diff --git a/js/desktop/src/api/types.ts b/js/desktop/src/api/types.ts
index ab63df4..48c114a 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/api/types.ts
+++ b/js/desktop/src/api/types.ts
@@ -146,14 +146,21 @@ export const TextPropertiesSchema = z.object({
 });
 export type TextProperties = z.infer<typeof TextPropertiesSchema>;
 
-export const QuestPropertiesSchema = z.object({
+export const ChecklistItemSchema = z.object({
+  text: z.string(),
+  done: z.boolean(),
+});
+export type ChecklistItem = z.infer<typeof ChecklistItemSchema>;
+
+export const TaskPropertiesSchema = z.object({
   title: z.string(),
-  description: z.string(),
-  status: z.string().optional(),
+  notes: z.string().optional(),
+  checklist: z.array(ChecklistItemSchema).optional(),
   // humanId
   assigned_to: z.string().optional(),
+  done: z.boolean(),
 });
-export type QuestProperties = z.infer<typeof QuestPropertiesSchema>;
+export type TaskProperties = z.infer<typeof TaskPropertiesSchema>;
 
 export const PaperPropertiesSchema = z.object({
   title: z.string(),
@@ -194,7 +201,7 @@ export interface ParticlePropertiesMap {
   media: MediaProperties;
   file: FileProperties;
   text: TextProperties;
-  quest: QuestProperties;
+  task: TaskProperties;
   paper: PaperProperties;
 }
 
@@ -211,6 +218,9 @@ export const ParticleSchema = z.discriminatedUnion('type', [
   ParticleBaseSchema.extend({
     type: z.literal('stream'),
     properties: StreamPropertiesSchema,
+    // Open/closed lifecycle. Optional because some streams were created while
+    // the field was dropped — treat missing as 'open' (see isStreamOpen).
+    status: z.enum(['open', 'closed']).optional(),
     // e.g. ["human:human_xxxx", "human:human_yyyy"] - visible only to Aron and John
     // e.g. ["network:xywx"] - visible to everyone in the network
     visible_to: z.array(z.string()),
@@ -221,7 +231,6 @@ export const ParticleSchema = z.discriminatedUnion('type', [
     last_child_created_at: z.coerce.date().optional(),
     // Array of humanIds currently in the huddle (updated via LiveKit webhooks)
     huddle_active_participants: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
-    status: z.enum(['open', 'closed']).optional(),
   }),
   ParticleBaseSchema.extend({
     type: z.literal('folder'),
@@ -229,6 +238,9 @@ export const ParticleSchema = z.discriminatedUnion('type', [
     // e.g. ["human:human_xxxx", "human:human_yyyy"] - visible only to Aron and John
     // e.g. ["network:123"] - visible to everyone in the network
     visible_to: z.array(z.string()),
+    // Set to created_at on creation, bumped when children are added — keeps
+    // folders present in activity-ordered container queries.
+    last_child_created_at: z.coerce.date().optional(),
   }),
   ParticleBaseSchema.extend({
     type: z.literal('media'),
@@ -248,8 +260,9 @@ export const ParticleSchema = z.discriminatedUnion('type', [
     ...TombstoneFields,
   }),
   ParticleBaseSchema.extend({
-    type: z.literal('quest'),
-    properties: QuestPropertiesSchema,
+    type: z.literal('task'),
+    properties: TaskPropertiesSchema,
+    reactions: ReactionsSchema,
     ...TombstoneFields,
   }),
   ParticleBaseSchema.extend({
@@ -259,17 +272,28 @@ export const ParticleSchema = z.discriminatedUnion('type', [
   }),
 ]);
 
-export type Particle = z.infer<typeof ParticleSchema>;
+// Placeholder for docs whose `type` this client version doesn't recognize
+// (e.g. a newer client wrote a particle type we don't ship yet). The converter
+// maps them here instead of throwing, so they degrade to an "unsupported"
+// view rather than breaking the whole subscription.
+export const UnknownParticleSchema = ParticleBaseSchema.extend({
+  type: z.literal('unknown'),
+  raw_type: z.string(),
+});
+export type UnknownParticle = z.infer<typeof UnknownParticleSchema>;
 
-export type ParticleType = Particle['type'];
+export type Particle = z.infer<typeof ParticleSchema> | UnknownParticle;
+
+/** Particle types this client can read and write — excludes 'unknown'. */
+export type ParticleType = z.infer<typeof ParticleSchema>['type'];
 
 /** Container types can have children subcollections */
-export const CONTAINER_TYPES: ReadonlySet<ParticleType> = new Set([
+export const CONTAINER_TYPES: ReadonlySet<Particle['type']> = new Set([
   'stream',
   'folder',
 ]);
 
-export function isContainerType(type: ParticleType): boolean {
+export function isContainerType(type: Particle['type']): boolean {
   return CONTAINER_TYPES.has(type);
 }
 
@@ -278,6 +302,11 @@ export function isParticleDeleted(particle: Particle): boolean {
   return 'deleted_at' in particle && particle.deleted_at != null;
 }
 
+/** Missing status counts as open (streams created while the field was dropped). */
+export function isStreamOpen(stream: Extract<Particle, { type: 'stream' }>) {
+  return stream.status !== 'closed';
+}
+
 // --- LiveKit types ---
 
 export const GetLivekitTokenResponseSchema = z.object({
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/components/ui/textarea.tsx b/js/desktop/src/components/ui/textarea.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46eab5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/components/ui/textarea.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import * as React from 'react';
+
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+
+function Textarea({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<'textarea'>) {
+  return (
+    <textarea
+      data-slot="textarea"
+      className={cn(
+        'flex field-sizing-content min-h-16 w-full rounded-lg border border-input bg-transparent px-2.5 py-2 text-base transition-colors outline-none placeholder:text-muted-foreground focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-3 focus-visible:ring-ring/50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:bg-input/50 disabled:opacity-50 aria-invalid:border-destructive aria-invalid:ring-3 aria-invalid:ring-destructive/20 md:text-sm dark:bg-input/30 dark:disabled:bg-input/80 dark:aria-invalid:border-destructive/50 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive/40',
+        className,
+      )}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  );
+}
+
+export { Textarea };
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/compose/compose-overlay.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/compose/compose-overlay.tsx
index c8e240a..9144fa2 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/compose/compose-overlay.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/compose/compose-overlay.tsx
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ import { RecordingOverlay } from '@/features/compose/recording-overlay';
 import { ScreenSourcePicker } from '@/components/screen-source-picker';
 import { KeyHint } from '@/components/key-hint';
 import { TextComposeStep } from '@/features/compose/text-compose-step';
-import { ConfigureStreamStep } from '@/features/compose/configure-stream-step';
+import { TaskComposeStep } from '@/features/compose/task-compose-step';
+import { ConfigureContainerStep } from '@/features/compose/configure-container-step';
+import type { TaskProperties } from '@/api/types';
 import { apiClient } from '@/api/client';
 import { useMediaSettingsStore } from '@/stores/media-settings-store';
 import { useMediaDevicesStore } from '@/stores/media-devices-store';
@@ -40,11 +42,14 @@ export type ComposeStep =
   | 'recording'
   | 'reviewing'
   | 'typing'
+  | 'task'
   | 'configuring'
   | 'submitting';
 
 type RecordingSource = 'media' | 'screen';
 
+type PendingArtifact = { type: 'task'; properties: TaskProperties };
+
 interface ComposeOverlayProps {
   networkId: string;
   // Optional target path for reply mode. If not provided, compose creates a new stream.
@@ -52,8 +57,6 @@ interface ComposeOverlayProps {
   onActiveChange?: (active: boolean) => void;
   onStepChange?: (step: ComposeStep) => void;
   onParticleCreated?: (particleId: string) => void;
-  /** When true, composing is blocked (e.g. stream is closed). */
-  disabled?: boolean;
 }
 
 const HOLD_THRESHOLD_MS = 250;
@@ -68,7 +71,6 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
   onActiveChange,
   onStepChange,
   onParticleCreated,
-  disabled,
 }: ComposeOverlayProps) {
   const [step, setStep] = useState<ComposeStep>('idle');
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
@@ -98,14 +100,14 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
   // Latest props/state for synchronous reads in keyboard handlers.
   const stepRef = useRef(step);
   const recordStartRef = useRef(0);
-  const disabledRef = useRef(disabled);
   const quotaExhaustedRef = useRef(quotaExhausted);
   const recordingSourceRef = useRef(recordingSource);
+
+  const pendingArtifactRef = useRef<PendingArtifact | null>(null);
   useEffect(() => {
-    disabledRef.current = disabled;
     quotaExhaustedRef.current = quotaExhausted;
     recordingSourceRef.current = recordingSource;
-  }, [disabled, quotaExhausted, recordingSource]);
+  }, [quotaExhausted, recordingSource]);
 
   const setStepSync = useCallback((next: ComposeStep) => {
     stepRef.current = next;
@@ -142,6 +144,7 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
     setReviewDurationMs(0);
     setReviewMimeType(null);
     setRecordingSource('media');
+    pendingArtifactRef.current = null;
     setAttachments((prev) => {
       revokeAttachmentThumbnails(prev);
       return [];
@@ -330,7 +333,15 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
       if (!userId) return;
 
       let particleId: undefined | string;
-      if (textContent.trim()) {
+      const pendingArtifact = pendingArtifactRef.current;
+      if (pendingArtifact) {
+        particleId = await createParticle.mutateAsync({
+          path,
+          type: pendingArtifact.type,
+          properties: pendingArtifact.properties,
+          createdByHumanId: userId,
+        });
+      } else if (textContent.trim()) {
         particleId = await createParticle.mutateAsync({
           path,
           type: 'text',
@@ -454,14 +465,10 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
   // --- Compose intent handlers ---
   // Single source of truth for the step transitions triggered by the user.
   // Both the keyboard handler and the intent store dispatch into these so
-  // guards (disabled, quota) and screen-vs-media branching live in one place.
+  // guards (quota) and screen-vs-media branching live in one place.
 
   const guardIdle = useCallback((): boolean => {
     if (stepRef.current !== 'idle') return false;
-    if (disabledRef.current) {
-      toast.info('This stream is closed');
-      return false;
-    }
     if (quotaExhaustedRef.current) {
       toast.info(
         'Daily message limit reached. Upgrade to Pro to keep sending.',
@@ -484,6 +491,26 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
     setStepSync('typing');
   }, [guardIdle, setStepSync]);
 
+  const handleTaskIntent = useCallback(() => {
+    if (!guardIdle()) return;
+    setStepSync('task');
+  }, [guardIdle, setStepSync]);
+
+  // Artifact submit: capture the artifact, then reuse the standard flow —
+  // reply mode creates it under targetPath, root mode configures a stream
+  // that will hold it as its first child.
+  const handleArtifactSubmit = useCallback(
+    (artifact: PendingArtifact) => {
+      pendingArtifactRef.current = artifact;
+      if (targetPath) {
+        void onSubmitReply();
+      } else {
+        setStepSync('configuring');
+      }
+    },
+    [targetPath, onSubmitReply, setStepSync],
+  );
+
   const handleStopIntent = useCallback(() => {
     if (stepRef.current !== 'recording') return;
     if (recordingSourceRef.current === 'screen') {
@@ -537,6 +564,9 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
         case 'text':
           handleTextIntent();
           break;
+        case 'task':
+          handleTaskIntent();
+          break;
         case 'stop':
           handleStopIntent();
           break;
@@ -552,6 +582,7 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
   }, [
     handleRecordIntent,
     handleTextIntent,
+    handleTaskIntent,
     handleStopIntent,
     handleCancelIntent,
     handleSendIntent,
@@ -566,6 +597,7 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
 
       if (
         currentStep === 'typing' ||
+        currentStep === 'task' ||
         currentStep === 'configuring' ||
         currentStep === 'picking'
       ) {
@@ -599,6 +631,9 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
           } else if (e.key === 't' || e.key === 'T') {
             e.preventDefault();
             handleTextIntent();
+          } else if (e.key === 'd' || e.key === 'D') {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            handleTaskIntent();
           }
           break;
         }
@@ -666,6 +701,7 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
     guardIdle,
     handleRecordIntent,
     handleTextIntent,
+    handleTaskIntent,
     handleStopIntent,
     handleCancelIntent,
     handleSendIntent,
@@ -774,8 +810,17 @@ export function ComposeOverlay({
           dropZoneProps={dropZoneProps}
         />
       )}
+      {step === 'task' && (
+        <TaskComposeStep
+          networkId={networkId}
+          onCancel={cancel}
+          onSubmit={(properties) =>
+            handleArtifactSubmit({ type: 'task', properties })
+          }
+        />
+      )}
       {!targetPath && step === 'configuring' && (
-        <ConfigureStreamStep
+        <ConfigureContainerStep
           networkId={networkId}
           onCancel={cancel}
           onSubmit={handleStreamSubmit}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/compose/configure-stream-step.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/compose/configure-container-step.tsx
similarity index 92%
rename from js/desktop/src/features/compose/configure-stream-step.tsx
rename to js/desktop/src/features/compose/configure-container-step.tsx
index 3370cf6..b0d96de 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/compose/configure-stream-step.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/compose/configure-container-step.tsx
@@ -10,17 +10,20 @@ import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { Checkbox } from '@/components/ui/checkbox';
 import { ScrollArea } from '@/components/ui/scroll-area';
 
-interface ConfigureStreamStepProps {
+interface ConfigureContainerStepProps {
+  /** Drives labels and hints; the form is identical for both kinds. */
+  kind?: 'stream' | 'folder';
   networkId: string | null;
   onCancel: () => void;
-  onSubmit: (streamName: string, visibleTo: string[]) => void;
+  onSubmit: (name: string, visibleTo: string[]) => void;
 }
 
-export function ConfigureStreamStep({
+export function ConfigureContainerStep({
+  kind = 'stream',
   networkId,
   onCancel,
   onSubmit,
-}: ConfigureStreamStepProps) {
+}: ConfigureContainerStepProps) {
   const { data: networks } = useNetworks();
   const network = networks?.find((n) => n.id === networkId);
 
@@ -79,9 +82,10 @@ export function ConfigureStreamStep({
       tabIndex={-1}
     >
       <div className="mx-auto w-full max-w-sm space-y-4 px-6">
-        {/* Stream name */}
         <div>
-          <Label className="mb-1 text-xs text-white/50">Stream name</Label>
+          <Label className="mb-1 text-xs text-white/50">
+            {kind === 'folder' ? 'Folder name' : 'Stream name'}
+          </Label>
           <Input
             type="text"
             autoFocus
@@ -165,7 +169,7 @@ export function ConfigureStreamStep({
         <KeyHint
           keys={`${metaKey}+Enter`}
           onClick={handleSubmit}
-          title={`Create stream (or press ${metaKey}+Enter)`}
+          title={`Create ${kind} (or press ${metaKey}+Enter)`}
         >
           create
         </KeyHint>
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/compose/task-compose-step.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/compose/task-compose-step.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9562ad9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/compose/task-compose-step.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+import { useCallback, useState } from 'react';
+import type { TaskProperties } from '@/api/types';
+import { useNetwork } from '@/hooks/use-networks';
+import { metaKey } from '@/lib/platform';
+import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
+import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
+import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea';
+import {
+  Select,
+  SelectContent,
+  SelectItem,
+  SelectTrigger,
+  SelectValue,
+} from '@/components/ui/select';
+import { KeyHint } from '@/components/key-hint';
+
+const UNASSIGNED = 'unassigned';
+
+interface TaskComposeStepProps {
+  networkId: string;
+  onCancel: () => void;
+  onSubmit: (properties: TaskProperties) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Minimal task creation form. Checklist items are added after creation in
+ * the always-editable task view, keeping this step a quick capture.
+ */
+export function TaskComposeStep({
+  networkId,
+  onCancel,
+  onSubmit,
+}: TaskComposeStepProps) {
+  const network = useNetwork(networkId);
+  const [title, setTitle] = useState('');
+  const [notes, setNotes] = useState('');
+  const [assignedTo, setAssignedTo] = useState<string>(UNASSIGNED);
+
+  const handleSubmit = useCallback(() => {
+    const trimmed = title.trim();
+    if (!trimmed) return;
+    onSubmit({
+      title: trimmed,
+      ...(notes.trim() && { notes: notes.trim() }),
+      ...(assignedTo !== UNASSIGNED && { assigned_to: assignedTo }),
+      checklist: [],
+      done: false,
+    });
+  }, [title, notes, assignedTo, onSubmit]);
+
+  const handleKeyDown = useCallback(
+    (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
+      if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        onCancel();
+      } else if (e.key === 'Enter' && (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey)) {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        handleSubmit();
+      }
+    },
+    [onCancel, handleSubmit],
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="absolute inset-0 z-50 flex flex-col bg-black/90 pt-16"
+      onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
+      tabIndex={-1}
+    >
+      <div className="mx-auto w-full max-w-sm space-y-4 px-6">
+        <div>
+          <Label className="mb-1 text-xs text-white/50">Task</Label>
+          <Input
+            type="text"
+            autoFocus
+            value={title}
+            onChange={(e) => setTitle(e.target.value)}
+            placeholder="What needs to get done?"
+            className="border-white/10 bg-white/5 text-white placeholder-white/30 focus-visible:border-white/30 focus-visible:ring-0"
+          />
+        </div>
+
+        <div>
+          <Label className="mb-1 text-xs text-white/50">Notes</Label>
+          <Textarea
+            value={notes}
+            onChange={(e) => setNotes(e.target.value)}
+            placeholder="Optional details…"
+            className="min-h-20 border-white/10 bg-white/5 text-white placeholder:text-white/30 focus-visible:border-white/30 focus-visible:ring-0 dark:bg-white/5"
+          />
+        </div>
+
+        <div>
+          <Label className="mb-1 text-xs text-white/50">Assign to</Label>
+          <Select value={assignedTo} onValueChange={setAssignedTo}>
+            <SelectTrigger className="w-full border-white/10 bg-white/5 text-white">
+              <SelectValue placeholder="Unassigned" />
+            </SelectTrigger>
+            <SelectContent>
+              <SelectItem value={UNASSIGNED}>Unassigned</SelectItem>
+              {network?.humans?.map((human) => (
+                <SelectItem key={human.id} value={human.id}>
+                  {human.email_prefix}
+                </SelectItem>
+              ))}
+            </SelectContent>
+          </Select>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <div className="absolute bottom-8 left-0 right-0 flex items-center justify-center gap-4 text-sm text-white/50">
+        <KeyHint keys="Esc" onClick={onCancel} title="Cancel (or press Esc)">
+          cancel
+        </KeyHint>
+        <KeyHint
+          keys={`${metaKey}+Enter`}
+          onClick={handleSubmit}
+          title={`Create task (or press ${metaKey}+Enter)`}
+        >
+          create
+        </KeyHint>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/layout.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/layout.tsx
index 6523587..fc76a01 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/layout.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/layout.tsx
@@ -16,30 +16,12 @@ import { Avatar, AvatarFallback } from '@/components/ui/avatar';
 import { useNetworks } from '@/hooks/use-networks';
 import { particlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
 import { useParticle } from '@/hooks/use-particle';
-import type { Particle } from '@/api/types';
+import { getParticleDisplayName } from '@/lib/particle-display';
 import { PropsWithChildren, useCallback } from 'react';
 import { useDockBadge } from '@/hooks/use-dock-badge';
 import { toast } from 'sonner';
 import { RouteErrorBoundary } from '@/components/app-error-boundary';
 
-function getParticleDisplayName(particle: Particle): string {
-  switch (particle.type) {
-    case 'stream':
-    case 'folder':
-      return particle.properties.name;
-    case 'quest':
-      return particle.properties.title;
-    case 'paper':
-      return particle.properties.title;
-    case 'file':
-      return particle.properties.filename;
-    case 'text':
-      return particle.properties.content.slice(0, 30);
-    case 'media':
-      return particle.type;
-  }
-}
-
 function NetworkBreadcrumbContent({ networkId }: { networkId: string }) {
   const { data: networks } = useNetworks();
   const network = networks?.find((n) => n.id === networkId);
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/network-root.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/network-root.tsx
index b7f6acf..cd533e3 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/network-root.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/network-root.tsx
@@ -1,126 +1,15 @@
-import { useCallback, useState } from 'react';
-import { useNavigate, useParams, useSearchParams } from 'react-router-dom';
-import { CircleDot, CircleCheckBig } from 'lucide-react';
+import { useParams } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { particlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
-import { ParticleListView } from '@/features/particles/particle-list-view';
-import { VideoAudioToggle } from '@/components/video-audio-toggle';
-import { KeyHint } from '@/components/key-hint';
-import { ComposeOverlay } from './compose/compose-overlay';
-import { useComposeIntentStore } from '@/stores/compose-intent-store';
-import { ComposeQuotaIndicator } from './compose/compose-quota-indicator';
-import { Tabs, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tabs';
-import { useStreamParticles } from '@/hooks/use-stream-particles';
-import { useStreamKeyboardNav } from '@/hooks/use-stream-keyboard-nav';
+import { ContainerView } from '@/features/particles/container-view';
 
 /**
- * Route-level component for /:networkId (index).
- * Shows root-level particles for the selected network.
+ * Route-level component for /:networkId (index). The network root behaves
+ * like a folder: a container of streams, folders, and loose particles.
  */
 export default function NetworkRoot() {
   const { networkId } = useParams();
   if (!networkId)
     throw new Error('NetworkRoot requires a :networkId route param');
-  const navigate = useNavigate();
-  const path = particlePath(networkId, []);
 
-  const [composeActive, setComposeActive] = useState(false);
-  const [searchParams, setSearchParams] = useSearchParams();
-  const statusTab: 'open' | 'closed' =
-    searchParams.get('status') === 'closed' ? 'closed' : 'open';
-  const setStatusTab = (next: 'open' | 'closed') => {
-    setSearchParams(
-      (prev) => {
-        const params = new URLSearchParams(prev);
-        params.set('status', next);
-        return params;
-      },
-      { replace: true },
-    );
-  };
-
-  const { streams, isLoading, canLoadMore, loadMore } = useStreamParticles(
-    path,
-    {
-      status: statusTab,
-    },
-  );
-
-  const { selectedIndex } = useStreamKeyboardNav({
-    streams,
-    enabled: !composeActive,
-    onNavigate: useCallback(
-      (streamId: string) => navigate(`/${networkId}/${streamId}`),
-      [navigate, networkId],
-    ),
-  });
-
-  return (
-    <div className="relative flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col">
-      <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center p-1 border-b">
-        <Tabs
-          value={statusTab}
-          onValueChange={(v) =>
-            setStatusTab(v === 'closed' ? 'closed' : 'open')
-          }
-        >
-          <TabsList>
-            <TabsTrigger value="open">
-              <CircleDot className="size-3 text-green-500" /> Open
-            </TabsTrigger>
-            <TabsTrigger value="closed">
-              <CircleCheckBig className="size-3" /> Closed
-            </TabsTrigger>
-          </TabsList>
-        </Tabs>
-      </div>
-
-      <div className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-y-auto overscroll-contain pb-14 py-2">
-        <ParticleListView
-          streams={streams}
-          networkId={networkId}
-          isLoading={isLoading}
-          selectedIndex={selectedIndex}
-          canLoadMore={canLoadMore}
-          onLoadMore={loadMore}
-        />
-      </div>
-
-      <ComposeOverlay networkId={networkId} onActiveChange={setComposeActive} />
-      {!composeActive && (
-        <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-16 z-20 flex justify-center px-3">
-          <ComposeQuotaIndicator networkId={networkId} />
-        </div>
-      )}
-      <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 z-20 flex justify-center p-3">
-        <div className="pointer-events-auto">
-          <NetworkRootControls />
-        </div>
-      </div>
-    </div>
-  );
-}
-
-function NetworkRootControls() {
-  const requestIntent = useComposeIntentStore((s) => s.request);
-  return (
-    <div className="flex items-center gap-4 text-sm text-white/50">
-      <KeyHint keys={['↑↓', 'Enter']}>navigate</KeyHint>
-      <KeyHint keys="1–9">jump</KeyHint>
-      <VideoAudioToggle />
-      <KeyHint
-        keys="Hold `"
-        onClick={() => requestIntent('record')}
-        title="Start recording (or hold `)"
-      >
-        to start
-      </KeyHint>
-      <KeyHint
-        keys="T"
-        onClick={() => requestIntent('text')}
-        title="Compose text (or press T)"
-      >
-        text
-      </KeyHint>
-    </div>
-  );
+  return <ContainerView path={particlePath(networkId, [])} />;
 }
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/container-view.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/container-view.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d08df7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/container-view.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { useNavigate, useSearchParams } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { CircleCheckBig, CircleDot, FolderIcon } from 'lucide-react';
+import type { Particle } from '@/api/types';
+import { parseParticlePath, type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/auth-store';
+import { useContainerChildren } from '@/hooks/use-container-children';
+import { useListKeyboardNav } from '@/hooks/use-list-keyboard-nav';
+import {
+  useCreateParticle,
+  useCreateStreamParticle,
+} from '@/hooks/use-create-particle';
+import { ParticleChildrenList } from '@/features/particles/particle-children-list';
+import { ComposeOverlay } from '@/features/compose/compose-overlay';
+import { ComposeQuotaIndicator } from '@/features/compose/compose-quota-indicator';
+import { ConfigureContainerStep } from '@/features/compose/configure-container-step';
+import { useComposeIntentStore } from '@/stores/compose-intent-store';
+import { VideoAudioToggle } from '@/components/video-audio-toggle';
+import { KeyHint } from '@/components/key-hint';
+import { Tabs, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tabs';
+
+type ContainerKind = 'stream' | 'folder';
+
+interface ContainerViewProps {
+  /** Path of the container; network root when it has no segments. */
+  path: ParticlePath;
+  /** Present when the container is a folder particle (drives the header). */
+  folderParticle?: Particle & { type: 'folder' };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Browsable view of a container's children — used for both the network root
+ * and folders, which share the same structure: a mixed-type child list, the
+ * compose overlay, and one keyboard grammar. The root is just a folder
+ * without a doc.
+ */
+export function ContainerView({ path, folderParticle }: ContainerViewProps) {
+  const { networkId, segments } = parseParticlePath(path);
+  const isRoot = segments.length === 0;
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const userId = useAuthStore((s) => s.user?.id);
+
+  const [composeActive, setComposeActive] = useState(false);
+  const [creating, setCreating] = useState<ContainerKind | null>(null);
+
+  const [searchParams, setSearchParams] = useSearchParams();
+  const statusTab: 'open' | 'closed' =
+    searchParams.get('status') === 'closed' ? 'closed' : 'open';
+  const setStatusTab = (next: 'open' | 'closed') => {
+    setSearchParams(
+      (prev) => {
+        const params = new URLSearchParams(prev);
+        params.set('status', next);
+        return params;
+      },
+      { replace: true },
+    );
+  };
+
+  // Folders are shelved for now: the root lists streams only, split by
+  // open/closed status (server-side filter, like before folders). Folder
+  // containers keep the mixed-type child list so the recursive container
+  // model can be revived later.
+  const { items, isLoading, canLoadMore, loadMore } = useContainerChildren(
+    path,
+    { streamStatus: isRoot ? statusTab : undefined },
+  );
+
+  const createParticle = useCreateParticle();
+  const createStream = useCreateStreamParticle();
+
+  const handleOpen = useCallback(
+    (particleId: string) => {
+      navigate(`/${networkId}/${[...segments, particleId].join('/')}`);
+    },
+    [navigate, networkId, segments],
+  );
+
+  const { selectedIndex } = useListKeyboardNav({
+    items,
+    enabled: !composeActive && creating === null,
+    onOpen: handleOpen,
+  });
+
+  // N creates a stream inside a folder. Root stream creation goes through the
+  // compose flow.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (isRoot || composeActive || creating !== null) return;
+    const handleKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      if (e.defaultPrevented) return;
+      const target = e.target as HTMLElement;
+      if (
+        target.tagName === 'INPUT' ||
+        target.tagName === 'TEXTAREA' ||
+        target.isContentEditable
+      ) {
+        return;
+      }
+      if (e.key === 'n' || e.key === 'N') {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        setCreating('stream');
+      }
+    };
+    window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
+    return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
+  }, [isRoot, composeActive, creating]);
+
+  const handleCreateContainer = useCallback(
+    async (name: string, visibleTo: string[]) => {
+      if (!userId || !creating) return;
+      const kind = creating;
+      setCreating(null);
+      const id =
+        kind === 'folder'
+          ? await createParticle.mutateAsync({
+              path,
+              type: 'folder',
+              properties: { name },
+              createdByHumanId: userId,
+              visibleTo,
+            })
+          : await createStream.mutateAsync({
+              networkId,
+              parentPath: path,
+              properties: { name },
+              createdByHumanId: userId,
+              visibleTo,
+            });
+      handleOpen(id);
+    },
+    [
+      userId,
+      creating,
+      path,
+      networkId,
+      createParticle,
+      createStream,
+      handleOpen,
+    ],
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <div className="relative flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col">
+      {isRoot && (
+        <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center border-b p-1">
+          <Tabs
+            value={statusTab}
+            onValueChange={(v) =>
+              setStatusTab(v === 'closed' ? 'closed' : 'open')
+            }
+          >
+            <TabsList>
+              <TabsTrigger value="open">
+                <CircleDot className="size-3 text-green-500" /> Open
+              </TabsTrigger>
+              <TabsTrigger value="closed">
+                <CircleCheckBig className="size-3" /> Closed
+              </TabsTrigger>
+            </TabsList>
+          </Tabs>
+        </div>
+      )}
+      {folderParticle && (
+        <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b px-4 py-3">
+          <span className="flex size-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md bg-amber-500/15">
+            <FolderIcon className="size-4 text-amber-500" />
+          </span>
+          <h1 className="truncate text-sm font-semibold">
+            {folderParticle.properties.name}
+          </h1>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      <div className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-y-auto overscroll-contain pb-14 py-2">
+        <ParticleChildrenList
+          items={items}
+          networkId={networkId}
+          isLoading={isLoading}
+          onOpen={handleOpen}
+          selectedIndex={selectedIndex}
+          canLoadMore={canLoadMore}
+          onLoadMore={loadMore}
+          emptyMessage={
+            !isRoot
+              ? 'This folder is empty. Add something using the keyboard shortcuts below.'
+              : statusTab === 'closed'
+                ? 'No closed streams.'
+                : 'No streams here. Start a conversation using the keyboard shortcuts below.'
+          }
+        />
+      </div>
+
+      <ComposeOverlay
+        networkId={networkId}
+        targetPath={isRoot ? undefined : path}
+        onActiveChange={setComposeActive}
+      />
+      {!composeActive && (
+        <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-16 z-20 flex justify-center px-3">
+          <ComposeQuotaIndicator networkId={networkId} />
+        </div>
+      )}
+      <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 z-20 flex justify-center p-3">
+        <div className="pointer-events-auto">
+          <ContainerControls
+            isRoot={isRoot}
+            onCreateStream={() => setCreating('stream')}
+          />
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {creating && (
+        <ConfigureContainerStep
+          kind={creating}
+          networkId={networkId}
+          onCancel={() => setCreating(null)}
+          onSubmit={handleCreateContainer}
+        />
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ContainerControls({
+  isRoot,
+  onCreateStream,
+}: {
+  isRoot: boolean;
+  onCreateStream: () => void;
+}) {
+  const requestIntent = useComposeIntentStore((s) => s.request);
+  return (
+    <div className="flex items-center gap-4 text-sm text-white/50">
+      <KeyHint keys={['↑↓', 'Enter']}>navigate</KeyHint>
+      <KeyHint keys="1–9">jump</KeyHint>
+      <VideoAudioToggle />
+      <KeyHint
+        keys="Hold `"
+        onClick={() => requestIntent('record')}
+        title="Start recording (or hold `)"
+      >
+        to start
+      </KeyHint>
+      <KeyHint
+        keys="T"
+        onClick={() => requestIntent('text')}
+        title="Compose text (or press T)"
+      >
+        text
+      </KeyHint>
+      <KeyHint
+        keys="D"
+        onClick={() => requestIntent('task')}
+        title="Create a task (or press D)"
+      >
+        task
+      </KeyHint>
+      {!isRoot && (
+        <KeyHint
+          keys="N"
+          onClick={onCreateStream}
+          title="Create a stream here (or press N)"
+        >
+          stream
+        </KeyHint>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/delete-particle-overlay.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/delete-particle-overlay.tsx
index 64e0081..fef2db1 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/delete-particle-overlay.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/delete-particle-overlay.tsx
@@ -2,21 +2,25 @@ import { useCallback, useState } from 'react';
 import { toast } from 'sonner';
 import { ConfirmDestructiveOverlay } from '@/components/confirm-destructive-overlay';
 import { softDeleteParticle } from '@/lib/firestore-particles';
-import { particlePath, toFirestoreDocPath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import {
+  particlePath,
+  parseParticlePath,
+  toFirestoreDocPath,
+  type ParticlePath,
+} from '@/lib/particle-path';
 import type { Particle } from '@/api/types';
 import { useSuspendPlayback } from '@/hooks/use-suspend-playback';
 
 interface DeleteParticleOverlayProps {
-  networkId: string;
-  streamId: string;
+  /** Path of the stream the particle lives in — may be nested. */
+  streamPath: ParticlePath;
   particle: Particle;
   userId: string;
   onClose: () => void;
 }
 
 export function DeleteParticleOverlay({
-  networkId,
-  streamId,
+  streamPath,
   particle,
   userId,
   onClose,
@@ -29,8 +33,9 @@ export function DeleteParticleOverlay({
     if (deleting) return;
     setDeleting(true);
     try {
+      const { networkId, segments } = parseParticlePath(streamPath);
       const docPath = toFirestoreDocPath(
-        particlePath(networkId, [streamId, particle.id]),
+        particlePath(networkId, [...segments, particle.id]),
       );
       await softDeleteParticle(docPath, userId);
       toast.success('Particle deleted');
@@ -41,7 +46,7 @@ export function DeleteParticleOverlay({
       toast.error(message);
       setDeleting(false);
     }
-  }, [deleting, networkId, onClose, particle.id, streamId, userId]);
+  }, [deleting, onClose, particle.id, streamPath, userId]);
 
   return (
     <ConfirmDestructiveOverlay
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/fallback-particle-view.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/fallback-particle-view.tsx
index 7e9869a..97e6a49 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/fallback-particle-view.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/fallback-particle-view.tsx
@@ -6,17 +6,11 @@ import {
   CardHeader,
   CardTitle,
 } from '@/components/ui/card';
-import {
-  FileIcon,
-  HelpCircleIcon,
-  ScrollTextIcon,
-  BookOpenIcon,
-} from 'lucide-react';
+import { FileIcon, HelpCircleIcon, BookOpenIcon } from 'lucide-react';
 import { useNetwork } from '@/hooks/use-networks';
 import { resolveHumanDisplay } from '@/lib/humans';
 
 const TYPE_META: Record<string, { icon: typeof FileIcon; label: string }> = {
-  quest: { icon: ScrollTextIcon, label: 'Quest' },
   paper: { icon: BookOpenIcon, label: 'Paper' },
   file: { icon: FileIcon, label: 'File' },
 };
@@ -37,19 +31,19 @@ export function FallbackParticleView({
   );
   const meta = TYPE_META[particle.type] ?? {
     icon: HelpCircleIcon,
-    label: particle.type,
+    label: particle.type === 'unknown' ? particle.raw_type : particle.type,
   };
   const Icon = meta.icon;
   const title = (() => {
     switch (particle.type) {
-      case 'quest':
-        return particle.properties.title;
       case 'paper':
         return particle.properties.title;
       case 'file':
         return particle.properties.filename;
       case 'folder':
         return particle.properties.name;
+      case 'unknown':
+        return 'Not supported in this version of the app';
       default:
         return null;
     }
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/folder-view.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/folder-view.tsx
index 4a3efcb..59c991e 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/folder-view.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/folder-view.tsx
@@ -1,21 +1,12 @@
 import { Particle } from '@/api/types';
-import { parseParticlePath, type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
-import { ComposeOverlay } from '@/features/compose/compose-overlay';
+import { type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import { ContainerView } from '@/features/particles/container-view';
 
 interface FolderViewProps {
-  folderParticle: Particle;
+  folderParticle: Particle & { type: 'folder' };
   path: ParticlePath;
 }
 
 export function FolderView({ path, folderParticle }: FolderViewProps) {
-  const { networkId } = parseParticlePath(path);
-
-  return (
-    <div className="flex h-full items-center justify-center">
-      <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">
-        Folder view — {folderParticle.id}
-      </p>
-      <ComposeOverlay networkId={networkId} />
-    </div>
-  );
+  return <ContainerView path={path} folderParticle={folderParticle} />;
 }
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-list-view.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-children-list.tsx
similarity index 61%
rename from js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-list-view.tsx
rename to js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-children-list.tsx
index 2b64574..a1e1407 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-list-view.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-children-list.tsx
@@ -1,25 +1,12 @@
 import {
+  Fragment,
   useMemo,
   useRef,
   useEffect,
-  useCallback,
   memo,
   createElement,
 } from 'react';
-import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
-import {
-  Radio,
-  MessageSquare,
-  Video,
-  Mic,
-  Image,
-  FileText,
-  CircleCheck,
-  StickyNote,
-  Headphones,
-  Trash2,
-  type LucideIcon,
-} from 'lucide-react';
+import { Headphones, Radio, FolderIcon } from 'lucide-react';
 import { cn, getInitials } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { useLiveLatestChild } from '@/hooks/use-particle';
 import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/auth-store';
@@ -36,12 +23,17 @@ import {
   type Particle,
   type StreamProperties,
 } from '@/api/types';
-import type { StreamParticle } from '@/hooks/use-stream-particles';
 import { useNetwork } from '@/hooks/use-networks';
 import { useStreamAutoplay } from '@/hooks/use-stream-autoplay';
 import { useDownloadUrl } from '@/hooks/use-download-url';
+import { getMessagePreview, getParticleTypeIcon } from '@/lib/particle-display';
 import { StreamContextMenu } from '@/features/particles/stream-context-menu';
 
+type StreamParticle = Particle & {
+  type: 'stream';
+  properties: StreamProperties;
+};
+
 function VideoThumbnail({
   objectId,
   isUnseen,
@@ -71,65 +63,16 @@ function VideoThumbnail({
   );
 }
 
-function getParticleTypeIcon(particle: Particle): LucideIcon {
-  if (isParticleDeleted(particle)) return Trash2;
-  switch (particle.type) {
-    case 'text':
-      return MessageSquare;
-    case 'media': {
-      const mime = particle.properties.mime_type;
-      if (mime.startsWith('video/')) return Video;
-      if (mime.startsWith('audio/')) return Mic;
-      if (mime.startsWith('image/')) return Image;
-      return Video;
-    }
-    case 'file':
-      return FileText;
-    case 'quest':
-      return CircleCheck;
-    case 'paper':
-      return StickyNote;
-    default:
-      return Radio;
-  }
-}
-
-function getMessagePreview(particle: Particle): string {
-  if (isParticleDeleted(particle)) return 'Deleted particle';
-  switch (particle.type) {
-    case 'text':
-      return particle.properties.content;
-    case 'media': {
-      const mime = particle.properties.mime_type;
-      if (mime.startsWith('image/')) return 'Photo';
-      if (mime.startsWith('video/') || mime.startsWith('audio/')) {
-        const transcriptText = particle.properties.transcript?.transcript;
-        if (transcriptText) return transcriptText;
-        return mime.startsWith('video/') ? 'Video clip' : 'Voice note';
-      }
-      return 'Media';
-    }
-    case 'file':
-      return particle.properties.filename;
-    case 'quest':
-      return particle.properties.title;
-    case 'paper':
-      return particle.properties.title;
-    default:
-      return particle.type;
-  }
-}
-
 const StreamRow = memo(function StreamRow({
   particle,
   networkId,
-  onNavigate,
+  onOpen,
   isSelected,
   shortcutKey,
 }: {
-  particle: Particle & { type: 'stream'; properties: StreamProperties };
+  particle: StreamParticle;
   networkId: string;
-  onNavigate: (streamId: string) => void;
+  onOpen: (particleId: string) => void;
   isSelected?: boolean;
   shortcutKey?: number;
 }) {
@@ -237,9 +180,9 @@ const StreamRow = memo(function StreamRow({
     <div
       role="button"
       tabIndex={0}
-      onClick={() => onNavigate(particle.id)}
+      onClick={() => onOpen(particle.id)}
       onKeyDown={(e) => {
-        if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') onNavigate(particle.id);
+        if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') onOpen(particle.id);
       }}
       className={cn(
         'flex w-full items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 text-left cursor-pointer transition-colors hover:bg-accent',
@@ -322,34 +265,160 @@ const StreamRow = memo(function StreamRow({
   );
 });
 
-interface ParticleListViewProps {
-  streams: StreamParticle[];
+const FolderRow = memo(function FolderRow({
+  particle,
+  networkId,
+  onOpen,
+  isSelected,
+  shortcutKey,
+}: {
+  particle: Particle & { type: 'folder' };
+  networkId: string;
+  onOpen: (particleId: string) => void;
+  isSelected?: boolean;
+  shortcutKey?: number;
+}) {
+  const network = useNetwork(networkId);
+  const creator = resolveHumanDisplay(
+    particle.created_by_human_id,
+    network?.humans,
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      role="button"
+      tabIndex={0}
+      onClick={() => onOpen(particle.id)}
+      onKeyDown={(e) => {
+        if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') onOpen(particle.id);
+      }}
+      className={cn(
+        'flex w-full items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 text-left cursor-pointer transition-colors hover:bg-accent',
+        isSelected && 'bg-accent',
+      )}
+    >
+      {shortcutKey && (
+        <kbd className="flex size-5 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded bg-white/10 font-mono text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+          {shortcutKey}
+        </kbd>
+      )}
+      <span className="flex size-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-md bg-amber-500/15">
+        <FolderIcon className="size-4 text-amber-500" />
+      </span>
+      <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+        <p className="truncate text-sm font-medium text-foreground">
+          {particle.properties.name}
+        </p>
+        <Small className="text-muted-foreground font-normal">
+          Folder · {creator.displayName}
+        </Small>
+      </div>
+      <Small className="shrink-0 text-muted-foreground">
+        <RelativeTimestamp date={particle.created_at} />
+      </Small>
+    </div>
+  );
+});
+
+const LeafRow = memo(function LeafRow({
+  particle,
+  networkId,
+  onOpen,
+  isSelected,
+  shortcutKey,
+}: {
+  particle: Particle;
+  networkId: string;
+  onOpen: (particleId: string) => void;
+  isSelected?: boolean;
+  shortcutKey?: number;
+}) {
+  const network = useNetwork(networkId);
+  const creator = resolveHumanDisplay(
+    particle.created_by_human_id,
+    network?.humans,
+  );
+  const typeIcon = getParticleTypeIcon(particle);
+  const deleted = isParticleDeleted(particle);
+  const taskDone = particle.type === 'task' && particle.properties.done;
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      role="button"
+      tabIndex={0}
+      onClick={() => onOpen(particle.id)}
+      onKeyDown={(e) => {
+        if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') onOpen(particle.id);
+      }}
+      className={cn(
+        'flex w-full items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 text-left cursor-pointer transition-colors hover:bg-accent',
+        isSelected && 'bg-accent',
+      )}
+    >
+      {shortcutKey && (
+        <kbd className="flex size-5 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded bg-white/10 font-mono text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+          {shortcutKey}
+        </kbd>
+      )}
+      {createElement(typeIcon, {
+        className: cn(
+          'size-4 shrink-0 text-muted-foreground',
+          taskDone && 'text-emerald-500',
+        ),
+      })}
+      <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+        <p
+          className={cn(
+            'truncate text-sm',
+            deleted || taskDone
+              ? 'text-muted-foreground line-through'
+              : 'text-foreground',
+          )}
+        >
+          {getMessagePreview(particle)}
+        </p>
+        <Small className="text-muted-foreground font-normal">
+          {creator.displayName}
+        </Small>
+      </div>
+      <Small className="shrink-0 text-muted-foreground">
+        <RelativeTimestamp date={particle.created_at} />
+      </Small>
+    </div>
+  );
+});
+
+interface ParticleChildrenListProps {
+  items: Particle[];
   networkId: string;
   isLoading: boolean;
+  /** Open (navigate into / select) a particle by id. */
+  onOpen: (particleId: string) => void;
   selectedIndex?: number | null;
+  /** Render 1–9 shortcut badges next to the first nine rows. */
+  showShortcuts?: boolean;
+  emptyMessage?: string;
   /** When true, render a footer that invokes onLoadMore. */
   canLoadMore?: boolean;
   onLoadMore?: () => void;
 }
 
 /**
- * List of stream particles for a container (network root, folder, etc.).
+ * Browsable list of a container's children, any particle type. Used by the
+ * network root and folder views.
  */
-export function ParticleListView({
-  streams,
+export function ParticleChildrenList({
+  items,
   networkId,
   isLoading,
+  onOpen,
   selectedIndex,
+  showShortcuts = true,
+  emptyMessage = 'Nothing here yet. Create something using the keyboard shortcuts below.',
   canLoadMore,
   onLoadMore,
-}: ParticleListViewProps) {
-  const navigate = useNavigate();
-  const rowRefs = useRef<(HTMLDivElement | null)[]>([]);
-
-  const navigateToStream = useCallback(
-    (streamId: string) => navigate(`/${networkId}/${streamId}`),
-    [navigate, networkId],
-  );
+}: ParticleChildrenListProps) {
+  const rowRefs = useRef<Array<HTMLDivElement | null>>([]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (
@@ -365,42 +434,52 @@ export function ParticleListView({
     return <Progress />;
   }
 
-  if (streams.length === 0) {
+  if (items.length === 0) {
     return (
       <div className="mx-auto flex h-full max-w-sm flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 px-4 text-center">
         <Radio className="text-muted-foreground size-8" />
-        <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">
-          No streams here. Start a conversation using the keyboard shortcuts
-          below.
-        </p>
+        <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{emptyMessage}</p>
       </div>
     );
   }
 
   return (
     <div>
-      {streams.map((stream, index) => (
-        <StreamContextMenu
-          key={stream.id}
-          particle={stream}
-          networkId={networkId}
-        >
+      {items.map((item, index) => {
+        const rowProps = {
+          networkId,
+          onOpen,
+          isSelected: index === selectedIndex,
+          shortcutKey: showShortcuts && index < 9 ? index + 1 : undefined,
+        };
+        const row = (
           <div
             ref={(el) => {
               rowRefs.current[index] = el;
             }}
           >
-            <StreamRow
-              particle={stream}
-              networkId={networkId}
-              onNavigate={navigateToStream}
-              isSelected={index === selectedIndex}
-              shortcutKey={index < 9 ? index + 1 : undefined}
-            />
-            {index < streams.length - 1 && <Separator className="px-4" />}
+            {item.type === 'stream' ? (
+              <StreamRow particle={item} {...rowProps} />
+            ) : item.type === 'folder' ? (
+              <FolderRow particle={item} {...rowProps} />
+            ) : (
+              <LeafRow particle={item} {...rowProps} />
+            )}
+            {index < items.length - 1 && <Separator className="px-4" />}
           </div>
-        </StreamContextMenu>
-      ))}
+        );
+        return item.type === 'stream' ? (
+          <StreamContextMenu
+            key={item.id}
+            particle={item}
+            networkId={networkId}
+          >
+            {row}
+          </StreamContextMenu>
+        ) : (
+          <Fragment key={item.id}>{row}</Fragment>
+        );
+      })}
       {canLoadMore && onLoadMore && (
         <div className="flex justify-center p-3">
           <Button variant="ghost" size="sm" onClick={onLoadMore}>
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-preview.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-preview.tsx
index f09188f..5d44f80 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-preview.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-preview.tsx
@@ -5,11 +5,12 @@ import { Skeleton } from '@/components/ui/skeleton';
 import {
   Video,
   Mic,
-  ScrollText,
+  CircleCheck,
   BookOpen,
   FileIcon,
   FolderIcon,
 } from 'lucide-react';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 export function ParticlePreview({ particle }: { particle: Particle }) {
   switch (particle.type) {
@@ -17,8 +18,8 @@ export function ParticlePreview({ particle }: { particle: Particle }) {
       return <TextPreview particle={particle} />;
     case 'media':
       return <MediaPreview particle={particle} />;
-    case 'quest':
-      return <QuestPreview particle={particle} />;
+    case 'task':
+      return <TaskPreview particle={particle} />;
     case 'paper':
       return <PaperPreview particle={particle} />;
     case 'file':
@@ -128,21 +129,30 @@ function VideoThumbnail({
   );
 }
 
-function QuestPreview({
+function TaskPreview({
   particle,
 }: {
-  particle: Extract<Particle, { type: 'quest' }>;
+  particle: Extract<Particle, { type: 'task' }>;
 }) {
-  const { title, status } = particle.properties;
+  const { title, done } = particle.properties;
   return (
     <div className="flex h-full w-full flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-amber-500/10 p-4">
-      <ScrollText className="h-6 w-6 text-amber-600/70 dark:text-amber-400/70" />
-      <p className="line-clamp-2 text-center text-sm font-medium">{title}</p>
-      {status && (
-        <span className="text-muted-foreground text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wide">
-          {status}
-        </span>
-      )}
+      <CircleCheck
+        className={cn(
+          'h-6 w-6',
+          done
+            ? 'text-emerald-600/80 dark:text-emerald-400/80'
+            : 'text-amber-600/70 dark:text-amber-400/70',
+        )}
+      />
+      <p
+        className={cn(
+          'line-clamp-2 text-center text-sm font-medium',
+          done && 'text-muted-foreground line-through',
+        )}
+      >
+        {title}
+      </p>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-view-resolver.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-view-resolver.tsx
index 2017945..ae4e51c 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-view-resolver.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/particle-view-resolver.tsx
@@ -2,12 +2,19 @@ import { useEffect } from 'react';
 import { useNavigate, useParams } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import { Lock } from 'lucide-react';
+import { isParticleDeleted, type Particle } from '@/api/types';
 import { useLiveParticle } from '@/hooks/use-particle';
-import { particlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import { particlePath, type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 
+import Layout from '@/features/layout';
 import { StreamView } from '@/features/particles/stream-view';
 import { FolderView } from '@/features/particles/folder-view';
+import { MediaParticleView } from '@/features/particles/media-particle-view';
+import { TextParticleView } from '@/features/particles/text-particle-view';
+import { TaskParticleView } from '@/features/particles/task-particle-view';
+import { FallbackParticleView } from '@/features/particles/fallback-particle-view';
+import { DeletedParticleView } from '@/features/particles/deleted-particle-view';
 
 /**
  * Route-level component for /:networkId/*.
@@ -25,9 +32,11 @@ export default function ParticleViewResolver() {
 
   if (isLoading) {
     return (
-      <div className="flex h-full items-center justify-center">
-        <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">Loading...</p>
-      </div>
+      <Layout>
+        <div className="flex h-full items-center justify-center">
+          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">Loading...</p>
+        </div>
+      </Layout>
     );
   }
 
@@ -35,25 +44,106 @@ export default function ParticleViewResolver() {
     // Errors here are almost always Firestore permission-denied — the user lost
     // access to the network or to a custom-visibility particle. The React Router
     // stays on the dead route, so without an explicit escape the user is stuck.
-    return <InaccessibleParticle />;
+    return (
+      <Layout>
+        <InaccessibleParticle />
+      </Layout>
+    );
   }
 
+  // Streams render their own full-screen chrome; folders and leaves live
+  // inside the app Layout (breadcrumbs, full-height column) like the root.
   switch (particle.type) {
     case 'stream':
       return <StreamView streamParticle={particle} path={path} />;
     case 'folder':
-      return <FolderView folderParticle={particle} path={path} />;
+      return (
+        <Layout>
+          <FolderView folderParticle={particle} path={path} />
+        </Layout>
+      );
     default:
       return (
-        <div className="flex h-full items-center justify-center">
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">
-            {particle.type} particle: {particle.id}
-          </p>
-        </div>
+        <Layout>
+          <LeafParticleView
+            particle={particle}
+            containerPath={particlePath(networkId, segments.slice(0, -1))}
+            networkId={networkId}
+          />
+        </Layout>
       );
   }
 }
 
+const noop = () => {};
+
+/**
+ * Standalone view for a leaf particle opened directly (e.g. from a folder),
+ * outside any stream playback: renders the particle's native view with no
+ * auto-advance.
+ */
+function LeafParticleView({
+  particle,
+  containerPath,
+  networkId,
+}: {
+  particle: Particle;
+  containerPath: ParticlePath;
+  networkId: string;
+}) {
+  const content = (() => {
+    if (isParticleDeleted(particle)) {
+      return (
+        <DeletedParticleView
+          particle={particle}
+          networkId={networkId}
+          paused
+          onEnded={noop}
+        />
+      );
+    }
+    switch (particle.type) {
+      case 'media':
+        return (
+          <MediaParticleView
+            particle={particle}
+            streamPath={containerPath}
+            paused={false}
+            onEnded={noop}
+          />
+        );
+      case 'text':
+        return (
+          <TextParticleView
+            particle={particle}
+            streamPath={containerPath}
+            paused
+            onEnded={noop}
+          />
+        );
+      case 'task':
+        return (
+          <TaskParticleView
+            particle={particle}
+            containerPath={containerPath}
+            paused
+            onEnded={noop}
+          />
+        );
+      default:
+        return (
+          <FallbackParticleView particle={particle} networkId={networkId} />
+        );
+    }
+  })();
+
+  return (
+    <div className="min-h-0 flex-1 bg-black text-white [--stream-safe-top:2rem] [--stream-safe-bottom:2rem]">
+      {content}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 function InaccessibleParticle() {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/rename-stream-overlay.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/rename-stream-overlay.tsx
index c05b28e..df5f214 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/rename-stream-overlay.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/rename-stream-overlay.tsx
@@ -4,18 +4,18 @@ import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { KeyHint } from '@/components/key-hint';
 import { updateParticleProperties } from '@/lib/firestore-particles';
-import { particlePath, toFirestoreDocPath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import { toFirestoreDocPath, type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
 import type { Particle } from '@/api/types';
 import { useSuspendPlayback } from '@/hooks/use-suspend-playback';
 
 interface RenameStreamOverlayProps {
-  networkId: string;
+  streamPath: ParticlePath;
   streamParticle: Particle & { type: 'stream' };
   onClose: () => void;
 }
 
 export function RenameStreamOverlay({
-  networkId,
+  streamPath,
   streamParticle,
   onClose,
 }: RenameStreamOverlayProps) {
@@ -32,15 +32,13 @@ export function RenameStreamOverlay({
     if (!canSave) return;
     setSaving(true);
     try {
-      const docPath = toFirestoreDocPath(
-        particlePath(networkId, [streamParticle.id]),
-      );
+      const docPath = toFirestoreDocPath(streamPath);
       await updateParticleProperties<'stream'>(docPath, { name: trimmed });
       onClose();
     } finally {
       setSaving(false);
     }
-  }, [canSave, networkId, onClose, streamParticle.id, trimmed]);
+  }, [canSave, streamPath, onClose, trimmed]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     const handler = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-bottom-bar.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-bottom-bar.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93c6492
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-bottom-bar.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import { PlaybackPageIndicator } from '@/features/particles/playback-page-indicator';
+import { VideoAudioToggle } from '@/components/video-audio-toggle';
+import { KeyHint } from '@/components/key-hint';
+import { useComposeIntentStore } from '@/stores/compose-intent-store';
+import type { HumanPresence } from '@/hooks/use-presence-positions';
+
+export function BottomBar({
+  visible,
+  total,
+  current,
+  progress,
+  onGoTo,
+  presenceBySegment,
+  onlineHumanIds,
+  exitRemainingMs,
+  onOpenKeybindings,
+  onOpenHuddle,
+  onExit,
+}: {
+  visible: boolean;
+  total: number;
+  current: number;
+  progress: number;
+  onGoTo: (index: number) => void;
+  presenceBySegment: Map<number, HumanPresence[]>;
+  onlineHumanIds: Set<string>;
+  exitRemainingMs: number | null;
+  onOpenKeybindings: () => void;
+  onOpenHuddle: () => void;
+  onExit: () => void;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div
+      className={cn(
+        'absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 z-10 transition-all duration-300',
+        visible
+          ? 'opacity-100 translate-y-0'
+          : 'opacity-0 translate-y-2 pointer-events-none',
+      )}
+    >
+      {/* Presence avatars — above the blurred background */}
+      <PlaybackPageIndicator
+        total={total}
+        current={current}
+        progress={progress}
+        onGoTo={onGoTo}
+        presenceBySegment={presenceBySegment}
+        onlineHumanIds={onlineHumanIds}
+        layer="avatars"
+      />
+      {/* Blurred background container — tracks + controls */}
+      <div className="pb-3">
+        <PlaybackPageIndicator
+          total={total}
+          current={current}
+          progress={progress}
+          onGoTo={onGoTo}
+          layer="tracks"
+        />
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-center px-3 pt-2 gap-2">
+          {exitRemainingMs !== null && (
+            <div className="flex justify-center">
+              <span className="rounded-full bg-black/30 px-2 text-xs text-white/70 backdrop-blur-sm">
+                Closing in {Math.ceil(exitRemainingMs / 1000)}s
+              </span>
+            </div>
+          )}
+          <StreamViewControls
+            showEscape
+            onOpenKeybindings={onOpenKeybindings}
+            onOpenHuddle={onOpenHuddle}
+            onExit={onExit}
+          />
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+export function StreamViewControls({
+  showEscape,
+  onOpenKeybindings,
+  onOpenHuddle,
+  onExit,
+}: {
+  showEscape?: boolean;
+  onOpenKeybindings: () => void;
+  onOpenHuddle: () => void;
+  onExit: () => void;
+}) {
+  const requestIntent = useComposeIntentStore((s) => s.request);
+  return (
+    <div className="flex items-center gap-4 text-sm text-white/50">
+      {showEscape && (
+        <KeyHint
+          keys="Esc"
+          onClick={onExit}
+          title="Back to network (or press Esc)"
+        >
+          back
+        </KeyHint>
+      )}
+      <VideoAudioToggle />
+      <KeyHint
+        keys="Hold `"
+        onClick={() => requestIntent('record')}
+        title="Reply with a recording (or hold `)"
+      >
+        to reply
+      </KeyHint>
+      <KeyHint
+        keys="T"
+        onClick={() => requestIntent('text')}
+        title="Reply with text (or press T)"
+      >
+        text
+      </KeyHint>
+      <KeyHint
+        keys="D"
+        onClick={() => requestIntent('task')}
+        title="Add a task (or press D)"
+      >
+        task
+      </KeyHint>
+      <KeyHint
+        keys="H"
+        onClick={onOpenHuddle}
+        title="Start a huddle (or press H)"
+      >
+        huddle
+      </KeyHint>
+      <KeyHint
+        keys="?"
+        onClick={onOpenKeybindings}
+        title="Show all shortcuts"
+        aria-label="Show keyboard shortcuts"
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-context-menu.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-context-menu.tsx
index 51e7ee0..101ff64 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-context-menu.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-context-menu.tsx
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ import {
 import { CircleCheckBig, CircleDot } from 'lucide-react';
 import { updateStreamStatus } from '@/lib/firestore-particles';
 import { toFirestoreDocPath, particlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
-import type { StreamParticle } from '@/hooks/use-stream-particles';
+import { isStreamOpen, type Particle } from '@/api/types';
 
 interface StreamContextMenuProps {
-  particle: StreamParticle;
+  particle: Extract<Particle, { type: 'stream' }>;
   networkId: string;
   children: React.ReactNode;
 }
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ export function StreamContextMenu({
   networkId,
   children,
 }: StreamContextMenuProps) {
-  const isOpen = particle.status === 'open';
+  const isOpen = isStreamOpen(particle);
   const docPath = toFirestoreDocPath(particlePath(networkId, [particle.id]));
 
   const toggleStatus = async () => {
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-list-sidebar.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-list-sidebar.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8a0d5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-list-sidebar.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
+import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+import { CircleCheck, FileText, Image, List, Mic, Video } from 'lucide-react';
+import { isParticleDeleted, type Human, type Particle } from '@/api/types';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import { useNetwork } from '@/hooks/use-networks';
+import { resolveHumanDisplay } from '@/lib/humans';
+import { RelativeTimestamp } from '@/components/relative-timestamp';
+import { HumanAvatar } from '@/components/human-avatar';
+import { KeyHint } from '@/components/key-hint';
+import { ScrollArea } from '@/components/ui/scroll-area';
+
+interface StreamListSidebarProps {
+  streamName: string;
+  items: Particle[];
+  networkId: string;
+  currentIndex: number;
+  onSelect: (index: number) => void;
+  onToggle: () => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Browse-mode panel beside the stream: a chat-like timeline of every
+ * particle. Selecting a message plays it in the immersive stream view;
+ * nothing auto-advances.
+ */
+export function StreamListSidebar({
+  streamName,
+  items,
+  networkId,
+  currentIndex,
+  onSelect,
+  onToggle,
+}: StreamListSidebarProps) {
+  const network = useNetwork(networkId);
+  const rowRefs = useRef<Array<HTMLDivElement | null>>([]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (currentIndex >= 0) {
+      rowRefs.current[currentIndex]?.scrollIntoView({ block: 'nearest' });
+    }
+  }, [currentIndex]);
+
+  return (
+    <aside className="dark flex w-96 shrink-0 flex-col border-l border-white/10 bg-zinc-950">
+      <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b border-white/10 px-4 py-3">
+        <List className="size-3.5 text-white/40" />
+        <span className="truncate text-sm font-medium text-white/90">
+          {streamName}
+        </span>
+        <span className="ml-auto text-xs text-white/40">{items.length}</span>
+        <KeyHint
+          keys="L"
+          onClick={onToggle}
+          title="Hide list (or press L)"
+          className="text-xs text-white/40"
+        >
+          to close
+        </KeyHint>
+      </div>
+      <ScrollArea className="min-h-0 flex-1">
+        <div className="flex flex-col gap-0.5 px-2 py-2">
+          {items.map((item, index) => (
+            <div
+              key={item.id}
+              ref={(el) => {
+                rowRefs.current[index] = el;
+              }}
+            >
+              <ChatRow
+                particle={item}
+                humans={network?.humans}
+                isSelected={index === currentIndex}
+                onClick={() => onSelect(index)}
+              />
+            </div>
+          ))}
+          {items.length === 0 && (
+            <p className="px-2 py-8 text-center text-sm text-white/40">
+              No particles in this stream yet.
+            </p>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      </ScrollArea>
+    </aside>
+  );
+}
+
+function ChatRow({
+  particle,
+  humans,
+  isSelected,
+  onClick,
+}: {
+  particle: Particle;
+  humans: Human[] | undefined;
+  isSelected: boolean;
+  onClick: () => void;
+}) {
+  const sender = resolveHumanDisplay(particle.created_by_human_id, humans);
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      role="button"
+      tabIndex={0}
+      onClick={onClick}
+      // Enter only — Space is reserved for play/pause in the stream view.
+      onKeyDown={(e) => {
+        if (e.key === 'Enter') onClick();
+      }}
+      className={cn(
+        'flex w-full cursor-pointer items-start gap-2.5 rounded-md px-2 py-2 text-left transition-colors',
+        isSelected ? 'bg-white/10' : 'hover:bg-white/5',
+      )}
+    >
+      <HumanAvatar
+        size="sm"
+        className="mt-0.5 shrink-0"
+        initials={sender.initials}
+        avatarObjectId={sender.avatarObjectId}
+        fallbackClassName="bg-white/10 text-white/80 text-[10px] font-medium"
+      />
+      <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+        <div className="flex items-baseline justify-between gap-2">
+          <span className="truncate text-xs font-semibold text-white/90">
+            {sender.displayName}
+          </span>
+          <span className="shrink-0 text-[10px] text-white/35">
+            <RelativeTimestamp date={particle.created_at} />
+          </span>
+        </div>
+        <ChatRowContent particle={particle} />
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ChatRowContent({ particle }: { particle: Particle }) {
+  if (isParticleDeleted(particle)) {
+    return (
+      <p className="text-xs italic text-white/35">This particle was deleted</p>
+    );
+  }
+
+  switch (particle.type) {
+    case 'text':
+      return (
+        <p className="line-clamp-3 text-xs leading-relaxed whitespace-pre-line text-white/70">
+          {particle.properties.content}
+        </p>
+      );
+    case 'media': {
+      const mime = particle.properties.mime_type;
+      const transcript = particle.properties.transcript?.transcript;
+      const isVideo = mime.startsWith('video/');
+      const isAudio = mime.startsWith('audio/');
+      const isImage = mime.startsWith('image/');
+      const Icon = isVideo ? Video : isAudio ? Mic : isImage ? Image : Video;
+      const label = isVideo
+        ? 'Video clip'
+        : isAudio
+          ? 'Voice note'
+          : isImage
+            ? 'Photo'
+            : 'Media';
+      const durationSec = Math.round(particle.properties.duration_ms / 1000);
+      const duration =
+        durationSec > 0
+          ? ` · ${Math.floor(durationSec / 60)}:${String(durationSec % 60).padStart(2, '0')}`
+          : '';
+      return (
+        <div className="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
+          <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs text-white/70">
+            <Icon className="size-3.5 shrink-0 text-white/50" />
+            {label}
+            {duration}
+          </span>
+          {transcript && (
+            <p className="line-clamp-2 text-xs leading-relaxed text-white/45">
+              {transcript}
+            </p>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      );
+    }
+    case 'file':
+      return (
+        <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs text-white/70">
+          <FileText className="size-3.5 shrink-0 text-white/50" />
+          <span className="truncate">{particle.properties.filename}</span>
+        </span>
+      );
+    case 'task': {
+      const { title, done, checklist = [] } = particle.properties;
+      const doneCount = checklist.filter((item) => item.done).length;
+      return (
+        <div className="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
+          <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs text-white/70">
+            <CircleCheck
+              className={cn(
+                'size-3.5 shrink-0',
+                done ? 'text-emerald-400' : 'text-white/50',
+              )}
+            />
+            <span
+              className={cn('truncate', done && 'text-white/40 line-through')}
+            >
+              {title}
+            </span>
+          </span>
+          {checklist.length > 0 && (
+            <span className="pl-5 text-[10px] text-white/40">
+              {doneCount} / {checklist.length} subtasks
+            </span>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      );
+    }
+    case 'paper':
+      return (
+        <p className="truncate text-xs text-white/70">
+          {particle.properties.title}
+        </p>
+      );
+    default:
+      return <p className="text-xs text-white/45">{particle.type}</p>;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-members-overlay.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-members-overlay.tsx
index 5be51f3..c8a1cbf 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-members-overlay.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-members-overlay.tsx
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import {
   parseVisibleTo,
 } from '@/lib/stream-visibility';
 import { updateParticleVisibleTo } from '@/lib/firestore-particles';
-import { particlePath, toFirestoreDocPath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import { toFirestoreDocPath, type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
 import { useNetwork } from '@/hooks/use-networks';
 import { cn, getInitials } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { resolveHumanDisplay } from '@/lib/humans';
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import { useSuspendPlayback } from '@/hooks/use-suspend-playback';
 
 interface StreamMembersOverlayProps {
   networkId: string;
+  streamPath: ParticlePath;
   streamParticle: Particle & { type: 'stream' };
   isCreator: boolean;
   onClose: () => void;
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ interface StreamMembersOverlayProps {
 
 export function StreamMembersOverlay({
   networkId,
+  streamPath,
   streamParticle,
   isCreator,
   onClose,
@@ -40,10 +42,7 @@ export function StreamMembersOverlay({
     [streamParticle.visible_to, networkId],
   );
 
-  const docPath = useMemo(
-    () => toFirestoreDocPath(particlePath(networkId, [streamParticle.id])),
-    [networkId, streamParticle.id],
-  );
+  const docPath = useMemo(() => toFirestoreDocPath(streamPath), [streamPath]);
 
   const memberIds =
     visibility.mode === 'network'
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-top-bar.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-top-bar.tsx
index 050eb9a..a75f7b4 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-top-bar.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-top-bar.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 import { useState } from 'react';
 import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/auth-store';
 import { apiClient } from '@/api/client';
-import { isParticleDeleted, type Particle } from '@/api/types';
-import { particlePath, toFirestoreDocPath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import { isParticleDeleted, isStreamOpen, type Particle } from '@/api/types';
 import { AvatarGroup } from '@/components/ui/avatar';
 import { HumanAvatar } from '@/components/human-avatar';
 import {
@@ -19,19 +18,21 @@ import {
   DropdownMenuTrigger,
 } from '@/components/ui/dropdown-menu';
 import {
-  CircleCheckBig,
-  CircleDot,
   EllipsisVertical,
   Pencil,
   Lock,
   Globe,
   Trash2,
+  CircleCheckBig,
+  CircleDot,
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { updateStreamStatus } from '@/lib/firestore-particles';
+import { toFirestoreDocPath, type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
 import { RenameStreamOverlay } from '@/features/particles/rename-stream-overlay';
 import { DeleteParticleOverlay } from '@/features/particles/delete-particle-overlay';
 import { StreamMembersOverlay } from '@/features/particles/stream-members-overlay';
 import { parseVisibleTo } from '@/lib/stream-visibility';
+import { getParticleDisplayName } from '@/lib/particle-display';
 import {
   Breadcrumb,
   BreadcrumbItem,
@@ -46,31 +47,20 @@ import { resolveHumanDisplay } from '@/lib/humans';
 import { platform } from '@/lib/platform';
 import { requireDesktop } from '@/lib/platform/desktop-only';
 
-function getParticleDisplayName(particle: Particle): string {
-  switch (particle.type) {
-    case 'stream':
-    case 'folder':
-      return particle.properties.name;
-    case 'quest':
-      return particle.properties.title;
-    case 'paper':
-      return particle.properties.title;
-    case 'file':
-      return particle.properties.filename;
-    case 'text':
-      return particle.properties.content.slice(0, 30);
-    case 'media':
-      return particle.type;
-  }
-}
-
 interface TopBarProps {
   networkId: string;
   particle: Particle | null;
   streamParticle: Particle & { type: 'stream' };
+  /** Resolved path of the stream — may be nested under a container. */
+  streamPath: ParticlePath;
 }
 
-export function TopBar({ networkId, particle, streamParticle }: TopBarProps) {
+export function TopBar({
+  networkId,
+  particle,
+  streamParticle,
+  streamPath,
+}: TopBarProps) {
   const network = useNetwork(networkId);
   const userId = useAuthStore((s) => s.user?.id);
   const isCreator = !!userId && userId === streamParticle.created_by_human_id;
@@ -161,8 +151,8 @@ export function TopBar({ networkId, particle, streamParticle }: TopBarProps) {
         </button>
       )}
 
-      {streamParticle.status === 'closed' && (
-        <span className="no-drag flex items-center gap-1 rounded-full bg-white/10 px-2 py-0.5 text-xs text-muted-foreground backdrop-blur-sm">
+      {!isStreamOpen(streamParticle) && (
+        <span className="no-drag text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-1 rounded-full bg-white/10 px-2 py-0.5 text-xs backdrop-blur-sm">
           <CircleCheckBig className="size-3" />
           Closed
         </span>
@@ -185,18 +175,22 @@ export function TopBar({ networkId, particle, streamParticle }: TopBarProps) {
           </Button>
         </DropdownMenuTrigger>
         <DropdownMenuContent align="end">
+          {isCreator && (
+            <DropdownMenuItem onSelect={() => setRenameOpen(true)}>
+              <Pencil className="size-4" />
+              Rename stream
+            </DropdownMenuItem>
+          )}
           <DropdownMenuItem
             onSelect={async () => {
-              const docPath = toFirestoreDocPath(
-                particlePath(networkId, [streamParticle.id]),
-              );
+              const docPath = toFirestoreDocPath(streamPath);
               await updateStreamStatus(
                 docPath,
-                streamParticle.status === 'open' ? 'closed' : 'open',
+                isStreamOpen(streamParticle) ? 'closed' : 'open',
               );
             }}
           >
-            {streamParticle.status === 'open' ? (
+            {isStreamOpen(streamParticle) ? (
               <>
                 <CircleCheckBig className="size-4" />
                 Close stream
@@ -208,12 +202,6 @@ export function TopBar({ networkId, particle, streamParticle }: TopBarProps) {
               </>
             )}
           </DropdownMenuItem>
-          {isCreator && (
-            <DropdownMenuItem onSelect={() => setRenameOpen(true)}>
-              <Pencil className="size-4" />
-              Rename stream
-            </DropdownMenuItem>
-          )}
           {canDeleteParticle && (
             <DropdownMenuItem
               onSelect={() => setDeleteOpen(true)}
@@ -228,7 +216,7 @@ export function TopBar({ networkId, particle, streamParticle }: TopBarProps) {
 
       {renameOpen && isCreator && (
         <RenameStreamOverlay
-          networkId={networkId}
+          streamPath={streamPath}
           streamParticle={streamParticle}
           onClose={() => setRenameOpen(false)}
         />
@@ -236,8 +224,7 @@ export function TopBar({ networkId, particle, streamParticle }: TopBarProps) {
 
       {deleteOpen && canDeleteParticle && particle && userId && (
         <DeleteParticleOverlay
-          networkId={networkId}
-          streamId={streamParticle.id}
+          streamPath={streamPath}
           particle={particle}
           userId={userId}
           onClose={() => setDeleteOpen(false)}
@@ -247,6 +234,7 @@ export function TopBar({ networkId, particle, streamParticle }: TopBarProps) {
       {membersOpen && (
         <StreamMembersOverlay
           networkId={networkId}
+          streamPath={streamPath}
           streamParticle={streamParticle}
           isCreator={isCreator}
           onClose={() => setMembersOpen(false)}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-view.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-view.tsx
index 2352f7d..85af187 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-view.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/stream-view.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import {
   useRef,
 } from 'react';
 import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { Play } from 'lucide-react';
 import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/auth-store';
 import { apiClient } from '@/api/client';
 import { isParticleDeleted, type Particle } from '@/api/types';
@@ -19,17 +20,20 @@ import {
   ComposeOverlay,
   type ComposeStep,
 } from '@/features/compose/compose-overlay';
-import { useComposeIntentStore } from '@/stores/compose-intent-store';
-import { PlaybackPageIndicator } from '@/features/particles/playback-page-indicator';
 import {
   MediaParticleView,
   type MediaParticleHandle,
 } from '@/features/particles/media-particle-view';
 import { TextParticleView } from '@/features/particles/text-particle-view';
+import { TaskParticleView } from '@/features/particles/task-particle-view';
 import { FallbackParticleView } from '@/features/particles/fallback-particle-view';
 import { DeletedParticleView } from '@/features/particles/deleted-particle-view';
-import { VideoAudioToggle } from '@/components/video-audio-toggle';
-import { KeyHint } from '@/components/key-hint';
+import {
+  BottomBar,
+  StreamViewControls,
+} from '@/features/particles/stream-bottom-bar';
+import { StreamListSidebar } from '@/features/particles/stream-list-sidebar';
+import { useStreamViewMode } from '@/hooks/use-stream-view-mode';
 import { useMediaSettingsStore } from '@/stores/media-settings-store';
 import {
   KeybindingsOverlay,
@@ -51,7 +55,6 @@ import {
   type ComposingMode,
 } from '@/features/particles/stream-presence-context';
 import { ComposingIndicator } from '@/components/composing-indicator';
-import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { useMount } from 'react-use';
 import {
   usePlaybackPauseStore,
@@ -63,11 +66,29 @@ import { useStreamActionKeys } from '@/hooks/use-stream-action-keys';
 import { platform } from '@/lib/platform';
 import { requireDesktop } from '@/lib/platform/desktop-only';
 
+const noop = () => {};
+
+// Compose step → the composing-presence mode broadcast to other viewers.
+const STEP_TO_COMPOSING_MODE: Record<ComposeStep, ComposingMode | null> = {
+  idle: null,
+  submitting: null,
+  recording: 'recording',
+  typing: 'typing',
+  task: 'typing',
+  reviewing: 'typing',
+  configuring: 'typing',
+  picking: 'screen',
+};
+
 function getReactions(
   particle: Particle,
 ): Record<string, string[]> | undefined {
   if (isParticleDeleted(particle)) return undefined;
-  if (particle.type === 'media' || particle.type === 'text')
+  if (
+    particle.type === 'media' ||
+    particle.type === 'text' ||
+    particle.type === 'task'
+  )
     return particle.reactions;
   return undefined;
 }
@@ -134,6 +155,7 @@ const STREAM_VIEW_KEYBINDINGS: KeybindingGroup[] = [
     bindings: [
       { keys: ['←', '→', '↑', '↓'], description: 'Previous / next particle' },
       { keys: ['Esc'], description: 'Back to network' },
+      { keys: ['L'], description: 'Toggle list view' },
     ],
   },
   {
@@ -151,6 +173,7 @@ const STREAM_VIEW_KEYBINDINGS: KeybindingGroup[] = [
       { keys: ['Hold', '`'], description: 'Reply' },
       { keys: ['S'], description: 'Screen record' },
       { keys: ['T'], description: 'Text compose' },
+      { keys: ['D'], description: 'New task' },
       { keys: ['V'], description: 'Toggle video / audio' },
       { keys: ['H'], description: 'Join huddle' },
     ],
@@ -189,6 +212,12 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
     platform.autoplay.dismiss();
   });
 
+  const userId = useAuthStore((s) => s.user?.id);
+  const { mode, toggle: toggleViewMode } = useStreamViewMode(
+    streamParticle,
+    userId,
+  );
+
   const {
     children,
     currentParticle,
@@ -198,7 +227,9 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
     prev,
     goTo,
     goToParticle,
-  } = useStreamPlayback(streamParticle, path);
+  } = useStreamPlayback(streamParticle, path, {
+    autoAdvanceOnNew: mode === 'player',
+  });
 
   usePrefetchAdjacentMedia(children, currentIndex);
 
@@ -258,7 +289,7 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
     [handleToggleReaction],
   );
 
-  const { fastPlayback } = usePlaybackKeys({ mediaRef });
+  const { fastPlayback, spacePaused, resume } = usePlaybackKeys({ mediaRef });
 
   const handleExitNavigate = useCallback(() => {
     navigate(`/${networkId}`);
@@ -271,6 +302,7 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
     childrenLength: children.length,
     mediaRef,
     onExit: handleExitNavigate,
+    onToggleViewMode: toggleViewMode,
   });
 
   const handleOpenHuddle = useCallback(() => {
@@ -301,16 +333,7 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
 
   // Broadcast composing state to other viewers
   useEffect(() => {
-    const stepToMode: Record<string, ComposingMode | null> = {
-      idle: null,
-      submitting: null,
-      recording: 'recording',
-      typing: 'typing',
-      reviewing: 'typing',
-      configuring: 'typing',
-      picking: 'screen',
-    };
-    const mode = stepToMode[composeStep] ?? null;
+    const mode = STEP_TO_COMPOSING_MODE[composeStep] ?? null;
     if (mode) {
       startComposing(mode);
     } else {
@@ -331,7 +354,12 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
   // Always show controls when compose is active or exit countdown is visible
   const controlsVisible = showControls || composeActive || status === 'ended';
 
-  const exitRemainingMs = useExitCountdown(status, paused, handleExitNavigate);
+  // No auto-exit while browsing in list mode.
+  const exitRemainingMs = useExitCountdown(
+    status,
+    paused || mode === 'list',
+    handleExitNavigate,
+  );
 
   // Reset progress when the particle changes.
   if (currentParticle?.id !== prevParticleId) {
@@ -371,14 +399,15 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
           networkId={networkId}
           targetPath={path}
           onActiveChange={setComposeActive}
-          disabled={streamParticle.status === 'closed'}
           onParticleCreated={handleParticleCreated}
         />
       </div>
     );
   }
 
-  // Render particle content inline
+  // Render particle content inline. In list mode the selected particle still
+  // plays, but nothing chains: reaching the end doesn't advance.
+  const handleParticleEnded = mode === 'player' ? next : noop;
   function renderParticle(particle: Particle) {
     if (isParticleDeleted(particle)) {
       return (
@@ -387,7 +416,7 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
           particle={particle}
           networkId={networkId}
           paused={paused}
-          onEnded={next}
+          onEnded={handleParticleEnded}
         />
       );
     }
@@ -400,7 +429,7 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
             particle={particle}
             streamPath={path}
             paused={paused}
-            onEnded={next}
+            onEnded={handleParticleEnded}
             onProgress={setProgress}
           />
         );
@@ -411,7 +440,18 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
             particle={particle}
             streamPath={path}
             paused={paused}
-            onEnded={next}
+            onEnded={handleParticleEnded}
+            onProgress={setProgress}
+          />
+        );
+      case 'task':
+        return (
+          <TaskParticleView
+            key={particle.id}
+            particle={particle}
+            containerPath={path}
+            paused={paused}
+            onEnded={handleParticleEnded}
             onProgress={setProgress}
           />
         );
@@ -423,233 +463,123 @@ function StreamViewInner({ path, streamParticle }: StreamViewProps) {
   }
 
   return (
-    <div
-      className="relative flex h-screen flex-col overflow-hidden bg-black text-white [--stream-safe-top:4rem] [--stream-safe-bottom:5rem]"
-      onMouseMove={handleMouseActivity}
-      onMouseLeave={() => setShowControls(false)}
-    >
-      {/* Top gradient safe zone */}
-      <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 top-0 z-[5] h-32 bg-gradient-to-b from-black/60 to-transparent" />
+    <div className="flex h-screen overflow-hidden bg-black">
+      {/* Stream chrome — immersive playback column */}
+      <div
+        className="relative flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden bg-black text-white [--stream-safe-top:4rem] [--stream-safe-bottom:5rem]"
+        onMouseMove={handleMouseActivity}
+        onMouseLeave={() => setShowControls(false)}
+      >
+        {/* Top gradient safe zone */}
+        <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 top-0 z-[5] h-32 bg-gradient-to-b from-black/60 to-transparent" />
 
-      {/* TopBar — always visible */}
-      <div className="z-10 absolute left-0 right-0 pt-2">
-        <TopBar
-          networkId={networkId}
-          particle={currentParticle}
-          streamParticle={streamParticle}
-        />
-      </div>
-
-      {/* Main playback area */}
-      <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">
-        {currentParticle && (
-          <div className="relative flex h-full w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-center">
-            {renderParticle(currentParticle)}
-
-            <div className="pointer-events-none absolute right-4 top-14 z-20 flex flex-col items-end gap-1.5">
-              {fastPlayback && (
-                <div className="rounded-full bg-black/50 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white backdrop-blur-sm">
-                  1.5x
-                </div>
-              )}
-              {paused && (
-                <div className="rounded-full bg-black/40 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white/70 backdrop-blur-sm">
-                  Paused
-                </div>
-              )}
-            </div>
-          </div>
-        )}
-      </div>
-
-      {/* Reaction bar — always visible */}
-      {currentParticle && !isParticleDeleted(currentParticle) && (
-        <div className="absolute right-4 top-1/2 z-10 flex -translate-y-1/2 flex-col items-end gap-2">
-          <ReactionBar
-            reactions={getReactions(currentParticle)}
-            currentHumanId={authedUser?.id ?? ''}
-            humans={network?.humans}
-            onToggle={handleToggleReaction}
-            onOpenTextReaction={() => setTextReactionOpen(true)}
-          />
-          <TextReactionInput
-            open={textReactionOpen}
-            onSubmit={handleSubmitTextReaction}
-            onClose={() => setTextReactionOpen(false)}
+        {/* TopBar — always visible */}
+        <div className="z-10 absolute left-0 right-0 pt-2">
+          <TopBar
+            networkId={networkId}
+            particle={currentParticle}
+            streamParticle={streamParticle}
+            streamPath={path}
           />
         </div>
-      )}
 
-      {/* Composing indicator — left edge, always visible */}
-      <ComposingIndicator
-        users={composingUsers}
-        networkHumans={network?.humans}
-      />
+        {/* Main playback area */}
+        <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">
+          {currentParticle && (
+            <div className="relative flex h-full w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-center">
+              {renderParticle(currentParticle)}
 
-      <ComposeOverlay
-        networkId={networkId}
-        targetPath={path}
-        onActiveChange={setComposeActive}
-        onStepChange={setComposeStep}
-        disabled={streamParticle.status === 'closed'}
-        onParticleCreated={handleParticleCreated}
-      />
-
-      {/* Bottom gradient safe zone for keyboard hints */}
-      <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 z-[5] h-1/4 bg-gradient-to-t from-black/60 to-transparent" />
-
-      {/* BottomBar */}
-      <BottomBar
-        visible={controlsVisible}
-        total={children.length}
-        current={currentIndex}
-        progress={progress}
-        onGoTo={goTo}
-        presenceBySegment={presenceBySegment}
-        onlineHumanIds={onlineHumanIds}
-        exitRemainingMs={exitRemainingMs}
-        onOpenKeybindings={() => setShowKeybindings(true)}
-        onOpenHuddle={handleOpenHuddle}
-        onExit={handleExitNavigate}
-      />
-
-      <KeybindingsOverlay
-        open={showKeybindings}
-        onClose={() => setShowKeybindings(false)}
-        groups={STREAM_VIEW_KEYBINDINGS}
-        title="Stream View"
-      />
-    </div>
-  );
-}
-
-function BottomBar({
-  visible,
-  total,
-  current,
-  progress,
-  onGoTo,
-  presenceBySegment,
-  onlineHumanIds,
-  exitRemainingMs,
-  onOpenKeybindings,
-  onOpenHuddle,
-  onExit,
-}: {
-  visible: boolean;
-  total: number;
-  current: number;
-  progress: number;
-  onGoTo: (index: number) => void;
-  presenceBySegment: Map<
-    number,
-    import('@/hooks/use-presence-positions').HumanPresence[]
-  >;
-  onlineHumanIds: Set<string>;
-  exitRemainingMs: number | null;
-  onOpenKeybindings: () => void;
-  onOpenHuddle: () => void;
-  onExit: () => void;
-}) {
-  return (
-    <div
-      className={cn(
-        'absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 z-10 transition-all duration-300',
-        visible
-          ? 'opacity-100 translate-y-0'
-          : 'opacity-0 translate-y-2 pointer-events-none',
-      )}
-    >
-      {/* Presence avatars — above the blurred background */}
-      <PlaybackPageIndicator
-        total={total}
-        current={current}
-        progress={progress}
-        onGoTo={onGoTo}
-        presenceBySegment={presenceBySegment}
-        onlineHumanIds={onlineHumanIds}
-        layer="avatars"
-      />
-      {/* Blurred background container — tracks + controls */}
-      <div className="pb-3">
-        <PlaybackPageIndicator
-          total={total}
-          current={current}
-          progress={progress}
-          onGoTo={onGoTo}
-          layer="tracks"
-        />
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-center px-3 pt-2 gap-2">
-          {exitRemainingMs !== null && (
-            <div className="flex justify-center">
-              <span className="rounded-full bg-black/30 px-2 text-xs text-white/70 backdrop-blur-sm">
-                Closing in {Math.ceil(exitRemainingMs / 1000)}s
-              </span>
+              <div className="pointer-events-none absolute right-4 top-14 z-20 flex flex-col items-end gap-1.5">
+                {fastPlayback && (
+                  <div className="rounded-full bg-black/50 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white backdrop-blur-sm">
+                    1.5x
+                  </div>
+                )}
+                {spacePaused && (
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    onClick={resume}
+                    title="Resume (or press Space)"
+                    className="pointer-events-auto flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-full bg-black/40 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white/70 backdrop-blur-sm transition-colors hover:bg-black/60 hover:text-white"
+                  >
+                    <Play className="size-3 fill-current" />
+                    Paused
+                  </button>
+                )}
+              </div>
             </div>
           )}
-          <StreamViewControls
-            showEscape
-            onOpenKeybindings={onOpenKeybindings}
-            onOpenHuddle={onOpenHuddle}
-            onExit={onExit}
-          />
         </div>
-      </div>
-    </div>
-  );
-}
 
-function StreamViewControls({
-  showEscape,
-  onOpenKeybindings,
-  onOpenHuddle,
-  onExit,
-}: {
-  showEscape?: boolean;
-  onOpenKeybindings: () => void;
-  onOpenHuddle: () => void;
-  onExit: () => void;
-}) {
-  const requestIntent = useComposeIntentStore((s) => s.request);
-  return (
-    <div className="flex items-center gap-4 text-sm text-white/50">
-      {showEscape && (
-        <KeyHint
-          keys="Esc"
-          onClick={onExit}
-          title="Back to network (or press Esc)"
-        >
-          back
-        </KeyHint>
+        {/* Reaction bar — always visible */}
+        {currentParticle && !isParticleDeleted(currentParticle) && (
+          <div className="absolute right-4 top-1/2 z-10 flex -translate-y-1/2 flex-col items-end gap-2">
+            <ReactionBar
+              reactions={getReactions(currentParticle)}
+              currentHumanId={authedUser?.id ?? ''}
+              humans={network?.humans}
+              onToggle={handleToggleReaction}
+              onOpenTextReaction={() => setTextReactionOpen(true)}
+            />
+            <TextReactionInput
+              open={textReactionOpen}
+              onSubmit={handleSubmitTextReaction}
+              onClose={() => setTextReactionOpen(false)}
+            />
+          </div>
+        )}
+
+        {/* Composing indicator — left edge, always visible */}
+        <ComposingIndicator
+          users={composingUsers}
+          networkHumans={network?.humans}
+        />
+
+        <ComposeOverlay
+          networkId={networkId}
+          targetPath={path}
+          onActiveChange={setComposeActive}
+          onStepChange={setComposeStep}
+          onParticleCreated={handleParticleCreated}
+        />
+
+        {/* Bottom gradient safe zone for keyboard hints */}
+        <div className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 z-[5] h-1/4 bg-gradient-to-t from-black/60 to-transparent" />
+
+        {/* BottomBar — pinned visible while browsing, mouse-activity in player */}
+        <BottomBar
+          visible={mode === 'list' || controlsVisible}
+          total={children.length}
+          current={currentIndex}
+          progress={progress}
+          onGoTo={goTo}
+          presenceBySegment={presenceBySegment}
+          onlineHumanIds={onlineHumanIds}
+          exitRemainingMs={exitRemainingMs}
+          onOpenKeybindings={() => setShowKeybindings(true)}
+          onOpenHuddle={handleOpenHuddle}
+          onExit={handleExitNavigate}
+        />
+
+        <KeybindingsOverlay
+          open={showKeybindings}
+          onClose={() => setShowKeybindings(false)}
+          groups={STREAM_VIEW_KEYBINDINGS}
+          title="Stream View"
+        />
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Browse sidebar — a separate chat-like panel beside the stream */}
+      {mode === 'list' && (
+        <StreamListSidebar
+          streamName={streamParticle.properties.name}
+          items={children}
+          networkId={networkId}
+          currentIndex={currentIndex}
+          onSelect={goTo}
+          onToggle={toggleViewMode}
+        />
       )}
-      <VideoAudioToggle />
-      <KeyHint
-        keys="Hold `"
-        onClick={() => requestIntent('record')}
-        title="Reply with a recording (or hold `)"
-      >
-        to reply
-      </KeyHint>
-      <KeyHint
-        keys="T"
-        onClick={() => requestIntent('text')}
-        title="Reply with text (or press T)"
-      >
-        text
-      </KeyHint>
-      <KeyHint
-        keys="H"
-        onClick={onOpenHuddle}
-        title="Start a huddle (or press H)"
-      >
-        huddle
-      </KeyHint>
-      <KeyHint
-        keys="?"
-        onClick={onOpenKeybindings}
-        title="Show all shortcuts"
-        aria-label="Show keyboard shortcuts"
-      />
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/task-particle-view.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/task-particle-view.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc73772
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/task-particle-view.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,335 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { deleteField } from 'firebase/firestore';
+import { Plus, X } from 'lucide-react';
+import type { ChecklistItem, Particle } from '@/api/types';
+import {
+  particlePath,
+  parseParticlePath,
+  toFirestoreDocPath,
+  type ParticlePath,
+} from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import {
+  updateParticle,
+  updateParticleProperties,
+} from '@/lib/firestore-particles';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import { Checkbox } from '@/components/ui/checkbox';
+import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea';
+import {
+  Select,
+  SelectContent,
+  SelectItem,
+  SelectTrigger,
+  SelectValue,
+} from '@/components/ui/select';
+import { HumanAvatar } from '@/components/human-avatar';
+import { useNetwork } from '@/hooks/use-networks';
+import { useFixedDwell } from '@/hooks/use-fixed-dwell';
+import { useLiveDraftField } from '@/hooks/use-live-draft-field';
+import { useSuspendPlayback } from '@/hooks/use-suspend-playback';
+import { resolveHumanDisplay } from '@/lib/humans';
+
+type TaskParticle = Extract<Particle, { type: 'task' }>;
+
+interface TaskParticleViewProps {
+  particle: TaskParticle;
+  containerPath: ParticlePath;
+  paused: boolean;
+  onEnded: () => void;
+  onProgress?: (ratio: number) => void;
+}
+
+const DWELL_DURATION_S = 8;
+const UNASSIGNED = 'unassigned';
+
+function useParticleDocPath(
+  containerPath: ParticlePath,
+  particleId: string,
+): string {
+  const { networkId, segments } = parseParticlePath(containerPath);
+  return toFirestoreDocPath(particlePath(networkId, [...segments, particleId]));
+}
+
+export function TaskParticleView({
+  particle,
+  containerPath,
+  paused,
+  onEnded,
+  onProgress,
+}: TaskParticleViewProps) {
+  const { networkId } = parseParticlePath(containerPath);
+  const network = useNetwork(networkId);
+  const docPath = useParticleDocPath(containerPath, particle.id);
+
+  const {
+    title,
+    notes,
+    checklist = [],
+    assigned_to,
+    done,
+  } = particle.properties;
+
+  // Suspend playback while any field inside the card has focus so typing
+  // doesn't race the dwell timer or get eaten by global key handlers.
+  const [editing, setEditing] = useState(false);
+  useSuspendPlayback(editing, `task-edit-${particle.id}`);
+
+  useFixedDwell({
+    id: particle.id,
+    durationS: DWELL_DURATION_S,
+    paused,
+    onEnded,
+    onProgress,
+  });
+
+  const titleField = useLiveDraftField({
+    remoteValue: title,
+    commit: (value) =>
+      updateParticleProperties<'task'>(docPath, { title: value }),
+  });
+  const notesField = useLiveDraftField({
+    remoteValue: notes ?? '',
+    commit: (value) =>
+      updateParticleProperties<'task'>(docPath, { notes: value }),
+  });
+
+  // Checklist writes replace the whole array (merged against the latest live
+  // value); concurrent edits to the same checklist are last-write-wins.
+  const checklistRef = useRef(checklist);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    checklistRef.current = checklist;
+  }, [checklist]);
+
+  const writeChecklist = useCallback(
+    (items: ChecklistItem[]) => {
+      // Advance the local base before the write so a second edit issued before
+      // the next snapshot composes on top of this one instead of dropping it.
+      checklistRef.current = items;
+      return updateParticleProperties<'task'>(docPath, { checklist: items });
+    },
+    [docPath],
+  );
+
+  const handleToggleDone = useCallback(
+    (checked: boolean) =>
+      updateParticleProperties<'task'>(docPath, { done: checked }),
+    [docPath],
+  );
+
+  const handleToggleItem = useCallback(
+    (index: number, checked: boolean) => {
+      const items = checklistRef.current.map((item, i) =>
+        i === index ? { ...item, done: checked } : item,
+      );
+      void writeChecklist(items);
+    },
+    [writeChecklist],
+  );
+
+  const handleCommitItemText = useCallback(
+    (index: number, text: string) => {
+      const items = checklistRef.current.map((item, i) =>
+        i === index ? { ...item, text } : item,
+      );
+      void writeChecklist(items);
+    },
+    [writeChecklist],
+  );
+
+  const handleRemoveItem = useCallback(
+    (index: number) => {
+      void writeChecklist(checklistRef.current.filter((_, i) => i !== index));
+    },
+    [writeChecklist],
+  );
+
+  const handleAddItem = useCallback(
+    (text: string) => {
+      void writeChecklist([...checklistRef.current, { text, done: false }]);
+    },
+    [writeChecklist],
+  );
+
+  const handleAssign = useCallback(
+    (value: string) => {
+      if (value === UNASSIGNED) {
+        void updateParticle(docPath, 'properties.assigned_to', deleteField());
+      } else {
+        void updateParticleProperties<'task'>(docPath, { assigned_to: value });
+      }
+    },
+    [docPath],
+  );
+
+  const assignee = resolveHumanDisplay(assigned_to, network?.humans);
+  const doneCount = checklist.filter((item) => item.done).length;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center bg-gradient-to-b from-black/40 via-black/20 to-black/40 px-8 pt-[var(--stream-safe-top,2rem)] pb-[var(--stream-safe-bottom,2rem)]">
+      <div
+        className="scrollbar-card flex max-h-full w-full max-w-[calc(var(--message-content-width)_+_var(--message-card-padding)*2)] flex-col gap-5 overflow-y-auto overscroll-contain rounded bg-white/10 p-[var(--message-card-padding)] backdrop-blur-md"
+        onFocusCapture={() => setEditing(true)}
+        onBlurCapture={(e) => {
+          if (!e.currentTarget.contains(e.relatedTarget)) setEditing(false);
+        }}
+      >
+        <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
+          <Checkbox
+            checked={done}
+            onCheckedChange={(checked) => handleToggleDone(checked === true)}
+            className="mt-1.5 size-5 rounded-full border-white/40 data-[state=checked]:border-emerald-500 data-[state=checked]:bg-emerald-500"
+            aria-label={done ? 'Mark task as not done' : 'Mark task as done'}
+          />
+          <input
+            value={titleField.value}
+            onChange={(e) => titleField.onChange(e.target.value)}
+            onFocus={titleField.onFocus}
+            onBlur={titleField.onBlur}
+            placeholder="Task title"
+            className={cn(
+              'w-full bg-transparent text-2xl font-semibold text-white outline-none placeholder:text-white/30',
+              done && 'text-white/50 line-through',
+            )}
+          />
+        </div>
+
+        <Textarea
+          value={notesField.value}
+          onChange={(e) => notesField.onChange(e.target.value)}
+          onFocus={notesField.onFocus}
+          onBlur={notesField.onBlur}
+          placeholder="Add notes…"
+          className="min-h-16 resize-none border-none bg-transparent p-0 text-sm text-white/80 shadow-none placeholder:text-white/30 focus-visible:ring-0 dark:bg-transparent"
+        />
+
+        <div className="flex flex-col gap-1.5">
+          {checklist.length > 0 && (
+            <span className="text-xs text-white/40">
+              {doneCount} / {checklist.length} done
+            </span>
+          )}
+          {checklist.map((item, index) => (
+            <ChecklistItemRow
+              // Index keys + whole-array writes are an accepted tradeoff:
+              // concurrent removal while someone types can shift focus.
+              key={index}
+              item={item}
+              onToggle={(checked) => handleToggleItem(index, checked)}
+              onCommitText={(text) => handleCommitItemText(index, text)}
+              onRemove={() => handleRemoveItem(index)}
+            />
+          ))}
+          <AddChecklistItemRow onAdd={handleAddItem} />
+        </div>
+
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <Select
+            value={assigned_to ?? UNASSIGNED}
+            onValueChange={handleAssign}
+          >
+            <SelectTrigger
+              size="sm"
+              className="w-fit gap-2 border-white/15 bg-white/5 text-white/80"
+            >
+              {assigned_to && assignee.exists && (
+                <HumanAvatar
+                  size="sm"
+                  initials={assignee.initials}
+                  avatarObjectId={assignee.avatarObjectId}
+                />
+              )}
+              <SelectValue placeholder="Unassigned" />
+            </SelectTrigger>
+            <SelectContent>
+              <SelectItem value={UNASSIGNED}>Unassigned</SelectItem>
+              {network?.humans?.map((human) => (
+                <SelectItem key={human.id} value={human.id}>
+                  {human.email_prefix}
+                </SelectItem>
+              ))}
+            </SelectContent>
+          </Select>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ChecklistItemRow({
+  item,
+  onToggle,
+  onCommitText,
+  onRemove,
+}: {
+  item: ChecklistItem;
+  onToggle: (checked: boolean) => void;
+  onCommitText: (text: string) => void;
+  onRemove: () => void;
+}) {
+  const textField = useLiveDraftField({
+    remoteValue: item.text,
+    commit: onCommitText,
+  });
+
+  return (
+    <div className="group/item flex items-center gap-2.5">
+      <Checkbox
+        checked={item.done}
+        onCheckedChange={(checked) => onToggle(checked === true)}
+        className="border-white/30 data-[state=checked]:border-emerald-500 data-[state=checked]:bg-emerald-500"
+        aria-label={
+          item.done ? 'Mark subtask as not done' : 'Mark subtask as done'
+        }
+      />
+      <input
+        value={textField.value}
+        onChange={(e) => textField.onChange(e.target.value)}
+        onFocus={textField.onFocus}
+        onBlur={textField.onBlur}
+        placeholder="Subtask"
+        className={cn(
+          'w-full bg-transparent text-sm text-white/90 outline-none placeholder:text-white/30',
+          item.done && 'text-white/40 line-through',
+        )}
+      />
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        onClick={onRemove}
+        className="text-white/30 opacity-0 transition-opacity hover:text-white/70 group-hover/item:opacity-100"
+        aria-label="Remove subtask"
+      >
+        <X className="size-3.5" />
+      </button>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function AddChecklistItemRow({ onAdd }: { onAdd: (text: string) => void }) {
+  const [draft, setDraft] = useState('');
+
+  const submit = () => {
+    const text = draft.trim();
+    if (!text) return;
+    onAdd(text);
+    setDraft('');
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5">
+      <Plus className="size-4 text-white/30" />
+      <input
+        value={draft}
+        onChange={(e) => setDraft(e.target.value)}
+        onKeyDown={(e) => {
+          if (e.key === 'Enter') {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            submit();
+          }
+        }}
+        onBlur={submit}
+        placeholder="Add subtask…"
+        className="w-full bg-transparent text-sm text-white/70 outline-none placeholder:text-white/30"
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/text-particle-view.tsx b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/text-particle-view.tsx
index 95607fb..9b40980 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/features/particles/text-particle-view.tsx
+++ b/js/desktop/src/features/particles/text-particle-view.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useState } from 'react';
 import { Pencil } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { Particle } from '@/api/types';
 import type { ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import { ParticleAttachments } from '@/features/particles/particle-attachments';
 import { TextEditOverlay } from '@/features/particles/text-edit-overlay';
 import { RelativeTimestamp } from '@/components/relative-timestamp';
 import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/auth-store';
+import { useFixedDwell } from '@/hooks/use-fixed-dwell';
 import { MarkdownEditor } from '@/features/compose/markdown-editor';
 
 type TextParticle = Extract<Particle, { type: 'text' }>;
@@ -36,7 +37,6 @@ interface TextParticleViewProps {
 const CHARS_PER_MINUTE = 1000;
 const MIN_DURATION_S = 3;
 const MAX_DURATION_S = 15;
-const TICK_MS = 100;
 const EXTRA_S_PER_LINK = 2;
 const EXTRA_S_PER_ATTACHMENT = 2;
 
@@ -97,29 +97,14 @@ export function TextParticleView({
     urls.length,
     attachments.length,
   );
-  const elapsedRef = useRef(0);
 
-  // Reset elapsed when particle changes
-  useEffect(() => {
-    elapsedRef.current = 0;
-  }, [particle.id]);
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (paused) return;
-
-    const interval = setInterval(() => {
-      elapsedRef.current += TICK_MS / 1000;
-      const ratio = Math.min(elapsedRef.current / durationS, 1);
-      onProgress?.(ratio);
-
-      if (ratio >= 1) {
-        clearInterval(interval);
-        onEnded();
-      }
-    }, TICK_MS);
-
-    return () => clearInterval(interval);
-  }, [paused, durationS, onEnded, onProgress, particle.id]);
+  useFixedDwell({
+    id: particle.id,
+    durationS,
+    paused,
+    onEnded,
+    onProgress,
+  });
 
   // Content is just bare URLs with no surrounding text
   const contentTrimmed = content.trim();
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-container-children.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-container-children.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f4b3ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-container-children.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+import { useCallback, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
+import { where } from 'firebase/firestore';
+import { useLiveParticleChildren } from '@/hooks/use-particle';
+import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/auth-store';
+import { parseParticlePath, type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
+import type { Particle } from '@/api/types';
+
+const INITIAL_PAGE_SIZE = 9;
+const PAGE_INCREMENT = 9;
+
+// Stable references so the Firestore subscriptions don't re-attach per render.
+const OPEN_STATUS_FILTER = where('status', '==', 'open');
+const CLOSED_STATUS_FILTER = where('status', '==', 'closed');
+const CONTAINER_TYPE_FILTER = where('type', 'in', ['stream', 'folder']);
+const LEAF_TYPE_FILTER = where('type', 'in', [
+  'media',
+  'file',
+  'text',
+  'task',
+  'paper',
+]);
+
+interface UseContainerChildrenOptions {
+  /**
+   * When set, list only streams with this status, filtered server-side like
+   * the pre-folder query (reuses its composite indexes). Used by the network
+   * root while folders are shelved; folders keep the full mixed-type behavior
+   * so the container model can be picked back up later. Only streams carry
+   * `status`, so the filter excludes other types by itself.
+   */
+  streamStatus?: 'open' | 'closed';
+}
+
+interface UseContainerChildrenResult {
+  /** All visible children, sorted by latest activity (then creation). */
+  items: Particle[];
+  isLoading: boolean;
+  canLoadMore: boolean;
+  loadMore: () => void;
+}
+
+function activityTime(particle: Particle): number {
+  if (
+    (particle.type === 'stream' || particle.type === 'folder') &&
+    particle.last_child_created_at
+  ) {
+    return particle.last_child_created_at.getTime();
+  }
+  return particle.created_at.getTime();
+}
+
+/**
+ * Children of a container (network root or folder), all particle types.
+ *
+ * Two merged subscriptions because visibility scoping filters on `visible_to`
+ * with array-contains-any, and leaf particles don't carry that field — a
+ * single scoped query would silently exclude them. Containers (streams,
+ * folders) are visibility-scoped; leaves inherit access from their container.
+ */
+export function useContainerChildren(
+  path: ParticlePath,
+  { streamStatus }: UseContainerChildrenOptions = {},
+): UseContainerChildrenResult {
+  const { networkId } = parseParticlePath(path);
+  const userId = useAuthStore((s) => s.user?.id);
+
+  const visibilityScopes = useMemo(() => {
+    const scopes: string[] = [];
+    if (userId) scopes.push(`human:${userId}`);
+    scopes.push(`network:${networkId}`);
+    return scopes;
+  }, [userId, networkId]);
+
+  const [limit, setLimit] = useState(INITIAL_PAGE_SIZE);
+
+  const containerFilter = streamStatus
+    ? streamStatus === 'open'
+      ? OPEN_STATUS_FILTER
+      : CLOSED_STATUS_FILTER
+    : CONTAINER_TYPE_FILTER;
+
+  const { children: containers, isLoading: containersLoading } =
+    useLiveParticleChildren(path, {
+      orderByField: 'last_child_created_at',
+      orderDirection: 'desc',
+      visibilityScopes,
+      whereFilter: containerFilter,
+      limit,
+    });
+
+  // Passing undefined disables the subscription entirely in streams-only mode.
+  const { children: leaves, isLoading: leavesLoading } =
+    useLiveParticleChildren(streamStatus ? undefined : path, {
+      orderByField: 'created_at',
+      orderDirection: 'desc',
+      whereFilter: LEAF_TYPE_FILTER,
+      limit,
+    });
+
+  const items = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      [...containers, ...leaves].sort(
+        (a, b) => activityTime(b) - activityTime(a),
+      ),
+    [containers, leaves],
+  );
+
+  // Heuristic: a query returning a full page may have more behind it.
+  const canLoadMore = containers.length >= limit || leaves.length >= limit;
+
+  const loadMore = useCallback(() => {
+    setLimit((prev) => prev + PAGE_INCREMENT);
+  }, []);
+
+  return {
+    items,
+    isLoading: containersLoading || leavesLoading,
+    canLoadMore,
+    loadMore,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-create-particle.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-create-particle.ts
index 398eb67..c76f7ed 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-create-particle.ts
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-create-particle.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ interface CreateParticleParams<T extends ParticleType = ParticleType> {
   type: T;
   properties: ParticlePropertiesMap[T];
   createdByHumanId: string;
+  // Required for container types
+  visibleTo?: string[];
 }
 
 export function useCreateParticle() {
@@ -59,6 +61,7 @@ export function useCreateParticle() {
         params.type,
         params.properties,
         params.createdByHumanId,
+        params.visibleTo,
       );
 
       if (!CONTAINER_TYPES.has(params.type)) {
@@ -76,15 +79,17 @@ type CreateStreamParticleParams = {
   properties: ParticlePropertiesMap['stream'];
   createdByHumanId: string;
   visibleTo?: string[];
+  // Container to create the stream in; defaults to the network root.
+  parentPath?: ParticlePath;
 };
 
 export function useCreateStreamParticle() {
   return useMutation({
     mutationFn: async (params: CreateStreamParticleParams) => {
-      const path = particlePath(params.networkId, []);
-      const networkCollectionPath = toFirestoreChildrenPath(path);
+      const path = params.parentPath ?? particlePath(params.networkId, []);
+      const collectionPath = toFirestoreChildrenPath(path);
       return await createStreamParticle(
-        networkCollectionPath,
+        collectionPath,
         params.properties,
         params.createdByHumanId,
         params.visibleTo,
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-fixed-dwell.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-fixed-dwell.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f8dbe8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-fixed-dwell.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+
+const TICK_MS = 100;
+
+interface UseFixedDwellOptions {
+  /** Reset key — restarts the timer when it changes (particle id). */
+  id: string;
+  durationS: number;
+  paused: boolean;
+  onEnded: () => void;
+  onProgress?: (ratio: number) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Drives a fixed-duration dwell timer for particles without intrinsic
+ * playback (text, tasks, events): reports progress and fires onEnded once
+ * the duration elapses. Pausing freezes elapsed time rather than resetting.
+ */
+export function useFixedDwell({
+  id,
+  durationS,
+  paused,
+  onEnded,
+  onProgress,
+}: UseFixedDwellOptions): void {
+  const elapsedRef = useRef(0);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    elapsedRef.current = 0;
+  }, [id]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (paused) return;
+
+    const interval = setInterval(() => {
+      elapsedRef.current += TICK_MS / 1000;
+      const ratio = Math.min(elapsedRef.current / durationS, 1);
+      onProgress?.(ratio);
+
+      if (ratio >= 1) {
+        clearInterval(interval);
+        onEnded();
+      }
+    }, TICK_MS);
+
+    return () => clearInterval(interval);
+  }, [paused, durationS, onEnded, onProgress, id]);
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-keyboard-nav.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-list-keyboard-nav.ts
similarity index 68%
rename from js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-keyboard-nav.ts
rename to js/desktop/src/hooks/use-list-keyboard-nav.ts
index e4a4ca6..d6a9357 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-keyboard-nav.ts
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-list-keyboard-nav.ts
@@ -1,29 +1,33 @@
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { useMediaSettingsStore } from '@/stores/media-settings-store';
 
-interface UseStreamKeyboardNavOptions {
-  streams: Array<{ id: string }>;
+interface UseListKeyboardNavOptions {
+  items: Array<{ id: string }>;
   enabled: boolean;
-  onNavigate: (streamId: string) => void;
+  onOpen: (id: string) => void;
 }
 
-export function useStreamKeyboardNav({
-  streams,
+/**
+ * Shared keyboard grammar for browsable lists (network root, folders):
+ * ↑/↓ move selection, Enter opens, 1–9 jump, V toggles video/audio.
+ */
+export function useListKeyboardNav({
+  items,
   enabled,
-  onNavigate,
-}: UseStreamKeyboardNavOptions) {
+  onOpen,
+}: UseListKeyboardNavOptions) {
   const [selectedIndex, setSelectedIndex] = useState<number | null>(
-    streams.length > 0 ? 0 : null,
+    items.length > 0 ? 0 : null,
   );
-  const [prevStreamCount, setPrevStreamCount] = useState(streams.length);
+  const [prevItemCount, setPrevItemCount] = useState(items.length);
   const recordingMode = useMediaSettingsStore((s) => s.recordingMode);
   const setRecordingMode = useMediaSettingsStore((s) => s.setRecordingMode);
 
-  // Select the first stream once they load and clear when empty — but not on
+  // Select the first item once they load and clear when empty — but not on
   // every Firestore update, which would scroll the list back to the top.
-  if (streams.length !== prevStreamCount) {
-    setPrevStreamCount(streams.length);
-    if (streams.length === 0) {
+  if (items.length !== prevItemCount) {
+    setPrevItemCount(items.length);
+    if (items.length === 0) {
       setSelectedIndex(null);
     } else if (selectedIndex === null) {
       setSelectedIndex(0);
@@ -31,7 +35,7 @@ export function useStreamKeyboardNav({
   }
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (!enabled || streams.length === 0) return;
+    if (!enabled || items.length === 0) return;
 
     const handleKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
       if (e.defaultPrevented) return;
@@ -49,19 +53,19 @@ export function useStreamKeyboardNav({
       const digit = parseInt(e.key, 10);
       if (digit >= 1 && digit <= 9) {
         const index = digit - 1;
-        if (index < streams.length) {
+        if (index < items.length) {
           e.preventDefault();
-          onNavigate(streams[index].id);
+          onOpen(items[index].id);
         }
         return;
       }
 
-      // Enter: navigate to selected
+      // Enter: open selected
       if (e.key === 'Enter') {
         setSelectedIndex((idx) => {
-          if (idx !== null && idx < streams.length) {
+          if (idx !== null && idx < items.length) {
             e.preventDefault();
-            onNavigate(streams[idx].id);
+            onOpen(items[idx].id);
           }
           return idx;
         });
@@ -86,7 +90,7 @@ export function useStreamKeyboardNav({
         setSelectedIndex((prev) => {
           if (prev === null) return 0;
           const next = prev + delta;
-          return Math.max(0, Math.min(next, streams.length - 1));
+          return Math.max(0, Math.min(next, items.length - 1));
         });
       }
     };
@@ -95,7 +99,7 @@ export function useStreamKeyboardNav({
     // components (ToggleGroup, etc.) consume them for their own navigation.
     window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown, true);
     return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown, true);
-  }, [enabled, streams, onNavigate, recordingMode, setRecordingMode]);
+  }, [enabled, items, onOpen, recordingMode, setRecordingMode]);
 
   return { selectedIndex };
 }
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-live-draft-field.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-live-draft-field.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74c17cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-live-draft-field.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+
+const DEFAULT_DEBOUNCE_MS = 600;
+
+interface UseLiveDraftFieldOptions {
+  remoteValue: string;
+  commit: (value: string) => void | Promise<void>;
+  debounceMs?: number;
+}
+
+export interface LiveDraftField {
+  value: string;
+  onChange: (value: string) => void;
+  onFocus: () => void;
+  onBlur: () => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * State for a multiplayer always-editable text field: local draft while
+ * typing, debounced write-through, immediate flush on blur. Incoming remote
+ * values are applied only while the field is unfocused, so collaborators'
+ * snapshot updates never clobber in-progress typing (blur flushes pending
+ * writes synchronously, so unfocused implies no pending draft). Concurrent
+ * edits to the same field are last-write-wins.
+ */
+export function useLiveDraftField({
+  remoteValue,
+  commit,
+  debounceMs = DEFAULT_DEBOUNCE_MS,
+}: UseLiveDraftFieldOptions): LiveDraftField {
+  const [value, setValue] = useState(remoteValue);
+  const [focused, setFocused] = useState(false);
+
+  // Sync from remote during render (derived-state pattern) unless the user
+  // is editing the field.
+  const [prevRemote, setPrevRemote] = useState(remoteValue);
+  if (remoteValue !== prevRemote) {
+    setPrevRemote(remoteValue);
+    if (!focused) {
+      setValue(remoteValue);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Written only in handlers; read by flush() so its identity stays stable.
+  const valueRef = useRef(remoteValue);
+  const pendingRef = useRef(false);
+  const timerRef = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined>(undefined);
+  const commitRef = useRef(commit);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    commitRef.current = commit;
+  }, [commit]);
+
+  const flush = useCallback(() => {
+    clearTimeout(timerRef.current);
+    timerRef.current = undefined;
+    if (!pendingRef.current) return;
+    pendingRef.current = false;
+    void commitRef.current(valueRef.current);
+  }, []);
+
+  // Flush any pending write when the field unmounts (e.g. playback advances).
+  useEffect(() => flush, [flush]);
+
+  const onChange = useCallback(
+    (next: string) => {
+      valueRef.current = next;
+      setValue(next);
+      pendingRef.current = true;
+      clearTimeout(timerRef.current);
+      timerRef.current = setTimeout(flush, debounceMs);
+    },
+    [debounceMs, flush],
+  );
+
+  const onFocus = useCallback(() => {
+    setFocused(true);
+  }, []);
+
+  const onBlur = useCallback(() => {
+    setFocused(false);
+    flush();
+  }, [flush]);
+
+  return { value, onChange, onFocus, onBlur };
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-playback-keys.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-playback-keys.ts
index 97e1023..094dda9 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-playback-keys.ts
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-playback-keys.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,10 @@
-import { useEffect, useRef, useState, type RefObject } from 'react';
+import {
+  useCallback,
+  useEffect,
+  useRef,
+  useState,
+  type RefObject,
+} from 'react';
 import type { MediaParticleHandle } from '@/features/particles/media-particle-view';
 import { useSuspendPlayback } from '@/hooks/use-suspend-playback';
 import {
@@ -15,6 +21,10 @@ interface UsePlaybackKeysOptions {
 
 interface UsePlaybackKeysResult {
   fastPlayback: boolean;
+  /** True while playback is paused by the user's space toggle/hold. */
+  spacePaused: boolean;
+  /** Clear the user's space pause (e.g. clicking the on-screen play button). */
+  resume: () => void;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -31,6 +41,11 @@ export function usePlaybackKeys({
 
   useSuspendPlayback(spaceHeld, 'hold-space');
 
+  const resume = useCallback(() => {
+    setSpaceHeld(false);
+    spaceStartRef.current = 0;
+  }, []);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     const isExternallyPaused = () =>
       selectIsPaused(usePlaybackPauseStore.getState()) && !spaceHeld;
@@ -92,5 +107,5 @@ export function usePlaybackKeys({
     };
   }, [mediaRef, spaceHeld]);
 
-  return { fastPlayback };
+  return { fastPlayback, spacePaused: spaceHeld, resume };
 }
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-navigation-keys.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-navigation-keys.ts
index e90209f..3f07340 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-navigation-keys.ts
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-navigation-keys.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ interface UseStreamNavigationKeysOptions {
   childrenLength: number;
   mediaRef: RefObject<MediaParticleHandle | null>;
   onExit: () => void;
+  onToggleViewMode: () => void;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ export function useStreamNavigationKeys({
   childrenLength,
   mediaRef,
   onExit,
+  onToggleViewMode,
 }: UseStreamNavigationKeysOptions) {
   useEffect(() => {
     const onKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
@@ -54,10 +56,25 @@ export function useStreamNavigationKeys({
           e.preventDefault();
           onExit();
           break;
+        case 'l':
+        case 'L':
+          // Registered here (not in action keys) because the toggle must work
+          // in list mode, where playback is suspended and action keys bail.
+          e.preventDefault();
+          onToggleViewMode();
+          break;
       }
     };
 
     window.addEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown);
     return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown);
-  }, [next, prev, currentIndex, childrenLength, mediaRef, onExit]);
+  }, [
+    next,
+    prev,
+    currentIndex,
+    childrenLength,
+    mediaRef,
+    onExit,
+    onToggleViewMode,
+  ]);
 }
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-particles.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-particles.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 7be9ff6..0000000
--- a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-particles.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,80 +0,0 @@
-import { useCallback, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
-import { where, type QueryFieldFilterConstraint } from 'firebase/firestore';
-import { useLiveParticleChildren } from '@/hooks/use-particle';
-import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/auth-store';
-import { parseParticlePath, type ParticlePath } from '@/lib/particle-path';
-import type { Particle, StreamProperties } from '@/api/types';
-
-export type StreamParticle = Particle & {
-  type: 'stream';
-  properties: StreamProperties;
-};
-
-const INITIAL_PAGE_SIZE = 12;
-const PAGE_INCREMENT = 12;
-
-// Stable where-constraint references so the Firestore subscription only
-// re-attaches when the tab actually changes, not on every render.
-const OPEN_STATUS_FILTER = where('status', '==', 'open');
-const CLOSED_STATUS_FILTER = where('status', '==', 'closed');
-
-function useVisibilityScopes(userId?: string, networkId?: string) {
-  return useMemo(() => {
-    const scopes: string[] = [];
-    if (userId) scopes.push(`human:${userId}`);
-    if (networkId) scopes.push(`network:${networkId}`);
-    return scopes;
-  }, [userId, networkId]);
-}
-
-interface UseStreamParticlesOptions {
-  // Which streams to subscribe to
-  status: 'open' | 'closed';
-}
-
-interface UseStreamParticlesResult {
-  streams: StreamParticle[];
-  isLoading: boolean;
-  networkId: string;
-  /** True when more streams may exist beyond the current window. */
-  canLoadMore: boolean;
-  /** Extend the pagination window. */
-  loadMore: () => void;
-}
-
-export function useStreamParticles(
-  path: ParticlePath,
-  { status }: UseStreamParticlesOptions,
-): UseStreamParticlesResult {
-  const { networkId } = parseParticlePath(path);
-  const user = useAuthStore((s) => s.user);
-  const visibilityScopes = useVisibilityScopes(user?.id, networkId);
-
-  const [limit, setLimit] = useState(INITIAL_PAGE_SIZE);
-
-  const whereFilter: QueryFieldFilterConstraint =
-    status === 'open' ? OPEN_STATUS_FILTER : CLOSED_STATUS_FILTER;
-
-  const { children, isLoading } = useLiveParticleChildren(path, {
-    orderByField: 'last_child_created_at',
-    orderDirection: 'desc',
-    visibilityScopes,
-    whereFilter,
-    limit,
-  });
-
-  const streams = useMemo(
-    () => children.filter((c): c is StreamParticle => c.type === 'stream'),
-    [children],
-  );
-
-  // Heuristic: if we got back as many items as we asked for, assume there
-  // might be more. Clicking load-more when there are no more is a no-op.
-  const canLoadMore = streams.length >= limit;
-
-  const loadMore = useCallback(() => {
-    setLimit((prev) => prev + PAGE_INCREMENT);
-  }, []);
-
-  return { streams, isLoading, networkId, canLoadMore, loadMore };
-}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-playback.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-playback.ts
index a9b8c2b..b4a1405 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-playback.ts
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-playback.ts
@@ -98,12 +98,26 @@ interface UseStreamPlaybackResult {
   goToParticle: (particleId: string) => void;
 }
 
+interface UseStreamPlaybackOptions {
+  /**
+   * When false, newly arriving particles don't pull playback forward after
+   * it has ended (list mode browses; selection must stay put). Default true.
+   */
+  autoAdvanceOnNew?: boolean;
+}
+
 export function useStreamPlayback(
   streamParticle: Particle & { type: 'stream' },
   path: ParticlePath,
+  { autoAdvanceOnNew = true }: UseStreamPlaybackOptions = {},
 ): UseStreamPlaybackResult {
   const userId = useAuthStore((s) => s.user?.id);
   const [state, dispatch] = useReducer(playbackReducer, initialState);
+  // Read via ref so the onAdded subscription callback stays stable.
+  const autoAdvanceOnNewRef = useRef(autoAdvanceOnNew);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    autoAdvanceOnNewRef.current = autoAdvanceOnNew;
+  }, [autoAdvanceOnNew]);
   // Track the stream ID we've initialized for, to reset when navigating between streams
   const initializedForRef = useRef<string | null>(null);
   // Latest currentIndex for onParticleRemoved, which is passed into
@@ -115,6 +129,7 @@ export function useStreamPlayback(
 
   // --- Firestore change callbacks ---
   const onParticleAdded = useCallback((particle: Particle) => {
+    if (!autoAdvanceOnNewRef.current) return;
     dispatch({ type: 'PARTICLE_ADDED', particleId: particle.id });
   }, []);
 
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-view-mode.ts b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-view-mode.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ed642b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/hooks/use-stream-view-mode.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { useCallback, useState } from 'react';
+import type { Particle } from '@/api/types';
+
+export type StreamViewMode = 'player' | 'list';
+
+function decideMode(
+  streamParticle: Particle & { type: 'stream' },
+  userId: string | undefined,
+): StreamViewMode {
+  const marker = userId ? streamParticle.playback_markers?.[userId] : undefined;
+  const lastChildAt = streamParticle.last_child_created_at;
+  const caughtUp =
+    !!marker && !!lastChildAt && lastChildAt.getTime() <= marker.getTime();
+  return caughtUp ? 'list' : 'player';
+}
+
+/**
+ * Which mode a stream opens in: the player (autoplay catch-up) when there's
+ * unseen content, the browsable list when the user is fully caught up.
+ * Decided once on entry from the playback marker vs. the stream's last
+ * activity — browsing afterwards advances the marker, but the mode only
+ * changes via the user's toggle.
+ */
+export function useStreamViewMode(
+  streamParticle: Particle & { type: 'stream' },
+  userId: string | undefined,
+): { mode: StreamViewMode; toggle: () => void } {
+  const [mode, setMode] = useState<StreamViewMode>(() =>
+    decideMode(streamParticle, userId),
+  );
+
+  // Re-decide when navigating between streams without an unmount.
+  const [prevStreamId, setPrevStreamId] = useState(streamParticle.id);
+  if (prevStreamId !== streamParticle.id) {
+    setPrevStreamId(streamParticle.id);
+    setMode(decideMode(streamParticle, userId));
+  }
+
+  const toggle = useCallback(() => {
+    setMode((prev) => (prev === 'player' ? 'list' : 'player'));
+  }, []);
+
+  return { mode, toggle };
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/lib/firestore-particles.ts b/js/desktop/src/lib/firestore-particles.ts
index bf2301a..bb88339 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/lib/firestore-particles.ts
+++ b/js/desktop/src/lib/firestore-particles.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,11 @@ import {
   QueryFieldFilterConstraint,
 } from 'firebase/firestore';
 import { firestoreDb } from '@/firebase';
-import { isContainerType, ParticleSchema } from '@/api/types';
+import {
+  isContainerType,
+  ParticleSchema,
+  UnknownParticleSchema,
+} from '@/api/types';
 import type {
   Particle,
   ParticleType,
@@ -33,6 +37,22 @@ import type {
 
 // --- Converter ---
 
+// Firestore stores timestamps as `Timestamp`; zod expects `Date`. Coerce the
+// per-type property fields that carry timestamps.
+function coerceLeafPropertyDates(
+  type: ParticleType,
+  properties: DocumentData | undefined,
+): DocumentData | undefined {
+  if (!properties) return properties;
+  if (type === 'text' && properties.edited_at) {
+    return {
+      ...properties,
+      edited_at: (properties.edited_at as Timestamp).toDate(),
+    };
+  }
+  return properties;
+}
+
 const particleConverter: FirestoreDataConverter<Particle> = {
   toFirestore(particle: Particle): DocumentData {
     const { id: _id, created_at, updated_at, ...rest } = particle;
@@ -60,6 +80,7 @@ const particleConverter: FirestoreDataConverter<Particle> = {
           id: snap.id,
           type: raw.type,
           properties: raw.properties,
+          status: raw.status ?? undefined,
           created_at: (raw.created_at as Timestamp).toDate(),
           created_by_human_id: raw.created_by_human_id,
           updated_at: raw.updated_at
@@ -79,7 +100,6 @@ const particleConverter: FirestoreDataConverter<Particle> = {
             : undefined,
           huddle_active_participants:
             raw.huddle_active_participants ?? undefined,
-          status: raw.status ?? undefined,
         });
       case 'folder':
         return ParticleSchema.parse({
@@ -92,21 +112,16 @@ const particleConverter: FirestoreDataConverter<Particle> = {
             ? (raw.updated_at as Timestamp).toDate()
             : undefined,
           visible_to: raw.visible_to,
+          last_child_created_at: raw.last_child_created_at
+            ? (raw.last_child_created_at as Timestamp).toDate()
+            : undefined,
         });
       case 'media':
       case 'file':
       case 'text':
-      case 'quest':
+      case 'task':
       case 'paper': {
-        // Firestore stores timestamps as `Timestamp`; zod expects `Date`. Text
-        // particles carry `properties.edited_at`, so coerce it if present.
-        const properties =
-          type === 'text' && raw.properties?.edited_at
-            ? {
-                ...raw.properties,
-                edited_at: (raw.properties.edited_at as Timestamp).toDate(),
-              }
-            : raw.properties;
+        const properties = coerceLeafPropertyDates(type, raw.properties);
         return ParticleSchema.parse({
           id: snap.id,
           type: raw.type,
@@ -124,11 +139,33 @@ const particleConverter: FirestoreDataConverter<Particle> = {
         });
       }
       default:
-        throw new Error(`Unknown particle type: ${type}`);
+        // Forward compatibility: keep unrecognized types visible as
+        // placeholders instead of breaking the snapshot they arrive in.
+        return UnknownParticleSchema.parse({
+          id: snap.id,
+          type: 'unknown',
+          raw_type: raw.type,
+          created_at: (raw.created_at as Timestamp).toDate(),
+          created_by_human_id: raw.created_by_human_id,
+          updated_at: raw.updated_at
+            ? (raw.updated_at as Timestamp).toDate()
+            : undefined,
+        });
     }
   },
 };
 
+// Corrupt docs (malformed base fields, schema parse failures) shouldn't take
+// down a whole subscription — skip just the bad doc and keep the rest.
+function safeData(snap: QueryDocumentSnapshot<Particle>): Particle | null {
+  try {
+    return snap.data();
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.warn(`Skipping unparseable particle at ${snap.ref.path}:`, err);
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
 // --- Typed reference helpers ---
 
 function typedDoc(path: string) {
@@ -149,7 +186,7 @@ export function subscribeToParticle(
   return onSnapshot(
     typedDoc(docPath),
     (snap) => {
-      onData(snap.exists() ? snap.data() : null);
+      onData(snap.exists() ? safeData(snap) : null);
     },
     onError,
   );
@@ -161,7 +198,7 @@ export async function getParticle(docPath: string): Promise<Particle | null> {
     return null;
   }
 
-  return doc.data();
+  return safeData(doc);
 }
 
 export interface GetParticleChildrenOptions {
@@ -184,7 +221,7 @@ export async function getParticleChildren(
     orderBy(orderByField, orderDirection),
   );
   const snap = await getDocs(q);
-  return snap.docs.map((d) => d.data());
+  return snap.docs.flatMap((d) => safeData(d) ?? []);
 }
 
 export interface SubscribeToParticleChildrenOptions {
@@ -230,14 +267,16 @@ export function subscribeToParticleChildren(
   return onSnapshot(
     q,
     (snap) => {
-      const updatedChildren = snap.docs.map((d) => d.data());
+      const updatedChildren = snap.docs.flatMap((d) => safeData(d) ?? []);
       onData(updatedChildren);
 
       if (onAdded || onRemoved) {
         for (const change of snap.docChanges()) {
-          if (change.type === 'added' && onAdded) onAdded(change.doc.data());
+          const child = safeData(change.doc);
+          if (!child) continue;
+          if (change.type === 'added' && onAdded) onAdded(child);
           if (change.type === 'removed' && onRemoved)
-            onRemoved(change.doc.data(), updatedChildren);
+            onRemoved(child, updatedChildren);
         }
       }
     },
@@ -258,12 +297,31 @@ export function subscribeToLatestChild(
   return onSnapshot(
     q,
     (snap) => {
-      onData(snap.empty ? null : snap.docs[0].data());
+      onData(snap.empty ? null : safeData(snap.docs[0]));
     },
     onError,
   );
 }
 
+// Best-effort bump of the parent container's last_child_created_at when a
+// child is created. The particle processor worker does this for stream
+// parents, but skips folders, so the client keeps folder activity fresh
+// itself. Same value semantics as the worker: the child's created_at, so it
+// stays directly comparable with playback markers.
+function bumpParentLastChildCreatedAt(
+  collectionPath: string,
+  childCreatedAt: Date,
+): void {
+  const parentDocPath = collectionPath.replace(/\/children$/, '');
+  // The network root (networks/{id}) is not a particle doc — nothing to bump.
+  if (!parentDocPath.includes('/children/')) return;
+  updateDoc(doc(firestoreDb, parentDocPath), {
+    last_child_created_at: Timestamp.fromDate(childCreatedAt),
+  }).catch(() => {
+    // Non-fatal: ordering freshness only.
+  });
+}
+
 // This creates a new particle document with the given properties and returns its ID.
 export async function createParticle<T extends ParticleType>(
   collectionPath: string,
@@ -279,15 +337,21 @@ export async function createParticle<T extends ParticleType>(
     );
   }
 
+  const createdAt = new Date();
   const particle: Particle = ParticleSchema.parse({
     id: '', // ignored by toFirestore, but needed to satisfy the type
     type,
     properties,
-    created_at: new Date(),
+    created_at: createdAt,
     created_by_human_id: createdByHumanId,
     ...(visibleTo ? { visible_to: visibleTo } : {}),
+    // Containers start with last_child_created_at = created_at so they appear
+    // in activity-ordered queries before they have any children (Firestore
+    // orderBy drops docs missing the field).
+    ...(isContainerType(type) ? { last_child_created_at: createdAt } : {}),
   });
   const ref = await addDoc(typedCollection(collectionPath), particle);
+  bumpParentLastChildCreatedAt(collectionPath, createdAt);
   return ref.id;
 }
 
@@ -301,19 +365,32 @@ export async function createStreamParticle(
     throw new Error('visibleTo is required for streams and cannot be empty');
   }
 
+  const createdAt = new Date();
   const particle: Particle = ParticleSchema.parse({
     id: '',
     type: 'stream',
     properties,
-    created_at: new Date(),
+    status: 'open',
+    created_at: createdAt,
     created_by_human_id: createdByHumanId,
     visible_to: visibleTo,
-    status: 'open',
+    last_child_created_at: createdAt,
   });
   const ref = await addDoc(typedCollection(collectionPath), particle);
+  bumpParentLastChildCreatedAt(collectionPath, createdAt);
   return ref.id;
 }
 
+export async function updateStreamStatus(
+  docPath: string,
+  status: 'open' | 'closed',
+): Promise<void> {
+  await updateDoc(typedDoc(docPath), {
+    status,
+    updated_at: serverTimestamp(),
+  });
+}
+
 // This allows updating properties without overwriting the entire properties object
 export async function updateParticleProperties<T extends ParticleType>(
   docPath: string,
@@ -382,14 +459,6 @@ export async function updateParticle(
   });
 }
 
-export async function updateStreamStatus(
-  docPath: string,
-  status: 'open' | 'closed',
-): Promise<void> {
-  const particleRef = typedDoc(docPath);
-  await updateDoc(particleRef, { status, updated_at: serverTimestamp() });
-}
-
 /**
  * Soft-delete (tombstone) a non-container particle. The Firestore doc stays
  * in place so concurrent viewers see the deletion inline rather than being
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/lib/particle-display.ts b/js/desktop/src/lib/particle-display.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f117e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/desktop/src/lib/particle-display.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+import {
+  CircleCheck,
+  FileText,
+  Folder,
+  HelpCircle,
+  Image,
+  MessageSquare,
+  Mic,
+  Radio,
+  StickyNote,
+  Trash2,
+  Video,
+  type LucideIcon,
+} from 'lucide-react';
+import { isParticleDeleted, type Particle } from '@/api/types';
+
+export function getParticleTypeIcon(particle: Particle): LucideIcon {
+  if (isParticleDeleted(particle)) return Trash2;
+  switch (particle.type) {
+    case 'stream':
+      return Radio;
+    case 'folder':
+      return Folder;
+    case 'text':
+      return MessageSquare;
+    case 'media': {
+      const mime = particle.properties.mime_type;
+      if (mime.startsWith('video/')) return Video;
+      if (mime.startsWith('audio/')) return Mic;
+      if (mime.startsWith('image/')) return Image;
+      return Video;
+    }
+    case 'file':
+      return FileText;
+    case 'task':
+      return CircleCheck;
+    case 'paper':
+      return StickyNote;
+    case 'unknown':
+      return HelpCircle;
+  }
+}
+
+export function getMessagePreview(particle: Particle): string {
+  if (isParticleDeleted(particle)) return 'Deleted particle';
+  switch (particle.type) {
+    case 'stream':
+    case 'folder':
+      return particle.properties.name;
+    case 'text':
+      return particle.properties.content;
+    case 'media': {
+      const mime = particle.properties.mime_type;
+      if (mime.startsWith('image/')) return 'Photo';
+      if (mime.startsWith('video/') || mime.startsWith('audio/')) {
+        const transcriptText = particle.properties.transcript?.transcript;
+        if (transcriptText) return transcriptText;
+        return mime.startsWith('video/') ? 'Video clip' : 'Voice note';
+      }
+      return 'Media';
+    }
+    case 'file':
+      return particle.properties.filename;
+    case 'task':
+      return particle.properties.title;
+    case 'paper':
+      return particle.properties.title;
+    case 'unknown':
+      return 'Unsupported particle';
+  }
+}
+
+export function getParticleDisplayName(particle: Particle): string {
+  switch (particle.type) {
+    case 'stream':
+    case 'folder':
+      return particle.properties.name;
+    case 'task':
+      return particle.properties.title;
+    case 'paper':
+      return particle.properties.title;
+    case 'file':
+      return particle.properties.filename;
+    case 'text':
+      return particle.properties.content.slice(0, 30);
+    case 'media':
+      return particle.type;
+    case 'unknown':
+      return 'Unsupported particle';
+  }
+}
diff --git a/js/desktop/src/stores/compose-intent-store.ts b/js/desktop/src/stores/compose-intent-store.ts
index 6e2186a..f9401a9 100644
--- a/js/desktop/src/stores/compose-intent-store.ts
+++ b/js/desktop/src/stores/compose-intent-store.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { create } from 'zustand';
  * |--------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------|
  * | record | idle            | start a media (camera/mic) recording       |
  * | text   | idle            | open the text compose step                 |
+ * | task   | idle            | open the task compose step                 |
  * | stop   | recording       | finish recording → review                  |
  * | cancel | recording, etc. | abort recording / discard review           |
  * | send   | reviewing       | submit the recorded particle               |
@@ -18,7 +19,13 @@ import { create } from 'zustand';
  * ultimately invoke the same callbacks the intent dispatcher does, so the
  * guard logic stays in one place.
  */
-export type ComposeIntent = 'record' | 'text' | 'stop' | 'cancel' | 'send';
+export type ComposeIntent =
+  | 'record'
+  | 'text'
+  | 'task'
+  | 'stop'
+  | 'cancel'
+  | 'send';
 
 interface ComposeIntentState {
   intent: { kind: ComposeIntent } | null;
diff --git a/js/mobile/src/lib/firestore-particles.ts b/js/mobile/src/lib/firestore-particles.ts
index 05424d9..a678b4c 100644
--- a/js/mobile/src/lib/firestore-particles.ts
+++ b/js/mobile/src/lib/firestore-particles.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import {
   arrayRemove,
   FieldPath,
   type DocumentData,
+  type DocumentSnapshot,
   type FirestoreDataConverter,
   type QueryDocumentSnapshot,
   type SnapshotOptions,
@@ -129,6 +130,18 @@ const particleConverter: FirestoreDataConverter<Particle> = {
   },
 };
 
+// Parse a snapshot defensively: newer clients may write particle types this
+// app version doesn't know yet. A single unparseable doc must not break the
+// whole subscription, so skip it instead of throwing inside onSnapshot.
+function safeData(snap: DocumentSnapshot<Particle>): Particle | null {
+  try {
+    return snap.data() ?? null;
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.warn(`Skipping unparseable particle ${snap.ref.path}:`, error);
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
 // --- Typed reference helpers ---
 
 function typedDoc(path: string) {
@@ -149,7 +162,7 @@ export function subscribeToParticle(
   return onSnapshot(
     typedDoc(docPath),
     (snap) => {
-      onData(snap.exists() ? snap.data() : null);
+      onData(safeData(snap));
     },
     onError,
   );
@@ -160,7 +173,7 @@ export async function getParticle(docPath: string): Promise<Particle | null> {
   if (!docSnap.exists()) {
     return null;
   }
-  return docSnap.data();
+  return safeData(docSnap);
 }
 
 export interface GetParticleChildrenOptions {
@@ -183,7 +196,9 @@ export async function getParticleChildren(
     orderBy(orderByField, orderDirection),
   );
   const snap = await getDocs(q);
-  return snap.docs.map((d) => d.data());
+  return snap.docs
+    .map((d) => safeData(d))
+    .filter((p): p is Particle => p !== null);
 }
 
 export interface SubscribeToParticleChildrenOptions {
@@ -229,14 +244,18 @@ export function subscribeToParticleChildren(
   return onSnapshot(
     q,
     (snap) => {
-      const updatedChildren = snap.docs.map((d) => d.data());
+      const updatedChildren = snap.docs
+        .map((d) => safeData(d))
+        .filter((p): p is Particle => p !== null);
       onData(updatedChildren);
 
       if (onAdded || onRemoved) {
         for (const change of snap.docChanges()) {
-          if (change.type === 'added' && onAdded) onAdded(change.doc.data());
+          const changed = safeData(change.doc);
+          if (!changed) continue;
+          if (change.type === 'added' && onAdded) onAdded(changed);
           if (change.type === 'removed' && onRemoved)
-            onRemoved(change.doc.data(), updatedChildren);
+            onRemoved(changed, updatedChildren);
         }
       }
     },
@@ -257,7 +276,7 @@ export function subscribeToLatestChild(
   return onSnapshot(
     q,
     (snap) => {
-      onData(snap.empty ? null : snap.docs[0].data());
+      onData(snap.empty ? null : safeData(snap.docs[0]));
     },
     onError,
   );