diff --git a/frontend/src/components/assistant/ActionCardGroup.tsx b/frontend/src/components/assistant/ActionCardGroup.tsx
index 3af0619c..bf8dae4d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/assistant/ActionCardGroup.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/assistant/ActionCardGroup.tsx
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ export function ActionCardGroup({ actions, onSubmit, disabled, stale }: ActionCa
         onClick={() => setExpanded(true)}
         className="w-full rounded-lg border border-default/50 bg-elevated/20 p-2.5 flex items-center justify-between text-left hover:bg-elevated/40 transition-colors group"
       >
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
           <Terminal size={12} />
           <span>{pendingCount} diagnostic check{pendingCount !== 1 ? 's' : ''} — not completed</span>
         </div>
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ export function ActionCardGroup({ actions, onSubmit, disabled, stale }: ActionCa
         </div>
         <div className="space-y-0.5">
           {responses.map((r, i) => (
-            <div key={i} className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground">
+            <div key={i} className="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
               {r.state === 'done' ? (
                 <Check size={10} className="text-success shrink-0" />
               ) : (
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ export function ActionCardGroup({ actions, onSubmit, disabled, stale }: ActionCa
         <div>
           <button
             onClick={() => setShowRunAll(!showRunAll)}
-            className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-accent-text hover:text-accent transition-colors"
+            className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-accent-text hover:text-accent transition-colors"
           >
             <Terminal size={12} />
             <span>Run All ({commandActions.length} commands)</span>
@@ -128,12 +128,12 @@ export function ActionCardGroup({ actions, onSubmit, disabled, stale }: ActionCa
           {showRunAll && (
             <div className="mt-2 rounded-lg border border-default bg-code p-3">
               <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-2">
-                <span className="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
+                <span className="text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
                   Combined diagnostic script
                 </span>
                 <button
                   onClick={() => handleCopyCommand(combinedScript)}
-                  className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors"
+                  className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors"
                 >
                   <Copy size={11} />
                   <span>Copy</span>
@@ -167,23 +167,23 @@ export function ActionCardGroup({ actions, onSubmit, disabled, stale }: ActionCa
               <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
                 <div className="text-[0.8125rem] font-medium text-heading">{action.label}</div>
                 {action.description && (
-                  <div className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground mt-0.5">{action.description}</div>
+                  <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-0.5">{action.description}</div>
                 )}
               </div>
 
               {/* Status badge for handled cards */}
               {response.state === 'done' && (
-                <span className="shrink-0 text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-success">Done</span>
+                <span className="shrink-0 text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-success">Done</span>
               )}
               {response.state === 'skipped' && (
-                <span className="shrink-0 text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">Skipped</span>
+                <span className="shrink-0 text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">Skipped</span>
               )}
             </div>
 
             {/* Command with copy button */}
             {action.command && response.state !== 'skipped' && (
               <div className="mt-2 flex items-center gap-2 rounded bg-code px-2.5 py-1.5">
-                <code className="flex-1 text-[0.75rem] font-mono text-heading truncate">
+                <code className="flex-1 text-xs font-mono text-heading truncate">
                   {action.command}
                 </code>
                 <button
@@ -201,20 +201,20 @@ export function ActionCardGroup({ actions, onSubmit, disabled, stale }: ActionCa
               <div className="mt-2 flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-stretch sm:items-center gap-2">
                 <button
                   onClick={() => updateCard(idx, { state: 'pasting' })}
-                  className="flex items-center justify-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-accent/40 bg-accent-dim/30 px-2.5 py-2 sm:py-1 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-accent-text hover:bg-accent-dim/50 transition-colors min-h-[44px] sm:min-h-0"
+                  className="flex items-center justify-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-accent/40 bg-accent-dim/30 px-2.5 py-2 sm:py-1 text-xs font-medium text-accent-text hover:bg-accent-dim/50 transition-colors min-h-[44px] sm:min-h-0"
                 >
                   <Clipboard size={11} />
                   Paste Result
                 </button>
                 <button
                   onClick={() => updateCard(idx, { state: 'typing' })}
-                  className="flex items-center justify-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-default bg-elevated/50 px-2.5 py-2 sm:py-1 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-heading hover:bg-elevated transition-colors min-h-[44px] sm:min-h-0"
+                  className="flex items-center justify-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-default bg-elevated/50 px-2.5 py-2 sm:py-1 text-xs font-medium text-heading hover:bg-elevated transition-colors min-h-[44px] sm:min-h-0"
                 >
                   Type Answer
                 </button>
                 <button
                   onClick={() => updateCard(idx, { state: 'skipped' })}
-                  className="flex items-center justify-center gap-1 rounded-md px-2.5 py-2 sm:py-1 text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors min-h-[44px] sm:min-h-0"
+                  className="flex items-center justify-center gap-1 rounded-md px-2.5 py-2 sm:py-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors min-h-[44px] sm:min-h-0"
                 >
                   <SkipForward size={11} />
                   Skip
@@ -237,14 +237,14 @@ export function ActionCardGroup({ actions, onSubmit, disabled, stale }: ActionCa
                   <button
                     onClick={() => updateCard(idx, { state: 'done' })}
                     disabled={!response.value.trim()}
-                    className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
+                    className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
                   >
                     <Check size={11} />
                     Done
                   </button>
                   <button
                     onClick={() => updateCard(idx, { state: 'pending', value: '' })}
-                    className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors"
+                    className="text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors"
                   >
                     Cancel
                   </button>
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ export function ActionCardGroup({ actions, onSubmit, disabled, stale }: ActionCa
           </button>
 
           {submitError && (
-            <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] text-danger">
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs text-danger">
               <AlertCircle size={12} />
               <span>Failed to send</span>
               <button
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/assistant/ChatMessage.tsx b/frontend/src/components/assistant/ChatMessage.tsx
index c9a214d2..d9075c07 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/assistant/ChatMessage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/assistant/ChatMessage.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Sparkles, User } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Sparkles, User, ListChecks } from 'lucide-react'
 import { MarkdownContent } from '@/components/ui/MarkdownContent'
 import { SuggestedFlowCard } from './SuggestedFlowCard'
 import type { SuggestedFlow } from '@/types/copilot'
@@ -8,9 +8,14 @@ interface ChatMessageProps {
   content: string
   suggestedFlows?: SuggestedFlow[]
   imageUrls?: string[]
+  /** When set on an assistant message, renders a leading "Next steps · N pending"
+   *  emphasis above the bubble. Used on the current turn only — the canonical
+   *  list of items lives in the TaskLane. */
+  actionCount?: number
 }
 
-export function ChatMessage({ role, content, suggestedFlows, imageUrls }: ChatMessageProps) {
+export function ChatMessage({ role, content, suggestedFlows, imageUrls, actionCount }: ChatMessageProps) {
+  const hasActionEmphasis = role === 'assistant' && actionCount !== undefined && actionCount > 0
   return (
     <div className={`flex gap-3 ${role === 'user' ? 'flex-row-reverse' : ''}`}>
       {/* Avatar */}
@@ -41,20 +46,32 @@ export function ChatMessage({ role, content, suggestedFlows, imageUrls }: ChatMe
           </div>
         )}
 
+        {hasActionEmphasis && (
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-heading">
+            <ListChecks size={12} className="text-primary" />
+            Next steps
+            <span className="text-muted-foreground font-normal">
+              · {actionCount} pending in Tasks
+            </span>
+          </div>
+        )}
+
         <div
-          className={`rounded-2xl px-4 py-3 text-[0.875rem] leading-relaxed ${
+          className={`rounded-xl px-4 py-3 text-sm leading-relaxed ${
             role === 'user'
               ? 'bg-primary/15 text-foreground'
-              : 'bg-input text-foreground border border-border'
+              : hasActionEmphasis
+                ? 'bg-input text-foreground border border-hover'
+                : 'bg-input text-foreground border border-border'
           }`}
         >
-          <MarkdownContent content={content} className="text-[0.875rem] leading-relaxed" />
+          <MarkdownContent content={content} className="text-sm leading-relaxed" />
         </div>
 
         {/* Suggested flows (assistant only) */}
         {role === 'assistant' && suggestedFlows && suggestedFlows.length > 0 && (
           <div className="space-y-1.5">
-            <span className="font-sans text-xs text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground">
+            <span className="font-sans text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground">
               Related Flows
             </span>
             {suggestedFlows.map(flow => (
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/assistant/ChatSidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/assistant/ChatSidebar.tsx
index 4a0d2e75..02bbe7cb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/assistant/ChatSidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/assistant/ChatSidebar.tsx
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ export function ChatSidebarCollapsedBar({
         <History size={14} />
         <span>History</span>
         {chats.length > 0 && (
-          <span className="text-[10px] bg-elevated rounded-full px-1.5 py-0.5 font-medium">{chats.length}</span>
+          <span className="text-[0.625rem] bg-elevated rounded-full px-1.5 py-0.5 font-medium">{chats.length}</span>
         )}
       </button>
       <div className="flex-1" />
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ function ChatItem({
       <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
         {confirming ? (
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            <span className="text-[0.75rem] text-danger font-medium">Delete?</span>
+            <span className="text-xs text-danger font-medium">Delete?</span>
             <button
               onClick={e => { e.stopPropagation(); onDelete(); setConfirming(false) }}
               className="text-[0.6875rem] font-medium text-danger hover:text-danger px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-danger/15 hover:bg-danger/25 transition-colors"
@@ -222,12 +222,12 @@ function ChatItem({
             <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 min-w-0">
               <div className="text-[0.8125rem] font-medium truncate">{chat.title}</div>
               {chat.psa_ticket_id && (
-                <span className="font-mono shrink-0 rounded-md bg-accent-dim px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[0.5625rem] text-accent-text">
+                <span className="font-mono shrink-0 rounded-md bg-accent-dim px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[0.625rem] text-accent-text">
                   #{chat.psa_ticket_id}
                 </span>
               )}
               {(chat.status === 'escalated' || chat.status === 'requesting_escalation') && (
-                <span className="font-sans shrink-0 rounded-md bg-warning-dim px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[0.5625rem] uppercase tracking-wider text-warning border border-warning/20">
+                <span className="font-sans shrink-0 rounded-md bg-warning-dim px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-wider text-warning border border-warning/20">
                   Escalated
                 </span>
               )}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/assistant/ConcludeSessionModal.tsx b/frontend/src/components/assistant/ConcludeSessionModal.tsx
index 25e88424..581e49cf 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/assistant/ConcludeSessionModal.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/assistant/ConcludeSessionModal.tsx
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ export function ConcludeSessionModal({
               )}
               <div
                 className={cn(
-                  'w-6 h-6 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-[0.6875rem] font-sans text-xs font-medium transition-colors',
+                  'w-6 h-6 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-[0.6875rem] font-sans font-medium transition-colors',
                   step === s
                     ? 'bg-primary text-white'
                     : (i < ['select-outcome', 'add-notes', 'summary'].indexOf(step))
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ export function ConcludeSessionModal({
               </div>
 
               <div>
-                <label className="font-sans text-xs text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground block mb-2">
+                <label className="font-sans text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground block mb-2">
                   Additional Notes (optional)
                 </label>
                 <textarea
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ export function ConcludeSessionModal({
                   style={{ borderColor: 'var(--color-border-default)' }}
                 >
                   <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-3">
-                    <span className="font-sans text-xs text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                    <span className="font-sans text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-1.5">
                       <Sparkles size={10} className="text-primary" />
                       Ticket Notes
                     </span>
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@ export function ConcludeSessionModal({
                   style={{ borderColor: 'var(--color-border-default)' }}
                 >
                   <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-3">
-                    <span className="font-sans text-xs text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                    <span className="font-sans text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-1.5">
                       <Sparkles size={10} className="text-primary" />
                       Status Update
                     </span>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/assistant/SuggestedFlowCard.tsx b/frontend/src/components/assistant/SuggestedFlowCard.tsx
index 120ae956..584e49b8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/assistant/SuggestedFlowCard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/assistant/SuggestedFlowCard.tsx
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@ export function SuggestedFlowCard({ flow }: SuggestedFlowCardProps) {
             <span className="text-[0.8125rem] font-medium text-foreground truncate">
               {flow.tree_name}
             </span>
-            <span className="font-sans text-xs text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
+            <span className="font-sans text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
               {flow.tree_type}
             </span>
           </div>
-          <p className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground mt-0.5 line-clamp-2">
+          <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-0.5 line-clamp-2">
             {flow.relevance_snippet}
           </p>
         </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/assistant/TaskLane.tsx b/frontend/src/components/assistant/TaskLane.tsx
index 4311cff4..7c3bec2d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/assistant/TaskLane.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/assistant/TaskLane.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from 'react'
 import {
   Copy, Check, SkipForward, Terminal, ChevronDown, ChevronUp,
-  Send, Clipboard, Loader2, PanelRightClose, MessageCircleQuestion, Eye,
+  Send, Clipboard, Loader2, PanelRightClose, Pencil, HelpCircle, Eye,
 } from 'lucide-react'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { toast } from '@/lib/toast'
@@ -253,6 +253,24 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
     setTasks(prev => prev.map((t, i) => i === idx ? { ...t, ...updates } as TaskResponse : t))
   }
 
+  // Mark `idx` done and advance focus to the next pending task. If none are
+  // left, focus the Send button so the engineer can fire the batch with one
+  // more keystroke. Powers both keyboard submit (Enter / Cmd+Enter) and the
+  // mouse path on the Answer / Done buttons.
+  const sendButtonRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null)
+  const submitAndAdvance = (idx: number, value: string) => {
+    if (!value.trim()) return
+    const nextIdx = tasks.findIndex((t, i) => i > idx && t.state === 'pending')
+    setTasks(prev => prev.map((t, i) => {
+      if (i === idx) return { ...t, state: 'done' } as TaskResponse
+      if (nextIdx !== -1 && i === nextIdx) return { ...t, state: 'active' } as TaskResponse
+      return t
+    }))
+    if (nextIdx === -1) {
+      setTimeout(() => sendButtonRef.current?.focus(), 50)
+    }
+  }
+
   const questionTasks = tasks.filter(t => t.type === 'question')
   const actionTasks = tasks.filter(t => t.type === 'action') as ActionResponse[]
   const allHandled = tasks.every(t => t.state === 'done' || t.state === 'skipped')
@@ -350,20 +368,21 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
         </div>
       )}
       {/* Header */}
-      <div className="px-4 py-3 border-b border-default flex items-center justify-between shrink-0" style={{ borderTop: '2px solid var(--color-accent)' }}>
+      <div className="px-4 py-3 border-b border-default flex items-center justify-between shrink-0">
         <h3 className="font-heading text-sm font-bold text-heading flex items-center gap-2">
           Tasks
-          <span className={cn(
-            'text-[10px] font-semibold px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full',
-            allHandled
-              ? 'bg-success-dim text-success'
-              : 'bg-accent-dim text-accent-text'
-          )}>
-            {allHandled ? '✓ Ready' : `${doneCount}/${totalCount}`}
-          </span>
+          {allHandled ? (
+            <span className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-success">
+              <Check size={10} /> Ready
+            </span>
+          ) : (
+            <span className="text-[0.625rem] font-medium tabular-nums text-muted-foreground">
+              {doneCount}/{totalCount}
+            </span>
+          )}
           {loading && (
             <span
-              className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[10px] font-medium text-muted-foreground"
+              className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[0.625rem] font-medium text-muted-foreground"
               title="AI is thinking"
             >
               <Loader2 size={10} className="animate-spin" />
@@ -386,7 +405,7 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
         {questionTasks.length > 0 && (
           <section>
             <div className="pb-2">
-              <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-muted-foreground pl-0.5">
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-muted-foreground pl-0.5">
                 <span className="w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-accent" />
                 Questions
                 {questionTasks.every(q => q.state === 'done' || q.state === 'skipped') && (
@@ -401,12 +420,12 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
 
               if (q.state === 'done') {
                 return (
-                  <div key={idx} id={`task-lane-card-${idx}`} className="rounded-lg border-l-[3px] border-l-success border border-success/25 bg-success-dim/30 p-3 mb-2 cursor-pointer hover:border-success/40 transition-colors" onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'active' })}>
+                  <div key={idx} id={`task-lane-card-${idx}`} className="rounded-lg border border-default/40 p-3 mb-2 cursor-pointer hover:border-default transition-colors" onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'active' })}>
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
                       <Check size={12} className="text-success shrink-0" />
-                      <span className="text-[0.8125rem] text-foreground">{q.text}</span>
+                      <span className="text-[0.8125rem] text-muted-foreground">{q.text}</span>
                     </div>
-                    <div className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground mt-1 pl-5 italic truncate">"{q.value}"</div>
+                    <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground/80 mt-1 pl-5 italic truncate">"{q.value}"</div>
                   </div>
                 )
               }
@@ -416,7 +435,7 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
                   <div key={idx} id={`task-lane-card-${idx}`} className="rounded-lg border border-default/50 bg-elevated/20 p-3 mb-2 opacity-60 cursor-pointer hover:opacity-80 hover:border-default transition-all" onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'pending' })} title="Click to restore">
                     <div className="flex justify-between">
                       <div className="text-[0.8125rem] text-muted-foreground line-through">{q.text}</div>
-                      <span className="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">Skipped</span>
+                      <span className="text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">Skipped</span>
                     </div>
                   </div>
                 )
@@ -434,33 +453,47 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
                         autoFocus
                         value={q.value}
                         onChange={e => updateTask(idx, { value: e.target.value })}
+                        onKeyDown={e => {
+                          if (e.key === 'Enter' && !e.shiftKey) {
+                            e.preventDefault()
+                            submitAndAdvance(idx, q.value)
+                          } else if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+                            e.preventDefault()
+                            updateTask(idx, { state: 'pending', value: '' })
+                          }
+                        }}
                         placeholder="Type your answer..."
                         className="w-full rounded-md border border-default bg-input px-3 py-2 text-[0.8125rem] text-heading placeholder:text-muted-foreground resize-y min-h-[48px] max-h-[150px] focus:outline-none focus:border-accent focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent/30"
                         rows={2}
                       />
-                      <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-2">
-                        <button
-                          onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'done' })}
-                          disabled={!q.value.trim()}
-                          className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
-                        >
-                          <Check size={11} /> Answer
-                        </button>
-                        <button
-                          onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'pending', value: '' })}
-                          className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading"
-                        >
-                          Cancel
-                        </button>
+                      <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
+                        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                          <button
+                            onClick={() => submitAndAdvance(idx, q.value)}
+                            disabled={!q.value.trim()}
+                            className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
+                          >
+                            <Check size={11} /> Answer
+                          </button>
+                          <button
+                            onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'pending', value: '' })}
+                            className="text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading"
+                          >
+                            Cancel
+                          </button>
+                        </div>
+                        <span className="text-[0.625rem] text-muted-foreground/70 tabular-nums">
+                          ⏎ submit · ⇧⏎ newline
+                        </span>
                       </div>
                     </div>
                   ) : (
                     <div className="mt-2 flex items-center gap-2">
                       <button
                         onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'active' })}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-accent/40 bg-accent-dim/30 px-2.5 py-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-accent-text hover:bg-accent-dim/50 transition-colors"
+                        className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-accent/40 bg-accent-dim/30 px-2.5 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-accent-text hover:bg-accent-dim/50 transition-colors"
                       >
-                        <MessageCircleQuestion size={11} /> Answer
+                        <Pencil size={11} /> Answer
                       </button>
                       <button
                         onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'skipped' })}
@@ -481,7 +514,7 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
         {actionTasks.length > 0 && (
           <section>
             <div className="pb-2">
-              <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-muted-foreground pl-0.5">
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-muted-foreground pl-0.5">
                 <span className="w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-accent" />
                 Diagnostic Checks
                 {actionTasks.every(a => a.state === 'done' || a.state === 'skipped') && (
@@ -495,7 +528,7 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
               <div className="mb-2">
                 <button
                   onClick={() => setShowRunAll(!showRunAll)}
-                  className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-accent-text hover:text-accent transition-colors pl-0.5"
+                  className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-accent-text hover:text-accent transition-colors pl-0.5"
                 >
                   <Terminal size={12} />
                   Run All ({commandActions.length} commands)
@@ -504,16 +537,16 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
                 {showRunAll && (
                   <div className="mt-2 rounded-lg border border-default bg-code p-3">
                     <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-2">
-                      <span className="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">Combined script</span>
+                      <span className="text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">Combined script</span>
                       <button
                         onClick={() => void handleCopy(combinedScript)}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors"
+                        className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors"
                       >
                         {copiedKey === combinedScript ? <Check size={11} className="text-success" /> : <Copy size={11} />}
                         {copiedKey === combinedScript ? 'Copied' : 'Copy'}
                       </button>
                     </div>
-                    <pre className="text-[0.75rem] font-mono text-heading whitespace-pre-wrap overflow-x-auto">{combinedScript}</pre>
+                    <pre className="text-xs font-mono text-heading whitespace-pre-wrap overflow-x-auto">{combinedScript}</pre>
                   </div>
                 )}
               </div>
@@ -525,10 +558,10 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
 
               if (a.state === 'done') {
                 return (
-                  <div key={idx} id={`task-lane-card-${idx}`} className="rounded-lg border-l-[3px] border-l-success border border-success/25 bg-success-dim/30 p-3 mb-2 cursor-pointer hover:border-success/40 transition-colors" onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'active' })}>
+                  <div key={idx} id={`task-lane-card-${idx}`} className="rounded-lg border border-default/40 p-3 mb-2 cursor-pointer hover:border-default transition-colors" onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'active' })}>
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
                       <Check size={12} className="text-success shrink-0" />
-                      <span className="text-[0.8125rem] font-medium text-foreground flex-1">{a.label}</span>
+                      <span className="text-[0.8125rem] text-muted-foreground flex-1">{a.label}</span>
                     </div>
                   </div>
                 )
@@ -539,7 +572,7 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
                   <div key={idx} id={`task-lane-card-${idx}`} className="rounded-lg border border-default/50 bg-elevated/20 p-3 mb-2 opacity-60 cursor-pointer hover:opacity-80 hover:border-default transition-all" onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'pending' })} title="Click to restore">
                     <div className="flex justify-between">
                       <div className="text-[0.8125rem] text-muted-foreground line-through">{a.label}</div>
-                      <span className="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">Skipped</span>
+                      <span className="text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">Skipped</span>
                     </div>
                   </div>
                 )
@@ -565,7 +598,7 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
                       aria-label="Explain this diagnostic check"
                       aria-expanded={expandedHelpKey === `${idx}`}
                     >
-                      <MessageCircleQuestion size={13} />
+                      <HelpCircle size={13} />
                     </button>
                   </div>
 
@@ -613,31 +646,45 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
                         autoFocus
                         value={a.value}
                         onChange={e => updateTask(idx, { value: e.target.value })}
+                        onKeyDown={e => {
+                          if (e.key === 'Enter' && !e.shiftKey) {
+                            e.preventDefault()
+                            submitAndAdvance(idx, a.value)
+                          } else if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+                            e.preventDefault()
+                            updateTask(idx, { state: 'pending', value: '' })
+                          }
+                        }}
                         placeholder="Paste command output here..."
                         className="w-full rounded-md border border-default bg-input px-3 py-2 text-[0.8125rem] text-heading placeholder:text-muted-foreground font-mono resize-y min-h-[60px] max-h-[200px] overflow-y-auto focus:outline-none focus:border-accent focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent/30"
                         rows={3}
                       />
-                      <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-2">
-                        <button
-                          onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'done' })}
-                          disabled={!a.value.trim()}
-                          className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
-                        >
-                          <Check size={11} /> Done
-                        </button>
-                        <button
-                          onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'pending', value: '' })}
-                          className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading"
-                        >
-                          Cancel
-                        </button>
+                      <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
+                        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                          <button
+                            onClick={() => submitAndAdvance(idx, a.value)}
+                            disabled={!a.value.trim()}
+                            className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
+                          >
+                            <Check size={11} /> Done
+                          </button>
+                          <button
+                            onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'pending', value: '' })}
+                            className="text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading"
+                          >
+                            Cancel
+                          </button>
+                        </div>
+                        <span className="text-[0.625rem] text-muted-foreground/70 tabular-nums">
+                          ⏎ submit · ⇧⏎ newline
+                        </span>
                       </div>
                     </div>
                   ) : (
                     <div className="mt-2 flex items-center gap-2">
                       <button
                         onClick={() => updateTask(idx, { state: 'active' })}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-accent/40 bg-accent-dim/30 px-2.5 py-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-accent-text hover:bg-accent-dim/50 transition-colors"
+                        className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-accent/40 bg-accent-dim/30 px-2.5 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-accent-text hover:bg-accent-dim/50 transition-colors"
                       >
                         <Clipboard size={11} /> {a.command ? 'Paste Output' : 'Answer'}
                       </button>
@@ -698,7 +745,7 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
           <div className="mb-2">
             <button
               onClick={() => setShowPreview(!showPreview)}
-              className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors mb-1"
+              className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors mb-1"
             >
               <Eye size={12} />
               Preview ({handledCount}/{totalCount} done)
@@ -712,6 +759,7 @@ export function TaskLane({ questions, actions, sessionId, onSubmit, onClose, loa
           </div>
         )}
         <button
+          ref={sendButtonRef}
           onClick={handleSubmit}
           disabled={!anyHandled || loading || submitting}
           className={cn(
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/pilot/ChatTabStrip.tsx b/frontend/src/components/pilot/ChatTabStrip.tsx
index 7d610e25..5f18323f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/pilot/ChatTabStrip.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/pilot/ChatTabStrip.tsx
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ function TabButton({
       aria-selected={active}
       onClick={onClick}
       className={cn(
-        'relative px-3 py-[7px] text-[12.5px] font-medium rounded-t-md transition-colors',
+        'relative px-3 py-[7px] text-xs font-medium rounded-t-md transition-colors',
         'border-b-2 -mb-px',
         active
           ? 'text-heading border-accent bg-bg-page'
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/pilot/ProposalBanner.tsx b/frontend/src/components/pilot/ProposalBanner.tsx
index d10e858b..73dc5a00 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/pilot/ProposalBanner.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/pilot/ProposalBanner.tsx
@@ -54,27 +54,24 @@ export function ProposalBanner(props: ProposalBannerProps) {
 
 function ProposedBanner({ fix, onApply, onDismiss, onToggleCollapsed }: ProposalBannerProps) {
   return (
-    <div className="relative border-t border-warning/30 bg-gradient-to-b from-warning-dim/40 to-warning-dim/20 px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
-      <div className="absolute left-0 top-0 bottom-0 w-[3px] bg-warning" />
+    <div className="border-t border-warning/30 bg-card px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
       <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
-        <div className="shrink-0 mt-0.5 w-7 h-7 rounded-md border border-warning/30 bg-warning-dim flex items-center justify-center text-warning">
-          <Sparkles size={15} />
-        </div>
+        <Sparkles size={16} className="text-warning shrink-0 mt-1" />
         <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-warning">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-warning">
             <span>Suggested Fix</span>
-            <span className="tabular-nums px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-warning/20 text-warning text-[10.5px] font-bold">
+            <span className="tabular-nums px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-warning/20 text-warning text-[0.625rem] font-bold">
               {fix.confidence_pct}% confidence
             </span>
           </div>
-          <div className="mt-0.5 text-[14px] font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
+          <div className="mt-0.5 text-sm font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
             {fix.title}
           </div>
-          <div className="mt-1 text-[12.5px] text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
+          <div className="mt-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
             {fix.description}
           </div>
           {fix.script_template_id && (
-            <div className="mt-1.5 inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[11.5px] text-success">
+            <div className="mt-1.5 inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.6875rem] text-success">
               <Check size={11} />
               Matches an existing Script Library template — one-click apply
             </div>
@@ -92,13 +89,13 @@ function ProposedBanner({ fix, onApply, onDismiss, onToggleCollapsed }: Proposal
           )}
           <button
             onClick={onDismiss}
-            className="px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded text-[12.5px] text-muted-foreground hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary"
+            className="px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary"
           >
             Dismiss
           </button>
           <button
             onClick={onApply}
-            className="px-3.5 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-warning text-[#1a1200] font-semibold text-[12.5px] hover:brightness-110 inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
+            className="px-3.5 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-warning text-[#1a1200] font-semibold text-xs hover:brightness-110 inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
           >
             Apply fix
             <svg width="12" height="12" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2.5" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round"><polyline points="9 18 15 12 9 6" /></svg>
@@ -116,27 +113,23 @@ function VerifyingBanner({ fix, onOutcome }: ProposalBannerProps) {
     : 'Applied'
 
   return (
-    <div className="relative border-t border-warning/30 bg-gradient-to-b from-warning-dim/40 to-warning-dim/20 px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
-      <div className="absolute left-0 top-0 bottom-0 w-[3px] bg-warning" />
+    <div className="border-t border-warning/30 bg-card px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
       <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
-        <div className="relative shrink-0 mt-0.5 w-7 h-7 rounded-md border border-warning/30 bg-warning-dim flex items-center justify-center text-warning">
-          <svg width="15" height="15" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
-            <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
-            <polyline points="12 6 12 12 16 14" />
-          </svg>
-          <span className="absolute inset-[-3px] rounded-lg animate-pulse-amber pointer-events-none" />
-        </div>
+        <svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round" className="text-warning shrink-0 mt-1">
+          <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
+          <polyline points="12 6 12 12 16 14" />
+        </svg>
         <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-warning">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-warning">
             <span>Verifying</span>
-            <span className="px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-warning/20 text-warning text-[10.5px] font-bold normal-case tracking-normal">
+            <span className="px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-warning/20 text-warning text-[0.625rem] font-bold normal-case tracking-normal">
               {appliedLabel}
             </span>
           </div>
-          <div className="mt-0.5 text-[14px] font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
+          <div className="mt-0.5 text-sm font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
             Did "{fix.title}" work?
           </div>
-          <div className="mt-1 text-[12.5px] text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
+          <div className="mt-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
             Mark the outcome so the AI can either close the session with this as the resolution, or propose something else.
           </div>
         </div>
@@ -159,7 +152,7 @@ function VerifyingBanner({ fix, onOutcome }: ProposalBannerProps) {
                   const notes = window.prompt('What did you run / skip?')
                   if (notes && notes.trim()) onOutcome('applied_partial', notes.trim())
                 }}
-                className="w-full text-left px-3 py-2 text-[12.5px] hover:bg-elevated text-primary"
+                className="w-full text-left px-3 py-2 text-xs hover:bg-elevated text-primary"
               >
                 Mark partial…
               </button>
@@ -169,7 +162,7 @@ function VerifyingBanner({ fix, onOutcome }: ProposalBannerProps) {
                   const reason = window.prompt('What are you waiting on? (e.g. "client power-cycling router")')
                   if (reason && reason.trim()) onOutcome('applied_pending', reason.trim())
                 }}
-                className="w-full text-left px-3 py-2 text-[12.5px] hover:bg-elevated text-primary inline-flex items-center gap-2"
+                className="w-full text-left px-3 py-2 text-xs hover:bg-elevated text-primary inline-flex items-center gap-2"
               >
                 <Clock3 size={12} className="text-info" />
                 Waiting to verify…
@@ -181,14 +174,14 @@ function VerifyingBanner({ fix, onOutcome }: ProposalBannerProps) {
               const reason = window.prompt("Why didn't it work? (optional)")
               onOutcome('applied_failed', reason?.trim() || undefined)
             }}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg border border-danger/30 text-danger text-[12.5px] font-medium hover:bg-danger-dim hover:border-danger inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg border border-danger/30 text-danger text-xs font-medium hover:bg-danger-dim hover:border-danger inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
           >
             <X size={12} strokeWidth={2.5} />
             Didn't work
           </button>
           <button
             onClick={() => onOutcome('applied_success')}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-success text-[#0a1a12] font-semibold text-[12.5px] hover:brightness-110 inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-success text-[#0a1a12] font-semibold text-xs hover:brightness-110 inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
           >
             <Check size={12} strokeWidth={2.5} />
             It worked
@@ -209,25 +202,22 @@ function formatRelativeMinutes(iso: string): string {
 
 function PartialBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onApply }: ProposalBannerProps) {
   return (
-    <div className="relative border-t border-info/30 bg-gradient-to-b from-info-dim/40 to-info-dim/20 px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
-      <div className="absolute left-0 top-0 bottom-0 w-[3px] bg-info" />
+    <div className="border-t border-info/30 bg-card px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
       <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
-        <div className="shrink-0 mt-0.5 w-7 h-7 rounded-md border border-info/30 bg-info-dim flex items-center justify-center text-info">
-          <Info size={15} />
-        </div>
+        <Info size={16} className="text-info shrink-0 mt-1" />
         <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-info">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-info">
             <span>Partially applied</span>
-            <span className="px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-info/20 text-info text-[10.5px] font-bold normal-case tracking-normal">
+            <span className="px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-info/20 text-info text-[0.625rem] font-bold normal-case tracking-normal">
               Parked
             </span>
           </div>
-          <div className="mt-0.5 text-[14px] font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
+          <div className="mt-0.5 text-sm font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
             {fix.title}
           </div>
           {fix.partial_notes && (
-            <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-2 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-md bg-info/[0.08] border border-info/30 text-[12px] italic text-primary">
-              <span className="not-italic font-bold text-info text-[10.5px] uppercase tracking-[0.6px]">Note</span>
+            <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-2 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-md bg-info/[0.08] border border-info/30 text-xs italic text-primary">
+              <span className="not-italic font-bold text-info text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-[0.6px]">Note</span>
               <span>{fix.partial_notes}</span>
             </div>
           )}
@@ -238,19 +228,19 @@ function PartialBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onApply }: ProposalBannerProps) {
               const reason = window.prompt("Why didn't it work? (optional)")
               onOutcome('applied_failed', reason?.trim() || undefined)
             }}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg border border-danger/30 text-danger text-[12.5px] font-medium hover:bg-danger-dim hover:border-danger"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg border border-danger/30 text-danger text-xs font-medium hover:bg-danger-dim hover:border-danger"
           >
             Didn't work
           </button>
           <button
             onClick={onApply}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-card border border-white/10 text-primary text-[12.5px] font-medium hover:bg-elevated"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-card border border-white/10 text-primary text-xs font-medium hover:bg-elevated"
           >
             Finish it ›
           </button>
           <button
             onClick={() => onOutcome('applied_success')}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-success text-[#0a1a12] font-semibold text-[12.5px] hover:brightness-110"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-success text-[#0a1a12] font-semibold text-xs hover:brightness-110"
           >
             It worked
           </button>
@@ -262,25 +252,22 @@ function PartialBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onApply }: ProposalBannerProps) {
 
 function PendingBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onDismiss }: ProposalBannerProps) {
   return (
-    <div className="relative border-t border-info/30 bg-gradient-to-b from-info-dim/40 to-info-dim/20 px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
-      <div className="absolute left-0 top-0 bottom-0 w-[3px] bg-info" />
+    <div className="border-t border-info/30 bg-card px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
       <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
-        <div className="shrink-0 mt-0.5 w-7 h-7 rounded-md border border-info/30 bg-info-dim flex items-center justify-center text-info">
-          <Clock3 size={15} />
-        </div>
+        <Clock3 size={16} className="text-info shrink-0 mt-1" />
         <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-info">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-info">
             <span>Awaiting verification</span>
-            <span className="px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-info/20 text-info text-[10.5px] font-bold normal-case tracking-normal">
+            <span className="px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-info/20 text-info text-[0.625rem] font-bold normal-case tracking-normal">
               Parked
             </span>
           </div>
-          <div className="mt-0.5 text-[14px] font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
+          <div className="mt-0.5 text-sm font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
             {fix.title}
           </div>
           {fix.pending_reason && (
-            <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-2 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-md bg-info/[0.08] border border-info/30 text-[12px] italic text-primary">
-              <span className="not-italic font-bold text-info text-[10.5px] uppercase tracking-[0.6px]">Waiting on</span>
+            <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-2 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-md bg-info/[0.08] border border-info/30 text-xs italic text-primary">
+              <span className="not-italic font-bold text-info text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-[0.6px]">Waiting on</span>
               <span>{fix.pending_reason}</span>
             </div>
           )}
@@ -288,7 +275,7 @@ function PendingBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onDismiss }: ProposalBannerProps) {
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2 shrink-0 pt-0.5">
           <button
             onClick={onDismiss}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg text-muted-foreground text-[12.5px] hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg text-muted-foreground text-xs hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary"
           >
             Dismiss
           </button>
@@ -300,7 +287,7 @@ function PendingBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onDismiss }: ProposalBannerProps) {
               )
               if (reason && reason.trim()) onOutcome('applied_pending', reason.trim())
             }}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg text-muted-foreground text-[12.5px] hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg text-muted-foreground text-xs hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary"
           >
             Update reason
           </button>
@@ -309,13 +296,13 @@ function PendingBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onDismiss }: ProposalBannerProps) {
               const reason = window.prompt("Why didn't it work? (optional)")
               onOutcome('applied_failed', reason?.trim() || undefined)
             }}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg border border-danger/30 text-danger text-[12.5px] font-medium hover:bg-danger-dim hover:border-danger"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg border border-danger/30 text-danger text-xs font-medium hover:bg-danger-dim hover:border-danger"
           >
             Didn't work
           </button>
           <button
             onClick={() => onOutcome('applied_success')}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-success text-[#0a1a12] font-semibold text-[12.5px] hover:brightness-110 inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg bg-success text-[#0a1a12] font-semibold text-xs hover:brightness-110 inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
           >
             <Check size={12} strokeWidth={2.5} />
             It worked
@@ -339,37 +326,34 @@ function AIConfirmingBanner({ fix, onAcceptAIProposal, onRejectAIProposal }: Pro
     : 'was partially applied'
 
   return (
-    <div className="relative border-t border-accent/30 bg-gradient-to-b from-accent-dim/40 to-accent-dim/20 px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
-      <div className="absolute left-0 top-0 bottom-0 w-[3px] bg-accent" />
+    <div className="border-t border-accent/30 bg-card px-5 py-3 animate-slide-up">
       <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
-        <div className="shrink-0 mt-0.5 w-7 h-7 rounded-md border border-accent/30 bg-accent-dim flex items-center justify-center text-accent">
-          <Sparkles size={15} />
-        </div>
+        <Sparkles size={16} className="text-accent shrink-0 mt-1" />
         <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-accent">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-heading text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-accent">
             <span>AI detected outcome</span>
-            <span className="px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-accent/20 text-accent text-[10.5px] font-bold normal-case tracking-normal">
+            <span className="px-2 py-[2px] rounded-full bg-accent/20 text-accent text-[0.625rem] font-bold normal-case tracking-normal">
               {isSuccess ? 'Success' : isFailure ? 'Failure' : 'Partial'}
             </span>
           </div>
-          <div className="mt-0.5 text-[14px] font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
+          <div className="mt-0.5 text-sm font-semibold text-heading leading-snug">
             AI thinks the fix {headlineVerb} — confirm?
           </div>
-          <div className="mt-1 text-[12.5px] text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
+          <div className="mt-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
             {proposal.reason || 'Based on the recent chat. One click either confirms or corrects.'}
           </div>
         </div>
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2 shrink-0 pt-0.5">
           <button
             onClick={onRejectAIProposal}
-            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg text-muted-foreground text-[12.5px] hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary"
+            className="px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg text-muted-foreground text-xs hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary"
           >
             Not yet
           </button>
           <button
             onClick={onAcceptAIProposal}
             className={cn(
-              'px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg font-semibold text-[12.5px] inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 hover:brightness-110',
+              'px-3 py-[9px] rounded-lg font-semibold text-xs inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 hover:brightness-110',
               isSuccess
                 ? 'bg-success text-[#0a1a12]'
                 : 'bg-danger text-[#180808]',
@@ -386,14 +370,13 @@ function AIConfirmingBanner({ fix, onAcceptAIProposal, onRejectAIProposal }: Pro
 
 function NudgeBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onSilenceNudge }: ProposalBannerProps) {
   return (
-    <div className="relative border-t border-warning/30 bg-warning-dim/60 px-5 py-2 flex items-center gap-3">
-      <div className="absolute left-0 top-0 bottom-0 w-[3px] bg-warning" />
+    <div className="border-t border-warning/30 bg-card px-5 py-2 flex items-center gap-3">
       <svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round" className="text-warning shrink-0">
         <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
         <path d="M12 8v4" />
         <path d="M12 16h.01" />
       </svg>
-      <span className="flex-1 text-[12.5px] text-primary">
+      <span className="flex-1 text-xs text-primary">
         Did <strong className="text-heading">"{fix.title}"</strong> work?
       </span>
       <button
@@ -407,7 +390,7 @@ function NudgeBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onSilenceNudge }: ProposalBannerProps) {
             onSilenceNudge()
           }
         }}
-        className="px-2.5 py-1 rounded text-[12px] text-muted-foreground hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary inline-flex items-center gap-1"
+        className="px-2.5 py-1 rounded text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:bg-white/[0.08] hover:text-primary inline-flex items-center gap-1"
       >
         <Clock3 size={11} />
         Still checking
@@ -417,13 +400,13 @@ function NudgeBanner({ fix, onOutcome, onSilenceNudge }: ProposalBannerProps) {
           const reason = window.prompt("Why didn't it work? (optional)")
           onOutcome('applied_failed', reason?.trim() || undefined)
         }}
-        className="px-2.5 py-1 rounded border border-danger/30 text-danger text-[12px] hover:bg-danger-dim"
+        className="px-2.5 py-1 rounded border border-danger/30 text-danger text-xs hover:bg-danger-dim"
       >
         No
       </button>
       <button
         onClick={() => onOutcome('applied_success')}
-        className="px-2.5 py-1 rounded bg-success text-[#0a1a12] font-semibold text-[12px] hover:brightness-110"
+        className="px-2.5 py-1 rounded bg-success text-[#0a1a12] font-semibold text-xs hover:brightness-110"
       >
         Yes
       </button>
@@ -435,15 +418,14 @@ function CollapsedBanner({ fix, onToggleCollapsed }: ProposalBannerProps) {
   return (
     <button
       onClick={onToggleCollapsed}
-      className="relative w-full border-t border-warning/30 bg-warning-dim/40 px-5 py-2 flex items-center gap-2.5 hover:bg-warning-dim/60 transition-colors text-left"
+      className="w-full border-t border-warning/30 bg-card px-5 py-2 flex items-center gap-2.5 hover:bg-[var(--color-bg-card-hover)] transition-colors text-left"
     >
-      <div className="absolute left-0 top-0 bottom-0 w-[3px] bg-warning" />
       <Sparkles size={12} className="text-warning shrink-0" />
-      <span className="flex-1 text-[12px] font-medium text-heading truncate">{fix.title}</span>
-      <span className="px-1.5 py-[1px] rounded-full bg-warning/20 text-warning text-[10.5px] font-bold tabular-nums">
+      <span className="flex-1 text-xs font-medium text-heading truncate">{fix.title}</span>
+      <span className="px-1.5 py-[1px] rounded-full bg-warning/20 text-warning text-[0.625rem] font-bold tabular-nums">
         {fix.confidence_pct}%
       </span>
-      <span className="text-muted-foreground text-[11px]">▸ expand</span>
+      <span className="text-muted-foreground text-[0.6875rem]">▸ expand</span>
     </button>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/AddNoteButton.tsx b/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/AddNoteButton.tsx
index 67037715..1e303827 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/AddNoteButton.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/AddNoteButton.tsx
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ export function AddNoteButton({ onAdd }: AddNoteButtonProps) {
     return (
       <button
         onClick={() => setOpen(true)}
-        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-accent-text transition-colors pl-1 mt-1"
+        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-accent-text transition-colors pl-1 mt-1"
       >
         <Plus size={12} />
         Add a note
@@ -62,20 +62,20 @@ export function AddNoteButton({ onAdd }: AddNoteButtonProps) {
         value={summary}
         onChange={(e) => setSummary(e.target.value)}
         placeholder="Short label (optional)"
-        className="mt-1.5 w-full rounded-md border border-default bg-input px-2.5 py-1 text-[0.75rem] text-heading placeholder:text-muted-foreground focus:outline-none focus:border-accent focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent/30"
+        className="mt-1.5 w-full rounded-md border border-default bg-input px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-heading placeholder:text-muted-foreground focus:outline-none focus:border-accent focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent/30"
       />
       <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-2">
         <button
           onClick={handleSubmit}
           disabled={busy || !text.trim()}
-          className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
+          className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
         >
           <Check size={11} /> Add
         </button>
         <button
           onClick={reset}
           disabled={busy}
-          className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading"
+          className="text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading"
         >
           Cancel
         </button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/WhatWeKnow.tsx b/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/WhatWeKnow.tsx
index 04ac820e..84f87883 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/WhatWeKnow.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/WhatWeKnow.tsx
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
  * and renders the section. Loading/refresh logic lives in the parent
  * (AssistantChatPage) so it can coordinate with the chat send cycle.
  */
-import { Loader2 } from 'lucide-react'
-import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+import { useState } from 'react'
+import { ChevronDown, ChevronRight, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react'
 import type { SessionFact } from '@/api/sessionFacts'
 import { WhatWeKnowItem } from './WhatWeKnowItem'
 import { AddNoteButton } from './AddNoteButton'
@@ -23,32 +23,65 @@ interface WhatWeKnowProps {
   onUpdateFact: (factId: string, text: string, summary: string | null) => Promise<void> | void
   onDeleteFact: (factId: string) => Promise<void> | void
   loading?: boolean
+  /** Used as the sessionStorage key for the engineer's collapse preference.
+   *  When the parent re-keys this component on session change, the lazy
+   *  initializer reads fresh state for the new session. */
+  sessionId?: string | null
 }
 
+const COLLAPSE_STORAGE_KEY = 'rf-whatweknow-collapsed'
+// First-render auto-collapse threshold. Past this, the section is hidden by
+// default so Questions / Diagnostic Checks stay above the fold. The engineer's
+// explicit toggle (stored per-session) always wins over this heuristic.
+const AUTO_COLLAPSE_THRESHOLD = 5
+
 export function WhatWeKnow({
   facts,
   onAddNote,
   onUpdateFact,
   onDeleteFact,
   loading,
+  sessionId,
 }: WhatWeKnowProps) {
   const count = facts.length
 
+  const [collapsed, setCollapsed] = useState<boolean>(() => {
+    if (sessionId) {
+      try {
+        const stored = sessionStorage.getItem(`${COLLAPSE_STORAGE_KEY}:${sessionId}`)
+        if (stored !== null) return stored === '1'
+      } catch { /* ignore */ }
+    }
+    return count >= AUTO_COLLAPSE_THRESHOLD
+  })
+
+  const toggle = () => {
+    setCollapsed(prev => {
+      const next = !prev
+      if (sessionId) {
+        try { sessionStorage.setItem(`${COLLAPSE_STORAGE_KEY}:${sessionId}`, next ? '1' : '0') } catch { /* ignore */ }
+      }
+      return next
+    })
+  }
+
   return (
-    <section
-      className={cn(
-        'rounded-lg p-3 -mx-1 mb-1',
-        // Subtle green-to-transparent gradient distinguishes this section
-        // from the rest of the lane (mockup 01-session-primary.png).
-        'bg-gradient-to-b from-success/[0.05] to-transparent',
-      )}
-    >
-      <div className="pb-2">
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-muted-foreground pl-0.5">
-          <span className="w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-success" />
-          What we know
-          <span className="text-muted-foreground">·</span>
-          <span className="tabular-nums">{count}</span>
+    <section className="rounded-lg p-3 -mx-1 mb-1">
+      <div className={collapsed ? '' : 'pb-2'}>
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 pl-0.5">
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            onClick={toggle}
+            aria-expanded={!collapsed}
+            aria-label={collapsed ? 'Expand What we know' : 'Collapse What we know'}
+            className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[0.625rem] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[1.2px] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading transition-colors"
+          >
+            {collapsed ? <ChevronRight size={10} /> : <ChevronDown size={10} />}
+            <span className="w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-success" />
+            What we know
+            <span className="text-muted-foreground">·</span>
+            <span className="tabular-nums">{count}</span>
+          </button>
           {loading && (
             <span
               className="ml-auto flex items-center gap-1 text-[0.625rem] font-medium normal-case tracking-normal text-muted-foreground"
@@ -61,29 +94,33 @@ export function WhatWeKnow({
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      {count === 0 && loading && (
-        <div className="space-y-2 px-1 py-2">
-          <div className="h-3 w-3/4 rounded bg-elevated/60 animate-pulse" />
-          <div className="h-3 w-1/2 rounded bg-elevated/60 animate-pulse" />
-        </div>
+      {!collapsed && (
+        <>
+          {count === 0 && loading && (
+            <div className="space-y-2 px-1 py-2">
+              <div className="h-3 w-3/4 rounded bg-elevated/60 animate-pulse" />
+              <div className="h-3 w-1/2 rounded bg-elevated/60 animate-pulse" />
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {count === 0 && !loading && (
+            <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground italic px-1 py-2">
+              Nothing confirmed yet — facts appear here as the engineer answers questions and runs checks.
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {facts.map((fact) => (
+            <WhatWeKnowItem
+              key={fact.id}
+              fact={fact}
+              onSave={(text, summary) => onUpdateFact(fact.id, text, summary)}
+              onDelete={() => onDeleteFact(fact.id)}
+            />
+          ))}
+
+          <AddNoteButton onAdd={onAddNote} />
+        </>
       )}
-
-      {count === 0 && !loading && (
-        <div className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground italic px-1 py-2">
-          Nothing confirmed yet — facts appear here as the engineer answers questions and runs checks.
-        </div>
-      )}
-
-      {facts.map((fact) => (
-        <WhatWeKnowItem
-          key={fact.id}
-          fact={fact}
-          onSave={(text, summary) => onUpdateFact(fact.id, text, summary)}
-          onDelete={() => onDeleteFact(fact.id)}
-        />
-      ))}
-
-      <AddNoteButton onAdd={onAddNote} />
     </section>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/WhatWeKnowItem.tsx b/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/WhatWeKnowItem.tsx
index 800f8e7d..df69b11c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/WhatWeKnowItem.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/pilot/sections/WhatWeKnowItem.tsx
@@ -79,20 +79,20 @@ export function WhatWeKnowItem({ fact, onSave, onDelete }: WhatWeKnowItemProps)
           value={draftSummary}
           onChange={(e) => setDraftSummary(e.target.value)}
           placeholder="Short label (e.g. 'rules out tenant/license')"
-          className="mt-1.5 w-full rounded-md border border-default bg-input px-2.5 py-1 text-[0.75rem] text-heading placeholder:text-muted-foreground focus:outline-none focus:border-accent focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent/30"
+          className="mt-1.5 w-full rounded-md border border-default bg-input px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-heading placeholder:text-muted-foreground focus:outline-none focus:border-accent focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent/30"
         />
         <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-2">
           <button
             onClick={handleSave}
             disabled={busy || !draftText.trim()}
-            className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
+            className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md bg-accent px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white disabled:opacity-40 hover:bg-accent-hover transition-colors"
           >
             <Check size={11} /> Save
           </button>
           <button
             onClick={handleCancel}
             disabled={busy}
-            className="text-[0.75rem] text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading"
+            className="text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading"
           >
             Cancel
           </button>
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ export function WhatWeKnowItem({ fact, onSave, onDelete }: WhatWeKnowItemProps)
   return (
     <div
       className={cn(
-        'group rounded-lg border-l-[3px] border-l-success border border-success/25 bg-success-dim/20 p-3 mb-2',
+        'group rounded-lg border border-default/40 p-3 mb-2',
         busy && 'opacity-60',
       )}
     >
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/AssistantChatPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/AssistantChatPage.tsx
index 44236ffd..2174ab1a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/AssistantChatPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/AssistantChatPage.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { handoffsApi } from '@/api/handoffs'
 import { timeAgo } from '@/lib/timeAgo'
 import type { HandoffResponse } from '@/types/branching'
 import { HandoffContextScreen } from '@/components/flowpilot/HandoffContextScreen'
-import { Sparkles, Send, Loader2, MessageSquare, Paperclip, Terminal, X, RotateCcw, ImagePlus, ListChecks, FileText, CheckCircle2, ArrowUpRight, ArrowRight, MoreHorizontal, Pause, Plus, Copy, Check } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Sparkles, Send, Loader2, MessageSquare, Paperclip, Terminal, X, RotateCcw, ImagePlus, ListChecks, FileText, CheckCircle2, ArrowUpRight, MoreHorizontal, Pause, Plus } from 'lucide-react'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { uploadsApi } from '@/api/uploads'
 import type { PendingUpload } from '@/types/upload'
@@ -88,9 +88,6 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
   // composer. Click prefills the input; first send hides the strip; explicit
   // X also hides. Per-session lifetime — a refresh wipes the state, which is
   // fine because the senior can re-open the Context overlay.
-  const [chipsHidden, setChipsHidden] = useState(false)
-  const [selectedChipCardIdx, setSelectedChipCardIdx] = useState<number | null>(null)
-  const [copiedChipCmd, setCopiedChipCmd] = useState(false)
   const [chats, setChats] = useState<ChatListItem[]>([])
   const [activeChatId, setActiveChatId] = useState<string | null>(() => {
     if (urlSessionId) return urlSessionId
@@ -912,6 +909,10 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
     try {
       const updated = await sessionSuggestedFixesApi.patchOutcome(activeChatId, activeFix.id, outcome, notes)
       setActiveFix(updated)
+      // Banner and script panel are linked surfaces: once an outcome is
+      // recorded, the script-execution affordance has done its job, so close
+      // it alongside the banner state transition.
+      setScriptPanelOpen(false)
       // Reset apply tracking state since we now have a terminal outcome.
       setPostApplyMsgCount(0)
       setNudgeSilenced(false)
@@ -1304,7 +1305,6 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
       .map((u) => u.preview)
     setInput('')
     setPendingUploads([])
-    setChipsHidden(true)
     setMessages(prev => [...prev, { role: 'user', content: userMessage, imageUrls: imageUrls.length > 0 ? imageUrls : undefined }])
     setLoading(true)
 
@@ -1769,27 +1769,10 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                     )}
                   </div>
 
-                  {/* Desktop actions — shown when session is active and has messages */}
+                  {/* Desktop actions — Resolve + Escalate stay first-class; everything
+                      else (Context / New Ticket / Update Ticket / Pause) folds behind
+                      a single kebab to keep the header to two visible primary actions. */}
                   <div className="hidden sm:flex items-center gap-1.5">
-                    {magicHandoff && (
-                      <button
-                        onClick={openHandoffContextOverlay}
-                        disabled={overlayLoading}
-                        title="Show the handoff context the original engineer sent"
-                        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-lg border border-default px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:border-hover disabled:opacity-40 transition-colors"
-                      >
-                        <Sparkles size={13} />
-                        Context
-                      </button>
-                    )}
-                    {activePsaTicketId && (
-                      <button
-                        onClick={() => { setSpinOffHint(undefined); setShowNewTicket(true) }}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-1 px-2 py-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground border border-default rounded-[5px] hover:border-hover hover:text-primary transition-colors"
-                      >
-                        <Plus className="w-3 h-3" /> New Ticket
-                      </button>
-                    )}
                     {isActive && (
                       <>
                         <button
@@ -1802,55 +1785,76 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                           Resolve
                         </button>
                         <div className="relative">
-                        <button
-                          onClick={handleEscalateClick}
-                          disabled={!canAct}
-                          data-conclude-outcome="escalated"
-                          className="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-lg bg-warning-dim border border-warning/20 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-warning hover:bg-warning/20 disabled:opacity-40 disabled:pointer-events-none transition-colors"
-                        >
-                          <ArrowUpRight size={13} />
-                          Escalate
-                        </button>
-                        {escalateIntercept && (
-                          <EscalateInterceptDialog
-                            fixTitle={escalateIntercept.fixTitle}
-                            onChoose={handleInterceptChoice}
-                            onClose={() => setEscalateIntercept(null)}
-                          />
-                        )}
+                          <button
+                            onClick={handleEscalateClick}
+                            disabled={!canAct}
+                            data-conclude-outcome="escalated"
+                            className="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-lg bg-warning-dim border border-warning/20 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-warning hover:bg-warning/20 disabled:opacity-40 disabled:pointer-events-none transition-colors"
+                          >
+                            <ArrowUpRight size={13} />
+                            Escalate
+                          </button>
+                          {escalateIntercept && (
+                            <EscalateInterceptDialog
+                              fixTitle={escalateIntercept.fixTitle}
+                              onChoose={handleInterceptChoice}
+                              onClose={() => setEscalateIntercept(null)}
+                            />
+                          )}
                         </div>
                       </>
                     )}
-                    {messages.length >= 2 && (
-                      <button
-                        onClick={() => setShowStatusUpdate(true)}
-                        disabled={loading}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-lg bg-accent-dim border border-accent/20 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-accent hover:bg-accent/20 disabled:opacity-40 disabled:pointer-events-none transition-colors"
-                      >
-                        <FileText size={13} />
-                        {updateLabel}
-                      </button>
-                    )}
-                    {/* Overflow: Pause / — */}
-                    {isActive && messages.length >= 2 && (
+                    {(magicHandoff || activePsaTicketId || messages.length >= 2) && (
                       <div className="relative">
                         <button
                           onClick={() => setShowOverflow(!showOverflow)}
                           className="flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg px-2 py-1.5 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors"
+                          aria-label="More session actions"
                         >
                           <MoreHorizontal size={16} />
                         </button>
                         {showOverflow && (
                           <>
                             <div className="fixed inset-0 z-40" onClick={() => setShowOverflow(false)} />
-                            <div className="absolute right-0 top-full mt-1 z-50 w-36 rounded-lg border border-border bg-card py-1 shadow-lg">
-                              <button
-                                onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); aiSessionsApi.pauseSession(activeChatId).then(() => setActiveSessionStatus('paused')).catch(() => toast.error('Failed to pause')) }}
-                                className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors"
-                              >
-                                <Pause size={13} />
-                                Pause
-                              </button>
+                            <div className="absolute right-0 top-full mt-1 z-50 w-44 rounded-lg border border-border bg-card py-1 shadow-lg">
+                              {magicHandoff && (
+                                <button
+                                  onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); openHandoffContextOverlay() }}
+                                  disabled={overlayLoading}
+                                  className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors disabled:opacity-40"
+                                >
+                                  <Sparkles size={13} />
+                                  Context
+                                </button>
+                              )}
+                              {activePsaTicketId && (
+                                <button
+                                  onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); setSpinOffHint(undefined); setShowNewTicket(true) }}
+                                  className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors"
+                                >
+                                  <Plus size={13} />
+                                  New Ticket
+                                </button>
+                              )}
+                              {messages.length >= 2 && (
+                                <button
+                                  onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); setShowStatusUpdate(true) }}
+                                  disabled={loading}
+                                  className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors disabled:opacity-40"
+                                >
+                                  <FileText size={13} />
+                                  {updateLabel}
+                                </button>
+                              )}
+                              {isActive && messages.length >= 2 && (
+                                <button
+                                  onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); aiSessionsApi.pauseSession(activeChatId).then(() => setActiveSessionStatus('paused')).catch(() => toast.error('Failed to pause')) }}
+                                  className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors"
+                                >
+                                  <Pause size={13} />
+                                  Pause
+                                </button>
+                              )}
                             </div>
                           </>
                         )}
@@ -1858,12 +1862,14 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                     )}
                   </div>
 
-                  {/* Mobile: single overflow menu */}
-                  {messages.length >= 2 && (
+                  {/* Mobile: single overflow menu — same items as desktop kebab plus
+                      Resolve/Escalate (which live in the visible row on desktop). */}
+                  {(magicHandoff || activePsaTicketId || messages.length >= 2) && (
                     <div className="sm:hidden relative">
                       <button
                         onClick={() => setShowOverflow(!showOverflow)}
                         className="flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg px-2 py-1.5 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors"
+                        aria-label="Session actions"
                       >
                         <MoreHorizontal size={18} />
                       </button>
@@ -1871,7 +1877,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                         <>
                           <div className="fixed inset-0 z-40" onClick={() => setShowOverflow(false)} />
                           <div className="absolute right-0 top-full mt-1 z-50 w-44 rounded-lg border border-border bg-card py-1 shadow-lg">
-                            {isActive && (
+                            {isActive && messages.length >= 2 && (
                               <>
                                 <button
                                   onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); handleResolveClick() }}
@@ -1902,15 +1908,36 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                                 </div>
                               </>
                             )}
-                            <button
-                              onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); setShowStatusUpdate(true) }}
-                              disabled={loading}
-                              className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2.5 text-xs text-accent hover:bg-accent-dim transition-colors disabled:opacity-40"
-                            >
-                              <FileText size={14} />
-                              {updateLabel}
-                            </button>
-                            {isActive && (
+                            {magicHandoff && (
+                              <button
+                                onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); openHandoffContextOverlay() }}
+                                disabled={overlayLoading}
+                                className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2.5 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors disabled:opacity-40"
+                              >
+                                <Sparkles size={14} />
+                                Context
+                              </button>
+                            )}
+                            {activePsaTicketId && (
+                              <button
+                                onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); setSpinOffHint(undefined); setShowNewTicket(true) }}
+                                className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2.5 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors"
+                              >
+                                <Plus size={14} />
+                                New Ticket
+                              </button>
+                            )}
+                            {messages.length >= 2 && (
+                              <button
+                                onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); setShowStatusUpdate(true) }}
+                                disabled={loading}
+                                className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2.5 text-xs text-accent hover:bg-accent-dim transition-colors disabled:opacity-40"
+                              >
+                                <FileText size={14} />
+                                {updateLabel}
+                              </button>
+                            )}
+                            {isActive && messages.length >= 2 && (
                               <button
                                 onClick={() => { setShowOverflow(false); aiSessionsApi.pauseSession(activeChatId).then(() => setActiveSessionStatus('paused')).catch(() => toast.error('Failed to pause')) }}
                                 className="flex w-full items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2.5 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.06)] transition-colors"
@@ -1941,8 +1968,11 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                 Hidden (not unmounted) when Script Builder tab is active so
                 scroll position and input state are preserved. */}
             <div className={cn('flex-1 min-h-0 flex flex-col', chatTab !== 'chat' && 'hidden')}>
-            {/* Messages */}
-            <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto px-4 sm:px-6 py-4 space-y-4">
+            {/* Messages — scroll container is full width (so the scrollbar lives at
+                the chat-column edge) but content is centered to max-w-3xl to match
+                the composer below, giving the column a single anchor. */}
+            <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto px-4 sm:px-6 py-4">
+              <div className="max-w-3xl mx-auto space-y-4">
               {messages.length === 0 && !loading && (
                 <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-full text-center">
                   <div className="w-16 h-16 rounded-full bg-accent-dim flex items-center justify-center mb-4">
@@ -1957,26 +1987,41 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                   </p>
                 </div>
               )}
-              {messages.map((msg, i) => (
-                <ChatMessage
-                  key={i}
-                  role={msg.role}
-                  content={msg.content}
-                  suggestedFlows={msg.suggestedFlows}
-                  imageUrls={msg.imageUrls}
-                />
-              ))}
+              {(() => {
+                // Action emphasis is shown on the *current* turn only — i.e. the
+                // latest assistant message when active items are pending and the
+                // magic-moment hero has dismissed. The TaskLane remains the
+                // canonical list; this is just an inline cue.
+                let lastAssistantIdx = -1
+                for (let i = messages.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
+                  if (messages[i].role === 'assistant') { lastAssistantIdx = i; break }
+                }
+                const showActionEmphasis = magicState === 'dismissed'
+                  && (activeQuestions.length + activeActions.length) > 0
+                const turnActionCount = activeQuestions.length + activeActions.length
+                return messages.map((msg, i) => (
+                  <ChatMessage
+                    key={i}
+                    role={msg.role}
+                    content={msg.content}
+                    suggestedFlows={msg.suggestedFlows}
+                    imageUrls={msg.imageUrls}
+                    actionCount={i === lastAssistantIdx && showActionEmphasis ? turnActionCount : undefined}
+                  />
+                ))
+              })()}
               {loading && (
                 <div className="flex gap-3">
                   <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-full bg-primary/15 flex items-center justify-center">
                     <Sparkles size={14} className="text-primary" />
                   </div>
-                  <div className="bg-input border border-border rounded-2xl px-4 py-3">
+                  <div className="bg-input border border-border rounded-xl px-4 py-3">
                     <Loader2 size={16} className="animate-spin text-primary" />
                   </div>
                 </div>
               )}
               <div ref={messagesEndRef} />
+              </div>
             </div>
 
             {/* Phase 8: ProposalBanner — mounted above the composer */}
@@ -1997,8 +2042,9 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
 
             {/* Phase 9: InlineNoTemplateDialog — drafted-script evaluation case,
                 rendered in the chat region above the composer so all three
-                option cards fit side-by-side without the TaskLane's narrow width. */}
-            {scriptPanelOpen && activeFix && activeChatId && !activeFix.script_template_id && activeFix.ai_drafted_script && (
+                option cards fit side-by-side without the TaskLane's narrow width.
+                Hidden when the banner is collapsed: the two surfaces are linked. */}
+            {scriptPanelOpen && !bannerCollapsed && activeFix && activeChatId && !activeFix.script_template_id && activeFix.ai_drafted_script && (
               <InlineNoTemplateDialog
                 fix={activeFix}
                 onClose={() => setScriptPanelOpen(false)}
@@ -2007,143 +2053,6 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
               />
             )}
 
-            {/* Task-lane shortcut chips: visible after the magic-moment
-                dissolves when the task lane has loaded items. Each card
-                links directly to the corresponding diagnostic card in the
-                task lane — clicking opens the lane (if closed) and scrolls
-                to that card. Sourced from actual task lane items, not the
-                AI's free-text suggested_steps, so the card the user lands
-                on has full detail (description, command, etc.). */}
-            {!chipsHidden &&
-              (activeActions.length > 0 || activeQuestions.length > 0) &&
-              magicState === 'dismissed' && (() => {
-                const chipItems = [
-                  ...activeActions.slice(0, 4).map((a, ai) => ({
-                    label: a.label,
-                    cardIdx: activeQuestions.length + ai,
-                    description: a.description,
-                    command: a.command ?? null,
-                    type: 'action' as const,
-                  })),
-                  ...activeQuestions.slice(0, Math.max(0, 4 - Math.min(activeActions.length, 4))).map((q, qi) => ({
-                    label: q.text,
-                    cardIdx: qi,
-                    description: q.context ?? null,
-                    command: null,
-                    type: 'question' as const,
-                  })),
-                ]
-                const selectedChip = chipItems.find(c => c.cardIdx === selectedChipCardIdx) ?? null
-                return (
-                  <div className="px-3 sm:px-6 pt-2 pb-0.5 shrink-0">
-                    <div className="max-w-3xl mx-auto">
-                      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-1.5">
-                        <p className="font-sans text-[0.625rem] uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
-                          Suggested checks
-                        </p>
-                        <button
-                          type="button"
-                          onClick={() => { setChipsHidden(true); setSelectedChipCardIdx(null) }}
-                          aria-label="Hide suggestions"
-                          className="p-0.5 rounded text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-elevated transition-colors"
-                        >
-                          <X size={11} />
-                        </button>
-                      </div>
-
-                      {/* Inline detail card — shown when a chip is selected */}
-                      {selectedChip && (
-                        <div className="mb-2 rounded-lg border border-default bg-card p-3 animate-fade-in">
-                          <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-2 mb-1.5">
-                            <span className="text-[0.8125rem] font-medium text-heading leading-snug">{selectedChip.label}</span>
-                            <button
-                              onClick={() => setSelectedChipCardIdx(null)}
-                              className="shrink-0 p-0.5 rounded text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground transition-colors"
-                              aria-label="Close detail"
-                            >
-                              <X size={12} />
-                            </button>
-                          </div>
-                          {selectedChip.description && (
-                            <p className="text-[0.6875rem] text-muted-foreground mb-2 leading-relaxed">{selectedChip.description}</p>
-                          )}
-                          {selectedChip.command && (
-                            <div className="rounded-md bg-code border border-default/50 px-3 py-2 flex items-start gap-2 mb-2.5">
-                              <code className="flex-1 text-[0.75rem] font-mono text-heading whitespace-pre-wrap break-all leading-relaxed">{selectedChip.command}</code>
-                              <button
-                                onClick={async () => {
-                                  try {
-                                    await navigator.clipboard.writeText(selectedChip.command!)
-                                  } catch {
-                                    try {
-                                      const el = document.createElement('textarea')
-                                      el.value = selectedChip.command!
-                                      el.style.cssText = 'position:fixed;opacity:0;pointer-events:none'
-                                      document.body.appendChild(el)
-                                      el.select()
-                                      document.execCommand('copy')
-                                      document.body.removeChild(el)
-                                    } catch { return }
-                                  }
-                                  setCopiedChipCmd(true)
-                                  setTimeout(() => setCopiedChipCmd(false), 1500)
-                                }}
-                                className="shrink-0 p-1 rounded text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading hover:bg-elevated transition-colors mt-0.5"
-                                title={copiedChipCmd ? 'Copied!' : 'Copy command'}
-                              >
-                                {copiedChipCmd
-                                  ? <Check size={13} className="text-success" />
-                                  : <Copy size={13} />
-                                }
-                              </button>
-                            </div>
-                          )}
-                          <button
-                            onClick={() => {
-                              setSelectedChipCardIdx(null)
-                              if (!showTaskLane) setShowTaskLane(true)
-                              const el = document.getElementById(`task-lane-card-${selectedChip.cardIdx}`)
-                              if (el) {
-                                setTimeout(() => el.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' }), showTaskLane ? 0 : 200)
-                              }
-                            }}
-                            className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[0.75rem] font-medium text-accent-text hover:text-accent transition-colors"
-                          >
-                            <ArrowRight size={11} />
-                            Open in Tasks panel
-                          </button>
-                        </div>
-                      )}
-
-                      <div className="flex gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1" style={{ scrollbarWidth: 'none' }}>
-                        {chipItems.map((item) => {
-                          const isSelected = item.cardIdx === selectedChipCardIdx
-                          return (
-                            <button
-                              key={item.cardIdx}
-                              type="button"
-                              onClick={() => {
-                                setCopiedChipCmd(false)
-                                setSelectedChipCardIdx(isSelected ? null : item.cardIdx)
-                              }}
-                              className={cn(
-                                'flex items-start gap-2 rounded-lg border px-3 py-2.5 text-left transition-colors shrink-0 w-[172px]',
-                                isSelected
-                                  ? 'border-accent/50 bg-accent-dim'
-                                  : 'border-default bg-card hover:bg-accent-dim hover:border-accent/30',
-                              )}
-                            >
-                              <ArrowRight size={12} className="text-accent-text shrink-0 mt-0.5" />
-                              <span className="text-xs text-foreground line-clamp-2 leading-snug">{item.label}</span>
-                            </button>
-                          )
-                        })}
-                      </div>
-                    </div>
-                  </div>
-                )
-              })()}
-
             {/* Rich Input */}
             <div className="px-3 sm:px-6 py-3 shrink-0">
               <div
@@ -2191,7 +2100,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                           {upload.preview ? (
                             <img src={upload.preview} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
                           ) : (
-                            <div className="w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center text-[0.5rem] text-muted-foreground px-1 text-center">
+                            <div className="w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center text-[0.625rem] text-muted-foreground px-1 text-center">
                               {upload.file.name.split('.').pop()?.toUpperCase()}
                             </div>
                           )}
@@ -2359,6 +2268,8 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                 loading={loading}
                 whatWeKnowSlot={
                   <WhatWeKnow
+                    key={activeChatId ?? 'no-session'}
+                    sessionId={activeChatId}
                     facts={facts}
                     onAddNote={handleAddNote}
                     onUpdateFact={handleUpdateFact}
@@ -2368,7 +2279,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                 }
                 bottomSlot={
                   <>
-                    {scriptPanelOpen && activeFix && activeChatId && activeFix.script_template_id && (
+                    {scriptPanelOpen && !bannerCollapsed && activeFix && activeChatId && activeFix.script_template_id && (
                       <TemplateMatchPanel
                         fix={activeFix}
                         sessionId={activeChatId}
@@ -2380,7 +2291,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                       <button
                         onClick={() => handleOpenPreview('resolve')}
                         className={cn(
-                          'flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium transition-colors',
+                          'flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium transition-colors',
                           previewKind === 'resolve'
                             ? 'text-success'
                             : 'text-accent-text hover:text-heading',
@@ -2392,7 +2303,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                       <button
                         onClick={() => handleOpenPreview('escalate')}
                         className={cn(
-                          'flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium transition-colors',
+                          'flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium transition-colors',
                           previewKind === 'escalate'
                             ? 'text-warning'
                             : 'text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading',
@@ -2430,6 +2341,8 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
           loading={loading}
           whatWeKnowSlot={
             <WhatWeKnow
+              key={activeChatId ?? 'no-session'}
+              sessionId={activeChatId}
               facts={facts}
               onAddNote={handleAddNote}
               onUpdateFact={handleUpdateFact}
@@ -2439,7 +2352,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
           }
           bottomSlot={
             <>
-              {scriptPanelOpen && activeFix && activeChatId && activeFix.script_template_id && (
+              {scriptPanelOpen && !bannerCollapsed && activeFix && activeChatId && activeFix.script_template_id && (
                 <TemplateMatchPanel
                   fix={activeFix}
                   sessionId={activeChatId}
@@ -2451,7 +2364,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                 <button
                   onClick={() => handleOpenPreview('resolve')}
                   className={cn(
-                    'flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium transition-colors',
+                    'flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium transition-colors',
                     previewKind === 'resolve'
                       ? 'text-success'
                       : 'text-accent-text hover:text-heading',
@@ -2463,7 +2376,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
                 <button
                   onClick={() => handleOpenPreview('escalate')}
                   className={cn(
-                    'flex items-center gap-1.5 text-[0.75rem] font-medium transition-colors',
+                    'flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium transition-colors',
                     previewKind === 'escalate'
                       ? 'text-warning'
                       : 'text-muted-foreground hover:text-heading',
@@ -2561,7 +2474,7 @@ export default function AssistantChatPage() {
       {/* Handoff context overlay — re-opened from the toolbar */}
       {overlayHandoff && (
         <div
-          className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-start justify-center overflow-y-auto bg-black/60 backdrop-blur-sm p-4 sm:p-8 animate-fade-in"
+          className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-start justify-center overflow-y-auto bg-black/70 p-4 sm:p-8 animate-fade-in"
           onClick={(e) => {
             if (e.target === e.currentTarget) setOverlayHandoff(null)
           }}