argument("--track", default="internal")
     ap.add_argument("--status", default="completed")
+    ap.add_argument("--user-fraction", type=float,
+                    help="staged rollout fraction, 0<f<1; required by --status inProgress")
+    ap.add_argument("--release-notes-file", help="Play 'What's new' text (<=500 chars)")
+    ap.add_argument("--release-notes-language", default="en-US")
     ap.add_argument("--no-commit", action="store_true")
     a = ap.parse_args()
 
-    if not os.path.isfile(a.aab):
+    if bool(a.aab) == bool(a.promote):
+        sys.exit("ERROR: pass exactly one of --aab (upload) or --promote (assign an existing code)")
+    if a.promote_from and not a.promote:
+        sys.exit("ERROR: --promote-from only applies to --promote")
+    # inProgress without a fraction is an API error; halted/completed with one is also rejected.
+    if a.status == "inProgress" and a.user_fraction is None:
+        sys.exit("ERROR: --status inProgress requires --user-fraction")
+    if a.user_fraction is not None and not (0 < a.user_fraction < 1):
+        sys.exit(f"ERROR: --user-fraction must be strictly between 0 and 1 (got {a.user_fraction})")
+    if a.aab and not os.path.isfile(a.aab):
         sys.exit(f"ERROR: AAB not found: {a.aab}")
 
+    notes = load_release_notes(a.release_notes_file, a.release_notes_language) \
+        if a.release_notes_file else None
+
     sa = load_sa()
     tok = access_token(sa)
     print(f"authenticated as {sa['client_email']} (project {sa.get('project_id')})")
@@ -123,17 +194,25 @@ def main():
 
     try:
         edit = call("POST", f"{app}/edits", token=tok)["id"]
-        with open(a.aab, "rb") as f:
-            blob = f.read()
-        print(f"uploading {a.aab} ({len(blob)} bytes) ...")
-        vc = call("POST", f"{UPLOAD}/{a.package}/edits/{edit}/bundles?uploadType=media",
-                  token=tok, data=blob, content_type="application/octet-stream")["versionCode"]
-        print(f"uploaded versionCode={vc}")
-        call("PUT", f"{app}/edits/{edit}/tracks/{a.track}", token=tok,
-             data=json.dumps({"track": a.track,
-                              "releases": [{"status": a.status, "versionCodes": [str(vc)]}]}).encode(),
-             content_type="application/json")
-        print(f"assigned versionCode={vc} -> track={a.track} status={a.status}")
+        if a.promote:
+            vc = a.promote
+            if a.promote_from:
+                assert_on_track(app, edit, tok, a.promote_from, vc)
+        else:
+            with open(a.aab, "rb") as f:
+                blob = f.read()
+            print(f"uploading {a.aab} ({len(blob)} bytes) ...")
+            vc = call("POST", f"{UPLOAD}/{a.package}/edits/{edit}/bundles?uploadType=media",
+                      token=tok, data=blob, content_type="application/octet-stream")["versionCode"]
+            print(f"uploaded versionCode={vc}")
+
+        put_track(app, edit, tok, a.track, [vc], a.status, a.user_fraction, notes)
+        print(f"assigned versionCode={vc} -> track={a.track} status={a.status}"
+              + (f" userFraction={a.user_fraction}" if a.user_fraction is not None else ""))
+        # Same edit as the assignment above, so the code is never active on both tracks at once.
+        if a.promote_from:
+            put_track(app, edit, tok, a.promote_from, [], a.status)
+            print(f"cleared track '{a.promote_from}'")
 
         if a.no_commit:
             call("POST", f"{app}/edits/{edit}:validate", token=tok)

clients/android/kit/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/kit/GamepadRouter.kt

@@ -33,7 +33,24 @@ import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap
  * InputManager hot-plug callbacks both land there). [deviceForPad] is read from the feedback poll
  * threads, so the slot table is a [ConcurrentHashMap].
  */
-class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val setting: Int) {
+class GamepadRouter(
+    context: Context,
+    private val handle: Long,
+    private val setting: Int,
+    /**
+     * Forward this device's controllers to the host at all (`Settings.gamepadForwarding`,
+     * default true). Off is for a couch whose controller reaches the host another way — USB
+     * passthrough such as VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host itself — where forwarding
+     * as well would give the host two pads for one pair of hands.
+     *
+     * Off still opens slots and tracks held state; it only stops the wire sends. That is
+     * deliberate: the exit and mic chords are read off the same slots, and a couch that lost its
+     * quit shortcut because a forwarding preference was off would be the worse bug. Nothing is
+     * claimed by keeping a slot — the Android input stack shares controllers — unlike the USB
+     * capture links, which `StreamScreen` does not start at all while this is off.
+     */
+    private val forwarding: Boolean = true,
+) {
 
     /** One forwarded controller: its stable wire pad index, per-device axis state, and held buttons. */
     private class Slot(val index: Int, val mapper: Gamepad.AxisMapper) {
@@ -65,6 +82,16 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
      */
     var onExitArmed: ((armed: Boolean) -> Unit)? = null
 
+    /**
+     * Invoked (main thread) each time the mic-mute chord ([MIC_CHORD], Select + Y) is COMPLETED on
+     * a pad — the couch equivalent of the stream's on-screen mute button, which a gamepad user
+     * cannot reach. `StreamScreen` wires it to the mute toggle. Unlike the exit chord this fires
+     * immediately: muting is the kind of thing you want to have already happened, and the on-screen
+     * indicator makes an accidental toggle self-evident. The buttons still go to the host — the
+     * chord adds a meaning to them rather than swallowing them, exactly as the exit chord does.
+     */
+    var onMicChord: (() -> Unit)? = null
+
     private val mainHandler = Handler(Looper.getMainLooper())
     /** The pending exit-chord hold timer, or null when the chord isn't currently armed. */
     private var pendingExit: Runnable? = null
@@ -108,16 +135,29 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
 
     /**
      * One button transition on [slot] — the shared body behind [onButton] and an [ExternalPad]'s
-     * transitions: forward the wire event, track held state, and arm/disarm the exit chord.
+     * transitions: forward the wire event, track held state, arm/disarm the exit chord, and fire
+     * the mic-mute chord ([MIC_CHORD]).
      */
     private fun slotButton(slot: Slot, bit: Int, down: Boolean, send: Boolean) {
         if (down) {
-            if (send) NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadButton(handle, bit, true, slot.index)
+            if (send && forwarding) {
+                NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadButton(handle, bit, true, slot.index)
+            }
+            val wasHeld = slot.held
             slot.held = slot.held or bit
             // Full chord now held on this pad → start the hold countdown (idempotent while held).
             if (slot.held and EXIT_CHORD == EXIT_CHORD) armExit()
+            // Mic mute, edge-triggered on the button that COMPLETES the chord: a genuine press
+            // (`wasHeld` lacks the bit, so an auto-repeat DOWN can't re-fire it) of a chord member
+            // that leaves the whole chord held. Any other button pressed while Select + Y are down
+            // fails the middle test, so the toggle happens once per chord, not once per press.
+            if (wasHeld and bit == 0 && bit and MIC_CHORD != 0 && slot.held and MIC_CHORD == MIC_CHORD) {
+                onMicChord?.invoke()
+            }
         } else {
-            if (send) NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadButton(handle, bit, false, slot.index)
+            if (send && forwarding) {
+                NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadButton(handle, bit, false, slot.index)
+            }
             slot.held = slot.held and bit.inv()
             // A chord button lifted before the hold elapsed → cancel, unless another pad still
             // holds the full chord.
@@ -167,7 +207,7 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
         val dev = event.device ?: return false
         if (!isForwardable(dev)) return false
         val slot = slotFor(dev) ?: return false
-        slot.mapper.onMotion(event)
+        if (forwarding) slot.mapper.onMotion(event)
         return true
     }
 
@@ -202,24 +242,26 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
 
         /** One axis update ([Gamepad].AXIS_*: stick i16 +y=up / trigger 0..255). On-change only. */
         fun axis(id: Int, value: Int) {
-            if (slot != null) NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadAxis(handle, id, value, index)
+            if (slot != null && forwarding) NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadAxis(handle, id, value, index)
         }
 
         /** One raw HID report, forwarded verbatim for the host's as-is virtual pad. */
         fun hidReport(buf: java.nio.ByteBuffer, len: Int) {
-            if (slot != null) NativeBridge.nativeSendPadHidReport(handle, index, buf, len)
+            if (slot != null && forwarding) NativeBridge.nativeSendPadHidReport(handle, index, buf, len)
         }
 
         /** One touchpad contact on the rich plane: [finger] 0/1, x/y normalized 0..65535 in
          *  SCREEN convention (+y down); `active = false` lifts the finger. On-change only. */
         fun touch(finger: Int, active: Boolean, x: Int, y: Int) {
-            if (slot != null) NativeBridge.nativeSendPadTouch(handle, index, finger, active, x, y)
+            if (slot != null && forwarding) {
+                NativeBridge.nativeSendPadTouch(handle, index, finger, active, x, y)
+            }
         }
 
         /** One motion sample on the rich plane (gyro pitch/yaw/roll + accel, raw device i16
          *  units — the host passes them straight into the virtual pad's report). Per report. */
         fun motion(gyro: IntArray, accel: IntArray) {
-            if (slot != null) {
+            if (slot != null && forwarding) {
                 NativeBridge.nativeSendPadMotion(
                     handle, index,
                     gyro[0], gyro[1], gyro[2],
@@ -241,7 +283,7 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
         // Synthetic ids live below any real InputDevice id (those are positive), so they can't
         // collide and InputDevice.getDevice(id) resolves them to null for the feedback path.
         val syntheticId = EXTERNAL_ID_BASE - index
-        NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadArrival(handle, pref, index)
+        if (forwarding) NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadArrival(handle, pref, index)
         slots[syntheticId] = Slot(index, Gamepad.AxisMapper(handle, index))
         return ExternalPad(syntheticId, index)
     }
@@ -298,7 +340,7 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
         // Automatic resolves the pad's type from its VID/PID; an explicit setting forces every pad
         // to that type (a single global choice — matches the handshake's session-default pref).
         val pref = if (setting == Gamepad.PREF_AUTO) Gamepad.prefFor(dev) else setting
-        NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadArrival(handle, pref, index)
+        if (forwarding) NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadArrival(handle, pref, index)
         val slot = Slot(index, Gamepad.AxisMapper(handle, index))
         slots[dev.id] = slot
         return slot
@@ -311,7 +353,7 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
     private fun closeSlot(deviceId: Int) {
         val slot = slots.remove(deviceId) ?: return
         releaseHeld(slot)
-        NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadRemove(handle, slot.index)
+        if (forwarding) NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadRemove(handle, slot.index)
         // If this pad was mid-exit-chord, its removal may have left no pad holding it — drop the timer.
         if (slots.values.none { it.held and EXIT_CHORD == EXIT_CHORD }) disarmExit()
         // Release this controller's feedback bindings (close its lights session / cancel rumble).
@@ -323,11 +365,11 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
         var bits = slot.held
         while (bits != 0) {
             val bit = bits and -bits // lowest set bit
-            NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadButton(handle, bit, false, slot.index)
+            if (forwarding) NativeBridge.nativeSendGamepadButton(handle, bit, false, slot.index)
             bits = bits and bit.inv()
         }
         slot.held = 0
-        slot.mapper.reset() // zero sticks/triggers + release the HAT dpad
+        if (forwarding) slot.mapper.reset() // zero sticks/triggers + release the HAT dpad
     }
 
     /** Lowest wire index 0..[MAX_PADS) not held by a slot, or null when full — stable lowest-free keeps indices from shuffling on hot-plug. */
@@ -351,6 +393,14 @@ class GamepadRouter(context: Context, private val handle: Long, private val sett
          */
         const val EXIT_HOLD_MS = 1000L
 
+        /**
+         * Mic-mute chord: Select + Y. Y is deliberately NOT one of [EXIT_CHORD]'s buttons, so no
+         * way of reaching the exit chord can pass through this one on the way (and vice versa) —
+         * and Select is a menu button rather than a twitch action, which makes the pair unlikely
+         * to occur inside real play.
+         */
+        const val MIC_CHORD = Gamepad.BTN_BACK or Gamepad.BTN_Y
+
         /** Synthetic slot-key base for [ExternalPad]s — below every real (positive) InputDevice id. */
         const val EXTERNAL_ID_BASE = -1000
     }

clients/android/kit/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/kit/NativeBridge.kt

@@ -248,11 +248,12 @@ object NativeBridge {
 
     /**
      * Drain ~1 s of live decode stats for the on-stream HUD, or `null` when no decode thread runs.
-     * Returns 30 doubles (unified stats spec, `design/stats-unification.md`):
+     * Returns 33 doubles (unified stats spec, `design/stats-unification.md`):
      * `[fps, mbps, e2eP50Ms, e2eP95Ms, latValid, skewCorrected, width, height, refreshHz, framesLost,
      * bitDepth, colorPrimaries, colorTransfer, chromaFormatIdc, hostNetP50Ms, decodeP50Ms, hostP50Ms,
      * netP50Ms, lostWindow, skippedWindow, fecWindow, framesWindow, dispValid, displayP50Ms,
-     * e2eDispP50Ms, e2eDispP95Ms, paceP50Ms, latchP50Ms, presentsWindow, presenterActive]`
+     * e2eDispP50Ms, e2eDispP95Ms, paceP50Ms, latchP50Ms, presentsWindow, presenterActive,
+     * feedP50Ms, codecP50Ms, skippedOverflowWindow]`
      * (the flags are 1.0/0.0; indexes 2/3 are the end-to-end capture→decoded headline; 10–13
      * describe the negotiated video feed — bit depth 8/10, CICP primaries/transfer, and the HEVC
      * chroma_format_idc 1=4:2:0 / 3=4:4:4; 14/15 are the stage p50s tiling the headline —
@@ -263,7 +264,12 @@ object NativeBridge {
      * `display` stage from the OnFrameRendered render timestamps — when `dispValid` is 1.0 the
      * headline becomes the directly-measured capture→displayed pair at 24/25, tiled by
      * `host+network` + `decode` + `display` (23), and when 0.0 the HUD falls back to the
-     * capture→decoded headline at 2/3 without the `display` term).
+     * capture→decoded headline at 2/3 without the `display` term; 26–29 split the `display`
+     * term the timeline presenter owns — `pace` = decoded→release, `latch` = release→displayed,
+     * the window's on-glass confirm count, and whether the presenter is active at all; 30/31
+     * split `decode` (15) the same way — `feed` = received→queued (hand-off + input-slot wait),
+     * `codec` = queued→decoded, the decoder's own time; 32 is the parked-AU overflow subset of
+     * `skipped` (19), i.e. the decoder falling behind rather than benign newest-wins pacing).
      * Poll ~1 Hz; each call resets the measurement window.
      */
     external fun nativeVideoStats(handle: Long): DoubleArray?
@@ -288,15 +294,53 @@ object NativeBridge {
     external fun nativeStopAudio(handle: Long)
 
     /**
-     * Start mic uplink: AAudio input → Opus (48 kHz stereo, 20 ms) → host (`send_mic` / 0xCB), all in
-     * Rust. No-op if already running. The caller MUST hold RECORD_AUDIO; otherwise the AAudio input
-     * stream fails to open and the rest of the session keeps streaming.
+     * Start mic uplink: AAudio input → Opus (48 kHz mono, 10 ms) → host (`send_mic` / 0xCB), all in
+     * Rust. [echoCancel] opens the capture under the VoiceCommunication preset (the HAL's own echo
+     * canceller / noise suppressor) and allocates an audio session id; the return value is that id
+     * (`> 0`) so the caller can attach the Java [android.media.audiofx.AcousticEchoCanceler] /
+     * [android.media.audiofx.NoiseSuppressor] as a backstop — `0` when none was allocated
+     * (echoCancel off, the device refused the preset and the open fell back to the plain path, or
+     * the mic failed entirely). No-op if already running (returns the running capture's id). The
+     * caller MUST hold RECORD_AUDIO; otherwise the AAudio input stream fails to open and the rest
+     * of the session keeps streaming.
      */
-    external fun nativeStartMic(handle: Long)
+    external fun nativeStartMic(handle: Long, echoCancel: Boolean): Int
 
-    /** Stop + join the mic thread and close the AAudio input stream. No-op on `0`. */
+    /**
+     * Stop + join the mic thread and close the AAudio input stream. No-op on `0`. Leaves the
+     * session's mute state ([nativeSetMicMuted]) alone — a surface recreate stops and restarts the
+     * mic, and a user who muted must stay muted through it.
+     */
     external fun nativeStopMic(handle: Long)
 
+    /**
+     * Mute/unmute the mic uplink mid-stream. Muting does NOT stop the capture: the AAudio input
+     * stream, the input preset it settled on and its primed buffers stay as they are, and the
+     * encode loop drops each 10 ms frame instead of encoding + sending it — so room audio is never
+     * encoded and nothing goes on the wire, while a toggle costs an atomic store and takes effect
+     * on the next 10 ms boundary (a stop/start would re-run the preset fallback ladder and re-prime
+     * buffers every time).
+     *
+     * Sticky for the SESSION — the flag lives on the handle, not on the capture — so the mic
+     * restart a surface recreate performs comes back muted, with no window for an unmuted frame to
+     * escape; a fresh session always starts unmuted. Nothing here is persisted. No-op on `0`.
+     * Cheap (one atomic store); UI-safe.
+     *
+     * One honest consequence of keeping the stream open: the platform's own recording indicator
+     * stays lit while muted, because the mic really is still open. What stops is the encode and the
+     * send — no captured audio leaves the process.
+     */
+    external fun nativeSetMicMuted(handle: Long, muted: Boolean)
+
+    /**
+     * Is a mic capture actually RUNNING — i.e. did [nativeStartMic] open a stream, and has
+     * [nativeStopMic] not been called since? Offer the in-stream mute control on THIS rather than
+     * on the user's setting: a device that refused every AAudio input rung (or a missing
+     * RECORD_AUDIO grant) then shows no control instead of a lie about a mic being heard. `false`
+     * on a `0` handle. Cheap; UI-safe.
+     */
+    external fun nativeMicActive(handle: Long): Boolean
+
     // ---- Input: Kotlin captures, Rust forwards to the host (send_input) ----
 
     /** Relative mouse move; dx/dy are device-pixel deltas (screen +y down). */

clients/android/kit/src/main/kotlin/io/unom/punktfunk/kit/VideoDecoders.kt

@@ -100,6 +100,34 @@ object VideoDecoders {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * One-line per-mime probe readout for the connect log (`adb logcat -s pf.caps`): which
+     * decoder each advertised mime resolves to and whether it declares `FEATURE_PartialFrame` —
+     * the P2 slice-pipeline gate that is otherwise invisible until a stream behaves differently.
+     */
+    fun capsReport(): String {
+        val mimes = buildList {
+            add("video/avc")
+            add("video/hevc")
+            if (decodableCodecBits() and 4 != 0) add("video/av01")
+        }
+        val infos = runCatching { MediaCodecList(MediaCodecList.REGULAR_CODECS).codecInfos }
+            .getOrNull() ?: return "codec list unavailable"
+        return mimes.joinToString("  ") { mime ->
+            val pick = pickDecoder(mime)?.name
+            val partial = pick?.let { p ->
+                infos.firstOrNull { it.name == p }?.let { info ->
+                    runCatching {
+                        info.getCapabilitiesForType(mime)
+                            .isFeatureSupported(CodecCapabilities.FEATURE_PartialFrame)
+                    }.getOrNull()
+                }
+            }
+            "${mime.removePrefix("video/")}=${pick ?: "platform-default"}" +
+                " partialFrame=${partial ?: "?"}"
+        }
+    }
+
     fun pickDecoder(mime: String): DecoderChoice? {
         if (mime.isEmpty()) return null
         val infos = runCatching { MediaCodecList(MediaCodecList.REGULAR_CODECS).codecInfos }

clients/android/native/src/decode/async_loop.rs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 use super::display::{
     apply_hdr_dataspace, install_render_callback, release_render_callback, DisplayTracker,
 };
-use super::latency::{note_decoded_pts, now_realtime_ns, take_flags};
+use super::latency::{note_decoded_pts, now_realtime_ns, take_flags, take_stamp};
 use super::presenter::{presenter_disabled_by_sysprop, PresentMeter, PresentPriority, Presenter};
 use super::setup::{
     android_hdr_static_info, boost_hot_threads, boost_thread_priority, codec_mime,
@@ -280,6 +280,10 @@ pub(super) fn run_async(
     let mut oversized_dropped: u64 = 0;
     // Slice-progressive continuity ledger (see `PartFeed`).
     let mut part_open: Option<PartFeed> = None;
+    // Queued-instant stamps (pts → realtime ns at the AU's LAST piece entering the codec) — the
+    // P3 decode-split ledger: `feed` = received→queued, `codec` = queued→decoded. Always on
+    // (one vDSO clock read per AU); consumed by `present_ready`.
+    let mut queued_stamps: VecDeque<(u64, i128)> = VecDeque::new();
     // Freeze-until-reanchor gate (see the sync loop for the rationale). Armed on a frame-index gap
     // (the feeder's Au verdict), a parked-AU overflow drop, a dropped-count climb, or a recoverable
     // codec error; `recovery_flags` carries each AU's user_flags from `dispatch_event` (feed) to
@@ -349,7 +353,7 @@ pub(super) fn run_async(
                 p.on_vsync();
             }
         }
-        stats.note_skipped(aus_dropped); // parked-AU overflow drops are client-side skips too
+        stats.note_skipped_overflow(aus_dropped); // parked-AU overflow: skips, flagged as such
         if fmt_dirty {
             apply_hdr_dataspace(&codec, &window, &mut applied_ds);
         }
@@ -361,6 +365,7 @@ pub(super) fn run_async(
             &mut fed,
             &mut oversized_dropped,
             &mut part_open,
+            &mut queued_stamps,
             &mut gate,
         );
         let had_output = !ready.is_empty();
@@ -372,6 +377,8 @@ pub(super) fn run_async(
             &mut ready,
             &stats,
             &in_flight,
+            &mut queued_stamps,
+            &meter,
             clock_offset.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             &tracker,
             &mut presenter,
@@ -385,7 +392,7 @@ pub(super) fn run_async(
         // even when the choreographer clock is absent.
         if let Some(p) = presenter.as_mut() {
             let clock = vsync.as_ref().map(|v| v.shared().as_ref());
-            if p.pump(&codec, clock, &tracker, &stats, now_monotonic_ns()) {
+            if p.pump(&codec, clock, &tracker, &meter, &stats, now_monotonic_ns()) {
                 rendered += 1;
             }
             // The 1 Hz window flush doubles as the phase-lock report tick. v3 sensor: the
@@ -762,6 +769,7 @@ pub(super) struct PartFeed {
 /// [`BUFFER_FLAG_PARTIAL_FRAME`] except the AU's last, all at the AU's pts. `part_open` is the
 /// continuity ledger — any break (gap, orphan, oversize) abandons the AU per [`PartFeed::pts_us`]'s
 /// close contract and re-syncs at the next `first`.
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)] // one call site; the split ledger threads through like the gate
 fn feed_ready(
     codec: &MediaCodec,
     client: &NativeClient,
@@ -770,6 +778,7 @@ fn feed_ready(
     fed: &mut u64,
     oversized_dropped: &mut u64,
     part_open: &mut Option<PartFeed>,
+    queued_stamps: &mut VecDeque<(u64, i128)>,
     gate: &mut ReanchorGate,
 ) {
     while !pending_aus.is_empty() && !free_inputs.is_empty() {
@@ -813,8 +822,21 @@ fn feed_ready(
             }
         }
         let Some(dst) = codec.input_buffer(idx) else {
-            log::warn!("decode: input_buffer({idx}) returned None — dropping AU");
-            continue;
+            // Nothing was written and nothing was queued, so BOTH stay ours. Dropping the slot
+            // here leaked one of the codec's input buffers per occurrence — we forget it and the
+            // codec never frees what it never received, so the pipeline quietly runs out of input
+            // slots, `pending_aus` overflows, and the resulting drop storm reads as a decode
+            // fault. Dropping the AU on top of that punched a hole in the reference chain with no
+            // keyframe request behind it, unlike every sibling path here.
+            //
+            // `break`, not `continue`: a codec that cannot hand out an input buffer it just
+            // advertised is in no state to be fed the rest of the parked queue this pass, and
+            // retrying the same index against every parked AU would burn the whole backlog. The
+            // loop re-runs within the housekeeping wake (≤ 5 ms) if it was transient.
+            log::warn!("decode: input_buffer({idx}) returned None — retrying next pass");
+            free_inputs.push_front(idx);
+            pending_aus.push_front(frame);
+            break;
         };
         let au = &frame.data;
         if au.len() > dst.len() {
@@ -859,9 +881,15 @@ fn feed_ready(
             }
         } else {
             // `fed` counts ACCESS UNITS toward the HUD's fed/decoded balance — the closing
-            // piece (or a whole AU) bumps it.
+            // piece (or a whole AU) bumps it. The queued stamp marks the same instant (the AU
+            // is fully in the codec's hands): the P3 decode split measures `codec` from here,
+            // so a slice-progressive head start shows up as codec-pure shrink.
             if last {
                 *fed += 1;
+                queued_stamps.push_back((pts_us, now_realtime_ns()));
+                if queued_stamps.len() > IN_FLIGHT_CAP {
+                    queued_stamps.pop_front(); // stale — codec never echoed it back
+                }
             }
             *part_open = if last {
                 None
@@ -876,7 +904,8 @@ fn feed_ready(
     }
 }
 
-/// Route the ready outputs toward glass. With the timeline presenter (default): fold each output
+/// Route the ready outputs toward glass, recording each one's decode-split + e2e first. With the
+/// timeline presenter (default): fold each output
 /// through the re-anchor gate in pts order, hand the approved ones to the presenter's store
 /// (newest-wins / smoothing FIFO — the actual release happens in `Presenter::pump`, budgeted and
 /// timeline-timed), and release withheld concealment unrendered. Legacy (`arrival` sysprop):
@@ -892,6 +921,8 @@ fn present_ready(
     ready: &mut Vec<OutputReady>,
     stats: &crate::stats::VideoStats,
     in_flight: &Mutex<VecDeque<(u64, i128)>>,
+    queued_stamps: &mut VecDeque<(u64, i128)>,
+    meter: &PresentMeter,
     clock_offset: i64,
     tracker: &DisplayTracker,
     presenter: &mut Option<Presenter>,
@@ -903,22 +934,42 @@ fn present_ready(
     if ready.is_empty() {
         return;
     }
-    // Pair each output's decode stage (feeds the ABR decode signal always; the HUD histogram only
-    // while visible) — both consume the receipt map, so enter for either.
-    if stats.enabled() || measure_decode {
+    // Pair each output's decode stage (the ABR decode signal + the HUD histogram consume the
+    // receipt map; the P3 split's codec-pure half needs only the queued stamp, so it records
+    // even with both off — that keeps the 1 Hz pf.present mirror HUD-off readable).
+    {
+        let want_stage = stats.enabled() || measure_decode;
         let mut g = in_flight
             .lock()
             .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
         for o in ready.iter() {
-            note_decoded_pts(
-                client,
-                measure_decode,
-                stats,
-                &mut g,
-                clock_offset,
-                o.pts_us,
-                o.decoded_ns,
-            );
+            let received_ns = if want_stage {
+                note_decoded_pts(
+                    client,
+                    measure_decode,
+                    stats,
+                    &mut g,
+                    clock_offset,
+                    o.pts_us,
+                    o.decoded_ns,
+                )
+            } else {
+                None
+            };
+            let queued = take_stamp(queued_stamps, o.pts_us);
+            let codec_us = queued.map(|q| ((o.decoded_ns - q).max(0) / 1000) as u64);
+            let feed_us = match (queued, received_ns) {
+                (Some(q), Some(r)) => Some(((q - r).max(0) / 1000) as u64),
+                _ => None,
+            };
+            // Always-on e2e for the 1 Hz pf.present mirror (same formula + clamp as the HUD's
+            // capture→decoded headline in `note_decoded_pts`).
+            let e2e_ns = o.decoded_ns + clock_offset as i128 - o.pts_us as i128 * 1000;
+            let e2e_us = (e2e_ns > 0 && e2e_ns < 10_000_000_000).then_some((e2e_ns / 1000) as u64);
+            meter.note_decode(feed_us, codec_us, e2e_us);
+            if let Some(c) = codec_us {
+                stats.note_decode_split(feed_us, c);
+            }
         }
     }
     // Fold EVERY output through the gate in pts (== decode) order — even the ones newest-wins discards —

clients/android/native/src/decode/latency.rs

@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ pub(super) fn now_realtime_ns() -> i128 {
 /// entries older than it are evicted (decode order == input order here — low-latency, no
 /// B-frames — so anything before it was dropped inside the codec or stamped before a flush).
 /// `decoded_ns` is the availability instant: the dequeue (sync loop) or the output callback's
-/// stamp (async loop).
+/// stamp (async loop). Returns the receipt stamp it paired (if any) so the caller can split the
+/// `decode` stage further (feed wait vs codec-pure) without re-walking the map.
 pub(super) fn note_decoded_pts(
     client: &NativeClient,
     measure_decode: bool,
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ pub(super) fn note_decoded_pts(
     clock_offset: i64,
     pts_us: u64,
     decoded_ns: i128,
-) {
+) -> Option<i128> {
     // Pair the echoed pts back to its receipt stamp, evicting stale (older) entries as we go.
     let mut received_ns = None;
     while let Some(&(p, r)) = in_flight.front() {
@@ -61,6 +62,24 @@ pub(super) fn note_decoded_pts(
         let e2e_us = (e2e_ns > 0 && e2e_ns < 10_000_000_000).then_some((e2e_ns / 1000) as u64);
         stats.note_decoded(e2e_us, decode_us);
     }
+    received_ns
+}
+
+/// The queued-instant stamp for a decoded output, keyed by the echoed `presentationTimeUs` — the
+/// same monotonic evict-as-you-go pairing as [`take_flags`], over an `(pts_us, realtime_ns)` map
+/// (the feed side stamps each AU as its last piece enters the codec). A miss returns `None` —
+/// the split is simply not recorded for that frame.
+pub(super) fn take_stamp(map: &mut VecDeque<(u64, i128)>, pts_us: u64) -> Option<i128> {
+    while let Some(&(p, t)) = map.front() {
+        if p > pts_us {
+            break; // future frame — leave it for its own output buffer
+        }
+        map.pop_front();
+        if p == pts_us {
+            return Some(t);
+        }
+    }
+    None
 }
 
 /// The AU `user_flags` for a decoded output, keyed by the echoed `presentationTimeUs`. Recovery

clients/android/native/src/decode/mod.rs

@@ -115,9 +115,14 @@ pub(crate) struct DecodeOptions {
     /// The smoothness buffer depth (`smooth_buffer` setting): 0 = automatic (2), else 1..=3.
     /// Only meaningful with `present_priority` = smooth.
     pub smooth_buffer: i32,
-    /// The display mode's own refresh rate (Kotlin's `display.refreshRate` at stream start;
-    /// 0 = unknown) — the latch grid the presenter subdivides onto when the app's choreographer
-    /// stream is down-rated below the panel (see `vsync.rs`).
+    /// SEED for the panel's refresh period — the latch grid the presenter subdivides onto when
+    /// the app's choreographer stream is down-rated below the panel (see `vsync.rs`). Kotlin
+    /// resolves it from the display mode TABLE (`MainActivity.streamPanelFps`), not
+    /// `display.refreshRate`, which reports a per-uid override rather than the panel. 0 = unknown.
+    ///
+    /// ⚠ Only a seed: `preferredDisplayModeId` is a REQUEST the system may refuse, so the mode
+    /// named here is not necessarily the one the panel ends up in. The measured timeline spacing
+    /// corrects it in both directions ([`punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid`]).
     pub panel_hz: i32,
 }
 

clients/android/native/src/decode/presenter.rs

@@ -4,10 +4,12 @@
 //!  * a **newest-wins slot** (or a small smoothing FIFO, by user intent) between decode and
 //!    release, so a burst coalesces in the app — as an explicit, counted drop — instead of
 //!    queueing behind the display;
-//!  * a **glass budget of exactly one**: at most one undisplayed release in flight to
-//!    SurfaceFlinger, reopened on the clock-predicted latch (with a 100 ms stale force-open as
-//!    the liveness backstop, mirroring Apple's `PresentGate.staleAfter`). The BufferQueue can
-//!    hold at most the frame being scanned out plus one — a standing queue is unconstructible;
+//!  * a **glass budget of one**: at most one undisplayed release in flight to SurfaceFlinger,
+//!    reopened on the clock-predicted latch (with a 100 ms stale force-open as the liveness
+//!    backstop, mirroring Apple's `PresentGate.staleAfter`), and bounded underneath by what
+//!    `OnFrameRendered` actually confirmed reached glass ([`UNDISPLAYED_CAP`]) — because the
+//!    prediction is only as good as the panel grid behind it, and 0.23.0 shipped a grid that
+//!    could be wrong in one direction forever;
 //!  * a **timed release**: `AMediaCodec_releaseOutputBufferAtTime` targeting the platform's own
 //!    frame timeline (API 33+, via [`super::vsync`]), so the latch phase is deterministic instead
 //!    of inheriting network + decode jitter. On the 31/32 fallback the release is ASAP —
@@ -20,6 +22,7 @@
 
 use ndk::media::media_codec::MediaCodec;
 use std::collections::VecDeque;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicI32, Ordering};
 use std::sync::Mutex;
 use std::time::Instant;
 
@@ -36,9 +39,9 @@ use super::vsync::VsyncShared;
 ///
 /// 2.5 ms: SF's latch runs ~1-2 ms before present on modern devices (its `sfOffset`), and the
 /// release itself is a binder call well under a ms. 4 ms measured latch p50 8-10; each ms cut
-/// here is a ms off every frame's display stage. If a device misses at this margin the `paced`
-/// counter shows it (a miss presents one vsync later, coalescing the next frame) — that is the
-/// signal to widen, not stutter.
+/// here is a ms off every frame's display stage. A device that misses at the live margin shows it
+/// as a measured latch beyond one panel period (see the adaptation in
+/// [`Presenter::flush_log`]) — that, not a drop counter, is the signal to widen.
 const LATCH_MARGIN_NS: i64 = 2_500_000;
 
 /// `debug.punktfunk.latch_margin_us` (0..=8000 µs): PIN the submit margin for a sweep —
@@ -71,6 +74,26 @@ fn latch_margin_ns() -> Option<i64> {
 /// `forced` — reads 0 on healthy systems (Apple's `PresentGate.staleAfter`, same value).
 const STALE_REOPEN_NS: i64 = 100_000_000;
 
+/// Releases still unconfirmed by `OnFrameRendered` at which the presenter stops handing
+/// SurfaceFlinger more work.
+///
+/// The reopen above is a PREDICTION off the learned panel grid. A grid finer than the panel
+/// (0.23.0 could pin one permanently — see [`punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid`]) reopens the
+/// budget before the display has consumed anything, and the presenter then releases faster than
+/// the panel scans: the BufferQueue fills, MediaCodec runs out of output buffers, the decoder
+/// stalls, and the no-output backstop starts begging for keyframes. The render callback is the
+/// ground truth about what actually reached glass, so it bounds the prediction.
+///
+/// Six, not one: the platform is explicitly allowed to deliver these callbacks BATCHED, and this
+/// module's own `RENDERED_CAP` note records them trailing a release by a vsync or two — so a
+/// healthy device sits at 1-3 outstanding and a tight cap would throttle it for nothing (a held
+/// frame in the newest-wins slot is a DROPPED frame the moment a fresher one decodes). This is
+/// not a pacing knob; it is the "something is structurally wrong" rail, and a presenter genuinely
+/// out-running its display climbs past any fixed cap within a second. If a device's BufferQueue
+/// is shallower than this the rail simply never engages and the no-output backstop handles it,
+/// exactly as before — best-effort, never worse than not having it.
+const UNDISPLAYED_CAP: i32 = 6;
+
 /// Fallback latch-prediction period while the vsync clock is unmeasured/absent: one 120 Hz frame.
 const FALLBACK_PERIOD_NS: i64 = 8_333_333;
 
@@ -121,11 +144,28 @@ struct InFlight {
 /// a HUD-off wireless A/B readable from logcat.
 pub(super) struct PresentMeter {
     inner: Mutex<PresentMeterInner>,
+    /// Frames released to SurfaceFlinger that `OnFrameRendered` has not yet confirmed reached
+    /// glass. The presenter's structural rail (see [`UNDISPLAYED_CAP`]) and the pf-present line's
+    /// queue-depth readout. Lock-free because the release side runs on the decode loop and the
+    /// confirm side on the codec's callback thread, once per frame each.
+    undisplayed: AtomicI32,
+    /// This device delivers render callbacks at all (API ≥ 33 and the platform accepted the
+    /// registration). Until one arrives, `undisplayed` is meaningless and the rail stays down.
+    confirms: AtomicBool,
 }
 
 struct PresentMeterInner {
     latch_us: Vec<u64>,
     displays: u64,
+    /// The `decode` stage's feed split, received→queued µs (P3 science: hand-off + input-slot
+    /// wait). Empty when no receipt stamp matched (HUD off and ABR not measuring decode).
+    feed_us: Vec<u64>,
+    /// The codec-pure half, queued→decoded µs, measured from the AU's LAST piece — always on,
+    /// so a HUD-off logcat A/B still reads the decoder's own time.
+    codec_us: Vec<u64>,
+    /// Capture→decoded end-to-end µs (skew-corrected, clamped) — always on for the same reason:
+    /// the wireless A/B's headline without having to reach the on-screen HUD.
+    e2e_us: Vec<u64>,
 }
 
 impl PresentMeter {
@@ -134,12 +174,27 @@ impl PresentMeter {
             inner: Mutex::new(PresentMeterInner {
                 latch_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
                 displays: 0,
+                feed_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
+                codec_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
+                e2e_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
             }),
+            undisplayed: AtomicI32::new(0),
+            confirms: AtomicBool::new(false),
         }
     }
 
     /// One displayed frame's release→displayed latch, µs. Callback thread; poison-proof.
+    ///
+    /// Also the glass budget's CONFIRM: this frame left the BufferQueue, so one outstanding
+    /// release is settled. Clamped at zero — the legacy `arrival` path renders without going
+    /// through [`Presenter::pump`], so confirms can outnumber counted releases.
     pub(super) fn note_latch(&self, latch_us: Option<u64>) {
+        self.confirms.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        let _ = self
+            .undisplayed
+            .fetch_update(Ordering::Relaxed, Ordering::Relaxed, |v| {
+                Some((v - 1).max(0))
+            });
         let mut g = self
             .inner
             .lock()
@@ -152,14 +207,71 @@ impl PresentMeter {
         }
     }
 
-    fn drain(&self) -> (Vec<u64>, u64) {
+    /// One frame handed to SurfaceFlinger, awaiting its confirm. Decode thread.
+    fn note_released(&self) {
+        self.undisplayed.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// Releases still unconfirmed, and whether confirms happen on this device at all.
+    fn outstanding(&self) -> (i32, bool) {
+        (
+            self.undisplayed.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            self.confirms.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+        )
+    }
+
+    /// Write off the outstanding releases: the platform stopped confirming (it is allowed to
+    /// drop callbacks under load) or SurfaceFlinger discarded the buffers without presenting
+    /// them. Never stall the stream on a ledger we cannot audit.
+    fn forgive_outstanding(&self) {
+        self.undisplayed.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// One decoded frame's always-on measurements: the `decode`-stage split (feed =
+    /// received→queued when a receipt stamp matched; codec = queued→decoded when the queued
+    /// stamp did) and the capture→decoded end-to-end, µs. Decode thread; poison-proof.
+    pub(super) fn note_decode(
+        &self,
+        feed_us: Option<u64>,
+        codec_us: Option<u64>,
+        e2e_us: Option<u64>,
+    ) {
+        let mut g = self
+            .inner
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
+        if let Some(f) = feed_us {
+            if g.feed_us.len() < 4096 {
+                g.feed_us.push(f);
+            }
+        }
+        if let Some(c) = codec_us {
+            if g.codec_us.len() < 4096 {
+                g.codec_us.push(c);
+            }
+        }
+        if let Some(e) = e2e_us {
+            if g.e2e_us.len() < 4096 {
+                g.e2e_us.push(e);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[allow(clippy::type_complexity)] // one caller unpacks it in place; a struct would be noise
+    fn drain(&self) -> (Vec<u64>, u64, Vec<u64>, Vec<u64>, Vec<u64>) {
         let mut g = self
             .inner
             .lock()
             .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
         let displays = g.displays;
         g.displays = 0;
-        (std::mem::take(&mut g.latch_us), displays)
+        (
+            std::mem::take(&mut g.latch_us),
+            displays,
+            std::mem::take(&mut g.feed_us),
+            std::mem::take(&mut g.codec_us),
+            std::mem::take(&mut g.e2e_us),
+        )
     }
 }
 
@@ -190,6 +302,13 @@ pub(super) struct Presenter {
     no_budget: u64,
     forced: u64,
     dry: u64,
+    /// Pump passes that held a frame back because too many earlier releases were still
+    /// unconfirmed ([`UNDISPLAYED_CAP`]) — reads 0 on a healthy device, and a climbing value is
+    /// the signature of a presenter out-running its display.
+    queue_waits: u64,
+    /// When the unconfirmed-release rail first engaged, so it can be forgiven if the confirms
+    /// simply stopped coming. `None` while the rail is down.
+    backed_up_since: Option<i64>,
     pace_us: Vec<u64>,
     last_flush: Instant,
     /// The live submit margin. Starts at 0 (P2e on-glass: SurfaceFlinger latched every
@@ -231,6 +350,8 @@ impl Presenter {
             no_budget: 0,
             forced: 0,
             dry: 0,
+            queue_waits: 0,
+            backed_up_since: None,
             pace_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
             last_flush: Instant::now(),
             margin_ns,
@@ -285,6 +406,7 @@ impl Presenter {
         codec: &MediaCodec,
         clock: Option<&VsyncShared>,
         tracker: &DisplayTracker,
+        meter: &PresentMeter,
         stats: &crate::stats::VideoStats,
         now_mono_ns: i64,
     ) -> bool {
@@ -297,6 +419,10 @@ impl Presenter {
                 self.inflight = None;
             }
         }
+        // The measured rail beneath that prediction (see `UNDISPLAYED_CAP`). Evaluated on every
+        // pass — frame waiting or not — so its forgiveness timer measures real elapsed time
+        // rather than how often a frame happened to be ready.
+        let backlogged = self.unconfirmed_backlog(meter, now_mono_ns);
         // Pick the frame this pump may release.
         let frame = if self.fifo_capacity == 0 {
             self.frames.pop_back() // submit() kept it a single slot; back == the newest
@@ -324,9 +450,12 @@ impl Presenter {
             self.frames.pop_front()
         };
         let Some(frame) = frame else { return false };
-        if self.inflight.is_some() {
+        if self.inflight.is_some() || backlogged {
             // Budget closed — park it back; a fresher submit replaces it (newest-wins), the next
             // vsync tick / loop pass retries the pairing.
+            if backlogged {
+                self.queue_waits += 1;
+            }
             self.no_budget += 1;
             match self.fifo_capacity {
                 0 => self.frames.push_back(frame),
@@ -363,6 +492,7 @@ impl Presenter {
             released_at_ns: now_mono_ns,
         });
         self.released += 1;
+        meter.note_released();
         let release_real_ns = now_realtime_ns();
         let pace_us = ((release_real_ns - frame.decoded_ns).max(0) / 1000) as u64;
         if self.pace_us.len() < 4096 {
@@ -373,6 +503,33 @@ impl Presenter {
         true
     }
 
+    /// Whether SurfaceFlinger is sitting on too many unconfirmed releases to be handed another.
+    ///
+    /// The predicted reopen is only as good as the panel grid behind it; this is the measured
+    /// rail underneath it (see [`UNDISPLAYED_CAP`]). It self-clears two ways — the confirms catch
+    /// up, or [`STALE_REOPEN_NS`] passes with the backlog stuck, which means the ledger itself is
+    /// unreliable (callbacks dropped under load, or SF discarded the buffers) and is written off
+    /// rather than allowed to wedge the stream.
+    fn unconfirmed_backlog(&mut self, meter: &PresentMeter, now_ns: i64) -> bool {
+        let (outstanding, confirms_live) = meter.outstanding();
+        if !confirms_live || outstanding < UNDISPLAYED_CAP {
+            self.backed_up_since = None;
+            return false;
+        }
+        match self.backed_up_since {
+            Some(t) if now_ns - t > STALE_REOPEN_NS => {
+                meter.forgive_outstanding();
+                self.backed_up_since = None;
+                self.forced += 1;
+                false
+            }
+            _ => {
+                self.backed_up_since.get_or_insert(now_ns);
+                true
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Release every held buffer unrendered — the teardown path, BEFORE `codec.stop()`.
     pub(super) fn release_all(&mut self, codec: &MediaCodec) {
         while let Some(f) = self.frames.pop_front() {
@@ -385,8 +542,12 @@ impl Presenter {
     /// `pf-present` line, so a HUD-off on-device A/B is readable wirelessly:
     /// `released` (to glass) / `displays` (OnFrameRendered confirms) / `paced` (policy drops) /
     /// `noBudget` (waits on the closed budget) / `forced` (stale force-opens — 0 when healthy) /
-    /// `qDry` (FIFO underflows) / `pace` (decoded→release) / `latch` (release→displayed) /
-    /// `vsync` (the measured panel period).
+    /// `qDry` (FIFO underflows) / `qWait` (pumps held back by unconfirmed releases — 0 when
+    /// healthy) / `unconfirmed` (releases OnFrameRendered hasn't settled) /
+    /// `pace` (decoded→release) / `latch` (release→displayed) /
+    /// `feed`+`codec` (the decode stage split: received→queued hand-off/slot wait + the
+    /// codec-pure queued→decoded time) / `e2e` (capture→decoded, skew-corrected — the wireless
+    /// A/B headline) / `vsync` (the measured panel period).
     ///
     /// Returns this window's CIRCULAR latch statistics `(vector-mean latch ns mod panel period,
     /// coherence ‰)` when a window actually flushed — the phase-lock reporter's v2 error signal
@@ -400,23 +561,29 @@ impl Presenter {
             return None;
         }
         self.last_flush = Instant::now();
-        let (latch, displays) = meter.drain();
+        let (latch, displays, feed, codec, e2e) = meter.drain();
         if self.released == 0 && displays == 0 {
             return None; // idle stream — nothing worth a line
         }
         let (pace_p50, pace_max) = p50_max_ms(std::mem::take(&mut self.pace_us));
+        let (feed_p50, feed_max) = p50_max_ms(feed);
+        let (codec_p50, codec_max) = p50_max_ms(codec);
+        let (e2e_p50, e2e_max) = p50_max_ms(e2e);
         let circ = clock.and_then(|c| {
             punktfunk_core::phase::circular_latch(&latch, c.panel_period_ns().max(c.period_ns()))
         });
+        let latch_samples = latch.len();
         let (latch_p50, latch_max) = p50_max_ms(latch);
         let period_ms = clock.map(|c| c.period_ns() as f64 / 1e6).unwrap_or(0.0);
-        let panel_ms = clock
-            .map(|c| c.panel_period_ns() as f64 / 1e6)
-            .unwrap_or(0.0);
+        let panel_ns = clock.map(|c| c.panel_period_ns()).unwrap_or(0);
+        let (outstanding, _) = meter.outstanding();
         log::info!(
             target: "pf.present",
             "released={} displays={} paced={} noBudget={} forced={} qDry={} \
-             paceMs p50={:.2} max={:.2} latchMs p50={:.2} max={:.2} circ={:.2}ms coh={} \
+             qWait={} unconfirmed={} \
+             paceMs p50={:.2} max={:.2} latchMs p50={:.2} max={:.2} \
+             feedMs p50={:.2} max={:.2} codecMs p50={:.2} max={:.2} \
+             e2eMs p50={:.2} max={:.2} circ={:.2}ms coh={} \
              vsyncMs={:.2} panelMs={:.2}",
             self.released,
             displays,
@@ -424,32 +591,63 @@ impl Presenter {
             self.no_budget,
             self.forced,
             self.dry,
+            self.queue_waits,
+            outstanding,
             pace_p50,
             pace_max,
             latch_p50,
             latch_max,
+            feed_p50,
+            feed_max,
+            codec_p50,
+            codec_max,
+            e2e_p50,
+            e2e_max,
             circ.map(|(m, _)| m as f64 / 1e6).unwrap_or(0.0),
             circ.map(|(_, c)| c).unwrap_or(0),
             period_ms,
-            panel_ms,
+            panel_ns as f64 / 1e6,
         );
         self.released = 0;
-        // Margin adaptation: repeated latch misses in one window (a miss presents a vsync
-        // late and coalesces the next frame into `paced`) mean this device's SF does need
-        // lead — widen toward the pre-sweep ceiling. One-way by design: a margin that once
-        // proved necessary is never re-gambled mid-stream (the next stream restarts at 0).
-        if !self.margin_pinned && self.paced_drops > 2 && self.margin_ns < LATCH_MARGIN_NS {
+        // Margin adaptation, off the MEASURED latch. A release targets the first grid point past
+        // `now + margin`, so a frame that makes its vsync is on glass within one panel period of
+        // that margin; beyond it, SurfaceFlinger wanted more lead and the frame waited out an
+        // extra refresh. Widen toward the pre-sweep ceiling. One-way by design: a margin that
+        // once proved necessary is never re-gambled mid-stream (the next stream restarts at 0).
+        //
+        // ⚠ NOT `paced_drops`, which 0.23.0 used: those are the newest-wins store's own policy
+        // evictions — a second frame decoding while one is held — which happen whenever the
+        // stream out-runs the panel and say nothing at all about SF's latch lead. Driving the
+        // margin from them widened it to the ceiling on healthy devices, re-imposing the 2.5 ms
+        // of pure display latency the P2e sweep had just measured away.
+        let latch_p50_ns = (latch_p50 * 1e6) as i64;
+        if !self.margin_pinned
+            && self.margin_ns < LATCH_MARGIN_NS
+            && panel_ns > 0
+            && latch_samples >= 8
+            && latch_p50_ns > panel_ns + self.margin_ns
+        {
             self.margin_ns = (self.margin_ns + 500_000).min(LATCH_MARGIN_NS);
             log::warn!(
-                "presenter: {} latch misses in 1s — margin widened to {}us",
-                self.paced_drops,
+                "presenter: latch p50 {:.2}ms over the {:.2}ms panel period — margin widened to {}us",
+                latch_p50,
+                panel_ns as f64 / 1e6,
                 self.margin_ns / 1_000
             );
         }
+        if self.queue_waits > 0 {
+            log::warn!(
+                "presenter: {} pump(s) held back — {} release(s) still unconfirmed by \
+                 OnFrameRendered (the display is not keeping up with the release rate)",
+                self.queue_waits,
+                outstanding
+            );
+        }
         self.paced_drops = 0;
         self.no_budget = 0;
         self.forced = 0;
         self.dry = 0;
+        self.queue_waits = 0;
         circ
     }
 }

clients/android/native/src/decode/vsync.rs

@@ -58,8 +58,10 @@ pub(super) struct VsyncShared {
     /// video to THIS rate would cap the stream — hence `panel_period_ns` + the subdivision in
     /// [`Self::next_target`].
     period_ns: AtomicI64,
-    /// The panel's own refresh period (from the display mode Kotlin resolved at stream start;
-    /// 0 = unknown). The grid SurfaceFlinger actually latches on.
+    /// The panel's own refresh period — the grid SurfaceFlinger actually latches on (0 = unknown).
+    /// Seeded from the display mode Kotlin resolved at stream start and then corrected by
+    /// measurement; the learner itself is [`punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid`], owned by the
+    /// choreographer thread (see [`CallbackCtx::panel`]) and published here for the decode loop.
     panel_period_ns: AtomicI64,
     /// Callback count, for the one-shot cadence diagnostic log.
     ticks: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU32,
@@ -231,6 +233,11 @@ struct CallbackCtx {
     choreographer: *mut c_void,
     shared: Arc<VsyncShared>,
     on_tick: Box<dyn Fn() + Send>,
+    /// The panel-period learner. `Cell` rather than an atomic because it is touched from exactly
+    /// one thread — callbacks only ever fire inside this thread's looper poll (see the struct
+    /// doc) — and its streak state is nobody else's business; only the settled period is
+    /// published, to `shared.panel_period_ns`.
+    panel: std::cell::Cell<punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid>,
 }
 
 impl CallbackCtx {
@@ -240,22 +247,25 @@ impl CallbackCtx {
             .shared
             .last_vsync_ns
             .swap(frame_time_ns, Ordering::Relaxed);
-        // Panel-grid learner: timeline spacing is SurfaceFlinger's own grid, and the finest
-        // spacing ever observed is the panel's true period — trustworthy where the configured
-        // value is not (under a per-uid frame-rate override, `Display.getRefreshRate` REPORTS
-        // THE OVERRIDE, observed on-glass: a 120 Hz panel read back as 60 while early timelines
-        // ran at 8.28 ms). Corrects DOWNWARD only: subdividing onto a finer real grid is always
-        // valid, widening on a later down-rated window never is.
+        // Panel-grid learner: timeline spacing is SurfaceFlinger's own grid, and therefore the
+        // only honest witness to what the panel is doing — the configured mode is not (under a
+        // per-uid frame-rate override `Display.getRefreshRate` REPORTS THE OVERRIDE, observed
+        // on-glass: a 120 Hz panel read back as 60 while its timelines ran at 8.28 ms), and
+        // neither is the mode Kotlin *requested* (`preferredDisplayModeId` is a hint the system
+        // may refuse). Both directions matter and the asymmetry lives in `PanelGrid`.
         if timelines.len() >= 2 {
             let spacing = timelines[1].expected_present_ns - timelines[0].expected_present_ns;
-            if (2_000_000..=42_000_000).contains(&spacing) {
-                let cur = self.shared.panel_period_ns.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
-                if cur == 0 || spacing < cur - 200_000 {
-                    self.shared
-                        .panel_period_ns
-                        .store(spacing, Ordering::Relaxed);
-                }
+            let mut grid = self.panel.get();
+            if grid.observe(spacing) {
+                self.shared
+                    .panel_period_ns
+                    .store(grid.period_ns(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+                log::info!(
+                    "vsync: panel grid now {:.2}ms",
+                    grid.period_ns() as f64 / 1e6
+                );
             }
+            self.panel.set(grid);
         }
         // One-shot cadence diagnostic (3rd tick, once deltas exist): the callback cadence vs the
         // panel period is exactly the down-rating question, and this line answers it on-glass.
@@ -372,8 +382,9 @@ pub(super) struct VsyncClock {
 impl VsyncClock {
     /// Spawn the choreographer thread. `on_tick` fires once per vsync ON THAT THREAD — it must
     /// only do something cheap and `Send` (the decode loop passes an event-channel send).
-    /// `panel_hz` is the display mode's own refresh rate (0 = unknown), the latch grid that
-    /// [`VsyncShared::next_target`] subdivides onto. `None` when the platform surface is missing
+    /// `panel_hz` SEEDS the panel-grid learner (0 = unknown) — the latch grid that
+    /// [`VsyncShared::next_target`] subdivides onto. A seed, not a fact: it names the display
+    /// mode Kotlin *requested*, and the observed timeline spacing is what settles it. `None` when the platform surface is missing
     /// (very old device) — the presenter then runs clock-less (ASAP targets, predicted-latch
     /// budget).
     pub(super) fn start(panel_hz: i32, on_tick: Box<dyn Fn() + Send>) -> Option<VsyncClock> {
@@ -383,11 +394,9 @@ impl VsyncClock {
             stop: AtomicBool::new(false),
             last_vsync_ns: AtomicI64::new(0),
             period_ns: AtomicI64::new(0),
-            panel_period_ns: AtomicI64::new(if panel_hz > 0 {
-                1_000_000_000 / panel_hz as i64
-            } else {
-                0
-            }),
+            panel_period_ns: AtomicI64::new(
+                punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid::seeded(panel_hz).period_ns(),
+            ),
             ticks: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU32::new(0),
             timelines: Mutex::new(Vec::new()),
         });
@@ -408,6 +417,7 @@ impl VsyncClock {
                     choreographer,
                     shared: thread_shared,
                     on_tick,
+                    panel: std::cell::Cell::new(punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid::seeded(panel_hz)),
                 };
                 ctx.repost();
                 // The bounded poll doubles as the stop check: no cross-thread wake needed, worst

clients/android/native/src/mic.rs

@@ -1,16 +1,22 @@
 //! Android microphone uplink (android-only): capture mic PCM via AAudio (LowLatency **input**),
-//! Opus-encode 20 ms stereo frames, and push them to the host over the connector's mic plane
+//! Opus-encode 10 ms mono frames, and push them to the host over the connector's mic plane
 //! (`send_mic` → 0xCB datagram). The mirror of [`crate::audio`] in reverse: AAudio's realtime input
-//! callback hands captured interleaved f32 to a channel; a worker thread we own does the Opus
-//! encode + send (encoding is too heavy for the realtime callback, exactly as decode is on the
-//! playback side). Like the playback path, the realtime callback is allocation-free: captured
-//! bursts are copied into pre-allocated buffers from a recycle free-list (pool empty = drop the
-//! chunk, never allocate on the capture thread). Format matches the host decoder + the Linux
-//! client: 48 kHz **stereo**, 20 ms, Opus VOIP.
+//! callback hands captured f32 to a channel; a worker thread we own does the Opus encode + send
+//! (encoding is too heavy for the realtime callback, exactly as decode is on the playback side).
+//! Like the playback path, the realtime callback is allocation-free: captured bursts are copied
+//! into pre-allocated buffers from a recycle free-list (pool empty = drop the chunk, never
+//! allocate on the capture thread). Format: 48 kHz **mono**, 10 ms, Opus VOIP with in-band FEC —
+//! the host decodes any Opus frame ≤ 120 ms with its stereo decoder (mono packets upmix), so this
+//! needs no protocol change; speech gains nothing from stereo, and the shorter frame shaves a
+//! buffering interval off the uplink.
+//!
+//! **Mute** is a flag the encode loop reads per 10 ms frame, never a stream teardown: the AAudio
+//! input stream, the input-preset ladder it settled on and its primed buffers all survive a
+//! mute/unmute untouched, so toggling costs an atomic load and nothing else.
 
 use ndk::audio::{
-    AudioCallbackResult, AudioDirection, AudioFormat, AudioPerformanceMode, AudioSharingMode,
-    AudioStream, AudioStreamBuilder,
+    AudioCallbackResult, AudioDirection, AudioFormat, AudioInputPreset, AudioPerformanceMode,
+    AudioSharingMode, AudioStream, AudioStreamBuilder, SessionId,
 };
 use punktfunk_core::client::NativeClient;
 use std::collections::VecDeque;
@@ -20,31 +26,57 @@ use std::sync::mpsc::{sync_channel, Receiver, RecvTimeoutError, SyncSender, TryS
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::time::{Duration, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
-const CHANNELS: usize = 2;
+const CHANNELS: usize = 1;
 const SAMPLE_RATE: i32 = 48_000;
-/// 20 ms per channel @ 48 kHz — the Linux client's frame; the host accepts ≤ 120 ms.
-const FRAME_SAMPLES: usize = 960;
+/// 10 ms per channel @ 48 kHz — half the desktop clients' 20 ms frame, trading a little Opus
+/// header overhead for one less buffered interval; the host accepts ≤ 120 ms.
+const FRAME_SAMPLES: usize = 480;
 /// Captured-chunk hand-off depth (each ~ one burst); drops on overflow (best-effort uplink).
+/// Bursts are sized in frames, so the wall-time depth is unchanged by the stereo→mono move.
 const RING_CHUNKS: usize = 64;
 /// Free-list buffer capacity, in interleaved f32 samples: comfortably above a LowLatency input
-/// burst (typically ≤ ~480 frames). A device with larger bursts costs each buffer a one-time grow
-/// on the capture thread, after which the steady state is allocation-free again.
-const CHUNK_CAP_SAMPLES: usize = 1920; // 20 ms stereo
-/// Opus VOIP target bitrate (speech; tunable).
-const MIC_BITRATE: i32 = 64_000;
+/// burst (typically ≤ ~480 frames — mono, so samples = frames). A device with larger bursts costs
+/// each buffer a one-time grow on the capture thread, after which the steady state is
+/// allocation-free again.
+const CHUNK_CAP_SAMPLES: usize = 960; // 20 ms mono — the same wall-time as the old stereo value
+/// Opus VOIP target bitrate (mono speech; tunable).
+const MIC_BITRATE: i32 = 48_000;
+/// Encode-side self-heal threshold, in queued 10 ms frames (~60 ms): waking to more than this
+/// means the uplink stalled — and because the capture callback drops the NEWEST chunk when the
+/// channel is full, a stall otherwise converts to standing mic delay that never drains (real-time
+/// playback host-side never makes time back up). Skip to the newest few frames instead.
+const BACKLOG_MAX_FRAMES: usize = 6;
+/// What a self-heal keeps: ~20 ms of the freshest audio (one audible blip, live again).
+const BACKLOG_KEEP_FRAMES: usize = 2;
 
 /// Owned by [`crate::session::SessionHandle`]: the live AAudio input stream + the encode thread.
 pub struct MicCapture {
     _stream: AudioStream, // dropping it stops + closes the AAudio input stream
+    /// The audio-session id AAudio allocated (`> 0`) when echo cancellation asked for one — the
+    /// hook Kotlin hangs the Java `AcousticEchoCanceler`/`NoiseSuppressor` on. `0` = none.
+    session_id: i32,
     shutdown: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     join: Option<std::thread::JoinHandle<()>>,
 }
 
 impl MicCapture {
-    /// Open AAudio (LowLatency, 48 kHz/stereo/f32) for **input** with a realtime callback that
-    /// forwards captured PCM to a channel, then spawn the Opus encode + uplink thread. `None` on
-    /// failure (the caller leaves the rest of the session streaming).
-    pub fn start(client: Arc<NativeClient>) -> Option<MicCapture> {
+    /// Open AAudio (LowLatency, 48 kHz/mono/f32) for **input** with a realtime callback that
+    /// forwards captured PCM to a channel, then spawn the Opus encode + uplink thread. With
+    /// `echo_cancel` the stream opens under the `VoiceCommunication` input preset — the HAL's own
+    /// echo canceller / noise suppressor on the capture path (the default `VoiceRecognition`
+    /// preset deliberately bypasses them, which is why the host used to hear its own stream back
+    /// from a speaker-playing phone) — and allocates an audio session id for Kotlin's Java-effect
+    /// backstop. `None` on failure (the caller leaves the rest of the session streaming).
+    ///
+    /// `muted` is the SESSION's live mic-mute flag (owned by `SessionHandle`, not by this capture),
+    /// honoured per frame by [`encode_loop`]. Sharing it rather than owning it is what makes mute
+    /// survive the mic stop/start a surface recreate performs — and means a capture started while
+    /// muted never encodes its first frame, so there is no window for one to escape.
+    pub fn start(
+        client: Arc<NativeClient>,
+        echo_cancel: bool,
+        muted: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    ) -> Option<MicCapture> {
         let captured = Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0));
         // Chunks discarded on the capture thread (free-list empty / encoder lagging); logged
         // throttled from the encode worker.
@@ -52,7 +84,9 @@ impl MicCapture {
 
         // One open attempt at a given sharing mode (same pattern as [`crate::audio`]: `open_stream`
         // consumes the builder AND the callback, so each try rebuilds the channels it captures).
-        let try_open = |sharing: AudioSharingMode| -> ndk::audio::Result<(
+        let try_open = |sharing: AudioSharingMode,
+                        voice: bool|
+         -> ndk::audio::Result<(
             AudioStream,
             Receiver<Vec<f32>>,
             SyncSender<Vec<f32>>,
@@ -99,13 +133,25 @@ impl MicCapture {
                 AudioCallbackResult::Continue
             };
 
-            let stream = AudioStreamBuilder::new()?
+            // NOTE: no `.frames_per_data_callback(...)`: AAudio's own docs call leaving it unset
+            // the lowest-latency path (the callback then runs at the device's optimal burst,
+            // while pinning a size inserts an adaptation buffer), and the encode side re-chunks
+            // to 10 ms frames regardless of how the bursts arrive.
+            let mut builder = AudioStreamBuilder::new()?
                 .direction(AudioDirection::Input)
                 .sample_rate(SAMPLE_RATE)
                 .channel_count(CHANNELS as i32)
                 .format(AudioFormat::PCM_Float)
                 .performance_mode(AudioPerformanceMode::LowLatency)
-                .sharing_mode(sharing)
+                .sharing_mode(sharing);
+            if voice {
+                // VoiceCommunication routes the capture through the HAL's AEC/NS; the allocated
+                // session id (`None` = allocate) is what Kotlin attaches the Java effects to.
+                builder = builder
+                    .input_preset(AudioInputPreset::VoiceCommunication)
+                    .session_id(None);
+            }
+            let stream = builder
                 .data_callback(Box::new(callback))
                 .error_callback(Box::new(|_s, e| {
                     log::warn!("mic: AAudio error (device reroute/disconnect?): {e:?}");
@@ -114,21 +160,52 @@ impl MicCapture {
             Ok((stream, rx, free_tx))
         };
 
-        // Exclusive first — MMAP-exclusive is AAudio's lowest-latency path — falling back to Shared
-        // when the device refuses (no MMAP, mic claimed, …). The started-log below prints the mode
-        // the device actually GRANTED (`share=`).
-        let (stream, rx, free_tx) = match try_open(AudioSharingMode::Exclusive) {
-            Ok(opened) => opened,
-            Err(e) => {
-                log::info!("mic: Exclusive open failed ({e}) — retrying Shared");
-                match try_open(AudioSharingMode::Shared) {
-                    Ok(opened) => opened,
-                    Err(e) => {
-                        log::error!("mic: open_stream (RECORD_AUDIO granted?): {e}");
-                        return None;
-                    }
+        // Exclusive first — MMAP-exclusive is AAudio's lowest-latency path — falling back to
+        // Shared when the device refuses (no MMAP, mic claimed, …); and each sharing mode with
+        // the voice preset before without it, because some HALs reject VoiceCommunication (or a
+        // session id) outright and a mic without echo cancellation still beats no mic. The
+        // ladder's last rungs are exactly the preset-less open this always did. The started-log
+        // below prints what the device actually GRANTED (`share=`/`session=`).
+        let attempts: &[(AudioSharingMode, bool)] = if echo_cancel {
+            &[
+                (AudioSharingMode::Exclusive, true),
+                (AudioSharingMode::Shared, true),
+                (AudioSharingMode::Exclusive, false),
+                (AudioSharingMode::Shared, false),
+            ]
+        } else {
+            &[
+                (AudioSharingMode::Exclusive, false),
+                (AudioSharingMode::Shared, false),
+            ]
+        };
+        let mut opened = None;
+        for &(sharing, voice) in attempts {
+            match try_open(sharing, voice) {
+                Ok(o) => {
+                    opened = Some(o);
+                    break;
                 }
+                Err(e) => log::info!(
+                    "mic: open {sharing:?}{} failed ({e}) — trying the next fallback",
+                    if voice { "+VoiceCommunication" } else { "" },
+                ),
             }
+        }
+        let (stream, rx, free_tx) = match opened {
+            Some(o) => o,
+            None => {
+                log::error!("mic: open_stream (RECORD_AUDIO granted?): every mode refused");
+                return None;
+            }
+        };
+
+        // The session id AAudio actually allocated (only a voice rung asks for one): `> 0` is the
+        // handle Kotlin hangs the Java AcousticEchoCanceler/NoiseSuppressor off as the HAL
+        // preset's backstop; `0` = none, nothing to attach.
+        let session_id = match stream.session_id() {
+            SessionId::Allocated(id) => id.get(),
+            SessionId::None => 0,
         };
 
         if let Err(e) = stream.request_start() {
@@ -136,7 +213,7 @@ impl MicCapture {
             return None;
         }
         log::info!(
-            "mic: AAudio input started rate={} ch={} fmt={:?} share={:?}",
+            "mic: AAudio input started rate={} ch={} fmt={:?} share={:?} session={session_id}",
             stream.sample_rate(),
             stream.channel_count(),
             stream.format(),
@@ -147,15 +224,21 @@ impl MicCapture {
         let sd = shutdown.clone();
         let join = std::thread::Builder::new()
             .name("pf-mic".into())
-            .spawn(move || encode_loop(client, rx, free_tx, sd, captured, dropped))
+            .spawn(move || encode_loop(client, rx, free_tx, sd, muted, captured, dropped))
             .ok();
 
         Some(MicCapture {
             _stream: stream,
+            session_id,
             shutdown,
             join,
         })
     }
+
+    /// The audio-session id AAudio allocated (`> 0`; see [`MicCapture::start`]), `0` = none.
+    pub fn session_id(&self) -> i32 {
+        self.session_id
+    }
 }
 
 impl Drop for MicCapture {
@@ -168,20 +251,29 @@ impl Drop for MicCapture {
     }
 }
 
-/// Consumer: drain captured f32 → accumulate → Opus `encode_float` 20 ms stereo frames → `send_mic`.
+/// Consumer: drain captured f32 → accumulate → Opus `encode_float` 10 ms mono frames → `send_mic`.
 /// Drained chunk buffers go back to the callback's free-list; the encode scratch is reused across
 /// frames (only the packet Vec handed to `send_mic` is allocated per frame — it's sent away owned).
+///
+/// While `muted` is set a formed frame is dropped instead of encoded (see the frame loop) — the
+/// capture side keeps running exactly as it does unmuted, so nothing about the stream, its ring or
+/// its backlog behaviour changes across a toggle.
 fn encode_loop(
     client: Arc<NativeClient>,
     rx: Receiver<Vec<f32>>,
     free_tx: SyncSender<Vec<f32>>,
     shutdown: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    muted: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     captured: Arc<AtomicU64>,
     dropped: Arc<AtomicU64>,
 ) {
+    // Fold this Opus-encode/uplink thread into the client's hot-thread set so the ADPF session the
+    // decode thread opens keeps mic encode on a fast core too (the playback side's decode_loop
+    // does the same). No-op below API 33.
+    client.register_hot_thread();
     let mut enc = match opus::Encoder::new(
         SAMPLE_RATE as u32,
-        opus::Channels::Stereo,
+        opus::Channels::Mono,
         opus::Application::Voip,
     ) {
         Ok(e) => e,
@@ -191,13 +283,21 @@ fn encode_loop(
         }
     };
     let _ = enc.set_bitrate(opus::Bitrate::Bits(MIC_BITRATE));
+    // Speech tuning: complexity 5 roughly halves encode cost for no audible loss at this rate,
+    // and in-band FEC at an assumed 10% loss lets the host's decoder reconstruct a dropped
+    // datagram from its successor instead of playing a hole (the uplink is fire-and-forget).
+    let _ = enc.set_complexity(5);
+    let _ = enc.set_inband_fec(true);
+    let _ = enc.set_packet_loss_perc(10);
 
     let frame = FRAME_SAMPLES * CHANNELS;
     let mut ring: VecDeque<f32> = VecDeque::with_capacity(frame * 4);
-    let mut pcm = vec![0f32; frame]; // reusable encode scratch (one 20 ms frame)
-    let mut out = vec![0u8; 4000]; // max Opus packet for a 20 ms frame fits easily
+    let mut pcm = vec![0f32; frame]; // reusable encode scratch (one 10 ms frame)
+    let mut out = vec![0u8; 4000]; // max Opus packet for a 10 ms frame fits easily
     let mut seq: u32 = 0;
     let mut sent: u64 = 0;
+    let mut stale: u64 = 0; // frames shed by the backlog self-heal (see BACKLOG_MAX_FRAMES)
+    let mut muted_frames: u64 = 0; // frames dropped unencoded because the user muted
     let mut peak = 0f32; // loudest |sample| since the last log — tells speech from silence
 
     while !shutdown.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
@@ -207,11 +307,41 @@ fn encode_loop(
                 // callback's free-list (dropped only if the pool is momentarily full).
                 ring.extend(chunk.drain(..));
                 let _ = free_tx.try_send(chunk);
+                // Drain whatever else queued while we were away, so a post-stall backlog lands as
+                // ONE lump the self-heal below can size up — chunk-at-a-time it would be encoded
+                // (and inflicted on the host as standing delay) before it ever looked deep.
+                while let Ok(mut chunk) = rx.try_recv() {
+                    ring.extend(chunk.drain(..));
+                    let _ = free_tx.try_send(chunk);
+                }
             }
             Err(RecvTimeoutError::Timeout) => continue, // wake to re-check shutdown
             Err(RecvTimeoutError::Disconnected) => break,
         }
+        // Self-heal the latency ratchet: a stall (scheduler hiccup, a slow send) queues stale
+        // audio, and every ms of it would ride the stream as mic delay for the rest of the
+        // session. Jump to the newest ~20 ms (one audible blip), counting the shed.
+        if ring.len() > BACKLOG_MAX_FRAMES * frame {
+            let excess = ring.len() - BACKLOG_KEEP_FRAMES * frame;
+            ring.drain(..excess);
+            stale += (excess / frame) as u64;
+        }
         while ring.len() >= frame {
+            // Muted: drop the frame at the last point before it would become an Opus packet —
+            // room audio is never encoded and nothing goes on the wire. `seq` does NOT advance:
+            // it numbers the datagrams the host de-jitters, and that side reads a seq jump as
+            // loss (conceal + a counted gap) where a mute is a pause. Freezing it means the
+            // frame after an unmute continues the chain, which is what the host's own
+            // `reset_stream` doc calls for and what the desktop uplink does. (Encoding silence
+            // instead would keep a pointless uplink and a host-side ring alive for the whole
+            // mute.) `peak` is the loudest sample the UPLINK carried since the last log, so a
+            // dropped frame resets rather than raises it.
+            if muted.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                ring.drain(..frame);
+                muted_frames += 1;
+                peak = 0.0;
+                continue;
+            }
             for (dst, src) in pcm.iter_mut().zip(ring.drain(..frame)) {
                 *dst = src;
             }
@@ -227,9 +357,10 @@ fn encode_loop(
                     let _ = client.send_mic(seq, pts, out[..len].to_vec());
                     seq = seq.wrapping_add(1);
                     sent += 1;
-                    if sent % 250 == 0 {
+                    if sent % 500 == 0 {
                         log::info!(
-                            "mic: sent={sent} captured_frames={} dropped_chunks={} peak={peak:.3}",
+                            "mic: sent={sent} captured_frames={} dropped_chunks={} \
+                             stale_frames={stale} muted_frames={muted_frames} peak={peak:.3}",
                             captured.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
                             dropped.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
                         );
@@ -241,7 +372,8 @@ fn encode_loop(
         }
     }
     log::info!(
-        "mic: stopped (sent={sent} captured_frames={} dropped_chunks={})",
+        "mic: stopped (sent={sent} captured_frames={} dropped_chunks={} stale_frames={stale} \
+         muted_frames={muted_frames})",
         captured.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
         dropped.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
     );

clients/android/native/src/session/connect.rs

@@ -83,6 +83,28 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeSetLowLaten
     punktfunk_core::transport::set_dscp_default(enabled != 0);
 }
 
+/// `debug.punktfunk.force_parts` = 1: arm slice-progressive parts delivery even when the
+/// Kotlin `FEATURE_PartialFrame` probe said no — the rebuild-free on-glass experiment for a
+/// decoder that may accept `BUFFER_FLAG_PARTIAL_FRAME` without declaring the feature (the NP3's
+/// c2.qti decoders declare nothing). Android-only; everywhere else the probe verdict stands.
+#[cfg(target_os = "android")]
+fn force_parts_sysprop() -> bool {
+    let mut buf = [0u8; 92]; // PROP_VALUE_MAX
+                             // SAFETY: __system_property_get with a valid name + PROP_VALUE_MAX buffer is always safe.
+    let n = unsafe {
+        libc::__system_property_get(
+            c"debug.punktfunk.force_parts".as_ptr(),
+            buf.as_mut_ptr().cast(),
+        )
+    };
+    n > 0 && std::str::from_utf8(&buf[..n as usize]).unwrap_or("").trim() == "1"
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(target_os = "android"))]
+fn force_parts_sysprop() -> bool {
+    false
+}
+
 /// `NativeBridge.nativeConnect(host, port, w, h, hz, certPem, keyPem, pinHex, bitrateKbps,
 /// compositorPref, gamepadPref, hdrEnabled, audioChannels, preferredCodec, timeoutMs, launch,
 /// deviceName): Long`.
@@ -155,6 +177,24 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeConnect<'lo
     } else {
         Some((cert, key))
     };
+    // Slice-progressive parts, by decoder truth (Kotlin's FEATURE_PartialFrame probe) — with a
+    // sysprop escape hatch for the on-glass science question the probe can't answer: does the
+    // decoder ACTUALLY choke on BUFFER_FLAG_PARTIAL_FRAME input, or does it merely not declare
+    // the feature? (`adb shell setprop debug.punktfunk.force_parts 1` + stream restart; a codec
+    // that can't take parts errors recoverably and the reanchor gate + keyframe path recovers.)
+    let force_parts = force_parts_sysprop();
+    let frame_parts = frame_parts_ok != 0 || force_parts;
+    // The connect-time capability readout (`adb logcat -s pf.caps`): the P2 slice pipeline is
+    // inert client-side unless BOTH probes pass — this line is the one place that says which.
+    log::info!(
+        target: "pf.caps",
+        "decoder caps: multi_slice={} partial_frame={}{} hdr={} codec_bits={:#x}",
+        multi_slice_ok != 0,
+        frame_parts_ok != 0,
+        if force_parts { " (FORCED by sysprop)" } else { "" },
+        hdr_enabled != 0,
+        video_codecs,
+    );
     let pin: Option<[u8; 32]> = if pin_hex.is_empty() {
         None
     } else {
@@ -230,9 +270,10 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeConnect<'lo
         // should say what the client does).
         punktfunk_core::quic::CLIENT_CAP_PHASE_LOCK,
         // Slice-progressive delivery, by decoder truth (Kotlin probes FEATURE_PartialFrame on
-        // every decoder this device would use): AU prefixes then arrive as `Frame::part`
-        // pieces and the decode loop feeds them with BUFFER_FLAG_PARTIAL_FRAME.
-        frame_parts_ok != 0,
+        // every decoder this device would use; `debug.punktfunk.force_parts` overrides for the
+        // on-glass experiment): AU prefixes then arrive as `Frame::part` pieces and the decode
+        // loop feeds them with BUFFER_FLAG_PARTIAL_FRAME.
+        frame_parts,
         launch, // a store-qualified library id to boot into a game, or None for the desktop
         device_name, // Kotlin's Build.MODEL — the host's approval-list / trust-store label
         pin,    // Some → Crypto on host-fp mismatch
@@ -250,6 +291,8 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeConnect<'lo
                 audio: Mutex::new(None),
                 #[cfg(target_os = "android")]
                 mic: Mutex::new(None),
+                // A fresh session is never muted (mute is per-session UI state, not a setting).
+                mic_muted: Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false)),
             };
             Box::into_raw(Box::new(handle)) as jlong
         }

clients/android/native/src/session/mod.rs

@@ -61,6 +61,13 @@ pub(crate) struct SessionHandle {
     audio: Mutex<Option<crate::audio::AudioPlayback>>,
     #[cfg(target_os = "android")]
     mic: Mutex<Option<crate::mic::MicCapture>>,
+    /// In-stream mic mute, set via `nativeSetMicMuted` and read per 10 ms frame by the mic's
+    /// encode loop ([`crate::mic`]). Session-lifetime rather than per-[`crate::mic::MicCapture`]
+    /// for the same reason the stats gate is: the mic stops and restarts across a surface
+    /// recreate, and a mute the user set must come back with it — with no window in which the
+    /// fresh capture could send an unmuted frame. Per session and never persisted: a new session
+    /// starts unmuted.
+    pub mic_muted: Arc<AtomicBool>,
 }
 
 struct VideoThread {

clients/android/native/src/session/planes.rs

@@ -177,11 +177,12 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeStopVideo(
 }
 
 /// `NativeBridge.nativeVideoStats(handle): DoubleArray?` — drain ~1 s of decode stats for the HUD
-/// (unified stats spec, `design/stats-unification.md`). Returns 26 doubles
+/// (unified stats spec, `design/stats-unification.md`). Returns 33 doubles
 /// `[fps, mbps, e2eP50Ms, e2eP95Ms, latValid, skewCorrected, width, height, refreshHz, framesLost,
 /// bitDepth, colorPrimaries, colorTransfer, chromaFormatIdc, hostNetP50Ms, decodeP50Ms, hostP50Ms,
 /// netP50Ms, lostWindow, skippedWindow, fecWindow, framesWindow, dispValid, displayP50Ms,
-/// e2eDispP50Ms, e2eDispP95Ms, paceP50Ms, latchP50Ms, presentsWindow, presenterActive]`
+/// e2eDispP50Ms, e2eDispP95Ms, paceP50Ms, latchP50Ms, presentsWindow, presenterActive,
+/// feedP50Ms, codecP50Ms, skippedOverflowWindow]`
 /// (the flags are 1.0/0.0; indexes 0–21 match the previous 22-double layout — 0–13 the original
 /// 14-double one with the latency pair re-based to the end-to-end capture→decoded headline, 14/15
 /// the stage p50s tiling it: `host+network` = capture→received, `decode` = received→decoded; 16/17
@@ -198,7 +199,11 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeStopVideo(
 /// term — `pace` = decoded→release (store + glass budget) p50 at 26, `latch` =
 /// release→displayed (SurfaceFlinger) p50 at 27, the window's on-glass confirm count at 28
 /// (`presents` vs `fps` is the presenter-health pair), and 29 = 1.0 while the timeline presenter
-/// is active this session), or `null` when no decode thread is running.
+/// is active this session; 30/31 are the `decode` stage's split p50s — `feed` =
+/// received→queued (hand-off + input-slot wait) at 30 and `codec` = queued→decoded (codec-pure,
+/// from the AU's last piece) at 31, both 0.0 when no sample landed (sync loop); 32 is the
+/// parked-AU overflow subset of the window's `skipped` at 19 (decoder fell behind, vs benign
+/// newest-wins pacing)), or `null` when no decode thread is running.
 /// Poll ~1 Hz from the UI; each call
 /// resets the measurement window. Not android-gated — pure `jni` + connector reads, so it links on
 /// the host build too (Kotlin only ever calls it on device).
@@ -222,7 +227,7 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeVideoStats(
             .drain(h.client.frames_dropped(), h.client.fec_recovered_shards());
         let mode = h.client.mode();
         let color = h.client.color;
-        let buf: [f64; 30] = [
+        let buf: [f64; 33] = [
             snap.fps,
             snap.mbps,
             snap.e2e_p50_ms,
@@ -270,6 +275,12 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeVideoStats(
             snap.latch_p50_ms,
             snap.presents as f64,
             if h.stats.presenter_active() { 1.0 } else { 0.0 },
+            // The `decode` stage's split (P3 science): feed = received→queued (hand-off +
+            // input-slot wait), codec = queued→decoded (codec-pure) — and the parked-AU
+            // overflow subset of `skipped` (decoder-health vs benign pacing drops).
+            snap.feed_p50_ms,
+            snap.codec_p50_ms,
+            snap.skipped_overflow as f64,
         ];
         let arr = match env.new_double_array(buf.len() as jsize) {
             Ok(a) => a,
@@ -390,33 +401,49 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeStopAudio(
     })
 }
 
-/// `NativeBridge.nativeStartMic(handle)` — start mic capture (AAudio input → Opus → host `send_mic`).
-/// No-op if already running or on a `0` handle. Caller MUST hold RECORD_AUDIO; a failure (e.g. no
-/// permission) leaves the rest of the session streaming.
+/// `NativeBridge.nativeStartMic(handle, echoCancel): Int` — start mic capture (AAudio input →
+/// Opus → host `send_mic`). `echoCancel` opens the capture under the `VoiceCommunication` preset
+/// (the HAL's echo canceller / noise suppressor) and allocates an audio session id; the return
+/// value is that id (`> 0`), so Kotlin can attach the Java `AcousticEchoCanceler`/`NoiseSuppressor`
+/// as a backstop — `0` when none was allocated (echoCancel off, the preset fell back to the plain
+/// open, a `0` handle, or the mic failed entirely). Already running (a surface recreate) returns
+/// the running capture's id. Caller MUST hold RECORD_AUDIO; a failure (e.g. no permission) leaves
+/// the rest of the session streaming.
 #[cfg(target_os = "android")]
 #[no_mangle]
 pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeStartMic(
     _env: JNIEnv,
     _this: JObject,
     handle: jlong,
-) {
+    echo_cancel: jboolean,
+) -> jni::sys::jint {
     if handle == 0 {
-        return;
+        return 0;
     }
     // SAFETY: live handle per the nativeConnect/nativeClose contract.
     let h = unsafe { &*(handle as *const SessionHandle) };
     let mut guard = h.mic.lock().unwrap();
-    if guard.is_some() {
-        return; // already capturing
+    if let Some(m) = guard.as_ref() {
+        return m.session_id(); // already capturing — same stream, same session
     }
-    match crate::mic::MicCapture::start(h.client.clone()) {
-        Some(m) => *guard = Some(m),
-        None => log::error!("nativeStartMic: mic init failed (RECORD_AUDIO? — session unaffected)"),
+    // The capture SHARES the session's mute flag, so one started while muted stays muted (and
+    // sends nothing) from its very first frame — see `SessionHandle::mic_muted`.
+    match crate::mic::MicCapture::start(h.client.clone(), echo_cancel != 0, h.mic_muted.clone()) {
+        Some(m) => {
+            let session_id = m.session_id();
+            *guard = Some(m);
+            session_id
+        }
+        None => {
+            log::error!("nativeStartMic: mic init failed (RECORD_AUDIO? — session unaffected)");
+            0
+        }
     }
 }
 
 /// `NativeBridge.nativeStopMic(handle)` — stop + join the mic thread and close the AAudio input
-/// stream (without closing the session). No-op on `0`.
+/// stream (without closing the session). No-op on `0`. Leaves the session's mute state alone: a
+/// surface recreate stops and restarts the mic, and a user who muted must stay muted through it.
 #[cfg(target_os = "android")]
 #[no_mangle]
 pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeStopMic(
@@ -432,3 +459,59 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeStopMic(
         }
     })
 }
+
+/// `NativeBridge.nativeSetMicMuted(handle, muted)` — mute/unmute the mic uplink mid-stream.
+///
+/// Muting deliberately does NOT stop the capture: the AAudio input stream, the input-preset rung
+/// it settled on and its primed buffers all stay exactly as they are, and the encode loop simply
+/// drops each 10 ms frame instead of encoding + sending it. A stop/start would re-run the preset
+/// fallback ladder and re-prime buffers on every toggle — hundreds of ms, and possibly a different
+/// rung (echo cancellation silently lost). This way a toggle costs one atomic store here and one
+/// relaxed load per frame there, and takes effect on the very next 10 ms boundary.
+///
+/// Sticky for the SESSION (the flag lives on the handle, not on the capture), so the mic restart a
+/// surface recreate performs comes back muted with no window for an unmuted frame to escape; a
+/// fresh session always starts unmuted. No-op on `0`. Not android-gated — pure `jni` + an atomic
+/// store, so it links on the host build too.
+///
+/// One honest consequence of keeping the stream open: the platform's own recording indicator stays
+/// lit while muted, because the mic really is still open. What stops is the encode and the send —
+/// no captured audio leaves the process.
+#[no_mangle]
+pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeSetMicMuted(
+    _env: JNIEnv,
+    _this: JObject,
+    handle: jlong,
+    muted: jboolean,
+) {
+    jni_guard((), || {
+        if handle != 0 {
+            // SAFETY: live handle per the nativeConnect/nativeClose contract.
+            let h = unsafe { &*(handle as *const SessionHandle) };
+            h.mic_muted
+                .store(muted != 0, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    })
+}
+
+/// `NativeBridge.nativeMicActive(handle): Boolean` — is a mic capture actually RUNNING? `true` only
+/// between a `nativeStartMic` that opened a stream and the matching `nativeStopMic`. The in-stream
+/// mute control is offered on this evidence rather than on the user's setting, so a device that
+/// refused every AAudio input rung (or a missing RECORD_AUDIO grant) shows no control instead of a
+/// lie about a mic that is being heard. `false` on a `0` handle. Cheap (one uncontended lock).
+#[cfg(target_os = "android")]
+#[no_mangle]
+pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeMicActive(
+    _env: JNIEnv,
+    _this: JObject,
+    handle: jlong,
+) -> jboolean {
+    jni_guard(0, || {
+        if handle == 0 {
+            return 0;
+        }
+        // SAFETY: live handle per the nativeConnect/nativeClose contract.
+        let h = unsafe { &*(handle as *const SessionHandle) };
+        jboolean::from(h.mic.lock().unwrap().is_some())
+    })
+}

clients/android/native/src/stats.rs

@@ -76,6 +76,12 @@ struct Inner {
     /// The other half of the split, release→displayed (SurfaceFlinger's latch + scanout), µs —
     /// from the `OnFrameRendered` render timestamps. `pace + latch ≈ display` per frame.
     latch_us: Vec<u64>,
+    /// The `decode` stage's feed split, received→queued (hand-off + input-slot wait), µs. Empty
+    /// when no receipt stamp matched (HUD off and ABR not measuring decode).
+    feed_us: Vec<u64>,
+    /// The other half, queued→decoded (codec-pure: the decoder's own time on the AU, measured
+    /// from its LAST piece so a slice-progressive head start shows up as a shrink here), µs.
+    codec_us: Vec<u64>,
     /// Frames confirmed on glass this window (`OnFrameRendered` callbacks) — the `presents`-vs-
     /// `fps` health pair: presents ≪ fps means the presenter is dropping/serializing; an fps
     /// deficit is upstream.
@@ -83,6 +89,10 @@ struct Inner {
     /// Client-side newest-wins/pacing drops this window (decoded frames released without
     /// rendering, or parked AUs dropped on overflow) — the spec's `skipped` counter.
     skipped: u64,
+    /// The subset of `skipped` that was parked-AU OVERFLOW (the decoder fell behind and whole
+    /// AUs were dropped before feeding) — a decoder-health signal, vs the benign newest-wins
+    /// pacing majority. Always ≤ `skipped`.
+    skipped_overflow: u64,
     /// Baselines for windowing the session-cumulative connector counters: the unrecoverable-drop
     /// and FEC-recovered totals as of the last drain (or the enable that opened the window), so
     /// each snapshot reports only THIS window's `lost` / `FEC` (spec line 4).
@@ -119,6 +129,11 @@ pub struct Snapshot {
     /// path / no render callbacks).
     pub pace_p50_ms: f64,
     pub latch_p50_ms: f64,
+    /// The `decode` stage's split p50s (ms): `feed` = received→queued (hand-off + input-slot
+    /// wait), `codec` = queued→decoded (codec-pure, from the AU's last piece). 0.0 when no
+    /// sample landed (sync loop / no receipt stamps).
+    pub feed_p50_ms: f64,
+    pub codec_p50_ms: f64,
     /// Frames confirmed on glass this window (`OnFrameRendered` callbacks).
     pub presents: u64,
     /// Phase-2 `host` / `network` split p50s (ms) — 0.0 when no 0xCF timing matched this window
@@ -135,6 +150,8 @@ pub struct Snapshot {
     pub lost: u64,
     /// Client-side newest-wins/pacing drops this window (spec `skipped`).
     pub skipped: u64,
+    /// The parked-AU overflow subset of `skipped` (decoder fell behind; ≤ `skipped`).
+    pub skipped_overflow: u64,
     /// FEC shards recovered this window (spec `FEC`, windowed from the cumulative counter).
     pub fec: u64,
 }
@@ -167,8 +184,11 @@ impl VideoStats {
                 e2e_disp_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
                 pace_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
                 latch_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
+                feed_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
+                codec_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
                 presents: 0,
                 skipped: 0,
+                skipped_overflow: 0,
                 last_dropped_total: 0,
                 last_fec_total: 0,
                 skew_corrected: false,
@@ -219,8 +239,11 @@ impl VideoStats {
             g.e2e_disp_us.clear();
             g.pace_us.clear();
             g.latch_us.clear();
+            g.feed_us.clear();
+            g.codec_us.clear();
             g.presents = 0;
             g.skipped = 0;
+            g.skipped_overflow = 0;
             g.last_dropped_total = dropped_total;
             g.last_fec_total = fec_total;
         }
@@ -314,6 +337,45 @@ impl VideoStats {
         g.skipped += n;
     }
 
+    /// Record parked-AU OVERFLOW drops (whole AUs dropped before feeding — the decoder fell
+    /// behind). Counts into `skipped` too, plus the overflow-only counter, so the HUD can tell
+    /// benign newest-wins pacing from a decoder that can't keep up.
+    // Driven only by the android-only decode thread; unreferenced on the host build — expected.
+    #[cfg_attr(not(target_os = "android"), allow(dead_code))]
+    pub fn note_skipped_overflow(&self, n: u64) {
+        if n == 0 || !self.enabled.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            return; // HUD hidden — skip the lock
+        }
+        // Poison-proof for the same reason as `note_received`.
+        let mut g = self
+            .inner
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
+        g.skipped += n;
+        g.skipped_overflow += n;
+    }
+
+    /// Record one decoded frame's `decode`-stage split: `feed` = received→queued (hand-off +
+    /// input-slot wait; absent when no receipt stamp matched) and `codec` = queued→decoded
+    /// (codec-pure, measured from the AU's LAST piece — a slice-progressive head start shows
+    /// as a shrink here), both µs.
+    // Driven only by the android-only decode thread; unreferenced on the host build — expected.
+    #[cfg_attr(not(target_os = "android"), allow(dead_code))]
+    pub fn note_decode_split(&self, feed_us: Option<u64>, codec_us: u64) {
+        if !self.enabled.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            return; // HUD hidden — skip the lock
+        }
+        // Poison-proof for the same reason as `note_received`.
+        let mut g = self
+            .inner
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
+        if let Some(f) = feed_us {
+            g.feed_us.push(f);
+        }
+        g.codec_us.push(codec_us);
+    }
+
     /// Record one decoded output frame: its capture→decoded `end-to-end` sample and its
     /// received→decoded `decode` stage sample (either may be absent — e.g. the receipt stamp for
     /// this pts predates the HUD being shown).
@@ -408,6 +470,8 @@ impl VideoStats {
         g.e2e_disp_us.sort_unstable();
         g.pace_us.sort_unstable();
         g.latch_us.sort_unstable();
+        g.feed_us.sort_unstable();
+        g.codec_us.sort_unstable();
         let snap = Snapshot {
             fps,
             mbps,
@@ -421,6 +485,8 @@ impl VideoStats {
             disp_valid: !g.e2e_disp_us.is_empty(),
             pace_p50_ms: pctl_ms(&g.pace_us, 0.50),
             latch_p50_ms: pctl_ms(&g.latch_us, 0.50),
+            feed_p50_ms: pctl_ms(&g.feed_us, 0.50),
+            codec_p50_ms: pctl_ms(&g.codec_us, 0.50),
             presents: g.presents,
             host_p50_ms: pctl_ms(&g.host_us, 0.50),
             net_p50_ms: pctl_ms(&g.net_us, 0.50),
@@ -429,6 +495,7 @@ impl VideoStats {
             frames: g.frames,
             lost: dropped_total.saturating_sub(g.last_dropped_total),
             skipped: g.skipped,
+            skipped_overflow: g.skipped_overflow,
             fec: fec_total.saturating_sub(g.last_fec_total),
         };
         g.window_start = Instant::now();
@@ -443,8 +510,11 @@ impl VideoStats {
         g.e2e_disp_us.clear();
         g.pace_us.clear();
         g.latch_us.clear();
+        g.feed_us.clear();
+        g.codec_us.clear();
         g.presents = 0;
         g.skipped = 0;
+        g.skipped_overflow = 0;
         g.last_dropped_total = dropped_total;
         g.last_fec_total = fec_total;
         snap

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/ContentView.swift

@@ -315,7 +315,15 @@ struct ContentView: View {
             clipboardAvailable: model.connection?.hostSupportsClipboard == true,
             clipboardOn: model.clipboardEnabled,
             toggleClipboard: { model.toggleClipboardSync() },
+            micAvailable: model.micAvailable,
+            micMuted: model.micMuted,
+            toggleMicMute: { model.toggleMicMute() },
             disconnect: { model.disconnect() }))
+        // ⌃⌥⇧A fired while input was CAPTURED (InputCapture's chord path posts it — the menu's
+        // identical equivalent can't reach a captured stream). Same toggle either way.
+        .onReceive(NotificationCenter.default.publisher(for: .punktfunkToggleMicMute)) { _ in
+            model.toggleMicMute()
+        }
         #endif
         #if os(macOS)
         // Fullscreen only while a session is up (incl. the trust prompt over the blurred stream),
@@ -724,31 +732,48 @@ struct ContentView: View {
                     }
                     .animation(.smooth(duration: 0.28), value: statsVerbosity)
                 }
-                #if os(macOS) || os(tvOS)
-                // The start-of-stream shortcut banner (Windows-client parity): the platform's
-                // reserved controls on a glass pill, bottom-centre, for the first 6 seconds of
-                // every session — independent of the stats HUD, so the keys are discoverable
-                // even with statistics off. The banner's own task drops it (cancelled cleanly
-                // if the session view goes away first). On tvOS it carries the ONLY exits —
-                // Menu/B is swallowed during a session (the `.onExitCommand {}` in the tvOS
-                // session branch), so the hold gestures must be told to the user.
+                // The bottom-centre stack: the muted-microphone badge over the start-of-stream
+                // shortcut banner. ONE overlay for both, so the two can never land on top of each
+                // other in the seconds where they overlap.
                 .overlay(alignment: .bottom) {
-                    if captureEnabled && showShortcutHint {
-                        Text(Self.shortcutHintText)
-                            .font(.geist(Self.shortcutHintFont, relativeTo: .caption))
-                            .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
-                            .padding(.horizontal, 14)
-                            .padding(.vertical, 8)
-                            .glassBackground(Capsule())
-                            .padding(.bottom, 24)
-                            .transition(.opacity)
-                            .task {
-                                try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(6))
-                                withAnimation(.easeOut(duration: 0.6)) { showShortcutHint = false }
-                            }
+                    VStack(spacing: 8) {
+                        #if !os(tvOS)
+                        // Shown for as long as the mic is muted, at every stats tier and with the
+                        // overlay off — see MicMutedBadge. tvOS has no microphone to mute.
+                        if captureEnabled && model.micMuted {
+                            MicMutedBadge { model.setMicMuted(false) }
+                                .transition(.opacity.combined(with: .scale(scale: 0.9)))
+                        }
+                        #endif
+                        #if os(macOS) || os(tvOS)
+                        // The start-of-stream shortcut banner (Windows-client parity): the
+                        // platform's reserved controls on a glass pill for the first 6 seconds of
+                        // every session — independent of the stats HUD, so the keys are
+                        // discoverable even with statistics off. The banner's own task drops it
+                        // (cancelled cleanly if the session view goes away first). On tvOS it
+                        // carries the ONLY exits — Menu/B is swallowed during a session (the
+                        // `.onExitCommand {}` in the tvOS session branch), so the hold gestures
+                        // must be told to the user.
+                        if captureEnabled && showShortcutHint {
+                            Text(shortcutHintText)
+                                .font(.geist(Self.shortcutHintFont, relativeTo: .caption))
+                                .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+                                .padding(.horizontal, 14)
+                                .padding(.vertical, 8)
+                                .glassBackground(Capsule())
+                                .transition(.opacity)
+                                .task {
+                                    try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(6))
+                                    withAnimation(.easeOut(duration: 0.6)) {
+                                        showShortcutHint = false
+                                    }
+                                }
+                        }
+                        #endif
                     }
+                    .padding(.bottom, 24)
+                    .animation(.easeOut(duration: 0.2), value: model.micMuted)
                 }
-                #endif
                 #if os(iOS)
                 // Touch users have no menu / ⌘D, so when the HUD's Disconnect button isn't on
                 // screen — the overlay off, or the compact pill (which carries no button) —
@@ -766,21 +791,24 @@ struct ContentView: View {
                 .overlay(alignment: .topLeading) {
                     if captureEnabled,
                        statsVerbosity == .compact || (statsVerbosity == .off && showTouchExit) {
-                        Button { model.disconnect() } label: {
-                            Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                                .font(.headline.weight(.semibold))
-                                .frame(width: 36, height: 36)
-                                // Floating glass disc over the frame (26+, material fallback).
-                                // interactive: the disc IS the tap target, so the glass reacts
-                                // to press.
-                                .glassBackground(Circle(), interactive: true)
-                                // Match the hit region to the visible disc so every tap also
-                                // triggers the interactive-glass press highlight.
-                                .contentShape(Circle())
+                        HStack(spacing: 10) {
+                            Button { model.disconnect() } label: { touchDisc("xmark") }
+                                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                                .accessibilityLabel("Disconnect")
+                            // The mic toggle rides the same discs, for the same reason: in these
+                            // tiers the HUD carries no buttons (compact is a stat pill, off is
+                            // nothing), so this is a touch-only user's ONLY way to mute. Absent —
+                            // not greyed — when the session sends no microphone at all.
+                            if model.micAvailable {
+                                Button { model.toggleMicMute() } label: {
+                                    touchDisc(model.micMuted ? "mic.slash.fill" : "mic.fill")
+                                }
+                                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                                .accessibilityLabel(
+                                    model.micMuted ? "Unmute microphone" : "Mute microphone")
+                            }
                         }
-                        .buttonStyle(.plain)
                         .padding(12)
-                        .accessibilityLabel("Disconnect")
                         .transition(.opacity)
                         .task {
                             guard statsVerbosity == .off else { return }
@@ -794,14 +822,34 @@ struct ContentView: View {
         }
     }
 
+    #if os(iOS)
+    /// One touch-control disc: an SF Symbol on a floating glass disc over the frame (26+,
+    /// material fallback), sized as a comfortable tap target. `interactive`: the disc IS the tap
+    /// target, so the glass reacts to press, and the hit region is matched to the visible disc so
+    /// every tap triggers that press highlight.
+    private func touchDisc(_ symbol: String) -> some View {
+        Image(systemName: symbol)
+            .font(.headline.weight(.semibold))
+            .frame(width: 36, height: 36)
+            .glassBackground(Circle(), interactive: true)
+            .contentShape(Circle())
+    }
+    #endif
+
     #if os(macOS)
-    private static let shortcutHintText =
-        "Click the stream to capture · ⌃⌥⇧Q releases the mouse · ⌃⌥⇧D disconnects · ⌃⌥⇧S stats"
+    /// The reserved combos, told once per session. The mute segment appears only when the session
+    /// actually sends a microphone — teaching a shortcut for a mic that isn't on would be a lie.
+    private var shortcutHintText: String {
+        let base =
+            "Click the stream to capture · ⌃⌥⇧Q releases the mouse · ⌃⌥⇧D disconnects · ⌃⌥⇧S stats"
+        return model.micAvailable ? base + " · ⌃⌥⇧A mutes the mic" : base
+    }
     private static let shortcutHintFont: CGFloat = 12
     #elseif os(tvOS)
-    private static let shortcutHintText =
+    private var shortcutHintText: String {
         "Hold the remote's Back button — or L1+R1+Start+Select on a controller — to disconnect"
         + " · Touch surface moves the pointer · press clicks · Play/Pause right-clicks"
+    }
     private static let shortcutHintFont: CGFloat = 22 // read from the couch
     #endif
 

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Session/SessionModel.swift

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 // Session state for the app shell: owns the connection, the input capture, the trust
 // handshake phase, and the pump-thread → main-actor stats relay.
 
+// AVFoundation: AVCaptureDevice.authorizationStatus (the mic TCC grant behind `micAvailable`)
+// and, on tvOS, AVPlayer.eligibleForHDRPlayback (the TV-capability HDR gate).
+import AVFoundation
 import Foundation
 import os
 import PunktfunkKit
@@ -11,9 +14,6 @@ import SwiftUI
 #elseif canImport(UIKit)
     import UIKit
 #endif
-#if os(tvOS)
-    import AVFoundation // AVPlayer.eligibleForHDRPlayback — the TV-capability HDR gate
-#endif
 
 /// 1 Hz latency-stage line mirrored to the unified log so the stages can be read WITHOUT the
 /// on-screen HUD (Console.app, wirelessly on an iPad/Apple TV). The HUD is not a neutral
@@ -137,6 +137,14 @@ final class SessionModel: ObservableObject {
     /// Mirrors StreamView's capture state (it owns the input capture; this drives the
     /// HUD's "click to capture" / "⌘⎋ releases" hint).
     @Published var mouseCaptured = false
+    /// The USER's in-stream mic mute (the HUD button, the Stream menu's ⌃⌥⇧A, the captured-state
+    /// chord, the iOS mic disc) — session state, deliberately NOT persisted: a mute is for the
+    /// people in the room right now, so every new session starts live if the mic is on at all.
+    /// One of the two inputs to the effective mute; `isBackgrounded` is the other, and
+    /// `applyMicMute` composes them — a user mute survives a trip through the background, and the
+    /// background's privacy mute never clears the user's choice. Local and instant: it gates
+    /// capture on this device, nothing is sent to the host.
+    @Published private(set) var micMuted = false
     /// Resize overlay (design/midstream-resolution-resize.md — client resize UX): true from the
     /// instant a Match-window resize starts steering toward a new size until a frame at that size
     /// decodes (or a safety timeout). Drives the blur+spinner so the unavoidable host-rebuild delay
@@ -440,7 +448,7 @@ final class SessionModel: ObservableObject {
         guard phase == .streaming, let conn = connection, !isBackgrounded else { return }
         isBackgrounded = true
         conn.setVideoDropped(true)
-        audio?.setMicMuted(true)
+        applyMicMute() // now muted for privacy — on top of the user's own mute, not instead of it
         // Non-deliberate on fire (keep the host linger) so a user who returns late reconnects fast,
         // exactly like today's network-drop path. min 1 minute guards a nonsense setting.
         let minutes = max(1, timeoutMinutes)
@@ -465,13 +473,57 @@ final class SessionModel: ObservableObject {
         backgroundDeadline = nil
         backgroundTimer?.cancel()
         backgroundTimer = nil
-        audio?.setMicMuted(false)
+        applyMicMute() // back to the user's own choice — which may well still be "muted"
         if let conn = connection {
             conn.setVideoDropped(false)
             conn.requestKeyframe()
         }
     }
 
+    // MARK: - Microphone mute (in-stream, per session)
+
+    /// Whether this session has a mic uplink there is any point in muting: the mic must be on in
+    /// the session's RESOLVED settings (a profile can turn it on or off), the platform must have
+    /// an app-accessible input at all, and the OS must not have refused us one. Drives whether the
+    /// mute control is offered — a live-looking mute button over a session that sends no
+    /// microphone would be a lie. Same three conditions `SessionAudio` starts an uplink on
+    /// (`.notDetermined` counts: the prompt is pending and a grant starts the uplink mid-session).
+    var micAvailable: Bool {
+        #if os(tvOS)
+        return false // no app-accessible microphone — SessionAudio never opens an uplink either
+        #else
+        guard settings.micEnabled else { return false }
+        switch AVCaptureDevice.authorizationStatus(for: .audio) {
+        case .authorized, .notDetermined: return true
+        default: return false // denied / restricted — there is no uplink to mute
+        }
+        #endif
+    }
+
+    /// Flip the user's mute. The in-stream surfaces (HUD button, Stream menu, ⌃⌥⇧A while
+    /// captured, the iOS mic disc) all land here.
+    func toggleMicMute() {
+        setMicMuted(!micMuted)
+    }
+
+    /// Set the user's mute directly (the badge's tap-to-unmute). Ignored when the session has no
+    /// microphone, so a stale surface can't leave a phantom "muted" badge over a session that was
+    /// never sending anything.
+    func setMicMuted(_ muted: Bool) {
+        guard micAvailable, micMuted != muted else { return }
+        micMuted = muted
+        applyMicMute()
+    }
+
+    /// Push the EFFECTIVE mute — the user's choice OR the background keep-alive's privacy mute —
+    /// onto the audio engine. The two reasons are composed here and nowhere else: whichever one
+    /// changed, the other still holds, so returning from the background can't un-mute a user who
+    /// muted mid-stream, and a user unmuting while backgrounded (Live Activity, another window)
+    /// doesn't open the mic behind their back.
+    private func applyMicMute() {
+        audio?.setMicMuted(micMuted || isBackgrounded)
+    }
+
     /// Follow a live stats-overlay cycle (⌃⌥⇧S, the three-finger tap, the Stream menu). Those
     /// surfaces write the GLOBAL setting as they always have; this moves the session's own tier
     /// with it, so cycling still works in a session a profile put on a different tier.
@@ -509,6 +561,9 @@ final class SessionModel: ObservableObject {
         backgroundTimer = nil
         isBackgrounded = false
         backgroundDeadline = nil
+        // The mic mute is per-session and never persisted: the next stream starts live (if the
+        // mic is enabled), rather than silently carrying a mute nobody remembers making.
+        micMuted = false
         let audio = self.audio
         self.audio = nil
         // Gamepad capture is main-actor (releases held buttons on the wire while the
@@ -609,14 +664,19 @@ final class SessionModel: ObservableObject {
             speakerUID: settings.speakerUID,
             micUID: settings.micUID,
             micChannel: settings.micChannel,
-            micEnabled: settings.micEnabled)
+            micEnabled: settings.micEnabled,
+            echoCancel: settings.echoCancel)
         self.audio = audio
         // Gamepads: forward every controller GamepadManager selected — each on its own wire pad
         // index (a pin forwards only one, Automatic forwards all) — and render the host's feedback
         // back to the pad it's addressed to (rumble always; lightbar/player-LEDs/adaptive-triggers
         // when a pad's virtual device is a DualSense). Same trust gate as audio — nothing is
         // forwarded during the trust prompt.
-        let capture = GamepadCapture(connection: conn, manager: .shared)
+        // `gamepadForwarding` off means the host gets this device's pads from somewhere else
+        // (USB passthrough, or a pad plugged into the host) — capture still runs, and still
+        // watches for the escape chord, but puts nothing on the wire.
+        let capture = GamepadCapture(
+            connection: conn, manager: .shared, forwarding: settings.gamepadForwarding)
         // The cross-client escape chord (hold L1+R1+Start+Select 1.5 s) — on tvOS the only
         // controller way out of a stream (B/Menu is swallowed during sessions; see ContentView).
         capture.onDisconnectRequest = { [weak self] in self?.disconnect() }

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Session/StreamCommands.swift

@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 // The app's "Stream" menu (macOS menu bar + iPad hardware-keyboard shortcuts). These live at
 // the Scene level so they keep working when the HUD overlay is hidden. The shortcuts are the
 // CROSS-CLIENT set every punktfunk client reserves — Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Q (release the captured
-// mouse) / +D (disconnect) / +S (stats) — and the menu is their discoverable surface on macOS
+// mouse) / +D (disconnect) / +S (stats), plus +A (mute the microphone), the Apple clients'
+// addition to it — and the menu is their discoverable surface on macOS
 // (the Linux client has its GTK Shortcuts window, Windows its start-of-stream banner). While
 // input is CAPTURED these key equivalents never reach the menu (the stream view swallows
 // keys); InputCapture's monitor detects the same combos there and performs the same actions —
@@ -27,6 +28,12 @@ struct SessionFocus {
     /// Clipboard sync is live (host-acked) — drives the item's Stop/Share title.
     var clipboardOn: Bool
     var toggleClipboard: () -> Void
+    /// The session has a mic uplink at all (its resolved `micEnabled`) — gates the mute item, so
+    /// it is never an enabled control over a session that sends no microphone.
+    var micAvailable: Bool
+    /// The user's mic mute is engaged — drives the item's Mute/Unmute title.
+    var micMuted: Bool
+    var toggleMicMute: () -> Void
     var disconnect: () -> Void
 }
 
@@ -60,6 +67,17 @@ struct StreamCommands: Commands {
             }
             .keyboardShortcut("q", modifiers: [.control, .option, .shift])
             .disabled(session?.isStreaming != true)
+            // Mic mute, local and instant (it gates capture on this device — the host is never
+            // asked). Per SESSION: it starts off every time, so this item is a live toggle, not a
+            // setting. Greyed when the session sends no microphone at all (Settings → mic off, or
+            // a profile that turns it off) rather than pretending there is something to mute.
+            // Captured, the combo is handled by InputCapture's chord path before menus see it;
+            // this item is the released-state path and the shortcut's documentation.
+            Button(session?.micMuted == true ? "Unmute Microphone" : "Mute Microphone") {
+                session?.toggleMicMute()
+            }
+            .keyboardShortcut("a", modifiers: [.control, .option, .shift])
+            .disabled(session?.isStreaming != true || session?.micAvailable != true)
             #if os(macOS)
             // Mid-session clipboard flip (design/clipboard-and-file-transfer.md §5.3). Greyed
             // when the host doesn't advertise the cap (older host / operator policy off).

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Session/StreamHUDView.swift

@@ -179,6 +179,18 @@ struct StreamHUDView: View {
                     .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
             }
             #endif
+            // Mic mute — the in-stream toggle, on the same card as the other in-overlay action.
+            // Absent (not greyed) when the session sends no microphone: the HUD is a status card,
+            // and a dead control on it would read as "there is a mic, and it is on". The muted
+            // STATE is not this button's job — the badge over the stream says that at every tier
+            // and with the overlay off entirely. tvOS gets no control: no microphone, and a
+            // focusable one would steal the controller's A press from the host.
+            #if !os(tvOS)
+            if model.micAvailable {
+                Button(micButtonTitle) { model.toggleMicMute() }
+                    .font(.geist(12, relativeTo: .caption))
+            }
+            #endif
             // ⌃⌥⇧D lives on the app's Stream menu (so it still works when the HUD is hidden)
             // and in InputCapture's monitor while captured; this button is the in-overlay,
             // click-to-disconnect affordance. tvOS deliberately gets NEITHER a button (a
@@ -195,6 +207,19 @@ struct StreamHUDView: View {
         }
     }
 
+    #if !os(tvOS)
+    /// The mute button's wording. macOS names the chord, exactly as its Disconnect button does;
+    /// iOS/iPadOS spells the action out (the HUD's buttons there carry no shortcuts, even where a
+    /// hardware keyboard could fire one — the Stream menu is that keyboard's surface).
+    private var micButtonTitle: String {
+        #if os(macOS)
+        return model.micMuted ? "Unmute Mic (⌃⌥⇧A)" : "Mute Mic (⌃⌥⇧A)"
+        #else
+        return model.micMuted ? "Unmute Microphone" : "Mute Microphone"
+        #endif
+    }
+    #endif
+
     // MARK: - Card metrics
 
     /// The card's inner content padding. Roomier on tvOS — the stat text auto-scales for the
@@ -242,6 +267,42 @@ struct StreamHUDView: View {
     }
 }
 
+#if !os(tvOS)
+/// The muted-microphone badge — the mute STATE, as opposed to the buttons that flip it. It rides
+/// over the stream whenever the mic is muted, INDEPENDENT of the stats overlay (which the user
+/// may have cycled off, and which the compact tier reduces to a stat line): "am I muted?" is not a
+/// statistic, and a mute you can't see is how people talk to nobody for a minute. Same glass
+/// language as the HUD, sized like the start-of-stream banner it shares the bottom edge with.
+///
+/// It is also a control: tapping it unmutes. That is the guaranteed way back for a touch user who
+/// muted with the overlay off, and it costs the badge nothing (it is on screen either way).
+struct MicMutedBadge: View {
+    let onUnmute: () -> Void
+
+    var body: some View {
+        Button(action: onUnmute) {
+            HStack(spacing: 7) {
+                Image(systemName: "mic.slash.fill")
+                    .font(.system(size: 13, weight: .semibold))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.red)
+                Text("Microphone muted")
+                    .font(.geist(12, .medium, relativeTo: .caption))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.9))
+            }
+            .padding(.horizontal, 14)
+            .padding(.vertical, 8)
+            // interactive: the badge IS the tap target, so the glass reacts to press.
+            .glassBackground(Capsule(), interactive: true)
+            .contentShape(Capsule())
+        }
+        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        .environment(\.colorScheme, .dark) // reads over any frame, like the resize overlay
+        .accessibilityLabel("Microphone muted")
+        .accessibilityHint("Unmutes the microphone")
+    }
+}
+#endif
+
 #if os(iOS)
 /// Device display geometry the overlay needs but UIKit doesn't expose publicly.
 enum DeviceMetrics {

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/GamepadSettingsView.swift

@@ -26,12 +26,14 @@ struct GamepadSettingsView: View {
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.streamHz) private var hz = 60
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.compositor) private var compositor = 0
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.gamepadType) private var gamepadType = 0
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.gamepadForwarding) private var gamepadForwarding = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.bitrateKbps) private var bitrateKbps = 0
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.audioChannels) private var audioChannels = 2
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.hdrEnabled) private var hdrEnabled = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.enable444) private var enable444 = false
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.codec) private var codec = "auto"
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.micEnabled) private var micEnabled = true
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.echoCancel) private var echoCancel = true
     // The overlay tier's raw string (rows tag by rawValue); the absent-key default runs the
     // legacy-hudEnabled migration (same pattern as ContentView/SettingsView).
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.statsVerbosity) private var statsVerbosityRaw
@@ -316,9 +318,21 @@ struct GamepadSettingsView: View {
                 id: "mic", icon: "mic", label: "Microphone",
                 detail: "Send this device's microphone to the host's virtual mic.",
                 value: $micEnabled),
+            toggleRow(
+                id: "echoCancel", icon: "waveform", label: "Echo cancellation",
+                detail: "Cancel the audio this device plays out of the mic signal — stops "
+                    + "speaker setups feeding the game back to the host.",
+                value: $echoCancel),
 
+            toggleRow(
+                id: "padForward", header: "Controller", icon: "gamecontroller",
+                label: "Forward controllers",
+                detail: "Send this device's controllers to the host. Turn it off when your "
+                    + "controller already reaches the host another way — USB passthrough such "
+                    + "as VirtualHere — so games don't see two of them.",
+                value: $gamepadForwarding),
             choiceRow(
-                id: "pad", header: "Controller", icon: "gamecontroller", label: "Use controller",
+                id: "pad", icon: "gamecontroller", label: "Use controller",
                 detail: "Which pad is forwarded to the host, as player 1.",
                 options: controllers, current: gamepads.preferredID
             ) { gamepads.preferredID = $0 },

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView+Scope.swift

@@ -98,6 +98,10 @@ enum SettingsFields {
         .init(name: "mic_enabled", key: DefaultsKey.micEnabled,
               overlay: \.micEnabled, effective: \.micEnabled)
     }
+    static var echoCancel: SettingsField<Bool> {
+        .init(name: "echo_cancel", key: DefaultsKey.echoCancel,
+              overlay: \.echoCancel, effective: \.echoCancel)
+    }
     static var touchMode: SettingsField<String> {
         .init(name: "touch_mode", key: DefaultsKey.touchMode,
               overlay: \.touchMode, effective: \.touchMode)
@@ -118,6 +122,10 @@ enum SettingsFields {
         .init(name: "gamepad", key: DefaultsKey.gamepadType,
               overlay: \.gamepadType, effective: \.gamepadType)
     }
+    static var gamepadForwarding: SettingsField<Bool> {
+        .init(name: "gamepad_forwarding", key: DefaultsKey.gamepadForwarding,
+              overlay: \.gamepadForwarding, effective: \.gamepadForwarding)
+    }
     static var statsVerbosity: SettingsField<String> {
         .init(name: "stats_verbosity", key: DefaultsKey.statsVerbosity,
               overlay: \.statsVerbosity, effective: \.statsVerbosity)
@@ -175,7 +183,9 @@ extension SettingsView {
         base.compositor = compositor
         base.audioChannels = audioChannels
         base.micEnabled = micEnabled
+        base.echoCancel = echoCancel
         base.gamepadType = gamepadType
+        base.gamepadForwarding = gamepadForwarding
         base.statsVerbosity = statsVerbosityRaw
         base.fullscreenWhileStreaming = fullscreenWhileStreaming
         base.presentPriority = presentPriority

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView+Sections.swift

@@ -581,6 +581,10 @@ extension SettingsView {
                       field: "mic_enabled") {
                 Toggle("Send microphone to the host", isOn: scoped(SettingsFields.micEnabled))
             }
+            described(echoCancelCaption, field: "echo_cancel") {
+                Toggle("Echo cancellation", isOn: scoped(SettingsFields.echoCancel))
+                    .disabled(!effective.micEnabled)
+            }
             #if os(macOS)
             if !inProfileScope {
                 Picker("Microphone", selection: $micUID) {
@@ -619,10 +623,33 @@ extension SettingsView {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Honest about the macOS escape hatch: the voice processor only follows the system
+    /// default devices, so hand-picked endpoints silently keep the raw path (see
+    /// SessionAudio's topology note) — better said here than discovered mid-call.
+    private var echoCancelCaption: String {
+        let base = "Voice processing cancels the audio this device plays out of the mic "
+            + "signal, so a speaker setup doesn't feed the game back to the host."
+        #if os(macOS)
+        return base + " Follows the system default devices — a hand-picked speaker, "
+            + "microphone or input channel streams the raw mic instead."
+        #else
+        return base
+        #endif
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Controllers
 
     @ViewBuilder var controllersSection: some View {
         Section {
+            // The master switch, above everything it governs. Profileable, so it renders in
+            // both scopes: a "Work" profile can decline to forward what "Game" forwards.
+            described("Sends controllers connected to this device to the host. Turn it off when "
+                + "your controller already reaches the host another way — USB passthrough such "
+                + "as VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host itself — so games don't see "
+                + "two of them.",
+                field: "gamepad_forwarding") {
+                Toggle("Forward controllers", isOn: scoped(SettingsFields.gamepadForwarding))
+            }
             // Which physical pad this device forwards, and what its own haptics do, are facts
             // about THIS device (tier G) — only the virtual pad the host creates is profileable.
             if !inProfileScope {
@@ -641,6 +668,7 @@ extension SettingsView {
                             Text(option.label).tag(option.tag)
                         }
                     }
+                    .disabled(!effective.gamepadForwarding)
                 }
             }
             described("The virtual pad created on the host. Automatic matches your controller "
@@ -651,6 +679,7 @@ extension SettingsView {
                         Text(option.label).tag(option.tag)
                     }
                 }
+                .disabled(!effective.gamepadForwarding)
             }
             #if os(iOS)
             // iPhone only in practice: hidden where the device itself can't play haptics (iPad).

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView.swift

@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ struct SettingsView: View {
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.renderScale) var renderScale = 1.0
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.compositor) var compositor = 0
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.gamepadType) var gamepadType = 0
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.gamepadForwarding) var gamepadForwarding = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.bitrateKbps) var bitrateKbps = 0
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.presentPriority) var presentPriority =
         SettingsOptions.presentPriorityDefault
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ struct SettingsView: View {
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.libraryEnabled) var libraryEnabled = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.fullscreenWhileStreaming) var fullscreenWhileStreaming = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.micEnabled) var micEnabled = true
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.echoCancel) var echoCancel = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.audioChannels) var audioChannels = 2
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.codec) var codec = "auto"
     // The overlay tier's raw string (the pickers tag by rawValue); the absent-key default runs

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Audio/OpusCodec.swift

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 // Opus ⇄ PCM through CoreAudio's built-in codec (kAudioFormatOpus, macOS 10.13+ / iOS
 // 11+) — no bundled libopus. The host's audio plane is raw Opus packets (48 kHz stereo,
-// one frame per packet); AVAudioConverter handles them as single-packet
-// AVAudioCompressedBuffers with explicit packet descriptions.
+// one frame per packet); the mic uplink is 48 kHz MONO packets (one microphone bus —
+// the host's decoder upmixes, so duplicating it into a second channel only cost bits).
+// AVAudioConverter handles both as single-packet AVAudioCompressedBuffers with explicit
+// packet descriptions.
 //
 // Both classes are single-threaded by contract (one per direction, owned by their
 // drain/capture pipelines).
@@ -14,16 +16,16 @@ enum OpusCodecError: Error {
     case convertFailed(String)
 }
 
-/// 48 kHz stereo float32 interleaved — the PCM side of both converters and the layout
-/// of the playback ring buffer.
+/// 48 kHz stereo float32 interleaved — the decoder's PCM side (the host plane's shape).
 func opusPCMFormat() -> AVAudioFormat? {
     AVAudioFormat(
         commonFormat: .pcmFormatFloat32, sampleRate: 48_000, channels: 2, interleaved: true)
 }
 
 /// The compressed side: raw Opus, `framesPerPacket` nominal samples per packet at 48 kHz
-/// (240 = the host's 5 ms audio plane; 960 = the 20 ms packets the encoder emits).
-private func opusFormat(framesPerPacket: UInt32) -> AVAudioFormat? {
+/// (240 = the host's 5 ms audio plane; 480 = the 10 ms packets the encoder emits) and
+/// `channels` (2 = the host plane, 1 = the mic uplink).
+private func opusFormat(framesPerPacket: UInt32, channels: UInt32) -> AVAudioFormat? {
     var desc = AudioStreamBasicDescription(
         mSampleRate: 48_000,
         mFormatID: kAudioFormatOpus,
@@ -31,7 +33,7 @@ private func opusFormat(framesPerPacket: UInt32) -> AVAudioFormat? {
         mBytesPerPacket: 0,
         mFramesPerPacket: framesPerPacket,
         mBytesPerFrame: 0,
-        mChannelsPerFrame: 2,
+        mChannelsPerFrame: channels,
         mBitsPerChannel: 0,
         mReserved: 0)
     return AVAudioFormat(streamDescription: &desc)
@@ -45,7 +47,8 @@ final class OpusDecoder {
 
     /// `framesPerPacket`: the sender's packet duration in samples (host audio = 240).
     init(framesPerPacket: UInt32) throws {
-        guard let pcm = opusPCMFormat(), let opus = opusFormat(framesPerPacket: framesPerPacket),
+        guard let pcm = opusPCMFormat(),
+              let opus = opusFormat(framesPerPacket: framesPerPacket, channels: 2),
               let converter = AVAudioConverter(from: opus, to: pcm)
         else { throw OpusCodecError.unavailable }
         self.converter = converter
@@ -90,24 +93,43 @@ final class OpusDecoder {
 }
 
 final class OpusEncoder {
-    /// The encoder's packet duration: 960 samples = 20 ms, CoreAudio's default Opus
-    /// framing. The host's mic service decodes any Opus frame size up to 120 ms.
-    static let framesPerPacket: AVAudioFrameCount = 960
+    /// The encoder's packet duration in samples: 480 = 10 ms, halving the packetization
+    /// latency of the old 20 ms framing. CoreAudio honors it — mFramesPerPacket 480/mono
+    /// creates a converter that truly emits 10 ms CELT packets (TOC config 30), one per
+    /// 480-frame chunk, verified by inspection of the emitted TOC bytes and per-packet
+    /// frame accounting. 960 stays as the fallback should an older codec refuse 480.
+    /// The host's mic service decodes any Opus frame size up to 120 ms, so either is
+    /// wire-compatible.
+    let framesPerPacket: AVAudioFrameCount
+
+    /// 48 kHz MONO float32 interleaved — the uplink carries one microphone bus.
+    let pcmFormat: AVAudioFormat
 
     private let converter: AVAudioConverter
     private let outBuf: AVAudioCompressedBuffer
-    let pcmFormat: AVAudioFormat
 
     init() throws {
-        guard let pcm = opusPCMFormat(),
-              let opus = opusFormat(framesPerPacket: UInt32(Self.framesPerPacket)),
-              let converter = AVAudioConverter(from: pcm, to: opus)
+        guard let pcm = AVAudioFormat(
+            commonFormat: .pcmFormatFloat32, sampleRate: 48_000, channels: 1,
+            interleaved: true)
         else { throw OpusCodecError.unavailable }
-        converter.bitRate = 96_000
-        self.converter = converter
-        self.pcmFormat = pcm
+        var made: (converter: AVAudioConverter, fpp: AVAudioFrameCount)?
+        for fpp: AVAudioFrameCount in [480, 960] {
+            if let opus = opusFormat(framesPerPacket: UInt32(fpp), channels: 1),
+               let converter = AVAudioConverter(from: pcm, to: opus) {
+                made = (converter, fpp)
+                break
+            }
+        }
+        guard let made else { throw OpusCodecError.unavailable }
+        // 48 kbps: transparent for mono voice — the old 96 kbps budget was sized for
+        // the duplicated-stereo framing this encoder no longer emits.
+        made.converter.bitRate = 48_000
+        converter = made.converter
+        framesPerPacket = made.fpp
+        pcmFormat = pcm
         outBuf = AVAudioCompressedBuffer(
-            format: opus, packetCapacity: 4, maximumPacketSize: 1500)
+            format: made.converter.outputFormat, packetCapacity: 4, maximumPacketSize: 1500)
     }
 
     /// Encode exactly `framesPerPacket` frames of `pcmFormat` audio; returns the encoded

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Audio/SessionAudio.swift

@@ -5,15 +5,22 @@
 //   AVAudioSourceNode pulls from the ring (silence on underrun with re-priming, so a
 //   network gap costs one dip, not permanent crackle).
 //
-//   mic → host: a second AVAudioEngine taps the input device, folds it to one mono bus (the
-//   chosen channel of a multi-channel interface, or a sum of all channels), resamples to 48 kHz
-//   stereo, slices 20 ms chunks, Opus-encodes, and sendMic()s each packet — the host feeds them
-//   into a virtual PipeWire source.
+//   mic → host: a tap on the input node folds the capture to one mono bus (the chosen channel
+//   of a multi-channel interface, or a sum of all channels), resamples to 48 kHz mono, slices
+//   10 ms chunks, Opus-encodes, and sendMic()s each packet — the host feeds them into a
+//   virtual PipeWire source.
+//
+// Engine topology. With the mic enabled and echo cancellation on (both defaults), BOTH
+// directions run on ONE AVAudioEngine with the system voice processor engaged
+// (`setVoiceProcessingEnabled`) — AEC needs render and capture on the same unit so it can
+// subtract what the speaker is playing from what the mic hears; without it, a loudspeaker
+// client feeds the host's own game audio straight back to it (the primary reported echo
+// source). The voice processor can only follow the system DEFAULT devices, so explicit
+// endpoint choices fall back to the old two-engine topology — see `wantsCombined` for the
+// exact decision, and `startCapture` for why two engines handle arbitrary device pairs.
 //
 // Devices are chosen by UID ("" = system default: the engine is then never pinned to a
-// concrete device and follows default-device changes). Two engines, not one — a single
-// AVAudioEngine ties input+output to one aggregate clock, separate engines keep
-// arbitrary mic/speaker combinations trivial.
+// concrete device and follows default-device changes).
 
 import AVFoundation
 import os
@@ -40,7 +47,21 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
     private let stateLock = NSLock()
     private var playbackEngine: AVAudioEngine?
     private var captureEngine: AVAudioEngine?
+    /// The one engine running BOTH directions when the voice processor is engaged;
+    /// `playbackEngine`/`captureEngine` stay nil while this is set.
+    private var combinedEngine: AVAudioEngine?
     private var drainStarted = false
+    /// The mute LATCH: the effective mute the owner last asked for (see `setMicMuted`). Held
+    /// because the uplink engine can appear LATER than the request — the mic permission prompt
+    /// is answered at the user's leisure, and the engine is built on the grant — so a mute set
+    /// in the meantime must be waiting for it. Applied by whichever start path wins the race.
+    /// Guarded by `stateLock`, like the engines it applies to.
+    private var micMuted = false
+    /// The playback jitter ring — created by whichever engine starts playback first and KEPT
+    /// across an engine rebuild (the permission-grant upgrade in `startEngines` swaps engines,
+    /// not the ring, so the drain thread never has to be re-pointed). Main-thread confined,
+    /// like every start path.
+    private var ring: AudioRing?
     #if !os(macOS)
     /// AVAudioSession `setCategory`/`setActive` are synchronous and block on the audio server, so
     /// they must not run on the main thread (UI stall — AVFoundation warns about it). PROCESS-WIDE
@@ -69,11 +90,15 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
     /// ASYNCHRONOUS: it activates the AVAudioSession off the main thread, then starts the engines on
     /// a later main-queue hop (gated by `!flag.isStopped`) — so playback is live shortly after, not
     /// on return. The mic may start later still if the permission prompt is pending.
-    public func start(speakerUID: String, micUID: String, micChannel: Int, micEnabled: Bool) {
+    /// `echoCancel` picks the engine topology — see the header note and `wantsCombined`.
+    public func start(
+        speakerUID: String, micUID: String, micChannel: Int, micEnabled: Bool, echoCancel: Bool
+    ) {
         #if os(macOS)
         // No AVAudioSession on macOS — start the engines directly (caller's thread, as before).
         startEngines(
-            speakerUID: speakerUID, micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel, micEnabled: micEnabled)
+            speakerUID: speakerUID, micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel,
+            micEnabled: micEnabled, echoCancel: echoCancel)
         #else
         // Configure + activate the session OFF the main thread (it blocks on the audio server),
         // then start the engines back on the main thread once it's active — engine routing/format
@@ -85,7 +110,7 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
                 guard let self, !self.flag.isStopped else { return }
                 self.startEngines(
                     speakerUID: speakerUID, micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel,
-                    micEnabled: micEnabled)
+                    micEnabled: micEnabled, echoCancel: echoCancel)
             }
         }
         #endif
@@ -104,6 +129,12 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
                 try session.setCategory(
                     .playAndRecord, mode: .default,
                     options: [.allowBluetoothA2DP, .defaultToSpeaker])
+                // Uplink latency: ask for 5 ms IO quanta at the wire rate (the default ~10-23 ms
+                // quantum is most of the mic path's burst latency). Best-effort — the hardware
+                // has the final word (a Bluetooth route will ignore both), and whatever quantum
+                // is actually granted, the capture tap handles the buffers it gets.
+                try? session.setPreferredIOBufferDuration(0.005)
+                try? session.setPreferredSampleRate(48_000)
             } else {
                 try session.setCategory(.playback, mode: .default)
             }
@@ -117,32 +148,80 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
     }
     #endif
 
-    /// Build + start the playback engine (and the mic uplink when enabled + authorized). Main
-    /// thread (engine setup); on iOS/tvOS the session is already active by the time this runs.
+    /// Build + start the engines — combined (voice-processed) or split, per `wantsCombined` —
+    /// with the mic uplink only when enabled + authorized. Main thread (engine setup); on
+    /// iOS/tvOS the session is already active by the time this runs.
     private func startEngines(
-        speakerUID: String, micUID: String, micChannel: Int, micEnabled: Bool
+        speakerUID: String, micUID: String, micChannel: Int, micEnabled: Bool, echoCancel: Bool
     ) {
-        startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID)
         #if os(tvOS)
         // No app-accessible microphone input on tvOS — playback only.
+        startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID)
         #else
-        guard micEnabled else { return }
+        guard micEnabled else {
+            startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID)
+            return
+        }
+        let combined = wantsCombined(
+            speakerUID: speakerUID, micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel,
+            echoCancel: echoCancel)
         switch AVCaptureDevice.authorizationStatus(for: .audio) {
         case .authorized:
-            startCapture(micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel)
+            if combined {
+                startCombined(speakerUID: speakerUID, micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel)
+            } else {
+                startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID)
+                startCapture(micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel)
+            }
         case .notDetermined:
+            // Playback must not wait out the permission prompt (the user answers at their
+            // leisure) — start it now, and on a grant either bolt the capture engine on
+            // (split) or swap the playback engine for the combined one (the ring and its
+            // drain thread carry over — see `makePlaybackChain`).
+            startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID)
             AVCaptureDevice.requestAccess(for: .audio) { [weak self] granted in
                 DispatchQueue.main.async {
                     guard let self, granted, !self.flag.isStopped else { return }
-                    self.startCapture(micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel)
+                    if combined {
+                        self.stateLock.lock()
+                        let playback = self.playbackEngine
+                        self.playbackEngine = nil
+                        self.stateLock.unlock()
+                        playback?.stop()
+                        self.startCombined(
+                            speakerUID: speakerUID, micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel)
+                    } else {
+                        self.startCapture(micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel)
+                    }
                 }
             }
         default:
+            startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID)
             log.warning("microphone access denied — mic uplink disabled (System Settings → Privacy)")
         }
         #endif
     }
 
+    #if !os(tvOS)
+    /// One engine or two: the voice processor requires render + capture on one unit, and that
+    /// unit can only follow the system DEFAULT devices — so echo cancellation gets the combined
+    /// engine only while nothing is explicitly pinned. On macOS a chosen speaker/mic UID or a
+    /// picked input channel (the voice processor's capture side is its own mono mix — a
+    /// per-channel pick can't survive it) keeps today's two-engine path, AEC-less but honoring
+    /// the exact endpoints the user named. On iOS routes are session-managed and the UIDs are
+    /// ignored, so the toggle alone decides.
+    private func wantsCombined(
+        speakerUID: String, micUID: String, micChannel: Int, echoCancel: Bool
+    ) -> Bool {
+        guard echoCancel else { return false }
+        #if os(macOS)
+        return speakerUID.isEmpty && micUID.isEmpty && micChannel == 0
+        #else
+        return true
+        #endif
+    }
+    #endif
+
     /// Stop both directions. Safe from any thread; waits the drain thread out (≤ its
     /// poll timeout) so the caller can close the connection right after.
     public func stop() {
@@ -152,6 +231,8 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
         captureEngine = nil
         let playback = playbackEngine
         playbackEngine = nil
+        let combined = combinedEngine
+        combinedEngine = nil
         let wasDraining = drainStarted
         drainStarted = false
         stateLock.unlock()
@@ -160,6 +241,10 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
             capture.stop()
         }
         playback?.stop()
+        if let combined {
+            combined.inputNode.removeTap(onBus: 0)
+            combined.stop()
+        }
         #if !os(macOS)
         // Release the session so audio we interrupted (Music, podcasts) gets its resume cue. Like
         // activation, setActive is synchronous/blocking — run it on the shared serial session queue
@@ -180,15 +265,38 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Background keep-alive: silence the mic uplink while backgrounded (privacy — no room audio
-    /// leaves the device) and restore it on return. Pauses/resumes the capture engine; a no-op when
-    /// there's no uplink (playback-only / tvOS / mic disabled). The audio SESSION stays active for
-    /// background playback, so iOS may keep showing the recording indicator until a full reconfigure
-    /// — this stops the actual capture, which is the privacy-relevant part. Main thread.
+    /// Silence the mic uplink (no room audio leaves the device) or restore it. THE one muting
+    /// mechanism: the owner composes its reasons — the user's in-stream mute and the background
+    /// keep-alive's privacy mute — into one effective state and passes that here, so neither can
+    /// clear the other (see `SessionModel.applyMicMute`).
+    ///
+    /// Two-engine sessions pause/resume the capture engine; a combined session instead mutes the
+    /// voice processor's input (playback shares that engine and must keep running, so the engine
+    /// itself never pauses — the mute zeroes the mic at the IO unit, and the tap encodes silence).
+    /// Local and instant either way: nothing is negotiated with the host, and the packets that do
+    /// leave carry silence. A no-op when there's no uplink (playback-only / tvOS / mic disabled),
+    /// except that the state is LATCHED for an uplink that starts later. The audio SESSION stays
+    /// active for background playback, so iOS may keep showing the recording indicator until a
+    /// full reconfigure — either path stops room audio leaving the device, which is the
+    /// privacy-relevant part. Main thread.
     public func setMicMuted(_ muted: Bool) {
         stateLock.lock()
+        micMuted = muted
         let capture = captureEngine
+        let combined = combinedEngine
         stateLock.unlock()
+        apply(micMuted: muted, capture: capture, combined: combined)
+    }
+
+    /// Push the latched mute onto whichever engine carries the uplink. Split out from
+    /// `setMicMuted` because the start paths call it too, with the engine they just started —
+    /// that's how a mute requested before the permission grant lands on the engine the grant
+    /// creates. Never resumes a stopped session's engine.
+    private func apply(micMuted muted: Bool, capture: AVAudioEngine?, combined: AVAudioEngine?) {
+        if let combined {
+            combined.inputNode.isVoiceProcessingInputMuted = muted
+            return
+        }
         guard let capture else { return }
         if muted {
             capture.pause()
@@ -199,28 +307,21 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
 
     // MARK: - Playback (host → speaker)
 
-    private func startPlayback(speakerUID: String) {
+    /// The playback jitter ring + the source node draining it — shared by the plain playback
+    /// engine and the combined voice-processing engine, and REUSED across an engine rebuild
+    /// (same session, same ring: the drain thread keeps writing right through the swap). nil
+    /// when the host's channel layout can't be expressed (already logged). Main thread.
+    private func makePlaybackChain()
+        -> (ring: AudioRing, source: AVAudioSourceNode, format: AVAudioFormat)?
+    {
         // Build the playback layout from the host-RESOLVED channel count (never the request):
         // 2 = stereo / 6 = 5.1 / 8 = 7.1, canonical wire order FL FR FC LFE RL RR SL SR.
         let channels = Int(connection.resolvedAudioChannels)
         // 1 s interleaved capacity, ~20 ms prefill (four 5 ms host packets of jitter absorption
         // before the first sample plays), both scaled by the channel count.
-        let ring = AudioRing(
+        let ring = self.ring ?? AudioRing(
             capacity: 48_000 * channels, prefill: 960 * channels, channels: channels)
-
-        let engine = AVAudioEngine()
-        #if os(macOS)
-        if !speakerUID.isEmpty {
-            if let dev = AudioDevices.deviceID(forUID: speakerUID),
-               let unit = engine.outputNode.audioUnit {
-                if !Self.setDevice(dev, on: unit) {
-                    log.error("could not select speaker \(speakerUID) — using default")
-                }
-            } else {
-                log.warning("speaker \(speakerUID) not present — using default")
-            }
-        }
-        #endif
+        self.ring = ring
 
         // Engine-native deinterleaved float; the render block deinterleaves from the ring. Surround
         // uses an explicit wire-order channel layout; the mixer downmixes to the output device when
@@ -234,7 +335,7 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
         }
         guard let format else {
             log.error("could not build \(channels)-channel audio format — audio disabled")
-            return
+            return nil
         }
         let scratch = ScratchBuffer() // block-owned; freed with the closure
         let source = AVAudioSourceNode(format: format) { _, _, frameCount, abl -> OSStatus in
@@ -252,6 +353,24 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
             }
             return noErr
         }
+        return (ring, source, format)
+    }
+
+    private func startPlayback(speakerUID: String) {
+        guard let (ring, source, format) = makePlaybackChain() else { return }
+        let engine = AVAudioEngine()
+        #if os(macOS)
+        if !speakerUID.isEmpty {
+            if let dev = AudioDevices.deviceID(forUID: speakerUID),
+               let unit = engine.outputNode.audioUnit {
+                if !Self.setDevice(dev, on: unit) {
+                    log.error("could not select speaker \(speakerUID) — using default")
+                }
+            } else {
+                log.warning("speaker \(speakerUID) not present — using default")
+            }
+        }
+        #endif
         engine.attach(source)
         engine.connect(source, to: engine.mainMixerNode, format: format)
         engine.prepare()
@@ -272,8 +391,14 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
         startDrain(into: ring)
     }
 
+    /// Idempotent — the permission-grant engine swap reaches here a second time with the
+    /// drain thread already feeding the (carried-over) ring.
     private func startDrain(into ring: AudioRing) {
         stateLock.lock()
+        if drainStarted {
+            stateLock.unlock()
+            return
+        }
         drainStarted = true
         stateLock.unlock()
         let thread = Thread { [connection, flag, drainDone] in
@@ -308,6 +433,80 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
     // MARK: - Mic (mic → host)
 
     #if !os(tvOS)
+    /// One engine, both directions: engage the system voice processor on the shared IO unit
+    /// (AEC + noise suppression + AGC), hang the playback source off its render side and the
+    /// mic tap off its capture side. Every failure falls back to a WORKING configuration —
+    /// the split path (no AEC) when the voice processor won't engage, plain playback when the
+    /// mic chain can't be built — a session never loses audio to the echo-cancel feature.
+    private func startCombined(speakerUID: String, micUID: String, micChannel: Int) {
+        let engine = AVAudioEngine()
+        let input = engine.inputNode
+        do {
+            // Before anything reads the input's format: the voice processor changes it (often
+            // to its own mono mix, sometimes at a lower rate) — installMicTap reads the format
+            // AFTER this, so the converter chain adapts to whatever the processor emits.
+            try input.setVoiceProcessingEnabled(true)
+        } catch {
+            log.warning("""
+                voice processing unavailable (\(error.localizedDescription)) — separate \
+                engines, no echo cancellation
+                """)
+            startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID)
+            startCapture(micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel)
+            return
+        }
+        // Symmetric enable for the render side; with both directions on one engine the
+        // input-node enable already covers it, so a refusal here is not a failure.
+        try? engine.outputNode.setVoiceProcessingEnabled(true)
+        // This is a game stream, not a call: never duck the host's audio under the outgoing
+        // voice. .min is the closest to "off" the API offers, and advanced (selective)
+        // ducking stays off with it.
+        input.voiceProcessingOtherAudioDuckingConfiguration = .init(
+            enableAdvancedDucking: false, duckingLevel: .min)
+
+        guard let (ring, source, format) = makePlaybackChain() else {
+            // Playback impossible (logged) — keep the uplink alive, as the split path would.
+            startCapture(micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel)
+            return
+        }
+        engine.attach(source)
+        engine.connect(source, to: engine.mainMixerNode, format: format)
+        guard installMicTap(on: input, micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel) else {
+            // Mic chain unavailable (logged) — keep the session audible on the plain playback
+            // engine rather than playing through an idle voice processor.
+            startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID)
+            return
+        }
+        engine.prepare()
+        do {
+            try engine.start()
+        } catch {
+            log.error("combined engine failed to start: \(error.localizedDescription)")
+            input.removeTap(onBus: 0)
+            startPlayback(speakerUID: speakerUID) // no echo cancellation beats no audio
+            return
+        }
+        stateLock.lock()
+        if flag.isStopped {
+            stateLock.unlock()
+            input.removeTap(onBus: 0)
+            engine.stop() // stop() already ran — don't strand a started engine (or a hot mic)
+            return
+        }
+        combinedEngine = engine
+        let muted = micMuted // latched before this engine existed (a mute during the prompt)
+        stateLock.unlock()
+        apply(micMuted: muted, capture: nil, combined: engine)
+        startDrain(into: ring)
+        log.info("audio engines joined — voice processing (echo cancellation) active")
+    }
+
+    /// The split path: capture on its OWN engine, playback on another — the pre-echo-cancel
+    /// topology, kept verbatim. Two engines, not one — a single AVAudioEngine ties
+    /// input+output to one aggregate clock, separate engines keep arbitrary mic/speaker
+    /// combinations trivial. That freedom is exactly why the voice processor can't ride this
+    /// path (AEC needs both directions on one unit) and why explicitly pinned endpoints land
+    /// here — see `wantsCombined`.
     private func startCapture(micUID: String, micChannel: Int) {
         let engine = AVAudioEngine()
         let input = engine.inputNode
@@ -322,11 +521,44 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
             }
         }
         #endif
+        guard installMicTap(on: input, micUID: micUID, micChannel: micChannel) else { return }
+        engine.prepare()
+        do {
+            try engine.start()
+        } catch {
+            log.error("capture engine failed to start: \(error.localizedDescription)")
+            input.removeTap(onBus: 0)
+            return
+        }
+        stateLock.lock()
+        if flag.isStopped {
+            // stop() ran while we were starting (the permission prompt resolves at the
+            // user's leisure) — tear the engine down ourselves, nobody else owns it now.
+            stateLock.unlock()
+            input.removeTap(onBus: 0)
+            engine.stop()
+            return
+        }
+        captureEngine = engine
+        let muted = micMuted // latched before this engine existed (a mute during the prompt)
+        stateLock.unlock()
+        apply(micMuted: muted, capture: engine, combined: nil)
+        log.info("mic uplink started (\(micUID.isEmpty ? "default input" : micUID))")
+    }
 
+    /// Resolve the input's live format + fold plan, build the mono→Opus chain, and install the
+    /// capture tap on `input` — everything mic except engine ownership, shared verbatim by the
+    /// combined and split topologies. Reads `input.outputFormat(forBus:)` at call time, so the
+    /// chain follows whatever the node emits: the raw device format, or the voice processor's
+    /// own mix when that's enabled. False (logged) when no input is usable or the encoder
+    /// can't be built; the tap is installed on true.
+    private func installMicTap(
+        on input: AVAudioInputNode, micUID: String, micChannel: Int
+    ) -> Bool {
         let inFormat = input.outputFormat(forBus: 0)
         guard inFormat.sampleRate > 0, inFormat.channelCount > 0 else {
             log.error("no usable input device — mic uplink disabled")
-            return
+            return false
         }
 
         // Multi-channel-interface handling. A pro interface exposes N discrete inputs with the mic
@@ -378,22 +610,38 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
         #endif
 
         // Encode a single mono bus (folded from `inFormat` in the tap): the resampler goes
-        // mono@inputSR → the encoder's 48 kHz stereo, so it handles both the rate change and the
-        // mono→stereo duplication, and the wrong-channel downmix never happens.
+        // mono@inputSR → the encoder's 48 kHz mono, so it handles the rate change and the
+        // wrong-channel downmix never happens. Mono end to end — the host's decoder upmixes,
+        // so the old duplicate-into-stereo step only cost bits and cycles.
+        //
+        // `mono`/`staging` are the per-callback scratch buffers, preallocated HERE (grown only
+        // if a larger-than-expected device quantum ever arrives) — the steady-state tap path
+        // allocates nothing.
+        let scratchFrames: AVAudioFrameCount = 8192
+        let stagingCapacity = { (frames: AVAudioFrameCount) -> AVAudioFrameCount in
+            AVAudioFrameCount(
+                (Double(frames) * 48_000 / inFormat.sampleRate).rounded(.up)) + 64
+        }
         guard let monoFormat = AVAudioFormat(
                   commonFormat: .pcmFormatFloat32, sampleRate: inFormat.sampleRate,
                   channels: 1, interleaved: false),
               let encoder = try? OpusEncoder(),
               let resampler = AVAudioConverter(from: monoFormat, to: encoder.pcmFormat),
               let chunk = AVAudioPCMBuffer(
-                  pcmFormat: encoder.pcmFormat, frameCapacity: OpusEncoder.framesPerPacket)
+                  pcmFormat: encoder.pcmFormat, frameCapacity: encoder.framesPerPacket),
+              let monoScratch = AVAudioPCMBuffer(
+                  pcmFormat: monoFormat, frameCapacity: scratchFrames),
+              let stagingScratch = AVAudioPCMBuffer(
+                  pcmFormat: encoder.pcmFormat, frameCapacity: stagingCapacity(scratchFrames))
         else {
             log.error("Opus encoder unavailable — mic uplink disabled")
-            return
+            return false
         }
 
-        // Tap-thread-confined state: resample into `staging`, accumulate in `fifo`,
-        // slice 960-frame chunks for the encoder.
+        // Tap-thread-confined state: fold into `mono`, resample into `staging`, accumulate in
+        // `fifo`, slice `framesPerPacket` (10 ms) chunks for the encoder.
+        var mono = monoScratch
+        var staging = stagingScratch
         var fifo: [Float] = []
         fifo.reserveCapacity(48_000)
         var seq: UInt32 = 0
@@ -412,14 +660,26 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
         var inputPeak: Float = 0
         var levelReported = false
 
-        input.installTap(onBus: 0, bufferSize: 2048, format: inFormat) { buffer, _ in
+        // 480 frames = 10 ms, matching the packet duration. Advisory — CoreAudio delivers the
+        // device quantum whatever we ask (the old 2048 request came back as 42.7 ms bursts, most
+        // of the uplink's latency) — but where the system honors it, the tap fires per-packet.
+        input.installTap(onBus: 0, bufferSize: 480, format: inFormat) { buffer, _ in
             if flag.isStopped { return }
             let frames = Int(buffer.frameLength)
-            guard frames > 0, let src = buffer.floatChannelData,
-                  let mono = AVAudioPCMBuffer(
-                      pcmFormat: monoFormat, frameCapacity: buffer.frameLength),
-                  let dst = mono.floatChannelData?[0]
-            else { return }
+            guard frames > 0, let src = buffer.floatChannelData else { return }
+            if frames > Int(mono.frameCapacity) {
+                // A quantum larger than the scratch (bufferSize is advisory both ways) — regrow
+                // once to the new high-water mark; the steady state stays allocation-free.
+                guard let biggerMono = AVAudioPCMBuffer(
+                          pcmFormat: monoFormat, frameCapacity: buffer.frameLength),
+                      let biggerStaging = AVAudioPCMBuffer(
+                          pcmFormat: encoder.pcmFormat,
+                          frameCapacity: stagingCapacity(buffer.frameLength))
+                else { return }
+                mono = biggerMono
+                staging = biggerStaging
+            }
+            guard let dst = mono.floatChannelData?[0] else { return }
             mono.frameLength = buffer.frameLength
 
             // Fold the multi-channel input down to the one mono bus we encode.
@@ -451,11 +711,6 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
                 }
             }
 
-            let ratio = 48_000 / inFormat.sampleRate
-            let outCapacity = AVAudioFrameCount((Double(frames) * ratio).rounded(.up) + 64)
-            guard let staging = AVAudioPCMBuffer(
-                pcmFormat: encoder.pcmFormat, frameCapacity: outCapacity)
-            else { return }
             var fed = false
             var convError: NSError?
             let status = resampler.convert(to: staging, error: &convError) { _, outStatus in
@@ -469,16 +724,20 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
             }
             guard status != .error, let p = staging.floatChannelData?[0] else { return }
             fifo.append(contentsOf: UnsafeBufferPointer(
-                start: p, count: Int(staging.frameLength) * 2))
+                start: p, count: Int(staging.frameLength)))
 
-            let samplesPerChunk = Int(OpusEncoder.framesPerPacket) * 2
-            while fifo.count >= samplesPerChunk {
-                chunk.frameLength = OpusEncoder.framesPerPacket
+            // Consume whole chunks through a head index, then drop the eaten prefix in ONE
+            // move of the sub-chunk remainder. The old per-chunk removeFirst memmoved the
+            // entire backlog for every packet — O(n) on the render-adjacent tap thread.
+            let samplesPerChunk = Int(encoder.framesPerPacket)
+            var head = 0
+            while fifo.count - head >= samplesPerChunk {
+                chunk.frameLength = encoder.framesPerPacket
                 fifo.withUnsafeBufferPointer { src in
                     chunk.floatChannelData![0].update(
-                        from: src.baseAddress!, count: samplesPerChunk)
+                        from: src.baseAddress! + head, count: samplesPerChunk)
                 }
-                fifo.removeFirst(samplesPerChunk)
+                head += samplesPerChunk
                 guard let packets = try? encoder.encode(chunk) else { continue }
                 for packet in packets {
                     connection.sendMic(
@@ -486,28 +745,9 @@ public final class SessionAudio {
                     seq &+= 1
                 }
             }
+            if head > 0 { fifo.removeFirst(head) } // keeps capacity — no realloc
         }
-
-        engine.prepare()
-        do {
-            try engine.start()
-        } catch {
-            log.error("capture engine failed to start: \(error.localizedDescription)")
-            input.removeTap(onBus: 0)
-            return
-        }
-        stateLock.lock()
-        if flag.isStopped {
-            // stop() ran while we were starting (the permission prompt resolves at the
-            // user's leisure) — tear the engine down ourselves, nobody else owns it now.
-            stateLock.unlock()
-            input.removeTap(onBus: 0)
-            engine.stop()
-            return
-        }
-        captureEngine = engine
-        stateLock.unlock()
-        log.info("mic uplink started (\(micUID.isEmpty ? "default input" : micUID))")
+        return true
     }
 
     /// Fold `channels` of input (`floatChannelData` layout: `interleaved` → one buffer strided by

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Gamepad/GamepadCapture.swift

@@ -98,9 +98,27 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
     /// gameplay can't end it (see ContentView's tvOS session branch).
     public var onDisconnectRequest: (() -> Void)?
 
-    public init(connection: PunktfunkConnection, manager: GamepadManager) {
+    /// Forward this device's controllers to the host at all (`Settings.gamepadForwarding`,
+    /// default true). Off is for a couch whose controller reaches the host another way — USB
+    /// passthrough such as VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host itself — where
+    /// forwarding as well would give the host two pads for one pair of hands.
+    ///
+    /// Off still opens slots and tracks button state; it just sends nothing (see `wire`). That
+    /// is deliberate, not laziness: the escape chord is read off the same slots, and on tvOS it
+    /// is the ONLY controller way out of a stream — a session that silently lost its exit
+    /// because a forwarding preference was off would be a worse bug than the one this fixes.
+    /// Unlike pf-client-core's slots, GameController claims nothing exclusive, so holding one
+    /// open costs the host nothing and blocks no passthrough tool.
+    public let forwarding: Bool
+
+    /// The connection, or nil while forwarding is off — every wire send goes through this, so
+    /// "don't forward" is one fact in one place rather than a condition at twelve call sites.
+    private var wire: PunktfunkConnection? { forwarding ? connection : nil }
+
+    public init(connection: PunktfunkConnection, manager: GamepadManager, forwarding: Bool = true) {
         self.connection = connection
         self.manager = manager
+        self.forwarding = forwarding
     }
 
     public func start() {
@@ -205,8 +223,8 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
         // core re-sends it a few times against datagram loss; an older host ignores it and uses
         // the session-default kind. Then wake the host pad (pads are created lazily from the first
         // event; a DualSense's UHID handshake + initial lightbar write only start then).
-        connection.send(.gamepadArrival(pref: slot.pref.rawValue, pad: slot.pad))
-        connection.send(.gamepadAxis(GamepadWire.axisLSX, value: 0, pad: slot.pad))
+        wire?.send(.gamepadArrival(pref: slot.pref.rawValue, pad: slot.pad))
+        wire?.send(.gamepadAxis(GamepadWire.axisLSX, value: 0, pad: slot.pad))
         sync(slot, ext)
 
         if let tp = Self.touchpad(ext) {
@@ -233,7 +251,7 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
         flush(slot)
         // Sent after the flush so the core stamps it with a seq past the zeroing snapshots; the host
         // seq-gates it, so a reordered snapshot can't resurrect the removed pad.
-        connection.send(.gamepadRemove(pad: slot.pad))
+        wire?.send(.gamepadRemove(pad: slot.pad))
         let c = slot.controller
         if let ext = c.extendedGamepad {
             ext.valueChangedHandler = nil
@@ -275,7 +293,7 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
         let changed = newButtons ^ slot.buttons
         if changed != 0 {
             for bit in GamepadWire.allButtons where changed & bit != 0 {
-                connection.send(.gamepadButton(bit, down: newButtons & bit != 0, pad: slot.pad))
+                wire?.send(.gamepadButton(bit, down: newButtons & bit != 0, pad: slot.pad))
             }
             slot.buttons = newButtons
         }
@@ -288,7 +306,7 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
             Int32(g.rightTrigger.value * 255),
         ]
         for (i, v) in newAxes.enumerated() where v != slot.axes[i] {
-            connection.send(.gamepadAxis(UInt32(i), value: v, pad: slot.pad))
+            wire?.send(.gamepadAxis(UInt32(i), value: v, pad: slot.pad))
             slot.axes[i] = v
         }
         updateEscapeChord()
@@ -302,7 +320,7 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
         let bit = GamepadWire.guide
         let now = down ? (slot.buttons | bit) : (slot.buttons & ~bit)
         guard now != slot.buttons else { return }
-        connection.send(.gamepadButton(bit, down: down, pad: slot.pad))
+        wire?.send(.gamepadButton(bit, down: down, pad: slot.pad))
         slot.buttons = now
     }
 
@@ -365,13 +383,13 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
         if lifted {
             if slot.fingerActive[finger] {
                 slot.fingerActive[finger] = false
-                connection.sendTouchpad(pad: UInt8(slot.pad), finger: UInt8(finger), active: false, x: 0, y: 0)
+                wire?.sendTouchpad(pad: UInt8(slot.pad), finger: UInt8(finger), active: false, x: 0, y: 0)
             }
             return
         }
         slot.fingerActive[finger] = true
         let w = GamepadWire.touchpad(x: x, y: y)
-        connection.sendTouchpad(pad: UInt8(slot.pad), finger: UInt8(finger), active: true, x: w.x, y: w.y)
+        wire?.sendTouchpad(pad: UInt8(slot.pad), finger: UInt8(finger), active: true, x: w.x, y: w.y)
     }
 
     private func forwardMotion(_ slot: Slot, _ m: GCMotion) {
@@ -394,7 +412,7 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
         }
         let gs = GamepadWire.gyroLSBPerRadS
         let as_ = GamepadWire.accelLSBPerG
-        connection.sendMotion(
+        wire?.sendMotion(
             pad: UInt8(slot.pad),
             gyro: (
                 GamepadWire.motionRaw(Float(m.rotationRate.x), scale: gs),
@@ -432,15 +450,15 @@ public final class GamepadCapture {
     /// GamepadRemove (that's `closeSlot`).
     private func flush(_ slot: Slot) {
         for bit in GamepadWire.allButtons where slot.buttons & bit != 0 {
-            connection.send(.gamepadButton(bit, down: false, pad: slot.pad))
+            wire?.send(.gamepadButton(bit, down: false, pad: slot.pad))
         }
         slot.buttons = 0
         for (i, v) in slot.axes.enumerated() where v != 0 {
-            connection.send(.gamepadAxis(UInt32(i), value: 0, pad: slot.pad))
+            wire?.send(.gamepadAxis(UInt32(i), value: 0, pad: slot.pad))
             slot.axes[i] = 0
         }
         for (f, active) in slot.fingerActive.enumerated() where active {
-            connection.sendTouchpad(pad: UInt8(slot.pad), finger: UInt8(f), active: false, x: 0, y: 0)
+            wire?.sendTouchpad(pad: UInt8(slot.pad), finger: UInt8(f), active: false, x: 0, y: 0)
             slot.fingerActive[f] = false
         }
     }

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Input/InputCapture.swift

@@ -128,11 +128,19 @@ public final class InputCapture {
     /// carries the same key equivalents for discoverability) can't see them, so the monitor is the
     /// captured-state delivery path; released, the events pass through and the menu handles them.
     /// ⌃⌥⇧Q releases the captured mouse/keyboard; ⌃⌥⇧D disconnects; ⌃⌥⇧S cycles the stats
-    /// overlay tier (off → compact → normal → detailed). Main queue.
+    /// overlay tier (off → compact → normal → detailed). ⌃⌥⇧A (`onToggleMicMute`, below) rides
+    /// the same path. Main queue.
     public var onReleaseCapture: (() -> Void)?
     public var onDisconnect: (() -> Void)?
     public var onCycleStats: (() -> Void)?
 
+    /// Fired on ⌃⌥⇧A — mute/unmute the microphone uplink, the one in-stream control a captured
+    /// session can't otherwise reach (the HUD's button is behind a grabbed cursor). Same delivery
+    /// rule as the combos above: only WHILE FORWARDING, because that's when the menu's identical
+    /// key equivalent can't fire. ⌃⌥⇧M — the obvious letter — is long since the mouse-model flip
+    /// (cross-client), so A ("audio in") is the mic's. Main queue.
+    public var onToggleMicMute: (() -> Void)?
+
     /// Fired on ⌃⌘F (macOS) — toggle the streaming window in/out of fullscreen. Detected in the
     /// monitor only WHILE FORWARDING, for the same reason as the ⌃⌥⇧ combos: a captured stream view
     /// swallows keys, so the Stream menu's identical ⌃⌘F equivalent never reaches it; released, the
@@ -140,13 +148,13 @@ public final class InputCapture {
     public var onToggleFullscreen: (() -> Void)?
 
     #if os(iOS)
-    /// Windows VKs of the three modifier classes in the ⌃⌥⇧Q release chord, both L/R sides:
+    /// Windows VKs of the three modifier classes in the ⌃⌥⇧ chords, both L/R sides:
     /// control (0xA2/0xA3), option (0xA4/0xA5), shift (0xA0/0xA1). Used to sift the HID key stream.
     private static let chordModifierVKs: Set<UInt32> = [0xA2, 0xA3, 0xA4, 0xA5, 0xA0, 0xA1]
 
     /// Whether Control AND Option AND Shift are all currently held (either side of each counts) —
-    /// the modifier precondition for the iPad ⌃⌥⇧Q release chord.
-    private var hasReleaseChordModifiers: Bool {
+    /// the modifier precondition for the iPad ⌃⌥⇧ chords (Q releases capture, A mutes the mic).
+    private var hasChordModifiers: Bool {
         let m = chordModifiersDown
         return (m.contains(0xA2) || m.contains(0xA3)) // control
             && (m.contains(0xA4) || m.contains(0xA5)) // option
@@ -284,6 +292,10 @@ public final class InputCapture {
                     self.suppressedVK = 0x53
                     self.onCycleStats?()
                     return nil
+                case 0 /* A */:
+                    self.suppressedVK = 0x41
+                    self.onToggleMicMute?()
+                    return nil
                 default:
                     break
                 }
@@ -704,7 +716,7 @@ public final class InputCapture {
                 }
             }
             #if os(iOS)
-            // Track Control/Option/Shift for the ⌃⌥⇧Q release chord below — in both forwarding
+            // Track Control/Option/Shift for the ⌃⌥⇧ chords below — in both forwarding
             // states (like `cmdKeysDown`) so a modifier held before capture engaged still counts.
             if Self.chordModifierVKs.contains(vk) {
                 if pressed { self.chordModifiersDown.insert(vk) } else { self.chordModifiersDown.remove(vk) }
@@ -732,11 +744,19 @@ public final class InputCapture {
             // otherwise). The Q is latched (`suppressedVK`) so its keyUp can't type into the host;
             // the ⌃⌥⇧ modifiers were forwarded as they went down and are flushed by the release
             // path (setCaptured(false) → releaseAll). VK 0x51 is layout-independent (physical Q).
-            if pressed, vk == 0x51, self.hasReleaseChordModifiers {
+            if pressed, vk == 0x51, self.hasChordModifiers {
                 self.suppressedVK = 0x51
                 self.onReleaseCapture?()
                 return
             }
+            // ⌃⌥⇧A mutes/unmutes the mic uplink — same detection, same latching, and needed here
+            // for the same reason as on macOS: a captured iPad swallows the Stream menu's
+            // identical key equivalent. VK 0x41 is layout-independent (physical A).
+            if pressed, vk == 0x41, self.hasChordModifiers {
+                self.suppressedVK = 0x41
+                self.onToggleMicMute?()
+                return
+            }
             #endif
             // Release direction of the toggle: GC's Esc-down can beat the NSEvent
             // monitor — never type Esc into the host while ⌘ is held (⌘⎋ is reserved).

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamView.swift

@@ -881,6 +881,12 @@ public final class StreamLayerView: NSView {
             guard self?.window?.isKeyWindow == true else { return }
             NotificationCenter.default.post(name: .punktfunkToggleFullscreen, object: nil)
         }
+        capture.onToggleMicMute = { [weak self] in
+            // Session-level state the view doesn't own — post to the app (same routing as the
+            // fullscreen chord), so the captured and released paths end at one toggle.
+            guard self?.window?.isKeyWindow == true else { return }
+            NotificationCenter.default.post(name: .punktfunkToggleMicMute, object: nil)
+        }
         capture.onCycleStats = { [weak self] in
             guard self?.window?.isKeyWindow == true else { return }
             // Advance the shared tier setting directly — every @AppStorage reader (the HUD's

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamViewIOS.swift

@@ -175,6 +175,46 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
     /// renegotiates the host mode (1:1, no presenter resample). iOS only (iPhone naturally no-ops
     /// its fixed full-screen scene; tvOS drives display modes via AVDisplayManager instead).
     private var matchFollower: MatchWindowFollower?
+    // MARK: Escape-drop re-lock
+    //
+    // iPadOS releases the pointer lock BY ITSELF when the user presses Escape — the platform's
+    // built-in "let me out", mirroring the web Pointer Lock API's default unlock gesture. Nothing
+    // in our code does it: a bare Esc never touches `captured`, so it keeps forwarding to the host
+    // as the game key it is. But the lock going away flips the mouse onto the absolute UIKit path
+    // and un-hides the iPadOS cursor, so hitting Esc for an in-game menu silently costs the capture
+    // until the user clicks to win it back. Esc is a GAME key here, not a request to hand the
+    // pointer back to iPadOS, so an unwanted drop is re-requested below. The DELIBERATE releases
+    // (⌘⎋, ⌃⌥⇧Q, the Stream menu, backgrounding) all clear `captured` first, so `wantsPointerLock`
+    // is already false when their drop is observed and none of them are fought here.
+    /// Whether this capture ever actually held the lock. Only a lock we HELD is worth winning back
+    /// — never having been granted one means the scene doesn't qualify, not that Esc took it.
+    /// Cleared when capture ends, so each capture starts from a clean slate.
+    private var pointerLockWasEngaged = false
+    /// Attempts spent in the current re-lock burst, and when the burst began.
+    private var pointerRelockAttempt = 0
+    private var pointerRelockBurstStart: CFTimeInterval = 0
+    /// True from an unwanted drop until the lock is back (or the burst gives up). While pending,
+    /// the local cursor stays hidden and absolute pointer MOTION stays muted, so a re-lock that
+    /// lands a frame or two later is invisible instead of flashing the iPadOS cursor and
+    /// teleporting the host's to the pointer's absolute position.
+    private var pointerRelockPending = false
+    /// Forces `prefersPointerLocked` to report false for one resolve pass, so the escalated attempt
+    /// presents the system with a genuine false→true transition instead of re-asserting a value it
+    /// already holds. See `requestPointerRelock()`.
+    private var pointerLockForcedOff = false
+    /// A burst is 3 attempts, and a burst can't restart inside 2 s. A scene the system will never
+    /// lock (Stage Manager, Split View) therefore costs three cheap re-resolves and then falls back
+    /// to today's click-to-recapture, rather than retrying forever.
+    private static let pointerRelockAttemptLimit = 3
+    private static let pointerRelockBurstWindow: CFTimeInterval = 2
+    /// Gap between attempts in a burst — long enough for the system to answer the previous
+    /// re-resolve, short enough that the whole burst fits in ~0.6 s. Must exceed
+    /// `pointerLockForcedOffHold` so an escalated attempt is back to preferring the lock before the
+    /// next attempt evaluates.
+    private static let pointerRelockRetryDelay: TimeInterval = 0.2
+    /// How long an escalated attempt reports `prefersPointerLocked == false` before flipping back,
+    /// so the system observes a real transition instead of coalescing the flip away.
+    private static let pointerLockForcedOffHold: TimeInterval = 0.05
     #endif
 
     /// Reads whether the scene's pointer is actually locked right now; nil = state
@@ -260,7 +300,7 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
         captured && pointerCaptureEnabled && UIDevice.current.userInterfaceIdiom == .pad
     }
 
-    public override var prefersPointerLocked: Bool { wantsPointerLock }
+    public override var prefersPointerLocked: Bool { wantsPointerLock && !pointerLockForcedOff }
     public override var prefersHomeIndicatorAutoHidden: Bool { true }
 
     // NOTE: we deliberately do NOT override `childViewControllerForPointerLock`. The default
@@ -383,6 +423,11 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
         // is the exact mirror of the GCMouse handlers, which fire only while locked.
         streamView.onPointerMoveAbs = { [weak self] p in
             guard let self, self.inputCapture?.gcMouseForwarding == false else { return }
+            // A re-lock is in flight after an Esc-drop: the absolute path would teleport the host
+            // cursor to wherever the local pointer sits, undoing the relative aiming we're about to
+            // resume. Motion only — BUTTONS still forward (they carry no position, so a click during
+            // the couple of frames a re-lock takes must not be swallowed mid-firefight).
+            guard !self.pointerRelockPending else { return }
             self.inputCapture?.sendMouseAbs(
                 x: p.x, y: p.y, surfaceWidth: p.w, surfaceHeight: p.h)
         }
@@ -424,6 +469,12 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
         capture.onReleaseCapture = { [weak self] in
             self?.setCaptured(false)
         }
+        // ⌃⌥⇧A mutes/unmutes the mic uplink. Session state this controller doesn't own, so it
+        // posts to the app exactly as the macOS chord does — the Stream menu's identical
+        // equivalent (which a captured scene swallows) ends at the same toggle.
+        capture.onToggleMicMute = {
+            NotificationCenter.default.post(name: .punktfunkToggleMicMute, object: nil)
+        }
         capture.onPreempted = { [weak self] in
             self?.setCaptured(false)
         }
@@ -687,6 +738,24 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
     /// change and capture toggle. Main queue.
     private func syncPointerLock() {
         let locked = pointerLockEngaged() == true
+        // Wanted, previously HELD, and now gone is the Esc-drop signature. The "previously held"
+        // half matters: a lock that was never granted is a scene that doesn't qualify (Stage
+        // Manager, Split View), and burst-requesting there would hide the cursor for the burst's
+        // duration to win a lock that isn't coming. A first grant is already driven by the chain
+        // engage in setCaptured/viewDidAppear.
+        if locked {
+            pointerLockWasEngaged = true
+            pointerRelockPending = false
+            pointerRelockAttempt = 0
+        } else if wantsPointerLock, pointerLockWasEngaged {
+            requestPointerRelock()
+        } else {
+            // Capture is gone (or the lock was never ours) — settle, and let the next capture
+            // start from a clean "never held" slate.
+            if !wantsPointerLock { pointerLockWasEngaged = false }
+            pointerRelockPending = false
+            pointerRelockAttempt = 0
+        }
         let useGCMouse = captured && locked
         // Lock dropped (or capture ended) while the GCMouse path held a button down: once
         // gcMouseForwarding flips false its release handler is gated off, so flush any held
@@ -698,7 +767,83 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
         pointerInteraction?.invalidate() // re-resolve the hidden/visible cursor for the state
         if iosInputDebug {
             iosInputLog.debug(
-                "pointer lock isLocked=\(locked, privacy: .public) captured=\(self.captured, privacy: .public)")
+                """
+                pointer lock isLocked=\(locked, privacy: .public) \
+                captured=\(self.captured, privacy: .public) \
+                relockPending=\(self.pointerRelockPending, privacy: .public) \
+                relockAttempt=\(self.pointerRelockAttempt, privacy: .public)
+                """)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Ask the system for the lock back after it dropped one we still want (see the Escape-drop
+    /// note on the state above). Bounded to a short burst; idempotent within it. Main queue.
+    private func requestPointerRelock() {
+        // Only a frontmost scene can hold the lock at all. Anywhere else the drop is the system
+        // saying we don't qualify, not the Esc key — re-asking would be noise, and the qualifying
+        // states (foreground, appearance, reparent) each re-resolve on their own already.
+        guard view.window?.windowScene?.activationState == .foregroundActive else {
+            pointerRelockPending = false
+            return
+        }
+        let now = CACurrentMediaTime()
+        // attempt == 0 is a fresh burst (first drop, or one the settle branch cleared); the window
+        // is the backstop for the pathological case where a grant is immediately revoked again and
+        // re-arms us. Even then this stays timer-driven at a few Hz — never a spin.
+        if pointerRelockAttempt == 0 || now - pointerRelockBurstStart > Self.pointerRelockBurstWindow {
+            pointerRelockBurstStart = now
+            pointerRelockAttempt = 0
+        }
+        guard pointerRelockAttempt < Self.pointerRelockAttemptLimit else {
+            // Out of budget: fall back to exactly today's behavior — the iPadOS cursor comes back
+            // and a click into the video re-captures. The caller invalidates the interaction, so
+            // the cursor can never stay hidden on a lock the system won't grant.
+            pointerRelockPending = false
+            return
+        }
+        pointerRelockAttempt += 1
+        pointerRelockPending = true
+        let escalate = pointerRelockAttempt > 1
+        // Deferred a turn so a ⌘⎋ whose GC keystroke lands after the system's unlock notification
+        // has already cleared `captured` — then the guard below drops this attempt instead of
+        // fighting the user's own release.
+        DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self, self.pointerRelockPending else { return }
+            guard self.wantsPointerLock, self.pointerLockEngaged() != true else {
+                // The grant landed, or the capture went away under us (⌘⎋ / ⌃⌥⇧Q / resign).
+                // Settle through the one decision point rather than returning with `pending` still
+                // set — that flag hides the cursor, so it must never outlive the burst.
+                self.syncPointerLock()
+                return
+            }
+            if escalate {
+                // Re-asserting a value the system already holds didn't take. Present a real
+                // false→true transition instead — the documented way to change your mind about the
+                // lock — and re-anchor the chain in case a reparent broke the downward walk to us.
+                // Held for a beat rather than cleared on the next turn: the system resolves the
+                // property asynchronously, and a same-turn flip back to true can be coalesced into
+                // no transition at all. We are already unlocked, so the false pass costs nothing.
+                self.pointerLockForcedOff = true
+                self.setNeedsUpdateOfPrefersPointerLocked()
+                self.updatePointerLockChain()
+                DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + Self.pointerLockForcedOffHold) {
+                    [weak self] in
+                    guard let self else { return }
+                    self.pointerLockForcedOff = false
+                    self.setNeedsUpdateOfPrefersPointerLocked()
+                }
+            } else {
+                self.setNeedsUpdateOfPrefersPointerLocked()
+            }
+            // A GRANT arrives as a didChange → syncPointerLock, which settles the burst and makes
+            // this retry a no-op. Routed back through syncPointerLock (not straight into another
+            // requestPointerRelock) so the give-up path re-resolves the cursor through the one
+            // place that does it.
+            DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + Self.pointerRelockRetryDelay) {
+                [weak self] in
+                guard let self, self.pointerRelockPending else { return }
+                self.syncPointerLock()
+            }
         }
     }
     #endif
@@ -718,7 +863,11 @@ extension StreamViewController: UIPointerInteractionDelegate {
         // host renders its own cursor from GCMouse deltas and a visible local one would just
         // diverge. When the lock isn't held the cursor stays VISIBLE so the user can aim; the
         // pointer is forwarded as an absolute position, both cursors tracking together.
-        captured && pointerLockEngaged() == true ? .hidden() : nil
+        // …except across an Esc-drop we're actively re-locking (`pointerRelockPending`): staying
+        // hidden for those couple of frames is what turns the fix into "Esc did nothing to my
+        // mouse" rather than a cursor that blinks in and out. The burst is bounded and clears
+        // itself on give-up, so the cursor can never stay hidden on a lock that isn't coming.
+        captured && (pointerLockEngaged() == true || pointerRelockPending) ? .hidden() : nil
     }
 }
 #endif

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkShared/DefaultsKeys.swift

@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ public enum DefaultsKey {
     public static let compositor = "punktfunk.compositor"
     public static let gamepadType = "punktfunk.gamepadType"
     public static let gamepadID = "punktfunk.gamepadID"
+    /// Forward this device's controllers to the host at all (default true). Off is for a
+    /// couch whose controller reaches the host another way — USB passthrough such as
+    /// VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host — where forwarding as well would give the
+    /// host two pads for one pair of hands. Read at connect: `SessionModel` then never starts
+    /// `GamepadCapture`, so no slot opens, no arrival is sent and no virtual pad is built.
+    public static let gamepadForwarding = "punktfunk.gamepadForwarding"
     public static let bitrateKbps = "punktfunk.bitrateKbps"
     /// Requested audio channel count: 2 (stereo), 6 (5.1) or 8 (7.1). The host clamps to what it
     /// can capture; the resolved count drives the in-core decode + AVAudioEngine layout.
@@ -42,6 +48,13 @@ public enum DefaultsKey {
     /// falls back. Drives the decoder via `Welcome.codec`.
     public static let codec = "punktfunk.codec"
     public static let micEnabled = "punktfunk.micEnabled"
+    /// Echo cancellation for the mic uplink (on by default): playback + capture share ONE
+    /// audio engine so the system voice processor can subtract what this device is playing
+    /// from what its mic hears — without it a loudspeaker client feeds the game audio straight
+    /// back to the host. Off = the raw two-engine capture path. macOS: an explicitly pinned
+    /// speaker/mic or mic channel also bypasses it (the voice processor only follows the
+    /// system default devices) — see SessionAudio's topology note.
+    public static let echoCancel = "punktfunk.echoCancel"
     public static let speakerUID = "punktfunk.speakerUID"
     public static let micUID = "punktfunk.micUID"
     /// macOS: which input channel of the chosen mic device feeds the host. 0 = "Auto" (sum every
@@ -193,6 +206,12 @@ extension Notification.Name {
     /// state. macOS only.
     public static let punktfunkToggleFullscreen = Notification.Name("io.unom.punktfunk.toggle-fullscreen")
 
+    /// Posted by InputCapture's chord path (⌃⌥⇧A) when the combo fires while input is CAPTURED —
+    /// the state in which the Stream menu's identical key equivalent never reaches the app. The
+    /// live session's owner (ContentView) flips the session's mic mute. Released, the menu item
+    /// handles the same combo directly; both end at `SessionModel.toggleMicMute`.
+    public static let punktfunkToggleMicMute = Notification.Name("io.unom.punktfunk.toggle-mic-mute")
+
     /// Posted by the Live Activity's / Shortcuts' End-stream intent (`EndStreamIntent.perform`,
     /// which runs in the app's process): the app tears the active session down deliberately
     /// (quit-close the host). Same cross-process-signal pattern as `punktfunkReleaseCapture` —

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkShared/EffectiveSettings.swift

@@ -29,10 +29,12 @@ public struct EffectiveSettings: Equatable, Sendable {
     public var compositor = 0
     public var audioChannels = 2
     public var micEnabled = true
+    public var echoCancel = true
     public var touchMode = "trackpad"
     public var mouseMode = "capture"
     public var invertScroll = false
     public var gamepadType = 0
+    public var gamepadForwarding = true
     /// A `StatsVerbosity` raw value; the enum lives in PunktfunkKit, which this module can't see.
     public var statsVerbosity = "normal"
     public var fullscreenWhileStreaming = true
@@ -87,10 +89,12 @@ public struct EffectiveSettings: Equatable, Sendable {
         compositor = int(DefaultsKey.compositor, compositor)
         audioChannels = int(DefaultsKey.audioChannels, audioChannels)
         micEnabled = bool(DefaultsKey.micEnabled, micEnabled)
+        echoCancel = bool(DefaultsKey.echoCancel, echoCancel)
         touchMode = str(DefaultsKey.touchMode, touchMode)
         mouseMode = str(DefaultsKey.mouseMode, mouseMode)
         invertScroll = bool(DefaultsKey.invertScroll, invertScroll)
         gamepadType = int(DefaultsKey.gamepadType, gamepadType)
+        gamepadForwarding = bool(DefaultsKey.gamepadForwarding, gamepadForwarding)
         statsVerbosity = Self.storedStatsVerbosity(defaults)
         fullscreenWhileStreaming = bool(
             DefaultsKey.fullscreenWhileStreaming, fullscreenWhileStreaming)
@@ -133,10 +137,12 @@ public struct EffectiveSettings: Equatable, Sendable {
         if let v = overlay.compositor { s.compositor = v }
         if let v = overlay.audioChannels { s.audioChannels = v }
         if let v = overlay.micEnabled { s.micEnabled = v }
+        if let v = overlay.echoCancel { s.echoCancel = v }
         if let v = overlay.touchMode { s.touchMode = v }
         if let v = overlay.mouseMode { s.mouseMode = v }
         if let v = overlay.invertScroll { s.invertScroll = v }
         if let v = overlay.gamepadType { s.gamepadType = v }
+        if let v = overlay.gamepadForwarding { s.gamepadForwarding = v }
         if let v = overlay.statsVerbosity { s.statsVerbosity = v }
         if let v = overlay.fullscreenWhileStreaming { s.fullscreenWhileStreaming = v }
         if let v = overlay.enable444 { s.enable444 = v }

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkShared/StreamProfile.swift

@@ -105,10 +105,12 @@ public struct SettingsOverlay: Codable, Equatable, Sendable {
     public var compositor: Int?
     public var audioChannels: Int?
     public var micEnabled: Bool?
+    public var echoCancel: Bool?
     public var touchMode: String?
     public var mouseMode: String?
     public var invertScroll: Bool?
     public var gamepadType: Int?
+    public var gamepadForwarding: Bool?
     /// A `StatsVerbosity` raw value ("off"/"compact"/"normal"/"detailed") — the enum lives in
     /// PunktfunkKit, which this module must not depend on.
     public var statsVerbosity: String?
@@ -145,10 +147,12 @@ public struct SettingsOverlay: Codable, Equatable, Sendable {
         case compositor
         case audioChannels = "audio_channels"
         case micEnabled = "mic_enabled"
+        case echoCancel = "echo_cancel"
         case touchMode = "touch_mode"
         case mouseMode = "mouse_mode"
         case invertScroll = "invert_scroll"
         case gamepadType = "gamepad"
+        case gamepadForwarding = "gamepad_forwarding"
         case statsVerbosity = "stats_verbosity"
         case fullscreenWhileStreaming = "fullscreen_on_stream"
         case enable444 = "enable_444"
@@ -177,10 +181,12 @@ public struct SettingsOverlay: Codable, Equatable, Sendable {
         compositor = int(.compositor)
         audioChannels = int(.audioChannels)
         micEnabled = bool(.micEnabled)
+        echoCancel = bool(.echoCancel)
         touchMode = str(.touchMode)
         mouseMode = str(.mouseMode)
         invertScroll = bool(.invertScroll)
         gamepadType = int(.gamepadType)
+        gamepadForwarding = bool(.gamepadForwarding)
         statsVerbosity = str(.statsVerbosity)
         fullscreenWhileStreaming = bool(.fullscreenWhileStreaming)
         enable444 = bool(.enable444)
@@ -211,10 +217,13 @@ public struct SettingsOverlay: Codable, Equatable, Sendable {
         try c.encodeIfPresent(compositor, forKey: AnyKey(Key.compositor.rawValue))
         try c.encodeIfPresent(audioChannels, forKey: AnyKey(Key.audioChannels.rawValue))
         try c.encodeIfPresent(micEnabled, forKey: AnyKey(Key.micEnabled.rawValue))
+        try c.encodeIfPresent(echoCancel, forKey: AnyKey(Key.echoCancel.rawValue))
         try c.encodeIfPresent(touchMode, forKey: AnyKey(Key.touchMode.rawValue))
         try c.encodeIfPresent(mouseMode, forKey: AnyKey(Key.mouseMode.rawValue))
         try c.encodeIfPresent(invertScroll, forKey: AnyKey(Key.invertScroll.rawValue))
         try c.encodeIfPresent(gamepadType, forKey: AnyKey(Key.gamepadType.rawValue))
+        try c.encodeIfPresent(
+            gamepadForwarding, forKey: AnyKey(Key.gamepadForwarding.rawValue))
         try c.encodeIfPresent(statsVerbosity, forKey: AnyKey(Key.statsVerbosity.rawValue))
         try c.encodeIfPresent(
             fullscreenWhileStreaming, forKey: AnyKey(Key.fullscreenWhileStreaming.rawValue))
@@ -262,10 +271,12 @@ public enum OverlayField {
         case "compositor": overlay.compositor = nil
         case "audio_channels": overlay.audioChannels = nil
         case "mic_enabled": overlay.micEnabled = nil
+        case "echo_cancel": overlay.echoCancel = nil
         case "touch_mode": overlay.touchMode = nil
         case "mouse_mode": overlay.mouseMode = nil
         case "invert_scroll": overlay.invertScroll = nil
         case "gamepad": overlay.gamepadType = nil
+        case "gamepad_forwarding": overlay.gamepadForwarding = nil
         case "stats_verbosity": overlay.statsVerbosity = nil
         case "fullscreen_on_stream": overlay.fullscreenWhileStreaming = nil
         case "enable_444": overlay.enable444 = nil
@@ -296,10 +307,12 @@ public enum OverlayField {
         case "compositor": return o.compositor != nil
         case "audio_channels": return o.audioChannels != nil
         case "mic_enabled": return o.micEnabled != nil
+        case "echo_cancel": return o.echoCancel != nil
         case "touch_mode": return o.touchMode != nil
         case "mouse_mode": return o.mouseMode != nil
         case "invert_scroll": return o.invertScroll != nil
         case "gamepad": return o.gamepadType != nil
+        case "gamepad_forwarding": return o.gamepadForwarding != nil
         case "stats_verbosity": return o.statsVerbosity != nil
         case "fullscreen_on_stream": return o.fullscreenWhileStreaming != nil
         case "enable_444": return o.enable444 != nil

clients/apple/Tests/PunktfunkKitTests/OpusCodecTests.swift

@@ -9,32 +9,34 @@ import XCTest
 @testable import PunktfunkKit
 
 final class OpusCodecTests: XCTestCase {
-    /// Encode a 440 Hz stereo tone, decode it back, and require the result to be
-    /// recognizably the same signal (Opus is lossy — check correlation, not bytes).
+    /// Encode a 440 Hz mono tone (the uplink's shape), decode it back through the
+    /// STEREO-configured decoder (the host-plane shape — Opus upmixes mono packets), and
+    /// require the result to be recognizably the same signal (Opus is lossy — check
+    /// correlation, not bytes).
     func testEncodeDecodeRoundTripPreservesTone() throws {
         let encoder = try OpusEncoder()
-        let decoder = try OpusDecoder(framesPerPacket: UInt32(OpusEncoder.framesPerPacket))
+        let decoder = try OpusDecoder(framesPerPacket: UInt32(encoder.framesPerPacket))
         let pcmFormat = encoder.pcmFormat
 
-        let frames = OpusEncoder.framesPerPacket
+        let frames = encoder.framesPerPacket
         var packets: [Data] = []
         var phase: Float = 0
         let step = 2 * Float.pi * 440 / 48_000
 
-        // 50 packets = 1 s of tone.
-        for _ in 0..<50 {
+        // 1 s of tone, whatever packet duration the encoder chose (10 ms → 100 chunks).
+        let chunks = Int(48_000 / frames)
+        for _ in 0..<chunks {
             let buf = AVAudioPCMBuffer(pcmFormat: pcmFormat, frameCapacity: frames)!
             buf.frameLength = frames
-            let p = buf.floatChannelData![0] // interleaved: one plane, L R L R …
+            let p = buf.floatChannelData![0] // mono: one plane
             for f in 0..<Int(frames) {
-                let s = sin(phase) * 0.5
+                p[f] = sin(phase) * 0.5
                 phase += step
-                p[f * 2] = s
-                p[f * 2 + 1] = s
             }
             packets.append(contentsOf: try encoder.encode(buf))
         }
-        XCTAssertGreaterThanOrEqual(packets.count, 45, "encoder must emit ~one packet per buffer")
+        XCTAssertGreaterThanOrEqual(
+            packets.count, chunks - 5, "encoder must emit ~one packet per buffer")
         XCTAssertTrue(packets.allSatisfy { !$0.isEmpty })
 
         var decoded: [Float] = []

clients/apple/Tests/PunktfunkKitTests/RemoteFirstLightTests.swift

@@ -62,29 +62,30 @@ final class RemoteFirstLightTests: XCTestCase {
             host: host, port: port, width: 1280, height: 720, refreshHz: 60)
         defer { conn.close() }
 
-        // Mic uplink: 2 s of 440 Hz tone (the host's mic service opens its virtual
+        // Mic uplink: 2 s of 440 Hz mono tone (the host's mic service opens its virtual
         // source on the first frame — check its log).
         let encoder = try OpusEncoder()
         let chunk = AVAudioPCMBuffer(
-            pcmFormat: encoder.pcmFormat, frameCapacity: OpusEncoder.framesPerPacket)!
+            pcmFormat: encoder.pcmFormat, frameCapacity: encoder.framesPerPacket)!
         var phase: Float = 0
         let step = 2 * Float.pi * 440 / 48_000
         var seq: UInt32 = 0
-        for _ in 0..<100 {
-            chunk.frameLength = OpusEncoder.framesPerPacket
-            let p = chunk.floatChannelData![0]
-            for f in 0..<Int(OpusEncoder.framesPerPacket) {
-                let s = sin(phase) * 0.25
+        let chunks = 2 * 48_000 / Int(encoder.framesPerPacket)
+        let packetNs = UInt64(encoder.framesPerPacket) * 1_000_000_000 / 48_000
+        for _ in 0..<chunks {
+            chunk.frameLength = encoder.framesPerPacket
+            let p = chunk.floatChannelData![0] // mono: one plane
+            for f in 0..<Int(encoder.framesPerPacket) {
+                p[f] = sin(phase) * 0.25
                 phase += step
-                p[f * 2] = s
-                p[f * 2 + 1] = s
             }
             for packet in try encoder.encode(chunk) {
-                conn.sendMic(packet, seq: seq, ptsNs: UInt64(seq) * 20_000_000)
+                conn.sendMic(packet, seq: seq, ptsNs: UInt64(seq) * packetNs)
                 seq &+= 1
             }
         }
-        XCTAssertGreaterThanOrEqual(seq, 95, "mic encoder must emit ~one packet per chunk")
+        XCTAssertGreaterThanOrEqual(
+            seq, UInt32(chunks - 5), "mic encoder must emit ~one packet per chunk")
 
         // Downlink: pull host audio packets and decode them (the host streams its sink
         // monitor — silence still produces packets).

clients/decky/README.md

@@ -24,8 +24,15 @@ the panel looks and feels native to Gaming Mode.
    browser (aurora backdrop + poster coverflow; A plays, B returns to Gaming Mode). Pins survive
    plugin reinstalls (stored next to the client's config) and follow a host across IP changes
    (matched by certificate fingerprint).
-5. **Settings** — resolution / refresh / bitrate / gamepad type / host compositor / mic, written
-   to the client's config.
+5. **Settings** — the client's whole settings store, written to its config. Laid out like SteamOS's
+   own Settings: a left rail of categories (`SidebarNavigation`), one page each, so no page needs
+   scrolling. The categories and their order are the console settings screen's — Stream (resolution
+   / refresh / render scale / bitrate / compositor), Video (codec / decoder / GPU / HDR / 4:4:4),
+   Presentation (prioritize / smoothness buffer / V-Sync / VRR), Audio (channels / output + mic
+   device / echo cancellation), Controllers, Touch & mouse, Interface (stats overlay / auto-wake /
+   library / fullscreen). The device pickers are populated
+   from the session binary (`--list-adapters` / `--list-audio`); the GPU row appears only where
+   there is more than one adapter.
 6. **About** — plugin version, an explicit "Check for updates" button, the setup-guide link, and
    a force-stop for a wedged stream client.
 
@@ -93,7 +100,7 @@ restart is required for an out-of-band install to appear.
 | --- | --- |
 | `src/index.tsx` | Plugin entry: the QAM panel + route registration. |
 | `src/page.tsx` | The `/punktfunk` fullscreen page — Hosts (with per-host details) / Settings / About tabs. |
-| `src/settings.tsx` · `src/pair.tsx` | Stream-settings section; the gamepad-navigable PIN-pairing modal. |
+| `src/settings.tsx` · `src/pair.tsx` | The settings screen (a `SidebarNavigation` of seven category pages over one shared settings object); the gamepad-navigable PIN-pairing modal. |
 | `src/library.tsx` | The per-host game picker (pin/unpin, "Open library on screen") + the pinned-game launch helper. |
 | `src/hostmgmt.tsx` | Add / edit host dialogs — mutate the shared known-hosts store (`client-known-hosts.json`) via the flatpak client's headless modes, so a host saved here shows up in the desktop client too. |
 | `src/ui.tsx` | Shared UI primitives for the fullscreen page + modals (right-aligned row actions, consistent Field layout). |

clients/decky/main.py

@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ The backend's jobs are the things Steam can't do:
   the frontend so it can create/point the Steam shortcut.
 * **get_settings() / set_settings()** — read/write the flatpak client's stream settings JSON
   (resolution / bitrate / gamepad), so the Deck UI configures the stream the client reads.
+  ``set_settings`` MERGES onto the file: it is shared with the desktop client and the console.
+* **list_devices() / refresh_devices()** — the GPUs and audio endpoints the settings tab's
+  device pickers offer, read from the session binary (``--list-adapters`` / ``--list-audio``)
+  and cached, since enumerating them costs a Vulkan + PipeWire init.
 * **kill_stream()** — force-stop a wedged stream (``flatpak kill``).
 * **check_update()** — report pending updates for BOTH the plugin and the client. The plugin's
   comes from the registry's per-channel ``manifest.json`` (the frontend then drives Decky's own
@@ -343,6 +347,9 @@ def _flatpak() -> str | None:
 # settings in the same ~/.config/punktfunk (the flatpak's sandbox HOME resolves to the real
 # home), so nothing else in this file has to care which one answered.
 NATIVE_BIN = "punktfunk-client"
+# The Vulkan session binary the shell execs to stream — and the only thing that can enumerate
+# this device's GPUs and audio endpoints for the settings pickers.
+SESSION_BIN = "punktfunk-session"
 
 # Prefixes to try when PATH doesn't have it. The Decky backend runs with a minimal PATH, and
 # SteamOS's read-only /usr pushes native installs into a sysext or the user's own prefix.
@@ -398,6 +405,25 @@ def _client_argv() -> list[str] | None:
     return [native] if native else None
 
 
+def _session_argv() -> list[str] | None:
+    """The argv PREFIX that runs the SESSION binary headlessly, or None when it isn't there.
+
+    The device enumerations the settings pickers need (`--list-adapters`, `--list-audio`) live on
+    `punktfunk-session`, not on the client: the GTK shell deliberately links no Vulkan itself and
+    shells out to the session for exactly the same two lists (clients/linux/src/app.rs). The
+    flatpak installs both binaries into /app/bin, so `--command=` picks the other one; a native
+    install puts them in the same bindir, so the session is the client's sibling.
+    """
+    prefix = _client_argv()
+    if not prefix:
+        return None
+    if prefix[0] == _flatpak():
+        # `flatpak run --command=<bin> <app>` — the app id must stay LAST.
+        return [*prefix[:-1], f"--command={SESSION_BIN}", prefix[-1]]
+    sibling = Path(prefix[0]).with_name(SESSION_BIN)
+    return [str(sibling)] if sibling.exists() else None
+
+
 def _client_is_flatpak() -> bool:
     """Is the client this plugin actually drives the FLATPAK one?
 
@@ -511,6 +537,63 @@ async def _run_client(client_args: list[str], timeout: float = 20.0) -> tuple[in
         return -1, "", ""
 
 
+def _parse_audio_endpoints(out: str) -> tuple[list[dict], list[dict]]:
+    """Split `punktfunk-session --list-audio` into ``(sinks, sources)``.
+
+    Its format is one endpoint per line, ``sink|source<TAB>node.name<TAB>description``. The
+    node.name is what gets STORED (it is the stable id the client resolves against), so a line
+    without one is unusable and dropped; a missing description falls back to the name rather than
+    rendering a picker entry with no label. Anything else on the line is ignored, so an extra
+    trailing column in a future client can't break this.
+    """
+    sinks: list[dict] = []
+    sources: list[dict] = []
+    for line in out.splitlines():
+        parts = line.split("\t")
+        if len(parts) < 3 or not parts[1].strip():
+            continue
+        kind, name, description = parts[0].strip(), parts[1].strip(), parts[2].strip()
+        entry = {"name": name, "description": description or name}
+        if kind == "sink":
+            sinks.append(entry)
+        elif kind == "source":
+            sources.append(entry)
+    return sinks, sources
+
+
+async def _run_session(session_args: list[str], timeout: float = 25.0) -> tuple[int, str]:
+    """Run the SESSION binary headlessly, returning ``(returncode, stdout)``; ``(-1, "")`` when
+    it isn't installed or the call errors/times out.
+
+    Only ever used for the two read-only device enumerations — the launch path goes through the
+    Steam shortcut and the wrapper script, never through here. The timeout is generous because
+    `--list-adapters` initialises Vulkan on a cold flatpak."""
+    prefix = _session_argv()
+    if not prefix:
+        return -1, ""
+    proc = None
+    try:
+        proc = await asyncio.create_subprocess_exec(
+            *prefix, *session_args,
+            stdout=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE, stderr=asyncio.subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            env=_flatpak_env(),
+        )
+        out, _ = await asyncio.wait_for(proc.communicate(), timeout=timeout)
+        rc = proc.returncode if proc.returncode is not None else -1
+        return rc, (out or b"").decode("utf-8", "replace")
+    except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+        decky.logger.warning("session %s timed out", " ".join(session_args))
+        if proc:
+            try:
+                proc.kill()
+            except ProcessLookupError:
+                pass
+        return -1, ""
+    except Exception:  # noqa: BLE001
+        decky.logger.exception("session %s failed", " ".join(session_args))
+        return -1, ""
+
+
 # The QAM panel and the full page each mount their own hosts view, and Gaming Mode remounts the
 # QAM often — every mount calls list_hosts, which spawns a flatpak cold-start plus a reachability
 # probe. Cache the last result briefly so back-to-back opens reuse it instead of re-probing; any
@@ -518,6 +601,11 @@ async def _run_client(client_args: list[str], timeout: float = 20.0) -> tuple[in
 _HOSTS_TTL_S = 12.0
 _hosts_cache: dict = {"at": 0.0, "probed": None, "data": None}
 
+# The settings tab's device lists (GPUs / audio endpoints). No TTL: this is hardware, and reading
+# it costs a Vulkan + PipeWire init. Held for the life of the plugin backend; `refresh_devices`
+# clears it for the user who just plugged a headset in.
+_devices_cache: dict = {"data": None}
+
 
 def _invalidate_hosts_cache() -> None:
     _hosts_cache["data"] = None
@@ -1044,24 +1132,84 @@ class Plugin:
         try:
             return json.loads(_settings_path().read_text())
         except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError):
-            # The client's own defaults (native display, host-default bitrate, auto pad).
+            # The client's own defaults (native display, host-default bitrate, auto pad,
+            # stats overlay at Normal — `Settings::default` is `show_stats: true`).
             return {
                 "width": 0, "height": 0, "refresh_hz": 0, "render_scale": 1.0,
-                "bitrate_kbps": 0, "codec": "auto", "gamepad": "auto", "compositor": "auto",
+                "bitrate_kbps": 0, "codec": "auto", "gamepad": "auto",
+                "gamepad_forwarding": True, "compositor": "auto",
                 "inhibit_shortcuts": True, "mic_enabled": False,
+                "stats_verbosity": "normal", "show_stats": True,
             }
 
     async def set_settings(self, settings: dict) -> dict:
-        """Write the stream settings JSON the (sandboxed) client reads on launch."""
+        """Write the stream settings JSON the (sandboxed) client reads on launch.
+
+        MERGED onto whatever is on disk, never a wholesale replace: this file is shared with
+        the desktop client and the console's settings screen, and it holds far more keys than
+        this panel models (decoder, GPU, profiles, touch/mouse model…). The panel reads it once
+        when it mounts, so a straight write would post a snapshot that predates anything those
+        other editors stored in the meantime — silently reverting it.
+        """
         try:
             d = _client_config_dir()
             d.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-            _settings_path().write_text(json.dumps(settings, indent=2))
+            try:
+                on_disk = json.loads(_settings_path().read_text())
+                if not isinstance(on_disk, dict):
+                    on_disk = {}
+            except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+                on_disk = {}  # no file yet (or an unreadable one): this write creates it
+            on_disk.update(settings)
+            _settings_path().write_text(json.dumps(on_disk, indent=2))
             return {"ok": True}
         except OSError as exc:
             decky.logger.exception("could not write settings")
             return {"ok": False, "error": str(exc)}
 
+    async def list_devices(self) -> dict:
+        """GPUs + audio endpoints for the settings tab's device pickers.
+
+        Two subprocesses that initialise Vulkan and PipeWire, so the result is cached for the
+        Decky session: hardware doesn't come and go often enough to justify paying that on every
+        remount of the page, and a stale entry is harmless — a picked device that has since
+        vanished falls back to the OS default in the client anyway. `refresh_devices` clears it.
+
+        Best-effort in the same way every other client call here is: no session binary (an old
+        flatpak that predates the two-binary split, or a native install missing its sibling) just
+        means empty lists and `ok: false`, which the UI shows as "couldn't read" rather than as
+        "you have no devices".
+        """
+        if _devices_cache["data"] is not None:
+            return _devices_cache["data"]
+
+        adapters: list[str] = []
+        sinks: list[dict] = []
+        sources: list[dict] = []
+        rc_a, out_a = await _run_session(["--list-adapters"])
+        if rc_a == 0:
+            adapters = [ln.strip() for ln in out_a.splitlines() if ln.strip()]
+        rc_d, out_d = await _run_session(["--list-audio"])
+        if rc_d == 0:
+            sinks, sources = _parse_audio_endpoints(out_d)
+
+        result = {
+            "ok": rc_a == 0 or rc_d == 0,
+            "adapters": adapters,
+            "sinks": sinks,
+            "sources": sources,
+        }
+        # Only a run that actually answered is worth remembering — caching a failure would make
+        # a client installed after the page was first opened stay invisible until a Decky restart.
+        if result["ok"]:
+            _devices_cache["data"] = result
+        return result
+
+    async def refresh_devices(self) -> dict:
+        """Drop the cached enumeration and read it again (a headset was just plugged in)."""
+        _devices_cache["data"] = None
+        return await self.list_devices()
+
     # ---- Shared known-hosts store (the SAME file the desktop client reads/writes) ----
 
     async def list_hosts(self, probe: bool = True) -> dict:

clients/decky/scripts/test-backend.py

@@ -144,6 +144,33 @@ got = asyncio.run(plugin.get_pins())["pins"]
 check("pins: paired via known-hosts fp (case-insensitive)", got[0]["paired"] is True)
 shutil.rmtree(decky.DECKY_USER_HOME, ignore_errors=True)
 
+# ---- `--list-audio` parsing (the settings tab's device pickers) --------------------------
+sinks, sources = main._parse_audio_endpoints(
+    "sink\talsa_output.pci-0000_04_00.6.analog-stereo\tSteam Deck Speakers\n"
+    "sink\tbluez_output.AC_12_2F.1\tWH-1000XM4\n"
+    "source\talsa_input.pci-0000_04_00.6.analog-stereo\tSteam Deck Microphone\n"
+)
+check("audio: sinks parsed", [d["name"] for d in sinks] == [
+    "alsa_output.pci-0000_04_00.6.analog-stereo", "bluez_output.AC_12_2F.1"
+])
+check("audio: sources parsed", len(sources) == 1)
+check("audio: description kept", sinks[1]["description"] == "WH-1000XM4")
+
+# Junk the picker must not offer: no node.name is unusable (it is the id that gets stored), a
+# short line is malformed, and an unknown kind belongs to neither list. A blank description
+# falls back to the name so no entry renders unlabelled.
+sinks, sources = main._parse_audio_endpoints(
+    "sink\t\tNo node name\n"
+    "sink\tonly-two-columns\n"
+    "monitor\tsome.monitor\tNot a sink or source\n"
+    "source\tbare.node\t\n"
+    "\n"
+)
+check("audio: junk lines dropped", sinks == [])
+check("audio: blank description falls back to the node name", sources == [
+    {"name": "bare.node", "description": "bare.node"}
+])
+
 print()
 if failures:
     print(f"{failures} check(s) FAILED")

clients/decky/src/backend.ts

@@ -101,24 +101,97 @@ export interface RunnerInfo {
   client_bin?: string;
 }
 
-// The slice of the flatpak client's settings JSON this UI surfaces. The file can hold more
-// keys (decoder, … set from the desktop client's own UI) — they round-trip untouched
-// because get_settings returns the whole parsed file and patches are object spreads.
+// The flatpak client's settings JSON — the SAME `client-gtk-settings.json` the desktop client
+// and the console's settings screen own, so a value changed in any of them shows in the others.
+//
+// Every field the client's `Settings` struct persists is modelled here EXCEPT the ones that
+// cannot be answered from a plugin backend or aren't settings at all:
+//   • `forward_pad`   — which physical pad is player 1. Needs SDL's live device list, which only
+//                       the client process has; there is no CLI that enumerates pads.
+//   • `last_window_w/h` — the session's remembered window size, written BY the client, not a
+//                       preference anyone sets.
+// Both round-trip untouched: get_settings returns the whole parsed file, patches are object
+// spreads, and set_settings merges onto what's on disk.
+//
+// Optional (`?`) marks a key the client writes with a serde `default`, so a store written before
+// that key existed simply lacks it. Read those through the same fallback the client uses —
+// `?? true` for the default-on ones, never `!!` — or a pre-existing file reads as "off" here
+// while the stream runs with it on.
 export interface StreamSettings {
+  // ---- Stream mode ----
   width: number; // 0 = native
   height: number; // 0 = native
   refresh_hz: number; // 0 = native
   render_scale?: number; // render-resolution multiplier; 1.0 = native (absent in pre-scale files)
   bitrate_kbps: number; // 0 = host default
-  codec?: string; // "auto" | "hevc" | "h264" | "av1" — soft preference (absent in pre-codec files)
-  gamepad: string; // "auto" | "xbox360" | "xboxone" | "dualsense" | "dualshock4" | "steamdeck"
   compositor: string; // "auto" | "kwin" | "wlroots" | "mutter" | "gamescope"
-  // Round-trips only — deliberately NOT offered as a row here. It decides whether the session
-  // grabs the keyboard so Alt+Tab/Super reach the host, and Game Mode is gamescope: it has no
-  // compositor shortcuts to inhibit and hands the focused window every key already. A toggle
-  // here would be a dead one. The desktop client's row still edits this same file.
-  inhibit_shortcuts: boolean;
+  // Stream mode follows the session window instead of width/height, renegotiating on resize.
+  // Overrides width/height while on; degenerates to the display's native mode on fullscreen.
+  match_window?: boolean;
+
+  // ---- Video ----
+  codec?: string; // "auto" | "hevc" | "h264" | "av1" | "pyrowave" (absent in pre-codec files)
+  decoder?: string; // "auto" | "vulkan" | "vaapi" | "software"
+  hdr_enabled?: boolean; // default ON — advertise 10-bit/HDR10
+  enable_444?: boolean; // default off — ask for full chroma
+  adapter?: string; // decode/present GPU by marketing name; "" = automatic
+
+  // ---- Presentation ----
+  // What the client optimises for when a decoded frame is ready: "latency" | "smooth". Shared
+  // with the Apple and Android clients under this name, so one profile reads the same everywhere.
+  present_priority?: string;
+  smooth_buffer?: number; // frames held back under "smooth"; 0 = Automatic (resolves to 2), else 1–3
+  vsync?: boolean; // default ON — tear-free; off asks for a tearing present mode (best-effort)
+  allow_vrr?: boolean; // default ON — let a VRR panel refresh in step with the stream
+
+  // ---- Audio ----
+  audio_channels?: number; // 2 (stereo) | 6 (5.1) | 8 (7.1)
+  speaker_device?: string; // PipeWire node.name for playback; "" = system default
   mic_enabled: boolean;
+  mic_device?: string; // PipeWire node.name for capture; "" = system default
+  echo_cancel?: boolean; // default ON; only meaningful while mic_enabled
+
+  // ---- Controllers ----
+  gamepad: string; // "auto" | "xbox360" | "xboxone" | "dualsense" | "dualshock4" | "steamdeck"
+  // Forward this device's controllers at all. Absent in pre-forwarding files, where the
+  // client's own serde default (true) applies — so `?? true` at every read, never `!!`.
+  gamepad_forwarding?: boolean;
+
+  // ---- Touchscreen, mouse & keyboard ----
+  touch_mode?: string; // "trackpad" | "pointer" | "touch"
+  mouse_mode?: string; // "capture" | "desktop"
+  invert_scroll?: boolean;
+  // Whether the session grabs the keyboard so Alt+Tab/Super reach the host.
+  inhibit_shortcuts: boolean;
+
+  // ---- Interface & behaviour ----
+  // Stats-overlay tier: "off" | "compact" | "normal" | "detailed". Absent in a pre-tier file,
+  // which resolves through `show_stats` — read both the way the client's
+  // `Settings::stats_verbosity` does, and write both the way `set_stats_verbosity` does.
+  stats_verbosity?: string;
+  // The legacy on/off the tier supersedes; kept written in sync so a client that predates the
+  // tiers still honours an Off chosen here.
+  show_stats?: boolean;
+  fullscreen_on_stream?: boolean;
+  auto_wake?: boolean; // default ON — Wake-on-LAN a sleeping host before connecting
+  library_enabled?: boolean; // the CLIENT's own library browser (this plugin has its own)
+}
+
+// One audio endpoint from the client's enumeration: the stable id that gets stored, plus the
+// human name to show.
+export interface AudioDevice {
+  name: string; // PipeWire node.name — what `speaker_device` / `mic_device` store
+  description: string; // human label ("Steam Deck Speakers")
+}
+
+// What the device pickers need, read from the session binary (`--list-adapters` / `--list-audio`).
+// `ok: false` = the session binary couldn't be run or failed; every list is then empty and the
+// pickers stay on their stored value rather than pretending the device is gone.
+export interface DeviceLists {
+  ok: boolean;
+  adapters: string[]; // Vulkan physical devices, discrete first
+  sinks: AudioDevice[]; // playback endpoints
+  sources: AudioDevice[]; // capture endpoints
 }
 
 export interface UpdateInfo {
@@ -185,6 +258,11 @@ export const getSettings = callable<[], StreamSettings>("get_settings");
 export const setSettings = callable<[settings: StreamSettings], { ok: boolean }>(
   "set_settings",
 );
+// GPUs + audio endpoints for the device pickers. Costs a subprocess that initialises Vulkan and
+// PipeWire, so it is called ONCE when the settings tab mounts and never on the launch path.
+export const listDevices = callable<[], DeviceLists>("list_devices");
+// The same, bypassing the backend's cache — for the user who just plugged in a headset.
+export const refreshDevices = callable<[], DeviceLists>("refresh_devices");
 export const killStream = callable<[], { ok: boolean }>("kill_stream");
 // Send a Wake-on-LAN magic packet to a saved host (headless flatpak --wake) so a sleeping host is
 // up by the time the stream connects. The MAC is looked up from the flatpak client's own

clients/decky/src/page.tsx

@@ -334,8 +334,14 @@ const HostsTab: FC<{
   </div>
 );
 
+// NOT `tabScroll`: the settings screen is a SidebarNavigation, which lays out its own rail +
+// content pane and scrolls the pane itself. Wrapping it in an outer scroll area would give it an
+// indefinite height to fill, collapsing the rail — so this pane only hands it the full height and
+// keeps its hands off the overflow. The footer inset lives inside the pages instead.
+const settingsPane: CSSProperties = { height: "100%", overflow: "hidden" };
+
 const SettingsTab: FC = () => (
-  <div style={tabScroll}>
+  <div style={settingsPane}>
     <SettingsSection />
   </div>
 );

clients/decky/src/settings.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,59 @@
-// Stream settings — resolution / refresh / bitrate / gamepad / compositor / mic, written to
-// the flatpak client's JSON (main.py set_settings), which the client reads on launch. The
-// accepted gamepad/compositor names mirror punktfunk-core's `*Pref::from_name`.
-import { Dropdown, Field, SliderField, Spinner, ToggleField } from "@decky/ui";
-import { CSSProperties, FC, useEffect, useState } from "react";
-import { getSettings, setSettings, StreamSettings } from "./backend";
-import { RowActions } from "./ui";
+// Stream settings — the client's WHOLE settings store, written to the JSON the client reads on
+// launch (main.py set_settings, merged onto what's on disk). This is the same
+// `client-gtk-settings.json` the desktop client and the console's settings screen own, so a value
+// changed in any of the three shows in the other two.
+//
+// SHAPE OF THIS SCREEN. Thirty rows is too many to scroll past on a thumbstick, so they are split
+// across a `SidebarNavigation` — the same left-rail-of-categories layout SteamOS's own Settings
+// uses, and the one Deck users already know. Every page fits on screen without scrolling, which is
+// the whole point of the split: the rail is the index, so nothing is more than one hop away.
+//
+// The categories, their order, and the wording of the rows are the console's settings screen
+// (pf-console-ui/src/screens/settings.rs) — that screen is the other settings editor a user
+// reaches without leaving Gaming Mode, and two different orders for one store is how people stop
+// trusting either. It shows them as one steppable list because it has no pointer and no room for
+// a rail; here they become the rail's pages, same groups, same sequence. Three more rules:
+//
+//   • A setting that depends on another is INDENTED under it and DISABLED, never hidden — the
+//     console dims those rows rather than dropping them, and a row that vanishes as you toggle
+//     the one above it is a moving target for a thumbstick.
+//   • A picker whose options this device doesn't have doesn't appear at all (the GPU row on a
+//     one-GPU Deck). A dead control is worse than an absent one.
+//   • Anything that behaves differently *here* than it does on a desktop says so in its own
+//     description, rather than being silently dropped from the screen.
+//
+// The accepted gamepad/compositor/codec/decoder names mirror punktfunk-core's `*Pref::from_name`
+// and the console's tables; the tier/mode names mirror the `StatsVerbosity` / `TouchMode` /
+// `MouseMode` enums, which serialize lowercase.
+import {
+  DialogButton,
+  Dropdown,
+  Field,
+  SidebarNavigation,
+  SliderField,
+  Spinner,
+  ToggleField,
+} from "@decky/ui";
+import { CSSProperties, FC, ReactElement, ReactNode, useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import {
+  FaDesktop,
+  FaGamepad,
+  FaHandPointer,
+  FaSlidersH,
+  FaTv,
+  FaVideo,
+  FaVolumeUp,
+} from "react-icons/fa";
+import {
+  AudioDevice,
+  DeviceLists,
+  getSettings,
+  listDevices,
+  refreshDevices,
+  setSettings,
+  StreamSettings,
+} from "./backend";
+import { actionButton, RowActions } from "./ui";
 
 // Decky's Dropdown has no width prop — it fills whatever container it's in, and a
 // `childrenContainerWidth="max"` Field is the whole row. Wrapping it in this fit-content shell
@@ -17,50 +66,543 @@ const selectShell: CSSProperties = {
   maxWidth: "24em",
 };
 
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Option tables — the console's, so the two Gaming-Mode editors offer the same choices.
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+// "native" and "match" are virtual: they store `width`/`height` of 0 with `match_window` off/on.
+// Match window is offered even though this plugin's launches are always fullscreen (where it
+// degenerates to the display's native mode) — leaving it out would make the row lie about a
+// store the desktop client can set it in.
+const MATCH_WINDOW = "match";
 const RESOLUTIONS: [number, number, string][] = [
   [0, 0, "Native display"],
   [1280, 720, "1280 × 720"],
   [1280, 800, "1280 × 800 (Deck)"],
   [1920, 1080, "1920 × 1080"],
   [2560, 1440, "2560 × 1440"],
+  [3840, 2160, "3840 × 2160"],
 ];
+const resolutionKey = (w: number, h: number): string => (w === 0 && h === 0 ? "native" : `${w}x${h}`);
+
 const REFRESH = [0, 30, 60, 90, 120];
 // Render-resolution multipliers (mirrors punktfunk_core::render_scale::PRESETS). 1.0 = native.
 const RENDER_SCALES = [0.5, 0.67, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0];
 const renderScaleLabel = (x: number): string =>
   x === 1 ? "Native (1×)" : x > 1 ? `${x}× · supersample` : `${x}×`;
-const GAMEPADS = ["auto", "xbox360", "xboxone", "dualsense", "dualshock4", "steamdeck"];
-const GAMEPAD_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
-  auto: "Automatic",
-  xbox360: "Xbox 360",
-  xboxone: "Xbox One",
-  dualsense: "DualSense",
-  dualshock4: "DualShock 4",
-  steamdeck: "Steam Deck",
+
+const COMPOSITORS: [string, string][] = [
+  ["auto", "Automatic"],
+  ["kwin", "KDE Plasma (KWin)"],
+  ["wlroots", "Sway (wlroots)"],
+  ["mutter", "GNOME (Mutter)"],
+  ["gamescope", "gamescope"],
+];
+const CODECS: [string, string][] = [
+  ["auto", "Automatic"],
+  ["hevc", "HEVC (H.265)"],
+  ["h264", "H.264 (AVC)"],
+  ["av1", "AV1"],
+  // Opt-in wired-LAN low-latency codec (100–400 Mbit/s class, 8-bit SDR). Only ever selected
+  // when the host advertises it too; anything else falls back to HEVC.
+  ["pyrowave", "PyroWave (wired LAN)"],
+];
+const DECODERS: [string, string][] = [
+  ["auto", "Automatic"],
+  ["vulkan", "Vulkan Video"],
+  ["vaapi", "VAAPI"],
+  ["software", "Software"],
+];
+// Presentation intent — the `present_priority` key shared with the Apple and Android clients, so
+// one profile reads the same on every device.
+const PRESENT_PRIORITIES: [string, string][] = [
+  ["latency", "Lowest latency"],
+  ["smooth", "Smoothness"],
+];
+// Smoothness buffer depth in frames; 0 = Automatic (resolves to 2).
+const SMOOTH_BUFFERS: [number, string][] = [
+  [0, "Automatic"],
+  [1, "1 frame"],
+  [2, "2 frames"],
+  [3, "3 frames"],
+];
+const AUDIO_CHANNELS: [number, string][] = [
+  [2, "Stereo"],
+  [6, "5.1 surround"],
+  [8, "7.1 surround"],
+];
+const GAMEPADS: [string, string][] = [
+  ["auto", "Automatic"],
+  ["xbox360", "Xbox 360"],
+  ["xboxone", "Xbox One"],
+  ["dualsense", "DualSense"],
+  ["dualshock4", "DualShock 4"],
+  ["steamdeck", "Steam Deck"],
+];
+const TOUCH_MODES: [string, string][] = [
+  ["trackpad", "Trackpad"],
+  ["pointer", "Direct pointer"],
+  ["touch", "Touch passthrough"],
+];
+const MOUSE_MODES: [string, string][] = [
+  ["capture", "Capture (games)"],
+  ["desktop", "Desktop (absolute)"],
+];
+const STATS_TIERS: [string, string][] = [
+  ["off", "Off"],
+  ["compact", "Compact"],
+  ["normal", "Normal"],
+  ["detailed", "Detailed"],
+];
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Row primitives — every picker row is Field + right-aligned, content-sized Dropdown, so the
+// twelve of them below stay one line each and can't drift apart.
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+const SelectRow = <T extends string | number>({
+  label,
+  description,
+  options,
+  value,
+  onChange,
+  formatUnknown,
+  disabled,
+  indent,
+}: {
+  label: string;
+  description?: ReactNode;
+  options: [T, string][];
+  value: T;
+  onChange: (v: T) => void;
+  // How to name a stored value this table doesn't list (see below); defaults to the raw value.
+  formatUnknown?: (v: T) => string;
+  disabled?: boolean;
+  indent?: boolean;
+}): ReactElement => {
+  // A Dropdown can only display a value that is one of its options, and this store has four other
+  // writers — the desktop client, the console, a settings profile, a newer client with presets
+  // this build doesn't know. Rather than render a blank control (or, worse, silently show a
+  // different value than the stream will actually use), carry the stored one as its own entry.
+  const shown: [T, string][] = options.some(([v]) => v === value)
+    ? options
+    : [...options, [value, formatUnknown ? formatUnknown(value) : String(value)]];
+  return (
+    <Field
+      label={label}
+      description={description}
+      disabled={disabled}
+      indentLevel={indent ? 1 : undefined}
+      childrenContainerWidth="max"
+    >
+      <RowActions>
+        <div style={selectShell}>
+          <Dropdown
+            disabled={disabled}
+            rgOptions={shown.map(([data, l]) => ({ data, label: l }))}
+            selectedOption={value}
+            onChange={(o) => onChange(o.data as T)}
+          />
+        </div>
+      </RowActions>
+    </Field>
+  );
 };
-// Mirrors the desktop client's picker (ui_settings.rs CODECS) — a soft preference the host
-// falls back from when its GPU can't encode it.
-const CODECS = ["auto", "hevc", "h264", "av1"];
-const CODEC_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
-  auto: "Automatic",
-  hevc: "HEVC (H.265)",
-  h264: "H.264 (AVC)",
-  av1: "AV1",
+
+// An audio-endpoint picker. The stored value is a PipeWire `node.name`; "" means "whatever the OS
+// is using". A stored endpoint that isn't in the current enumeration still gets an entry — it is
+// a real preference that simply isn't plugged in right now, and dropping it would silently
+// re-point the next stream at the default without ever showing the user why.
+const DeviceRow: FC<{
+  label: string;
+  description: string;
+  devices: AudioDevice[] | null;
+  value: string;
+  onChange: (v: string) => void;
+  disabled?: boolean;
+  indent?: boolean;
+}> = ({ label, description, devices, value, onChange, disabled, indent }) => {
+  const options: [string, string][] = [["", "System default"]];
+  for (const d of devices ?? []) options.push([d.name, d.description]);
+  if (value && !options.some(([name]) => name === value)) {
+    options.push([value, `${value} (not connected)`]);
+  }
+  return (
+    <SelectRow
+      label={label}
+      description={devices === null ? "Reading this device's audio endpoints…" : description}
+      options={options}
+      value={value}
+      onChange={onChange}
+      disabled={disabled || devices === null}
+      indent={indent}
+    />
+  );
 };
-const COMPOSITORS = ["auto", "kwin", "wlroots", "mutter", "gamescope"];
-const COMPOSITOR_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
-  auto: "Automatic",
-  kwin: "KDE Plasma (KWin)",
-  wlroots: "Sway (wlroots)",
-  mutter: "GNOME (Mutter)",
-  gamescope: "gamescope",
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// The pages. One settings object, seven views on it — every page takes the same context rather
+// than fetching or holding state of its own, so a change on one page is visible on the others
+// the moment you switch.
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+interface PageCtx {
+  s: StreamSettings;
+  patch: (p: Partial<StreamSettings>) => void;
+  devices: DeviceLists | null;
+  reading: boolean;
+  readDevices: (again: boolean) => void;
+}
+
+// SidebarNavigation gives each page Steam's own padding, but the routed page still renders
+// UNDER Gaming Mode's footer hint bar, so the last row of a page needs to clear it (the same
+// inset the tabs use).
+const pageBody: CSSProperties = { paddingBottom: "80px" };
+
+const StreamPage: FC<PageCtx> = ({ s, patch }) => {
+  const renderScale = s.render_scale ?? 1;
+  const resolution = s.match_window ? MATCH_WINDOW : resolutionKey(s.width, s.height);
+  return (
+    <div style={pageBody}>
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Resolution"
+        description="The host creates a virtual display at exactly this size — no scaling. Match window follows the stream window instead, which in Gaming Mode means the Deck's native size."
+        options={[
+          ...RESOLUTIONS.map(([w, h, label]) => [resolutionKey(w, h), label] as [string, string]),
+          [MATCH_WINDOW, "Match window"] as [string, string],
+        ]}
+        value={resolution}
+        // A size set from a desktop profile that isn't one of these presets, spelled the way the
+        // presets are rather than left as the raw "1600x900" key.
+        formatUnknown={(v) => v.replace("x", " × ")}
+        onChange={(v) => {
+          if (v === MATCH_WINDOW) {
+            // The tri-state the console stores: the flag on, the explicit size cleared.
+            patch({ match_window: true, width: 0, height: 0 });
+            return;
+          }
+          const found = RESOLUTIONS.find(([w, h]) => resolutionKey(w, h) === v);
+          patch({ match_window: false, width: found?.[0] ?? 0, height: found?.[1] ?? 0 });
+        }}
+      />
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Refresh rate"
+        description="Native follows the display the stream is on."
+        options={REFRESH.map((r) => [r, r === 0 ? "Native" : `${r} Hz`] as [number, string])}
+        value={s.refresh_hz}
+        formatUnknown={(v) => `${v} Hz`}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ refresh_hz: v })}
+      />
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Render scale"
+        description="The host renders larger or smaller than the stream mode and the Deck resamples — above 1× supersamples for sharpness, below 1× saves bandwidth."
+        options={RENDER_SCALES.map((x) => [x, renderScaleLabel(x)] as [number, string])}
+        // Snap the stored value to the nearest preset so the dropdown always shows a match.
+        value={RENDER_SCALES.reduce((best, x) =>
+          Math.abs(x - renderScale) < Math.abs(best - renderScale) ? x : best,
+        )}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ render_scale: v })}
+      />
+      <SliderField
+        label="Bitrate"
+        description="0 = the host's own default (20 Mbit/s)."
+        value={Math.round(s.bitrate_kbps / 1000)}
+        min={0}
+        max={150}
+        step={5}
+        showValue
+        valueSuffix=" Mbit/s"
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ bitrate_kbps: v * 1000 })}
+      />
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Host compositor"
+        description="Which compositor drives the virtual display — honoured only if it's available on the host. Automatic suits almost every host."
+        options={COMPOSITORS}
+        value={s.compositor}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ compositor: v })}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
 };
 
+const VideoPage: FC<PageCtx> = ({ s, patch, devices }) => {
+  // Only worth a row on a box that actually has a choice to make. A Deck has one adapter, and a
+  // picker with a single option is a control that can't do anything.
+  const showGpuRow = (devices?.adapters.length ?? 0) > 1;
+  return (
+    <div style={pageBody}>
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Video codec"
+        description="A preference — the host falls back when its GPU can't encode this one."
+        options={CODECS}
+        value={s.codec ?? "auto"}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ codec: v })}
+      />
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Video decoder"
+        description="How the Deck decodes the stream. Automatic prefers Vulkan Video, then VAAPI, then software."
+        options={DECODERS}
+        value={s.decoder ?? "auto"}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ decoder: v })}
+      />
+      {showGpuRow && (
+        <SelectRow
+          label="Decode GPU"
+          description="Which adapter decodes and presents the stream. Automatic picks the discrete GPU where there is one."
+          options={[
+            ["", "Automatic"],
+            ...(devices?.adapters ?? []).map((a) => [a, a] as [string, string]),
+          ]}
+          value={s.adapter ?? ""}
+          onChange={(v) => patch({ adapter: v })}
+        />
+      )}
+      <ToggleField
+        label="10-bit HDR"
+        description="Advertise HDR10 so the host sends 10-bit when the content is HDR. Off means never ask for 10-bit."
+        checked={s.hdr_enabled ?? true}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ hdr_enabled: v })}
+      />
+      <ToggleField
+        label="Full chroma (4:4:4)"
+        description="Full-colour video: crisp small text and thin lines, at more bandwidth. Needs an NVIDIA host (NVENC) or the PyroWave codec — other encoders stream 4:2:0 and the session falls back silently."
+        checked={s.enable_444 ?? false}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ enable_444: v })}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
+const PresentationPage: FC<PageCtx> = ({ s, patch }) => {
+  const smooth = (s.present_priority ?? "latency") === "smooth";
+  return (
+    <div style={pageBody}>
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Prioritize"
+        description="What to optimise for when a decoded frame is ready. Lowest latency shows each frame the moment the display can take it — a network hiccup becomes an occasional repeated or skipped frame. Smoothness buffers a little to even those out."
+        options={PRESENT_PRIORITIES}
+        value={s.present_priority ?? "latency"}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ present_priority: v })}
+      />
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Smoothness buffer"
+        description="Frames held back before showing. Each one absorbs about a refresh of network hiccup and adds a refresh of delay. Automatic holds two."
+        options={SMOOTH_BUFFERS}
+        value={s.smooth_buffer ?? 0}
+        formatUnknown={(v) => `${v} frames`}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ smooth_buffer: v })}
+        disabled={!smooth}
+        indent
+      />
+      <ToggleField
+        label="V-Sync"
+        description="Tear-free. Off removes the wait for the screen's refresh — the lowest possible delay, at the cost of visible tearing. Best-effort: not every driver offers it, and the Detailed stats overlay names the mode actually in use."
+        checked={s.vsync ?? true}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ vsync: v })}
+      />
+      <ToggleField
+        label="Follow variable refresh"
+        description="On a VRR screen, let the panel refresh in step with the stream instead of on a fixed cadence. Applies to fullscreen sessions — which a Gaming-Mode stream always is — and is harmless on a fixed-refresh screen."
+        checked={s.allow_vrr ?? true}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ allow_vrr: v })}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
+const AudioPage: FC<PageCtx> = ({ s, patch, devices, reading, readDevices }) => {
+  const micOn = s.mic_enabled;
+  // What the pickers get: null while the enumeration is in flight (they show a loading state),
+  // [] when it answered but couldn't read the endpoints (System default plus whatever is
+  // stored), and the real list otherwise.
+  const endpoints = (list: AudioDevice[] | undefined): AudioDevice[] | null =>
+    reading || !devices ? null : devices.ok ? (list ?? []) : [];
+  return (
+    <div style={pageBody}>
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Audio channels"
+        description="The speaker layout requested from the host, which clamps it to what it can capture."
+        options={AUDIO_CHANNELS}
+        value={s.audio_channels ?? 2}
+        formatUnknown={(v) => `${v} channels`}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ audio_channels: v })}
+      />
+      <DeviceRow
+        label="Output device"
+        description="Where stream audio plays. System default follows whatever the Deck is using, including a headset you plug in mid-stream."
+        devices={endpoints(devices?.sinks)}
+        value={s.speaker_device ?? ""}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ speaker_device: v })}
+      />
+      <ToggleField
+        label="Stream microphone"
+        description="Send the Deck's microphone to the host's virtual mic. Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V mutes and unmutes it mid-stream."
+        checked={micOn}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ mic_enabled: v })}
+      />
+      <DeviceRow
+        label="Microphone device"
+        description="Which input the mic uplink captures from."
+        devices={endpoints(devices?.sources)}
+        value={s.mic_device ?? ""}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ mic_device: v })}
+        disabled={!micOn}
+        indent
+      />
+      <ToggleField
+        label="Echo cancellation"
+        description="Stops the host's audio, playing from the Deck's speakers, being picked up and sent back. Turn it off if your microphone already runs its own processing."
+        checked={s.echo_cancel ?? true}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ echo_cancel: v })}
+        disabled={!micOn}
+        indentLevel={1}
+      />
+      {/* The escape hatch for a headset plugged in after this page was opened, and the honest
+          answer when the enumeration failed outright (a client too old to ship the session
+          binary). Rendered unconditionally, including while it is reading: a row that comes and
+          goes under a thumbstick is a moving target, so only its wording changes. */}
+      <Field
+        label={
+          !reading && devices && !devices.ok ? "Couldn't read this device's hardware" : "Devices"
+        }
+        description={
+          reading
+            ? "Reading this device's audio endpoints and GPUs…"
+            : devices && !devices.ok
+              ? "The output, microphone and GPU pickers fall back to Automatic. Reading them needs the client's session binary, which a client older than the two-binary split doesn't ship — update it from the About tab."
+              : "Plugged something in just now? Read the audio endpoints and GPUs again."
+        }
+        childrenContainerWidth="max"
+      >
+        <RowActions>
+          <DialogButton style={actionButton} disabled={reading} onClick={() => readDevices(true)}>
+            {reading ? <Spinner style={{ height: "1em" }} /> : "Refresh"}
+          </DialogButton>
+        </RowActions>
+      </Field>
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
+const ControllersPage: FC<PageCtx> = ({ s, patch }) => {
+  const forwarding = s.gamepad_forwarding ?? true;
+  return (
+    <div style={pageBody}>
+      <ToggleField
+        label="Forward controllers"
+        description="Send controllers connected to the Deck to the host. Turn it off when your controller already reaches the host another way — USB passthrough such as VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host — so games don't see two of them."
+        checked={forwarding}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ gamepad_forwarding: v })}
+      />
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Controller type"
+        description="The virtual pad the host creates. Automatic matches the controller you're holding."
+        options={GAMEPADS}
+        value={s.gamepad}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ gamepad: v })}
+        disabled={!forwarding}
+        indent
+      />
+      {forwarding && (s.gamepad === "steamdeck" || s.gamepad === "auto") && (
+        <Field
+          label="⚠ Disable Steam Input"
+          description="On a Deck, Automatic forwards the built-in controller as a Steam Deck pad — paddles, both trackpads, and gyro included. For that, Steam Input must be OFF for Punktfunk: on the game page tap ⚙ → Controller Settings → set Steam Input to Off. Otherwise Steam keeps the Deck's controls and only the sticks + buttons reach the host."
+          indentLevel={1}
+        />
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
+const PointerPage: FC<PageCtx> = ({ s, patch }) => (
+  <div style={pageBody}>
+    <SelectRow
+      label="Touch mode"
+      description="How the touchscreen drives the host: Trackpad (relative cursor, tap to click), Direct pointer (the cursor jumps to your finger), or Touch passthrough (every finger is a host contact — only helps apps that understand touch)."
+      options={TOUCH_MODES}
+      value={s.touch_mode ?? "trackpad"}
+      onChange={(v) => patch({ touch_mode: v })}
+    />
+    <SelectRow
+      label="Mouse mode"
+      description="How a physical mouse drives the host: Capture locks the pointer for games, Desktop leaves it free and sends absolute positions. Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M switches it live mid-stream."
+      options={MOUSE_MODES}
+      value={s.mouse_mode ?? "capture"}
+      onChange={(v) => patch({ mouse_mode: v })}
+    />
+    <ToggleField
+      label="Invert scroll direction"
+      description="Reverses the wheel and trackpad scroll direction sent to the host."
+      checked={s.invert_scroll ?? false}
+      onChange={(v) => patch({ invert_scroll: v })}
+    />
+    <ToggleField
+      label="Capture system shortcuts"
+      description="Sends Alt+Tab, Super and friends to the host while input is captured, instead of leaving them to the local desktop. Gaming Mode is gamescope, which has no shortcuts to hold back — this is for a keyboard attached to the Deck in Desktop Mode, and for the desktop client sharing these settings."
+      checked={s.inhibit_shortcuts}
+      onChange={(v) => patch({ inhibit_shortcuts: v })}
+    />
+  </div>
+);
+
+const InterfacePage: FC<PageCtx> = ({ s, patch }) => {
+  // `Settings::stats_verbosity`: no tier = a pre-tier store, resolved through the legacy bool,
+  // which itself defaults to true.
+  const statsTier = s.stats_verbosity ?? ((s.show_stats ?? true) ? "normal" : "off");
+  return (
+    <div style={pageBody}>
+      <SelectRow
+        label="Statistics overlay"
+        description="How much the in-stream overlay shows: Compact (fps · latency · bitrate on one line) → Normal → Detailed. A three-finger tap on the touchscreen cycles it mid-stream."
+        options={STATS_TIERS}
+        value={statsTier}
+        // Both keys, in sync — the same pairing `Settings::set_stats_verbosity` keeps, so a
+        // client too old for the tiers still honours an Off chosen here.
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ stats_verbosity: v, show_stats: v !== "off" })}
+      />
+      <ToggleField
+        label="Wake hosts automatically"
+        description="Send Wake-on-LAN to a sleeping host before connecting and wait for it to boot. Turn it off for hosts reached over a VPN, where an offline-looking host is really just unreachable by broadcast and the wait only adds delay."
+        checked={s.auto_wake ?? true}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ auto_wake: v })}
+      />
+      <ToggleField
+        label="Show game library in the client"
+        description="Lets the client's own host cards browse a paired host's games. This plugin's library browser works either way — this is for the client's screens."
+        checked={s.library_enabled ?? false}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ library_enabled: v })}
+      />
+      <ToggleField
+        label="Start streams fullscreen"
+        description="Streams open fullscreen instead of windowed. Launches from this plugin are always fullscreen whatever this says — it's here because the desktop client reads the same settings."
+        checked={s.fullscreen_on_stream ?? true}
+        onChange={(v) => patch({ fullscreen_on_stream: v })}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 export const SettingsSection: FC = () => {
   const [s, setS] = useState<StreamSettings | null>(null);
+  // null until the enumeration answers — the pickers show a loading state rather than briefly
+  // claiming this device has no endpoints.
+  const [devices, setDevices] = useState<DeviceLists | null>(null);
+  const [reading, setReading] = useState(true);
+
+  const readDevices = (again: boolean) => {
+    setReading(true);
+    void (again ? refreshDevices() : listDevices())
+      .then(setDevices)
+      .finally(() => setReading(false));
+  };
 
   useEffect(() => {
     void getSettings().then(setS);
+    // Deliberately not awaited together with the settings: a cold flatpak initialising Vulkan
+    // takes seconds, and the rest of the screen must not wait for it.
+    readDevices(false);
   }, []);
 
   const patch = (p: Partial<StreamSettings>) => {
@@ -74,128 +616,42 @@ export const SettingsSection: FC = () => {
 
   if (!s) return <Spinner style={{ height: "1.5em" }} />;
 
-  const resIdx = Math.max(
-    0,
-    RESOLUTIONS.findIndex(([w, h]) => w === s.width && h === s.height),
-  );
-
+  const ctx: PageCtx = { s, patch, devices, reading, readDevices };
   return (
-    <>
-      <Field
-        label="Resolution"
-        description="The host creates a virtual output at exactly this size"
-        childrenContainerWidth="max"
-      >
-        <RowActions>
-          <div style={selectShell}>
-            <Dropdown
-              rgOptions={RESOLUTIONS.map(([, , label], i) => ({ data: i, label }))}
-              selectedOption={resIdx}
-              onChange={(o) => {
-                const [w, h] = RESOLUTIONS[o.data as number];
-                patch({ width: w, height: h });
-              }}
-            />
-          </div>
-        </RowActions>
-      </Field>
-      <Field label="Refresh rate" childrenContainerWidth="max">
-        <RowActions>
-          <div style={selectShell}>
-            <Dropdown
-              rgOptions={REFRESH.map((r) => ({ data: r, label: r === 0 ? "Native" : `${r} Hz` }))}
-              selectedOption={s.refresh_hz}
-              onChange={(o) => patch({ refresh_hz: o.data as number })}
-            />
-          </div>
-        </RowActions>
-      </Field>
-      <Field
-        label="Render scale"
-        description="Supersample for sharpness (> 1×, more bandwidth) or render below native (< 1×) — the Deck resamples to its screen"
-        childrenContainerWidth="max"
-      >
-        <RowActions>
-          <div style={selectShell}>
-            <Dropdown
-              rgOptions={RENDER_SCALES.map((x) => ({ data: x, label: renderScaleLabel(x) }))}
-              // Snap the stored value to the nearest preset so the dropdown always shows a match.
-              selectedOption={RENDER_SCALES.reduce((best, x) =>
-                Math.abs(x - (s.render_scale ?? 1)) < Math.abs(best - (s.render_scale ?? 1)) ? x : best,
-              )}
-              onChange={(o) => patch({ render_scale: o.data as number })}
-            />
-          </div>
-        </RowActions>
-      </Field>
-      <SliderField
-        label="Bitrate"
-        description="Mbit/s · 0 = host default"
-        value={Math.round(s.bitrate_kbps / 1000)}
-        min={0}
-        max={150}
-        step={5}
-        showValue
-        valueSuffix=" Mbit/s"
-        onChange={(v) => patch({ bitrate_kbps: v * 1000 })}
-      />
-      <Field
-        label="Video codec"
-        description="Preferred stream codec — the host falls back when its GPU can't encode it"
-        childrenContainerWidth="max"
-      >
-        <RowActions>
-          <div style={selectShell}>
-            <Dropdown
-              rgOptions={CODECS.map((c) => ({ data: c, label: CODEC_LABELS[c] ?? c }))}
-              selectedOption={s.codec ?? "auto"}
-              onChange={(o) => patch({ codec: o.data as string })}
-            />
-          </div>
-        </RowActions>
-      </Field>
-      <Field
-        label="Gamepad type"
-        description="Which virtual controller the host creates for your inputs"
-        childrenContainerWidth="max"
-      >
-        <RowActions>
-          <div style={selectShell}>
-            <Dropdown
-              rgOptions={GAMEPADS.map((g) => ({ data: g, label: GAMEPAD_LABELS[g] ?? g }))}
-              selectedOption={s.gamepad}
-              onChange={(o) => patch({ gamepad: o.data as string })}
-            />
-          </div>
-        </RowActions>
-      </Field>
-      {(s.gamepad === "steamdeck" || s.gamepad === "auto") && (
-        <Field
-          label="⚠ Disable Steam Input"
-          description="On a Deck, Automatic forwards the built-in controller as a Steam Deck pad — paddles, both trackpads, and gyro included. For that, Steam Input must be OFF for Punktfunk: on the game page tap ⚙ → Controller Settings → set Steam Input to Off. Otherwise Steam keeps the Deck's controls and only the sticks + buttons reach the host."
-        />
-      )}
-      <Field
-        label="Host compositor"
-        description="Which compositor backend the host uses for the virtual display — Automatic suits almost every host"
-        childrenContainerWidth="max"
-      >
-        <RowActions>
-          <div style={selectShell}>
-            <Dropdown
-              rgOptions={COMPOSITORS.map((c) => ({ data: c, label: COMPOSITOR_LABELS[c] ?? c }))}
-              selectedOption={s.compositor}
-              onChange={(o) => patch({ compositor: o.data as string })}
-            />
-          </div>
-        </RowActions>
-      </Field>
-      <ToggleField
-        label="Stream microphone"
-        description="Send the Deck's microphone to the host's virtual mic"
-        checked={s.mic_enabled}
-        onChange={(v) => patch({ mic_enabled: v })}
-      />
-    </>
+    <SidebarNavigation
+      // We are already inside the plugin's own `/punktfunk` route, rendered in a tab. Route
+      // reporting would have this nav push entries of its own onto the router and fight the
+      // page for the back gesture; the pages are addressed by `identifier` instead.
+      disableRouteReporting
+      pages={[
+        { title: "Stream", identifier: "stream", icon: <FaDesktop />, content: <StreamPage {...ctx} /> },
+        { title: "Video", identifier: "video", icon: <FaVideo />, content: <VideoPage {...ctx} /> },
+        {
+          title: "Presentation",
+          identifier: "presentation",
+          icon: <FaTv />,
+          content: <PresentationPage {...ctx} />,
+        },
+        { title: "Audio", identifier: "audio", icon: <FaVolumeUp />, content: <AudioPage {...ctx} /> },
+        {
+          title: "Controllers",
+          identifier: "controllers",
+          icon: <FaGamepad />,
+          content: <ControllersPage {...ctx} />,
+        },
+        {
+          title: "Touch & mouse",
+          identifier: "pointer",
+          icon: <FaHandPointer />,
+          content: <PointerPage {...ctx} />,
+        },
+        {
+          title: "Interface",
+          identifier: "interface",
+          icon: <FaSlidersH />,
+          content: <InterfacePage {...ctx} />,
+        },
+      ]}
+    />
   );
 };

clients/linux/src/app.rs

@@ -1019,6 +1019,12 @@ pub fn shortcuts_window(parent: &adw::ApplicationWindow) -> gtk::ShortcutsWindow
                 <property name="accelerator">&lt;Control&gt;&lt;Alt&gt;&lt;Shift&gt;s</property>
               </object>
             </child>
+            <child>
+              <object class="GtkShortcutsShortcut">
+                <property name="title">Mute or unmute your microphone (only while the stream sends one)</property>
+                <property name="accelerator">&lt;Control&gt;&lt;Alt&gt;&lt;Shift&gt;v</property>
+              </object>
+            </child>
           </object>
         </child>
       </object>

clients/linux/src/cli.rs

@@ -480,8 +480,23 @@ fn headless_check_update() -> glib::ExitCode {
             "installed  {} ({}, {})",
             status.current, status.kind, status.channel
         );
-        println!("available  {}", status.latest);
-        if let Some(err) = &status.error {
+        // `latest` falls back to `current` when the check couldn't run — printing that as
+        // "available" would read as a confirmed answer we don't have.
+        if status.error.is_some() {
+            println!("available  unknown");
+        } else {
+            println!("available  {}", status.latest);
+        }
+        if status.not_published {
+            // Says what it is, in words, instead of a raw HTTP status. The exit code still
+            // reports "could not tell" (see the doc comment above): an empty channel is the
+            // absence of evidence that this build is current, and a mistyped
+            // PUNKTFUNK_UPDATE_FEED is indistinguishable from one out here.
+            println!(
+                "update     nothing published on the {} channel yet",
+                status.channel
+            );
+        } else if let Some(err) = &status.error {
             eprintln!("check-update: {err}");
         } else if status.update_available {
             println!("update     yes");

clients/linux/src/ui_settings.rs

@@ -156,6 +156,20 @@ mod index {
     pub fn gamepad(s: &Settings) -> u32 {
         GAMEPADS.iter().position(|&g| g == s.gamepad).unwrap_or(0) as u32
     }
+
+    pub fn present_priority(s: &Settings) -> u32 {
+        // Unknown values (a newer client's intent) read as the default, exactly as
+        // `PresentPriority::resolve` treats them.
+        PRESENT_PRIORITIES
+            .iter()
+            .position(|&p| p == s.present_priority)
+            .unwrap_or(0) as u32
+    }
+
+    pub fn smooth_buffer(s: &Settings) -> u32 {
+        // The index IS the stored value: 0 = Automatic, 1..3 = frames.
+        u32::from(s.smooth_buffer).min(SMOOTH_BUFFER_LABELS.len() as u32 - 1)
+    }
 }
 
 /// The chip palette a profile can carry (`StreamProfile.accent`). Eight entries rather than a
@@ -607,6 +621,9 @@ fn commit_profile(active: &StreamProfile, touched: &Touched, values: &Settings)
     if touched.has("mic_enabled") {
         o.mic_enabled = Some(values.mic_enabled);
     }
+    if touched.has("echo_cancel") {
+        o.echo_cancel = Some(values.echo_cancel);
+    }
     if touched.has("touch_mode") {
         o.touch_mode = Some(values.touch_mode.clone());
     }
@@ -622,12 +639,27 @@ fn commit_profile(active: &StreamProfile, touched: &Touched, values: &Settings)
     if touched.has("gamepad") {
         o.gamepad = Some(values.gamepad.clone());
     }
+    if touched.has("gamepad_forwarding") {
+        o.gamepad_forwarding = Some(values.gamepad_forwarding);
+    }
     if touched.has("stats_verbosity") {
         o.stats_verbosity = Some(values.stats_verbosity());
     }
     if touched.has("fullscreen_on_stream") {
         o.fullscreen_on_stream = Some(values.fullscreen_on_stream);
     }
+    if touched.has("present_priority") {
+        o.present_priority = Some(values.present_priority.clone());
+    }
+    if touched.has("smooth_buffer") {
+        o.smooth_buffer = Some(values.smooth_buffer);
+    }
+    if touched.has("vsync") {
+        o.vsync = Some(values.vsync);
+    }
+    if touched.has("allow_vrr") {
+        o.allow_vrr = Some(values.allow_vrr);
+    }
     // Resets are not handled here: they clear the field and re-seed their row the moment the
     // user asks, so by the time this runs the catalog already reflects them and the row is no
     // longer marked touched.
@@ -681,6 +713,20 @@ const TOUCH_MODE_CAPTIONS: &[&str] = &[
     "The cursor jumps to your finger — a tap clicks there",
     "Real multi-touch reaches the host — for touch-native apps",
 ];
+/// Presentation-intent values (persisted under the `present_priority` key the Apple and
+/// Android clients share) + labels + dynamic captions. Captions stay ONE line, like the
+/// touch/mouse rows.
+const PRESENT_PRIORITIES: &[&str] = &["latency", "smooth"];
+const PRESENT_PRIORITY_LABELS: &[&str] = &["Lowest latency", "Smoothness"];
+const PRESENT_PRIORITY_CAPTIONS: &[&str] = &[
+    "Each frame shows the moment the display can take it",
+    "Buffers a little to even out network hiccups",
+];
+/// Smoothness buffer depth, in frames — the index IS the stored `smooth_buffer` value
+/// (0 = Automatic, which resolves to 2). No millisecond hints: the cost is one refresh
+/// per frame, and the session's refresh isn't known here when the mode is Native.
+const SMOOTH_BUFFER_LABELS: &[&str] = &["Automatic", "1 frame", "2 frames", "3 frames"];
+
 /// Physical-mouse model values (persisted) + labels + dynamic captions — same idiom as
 /// the touch rows. Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M flips the model live in-stream.
 const MOUSE_MODES: &[&str] = &["capture", "desktop"];
@@ -1210,6 +1256,50 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
         row
     });
 
+    // ---- Display: Presentation ----
+    // The intent pair the Apple and Android clients already carry. The buffer row only
+    // means anything under Smoothness, so it hides itself the rest of the time rather
+    // than sitting there inert.
+    let present_row = ChoiceRow::new(
+        &dialog,
+        inline,
+        "Prioritize",
+        PRESENT_PRIORITY_CAPTIONS[0],
+        PRESENT_PRIORITY_LABELS,
+    );
+    let buffer_row = ChoiceRow::new(
+        &dialog,
+        inline,
+        "Smoothness buffer",
+        "Each frame held absorbs one refresh of hiccup and adds one of delay",
+        SMOOTH_BUFFER_LABELS,
+    );
+    {
+        let w = present_row.widget().clone();
+        let buffer = buffer_row.widget().clone();
+        present_row.connect_changed(move |i| {
+            let i = (i as usize).min(PRESENT_PRIORITY_CAPTIONS.len() - 1);
+            set_row_subtitle(&w, PRESENT_PRIORITY_CAPTIONS[i]);
+            buffer.set_visible(PRESENT_PRIORITIES[i] == "smooth");
+        });
+    }
+    let vsync_row = adw::SwitchRow::builder()
+        .title("V-Sync")
+        .subtitle(
+            "Tear-free. Turning it off removes the wait for the screen's refresh — the \
+             lowest possible delay, at the cost of visible tearing. Not every driver \
+             offers it; the stats overlay names the mode actually in use",
+        )
+        .build();
+    let vrr_row = adw::SwitchRow::builder()
+        .title("Follow variable refresh rate")
+        .subtitle(
+            "On a VRR/FreeSync/G-Sync screen, let the panel refresh in step with the \
+             stream instead of on a fixed cadence. Applies to fullscreen sessions; \
+             harmless on a fixed-refresh screen",
+        )
+        .build();
+
     // ---- Display: Host output ----
     let compositor_row = ChoiceRow::new(
         &dialog,
@@ -1301,7 +1391,11 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
     );
     let mic_row = adw::SwitchRow::builder()
         .title("Stream microphone")
-        .subtitle("Sends your microphone to the host's virtual mic")
+        .subtitle("Sends your microphone to the host's virtual mic — Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V mutes it mid-stream")
+        .build();
+    let echo_row = adw::SwitchRow::builder()
+        .title("Echo cancellation")
+        .subtitle("Keeps the host's audio, playing from this machine's speakers, out of the uplink")
         .build();
     // Endpoint pickers (from the PipeWire probe): visible labels are descriptions, the
     // stored value is the node name. Hidden when the probe found nothing; a saved
@@ -1345,12 +1439,23 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
         "Microphone",
         "The input that feeds the host's virtual mic",
     );
-    // The device pick only matters while the mic streams at all.
+    // The device pick and the echo canceller only matter while the mic streams at all — both
+    // follow it. One handler each (the pickers are optional, the echo row never is), and the
+    // initial state is set here because the seed block further down fires these too.
+    //
+    // Insensitivity covers the whole row, including the per-row Reset a profile scope adds:
+    // an echo_cancel override can only be reset while the mic row is on. Turn it on, reset,
+    // turn it back off — the alternative is a control that looks live and isn't.
     if let Some(r) = &micdev_row {
         let w = r.widget().clone();
         w.set_sensitive(mic_row.is_active());
         mic_row.connect_active_notify(move |m| w.set_sensitive(m.is_active()));
     }
+    {
+        let w = echo_row.clone();
+        w.set_sensitive(mic_row.is_active());
+        mic_row.connect_active_notify(move |m| w.set_sensitive(m.is_active()));
+    }
 
     // ---- Controllers ----
     // Controller forwarding: Automatic forwards EVERY real controller, each as its own pad
@@ -1358,6 +1463,17 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
     // controller (single-player). The pin is persisted by stable key (`Settings::forward_pad`),
     // so it survives restarts — and disconnects: an offline pinned pad keeps its entry here
     // instead of silently snapping back to Automatic.
+    // Off = this device's controllers are not sent at all, because they reach the host
+    // another way (USB passthrough such as VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host).
+    // It also stops the session OPENING the pad, which is what frees the device for a
+    // passthrough tool to bind — so the two rows below have nothing to act on while it is
+    // off, and are desensitised to say so.
+    let pad_forward_row = adw::SwitchRow::builder()
+        .title("Forward controllers")
+        .subtitle(
+            "Send this device's controllers to the host — off if it already has them another way",
+        )
+        .build();
     let pads = gamepads.pads();
     let saved_pin = settings.borrow().forward_pad.clone();
     let mut pad_names = vec!["Automatic (all controllers)".to_string()];
@@ -1426,6 +1542,18 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
             "Steam Deck",
         ],
     );
+    // Both pad rows only mean something while something is being forwarded (the same
+    // relationship mic → echo cancellation draws just above, initial state included: the
+    // seed's `set_active` fires this only when it CHANGES the switch).
+    {
+        let (f, t) = (forward_row.widget().clone(), pad_row.widget().clone());
+        f.set_sensitive(seed.gamepad_forwarding);
+        t.set_sensitive(seed.gamepad_forwarding);
+        pad_forward_row.connect_active_notify(move |r| {
+            f.set_sensitive(r.is_active());
+            t.set_sensitive(r.is_active());
+        });
+    }
 
     // ---- Seed from the effective settings for this scope ----
     {
@@ -1436,6 +1564,7 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
         hz_row.set_selected(index::refresh(s));
         scale_row.set_selected(index::render_scale(s));
         bitrate_row.set_value(f64::from(s.bitrate_kbps) / 1000.0);
+        pad_forward_row.set_active(s.gamepad_forwarding);
         pad_row.set_selected(index::gamepad(s));
         let touch_i = index::touch(s);
         touch_row.set_selected(touch_i);
@@ -1453,6 +1582,7 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
         inhibit_row.set_active(s.inhibit_shortcuts);
         invert_row.set_active(s.invert_scroll);
         mic_row.set_active(s.mic_enabled);
+        echo_row.set_active(s.echo_cancel);
         hdr_row.set_active(s.hdr_enabled);
         chroma_row.set_active(s.enable_444);
         library_row.set_active(s.library_enabled);
@@ -1460,6 +1590,19 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
         let codec_i = index::codec(s);
         codec_row.set_selected(codec_i);
         set_row_subtitle(codec_row.widget(), codec_caption(codec_i));
+        let present_i = index::present_priority(s);
+        present_row.set_selected(present_i);
+        set_row_subtitle(
+            present_row.widget(),
+            PRESENT_PRIORITY_CAPTIONS[present_i as usize],
+        );
+        buffer_row.set_selected(index::smooth_buffer(s));
+        // `set_selected` never fires the changed hook, so mirror its visibility rule here.
+        buffer_row
+            .widget()
+            .set_visible(PRESENT_PRIORITIES[present_i as usize] == "smooth");
+        vsync_row.set_active(s.vsync);
+        vrr_row.set_active(s.allow_vrr);
     }
 
     // ---- Override markers, per-row reset, and the touch that creates an override ----
@@ -1652,6 +1795,26 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
             index::surround
         );
         choice!(pad_row, "gamepad", o.gamepad.is_some(), index::gamepad);
+        toggle!(
+            pad_forward_row,
+            "gamepad_forwarding",
+            o.gamepad_forwarding.is_some(),
+            gamepad_forwarding
+        );
+        choice!(
+            present_row,
+            "present_priority",
+            o.present_priority.is_some(),
+            index::present_priority
+        );
+        choice!(
+            buffer_row,
+            "smooth_buffer",
+            o.smooth_buffer.is_some(),
+            index::smooth_buffer
+        );
+        toggle!(vsync_row, "vsync", o.vsync.is_some(), vsync);
+        toggle!(vrr_row, "allow_vrr", o.allow_vrr.is_some(), allow_vrr);
         toggle!(hdr_row, "hdr_enabled", o.hdr_enabled.is_some(), hdr_enabled);
         toggle!(chroma_row, "enable_444", o.enable_444.is_some(), enable_444);
         toggle!(
@@ -1673,6 +1836,12 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
             invert_scroll
         );
         toggle!(mic_row, "mic_enabled", o.mic_enabled.is_some(), mic_enabled);
+        toggle!(
+            echo_row,
+            "echo_cancel",
+            o.echo_cancel.is_some(),
+            echo_cancel
+        );
         {
             let revert = {
                 let (row, globals, touched) =
@@ -1750,6 +1919,11 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
     if let (Some(r), false) = (&gpu_row, profile_mode) {
         quality_group.add(r.widget());
     }
+    let presentation_group = group("Presentation", "");
+    presentation_group.add(present_row.widget());
+    presentation_group.add(buffer_row.widget());
+    presentation_group.add(&vsync_row);
+    presentation_group.add(&vrr_row);
     // The one form-level note (deliberately not repeated on every row).
     let output_group = group(
         "Host output",
@@ -1758,6 +1932,7 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
     output_group.add(compositor_row.widget());
     display.add(&resolution_group);
     display.add(&quality_group);
+    display.add(&presentation_group);
     display.add(&output_group);
 
     let input = page("Input", "input-keyboard-symbolic");
@@ -1781,6 +1956,7 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
         audio_group.add(r.widget());
     }
     audio_group.add(&mic_row);
+    audio_group.add(&echo_row);
     if let (Some(r), false) = (&micdev_row, profile_mode) {
         audio_group.add(r.widget());
     }
@@ -1817,6 +1993,10 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
             controllers_group.add(&row);
         }
     }
+    // Profileable, so it shows in both scopes — unlike the pin below it, which is about
+    // which of THIS device's pads goes first: a "Work" profile can decline to forward
+    // controllers to a host that a "Game" profile forwards them to.
+    controllers_group.add(&pad_forward_row);
     if !profile_mode {
         controllers_group.add(forward_row.widget());
     }
@@ -1889,7 +2069,9 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
             s.auto_wake = wake_row.is_active();
             s.inhibit_shortcuts = inhibit_row.is_active();
             s.invert_scroll = invert_row.is_active();
+            s.gamepad_forwarding = pad_forward_row.is_active();
             s.mic_enabled = mic_row.is_active();
+            s.echo_cancel = echo_row.is_active();
             s.hdr_enabled = hdr_row.is_active();
             s.enable_444 = chroma_row.is_active();
             s.audio_channels = match surround_row.selected() {
@@ -1898,6 +2080,14 @@ pub fn show_scoped(
                 _ => 2,
             };
             s.codec = CODECS[(codec_row.selected() as usize).min(CODECS.len() - 1)].to_string();
+            s.present_priority = PRESENT_PRIORITIES
+                [(present_row.selected() as usize).min(PRESENT_PRIORITIES.len() - 1)]
+            .to_string();
+            // The index IS the value (0 = Automatic).
+            s.smooth_buffer =
+                (buffer_row.selected() as u8).min(SMOOTH_BUFFER_LABELS.len() as u8 - 1);
+            s.vsync = vsync_row.is_active();
+            s.allow_vrr = vrr_row.is_active();
             s.library_enabled = library_row.is_active();
         };
 

clients/session/README.md

@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ default ≈1000 nits). The host still gates the upgrade behind its `PUNKTFUNK_10
 policy.
 
 Debug/bisect knobs: `PUNKTFUNK_DECODER=vulkan|vaapi|d3d11va|software`, `PUNKTFUNK_PRESENT_MODE=
-mailbox|immediate` (default FIFO), `PUNKTFUNK_VK_DEVICE=<index>` (multi-GPU), and
+mailbox|fifo|immediate|fifo_relaxed` (default MAILBOX, FIFO where the surface offers no
+MAILBOX — AMD on Windows), `PUNKTFUNK_VK_DEVICE=<index>` (multi-GPU), and
 `PUNKTFUNK_HW_FAULT=import` (fault every VAAPI dmabuf import — proves the three-strike
 demotion to software on healthy hardware).

clients/session/src/console.rs

@@ -169,6 +169,11 @@ pub fn run(target: Option<&str>) -> u8 {
         mouse_mode: settings_at_start.mouse_mode(),
         invert_scroll: settings_at_start.invert_scroll,
         inhibit_shortcuts: settings_at_start.inhibit_shortcuts,
+        // Presentation-tier like the rows above: latched at console start, a per-host
+        // profile cannot move it in this mode (the documented P4 gap).
+        present_priority: settings_at_start.present_priority(),
+        vsync: settings_at_start.vsync,
+        allow_vrr: settings_at_start.allow_vrr,
         json_status,
         on_connected: Some(Box::new(move |fingerprint: [u8; 32]| {
             let fp_hex = trust::hex(&fingerprint);

clients/session/src/main.rs

@@ -188,6 +188,12 @@ mod session_main {
         if !settings.forward_pad.is_empty() {
             gamepad.set_pinned(Some(settings.forward_pad.clone()));
         }
+        // Whether to forward controllers AT ALL (off = the pad reaches the host by some other
+        // route — VirtualHere and friends). Set unconditionally, not only when off: browse mode
+        // reuses one service across launches, so a stream that follows one with it off must put
+        // it back. It goes on before the attach below, so a non-forwarding session never opens
+        // — never grabs — the device.
+        gamepad.set_forwarding(settings.gamepad_forwarding);
         let mode = Mode {
             width: if settings.width == 0 {
                 native.width
@@ -290,6 +296,7 @@ mod session_main {
             // compositors only).
             cursor_forward: settings.mouse_mode() == trust::MouseMode::Desktop,
             mic_enabled: settings.mic_enabled,
+            echo_cancel: settings.echo_cancel,
             clipboard,
             // The Settings preference (auto → VAAPI where it exists; the presenter
             // demotes to software on boxes whose Vulkan can't import the dmabufs).
@@ -616,6 +623,9 @@ mod session_main {
             mouse_mode: settings.mouse_mode(),
             invert_scroll: settings.invert_scroll,
             inhibit_shortcuts: settings.inhibit_shortcuts,
+            present_priority: settings.present_priority(),
+            vsync: settings.vsync,
+            allow_vrr: settings.allow_vrr,
             json_status: true,
             on_connected: Some(Box::new(|fingerprint: [u8; 32]| {
                 // This host's card carries the accent bar in the desktop client now.

clients/windows/src/app/help.rs

@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ const STREAM_SHORTCUTS: &[(&str, &str)] = &[
         "Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S",
         "Cycle the statistics overlay (off \u{00B7} compact \u{00B7} normal \u{00B7} detailed)",
     ),
+    (
+        "Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V",
+        "Mute or unmute your microphone (only while the stream sends one)",
+    ),
     (
         "LB+RB+Start+Back",
         "Controller: release input / leave fullscreen \u{2014} hold to disconnect",

clients/windows/src/app/hosts.rs

@@ -623,8 +623,14 @@ pub(crate) fn hosts_page(props: &HostsProps, cx: &mut RenderCx) -> Element {
                 actions.push(
                     icon_btn("Settings", Symbol::Setting)
                         .on_click({
-                            let ss = set_screen.clone();
-                            move || ss.call(Screen::Settings)
+                            let (c, ss) = (ctx.clone(), set_screen.clone());
+                            move || {
+                                // Re-base the settings snapshot on the file before the page
+                                // renders — this process is not its only writer (see
+                                // settings::refresh_snapshot).
+                                super::settings::refresh_snapshot(&c);
+                                ss.call(Screen::Settings)
+                            }
                         })
                         .into(),
                 );

clients/windows/src/app/licenses.rs

@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 //! Settings).
 
 use super::style::*;
-use super::Screen;
+use super::{AppCtx, Screen};
+use std::sync::Arc;
 use windows_reactor::*;
 
 /// punktfunk's own license (MIT OR Apache-2.0).
@@ -15,10 +16,15 @@ const APP_LICENSE: &str = concat!(
 /// scripts/gen-third-party-notices.sh; the MSIX also ships this under licenses/).
 const THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES: &str = include_str!("../../../../THIRD-PARTY-NOTICES.txt");
 
-pub(crate) fn licenses_page(set_screen: &AsyncSetState<Screen>) -> Element {
+pub(crate) fn licenses_page(ctx: &Arc<AppCtx>, set_screen: &AsyncSetState<Screen>) -> Element {
     let back_btn = button("Back").accent().icon(Symbol::Back).on_click({
-        let ss = set_screen.clone();
-        move || ss.call(Screen::Settings)
+        let (c, ss) = (ctx.clone(), set_screen.clone());
+        move || {
+            // Back RE-ENTERS the settings page — re-base its snapshot on the file, same
+            // as the hosts page's Settings button (see settings::refresh_snapshot).
+            super::settings::refresh_snapshot(&c);
+            ss.call(Screen::Settings)
+        }
     });
 
     let app_card = card(

clients/windows/src/app/mod.rs

@@ -172,6 +172,10 @@ pub(crate) struct Shared {
 
 pub struct AppCtx {
     pub(crate) identity: (String, String),
+    /// The settings snapshot the UI renders from. Loaded once at startup, and RE-BASED on
+    /// the file when the settings page is (re)entered (`settings::refresh_snapshot`) and
+    /// inside every `commit` — this process is not the file's only writer (session resize,
+    /// console UI, Decky), so a plain process-lifetime snapshot goes stale on screen.
     pub(crate) settings: Mutex<Settings>,
     pub(crate) gamepad: GamepadService,
     pub(crate) shared: Arc<Shared>,
@@ -688,7 +692,7 @@ fn root(cx: &mut RenderCx, ctx: &Arc<AppCtx>) -> Element {
             &set_settings_rev,
             nav_progress,
         ),
-        Screen::Licenses => licenses::licenses_page(&set_screen),
+        Screen::Licenses => licenses::licenses_page(ctx, &set_screen),
         Screen::Help => help::help_page(&set_screen),
         Screen::Pair => component(pair::pair_page, svc),
         Screen::SpeedTest => component(speed::speed_page, SpeedProps { svc, state: speed }),

clients/windows/src/app/settings.rs

@@ -101,6 +101,19 @@ const MOUSE_MODES: &[(&str, &str)] = &[
     ("capture", "Capture (games)"),
     ("desktop", "Desktop (absolute)"),
 ];
+/// Presentation intent: `(stored value, display label)` — the `present_priority` key the
+/// Apple and Android clients share, so one profile means the same thing everywhere.
+const PRESENT_PRIORITIES: &[(&str, &str)] =
+    &[("latency", "Lowest latency"), ("smooth", "Smoothness")];
+/// Smoothness buffer depth in frames: `(stored value, display label)`. `0` = Automatic,
+/// which resolves to 2 (`PresentPriority::resolve`). No millisecond hints — the cost is
+/// one refresh per frame, and the refresh isn't known here when the mode is Native.
+const SMOOTH_BUFFERS: &[(u8, &str)] = &[
+    (0, "Automatic"),
+    (1, "1 frame"),
+    (2, "2 frames"),
+    (3, "3 frames"),
+];
 /// Host compositor presets: `(stored value, display label)`. Advisory — the host falls back to
 /// auto-detect when the choice is unavailable. Only meaningful against a Linux host.
 const COMPOSITORS: &[(&str, &str)] = &[
@@ -411,7 +424,16 @@ fn commit(
         return;
     }
     let mut catalog = ProfilesFile::load();
-    let base = ctx.settings.lock().unwrap().clone();
+    // The same rebase as the global arm above: `base` is what `absorb`'s before/after
+    // effective settings derive from, and the snapshot is not the file — another process
+    // (session resize, console UI, Decky) may have moved a global under us. The historical
+    // rebase fix ("settings saves stop reverting each other") covered the whole-file
+    // writers but missed this arm.
+    let base = {
+        let mut s = ctx.settings.lock().unwrap();
+        *s = Settings::load();
+        s.clone()
+    };
     let Some(p) = catalog.profiles.iter_mut().find(|p| p.id == scope) else {
         return; // deleted from under us; the next render falls back to the defaults scope
     };
@@ -425,6 +447,17 @@ fn commit(
     rev.1.call(rev.0 + 1);
 }
 
+/// Re-base the process-lifetime settings snapshot on the file — called from the navigation
+/// handlers that (re)enter this page, NOT per render pass. `ctx.settings` is loaded once at
+/// process start and this process is not the file's only writer (a spawned session persists
+/// its match-window size, the console UI and Decky save too — profiles.rs documents the
+/// family), so without this the page opens showing values another process already replaced,
+/// which then visibly "jump" the moment a row is touched and `commit`'s rebase pulls the
+/// file in. The field report this fixes: a codec setting that "changed by itself".
+pub(crate) fn refresh_snapshot(ctx: &Arc<AppCtx>) {
+    *ctx.settings.lock().unwrap() = Settings::load();
+}
+
 /// Which tier-P rows the profile in scope overrides. Plain bools rather than a lookup so the
 /// call sites read as `over.codec` — the row and its flag stay visibly paired.
 #[derive(Default)]
@@ -439,13 +472,19 @@ struct OverrideFlags {
     compositor: bool,
     audio_channels: bool,
     mic_enabled: bool,
+    echo_cancel: bool,
     touch_mode: bool,
     mouse_mode: bool,
     invert_scroll: bool,
     inhibit_shortcuts: bool,
     gamepad: bool,
+    gamepad_forwarding: bool,
     stats_verbosity: bool,
     fullscreen_on_stream: bool,
+    present_priority: bool,
+    smooth_buffer: bool,
+    vsync: bool,
+    allow_vrr: bool,
 }
 
 impl OverrideFlags {
@@ -466,13 +505,19 @@ impl OverrideFlags {
             compositor: o.compositor.is_some(),
             audio_channels: o.audio_channels.is_some(),
             mic_enabled: o.mic_enabled.is_some(),
+            echo_cancel: o.echo_cancel.is_some(),
             touch_mode: o.touch_mode.is_some(),
             mouse_mode: o.mouse_mode.is_some(),
             invert_scroll: o.invert_scroll.is_some(),
             inhibit_shortcuts: o.inhibit_shortcuts.is_some(),
             gamepad: o.gamepad.is_some(),
+            gamepad_forwarding: o.gamepad_forwarding.is_some(),
             stats_verbosity: o.stats_verbosity.is_some(),
             fullscreen_on_stream: o.fullscreen_on_stream.is_some(),
+            present_priority: o.present_priority.is_some(),
+            smooth_buffer: o.smooth_buffer.is_some(),
+            vsync: o.vsync.is_some(),
+            allow_vrr: o.allow_vrr.is_some(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -849,6 +894,32 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
     let chroma_toggle = setting_toggle(ctx, scope, (rev, set_rev), s.enable_444, |s, on| {
         s.enable_444 = on
     });
+    // Presentation intent (design/desktop-presentation-rebuild.md). The buffer row is
+    // rendered only under Smoothness — `commit` bumps the revision, so flipping the
+    // intent re-renders the section and the row appears/disappears with it.
+    let (present_names, present_i) = presets(PRESENT_PRIORITIES, |v| *v == s.present_priority);
+    let present_combo = setting_combo(
+        ctx,
+        scope,
+        (rev, set_rev),
+        present_names,
+        present_i,
+        |s, i| s.present_priority = PRESENT_PRIORITIES[i].0.to_string(),
+    );
+    let smoothing = s.present_priority == "smooth";
+    let (buffer_names, buffer_i) = presets(SMOOTH_BUFFERS, |v| *v == s.smooth_buffer);
+    let buffer_combo = setting_combo(
+        ctx,
+        scope,
+        (rev, set_rev),
+        buffer_names,
+        buffer_i,
+        |s, i| s.smooth_buffer = SMOOTH_BUFFERS[i].0,
+    );
+    let vsync_toggle = setting_toggle(ctx, scope, (rev, set_rev), s.vsync, |s, on| s.vsync = on);
+    let vrr_toggle = setting_toggle(ctx, scope, (rev, set_rev), s.allow_vrr, |s, on| {
+        s.allow_vrr = on
+    });
 
     // --- Input -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     // Controller forwarding: Automatic forwards EVERY real controller, each as its own pad;
@@ -896,6 +967,10 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
                 s.save();
             })
     };
+    let pad_forward_toggle =
+        setting_toggle(ctx, scope, (rev, set_rev), s.gamepad_forwarding, |s, on| {
+            s.gamepad_forwarding = on
+        });
     let (pad_names, pad_i) = presets(GAMEPADS, |v| {
         GamepadPref::from_name(v) == GamepadPref::from_name(&s.gamepad)
     });
@@ -954,6 +1029,12 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
     };
     let speaker_combo = dev_combo(&s.speaker_device, &speakers, |s, v| s.speaker_device = v);
     let mic_dev_combo = dev_combo(&s.mic_device, &mics, |s, v| s.mic_device = v);
+    // Echo cancellation is meaningless without an uplink, so it greys out with the mic above
+    // it. Every commit bumps `rev` and re-renders this screen, so the two stay in step live.
+    let echo_toggle = setting_toggle(ctx, scope, (rev, set_rev), s.echo_cancel, |s, on| {
+        s.echo_cancel = on
+    })
+    .enabled(s.mic_enabled);
 
     let (hud_names, hud_i) = presets(STATS_TIERS, |v| *v == s.stats_verbosity());
     let hud_combo = setting_combo(ctx, scope, (rev, set_rev), hud_names, hud_i, |s, i| {
@@ -964,6 +1045,16 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
         let ss = set_screen.clone();
         button("Third-party licenses").on_click(move || ss.call(Screen::Licenses))
     };
+    // The client log's home (%LOCALAPPDATA%\punktfunk\logs) — the file every "check the
+    // client log" message means, which until this row had no way in from the UI at all.
+    // The folder rather than the file so the rotated `.old` generation is in reach too.
+    // Best-effort, like the log itself: a missing dir or a failed spawn stays silent.
+    let logs_button = button("Open log folder").on_click(|| {
+        if let Some(dir) = crate::logfile::log_dir() {
+            let _ = std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir);
+            let _ = std::process::Command::new("explorer.exe").arg(&dir).spawn();
+        }
+    });
     let library_toggle = setting_toggle(ctx, scope, (rev, set_rev), s.library_enabled, |s, on| {
         s.library_enabled = on
     });
@@ -1057,8 +1148,9 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
                         "HDR10, when the host has HDR content and this display supports it. \
                          HEVC only; otherwise the stream stays SDR.",
                     ),
-                    // Wording shared with the GTK client (its chroma_row) — same setting,
-                    // same constraints.
+                    // First sentence shared with the GTK client (its chroma_row); the
+                    // constraint sentence names the real gate (host: PyroWave || NVENC) —
+                    // "where the host can encode it" cost field users the discovery time.
                     described_overridable(
                         (rev, set_rev),
                         scope,
@@ -1067,7 +1159,8 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
                         over.enable_444,
                         chroma_toggle,
                         "Full-colour video: crisp small text and thin lines, at more \
-                         bandwidth. HEVC only, and only where the host can encode it.",
+                         bandwidth. Requires an NVIDIA host (NVENC) or the PyroWave \
+                         codec \u{2014} other encoders stream 4:2:0.",
                     ),
                 ],
                 None,
@@ -1097,6 +1190,60 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
                 },
                 None,
             ));
+            out.extend(group(
+                Some("Presentation"),
+                {
+                    let mut fields = vec![described_overridable(
+                        (rev, set_rev),
+                        scope,
+                        "present_priority",
+                        "Prioritize",
+                        over.present_priority,
+                        present_combo,
+                        "Lowest latency shows each frame the moment the display can take \
+                         it \u{2014} a network hiccup becomes an occasional repeated or \
+                         skipped frame. Smoothness buffers a little to even those out.",
+                    )];
+                    if smoothing {
+                        fields.push(described_overridable(
+                            (rev, set_rev),
+                            scope,
+                            "smooth_buffer",
+                            "Smoothness buffer",
+                            over.smooth_buffer,
+                            buffer_combo,
+                            "Frames held back before showing. Each one absorbs about a \
+                             refresh of network hiccup and adds a refresh of delay. \
+                             Automatic holds two.",
+                        ));
+                    }
+                    fields.push(described_overridable(
+                        (rev, set_rev),
+                        scope,
+                        "vsync",
+                        "V-Sync",
+                        over.vsync,
+                        vsync_toggle,
+                        "Tear-free. Turning it off removes the wait for the screen\u{2019}s \
+                         refresh \u{2014} the lowest possible delay, at the cost of visible \
+                         tearing. Not every driver offers it; the stats overlay names the \
+                         mode actually in use.",
+                    ));
+                    fields.push(described_overridable(
+                        (rev, set_rev),
+                        scope,
+                        "allow_vrr",
+                        "Follow variable refresh rate",
+                        over.allow_vrr,
+                        vrr_toggle,
+                        "On a VRR/FreeSync/G-Sync screen, let the panel refresh in step with \
+                         the stream instead of on a fixed cadence. Applies to fullscreen \
+                         sessions; harmless on a fixed-refresh screen.",
+                    ));
+                    fields
+                },
+                None,
+            ));
             out.extend(group(
                 Some("Host output"),
                 vec![described_overridable(
@@ -1215,6 +1362,23 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
                             "Plug in or pair a controller and it appears here.",
                         )
                     }),
+                    // Whether ANY controller is forwarded — profileable, so it renders in
+                    // both scopes (a "Work" profile can decline what "Game" forwards),
+                    // unlike the device-fact picker below it.
+                    Some(described_overridable(
+                        (rev, set_rev),
+                        scope,
+                        "gamepad_forwarding",
+                        "Forward controllers",
+                        over.gamepad_forwarding,
+                        pad_forward_toggle,
+                        "Sends controllers connected to this PC to the host. Turn it off when \
+                         your controller already reaches the host another way \u{2014} USB \
+                         passthrough such as VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host \
+                         itself \u{2014} so games don't see two of them. Off, this PC never \
+                         opens the controller at all, which is what leaves it free for a \
+                         passthrough tool to claim.",
+                    )),
                     // NOT Apple's wording: Apple forwards ONE pad as player 1, this client
                     // forwards every controller as its own player. Same picker, different rule.
                     // Which physical pad this device forwards is a device fact (tier G), so it
@@ -1281,7 +1445,8 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
                         "Stream microphone to the host",
                         over.mic_enabled,
                         mic_toggle,
-                        "This device\u{2019}s microphone feeds the host\u{2019}s virtual mic.",
+                        "This device\u{2019}s microphone feeds the host\u{2019}s virtual mic. \
+                         Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V mutes and unmutes it during a stream.",
                     )),
                     (!profile_mode)
                         .then(|| {
@@ -1294,6 +1459,17 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
                             })
                         })
                         .flatten(),
+                    Some(described_overridable(
+                        (rev, set_rev),
+                        scope,
+                        "echo_cancel",
+                        "Echo cancellation",
+                        over.echo_cancel,
+                        echo_toggle,
+                        "Keeps the host\u{2019}s audio, playing from this machine\u{2019}s \
+                         speakers, from being picked up and sent straight back. Turn it off if \
+                         your microphone already does its own processing.",
+                    )),
                 ]
                 .into_iter()
                 .flatten()
@@ -1305,7 +1481,16 @@ pub(crate) fn settings_page(
             "About",
             group(
                 None,
-                vec![about_identity.into(), licenses_button.into()],
+                vec![
+                    about_identity.into(),
+                    described_labeled(
+                        "Diagnostics",
+                        logs_button,
+                        "The client log (client.log, plus the session\u{2019}s whole \
+                         receive/decode/present trail) \u{2014} attach it to a bug report.",
+                    ),
+                    licenses_button.into(),
+                ],
                 None,
             ),
         ),
@@ -1696,5 +1881,37 @@ mod tests {
             ..Default::default()
         };
         assert!(OverrideFlags::of(Some(&p2)).resolution);
+
+        // The audio pair: the mic and its echo canceller are separate overrides, so a profile
+        // can pin one without claiming the other.
+        let mut p3 = StreamProfile::new("t3".to_string());
+        p3.overrides = SettingsOverlay {
+            echo_cancel: Some(false),
+            ..Default::default()
+        };
+        let f3 = OverrideFlags::of(Some(&p3));
+        assert!(f3.echo_cancel);
+        assert!(!f3.mic_enabled);
+
+        // The presentation pair, likewise independent: pinning the intent doesn't claim
+        // the buffer (a "Smoothness, whatever the global buffer is" profile is valid).
+        let mut p4 = StreamProfile::new("t4".to_string());
+        p4.overrides = SettingsOverlay {
+            present_priority: Some("smooth".into()),
+            ..Default::default()
+        };
+        let f4 = OverrideFlags::of(Some(&p4));
+        assert!(f4.present_priority);
+        assert!(!f4.smooth_buffer);
+
+        // V-Sync and VRR are independent of each other and of the intent pair.
+        let mut p5 = StreamProfile::new("t5".to_string());
+        p5.overrides = SettingsOverlay {
+            vsync: Some(false),
+            ..Default::default()
+        };
+        let f5 = OverrideFlags::of(Some(&p5));
+        assert!(f5.vsync);
+        assert!(!f5.allow_vrr && !f5.present_priority);
     }
 }

clients/windows/src/logfile.rs

@@ -21,11 +21,12 @@ const ROTATE_BYTES: u64 = 10 * 1024 * 1024;
 
 static SINK: OnceLock<Option<Arc<Mutex<File>>>> = OnceLock::new();
 
-fn log_dir() -> Option<PathBuf> {
+/// The log directory — Settings ▸ About's "Open log folder" opens it in Explorer.
+pub(crate) fn log_dir() -> Option<PathBuf> {
     Some(PathBuf::from(std::env::var_os("LOCALAPPDATA")?).join(r"punktfunk\logs"))
 }
 
-/// The log file's path, for the "logs land here" startup line (and any future UI affordance).
+/// The log file's path, for the "logs land here" startup line and the failed-spawn banner.
 pub(crate) fn path() -> Option<PathBuf> {
     Some(log_dir()?.join("client.log"))
 }

clients/windows/src/spawn.rs

@@ -105,7 +105,14 @@ fn parse_line(line: &str) -> Option<ChildLine> {
 /// connect that silently drops back to the host list.
 pub(crate) fn silent_exit_banner(code: i32) -> Option<String> {
     (code != 0 && code != -1).then(|| {
-        format!("The session didn't start (punktfunk-session exited with code {code}). Check the client log.")
+        // Name the log's actual location — "check the client log" without a path is a
+        // scavenger hunt (Settings ▸ About's "Open log folder" reaches it too).
+        let log = crate::logfile::path()
+            .map(|p| p.display().to_string())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "the client log".into());
+        format!(
+            "The session didn't start (punktfunk-session exited with code {code}). Check {log}."
+        )
     })
 }
 

crates/pf-capture/src/lib.rs

@@ -612,7 +612,10 @@ pub fn open_portal_monitor(
 /// 10-bit PQ/BT.2020 formats instead of the SDR set — pass it only when the output was actually
 /// brought up HDR (a gamescope spawned with `--hdr-enabled` off our `pipewire-hdr` build); the
 /// host resolves that in `capture::capturer_supports_hdr_for` **before** the Welcome, because a
-/// session that negotiated PQ cannot fall back to SDR afterwards.
+/// session that negotiated PQ cannot fall back to SDR afterwards. `cursor_id0_hides` declares the
+/// producer's cursor-meta contract — pass it for outputs whose compositor rewrites
+/// `SPA_META_Cursor` on every buffer (KWin), where an `id == 0` meta is an authoritative
+/// "pointer hidden" the composited/forwarded cursor must honor.
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 pub fn open_virtual_output(
@@ -625,6 +628,7 @@ pub fn open_virtual_output(
     want_hdr: bool,
     policy: ZeroCopyPolicy,
     expect_exact_dims: bool,
+    cursor_id0_hides: bool,
 ) -> Result<Box<dyn Capturer>> {
     linux::PortalCapturer::from_virtual_output(
         remote_fd,
@@ -636,6 +640,7 @@ pub fn open_virtual_output(
         want_hdr && !hdr_capture_failed(HdrSource::VirtualOutput),
         policy,
         expect_exact_dims,
+        cursor_id0_hides,
     )
     .map(|c| Box::new(c) as Box<dyn Capturer>)
 }

crates/pf-capture/src/linux/mod.rs

@@ -72,6 +72,11 @@ struct CaptureOpts {
     /// the doomed birth mode. `false` everywhere else (Mutter SIZES the monitor from negotiation and
     /// gamescope fixates its own — gating those would starve legitimate first frames).
     expect_exact_dims: bool,
+    /// The producer rewrites `SPA_META_Cursor` on EVERY buffer, so an `id == 0` meta is an
+    /// authoritative "pointer hidden / off this output" the blend must honor (KWin). `false` for
+    /// the stale-meta producers (Mutter recycles buffers without rewriting the region) — see
+    /// [`pw_cursor::CursorState::id0_hides`](pw_cursor) for the full contract.
+    cursor_id0_hides: bool,
 }
 
 /// The shared state the PipeWire thread PUBLISHES and the capturer READS — one struct instead of
@@ -301,6 +306,10 @@ impl PortalCapturer {
                 want_444: false,
                 want_hdr,
                 expect_exact_dims: false,
+                // The portal-monitor path today is Mutter (the GNOME HDR mirror) — the stale-meta
+                // id-0 contract. A KDE portal capture would rewrite per buffer, but nothing routes
+                // one through here yet; the virtual-output path below carries the real flag.
+                cursor_id0_hides: false,
             },
             policy,
         )?
@@ -316,7 +325,8 @@ impl PortalCapturer {
     /// the GPU zero-copy path subject to `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY`. `want_444` (a 4:4:4 session) makes the
     /// zero-copy worker convert tiled dmabufs to planar YUV444 on the GPU instead of NV12/RGB.
     /// `want_hdr` runs the 10-bit PQ/BT.2020 offer instead of the SDR set — see
-    /// [`crate::open_virtual_output`] for who is allowed to pass it.
+    /// [`crate::open_virtual_output`] for who is allowed to pass it. `cursor_id0_hides` declares
+    /// the producer's cursor-meta contract ([`CaptureOpts::cursor_id0_hides`]).
     #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
     pub fn from_virtual_output(
         remote_fd: Option<OwnedFd>,
@@ -328,6 +338,7 @@ impl PortalCapturer {
         want_hdr: bool,
         policy: ZeroCopyPolicy,
         expect_exact_dims: bool,
+        cursor_id0_hides: bool,
     ) -> Result<PortalCapturer> {
         tracing::info!(
             node_id,
@@ -335,6 +346,7 @@ impl PortalCapturer {
             want_444,
             want_hdr,
             expect_exact_dims,
+            cursor_id0_hides,
             "connecting PipeWire to virtual output"
         );
         // Most virtual outputs are SDR-only upstream (Mutter's RecordVirtual streams advertise
@@ -350,6 +362,7 @@ impl PortalCapturer {
                 want_444,
                 want_hdr,
                 expect_exact_dims,
+                cursor_id0_hides,
             },
             policy,
         )?

crates/pf-capture/src/linux/pipewire.rs

@@ -811,6 +811,7 @@ pub fn pipewire_thread(
         want_444,
         want_hdr,
         expect_exact_dims,
+        cursor_id0_hides,
         ..
     } = opts;
     crate::pwinit::ensure_init();
@@ -985,7 +986,7 @@ pub fn pipewire_thread(
         yuv444: want_444,
         linear_nv12_failed: false,
         dbg_log_n: 0,
-        cursor: CursorState::default(),
+        cursor: CursorState::new(cursor_id0_hides),
         expect_dims: if expect_exact_dims {
             preferred.map(|(w, h, _)| (w, h))
         } else {

crates/pf-capture/src/linux/pw_cursor.rs

@@ -39,9 +39,23 @@ pub(super) struct CursorState {
     /// negotiated). Per-stream deliberately — a host serves many sessions per process, and a
     /// process-wide latch made the second session's triage read as "no meta".
     seen_meta: bool,
+    /// This stream's producer rewrites the cursor meta on EVERY buffer, so an `id == 0` meta is
+    /// an authoritative "pointer hidden / off this output" rather than a stale recycled region.
+    /// True for KWin virtual outputs; false for the stale-meta producers (Mutter) — see
+    /// [`note_cursor_id`].
+    id0_hides: bool,
 }
 
 impl CursorState {
+    /// The per-stream state, declaring which `id == 0` contract the producer follows
+    /// ([`Self::id0_hides`]).
+    pub(super) fn new(id0_hides: bool) -> CursorState {
+        CursorState {
+            id0_hides,
+            ..CursorState::default()
+        }
+    }
+
     /// A shareable overlay for the encode/forward paths, or `None` before the first bitmap
     /// arrived. A HIDDEN pointer still yields `Some` (with `visible: false`): the
     /// cursor-forward channel needs "known but hidden" — an app grabbed the pointer, the
@@ -79,6 +93,31 @@ pub(super) fn decode_bitmap_pixel(vfmt: u32, s: &[u8]) -> (u8, u8, u8, u8) {
     }
 }
 
+/// Apply one parsed `spa_meta_cursor.id` to the visibility state; returns whether the rest of the
+/// meta region (position, bitmap) is worth parsing.
+///
+/// Two producer contracts meet on `id == 0`. **KWin** rewrites the cursor meta on EVERY enqueued
+/// buffer, and writes id 0 whenever `Cursor::isOnOutput` says the pointer is not in this stream —
+/// which covers a globally hidden cursor AND a client null-cursor surface (empty cursor geometry
+/// intersects nothing). There id 0 is the authoritative hide, and honoring it is what lets a game
+/// or Big Picture hide the pointer mid-stream ([`CursorState::id0_hides`], set for KWin virtual
+/// outputs; without it the composited arrow outlived every hide — the 0.22.0 field report).
+/// **Mutter** only rewrites a buffer's meta region when the cursor changed, so recycled buffers
+/// between damage frames carry a stale id-0 meta — treating that as hidden flickered the cursor
+/// off between hovers (on-glass round 5). There the last-known state holds, and a pointer that
+/// really left/hid simply stops producing updates (the M3 hidden hint has no Mutter signal —
+/// Windows has its own CURSOR_SUPPRESSED source).
+fn note_cursor_id(cursor: &mut CursorState, id: u32) -> bool {
+    if id == 0 {
+        if cursor.id0_hides {
+            cursor.visible = false;
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+    cursor.visible = true;
+    true
+}
+
 /// Update `cursor` from the newest buffer's `SPA_META_Cursor` (no-op when the buffer carries no
 /// cursor meta — producer doesn't support it, or the portal isn't in Metadata cursor mode).
 /// Called for EVERY dequeued buffer, before the stale-frame skip, so pointer-only movements
@@ -121,16 +160,9 @@ pub(super) fn update_cursor_meta(cursor: &mut CursorState, spa_buf: *mut spa::sy
             (*cur).bitmap_offset,
         )
     };
-    if id == 0 {
-        // SPA contract: id 0 = "no cursor information", NOT "cursor hidden". Mutter only
-        // REWRITES a buffer's meta region when the cursor changed, so recycled buffers
-        // between damage frames carry a stale id-0 meta — treating that as hidden flickered
-        // the cursor off between hovers (on-glass round 5). Keep the last-known state; a
-        // pointer that really left/hid simply stops producing updates. (The M3 hidden hint
-        // loses its Mutter signal — Windows has its own CURSOR_SUPPRESSED source.)
+    if !note_cursor_id(cursor, id) {
         return;
     }
-    cursor.visible = true;
     cursor.x = pos_x - hot_x;
     cursor.y = pos_y - hot_y;
     cursor.hot_x = hot_x;
@@ -367,9 +399,44 @@ mod tests {
             hot_x: 0,
             hot_y: 0,
             seen_meta: true,
+            id0_hides: false,
         }
     }
 
+    // ---- note_cursor_id: the two producer id-0 contracts --------------------------------------
+
+    #[test]
+    fn id_zero_hides_only_on_a_rewriting_producer() {
+        // KWin contract (`id0_hides`): id 0 is written fresh on every buffer, so it IS the hide —
+        // a game or Big Picture hiding the pointer must reach the stream.
+        let mut kwin = cursor(10, 10, 8, 8, (255, 255, 255), 255);
+        kwin.id0_hides = true;
+        assert!(!note_cursor_id(&mut kwin, 0), "id 0 parses no further");
+        let o = kwin.overlay().expect("bitmap stays cached across a hide");
+        assert!(!o.visible, "KWin id 0 must hide the overlay");
+        // The pointer coming back re-shows the SAME cached bitmap.
+        assert!(note_cursor_id(&mut kwin, 1));
+        assert!(kwin.overlay().expect("still cached").visible);
+
+        // Mutter contract: recycled buffers carry stale id-0 metas — the last-known state holds
+        // (honoring them flickered the cursor off between hovers, on-glass round 5).
+        let mut mutter = cursor(10, 10, 8, 8, (255, 255, 255), 255);
+        assert!(!note_cursor_id(&mut mutter, 0));
+        assert!(
+            mutter.overlay().expect("cached").visible,
+            "a stale-meta producer's id 0 must NOT hide"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn id_zero_before_any_bitmap_yields_no_overlay() {
+        // A KWin stream whose pointer was never on the output: hides arrive before any bitmap —
+        // `overlay()` must stay `None` (nothing to blend), not a phantom empty cursor.
+        let mut c = CursorState::new(true);
+        assert!(!note_cursor_id(&mut c, 0));
+        assert!(c.overlay().is_none());
+    }
+
     // ---- bitmap_extent: the guard whose absence SIGSEGVs uncatchably -------------------------
 
     #[test]

crates/pf-capture/src/windows/idd_push.rs

@@ -1670,6 +1670,22 @@ impl IddPushCapturer {
             // the running correlated/total tally — lives on `StallWatch` (sweep Phase 5.4). It was
             // ~65 lines of log prose inside `try_consume`, which is the hot loop, and its two
             // counters were capturer fields that nothing else touched.
+            // One ETW read serves both evidence fields: the prose summary spans the gap plus
+            // the same 300 ms lead-in the report's OS-event correlation uses (the disturbance
+            // that CAUSED the hole lands just before it), while the discriminator counts span
+            // the GAP ONLY — no lead-in: presents from the healthy flow right before the hole
+            // would falsely acquit the content (the stall-ending frame's own present lands at
+            // the window edge and stays well under the acquit bar). Both halves must come from
+            // the same ring snapshot under the same clock anchor, or the prose and the verdict
+            // can disagree about the same hole.
+            let (etw, etw_counts) = self
+                .etw
+                .as_ref()
+                .and_then(|w| {
+                    now.checked_sub(stall.gap)
+                        .map(|from| w.window_report(from, now, Duration::from_millis(300)))
+                })
+                .unzip();
             let evidence = StallEvidence {
                 // A publisher re-attach restarts `offered_total` near zero; a ring recreate resets
                 // the stall watch before that can matter, but guard the delta anyway (a restarted
@@ -1682,24 +1698,14 @@ impl IddPushCapturer {
                     }
                 }),
                 max_heartbeat_age_ms: self.max_hb_age_us / 1_000,
-                // The probe + ETW reads span the same window the report's OS-event correlation
-                // uses (the gap plus a lead-in for the disturbance that CAUSED it).
+                // The probe read spans the same window the report's OS-event correlation uses
+                // (the gap plus a lead-in for the disturbance that CAUSED it).
                 probes: now
                     .checked_sub(stall.gap + Duration::from_millis(300))
                     .zip(self.probes.as_deref())
                     .map(|(from, p)| p.window(from, now)),
-                etw: self.etw.as_ref().and_then(|w| {
-                    now.checked_sub(stall.gap + Duration::from_millis(300))
-                        .map(|from| w.summary(from, now))
-                }),
-                // The discriminator counts span the GAP ONLY — no lead-in: presents from the
-                // healthy flow right before the hole would falsely acquit the content. The
-                // stall-ending frame's own present lands at the window edge and stays well
-                // under the acquit bar.
-                etw_counts: self.etw.as_ref().and_then(|w| {
-                    now.checked_sub(stall.gap)
-                        .map(|from| w.window_counts(from, now))
-                }),
+                etw,
+                etw_counts,
             };
             self.stall_watch.report(&stall, now, &evidence);
         }
@@ -2453,6 +2459,18 @@ mod tests {
             ),
             StallClass::ContentSilence
         );
+        // A LIVE witness (history true = it demonstrably worked just before the hole) reading
+        // an exact zero is the strongest content conviction — the zero is a measurement, not
+        // an absence.
+        assert_eq!(
+            classify(
+                gap,
+                &StallVerdict::ComposeSilence,
+                Some(&probes(Some(16_000), Some(20_000), Some(30_000))),
+                Some(&counts(0, 0))
+            ),
+            StallClass::ContentSilence
+        );
         // The present witness does NOT overrule the driver's own verdicts or the harder
         // classes — it only refines compose-silence.
         assert_eq!(

crates/pf-capture/src/windows/idd_push/dxgkrnl_etw.rs

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 //! A second provider rides the same session: `Microsoft-Windows-DXGI` (user-mode), filtered to
 //! `Present`/`PresentMultiplaneOverlay` starts (ids 42/55) — one event per swapchain present,
 //! stamped with the PRESENTING process id. Together they are the compose-silence discriminator
-//! ([`EtwWatch::window_counts`]): DXGI presents flowing while `BltQueueAddEntry` gaps = the OS
+//! ([`EtwWatch::window_report`]): DXGI presents flowing while `BltQueueAddEntry` gaps = the OS
 //! display path dropped composed frames (the real display-path bug); BOTH silent = the content
 //! stopped presenting (benign pause — menus/loading/game hitch). The predecessor witnesses are
 //! retired for cause: DxgKrnl id 184 `Present` never fires on the modern redirected path, and
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ use windows::Win32::System::Diagnostics::Etw::{
     EVENT_CONTROL_CODE_ENABLE_PROVIDER, EVENT_FILTER_DESCRIPTOR, EVENT_FILTER_TYPE_EVENT_ID,
     EVENT_RECORD, EVENT_TRACE_CONTROL_STOP, EVENT_TRACE_LOGFILEW, EVENT_TRACE_PROPERTIES,
     EVENT_TRACE_REAL_TIME_MODE, PROCESSTRACE_HANDLE, PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_EVENT_RECORD,
-    PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_REAL_TIME, TRACE_LEVEL_INFORMATION, WNODE_FLAG_TRACED_GUID,
+    PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_RAW_TIMESTAMP, PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_REAL_TIME, TRACE_LEVEL_INFORMATION,
+    WNODE_FLAG_TRACED_GUID,
 };
 use windows::Win32::System::Performance::{QueryPerformanceCounter, QueryPerformanceFrequency};
 use windows::Win32::System::Threading::{
@@ -122,8 +123,13 @@ fn qpc_freq() -> i64 {
     })
 }
 
-/// The consumer's per-event callback — record id + QPC timestamp (the session's `ClientContext`
-/// is 1, so `TimeStamp` IS a QPC value) and return; runs on the consumer thread.
+/// The consumer's per-event callback — record id + timestamp + pid into the ring and return;
+/// runs on the consumer thread. `TimeStamp` is a raw QPC value only because BOTH halves of the
+/// clock contract hold: `ClientContext = 1` makes QPC the session clock, and the consumer is
+/// opened with `PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_RAW_TIMESTAMP`, which is what stops ProcessTrace converting
+/// every event's timestamp to FILETIME (100 ns units since 1601) on delivery. Without the flag
+/// the conversion happens REGARDLESS of the session clock, and every `ts <= to_q` comparison
+/// downstream is against the wrong clock — never true, a witness that silently reads empty.
 unsafe extern "system" fn on_event(record: *mut EVENT_RECORD) {
     if record.is_null() {
         return;
@@ -150,10 +156,10 @@ pub(super) struct EtwWatch {
 }
 
 // SAFETY: both fields are plain kernel handle VALUES (u64 wrappers) owned by this watch; every
-// operation on them (summary reads the static ring; Drop stops/closes) is thread-safe by the ETW
-// API contract, and the singleton hands out only `Arc<EtwWatch>`.
+// operation on them (window_report reads the static ring; Drop stops/closes) is thread-safe by
+// the ETW API contract, and the singleton hands out only `Arc<EtwWatch>`.
 unsafe impl Send for EtwWatch {}
-// SAFETY: as above — `&EtwWatch` exposes only `summary` (static-ring reads).
+// SAFETY: as above — `&EtwWatch` exposes only `window_report` (static-ring reads).
 unsafe impl Sync for EtwWatch {}
 
 static WATCH: Mutex<Weak<EtwWatch>> = Mutex::new(Weak::new());
@@ -201,8 +207,10 @@ impl EtwWatch {
         let mut session = CONTROLTRACE_HANDLE::default();
         // SAFETY: `buf` is a live, zeroed allocation of base + name bytes; every write below is a
         // field of the properties struct at its head; `LoggerNameOffset = base` points at the
-        // appended name space (ETW copies the name there itself). ClientContext 1 = QPC clock —
-        // what makes event timestamps comparable to our probe windows.
+        // appended name space (ETW copies the name there itself). ClientContext 1 selects QPC as
+        // the SESSION clock — necessary but not sufficient for QPC comparisons: ProcessTrace
+        // still converts every event's timestamp to FILETIME on delivery unless the consumer is
+        // opened with PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_RAW_TIMESTAMP (set below).
         let rc = unsafe {
             let props = buf.as_mut_ptr().cast::<EVENT_TRACE_PROPERTIES>();
             (*props).Wnode.BufferSize = buf.len() as u32;
@@ -224,6 +232,11 @@ impl EtwWatch {
             );
             return None;
         }
+        // A fresh session gets a fresh ring: the static [`RING`] outlives any `EtwWatch`, so
+        // whatever is in it belongs to a DEAD session — leaking it forward would let a previous
+        // session's presents pose as this session's witness history. Race-free here: the
+        // consumer thread that repopulates it is spawned below.
+        RING.lock().unwrap().clear();
 
         // Enable DxgKrnl with a kernel-side event-id filter — the whole point: the provider's
         // vblank/DPC keywords never reach us. Fatal on failure (the DDI families + queue
@@ -240,7 +253,7 @@ impl EtwWatch {
             return None;
         }
         // The DXGI (user-mode) present witness rides the same session. Degraded-not-fatal: a
-        // refusal only costs the per-process present counts — `window_counts` then reports
+        // refusal only costs the per-process present counts — `window_report` then reports
         // no present history and classification stays honest (Unattributed, never a guess).
         if !enable_provider(session, &DXGI, &DXGI_FILTER_IDS) {
             tracing::debug!(
@@ -252,8 +265,12 @@ impl EtwWatch {
             LoggerName: PWSTR(name.as_ptr() as *mut _),
             ..Default::default()
         };
-        log.Anonymous1.ProcessTraceMode =
-            PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_REAL_TIME | PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_EVENT_RECORD;
+        // RAW_TIMESTAMP is load-bearing: it stops ProcessTrace converting `EVENT_HEADER.TimeStamp`
+        // to FILETIME on delivery, so events arrive stamped in the session clock (QPC, per the
+        // ClientContext above) — the only clock the window edges are computed in.
+        log.Anonymous1.ProcessTraceMode = PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_REAL_TIME
+            | PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_EVENT_RECORD
+            | PROCESS_TRACE_MODE_RAW_TIMESTAMP;
         log.Anonymous2.EventRecordCallback = Some(on_event);
         // SAFETY: `log` is a fully-initialized local; `name` outlives the call (OpenTrace copies
         // what it needs before returning).
@@ -303,14 +320,34 @@ impl EtwWatch {
         Some(Self { session, consumer })
     }
 
-    /// Summarize the DDI activity inside `[from, to]` — the correlation line a stall report
-    /// carries. Brackets that merely SPAN the window count too (a freeze-long `SetPowerState`
-    /// has both edges outside the hole it caused). `"none"` when the window is clean.
-    pub(super) fn summary(&self, from: Instant, to: Instant) -> String {
-        // Instant → QPC: anchor both clocks now and offset backwards.
+    /// One stall window's ETW evidence, both halves from a SINGLE ring snapshot under a SINGLE
+    /// `(Instant::now(), qpc_now())` anchor: the DDI/present prose summary a stall report
+    /// carries, and the structured discriminator counts the classifier folds in. The summary
+    /// covers `[hole_from - lead_in, hole_to]` — the disturbance that CAUSED a hole lands just
+    /// before DWM stops delivering, so the prose needs the lead-in. The counts cover
+    /// `[hole_from, hole_to]` ONLY — presents from the healthy flow inside the lead-in would
+    /// falsely acquit the content. Two separate reads (two locks, two anchors, syscalls in
+    /// between) would let events arriving between them make the prose and the verdict disagree
+    /// about the same hole — hence one method returning both.
+    ///
+    /// Brackets that merely SPAN the summary window count too (a freeze-long `SetPowerState`
+    /// has both edges outside the hole it caused). The summary reads `"none"` when the window
+    /// is clean.
+    pub(super) fn window_report(
+        &self,
+        hole_from: Instant,
+        hole_to: Instant,
+        lead_in: Duration,
+    ) -> (String, EtwWindowCounts) {
+        // Instant → QPC: anchor both clocks once and offset backwards; every window edge below
+        // derives from this one anchor.
         let (now_i, now_q, freq) = (Instant::now(), qpc_now(), qpc_freq());
-        let to_q = now_q - duration_qpc(now_i.saturating_duration_since(to), freq);
-        let from_q = now_q - duration_qpc(now_i.saturating_duration_since(from), freq);
+        let to_q = now_q - duration_qpc(now_i.saturating_duration_since(hole_to), freq);
+        let from_q = now_q - duration_qpc(now_i.saturating_duration_since(hole_from), freq);
+        let summary_from_q = from_q - duration_qpc(lead_in, freq);
+        // One snapshot, then the lock drops: everything below — including the OpenProcess
+        // syscalls behind `process_name` — runs off the copy, so the consumer callback never
+        // queues behind a stall report.
         let events: Vec<(i64, u16, u32)> = {
             let ring = RING.lock().unwrap();
             ring.iter()
@@ -318,6 +355,7 @@ impl EtwWatch {
                 .copied()
                 .collect()
         };
+        let counts = count_window(&events, from_q, to_q, duration_qpc(LOOKBACK, freq));
         let ms = |dq: i64| dq.max(0) * 1_000 / freq;
         let mut parts = Vec::new();
         for (start_id, stop_id, label) in [
@@ -335,7 +373,7 @@ impl EtwWatch {
                 } else if id == stop_id {
                     if let Some(s) = open.take() {
                         // The bracket [s, ts] counts when it intersects the window.
-                        if s <= to_q && ts >= from_q {
+                        if s <= to_q && ts >= summary_from_q {
                             count += 1;
                             max_ms = max_ms.max(ms(ts - s));
                         }
@@ -362,43 +400,34 @@ impl EtwWatch {
         ] {
             let count = events
                 .iter()
-                .filter(|(ts, i, _)| *i == id && *ts >= from_q && *ts <= to_q)
+                .filter(|(ts, i, _)| *i == id && *ts >= summary_from_q && *ts <= to_q)
                 .count();
             if count > 0 {
                 parts.push(format!("{label}×{count}"));
             }
         }
         // Present + queue accounting (DXGI 42/55 + BltQueueAddEntry/Complete): total presents
-        // inside the window plus the top presenters, NAMED — the line that splits a
+        // inside the summary window plus the top presenters, NAMED — the line that splits a
         // compose-silence hole into "the content stopped presenting" (no presents anywhere)
         // versus "presents flowed and the display path dropped them" (presents at rate while
-        // the queue starves). "Present×0" is printed explicitly when the stream has history
-        // but the window is empty — silence is a finding, not an absence.
+        // the queue starves). "Present×0" is printed explicitly when the witness was LIVE
+        // before the hole ([`LOOKBACK`]) but the window is empty — silence is a finding, not
+        // an absence; a dead witness's window prints nothing rather than a fake zero.
         let mut per_pid: Vec<(u32, u32)> = Vec::new();
-        let mut have_present_history = false;
         let (mut adds, mut completes) = (0u32, 0u32);
-        let mut have_queue_history = false;
         for &(ts, id, pid) in &events {
+            if ts < summary_from_q || ts > to_q {
+                continue;
+            }
             match id {
                 DXGI_PRESENT_ID | DXGI_PRESENT_MPO_ID => {
-                    have_present_history = true;
-                    if ts >= from_q && ts <= to_q {
-                        match per_pid.iter_mut().find(|(p, _)| *p == pid) {
-                            Some((_, c)) => *c += 1,
-                            None => per_pid.push((pid, 1)),
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-                BLT_ADD_ID | BLT_COMPLETE_ID => {
-                    have_queue_history = true;
-                    if ts >= from_q && ts <= to_q {
-                        if id == BLT_ADD_ID {
-                            adds += 1;
-                        } else {
-                            completes += 1;
-                        }
+                    match per_pid.iter_mut().find(|(p, _)| *p == pid) {
+                        Some((_, c)) => *c += 1,
+                        None => per_pid.push((pid, 1)),
                     }
                 }
+                BLT_ADD_ID => adds += 1,
+                BLT_COMPLETE_ID => completes += 1,
                 _ => {}
             }
         }
@@ -415,61 +444,80 @@ impl EtwWatch {
                 .collect::<Vec<_>>()
                 .join(",");
             parts.push(format!("Present×{total}({top})"));
-        } else if have_present_history {
+        } else if counts.present_history {
             parts.push("Present×0".to_string());
         }
-        if have_queue_history {
+        if counts.queue_history || adds > 0 || completes > 0 {
             parts.push(format!("blt-queue add×{adds} complete×{completes}"));
         }
-        if parts.is_empty() {
+        let summary = if parts.is_empty() {
             "none".to_string()
         } else {
             parts.join(" ")
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// The structured discriminator read for `[from, to]` (the stall classifier's evidence):
-    /// how many swapchain presents (DXGI 42/55, any process) and how many virtual-display
-    /// queue entries (`BltQueueAddEntry`) landed in the window, plus whether each stream has
-    /// EVER produced an event (distinguishing a true zero from a witness that is not working —
-    /// e.g. the DXGI enable was refused, or an OS build renumbered the BltQueue events).
-    pub(super) fn window_counts(&self, from: Instant, to: Instant) -> EtwWindowCounts {
-        let (now_i, now_q, freq) = (Instant::now(), qpc_now(), qpc_freq());
-        let to_q = now_q - duration_qpc(now_i.saturating_duration_since(to), freq);
-        let from_q = now_q - duration_qpc(now_i.saturating_duration_since(from), freq);
-        let ring = RING.lock().unwrap();
-        let mut out = EtwWindowCounts::default();
-        for &(ts, id, _) in ring.iter() {
-            match id {
-                DXGI_PRESENT_ID | DXGI_PRESENT_MPO_ID => {
-                    out.present_history = true;
-                    if ts >= from_q && ts <= to_q {
-                        out.presents += 1;
-                    }
-                }
-                BLT_ADD_ID => {
-                    out.queue_history = true;
-                    if ts >= from_q && ts <= to_q {
-                        out.queue_adds += 1;
-                    }
-                }
-                _ => {}
-            }
-        }
-        out
+        };
+        (summary, counts)
     }
 }
 
-/// [`EtwWatch::window_counts`]'s read: the compose-silence discriminator's structured evidence.
+/// Witness-liveness lookback: the [`EtwWindowCounts`] history flags are true only when the
+/// stream produced at least one event inside the `LOOKBACK` window ENDING at the hole's start.
+/// "Ever produced an event" would be wrong in both directions: an event that arrived only AFTER
+/// the hole (the resume burst, the stall-ending frame) proves nothing about whether the witness
+/// was working DURING it, and a provider that died mid-session (or whose events aged out of the
+/// ring) would keep flying a stale known-working flag forever. Demonstrated life immediately
+/// BEFORE the hole is the claim the classifier actually needs; 5 s is far longer than any
+/// pre-stall active-flow gate, so a genuinely working witness cannot blink false across a
+/// frame-time lull.
+const LOOKBACK: Duration = Duration::from_secs(5);
+
+/// The discriminator's windowing math, factored pure (plain i64 QPC-tick arithmetic, no ETW,
+/// no clock reads) so the ring→counts contract is unit-testable without a session: presents
+/// (DXGI 42/55, any process) and queue entries (`BltQueueAddEntry`) inside `[from_q, to_q]`,
+/// witness liveness from `[from_q - lookback_q, from_q]` (see [`LOOKBACK`]). A
+/// `BltQueueCompleteIndirectPresent` proves the queue witness works exactly as an add does —
+/// both ride the same provider enable — so either satisfies `queue_history`.
+fn count_window(
+    events: &[(i64, u16, u32)],
+    from_q: i64,
+    to_q: i64,
+    lookback_q: i64,
+) -> EtwWindowCounts {
+    let mut out = EtwWindowCounts::default();
+    for &(ts, id, _) in events {
+        let in_window = ts >= from_q && ts <= to_q;
+        let in_lookback = ts >= from_q.saturating_sub(lookback_q) && ts <= from_q;
+        match id {
+            DXGI_PRESENT_ID | DXGI_PRESENT_MPO_ID => {
+                out.present_history |= in_lookback;
+                if in_window {
+                    out.presents += 1;
+                }
+            }
+            BLT_ADD_ID => {
+                out.queue_history |= in_lookback;
+                if in_window {
+                    out.queue_adds += 1;
+                }
+            }
+            BLT_COMPLETE_ID => out.queue_history |= in_lookback,
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+    out
+}
+
+/// [`EtwWatch::window_report`]'s structured half: the compose-silence discriminator's evidence.
 #[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub(super) struct EtwWindowCounts {
     /// Swapchain presents (any process — the game AND dwm both count) inside the window.
     pub(super) presents: u32,
     /// `BltQueueAddEntry` events (frames entering the virtual display's kernel queue) inside it.
     pub(super) queue_adds: u32,
-    /// The present stream has produced at least one event EVER (witness known-working).
+    /// The present stream demonstrated liveness inside [`LOOKBACK`] BEFORE the hole opened — a
+    /// working witness whose in-window zero is a reading, not a dead one whose zero is noise.
     pub(super) present_history: bool,
-    /// The queue stream has produced at least one event EVER (witness known-working).
+    /// Queue-stream liveness inside [`LOOKBACK`] before the hole (`BltQueueAddEntry` or
+    /// `BltQueueCompleteIndirectPresent` — either proves the witness works).
     pub(super) queue_history: bool,
 }
 
@@ -561,3 +609,72 @@ impl Drop for EtwWatch {
         }
     }
 }
+
+// The module only compiles on Windows (lib.rs gates `mod windows`), so plain `cfg(test)` here
+// already means "Windows tests" — and [`count_window`] itself is pure tick math, no session.
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// [`count_window`]'s contract: counts come from the hole window `[from, to]`; liveness
+    /// comes ONLY from the lookback window ending at the hole's start. An event after the hole
+    /// (the resume burst) or older than the lookback (a dead provider's leftovers) must not fly
+    /// the known-working flag — those are exactly the shapes that used to convict every
+    /// compose-silence hole as content.
+    #[test]
+    fn count_window_liveness_and_windowing() {
+        // Hole [1000, 2000], lookback 500 → liveness window [500, 1000]. Plain ticks.
+        let (from, to, lb) = (1_000i64, 2_000i64, 500i64);
+        let ev = |ts: i64, id: u16| (ts, id, 42u32);
+
+        // The healthy shape: liveness demonstrated before the hole, activity inside it.
+        let events = [
+            ev(600, DXGI_PRESENT_ID),       // lookback → present witness live
+            ev(700, BLT_COMPLETE_ID),       // lookback → queue witness live (completes count)
+            ev(1_100, DXGI_PRESENT_ID),     // in-window present
+            ev(1_200, DXGI_PRESENT_MPO_ID), // in-window present (MPO path)
+            ev(1_300, BLT_ADD_ID),          // in-window queue add
+            ev(1_400, 430),                 // non-witness id: never counted here
+        ];
+        assert_eq!(
+            count_window(&events, from, to, lb),
+            EtwWindowCounts {
+                presents: 2,
+                queue_adds: 1,
+                present_history: true,
+                queue_history: true,
+            }
+        );
+
+        // In-window events count but do NOT confer liveness — the witness must have worked
+        // BEFORE the hole for its zeros elsewhere to mean anything.
+        let window_only = [ev(1_500, DXGI_PRESENT_ID), ev(1_600, BLT_ADD_ID)];
+        let c = count_window(&window_only, from, to, lb);
+        assert_eq!((c.presents, c.queue_adds), (1, 1));
+        assert!(!c.present_history && !c.queue_history);
+
+        // An event only AFTER the hole proves nothing about the witness during it.
+        let after_only = [ev(2_100, DXGI_PRESENT_ID), ev(2_200, BLT_ADD_ID)];
+        assert_eq!(
+            count_window(&after_only, from, to, lb),
+            EtwWindowCounts::default()
+        );
+
+        // Events that aged past the lookback (a previous session's leftovers) don't either.
+        let stale = [ev(499, DXGI_PRESENT_ID), ev(1, BLT_ADD_ID)];
+        assert_eq!(
+            count_window(&stale, from, to, lb),
+            EtwWindowCounts::default()
+        );
+
+        // Both lookback edges are inclusive; the hole-start event is both liveness and count.
+        let edges = [ev(500, DXGI_PRESENT_ID), ev(1_000, BLT_ADD_ID)];
+        let c = count_window(&edges, from, to, lb);
+        assert!(c.present_history && c.queue_history);
+        assert_eq!((c.presents, c.queue_adds), (0, 1));
+
+        // A lookback reaching below tick 0 saturates instead of wrapping.
+        let c = count_window(&[ev(0, DXGI_PRESENT_ID)], 3, to, i64::MAX);
+        assert!(c.present_history);
+    }
+}

crates/pf-capture/src/windows/idd_push/stall.rs

@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ pub(super) struct StallEvidence {
     /// The DxgKrnl DDI activity inside the window (Phase A.3 ETW summary); `None` when the
     /// session is unavailable (non-admin dev run).
     pub(super) etw: Option<String>,
-    /// The structured present-vs-queue counts for the window ([`EtwWatch::window_counts`]) —
+    /// The structured present-vs-queue counts for the window ([`EtwWatch::window_report`]) —
     /// the compose-silence discriminator: presents flowing while the queue starves = the OS
     /// display path dropped composed frames; both silent = the content stopped presenting.
     /// `None` when the ETW session is unavailable.

crates/pf-client-core/src/audio.rs

@@ -14,9 +14,12 @@ use std::sync::mpsc::{Receiver, SyncSender, TrySendError};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
 const SAMPLE_RATE: u32 = 48_000;
-const CHANNELS: usize = 2;
-/// Mic frames are 20 ms (960 samples/channel) — any size ≤ 120 ms is fine host-side.
-const MIC_FRAME: usize = 960;
+/// Mic capture is MONO: voice is mono at the source, the host accepts any Opus channel
+/// layout (its stereo decoder upmixes), and half the samples halve the encode + wire cost.
+const MIC_CHANNELS: usize = 1;
+/// Mic frames are 10 ms (480 mono samples) — any size ≤ 120 ms is fine host-side; 10 ms
+/// halves the frame-fill share of mouth-to-ear latency vs the old 20 ms.
+const MIC_FRAME: usize = 480;
 
 struct Terminate;
 
@@ -327,20 +330,31 @@ fn pw_thread(
     Ok(())
 }
 
-/// The microphone uplink: capture the default input device, Opus-encode 20 ms chunks,
-/// ship them as 0xCB datagrams into the host's virtual PipeWire source.
+/// The microphone uplink: capture the default input device (or the picked / echo-cancelled
+/// source), Opus-encode 10 ms mono chunks, ship them as 0xCB datagrams into the host's
+/// virtual PipeWire source.
 pub struct MicStreamer {
     quit_tx: pipewire::channel::Sender<Terminate>,
     thread: Option<std::thread::JoinHandle<()>>,
 }
 
 impl MicStreamer {
-    pub fn spawn(connector: Arc<NativeClient>) -> Result<MicStreamer> {
+    /// `muted` is the in-stream mute (B4), shared live with the capture callback: set, the
+    /// callback keeps pulling and discarding whole frames but sends nothing. Muting by
+    /// STOPPING the stream was rejected — it re-primes the device buffers and re-runs the
+    /// source selection below on every unmute, so the first second back is glitchy.
+    ///
+    /// `echo_cancel` is the Settings toggle; `PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC=1` overrides it off.
+    pub fn spawn(
+        connector: Arc<NativeClient>,
+        muted: Arc<std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool>,
+        echo_cancel: bool,
+    ) -> Result<MicStreamer> {
         let (quit_tx, quit_rx) = pipewire::channel::channel::<Terminate>();
         let thread = std::thread::Builder::new()
             .name("punktfunk-mic".into())
             .spawn(move || {
-                if let Err(e) = mic_thread(&connector, quit_rx) {
+                if let Err(e) = mic_thread(&connector, quit_rx, muted, echo_cancel) {
                     tracing::warn!(error = %e, "mic uplink thread ended");
                 }
             })
@@ -361,19 +375,76 @@ impl Drop for MicStreamer {
     }
 }
 
-/// Capture-side state: accumulated PCM and the Opus encoder (encoding a 20 ms frame is
-/// ~100 µs — fine inside the process callback).
+/// Capture-side state: accumulated PCM and the Opus encoder (encoding a 10 ms frame is
+/// well under 100 µs — fine inside the process callback).
 struct MicData {
     connector: Arc<NativeClient>,
     ring: VecDeque<f32>,
     encoder: opus::Encoder,
     seq: u32,
     out: Vec<u8>,
+    /// The in-stream mute (B4), flipped by the session's chord. Read per callback.
+    muted: Arc<std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool>,
+}
+
+/// Whether the mic echo-cancellation hooks run this session: the `echo_cancel` setting, with
+/// `PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC=1` as a one-way override OFF. The env var wins — it is the escape hatch
+/// for a box whose canceller misbehaves, and it predates the setting; nothing turns AEC back
+/// on once it is set. Here the hook is the echo-cancelled-source preference below; the WASAPI
+/// twin gates its Communications stream category the same way.
+fn aec_enabled(echo_cancel: bool) -> bool {
+    echo_cancel && !std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC").is_ok_and(|v| !v.is_empty() && v != "0")
+}
+
+/// The capture stream's `target.object`, in preference order: the Settings microphone pick
+/// (`Settings::mic_device` via session main's `PUNKTFUNK_AUDIO_SOURCE`) verbatim, else — so a
+/// desktop that already runs `module-echo-cancel` stops feeding its own downlink audio back
+/// into the host's virtual mic — the first echo-cancelled source in the graph. `None` = the
+/// user picked nothing and no such source exists: PipeWire's default routing, as before.
+///
+/// Preference-only by design: loading `libpipewire-module-echo-cancel` ourselves needs
+/// `pw_context_load_module`, which the pipewire crate (0.9) doesn't expose safely — until it
+/// does, we only ever target processing the user (or their session) already set up.
+fn mic_capture_target(echo_cancel: bool) -> Option<String> {
+    if let Ok(target) = std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_AUDIO_SOURCE") {
+        if !target.is_empty() {
+            return Some(target);
+        }
+    }
+    if !aec_enabled(echo_cancel) {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let name = echo_cancel_source()?;
+    tracing::info!(
+        source = %name,
+        "mic capture targets the echo-cancelled source (Echo cancellation off, or \
+         PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC=1, disables this)"
+    );
+    Some(name)
+}
+
+/// Find an existing echo-cancelled capture node: the first `Audio/Source` whose `node.name`
+/// or description says echo-cancel (`module-echo-cancel`'s convention — `echo-cancel-*`
+/// nodes, "Echo-Cancel …" descriptions; PulseAudio-compat setups match too). One registry
+/// roundtrip via [`devices`]; any failure reads as "none".
+fn echo_cancel_source() -> Option<String> {
+    let (_, sources) = devices().ok()?;
+    sources.into_iter().find_map(|d| {
+        let name = d.name.to_ascii_lowercase();
+        let desc = d.description.to_ascii_lowercase();
+        (name.contains("echo-cancel")
+            || name.contains("echo_cancel")
+            || desc.contains("echo-cancel")
+            || desc.contains("echo cancel"))
+        .then_some(d.name)
+    })
 }
 
 fn mic_thread(
     connector: &Arc<NativeClient>,
     quit_rx: pipewire::channel::Receiver<Terminate>,
+    muted: Arc<std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool>,
+    echo_cancel: bool,
 ) -> Result<()> {
     use pipewire as pw;
     use pw::{properties::properties, spa};
@@ -384,9 +455,14 @@ fn mic_thread(
     PW_INIT.call_once(pw::init);
 
     let mut encoder =
-        opus::Encoder::new(SAMPLE_RATE, opus::Channels::Stereo, opus::Application::Voip)
+        opus::Encoder::new(SAMPLE_RATE, opus::Channels::Mono, opus::Application::Voip)
             .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("opus encoder: {e}"))?;
-    let _ = encoder.set_bitrate(opus::Bitrate::Bits(64_000));
+    // Voice tuning: 48 kbps mono is transparent for speech; in-band FEC + an assumed 10 %
+    // loss let the host's decoder rebuild a lost 0xCB datagram from its successor instead
+    // of concealing (datagrams are fire-and-forget — this FEC is the only redundancy).
+    let _ = encoder.set_bitrate(opus::Bitrate::Bits(48_000));
+    let _ = encoder.set_inband_fec(true);
+    let _ = encoder.set_packet_loss_perc(10);
 
     let mainloop = pw::main_loop::MainLoopRc::new(None).context("pw mic MainLoop")?;
     let context = pw::context::ContextRc::new(&mainloop, None).context("pw mic Context")?;
@@ -405,14 +481,15 @@ fn mic_thread(
         *pw::keys::MEDIA_ROLE       => "Communication",
         *pw::keys::NODE_NAME        => "punktfunk-mic-capture",
         *pw::keys::NODE_DESCRIPTION => "Punktfunk Microphone",
+        // ~10 ms quantum (one mic frame). Without it the capture stream inherits the graph
+        // quantum — commonly 1024–2048 samples, so the mic arrived in 21–43 ms bursts that
+        // sat ahead of the encoder as latency (the playback stream always asked for 5 ms).
+        *pw::keys::NODE_LATENCY     => "480/48000",
     };
-    // The Settings microphone pick (`Settings::mic_device` via session main).
-    if let Ok(target) = std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_AUDIO_SOURCE") {
-        if !target.is_empty() {
-            // Raw key: the `keys::TARGET_OBJECT` constant is feature-gated on a newer
-            // libpipewire than we require; the wire name is stable.
-            props.insert("target.object", target);
-        }
+    if let Some(target) = mic_capture_target(echo_cancel) {
+        // Raw key: the `keys::TARGET_OBJECT` constant is feature-gated on a newer
+        // libpipewire than we require; the wire name is stable.
+        props.insert("target.object", target);
     }
     let stream = pw::stream::StreamBox::new(&core, "punktfunk-mic-capture", props)
         .context("pw mic Stream")?;
@@ -423,6 +500,7 @@ fn mic_thread(
         encoder,
         seq: 0,
         out: vec![0u8; 4000],
+        muted,
     };
 
     let _listener = stream
@@ -447,9 +525,20 @@ fn mic_thread(
                             .push_back(f32::from_le_bytes([s[0], s[1], s[2], s[3]]));
                     }
                 }
-                // Ship every complete 20 ms stereo frame.
-                while ud.ring.len() >= MIC_FRAME * CHANNELS {
-                    let pcm: Vec<f32> = ud.ring.drain(..MIC_FRAME * CHANNELS).collect();
+                // Muted (B4): the stream stays open and the device keeps its primed buffers —
+                // only the sending stops. Whole frames are discarded so the ring can't grow,
+                // and `seq` deliberately does NOT advance: the host sees one continuous
+                // sequence with a silent pause in the middle rather than a gap the size of the
+                // mute, which its de-jitter would try to conceal frame by frame.
+                if ud.muted.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                    let whole =
+                        (ud.ring.len() / (MIC_FRAME * MIC_CHANNELS)) * (MIC_FRAME * MIC_CHANNELS);
+                    ud.ring.drain(..whole);
+                    return;
+                }
+                // Ship every complete 10 ms mono frame.
+                while ud.ring.len() >= MIC_FRAME * MIC_CHANNELS {
+                    let pcm: Vec<f32> = ud.ring.drain(..MIC_FRAME * MIC_CHANNELS).collect();
                     match ud.encoder.encode_float(&pcm, &mut ud.out) {
                         Ok(len) => {
                             let pts = std::time::SystemTime::now()
@@ -473,7 +562,8 @@ fn mic_thread(
     let mut info = AudioInfoRaw::new();
     info.set_format(AudioFormat::F32LE);
     info.set_rate(SAMPLE_RATE);
-    info.set_channels(CHANNELS as u32);
+    // Mono: the stream's adapter downmixes whatever layout the source really has.
+    info.set_channels(MIC_CHANNELS as u32);
     let obj = pw::spa::pod::Object {
         type_: pw::spa::utils::SpaTypes::ObjectParamFormat.as_raw(),
         id: pw::spa::param::ParamType::EnumFormat.as_raw(),

crates/pf-client-core/src/audio_wasapi.rs

@@ -23,14 +23,22 @@ use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
 use std::sync::mpsc::{Receiver, SyncSender, TrySendError};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::time::Duration;
-use wasapi::{DeviceEnumerator, Direction, SampleType, StreamMode, WaveFormat};
+use wasapi::{
+    AudioClientProperties, DeviceEnumerator, Direction, SampleType, StreamCategory, StreamMode,
+    WaveFormat,
+};
 
 const SAMPLE_RATE: usize = 48_000;
-/// The microphone uplink stays stereo (the host's virtual mic is stereo). The render path is
-/// multichannel — its channel count + block align are runtime, driven by the host-resolved layout.
-const CHANNELS: usize = 2;
-/// Mic frames are 20 ms (960 samples/channel) — any size ≤ 120 ms is fine host-side.
-const MIC_FRAME: usize = 960;
+/// Mic capture requests STEREO from WASAPI (autoconvert matrixes any endpoint layout down to
+/// it — the proven path; `read_from_device_to_deque` then delivers our requested format) and
+/// downmixes to MONO in code before the encoder: voice is mono at the source, the host accepts
+/// any Opus channel layout (its stereo decoder upmixes), and half the samples halve the
+/// encode + wire cost. The render path is multichannel — its channel count + block align are
+/// runtime, driven by the host-resolved layout.
+const CAPT_CHANNELS: usize = 2;
+/// Mic frames are 10 ms (480 mono samples) — any size ≤ 120 ms is fine host-side; 10 ms
+/// halves the frame-fill share of mouth-to-ear latency vs the old 20 ms.
+const MIC_FRAME: usize = 480;
 
 /// A selectable WASAPI endpoint for the settings pickers.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -302,21 +310,31 @@ fn render_thread(
     res
 }
 
-/// The microphone uplink: capture the default input device, Opus-encode 20 ms chunks, ship
-/// them as 0xCB datagrams into the host's virtual mic source.
+/// The microphone uplink: capture the default input device, Opus-encode 10 ms mono chunks,
+/// ship them as 0xCB datagrams into the host's virtual mic source.
 pub struct MicStreamer {
     stop: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     thread: Option<std::thread::JoinHandle<()>>,
 }
 
 impl MicStreamer {
-    pub fn spawn(connector: Arc<NativeClient>) -> Result<MicStreamer> {
+    /// `muted` is the in-stream mute (B4), shared live with the capture loop: set, the loop
+    /// keeps reading the endpoint and discarding whole frames but sends nothing. Muting by
+    /// STOPPING the client was rejected — an `IAudioClient` stop/start re-primes the endpoint
+    /// buffers and re-runs the category negotiation below on every unmute.
+    ///
+    /// `echo_cancel` is the Settings toggle; `PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC=1` overrides it off.
+    pub fn spawn(
+        connector: Arc<NativeClient>,
+        muted: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+        echo_cancel: bool,
+    ) -> Result<MicStreamer> {
         let stop = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
         let stop_t = stop.clone();
         let thread = std::thread::Builder::new()
             .name("punktfunk-mic".into())
             .spawn(move || {
-                if let Err(e) = mic_thread(&connector, stop_t) {
+                if let Err(e) = mic_thread(&connector, stop_t, muted, echo_cancel) {
                     tracing::warn!(error = %format!("{e:#}"), "mic uplink thread ended");
                 }
             })
@@ -337,24 +355,58 @@ impl Drop for MicStreamer {
     }
 }
 
-fn mic_thread(connector: &Arc<NativeClient>, stop: Arc<AtomicBool>) -> Result<()> {
+/// Whether the mic echo-cancellation hooks run this session: the `echo_cancel` setting, with
+/// `PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC=1` as a one-way override OFF. The env var wins — it is the escape hatch
+/// for a box whose canceller misbehaves, and it predates the setting; nothing turns AEC back
+/// on once it is set. Here the hook is the Communications stream category below; the PipeWire
+/// twin gates its echo-cancelled-source preference the same way.
+fn aec_enabled(echo_cancel: bool) -> bool {
+    echo_cancel && !std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC").is_ok_and(|v| !v.is_empty() && v != "0")
+}
+
+fn mic_thread(
+    connector: &Arc<NativeClient>,
+    stop: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    muted: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    echo_cancel: bool,
+) -> Result<()> {
     wasapi::initialize_mta()
         .ok()
         .context("CoInitializeEx (MTA)")?;
 
     let mut encoder = opus::Encoder::new(
         SAMPLE_RATE as u32,
-        opus::Channels::Stereo,
+        opus::Channels::Mono,
         opus::Application::Voip,
     )
     .map_err(|e| anyhow!("opus encoder: {e}"))?;
-    let _ = encoder.set_bitrate(opus::Bitrate::Bits(64_000));
+    // Voice tuning: 48 kbps mono is transparent for speech; in-band FEC + an assumed 10 %
+    // loss let the host's decoder rebuild a lost 0xCB datagram from its successor instead
+    // of concealing (datagrams are fire-and-forget — this FEC is the only redundancy).
+    let _ = encoder.set_bitrate(opus::Bitrate::Bits(48_000));
+    let _ = encoder.set_inband_fec(true);
+    let _ = encoder.set_packet_loss_perc(10);
 
     let enumerator = DeviceEnumerator::new().context("DeviceEnumerator")?;
     let device = pick_device(&enumerator, &Direction::Capture, "PUNKTFUNK_AUDIO_SOURCE")
         .context("capture endpoint (no microphone?)")?;
     let mut audio_client = device.get_iaudioclient().context("IAudioClient")?;
-    let desired = WaveFormat::new(32, 32, &SampleType::Float, SAMPLE_RATE, CHANNELS, None);
+    // Communications category → the endpoint's communications signal-processing chain. A
+    // driver/APO stack with an echo canceller only engages it for communications-category
+    // streams; the default (Other) category never did, so the downlink audio playing on
+    // this box fed straight back into the host's virtual mic. Must precede Initialize
+    // (SetClientProperties is a pre-init call; the wasapi crate QIs IAudioClient2 inside).
+    // Best-effort: an endpoint without IAudioClient2 just keeps the default category.
+    // The "Echo cancellation" setting opts out, and PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC=1 overrides that off
+    // (same lever as the Linux echo-cancel-source preference) — see `aec_enabled`.
+    if aec_enabled(echo_cancel) {
+        if let Err(e) = audio_client.set_properties(
+            AudioClientProperties::new().set_category(StreamCategory::Communications),
+        ) {
+            tracing::debug!(error = %e, "mic capture: Communications category not set");
+        }
+    }
+    let desired = WaveFormat::new(32, 32, &SampleType::Float, SAMPLE_RATE, CAPT_CHANNELS, None);
     let (default_period, _min_period) =
         audio_client.get_device_period().context("device period")?;
     let mode = StreamMode::EventsShared {
@@ -392,13 +444,33 @@ fn mic_thread(connector: &Arc<NativeClient>, stop: Arc<AtomicBool>) -> Result<()
                 Err(e) => return Err(anyhow!("get_next_packet_size: {e}")),
             }
         }
-        let whole = (bytes.len() / 4) * 4;
-        for c in bytes.drain(..whole).collect::<Vec<u8>>().chunks_exact(4) {
-            ring.push_back(f32::from_le_bytes([c[0], c[1], c[2], c[3]]));
+        // One stereo capture frame (8 bytes) → one mono sample: average L/R. Autoconvert
+        // already matrixed the endpoint's real layout (mono/stereo/array mic) into the
+        // stereo stream we initialized, so this is the only downmix left to do.
+        let stereo_frame = 4 * CAPT_CHANNELS;
+        let whole = (bytes.len() / stereo_frame) * stereo_frame;
+        for c in bytes
+            .drain(..whole)
+            .collect::<Vec<u8>>()
+            .chunks_exact(stereo_frame)
+        {
+            let l = f32::from_le_bytes([c[0], c[1], c[2], c[3]]);
+            let r = f32::from_le_bytes([c[4], c[5], c[6], c[7]]);
+            ring.push_back((l + r) * 0.5);
         }
-        // Ship every complete 20 ms stereo frame.
-        while ring.len() >= MIC_FRAME * CHANNELS {
-            let pcm: Vec<f32> = ring.drain(..MIC_FRAME * CHANNELS).collect();
+        // Muted (B4): the capture client stays started and keeps its primed buffers — only
+        // the sending stops. Whole frames are discarded so the ring can't grow, and `seq`
+        // deliberately does NOT advance: the host sees one continuous sequence with a silent
+        // pause in the middle rather than a gap the size of the mute, which its de-jitter
+        // would try to conceal frame by frame.
+        if muted.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            let drop_n = (ring.len() / MIC_FRAME) * MIC_FRAME;
+            ring.drain(..drop_n);
+            continue;
+        }
+        // Ship every complete 10 ms mono frame.
+        while ring.len() >= MIC_FRAME {
+            let pcm: Vec<f32> = ring.drain(..MIC_FRAME).collect();
             match encoder.encode_float(&pcm, &mut out) {
                 Ok(len) => {
                     let pts = std::time::SystemTime::now()

crates/pf-client-core/src/gamepad.rs

@@ -336,6 +336,7 @@ enum Ctl {
     Detach,
     Pin(Option<String>),
     KindOverride(GamepadPref),
+    Forwarding(bool),
     MenuMode(bool),
     MenuRumble(MenuPulse),
 }
@@ -482,6 +483,26 @@ impl GamepadService {
         let _ = self.ctl.send(Ctl::KindOverride(pref));
     }
 
+    /// Forward this device's controllers to the host at all ([`Settings::gamepad_forwarding`],
+    /// default on). Off is for a couch whose pad reaches the host another way — a USB
+    /// passthrough tool like VirtualHere, or a controller plugged into the host itself —
+    /// where forwarding as well would give the host two pads for one pair of hands.
+    ///
+    /// Off holds no slot open, so nothing is sent AND nothing is *grabbed*: no arrival, no
+    /// virtual pad host-side, and the hidraw node stays free for the passthrough tool to
+    /// bind (SDL's HIDAPI drivers take it at open — a held device cannot be bound away).
+    /// It follows that the escape chord, which only listens on forwarded pads, is not
+    /// available while off; the keyboard chord and the client's own UI still end a session.
+    ///
+    /// Menu navigation is untouched: the launcher still opens the active pad to drive its
+    /// UI, and a session — which supersedes menu mode whether it forwards or not — releases
+    /// it again, so the pad is free for the whole time a stream is up.
+    ///
+    /// [`Settings::gamepad_forwarding`]: crate::trust::Settings::gamepad_forwarding
+    pub fn set_forwarding(&self, on: bool) {
+        let _ = self.ctl.send(Ctl::Forwarding(on));
+    }
+
     pub fn attach(&self, connector: Arc<NativeClient>) {
         let _ = self.ctl.send(Ctl::Attach(connector));
     }
@@ -721,6 +742,10 @@ struct Worker {
     /// connected pads, so it survives restarts and disconnects. A pin forwards ONLY that pad
     /// (an explicit single-player choice); Automatic forwards every real controller.
     pinned: Option<String>,
+    /// Forward controllers to an attached session at all ([`GamepadService::set_forwarding`]).
+    /// Off makes [`Self::forwarded_ids`] empty, so a session opens no slot — the whole point
+    /// being that the hardware stays ungrabbed for a USB passthrough tool.
+    forwarding: bool,
     /// The user's explicit "controller type" setting ([`GamepadService::set_kind_override`]);
     /// `Auto` = per-pad detection. Applied at slot open to the kind DECLARED to the host, never
     /// to [`Slot::pref`] — the local feedback paths must keep reading the physical pad.
@@ -815,6 +840,11 @@ impl Worker {
     /// back to the single most-recent pad when only a Steam-virtual pad is present (the Deck
     /// game-mode case — otherwise its gyro/paddles/input would have nowhere to land).
     fn forwarded_ids(&self) -> Vec<u32> {
+        // Forwarding off: nothing is forwarded, so nothing is opened either — the device stays
+        // free for whatever route the user's controller actually takes to the host.
+        if !self.forwarding {
+            return Vec::new();
+        }
         if let Some(key) = &self.pinned {
             if let Some(id) = self
                 .order
@@ -1243,10 +1273,16 @@ impl Worker {
                 Ok(Ctl::Attach(c)) => {
                     self.attached = Some(c);
                     self.reset_chord(); // every session starts un-latched (Attach doesn't flush)
-                                        // The Valve HIDAPI drivers run only in-session (see set_valve_hidapi);
-                                        // enabling them re-enumerates a Deck's built-in pad with paddles/
-                                        // trackpads/gyro first-class — sync_open opens a slot per forwarded pad.
-                    set_valve_hidapi(true);
+
+                    // The Valve HIDAPI drivers run only in-session (see set_valve_hidapi);
+                    // enabling them re-enumerates a Deck's built-in pad with paddles/
+                    // trackpads/gyro first-class — sync_open opens a slot per forwarded pad.
+                    // Not with forwarding off: this session opens no slot, and the drivers'
+                    // mere enumeration both kills the Deck's trackpad-mouse and is the
+                    // opposite of leaving the hardware alone for a passthrough tool.
+                    if self.forwarding {
+                        set_valve_hidapi(true);
+                    }
                     self.sync_open();
                 }
                 Ok(Ctl::Detach) => {
@@ -1269,6 +1305,31 @@ impl Worker {
                     self.refresh_active();
                 }
                 Ok(Ctl::KindOverride(pref)) => self.kind_override = pref,
+                Ok(Ctl::Forwarding(on)) => {
+                    if self.forwarding == on {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    self.forwarding = on;
+                    self.reset_chord(); // no forwarded pad can be mid-chord across the flip
+
+                    // Applied live rather than at attach only, so a mid-session flip (an
+                    // in-stream settings screen) takes effect on the pad in your hands.
+                    //
+                    // The Valve HIDAPI drivers are an in-session-only thing (see
+                    // set_valve_hidapi), and forwarding off is — for their purpose — not in
+                    // session. Order matters and differs by direction: ON must enable them
+                    // BEFORE `sync_open`, or a Deck's built-in pad opens under its old
+                    // identity; OFF must disable them AFTER, so no slot outlives the driver
+                    // that opened it.
+                    let attached = self.attached.is_some();
+                    if on && attached {
+                        set_valve_hidapi(true);
+                    }
+                    self.sync_open();
+                    if !on && attached {
+                        set_valve_hidapi(false);
+                    }
+                }
                 Ok(Ctl::MenuMode(on)) => {
                     self.menu_mode = on;
                     if on {
@@ -1608,6 +1669,7 @@ impl Worker {
             menu_open: None,
             order: Vec::new(),
             pinned: None,
+            forwarding: true,
             kind_override: GamepadPref::Auto,
             attached: None,
             escape_tx,

crates/pf-client-core/src/orchestrate.rs

@@ -982,6 +982,10 @@ mod tests {
                 height: 1440,
                 bitrate_kbps: 55000,
                 codec: "av1".into(),
+                present_priority: "smooth".into(),
+                smooth_buffer: 2,
+                vsync: false,
+                allow_vrr: false,
                 ..Default::default()
             },
             clipboard: true,

crates/pf-client-core/src/profiles.rs

@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ pub struct SettingsOverlay {
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub mic_enabled: Option<bool>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub echo_cancel: Option<bool>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub touch_mode: Option<String>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub mouse_mode: Option<String>,
@@ -72,9 +74,23 @@ pub struct SettingsOverlay {
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub gamepad: Option<String>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub gamepad_forwarding: Option<bool>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub stats_verbosity: Option<StatsVerbosity>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub fullscreen_on_stream: Option<bool>,
+    /// The presentation cluster — the keys the Apple client already writes into this
+    /// same catalog shape (`present_priority`/`smooth_buffer`/`vsync`/`allow_vrr`;
+    /// Android carries the first two). First-class here so a profile authored on any
+    /// client applies on all of them instead of riding `extra` unapplied.
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub present_priority: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub smooth_buffer: Option<u8>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub vsync: Option<bool>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub allow_vrr: Option<bool>,
     /// Overlay keys a newer client wrote and this one doesn't model — carried through a
     /// load→save round-trip untouched.
     #[serde(flatten)]
@@ -122,6 +138,9 @@ impl SettingsOverlay {
         if let Some(v) = self.mic_enabled {
             s.mic_enabled = v;
         }
+        if let Some(v) = self.echo_cancel {
+            s.echo_cancel = v;
+        }
         if let Some(v) = &self.touch_mode {
             s.touch_mode = v.clone();
         }
@@ -137,6 +156,9 @@ impl SettingsOverlay {
         if let Some(v) = &self.gamepad {
             s.gamepad = v.clone();
         }
+        if let Some(v) = self.gamepad_forwarding {
+            s.gamepad_forwarding = v;
+        }
         if let Some(v) = self.stats_verbosity {
             // Through the setter so the legacy `show_stats` bool stays coherent for
             // pre-tier binaries reading the same settings file.
@@ -145,6 +167,18 @@ impl SettingsOverlay {
         if let Some(v) = self.fullscreen_on_stream {
             s.fullscreen_on_stream = v;
         }
+        if let Some(v) = &self.present_priority {
+            s.present_priority = v.clone();
+        }
+        if let Some(v) = self.smooth_buffer {
+            s.smooth_buffer = v;
+        }
+        if let Some(v) = self.vsync {
+            s.vsync = v;
+        }
+        if let Some(v) = self.allow_vrr {
+            s.allow_vrr = v;
+        }
         s
     }
 
@@ -197,6 +231,9 @@ impl SettingsOverlay {
         if after.mic_enabled != before.mic_enabled {
             self.mic_enabled = Some(after.mic_enabled);
         }
+        if after.echo_cancel != before.echo_cancel {
+            self.echo_cancel = Some(after.echo_cancel);
+        }
         if after.touch_mode != before.touch_mode {
             self.touch_mode = Some(after.touch_mode.clone());
         }
@@ -212,12 +249,27 @@ impl SettingsOverlay {
         if after.gamepad != before.gamepad {
             self.gamepad = Some(after.gamepad.clone());
         }
+        if after.gamepad_forwarding != before.gamepad_forwarding {
+            self.gamepad_forwarding = Some(after.gamepad_forwarding);
+        }
         if after.stats_verbosity() != before.stats_verbosity() {
             self.stats_verbosity = Some(after.stats_verbosity());
         }
         if after.fullscreen_on_stream != before.fullscreen_on_stream {
             self.fullscreen_on_stream = Some(after.fullscreen_on_stream);
         }
+        if after.present_priority != before.present_priority {
+            self.present_priority = Some(after.present_priority.clone());
+        }
+        if after.smooth_buffer != before.smooth_buffer {
+            self.smooth_buffer = Some(after.smooth_buffer);
+        }
+        if after.vsync != before.vsync {
+            self.vsync = Some(after.vsync);
+        }
+        if after.allow_vrr != before.allow_vrr {
+            self.allow_vrr = Some(after.allow_vrr);
+        }
     }
 
     /// Drop one override by its overlay field name, putting the row back to inheriting. The
@@ -243,13 +295,19 @@ impl SettingsOverlay {
             "compositor" => self.compositor = None,
             "audio_channels" => self.audio_channels = None,
             "mic_enabled" => self.mic_enabled = None,
+            "echo_cancel" => self.echo_cancel = None,
             "touch_mode" => self.touch_mode = None,
             "mouse_mode" => self.mouse_mode = None,
             "invert_scroll" => self.invert_scroll = None,
             "inhibit_shortcuts" => self.inhibit_shortcuts = None,
             "gamepad" => self.gamepad = None,
+            "gamepad_forwarding" => self.gamepad_forwarding = None,
             "stats_verbosity" => self.stats_verbosity = None,
             "fullscreen_on_stream" => self.fullscreen_on_stream = None,
+            "present_priority" => self.present_priority = None,
+            "smooth_buffer" => self.smooth_buffer = None,
+            "vsync" => self.vsync = None,
+            "allow_vrr" => self.allow_vrr = None,
             _ => return false,
         }
         true
@@ -424,6 +482,10 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!((out.width, out.height), (1920, 1080));
         assert_eq!(out.bitrate_kbps, 20000);
         assert_eq!(out.codec, "hevc");
+        assert!(
+            out.gamepad_forwarding,
+            "default on, and an empty overlay leaves it alone"
+        );
         assert!(empty.is_empty());
 
         let overlay = SettingsOverlay {
@@ -437,14 +499,20 @@ mod tests {
             compositor: Some("gamescope".into()),
             audio_channels: Some(6),
             mic_enabled: Some(true),
+            echo_cancel: Some(false),
             touch_mode: Some("pointer".into()),
             mouse_mode: Some("desktop".into()),
             invert_scroll: Some(true),
             inhibit_shortcuts: Some(false),
             gamepad: Some("dualsense".into()),
+            gamepad_forwarding: Some(false),
             match_window: Some(true),
             fullscreen_on_stream: Some(false),
             stats_verbosity: Some(StatsVerbosity::Detailed),
+            present_priority: Some("smooth".into()),
+            smooth_buffer: Some(3),
+            vsync: Some(false),
+            allow_vrr: Some(false),
             ..Default::default()
         };
         assert!(!overlay.is_empty());
@@ -457,14 +525,20 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(out.compositor, "gamescope");
         assert_eq!(out.audio_channels, 6);
         assert!(out.mic_enabled);
+        assert!(!out.echo_cancel);
         assert_eq!(out.touch_mode, "pointer");
         assert_eq!(out.mouse_mode, "desktop");
         assert!(out.invert_scroll);
         assert!(!out.inhibit_shortcuts);
         assert_eq!(out.gamepad, "dualsense");
+        assert!(!out.gamepad_forwarding);
         assert!(out.match_window);
         assert!(!out.fullscreen_on_stream);
         assert_eq!(out.stats_verbosity(), StatsVerbosity::Detailed);
+        assert_eq!(out.present_priority, "smooth");
+        assert_eq!(out.smooth_buffer, 3);
+        assert!(!out.vsync);
+        assert!(!out.allow_vrr);
         // The tier goes through the setter, so the legacy bool a pre-tier binary reads
         // stays coherent with it.
         assert!(out.show_stats);
@@ -529,6 +603,92 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(o2, o);
     }
 
+    /// `echo_cancel` is a first-class overlay field, not an `extra` passenger: it applies,
+    /// absorbs, clears, and serialises under the `echo_cancel` key the Apple and Android
+    /// clients write — one catalog has to round-trip through all three.
+    #[test]
+    fn echo_cancel_is_a_first_class_override() {
+        let base = Settings::default();
+        assert!(base.echo_cancel, "the setting ships on");
+
+        let mut o = SettingsOverlay::default();
+        let before = o.apply(&base);
+        let mut after = before.clone();
+        after.echo_cancel = false;
+        o.absorb(&before, &after);
+        assert_eq!(o.echo_cancel, Some(false));
+        assert!(!o.apply(&base).echo_cancel);
+        assert!(
+            o.extra.is_empty(),
+            "modelled fields must never land in the passthrough"
+        );
+
+        // Serialised under the shared key, and read back from a foreign client's file.
+        let text = serde_json::to_string(&o).unwrap();
+        assert!(text.contains("\"echo_cancel\":false"), "{text}");
+        let from_apple: SettingsOverlay =
+            serde_json::from_str(r#"{"mic_enabled":true,"echo_cancel":false}"#).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(from_apple.echo_cancel, Some(false));
+        assert!(from_apple.extra.is_empty());
+
+        assert!(o.clear("echo_cancel"));
+        assert_eq!(o.echo_cancel, None);
+        assert!(o.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    /// The presentation cluster is first-class, not `extra` passengers: it applies,
+    /// absorbs, clears, and serialises under the exact keys the Apple client already
+    /// writes (`present_priority`/`smooth_buffer`/`vsync`/`allow_vrr`) — one catalog
+    /// has to round-trip through every platform, and a mismatched key would be carried
+    /// but never applied.
+    #[test]
+    fn presentation_cluster_is_first_class() {
+        let base = Settings::default();
+        let mut o = SettingsOverlay::default();
+        let before = o.apply(&base);
+        let mut after = before.clone();
+        after.present_priority = "smooth".into();
+        o.absorb(&before, &after);
+        let before = o.apply(&base);
+        let mut after = before.clone();
+        after.smooth_buffer = 1;
+        o.absorb(&before, &after);
+        assert_eq!(o.present_priority.as_deref(), Some("smooth"));
+        assert_eq!(o.smooth_buffer, Some(1));
+        assert!(
+            o.extra.is_empty(),
+            "modelled fields must never land in the passthrough"
+        );
+        let out = o.apply(&base);
+        assert_eq!(
+            out.present_priority(),
+            crate::trust::PresentPriority::Smooth { buffer: 1 }
+        );
+
+        // Serialised under the shared keys, and read back from a foreign client's file.
+        let text = serde_json::to_string(&o).unwrap();
+        assert!(text.contains("\"present_priority\":\"smooth\""), "{text}");
+        assert!(text.contains("\"smooth_buffer\":1"), "{text}");
+        let from_apple: SettingsOverlay = serde_json::from_str(
+            r#"{"present_priority":"latency","smooth_buffer":2,"vsync":true,"allow_vrr":false}"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(from_apple.present_priority.as_deref(), Some("latency"));
+        assert_eq!(from_apple.smooth_buffer, Some(2));
+        assert_eq!(from_apple.vsync, Some(true));
+        assert_eq!(from_apple.allow_vrr, Some(false));
+        assert!(from_apple.extra.is_empty());
+
+        assert!(o.clear("present_priority"));
+        assert!(o.clear("smooth_buffer"));
+        assert_eq!(o.present_priority, None);
+        assert!(o.is_empty());
+        let mut vrr = from_apple;
+        assert!(vrr.clear("vsync"));
+        assert!(vrr.clear("allow_vrr"));
+        assert_eq!((vrr.vsync, vrr.allow_vrr), (None, None));
+    }
+
     /// `clear` is the explicit way back to inheriting, including the resolution tri-state.
     #[test]
     fn clear_drops_one_override() {
@@ -547,6 +707,29 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!o.clear("no_such_field"));
     }
 
+    /// Controller forwarding defaults ON, so its interesting override is the FALSE one — and a
+    /// `false` that `apply` dropped would silently forward a pad the profile said not to.
+    /// `absorb` must record it, `clear` must undo it, and the serialized name both carry is the
+    /// one every client's reset button sends.
+    #[test]
+    fn gamepad_forwarding_overrides_off_and_resets_back() {
+        let base = Settings::default();
+        assert!(base.gamepad_forwarding, "the shipped default");
+
+        let mut o = SettingsOverlay::default();
+        let mut after = base.clone();
+        after.gamepad_forwarding = false;
+        o.absorb(&base, &after);
+        assert_eq!(o.gamepad_forwarding, Some(false));
+        assert!(!o.apply(&base).gamepad_forwarding);
+
+        assert!(o.clear("gamepad_forwarding"));
+        assert_eq!(o.gamepad_forwarding, None);
+        assert!(o.is_empty());
+        // Back to inheriting: the global's live value, not a remembered false.
+        assert!(o.apply(&base).gamepad_forwarding);
+    }
+
     /// Stats verbosity Off must survive `apply` — it is a legitimate override, and going
     /// through `set_stats_verbosity` keeps `show_stats` in sync in that direction too.
     #[test]

crates/pf-client-core/src/session.rs

@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ pub struct SessionParams {
     pub display_hdr: Option<punktfunk_core::quic::HdrMeta>,
     /// Stream the default microphone to the host's virtual mic source.
     pub mic_enabled: bool,
+    /// Run the uplink through the platform's echo cancellation ([`Settings::echo_cancel`]).
+    /// Ignored when `mic_enabled` is false; `PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC=1` overrides it off.
+    pub echo_cancel: bool,
     /// Share the clipboard with this host (the per-host `KnownHost::clipboard_sync`). The
     /// bridge additionally needs the host to advertise `HOST_CAP_CLIPBOARD`.
     pub clipboard: bool,
@@ -145,6 +148,13 @@ pub struct Stats {
     /// received+lost (%). The OSD renders the counter line only when nonzero.
     pub lost: u32,
     pub lost_pct: f32,
+    /// Mic uplink frames this window: handed to the QUIC datagram send, and shed anywhere
+    /// client-side (queue-full at the producer + the pump's stale-oldest backlog governor —
+    /// see [`NativeClient::mic_stats`]). Both stay 0 while the mic is off OR muted (a mute
+    /// stops the sending, not the capture), so the OSD renders the mic line only while voice
+    /// is actually going out — the muted case has its own badge, which does not need stats on.
+    pub mic_sent: u32,
+    pub mic_dropped: u32,
     /// The decode path frames actually took this window (`"vaapi"`/`"software"`, empty
     /// until the first frame) — the OSD's trailing tag; tracks a mid-session fallback.
     pub decoder: &'static str,
@@ -199,10 +209,61 @@ pub enum SessionEvent {
     Stats(Stats),
 }
 
+/// The in-stream microphone mute (B4), shared between the embedder's toggle (a keyboard chord
+/// in the presenter) and the capture callback that reads it every quantum.
+///
+/// Two flags, not one, so the indicator can never lie: `live` is raised by the pump only once
+/// the uplink is actually running, so a session whose mic is off in Settings — or whose capture
+/// device failed to open — reports "no mic here" and the chord is a documented no-op instead of
+/// silently latching a mute nothing implements. Per session by design: the mute is a moment
+/// ("don't send the doorbell"), not a preference, so it is never persisted and every new
+/// session starts unmuted.
+#[derive(Clone, Default)]
+pub struct MicControl {
+    muted: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    live: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+}
+
+impl MicControl {
+    /// True when this session has a running uplink to mute at all.
+    pub fn live(&self) -> bool {
+        self.live.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+
+    /// True when the user has muted a uplink that exists — what the OSD indicator draws.
+    pub fn muted(&self) -> bool {
+        self.live() && self.muted.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+
+    /// Flip the mute. `Some(now_muted)` when it applied, `None` when this session has no
+    /// uplink (the caller says so rather than pretending something happened).
+    pub fn toggle(&self) -> Option<bool> {
+        if !self.live() {
+            return None;
+        }
+        let next = !self.muted.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.muted.store(next, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        Some(next)
+    }
+
+    /// The capture side's handle on the flag (the streamer reads it per quantum).
+    fn flag(&self) -> Arc<AtomicBool> {
+        self.muted.clone()
+    }
+
+    /// The pump's report that the uplink came up (or went away).
+    fn set_live(&self, live: bool) {
+        self.live.store(live, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+}
+
 pub struct SessionHandle {
     pub events: async_channel::Receiver<SessionEvent>,
     pub frames: async_channel::Receiver<DecodedFrame>,
     pub stop: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    /// The in-stream mic mute. Inert (`live()` false) until the pump has the uplink running,
+    /// and for the whole session when the mic is off in Settings.
+    pub mic: MicControl,
     /// The pump thread. A Vulkan-Video pump SUBMITS to the shared device's decode
     /// queue — the presenter must join this before any `vkDeviceWaitIdle`/teardown
     /// (external-sync rule over every device queue).
@@ -215,14 +276,17 @@ pub fn start(params: SessionParams) -> SessionHandle {
     let (frame_tx, frame_rx) = async_channel::bounded(2);
     let stop = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
     let stop_w = stop.clone();
+    let mic = MicControl::default();
+    let mic_w = mic.clone();
     let thread = std::thread::Builder::new()
         .name("punktfunk-session".into())
-        .spawn(move || pump(params, ev_tx, frame_tx, stop_w))
+        .spawn(move || pump(params, ev_tx, frame_tx, stop_w, mic_w))
         .expect("spawn session thread");
     SessionHandle {
         events: ev_rx,
         frames: frame_rx,
         stop,
+        mic,
         thread: Some(thread),
     }
 }
@@ -275,6 +339,7 @@ fn pump(
     ev_tx: async_channel::Sender<SessionEvent>,
     frame_tx: async_channel::Sender<DecodedFrame>,
     stop: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    mic: MicControl,
 ) {
     // PUNKTFUNK_PREFER_PYROWAVE=1 — the Phase-2 lab opt-in for the wired-LAN wavelet codec
     // (a Settings toggle is the Phase-3 productization). Riding `preferred_codec` is exactly
@@ -359,11 +424,31 @@ fn pump(
     // Build the decoder for the codec the host resolved (never assume HEVC), honoring the
     // Settings backend preference (auto/vaapi/software).
     let codec_id = crate::video::ffmpeg_codec_id(connector.codec);
-    tracing::info!(
-        ?codec_id,
-        welcome_codec = connector.codec,
-        "negotiated video codec"
-    );
+    // The WIRE codec is the negotiated truth; the FFmpeg id is meaningful only where
+    // FFmpeg decodes it. `ffmpeg_codec_id`'s fallthrough maps every unknown wire bit —
+    // PyroWave included — to HEVC, so logging it unconditionally claimed
+    // `codec_id=HEVC` for wavelet sessions that never touch FFmpeg at all.
+    let codec = match connector.codec {
+        punktfunk_core::quic::CODEC_H264 => "H264",
+        punktfunk_core::quic::CODEC_HEVC => "HEVC",
+        punktfunk_core::quic::CODEC_AV1 => "AV1",
+        punktfunk_core::quic::CODEC_PYROWAVE => "PyroWave",
+        _ => "unknown",
+    };
+    if connector.codec == punktfunk_core::quic::CODEC_PYROWAVE {
+        tracing::info!(
+            codec,
+            welcome_codec = connector.codec,
+            "negotiated video codec"
+        );
+    } else {
+        tracing::info!(
+            codec,
+            ?codec_id,
+            welcome_codec = connector.codec,
+            "negotiated video codec"
+        );
+    }
     // A negotiated PyroWave session decodes on the presenter's device, no FFmpeg —
     // reachable only through the explicit preference above (resolve_codec never
     // auto-picks the bit), so failing loudly here is failing an opted-in experiment.
@@ -430,14 +515,18 @@ fn pump(
                 .ok()
         })
         .flatten();
+    // The uplink, and with it the mute the embedder's chord drives. `set_live` is what makes
+    // the chord (and its indicator) real: a mic turned off in Settings, or a capture device
+    // that wouldn't open, leaves it false and the chord stays an honest no-op.
     let _mic = params
         .mic_enabled
         .then(|| {
-            audio::MicStreamer::spawn(connector.clone())
+            audio::MicStreamer::spawn(connector.clone(), mic.flag(), params.echo_cancel)
                 .map_err(|e| tracing::warn!(error = %e, "mic uplink disabled"))
                 .ok()
         })
         .flatten();
+    mic.set_live(_mic.is_some());
 
     // Live host↔client clock offset: loaded per frame (Relaxed) so mid-stream re-syncs (an NTP
     // step, drift) keep the capture-clock latency stats honest — never cached at session start.
@@ -492,6 +581,9 @@ fn pump(
     let mut dec_path: &'static str = "";
     // The stats window keeps its own drop cursor — the OSD shows the per-window delta.
     let mut window_dropped = connector.frames_dropped();
+    // Mic uplink cursor (same per-window diffing): a healthy 10 ms-frame mic reads ~100
+    // sent/s; a nonzero drop delta is the queue shedding backlog (see NativeClient::mic_stats).
+    let mut window_mic = connector.mic_stats();
     let mut last_kf_req: Option<Instant> = None;
     // Freeze-until-reanchor: the shared post-loss gate ([`punktfunk_core::reanchor::ReanchorGate`]).
     // Armed on any loss signal (frame-index gap, dropped-count climb, decoder wedge/demotion), it
@@ -898,6 +990,12 @@ fn pump(
             let (pace_p50, _) = window_percentiles(&mut pace_us_win);
             let lost = dropped.saturating_sub(window_dropped) as u32;
             window_dropped = dropped;
+            let mic_now = connector.mic_stats();
+            let mic_sent = mic_now.sent.saturating_sub(window_mic.sent) as u32;
+            let mic_dropped = (mic_now.dropped_full + mic_now.dropped_stale)
+                .saturating_sub(window_mic.dropped_full + window_mic.dropped_stale)
+                as u32;
+            window_mic = mic_now;
             tracing::debug!(
                 fps = frames_n,
                 hostnet_p50_us = hn_p50,
@@ -909,6 +1007,8 @@ fn pump(
                 pace_p50_us = pace_p50,
                 decode_p50_us = dec_p50,
                 lost,
+                mic_sent,
+                mic_dropped,
                 total_frames,
                 "stream window"
             );
@@ -931,6 +1031,8 @@ fn pump(
                 } else {
                     0.0
                 },
+                mic_sent,
+                mic_dropped,
                 decoder: dec_path,
                 target_kbps: connector.current_bitrate_kbps(),
                 auto_rate,
@@ -957,6 +1059,10 @@ fn pump(
         "session ended"
     );
     stop.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+    // The uplink is about to be dropped with the rest of this frame — stop claiming a mute
+    // surface, so an embedder still holding the handle through its end path (browse mode
+    // returns to the console with it) can't draw a muted mic that no longer exists.
+    mic.set_live(false);
     if let Some(t) = audio_thread {
         let _ = t.join(); // exits within its 100 ms pull timeout once `stop` is set
     }
@@ -1067,4 +1173,28 @@ mod tests {
             assert!(parse_debug_reconfigure(bad).is_none(), "{bad:?} parsed");
         }
     }
+
+    /// The mute is inert until the pump reports a live uplink — a session without a mic must
+    /// answer "nothing to mute" rather than latching a mute and drawing the indicator.
+    #[test]
+    fn mic_mute_is_a_no_op_without_an_uplink() {
+        let mic = MicControl::default();
+        assert!(!mic.live());
+        assert_eq!(mic.toggle(), None, "no uplink, nothing to toggle");
+        assert!(!mic.muted(), "and nothing to show");
+
+        mic.set_live(true);
+        assert_eq!(mic.toggle(), Some(true));
+        assert!(mic.muted());
+        // The capture side reads the same flag the toggle writes.
+        assert!(mic.flag().load(Ordering::Relaxed));
+        assert_eq!(mic.toggle(), Some(false));
+        assert!(!mic.muted());
+
+        // A mute that outlives its uplink stops being shown (session end clears `live`).
+        assert_eq!(mic.toggle(), Some(true));
+        mic.set_live(false);
+        assert!(!mic.muted());
+        assert_eq!(mic.toggle(), None);
+    }
 }

crates/pf-client-core/src/trust.rs

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ use anyhow::{anyhow, Context, Result};
 use punktfunk_core::client::NativeClient;
 use punktfunk_core::quic::endpoint;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
 pub fn config_dir() -> Result<PathBuf> {
@@ -787,6 +788,45 @@ impl MouseMode {
     }
 }
 
+/// Presentation intent — what the presenter optimizes for
+/// (design/desktop-presentation-rebuild.md; the Apple/Android clients' shared
+/// `present_priority`/`smooth_buffer` pair). Stored stringly in
+/// [`Settings::present_priority`] + [`Settings::smooth_buffer`]; resolved with
+/// [`PresentPriority::resolve`], whose rules match the Android reference
+/// (`decode/presenter.rs`): anything but an explicit `"smooth"` is latency, and a
+/// smooth buffer outside 1..=3 (including 0 = Automatic) becomes 2.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Debug)]
+pub enum PresentPriority {
+    /// Every frame presents the moment the display can take it; a network hiccup is an
+    /// occasional repeated or skipped frame. The default.
+    Latency,
+    /// A small frame buffer (1–3 frames) evens out network/decode jitter, at the
+    /// buffer's worth of added display latency.
+    Smooth { buffer: u8 },
+}
+
+impl PresentPriority {
+    /// The shared cross-client resolution rule — pure, so every embedder agrees on what
+    /// a foreign profile's values mean.
+    pub fn resolve(name: &str, buffer: u8) -> PresentPriority {
+        if name == "smooth" {
+            PresentPriority::Smooth {
+                buffer: if (1..=3).contains(&buffer) { buffer } else { 2 },
+            }
+        } else {
+            PresentPriority::Latency
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Frames the smoothing store holds; `0` = newest-wins (the latency intent).
+    pub fn fifo_capacity(self) -> u8 {
+        match self {
+            PresentPriority::Latency => 0,
+            PresentPriority::Smooth { buffer } => buffer,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// App settings, persisted as JSON. Stringly-typed gamepad/compositor prefs so the file
 /// stays readable; parsed with `*Pref::from_name` at connect time.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -808,6 +848,21 @@ pub struct Settings {
     /// container `#[serde(default)]`.
     pub render_scale: f64,
     pub gamepad: String,
+    /// Forward this device's controllers to the host at all. Default ON — that was the
+    /// unconditional behaviour before this became a setting.
+    ///
+    /// Off is for the couch whose controller reaches the host by some *other* route: a USB
+    /// passthrough tool (VirtualHere and friends), or a pad simply plugged into the host
+    /// itself. Leaving forwarding on there gives the host two controllers for one pair of
+    /// hands, and games read both.
+    ///
+    /// It is deliberately stronger than "send no input": with it off the client never
+    /// *opens* the controller, and opening is what grabs the hardware (SDL's HIDAPI drivers
+    /// take the hidraw node) — a held device is one a passthrough tool cannot bind. Menu
+    /// navigation in the launcher still opens the active pad, and the session releases it;
+    /// see [`crate::gamepad::GamepadService::set_forwarding`].
+    #[serde(default = "default_true")]
+    pub gamepad_forwarding: bool,
     /// Stable identity (`vid:pid:name`, see `PadInfo::key`) of the physical controller
     /// forwarded as pad 0; empty = automatic (most recently connected). Applied to the
     /// gamepad service at startup so the choice survives restarts.
@@ -835,6 +890,15 @@ pub struct Settings {
     pub inhibit_shortcuts: bool,
     /// Stream the default microphone to the host's virtual mic source.
     pub mic_enabled: bool,
+    /// Run the mic uplink through the platform's echo cancellation (the Apple/Android clients'
+    /// "Echo cancellation" toggle, same `echo_cancel` key). On Linux that means preferring an
+    /// echo-cancelled PipeWire source; on Windows, asking WASAPI for the Communications stream
+    /// category so the endpoint's own canceller engages. Default ON — without it, a laptop
+    /// speaker playing the host's audio is heard by this device's mic and sent straight back.
+    /// Only meaningful while `mic_enabled`. `PUNKTFUNK_NO_AEC=1` overrides it off (see
+    /// `audio::aec_enabled`). `default` so pre-existing stores load with it on.
+    #[serde(default = "default_true")]
+    pub echo_cancel: bool,
     /// Requested audio channel count: 2 (stereo), 6 (5.1) or 8 (7.1). The host clamps to what it
     /// can capture; the resolved count drives the decoder + playback layout.
     pub audio_channels: u8,
@@ -865,6 +929,32 @@ pub struct Settings {
     /// `default = true`: the Linux stores never carried this and always advertised.
     #[serde(default = "default_true")]
     pub hdr_enabled: bool,
+    /// Presentation intent: `"latency"` (default) or `"smooth"` — the Apple/Android
+    /// clients' shared `present_priority` profile key, resolved with
+    /// [`PresentPriority::resolve`] (via [`Settings::present_priority`]). Anything
+    /// unknown reads as latency, so a newer client's future value degrades safely.
+    #[serde(default = "default_present_priority")]
+    pub present_priority: String,
+    /// Smoothness buffer size in frames: `0` = Automatic (resolves to 2), else 1–3.
+    /// Only meaningful under `present_priority = "smooth"` (the shared `smooth_buffer`
+    /// key). Each buffered frame absorbs about one refresh of jitter and adds one
+    /// refresh of display latency.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub smooth_buffer: u8,
+    /// Tear-free presentation (default ON = today's behavior: MAILBOX, FIFO fallback).
+    /// Off asks for a tearing present mode (IMMEDIATE) for the lowest possible latch
+    /// latency — best-effort: platforms/drivers without tearing silently stay tear-free
+    /// and the active mode is visible in the detailed stats. The shared `vsync` profile
+    /// key; the desktop default differs from macOS's (`false` there) deliberately —
+    /// sync-off means something different on each platform, the key is the contract.
+    #[serde(default = "default_true")]
+    pub vsync: bool,
+    /// Let a variable-refresh display follow the stream cadence: prefers the present
+    /// mode that drives VRR panels directly when fullscreen. Inert on fixed-refresh
+    /// displays (detection is measured from on-glass timestamps, not queried). The
+    /// shared `allow_vrr` profile key. Default ON, like the Apple client.
+    #[serde(default = "default_true")]
+    pub allow_vrr: bool,
     /// Legacy on/off for the stats overlay — superseded by `stats_verbosity` but kept
     /// written in sync (`set_stats_verbosity`) so pre-tier binaries reading the same
     /// file keep working. `alias`: the pre-unification WinUI shell (≤ 0.8.4) persisted
@@ -916,6 +1006,14 @@ pub struct Settings {
     /// the user will be looking at. `0` = never stored → the 1280×720 default.
     pub last_window_w: u32,
     pub last_window_h: u32,
+    /// Settings keys this build doesn't model (a newer client's field), carried through a
+    /// load→save round-trip untouched — [`crate::profiles::SettingsOverlay`]'s `extra`
+    /// pattern extended to the globals. Without it, every whole-file writer of this store
+    /// (two shells, the console settings screen, the session's resize callback, Decky)
+    /// running as an OLDER binary silently drops what a newer one persisted. Empty on
+    /// every existing store, and an empty map serializes to nothing, so files don't churn.
+    #[serde(flatten)]
+    pub extra: BTreeMap<String, serde_json::Value>,
 }
 
 fn default_codec() -> String {
@@ -930,6 +1028,10 @@ fn default_mouse_mode() -> String {
     "capture".into()
 }
 
+fn default_present_priority() -> String {
+    "latency".into()
+}
+
 fn default_true() -> bool {
     true
 }
@@ -961,6 +1063,12 @@ impl Settings {
         MouseMode::from_name(&self.mouse_mode)
     }
 
+    /// The presentation intent for this session (the resolved
+    /// `present_priority` × `smooth_buffer` pair).
+    pub fn present_priority(&self) -> PresentPriority {
+        PresentPriority::resolve(&self.present_priority, self.smooth_buffer)
+    }
+
     /// The `codec` setting as a `quic::CODEC_*` preference bit (`0` = auto).
     pub fn preferred_codec(&self) -> u8 {
         match self.codec.as_str() {
@@ -985,18 +1093,24 @@ impl Default for Settings {
             bitrate_kbps: 0,
             render_scale: 1.0,
             gamepad: "auto".into(),
+            gamepad_forwarding: true,
             forward_pad: String::new(),
             compositor: "auto".into(),
             touch_mode: "trackpad".into(),
             mouse_mode: "capture".into(),
             inhibit_shortcuts: true,
             mic_enabled: false,
+            echo_cancel: true,
             audio_channels: 2,
             codec: "auto".into(),
             decoder: "auto".into(),
             adapter: String::new(),
             enable_444: false,
             hdr_enabled: true,
+            present_priority: "latency".into(),
+            smooth_buffer: 0,
+            vsync: true,
+            allow_vrr: true,
             show_stats: true,
             stats_verbosity: None,
             fullscreen_on_stream: true,
@@ -1008,6 +1122,7 @@ impl Default for Settings {
             match_window: false,
             last_window_w: 0,
             last_window_h: 0,
+            extra: BTreeMap::new(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1134,6 +1249,43 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
+    /// A settings file predating the presentation cluster loads with the shipped
+    /// defaults (latency intent, Automatic buffer, tear-free, VRR allowed), and the
+    /// resolution rules match the Apple/Android reference: anything but an explicit
+    /// `"smooth"` is latency, and a smooth buffer outside 1..=3 becomes 2.
+    #[test]
+    fn settings_presentation_defaults_and_resolution() {
+        let old = r#"{"width":1280,"height":720,"gamepad":"auto","compositor":"auto"}"#;
+        let s: Settings = serde_json::from_str(old).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(s.present_priority, "latency");
+        assert_eq!(s.smooth_buffer, 0);
+        assert!(s.vsync);
+        assert!(s.allow_vrr);
+        assert_eq!(s.present_priority(), PresentPriority::Latency);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            PresentPriority::resolve("smooth", 0),
+            PresentPriority::Smooth { buffer: 2 },
+            "Automatic resolves to 2"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            PresentPriority::resolve("smooth", 3),
+            PresentPriority::Smooth { buffer: 3 }
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            PresentPriority::resolve("smooth", 9),
+            PresentPriority::Smooth { buffer: 2 },
+            "out-of-range pins to the Automatic resolution"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            PresentPriority::resolve("balanced-from-the-future", 2),
+            PresentPriority::Latency,
+            "unknown intents degrade to latency"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(PresentPriority::Latency.fifo_capacity(), 0);
+        assert_eq!(PresentPriority::Smooth { buffer: 3 }.fifo_capacity(), 3);
+    }
+
     /// A pre-`forward_pad` settings file (≤ 0.5.0) loads with the pin on automatic.
     #[test]
     fn settings_forward_pad_defaults_empty() {
@@ -1177,6 +1329,31 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(s.forward_pad, "");
         assert!(s.fullscreen_on_stream);
         assert!(!s.library_enabled);
+        // Echo cancellation post-dates every stored file: it must load ON, or an upgrade
+        // would silently turn a user's echo protection off.
+        assert!(s.echo_cancel);
+    }
+
+    /// A key this build doesn't model (a newer client's setting) survives a load→save
+    /// round trip instead of being dropped by the next whole-file write — the same
+    /// contract `SettingsOverlay.extra` gives profiles. And when there are no unknown
+    /// keys, the flatten map adds nothing, so existing files don't churn.
+    #[test]
+    fn settings_unknown_keys_survive_round_trip() {
+        let newer = r#"{"width":1920,"height":1080,"frob_mode":"fancy","frob_level":3}"#;
+        let s: Settings = serde_json::from_str(newer).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!((s.width, s.height), (1920, 1080));
+        assert_eq!(
+            s.extra.get("frob_mode").and_then(|v| v.as_str()),
+            Some("fancy")
+        );
+        let out = serde_json::to_string(&s).unwrap();
+        assert!(out.contains(r#""frob_mode":"fancy""#), "{out}");
+        assert!(out.contains(r#""frob_level":3"#), "{out}");
+        // No unknown keys → no artifact of the passthrough field in the file.
+        let plain = serde_json::to_string(&Settings::default()).unwrap();
+        assert!(!plain.contains("extra"), "{plain}");
+        assert!(!plain.contains("frob"), "{plain}");
     }
 
     /// Stats-tier resolution: a pre-tier store falls back to `show_stats` (off → Off,

crates/pf-client-core/src/update.rs

@@ -99,6 +99,18 @@ pub struct Status {
     /// Why the check couldn't complete. `update_available` is always false when set.
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub error: Option<String>,
+    /// The feed answered, but this channel has **no release published yet** — an expected
+    /// state rather than a malfunction, so a caller can say so plainly instead of showing a
+    /// raw "HTTP 404".
+    ///
+    /// Deliberately NOT symmetric with the host's `UpdateStatus`, which clears `last_error`
+    /// for this case: there the consumer is a human reading a console, and a red "last check
+    /// failed" on an empty feed is the bug being fixed. Here the consumer is a shell script
+    /// reading an exit code, so `error` stays set and `--check-update` keeps returning 1.
+    /// An empty channel is not evidence that this build is current, and a mistyped
+    /// `PUNKTFUNK_UPDATE_FEED` is indistinguishable from one out here.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "std::ops::Not::not")]
+    pub not_published: bool,
 }
 
 /// The Ed25519 keys trusted for update manifests — pinned once in [`pf_update_check`] so the
@@ -302,6 +314,7 @@ pub fn check(current: &str) -> Status {
         opt_in_hint: opt_in_would_help(kind, caps).then(opt_in_hint),
         notes_url: String::new(),
         error: None,
+        not_published: false,
     };
     let (apply, applier) = apply_route(kind, caps);
     status.apply = apply;
@@ -320,7 +333,8 @@ pub fn check(current: &str) -> Status {
     ) {
         Ok(m) => m,
         Err(e) => {
-            status.error = Some(e);
+            status.not_published = e.is_not_published();
+            status.error = Some(e.to_string());
             return status;
         }
     };

crates/pf-client-core/src/video.rs

@@ -321,6 +321,88 @@ pub fn ffmpeg_codec_id(wire: u8) -> ffmpeg::codec::Id {
     }
 }
 
+/// Select a decoder for `codec_id` that can actually drive `hw_pix_fmt` through
+/// `hw_device_ctx` — the open-time capability check every hardware backend needs.
+///
+/// `avcodec_find_decoder(id)` is NOT that: it returns the registry's FIRST decoder for
+/// the id, and upstream orders the native `av1` decoder LAST on purpose ("hwaccel hooks
+/// only, so prefer external decoders" — allcodecs.c), behind libdav1d/libaom. The ID
+/// lookup therefore hands every AV1 session a pure software decoder that silently
+/// ignores `hw_device_ctx` and never calls `get_format`; each frame then fails the
+/// backend's hw-format guard and the session burns the demotion ladder MID-STREAM
+/// (~1 s per rung — field-logged as 68 Vulkan fails → D3D11VA → 102 fails → software,
+/// ~3 s of black) instead of failing here at open in milliseconds. H.264/HEVC never hit
+/// this only because their native decoders happen to be registered first.
+///
+/// The walk mirrors what `avcodec_find_decoder` would do, restricted to decoders whose
+/// `avcodec_get_hw_config` advertises the wanted surface via
+/// `AV_CODEC_HW_CONFIG_METHOD_HW_DEVICE_CTX` — registry order still wins among those,
+/// so H.264/HEVC keep selecting exactly the decoder they always did. The error names
+/// the decoders that WERE found, so a log reader can tell "this build has no AV1
+/// hwaccel at all" from "no AV1 decoder exists, period".
+pub(crate) fn find_hw_decoder(
+    codec_id: ffmpeg::codec::Id,
+    hw_pix_fmt: ffmpeg::ffi::AVPixelFormat,
+) -> Result<*const ffmpeg::ffi::AVCodec> {
+    use ffmpeg::ffi;
+    let want: ffi::AVCodecID = codec_id.into();
+    let mut found: Vec<String> = Vec::new();
+    // SAFETY: `av_codec_iterate` walks libav's static codec registry (`opaque` is its
+    // cursor) and returns static `AVCodec`s; `avcodec_get_hw_config` only reads the
+    // codec's own static hw-config table, NULL-terminated by returning null past the end.
+    unsafe {
+        let mut opaque = std::ptr::null_mut();
+        loop {
+            let codec = ffi::av_codec_iterate(&mut opaque);
+            if codec.is_null() {
+                break;
+            }
+            if (*codec).id != want || ffi::av_codec_is_decoder(codec) == 0 {
+                continue;
+            }
+            for i in 0.. {
+                let cfg = ffi::avcodec_get_hw_config(codec, i);
+                if cfg.is_null() {
+                    break;
+                }
+                if (*cfg).methods & ffi::AV_CODEC_HW_CONFIG_METHOD_HW_DEVICE_CTX as i32 != 0
+                    && (*cfg).pix_fmt == hw_pix_fmt
+                {
+                    return Ok(codec);
+                }
+            }
+            found.push(
+                std::ffi::CStr::from_ptr((*codec).name)
+                    .to_string_lossy()
+                    .into_owned(),
+            );
+        }
+    }
+    if found.is_empty() {
+        bail!("no {codec_id:?} decoder in this FFmpeg build");
+    }
+    bail!(
+        "no {codec_id:?} decoder in this FFmpeg build can drive {hw_pix_fmt:?} via \
+         hw_device_ctx (found: {})",
+        found.join(", ")
+    );
+}
+
+/// The name of a registry `AVCodec` (`(*codec).name`), owned — the field every decode
+/// log carries so `decoder="av1"` vs `decoder="libdav1d"` is one glance, not a debugger.
+///
+/// # Safety
+/// `codec` must point to a registered `AVCodec` (their `name` is a static NUL-terminated
+/// string, valid for the process).
+pub(crate) unsafe fn codec_name(codec: *const ffmpeg::ffi::AVCodec) -> String {
+    // SAFETY: caller guarantees a registered AVCodec; `name` is its static C string.
+    unsafe {
+        std::ffi::CStr::from_ptr((*codec).name)
+            .to_string_lossy()
+            .into_owned()
+    }
+}
+
 /// The `quic` codec bitfield this client can decode — whatever FFmpeg has a decoder for (HEVC/H.264
 /// always; AV1 when built in). Advertised to the host so it never emits a codec we can't decode.
 pub fn decodable_codecs() -> u8 {
@@ -435,7 +517,11 @@ impl Decoder {
             vaapi_tried = true;
             match VaapiDecoder::new(codec_id) {
                 Ok(v) => {
-                    tracing::info!(?codec_id, "VAAPI hardware decode active (zero-copy dmabuf)");
+                    tracing::info!(
+                        ?codec_id,
+                        decoder = v.name(),
+                        "VAAPI hardware decode active (zero-copy dmabuf)"
+                    );
                     return done(Backend::Vaapi(v));
                 }
                 Err(e) => {
@@ -470,6 +556,7 @@ impl Decoder {
                     Ok(d) => {
                         tracing::info!(
                             ?codec_id,
+                            decoder = d.name(),
                             "D3D11VA hardware decode active (shared-texture hand-off)"
                         );
                         return done(Backend::D3d11va(d));
@@ -490,6 +577,7 @@ impl Decoder {
                     Ok(v) => {
                         tracing::info!(
                             ?codec_id,
+                            decoder = v.name(),
                             "Vulkan Video hardware decode active (presenter-shared device)"
                         );
                         return done(Backend::Vulkan(v));
@@ -520,7 +608,11 @@ impl Decoder {
         if choice != "software" && choice != "vulkan" && !vaapi_tried {
             match VaapiDecoder::new(codec_id) {
                 Ok(v) => {
-                    tracing::info!(?codec_id, "VAAPI hardware decode active (zero-copy dmabuf)");
+                    tracing::info!(
+                        ?codec_id,
+                        decoder = v.name(),
+                        "VAAPI hardware decode active (zero-copy dmabuf)"
+                    );
                     return done(Backend::Vaapi(v));
                 }
                 Err(e) => {
@@ -548,6 +640,7 @@ impl Decoder {
                         Ok(d) => {
                             tracing::info!(
                                 ?codec_id,
+                                decoder = d.name(),
                                 "D3D11VA hardware decode active (shared-texture hand-off)"
                             );
                             return done(Backend::D3d11va(d));
@@ -724,6 +817,7 @@ impl Decoder {
                         match VaapiDecoder::new(self.codec_id) {
                             Ok(v) => {
                                 tracing::warn!(error = %e, fails = self.vaapi_fails,
+                                    decoder = v.name(),
                                     "Vulkan Video decode failing repeatedly — demoting to VAAPI");
                                 self.backend = Backend::Vaapi(v);
                                 self.vaapi_fails = 0;
@@ -745,6 +839,7 @@ impl Decoder {
                         ) {
                             Ok(d) => {
                                 tracing::warn!(error = %e, fails = self.vaapi_fails,
+                                    decoder = d.name(),
                                     "Vulkan Video decode failing repeatedly — demoting to D3D11VA");
                                 self.backend = Backend::D3d11va(d);
                                 self.vaapi_fails = 0;

crates/pf-client-core/src/video_d3d11.rs

@@ -552,6 +552,10 @@ pub(crate) struct D3d11vaDecoder {
     /// ([`crate::video::VulkanDecodeDevice::d3d11_hdr10`]) — PQ streams get the HDR
     /// pass-through ring; without it they keep the tonemap-to-sRGB ring.
     hdr10_out: bool,
+    /// The selected decoder's registry name (`(*codec).name`) — `"av1"` vs `"libdav1d"`
+    /// is the difference between hardware decode and a silent CPU fallback, so every
+    /// log a field report leans on carries it.
+    name: String,
 }
 
 // SAFETY: the libav pointers are this decoder's own allocations (freed once in `Drop`) and the COM
@@ -609,10 +613,16 @@ impl D3d11vaDecoder {
             if !d3d11va_decode_supported(hw_device.as_ptr()) {
                 bail!("GPU can't create the D3D11VA decode surface pool");
             }
-            let codec = ffi::avcodec_find_decoder(codec_id.into());
-            if codec.is_null() {
-                bail!("no {codec_id:?} decoder");
-            }
+            // NOT `avcodec_find_decoder`: the ID lookup returns the registry's FIRST
+            // decoder, and for AV1 that is libdav1d (upstream orders the hwaccel-only
+            // native decoder last) — a software decoder that silently ignores
+            // `hw_device_ctx` and fails every frame's D3D11-format guard mid-stream,
+            // even when the DXVA profile + pool probes above all passed. Select by
+            // capability instead: the first decoder that can drive AV_PIX_FMT_D3D11
+            // via hw_device_ctx, or fail here at open.
+            let codec =
+                crate::video::find_hw_decoder(codec_id, ffi::AVPixelFormat::AV_PIX_FMT_D3D11)?;
+            let name = crate::video::codec_name(codec);
             let ctx = ffi::avcodec_alloc_context3(codec);
             (*ctx).hw_device_ctx = ffi::av_buffer_ref(hw_device.as_ptr());
             (*ctx).get_format = Some(get_format_d3d11);
@@ -638,10 +648,16 @@ impl D3d11vaDecoder {
                 video_context1,
                 ring: None,
                 hdr10_out,
+                name,
             })
         }
     }
 
+    /// The selected decoder's registry name (e.g. `"av1"`) — see the field doc.
+    pub(crate) fn name(&self) -> &str {
+        &self.name
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn decode(&mut self, au: &[u8]) -> Result<Option<D3d11Frame>> {
         use ffmpeg::ffi;
         // SAFETY: `packet`/`frame`/`ctx` are this decoder's own allocations, live for its whole
@@ -830,6 +846,7 @@ impl D3d11vaDecoder {
                 src_desc.Height,
                 index,
                 color.is_pq(),
+                &self.name,
             );
             Ok(D3d11Frame {
                 width,
@@ -883,7 +900,15 @@ impl Drop for D3d11vaDecoder {
 /// One-time dump of the first decoded surface's layout — the forensics for a new GPU/driver.
 /// `tex_*` is the DXVA-aligned decode surface (>= the frame); the gap is the padding the
 /// stream source rect excludes.
-fn log_layout_once(width: u32, height: u32, tex_w: u32, tex_h: u32, index: u32, pq: bool) {
+fn log_layout_once(
+    width: u32,
+    height: u32,
+    tex_w: u32,
+    tex_h: u32,
+    index: u32,
+    pq: bool,
+    decoder: &str,
+) {
     use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
     static ONCE: AtomicBool = AtomicBool::new(true);
     if ONCE.swap(false, Ordering::Relaxed) {
@@ -894,6 +919,7 @@ fn log_layout_once(width: u32, height: u32, tex_w: u32, tex_h: u32, index: u32,
             tex_h,
             slice = index,
             pq,
+            decoder,
             "D3D11VA first frame"
         );
     }

crates/pf-client-core/src/video_software.rs

@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ impl SoftwareDecoder {
             (*raw).thread_count = 0; // auto
         }
         let decoder = ctx.decoder().video().context("open video decoder")?;
+        // Every construction site (session open, preference, mid-stream demotion) says
+        // which decoder actually opened: for AV1 the ID lookup means libdav1d here —
+        // deliberately (fastest CPU path; the native `av1` decoder has no software
+        // path at all) — and the name in the log is what keeps that distinguishable
+        // from the hardware lanes' capability-selected decoders.
+        tracing::info!(?codec_id, decoder = codec.name(), "software decoder opened");
         Ok(SoftwareDecoder { decoder, sws: None })
     }
 

crates/pf-client-core/src/video_vaapi.rs

@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ pub(crate) struct VaapiDecoder {
     hw_device: AvBuffer,
     packet: *mut ffmpeg::ffi::AVPacket,
     frame: *mut ffmpeg::ffi::AVFrame,
+    /// The selected decoder's registry name (`(*codec).name`) — `"av1"` vs `"libdav1d"`
+    /// is the difference between hardware decode and a silent CPU fallback, so every
+    /// log a field report leans on carries it.
+    name: String,
 }
 
 // SAFETY: the three raw pointers (`ctx`, `packet`, `frame`) are allocations this decoder makes in
@@ -80,11 +84,15 @@ impl VaapiDecoder {
             // Owned from here: every `bail!` below drops it, so none of them unref by hand.
             let hw_device = AvBuffer::from_raw(hw_device)
                 .context("av_hwdevice_ctx_create(VAAPI) gave no device")?;
-            // The negotiated codec's decoder id (av_codec_id maps 1:1 from ffmpeg::codec::Id).
-            let codec = ffi::avcodec_find_decoder(codec_id.into());
-            if codec.is_null() {
-                bail!("no {codec_id:?} decoder");
-            }
+            // NOT `avcodec_find_decoder`: the ID lookup returns the registry's FIRST
+            // decoder, and for AV1 that is libdav1d (upstream orders the hwaccel-only
+            // native decoder last) — a software decoder that silently ignores
+            // `hw_device_ctx` and fails every frame's VAAPI-format guard mid-stream.
+            // Select by capability instead: the first decoder that can drive
+            // AV_PIX_FMT_VAAPI via hw_device_ctx, or fail here at open.
+            let codec =
+                crate::video::find_hw_decoder(codec_id, ffi::AVPixelFormat::AV_PIX_FMT_VAAPI)?;
+            let name = crate::video::codec_name(codec);
             let ctx = ffi::avcodec_alloc_context3(codec);
             (*ctx).hw_device_ctx = ffi::av_buffer_ref(hw_device.as_ptr());
             (*ctx).get_format = Some(pick_vaapi);
@@ -109,10 +117,16 @@ impl VaapiDecoder {
                 hw_device,
                 packet: ffi::av_packet_alloc(),
                 frame: ffi::av_frame_alloc(),
+                name,
             })
         }
     }
 
+    /// The selected decoder's registry name (e.g. `"av1"`) — see the field doc.
+    pub(crate) fn name(&self) -> &str {
+        &self.name
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn decode(&mut self, au: &[u8]) -> Result<Option<DmabufFrame>> {
         use ffmpeg::ffi;
         // SAFETY: `packet`/`frame`/`ctx` are this decoder's own allocations, live for its whole
@@ -207,7 +221,7 @@ impl VaapiDecoder {
             // a single modifier for the texture.
             let modifier = d.objects[0].format_modifier;
 
-            log_descriptor_once(d, sw_format, fourcc, modifier);
+            log_descriptor_once(d, sw_format, fourcc, modifier, &self.name);
 
             Ok(DmabufFrame {
                 width: (*self.frame).width as u32,
@@ -233,6 +247,7 @@ fn log_descriptor_once(
     sw: ffmpeg_next::ffi::AVPixelFormat,
     fourcc: u32,
     modifier: u64,
+    decoder: &str,
 ) {
     use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
     static ONCE: AtomicBool = AtomicBool::new(true);
@@ -250,6 +265,7 @@ fn log_descriptor_once(
         nb_layers = d.nb_layers,
         ?layers,
         modifier = format_args!("{:#018x}", modifier),
+        decoder,
         "VAAPI dmabuf descriptor layout (first frame)"
     );
 }

crates/pf-client-core/src/video_vulkan.rs

@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ pub(crate) struct VulkanDecoder {
     /// (resolved through the same get_proc_addr chain FFmpeg uses).
     wait_semaphores: pf_ffvk::PFN_vkWaitSemaphores,
     vk_device: pf_ffvk::VkDevice,
+    /// The selected decoder's registry name (`(*codec).name`) — `"av1"` vs `"libdav1d"`
+    /// is the difference between hardware decode and a silent CPU fallback, so every
+    /// log a field report leans on carries it.
+    name: String,
     /// Storage `AVVulkanDeviceContext` points into (extension string arrays + the
     /// feature chain) — FFmpeg reads the extension lists past init (frames-context
     /// setup keys code paths off them), so this lives exactly as long as `hw_device`.
@@ -245,10 +249,15 @@ impl VulkanDecoder {
             }
             let vk_device = (*hwctx).act_dev;
 
-            let codec = ffi::avcodec_find_decoder(codec_id.into());
-            if codec.is_null() {
-                bail!("no {codec_id:?} decoder");
-            }
+            // NOT `avcodec_find_decoder`: the ID lookup returns the registry's FIRST
+            // decoder, and for AV1 that is libdav1d (upstream orders the hwaccel-only
+            // native decoder last) — a software decoder that silently ignores
+            // `hw_device_ctx` and fails every frame's Vulkan-format guard mid-stream.
+            // Select by capability instead: the first decoder that can drive
+            // AV_PIX_FMT_VULKAN via hw_device_ctx, or fail here at open.
+            let codec =
+                crate::video::find_hw_decoder(codec_id, ffi::AVPixelFormat::AV_PIX_FMT_VULKAN)?;
+            let name = crate::video::codec_name(codec);
             let ctx = ffi::avcodec_alloc_context3(codec);
             (*ctx).hw_device_ctx = ffi::av_buffer_ref(hw_device.as_ptr());
             (*ctx).get_format = Some(pick_vulkan);
@@ -270,11 +279,17 @@ impl VulkanDecoder {
                 frame: ffi::av_frame_alloc(),
                 wait_semaphores,
                 vk_device,
+                name,
                 _ctx_storage: store,
             })
         }
     }
 
+    /// The selected decoder's registry name (e.g. `"av1"`) — see the field doc.
+    pub(crate) fn name(&self) -> &str {
+        &self.name
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn decode(&mut self, au: &[u8]) -> Result<Option<VkVideoFrame>> {
         use ffmpeg::ffi;
         // SAFETY: `packet`/`frame`/`ctx` are this decoder's own allocations, live for its whole
@@ -388,6 +403,7 @@ impl VulkanDecoder {
                 (*fc).width,
                 (*fc).height,
                 sw,
+                &self.name,
             );
             Ok(VkVideoFrame {
                 vkframe: vkf as usize,
@@ -423,6 +439,7 @@ fn log_layout_once(
     pool_w: i32,
     pool_h: i32,
     sw: ffmpeg::ffi::AVPixelFormat,
+    decoder: &str,
 ) {
     use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
     static ONCE: AtomicBool = AtomicBool::new(true);
@@ -433,6 +450,7 @@ fn log_layout_once(
             pool_w,
             pool_h,
             ?sw,
+            decoder,
             "Vulkan Video first frame"
         );
     }

crates/pf-console-ui/src/screens/settings.rs

@@ -26,8 +26,14 @@ enum RowId {
     Decoder,
     Hdr,
     Chroma444,
+    PresentPriority,
+    SmoothBuffer,
+    Vsync,
+    AllowVrr,
     Audio,
     Mic,
+    EchoCancel,
+    PadForward,
     Pad,
     PadType,
     Touch,
@@ -42,10 +48,10 @@ enum RowId {
 
 // The couch-relevant subset grew 2026-07-31: this screen is the ONLY settings editor in
 // Gaming Mode, so a field it omits is simply unreachable there (render scale, 4:4:4,
-// scroll/shortcut behavior, fullscreen-on-stream, auto-wake, the library toggle all
-// were). Still deliberately smaller than the desktop dialogs — device pickers
-// (GPU/speaker/mic) and the profile catalog stay desktop-only.
-const ROWS: [RowId; 21] = [
+// scroll/shortcut behavior, fullscreen-on-stream, auto-wake, the library toggle and echo
+// cancellation all were). Still deliberately smaller than the desktop dialogs — device
+// pickers (GPU/speaker/mic) and the profile catalog stay desktop-only.
+const ROWS: [RowId; 27] = [
     RowId::Resolution,
     RowId::Refresh,
     RowId::RenderScale,
@@ -55,8 +61,14 @@ const ROWS: [RowId; 21] = [
     RowId::Decoder,
     RowId::Hdr,
     RowId::Chroma444,
+    RowId::PresentPriority,
+    RowId::SmoothBuffer,
+    RowId::Vsync,
+    RowId::AllowVrr,
     RowId::Audio,
     RowId::Mic,
+    RowId::EchoCancel,
+    RowId::PadForward,
     RowId::Pad,
     RowId::PadType,
     RowId::Touch,
@@ -115,6 +127,17 @@ const DECODERS: [(&str, &str); 4] = [
     ("software", "Software"),
 ];
 const AUDIO: [(u8, &str); 3] = [(2, "Stereo"), (6, "5.1"), (8, "7.1")];
+/// Presentation intent — the `present_priority` key shared with the Apple and Android
+/// clients, so one profile reads the same on every device.
+const PRESENT_PRIORITIES: [(&str, &str); 2] =
+    [("latency", "Lowest latency"), ("smooth", "Smoothness")];
+/// Smoothness buffer depth in frames; `0` = Automatic (resolves to 2).
+const SMOOTH_BUFFERS: [(u8, &str); 4] = [
+    (0, "Automatic"),
+    (1, "1 frame"),
+    (2, "2 frames"),
+    (3, "3 frames"),
+];
 const PAD_TYPES: [(&str, &str); 6] = [
     ("auto", "Automatic"),
     ("xbox360", "Xbox 360"),
@@ -220,6 +243,18 @@ impl SettingsScreen {
 
 fn row_spec(id: RowId, ctx: &Ctx) -> RowSpec {
     let s = &ctx.settings;
+    // Several rows follow another: echo cancellation only means anything while the mic
+    // streams, the pad rows only while any controller is forwarded at all, and the
+    // smoothness buffer only while that intent is chosen. All go dim and inert otherwise
+    // — the same relationship the desktop shells draw by greying a row out (they hide the
+    // buffer row entirely; a fixed row list can't, and a row that vanished mid-list would
+    // move everything under the cursor).
+    let enabled = match id {
+        RowId::EchoCancel => s.mic_enabled,
+        RowId::Pad | RowId::PadType => s.gamepad_forwarding,
+        RowId::SmoothBuffer => s.present_priority == "smooth",
+        _ => true,
+    };
     let (header, label, value): (Option<&'static str>, &str, String) = match id {
         RowId::Resolution => (
             Some("Stream"),
@@ -274,6 +309,22 @@ fn row_spec(id: RowId, ctx: &Ctx) -> RowSpec {
         RowId::Decoder => (None, "Decoder", label_for(&DECODERS, &s.decoder).into()),
         RowId::Hdr => (None, "10-bit HDR", on_off(s.hdr_enabled).into()),
         RowId::Chroma444 => (None, "Full chroma (4:4:4)", on_off(s.enable_444).into()),
+        RowId::PresentPriority => (
+            Some("Presentation"),
+            "Prioritize",
+            label_for(&PRESENT_PRIORITIES, &s.present_priority).into(),
+        ),
+        RowId::SmoothBuffer => (
+            None,
+            "Smoothness buffer",
+            SMOOTH_BUFFERS
+                .iter()
+                .find(|(v, _)| *v == s.smooth_buffer)
+                .map_or("Automatic", |(_, l)| l)
+                .into(),
+        ),
+        RowId::Vsync => (None, "V-Sync", on_off(s.vsync).into()),
+        RowId::AllowVrr => (None, "Follow variable refresh", on_off(s.allow_vrr).into()),
         RowId::Audio => (
             Some("Audio"),
             "Audio channels",
@@ -284,8 +335,14 @@ fn row_spec(id: RowId, ctx: &Ctx) -> RowSpec {
                 .into(),
         ),
         RowId::Mic => (None, "Microphone", on_off(s.mic_enabled).into()),
-        RowId::Pad => (
+        RowId::EchoCancel => (None, "Echo cancellation", on_off(s.echo_cancel).into()),
+        RowId::PadForward => (
             Some("Controller"),
+            "Forward controllers",
+            on_off(s.gamepad_forwarding).into(),
+        ),
+        RowId::Pad => (
+            None,
             "Use controller",
             if s.forward_pad.is_empty() {
                 "Automatic".into()
@@ -330,10 +387,10 @@ fn row_spec(id: RowId, ctx: &Ctx) -> RowSpec {
         header,
         label: label.into(),
         value: Some(value),
-        value_dim: false,
+        value_dim: !enabled,
         caret: false,
-        adjustable: true,
-        enabled: true,
+        adjustable: enabled,
+        enabled,
     }
 }
 
@@ -359,10 +416,41 @@ fn detail(id: RowId) -> &'static str {
         }
         RowId::Chroma444 => {
             "Full-colour video: crisp small text and thin lines, at more bandwidth. \
-             HEVC only, and only where the host can encode it."
+             Needs an NVIDIA host (NVENC) or the PyroWave codec — other encoders \
+             stream 4:2:0 and the session falls back silently."
+        }
+        RowId::PresentPriority => {
+            "Lowest latency shows each frame the moment the display can take it — a \
+             network hiccup becomes an occasional repeated or skipped frame. Smoothness \
+             buffers a little to even those out."
+        }
+        RowId::SmoothBuffer => {
+            "Frames held back before showing. Each one absorbs about a refresh of network \
+             hiccup and adds a refresh of delay. Automatic holds two."
+        }
+        RowId::Vsync => {
+            "Tear-free. Off removes the wait for the screen's refresh — the lowest \
+             possible delay, at the cost of visible tearing. Not every driver offers it; \
+             the stats overlay names the mode actually in use."
+        }
+        RowId::AllowVrr => {
+            "On a VRR screen, let the panel refresh in step with the stream instead of on \
+             a fixed cadence. Applies to fullscreen sessions; harmless on a fixed screen."
         }
         RowId::Audio => "The speaker layout requested from the host.",
-        RowId::Mic => "Send this device's microphone to the host's virtual mic.",
+        RowId::Mic => {
+            "Send this device's microphone to the host's virtual mic. \
+             Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V mutes and unmutes it while streaming."
+        }
+        RowId::EchoCancel => {
+            "Stops the host's audio, playing from this device's speakers, being picked up \
+             and sent back. Turn it off if your microphone already runs its own processing."
+        }
+        RowId::PadForward => {
+            "Send controllers connected to this device to the host. Turn it off when your \
+             controller already reaches the host another way — USB passthrough such as \
+             VirtualHere, or a pad plugged into the host — so games don't see two of them."
+        }
         RowId::Pad => "Which pad is forwarded to the host, as player 1.",
         RowId::PadType => "The virtual pad the host creates — Automatic matches this controller.",
         RowId::Touch => {
@@ -449,12 +537,45 @@ fn adjust(id: RowId, delta: i32, wrap: bool, ctx: &mut Ctx) -> bool {
         RowId::Decoder => step_str(&DECODERS, &mut s.decoder, delta, wrap),
         RowId::Hdr => toggle(&mut s.hdr_enabled, delta, wrap),
         RowId::Chroma444 => toggle(&mut s.enable_444, delta, wrap),
+        RowId::PresentPriority => {
+            let cur = PRESENT_PRIORITIES
+                .iter()
+                .position(|(v, _)| *v == s.present_priority);
+            step_option(cur, PRESENT_PRIORITIES.len(), delta, wrap)
+                .map(|i| s.present_priority = PRESENT_PRIORITIES[i].0.to_string())
+        }
+        // Inert unless smoothness is chosen — a boundary thud, matching the dimmed row.
+        RowId::SmoothBuffer => {
+            if s.present_priority == "smooth" {
+                let cur = SMOOTH_BUFFERS
+                    .iter()
+                    .position(|(v, _)| *v == s.smooth_buffer);
+                step_option(cur, SMOOTH_BUFFERS.len(), delta, wrap)
+                    .map(|i| s.smooth_buffer = SMOOTH_BUFFERS[i].0)
+            } else {
+                None
+            }
+        }
+        RowId::Vsync => toggle(&mut s.vsync, delta, wrap),
+        RowId::AllowVrr => toggle(&mut s.allow_vrr, delta, wrap),
         RowId::Audio => {
             let cur = AUDIO.iter().position(|(v, _)| *v == s.audio_channels);
             step_option(cur, AUDIO.len(), delta, wrap).map(|i| s.audio_channels = AUDIO[i].0)
         }
         RowId::Mic => toggle(&mut s.mic_enabled, delta, wrap),
+        // Inert while the mic is off — a boundary thud, matching what the dimmed row shows.
+        RowId::EchoCancel => {
+            if s.mic_enabled {
+                toggle(&mut s.echo_cancel, delta, wrap)
+            } else {
+                None
+            }
+        }
+        RowId::PadForward => toggle(&mut s.gamepad_forwarding, delta, wrap),
         RowId::Pad => {
+            if !s.gamepad_forwarding {
+                return false;
+            }
             // Automatic first, then every connected pad by stable key.
             let keys: Vec<String> = std::iter::once(String::new())
                 .chain(ctx.pads.iter().map(|p| p.key.clone()))
@@ -462,7 +583,12 @@ fn adjust(id: RowId, delta: i32, wrap: bool, ctx: &mut Ctx) -> bool {
             let cur = keys.iter().position(|c| *c == s.forward_pad);
             step_option(cur, keys.len(), delta, wrap).map(|i| s.forward_pad = keys[i].clone())
         }
-        RowId::PadType => step_str(&PAD_TYPES, &mut s.gamepad, delta, wrap),
+        RowId::PadType => {
+            if !s.gamepad_forwarding {
+                return false;
+            }
+            step_str(&PAD_TYPES, &mut s.gamepad, delta, wrap)
+        }
         RowId::Touch => {
             let cur = TouchMode::ALL.iter().position(|m| *m == s.touch_mode());
             step_option(cur, TouchMode::ALL.len(), delta, wrap)
@@ -592,6 +718,79 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!ctx.settings.mic_enabled);
     }
 
+    /// Echo cancellation follows the microphone: inert and dimmed while the mic is off, live
+    /// the moment it goes on. A row that silently accepted a change nobody could act on would
+    /// be the same lie as an enabled-looking control.
+    #[test]
+    fn echo_cancellation_follows_the_microphone() {
+        let (mut settings, pads) = ctx_parts();
+        settings.mic_enabled = false;
+        assert!(settings.echo_cancel, "it ships on");
+        let library = crate::library::LibraryShared::default();
+        let mut ctx = Ctx {
+            hosts: &[],
+            library: &library,
+            settings: &mut settings,
+            pads: &pads,
+            deck: false,
+            device_name: "t",
+            t: 0.0,
+        };
+        assert!(!row_spec(RowId::EchoCancel, &ctx).enabled);
+        assert!(
+            !adjust(RowId::EchoCancel, -1, false, &mut ctx),
+            "mic off = thud"
+        );
+        assert!(!adjust(RowId::EchoCancel, 1, true, &mut ctx), "A too");
+        assert!(ctx.settings.echo_cancel, "and nothing was written");
+
+        ctx.settings.mic_enabled = true;
+        assert!(row_spec(RowId::EchoCancel, &ctx).enabled);
+        assert!(adjust(RowId::EchoCancel, -1, false, &mut ctx));
+        assert!(!ctx.settings.echo_cancel);
+        assert!(adjust(RowId::EchoCancel, 1, true, &mut ctx));
+        assert!(ctx.settings.echo_cancel);
+    }
+
+    /// The smoothness buffer follows the presentation intent, exactly as echo cancellation
+    /// follows the mic: dimmed and inert under Lowest latency (where holding frames means
+    /// nothing), live under Smoothness. The desktop shells hide the row instead; a fixed
+    /// row list dims it, because a row vanishing mid-list would shift everything under the
+    /// cursor.
+    #[test]
+    fn smoothness_buffer_follows_the_intent() {
+        let (mut settings, pads) = ctx_parts();
+        assert_eq!(settings.present_priority, "latency", "the shipped default");
+        let library = crate::library::LibraryShared::default();
+        let mut ctx = Ctx {
+            hosts: &[],
+            library: &library,
+            settings: &mut settings,
+            pads: &pads,
+            deck: false,
+            device_name: "t",
+            t: 0.0,
+        };
+        assert!(!row_spec(RowId::SmoothBuffer, &ctx).enabled);
+        assert!(
+            !adjust(RowId::SmoothBuffer, 1, false, &mut ctx),
+            "latency intent = thud"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(ctx.settings.smooth_buffer, 0, "and nothing was written");
+
+        // Stepping the intent to Smoothness brings the buffer row to life.
+        assert!(adjust(RowId::PresentPriority, 1, false, &mut ctx));
+        assert_eq!(ctx.settings.present_priority, "smooth");
+        assert!(row_spec(RowId::SmoothBuffer, &ctx).enabled);
+        assert!(adjust(RowId::SmoothBuffer, 1, false, &mut ctx));
+        assert_eq!(ctx.settings.smooth_buffer, 1);
+
+        // The intent wraps back and the row goes inert again.
+        assert!(adjust(RowId::PresentPriority, -1, false, &mut ctx));
+        assert_eq!(ctx.settings.present_priority, "latency");
+        assert!(!row_spec(RowId::SmoothBuffer, &ctx).enabled);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn touch_mode_steps_and_wraps() {
         let (mut settings, pads) = ctx_parts();

crates/pf-console-ui/src/skia_overlay.rs

@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ struct Drawn {
     height: u32,
     stats: Option<String>,
     hint: Option<String>,
+    /// The mic-mute badge is up. Part of the damage key like everything else here — the badge
+    /// is static once drawn, so a muted stream still re-renders nothing per frame.
+    mic_muted: bool,
     /// The UI scale this was drawn at, in percent — part of the damage key so dragging the window
     /// to a differently-scaled monitor re-renders the chrome at the new size instead of keeping
     /// the stale one (the text is identical, so nothing else here would notice).
@@ -390,7 +393,12 @@ impl Overlay for SkiaOverlay {
         // spinning through the damage gate; `+ 1` keeps an active resize's step nonzero
         // even on its first frame (phase 0) so the guard below doesn't skip it.
         let resize_step = resize_phase.map_or(0, |p| (p * 120.0) as u16 + 1);
-        if ctx.stats.is_none() && ctx.hint.is_none() && banner_step == 0 && resize_step == 0 {
+        if ctx.stats.is_none()
+            && ctx.hint.is_none()
+            && !ctx.mic_muted
+            && banner_step == 0
+            && resize_step == 0
+        {
             self.drawn = Drawn::default(); // forget content so re-show re-renders
             return Ok(None);
         }
@@ -402,6 +410,7 @@ impl Overlay for SkiaOverlay {
             height: ctx.height,
             stats: ctx.stats.map(str::to_owned),
             hint: ctx.hint.map(str::to_owned),
+            mic_muted: ctx.mic_muted,
             scale_pct: (scale * 100.0).round() as u16,
             banner_step,
             resize_step,
@@ -437,6 +446,11 @@ impl Overlay for SkiaOverlay {
         if let Some(stats) = &want.stats {
             draw_osd_panel(canvas, font, stats, ctx.width, scale);
         }
+        // Top-RIGHT, so it never collides with the stats panel or the bottom pill: the badge
+        // has to stay readable at every stats tier, including Off.
+        if want.mic_muted {
+            draw_mic_muted_badge(canvas, font, ctx.width, scale);
+        }
         if let Some(hint) = &want.hint {
             draw_hint_pill(canvas, font, hint, ctx.width, ctx.height, 1.0, scale);
         } else if banner_step > 0 {
@@ -660,6 +674,49 @@ fn draw_osd_panel(canvas: &Canvas, base_font: &Font, text: &str, width: u32, sca
     }
 }
 
+/// The mic-mute badge: a dot in the error colour plus the words, on the same translucent pill
+/// as the rest of the chrome, pinned to the TOP-RIGHT corner.
+///
+/// It is drawn from `FrameCtx::mic_muted` alone — not from the stats text — because it must
+/// survive the stats overlay being Off, which is where most people leave it. Words, not a
+/// glyph: the chrome font is a system monospace resolved at runtime and cannot be relied on to
+/// carry a crossed-out microphone. Persistent by design (no fade): a fading indicator answers
+/// "did the chord register?" but not "am I muted right now?", and the second question is the
+/// one that matters ten minutes later.
+fn draw_mic_muted_badge(canvas: &Canvas, base_font: &Font, width: u32, scale: f32) {
+    const LABEL: &str = "Microphone muted";
+    // Short line — it fits any window the stream runs in, so it takes the display scale as-is.
+    let font = &chrome_font(base_font, scale);
+    let (_, metrics) = font.metrics();
+    let line_h = metrics.descent - metrics.ascent;
+    let (pad_x, pad_y) = (base::PILL_PAD_X * scale, base::PILL_PAD_Y * scale);
+    let dot_r = 4.0 * scale;
+    let dot_gap = 8.0 * scale;
+    let text_w = font.measure_str(LABEL, None).0;
+    let w = text_w + 2.0 * dot_r + dot_gap + 2.0 * pad_x;
+    let h = line_h + 2.0 * pad_y;
+    let margin = base::OSD_MARGIN * scale;
+    let (x, y) = (width as f32 - w - margin, margin);
+    canvas.draw_rrect(
+        RRect::new_rect_xy(Rect::from_xywh(x, y, w, h), h / 2.0, h / 2.0),
+        &Paint::new(Color4f::new(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.62), None),
+    );
+    canvas.draw_circle(
+        Point::new(x + pad_x + dot_r, y + h / 2.0),
+        dot_r,
+        &Paint::new(crate::theme::ERROR, None),
+    );
+    canvas.draw_str(
+        LABEL,
+        Point::new(
+            x + pad_x + 2.0 * dot_r + dot_gap,
+            y + pad_y - metrics.ascent,
+        ),
+        font,
+        &Paint::new(Color4f::new(1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 0.92), None),
+    );
+}
+
 /// The mid-stream-resize cover: a full-screen dark scrim, the shared rotating spinner, and
 /// a "Resizing…" label centered over it — so the host's 0.3–2 s virtual-display + encoder
 /// rebuild reads as a deliberate pause rather than the stream stretching to the changed

crates/pf-console-ui/src/widgets.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 use crate::anim::{approach, Spring, TRAY_C, TRAY_K};
 use crate::library::{BUMP_C, BUMP_K};
-use crate::theme::{brand, white, Fonts, PanelStroke, BRAND, FAINT, W, WHITE};
+use crate::theme::{brand, white, Fonts, PanelStroke, BRAND, DIM, FAINT, W, WHITE};
 use pf_client_core::gamepad::{MenuDir, MenuEvent, MenuPulse};
 use skia_safe::{Canvas, Paint, Path, RRect, Rect};
 
@@ -35,7 +35,9 @@ pub(crate) struct RowSpec {
     pub caret: bool,
     /// Show ‹ › chevrons while focused (left/right steps the value).
     pub adjustable: bool,
-    /// Action rows render dimmed when not yet actionable.
+    /// Rows render dimmed when they aren't actionable: an action row's centered label loses
+    /// its brand tint, a value row's label greys — the look for a setting that depends on
+    /// another one being on (Echo cancellation under Microphone).
     pub enabled: bool,
 }
 
@@ -229,7 +231,7 @@ impl MenuList {
                     baseline,
                     W::SemiBold,
                     16.0 * k,
-                    WHITE,
+                    if row.enabled { WHITE } else { DIM },
                 );
                 let value = row.value.as_deref().unwrap_or_default();
                 let vcolor = if row.value_dim {

crates/pf-encode/src/enc/nvenc_core.rs

@@ -117,10 +117,11 @@ pub(super) fn resolve_split_mode(bit_depth: u8, pixel_rate: u64) -> u32 {
 /// deserves a `warn`, a default being tuned an `info`. Callers LATCH this once next to their
 /// resolved subframe state (an env re-read at reconfigure would violate the "open and
 /// reconfigure present identical init params" invariant).
-/// Linux-cfg'd like its ONLY caller (the `nvenc_cuda` query_caps latch) — Windows sessions have
-/// `subframe == forced` by construction (env opt-in only) and never consult this; without the
-/// cfg it is dead code on every Windows leg (item-level dead_code, the recurring trap).
-#[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+/// Both direct-SDK backends latch it now: Linux at the `nvenc_cuda` query_caps latch, Windows at
+/// session init since sub-frame defaults on there too (it used to be env opt-in only, so
+/// `subframe == forced` held by construction and the item was Linux-cfg'd to avoid being dead
+/// code on the Windows leg — the recurring item-level `dead_code` trap).
+#[cfg(any(target_os = "linux", windows))]
 pub(super) fn subframe_env_forced() -> bool {
     matches!(
         std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_NVENC_SUBFRAME").as_deref(),

crates/pf-encode/src/enc/windows/nvenc.rs

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 use super::nvenc_core::{
     apply_low_latency_config, build_init_params, cached_ceiling, codec_guid, plan_range_recovery,
     resolve_slices, resolve_split_mode, resolve_split_subframe, resolve_subframe, store_ceiling,
-    CeilingKey, LowLatencyConfig, NvStatusExt, RangePlan,
+    subframe_env_forced, CeilingKey, LowLatencyConfig, NvStatusExt, RangePlan,
 };
 use super::nvenc_status;
 use super::{AuChunk, ChromaFormat, Codec, EncodedFrame, Encoder, EncoderCaps};
@@ -588,6 +588,10 @@ pub struct NvencD3d11Encoder {
     input_ring_depth: Option<usize>,
     /// `NV_ENC_CAPS_ASYNC_ENCODE_SUPPORT` from the caps probe — gates the async retrieve mode.
     async_supported: bool,
+    /// `NV_ENC_CAPS_SUPPORT_SUBFRAME_READBACK` from the caps probe — gates the DEFAULT-on
+    /// sub-frame readback (the Linux backend's rule since its Phase 3; Windows joined after the
+    /// 2026-07-31 on-glass A/B), so a GPU without it never has sub-frame forced by default.
+    subframe_cap: bool,
     /// (bitstream, mapped input resource to unmap after retrieval, pts_ns, recovery-anchor) per
     /// in-flight encode. The fourth field tags the first frame encoded after a successful
     /// [`invalidate_ref_frames`](Encoder::invalidate_ref_frames) — the clean re-anchor P-frame the
@@ -748,6 +752,7 @@ impl NvencD3d11Encoder {
             async_rt: None,
             input_ring_depth: None,
             async_supported: false,
+            subframe_cap: false,
             pending: VecDeque::new(),
             frame_idx: 0,
             force_kf: false,
@@ -922,6 +927,7 @@ impl NvencD3d11Encoder {
             nv::NV_ENC_CAPS::NV_ENC_CAPS_SUPPORT_CUSTOM_VBV_BUF_SIZE,
         );
         let async_enc = self.get_cap(enc, nv::NV_ENC_CAPS::NV_ENC_CAPS_ASYNC_ENCODE_SUPPORT);
+        let subframe = self.get_cap(enc, nv::NV_ENC_CAPS::NV_ENC_CAPS_SUPPORT_SUBFRAME_READBACK);
         let _ = (api().destroy_encoder)(enc);
 
         // Reject an over-range mode with a clear message instead of an opaque InvalidParam.
@@ -955,10 +961,12 @@ impl NvencD3d11Encoder {
         self.rfi_supported = rfi != 0;
         self.custom_vbv = custom_vbv != 0;
         self.async_supported = async_enc != 0;
+        self.subframe_cap = subframe != 0;
         tracing::info!(
             rfi = self.rfi_supported,
             custom_vbv = self.custom_vbv,
             async_encode = self.async_supported,
+            subframe_readback = self.subframe_cap,
             max = %format!("{wmax}x{hmax}"),
             ten_bit = ten_bit != 0,
             "NVENC capabilities probed"
@@ -1152,11 +1160,14 @@ impl NvencD3d11Encoder {
             // VIDEO_CAP_MULTI_SLICE / Moonlight slices-per-frame client gets real slices.
             // `PUNKTFUNK_NVENC_SLICES` stays the operator override in both directions.
             self.slices = resolve_slices(self.codec, 4.min(self.max_slices));
-            // Split × sub-frame arbitration (Phase 8) before the ladder/ceiling key. On Windows
-            // sub-frame is env-opt-in only, so resolved == forced by construction.
-            let subframe_req = resolve_subframe(false);
+            // Split × sub-frame arbitration (Phase 8) before the ladder/ceiling key. Sub-frame
+            // defaults ON where the GPU advertises SUBFRAME_READBACK (Linux parity; validated by
+            // the 2026-07-31 .173 on-glass A/B — no regression, and slice-progressive clients
+            // gain the encode/wire overlap); `PUNKTFUNK_NVENC_SUBFRAME` stays the tri-state
+            // operator escape in both directions.
+            let subframe_req = resolve_subframe(self.subframe_cap);
             let (split_mode, subframe_req) =
-                resolve_split_subframe(self.codec, split_mode, subframe_req, subframe_req);
+                resolve_split_subframe(self.codec, split_mode, subframe_req, subframe_env_forced());
             // Find the highest bitrate the GPU's codec LEVEL accepts and CLAMP to it. NVENC rejects
             // `initialize_encoder` (InvalidParam) when the bitrate exceeds the level ceiling (e.g. a
             // 1 Gbps request on HEVC). Strategy: try the requested rate; if the only problem is a forced
@@ -1318,8 +1329,7 @@ impl NvencD3d11Encoder {
             self.session_async = use_async;
             // Sub-frame chunked poll (P2f, the Windows leg of the slice pipeline): sync
             // retrieve only — chunked poll is a depth-1 sync feature; the async retrieve's
-            // thread owns the bitstream lock. Sub-frame write itself stays env-gated
-            // (`PUNKTFUNK_NVENC_SUBFRAME=1`) until the Windows on-glass A/B validates it.
+            // thread owns the bitstream lock.
             self.subframe_chunks = self.slices >= 2 && subframe_req && !use_async;
             if self.subframe_chunks {
                 tracing::info!(
@@ -1659,8 +1669,11 @@ impl Encoder for NvencD3d11Encoder {
             let anchor = std::mem::take(&mut self.pending_anchor) && flags == 0;
             // Submit-time IDR intent: chunked poll must flag an AU's EARLY chunks before the
             // driver reports `pictureType` (only the finishing lock sees it). Exact under
-            // P-only + infinite GOP: IDRs happen only when forced.
-            let idr_hint = flags != 0;
+            // P-only + infinite GOP: IDRs happen only when forced — or on the session-opening
+            // frame, which NVENC emits as an IDR regardless of pic flags (the Linux twin's
+            // `is_idr`; without the `opening` term frame 1's early chunks went out unflagged
+            // and the divergence WARN fired at every session start).
+            let idr_hint = flags != 0 || opening;
             let mut pic = nv::NV_ENC_PIC_PARAMS {
                 version: nv::NV_ENC_PIC_PARAMS_VER,
                 inputWidth: self.width,

crates/pf-inject/src/inject/linux/gamepad.rs

@@ -669,6 +669,11 @@ impl GamepadManager {
     /// Service every pad's FF protocol; `send(index, low, high)` is invoked for each pad whose
     /// mixed rumble level changed. Call frequently (games block in `EVIOCSFF` until answered).
     pub fn pump_rumble(&mut self, mut send: impl FnMut(u16, u16, u16)) {
+        // Finish any unplug whose removal frame only armed the grace — the producer sends that
+        // frame once, so without this the uinput node would outlive the controller. The swept
+        // mask is discarded because this manager keeps no per-index sibling state (the pads mix
+        // rumble internally); if that ever changes, consume it like the other two backends do.
+        self.slots.reap();
         for (i, pad) in self.slots.iter_mut() {
             if let Some((low, high)) = pad.pump_ff() {
                 send(i as u16, low, high);

crates/pf-inject/src/inject/pad_slots.rs

@@ -62,15 +62,30 @@ impl<P> PadSlots<P> {
         self.label
     }
 
-    /// Drop every allocated pad whose `active_mask` bit has stayed clear for [`SWEEP_GRACE`] (the
-    /// unplug sweep run on each state frame), logging each. Returns the swept indices as a bitmask
-    /// so the caller resets its per-index sibling state; an index another manager owns is `None`
-    /// here, so it is never swept. The grace is the devnode-churn debounce: a mask that glitches
-    /// clear for a few frames and returns re-arms nothing.
+    /// Fold one state frame's `active_mask` into the grace clocks, then drop whatever has run out
+    /// (see [`Self::reap`]). Returns the dropped indices as a bitmask so the caller resets its
+    /// per-index sibling state; an index another manager owns is `None` here, so it is never
+    /// touched. The grace is the devnode-churn debounce: a mask that glitches clear for a few
+    /// frames and returns re-arms nothing.
+    ///
+    /// A frame can only ARM the grace, never complete it — no time has passed at the instant the
+    /// clock starts. Since the producer emits exactly ONE frame per detach, [`Self::reap`] on the
+    /// manager's periodic pump is what actually finishes the unplug; a backend that only ever
+    /// called `sweep` would keep the detached pad alive for the rest of the session.
     pub fn sweep(&mut self, active_mask: u16) -> u16 {
         self.sweep_at(active_mask, Instant::now())
     }
 
+    /// Drop every allocated pad whose grace has run out, logging each — the half of the unplug
+    /// that needs no state frame. Returns the dropped indices as a bitmask, same as [`Self::sweep`].
+    ///
+    /// This can only ever *complete* an unplug some frame already started: it never arms a clock,
+    /// so however often it runs it cannot drop a pad whose `active_mask` bit never went clear.
+    /// That is what makes it safe to call from a hot pump loop.
+    pub fn reap(&mut self) -> u16 {
+        self.reap_at(Instant::now())
+    }
+
     /// Backdate every armed grace clock by [`SWEEP_GRACE`], so the NEXT sweep drops the pads
     /// whose bits are still clear — consumer tests (the managers') drive the debounce without
     /// wall-clock sleeps. Test-only: production code has no business expiring the grace.
@@ -81,26 +96,37 @@ impl<P> PadSlots<P> {
         }
     }
 
-    /// [`Self::sweep`] with an injectable clock (unit tests drive the grace window).
+    /// [`Self::sweep`] with an injectable clock (unit tests drive the grace window): arm or disarm
+    /// each slot's clock from the mask, then reap whatever has already run out.
     fn sweep_at(&mut self, active_mask: u16, now: Instant) -> u16 {
-        let mut swept = 0u16;
-        for (i, slot) in self.pads.iter_mut().enumerate() {
+        for i in 0..MAX_PADS {
             if active_mask & (1 << i) != 0 {
                 self.inactive_since[i] = None; // active (again): a glitch never reaches the drop
+            } else if self.pads[i].is_some() && self.inactive_since[i].is_none() {
+                self.inactive_since[i] = Some(now); // newly inactive — start the grace
+            }
+        }
+        self.reap_at(now)
+    }
+
+    /// [`Self::reap`] with an injectable clock. Deliberately arms nothing — it only ever reads
+    /// `inactive_since` and clears it, so a pad whose bit never went clear has no clock to run out
+    /// and cannot be dropped here.
+    fn reap_at(&mut self, now: Instant) -> u16 {
+        let mut swept = 0u16;
+        for i in 0..MAX_PADS {
+            let Some(since) = self.inactive_since[i] else {
+                continue; // active, or never went clear — nothing to complete
+            };
+            if self.pads[i].is_none() {
+                self.inactive_since[i] = None; // the slot went away by some other route
                 continue;
             }
-            if slot.is_none() {
-                continue;
-            }
-            match self.inactive_since[i] {
-                None => self.inactive_since[i] = Some(now), // newly inactive — start the grace
-                Some(since) if now.duration_since(since) >= SWEEP_GRACE => {
-                    tracing::info!(index = i, "controller unplugged ({})", self.label);
-                    *slot = None;
-                    self.inactive_since[i] = None;
-                    swept |= 1 << i;
-                }
-                Some(_) => {} // inside the grace — hold
+            if now.duration_since(since) >= SWEEP_GRACE {
+                tracing::info!(index = i, "controller unplugged ({})", self.label);
+                self.pads[i] = None;
+                self.inactive_since[i] = None;
+                swept |= 1 << i;
             }
         }
         swept
@@ -161,6 +187,56 @@ mod tests {
         PadSlots::new("Test", "test pad", "")
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn a_single_frame_plus_a_reap_completes_the_unplug() {
+        // The shape production actually produces: ONE cleared-mask frame, then time, then a reap
+        // with no further frame. Before the arm/reap split the pad survived here forever.
+        let mut s = slots();
+        assert!(s.ensure(2, |i| Ok(i as u32)));
+        assert_eq!(
+            s.sweep(0b0),
+            0,
+            "a frame arms the grace but cannot itself drop"
+        );
+        assert!(s.get(2).is_some());
+        s.expire_grace();
+        assert_eq!(s.reap(), 1 << 2, "the reap did not complete the unplug");
+        assert!(s.get(2).is_none());
+        assert_eq!(s.reap(), 0, "nothing left to reap");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn reap_never_drops_a_pad_no_frame_ever_deactivated() {
+        // Reaping COMPLETES an unplug; it must never invent one. A pad whose bit never went clear
+        // has no armed clock, so any number of reaps — even with the clock backdated — leaves it.
+        let mut s = slots();
+        assert!(s.ensure(0, |i| Ok(i as u32)));
+        for _ in 0..10 {
+            assert_eq!(s.reap(), 0);
+            s.expire_grace();
+        }
+        assert!(
+            s.get(0).is_some(),
+            "reap dropped a pad that never went inactive"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_glitch_that_returns_inside_the_grace_never_drops_the_pad() {
+        // The anti-flap guarantee, now that reaps are frequent: a client mask that blips clear and
+        // comes back must not churn a PnP devnode.
+        let mut s = slots();
+        assert!(s.ensure(0, |i| Ok(i as u32)));
+        assert_eq!(s.sweep(0b0), 0); // bit clears — arms only
+        for _ in 0..5 {
+            assert_eq!(s.reap(), 0, "dropped a pad inside its grace");
+        }
+        assert_eq!(s.sweep(0b1), 0); // the bit returns — disarms
+        s.expire_grace();
+        assert_eq!(s.reap(), 0, "a returned bit must leave nothing armed");
+        assert!(s.get(0).is_some());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn ensure_creates_once_and_reports_freshness() {
         let mut s = slots();

crates/pf-inject/src/inject/proto/dualsense_proto.rs

@@ -35,10 +35,14 @@ pub const DS_FEATURE_PAIRING: &[u8] = &[ // report 0x09 (pairing info: MAC at by
     0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
 ];
 #[rustfmt::skip]
-pub const DS_FEATURE_FIRMWARE: &[u8] = &[ // report 0x20 (firmware info / build date)
+pub const DS_FEATURE_FIRMWARE: &[u8] = &[ // report 0x20 (firmware info / build date); bytes 44..46
+    // = update version, kept ABOVE Sony's real releases (0x0630 as of 2026-08) — an older value
+    // makes PlayStation Accessories and libScePad titles demand a firmware update the virtual pad
+    // cannot take ("can't complete the update"), and ≥ 0x0224 is what puts writers on the
+    // COMPATIBLE_VIBRATION2 convention parse_ds_output accepts alongside flag0.
     0x20, 0x4A, 0x75, 0x6E, 0x20, 0x31, 0x39, 0x20, 0x32, 0x30, 0x32, 0x33, 0x31, 0x34, 0x3A, 0x34,
     0x37, 0x3A, 0x33, 0x34, 0x03, 0x00, 0x44, 0x00, 0x08, 0x02, 0x00, 0x01, 0x36, 0x00, 0x00, 0x01,
-    0xC1, 0xC8, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x54, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0xC1, 0xC8, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x99, 0x09, 0x00, 0x00,
     0x14, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x0B, 0x00, 0x01, 0x00, 0x06, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
 ];
 
@@ -494,10 +498,13 @@ pub fn parse_ds_output(pad: u8, data: &[u8], fb: &mut DsFeedback) {
                          // data[4]. Scale 0..255 → 0..0xFFFF, same (low, high) convention as the uinput pad's mixer,
                          // and route to the universal rumble plane (0xCA).
                          // Writers on firmware ≥ 2.24 signal rumble via COMPATIBLE_VIBRATION2 in valid_flag2
-                         // (data[39] BIT2) instead of flag0 BIT0. Our feature report advertises 0x0154 so the
-                         // kernel and SDL stay on the flag0 convention, but a writer that hardcodes v2 would
-                         // otherwise have its rumble — including stops — silently ignored, and a missed stop
-                         // buzzes for the rest of the session (the 500 ms refresh re-sends stale state forever).
+                         // (data[39] BIT2) instead of flag0 BIT0. Our feature report advertises a version
+                         // above 2.24 (DS_FEATURE_FIRMWARE bytes 44..46, chosen to keep Sony's updater
+                         // quiet), so the kernel and SDL write the v2 flag — while older writers, and any
+                         // that never read the version, stay on flag0. Both conventions must land here: a
+                         // rumble dropped on either — including stops — is silently ignored, and a missed
+                         // stop buzzes for the rest of the session (the 500 ms refresh re-sends stale state
+                         // forever).
     if flag0 & 0x03 != 0 || data[39] & 0x04 != 0 {
         let high = (data[3] as u16) << 8;
         let low = (data[4] as u16) << 8;

crates/pf-inject/src/inject/uhid_manager.rs

@@ -217,13 +217,10 @@ impl<B: PadProto> UhidManager<B> {
                 if idx >= MAX_PADS {
                     return;
                 }
-                // Unplugs: drop any allocated pad whose mask bit cleared, resetting its state.
+                // Unplugs: arm the grace for any pad whose mask bit cleared (the drop itself lands
+                // on a later `pump` tick — this frame is the only one the producer sends).
                 let swept = self.slots.sweep(f.active_mask);
-                for i in 0..MAX_PADS {
-                    if swept & (1 << i) != 0 {
-                        self.reset_pad(i);
-                    }
-                }
+                self.reset_swept(swept);
                 if f.active_mask & (1 << idx) == 0 {
                     return; // this event WAS the unplug
                 }
@@ -282,6 +279,12 @@ impl<B: PadProto> UhidManager<B> {
         mut hidout: impl FnMut(HidOutput),
     ) {
         let now = Instant::now();
+        // Finish any unplug whose removal frame only armed the grace. The producer emits that
+        // frame exactly once, so without this a detached pad — the single-pad session being the
+        // common case — would never be destroyed. Runs BEFORE the loop so a reaped index is
+        // already gone for `get_mut` here and for `heartbeat`'s `get` later in the same tick.
+        let swept = self.slots.reap();
+        self.reset_swept(swept);
         for i in 0..MAX_PADS {
             let Some(pad) = self.slots.get_mut(i) else {
                 continue;
@@ -360,6 +363,18 @@ impl<B: PadProto> UhidManager<B> {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Reset the sibling state of every index a sweep or reap just dropped. Both halves of the
+    /// unplug land here, so a pad torn down on the pump tick clears exactly what one torn down on
+    /// a state frame would — in particular `hidout_dedup`, which has no watchdog to re-arm it and
+    /// would otherwise swallow an identical lightbar/trigger re-assert after a re-plug.
+    fn reset_swept(&mut self, swept: u16) {
+        for i in 0..MAX_PADS {
+            if swept & (1 << i) != 0 {
+                self.reset_pad(i);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Reset one pad's sibling state (on create and unplug) so the first frame/feedback after a
     /// (re)connect starts from scratch and is always forwarded.
     fn reset_pad(&mut self, idx: usize) {
@@ -494,18 +509,36 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn removal_frame_never_recreates_the_pad_it_swept() {
+    fn one_removal_frame_plus_a_pump_tick_completes_the_unplug() {
+        // The producer emits the cleared-mask frame exactly ONCE — `native/input.rs` guards it on
+        // the bit still being set — so the teardown has to finish on the periodic pump. The
+        // previous version of this test hand-fed a SECOND removal frame, which is what let the
+        // never-reaped pad hide: with one frame and no pump, the device outlived the session.
         let mut m = mgr();
         m.handle(&frame(1, 0b10, 0));
         assert!(m.slots.get(1).is_some());
-        // Bit 1 cleared: the first sweep only ARMS the devnode-churn grace — the pad holds (a
-        // mask glitch must not flap PnP devices; see pad_slots::SWEEP_GRACE).
+        // The one removal frame: arms the devnode-churn grace, drops nothing.
         m.handle(&frame(1, 0b00, 0));
         assert!(m.slots.get(1).is_some(), "inside the grace — not yet swept");
-        // Grace elapsed: the frame IS pad 1's removal — sweep, then early-return (no ensure).
+        // A tick inside the grace must NOT flap the devnode (pad_slots::SWEEP_GRACE).
+        m.pump(|_, _, _| {}, |_| {});
+        assert!(
+            m.slots.get(1).is_some(),
+            "a tick inside the grace dropped it"
+        );
+        // Grace elapsed: the next tick completes the unplug, with no further frame.
         m.slots.expire_grace();
+        m.pump(|_, _, _| {}, |_| {});
+        assert!(
+            m.slots.get(1).is_none(),
+            "the pump tick never completed the unplug"
+        );
+        // …and a further cleared-mask frame must not resurrect it (the arm branch early-returns).
         m.handle(&frame(1, 0b00, 0));
-        assert!(m.slots.get(1).is_none());
+        assert!(
+            m.slots.get(1).is_none(),
+            "a cleared-mask frame recreated the pad"
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -551,10 +584,15 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(collect(&mut m), vec![(0, 100, 0)]); // first value forwards
         assert_eq!(collect(&mut m), vec![]); // exact repeat deduped
         assert_eq!(collect(&mut m), vec![(0, 7, 7)]); // change forwards
-                                                      // Unplug + recreate re-arms the dedup: the same level forwards again.
-        m.handle(&frame(0, 0b0, 0)); // arms the sweep grace
+                                                      // Unplug + recreate re-arms the dedup: the same level forwards again. The unplug completes
+                                                      // on a PUMP tick, not on a second frame — that is all production ever sends.
+        m.handle(&frame(0, 0b0, 0)); // the one removal frame — arms the grace
         m.slots.expire_grace();
-        m.handle(&frame(0, 0b0, 0)); // grace elapsed — actually swept
+        assert_eq!(collect(&mut m), vec![]); // this tick reaps; nothing queued to forward
+        assert!(
+            m.slots.get(0).is_none(),
+            "the pump tick completed the unplug"
+        );
         m.handle(&frame(0, 0b1, 0));
         *m.backend.feedback.borrow_mut() = vec![rumble((7, 7))];
         assert_eq!(collect(&mut m), vec![(0, 7, 7)]);

crates/pf-inject/src/inject/windows/gamepad_windows.rs

@@ -318,14 +318,10 @@ impl GamepadManager {
                 if idx >= MAX_PADS {
                     return;
                 }
-                // Unplugs: drop any allocated pad whose mask bit cleared.
+                // Unplugs: arm the grace for any pad whose mask bit cleared (the drop itself lands
+                // on a later `pump_rumble` tick — this frame is the only one the producer sends).
                 let swept = self.slots.sweep(f.active_mask);
-                for i in 0..MAX_PADS {
-                    if swept & (1 << i) != 0 {
-                        self.last_rumble[i] = (0, 0);
-                        self.last_active[i] = Instant::now();
-                    }
-                }
+                self.reset_swept(swept);
                 if f.active_mask & (1 << idx) == 0 {
                     return;
                 }
@@ -345,10 +341,25 @@ impl GamepadManager {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Reset the sibling state of every index a sweep or reap just dropped, so both halves of the
+    /// unplug clear the same things.
+    fn reset_swept(&mut self, swept: u16) {
+        for i in 0..MAX_PADS {
+            if swept & (1 << i) != 0 {
+                self.last_rumble[i] = (0, 0);
+                self.last_active[i] = Instant::now();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Relay any changed rumble level to the client. XUSB motors are 0..255; the wire carries
     /// 0..65535, so scale by 257. `large` (low-frequency) → the datagram's `low`, `small`
     /// (high-frequency) → `high` — matching the other backends.
     pub fn pump_rumble(&mut self, mut send: impl FnMut(u16, u16, u16)) {
+        // Finish any unplug whose removal frame only armed the grace — the producer sends that
+        // frame once, so without this the XUSB devnode would outlive the controller.
+        let swept = self.slots.reap();
+        self.reset_swept(swept);
         for (i, pad) in self.slots.iter_mut() {
             if let Some((large, small)) = pad.service() {
                 // The game drove the pad this poll (SET_STATE bumped the seq) — refresh the

crates/pf-presenter/src/lib.rs

@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ pub mod keymap_sdl;
 #[cfg(any(target_os = "linux", windows))]
 pub mod overlay;
 #[cfg(any(target_os = "linux", windows))]
+mod present_pace;
+#[cfg(any(target_os = "linux", windows))]
 mod run;
 #[cfg(any(target_os = "linux", windows))]
 pub mod touch;

crates/pf-presenter/src/overlay.rs

@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@ pub struct FrameCtx<'a> {
     pub stats: Option<&'a str>,
     /// The capture hint (bottom-center pill, "click to capture…"); `None` = hidden.
     pub hint: Option<&'a str>,
+    /// The user muted their microphone mid-stream (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+V). Draws a persistent
+    /// badge, deliberately independent of the stats tier: a muted mic is a fact about what
+    /// the host is hearing, and "did my mute take?" must be answerable with the overlay off.
+    /// False whenever this session has no mic uplink at all — the badge never invents one.
+    pub mic_muted: bool,
     /// A mid-stream Match-window resize is in flight (design/midstream-resolution-resize.md,
     /// client UX): draw a full-screen scrim + spinner so the host's 0.3–2 s virtual-display
     /// and encoder rebuild reads as an intentional pause rather than the stream stretching to

crates/pf-presenter/src/present_pace.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,751 @@
+//! The presentation intent engine (design/desktop-presentation-rebuild.md WP2): the
+//! store, clock, and gate the run loop composes into the two intents.
+//!
+//! * [`FrameStore`] — newest-wins slot (latency) or smoothing FIFO with preroll
+//!   (smoothness), ported from the Apple `FrameStore` / Android `presenter.rs` so all
+//!   three clients agree on what the intents mean.
+//! * [`LatchClock`] — the panel latch grid, learned from `VK_KHR_present_wait` on-glass
+//!   stamps (measured, never queried — the Android refresh-rate lie and VRR both punish
+//!   trusting a reported rate). Without present-wait it degrades to a grid rooted at the
+//!   last submit on the mode's refresh period.
+//! * [`PresentGate`] — the FIFO glass budget: one undisplayed present in flight, so the
+//!   swapchain's own queue can never become a standing queue (+1 refresh per slot,
+//!   forever — the law every bounded-FIFO pacing rediscovered on Apple). MAILBOX cannot
+//!   queue and never needs it.
+//!
+//! Everything here is pure state + arithmetic on `CLOCK_REALTIME` ns (the
+//! `pf_client_core::session::now_ns` domain the on-glass stamps live in); the run loop
+//! owns all clocks and Vulkan calls, which is what keeps this testable.
+
+use std::collections::VecDeque;
+
+/// Stale-present force-open: an undisplayed present older than this is presumed lost
+/// (occluded window, wedged compositor) and the gate opens anyway, counted as `forced`
+/// — reads 0 on healthy systems. The Apple/Android presenters use the same 100 ms.
+const STALE_REOPEN_NS: u64 = 100_000_000;
+
+/// The adaptive slot-pick margin's ceiling and step (Android's measured values: start
+/// at 0 — a fixed lead was pure display tax on the reference device — and widen only
+/// when measured misses demand it).
+pub(crate) const MARGIN_STEP_NS: u64 = 500_000;
+pub(crate) const MARGIN_MAX_NS: u64 = 2_500_000;
+
+/// The decoded-frame store between the wake channel and the present call.
+///
+/// `capacity == 0` = newest-wins (latency intent): `submit` replaces, `take` clears.
+/// `capacity 1..=3` = smoothing FIFO: preroll-to-capacity, drop-oldest on overflow,
+/// an underflow after preroll re-arms the preroll (the previous frame persists on
+/// glass — a repeat by omission) while headroom rebuilds.
+pub(crate) struct FrameStore<T> {
+    capacity: usize,
+    frames: VecDeque<T>,
+    prerolled: bool,
+    /// Newest-wins displacements (normal operation under latency, not a fault signal).
+    replaced: u32,
+    /// FIFO drop-oldest evictions — the Apple debug line's `qDrop`.
+    overflow_drops: u32,
+    /// FIFO dry-after-preroll events — `qDry`.
+    underflows: u32,
+}
+
+impl<T> FrameStore<T> {
+    pub(crate) fn new(capacity: usize) -> FrameStore<T> {
+        FrameStore {
+            capacity,
+            frames: VecDeque::with_capacity(capacity.max(1) + 1),
+            prerolled: false,
+            replaced: 0,
+            overflow_drops: 0,
+            underflows: 0,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn is_smoothing(&self) -> bool {
+        self.capacity > 0
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn is_empty(&self) -> bool {
+        self.frames.is_empty()
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn submit(&mut self, f: T) {
+        if self.capacity == 0 {
+            if self.frames.pop_front().is_some() {
+                self.replaced += 1;
+            }
+            self.frames.push_back(f);
+        } else {
+            self.frames.push_back(f);
+            // Drop the OLDEST past capacity: bounded added latency, the newest keeps
+            // flowing. Also trims a transient capacity+1 a put_back left behind.
+            while self.frames.len() > self.capacity {
+                self.frames.pop_front();
+                self.overflow_drops += 1;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn take(&mut self) -> Option<T> {
+        if self.capacity == 0 {
+            return self.frames.pop_front();
+        }
+        if !self.prerolled {
+            // Preroll gate: without it a steady stream drains every frame on arrival
+            // and jitter headroom never builds (the Apple store's lesson).
+            if self.frames.len() < self.capacity {
+                return None;
+            }
+            self.prerolled = true;
+        }
+        match self.frames.pop_front() {
+            Some(f) => Some(f),
+            None => {
+                self.underflows += 1;
+                self.prerolled = false;
+                None
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// A frame taken but not presented (gate closed, present failed before consuming
+    /// it). Newest-wins reinserts only into an empty slot — a fresher decode wins;
+    /// FIFO puts it back at the front (it is the oldest).
+    pub(crate) fn put_back(&mut self, f: T) {
+        if self.capacity == 0 {
+            if self.frames.is_empty() {
+                self.frames.push_back(f);
+            }
+        } else {
+            self.frames.push_front(f);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Collapse to newest-wins for the rest of the stream (PyroWave: its plane-ring
+    /// retirement accounting assumes the depth-2 newest-wins hand-off, and its all-intra
+    /// frames make buffering pointless anyway).
+    ///
+    /// Gated with its only caller: the power-user build (`--no-default-features`, which
+    /// the Windows ARM64 leg ships) has no PyroWave decode path, and an ungated helper
+    /// is dead code there.
+    #[cfg(feature = "pyrowave")]
+    pub(crate) fn force_latency(&mut self) {
+        if self.capacity == 0 {
+            return;
+        }
+        self.capacity = 0;
+        self.prerolled = false;
+        while self.frames.len() > 1 {
+            self.frames.pop_front();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Drain the window's counters: `(replaced, overflow_drops, underflows)`.
+    pub(crate) fn take_counters(&mut self) -> (u32, u32, u32) {
+        let c = (self.replaced, self.overflow_drops, self.underflows);
+        self.replaced = 0;
+        self.overflow_drops = 0;
+        self.underflows = 0;
+        c
+    }
+}
+
+/// The panel latch grid: a recent on-glass instant + the latch period, extrapolated
+/// forward for slot targeting.
+///
+/// The period learner is the SHARED [`punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid`], not a local
+/// rule. An earlier version of this clock capped the learned period at the display
+/// mode's refresh, on the reasoning that a stream running below panel rate spaces its
+/// presents at k×period and the cap stops a 30 fps stream claiming a 30 Hz panel. That
+/// cap is the same defect the Android presenter shipped in 0.23.0: the seed is only what
+/// the *mode* claims, and when the real panel is slower (a refused mode switch, a
+/// compositor running its own rate) a downward-only learner pins a grid that never
+/// arrives, for the whole session, with no way back. `PanelGrid` moves both ways —
+/// narrowing at once, widening only after eight consecutive agreeing observations and
+/// then to the narrowest of them.
+///
+/// What is fed to it is still the window's MIN spacing: within one window that resists
+/// the k×period inflation the old cap was aimed at, while the streak requirement means a
+/// genuinely slower panel is still discovered. Same grid the host-facing `LatchGrid`
+/// publish reads, so the phase-lock report and the local scheduler cannot disagree.
+pub(crate) struct LatchClock {
+    anchor_ns: u64,
+    /// The previous stamp, kept ACROSS calls. The run loop drains present-wait samples
+    /// every pass, so a "batch" is very often a single stamp — computing spacings only
+    /// within a batch (`windows(2)`) observed nothing at all on glass, and the learner
+    /// silently ran on its seed forever.
+    last_ns: u64,
+    /// Narrowest spacing seen since the last handoff to the grid, and how many have
+    /// accumulated. The grid is fed the MIN of a run rather than every spacing: our
+    /// observations are the spacing of OUR presents, which is k×period whenever the
+    /// stream runs below panel rate, and the min over a run is the best available
+    /// estimate of the true grid step.
+    pending_min_ns: u64,
+    pending_count: u32,
+    grid: punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid,
+    fallback_period_ns: u64,
+}
+
+/// Spacings per handoff to [`punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid`]. Small enough that a real
+/// mode change is picked up in well under a second at any sane frame rate.
+const GRID_OBSERVE_EVERY: u32 = 16;
+
+impl LatchClock {
+    pub(crate) fn new(refresh_hz: u32) -> LatchClock {
+        LatchClock {
+            anchor_ns: 0,
+            last_ns: 0,
+            pending_min_ns: 0,
+            pending_count: 0,
+            grid: punktfunk_core::phase::PanelGrid::seeded(refresh_hz as i32),
+            fallback_period_ns: 1_000_000_000 / u64::from(refresh_hz.max(1)),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Fold on-glass stamps (ascending). Spacings are measured against the previous
+    /// stamp whatever the batching, so the loop's one-sample-per-pass drain still feeds
+    /// the learner.
+    pub(crate) fn note_batch(&mut self, stamps: &[u64]) {
+        for &s in stamps {
+            if self.last_ns != 0 && s > self.last_ns {
+                let d = s - self.last_ns;
+                // < 1 ms apart = a queued pair, not a grid step.
+                if d > 1_000_000 {
+                    self.pending_min_ns = if self.pending_min_ns == 0 {
+                        d
+                    } else {
+                        self.pending_min_ns.min(d)
+                    };
+                    self.pending_count += 1;
+                    if self.pending_count >= GRID_OBSERVE_EVERY {
+                        self.grid.observe(self.pending_min_ns as i64);
+                        self.pending_min_ns = 0;
+                        self.pending_count = 0;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            self.last_ns = s;
+        }
+        if let Some(&last) = stamps.last() {
+            self.anchor_ns = last;
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn period_ns(&self) -> u64 {
+        let learned = self.grid.period_ns();
+        if learned > 0 {
+            learned as u64
+        } else {
+            self.fallback_period_ns
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn anchor_ns(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.anchor_ns
+    }
+
+    /// The first predicted latch strictly after `after_ns` (`anchor + k·period`). With
+    /// no anchor yet: one period out — callers get a usable, if unanchored, deadline.
+    pub(crate) fn next_slot_after(&self, after_ns: u64) -> u64 {
+        let p = self.period_ns();
+        if self.anchor_ns == 0 || after_ns < self.anchor_ns {
+            return after_ns.saturating_add(p);
+        }
+        let k = (after_ns - self.anchor_ns) / p + 1;
+        self.anchor_ns + k * p
+    }
+}
+
+/// Whether the panel is refreshing on a fixed grid or following our cadence.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Debug, Default)]
+pub(crate) enum Cadence {
+    /// Not enough evidence yet — say nothing rather than guess.
+    #[default]
+    Unknown,
+    /// On-glass instants land on multiples of the panel period: a fixed-refresh panel.
+    Fixed,
+    /// On-glass instants track our present spacing instead: variable refresh is live.
+    Variable,
+}
+
+impl Cadence {
+    pub(crate) fn label(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Cadence::Unknown => "",
+            Cadence::Fixed => "no",
+            Cadence::Variable => "yes",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Is variable refresh actually live? **Measured, never queried** — no portable query
+/// exists (SDL exposes none, Wayland does not report adaptive-sync state, and Windows
+/// surfaces nothing through Vulkan), and the platforms that *do* answer have been caught
+/// lying before (Android reports a game-uid's down-rated refresh as the panel's).
+///
+/// The discriminator is quantization. On a fixed-refresh panel every on-glass instant
+/// lands on the vblank grid, so the spacing between consecutive presents is always
+/// ~k×period for whole k — even when the stream runs slower than the panel, where it just
+/// picks a larger k. Under real VRR the panel refreshes *when we present*, so the spacing
+/// follows our own cadence and sits wherever it likes relative to the grid.
+///
+/// So: fold each delta to its distance from the nearest multiple of the period. Tight
+/// against the grid ⇒ Fixed; consistently off it ⇒ Variable. A stream running exactly at
+/// panel rate is indistinguishable either way (both give delta ≈ period), which is
+/// harmless — at that rate VRR has nothing to do.
+pub(crate) struct CadenceProbe {
+    /// Off-grid distances as a fraction of the period, in thousandths.
+    off_grid_milli: Vec<u32>,
+    /// Previous stamp, kept across calls for the same reason [`LatchClock`] does: the
+    /// live drain hands over one sample at a time.
+    last_ns: u64,
+    /// The last round's raw reading and how many rounds have agreed — a verdict is only
+    /// published once [`CADENCE_STABLE_ROUNDS`] agree.
+    candidate: Cadence,
+    agree_rounds: u8,
+    verdict: Cadence,
+}
+
+/// Enough deltas to distinguish jitter from a real off-grid cadence.
+const CADENCE_MIN_SAMPLES: usize = 24;
+/// Consecutive agreeing rounds before a verdict is published.
+///
+/// ⭐ On glass (GNOME/Wayland, .21, 2026-08-02) the raw per-round verdict FLAPPED between
+/// runs with VRR provably disabled. The cause is structural, not a tuning miss: under a
+/// compositor our on-glass stamp is the compositor's release, so anything that perturbs
+/// delivery — an occluded or unfocused surface being throttled, a distressed pipeline
+/// missing vblanks — smears the spacings exactly the way real VRR does. This probe can
+/// therefore only ever say "presents are not landing on the grid", so it demands
+/// agreement across rounds and refuses evidence from a distressed window (see
+/// [`CadenceProbe::note`]'s `healthy` flag) before claiming anything.
+const CADENCE_STABLE_ROUNDS: u8 = 2;
+/// Median off-grid distance under this fraction of a period reads as grid-locked. Present
+/// stamps carry real measurement jitter (the wait returns, then we read the clock), so
+/// this is deliberately loose — the two regimes differ by far more than this in practice.
+const CADENCE_FIXED_MILLI: u32 = 150;
+
+impl CadenceProbe {
+    pub(crate) fn new() -> CadenceProbe {
+        CadenceProbe {
+            off_grid_milli: Vec::with_capacity(64),
+            last_ns: 0,
+            candidate: Cadence::Unknown,
+            agree_rounds: 0,
+            verdict: Cadence::Unknown,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Fold on-glass stamps against the learned panel period. Spacings are measured
+    /// against the previous stamp whatever the batching.
+    ///
+    /// `healthy` is the caller's statement that this window's presents were flowing
+    /// normally (no stale force-opens). A distressed pipeline smears spacings for reasons
+    /// that have nothing to do with the panel, so its evidence is dropped — the timeline
+    /// continuity is still advanced, it simply does not count as a sample.
+    pub(crate) fn note(&mut self, stamps: &[u64], period_ns: u64, healthy: bool) {
+        if period_ns == 0 || !healthy {
+            self.last_ns = stamps.last().copied().unwrap_or(self.last_ns);
+            return;
+        }
+        for &s in stamps {
+            let prev = std::mem::replace(&mut self.last_ns, s);
+            if prev == 0 || s <= prev {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let delta = s - prev;
+            let rem = delta % period_ns;
+            // Distance to the NEAREST multiple, so a delta just under k×period reads as
+            // close to the grid rather than a whole period away from k-1.
+            let off = rem.min(period_ns - rem);
+            self.off_grid_milli
+                .push((off.saturating_mul(1000) / period_ns) as u32);
+            // A round closes on the SAMPLE count, inside the loop — not once per call.
+            // Evaluating per call would make the verdict depend on how the caller happens
+            // to batch its stamps (one big batch = one round, forever short of the
+            // agreement requirement), and the live drain and the tests batch differently.
+            self.close_round_if_ready();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Publish a verdict once a round's worth of spacings agree with the previous round.
+    fn close_round_if_ready(&mut self) {
+        if self.off_grid_milli.len() >= CADENCE_MIN_SAMPLES {
+            self.off_grid_milli.sort_unstable();
+            let median = self.off_grid_milli[self.off_grid_milli.len() / 2];
+            let round = if median <= CADENCE_FIXED_MILLI {
+                Cadence::Fixed
+            } else {
+                Cadence::Variable
+            };
+            if round == self.candidate {
+                self.agree_rounds = self.agree_rounds.saturating_add(1);
+            } else {
+                self.candidate = round;
+                self.agree_rounds = 1;
+            }
+            if self.agree_rounds >= CADENCE_STABLE_ROUNDS {
+                self.verdict = round;
+            }
+            self.off_grid_milli.clear();
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn verdict(&self) -> Cadence {
+        self.verdict
+    }
+
+    /// A mode switch / display change invalidates the evidence.
+    pub(crate) fn reset(&mut self) {
+        self.off_grid_milli.clear();
+        self.last_ns = 0;
+        self.candidate = Cadence::Unknown;
+        self.agree_rounds = 0;
+        self.verdict = Cadence::Unknown;
+    }
+}
+
+/// The FIFO glass budget: at most one undisplayed present in flight, measured by the
+/// present-wait waiter's outstanding count. Never consulted under MAILBOX/IMMEDIATE
+/// (they cannot queue) or without present-wait (nothing to count with — behavior is
+/// then exactly the shipped arrival pacing).
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub(crate) struct PresentGate {
+    /// Submit stamp of the newest tracked present; 0 = none yet.
+    last_present_ns: u64,
+    gated: u32,
+    forced: u32,
+}
+
+impl PresentGate {
+    /// May a new present go out? Open when nothing undisplayed is in flight; a stale
+    /// in-flight present (occlusion, wedged compositor) force-opens after 100 ms so the
+    /// stream survives, counted as `forced`.
+    pub(crate) fn open(&mut self, outstanding: usize, now_ns: u64) -> bool {
+        if outstanding == 0 {
+            return true;
+        }
+        if self.last_present_ns != 0
+            && now_ns.saturating_sub(self.last_present_ns) > STALE_REOPEN_NS
+        {
+            self.forced += 1;
+            return true;
+        }
+        self.gated += 1;
+        false
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn note_present(&mut self, now_ns: u64) {
+        self.last_present_ns = now_ns;
+    }
+
+    /// Drain the window's counters: `(gated, forced)`.
+    pub(crate) fn take_counters(&mut self) -> (u32, u32) {
+        let c = (self.gated, self.forced);
+        self.gated = 0;
+        self.forced = 0;
+        c
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// Newest-wins: submit replaces, take clears, put_back only fills an empty slot.
+    #[test]
+    fn newest_wins_replaces_and_putback_never_clobbers() {
+        let mut s: FrameStore<u32> = FrameStore::new(0);
+        assert!(!s.is_smoothing());
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), None);
+        s.submit(1);
+        s.submit(2);
+        s.submit(3);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(3), "only the newest survives");
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), None);
+        // A taken-but-unpresented frame returns — unless a fresher one arrived.
+        s.submit(4);
+        let f = s.take().unwrap();
+        s.put_back(f);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(4));
+        let f = s.take();
+        assert_eq!(f, None);
+        s.submit(5);
+        let f = s.take().unwrap();
+        s.submit(6);
+        s.put_back(f); // 6 arrived while 5 was out — 6 wins
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(6));
+        assert_eq!(
+            s.take_counters(),
+            (2, 0, 0),
+            "two displacements, no fifo counters"
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// FIFO: preroll to capacity, drop-oldest overflow, underflow re-arms the preroll.
+    #[test]
+    fn fifo_prerolls_overflows_oldest_and_rearms_on_dry() {
+        let mut s: FrameStore<u32> = FrameStore::new(2);
+        assert!(s.is_smoothing());
+        s.submit(1);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), None, "prerolling: below capacity, nothing vends");
+        s.submit(2);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(1), "preroll reached — FIFO order");
+        assert_eq!(
+            s.take(),
+            Some(2),
+            "once prerolled the buffer drains normally"
+        );
+        // Dry after preroll = one underflow, preroll re-arms.
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), None);
+        s.submit(3);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), None, "re-armed preroll holds again");
+        s.submit(4);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(3));
+        // Overflow drops the OLDEST: [4] → [4,5] → 6 evicts 4 → 7 evicts 5.
+        s.submit(5);
+        s.submit(6);
+        s.submit(7);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(6));
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(7));
+        let (replaced, drops, dry) = s.take_counters();
+        assert_eq!(replaced, 0);
+        assert_eq!(drops, 2, "6 evicted 4, 7 evicted 5");
+        assert_eq!(dry, 1);
+    }
+
+    /// put_back under FIFO goes to the FRONT (it is the oldest), and the transient
+    /// capacity+1 is trimmed by the next submit.
+    #[test]
+    fn fifo_putback_restores_order() {
+        let mut s: FrameStore<u32> = FrameStore::new(2);
+        s.submit(1);
+        s.submit(2);
+        let f = s.take().unwrap();
+        s.put_back(f);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(1), "the put-back frame is still first");
+    }
+
+    /// force_latency collapses a smoothing store to a newest-wins slot mid-stream.
+    #[cfg(feature = "pyrowave")]
+    #[test]
+    fn force_latency_collapses_to_one_slot() {
+        let mut s: FrameStore<u32> = FrameStore::new(3);
+        s.submit(1);
+        s.submit(2);
+        s.submit(3);
+        s.force_latency();
+        assert!(!s.is_smoothing());
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(3), "only the newest survives the collapse");
+        s.submit(4);
+        s.submit(5);
+        assert_eq!(s.take(), Some(5));
+    }
+
+    /// The clock learns the min positive spacing (capped at the mode refresh), anchors
+    /// on the newest stamp, and extrapolates the next slot; sub-ms pairs (a queued
+    /// double-present) never become the period.
+    #[test]
+    fn latch_clock_learns_and_extrapolates() {
+        const P: u64 = 16_666_666; // 60 Hz
+        let mut c = LatchClock::new(60);
+        assert_eq!(c.period_ns(), P, "fallback = the mode refresh");
+        // No anchor: a usable deadline one period out.
+        assert_eq!(c.next_slot_after(1_000), 1_000 + P);
+
+        c.note_batch(&[1_000_000_000, 1_000_000_000 + P, 1_000_000_000 + 2 * P]);
+        assert_eq!(c.period_ns(), P);
+        assert_eq!(c.anchor_ns(), 1_000_000_000 + 2 * P);
+        let next = c.next_slot_after(c.anchor_ns());
+        assert_eq!(next, 1_000_000_000 + 3 * P);
+        // Mid-slot query lands on the same boundary; a later one steps whole periods.
+        assert_eq!(c.next_slot_after(next - 1), next);
+        assert_eq!(c.next_slot_after(next), next + P);
+
+        // A queued pair (< 1 ms apart) must not poison the period.
+        c.note_batch(&[2_000_000_000, 2_000_000_500]);
+        assert_eq!(c.period_ns(), P);
+        assert_eq!(c.anchor_ns(), 2_000_000_500, "the anchor still advances");
+
+        // A stream presenting every OTHER refresh spaces its glass stamps at 2×P. One
+        // such window must NOT move the grid — the shared learner needs a streak before
+        // it will widen, which is what keeps a briefly-slow stream from claiming a slow
+        // panel while still allowing a genuinely slower display to be discovered.
+        c.note_batch(&[3_000_000_000, 3_000_000_000 + 2 * P]);
+        assert_eq!(c.period_ns(), P, "one wide window is not a slower panel");
+
+        // A single stamp re-anchors without touching the period.
+        c.note_batch(&[5_000_000_000]);
+        assert_eq!(c.anchor_ns(), 5_000_000_000);
+        assert_eq!(c.period_ns(), P);
+
+        // A faster panel learns its own finer grid.
+        let mut fast = LatchClock::new(120);
+        fast.note_batch(&[1_000_000_000, 1_008_333_333]);
+        assert_eq!(fast.period_ns(), 8_333_333);
+    }
+
+    /// ⭐ The live loop drains present-wait samples EVERY pass, so stamps arrive one at a
+    /// time. Measuring spacings only within a batch meant the learner observed nothing on
+    /// glass and silently ran on its seed (found on .21, 2026-08-02: `period_us` read back
+    /// exactly the 60 Hz fallback while the panel really was 60 Hz — correct by luck, and
+    /// wrong the moment the mode lies).
+    #[test]
+    fn latch_clock_learns_from_one_sample_at_a_time() {
+        const REAL: u64 = 16_666_666;
+        let mut c = LatchClock::new(120); // seeded too fast, as a refused mode switch would
+        let mut t = 1_000_000_000u64;
+        for _ in 0..(GRID_OBSERVE_EVERY * 8 + 8) {
+            t += REAL;
+            c.note_batch(&[t]); // ONE stamp per call — the live shape
+        }
+        assert_eq!(
+            c.period_ns(),
+            REAL,
+            "single-stamp batches must still feed the grid learner"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(c.anchor_ns(), t);
+    }
+
+    /// The mode's refresh is a CLAIM, not a measurement — a refused mode switch or a
+    /// compositor running its own rate leaves the seed too fast. The old downward-only
+    /// cap pinned that wrong grid for the session (the Android 0.23.0 defect); the
+    /// shared learner climbs back out once the evidence is consistent.
+    #[test]
+    fn latch_clock_recovers_from_a_seed_faster_than_the_real_panel() {
+        const REAL: u64 = 16_666_666; // the panel is really 60 Hz…
+        let mut c = LatchClock::new(120); // …but the mode claimed 120
+        assert_eq!(c.period_ns(), 8_333_333, "seeded from the claim");
+
+        // Consistent 60 Hz evidence. The grid is fed the MIN of every
+        // GRID_OBSERVE_EVERY spacings, and PanelGrid widens only after 8 agreeing
+        // observations, so a real widen needs 8 × GRID_OBSERVE_EVERY spacings — the
+        // deliberate cost of not letting one slow patch redefine the panel.
+        let mut t = 1_000_000_000u64;
+        for _ in 0..(GRID_OBSERVE_EVERY * 8 + GRID_OBSERVE_EVERY) {
+            t += REAL;
+            c.note_batch(&[t]);
+        }
+        assert_eq!(
+            c.period_ns(),
+            REAL,
+            "a sustained slower grid is adopted instead of aimed past forever"
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// The VRR discriminator: presents landing on the vblank grid read Fixed, presents
+    /// landing wherever our own cadence puts them read Variable — including the case that
+    /// matters most, a stream SLOWER than the panel, where a fixed panel still quantizes
+    /// to a larger whole multiple.
+    #[test]
+    fn cadence_probe_separates_grid_locked_from_variable() {
+        const P: u64 = 8_333_333; // 120 Hz
+                                  // Enough spacings for CADENCE_STABLE_ROUNDS full rounds: a verdict is published
+                                  // only once consecutive rounds agree (on glass a single round FLAPPED).
+        const ROUNDS: u64 = (CADENCE_MIN_SAMPLES as u64) * (CADENCE_STABLE_ROUNDS as u64) + 4;
+
+        // Fixed panel, stream at panel rate: every delta is exactly one period.
+        let mut probe = CadenceProbe::new();
+        assert_eq!(probe.verdict(), Cadence::Unknown, "no evidence yet");
+        let stamps: Vec<u64> = (0..ROUNDS).map(|i| 1_000_000_000 + i * P).collect();
+        probe.note(&stamps, P, true);
+        assert_eq!(probe.verdict(), Cadence::Fixed);
+
+        // Fixed panel, stream at HALF panel rate: deltas are 2×P — still grid-locked.
+        let mut probe = CadenceProbe::new();
+        let stamps: Vec<u64> = (0..ROUNDS).map(|i| 1_000_000_000 + i * 2 * P).collect();
+        probe.note(&stamps, P, true);
+        assert_eq!(
+            probe.verdict(),
+            Cadence::Fixed,
+            "a slower stream on a fixed panel picks a larger k, it does not leave the grid"
+        );
+
+        // Fixed panel with realistic measurement jitter (±0.5 ms on an 8.3 ms period)
+        // must not read as variable.
+        let mut probe = CadenceProbe::new();
+        let jitter = [0i64, 300_000, -250_000, 120_000, -400_000, 80_000];
+        let stamps: Vec<u64> = (0..ROUNDS as usize)
+            .map(|i| (1_000_000_000 + i as i64 * P as i64 + jitter[i % jitter.len()]) as u64)
+            .collect();
+        probe.note(&stamps, P, true);
+        assert_eq!(probe.verdict(), Cadence::Fixed, "jitter is not VRR");
+
+        // VRR live: a 100 fps stream on a 120 Hz-max panel. 10 ms is not a multiple of
+        // 8.33 ms, so every present sits off the grid.
+        let mut probe = CadenceProbe::new();
+        let stamps: Vec<u64> = (0..ROUNDS)
+            .map(|i| 1_000_000_000 + i * 10_000_000)
+            .collect();
+        probe.note(&stamps, P, true);
+        assert_eq!(probe.verdict(), Cadence::Variable);
+
+        // A display change throws the evidence away rather than carrying a stale verdict.
+        probe.reset();
+        assert_eq!(probe.verdict(), Cadence::Unknown);
+
+        // Below the sample floor nothing is claimed.
+        let mut probe = CadenceProbe::new();
+        probe.note(&[1_000_000_000, 1_010_000_000, 1_020_000_000], P, true);
+        assert_eq!(probe.verdict(), Cadence::Unknown);
+
+        // ⭐ THE SHAPE THE LIVE LOOP ACTUALLY PRODUCES: the run loop drains present-wait
+        // samples every pass, so stamps arrive ONE AT A TIME. Measuring spacings only
+        // within a batch observed nothing at all on glass — `vrr` stayed Unknown and the
+        // latch clock ran on its seed forever. Found on .21, 2026-08-02.
+        let mut probe = CadenceProbe::new();
+        for i in 0..ROUNDS {
+            probe.note(&[1_000_000_000 + i * 10_000_000], P, true); // 100 fps, off a 120 Hz grid
+        }
+        assert_eq!(
+            probe.verdict(),
+            Cadence::Variable,
+            "one-sample batches must still yield spacings"
+        );
+
+        // A period we never learned can't discriminate anything.
+        let mut probe = CadenceProbe::new();
+        let stamps: Vec<u64> = (0..ROUNDS)
+            .map(|i| 1_000_000_000 + i * 10_000_000)
+            .collect();
+        probe.note(&stamps, 0, true);
+        assert_eq!(probe.verdict(), Cadence::Unknown);
+    }
+
+    /// ⭐ Batching must not change the verdict. The same spacings delivered as one big
+    /// batch, or one stamp at a time, must reach the same conclusion — the live loop
+    /// drains one at a time while tests hand over vectors, and an evaluation keyed to
+    /// call boundaries silently made the two disagree.
+    #[test]
+    fn cadence_verdict_is_independent_of_batching() {
+        const P: u64 = 8_333_333;
+        let n = (CADENCE_MIN_SAMPLES as u64) * (CADENCE_STABLE_ROUNDS as u64) + 4;
+
+        let stamps: Vec<u64> = (0..n).map(|i| 1_000_000_000 + i * P).collect();
+        let mut bulk = CadenceProbe::new();
+        bulk.note(&stamps, P, true);
+
+        let mut drip = CadenceProbe::new();
+        for s in &stamps {
+            drip.note(&[*s], P, true);
+        }
+
+        assert_eq!(bulk.verdict(), Cadence::Fixed);
+        assert_eq!(drip.verdict(), bulk.verdict(), "batching must not matter");
+    }
+
+    /// Gate: open at zero outstanding, closed at one, force-open past the stale bound.
+    #[test]
+    fn gate_budgets_one_undisplayed_present() {
+        let mut g = PresentGate::default();
+        let t0 = 1_000_000_000u64;
+        assert!(g.open(0, t0));
+        g.note_present(t0);
+        assert!(!g.open(1, t0 + 8_000_000), "one in flight — hold");
+        assert!(
+            g.open(1, t0 + STALE_REOPEN_NS + 1),
+            "stale in-flight present force-opens"
+        );
+        let (gated, forced) = g.take_counters();
+        assert_eq!((gated, forced), (1, 1));
+        assert_eq!(g.take_counters(), (0, 0), "counters drain");
+    }
+}

crates/pf-presenter/src/run.rs

@@ -12,15 +12,21 @@
 //! overlay tier isn't Off (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S cycles Off → Compact → Normal → Detailed;
 //! the stdout line always carries the full Detailed text so parsers see a stable
 //! shape). Logs go to stderr (the binary configures tracing so).
+//!
+//! In-stream chords all share the Ctrl+Alt+Shift prefix: Q release/engage, M mouse model,
+//! D disconnect, S stats tier, V microphone mute.
 
 use crate::input::{Capture, FingerPhase};
 use crate::overlay::{FrameCtx, Overlay, OverlayAction, OverlayFrame, SessionPhase};
+use crate::present_pace::{
+    Cadence, CadenceProbe, FrameStore, LatchClock, PresentGate, MARGIN_MAX_NS, MARGIN_STEP_NS,
+};
 use crate::touch::Abs;
 use crate::vk::{FrameInput, Presenter};
 use anyhow::{Context as _, Result};
 use pf_client_core::gamepad::GamepadService;
 use pf_client_core::session::{self, SessionEvent, SessionHandle, SessionParams, Stats};
-use pf_client_core::trust::{MouseMode, StatsVerbosity, TouchMode};
+use pf_client_core::trust::{MouseMode, PresentPriority, StatsVerbosity, TouchMode};
 use pf_client_core::video::VulkanDecodeDevice;
 use pf_client_core::video::{DecodedFrame, DecodedImage};
 use punktfunk_core::client::NativeClient;
@@ -60,6 +66,20 @@ pub struct SessionOpts {
     /// work profile that streams on a second screen and still Alt-Tabs here. Never applies
     /// under the `desktop` mouse model, which is something you Alt-Tab *away* from.
     pub inhibit_shortcuts: bool,
+    /// Presentation intent ([`Settings::present_priority`] resolved): `Latency` keeps the
+    /// shipped arrival pacing (newest-wins, present the moment a frame can go out);
+    /// `Smooth { buffer }` runs the smoothing FIFO drained one frame per latch slot
+    /// (design/desktop-presentation-rebuild.md). `PUNKTFUNK_PRESENTER=arrival` overrides
+    /// the whole engine back to the legacy drain for field A/B without a rebuild.
+    pub present_priority: PresentPriority,
+    /// Tear-free presentation ([`Settings::vsync`], default on). Off asks for a tearing
+    /// present mode for the lowest possible latch — best-effort, and the mode that
+    /// actually took is named in the stats line.
+    pub vsync: bool,
+    /// Let a variable-refresh display follow the stream cadence ([`Settings::allow_vrr`],
+    /// default on) — prefers the present mode that drives VRR panels directly when the
+    /// session starts fullscreen.
+    pub allow_vrr: bool,
     /// Emit the `{"ready":true}` stdout line after the first presented frame.
     pub json_status: bool,
     /// Called once on `Connected` with the host's fingerprint (trust persistence is the
@@ -201,12 +221,56 @@ struct StreamState {
     /// mid-stream re-syncs keep the end-to-end number honest after an NTP step / drift.
     clock_offset: Option<Arc<std::sync::atomic::AtomicI64>>,
     hdr: bool,
+    /// The presented lane was the CPU/software one, where a PQ stream is shown RAW — the
+    /// software path has no tone-map pass at all (the presenter uploads swscale RGBA
+    /// as-is; the CSC mode-1 tonemap is hardware-lane only) — so the OSD badge reads
+    /// `HDR→SDR (raw)` there instead of claiming a tone-map that never ran.
+    hdr_untonemapped: bool,
     // Presenter-side 1 s window (design/stats-unification.md): end-to-end
     // capture→displayed (host-clock corrected) p50+p95, display = decoded→displayed p50.
     win_e2e_us: Vec<u64>,
     win_disp_us: Vec<u64>,
+    /// The display stage's two halves (present-timing sessions only): decoded→submit and
+    /// submit→on-glass. See [`PresentedWindow::pace_ms`].
+    win_pace_us: Vec<u64>,
+    win_latch_us: Vec<u64>,
     win_start: Instant,
     presented: PresentedWindow,
+    /// The intent engine (design/desktop-presentation-rebuild.md WP2): the decoded-frame
+    /// store between the wake channel and the present call — a newest-wins slot under
+    /// the latency intent (behaviorally the shipped drain), the smoothing FIFO under
+    /// smoothness. NOTE: a smoothing store holds decoder-pool frames (Vulkan-Video
+    /// AVFrames) up to `buffer` deep on top of the depth-2 wake channels — within pool
+    /// headroom for 1..=3, but any deeper store must revisit pool sizing.
+    store: FrameStore<DecodedFrame>,
+    /// The panel latch grid (present-wait glass stamps; submit-anchored fallback) — the
+    /// smoothness slot clock, and the values published to the host-facing `latch_grid`.
+    clock: LatchClock,
+    /// The FIFO glass budget (one undisplayed present in flight) — inert off FIFO modes
+    /// or without present timing.
+    gate: PresentGate,
+    /// Is variable refresh actually live? Measured from the same on-glass stamps (no
+    /// portable query exists) — see [`CadenceProbe`].
+    cadence: CadenceProbe,
+    /// The DISPLAY MODE's refresh period — the vblank grid presents quantize to when
+    /// VRR is off, and so the cadence probe's reference. Deliberately not the learned
+    /// period (see the probe's call site).
+    mode_period_ns: u64,
+    /// The latch slot the last smoothness present served (one present per slot); 0 =
+    /// none yet.
+    last_target_ns: u64,
+    /// Smoothness slot-pick margin: starts 0 (a fixed lead is pure display tax —
+    /// measured on Android), widens +500 µs per >2-miss window toward 2.5 ms.
+    margin_ns: u64,
+    /// This window's latch misses (a present that reached glass > 1.5 latch periods
+    /// after submit) — the adaptive margin's error signal.
+    win_misses: u32,
+    /// This window's peak undisplayed-presents-in-flight (present timing only).
+    win_out_max: usize,
+    /// One-shot log latch: smoothness was requested but a PyroWave stream collapsed the
+    /// store to latency (its plane-ring retirement assumes the newest-wins hand-off).
+    #[cfg(all(any(target_os = "linux", windows), feature = "pyrowave"))]
+    pyro_latency_forced: bool,
     // Hardware-path health: a failure streak (or a device with no import support at
     // all) demotes the decoder to software via the shared flag — once per session.
     dmabuf_demoted: bool,
@@ -271,6 +335,8 @@ impl StreamState {
         params: SessionParams,
         force_software: Arc<AtomicBool>,
         wake: sdl3::event::EventSender,
+        priority: PresentPriority,
+        native_refresh_hz: u32,
     ) -> StreamState {
         let profile = params.profile.clone();
         // The presenter's half of phase-locked capture: it writes the latch grid the
@@ -305,10 +371,24 @@ impl StreamState {
             latch_grid,
             clock_offset: None,
             hdr: false,
+            hdr_untonemapped: false,
             win_e2e_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
             win_disp_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
+            win_pace_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
+            win_latch_us: Vec::with_capacity(256),
             win_start: Instant::now(),
             presented: PresentedWindow::default(),
+            store: FrameStore::new(usize::from(priority.fifo_capacity())),
+            clock: LatchClock::new(native_refresh_hz),
+            gate: PresentGate::default(),
+            cadence: CadenceProbe::new(),
+            mode_period_ns: 1_000_000_000 / u64::from(native_refresh_hz.max(1)),
+            last_target_ns: 0,
+            margin_ns: 0,
+            win_misses: 0,
+            win_out_max: 0,
+            #[cfg(all(any(target_os = "linux", windows), feature = "pyrowave"))]
+            pyro_latency_forced: false,
             dmabuf_demoted: false,
             #[cfg(all(any(target_os = "linux", windows), feature = "pyrowave"))]
             pyro_present_warned: false,
@@ -347,6 +427,25 @@ impl StreamState {
         }
         self.handle.stop.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
     }
+
+    /// The event-loop wait bound: a smoothness stream with buffered frames sleeps only
+    /// to its next latch-slot deadline; everything else keeps the 15 ms housekeeping
+    /// tick (frames, input, and present completions all wake the loop early anyway).
+    fn wake_timeout(&self) -> Duration {
+        const TICK: Duration = Duration::from_millis(15);
+        if !self.store.is_smoothing() || self.store.is_empty() {
+            return TICK;
+        }
+        let now = session::now_ns();
+        let mut target = self
+            .clock
+            .next_slot_after(now.saturating_add(self.margin_ns));
+        if target == self.last_target_ns {
+            // This slot is already served — the next boundary is the deadline.
+            target += self.clock.period_ns();
+        }
+        Duration::from_nanos(target.saturating_sub(now)).clamp(Duration::from_millis(1), TICK)
+    }
 }
 
 /// Whether a present error is `VK_ERROR_DEVICE_LOST` anywhere in its chain. A lost
@@ -429,9 +528,43 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
     let instance_exts = window
         .vulkan_instance_extensions()
         .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("vulkan instance extensions: {e}"))?;
-    let mut presenter = Presenter::new(&window, &instance_exts).context("vulkan presenter")?;
+    let mut presenter = Presenter::new(
+        &window,
+        &instance_exts,
+        crate::vk::PresentPref {
+            vsync: opts.vsync,
+            allow_vrr: opts.allow_vrr,
+            fullscreen: opts.fullscreen,
+            // `vrr_fifo_opt_in` (env) and `fifo_latest_ready` (device capability) are
+            // both resolved inside `Presenter::new` — the swapchain owns those, so every
+            // caller gets the same answer. `..Default` keeps this site from breaking each
+            // time the struct learns another one.
+            ..Default::default()
+        },
+    )
+    .context("vulkan presenter")?;
     // A valid black frame immediately — the window is honest while the connect runs.
     presenter.present(&window, FrameInput::Redraw, None)?;
+
+    // `PUNKTFUNK_PRESENTER=arrival` — the legacy drain, the intent engine's field-A/B
+    // kill switch (the Android sysprop pattern: no rebuild to bisect a pacing suspicion).
+    let arrival_override = std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_PRESENTER").ok().as_deref() == Some("arrival");
+    let present_priority = if arrival_override {
+        tracing::info!("PUNKTFUNK_PRESENTER=arrival — presentation pacing disabled");
+        PresentPriority::Latency
+    } else {
+        opts.present_priority
+    };
+    let pacing_active = !arrival_override;
+    let present_debug = std::env::var_os("PUNKTFUNK_PRESENT_DEBUG").is_some();
+    // Present completions wake the loop exactly like decoded frames: a glass-gate
+    // reopen or a smoothness slot must not wait out the event timeout.
+    {
+        let sender = events.event_sender();
+        presenter.set_present_wake(Box::new(move || {
+            let _ = sender.push_custom_event(FrameWake);
+        }));
+    }
     // Browse mode is "ready" the moment the library window presents — there may never be
     // a stream. (Single mode announces on the first VIDEO frame instead, further down, so
     // a shell only yields to a window that actually shows the stream.)
@@ -508,6 +641,8 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                 params,
                 force_software,
                 events.event_sender(),
+                present_priority,
+                native.refresh_hz,
             ))
         }
         ModeCtl::Browse(_) => None,
@@ -535,8 +670,11 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
         // forwarder's FrameWake) all land in this one queue, so the loop wakes exactly
         // when there is work — a short-timeout poll here burned a full core (measured;
         // the timeout only bounds stop-flag/pump-tick latency now). In browse-idle the
-        // per-iteration FIFO present vsync-throttles the loop anyway.
-        let timeout = Duration::from_millis(15);
+        // per-iteration FIFO present vsync-throttles the loop anyway. A smoothness
+        // stream tightens the bound to its next latch-slot deadline.
+        let timeout = stream
+            .as_ref()
+            .map_or(Duration::from_millis(15), |st| st.wake_timeout());
         let first = event_pump.wait_event_timeout(timeout);
         let mut queued: Vec<Event> = Vec::new();
         if let Some(e) = first {
@@ -599,6 +737,29 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                             }
                         }
                     }
+                    // Dragged to another monitor (or the mode changed under us): the
+                    // latch grid and the VRR verdict both belong to the OLD panel. The
+                    // refresh rate used to be read once at startup and never revisited,
+                    // so a 60 Hz-seeded clock would keep pacing a 144 Hz panel.
+                    WindowEvent::DisplayChanged(..) => {
+                        let hz = window
+                            .get_display()
+                            .and_then(|d| d.get_mode())
+                            .map(|m| m.refresh_rate.round().max(0.0) as u32)
+                            .unwrap_or(0);
+                        if let Some(st) = stream.as_mut() {
+                            if hz > 0 {
+                                st.clock = LatchClock::new(hz);
+                                st.mode_period_ns = 1_000_000_000 / u64::from(hz);
+                            }
+                            st.cadence.reset();
+                            st.last_target_ns = 0;
+                            tracing::info!(
+                                refresh_hz = hz,
+                                "display changed — relearning the latch grid"
+                            );
+                        }
+                    }
                     WindowEvent::Exposed => {
                         presenter.present(&window, FrameInput::Redraw, overlay_frame.as_ref())?;
                     }
@@ -681,6 +842,23 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                         tracing::info!(tier = ?stats_verbosity, "chord: stats verbosity");
                         continue;
                     }
+                    // Mic mute (B4) — "V" for voice; M and S are taken. Per session and never
+                    // persisted: this is the doorbell/cough key, not a settings change. The
+                    // uplink keeps running while muted (see `MicStreamer::spawn`); only the
+                    // sending stops. A session streaming no mic says so instead of silently
+                    // swallowing the chord — the overlay would have nothing to show either.
+                    if chord && sc == Scancode::V {
+                        if let Some(st) = &stream {
+                            match st.handle.mic.toggle() {
+                                Some(muted) => tracing::info!(muted, "chord: microphone mute"),
+                                None => tracing::info!(
+                                    "chord: microphone mute — this session streams no \
+                                     microphone (turn it on in Settings)"
+                                ),
+                            }
+                        }
+                        continue;
+                    }
                     // F11 or Alt+Enter (some keyboards' Fn layer sends a media key for
                     // plain F11 — the Moonlight-standard alias always exists).
                     let alt_enter =
@@ -1006,6 +1184,8 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                                     *params,
                                     force_software,
                                     events.event_sender(),
+                                    present_priority,
+                                    native.refresh_hz,
                                 ));
                                 if let Some(o) = overlay.as_mut() {
                                     o.session_phase(SessionPhase::Connecting);
@@ -1083,6 +1263,7 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                         &st.presented,
                         st.hdr,
                         presenter.hdr_active(),
+                        st.hdr_untonemapped,
                         st.profile.as_deref(),
                     );
                     if stats_verbosity != StatsVerbosity::Off {
@@ -1095,6 +1276,7 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                             &st.presented,
                             st.hdr,
                             presenter.hdr_active(),
+                            st.hdr_untonemapped,
                             st.profile.as_deref(),
                         );
                         println!("stats: {}", full.replace('\n', " | "));
@@ -1208,6 +1390,10 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
             let resizing = stream
                 .as_ref()
                 .is_some_and(|st| st.connector.is_some() && st.resize_overlay.active());
+            // Read live from the session's control rather than mirrored into StreamState: the
+            // pump is what knows whether an uplink exists (it may have failed to open), and a
+            // mirrored copy would be the thing that goes stale at session end.
+            let mic_muted = stream.as_ref().is_some_and(|st| st.handle.mic.muted());
             let ctx = FrameCtx {
                 width: pw,
                 height: ph,
@@ -1217,6 +1403,7 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                 scale: overlay_scale(window.display_scale(), osd_scale_pref),
                 stats,
                 hint,
+                mic_muted,
                 resizing,
                 pad: pad.as_ref().map(|p| p.name.as_str()),
                 pad_pref: pad.as_ref().map(|p| p.pref),
@@ -1246,11 +1433,148 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                     presenter.set_hdr_metadata(m);
                 }
             }
-            let mut newest: Option<DecodedFrame> = None;
-            while let Ok(f) = st.frames.try_recv() {
-                newest = Some(f);
+            // Present-wait completions drive the latch clock, the glass gate, and the
+            // host-facing grid — drained every pass (a 1 Hz batch would starve all
+            // three; the waiter's SDL wake pairs with this so completions never wait
+            // out the event timeout).
+            if presenter.present_timing_active() {
+                let samples = presenter.take_presented_samples();
+                if !samples.is_empty() {
+                    let clock_offset_ns = st
+                        .clock_offset
+                        .as_ref()
+                        .map_or(0, |o| o.load(Ordering::Relaxed));
+                    let period = st.clock.period_ns();
+                    let mut stamps = Vec::with_capacity(samples.len());
+                    for s in &samples {
+                        let e2e = (s.displayed_ns as i128 + clock_offset_ns as i128
+                            - s.pts_ns as i128)
+                            .max(0) as u64;
+                        if e2e > 0 && e2e < 10_000_000_000 {
+                            st.win_e2e_us.push(e2e / 1000);
+                        }
+                        st.win_disp_us
+                            .push(s.displayed_ns.saturating_sub(s.decoded_ns) / 1000);
+                        // The display split (WP4): our pipeline vs the vsync latch. Only
+                        // meaningful with true glass stamps, which is exactly when this
+                        // branch runs.
+                        st.win_pace_us
+                            .push(s.submitted_ns.saturating_sub(s.decoded_ns) / 1000);
+                        st.win_latch_us
+                            .push(s.displayed_ns.saturating_sub(s.submitted_ns) / 1000);
+                        // Latch miss (the adaptive margin's error signal): glass later
+                        // than one panel period past submit, PLUS the lead we already
+                        // applied — i.e. the slot we aimed at was missed. Measuring the
+                        // real latch rather than the store's own evictions is the
+                        // Android 0.23.0 correction: policy drops happen whenever the
+                        // stream out-runs the panel and say nothing about the latch, and
+                        // widening on them walked the margin to its ceiling on healthy
+                        // devices, re-imposing the very display latency it had removed.
+                        if st.store.is_smoothing()
+                            && s.displayed_ns.saturating_sub(s.submitted_ns) > period + st.margin_ns
+                        {
+                            st.win_misses += 1;
+                        }
+                        stamps.push(s.displayed_ns);
+                    }
+                    st.clock.note_batch(&stamps);
+                    // Same stamps answer "is VRR live" — the panel either quantizes them
+                    // to its grid or follows our cadence. Evidence only counts from a
+                    // window whose presents were flowing normally: a distressed pipeline
+                    // (stale force-opens) smears spacings for reasons that have nothing
+                    // to do with the panel, and on glass that flapped the verdict.
+                    //
+                    // ⚠ The reference is the DISPLAY MODE's period, NOT the learned one.
+                    // The learned grid comes from our own present spacings, and a stream
+                    // running below panel rate only ever produces multiples ≥ its frame
+                    // interval — so the learner adopts our cadence as "the grid" and every
+                    // delta then looks on-grid by construction. Measured on .21
+                    // (2026-08-02): a 40-50 fps stream on a 60 Hz panel learned 18-22 ms
+                    // and the probe reported VRR on a display with VRR provably disabled.
+                    // The vblank grid is the mode's refresh; that is what presents
+                    // quantize to when VRR is off.
+                    //
+                    // ⚠⚠ And it is only asked under a FIFO-family mode. The whole test
+                    // rests on "with VRR off, a present waits for vblank" — MAILBOX and
+                    // IMMEDIATE deliberately break that, so their stamps are never
+                    // grid-quantized and the probe would call every mailbox session VRR.
+                    // Measured on .21: same panel, same second — fifo read `no`
+                    // (correct, period 16.56 ms), mailbox read `yes` (wrong). Outside
+                    // FIFO the honest answer is "cannot tell", i.e. Unknown.
+                    let healthy = st.presented.forced == 0;
+                    if presenter.vblank_locked() {
+                        st.cadence.note(&stamps, st.mode_period_ns, healthy);
+                    }
+                    // Phase-locked capture, the presenter's half: publish the grid the
+                    // local clock just learned — a recent TRUE on-glass instant plus
+                    // the latch period — for the pump's ~1 Hz PhaseReport. One learner
+                    // feeds both, so the report and the scheduler cannot disagree.
+                    if let Some(grid) = &st.latch_grid {
+                        grid.period_ns
+                            .store(st.clock.period_ns(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+                        grid.anchor_ns
+                            .store(st.clock.anchor_ns(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+                    }
+                }
             }
-            if let Some(f) = newest {
+
+            // Intake into the intent store: a newest-wins slot under latency (the
+            // shipped drain, now with displacement counters), the smoothing FIFO under
+            // smoothness. PyroWave collapses smoothness to latency for the stream: its
+            // plane-ring retirement accounting assumes the newest-wins hand-off
+            // (`video_pyrowave::RETIRE_HANDOVERS`), and all-intra frames make
+            // buffering moot anyway.
+            while let Ok(f) = st.frames.try_recv() {
+                #[cfg(all(any(target_os = "linux", windows), feature = "pyrowave"))]
+                if st.store.is_smoothing() && matches!(f.image, DecodedImage::PyroWave(_)) {
+                    st.store.force_latency();
+                    if !st.pyro_latency_forced {
+                        st.pyro_latency_forced = true;
+                        tracing::info!(
+                            "PyroWave stream — smoothness buffering does not apply \
+                             (latency pacing)"
+                        );
+                    }
+                }
+                st.store.submit(f);
+            }
+
+            // One frame out, by intent: latency takes the newest whenever the glass
+            // gate allows; smoothness serves at most one frame per latch slot (the
+            // preroll/underflow behavior lives in the store).
+            let now_ns = session::now_ns();
+            let mut slot_target = 0u64;
+            let mut to_present = if st.store.is_smoothing() {
+                let target = st
+                    .clock
+                    .next_slot_after(now_ns.saturating_add(st.margin_ns));
+                if target != st.last_target_ns {
+                    slot_target = target;
+                    st.store.take()
+                } else {
+                    None
+                }
+            } else {
+                st.store.take()
+            };
+            // The FIFO glass budget: one undisplayed present in flight, so the
+            // swapchain's own FIFO can never become a standing queue (a measured
+            // 11-13 ms at 60 Hz on MAILBOX-less drivers). Only FIFO modes queue and
+            // only present timing can count, so everywhere else this stays inert and
+            // behavior is the shipped arrival pacing.
+            if pacing_active && presenter.needs_glass_gate() && presenter.present_timing_active() {
+                if let Some(f) = to_present.take() {
+                    if st.gate.open(presenter.presents_outstanding(), now_ns) {
+                        to_present = Some(f);
+                    } else {
+                        // Parked: a newest-wins store replaces it if a fresher frame
+                        // lands; the waiter's wake (or the 100 ms stale force-open)
+                        // retries.
+                        st.store.put_back(f);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            if let Some(f) = to_present {
                 // Resize END: a frame at the steered target size means the sharp new-mode
                 // picture is here — lift the scrim. A no-op unless a switch is in flight.
                 let (fw, fh) = f.image.dimensions();
@@ -1271,6 +1595,7 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                         // HDR (PQ) pyrowave session presents through the HDR10 path exactly
                         // like the H.26x codecs (design/pyrowave-444-hdr.md Phase 3).
                         st.hdr = f.color.is_pq();
+                        st.hdr_untonemapped = false;
                         match presenter.present(
                             &window,
                             FrameInput::PyroWave(f),
@@ -1298,6 +1623,9 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                     }
                     DecodedImage::Cpu(c) => {
                         st.hdr = c.color.is_pq();
+                        // The software lane shows PQ raw (no tone-map pass exists there)
+                        // — the OSD badge must not claim `HDR→SDR` for it.
+                        st.hdr_untonemapped = true;
                         presenter.present(&window, FrameInput::Cpu(&c), overlay_frame.as_ref())?
                     }
                     #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
@@ -1305,6 +1633,7 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                         if presenter.supports_dmabuf() && !st.dmabuf_demoted =>
                     {
                         st.hdr = d.color.is_pq();
+                        st.hdr_untonemapped = false;
                         match presenter.present(
                             &window,
                             FrameInput::Dmabuf(d),
@@ -1355,6 +1684,7 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                     #[cfg(windows)]
                     DecodedImage::D3d11(d) if presenter.supports_d3d11() && !st.dmabuf_demoted => {
                         st.hdr = d.color.is_pq();
+                        st.hdr_untonemapped = false;
                         match presenter.present(
                             &window,
                             FrameInput::D3d11(d),
@@ -1401,6 +1731,7 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                     // demotion contract as the dmabuf path.
                     DecodedImage::VkFrame(v) if !st.dmabuf_demoted => {
                         st.hdr = v.color.is_pq();
+                        st.hdr_untonemapped = false;
                         match presenter.present(
                             &window,
                             FrameInput::VkFrame(v),
@@ -1432,6 +1763,12 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                 };
                 if did_present {
                     presented_video = true;
+                    // Smoothness: this latch slot is served — one present per slot.
+                    // (Set only on success: a gated or failed present leaves the slot
+                    // open for the retry.)
+                    if slot_target != 0 {
+                        st.last_target_ns = slot_target;
+                    }
                     if opts.json_status && !st.ready_announced {
                         st.ready_announced = true;
                         println!("{{\"ready\":true}}");
@@ -1441,6 +1778,8 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                         // e2e/display samples arrive via `take_presented_samples` with a
                         // TRUE on-glass stamp instead of the submit-time one below.
                         presenter.note_presented(pts_ns, decoded_ns);
+                        st.gate.note_present(now_ns);
+                        st.win_out_max = st.win_out_max.max(presenter.presents_outstanding());
                     } else {
                         let displayed_ns = session::now_ns();
                         // The `displayed` stamp (same clamp rules as the pump's windows).
@@ -1455,59 +1794,81 @@ fn run_inner(mut opts: SessionOpts, mut mode: ModeCtl) -> Result<Option<Outcome>
                         }
                         st.win_disp_us
                             .push(displayed_ns.saturating_sub(decoded_ns) / 1000);
+                        // No glass stamps on this stack: the submit instant anchors an
+                        // approximate grid on the mode's refresh period, so smoothness
+                        // still drains one frame per (approximate) slot.
+                        st.clock.note_batch(&[displayed_ns]);
                     }
                 }
             }
 
             // Fold the presenter window into the shared stats line once per second.
+            // (The on-glass samples themselves are drained every pass above — they
+            // drive the latch clock and glass gate, not just this fold.)
             if st.win_start.elapsed() >= Duration::from_secs(1) {
-                // On-glass samples the present-wait waiter completed this window (empty
-                // when timing is inactive — the legacy submit-time pushes fill in then).
-                let clock_offset_ns = st
-                    .clock_offset
-                    .as_ref()
-                    .map_or(0, |o| o.load(Ordering::Relaxed));
-                let samples = presenter.take_presented_samples();
-                // Phase-locked capture, the presenter's half: publish this window's latch
-                // grid — a recent TRUE on-glass instant plus the panel period — for the
-                // pump's ~1 Hz PhaseReport. The period is the min positive spacing of
-                // consecutive on-glass stamps (Apple's method: honest under VRR), capped
-                // by the display mode's refresh — under arrival-paced MAILBOX a stream
-                // running below the panel rate spaces its presents at k×period, and the
-                // cap keeps a 30 fps stream from claiming a 30 Hz panel grid.
-                if let Some(grid) = &st.latch_grid {
-                    if let Some(last) = samples.last() {
-                        let refresh_period = 1_000_000_000u64 / u64::from(native.refresh_hz.max(1));
-                        let min_delta = samples
-                            .windows(2)
-                            .map(|w| w[1].displayed_ns.saturating_sub(w[0].displayed_ns))
-                            .filter(|&d| d > 1_000_000) // < 1 ms apart = queued pair, not a grid step
-                            .min()
-                            .unwrap_or(refresh_period);
-                        grid.period_ns
-                            .store(min_delta.min(refresh_period), Ordering::Relaxed);
-                        grid.anchor_ns.store(last.displayed_ns, Ordering::Relaxed);
-                    }
-                }
-                for s in samples {
-                    let e2e = (s.displayed_ns as i128 + clock_offset_ns as i128 - s.pts_ns as i128)
-                        .max(0) as u64;
-                    if e2e > 0 && e2e < 10_000_000_000 {
-                        st.win_e2e_us.push(e2e / 1000);
-                    }
-                    st.win_disp_us
-                        .push(s.displayed_ns.saturating_sub(s.decoded_ns) / 1000);
-                }
                 let (e2e_p50, e2e_p95) = session::window_percentiles(&mut st.win_e2e_us);
                 let (disp_p50, _) = session::window_percentiles(&mut st.win_disp_us);
+                let (pace_p50, _) = session::window_percentiles(&mut st.win_pace_us);
+                let (latch_p50, _) = session::window_percentiles(&mut st.win_latch_us);
+                // Drained ONCE per window and shared by the HUD and the log line below —
+                // a second `take_counters` would read zeros.
+                let (replaced, q_drop, q_dry) = st.store.take_counters();
+                let (gated, forced) = st.gate.take_counters();
                 st.presented = PresentedWindow {
                     e2e_p50_ms: e2e_p50 as f32 / 1000.0,
                     e2e_p95_ms: e2e_p95 as f32 / 1000.0,
                     display_ms: disp_p50 as f32 / 1000.0,
+                    pace_ms: pace_p50 as f32 / 1000.0,
+                    latch_ms: latch_p50 as f32 / 1000.0,
+                    mode: presenter.present_mode_name(),
+                    vrr: st.cadence.verdict(),
+                    smoothing: st.store.is_smoothing(),
+                    q_drop,
+                    q_dry,
+                    gated,
+                    forced,
                 };
                 st.win_e2e_us.clear();
                 st.win_disp_us.clear();
+                st.win_pace_us.clear();
+                st.win_latch_us.clear();
                 st.win_start = Instant::now();
+                // Adaptive slot margin (the Android presenter's measured recipe):
+                // start at 0 — a fixed lead is pure display tax — and widen one step
+                // per window whose measured latch misses demand it. One-way per
+                // stream; the next stream restarts at 0.
+                if st.store.is_smoothing() && st.win_misses > 2 && st.margin_ns < MARGIN_MAX_NS {
+                    st.margin_ns = (st.margin_ns + MARGIN_STEP_NS).min(MARGIN_MAX_NS);
+                    tracing::info!(
+                        margin_us = st.margin_ns / 1000,
+                        misses = st.win_misses,
+                        "smoothness slot margin widened (measured latch misses)"
+                    );
+                }
+                // The 1 Hz presenter line (the Apple `pf-present` analogue): emitted
+                // when anything moved, or always under PUNKTFUNK_PRESENT_DEBUG=1 —
+                // the field-triage instrument for the intent engine.
+                if pacing_active && (present_debug || q_drop + q_dry + gated + forced > 0) {
+                    tracing::info!(
+                        smoothing = st.presented.smoothing,
+                        mode = st.presented.mode,
+                        vrr = st.presented.vrr.label(),
+                        replaced,
+                        q_drop,
+                        q_dry,
+                        gated,
+                        forced,
+                        misses = st.win_misses,
+                        out_max = st.win_out_max,
+                        pace_ms = st.presented.pace_ms,
+                        latch_ms = st.presented.latch_ms,
+                        period_us = st.clock.period_ns() / 1000,
+                        margin_us = st.margin_ns / 1000,
+                        "presenter window"
+                    );
+                }
+                st.win_misses = 0;
+                st.win_out_max = 0;
             }
         }
 
@@ -1885,6 +2246,7 @@ fn bump_stats_tier(
                 &st.presented,
                 st.hdr,
                 presenter.hdr_active(),
+                st.hdr_untonemapped,
                 st.profile.as_deref(),
             ),
             None => String::new(),
@@ -1966,6 +2328,32 @@ struct PresentedWindow {
     e2e_p50_ms: f32,
     e2e_p95_ms: f32,
     display_ms: f32,
+    /// The display stage split (design/desktop-presentation-rebuild.md WP4):
+    /// `pace` = decoded → present-submit (our own pipeline), `latch` = submit → on-glass
+    /// (the presentation engine's queue + the vblank wait). Both `0` without
+    /// `VK_KHR_present_wait`, where the two are not separable — the HUD then shows the
+    /// unsplit figure rather than inventing a zero latch.
+    ///
+    /// This split is what makes a high `display` self-diagnosing: latch dominating means
+    /// the vsync/queue floor (or a standing queue), pace dominating means us.
+    /// `pace` is also the honest cross-platform twin of the Apple client's shaved
+    /// number — Apple subtracts its measured OS present floor, and the latch IS our
+    /// floor, so `pace` is what remains on both sides of that comparison.
+    pace_ms: f32,
+    latch_ms: f32,
+    /// The live swapchain present mode (`mailbox`/`fifo`/…). Shown because a mode is
+    /// chosen from what the surface offers, so "why is my latch a refresh long" is
+    /// usually answered by a MAILBOX request having landed on FIFO.
+    mode: &'static str,
+    /// Whether variable refresh is measurably live (never claimed without evidence).
+    vrr: Cadence,
+    /// Presenter-engine counters for the window: the smoothing FIFO's overflow drops and
+    /// post-preroll underflows, and the FIFO glass gate's holds/stale force-opens.
+    smoothing: bool,
+    q_drop: u32,
+    q_dry: u32,
+    gated: u32,
+    forced: u32,
 }
 
 /// The capture hints (`ui_stream` parity — the words the user reads while released).
@@ -1982,11 +2370,15 @@ const HINT_WITH_PAD: &str = "Click the stream to capture input · Ctrl+Alt+Shift
 ///
 /// The HDR tag is honest about the display path: `HDR` only when the swapchain actually
 /// runs HDR10 (`hdr_display`); a PQ stream tone-mapped onto an SDR surface (no HDR10
-/// format offered, HDR off in the compositor) shows `HDR→SDR` instead.
+/// format offered, HDR off in the compositor) shows `HDR→SDR`; and a PQ stream on the
+/// software-decode lane (`hdr_untonemapped`) shows `HDR→SDR (raw)` — that lane has no
+/// tone-map pass at all, so the washed-out picture is named for what it is rather than
+/// passed off as a tone-map.
 ///
 /// `profile` (the session's settings profile, `None` for the global defaults) closes the
 /// first line at every tier — the cheapest possible answer to "which profile am I on?"
 /// (design/client-settings-profiles.md §5.2).
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 fn stats_text(
     verbosity: StatsVerbosity,
     mode_line: &str,
@@ -1994,6 +2386,7 @@ fn stats_text(
     p: &PresentedWindow,
     hdr_stream: bool,
     hdr_display: bool,
+    hdr_untonemapped: bool,
     profile: Option<&str>,
 ) -> String {
     let profile_tag = profile.map(|n| format!(" · {n}")).unwrap_or_default();
@@ -2043,6 +2436,7 @@ fn stats_text(
             if s.decoder.is_empty() { "-" } else { s.decoder },
             match (hdr_stream, hdr_display) {
                 (true, true) => " · HDR",
+                (true, false) if hdr_untonemapped => " · HDR→SDR (raw)",
                 (true, false) => " · HDR→SDR",
                 _ => "",
             },
@@ -2065,6 +2459,15 @@ fn stats_text(
             " · decode {:.1} · display {:.1} ms",
             s.decode_ms, p.display_ms
         ));
+        // The display split (WP4). Only with true on-glass stamps — without them the
+        // two halves are not separable and the unsplit figure stands alone rather than
+        // implying a zero latch.
+        if p.latch_ms > 0.0 || p.pace_ms > 0.0 {
+            text.push_str(&format!(
+                " (pace {:.1} + latch {:.1})",
+                p.pace_ms, p.latch_ms
+            ));
+        }
         // Extended 0xCF host-stage split (T0.1): its own line so the per-stage attribution
         // (queue → encode → seal/xfer → pace) reads as the host pipeline in order.
         if s.staged {
@@ -2073,10 +2476,46 @@ fn stats_text(
                 s.host_queue_ms, s.host_encode_ms, s.host_xfer_ms, s.host_pace_ms
             ));
         }
+        // The presenter line: the swapchain mode that is actually live, the chosen
+        // intent, and the engine's own counters. Present-mode alone answers most
+        // "why is my latch a whole refresh" questions; the counters only render when
+        // they are non-zero, so a healthy latency session shows just the mode.
+        if !p.mode.is_empty() {
+            text.push_str(&format!("\npresent: {}", p.mode));
+            // Only once measured — an unproven "vrr no" would be a claim, not a reading.
+            if p.vrr != Cadence::Unknown {
+                text.push_str(&format!(" · vrr {}", p.vrr.label()));
+            }
+            if p.smoothing {
+                text.push_str(" · smoothing");
+            }
+            if p.q_drop > 0 {
+                text.push_str(&format!(" · qdrop {}", p.q_drop));
+            }
+            if p.q_dry > 0 {
+                text.push_str(&format!(" · qdry {}", p.q_dry));
+            }
+            if p.gated > 0 {
+                text.push_str(&format!(" · gated {}", p.gated));
+            }
+            if p.forced > 0 {
+                text.push_str(&format!(" · forced {}", p.forced));
+            }
+        }
     }
     if s.lost > 0 {
         text.push_str(&format!("\nlost {} ({:.1}%)", s.lost, s.lost_pct));
     }
+    // The mic uplink line renders only while voice is actually going out (a healthy 10 ms-frame
+    // uplink reads ~100 f/s) and only in Detailed — drops here are the client shedding backlog.
+    // A muted mic reads 0 and drops the line; the mute has its own always-on badge instead, so
+    // this stays a throughput readout rather than doubling as a mute indicator.
+    if detailed && (s.mic_sent > 0 || s.mic_dropped > 0) {
+        text.push_str(&format!("\nmic {} f/s", s.mic_sent));
+        if s.mic_dropped > 0 {
+            text.push_str(&format!(" · dropped {}", s.mic_dropped));
+        }
+    }
     text
 }
 
@@ -2322,6 +2761,8 @@ mod tests {
                 decode_ms: 1.8,
                 lost: 3,
                 lost_pct: 0.4,
+                mic_sent: 0,
+                mic_dropped: 0,
                 decoder: "vulkan",
                 // Old-host baseline (no reported target, 4:2:0 never asked): the tier
                 // texts stay exactly what they were before the target/chroma elements.
@@ -2334,6 +2775,7 @@ mod tests {
                 e2e_p50_ms: 6.4,
                 e2e_p95_ms: 9.1,
                 display_ms: 1.1,
+                ..Default::default()
             },
         )
     }
@@ -2343,7 +2785,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn stats_text_tiers() {
         let (s, p) = sample();
-        let text = |v| stats_text(v, "1920×1080@120", &s, &p, true, false, None);
+        let text = |v| stats_text(v, "1920×1080@120", &s, &p, true, false, false, None);
 
         assert_eq!(text(StatsVerbosity::Off), "");
 
@@ -2360,6 +2802,10 @@ mod tests {
 
         let detailed = text(StatsVerbosity::Detailed);
         assert!(detailed.contains("vulkan · HDR→SDR"));
+        assert!(
+            !detailed.contains("(raw)"),
+            "the hardware lane tone-maps — no raw tag"
+        );
         assert!(detailed.contains("host 1.2 · net 0.9 · decode 1.8 · display 1.1 ms"));
         assert!(detailed.contains("host: queue 0.3 · encode 0.5 · xfer 0.1 · pace 0.3 ms"));
         assert!(detailed.contains("lost 3 (0.4%)"));
@@ -2367,6 +2813,96 @@ mod tests {
             !normal.contains("queue"),
             "host-stage split is Detailed-only"
         );
+        assert!(
+            !detailed.contains("pace 1.1"),
+            "no glass stamps in this sample — the display stage stays unsplit"
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// WP4: with true on-glass stamps the display stage reads as its two halves, the
+    /// live present mode is named, and the engine counters render only when non-zero —
+    /// so a healthy latency session shows the mode and nothing else. Without glass
+    /// stamps (no `VK_KHR_present_wait`) the split is absent rather than a zero latch.
+    #[test]
+    fn detailed_splits_display_into_pace_and_latch() {
+        let (s, mut p) = sample();
+        p.display_ms = 12.4;
+        p.pace_ms = 1.1;
+        p.latch_ms = 11.3;
+        p.mode = "fifo";
+        let split = stats_text(
+            StatsVerbosity::Detailed,
+            "m",
+            &s,
+            &p,
+            false,
+            false,
+            false,
+            None,
+        );
+        assert!(split.contains("display 12.4 ms (pace 1.1 + latch 11.3)"));
+        assert!(split.contains("\npresent: fifo"));
+        assert!(
+            !split.contains("qdrop") && !split.contains("gated") && !split.contains("smoothing"),
+            "quiet counters stay off the HUD: {split}"
+        );
+
+        // The smoothing FIFO and the glass gate surface once they actually do something.
+        p.smoothing = true;
+        p.q_drop = 2;
+        p.q_dry = 1;
+        p.gated = 7;
+        p.forced = 1;
+        let busy = stats_text(
+            StatsVerbosity::Detailed,
+            "m",
+            &s,
+            &p,
+            false,
+            false,
+            false,
+            None,
+        );
+        assert!(busy.contains("present: fifo · smoothing · qdrop 2 · qdry 1 · gated 7 · forced 1"));
+
+        // A tier below Detailed never carries any of it.
+        let normal = stats_text(
+            StatsVerbosity::Normal,
+            "m",
+            &s,
+            &p,
+            false,
+            false,
+            false,
+            None,
+        );
+        assert!(!normal.contains("present:") && !normal.contains("pace"));
+    }
+
+    /// The honest HDR badges: a PQ stream on the software-decode lane is shown WITHOUT
+    /// tone-mapping (that lane has no PQ→sRGB pass), so its badge must not read as the
+    /// hardware lane's `HDR→SDR` tone-map — and an HDR10 swapchain shows plain `HDR`
+    /// whatever the lane claims (a CPU frame forces the swapchain to SDR anyway).
+    #[test]
+    fn hdr_badge_names_the_untonemapped_cpu_lane() {
+        let (s, p) = sample();
+        let badge = |hdr_display, raw| {
+            stats_text(
+                StatsVerbosity::Detailed,
+                "m",
+                &s,
+                &p,
+                true,
+                hdr_display,
+                raw,
+                None,
+            )
+        };
+        assert!(badge(false, true).contains(" · HDR→SDR (raw)"));
+        assert!(!badge(false, false).contains("(raw)"));
+        assert!(badge(false, false).contains(" · HDR→SDR"));
+        assert!(badge(true, false).contains(" · HDR"));
+        assert!(!badge(true, false).contains("HDR→SDR"));
     }
 
     /// Detailed shows the negotiated encoder target next to the measured rate — the
@@ -2376,7 +2912,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn detailed_shows_target_and_chroma_resolution() {
         let (mut s, p) = sample();
         let line1 = |s: &Stats, v| {
-            stats_text(v, "m", s, &p, false, false, None)
+            stats_text(v, "m", s, &p, false, false, false, None)
                 .lines()
                 .next()
                 .unwrap()
@@ -2405,6 +2941,30 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!line1(&s, StatsVerbosity::Detailed).contains("4:4:4"));
     }
 
+    /// The mic uplink line: Detailed-only, and only while the uplink is live.
+    #[test]
+    fn stats_text_mic_line() {
+        let (mut s, p) = sample();
+        let text = |s: &Stats, v| stats_text(v, "m", s, &p, false, false, false, None);
+        assert!(
+            !text(&s, StatsVerbosity::Detailed).contains("mic"),
+            "no mic line while the mic is off"
+        );
+        s.mic_sent = 100;
+        let detailed = text(&s, StatsVerbosity::Detailed);
+        assert!(detailed.contains("\nmic 100 f/s"));
+        assert!(
+            !detailed.contains("dropped"),
+            "a healthy uplink shows no drop term"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            !text(&s, StatsVerbosity::Normal).contains("mic"),
+            "mic line is Detailed-only"
+        );
+        s.mic_dropped = 7;
+        assert!(text(&s, StatsVerbosity::Detailed).contains("mic 100 f/s · dropped 7"));
+    }
+
     /// Compact omits the latency term until the presenter's first e2e window lands.
     #[test]
     fn compact_waits_for_e2e() {
@@ -2412,7 +2972,16 @@ mod tests {
         s.lost = 0;
         let p = PresentedWindow::default();
         assert_eq!(
-            stats_text(StatsVerbosity::Compact, "m", &s, &p, false, false, None),
+            stats_text(
+                StatsVerbosity::Compact,
+                "m",
+                &s,
+                &p,
+                false,
+                false,
+                false,
+                None
+            ),
             "120 fps · 24 Mb/s"
         );
     }
@@ -2430,6 +2999,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &p,
                 false,
                 false,
+                false,
                 Some("Game")
             ),
             "120 fps · 6.4 ms · 24 Mb/s · lost 3 · Game"
@@ -2441,6 +3011,7 @@ mod tests {
             &p,
             false,
             false,
+            false,
             Some("Work"),
         );
         assert_eq!(
@@ -2454,13 +3025,22 @@ mod tests {
             &p,
             true,
             true,
+            false,
             Some("Work"),
         );
         assert!(detailed.lines().next().unwrap().ends_with("· HDR · Work"));
         // No profile → the line is exactly what it always was.
-        assert!(
-            !stats_text(StatsVerbosity::Normal, "m", &s, &p, false, false, None).contains(" ·  ")
-        );
+        assert!(!stats_text(
+            StatsVerbosity::Normal,
+            "m",
+            &s,
+            &p,
+            false,
+            false,
+            false,
+            None
+        )
+        .contains(" ·  "));
     }
 
     #[test]

crates/pf-presenter/src/vk/mod.rs

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ mod reconfig;
 mod resources;
 mod setup;
 
-pub use setup::list_adapters;
+pub use setup::{list_adapters, PresentPref};
 
 /// One presenter iteration's video input.
 pub enum FrameInput<'a> {
@@ -247,10 +247,75 @@ impl Presenter {
     /// (the presenter itself never sees them). No-op when timing is inactive.
     pub(crate) fn note_presented(&mut self, pts_ns: u64, decoded_ns: u64) {
         if let (Some(t), Some((sc, id))) = (&self.present_timer, self.last_presented.take()) {
-            t.enqueue(sc, id, pts_ns, decoded_ns);
+            // The submit stamp: `present()` already returned, so "now" is within the
+            // present-call tail — the pace/latch split point.
+            t.enqueue(
+                sc,
+                id,
+                pts_ns,
+                decoded_ns,
+                pf_client_core::session::now_ns(),
+            );
         }
     }
 
+    /// Undisplayed id-carrying presents in flight (0 when timing is inactive) — the
+    /// FIFO glass gate's budget count.
+    pub(crate) fn presents_outstanding(&self) -> usize {
+        self.present_timer.as_ref().map_or(0, |t| t.outstanding())
+    }
+
+    /// Install the run loop's wake for present completions (an SDL event push). No-op
+    /// without present timing — there is nothing to wake on then.
+    pub(crate) fn set_present_wake(&self, cb: Box<dyn Fn() + Send>) {
+        if let Some(t) = &self.present_timer {
+            t.set_wake(cb);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The live swapchain present mode, for the stats overlay: a mode is picked from
+    /// what the surface actually offers, so the requested one and this can differ (a
+    /// MAILBOX request lands on FIFO wherever the driver has no mailbox — AMD's Windows
+    /// driver, notably). Showing it is what makes that visible instead of puzzling.
+    pub(crate) fn present_mode_name(&self) -> &'static str {
+        match self.present_mode {
+            vk::PresentModeKHR::MAILBOX => "mailbox",
+            vk::PresentModeKHR::FIFO => "fifo",
+            vk::PresentModeKHR::FIFO_RELAXED => "fifo-relaxed",
+            vk::PresentModeKHR::IMMEDIATE => "immediate",
+            setup::fifo_latest_ready::MODE => "fifo-latest-ready",
+            _ => "other",
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The active present mode QUEUES presents — the only modes where the swapchain
+    /// itself can become a standing queue, and so the only ones the glass gate governs.
+    ///
+    /// MAILBOX and IMMEDIATE replace/flip and never queue. Nor does
+    /// `FIFO_LATEST_READY`, which retires stale images in the driver: gating on top of it
+    /// would hold frames back to emulate something the presentation engine is already
+    /// doing, paying the serialisation twice.
+    pub(crate) fn needs_glass_gate(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(
+            self.present_mode,
+            vk::PresentModeKHR::FIFO | vk::PresentModeKHR::FIFO_RELAXED
+        )
+    }
+
+    /// The active present mode shows images ON THE VBLANK GRID — the premise the VRR
+    /// cadence probe rests on ("with VRR off, a present waits for vblank"). The whole
+    /// FIFO family qualifies, `FIFO_LATEST_READY` included: it drops stale images but
+    /// still presents on the refresh boundary. MAILBOX/IMMEDIATE do not, and under them
+    /// the probe reports Unknown rather than calling every session VRR.
+    pub(crate) fn vblank_locked(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(
+            self.present_mode,
+            vk::PresentModeKHR::FIFO
+                | vk::PresentModeKHR::FIFO_RELAXED
+                | setup::fifo_latest_ready::MODE
+        )
+    }
+
     /// Take the window's completed on-glass samples (empty when timing is inactive).
     pub(crate) fn take_presented_samples(&self) -> Vec<present_timing::PresentedSample> {
         self.present_timer