diff --git a/src/main/ipc/pty/runtime/spawn-preflight.ts b/src/main/ipc/pty/runtime/spawn-preflight.ts
index 0e68e3ac25a..39dc59e3afb 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/pty/runtime/spawn-preflight.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/pty/runtime/spawn-preflight.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ import { resolvePtySpawnStartupTarget } from '../spawn-startup-target'
 import { resolvePtySpawnHostEnv } from '../spawn-host-env'
 import { ptySpawnPaneFromIds, stampPtySpawnPaneEnv } from '../spawn-pane-env'
 import { getConnectionExecutionHostId } from '../../../../shared/execution-host'
-import { ensureJcodeRuntimeDir, JCODE_RUNTIME_DIR_ENV_KEY } from '../../../../shared/jcode-runtime-dir'
+import {
+  ensureJcodeRuntimeDir,
+  JCODE_RUNTIME_DIR_ENV_KEY
+} from '../../../../shared/jcode-runtime-dir'
 
 export async function prepareRuntimePtySpawn(
   ctx: RuntimePtySpawnState
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/pty/spawn-pane-env.ts b/src/main/ipc/pty/spawn-pane-env.ts
index 4fef46e613e..a580da480d9 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/pty/spawn-pane-env.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/pty/spawn-pane-env.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 // The pane identity a new PTY's env carries, stamped from the spawn's own ids, for both spawn lanes.
 
 import { mkdirSync } from 'node:fs'
-import { buildJcodeRuntimeDirEnv, JCODE_RUNTIME_DIR_ENV_KEY } from '../../../shared/jcode-runtime-dir'
+import {
+  buildJcodeRuntimeDirEnv,
+  JCODE_RUNTIME_DIR_ENV_KEY
+} from '../../../shared/jcode-runtime-dir'
 import { isTerminalLeafId, makePaneKey } from '../../../shared/stable-pane-id'
 import { isValidTerminalTabId } from '../../../shared/terminal-tab-id'
 import type { TuiAgent } from '../../../shared/tui-agent'
diff --git a/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/agent-session-bounded-frames.test.ts b/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/agent-session-bounded-frames.test.ts
index cfd6ef50488..236e36028ad 100644
--- a/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/agent-session-bounded-frames.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/agent-session-bounded-frames.test.ts
@@ -174,7 +174,15 @@ describe('frames to a bounded-frame subscriber', () => {
     let held: ReadonlySet<string> = new Set()
     const subscribers = new AgentSessionSubscribers({
       readCurrentWork: () =>
-        new StructuredAgentSessionCurrentWork(journal, 1, 0, undefined, undefined, false, () => held)
+        new StructuredAgentSessionCurrentWork(
+          journal,
+          1,
+          0,
+          undefined,
+          undefined,
+          false,
+          () => held
+        )
     })
     const frames: AgentSessionSubscribeEvent[] = []
     const emit = (event: AgentSessionSubscribeEvent) => frames.push(event)
@@ -197,9 +205,9 @@ describe('frames to a bounded-frame subscriber', () => {
         }
       }
       expect([...delivered.keys()].sort()).toEqual([...ids].sort())
-      expect([...delivered.values()].every((submission) => submission.dispatchState === state)).toBe(
-        true
-      )
+      expect(
+        [...delivered.values()].every((submission) => submission.dispatchState === state)
+      ).toBe(true)
     }
     const close = subscribers.open({
       id: 'phone',
diff --git a/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/agent-session-subscriber-catch-up.ts b/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/agent-session-subscriber-catch-up.ts
index 83fe1d52edd..52a3d422d02 100644
--- a/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/agent-session-subscriber-catch-up.ts
+++ b/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/agent-session-subscriber-catch-up.ts
@@ -186,12 +186,7 @@ function emitCaughtUp(
     refreshPublishedWork(port, subscriber, current.journal, work, shared)
     return
   }
-  if (
-    emitCheckpoint ||
-    shared.activity !== undefined ||
-    commandsChanged ||
-    queuedChanged
-  ) {
+  if (emitCheckpoint || shared.activity !== undefined || commandsChanged || queuedChanged) {
     port.emit(
       subscriber,
       {
diff --git a/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/structured-agent-session-client-delivery.ts b/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/structured-agent-session-client-delivery.ts
index 9f827f0891b..e6e139c8471 100644
--- a/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/structured-agent-session-client-delivery.ts
+++ b/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/structured-agent-session-client-delivery.ts
@@ -125,8 +125,7 @@ export class StructuredAgentSessionClientDelivery {
   captureChildWorkStops = (
     sessionId: string,
     handleIds: readonly string[]
-  ): CapturedChildWorkStops =>
-    this.statusFeed.captureChildWorkStops(sessionId, handleIds)
+  ): CapturedChildWorkStops => this.statusFeed.captureChildWorkStops(sessionId, handleIds)
 
   childWorkIncomplete = (sessionId: string): boolean =>
     this.statusFeed.childWorkIncomplete(sessionId)
diff --git a/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/structured-agent-session-subscribers.ts b/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/structured-agent-session-subscribers.ts
index fb2344fb05d..d2522cb4202 100644
--- a/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/structured-agent-session-subscribers.ts
+++ b/src/main/native-chat/agent-session-wire/structured-agent-session-subscribers.ts
@@ -297,10 +297,13 @@ export class AgentSessionSubscribers {
     emitCheckpoint = false,
     activity?: AgentSessionTurnActivity | null
   ): void {
-    deliverToSubscriber(
-      this.deliveryPort(),
-      { subscriber, journal, hostNow, emitCheckpoint, activity }
-    )
+    deliverToSubscriber(this.deliveryPort(), {
+      subscriber,
+      journal,
+      hostNow,
+      emitCheckpoint,
+      activity
+    })
   }
 
   private now = (): number => this.hooks.now?.() ?? Date.now()
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/spawned-pty-env-fixtures.ts b/src/main/runtime/spawned-pty-env-fixtures.ts
index 6f2cae951f9..0d84dd3d5e6 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/spawned-pty-env-fixtures.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/spawned-pty-env-fixtures.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@ import { buildJcodeRuntimeDirEnv, JCODE_RUNTIME_DIR_ENV_KEY } from '../../shared
 
 /** Reconstructs identity formulas from fake spawn args; wiring and directory readiness need real-path tests. */
 export function spawnedPtyEnv(call: unknown): Record<string, string> {
-  const values: Record<string, unknown> = typeof call === 'object' && call !== null ? { ...call } : {}
+  const values: Record<string, unknown> =
+    typeof call === 'object' && call !== null ? { ...call } : {}
   const env: Record<string, string> = {}
   if (typeof values.env === 'object' && values.env !== null) {
     for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(values.env)) {
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/structured-agent-session-codex-held-sends.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/structured-agent-session-codex-held-sends.test.ts
index f78e7818bca..2138b219eb2 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/structured-agent-session-codex-held-sends.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/structured-agent-session-codex-held-sends.test.ts
@@ -198,7 +198,9 @@ describe('a Codex send whose turn completes without taking it', () => {
       .flatMap((event) => (event.type === 'batch' ? event.batch.submissions : []))
       .filter((entry) => entry.clientMessageId === compact.clientMessageId)
     expect(states.length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
-    expect(states.every((entry) => entry.dispatchState !== 'unknown' && !entry.recovered)).toBe(true)
+    expect(states.every((entry) => entry.dispatchState !== 'unknown' && !entry.recovered)).toBe(
+      true
+    )
 
     handlers?.onNotification?.('turn/started', {
       threadId: THREAD,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/ManagedRuntimeInstallRow.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/ManagedRuntimeInstallRow.tsx
index 7c8c0113296..0279add1b47 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/ManagedRuntimeInstallRow.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/ManagedRuntimeInstallRow.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import { useState } from 'react'
 import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
-import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import {
   cancelManagedRuntimeInstall,
   installManagedRuntime
@@ -10,26 +9,19 @@ import { Button } from '../ui/button'
 import { Progress } from '../ui/progress'
 import {
   managedRuntimeInstallView,
-  type ManagedRuntimeInstallAction,
-  type ManagedRuntimeInstallSurface
+  type ManagedRuntimeInstallAction
 } from './managed-runtime-install-view'
 
-/** Install, progress and Cancel for the runtime Orca provides an agent, on the host it runs on.
- *  Settings and a chat show the same host answer, so either one's action moves both. */
+/** Settings' Install, progress and Cancel for the runtime Orca provides an agent, on the host it
+ *  runs on. A chat's install card shows the same host answer, so either one's action moves both. */
 export function ManagedRuntimeInstallRow(props: {
   observation: Extract<ManagedRuntimeInstallObservation, { kind: 'active' }>
   agentLabel: string
-  surface: ManagedRuntimeInstallSurface
 }): React.JSX.Element {
-  const { observation, agentLabel, surface } = props
+  const { observation, agentLabel } = props
   // A click holds its button until the host answers, so a double click starts nothing twice.
   const [pending, setPending] = useState<ManagedRuntimeInstallAction['kind'] | null>(null)
-  const view = managedRuntimeInstallView(
-    observation.snapshot,
-    agentLabel,
-    surface,
-    pending === 'cancel'
-  )
+  const view = managedRuntimeInstallView(observation.snapshot, agentLabel, pending === 'cancel')
   const [refusal, setRefusal] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const act = (action: ManagedRuntimeInstallAction): void => {
     setPending(action.kind)
@@ -54,41 +46,15 @@ export function ManagedRuntimeInstallRow(props: {
       )
       .finally(() => setPending(null))
   }
-  const chat = surface === 'chat'
   const alert = refusal ?? view.error
   const { action } = view
   return (
-    <div
-      data-managed-runtime-install-row={surface}
-      className={cn(
-        'flex justify-between gap-3',
-        chat
-          ? 'flex-col rounded-lg border border-input bg-card px-4 py-3 text-sm shadow-xs'
-          : 'items-center rounded-md border p-3 text-xs'
-      )}
-    >
+    <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3 rounded-md border p-3 text-xs">
       <div className="min-w-0 flex-1 space-y-1">
-        {chat ? (
-          <p className="font-semibold text-foreground">
-            {translate(
-              'components.managed-runtime.chatTitle',
-              'Install {{agent}} to start chatting.',
-              {
-                agent: agentLabel
-              }
-            )}
-          </p>
-        ) : null}
-        {/* Settings keeps the line while the first read is out, so nothing shifts when it lands. */}
-        {view.status !== null || !chat ? (
-          <p
-            role="status"
-            aria-live="polite"
-            className="min-h-4 text-muted-foreground tabular-nums"
-          >
-            {view.status}
-          </p>
-        ) : null}
+        {/* The line stays while the first read is out, so nothing shifts when it lands. */}
+        <p role="status" aria-live="polite" className="min-h-4 text-muted-foreground tabular-nums">
+          {view.status}
+        </p>
         {view.progress === null ? null : (
           <Progress
             value={view.progress}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-card.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-card.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..59d69d9f529
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-card.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+import type {
+  ManagedRuntimeInstallState,
+  ManagedRuntimeOperation
+} from '../../../../shared/managed-runtime-install'
+import { managedRuntimeInstallCard } from './managed-runtime-install-card'
+
+const idle: ManagedRuntimeInstallState = {
+  agent: 'fake',
+  revision: 1,
+  available: true,
+  version: '1.3.0',
+  downloadBytes: 111_500_000,
+  installedVersion: null,
+  installedCurrent: false,
+  source: null,
+  operation: null
+}
+
+const op = (patch: Partial<ManagedRuntimeOperation>): ManagedRuntimeOperation => ({
+  id: 'op-1',
+  kind: 'install',
+  phase: 'downloading',
+  downloadedBytes: 41_200_000,
+  totalBytes: 111_500_000,
+  ...patch
+})
+
+describe('managedRuntimeInstallCard', () => {
+  it('walks the hero and the strip through offer, run, failure and cancel', () => {
+    const offer = managedRuntimeInstallCard(idle, 'Fake', 'hero')
+    expect(offer).toMatchObject({
+      title: 'Install Fake to start chatting',
+      detail:
+        "One-time 112 MB download. It's shared by Fake chats on the computer running this chat.",
+      hint: 'Also in Settings › Chat › Providers',
+      action: { kind: 'install', label: 'Install Fake' }
+    })
+    expect(managedRuntimeInstallCard(idle, 'Fake', 'strip')).toMatchObject({
+      title: 'Install Fake to continue',
+      detail: '112 MB download on the computer running this chat',
+      action: { label: 'Install' }
+    })
+
+    const running = managedRuntimeInstallCard({ ...idle, operation: op({}) }, 'Fake', 'hero')
+    expect(running).toMatchObject({
+      title: 'Downloading Fake',
+      progress: { detail: '41.2 of 111.5 MB', percentText: '37%' },
+      action: { kind: 'cancel', label: 'Cancel', operationId: 'op-1' }
+    })
+    expect(running.steps?.map((step) => step.state)).toEqual(['current', 'todo', 'todo'])
+    const checking = managedRuntimeInstallCard(
+      { ...idle, operation: op({ phase: 'verifying' }) },
+      'Fake',
+      'strip',
+      true
+    )
+    expect(checking.title).toBe('Cancelling…')
+    expect(checking.progress).toMatchObject({ percent: null })
+    expect(checking.steps?.map((step) => step.state)).toEqual(['done', 'done', 'current'])
+
+    const failed = managedRuntimeInstallCard(
+      {
+        ...idle,
+        operation: op({
+          phase: 'failed',
+          error: "Couldn't download Fake. Check your network connection or proxy, then try again."
+        })
+      },
+      'Fake',
+      'hero'
+    )
+    expect(failed).toMatchObject({
+      tone: 'failed',
+      title: "Couldn't install Fake",
+      detail: "Couldn't download Fake. Check your network connection or proxy, then try again.",
+      hint: '112 MB download.',
+      action: { label: 'Try again' }
+    })
+    expect(
+      managedRuntimeInstallCard({ ...idle, operation: op({ phase: 'cancelled' }) }, 'Fake', 'hero')
+    ).toMatchObject({
+      title: 'Installation cancelled',
+      detail: 'Nothing was installed.',
+      action: { label: 'Retry installation' }
+    })
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-card.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-card.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e14cfd3c1ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-card.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
+import type {
+  ManagedRuntimeInstallState,
+  ManagedRuntimeOperation
+} from '../../../../shared/managed-runtime-install'
+import { megabytes, type ManagedRuntimeInstallAction } from './managed-runtime-install-view'
+
+/** `hero`: the whole-pane message of a chat with no messages; `strip`: the slim line above the
+ *  composer outside that pane. Both read one card, so they never disagree. */
+export type ManagedRuntimeInstallLayout = 'hero' | 'strip'
+
+export type ManagedRuntimeInstallCardStep = { label: string; state: 'done' | 'current' | 'todo' }
+
+export type ManagedRuntimeInstallCard = {
+  tone: 'offer' | 'running' | 'failed' | 'cancelled'
+  title: string
+  /** The sentence under the title: what it is, why it failed, or what ended. */
+  detail: string | null
+  /** `percent` is null while the size of what remains is unknown. */
+  progress: { percent: number | null; detail: string; percentText: string | null } | null
+  steps: ManagedRuntimeInstallCardStep[] | null
+  hint: string | null
+  action: ManagedRuntimeInstallAction | null
+}
+
+const STEP_PHASES: readonly ManagedRuntimeOperation['phase'][] = [
+  'downloading',
+  'extracting',
+  'verifying'
+]
+
+function stepLabels(): string[] {
+  return [
+    translate('components.managed-runtime.stepDownload', 'Download'),
+    translate('components.managed-runtime.stepUnpack', 'Unpack'),
+    translate('components.managed-runtime.stepCheck', 'Check')
+  ]
+}
+
+function runningCard(
+  operation: ManagedRuntimeOperation,
+  agent: string,
+  cancelling: boolean
+): ManagedRuntimeInstallCard | null {
+  const current = STEP_PHASES.indexOf(operation.phase)
+  if (current === -1) {
+    return null
+  }
+  const { downloadedBytes: done, totalBytes: total } = operation
+  const percent = current === 0 && total ? Math.min(100, (done / total) * 100) : null
+  const detail =
+    current === 1
+      ? translate('components.managed-runtime.unpackingDetail', 'Unpacking the runtime')
+      : current === 2
+        ? translate('components.managed-runtime.checkingDetail', 'Checking the downloaded runtime')
+        : total === null
+          ? translate('components.managed-runtime.downloading', 'Downloading {{done}} MB.', {
+              done: megabytes(done)
+            })
+          : translate('components.managed-runtime.progressOf', '{{done}} of {{total}} MB', {
+              done: megabytes(done),
+              total: megabytes(total)
+            })
+  const cancellingText = translate('components.managed-runtime.cancelling', 'Cancelling…')
+  const title = cancelling
+    ? cancellingText
+    : current === 0
+      ? translate('components.managed-runtime.downloadingTitle', 'Downloading {{agent}}', { agent })
+      : current === 1
+        ? translate('components.managed-runtime.unpackingTitle', 'Unpacking {{agent}}', { agent })
+        : translate('components.managed-runtime.checkingTitle', 'Checking the download')
+  return {
+    tone: 'running',
+    title,
+    detail: null,
+    progress: {
+      percent,
+      detail,
+      percentText: percent === null ? null : `${Math.round(percent)}%`
+    },
+    steps: stepLabels().map((label, index) => ({
+      label,
+      state: index < current ? 'done' : index === current ? 'current' : 'todo'
+    })),
+    hint: null,
+    action: {
+      kind: 'cancel',
+      label: cancelling
+        ? cancellingText
+        : translate('components.managed-runtime.cancelShort', 'Cancel'),
+      operationId: operation.id
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+function offerDetail(
+  state: ManagedRuntimeInstallState,
+  agent: string,
+  hero: boolean,
+  size: string | null
+): string | null {
+  if (state.damaged) {
+    return translate('components.managed-runtime.damaged', 'This copy of {{agent}} is damaged.', {
+      agent
+    })
+  }
+  if (!hero) {
+    return size === null
+      ? null
+      : translate(
+          'components.managed-runtime.stripSize',
+          '{{size}} MB download on the computer running this chat',
+          { size }
+        )
+  }
+  return size === null
+    ? translate(
+        'components.managed-runtime.heroBodyNoSize',
+        "One-time download. It's shared by {{agent}} chats on the computer running this chat.",
+        { agent }
+      )
+    : translate(
+        'components.managed-runtime.heroBody',
+        "One-time {{size}} MB download. It's shared by {{agent}} chats on the computer running this chat.",
+        { size, agent }
+      )
+}
+
+function offerCard(
+  state: ManagedRuntimeInstallState,
+  agent: string,
+  hero: boolean,
+  size: string | null
+): ManagedRuntimeInstallCard {
+  const title = hero
+    ? translate('components.managed-runtime.installTitle', 'Install {{agent}} to start chatting', {
+        agent
+      })
+    : translate('components.managed-runtime.continueTitle', 'Install {{agent}} to continue', {
+        agent
+      })
+  const label = hero
+    ? translate('components.managed-runtime.install', 'Install {{agent}}', { agent })
+    : translate('components.managed-runtime.installShort', 'Install')
+  const hint = translate(
+    'components.managed-runtime.settingsHint',
+    'Also in Settings › Chat › Providers'
+  )
+  return {
+    tone: 'offer',
+    title,
+    detail: offerDetail(state, agent, hero, size),
+    progress: null,
+    steps: null,
+    hint: hero ? hint : null,
+    action: { kind: 'install', label }
+  }
+}
+
+/** What an install card says and offers for the host's answer. `cancelling`: this surface's Cancel
+ *  is still out, so it says so until the host's cancel settles. */
+export function managedRuntimeInstallCard(
+  state: ManagedRuntimeInstallState,
+  agent: string,
+  layout: ManagedRuntimeInstallLayout,
+  cancelling = false
+): ManagedRuntimeInstallCard {
+  const { operation } = state
+  const running = operation ? runningCard(operation, agent, cancelling) : null
+  if (running) {
+    return running
+  }
+  const hero = layout === 'hero'
+  const size = state.downloadBytes ? String(Math.ceil(state.downloadBytes / 1_000_000)) : null
+  const sizeHint =
+    hero && size !== null
+      ? translate('components.managed-runtime.downloadSize', '{{size}} MB download.', { size })
+      : null
+  const install = (label: string): ManagedRuntimeInstallAction => ({ kind: 'install', label })
+  const retry = translate('components.managed-runtime.retry', 'Retry installation')
+  if (operation?.kind === 'install' && operation.phase === 'cancelled') {
+    return {
+      tone: 'cancelled',
+      title: translate('components.managed-runtime.cancelledTitle', 'Installation cancelled'),
+      detail: translate('components.managed-runtime.cancelledBody', 'Nothing was installed.'),
+      progress: null,
+      steps: null,
+      hint: sizeHint,
+      action: install(retry)
+    }
+  }
+  if (operation?.kind === 'install' && operation.phase === 'failed') {
+    return {
+      tone: 'failed',
+      title: translate('components.managed-runtime.failedTitle', "Couldn't install {{agent}}", {
+        agent
+      }),
+      detail:
+        operation.error ??
+        translate('components.managed-runtime.failed', 'Installation failed. Try again.'),
+      progress: null,
+      steps: null,
+      hint: sizeHint,
+      action: install(translate('components.managed-runtime.tryAgain', 'Try again'))
+    }
+  }
+  if (!state.available) {
+    return {
+      tone: 'offer',
+      title: translate(
+        'components.managed-runtime.unavailable',
+        '{{agent}} is not available on this host.',
+        { agent }
+      ),
+      detail: null,
+      progress: null,
+      steps: null,
+      hint: null,
+      action: null
+    }
+  }
+  return offerCard(state, agent, hero, size)
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-view.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-view.test.ts
index cd8eac3acad..1f881795b2f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-view.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-view.test.ts
@@ -25,35 +25,30 @@ const op = (patch: Partial<ManagedRuntimeOperation>): ManagedRuntimeOperation =>
   ...patch
 })
 
-function shown(patch: Partial<ManagedRuntimeInstallState>, surface: 'settings' | 'chat') {
-  const view = managedRuntimeInstallView(
-    { kind: 'known', state: { ...idle, ...patch } },
-    'Fake',
-    surface
-  )
+function shown(patch: Partial<ManagedRuntimeInstallState>) {
+  const view = managedRuntimeInstallView({ kind: 'known', state: { ...idle, ...patch } }, 'Fake')
   return [view.status, view.action?.label ?? null, view.error]
 }
 
 describe('managedRuntimeInstallView', () => {
-  it('says and offers what the host state allows on each surface', () => {
+  it('says and offers what the host state allows', () => {
     const installed = {
       installedVersion: '1.3.0',
       installedCurrent: true,
       source: 'managed' as const
     }
-    expect(shown({}, 'settings')).toEqual(['Not installed.', 'Install Fake', null])
-    expect(shown({}, 'chat')).toEqual([null, 'Install Fake', null])
-    expect(shown({ downloadBytes: 111_456_962 }, 'chat')).toEqual([
+    expect(shown({})).toEqual(['Not installed.', 'Install Fake', null])
+    expect(shown({ downloadBytes: 111_456_962 })).toEqual([
       '112 MB download.',
       'Install Fake',
       null
     ])
-    expect(shown({ operation: op({}) }, 'chat')).toEqual([
+    expect(shown({ operation: op({}) })).toEqual([
       'Downloading 42.0 MB of 111.0 MB.',
       'Cancel installation',
       null
     ])
-    expect(shown({ operation: op({ phase: 'verifying' }) }, 'settings')).toEqual([
+    expect(shown({ operation: op({ phase: 'verifying' }) })).toEqual([
       'Checking the downloaded runtime.',
       'Cancel installation',
       null
@@ -62,44 +57,45 @@ describe('managedRuntimeInstallView', () => {
     const cancelling = managedRuntimeInstallView(
       { kind: 'known', state: { ...idle, operation: op({}) } },
       'Fake',
-      'chat',
       true
     )
     expect(cancelling.status).toBe('Cancelling…')
-    expect(shown({ operation: op({ phase: 'cancelled' }) }, 'chat')).toEqual([
+    expect(shown({ operation: op({ phase: 'cancelled' }) })).toEqual([
       'Installation cancelled.',
       'Retry installation',
       null
     ])
-    expect(
-      shown({ operation: op({ phase: 'failed', error: 'No space left.' }) }, 'settings')
-    ).toEqual(['Not installed.', 'Retry installation', 'No space left.'])
-    expect(shown(installed, 'settings')).toEqual(['Installed.', 'Reinstall Fake', null])
-    expect(
-      shown({ ...installed, installedVersion: '1.2.0', installedCurrent: false }, 'settings')
-    ).toEqual(['Installed.', 'Update Fake', null])
-    expect(shown(installed, 'chat')[1]).toBeNull()
-    expect(shown({ available: false, version: null }, 'settings')).toEqual([
+    expect(shown({ operation: op({ phase: 'failed', error: 'No space left.' }) })).toEqual([
+      'Not installed.',
+      'Retry installation',
+      'No space left.'
+    ])
+    expect(shown(installed)).toEqual(['Installed.', 'Reinstall Fake', null])
+    expect(shown({ ...installed, installedVersion: '1.2.0', installedCurrent: false })).toEqual([
+      'Installed.',
+      'Update Fake',
+      null
+    ])
+    expect(shown({ available: false, version: null })).toEqual([
       'Fake is not available on this host.',
       null,
       null
     ])
-    expect(shown({ damaged: true }, 'chat')).toEqual([
+    expect(shown({ damaged: true })).toEqual([
       'This copy of Fake is damaged.',
       'Install Fake',
       null
     ])
     const external = { source: 'external' as const }
-    expect(shown(external, 'settings')).toEqual([
+    expect(shown(external)).toEqual([
       'Uses the copy of Fake found on this host.',
       "Install Orca's copy",
       null
     ])
-    expect(shown(external, 'chat')[1]).toBeNull()
   })
 
   it('never reads a failed status read as not installed', () => {
-    const view = managedRuntimeInstallView({ kind: 'readFailed' }, 'Fake', 'chat')
+    const view = managedRuntimeInstallView({ kind: 'readFailed' }, 'Fake')
     expect(view.action).toBeNull()
     expect(view.error).toBe('Could not check Fake on this host. Retrying.')
   })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-view.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-view.ts
index 0356c046c3f..f651abd2820 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-view.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-view.ts
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
 import type { ManagedRuntimeInstallState } from '../../../../shared/managed-runtime-install'
 import type { ManagedRuntimeInstallSnapshot } from '@/runtime/managed-runtime-install-status'
 
-export type ManagedRuntimeInstallSurface = 'settings' | 'chat'
-
 export type ManagedRuntimeInstallAction =
   | { kind: 'install'; label: string }
   | { kind: 'cancel'; label: string; operationId: string }
@@ -17,7 +15,7 @@ export type ManagedRuntimeInstallView = {
   action: ManagedRuntimeInstallAction | null
 }
 
-const megabytes = (bytes: number): string => (bytes / 1_000_000).toFixed(1)
+export const megabytes = (bytes: number): string => (bytes / 1_000_000).toFixed(1)
 
 function runningView(
   operation: NonNullable<ManagedRuntimeInstallState['operation']>,
@@ -52,11 +50,7 @@ function runningView(
   }
 }
 
-function settledView(
-  state: ManagedRuntimeInstallState,
-  agent: string,
-  surface: ManagedRuntimeInstallSurface
-): ManagedRuntimeInstallView {
+function settledView(state: ManagedRuntimeInstallState, agent: string): ManagedRuntimeInstallView {
   const { operation } = state
   const failed = operation?.phase === 'failed'
   const error = failed
@@ -70,9 +64,7 @@ function settledView(
     action: label === null ? null : { kind: 'install', label }
   })
   const install = translate('components.managed-runtime.install', 'Install {{agent}}', { agent })
-  // Install, Reinstall and Update belong to Settings; a chat that can start shows its composer.
-  const settings = surface === 'settings'
-  // A chat already runs a copy found outside Orca; Settings offers Orca's, which then runs first.
+  // A copy found outside Orca already runs; Orca's own, once installed, runs first.
   if (state.source === 'external') {
     return view(
       translate(
@@ -80,7 +72,7 @@ function settledView(
         'Uses the copy of {{agent}} found on this host.',
         { agent }
       ),
-      settings && state.available
+      state.available
         ? translate('components.managed-runtime.installManaged', "Install Orca's copy")
         : null
     )
@@ -89,10 +81,7 @@ function settledView(
     const label = state.installedCurrent
       ? translate('components.managed-runtime.reinstall', 'Reinstall {{agent}}', { agent })
       : translate('components.managed-runtime.update', 'Update {{agent}}', { agent })
-    return view(
-      translate('components.managed-runtime.installed', 'Installed.'),
-      settings ? label : null
-    )
+    return view(translate('components.managed-runtime.installed', 'Installed.'), label)
   }
   if (!state.available) {
     return view(
@@ -113,16 +102,14 @@ function settledView(
       install
     )
   }
-  // The chat card's heading already says it is not installed; the size says what Install costs.
+  // The size says what Install costs.
   const size = state.downloadBytes
   const idle =
     size !== undefined
       ? translate('components.managed-runtime.downloadSize', '{{size}} MB download.', {
           size: Math.ceil(size / 1_000_000)
         })
-      : settings
-        ? translate('components.managed-runtime.notInstalled', 'Not installed.')
-        : null
+      : translate('components.managed-runtime.notInstalled', 'Not installed.')
   const retry = translate('components.managed-runtime.retry', 'Retry installation')
   if (operation?.kind === 'install' && operation.phase === 'cancelled') {
     return view(translate('components.managed-runtime.cancelled', 'Installation cancelled.'), retry)
@@ -136,7 +123,6 @@ function settledView(
 export function managedRuntimeInstallView(
   snapshot: ManagedRuntimeInstallSnapshot,
   agent: string,
-  surface: ManagedRuntimeInstallSurface,
   cancelling = false
 ): ManagedRuntimeInstallView {
   if (snapshot.kind !== 'known') {
@@ -157,6 +143,6 @@ export function managedRuntimeInstallView(
   const { operation } = snapshot.state
   return (
     (operation ? runningView(operation, agent, cancelling) : null) ??
-    settledView(snapshot.state, agent, surface)
+    settledView(snapshot.state, agent)
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/use-managed-runtime-install-card.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/use-managed-runtime-install-card.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7f218845c7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/managed-runtime/use-managed-runtime-install-card.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+import { useState } from 'react'
+import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
+import {
+  cancelManagedRuntimeInstall,
+  installManagedRuntime
+} from '@/runtime/managed-runtime-install-status'
+import type { ManagedRuntimeInstallObservation } from '@/runtime/use-managed-runtime-install'
+import type { ManagedRuntimeInstallState } from '../../../../shared/managed-runtime-install'
+import {
+  managedRuntimeInstallCard,
+  type ManagedRuntimeInstallCard,
+  type ManagedRuntimeInstallLayout
+} from './managed-runtime-install-card'
+import type { ManagedRuntimeInstallAction } from './managed-runtime-install-view'
+
+/** The install card and its Install / Cancel clicks. A click holds its button (`pending`) until
+ *  the host answers, so a double click starts nothing twice; `refusal` is why the host turned the
+ *  last click down. */
+export function useManagedRuntimeInstallCard(
+  observation: Extract<ManagedRuntimeInstallObservation, { kind: 'active' }>,
+  state: ManagedRuntimeInstallState,
+  agentLabel: string,
+  layout: ManagedRuntimeInstallLayout
+): {
+  card: ManagedRuntimeInstallCard
+  pending: boolean
+  refusal: string | null
+  act: (action: ManagedRuntimeInstallAction) => void
+} {
+  const [pending, setPending] = useState<ManagedRuntimeInstallAction['kind'] | null>(null)
+  const [refusal, setRefusal] = useState<string | null>(null)
+  const act = (action: ManagedRuntimeInstallAction): void => {
+    setPending(action.kind)
+    setRefusal(null)
+    const { subject } = observation
+    const call =
+      action.kind === 'cancel'
+        ? cancelManagedRuntimeInstall(subject, action.operationId)
+        : installManagedRuntime(subject)
+    void call
+      .catch((cause: unknown) =>
+        setRefusal(
+          cause instanceof Error
+            ? cause.message
+            : action.kind === 'cancel'
+              ? translate(
+                  'components.managed-runtime.cancelFailed',
+                  "Couldn't cancel the installation. Try again."
+                )
+              : translate('components.managed-runtime.failed', 'Installation failed. Try again.')
+        )
+      )
+      .finally(() => setPending(null))
+  }
+  const card = managedRuntimeInstallCard(state, agentLabel, layout, pending === 'cancel')
+  return {
+    // An offer's hint points at Settings › Chat › Providers, which installs on this computer only.
+    card:
+      card.tone === 'offer' && observation.subject.target.kind !== 'local'
+        ? { ...card, hint: null }
+        : card,
+    pending: pending !== null,
+    refusal,
+    act
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposer.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposer.tsx
index 3b3431a7b1e..02c32b65d0f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposer.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposer.tsx
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ const NativeChatComposerPane = forwardRef<NativeChatComposerHandle, NativeChatCo
       targetPtyId,
       agent,
       canSend = true,
+      unavailableHint,
       isWorking = false,
       isStopping = false,
       afterStop,
@@ -118,6 +119,11 @@ const NativeChatComposerPane = forwardRef<NativeChatComposerHandle, NativeChatCo
       agent,
       structuredTransport
     )
+    // Why inputOwnedByCard: the hidden field can still hold keyboard focus for a frame.
+    const [hasPty, disabled] = structuredTransport
+      ? [true, !canSend || unavailableHint !== undefined]
+      : [targetPtyId !== null, targetPtyId === null || !canSend || inputOwnedByCard]
+
     const picker = useNativeChatPickerState({
       agent,
       terminalTabId,
@@ -126,6 +132,7 @@ const NativeChatComposerPane = forwardRef<NativeChatComposerHandle, NativeChatCo
       caret,
       agentCommands,
       recalledFromHistory: recall.active,
+      disabled,
       sessionSkillNames,
       textareaRef,
       setDraft,
@@ -155,11 +162,6 @@ const NativeChatComposerPane = forwardRef<NativeChatComposerHandle, NativeChatCo
       return { ptyId: targetPtyId }
     }, [targetPtyId])
 
-    // Why inputOwnedByCard: the hidden field can still hold keyboard focus for a frame.
-    const [hasPty, disabled] = structuredTransport
-      ? [true, !canSend]
-      : [targetPtyId !== null, targetPtyId === null || !canSend || inputOwnedByCard]
-
     const attachments = useNativeChatComposerAttachments({
       attachmentScopeKey: draftScopeKey,
       allowWithoutTarget: Boolean(structuredTransport),
@@ -231,7 +233,7 @@ const NativeChatComposerPane = forwardRef<NativeChatComposerHandle, NativeChatCo
       setNotice
     })
 
-    const dictation = useNativeChatDictation(textareaRef)
+    const dictation = useNativeChatDictation(textareaRef, disabled)
     const { dispatch: dispatchSessionOptionCommand, isDispatching: isDispatchingSessionOption } =
       useNativeChatSessionOptionCommand({
         agent,
@@ -367,6 +369,7 @@ const NativeChatComposerPane = forwardRef<NativeChatComposerHandle, NativeChatCo
         disabled={disabled}
         hasPty={hasPty}
         canSend={canSend}
+        unavailableHint={unavailableHint}
         autocomplete={autocomplete}
         mentionFiles={mentionFiles}
         activeSuggestion={activeSuggestion}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposerActions.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposerActions.test.tsx
index 2c8922f1805..f63a638e5ff 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposerActions.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposerActions.test.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,18 @@
 // @vitest-environment happy-dom
 
-import { cleanup, fireEvent, render, screen } from '@testing-library/react'
+import { act, cleanup, fireEvent, render, renderHook, screen } from '@testing-library/react'
 import type { ReactNode } from 'react'
 import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 
+const voice = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  dictationState: 'idle',
+  settings: { voice: { enabled: true, sttModel: 'configured' } }
+}))
+vi.mock('../../store', () => ({
+  useAppStore: (selector: (state: typeof voice) => unknown) => selector(voice)
+}))
+vi.mock('../dictation/dictation-control-events', () => ({ dispatchDictationControl: vi.fn() }))
+
 vi.mock('@/i18n/i18n', () => ({
   translate: (_key: string, fallback: string) => fallback
 }))
@@ -32,10 +41,43 @@ vi.mock('./NativeChatSessionOptionPickers', () => ({
 }))
 
 import { NativeChatComposerActions } from './NativeChatComposerActions'
+import { useNativeChatDictation } from './use-native-chat-dictation'
+import { dispatchDictationControl } from '../dictation/dictation-control-events'
 
-afterEach(() => cleanup())
+afterEach(() => {
+  cleanup()
+  voice.dictationState = 'idle'
+  vi.clearAllMocks()
+})
 
 describe('NativeChatComposerActions', () => {
+  it.each(['starting', 'listening'])('blocks new dictation but preserves %s Stop', (state) => {
+    const input = document.createElement('textarea')
+    const focus = vi.spyOn(input, 'focus')
+    const { result, rerender } = renderHook(
+      (disabled: boolean) => useNativeChatDictation({ current: input }, disabled),
+      { initialProps: true }
+    )
+    act(() => {
+      result.current.toggleDictation()
+      result.current.startHoldDictation()
+    })
+    expect(dispatchDictationControl).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    rerender(false)
+    act(() => result.current.startHoldDictation())
+    expect(dispatchDictationControl).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith('start')
+    voice.dictationState = state
+    rerender(true)
+    expect(result.current.dictationDisabled).toBe(false)
+    focus.mockClear()
+    act(() => {
+      result.current.toggleDictation()
+      result.current.stopHoldDictation()
+    })
+    expect(dispatchDictationControl).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith('stop')
+    expect(focus).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
   it("disables the Stop control and names it Stopping while a person's Stop is ending the turn", () => {
     const props = {
       attachDisabled: false,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposerField.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposerField.tsx
index 6f3b59c5b28..de82237948a 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposerField.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatComposerField.tsx
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ export type NativeChatComposerFieldProps = {
   disabled: boolean
   hasPty: boolean
   canSend: boolean
+  unavailableHint?: string | undefined
   autocomplete: ComposerAutocomplete
   mentionFiles: NativeChatMentionFiles
   activeSuggestion: number
@@ -127,6 +128,7 @@ export function NativeChatComposerField({
   disabled,
   hasPty,
   canSend,
+  unavailableHint,
   autocomplete,
   mentionFiles,
   activeSuggestion,
@@ -329,7 +331,7 @@ export function NativeChatComposerField({
                       'components.native-chat.goal.placeholder',
                       'Describe your goal, define measurable outcomes for best results'
                     )
-                  : nativeChatComposerPlaceholder(hasPty, canSend, afterStop)
+                  : (unavailableHint ?? nativeChatComposerPlaceholder(hasPty, canSend, afterStop))
               }
               // Why: coarse-pointer min-height follows the app's touch target convention.
               // Editable content grows naturally; the 8lh cap (plus
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatEmptyPane.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatEmptyPane.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..502e5827bb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatEmptyPane.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import { structuredAgentLabel } from '@/lib/structured-agent-session-launch-label'
+import type { AgentType } from '../../../../shared/agent-status-types'
+import { NativeChatEmptyState } from './NativeChatEmptyState'
+import { NativeChatInstallHero } from './NativeChatInstallHero'
+import type { NativeChatInstallSlotState } from './NativeChatInstallSlot'
+
+/** The pane of a chat with no messages: the install message while its host has no program to run,
+ *  else the Start-a-chat copy. */
+export function NativeChatEmptyPane(props: {
+  slot: NativeChatInstallSlotState
+  agent: AgentType
+}): React.JSX.Element {
+  const { slot, agent } = props
+  return slot.kind === 'install' ? (
+    <NativeChatInstallHero slot={slot} agentLabel={structuredAgentLabel(agent)} />
+  ) : (
+    <NativeChatEmptyState kind="empty" agent={agent} />
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallHero.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallHero.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b1c067725d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallHero.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+import { Check, Download } from 'lucide-react'
+import { useManagedRuntimeInstallCard } from '@/components/managed-runtime/use-managed-runtime-install-card'
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
+import { Progress } from '@/components/ui/progress'
+import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+import type { NativeChatInstallSlotInstall } from './NativeChatInstallSlot'
+import { NativeChatInstallTile } from './NativeChatInstallTile'
+
+/** A new chat's pane while its host has no program to run: what Install is, one action, and the
+ *  steps once it runs. The composer stays below, disabled, so nothing moves when it finishes. */
+export function NativeChatInstallHero(props: {
+  slot: NativeChatInstallSlotInstall
+  agentLabel: string
+}): React.JSX.Element {
+  const { slot, agentLabel } = props
+  const { card, pending, refusal, act } = useManagedRuntimeInstallCard(
+    slot.observation,
+    slot.state,
+    agentLabel,
+    'hero'
+  )
+  const { action, progress, steps } = card
+  return (
+    <div
+      data-native-chat-install="hero"
+      className="flex h-full w-full flex-col items-center justify-center p-6 text-center"
+    >
+      <div className="flex w-full max-w-sm flex-col items-center">
+        <NativeChatInstallTile
+          agent={slot.observation.subject.agent}
+          failed={card.tone === 'failed'}
+          large
+        />
+        <h2 className="mt-4 text-sm font-semibold text-chat-foreground-strong">{card.title}</h2>
+        {card.detail ? (
+          <p className="mt-1.5 text-balance text-sm text-chat-foreground-faint">{card.detail}</p>
+        ) : null}
+        {progress ? (
+          <div className="mt-3 w-full">
+            <Progress
+              value={progress.percent ?? 100}
+              className="h-1.5"
+              aria-label={translate('components.managed-runtime.progress', '{{agent}} download', {
+                agent: agentLabel
+              })}
+            />
+            <div
+              role="status"
+              aria-live="polite"
+              className="mt-2 flex justify-between text-xs text-chat-foreground-faint tabular-nums"
+            >
+              <span>{progress.detail}</span>
+              <span>{progress.percentText}</span>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        ) : null}
+        {steps ? (
+          <ol className="mt-3 mb-3 flex justify-center gap-4 text-xs">
+            {steps.map((step) => (
+              <li
+                key={step.label}
+                aria-current={step.state === 'current' ? 'step' : undefined}
+                className={cn(
+                  'flex items-center gap-1.5',
+                  step.state === 'current'
+                    ? 'font-medium text-chat-foreground-strong'
+                    : 'text-chat-foreground-faint'
+                )}
+              >
+                {step.state === 'done' ? (
+                  <Check className="size-3" />
+                ) : (
+                  <span
+                    className={cn(
+                      'size-1.5 rounded-full bg-current',
+                      step.state === 'current' ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-40'
+                    )}
+                  />
+                )}
+                {step.label}
+              </li>
+            ))}
+          </ol>
+        ) : null}
+        {action ? (
+          <Button
+            variant={action.kind === 'cancel' ? 'ghost' : 'default'}
+            className={action.kind === 'cancel' ? 'mt-1' : 'mt-5'}
+            disabled={pending}
+            onClick={() => act(action)}
+          >
+            {action.kind === 'install' ? <Download /> : null}
+            {action.label}
+          </Button>
+        ) : null}
+        {card.hint ? <p className="mt-3 text-xs text-chat-foreground-faint">{card.hint}</p> : null}
+        {refusal ? (
+          <p role="alert" className="mt-3 break-words text-xs text-destructive">
+            {refusal}
+          </p>
+        ) : null}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallSlot.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallSlot.tsx
index fdb82a1d31a..4855e68bdfa 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallSlot.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallSlot.tsx
@@ -1,36 +1,64 @@
-import { ManagedRuntimeInstallRow } from '@/components/managed-runtime/ManagedRuntimeInstallRow'
 import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
+import {
+  managedRuntimeInstallCard,
+  type ManagedRuntimeInstallLayout
+} from '@/components/managed-runtime/managed-runtime-install-card'
 import {
   useManagedRuntimeInstall,
   type ManagedRuntimeInstallObservation
 } from '@/runtime/use-managed-runtime-install'
-import type { RuntimeClientTarget } from '../../../../shared/runtime-client-target'
+import type { ManagedRuntimeInstallState } from '../../../../shared/managed-runtime-install'
+import { NativeChatInstallStrip } from './NativeChatInstallStrip'
+import type { NativeChatStructuredViewProps } from './native-chat-view-types'
 
 /** What a chat's input slot holds for the program its host must install first. */
 export type NativeChatInstallSlotState =
   | { kind: 'none' }
   /** The first status read is out: the composer stays, its sends held until the host answers. */
   | { kind: 'reserved' }
-  | { kind: 'install'; observation: Extract<ManagedRuntimeInstallObservation, { kind: 'active' }> }
+  | {
+      kind: 'install'
+      observation: Extract<ManagedRuntimeInstallObservation, { kind: 'active' }>
+      state: ManagedRuntimeInstallState
+      layout: ManagedRuntimeInstallLayout
+    }
+
+export type NativeChatInstallSlotInstall = Extract<NativeChatInstallSlotState, { kind: 'install' }>
 
 const NONE: NativeChatInstallSlotState = { kind: 'none' }
 const RESERVED: NativeChatInstallSlotState = { kind: 'reserved' }
 
-/** Install takes the composer's place while the chat's host has nothing to run, its install
- *  included; anything runnable, or a status the host could not report, leaves the composer. Until
- *  the host says whether it provides the program, the composer stays but sends nothing. */
+/** Install shows while the chat's host has nothing to run, its install included, and the composer
+ *  stays disabled beneath it; anything runnable, or a status the host could not report, leaves
+ *  the composer alone. Until the host says whether it provides the program, the composer stays
+ *  usable but sends nothing. */
 export function useNativeChatInstallSlot(
-  target: RuntimeClientTarget,
-  agent: string,
-  shown: boolean,
-  agentLabel: string
-): { slot: NativeChatInstallSlotState; sendBlockedReason: string | null } {
-  const slot = installSlotState(useManagedRuntimeInstall(target, agent, shown))
-  return { slot, sendBlockedReason: installSlotSendBlockedReason(slot, agentLabel) }
+  props: Pick<NativeChatStructuredViewProps, 'target' | 'agent' | 'isVisible'>,
+  agentLabel: string,
+  layout: ManagedRuntimeInstallLayout
+): {
+  slot: NativeChatInstallSlotState
+  sendBlockedReason: string | null
+  unavailableHint: string | undefined
+} {
+  const slot = installSlotState(
+    useManagedRuntimeInstall(props.target, props.agent, props.isVisible),
+    layout
+  )
+  const unavailableHint =
+    slot.kind === 'install'
+      ? managedRuntimeInstallCard(slot.state, agentLabel, slot.layout).title
+      : undefined
+  return {
+    slot,
+    sendBlockedReason: unavailableHint ?? installSlotSendBlockedReason(slot, agentLabel),
+    unavailableHint
+  }
 }
 
 function installSlotState(
-  observation: ManagedRuntimeInstallObservation
+  observation: ManagedRuntimeInstallObservation,
+  layout: ManagedRuntimeInstallLayout
 ): NativeChatInstallSlotState {
   if (observation.kind === 'inactive') {
     return NONE
@@ -45,7 +73,9 @@ function installSlotState(
   if (snapshot.kind === 'unknown') {
     return RESERVED
   }
-  return snapshot.state.source === null ? { kind: 'install', observation } : NONE
+  return snapshot.state.source === null
+    ? { kind: 'install', observation, state: snapshot.state, layout }
+    : NONE
 }
 
 /** Send stays held until the host says it can run this agent. */
@@ -62,22 +92,19 @@ function installSlotSendBlockedReason(
       )
 }
 
+/** Setup stays reachable whenever the empty pane is not showing the hero. */
 export function NativeChatInstallSlot(props: {
   slot: NativeChatInstallSlotState
   agentLabel: string
 }): React.JSX.Element | null {
   const { slot } = props
-  if (slot.kind !== 'install') {
+  if (slot.kind !== 'install' || slot.layout !== 'strip') {
     return null
   }
   return (
     <div className="min-h-0 shrink overflow-hidden bg-chat-canvas">
       <div className="mx-auto w-full max-w-(--chat-content-max-width) px-3 pt-2 pb-1 sm:px-4">
-        <ManagedRuntimeInstallRow
-          observation={slot.observation}
-          agentLabel={props.agentLabel}
-          surface="chat"
-        />
+        <NativeChatInstallStrip slot={slot} agentLabel={props.agentLabel} />
       </div>
     </div>
   )
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallStrip.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallStrip.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c6a3f98de39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallStrip.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import { Download } from 'lucide-react'
+import { useManagedRuntimeInstallCard } from '@/components/managed-runtime/use-managed-runtime-install-card'
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
+import { Progress } from '@/components/ui/progress'
+import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
+import { NativeChatInstallTile } from './NativeChatInstallTile'
+import type { NativeChatInstallSlotInstall } from './NativeChatInstallSlot'
+
+/** The same install card, slimmed to one line above the composer for a chat that has messages. */
+export function NativeChatInstallStrip(props: {
+  slot: NativeChatInstallSlotInstall
+  agentLabel: string
+}): React.JSX.Element {
+  const { slot, agentLabel } = props
+  const { card, pending, refusal, act } = useManagedRuntimeInstallCard(
+    slot.observation,
+    slot.state,
+    agentLabel,
+    'strip'
+  )
+  const { action, progress } = card
+  const status = progress
+    ? [progress.detail, progress.percentText].filter(Boolean).join(' · ')
+    : card.detail
+  return (
+    <div
+      data-native-chat-install="strip"
+      className="flex items-center gap-3 rounded-xl border border-input bg-card px-3.5 py-3 text-sm shadow-xs"
+    >
+      <NativeChatInstallTile
+        agent={slot.observation.subject.agent}
+        failed={card.tone === 'failed'}
+        large={false}
+      />
+      <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+        <p className="font-semibold text-foreground">{card.title}</p>
+        {status ? (
+          <p
+            role="status"
+            aria-live="polite"
+            className="text-xs text-muted-foreground tabular-nums"
+          >
+            {status}
+          </p>
+        ) : null}
+        {progress ? (
+          <Progress
+            value={progress.percent ?? 100}
+            className="mt-2 h-1.5"
+            aria-label={translate('components.managed-runtime.progress', '{{agent}} download', {
+              agent: agentLabel
+            })}
+          />
+        ) : null}
+        {refusal ? (
+          <p role="alert" className="mt-1 break-words text-xs text-destructive">
+            {refusal}
+          </p>
+        ) : null}
+      </div>
+      {action ? (
+        <Button
+          size="sm"
+          variant={action.kind === 'cancel' ? 'ghost' : 'default'}
+          disabled={pending}
+          onClick={() => act(action)}
+        >
+          {action.kind === 'install' && card.tone === 'offer' ? <Download /> : null}
+          {action.label}
+        </Button>
+      ) : null}
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallTile.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallTile.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ca43295a529
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatInstallTile.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+import { TriangleAlert } from 'lucide-react'
+import { AgentIcon } from '@/lib/agent-catalog'
+import { agentTypeToIconAgent } from '@/lib/agent-status'
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+import type { AgentType } from '../../../../shared/agent-status-types'
+
+/** The agent's mark in a tile; a failed install swaps it for an amber warning. */
+export function NativeChatInstallTile(props: {
+  agent: AgentType
+  failed: boolean
+  large: boolean
+}): React.JSX.Element {
+  const { agent, failed, large } = props
+  return (
+    <div
+      aria-hidden
+      className={cn(
+        'flex shrink-0 items-center justify-center border',
+        large ? 'size-14 rounded-2xl' : 'size-9 rounded-xl',
+        failed
+          ? 'border-chat-warning/30 bg-chat-warning/10 text-chat-warning'
+          : 'border-border bg-accent'
+      )}
+    >
+      {failed ? (
+        <TriangleAlert className={large ? 'size-6' : 'size-4.5'} />
+      ) : (
+        <AgentIcon agent={agentTypeToIconAgent(agent)} size={large ? 28 : 20} />
+      )}
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatPromptEditor.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatPromptEditor.tsx
index a6e7cbcff31..e01367d3a14 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatPromptEditor.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatPromptEditor.tsx
@@ -82,7 +82,11 @@ export function NativeChatPromptEditor({
         NativeChatSkill,
         NativeChatFileReference,
         NativeChatImageReference,
-        Placeholder.configure({ placeholder: () => placeholderRef.current })
+        // A disabled box still says why it is disabled, as the plain text box's placeholder does.
+        Placeholder.configure({
+          placeholder: () => placeholderRef.current,
+          showOnlyWhenEditable: false
+        })
       ],
       content:
         (scopeKey && readNativeChatDraftDocument(scopeKey, initialValue)) ||
@@ -295,7 +299,12 @@ export function NativeChatPromptEditor({
 
   return (
     <NativeChatImageRowProvider value={imageRow}>
-      <EditorContent editor={editor} {...events} />
+      <EditorContent
+        editor={editor}
+        {...events}
+        data-disabled={disabled || undefined}
+        className="data-[disabled]:cursor-not-allowed data-[disabled]:opacity-50"
+      />
     </NativeChatImageRowProvider>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.launch-lifecycle.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.launch-lifecycle.test.tsx
index e100264cc25..1009c808cbb 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.launch-lifecycle.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.launch-lifecycle.test.tsx
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ describe('NativeChatStructuredSession launch lifecycle', () => {
     install.observation = { kind: 'inactive' }
   })
 
-  it('puts Install in the composer slot until the host has the program, and keeps the draft', () => {
+  it('shows Install over a disabled composer until the host has the program', () => {
     const notInstalled: ManagedRuntimeInstallState = {
       agent: 'codex',
       revision: 1,
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ describe('NativeChatStructuredSession launch lifecycle', () => {
       version: '1.3.0',
       installedVersion: null,
       installedCurrent: false,
+      downloadBytes: 111_500_000,
       source: null,
       operation: null
     }
@@ -103,21 +104,48 @@ describe('NativeChatStructuredSession launch lifecycle', () => {
     }
     const draft = structuredAgentSessionDraftScopeKey('session-1')
     updateNativeChatComposerDraft(draft, { text: 'hello' }, 'immediate')
+    mocks.messages = []
     // Before the first answer the composer stays (its sends held) and Install doesn't flash.
     hostSays(null)
     const { rerender } = render(sessionView())
     expect(screen.getByTestId('structured-composer')).toBeTruthy()
     expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Install Codex' })).toBeNull()
+    expect(mocks.composerProps?.unavailableHint).toBeUndefined()
 
+    // A new chat gets the install message in its pane; the composer stays, disabled.
     hostSays(notInstalled)
     rerender(sessionView())
     expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Install Codex' })).toBeTruthy()
-    expect(screen.queryByTestId('structured-composer')).toBeNull()
+    expect(screen.getByText(/One-time 112 MB download/)).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('structured-composer')).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(mocks.composerProps?.unavailableHint).toBe('Install Codex to start chatting')
+
+    for (const lifecycle of ['pending', 'failed'] as const) {
+      mocks.launchLifecycle = lifecycle
+      mocks.launchResumes = true
+      rerender(<div key={lifecycle}>{sessionView()}</div>)
+      expect(screen.getAllByRole('button', { name: 'Install' })).toHaveLength(1)
+      expect(mocks.composerProps?.unavailableHint).toBe('Install Codex to continue')
+      expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Retry' })).toBeNull()
+    }
+    mocks.launchLifecycle = null
+    hostSays({ ...notInstalled, available: false })
+    rerender(sessionView())
+    expect(mocks.composerProps?.unavailableHint).toBe('Codex is not available on this host.')
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: /^Install/ })).toBeNull()
+    hostSays(notInstalled)
+
+    // With messages, Install is a strip above the composer instead.
+    mocks.messages = null
+    rerender(sessionView())
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Install' })).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/One-time 112 MB download/)).toBeNull()
 
     hostSays({ ...notInstalled, revision: 2, installedVersion: '1.3.0', source: 'managed' })
     rerender(sessionView())
     expect(screen.getByTestId('structured-composer')).toBeTruthy()
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Install Codex' })).toBeNull()
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: /^Install/ })).toBeNull()
+    expect(mocks.composerProps?.unavailableHint).toBeUndefined()
     expect(readNativeChatComposerDraft(draft).text).toBe('hello')
   })
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.test-harness.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.test-harness.tsx
index 83b7864d511..016406c7c01 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.test-harness.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.test-harness.tsx
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ export function createStructuredSessionMocks() {
       }
       isWorking?: boolean
       isStopping?: boolean
+      unavailableHint?: string
       afterStop?: 'queue' | 'send'
       steerQueued?: () => boolean
       onStop?: () => void
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.tsx
index 428585f81a9..bcd81ef62fa 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/NativeChatStructuredSession.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { NativeChatComposer, type NativeChatComposerHandle } from './NativeChatC
 import type { NativeChatOptionPickerRequest } from './native-chat-composer-types'
 import { structuredAgentSessionDraftScopeKey } from './native-chat-composer-draft-store'
 import { NativeChatEmptyState } from './NativeChatEmptyState'
+import { NativeChatEmptyPane } from './NativeChatEmptyPane'
 import { NativeChatLoadingCue } from './NativeChatLoadingCue'
 import { NativeChatMessageList } from './NativeChatMessageList'
 import { useStructuredNativeChatSubmitReveal } from './use-structured-native-chat-submit-reveal'
@@ -69,7 +70,6 @@ export function NativeChatStructuredSession(
   const ownerWorktreeId = useNativeChatTabOwnerWorktreeId(props.tabId)
   const fileLinkContext = useNativeChatFileLinkContext(props.tabId)
   const provisionalLaunch = useNativeChatProvisionalLaunch(ownerWorktreeId, props.sessionId)
-  const { sendThroughLaunch } = provisionalLaunch
   // The host's own word on whether the provider child has answered startup yet.
   const hostExecution = useStructuredAgentSessionHostExecution(props.sessionId, props.target)
   const paneKey = useMemo(
@@ -199,9 +199,9 @@ export function NativeChatStructuredSession(
   // cancel then works.
   const promptsUnanswerable = pendingPromptsAllUnanswerableHere(controller.prompts)
   const composerShown = (prompt === null || promptsUnanswerable) && !readFailedFinally
-  // An owned prompt keeps its card; otherwise a missing program takes the composer's place.
-  const install = useNativeChatInstallSlot(props.target, props.agent, props.isVisible, agentLabel)
-  const composerOpen = composerShown && install.slot.kind !== 'install'
+  // An owned prompt keeps its card; otherwise a missing program leaves the composer disabled.
+  const installLayout = viewState.kind === 'empty' ? 'hero' : 'strip'
+  const install = useNativeChatInstallSlot(props, agentLabel, installLayout)
   const approval = prompt?.body.kind === 'approval' ? chatApprovalFromJournal(prompt.body) : null
   const cancelPrompt = () => {
     if (prompt && (controller.turnId || props.agent === 'pi')) {
@@ -218,14 +218,14 @@ export function NativeChatStructuredSession(
     questionAnswerInputRef,
     isVisible: props.isVisible,
     isFocusedGroup: props.isFocusedGroup,
-    composerReady: composerOpen
+    composerReady: composerShown && install.slot.kind !== 'install'
   })
   const questionBody = prompt?.body.kind === 'question' ? prompt.body : null
   const questions = questionBody ? agentSessionPromptQuestions(questionBody) : []
   const structuredTransport = useNativeChatStructuredComposerTransport({
     props,
     controller,
-    sendThroughLaunch,
+    sendThroughLaunch: provisionalLaunch.sendThroughLaunch,
     starting: provisionalLaunch.starting,
     worktreeId: ownerWorktreeId ?? undefined,
     optionPickerRequest,
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ export function NativeChatStructuredSession(
             {...(readFailure?.named ? { headline: readFailure.text } : {})}
           />
         ) : viewState.kind === 'empty' ? (
-          <NativeChatEmptyState kind="empty" agent={props.agent} />
+          <NativeChatEmptyPane slot={install.slot} agent={props.agent} />
         ) : (
           <NativeChatRewindContext.Provider value={controller.rewind.surface}>
             <NativeChatOrcaStopContext.Provider value={continuation.view}>
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ export function NativeChatStructuredSession(
             />
           )}
           {/* Prompt cards take the composer's slot, below the background-task dock. */}
-          {composerOpen ? null : <NativeChatPromptSlotNotices notices={notices} />}
+          {composerShown ? null : <NativeChatPromptSlotNotices notices={notices} />}
           {prompt && approval ? (
             <NativeChatApprovalCard
               key={`${prompt.itemId}:${prompt.revision}`}
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ export function NativeChatStructuredSession(
             />
           ) : null}
           {composerShown && <NativeChatInstallSlot slot={install.slot} agentLabel={agentLabel} />}
-          {composerOpen ? (
+          {composerShown ? (
             <NativeChatComposer
               ref={composerRef}
               terminalTabId={props.tabId}
@@ -401,6 +401,7 @@ export function NativeChatStructuredSession(
               targetPtyId={null}
               agent={props.agent}
               {...stopControls.composer}
+              unavailableHint={install.unavailableHint}
               steerQueued={stopControls.stopping ? undefined : submits.queuedMessages.steerNewest}
               structuredTransport={structuredTransport}
               launchSeed={{ ...launchDraftSignal, ownsTabWideLaunchDraft: true }}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-composer-types.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-composer-types.ts
index a0aa6cad10f..fcbcb2c59bf 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-composer-types.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/native-chat-composer-types.ts
@@ -85,6 +85,9 @@ export type NativeChatComposerProps = {
   agent: AgentType
   /** Guard desktop sends while a mobile client owns the terminal input lease. */
   canSend?: boolean
+  /** The chat can't take input yet (a program it needs isn't installed): the composer is disabled
+   *  and this is its placeholder. */
+  unavailableHint?: string | undefined
   /** True while the hosted TUI reports an in-flight turn; swaps Send to Stop. */
   isWorking?: boolean
   /** This client's Stop request is in flight: the Stop control is disabled and says so. */
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-dictation.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-dictation.ts
index 8a57c0b723c..e921a6b996f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-dictation.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-dictation.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ import { useAppStore } from '../../store'
 import { dispatchDictationControl } from '../dictation/dictation-control-events'
 
 /** Whether the composer can dictate and is dictating now, and the controls that start and stop it. */
-export function useNativeChatDictation(textareaRef: RefObject<NativeChatComposerInput | null>): {
+export function useNativeChatDictation(
+  textareaRef: RefObject<NativeChatComposerInput | null>,
+  disabled: boolean
+): {
   dictationDisabled: boolean
   isDictating: boolean
   isDictationHoldMode: boolean
@@ -15,27 +18,37 @@ export function useNativeChatDictation(textareaRef: RefObject<NativeChatComposer
   const [dictationPressed, setDictationPressed] = useState(false)
   const dictationState = useAppStore((store) => store.dictationState)
   const voiceSettings = useAppStore((store) => store.settings?.voice)
+  const isDictating =
+    dictationPressed ||
+    dictationState === 'starting' ||
+    dictationState === 'listening' ||
+    dictationState === 'stopping'
+  const dictationDisabled =
+    !isDictating && (disabled || voiceSettings?.enabled !== true || !voiceSettings.sttModel)
   const focusForDictation = useCallback(() => textareaRef.current?.focus(), [textareaRef])
   const toggleDictation = useCallback(() => {
-    focusForDictation()
-    dispatchDictationControl('toggle')
-  }, [focusForDictation])
+    if (isDictating) {
+      dispatchDictationControl('stop')
+    } else if (!dictationDisabled) {
+      focusForDictation()
+      dispatchDictationControl('toggle')
+    }
+  }, [dictationDisabled, focusForDictation, isDictating])
   const startHoldDictation = useCallback(() => {
+    if (disabled || dictationDisabled || isDictating) {
+      return
+    }
     setDictationPressed(true)
     focusForDictation()
     dispatchDictationControl('start')
-  }, [focusForDictation])
+  }, [disabled, dictationDisabled, focusForDictation, isDictating])
   const stopHoldDictation = useCallback(() => {
     setDictationPressed(false)
     dispatchDictationControl('stop')
   }, [])
   return {
-    dictationDisabled: voiceSettings?.enabled !== true || !voiceSettings.sttModel,
-    isDictating:
-      dictationPressed ||
-      dictationState === 'starting' ||
-      dictationState === 'listening' ||
-      dictationState === 'stopping',
+    dictationDisabled,
+    isDictating,
     isDictationHoldMode: voiceSettings?.dictationMode === 'hold',
     toggleDictation,
     startHoldDictation,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-picker-state.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-picker-state.test.tsx
index 101d89cd386..2bcff3527f2 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-picker-state.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-picker-state.test.tsx
@@ -8,21 +8,39 @@ vi.mock('./use-native-chat-skills', () => ({
 }))
 
 function pickerMode(draft: string, recalledFromHistory: boolean): string {
-  const { result } = renderHook(() =>
-    useNativeChatPickerState({
-      agent: 'claude',
-      terminalTabId: 'tab-1',
-      draftScopeKey: 'pane-1',
-      draft,
-      caret: draft.length,
-      agentCommands: [{ name: 'clear' }],
-      recalledFromHistory,
-      textareaRef: { current: null },
-      setDraft: vi.fn(),
-      setCaret: vi.fn(),
-      setActiveSuggestion: vi.fn()
-    })
+  const setDraft = vi.fn()
+  const { result, rerender } = renderHook(
+    (disabled: boolean) =>
+      useNativeChatPickerState({
+        agent: 'claude',
+        terminalTabId: 'tab-1',
+        draftScopeKey: 'pane-1',
+        draft,
+        caret: draft.length,
+        agentCommands: [{ name: 'clear' }],
+        recalledFromHistory,
+        disabled,
+        textareaRef: { current: null },
+        setDraft,
+        setCaret: vi.fn(),
+        setActiveSuggestion: vi.fn()
+      }),
+    { initialProps: false }
   )
+  const completeMention = result.current.completeMention
+  const completeItem = result.current.completeItem
+  const item =
+    result.current.autocomplete.mode === 'slash' ? result.current.autocomplete.items[0] : null
+  const typedMode = result.current.autocomplete.mode
+  rerender(true)
+  expect(result.current.autocomplete.mode).toBe('none')
+  completeMention('app.ts')
+  if (item) {
+    completeItem(item)
+  }
+  expect(setDraft).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  rerender(false)
+  expect(result.current.autocomplete.mode).toBe(typedMode)
   return result.current.autocomplete.mode
 }
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-picker-state.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-picker-state.ts
index 1cd6785af1f..af6b70494be 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-picker-state.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/native-chat/use-native-chat-picker-state.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   useCallback,
   useEffect,
   useId,
+  useLayoutEffect,
   useMemo,
   useRef,
   useState,
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ export function useNativeChatPickerState(args: {
   agentCommands: readonly SlashCommandSuggestion[]
   /** A message recalled from history is resent or walked past, not completed, until it is edited. */
   recalledFromHistory: boolean
+  disabled: boolean
   /** Skill names the running session reports; undefined keeps the host disk scan. */
   sessionSkillNames?: readonly string[]
   textareaRef: RefObject<NativeChatComposerInput | null>
@@ -67,6 +69,7 @@ export function useNativeChatPickerState(args: {
     caret,
     agentCommands,
     recalledFromHistory,
+    disabled,
     sessionSkillNames,
     textareaRef,
     setDraft,
@@ -74,7 +77,11 @@ export function useNativeChatPickerState(args: {
     setActiveSuggestion
   } = args
   const profile = useMemo(() => getNativeChatAgentProfile(agent), [agent])
-  const skillPickerTriggered = isSkillPickerTriggered(draft.slice(0, caret), profile)
+  const disabledRef = useRef(disabled)
+  useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    disabledRef.current = disabled
+  }, [disabled])
+  const skillPickerTriggered = !disabled && isSkillPickerTriggered(draft.slice(0, caret), profile)
   const discovery = useNativeChatSkills(agent, terminalTabId, skillPickerTriggered)
   const listboxId = `native-chat-picker-${useId().replaceAll(':', '')}`
   const dismissalContext = `${draftScopeKey}:${agent}`
@@ -83,7 +90,7 @@ export function useNativeChatPickerState(args: {
   const lastOpenKeyRef = useRef<string | null>(null)
   const autocomplete = useMemo<ComposerAutocomplete>(
     () =>
-      recalledFromHistory
+      recalledFromHistory || disabled
         ? { mode: 'none' }
         : deriveComposerAutocomplete(
             draft,
@@ -101,6 +108,7 @@ export function useNativeChatPickerState(args: {
       dismissalContext,
       dismissed,
       discovery,
+      disabled,
       draft,
       profile,
       recalledFromHistory,
@@ -143,7 +151,7 @@ export function useNativeChatPickerState(args: {
 
   const completeItem = useCallback(
     (item: NativeChatPickerItem) => {
-      if (autocomplete.mode !== 'slash') {
+      if (disabledRef.current || autocomplete.mode !== 'slash') {
         return
       }
       const result = applyPickerSuggestion(draft, caret, item)
@@ -159,8 +167,13 @@ export function useNativeChatPickerState(args: {
   )
 
   const completeMention = useCallback(
-    (path: string) => commitCompletion(applyMentionSuggestion(draft, caret, path)),
-    [caret, commitCompletion, draft]
+    (path: string) => {
+      if (disabledRef.current || autocomplete.mode !== 'mention') {
+        return
+      }
+      commitCompletion(applyMentionSuggestion(draft, caret, path))
+    },
+    [autocomplete, caret, commitCompletion, draft]
   )
 
   const handleDraftOrCaretChange = useCallback(
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AntigravityAccountsSection.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AntigravityAccountsSection.tsx
index 9fd28c77937..1affff5191d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AntigravityAccountsSection.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AntigravityAccountsSection.tsx
@@ -298,7 +298,6 @@ export function AntigravityAccountsSection({
           <ManagedRuntimeInstallRow
             observation={chatRuntime}
             agentLabel={translate('accounts.antigravity.title', 'Antigravity')}
-            surface="settings"
           />
         </div>
       ) : null}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/NativeChatProvidersSetting.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/NativeChatProvidersSetting.tsx
index 52ef66588e6..e83a421ea7d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/NativeChatProvidersSetting.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/NativeChatProvidersSetting.tsx
@@ -104,7 +104,6 @@ function ProviderDetail(props: {
       <ManagedRuntimeInstallRow
         observation={runtime}
         agentLabel={getAgentLabel(props.agent)}
-        surface="settings"
       />
     </div>
   )
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
index 061cf9d118a..f0286bea6cf 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
@@ -19422,7 +19422,6 @@
       "cancel": "Cancel installation",
       "cancelled": "Installation cancelled.",
       "cancelling": "Cancelling…",
-      "chatTitle": "Install {{agent}} to start chatting.",
       "damaged": "This copy of {{agent}} is damaged.",
       "downloadSize": "{{size}} MB download.",
       "downloading": "Downloading {{done}} MB.",
@@ -19441,7 +19440,28 @@
       "retry": "Retry installation",
       "unavailable": "{{agent}} is not available on this host.",
       "update": "Update {{agent}}",
-      "verifying": "Checking the downloaded runtime."
+      "verifying": "Checking the downloaded runtime.",
+      "installTitle": "Install {{agent}} to start chatting",
+      "continueTitle": "Install {{agent}} to continue",
+      "heroBody": "One-time {{size}} MB download. It's shared by {{agent}} chats on the computer running this chat.",
+      "heroBodyNoSize": "One-time download. It's shared by {{agent}} chats on the computer running this chat.",
+      "stripSize": "{{size}} MB download on the computer running this chat",
+      "settingsHint": "Also in Settings › Chat › Providers",
+      "installShort": "Install",
+      "tryAgain": "Try again",
+      "cancelShort": "Cancel",
+      "failedTitle": "Couldn't install {{agent}}",
+      "cancelledTitle": "Installation cancelled",
+      "cancelledBody": "Nothing was installed.",
+      "downloadingTitle": "Downloading {{agent}}",
+      "unpackingTitle": "Unpacking {{agent}}",
+      "checkingTitle": "Checking the download",
+      "progressOf": "{{done}} of {{total}} MB",
+      "unpackingDetail": "Unpacking the runtime",
+      "checkingDetail": "Checking the downloaded runtime",
+      "stepDownload": "Download",
+      "stepUnpack": "Unpack",
+      "stepCheck": "Check"
     }
   },
   "dashboardPopout": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
index 7310a34089a..e6fd77516b2 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
@@ -19189,7 +19189,6 @@
       "cancel": "Cancelar instalación",
       "cancelled": "Instalación cancelada.",
       "cancelling": "Cancelando…",
-      "chatTitle": "Instala {{agent}} para empezar a chatear.",
       "damaged": "Esta copia de {{agent}} está dañada.",
       "downloadSize": "Descarga de {{size}} MB.",
       "downloading": "Descargando {{done}} MB.",
@@ -19208,7 +19207,28 @@
       "retry": "Reintentar instalación",
       "unavailable": "{{agent}} no está disponible en este host.",
       "update": "Actualizar {{agent}}",
-      "verifying": "Comprobando el entorno descargado."
+      "verifying": "Comprobando el entorno descargado.",
+      "installTitle": "Instala {{agent}} para empezar a chatear",
+      "continueTitle": "Instala {{agent}} para continuar",
+      "heroBody": "Descarga única de {{size}} MB. La comparten los chats de {{agent}} en el equipo que ejecuta este chat.",
+      "heroBodyNoSize": "Descarga única. La comparten los chats de {{agent}} en el equipo que ejecuta este chat.",
+      "stripSize": "Descarga de {{size}} MB en el equipo que ejecuta este chat",
+      "settingsHint": "También en Ajustes › Chat › Proveedores",
+      "installShort": "Instalar",
+      "tryAgain": "Reintentar",
+      "cancelShort": "Cancelar",
+      "failedTitle": "No se pudo instalar {{agent}}",
+      "cancelledTitle": "Instalación cancelada",
+      "cancelledBody": "No se instaló nada.",
+      "downloadingTitle": "Descargando {{agent}}",
+      "unpackingTitle": "Descomprimiendo {{agent}}",
+      "checkingTitle": "Comprobando la descarga",
+      "progressOf": "{{done}} de {{total}} MB",
+      "unpackingDetail": "Descomprimiendo el entorno de ejecución",
+      "checkingDetail": "Comprobando el entorno de ejecución descargado",
+      "stepDownload": "Descargar",
+      "stepUnpack": "Descomprimir",
+      "stepCheck": "Comprobar"
     }
   },
   "dashboardPopout": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
index a58096bb210..42fc8dd87f2 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
@@ -19305,7 +19305,6 @@
       "cancel": "Annuler l'installation",
       "cancelled": "Installation annulée.",
       "cancelling": "Annulation…",
-      "chatTitle": "Installez {{agent}} pour commencer à discuter.",
       "damaged": "Cette copie de {{agent}} est endommagée.",
       "downloadSize": "Téléchargement de {{size}} Mo.",
       "downloading": "Téléchargement de {{done}} Mo.",
@@ -19324,7 +19323,28 @@
       "retry": "Réessayer l'installation",
       "unavailable": "{{agent}} n'est pas disponible sur cet hôte.",
       "update": "Mettre à jour {{agent}}",
-      "verifying": "Vérification de l’environnement téléchargé."
+      "verifying": "Vérification de l’environnement téléchargé.",
+      "installTitle": "Installez {{agent}} pour commencer à discuter",
+      "continueTitle": "Installez {{agent}} pour continuer",
+      "heroBody": "Téléchargement unique de {{size}} Mo, partagé par les conversations {{agent}} sur l’ordinateur qui exécute cette conversation.",
+      "heroBodyNoSize": "Téléchargement unique, partagé par les conversations {{agent}} sur l’ordinateur qui exécute cette conversation.",
+      "stripSize": "Téléchargement de {{size}} Mo sur l’ordinateur qui exécute cette conversation",
+      "settingsHint": "Aussi dans Paramètres › Chat › Fournisseurs",
+      "installShort": "Installer",
+      "tryAgain": "Réessayer",
+      "cancelShort": "Annuler",
+      "failedTitle": "Impossible d’installer {{agent}}",
+      "cancelledTitle": "Installation annulée",
+      "cancelledBody": "Rien n'a été installé.",
+      "downloadingTitle": "Téléchargement de {{agent}}",
+      "unpackingTitle": "Décompression de {{agent}}",
+      "checkingTitle": "Vérification du téléchargement",
+      "progressOf": "{{done}} sur {{total}} Mo",
+      "unpackingDetail": "Décompression de l'environnement d'exécution",
+      "checkingDetail": "Vérification de l'environnement d'exécution téléchargé",
+      "stepDownload": "Télécharger",
+      "stepUnpack": "Décompresser",
+      "stepCheck": "Vérifier"
     }
   },
   "dashboardPopout": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
index 1d191dc26d8..6a24ae44e5c 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
@@ -19201,7 +19201,6 @@
       "cancel": "インストールをキャンセル",
       "cancelled": "インストールをキャンセルしました。",
       "cancelling": "キャンセルしています…",
-      "chatTitle": "チャットを始めるには {{agent}} をインストールしてください。",
       "damaged": "この {{agent}} のコピーは破損しています。",
       "downloadSize": "{{size}} MB のダウンロード。",
       "downloading": "{{done}} MB をダウンロード中です。",
@@ -19220,7 +19219,28 @@
       "retry": "インストールを再試行",
       "unavailable": "{{agent}} はこのホストでは利用できません。",
       "update": "{{agent}} を更新",
-      "verifying": "ダウンロードしたランタイムを確認しています。"
+      "verifying": "ダウンロードしたランタイムを確認しています。",
+      "installTitle": "チャットを始めるには {{agent}} をインストールしてください",
+      "continueTitle": "続けるには {{agent}} をインストールしてください",
+      "heroBody": "{{size}} MB の一度きりのダウンロードです。このチャットを実行するコンピューター上の {{agent}} チャットで共有されます。",
+      "heroBodyNoSize": "一度きりのダウンロードです。このチャットを実行するコンピューター上の {{agent}} チャットで共有されます。",
+      "stripSize": "このチャットを実行するコンピューターに {{size}} MB をダウンロード",
+      "settingsHint": "設定 › チャット › プロバイダー からも行えます",
+      "installShort": "インストール",
+      "tryAgain": "再試行",
+      "cancelShort": "キャンセル",
+      "failedTitle": "{{agent}} をインストールできませんでした",
+      "cancelledTitle": "インストールをキャンセルしました",
+      "cancelledBody": "何もインストールされていません。",
+      "downloadingTitle": "{{agent}} をダウンロード中",
+      "unpackingTitle": "{{agent}} を展開中",
+      "checkingTitle": "ダウンロードを確認中",
+      "progressOf": "{{total}} MB 中 {{done}} MB",
+      "unpackingDetail": "ランタイムを展開しています",
+      "checkingDetail": "ダウンロードしたランタイムを確認しています",
+      "stepDownload": "ダウンロード",
+      "stepUnpack": "展開",
+      "stepCheck": "確認"
     }
   },
   "dashboardPopout": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
index f2b37ae5011..0353b159bb0 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
@@ -19201,7 +19201,6 @@
       "cancel": "설치 취소",
       "cancelled": "설치가 취소되었습니다.",
       "cancelling": "취소하는 중…",
-      "chatTitle": "채팅을 시작하려면 {{agent}}을(를) 설치하세요.",
       "damaged": "이 {{agent}} 사본이 손상되었습니다.",
       "downloadSize": "{{size}}MB 다운로드.",
       "downloading": "{{done}}MB 다운로드 중입니다.",
@@ -19220,7 +19219,28 @@
       "retry": "설치 다시 시도",
       "unavailable": "{{agent}}은(는) 이 호스트에서 사용할 수 없습니다.",
       "update": "{{agent}} 업데이트",
-      "verifying": "다운로드한 런타임을 확인하는 중입니다."
+      "verifying": "다운로드한 런타임을 확인하는 중입니다.",
+      "installTitle": "채팅을 시작하려면 {{agent}}을(를) 설치하세요",
+      "continueTitle": "계속하려면 {{agent}}을(를) 설치하세요",
+      "heroBody": "한 번만 {{size}}MB를 다운로드합니다. 이 채팅을 실행하는 컴퓨터의 {{agent}} 채팅이 함께 사용합니다.",
+      "heroBodyNoSize": "한 번만 다운로드합니다. 이 채팅을 실행하는 컴퓨터의 {{agent}} 채팅이 함께 사용합니다.",
+      "stripSize": "이 채팅을 실행하는 컴퓨터에 {{size}}MB 다운로드",
+      "settingsHint": "설정 › 채팅 › 공급자에서도 설치할 수 있습니다",
+      "installShort": "설치",
+      "tryAgain": "다시 시도",
+      "cancelShort": "취소",
+      "failedTitle": "{{agent}}을(를) 설치하지 못했습니다",
+      "cancelledTitle": "설치가 취소되었습니다",
+      "cancelledBody": "아무것도 설치되지 않았습니다.",
+      "downloadingTitle": "{{agent}} 다운로드 중",
+      "unpackingTitle": "{{agent}} 압축 해제 중",
+      "checkingTitle": "다운로드 확인 중",
+      "progressOf": "{{total}}MB 중 {{done}}MB",
+      "unpackingDetail": "런타임 압축을 푸는 중",
+      "checkingDetail": "다운로드한 런타임을 확인하는 중",
+      "stepDownload": "다운로드",
+      "stepUnpack": "압축 해제",
+      "stepCheck": "확인"
     }
   },
   "dashboardPopout": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
index 015c734eec1..bffa9b41c59 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
@@ -19201,7 +19201,6 @@
       "cancel": "取消安装",
       "cancelled": "已取消安装。",
       "cancelling": "正在取消…",
-      "chatTitle": "安装 {{agent}} 即可开始聊天。",
       "damaged": "此 {{agent}} 副本已损坏。",
       "downloadSize": "下载大小 {{size}} MB。",
       "downloading": "正在下载 {{done}} MB。",
@@ -19220,7 +19219,28 @@
       "retry": "重试安装",
       "unavailable": "{{agent}} 在此主机上不可用。",
       "update": "更新 {{agent}}",
-      "verifying": "正在检查已下载的运行时。"
+      "verifying": "正在检查已下载的运行时。",
+      "installTitle": "安装 {{agent}} 以开始聊天",
+      "continueTitle": "安装 {{agent}} 以继续",
+      "heroBody": "一次性下载 {{size}} MB，由运行此聊天的电脑上的 {{agent}} 聊天共用。",
+      "heroBodyNoSize": "一次性下载，由运行此聊天的电脑上的 {{agent}} 聊天共用。",
+      "stripSize": "在运行此聊天的电脑上下载 {{size}} MB",
+      "settingsHint": "也可在 设置 › 聊天 › 供应商 中安装",
+      "installShort": "安装",
+      "tryAgain": "重试",
+      "cancelShort": "取消",
+      "failedTitle": "无法安装 {{agent}}",
+      "cancelledTitle": "安装已取消",
+      "cancelledBody": "未安装任何内容。",
+      "downloadingTitle": "正在下载 {{agent}}",
+      "unpackingTitle": "正在解压 {{agent}}",
+      "checkingTitle": "正在检查下载内容",
+      "progressOf": "{{done}} / {{total}} MB",
+      "unpackingDetail": "正在解压运行时",
+      "checkingDetail": "正在检查已下载的运行时",
+      "stepDownload": "下载",
+      "stepUnpack": "解压",
+      "stepCheck": "检查"
     }
   },
   "dashboardPopout": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/floating-editor-file-id-layout-owner.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/floating-editor-file-id-layout-owner.test.ts
index 6bf0e61e98a..467078d2585 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/store/slices/floating-editor-file-id-layout-owner.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/store/slices/floating-editor-file-id-layout-owner.test.ts
@@ -36,18 +36,16 @@ function openFloatingFile(): string {
     activeGroupIdByWorktree: { [WT]: 'g1' },
     unifiedTabsByWorktree: { [WT]: [] }
   })
-  return store
-    .getState()
-    .openFile(
-      {
-        filePath: '/notes/a.md',
-        relativePath: 'a.md',
-        worktreeId: WT,
-        language: 'md',
-        mode: 'edit'
-      },
-      { preview: false }
-    )
+  return store.getState().openFile(
+    {
+      filePath: '/notes/a.md',
+      relativePath: 'a.md',
+      worktreeId: WT,
+      language: 'md',
+      mode: 'edit'
+    },
+    { preview: false }
+  )
 }
 
 beforeEach(() => {