diff --git a/packages/electron/main.mjs b/packages/electron/main.mjs
index 163e8889..816ef34a 100644
--- a/packages/electron/main.mjs
+++ b/packages/electron/main.mjs
@@ -566,10 +566,13 @@ const buildRendererRuntimeConfig = (uiUrl, runtimeConfig = {}) => {
   const apiBaseUrl = typeof runtimeConfig.apiBaseUrl === 'string' ? runtimeConfig.apiBaseUrl : (state.apiBaseUrl || '');
   const clientToken = typeof runtimeConfig.clientToken === 'string' ? runtimeConfig.clientToken : (state.clientToken || '');
   const requestHeaders = sanitizeRuntimeRequestHeaders(runtimeConfig.requestHeaders || state.requestHeaders || {});
+  // Relay-capable hosts have no injectable HTTP base: the renderer reads this
+  // host id, probes the direct leg, and falls back to the E2EE tunnel itself.
+  const relayHostId = typeof runtimeConfig.relayHostId === 'string' ? runtimeConfig.relayHostId : '';
   if (shouldUseSameOriginDevProxy(uiUrl, apiBaseUrl)) {
-    return { apiBaseUrl: '', clientToken: '', requestHeaders: {} };
+    return { apiBaseUrl: '', clientToken: '', requestHeaders: {}, relayHostId };
   }
-  return { apiBaseUrl, clientToken, requestHeaders };
+  return { apiBaseUrl, clientToken, requestHeaders, relayHostId };
 };
 
 const readDesktopLocalClientToken = () => {
@@ -630,9 +633,11 @@ const sanitizeHostRelayForStorage = (value) => {
   return { relayUrl, serverId, hostEncPubJwk: jwk };
 };
 
-// Shared storage shape for a persisted host (direct or relay). Returns null for
-// entries that can't be stored (missing id, reserved 'local', or no usable
-// transport).
+// Shared storage shape for a persisted host. A host may carry a direct HTTP
+// transport, a relay transport, or BOTH (a multi-transport device: direct on
+// the home network, relay away — mirrors the mobile connection model). Returns
+// null for entries that can't be stored (missing id, reserved 'local', or no
+// usable transport at all).
 const buildStoredHostEntry = (entry) => {
   const id = typeof entry?.id === 'string' ? entry.id.trim() : '';
   if (!id || id === LOCAL_HOST_ID) return null;
@@ -643,15 +648,18 @@ const buildStoredHostEntry = (entry) => {
   const labelRaw = typeof entry?.label === 'string' && entry.label.trim() ? entry.label.trim() : '';
 
   const relay = sanitizeHostRelayForStorage(entry?.relay);
+  const relayField = relay ? { relay } : {};
+  const directUrl = sanitizeHostUrlForStorage(entry?.url);
+  const apiUrl = directUrl ? (sanitizeHostUrlForStorage(entry?.apiUrl) || directUrl) : null;
+
+  if (directUrl) {
+    return { id, label: labelRaw || directUrl, url: directUrl, apiUrl, ...tokenField, ...headerFields, ...relayField };
+  }
   if (relay) {
     const url = `relay://${relay.serverId}`;
     return { id, label: labelRaw || url, url, ...tokenField, ...headerFields, relay };
   }
-
-  const url = sanitizeHostUrlForStorage(entry?.url);
-  if (!url) return null;
-  const apiUrl = sanitizeHostUrlForStorage(entry?.apiUrl) || url;
-  return { id, label: labelRaw || url, url, apiUrl, ...tokenField, ...headerFields };
+  return null;
 };
 
 const readDesktopHostsConfig = () => {
@@ -2189,6 +2197,7 @@ const createBrowserWindow = ({ label, restoreGeometry, url, runtimeConfig = {} }
         `--openchamber-macos-major=${desktopMacosMajor}`,
         `--openchamber-mac-vibrancy=${useVibrancy ? '1' : '0'}`,
         `--openchamber-boot-outcome=${JSON.stringify(state.bootOutcome || null)}`,
+        `--openchamber-relay-host-id=${rendererRuntimeConfig.relayHostId || ''}`,
       ],
       preload: isDev ? path.join(__dirname, 'preload.mjs') : path.join(app.getAppPath(), 'preload.mjs'),
       backgroundThrottling: false,
@@ -3958,6 +3967,36 @@ const handleInvoke = async (browserWindow, command, args = {}) => {
       return null;
     }
 
+    case 'desktop_new_window_for_host': {
+      // Open a saved host in a new window. Hosts with a relay leg boot the
+      // LOCAL UI and let the renderer pick the transport (direct first, E2EE
+      // tunnel fallback) via the injected relay host id — a fixed apiBaseUrl
+      // would strand the window when the direct leg is unreachable.
+      const hostId = typeof args.hostId === 'string' ? args.hostId.trim() : '';
+      const config = readDesktopHostsConfig();
+      const host = config.hosts.find((entry) => entry.id === hostId);
+      if (!host) throw new Error('Host not found');
+      if (host.relay) {
+        const windowUrl = shouldUsePackagedUi() ? buildPackagedUiUrl('/index.html') : (state.sidecarUrl || state.localOrigin);
+        await createAdditionalWindow(windowUrl, {
+          apiBaseUrl: '',
+          clientToken: host.clientToken || '',
+          requestHeaders: sanitizeRuntimeRequestHeaders(host.requestHeaders || {}),
+          relayHostId: host.id,
+        });
+        return null;
+      }
+      const targetUrl = normalizeHostUrl(host.apiUrl || host.url);
+      if (!targetUrl) throw new Error('Invalid URL');
+      const windowUrl = shouldUsePackagedUi() ? buildPackagedUiUrl('/index.html') : targetUrl;
+      await createAdditionalWindow(windowUrl, {
+        apiBaseUrl: targetUrl,
+        clientToken: host.clientToken || '',
+        requestHeaders: sanitizeRuntimeRequestHeaders(host.requestHeaders || {}),
+      });
+      return null;
+    }
+
     case 'desktop_new_window_at_url': {
       const targetUrl = normalizeHostUrl(String(args.url || ''));
       if (!targetUrl) {
@@ -4394,6 +4433,7 @@ const COMMANDS_SAFE_FOR_REMOTE = new Set([
   'desktop_host_probe',
   'desktop_new_window',
   'desktop_new_window_at_url',
+  'desktop_new_window_for_host',
   'desktop_set_window_title',
   'desktop_set_window_theme',
   'desktop_is_window_fullscreen',
diff --git a/packages/electron/preload.mjs b/packages/electron/preload.mjs
index 6f7c7923..cf35004b 100644
--- a/packages/electron/preload.mjs
+++ b/packages/electron/preload.mjs
@@ -62,6 +62,14 @@ if (clientToken && isLocalPage) {
   contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld('__OPENCHAMBER_CLIENT_TOKEN__', clientToken);
 }
 
+// Which saved host this window should connect to over the relay-capable path
+// (direct probe first, E2EE tunnel fallback). Local pages only — the id is
+// only useful together with the desktop IPC channel anyway.
+const relayHostId = readArgValue('--openchamber-relay-host-id');
+if (relayHostId && isLocalPage) {
+  contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld('__OPENCHAMBER_RELAY_HOST_ID__', relayHostId);
+}
+
 if (runtimeHeadersRaw && isLocalPage) {
   try {
     const runtimeHeaders = JSON.parse(runtimeHeadersRaw);
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/desktop/DesktopHostSwitcher.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/desktop/DesktopHostSwitcher.tsx
index a91ad56e..ab7bf511 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/desktop/DesktopHostSwitcher.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/desktop/DesktopHostSwitcher.tsx
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import {
   desktopHostsSet,
   desktopLocalClientTokenGet,
   desktopOpenNewWindowAtUrl,
+  desktopOpenNewWindowForHost,
   getDesktopHostApiUrl,
   locationMatchesHost,
   normalizeHostUrl,
@@ -51,8 +52,15 @@ const runtimeKeyForHost = (host: DesktopHost): string => {
 type HostStatus = {
   status: HostProbeResult['status'];
   latencyMs: number;
+  /** Which transport the successful probe used (multi-transport hosts). */
+  via?: 'relay';
 };
 
+// Last known statuses survive the dropdown unmounting (it remounts on every
+// open). Rows show the previous result immediately — refreshed quietly by the
+// open-probe — instead of shouting "Unknown" at the user for a few seconds.
+const lastKnownHostStatuses: Record<string, HostStatus> = {};
+
 type HostDisplayStatus = HostProbeResult['status'] | 'checking' | null;
 
 const toNavigationUrl = (rawUrl: string): string => {
@@ -93,6 +101,14 @@ const statusDotClass = (status: HostDisplayStatus): string => {
   return 'bg-muted-foreground/40';
 };
 
+// Text tone matching statusDotClass, for the per-row status line.
+const statusTextClass = (status: HostDisplayStatus): string => {
+  if (status === 'ok') return 'text-[var(--status-success)]';
+  if (status === 'auth' || status === 'update-recommended') return 'text-[var(--status-warning)]';
+  if (status === 'incompatible' || status === 'wrong-service' || status === 'unreachable') return 'text-[var(--status-error)]';
+  return 'text-muted-foreground';
+};
+
 const isBlockedHostStatus = (status: HostProbeResult['status'] | null): boolean => {
   return status === 'unreachable' || status === 'wrong-service' || status === 'incompatible';
 };
@@ -120,17 +136,6 @@ const statusLabelKey = (status: HostDisplayStatus):
   return 'desktopHostSwitcher.status.unknown';
 };
 
-const statusIcon = (status: HostDisplayStatus) => {
-  if (status === 'checking') return <Icon name="loader-4" className="h-4 w-4 animate-spin" />;
-  if (status === 'ok') return <Icon name="check" className="h-4 w-4" />;
-  if (status === 'auth') return <Icon name="shield-keyhole" className="h-4 w-4" />;
-  if (status === 'update-recommended') return <Icon name="shield-keyhole" className="h-4 w-4" />;
-  if (status === 'incompatible') return <Icon name="cloud-off" className="h-4 w-4" />;
-  if (status === 'wrong-service') return <Icon name="cloud-off" className="h-4 w-4" />;
-  if (status === 'unreachable') return <Icon name="cloud-off" className="h-4 w-4" />;
-  return <Icon name="earth" className="h-4 w-4" />;
-};
-
 const sleep = (ms: number) => new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, ms));
 
 const sshPhaseLabelKey = (phase: DesktopSshInstanceStatus['phase'] | undefined):
@@ -308,8 +313,10 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
 
   const [configHosts, setConfigHosts] = React.useState<DesktopHost[]>([]);
   const [defaultHostId, setDefaultHostId] = React.useState<string | null>(null);
-  const [statusById, setStatusById] = React.useState<Record<string, HostStatus>>({});
-  const [probingHostIds, setProbingHostIds] = React.useState<Record<string, true>>({});
+  const [statusById, setStatusById] = React.useState<Record<string, HostStatus>>(() => ({ ...lastKnownHostStatuses }));
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    Object.assign(lastKnownHostStatuses, statusById);
+  }, [statusById]);
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = React.useState(false);
   const [isProbing, setIsProbing] = React.useState(false);
   const [isSaving, setIsSaving] = React.useState(false);
@@ -420,20 +427,17 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
   const probeAll = React.useCallback(async (hosts: DesktopHost[]) => {
     if (!isDesktopShell()) return;
     setIsProbing(true);
-    const nextProbingHostIds: Record<string, true> = {};
-    for (const host of hosts) {
-      nextProbingHostIds[host.id] = true;
-    }
-    setProbingHostIds(nextProbingHostIds);
     try {
       const localClientToken = await getLocalClientToken();
       const results = await Promise.all(
         hosts.map(async (h) => {
-          // Relay hosts have no HTTP address to probe — check reachability
-          // through a throwaway E2EE tunnel instead.
-          if (h.relay) {
-            const res = await probeRelayDesktopHost(h.relay).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
-            return [h.id, { status: res.status, latencyMs: res.latencyMs } satisfies HostStatus] as const;
+          const probeRelayLeg = async (): Promise<HostStatus> => {
+            const res = await probeRelayDesktopHost(h.relay!).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
+            return { status: res.status, latencyMs: res.latencyMs, ...(res.status === 'ok' ? { via: 'relay' as const } : {}) };
+          };
+          // Relay-only host: no HTTP address — probe through the E2EE tunnel.
+          if (h.relay && !h.apiUrl) {
+            return [h.id, await probeRelayLeg()] as const;
           }
           const url = normalizeHostUrl(isElectronShell() ? getDesktopHostApiUrl(h) : h.url);
           if (!url) {
@@ -441,6 +445,12 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
           }
           const clientToken = h.id === LOCAL_HOST_ID ? localClientToken : (h.clientToken || '');
           const res = await desktopHostProbe(url, { clientToken: clientToken || null, requestHeaders: h.requestHeaders || null }).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
+          // Multi-transport host away from its network: the direct leg fails
+          // but the relay may still reach it.
+          if (isBlockedHostStatus(res.status) && h.relay) {
+            const relayStatus = await probeRelayLeg();
+            if (relayStatus.status === 'ok') return [h.id, relayStatus] as const;
+          }
           return [h.id, { status: res.status, latencyMs: res.latencyMs } satisfies HostStatus] as const;
         })
       );
@@ -450,7 +460,6 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
       }
       setStatusById(next);
     } finally {
-      setProbingHostIds({});
       setIsProbing(false);
     }
   }, []);
@@ -500,54 +509,74 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
   }, [open]);
 
   const handleSwitch = React.useCallback(async (host: DesktopHost) => {
-    // Relay hosts have no reachable HTTP origin — they ride the E2EE tunnel.
-    // Activate it in-renderer via switchRuntimeEndpoint({ relay }); the runtime
-    // fetch/socket layers route through the tunnel from the singleton registry.
-    if (host.relay) {
-      setSwitchingHostId(host.id);
-      const probe = await probeRelayDesktopHost(host.relay).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
-      const reachable = probe.status === 'ok';
-      setStatusById((prev) => ({
-        ...prev,
-        [host.id]: { status: probe.status, latencyMs: probe.latencyMs },
-      }));
-      if (!reachable) {
-        toast.error(t('desktopHostSwitcher.toast.instanceUnreachable', { host: redactSensitiveUrl(host.label) }));
-        setSwitchingHostId(null);
-        return;
-      }
+    // Relay legs ride the E2EE tunnel activated in-renderer via
+    // switchRuntimeEndpoint({ relay }); the runtime fetch/socket layers route
+    // through the tunnel from the singleton registry.
+    const activateRelay = (relay: NonNullable<DesktopHost['relay']>) => {
       switchRuntimeEndpoint({
         apiBaseUrl: typeof window !== 'undefined' ? window.location.origin : '',
         clientToken: host.clientToken || null,
         runtimeKey: runtimeKeyForHost(host),
-        relay: host.relay,
+        relay,
       });
-      onHostSwitched?.();
-      setSwitchingHostId(null);
-      return;
-    }
+    };
 
     const origin = host.id === LOCAL_HOST_ID ? localOrigin : (normalizeHostUrl(host.url) || '');
     const apiOrigin = host.id === LOCAL_HOST_ID ? localOrigin : (normalizeHostUrl(getDesktopHostApiUrl(host)) || '');
-    if (!origin) return;
+    const relayOnly = Boolean(host.relay) && !host.apiUrl && host.id !== LOCAL_HOST_ID;
+    if (!origin && !relayOnly) return;
 
     if (isElectronShell()) {
-      if (!apiOrigin) return;
+      if (!apiOrigin && !host.relay) return;
       setSwitchingHostId(host.id);
       const clientToken = host.id === LOCAL_HOST_ID ? await getLocalClientToken() : (host.clientToken || '');
-      const probe = await desktopHostProbe(apiOrigin, { clientToken: clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null }).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
-      setStatusById((prev) => ({
-        ...prev,
-        [host.id]: { status: probe.status, latencyMs: probe.latencyMs },
-      }));
 
-      if (isBlockedHostStatus(probe.status)) {
-        toast.error(t('desktopHostSwitcher.toast.instanceUnreachable', { host: redactSensitiveUrl(host.label) }));
+      // The dropdown already probed every host when it opened — act on that
+      // result instead of re-probing (re-probes doubled the switch latency and
+      // flashed transient Unreachable states over a known-good host).
+      const cached = statusById[host.id];
+      if (cached?.status === 'ok') {
+        if (cached.via === 'relay' && host.relay) {
+          activateRelay(host.relay);
+        } else if (apiOrigin) {
+          switchRuntimeEndpoint({ apiBaseUrl: apiOrigin, clientToken: clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null, runtimeKey: runtimeKeyForHost(host) });
+        } else if (host.relay) {
+          activateRelay(host.relay);
+        }
+        onHostSwitched?.();
         setSwitchingHostId(null);
         return;
       }
 
-      switchRuntimeEndpoint({ apiBaseUrl: apiOrigin, clientToken: clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null, runtimeKey: runtimeKeyForHost(host) });
+      // No usable probe result — probe now: direct first, relay fallback.
+      // Statuses are written once, with the final outcome, so the row never
+      // flashes intermediate failures while the fallback is still running.
+      let finalStatus: HostStatus = { status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 };
+      let transport: 'direct' | 'relay' | null = null;
+      if (apiOrigin) {
+        const probe = await desktopHostProbe(apiOrigin, { clientToken: clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null }).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
+        finalStatus = { status: probe.status, latencyMs: probe.latencyMs };
+        if (!isBlockedHostStatus(probe.status)) transport = 'direct';
+      }
+      if (!transport && host.relay) {
+        const probe = await probeRelayDesktopHost(host.relay).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
+        if (probe.status === 'ok') {
+          finalStatus = { status: probe.status, latencyMs: probe.latencyMs, via: 'relay' };
+          transport = 'relay';
+        }
+      }
+      setStatusById((prev) => ({ ...prev, [host.id]: finalStatus }));
+
+      if (!transport) {
+        toast.error(t('desktopHostSwitcher.toast.instanceUnreachable', { host: redactSensitiveUrl(host.label) }));
+        setSwitchingHostId(null);
+        return;
+      }
+      if (transport === 'relay' && host.relay) {
+        activateRelay(host.relay);
+      } else {
+        switchRuntimeEndpoint({ apiBaseUrl: apiOrigin, clientToken: clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null, runtimeKey: runtimeKeyForHost(host) });
+      }
       onHostSwitched?.();
       setSwitchingHostId(null);
       return;
@@ -662,7 +691,7 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
     } catch {
       window.location.href = target;
     }
-  }, [localOrigin, onHostSwitched, sshHostIds, sshStatusesById, t]);
+  }, [localOrigin, onHostSwitched, sshHostIds, sshStatusesById, statusById, t]);
 
   const cancelEdit = React.useCallback(() => {
     setEditingId(null);
@@ -703,14 +732,21 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
   }, [configHosts, persist]);
 
   const openInNewWindow = React.useCallback((host: DesktopHost) => {
-    const origin = host.id === LOCAL_HOST_ID ? localOrigin : getDesktopHostApiUrl(host);
-    if (!origin) return;
-    const target = toNavigationUrl(origin);
-    desktopOpenNewWindowAtUrl(target, { clientToken: host.clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null }).catch((err: unknown) => {
+    const reportFailure = (err: unknown) => {
       toast.error(t('desktopHostSwitcher.error.failedToOpenNewWindow'), {
         description: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
       });
-    });
+    };
+    // Relay-capable hosts can't be expressed as a fixed window URL — the new
+    // window boots the local UI and picks direct-vs-tunnel itself.
+    if (host.relay && host.id !== LOCAL_HOST_ID) {
+      desktopOpenNewWindowForHost(host.id).catch(reportFailure);
+      return;
+    }
+    const origin = host.id === LOCAL_HOST_ID ? localOrigin : getDesktopHostApiUrl(host);
+    if (!origin) return;
+    const target = toNavigationUrl(origin);
+    desktopOpenNewWindowAtUrl(target, { clientToken: host.clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null }).catch(reportFailure);
   }, [localOrigin, t]);
 
   const switchToLocal = React.useCallback(async () => {
@@ -866,7 +902,7 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
         )}
 
         <div className="flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto">
-          <div className="space-y-1">
+          <div className={cn('space-y-1', embedded && 'space-y-1.5 px-3 py-1')}>
             {isLoading ? (
               <div className="px-2 py-2 text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t('desktopHostSwitcher.state.loading')}</div>
             ) : (
@@ -877,22 +913,32 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
                 const isDefault = (defaultHostId || LOCAL_HOST_ID) === host.id;
                 const status = statusById[host.id] || null;
                 const sshStatus = sshStatusesById[host.id] || null;
-                const isChecking = !isSsh && Boolean(probingHostIds[host.id]);
-                const statusKind: HostDisplayStatus = isSsh ? sshPhaseToHostStatus(sshStatus?.phase) : (isChecking ? 'checking' : (status?.status ?? null));
+                // While a probe runs, keep showing the last known result (quiet
+                // refresh); only fall back to "Checking" when there has never
+                // been one. "Unknown" is never shown — an unprobed host is by
+                // definition being checked.
+                const statusKind: HostDisplayStatus = isSsh
+                  ? sshPhaseToHostStatus(sshStatus?.phase)
+                  : (status?.status ?? 'checking');
                 const isEditing = editingId === host.id;
                 const effectiveUrl = isLocal ? localOrigin : (normalizeHostUrl(host.url) || host.url);
                 const displayLabel = host.id === LOCAL_HOST_ID
                   ? t('desktopHostSwitcher.instance.local')
                   : redactSensitiveUrl(host.label);
-                // Relay hosts have a relay:// pseudo-URL that means nothing to a
-                // person — say how the connection works instead.
-                const displayUrl = host.relay ? t('mobile.connect.relay.badge') : redactSensitiveUrl(effectiveUrl);
+                // Relay-only hosts have a relay:// pseudo-URL that means nothing
+                // to a person — say how the connection works instead. Hosts with
+                // a direct leg show their address.
+                const displayUrl = host.relay && !host.apiUrl ? t('mobile.connect.relay.badge') : redactSensitiveUrl(effectiveUrl);
 
                 return (
                   <div
                     key={host.id}
                     className={cn(
                       'group flex items-center gap-2 px-2.5 py-2 rounded-md overflow-hidden',
+                      // Dropdown (embedded): mobile-style card per host; the
+                      // active host reads as selected, not just labelled.
+                      embedded && 'rounded-xl bg-[var(--surface-muted)] px-3 py-2.5',
+                      embedded && isActive && 'bg-[var(--interactive-selection)]/25',
                       isEditing ? 'bg-interactive-hover/20' : 'hover:bg-interactive-hover/30'
                     )}
                   >
@@ -907,32 +953,33 @@ export function DesktopHostSwitcherDialog({
                       aria-label={t('desktopHostSwitcher.actions.switchToAria', { instance: displayLabel })}
                     >
                       <span className={cn('h-2 w-2 rounded-full flex-shrink-0', statusDotClass(statusKind))} />
+                      {/* Same reading order as the settings device list: name +
+                          badges on the first line, a toned status line under it,
+                          then the address. */}
                       <div className="flex-1 min-w-0 space-y-0.5">
-                        <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-2">
-                          <div className="flex min-w-0 max-w-[45%] items-center gap-1.5">
-                            <span className="typography-ui-label truncate text-foreground">
-                              {displayLabel}
-                            </span>
-                            {isSsh && (
-                              <span className="typography-micro flex-shrink-0 px-1 rounded leading-none pb-px text-[var(--status-info)] bg-[var(--status-info)]/10">
-                                SSH
-                              </span>
-                            )}
-                            {isActive && (
-                              <span className="typography-micro flex-shrink-0 text-muted-foreground">{t('desktopHostSwitcher.header.current')}</span>
-                            )}
-                          </div>
-                          <span className="inline-flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-1 typography-micro text-muted-foreground">
-                            <span className="flex-shrink-0">{statusIcon(statusKind)}</span>
-                            <span className="truncate">
-                              {isSsh ? t(sshPhaseLabelKey(sshStatus?.phase)) : t(statusLabelKey(statusKind))}
-                              {!isSsh && statusKind === 'ok' && typeof status?.latencyMs === 'number'
-                                ? t('desktopHostSwitcher.status.ping', { ms: Math.max(0, Math.round(status.latencyMs)) })
-                                : ''}
-                            </span>
+                        <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1.5">
+                          <span className="typography-ui-label font-medium truncate text-foreground">
+                            {displayLabel}
                           </span>
+                          {isActive && (
+                            <span className="typography-micro flex-shrink-0 text-muted-foreground bg-muted px-1 rounded leading-none pb-px border border-border/50">
+                              {t('desktopHostSwitcher.header.current')}
+                            </span>
+                          )}
+                          {isSsh && (
+                            <span className="typography-micro flex-shrink-0 px-1 rounded leading-none pb-px text-[var(--status-info)] bg-[var(--status-info)]/10">
+                              SSH
+                            </span>
+                          )}
                         </div>
-                        <div className="typography-micro text-muted-foreground truncate font-mono">
+                        <div className={cn('typography-micro truncate', statusTextClass(statusKind))}>
+                          {isSsh ? t(sshPhaseLabelKey(sshStatus?.phase)) : t(statusLabelKey(statusKind))}
+                          {!isSsh && statusKind === 'ok' && typeof status?.latencyMs === 'number'
+                            ? t('desktopHostSwitcher.status.ping', { ms: Math.max(0, Math.round(status.latencyMs)) })
+                            : ''}
+                          {!isSsh && status?.via === 'relay' ? ` · ${t('settings.remoteInstances.clientAuth.state.viaRelay')}` : ''}
+                        </div>
+                        <div className="typography-micro text-muted-foreground/70 truncate font-mono">
                           {displayUrl}
                         </div>
                       </div>
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/layout/Header.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/layout/Header.tsx
index b227e023..ab0cd862 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/layout/Header.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/layout/Header.tsx
@@ -480,22 +480,23 @@ const DesktopServicesMenu = React.memo(function DesktopServicesMenu({
               </div>
             ) : null}
 
-            <div className="py-2">
-              {rateLimitGroups.map((group, index) => {
+            {/* One elevated card per provider (same card language as the mobile
+                usage popover) instead of a flat run of divider-separated rows. */}
+            <div className="space-y-2 px-3 py-2.5">
+              {rateLimitGroups.map((group) => {
                 const providerExpandedFamilies = expandedFamilies[group.providerId] ?? [];
                 return (
-                  <React.Fragment key={group.providerId}>
-                    {index > 0 ? <div className="mx-4 my-2 border-t border-[var(--interactive-border)]" /> : null}
-                    <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2">
+                  <div key={group.providerId} className="min-w-0 rounded-xl bg-[var(--surface-muted)] p-3">
+                    <div className="flex items-center gap-2 pb-2">
                       <ProviderLogo providerId={group.providerId} className="h-4 w-4" />
                       <span className="typography-ui-label font-medium text-foreground">{group.providerName}</span>
                     </div>
                     {group.entries.length === 0 && (!group.modelFamilies || group.modelFamilies.length === 0) ? (
-                      <div className="px-4 pb-2">
-              <span className="typography-ui-label text-muted-foreground">{group.error ?? t('header.services.noRateLimitsReported')}</span>
+                      <div>
+                        <span className="typography-ui-label text-muted-foreground">{group.error ?? t('header.services.noRateLimitsReported')}</span>
                       </div>
                     ) : (
-                      <div className="space-y-3 px-4 pb-2">
+                      <div className="space-y-3">
                         {group.entries.map(([label, window]) => {
                           const displayPercent = quotaDisplayMode === 'remaining' ? window.remainingPercent : window.usedPercent;
                           const paceInfo = calculatePace(window.usedPercent, window.resetAt, window.windowSeconds, label);
@@ -584,7 +585,7 @@ const DesktopServicesMenu = React.memo(function DesktopServicesMenu({
                         ) : null}
                       </div>
                     )}
-                  </React.Fragment>
+                  </div>
                 );
               })}
             </div>
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/mcp/McpDropdown.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/mcp/McpDropdown.tsx
index 55c696ac..c5717ff9 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/mcp/McpDropdown.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/mcp/McpDropdown.tsx
@@ -144,7 +144,10 @@ export const McpDropdownContent: React.FC<McpDropdownContentProps> = ({ active,
         </div>
       </div> : null}
 
-      <div className={cn('max-h-64 overflow-y-auto py-2', mobileListDensity && 'space-y-1 py-3', listClassName)}>
+      {/* Desktop dropdown: servers grouped in one mobile-style card; the mobile
+          sheet variant keeps its own density and chrome. */}
+      <div className={cn('max-h-64 overflow-y-auto', mobileListDensity ? 'space-y-1 py-3' : 'px-3 py-2.5', listClassName)}>
+        <div className={cn(!mobileListDensity && sortedNames.length > 0 && 'rounded-xl bg-[var(--surface-muted)] p-1.5')}>
         {sortedNames.map((serverName) => {
           const serverStatus = status[serverName];
           const tone = statusTone(serverStatus);
@@ -157,7 +160,7 @@ export const McpDropdownContent: React.FC<McpDropdownContentProps> = ({ active,
               key={serverName}
               className={cn(
                 'flex items-center justify-between rounded-lg hover:bg-interactive-hover/50',
-                mobileListDensity ? 'gap-3 px-4 py-3' : 'gap-2 px-4 py-1.5',
+                mobileListDensity ? 'gap-3 px-4 py-3' : 'gap-2 px-2.5 py-2',
               )}
             >
               <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
@@ -212,6 +215,7 @@ export const McpDropdownContent: React.FC<McpDropdownContentProps> = ({ active,
             {t('mcpDropdown.empty.configureInConfig')}
           </div>
         )}
+        </div>
       </div>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/sections/remote-instances/RemoteInstancesPage.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/sections/remote-instances/RemoteInstancesPage.tsx
index e24baf70..ee29b750 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/sections/remote-instances/RemoteInstancesPage.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/sections/remote-instances/RemoteInstancesPage.tsx
@@ -625,33 +625,49 @@ export const RemoteInstancesPage: React.FC = () => {
       ? crypto.randomUUID()
       : `host-${Date.now()}-${Math.random().toString(16).slice(2)}`);
 
-    if (redeemed.kind === 'relay') {
-      const { relay, token } = redeemed;
-      // Relay hosts are keyed by serverId (one host per server, regardless of
-      // which relay routes it), so re-importing updates the existing record.
-      const existing = directHosts.find((host) => host.relay?.serverId === relay.serverId);
-      const displayUrl = relayHostDisplayUrl(relay.serverId);
-      if (existing) {
-        const nextHosts = directHosts.map((host) => host.id === existing.id
-          ? { ...host, label: payload.label || host.label, url: displayUrl, apiUrl: undefined, clientToken: token, relay }
-          : host);
-        await persistDirectHosts(nextHosts, directDefaultHostId);
-      } else {
-        // payload.label is normally the issuing server's hostname; the pseudo-URL
-        // is only a last-resort display name.
-        await persistDirectHosts([{ id: makeId(), label: payload.label || displayUrl, url: displayUrl, clientToken: token, relay }, ...directHosts], directDefaultHostId);
-      }
+    // Persist EVERY transport the link carried, not just the one that answered
+    // the redeem — a multi-transport host connects directly on the home network
+    // and falls back to the relay away from it (same model as mobile devices).
+    // The single token works over both transports.
+    const linkRelayCandidate = payload.candidates.find(
+      (candidate): candidate is Extract<PairingEndpointCandidate, { type: 'relay' }> => candidate.type === 'relay',
+    );
+    const relay: DesktopHostRelay | undefined = redeemed.kind === 'relay'
+      ? redeemed.relay
+      : linkRelayCandidate
+        ? { relayUrl: linkRelayCandidate.relayUrl, serverId: linkRelayCandidate.serverId, hostEncPubJwk: linkRelayCandidate.hostEncPubJwk }
+        : undefined;
+    const firstDirectUrl = payload.candidates
+      .filter((candidate): candidate is Extract<PairingEndpointCandidate, { type: 'lan' | 'tunnel' }> => candidate.type !== 'relay')
+      .map((candidate) => normalizeHostUrl(candidate.url))
+      .find((value): value is string => Boolean(value));
+    const directUrl = redeemed.kind === 'direct' ? redeemed.url : firstDirectUrl;
+    const { token } = redeemed;
+
+    const url = directUrl || (relay ? relayHostDisplayUrl(relay.serverId) : null);
+    if (!url) {
+      setDirectError(t('desktopHostSwitcher.error.invalidUrl'));
+      return;
+    }
+    const transportFields = {
+      url,
+      apiUrl: directUrl || undefined,
+      clientToken: token,
+      ...(relay ? { relay } : {}),
+    };
+    // One host per server: match by relay serverId when the link has a relay
+    // leg, else by direct URL — re-importing updates the record in place.
+    const existing = directHosts.find((host) => (
+      relay ? host.relay?.serverId === relay.serverId : (!host.relay && normalizeHostUrl(host.apiUrl || host.url) === url)
+    ));
+    if (existing) {
+      const nextHosts = directHosts.map((host) => host.id === existing.id
+        ? { ...host, label: payload.label || host.label, ...transportFields }
+        : host);
+      await persistDirectHosts(nextHosts, directDefaultHostId);
     } else {
-      const { url, token } = redeemed;
-      const existing = directHosts.find((host) => !host.relay && normalizeHostUrl(host.apiUrl || host.url) === url);
-      if (existing) {
-        const nextHosts = directHosts.map((host) => host.id === existing.id
-          ? { ...host, label: payload.label || host.label, url, apiUrl: url, clientToken: token }
-          : host);
-        await persistDirectHosts(nextHosts, directDefaultHostId);
-      } else {
-        await persistDirectHosts([{ id: makeId(), label: payload.label || redactSensitiveUrl(url), url, apiUrl: url, clientToken: token }, ...directHosts], directDefaultHostId);
-      }
+      // payload.label is normally the issuing server's hostname.
+      await persistDirectHosts([{ id: makeId(), label: payload.label || redactSensitiveUrl(url), ...transportFields }, ...directHosts], directDefaultHostId);
     }
     setDirectConnectLink('');
     setDirectError(null);
@@ -733,15 +749,23 @@ export const RemoteInstancesPage: React.FC = () => {
     if (!showInstanceManagement || directHosts.length === 0) return;
     let cancelled = false;
     void Promise.all(directHosts.map(async (host) => {
-      const result = host.relay
-        ? await probeRelayDesktopHost(host.relay).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }))
-        : await (async () => {
-          const url = normalizeHostUrl(getDesktopHostApiUrl(host));
-          if (!url) return { status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 } as HostProbeResult;
-          return desktopHostProbe(url, { clientToken: host.clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null })
-            .catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
-        })();
-      return [host.id, result] as const;
+      const relayProbe = () => probeRelayDesktopHost(host.relay!).catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
+      // Relay-only host: tunnel probe. Multi-transport host: direct first,
+      // relay as the away-from-home fallback.
+      if (host.relay && !host.apiUrl) {
+        return [host.id, await relayProbe()] as const;
+      }
+      const url = normalizeHostUrl(getDesktopHostApiUrl(host));
+      if (!url) {
+        return [host.id, host.relay ? await relayProbe() : ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 } as HostProbeResult)] as const;
+      }
+      const direct = await desktopHostProbe(url, { clientToken: host.clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null })
+        .catch((): HostProbeResult => ({ status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 }));
+      if (direct.status === 'unreachable' && host.relay) {
+        const relayResult = await relayProbe();
+        if (relayResult.status === 'ok') return [host.id, relayResult] as const;
+      }
+      return [host.id, direct] as const;
     })).then((entries) => {
       if (cancelled) return;
       setDirectHostStatus(Object.fromEntries(entries));
@@ -1518,18 +1542,19 @@ export const RemoteInstancesPage: React.FC = () => {
                               : ''}
                           </span>
                         </div>
-                        <p className={cn('typography-micro text-muted-foreground truncate', !host.relay && 'font-mono')}>
-                          {host.relay ? t('mobile.connect.relay.badge') : redactSensitiveUrl(host.apiUrl || host.url)}
+                        <p className={cn('typography-micro text-muted-foreground truncate', host.apiUrl && 'font-mono')}>
+                          {host.relay && !host.apiUrl ? t('mobile.connect.relay.badge') : redactSensitiveUrl(host.apiUrl || host.url)}
                         </p>
                       </div>
                       <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-1">
                         <Button type="button" variant="ghost" size="xs" className="!font-normal" onClick={() => void setDefaultDirectHost(host.id)} disabled={directSaving || directDefaultHostId === host.id} aria-label={t('desktopHostSwitcher.actions.setAsDefaultAria')}>
                           {directDefaultHostId === host.id ? <Icon name="star-fill" className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> : <Icon name="star" className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />}
                         </Button>
-                        {/* The edit form is URL/token-centric; saving it would drop a
-                            relay host's tunnel descriptor. Relay hosts are re-imported
-                            via a fresh pairing link instead. */}
-                        {host.relay ? null : (
+                        {/* The edit form is URL/token-centric; relay-ONLY hosts have
+                            nothing it can edit and are re-imported via a fresh pairing
+                            link instead. Multi-transport hosts keep their relay leg
+                            through the edit (object spread preserves it). */}
+                        {host.relay && !host.apiUrl ? null : (
                           <Button type="button" variant="ghost" size="xs" className="!font-normal" onClick={() => beginEditDirectHost(host)} disabled={directSaving}>
                             <Icon name="pencil" className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
                             {t('desktopHostSwitcher.actions.edit')}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/desktopHosts.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/desktopHosts.ts
index f61a73f3..35afef7c 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/desktopHosts.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/desktopHosts.ts
@@ -23,11 +23,13 @@ const sanitizeRequestHeaders = (headers: unknown): Record<string, string> | unde
 };
 
 /**
- * Private-relay reachability for a host. When present, the host is reached over
- * the E2EE relay tunnel (no direct `apiUrl`); `hostEncPubJwk` is the trust anchor
- * that pins the tunnel to the real server. The relay admission `grant` is a
- * one-time pairing artifact and is intentionally NOT persisted — steady-state
- * relay connections route by `serverId` alone (mirrors the mobile app).
+ * Private-relay reachability for a host. A host may carry this ALONGSIDE a
+ * direct `apiUrl` (multi-transport: direct on the home network, E2EE tunnel
+ * away — mirrors the mobile connection model) or as its only transport.
+ * `hostEncPubJwk` is the trust anchor that pins the tunnel to the real server.
+ * The relay admission `grant` is a one-time pairing artifact and is
+ * intentionally NOT persisted — steady-state relay connections route by
+ * `serverId` alone.
  */
 export type DesktopHostRelay = {
   relayUrl: string;
@@ -288,9 +290,14 @@ export const desktopInstallIdGet = async (): Promise<string> => {
   return typeof raw === 'string' ? raw.trim() : '';
 };
 
+const RELAY_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS = 8_000;
+
 /**
  * Reachability check for a relay host: open a throwaway E2EE tunnel and hit
- * /health. Relay hosts have no HTTP address for `desktopHostProbe`.
+ * /health. Relay hosts have no HTTP address for `desktopHostProbe`. Hard
+ * timeout: a ghost relay registration (relay lost the host, host doesn't know)
+ * leaves the tunnel in `connecting` forever — the probe must report
+ * unreachable instead of hanging every status/switch flow with it.
  */
 export const probeRelayDesktopHost = async (relay: DesktopHostRelay): Promise<HostProbeResult> => {
   const tunnel = createRelayTunnelClient({
@@ -300,7 +307,16 @@ export const probeRelayDesktopHost = async (relay: DesktopHostRelay): Promise<Ho
   });
   const startedAt = Date.now();
   try {
-    const response = await tunnel.fetch('/health');
+    const response = await Promise.race([
+      tunnel.fetch('/health'),
+      new Promise<null>((resolve) => {
+        const timer = window.setTimeout(() => resolve(null), RELAY_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS);
+        if (typeof timer !== 'number' && typeof (timer as { unref?: () => void }).unref === 'function') {
+          (timer as unknown as { unref: () => void }).unref();
+        }
+      }),
+    ]);
+    if (!response) return { status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 };
     return { status: response.ok ? 'ok' : 'unreachable', latencyMs: Math.max(0, Date.now() - startedAt) };
   } catch {
     return { status: 'unreachable', latencyMs: 0 };
@@ -335,3 +351,14 @@ export const desktopOpenNewWindowAtUrl = async (url: string, options?: { clientT
   if (!invoke) return;
   await invoke('desktop_new_window_at_url', { url, clientToken: options?.clientToken || undefined, requestHeaders: options?.requestHeaders || undefined });
 };
+
+/**
+ * Open a saved host in a new window by id. Required for relay-capable hosts —
+ * the new window boots the local UI and picks the transport itself (direct
+ * first, E2EE tunnel fallback), which a fixed URL cannot express.
+ */
+export const desktopOpenNewWindowForHost = async (hostId: string): Promise<void> => {
+  const invoke = getInvoke();
+  if (!invoke) return;
+  await invoke('desktop_new_window_for_host', { hostId });
+};
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/lib/desktopRelayRestore.ts b/packages/ui/src/lib/desktopRelayRestore.ts
index 3857ae13..d1a59ebe 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/lib/desktopRelayRestore.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/lib/desktopRelayRestore.ts
@@ -1,28 +1,47 @@
 import { isElectronShell } from '@/lib/desktop';
-import { desktopHostsGet } from '@/lib/desktopHosts';
+import { desktopHostProbe, desktopHostsGet, getDesktopHostApiUrl, normalizeHostUrl } from '@/lib/desktopHosts';
 import { getRuntimeKey, switchRuntimeEndpoint } from '@/lib/runtime-switch';
 
 /**
- * On desktop startup, re-open the E2EE relay tunnel if the default host is a
- * relay host. Relay hosts have no reachable HTTP base, so the Electron shell
- * boots the LOCAL UI and defers reconnection to the renderer: here we read the
- * persisted relay descriptor + client token and activate the tunnel in-process
- * via switchRuntimeEndpoint({ relay }). Direct hosts don't need this — the shell
- * injects their apiBaseUrl/token as window globals before render.
+ * On desktop startup, reconnect a relay-capable default host. The Electron
+ * shell boots the LOCAL UI for any host that carries a relay leg and defers
+ * transport selection to the renderer: here we probe the direct address first
+ * (cheap, preferred on the home network) and fall back to the E2EE tunnel via
+ * switchRuntimeEndpoint({ relay }) — the multi-transport model mobile uses.
+ * Direct-only hosts never reach this path (the shell injects their
+ * apiBaseUrl/token as window globals before render).
  *
  * Safe to call unconditionally; it is a no-op outside the Electron shell and when
  * the default host is local or already active.
  */
-export const restoreDesktopRelayRuntime = async (): Promise<void> => {
+export const restoreDesktopRelayRuntime = async (targetHostId?: string): Promise<void> => {
   if (!isElectronShell()) return;
   const config = await desktopHostsGet().catch(() => null);
-  const defaultHostId = config?.defaultHostId;
-  if (!config || !defaultHostId || defaultHostId === 'local') return;
-  const host = config.hosts.find((entry) => entry.id === defaultHostId);
+  if (!config) return;
+  // An explicit target (a "new window for host X") wins over the default-host
+  // relaunch logic.
+  const hostId = targetHostId || (config.defaultHostId !== 'local' ? config.defaultHostId : null);
+  if (!hostId) return;
+  const host = config.hosts.find((entry) => entry.id === hostId);
   if (!host?.relay) return;
   // Must match runtimeKeyForHost() in DesktopHostSwitcher so switch/resolve agree.
   const runtimeKey = `host:${host.id}`;
   if (getRuntimeKey() === runtimeKey) return;
+
+  const directUrl = host.apiUrl ? normalizeHostUrl(getDesktopHostApiUrl(host)) : null;
+  if (directUrl) {
+    const probe = await desktopHostProbe(directUrl, { clientToken: host.clientToken || null, requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null })
+      .catch(() => ({ status: 'unreachable' as const, latencyMs: 0 }));
+    if (probe.status !== 'unreachable' && probe.status !== 'wrong-service' && probe.status !== 'incompatible') {
+      switchRuntimeEndpoint({
+        apiBaseUrl: directUrl,
+        clientToken: host.clientToken || null,
+        requestHeaders: host.requestHeaders || null,
+        runtimeKey,
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+  }
   switchRuntimeEndpoint({
     apiBaseUrl: typeof window !== 'undefined' ? window.location.origin : '',
     clientToken: host.clientToken || null,
diff --git a/packages/web/server/lib/relay/host-client.js b/packages/web/server/lib/relay/host-client.js
index 52c2a1a9..58f29091 100644
--- a/packages/web/server/lib/relay/host-client.js
+++ b/packages/web/server/lib/relay/host-client.js
@@ -20,6 +20,13 @@ const DATA_SOCKET_OPEN_TIMEOUT_MS = 15000;
 // honest instead of counting ghosts.
 const DATA_SOCKET_IDLE_TIMEOUT_MS = 90_000;
 const DATA_SOCKET_IDLE_SWEEP_INTERVAL_MS = 30_000;
+// Protocol-level keepalive for the control socket. Without it, a network path
+// that dies silently (NAT timeout, relay-edge eviction without close frames)
+// leaves the host believing it is registered while the relay has forgotten it —
+// every client tunnel then hangs in `connecting` forever. A missed pong window
+// terminates the socket, which drives the normal reconnect + re-registration.
+const CONTROL_PING_INTERVAL_MS = 30_000;
+const CONTROL_PONG_GRACE_MS = 10_000;
 const DEFAULT_BATCH_WINDOW_MS = 150;
 
 // Resolve the frame-batching flush window: explicit option wins, then env, then
@@ -283,13 +290,41 @@ export const startRelayHost = ({ relayUrl, identity, localPort, getLocalPort, on
     }
     controlSocket = socket;
 
+    // Liveness: ping on an interval; any pong (or message) proves the path.
+    // A quiet window beyond interval+grace means the connection silently died —
+    // terminate so the close handler reconnects and re-registers at the relay.
+    let lastAliveAt = Date.now();
+    const pingTimer = setInterval(() => {
+      if (controlSocket !== socket || socket.readyState !== WebSocket.OPEN) return;
+      if (Date.now() - lastAliveAt > CONTROL_PING_INTERVAL_MS + CONTROL_PONG_GRACE_MS) {
+        logger.warn('[Relay] control socket unresponsive (missed pong) — reconnecting');
+        try {
+          socket.terminate();
+        } catch {
+          // terminate is best-effort; the close handler still runs.
+        }
+        return;
+      }
+      try {
+        socket.ping();
+      } catch {
+        // Send failure surfaces via the error/close handlers.
+      }
+    }, CONTROL_PING_INTERVAL_MS);
+    if (typeof pingTimer.unref === 'function') pingTimer.unref();
+
     socket.on('open', () => {
       if (controlSocket !== socket) return;
       consecutiveFailures = 0;
+      lastAliveAt = Date.now();
       setState('connected', null);
     });
+    socket.on('pong', () => {
+      lastAliveAt = Date.now();
+    });
     socket.on('message', (data, isBinary) => {
       if (controlSocket !== socket || isBinary) return;
+      lastAliveAt = Date.now();
       handleControlMessage(data.toString('utf8'));
     });
     socket.on('error', (error) => {
@@ -297,6 +332,7 @@ export const startRelayHost = ({ relayUrl, identity, localPort, getLocalPort, on
       lastError = error?.message ?? String(error);
     });
     socket.on('close', (code, reasonBuffer) => {
+      clearInterval(pingTimer);
       if (controlSocket !== socket) return;
       controlSocket = null;
       const reason = reasonBuffer ? reasonBuffer.toString('utf8') : '';
diff --git a/packages/web/src/main.tsx b/packages/web/src/main.tsx
index 63fd4ccd..fd8f1b0b 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/main.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/main.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { createConfiguredWebAPIs } from './runtimeConfig';
+import { createConfiguredWebAPIs, getDesktopRelayRestoreReady } from './runtimeConfig';
 import { registerSW } from 'virtual:pwa-register';
 
 import type { RuntimeAPIs } from '@openchamber/ui/lib/api/types';
@@ -110,7 +110,11 @@ if (hostedSurface === 'mobile') {
       renderMobileApp(window.__OPENCHAMBER_RUNTIME_APIS__ ?? createConfiguredWebAPIs());
     });
 } else {
-  void import('@openchamber/ui/main');
+  // Hold the render (HTML splash stays up) until a desktop relay-host restore
+  // has picked its transport — otherwise the app boots against a not-yet-chosen
+  // endpoint and flashes the auth screen before the tunnel connects. Resolves
+  // immediately when no relay host is involved.
+  void getDesktopRelayRestoreReady().then(() => import('@openchamber/ui/main'));
 }
 
 if (import.meta.env.PROD) {
diff --git a/packages/web/src/runtimeConfig.ts b/packages/web/src/runtimeConfig.ts
index 35bd6c40..5b687ccb 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/runtimeConfig.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/runtimeConfig.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,11 @@ declare global {
   }
 }
 
+// Resolved once the desktop relay-host restore (if any) has picked a transport.
+// Immediately-resolved everywhere else. See createConfiguredWebAPIs.
+let desktopRelayRestoreReady: Promise<void> = Promise.resolve();
+export const getDesktopRelayRestoreReady = (): Promise<void> => desktopRelayRestoreReady;
+
 export const createConfiguredWebAPIs = () => {
   const apiBaseUrl = typeof window.__OPENCHAMBER_API_BASE_URL__ === 'string'
     ? window.__OPENCHAMBER_API_BASE_URL__.trim()
@@ -49,8 +54,17 @@ export const createConfiguredWebAPIs = () => {
     void refreshLocalRuntimeUrlAuthToken(localOrigin).catch(() => {});
   }
   installRuntimeFetchBridge();
-  // Desktop only: if the default host is a relay host, re-open its tunnel now
-  // that the fetch bridge is installed. No-op elsewhere.
-  void restoreDesktopRelayRuntime().catch(() => {});
+  // Desktop only: reconnect a relay-capable host now that the fetch bridge is
+  // installed — either the host this window was opened for (injected id) or the
+  // default host on relaunch. No-op elsewhere; resolves in milliseconds when no
+  // relay host is involved. main.tsx holds the app render on this promise so
+  // the user sees the splash instead of a transient auth screen against an
+  // endpoint that is still being selected.
+  const relayHostId = (window as typeof window & { __OPENCHAMBER_RELAY_HOST_ID__?: string }).__OPENCHAMBER_RELAY_HOST_ID__;
+  desktopRelayRestoreReady = Promise.race([
+    restoreDesktopRelayRuntime(typeof relayHostId === 'string' && relayHostId ? relayHostId : undefined).catch(() => {}),
+    // Never hold the app hostage: a stuck probe/tunnel gives up to the UI.
+    new Promise<void>((resolve) => { window.setTimeout(resolve, 10_000); }),
+  ]);
   return createWebAPIs({ urls });
 };