diff --git a/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs b/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
index bf6cda9c..de99ddc8 100644
--- a/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
+++ b/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
@@ -13,15 +13,31 @@ use managed_agents::{
     find_managed_agent_mut, kill_stale_tracked_processes, load_managed_agents, save_managed_agents,
     start_managed_agent_process, sync_managed_agent_processes, BackendKind, ManagedAgentProcess,
 };
+use std::sync::{
+    atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering},
+    Arc,
+};
 use tauri::{http, Manager, RunEvent};
 use tauri_plugin_window_state::StateFlags;
 
-fn restore_managed_agents_on_launch(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<(), String> {
+fn restore_managed_agents_on_launch(
+    app: &tauri::AppHandle,
+    shutdown_started: &AtomicBool,
+) -> Result<(), String> {
+    if shutdown_started.load(Ordering::SeqCst) {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
     let state = app.state::<AppState>();
     let _store_guard = state
         .managed_agents_store_lock
         .lock()
         .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
+
+    if shutdown_started.load(Ordering::SeqCst) {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
     let mut records = load_managed_agents(app)?;
     let mut runtimes = state
         .managed_agent_processes
@@ -46,6 +62,10 @@ fn restore_managed_agents_on_launch(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<(), String
         .collect::<Vec<_>>();
 
     for pubkey in pubkeys_to_restore {
+        if shutdown_started.load(Ordering::SeqCst) {
+            break;
+        }
+
         let record = find_managed_agent_mut(&mut records, &pubkey)?;
         match start_managed_agent_process(app, record, &mut runtimes) {
             Ok(()) => {
@@ -275,6 +295,8 @@ pub fn run() {
         builder.plugin(tauri_plugin_updater::Builder::new().build())
     };
 
+    let shutdown_started = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
+    let restore_shutdown_started = Arc::clone(&shutdown_started);
     let app = builder
         .register_asynchronous_uri_scheme_protocol("sprout-media", |ctx, request, responder| {
             let app = ctx.app_handle().clone();
@@ -284,8 +306,9 @@ pub fn run() {
             });
         })
         .manage(build_app_state())
-        .setup(|app| {
+        .setup(move |app| {
             let app_handle = app.handle().clone();
+            let shutdown_started = Arc::clone(&restore_shutdown_started);
 
             // Migrate data from the legacy `com.wesb.sprout` directory before
             // resolving identity, so the persisted key is available at the new
@@ -300,9 +323,15 @@ pub fn run() {
             resolve_persisted_identity(&app_handle, &state)
                 .map_err(|e| -> Box<dyn std::error::Error> { e.into() })?;
 
-            if let Err(error) = restore_managed_agents_on_launch(&app_handle) {
-                eprintln!("sprout-desktop: failed to restore managed agents: {error}");
-            }
+            // Keep launch-time agent restoration off the synchronous setup path
+            // so the frontend can mount and reveal the window promptly.
+            tauri::async_runtime::spawn_blocking(move || {
+                if let Err(error) =
+                    restore_managed_agents_on_launch(&app_handle, shutdown_started.as_ref())
+                {
+                    eprintln!("sprout-desktop: failed to restore managed agents: {error}");
+                }
+            });
 
             Ok(())
         })
@@ -394,10 +423,11 @@ pub fn run() {
         .build(tauri::generate_context!())
         .expect("error while building tauri application");
 
-    let shutdown_done = std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false);
+    let shutdown_done = AtomicBool::new(false);
     app.run(move |app_handle, event| match event {
         RunEvent::ExitRequested { .. } | RunEvent::Exit => {
-            if !shutdown_done.swap(true, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::SeqCst) {
+            shutdown_started.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+            if !shutdown_done.swap(true, Ordering::SeqCst) {
                 if let Err(error) = shutdown_managed_agents(app_handle) {
                     eprintln!("sprout-desktop: failed to stop managed agents: {error}");
                 }
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/App.tsx b/desktop/src/app/App.tsx
index 048ad529..7e3e512a 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/App.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/App.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import { getCurrentWindow } from "@tauri-apps/api/window";
-import { useEffect } from "react";
+import { useLayoutEffect } from "react";
 
 import { AppShell } from "@/app/AppShell";
 
 export function App() {
-  useEffect(() => {
-    getCurrentWindow().show();
+  useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    void getCurrentWindow().show();
   }, []);
 
   return <AppShell />;
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx b/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
index cdb311ab..1ab560c1 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
@@ -1,73 +1,61 @@
 import * as React from "react";
 import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 
-import { ChannelPane } from "@/app/ChannelPane";
-import { useActiveChannelHeader } from "@/app/useActiveChannelHeader";
-import { useChannelPaneHandlers } from "@/app/useChannelPaneHandlers";
-import { AgentsView } from "@/features/agents/ui/AgentsView";
-import { ForumView } from "@/features/forum/ui/ForumView";
-import { WorkflowsView } from "@/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsView";
-import { ChatHeader } from "@/features/chat/ui/ChatHeader";
+import {
+  AppShellOverlays,
+  type BrowseDialogType,
+} from "@/app/AppShellOverlays";
+import { useWebviewZoomShortcuts } from "@/app/useWebviewZoomShortcuts";
 import {
   channelsQueryKey,
+  useChannelsQuery,
   useCreateChannelMutation,
   useHideDmMutation,
   useOpenDmMutation,
-  useChannelsQuery,
   useSelectedChannel,
 } from "@/features/channels/hooks";
 import { useUnreadChannels } from "@/features/channels/useUnreadChannels";
-import { ChannelMembersBar } from "@/features/channels/ui/ChannelMembersBar";
-import { ChannelManagementSheet } from "@/features/channels/ui/ChannelManagementSheet";
-import { HomeView } from "@/features/home/ui/HomeView";
-import {
-  useChannelMessagesQuery,
-  mergeMessages,
-  useDeleteMessageMutation,
-  useEditMessageMutation,
-  useSendMessageMutation,
-  useChannelSubscription,
-  useToggleReactionMutation,
-} from "@/features/messages/hooks";
-import { channelMessagesKey } from "@/features/messages/lib/messageQueryKeys";
-import { useFetchOlderMessages } from "@/features/messages/useFetchOlderMessages";
-import {
-  collectMessageAuthorPubkeys,
-  formatTimelineMessages,
-} from "@/features/messages/lib/formatTimelineMessages";
-import { useChannelTyping } from "@/features/messages/useChannelTyping";
-import {
-  getChannelIdFromTags,
-  getThreadReference,
-} from "@/features/messages/lib/threading";
-import { usePresenceSession } from "@/features/presence/hooks";
-import { PresenceBadge } from "@/features/presence/ui/PresenceBadge";
+import { HomeScreen } from "@/features/home/ui/HomeScreen";
 import { useHomeFeedNotifications } from "@/features/notifications/hooks";
-import { useProfileQuery, useUsersBatchQuery } from "@/features/profile/hooks";
-import { mergeCurrentProfileIntoLookup } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
-import { ChannelBrowserDialog } from "@/features/channels/ui/ChannelBrowserDialog";
-import { SearchDialog } from "@/features/search/ui/SearchDialog";
-import {
-  DEFAULT_SETTINGS_SECTION,
-  SettingsView,
-  type SettingsSection,
-} from "@/features/settings/ui/SettingsView";
+import { usePresenceSession } from "@/features/presence/hooks";
+import { useProfileQuery } from "@/features/profile/hooks";
+import type { SettingsSection } from "@/features/settings/ui/SettingsPanels";
 import { AppSidebar } from "@/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar";
 import { relayClient } from "@/shared/api/relayClient";
-import { getEventById, joinChannel } from "@/shared/api/tauri";
 import { useIdentityQuery } from "@/shared/api/hooks";
+import { getEventById, joinChannel } from "@/shared/api/tauri";
 import type { Channel, RelayEvent, SearchHit } from "@/shared/api/types";
 import { ChannelNavigationProvider } from "@/shared/context/ChannelNavigationContext";
+import { ViewLoadingFallback } from "@/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback";
 import {
   SidebarInset,
   SidebarProvider,
   SidebarTrigger,
 } from "@/shared/ui/sidebar";
-import { useWebviewZoomShortcuts } from "@/app/useWebviewZoomShortcuts";
 
 type AppView = "home" | "channel" | "agents" | "workflows";
+const DEFAULT_SETTINGS_SECTION: SettingsSection = "profile";
+
+const AgentsScreen = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/agents/ui/AgentsScreen");
+  return { default: module.AgentsScreen };
+});
+const ChannelScreen = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen");
+  return { default: module.ChannelScreen };
+});
+const SettingsScreen = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/settings/ui/SettingsScreen");
+  return { default: module.SettingsScreen };
+});
+const WorkflowsScreen = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsScreen");
+  return { default: module.WorkflowsScreen };
+});
+
 export function AppShell() {
   useWebviewZoomShortcuts();
+
   const [selectedView, setSelectedView] = React.useState<AppView>("home");
   const [settingsOpen, setSettingsOpen] = React.useState(false);
   const [settingsSection, setSettingsSection] = React.useState<SettingsSection>(
@@ -76,12 +64,8 @@ export function AppShell() {
   const [isChannelManagementOpen, setIsChannelManagementOpen] =
     React.useState(false);
   const [isSearchOpen, setIsSearchOpen] = React.useState(false);
-  const [browseDialogType, setBrowseDialogType] = React.useState<
-    "stream" | "forum" | null
-  >(null);
-  const handleBrowseDialogOpenChange = React.useCallback((open: boolean) => {
-    setBrowseDialogType(open ? "stream" : null);
-  }, []);
+  const [browseDialogType, setBrowseDialogType] =
+    React.useState<BrowseDialogType>(null);
   const [searchAnchor, setSearchAnchor] = React.useState<SearchHit | null>(
     null,
   );
@@ -90,14 +74,14 @@ export function AppShell() {
   >(null);
   const [searchAnchorEvent, setSearchAnchorEvent] =
     React.useState<RelayEvent | null>(null);
-  const [replyTargetId, setReplyTargetId] = React.useState<string | null>(null);
-  const [editTargetId, setEditTargetId] = React.useState<string | null>(null);
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+
   const selectView = React.useCallback((view: AppView) => {
     React.startTransition(() => {
       setSelectedView(view);
     });
   }, []);
+
   const identityQuery = useIdentityQuery();
   const profileQuery = useProfileQuery();
   const presenceSession = usePresenceSession(identityQuery.data?.pubkey);
@@ -109,6 +93,7 @@ export function AppShell() {
   const refetchHomeFeedOnLiveMention = React.useEffectEvent(() => {
     void homeFeedQuery.refetch();
   });
+
   const channelsQuery = useChannelsQuery();
   const { refetch: refetchChannels } = channelsQuery;
   const channels = channelsQuery.data ?? [];
@@ -116,181 +101,51 @@ export function AppShell() {
     () => channels.filter((channel) => channel.isMember),
     [channels],
   );
+  const availableChannelIds = React.useMemo(
+    () => new Set(channels.map((channel) => channel.id)),
+    [channels],
+  );
   const { selectedChannel, setSelectedChannelId } = useSelectedChannel(
     channels,
     null,
   );
-  const createChannelMutation = useCreateChannelMutation();
-  const createForumMutation = useCreateChannelMutation();
-  const openDmMutation = useOpenDmMutation();
-  const hideDmMutation = useHideDmMutation();
   const activeChannel = selectedView === "channel" ? selectedChannel : null;
-  const activeChannelId = activeChannel?.id ?? null;
-  const messagesQuery = useChannelMessagesQuery(activeChannel);
-  useChannelSubscription(activeChannel);
-  const { fetchOlder, isFetchingOlder, hasOlderMessages } =
-    useFetchOlderMessages(activeChannel);
-  const latestActiveMessage =
-    messagesQuery.data?.[messagesQuery.data.length - 1];
-  const activeReadAt = latestActiveMessage
-    ? new Date(latestActiveMessage.created_at * 1_000).toISOString()
-    : (activeChannel?.lastMessageAt ?? null);
-  const { unreadChannelIds } = useUnreadChannels(
+
+  const { markChannelRead, unreadChannelIds } = useUnreadChannels(
     channels,
     activeChannel,
-    activeReadAt,
+    // Wait for ChannelScreen to report the latest loaded message before
+    // advancing unread state for the active channel.
+    null,
     {
       currentPubkey: identityQuery.data?.pubkey,
       onLiveMention: refetchHomeFeedOnLiveMention,
     },
   );
-  const { activeChannelTitle, activeDmPresenceStatus } = useActiveChannelHeader(
-    activeChannel,
-    identityQuery.data?.pubkey,
-  );
-  const sendMessageMutation = useSendMessageMutation(
-    activeChannel,
-    identityQuery.data,
-  );
-  const toggleReactionMutation = useToggleReactionMutation();
-  const deleteMessageMutation = useDeleteMessageMutation(activeChannel);
-  const editMessageMutation = useEditMessageMutation(activeChannel);
-  const availableChannelIds = React.useMemo(
-    () => new Set(channels.map((channel) => channel.id)),
-    [channels],
-  );
-  const resolvedMessages = React.useMemo(() => {
-    const currentMessages = messagesQuery.data ?? [];
-
-    if (
-      !activeChannel ||
-      !searchAnchorEvent ||
-      searchAnchorChannelId !== activeChannel.id
-    ) {
-      return currentMessages;
-    }
 
-    return mergeMessages(currentMessages, searchAnchorEvent);
-  }, [
-    activeChannel,
-    messagesQuery.data,
-    searchAnchorChannelId,
-    searchAnchorEvent,
-  ]);
-  const messageAuthorPubkeys = React.useMemo(
-    () => collectMessageAuthorPubkeys(resolvedMessages),
-    [resolvedMessages],
-  );
-  const latestMessageEvent = React.useMemo(
-    () => resolvedMessages[resolvedMessages.length - 1] ?? null,
-    [resolvedMessages],
-  );
-  const typingPubkeys = useChannelTyping(
-    activeChannel,
-    identityQuery.data?.pubkey,
-    latestMessageEvent,
-  );
-  const messageProfilePubkeys = React.useMemo(
-    () => [...new Set([...messageAuthorPubkeys, ...typingPubkeys])],
-    [messageAuthorPubkeys, typingPubkeys],
-  );
-  const messageProfilesQuery = useUsersBatchQuery(messageProfilePubkeys, {
-    enabled: messageProfilePubkeys.length > 0,
-  });
-  const messageProfiles = React.useMemo(
-    () =>
-      mergeCurrentProfileIntoLookup(
-        messageProfilesQuery.data?.profiles,
-        profileQuery.data,
-      ),
-    [messageProfilesQuery.data?.profiles, profileQuery.data],
-  );
-  const timelineMessages = React.useMemo(
-    () =>
-      formatTimelineMessages(
-        resolvedMessages,
-        activeChannel,
-        identityQuery.data?.pubkey,
-        profileQuery.data?.avatarUrl ?? null,
-        messageProfiles,
-      ),
-    [
-      activeChannel,
-      identityQuery.data?.pubkey,
-      messageProfiles,
-      profileQuery.data?.avatarUrl,
-      resolvedMessages,
-    ],
-  );
-  const replyTargetMessage = React.useMemo(
-    () =>
-      timelineMessages.find((message) => message.id === replyTargetId) ?? null,
-    [replyTargetId, timelineMessages],
-  );
-  const editTargetMessage = React.useMemo(
-    () =>
-      timelineMessages.find((message) => message.id === editTargetId) ?? null,
-    [editTargetId, timelineMessages],
-  );
-
-  const {
-    handleCancelEdit,
-    handleCancelReply,
-    handleDelete,
-    handleEdit,
-    handleEditSave,
-    handleReply,
-    handleSend,
-    handleToggleReaction,
-  } = useChannelPaneHandlers({
-    deleteMessageMutation,
-    editMessageMutation,
-    editTargetId,
-    replyTargetId,
-    sendMessageMutation,
-    setEditTargetId,
-    setReplyTargetId,
-    toggleReactionMutation,
-  });
+  const createChannelMutation = useCreateChannelMutation();
+  const createForumMutation = useCreateChannelMutation();
+  const openDmMutation = useOpenDmMutation();
+  const hideDmMutation = useHideDmMutation();
+  const handleOpenBrowseChannels = React.useCallback(() => {
+    setBrowseDialogType("stream");
+    void refetchChannels();
+  }, [refetchChannels]);
+  const handleOpenBrowseForums = React.useCallback(() => {
+    setBrowseDialogType("forum");
+    void refetchChannels();
+  }, [refetchChannels]);
+  const handleOpenSearch = React.useCallback(() => {
+    setIsSearchOpen(true);
+    void refetchChannels();
+  }, [refetchChannels]);
 
-  const handleTargetReached = React.useCallback((messageId: string) => {
-    setSearchAnchor((current) =>
-      current?.eventId === messageId ? null : current,
-    );
+  const handleBrowseDialogOpenChange = React.useCallback((open: boolean) => {
+    if (!open) {
+      setBrowseDialogType(null);
+    }
   }, []);
 
-  const canReact = activeChannel !== null && activeChannel.archivedAt === null;
-  const effectiveToggleReaction = React.useMemo(
-    () => (canReact ? handleToggleReaction : undefined),
-    [canReact, handleToggleReaction],
-  );
-
-  const channelDescription = activeChannel
-    ? [
-        activeChannel.archivedAt ? "Archived." : null,
-        !activeChannel.isMember
-          ? "Read-only until you join this open channel."
-          : null,
-        activeChannel.topic,
-        activeChannel.description,
-        activeChannel.purpose,
-        null,
-      ]
-        .filter((value) => value && value.trim().length > 0)
-        .join(" ") || "Channel details and activity."
-    : "Connect to the relay to browse channels and read messages.";
-  const shouldLoadTimeline =
-    activeChannel !== null && activeChannel.channelType !== "forum";
-  const isTimelineLoading =
-    shouldLoadTimeline &&
-    (messagesQuery.isPending ||
-      (messagesQuery.isFetching && resolvedMessages.length === 0));
-
-  const requestedAncestorIdsRef = React.useRef<Set<string>>(new Set());
-  const previousActiveChannelIdRef = React.useRef<string | null>(
-    activeChannelId,
-  );
-
   const resolveChannel = React.useCallback(
     async (channelId: string): Promise<Channel | null> => {
       const cachedChannels =
@@ -311,6 +166,7 @@ export function AppShell() {
     },
     [channels, queryClient, refetchChannels],
   );
+
   const openChannelView = React.useCallback(
     (channelId: string) => {
       React.startTransition(() => {
@@ -351,9 +207,9 @@ export function AppShell() {
       try {
         await hideDmMutation.mutateAsync(channelId);
       } catch {
-        // Optimistic rollback handled by onError in the mutation hook.
         return;
       }
+
       if (selectedChannel?.id === channelId) {
         selectView("home");
       }
@@ -375,6 +231,12 @@ export function AppShell() {
     setSettingsOpen(false);
   }, []);
 
+  const handleTargetReached = React.useCallback((messageId: string) => {
+    setSearchAnchor((current) =>
+      current?.eventId === messageId ? null : current,
+    );
+  }, []);
+
   const handleOpenSearchResult = React.useCallback(
     (hit: SearchHit) => {
       setSearchAnchor(hit);
@@ -424,101 +286,37 @@ export function AppShell() {
       isCancelled = true;
     };
   }, []);
-  React.useEffect(() => {
-    if (previousActiveChannelIdRef.current === activeChannelId) {
-      return;
-    }
-    previousActiveChannelIdRef.current = activeChannelId;
-    setReplyTargetId(null);
-    requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.clear();
-  }, [activeChannelId]);
-  React.useEffect(() => {
-    if (replyTargetId && !replyTargetMessage) {
-      setReplyTargetId(null);
-    }
-    if (editTargetId && !editTargetMessage) {
-      setEditTargetId(null);
-    }
-  }, [editTargetId, editTargetMessage, replyTargetId, replyTargetMessage]);
-  React.useEffect(() => {
-    if (!activeChannel || activeChannel.channelType === "forum") {
+
+  React.useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    if (settingsOpen) {
       return;
     }
 
-    const knownEvents = new Map(
-      resolvedMessages.map((message) => [message.id, message]),
-    );
-    const missingAncestorIds = new Set<string>();
-
-    for (const message of resolvedMessages) {
-      const thread = getThreadReference(message.tags);
-
-      for (const eventId of [thread.parentId, thread.rootId]) {
-        if (
-          !eventId ||
-          knownEvents.has(eventId) ||
-          requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.has(eventId)
-        ) {
-          continue;
-        }
-
-        missingAncestorIds.add(eventId);
+    function handleKeyDown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
+      if (!(event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey) || event.altKey) {
+        return;
       }
-    }
 
-    if (missingAncestorIds.size === 0) {
-      return;
-    }
-
-    for (const eventId of missingAncestorIds) {
-      requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.add(eventId);
-    }
+      const key = event.key.toLowerCase();
+      if (key === "k" && !event.shiftKey) {
+        event.preventDefault();
+        handleOpenSearch();
+        return;
+      }
 
-    // Prevent unbounded growth — evict oldest entries when the set exceeds
-    // a reasonable size. Since Set iteration is insertion-ordered we drop
-    // the first (oldest) entries.
-    const MAX_REQUESTED_ANCESTORS = 500;
-    if (requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.size > MAX_REQUESTED_ANCESTORS) {
-      const excess =
-        requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.size - MAX_REQUESTED_ANCESTORS;
-      let removed = 0;
-      for (const id of requestedAncestorIdsRef.current) {
-        if (removed >= excess) break;
-        requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.delete(id);
-        removed++;
+      if (key === "o" && event.shiftKey) {
+        event.preventDefault();
+        handleOpenBrowseChannels();
       }
     }
 
-    let isCancelled = false;
-
-    void Promise.all(
-      [...missingAncestorIds].map(async (eventId) => {
-        try {
-          const event = await getEventById(eventId);
-
-          if (
-            isCancelled ||
-            getChannelIdFromTags(event.tags) !== activeChannel.id
-          ) {
-            return;
-          }
-
-          queryClient.setQueryData<RelayEvent[]>(
-            channelMessagesKey(activeChannel.id),
-            (current = []) => mergeMessages(current, event),
-          );
-        } catch (error) {
-          console.error("Failed to load ancestor event", eventId, error);
-        }
-      }),
-    );
-
+    window.addEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
     return () => {
-      isCancelled = true;
+      window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
     };
-  }, [activeChannel, queryClient, resolvedMessages]);
+  }, [handleOpenBrowseChannels, handleOpenSearch, settingsOpen]);
 
-  React.useEffect(() => {
+  React.useLayoutEffect(() => {
     function handleKeyDown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
       const isSettingsShortcut =
         (event.key === "," || event.code === "Comma") &&
@@ -566,6 +364,7 @@ export function AppShell() {
           isCreatingForum={createForumMutation.isPending}
           isLoading={channelsQuery.isLoading}
           isOpeningDm={openDmMutation.isPending}
+          isPresencePending={presenceSession.isPending}
           selfPresenceStatus={presenceSession.currentStatus}
           onCreateChannel={async ({ description, name, visibility }) => {
             const createdChannel = await createChannelMutation.mutateAsync({
@@ -587,35 +386,24 @@ export function AppShell() {
 
             openChannelView(createdForum.id);
           }}
-          onOpenBrowseChannels={() => {
-            setBrowseDialogType("stream");
-            void refetchChannels();
-          }}
-          onOpenBrowseForums={() => {
-            setBrowseDialogType("forum");
-            void refetchChannels();
-          }}
-          onOpenSearch={() => {
-            setIsSearchOpen(true);
-            void refetchChannels();
-          }}
           onHideDm={handleHideDm}
+          onOpenBrowseChannels={handleOpenBrowseChannels}
+          onOpenBrowseForums={handleOpenBrowseForums}
           onOpenDm={async ({ pubkeys }) => {
             const directMessage = await openDmMutation.mutateAsync({
               pubkeys,
             });
             openChannelView(directMessage.id);
           }}
+          onOpenSearch={handleOpenSearch}
           onSelectAgents={() => selectView("agents")}
-          onSelectWorkflows={() => selectView("workflows")}
+          onSelectChannel={handleOpenChannel}
           onSelectHome={() => {
             selectView("home");
-            void homeFeedQuery.refetch();
           }}
-          onSelectChannel={handleOpenChannel}
           onSelectSettings={handleOpenSettings}
+          onSelectWorkflows={() => selectView("workflows")}
           onSetPresenceStatus={(status) => presenceSession.setStatus(status)}
-          isPresencePending={presenceSession.isPending}
           profile={profileQuery.data}
           selectedChannelId={selectedChannel?.id ?? null}
           selectedView={selectedView}
@@ -624,204 +412,92 @@ export function AppShell() {
 
         <SidebarInset className="min-h-0 min-w-0 overflow-hidden">
           {selectedView === "home" ? (
-            <ChatHeader
-              description="Personalized feed for mentions, reminders, channel activity, and agent work."
-              mode="home"
-              title="Home"
+            <HomeScreen
+              availableChannelIds={availableChannelIds}
+              currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
+              onOpenChannel={handleOpenChannel}
             />
           ) : selectedView === "agents" ? (
-            <ChatHeader
-              description="Create local ACP workers, mint agent tokens, and monitor the relay-visible agent directory."
-              mode="agents"
-              title="Agents"
-            />
+            <React.Suspense
+              fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading agents..." />}
+            >
+              <AgentsScreen />
+            </React.Suspense>
           ) : selectedView === "workflows" ? (
-            <ChatHeader
-              description="Create, manage, and monitor automated workflows across your channels."
-              mode="workflows"
-              title="Workflows"
-            />
+            <React.Suspense
+              fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading workflows..." />}
+            >
+              <WorkflowsScreen channels={memberChannels} />
+            </React.Suspense>
           ) : (
-            <ChatHeader
-              actions={
-                activeChannel ? (
-                  <ChannelMembersBar
-                    channel={activeChannel}
-                    currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
-                    onManageChannel={() => {
-                      setIsChannelManagementOpen(true);
-                    }}
-                  />
-                ) : null
-              }
-              channelType={activeChannel?.channelType}
-              visibility={activeChannel?.visibility}
-              description={channelDescription}
-              statusBadge={
-                activeChannel?.channelType === "dm" &&
-                activeDmPresenceStatus ? (
-                  <PresenceBadge
-                    data-testid="chat-presence-badge"
-                    status={activeDmPresenceStatus}
-                  />
-                ) : null
-              }
-              title={activeChannelTitle}
-            />
-          )}
-
-          <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
-            <div
-              className={
-                selectedView === "home"
-                  ? "flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col"
-                  : "hidden"
-              }
+            <React.Suspense
+              fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading channel..." />}
             >
-              <HomeView
-                availableChannelIds={availableChannelIds}
-                currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
-                errorMessage={
-                  homeFeedQuery.error instanceof Error
-                    ? homeFeedQuery.error.message
-                    : undefined
-                }
-                feed={homeFeedQuery.data}
-                isLoading={homeFeedQuery.isLoading}
-                onOpenChannel={handleOpenChannel}
-                onRefresh={() => {
-                  void homeFeedQuery.refetch();
+              <ChannelScreen
+                activeChannel={activeChannel}
+                currentIdentity={identityQuery.data}
+                currentProfile={profileQuery.data}
+                onManageChannel={() => {
+                  setIsChannelManagementOpen(true);
                 }}
+                onMarkChannelRead={markChannelRead}
+                onTargetReached={handleTargetReached}
+                searchAnchor={searchAnchor}
+                searchAnchorChannelId={searchAnchorChannelId}
+                searchAnchorEvent={searchAnchorEvent}
               />
-            </div>
-            <div
-              className={
-                selectedView === "agents"
-                  ? "flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col"
-                  : "hidden"
-              }
-            >
-              <AgentsView />
-            </div>
-            <div
-              className={
-                selectedView === "workflows"
-                  ? "flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col"
-                  : "hidden"
-              }
-            >
-              <WorkflowsView channels={memberChannels} />
-            </div>
-            <div
-              className={
-                selectedView !== "home" &&
-                selectedView !== "agents" &&
-                selectedView !== "workflows"
-                  ? "flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden"
-                  : "hidden"
-              }
-            >
-              {activeChannel?.channelType === "forum" ? (
-                <ForumView
-                  channel={activeChannel}
-                  currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
-                />
-              ) : (
-                <ChannelPane
-                  activeChannel={activeChannel}
-                  currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
-                  fetchOlder={fetchOlder}
-                  hasOlderMessages={hasOlderMessages}
-                  isFetchingOlder={isFetchingOlder}
-                  editTarget={
-                    editTargetMessage
-                      ? {
-                          author: editTargetMessage.author,
-                          body: editTargetMessage.body,
-                          id: editTargetMessage.id,
-                        }
-                      : null
-                  }
-                  isSending={sendMessageMutation.isPending}
-                  isTimelineLoading={isTimelineLoading}
-                  messages={timelineMessages}
-                  onCancelEdit={handleCancelEdit}
-                  onCancelReply={handleCancelReply}
-                  onDelete={handleDelete}
-                  onEdit={handleEdit}
-                  onEditSave={handleEditSave}
-                  onReply={handleReply}
-                  onSend={handleSend}
-                  onTargetReached={handleTargetReached}
-                  onToggleReaction={effectiveToggleReaction}
-                  profiles={messageProfiles}
-                  replyTargetId={replyTargetId}
-                  replyTargetMessage={replyTargetMessage}
-                  targetMessageId={
-                    activeChannel &&
-                    searchAnchor?.channelId === activeChannel.id
-                      ? searchAnchor.eventId
-                      : null
-                  }
-                  typingPubkeys={typingPubkeys}
-                />
-              )}
-            </div>
-          </div>
+            </React.Suspense>
+          )}
         </SidebarInset>
 
-        <ChannelBrowserDialog
-          channels={channels}
-          channelTypeFilter={browseDialogType ?? "stream"}
-          onJoinChannel={handleBrowseChannelJoin}
-          onOpenChange={handleBrowseDialogOpenChange}
-          onSelectChannel={handleOpenChannel}
-          open={browseDialogType !== null}
-        />
-
-        <SearchDialog
+        <AppShellOverlays
+          activeChannel={activeChannel}
+          browseDialogType={browseDialogType}
           channels={channels}
           currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
-          onOpenResult={handleOpenSearchResult}
-          onOpenChange={setIsSearchOpen}
-          open={isSearchOpen}
-        />
-
-        <ChannelManagementSheet
-          channel={activeChannel}
-          currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
-          onDeleted={() => {
+          isChannelManagementOpen={isChannelManagementOpen}
+          isSearchOpen={isSearchOpen}
+          onBrowseChannelJoin={handleBrowseChannelJoin}
+          onBrowseDialogOpenChange={handleBrowseDialogOpenChange}
+          onChannelManagementOpenChange={setIsChannelManagementOpen}
+          onDeleteActiveChannel={() => {
             setIsChannelManagementOpen(false);
             selectView("home");
           }}
-          onOpenChange={setIsChannelManagementOpen}
-          open={isChannelManagementOpen && activeChannel !== null}
+          onOpenSearchResult={handleOpenSearchResult}
+          onSearchOpenChange={setIsSearchOpen}
+          onSelectChannel={handleOpenChannel}
         />
-        {settingsOpen && (
-          <SettingsView
-            currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
-            fallbackDisplayName={identityQuery.data?.displayName}
-            isUpdatingDesktopNotifications={
-              notificationSettings.isUpdatingDesktopEnabled
-            }
-            notificationErrorMessage={notificationSettings.errorMessage}
-            notificationPermission={notificationSettings.permission}
-            notificationSettings={notificationSettings.settings}
-            onClose={handleCloseSettings}
-            onSectionChange={setSettingsSection}
-            onSetDesktopNotificationsEnabled={
-              notificationSettings.setDesktopEnabled
-            }
-            onSetHomeBadgeEnabled={notificationSettings.setHomeBadgeEnabled}
-            onSetMentionNotificationsEnabled={
-              notificationSettings.setMentionsEnabled
-            }
-            onSetNeedsActionNotificationsEnabled={
-              notificationSettings.setNeedsActionEnabled
-            }
-            section={settingsSection}
-          />
-        )}
+
+        {settingsOpen ? (
+          <React.Suspense
+            fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading settings..." />}
+          >
+            <SettingsScreen
+              currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
+              fallbackDisplayName={identityQuery.data?.displayName}
+              isUpdatingDesktopNotifications={
+                notificationSettings.isUpdatingDesktopEnabled
+              }
+              notificationErrorMessage={notificationSettings.errorMessage}
+              notificationPermission={notificationSettings.permission}
+              notificationSettings={notificationSettings.settings}
+              onClose={handleCloseSettings}
+              onSectionChange={setSettingsSection}
+              onSetDesktopNotificationsEnabled={
+                notificationSettings.setDesktopEnabled
+              }
+              onSetHomeBadgeEnabled={notificationSettings.setHomeBadgeEnabled}
+              onSetMentionNotificationsEnabled={
+                notificationSettings.setMentionsEnabled
+              }
+              onSetNeedsActionNotificationsEnabled={
+                notificationSettings.setNeedsActionEnabled
+              }
+              section={settingsSection}
+            />
+          </React.Suspense>
+        ) : null}
       </SidebarProvider>
     </ChannelNavigationProvider>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/AppShellOverlays.tsx b/desktop/src/app/AppShellOverlays.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5311271d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/app/AppShellOverlays.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+import type { Channel, SearchHit } from "@/shared/api/types";
+
+const ChannelBrowserDialog = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/channels/ui/ChannelBrowserDialog");
+  return { default: module.ChannelBrowserDialog };
+});
+
+const ChannelManagementSheet = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/channels/ui/ChannelManagementSheet");
+  return { default: module.ChannelManagementSheet };
+});
+
+const SearchDialog = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/search/ui/SearchDialog");
+  return { default: module.SearchDialog };
+});
+
+export type BrowseDialogType = "stream" | "forum" | null;
+
+type AppShellOverlaysProps = {
+  activeChannel: Channel | null;
+  browseDialogType: BrowseDialogType;
+  channels: Channel[];
+  currentPubkey?: string;
+  isChannelManagementOpen: boolean;
+  isSearchOpen: boolean;
+  onBrowseChannelJoin: (channelId: string) => Promise<void>;
+  onBrowseDialogOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+  onChannelManagementOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+  onDeleteActiveChannel: () => void;
+  onOpenSearchResult: (hit: SearchHit) => void;
+  onSearchOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+  onSelectChannel: (channelId: string) => void;
+};
+
+export function AppShellOverlays({
+  activeChannel,
+  browseDialogType,
+  channels,
+  currentPubkey,
+  isChannelManagementOpen,
+  isSearchOpen,
+  onBrowseChannelJoin,
+  onBrowseDialogOpenChange,
+  onChannelManagementOpenChange,
+  onDeleteActiveChannel,
+  onOpenSearchResult,
+  onSearchOpenChange,
+  onSelectChannel,
+}: AppShellOverlaysProps) {
+  return (
+    <>
+      {browseDialogType !== null ? (
+        <React.Suspense fallback={null}>
+          <ChannelBrowserDialog
+            channels={channels}
+            channelTypeFilter={browseDialogType}
+            onJoinChannel={onBrowseChannelJoin}
+            onOpenChange={onBrowseDialogOpenChange}
+            onSelectChannel={onSelectChannel}
+            open={true}
+          />
+        </React.Suspense>
+      ) : null}
+
+      {isSearchOpen ? (
+        <React.Suspense fallback={null}>
+          <SearchDialog
+            channels={channels}
+            currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
+            onOpenResult={onOpenSearchResult}
+            onOpenChange={onSearchOpenChange}
+            open={true}
+          />
+        </React.Suspense>
+      ) : null}
+
+      {isChannelManagementOpen && activeChannel !== null ? (
+        <React.Suspense fallback={null}>
+          <ChannelManagementSheet
+            channel={activeChannel}
+            currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
+            onDeleted={onDeleteActiveChannel}
+            onOpenChange={onChannelManagementOpenChange}
+            open={true}
+          />
+        </React.Suspense>
+      ) : null}
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/hooks.ts b/desktop/src/features/agents/hooks.ts
index fc05f0e5..3dce9f67 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/hooks.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/hooks.ts
@@ -151,8 +151,9 @@ export function useRelayAgentsQuery() {
   });
 }
 
-export function useManagedAgentsQuery() {
+export function useManagedAgentsQuery(options?: { enabled?: boolean }) {
   return useQuery({
+    enabled: options?.enabled ?? true,
     queryKey: managedAgentsQueryKey,
     queryFn: listManagedAgents,
     staleTime: 5_000,
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsScreen.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a10d394b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsScreen.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+import { ChatHeader } from "@/features/chat/ui/ChatHeader";
+import { ViewLoadingFallback } from "@/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback";
+
+const AgentsView = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/agents/ui/AgentsView");
+  return { default: module.AgentsView };
+});
+
+export function AgentsScreen() {
+  return (
+    <>
+      <ChatHeader
+        description="Create local ACP workers, mint agent tokens, and monitor the relay-visible agent directory."
+        mode="agents"
+        title="Agents"
+      />
+
+      <React.Suspense
+        fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading agents..." />}
+      >
+        <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
+          <AgentsView />
+        </div>
+      </React.Suspense>
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelBrowserDialog.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelBrowserDialog.tsx
index 2ef7d040..10f99063 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelBrowserDialog.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelBrowserDialog.tsx
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ import {
 import { Input } from "@/shared/ui/input";
 import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
 
-const BROWSE_CHANNELS_SHORTCUT_KEY = "o";
 const BROWSE_CHANNELS_SHORTCUT_HINT = "\u21E7\u2318O";
 
 function formatRelativeTime(isoString: string | null) {
@@ -141,31 +140,6 @@ export function ChannelBrowserDialog({
     [notJoined, joined],
   );
 
-  React.useEffect(() => {
-    if (isForumMode) {
-      return;
-    }
-
-    function handleKeyDown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
-      if (
-        event.key.toLowerCase() !== BROWSE_CHANNELS_SHORTCUT_KEY ||
-        !(event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey) ||
-        event.altKey ||
-        !event.shiftKey
-      ) {
-        return;
-      }
-
-      event.preventDefault();
-      onOpenChange(true);
-    }
-
-    window.addEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
-    return () => {
-      window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
-    };
-  }, [isForumMode, onOpenChange]);
-
   React.useEffect(() => {
     if (!open) {
       setQuery("");
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/ChannelPane.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.tsx
similarity index 99%
rename from desktop/src/app/ChannelPane.tsx
rename to desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.tsx
index 4c90a8c7..62550c90 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/ChannelPane.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane.tsx
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ export const ChannelPane = React.memo(function ChannelPane({
   typingPubkeys,
 }: ChannelPaneProps) {
   return (
-    <React.Fragment>
+    <>
       <MessageTimeline
         channelId={activeChannel?.id}
         activeReplyTargetId={replyTargetId}
@@ -144,6 +144,6 @@ export const ChannelPane = React.memo(function ChannelPane({
             : null
         }
       />
-    </React.Fragment>
+    </>
   );
 });
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3a66168d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,432 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+
+import { ChatHeader } from "@/features/chat/ui/ChatHeader";
+import { useActiveChannelHeader } from "@/features/channels/useActiveChannelHeader";
+import { useChannelPaneHandlers } from "@/features/channels/useChannelPaneHandlers";
+import { ChannelMembersBar } from "@/features/channels/ui/ChannelMembersBar";
+import {
+  mergeMessages,
+  useChannelMessagesQuery,
+  useChannelSubscription,
+  useDeleteMessageMutation,
+  useEditMessageMutation,
+  useSendMessageMutation,
+  useToggleReactionMutation,
+} from "@/features/messages/hooks";
+import { channelMessagesKey } from "@/features/messages/lib/messageQueryKeys";
+import {
+  collectMessageAuthorPubkeys,
+  formatTimelineMessages,
+} from "@/features/messages/lib/formatTimelineMessages";
+import {
+  getChannelIdFromTags,
+  getThreadReference,
+} from "@/features/messages/lib/threading";
+import { useFetchOlderMessages } from "@/features/messages/useFetchOlderMessages";
+import { useChannelTyping } from "@/features/messages/useChannelTyping";
+import { PresenceBadge } from "@/features/presence/ui/PresenceBadge";
+import { useUsersBatchQuery } from "@/features/profile/hooks";
+import { mergeCurrentProfileIntoLookup } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
+import { getEventById } from "@/shared/api/tauri";
+import type {
+  Channel,
+  Identity,
+  Profile,
+  RelayEvent,
+  SearchHit,
+} from "@/shared/api/types";
+import { ViewLoadingFallback } from "@/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback";
+
+const ChannelPane = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/channels/ui/ChannelPane");
+  return { default: module.ChannelPane };
+});
+
+const ForumView = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/forum/ui/ForumView");
+  return { default: module.ForumView };
+});
+
+type ChannelScreenProps = {
+  activeChannel: Channel | null;
+  currentIdentity?: Identity;
+  currentProfile?: Profile;
+  onManageChannel: () => void;
+  onMarkChannelRead: (
+    channelId: string,
+    readAt: string | null | undefined,
+  ) => void;
+  onTargetReached: (messageId: string) => void;
+  searchAnchor: SearchHit | null;
+  searchAnchorChannelId: string | null;
+  searchAnchorEvent: RelayEvent | null;
+};
+
+export function ChannelScreen({
+  activeChannel,
+  currentIdentity,
+  currentProfile,
+  onManageChannel,
+  onMarkChannelRead,
+  onTargetReached,
+  searchAnchor,
+  searchAnchorChannelId,
+  searchAnchorEvent,
+}: ChannelScreenProps) {
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  const [replyTargetId, setReplyTargetId] = React.useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [editTargetId, setEditTargetId] = React.useState<string | null>(null);
+  const currentPubkey = currentIdentity?.pubkey;
+  const activeChannelId = activeChannel?.id ?? null;
+
+  const messagesQuery = useChannelMessagesQuery(activeChannel);
+  useChannelSubscription(activeChannel);
+  const { fetchOlder, hasOlderMessages, isFetchingOlder } =
+    useFetchOlderMessages(activeChannel);
+  const latestActiveMessage =
+    messagesQuery.data?.[messagesQuery.data.length - 1] ?? null;
+  const activeReadAt = latestActiveMessage
+    ? new Date(latestActiveMessage.created_at * 1_000).toISOString()
+    : (activeChannel?.lastMessageAt ?? null);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (!activeChannelId) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    onMarkChannelRead(activeChannelId, activeReadAt);
+  }, [activeChannelId, activeReadAt, onMarkChannelRead]);
+
+  const { activeChannelTitle, activeDmPresenceStatus } = useActiveChannelHeader(
+    activeChannel,
+    currentPubkey,
+  );
+  const sendMessageMutation = useSendMessageMutation(
+    activeChannel,
+    currentIdentity,
+  );
+  const toggleReactionMutation = useToggleReactionMutation();
+  const deleteMessageMutation = useDeleteMessageMutation(activeChannel);
+  const editMessageMutation = useEditMessageMutation(activeChannel);
+
+  const resolvedMessages = React.useMemo(() => {
+    const currentMessages = messagesQuery.data ?? [];
+
+    if (
+      !activeChannel ||
+      !searchAnchorEvent ||
+      searchAnchorChannelId !== activeChannel.id
+    ) {
+      return currentMessages;
+    }
+
+    return mergeMessages(currentMessages, searchAnchorEvent);
+  }, [
+    activeChannel,
+    messagesQuery.data,
+    searchAnchorChannelId,
+    searchAnchorEvent,
+  ]);
+  const messageAuthorPubkeys = React.useMemo(
+    () => collectMessageAuthorPubkeys(resolvedMessages),
+    [resolvedMessages],
+  );
+  const latestMessageEvent = React.useMemo(
+    () => resolvedMessages[resolvedMessages.length - 1] ?? null,
+    [resolvedMessages],
+  );
+  const typingPubkeys = useChannelTyping(
+    activeChannel,
+    currentPubkey,
+    latestMessageEvent,
+  );
+  const messageProfilePubkeys = React.useMemo(
+    () => [...new Set([...messageAuthorPubkeys, ...typingPubkeys])],
+    [messageAuthorPubkeys, typingPubkeys],
+  );
+  const messageProfilesQuery = useUsersBatchQuery(messageProfilePubkeys, {
+    enabled: messageProfilePubkeys.length > 0,
+  });
+  const messageProfiles = React.useMemo(
+    () =>
+      mergeCurrentProfileIntoLookup(
+        messageProfilesQuery.data?.profiles,
+        currentProfile,
+      ),
+    [currentProfile, messageProfilesQuery.data?.profiles],
+  );
+  const timelineMessages = React.useMemo(
+    () =>
+      formatTimelineMessages(
+        resolvedMessages,
+        activeChannel,
+        currentPubkey,
+        currentProfile?.avatarUrl ?? null,
+        messageProfiles,
+      ),
+    [
+      activeChannel,
+      currentProfile?.avatarUrl,
+      currentPubkey,
+      messageProfiles,
+      resolvedMessages,
+    ],
+  );
+  const replyTargetMessage = React.useMemo(
+    () =>
+      timelineMessages.find((message) => message.id === replyTargetId) ?? null,
+    [replyTargetId, timelineMessages],
+  );
+  const editTargetMessage = React.useMemo(
+    () =>
+      timelineMessages.find((message) => message.id === editTargetId) ?? null,
+    [editTargetId, timelineMessages],
+  );
+
+  const {
+    handleCancelEdit,
+    handleCancelReply,
+    handleDelete,
+    handleEdit,
+    handleEditSave,
+    handleReply,
+    handleSend,
+    handleToggleReaction,
+  } = useChannelPaneHandlers({
+    deleteMessageMutation,
+    editMessageMutation,
+    editTargetId,
+    replyTargetId,
+    sendMessageMutation,
+    setEditTargetId,
+    setReplyTargetId,
+    toggleReactionMutation,
+  });
+
+  const canReact = activeChannel !== null && activeChannel.archivedAt === null;
+  const effectiveToggleReaction = React.useMemo(
+    () => (canReact ? handleToggleReaction : undefined),
+    [canReact, handleToggleReaction],
+  );
+
+  const channelDescription = activeChannel
+    ? [
+        activeChannel.archivedAt ? "Archived." : null,
+        !activeChannel.isMember
+          ? "Read-only until you join this open channel."
+          : null,
+        activeChannel.topic,
+        activeChannel.description,
+        activeChannel.purpose,
+        null,
+      ]
+        .filter((value) => value && value.trim().length > 0)
+        .join(" ") || "Channel details and activity."
+    : "Connect to the relay to browse channels and read messages.";
+  const shouldLoadTimeline =
+    activeChannel !== null && activeChannel.channelType !== "forum";
+  const isTimelineLoading =
+    shouldLoadTimeline &&
+    (messagesQuery.isPending ||
+      (messagesQuery.isFetching && resolvedMessages.length === 0));
+  const requestedAncestorIdsRef = React.useRef<Set<string>>(new Set());
+  const resetComposerTargets = React.useCallback(
+    (_channelId: string | null) => {
+      setReplyTargetId(null);
+      setEditTargetId(null);
+    },
+    [],
+  );
+  const resetRequestedAncestors = React.useCallback(
+    (_channelId: string | null) => {
+      requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.clear();
+    },
+    [],
+  );
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    resetComposerTargets(activeChannelId);
+  }, [activeChannelId, resetComposerTargets]);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (replyTargetId && !replyTargetMessage) {
+      setReplyTargetId(null);
+    }
+    if (editTargetId && !editTargetMessage) {
+      setEditTargetId(null);
+    }
+  }, [editTargetId, editTargetMessage, replyTargetId, replyTargetMessage]);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    resetRequestedAncestors(activeChannelId);
+  }, [activeChannelId, resetRequestedAncestors]);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (!activeChannel || activeChannel.channelType === "forum") {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const knownEvents = new Map(
+      resolvedMessages.map((message) => [message.id, message]),
+    );
+    const missingAncestorIds = new Set<string>();
+
+    for (const message of resolvedMessages) {
+      const thread = getThreadReference(message.tags);
+
+      for (const eventId of [thread.parentId, thread.rootId]) {
+        if (
+          !eventId ||
+          knownEvents.has(eventId) ||
+          requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.has(eventId)
+        ) {
+          continue;
+        }
+
+        missingAncestorIds.add(eventId);
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (missingAncestorIds.size === 0) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    for (const eventId of missingAncestorIds) {
+      requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.add(eventId);
+    }
+
+    const maxRequestedAncestors = 500;
+    if (requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.size > maxRequestedAncestors) {
+      const excess =
+        requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.size - maxRequestedAncestors;
+      let removed = 0;
+      for (const id of requestedAncestorIdsRef.current) {
+        if (removed >= excess) {
+          break;
+        }
+        requestedAncestorIdsRef.current.delete(id);
+        removed++;
+      }
+    }
+
+    let isCancelled = false;
+
+    void Promise.all(
+      [...missingAncestorIds].map(async (eventId) => {
+        try {
+          const event = await getEventById(eventId);
+
+          if (
+            isCancelled ||
+            getChannelIdFromTags(event.tags) !== activeChannel.id
+          ) {
+            return;
+          }
+
+          queryClient.setQueryData<RelayEvent[]>(
+            channelMessagesKey(activeChannel.id),
+            (current = []) => mergeMessages(current, event),
+          );
+        } catch (error) {
+          console.error("Failed to load ancestor event", eventId, error);
+        }
+      }),
+    );
+
+    return () => {
+      isCancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [activeChannel, queryClient, resolvedMessages]);
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <ChatHeader
+        actions={
+          activeChannel ? (
+            <ChannelMembersBar
+              channel={activeChannel}
+              currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
+              onManageChannel={onManageChannel}
+            />
+          ) : null
+        }
+        channelType={activeChannel?.channelType}
+        visibility={activeChannel?.visibility}
+        description={channelDescription}
+        statusBadge={
+          activeChannel?.channelType === "dm" && activeDmPresenceStatus ? (
+            <PresenceBadge
+              data-testid="chat-presence-badge"
+              status={activeDmPresenceStatus}
+            />
+          ) : null
+        }
+        title={activeChannelTitle}
+      />
+
+      <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
+        {activeChannel ? (
+          activeChannel.channelType === "forum" ? (
+            <React.Suspense
+              fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading forum..." />}
+            >
+              <ForumView
+                channel={activeChannel}
+                currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
+              />
+            </React.Suspense>
+          ) : (
+            <React.Suspense
+              fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading channel..." />}
+            >
+              <ChannelPane
+                activeChannel={activeChannel}
+                currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
+                fetchOlder={fetchOlder}
+                hasOlderMessages={hasOlderMessages}
+                isFetchingOlder={isFetchingOlder}
+                editTarget={
+                  editTargetMessage
+                    ? {
+                        author: editTargetMessage.author,
+                        body: editTargetMessage.body,
+                        id: editTargetMessage.id,
+                      }
+                    : null
+                }
+                isSending={sendMessageMutation.isPending}
+                isTimelineLoading={isTimelineLoading}
+                messages={timelineMessages}
+                onCancelEdit={handleCancelEdit}
+                onCancelReply={handleCancelReply}
+                onDelete={handleDelete}
+                onEdit={handleEdit}
+                onEditSave={handleEditSave}
+                onReply={handleReply}
+                onSend={handleSend}
+                onTargetReached={onTargetReached}
+                onToggleReaction={effectiveToggleReaction}
+                profiles={messageProfiles}
+                replyTargetId={replyTargetId}
+                replyTargetMessage={replyTargetMessage}
+                targetMessageId={
+                  activeChannel && searchAnchor?.channelId === activeChannel.id
+                    ? searchAnchor.eventId
+                    : null
+                }
+                typingPubkeys={typingPubkeys}
+              />
+            </React.Suspense>
+          )
+        ) : (
+          <div className="flex min-h-0 flex-1 items-center justify-center px-6 py-8">
+            <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+              Select a channel to view messages.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+        )}
+      </div>
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/useActiveChannelHeader.ts b/desktop/src/features/channels/useActiveChannelHeader.ts
similarity index 100%
rename from desktop/src/app/useActiveChannelHeader.ts
rename to desktop/src/features/channels/useActiveChannelHeader.ts
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/useChannelPaneHandlers.ts b/desktop/src/features/channels/useChannelPaneHandlers.ts
similarity index 98%
rename from desktop/src/app/useChannelPaneHandlers.ts
rename to desktop/src/features/channels/useChannelPaneHandlers.ts
index 0dee12c4..fa710afd 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/useChannelPaneHandlers.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/useChannelPaneHandlers.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import type {
 
 /**
  * Stable callback references for ChannelPane so that keystroke-driven
- * re-renders of AppShell don't cascade into the timeline and composer.
+ * re-renders of ChannelScreen don't cascade into the timeline and composer.
  *
  * Mutation objects from TanStack Query v5 are new references on every render
  * (especially when `isPending` flips), so we stash `.mutateAsync` in a ref
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/useUnreadChannels.ts b/desktop/src/features/channels/useUnreadChannels.ts
index 2ab7fb42..6b1b0258 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/useUnreadChannels.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/useUnreadChannels.ts
@@ -77,7 +77,10 @@ export function useUnreadChannels(
   const hasInitializedChannelsRef = React.useRef(false);
   const activeChannelId = activeChannel?.id ?? null;
   const activeChannelLastMessageAt = activeChannel?.lastMessageAt ?? null;
-  const effectiveActiveReadAt = activeReadAt ?? activeChannelLastMessageAt;
+  // Let callers pass `null` to intentionally suppress the optimistic
+  // channel-metadata fallback until a real timeline position is known.
+  const effectiveActiveReadAt =
+    activeReadAt === undefined ? activeChannelLastMessageAt : activeReadAt;
 
   const markChannelRead = React.useCallback(
     (channelId: string, readAt: string | null | undefined) => {
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeScreen.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2d6a4a9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeScreen.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import { ChatHeader } from "@/features/chat/ui/ChatHeader";
+import { useHomeFeedQuery } from "@/features/home/hooks";
+import { HomeView } from "@/features/home/ui/HomeView";
+
+type HomeScreenProps = {
+  availableChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
+  currentPubkey?: string;
+  onOpenChannel: (channelId: string) => void;
+};
+
+export function HomeScreen({
+  availableChannelIds,
+  currentPubkey,
+  onOpenChannel,
+}: HomeScreenProps) {
+  const homeFeedQuery = useHomeFeedQuery();
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <ChatHeader
+        description="Personalized feed for mentions, reminders, channel activity, and agent work."
+        mode="home"
+        title="Home"
+      />
+
+      <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
+        <HomeView
+          availableChannelIds={availableChannelIds}
+          currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
+          errorMessage={
+            homeFeedQuery.error instanceof Error
+              ? homeFeedQuery.error.message
+              : undefined
+          }
+          feed={homeFeedQuery.data}
+          isLoading={homeFeedQuery.isLoading}
+          onOpenChannel={onOpenChannel}
+          onRefresh={() => {
+            void homeFeedQuery.refetch();
+          }}
+        />
+      </div>
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/search/ui/SearchDialog.tsx b/desktop/src/features/search/ui/SearchDialog.tsx
index ad731686..350f82e6 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/search/ui/SearchDialog.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/search/ui/SearchDialog.tsx
@@ -182,27 +182,6 @@ export function SearchDialog({
     };
   }, [query]);
 
-  React.useEffect(() => {
-    function handleKeyDown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
-      if (
-        event.key.toLowerCase() !== "k" ||
-        !(event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey) ||
-        event.altKey ||
-        event.shiftKey
-      ) {
-        return;
-      }
-
-      event.preventDefault();
-      onOpenChange(true);
-    }
-
-    window.addEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
-    return () => {
-      window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
-    };
-  }, [onOpenChange]);
-
   React.useEffect(() => {
     if (!open) {
       setQuery("");
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/settings/ui/SettingsScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/settings/ui/SettingsScreen.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..af9ccddd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/settings/ui/SettingsScreen.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+import type { DesktopNotificationPermissionState } from "@/features/notifications/hooks";
+import type { NotificationSettings } from "@/features/notifications/hooks";
+import type { SettingsSection } from "@/features/settings/ui/SettingsPanels";
+import { ViewLoadingFallback } from "@/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback";
+
+const SettingsView = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/settings/ui/SettingsView");
+  return { default: module.SettingsView };
+});
+
+type SettingsScreenProps = {
+  currentPubkey?: string;
+  fallbackDisplayName?: string;
+  isUpdatingDesktopNotifications: boolean;
+  notificationErrorMessage: string | null;
+  notificationPermission: DesktopNotificationPermissionState;
+  notificationSettings: NotificationSettings;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  onSectionChange: (section: SettingsSection) => void;
+  onSetDesktopNotificationsEnabled: (enabled: boolean) => Promise<boolean>;
+  onSetHomeBadgeEnabled: (enabled: boolean) => void;
+  onSetMentionNotificationsEnabled: (enabled: boolean) => void;
+  onSetNeedsActionNotificationsEnabled: (enabled: boolean) => void;
+  section: SettingsSection;
+};
+
+export function SettingsScreen({
+  currentPubkey,
+  fallbackDisplayName,
+  isUpdatingDesktopNotifications,
+  notificationErrorMessage,
+  notificationPermission,
+  notificationSettings,
+  onClose,
+  onSectionChange,
+  onSetDesktopNotificationsEnabled,
+  onSetHomeBadgeEnabled,
+  onSetMentionNotificationsEnabled,
+  onSetNeedsActionNotificationsEnabled,
+  section,
+}: SettingsScreenProps) {
+  return (
+    <React.Suspense
+      fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading settings..." />}
+    >
+      <SettingsView
+        currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
+        fallbackDisplayName={fallbackDisplayName}
+        isUpdatingDesktopNotifications={isUpdatingDesktopNotifications}
+        notificationErrorMessage={notificationErrorMessage}
+        notificationPermission={notificationPermission}
+        notificationSettings={notificationSettings}
+        onClose={onClose}
+        onSectionChange={onSectionChange}
+        onSetDesktopNotificationsEnabled={onSetDesktopNotificationsEnabled}
+        onSetHomeBadgeEnabled={onSetHomeBadgeEnabled}
+        onSetMentionNotificationsEnabled={onSetMentionNotificationsEnabled}
+        onSetNeedsActionNotificationsEnabled={
+          onSetNeedsActionNotificationsEnabled
+        }
+        section={section}
+      />
+    </React.Suspense>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/settings/ui/SettingsView.tsx b/desktop/src/features/settings/ui/SettingsView.tsx
index 12254c93..1d1f29e4 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/settings/ui/SettingsView.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/settings/ui/SettingsView.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import * as React from "react";
-import { FocusScope } from "@radix-ui/react-focus-scope";
 import { X } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
@@ -115,93 +114,91 @@ export function SettingsView({
       />
 
       {/* Modal container */}
-      <FocusScope loop>
-        {/* biome-ignore lint/a11y/useKeyWithClickEvents: Click stops propagation to backdrop; keyboard dismiss handled by Escape key */}
-        <div
-          aria-labelledby="settings-title"
-          aria-modal="true"
-          className={cn(
-            "relative mx-auto flex h-[min(600px,calc(100vh-8rem))] w-[calc(100%-4rem)] max-w-3xl flex-col overflow-hidden rounded-xl border border-border bg-background shadow-lg motion-safe:transition-all motion-safe:duration-500 motion-safe:ease-out",
-            isLoaded ? "opacity-100 scale-100" : "opacity-0 scale-95",
-          )}
-          data-testid="settings-view"
-          onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
-          role="dialog"
+      {/* biome-ignore lint/a11y/useKeyWithClickEvents: Click stops propagation to backdrop; keyboard dismiss handled by Escape key */}
+      <div
+        aria-labelledby="settings-title"
+        aria-modal="true"
+        className={cn(
+          "relative mx-auto flex h-[min(600px,calc(100vh-8rem))] w-[calc(100%-4rem)] max-w-3xl flex-col overflow-hidden rounded-xl border border-border bg-background shadow-lg motion-safe:transition-all motion-safe:duration-500 motion-safe:ease-out",
+          isLoaded ? "opacity-100 scale-100" : "opacity-0 scale-95",
+        )}
+        data-testid="settings-view"
+        onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+        role="dialog"
+      >
+        {/* Header with title and close button */}
+        <header
+          className="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b border-border px-4 py-3"
+          data-tauri-drag-region
         >
-          {/* Header with title and close button */}
-          <header
-            className="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b border-border px-4 py-3"
-            data-tauri-drag-region
+          <h2
+            className="text-base font-semibold"
+            data-testid="settings-title"
+            id="settings-title"
           >
-            <h2
-              className="text-base font-semibold"
-              data-testid="settings-title"
-              id="settings-title"
-            >
-              Settings
-            </h2>
-            <button
-              aria-label="Close settings"
-              className="inline-flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-md text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-foreground focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
-              data-testid="settings-close"
-              onClick={onClose}
-              type="button"
-            >
-              <X className="h-4 w-4" />
-            </button>
-          </header>
+            Settings
+          </h2>
+          <button
+            aria-label="Close settings"
+            className="inline-flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-md text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-foreground focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            data-testid="settings-close"
+            onClick={onClose}
+            type="button"
+          >
+            <X className="h-4 w-4" />
+          </button>
+        </header>
 
-          {/* Two-column layout */}
-          <div className="grid min-h-0 flex-1 grid-rows-[auto_minmax(0,1fr)] overflow-hidden lg:grid-cols-[220px_minmax(0,1fr)] lg:grid-rows-1">
-            {/* Sidebar nav */}
-            <aside
-              className={cn(
-                "border-b border-border/70 bg-muted/20 motion-safe:transition-all motion-safe:duration-700 motion-safe:ease-out lg:border-b-0 lg:border-r",
-                isLoaded
-                  ? "opacity-100 translate-x-0"
-                  : "opacity-0 -translate-x-2",
-              )}
+        {/* Two-column layout */}
+        <div className="grid min-h-0 flex-1 grid-rows-[auto_minmax(0,1fr)] overflow-hidden lg:grid-cols-[220px_minmax(0,1fr)] lg:grid-rows-1">
+          {/* Sidebar nav */}
+          <aside
+            className={cn(
+              "border-b border-border/70 bg-muted/20 motion-safe:transition-all motion-safe:duration-700 motion-safe:ease-out lg:border-b-0 lg:border-r",
+              isLoaded
+                ? "opacity-100 translate-x-0"
+                : "opacity-0 -translate-x-2",
+            )}
+          >
+            <nav
+              aria-label="Settings sections"
+              className="flex gap-1 overflow-x-auto px-3 py-3 lg:flex-col lg:overflow-y-auto lg:pt-1"
             >
-              <nav
-                aria-label="Settings sections"
-                className="flex gap-1 overflow-x-auto px-3 py-3 lg:flex-col lg:overflow-y-auto lg:pt-1"
-              >
-                {settingsSections.map((entry, index) => (
-                  <SettingsSectionButton
-                    active={entry.value === section}
-                    index={index}
-                    isLoaded={isLoaded}
-                    key={entry.value}
-                    onSelect={onSectionChange}
-                    section={entry}
-                  />
-                ))}
-              </nav>
-            </aside>
+              {settingsSections.map((entry, index) => (
+                <SettingsSectionButton
+                  active={entry.value === section}
+                  index={index}
+                  isLoaded={isLoaded}
+                  key={entry.value}
+                  onSelect={onSectionChange}
+                  section={entry}
+                />
+              ))}
+            </nav>
+          </aside>
 
-            {/* Content area */}
-            <section className="min-h-0 overflow-y-auto px-4 py-4 sm:px-6">
-              <div
-                className="mx-auto flex w-full max-w-4xl flex-col gap-4"
-                data-testid={`settings-panel-${section}`}
-              >
-                {renderSettingsSection(section, {
-                  currentPubkey,
-                  fallbackDisplayName,
-                  isUpdatingDesktopNotifications,
-                  notificationErrorMessage,
-                  notificationPermission,
-                  notificationSettings,
-                  onSetDesktopNotificationsEnabled,
-                  onSetHomeBadgeEnabled,
-                  onSetMentionNotificationsEnabled,
-                  onSetNeedsActionNotificationsEnabled,
-                })}
-              </div>
-            </section>
-          </div>
+          {/* Content area */}
+          <section className="min-h-0 overflow-y-auto px-4 py-4 sm:px-6">
+            <div
+              className="mx-auto flex w-full max-w-4xl flex-col gap-4"
+              data-testid={`settings-panel-${section}`}
+            >
+              {renderSettingsSection(section, {
+                currentPubkey,
+                fallbackDisplayName,
+                isUpdatingDesktopNotifications,
+                notificationErrorMessage,
+                notificationPermission,
+                notificationSettings,
+                onSetDesktopNotificationsEnabled,
+                onSetHomeBadgeEnabled,
+                onSetMentionNotificationsEnabled,
+                onSetNeedsActionNotificationsEnabled,
+              })}
+            </div>
+          </section>
         </div>
-      </FocusScope>
+      </div>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
index a89c413b..f850bd77 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
@@ -189,6 +189,40 @@ function useCreateForm(
   };
 }
 
+function useDeferredSidebarLoad(
+  activateImmediately: boolean,
+  timeoutMs: number,
+) {
+  const [shouldLoad, setShouldLoad] = React.useState(activateImmediately);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (shouldLoad || activateImmediately) {
+      if (!shouldLoad) {
+        setShouldLoad(true);
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const load = () => {
+      setShouldLoad(true);
+    };
+
+    if ("requestIdleCallback" in window) {
+      const idleId = window.requestIdleCallback(load, { timeout: timeoutMs });
+      return () => {
+        window.cancelIdleCallback(idleId);
+      };
+    }
+
+    const timeoutId = globalThis.setTimeout(load, timeoutMs);
+    return () => {
+      globalThis.clearTimeout(timeoutId);
+    };
+  }, [activateImmediately, shouldLoad, timeoutMs]);
+
+  return shouldLoad;
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // SectionHeaderActions — search + create icon buttons for section headers
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -470,17 +504,31 @@ export function AppSidebar({
   const directMessages = channels.filter(
     (channel) => channel.channelType === "dm",
   );
+  const isSelectedDirectMessage =
+    selectedView === "channel" &&
+    directMessages.some((channel) => channel.id === selectedChannelId);
+  const shouldLoadDmMetadata = useDeferredSidebarLoad(
+    isSelectedDirectMessage,
+    400,
+  );
   const { dmChannelLabels, dmParticipantsByChannelId, dmPresenceByChannelId } =
     useDmSidebarMetadata({
       currentPubkey,
       directMessages,
+      enabled: shouldLoadDmMetadata,
       fallbackDisplayName,
       profileDisplayName: profile?.displayName,
     });
-  const managedAgentsQuery = useManagedAgentsQuery();
+  const shouldLoadAgentCount = useDeferredSidebarLoad(
+    selectedView === "agents",
+    250,
+  );
+  const managedAgentsQuery = useManagedAgentsQuery({
+    enabled: shouldLoadAgentCount,
+  });
   const totalAgentCount = managedAgentsQuery.data?.length ?? 0;
   const shouldShowAgentCount =
-    totalAgentCount > 0 || !managedAgentsQuery.isLoading;
+    totalAgentCount > 0 || managedAgentsQuery.isFetched;
   const resolvedDisplayName =
     profile?.displayName?.trim() ||
     fallbackDisplayName?.trim() ||
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/useDmSidebarMetadata.ts b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/useDmSidebarMetadata.ts
index 8e0d9825..52f613f7 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/useDmSidebarMetadata.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/useDmSidebarMetadata.ts
@@ -12,11 +12,13 @@ export function useDmSidebarMetadata({
   directMessages,
   fallbackDisplayName,
   profileDisplayName,
+  enabled = true,
 }: {
   currentPubkey?: string;
   directMessages: Channel[];
   fallbackDisplayName?: string;
   profileDisplayName?: string | null;
+  enabled?: boolean;
 }) {
   const selfDmLabels = React.useMemo(
     () =>
@@ -44,10 +46,10 @@ export function useDmSidebarMetadata({
     [currentPubkey, directMessages, selfDmLabels],
   );
   const dmPresenceQuery = usePresenceQuery(dmParticipantPubkeys, {
-    enabled: directMessages.length > 0,
+    enabled: enabled && directMessages.length > 0,
   });
   const dmProfilesQuery = useUsersBatchQuery(dmParticipantPubkeys, {
-    enabled: directMessages.length > 0,
+    enabled: enabled && directMessages.length > 0,
   });
   const dmProfiles = dmProfilesQuery.data?.profiles;
   const dmPresenceByChannelId = React.useMemo(
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsScreen.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a072c9c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsScreen.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+import { ChatHeader } from "@/features/chat/ui/ChatHeader";
+import type { Channel } from "@/shared/api/types";
+import { ViewLoadingFallback } from "@/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback";
+
+const WorkflowsView = React.lazy(async () => {
+  const module = await import("@/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsView");
+  return { default: module.WorkflowsView };
+});
+
+type WorkflowsScreenProps = {
+  channels: Channel[];
+};
+
+export function WorkflowsScreen({ channels }: WorkflowsScreenProps) {
+  return (
+    <>
+      <ChatHeader
+        description="Create, manage, and monitor automated workflows across your channels."
+        mode="workflows"
+        title="Workflows"
+      />
+
+      <React.Suspense
+        fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback label="Loading workflows..." />}
+      >
+        <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
+          <WorkflowsView channels={channels} />
+        </div>
+      </React.Suspense>
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a4edcc0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+type ViewLoadingFallbackProps = {
+  label: string;
+};
+
+export function ViewLoadingFallback({ label }: ViewLoadingFallbackProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className="flex min-h-0 flex-1 items-center justify-center px-6 py-8">
+      <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{label}</p>
+    </div>
+  );
+}