diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 0b83d529..ac4da7c5 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -35,6 +35,11 @@
 
 ### Fixed
 
+- **Opt-in busy composer placeholder hint.** A new default-off setting swaps the composer placeholder to a busy-mode-specific hint (queue / steer / interrupt) when the agent is running, deferring to the compression placeholder and any user draft, and restoring on idle. Text-only (no layout change), XSS-safe, localized across all 14 locales. Thanks @rodboev. (#5161, #5144)
+
+- **A server-initiated turn that finished during an SSE gap now renders correctly on a visible-tab wake.** When a tab regained focus after the SSE stream had a gap, a self-heal reload could clobber a concurrent same-session `server_turn_started`, losing live-render ownership. The active stream id is now re-read after the awaited message load and scoped to the same session, so a concurrent same-session stream is honored by the attach/idle decision. The original SSE-gap self-heal (metadata-only server-ahead, in-place replace, no jump) is intact. Thanks @allenliang2022. (#5248)
+- **The latest assistant response now carries a single accessible landmark, only once it has settled.** The "Latest Hermes response" landmark is no longer applied to an actively-streaming turn (only the latest settled turn gets it), giving screen-reader users one stable, correctly-placed landmark. Thanks @sheldon-im. (#5207)
+
 - **A just-settled Compact Worklog now stays open for an unpinned reader instead of jumping.** When a streaming turn settled, the worklog could collapse-jump for a reader who wasn't pinned to the bottom; the disarm path now collapse-renders consistently for both pinned and unpinned readers (one frame, height-stable swap), so there's no post-settle scroll jump on mobile. No cache leak, and no #4970 regression. Thanks @allenliang2022. (#5260)
 - **The sidebar source filter now offers Webhooks parity with Cron Jobs.** Adds a `show_webhook_sessions` toggle threaded through the session-list cache key + builder and a localized checkbox, so webhook-origin sessions can be filtered like cron sessions. Preserves the archived-row paging behavior. Thanks @MaudeBot. (#4957, closes #4956)
 
diff --git a/api/background_process.py b/api/background_process.py
index 9e31d530..cffaa224 100644
--- a/api/background_process.py
+++ b/api/background_process.py
@@ -288,6 +288,71 @@ def active_stream_id_for_session(session_id: str) -> Optional[str]:
     return None
 
 
+def persisted_message_count_for_session(session_id: str) -> Optional[int]:
+    """Cheap, metadata-only persisted ``message_count`` for *session_id*, or None.
+
+    Companion to ``active_stream_id_for_session`` for the per-session SSE
+    on-subscribe self-heal. ``active_stream_id_for_session`` recovers a turn
+    that is live RIGHT NOW (replay ``server_turn_started``). But a
+    SERVER-initiated turn (self-wake / cron / restart hook) can start AND
+    finish entirely inside an SSE gap: the fire-and-forget
+    ``server_turn_started`` reached no subscriber AND the run already cleared
+    from ``ACTIVE_RUNS`` by the time the tab reconnects, so the replay finds
+    nothing (returns None) and the tab's transcript stays stale until a hard
+    refresh — the reported visible-tab defect. To detect that case the handler
+    compares the freshly-(re)subscribed tab's last-known count against this
+    persisted count; a server that is AHEAD means a turn landed during the gap.
+
+    Reads via ``metadata_only=True`` so it never parses the full transcript
+    (this runs on every per-session SSE (re)connect). The persisted count is
+    written by ``Session.save`` as ``meta['message_count'] = len(messages)`` —
+    the SAME basis the frontend's ``S.session.message_count`` is built from —
+    so the comparison is apples-to-apples. Returns None when the count is
+    unknown (legacy sidecars without a persisted count); the caller treats
+    None as "cannot tell, do nothing", never as a trigger.
+    """
+    try:
+        from api.models import get_session
+
+        s = get_session(session_id, metadata_only=True)
+        count = getattr(s, "_metadata_message_count", None)
+        if count is None:
+            msgs = getattr(s, "messages", None)
+            count = len(msgs) if isinstance(msgs, list) and msgs else None
+        return int(count) if count is not None else None
+    except Exception:
+        logger.debug(
+            "persisted_message_count_for_session lookup failed for %s",
+            session_id,
+            exc_info=True,
+        )
+        return None
+
+
+def should_emit_session_updated(
+    subscriber_known_count: Optional[int],
+    persisted_count: Optional[int],
+) -> bool:
+    """Gate for the per-session SSE "finished during the gap" self-heal emit.
+
+    Single source of truth shared by the SSE handler and its tests so the two
+    cannot drift (the handler MUST call this, not inline the comparison).
+    Emit a ``session-updated`` frame ONLY when:
+      * the (re)subscribing tab reported a last-known count (``?known_count``),
+        AND
+      * the persisted server-side count is known, AND
+      * the server is STRICTLY ahead (a turn landed during the gap).
+    A missing known count (tab didn't report), an unknown persisted count
+    (legacy sidecar), or an equal/behind count all return False — never a
+    spurious reload.
+    """
+    if subscriber_known_count is None:
+        return False
+    if persisted_count is None:
+        return False
+    return persisted_count > subscriber_known_count
+
+
 def _reaper_loop() -> None:
     logger.info("SessionChannel reaper thread started")
     while not _REAPER_STOP.is_set():
diff --git a/api/config.py b/api/config.py
index b22ec075..b5c2130e 100644
--- a/api/config.py
+++ b/api/config.py
@@ -7795,6 +7795,7 @@ _SETTINGS_DEFAULTS = {
     "show_token_usage": False,  # show input/output token badge below assistant messages
     "show_quota_chip": False,  # show ambient provider quota chip in composer footer (default off; wide desktop only when enabled, see style.css @media)
     "show_conversation_outline": False,  # show opt-in desktop jump-to-question outline panel
+    "show_busy_placeholder_hint": False,  # opt-in busy composer placeholder hint
     "hide_empty_state_suggestions": False,  # hide the default new-chat suggestion buttons
     "virtualize_transcript": False,  # #4343: virtualize long (>80 msg) transcripts. EXPERIMENTAL, opt-IN (default OFF). Was opt-out/default-on in #4325 but caused scroll-up flicker on long sessions with tall tool-call rows (variable-height anchor oscillation) — flipped off for everyone in #4343; re-enabling requires an explicit opt-in (see virtualize_transcript_optin migration in load_settings).
     "virtualize_transcript_optin": False,  # #4343 migration marker: True only once the user explicitly enables virtualize_transcript AFTER the default-off flip. A stored virtualize_transcript=True WITHOUT this marker is a stale pre-flip value and is reset to False on load (force-off-for-everyone migration).
@@ -8040,6 +8041,7 @@ _SETTINGS_BOOL_KEYS = {
     "show_token_usage",
     "show_quota_chip",
     "show_conversation_outline",
+    "show_busy_placeholder_hint",
     "hide_empty_state_suggestions",
     "virtualize_transcript",
     "virtualize_transcript_optin",
diff --git a/api/routes.py b/api/routes.py
index b0e84eac..a2724056 100644
--- a/api/routes.py
+++ b/api/routes.py
@@ -16187,9 +16187,22 @@ def _handle_session_sse_stream(handler, parsed):
     if not sid:
         return bad(handler, "session_id is required")
 
+    # The (re)subscribing tab reports its last-known message_count via
+    # ?known_count=N so the on-subscribe self-heal can detect a server-initiated
+    # turn that started AND finished entirely inside this tab's SSE gap (see the
+    # "server-initiated turn finished during the gap" self-heal block below).
+    # Absent/blank/non-numeric => None ("tab didn't report", never triggers).
+    _known_count_raw = parse_qs(parsed.query).get("known_count", [""])[0]
+    try:
+        subscriber_known_count = int(_known_count_raw) if _known_count_raw != "" else None
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        subscriber_known_count = None
+
     from api.background_process import (
         subscribe_to_session_channel,
         active_stream_id_for_session,
+        persisted_message_count_for_session,
+        should_emit_session_updated,
     )
 
     # Atomic get-or-create + subscribe under SESSION_CHANNELS_LOCK. Doing these
@@ -16274,6 +16287,35 @@ def _handle_session_sse_stream(handler, parsed):
                     "source": "subscribe_recovery",
                     "recovered": True,
                 })
+            else:
+                # ── Server-initiated turn that FINISHED during the SSE gap ──
+                # The block above only heals a turn that is live RIGHT NOW. But
+                # a server-initiated turn (self-wake / cron / restart hook) can
+                # start AND finish entirely inside the gap: the fire-and-forget
+                # `server_turn_started` reached no subscriber, and by the time
+                # this tab reconnects the run has already cleared from
+                # ACTIVE_RUNS — so active_stream_id_for_session returns None and
+                # nothing above replays. The turn IS persisted, but this tab's
+                # transcript stays stale until a hard refresh (the reported
+                # visible-tab defect). Detect it by comparing the persisted
+                # message_count against what this (re)subscribing tab last knew
+                # (?known_count). If the server is AHEAD, emit a lightweight
+                # `session-updated` frame so the tab does an INCREMENTAL,
+                # swap-in-place message sync (frontend reuses #5189's
+                # keepStaleUntilLoaded loadSession path — NO clear+refetch, so
+                # the #5177/#5189 blank-gap jump is not reintroduced). Carries
+                # only counts (no transcript) to stay cheap. Skipped
+                # entirely when the tab didn't report a count or the persisted
+                # count is unknown (legacy sidecar) → never a spurious reload.
+                if subscriber_known_count is not None:
+                    persisted_count = persisted_message_count_for_session(sid)
+                    if should_emit_session_updated(subscriber_known_count, persisted_count):
+                        _sse(handler, 'session-updated', {
+                            "session_id": sid,
+                            "message_count": persisted_count,
+                            "known_count": subscriber_known_count,
+                            "source": "subscribe_recovery",
+                        })
         except _CLIENT_DISCONNECT_ERRORS:
             # Client vanished mid-recovery — re-raise so the outer handler
             # treats it as a normal disconnect and the finally still cleans up.
diff --git a/static/boot.js b/static/boot.js
index 162dd786..064db995 100644
--- a/static/boot.js
+++ b/static/boot.js
@@ -2321,6 +2321,7 @@ function applyBotName(){
   if(topbarTitle && (!S.session)) topbarTitle.textContent=name;
   const msg=$('msg');
   if(msg) msg.placeholder='Message '+name+'\u2026';
+  if(typeof _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder==='function') _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder();
 }
 
 const _COMPOSER_CONTROL_TOGGLE_DEFS=[
@@ -2454,6 +2455,7 @@ window._applyTitlebarProfileVisibility=_applyTitlebarProfileVisibility;
       jsonChars:parseInt(s.inflight_state_max_json_chars||1500000,10)||1500000,
     };
     window._busyInputMode=(s.busy_input_mode||'queue');
+    window._showBusyPlaceholderHint=!!s.show_busy_placeholder_hint;
     window._sessionEndlessScrollEnabled=!!s.session_endless_scroll;
     window._autoScrollFollow=s.auto_scroll_follow!==false;
     window._largeTextPasteAsAttachment=s.large_text_paste_as_attachment!==false;
@@ -2576,6 +2578,7 @@ window._applyTitlebarProfileVisibility=_applyTitlebarProfileVisibility;
     window._sidebarDensity='compact';
     window._pinnedSessionsLimit=3;
     window._busyInputMode='queue';
+    window._showBusyPlaceholderHint=false;
     window._sessionEndlessScrollEnabled=false;
     window._autoScrollFollow=true;
     window._composerControlVisibility=_composerControlVisibilityFromSettings(null);
diff --git a/static/i18n.js b/static/i18n.js
index 4b92d80f..c884c5e5 100644
--- a/static/i18n.js
+++ b/static/i18n.js
@@ -320,6 +320,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Queue follow-up',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Interrupt current turn',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer (mid-turn correction)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
   slash_skill_badge:'Skill',
   slash_skill_desc:'Invoke this skill',
@@ -1963,6 +1968,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Accoda follow-up',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Interrompi turno corrente',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer (correzione a metà turno)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
   slash_skill_badge:'Skill',
   slash_skill_desc:'Invoca questa skill',
@@ -3597,6 +3607,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'フォローアップをキュー',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: '現在のターンを中断',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'ステア (ターン中の修正)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
   slash_skill_badge:'スキル',
   slash_skill_desc:'このスキルを呼び出す',
@@ -5182,6 +5197,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Поставить в очередь',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Прервать текущий оборот',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer (прерывание + отправка)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
     no_personalities: 'Личности не найдены (добавьте их в ~/.hermes/personalities/)',
     clarify_heading: 'Требуется уточнение',
@@ -6803,6 +6823,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Poner en cola',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Interrumpir turno actual',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer (corrección a mitad de turno)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
     no_personalities: 'No se encontraron personalidades (añádelas a ~/.hermes/personalities/)',
     available_personalities: 'Personalidades disponibles:',
     personality_switch_hint: '\n\nUsa `/personality <name>` para cambiar, o `/personality none` para limpiar.',
@@ -8345,6 +8370,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'In Warteschlange einreihen',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Aktuellen Durchgang unterbrechen',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer (Korrektur ohne Unterbrechung)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
     no_personalities: 'Keine Persönlichkeiten gefunden (füge sie in ~/.hermes/personalities/ hinzu)',
     available_personalities: 'Verfügbare Persönlichkeiten:',
     personality_switch_hint: '\n\nNutze `/personality <name>` zum Wechseln, oder `/personality none` zum Löschen.',
@@ -9946,6 +9976,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: '队列后续消息',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: '中断当前轮次',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: '引导（中间修正）',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
     settings_plugins_title: '插件',
     plugins_enable_toggle: '启用',
     settings_plugins_meta: '查看已安装的 Hermes 插件及其注册的生命周期挂钩。此面板为只读。',
@@ -11524,6 +11559,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: '加入佇列',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: '中斷目前回合',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer（中途修正）',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
     slash_skill_badge: '技能',
     slash_skill_desc: '叫用此技能',
@@ -13087,6 +13127,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Enfileirar follow-up',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Interromper turno atual',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer (correção no meio do turno)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
     slash_skill_badge: 'Skill',
     slash_skill_desc: 'Invocar esta skill',
@@ -14604,6 +14649,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: '후속 메시지 대기',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: '현재 작업 중단',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: '조정(중간 수정)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
     slash_skill_badge: '스킬',
     slash_skill_desc: '이 스킬 실행',
@@ -16230,6 +16280,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Suivi de file d\'attente',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Interrompre le tour en cours',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer (correction en milieu de tour)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
     slash_skill_badge: 'Compétence',
     slash_skill_desc: 'Invoquer cette compétence',
@@ -17854,6 +17909,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Sıra takibi',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Mevcut dönüşü kes',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Yönlendirme (dönüş ortası düzeltme)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
     slash_skill_badge: 'Yetenek',
     slash_skill_desc: 'Bu beceriyi çağır',
@@ -19474,6 +19534,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Kolejkuj tury',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Przerwij bieżącą turę',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Korekta w trakcie tury (steer)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
     slash_skill_badge: 'Umiejętność',
     slash_skill_desc: 'Wywołaj tę umiejętność',
@@ -21080,6 +21145,11 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_busy_input_mode_queue: 'Xếp hàng phản hồi tiếp theo',
     settings_busy_input_mode_interrupt: 'Ngắt lượt hiện tại',
     settings_busy_input_mode_steer: 'Steer (điều chỉnh giữa lượt)',
+    settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Show busy placeholder hint',
+    settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint: 'Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_queue: 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt: 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer',
+    composer_placeholder_busy_steer: 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt',
 
     slash_skill_badge:'Kỹ năng',
     slash_skill_desc:'Gọi kỹ năng này',
diff --git a/static/index.html b/static/index.html
index 200081c3..249e0cd5 100644
--- a/static/index.html
+++ b/static/index.html
@@ -1315,6 +1315,13 @@
               </select>
               <div style="font-size:11px;color:var(--muted);margin-top:4px" data-i18n="settings_desc_busy_input_mode">Controls what happens when you send a message while the agent is running. Queue waits for the current task; Interrupt cancels and starts fresh; Steer injects a mid-turn correction without interrupting. If Steer is unavailable, the draft is restored so you can choose the next action.</div>
             </div>
+            <div class="settings-field">
+              <label style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;cursor:pointer">
+                <input type="checkbox" id="settingsShowBusyPlaceholderHint" style="width:15px;height:15px;accent-color:var(--accent)">
+                <span data-i18n="settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint">Show busy placeholder hint</span>
+              </label>
+              <div style="font-size:11px;color:var(--muted);margin-top:4px" data-i18n="settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint">Shows the composer placeholder with the current busy action while the session is running and the draft is empty.</div>
+            </div>
             <div class="settings-field">
               <label style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;cursor:pointer">
                 <input type="checkbox" id="settingsShowCliSessions" style="width:15px;height:15px;accent-color:var(--accent)">
diff --git a/static/messages.js b/static/messages.js
index b8883686..73b5d6fe 100644
--- a/static/messages.js
+++ b/static/messages.js
@@ -6663,7 +6663,25 @@ function startSessionStream(sid) {
   // Tab is visible — the real SSE owns live-view; ensure no stale hidden poll.
   _stopHiddenActiveStreamPoll();
   try {
-    const es = new EventSource(_apiUrl('api/session/stream?session_id=' + encodeURIComponent(sid)));
+    // Report our last-known message_count so the server's on-subscribe
+    // self-heal can detect a server-initiated turn (self-wake / cron / restart)
+    // that started AND finished entirely inside an SSE gap — the fire-and-forget
+    // `server_turn_started` was missed AND the run already cleared from
+    // ACTIVE_RUNS by the time we reconnect, so the `server_turn_started` replay
+    // finds nothing. When the server is ahead of this count it emits a
+    // `session-updated` frame (handled below) and we incrementally sync. Use the
+    // session's full message_count (same basis the server persists), NOT
+    // S.messages.length, which is only the rendered tail window for long
+    // sessions and would false-trigger a reload on every reconnect.
+    let _knownCount = '';
+    try {
+      if (S.session && S.session.session_id === sid && Number.isFinite(Number(S.session.message_count))) {
+        _knownCount = String(Number(S.session.message_count));
+      }
+    } catch (_) {}
+    const _streamUrl = 'api/session/stream?session_id=' + encodeURIComponent(sid)
+      + (_knownCount !== '' ? '&known_count=' + encodeURIComponent(_knownCount) : '');
+    const es = new EventSource(_apiUrl(_streamUrl));
     _sessionEventSource = es;
     es.addEventListener('initial', () => { /* connection confirmed */ });
     es.addEventListener('bg_task_complete', e => {
@@ -6672,6 +6690,41 @@ function startSessionStream(sid) {
         _handleBgTaskCompleteEvent(e, sid, {source: 'session'});
       }
     });
+    // ── Visible-tab self-heal: a server-initiated turn finished during an SSE
+    // gap ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // Distinct from `server_turn_started` (which attaches a LIVE stream): this
+    // frame fires when the server detected, at our (re)subscribe, that a turn
+    // started AND finished while our EventSource was momentarily down (so we
+    // missed the live broadcast and the run already cleared). The turn is
+    // persisted but our transcript is stale and there is NO live stream left to
+    // attach. Incrementally sync via the SAME swap-in-place path #5189 uses for
+    // the hidden-tab return (loadSession force + keepStaleUntilLoaded): the new
+    // transcript replaces the old in a single render frame — NO clear+refetch,
+    // so the #5177/#5189 blank-gap "jump" is not reintroduced.
+    es.addEventListener('session-updated', e => {
+      try {
+        const d = JSON.parse(e.data || '{}');
+        const evSid = d.session_id || sid;
+        if (evSid !== sid) return;
+        // Only act when this session is the one on screen and we're idle (no
+        // live turn rendering — that path owns its own message updates).
+        const isCurrent = (typeof _isSessionCurrentPane === 'function')
+          ? _isSessionCurrentPane(sid)
+          : (S.session && S.session.session_id === sid);
+        if (!isCurrent) return;
+        if (S.activeStreamId) return;
+        // Re-check against our CURRENT known count — a concurrent load may have
+        // already caught us up between the server's emit and now.
+        const localCount = (S.session && S.session.session_id === sid && Number.isFinite(Number(S.session.message_count)))
+          ? Number(S.session.message_count)
+          : (Array.isArray(S.messages) ? S.messages.length : 0);
+        const serverCount = Number(d.message_count);
+        if (!Number.isFinite(serverCount) || serverCount <= localCount) return;
+        if (typeof loadSession === 'function') {
+          void loadSession(sid, {force: true, externalRefreshReason: 'session-updated', keepStaleUntilLoaded: true});
+        }
+      } catch (_) {}
+    });
     // ── Defect B: live-view of server-initiated (Option Z) turns ──────────
     // The drain thread starts the wakeup turn server-side and the server
     // fans a `server_turn_started` {stream_id} frame onto this per-session
diff --git a/static/panels.js b/static/panels.js
index 2b867aa1..0e479af9 100644
--- a/static/panels.js
+++ b/static/panels.js
@@ -7434,6 +7434,8 @@ function _preferencesPayloadFromUi(){
   if(autoTitleRefreshSel) payload.auto_title_refresh_every=parseInt(autoTitleRefreshSel.value,10);
   const busyInputModeSel=$('settingsBusyInputMode');
   if(busyInputModeSel) payload.busy_input_mode=busyInputModeSel.value;
+  const showBusyPlaceholderHintCb=$('settingsShowBusyPlaceholderHint');
+  if(showBusyPlaceholderHintCb) payload.show_busy_placeholder_hint=showBusyPlaceholderHintCb.checked;
   const botNameField=$('settingsBotName');
   if(botNameField) payload.bot_name=botNameField.value;
   return payload;
@@ -7507,6 +7509,14 @@ async function _autosavePreferencesSettings(payload){
       document.documentElement.dataset.conversationOutline=window._showConversationOutline?'enabled':'disabled';
       if(typeof applyConversationOutlinePreference==='function') applyConversationOutlinePreference();
     }
+    if(payload&&payload.busy_input_mode!==undefined){
+      window._busyInputMode=(saved&&saved.busy_input_mode)||'queue';
+      if(typeof _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder==='function') _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder();
+    }
+    if(payload&&payload.show_busy_placeholder_hint!==undefined){
+      window._showBusyPlaceholderHint=!!(saved&&saved.show_busy_placeholder_hint);
+      if(typeof _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder==='function') _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder();
+    }
     _settingsPreferencesAutosaveRetryPayload=null;
     _setPreferencesAutosaveStatus('saved');
     // Only clear the global dirty flag and hide the unsaved-changes bar when
@@ -8072,8 +8082,16 @@ async function loadSettingsPanel(){
     if(busyInputModeSel){
       const val=String(settings.busy_input_mode||'queue');
       busyInputModeSel.value=['queue','interrupt','steer'].includes(val)?val:'queue';
+      window._busyInputMode=busyInputModeSel.value;
       busyInputModeSel.addEventListener('change',_schedulePreferencesAutosave,{once:false});
     }
+    const showBusyPlaceholderHintCb=$('settingsShowBusyPlaceholderHint');
+    if(showBusyPlaceholderHintCb){
+      showBusyPlaceholderHintCb.checked=!!settings.show_busy_placeholder_hint;
+      window._showBusyPlaceholderHint=showBusyPlaceholderHintCb.checked;
+      showBusyPlaceholderHintCb.addEventListener('change',_schedulePreferencesAutosave,{once:false});
+    }
+    if(typeof _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder==='function') _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder();
     // Bot name — debounced autosave (text input)
     const botNameField=$('settingsBotName');
     if(botNameField){
@@ -9971,13 +9989,14 @@ async function deletePasskey(id){
 }
 
 function _applySavedSettingsUi(saved, body, opts){
-  const {sendKey,showTokenUsage,showQuotaChip,showConversationOutline,showTps,fadeTextEffect,showCliSessions,theme,skin,language,sidebarDensity,fontSize}=opts;
+  const {sendKey,showTokenUsage,showQuotaChip,showConversationOutline,showBusyPlaceholderHint,showTps,fadeTextEffect,showCliSessions,theme,skin,language,sidebarDensity,fontSize}=opts;
   window._sendKey=sendKey||'enter';
   window._showTokenUsage=showTokenUsage;
   window._showQuotaChip=showQuotaChip===true;
   window._showConversationOutline=showConversationOutline===true;
   document.documentElement.dataset.conversationOutline=window._showConversationOutline?'enabled':'disabled';
   if(typeof applyConversationOutlinePreference==='function') applyConversationOutlinePreference();
+  window._showBusyPlaceholderHint=showBusyPlaceholderHint===true;
   window._showTps=showTps;
   window._fadeTextEffect=!!fadeTextEffect;
   window._showCliSessions=showCliSessions;
@@ -10003,6 +10022,7 @@ function _applySavedSettingsUi(saved, body, opts){
   }
   window._botName=body.bot_name||'Hermes';
   if(typeof applyBotName==='function') applyBotName();
+  else if(typeof _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder==='function') _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder();
   if(typeof setLocale==='function') setLocale(language);
   if(typeof applyLocaleToDOM==='function') applyLocaleToDOM();
   const maxTokensField=$('settingsMaxTokens');
@@ -10554,6 +10574,7 @@ async function saveSettings(andClose){
   const language=($('settingsLanguage')||{}).value||'en';
   const sidebarDensity=($('settingsSidebarDensity')||{}).value==='detailed'?'detailed':'compact';
   const busyInputMode=($('settingsBusyInputMode')||{}).value||'queue';
+  const showBusyPlaceholderHint=!!($('settingsShowBusyPlaceholderHint')||{}).checked;
   const body={};
 
   if(sendKey) body.send_key=sendKey;
@@ -10579,6 +10600,7 @@ async function saveSettings(andClose){
   }
   body.show_quota_chip=showQuotaChip===true;
   body.show_conversation_outline=showConversationOutline===true;
+  body.show_busy_placeholder_hint=showBusyPlaceholderHint===true;
   body.show_tps=showTps;
   body.fade_text_effect=fadeTextEffect;
   body.terminal_auto_expand_on_output=!!($('settingsTerminalAutoExpand')||{}).checked;
@@ -10626,7 +10648,7 @@ async function saveSettings(andClose){
           if(typeof showToast==='function') showToast('Failed to update default model — settings saved');
         }
       }
-      _applySavedSettingsUi(saved, body, {sendKey,showTokenUsage,showQuotaChip,showConversationOutline,showTps,fadeTextEffect,showCliSessions,theme,skin,language,sidebarDensity,fontSize});
+      _applySavedSettingsUi(saved, body, {sendKey,showTokenUsage,showQuotaChip,showConversationOutline,showBusyPlaceholderHint,showTps,fadeTextEffect,showCliSessions,theme,skin,language,sidebarDensity,fontSize});
       showToast(t(saved.auth_just_enabled?'settings_saved_pw':'settings_saved_pw_updated'));
       const cpField=$('settingsCurrentPassword'); if(cpField) cpField.value='';
       const pwField=$('settingsPassword'); if(pwField) pwField.value='';
@@ -10656,7 +10678,7 @@ async function saveSettings(andClose){
         if(typeof showToast==='function') showToast('Failed to update default model — settings saved');
       }
     }
-    _applySavedSettingsUi(saved, body, {sendKey,showTokenUsage,showQuotaChip,showConversationOutline,showTps,fadeTextEffect,showCliSessions,theme,skin,language,sidebarDensity,fontSize});
+    _applySavedSettingsUi(saved, body, {sendKey,showTokenUsage,showQuotaChip,showConversationOutline,showBusyPlaceholderHint,showTps,fadeTextEffect,showCliSessions,theme,skin,language,sidebarDensity,fontSize});
     showToast(t('settings_saved'));
     _settingsDirty=false;
     _resetSettingsPanelState();
diff --git a/static/sessions.js b/static/sessions.js
index 0618ed42..ec53094f 100644
--- a/static/sessions.js
+++ b/static/sessions.js
@@ -1418,7 +1418,10 @@ async function loadSession(sid){
   _setActiveSessionUrl(S.session.session_id);
   if(typeof startSessionStream==='function') startSessionStream(S.session.session_id);
 
-  const activeStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id||null;
+  // `let` (not const): re-read below, after the awaited _ensureMessagesLoaded,
+  // so a server_turn_started that attaches a live stream MID-RELOAD is honored
+  // by the attach/idle decision instead of being clobbered by the stale snapshot.
+  let activeStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id||null;
   // If the server says the session is idle, reset browser-side streaming flags
   // NOW — before the async _ensureMessagesLoaded gap below. Without this,
   // S.busy can remain true from a still-running stream in the PREVIOUS session
@@ -1654,6 +1657,18 @@ async function loadSession(sid){
     // Attach pending user message if one is queued.
     _mergePendingSessionMessage(S.session,S.messages);
 
+    // Self-heal-vs-live-render race guard (maintainer/Codex-reproduced; verified
+    // in an isolated instance). `activeStreamId` was snapshotted BEFORE the
+    // awaited _ensureMessagesLoaded above. During a force reload (the
+    // `session-updated` self-heal or any keepStaleUntilLoaded recovery), a
+    // server-initiated turn can fire `server_turn_started` mid-await and set
+    // S.activeStreamId for THIS sid. Without re-reading, the idle branch below
+    // would clear S.activeStreamId/S.busy off the stale (null) snapshot and
+    // silently kill the live turn's render. Fold a concurrently-attached
+    // same-session stream into activeStreamId so the existing attach branch
+    // (and all its `attachLiveStream(sid, activeStreamId, ...)` calls) keeps it.
+    activeStreamId = activeStreamId || ((S.activeStreamId && S.session && S.session.session_id===sid) ? S.activeStreamId : null);
+
     if(activeStreamId){
       S.busy=true;
       S.activeStreamId=activeStreamId;
diff --git a/static/ui.js b/static/ui.js
index ca6bdb56..3a73794b 100644
--- a/static/ui.js
+++ b/static/ui.js
@@ -453,6 +453,9 @@ const _recycleResetAttrs=[
   'data-transparent-turn-toggle-bound',
   'data-anchor-scene-live-owner',
   'data-anchor-stream-id',
+  'data-latest-assistant-response',
+  'role',
+  'aria-label',
   // Defensive reset for legacy/restored shells that may still carry the fallback live-turn marker.
   'data-live-assistant-turn',
 ];
@@ -6063,6 +6066,33 @@ function getComposerPrimaryAction(){
   return 'queue';
 }
 
+function _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder(){
+  const input=$('msg');
+  if(!input) return;
+  if(_compressionPlaceholderSaved!==null) return;
+  if(input.disabled) return;
+  if(_composerHasContent()) return;
+  const idlePlaceholder='Message '+assistantDisplayName()+'\u2026';
+  if(!window._showBusyPlaceholderHint||!S.busy){
+    input.placeholder=idlePlaceholder;
+    return;
+  }
+  const busyMode=window._busyInputMode||'queue';
+  const busyPlaceholderKey=busyMode==='interrupt'
+    ? 'composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt'
+    : busyMode==='steer'
+      ? 'composer_placeholder_busy_steer'
+      : 'composer_placeholder_busy_queue';
+  const busyPlaceholderFallback=busyMode==='interrupt'
+    ? 'Enter = interrupt | /queue | /background | /steer'
+    : busyMode==='steer'
+      ? 'Enter = steer | /queue | /background | /interrupt'
+      : 'Enter = queue | /interrupt | /background | /steer';
+  input.placeholder=typeof t==='function'
+    ? (t(busyPlaceholderKey)||busyPlaceholderFallback)
+    : busyPlaceholderFallback;
+}
+
 function _setComposerPrimaryButtonIcon(btn,action){
   // Queue/interrupt/steer icons are inline Lucide SVGs (ISC):
   // https://lucide.dev/icons/
@@ -6080,7 +6110,10 @@ function _setComposerPrimaryButtonIcon(btn,action){
 
 function updateSendBtn(){
   const btn=$('btnSend');
-  if(!btn) return;
+  if(!btn){
+    if(typeof _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder==='function') _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder();
+    return;
+  }
   const action=getComposerPrimaryAction();
   btn.dataset.action=action;
   btn.classList.toggle('stop',action==='stop');
@@ -6102,6 +6135,7 @@ function updateSendBtn(){
   btn.title=_btnTitle;
   btn.setAttribute('aria-label',_btnTitle);
   _setComposerPrimaryButtonIcon(btn,action);
+  if(typeof _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder==='function') _applyBusyComposerPlaceholder();
   // Single primary action button: while busy/no-draft it becomes the red Stop
   // action; while busy with a draft it reflects queue/interrupt/steer.
   btn.style.display='';
@@ -8634,6 +8668,24 @@ function _createAssistantTurn(tsTitle='', tpsText=''){
   row.innerHTML=`${_assistantRoleHtml(tsTitle, tpsText)}<div class="assistant-turn-blocks"></div>`;
   return row;
 }
+function _setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark(turn, isLatest){
+  if(!turn) return;
+  const label='Latest Hermes response';
+  if(isLatest){
+    if(typeof document!=='undefined'){
+      document.querySelectorAll('.assistant-turn[data-latest-assistant-response="true"]').forEach(el=>{
+        if(el!==turn) _setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark(el, false);
+      });
+    }
+    turn.setAttribute('role','region');
+    turn.setAttribute('aria-label',label);
+    turn.dataset.latestAssistantResponse='true';
+    return;
+  }
+  if(turn.getAttribute('role')==='region') turn.removeAttribute('role');
+  if(turn.getAttribute('aria-label')===label) turn.removeAttribute('aria-label');
+  delete turn.dataset.latestAssistantResponse;
+}
 function _assistantTurnBlocks(turn){
   return turn?turn.querySelector('.assistant-turn-blocks'):null;
 }
@@ -12342,6 +12394,13 @@ function renderMessages(options){
     }catch(e){}
   }
   const transparentToolResultsByTid=_transparentModeActive?_collectToolResultSnippetsByTid(S.messages):{};
+  const latestRenderedAssistantRawIdx=(()=>{
+    for(let i=renderVisWithIdx.length-1;i>=0;i--){
+      const entry=renderVisWithIdx[i];
+      if(entry&&entry.m&&entry.m.role==='assistant'&&!entry.m._live) return entry.rawIdx;
+    }
+    return -1;
+  })();
   // Windowed render loop replaces the legacy full loop:
   // for(let vi=0;vi<visWithIdx.length;vi++)
   for(let vi=0;vi<renderVisWithIdx.length;vi++){
@@ -12529,6 +12588,7 @@ function renderMessages(options){
       currentAssistantTurn.dataset.recycleKey=rawIdx;
       inner.appendChild(currentAssistantTurn);
     }
+    _setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark(currentAssistantTurn, !m._live&&rawIdx===latestRenderedAssistantRawIdx);
     const seg=document.createElement('div');
     if(Array.isArray(orderedTransparentParts)&&orderedTransparentParts.length){
       const blocks=_assistantTurnBlocks(currentAssistantTurn);
diff --git a/tests/test_1003_preferences_autosave.py b/tests/test_1003_preferences_autosave.py
index 5f8f8f13..db92bc59 100644
--- a/tests/test_1003_preferences_autosave.py
+++ b/tests/test_1003_preferences_autosave.py
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
 Mirrors the structure of test_1003_appearance_autosave.py to verify the
 preferences-panel autosave pattern is wired correctly:
 
-- All 14 preference fields use _schedulePreferencesAutosave (not _markSettingsDirty)
+- All 15 preference fields use _schedulePreferencesAutosave (not _markSettingsDirty)
 - Password field MUST still call _markSettingsDirty (security: never autosave)
-- _preferencesPayloadFromUi covers all 14 fields
+- _preferencesPayloadFromUi covers all 15 fields
 - _setPreferencesAutosaveStatus uses the shared i18n keys
 - Status div exists in static/index.html
 - _autosavePreferencesSettings clears the dirty flag and hides the unsaved bar
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ PREFERENCE_FIELDS_AUTOSAVE = [
     ("settingsSidebarDensity", "sidebar_density"),
     ("settingsAutoTitleRefresh", "auto_title_refresh_every"),
     ("settingsBusyInputMode", "busy_input_mode"),
+    ("settingsShowBusyPlaceholderHint", "show_busy_placeholder_hint"),
     ("settingsBotName", "bot_name"),
 ]
 
diff --git a/tests/test_5144_busy_composer_placeholder_hint.py b/tests/test_5144_busy_composer_placeholder_hint.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..544be8d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_5144_busy_composer_placeholder_hint.py
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+"""Regression checks for Issue #5144 busy composer placeholder hints."""
+
+import re
+from pathlib import Path
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).parent.parent
+CONFIG_PY = (ROOT / "api" / "config.py").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+PANELS_JS = (ROOT / "static" / "panels.js").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+BOOT_JS = (ROOT / "static" / "boot.js").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+UI_JS = (ROOT / "static" / "ui.js").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+I18N_JS = (ROOT / "static" / "i18n.js").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+
+def _function_block(src: str, name: str) -> str:
+    marker = re.search(rf"(^|\n)(?:async\s+)?function\s+{re.escape(name)}\(", src)
+    assert marker is not None, f"{name}() not found"
+    start = marker.start()
+    next_marker = re.search(r"\n(?:function\s+\w+\(|async\s+function\s+\w+\()", src[start + 1:])
+    end = start + 1 + next_marker.start() if next_marker else len(src)
+    return src[start:end]
+
+
+def test_setting_defaults_off_and_bool_registration():
+    assert '"show_busy_placeholder_hint": False' in CONFIG_PY
+    assert '"show_busy_placeholder_hint"' in CONFIG_PY
+
+
+def test_preferences_wiring_covers_busy_placeholder_hint():
+    payload_block = _function_block(PANELS_JS, "_preferencesPayloadFromUi")
+    assert "$('settingsShowBusyPlaceholderHint')" in payload_block
+    assert "payload.show_busy_placeholder_hint=" in payload_block
+
+    load_block = _function_block(PANELS_JS, "loadSettingsPanel")
+    assert "settingsShowBusyPlaceholderHint" in load_block
+    assert "show_busy_placeholder_hint" in load_block
+    assert "_schedulePreferencesAutosave" in load_block
+    assert "_applyBusyComposerPlaceholder" in load_block
+
+    save_block = _function_block(PANELS_JS, "saveSettings")
+    assert "const showBusyPlaceholderHint=" in save_block
+    assert "body.show_busy_placeholder_hint=showBusyPlaceholderHint===true" in save_block
+
+    autosave_block = _function_block(PANELS_JS, "_autosavePreferencesSettings")
+    assert "window._showBusyPlaceholderHint" in autosave_block
+    assert "_applyBusyComposerPlaceholder" in autosave_block
+
+    apply_block = _function_block(PANELS_JS, "_applySavedSettingsUi")
+    assert "showBusyPlaceholderHint" in apply_block
+    assert "window._showBusyPlaceholderHint=showBusyPlaceholderHint===true" in apply_block
+    assert "_applyBusyComposerPlaceholder" in apply_block
+
+
+def test_boot_loads_runtime_flag_and_falls_back_false():
+    assert "window._showBusyPlaceholderHint=!!s.show_busy_placeholder_hint" in BOOT_JS
+    assert "window._showBusyPlaceholderHint=false" in BOOT_JS
+
+
+def test_busy_placeholder_helper_preserves_compression_and_drafts():
+    helper_block = _function_block(UI_JS, "_applyBusyComposerPlaceholder")
+    assert "if(!input)" in helper_block
+    assert "if(_compressionPlaceholderSaved!==null)" in helper_block
+    assert "if(input.disabled)" in helper_block
+    assert "if(_composerHasContent())" in helper_block
+    assert "assistantDisplayName()" in helper_block
+    assert "window._showBusyPlaceholderHint" in helper_block
+    assert "window._busyInputMode||'queue'" in helper_block
+    assert "composer_placeholder_busy_queue" in helper_block
+    assert "composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt" in helper_block
+    assert "composer_placeholder_busy_steer" in helper_block
+
+    update_block = _function_block(UI_JS, "updateSendBtn")
+    assert "_applyBusyComposerPlaceholder" in update_block
+
+    busy_block = _function_block(UI_JS, "setBusy")
+    assert "updateSendBtn();" in busy_block
+    assert "_applyBusyComposerPlaceholder" not in busy_block
+
+
+def test_locale_blocks_cover_new_keys():
+    locale_blocks = I18N_JS.count("settings_busy_input_mode_steer")
+    assert locale_blocks == 14
+    for key in [
+        "settings_label_busy_placeholder_hint",
+        "settings_desc_busy_placeholder_hint",
+        "composer_placeholder_busy_queue",
+        "composer_placeholder_busy_interrupt",
+        "composer_placeholder_busy_steer",
+    ]:
+        assert I18N_JS.count(key) == locale_blocks, f"{key} should exist in every locale block"
diff --git a/tests/test_a11y_transcript_landmarks.py b/tests/test_a11y_transcript_landmarks.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e592b77a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_a11y_transcript_landmarks.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import re
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+INDEX_HTML = (ROOT / "static" / "index.html").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+UI_JS = (ROOT / "static" / "ui.js").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+
+def _function_body(source: str, name: str) -> str:
+    start = source.find(f"function {name}(")
+    assert start != -1, f"{name}() not found"
+    end = source.find("\nfunction ", start + 1)
+    if end == -1:
+        end = len(source)
+    return source[start:end]
+
+
+def test_conversation_transcript_is_not_a_named_region():
+    match = re.search(r'<div class="messages" id="messages"[^>]*>', INDEX_HTML)
+    assert match, "#messages container not found"
+    tag = match.group(0)
+    assert 'role="region"' not in tag
+    assert 'Conversation transcript' not in tag
+    assert "tabindex" not in tag.lower()
+
+
+def test_latest_assistant_landmark_helper_is_named_but_not_focusable():
+    helper = _function_body(UI_JS, "_setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark")
+    assert "Latest Hermes response" in helper
+    assert "setAttribute('role','region')" in helper
+    assert "setAttribute('aria-label',label)" in helper
+    assert "data-latest-assistant-response" in helper
+    assert "tabindex" not in helper.lower()
+    assert "<h" not in helper.lower()
+
+
+def test_settled_render_marks_only_the_latest_assistant_turn():
+    render_messages = _function_body(UI_JS, "renderMessages")
+    assert "const latestRenderedAssistantRawIdx=(()=>{" in render_messages
+    assert "if(entry&&entry.m&&entry.m.role==='assistant'&&!entry.m._live) return entry.rawIdx;" in render_messages
+    assert "_setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark(currentAssistantTurn, !m._live&&rawIdx===latestRenderedAssistantRawIdx);" in render_messages
+    assert "seg.setAttribute('role','region')" not in render_messages
+    assert "orderedSeg.setAttribute('role','region')" not in render_messages
+
+
+def test_live_assistant_turn_paths_do_not_own_final_response_landmark():
+    restore_live_turn = _function_body(UI_JS, "restoreLiveTurnHtmlForSession")
+    render_live_scene = _function_body(UI_JS, "renderLiveAnchorActivityScene")
+    append_thinking = _function_body(UI_JS, "appendThinking")
+
+    assert "_setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark(restored, true);" not in restore_live_turn
+    assert "_setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark(turn, true);" not in render_live_scene
+    assert "_setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark(turn, true);" not in append_thinking
diff --git a/tests/test_anchor_fallback_ownership.py b/tests/test_anchor_fallback_ownership.py
index 041fda84..4bec8d1f 100644
--- a/tests/test_anchor_fallback_ownership.py
+++ b/tests/test_anchor_fallback_ownership.py
@@ -604,6 +604,7 @@ def test_render_messages_keeps_anchor_owned_turn_out_of_legacy_activity_rebuilds
           return turn;
         }}
         function _assistantTurnBlocks(turn) {{ return turn ? turn.querySelector('.assistant-turn-blocks') : null; }}
+        function _setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark() {{}}
         function _assistantRoleHtml() {{ return ''; }}
         function _userMessageDomId(rawIdx) {{ return `user-${{rawIdx}}`; }}
         function _messageSessionIndexForRawIdx(rawIdx) {{ return rawIdx; }}
diff --git a/tests/test_gateway_sse_reconnect_dedupe.py b/tests/test_gateway_sse_reconnect_dedupe.py
index 5823274d..11afbfe9 100644
--- a/tests/test_gateway_sse_reconnect_dedupe.py
+++ b/tests/test_gateway_sse_reconnect_dedupe.py
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ if(!_isDuplicateGatewaySessionSnapshot([null, {session_id:'web-2', session_sourc
 def test_load_session_persists_only_after_metadata_loads():
     """Do not overwrite the last good localStorage sid before /api/session succeeds."""
     src = _read(SESSIONS_JS)
-    load = _block(src, "async function loadSession(sid)", "\n  const activeStreamId=")
+    load = _block(src, "async function loadSession(sid)", "activeStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id")
     api_pos = load.index("data = await api(`/api/session")
     persist_pos = load.index("localStorage.setItem('hermes-webui-session',S.session.session_id)")
 
diff --git a/tests/test_inflight_stream_reuse.py b/tests/test_inflight_stream_reuse.py
index 4e25b403..ca1ccabf 100644
--- a/tests/test_inflight_stream_reuse.py
+++ b/tests/test_inflight_stream_reuse.py
@@ -138,7 +138,11 @@ def test_attach_live_stream_different_stream_still_reopens_transport():
 def test_load_session_reattach_path_uses_attach_live_stream_for_running_sessions():
     """The session switch-back path should still route through attachLiveStream()."""
     body = _function_body(SESSIONS_JS, "loadSession")
-    active_pos = body.find("const activeStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id||null")
+    # Anchor without the `const`/`let` keyword: the declaration was widened to
+    # `let` so the race-guard can re-read activeStreamId after the awaited
+    # message load (#5248). The invariant this test pins — the snapshot is taken
+    # before, and used by, the attachLiveStream reattach — is unchanged.
+    active_pos = body.find("activeStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id||null")
     reattach_pos = body.find("attachLiveStream(sid, activeStreamId")
     assert active_pos != -1
     assert reattach_pos != -1
diff --git a/tests/test_issue4793_dom_recycle_hardening.py b/tests/test_issue4793_dom_recycle_hardening.py
index 76e32b3d..b413e491 100644
--- a/tests/test_issue4793_dom_recycle_hardening.py
+++ b/tests/test_issue4793_dom_recycle_hardening.py
@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ const S = { session: { session_id: 'sess-1' } };
 const _assistantRoleHtml = (title, tps) => `role:${title}:${tps}`;
 const isTpsDisplayEnabled = () => true;
 const _formatTurnTps = value => `tps:${value}`;
+const latestRenderedAssistantRawIdx = rawIdx;
+function _setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark() {}
 eval(recycleChunk);
 console.log(JSON.stringify({
   removedAttrs,
@@ -110,6 +112,9 @@ console.log(JSON.stringify({
         "data-transparent-turn-toggle-bound",
         "data-anchor-scene-live-owner",
         "data-anchor-stream-id",
+        "data-latest-assistant-response",
+        "role",
+        "aria-label",
         "data-live-assistant-turn",
     }
     assert set(result["resetAttrs"]) == expected_attrs
@@ -155,6 +160,8 @@ const S = { session: { session_id: 'sess-1' } };
 const _assistantRoleHtml = (title, tps) => `role:${title}:${tps}`;
 const isTpsDisplayEnabled = () => true;
 const _formatTurnTps = value => `tps:${value}`;
+const latestRenderedAssistantRawIdx = rawIdx;
+function _setLatestAssistantTurnLandmark() {}
 eval(recycleChunk);
 console.log(JSON.stringify({
   blocksInnerHTML: blocks.innerHTML,
diff --git a/tests/test_model_selection_refresh_persistence.py b/tests/test_model_selection_refresh_persistence.py
index cca70140..361cea94 100644
--- a/tests/test_model_selection_refresh_persistence.py
+++ b/tests/test_model_selection_refresh_persistence.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def test_model_selection_records_pending_state_before_async_session_update():
 
 def test_load_session_applies_pending_model_before_first_topbar_sync():
     """Reload should project the pending selection before server old metadata wins."""
-    body = _body_between(SESSIONS_JS, "async function loadSession", "const activeStreamId=")
+    body = _body_between(SESSIONS_JS, "async function loadSession", "activeStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id")
 
     apply_idx = body.index("_applyPendingSessionModelForSession")
     sync_idx = body.index("syncTopbar()")
diff --git a/tests/test_optionz_liveview_perf.py b/tests/test_optionz_liveview_perf.py
index 5ac30480..ef4bda87 100644
--- a/tests/test_optionz_liveview_perf.py
+++ b/tests/test_optionz_liveview_perf.py
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ def test_session_sse_handler_wires_on_subscribe_recovery():
     # The recovery must be inside the session SSE handler and use the
     # recovered marker so the frontend uses the replay attach path.
     handler_ix = src.index("def _handle_session_sse_stream")
-    handler_src = src[handler_ix:handler_ix + 6000]
+    handler_src = src[handler_ix:handler_ix + 9000]
     assert "active_stream_id_for_session" in handler_src
     assert '"recovered": True' in handler_src
     assert "server_turn_started" in handler_src
@@ -551,3 +551,213 @@ def test_frontend_handler_requires_event_id_to_surface():
     assert "_bgTaskCompleteRingBufferAdd(sid, evt_id)" in fn_src
     # Ack body carries event_id so server can correlate.
     assert "event_id: evt_id" in fn_src
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Visible-tab self-heal: server-initiated turn FINISHED during the SSE gap
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+# Root cause (distinct from the live-run replay above): a server-initiated
+# turn (self-wake / cron / restart hook) can start AND finish entirely while a
+# VISIBLE tab's per-session EventSource is momentarily down (transient SSE
+# drop / reverse-proxy idle-timeout / connection-pool starvation). The
+# fire-and-forget `server_turn_started` reaches no subscriber, and by the time
+# the tab reconnects the run has already cleared from ACTIVE_RUNS — so
+# active_stream_id_for_session returns None and the live-run replay finds
+# nothing. The turn IS persisted; only the tab's live-view is stale until a
+# hard refresh.
+#
+# Fix: the (re)subscribing tab reports its last-known message_count
+# (?known_count); when the live-run replay is a no-op, the handler compares the
+# persisted count against it and, if the server is AHEAD, emits a lightweight
+# `session-updated` frame so the tab incrementally syncs via the #5189
+# keepStaleUntilLoaded swap-in-place path (NO clear+refetch → no blank-gap
+# jump). Reproduced deterministically with the controlled Playwright harness in
+# references/visible-tab-misses-wake-during-sse-gap.md (SSE force-closed at the
+# wakeup-emit instant; pre-fix gotServerTurnStarted:false / msgCount:0 while the
+# sidecar already had the turn).
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _make_meta_session(sid, count, updated_at=123.0):
+    """Build a fake metadata-only session stub mirroring load_metadata_only()."""
+    class _MetaSession:
+        session_id = sid
+        _metadata_message_count = count
+        _loaded_metadata_only = True
+        messages = []
+        updated_at = None
+    s = _MetaSession()
+    s.updated_at = updated_at
+    return s
+
+
+def test_persisted_message_count_uses_metadata_only(monkeypatch):
+    """The companion lookup must return the persisted count via a metadata-only
+    load (never parsing the full transcript) and None when unknown."""
+    from api import background_process as bp
+    import api.models as models
+
+    sid = "sess-persisted-count"
+
+    # Normal: metadata stub carries _metadata_message_count.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models, "get_session", lambda _sid, metadata_only=False: _make_meta_session(_sid, 7), raising=True)
+    assert bp.persisted_message_count_for_session(sid) == 7
+
+    # Unknown count (legacy sidecar, no persisted count, empty messages) → None
+    # so the caller treats it as "cannot tell", never a spurious trigger.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models, "get_session", lambda _sid, metadata_only=False: _make_meta_session(_sid, None), raising=True)
+    assert bp.persisted_message_count_for_session(sid) is None
+
+    # Lookup failure (e.g. corrupt sidecar) is swallowed → None, never raises.
+    def _boom(_sid, metadata_only=False):
+        raise RuntimeError("decode error")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models, "get_session", _boom, raising=True)
+    assert bp.persisted_message_count_for_session(sid) is None
+
+
+def test_persisted_message_count_requests_metadata_only(monkeypatch):
+    """Guard the perf contract: the lookup MUST pass metadata_only=True so it
+    never parses a 400KB+ transcript on every per-session SSE (re)connect."""
+    from api import background_process as bp
+    import api.models as models
+
+    seen = {}
+
+    def _spy(_sid, metadata_only=False):
+        seen["metadata_only"] = metadata_only
+        return _make_meta_session(_sid, 3)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models, "get_session", _spy, raising=True)
+    assert bp.persisted_message_count_for_session("sess-spy") == 3
+    assert seen.get("metadata_only") is True
+
+
+def test_session_sse_handler_wires_finished_during_gap_self_heal():
+    """Source-grep: the per-session SSE handler must (a) parse ?known_count,
+    (b) in the live-run-absent branch compare the persisted count against it,
+    and (c) emit a `session-updated` frame when the server is ahead — all so a
+    turn that finished during the SSE gap still self-heals on a visible tab."""
+    src = (REPO_ROOT / "api" / "routes.py").read_text()
+    handler_ix = src.index("def _handle_session_sse_stream")
+    handler_src = src[handler_ix:handler_ix + 9000]
+    # (a) the subscriber reports its last-known count.
+    assert "known_count" in handler_src
+    assert "subscriber_known_count" in handler_src
+    # (b) the no-live-run branch consults the persisted count companion.
+    assert "persisted_message_count_for_session" in handler_src
+    # (c) and emits the incremental-sync frame only when ahead.
+    assert "session-updated" in handler_src
+    # The persisted-count comparison must live in the ELSE of the live-run
+    # replay (a finished-during-gap turn has NO active stream to replay), and
+    # the count comparison gates the emit. Anchor on the EMIT call itself
+    # (`_sse(handler, 'session-updated'`), not the first `session-updated`
+    # occurrence — that one is in the explanatory comment, before the gate.
+    su_ix = handler_src.index("_sse(handler, 'session-updated'")
+    gate_src = handler_src[max(0, su_ix - 1200):su_ix]
+    assert "should_emit_session_updated(" in gate_src
+
+
+def test_session_updated_emit_gate_is_the_real_handler_function():
+    """Behavioural contract for the count gate — exercises the ACTUAL function
+    the SSE handler calls (`should_emit_session_updated`), NOT a hand-rolled
+    copy. If the gate drifts (e.g. `>` becomes `>=`, or a short-circuit is
+    added), this test moves with it because it imports the real implementation.
+    Emit ONLY when a known subscriber count exists AND the persisted count
+    strictly exceeds it.
+    """
+    from api.background_process import should_emit_session_updated as gate
+
+    # Server ahead → emit.
+    assert gate(5, 7) is True
+    # Equal (tab already current) → no emit.
+    assert gate(7, 7) is False
+    # Behind (shouldn't happen, but never reload backwards) → no emit.
+    assert gate(7, 5) is False
+    # Tab didn't report a count → no emit.
+    assert gate(None, 7) is False
+    # Persisted count unknown (legacy sidecar) → no emit.
+    assert gate(5, None) is False
+    # Both unknown → no emit.
+    assert gate(None, None) is False
+
+
+def test_sse_handler_uses_shared_emit_gate_not_inline_comparison():
+    """The handler MUST call `should_emit_session_updated` rather than inline
+    the `persisted_count > subscriber_known_count` comparison — that shared gate
+    is the single source of truth the behavioural test above locks down. An
+    inline comparison would let the handler's real logic drift away from the
+    tested function (greptile P2 r…: the gate test must exercise the handler,
+    not a copy)."""
+    src = (REPO_ROOT / "api" / "routes.py").read_text()
+    handler_ix = src.index("def _handle_session_sse_stream")
+    handler_src = src[handler_ix:handler_ix + 9000]
+    # The shared gate is imported and called in the emit branch.
+    assert "should_emit_session_updated" in handler_src
+    # And the inline form is GONE (the comparison lives only in the gate fn).
+    su_ix = handler_src.index("_sse(handler, 'session-updated'")
+    gate_src = handler_src[max(0, su_ix - 1200):su_ix]
+    assert "should_emit_session_updated(" in gate_src
+    assert "> subscriber_known_count" not in gate_src
+
+
+def test_frontend_subscribes_with_known_count_and_handles_session_updated():
+    """Source-grep: the frontend must (a) append &known_count from the
+    session's FULL message_count (not the rendered tail S.messages.length), and
+    (b) handle the `session-updated` frame via the keepStaleUntilLoaded
+    swap-in-place loadSession path (no clear+refetch → no blank-gap jump)."""
+    js = (REPO_ROOT / "static" / "messages.js").read_text()
+    # (a) known_count is sent on subscribe, sourced from S.session.message_count.
+    assert "known_count" in js
+    ss_ix = js.index("function startSessionStream")
+    ss_src = js[ss_ix:ss_ix + 4000]
+    assert "known_count=" in ss_src
+    assert "S.session.message_count" in ss_src
+    # Must NOT key the reported count on S.messages.length (tail window) — that
+    # would false-trigger a reload on every reconnect for long sessions.
+    knc_ix = ss_src.index("_knownCount")
+    knc_src = ss_src[knc_ix:knc_ix + 400]
+    assert "S.messages.length" not in knc_src
+    # (b) the session-updated listener routes through the swap-in-place path.
+    su_ix = js.index("addEventListener('session-updated'")
+    su_src = js[su_ix:su_ix + 1400]
+    assert "keepStaleUntilLoaded: true" in su_src or "keepStaleUntilLoaded:true" in su_src
+    assert "loadSession(" in su_src
+    # Idle-only: must bail when a live turn is rendering (that path owns its own
+    # message updates) and when the session isn't the one on screen.
+    assert "S.activeStreamId" in su_src
+    assert "isCurrent" in su_src
+
+
+def test_loadsession_idle_cleanup_does_not_clobber_concurrent_live_stream():
+    """Self-heal-vs-live-render race guard (maintainer/Codex-reproduced; verified
+    in an isolated instance).
+
+    The `session-updated` self-heal calls `loadSession(force, keepStaleUntilLoaded)`,
+    which awaits `_ensureMessagesLoaded`. A server-initiated turn can fire
+    `server_turn_started` DURING that await and set `S.activeStreamId` for the
+    same sid. The post-await branch must NOT clear `S.activeStreamId`/`S.busy`
+    based only on the stale `activeStreamId` snapshot taken before the await —
+    that silently kills the live turn's render. It must re-read the LIVE state and
+    prefer a concurrently-attached same-session stream over the stale snapshot.
+    """
+    js = (REPO_ROOT / "static" / "sessions.js").read_text()
+    compact = js.replace(" ", "").replace("\n", "")
+    # `activeStreamId` is declared `let` (not const) so it can be re-read.
+    assert "letactiveStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id||null" in compact, (
+        "activeStreamId must be `let` so the race-guard can re-read it post-await"
+    )
+    # Before the attach/idle branch, fold a concurrently-attached same-session
+    # live stream into activeStreamId so a mid-reload server_turn_started is
+    # preserved (attached), not clobbered by the idle cleanup.
+    assert "activeStreamId=activeStreamId||((S.activeStreamId&&S.session&&S.session.session_id===sid)?S.activeStreamId:null)" in compact, (
+        "missing the post-await race-guard re-read that folds a concurrent "
+        "same-session live stream into activeStreamId before the idle branch"
+    )
+    # The re-read must sit BEFORE the attach/idle decision (`if(activeStreamId){`).
+    reread_ix = compact.find("activeStreamId=activeStreamId||((S.activeStreamId")
+    branch_ix = compact.find("if(activeStreamId){")
+    assert reread_ix != -1 and branch_ix != -1 and reread_ix < branch_ix, (
+        "race-guard re-read must precede the attach/idle branch"
+    )
+
diff --git a/tests/test_regressions.py b/tests/test_regressions.py
index a6a8ea2f..eaf6ad63 100644
--- a/tests/test_regressions.py
+++ b/tests/test_regressions.py
@@ -642,8 +642,11 @@ def test_reload_path_restores_pending_message_and_reattaches_live_stream(cleanup
     assert 'pending_user_message' in ui_src
     assert 'function attachLiveStream' in messages_src
     assert 'const pendingMsg=typeof getPendingSessionMessage' in sessions_src
-    assert ('const activeStreamId=data.session.active_stream_id||null;' in sessions_src or
-            'const activeStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id||null;' in sessions_src)
+    # `activeStreamId` declaration was widened const → let (#5248 race-guard
+    # re-reads it after the awaited message load). Accept either keyword via a
+    # prefix anchor that omits const/let.
+    assert ('activeStreamId=data.session.active_stream_id||null;' in sessions_src or
+            'activeStreamId=S.session.active_stream_id||null;' in sessions_src)
     assert 'attachLiveStream(sid, activeStreamId' in sessions_src
     assert 'if (S.activeStreamId && S.activeStreamId === streamId) return;' in ui_src
     active_branch_start = sessions_src.index("if(activeStreamId){\n      S.busy=true;")