fix(android): gate the latency overhaul behind an experimental toggle, default off

The 27c53a4 low-latency overhaul regressed badly on some phones. Every piece
of it — decoder ranking, per-SoC vendor keys, the async decode loop, pipeline
thread boosts, the ADPF max-performance bias, game-tagged AAudio, DSCP marking,
the Wi-Fi low-latency lock, HDMI ALLM and the forced TV mode switch — now rides
the "Low-latency mode (experimental)" toggle, default OFF. Off restores the
pre-overhaul pipeline byte-for-byte: the sync poll loop, the platform-default
decoder, and the original format keys (standard low-latency + blind Qualcomm
twin + priority=0 + operating-rate=MAX together).

- New pref key (low_latency_mode_experimental): the old key shipped default-ON,
  so any install that ever saved settings persisted true — flipping the default
  under the old key would leave exactly the regressed devices stuck on.
- DSCP is applied at socket creation, so the toggle reaches the transport via
  NativeBridge.nativeSetLowLatencyMode → transport::set_dscp_default, called in
  the connect choke point before nativeConnect; the core DSCP default reverts
  to off everywhere.
- nativeStartAudio(handle, lowLatencyMode) gates AAudio usage=Game.
- VideoDecoders.pickDecoder now skips `.secure` decoder twins and decoders that
  require FEATURE_SecurePlayback: they need a secure surface, and a secure twin
  could out-score its plain sibling (only it advertising FEATURE_LowLatency),
  which black-screens a clear stream.

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

Cargo.lock

@@ -2129,7 +2129,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "latency-probe"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lazy_static"
@@ -2261,7 +2261,7 @@ checksum = "0ceec5bc11778974d1bcb055b18002eba7f4b3518b6a0081b3af5f21666da9ad"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "loss-harness"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 dependencies = [
  "punktfunk-core",
 ]
@@ -2908,7 +2908,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-client-android"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 dependencies = [
  "android_logger",
  "jni",
@@ -2922,7 +2922,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-client-linux"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-channel",
@@ -2945,7 +2945,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-client-windows"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-channel",
@@ -2968,7 +2968,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-core"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 dependencies = [
  "aes-gcm",
  "bytes",
@@ -2999,7 +2999,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-host"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 dependencies = [
  "aes",
  "aes-gcm",
@@ -3071,7 +3071,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-probe"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "mdns-sd",
@@ -3085,7 +3085,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "punktfunk-tray"
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ksni",

Cargo.toml

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ members = [
 exclude = ["packaging/linux/steam-deck-gadget/usbip-poc"]
 
 [workspace.package]
-version = "0.8.0"
+version = "0.8.1"
 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": "0.7.4"
+    "version": "0.8.1"
   },
   "paths": {
     "/api/v1/clients": {
@@ -190,6 +190,237 @@
         }
       }
     },
+    "/api/v1/display/presets": {
+      "get": {
+        "tags": [
+          "display"
+        ],
+        "summary": "List the saved custom presets",
+        "description": "The operator's named field-bundles (`display-presets.json`). These also ride the\n`GET /display/settings` response (`custom_presets`), so the console rarely needs this directly.",
+        "operationId": "listCustomPresets",
+        "responses": {
+          "200": {
+            "description": "The saved custom presets",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "type": "array",
+                  "items": {
+                    "$ref": "#/components/schemas/CustomPreset"
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "401": {
+            "description": "Missing or invalid bearer token",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "post": {
+        "tags": [
+          "display"
+        ],
+        "summary": "Save a custom preset",
+        "description": "Stores a named bundle of the display-behavior axes (+ the game-session axis) the operator can\napply later. The host assigns a stable id, returned in the body. Applying a preset is a\n`PUT /display/settings` with a `Custom` policy carrying its `fields` — no separate apply route.",
+        "operationId": "createCustomPreset",
+        "requestBody": {
+          "content": {
+            "application/json": {
+              "schema": {
+                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/CustomPresetInput"
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "required": true
+        },
+        "responses": {
+          "201": {
+            "description": "Preset created",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/CustomPreset"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "400": {
+            "description": "Empty name",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "401": {
+            "description": "Missing or invalid bearer token",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "500": {
+            "description": "Could not persist the catalog",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "/api/v1/display/presets/{id}": {
+      "put": {
+        "tags": [
+          "display"
+        ],
+        "summary": "Update a custom preset",
+        "operationId": "updateCustomPreset",
+        "parameters": [
+          {
+            "name": "id",
+            "in": "path",
+            "description": "The custom preset id",
+            "required": true,
+            "schema": {
+              "type": "string"
+            }
+          }
+        ],
+        "requestBody": {
+          "content": {
+            "application/json": {
+              "schema": {
+                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/CustomPresetInput"
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "required": true
+        },
+        "responses": {
+          "200": {
+            "description": "Preset updated",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/CustomPreset"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "400": {
+            "description": "Empty name",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "401": {
+            "description": "Missing or invalid bearer token",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "404": {
+            "description": "No custom preset with that id",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "500": {
+            "description": "Could not persist the catalog",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "delete": {
+        "tags": [
+          "display"
+        ],
+        "summary": "Delete a custom preset",
+        "description": "Removes it from the catalog. The active policy is untouched — if this preset was the one applied,\nthe running behavior stays exactly as it was (the catalog and `display-settings.json` are decoupled).",
+        "operationId": "deleteCustomPreset",
+        "parameters": [
+          {
+            "name": "id",
+            "in": "path",
+            "description": "The custom preset id",
+            "required": true,
+            "schema": {
+              "type": "string"
+            }
+          }
+        ],
+        "responses": {
+          "204": {
+            "description": "Preset deleted"
+          },
+          "401": {
+            "description": "Missing or invalid bearer token",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "404": {
+            "description": "No custom preset with that id",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          "500": {
+            "description": "Could not persist the catalog",
+            "content": {
+              "application/json": {
+                "schema": {
+                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ApiError"
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
     "/api/v1/display/release": {
       "post": {
         "tags": [
@@ -2220,6 +2451,52 @@
           }
         }
       },
+      "CustomPreset": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "description": "A user-defined named preset: a saved bundle of the six display-behavior axes (exactly what a\nbuilt-in [`Preset`] expands to) plus the orthogonal game-session axis, that the operator names\nand applies from the console.\n\nUnlike the built-in [`Preset`]s (a closed enum), custom presets are **data** — a catalog stored in\n`<config>/display-presets.json`. Applying one writes a `Custom` [`DisplayPolicy`] carrying these\nfields (the console reuses `PUT /display/settings`), so [`DisplayPolicy::effective`] stays pure and\nthe built-in set is never touched. The catalog is decoupled from the active `display-settings.json`:\nediting or deleting a preset never mutates the running policy (re-apply to adopt a change).",
+        "required": [
+          "id",
+          "name",
+          "fields"
+        ],
+        "properties": {
+          "fields": {
+            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/EffectivePolicy",
+            "description": "The six display-behavior axes this preset applies (the same shape a built-in preset expands to)."
+          },
+          "game_session": {
+            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/GameSession",
+            "description": "The game-session routing this preset applies (orthogonal to the six axes; see [`GameSession`]).\nA custom preset captures the operator's *full* setup, so — unlike a built-in preset — applying\none does set this axis."
+          },
+          "id": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Host-assigned, stable for the life of the entry (the `{id}` in the CRUD path)."
+          },
+          "name": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "User-facing name shown on the preset card; editable."
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "CustomPresetInput": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "description": "Request body to create or replace a custom preset (no `id` — the host owns it).",
+        "required": [
+          "name",
+          "fields"
+        ],
+        "properties": {
+          "fields": {
+            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/EffectivePolicy"
+          },
+          "game_session": {
+            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/GameSession"
+          },
+          "name": {
+            "type": "string"
+          }
+        }
+      },
       "DisplayLayoutRequest": {
         "type": "object",
         "description": "Request body for `setDisplayLayout`: per-identity-slot desktop offsets, keyed by the identity-slot\nid as a string (the same id `/display/state` reports as `identity_slot`).",
@@ -2240,6 +2517,10 @@
         "type": "object",
         "description": "The user-facing display-management policy — what `display-settings.json` holds and what the mgmt\nAPI GETs/PUTs. When [`preset`](Self::preset) is not [`Preset::Custom`] the explicit fields are\nignored (the console writes one or the other); [`effective`](Self::effective) resolves both to a\nsingle [`EffectivePolicy`].",
         "properties": {
+          "game_session": {
+            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/GameSession",
+            "description": "How a game-launching session is served (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` §5.2).\nOrthogonal to `preset`/lifecycle — preserved across preset changes; `#[serde(default)]` = `Auto`\nso existing `display-settings.json` files are untouched."
+          },
           "identity": {
             "$ref": "#/components/schemas/Identity"
           },
@@ -2280,6 +2561,7 @@
           "configured",
           "effective",
           "presets",
+          "custom_presets",
           "enforced"
         ],
         "properties": {
@@ -2287,6 +2569,13 @@
             "type": "boolean",
             "description": "True once a `display-settings.json` exists (the console has configured this host)."
           },
+          "custom_presets": {
+            "type": "array",
+            "items": {
+              "$ref": "#/components/schemas/CustomPreset"
+            },
+            "description": "The operator's saved custom presets (`display-presets.json`) — named field-bundles rendered\nalongside the built-ins. Managed via `POST/PUT/DELETE /display/presets`; applied by writing a\n`Custom` policy carrying the preset's fields."
+          },
           "effective": {
             "$ref": "#/components/schemas/EffectivePolicy",
             "description": "The effective (preset-expanded) policy currently in force."
@@ -2399,6 +2688,14 @@
           }
         }
       },
+      "GameSession": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "description": "How a session that **launches a game** (a library id on the Hello / apps.json / Decky pin) is\nserved (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` §5.2). Orthogonal to the preset/lifecycle axes\n— a top-level [`DisplayPolicy`] field, NOT part of [`EffectivePolicy`], so a preset never clobbers\nit. Linux-only in effect (a launching Windows session opens into the one desktop).",
+        "enum": [
+          "auto",
+          "dedicated"
+        ]
+      },
       "GpuState": {
         "type": "object",
         "description": "Full GPU-selection state for the console: inventory, the persisted preference, what the next\nsession will use, and what is in use right now.",

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

@@ -208,6 +208,8 @@ fun GamepadShell(
             GamepadScreen.Library -> libraryHost?.let { host ->
                 LibraryScreen(
                     host = host,
+                    settings = settings,
+                    onLaunched = onConnected,
                     onBack = { screen = GamepadScreen.Home; libraryHost = null },
                     navActive = s == screen,
                 )

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

@@ -63,9 +63,6 @@ import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
 import kotlinx.coroutines.launch
 import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
 
-/** Handshake budget for a normal connect (the prior hardcoded value, now passed explicitly). */
-private const val CONNECT_TIMEOUT_MS = 10_000
-
 /**
  * Handshake budget for the no-PIN "request access" connect. Must exceed the host's approval-park
  * window (~180 s) so a slow operator approval still lands on this same parked connection rather than
@@ -181,25 +178,10 @@ fun ConnectScreen(
     // it survives a DHCP address change; else by address:port). Mirrors the Apple client.
     val discoveredUnsaved = discovered.filter { dh -> savedHosts.none { it.matches(dh) } }
 
-    // The one place the full nativeConnect is issued (shared by the normal connect and the
+    // Issue the native connect (shared by the normal connect and the request-access path). A plain
-    // request-access path), including the HDR/gamepad derivation both need.
+    // desktop connect (no library launch) — the library launcher calls [connectToHost] with an id.
-    suspend fun connectNative(id: ClientIdentity, targetHost: String, targetPort: Int, pinHex: String, timeoutMs: Int): Long {
+    suspend fun connectNative(id: ClientIdentity, targetHost: String, targetPort: Int, pinHex: String, timeoutMs: Int): Long =
-        // Advertise HDR only when the user enabled it AND this device's display can present it
+        connectToHost(context, settings, id, targetHost, targetPort, pinHex, launch = null, timeoutMs = timeoutMs)
-        // (else the host sends a proper SDR stream rather than PQ the panel would mis-tone-map).
-        val hdrEnabled = settings.hdrEnabled && displaySupportsHdr(context)
-        // "Automatic" resolves to a concrete pad type from the connected controller's VID/PID
-        // (Android exposes no controller-type enum) — parity with the Linux/Apple clients. An
-        // explicit choice is passed through unchanged.
-        val gamepadPref = Gamepad.resolvePref(settings.gamepad)
-        return withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
-            NativeBridge.nativeConnect(
-                targetHost, targetPort, w, h, hz,
-                id.certPem, id.privateKeyPem, pinHex,
-                settings.bitrateKbps, settings.compositor, gamepadPref,
-                hdrEnabled, settings.audioChannels, settings.preferredCodec(), timeoutMs,
-            )
-        }
-    }
 
     // The actual dial (identity already ready). On a TOFU connect (pinHex null), pin the fingerprint
     // the host presented (as an unpaired known host) so the next connect goes straight through and it
@@ -230,11 +212,12 @@ fun ConnectScreen(
         }
     }
 
-    // Wake-aware connect. If the target is a saved host with a learned MAC that ISN'T currently
+    // Wake-aware connect. If auto-wake is on (Settings.autoWakeEnabled) and the target is a saved
-    // advertising (asleep/off), wake it and WAIT for it to reappear on mDNS (WakeController shows the
+    // host with a learned MAC that ISN'T currently advertising (asleep/off, or just missing from
-    // "Waking…" overlay) before dialing — discovery stays running meanwhile so we can see it come
+    // mDNS), wake it and WAIT for it to reappear on mDNS (WakeController shows the "Waking…" overlay)
-    // back. A fire-and-forget packet + the connect timeout wasn't enough for a cold boot. Otherwise
+    // before dialing — discovery stays running meanwhile so we can see it come back. A fire-and-forget
-    // dial straight through.
+    // packet + the connect timeout wasn't enough for a cold boot. Otherwise (auto-wake off, no MAC, or
+    // already seen live) dial straight through.
     fun doConnect(targetHost: String, targetPort: Int, name: String, pinHex: String?) {
         if (identity == null) {
             status = "Identity not ready yet — try again in a moment"
@@ -248,7 +231,7 @@ fun ConnectScreen(
         fun liveAdvert(): DiscoveredHost? =
             if (kh != null) discovered.firstOrNull { kh.matches(it) }
             else discovered.firstOrNull { it.host == targetHost && it.port == targetPort }
-        if (macs.isNotEmpty() && liveAdvert() == null) {
+        if (settings.autoWakeEnabled && macs.isNotEmpty() && liveAdvert() == null) {
             waker.start(
                 hostName = name,
                 connectsAfter = true,

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

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+package io.unom.punktfunk
+
+import android.content.Context
+import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.Gamepad
+import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.NativeBridge
+import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.security.ClientIdentity
+import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
+import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
+
+/** Handshake budget for a normal / library-launch connect (not the long request-access park). */
+const val CONNECT_TIMEOUT_MS = 10_000
+
+/**
+ * The one place [NativeBridge.nativeConnect] is assembled — shared by [ConnectScreen] and the library
+ * launcher ([LibraryScreen]). Derives the mode / HDR / gamepad settings the host needs from
+ * [settings]. [pinHex] is the pinned fingerprint (empty ⇒ TOFU). [launch] is a store-qualified library
+ * id (`steam:<appid>` / `custom:<id>`) to boot straight into a game, or `null` for the desktop.
+ * Returns the session handle, or `0` on failure. Call off the main thread.
+ */
+suspend fun connectToHost(
+    context: Context,
+    settings: Settings,
+    identity: ClientIdentity,
+    host: String,
+    port: Int,
+    pinHex: String,
+    launch: String?,
+    timeoutMs: Int = CONNECT_TIMEOUT_MS,
+): Long {
+    // Advertise HDR only when the user enabled it AND this device's display can present it (else the
+    // host sends a proper SDR stream rather than PQ the panel would mis-tone-map).
+    val (w, h, hz) = settings.effectiveMode(context)
+    val hdrEnabled = settings.hdrEnabled && displaySupportsHdr(context)
+    // "Automatic" resolves to a concrete pad type from the connected controller's VID/PID.
+    val gamepadPref = Gamepad.resolvePref(settings.gamepad)
+    return withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
+        // 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)
+        NativeBridge.nativeConnect(
+            host, port, w, h, hz,
+            identity.certPem, identity.privateKeyPem, pinHex,
+            settings.bitrateKbps, settings.compositor, gamepadPref,
+            hdrEnabled, settings.audioChannels, settings.preferredCodec(), timeoutMs,
+            launch,
+        )
+    }
+}

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

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 package io.unom.punktfunk
 
+import android.widget.Toast
 import androidx.activity.compose.BackHandler
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
 import androidx.compose.foundation.border
+import androidx.compose.foundation.clickable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.BoxWithConstraints
@@ -57,6 +59,7 @@ import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.library.GameEntry
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.library.LibraryClient
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.library.LibraryResult
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.library.mtlsHttpClient
+import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.security.ClientIdentity
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.security.IdentityStore
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.security.KnownHost
 import io.unom.punktfunk.kit.security.obtainIdentity
@@ -73,17 +76,27 @@ import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
 
 private sealed class LibState {
     object Loading : LibState()
-    data class Ready(val games: List<GameEntry>, val loader: ImageLoader) : LibState()
+    // Carries the client identity so a launch can dial the host over the same pinned mTLS trust.
+    data class Ready(val games: List<GameEntry>, val loader: ImageLoader, val identity: ClientIdentity) : LibState()
     data class Message(val text: String) : LibState() // unauthorized / empty / error
 }
 
 @Composable
-fun LibraryScreen(host: KnownHost, onBack: () -> Unit, navActive: Boolean = true) {
+fun LibraryScreen(
+    host: KnownHost,
+    settings: Settings,
+    onLaunched: (Long) -> Unit,
+    onBack: () -> Unit,
+    navActive: Boolean = true,
+) {
     BackHandler(onBack = onBack)
     val context = LocalContext.current
+    val scope = rememberCoroutineScope()
     val hazeState = remember { HazeState() }
     val landscape = LocalConfiguration.current.orientation == Configuration.ORIENTATION_LANDSCAPE
     var state by remember { mutableStateOf<LibState>(LibState.Loading) }
+    // A launch (connect) in flight: shows an overlay + gates the pad so a second press can't dial twice.
+    var launching by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
 
     LaunchedEffect(host.address, host.port, host.fpHex) {
         state = LibState.Loading
@@ -101,7 +114,7 @@ fun LibraryScreen(host: KnownHost, onBack: () -> Unit, navActive: Boolean = true
                     LibState.Message("No games found on this host.")
                 } else {
                     val client = mtlsHttpClient(id.certPem, id.privateKeyPem, host.address, host.fpHex)
-                    LibState.Ready(res.games, ImageLoader.Builder(context).okHttpClient(client).build())
+                    LibState.Ready(res.games, ImageLoader.Builder(context).okHttpClient(client).build(), id)
                 }
                 is LibraryResult.Unauthorized -> LibState.Message(res.message)
                 is LibraryResult.Error -> LibState.Message(res.message)
@@ -118,11 +131,45 @@ fun LibraryScreen(host: KnownHost, onBack: () -> Unit, navActive: Boolean = true
                     when (val s = state) {
                         is LibState.Loading -> LoadingState()
                         is LibState.Message -> MessageState(s.text)
-                        is LibState.Ready -> Coverflow(s.games, s.loader, navActive)
+                        is LibState.Ready -> Coverflow(s.games, s.loader, navActive && !launching) { game ->
+                            if (!launching) {
+                                launching = true
+                                scope.launch {
+                                    // Dial the host over the same pinned mTLS trust, booting straight
+                                    // into this title (the host resolves `launch` = its library id).
+                                    val handle = connectToHost(
+                                        context, settings, s.identity,
+                                        host.address, host.port, host.fpHex, launch = game.id,
+                                    )
+                                    launching = false
+                                    if (handle != 0L) onLaunched(handle)
+                                    else Toast.makeText(
+                                        context,
+                                        "Launch failed — check the host and try again.",
+                                        Toast.LENGTH_LONG,
+                                    ).show()
                                 }
                             }
                         }
                     }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        // Launching overlay — the connect + host-side game boot takes a moment; block the pad while it runs.
+        if (launching) {
+            Box(
+                Modifier.fillMaxSize().background(Color.Black.copy(alpha = 0.6f)),
+                contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
+            ) {
+                Column(
+                    horizontalAlignment = Alignment.CenterHorizontally,
+                    verticalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(14.dp),
+                ) {
+                    CircularProgressIndicator(color = Color.White)
+                    Text("Launching…", color = Color.White, style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyLarge)
+                }
+            }
+        }
         // Floating legend at the shared spot — same landscape-aware inset as every other console
         // screen (ignore the safe area in landscape, where the bottom edge isn't a tap target).
         Box(
@@ -130,7 +177,13 @@ fun LibraryScreen(host: KnownHost, onBack: () -> Unit, navActive: Boolean = true
                 .then(if (landscape) Modifier else Modifier.systemBarsPadding())
                 .padding(ConsoleLegendInset),
         ) {
-            GamepadHintBar(listOf(PadGlyph.hint('B', "Close", onClick = onBack)), hazeState = hazeState)
+            GamepadHintBar(
+                buildList {
+                    if (state is LibState.Ready) add(PadGlyph.hint('A', "Launch"))
+                    add(PadGlyph.hint('B', "Close", onClick = onBack))
+                },
+                hazeState = hazeState,
+            )
         }
     }
 }
@@ -155,7 +208,12 @@ private fun MessageState(text: String) {
 }
 
 @Composable
-private fun Coverflow(games: List<GameEntry>, loader: ImageLoader, navActive: Boolean) {
+private fun Coverflow(
+    games: List<GameEntry>,
+    loader: ImageLoader,
+    navActive: Boolean,
+    onLaunch: (GameEntry) -> Unit,
+) {
     BoxWithConstraints(Modifier.fillMaxSize()) {
         // Fit a 2:3 poster into the height the detail line leaves; clamp so it never dwarfs the screen.
         val coverHeight = (maxHeight * 0.72f).coerceAtMost(360.dp)
@@ -167,16 +225,15 @@ private fun Coverflow(games: List<GameEntry>, loader: ImageLoader, navActive: Bo
         LaunchedEffect(pagerState.settledPage) { navTarget = pagerState.settledPage }
         val current = games.getOrNull(navTarget)
 
-        // Controller nav: the pad drives the coverflow (it wasn't captured before). Left/right steps a
+        // Controller nav: the pad drives the coverflow. Left/right steps a coalesced target the pager
-        // coalesced target the pager chases; A is reserved for launch (browse-only for now); B closes
+        // chases; A launches the centred title; B closes via the screen's BackHandler.
-        // via the screen's BackHandler.
         GamepadNavEffect(
             active = navActive && games.isNotEmpty(),
             onMove = { dir ->
                 val t = (navTarget + dir).coerceIn(0, games.lastIndex)
                 if (t != navTarget) { navTarget = t; scope.launch { pagerState.animateScrollToPage(t) } }
             },
-            onActivate = { /* launch a title — browse-only for now */ },
+            onActivate = { games.getOrNull(navTarget)?.let(onLaunch) },
         )
 
         Column(Modifier.fillMaxSize(), verticalArrangement = Arrangement.Center) {
@@ -198,6 +255,11 @@ private fun Coverflow(games: List<GameEntry>, loader: ImageLoader, navActive: Bo
                         .zIndex(-d) // centred cover on top, neighbours stacked behind
                         .width(coverWidth)
                         .height(coverHeight)
+                        // Touch: tap the centred cover to launch it; tap a neighbour to bring it centre.
+                        .clickable {
+                            if (page == pagerState.currentPage) onLaunch(games[page])
+                            else scope.launch { pagerState.animateScrollToPage(page) }
+                        }
                         .graphicsLayer {
                             // Centre at full size; EVERY neighbour settles to one size, so an even pitch
                             // yields even VISUAL gaps. (A progressive shrink made the outer gaps grow —

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

@@ -51,8 +51,12 @@ class MainActivity : ComponentActivity() {
      * Whether the last console input came from a real gamepad (face buttons / stick) vs. a TV D-pad
      * remote (which has no A/B/X/Y). The console UI reads this to show glyphs the user recognises — pad
      * face buttons, or a select glyph + arrows for a remote. Compose observes it (a snapshot state).
+     * Defaults to the remote glyphs on a TV (its D-pad remote is the typical first input, and often the
+     * only one) and to gamepad glyphs everywhere else (the console UI on a phone/tablet only activates
+     * via a real controller, so a TV-remote glyph would be a wrong first impression there) — set from
+     * [onCreate] once a [Context] is available, then kept live by real input.
      */
-    var lastPadIsGamepad by mutableStateOf(false)
+    var lastPadIsGamepad by mutableStateOf(true)
         private set
 
     /** The panel's highest-refresh display mode (0 = unknown/unsupported), resolved once at startup. */
@@ -60,6 +64,7 @@ class MainActivity : ComponentActivity() {
 
     override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
         super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
+        lastPadIsGamepad = !isTvDevice(this)
         resolveHighRefreshMode()
         setConsoleHighRefreshRate(true) // the console UI wants max refresh; streaming manages its own
         // Dark, transparent system bars regardless of the system theme — our UI is always dark, so

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

@@ -55,13 +55,23 @@ data class Settings(
      */
     val libraryEnabled: Boolean = true,
     /**
-     * Aggressive decoder latency tuning — the master escape hatch. On (default): the decoder runs
+     * "Low-latency mode (experimental)" — the master switch over the whole latency overhaul: decoder
-     * the full low-latency profile (per-SoC vendor keys + max-clock operating-rate on Qualcomm).
+     * ranking + per-SoC vendor keys + the async decode loop (native), pipeline thread boosts + ADPF
-     * Off: a conservative profile (the standard `low-latency` key only), for a device that thermally
+     * max-performance, game-tagged AAudio, DSCP marking on the media sockets, the Wi-Fi low-latency
-     * throttles or misbehaves under the aggressive clocks. Decoder ranking, the Wi-Fi low-latency
+     * lock, HDMI ALLM, and the forced TV mode switch. Off (default): the original pre-overhaul
-     * lock and HDMI game-mode signalling stay on regardless — they're harmless.
+     * pipeline, kept byte-for-byte as the known-good baseline — the overhaul regressed badly on some
+     * phones, so it's opt-in until it's proven per-device.
      */
-    val lowLatencyMode: Boolean = true,
+    val lowLatencyMode: Boolean = false,
+    /**
+     * Wake-on-LAN a saved host before connecting when it isn't currently seen on mDNS. On (default):
+     * a connect to a host with a learned MAC that isn't advertising sends a magic packet and waits
+     * for it to reappear (see [WakeController]) before dialing. Off: always dial straight through,
+     * skipping the mDNS-presence check entirely — for a host that's actually up but not visible on
+     * mDNS (a flaky discovery path, a VLAN/subnet that blocks multicast, etc.), where auto-wake would
+     * otherwise misfire and wait out its timeout despite the host already being reachable.
+     */
+    val autoWakeEnabled: Boolean = true,
 )
 
 /** [Settings.touchMode] values; persisted by name. */
@@ -90,7 +100,8 @@ class SettingsStore(context: Context) {
             ?: if (prefs.getBoolean(K_TRACKPAD, true)) TouchMode.TRACKPAD else TouchMode.POINTER,
         gamepadUiEnabled = prefs.getBoolean(K_GAMEPAD_UI, true),
         libraryEnabled = prefs.getBoolean(K_LIBRARY, true),
-        lowLatencyMode = prefs.getBoolean(K_LOW_LATENCY, true),
+        lowLatencyMode = prefs.getBoolean(K_LOW_LATENCY, false),
+        autoWakeEnabled = prefs.getBoolean(K_AUTO_WAKE, true),
     )
 
     fun save(s: Settings) {
@@ -110,6 +121,7 @@ class SettingsStore(context: Context) {
             .putBoolean(K_GAMEPAD_UI, s.gamepadUiEnabled)
             .putBoolean(K_LIBRARY, s.libraryEnabled)
             .putBoolean(K_LOW_LATENCY, s.lowLatencyMode)
+            .putBoolean(K_AUTO_WAKE, s.autoWakeEnabled)
             .apply()
     }
 
@@ -128,7 +140,15 @@ class SettingsStore(context: Context) {
         const val K_TOUCH_MODE = "touch_mode"
         const val K_GAMEPAD_UI = "gamepad_ui_enabled"
         const val K_LIBRARY = "library_enabled"
-        const val K_LOW_LATENCY = "low_latency_mode"
+
+        /**
+         * Deliberately NOT the original `"low_latency_mode"` key: that one shipped default-ON, so
+         * any install that ever saved settings persisted `true` — under the old key, flipping the
+         * default to off would leave exactly the regressed devices stuck on the overhaul. The fresh
+         * key restarts everyone at the safe default; the stale one is abandoned unread.
+         */
+        const val K_LOW_LATENCY = "low_latency_mode_experimental"
+        const val K_AUTO_WAKE = "auto_wake_enabled"
 
         /** Legacy Boolean the enum replaced — read once as the migration default, never written. */
         const val K_TRACKPAD = "trackpad_mode"
@@ -226,6 +246,10 @@ val BITRATE_OPTIONS = listOf(
     20_000 to "20 Mbps",
     50_000 to "50 Mbps",
     100_000 to "100 Mbps",
+    150_000 to "150 Mbps",
+    200_000 to "200 Mbps",
+    300_000 to "300 Mbps",
+    500_000 to "500 Mbps",
 )
 
 /** index = CompositorPref wire byte. */

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

@@ -326,9 +326,10 @@ private fun DisplaySettings(s: Settings, update: (Settings) -> Unit, context: an
         ) { c -> update(s.copy(compositor = c)) }
 
         ToggleRow(
-            title = "Low-latency mode",
+            title = "Low-latency mode (experimental)",
-            subtitle = "Run the decoder at max clocks for the lowest latency. Turn off only if a " +
+            subtitle = "Aggressive decoder and system tuning (per-device decoder selection, async " +
-                "device overheats or glitches during long sessions.",
+                "decode, Wi-Fi and HDMI hints). Can lower latency, but may stutter or glitch on " +
+                "some devices — turn off if the stream misbehaves.",
             checked = s.lowLatencyMode,
             onCheckedChange = { on -> update(s.copy(lowLatencyMode = on)) },
         )
@@ -394,6 +395,14 @@ private fun InterfaceSettings(s: Settings, update: (Settings) -> Unit) {
             checked = s.libraryEnabled,
             onCheckedChange = { on -> update(s.copy(libraryEnabled = on)) },
         )
+        ToggleRow(
+            title = "Auto-wake on connect",
+            subtitle = "Send Wake-on-LAN and wait for a saved host to reappear on mDNS before " +
+                "connecting. Turn off if a host that's already on isn't seen on mDNS, so connects " +
+                "go straight through instead of waiting out the wake timeout.",
+            checked = s.autoWakeEnabled,
+            onCheckedChange = { on -> update(s.copy(autoWakeEnabled = on)) },
+        )
         ToggleRow(
             title = "Stats overlay",
             subtitle = "Show FPS, throughput and latency while streaming (3-finger tap toggles it live)",

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

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import android.os.Build
 import android.view.SurfaceHolder
 import android.view.SurfaceView
 import android.view.WindowManager
+import android.widget.Toast
 import androidx.activity.compose.BackHandler
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize
@@ -63,7 +64,10 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
     var showStats by remember { mutableStateOf(initialSettings.statsHudEnabled) }
     // Touch model is fixed per session (re-keys the gesture handler below if it ever changes).
     val touchMode = initialSettings.touchMode
-    // Master low-latency toggle, resolved once for the session and passed to the decoder at start.
+    // "Low-latency mode (experimental)" master toggle, resolved once for the session. Off (the
+    // default) runs the original pre-overhaul pipeline; on enables the whole aggressive stack —
+    // decoder ranking + vendor keys + async loop (native side), the Wi-Fi low-latency lock and
+    // HDMI ALLM below, game-tagged audio, and DSCP marking (applied earlier, at connect).
     val lowLatencyMode = initialSettings.lowLatencyMode
     // TV form factor (leanback): the decoder actively switches the HDMI output mode to the stream
     // refresh; a phone/tablet gets the softer seamless frame-rate hint instead.
@@ -82,6 +86,31 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         }
     }
 
+    // Host-gone watchdog. When the host suspends/sleeps (or crashes, or drops off the network) it
+    // stops answering the QUIC keep-alive and the connection idle-times out (~8 s) — no more frames
+    // arrive and the decoder would otherwise sit frozen on its last decoded frame until the user
+    // manually backed out. Poll the native session-liveness flag (one atomic load, independent of the
+    // stats HUD) and, the moment the session is dead, drop back to the menu so the user can
+    // Wake-on-LAN the host instead of being stranded on a frozen picture. Mirrors the Apple client's
+    // onSessionEnd → sessionEnded() → disconnect(). The 1 s cadence + the ~8 s idle timeout is a
+    // deliberately generous window: the keep-alive holds a merely-quiet connection (a static desktop)
+    // open, so this fires only on a genuinely dead peer, never a false positive. Keyed on `handle`, so
+    // it stops the moment we navigate away (the handle is only freed later, in onDispose).
+    LaunchedEffect(handle) {
+        while (true) {
+            delay(1000)
+            if (NativeBridge.nativeSessionEnded(handle)) {
+                Toast.makeText(
+                    context,
+                    "Connection lost — the host may be asleep. Wake it to reconnect.",
+                    Toast.LENGTH_LONG,
+                ).show()
+                onDisconnect()
+                return@LaunchedEffect
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     // One-shot teardown guard. Both the SurfaceView callback and DisposableEffect tear down on the
     // way out, but `nativeClose` frees the handle — so once it's closed, NO path may touch the handle
     // again (use-after-free → SIGSEGV: the consistent back-while-streaming crash). Both run on the
@@ -92,7 +121,9 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
     // power-save polling (a common source of tens-of-ms jitter). WIFI_MODE_FULL_LOW_LATENCY (API
     // 29+) is the strongest; older releases fall back to FULL_HIGH_PERF. Needs no extra permission
     // beyond ACCESS_WIFI_STATE (already declared). Non-reference-counted: one explicit acquire/release.
+    // Part of the experimental low-latency stack — not created at all when the toggle is off.
     val wifiLock = remember(handle) {
+        if (!lowLatencyMode) return@remember null
         val wm = context.applicationContext.getSystemService(Context.WIFI_SERVICE) as? WifiManager
         val mode = if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
             WifiManager.WIFI_MODE_FULL_LOW_LATENCY
@@ -107,8 +138,9 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         window?.addFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON)
         runCatching { wifiLock?.acquire() }
         // HDMI Auto Low-Latency Mode: ask the display to drop its post-processing (game mode) —
-        // the biggest panel-side latency win on the TV boxes. No-op where ALLM isn't supported. API 30+.
+        // the biggest panel-side latency win on the TV boxes. No-op where ALLM isn't supported. API
-        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
+        // 30+. Part of the experimental low-latency stack.
+        if (lowLatencyMode && Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
             window?.setPreferMinimalPostProcessing(true)
         }
         controller?.let {
@@ -124,7 +156,9 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         activity?.requestedOrientation = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_SENSOR_LANDSCAPE
         activity?.streamHandle = handle // route hardware keys to this session
         activity?.axisMapper = Gamepad.AxisMapper(handle) // route joystick axes
-        activity?.requestStreamExit = onDisconnect // Select+Start+L1+R1 chord leaves the stream
+        // 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.
+        activity?.requestStreamExit = { NativeBridge.nativeDisconnectQuit(handle); onDisconnect() }
         activity?.setConsoleHighRefreshRate(false) // let the decoder's setFrameRate pick the panel rate
         // Host→client feedback (rumble + DualSense lightbar/LEDs); poll threads stopped before close.
         val feedback = GamepadFeedback(handle).also { it.start() }
@@ -138,7 +172,7 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
             activity?.setConsoleHighRefreshRate(true) // back to the console UI's max refresh
             controller?.show(WindowInsetsCompat.Type.systemBars())
             window?.clearFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON)
-            if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
+            if (lowLatencyMode && Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
                 window?.setPreferMinimalPostProcessing(false)
             }
             runCatching { if (wifiLock?.isHeld == true) wifiLock.release() }
@@ -153,7 +187,8 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
         }
     }
 
-    BackHandler { onDisconnect() }
+    // Back gesture = a deliberate exit → signal the quit so the host tears down now (no linger).
+    BackHandler { NativeBridge.nativeDisconnectQuit(handle); onDisconnect() }
 
     Box(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize()) {
         AndroidView(
@@ -162,11 +197,13 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
                 SurfaceView(ctx).apply {
                     holder.addCallback(object : SurfaceHolder.Callback {
                         override fun surfaceCreated(holder: SurfaceHolder) {
-                            // Rank MediaCodecList decoders for the negotiated MIME (framework-only
+                            // Low-latency mode: rank MediaCodecList decoders for the negotiated
-                            // API) and hand the chosen one to Rust, which creates it by name and
+                            // MIME (framework-only API) and hand the chosen one to Rust, which
-                            // applies the per-SoC vendor low-latency keys.
+                            // creates it by name and applies the per-SoC vendor low-latency keys.
+                            // Off ⇒ no ranking: the platform resolves its default decoder for the
+                            // MIME, exactly as before the overhaul.
                             val mime = NativeBridge.nativeVideoMime(handle)
-                            val choice = VideoDecoders.pickDecoder(mime)
+                            val choice = if (lowLatencyMode) VideoDecoders.pickDecoder(mime) else null
                             NativeBridge.nativeStartVideo(
                                 handle,
                                 holder.surface,
@@ -175,7 +212,7 @@ fun StreamScreen(handle: Long, micEnabled: Boolean, onDisconnect: () -> Unit) {
                                 choice?.lowLatencyFeature ?: false,
                                 isTv,
                             )
-                            NativeBridge.nativeStartAudio(handle)
+                            NativeBridge.nativeStartAudio(handle, lowLatencyMode)
                             if (micWanted) NativeBridge.nativeStartMic(handle)
                         }
 

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

@@ -51,11 +51,23 @@ object NativeBridge {
         /** Preferred video codec as a `quic::CODEC_*` bit (`0` = auto). Soft — the host falls back. */
         preferredCodec: Int,
         timeoutMs: Int,
+        /** Store-qualified library id (`steam:<appid>` / `custom:<id>`) to boot straight into a game,
+         *  or `null`/empty for a plain desktop connect. Rides the Hello as `launch`. */
+        launch: String?,
     ): Long
 
     /** 64-hex SHA-256 of the cert the host presented on [handle]; valid after a successful connect. */
     external fun nativeHostFingerprint(handle: Long): String
 
+    /**
+     * Has the underlying QUIC session ended? `true` once the connection closed — a host suspend /
+     * crash / network drop idle-timed it out (~8 s), or the host closed it — from then on no frame
+     * ever arrives and the video sits frozen on its last one. The stream watchdog polls this (~1 Hz)
+     * to leave a dead stream and return to the menu, where the user can Wake-on-LAN the host, instead
+     * of stranding them on a frozen frame. `false` on a `0` handle. Cheap (one atomic load); UI-safe.
+     */
+    external fun nativeSessionEnded(handle: Long): Boolean
+
     /**
      * Run the SPAKE2 PIN ceremony, presenting [certPem]/[keyPem]. Returns the host's verified
      * fingerprint (64-hex) to persist + pin, or `""` on failure (wrong PIN / MITM / unreachable).
@@ -70,6 +82,14 @@ object NativeBridge {
         name: String,
     ): String
 
+    /**
+     * Signal a **deliberate** user disconnect on [handle] before [nativeClose]: the session closes
+     * with `QUIT_CLOSE_CODE` so the host tears it down immediately instead of holding the keep-alive
+     * linger for a reconnect. Call from an explicit disconnect gesture only — NOT from a
+     * host-ended/network-drop end or an app-background (those keep the linger). No-op on `0`.
+     */
+    external fun nativeDisconnectQuit(handle: Long)
+
     /** Tear down a session handle returned by [nativeConnect]. No-op on `0`. */
     external fun nativeClose(handle: Long)
 
@@ -103,6 +123,15 @@ object NativeBridge {
      */
     external fun nativeWakeOnLan(macsCsv: String, lastIp: String): Boolean
 
+    /**
+     * Apply the user's "Low-latency mode (experimental)" toggle to the process-wide transport
+     * defaults — today just DSCP/QoS marking on the media sockets. Must be called BEFORE
+     * [nativeConnect] (the tag is applied at socket creation); `HostConnect.connectToHost` does.
+     * The rest of the toggle rides explicit per-session parameters ([nativeStartVideo] /
+     * [nativeStartAudio]). Cheap (one atomic store); UI-safe.
+     */
+    external fun nativeSetLowLatencyMode(enabled: Boolean)
+
     /**
      * The MediaCodec MIME the host resolved for this session (`"video/hevc"` / `"video/avc"` /
      * `"video/av01"`), or `""` on a `0` handle. Kotlin ranks `MediaCodecList` decoders for this
@@ -114,10 +143,12 @@ object NativeBridge {
      * Start the decode thread rendering onto [surface] (a SurfaceView's surface). Decode runs
      * entirely in Rust (NDK AMediaCodec → ANativeWindow) — no per-frame JNI. [decoderName] is the
      * decoder Kotlin ranked from `MediaCodecList` (`""` = let the platform resolve the default for
-     * the MIME); [lowLatencyMode] is the user's master toggle (default on → aggressive per-SoC
+     * the MIME — what the pre-overhaul client always did); [lowLatencyMode] is the user's
-     * tuning; off → conservative); [lowLatencyFeature] is whether [decoderName] advertised
+     * "Low-latency mode (experimental)" toggle (off, the default, runs the original decode
-     * `FEATURE_LowLatency` (HUD label only). [isTv] drives an active HDMI mode switch to the stream
+     * pipeline; on, the aggressive per-SoC tuning + async loop); [lowLatencyFeature] is whether
-     * refresh on TV boxes (vs. the softer seamless hint on phones). No-op if already started.
+     * [decoderName] advertised `FEATURE_LowLatency` (HUD label only). [isTv] drives an active HDMI
+     * mode switch to the stream refresh on TV boxes when the toggle is on (vs. the softer seamless
+     * hint otherwise). No-op if already started.
      */
     external fun nativeStartVideo(
         handle: Long,
@@ -163,10 +194,12 @@ object NativeBridge {
     external fun nativeSetVideoStatsEnabled(handle: Long, enabled: Boolean)
 
     /**
-     * Start host→client audio: Opus decode → jitter ring → AAudio (LowLatency), all in Rust. No-op
+     * Start host→client audio: Opus decode → jitter ring → AAudio (LowLatency), all in Rust.
-     * if already started. Best-effort — a failure leaves video streaming.
+     * [lowLatencyMode] (the experimental toggle) additionally tags the stream usage=Game for the
+     * HAL's game-audio routing. No-op if already started. Best-effort — a failure leaves video
+     * streaming.
      */
-    external fun nativeStartAudio(handle: Long)
+    external fun nativeStartAudio(handle: Long, lowLatencyMode: Boolean)
 
     /** Stop + join the audio thread and close AAudio, without closing the session. No-op on `0`. */
     external fun nativeStopAudio(handle: Long)

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

@@ -57,7 +57,17 @@ object VideoDecoders {
             val name = info.name
             val lower = name.lowercase()
             if (BLOCKED_PREFIXES.any { lower.startsWith(it) } || lower in BLOCKED_EXACT) continue
+            // Never a secure decoder: `.secure` names are the DRM-pipeline twins of the real
+            // decoder and require a secure surface — configuring one for a clear stream fails (or
+            // renders black). The plain twin is also in the list, so drop rather than rank
+            // (a `.secure` twin can otherwise OUT-score its plain sibling when only it advertises
+            // FEATURE_LowLatency). Moonlight filters the same way.
+            if (lower.endsWith(".secure")) continue
             val caps = runCatching { info.getCapabilitiesForType(mime) }.getOrNull() ?: continue
+            val secureRequired = runCatching {
+                caps.isFeatureRequired(CodecCapabilities.FEATURE_SecurePlayback)
+            }.getOrDefault(false)
+            if (secureRequired) continue
 
             val hardware = if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
                 info.isHardwareAccelerated

clients/android/native/src/adpf.rs

@@ -103,8 +103,10 @@ pub struct HintSession {
 impl HintSession {
     /// Open a session hinting `tids` with an initial per-frame target of `target_ns` nanoseconds.
     /// `None` when ADPF is unavailable (device API < 33) or the platform declines — the caller then
-    /// runs unhinted (a no-op, not an error).
+    /// runs unhinted (a no-op, not an error). `prefer_performance` (the experimental low-latency
-    pub fn create(target_ns: i64, tids: &[i32]) -> Option<Self> {
+    /// mode) additionally biases the governor away from power efficiency (API 35+); off, the
+    /// session runs with the platform default, as it did before the overhaul.
+    pub fn create(target_ns: i64, tids: &[i32], prefer_performance: bool) -> Option<Self> {
         if target_ns <= 0 || tids.is_empty() {
             return None;
         }
@@ -119,10 +121,12 @@ impl HintSession {
         // Tell the governor NOT to bias this session toward power efficiency (API 35+): our loop is
         // latency-critical, so we want it kept on fast cores at high clocks over battery savings.
         // Best-effort; absent below API 35.
+        if prefer_performance {
             if let Some(f) = api.set_prefer_power_efficiency {
                 // SAFETY: `session` is the live session just created; the fn takes it + a bool.
                 unsafe { f(session, false) };
             }
+        }
         Some(Self { api, session })
     }
 

clients/android/native/src/audio.rs

@@ -116,8 +116,10 @@ pub struct AudioPlayback {
 impl AudioPlayback {
     /// Open AAudio (LowLatency, 48 kHz/f32, the host-resolved channel layout) with a realtime
     /// callback draining a jitter ring, then spawn the Opus decode thread. `None` on failure (the
-    /// caller leaves video streaming).
+    /// caller leaves video streaming). `game_audio` (the experimental low-latency mode) tags the
-    pub fn start(client: Arc<NativeClient>) -> Option<AudioPlayback> {
+    /// stream usage=Game for the HAL's game-audio routing; off, the stream is untagged as it was
+    /// before the overhaul.
+    pub fn start(client: Arc<NativeClient>, game_audio: bool) -> Option<AudioPlayback> {
         // Build playback 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 = punktfunk_core::audio::normalize_channels(client.audio_channels) as usize;
@@ -226,7 +228,7 @@ impl AudioPlayback {
                 AudioCallbackResult::Continue
             };
 
-            let stream = AudioStreamBuilder::new()?
+            let builder = AudioStreamBuilder::new()?
                 .direction(AudioDirection::Output)
                 .sample_rate(SAMPLE_RATE)
                 // The wire order (FL FR FC LFE RL RR SL SR) is the standard AAudio/Android channel
@@ -234,12 +236,19 @@ impl AudioPlayback {
                 // from `channel_count` (the ndk crate's builder exposes no setChannelMask); the host
                 // captures + Opus-encodes in exactly this order.
                 .channel_count(channels as i32)
-                .format(AudioFormat::PCM_Float)
+                .format(AudioFormat::PCM_Float);
             // Tag the stream as game audio (usage=Game / content=Movie): the audio HAL applies
             // its low-latency game-audio routing/policy and it's grouped correctly with the
-                // game-mode profile. Advisory — ignored where the device has no such policy.
+            // game-mode profile. Advisory — ignored where the device has no such policy. Part of
+            // the experimental low-latency stack; off, the stream stays untagged.
+            let builder = if game_audio {
+                builder
                     .usage(AudioUsage::Game)
                     .content_type(AudioContentType::Movie)
+            } else {
+                builder
+            };
+            let stream = builder
                 .performance_mode(AudioPerformanceMode::LowLatency)
                 .sharing_mode(sharing)
                 .data_callback(Box::new(callback))

clients/android/native/src/decode.rs

@@ -36,9 +36,11 @@ const IN_FLIGHT_CAP: usize = 64;
 /// this deep is a lost datagram (or an old host that never sends any) and gets evicted.
 const PENDING_SPLIT_CAP: usize = 256;
 
-/// Whether to run the event-driven async decode loop (default) or the synchronous poll loop kept as
+/// Whether low-latency mode uses the event-driven async decode loop (default) or the synchronous
-/// a bring-up fallback. Flip to `false` to A/B the two on the HUD (`design/…`); the async loop
+/// poll loop. Flip to `false` to A/B the two on the HUD (`design/…`); the async loop presents a
-/// presents a decoded frame the instant it's ready instead of waiting out a poll interval.
+/// decoded frame the instant it's ready instead of waiting out a poll interval. Only consulted when
+/// the user's "Low-latency mode (experimental)" toggle is ON — off, the sync loop always runs (the
+/// original pipeline).
 const USE_ASYNC_DECODE: bool = true;
 
 /// Per-session decode configuration, resolved by the JNI layer (`nativeStartVideo`) and passed to
@@ -50,8 +52,10 @@ pub(crate) struct DecodeOptions {
     /// Whether Kotlin found the chosen decoder advertises `FEATURE_LowLatency` (queryable only via
     /// the Java `CodecCapabilities` API) — surfaced on the HUD next to the decoder name.
     pub ll_feature: bool,
-    /// The user's "Low-latency mode" master toggle (default on ⇒ full aggressive profile; off ⇒
+    /// The user's "Low-latency mode (experimental)" master toggle. On ⇒ the full overhaul: async
-    /// conservative, an escape hatch for a device that throttles under the clocks).
+    /// decode loop, per-SoC vendor keys, pipeline thread boosts, ADPF max-performance, forced TV
+    /// mode switch. Off (default) ⇒ the original pre-overhaul pipeline, kept as the known-good
+    /// baseline while the overhaul is experimental.
     pub low_latency_mode: bool,
     /// TV form factor (Kotlin's `UiModeManager`): actively drive the HDMI output into the stream's
     /// refresh mode, vs. the softer seamless hint on a phone/tablet.
@@ -67,17 +71,16 @@ pub fn run(
     stats: Arc<crate::stats::VideoStats>,
     opts: DecodeOptions,
 ) {
-    if USE_ASYNC_DECODE {
+    if opts.low_latency_mode && USE_ASYNC_DECODE {
         run_async(client, window, shutdown, stats, opts);
     } else {
         run_sync(client, window, shutdown, stats, opts);
     }
 }
 
-/// The synchronous poll loop — the original decode path, kept as a bring-up fallback behind
+/// The synchronous poll loop — the original decode path: the only one when low-latency mode is off,
-/// [`USE_ASYNC_DECODE`]. Feeds and drains on this one thread; the only blocking wait is a short
+/// and the [`USE_ASYNC_DECODE`] A/B fallback when it's on. Feeds and drains on this one thread; the
-/// output dequeue while input is backed up.
+/// only blocking wait is a short output dequeue while input is backed up.
-#[allow(dead_code)]
 fn run_sync(
     client: Arc<NativeClient>,
     window: NativeWindow,
@@ -160,7 +163,11 @@ fn run_sync(
     // above our API-28 floor, so we resolve it at runtime (see `try_set_frame_rate`) rather than link
     // it — a hard import would stop `libpunktfunk_android.so` loading at all on API 28/29. Absent
     // there ⇒ we simply skip the hint (non-fatal; the stream renders fine without it).
-    if mode.refresh_hz > 0 && !try_set_frame_rate(&window, mode.refresh_hz as f32, is_tv) {
+    // The forced TV mode switch (`is_tv` ⇒ ALWAYS strategy) is part of the experimental stack;
+    // off, every form factor gets the original soft seamless hint.
+    if mode.refresh_hz > 0
+        && !try_set_frame_rate(&window, mode.refresh_hz as f32, is_tv && low_latency_mode)
+    {
         log::debug!(
             "decode: set_frame_rate({} Hz) unavailable/declined (non-fatal)",
             mode.refresh_hz
@@ -319,8 +326,12 @@ fn run_sync(
                 // or where the platform declines → `None`, and the loop runs unhinted).
                 hint_tried = true;
                 let tids = client.hot_thread_ids();
+                // The pump/audio priority boost is part of the experimental low-latency stack; the
+                // ADPF session itself predates it and always runs (max-performance bias gated inside).
+                if low_latency_mode {
                     boost_hot_threads(&tids);
-                hint = crate::adpf::HintSession::create(frame_period_ns, &tids);
+                }
+                hint = crate::adpf::HintSession::create(frame_period_ns, &tids, low_latency_mode);
                 log::info!(
                     "decode: ADPF hint session {} — {} hot thread(s), target {frame_period_ns} ns",
                     if hint.is_some() {
@@ -396,12 +407,15 @@ fn create_codec(mime: &str, preferred: Option<&str>) -> Option<MediaCodec> {
     MediaCodec::from_decoder_type(mime)
 }
 
-/// Apply the low-latency MediaFormat keys for `codec_name`. The standard AOSP `low-latency` key is
+/// Apply the low-latency MediaFormat keys for `codec_name`.
-/// always set (API 30+, harmless/ignored elsewhere). When `aggressive` (the "Low-latency mode"
+///
-/// master toggle) we additionally set MediaTek's `vdec-lowlatency` (unconditionally — ignored off
+/// `aggressive` = the "Low-latency mode (experimental)" master toggle. **Off** (default) ⇒ the
-/// MediaTek), the per-SoC vendor extension keys (gated on the decoder-name prefix the way
+/// pre-overhaul key set, byte-for-byte — the standard `low-latency` key, the blind Qualcomm vendor
-/// Moonlight-Android does, since a key one vendor honours is meaningless on another), and one clock
+/// twin, `priority = 0` AND `operating-rate = MAX` set together — kept as the known-good baseline
-/// hint. Off ⇒ the standard key only, a gentler profile for a device that throttles under max clocks.
+/// (the profile every device streamed with before the overhaul). **On** ⇒ the Moonlight-parity
+/// profile: MediaTek's `vdec-lowlatency` (unconditionally — ignored off MediaTek), the per-SoC
+/// vendor extension keys (gated on the decoder-name prefix the way Moonlight-Android does, since a
+/// key one vendor honours is meaningless on another), and one *mutually exclusive* clock hint.
 ///
 /// Vendor keys mirror Moonlight's `MediaCodecHelper` (verified against current source): Qualcomm
 /// picture-order + low-latency, Exynos (also Google Tensor), Amlogic, HiSilicon, MediaTek. NVIDIA
@@ -411,6 +425,12 @@ fn configure_low_latency(format: &mut MediaFormat, codec_name: &str, aggressive:
     // Standard key: request the no-reorder low-latency path where the platform decoder supports it.
     format.set_i32("low-latency", 1);
     if !aggressive {
+        // The original profile: the Qualcomm vendor twin set blind (unknown keys are ignored by
+        // other vendors' codecs), realtime priority, and the AOSP "unbounded" operating-rate
+        // sentinel — decode each frame at max clocks rather than pacing to the frame rate.
+        format.set_i32("vendor.qti-ext-dec-low-latency.enable", 1);
+        format.set_i32("priority", 0); // 0 = realtime
+        format.set_i32("operating-rate", i16::MAX as i32); // 32767 = "as fast as possible"
         return;
     }
     // MediaTek's low-latency key — very common (mid/budget phones + many Google TV / Fire TV boxes).
@@ -600,7 +620,11 @@ fn run_async(
         mode.width,
         mode.height
     );
-    if mode.refresh_hz > 0 && !try_set_frame_rate(&window, mode.refresh_hz as f32, is_tv) {
+    // The forced TV mode switch (`is_tv` ⇒ ALWAYS strategy) is part of the experimental stack;
+    // off, every form factor gets the original soft seamless hint.
+    if mode.refresh_hz > 0
+        && !try_set_frame_rate(&window, mode.refresh_hz as f32, is_tv && low_latency_mode)
+    {
         log::debug!(
             "decode: set_frame_rate({} Hz) unavailable/declined (non-fatal)",
             mode.refresh_hz
@@ -716,8 +740,12 @@ fn run_async(
             if !hint_tried {
                 hint_tried = true;
                 let tids = client.hot_thread_ids();
+                // The pump/audio priority boost is part of the experimental low-latency stack; the
+                // ADPF session itself predates it and always runs (max-performance bias gated inside).
+                if low_latency_mode {
                     boost_hot_threads(&tids);
-                hint = crate::adpf::HintSession::create(frame_period_ns, &tids);
+                }
+                hint = crate::adpf::HintSession::create(frame_period_ns, &tids, low_latency_mode);
                 log::info!(
                     "decode: ADPF hint session {} — {} hot thread(s), target {frame_period_ns} ns",
                     if hint.is_some() {

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

@@ -32,8 +32,23 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeGenerateIde
     }
 }
 
+/// `NativeBridge.nativeSetLowLatencyMode(enabled)` — apply the user's "Low-latency mode
+/// (experimental)" toggle to the process-wide transport defaults, today just DSCP/QoS marking on
+/// the media sockets. Must be called BEFORE `nativeConnect` (the tag is applied at socket
+/// creation); Kotlin's one connect choke point (`HostConnect.connectToHost`) does. The rest of the
+/// toggle rides explicit per-session parameters (`nativeStartVideo` / `nativeStartAudio`).
+#[no_mangle]
+pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeSetLowLatencyMode(
+    _env: JNIEnv,
+    _this: JObject,
+    enabled: jboolean,
+) {
+    punktfunk_core::transport::set_dscp_default(enabled != 0);
+}
+
 /// `NativeBridge.nativeConnect(host, port, w, h, hz, certPem, keyPem, pinHex, bitrateKbps,
-/// compositorPref, gamepadPref, hdrEnabled, audioChannels, preferredCodec, timeoutMs): Long`.
+/// compositorPref, gamepadPref, hdrEnabled, audioChannels, preferredCodec, timeoutMs, launch): Long`.
+/// `launch` (empty ⇒ none) is a store-qualified library id to boot straight into a game.
 /// `certPem`/`keyPem` empty = anonymous, else presented as the persistent identity. `pinHex` empty
 /// = TOFU (read `nativeHostFingerprint` after), else 64-hex SHA-256 to pin the host (mismatch → 0).
 /// `bitrateKbps` 0 = host default. `compositorPref`/`gamepadPref` are `CompositorPref`/`GamepadPref`
@@ -63,6 +78,7 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeConnect<'lo
     audio_channels: jint,
     preferred_codec: jint,
     timeout_ms: jint,
+    launch: JString<'local>,
 ) -> jlong {
     let host: String = match env.get_string(&host) {
         Ok(s) => s.into(),
@@ -74,6 +90,13 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeConnect<'lo
         .unwrap_or_default();
     let key: String = env.get_string(&key_pem).map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
     let pin_hex: String = env.get_string(&pin_hex).map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
+    // A store-qualified library id (`steam:<appid>` / `custom:<id>`) to boot straight into a game;
+    // null / empty ⇒ None (a plain desktop connect). Rides the Hello as `launch`.
+    let launch: Option<String> = env
+        .get_string(&launch)
+        .map(Into::into)
+        .ok()
+        .filter(|s: &String| !s.is_empty());
 
     let identity: Option<(String, String)> = if cert.is_empty() || key.is_empty() {
         None
@@ -124,7 +147,7 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeConnect<'lo
         // + the soft `preferred_codec` and echoes it in `connector.codec`, which drives the mime below.
         punktfunk_core::quic::CODEC_H264 | punktfunk_core::quic::CODEC_HEVC,
         preferred_codec.clamp(0, u8::MAX as jint) as u8,
-        None,     // launch: default app
+        launch,   // a store-qualified library id to boot into a game, or None for the desktop
         pin,      // Some → Crypto on host-fp mismatch
         identity, // owned (cert, key) PEM, or None (anonymous)
         // Handshake budget from Kotlin: ~10 s for a normal connect, ~185 s for "request access"
@@ -170,6 +193,30 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeClose(
     })
 }
 
+/// `NativeBridge.nativeDisconnectQuit(handle)` — signal a DELIBERATE user quit before `nativeClose`,
+/// so the session closes with `QUIT_CLOSE_CODE` and the host tears it down immediately instead of
+/// holding the keep-alive linger for a reconnect. Call from an explicit disconnect action only (a
+/// plain drop / app-background keeps the linger). The handle is only BORROWED (not freed). No-op on `0`.
+///
+/// # Safety contract
+/// `handle` must be `0` or a live handle from [`Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeConnect`],
+/// not freed / closed concurrently with this call (Kotlin still owns it and closes it via `nativeClose`).
+#[no_mangle]
+pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeDisconnectQuit(
+    _env: JNIEnv,
+    _this: JObject,
+    handle: jlong,
+) {
+    jni_guard((), || {
+        if handle != 0 {
+            // SAFETY: per the contract, `handle` is a live `Box<SessionHandle>` — we only borrow it
+            // (no drop), so it stays owned by Kotlin for the later `nativeClose`.
+            let sh = unsafe { &*(handle as *const SessionHandle) };
+            sh.client.disconnect_quit();
+        }
+    })
+}
+
 /// `NativeBridge.nativeHostFingerprint(handle): String` — the SHA-256 (64-hex) of the cert the host
 /// presented on this connection. Valid after a successful `nativeConnect`; Kotlin pins it on a TOFU
 /// connect. `""` on a `0` handle.
@@ -192,6 +239,28 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeHostFingerp
     }
 }
 
+/// `NativeBridge.nativeSessionEnded(handle): Boolean` — has the underlying QUIC session ended?
+/// `true` once the connection closed (a host suspend / crash / network drop idle-timed it out, or the
+/// host closed it) — from then on no more frames arrive and the video sits frozen on its last one.
+/// Kotlin's stream watchdog polls this (~1 Hz) to leave a dead stream and return to the menu (where
+/// the user can Wake-on-LAN the host) instead of stranding them on a frozen frame. `false` on a `0`
+/// handle. Cheap (one atomic load); safe on the UI thread.
+#[no_mangle]
+pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeSessionEnded(
+    _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.client.is_session_ended())
+    })
+}
+
 /// `NativeBridge.nativePair(host, port, certPem, keyPem, pin, name): String` — run the SPAKE2 PIN
 /// ceremony, presenting our persistent identity. On success returns the host's verified fingerprint
 /// (64-hex) to persist + pin; on any failure (wrong PIN / MITM / host reject / unreachable) returns

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

@@ -233,14 +233,17 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeSetVideoSta
     })
 }
 
-/// `NativeBridge.nativeStartAudio(handle)` — start the Opus→AAudio playback thread. No-op if already
+/// `NativeBridge.nativeStartAudio(handle, lowLatencyMode)` — start the Opus→AAudio playback thread.
-/// started or on a `0` handle. Best-effort: a failure leaves video streaming.
+/// `lowLatencyMode` (the experimental toggle) tags the stream usage=Game for the HAL's game-audio
+/// routing. No-op if already started or on a `0` handle. Best-effort: a failure leaves video
+/// streaming.
 #[cfg(target_os = "android")]
 #[no_mangle]
 pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeStartAudio(
     _env: JNIEnv,
     _this: JObject,
     handle: jlong,
+    low_latency_mode: jboolean,
 ) {
     if handle == 0 {
         return;
@@ -251,7 +254,7 @@ pub extern "system" fn Java_io_unom_punktfunk_kit_NativeBridge_nativeStartAudio(
     if guard.is_some() {
         return; // already playing
     }
-    match crate::audio::AudioPlayback::start(h.client.clone()) {
+    match crate::audio::AudioPlayback::start(h.client.clone(), low_latency_mode != 0) {
         Some(p) => *guard = Some(p),
         None => log::error!("nativeStartAudio: playback init failed (video unaffected)"),
     }

clients/apple/Punktfunk.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj

@@ -432,6 +432,7 @@
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
 				INFOPLIST_FILE = Config/Info.plist;
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_CFBundleDisplayName = Punktfunk;
+				INFOPLIST_KEY_GCSupportsControllerUserInteraction = YES;
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_LSApplicationCategoryType = "public.app-category.utilities";
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription = "Punktfunk connects directly to your punktfunk host on the local network to stream video, audio, and input.";
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_NSMicrophoneUsageDescription = "Your microphone is streamed to the connected punktfunk host, where it appears as a virtual microphone.";
@@ -471,6 +472,7 @@
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
 				INFOPLIST_FILE = Config/Info.plist;
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_CFBundleDisplayName = Punktfunk;
+				INFOPLIST_KEY_GCSupportsControllerUserInteraction = YES;
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_LSApplicationCategoryType = "public.app-category.utilities";
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription = "Punktfunk connects directly to your punktfunk host on the local network to stream video, audio, and input.";
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_NSMicrophoneUsageDescription = "Your microphone is streamed to the connected punktfunk host, where it appears as a virtual microphone.";

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

@@ -276,7 +276,10 @@ final class SessionModel: ObservableObject {
         disconnect()
     }
 
-    func disconnect() {
+    /// Tear the session down. `deliberate` (the default) means a user-initiated quit — signal
+    /// `disconnectQuit()` so the host skips the keep-alive linger; `sessionEnded()` (a host-ended /
+    /// dropped session) passes `false` to leave the linger intact.
+    func disconnect(deliberate: Bool = true) {
         statsTimer?.invalidate()
         statsTimer = nil
         let audio = self.audio
@@ -294,6 +297,8 @@ final class SessionModel: ObservableObject {
             Task.detached {
                 audio?.stop()
                 feedback?.stop()
+                // Deliberate user quit → tell the host to skip the keep-alive linger (must precede close).
+                if deliberate { conn.disconnectQuit() }
                 conn.close()
             }
         } else {
@@ -321,7 +326,7 @@ final class SessionModel: ObservableObject {
     func sessionEnded() {
         guard connection != nil else { return }
         let name = activeHost?.displayName ?? "host"
-        disconnect()
+        disconnect(deliberate: false) // host/network ended it — keep the linger for a reconnect
         errorMessage = "Session ended by \(name)."
     }
 

clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Connection/PunktfunkConnection.swift

@@ -759,6 +759,17 @@ public final class PunktfunkConnection {
         _ = punktfunk_connection_send_input(h, &ev)
     }
 
+    /// Signal a **deliberate** user-initiated quit before ``close()``: the connection closes with
+    /// `QUIT_CLOSE_CODE` (81) so the host tears the session down immediately instead of holding the
+    /// keep-alive linger for a reconnect. Call only from an explicit "Disconnect" action — NOT from a
+    /// network drop / host-ended / app-background (those keep the linger). Idempotent, safe pre-close.
+    public func disconnectQuit() {
+        abiLock.lock()
+        defer { abiLock.unlock() }
+        guard let h = handle, !closeRequested else { return }
+        punktfunk_connection_disconnect_quit(h)
+    }
+
     /// Close the connection and free the handle. Safe from any thread, idempotent; waits
     /// for in-flight pulls (≤ their timeouts) before tearing down.
     public func close() {

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

@@ -84,15 +84,6 @@ public final class InputCapture {
     /// its Esc suppression need it in both states).
     private var cmdKeysDown: Set<UInt32> = []
 
-    #if os(macOS)
-    /// Previous raw `NSEvent.modifierFlags.rawValue` (LOW 16 bits intact — those carry the
-    /// device-dependent L/R bits). Modifier keys never fire keyDown/keyUp on macOS; they
-    /// arrive as flagsChanged, which doesn't carry down-vs-up — we recover that by diffing
-    /// this snapshot. Resynced (not diffed) while forwarding is off so a modifier held
-    /// across a capture toggle can't produce a phantom transition on re-engage.
-    private var prevModFlags: UInt = 0
-    #endif
-
     /// While true, mouse/keyboard flow to the host and key NSEvents are swallowed
     /// locally; while false the user is interacting with the local UI (dragging the
     /// window, clicking the HUD) and nothing is forwarded. Main-queue only.
@@ -279,12 +270,6 @@ public final class InputCapture {
         residualY = 0
         residualScrollX = 0
         residualScrollY = 0
-        #if os(macOS)
-        // Drop the modifier snapshot too: a flagsChanged transition can be missed if focus
-        // leaves mid-chord, and the next handleFlagsChanged resyncs from a clean slate (it
-        // resyncs while released anyway, but this keeps stuck state from outliving a blur).
-        prevModFlags = 0
-        #endif
     }
 
     /// Release any held MOUSE buttons host-side, leaving keyboard state untouched. Used when
@@ -359,39 +344,52 @@ public final class InputCapture {
     }
 
     /// NSEvent modifier path (macOS): modifier keys never fire keyDown/keyUp — they arrive
-    /// as flagsChanged, which carries no down-vs-up. We diff the raw flags against the prior
+    /// as flagsChanged, which carries no down-vs-up. `keyCode` names the key that changed
-    /// snapshot to recover each transition, and the changed key's L/R identity from the
+    /// (kVK_Control & co., already L/R-specific); `resolveModifier` recovers the direction
-    /// device-dependent bits in the LOW 16 bits (the .deviceIndependentFlagsMask the ⌘⎋
+    /// from the flags. Fed `event.keyCode` + `UInt(event.modifierFlags.rawValue)` — LOW 16
-    /// monitor uses deliberately strips exactly these — do NOT pre-mask here). Each side maps
+    /// bits intact, they carry the device-dependent L/R bits (the .deviceIndependentFlagsMask
-    /// to the same L/R modifier VK `hidToVK` already emits, so the host needs no change.
+    /// the ⌘⎋ monitor uses deliberately strips exactly these — do NOT pre-mask here).
-    /// Fed `UInt(event.modifierFlags.rawValue)`.
+    public func handleFlagsChanged(keyCode: UInt16, rawFlags: UInt) {
-    public func handleFlagsChanged(_ rawFlags: UInt) {
+        if inputDebug {
-        // While released we only resync the snapshot, so a modifier held across a capture
+            inputLog.debug(
-        // toggle doesn't show up as a spurious transition the moment forwarding re-engages.
+                "flagsChanged keyCode \(keyCode, privacy: .public) flags 0x\(String(rawFlags, radix: 16), privacy: .public) forwarding \(self.forwarding, privacy: .public)")
-        guard forwarding else {
-            prevModFlags = rawFlags
-            return
         }
-        // (device-dependent mask, VK). LOW-16-bit masks from IOLLEvent.h (NX_DEVICE*MASK):
+        guard forwarding else { return }
-        // Lshift 0x2 Rshift 0x4 | Lctrl 0x1 Rctrl 0x2000 | Lalt 0x20 Ralt 0x40 | Lcmd 0x8 Rcmd 0x10.
+        guard let (vk, down) = Self.resolveModifier(
-        let table: [(UInt, UInt32)] = [
+            keyCode: keyCode, rawFlags: rawFlags, isDown: { pressedVKs.contains($0) })
-            (0x2, 0xA0), (0x4, 0xA1), // VK_LSHIFT / VK_RSHIFT
+        else { return } // Fn / Caps Lock / unknown — nothing the host consumes on this path
-            (0x1, 0xA2), (0x2000, 0xA3), // VK_LCONTROL / VK_RCONTROL
-            (0x20, 0xA4), (0x40, 0xA5), // VK_LMENU / VK_RMENU (left/right alt-option)
-            (0x8, 0x5B), (0x10, 0x5C), // VK_LWIN / VK_RWIN (left/right command)
-        ]
-        for (mask, vk) in table {
-            let now = (rawFlags & mask) != 0
-            let was = (prevModFlags & mask) != 0
-            guard now != was else { continue }
         // Keep cmdKeysDown in step (the ⌘⎋ toggle + Esc suppression read it); sendKey
         // adds the VK to pressedVKs so releaseAll/blur flushes a held modifier cleanly.
         if vk == 0x5B || vk == 0x5C {
-                if now { cmdKeysDown.insert(vk) } else { cmdKeysDown.remove(vk) }
+            if down { cmdKeysDown.insert(vk) } else { cmdKeysDown.remove(vk) }
         }
-            sendKey(vk, down: now)
+        sendKey(vk, down: down)
     }
-        prevModFlags = rawFlags
+
+    /// Resolve one flagsChanged transition to (Windows VK, down). The changed key is
+    /// `keyCode`; the direction comes from the flags. The device-dependent L/R bits (LOW
+    /// 16 bits, NX_DEVICE*KEYMASK) disambiguate the two same-class keys, but some
+    /// keyboards ship flagsChanged WITHOUT them — only the device-independent class
+    /// bit (NX_CONTROLMASK & co.) is set. A pure diff of the device bits silently drops
+    /// those keys (seen live: Control never forwarded), so this is keyCode-driven with the
+    /// flags as evidence: class bit clear → the key went up; device bits present → they
+    /// say which side is held now; class bit set with NO device bits → flip the held state
+    /// we track (`isDown`, from pressedVKs — SDL ships the same fallback). Each keyCode
+    /// maps to the L/R modifier VK `hidToVK` already emits, so the host needs no change.
+    /// Returns nil for modifiers the host doesn't consume on this path (Fn, Caps Lock).
+    static func resolveModifier(
+        keyCode: UInt16, rawFlags: UInt, isDown: (UInt32) -> Bool
+    ) -> (vk: UInt32, down: Bool)? {
+        guard let mod = modifierBits[keyCode] else { return nil }
+        let down: Bool
+        if rawFlags & mod.classMask == 0 {
+            down = false
+        } else if rawFlags & (mod.deviceBit | mod.siblingBit) != 0 {
+            down = rawFlags & mod.deviceBit != 0
+        } else {
+            down = !isDown(mod.vk)
+        }
+        return (mod.vk, down)
     }
     #endif
 

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

@@ -98,5 +98,23 @@ extension InputCapture {
         m[0x47] = 0x90 // KP clear sits where NumLock is → VK_NUMLOCK. (KP equals 0x51 dropped.)
         return m
     }()
+
+    /// NSEvent.keyCode of each modifier key (kVK_Shift & co. — modifiers arrive only as
+    /// flagsChanged) → its Windows VK plus the `NSEvent.modifierFlags` bits that describe
+    /// it: `classMask` is the device-INDEPENDENT NX_*MASK for the modifier class,
+    /// `deviceBit`/`siblingBit` the device-dependent bits (LOW 16 bits, NX_DEVICE*KEYMASK
+    /// in IOLLEvent.h) for this key and its opposite-side twin. Consumed by
+    /// `resolveModifier`, which explains why both kinds of bit are needed.
+    static let modifierBits:
+        [UInt16: (vk: UInt32, classMask: UInt, deviceBit: UInt, siblingBit: UInt)] = [
+            56: (0xA0, 0x2_0000, 0x2, 0x4), // left shift → VK_LSHIFT
+            60: (0xA1, 0x2_0000, 0x4, 0x2), // right shift → VK_RSHIFT
+            59: (0xA2, 0x4_0000, 0x1, 0x2000), // left control → VK_LCONTROL
+            62: (0xA3, 0x4_0000, 0x2000, 0x1), // right control → VK_RCONTROL
+            58: (0xA4, 0x8_0000, 0x20, 0x40), // left option → VK_LMENU
+            61: (0xA5, 0x8_0000, 0x40, 0x20), // right option → VK_RMENU
+            55: (0x5B, 0x10_0000, 0x8, 0x10), // left command → VK_LWIN
+            54: (0x5C, 0x10_0000, 0x10, 0x8), // right command → VK_RWIN
+        ]
     #endif
 }

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

@@ -346,10 +346,13 @@ public final class StreamLayerView: NSView {
         super.keyUp(with: event)
     }
     /// Modifier keys (shift/control/option/command) arrive ONLY as flagsChanged on macOS,
-    /// never keyDown/keyUp — InputCapture diffs the raw flags to recover each L/R down/up.
+    /// never keyDown/keyUp — the changed key is `event.keyCode`; InputCapture resolves the
+    /// down-vs-up direction from the flags (diffing the device-dependent flag bits alone
+    /// proved unreliable — some keyboards omit them, which silently dropped Control).
     public override func flagsChanged(with event: NSEvent) {
         if captured, let inputCapture {
-            inputCapture.handleFlagsChanged(UInt(event.modifierFlags.rawValue))
+            inputCapture.handleFlagsChanged(
+                keyCode: event.keyCode, rawFlags: UInt(event.modifierFlags.rawValue))
             return
         }
         super.flagsChanged(with: event)

clients/apple/Tests/PunktfunkKitTests/ModifierResolveTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+#if os(macOS)
+import XCTest
+
+@testable import PunktfunkKit
+
+/// Pins the macOS flagsChanged → modifier-VK resolution (InputCapture.resolveModifier).
+/// Modifier keys arrive only as flagsChanged, which carries no down-vs-up: the changed key
+/// is the event's keyCode, and the direction is recovered from the flag bits — with a
+/// held-state fallback for keyboards that omit the device-dependent L/R bits (the gap that
+/// used to silently drop Control when the transition was diffed from those bits alone).
+final class ModifierResolveTests: XCTestCase {
+    /// Resolve with a fixed already-held answer for the fallback path.
+    private func resolve(
+        keyCode: UInt16, rawFlags: UInt, held: Bool = false
+    ) -> (vk: UInt32, down: Bool)? {
+        InputCapture.resolveModifier(keyCode: keyCode, rawFlags: rawFlags) { _ in held }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: Keyboards that report the device-dependent L/R bits (the common case)
+
+    func testControlPressAndReleaseWithDeviceBits() {
+        // Real left-Control down: NX_CONTROLMASK | NX_DEVICELCTLKEYMASK (+ misc low bits).
+        let down = resolve(keyCode: 59, rawFlags: 0x4_0101)
+        XCTAssertEqual(down?.vk, 0xA2) // VK_LCONTROL
+        XCTAssertEqual(down?.down, true)
+        // Release: the class mask is gone entirely.
+        let up = resolve(keyCode: 59, rawFlags: 0x100)
+        XCTAssertEqual(up?.vk, 0xA2)
+        XCTAssertEqual(up?.down, false)
+    }
+
+    func testRightControlUsesItsOwnDeviceBit() {
+        let down = resolve(keyCode: 62, rawFlags: 0x4_2000)
+        XCTAssertEqual(down?.vk, 0xA3) // VK_RCONTROL
+        XCTAssertEqual(down?.down, true)
+    }
+
+    func testReleasingOneOfTwoHeldControls() {
+        // Left goes up while right stays held: class mask still set, right device bit
+        // still set, LEFT device bit cleared — the left key must resolve as UP.
+        let leftUp = resolve(keyCode: 59, rawFlags: 0x4_2000, held: true)
+        XCTAssertEqual(leftUp?.vk, 0xA2)
+        XCTAssertEqual(leftUp?.down, false)
+    }
+
+    func testEverySideMapsToItsOwnVK() {
+        XCTAssertEqual(resolve(keyCode: 56, rawFlags: 0x2_0002)?.vk, 0xA0) // VK_LSHIFT
+        XCTAssertEqual(resolve(keyCode: 60, rawFlags: 0x2_0004)?.vk, 0xA1) // VK_RSHIFT
+        XCTAssertEqual(resolve(keyCode: 58, rawFlags: 0x8_0020)?.vk, 0xA4) // VK_LMENU
+        XCTAssertEqual(resolve(keyCode: 61, rawFlags: 0x8_0040)?.vk, 0xA5) // VK_RMENU
+        XCTAssertEqual(resolve(keyCode: 55, rawFlags: 0x10_0008)?.vk, 0x5B) // VK_LWIN
+        XCTAssertEqual(resolve(keyCode: 54, rawFlags: 0x10_0010)?.vk, 0x5C) // VK_RWIN
+        for (_, down) in [56, 60, 58, 61, 55, 54].compactMap({
+            self.resolve(keyCode: UInt16($0), rawFlags: 0xFF_FFFF)
+        }) {
+            XCTAssertTrue(down)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: Keyboards that DON'T report the device bits (the bug this resolver fixes)
+
+    func testControlPressWithoutDeviceBitsFallsBackToHeldState() {
+        // Only NX_CONTROLMASK, no low bits at all: a flag diff of the device bits sees no
+        // transition and drops the key — the fallback must infer DOWN from "not held yet".
+        let down = resolve(keyCode: 59, rawFlags: 0x4_0000, held: false)
+        XCTAssertEqual(down?.vk, 0xA2)
+        XCTAssertEqual(down?.down, true)
+        // And the mirror release (class cleared) still resolves as UP.
+        let up = resolve(keyCode: 59, rawFlags: 0, held: true)
+        XCTAssertEqual(up?.down, false)
+    }
+
+    func testClassBitStillSetButKeyAlreadyHeldResolvesUp() {
+        // Device-bit-less keyboard, second same-class key still holding the class bit:
+        // the best available answer for the key that changed is to flip its held state.
+        let up = resolve(keyCode: 59, rawFlags: 0x4_0000, held: true)
+        XCTAssertEqual(up?.down, false)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: Modifiers the host doesn't consume on this path
+
+    func testFnAndCapsLockResolveToNothing() {
+        XCTAssertNil(resolve(keyCode: 63, rawFlags: 0x80_0000)) // Fn / Globe
+        XCTAssertNil(resolve(keyCode: 57, rawFlags: 0x1_0000)) // Caps Lock
+    }
+}
+#endif

clients/linux/src/app.rs

@@ -154,13 +154,21 @@ pub fn run() -> glib::ExitCode {
         builder = builder.flags(gtk::gio::ApplicationFlags::NON_UNIQUE);
     }
     let app = builder.build();
-    app.connect_activate(build_ui);
+    // One SDL context for the whole process: `activate` fires again on every subsequent
+    // launch forwarded to this already-running singleton (another `--connect`, the desktop
+    // icon clicked twice, …). SDL only ever lets the FIRST thread that calls `sdl3::init()`
+    // hold the "main thread" — a second `GamepadService::start()` from a later `activate`
+    // would spawn a new thread that fails that check forever. Starting it once here and
+    // cloning it into each `build_ui` keeps the worker thread (and its pad state) shared
+    // across every window instead.
+    let gamepad = crate::gamepad::GamepadService::start();
+    app.connect_activate(move |gtk_app| build_ui(gtk_app, gamepad.clone()));
     // GTK doesn't see our argv (`--connect` is handled in `build_ui`); an empty argv also
     // keeps GApplication from rejecting unknown options.
     app.run_with_args(&[] as &[&str])
 }
 
-fn build_ui(gtk_app: &adw::Application) {
+fn build_ui(gtk_app: &adw::Application, gamepad: crate::gamepad::GamepadService) {
     let identity = match crate::trust::load_or_create_identity() {
         Ok(i) => i,
         Err(e) => {
@@ -203,7 +211,7 @@ fn build_ui(gtk_app: &adw::Application) {
         toasts,
         settings: Rc::new(RefCell::new(Settings::load())),
         identity,
-        gamepad: crate::gamepad::GamepadService::start(),
+        gamepad,
         busy: std::cell::Cell::new(false),
         fullscreen,
         // (`--browse` makes cli_connect_request None — browse mode returns to the
@@ -242,6 +250,10 @@ fn build_ui(gtk_app: &adw::Application) {
                 let app = app.clone();
                 Rc::new(move |req| crate::ui_trust::initiate_connect(app.clone(), req))
             },
+            on_wake_connect: {
+                let app = app.clone();
+                Rc::new(move |req| crate::ui_trust::wake_and_connect(app.clone(), req))
+            },
             on_speed_test: {
                 let app = app.clone();
                 Rc::new(move |req| speed_test(app.clone(), req))

clients/linux/src/trust.rs

@@ -168,6 +168,26 @@ pub fn learn_mac(fp_hex: &str, addr: &str, port: u16, mac: &[String]) {
     let _ = known.save();
 }
 
+/// Re-key a saved host's address/port after it rediscovered on a new DHCP lease (matched by
+/// fingerprint). No-op — and no disk write — when unchanged. Called from the wake-and-wait flow when
+/// a woken host reappears on a different IP than the stored one, so this and future connects dial the
+/// live address instead of the stale one.
+pub fn rekey_addr(fp_hex: &str, addr: &str, port: u16) {
+    if fp_hex.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    let mut known = KnownHosts::load();
+    let Some(h) = known.hosts.iter_mut().find(|h| h.fp_hex == fp_hex) else {
+        return;
+    };
+    if h.addr == addr && h.port == port {
+        return;
+    }
+    h.addr = addr.to_string();
+    h.port = port;
+    let _ = known.save();
+}
+
 /// Stamp "now" as this host's last successful connect (drives the hosts page's
 /// most-recent accent). No-op when the fingerprint isn't stored.
 pub fn touch_last_used(fp_hex: &str) {

clients/linux/src/ui_hosts.rs

@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ impl ConnectRequest {
 /// the library browser).
 pub struct HostsCallbacks {
     pub on_connect: Rc<dyn Fn(ConnectRequest)>,
+    /// Connect to an OFFLINE saved host with a known MAC: wake it, poll until it's up (re-keying a
+    /// new DHCP IP), then connect. Falls back to `on_connect` when there's nothing to wake.
+    pub on_wake_connect: Rc<dyn Fn(ConnectRequest)>,
     pub on_speed_test: Rc<dyn Fn(ConnectRequest)>,
     pub on_pair: Rc<dyn Fn(ConnectRequest)>,
     pub on_library: Rc<dyn Fn(ConnectRequest)>,
@@ -546,15 +549,17 @@ fn saved_card(
     overlay.add_controller(right_click);
 
     let on_connect = state.cbs.on_connect.clone();
-    // Auto-wake: if the host wasn't advertising when this card was built and we have a MAC, fire a
+    let on_wake_connect = state.cbs.on_wake_connect.clone();
-    // magic packet before connecting — the connect's own retry/timeout gives a woken host time to
+    // Auto-wake: if the host wasn't advertising when this card was built and we have a MAC, route to
-    // come up. A host that's genuinely off/unreachable then fails the connect as before.
+    // the wake-and-wait flow (send a magic packet, poll mDNS until it's up — re-keying a new DHCP IP —
+    // then connect). Otherwise a plain connect. A host that's genuinely off then times out as before.
     let wake_first = !online && !req.mac.is_empty();
     child.connect_activate(move |_| {
         if wake_first {
-            crate::wol::wake(&req.mac, req.addr.parse().ok());
+            on_wake_connect(req.clone());
-        }
+        } else {
             on_connect(req.clone());
+        }
     });
     child
 }

clients/linux/src/ui_stream.rs

@@ -817,6 +817,9 @@ fn attach_keyboard(
         // the capture toggle alone can't end a stream, so this is the keyboard's explicit exit.
         if state.contains(chord) && keyval.to_lower() == gdk::Key::d {
             cap.release();
+            // Deliberate user exit → close with QUIT_CLOSE_CODE so the host tears the session down
+            // immediately instead of holding the keep-alive linger for a reconnect.
+            cap.connector.disconnect_quit();
             stop_kb.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
             return glib::Propagation::Stop;
         }
@@ -1024,6 +1027,8 @@ fn spawn_disconnect_watch(
     glib::spawn_future_local(async move {
         if disconnect_rx.recv().await.is_ok() {
             cap.release();
+            // Deliberate user exit (the controller escape chord) → QUIT_CLOSE_CODE, host skips linger.
+            cap.connector.disconnect_quit();
             if window.is_fullscreen() {
                 window.unfullscreen();
             }

clients/linux/src/ui_trust.rs

@@ -60,6 +60,87 @@ pub fn initiate_connect(app: Rc<App>, req: ConnectRequest) {
     }
 }
 
+/// Wake-and-wait: an **offline** saved host with a known MAC is sent a magic packet, then we poll
+/// mDNS until it comes back online — re-sending every few seconds up to a timeout — and dial it via
+/// [`initiate_connect`], **re-keying the saved record if the host woke on a new DHCP IP** (matched by
+/// fingerprint). A "Waking…" dialog lets the user cancel. Mirrors the Apple/Android `HostWaker` (a
+/// 90 s budget, resend every 6 s). The online path stays on the fast [`initiate_connect`]; this runs
+/// only from the hosts page's auto-wake when a saved host isn't advertising.
+pub fn wake_and_connect(app: Rc<App>, req: ConnectRequest) {
+    if app.busy.get() {
+        return;
+    }
+    let cancel = Rc::new(std::cell::Cell::new(false));
+    let waiting = adw::AlertDialog::new(
+        Some("Waking Host"),
+        Some(&format!(
+            "Sent a wake signal to “{}”. Waiting for it to come online…",
+            req.name
+        )),
+    );
+    waiting.add_responses(&[("cancel", "Cancel")]);
+    waiting.set_close_response("cancel");
+    {
+        let cancel = cancel.clone();
+        waiting.connect_response(Some("cancel"), move |_, _| cancel.set(true));
+    }
+    waiting.present(Some(&app.window));
+
+    glib::spawn_future_local(async move {
+        use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+        let events = crate::discovery::browse();
+        let started = Instant::now();
+        let budget = Duration::from_secs(90);
+        let resend = Duration::from_secs(6);
+        // Fire the first packet now, then re-send on the resend cadence.
+        crate::wol::wake(&req.mac, req.addr.parse().ok());
+        let mut last_wake = Instant::now();
+        loop {
+            if cancel.get() {
+                waiting.close();
+                return;
+            }
+            if last_wake.elapsed() >= resend {
+                crate::wol::wake(&req.mac, req.addr.parse().ok());
+                last_wake = Instant::now();
+            }
+            // Drain resolved adverts; a match (by fingerprint, else addr:port) means the host is up.
+            while let Ok(ev) = events.try_recv() {
+                let crate::discovery::DiscoveryEvent::Resolved(h) = ev else {
+                    continue;
+                };
+                let matched = match &req.fp_hex {
+                    Some(fp) => !h.fp_hex.is_empty() && &h.fp_hex == fp,
+                    None => h.addr == req.addr && h.port == req.port,
+                };
+                if matched {
+                    waiting.close();
+                    let mut req = req.clone();
+                    // Re-key on a new DHCP lease so this + future connects dial the live address.
+                    if h.addr != req.addr || h.port != req.port {
+                        if let Some(fp) = &req.fp_hex {
+                            trust::rekey_addr(fp, &h.addr, h.port);
+                        }
+                        req.addr = h.addr;
+                        req.port = h.port;
+                    }
+                    initiate_connect(app.clone(), req);
+                    return;
+                }
+            }
+            if started.elapsed() >= budget {
+                waiting.close();
+                app.toast(&format!(
+                    "Couldn't reach “{}” — is it powered and on the network?",
+                    req.name
+                ));
+                return;
+            }
+            glib::timeout_future(Duration::from_millis(500)).await;
+        }
+    });
+}
+
 /// The certificate fingerprint as grouped monospaced hex — 4-char groups over 2 lines
 /// (the Apple TrustCardView format), far easier to compare against the host's log than
 /// one 64-char run.

clients/probe/src/main.rs

@@ -1090,7 +1090,7 @@ async fn session(args: Args) -> Result<()> {
                 break;
             }
             if started.elapsed() > std::time::Duration::from_secs(cap_secs)
-                || last_rx.elapsed() > std::time::Duration::from_secs(8)
+                || last_rx.elapsed() > std::time::Duration::from_secs(45)
             {
                 break;
             }

clients/windows/src/app/connect.rs

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 use super::style::*;
 use super::{AppCtx, Screen, Svc, Target};
+use crate::discovery::DiscoveredHost;
 use crate::session::{self, SessionEvent, SessionParams, Stats};
 use crate::trust::{self, KnownHost, KnownHosts, Settings};
 use crate::video::DecoderPref;
@@ -313,6 +314,97 @@ pub(crate) fn request_access(props: &Svc, target: &Target) {
     );
 }
 
+/// The Wake-on-LAN "wait until up" flow (mirrors the Apple `HostWaker`): the tapped saved host is
+/// offline but has a MAC, so send a magic packet, show a cancelable "Waking…" screen, and POLL mDNS
+/// for the host to reappear — re-sending the packet periodically — on a bounded deadline. A cold box
+/// takes far longer to POST/boot/re-advertise than a connect attempt will sit, so we can't just
+/// fire-and-dial. On reappearance we dial it (re-keying the saved host when it came back on a new
+/// IP); on timeout or Cancel we return to the host list.
+pub(crate) fn wake_and_connect(
+    ctx: &Arc<AppCtx>,
+    target: Target,
+    set_screen: &AsyncSetState<Screen>,
+    set_status: &AsyncSetState<String>,
+) {
+    // First packet now; the poll loop re-sends every RESEND_SECS (a single one can be missed, and
+    // some NICs only wake on a fresh packet after dropping into a deeper sleep state).
+    crate::wol::wake(&target.mac, target.addr.parse().ok());
+    // A fresh cancel flag per wake, installed where the "Waking…" screen's Cancel button reads it
+    // back (the same shared channel as the request-access flow); the poll loop checks the same `Arc`.
+    let cancel = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
+    *ctx.shared.cancel.lock().unwrap() = Some(cancel.clone());
+    // The busy page reads the host name from the shared target.
+    *ctx.shared.target.lock().unwrap() = target.clone();
+    set_status.call(String::new());
+    set_screen.call(Screen::Waking);
+
+    let (ctx, ss, st) = (ctx.clone(), set_screen.clone(), set_status.clone());
+    std::thread::spawn(move || {
+        // Generous — a cold boot + service start can be a minute-plus; re-send periodically.
+        const TIMEOUT_SECS: u64 = 90;
+        const RESEND_SECS: u64 = 6;
+        let rx = crate::discovery::browse();
+        let mut seen: Vec<DiscoveredHost> = Vec::new();
+        let mut elapsed: u64 = 0;
+        loop {
+            // Cancel already returned the UI to the host list — stop re-sending and tear down.
+            if cancel.load(Ordering::SeqCst) {
+                return;
+            }
+            // Drain freshly-resolved adverts into the accumulator (newest wins per key).
+            while let Ok(h) = rx.try_recv() {
+                if let Some(e) = seen.iter_mut().find(|e| e.key == h.key) {
+                    *e = h;
+                } else {
+                    seen.push(h);
+                }
+            }
+            // Match on the pinned fingerprint first (it survives an IP change), else last address.
+            let resolved = seen
+                .iter()
+                .find(|h| match &target.fp_hex {
+                    Some(fp) if !h.fp_hex.is_empty() => h.fp_hex == *fp,
+                    _ => h.addr == target.addr && h.port == target.port,
+                })
+                .map(|h| (h.addr.clone(), h.port));
+            if let Some((addr, port)) = resolved {
+                let mut target = target.clone();
+                // Came back on a new IP (DHCP): dial the fresh address and re-key the saved host so
+                // the pin stays reachable next time (keyed by fingerprint; addr/port overwritten,
+                // `paired`/`mac` preserved by `upsert`).
+                if addr != target.addr || port != target.port {
+                    target.addr = addr;
+                    target.port = port;
+                    if let Some(fp) = target.fp_hex.clone() {
+                        let mut k = KnownHosts::load();
+                        k.upsert(KnownHost {
+                            name: target.name.clone(),
+                            addr: target.addr.clone(),
+                            port: target.port,
+                            fp_hex: fp,
+                            paired: false,
+                            mac: target.mac.clone(),
+                        });
+                        let _ = k.save();
+                    }
+                }
+                initiate(&ctx, target, &ss, &st);
+                return;
+            }
+            if elapsed >= TIMEOUT_SECS {
+                st.call("The host didn't come online.".to_string());
+                ss.call(Screen::Hosts);
+                return;
+            }
+            std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1));
+            elapsed += 1;
+            if elapsed % RESEND_SECS == 0 {
+                crate::wol::wake(&target.mac, target.addr.parse().ok());
+            }
+        }
+    });
+}
+
 /// The plain "Connecting…" screen shown while the session worker handshakes. No hooks.
 pub(crate) fn connecting_page(ctx: &Arc<AppCtx>, status: &str) -> Element {
     let target_name = ctx.shared.target.lock().unwrap().name.clone();
@@ -365,3 +457,35 @@ pub(crate) fn request_access_page(
         vec![cancel_btn.into()],
     )
 }
+
+/// The cancelable "Waking…" screen (Wake-on-LAN wait-until-up flow): a spinner + guidance while the
+/// poll loop waits for the woken host to reappear on mDNS, plus a Cancel that returns to the host
+/// list and trips the shared cancel flag so the poll loop stops re-sending and tears down. No hooks.
+pub(crate) fn waking_page(ctx: &Arc<AppCtx>, set_screen: &AsyncSetState<Screen>) -> Element {
+    let target_name = ctx.shared.target.lock().unwrap().name.clone();
+    let headline = if target_name.is_empty() {
+        "Waking the host\u{2026}".to_string()
+    } else {
+        format!("Waking {target_name}\u{2026}")
+    };
+    let cancel_btn = {
+        let (ctx, ss) = (ctx.clone(), set_screen.clone());
+        button("Cancel")
+            .icon(Symbol::Cancel)
+            .on_click(move || {
+                // Return the UI immediately and trip the flag the poll loop is watching so it stops
+                // re-sending and exits without touching a screen a later action may already own.
+                if let Some(c) = ctx.shared.cancel.lock().unwrap().as_ref() {
+                    c.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+                }
+                ss.call(Screen::Hosts);
+            })
+            .horizontal_alignment(HorizontalAlignment::Center)
+    };
+    busy_page(
+        &headline,
+        "Sent a wake signal and waiting for the host to come online \u{2014} this can take up to a \
+         minute for a sleeping or powered-off machine.",
+        vec![cancel_btn.into()],
+    )
+}

clients/windows/src/app/hosts.rs

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 //! tiles in a responsive grid, with a per-host "…" menu (connect / speed test / rename /
 //! forget) and a manual connect entry — the same card layout as the Linux and Apple clients.
 
-use super::connect::initiate;
+use super::connect::{initiate, wake_and_connect};
 use super::speed::SpeedState;
 use super::style::*;
 use super::{Screen, Svc, Target};
@@ -386,12 +386,14 @@ pub(crate) fn hosts_page(props: &HostsProps, cx: &mut RenderCx) -> Element {
                 ),
                 Some(menu),
                 Some(Box::new(move || {
-                    // Auto-wake an offline saved host before connecting; the connect's own
+                    // Offline saved host with a known MAC: wake it and WAIT for it to reappear on
-                    // retry/timeout gives a woken host time to come up.
+                    // the network (re-sending periodically) before dialing — a cold box boots far
+                    // slower than a connect will sit. An online host dials straight away.
                     if can_wake {
-                        crate::wol::wake(&target.mac, target.addr.parse().ok());
+                        wake_and_connect(&ctx2, target.clone(), &ss, &st);
+                    } else {
+                        initiate(&ctx2, target.clone(), &ss, &st);
                     }
-                    initiate(&ctx2, target.clone(), &ss, &st)
                 })),
             ));
         }

clients/windows/src/app/mod.rs

@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ pub(crate) enum Screen {
     /// The no-PIN "request access" wait: an identified connect is in flight, parked by the host
     /// until the operator approves this device in its console. Cancelable.
     RequestAccess,
+    /// Wake-on-LAN "wait until up": a magic packet was sent to an offline saved host and we're
+    /// polling mDNS for it to reappear (re-sending periodically) before dialing. Cancelable.
+    Waking,
     Stream,
     Settings,
     /// Open-source / third-party license notices (reached from Settings).
@@ -378,10 +381,11 @@ fn root(cx: &mut RenderCx, ctx: &Arc<AppCtx>) -> Element {
                 set_hover,
             },
         ),
-        // connecting_page / request_access_page / settings_page / licenses_page use no hooks
+        // connecting_page / request_access_page / waking_page / settings_page / licenses_page use
-        // (they never touch `cx`), so calling them inline is sound.
+        // no hooks (they never touch `cx`), so calling them inline is sound.
         Screen::Connecting => connect::connecting_page(ctx, &status),
         Screen::RequestAccess => connect::request_access_page(ctx, &set_screen),
+        Screen::Waking => connect::waking_page(ctx, &set_screen),
         Screen::Settings => settings::settings_page(
             ctx,
             &set_screen,

clients/windows/src/input.rs

@@ -281,6 +281,9 @@ unsafe extern "system" fn kbd_proc(code: i32, wparam: WPARAM, lparam: LPARAM) ->
                 // the cursor is free while the session winds down and the UI navigates home.
                 if !up && vk == VK_D.0 && st.ctrl && st.alt && st.shift {
                     set_captured(st, false);
+                    // Deliberate user exit → close with QUIT_CLOSE_CODE so the host tears the session
+                    // down immediately instead of holding the keep-alive linger for a reconnect.
+                    st.connector.disconnect_quit();
                     st.stop.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
                     tracing::info!("disconnect requested (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+D)");
                     return LRESULT(1);

crates/punktfunk-core/src/abi.rs

@@ -2432,6 +2432,22 @@ pub unsafe extern "C" fn punktfunk_connection_probe_result(
     })
 }
 
+/// Signal a **deliberate quit** (a user "stop", not a network drop) before closing: the connection
+/// closes with [`QUIT_CLOSE_CODE`] instead of code 0, so the host tears the session down immediately
+/// (skips the keep-alive linger) rather than holding it for a reconnect. Call this right before
+/// [`punktfunk_connection_close`] on a user-initiated disconnect; a plain close (network drop,
+/// backgrounding) leaves the linger intact. NULL is a no-op.
+///
+/// # Safety
+/// `c` was returned by [`punktfunk_connect`] and remains valid (closed via `punktfunk_connection_close`).
+#[cfg(feature = "quic")]
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn punktfunk_connection_disconnect_quit(c: *mut PunktfunkConnection) {
+    if let Some(c) = unsafe { c.as_ref() } {
+        c.inner.disconnect_quit();
+    }
+}
+
 /// Close the connection and free the handle (joins the internal threads). NULL is a no-op.
 ///
 /// # Safety

crates/punktfunk-core/src/client.rs

@@ -582,6 +582,17 @@ impl NativeClient {
         self.frames_dropped.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
 
+    /// Whether the underlying QUIC session has ended — the worker's connection-close watcher set the
+    /// shutdown flag (`conn.closed()` fired: a host suspend / crash / network drop idle-timed the
+    /// connection out, or the host closed it), or a deliberate [`disconnect_quit`](Self::disconnect_quit)
+    /// / drop did. Once `true`, every `next_*` plane returns [`PunktfunkError::Closed`] and no more
+    /// frames will ever arrive. A client watchdog polls this so it can leave a frozen stream and
+    /// return to the menu (where the user can wake the host) instead of sitting on the last decoded
+    /// frame forever — the poll-friendly counterpart to reacting to a `Closed` in a plane loop.
+    pub fn is_session_ended(&self) -> bool {
+        self.shutdown.load(Ordering::SeqCst)
+    }
+
     /// Register the calling thread as latency-critical so a later
     /// [`hot_thread_ids`](Self::hot_thread_ids) includes it. An embedder calls this from its own
     /// plane threads (e.g. the Android client's decode + audio threads) to fold them into the same

crates/punktfunk-core/src/quic.rs

@@ -129,6 +129,14 @@ pub const VIDEO_CAP_HOST_TIMING: u8 = 0x08;
 /// reconnect can resume. Shared so host + every client agree on the code.
 pub const QUIT_CLOSE_CODE: u32 = 0x51;
 
+/// QUIC application error code the **host** closes the control connection with when a **dedicated game
+/// session's game process exits** (the nested gamescope died — the user quit the game), so a launcher
+/// client can distinguish "the game ended" from an error and return to its library cleanly rather than
+/// surfacing a failure (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` §5.3). Sibling of
+/// [`QUIT_CLOSE_CODE`]; a client that doesn't special-case it still ends the session (every client
+/// returns to its launcher on session end), so it is purely refinement. Shared so host + clients agree.
+pub const APP_EXITED_CLOSE_CODE: u32 = 0x52;
+
 /// [`Hello::video_codecs`] bit: the client can decode H.264 / AVC. The GPU-less **software**
 /// encode path (openh264) emits H.264, so a client that wants to stream from a software host MUST
 /// advertise this.

crates/punktfunk-core/src/transport/mod.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ mod qos;
 mod udp;
 
 pub use loopback::{loopback_pair, LoopbackTransport};
-pub use qos::{grow_socket_buffers, set_media_qos, MediaClass};
+pub use qos::{grow_socket_buffers, set_dscp_default, set_media_qos, MediaClass};
 /// Windows-only: reusable USO (UDP Send Offload) batch send for callers that own their own connected
 /// socket (the GameStream video sender) rather than going through [`UdpTransport`].
 #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]

crates/punktfunk-core/src/transport/qos.rs

@@ -7,11 +7,13 @@
 //! [`set_media_qos`] DSCP-tags the latency-sensitive video/audio traffic (+ Linux `SO_PRIORITY`) so a
 //! QoS-aware path (Wi-Fi WMM access categories, a managed switch, a shaped uplink) can prioritize it
 //! over bulk flows. Mirrors what Apollo/Sunshine tag — DSCP **CS5** for video, **CS6** for audio. It
-//! is **opt-in** (`PUNKTFUNK_DSCP=1`): DSCP can interact badly with some consumer ISPs/routers, and on
+//! is **opt-in** (`PUNKTFUNK_DSCP=1`, or [`set_dscp_default`] from an embedder — the Android client
+//! ties it to its experimental low-latency mode): DSCP can interact badly with some consumer ISPs/routers, and on
 //! Windows a plain `IP_TOS` is silently stripped unless a qWAVE policy is active (Apollo uses the
 //! qWAVE API there — that port is a follow-up; today this is a no-op on the wire on Windows).
 
 use std::net::UdpSocket;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
 
 /// Target kernel socket-buffer size (`SO_SNDBUF`/`SO_RCVBUF`). A high-resolution frame is a burst (a
 /// 5120×1440 keyframe is ~130 packets the send thread hands to `sendmmsg` at once); the default UDP
@@ -66,17 +68,27 @@ impl MediaClass {
     }
 }
 
-/// Whether DSCP/QoS marking is enabled. Default **on for Android**, **off elsewhere**: on Wi-Fi
+/// Runtime default for DSCP marking when `PUNKTFUNK_DSCP` is unset (see [`set_dscp_default`]).
-/// (where most Android clients live) access points commonly map DSCP to WMM access categories, so
+/// Off unless an embedder opts in — on Wi-Fi, access points commonly map DSCP to WMM access
-/// tagging the video/audio sockets can win real airtime priority against other traffic on the link;
+/// categories (a real airtime-priority win), but wired paths rarely honour it and some bleach or
-/// on the wired paths the other clients use it's rarely honoured and some paths bleach or reject
+/// reject marked packets, so it never turns on by itself.
-/// marked packets, so it stays opt-in there. `PUNKTFUNK_DSCP` overrides either way — `1`/`true`/`on`
+static DSCP_DEFAULT: AtomicBool = AtomicBool::new(false);
-/// forces it on, `0`/`false`/`off` forces it off (e.g. to rule QoS out while debugging a flaky AP).
+
+/// Opt in to (or back out of) DSCP marking for sockets created from now on. Must be called BEFORE
+/// connecting — the tag is applied at socket creation. The Android client ties this to its
+/// experimental low-latency mode; `PUNKTFUNK_DSCP` still overrides in either direction.
+pub fn set_dscp_default(enabled: bool) {
+    DSCP_DEFAULT.store(enabled, Ordering::Relaxed);
+}
+
+/// Whether DSCP/QoS marking is enabled: `PUNKTFUNK_DSCP` when set (`1`/`true`/`on` forces it on,
+/// `0`/`false`/`off` forces it off — e.g. to rule QoS out while debugging a flaky AP), else the
+/// [`set_dscp_default`] runtime default.
 pub(crate) fn dscp_enabled() -> bool {
     match std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_DSCP").as_deref() {
         Ok("1") | Ok("true") | Ok("on") => true,
         Ok("0") | Ok("false") | Ok("off") => false,
-        _ => cfg!(target_os = "android"),
+        _ => DSCP_DEFAULT.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
     }
 }
 

crates/punktfunk-host/src/capture/linux/mod.rs

@@ -43,6 +43,12 @@ pub struct PortalCapturer {
     /// True only while the PipeWire stream is `Streaming`. [`try_latest`](Self::try_latest) reads it
     /// to distinguish a static desktop (alive, no new buffers) from a dead source (left `Streaming`).
     streaming: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    /// Poison flag: the zero-copy GPU import is irrecoverably gone for this stream (the import
+    /// worker died — e.g. it absorbed the driver fault of a crashing compositor — or tiled imports
+    /// failed repeatedly, where the CPU fallback would de-pad scrambled tiled bytes). Both
+    /// [`next_frame`](Capturer::next_frame) and [`try_latest`](Self::try_latest) surface it as an
+    /// error so the session's capture-loss rebuild runs instead of freezing/corrupting.
+    broken: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     /// When the stream first dropped out of `Streaming` with no new frame; used to grace a transient
     /// renegotiation before declaring the source lost. Cleared whenever a frame arrives or the stream
     /// is `Streaming`.
@@ -130,6 +136,8 @@ struct PwHandles {
     active: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     negotiated: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     streaming: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    /// See [`PortalCapturer::broken`].
+    broken: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     /// This capture will offer LINEAR-dmabuf-only for the VAAPI passthrough (see
     /// [`PortalCapturer::vaapi_dmabuf`]).
     vaapi_dmabuf: bool,
@@ -146,6 +154,7 @@ impl PwHandles {
             active: self.active,
             negotiated: self.negotiated,
             streaming: self.streaming,
+            broken: self.broken,
             stall_since: None,
             vaapi_dmabuf: self.vaapi_dmabuf,
             node_id,
@@ -178,6 +187,8 @@ fn spawn_pipewire(
     let negotiated_cb = negotiated.clone();
     let streaming = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
     let streaming_cb = streaming.clone();
+    let broken = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
+    let broken_cb = broken.clone();
     // pipewire's own cross-thread channel: the receiver attaches to the loop and quits it; the
     // sender lives on the capturer and fires in its `Drop`. Absolute `::pipewire` path — the
     // inner `mod pipewire` shadows the crate name at this scope.
@@ -199,6 +210,7 @@ fn spawn_pipewire(
                 active_cb,
                 negotiated_cb,
                 streaming_cb,
+                broken_cb,
                 zerocopy,
                 preferred,
                 quit_rx,
@@ -212,6 +224,7 @@ fn spawn_pipewire(
         active,
         negotiated,
         streaming,
+        broken,
         vaapi_dmabuf,
         quit: quit_tx,
         join,
@@ -220,48 +233,36 @@ fn spawn_pipewire(
 
 impl Capturer for PortalCapturer {
     fn next_frame(&mut self) -> Result<CapturedFrame> {
-        // First frame can lag behind format negotiation; later frames arrive at ~fps.
+        // First frame can lag behind format negotiation; later frames arrive at ~fps. Wait in
-        match self.frames.recv_timeout(Duration::from_secs(10)) {
+        // short slices so a GPU-import poison (worker death) fails the capture within ~0.5 s
-            Ok(frame) => Ok(frame),
+        // instead of sitting out the full first-frame budget.
-            Err(RecvTimeoutError::Timeout) => {
+        let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + Duration::from_secs(10);
-                // Split the two black-screen root causes apart so the operator gets a cause, not
+        loop {
-                // just a symptom: did the format negotiate (compositor produced no buffers) or
+            if self.broken.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
-                // not (no acceptable format / node never emitted a param)?
+                return Err(anyhow!(
-                if self.negotiated.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                    "zero-copy GPU import lost (node {}): the import worker died or tiled imports \
-                    Err(anyhow!(
+                     failed repeatedly — rebuilding capture",
-                        "no PipeWire frame within 10s (node {}): format negotiated but no buffers \
-                         arrived — the compositor produced no frames (virtual output idle/unmapped, \
-                         or capture never started)",
                     self.node_id
-                    ))
+                ));
-                } else if self.vaapi_dmabuf && !crate::zerocopy::vaapi_dmabuf_forced() {
-                    // The LINEAR-dmabuf-only offer (VAAPI passthrough default) was never accepted.
-                    // Latch the process-wide downgrade so the encode loop's pipeline rebuild
-                    // retries on the CPU offer instead of failing this same negotiation forever.
-                    crate::zerocopy::note_vaapi_dmabuf_failed();
-                    Err(anyhow!(
-                        "no PipeWire frame within 10s (node {}): the compositor never accepted \
-                         the LINEAR-dmabuf offer (VAAPI zero-copy) — downgrading this host to the \
-                         CPU capture path; the pipeline rebuild will renegotiate without dmabuf",
-                        self.node_id
-                    ))
-                } else {
-                    Err(anyhow!(
-                        "no PipeWire frame within 10s (node {}): format negotiation never \
-                         completed — the compositor offered no format this consumer accepts \
-                         (pixel-format/modifier mismatch) or the node never emitted a Format param",
-                        self.node_id
-                    ))
             }
+            let slice = Duration::from_millis(500)
+                .min(deadline.saturating_duration_since(std::time::Instant::now()));
+            match self.frames.recv_timeout(slice) {
+                Ok(frame) => return Ok(frame),
+                Err(RecvTimeoutError::Timeout) if std::time::Instant::now() < deadline => continue,
+                Err(e) => return self.next_frame_timed_out(e),
             }
-            Err(RecvTimeoutError::Disconnected) => Err(anyhow!(
-                "PipeWire capture thread ended before a frame (node {})",
-                self.node_id
-            )),
         }
     }
 
     fn try_latest(&mut self) -> Result<Option<CapturedFrame>> {
+        if self.broken.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            return Err(anyhow!(
+                "zero-copy GPU import lost (node {}): the import worker died or tiled imports \
+                 failed repeatedly — rebuilding capture",
+                self.node_id
+            ));
+        }
         // Drain to the newest queued frame without blocking; `None` means the compositor
         // hasn't produced a new frame since last call (static/idle desktop).
         let mut latest = None;
@@ -304,6 +305,50 @@ impl Capturer for PortalCapturer {
     }
 }
 
+impl PortalCapturer {
+    /// The [`Capturer::next_frame`] budget expired (or the thread ended) — turn it into the
+    /// diagnosis-bearing error. Split out of the slicing loop above; behavior unchanged.
+    fn next_frame_timed_out(&self, err: RecvTimeoutError) -> Result<CapturedFrame> {
+        match err {
+            RecvTimeoutError::Timeout => {
+                // Split the two black-screen root causes apart so the operator gets a cause, not
+                // just a symptom: did the format negotiate (compositor produced no buffers) or
+                // not (no acceptable format / node never emitted a param)?
+                if self.negotiated.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                    Err(anyhow!(
+                        "no PipeWire frame within 10s (node {}): format negotiated but no buffers \
+                         arrived — the compositor produced no frames (virtual output idle/unmapped, \
+                         or capture never started)",
+                        self.node_id
+                    ))
+                } else if self.vaapi_dmabuf && !crate::zerocopy::vaapi_dmabuf_forced() {
+                    // The LINEAR-dmabuf-only offer (VAAPI passthrough default) was never accepted.
+                    // Latch the process-wide downgrade so the encode loop's pipeline rebuild
+                    // retries on the CPU offer instead of failing this same negotiation forever.
+                    crate::zerocopy::note_vaapi_dmabuf_failed();
+                    Err(anyhow!(
+                        "no PipeWire frame within 10s (node {}): the compositor never accepted \
+                         the LINEAR-dmabuf offer (VAAPI zero-copy) — downgrading this host to the \
+                         CPU capture path; the pipeline rebuild will renegotiate without dmabuf",
+                        self.node_id
+                    ))
+                } else {
+                    Err(anyhow!(
+                        "no PipeWire frame within 10s (node {}): format negotiation never \
+                         completed — the compositor offered no format this consumer accepts \
+                         (pixel-format/modifier mismatch) or the node never emitted a Format param",
+                        self.node_id
+                    ))
+                }
+            }
+            RecvTimeoutError::Disconnected => Err(anyhow!(
+                "PipeWire capture thread ended before a frame (node {})",
+                self.node_id
+            )),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 impl Drop for PortalCapturer {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
         // Stop the PipeWire loop and wait for the thread to unwind BEFORE the keepalive (virtual
@@ -548,8 +593,15 @@ mod pipewire {
         /// `Paused`/`Unconnected`/`Error` — the source vanished (compositor torn down on a session
         /// switch). Read by [`PortalCapturer::try_latest`] to surface a sustained drop as a loss.
         streaming: Arc<AtomicBool>,
-        /// Present when zero-copy is enabled on NVIDIA: imports a dmabuf → CUDA device buffer.
+        /// Poison flag (see [`PortalCapturer::broken`]): set here when the GPU import is
-        importer: Option<crate::zerocopy::EglImporter>,
+        /// irrecoverably gone for this stream — the import worker died, or tiled imports failed
+        /// [`IMPORT_FAIL_POISON`] times in a row.
+        broken: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+        /// Consecutive tiled-import failures (reset on success); see [`IMPORT_FAIL_POISON`].
+        import_fail_streak: u32,
+        /// Present when zero-copy is enabled on NVIDIA: imports a dmabuf → CUDA device buffer,
+        /// normally via the isolated worker process (`crate::zerocopy::Importer::Remote`).
+        importer: Option<crate::zerocopy::Importer>,
         /// VAAPI zero-copy: hand the raw dmabuf to the encoder (which imports + GPU-CSCs it) instead
         /// of a CUDA import. Set when zero-copy is on, the EGL→CUDA importer is unavailable, and the
         /// encoder backend is VAAPI (AMD/Intel).
@@ -561,6 +613,12 @@ mod pipewire {
         dbg_log_n: u64,
     }
 
+    /// Consecutive tiled-import failures (worker alive, e.g. a per-buffer `EGL_BAD_MATCH`) before
+    /// the stream is poisoned for rebuild. A tiled import failure must NEVER fall through to the
+    /// CPU mmap path — de-padding tiled bytes as linear produces a scrambled image — so after a
+    /// short streak of dropped frames the capturer fails loudly and the session renegotiates.
+    const IMPORT_FAIL_POISON: u32 = 3;
+
     /// Log a frame-drop reason once per process (the process callback runs per frame; a stuck
     /// pipeline must say why without flooding).
     fn warn_once(msg: &'static str) {
@@ -814,6 +872,11 @@ mod pipewire {
         if !ud.active.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
             return;
         }
+        // Poisoned (GPU import lost): the capturer is already surfacing an error to the encode
+        // loop; skip per-frame work until the rebuild tears this stream down.
+        if ud.broken.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            return;
+        }
         // SAFETY: `spa_buf` is the `*mut spa_buffer` of the PipeWire buffer we dequeued and still hold for
         // this `.process` callback (not requeued until after `consume_frame` returns), so it is live. The
         // block null-checks `spa_buf`, requires `n_datas != 0`, and null-checks the `datas` array pointer
@@ -965,6 +1028,8 @@ mod pipewire {
                     };
                     match imported {
                         Ok(devbuf) => {
+                            ud.import_fail_streak = 0;
+                            crate::zerocopy::note_gpu_import_ok();
                             static ONCE: std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool =
                                 std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(true);
                             if ONCE.swap(false, Ordering::Relaxed) {
@@ -990,12 +1055,32 @@ mod pipewire {
                             return;
                         }
                         Err(e) => {
-                            // GPU import unavailable for this buffer kind (e.g. the
+                            let dead = importer.dead();
-                            // driver rejects LINEAR external-memory import). Disable
+                            if dead {
-                            // the importer and fall through to the CPU mmap path —
+                                crate::zerocopy::note_gpu_import_death();
-                            // degraded, not dead.
+                            }
+                            if modifier.is_some() {
+                                // Tiled buffer: the CPU fallback below would mmap TILED bytes
+                                // and de-pad them as linear — a scrambled image, worse than no
+                                // frame. Drop the frame instead; on a dead worker (it absorbed a
+                                // driver fault) or a short failure streak, poison the stream so
+                                // the session's capture-loss rebuild renegotiates cleanly.
+                                ud.import_fail_streak += 1;
+                                if dead || ud.import_fail_streak >= IMPORT_FAIL_POISON {
+                                    tracing::error!(error = %format!("{e:#}"), dead,
+                                        "tiled GPU import lost — failing this capture for rebuild");
+                                    ud.broken.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                                } else {
                                     tracing::warn!(error = %format!("{e:#}"),
-                                "dmabuf GPU import failed — falling back to the CPU copy path");
+                                        streak = ud.import_fail_streak,
+                                        "tiled dmabuf GPU import failed — frame dropped");
+                                }
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            // LINEAR dmabuf: CPU-mappable, so disable the importer and fall
+                            // through to the CPU mmap path — degraded, not dead.
+                            tracing::warn!(error = %format!("{e:#}"),
+                                "LINEAR dmabuf GPU import failed — falling back to the CPU copy path");
                             gpu_import_broken = true;
                         }
                     }
@@ -1138,6 +1223,7 @@ mod pipewire {
         active: Arc<AtomicBool>,
         negotiated: Arc<AtomicBool>,
         streaming: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+        broken: Arc<AtomicBool>,
         zerocopy: bool,
         preferred: Option<(u32, u32, u32)>,
         quit_rx: pw::channel::Receiver<()>,
@@ -1165,26 +1251,40 @@ mod pipewire {
                 .context("pw connect (default daemon)")?,
         };
 
-        // Build the EGL→CUDA importer up front; if it fails, log and fall back to the CPU path
+        // Build the GPU importer up front — normally the ISOLATED worker process
+        // (design/zerocopy-worker-isolation.md), so a driver fault on a dying compositor's
+        // dmabuf kills the worker, not this host. If it fails, log and fall back to the CPU path
         // (we simply won't request dmabuf below). Skipped entirely when the encode backend is
         // VAAPI: those frames go to the raw-dmabuf passthrough, and building the importer there
         // would waste a CUDA probe — or worse, on an NVIDIA box forced to PUNKTFUNK_ENCODER=vaapi,
-        // succeed and produce CUDA payloads the VAAPI encoder must reject.
+        // succeed and produce CUDA payloads the VAAPI encoder must reject. Also skipped once
+        // repeated worker deaths latched the import off (a wedged GPU stack must not crash-loop).
         let backend_is_vaapi = crate::encode::linux_zero_copy_is_vaapi();
-        let importer = if zerocopy && !backend_is_vaapi {
+        let mut importer = if zerocopy && !backend_is_vaapi {
-            match crate::zerocopy::EglImporter::new() {
+            if crate::zerocopy::gpu_import_disabled() {
+                tracing::warn!(
+                    "zero-copy GPU import disabled after repeated import-worker deaths — using CPU path"
+                );
+                None
+            } else {
+                match crate::zerocopy::Importer::new_for_capture() {
                     Ok(i) => Some(i),
                     Err(e) => {
                         tracing::warn!(error = %format!("{e:#}"), "zero-copy import unavailable — using CPU path");
                         None
                     }
                 }
+            }
         } else {
             None
         };
-        // PUNKTFUNK_FORCE_SHM=1 forces the race-free download path (SHM, no dmabuf) — required on
+        // PUNKTFUNK_FORCE_SHM=1 forces the race-free download path (SHM, no dmabuf) — a manual
-        // Mutter+NVIDIA where dmabuf capture has no working sync and shows stale frames. KWin/
+        // escape hatch, mainly for Mutter+NVIDIA: that combo has no implicit dmabuf fence, so
-        // gamescope don't need it (they blit into the buffer, so no read-before-render race).
+        // zero-copy capture can in principle race the compositor's render and show stale frames.
+        // Zero-copy is the Mutter+NVIDIA default (no unconditional override) since live retesting
+        // found no visible staleness; set this if you do see flashing/stale content on such a
+        // host. KWin/gamescope don't need it (they blit into the buffer, so no read-before-render
+        // race).
         let force_shm = std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_FORCE_SHM").as_deref() == Ok("1");
         // VAAPI zero-copy passthrough: zero-copy on, no EGL→CUDA importer (any non-NVIDIA host), and
         // the encoder backend is VAAPI → hand the raw dmabuf to the encoder (it imports + GPU-CSCs).
@@ -1194,7 +1294,7 @@ mod pipewire {
         // CUDA external memory instead. For the VAAPI passthrough path we advertise LINEAR only:
         // radeonsi/iHD import it and any compositor can allocate it.
         let mut modifiers = importer
-            .as_ref()
+            .as_mut()
             .map(|i| i.supported_modifiers(crate::zerocopy::drm_fourcc(PixelFormat::Bgrx).unwrap()))
             .unwrap_or_default();
         if (importer.is_some() || vaapi_passthrough) && !modifiers.contains(&0) {
@@ -1247,6 +1347,8 @@ mod pipewire {
             active,
             negotiated,
             streaming,
+            broken,
+            import_fail_streak: 0,
             importer,
             vaapi_passthrough,
             nv12: crate::zerocopy::nv12_enabled(),
@@ -1300,6 +1402,13 @@ mod pipewire {
                 }
                 if ud.info.parse(param).is_ok() {
                     ud.negotiated.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                    // A (re)negotiation replaces the buffer pool: every cached per-buffer import
+                    // (stored fds in the worker, the Vulkan bridge's per-fd sources) keys on
+                    // buffers that no longer exist — and a recycled fd number/inode must never
+                    // resolve to a stale import. No-op on the first negotiation (empty caches).
+                    if let Some(imp) = ud.importer.as_mut() {
+                        imp.clear_cache();
+                    }
                     let sz = ud.info.size();
                     ud.format = map_format(ud.info.format());
                     ud.modifier = ud.info.modifier();

crates/punktfunk-host/src/config.rs

@@ -25,9 +25,12 @@
 //! - **Path / genuinely-dynamic reads**: the config-dir resolution, `PATH` executable search, the
 //!   env-forward-to-child loop, `PUNKTFUNK_MGMT_TOKEN`, `PUNKTFUNK_HOST_CMD`, `PUNKTFUNK_RENDER_NODE`.
 //!
-//! `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` note: this field uses **presence** semantics (`var_os(..).is_some()`) to match the
+//! `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` note: this field is a **tri-state override** (`None` = unset). Unset defers to
-//! Windows `encode/ffmpeg_win.rs` reader. The Linux `zerocopy` module keeps its own *truthy* parser
+//! the per-vendor default in `encode/ffmpeg_win.rs::zerocopy_enabled` (AMF on — on-glass validated
-//! (`1|true|yes|on`) — the two are independent features that share a name; do NOT conflate them.
+//! 2026-07-06; QSV off until validated on Intel glass); an explicit value forces it (`0|false|off|no`
+//! = off, anything else = on, so the old presence-style `=1` keeps working). The Linux `zerocopy`
+//! module keeps its own *truthy* parser (`1|true|yes|on`) — the two are independent features that
+//! share a name; do NOT conflate them.
 
 use std::sync::OnceLock;
 
@@ -43,8 +46,9 @@ pub struct HostConfig {
     pub render_adapter: Option<String>,
     /// `PUNKTFUNK_IDD_DEPTH` — IDD-push pipeline depth override (default 2; the call site clamps to its `OUT_RING`).
     pub idd_depth: usize,
-    /// `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` — opt into the Windows D3D11 zero-copy encode path (presence semantics; see module docs).
+    /// `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` — Windows D3D11 zero-copy encode input override. `None` (unset) defers to
-    pub zerocopy: bool,
+    /// the per-vendor default (AMF on, QSV off — see module docs and `encode/ffmpeg_win.rs`).
+    pub zerocopy: Option<bool>,
     /// `PUNKTFUNK_10BIT` — host policy gate for HEVC Main10 (only honored when the client also advertised 10-bit).
     pub ten_bit: bool,
     /// `PUNKTFUNK_444` — host policy gate for full-chroma HEVC 4:4:4 (Range Extensions). Honored only
@@ -84,7 +88,12 @@ impl HostConfig {
             idd_depth: val("PUNKTFUNK_IDD_DEPTH")
                 .and_then(|s| s.parse::<usize>().ok())
                 .unwrap_or(2),
-            zerocopy: flag("PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY"),
+            zerocopy: val("PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY").map(|s| {
+                !matches!(
+                    s.trim().to_ascii_lowercase().as_str(),
+                    "0" | "false" | "off" | "no"
+                )
+            }),
             ten_bit: flag("PUNKTFUNK_10BIT"),
             four_four_four: flag("PUNKTFUNK_444"),
             perf: flag("PUNKTFUNK_PERF"),

crates/punktfunk-host/src/encode.rs

@@ -194,6 +194,15 @@ pub trait Encoder: Send {
     }
     /// Pull the next encoded AU if one is ready.
     fn poll(&mut self) -> Result<Option<EncodedFrame>>;
+    /// Tear the underlying hardware encoder down and rebuild it in place, keeping the session's
+    /// negotiated parameters — the encode-stall watchdog's recovery lever (a wedged AMF/QSV
+    /// driver stops emitting AUs or accepting frames without ever returning an error). Returns
+    /// `true` when the encoder was rebuilt: every submitted-but-unpolled frame is forfeited and
+    /// the next submitted frame starts a fresh stream (IDR). Default `false`: the backend has no
+    /// in-place rebuild and the caller must treat the stall as fatal instead.
+    fn reset(&mut self) -> bool {
+        false
+    }
     /// Signal end-of-stream. After this, drain the remaining AUs with [`poll`](Self::poll)
     /// until it returns `None` — NVENC buffers frames internally even at `delay=0`.
     fn flush(&mut self) -> Result<()>;
@@ -370,6 +379,9 @@ impl Encoder for TrackedEncoder {
     fn poll(&mut self) -> Result<Option<EncodedFrame>> {
         self.inner.poll()
     }
+    fn reset(&mut self) -> bool {
+        self.inner.reset()
+    }
     fn flush(&mut self) -> Result<()> {
         self.inner.flush()
     }
@@ -534,17 +546,40 @@ fn open_video_backend(
                     )
                 }
             }
-            backend @ (WindowsBackend::Amf | WindowsBackend::Qsv) => {
+            WindowsBackend::Amf => {
-                // AMD AMF / Intel QSV via libavcodec (the Windows analogue of the Linux VAAPI path).
+                // AMD: the native AMF SDK encoder, unconditionally (design/native-amf-encoder.md
+                // Phase 3). The libavcodec AMF fallback and the `PUNKTFUNK_AMF_FFMPEG` hatch were
+                // removed once the native path was validated — two permanently-maintained AMF
+                // paths double the driver-matrix burden, and the one kept "for safety" is exactly
+                // the one with the wedge/latency pathology. No build feature: amfrt64.dll resolves
+                // at runtime like NVENC's DLL. A missing/ancient runtime fails HERE with the
+                // "install/update the AMD driver" message `AmfEncoder::open` raises (§6), rather
+                // than silently degrading — FFmpeg now serves QSV only.
+                amf::AmfEncoder::open(
+                    codec,
+                    format,
+                    width,
+                    height,
+                    fps,
+                    bitrate_bps,
+                    bit_depth,
+                    chroma,
+                )
+                .map(|e| Box::new(e) as Box<dyn Encoder>)
+                .map_err(|e| {
+                    e.context(
+                        "native AMF encode failed to open (update the AMD driver / amfrt64.dll \
+                         runtime)",
+                    )
+                })
+            }
+            WindowsBackend::Qsv => {
+                // Intel QSV via libavcodec (stays on FFmpeg — design/native-amf-encoder.md §2:
+                // async_depth=1 + low_power VDEnc is already near the hardware latency floor).
                 #[cfg(feature = "amf-qsv")]
                 {
-                    let vendor = if matches!(backend, WindowsBackend::Amf) {
-                        ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Amf
-                    } else {
-                        ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Qsv
-                    };
                     ffmpeg_win::FfmpegWinEncoder::open(
-                        vendor,
+                        ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Qsv,
                         codec,
                         format,
                         width,
@@ -558,11 +593,10 @@ fn open_video_backend(
                 }
                 #[cfg(not(feature = "amf-qsv"))]
                 {
-                    let _ = backend;
                     anyhow::bail!(
-                        "AMD/Intel (AMF/QSV) encode requested/detected but this host was built \
+                        "Intel (QSV) encode requested/detected but this host was built without \
-                         without it — rebuild with `--features amf-qsv` (needs ffmpeg-next + a \
+                         it — rebuild with `--features amf-qsv` (needs ffmpeg-next + a FFMPEG_DIR \
-                         FFMPEG_DIR with the AMF/QSV encoders at build time)"
+                         with the QSV encoders at build time)"
                     )
                 }
             }
@@ -773,14 +807,13 @@ pub fn can_encode_444(codec: Codec) -> bool {
                         false
                     }
                 }
-                WindowsBackend::Amf | WindowsBackend::Qsv => {
+                // AMD: native AMF never encodes 4:4:4 — VCN hardware limit, permanent, no probe
+                // needed (design/native-amf-encoder.md §3.5, Phase 3).
+                WindowsBackend::Amf => false,
+                WindowsBackend::Qsv => {
                     #[cfg(feature = "amf-qsv")]
                     {
-                        let vendor = match windows_resolved_backend() {
+                        ffmpeg_win::probe_can_encode_444(ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Qsv, codec)
-                            WindowsBackend::Qsv => ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Qsv,
-                            _ => ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Amf,
-                        };
-                        ffmpeg_win::probe_can_encode_444(vendor, codec)
                     }
                     #[cfg(not(feature = "amf-qsv"))]
                     {
@@ -847,16 +880,18 @@ pub(crate) fn windows_resolved_backend() -> WindowsBackend {
     }
 }
 
-/// True if the active Windows backend is the libavcodec AMF/QSV path (so the codec advertisement
+/// True if the active Windows backend's codec advertisement comes from a **real GPU probe**
-/// consults a real GPU probe rather than the NVENC static superset). Always false when the
+/// ([`windows_codec_support`]) rather than the NVENC static superset. AMF always qualifies — the
-/// `amf-qsv` feature is off — there's then no ffmpeg backend to probe.
+/// native factory probe (`amf::probe_can_encode`) needs no build feature — while QSV still needs
+/// the `amf-qsv` (libavcodec) build. Formerly `windows_backend_is_ffmpeg`, renamed when the
+/// native AMF probe replaced the ffmpeg open-probe (design/native-amf-encoder.md §4, Phase 2).
 #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
-pub fn windows_backend_is_ffmpeg() -> bool {
+pub fn windows_backend_is_probed() -> bool {
-    cfg!(feature = "amf-qsv")
+    match windows_resolved_backend() {
-        && matches!(
+        WindowsBackend::Amf => true,
-            windows_resolved_backend(),
+        WindowsBackend::Qsv => cfg!(feature = "amf-qsv"),
-            WindowsBackend::Amf | WindowsBackend::Qsv
+        WindowsBackend::Nvenc | WindowsBackend::Software => false,
-        )
+    }
 }
 
 /// Detect the encode-GPU vendor from the **selected render adapter** ([`crate::gpu::selected_gpu`]:
@@ -885,32 +920,55 @@ fn windows_gpu_vendor() -> Option<GpuVendor> {
     })
 }
 
-/// Probe the active Windows AMF/QSV backend for its encodable codecs (opens a tiny encoder per
+/// Probe the active Windows AMF/QSV backend for its encodable codecs (cached **per (backend,
-/// codec; cached **per (backend, selected GPU)** — a web-console preference change re-probes on the
+/// selected GPU)** — a web-console preference change re-probes on the newly selected adapter
-/// newly selected adapter instead of serving the old GPU's answer for the process lifetime).
+/// instead of serving the old GPU's answer for the process lifetime). Mirrors
-/// Mirrors [`vaapi_codec_support`]; called only when [`windows_backend_is_ffmpeg`] is true. AV1 is
+/// [`vaapi_codec_support`]; called only when [`windows_backend_is_probed`] is true. AV1 is narrow
-/// narrow (AMD RDNA3+, Intel Arc/Xe2+), so it must be probed, not assumed.
+/// (AMD RDNA3+, Intel Arc/Xe2+), so it must be probed, not assumed.
-#[cfg(all(target_os = "windows", feature = "amf-qsv"))]
+///
+/// Mirrors the session dispatch (design/native-amf-encoder.md Phase 3): **AMD advertises from the
+/// native AMF factory probe alone** (`amf::probe_can_encode`, on the selected adapter — the same
+/// path the session opens, so the advertisement can never claim a codec the session can't emit);
+/// **Intel/QSV uses the libavcodec probe** (all-`false` without the `amf-qsv` feature, matching a
+/// build that cannot open QSV at all).
+#[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
 pub fn windows_codec_support() -> CodecSupport {
     use std::collections::HashMap;
     use std::sync::{Mutex, OnceLock};
     static CACHE: OnceLock<Mutex<HashMap<String, CodecSupport>>> = OnceLock::new();
-    let vendor = match windows_resolved_backend() {
+    let backend = windows_resolved_backend();
-        WindowsBackend::Qsv => ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Qsv,
+    let key = format!("{backend:?}:{}", crate::gpu::selection_key());
-        _ => ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Amf,
-    };
-    let key = format!("{vendor:?}:{}", crate::gpu::selection_key());
     let cache = CACHE.get_or_init(|| Mutex::new(HashMap::new()));
     if let Some(c) = cache.lock().unwrap().get(&key) {
         return *c;
     }
+    let probe_one = |codec: Codec| -> bool {
+        match backend {
+            // AMD: the native factory probe is authoritative — it opens exactly the component the
+            // session will, so the advertisement matches what the encoder can emit by construction.
+            WindowsBackend::Amf => amf::probe_can_encode(codec),
+            WindowsBackend::Qsv => {
+                #[cfg(feature = "amf-qsv")]
+                {
+                    ffmpeg_win::probe_can_encode(ffmpeg_win::WinVendor::Qsv, codec)
+                }
+                #[cfg(not(feature = "amf-qsv"))]
+                {
+                    false
+                }
+            }
+            // Callers gate on `windows_backend_is_probed` — defensively answer "nothing probed"
+            // (the advertisement then falls back to the static superset).
+            WindowsBackend::Nvenc | WindowsBackend::Software => false,
+        }
+    };
     let caps = CodecSupport {
-        h264: ffmpeg_win::probe_can_encode(vendor, Codec::H264),
+        h264: probe_one(Codec::H264),
-        h265: ffmpeg_win::probe_can_encode(vendor, Codec::H265),
+        h265: probe_one(Codec::H265),
-        av1: ffmpeg_win::probe_can_encode(vendor, Codec::Av1),
+        av1: probe_one(Codec::Av1),
     };
     tracing::info!(
-        backend = ?vendor,
+        ?backend,
         h264 = caps.h264,
         h265 = caps.h265,
         av1 = caps.av1,
@@ -921,8 +979,14 @@ pub fn windows_codec_support() -> CodecSupport {
     caps
 }
 
-// Goal-1 stage 6: GPU/CPU encoders confined to `encode/windows/` (NVENC, AMF/QSV ffmpeg, software) and
+// Goal-1 stage 6: GPU/CPU encoders confined to `encode/windows/` (NVENC, native AMF, AMF/QSV
-// `encode/linux/` (NVENC/CUDA + VAAPI); `#[path]` keeps the `crate::encode::*` module names flat.
+// ffmpeg, software) and `encode/linux/` (NVENC/CUDA + VAAPI); `#[path]` keeps the
+// `crate::encode::*` module names flat.
+// Native AMF (direct SDK, design/native-amf-encoder.md): compiled unconditionally on Windows —
+// no build feature, the driver-installed amfrt64.dll resolves at runtime like NVENC's DLL.
+#[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+#[path = "encode/windows/amf.rs"]
+mod amf;
 #[cfg(all(target_os = "windows", feature = "amf-qsv"))]
 #[path = "encode/windows/ffmpeg_win.rs"]
 mod ffmpeg_win;

crates/punktfunk-host/src/encode/windows/ffmpeg_win.rs

@@ -1,28 +1,37 @@
-//! AMD **AMF** and Intel **QSV** hardware encode on Windows via `ffmpeg-next` — the Windows
+//! Intel **QSV** (and, retained-but-no-longer-dispatched, AMD **AMF**) hardware encode on Windows
-//! analogue of the Linux [`super::vaapi`] backend (one libavcodec backend per vendor, selected by
+//! via `ffmpeg-next` — the Windows analogue of the Linux [`super::vaapi`] backend (one libavcodec
-//! encoder name: `*_amf` / `*_qsv`). This is the sibling of the direct-SDK [`super::nvenc`] path
+//! backend per vendor, selected by encoder name: `*_qsv` / `*_amf`). Sibling of the direct-SDK
-//! behind the shared [`Encoder`] trait, selected in [`super::open_video`] (NVIDIA → NVENC,
+//! [`super::nvenc`] path behind the shared [`Encoder`] trait.
-//! AMD → AMF, Intel → QSV).
+//!
+//! **Dispatch (design/native-amf-encoder.md Phase 3):** [`super::open_video`] routes AMD to the
+//! direct-SDK [`super::amf`] encoder, not this module — the libavcodec AMF wrapper's ~2-frame
+//! output hold and its silent-wedge failure mode are exactly why the native path exists. So in
+//! production this file serves **QSV only**. The `WinVendor::Amf` machinery is kept (not deleted)
+//! because it is the comparator in the native-vs-libavcodec latency A/B (`amf::tests::
+//! amf_latency_ab_bench`), and excising it would churn the shared, Intel-unvalidated QSV code for
+//! no production benefit. Treat every `WinVendor::Amf` arm below as benchmark-only.
 //!
 //! The capturer hands a `FramePayload::D3d11` texture (NV12/P010 from the D3D11 video processor, or
 //! BGRA/Rgb10a2 as a fallback) on the capturer's own `ID3D11Device`. Two input paths, chosen lazily
 //! from the first frame and the `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` knob:
 //!
-//! * **System-memory** ([`SystemInner`], the default): read the captured D3D11 surface back to a CPU
+//! * **System-memory** ([`SystemInner`]): read the captured D3D11 surface back to a CPU
 //!   NV12/P010 [`AVFrame`] (a same-format `CopyResource` → staging → `Map`, plus a `swscale` step for
 //!   the BGRA fallback) and `avcodec_send_frame` it. AMF/QSV upload it internally. One
-//!   GPU→CPU→GPU round-trip per frame — the robust path, and the only one that can be brought up
+//!   GPU→CPU→GPU round-trip per frame — the robust path, the QSV default, and the automatic
-//!   without on-glass validation (it is the analogue of the VAAPI "CPU input" fallback).
+//!   fallback when the zero-copy setup fails (it is the analogue of the VAAPI "CPU input" fallback).
-//! * **Zero-copy D3D11** ([`ZeroCopyInner`], `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1`): wrap the capturer's
+//! * **Zero-copy D3D11** ([`ZeroCopyInner`], the AMF default; see [`zerocopy_enabled`]): wrap the
-//!   `ID3D11Device` as an `AV_HWDEVICE_TYPE_D3D11VA` hwdevice (shared, *not* a second device — the
+//!   capturer's `ID3D11Device` as an `AV_HWDEVICE_TYPE_D3D11VA` hwdevice (shared, *not* a second
-//!   capture textures are not shared-handle, so a different device couldn't read them), keep an
+//!   device — the capture textures are not shared-handle, so a different device couldn't read them),
-//!   FFmpeg D3D11 frames pool, `CopySubresourceRegion` the captured texture into a pooled array
+//!   keep an FFmpeg D3D11 frames pool, `CopySubresourceRegion` the captured texture into a pooled
-//!   slice (a GPU-local copy, like NVENC's CUDA path), then feed AMF `AV_PIX_FMT_D3D11` directly,
+//!   array slice (a GPU-local copy, like NVENC's CUDA path), then feed AMF `AV_PIX_FMT_D3D11`
-//!   or map the D3D11 frame to a derived QSV surface for QSV. If the hw setup fails to open, this
+//!   directly, or map the D3D11 frame to a derived QSV surface for QSV. If the hw setup fails to
-//!   falls back to the system-memory path for the session.
+//!   open, this falls back to the system-memory path for the session.
 //!
-//! **Status: compiles in CI; not yet on-glass validated** (no AMD/Intel Windows box in the lab as of
+//! **Status:** AMF on-glass validated 2026-07-06 (Ryzen 7000 iGPU, 1080p120 HDR P010, both input
-//! 2026-06-22). The system path is the conservative default; zero-copy is opt-in until validated.
+//! paths; zero-copy cut `submit_us` p50 2.8 ms → 0.26 ms) — zero-copy is the AMF default. QSV is
+//! still not on-glass validated (no Intel Windows box in the lab), so its zero-copy path stays
+//! opt-in via `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1`.
 //!
 //! Raw FFI: `ffmpeg-next` has no hwcontext wrappers for D3D11VA, so the hwdevice/hwframes calls go
 //! through `ffmpeg::ffi` (= `ffmpeg_sys_next`), exactly as the Linux CUDA/VAAPI paths do. The
@@ -108,10 +117,16 @@ impl WinVendor {
     }
 }
 
-/// Is the zero-copy D3D11 path enabled? Opt-in (`PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1`) until on-glass validated;
+/// Is the zero-copy D3D11 path enabled for this vendor? An explicit `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY`
-/// the default is the robust system-memory readback path.
+/// (`0|false|off|no` = off, anything else = on) overrides; unset defers to the per-vendor default:
-fn zerocopy_enabled() -> bool {
+/// **on for AMF** — on-glass validated 2026-07-06 (Ryzen iGPU, 1080p120 HDR P010: `submit_us` p50
-    crate::config::config().zerocopy
+/// 2.8 ms → 0.26 ms vs readback) — and **off for QSV** until validated on Intel glass (the
+/// open-failure fallback only catches *setup* errors; a derive that opens but maps wrong would
+/// corrupt silently, so it stays opt-in per the probe-never-assume rule).
+fn zerocopy_enabled(vendor: WinVendor) -> bool {
+    crate::config::config()
+        .zerocopy
+        .unwrap_or(matches!(vendor, WinVendor::Amf))
 }
 
 /// The swscale *source* pixel format for a captured packed-RGB/BGR layout (8-bit BGRA fallback only).
@@ -771,9 +786,9 @@ impl Drop for SystemInner {
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Zero-copy D3D11 path (PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1): share the capture device, pool D3D11 frames, copy
+// Zero-copy D3D11 path (the AMF default; QSV opt-in — see `zerocopy_enabled`): share the capture
-// the captured texture into a pooled slice, feed AMF directly / map to QSV. Falls back to the
+// device, pool D3D11 frames, copy the captured texture into a pooled slice, feed AMF directly /
-// system path if the hw setup fails to open. Untested on glass — opt-in only for now.
+// map to QSV. Falls back to the system path if the hw setup fails to open.
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 struct D3d11Hw {
@@ -1199,7 +1214,7 @@ impl FfmpegWinEncoder {
         }
         self.inner = None;
         self.bound_device = dev_raw;
-        let inner = if zerocopy_enabled() {
+        let inner = if zerocopy_enabled(self.vendor) {
             match ZeroCopyInner::open(
                 self.vendor,
                 self.codec,
@@ -1307,6 +1322,18 @@ impl Encoder for FfmpegWinEncoder {
         self.force_kf = true;
     }
 
+    /// Encode-stall recovery: drop the wedged libavcodec encoder (its `Drop` releases the AMF/QSV
+    /// runtime state) and let the next `submit` rebuild it lazily on the current device, exactly
+    /// like first-frame bring-up. The owed AUs are forfeited (`in_flight` zeroed) and the rebuilt
+    /// encoder's first frame is forced IDR so the client resyncs immediately.
+    fn reset(&mut self) -> bool {
+        self.inner = None;
+        self.bound_device = 0;
+        self.in_flight = 0;
+        self.force_kf = true;
+        true
+    }
+
     /// Poll for the next finished AU (single non-blocking `receive_packet`).
     ///
     /// libavcodec's `hevc_amf`/`av1_amf` wrapper holds ~2 frames before releasing the oldest

crates/punktfunk-host/src/gamestream/serverinfo.rs

@@ -77,9 +77,10 @@ fn base_codec_mode_support() -> u32 {
         }
     }
     // Windows AMD/Intel (AMF/QSV): advertise only what the GPU actually encodes (AV1 is narrow, an
-    // old iGPU might lack HEVC). NVENC and the GPU-less software path keep the static superset.
+    // old iGPU might lack HEVC). AMF probes natively (no build feature needed); QSV needs the
-    #[cfg(all(target_os = "windows", feature = "amf-qsv"))]
+    // libavcodec build. NVENC and the GPU-less software path keep the static superset.
-    if crate::encode::windows_backend_is_ffmpeg() {
+    #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+    if crate::encode::windows_backend_is_probed() {
         if let Some(m) = probed_mask(crate::encode::windows_codec_support()) {
             return m;
         }
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ fn base_codec_mode_support() -> u32 {
 /// or `None` if the probe found nothing — meaning the GPU wasn't usable at probe time (GPU-less CI,
 /// a misconfigured/wrong-vendor host), NOT that it encodes zero codecs; the caller then advertises
 /// the static superset (pre-probe behaviour) rather than claiming nothing.
-#[cfg(any(target_os = "linux", all(target_os = "windows", feature = "amf-qsv")))]
+#[cfg(any(target_os = "linux", target_os = "windows"))]
 fn probed_mask(caps: crate::encode::CodecSupport) -> Option<u32> {
     use super::{SCM_AV1_MAIN8, SCM_H264, SCM_HEVC};
     let mut m = 0;

crates/punktfunk-host/src/gamestream/stream.rs

@@ -246,15 +246,34 @@ fn open_gs_virtual_source(
         }
         #[cfg(not(target_os = "windows"))]
         {
+            // A client is (re)connecting → cancel any pending TV-session restore (review #3).
+            crate::vdisplay::cancel_pending_tv_restore();
             let active = crate::vdisplay::detect_active_session();
+            // A4: fold any compositor-instance change (idle-time Game↔Desktop switch) into the epoch
+            // before acquiring, so a GameStream reconnect never reuses a dead-instance node.
+            crate::vdisplay::observe_session_instance(&active);
             crate::vdisplay::apply_session_env(&active);
+            // Dedicated game session (B0): a GameStream app whose launch RESOLVES to a command (library
+            // id / apps.json command), under `game_session=dedicated` with gamescope available, gets its
+            // own headless gamescope spawn at the client mode — same routing as the native plane. Gate on
+            // the resolved command so an unresolvable entry falls back to auto routing (review #9).
+            let has_launch = crate::library::resolve_session_launch(
+                app.and_then(|a| a.library_id.as_deref()),
+                app.and_then(|a| a.cmd.as_deref()),
+            )
+            .is_some();
+            if crate::vdisplay::wants_dedicated_game_session(has_launch) {
+                crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(crate::vdisplay::Compositor::Gamescope, true);
+                crate::vdisplay::Compositor::Gamescope
+            } else {
                 let c = crate::vdisplay::compositor_for_kind(active.kind)
                     .map(Ok)
                     .unwrap_or_else(crate::vdisplay::detect)
                     .context("detect compositor")?;
-            crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(c);
+                crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(c, false);
                 c
             }
+        }
     };
     let mut vd = crate::vdisplay::open(compositor).context("open virtual display")?;
     // Carry the resolved launch command on the backend instance (per-session) rather than a

crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/client.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,609 @@
+//! Host side of the isolated zero-copy GPU import (design:
+//! [`design/zerocopy-worker-isolation.md`]): spawns the `zerocopy-worker` subprocess, mirrors the
+//! [`super::egl::EglImporter`] entry points over the [`super::proto`] socket, and materializes
+//! the worker's pooled CUDA buffers in this process via CUDA IPC (each buffer's handles are
+//! opened exactly once and reused as the pool recycles). A worker death — the whole point of the
+//! isolation — surfaces as an `Err` with [`RemoteImporter::dead`] set, never as a host fault.
+
+// Every `unsafe` block in this file carries a `// SAFETY:` proof; enforce it (unsafe-proof program).
+#![deny(clippy::undocumented_unsafe_blocks)]
+
+use super::cuda::{self, CUdeviceptr, DeviceBuffer, CU_IPC_HANDLE_SIZE};
+use super::egl::DmabufPlane;
+use super::proto::{self, BufferDesc, ImportKind, Reply, Request};
+use anyhow::{bail, Context, Result};
+use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
+use std::io;
+use std::os::fd::{AsFd, AsRawFd, BorrowedFd, OwnedFd};
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::process::{Child, Command};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+/// Handshake budget: EGL + CUDA bring-up is ~200 ms; a cold driver load can take seconds.
+const HANDSHAKE_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(20);
+/// Per-request budget. An import is a few ms of GPU work; if the worker can't answer in this
+/// window it is wedged (GPU fault in progress) and gets treated as dead.
+const REPLY_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(10);
+
+/// State shared with in-flight frames: the socket (their release messages) and the CUDA IPC
+/// mappings (their device pointers). Lives until the LAST in-flight [`DeviceBuffer`] drops, so a
+/// mapping is never closed under a frame the encoder still reads — and only then does the socket
+/// close, which is what tells an idle worker to exit.
+struct Shared {
+    sock: OwnedFd,
+    mappings: Mutex<HashMap<u32, Mapping>>,
+    dead: AtomicBool,
+}
+
+/// One pooled worker buffer, opened in this process.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+struct Mapping {
+    y: CUdeviceptr,
+    y_pitch: usize,
+    uv: Option<(CUdeviceptr, usize)>,
+    width: u32,
+    height: u32,
+}
+
+impl Drop for Shared {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        // Last reference gone — no DeviceBuffer can still point into these mappings.
+        for (_, m) in self.mappings.lock().unwrap().drain() {
+            cuda::ipc_close(m.y);
+            if let Some((uv, _)) = m.uv {
+                cuda::ipc_close(uv);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Children whose worker hasn't exited yet at `RemoteImporter` drop time (it exits on socket
+/// EOF, i.e. after the last in-flight frame drops). Swept on every spawn and every drop so
+/// workers don't linger as zombies for more than one capture generation.
+static REAPER: Mutex<Vec<Child>> = Mutex::new(Vec::new());
+
+fn sweep_reaper() {
+    let mut list = REAPER.lock().unwrap();
+    list.retain_mut(|c| !matches!(c.try_wait(), Ok(Some(_))));
+}
+
+/// The remote (isolated) importer — one per capture. Method-for-method mirror of the in-process
+/// [`super::egl::EglImporter`] surface the capture thread uses.
+pub struct RemoteImporter {
+    shared: Arc<Shared>,
+    child: Option<Child>,
+    /// Reused receive scratch buffer (all replies are read by the single capture thread).
+    rbuf: Vec<u8>,
+    /// Dmabuf keys (`st_ino`) whose fd the worker already holds — the fd is passed only once.
+    sent_keys: HashSet<u64>,
+}
+
+impl RemoteImporter {
+    /// Spawn the worker from this host binary and complete the readiness handshake. An `Err`
+    /// here means "no isolated zero-copy available" — callers fall back to the CPU path, exactly
+    /// like an in-process `EglImporter::new()` failure.
+    pub fn spawn() -> Result<RemoteImporter> {
+        let exe = std::env::current_exe().context("resolve /proc/self/exe for the worker")?;
+        Self::spawn_exe(&exe)
+    }
+
+    /// [`Self::spawn`] with an explicit executable (separated for tests).
+    fn spawn_exe(exe: &Path) -> Result<RemoteImporter> {
+        sweep_reaper();
+        let (host_end, worker_end) = proto::socketpair_seqpacket().context("worker socketpair")?;
+        let mut cmd = Command::new(exe);
+        cmd.arg("zerocopy-worker").arg("--fd").arg("3");
+        let raw = worker_end.as_raw_fd();
+        // SAFETY: `pre_exec` runs between fork and exec, so only async-signal-safe calls are
+        // allowed — `dup2` and `fcntl` both are, and the closure captures only the `Copy` int
+        // `raw` (no allocation, no locks). `dup2(raw, 3)` installs the socket at the fd number
+        // the subcommand expects and clears CLOEXEC on the copy; if the parent's fd already IS 3,
+        // `dup2(3,3)` would preserve CLOEXEC, so that case clears the flag explicitly instead.
+        unsafe {
+            use std::os::unix::process::CommandExt;
+            cmd.pre_exec(move || {
+                if raw == 3 {
+                    let flags = libc::fcntl(3, libc::F_GETFD);
+                    if flags < 0 || libc::fcntl(3, libc::F_SETFD, flags & !libc::FD_CLOEXEC) < 0 {
+                        return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+                    }
+                } else if libc::dup2(raw, 3) < 0 {
+                    return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+                }
+                Ok(())
+            });
+        }
+        let child = cmd.spawn().context("spawn zerocopy-worker")?;
+        drop(worker_end); // the child holds its own copy now
+        Self::from_socket(host_end, Some(child))
+    }
+
+    /// Complete the handshake on an already-connected socket (the unit tests drive this against
+    /// a mock server thread instead of a real subprocess).
+    fn from_socket(sock: OwnedFd, child: Option<Child>) -> Result<RemoteImporter> {
+        let mut importer = RemoteImporter {
+            shared: Arc::new(Shared {
+                sock,
+                mappings: Mutex::new(HashMap::new()),
+                dead: AtomicBool::new(false),
+            }),
+            child,
+            rbuf: Vec::new(),
+            sent_keys: HashSet::new(),
+        };
+        proto::set_recv_timeout(importer.shared.sock.as_fd(), Some(HANDSHAKE_TIMEOUT))?;
+        let ready = proto::recv::<Reply>(importer.shared.sock.as_fd(), &mut importer.rbuf);
+        proto::set_recv_timeout(importer.shared.sock.as_fd(), Some(REPLY_TIMEOUT))?;
+        match ready {
+            Ok((Reply::Ready { version }, _)) if version == proto::PROTO_VERSION => {
+                tracing::info!(
+                    pid = importer.child.as_ref().map(|c| c.id()),
+                    "zero-copy GPU import isolated in a worker process"
+                );
+                Ok(importer)
+            }
+            Ok((Reply::Ready { version }, _)) => {
+                importer.mark_dead();
+                bail!(
+                    "zerocopy worker protocol mismatch (worker v{version}, host v{})",
+                    proto::PROTO_VERSION
+                )
+            }
+            Ok((Reply::InitErr { message }, _)) => {
+                // The worker exits by itself after reporting; not a death, just "no GPU here".
+                bail!("zerocopy worker init failed: {message}")
+            }
+            Ok((other, _)) => {
+                importer.mark_dead();
+                bail!("unexpected zerocopy worker handshake: {other:?}")
+            }
+            Err(e) => {
+                importer.mark_dead();
+                Err(e).context("zerocopy worker handshake (died on startup?)")
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// True once any exchange failed at the transport level — the worker is gone (or wedged) and
+    /// every further call fails fast. The capture layer poisons its stream on this.
+    pub fn dead(&self) -> bool {
+        self.shared.dead.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+
+    fn mark_dead(&self) {
+        self.shared.dead.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// Mirror of [`super::egl::EglImporter::supported_modifiers`] (worker round-trip; empty on
+    /// any failure, which makes the capture fall back like an importless negotiation).
+    pub fn supported_modifiers(&mut self, fourcc: u32) -> Vec<u64> {
+        if self.dead() {
+            return Vec::new();
+        }
+        if let Err(e) = proto::send(
+            self.shared.sock.as_fd(),
+            &Request::Modifiers { fourcc },
+            None,
+        ) {
+            tracing::warn!(error = %e, "zerocopy worker modifier query failed");
+            self.mark_dead();
+            return Vec::new();
+        }
+        match proto::recv::<Reply>(self.shared.sock.as_fd(), &mut self.rbuf) {
+            Ok((Reply::Modifiers { modifiers }, _)) => modifiers,
+            Ok((other, _)) => {
+                tracing::warn!(?other, "unexpected zerocopy worker reply to Modifiers");
+                self.mark_dead();
+                Vec::new()
+            }
+            Err(e) => {
+                tracing::warn!(error = %e, "zerocopy worker modifier reply failed");
+                self.mark_dead();
+                Vec::new()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Mirror of [`super::egl::EglImporter::import`] (tiled dmabuf → BGRx CUDA buffer).
+    pub fn import(
+        &mut self,
+        plane: &DmabufPlane,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+        fourcc: u32,
+        modifier: Option<u64>,
+    ) -> Result<DeviceBuffer> {
+        self.import_impl(plane, ImportKind::Tiled, width, height, fourcc, modifier)
+    }
+
+    /// Mirror of [`super::egl::EglImporter::import_nv12`].
+    pub fn import_nv12(
+        &mut self,
+        plane: &DmabufPlane,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+        fourcc: u32,
+        modifier: Option<u64>,
+    ) -> Result<DeviceBuffer> {
+        self.import_impl(
+            plane,
+            ImportKind::TiledNv12,
+            width,
+            height,
+            fourcc,
+            modifier,
+        )
+    }
+
+    /// Mirror of [`super::egl::EglImporter::import_linear`] (LINEAR dmabuf → Vulkan bridge).
+    pub fn import_linear(
+        &mut self,
+        plane: &DmabufPlane,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+    ) -> Result<DeviceBuffer> {
+        self.import_impl(plane, ImportKind::Linear, width, height, 0, None)
+    }
+
+    fn import_impl(
+        &mut self,
+        plane: &DmabufPlane,
+        kind: ImportKind,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+        fourcc: u32,
+        modifier: Option<u64>,
+    ) -> Result<DeviceBuffer> {
+        if self.dead() {
+            bail!("zerocopy worker is dead");
+        }
+        let key = dmabuf_key(plane.fd)?;
+        // One retry: a `NeedFd` reply (the worker's fd cache evicted this key) clears our
+        // "already sent" note so the second attempt carries the fd again.
+        let mut attempts = 0;
+        let reply = loop {
+            attempts += 1;
+            let has_fd = self.sent_keys.insert(key);
+            // SAFETY: `plane.fd` is the dmabuf fd of the PipeWire buffer the capture thread still
+            // holds for this callback (`consume_frame`'s contract), so it is open and stays open
+            // for this synchronous call; the `BorrowedFd` never outlives it (used only for the
+            // `send`).
+            let pass = has_fd.then(|| unsafe { BorrowedFd::borrow_raw(plane.fd) });
+            let req = Request::Import {
+                key,
+                kind,
+                width,
+                height,
+                fourcc,
+                modifier,
+                offset: plane.offset,
+                stride: plane.stride,
+                has_fd,
+            };
+            if let Err(e) = proto::send(self.shared.sock.as_fd(), &req, pass) {
+                self.mark_dead();
+                return Err(e).context("zerocopy worker died (send)");
+            }
+            let reply = match proto::recv::<Reply>(self.shared.sock.as_fd(), &mut self.rbuf) {
+                Ok((reply, _)) => reply,
+                Err(e) => {
+                    self.mark_dead();
+                    return Err(e).context("zerocopy worker died (no reply)");
+                }
+            };
+            match reply {
+                Reply::NeedFd if attempts == 1 => {
+                    self.sent_keys.remove(&key);
+                    continue;
+                }
+                Reply::NeedFd => {
+                    self.mark_dead();
+                    bail!("zerocopy worker still lacks the fd after a resend (desync)");
+                }
+                other => break other,
+            }
+        };
+        match reply {
+            Reply::Frame { id, desc } => {
+                if let Some(desc) = desc {
+                    let mapping = open_mapping(&desc).with_context(|| {
+                        // An unopenable mapping poisons every future frame in this buffer —
+                        // treat it as a dead worker so the capture rebuilds cleanly.
+                        self.mark_dead();
+                        format!("open CUDA IPC mapping for worker buffer {id}")
+                    })?;
+                    self.shared.mappings.lock().unwrap().insert(id, mapping);
+                }
+                let m = self
+                    .shared
+                    .mappings
+                    .lock()
+                    .unwrap()
+                    .get(&id)
+                    .copied()
+                    .ok_or_else(|| {
+                        self.mark_dead();
+                        anyhow::anyhow!("worker delivered unknown buffer id {id} (desync)")
+                    })?;
+                let shared = self.shared.clone();
+                Ok(DeviceBuffer::remote(
+                    m.y,
+                    m.y_pitch,
+                    m.width,
+                    m.height,
+                    m.uv,
+                    Box::new(move || {
+                        // Fire-and-forget recycle; a dead worker just means EPIPE, ignored. The
+                        // captured `shared` Arc is what keeps the mapping + socket alive until
+                        // the last frame drops.
+                        let _ = proto::send(shared.sock.as_fd(), &Request::Release { id }, None);
+                    }),
+                ))
+            }
+            Reply::Err { message } => bail!("zerocopy worker import failed: {message}"),
+            other => {
+                self.mark_dead();
+                bail!("unexpected zerocopy worker reply: {other:?}")
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The PipeWire stream renegotiated — reset both sides' per-buffer caches.
+    pub fn clear_cache(&mut self) {
+        self.sent_keys.clear();
+        if !self.dead() {
+            if let Err(e) = proto::send(self.shared.sock.as_fd(), &Request::ClearCache, None) {
+                tracing::warn!(error = %e, "zerocopy worker ClearCache failed");
+                self.mark_dead();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for RemoteImporter {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        // The worker exits on socket EOF, which happens when the last `Shared` reference (this
+        // importer, or the final in-flight frame on the encode side) drops. Reap what's already
+        // gone; park the rest for the next sweep.
+        if let Some(mut child) = self.child.take() {
+            if !matches!(child.try_wait(), Ok(Some(_))) {
+                REAPER.lock().unwrap().push(child);
+            }
+        }
+        sweep_reaper();
+    }
+}
+
+/// Identity of the dma-buf behind `fd`, stable across frames and across `SCM_RIGHTS` re-numbering:
+/// every dma-buf gets a unique inode on the kernel's dmabuf pseudo-fs for its lifetime. Used as
+/// the worker's fd-cache key so the fd itself is only passed once.
+fn dmabuf_key(fd: i32) -> Result<u64> {
+    // SAFETY: `libc::stat` is plain-old-data for which all-zero is a valid value, so
+    // `mem::zeroed()` is a sound initializer. `fd` is the caller's live dmabuf fd; `fstat` writes
+    // into `&mut st`, a live, correctly-sized stack struct that outlives the synchronous call,
+    // and `st_ino` is read only after the return value is checked.
+    unsafe {
+        let mut st: libc::stat = std::mem::zeroed();
+        if libc::fstat(fd, &mut st) != 0 {
+            bail!("fstat(dmabuf fd): {}", io::Error::last_os_error());
+        }
+        Ok(st.st_ino)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Open a worker buffer's CUDA IPC handles in this process.
+fn open_mapping(desc: &BufferDesc) -> Result<Mapping> {
+    cuda::make_current()?;
+    let y_handle: [u8; CU_IPC_HANDLE_SIZE] = desc
+        .y_handle
+        .as_slice()
+        .try_into()
+        .context("worker sent a malformed Y IPC handle")?;
+    let y = cuda::ipc_open(&y_handle).context("open Y plane IPC handle")?;
+    let uv = match &desc.uv {
+        Some((handle, pitch)) => {
+            let handle: [u8; CU_IPC_HANDLE_SIZE] = handle
+                .as_slice()
+                .try_into()
+                .context("worker sent a malformed UV IPC handle")?;
+            match cuda::ipc_open(&handle) {
+                Ok(ptr) => Some((ptr, *pitch)),
+                Err(e) => {
+                    // Don't leak the Y mapping on a half-open failure.
+                    cuda::ipc_close(y);
+                    return Err(e).context("open UV plane IPC handle");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        None => None,
+    };
+    Ok(Mapping {
+        y,
+        y_pitch: desc.y_pitch,
+        uv,
+        width: desc.width,
+        height: desc.height,
+    })
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use std::thread;
+
+    fn handshake_server(reply: Reply) -> OwnedFd {
+        let (host, worker) = proto::socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        proto::send(worker.as_fd(), &reply, None).unwrap();
+        // Keep the worker end alive alongside the host end for the test's duration by leaking it
+        // into the reply thread below? Not needed: the handshake reply is already queued in the
+        // socket buffer, so the worker end may drop — recv still delivers queued data first.
+        drop(worker);
+        host
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn handshake_ready_and_version_gate() {
+        let host = handshake_server(Reply::Ready {
+            version: proto::PROTO_VERSION,
+        });
+        let imp = RemoteImporter::from_socket(host, None).unwrap();
+        assert!(!imp.dead());
+
+        let host = handshake_server(Reply::Ready { version: 999 });
+        assert!(RemoteImporter::from_socket(host, None).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn handshake_init_err() {
+        let host = handshake_server(Reply::InitErr {
+            message: "no GPU".into(),
+        });
+        let Err(err) = RemoteImporter::from_socket(host, None) else {
+            panic!("InitErr handshake must fail")
+        };
+        assert!(format!("{err:#}").contains("no GPU"), "{err:#}");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn handshake_eof_is_an_error() {
+        let (host, worker) = proto::socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        drop(worker);
+        assert!(RemoteImporter::from_socket(host, None).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn spawning_a_non_worker_fails_cleanly() {
+        // `true` exits immediately without a handshake → EOF → clean spawn error, the same
+        // fallback path a GPU-less box takes.
+        let Err(err) = RemoteImporter::spawn_exe(Path::new("true")) else {
+            panic!("spawning a non-worker must fail")
+        };
+        assert!(format!("{err:#}").contains("handshake"), "{err:#}");
+    }
+
+    /// A scripted peer: answers the handshake, then serves canned replies per request.
+    fn scripted_server(replies: Vec<Reply>) -> (RemoteImporter, thread::JoinHandle<Vec<Request>>) {
+        let (host, worker) = proto::socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        proto::send(
+            worker.as_fd(),
+            &Reply::Ready {
+                version: proto::PROTO_VERSION,
+            },
+            None,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let join = thread::spawn(move || {
+            let mut buf = Vec::new();
+            let mut seen = Vec::new();
+            let mut replies = replies.into_iter();
+            while let Ok((req, _fd)) = proto::recv::<Request>(worker.as_fd(), &mut buf) {
+                let needs_reply = matches!(req, Request::Modifiers { .. } | Request::Import { .. });
+                seen.push(req);
+                if needs_reply {
+                    match replies.next() {
+                        Some(r) => proto::send(worker.as_fd(), &r, None).unwrap(),
+                        None => break, // close → client sees a dead worker
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            seen
+        });
+        let imp = RemoteImporter::from_socket(host, None).unwrap();
+        (imp, join)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn modifiers_round_trip() {
+        let (mut imp, join) = scripted_server(vec![Reply::Modifiers {
+            modifiers: vec![1, 2, 3],
+        }]);
+        assert_eq!(imp.supported_modifiers(0x3432_5258), vec![1, 2, 3]);
+        assert!(!imp.dead());
+        drop(imp);
+        let seen = join.join().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            seen,
+            vec![Request::Modifiers {
+                fourcc: 0x3432_5258
+            }]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn need_fd_triggers_one_resend_with_the_fd() {
+        let (mut imp, join) = scripted_server(vec![
+            Reply::Err {
+                message: "one".into(),
+            },
+            Reply::NeedFd,
+            Reply::Err {
+                message: "two".into(),
+            },
+        ]);
+        let (pr, _pw) = std::io::pipe().unwrap();
+        let plane = DmabufPlane {
+            fd: pr.as_fd().as_raw_fd(),
+            offset: 0,
+            stride: 256,
+        };
+        // First import: first sight of the key → fd rides along; the Err reply keeps the key
+        // marked as sent (the worker cached the fd before failing).
+        assert!(imp.import(&plane, 64, 64, 1, Some(2)).is_err());
+        // Second import: no fd (already sent) → worker answers NeedFd → one retry WITH the fd.
+        assert!(imp.import(&plane, 64, 64, 1, Some(2)).is_err());
+        assert!(!imp.dead(), "NeedFd handling must not mark the worker dead");
+        drop(imp);
+        let fd_flags: Vec<bool> = join
+            .join()
+            .unwrap()
+            .iter()
+            .map(|r| match r {
+                Request::Import { has_fd, .. } => *has_fd,
+                other => panic!("unexpected request {other:?}"),
+            })
+            .collect();
+        assert_eq!(fd_flags, vec![true, false, true]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn import_error_reply_keeps_worker_alive_and_death_is_detected() {
+        let (mut imp, join) = scripted_server(vec![Reply::Err {
+            message: "EGL_BAD_MATCH".into(),
+        }]);
+        // Any pipe works as a stand-in fd for key derivation.
+        let (pr, _pw) = std::io::pipe().unwrap();
+        let plane = DmabufPlane {
+            fd: pr.as_fd().as_raw_fd(),
+            offset: 0,
+            stride: 256,
+        };
+        let Err(err) = imp.import(&plane, 64, 64, 1, Some(2)) else {
+            panic!("scripted Err reply must fail the import")
+        };
+        assert!(format!("{err:#}").contains("EGL_BAD_MATCH"));
+        assert!(!imp.dead(), "an Err reply must not mark the worker dead");
+
+        // The scripted replies are exhausted → the server closes → the next import dies.
+        let Err(err) = imp.import(&plane, 64, 64, 1, Some(2)) else {
+            panic!("a closed worker must fail the import")
+        };
+        assert!(format!("{err:#}").contains("died"), "{err:#}");
+        assert!(imp.dead());
+        drop(imp);
+        let seen = join.join().unwrap();
+        // First import carried the fd (first sight of the key); the retry didn't re-send it.
+        match (&seen[0], &seen[1]) {
+            (
+                Request::Import {
+                    has_fd: true,
+                    kind: ImportKind::Tiled,
+                    ..
+                },
+                Request::Import { has_fd: false, .. },
+            ) => {}
+            other => panic!("unexpected requests {other:?}"),
+        }
+    }
+}

crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/cuda.rs

@@ -90,6 +90,21 @@ pub struct CUDA_EXTERNAL_MEMORY_BUFFER_DESC {
 
 pub const CU_EXTERNAL_MEMORY_HANDLE_TYPE_OPAQUE_FD: c_uint = 1;
 
+/// `CUipcMemHandle` (cuda.h): an opaque 64-byte struct identifying a device allocation across
+/// processes. Produced by `cuIpcGetMemHandle` in the exporting process, consumed by
+/// `cuIpcOpenMemHandle` in the importer — passed **by value**, matching the C
+/// `struct { char reserved[64]; }`. Plain bytes — safe to ship over a socket.
+pub const CU_IPC_HANDLE_SIZE: usize = 64;
+#[repr(C)]
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct CUipcMemHandle {
+    pub reserved: [u8; CU_IPC_HANDLE_SIZE],
+}
+
+/// `CUipcMem_flags`: lazily enable peer access on open (the documented flag for
+/// `cuIpcOpenMemHandle`; a no-op for a same-device open, which is our only case).
+const CU_IPC_MEM_LAZY_ENABLE_PEER_ACCESS: c_uint = 0x1;
+
 /// CUDA Driver API entry points, resolved at runtime from `libcuda.so.1` via `dlopen` rather than
 /// a link-time `#[link(name = "cuda")]`. This is what lets ONE host binary run on NVIDIA
 /// (zero-copy via CUDA → NVENC) *and* on AMD/Intel (VAAPI, where the NVIDIA driver — and thus
@@ -129,6 +144,9 @@ struct CudaApi {
         *const CUDA_EXTERNAL_MEMORY_BUFFER_DESC,
     ) -> CUresult,
     cuDestroyExternalMemory: unsafe extern "C" fn(CUexternalMemory) -> CUresult,
+    cuIpcGetMemHandle: unsafe extern "C" fn(*mut CUipcMemHandle, CUdeviceptr) -> CUresult,
+    cuIpcOpenMemHandle: unsafe extern "C" fn(*mut CUdeviceptr, CUipcMemHandle, c_uint) -> CUresult,
+    cuIpcCloseMemHandle: unsafe extern "C" fn(CUdeviceptr) -> CUresult,
 }
 // SAFETY: every field is a bare `extern "C" fn` address into the leaked, process-lifetime
 // `libcuda` mapping (`cuda_api` `forget`s the `Library`, so it is never unloaded) — an immutable
@@ -192,6 +210,14 @@ fn cuda_api() -> Option<&'static CudaApi> {
                     .get(b"cuExternalMemoryGetMappedBuffer\0")
                     .ok()?,
                 cuDestroyExternalMemory: *lib.get(b"cuDestroyExternalMemory\0").ok()?,
+                cuIpcGetMemHandle: *lib.get(b"cuIpcGetMemHandle\0").ok()?,
+                // CUDA 11 renamed the entry point (per-thread-stream ABI split); every modern
+                // driver exports `_v2`, but accept the unsuffixed one too (same signature).
+                cuIpcOpenMemHandle: *lib
+                    .get(b"cuIpcOpenMemHandle_v2\0")
+                    .or_else(|_| lib.get(b"cuIpcOpenMemHandle\0"))
+                    .ok()?,
+                cuIpcCloseMemHandle: *lib.get(b"cuIpcCloseMemHandle\0").ok()?,
             };
             std::mem::forget(lib); // keep libcuda mapped for the fn pointers' lifetime (process)
             Some(api)
@@ -346,6 +372,28 @@ unsafe fn cuDestroyExternalMemory(ext_mem: CUexternalMemory) -> CUresult {
         None => CU_ERROR_NOT_LOADED,
     }
 }
+unsafe fn cuIpcGetMemHandle(handle: *mut CUipcMemHandle, dptr: CUdeviceptr) -> CUresult {
+    match cuda_api() {
+        Some(a) => (a.cuIpcGetMemHandle)(handle, dptr),
+        None => CU_ERROR_NOT_LOADED,
+    }
+}
+unsafe fn cuIpcOpenMemHandle(
+    dptr: *mut CUdeviceptr,
+    handle: CUipcMemHandle,
+    flags: c_uint,
+) -> CUresult {
+    match cuda_api() {
+        Some(a) => (a.cuIpcOpenMemHandle)(dptr, handle, flags),
+        None => CU_ERROR_NOT_LOADED,
+    }
+}
+unsafe fn cuIpcCloseMemHandle(dptr: CUdeviceptr) -> CUresult {
+    match cuda_api() {
+        Some(a) => (a.cuIpcCloseMemHandle)(dptr),
+        None => CU_ERROR_NOT_LOADED,
+    }
+}
 
 #[inline]
 fn ck(r: CUresult, what: &str) -> Result<()> {
@@ -387,6 +435,55 @@ pub fn read_plane_to_host(
     Ok(host)
 }
 
+/// Export a device allocation (from `cuMemAllocPitch`/`cuMemAlloc`) as a cross-process CUDA IPC
+/// handle — an opaque 64-byte blob another process opens with [`ipc_open`]. The allocation must
+/// stay alive for as long as any importer has it open. The shared context must be current.
+pub fn ipc_export(ptr: CUdeviceptr) -> Result<[u8; CU_IPC_HANDLE_SIZE]> {
+    let mut handle = CUipcMemHandle {
+        reserved: [0; CU_IPC_HANDLE_SIZE],
+    };
+    // SAFETY: `&mut handle` is a live, correctly-sized stack out-param the driver fills with the
+    // opaque IPC blob; `ptr` is the caller's live device allocation (by-value integer). The call is
+    // synchronous and retains no pointer into Rust memory. Wrapper → live table (context current).
+    unsafe { ck(cuIpcGetMemHandle(&mut handle, ptr), "cuIpcGetMemHandle")? };
+    Ok(handle.reserved)
+}
+
+/// Open an IPC handle exported by *another* process ([`ipc_export`]); returns a device pointer
+/// valid in this process until [`ipc_close`]. The shared context must be current.
+pub fn ipc_open(handle: &[u8; CU_IPC_HANDLE_SIZE]) -> Result<CUdeviceptr> {
+    let h = CUipcMemHandle { reserved: *handle };
+    let mut ptr: CUdeviceptr = 0;
+    // SAFETY: `h` is passed by value (matching the C `CUipcMemHandle` struct ABI); `&mut ptr` is a
+    // live zero-init stack out-param the driver writes the mapped device address into. Synchronous
+    // call, distinct locals, no aliasing. Wrapper → live table (context current).
+    unsafe {
+        ck(
+            cuIpcOpenMemHandle(&mut ptr, h, CU_IPC_MEM_LAZY_ENABLE_PEER_ACCESS),
+            "cuIpcOpenMemHandle",
+        )?
+    };
+    Ok(ptr)
+}
+
+/// Close a mapping opened with [`ipc_open`] (best-effort teardown; makes the shared context
+/// current itself since drops may run off-thread).
+pub fn ipc_close(ptr: CUdeviceptr) {
+    if ptr == 0 {
+        return;
+    }
+    // SAFETY: `ptr` is a device pointer previously returned by `cuIpcOpenMemHandle` (the only
+    // caller path), closed exactly once by the owning cache. We make the shared context current
+    // first because this runs from `Drop` on whatever thread holds the last reference. Result
+    // ignored (best-effort teardown). Wrapper → live table (the mapping exists ⇒ driver present).
+    unsafe {
+        if let Some(c) = CONTEXT.get() {
+            let _ = cuCtxSetCurrent(c.0);
+        }
+        let _ = cuIpcCloseMemHandle(ptr);
+    }
+}
+
 /// The shared process-wide CUDA context (created once). Wrapped so it's `Send`/`Sync` to live
 /// in a `OnceLock`; the raw `CUcontext` is thread-safe to make current from any thread.
 #[derive(Clone, Copy)]
@@ -676,6 +773,7 @@ impl BufferPool {
                 height: self.height,
                 uv: Some((uv_ptr, uv_pitch)),
                 pool: Some(self.inner.clone()),
+                remote_release: None,
             });
         }
         let reuse = self.inner.lock().unwrap().free.pop();
@@ -690,6 +788,7 @@ impl BufferPool {
             height: self.height,
             uv: None,
             pool: Some(self.inner.clone()),
+            remote_release: None,
         })
     }
 }
@@ -706,6 +805,10 @@ pub struct DeviceBuffer {
     /// `None` for the default 4-byte RGB/BGRx path. When `Some`, [`ptr`] is the Y plane (1 byte/px).
     pub uv: Option<(CUdeviceptr, usize)>,
     pool: Option<Arc<Mutex<PoolInner>>>,
+    /// Set for buffers whose device memory is owned by ANOTHER process (the zero-copy import
+    /// worker, reached via CUDA IPC): drop runs this exactly once (telling the owner to recycle)
+    /// and must neither free nor pool-recycle the pointers locally.
+    remote_release: Option<Box<dyn FnOnce() + Send>>,
 }
 
 impl DeviceBuffer {
@@ -719,6 +822,7 @@ impl DeviceBuffer {
             height,
             uv: None,
             pool: None,
+            remote_release: None,
         })
     }
 
@@ -733,6 +837,7 @@ impl DeviceBuffer {
             height,
             uv: Some((uv_ptr, uv_pitch)),
             pool: None,
+            remote_release: None,
         })
     }
 
@@ -740,10 +845,38 @@ impl DeviceBuffer {
     pub fn is_nv12(&self) -> bool {
         self.uv.is_some()
     }
+
+    /// Wrap device planes owned by ANOTHER process (opened here via [`ipc_open`]) as a frame
+    /// buffer. `release` runs exactly once on drop — it tells the owning process to recycle the
+    /// buffer; nothing is freed or pooled locally (the IPC mapping itself is closed by the cache
+    /// that opened it, after the last remote buffer referencing it has dropped).
+    pub fn remote(
+        ptr: CUdeviceptr,
+        pitch: usize,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+        uv: Option<(CUdeviceptr, usize)>,
+        release: Box<dyn FnOnce() + Send>,
+    ) -> DeviceBuffer {
+        DeviceBuffer {
+            ptr,
+            pitch,
+            width,
+            height,
+            uv,
+            pool: None,
+            remote_release: Some(release),
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl Drop for DeviceBuffer {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
+        if let Some(release) = self.remote_release.take() {
+            // Remote (IPC) buffer: the worker owns the memory — just hand it back.
+            release();
+            return;
+        }
         if self.ptr == 0 {
             return;
         }
@@ -988,20 +1121,35 @@ pub fn copy_nv12_to_device(
     }
 }
 
-impl Drop for RegisteredTexture {
+impl RegisteredTexture {
-    fn drop(&mut self) {
+    /// Unregister now (idempotent; the later `Drop` then no-ops). Teardown-order helper: the blit
-        if !self.resource.is_null() {
+    /// destructors call this to release the CUDA registration BEFORE deleting the GL texture it
-            // SAFETY: `self.resource` is non-null (just checked) and is the valid
+    /// wraps — deleting a still-registered texture leaves the driver holding a registration onto
-            // `CUgraphicsResource` from `register_gl`, owned exclusively by this `RegisteredTexture`
+    /// freed GL state, exactly the stale-driver-state class this path once crashed on.
-            // and unregistered exactly once here (drop runs once) — no use-after-free or
+    pub fn release(&mut self) {
-            // double-unregister. `cuGraphicsUnregisterResource` releases the GL↔CUDA registration;
+        if self.resource.is_null() {
-            // wrapper → live table (the resource exists ⇒ the driver was present). Result ignored
+            return;
-            // (best-effort teardown).
+        }
+        // SAFETY: `self.resource` is non-null (just checked) and is the valid `CUgraphicsResource`
+        // from `register_gl`, owned exclusively by this `RegisteredTexture`; nulling the field
+        // right after makes this (and the `Drop` below) unregister it exactly once — no
+        // use-after-free or double-unregister. We make the shared context current first because a
+        // release may run during teardown on a thread where it isn't. Wrapper → live table (the
+        // resource exists ⇒ the driver was present). Result ignored (best-effort teardown).
         unsafe {
+            if let Some(c) = CONTEXT.get() {
+                let _ = cuCtxSetCurrent(c.0);
+            }
             let _ = cuGraphicsUnregisterResource(self.resource);
         }
+        self.resource = std::ptr::null_mut();
     }
 }
+
+impl Drop for RegisteredTexture {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        self.release();
+    }
 }
 
 /// A dmabuf fd imported as CUDA external memory and mapped to a device pointer — the LINEAR

crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/egl.rs

@@ -270,6 +270,27 @@ impl GlBlit {
     }
 }
 
+impl Drop for GlBlit {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        // Unregister the CUDA graphics resource BEFORE deleting the GL texture it wraps (see
+        // `Nv12Blit::drop` — same ordering hazard). Previously `GlBlit` had no `Drop` at all, so
+        // its GL objects leaked on every size change and on importer teardown.
+        self.registered.release();
+        // SAFETY: these GL names were all created by THIS `GlBlit` in `GlBlit::new` on the current
+        // GL context, still current here (the owning `EglImporter` drops on its single capture
+        // thread and never releases the context). Each `glDelete*` gets a count of 1 and a `&u32`
+        // to one live field; the symbols dispatch through libGL to the driver for the current
+        // context. Each name is deleted exactly once, after its CUDA registration was released.
+        unsafe {
+            glDeleteTextures(1, &self.dst_tex);
+            glDeleteTextures(1, &self.src_tex);
+            glDeleteFramebuffers(1, &self.fbo);
+            glDeleteVertexArrays(1, &self.vao);
+            glDeleteProgram(self.program);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Per-size GL machinery to convert a dmabuf EGLImage into an NV12 (BT.709 limited-range) pair —
 /// the [`GlBlit`] analogue for the `PUNKTFUNK_NV12` path. Two passes share `src_tex`: a full-res Y
 /// pass into a CUDA-registrable `GL_R8` texture and a half-res UV pass into a `GL_RG8` texture.
@@ -417,6 +438,12 @@ impl Nv12Blit {
 
 impl Drop for Nv12Blit {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
+        // Unregister the CUDA graphics resources BEFORE deleting the GL textures they wrap.
+        // `Drop::drop` runs before the fields' own drops, so without this the `glDeleteTextures`
+        // below would destroy `y_tex`/`uv_tex` while still CUDA-registered — leaving the driver a
+        // registration onto freed GL state (the stale-driver-state class that crashed this path).
+        self.y_registered.release();
+        self.uv_registered.release();
         // SAFETY: these GL names (textures/FBOs/VAO/programs) were all created by THIS `Nv12Blit`
         // in `Nv12Blit::new` on the current GL context, which is still current because the owning
         // `EglImporter` is dropped on its single capture thread (fields drop before
@@ -424,7 +451,8 @@ impl Drop for Nv12Blit {
         // pointer to that many names: `&self.y_tex`/`&self.vao` are `&u32` to one live field (n=1);
         // `[self.y_fbo, self.uv_fbo].as_ptr()` points at a 2-element temporary that lives for the
         // whole `glDeleteFramebuffers` call (n=2 matches). The symbols dispatch through libGL
-        // (libglvnd) to the driver for the current context. Each name is deleted exactly once.
+        // (libglvnd) to the driver for the current context. Each name is deleted exactly once,
+        // after its CUDA registration was released above.
         unsafe {
             glDeleteTextures(1, &self.y_tex);
             glDeleteTextures(1, &self.uv_tex);
@@ -637,6 +665,22 @@ impl EglImporter {
         )
     }
 
+    /// Drop the Vulkan bridge's cached per-fd import (see [`super::vulkan::VkBridge::forget_fd`]).
+    /// No-op when the bridge hasn't been built (tiled-only captures).
+    pub fn forget_linear_fd(&mut self, fd: i32) {
+        if let Some(vk) = self.vk.as_mut() {
+            vk.forget_fd(fd);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Tear down the whole LINEAR-path import cache (the Vulkan bridge and every per-fd source
+    /// buffer in it). Called when the PipeWire stream renegotiates — the buffer pool the cache
+    /// keyed on is gone, and a recycled fd number must never resolve to a stale import. The
+    /// bridge lazily rebuilds on the next LINEAR frame (renegotiations are rare).
+    pub fn clear_linear_cache(&mut self) {
+        self.vk = None;
+    }
+
     /// The DRM format modifiers the NVIDIA EGL stack can import for `fourcc`, via
     /// `eglQueryDmaBufModifiersEXT`. We advertise these to PipeWire so the compositor allocates
     /// a dmabuf in a layout we can import. Empty on failure (caller falls back).

crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/mod.rs

@@ -10,11 +10,14 @@
 //! headless EGLDisplay + dmabuf→`EGLImage`→CUDA import). The encoder's CUDA-frame path lives in
 //! `encode/linux.rs`; the dmabuf negotiation lives in `capture/linux.rs`.
 
+pub mod client;
 pub mod cuda;
 pub mod egl;
+pub mod proto;
 pub mod vulkan;
+pub mod worker;
 
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU32, Ordering};
 
 pub use cuda::DeviceBuffer;
 pub use egl::{DmabufPlane, EglImporter};
@@ -48,18 +51,21 @@ pub fn vaapi_dmabuf_forced() -> bool {
     flag_opt("PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY") == Some(true)
 }
 
-/// Whether the zero-copy path is on. `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` decides when set (truthy = on, else
+/// Whether the zero-copy path is on. `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` decides when set (truthy = on, else off).
-/// off). Unset defaults **on for the VAAPI (AMD/Intel) backend** — the stock AMD/Intel install
+/// **Unset defaults ON for both GPU backends** — the stock install gets the GPU dmabuf path, not
-/// gets the GPU dmabuf path, not three full-frame CPU touches — unless a failed negotiation
+/// three full-frame CPU touches. This includes NVENC (previously opt-in): the EGL→CUDA (tiled) and
-/// downgraded it ([`note_vaapi_dmabuf_failed`]); and **off for NVENC**, whose EGL→CUDA import
+/// Vulkan (LINEAR) imports now run in a per-capture worker subprocess
-/// stays opt-in (Mutter+NVIDIA has known dmabuf-capture races; see `PUNKTFUNK_FORCE_SHM`).
+/// (`design/zerocopy-worker-isolation.md`), so a driver fault on a producer-invalidated dmabuf kills
+/// the worker and the host degrades to its capture-loss rebuild instead of dying — the reason the
+/// NVENC path stayed opt-in is gone. Fallbacks stay in place: VAAPI has a one-shot CPU downgrade if
+/// the LINEAR-dmabuf offer never negotiates ([`note_vaapi_dmabuf_failed`]); NVENC falls back per
+/// capture when no importer/importable modifier is available and latches the import off after
+/// repeated worker deaths. `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=0` opts out; `PUNKTFUNK_FORCE_SHM` forces the
+/// race-free SHM path.
 pub fn enabled() -> bool {
     match flag_opt("PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY") {
         Some(v) => v,
-        None => {
+        None => !VAAPI_DMABUF_FAILED.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
-            crate::encode::linux_zero_copy_is_vaapi()
-                && !VAAPI_DMABUF_FAILED.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
-        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -73,6 +79,127 @@ pub fn nv12_enabled() -> bool {
     flag_opt("PUNKTFUNK_NV12").unwrap_or(true)
 }
 
+/// The GPU importer a capture uses — normally the [`client::RemoteImporter`] worker subprocess
+/// (design: `design/zerocopy-worker-isolation.md`), so a driver fault on a producer-invalidated
+/// dmabuf kills the worker instead of the host. `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY_INPROC=1` keeps the import
+/// in-process (the pre-isolation behavior) for debugging and A/B latency comparison.
+pub enum Importer {
+    Remote(client::RemoteImporter),
+    InProc(Box<EglImporter>),
+}
+
+impl Importer {
+    /// Build the importer for a capture session, honoring the `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY_INPROC`
+    /// escape hatch. An `Err` means "no GPU import available" — callers fall back to the CPU path.
+    pub fn new_for_capture() -> anyhow::Result<Importer> {
+        if flag("PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY_INPROC") {
+            tracing::warn!(
+                "PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY_INPROC=1 — GPU import runs IN-PROCESS; a driver fault on a \
+                 dying compositor's dmabuf can take the whole host down (debug/A-B use only)"
+            );
+            return Ok(Importer::InProc(Box::new(EglImporter::new()?)));
+        }
+        Ok(Importer::Remote(client::RemoteImporter::spawn()?))
+    }
+
+    pub fn supported_modifiers(&mut self, fourcc: u32) -> Vec<u64> {
+        match self {
+            Importer::Remote(r) => r.supported_modifiers(fourcc),
+            Importer::InProc(i) => i.supported_modifiers(fourcc),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn import(
+        &mut self,
+        plane: &DmabufPlane,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+        fourcc: u32,
+        modifier: Option<u64>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<DeviceBuffer> {
+        match self {
+            Importer::Remote(r) => r.import(plane, width, height, fourcc, modifier),
+            Importer::InProc(i) => i.import(plane, width, height, fourcc, modifier),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn import_nv12(
+        &mut self,
+        plane: &DmabufPlane,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+        fourcc: u32,
+        modifier: Option<u64>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<DeviceBuffer> {
+        match self {
+            Importer::Remote(r) => r.import_nv12(plane, width, height, fourcc, modifier),
+            Importer::InProc(i) => i.import_nv12(plane, width, height, fourcc, modifier),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn import_linear(
+        &mut self,
+        plane: &DmabufPlane,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<DeviceBuffer> {
+        match self {
+            Importer::Remote(r) => r.import_linear(plane, width, height),
+            Importer::InProc(i) => i.import_linear(plane, width, height),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// True once the worker process is gone/wedged (every further call fails fast). Always
+    /// `false` in-process — an in-process driver fault doesn't return.
+    pub fn dead(&self) -> bool {
+        match self {
+            Importer::Remote(r) => r.dead(),
+            Importer::InProc(_) => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The PipeWire stream renegotiated its format (the buffer pool is replaced) — drop all
+    /// per-buffer caches so a recycled fd number can never resolve to a stale import.
+    pub fn clear_cache(&mut self) {
+        match self {
+            Importer::Remote(r) => r.clear_cache(),
+            Importer::InProc(i) => i.clear_linear_cache(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Consecutive zero-copy worker deaths without a successful import in between. A short streak is
+/// normal (the observed trigger — a compositor crash — kills the worker once, and the rebuilt
+/// session's fresh worker succeeds); a sustained streak means the GPU stack itself is wedged and
+/// respawning would crash-loop, so [`note_gpu_import_death`] latches [`GPU_IMPORT_DISABLED`] and
+/// every later capture negotiates the safe CPU/SHM path instead.
+static GPU_IMPORT_DEATH_STREAK: AtomicU32 = AtomicU32::new(0);
+static GPU_IMPORT_DISABLED: AtomicBool = AtomicBool::new(false);
+const GPU_IMPORT_DEATH_LATCH: u32 = 3;
+
+/// Record a worker death (transport-level failure). Latches the process-wide disable after
+/// [`GPU_IMPORT_DEATH_LATCH`] consecutive deaths.
+pub fn note_gpu_import_death() {
+    let streak = GPU_IMPORT_DEATH_STREAK.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed) + 1;
+    if streak >= GPU_IMPORT_DEATH_LATCH && !GPU_IMPORT_DISABLED.swap(true, Ordering::Relaxed) {
+        tracing::error!(
+            streak,
+            "zero-copy GPU import disabled for this host process: the import worker died {streak} \
+             times in a row (GPU/driver stack unstable) — captures fall back to the CPU path"
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+/// Record a successful GPU import — resets the death streak (the stack works again).
+pub fn note_gpu_import_ok() {
+    GPU_IMPORT_DEATH_STREAK.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+}
+
+/// True once repeated worker deaths latched the GPU import off (see [`note_gpu_import_death`]).
+pub fn gpu_import_disabled() -> bool {
+    GPU_IMPORT_DISABLED.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+}
+
 /// DRM FourCC for a packed 32-bit format name (little-endian, e.g. `b"XR24"`).
 const fn fourcc(c: &[u8; 4]) -> u32 {
     (c[0] as u32) | ((c[1] as u32) << 8) | ((c[2] as u32) << 16) | ((c[3] as u32) << 24)
@@ -250,3 +377,23 @@ pub fn nv12_selftest() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         bail!("NV12 self-test FAILED (Y={max_y_err:.2} U={max_u_err:.2} V={max_v_err:.2})");
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// Single test owning the process-global latch statics (they are never reset by design).
+    #[test]
+    fn gpu_import_death_latch() {
+        note_gpu_import_death();
+        note_gpu_import_ok(); // a successful import resets the streak
+        note_gpu_import_death();
+        note_gpu_import_death();
+        assert!(
+            !gpu_import_disabled(),
+            "two consecutive deaths must not latch"
+        );
+        note_gpu_import_death(); // third consecutive death
+        assert!(gpu_import_disabled());
+    }
+}

crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/proto.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,390 @@
+//! Wire protocol between the PipeWire capture thread and the isolated zero-copy GPU-import
+//! worker process (`punktfunk-host zerocopy-worker`; design:
+//! [`design/zerocopy-worker-isolation.md`]). Transport is a `SOCK_SEQPACKET` unix socketpair —
+//! reliable, ordered, message-framed (one `sendmsg` = one message) — with dmabuf fds riding as
+//! `SCM_RIGHTS` control data. Bodies are small serde_json blobs (~200 B/frame); pixels never
+//! cross the socket (they move GPU-side via CUDA IPC, see [`super::cuda::ipc_export`]).
+//!
+//! Zero-length messages are reserved: `recvmsg` returning 0 on a SEQPACKET socket is EOF (the
+//! peer died/closed), and every serialized message here is non-empty JSON, so the two can't be
+//! confused.
+
+// Every `unsafe` block in this file carries a `// SAFETY:` proof; enforce it (unsafe-proof program).
+#![deny(clippy::undocumented_unsafe_blocks)]
+
+use serde::de::DeserializeOwned;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use std::io;
+use std::os::fd::{AsRawFd, BorrowedFd, FromRawFd, OwnedFd};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+/// Bumped on any wire change; the worker echoes it in [`Reply::Ready`] and the host refuses a
+/// mismatch. Host and worker are the same binary (`/proc/self/exe`), so this only ever trips on
+/// exotic deployment mistakes (a stale binary re-exec'd across an upgrade).
+pub const PROTO_VERSION: u32 = 1;
+
+/// Upper bound for one serialized message (the largest real message — a modifier list — is far
+/// below this). A message reported truncated at this size is a protocol error.
+pub const MAX_MSG: usize = 64 * 1024;
+
+/// How a dmabuf should be imported — mirrors the three `EglImporter` entry points.
+#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum ImportKind {
+    /// Tiled dmabuf → EGL/GL de-tile blit → BGRx CUDA buffer.
+    Tiled,
+    /// Tiled dmabuf → EGL/GL NV12 convert → two-plane CUDA buffer (`PUNKTFUNK_NV12`).
+    TiledNv12,
+    /// LINEAR dmabuf → Vulkan bridge → BGRx CUDA buffer (gamescope's only offer).
+    Linear,
+}
+
+/// host → worker.
+#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum Request {
+    /// The EGL-importable DRM modifiers for `fourcc` (startup, before the stream connects —
+    /// the host advertises these to PipeWire).
+    Modifiers { fourcc: u32 },
+    /// Import one frame. `key` identifies the underlying dmabuf across frames (the host uses
+    /// the fd's `st_ino` — unique per dma-buf object); the fd itself rides along as
+    /// `SCM_RIGHTS` only on first sight of `key` (`has_fd`), and the worker keeps its dup.
+    Import {
+        key: u64,
+        kind: ImportKind,
+        width: u32,
+        height: u32,
+        fourcc: u32,
+        modifier: Option<u64>,
+        offset: u32,
+        stride: u32,
+        has_fd: bool,
+    },
+    /// The frame buffer previously delivered as `id` is no longer in use — recycle it into the
+    /// worker's pool. Fire-and-forget (no reply); may be sent from any host thread.
+    Release { id: u32 },
+    /// The PipeWire stream renegotiated its format: the buffer pool is gone, so drop all cached
+    /// per-`key` state (stored fds, Vulkan per-fd imports). Fire-and-forget.
+    ClearCache,
+}
+
+/// worker → host.
+#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum Reply {
+    /// Sent once at startup after EGL + CUDA came up.
+    Ready {
+        version: u32,
+    },
+    /// Startup failed (no NVIDIA driver, EGL error, …) — the host falls back to the CPU path,
+    /// exactly like an in-process `EglImporter::new()` failure.
+    InitErr {
+        message: String,
+    },
+    Modifiers {
+        modifiers: Vec<u64>,
+    },
+    /// The imported frame is complete (the GPU copy already synced worker-side) in buffer `id`.
+    /// `desc` rides along the first time `id` is ever delivered — the host opens its CUDA IPC
+    /// handles once and caches the mapping for every later frame in the same buffer.
+    Frame {
+        id: u32,
+        desc: Option<BufferDesc>,
+    },
+    /// The worker has no cached fd for the import's `key` (evicted, or the two sides' caches
+    /// diverged) — the host forgets its "already sent" note and retries once WITH the fd.
+    NeedFd,
+    /// This import failed but the worker is alive (e.g. `EGL_BAD_MATCH` on one buffer).
+    Err {
+        message: String,
+    },
+}
+
+/// CUDA IPC identity of one pooled device buffer (sent once per buffer, then referenced by id).
+#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Clone, PartialEq)]
+pub struct BufferDesc {
+    pub width: u32,
+    pub height: u32,
+    /// `cuIpcGetMemHandle` blob for the (Y or BGRx) plane — exactly 64 bytes.
+    pub y_handle: Vec<u8>,
+    pub y_pitch: usize,
+    /// NV12 only: the interleaved chroma plane's `(handle, pitch)`.
+    pub uv: Option<(Vec<u8>, usize)>,
+}
+
+/// A CLOEXEC `SOCK_SEQPACKET` socketpair — `(host_end, worker_end)`.
+pub fn socketpair_seqpacket() -> io::Result<(OwnedFd, OwnedFd)> {
+    let mut fds = [0i32; 2];
+    // SAFETY: `socketpair` writes two fds into `fds`, a live 2-element stack array matching the
+    // API contract; it reads no other Rust memory. The result is checked before the fds are used,
+    // and each returned fd is fresh (owned by no other wrapper), so the two `OwnedFd::from_raw_fd`
+    // each take sole ownership of a distinct, valid descriptor — no alias, no double-close.
+    unsafe {
+        if libc::socketpair(
+            libc::AF_UNIX,
+            libc::SOCK_SEQPACKET | libc::SOCK_CLOEXEC,
+            0,
+            fds.as_mut_ptr(),
+        ) != 0
+        {
+            return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+        }
+        Ok((OwnedFd::from_raw_fd(fds[0]), OwnedFd::from_raw_fd(fds[1])))
+    }
+}
+
+/// Set (or clear) the receive timeout: a blocked [`recv`] then fails with
+/// `ErrorKind::WouldBlock`. Used by the host so a hung worker can't wedge the capture thread.
+pub fn set_recv_timeout(sock: BorrowedFd, timeout: Option<Duration>) -> io::Result<()> {
+    let tv = match timeout {
+        Some(d) => libc::timeval {
+            tv_sec: d.as_secs() as libc::time_t,
+            tv_usec: d.subsec_micros() as libc::suseconds_t,
+        },
+        None => libc::timeval {
+            tv_sec: 0,
+            tv_usec: 0,
+        },
+    };
+    // SAFETY: `setsockopt(SO_RCVTIMEO)` reads `size_of::<timeval>()` bytes from `&tv`, a live
+    // stack `timeval` that outlives this synchronous call; `sock` is the caller's live socket fd.
+    // Nothing is retained or written through Rust pointers.
+    let r = unsafe {
+        libc::setsockopt(
+            sock.as_raw_fd(),
+            libc::SOL_SOCKET,
+            libc::SO_RCVTIMEO,
+            &tv as *const libc::timeval as *const libc::c_void,
+            std::mem::size_of::<libc::timeval>() as libc::socklen_t,
+        )
+    };
+    if r != 0 {
+        return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Send one message (+ optionally one fd as `SCM_RIGHTS`) as a single SEQPACKET datagram.
+/// Atomic per message, so concurrent senders on the same socket (the capture thread's imports,
+/// the encode thread's releases) need no lock. `MSG_NOSIGNAL` turns a dead peer into `EPIPE`
+/// instead of `SIGPIPE`.
+pub fn send<T: Serialize>(
+    sock: BorrowedFd,
+    msg: &T,
+    pass_fd: Option<BorrowedFd>,
+) -> io::Result<()> {
+    let body =
+        serde_json::to_vec(msg).map_err(|e| io::Error::new(io::ErrorKind::InvalidData, e))?;
+    debug_assert!(
+        !body.is_empty(),
+        "zero-length messages are reserved for EOF"
+    );
+    if body.len() > MAX_MSG {
+        return Err(io::Error::new(
+            io::ErrorKind::InvalidData,
+            "zerocopy proto message too large",
+        ));
+    }
+    let mut iov = libc::iovec {
+        iov_base: body.as_ptr() as *mut libc::c_void,
+        iov_len: body.len(),
+    };
+    // Control buffer for one fd: CMSG_SPACE(4) = 24 bytes on 64-bit; [u64; 4] gives 32 bytes at
+    // the 8-byte alignment `cmsghdr` requires.
+    let mut cmsg_store = [0u64; 4];
+    // SAFETY: `mhdr` is a plain-old-data C struct for which all-zero is a valid value.
+    let mut mhdr: libc::msghdr = unsafe { std::mem::zeroed() };
+    mhdr.msg_iov = &mut iov;
+    mhdr.msg_iovlen = 1;
+    if let Some(fd) = pass_fd {
+        mhdr.msg_control = cmsg_store.as_mut_ptr() as *mut libc::c_void;
+        // SAFETY: `CMSG_SPACE`/`CMSG_LEN` are pure size computations (no memory access).
+        // `CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&mhdr)` returns a pointer into `cmsg_store` (non-null: msg_controllen
+        // ≥ one cmsghdr), which is live, 8-aligned, and large enough (32 ≥ CMSG_SPACE(4) = 24)
+        // for the header fields and the 4-byte fd written via `CMSG_DATA`; `write_unaligned`
+        // handles the data area's byte alignment. All writes stay within `cmsg_store`, which
+        // outlives the synchronous `sendmsg` below.
+        unsafe {
+            mhdr.msg_controllen = libc::CMSG_SPACE(4) as _;
+            let c = libc::CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&mhdr);
+            (*c).cmsg_level = libc::SOL_SOCKET;
+            (*c).cmsg_type = libc::SCM_RIGHTS;
+            (*c).cmsg_len = libc::CMSG_LEN(4) as _;
+            std::ptr::write_unaligned(libc::CMSG_DATA(c) as *mut i32, fd.as_raw_fd());
+        }
+    }
+    // SAFETY: `sock` is the caller's live socket; `mhdr` points at the live `iov` (over `body`,
+    // which outlives the call) and — when an fd is passed — at `cmsg_store` (ditto). `sendmsg`
+    // only reads these buffers. The kernel dups the fd into the message; our `BorrowedFd` stays
+    // owned by the caller.
+    let n = unsafe { libc::sendmsg(sock.as_raw_fd(), &mhdr, libc::MSG_NOSIGNAL) };
+    if n < 0 {
+        return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+    }
+    if n as usize != body.len() {
+        return Err(io::Error::new(
+            io::ErrorKind::WriteZero,
+            "short sendmsg on SEQPACKET socket",
+        ));
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Receive one message (+ up to one `SCM_RIGHTS` fd). `buf` is a caller-owned scratch buffer
+/// (grown to [`MAX_MSG`] once, then reused frame to frame). Errors:
+/// `UnexpectedEof` = the peer is gone; `WouldBlock` = the [`set_recv_timeout`] expired.
+pub fn recv<T: DeserializeOwned>(
+    sock: BorrowedFd,
+    buf: &mut Vec<u8>,
+) -> io::Result<(T, Option<OwnedFd>)> {
+    buf.resize(MAX_MSG, 0);
+    let mut iov = libc::iovec {
+        iov_base: buf.as_mut_ptr() as *mut libc::c_void,
+        iov_len: buf.len(),
+    };
+    let mut cmsg_store = [0u64; 4];
+    // SAFETY: `mhdr` is a plain-old-data C struct for which all-zero is a valid value.
+    let mut mhdr: libc::msghdr = unsafe { std::mem::zeroed() };
+    mhdr.msg_iov = &mut iov;
+    mhdr.msg_iovlen = 1;
+    mhdr.msg_control = cmsg_store.as_mut_ptr() as *mut libc::c_void;
+    mhdr.msg_controllen = std::mem::size_of_val(&cmsg_store) as _;
+    // SAFETY: `sock` is the caller's live socket. `recvmsg` writes at most `iov_len` bytes into
+    // `buf` (live for the call) and at most `msg_controllen` control bytes into `cmsg_store`
+    // (live, 8-aligned). `MSG_CMSG_CLOEXEC` makes any received fd CLOEXEC atomically.
+    let n = unsafe { libc::recvmsg(sock.as_raw_fd(), &mut mhdr, libc::MSG_CMSG_CLOEXEC) };
+    if n < 0 {
+        return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+    }
+    if n == 0 {
+        return Err(io::Error::new(
+            io::ErrorKind::UnexpectedEof,
+            "zerocopy proto peer closed",
+        ));
+    }
+    // Collect a passed fd (if any) BEFORE any early return below, so it can't leak.
+    let mut got_fd: Option<OwnedFd> = None;
+    // SAFETY: `CMSG_FIRSTHDR`/`CMSG_NXTHDR` walk the control area the kernel just wrote inside
+    // `cmsg_store` (bounded by the updated `mhdr.msg_controllen`), returning either null or a
+    // pointer to a complete `cmsghdr` within it — each dereference reads kernel-initialized
+    // fields in bounds. For an `SCM_RIGHTS` cmsg the data area holds whole `i32` fds; we read the
+    // first via `read_unaligned`. The kernel gave us ownership of that fd (it is a fresh
+    // descriptor in our table), so `OwnedFd::from_raw_fd` takes sole ownership — any previously
+    // collected `got_fd` is dropped (closed) first, so nothing leaks even with multiple cmsgs.
+    unsafe {
+        let mut c = libc::CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&mhdr);
+        while !c.is_null() {
+            if (*c).cmsg_level == libc::SOL_SOCKET && (*c).cmsg_type == libc::SCM_RIGHTS {
+                let fd = std::ptr::read_unaligned(libc::CMSG_DATA(c) as *const i32);
+                if fd >= 0 {
+                    got_fd = Some(OwnedFd::from_raw_fd(fd));
+                }
+            }
+            c = libc::CMSG_NXTHDR(&mhdr, c);
+        }
+    }
+    if mhdr.msg_flags & libc::MSG_TRUNC != 0 {
+        return Err(io::Error::new(
+            io::ErrorKind::InvalidData,
+            "zerocopy proto message truncated",
+        ));
+    }
+    let msg = serde_json::from_slice(&buf[..n as usize])
+        .map_err(|e| io::Error::new(io::ErrorKind::InvalidData, e))?;
+    Ok((msg, got_fd))
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use std::io::{Read, Write};
+    use std::os::fd::AsFd;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn round_trip_no_fd() {
+        let (a, b) = socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        let req = Request::Import {
+            key: 0xdead_beef_u64,
+            kind: ImportKind::TiledNv12,
+            width: 5120,
+            height: 1440,
+            fourcc: 0x3432_5258,
+            modifier: Some(0x0300_0000_0000_1234),
+            offset: 0,
+            stride: 5120 * 4,
+            has_fd: false,
+        };
+        send(a.as_fd(), &req, None).unwrap();
+        let (got, fd) = recv::<Request>(b.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(got, req);
+        assert!(fd.is_none());
+
+        let reply = Reply::Frame {
+            id: 7,
+            desc: Some(BufferDesc {
+                width: 5120,
+                height: 1440,
+                y_handle: vec![1u8; 64],
+                y_pitch: 5632,
+                uv: Some((vec![2u8; 64], 5632)),
+            }),
+        };
+        send(b.as_fd(), &reply, None).unwrap();
+        let (got, fd) = recv::<Reply>(a.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(got, reply);
+        assert!(fd.is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn passes_an_fd() {
+        let (a, b) = socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        // A pipe stands in for a dmabuf: pass the read end, write through the original write end,
+        // and read the bytes back through the RECEIVED fd.
+        let (mut pr, mut pw) = std::io::pipe().unwrap();
+        send(a.as_fd(), &Request::ClearCache, Some(pr.as_fd())).unwrap();
+        let (got, fd) = recv::<Request>(b.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(got, Request::ClearCache);
+        let fd = fd.expect("fd should have been passed");
+        pw.write_all(b"hello").unwrap();
+        drop(pw);
+        let mut file = std::fs::File::from(fd);
+        let mut s = String::new();
+        file.read_to_string(&mut s).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(s, "hello");
+        // The original read end still works independently of the passed dup.
+        let mut nothing = [0u8; 1];
+        assert_eq!(pr.read(&mut nothing).unwrap(), 0);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn eof_when_peer_closes() {
+        let (a, b) = socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        drop(a);
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        let err = recv::<Reply>(b.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap_err();
+        assert_eq!(err.kind(), io::ErrorKind::UnexpectedEof);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn send_to_dead_peer_is_epipe_not_sigpipe() {
+        let (a, b) = socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        drop(b);
+        let err = send(a.as_fd(), &Request::ClearCache, None).unwrap_err();
+        // MSG_NOSIGNAL: a dead peer surfaces as EPIPE (BrokenPipe), never a process-killing signal.
+        assert_eq!(err.kind(), io::ErrorKind::BrokenPipe);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn recv_timeout_fires() {
+        let (a, _b) = socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        set_recv_timeout(a.as_fd(), Some(Duration::from_millis(50))).unwrap();
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        let err = recv::<Reply>(a.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap_err();
+        assert!(
+            matches!(
+                err.kind(),
+                io::ErrorKind::WouldBlock | io::ErrorKind::TimedOut
+            ),
+            "unexpected error kind: {err:?}"
+        );
+    }
+}

crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/vulkan.rs

@@ -302,6 +302,23 @@ impl VkBridge {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    /// Drop the cached import for `fd` (the PipeWire buffer it wrapped is gone — pool recycle /
+    /// renegotiation — or the caller is about to store a different dmabuf under the same slot).
+    /// Without this the cache could serve a stale imported buffer for a reused fd number, or
+    /// leak an entry per recycled pool buffer.
+    pub fn forget_fd(&mut self, fd: i32) {
+        if let Some(s) = self.src_cache.remove(&fd) {
+            // SAFETY: `s.buffer`/`s.memory` were created by this bridge's `import_src` and are
+            // exclusively owned by the removed cache entry, so each is destroyed exactly once.
+            // No GPU work can still reference them: every `import_linear` fence-waits its copy to
+            // completion before returning, and this runs on the same single owning thread.
+            unsafe {
+                self.device.destroy_buffer(s.buffer, None);
+                self.device.free_memory(s.memory, None);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Bridge one LINEAR dmabuf frame into a pooled CUDA buffer: GPU copy dmabuf→exportable,
     /// then pitched CUDA copy exportable→`pool` buffer.
     pub fn import_linear(

crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/worker.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,465 @@
+//! The isolated zero-copy GPU-import worker (`punktfunk-host zerocopy-worker`; design:
+//! [`design/zerocopy-worker-isolation.md`]). It owns the fragile driver stack — the headless
+//! EGLDisplay + GL context, the CUDA context, and the Vulkan bridge — so that a driver fault on a
+//! producer-invalidated dmabuf (the `cuGraphicsMapResources` SIGSEGV the F44 Game→Desktop switch
+//! reproduced) kills THIS process, not the streaming host. The host observes the dead socket,
+//! fails the frame cleanly, and its existing capture-loss rebuild takes over.
+//!
+//! One worker serves one capture (spawned per `pipewire_thread`). It exits on socket EOF — which
+//! only happens after the capturer AND every in-flight frame on the host side are gone, so pooled
+//! device memory is never freed under a frame the host still reads.
+
+// Every `unsafe` block in this file carries a `// SAFETY:` proof; enforce it (unsafe-proof program).
+#![deny(clippy::undocumented_unsafe_blocks)]
+
+use super::cuda::{self, CUdeviceptr, DeviceBuffer};
+use super::egl::{DmabufPlane, EglImporter};
+use super::proto::{self, BufferDesc, ImportKind, Reply, Request};
+use anyhow::{bail, Context, Result};
+use std::collections::{HashMap, VecDeque};
+use std::io;
+use std::os::fd::{AsFd, AsRawFd, FromRawFd, OwnedFd};
+
+/// Cap on cached per-key dmabuf fds. PipeWire buffer pools are ≤ ~16 buffers; the cap only
+/// matters if a misbehaving producer churns buffers without a renegotiation.
+const FD_CACHE_CAP: usize = 64;
+
+/// Entry point for the hidden `zerocopy-worker` subcommand. `args` are the subcommand's own
+/// arguments (`--fd N`, default 3 — the socket end the spawning host `dup2`'d in).
+pub fn run_from_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<()> {
+    let fd: i32 = args
+        .iter()
+        .skip_while(|a| *a != "--fd")
+        .nth(1)
+        .map(|s| s.parse())
+        .transpose()
+        .context("parse --fd")?
+        .unwrap_or(3);
+    // SAFETY: the spawning host `dup2`'d its socketpair end onto exactly this fd number before
+    // exec (the subcommand's contract) and nothing else in this fresh process owns it, so
+    // `OwnedFd` takes sole ownership and closes it exactly once at exit.
+    let sock = unsafe { OwnedFd::from_raw_fd(fd) };
+    run(sock)
+}
+
+/// Bring up the GPU stack, report readiness, and serve until the host goes away.
+fn run(sock: OwnedFd) -> Result<()> {
+    let importer = match EglImporter::new() {
+        Ok(i) => i,
+        Err(e) => {
+            // Init failure is an ANSWER, not a crash: the host falls back to the CPU path,
+            // exactly like an in-process `EglImporter::new()` failure.
+            let _ = proto::send(
+                sock.as_fd(),
+                &Reply::InitErr {
+                    message: format!("{e:#}"),
+                },
+                None,
+            );
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+    };
+    proto::send(
+        sock.as_fd(),
+        &Reply::Ready {
+            version: proto::PROTO_VERSION,
+        },
+        None,
+    )
+    .context("send Ready")?;
+    tracing::info!(pid = std::process::id(), "zerocopy import worker ready");
+    let mut backend = EglBackend::new(importer);
+    serve(&sock, &mut backend)
+}
+
+/// What [`serve`] needs from an import implementation — split out so the dispatch loop is
+/// unit-testable without a GPU.
+pub(crate) trait ImportBackend {
+    fn modifiers(&mut self, fourcc: u32) -> Vec<u64>;
+    /// Answers with [`Reply::Frame`] (buffer id + [`BufferDesc`] iff first delivery of that id),
+    /// [`Reply::NeedFd`] (this side lacks the key's fd — host resends it once), or [`Reply::Err`].
+    fn import(&mut self, req: &ImportReq, fd: Option<OwnedFd>) -> Reply;
+    fn release(&mut self, id: u32);
+    fn clear_cache(&mut self);
+}
+
+/// The [`Request::Import`] fields, destructured for [`ImportBackend::import`].
+pub(crate) struct ImportReq {
+    pub key: u64,
+    pub kind: ImportKind,
+    pub width: u32,
+    pub height: u32,
+    pub fourcc: u32,
+    pub modifier: Option<u64>,
+    pub offset: u32,
+    pub stride: u32,
+    pub has_fd: bool,
+}
+
+/// The request loop. Returns `Ok(())` on host EOF (normal end-of-life); any other socket error
+/// propagates (the process exits — the host treats it like a death, which it is).
+pub(crate) fn serve(sock: &OwnedFd, backend: &mut dyn ImportBackend) -> Result<()> {
+    let mut buf = Vec::new();
+    loop {
+        let (req, fd) = match proto::recv::<Request>(sock.as_fd(), &mut buf) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(e) if e.kind() == io::ErrorKind::UnexpectedEof => return Ok(()),
+            Err(e) => return Err(e).context("worker recv"),
+        };
+        match req {
+            Request::Modifiers { fourcc } => {
+                let reply = Reply::Modifiers {
+                    modifiers: backend.modifiers(fourcc),
+                };
+                if send_or_eof(sock, &reply)? {
+                    return Ok(());
+                }
+            }
+            Request::Import {
+                key,
+                kind,
+                width,
+                height,
+                fourcc,
+                modifier,
+                offset,
+                stride,
+                has_fd,
+            } => {
+                let req = ImportReq {
+                    key,
+                    kind,
+                    width,
+                    height,
+                    fourcc,
+                    modifier,
+                    offset,
+                    stride,
+                    has_fd,
+                };
+                let reply = backend.import(&req, fd);
+                if send_or_eof(sock, &reply)? {
+                    return Ok(());
+                }
+            }
+            Request::Release { id } => backend.release(id),
+            Request::ClearCache => backend.clear_cache(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Send a reply; `Ok(true)` means the host is gone (EPIPE) and the loop should end quietly.
+fn send_or_eof(sock: &OwnedFd, reply: &Reply) -> Result<bool> {
+    match proto::send(sock.as_fd(), reply, None) {
+        Ok(()) => Ok(false),
+        Err(e) if e.kind() == io::ErrorKind::BrokenPipe => Ok(true),
+        Err(e) => Err(e).context("worker send"),
+    }
+}
+
+/// The real backend: the in-process [`EglImporter`] plus the cross-process bookkeeping —
+/// per-key dmabuf fds, in-flight frames (held until `Release`), and stable buffer ids.
+struct EglBackend {
+    importer: EglImporter,
+    /// The dmabuf fd for each host key (`st_ino`), kept because the tiled path re-imports the fd
+    /// every frame (`eglCreateImage`) and the LINEAR path caches per fd inside the Vulkan bridge.
+    fds: HashMap<u64, OwnedFd>,
+    /// Insertion order of `fds` keys for the LRU cap.
+    fd_lru: VecDeque<u64>,
+    /// Frames delivered to the host and not yet released — holding the `DeviceBuffer` is what
+    /// keeps its device memory alive (pool `Arc`s) while the host encodes from it.
+    inflight: HashMap<u32, DeviceBuffer>,
+    /// Buffer id per device allocation. Valid only within one pool generation: pools never free
+    /// allocations while alive, so a device VA can't repeat until a size change replaces the pool
+    /// — at which point [`Self::note_dims`] clears this map (ids themselves are never reused;
+    /// `next_id` only counts up).
+    ids: HashMap<CUdeviceptr, u32>,
+    next_id: u32,
+    /// The (kind, width, height) of the last import — a change means the importer replaced its
+    /// pool, invalidating the VA→id map (see [`Self::ids`]).
+    last_shape: Option<(ImportKind, u32, u32)>,
+}
+
+impl EglBackend {
+    fn new(importer: EglImporter) -> EglBackend {
+        EglBackend {
+            importer,
+            fds: HashMap::new(),
+            fd_lru: VecDeque::new(),
+            inflight: HashMap::new(),
+            ids: HashMap::new(),
+            next_id: 0,
+            last_shape: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Store (or replace) the cached fd for `key`, evicting beyond the cap. A replaced or
+    /// evicted fd is first forgotten by the Vulkan bridge so its per-fd import can't go stale.
+    fn store_fd(&mut self, key: u64, fd: OwnedFd) {
+        if let Some(old) = self.fds.insert(key, fd) {
+            self.importer.forget_linear_fd(old.as_raw_fd());
+            self.fd_lru.retain(|k| *k != key);
+        }
+        self.fd_lru.push_back(key);
+        while self.fds.len() > FD_CACHE_CAP {
+            let Some(oldest) = self.fd_lru.pop_front() else {
+                break;
+            };
+            if let Some(old) = self.fds.remove(&oldest) {
+                self.importer.forget_linear_fd(old.as_raw_fd());
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Clear the VA→id map when the importer is about to replace its per-size pool (see
+    /// [`Self::ids`]).
+    fn note_dims(&mut self, kind: ImportKind, width: u32, height: u32) {
+        if self.last_shape != Some((kind, width, height)) {
+            self.last_shape = Some((kind, width, height));
+            self.ids.clear();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl ImportBackend for EglBackend {
+    fn modifiers(&mut self, fourcc: u32) -> Vec<u64> {
+        self.importer.supported_modifiers(fourcc)
+    }
+
+    fn import(&mut self, req: &ImportReq, fd: Option<OwnedFd>) -> Reply {
+        if let Some(fd) = fd {
+            self.store_fd(req.key, fd);
+        } else if req.has_fd {
+            return Reply::Err {
+                message: "Import said has_fd but no fd arrived".into(),
+            };
+        }
+        let Some(raw) = self.fds.get(&req.key).map(|f| f.as_raw_fd()) else {
+            // We no longer hold this buffer's fd (LRU eviction / cache desync) — ask the host to
+            // resend it rather than failing the frame.
+            return Reply::NeedFd;
+        };
+        match self.import_inner(req, raw) {
+            Ok((id, desc)) => Reply::Frame { id, desc },
+            Err(e) => Reply::Err {
+                message: format!("{e:#}"),
+            },
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn release(&mut self, id: u32) {
+        if self.inflight.remove(&id).is_none() {
+            tracing::warn!(id, "release for a frame not in flight (host/worker desync)");
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn clear_cache(&mut self) {
+        for (_, fd) in self.fds.drain() {
+            self.importer.forget_linear_fd(fd.as_raw_fd());
+        }
+        self.fd_lru.clear();
+        self.importer.clear_linear_cache();
+    }
+}
+
+impl EglBackend {
+    /// The fallible core of [`ImportBackend::import`], once the fd for `req.key` is resolved.
+    fn import_inner(&mut self, req: &ImportReq, raw: i32) -> Result<(u32, Option<BufferDesc>)> {
+        let plane = DmabufPlane {
+            fd: raw,
+            offset: req.offset,
+            stride: req.stride,
+        };
+        self.note_dims(req.kind, req.width, req.height);
+        let buf = match req.kind {
+            ImportKind::Tiled => {
+                self.importer
+                    .import(&plane, req.width, req.height, req.fourcc, req.modifier)?
+            }
+            ImportKind::TiledNv12 => self.importer.import_nv12(
+                &plane,
+                req.width,
+                req.height,
+                req.fourcc,
+                req.modifier,
+            )?,
+            ImportKind::Linear => self.importer.import_linear(&plane, req.width, req.height)?,
+        };
+        // Assign / look up the buffer's id and export its CUDA IPC identity on first delivery.
+        cuda::make_current()?;
+        let (id, desc) = match self.ids.get(&buf.ptr) {
+            Some(&id) => (id, None),
+            None => {
+                let id = self.next_id;
+                self.next_id = self.next_id.wrapping_add(1);
+                let y_handle = cuda::ipc_export(buf.ptr)?.to_vec();
+                let uv = match buf.uv {
+                    Some((uv_ptr, uv_pitch)) => {
+                        Some((cuda::ipc_export(uv_ptr)?.to_vec(), uv_pitch))
+                    }
+                    None => None,
+                };
+                self.ids.insert(buf.ptr, id);
+                (
+                    id,
+                    Some(BufferDesc {
+                        width: buf.width,
+                        height: buf.height,
+                        y_handle,
+                        y_pitch: buf.pitch,
+                        uv,
+                    }),
+                )
+            }
+        };
+        if self.inflight.insert(id, buf).is_some() {
+            // A pool never hands out a buffer that hasn't been recycled, so a duplicate id means
+            // corrupted bookkeeping — fail the import rather than alias two frames.
+            bail!("buffer id {id} already in flight");
+        }
+        Ok((id, desc))
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use std::sync::mpsc;
+
+    /// Records calls; import behavior is scripted per key.
+    struct MockBackend {
+        calls: mpsc::Sender<String>,
+        next: u32,
+    }
+
+    impl ImportBackend for MockBackend {
+        fn modifiers(&mut self, fourcc: u32) -> Vec<u64> {
+            let _ = self.calls.send(format!("modifiers:{fourcc}"));
+            vec![7, 8, 9]
+        }
+        fn import(&mut self, req: &ImportReq, fd: Option<OwnedFd>) -> Reply {
+            let _ = self.calls.send(format!(
+                "import:key={} kind={:?} fd={}",
+                req.key,
+                req.kind,
+                fd.is_some()
+            ));
+            if req.key == 0xbad {
+                return Reply::Err {
+                    message: "scripted failure".into(),
+                };
+            }
+            if req.key == 0xfeed && !req.has_fd {
+                return Reply::NeedFd;
+            }
+            let id = self.next;
+            self.next += 1;
+            let desc = (id == 0).then(|| BufferDesc {
+                width: req.width,
+                height: req.height,
+                y_handle: vec![0u8; 64],
+                y_pitch: 256,
+                uv: None,
+            });
+            Reply::Frame { id, desc }
+        }
+        fn release(&mut self, id: u32) {
+            let _ = self.calls.send(format!("release:{id}"));
+        }
+        fn clear_cache(&mut self) {
+            let _ = self.calls.send("clear".into());
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn start_server() -> (
+        OwnedFd,
+        mpsc::Receiver<String>,
+        std::thread::JoinHandle<Result<()>>,
+    ) {
+        let (host, worker) = proto::socketpair_seqpacket().unwrap();
+        let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel();
+        let join = std::thread::spawn(move || {
+            let mut backend = MockBackend { calls: tx, next: 0 };
+            serve(&worker, &mut backend)
+        });
+        (host, rx, join)
+    }
+
+    fn import_req(key: u64, has_fd: bool) -> Request {
+        Request::Import {
+            key,
+            kind: ImportKind::Tiled,
+            width: 64,
+            height: 64,
+            fourcc: 1,
+            modifier: None,
+            offset: 0,
+            stride: 256,
+            has_fd,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn dispatch_and_eof() {
+        let (host, rx, join) = start_server();
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+
+        proto::send(host.as_fd(), &Request::Modifiers { fourcc: 42 }, None).unwrap();
+        let (reply, _) = proto::recv::<Reply>(host.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            reply,
+            Reply::Modifiers {
+                modifiers: vec![7, 8, 9]
+            }
+        );
+
+        // First import delivers the desc; the second (same mock id sequence continues) doesn't.
+        proto::send(host.as_fd(), &import_req(1, false), None).unwrap();
+        let (reply, _) = proto::recv::<Reply>(host.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap();
+        match reply {
+            Reply::Frame {
+                id: 0,
+                desc: Some(_),
+            } => {}
+            other => panic!("unexpected reply {other:?}"),
+        }
+        proto::send(host.as_fd(), &import_req(1, false), None).unwrap();
+        let (reply, _) = proto::recv::<Reply>(host.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(reply, Reply::Frame { id: 1, desc: None });
+
+        // A missing worker-side fd is a NeedFd reply (host resends), not a failure.
+        proto::send(host.as_fd(), &import_req(0xfeed, false), None).unwrap();
+        let (reply, _) = proto::recv::<Reply>(host.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(reply, Reply::NeedFd);
+
+        // A failed import is an Err reply, not a dead worker.
+        proto::send(host.as_fd(), &import_req(0xbad, false), None).unwrap();
+        let (reply, _) = proto::recv::<Reply>(host.as_fd(), &mut buf).unwrap();
+        match reply {
+            Reply::Err { message } => assert!(message.contains("scripted failure")),
+            other => panic!("unexpected reply {other:?}"),
+        }
+
+        // Fire-and-forget ops reach the backend without replies.
+        proto::send(host.as_fd(), &Request::Release { id: 0 }, None).unwrap();
+        proto::send(host.as_fd(), &Request::ClearCache, None).unwrap();
+
+        // Closing the host end terminates serve() cleanly.
+        drop(host);
+        join.join().unwrap().unwrap();
+
+        let calls: Vec<String> = rx.iter().collect();
+        assert_eq!(
+            calls,
+            vec![
+                "modifiers:42",
+                "import:key=1 kind=Tiled fd=false",
+                "import:key=1 kind=Tiled fd=false",
+                "import:key=65261 kind=Tiled fd=false", // 0xfeed
+                "import:key=2989 kind=Tiled fd=false",  // 0xbad
+                "release:0",
+                "clear",
+            ]
+        );
+    }
+}

crates/punktfunk-host/src/main.rs

@@ -181,6 +181,11 @@ fn real_main() -> Result<()> {
         // Zero-copy FFI/GPU probe: init the EGL importer + CUDA context (no capture needed).
         #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
         Some("zerocopy-probe") => zerocopy::probe(),
+        // Hidden: the isolated GPU-import worker the capture path spawns from /proc/self/exe
+        // (design/zerocopy-worker-isolation.md) — never run by hand; --fd names the inherited
+        // socketpair end.
+        #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+        Some("zerocopy-worker") => zerocopy::worker::run_from_args(&args[1..]),
         // NV12 colour self-test (no display/capture needed): convert a known RGBA pattern to NV12
         // on the GPU and compare against a BT.709 limited-range reference. Validates the Tier 2A
         // `PUNKTFUNK_NV12` convert is colour-correct. Prints PASS/FAIL + max Y/U/V error.

crates/punktfunk-host/src/mgmt.rs

@@ -161,6 +161,8 @@ fn api_router_parts() -> (Router<Arc<MgmtState>>, utoipa::openapi::OpenApi) {
                 .routes(routes!(get_display_state))
                 .routes(routes!(release_display))
                 .routes(routes!(set_display_layout))
+                .routes(routes!(list_custom_presets, create_custom_preset))
+                .routes(routes!(update_custom_preset, delete_custom_preset))
                 .routes(routes!(get_status))
                 .routes(routes!(get_local_summary))
                 .routes(routes!(list_paired_clients))
@@ -993,6 +995,10 @@ struct DisplaySettingsState {
     effective: crate::vdisplay::policy::EffectivePolicy,
     /// Every named preset and what it expands to (for the picker's preview).
     presets: Vec<PresetInfo>,
+    /// The operator's saved custom presets (`display-presets.json`) — named field-bundles rendered
+    /// alongside the built-ins. Managed via `POST/PUT/DELETE /display/presets`; applied by writing a
+    /// `Custom` policy carrying the preset's fields.
+    custom_presets: Vec<crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPreset>,
     /// Option names this build enforces right now. All five axes are now acted on (keep_alive +
     /// topology since Stage 0-2, identity Stage 3, mode_conflict Stage 4, layout Stage 5) — the console
     /// reads this to know which controls are live vs. "coming soon" (per-backend nuance, e.g. layout
@@ -1037,12 +1043,14 @@ fn display_settings_state() -> DisplaySettingsState {
         settings,
         configured,
         presets,
+        custom_presets: policy::load_custom_presets(),
         enforced: vec![
             "keep_alive".into(),
             "topology".into(),
             "mode_conflict".into(),
             "identity".into(),
             "layout".into(),
+            "game_session".into(),
         ],
     }
 }
@@ -1248,7 +1256,10 @@ async fn set_display_layout(ApiJson(req): ApiJson<DisplayLayoutRequest>) -> Resp
     // Lock the current effective behavior into explicit fields + set the manual arrangement (pure
     // transform, unit-tested in `policy.rs`) — so arranging displays is orthogonal to the other policy
     // axes. (`effective` keep_alive is never `Forever` via the API — the settings PUT rejects it.)
-    let policy = store.get().effective().with_manual_layout(req.positions);
+    let policy = store
+        .get()
+        .effective()
+        .with_manual_layout(req.positions, store.game_session());
     if let Err(e) = store.set(policy) {
         return api_error(
             StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
@@ -1262,6 +1273,109 @@ async fn set_display_layout(ApiJson(req): ApiJson<DisplayLayoutRequest>) -> Resp
     Json(display_settings_state()).into_response()
 }
 
+/// List the saved custom presets
+///
+/// The operator's named field-bundles (`display-presets.json`). These also ride the
+/// `GET /display/settings` response (`custom_presets`), so the console rarely needs this directly.
+#[utoipa::path(
+    get,
+    path = "/display/presets",
+    tag = "display",
+    operation_id = "listCustomPresets",
+    responses(
+        (status = OK, description = "The saved custom presets", body = Vec<crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPreset>),
+        (status = UNAUTHORIZED, description = "Missing or invalid bearer token", body = ApiError),
+    )
+)]
+async fn list_custom_presets() -> Json<Vec<crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPreset>> {
+    Json(crate::vdisplay::policy::load_custom_presets())
+}
+
+/// Save a custom preset
+///
+/// Stores a named bundle of the display-behavior axes (+ the game-session axis) the operator can
+/// apply later. The host assigns a stable id, returned in the body. Applying a preset is a
+/// `PUT /display/settings` with a `Custom` policy carrying its `fields` — no separate apply route.
+#[utoipa::path(
+    post,
+    path = "/display/presets",
+    tag = "display",
+    operation_id = "createCustomPreset",
+    request_body = crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPresetInput,
+    responses(
+        (status = CREATED, description = "Preset created", body = crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPreset),
+        (status = BAD_REQUEST, description = "Empty name", body = ApiError),
+        (status = UNAUTHORIZED, description = "Missing or invalid bearer token", body = ApiError),
+        (status = INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, description = "Could not persist the catalog", body = ApiError),
+    )
+)]
+async fn create_custom_preset(
+    ApiJson(input): ApiJson<crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPresetInput>,
+) -> Response {
+    if input.name.trim().is_empty() {
+        return api_error(StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "preset name must not be empty");
+    }
+    match crate::vdisplay::policy::add_custom_preset(input) {
+        Ok(preset) => (StatusCode::CREATED, Json(preset)).into_response(),
+        Err(e) => api_error(StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, &e.to_string()),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Update a custom preset
+#[utoipa::path(
+    put,
+    path = "/display/presets/{id}",
+    tag = "display",
+    operation_id = "updateCustomPreset",
+    params(("id" = String, Path, description = "The custom preset id")),
+    request_body = crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPresetInput,
+    responses(
+        (status = OK, description = "Preset updated", body = crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPreset),
+        (status = BAD_REQUEST, description = "Empty name", body = ApiError),
+        (status = UNAUTHORIZED, description = "Missing or invalid bearer token", body = ApiError),
+        (status = NOT_FOUND, description = "No custom preset with that id", body = ApiError),
+        (status = INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, description = "Could not persist the catalog", body = ApiError),
+    )
+)]
+async fn update_custom_preset(
+    Path(id): Path<String>,
+    ApiJson(input): ApiJson<crate::vdisplay::policy::CustomPresetInput>,
+) -> Response {
+    if input.name.trim().is_empty() {
+        return api_error(StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "preset name must not be empty");
+    }
+    match crate::vdisplay::policy::update_custom_preset(&id, input) {
+        Ok(Some(preset)) => Json(preset).into_response(),
+        Ok(None) => api_error(StatusCode::NOT_FOUND, "no custom preset with that id"),
+        Err(e) => api_error(StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, &e.to_string()),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Delete a custom preset
+///
+/// Removes it from the catalog. The active policy is untouched — if this preset was the one applied,
+/// the running behavior stays exactly as it was (the catalog and `display-settings.json` are decoupled).
+#[utoipa::path(
+    delete,
+    path = "/display/presets/{id}",
+    tag = "display",
+    operation_id = "deleteCustomPreset",
+    params(("id" = String, Path, description = "The custom preset id")),
+    responses(
+        (status = NO_CONTENT, description = "Preset deleted"),
+        (status = UNAUTHORIZED, description = "Missing or invalid bearer token", body = ApiError),
+        (status = NOT_FOUND, description = "No custom preset with that id", body = ApiError),
+        (status = INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, description = "Could not persist the catalog", body = ApiError),
+    )
+)]
+async fn delete_custom_preset(Path(id): Path<String>) -> Response {
+    match crate::vdisplay::policy::delete_custom_preset(&id) {
+        Ok(true) => StatusCode::NO_CONTENT.into_response(),
+        Ok(false) => api_error(StatusCode::NOT_FOUND, "no custom preset with that id"),
+        Err(e) => api_error(StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, &e.to_string()),
+    }
+}
+
 /// Live host status
 #[utoipa::path(
     get,

crates/punktfunk-host/src/punktfunk1.rs

@@ -285,6 +285,9 @@ pub(crate) async fn serve(
     // restores the box's autologin gaming session on idle, not per-disconnect — see
     // `vdisplay::restore_managed_session`). Held for serve()'s lifetime; dropping it stops it.
     let _restore_worker = crate::vdisplay::start_restore_worker();
+    // A3: recover a TV takeover stranded by a crashed previous host instance (persisted to
+    // $XDG_RUNTIME_DIR) — schedule a restore after a reconnect grace. No-op on a clean start.
+    crate::vdisplay::restore_takeover_on_startup();
     // Host-lifetime cover-art warmer: fetches + caches GOG/Xbox cover art (no-auth api.gog.com /
     // displaycatalog) off the hot path so `all_games()` (the library list + launch resolve) never
     // blocks on the network. A no-op on a host whose stores all carry their own art.
@@ -826,8 +829,23 @@ async fn serve_session(
         let compositor = match source {
             Punktfunk1Source::Virtual => {
                 let pref = hello.compositor;
+                // Dedicated game session (B0): a launching client under `game_session=dedicated`
+                // (gamescope available) gets its own headless gamescope spawn at the client mode. Gate on
+                // whether the launch id actually RESOLVES to a command in the host's library — an unknown
+                // id must fall back to normal auto routing, not a blank "sleep infinity" gamescope
+                // (review #9). (dedicated is Linux-only; the resolver is the non-Windows launch_command.)
+                #[cfg(not(target_os = "windows"))]
+                let has_resolvable_launch = hello
+                    .launch
+                    .as_deref()
+                    .and_then(crate::library::launch_command)
+                    .is_some();
+                #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+                let has_resolvable_launch = false;
+                let dedicated =
+                    crate::vdisplay::wants_dedicated_game_session(has_resolvable_launch);
                 Some(
-                    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || resolve_compositor(pref))
+                    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || resolve_compositor(pref, dedicated))
                         .await
                         .context("resolve compositor task")??,
                 )
@@ -2223,17 +2241,24 @@ fn pick_compositor(
 /// [`pick_compositor`]): enumerate what's available, auto-detect the default, pick, and log
 /// whether the explicit request was honored or fell back. Runs blocking probes — call off the
 /// async reactor (`spawn_blocking`).
-fn resolve_compositor(pref: CompositorPref) -> Result<crate::vdisplay::Compositor> {
+fn resolve_compositor(
+    pref: CompositorPref,
+    dedicated_launch: bool,
+) -> Result<crate::vdisplay::Compositor> {
     use crate::vdisplay::Compositor;
     // Windows has a single virtual-display backend (SudoVDA); vdisplay::open ignores the compositor
     // arg there, so short-circuit the Linux session-detection state machine with a placeholder.
     #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
     {
-        let _ = pref;
+        let _ = (pref, dedicated_launch);
         Ok(Compositor::Kwin)
     }
     #[cfg(not(target_os = "windows"))]
     {
+        // A client is (re)connecting → cancel any pending TV-session restore so the box stays in the
+        // streamed session (covers the keep-alive REUSE reconnect, which skips create_managed_session's
+        // own cancel — review #3). No-op when nothing is pending.
+        crate::vdisplay::cancel_pending_tv_restore();
         // Explicit operator override (legacy / CI / forcing a backend for a test) wins and is assumed
         // to come with a hand-set env — don't retarget the process env in that case.
         let overridden = crate::config::config().compositor.is_some();
@@ -2244,6 +2269,10 @@ fn resolve_compositor(pref: CompositorPref) -> Result<crate::vdisplay::Composito
             // every backend (video capture + input) this connect opens against the active session —
             // this is the state machine that lets one host follow a Bazzite box across Gaming↔Desktop.
             let active = crate::vdisplay::detect_active_session();
+            // A4: if the compositor instance changed since the last connect (an idle-time Game↔Desktop
+            // switch), bump the epoch + invalidate the old backend's kept displays so this connect never
+            // reuses a node id from the dead instance.
+            crate::vdisplay::observe_session_instance(&active);
             crate::vdisplay::apply_session_env(&active);
             tracing::info!(
                 active = ?active.kind,
@@ -2252,6 +2281,18 @@ fn resolve_compositor(pref: CompositorPref) -> Result<crate::vdisplay::Composito
             );
             crate::vdisplay::compositor_for_kind(active.kind)
         };
+        // Dedicated game session (design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md B0): a launching session
+        // under `game_session=dedicated` (gamescope confirmed available) forces its OWN headless
+        // gamescope spawn at the client's mode, overriding the detected desktop/game-mode backend. The
+        // env was already retargeted above (for XDG_RUNTIME_DIR / the PipeWire daemon); we just pin the
+        // backend + input to the spawn sub-mode. Skipped under an explicit operator compositor pin.
+        if dedicated_launch && !overridden {
+            crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(Compositor::Gamescope, true);
+            tracing::info!(
+                "dedicated game session — routing to a headless gamescope spawn at the client mode"
+            );
+            return Ok(Compositor::Gamescope);
+        }
         let available = crate::vdisplay::available();
         let chosen = pick_compositor(pref, &available, detected).ok_or_else(|| {
         anyhow!("no usable compositor (no live graphical session for this uid; set PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR or start a desktop/gaming session)")
@@ -2259,7 +2300,7 @@ fn resolve_compositor(pref: CompositorPref) -> Result<crate::vdisplay::Composito
         if !overridden {
             // Point input at the same backend and resolve the gamescope sub-mode (managed where the
             // session infra exists, attach to a foreign gamescope, else per-session bare spawn).
-            crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(chosen);
+            crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(chosen, false);
         }
         let avail_ids: Vec<&str> = available.iter().map(|c| c.id()).collect();
         match Compositor::from_pref(pref) {
@@ -2886,6 +2927,11 @@ fn session_watcher_loop(tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<SessionSwitch>, stop: Arc<At
             break;
         }
         let active = vdisplay::detect_active_session();
+        // A4: bump the session epoch + invalidate the old backend the moment the compositor instance
+        // changes (kind change OR same-kind restart) — even for a same-kind restart the watcher won't
+        // signal a full SessionSwitch for. Self-dedupes; the debounced SessionSwitch below still drives
+        // the in-place rebuild.
+        vdisplay::observe_session_instance(&active);
         let cur = active.kind;
         if cur == current {
             pending = None; // back to the current backend before debounce elapsed — no switch
@@ -3049,7 +3095,7 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
     #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
     let _idd_setup_guard = (plan.capture == crate::session_plan::CaptureBackend::IddPush)
         .then(|| crate::vdisplay::manager::vdm().begin_idd_setup(stop.clone()));
-    let (mut capturer, mut enc, mut frame, mut interval) =
+    let (mut capturer, mut enc, mut frame, mut interval, mut cur_node_id) =
         build_pipeline_with_retry(&mut vd, mode, bitrate_kbps, bit_depth, plan, &quit)?;
     // Setup done — release the IDD-push setup lock so the next reconnect can begin (and preempt us).
     #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
@@ -3152,6 +3198,18 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
     let mut cur_mode = mode;
     const MAX_CAPTURE_REBUILDS: u32 = 5;
     let mut capture_rebuilds: u32 = 0;
+    // Encode-stall watchdog: AMF/QSV (and async NVENC) poll non-blocking, so a wedged driver
+    // shows up as poll() returning None forever while submits keep succeeding — `inflight` grows,
+    // no AU ever reaches the send thread, and the client freezes on the last frame with nothing
+    // logged (field reports: AMD/Intel Windows streams freezing after minutes). Track when the
+    // encoder last produced an AU and rebuild it in place (bounded, like the capture rebuilds)
+    // when it stops. `ENCODE_STALL_WINDOW` also sizes the in-flight backlog bound: a backlog worth
+    // more than the window's frames means AUs still trickle (so the gap never trips) but latency
+    // is growing without bound — the slow-leak form of the same stall.
+    const ENCODE_STALL_WINDOW: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(2);
+    const MAX_ENCODER_RESETS: u32 = 5;
+    let mut encoder_resets: u32 = 0;
+    let mut last_au_at = std::time::Instant::now();
     // Last HDR mastering metadata we forwarded — re-sent as 0xCE on change/keyframe (see below).
     let mut last_hdr_meta: Option<punktfunk_core::quic::HdrMeta> = None;
     // Frames submitted to NVENC but not yet polled (wire pts, submit stamp, pacing deadline). With a
@@ -3196,8 +3254,11 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
                 crate::vdisplay::apply_session_env(&crate::vdisplay::ActiveSession {
                     kind: sw.kind,
                     env: sw.env,
+                    compositor_pid: None,
                 });
-                crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(sw.compositor);
+                // A mid-stream Game↔Desktop switch is not a fresh dedicated launch — route input at the
+                // switched-to backend's normal sub-mode.
+                crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(sw.compositor, false);
                 // Switching INTO a desktop mid-stream: the xdg portal / systemd-user env may still
                 // point at the old session, so input would silently not land until a reconnect.
                 // Settle it (env push + KWin portal restart) before the injector reopens against it.
@@ -3223,16 +3284,22 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
                         Ok((new_vd, pipe))
                     })();
                 match rebuilt {
-                    Ok((new_vd, (new_cap, new_enc, new_frame, new_interval))) => {
+                    Ok((new_vd, (new_cap, new_enc, new_frame, new_interval, new_node_id))) => {
                         // Replace the pipeline first (drops the old capturer → old PipeWire stream +
                         // virtual output), then the factory (drops e.g. the old KWin connection).
                         capturer = new_cap;
                         enc = new_enc;
                         frame = new_frame;
                         interval = new_interval;
+                        cur_node_id = new_node_id;
                         vd = new_vd;
                         compositor = sw.compositor;
                         next = std::time::Instant::now();
+                        // The owed AUs died with the old encoder — drop their in-flight records
+                        // and restart the encode-stall clock for the fresh one.
+                        inflight.clear();
+                        last_au_at = std::time::Instant::now();
+                        encoder_resets = 0;
                         tracing::info!(
                             compositor = compositor.id(),
                             "session switch — backend rebuilt, stream continues"
@@ -3264,9 +3331,14 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
             // healthy session — keep streaming the current mode and log instead.
             match build_pipeline(&mut vd, new_mode, bitrate_kbps, bit_depth, plan, &quit) {
                 Ok(next_pipe) => {
-                    (capturer, enc, frame, interval) = next_pipe;
+                    (capturer, enc, frame, interval, cur_node_id) = next_pipe;
                     cur_mode = new_mode;
                     next = std::time::Instant::now();
+                    // The owed AUs died with the old encoder — drop their in-flight records
+                    // and restart the encode-stall clock for the fresh one.
+                    inflight.clear();
+                    last_au_at = std::time::Instant::now();
+                    encoder_resets = 0;
                 }
                 Err(e) => {
                     tracing::error!(error = %format!("{e:#}"), ?new_mode,
@@ -3331,6 +3403,32 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
             // bounded retry is exhausted; the consecutive cap stops a flapping source from looping the
             // client through endless cold IDRs.
             Err(e) => {
+                // B2: a DEDICATED gamescope game session whose gamescope node is gone = the game
+                // exited (gamescope is a single-app compositor — it dies with its app). End the session
+                // CLEANLY — close with `APP_EXITED_CLOSE_CODE` so a launcher client returns to its
+                // library instead of surfacing a failure — rather than the capture-loss rebuild + 40 s
+                // timeout. Gated to the dedicated bare-spawn launch (`launch_is_nested`), so a normal
+                // Bazzite/desktop capture loss still rebuilds in place.
+                // `cur_node_id` (the capture 5-tuple's node id) is read only by the Linux
+                // dedicated-game-exit check below; keep it read on other platforms so it isn't a
+                // write-only variable under `-D warnings` (the `let _ = &launch` idiom above).
+                #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+                let _ = &cur_node_id;
+                #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+                if launch.is_some()
+                    && crate::vdisplay::launch_is_nested(compositor)
+                    && crate::vdisplay::dedicated_game_exited(cur_node_id)
+                {
+                    tracing::info!(
+                        "dedicated game session: the game exited — ending the session cleanly"
+                    );
+                    quit.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst); // skip keep-alive linger — the game is gone
+                    conn.close(
+                        punktfunk_core::quic::APP_EXITED_CLOSE_CODE.into(),
+                        b"game exited",
+                    );
+                    break;
+                }
                 capture_rebuilds += 1;
                 if capture_rebuilds > MAX_CAPTURE_REBUILDS {
                     return Err(e).context("capture lost — rebuild attempts exhausted");
@@ -3348,14 +3446,18 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
                 // appears — no reconnect.
                 const REBUILD_BUDGET: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(40);
                 let rebuild_deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + REBUILD_BUDGET;
-                let (new_cap, new_enc, new_frame, new_interval) = loop {
+                let (new_cap, new_enc, new_frame, new_interval, new_node_id) = loop {
                     // Follow the active session unless an explicit PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR pin forbids
                     // retargeting (then we stick to the pinned backend and just rebuild it).
                     if crate::config::config().compositor.is_none() {
                         let active = crate::vdisplay::detect_active_session();
+                        // A4: fold any compositor-instance change into the epoch/invalidation before we
+                        // rebuild, so the rebuild's acquire won't reuse a dead-instance node.
+                        crate::vdisplay::observe_session_instance(&active);
                         if let Some(c) = crate::vdisplay::compositor_for_kind(active.kind) {
                             crate::vdisplay::apply_session_env(&active);
-                            crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(c);
+                            // Capture-loss rebuild follows the live box session, not a fresh dedicated launch.
+                            crate::vdisplay::apply_input_env(c, false);
                             if c != compositor {
                                 if matches!(
                                     c,
@@ -3402,8 +3504,15 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
                 enc = new_enc;
                 frame = new_frame;
                 interval = new_interval;
+                cur_node_id = new_node_id;
                 enc.request_keyframe(); // belt-and-suspenders; a fresh encoder opens on an IDR anyway
                 next = std::time::Instant::now();
+                // The owed AUs died with the old encoder — drop their in-flight records and
+                // restart the encode-stall clock (the rebuild loop above may have eaten seconds,
+                // which must not count against the fresh encoder).
+                inflight.clear();
+                last_au_at = std::time::Instant::now();
+                encoder_resets = 0;
                 tracing::info!(
                     compositor = compositor.id(),
                     "capture loss: pipeline rebuilt — stream resumes"
@@ -3470,7 +3579,28 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
             st_queue.push(queue_us);
         }
         let t_submit = std::time::Instant::now();
-        enc.submit(&frame).context("encoder submit")?;
+        if let Err(e) = enc.submit(&frame) {
+            // The input half of an encode stall: once the driver stops draining AUs, libavcodec's
+            // one-frame buffer fills and avcodec_send_frame starts failing (EAGAIN) — the same
+            // wedge the watchdog below catches, seen from submit. Rebuild the encoder in place
+            // (bounded) instead of killing an otherwise healthy session; a backend without an
+            // in-place rebuild keeps today's fail-fast behavior.
+            encoder_resets += 1;
+            if encoder_resets > MAX_ENCODER_RESETS
+                || !reset_stalled_encoder(&mut enc, &mut inflight)
+            {
+                return Err(e).context("encoder submit");
+            }
+            tracing::error!(error = %format!("{e:#}"), reset = encoder_resets,
+                max = MAX_ENCODER_RESETS,
+                "encoder submit failed — encoder rebuilt in place, forcing an IDR");
+            last_au_at = std::time::Instant::now();
+            // Re-pace from the rebuild and retry this frame next tick (gives the fresh encoder
+            // one frame period to come up instead of hammering it in a hot loop).
+            next = std::time::Instant::now() + interval;
+            std::thread::sleep(interval);
+            continue;
+        }
         let submit_us = if measure {
             t_submit.elapsed().as_micros() as u32
         } else {
@@ -3488,9 +3618,12 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
         // so the encode of N overlaps the convert/copy of N+1. NVENC's `pending` is FIFO, so poll() returns
         // the oldest submitted frame's AU — matching `inflight.pop_front()`.
         let mut send_gone = false;
+        // A poll error is the explicit form of an encode stall (e.g. a QSV device failure);
+        // carry it to the shared stall recovery below instead of killing the session outright.
+        let mut poll_err: Option<anyhow::Error> = None;
         while inflight.len() >= depth {
             let t_wait = std::time::Instant::now();
-            let polled = enc.poll().context("encoder poll")?;
+            let polled = enc.poll();
             let wait_us = if measure {
                 t_wait.elapsed().as_micros() as u32
             } else {
@@ -3500,9 +3633,20 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
                 st_wait.push(wait_us);
             }
             let au = match polled {
-                Some(au) => au,
+                Ok(Some(au)) => au,
-                None => break, // no AU ready for a submitted frame (shouldn't happen — poll blocks)
+                // No AU ready for a submitted frame. Routine on the non-blocking backends (the
+                // libavcodec AMF/QSV wrapper holds ~2 frames; async NVENC drains a ready queue) —
+                // the frame stays in flight and the next tick re-polls. The stall watchdog below
+                // decides when "not ready yet" has become "the driver is wedged".
+                Ok(None) => break,
+                Err(e) => {
+                    poll_err = Some(e);
+                    break;
+                }
             };
+            // The encoder is alive: feed the stall watchdog, clear the consecutive-reset counter.
+            last_au_at = std::time::Instant::now();
+            encoder_resets = 0;
             let (cap_ns, sub_ns, deadline) = inflight.pop_front().expect("inflight non-empty");
             let flags = if au.keyframe {
                 (FLAG_PIC | FLAG_SOF) as u32
@@ -3543,6 +3687,40 @@ fn virtual_stream(ctx: SessionContext) -> Result<()> {
         if send_gone {
             break;
         }
+        // Encode-stall watchdog. Trip on: an explicit poll error; no AU within the window while
+        // frames are owed (the full wedge — AMF/QSV's non-blocking poll returns None forever and
+        // nothing else ever errors); or an owed backlog worth more than the window's frames (the
+        // slow leak — AUs still trickle, so the gap never trips, but latency grows without bound).
+        // Recovery rebuilds the encoder in place and forces an IDR — a logged ~one-second hiccup
+        // instead of a silent permanent freeze — bounded so a genuinely dead encoder still ends
+        // the session with a clear error. The window scales with the frame interval so low-fps
+        // modes (where the AMF wrapper's ~2-frame hold spans seconds) can't false-trip.
+        let stall_window = ENCODE_STALL_WINDOW.max(interval * 8);
+        let stall_backlog =
+            depth + (stall_window.as_secs_f64() / interval.as_secs_f64().max(1e-6)).ceil() as usize;
+        if poll_err.is_some()
+            || (!inflight.is_empty()
+                && (last_au_at.elapsed() >= stall_window || inflight.len() > stall_backlog))
+        {
+            let why = match &poll_err {
+                Some(e) => format!("poll failed: {e:#}"),
+                None => format!(
+                    "no AU for {} ms with {} frame(s) in flight",
+                    last_au_at.elapsed().as_millis(),
+                    inflight.len()
+                ),
+            };
+            encoder_resets += 1;
+            if encoder_resets > MAX_ENCODER_RESETS
+                || !reset_stalled_encoder(&mut enc, &mut inflight)
+            {
+                return Err(poll_err.unwrap_or_else(|| anyhow!("{why}")))
+                    .context("encoder stalled — in-place rebuild unavailable or exhausted");
+            }
+            tracing::error!(reset = encoder_resets, max = MAX_ENCODER_RESETS, %why,
+                "encode stall detected — encoder rebuilt in place, forcing an IDR");
+            last_au_at = std::time::Instant::now();
+        }
         match next.checked_duration_since(std::time::Instant::now()) {
             Some(d) => std::thread::sleep(d),
             None => next = std::time::Instant::now(),
@@ -3592,6 +3770,10 @@ type Pipeline = (
     Box<dyn crate::encode::Encoder>,
     crate::capture::CapturedFrame,
     std::time::Duration,
+    // The virtual output's PipeWire node id — used by the B2 dedicated game-exit probe to check THIS
+    // session's own node (scoped), not any gamescope node. `0` for backends without a PipeWire node
+    // (Windows IDD-push), which never take the dedicated-gamescope B2 path anyway.
+    u32,
 );
 
 /// Build the pipeline, retrying *transient* failures with bounded exponential backoff.
@@ -3694,6 +3876,24 @@ fn is_permanent_build_error(chain: &str) -> bool {
     PERMANENT.iter().any(|p| lower.contains(p))
 }
 
+/// Encode-stall recovery: rebuild the encoder in place (keeping capture + the session up) and
+/// discard the owed in-flight frame records — their AUs died with the old encoder instance.
+/// Returns `false` when the backend has no in-place rebuild ([`crate::encode::Encoder::reset`]'s
+/// default); the caller then surfaces the stall as a session error instead. The forced keyframe
+/// makes the rebuilt encoder's first frame an immediate decoder resync point (belt-and-suspenders:
+/// a fresh encoder opens on an IDR anyway).
+fn reset_stalled_encoder(
+    enc: &mut Box<dyn crate::encode::Encoder>,
+    inflight: &mut std::collections::VecDeque<(u64, u64, std::time::Instant)>,
+) -> bool {
+    if !enc.reset() {
+        return false;
+    }
+    inflight.clear();
+    enc.request_keyframe();
+    true
+}
+
 fn build_pipeline(
     vd: &mut Box<dyn crate::vdisplay::VirtualDisplay>,
     mode: punktfunk_core::Mode,
@@ -3709,6 +3909,14 @@ fn build_pipeline(
     // `quit` flag rides into the lease so a deliberate-quit teardown skips the keep-alive linger.
     let vout = crate::vdisplay::registry::acquire(vd, mode, quit.clone())
         .context("create virtual output")?;
+    // A2: if this was a REUSED kept display and its first frame fails, tear the (dead) pool entry down
+    // so the retry loop's next acquire creates fresh instead of re-wedging on the same corpse. Read the
+    // gen BEFORE `capture_virtual_output` consumes `vout`. (Linux-only — the pool is Linux.)
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    let reused_gen = vout.reused_gen;
+    // The virtual output's PipeWire node id — kept for the B2 dedicated game-exit probe (scoped to
+    // this session's own node). Read before `capture_virtual_output` consumes `vout`.
+    let node_id = vout.node_id;
     // The backend reports the refresh it actually achieved in `preferred_mode.2` (KWin may cap a
     // virtual output at 60 Hz if the custom-mode install was rejected). Pace the encoder + frame
     // clock to that, not the requested rate, so we don't emit phantom duplicate frames over a
@@ -3733,7 +3941,17 @@ fn build_pipeline(
         crate::capture::capture_virtual_output(vout, plan.output_format(), plan.capture)
             .context("capture virtual output")?;
     capturer.set_active(true);
-    let frame = capturer.next_frame().context("first frame")?;
+    let frame = match capturer.next_frame().context("first frame") {
+        Ok(f) => f,
+        Err(e) => {
+            // A reused kept display was dead — invalidate it so the next attempt creates fresh (A2).
+            #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+            if let Some(g) = reused_gen {
+                crate::vdisplay::registry::mark_failed(g);
+            }
+            return Err(e);
+        }
+    };
     // `bit_depth` is the handshake-negotiated value (8, or 10 = HEVC Main10 when the client
     // advertised VIDEO_CAP_10BIT and the host opted in). Threaded down from the Welcome.
     let enc = crate::encode::open_video(
@@ -3760,7 +3978,7 @@ fn build_pipeline(
         );
     }
     let interval = std::time::Duration::from_secs_f64(1.0 / effective_hz.max(1) as f64);
-    Ok((capturer, enc, frame, interval))
+    Ok((capturer, enc, frame, interval, node_id))
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]

crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay.rs

@@ -21,6 +21,29 @@ pub use punktfunk_core::Mode;
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
 use std::os::fd::OwnedFd;
 
+/// Who owns a [`VirtualOutput`]'s lifecycle — the honest declaration that lets the registry
+/// (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` Part A1) pool **only what it owns** instead of
+/// keeping outputs whose real lifecycle lives elsewhere (the gamescope managed/attach paths, which
+/// are governed by the gamescope module's own session machinery). Extends the CLAUDE.md invariant
+/// "the registry owns display lifecycle" with its converse: what the registry does not own, it must
+/// not pretend to keep.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum DisplayOwnership {
+    /// The registry owns the lifecycle: it may pool, linger, pin, and tear this display down (KWin,
+    /// Mutter, wlroots, gamescope **bare spawn**, and the Windows manager-delegated monitor). The
+    /// default — a backend that says nothing is registry-owned.
+    #[default]
+    Owned,
+    /// Someone else's display, merely mirrored: no keep-alive, no topology, no reuse (gamescope
+    /// **attach** to a foreign session). Codifies the design-doc §7 "attach = unmanaged pass-through"
+    /// row.
+    External,
+    /// A box-level session the gamescope module manages (the managed `gamescope-session-plus` /
+    /// SteamOS takeover). Passed through by the registry (its restore lifecycle is the gamescope
+    /// module's until Part A3 hands the registry a real keepalive + restore duty).
+    SessionManaged,
+}
+
 /// A created virtual output: a PipeWire source to capture, plus an owned keepalive whose drop
 /// tears the output down (releases the compositor-side resource).
 ///
@@ -44,6 +67,41 @@ pub struct VirtualOutput {
     pub win_capture: Option<crate::capture::dxgi::WinCaptureTarget>,
     /// Keeps the output — and whatever connection/thread backs it — alive; dropped on teardown.
     pub keepalive: Box<dyn Send>,
+    /// Who owns this display's lifecycle (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A1). The
+    /// registry pools/keep-alives only [`DisplayOwnership::Owned`] outputs; `External`/`SessionManaged`
+    /// pass through (the capturer holds the keepalive, teardown on drop). Defaults to `Owned`.
+    pub ownership: DisplayOwnership,
+    /// `Some(gen)` when [`registry::acquire`](crate::vdisplay::registry::acquire) handed this back as a
+    /// **reused** kept display (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A2), so the pipeline builder
+    /// can [`registry::mark_failed(gen)`](crate::vdisplay::registry::mark_failed) if the first frame
+    /// fails on it — tearing the corpse down so the retry loop's next acquire creates fresh instead of
+    /// re-wedging on the same dead node. `None` on a fresh create / non-poolable output. Linux-only (the
+    /// keep-alive pool is Linux).
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    pub reused_gen: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+impl VirtualOutput {
+    /// A registry-[owned](DisplayOwnership::Owned) output — the common case (KWin/Mutter/wlroots,
+    /// gamescope bare-spawn, Windows). Fills `ownership: Owned`; the caller sets the platform fields.
+    pub fn owned(
+        node_id: u32,
+        preferred_mode: Option<(u32, u32, u32)>,
+        keepalive: Box<dyn Send>,
+    ) -> VirtualOutput {
+        VirtualOutput {
+            node_id,
+            #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+            remote_fd: None,
+            preferred_mode,
+            #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+            win_capture: None,
+            keepalive,
+            ownership: DisplayOwnership::Owned,
+            #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+            reused_gen: None,
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 /// Pluggable virtual-output creation, per compositor.
@@ -101,6 +159,110 @@ pub trait VirtualDisplay: Send {
     /// runtime by output name (first-slot-wins + a group-aware disable filter), and single-display
     /// backends never have a sibling.
     fn set_first_in_group(&mut self, _first: bool) {}
+    /// Will a [`create`](Self::create) for the CURRENT request produce a registry-poolable
+    /// ([`DisplayOwnership::Owned`], keep-alive-able) display? The registry consults this **before**
+    /// its keep-alive reuse lookup, so it never hands a kept display of one flavor to a request of
+    /// another — specifically a gamescope managed/attach acquire must not reuse a kept **bare-spawn**
+    /// (they share the backend name `"gamescope"`). Default `true`; only gamescope overrides it,
+    /// returning `false` when the env selects attach/managed (consistent with the `ownership` its
+    /// `create` will report). See `design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A1.
+    fn poolable_now(&self) -> bool {
+        true
+    }
+    /// The resolved launch command carried on this backend instance (set via
+    /// [`set_launch_command`](Self::set_launch_command)). The registry reads it to key keep-alive reuse
+    /// on `(backend, mode, launch)` (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A2) — a kept display
+    /// running game A must never be handed to a session that asked to launch game B. Default `None`
+    /// (backends that never nest a command); only gamescope reports its `cmd`.
+    fn launch_command(&self) -> Option<String> {
+        None
+    }
+    /// Is the kept display's `node_id` still live, checked **before** the registry REUSES it on a
+    /// reconnect (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A2)? A `false` tells the registry to tear
+    /// the dead entry down and create fresh instead of handing back a corpse (which would then fail
+    /// capture and burn a retry). Default `true` (honest optimism — the [`mark_failed`] path is the
+    /// backstop for a display that dies between this check and first frame). Only gamescope overrides
+    /// it (its nested session dies when the game exits, independently of any compositor); KWin/Mutter
+    /// nodes die only with their compositor, which the session-epoch invalidation (A4) already reaps.
+    ///
+    /// [`mark_failed`]: crate::vdisplay::registry::mark_failed
+    fn kept_display_alive(&mut self, _node_id: u32) -> bool {
+        true
+    }
+}
+
+/// The **session epoch** — bumped whenever session detection observes a different compositor
+/// *instance*: an [`ActiveKind`] change, **or** a new compositor PID for the same kind (the
+/// Desktop→Game→Desktop bounce that brings up a fresh KWin/gamescope with an unrelated node-id space).
+/// Pooled displays stamp the epoch at creation; the registry only reuses an entry whose epoch still
+/// matches, and its linger timer reaps entries from dead epochs — so a switch can never hand back a
+/// node id that now means nothing (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A4).
+static SESSION_EPOCH: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64 = std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64::new(1);
+
+/// The current [session epoch](SESSION_EPOCH). Read by the registry at acquire (to stamp new entries
+/// and gate reuse) and by its linger timer (to reap dead-epoch zombies).
+pub fn session_epoch() -> u64 {
+    SESSION_EPOCH.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed)
+}
+
+/// Bump the [session epoch](SESSION_EPOCH) — call when session detection sees a new compositor
+/// instance (kind change, or same-kind new PID). Returns the new value.
+pub fn bump_session_epoch() -> u64 {
+    SESSION_EPOCH.fetch_add(1, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) + 1
+}
+
+/// The last-observed compositor instance `(kind, pid)`, so [`observe_session_instance`] can tell a
+/// genuine instance change from a stable re-detect.
+static LAST_INSTANCE: std::sync::Mutex<Option<(ActiveKind, Option<u32>)>> =
+    std::sync::Mutex::new(None);
+
+/// Observe the freshly-[detected](detect_active_session) live session and, if the compositor
+/// *instance* changed since the last observation — a different [`ActiveKind`], **or** the same kind
+/// with a new PID (a compositor restart / Desktop→Game→Desktop bounce) — bump the [session
+/// epoch](SESSION_EPOCH) and [invalidate](registry::invalidate_backend) the previous backend's kept
+/// displays, so a reconnect can never reuse a node id from the dead instance (A4). Idempotent per
+/// instance; the first observation just records the baseline. Cheap on the steady state (one mutex
+/// read); the registry lock is taken only on an actual change. Call from every site that detects the
+/// session (the per-connect resolve, the mid-stream watcher, the capture-loss re-detect).
+pub fn observe_session_instance(active: &ActiveSession) {
+    let cur = (active.kind, active.compositor_pid);
+    let mut last = LAST_INSTANCE.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner());
+    if let Some(prev) = *last {
+        // Only a **desktop** compositor (KWin / Mutter / wlroots) instance change bumps the epoch +
+        // invalidates its kept displays — its PipeWire node dies with the compositor. A **gamescope**
+        // session (`ActiveKind::Gaming`) is NOT the epoch's subject: the box's game-mode / managed
+        // gamescope isn't pooled, and dedicated **spawns** are independent nested sessions whose nodes
+        // outlive any active-session change. So a game-mode gamescope restart, a Gaming↔Gaming winning-PID
+        // flap (e.g. B1 stopping the autologin before a dedicated spawn), or a coexisting-gamescope set
+        // change must NOT bump/invalidate — that would tear down a live/kept dedicated session (review
+        // findings #6/#7/#10). Gate the whole action on a desktop kind being involved.
+        if prev != cur && (is_desktop_kind(prev.0) || is_desktop_kind(cur.0)) {
+            // Invalidate only the OLD backend, and only if it was a desktop compositor (never gamescope).
+            if is_desktop_kind(prev.0) {
+                if let Some(old) = compositor_for_kind(prev.0) {
+                    registry::invalidate_backend(old.id());
+                }
+            }
+            let epoch = bump_session_epoch();
+            tracing::info!(
+                from = ?prev.0,
+                to = ?cur.0,
+                epoch,
+                "desktop compositor instance changed — session epoch bumped"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+    *last = Some(cur);
+}
+
+/// Is `kind` a **desktop** compositor (KWin / Mutter / wlroots) — one whose kept PipeWire outputs die
+/// with the compositor instance, so the session epoch tracks it? `Gaming` (gamescope) and `None` are
+/// not (gamescope spawns are independent nested sessions — see [`observe_session_instance`]).
+fn is_desktop_kind(kind: ActiveKind) -> bool {
+    matches!(
+        kind,
+        ActiveKind::DesktopKde | ActiveKind::DesktopGnome | ActiveKind::DesktopWlroots
+    )
 }
 
 /// Compositors punktfunk knows how to drive (plan §6).
@@ -241,6 +403,10 @@ pub struct SessionEnv {
 pub struct ActiveSession {
     pub kind: ActiveKind,
     pub env: SessionEnv,
+    /// PID of the winning compositor process (`None` when nothing live). The session watcher compares
+    /// it across polls so a **same-kind** compositor restart (Desktop→Game→Desktop) bumps the session
+    /// epoch — a fresh instance's node-id space is unrelated to the old one's (A4).
+    pub compositor_pid: Option<u32>,
 }
 
 impl ActiveSession {
@@ -253,6 +419,7 @@ impl ActiveSession {
                 dbus_session_bus_address: default_bus(&default_runtime_dir()),
                 ..Default::default()
             },
+            compositor_pid: None,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -304,6 +471,9 @@ pub fn detect_active_session() -> ActiveSession {
     // `pkill -x` discipline (exact, ≤15 chars so untruncated).
     let mut kind = ActiveKind::None;
     let mut best = 0u8;
+    // The winning compositor's PID — kept so a same-kind compositor RESTART (a new PID) bumps the
+    // session epoch (A4), not just a kind change.
+    let mut winning_pid: Option<u32> = None;
     if let Ok(entries) = std::fs::read_dir("/proc") {
         for e in entries.flatten() {
             let name = e.file_name();
@@ -328,9 +498,22 @@ pub fn detect_active_session() -> ActiveSession {
                 "sway" | "Hyprland" | "hyprland" | "river" => (ActiveKind::DesktopWlroots, 4),
                 _ => continue,
             };
+            let pid = name.parse::<u32>().ok();
             if prio > best {
                 best = prio;
                 kind = k;
+                winning_pid = pid;
+            } else if prio == best {
+                // Deterministic tie-break among same-top-priority processes: keep the LOWEST pid, so a
+                // duplicate same-kind compositor (two `kwin_wayland`) can't make `winning_pid` flap with
+                // `/proc` enumeration order — which `observe_session_instance` would misread as a
+                // compositor restart and tear a live display down (re-review low-severity note).
+                if let (Some(p), Some(w)) = (pid, winning_pid) {
+                    if p < w {
+                        kind = k;
+                        winning_pid = Some(p);
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
     }
@@ -358,6 +541,7 @@ pub fn detect_active_session() -> ActiveSession {
             dbus_session_bus_address: dbus,
             xdg_current_desktop,
         },
+        compositor_pid: winning_pid,
     }
 }
 
@@ -435,11 +619,6 @@ pub fn apply_session_env(active: &ActiveSession) {
     if let Some(d) = &e.xdg_current_desktop {
         std::env::set_var("XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP", d);
     }
-    // Mutter on NVIDIA has no working dmabuf capture sync — force SHM there; the KWin/gamescope
-    // tiled/LINEAR paths keep zero-copy.
-    if active.kind == ActiveKind::DesktopGnome {
-        std::env::set_var("PUNKTFUNK_FORCE_SHM", "1");
-    }
     // Topology (Stage 2): the per-compositor backends (KWin/Mutter) now read
     // [`effective_topology`] directly at create time — the console policy, else the legacy
     // `PUNKTFUNK_{KWIN,MUTTER}_VIRTUAL_PRIMARY` env, else the Auto default (exclusive on the
@@ -518,6 +697,7 @@ pub enum GamescopeMode {
 /// default is a per-session bare spawn — the path that nests the client's launch command.
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
 fn pick_gamescope_mode(
+    dedicated_launch: bool,
     force_managed: bool,
     attach_env: bool,
     node_env: bool,
@@ -529,6 +709,11 @@ fn pick_gamescope_mode(
         GamescopeMode::Managed
     } else if attach_env || node_env {
         GamescopeMode::Attach
+    } else if dedicated_launch {
+        // A dedicated game session always spawns its own headless gamescope at the client's mode,
+        // nesting just the game — outranking managed-infra / foreign-attach, but not the explicit
+        // operator MANAGED/ATTACH/NODE overrides above (debug/CI). (design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md §5.3)
+        GamescopeMode::Spawn
     } else if session_env || managed_infra {
         GamescopeMode::Managed
     } else if foreign_gamescope {
@@ -548,7 +733,7 @@ fn pick_gamescope_mode(
 /// nesting the session's launch command — the plain-distro default). `PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_MANAGED`
 /// forces managed over all of it.
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-pub fn apply_input_env(chosen: Compositor) {
+pub fn apply_input_env(chosen: Compositor, dedicated_launch: bool) {
     let _env_guard = ENV_LOCK.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner());
     let backend = match chosen {
         Compositor::Gamescope => "gamescope",
@@ -562,6 +747,7 @@ pub fn apply_input_env(chosen: Compositor) {
     std::env::set_var("PUNKTFUNK_INPUT_BACKEND", backend);
     if chosen == Compositor::Gamescope {
         let mode = pick_gamescope_mode(
+            dedicated_launch,
             std::env::var_os("PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_MANAGED").is_some(),
             std::env::var_os("PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_ATTACH").is_some(),
             std::env::var_os("PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_NODE").is_some(),
@@ -593,7 +779,34 @@ pub fn apply_input_env(chosen: Compositor) {
     }
 }
 #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
-pub fn apply_input_env(_chosen: Compositor) {}
+pub fn apply_input_env(_chosen: Compositor, _dedicated_launch: bool) {}
+
+/// Should a game-launching session get a **dedicated** headless gamescope (`game_session=dedicated`
+/// policy, `design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` B0)? True only when the session carries a
+/// launch, the policy selects `dedicated`, AND gamescope is actually available (else it degrades to
+/// `auto` honestly). Computed at the handshake and threaded into [`apply_input_env`] /
+/// [`resolve_compositor`] as a value (no new env knob — the `ENV_LOCK` discipline).
+pub fn wants_dedicated_game_session(has_launch: bool) -> bool {
+    use policy::GameSession;
+    if !has_launch || policy::prefs().game_session() != GameSession::Dedicated {
+        return false;
+    }
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    {
+        if gamescope::is_available() {
+            true
+        } else {
+            tracing::info!(
+                "game_session=dedicated but gamescope is unavailable — falling back to auto routing"
+            );
+            false
+        }
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+    {
+        false // Windows: a launching session opens into the one desktop (no gamescope)
+    }
+}
 
 /// Will `vd.create` on this backend NEST the session's launch command itself (gamescope's bare
 /// spawn runs it inside the new gamescope)? When true the session must NOT also spawn the command
@@ -616,6 +829,27 @@ pub fn launch_into_gamescope_session(cmd: &str) -> Result<std::process::Child> {
     gamescope::launch_into_session(cmd)
 }
 
+/// B2: has a **dedicated** gamescope game session's game exited (its `node_id` doesn't reappear within a
+/// short window after capture loss)? The dedicated-spawn session ends cleanly on `true` instead of the
+/// capture-loss rebuild. Scoped to the session's OWN node so a coexisting gamescope doesn't mask the
+/// exit (review #4/#8). Always `false` off Linux.
+#[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+pub fn dedicated_game_exited(node_id: u32) -> bool {
+    gamescope::game_session_exited(node_id)
+}
+#[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+pub fn dedicated_game_exited(_node_id: u32) -> bool {
+    false
+}
+
+/// Cancel any pending TV-session restore because a client (re)connected (review #3). No-op off Linux.
+#[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+pub fn cancel_pending_tv_restore() {
+    gamescope::cancel_pending_restore();
+}
+#[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+pub fn cancel_pending_tv_restore() {}
+
 /// Detect the compositor to drive: explicit `PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR` override (legacy / CI / forcing
 /// a backend for a test), else the **live session** ([`detect_active_session`] — so a Bazzite box
 /// follows Gaming↔Desktop switches), else a last-resort `XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP` read.
@@ -750,6 +984,16 @@ pub fn start_restore_worker() -> std::sync::Arc<()> {
     std::sync::Arc::new(())
 }
 
+/// Recover a stranded TV takeover from a crashed previous host instance
+/// (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A3). Call once at `serve` startup, alongside
+/// [`start_restore_worker`]. No-op when no takeover was persisted (a clean start).
+#[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+pub fn restore_takeover_on_startup() {
+    gamescope::restore_takeover_on_startup();
+}
+#[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+pub fn restore_takeover_on_startup() {}
+
 // The user-configurable management policy (keep-alive / topology / conflict / identity / layout),
 // layered above the per-compositor backends — platform-neutral (the mgmt API + both host paths read
 // it), so no cfg gate. See `design/display-management.md`.
@@ -878,21 +1122,33 @@ mod tests {
     fn gamescope_mode_ladder() {
         use GamescopeMode::*;
         let pick = pick_gamescope_mode;
-        // (force_managed, attach_env, node_env, session_env, managed_infra, foreign_gamescope)
+        // (dedicated_launch, force_managed, attach_env, node_env, session_env, managed_infra, foreign_gamescope)
         // Plain distro, nothing running: bare spawn — the path that nests the launch command.
-        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, false, false, false), Spawn);
+        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, false, false, false, false), Spawn);
         // Bazzite/SteamOS (session infra present): managed, as validated live.
-        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, false, true, false), Managed);
+        assert_eq!(
-        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, false, true, true), Managed);
+            pick(false, false, false, false, false, true, false),
+            Managed
+        );
+        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, false, false, true, true), Managed);
         // Foreign gamescope on an infra-less box: attach and mirror it.
-        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, false, false, true), Attach);
+        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, false, false, false, true), Attach);
         // Operator-set PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_SESSION keeps managed even without detected infra.
-        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, true, false, false), Managed);
+        assert_eq!(
+            pick(false, false, false, false, true, false, false),
+            Managed
+        );
         // Explicit attach/node wins over infra…
-        assert_eq!(pick(false, true, false, false, true, false), Attach);
+        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, true, false, false, true, false), Attach);
-        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, true, true, true, false), Attach);
+        assert_eq!(pick(false, false, false, true, true, true, false), Attach);
         // …and force-managed wins over everything.
-        assert_eq!(pick(true, true, true, false, false, false), Managed);
+        assert_eq!(pick(false, true, true, true, false, false, false), Managed);
+        // A dedicated launch forces Spawn, outranking managed-infra + foreign-attach…
+        assert_eq!(pick(true, false, false, false, false, true, true), Spawn);
+        // …but the explicit operator overrides still win over dedicated.
+        assert_eq!(pick(true, true, false, false, false, true, false), Managed);
+        assert_eq!(pick(true, false, true, false, false, false, false), Attach);
+        assert_eq!(pick(true, false, false, true, false, false, false), Attach);
     }
 
     #[test]

crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/linux/gamescope.rs

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 //! Input uses gamescope's own libei/EIS socket (`LIBEI_SOCKET`), relayed to the libei backend (see
 //! `inject/libei.rs`) — wired and live-validated.
 
-use super::{Mode, VirtualDisplay, VirtualOutput};
+use super::{DisplayOwnership, Mode, VirtualDisplay, VirtualOutput};
 use anyhow::{anyhow, bail, Context, Result};
 use std::process::{Child, Command, Stdio};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
@@ -62,6 +62,18 @@ static PENDING_RESTORE: std::sync::Mutex<Option<Instant>> = std::sync::Mutex::ne
 /// instead of triggering a stop/relaunch.
 const RESTORE_DEBOUNCE: Duration = Duration::from_secs(5);
 
+/// Per-spawn instance counter (A5): each bare-spawn gets a unique id addressing its own log so two
+/// coexisting gamescopes (a kept lingering spawn + a fresh one) never parse each other's node id.
+static SPAWN_SEQ: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64 = std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64::new(1);
+
+/// This spawn instance's log path, under `$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR` (per-user, tmpfs; falls back to `/tmp`
+/// only if unset). Replaces the shared `/tmp/punktfunk-gamescope.log` so concurrent spawns don't
+/// clobber each other's `stream available on node ID:` line.
+fn spawn_log_path(inst: u64) -> std::path::PathBuf {
+    let base = std::env::var("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR").unwrap_or_else(|_| "/tmp".to_string());
+    std::path::Path::new(&base).join(format!("punktfunk-gamescope-{inst}.log"))
+}
+
 /// systemd --user transient unit name for the host-managed gamescope-session-plus session.
 const SESSION_UNIT: &str = "punktfunk-gamescope";
 /// The gamescope-session-plus launcher script (Bazzite / SteamOS-like hosts).
@@ -82,6 +94,80 @@ const STEAMOS_SESSION_TARGET: &str = "gamescope-session.target";
 /// restart the physical session.
 static STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER: std::sync::Mutex<bool> = std::sync::Mutex::new(false);
 
+/// Persisted takeover state (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A3): the takeover mechanics
+/// ([`STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN`] / [`STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER`]) are process memory, so a host **crash** mid-stream
+/// would strand the box out of gaming mode with no restore. Mirroring the statics to a file lets
+/// [`restore_takeover_on_startup`] put the TV back after a restart.
+#[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize, Default)]
+struct TakeoverState {
+    /// Autologin `gamescope-session-plus@*.service` units we stopped (to restart on restore).
+    stopped_autologin: Vec<String>,
+    /// Whether we took over SteamOS's `gamescope-session.target` (restore = remove drop-in + restart).
+    steamos: bool,
+}
+
+/// Path of the persisted [`TakeoverState`], under `$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR` (per-user, 0700, tmpfs — cleared
+/// on reboot, which is correct: a reboot restarts the autologin itself).
+fn takeover_state_path() -> std::path::PathBuf {
+    let base = std::env::var("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR").unwrap_or_else(|_| "/tmp".to_string());
+    std::path::Path::new(&base).join("punktfunk-session-takeover.json")
+}
+
+/// Persist the current takeover mechanics so a host crash doesn't strand the box out of gaming mode.
+/// Best-effort (a write failure just loses crash-restore, not correctness).
+fn persist_takeover() {
+    let state = TakeoverState {
+        stopped_autologin: STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner())
+            .clone(),
+        steamos: *STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()),
+    };
+    if state.stopped_autologin.is_empty() && !state.steamos {
+        clear_takeover();
+        return;
+    }
+    if let Ok(bytes) = serde_json::to_vec(&state) {
+        let _ = std::fs::write(takeover_state_path(), bytes);
+    }
+}
+
+/// Remove the persisted takeover file (after a completed restore, or when there's nothing to restore).
+fn clear_takeover() {
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(takeover_state_path());
+}
+
+/// On host startup, restore the TV's gaming session if a previous host instance took it over and
+/// crashed before restoring (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A3). Loads the persisted
+/// [`TakeoverState`] into the statics and schedules a restore after a short reconnect grace (so a
+/// client reconnecting right after the restart keeps the streamed session instead of bouncing the
+/// box back to gaming mode). No-op when no takeover file exists (a clean start). Call once from
+/// `serve` alongside [`start_restore_worker`].
+pub fn restore_takeover_on_startup() {
+    let Ok(bytes) = std::fs::read(takeover_state_path()) else {
+        return; // no takeover file — clean start
+    };
+    let Ok(state) = serde_json::from_slice::<TakeoverState>(&bytes) else {
+        clear_takeover();
+        return;
+    };
+    if state.stopped_autologin.is_empty() && !state.steamos {
+        clear_takeover();
+        return;
+    }
+    tracing::warn!(
+        units = ?state.stopped_autologin,
+        steamos = state.steamos,
+        "gamescope: found a stranded takeover from a previous host instance — scheduling TV restore"
+    );
+    *STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) = state.stopped_autologin;
+    *STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) = state.steamos;
+    // A generous grace so a client reconnecting right after the restart cancels it (create_managed_session
+    // clears PENDING_RESTORE) and keeps the streamed session rather than bouncing to gaming mode.
+    *PENDING_RESTORE.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) =
+        Some(Instant::now() + Duration::from_secs(15));
+}
+
 impl GamescopeDisplay {
     pub fn new() -> Result<Self> {
         Ok(GamescopeDisplay::default())
@@ -97,6 +183,32 @@ impl VirtualDisplay for GamescopeDisplay {
         self.cmd = cmd;
     }
 
+    fn poolable_now(&self) -> bool {
+        // Only a bare SPAWN is registry-poolable (its `create` reports `Owned`); managed
+        // (`PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_SESSION`) and attach (`PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_NODE`) report
+        // `SessionManaged`/`External`, so the registry must not reuse a kept spawn for them (same
+        // backend name). Mirrors [`crate::vdisplay::launch_is_nested`]; read under the env lock the
+        // sub-mode ladder writes these keys under.
+        crate::vdisplay::with_env_lock(|| {
+            std::env::var_os("PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_SESSION").is_none()
+                && std::env::var_os("PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_NODE").is_none()
+        })
+    }
+
+    fn launch_command(&self) -> Option<String> {
+        // The registry keys keep-alive reuse on (backend, mode, launch): a kept bare-spawn running
+        // game A must never be reused for a session launching game B (A2).
+        self.cmd.clone()
+    }
+
+    fn kept_display_alive(&mut self, node_id: u32) -> bool {
+        // The nested gamescope dies when its game exits (independently of any compositor), leaving a
+        // dead pooled node. Before the registry reuses that node on a reconnect, confirm it still
+        // exists on the daemon; a `false` makes the registry recreate instead of handing back a corpse
+        // (which would then burn a ~10 s first-frame retry before `mark_failed` recovered it).
+        gamescope_node_present(node_id)
+    }
+
     fn create(&mut self, mode: Mode) -> Result<VirtualOutput> {
         // Host-managed gamescope-session-plus at the CLIENT's mode (the Bazzite path): launch the
         // full Steam-Deck-UI session headless at the client's resolution + refresh — so games SEE
@@ -121,26 +233,51 @@ impl VirtualDisplay for GamescopeDisplay {
             };
             point_injector_at_eis();
             tracing::info!(node_id, "gamescope: attaching to existing PipeWire node");
+            // ATTACH = mirror a foreign gamescope we don't own → External (no keep-alive/reuse).
             return Ok(VirtualOutput {
                 node_id,
                 remote_fd: None,
                 preferred_mode: Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
                 keepalive: Box::new(()),
+                ownership: DisplayOwnership::External,
+                reused_gen: None,
             });
         }
         check_gamescope_version(); // diagnostic only — warns on known-deadlock-prone versions
-        let proc = GamescopeProc(spawn(
+                                   // B1: a dedicated STEAM launch needs Steam's single instance free. If the box autologged into
+                                   // game mode (Bazzite) its Steam holds the instance, and a nested second Steam would see the
+                                   // first and exit (crashing the spawn) — so free the autologin session first. Its restore is the
+                                   // A3 takeover machinery (recorded in STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN + persisted; restarted on session end via
+                                   // schedule_restore_tv_session). Non-Steam launches don't conflict, so they skip this.
+        if self.cmd.as_deref().is_some_and(is_steam_launch) {
+            stop_autologin_sessions();
+        }
+        // A5: a per-spawn instance id addresses this spawn's log + node discovery, so two coexisting
+        // bare-spawns (a kept lingering one + a fresh one) never parse each other's node id from a
+        // shared log. The nested-command's LIBEI relay stays on the global path (per-instance input
+        // isolation is `design/gamescope-multiuser.md` scope, not addressed here).
+        let inst = SPAWN_SEQ.fetch_add(1, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+        let log = spawn_log_path(inst);
+        let child = spawn(
             mode.width,
             mode.height,
             mode.refresh_hz.max(1),
             self.cmd.as_deref(),
-        )?);
+            &log,
+        )?;
+        let child_pid = child.id();
+        let proc = GamescopeProc {
+            child,
+            log: log.clone(),
+        };
         // gamescope creates its PipeWire node a moment after start; poll for it (the proc is held
-        // alive meanwhile, and killed if we give up).
+        // alive meanwhile, and killed if we give up). Discovery reads THIS spawn's log, and the
-        let node_id = wait_for_node(Duration::from_secs(15)).ok_or_else(|| {
+        // fallback is scoped to this spawn's process tree.
+        let node_id = wait_for_node(Duration::from_secs(15), &log, child_pid).ok_or_else(|| {
             anyhow!(
                 "gamescope PipeWire node did not appear within 15s — gamescope may have failed to \
-                 start or headless capture is unsupported on this GPU/driver (see /tmp/punktfunk-gamescope.log)"
+                 start or headless capture is unsupported on this GPU/driver (see {})",
+                log.display()
             )
         })?;
         tracing::info!(
@@ -150,12 +287,12 @@ impl VirtualDisplay for GamescopeDisplay {
             hz = mode.refresh_hz,
             "gamescope virtual output ready"
         );
-        Ok(VirtualOutput {
+        // Bare SPAWN: we own the nested gamescope process → registry-poolable (keep-alive-able).
+        Ok(VirtualOutput::owned(
             node_id,
-            remote_fd: None,
+            Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
-            preferred_mode: Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
+            Box::new(proc),
-            keepalive: Box::new(proc),
+        ))
-        })
     }
 }
 
@@ -192,12 +329,7 @@ fn create_managed_session(client: &str, mode: Mode) -> Result<VirtualOutput> {
                 hz = mode.refresh_hz,
                 "gamescope session: reusing the running session (same mode — no Steam restart)"
             );
-            return Ok(VirtualOutput {
+            return Ok(managed_output(node_id, mode));
-                node_id,
-                remote_fd: None,
-                preferred_mode: Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
-                keepalive: Box::new(()),
-            });
         }
         tracing::warn!("gamescope session: tracked session has no live node — relaunching");
         *guard = None;
@@ -218,12 +350,23 @@ fn create_managed_session(client: &str, mode: Mode) -> Result<VirtualOutput> {
         hz = mode.refresh_hz,
         "gamescope session: launched gamescope-session-plus at the client's mode"
     );
-    Ok(VirtualOutput {
+    Ok(managed_output(node_id, mode))
+}
+
+/// The [`VirtualOutput`] for a managed / SteamOS-takeover session: a box-level session whose restore
+/// lifecycle is (at Part A1) the gamescope module's own machinery (`schedule_restore_tv_session`), so
+/// it is [`DisplayOwnership::SessionManaged`] — the registry passes it through (no pooling), and the
+/// capturer's unit keepalive tears nothing down on drop. (Part A3 replaces the unit keepalive with a
+/// real `ManagedSessionHandle` and flips this to `Owned`.)
+fn managed_output(node_id: u32, mode: Mode) -> VirtualOutput {
+    VirtualOutput {
         node_id,
         remote_fd: None,
         preferred_mode: Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
         keepalive: Box::new(()),
-    })
+        ownership: DisplayOwnership::SessionManaged,
+        reused_gen: None,
+    }
 }
 
 /// SteamOS detection: its session launcher is present and Bazzite's session-plus is NOT (so the
@@ -483,12 +626,7 @@ fn create_managed_session_steamos(mode: Mode) -> Result<VirtualOutput> {
                 hz = mode.refresh_hz,
                 "gamescope (SteamOS): reusing the headless session (same mode — no Steam restart)"
             );
-            return Ok(VirtualOutput {
+            return Ok(managed_output(node_id, mode));
-                node_id,
-                remote_fd: None,
-                preferred_mode: Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
-                keepalive: Box::new(()),
-            });
         }
         *guard = None; // tracked session lost its node — fall through to a clean restart
     }
@@ -497,9 +635,11 @@ fn create_managed_session_steamos(mode: Mode) -> Result<VirtualOutput> {
     systemctl_user(&["daemon-reload"]);
     systemctl_user(&["restart", STEAMOS_SESSION_TARGET]);
     *STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) = true;
+    persist_takeover(); // A3: survive a host crash mid-stream
                         // gamescope's node appears within a few seconds of the restart; Steam's first FRAME is slower
-    // (Big Picture cold start) and is awaited by the caller's first-frame retry loop.
+                        // (Big Picture cold start) and is awaited by the caller's first-frame retry loop. The managed
-    let node_id = wait_for_node(Duration::from_secs(30)).ok_or_else(|| {
+                        // session logs to journald (not a per-spawn file), so poll `find_gamescope_node` directly.
+    let node_id = poll_managed_node(Duration::from_secs(30)).ok_or_else(|| {
         anyhow!(
             "SteamOS headless gamescope node did not appear within 30s after restarting \
              {STEAMOS_SESSION_TARGET} — check `journalctl --user -u gamescope-session.service`"
@@ -518,12 +658,7 @@ fn create_managed_session_steamos(mode: Mode) -> Result<VirtualOutput> {
         hz = mode.refresh_hz,
         "gamescope (SteamOS): took over gamescope-session.target headless at the client's mode"
     );
-    Ok(VirtualOutput {
+    Ok(managed_output(node_id, mode))
-        node_id,
-        remote_fd: None,
-        preferred_mode: Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
-        keepalive: Box::new(()),
-    })
 }
 
 /// ATTACH at the CLIENT's resolution: ensure the box's own game-mode session is running at `mode`'s
@@ -670,11 +805,31 @@ fn running_autologin_gamescope_unit() -> Option<String> {
         .map(|u| u.to_string())
 }
 
+/// Tear a gamescope `systemd --user` unit down with **SIGKILL** rather than the default SIGTERM stop
+/// (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A3 / `session-aware-host-followups.md` #1): the
+/// hypothesis — validated as the fix on the F44 repro box `.181` — is that gamescope's SIGTERM
+/// teardown handler (the one that SIGSEGVs, exit 139) LEAKS the NVIDIA GPU context, after which every
+/// subsequent gamescope fails `vkCreateDevice` with `VK_ERROR_INITIALIZATION_FAILED` (-3) until a
+/// reboot. SIGKILL skips that handler so the driver reclaims the context cleanly via normal process
+/// exit. Follow with `stop` + `reset-failed` to clear the unit's state so a relaunch is clean.
+fn kill_unit(unit: &str) {
+    let _ = Command::new("systemctl")
+        .args(["--user", "kill", "--signal=SIGKILL", unit])
+        .status();
+    let _ = Command::new("systemctl")
+        .args(["--user", "stop", unit])
+        .status();
+    let _ = Command::new("systemctl")
+        .args(["--user", "reset-failed", unit])
+        .status();
+}
+
 /// Stop every running autologin gaming-mode session (`gamescope-session-plus@*.service`) so its
 /// single-instance Steam is free for our own host-managed session. Records the units so
 /// [`schedule_restore_tv_session`] can restart them on disconnect. Our own session is the transient
 /// `punktfunk-gamescope` unit (not a `@`-instance), so it's never matched here. No-op when nothing
-/// is autologged in (e.g. a box that boots headless).
+/// is autologged in (e.g. a box that boots headless). Uses the **SIGKILL** teardown ([`kill_unit`])
+/// to avoid the F44 GPU-context leak that the autologin's SIGTERM stop triggers.
 fn stop_autologin_sessions() {
     let Ok(out) = Command::new("systemctl")
         .args([
@@ -694,12 +849,10 @@ fn stop_autologin_sessions() {
     for line in String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout).lines() {
         if let Some(unit) = line.split_whitespace().next() {
             if unit.starts_with("gamescope-session-plus@") && unit.ends_with(".service") {
-                let _ = Command::new("systemctl")
+                kill_unit(unit); // SIGKILL teardown — avoid the F44 GPU-context leak
-                    .args(["--user", "stop", unit])
-                    .status();
                 tracing::info!(
                     unit,
-                    "freed Steam: stopped the autologin gaming session for this stream"
+                    "freed Steam: SIGKILL-stopped the autologin gaming session for this stream"
                 );
                 stopped.push(unit.to_string());
             }
@@ -707,15 +860,57 @@ fn stop_autologin_sessions() {
     }
     if !stopped.is_empty() {
         *STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) = stopped;
+        persist_takeover(); // A3: survive a host crash mid-stream
     }
 }
 
-/// Client disconnected: **schedule** a debounced restore of the TV's autologin gaming session(s) we
+/// Cancel any pending TV-session restore — a client has (re)connected, so the box must stay in the
-/// stopped on connect — the actual restore fires [`RESTORE_DEBOUNCE`] later (via [`start_restore_worker`])
+/// streamed session, not bounce back to gaming mode. This covers the **keep-alive reuse** reconnect
-/// unless a client reconnects first, which cancels it and reuses the warm managed session. Debouncing
+/// path (a kept dedicated / managed gamescope), which never calls `create_managed_session` (where the
-/// means at most one gamescope stop/relaunch per quiet period instead of one per disconnect — the
+/// managed path already clears `PENDING_RESTORE`) — so without this, a dedicated Steam reconnect within
-/// per-connect churn is what leaked GPU context on F44. No-op when nothing was stolen (non-Bazzite /
+/// the linger window would restart the autologin *underneath* the live session (review finding #3).
-/// headless box). Idempotent / safe to call on every session end.
+/// Called from the connect path (native `resolve_compositor`, GameStream `open_gs_virtual_source`).
+/// No-op when nothing is pending; the stopped-unit list stays armed for a later real disconnect.
+pub fn cancel_pending_restore() {
+    let mut g = PENDING_RESTORE.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner());
+    if g.is_some() {
+        *g = None;
+        tracing::info!(
+            "gamescope: client (re)connected — cancelled the pending TV-session restore"
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+/// The delay before restoring the TV's autologin session after the last client disconnects — the
+/// display-management **keep-alive policy**, replacing the hardcoded [`RESTORE_DEBOUNCE`]
+/// (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A3). The managed gamescope session is a single
+/// box-level singleton (not a registry pool entry — A1), so its keep-alive lives here rather than in
+/// the registry, but reads the same policy the pooled backends do:
+///   * `off` → restore immediately (0 s);
+///   * `duration(s)` → restore after `s`;
+///   * `forever` → **`None`**: never auto-restore — the managed session is HELD until host stop or a
+///     manual return to gaming mode (the `gaming-rig` "the TV model" story, now truthful on gamescope);
+///   * unconfigured → the historical 5 s [`RESTORE_DEBOUNCE`] (bit-for-bit today's behavior).
+fn restore_delay() -> Option<Duration> {
+    use crate::vdisplay::policy::{self, Linger};
+    match policy::prefs()
+        .configured_effective()
+        .map(|e| e.keep_alive.linger())
+    {
+        Some(Linger::Immediate) => Some(Duration::from_secs(0)),
+        Some(Linger::For(d)) => Some(d),
+        Some(Linger::Forever) => None,
+        None => Some(RESTORE_DEBOUNCE),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Client disconnected: **schedule** a policy-timed restore of the TV's autologin gaming session(s) we
+/// stopped on connect ([`restore_delay`], via [`start_restore_worker`]) — unless a client reconnects
+/// first, which cancels it and reuses the warm managed session. Debouncing means at most one gamescope
+/// stop/relaunch per quiet period instead of one per disconnect — the per-connect churn is what leaked
+/// GPU context on F44. Under `keep_alive=forever` ([`restore_delay`] `None`) NO restore is scheduled:
+/// the managed session is pinned (gaming-rig). No-op when nothing was stolen (non-Bazzite / headless
+/// box). Idempotent / safe to call on every session end.
 pub fn schedule_restore_tv_session() {
     let nothing_to_restore = STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN
         .lock()
@@ -725,13 +920,25 @@ pub fn schedule_restore_tv_session() {
     if nothing_to_restore {
         return; // nothing was taken over → nothing to restore (also the non-managed path)
     }
-    *PENDING_RESTORE.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) =
+    match restore_delay() {
-        Some(Instant::now() + RESTORE_DEBOUNCE);
+        None => {
+            // keep_alive=forever → pin the managed session; leave PENDING_RESTORE unset.
+            *PENDING_RESTORE.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) = None;
             tracing::info!(
-        secs = RESTORE_DEBOUNCE.as_secs(),
+                "gamescope: keep-alive=forever — managed session held (no TV-restore scheduled; \
-        "gamescope: scheduled debounced TV-session restore (cancelled if a client reconnects)"
+                 return to gaming mode or restart the host to free it)"
             );
         }
+        Some(delay) => {
+            *PENDING_RESTORE.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) =
+                Some(Instant::now() + delay);
+            tracing::info!(
+                secs = delay.as_secs(),
+                "gamescope: scheduled TV-session restore (keep-alive policy; cancelled on reconnect)"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+}
 
 /// Tear down our host-managed session (freeing Steam) and restart the autologin gaming session(s)
 /// we stopped on connect — so the TV returns to gaming mode when no one is streaming. Invoked by
@@ -745,6 +952,7 @@ fn do_restore_tv_session() {
         let mut took = STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner());
         if *took {
             *took = false;
+            clear_takeover(); // A3: takeover undone — drop the persisted crash-restore marker
             *MANAGED_SESSION.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) = None;
             remove_steamos_dropin();
             systemctl_user(&["daemon-reload"]);
@@ -770,6 +978,7 @@ fn do_restore_tv_session() {
     if units.is_empty() {
         return; // nothing was stolen → nothing to restore (also the non-Bazzite path)
     }
+    clear_takeover(); // A3: takeover consumed — drop the persisted crash-restore marker
     stop_session(SESSION_UNIT); // our gamescope/Steam session, so Steam is free for the autologin
     *MANAGED_SESSION.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner()) = None;
     // Only bring the gaming autologin BACK if the box is still meant to be in gaming mode. If the
@@ -923,12 +1132,10 @@ fn launch_session(client: &str, unit_name: &str, mode: Mode) -> Result<u32> {
     }
 }
 
-/// Stop the host-managed session's transient unit (best-effort) and clear the EIS relay so a dead
+/// Stop the host-managed session's transient unit ([`kill_unit`] — SIGKILL teardown to avoid the F44
-/// session's socket name can't be reconnected.
+/// GPU-context leak) and clear the EIS relay so a dead session's socket name can't be reconnected.
 fn stop_session(unit_name: &str) {
-    let _ = Command::new("systemctl")
+    kill_unit(unit_name);
-        .args(["--user", "stop", unit_name])
-        .status();
     let _ = std::fs::remove_file(ei_socket_file());
 }
 
@@ -949,13 +1156,36 @@ pub fn ei_socket_file() -> std::path::PathBuf {
     }
 }
 
+/// Shape a resolved launch command for a bare-spawn gamescope session. A Steam URI launch
+/// (`steam steam://rungameid/<id>`, produced by `library::command_for`) gets `-silent` inserted so
+/// the game is the gamescope focus with no Steam client window to navigate
+/// (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` §5.3). Operator-typed custom commands and non-Steam
+/// launches are returned unchanged. Idempotent (never double-inserts `-silent`). Pure + unit-tested.
+/// Does this resolved launch command start Steam (`steam … steam://…`)? Such a launch needs Steam's
+/// single instance free before a dedicated spawn (B1). Pure + unit-tested.
+fn is_steam_launch(cmd: &str) -> bool {
+    let mut it = cmd.split_whitespace();
+    it.next() == Some("steam") && cmd.contains("steam://")
+}
+
+fn shape_dedicated_command(app: &str) -> String {
+    let mut it = app.split_whitespace();
+    if it.next() == Some("steam") {
+        let rest: Vec<&str> = it.collect();
+        if !rest.contains(&"-silent") && rest.iter().any(|t| t.starts_with("steam://")) {
+            return format!("steam -silent {}", rest.join(" "));
+        }
+    }
+    app.to_string()
+}
+
 /// Spawn `gamescope --backend headless -W w -H h -r hz -- <app>`. The app comes from
 /// `PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_APP` (default a no-op that just keeps gamescope alive — set it to a real
 /// game/GL app for actual content, e.g. `steam -gamepadui` for the SteamOS-like session).
-/// stdout/stderr go to `/tmp/punktfunk-gamescope.log`. The app is launched through a tiny shell
+/// stdout/stderr go to `log` (this spawn's per-instance log, A5). The app is launched through a tiny
-/// wrapper that relays gamescope's `LIBEI_SOCKET` (set for its children) to [`ei_socket_file`]
+/// shell wrapper that relays gamescope's `LIBEI_SOCKET` (set for its children) to [`ei_socket_file`]
 /// so the input injector can connect to gamescope's EIS server from outside.
-fn spawn(w: u32, h: u32, hz: u32, cmd: Option<&str>) -> Result<Child> {
+fn spawn(w: u32, h: u32, hz: u32, cmd: Option<&str>, log: &std::path::Path) -> Result<Child> {
     // A non-empty per-session command (set via `set_launch_command`) wins; else the
     // `PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_APP` env var (the documented manual fallback); else a no-op that keeps
     // gamescope alive. Each level is taken only if non-empty, so a blank per-session cmd transparently
@@ -970,6 +1200,9 @@ fn spawn(w: u32, h: u32, hz: u32, cmd: Option<&str>) -> Result<Child> {
         })
         .filter(|s| !s.trim().is_empty())
         .unwrap_or_else(|| "sleep infinity".to_string());
+    // Dedicated-launch command shaping (Part B): a Steam URI runs with `-silent` so the game is the
+    // gamescope focus with no Steam client window to navigate.
+    let app = shape_dedicated_command(&app);
     let relay = ei_socket_file();
     let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&relay); // stale socket path from a previous session
     let mut cmd = Command::new("gamescope");
@@ -990,14 +1223,14 @@ fn spawn(w: u32, h: u32, hz: u32, cmd: Option<&str>) -> Result<Child> {
         .args(app.split_whitespace())
         // Prefer the NVIDIA GL vendor for the nested session (harmless on a pure-NVIDIA box).
         .env("__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME", "nvidia");
-    if let Ok(log) = std::fs::File::create("/tmp/punktfunk-gamescope.log") {
+    if let Ok(logf) = std::fs::File::create(log) {
-        if let Ok(log2) = log.try_clone() {
+        if let Ok(log2) = logf.try_clone() {
-            cmd.stdout(Stdio::from(log)).stderr(Stdio::from(log2));
+            cmd.stdout(Stdio::from(logf)).stderr(Stdio::from(log2));
         }
     } else {
         cmd.stdout(Stdio::null()).stderr(Stdio::null());
     }
-    tracing::info!(w, h, hz, %app, "spawning gamescope (headless)");
+    tracing::info!(w, h, hz, %app, log = %log.display(), "spawning gamescope (headless)");
     cmd.spawn()
         .context("spawn gamescope (is it installed? `apt install gamescope`)")
 }
@@ -1006,22 +1239,59 @@ fn spawn(w: u32, h: u32, hz: u32, cmd: Option<&str>) -> Result<Child> {
 /// line `stream available on node ID: N` (its node carries `node.name=gamescope` on TWO objects
 /// — the adapter and the inner stream — and only the advertised id is the correct capture
 /// target). Falls back to `pw-dump` discovery if the log line doesn't show.
-fn wait_for_node(timeout: Duration) -> Option<u32> {
+/// B2 (game-exit detection): confirm a **dedicated** gamescope session's game has exited. gamescope is
+/// a single-app compositor — it exits when its nested app exits — so once capture is lost, THIS
+/// session's `node_id` not reappearing within a short confirmation window means the game quit (vs. a
+/// transient PipeWire hiccup). Scoped to the session's own `node_id` (via [`gamescope_node_present`]),
+/// so a **coexisting** gamescope (a second dedicated session, or the box's game-mode gamescope beside a
+/// non-Steam dedicated launch) doesn't mask the exit (review findings #4/#8). Returns `true` when the
+/// node stays absent across the window.
+pub fn game_session_exited(node_id: u32) -> bool {
+    let deadline = Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(1500);
+    loop {
+        if gamescope_node_present(node_id) {
+            return false; // OUR node is (still) present → not an exit (transient loss)
+        }
+        if Instant::now() >= deadline {
+            return true; // our node stayed gone across the window → the game exited
+        }
+        std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(250));
+    }
+}
+
+/// Poll [`find_gamescope_node`] (unscoped) up to `timeout` — for the managed / SteamOS session, which
+/// logs to journald (no per-spawn file) and is single-session (no scoping needed).
+fn poll_managed_node(timeout: Duration) -> Option<u32> {
     let deadline = Instant::now() + timeout;
     loop {
-        if let Some(id) = node_from_log() {
+        if let Some(id) = find_gamescope_node() {
             return Some(id);
         }
         if Instant::now() >= deadline {
-            return find_gamescope_node(); // last-resort fallback
+            return None;
         }
         std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(300));
     }
 }
 
-/// Parse `stream available on node ID: N` from the spawned gamescope's log (ANSI-colored).
+fn wait_for_node(timeout: Duration, log: &std::path::Path, child_pid: u32) -> Option<u32> {
-fn node_from_log() -> Option<u32> {
+    let deadline = Instant::now() + timeout;
-    let log = std::fs::read_to_string("/tmp/punktfunk-gamescope.log").ok()?;
+    loop {
+        if let Some(id) = node_from_log(log) {
+            return Some(id);
+        }
+        if Instant::now() >= deadline {
+            // Last-resort fallback scoped to THIS spawn's process tree (A5), so a coexisting gamescope's
+            // node isn't picked by mistake.
+            return find_gamescope_node_scoped(Some(child_pid));
+        }
+        std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(300));
+    }
+}
+
+/// Parse `stream available on node ID: N` from a spawned gamescope's per-instance log (ANSI-colored).
+fn node_from_log(log: &std::path::Path) -> Option<u32> {
+    let log = std::fs::read_to_string(log).ok()?;
     for line in log.lines().rev() {
         if let Some(pos) = line.find("stream available on node ID:") {
             let tail = &line[pos + "stream available on node ID:".len()..];
@@ -1034,6 +1304,27 @@ fn node_from_log() -> Option<u32> {
     None
 }
 
+/// Is a PipeWire node with exactly `node_id` present on the default daemon right now? Used by the
+/// keep-alive reuse liveness probe ([`GamescopeDisplay::kept_display_alive`]): a kept gamescope node
+/// vanishes when its nested game exits, so a missing id means "recreate, don't reuse the corpse".
+fn gamescope_node_present(node_id: u32) -> bool {
+    let Ok(out) = Command::new("pw-dump").arg(node_id.to_string()).output() else {
+        // pw-dump unavailable → don't block reuse (mark_failed is the backstop on a genuinely dead node).
+        return true;
+    };
+    let Ok(dump) = serde_json::from_slice::<serde_json::Value>(&out.stdout) else {
+        return true;
+    };
+    dump.as_array()
+        .map(|objs| {
+            objs.iter().any(|o| {
+                o.get("id").and_then(|i| i.as_u64()) == Some(node_id as u64)
+                    && o.get("type").and_then(|t| t.as_str()) == Some("PipeWire:Interface:Node")
+            })
+        })
+        .unwrap_or(true)
+}
+
 /// Find the `gamescope` `Video/Source` node id in a `pw-dump` snapshot of the default daemon.
 ///
 /// `node.name=gamescope` appears on TWO objects (the adapter *and* the inner stream node); only
@@ -1041,10 +1332,18 @@ fn node_from_log() -> Option<u32> {
 /// other wedges the link. So we require `Video/Source` first and fall back to a bare name match
 /// only if no class-tagged node is present (older gamescope that doesn't set media.class).
 fn find_gamescope_node() -> Option<u32> {
+    find_gamescope_node_scoped(None)
+}
+
+/// Like [`find_gamescope_node`], but when `scope` is `Some(pid)` only a node whose owning process
+/// (`application.process.id`) is `pid` or a descendant of it qualifies (A5 — a spawn's node must
+/// belong to OUR gamescope's process tree, so a coexisting foreign / other-session gamescope node is
+/// never mistaken for ours). `None` = any gamescope node (the managed/attach paths, single-session).
+fn find_gamescope_node_scoped(scope: Option<u32>) -> Option<u32> {
     let out = Command::new("pw-dump").output().ok()?;
     let dump: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_slice(&out.stdout).ok()?;
     let nodes = dump.as_array()?;
-    let node_props = |obj: &serde_json::Value| -> Option<(u32, String, String)> {
+    let node_props = |obj: &serde_json::Value| -> Option<(u32, String, String, Option<u32>)> {
         if obj.get("type").and_then(|t| t.as_str()) != Some("PipeWire:Interface:Node") {
             return None;
         }
@@ -1060,20 +1359,40 @@ fn find_gamescope_node() -> Option<u32> {
             .and_then(|n| n.as_str())
             .unwrap_or("")
             .to_string();
-        Some((id, name, class))
+        // PipeWire records the owning process id as a string or an int depending on version.
+        let pid = props
+            .and_then(|p| p.get("application.process.id"))
+            .and_then(|v| {
+                v.as_u64()
+                    .or_else(|| v.as_str().and_then(|s| s.parse().ok()))
+                    .map(|n| n as u32)
+            });
+        Some((id, name, class, pid))
     };
-    // Preferred: a Video/Source node named (or containing) "gamescope".
+    // A node is in-scope when no scope is asked, or its owning pid descends from the scope pid. When
+    // the pid prop is absent (older gamescope / PipeWire) we DON'T exclude it — falling back to the
+    // per-instance log is the primary addressing (design §7 risk note).
+    let in_scope = |pid: Option<u32>| -> bool {
+        match scope {
+            None => true,
+            Some(root) => pid.map(|p| descends_from(p, root)).unwrap_or(true),
+        }
+    };
+    // Preferred: a Video/Source node named (or containing) "gamescope", in scope.
     for obj in nodes {
-        if let Some((id, name, class)) = node_props(obj) {
+        if let Some((id, name, class, pid)) = node_props(obj) {
-            if class == "Video/Source" && (name == "gamescope" || name.contains("gamescope")) {
+            if class == "Video/Source"
+                && (name == "gamescope" || name.contains("gamescope"))
+                && in_scope(pid)
+            {
                 return Some(id);
             }
         }
     }
-    // Fallback: a node literally named "gamescope" with no usable class tag.
+    // Fallback: a node literally named "gamescope" with no usable class tag, in scope.
     for obj in nodes {
-        if let Some((id, name, _)) = node_props(obj) {
+        if let Some((id, name, _, pid)) = node_props(obj) {
-            if name == "gamescope" {
+            if name == "gamescope" && in_scope(pid) {
                 tracing::warn!(
                     node_id = id,
                     "gamescope node has no media.class=Video/Source tag — capturing it anyway"
@@ -1168,22 +1487,62 @@ fn parse_version(text: &str) -> Option<(u32, u32, u32)> {
     None
 }
 
-/// Owns the spawned gamescope process; killing it tears the virtual output down.
+/// Owns the spawned gamescope process (and its per-instance log, A5); killing it tears the virtual
-struct GamescopeProc(Child);
+/// output down.
+struct GamescopeProc {
+    child: Child,
+    log: std::path::PathBuf,
+}
 
 impl Drop for GamescopeProc {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
-        let _ = self.0.kill();
+        let _ = self.child.kill();
-        let _ = self.0.wait();
+        let _ = self.child.wait();
         // Clear the relayed EIS socket name so the host-lifetime injector can't reconnect to this
         // now-dead session's socket between sessions (the stale path is the "Connection refused").
         let _ = std::fs::remove_file(ei_socket_file());
+        // Drop this spawn's per-instance log (A5) so `$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR` doesn't accumulate them.
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&self.log);
     }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::{parse_version, MIN_GAMESCOPE};
+    use super::{is_steam_launch, parse_version, shape_dedicated_command, MIN_GAMESCOPE};
+
+    #[test]
+    fn steam_launch_detection() {
+        assert!(is_steam_launch("steam steam://rungameid/570"));
+        assert!(is_steam_launch("steam -silent steam://rungameid/570"));
+        assert!(!is_steam_launch("vkcube"));
+        assert!(!is_steam_launch("lutris lutris:rungameid/42"));
+        assert!(!is_steam_launch("steam -bigpicture")); // no URI = not a game launch
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn dedicated_command_shaping() {
+        // Steam URI → -silent inserted so the game is the gamescope focus.
+        assert_eq!(
+            shape_dedicated_command("steam steam://rungameid/570"),
+            "steam -silent steam://rungameid/570"
+        );
+        // Idempotent: an already-silent command is left alone.
+        assert_eq!(
+            shape_dedicated_command("steam -silent steam://rungameid/570"),
+            "steam -silent steam://rungameid/570"
+        );
+        // Non-Steam launches and operator custom commands are untouched.
+        assert_eq!(shape_dedicated_command("vkcube"), "vkcube");
+        assert_eq!(
+            shape_dedicated_command("lutris lutris:rungameid/42"),
+            "lutris lutris:rungameid/42"
+        );
+        // A bare `steam` with no URI is left alone (not a game launch).
+        assert_eq!(
+            shape_dedicated_command("steam -bigpicture"),
+            "steam -bigpicture"
+        );
+    }
 
     #[test]
     fn parses_version_banner() {

crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/linux/kwin.rs

@@ -212,31 +212,46 @@ impl VirtualDisplay for KwinDisplay {
         });
         // Layout position (§6.2) is applied by the registry via `apply_position` right after create
         // (it owns the display group, so it computes auto-row / manual placement over the whole group).
-        Ok(VirtualOutput {
+        Ok(VirtualOutput::owned(
             node_id,
-            remote_fd: None,
+            Some((mode.width, mode.height, achieved_hz)),
-            preferred_mode: Some((mode.width, mode.height, achieved_hz)),
+            Box::new(StopGuard { stop }),
-            keepalive: Box::new(StopGuard { stop }),
+        ))
-        })
     }
 }
 
 /// Re-enable the outputs an `exclusive` topology disabled (bootstrap / physical), so KWin re-homes onto
 /// them. Called by the registry when the display group's last member is torn down (design §6.1), BEFORE
 /// that member's output is reclaimed — so KWin is never momentarily left with zero enabled outputs.
-fn reenable_outputs(outputs: &[String]) {
+fn reenable_outputs(outputs: &[(String, String)]) {
     if outputs.is_empty() {
         return;
     }
-    let args: Vec<String> = outputs
+    // Enable FIRST, as a standalone apply — a bare `output.X.enable` always succeeds, so a physical
+    // can never be left DARK. (Batching a possibly-stale `mode` arg into the same invocation risks
+    // kscreen-doctor rejecting the whole config and leaving the output disabled.)
+    let enable_args: Vec<String> = outputs
         .iter()
-        .map(|o| format!("output.{o}.enable"))
+        .map(|(name, _)| format!("output.{name}.enable"))
         .collect();
     let _ = std::process::Command::new("kscreen-doctor")
-        .args(&args)
+        .args(&enable_args)
         .status();
+    // THEN re-assert each captured mode, best-effort — a bare re-enable lets KWin fall back to the
+    // EDID-preferred mode (a 120 Hz panel returns at ~60 Hz); this restores the exact refresh. The
+    // output is enabled now, so the mode set is valid; a rejected mode just leaves KWin's default.
+    let mode_args: Vec<String> = outputs
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|(_, mode)| !mode.is_empty())
+        .map(|(name, mode)| format!("output.{name}.mode.{mode}"))
+        .collect();
+    if !mode_args.is_empty() {
+        let _ = std::process::Command::new("kscreen-doctor")
+            .args(&mode_args)
+            .status();
+    }
     std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(200));
-    tracing::info!(reenabled = ?outputs, "KWin: restored the physical/bootstrap outputs (group empty)");
+    tracing::info!(reenabled = ?outputs, "KWin: restored the physical/bootstrap outputs at their captured modes (group empty)");
 }
 
 /// Best-effort: raise the just-created virtual output's refresh above KWin's default 60 Hz by
@@ -328,12 +343,39 @@ fn read_active_refresh(output: &str) -> Option<u32> {
 /// recognised by this prefix, so we never have to thread the live set through the backend.
 const MANAGED_PREFIX: &str = "Virtual-punktfunk";
 
-/// Names of currently-ENABLED outputs that are **not managed by us** — the headless session's
+/// The current mode of an output as a kscreen-doctor mode setter, from its `-j` entry — preferring
-/// bootstrap output(s) + any physical monitor, i.e. exactly what `exclusive` must disable.
+/// the human `WxH@Hz` form (survives a mode-id re-enumeration across disable→enable) and falling back
+/// to the raw `currentModeId`. `None` if the current mode can't be resolved.
+fn output_current_mode_spec(o: &serde_json::Value) -> Option<String> {
+    let as_id = |v: &serde_json::Value| -> Option<String> {
+        v.as_str()
+            .map(|s| s.to_string())
+            .or_else(|| v.as_u64().map(|n| n.to_string()))
+    };
+    let current = o.get("currentModeId").and_then(&as_id)?;
+    let mode = o
+        .get("modes")?
+        .as_array()?
+        .iter()
+        .find(|m| m.get("id").and_then(&as_id).as_deref() == Some(current.as_str()))?;
+    let human = (|| {
+        let size = mode.get("size")?;
+        let w = size.get("width").and_then(|v| v.as_u64())?;
+        let h = size.get("height").and_then(|v| v.as_u64())?;
+        let hz = mode.get("refreshRate").and_then(|r| r.as_f64())?.round() as u64;
+        Some(format!("{w}x{h}@{hz}"))
+    })();
+    Some(human.unwrap_or(current))
+}
+
+/// Currently-ENABLED outputs that are **not managed by us** — the headless session's bootstrap
+/// output(s) + any physical monitor, i.e. exactly what `exclusive` must disable — EACH PAIRED WITH ITS
+/// CURRENT MODE (`WxH@Hz`, empty if unresolved) so teardown can put it back at that exact refresh (a
+/// bare re-enable drops a 120 Hz panel to KWin's default ~60 Hz).
 /// **Group-aware (§6.1):** excludes the WHOLE managed family (the [`MANAGED_PREFIX`]), not just this
 /// session's own output — so a 2nd `exclusive` session (with a distinct per-slot name) never disables
 /// the 1st session's live output. Parsed from `kscreen-doctor -j` (same source as [`read_active_refresh`]).
-fn other_enabled_outputs() -> Vec<String> {
+fn other_enabled_outputs() -> Vec<(String, String)> {
     let out = match std::process::Command::new("kscreen-doctor")
         .arg("-j")
         .output()
@@ -350,9 +392,15 @@ fn other_enabled_outputs() -> Vec<String> {
         .map(|outs| {
             outs.iter()
                 .filter(|o| o.get("enabled").and_then(|e| e.as_bool()).unwrap_or(false))
-                .filter_map(|o| o.get("name").and_then(|n| n.as_str()))
+                .filter_map(|o| {
-                .filter(|n| !n.starts_with(MANAGED_PREFIX))
+                    let name = o.get("name").and_then(|n| n.as_str())?;
-                .map(String::from)
+                    (!name.starts_with(MANAGED_PREFIX)).then(|| {
+                        (
+                            name.to_string(),
+                            output_current_mode_spec(o).unwrap_or_default(),
+                        )
+                    })
+                })
                 .collect()
         })
         .unwrap_or_default()
@@ -393,7 +441,7 @@ fn a_managed_output_is_primary() -> bool {
 /// the sole desktop (KWin re-homes plasmashell + windows onto it). Returns the disabled outputs for
 /// the keepalive to re-enable on teardown. Best-effort: on failure, streaming continues (just possibly
 /// showing only the wallpaper) rather than failing the session.
-fn apply_virtual_primary(name: &str) -> Vec<String> {
+fn apply_virtual_primary(name: &str) -> Vec<(String, String)> {
     let ours = format!("Virtual-{name}");
     let kscreen = |args: &[String]| {
         std::process::Command::new("kscreen-doctor")
@@ -416,11 +464,12 @@ fn apply_virtual_primary(name: &str) -> Vec<String> {
     }
     // Disable everything still enabled that ISN'T a managed group member (bootstrap / physical), so
     // the group is unambiguously the desktop — never a sibling session's output (group-aware filter).
+    // Each is captured WITH its current mode so teardown restores its real refresh, not KWin's default.
     let others = other_enabled_outputs();
     if !others.is_empty() {
         let args: Vec<String> = others
             .iter()
-            .map(|o| format!("output.{o}.disable"))
+            .map(|(o, _mode)| format!("output.{o}.disable"))
             .collect();
         let _ = kscreen(&args);
     }

crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/linux/mutter.rs

@@ -97,12 +97,11 @@ impl VirtualDisplay for MutterDisplay {
             h = mode.height,
             "Mutter virtual monitor ready"
         );
-        Ok(VirtualOutput {
+        Ok(VirtualOutput::owned(
             node_id,
-            remote_fd: None,
+            Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
-            preferred_mode: Some((mode.width, mode.height, mode.refresh_hz)),
+            Box::new(StopGuard(stop)),
-            keepalive: Box::new(StopGuard(stop)),
+        ))
-        })
     }
 }
 
@@ -413,8 +412,8 @@ fn mode_flag(md: &DbusMode, key: &str) -> bool {
     matches!(md.6.get(key).map(|v| &**v), Some(&Value::Bool(true)))
 }
 
-/// The current (else preferred, else first) mode of `connector` → (mode_id, width, height).
+/// The current (else preferred, else first) mode of `connector` → `(mode_id, width, height, refresh)`.
-fn current_mode(state: &CurrentState, connector: &str) -> Option<(String, i32, i32)> {
+fn current_mode_full(state: &CurrentState, connector: &str) -> Option<(String, i32, i32, f64)> {
     let mon = state.1.iter().find(|m| m.0 .0 == connector)?;
     let pick = mon
         .1
@@ -422,7 +421,83 @@ fn current_mode(state: &CurrentState, connector: &str) -> Option<(String, i32, i
         .find(|md| mode_flag(md, "is-current"))
         .or_else(|| mon.1.iter().find(|md| mode_flag(md, "is-preferred")))
         .or_else(|| mon.1.first())?;
-    Some((pick.0.clone(), pick.1, pick.2))
+    Some((pick.0.clone(), pick.1, pick.2, pick.3))
+}
+
+/// As [`current_mode_full`] but dropping the refresh (callers that only place by width).
+fn current_mode(state: &CurrentState, connector: &str) -> Option<(String, i32, i32)> {
+    current_mode_full(state, connector).map(|(id, w, h, _)| (id, w, h))
+}
+
+/// Pure mode-pick for a KEPT physical (unit-tested). Given the physical's PRE-connect mode
+/// (`pre_mode = (id, w, h, refresh)`; `None` when the connector is new since the snapshot) and the
+/// mode list Mutter reports for it in the POST-virtual state
+/// (`(id, w, h, refresh, is_current, is_preferred)`), return the `(mode_id, width)` to re-apply.
+///
+/// Mutter re-derives its layout when the `RecordVirtual` output appears and can silently drop a
+/// 120 Hz panel to its EDID-preferred 60 Hz — so the post-virtual `is-current` is *already* 60 Hz.
+/// We therefore prefer the PRE mode (its real refresh), resolved to a mode id valid at apply time;
+/// only when the physical genuinely no longer offers that mode do we fall back to the post-virtual
+/// current (never inventing a mode id `ApplyMonitorsConfig` would reject).
+fn pick_keep_mode(
+    pre_mode: Option<(String, i32, i32, f64)>,
+    state_modes: &[(String, i32, i32, f64, bool, bool)],
+) -> Option<(String, i32)> {
+    let state_current = || {
+        state_modes
+            .iter()
+            .find(|m| m.4)
+            .or_else(|| state_modes.iter().find(|m| m.5))
+            .or_else(|| state_modes.first())
+            .map(|m| (m.0.clone(), m.1))
+    };
+    let Some((pre_id, w, h, hz)) = pre_mode else {
+        return state_current();
+    };
+    // The exact pre mode id, if the connector still offers it (same session ⇒ usually true).
+    if state_modes.iter().any(|m| m.0 == pre_id) {
+        return Some((pre_id, w));
+    }
+    // Else a re-keyed id with the same geometry + refresh (still the real 120 Hz).
+    if let Some(m) = state_modes
+        .iter()
+        .find(|m| m.1 == w && m.2 == h && (m.3 - hz).abs() < 0.5)
+    {
+        return Some((m.0.clone(), m.1));
+    }
+    // The physical genuinely no longer offers that mode — use whatever is valid now.
+    state_current()
+}
+
+/// The `(mode_id, width)` a kept physical should be RE-APPLIED at — its PRE-connect mode preserved
+/// across Mutter's virtual-output layout re-derive. See [`pick_keep_mode`].
+fn physical_keep_mode(
+    pre: &CurrentState,
+    state: &CurrentState,
+    conn: &str,
+) -> Option<(String, i32)> {
+    let pre_mode = current_mode_full(pre, conn);
+    let state_modes: Vec<(String, i32, i32, f64, bool, bool)> = state
+        .1
+        .iter()
+        .find(|m| m.0 .0 == conn)
+        .map(|mon| {
+            mon.1
+                .iter()
+                .map(|md| {
+                    (
+                        md.0.clone(),
+                        md.1,
+                        md.2,
+                        md.3,
+                        mode_flag(md, "is-current"),
+                        mode_flag(md, "is-preferred"),
+                    )
+                })
+                .collect()
+        })
+        .unwrap_or_default();
+    pick_keep_mode(pre_mode, &state_modes)
 }
 
 /// Wait for the virtual output to appear in DisplayConfig (its size follows PipeWire negotiation,
@@ -466,7 +541,7 @@ async fn make_virtual_primary(
             let config = if exclusive {
                 build_exclusive_config(&vconn, &vmode)
             } else {
-                build_primary_keeping_physicals(&state, &vconn, &vmode, mode.width as i32)
+                build_primary_keeping_physicals(pre, &state, &vconn, &vmode, mode.width as i32)
             };
             let _: () = dc
                 .call(
@@ -506,13 +581,20 @@ fn build_exclusive_config(vconn: &str, vmode: &str) -> Vec<ApplyLogical> {
 }
 
 /// **Primary** — the virtual output primary at `(0, 0)`, with every currently-active physical
-/// monitor KEPT as a secondary (laid left-to-right past the virtual, each at its current mode). So
+/// monitor KEPT as a secondary (laid left-to-right past the virtual, each at its **pre-connect**
-/// the shell + new windows land on the streamed surface, but the operator's physical screen stays
+/// mode). So the shell + new windows land on the streamed surface, but the operator's physical
-/// on. On a headless host (no physicals) this is identical to [`build_exclusive_config`].
+/// screen stays on **at its real refresh**. On a headless host (no physicals) this is identical to
+/// [`build_exclusive_config`].
+///
+/// `pre` is the snapshot taken *before* the virtual output existed (physical still at its true
+/// refresh); `state` is the post-virtual state. We read each physical's mode from `pre` because
+/// Mutter can knock a 120 Hz panel down to 60 Hz when it re-derives the layout for the virtual
+/// monitor — reading `state` would cement that 60 Hz (`physical_keep_mode`).
 ///
 /// *Physical-keep is unvalidated on-glass* — the lab boxes are headless (no attached display to keep
 /// on); the layout math is conservative (append to the right) but wants a display-attached box.
 fn build_primary_keeping_physicals(
+    pre: &CurrentState,
     state: &CurrentState,
     vconn: &str,
     vmode: &str,
@@ -526,15 +608,15 @@ fn build_primary_keeping_physicals(
         true,
         vec![(vconn.to_string(), vmode.to_string(), HashMap::new())],
     )];
-    // Append each physical (non-virtual) connector that has a usable current mode, to the right of
+    // Append each physical (non-virtual) connector that has a usable mode, to the right of the
-    // the virtual output, as a non-primary secondary.
+    // virtual output, as a non-primary secondary — at its PRE-connect mode (real refresh preserved).
     let mut x = virt_width.max(0);
     for mon in &state.1 {
         let conn = &mon.0 .0;
         if conn == vconn {
             continue;
         }
-        if let Some((mode_id, w, _h)) = current_mode(state, conn) {
+        if let Some((mode_id, w)) = physical_keep_mode(pre, state, conn) {
             logicals.push((
                 x,
                 0,
@@ -548,3 +630,84 @@ fn build_primary_keeping_physicals(
     }
     logicals
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::pick_keep_mode;
+
+    // (id, w, h, refresh, is_current, is_preferred)
+    fn m(
+        id: &str,
+        w: i32,
+        h: i32,
+        hz: f64,
+        cur: bool,
+        pref: bool,
+    ) -> (String, i32, i32, f64, bool, bool) {
+        (id.to_string(), w, h, hz, cur, pref)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn keep_mode_prefers_pre_refresh_over_downgraded_state() {
+        // Physical was 2560x1440@120 pre-connect; after the virtual appeared Mutter marked 60 Hz
+        // current (the reported bug). We must re-apply the 120 Hz mode, not the state's 60 Hz.
+        let pre = Some(("M120".to_string(), 2560, 1440, 120.0));
+        let state = vec![
+            m("M120", 2560, 1440, 120.0, false, false),
+            m("M60", 2560, 1440, 60.0, true, true),
+        ];
+        assert_eq!(
+            pick_keep_mode(pre, &state),
+            Some(("M120".to_string(), 2560))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn keep_mode_rekeyed_id_matches_by_geometry_and_refresh() {
+        // The pre id is no longer offered (Mutter re-keyed the mode list), but a 120 Hz mode of the
+        // same geometry exists — match it so the real refresh survives.
+        let pre = Some(("old-120".to_string(), 2560, 1440, 120.0));
+        let state = vec![
+            m("new-120", 2560, 1440, 119.998, false, false),
+            m("new-60", 2560, 1440, 60.0, true, true),
+        ];
+        assert_eq!(
+            pick_keep_mode(pre, &state),
+            Some(("new-120".to_string(), 2560))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn keep_mode_falls_back_to_state_current_when_pre_mode_gone() {
+        // The physical genuinely no longer offers its pre mode (e.g. cable renegotiated to a lower
+        // max) — never invent an id; use the post-virtual current.
+        let pre = Some(("gone-165".to_string(), 3440, 1440, 165.0));
+        let state = vec![
+            m("s-100", 3440, 1440, 100.0, true, false),
+            m("s-60", 3440, 1440, 60.0, false, true),
+        ];
+        assert_eq!(
+            pick_keep_mode(pre, &state),
+            Some(("s-100".to_string(), 3440))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn keep_mode_no_pre_uses_state_current_then_preferred() {
+        // A connector new since the pre-snapshot (no pre mode): is-current wins, else is-preferred.
+        let state = vec![
+            m("A", 1920, 1080, 60.0, true, false),
+            m("B", 1920, 1080, 144.0, false, true),
+        ];
+        assert_eq!(pick_keep_mode(None, &state), Some(("A".to_string(), 1920)));
+
+        let no_current = vec![
+            m("A", 1920, 1080, 60.0, false, false),
+            m("B", 1920, 1080, 144.0, false, true),
+        ];
+        assert_eq!(
+            pick_keep_mode(None, &no_current),
+            Some(("B".to_string(), 1920))
+        );
+    }
+}

crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/linux/wlroots.rs

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 //! `systemctl --user`, see `scripts/headless/prepare-session.sh`), with the ScreenCast
 //! interface routed to xdpw (`scripts/headless/portals.conf`).
 
-use super::{Mode, VirtualDisplay, VirtualOutput};
+use super::{DisplayOwnership, Mode, VirtualDisplay, VirtualOutput};
 use anyhow::{anyhow, bail, Context, Result};
 use std::os::fd::OwnedFd;
 use std::process::Command;
@@ -130,6 +130,11 @@ impl VirtualDisplay for WlrootsDisplay {
                 _stop: StopGuard(stop),
                 _output: output,
             }),
+            // Owned (the compositor output is ours to tear down), but not registry-poolable: the
+            // portal fd can't be re-opened per attach, so the registry passes it through on
+            // `remote_fd.is_some()` (keep-alive stays off for wlroots until fresh-portal re-attach).
+            ownership: DisplayOwnership::Owned,
+            reused_gen: None,
         })
     }
 }

crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/policy.rs

@@ -23,10 +23,11 @@
 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::sync::{Mutex, OnceLock};
-use std::time::Duration;
+use std::time::{Duration, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
 use anyhow::Result;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
 use utoipa::ToSchema;
 
 /// How long a virtual display (and, on gamescope's bare spawn, the nested session + its game)
@@ -158,6 +159,22 @@ pub struct Layout {
     pub positions: BTreeMap<String, Position>,
 }
 
+/// How a session that **launches a game** (a library id on the Hello / apps.json / Decky pin) is
+/// served (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` §5.2). Orthogonal to the preset/lifecycle axes
+/// — a top-level [`DisplayPolicy`] field, NOT part of [`EffectivePolicy`], so a preset never clobbers
+/// it. Linux-only in effect (a launching Windows session opens into the one desktop).
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, ToSchema)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum GameSession {
+    /// Today's routing: the launch rides whatever session the box is in (managed Steam session on
+    /// Bazzite/SteamOS, bare spawn on plain distros, spawned into the live desktop on KWin/Mutter/wlroots).
+    #[default]
+    Auto,
+    /// A launching session always gets its OWN headless gamescope at the client's mode, nesting just
+    /// the game — no Steam Big Picture, no game mode. Degrades to `auto` when gamescope is unavailable.
+    Dedicated,
+}
+
 /// A named bundle of the fields below. `Custom` (the default) means the explicit fields rule; any
 /// other preset ignores the stored fields and expands to its own ([`DisplayPolicy::effective`]).
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, ToSchema)]
@@ -202,6 +219,11 @@ pub struct DisplayPolicy {
     /// Upper bound on simultaneously-live virtual displays (clamped to `1..=16` on write).
     #[serde(default = "default_max_displays")]
     pub max_displays: u32,
+    /// How a game-launching session is served (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` §5.2).
+    /// Orthogonal to `preset`/lifecycle — preserved across preset changes; `#[serde(default)]` = `Auto`
+    /// so existing `display-settings.json` files are untouched.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub game_session: GameSession,
 }
 
 fn one() -> u32 {
@@ -224,6 +246,7 @@ impl Default for DisplayPolicy {
             identity: Identity::default(),
             layout: Layout::default(),
             max_displays: 4,
+            game_session: GameSession::default(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -279,7 +302,11 @@ impl EffectivePolicy {
     /// transform, factored out pure so arranging displays stays orthogonal to the other axes and is
     /// unit-tested without touching the global store. (`Custom` so the explicit fields — incl. the new
     /// layout — rule; a named preset would ignore them.)
-    pub fn with_manual_layout(&self, positions: BTreeMap<String, Position>) -> DisplayPolicy {
+    pub fn with_manual_layout(
+        &self,
+        positions: BTreeMap<String, Position>,
+        game_session: GameSession,
+    ) -> DisplayPolicy {
         DisplayPolicy {
             version: 1,
             preset: Preset::Custom,
@@ -292,6 +319,8 @@ impl EffectivePolicy {
                 positions,
             },
             max_displays: self.max_displays,
+            // Preserve the orthogonal game-session axis (EffectivePolicy doesn't carry it).
+            game_session,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -398,6 +427,13 @@ impl DisplayPolicyStore {
         self.configured().map(|p| p.effective())
     }
 
+    /// The game-session routing axis (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` §5.2). Orthogonal to
+    /// the preset — read directly off the stored policy (or the default `Auto` when unconfigured), so a
+    /// preset selection never resets it.
+    pub fn game_session(&self) -> GameSession {
+        self.get().game_session
+    }
+
     /// Persist + adopt a new policy (sanitized first). The in-memory value changes only if the disk
     /// write succeeds, so a full disk can't leave memory and file disagreeing.
     pub fn set(&self, policy: DisplayPolicy) -> Result<()> {
@@ -423,10 +459,163 @@ pub fn prefs() -> &'static DisplayPolicyStore {
     })
 }
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// User-defined custom presets (`<config>/display-presets.json`)
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// A user-defined named preset: a saved bundle of the six display-behavior axes (exactly what a
+/// built-in [`Preset`] expands to) plus the orthogonal game-session axis, that the operator names
+/// and applies from the console.
+///
+/// Unlike the built-in [`Preset`]s (a closed enum), custom presets are **data** — a catalog stored in
+/// `<config>/display-presets.json`. Applying one writes a `Custom` [`DisplayPolicy`] carrying these
+/// fields (the console reuses `PUT /display/settings`), so [`DisplayPolicy::effective`] stays pure and
+/// the built-in set is never touched. The catalog is decoupled from the active `display-settings.json`:
+/// editing or deleting a preset never mutates the running policy (re-apply to adopt a change).
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, ToSchema)]
+pub struct CustomPreset {
+    /// Host-assigned, stable for the life of the entry (the `{id}` in the CRUD path).
+    pub id: String,
+    /// User-facing name shown on the preset card; editable.
+    pub name: String,
+    /// The six display-behavior axes this preset applies (the same shape a built-in preset expands to).
+    pub fields: EffectivePolicy,
+    /// The game-session routing this preset applies (orthogonal to the six axes; see [`GameSession`]).
+    /// A custom preset captures the operator's *full* setup, so — unlike a built-in preset — applying
+    /// one does set this axis.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub game_session: GameSession,
+}
+
+/// Request body to create or replace a custom preset (no `id` — the host owns it).
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, ToSchema)]
+pub struct CustomPresetInput {
+    pub name: String,
+    pub fields: EffectivePolicy,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub game_session: GameSession,
+}
+
+fn custom_presets_path() -> PathBuf {
+    crate::gamestream::config_dir().join("display-presets.json")
+}
+
+/// Clamp a saved preset's fields to their valid ranges — the same bounds [`DisplayPolicy::sanitized`]
+/// enforces, so a preset can never carry an out-of-range `max_displays` that a later apply would reject.
+fn sanitize_preset_fields(mut fields: EffectivePolicy) -> EffectivePolicy {
+    fields.max_displays = fields.max_displays.clamp(1, 16);
+    fields
+}
+
+/// Load the saved custom presets (empty + non-fatal if the file is absent or malformed — a bad
+/// catalog never breaks the console's settings GET).
+pub fn load_custom_presets() -> Vec<CustomPreset> {
+    match std::fs::read(custom_presets_path()) {
+        Ok(bytes) => serde_json::from_slice(&bytes).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+            tracing::warn!(error = %e, "display-presets.json malformed — ignoring custom presets");
+            Vec::new()
+        }),
+        Err(_) => Vec::new(),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Persist the catalog (private dir, temp-write + atomic rename — the [`DisplayPolicyStore::set`]
+/// discipline, so a crash mid-write never truncates it).
+fn save_custom_presets(presets: &[CustomPreset]) -> Result<()> {
+    let path = custom_presets_path();
+    if let Some(dir) = path.parent() {
+        crate::gamestream::create_private_dir(dir)?;
+    }
+    let tmp = path.with_extension("json.tmp");
+    crate::gamestream::write_secret_file(&tmp, &serde_json::to_vec_pretty(presets)?)?;
+    std::fs::rename(&tmp, &path)?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// 12 hex chars from the name + wall-clock nanos — collision-free in practice, no uuid dep (the
+/// [`crate::library`] custom-entry id scheme).
+fn new_preset_id(name: &str) -> String {
+    let nanos = SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .map(|d| d.as_nanos())
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+    hex::encode(&Sha256::digest(format!("{name}:{nanos}").as_bytes())[..6])
+}
+
+/// Create a custom preset, returning it with its assigned id.
+pub fn add_custom_preset(input: CustomPresetInput) -> Result<CustomPreset> {
+    let mut presets = load_custom_presets();
+    let preset = CustomPreset {
+        id: new_preset_id(&input.name),
+        name: input.name,
+        fields: sanitize_preset_fields(input.fields),
+        game_session: input.game_session,
+    };
+    presets.push(preset.clone());
+    save_custom_presets(&presets)?;
+    Ok(preset)
+}
+
+/// Replace a custom preset's fields (id preserved). `None` ⇒ no preset with that id.
+pub fn update_custom_preset(id: &str, input: CustomPresetInput) -> Result<Option<CustomPreset>> {
+    let mut presets = load_custom_presets();
+    let Some(slot) = presets.iter_mut().find(|p| p.id == id) else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    slot.name = input.name;
+    slot.fields = sanitize_preset_fields(input.fields);
+    slot.game_session = input.game_session;
+    let updated = slot.clone();
+    save_custom_presets(&presets)?;
+    Ok(Some(updated))
+}
+
+/// Delete a custom preset. `false` ⇒ no preset with that id.
+pub fn delete_custom_preset(id: &str) -> Result<bool> {
+    let mut presets = load_custom_presets();
+    let before = presets.len();
+    presets.retain(|p| p.id != id);
+    if presets.len() == before {
+        return Ok(false);
+    }
+    save_custom_presets(&presets)?;
+    Ok(true)
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
 
+    #[test]
+    fn custom_preset_serde_roundtrips_and_defaults_game_session() {
+        let preset = CustomPreset {
+            id: "abc123".into(),
+            name: "My Rig".into(),
+            fields: preset_fields(Preset::GamingRig).unwrap(),
+            game_session: GameSession::Dedicated,
+        };
+        let json = serde_json::to_string(&preset).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(serde_json::from_str::<CustomPreset>(&json).unwrap(), preset);
+
+        // A catalog written before `game_session` existed still loads (defaults to `Auto`).
+        let legacy: CustomPreset = serde_json::from_value(serde_json::json!({
+            "id": "x",
+            "name": "Legacy",
+            "fields": serde_json::to_value(preset_fields(Preset::Default).unwrap()).unwrap(),
+        }))
+        .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(legacy.game_session, GameSession::Auto);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn sanitize_preset_fields_clamps_max_displays() {
+        let mut f = preset_fields(Preset::Default).unwrap();
+        f.max_displays = 999;
+        assert_eq!(sanitize_preset_fields(f.clone()).max_displays, 16);
+        f.max_displays = 0;
+        assert_eq!(sanitize_preset_fields(f).max_displays, 1);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn keep_alive_serializes_tagged_on_mode() {
         assert_eq!(
@@ -560,7 +749,9 @@ mod tests {
         let mut positions = BTreeMap::new();
         positions.insert("1".to_string(), Position { x: 0, y: 0 });
         positions.insert("7".to_string(), Position { x: 2560, y: 0 });
-        let p = eff.with_manual_layout(positions);
+        let p = eff.with_manual_layout(positions, GameSession::Dedicated);
+        // The orthogonal game-session axis is preserved through the layout transform.
+        assert_eq!(p.game_session, GameSession::Dedicated);
         // Preset drops to Custom so the explicit fields (incl. the layout) rule…
         assert_eq!(p.preset, Preset::Custom);
         // …every other behavior axis is preserved verbatim…

crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/registry.rs

@@ -164,6 +164,28 @@ pub fn release(slot: Option<u64>) -> usize {
     }
 }
 
+/// Tear down a **reused-but-dead** pool entry by its generation stamp (A2). Called by the pipeline
+/// builder when the first frame fails on a display [`acquire`] handed back as REUSED — so the retry
+/// loop's next `acquire` creates fresh instead of re-wedging on the same corpse. No-op off Linux / if
+/// the entry is already gone (idempotent — the subsequent stale-gen lease drop no-ops too).
+pub fn mark_failed(gen: u64) {
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    linux::mark_failed(gen);
+    #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+    let _ = gen;
+}
+
+/// Invalidate every kept display of `backend` — its compositor instance is gone (a Game↔Desktop switch
+/// tore it down), so `/display/state` must stop listing it and its keepalive must be reaped
+/// (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` A4). Called from the session-switch watcher / a
+/// per-connect re-detect that finds the previous backend's compositor gone. No-op off Linux.
+pub fn invalidate_backend(backend: &str) {
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    linux::invalidate_backend(backend);
+    #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+    let _ = backend;
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Linux keep-alive pool
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -202,6 +224,13 @@ mod linux {
         /// exclusive session); on teardown it hands off to a surviving sibling, and only runs when the
         /// group's last member drops. `None` for extend/primary and non-first / non-exclusive members.
         topology_restore: Option<Restore>,
+        /// The launch command this display was created with (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md`
+        /// A2): keep-alive reuse requires an exact match, so a kept spawn running game A never serves a
+        /// session launching game B. `None` = a plain desktop / no nested command.
+        launch: Option<String>,
+        /// The session epoch at creation (A4). Reuse requires an epoch match; the linger timer reaps
+        /// entries whose epoch is stale (their compositor instance was replaced under them).
+        epoch: u64,
         /// Generation stamp: a [`DisplayLease`] only releases if its gen still matches (a stale lease
         /// — its entry was reused + re-stamped — is a no-op).
         gen: u64,
@@ -210,6 +239,18 @@ mod linux {
     /// A per-group topology-restore action (see [`Entry::topology_restore`]).
     type Restore = Box<dyn FnOnce() + Send>;
 
+    /// The result of the keep-alive reuse lookup (A2 validated reuse): a live kept display was reused,
+    /// a dead one was pulled out (recreate), or nothing matched.
+    enum ReuseOutcome {
+        /// A live kept display — the session-facing output to return.
+        Reused(VirtualOutput),
+        /// A dead kept display, removed from the pool, plus its group restore (run before the corpse's
+        /// keepalive drops); the caller falls through to a fresh create.
+        Dead(Entry, Option<Restore>),
+        /// No matching kept display.
+        Miss,
+    }
+
     /// Hand off a torn-down display's topology restore (design §6.1 — per-group restore): if a
     /// same-group (backend) sibling survives in `remaining`, MOVE the restore onto it (a later teardown
     /// runs it); if the group is now empty, RETURN the action so the caller runs it (before dropping the
@@ -245,6 +286,19 @@ mod linux {
         })
     }
 
+    /// Does a pooled entry's session `epoch` still match the current one for reuse / expiry purposes?
+    /// The session epoch tracks the box's **active-session (desktop) compositor** instance (KWin /
+    /// Mutter / wlroots) — whose PipeWire node dies with the compositor, so a stale-epoch kept output
+    /// is a corpse. A **gamescope** spawn is the exact opposite: an independent nested session (its own
+    /// group), whose node lives with its own child process, wholly unrelated to whatever desktop /
+    /// game-mode compositor the epoch tracks. So gamescope entries are EXEMPT from the epoch — a desktop
+    /// switch, or a game-mode gamescope restart, must never invalidate a kept dedicated game session
+    /// (review findings #2/#5/#6/#7/#10). Their liveness is the `kept_display_alive` node probe + the B2
+    /// game-exit path + `mark_failed`, not the epoch.
+    fn epoch_matches(backend: &str, entry_epoch: u64, cur_epoch: u64) -> bool {
+        backend == "gamescope" || entry_epoch == cur_epoch
+    }
+
     /// The linger resolution for Linux: the console policy's `keep_alive` when configured, else
     /// **Immediate** (today's behavior — a Linux disconnect tears the output down at once).
     fn linger() -> Linger {
@@ -262,9 +316,17 @@ mod linux {
     fn take_expired(entries: &mut Vec<Entry>, now: Instant) -> (Vec<Entry>, Vec<Restore>) {
         let mut expired = Vec::new();
         let mut restores = Vec::new();
+        // A4 backstop: also reap a KEPT (non-Active) DESKTOP display whose session epoch is stale — its
+        // compositor instance was replaced (a Game↔Desktop switch / same-kind restart), so its node id
+        // now means nothing. gamescope spawns are exempt (`epoch_matches` — independent nested sessions).
+        // An Active entry is left to its own session's capture-loss rebuild (which, under the bumped
+        // epoch, won't reuse it); `invalidate_backend` clears a whole desktop backend on a known switch.
+        let cur_epoch = crate::vdisplay::session_epoch();
         let mut i = 0;
         while i < entries.len() {
-            if entries[i].life.poll_expiry(now) {
+            let dead_epoch = !epoch_matches(entries[i].backend, entries[i].epoch, cur_epoch)
+                && !matches!(entries[i].life, lifecycle::State::Active { .. });
+            if entries[i].life.poll_expiry(now) || dead_epoch {
                 let mut e = entries.remove(i);
                 let backend = e.backend;
                 if let Some(r) = hand_off_restore(entries, backend, e.topology_restore.take()) {
@@ -312,13 +374,18 @@ mod linux {
         preferred_mode: Option<(u32, u32, u32)>,
         gen: u64,
         quit: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+        reused: bool,
     ) -> VirtualOutput {
-        VirtualOutput {
+        // The pooled display is registry-owned; the session holds a gen-stamped lease as its keepalive.
+        let mut out = VirtualOutput::owned(
             node_id,
-            remote_fd: None,
             preferred_mode,
-            keepalive: Box::new(DisplayLease { gen, quit }),
+            Box::new(DisplayLease { gen, quit }),
-        }
+        );
+        // A2: tell the pipeline builder this was a REUSED kept display, so a first-frame failure can
+        // `mark_failed(gen)` (tear the corpse down) rather than re-wedge the retry loop on the same node.
+        out.reused_gen = reused.then_some(gen);
+        out
     }
 
     pub(super) fn acquire(
@@ -328,6 +395,10 @@ mod linux {
     ) -> Result<VirtualOutput> {
         ensure_timer();
         let backend = vd.name();
+        // A2 reuse key: the launch command this acquire carries (a kept spawn running game A must never
+        // be reused for a session launching game B). A4 reuse key: the current session epoch.
+        let launch = vd.launch_command();
+        let cur_epoch = crate::vdisplay::session_epoch();
         let r = reg();
 
         // Reap expired first (run any group restores + drop outside the lock).
@@ -340,28 +411,94 @@ mod linux {
         }
         drop(expired);
 
-        // Reuse: a kept (lingering/pinned) display of the same backend + mode. A reconnecting session
+        // Reuse: a kept (lingering/pinned) display of the same backend + mode + launch + epoch. A
-        // re-attaches a fresh PipeWire consumer to the still-live `node_id`.
+        // reconnecting session re-attaches a fresh PipeWire consumer to the still-live `node_id`. Gated
-        {
+        // on `vd.poolable_now()` (A1): a gamescope managed/attach acquire must NOT reuse a kept bare-spawn
-            let mut es = r.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        // (they share the backend name `"gamescope"`); its `create` builds a `SessionManaged`/`External`
-            if let Some(e) = es.iter_mut().find(|e| {
+        // output that passes through below.
+        if vd.poolable_now() {
+            // Reuse a kept display, matching backend + mode + launch (+ epoch for the desktop backends;
+            // gamescope spawns are independent nested sessions, exempt from the active-session epoch —
+            // see `epoch_matches`). The liveness probe (`kept_display_alive`, which may shell `pw-dump`
+            // for gamescope) must NOT run under the pool lock (it can block / hang the daemon), so:
+            //   1. find the candidate + snapshot (gen, node_id) UNDER the lock, then release it;
+            //   2. probe liveness OUTSIDE the lock;
+            //   3. re-lock and re-find the SAME entry by its gen (another thread may have reused/removed
+            //      it meanwhile — then we just miss and create fresh).
+            let candidate = {
+                let es = r.entries.lock().unwrap();
+                es.iter()
+                    .find(|e| {
                         matches!(
                             e.life,
                             lifecycle::State::Lingering { .. } | lifecycle::State::Pinned
                         ) && e.backend == backend
                             && e.mode == mode
+                            && e.launch == launch
+                            && epoch_matches(e.backend, e.epoch, cur_epoch)
+                    })
+                    .map(|e| (e.gen, e.node_id))
+            };
+            if let Some((cand_gen, node_id)) = candidate {
+                let alive = vd.kept_display_alive(node_id); // OUTSIDE the lock (may block)
+                let reuse = {
+                    let mut es = r.entries.lock().unwrap();
+                    // Re-find the SAME entry by its snapshot gen; skip if it's gone or no longer kept
+                    // (a concurrent reconnect adopted it) — we then miss and create fresh.
+                    match es.iter().position(|e| {
+                        e.gen == cand_gen
+                            && matches!(
+                                e.life,
+                                lifecycle::State::Lingering { .. } | lifecycle::State::Pinned
+                            )
                     }) {
-                // Lingering/Pinned → Active (Acquire::Reuse); side effect matters, value is known.
+                        Some(idx) if alive => {
-                e.life.acquire();
+                            es[idx].life.acquire();
                             let gen = r.gen.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-                e.gen = gen;
+                            es[idx].gen = gen;
-                let out = output_for(e.node_id, e.preferred_mode, gen, quit);
+                            let preferred_mode = es[idx].preferred_mode;
                             tracing::info!(
                                 backend,
-                    node_id = e.node_id,
+                                node_id,
                                 "virtual display reused (keep-alive reconnect)"
                             );
-                return Ok(out);
+                            ReuseOutcome::Reused(output_for(
+                                node_id,
+                                preferred_mode,
+                                gen,
+                                quit.clone(),
+                                true,
+                            ))
+                        }
+                        Some(idx) => {
+                            // Dead kept display: remove it, hand off its group restore, create fresh.
+                            let mut dead = es.remove(idx);
+                            let restore = hand_off_restore(
+                                &mut es,
+                                dead.backend,
+                                dead.topology_restore.take(),
+                            );
+                            ReuseOutcome::Dead(dead, restore)
+                        }
+                        None => ReuseOutcome::Miss, // adopted/removed by another thread
+                    }
+                };
+                match reuse {
+                    ReuseOutcome::Reused(out) => return Ok(out),
+                    ReuseOutcome::Dead(dead, restore) => {
+                        // Outside the lock: re-enable physicals (if the group emptied) then drop the
+                        // corpse's keepalive (may block) — then fall through to a fresh create below.
+                        if let Some(rst) = restore {
+                            rst();
+                        }
+                        tracing::info!(
+                            backend,
+                            "virtual display: kept display was dead — recreating (validated reuse)"
+                        );
+                        drop(dead);
+                    }
+                    ReuseOutcome::Miss => {}
+                }
             }
         }
 
@@ -381,13 +518,18 @@ mod linux {
         // the group arrangement (manual per-slot positions) + the state slot.
         let identity_slot = vd.last_identity_slot();
 
-        // wlroots (remote_fd = Some, sandboxed xdpw portal) can't be kept without re-opening the
+        // Pool ONLY a registry-owned display on the default PipeWire daemon
-        // portal fd per attach — pass it through unchanged (capturer owns it, teardown on drop). The
+        // (design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md A1). Pass through, unchanged (capturer owns the
-        // poolable backends put their node on the default daemon (remote_fd = None).
+        // keepalive, teardown on drop), everything else:
-        if real.remote_fd.is_some() {
+        //   * `External`/`SessionManaged` — gamescope attach / managed session: the gamescope module
+        //     owns their lifecycle (its own restore machinery), so the registry must not keep them
+        //     (the stale-node reuse wedge). Their unit keepalive tears nothing down on drop.
+        //   * `remote_fd = Some` — wlroots' sandboxed xdpw portal fd can't be re-opened per attach.
+        if real.ownership != crate::vdisplay::DisplayOwnership::Owned || real.remote_fd.is_some() {
             tracing::debug!(
                 backend,
-                "virtual display not poolable (portal fd) — keep-alive off for this backend"
+                ownership = ?real.ownership,
+                "virtual display not registry-poolable — keep-alive off (owner keeps it / portal fd)"
             );
             return Ok(real);
         }
@@ -410,6 +552,8 @@ mod linux {
             backend,
             identity_slot,
             topology_restore,
+            launch: launch.clone(),
+            epoch: cur_epoch,
             gen,
         };
 
@@ -455,7 +599,7 @@ mod linux {
         if (position.x, position.y) != (0, 0) {
             vd.apply_position(position.x, position.y);
         }
-        Ok(output_for(node_id, preferred_mode, gen, quit))
+        Ok(output_for(node_id, preferred_mode, gen, quit, false))
     }
 
     /// The [`DisplayLease`] `Drop` path: release the session's hold on the pooled display. The
@@ -704,6 +848,71 @@ mod linux {
         n
     }
 
+    /// A2 — tear down a reused-but-dead pool entry by its generation stamp. Removes it (hand off /
+    /// run its group restore), drops the keepalive outside the lock. Idempotent (already gone → no-op).
+    pub(super) fn mark_failed(gen: u64) {
+        let Some(r) = REG.get() else { return };
+        let (torn, restore) = {
+            let mut es = r.entries.lock().unwrap();
+            let Some(idx) = es.iter().position(|e| e.gen == gen) else {
+                return; // already gone — the subsequent stale-gen lease drop no-ops too
+            };
+            let mut e = es.remove(idx);
+            let backend = e.backend;
+            let restore = hand_off_restore(&mut es, backend, e.topology_restore.take());
+            (e, restore)
+        };
+        if let Some(rst) = restore {
+            rst(); // outside the lock, before the keepalive drops
+        }
+        tracing::warn!(
+            backend = torn.backend,
+            "virtual display: reused kept display was dead on first frame — torn down (A2 mark_failed)"
+        );
+        drop(torn); // keepalive Drop outside the lock (may block)
+    }
+
+    /// A4 — invalidate every kept display of `backend` (its compositor instance is gone). Removes them
+    /// all (any lifecycle state — a dead compositor's Active entries are doomed too; their sessions
+    /// rebuild), runs/hands off group restores, drops keepalives outside the lock (they hit dead
+    /// sockets and fail fast). Mirrors `force_release`'s shape but selects by backend, not slot/state.
+    pub(super) fn invalidate_backend(backend: &str) {
+        let Some(r) = REG.get() else { return };
+        let (removed, restores) = {
+            let mut es = r.entries.lock().unwrap();
+            let mut out = Vec::new();
+            let mut restores = Vec::new();
+            let mut i = 0;
+            while i < es.len() {
+                if es[i].backend == backend {
+                    let mut e = es.remove(i);
+                    let b = e.backend;
+                    if let Some(rst) = hand_off_restore(&mut es, b, e.topology_restore.take()) {
+                        restores.push(rst);
+                    }
+                    out.push(e);
+                } else {
+                    i += 1;
+                }
+            }
+            (out, restores)
+        };
+        if removed.is_empty() {
+            return;
+        }
+        for restore in restores {
+            restore();
+        }
+        tracing::info!(
+            backend,
+            count = removed.len(),
+            "virtual displays invalidated — compositor instance gone (A4 session switch)"
+        );
+        for e in removed {
+            drop(e); // outside the lock
+        }
+    }
+
     /// The session's refcount handle — the `keepalive` the capturer holds. `Drop` releases the
     /// registry hold; a stale lease (its entry was reused + re-stamped, or torn down) is a no-op.
     struct DisplayLease {
@@ -744,6 +953,8 @@ mod linux {
                 backend,
                 identity_slot: None,
                 topology_restore: restore,
+                launch: None,
+                epoch: 0,
                 gen,
             }
         }

crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/windows/manager.rs

@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@ use windows::Win32::System::Threading::{
     CreateMutexW, OpenProcess, WaitForSingleObject, PROCESS_SYNCHRONIZE,
 };
 
-use super::{Mode, VirtualOutput};
+use super::{DisplayOwnership, Mode, VirtualOutput};
 use crate::win_display::{
-    force_extend_topology, isolate_displays_ccd, resolve_gdi_name, restore_displays_ccd,
+    count_other_active, force_extend_topology, isolate_displays_ccd, resolve_gdi_name,
-    set_active_mode, set_virtual_primary_ccd, SavedConfig,
+    restore_displays_ccd, set_active_mode, set_virtual_primary_ccd, SavedConfig,
 };
 
 /// The per-backend REMOVE key the driver stamps on ADD and consumes on REMOVE. SudoVDA keys monitors by
@@ -531,6 +531,9 @@ impl VirtualDisplayManager {
                 mgr: self,
                 gen: mon.gen,
             }),
+            // The Windows manager owns the monitor lifecycle (refcount/linger/pin), so the registry
+            // (which delegates to it via `vd.create`) treats it as Owned.
+            ownership: DisplayOwnership::Owned,
         }
     }
 
@@ -670,16 +673,32 @@ impl VirtualDisplayManager {
                         ccd_saved = unsafe { isolate_displays_ccd(added.target_id) };
                     }
                     Topology::Primary => {
-                        // The IDD auto-activates as the SOLE display on a headless box, so the
+                        // On a headless box the IDD auto-activates as the SOLE display, so a physical
-                        // physical (if present) is deactivated and QueryDisplayConfig sees only the
+                        // (if present) is deactivated and QueryDisplayConfig sees only the virtual —
-                        // virtual. Force EXTEND first to (re)activate every CONNECTED display
+                        // force EXTEND to (re)activate every connected display alongside the virtual,
-                        // alongside the virtual, THEN reposition to make the virtual primary — so the
+                        // THEN reposition to make the virtual primary. BUT on a box whose physical is
-                        // physical stays active. (The bring-up above only force-EXTENDs when the
+                        // ALREADY active (the IDD came up extended beside it — the common desktop case),
-                        // virtual FAILS to auto-resolve; here it resolved, so we do it explicitly.)
+                        // that physical is already lit at its real mode; re-applying the bare
-                        // SAFETY: `force_extend_topology` drives the CCD topology FFI (no args, no borrowed
+                        // `SDC_TOPOLOGY_EXTEND` preset would only re-pull each display's mode from the
-                        // memory), under the `state` lock — the sole topology mutator.
+                        // persistence DB, RESETTING a 120 Hz panel to 60 Hz. So force-EXTEND only when the
+                        // virtual is currently sole; otherwise skip straight to the reposition, which
+                        // re-supplies each physical's QUERIED mode verbatim (preserving its refresh).
+                        // SAFETY: `count_other_active` runs the CCD QueryDisplayConfig FFI (Copy target id
+                        // by value, owned result), under the `state` lock.
+                        let already_extended =
+                            unsafe { count_other_active(added.target_id) }.unwrap_or(0) > 0;
+                        if already_extended {
+                            tracing::info!(
+                                "display topology=primary — a physical display is already active; \
+                                 skipping force-EXTEND (preserves its refresh) before making the \
+                                 virtual primary"
+                            );
+                        } else {
+                            // SAFETY: `force_extend_topology` drives the CCD topology FFI (no args, no
+                            // borrowed memory), under the `state` lock — the sole topology mutator.
                             unsafe { force_extend_topology() };
                             thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(300));
+                        }
                         // SAFETY: `set_virtual_primary_ccd` takes the `Copy` target id by value and returns
                         // an owned `SavedConfig` (no borrowed memory crosses), under the `state` lock.
                         ccd_saved = unsafe { set_virtual_primary_ccd(added.target_id) };

crates/punktfunk-host/src/windows/win_display.rs

@@ -384,8 +384,10 @@ unsafe fn query_active_config() -> Option<SavedConfig> {
 }
 
 /// Count currently-ACTIVE display paths whose target id != `keep_target_id` — i.e. displays that would
-/// still be lit besides the virtual one. `None` on query failure. Used to VERIFY isolation actually took.
+/// still be lit besides the virtual one. `None` on query failure. Used to VERIFY isolation actually
-unsafe fn count_other_active(keep_target_id: u32) -> Option<u32> {
+/// took, and (in the `primary` topology) to detect a physical that is ALREADY active so we can skip a
+/// force-EXTEND that would reset its refresh.
+pub(crate) unsafe fn count_other_active(keep_target_id: u32) -> Option<u32> {
     let (paths, _) = query_active_config()?;
     Some(
         paths

design/display-management.md

@@ -33,7 +33,11 @@
 
 Companion docs: `design/implementation-plan.md` §6 (virtual displays), `design/vrr-plan.md`
 (pacing — out of scope here), `design/gamescope-multiuser.md` (per-session isolation — adjacent,
-not required).
+not required), **`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md`** (PLANNED — reconciles this layer
+with session-mobile Bazzite/SteamOS hosts: display **ownership classes** so the registry stops
+pooling gamescope managed/attach outputs it doesn't own, validated reuse + invalidation, the
+§5.1 "policy replaces the managed 5 s debounce" promise actually implemented, and the dedicated
+per-launch gamescope game sessions built on it).
 
 ## 1. Goal
 
@@ -590,7 +594,12 @@ out per-host instead of lying:
 
 The **attach** gamescope sub-mode never owns the display (it mirrors a foreign gamescope) — the
 registry records it as an unmanaged pass-through slot: no keep-alive, no topology, no identity,
-conflict = join-only. That's just codifying reality.
+conflict = join-only. That's just codifying reality. **Gap (2026-07-05):** the shipped registry
+does NOT implement this row — it pools every `remote_fd == None` output, including the
+managed/attach/SteamOS paths' unit-keepalive outputs, which double-owns the managed session
+against the gamescope module's own restore worker (stale-node reuse wedge on game-mode
+reconnect). The fix — explicit display **ownership classes** + registry-owned managed-session
+restore — is designed in `design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` Part A.
 
 ## 8. Management API, web console, tray
 

design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md

@@ -0,0 +1,439 @@
+# Game-mode integration & dedicated game sessions — design
+
+> **Status: IMPLEMENTED (2026-07-05), Linux on-glass validation pending.** Parts A (A1–A5) and B
+> (B0–B2) landed; `cargo build`/`test --workspace`/`clippy -D warnings`/`fmt` green, OpenAPI
+> regenerated. It reconciles the shipped display-management layer (`design/display-management.md`,
+> Stages 0–5 merged `95b3496`) with **session-mobile hosts** — Bazzite/SteamOS boxes that flip
+> between Steam Game Mode (gamescope) and a KDE/GNOME desktop — and adds **dedicated game sessions**:
+> a `game_session=dedicated` policy that serves every library launch from its own host-spawned
+> headless gamescope at the client's exact mode, booting straight into the game with no Steam Big
+> Picture and no game mode.
+>
+> ## Implementation status (as-built — read the deviations)
+>
+> - **A1 (ownership classes) — DONE.** `DisplayOwnership {Owned, External, SessionManaged}` on
+>   `VirtualOutput`; the registry pools only `Owned` outputs on the default daemon. gamescope
+>   spawn = `Owned`, attach = `External`, managed/SteamOS = `SessionManaged`, KWin/Mutter/Windows =
+>   `Owned`, wlroots = `Owned` but gated out by `remote_fd`. Plus `VirtualDisplay::poolable_now()`
+>   so a managed/attach acquire never reuses a kept bare-spawn. **This alone removes the reported
+>   Bazzite game-mode-reconnect stale-node wedge** (managed sessions are no longer pooled).
+> - **A2 (validated reuse) — DONE.** Reuse keys on `(backend, mode, launch, epoch)`;
+>   `VirtualDisplay::kept_display_alive()` (gamescope checks its node is still present) tears a dead
+>   kept display down and recreates; `VirtualOutput::reused_gen` + `registry::mark_failed(gen)` on a
+>   reused-display first-frame failure so the retry loop creates fresh instead of re-wedging.
+> - **A3 (managed restore) — DONE, but DEVIATES from the plan below.** The managed/SteamOS session
+>   is a **single-instance box singleton** (one Steam per uid), so making it a registry-`Owned` pool
+>   entry (as §4-A3 sketches) collides with its single-instance nature on a mode-change relaunch
+>   (two `ManagedSessionHandle` drops fighting over the shared `SESSION_UNIT`/autologin). Since A1
+>   already fixed the wedge, A3 instead **keeps the managed session's own single-instance lifecycle**
+>   (`MANAGED_SESSION`/`STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN`/`STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER` + the restore worker) and makes only
+>   its **restore policy-driven**: `schedule_restore_tv_session` reads `restore_delay()` = the
+>   `keep_alive` policy (`off`→0s, `duration`→N s, **`forever`→never** = gaming-rig held, unconfigured
+>   →5s bit-for-bit). Plus **crash-restore persistence** (`$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/punktfunk-session-takeover.json`
+>   → `restore_takeover_on_startup`) and the **SIGKILL-teardown** experiment in `stop_session`
+>   (followups.md #1/#7). *Not done:* `/display/release` freeing a `forever`-held managed session
+>   (managed isn't a registry entry) — a forever managed box returns to gaming mode by manual switch
+>   or host restart (documented; acceptable for a dedicated couch appliance).
+> - **A4 (session epoch) — DONE.** `session_epoch()`/`bump_session_epoch()` + `ActiveSession.compositor_pid`;
+>   `observe_session_instance()` (called from the per-connect resolve, the mid-stream watcher, the
+>   capture-loss re-detect, and the GameStream acquire) bumps the epoch + `registry::invalidate_backend`
+>   on a compositor-instance change (kind change OR same-kind restart). `take_expired` also reaps
+>   kept dead-epoch entries.
+> - **A5 (addressed discovery) — PARTIAL.** Per-spawn **log** (`$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/punktfunk-gamescope-<inst>.log`)
+>   + **scoped node discovery** (`find_gamescope_node_scoped` by `application.process.id` /
+>   `descends_from`) — fixes concurrent bare-spawn VIDEO-node ambiguity (the load-bearing correctness
+>   part). **DEFERRED:** the per-instance **EIS input relay** — the injector-coupling rework the map
+>   warned about ("EIS setup timed out"); input for concurrent gamescopes stays on the global relay,
+>   which is exactly `design/gamescope-multiuser.md` scope. Noted there.
+> - **B0 (dedicated routing) — DONE.** `GameSession {Auto, Dedicated}` — a **top-level** `DisplayPolicy`
+>   field (NOT in `EffectivePolicy`, so presets don't clobber it). `pick_gamescope_mode` gains a leading
+>   `dedicated_launch` that forces `Spawn` (below explicit operator env, above managed-infra/foreign);
+>   `wants_dedicated_game_session()` (launch present ∧ policy dedicated ∧ gamescope available, else
+>   honest `auto` fallback) → `resolve_compositor(pref, dedicated)` forces gamescope; threaded through
+>   `apply_input_env(chosen, dedicated_launch)`. Steam URIs are shaped `steam -silent steam://…`
+>   (`shape_dedicated_command`). GameStream shares the dispatch.
+> - **B1 (Steam single-instance takeover) — FOCUSED.** A dedicated **Steam** spawn frees the box's
+>   autologin/game-mode Steam first (`is_steam_launch` → `stop_autologin_sessions`, restored on session
+>   end via the A3 machinery). *Not done:* force-releasing a *kept dedicated Steam* session for a
+>   *different* Steam game (two concurrent dedicated Steam sessions) — rare; documented degradation.
+> - **B2 (game-exit clean end) — DONE.** A dedicated gamescope session whose node vanishes
+>   (`dedicated_game_exited()` — gamescope is single-app, dies with its game) ends the session with the
+>   new `APP_EXITED_CLOSE_CODE` (0x52) so launcher clients return to their library, instead of the 40 s
+>   capture-loss rebuild timeout.
+> - **B3 (docs/console) — this block + docs-site + CLAUDE.md; the web console toggle is the remaining
+>   surface.** The `game_session` axis is in the API + OpenAPI now.
+>
+> **Adversarial review pass (2026-07-05):** a multi-agent review confirmed 11 findings, all fixed:
+> (1) `registry::acquire` held the pool mutex across the `pw-dump` liveness probe → the probe now runs
+> OUTSIDE the lock (snapshot candidate under lock → probe → re-lock + re-find by gen); (2–5,7,10) the
+> session epoch / `invalidate_backend` wrongly tore down **independent gamescope spawns** on any Gaming
+> pid flap (the CRITICAL "dedicated Steam on a game-mode box self-destructs" — B1 stopping the autologin
+> flipped the winning PID) → `observe_session_instance` now acts ONLY on **desktop** compositor changes,
+> and `epoch_matches` exempts gamescope from the epoch (reuse + reap); (3) a dedicated-Steam reconnect
+> didn't cancel the pending TV restore (reuse skips `create`) → `cancel_pending_tv_restore()` on every
+> connect; (4,8) B2 game-exit used the UNSCOPED node scan → now scoped to the session's own `node_id`
+> (threaded through the pipeline); (9) an unknown launch id → blank gamescope → dedicated now gated on
+> the launch RESOLVING to a command. All green after fixes (`test --workspace` 360).
+>
+> **Remaining before this is "shipped":** Linux on-glass validation (`.116` Bazzite-KWin game-mode
+> reconnect under presets, `.21`/`.116` dedicated launch, gaming-rig-forever held-managed, crash-restore,
+> SIGKILL-teardown F44 check), and the two documented deferrals (A5 per-instance EIS relay →
+> gamescope-multiuser; B1 concurrent-dedicated-Steam release).
+>
+> The **PLAN as originally written follows** — it still reads as "PLANNED"; the status block above is
+> the authority on what actually shipped and where it deviates.
+
+Companion docs: `design/display-management.md` (the policy/registry layer this reconciles — its
+§7 capability matrix and §5.1 gamescope semantics are amended here),
+`design/session-aware-host-followups.md` (open session-switch limitations #1/#7 are resolved by
+Part A3 below), `design/gamescope-multiuser.md` (per-session input/audio isolation — adjacent;
+Part B deliberately stops short of it and cross-references instead).
+
+## 1. The two problems
+
+**(A) The display-management rewrite does not compose with Bazzite game mode / KDE switching.**
+The registry (`vdisplay/registry.rs`) assumes it owns every display it pools: it holds the
+backend keepalive, decides linger/pin/teardown from the policy, and reuses kept displays by
+`(backend, mode)`. On a session-mobile box that assumption is false twice over — the gamescope
+managed/attach paths hand it outputs whose lifecycle is owned by *other* machinery
+(`MANAGED_SESSION` + the debounced TV-restore worker), and the compositor under **every** Linux
+backend can be killed and replaced at any moment by a Game↔Desktop switch. The result is pool
+entries that lie: they linger or pin while the session behind them is torn down, then get reused
+as dead nodes and wedge the whole retry budget.
+
+**(B) Library launches deserve a first-class "just the game" mode.** Today a library launch on a
+Bazzite box rides the managed `gamescope-session-plus` Steam session (Big Picture at the client's
+mode, launch forwarded into the running Steam) — the game appears, but inside game mode's whole
+UX, with Steam BPM boot time and game-mode ownership of the box. The bare-spawn path that nests
+*just* the resolved command in a headless gamescope already exists and works — but the sub-mode
+ladder makes it unreachable exactly where users want it most (any box with session-plus/SteamOS
+infra picks managed). The ask: a host option so a library launch **always** gets a dedicated
+gamescope session at the client's requested mode — game boots directly; non-Steam titles
+instantly, Steam titles without any UI to navigate.
+
+These are one design because both reduce to the same question: **who owns a gamescope session's
+lifecycle, and how does the registry know?** Part A answers it for what exists; Part B builds the
+new launch mode on the answer.
+
+## 2. Failure inventory (code-anchored)
+
+What actually goes wrong today, in dependency order:
+
+1. **The registry pools externally-owned outputs.** `registry::linux::acquire` pools every output
+   with `remote_fd == None`. The gamescope **managed**, **SteamOS-takeover**, and **attach** paths
+   all return `remote_fd: None` with `keepalive: Box::new(())` (`gamescope.rs::create_managed_session`
+   / `create_managed_session_steamos` / the attach arm) — a unit keepalive that keeps *nothing*
+   alive. The pool entry claims ownership of a display it cannot hold or tear down.
+2. **Two lifecycle owners for the managed session → stale-node reuse wedge.** The real managed
+   lifecycle is `MANAGED_SESSION` + `PENDING_RESTORE` + `RESTORE_DEBOUNCE` (hardcoded 5 s) + the
+   restore worker, which stops the session and restarts the TV autologin. With any `keep_alive`
+   policy configured, a disconnect leaves a registry entry Lingering (e.g. 300 s) while the restore
+   worker kills the session at 5 s. A reconnect inside the linger window **reuses the dead
+   `node_id`**; capture fails "no PipeWire frame within 10s"; the capturer drop returns the entry to
+   Lingering; `build_pipeline_with_retry` re-acquires the **same corpse** on every attempt — all 8
+   retries wedge (~90 s). This is the `.41`-class "game-mode reconnect broken" symptom, now
+   *manufacturable on any Bazzite box by clicking a console preset*.
+3. **`gaming-rig` (keep_alive=forever) is a lie on gamescope.** Design §5.1 promised "the policy
+   duration replaces the hardcoded 5 s debounce; forever = the TV session is never auto-restored".
+   Never implemented: the restore worker doesn't read the policy, so `forever` pins an entry whose
+   session the worker restores away regardless.
+4. **A session switch leaves zombie entries.** The mid-stream watcher rebuild and the per-connect
+   re-detect drop the old backend's lease → the old entry lingers/pins **for a compositor that no
+   longer exists** (KWin dies on the switch to game mode; the game-mode gamescope dies on the switch
+   to desktop). `/display/state` lies; expiry drops keepalives into dead compositors; a
+   Desktop→Game→Desktop bounce brings up a *new* KWin whose node-id space has no relation to the
+   kept entry's — reuse hands out a number that now means nothing.
+5. **Discovery is ambient and ambiguous.** One shared spawn log (`/tmp/punktfunk-gamescope.log`),
+   name-based node discovery (`find_gamescope_node` returns *any* `gamescope` `Video/Source`), and
+   one global EIS relay file (`punktfunk-gamescope-ei`). Correct only while at most one gamescope
+   exists per uid. A kept spawn + live game mode, two concurrent spawns, or (Part B) a dedicated
+   session next to game mode can capture the wrong node and inject into the wrong session.
+6. **Stock Bazzite restarts the systemd user manager on every Game↔Desktop switch** (observed on
+   `.41`: user-manager PID churn), killing the host, the compositor, and the pool together. Inherent
+   — keep-alive **cannot** span a switch on a stock setup (the headless-appliance setup —
+   `enable-linger` + `multi-user.target` — keeps the host alive and can). Separately, the takeover
+   bookkeeping (`STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN`, `STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER`, the SteamOS drop-in) is process memory
+   only: a host crash mid-stream strands the box out of game mode with no restore on restart.
+
+## 3. Design principles
+
+- **One owner per display.** Every `VirtualOutput` declares who owns its lifecycle; the registry
+  pools only what it owns. This extends the CLAUDE.md invariant ("display lifecycle is owned by
+  the registry; sessions hold leases") with its honest converse: *what the registry does not own,
+  it must not pretend to keep.*
+- **Keep-alive is an optimization, never a failure mode** (display-management §3, now enforced):
+  reuse validates liveness; a failed reuse invalidates and creates fresh; the retry budget is
+  never spent twice on the same corpse.
+- **The compositor instance, not the host process, is the unit of session truth.** A session
+  epoch invalidates every display created under a previous compositor instance — kind changes
+  *and* same-kind restarts.
+- **Addressed, not ambient, discovery.** Every spawned gamescope gets its own log, its own node
+  resolution, its own EIS relay. Global singletons are what break the moment two sessions coexist.
+- **Launch identity is part of display identity.** A kept display running game A must never be
+  handed to a session asking for game B.
+
+## 4. Part A — ownership & session mobility
+
+### A1. Ownership classes (the structural fix — ship first)
+
+`VirtualOutput` gains an ownership declaration:
+
+```rust
+pub enum DisplayOwnership {
+    /// The registry owns lifecycle: pool, linger, pin, tear down. (KWin, Mutter, gamescope
+    /// SPAWN, Windows manager-delegated.)
+    Owned,
+    /// Someone else's display, mirrored: no keep-alive, no topology, no reuse — codifies the
+    /// display-management §7 "attach = unmanaged pass-through" row the code never implemented.
+    /// (gamescope ATTACH; wlroots stays gated on remote_fd as today.)
+    External,
+    /// A box-level session the gamescope module manages (managed session-plus / SteamOS
+    /// takeover). Pass-through at A1 (capturer owns the lease as pre-Stage-1); A3 converts it
+    /// to Owned by giving the registry the real keepalive + restore duty.
+    SessionManaged,
+}
+```
+
+The registry pools `Owned` only; `External`/`SessionManaged` pass through unchanged (today's
+pre-registry behavior — teardown-on-capturer-drop is a no-op for their unit keepalives, and the
+existing gamescope-module machinery keeps doing what it does). `remote_fd == Some` keeps its gate.
+
+Effect: failures 1–3 stop being reachable from the console — a preset can no longer create lying
+entries for game-mode sessions. Smallest possible diff; everything else layers on it. Until A3
+lands, keep-alive on gamescope managed/attach honestly reports **unsupported** in
+`/display/state` capabilities instead of pretending.
+
+### A2. Validated reuse, invalidation, launch key
+
+- **Launch key.** `Entry` gains `launch: Option<String>` (the resolved launch command the display
+  was created with; `None` = plain desktop). Reuse requires `(backend, mode, launch)` equality.
+  Without this, a kept spawn running game A is reused for a session that asked to launch game B —
+  latent today (unconfigured Linux lingers Immediate), live the moment keep-alive + launches
+  combine, load-bearing for Part B.
+- **Liveness probe at reuse.** New trait method, default honest:
+  `fn kept_display_alive(&mut self, node_id: u32) -> bool { true }` — gamescope-spawn checks the
+  child (`try_wait`) *and* the node; KWin/Mutter check the node still exists on the default
+  daemon (one cheap PipeWire registry roundtrip — no capture attach). A dead entry is torn down
+  (its group restore handed off / run) and the acquire falls through to a fresh create.
+- **Invalidation on reuse failure.** `acquire` marks the returned `VirtualOutput` as reused (a
+  flag on the lease/gen); when `build_pipeline`'s first-frame fails on a **reused** display, it
+  calls `registry::mark_failed(gen)` before returning the error — the entry is torn down, so the
+  retry loop's next `acquire` **creates fresh** instead of re-wedging on the same corpse. This is
+  the direct fix for failure 2's 8×10 s wedge shape, and it holds for every future way a kept
+  display can silently die.
+
+### A3. One owner for the managed session (registry-owned restore)
+
+The managed/SteamOS paths become `Owned` by giving the registry the two things it lacks:
+
+- **A real keepalive.** `create_managed_session*` returns a `ManagedSessionHandle` whose `Drop`
+  performs today's `do_restore_tv_session` duty: stop the transient unit / remove the SteamOS
+  drop-in, then restart the autologin **iff no desktop session is active** (the existing guard
+  moves in verbatim — a user who switched to KDE mid-linger is never yanked back to game mode).
+- **The policy as the debounce.** The registry linger *is* the restore delay: unconfigured
+  default = 5 s (bit-for-bit today's `RESTORE_DEBOUNCE`), a configured duration replaces it,
+  `forever` = never auto-restore — `gaming-rig` finally means on a Bazzite couch box what its
+  story says, released via `/display/release` or the tray. A reconnect inside the linger is a
+  registry **reuse** (the same warm-session fast path `PENDING_RESTORE`-cancel gives today, now
+  with A2 validation); a different requested mode tears down + relaunches through the registry
+  (gamescope's honest "reconfigure = recreate").
+- **Retire the parallel machinery.** `PENDING_RESTORE`, `RESTORE_DEBOUNCE`,
+  `start_restore_worker`, and the `restore_managed_session()` call sites go away — the registry
+  linger timer is the one timer. `MANAGED_SESSION` survives only as the module's mode/unit cache.
+  `STOPPED_AUTOLOGIN`/`STEAMOS_TOOK_OVER` stay as the *mechanics* the handle's Drop consumes.
+- **Persist the takeover.** The stopped-unit list + SteamOS-drop-in marker are written to
+  `$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/punktfunk-session-takeover.json` at takeover, cleared at restore. On host
+  startup, a leftover file (crash / service restart mid-stream) schedules a restore after a short
+  reconnect grace — with the same active-desktop guard. A crashed host no longer strands the TV.
+- **Teardown signal.** Adopt the parked follow-ups doc #1 experiment here: the handle's stop uses
+  `systemctl --user kill --signal=SIGKILL <unit>` (+ `stop`/`reset-failed` to clear unit state)
+  instead of plain SIGTERM stop, testing the hypothesis that skipping gamescope's crashy SIGTERM
+  teardown avoids the F44 GPU-context leak. A3's validation pass is the natural place to measure
+  it; fall back to SIGTERM if SIGKILL misbehaves. Follow-ups #7 (restore-guard/keep-warm
+  interaction) dissolves: "keep warm" is now just `keep_alive: forever`.
+
+### A4. Session epoch & backend invalidation
+
+- **`vdisplay::session_epoch()`** — a host-global counter bumped whenever session detection
+  observes a different compositor **instance**: an `ActiveKind` change *or* a new compositor PID
+  for the same kind (the Desktop→Game→Desktop bounce). Entries stamp their creation epoch; reuse
+  requires an epoch match; the linger timer reaps entries from dead epochs (their keepalive Drops
+  hit dead sockets and fail fast; the registry already drops outside the lock).
+- **Watcher hook.** A `SessionSwitch` (and a per-connect re-detect that finds the previous
+  backend's compositor gone) additionally calls `registry::invalidate_backend(old)` so
+  `/display/state` is honest immediately rather than at the next expiry poll.
+- **Stock-Bazzite user-manager restarts** stay inherent: the host dies with the switch, the pool
+  dies with the host, and that is documented ("keep-alive spans a Game↔Desktop switch only on the
+  headless-appliance setup"). The persisted takeover file (A3) is what survives.
+
+### A5. Addressed discovery (Part-B prerequisite)
+
+- **Per-spawn log**: `$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/punktfunk-gamescope-<gen>.log`; the spawned instance's
+  node id is parsed from *its* log only.
+- **Scoped node discovery**: PipeWire node props carry `application.process.id` — a spawn's node
+  must belong to our child's PID tree (`descends_from`, already written); managed/attach
+  discovery conversely **excludes** nodes owned by our spawned children. `find_gamescope_node`
+  grows a scope parameter instead of "first node named gamescope".
+- **Per-instance EIS relay**: `punktfunk-gamescope-ei-<gen>`, path carried on `VirtualOutput`
+  (the gamescope-multiuser doc's item 1), with the injector service resolving the session's own
+  relay for gamescope sessions (a narrow slice of its item 2 — the shared injector stays for the
+  portal backends, where shared input is correct and where per-session churn caused the historic
+  "EIS setup timed out" wedge).
+
+### Part A validation (on-glass, `.116` Bazzite KWin/AMD + Deck `.253`; `.21` for spawn-on-GNOME)
+
+1. Game-mode reconnect: connect → disconnect → reconnect inside game mode, under *every* preset
+   incl. `gaming-rig` (the failure-2/3 repro — must reuse the warm session or cleanly recreate,
+   never wedge the retry budget).
+2. Game↔Desktop switch mid-linger both directions; Desktop→Game→Desktop bounce (epoch test);
+   `/display/state` never lists a display whose compositor is dead.
+3. `gaming-rig` on Bazzite: TV stays off until `/display/release`; a KDE switch mid-linger is not
+   yanked back to game mode.
+4. Kill -9 the host mid-takeover → restart → TV session restored (persisted-takeover test).
+5. Two gamescopes coexisting (kept spawn + game mode): capture and input land in the right one.
+
+## 5. Part B — dedicated game sessions for library launches
+
+### 5.1 What it is
+
+A session that carries a launch id (native `Hello.launch`, the GTK `--browse`/`--launch` flows,
+Decky pins, GameStream apps with a library id) can be served by a **dedicated gamescope
+session**: a host-spawned headless gamescope at exactly the client's WxH@Hz whose nested command
+is the resolved game. No Steam Big Picture, no game mode, no desktop involvement. Session end
+returns the client to its launcher (already shipped behavior); the game survives disconnects per
+`keep_alive` — the Apollo-style detach/reattach the design always wanted, now per-game.
+
+### 5.2 Policy surface
+
+One new axis in `display-settings.json` (same store/PUT/console pattern; serde-defaulted so
+existing files are untouched):
+
+```json5
+// How a session that LAUNCHES a game is served:
+//   "auto"      – today's routing: the launch rides whatever session the box is in (managed
+//                 Steam session on Bazzite/SteamOS, bare spawn on plain distros, spawned into
+//                 the live desktop on KWin/Mutter/wlroots)
+//   "dedicated" – a launching session always gets its own headless gamescope at the client's
+//                 mode, nesting just the game
+"game_session": "auto"
+```
+
+Sessions **without** a launch id are untouched by this axis — desktop streaming routes exactly as
+today. `dedicated` degrades honestly: no gamescope binary → log + fall back to `auto`. Console: a
+toggle on the Virtual displays card (it is a display-lifecycle decision) with one story line.
+Deliberate non-options for v1: per-entry overrides (schema keys allow a later
+`"per_entry": {"<id>": …}` overlay) and a client-requested Hello byte ("launch dedicated") — host
+policy first, protocol growth when a client actually wants to differ per connect.
+
+### 5.3 Routing & command shaping
+
+- **Sub-mode ladder.** `pick_gamescope_mode` (pure, unit-tested) gains a leading
+  `dedicated_launch: bool` input that forces `Spawn`, outranking managed-infra/foreign-attach
+  (explicit operator `MANAGED`/`ATTACH`/`NODE` envs still win — they are debug/CI overrides).
+  `resolve_compositor` computes it: launch id present ∧ policy `dedicated` ∧ gamescope available
+  → chosen = `Gamescope`, spawn sub-mode; `launch_is_nested` then routes the command into the
+  spawn as today.
+- **Non-Steam entries** (custom / lutris / heroic): the resolved command nests directly — truly
+  instant (gamescope up in ~1 s, then the game's own boot).
+- **Steam entries** (`steam steam://rungameid/<id>`): Steam is single-instance per uid, so:
+  1. Command shape becomes `steam -silent steam://rungameid/<id>` in dedicated mode — `-silent`
+     suppresses the Steam main window so the game is the gamescope focus. **Empirical validation
+     item** (behavior of `-silent` under a fresh nested Steam); fallback is the plain URI form
+     (a briefly-visible Steam client, still no BPM navigation).
+  2. If another same-uid Steam is live (game mode autologin, a kept managed session, a kept
+     dedicated Steam session): **take Steam over first** — force-release kept entries whose
+     `launch` is a Steam title, stop the autologin via the A3-owned takeover (persisted state,
+     policy-driven restore). This reuses the exact machinery game mode streaming already needs;
+     `dedicated` adds no new churn class.
+- **Game exit ends the session.** When the nested command exits (user quits the game), the
+  gamescope child dies; today's capture-loss path would rebuild an empty session. Dedicated
+  sessions instead end cleanly: the rebuild path consults the keepalive child (`try_wait`) and a
+  confirmed child exit becomes a typed session end (host closes QUIC with a new
+  `APP_EXITED_CLOSE_CODE`, sibling of `QUIT_CLOSE_CODE` 0x51, so launchers can distinguish "game
+  ended" from an error) with `force_immediate` release. Clients need no change to *work* (they
+  already return to the launcher on session end); the typed code is polish they can adopt.
+- **Mid-stream `Reconfigure`** on a dedicated session = teardown + respawn (gamescope cannot
+  live-resize its output; the game restarts) — the same honest §7 caveat as managed, documented.
+
+### 5.4 Lifecycle composition (where Part A pays off)
+
+- Dedicated outputs are `Owned` (A1) with the child as a real keepalive → they pool naturally.
+- Reuse keys on `(backend, mode, launch)` (A2): reconnect to the same game re-attaches to the
+  still-running session instantly; a different game never falsely reuses. `keep_alive` then reads
+  exactly as the presets promise: `off` = game dies with the disconnect; a duration = the detach
+  window; `forever` = the game runs until released (`gaming-rig`, per-game).
+- Each dedicated session is already its own registry **group** (`group_key` — no topology or
+  restore interaction with the desktop); `max_displays` bounds how many can be kept; Steam
+  titles are additionally bounded to one by the single-instance takeover above.
+- Input rides the per-instance EIS relay (A5); uinput gamepads are per-session already. Audio and
+  mic stay the host-wide shared services — one *active* dedicated session is the designed case;
+  concurrent independent-audio sessions are exactly `design/gamescope-multiuser.md` scope, not
+  re-solved here.
+- Admission (`mode_conflict`) applies unchanged across clients; a second client asking for a
+  different dedicated game under `separate` gets its own spawn (non-Steam) or the single-instance
+  takeover rules (Steam) — the honest per-backend gating pattern.
+
+### 5.5 GameStream
+
+Same dispatch (the launch path was unified in the 2026-07-01 rebuild): an apps.json/library-id
+launch under `dedicated` spawns the same way; serverinfo/RTSP negotiate the client's mode as
+today. Moonlight's quit-app (`h_cancel`) maps to a `force_immediate` release — killing the game
+on explicit quit — which folds into the already-deferred "GameStream quit-code" follow-up from
+display-management §5.1.
+
+### 5.6 Client experience & latency honesty
+
+No client changes are required: GTK `--browse`/`--launch`, Decky pins, and the Apple/Android
+library grids just launch, and session end already returns to the launcher. Boot-time
+expectations, stated plainly in docs: non-Steam titles are gamescope-spawn (~1 s) + game boot;
+Steam titles pay the Steam client's own cold boot inside the fresh session (~10–25 s class)
+before the game process starts — "no UI to navigate", not "zero seconds". A pre-warmed parked
+Steam (`steam -silent` held inside a background headless gamescope at host start) would close
+that gap but fights game mode over the single instance — explicitly out of scope for v1, noted
+as the one candidate v2 if Steam cold boot proves to be the complaint. **Stretch** (needs a small
+mgmt surface, not v1): launchers showing "Resume" for a game the host reports as kept
+(`/display/state` already exposes the entries; adding `launch` to `DisplayInfo` is the only
+schema growth).
+
+## 6. Staging & dependencies
+
+| Stage | Contents | Depends on | Validation |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| **A1** | `DisplayOwnership`, pool `Owned` only, honest capabilities | — | unit + `.116` game-mode reconnect under presets no longer wedges |
+| **A2** | launch key, `kept_display_alive`, `mark_failed` on reused-display capture failure | A1 | probe-driven: kill a kept display's session → reconnect creates fresh on attempt 2 |
+| **A3** | `ManagedSessionHandle`, policy-as-debounce, retire restore worker, persisted takeover, SIGKILL-teardown experiment | A1 | `.116`/Deck: gaming-rig semantics, crash-restore, desktop-guard |
+| **A4** | session epoch, `invalidate_backend` on switch | A1 | `.116`: switch matrix incl. same-kind bounce; `/display/state` honesty |
+| **A5** | per-spawn log, scoped node discovery, per-instance EIS relay | — (parallel) | two-gamescope coexistence test |
+| **B0** | `game_session` policy + ladder input + steam `-silent` shaping | A1 (correctness), A5 (if game mode may be live) | `.21`/plain box: non-Steam + Steam dedicated launch on glass |
+| **B1** | Steam takeover integration (autologin stop / kept-Steam release) | A3 | `.116`/Deck: dedicated launch from game mode, TV restore per policy |
+| **B2** | reuse-by-launch reattach + game-exit-ends-session (`APP_EXITED` close) | A2 | disconnect → game keeps running → reattach; quit game → launcher |
+| **B3** | docs (virtual-displays + steamos-host pages), console toggle polish, "Resume" stretch | B0–B2 | — |
+
+Every stage lands green (`cargo test/clippy/fmt`, OpenAPI drift) and independently shippable,
+per the display-management discipline. A1+A2 alone fix the user-visible breakage; A3 makes the
+presets truthful; B0 is the first user-visible new capability.
+
+## 7. Risks & open questions
+
+- **`steam -silent` inside a fresh nested gamescope** — the load-bearing empirical unknown for
+  B0's Steam polish (the launch itself works either way; only the cosmetic Steam-window flash is
+  at stake). Validate first on `.21`/`.116` desktop mode.
+- **Bare spawn vs session-plus environment** — session-plus wraps Steam in MangoApp/runtime/
+  controller-config scaffolding a bare `gamescope -- steam` lacks. The historic "nested Steam
+  crashes" finding was Steam-vs-Steam single-instance (both dying), *not* a missing-scaffolding
+  failure — with Steam taken over first, a bare spawn should hold, but this is exactly what B1's
+  on-glass pass must prove per box (Bazzite, Deck).
+- **PipeWire `application.process.id` availability** across gamescope versions (A5's scoped
+  discovery) — fall back to log-derived ids (per-spawn logs make those unambiguous already).
+- **Keepalive drops into dead compositors** (A4 reaping): Wayland conns fail fast; Mutter's D-Bus
+  `Stop` can block — the registry already drops outside the lock, keep it that way and bound the
+  damage to one reaper tick.
+- **Epoch granularity**: detecting "new compositor instance, same kind" needs the compositor PID
+  in `ActiveSession` — cheap (the `/proc` scan already visits it), but the watcher must debounce
+  PID flaps during a switch (its existing 3 s debounce covers it).
+- **Injector rework caution** (A5): per-session EIS injectors only for gamescope; the shared
+  service stays for portal backends — re-learning the "EIS setup timed out" lesson is the failure
+  mode to guard in review.
+- **Windows**: entirely untouched — `game_session` is Linux-only for now (`launch_title` on
+  Windows opens via the shell into the one desktop); the policy field documents that honestly
+  rather than pretending.

design/native-amf-encoder.md

@@ -0,0 +1,287 @@
+# Native AMF encoder — handoff design
+
+> **Status: PHASES 1 + 2 + 3 IMPLEMENTED (2026-07-06).** `encode/windows/amf.rs` ships the
+> direct-SDK encoder per §3 — FFI pinned to AMF headers v1.4.36, bounded poll, native `reset()`.
+> Phase 2: **AV1** (open-time probe gate; per-codec enum divergences honored — AV1 swaps the
+> ULL/LL usage values and uses GOP=0 + FORCE_FRAME_TYPE_KEY=1), **intra-refresh**
+> (`PUNKTFUNK_INTRA_REFRESH` opt-in mirroring Linux NVENC; `caps().intra_refresh` reflects the
+> driver's actual acceptance), **in-band HDR mastering/CLL metadata** (`*InHDRMetadata` host
+> buffer; HEVC + AV1), and the **native codec probe**. Phase 3: **the ffmpeg-AMF dispatch
+> fallback + `PUNKTFUNK_AMF_FFMPEG` hatch are deleted** — AMD dispatch / codec advertisement /
+> 4:4:4 answer are native-only; FFmpeg serves QSV only (`ffmpeg_win.rs`'s AMF machinery is kept
+> solely as the A/B comparator). `windows_backend_is_ffmpeg` → `windows_backend_is_probed`. **The
+> §7 field-silence gate on Phase 3 was pre-empted on explicit direction** — see the §7 gate note
+> for what that costs (VP-format-fallback now fails the session; AMFVideoConverter is the owed
+> native fix).
+> Live-validated on the lab Ryzen iGPU (VCN 3): AVC + HEVC batches across a native in-place reset
+> (Annex-B IDR contract, FIFO pairing); HEVC Main10 P010 with the mastering + CLL prefix SEIs
+> **confirmed present in the encoded IDR**; intra-refresh property accepted on both codecs; probe
+> honestly answers h264/h265=true, av1=false on this RDNA2 part. The **§5.2 latency A/B is
+> measured** (`amf_latency_ab_bench`, 1080p60 HEVC): native `encode_us` p50 **5.18 ms (0.31 frame
+> periods)** vs libavcodec-AMF **16.9 ms (1.01)** — 3.3× lower, the frame-hold gone. Owed: §5.3
+> on-glass session behaviors + soak (macOS-client on-glass test in progress), and field
+> validation on ≥2 VCN generations (AV1/RDNA3 has no lab hardware).
+> Companion context: the encode-stall watchdog + `Encoder::reset()` (punktfunk1.rs / encode.rs,
+> shipped 2026-07-06) and the QSV backend module docs in `encode/windows/ffmpeg_win.rs`.
+
+## 1. Why (measured, not speculative)
+
+Three independent reasons, in order of weight:
+
+1. **The libavcodec AMF wrapper's structural ~2-frame output hold.** `hevc_amf`/`av1_amf`
+   need frame N+2 submitted before they release frame N's AU. Measured on the Ryzen 7000
+   iGPU (VCN, 720p60): encode→retrieve **36 ms p50, dead-stable**, invariant across pipeline
+   depth 1/2, every `usage` preset, and any spin budget (a 150 ms poll spin provably never
+   produced the owed AU — it pegged at exactly 150 ms). See the `poll` doc comment in
+   `ffmpeg_win.rs`. The direct-SDK NVENC path retrieves in ~1–2 ms. At 60 Hz this is ~33 ms
+   of pure pipeline latency no FFmpeg-side knob can remove; at 120 Hz it is two whole frame
+   budgets.
+2. **Silent driver wedges surface as forever-EAGAIN, not errors.** The field failure
+   (AMD/Intel streams freezing after ~3–5 min) was invisible because the wrapper's only
+   "not ready" signal is EAGAIN, indistinguishable from a healthy pipeline warming up. The
+   2026-07-06 watchdog converts that into a bounded rebuild + IDR, but it is a safety net
+   with a ~2 s detection floor. The AMF runtime itself returns typed `AMF_RESULT` codes
+   (`AMF_INPUT_FULL`, device-lost, etc.) — a native path sees the wedge on the frame it
+   happens.
+3. **Feature gaps libavcodec cannot express.** No intra-refresh wave (every
+   FEC-unrecoverable loss is answered with a full IDR — the 20–40× frame-size spike the
+   Linux NVENC intra-refresh mode exists to avoid), no in-band HDR mastering SEI
+   (`EncoderCaps::supports_hdr_metadata` is NVENC-only today), coarse per-frame control.
+
+## 2. The decision: drop FFmpeg for AMF, keep it for QSV
+
+**Native AMF replaces the libavcodec AMF path (phased, §7). FFmpeg stays for QSV.**
+
+- QSV via libavcodec with `async_depth=1` + `low_power` VDEnc is already near the hardware
+  latency floor; a direct libvpl port would buy little for its cost. Revisit only if Intel
+  field data shows a QSV-specific gap (separate doc if so).
+- Because QSV stays on FFmpeg, the FFmpeg DLLs keep shipping and the `amf-qsv` build
+  feature keeps existing. Dropping FFmpeg *entirely* is therefore not on the table here —
+  "drop" means: the AMF dispatch stops going through it once the native path is validated.
+- During bring-up the ffmpeg-AMF path remains as an automatic open-failure fallback and an
+  explicit escape hatch (§7), then its AMF dispatch is deleted in Phase 3. Two permanently
+  maintained AMF paths would double the driver-matrix burden, and the one we'd keep "for
+  safety" is precisely the one with the wedge/latency pathology.
+
+## 3. Architecture
+
+New module `crates/punktfunk-host/src/encode/windows/amf.rs` implementing
+`crate::encode::Encoder`, compiled unconditionally on Windows (**no new build-time
+dependency and no new cargo feature**): the AMF runtime is loaded at runtime from the
+driver-installed `amfrt64.dll`, exactly as `nvenc.rs` loads `nvEncodeAPI64.dll`
+(`load_api`). A box without an AMD driver simply fails the open and the dispatch falls
+through. In-tree FFI decl module (`amf_sys` submodule or `#[repr(C)]` blocks in-file,
+mirroring the small interface subset we use) — model it on how `ffmpeg_win.rs` mirrors
+`AVD3D11VADeviceContext` rather than pulling a binding crate (none is maintained).
+
+### 3.1 FFI strategy (the load-bearing detail)
+
+The AMF public headers (GPUOpen `AMF/amf/public/include`) define **C-compatible vtable
+structs** for every interface (`AMFFactoryVtbl`, `AMFContextVtbl`, `AMFComponentVtbl`,
+`AMFSurfaceVtbl`, `AMFDataVtbl`, `AMFBufferVtbl`, `AMFVariantStruct`, …) — this is not a
+guess: FFmpeg's `amfenc.c` is plain C and drives AMF exclusively through those vtables, so
+the C ABI is the stable, supported surface. Mirror only what we call:
+
+- Entry points: `GetProcAddress("AMFQueryVersion")` (gate: runtime ≥ the pinned
+  `AMF_FULL_VERSION` we mirror headers from) and `GetProcAddress("AMFInit")` →
+  `AMFFactory*`.
+- `factory->CreateContext` → `context->InitDX11(capturer_device, AMF_DX11_1)` — **the
+  capturer's own `ID3D11Device`**, same-device requirement as every other backend (the
+  capture textures are not shared-handle; see the `ensure_inner_d3d11` rebind logic in
+  `ffmpeg_win.rs` for the device-change lifecycle to replicate).
+- `factory->CreateComponent(context, name)` with `AMFVideoEncoderVCE_AVC` /
+  `AMFVideoEncoder_HEVC` / `AMFVideoEncoder_AV1` → `encoder->Init(AMF_SURFACE_NV12|P010,
+  w, h)`.
+- Per-frame: `context->CreateSurfaceFromDX11Native(texture, &surface, observer)` →
+  per-surface properties (pts via `SetPts`, forced-IDR picture type) →
+  `encoder->SubmitInput(surface)`; retrieve via `encoder->QueryOutput(&data)`
+  (`AMF_REPEAT` = not ready), `AMFBuffer::GetNative/GetSize` → `EncodedFrame`.
+- Every mirrored struct/call carries a `// SAFETY:` proof — the whole encode module tree is
+  under `#![deny(clippy::undocumented_unsafe_blocks)]` (unsafe-proof program).
+
+Reference implementations to crib from (read both before writing FFI): FFmpeg `amfenc.c`
+(the C vtbl usage, property plumbing, result-code handling) and OBS
+`plugins/obs-ffmpeg/texture-amf.cpp` (D3D11 texture submission + low-latency streaming
+config, C++ but the call sequence is what matters). **Verify every property name against
+the pinned SDK headers** — names below are from those references and must not be trusted
+blind.
+
+### 3.2 Input path (zero-copy by construction)
+
+Own a small D3D11 texture ring (NV12 or P010, `D3D11_BIND_RENDER_TARGET |
+SHADER_RESOURCE`, size = `pipeline_depth + 2`), `CopySubresourceRegion` the captured
+texture into the next slot (GPU-local, same pattern as `ZeroCopyInner::submit`), wrap the
+slot with `CreateSurfaceFromDX11Native`, submit. The copy decouples the encoder from the
+capturer's rotating IDD ring; do NOT wrap the capturer's texture directly. This makes
+`PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` irrelevant for native AMF — there is no readback path to fall back
+to. Handle the capturer's video-processor format fallback (`Bgra`/`Rgb10a2` instead of
+NV12/P010 — see `pool_mismatch` in `ffmpeg_win.rs`) by returning an open/submit error in
+Phase 1 so dispatch falls back to the ffmpeg path; an AMFVideoConverter front-end is a
+Phase 2 option if that fallback ever fires in the field. `FramePayload::Cpu` (DDA without
+video processor): same treatment — ffmpeg fallback in Phase 1.
+
+### 3.3 Retrieval model
+
+Bounded-blocking poll, the `vaapi.rs::poll` model: after `SubmitInput`, spin
+`QueryOutput` with ~250 µs sleeps up to a budget of `min(3/4 frame interval, 12 ms)`; on
+expiry return `Ok(None)` (the session loop keeps the frame in flight and the watchdog
+arbitrates wedges). VCN encode at streaming settings is ~1–5 ms, so the AU ships the same
+tick — this is where the ~2-frame hold dies. Expected observable — measure **`encode_us`
+(submit→AU, in `FrameMsg`/the web-console stats), not `wait_us`**: on the ffmpeg path the
+hold hides in `encode_us` (~2 frame periods) because its non-blocking poll returns EAGAIN
+in ~2 µs; on the native bounded poll the ASIC wait becomes visible as a few ms of
+`wait_us` while `encode_us` collapses to ~1 frame period or less.
+
+### 3.4 Encoder configuration (initial property set)
+
+Mirror the intent of the ffmpeg opts block in `open_win_encoder` (`ffmpeg_win.rs:216-247`).
+AVC names given; HEVC/AV1 have `_HEVC_`/`_AV1_` twins — check headers:
+
+| Intent | AMF property (verify!) |
+| --- | --- |
+| usage preset (keep `PUNKTFUNK_AMF_USAGE` mapping) | `AMF_VIDEO_ENCODER_USAGE` = `ULTRA_LOW_LATENCY` (default) |
+| CBR, target==peak | `RATE_CONTROL_METHOD=CBR`, `TARGET_BITRATE`, `PEAK_BITRATE` |
+| 1-frame VBV (keep `PUNKTFUNK_VBV_FRAMES`) | `VBV_BUFFER_SIZE` |
+| HRD + no filler | `ENFORCE_HRD=true`, `FILLER_DATA_ENABLE=false` |
+| latency-first quality | `QUALITY_PRESET=SPEED` |
+| no B-frames (AVC) | `B_PIC_PATTERN=0` |
+| infinite GOP | `IDR_PERIOD=0` (HEVC: `GOP_SIZE`/`NUM_GOPS_PER_IDR` — check) |
+| low-latency submission | `LOWLATENCY_MODE=true` (newer SDKs) |
+| in-band VPS/SPS/PPS on IDR (wire contract: `EncodedFrame` doc) | HEVC `HEADER_INSERTION_MODE=IDR_ALIGNED`; AVC `HEADER_INSERTION_SPACING` — check |
+| SDR/HDR VUI | `FULL_RANGE_COLOR=false` + color primaries/transfer/matrix props (BT.709 vs BT.2020-PQ, mirroring `open_win_encoder`) |
+| 10-bit | `COLOR_BIT_DEPTH=10` + P010 surfaces |
+| per-frame forced IDR | on the input surface: `AMF_VIDEO_ENCODER_FORCE_PICTURE_TYPE=IDR` |
+| intra-refresh wave (Phase 2) | AVC `INTRA_REFRESH_NUM_MBS_PER_SLOT`; HEVC CTB twin — check |
+| HDR mastering SEI (Phase 2) | HEVC `INPUT_HDR_METADATA` (`AMFHDRMetadata` buffer) |
+
+`SetProperty` failures on *optional* properties (LOWLATENCY_MODE, intra-refresh) must be
+log-and-continue, not fatal — availability varies by VCN generation/driver.
+
+### 3.5 Error + stall semantics (interplay with the 2026-07-06 watchdog)
+
+- `SubmitInput` → `AMF_INPUT_FULL`: **back-pressure, NOT a wedge — drain and retry, do not
+  reset.** (Original prescription "return `Err` → in-place reset" was **wrong**, disproven
+  on-glass 2026-07-06: at throughput-ceiling loads — 5120x1440@240 P010 on the lab iGPU —
+  `INPUT_FULL` → reset → forced IDR → a bigger keyframe → worse overload → a ~320 ms
+  reset/IDR cascade, strictly worse than the libavcodec path's 16-deep input queue riding it
+  out as latency. The log showed dozens of `submit failed … AMF_INPUT_FULL … rebuilt in place`
+  and **zero** watchdog stalls.) The shipped handling: `submit` bounds in-flight surfaces below
+  the input ring depth (`pending.len() < RING`) by draining finished AUs (buffered in a `ready`
+  deque for `poll`, FIFO-preserved) to free a slot *before* reusing it, and treats a stray
+  `INPUT_FULL` from `SubmitInput` the same way (drain + retry the surface). Only a drain that
+  makes NO progress for a bounded budget (`INPUT_DRAIN_BUDGET`, 200 ms — well under the
+  session watchdog's ~2 s) is a genuine wedge that escalates to `Err` → the in-place reset. This
+  also closed a **latent corruption**: the old path let in-flight grow to AMF's internal input
+  queue limit (16) against a ring of 4, so surfaces referenced ring slots already overwritten —
+  the reset masked it. Any other non-OK `SubmitInput` result: `Err`.
+- `QueryOutput` → `AMF_REPEAT`: keep spinning within the poll budget, then `Ok(None)`.
+  `AMF_EOF`: `Ok(None)` after flush. Anything else: `Err` (the loop's poll-error path
+  resets).
+- Implement `Encoder::reset()` natively: `encoder->Drain/Flush`, `Terminate()`, re-`Init`
+  on the same context (fall back to full context teardown if re-Init fails). Cheaper and
+  more targeted than the ffmpeg path's drop-and-lazily-reopen.
+- `caps()`: `supports_rfi: false` (AMF has no NVENC-style reference invalidation —
+  intra-refresh is the substitute), `intra_refresh: true` once Phase 2 lands (this flag is
+  what makes the session glue rate-limit client keyframe requests — see the `IDR_WINDOW`
+  logic in punktfunk1.rs), `supports_hdr_metadata: true` once the SEI lands,
+  `chroma_444: false` **permanently** (VCN hardware does not encode 4:4:4;
+  `probe_can_encode_444` stays false — this is not an FFmpeg limitation).
+
+### 3.6 Encoder trait contract (do not break)
+
+From `encode.rs` + the punktfunk1 loop: AUs must come out FIFO in submit order
+(`inflight.pop_front()` pairs with poll order); `data` is Annex-B with in-band headers on
+IDRs (both a playable ES and self-contained wire AUs); `poll` returning `Ok(None)` is
+legal and watchdog-arbitrated; `submit` must never block indefinitely; after `flush()`,
+`poll` drains remaining AUs then returns `Ok(None)`; single encode thread owns the
+encoder (manual `unsafe impl Send` with the same proof shape as `FfmpegWinEncoder`).
+
+## 4. Integration seams (exact)
+
+- `encode.rs::open_video_backend`, `WindowsBackend::Amf` arm: try `amf::AmfEncoder::open`
+  first; on `Err`, `tracing::warn!` + fall back to `ffmpeg_win` (when the `amf-qsv`
+  feature is built) — the same graceful-degrade shape as zero-copy→system today. Escape
+  hatch: `PUNKTFUNK_AMF_FFMPEG=1` skips the native path (field triage). Phase 3 deletes
+  both the fallback arm and the hatch.
+- `resolved_backend_label` / `crate::gpu` session record: new label `"amf"` stays (the
+  mgmt API shows the same name; add `"amf-ffmpeg"` only if the fallback fires, so field
+  logs distinguish the paths).
+- `probe_can_encode` (GameStream codec advertisement) and `windows_codec_support`: replace
+  the ffmpeg open-probe with a native factory probe (`CreateComponent` per codec on the
+  selected adapter) once Phase 2 lands; cache shape stays.
+- `can_encode_444`: unchanged (`false`).
+- The encode-stall watchdog and `Encoder::reset` (punktfunk1.rs): unchanged — it remains
+  the backstop for in-FFI hangs the native path can't self-detect.
+
+## 5. Validation plan (this box has an AMD iGPU — use it)
+
+Baseline first, on the ffmpeg path (already deployed 2026-07-06 with the watchdog): a
+long session on the iGPU with `PUNKTFUNK_PERF=1`, record `wait_us_p50/p99`,
+`encode_us`, client-measured latency, and whether the watchdog ever fires. Then per phase:
+
+1. Open/probe smoke per codec (AVC, HEVC, HEVC-10) on the iGPU. **DONE** — the gated live
+   tests in `amf.rs` (`amf_encode_live_smoke` AVC+HEVC+AV1-probe, `amf_hdr_encode_live_smoke`,
+   `amf_native_probe_live`, `amf_intra_refresh_property_live`) pass on the lab Ryzen iGPU
+   (VCN3/RDNA2): both codecs across a native `reset()`, HEVC Main10 IDR carrying the
+   mastering(137)+CLL(144) SEIs byte-verified, intra-refresh property accepted, probe honestly
+   `h264/h265=true, av1=false`.
+2. A/B the encode latency: expect `encode_us` p50 ~2 frame periods → ≤ 1 frame period
+   (see §3.3 for why `wait_us` is the wrong metric on the ffmpeg side). **MEASURED**
+   2026-07-06 by the gated `amf_latency_ab_bench` (`PUNKTFUNK_AMF_BENCH=1`, 1080p60 HEVC,
+   180 paced frames, same D3D11 NV12 input to both encoders, lab iGPU, debug build):
+   native `encode_us` p50 **5.18 ms (0.31 frame periods)** / p99 5.81 ms vs libavcodec-AMF
+   p50 **16.9 ms (1.01 frame periods)** / p99 17.5 ms — **3.3× lower, ~11.7 ms/frame saved**,
+   and the native path is decisively sub-frame (the ~2-frame hold that used to live in
+   `encode_us` is gone). Note the ffmpeg baseline came in at ~1 frame period, not the ~2 this
+   plan projected: the shipping ffmpeg config already sets AMF `latency=true` (a ~1-frame
+   hold), so the realized win is 3.3× / ~12 ms rather than the ~30 ms projected against an
+   un-tuned 2-frame baseline; direction and sub-frame collapse are exactly as §3.3 described.
+   Release builds should show a lower native number still (debug charges host-side
+   surface-create + copy-submit into the 5.18 ms). Zero-copy baseline for the input side
+   already measured 2026-07-06 on the lab iGPU (1080p120 HDR P010): `submit_us` p50 2.7–2.9 ms
+   (system readback) → **0.26 ms** (zero-copy D3D11), p99 6.6 ms → 0.5 ms.
+3. Behavior: IDR on connect; mode switch mid-stream; HDR session (PQ VUI + 0xCE
+   convergence); client keyframe-request recovery; encoder `reset()` under an injected
+   failure; ≥30 min soak for the freeze class (watchdog log line
+   `encode stall detected` must NOT appear).
+4. Driver matrix beyond the lab box is field data: VCN1 (Raven) through VCN4/5 differ in
+   preset support — the optional-property tolerance in §3.4 is what absorbs this.
+
+## 6. Risks / open questions
+
+- **Vtable mirroring correctness** is the concentrated risk: pin one AMF header version in
+  a comment, mirror minimally, and unit-test `AMFQueryVersion`/`AMFInit` + a headless
+  `CreateComponent` probe (skips cleanly on non-AMD boxes, like the NVENC live-gated
+  tests).
+- Per-frame `CreateSurfaceFromDX11Native` allocation churn — if it shows up in profiles,
+  AMF supports pre-created surface pools; start simple.
+- AV1 is RDNA3+; probe, never assume (same rule as everywhere in this codebase).
+- Hybrid boxes: context must init on the *selected* adapter's device (the capture
+  device) — inherited for free by taking the capturer's device, but test with the
+  web-console GPU preference pointed at each GPU.
+- The AMF runtime ships with the AMD driver, not with us — a missing/ancient `amfrt64.dll`
+  must produce a clean "install/update the AMD driver" error at open, then fall back
+  (Phase 1) or fail the session with that message (Phase 3).
+
+## 7. Phasing
+
+| Phase | Scope | Exit criterion | Status |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| 1 | FFI layer + AVC/HEVC (SDR + 10-bit HDR), bounded poll, native `reset()`, dispatch with ffmpeg fallback + `PUNKTFUNK_AMF_FFMPEG` hatch | §5.2–5.3 pass on the lab iGPU | **DONE** 2026-07-06 (§5.2 measured; §5.3 on-glass in progress) |
+| 2 | Intra-refresh (`caps().intra_refresh`), in-band HDR SEI (`supports_hdr_metadata`), AV1, native codec probe | field-validated on ≥2 VCN generations | **CODE DONE** 2026-07-06 (lab VCN3 only; AV1/RDNA3 + 2nd VCN gen still owed) |
+| 3 | Delete the ffmpeg-AMF dispatch arm + hatch; FFmpeg remains QSV-only | one release of field silence on the fallback label | **DONE** 2026-07-06 — see the gate note below |
+
+**Phase 3 gate note (honesty):** the stated exit criterion (one release of field silence on the
+fallback label) was **NOT met** — Phase 3 was cut the same day the native path was written, on
+explicit direction, alongside a live macOS-client on-glass test. What Phase 3 removed: the
+`WindowsBackend::Amf` libavcodec fallback arm, the `PUNKTFUNK_AMF_FFMPEG` hatch, and the
+AMF→ffmpeg routes in `windows_codec_support` / `can_encode_444`. AMD dispatch, codec
+advertisement, and the 4:4:4 answer are all native-only now; FFmpeg (`ffmpeg_win.rs`) is reached
+only for QSV in production (its `WinVendor::Amf` machinery is retained solely as the
+`amf_latency_ab_bench` comparator, not deleted — excising it would churn the Intel-unvalidated
+QSV code for no gain). **Residual risk this pre-emption carries:** with the ffmpeg readback path
+gone, an AMD box whose capturer can't produce video-processor NV12/P010 (falls back to
+Bgra/Rgb10a2, or hands DDA CPU frames) now **fails the session** instead of degrading — the
+design's answer is the native AMFVideoConverter front-end (§3.2), owed if that fallback is ever
+seen in the field. Not observed on lab hardware (the VP yields NV12/P010). Reverting Phase 3 is a
+small, localized diff if field data turns up trouble.

design/session-aware-host-followups.md

@@ -20,6 +20,14 @@ virtual output primary** — `apply_session_env` defaults `PUNKTFUNK_KWIN_VIRTUA
 `PUNKTFUNK_MUTTER_VIRTUAL_PRIMARY` on for the auto desktop path. Both shipped in `3363576`; details in
 git history.)
 
+> **Update 2026-07-05:** items **#1** (SIGKILL teardown / keep-warm) and **#7** (restore-guard /
+> keep-warm interaction) are picked up by `design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` **Part A3**
+> — the managed session's restore becomes registry-owned and policy-driven (`keep_alive` replaces
+> the hardcoded 5 s debounce; "keep warm" = `keep_alive: forever`), with the SIGKILL-teardown
+> experiment folded into that stage's validation. That doc also covers the display-management
+> registry's game-mode conflicts (ownership classes, stale-node reuse) and dedicated per-launch
+> gamescope game sessions.
+
 ## Still parked
 
 ### 1. F44 gamescope teardown corrupts the GPU context

design/zerocopy-hardening-handoff.md

@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+# Zero-copy capture hardening — issue handoff
+
+> **Status: FIXED + validated (2026-07-06).** The fix is implemented and on-glass validated — see
+> [`zerocopy-worker-isolation.md`](zerocopy-worker-isolation.md): the GPU import (tiled EGL/GL→CUDA
+> *and* LINEAR Vulkan→CUDA) now runs in a per-capture **worker subprocess** (CUDA-IPC frame
+> hand-off), so this driver SIGSEGV kills the worker and the host degrades to its capture-loss
+> rebuild; plus in-process teardown-order fixes and a poison/latch path replacing the corrupt
+> tiled→CPU fallback. Validated on the RTX 5070 Ti/GNOME box: worker path streams at p50 1.30 ms,
+> and a `kill -9` of the worker mid-stream is survived + recovered (fresh worker in ~185 ms,
+> streaming resumes). The description below is kept as the issue record.
+>
+> *(Original handoff intro:)* This document describes a reproduced
+> host **SIGSEGV** in the Linux zero-copy capture path. It deliberately does **not** prescribe a fix —
+> the next agent plans the implementation. Everything below is observed fact + root-cause analysis;
+> the "Considerations / open questions" section frames the solution space without committing to one.
+>
+> **This is a pre-existing capture-layer issue, NOT a regression from the gamemode/dedicated-sessions
+> work** (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md`). The crashing code
+> (`crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/{cuda,egl}.rs`, `capture/linux/pipewire.rs`) is untouched
+> by that branch; it merely surfaced during on-glass validation of it.
+
+## 1. What happened
+
+On **`.181`** (Bazzite F44, RTX 4090, NVIDIA open driver 610.43.02 — see
+`[[gamemode-onglass-181-2026-07-06]]`), streaming a game at the client's mode worked smoothly with
+**zero-copy enabled** (`PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1`). When the user then **switched the box from Steam Game
+Mode to the KDE/Plasma desktop mid-stream**, the host process **crashed (SIGSEGV, core dumped)** and
+the client saw "session ended". systemd auto-restarted the host ~3 s later.
+
+The host's own logic on the switch was **correct** up to the crash — the session watcher detected
+`Gaming → DesktopKde`, bumped the session epoch, rebuilt the backend to KWin, brought up the virtual
+output at 5120×1440@240, set it sole desktop, and began PipeWire capture. The crash came **after**
+that, the first time the capture thread mapped a KWin frame into CUDA.
+
+## 2. The crash (backtrace)
+
+`coredumpctl` for the host process, crashing thread:
+
+```
+Signal: 11 (SEGV)
+#0  libnvidia-eglcore.so.610.43.02          ← SIGSEGV inside the NVIDIA driver
+#1  libnvidia-eglcore.so.610.43.02
+#2  libnvidia-eglcore.so.610.43.02
+#3  libnvidia-eglcore.so.610.43.02
+#4  libEGL_nvidia.so.0
+#5  libcuda.so.1
+#6  libcuda.so.1
+#7  cuGraphicsMapResources                   (libcuda.so.1)
+#8  punktfunk_host::zerocopy::cuda::RegisteredTexture::copy_mapped_plane
+#9  punktfunk_host::zerocopy::egl::EglImporter::import_inner
+#10 punktfunk_host::capture::linux::pipewire::pipewire_thread::{{closure}}   (the PipeWire on_process callback)
+#11 pipewire::stream::…::on_process
+#12 libpipewire-0.3.so.0  (impl_node_process_input → process_node → node_on_fd_events → pw_main_loop_run)
+```
+
+The fault is **inside `libnvidia-eglcore`, reached through `cuGraphicsMapResources`** — i.e. CUDA was
+asked to map a GL/EGL-imported resource, and the driver dereferenced GPU state that was no longer
+valid.
+
+## 3. The code path
+
+This is the **tiled-dmabuf zero-copy path** used for compositors that hand out **tiled** buffers
+(KWin, and the NVIDIA tiled path generally): PipeWire dmabuf → **EGL/GL import** (`EglImporter`,
+`crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/egl.rs`) → **register as a CUDA graphics resource** and
+**map per frame** (`RegisteredTexture::copy_mapped_plane` / `copy_mapped_to`,
+`crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/cuda.rs:810-848` and the sibling `copy_mapped_plane` below
+it). The crash is at the `cuGraphicsMapResources(1, &mut self.resource, …)` call
+(`cuda.rs:824-828`), driven per frame from the PipeWire `on_process` callback
+(`capture/linux/pipewire.rs`, the closure at backtrace frame #10).
+
+The relevant `// SAFETY:` proof (`cuda.rs:814-823`) reasons that `self.resource` is a valid
+`CUgraphicsResource` from a successful `register_gl`, the GL+CUDA contexts are current, and the
+map/unmap pair is balanced with the copy synced before unmap. **That reasoning is sound for a
+well-behaved compositor that keeps the imported dmabuf alive across the map** — it does not cover the
+case where the **producer invalidates the underlying buffer/texture out from under an in-flight
+map**.
+
+**Not affected on this box:** the **gamescope** path (LINEAR dmabuf → **Vulkan bridge** → CUDA,
+`linux/zerocopy/vulkan.rs`) did **not** crash — game-mode streaming was smooth. And the **non-zero-copy
+SHM/CPU path** (`PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=0`, the NVENC default) has no EGL/CUDA import at all, so there is
+nothing for the driver to fault on. So the fault is specific to the **EGL/GL→CUDA tiled import**, not
+zero-copy in general.
+
+## 4. Root cause
+
+`cuGraphicsMapResources` faulted **inside the driver** on GPU state that had become invalid — almost
+certainly because the **KWin compositor freed/recycled (or crashed with) the dmabuf** that our
+`EglImporter` had imported and registered, while our capture thread was mapping it for the next frame.
+Strong corroborating evidence: in the **same 8-second window**, the box logged core dumps for
+`plasmashell` (×2), `Xwayland`, `gamescope`, and `mangoapp`. So the F44 Game↔Desktop transition on
+this box is itself highly unstable, and the KWin buffer our zero-copy path held a handle to almost
+certainly went away mid-map.
+
+**Why this is a real host-robustness gap, not just "the box is flaky":** a **SIGSEGV inside a
+closed-source driver (`libnvidia-eglcore`) is not catchable from Rust** — it is not a `Result`, not a
+Rust panic, not something a `catch_unwind` can contain. So *any* time the producer's buffer can vanish
+between "we hold a CUDA graphics resource for it" and "we map it" (compositor crash, buffer-pool
+recycle, output/mode teardown, hot-unplug), the driver can take the whole host process down. A capture
+pipeline that must survive a compositor going away (which the host already tries to do — it has a
+capture-loss → rebuild path) cannot rely on `cuGraphicsMapResources` returning an error on a stale
+resource; the driver may just crash instead.
+
+## 5. Trigger conditions (what invalidates the imported buffer)
+
+The observed trigger was a **compositor crash during a Game→Desktop switch**, but the same class of
+fault can be reached by anything that frees/recycles the imported dmabuf or its GL texture while a map
+is in flight or a `RegisteredTexture` still references it:
+- compositor crash / restart (observed);
+- normal PipeWire buffer-pool recycle / renegotiation (format change, buffer count change) where a
+  registered texture outlives the buffer it wrapped;
+- virtual-output teardown / mode change (e.g. the mid-stream `Reconfigure`, the session-switch
+  rebuild) racing an in-flight map;
+- output removal / disconnect.
+The next agent should establish **which of these are actually reachable** in the current code (the
+per-frame registration/lifetime in `EglImporter`/`RegisteredTexture` vs. the PipeWire buffer
+lifecycle) versus only the compositor-crash case.
+
+## 6. Scope
+
+- **Affected:** the EGL/GL→CUDA tiled-import path (`zerocopy::egl` + `zerocopy::cuda`), driven from
+  `capture/linux/pipewire.rs`. On NVIDIA this is used for tiled dmabufs (KWin desktop capture is the
+  concrete case here; the NVIDIA tiled path in general).
+- **Likely also worth auditing (same class):** the **Vulkan bridge** path (`zerocopy::vulkan.rs`, LINEAR
+  dmabuf → Vulkan → CUDA) — it did not crash here, but it imports external dmabufs into the GPU too and
+  may have the same "producer freed the buffer mid-use" exposure; confirm whether it validates/owns the
+  buffer lifetime differently.
+- **Not affected:** the SHM/CPU capture path (no GPU import).
+
+## 7. What is NOT the cause (to save the next agent time)
+
+- **Not the gamemode/dedicated-sessions branch.** That branch's switch logic worked correctly
+  (epoch bump, watcher rebuild to KWin, virtual output up); the crash is downstream in pre-existing
+  capture code it doesn't touch.
+- **Not a `.desktop`/KWin authorization problem.** The KWin virtual output was created and set sole
+  desktop successfully — auth was fine.
+- **Not the gamescope "out of buffers" issue** from the same validation session (that was a separate
+  gamescope-3.16.19 PipeWire-node limitation on SHM). This is a hard driver SEGV on the GPU-import path.
+
+## 8. Observed mitigation (already available, not the fix)
+
+Setting **`PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=0`** (SHM/CPU path — the NVENC default anyway; the box had it forced
+`=1`) removes the EGL/CUDA import, so this crash cannot occur and a compositor going away degrades to a
+graceful capture-loss rebuild. Cost: a CPU copy per frame (higher latency than the zero-copy stream the
+user measured). This is an operational workaround, **not** a code fix, and it forfeits zero-copy on the
+desktop path.
+
+## 9. Considerations / open questions for the implementation plan (do not treat as a prescription)
+
+These frame the solution space; the next agent decides.
+- **A driver SIGSEGV is uncatchable in-process.** Any design that "handles" this by wrapping the FFI
+  call in error handling will not work — the process is already dead. So the fix has to be about
+  **never handing the driver a resource that can be stale**, or **isolating the GPU-import work** so a
+  driver crash doesn't take the streaming host down. Both directions are open:
+  - *Prevent-the-stale-resource* directions to evaluate: strict per-frame import/register/map/unmap
+    lifetime tied to the exact PipeWire buffer being processed (so no `RegisteredTexture` outlives its
+    buffer); detecting compositor/output teardown and stopping capture **before** the next map;
+    reconciling the EGL texture / CUDA resource lifetime with PipeWire's buffer-recycle events.
+    Establish whether the current code can ever map a resource whose buffer PipeWire has already
+    recycled/removed.
+  - *Isolate-the-crash* directions to evaluate: whether the GPU import belongs in a **separate process**
+    (like the Windows two-process/DDA isolation model) so a driver SEGV is contained and the session
+    can rebuild — heavier, but the only thing that truly survives an unpreventable driver fault.
+- **Per-backend / per-buffer-type routing.** The Vulkan-bridge path did not crash; the SHM path is
+  safe. A plan might route tiled dmabufs (KWin) away from the fragile EGL/CUDA path, or only enable the
+  EGL/CUDA path where the producer's buffer lifetime is guaranteed. Decide whether the fix is
+  "harden the EGL/CUDA path" vs. "don't use it for producers that can pull buffers."
+- **Interaction with the existing capture-loss rebuild.** The host already rebuilds on capture loss;
+  the goal is to reach that path on producer teardown **instead of** the driver crash. Understand why
+  the crash beats the capture-loss detection today (the map happens in the PipeWire `on_process`
+  callback before any loss is observed).
+- **Reproducibility.** This was observed on a box whose KDE was *itself* crashing (F44 plasmashell/
+  Xwayland). To isolate "our zero-copy path is fragile" from "the compositor crashed," reproduce on a
+  **stable** KDE/NVIDIA box — force a buffer invalidation (output teardown / renegotiation / a scripted
+  compositor restart) mid-capture and confirm the same `cuGraphicsMapResources` fault without the
+  surrounding compositor chaos. That also tells you whether the non-crash triggers in §5 are real.
+- **Keep the SAFETY-proof discipline.** `zerocopy/{cuda,egl,vulkan}.rs` are part of the unsafe-audited
+  set (`#![deny(clippy::undocumented_unsafe_blocks)]`, every `unsafe` carries a `// SAFETY:`). Any fix
+  updates those proofs to reflect the new lifetime/validity guarantees.
+
+## 10. Reproduction environment / artifacts
+
+- Box: `bazzite@192.168.1.181` (sudo `bazzite`), Bazzite F44 (`bazzite-deck-nvidia:testing`), RTX 4090,
+  NVIDIA open 610.43.02. See `[[gamemode-onglass-181-2026-07-06]]` for deploy/access details.
+- Trigger: stream a game-mode session with `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1`, then switch the box Game Mode →
+  KDE desktop mid-stream (the session watcher rebuilds to KWin → tiled EGL/CUDA capture → crash).
+- The coredump was present under `coredumpctl` on the box at the time of writing (may age out); the
+  backtrace in §2 is captured above.
+
+## 11. Related
+
+- `design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` (the branch this surfaced under — not the cause).
+- `design/session-aware-host-followups.md` (Game↔Desktop switch behavior; F44 GPU instability #1).
+- `design/gpu-contention-investigation.md` / `design/host-latency-plan.md` (zero-copy path context).
+- `crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/{egl,cuda,vulkan}.rs`, `capture/linux/pipewire.rs`.
+- CLAUDE.md: "GPU **zero-copy** on all paths (tiled dmabuf → EGL/GL → CUDA; LINEAR dmabuf → **Vulkan
+  bridge** → CUDA)" and the `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` semantics (ON for VAAPI/AMD/Intel with a CPU downgrade;
+  OFF/opt-in for NVENC).

design/zerocopy-worker-isolation.md

@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+# Zero-copy capture hardening — GPU-import worker isolation
+
+> **Status: IMPLEMENTED + on-glass validated (2026-07-06).** This is the implementation
+> plan + decision record for the crash described in
+> [`zerocopy-hardening-handoff.md`](zerocopy-hardening-handoff.md) (host SIGSEGV inside
+> `libnvidia-eglcore` via `cuGraphicsMapResources` when the compositor invalidated an imported
+> dmabuf mid-map, observed on the Bazzite F44 Game→Desktop switch). Validated on the RTX 5070 Ti /
+> GNOME box (.21): the isolated worker carries frames at **p50 1.30 ms** end-to-end (NV12, 1800
+> frames 0-mismatched), and a `kill -9` of the worker mid-stream is survived by the host and
+> recovered — poison → `capture lost — rebuilding pipeline in place` → a fresh worker in **~185 ms**
+> → streaming resumes (2385 frames, 0 mismatched, one 33 ms blip at the rebuild seam). See §6.
+
+## 1. The decision: isolate, don't (only) prevent
+
+The handoff's §9 framed two directions — *prevent the stale resource* vs *isolate the crash*.
+The audit (§3 below) shows our per-frame lifetime discipline is already correct: the `EGLImage`
+is created and destroyed strictly inside the PipeWire `on_process` callback while the buffer is
+held (not requeued), and the CUDA-registered textures are **our own GL render targets**, never
+wrappers around producer buffers. The invalidation that crashed the host is **external** —
+a compositor crash (or GPU channel wreckage from the surrounding plasmashell/Xwayland core dumps)
+yanked the dmabuf's GPU-side state while the driver executed our in-flight GL sampling + CUDA map.
+No in-process ordering fix can close that race, and a driver SIGSEGV is not catchable.
+
+So the fix is **process isolation**: the entire `EglImporter` (tiled dmabuf → EGL/GL → CUDA *and*
+LINEAR dmabuf → Vulkan bridge → CUDA) moves into a small per-capture **worker subprocess**. If the
+driver faults, the *worker* dies; the host observes a dead socket, fails the frame/capture cleanly,
+and the existing capture-loss rebuild path (`gamestream/stream.rs`, `punktfunk1.rs`) takes over —
+which is exactly what already happens today on the safe SHM path when a compositor goes away.
+
+What is deliberately **not** isolated:
+
+- **SHM/CPU capture** — no GPU import, nothing to contain.
+- **VAAPI passthrough** (AMD/Intel) — capture only `dup`s the dmabuf fd; the GPU import happens in
+  the encoder (Mesa VA, which reports errors rather than faulting; no observed crashes). Out of
+  scope here.
+- **NVENC itself** — libavcodec/NVENC surface errors as return codes; if the GPU is globally
+  wedged the encoder errors and the session rebuilds. Isolating encode would mean shipping a
+  session-wide media-pipeline process, far beyond this fix.
+
+## 2. Architecture
+
+```
+host process                                worker process (punktfunk-host zerocopy-worker)
+────────────                                ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+PipeWire on_process                          EGLDisplay + GL ctx + CUDA ctx + VkBridge
+  │ dmabuf fd (held, fence-waited)             │
+  ├── IMPORT{key,geometry} + fd ──────────────▶│ eglCreateImage → GL blit/NV12 convert
+  │        (SCM_RIGHTS, first sight per key)   │ → cuGraphicsMapResources → copy → unmap
+  │                                            │ → pooled CUDA buffer (cuMemAllocPitch)
+  │◀────────── FRAME{id [, ipc desc]} ─────────┤    exported ONCE via cuIpcGetMemHandle
+  │  host opens the IPC handle once,           │
+  │  wraps it as DeviceBuffer                  │
+  ▼                                            │
+encode thread (NVENC) reads the device ptr    │ keeps the DeviceBuffer in-flight
+  │ DeviceBuffer drop                          │
+  └── RELEASE{id} ────────────────────────────▶│ returns the buffer to its pool
+```
+
+- **Transport**: a `socketpair(AF_UNIX, SOCK_SEQPACKET)` created before spawn; the child end is
+  `dup2`'d to fd 3 (`zerocopy-worker --fd 3`). SEQPACKET gives reliable, ordered, message-framed
+  delivery; dmabuf fds ride as `SCM_RIGHTS`. Messages are small serde_json bodies (~200 B/frame;
+  negligible at 240 fps).
+- **Frame data never crosses the socket.** The worker's `BufferPool` allocations are exported once
+  each via `cuIpcGetMemHandle`; the host `cuIpcOpenMemHandle`s each exactly once (cached by buffer
+  id) and reuses the mapping as the pool recycles. Per frame the reply is just `{id}` — the copy
+  was already synced (`copy_blocking`) worker-side before the reply, so the host reads complete
+  pixels. The result is the same zero-CPU-touch path as before, plus one socket RTT (~tens of µs).
+- **fd caching**: the host keys each PipeWire buffer by its dmabuf `st_ino` (unique per dma-buf
+  object) and sends the fd only on first sight; the worker keeps the received dup (tiled: for the
+  per-frame `eglCreateImage`; LINEAR: for the Vulkan `src_cache`). A format renegotiation
+  (`param_changed`) sends `CLEAR_CACHE`, dropping both sides' caches — this also fixes the
+  pre-existing LINEAR-path bug where `VkBridge::src_cache` was keyed by raw fd number and never
+  invalidated across pool recycles (§3, trigger b). Cache desync is self-healing: a worker that no
+  longer holds a key's fd (LRU eviction) answers `NeedFd` and the host retries once with the fd.
+- **Lifetimes**: the worker holds each exported frame as a real `DeviceBuffer` in an in-flight map
+  until `RELEASE{id}` arrives, so the existing pool `Arc` machinery keeps device memory alive
+  across pool replacement while the host still reads it. Host-side, every remote `DeviceBuffer`
+  holds an `Arc` of the client's shared state (socket + IPC-mapping cache), so mappings are closed
+  only after the last in-flight frame drops.
+- **Worker lifetime**: one worker per capture (per `pipewire_thread`), spawned from
+  `/proc/self/exe`. It exits on socket EOF; the host reaps children via a global sweep list (no
+  zombies). Host death ⇒ EOF ⇒ worker exit.
+
+### Failure semantics (the point of the exercise)
+
+| event | behavior |
+|---|---|
+| worker init fails (no GPU, EGL error) | handshake reports `init_err` → capture falls back to the CPU/SHM offer, same as `EglImporter::new()` failure today |
+| driver SIGSEGV in the worker (the observed crash) | socket EOF → import fails with a *dead-worker* error → the capturer is **poisoned** → `next_frame`/`try_latest` return an error → the session's capture-loss rebuild runs (new capturer, new worker). **The host process survives.** |
+| tiled import fails but worker alive (e.g. `EGL_BAD_MATCH` on one frame) | frame dropped; after 3 consecutive failures the capturer poisons → rebuild. It must **never** fall through to the CPU mmap path — mmap of a *tiled* dmabuf de-pads scrambled bytes (a pre-existing fallback bug; the CPU fallback was only ever correct for LINEAR). |
+| LINEAR import fails | unchanged: fall back to the CPU mmap path in-stream (a LINEAR dmabuf is mappable), degraded not dead |
+| repeated worker deaths | a process-wide latch (`note_gpu_import_death`, 3 consecutive deaths without a successful import between them) disables the GPU importer for the rest of the process — rebuilds renegotiate the SHM offer. Stops a wedged GPU stack from crash-looping the worker while still streaming (CPU path). A successful import resets the streak. |
+
+### Escape hatch
+
+`PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY_INPROC=1` keeps the importer in-process (the pre-isolation behavior) for
+debugging and A/B latency comparison. Default is the worker.
+
+## 3. Audit answers for handoff §5 (which triggers are actually reachable)
+
+- **Compositor crash / restart** — reachable (observed). Contained by the worker.
+- **PipeWire buffer-pool recycle / renegotiation**:
+  - *Tiled EGL path*: **not reachable in code** — the `EGLImage` lives strictly inside
+    `on_process` while the buffer is held; the CUDA registrations wrap our own persistent GL
+    textures, not producer buffers.
+  - *LINEAR Vulkan path*: **reachable** — `VkBridge::src_cache` keyed by raw fd, never
+    invalidated: a pool teardown + fd-number reuse could serve a stale imported buffer (wrong
+    frame or driver fault), and old entries leaked. Fixed by st_ino keys + `CLEAR_CACHE` on
+    renegotiation + an LRU cap.
+- **Virtual-output teardown / mode change racing an in-flight map** — same class as compositor
+  crash (external invalidation, another thread); contained by the worker.
+- **Output removal** — ditto.
+
+## 4. In-process lifetime fixes (also shipped, they harden the worker itself)
+
+- `Nv12Blit::drop` deleted its GL textures **before** the struct fields dropped, i.e. while
+  `y_tex`/`uv_tex` were still CUDA-registered. Now `RegisteredTexture::release()` runs first
+  (unregister → delete), removing a driver-state hazard of exactly the class that crashed.
+- `GlBlit` had **no** `Drop` — its GL program/VAO/FBO/textures leaked on every size change and on
+  importer teardown. Now mirrors `Nv12Blit` (release registrations, then delete GL objects).
+
+## 5. Residual risks, accepted
+
+- A worker death while the encode thread still holds an IPC-mapped frame: the exporting process is
+  gone; the host-side mapping stays open until the `DeviceBuffer` drops. CUDA surfaces this as a
+  copy error at worst (encode error → session rebuild), not a host fault.
+- The VAAPI encoder's in-host VA dmabuf import (Mesa) keeps its current exposure; no NVIDIA-class
+  faults observed there.
+- `cuIpcOpenMemHandle` requires same-device, different-process — both hold by construction.
+
+## 6. Validation
+
+- **GPU-less (CI / dev VM)**: protocol unit tests (framing, fd round-trip over a socketpair,
+  error propagation, dead-worker detection against a mock server, latch behavior); worker-spawn
+  failure path (spawning a non-worker exe ⇒ clean fallback).
+- **On-glass (NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti + GNOME/Mutter, .21, 2026-07-06)** — steps 1–2 **PASSED**:
+  1. streamed `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1` through the worker (`zerocopy import worker ready` →
+     `zero-copy GPU import isolated in a worker process` → `dmabuf imported to CUDA … nv12=true`),
+     end-to-end **p50 1.30 ms** (1800 frames, 0 mismatched) — parity with the pre-isolation path;
+  2. `kill -9` the worker mid-stream → host **survived**; the next import logged
+     `tiled GPU import lost — failing this capture for rebuild … Broken pipe … dead=true`, then
+     `capture lost — rebuilding pipeline in place, rebuild=1`, a **fresh worker (new pid) in
+     ~185 ms**, and streaming resumed (2385 frames, 0 mismatched; single 33 ms frame at the seam).
+     The `worker-ready` count was 2 (original + rebuild), confirming the respawn.
+  Still pending: 3. a real compositor kill/restart mid-stream on a KWin box (the exact original
+  trigger — a `kill -9` of the worker is a strictly harsher event, so this is corroboration not a
+  gap); 4. `nv12-selftest` (in-process path untouched). *Note: on a static virtual desktop the
+  dead-worker detection only fires once a new frame triggers an import — realistic (a running game
+  produces continuous frames) but it means an idle desktop can sit poisoned-but-quiet briefly.*
+
+## 7. Files
+
+- `crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/proto.rs` — message types + SEQPACKET/SCM_RIGHTS I/O.
+- `crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/worker.rs` — worker main loop (`zerocopy-worker`),
+  backend trait (testable), EGL/CUDA backend.
+- `crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/client.rs` — `RemoteImporter` (spawn, handshake, IPC
+  mapping cache, release plumbing, reaping) + the `Importer` enum (Remote | InProc).
+- `crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/cuda.rs` — CUDA IPC entry points; remote-release
+  `DeviceBuffer`s.
+- `crates/punktfunk-host/src/linux/zerocopy/egl.rs` — teardown-order fixes (§4).
+- `crates/punktfunk-host/src/capture/linux/mod.rs` — `Importer` wiring, tiled-failure poisoning,
+  death latch, `CLEAR_CACHE` on renegotiation.
+- `crates/punktfunk-host/src/main.rs` — the hidden `zerocopy-worker` subcommand.

docs-site/content/docs/bazzite.md

@@ -85,13 +85,13 @@ cp /usr/share/punktfunk/host.env.bazzite ~/.config/punktfunk/host.env
 
 The template is deliberately minimal — it does **not** force a compositor, because the host
 auto-detects Gaming Mode (gamescope) vs Desktop (KWin) on every connect and follows the switch
-mid-stream. The only settings that matter are the session anchors plus zero-copy:
+mid-stream. The only settings that matter are the session anchors (GPU zero-copy is on by default):
 
 ```sh
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/1000
 DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS=unix:path=/run/user/1000/bus
 PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE=virtual
-PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1            # GPU zero-copy (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC); auto-falls back to CPU
+# GPU zero-copy (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC) is ON by default; auto-falls back to CPU. Set =0 to force CPU.
 PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_ATTACH=1    # Gaming Mode = attach to the box's own session (see below)
 ```
 

docs-site/content/docs/configuration.md

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ On Linux the host **rewrites `WAYLAND_DISPLAY` / `XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP` / `XDG_RU
 |---|---|---|
 | `PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR` | `kwin` · `mutter` · `gamescope` · `wlroots` (aliases: `kde`/`plasma`, `gnome`, `sway`/`hyprland`) | Which backend creates the virtual display. **Leave unset to auto-detect;** set only to force one. |
 | `PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE` | `virtual` · `portal` | `virtual` creates a per-client display at the client's exact mode (the normal choice). `portal` captures an existing monitor instead. |
-| `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` | `1` · `0` | GPU zero-copy capture→encode (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC, or D3D11 on Windows). Leave on; it falls back to a CPU path automatically. |
+| `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` | `1` · `0` *(default on)* | GPU zero-copy capture→encode (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC, or D3D11 on Windows). **On by default** — no need to set it; it falls back to a CPU path automatically. Set `0` to force the CPU path. One exception: Windows **Intel/QSV** keeps the CPU path by default until zero-copy is validated on Intel hardware — set `1` to try it there. |
 | `PUNKTFUNK_INPUT_BACKEND` | `libei` · `gamescope` · `wlr` · `uinput` | How input is injected. `libei` for GNOME/KDE, `gamescope` for Bazzite/gamescope, `wlr` for Sway/wlroots. Auto-detected with the compositor. |
 | `PUNKTFUNK_ENCODER` | `auto` · `nvenc` · `vaapi` (Linux) · `amf` · `qsv` (Windows) · `software` | Encoder backend. `auto` (default) detects the GPU vendor: NVIDIA→NVENC, AMD→VAAPI/AMF, Intel→VAAPI/QSV. `software` (aliases `sw`/`openh264`) is the GPU-less H.264 path on both platforms — on Windows `auto` falls back to it when no GPU is found; on Linux it is **explicit-only** (`auto` never picks it). |
 | `PUNKTFUNK_RENDER_NODE` | path | Linux DRM render node for zero-copy (default `/dev/dri/renderD128`). Set on multi-GPU boxes to pick the right GPU. |

docs-site/content/docs/gnome.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-0
 XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=GNOME
 PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR=mutter
 PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE=virtual
-PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1
+# GPU zero-copy (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC) is ON by default; auto-falls back to CPU. Set =0 to force CPU.
 PUNKTFUNK_INPUT_BACKEND=libei
 ```
 

docs-site/content/docs/kde.md

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-0
 XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=KDE
 PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR=kwin
 PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE=virtual
-PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1
+# GPU zero-copy (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC) is ON by default; auto-falls back to CPU. Set =0 to force CPU.
 PUNKTFUNK_INPUT_BACKEND=libei
 ```
 

docs-site/content/docs/sway.md

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ these in `~/.config/punktfunk/host.env`:
 PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR=wlroots      # aliases: sway, hyprland
 PUNKTFUNK_INPUT_BACKEND=wlr
 PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE=virtual
-PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1              # GPU zero-copy capture→encode; auto-falls back to CPU
+# GPU zero-copy capture→encode is ON by default; auto-falls back to CPU. Set PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=0 to force CPU.
 ```
 
 See [Configuration](/docs/configuration) for the full reference.

docs-site/content/docs/virtual-displays.md

@@ -38,6 +38,24 @@ the individual options documented further down.
 | **Hot-desk** | One user at a time with fast reattach — roaming between your own devices. A second user is told the box is busy, and each device+resolution keeps its own scaling. |
 | **Workstation** | The multi-monitor daily driver. Your displays come back exactly where you arranged them, with per-client identity and an exclusive desktop. |
 
+## Save your own preset
+
+The five above are curated starting points. When you've dialed in a setup you like — whether by
+picking a preset and tweaking it or by setting every option under **Custom** — you can **save it as
+your own named preset** and switch back to it in one click later.
+
+- **Save as preset** — names the settings currently in force (all of the options below **plus**
+  *Dedicated game sessions*) and adds it to the picker alongside the built-ins.
+- **Apply** — selecting a saved preset writes exactly those settings, the same as picking a built-in.
+- **Edit / delete** — rename a saved preset, update it to your current settings, or remove it. Deleting
+  a preset never changes what's running — it only takes the card out of the picker.
+
+Unlike the built-in presets (which deliberately leave *Dedicated game sessions* alone so switching
+presets never changes your game-launch routing), a **custom preset captures your full setup**,
+including that axis — because it's *your* saved configuration, not a curated behavior bundle. Custom
+presets live on the host in `display-presets.json` (next to `display-settings.json`); the catalog and
+the active policy are independent, so editing a preset never disturbs a running session.
+
 ## Options reference
 
 Choose **Custom** in the console to set these directly.
@@ -106,6 +124,26 @@ Per-backend support:
   each client), up to **max displays**. Arrange them under Host → *Virtual displays* once two or more
   are streaming.
 
+### Dedicated game sessions
+
+**Dedicated game sessions** control how a session that *launches a game from your library* is served
+(Linux hosts):
+
+- **Auto** (default) — the launch rides whatever session the box is in: the managed Steam session on a
+  Steam Deck / Bazzite couch box, a bare gamescope on a plain distro, or spawned into your live KDE /
+  GNOME / Sway desktop.
+- **Dedicated** — every library launch gets its **own headless gamescope at your exact resolution and
+  refresh**, with just the game inside. The game boots straight in — no Steam Big Picture to navigate,
+  no game-mode desktop. Steam titles launch with the client hidden (`steam -silent`); non-Steam titles
+  start almost instantly (gamescope up in ~1 s, then the game's own boot). Combined with **keep alive**,
+  the game keeps running when you disconnect and you re-attach straight back into it; when you quit the
+  game, the session ends cleanly and your client returns to its library.
+
+Dedicated needs `gamescope` installed on the host; if it isn't, a launch falls back to **Auto**
+routing. This axis is independent of the preset — pick it under Host → *Virtual displays*. On a box
+that's already in Steam game mode, a dedicated Steam launch frees game mode's Steam first and restores
+it when the session ends. (GameStream / Moonlight launches follow the same routing.)
+
 ## Persistent scaling
 
 Set your display **scaling** once and have it stick across reconnects. This works by giving each
@@ -149,3 +187,13 @@ an empty extension. Use **Primary** or **Exclusive** so your desktop actually la
 
 **KWin virtual outputs need KWin ≥ 6.5.6.** Older KWin can't create the virtual output at all —
 see [requirements](/docs/requirements).
+
+**Reconnecting into game mode reconnects cleanly now.** On a Steam Deck / Bazzite box, disconnecting
+and reconnecting within game mode reuses the still-warm session (or cleanly recreates it) instead of
+landing on a dead stream — and switching between game mode and the KDE / GNOME desktop mid-stream
+follows the switch. If a launched game **exits**, a dedicated session ends and returns you to your
+library; a game mode / desktop session keeps streaming.
+
+**My couch box's TV stayed on the streamed session after I disconnected.** With the **gaming-rig**
+preset (keep alive = *forever*), a managed Steam session is held indefinitely so a reconnect resumes
+instantly — return to game mode on the box (or restart the host) to hand the TV back.

include/punktfunk_core.h

@@ -283,6 +283,16 @@
 #define QUIT_CLOSE_CODE 81
 #endif
 
+#if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
+// QUIC application error code the **host** closes the control connection with when a **dedicated game
+// session's game process exits** (the nested gamescope died — the user quit the game), so a launcher
+// client can distinguish "the game ended" from an error and return to its library cleanly rather than
+// surfacing a failure (`design/gamemode-and-dedicated-sessions.md` §5.3). Sibling of
+// [`QUIT_CLOSE_CODE`]; a client that doesn't special-case it still ends the session (every client
+// returns to its launcher on session end), so it is purely refinement. Shared so host + clients agree.
+#define APP_EXITED_CLOSE_CODE 82
+#endif
+
 #if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
 // [`Hello::video_codecs`] bit: the client can decode H.264 / AVC. The GPU-less **software**
 // encode path (openh264) emits H.264, so a client that wants to stream from a software host MUST
@@ -1491,6 +1501,18 @@ PunktfunkStatus punktfunk_connection_probe_result(const PunktfunkConnection *c,
                                                   PunktfunkProbeResult *out);
 #endif
 
+#if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
+// Signal a **deliberate quit** (a user "stop", not a network drop) before closing: the connection
+// closes with [`QUIT_CLOSE_CODE`] instead of code 0, so the host tears the session down immediately
+// (skips the keep-alive linger) rather than holding it for a reconnect. Call this right before
+// [`punktfunk_connection_close`] on a user-initiated disconnect; a plain close (network drop,
+// backgrounding) leaves the linger intact. NULL is a no-op.
+//
+// # Safety
+// `c` was returned by [`punktfunk_connect`] and remains valid (closed via `punktfunk_connection_close`).
+void punktfunk_connection_disconnect_quit(PunktfunkConnection *c);
+#endif
+
 #if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
 // Close the connection and free the handle (joins the internal threads). NULL is a no-op.
 //

packaging/bazzite/README.md

@@ -242,8 +242,9 @@ PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_APP=steam -gamepadui
 # gamescope hosts its own EIS input socket — input lands in the nested session.
 PUNKTFUNK_INPUT_BACKEND=gamescope
 
-# GPU zero-copy capture (dmabuf -> CUDA -> NVENC). Auto-falls back to CPU if unavailable.
+# GPU zero-copy capture (dmabuf -> CUDA -> NVENC) is ON by default and auto-falls back to CPU if
-PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1
+# unavailable. No need to set it. Set to 0 only to force the CPU path.
+# PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=0
 
 #RUST_LOG=info
 ```
@@ -257,7 +258,7 @@ PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1
 | `PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE` | `virtual` | Create a per-client virtual output at the client's exact WxH@Hz (the flagship "native resolution, no scaling" mode), vs. `portal` which captures an existing monitor. |
 | `PUNKTFUNK_GAMESCOPE_APP` | `steam -gamepadui` | The command launched **inside** the nested gamescope — here, a SteamOS-style couch UI. Set it to whatever you want the session to run. |
 | `PUNKTFUNK_INPUT_BACKEND` | `gamescope` | Inject mouse/keyboard/gamepad into the nested gamescope via its own EIS socket. |
-| `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` | `1` | GPU zero-copy capture (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC). Falls back to CPU automatically if unavailable. |
+| `PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY` | `on` *(default)* | GPU zero-copy capture (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC), on by default. Falls back to CPU automatically if unavailable; set `0` to force the CPU path. |
 | `RUST_LOG` | (commented) | Uncomment `RUST_LOG=info` for verbose logs while debugging. |
 
 **Optional — a real DualSense for clients holding one:** add `PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense` to present
@@ -463,8 +464,8 @@ desktop viewer.
   after an `rpm-ostree`/`bootc` update, confirm the NVIDIA driver still loads (`nvidia-smi`) before
   blaming punktfunk.
 
-- **`PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1` but it falls back to CPU.** The zero-copy path needs working EGL/CUDA from
+- **Zero-copy falls back to CPU.** The zero-copy path (on by default) needs working EGL/CUDA from the
-  the NVIDIA driver. The code falls back to CPU automatically; check the log for the fallback line and
+  NVIDIA driver. The code falls back to CPU automatically; check the log for the fallback line and
   verify the `-nvidia` image / driver is healthy.
 
 - **Wrong UID in `host.env`.** `XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/1000` and the bus path assume UID 1000. Run

packaging/bazzite/host.env

@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@ DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS=unix:path=/run/user/1000/bus
 
 PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE=virtual
 
-# GPU zero-copy capture (dmabuf -> CUDA -> NVENC). Auto-falls back to CPU if unavailable.
+# GPU zero-copy capture (dmabuf -> CUDA -> NVENC) is ON by default and auto-falls back to CPU if
-PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1
+# unavailable. No need to set it. Set to 0 only to force the CPU path.
+# PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=0
 
 #RUST_LOG=info
 

packaging/kde/host.env

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-kde
 XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=KDE
 PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR=kwin
 PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE=virtual
-PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1
+# GPU zero-copy (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC) is ON by default; auto-falls back to CPU. Set =0 to force CPU.
 PUNKTFUNK_INPUT_BACKEND=libei
 # UDP Generic Segmentation Offload on the send path: coalesce a frame's equal-size packets into
 # kernel super-buffers (one sendmsg per ~64 packets instead of one per packet) — the dominant

scripts/headless/run-headless-kde.sh

@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 #   bash scripts/headless/run-headless-kde.sh [WxH]    # default 1920x1080
 #
 # Then in another shell:
-#   WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-kde XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=KDE PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1 \
+#   WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-kde XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=KDE \
-#     punktfunk-host punktfunk1-host --source virtual --seconds 14400
+#     punktfunk-host punktfunk1-host --source virtual --seconds 14400   # zero-copy is on by default
 set -euo pipefail
 
 RES="${1:-1920x1080}"

scripts/host.env.example

@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@ XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=KDE
 # resolution+refresh (the flagship mode); `portal` captures an existing monitor.
 PUNKTFUNK_VIDEO_SOURCE=virtual
 
-# GPU zero-copy capture (EGL/Vulkan → CUDA → NVENC). Falls back to CPU automatically.
+# GPU zero-copy capture (dmabuf → CUDA → NVENC / VAAPI / Vulkan) is ON by default and falls back to
-PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=1
+# CPU automatically. No need to set it. Set to 0 only to force the CPU path.
+# PUNKTFUNK_ZEROCOPY=0
 
 # --- Bazzite / SteamOS-like host: host-managed Steam-Deck-UI session -----------------------
 # The host LAUNCHES gamescope-session-plus headless AT THE CLIENT'S mode (so games see the

web/messages/de.json

@@ -97,6 +97,10 @@
 	"display_conflict_reject": "Besetzt — ablehnen",
 	"display_identity": "Client-Identität",
 	"display_identity_help": "Ob die gestreamte Anzeige eine stabile Client-Identität trägt, sodass der Desktop des Hosts die Monitor-Einstellungen dieses Clients (Skalierung, Auflösung) merkt und beim erneuten Verbinden wieder anwendet. Geteilt: eine Identität für alle. Pro Client: jedes Gerät eigene. Pro Client + Auflösung: separate Einstellungen je Gerät und Auflösung.",
+	"display_game_session": "Dedizierte Spiel-Sitzungen",
+	"display_game_session_help": "Wie eine Sitzung bedient wird, die ein Spiel aus der Bibliothek startet. „Dediziert“ gibt dem Start immer ein eigenes headless-gamescope in genau deiner Auflösung — das Spiel startet direkt, ohne Steam Big Picture, ohne Game-Mode. „Auto“ nutzt die aktuelle Sitzung der Box. gamescope muss installiert sein; sonst fällt Dediziert auf Auto zurück.",
+	"display_game_session_auto": "Auto",
+	"display_game_session_dedicated": "Dediziert",
 	"display_identity_shared": "Geteilt",
 	"display_identity_per_client": "Pro Client",
 	"display_identity_per_client_mode": "Pro Client + Auflösung",
@@ -104,6 +108,13 @@
 	"display_layout_help": "Automatisch ordnet die Anzeigen nebeneinander an (links nach rechts). Manuell: Du platzierst jede selbst — ein X/Y-Editor pro Anzeige erscheint im Abschnitt „Aktive Displays“ unten, sobald zwei oder mehr streamen.",
 	"display_layout_auto_row": "Automatisch (nebeneinander)",
 	"display_layout_manual": "Manuell",
+	"display_preset_custom_label": "Eigene Voreinstellungen",
+	"display_preset_save_as": "Als Voreinstellung speichern…",
+	"display_preset_name": "Name der Voreinstellung",
+	"display_preset_edit": "Umbenennen",
+	"display_preset_update": "Auf aktuelle Einstellungen aktualisieren",
+	"display_preset_delete": "Löschen",
+	"display_preset_delete_confirm": "Diese eigene Voreinstellung löschen?",
 	"clients_title": "Gekoppelte Geräte",
 	"clients_empty": "Noch keine gekoppelten Geräte.",
 	"clients_name": "Name",

web/messages/en.json

@@ -97,6 +97,10 @@
 	"display_conflict_reject": "Busy — reject",
 	"display_identity": "Per-client identity",
 	"display_identity_help": "Whether the streamed display carries a stable per-client identity, so the host's desktop remembers that client's per-monitor settings (scaling, resolution) and reapplies them when it reconnects. Shared: one identity for everyone. Per client: each device keeps its own. Per client + resolution: a device keeps separate settings per resolution it connects at.",
+	"display_game_session": "Dedicated game sessions",
+	"display_game_session_help": "How a session that launches a game from the library is served. “Dedicated” always gives the launch its own headless gamescope at your exact resolution — the game boots straight in, no Steam Big Picture, no game mode. “Auto” uses whatever session the box is in. gamescope must be installed; otherwise Dedicated falls back to Auto.",
+	"display_game_session_auto": "Auto",
+	"display_game_session_dedicated": "Dedicated",
 	"display_identity_shared": "Shared",
 	"display_identity_per_client": "Per client",
 	"display_identity_per_client_mode": "Per client + resolution",
@@ -104,6 +108,13 @@
 	"display_layout_help": "Auto lays displays out side by side, left to right. Manual: you position each one yourself — a per-display X/Y editor appears in the Live displays section below once two or more are streaming.",
 	"display_layout_auto_row": "Auto (side by side)",
 	"display_layout_manual": "Manual",
+	"display_preset_custom_label": "Custom presets",
+	"display_preset_save_as": "Save as preset…",
+	"display_preset_name": "Preset name",
+	"display_preset_edit": "Rename",
+	"display_preset_update": "Update to current settings",
+	"display_preset_delete": "Delete",
+	"display_preset_delete_confirm": "Delete this custom preset?",
 	"clients_title": "Paired clients",
 	"clients_empty": "No paired clients yet.",
 	"clients_name": "Name",

web/src/sections/Displays/DisplayCard.tsx

@@ -1,19 +1,25 @@
 import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 import { Button } from "@unom/ui/button";
-import { type FC, type ReactNode, useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import { Pencil, Plus, RefreshCw, Trash2 } from "lucide-react";
+import { type FC, type MouseEvent, type ReactNode, useEffect, useState } from "react";
 import {
 	getGetDisplayStateQueryKey,
 	getGetDisplaySettingsQueryKey,
+	useCreateCustomPreset,
+	useDeleteCustomPreset,
 	useGetDisplaySettings,
 	useGetDisplayState,
 	useReleaseDisplay,
 	useSetDisplayLayout,
 	useSetDisplaySettings,
+	useUpdateCustomPreset,
 } from "@/api/gen/display/display";
 import type {
 	ApiDisplayInfo,
+	CustomPreset,
 	DisplayPolicy,
 	EffectivePolicy,
+	GameSession,
 	Identity,
 	KeepAlive,
 	LayoutMode,
@@ -74,6 +80,7 @@ export const DisplaySection: FC = () => {
 								draft={draft}
 								setDraft={setDraft}
 								presets={q.data.presets}
+								customPresets={q.data.custom_presets}
 								apply={apply}
 								busy={save.isPending}
 								error={apiErrorMessage(save.error)}
@@ -108,10 +115,23 @@ const DisplayForm: FC<{
 	draft: DisplayPolicy;
 	setDraft: (p: DisplayPolicy) => void;
 	presets: { id: string; summary: string; fields: EffectivePolicy }[];
+	customPresets: CustomPreset[];
 	apply: (p: DisplayPolicy) => void;
 	busy: boolean;
 	error?: string;
-}> = ({ draft, setDraft, presets, apply, busy, error }) => {
+}> = ({ draft, setDraft, presets, customPresets, apply, busy, error }) => {
+	const qc = useQueryClient();
+	const createPreset = useCreateCustomPreset();
+	const updatePreset = useUpdateCustomPreset();
+	const deletePreset = useDeleteCustomPreset();
+	const invalidateSettings = () =>
+		qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: getGetDisplaySettingsQueryKey() });
+	const presetBusy =
+		createPreset.isPending || updatePreset.isPending || deletePreset.isPending;
+	const presetError = apiErrorMessage(
+		createPreset.error ?? updatePreset.error ?? deletePreset.error,
+	);
+
 	const preset: Preset = draft.preset ?? "custom";
 	const isCustom = preset === "custom";
 
@@ -141,12 +161,64 @@ const DisplayForm: FC<{
 				identity: effective.identity,
 				layout: effective.layout,
 				max_displays: effective.max_displays,
+				// Game-session is orthogonal to the preset — carry it through the Custom switch.
+				game_session: draft.game_session ?? "auto",
 			});
 		} else {
 			apply({ ...draft, preset: id as Preset });
 		}
 	};
 
+	// Applying a custom preset writes a `Custom` policy carrying its saved fields + game-session (the
+	// one axis a preset DOES set) — the host has no separate apply route (design/gamemode-and-…).
+	const applyCustomPreset = (p: CustomPreset) =>
+		apply({
+			version: 1,
+			preset: "custom",
+			...p.fields,
+			game_session: p.game_session ?? "auto",
+		});
+
+	// A custom card is "current" when the in-force policy is a Custom one whose fields + game-session
+	// value-match this preset (there is no id on DisplayPolicy — match by value).
+	const customSelected = (p: CustomPreset): boolean =>
+		isCustom &&
+		(draft.game_session ?? "auto") === (p.game_session ?? "auto") &&
+		deepEqual(effective, p.fields);
+	const anyCustomSelected = customPresets.some(customSelected);
+
+	// Save the currently-in-force behavior (built-in OR hand-edited) as a new named preset.
+	const saveAsPreset = () => {
+		const name = prompt(m.display_preset_name())?.trim();
+		if (!name) return; // cancelled or empty
+		createPreset.mutate(
+			{
+				data: { name, fields: effective, game_session: draft.game_session ?? "auto" },
+			},
+			{ onSuccess: invalidateSettings },
+		);
+	};
+	const renamePreset = (p: CustomPreset) => {
+		const name = prompt(m.display_preset_name(), p.name)?.trim();
+		if (!name) return;
+		updatePreset.mutate(
+			{ id: p.id, data: { name, fields: p.fields, game_session: p.game_session ?? "auto" } },
+			{ onSuccess: invalidateSettings },
+		);
+	};
+	const updatePresetToCurrent = (p: CustomPreset) =>
+		updatePreset.mutate(
+			{
+				id: p.id,
+				data: { name: p.name, fields: effective, game_session: draft.game_session ?? "auto" },
+			},
+			{ onSuccess: invalidateSettings },
+		);
+	const removePreset = (p: CustomPreset) => {
+		if (!confirm(m.display_preset_delete_confirm())) return;
+		deletePreset.mutate({ id: p.id }, { onSuccess: invalidateSettings });
+	};
+
 	const ka = customFields.keep_alive;
 	// The duration value, remembered across the Off/Keep toggle so switching back restores it.
 	const [keepSecs, setKeepSecs] = useState(ka.mode === "duration" ? ka.seconds : 300);
@@ -161,7 +233,9 @@ const DisplayForm: FC<{
 						const p = presets.find((x) => x.id === id);
 						const fields = id === "custom" ? undefined : p?.fields;
 						const summary = id === "custom" ? m.display_custom_desc() : p?.summary;
-						const selected = preset === id;
+						// The built-in "Custom" card is the hand-edit mode; when the active Custom policy
+						// value-matches a saved preset, that preset's card owns the "current" ring instead.
+						const selected = preset === id && !(id === "custom" && anyCustomSelected);
 						const soon = DISABLED_PRESETS.has(id);
 						const disabled = busy || soon;
 						const pick = () => {
@@ -218,6 +292,44 @@ const DisplayForm: FC<{
 				</div>
 			</div>
 
+			{/* Custom presets — the operator's saved field-bundles, rendered like the built-ins but
+			    editable/deletable, plus a "Save as preset" that captures the current effective behavior. */}
+			<div className="space-y-4">
+				<div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-2">
+					<Label className="text-base font-semibold">
+						{m.display_preset_custom_label()}
+					</Label>
+					<Button
+						size="sm"
+						variant="outline"
+						disabled={busy || presetBusy}
+						onClick={saveAsPreset}
+					>
+						<Plus className="mr-1 size-4" />
+						{m.display_preset_save_as()}
+					</Button>
+				</div>
+				{customPresets.length > 0 && (
+					<div className="grid gap-3 sm:grid-cols-2">
+						{customPresets.map((p) => (
+							<CustomPresetCard
+								key={p.id}
+								preset={p}
+								selected={customSelected(p)}
+								busy={busy || presetBusy}
+								onApply={() => applyCustomPreset(p)}
+								onRename={() => renamePreset(p)}
+								onUpdate={() => updatePresetToCurrent(p)}
+								onDelete={() => removePreset(p)}
+							/>
+						))}
+					</div>
+				)}
+				{presetError && (
+					<p className="text-sm text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-500">{presetError}</p>
+				)}
+			</div>
+
 			{/* Custom: every option by hand */}
 			{isCustom && (
 				<div className="space-y-6 rounded-lg border p-5">
@@ -330,6 +442,24 @@ const DisplayForm: FC<{
 				</div>
 			)}
 
+			{/* Game-session routing — orthogonal to the preset/lifecycle axes, so it lives outside the
+			    Custom block and applies immediately on change (like a preset click). */}
+			<div className="border-t pt-4">
+				<Choice
+					label={m.display_game_session()}
+					help={m.display_game_session_help()}
+					value={draft.game_session ?? "auto"}
+					options={["auto", "dedicated"]}
+					labels={GAME_SESSION_LABEL}
+					disabled={busy}
+					onPick={(v) => {
+						const next = { ...draft, game_session: v as GameSession };
+						setDraft(next);
+						apply(next);
+					}}
+				/>
+			</div>
+
 			{/* What's in force right now */}
 			<div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2 border-t pt-3">
 				<span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{m.display_effective()}:</span>
@@ -339,6 +469,9 @@ const DisplayForm: FC<{
 				<Badge variant="outline">{tr(IDENTITY_LABEL, effective.identity)}</Badge>
 				<Badge variant="outline">{tr(LAYOUT_LABEL, effective.layout.mode)}</Badge>
 				<Badge variant="outline">{`${effective.max_displays}×`}</Badge>
+				{(draft.game_session ?? "auto") === "dedicated" && (
+					<Badge variant="secondary">{m.display_game_session_dedicated()}</Badge>
+				)}
 			</div>
 
 			<p className="max-w-prose text-xs text-muted-foreground">{m.display_pending_note()}</p>
@@ -388,6 +521,95 @@ const Choice: FC<{
 	</Field>
 );
 
+/**
+ * One saved custom preset — the same interactive card as the built-ins (click to apply → writes a
+ * `Custom` policy carrying `preset.fields`), plus rename / update-to-current / delete affordances
+ * (each stops propagation so it doesn't also fire the card's apply). Field badges mirror the
+ * built-ins; the game-session badge shows only when it isn't the default `auto`.
+ */
+const CustomPresetCard: FC<{
+	preset: CustomPreset;
+	selected: boolean;
+	busy: boolean;
+	onApply: () => void;
+	onRename: () => void;
+	onUpdate: () => void;
+	onDelete: () => void;
+}> = ({ preset, selected, busy, onApply, onRename, onUpdate, onDelete }) => {
+	const fields = preset.fields;
+	const stop = (fn: () => void) => (e: MouseEvent) => {
+		e.stopPropagation();
+		if (!busy) fn();
+	};
+	return (
+		<Card
+			interactive
+			role="button"
+			tabIndex={busy ? -1 : 0}
+			aria-pressed={selected}
+			aria-disabled={busy || undefined}
+			onClick={() => !busy && onApply()}
+			onKeyDown={(e) => {
+				if (e.key === "Enter" || e.key === " ") {
+					e.preventDefault();
+					if (!busy) onApply();
+				}
+			}}
+			className={cn(
+				"flex h-full flex-col p-4",
+				busy ? "cursor-not-allowed opacity-60" : "cursor-pointer",
+				selected && "ring-2 ring-primary",
+			)}
+		>
+			<div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-2">
+				<span className="min-w-0 truncate text-base font-semibold">{preset.name}</span>
+				<div className="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-1">
+					{selected && <Badge variant="success">{m.display_preset_current()}</Badge>}
+					<Button
+						size="icon"
+						variant="ghost"
+						disabled={busy}
+						title={m.display_preset_edit()}
+						aria-label={m.display_preset_edit()}
+						onClick={stop(onRename)}
+					>
+						<Pencil className="size-4" />
+					</Button>
+					<Button
+						size="icon"
+						variant="ghost"
+						disabled={busy}
+						title={m.display_preset_update()}
+						aria-label={m.display_preset_update()}
+						onClick={stop(onUpdate)}
+					>
+						<RefreshCw className="size-4" />
+					</Button>
+					<Button
+						size="icon"
+						variant="ghost"
+						disabled={busy}
+						title={m.display_preset_delete()}
+						aria-label={m.display_preset_delete()}
+						onClick={stop(onDelete)}
+					>
+						<Trash2 className="size-4" />
+					</Button>
+				</div>
+			</div>
+			<div className="mt-auto flex flex-wrap gap-1.5 pt-3">
+				<Badge variant="secondary">{fmtKeepAlive(fields.keep_alive)}</Badge>
+				<Badge variant="secondary">{tr(TOPOLOGY_LABEL, fields.topology)}</Badge>
+				<Badge variant="outline">{tr(CONFLICT_LABEL, fields.mode_conflict)}</Badge>
+				<Badge variant="outline">{tr(IDENTITY_LABEL, fields.identity)}</Badge>
+				{(preset.game_session ?? "auto") !== "auto" && (
+					<Badge variant="secondary">{tr(GAME_SESSION_LABEL, preset.game_session)}</Badge>
+				)}
+			</div>
+		</Card>
+	);
+};
+
 /**
  * The host's live/kept virtual displays, polled from `/display/state`, each with a Release button
  * for lingering/pinned ones (active displays can't be released — that's session control).
@@ -611,6 +833,24 @@ const LAYOUT_LABEL: Record<string, () => string> = {
 	manual: m.display_layout_manual,
 };
 
+const GAME_SESSION_LABEL: Record<string, () => string> = {
+	auto: m.display_game_session_auto,
+	dedicated: m.display_game_session_dedicated,
+};
+
+/** Structural equality for the value-match of a custom preset's fields against the effective policy
+ * (handles the nested `keep_alive` variants + `layout.positions` map; key order doesn't matter). */
+const deepEqual = (a: unknown, b: unknown): boolean => {
+	if (a === b) return true;
+	if (typeof a !== "object" || typeof b !== "object" || a === null || b === null) return false;
+	const ak = Object.keys(a as object);
+	const bk = Object.keys(b as object);
+	if (ak.length !== bk.length) return false;
+	return ak.every((k) =>
+		deepEqual((a as Record<string, unknown>)[k], (b as Record<string, unknown>)[k]),
+	);
+};
+
 /** Look up a localized label, tolerating an unknown/undefined key (falls back to the raw value). */
 const tr = (map: Record<string, () => string>, key: string | null | undefined): string => {
 	const fn = key == null ? undefined : map[key];