diff --git a/mobile/app/index.tsx b/mobile/app/index.tsx
index a8909c372b7..b7132849845 100644
--- a/mobile/app/index.tsx
+++ b/mobile/app/index.tsx
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import { loadHosts } from '../src/transport/host-store'
 import { removeHostAndCloseClient } from '../src/transport/host-removal-lifecycle'
 import { pickResumeWorktree } from '../src/worktree/resume-worktree'
 import type { RpcClient } from '../src/transport/rpc-client'
+import { sendSingleFlightRequest } from '../src/transport/request-single-flight'
 import {
   useAllHostClients,
   useCloseHost,
@@ -140,11 +141,11 @@ function clientKey(client: RpcClient): number {
 
 function fetchStats(
   client: RpcClient,
+  hostId: string,
   setStats: (s: StatsSummary) => void,
   disposed: () => boolean
 ) {
-  client
-    .sendRequest('stats.summary')
+  sendSingleFlightRequest(client, hostId, 'stats.summary')
     .then((response) => {
       if (disposed()) {
         return
@@ -182,9 +183,8 @@ function fetchWorktreeInfo(
     })
   }
 
-  client
-    // Why: worktree.ps defaults to 200 and silently truncates; request all so counts are accurate.
-    .sendRequest('worktree.ps', { limit: 10000 })
+  // Why: worktree.ps defaults to 200 and silently truncates; request all so counts are accurate.
+  sendSingleFlightRequest(client, hostId, 'worktree.ps', { limit: 10000 })
     .then((response) => {
       if (disposed()) {
         return
@@ -225,8 +225,7 @@ function fetchAccountsSnapshot(
   ) => void,
   disposed: () => boolean
 ) {
-  client
-    .sendRequest('accounts.list')
+  sendSingleFlightRequest(client, hostId, 'accounts.list')
     .then((response) => {
       if (disposed()) {
         return
@@ -248,9 +247,9 @@ function fetchTaskProviders(
   disposed: () => boolean
 ) {
   Promise.all([
-    client.sendRequest('settings.get'),
-    client.sendRequest('preflight.check'),
-    client.sendRequest('linear.status')
+    sendSingleFlightRequest(client, hostId, 'settings.get'),
+    sendSingleFlightRequest(client, hostId, 'preflight.check'),
+    sendSingleFlightRequest(client, hostId, 'linear.status')
   ])
     .then(([settingsResponse, preflightResponse, linearResponse]) => {
       if (disposed()) {
@@ -405,7 +404,7 @@ export default function HomeScreen() {
       })
       for (const entry of allClientsRef.current) {
         if (entry.client.getState() === 'connected') {
-          fetchStats(entry.client, setStats, () => stale)
+          fetchStats(entry.client, entry.hostId, setStats, () => stale)
           fetchWorktreeInfo(entry.client, entry.hostId, setWorktreeInfo, () => stale)
           fetchAccountsSnapshot(entry.client, entry.hostId, setAccountsByHost, () => stale)
           fetchTaskProviders(entry.client, entry.hostId, setTaskProvidersByHost, () => stale)
@@ -512,7 +511,7 @@ export default function HomeScreen() {
           }
           if (!statsFetched) {
             statsFetched = true
-            fetchStats(entry.client, setStats, () => false)
+            fetchStats(entry.client, entry.hostId, setStats, () => false)
             fetchWorktreeInfo(entry.client, entry.hostId, setWorktreeInfo, () => false)
             fetchTaskProviders(entry.client, entry.hostId, setTaskProvidersByHost, () => false)
           }
diff --git a/mobile/app/voice-settings.tsx b/mobile/app/voice-settings.tsx
index a6c725c0e1c..4a0f6d07c79 100644
--- a/mobile/app/voice-settings.tsx
+++ b/mobile/app/voice-settings.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react'
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react'
 import {
   ActivityIndicator,
   Pressable,
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import {
   View
 } from 'react-native'
 import { useSafeAreaInsets } from 'react-native-safe-area-context'
-import { useRouter } from 'expo-router'
+import { useFocusEffect, useRouter } from 'expo-router'
 import { ChevronLeft, ChevronRight } from 'lucide-react-native'
 import { colors, radii, spacing, typography } from '../src/theme/mobile-theme'
 import { loadHosts } from '../src/transport/host-store'
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import { useAllHostClients } from '../src/transport/client-context'
 import type { RpcClient } from '../src/transport/rpc-client'
 import { BottomDrawer } from '../src/components/BottomDrawer'
 import { VoiceModelList } from '../src/components/VoiceModelList'
+import { useDictationSetupPoller } from '../src/dictation/use-dictation-setup-poller'
 import {
   deleteDictationModel,
   downloadDictationModel,
@@ -58,44 +59,45 @@ export default function VoiceSettingsScreen(): React.JSX.Element {
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [busyAction, setBusyAction] = useState<ModelBusyAction | null>(null)
   const [modelDrawerOpen, setModelDrawerOpen] = useState(false)
-  const pollRef = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null>(null)
+  const [routeFocused, setRouteFocused] = useState(false)
 
-  const refresh = useCallback(async () => {
+  useFocusEffect(
+    useCallback(() => {
+      setRouteFocused(true)
+      return () => setRouteFocused(false)
+    }, [])
+  )
+
+  const refresh = useCallback(async (): Promise<boolean | undefined> => {
     if (!client) {
-      return
+      return false
     }
     try {
-      setSetup(await fetchDictationSetup(client))
+      const next = await fetchDictationSetup(client)
+      setSetup(next)
       setError(null)
+      return next.models.some(isModelInFlight)
     } catch (err) {
       setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to load voice settings')
+      return undefined
+    } finally {
+      setLoading(false)
     }
   }, [client])
 
-  // Initial load once a connected client is available.
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!client) {
-      return
-    }
-    setLoading(true)
-    setError(null)
-    void refresh().finally(() => setLoading(false))
-  }, [client, refresh])
+  const polling = setup?.models.some(isModelInFlight) ?? false
+  const refreshSetup = useDictationSetupPoller({
+    visible: routeFocused && client !== null,
+    polling,
+    refresh,
+    intervalMs: POLL_INTERVAL_MS
+  })
 
-  // Poll only while a model is downloading/extracting; stop otherwise.
   useEffect(() => {
-    const inFlight = setup?.models.some(isModelInFlight) ?? false
-    if (inFlight && client) {
-      pollRef.current = setInterval(() => void refresh(), POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
-      return () => {
-        if (pollRef.current) {
-          clearInterval(pollRef.current)
-          pollRef.current = null
-        }
-      }
+    if (routeFocused && client && setup === null) {
+      setLoading(true)
     }
-    return undefined
-  }, [setup, client, refresh])
+  }, [routeFocused, client, setup])
 
   const handleToggleEnabled = useCallback(
     async (enabled: boolean) => {
@@ -109,10 +111,10 @@ export default function VoiceSettingsScreen(): React.JSX.Element {
         setSetup(await setDictationConfig(client, { enabled }))
       } catch (err) {
         setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Could not update')
-        void refresh()
+        void refreshSetup()
       }
     },
-    [client, refresh]
+    [client, refreshSetup]
   )
 
   const handleSelectMode = useCallback(
@@ -126,10 +128,10 @@ export default function VoiceSettingsScreen(): React.JSX.Element {
         setSetup(await setDictationConfig(client, { dictationMode }))
       } catch (err) {
         setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Could not update')
-        void refresh()
+        void refreshSetup()
       }
     },
-    [client, refresh]
+    [client, refreshSetup]
   )
 
   const handleUseModel = useCallback(
@@ -160,14 +162,14 @@ export default function VoiceSettingsScreen(): React.JSX.Element {
       setError(null)
       try {
         await downloadDictationModel(client, model.id)
-        await refresh()
+        await refreshSetup()
       } catch (err) {
         setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Download failed')
       } finally {
         setBusyAction(null)
       }
     },
-    [client, refresh]
+    [client, refreshSetup]
   )
 
   const handleDelete = useCallback(
diff --git a/mobile/src/components/MobileDictationSetupSheet.tsx b/mobile/src/components/MobileDictationSetupSheet.tsx
index 7e8e221aab2..f4a81c02b8f 100644
--- a/mobile/src/components/MobileDictationSetupSheet.tsx
+++ b/mobile/src/components/MobileDictationSetupSheet.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
-import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react'
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from 'react'
 import { ActivityIndicator, Pressable, StyleSheet, Switch, Text, View } from 'react-native'
 import { Check, Download } from 'lucide-react-native'
 import { BottomDrawer } from './BottomDrawer'
 import { colors, radii, spacing, typography } from '../theme/mobile-theme'
 import type { RpcClient } from '../transport/rpc-client'
 import { triggerError, triggerSuccess } from '../platform/haptics'
+import { useDictationSetupPoller } from '../dictation/use-dictation-setup-poller'
 import {
   downloadDictationModel,
   fetchDictationSetup,
@@ -37,40 +38,34 @@ export function MobileDictationSetupSheet({ visible, client, onClose, onReady }:
   const [setup, setSetup] = useState<MobileSpeechSetup | null>(null)
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState<string | null>(null)
-  const pollRef = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null>(null)
-
-  const refresh = useCallback(async () => {
+  const refresh = useCallback(async (): Promise<boolean | undefined> => {
     if (!client) {
-      return
+      return false
     }
     try {
-      setSetup(await fetchDictationSetup(client))
+      const next = await fetchDictationSetup(client)
+      setSetup(next)
+      setError(null)
+      return next.models.some(isModelInFlight)
     } catch (err) {
       setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to load')
+      return undefined
     }
   }, [client])
 
+  const polling = setup?.models.some(isModelInFlight) ?? false
+  const refreshSetup = useDictationSetupPoller({
+    visible: visible && client !== null,
+    polling,
+    refresh,
+    intervalMs: POLL_INTERVAL_MS
+  })
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (visible) {
       setError(null)
-      void refresh()
     }
-  }, [visible, refresh])
-
-  // Poll only while something is downloading/extracting; stop otherwise.
-  useEffect(() => {
-    const inFlight = setup?.models.some(isModelInFlight) ?? false
-    if (visible && inFlight && client) {
-      pollRef.current = setInterval(() => void refresh(), POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
-      return () => {
-        if (pollRef.current) {
-          clearInterval(pollRef.current)
-          pollRef.current = null
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    return undefined
-  }, [visible, setup, client, refresh])
+  }, [visible])
 
   const handleDownload = useCallback(
     async (model: MobileSpeechModel) => {
@@ -81,7 +76,7 @@ export function MobileDictationSetupSheet({ visible, client, onClose, onReady }:
       setError(null)
       try {
         await downloadDictationModel(client, model.id)
-        await refresh()
+        await refreshSetup()
       } catch (err) {
         triggerError()
         setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Download failed')
@@ -89,7 +84,7 @@ export function MobileDictationSetupSheet({ visible, client, onClose, onReady }:
         setBusy(null)
       }
     },
-    [client, refresh]
+    [client, refreshSetup]
   )
 
   const handleUseModel = useCallback(
diff --git a/mobile/src/dictation/dictation-setup-poll-controller.test.ts b/mobile/src/dictation/dictation-setup-poll-controller.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5ca010759d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/dictation/dictation-setup-poll-controller.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { DictationSetupPollController } from './dictation-setup-poll-controller'
+
+const POLL_INTERVAL_MS = 1500
+
+async function flushPromises(): Promise<void> {
+  // Why: the refresh mock wraps its result in `.finally()` and the resume path chains
+  // runRefresh → requestRefresh → runRefresh, so the follow-up refresh is several microtask
+  // hops deep — drain generously rather than a fixed two ticks.
+  for (let i = 0; i < 8; i += 1) {
+    await Promise.resolve()
+  }
+}
+
+function deferred<T>(): {
+  promise: Promise<T>
+  resolve: (value: T) => void
+} {
+  let resolve!: (value: T) => void
+  return {
+    promise: new Promise<T>((next) => {
+      resolve = next
+    }),
+    resolve
+  }
+}
+
+describe('DictationSetupPollController', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+  })
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.useRealTimers()
+  })
+
+  it('does not refresh while hidden, unfocused, or backgrounded', async () => {
+    const refresh = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true)
+    const poller = new DictationSetupPollController(refresh, POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+    poller.setPolling(true)
+
+    poller.setForeground(true)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 2)
+    expect(refresh).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+    poller.setVisible(true)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    await flushPromises()
+    poller.setVisible(false)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 2)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+
+    poller.setVisible(true)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    await flushPromises()
+    poller.setForeground(false)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 2)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+
+    poller.dispose()
+  })
+
+  it('keeps slow refreshes single-flight and waits a full delay after each response', async () => {
+    const requests = [deferred<boolean>(), deferred<boolean>(), deferred<boolean>()]
+    let active = 0
+    let maxActive = 0
+    const refresh = vi.fn(() => {
+      const request = requests[refresh.mock.calls.length - 1]
+      active += 1
+      maxActive = Math.max(maxActive, active)
+      return request.promise.finally(() => {
+        active -= 1
+      })
+    })
+    const poller = new DictationSetupPollController(refresh, POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+    poller.setPolling(true)
+    poller.setVisible(true)
+    poller.setForeground(true)
+
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 4)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+
+    requests[0].resolve(true)
+    await flushPromises()
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 4)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+
+    requests[1].resolve(true)
+    await flushPromises()
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS - 1)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(3)
+    expect(maxActive).toBe(1)
+
+    requests[2].resolve(false)
+    await flushPromises()
+    poller.dispose()
+  })
+
+  it('coalesces an immediate resume refresh behind a slow request', async () => {
+    const requests = [deferred<boolean>(), deferred<boolean>()]
+    let active = 0
+    let maxActive = 0
+    const refresh = vi.fn(() => {
+      const request = requests[refresh.mock.calls.length - 1]
+      active += 1
+      maxActive = Math.max(maxActive, active)
+      return request.promise.finally(() => {
+        active -= 1
+      })
+    })
+    const poller = new DictationSetupPollController(refresh, POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+    poller.setPolling(true)
+    poller.setVisible(true)
+    poller.setForeground(true)
+
+    poller.setForeground(false)
+    poller.setForeground(true)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+
+    requests[0].resolve(true)
+    await flushPromises()
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    expect(maxActive).toBe(1)
+
+    requests[1].resolve(false)
+    await flushPromises()
+    poller.dispose()
+  })
+
+  it('refreshes immediately when visibility or foreground eligibility resumes', async () => {
+    const refresh = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true)
+    const poller = new DictationSetupPollController(refresh, POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+    poller.setPolling(true)
+    poller.setVisible(true)
+    poller.setForeground(true)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    await flushPromises()
+
+    poller.setForeground(false)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 2)
+    poller.setForeground(true)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    await flushPromises()
+
+    poller.setVisible(false)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 2)
+    poller.setVisible(true)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(3)
+
+    poller.dispose()
+  })
+
+  it('stops after setup leaves the download or extraction lifecycle', async () => {
+    const refresh = vi.fn().mockResolvedValueOnce(true).mockResolvedValueOnce(false)
+    const poller = new DictationSetupPollController(refresh, POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+    poller.setPolling(true)
+    poller.setVisible(true)
+    poller.setForeground(true)
+    await flushPromises()
+
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    await flushPromises()
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 4)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    expect(vi.getTimerCount()).toBe(0)
+
+    poller.dispose()
+  })
+
+  it('does not resurrect polling when an in-flight refresh resolves true after setPolling(false)', async () => {
+    const request = deferred<boolean>()
+    const refresh = vi.fn(() => request.promise)
+    const poller = new DictationSetupPollController(refresh, POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+    poller.setPolling(true)
+    poller.setVisible(true)
+    poller.setForeground(true)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+
+    // Explicit stop lands while the read is still on the wire.
+    poller.setPolling(false)
+    // The stale read then resolves "keep polling" — the fence must drop it, not restart the poll.
+    request.resolve(true)
+    await flushPromises()
+
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(POLL_INTERVAL_MS * 4)
+    expect(refresh).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    expect(vi.getTimerCount()).toBe(0)
+
+    poller.dispose()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/mobile/src/dictation/dictation-setup-poll-controller.ts b/mobile/src/dictation/dictation-setup-poll-controller.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..cb927f161f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/dictation/dictation-setup-poll-controller.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+type PollState = {
+  visible: boolean
+  foreground: boolean
+  polling: boolean
+}
+
+type RefreshResult = boolean | undefined
+
+export class DictationSetupPollController {
+  private state: PollState = { visible: false, foreground: false, polling: false }
+  private timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
+  private inFlight = false
+  private immediateRefreshPending = false
+  private refreshWaiters: Array<() => void> = []
+  private disposed = false
+  // Why: an explicit setPolling is a newer lifecycle intent than a read that was already on the wire.
+  // Bumped on every setPolling so an in-flight refresh resolving after an explicit stop/start can be
+  // fenced out instead of clobbering that intent (e.g. a late `true` resurrecting a just-stopped poll).
+  private pollingRevision = 0
+
+  constructor(
+    private readonly refresh: () => Promise<RefreshResult>,
+    private readonly intervalMs: number
+  ) {}
+
+  setVisible(visible: boolean): void {
+    this.update({ visible })
+  }
+
+  setForeground(foreground: boolean): void {
+    this.update({ foreground })
+  }
+
+  setPolling(polling: boolean): void {
+    this.pollingRevision += 1
+    this.update({ polling })
+  }
+
+  refreshNow(): Promise<void> {
+    if (this.disposed || !this.isEligible()) {
+      return Promise.resolve()
+    }
+    return new Promise((resolve) => {
+      this.refreshWaiters.push(resolve)
+      this.requestRefresh(true)
+    })
+  }
+
+  dispose(): void {
+    this.disposed = true
+    this.immediateRefreshPending = false
+    this.clearTimer()
+    this.resolveRefreshWaiters()
+  }
+
+  private update(next: Partial<PollState>): void {
+    if (this.disposed) {
+      return
+    }
+    const wasEligible = this.isEligible()
+    const wasPolling = this.state.polling
+    this.state = { ...this.state, ...next }
+
+    if (!this.isEligible()) {
+      this.immediateRefreshPending = false
+      this.clearTimer()
+      return
+    }
+    if (!wasEligible) {
+      this.requestRefresh(true)
+      return
+    }
+    if (!this.state.polling) {
+      this.clearTimer()
+      return
+    }
+    if (!wasPolling) {
+      this.scheduleRefresh()
+    }
+  }
+
+  private isEligible(): boolean {
+    return this.state.visible && this.state.foreground
+  }
+
+  private requestRefresh(immediate: boolean): void {
+    if (this.inFlight) {
+      this.immediateRefreshPending ||= immediate
+      return
+    }
+    this.clearTimer()
+    this.inFlight = true
+    void this.runRefresh()
+  }
+
+  private async runRefresh(): Promise<void> {
+    // Snapshot the lifecycle intent this read is answering; an explicit setPolling during the read makes
+    // its result stale.
+    const revisionAtStart = this.pollingRevision
+    let shouldContinue: RefreshResult
+    try {
+      shouldContinue = await this.refresh()
+    } catch {
+      // A transient read failure preserves the current lifecycle for a later retry.
+      shouldContinue = undefined
+    } finally {
+      this.inFlight = false
+    }
+
+    // Fence: only let the read drive polling if no explicit setPolling superseded it mid-flight, so a
+    // late `true` can't resurrect a poll the caller just stopped (nor a late `false` cancel a restart).
+    if (shouldContinue !== undefined && this.pollingRevision === revisionAtStart) {
+      this.state.polling = shouldContinue
+    }
+    if (this.disposed || !this.isEligible()) {
+      this.resolveRefreshWaiters()
+      return
+    }
+    if (this.immediateRefreshPending) {
+      this.immediateRefreshPending = false
+      this.requestRefresh(true)
+      return
+    }
+    this.resolveRefreshWaiters()
+    if (this.state.polling) {
+      this.scheduleRefresh()
+    }
+  }
+
+  private scheduleRefresh(): void {
+    if (this.timer !== null || this.inFlight || !this.isEligible() || !this.state.polling) {
+      return
+    }
+    this.timer = setTimeout(() => {
+      this.timer = null
+      this.requestRefresh(false)
+    }, this.intervalMs)
+  }
+
+  private clearTimer(): void {
+    if (this.timer !== null) {
+      clearTimeout(this.timer)
+      this.timer = null
+    }
+  }
+
+  private resolveRefreshWaiters(): void {
+    const waiters = this.refreshWaiters.splice(0)
+    for (const resolve of waiters) {
+      resolve()
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/mobile/src/dictation/use-dictation-setup-poller.ts b/mobile/src/dictation/use-dictation-setup-poller.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..407eded9f6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/dictation/use-dictation-setup-poller.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef } from 'react'
+import { AppState } from 'react-native'
+import { DictationSetupPollController } from './dictation-setup-poll-controller'
+
+type PollerOptions = {
+  visible: boolean
+  polling: boolean
+  refresh: () => Promise<boolean | undefined>
+  intervalMs: number
+}
+
+export function useDictationSetupPoller({
+  visible,
+  polling,
+  refresh,
+  intervalMs
+}: PollerOptions): () => Promise<void> {
+  const refreshRef = useRef(refresh)
+  refreshRef.current = refresh
+  const poller = useMemo(
+    () => new DictationSetupPollController(() => refreshRef.current(), intervalMs),
+    [intervalMs]
+  )
+
+  useEffect(() => () => poller.dispose(), [poller])
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    void poller.refreshNow()
+  }, [poller, refresh])
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    poller.setPolling(polling)
+  }, [poller, polling])
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    poller.setVisible(visible)
+    if (!visible) {
+      poller.setForeground(false)
+      return undefined
+    }
+
+    poller.setForeground(AppState.currentState === 'active')
+    const subscription = AppState.addEventListener('change', (state) => {
+      poller.setForeground(state === 'active')
+    })
+    return () => {
+      subscription.remove()
+      poller.setVisible(false)
+      poller.setForeground(false)
+    }
+  }, [poller, visible])
+
+  return useCallback(() => poller.refreshNow(), [poller])
+}
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/request-single-flight.test.ts b/mobile/src/transport/request-single-flight.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..218cc12d10f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/request-single-flight.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import type { RpcClient } from './rpc-client'
+import type { RpcResponse } from './types'
+import { sendSingleFlightRequest } from './request-single-flight'
+
+function makeResponse(id: string): RpcResponse {
+  return { id, ok: true, result: {}, _meta: { runtimeId: 'runtime-1' } }
+}
+
+const response = makeResponse('request-1')
+
+function deferred<T>() {
+  let resolve!: (value: T) => void
+  let reject!: (reason?: unknown) => void
+  const promise = new Promise<T>((resolvePromise, rejectPromise) => {
+    resolve = resolvePromise
+    reject = rejectPromise
+  })
+  return { promise, resolve, reject }
+}
+
+function rpcClient(sendRequest: RpcClient['sendRequest']): RpcClient {
+  return { sendRequest } as RpcClient
+}
+
+describe('sendSingleFlightRequest', () => {
+  it('coalesces triggers that arrive during an in-flight read into one trailing follow-up', async () => {
+    const leading = deferred<RpcResponse>()
+    const trailing = deferred<RpcResponse>()
+    const leadingResponse = makeResponse('leading')
+    const trailingResponse = makeResponse('trailing')
+    const sendRequest = vi
+      .fn<() => Promise<RpcResponse>>()
+      .mockReturnValueOnce(leading.promise)
+      .mockReturnValueOnce(trailing.promise)
+    const client = rpcClient(sendRequest)
+
+    const first = sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'worktree.ps', { limit: 10000 })
+    // Two more triggers arrive while the read is on the wire: no duplicate now, and they share ONE
+    // trailing follow-up (not the older in-flight response).
+    const second = sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'worktree.ps', { limit: 10000 })
+    const third = sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'worktree.ps', { limit: 10000 })
+
+    expect(second).toBe(third)
+    expect(second).not.toBe(first)
+    expect(sendRequest).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    leading.resolve(leadingResponse)
+    expect(await first).toBe(leadingResponse)
+
+    // The leading read settled → the coalesced follow-up fires exactly once.
+    expect(sendRequest).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    trailing.resolve(trailingResponse)
+    expect(await second).toBe(trailingResponse)
+    expect(await third).toBe(trailingResponse)
+  })
+
+  it('starts a fresh request once nothing is in flight', async () => {
+    const leading = deferred<RpcResponse>()
+    const sendRequest = vi
+      .fn<() => Promise<RpcResponse>>()
+      .mockReturnValueOnce(leading.promise)
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(response)
+    const client = rpcClient(sendRequest)
+
+    const first = sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'worktree.ps', { limit: 10000 })
+    leading.resolve(response)
+    await first
+
+    const next = sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'worktree.ps', { limit: 10000 })
+    expect(next).not.toBe(first)
+    expect(sendRequest).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    await next
+  })
+
+  it('rejects the leading caller on failure but still runs a queued follow-up', async () => {
+    const leading = deferred<RpcResponse>()
+    const failure = new Error('request failed')
+    const sendRequest = vi
+      .fn<() => Promise<RpcResponse>>()
+      .mockReturnValueOnce(leading.promise)
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(response)
+    const client = rpcClient(sendRequest)
+
+    const first = sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'accounts.list')
+    const second = sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'accounts.list')
+
+    leading.reject(failure)
+    await expect(first).rejects.toBe(failure)
+    // A trigger that arrived mid-flight is not poisoned by the leading failure: its follow-up runs.
+    await expect(second).resolves.toBe(response)
+    expect(sendRequest).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+  })
+
+  it('clears a failed leading request so the next call retries', async () => {
+    const failure = new Error('request failed')
+    const sendRequest = vi
+      .fn<() => Promise<RpcResponse>>()
+      .mockRejectedValueOnce(failure)
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce(response)
+    const client = rpcClient(sendRequest)
+
+    await expect(sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'accounts.list')).rejects.toBe(failure)
+    await expect(sendSingleFlightRequest(client, 'host-1', 'accounts.list')).resolves.toBe(response)
+    expect(sendRequest).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+  })
+
+  it('does not share requests across clients, hosts, or request kinds', async () => {
+    const pending = deferred<RpcResponse>()
+    const firstSend = vi.fn(() => pending.promise)
+    const secondSend = vi.fn(() => pending.promise)
+    const firstClient = rpcClient(firstSend)
+    const secondClient = rpcClient(secondSend)
+
+    const requests = [
+      sendSingleFlightRequest(firstClient, 'host-1', 'settings.get'),
+      sendSingleFlightRequest(firstClient, 'host-2', 'settings.get'),
+      sendSingleFlightRequest(firstClient, 'host-1', 'preflight.check'),
+      sendSingleFlightRequest(secondClient, 'host-1', 'settings.get')
+    ]
+
+    expect(firstSend).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(3)
+    expect(secondSend).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    pending.resolve(response)
+    await Promise.all(requests)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/request-single-flight.ts b/mobile/src/transport/request-single-flight.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c538e7ed755
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/request-single-flight.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+import type { RpcClient } from './rpc-client'
+import type { RpcResponse } from './types'
+
+type Deferred = {
+  promise: Promise<RpcResponse>
+  resolve: (value: RpcResponse) => void
+  reject: (reason?: unknown) => void
+}
+
+type SingleFlightEntry = {
+  // The request currently on the wire for this (client, host, kind).
+  current: Promise<RpcResponse>
+  // At most one trailing follow-up: every trigger that arrives while `current` is in flight coalesces
+  // here so a refresh requested mid-read still re-reads the latest state (latest params win) instead of
+  // being silently answered by the older in-flight response.
+  followUp: { deferred: Deferred; params: unknown } | null
+}
+
+const inFlightRequests = new WeakMap<RpcClient, Map<string, Map<string, SingleFlightEntry>>>()
+
+function makeDeferred(): Deferred {
+  let resolve!: (value: RpcResponse) => void
+  let reject!: (reason?: unknown) => void
+  const promise = new Promise<RpcResponse>((resolvePromise, rejectPromise) => {
+    resolve = resolvePromise
+    reject = rejectPromise
+  })
+  return { promise, resolve, reject }
+}
+
+export function sendSingleFlightRequest(
+  client: RpcClient,
+  hostId: string,
+  requestKind: string,
+  params?: unknown
+): Promise<RpcResponse> {
+  let requestsByHost = inFlightRequests.get(client)
+  if (!requestsByHost) {
+    requestsByHost = new Map()
+    inFlightRequests.set(client, requestsByHost)
+  }
+  let requestsByKind = requestsByHost.get(hostId)
+  if (!requestsByKind) {
+    requestsByKind = new Map()
+    requestsByHost.set(hostId, requestsByKind)
+  }
+
+  const send = (): Promise<RpcResponse> => {
+    try {
+      return client.sendRequest(requestKind, params)
+    } catch (error) {
+      return Promise.reject(error)
+    }
+  }
+
+  const existing = requestsByKind.get(requestKind)
+  if (existing) {
+    // A read is already on the wire: don't fire a duplicate now, but don't drop this trigger either.
+    // Record (or refresh) a single trailing follow-up that runs once the current read settles.
+    if (existing.followUp) {
+      existing.followUp.params = params
+    } else {
+      existing.followUp = { deferred: makeDeferred(), params }
+    }
+    return existing.followUp.deferred.promise
+  }
+
+  const entry: SingleFlightEntry = { current: send(), followUp: null }
+  requestsByKind.set(requestKind, entry)
+
+  const cleanup = (): void => {
+    if (requestsByKind.get(requestKind) !== entry) {
+      return
+    }
+    requestsByKind.delete(requestKind)
+    if (requestsByKind.size === 0) {
+      requestsByHost.delete(hostId)
+    }
+    if (requestsByHost.size === 0) {
+      inFlightRequests.delete(client)
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Chain each settled request into either its queued follow-up (delivering the fresh result to every
+  // caller that awaited it) or entry teardown. Recurses so triggers arriving during a follow-up queue
+  // the next one.
+  const onSettled = (): void => {
+    const followUp = entry.followUp
+    if (!followUp) {
+      cleanup()
+      return
+    }
+    entry.followUp = null
+    let next: Promise<RpcResponse>
+    try {
+      next = client.sendRequest(requestKind, followUp.params)
+    } catch (error) {
+      next = Promise.reject(error)
+    }
+    entry.current = next
+    next.then(
+      (response) => followUp.deferred.resolve(response),
+      (error) => followUp.deferred.reject(error)
+    )
+    void next.then(onSettled, onSettled)
+  }
+
+  void entry.current.then(onSettled, onSettled)
+  return entry.current
+}
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/remote-runtime-server-heartbeat.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/remote-runtime-server-heartbeat.test.ts
index c9739c344cb..a34b43c3c8b 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/remote-runtime-server-heartbeat.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/remote-runtime-server-heartbeat.test.ts
@@ -7,20 +7,46 @@ afterEach(() => {
 })
 
 describe('RemoteRuntimeServerHeartbeat', () => {
+  it('still reaps a client that misses a probe while another remains alive', async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+    let now = 1_000
+    const responsiveSocket = { ping: vi.fn(), terminate: vi.fn() } as unknown as WebSocket
+    const deadSocket = { ping: vi.fn(), terminate: vi.fn() } as unknown as WebSocket
+    const heartbeat = new RemoteRuntimeServerHeartbeat(100, () => now)
+    heartbeat.noteAlive(responsiveSocket)
+    heartbeat.noteAlive(deadSocket)
+    // start() probes immediately: both are pinged now (probe #1) and cleared to await a pong.
+    heartbeat.start(() => [responsiveSocket, deadSocket])
+    // Only the responsive socket pongs the immediate probe.
+    heartbeat.noteAlive(responsiveSocket)
+
+    now += 100
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(100)
+
+    expect(responsiveSocket.ping).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    expect(responsiveSocket.terminate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(deadSocket.ping).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(deadSocket.terminate).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    heartbeat.stop()
+  })
+
   it('grants clients a fresh probe after the server event loop resumes', async () => {
     vi.useFakeTimers()
     let now = 1_000
     const socket = { ping: vi.fn(), terminate: vi.fn() } as unknown as WebSocket
     const heartbeat = new RemoteRuntimeServerHeartbeat(100, () => now)
     heartbeat.noteAlive(socket)
+    // start() probes immediately (ping #1); the socket pongs it.
     heartbeat.start(() => [socket])
+    heartbeat.noteAlive(socket)
 
     now += 100
-    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(100)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(100) // ping #2, socket pongs
+    heartbeat.noteAlive(socket)
     now += 3_600_000
-    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(100)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(100) // resumed-from-pause: re-grants a probe (ping #3), no reap
 
-    expect(socket.ping).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    expect(socket.ping).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(3)
     expect(socket.terminate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
 
     now += 100
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/remote-runtime-server-heartbeat.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/remote-runtime-server-heartbeat.ts
index e8ff47e901d..3b5bb9760df 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/remote-runtime-server-heartbeat.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/remote-runtime-server-heartbeat.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@ export class RemoteRuntimeServerHeartbeat {
     this.lastTickAt = this.now()
     this.timer = setInterval(() => this.sweep(getClients()), this.intervalMs)
     this.timer.unref?.()
+    // Why: the interval's first tick is a full intervalMs (~15s) out, so arming on the first accepted
+    // connection would leave that socket unprobed for the whole window. Sweep once now so the first
+    // liveness ping goes out immediately; seeded-alive sockets are pinged (not reaped) and have until
+    // the next tick to pong. WS pong is answered at the protocol level, so a live socket always survives.
+    this.sweep(getClients())
   }
 
   stop(): void {
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/ws-transport.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/ws-transport.test.ts
index 5c02194a835..d7fef1428e9 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/ws-transport.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/ws-transport.test.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { EventEmitter } from 'node:events'
 import { mkdtempSync } from 'node:fs'
 import { tmpdir } from 'node:os'
 import { join } from 'node:path'
@@ -14,6 +15,30 @@ function makeTls() {
   return loadOrCreateTlsCertificate(userDataPath)
 }
 
+function heartbeatLifecycle(transport: WebSocketTransport) {
+  return transport as unknown as {
+    heartbeat: {
+      timer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null
+      alive: WeakSet<WebSocket>
+    }
+    heartbeatConnections: Set<WebSocket>
+    wss: { clients: Set<WebSocket> }
+    handleConnection(ws: WebSocket): void
+  }
+}
+
+async function waitForHeartbeatLifecycle(
+  transport: WebSocketTransport,
+  connectionCount: number,
+  armed: boolean
+): Promise<void> {
+  await vi.waitFor(() => {
+    const lifecycle = heartbeatLifecycle(transport)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeatConnections.size).toBe(connectionCount)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeat.timer !== null).toBe(armed)
+  })
+}
+
 describe('WebSocketTransport', () => {
   const transports: WebSocketTransport[] = []
 
@@ -70,6 +95,68 @@ describe('WebSocketTransport', () => {
     await transport.stop()
   })
 
+  it('arms heartbeat only while accepted connections exist', async () => {
+    const { transport } = await createTransport()
+    await transport.start()
+
+    const lifecycle = heartbeatLifecycle(transport)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeat.timer).toBeNull()
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeatConnections.size).toBe(0)
+
+    const firstClient = await connectWs(transport)
+    await waitForHeartbeatLifecycle(transport, 1, true)
+    const firstServerSocket = Array.from(lifecycle.wss.clients)[0]
+    expect(firstServerSocket).toBeDefined()
+    // Note: arming probes immediately, so `alive` membership is racy here (the client's protocol-level
+    // pong re-adds the socket right after the arm sweep clears it). Assert the arm/disarm lifecycle only.
+    const firstTimer = lifecycle.heartbeat.timer
+
+    const secondClient = await connectWs(transport)
+    await waitForHeartbeatLifecycle(transport, 2, true)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeat.timer).toBe(firstTimer)
+
+    firstClient.close()
+    await waitForHeartbeatLifecycle(transport, 1, true)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeat.timer).toBe(firstTimer)
+
+    secondClient.close()
+    await waitForHeartbeatLifecycle(transport, 0, false)
+
+    const thirdClient = await connectWs(transport)
+    await waitForHeartbeatLifecycle(transport, 1, true)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeat.timer).not.toBe(firstTimer)
+
+    thirdClient.close()
+    await waitForHeartbeatLifecycle(transport, 0, false)
+  })
+
+  it('finalizes heartbeat membership once when error and close race', () => {
+    const transport = new WebSocketTransport({ host: '127.0.0.1', port: 0 })
+    transports.push(transport)
+    const lifecycle = heartbeatLifecycle(transport)
+    const socket = Object.assign(new EventEmitter(), {
+      OPEN: WebSocket.OPEN,
+      readyState: WebSocket.OPEN,
+      close: vi.fn(),
+      ping: vi.fn(),
+      terminate: vi.fn()
+    }) as unknown as WebSocket
+    const closeHandler = vi.fn()
+    transport.onConnectionClose(closeHandler)
+
+    lifecycle.handleConnection(socket)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeatConnections.size).toBe(1)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeat.timer).not.toBeNull()
+
+    socket.emit('error', new Error('connection reset'))
+    socket.emit('close')
+
+    expect(closeHandler).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(socket.close).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeatConnections.size).toBe(0)
+    expect(lifecycle.heartbeat.timer).toBeNull()
+  })
+
   it('handles request/response round-trip', async () => {
     const { transport } = await createTransport((msg, reply) => {
       const request = JSON.parse(msg)
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/ws-transport.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/ws-transport.ts
index 54a3e85f1ad..6933657b59b 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/ws-transport.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/ws-transport.ts
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ export class WebSocketTransport implements RpcTransport {
     | null = null
   // Why: maps each socket to its authenticated clientId so close can report which device disconnected.
   private wsClientIds = new Map<WebSocket, string>()
+  private heartbeatConnections = new Set<WebSocket>()
   private preAuthTimers = new WeakMap<WebSocket, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>()
 
   constructor({
@@ -199,7 +200,6 @@ export class WebSocketTransport implements RpcTransport {
 
     this.httpServer = httpServer
     this.wss = wss
-    this.heartbeat.start(() => this.wss?.clients ?? [])
   }
 
   // Why: force-terminate soon after the 1013 close since a half-open phone may never ack and would hold the descriptor past the WS cap; the 'error' listener absorbs a reset while closing.
@@ -217,6 +217,7 @@ export class WebSocketTransport implements RpcTransport {
     this.wss = null
     this.httpServer = null
     this.heartbeat.stop()
+    this.heartbeatConnections.clear()
 
     if (wss) {
       for (const client of wss.clients) {
@@ -280,6 +281,10 @@ export class WebSocketTransport implements RpcTransport {
       ws.off('close', finalizeConnection)
       ws.off('error', onError)
       this.clearPreAuthTimer(ws)
+      this.heartbeatConnections.delete(ws)
+      if (this.heartbeatConnections.size === 0) {
+        this.heartbeat.stop()
+      }
       const clientId = this.wsClientIds.get(ws) ?? null
       this.wsClientIds.delete(ws)
       const hasOtherConnections =
@@ -287,6 +292,13 @@ export class WebSocketTransport implements RpcTransport {
       this.connectionCloseHandler?.(clientId, ws, hasOtherConnections)
     }
 
+    // Why: seed before arming so a fresh first socket survives its initial sweep.
+    this.heartbeatConnections.add(ws)
+    this.heartbeat.noteAlive(ws)
+    if (this.heartbeatConnections.size === 1) {
+      this.heartbeat.start(() => this.wss?.clients ?? [])
+    }
+
     const preAuthTimer = setTimeout(() => {
       if (!this.wsClientIds.has(ws)) {
         // Why: a silent auto-ponging client would otherwise hold a finite mobile slot forever without starting the E2EE handshake.
@@ -298,9 +310,6 @@ export class WebSocketTransport implements RpcTransport {
     }
     this.preAuthTimers.set(ws, preAuthTimer)
 
-    // Why: seed alive so the first heartbeat tick doesn't reap a fresh socket before its first pong.
-    this.heartbeat.noteAlive(ws)
-
     ws.on('pong', onPong)
     ws.on('message', onMessage)
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client-heartbeat.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client-heartbeat.test.ts
index d7657634f98..ab85698660b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client-heartbeat.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client-heartbeat.test.ts
@@ -2,11 +2,30 @@ import { describe, expect, it, vi, afterEach, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
 import { WebRuntimeClient } from './web-runtime-client'
 
 // Why: a half-open browser WebSocket stays readyState===OPEN with no
-// onclose/onerror, so the client must actively detect server silence and force
-// a reconnect. These tests drive the private heartbeat with controllable time +
-// visibility (the real timers/visibility are faked away).
+// onclose/onerror, so the client must actively detect server silence without
+// keeping its timer armed while the window is hidden.
 
 const fakeSockets: FakeWebSocket[] = []
+let visibilityState: DocumentVisibilityState = 'visible'
+let nextIntervalId = 1
+const documentListeners = new Map<string, () => void>()
+const intervalCallbacks = new Map<number, () => void>()
+const setIntervalMock = vi.fn((callback: () => void, _intervalMs: number): number => {
+  const intervalId = nextIntervalId++
+  intervalCallbacks.set(intervalId, callback)
+  return intervalId
+})
+const clearIntervalMock = vi.fn((intervalId: number): void => {
+  intervalCallbacks.delete(intervalId)
+})
+const addDocumentEventListenerMock = vi.fn((event: string, listener: () => void): void => {
+  documentListeners.set(event, listener)
+})
+const removeDocumentEventListenerMock = vi.fn((event: string, listener: () => void): void => {
+  if (documentListeners.get(event) === listener) {
+    documentListeners.delete(event)
+  }
+})
 
 class FakeWebSocket {
   static readonly CONNECTING = 0
@@ -34,6 +53,7 @@ type HeartbeatInternals = {
   lastInboundFrameAt: number
   lastHeartbeatTickAt: number
   heartbeatProbeSentAt: number | null
+  startHeartbeat: () => void
   runHeartbeatTick: () => void
   now: () => number
   isDocumentVisible: () => boolean
@@ -47,7 +67,6 @@ function makeConnectedClient(): {
   setVisible: (visible: boolean) => void
 } {
   let nowMs = 1_000
-  let visible = true
   const client = new WebRuntimeClient({
     v: 2,
     endpoint: 'ws://127.0.0.1:6768',
@@ -57,7 +76,7 @@ function makeConnectedClient(): {
   const internals = client as unknown as HeartbeatInternals
   // Override the protected time/visibility seams deterministically.
   internals.now = () => nowMs
-  internals.isDocumentVisible = () => visible
+  internals.isDocumentVisible = () => visibilityState === 'visible'
   const socket = fakeSockets[0]!
   socket.readyState = FakeWebSocket.OPEN
   internals.ws = socket
@@ -73,8 +92,8 @@ function makeConnectedClient(): {
     setNow: (ms) => {
       nowMs = ms
     },
-    setVisible: (next) => {
-      visible = next
+    setVisible: (visible) => {
+      visibilityState = visible ? 'visible' : 'hidden'
     }
   }
 }
@@ -82,14 +101,31 @@ function makeConnectedClient(): {
 describe('WebRuntimeClient liveness heartbeat', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     fakeSockets.length = 0
+    visibilityState = 'visible'
+    nextIntervalId = 1
+    documentListeners.clear()
+    intervalCallbacks.clear()
+    setIntervalMock.mockClear()
+    clearIntervalMock.mockClear()
+    addDocumentEventListenerMock.mockClear()
+    removeDocumentEventListenerMock.mockClear()
     vi.stubGlobal('window', {
       setTimeout,
       clearTimeout,
-      setInterval,
-      clearInterval,
+      setInterval: setIntervalMock,
+      clearInterval: clearIntervalMock,
       atob: (value: string) => Buffer.from(value, 'base64').toString('binary'),
       btoa: (value: string) => Buffer.from(value, 'binary').toString('base64')
     })
+    vi.stubGlobal('document', {
+      get visibilityState() {
+        return visibilityState
+      },
+      addEventListener: addDocumentEventListenerMock,
+      removeEventListener: removeDocumentEventListenerMock
+    })
+    vi.stubGlobal('setInterval', setIntervalMock)
+    vi.stubGlobal('clearInterval', clearIntervalMock)
     vi.stubGlobal('WebSocket', FakeWebSocket)
   })
 
@@ -97,6 +133,15 @@ describe('WebRuntimeClient liveness heartbeat', () => {
     vi.unstubAllGlobals()
   })
 
+  function dispatchVisibilityChange(): void {
+    documentListeners.get('visibilitychange')?.()
+  }
+
+  function runActiveHeartbeatTick(): void {
+    expect(intervalCallbacks.size).toBe(1)
+    intervalCallbacks.values().next().value?.()
+  }
+
   // Advance time AND record a tick boundary so the suspended-loop detector
   // (sinceLastTick) sees a normal cadence, mirroring back-to-back real ticks.
   function advanceOneTick(internals: HeartbeatInternals, setNow: (ms: number) => void): void {
@@ -104,6 +149,107 @@ describe('WebRuntimeClient liveness heartbeat', () => {
     setNow(next)
   }
 
+  it('disarms the heartbeat interval while hidden', () => {
+    const { client, internals, setVisible } = makeConnectedClient()
+
+    internals.startHeartbeat()
+    expect(setIntervalMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.any(Function), 10_000)
+    expect(intervalCallbacks.size).toBe(1)
+
+    setVisible(false)
+    dispatchVisibilityChange()
+
+    expect(clearIntervalMock).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(intervalCallbacks.size).toBe(0)
+    client.close()
+  })
+
+  it('re-arms once and resets the tick clock but preserves the liveness baseline when visible again', () => {
+    const { client, internals, setNow, setVisible } = makeConnectedClient()
+    internals.startHeartbeat()
+    internals.heartbeatProbeSentAt = 1_000
+
+    setVisible(false)
+    dispatchVisibilityChange()
+    setNow(601_000)
+    setVisible(true)
+    dispatchVisibilityChange()
+    dispatchVisibilityChange()
+
+    expect(setIntervalMock).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    expect(intervalCallbacks.size).toBe(1)
+    // lastInboundFrameAt is NOT rebaselined on a visible re-arm: it stays at the fresh-connect baseline
+    // (1_000) so a socket that went silent while hidden is still detectable on the next tick.
+    expect(internals.lastInboundFrameAt).toBe(1_000)
+    // The tick clock resets so the parked hidden gap isn't misread as a suspended loop; the probe clears.
+    expect(internals.lastHeartbeatTickAt).toBe(601_000)
+    expect(internals.heartbeatProbeSentAt).toBeNull()
+    client.close()
+  })
+
+  it('probes and then closes a connection that went silent while hidden, once visible again', () => {
+    const { client, internals, socket, setNow, setVisible } = makeConnectedClient()
+    internals.startHeartbeat()
+
+    // Hide, let a long silent gap elapse, then become visible again. The connection produced no inbound
+    // frames the whole time, so the preserved baseline (1_000) must drive prompt liveness detection.
+    setVisible(false)
+    dispatchVisibilityChange()
+    setNow(601_000)
+    setVisible(true)
+    dispatchVisibilityChange()
+
+    // First visible tick: idle far exceeds the threshold, so send a liveness probe (not an immediate close).
+    setNow(611_000)
+    runActiveHeartbeatTick()
+    expect(socket.close).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(socket.send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(internals.heartbeatProbeSentAt).toBe(611_000)
+
+    // Normal-cadence ticks: still within grace → no close yet.
+    setNow(621_000)
+    runActiveHeartbeatTick()
+    expect(socket.close).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+    // Probe now unanswered past grace (20s) → force the reconnect.
+    setNow(631_000)
+    runActiveHeartbeatTick()
+    expect(socket.close).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    client.close()
+  })
+
+  it('keeps the visible heartbeat cadence unchanged', () => {
+    const { client, internals, socket, setNow } = makeConnectedClient()
+    internals.startHeartbeat()
+
+    setNow(11_000)
+    runActiveHeartbeatTick()
+    setNow(21_000)
+    runActiveHeartbeatTick()
+    expect(socket.send).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+    setNow(31_000)
+    runActiveHeartbeatTick()
+    expect(socket.send).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(internals.heartbeatProbeSentAt).toBe(31_000)
+    client.close()
+  })
+
+  it('cleans up the heartbeat interval and visibility listener on close', () => {
+    const { client, internals } = makeConnectedClient()
+    internals.startHeartbeat()
+    const visibilityListener = documentListeners.get('visibilitychange')
+
+    client.close()
+
+    expect(intervalCallbacks.size).toBe(0)
+    expect(removeDocumentEventListenerMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'visibilitychange',
+      visibilityListener
+    )
+    expect(documentListeners.has('visibilitychange')).toBe(false)
+  })
+
   it('does nothing while the socket keeps receiving frames', () => {
     const { internals, socket } = makeConnectedClient()
     // Just under the idle threshold → no probe, no close.
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.ts b/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.ts
index 4f44fe2a811..70574350400 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/web/web-runtime-client.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import type { RuntimeRpcResponse, RuntimeRpcSuccess } from '../../../shared/runtime-rpc-envelope'
 import { isKeepaliveFrame } from '../../../shared/runtime-rpc-envelope'
 import type { WebPairingOffer } from './web-pairing'
+import { installWindowVisibilityInterval } from '../lib/window-visibility-interval'
 import { withRemoteRuntimeTailscaleHint } from '../../../shared/remote-runtime-tailscale-hint'
 import {
   decrypt,
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ export class WebRuntimeClient {
   private connectTimer: number | null = null
   private handshakeTimer: number | null = null
   private reconnectTimer: number | null = null
-  private heartbeatTimer: number | null = null
+  private heartbeatCleanup: (() => void) | null = null
   private lastInboundFrameAt = 0
   // Timestamp of an outstanding liveness probe (null = none); dead-close fires only on an unanswered sent probe.
   private heartbeatProbeSentAt: number | null = null
@@ -765,18 +766,32 @@ export class WebRuntimeClient {
 
   private startHeartbeat(): void {
     this.clearHeartbeatTimer()
+    // Why: this runs at 'connected', right after the handshake's inbound frames — a genuine liveness
+    // baseline. Only the fresh-connect moment resets lastInboundFrameAt; the visible re-arm below must not.
     const now = this.now()
     this.lastInboundFrameAt = now
     this.lastHeartbeatTickAt = now
     this.heartbeatProbeSentAt = null
-    this.heartbeatTimer = window.setInterval(() => this.runHeartbeatTick(), HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS)
+    this.heartbeatCleanup = installWindowVisibilityInterval({
+      run: () => this.runHeartbeatTick(),
+      runOnVisible: () => this.rebaselineHeartbeat(),
+      intervalMs: HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS
+    })
+  }
+
+  private rebaselineHeartbeat(): void {
+    // Why: the interval is merely parked while hidden, so on becoming visible reset the tick clock (don't
+    // let the parked gap trip the suspended-loop rebaseline) and drop a probe that was in flight when we
+    // hid. But PRESERVE lastInboundFrameAt: if the socket went silent while hidden, keeping the real
+    // last-heard time lets the next tick detect the staleness and probe promptly, instead of masking a
+    // dead connection for another full idle window (#9883 review).
+    this.lastHeartbeatTickAt = this.now()
+    this.heartbeatProbeSentAt = null
   }
 
   private clearHeartbeatTimer(): void {
-    if (this.heartbeatTimer) {
-      window.clearInterval(this.heartbeatTimer)
-      this.heartbeatTimer = null
-    }
+    this.heartbeatCleanup?.()
+    this.heartbeatCleanup = null
     this.heartbeatProbeSentAt = null
   }