diff --git a/src/main/ipc/worktrees-create-metadata-persistence.test.ts b/src/main/ipc/worktrees-create-metadata-persistence.test.ts
index dbf433a7934..2570699ac73 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/worktrees-create-metadata-persistence.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/worktrees-create-metadata-persistence.test.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ const WORKTREE_HANDLER_CHANNELS = [
   'worktrees:adoptProvisionedRoot',
   'worktrees:prefetchCreateBase',
   'worktrees:prepareCreateCheckout',
+  'worktrees:setCreateStandby',
   'worktrees:resolvePrBase',
   'worktrees:resolveMrBase',
   'worktrees:remove',
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/worktrees.ts b/src/main/ipc/worktrees.ts
index ed34efbd66c..140657e1669 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/worktrees.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/worktrees.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ registerDetectedWorktreeScanInvalidation()
 
 // Why not module scope like the invalidation above: this needs `mainWindow`/`store`, which only
 // exist once a window is attached, and must track the current ones across re-registration.
+let disposeWorktreeStandbys: (() => void) | undefined
 let disposeSparseCheckoutCacheInvalidation: (() => void) | undefined
 
 const WORKTREE_HANDLER_CHANNELS = [
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ const WORKTREE_HANDLER_CHANNELS = [
   'worktrees:adoptProvisionedRoot',
   'worktrees:prefetchCreateBase',
   'worktrees:prepareCreateCheckout',
+  'worktrees:setCreateStandby',
   'worktrees:resolvePrBase',
   'worktrees:resolveMrBase',
   'worktrees:remove',
@@ -87,7 +89,8 @@ export function registerWorktreeHandlers(
   registerWorktreeCatalogHandlers(context)
   registerHostCatalogHandlers(context)
   registerDetectedWorktreeHandlers(context)
-  registerWorktreePrefetchHandler(context)
+  disposeWorktreeStandbys?.()
+  disposeWorktreeStandbys = registerWorktreePrefetchHandler(context)
   registerWorktreeCreateHandlers(context)
   registerReviewBaseHandlers(context)
   registerWorktreeRemovalHandlers(context)
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/worktrees/create/register-worktree-prefetch-handler.ts b/src/main/ipc/worktrees/create/register-worktree-prefetch-handler.ts
index 069c5e5a159..e20bd027c13 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/worktrees/create/register-worktree-prefetch-handler.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/worktrees/create/register-worktree-prefetch-handler.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,66 @@
-import { ipcMain } from 'electron'
-import { prepareWorktreeCreateStandby } from '../../../worktree-create-standby'
+import { ipcMain, type WebContents } from 'electron'
+import { createWorktreeStandbyOwner } from '../../../worktree-create-standby-owner'
+import {
+  prepareWorktreeCreateStandby,
+  retainWorktreeCreateStandby
+} from '../../../worktree-create-standby'
 import { prefetchWorktreeCreateBase } from '../../../worktree-create-base-prefetch'
 import { prepareWorktreeCreateForRepo } from '../../../worktree-create-preparation'
 import { getWorktreeCreatePrefetchGitOptions } from '../../../project-runtime-git-options'
 import type { WorktreeIpcContext } from '../worktree-ipc-context'
 
-export function registerWorktreePrefetchHandler(context: WorktreeIpcContext): void {
+export function registerWorktreePrefetchHandler(context: WorktreeIpcContext): () => void {
   const { store, runtime } = context
+  const owners = new Map<
+    WebContents,
+    { controller: ReturnType<typeof createWorktreeStandbyOwner>; dispose: () => void }
+  >()
+  ipcMain.handle(
+    'worktrees:setCreateStandby',
+    async (event, args: { repoId: string | null; baseBranch?: string }) => {
+      const sender = event.sender
+      if (sender.isDestroyed()) {
+        return
+      }
+      let owner = owners.get(sender)
+      if (!owner) {
+        if (!args.repoId) {
+          return
+        }
+        const controller = createWorktreeStandbyOwner()
+        const dispose = () => {
+          controller.close()
+          owners.delete(sender)
+          sender.removeListener('destroyed', dispose)
+          sender.removeListener('render-process-gone', dispose)
+          sender.removeListener('did-start-navigation', onNavigation)
+        }
+        const onNavigation = (
+          _event: Electron.Event,
+          _url: string,
+          isInPlace: boolean,
+          isMainFrame: boolean
+        ): void => {
+          if (isMainFrame && !isInPlace) {
+            dispose()
+          }
+        }
+        owner = { controller, dispose }
+        owners.set(sender, owner)
+        sender.once('destroyed', dispose)
+        sender.once('render-process-gone', dispose)
+        sender.on('did-start-navigation', onNavigation)
+      }
+      await owner.controller.set(
+        args.repoId
+          ? async () => {
+              const repo = store.getRepo(args.repoId!)
+              return repo ? retainWorktreeCreateStandby(store, repo, args.baseBranch) : () => {}
+            }
+          : undefined
+      )
+    }
+  )
 
   ipcMain.handle(
     'worktrees:prepareCreateCheckout',
@@ -44,4 +98,9 @@ export function registerWorktreePrefetchHandler(context: WorktreeIpcContext): vo
       }
     }
   )
+  return () => {
+    for (const owner of owners.values()) {
+      owner.dispose()
+    }
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/worktrees/create/register-worktree-standby-handler.test.ts b/src/main/ipc/worktrees/create/register-worktree-standby-handler.test.ts
index 99033776f76..110ed284a70 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/worktrees/create/register-worktree-standby-handler.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/worktrees/create/register-worktree-standby-handler.test.ts
@@ -1,14 +1,19 @@
-import { beforeEach, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { EventEmitter } from 'node:events'
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import type { WorktreeIpcContext } from '../worktree-ipc-context'
 
 const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   handle: vi.fn(),
   standby: vi.fn(),
+  retain: vi.fn(),
   prefetch: vi.fn(),
   getRepo: vi.fn()
 }))
 vi.mock('electron', () => ({ ipcMain: { handle: mocks.handle } }))
-vi.mock('../../../worktree-create-standby', () => ({ prepareWorktreeCreateStandby: mocks.standby }))
+vi.mock('../../../worktree-create-standby', () => ({
+  prepareWorktreeCreateStandby: mocks.standby,
+  retainWorktreeCreateStandby: mocks.retain
+}))
 vi.mock('../../../worktree-create-base-prefetch', () => ({
   prefetchWorktreeCreateBase: mocks.prefetch
 }))
@@ -22,10 +27,11 @@ import { registerWorktreePrefetchHandler } from './register-worktree-prefetch-ha
 const context = { store: { getRepo: mocks.getRepo }, runtime: {} } as unknown as WorktreeIpcContext
 const repo = { id: 'repo', path: '/repo' }
 let standby: (event: null, args: { repoId: string; baseBranch?: string }) => Promise<void>
+let dispose: () => void
 beforeEach(() => {
   vi.resetAllMocks()
   mocks.getRepo.mockReturnValue(repo)
-  registerWorktreePrefetchHandler(context)
+  dispose = registerWorktreePrefetchHandler(context)
   standby = mocks.handle.mock.calls.find(
     ([channel]) => channel === 'worktrees:prepareCreateCheckout'
   )![1]
@@ -48,3 +54,41 @@ it('contains speculative failure without falling back to a fetch', async () => {
   await expect(standby(null, { repoId: 'repo' })).resolves.toBeUndefined()
   expect(mocks.prefetch).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
 })
+
+afterEach(() => dispose())
+
+it.each(['destroy', 'crash', 'reload', 'register cleanup'] as const)(
+  'releases held checkout on %s',
+  async (action) => {
+    const release = vi.fn()
+    mocks.retain.mockResolvedValue(release)
+    const sender = Object.assign(new EventEmitter(), { isDestroyed: () => false })
+    const handler = mocks.handle.mock.calls.find(
+      ([name]) => name === 'worktrees:setCreateStandby'
+    )![1]
+    await handler({ sender }, { repoId: 'repo', baseBranch: 'chosen' })
+    expect(mocks.retain).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith(context.store, repo, 'chosen')
+    if (action === 'destroy') {
+      sender.emit('destroyed')
+    } else {
+      dispose()
+    }
+    expect(release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    expect(sender.listenerCount('destroyed')).toBe(0)
+    expect(sender.listenerCount('render-process-gone')).toBe(0)
+    expect(sender.listenerCount('did-start-navigation')).toBe(0)
+  }
+)
+
+it('releases on hide without starting another preparation', async () => {
+  const release = vi.fn()
+  mocks.retain.mockResolvedValue(release)
+  const sender = Object.assign(new EventEmitter(), { isDestroyed: () => false })
+  const handler = mocks.handle.mock.calls.find(
+    ([name]) => name === 'worktrees:setCreateStandby'
+  )![1]
+  await handler({ sender }, { repoId: 'repo' })
+  await handler({ sender }, { repoId: null })
+  expect(release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  expect(mocks.retain).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+})
diff --git a/src/main/worktree-create-preparation-pool.ts b/src/main/worktree-create-preparation-pool.ts
index e3d2ce8c35d..e6a97219ce5 100644
--- a/src/main/worktree-create-preparation-pool.ts
+++ b/src/main/worktree-create-preparation-pool.ts
@@ -144,6 +144,29 @@ export function takePreparation(entry: PreparationEntry): void {
   clearTimeout(entry.expiration)
 }
 
+const preparationHolds = new WeakMap<PreparationEntry, number>()
+
+export function holdPreparation(entry: PreparationEntry): () => void {
+  if (preparations.get(entry.key) !== entry) {
+    return () => {}
+  }
+  clearTimeout(entry.expiration)
+  preparationHolds.set(entry, (preparationHolds.get(entry) ?? 0) + 1)
+  let released = false
+  return () => {
+    if (released) {
+      return
+    }
+    released = true
+    const remaining = (preparationHolds.get(entry) ?? 1) - 1
+    preparationHolds.set(entry, remaining)
+    if (remaining === 0 && preparations.get(entry.key) === entry) {
+      entry.expiration = setTimeout(() => expireEntry(entry), WORKTREE_CREATE_PREPARATION_TTL_MS)
+      entry.expiration.unref()
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 export function startPreparation({
   repoPath,
   workspaceRoot,
diff --git a/src/main/worktree-create-preparation.ts b/src/main/worktree-create-preparation.ts
index bd5ca06024a..3f96b77b07f 100644
--- a/src/main/worktree-create-preparation.ts
+++ b/src/main/worktree-create-preparation.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { preparationPathKey, selectPreparationForCreate } from './worktree-creat
 import {
   _resetPreparationPoolForTests,
   findPreparation,
+  holdPreparation,
   hasPendingPreparations,
   listPreparations,
   startPreparation,
@@ -71,11 +72,11 @@ function canonicalBaseRef(
   )
 }
 
-export async function prepareWorktreeCreateForRepo(
+async function getOrStartPreparationForRepo(
   store: Store,
   repo: Repo,
   baseBranch: string
-): Promise<void> {
+): Promise<PreparationEntry | undefined> {
   if (repo.connectionId || isFolderRepo(repo)) {
     return
   }
@@ -96,16 +97,50 @@ export async function prepareWorktreeCreateForRepo(
     options.wslDistro ?? ''
   )
   if (existing) {
-    return existing.ready
+    return existing
   }
 
-  return startPreparation({
+  void startPreparation({
     repoPath: repo.path,
     workspaceRoot,
     baseBranch,
     canonicalBase,
     options
   })
+  return findPreparation(
+    preparationPathKey(repo.path),
+    preparationPathKey(workspaceRoot),
+    canonicalBase,
+    options.wslDistro ?? ''
+  )
+}
+
+export async function prepareWorktreeCreateForRepo(
+  store: Store,
+  repo: Repo,
+  baseBranch: string
+): Promise<void> {
+  const entry = await getOrStartPreparationForRepo(store, repo, baseBranch)
+  await entry?.ready
+}
+
+export async function retainWorktreeCreateForRepo(
+  store: Store,
+  repo: Repo,
+  baseBranch: string
+): Promise<() => void> {
+  const entry = await getOrStartPreparationForRepo(store, repo, baseBranch)
+  if (!entry) {
+    return () => {}
+  }
+  const release = holdPreparation(entry)
+  try {
+    await entry.ready
+    return release
+  } catch (error) {
+    release()
+    throw error
+  }
 }
 
 type ClaimedPreparation =
diff --git a/src/main/worktree-create-standby-owner.test.ts b/src/main/worktree-create-standby-owner.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3a39bb1fb39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/worktree-create-standby-owner.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+import { expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { createWorktreeStandbyOwner } from './worktree-create-standby-owner'
+
+function deferred() {
+  let resolve!: (release: () => void) => void
+  const promise = new Promise<() => void>((done) => {
+    resolve = done
+  })
+  return { promise, resolve }
+}
+
+it('serializes disk work and skips targets replaced while queued', async () => {
+  const first = createWorktreeStandbyOwner()
+  const second = createWorktreeStandbyOwner()
+  const pending = deferred()
+  const releaseFirst = vi.fn()
+  const releaseLast = vi.fn()
+  const start = vi.fn(() => pending.promise)
+  const skipped = vi.fn(async () => () => {})
+  const last = vi.fn(async () => releaseLast)
+  const active = first.set(start)
+  await Promise.resolve()
+  expect(start).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  const obsolete = second.set(skipped)
+  const latest = second.set(last)
+  await Promise.resolve()
+  expect(last).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  pending.resolve(releaseFirst)
+  await Promise.all([active, obsolete, latest])
+  expect(skipped).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  expect(last).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  first.close()
+  second.close()
+  expect(releaseFirst).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  expect(releaseLast).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+})
+
+it('releases a preparation that finishes after its owner is closed', async () => {
+  const owner = createWorktreeStandbyOwner()
+  const pending = deferred()
+  const release = vi.fn()
+  const work = owner.set(() => pending.promise)
+  await Promise.resolve()
+  owner.close()
+  pending.resolve(release)
+  await work
+  expect(release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  const prepare = vi.fn()
+  await owner.set(prepare)
+  expect(prepare).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+})
+
+it('releases on hide and does not poison later work after a failed preparation', async () => {
+  const owner = createWorktreeStandbyOwner()
+  await owner.set(async () => {
+    throw new Error('disk unavailable')
+  })
+  const release = vi.fn()
+  await owner.set(async () => release)
+  await owner.set()
+  owner.close()
+  expect(release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+})
diff --git a/src/main/worktree-create-standby-owner.ts b/src/main/worktree-create-standby-owner.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2a6452afdc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/worktree-create-standby-owner.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+type ReleaseStandby = () => void
+let standbyQueue: Promise<void> = Promise.resolve()
+
+export function createWorktreeStandbyOwner() {
+  let revision = 0
+  let closed = false
+  let release: ReleaseStandby | undefined
+
+  return {
+    set(prepare?: () => Promise<ReleaseStandby>): Promise<void> {
+      const current = ++revision
+      release?.()
+      release = undefined
+      if (closed || !prepare) {
+        return Promise.resolve()
+      }
+      const job = standbyQueue.then(async () => {
+        if (closed || revision !== current) {
+          return
+        }
+        try {
+          const prepared = await prepare()
+          if (closed || revision !== current) {
+            prepared()
+          } else {
+            release = prepared
+          }
+        } catch {
+          // Speculative failure leaves ordinary Create responsible for recovery.
+        }
+      })
+      standbyQueue = job
+      return job
+    },
+    close(): void {
+      closed = true
+      revision++
+      release?.()
+      release = undefined
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/main/worktree-create-standby.test.ts b/src/main/worktree-create-standby.test.ts
index 809cf08585d..9941b379b62 100644
--- a/src/main/worktree-create-standby.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/worktree-create-standby.test.ts
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ beforeEach(() => {
 describe('checkout-only standby', () => {
   it.each([
     { ...repo, kind: 'folder' as const },
-    { ...repo, connectionId: 'ssh' }
+    { ...repo, connectionId: 'ssh' },
+    { ...repo, executionHostId: 'runtime:other' as const }
   ])('does no local work for an ineligible repo', async (target) => {
     await prepareWorktreeCreateStandby(store, target)
     expect(mocks.options).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
diff --git a/src/main/worktree-create-standby.ts b/src/main/worktree-create-standby.ts
index dfa760092c4..e78f3f4c4d6 100644
--- a/src/main/worktree-create-standby.ts
+++ b/src/main/worktree-create-standby.ts
@@ -1,18 +1,22 @@
 import type { Store } from './persistence'
 import type { Repo } from '../shared/repo-types'
 import { isFolderRepo } from '../shared/repo-kind'
+import { getRepoExecutionHostId } from '../shared/execution-host'
 import { getBaseRefDefault } from './git/repo'
 import { hasLocalWorktreeBaseRef } from './git/worktree-base-ref-probe'
 import { getLocalProjectWorktreeGitOptions } from './project-runtime-git-options'
 import { resolveWorktreeCreateBase } from './worktree-create-base'
-import { prepareWorktreeCreateForRepo } from './worktree-create-preparation'
+import {
+  prepareWorktreeCreateForRepo,
+  retainWorktreeCreateForRepo
+} from './worktree-create-preparation'
 
-export async function prepareWorktreeCreateStandby(
+async function resolveStandbyBase(
   store: Store,
   repo: Repo,
   requestedBaseBranch?: string
-): Promise<void> {
-  if (repo.connectionId || isFolderRepo(repo)) {
+): Promise<string | undefined> {
+  if (getRepoExecutionHostId(repo) !== 'local' || isFolderRepo(repo)) {
     return
   }
   const options = getLocalProjectWorktreeGitOptions(store, repo)
@@ -26,5 +30,25 @@ export async function prepareWorktreeCreateStandby(
   if (!baseBranch || !(await hasLocalWorktreeBaseRef(repo.path, baseBranch, options))) {
     return
   }
-  await prepareWorktreeCreateForRepo(store, repo, baseBranch)
+  return baseBranch
+}
+
+export async function prepareWorktreeCreateStandby(
+  store: Store,
+  repo: Repo,
+  requestedBaseBranch?: string
+): Promise<void> {
+  const base = await resolveStandbyBase(store, repo, requestedBaseBranch)
+  if (base) {
+    await prepareWorktreeCreateForRepo(store, repo, base)
+  }
+}
+
+export async function retainWorktreeCreateStandby(
+  store: Store,
+  repo: Repo,
+  requestedBaseBranch?: string
+): Promise<() => void> {
+  const base = await resolveStandbyBase(store, repo, requestedBaseBranch)
+  return base ? retainWorktreeCreateForRepo(store, repo, base) : () => {}
 }
diff --git a/src/main/worktree-preparation-hold.test.ts b/src/main/worktree-preparation-hold.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..af2eea7b5fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/worktree-preparation-hold.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({ prepare: vi.fn(), discard: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('node:fs/promises', () => ({ mkdir: vi.fn(async () => {}) }))
+vi.mock('./git/worktree-create-preparation', () => ({
+  prepareWorktreeCreateCheckout: mocks.prepare
+}))
+vi.mock('./worktree-create-preparation-stale-cleanup', () => ({
+  cleanupStalePreparations: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+  hasPendingStalePreparationCleanup: () => false,
+  resetStalePreparationCleanupForTests: vi.fn(async () => {})
+}))
+vi.mock('./worktree-preparation-discard-retry', () => ({
+  discardPreparationWithRetry: mocks.discard,
+  trackPreparationDiscard: vi.fn(),
+  resetPendingPreparationDiscardsForTests: vi.fn(async () => {})
+}))
+import {
+  startPreparation,
+  listPreparations,
+  holdPreparation,
+  takePreparation,
+  _resetPreparationPoolForTests,
+  WORKTREE_CREATE_PREPARATION_TTL_MS as ttl,
+  WORKTREE_CREATE_PREPARATION_LIMIT as limit
+} from './worktree-create-preparation-pool'
+
+const args = {
+  repoPath: '/repo',
+  workspaceRoot: '/workspace',
+  baseBranch: 'main',
+  canonicalBase: 'refs/heads/main',
+  options: {}
+}
+beforeEach(() => {
+  vi.useFakeTimers()
+  vi.resetAllMocks()
+  mocks.prepare.mockResolvedValue(undefined)
+  mocks.discard.mockResolvedValue(undefined)
+})
+afterEach(async () => {
+  await _resetPreparationPoolForTests()
+  vi.useRealTimers()
+})
+
+it('keeps one checkout through repeated TTLs without rebuilding and expires after final release', async () => {
+  await startPreparation(args)
+  const entry = listPreparations()[0]
+  const releaseFirst = holdPreparation(entry)
+  const releaseSecond = holdPreparation(entry)
+  await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(ttl * 3)
+  expect(listPreparations()).toEqual([entry])
+  expect(mocks.prepare).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  expect(mocks.discard).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  releaseFirst()
+  releaseFirst()
+  await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(ttl * 2)
+  expect(listPreparations()).toEqual([entry])
+  releaseSecond()
+  await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(ttl - 1)
+  expect(mocks.discard).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1)
+  expect(listPreparations()).toEqual([])
+  expect(mocks.discard).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+})
+
+it('never deletes a held checkout after Create has claimed it', async () => {
+  await startPreparation(args)
+  const entry = listPreparations()[0]
+  const release = holdPreparation(entry)
+  takePreparation(entry)
+  release()
+  await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(ttl * 2)
+  expect(mocks.discard).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+})
+
+it('preserves the pool limit even if every entry is held', async () => {
+  const releases: (() => void)[] = []
+  for (let i = 0; i <= limit; i++) {
+    await startPreparation({ ...args, canonicalBase: `refs/heads/branch-${i}` })
+    releases.push(holdPreparation(listPreparations().at(-1)!))
+  }
+  expect(listPreparations()).toHaveLength(limit)
+  await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+  expect(mocks.discard).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  releases.forEach((release) => release())
+})
diff --git a/src/preload/api/worktree-api.ts b/src/preload/api/worktree-api.ts
index 1a7db809f60..29b29f33db9 100644
--- a/src/preload/api/worktree-api.ts
+++ b/src/preload/api/worktree-api.ts
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ export type WorktreeApi = {
   onCreateProgress: (
     callback: (data: { creationId?: string; phase: 'fetching' | 'creating' }) => void
   ) => () => void
+  setCreateStandby?: (args: { repoId: string | null; baseBranch?: string }) => Promise<void>
   prepareCreateCheckout?: (args: { repoId: string; baseBranch?: string }) => Promise<void>
   prefetchCreateBase: (args: { repoId: string; baseBranch?: string }) => Promise<void>
   resolvePrBase: (args: {
diff --git a/src/preload/api/worktrees-bridge.ts b/src/preload/api/worktrees-bridge.ts
index 6b15e9f0e71..879633b73db 100644
--- a/src/preload/api/worktrees-bridge.ts
+++ b/src/preload/api/worktrees-bridge.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ export const worktreesApi = {
     return () => ipcRenderer.removeListener('createWorktree:progress', listener)
   },
 
+  setCreateStandby: (args) => ipcRenderer.invoke('worktrees:setCreateStandby', args),
+
   prepareCreateCheckout: (args) => ipcRenderer.invoke('worktrees:prepareCreateCheckout', args),
 
   prefetchCreateBase: (args) => ipcRenderer.invoke('worktrees:prefetchCreateBase', args),
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/app-shell/AppBackgroundServices.tsx b/src/renderer/src/app-shell/AppBackgroundServices.tsx
index 014b3f69bca..85d551cba55 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/app-shell/AppBackgroundServices.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/app-shell/AppBackgroundServices.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import RetainedAgentsSyncGate from '../components/dashboard/RetainedAgentsSyncGa
 import { WorkspacePortScanner } from '../components/ports/WorkspacePortScanner'
 import { MacosTccPromptNoticeHost } from '../hooks/MacosTccPromptNoticeHost'
 import { useAppStore } from '../store'
+import { WorktreeCreateStandbyGate } from './WorktreeCreateStandbyGate'
 import { StructuredAgentSessionStatusBridge } from '../components/native-chat/StructuredAgentSessionStatusBridge'
 
 const DashboardPopoutBridge = lazy(() => import('../components/dashboard/DashboardPopoutBridge'))
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export function AppBackgroundServices(): React.JSX.Element {
   return (
     <>
       <WorkspacePortScanner enabled={workspaceSessionReady} />
+      <WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled={workspaceSessionReady} />
       {/* Why: plugin language-pack discovery must not re-render the App shell. */}
       <MacosTccPromptNoticeHost />
       {/* Why: leaf-mounted retention sync keeps agent-status subscriptions out of the App render tree. */}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/app-shell/WorktreeCreateStandbyGate.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/app-shell/WorktreeCreateStandbyGate.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f191853c948
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/app-shell/WorktreeCreateStandbyGate.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,239 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { act, cleanup, render } from '@testing-library/react'
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { create } from 'zustand'
+import { getDefaultSettings } from '../../../shared/constants'
+import type { AppState } from '../store/types'
+import type { Repo } from '../../../shared/repo-types'
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({ web: false, setStandby: vi.fn() }))
+vi.mock('../store', () => ({ useAppStore: create<AppState>(() => ({}) as AppState) }))
+vi.mock('../lib/web-client-location', () => ({ isWebClientLocation: () => mocks.web }))
+import { useAppStore } from '../store'
+import { WorktreeCreateStandbyGate } from './WorktreeCreateStandbyGate'
+import { resetInputQuietSchedulerForTest } from '../lib/input-quiet-scheduler'
+
+const repo = { id: 'one', path: '/one' } as Repo
+const second = { id: 'two', path: '/two' } as Repo
+function visible(value: boolean): void {
+  Object.defineProperty(document, 'visibilityState', {
+    configurable: true,
+    value: value ? 'visible' : 'hidden'
+  })
+  act(() => document.dispatchEvent(new Event('visibilitychange')))
+}
+async function settle(): Promise<void> {
+  await act(async () => {
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(3_100)
+  })
+}
+beforeEach(() => {
+  vi.useFakeTimers()
+  resetInputQuietSchedulerForTest()
+  mocks.web = false
+  mocks.setStandby.mockReset().mockResolvedValue(undefined)
+  Object.defineProperty(window, 'api', {
+    configurable: true,
+    value: { worktrees: { setCreateStandby: mocks.setStandby } }
+  })
+  visible(true)
+  useAppStore.setState({
+    repos: [repo, second],
+    projects: [],
+    activeRepoId: repo.id,
+    settings: null,
+    newWorkspaceDraft: null,
+    workspaceHostScope: 'all'
+  })
+})
+afterEach(() => {
+  cleanup()
+  vi.useRealTimers()
+})
+
+it('prepares only the latest target after rapid switches', async () => {
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await act(async () => {
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1_000)
+  })
+  act(() => useAppStore.setState({ activeRepoId: second.id }))
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby.mock.calls).toEqual([[{ repoId: second.id }]])
+})
+
+it('cancels pending work while hidden and releases a prepared target on unmount', async () => {
+  const view = render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  visible(false)
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  visible(true)
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ repoId: repo.id })
+  view.unmount()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ repoId: null })
+})
+
+it('releases when hidden and does not refill from unrelated state updates', async () => {
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await settle()
+  act(() => useAppStore.setState({ repos: [{ ...repo }, { ...second }] }))
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  visible(false)
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ repoId: null })
+})
+
+it.each([
+  { ...repo, connectionId: 'ssh' },
+  { ...repo, kind: 'folder' },
+  { ...repo, executionHostId: 'runtime:remote' },
+  { ...repo, executionHostId: 'ssh:remote' }
+])('does not prepare an ineligible owner or folder', async (target) => {
+  useAppStore.setState({ repos: [target as Repo] })
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+})
+
+it('honors explicit local ownership while another runtime is focused', async () => {
+  useAppStore.setState({
+    repos: [{ ...repo, executionHostId: 'local' }],
+    settings: { activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'remote' } as AppState['settings']
+  })
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ repoId: repo.id })
+})
+
+it('does not route an unowned legacy repo through a focused runtime', async () => {
+  useAppStore.setState({
+    settings: { activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'remote' } as AppState['settings']
+  })
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+})
+
+it('matches the persisted composer draft repo and base', async () => {
+  useAppStore.setState({
+    newWorkspaceDraft: { repoId: second.id, baseBranch: 'release' } as AppState['newWorkspaceDraft']
+  })
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ repoId: second.id, baseBranch: 'release' })
+})
+
+it.each(['web', 'missing', 'disabled'])('does nothing when unavailable: %s', async (reason) => {
+  mocks.web = reason === 'web'
+  if (reason === 'missing') {
+    delete window.api.worktrees.setCreateStandby
+  }
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled={reason !== 'disabled'} />)
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+})
+
+it('waits for input quiet before preparing', async () => {
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await act(async () => {
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1_500)
+  })
+  act(() => window.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { key: 'x' })))
+  await act(async () => {
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1_000)
+  })
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith({ repoId: repo.id })
+})
+
+it('releases the old target before preparing the next', async () => {
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await settle()
+  act(() => useAppStore.setState({ activeRepoId: second.id }))
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ repoId: null })
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby.mock.calls).toEqual([
+    [{ repoId: repo.id }],
+    [{ repoId: null }],
+    [{ repoId: second.id }]
+  ])
+})
+
+it('cancels a scheduled preparation on unmount', async () => {
+  const view = render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  view.unmount()
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+})
+
+it.each(['workspaceDir', 'nestWorkspaces', 'localWindowsRuntimeDefault'] as const)(
+  'releases and re-arms when placement/runtime setting changes: %s',
+  async (key) => {
+    const settings = getDefaultSettings('/tmp')
+    useAppStore.setState({ settings })
+    render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+    await settle()
+    act(() =>
+      useAppStore.setState({
+        settings: {
+          ...settings,
+          [key]:
+            key === 'workspaceDir'
+              ? '/new-root'
+              : key === 'nestWorkspaces'
+                ? !settings.nestWorkspaces
+                : { kind: 'wsl', distro: 'Ubuntu' }
+        } as AppState['settings']
+      })
+    )
+    expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ repoId: null })
+    await settle()
+    expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ repoId: repo.id })
+  }
+)
+
+it('re-arms for the selected project runtime and repo placement, ignoring another project', async () => {
+  const project = { id: 'project', sourceRepoIds: [repo.id] } as AppState['projects'][number]
+  useAppStore.setState({ projects: [project] })
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await settle()
+  act(() =>
+    useAppStore.setState({
+      projects: [
+        project,
+        {
+          id: 'other',
+          sourceRepoIds: [second.id],
+          localWindowsRuntimePreference: { kind: 'windows-host' }
+        } as AppState['projects'][number]
+      ]
+    })
+  )
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  act(() =>
+    useAppStore.setState({
+      projects: [{ ...project, localWindowsRuntimePreference: { kind: 'windows-host' } }]
+    })
+  )
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ repoId: null })
+  await settle()
+  act(() => useAppStore.setState({ repos: [{ ...repo, worktreeBasePath: '/new-root' }] }))
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ repoId: null })
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(5)
+})
+
+it('ignores unrelated settings and terminal state churn', async () => {
+  render(<WorktreeCreateStandbyGate enabled />)
+  await settle()
+  act(() =>
+    useAppStore.setState({
+      settings: { theme: 'dark' } as AppState['settings'],
+      activeWorktreeId: 'other-workspace'
+    })
+  )
+  await settle()
+  expect(mocks.setStandby).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/app-shell/WorktreeCreateStandbyGate.tsx b/src/renderer/src/app-shell/WorktreeCreateStandbyGate.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2b69cd4349d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/app-shell/WorktreeCreateStandbyGate.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+import { useEffect, useMemo } from 'react'
+import { useShallow } from 'zustand/react/shallow'
+import { useAppStore } from '../store'
+import type { AppState } from '../store/types'
+import {
+  getComposerEligibleRepos,
+  resolveComposerActiveRepoId,
+  resolveComposerGitRepoId
+} from '../lib/new-workspace-composer-repo'
+import { settingsForKnownRepoOwner } from '../store/slices/worktrees/listing/worktree-owner-settings'
+import { getActiveRuntimeTarget } from '../runtime/runtime-rpc-client'
+import { isWebClientLocation } from '../lib/web-client-location'
+import { scheduleAfterInputQuiet } from '../lib/input-quiet-scheduler'
+import { isWindowVisible } from '../lib/window-visibility-interval'
+import { getRepoExecutionHostId } from '../../../shared/execution-host'
+
+type StandbyState = Pick<AppState, 'repos' | 'projects' | 'activeRepoId' | 'workspaceHostScope'> & {
+  draftRepoId: string | null | undefined
+  draftBaseBranch: string | undefined
+  activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: string | null | undefined
+  workspaceDir: string | undefined
+  nestWorkspaces: boolean | undefined
+  localWindowsRuntimeDefault:
+    | NonNullable<AppState['settings']>['localWindowsRuntimeDefault']
+    | undefined
+}
+
+function standbyIdentity(state: StandbyState): string | null {
+  const eligibleRepos = getComposerEligibleRepos(state.repos)
+  const repoId = resolveComposerGitRepoId({
+    eligibleRepos,
+    activeRepoId: resolveComposerActiveRepoId(state.repos, eligibleRepos, state.activeRepoId),
+    draftRepoId: state.draftRepoId,
+    focusedHostScope: state.workspaceHostScope
+  })
+  const repo = eligibleRepos.find((candidate) => candidate.id === repoId)
+  if (
+    !repo ||
+    repo.connectionId ||
+    getRepoExecutionHostId(repo) !== 'local' ||
+    getActiveRuntimeTarget(
+      settingsForKnownRepoOwner(
+        { activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: state.activeRuntimeEnvironmentId } as AppState['settings'],
+        repo
+      )
+    ).kind !== 'local'
+  ) {
+    return null
+  }
+  const project = state.projects.find((entry) => entry.sourceRepoIds.includes(repo.id))
+  return JSON.stringify({
+    repoId: repo.id,
+    path: repo.path,
+    worktreeBaseRef: repo.worktreeBaseRef,
+    worktreeBasePath: repo.worktreeBasePath,
+    workspaceDir: state.workspaceDir,
+    nestWorkspaces: state.nestWorkspaces,
+    projectId: project?.id,
+    projectRuntime: project?.localWindowsRuntimePreference,
+    localWindowsRuntimeDefault: state.localWindowsRuntimeDefault,
+    baseBranch: state.draftRepoId === repo.id ? state.draftBaseBranch : undefined
+  })
+}
+
+export function WorktreeCreateStandbyGate({ enabled }: { enabled: boolean }): null {
+  // After Create, the pool's burst policy owns replenishment; unrelated workspace changes stay quiet.
+  const inputs = useAppStore(
+    useShallow((state): StandbyState => ({
+      repos: state.repos,
+      projects: state.projects,
+      activeRepoId: state.activeRepoId,
+      workspaceHostScope: state.workspaceHostScope,
+      draftRepoId: state.newWorkspaceDraft?.repoId,
+      draftBaseBranch: state.newWorkspaceDraft?.baseBranch,
+      activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: state.settings?.activeRuntimeEnvironmentId,
+      workspaceDir: state.settings?.workspaceDir,
+      nestWorkspaces: state.settings?.nestWorkspaces,
+      localWindowsRuntimeDefault: state.settings?.localWindowsRuntimeDefault
+    }))
+  )
+  const identity = useMemo(() => standbyIdentity(inputs), [inputs])
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const setStandby = window.api?.worktrees?.setCreateStandby
+    if (!enabled || !identity || isWebClientLocation() || !setStandby) {
+      return
+    }
+    const { repoId, baseBranch } = JSON.parse(identity) as {
+      repoId: string
+      baseBranch?: string
+    }
+    let cancelScheduled: (() => void) | undefined
+    let requested = false
+    const release = (): void => {
+      cancelScheduled?.()
+      cancelScheduled = undefined
+      if (requested) {
+        requested = false
+        void setStandby({ repoId: null }).catch(() => {})
+      }
+    }
+    const reconcile = (): void => {
+      release()
+      if (!isWindowVisible()) {
+        return
+      }
+      cancelScheduled = scheduleAfterInputQuiet(
+        () => {
+          requested = true
+          void setStandby({ repoId, ...(baseBranch ? { baseBranch } : {}) }).catch(() => {})
+        },
+        { delayMs: 2_000, quietMs: 2_000, idleTimeoutMs: 1_000 }
+      )
+    }
+    reconcile()
+    document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', reconcile)
+    return () => {
+      document.removeEventListener('visibilitychange', reconcile)
+      release()
+    }
+  }, [enabled, identity])
+  return null
+}