diff --git a/js/package.json b/js/package.json
index 81599cd..931e744 100644
--- a/js/package.json
+++ b/js/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
     "make": "electron-forge make",
     "publish": "electron-forge publish",
     "lint": "eslint --ext .ts,.tsx .",
-    "compile": "npx tsc --noEmit 2>&1 | grep -E '^src/'"
+    "compile": "npx tsc --noEmit 2>&1 | grep '^src/'"
   },
   "keywords": [],
   "author": {
diff --git a/js/src/components/ui/avatar.tsx b/js/src/components/ui/avatar.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75c377d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/src/components/ui/avatar.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+import * as React from "react"
+import { Avatar as AvatarPrimitive } from "radix-ui"
+
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+
+function Avatar({
+  className,
+  size = "default",
+  ...props
+}: React.ComponentProps<typeof AvatarPrimitive.Root> & {
+  size?: "default" | "sm" | "lg"
+}) {
+  return (
+    <AvatarPrimitive.Root
+      data-slot="avatar"
+      data-size={size}
+      className={cn(
+        "size-8 rounded-full after:rounded-full data-[size=lg]:size-10 data-[size=sm]:size-6 after:border-border group/avatar relative flex shrink-0 select-none after:absolute after:inset-0 after:border after:mix-blend-darken dark:after:mix-blend-lighten",
+        className
+      )}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function AvatarImage({
+  className,
+  ...props
+}: React.ComponentProps<typeof AvatarPrimitive.Image>) {
+  return (
+    <AvatarPrimitive.Image
+      data-slot="avatar-image"
+      className={cn(
+        "rounded-full aspect-square size-full object-cover",
+        className
+      )}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function AvatarFallback({
+  className,
+  ...props
+}: React.ComponentProps<typeof AvatarPrimitive.Fallback>) {
+  return (
+    <AvatarPrimitive.Fallback
+      data-slot="avatar-fallback"
+      className={cn(
+        "bg-muted text-muted-foreground rounded-full flex size-full items-center justify-center text-sm group-data-[size=sm]/avatar:text-xs",
+        className
+      )}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function AvatarBadge({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"span">) {
+  return (
+    <span
+      data-slot="avatar-badge"
+      className={cn(
+        "bg-primary text-primary-foreground ring-background absolute right-0 bottom-0 z-10 inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-blend-color ring-2 select-none",
+        "group-data-[size=sm]/avatar:size-2 group-data-[size=sm]/avatar:[&>svg]:hidden",
+        "group-data-[size=default]/avatar:size-2.5 group-data-[size=default]/avatar:[&>svg]:size-2",
+        "group-data-[size=lg]/avatar:size-3 group-data-[size=lg]/avatar:[&>svg]:size-2",
+        className
+      )}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function AvatarGroup({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
+  return (
+    <div
+      data-slot="avatar-group"
+      className={cn(
+        "*:data-[slot=avatar]:ring-background group/avatar-group flex -space-x-2 *:data-[slot=avatar]:ring-2",
+        className
+      )}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function AvatarGroupCount({
+  className,
+  ...props
+}: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
+  return (
+    <div
+      data-slot="avatar-group-count"
+      className={cn("bg-muted text-muted-foreground size-8 rounded-full text-sm group-has-data-[size=lg]/avatar-group:size-10 group-has-data-[size=sm]/avatar-group:size-6 [&>svg]:size-4 group-has-data-[size=lg]/avatar-group:[&>svg]:size-5 group-has-data-[size=sm]/avatar-group:[&>svg]:size-3 ring-background relative flex shrink-0 items-center justify-center ring-2", className)}
+      {...props}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+export {
+  Avatar,
+  AvatarImage,
+  AvatarFallback,
+  AvatarGroup,
+  AvatarGroupCount,
+  AvatarBadge,
+}
diff --git a/js/src/features/playback/media-particle-view.tsx b/js/src/features/playback/media-particle-view.tsx
index 9cb4eaa..773ea94 100644
--- a/js/src/features/playback/media-particle-view.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/playback/media-particle-view.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,22 @@ function formatTime(ms: number): string {
   return `${minutes}:${seconds.toString().padStart(2, "0")}`;
 }
 
+function DurationPill({
+  currentTimeMs,
+  totalDurationMs,
+}: {
+  currentTimeMs: number;
+  totalDurationMs: number;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div className="absolute top-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white/10 px-2.5 py-1 backdrop-blur-sm">
+      <span className="font-mono text-xs text-white/80">
+        {formatTime(currentTimeMs)} / {formatTime(totalDurationMs)}
+      </span>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 export function MediaParticleView({
   particle,
   onEnded,
@@ -35,7 +51,10 @@ export function MediaParticleView({
   const [audioEl, setAudioEl] = useState<HTMLAudioElement | null>(null);
   const [currentTimeMs, setCurrentTimeMs] = useState(0);
 
-  const audioSource = useAudioSource(audioEl);
+  const data = particle.data as MediaParticleData;
+  const isAudio = data.mime_type?.startsWith("audio/");
+
+  const audioSource = useAudioSource(isAudio ? audioEl : null);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (cachedUrl) {
@@ -60,8 +79,19 @@ export function MediaParticleView({
     };
   }, [particle.id, cachedUrl, cacheDownloadUrl]);
 
+  // Start audio playback once the AudioContext source is ready
   useEffect(() => {
-    const el = videoRef.current ?? audioRef.current;
+    const el = audioRef.current;
+    if (!el || !audioSource) return;
+
+    if (!paused) {
+      el.play().catch(() => {});
+    }
+  }, [audioSource, paused]);
+
+  // Handle video pause/resume
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const el = videoRef.current;
     if (!el) return;
 
     if (paused) {
@@ -71,6 +101,16 @@ export function MediaParticleView({
     }
   }, [paused]);
 
+  // Handle audio pause/resume (after initial play)
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const el = audioRef.current;
+    if (!el || !audioSource) return;
+
+    if (paused) {
+      el.pause();
+    }
+  }, [paused, audioSource]);
+
   if (error) {
     return (
       <div className="text-muted-foreground flex items-center justify-center text-sm">
@@ -83,9 +123,6 @@ export function MediaParticleView({
     return <Skeleton className="h-full w-full rounded-none" />;
   }
 
-  const data = particle.data as MediaParticleData;
-  const isAudio = data.mime_type?.startsWith("audio/");
-
   if (isAudio) {
     return (
       <div className="relative flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center bg-black/90">
@@ -94,8 +131,8 @@ export function MediaParticleView({
             audioRef.current = el;
             setAudioEl(el);
           }}
+          crossOrigin="anonymous"
           src={url}
-          autoPlay
           onEnded={onEnded}
           onTimeUpdate={(e) => {
             setCurrentTimeMs(e.currentTarget.currentTime * 1000);
@@ -106,23 +143,31 @@ export function MediaParticleView({
           <AudioLevelBars sourceNode={audioSource.sourceNode} />
         )}
 
-        <div className="absolute top-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-black/30 px-2.5 py-1 backdrop-blur-sm">
-          <span className="font-mono text-xs text-white/80">
-            {formatTime(currentTimeMs)} / {formatTime(data.duration_ms)}
-          </span>
-        </div>
+        <DurationPill
+          currentTimeMs={currentTimeMs}
+          totalDurationMs={data.duration_ms}
+        />
       </div>
     );
   }
 
   return (
-    <video
-      ref={videoRef}
-      src={url}
-      autoPlay
-      playsInline
-      onEnded={onEnded}
-      className="h-full w-full object-cover"
-    />
+    <div className="relative h-full w-full">
+      <video
+        ref={videoRef}
+        src={url}
+        autoPlay
+        playsInline
+        onEnded={onEnded}
+        onTimeUpdate={(e) => {
+          setCurrentTimeMs(e.currentTarget.currentTime * 1000);
+        }}
+        className="h-full w-full object-cover"
+      />
+      <DurationPill
+        currentTimeMs={currentTimeMs}
+        totalDurationMs={data.duration_ms}
+      />
+    </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/js/src/features/streams/particle-preview.tsx b/js/src/features/streams/particle-preview.tsx
index 46f77ab..62a5b07 100644
--- a/js/src/features/streams/particle-preview.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/streams/particle-preview.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
 import type { StreamParticle } from "@/api/types";
 import { getParticleData } from "@/api/types";
+import { apiClient } from "@/api/client";
+import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton";
 import {
-  MessageSquare,
   Video,
   Mic,
   ScrollText,
@@ -9,85 +11,183 @@ import {
   FileIcon,
   FolderIcon,
 } from "lucide-react";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 interface ParticlePreviewProps {
   particle: StreamParticle;
 }
 
+/** Dynamic text sizing for card previews — inspired by TextParticleView. */
+function getPreviewTextStyle(length: number) {
+  if (length < 30) return "text-lg font-semibold";
+  if (length < 80) return "text-base font-medium";
+  if (length < 200) return "text-sm font-normal";
+  return "text-xs font-normal";
+}
+
 export function ParticlePreview({ particle }: ParticlePreviewProps) {
   switch (particle.type) {
-    case "text": {
-      const data = getParticleData(particle, "text");
-      return (
-        <div className="flex items-start gap-2">
-          <MessageSquare className="text-muted-foreground mt-0.5 h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0" />
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground line-clamp-2 text-xs">
-            {data.content}
-          </p>
-        </div>
-      );
-    }
-    case "media": {
-      const data = getParticleData(particle, "media");
-      const isVideo = data.mime_type.startsWith("video");
-      const Icon = isVideo ? Video : Mic;
-      const label = isVideo ? "Video" : "Audio";
-      const seconds = Math.round(data.duration_ms / 1000);
-      return (
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          <Icon className="text-muted-foreground h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0" />
-          <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs">
-            {label} · {seconds}s
-          </span>
-        </div>
-      );
-    }
-    case "quest": {
-      const data = getParticleData(particle, "quest");
-      return (
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          <ScrollText className="text-muted-foreground h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0" />
-          <span className="text-muted-foreground truncate text-xs">
-            {data.title}
-            {data.status && ` · ${data.status}`}
-          </span>
-        </div>
-      );
-    }
-    case "paper": {
-      const data = getParticleData(particle, "paper");
-      return (
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          <BookOpen className="text-muted-foreground h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0" />
-          <span className="text-muted-foreground truncate text-xs">
-            {data.title}
-          </span>
-        </div>
-      );
-    }
-    case "file": {
-      const data = getParticleData(particle, "file");
-      return (
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          <FileIcon className="text-muted-foreground h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0" />
-          <span className="text-muted-foreground truncate text-xs">
-            {data.filename}
-          </span>
-        </div>
-      );
-    }
-    case "folder": {
-      const data = getParticleData(particle, "folder");
-      return (
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          <FolderIcon className="text-muted-foreground h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0" />
-          <span className="text-muted-foreground truncate text-xs">
-            {data.name}
-          </span>
-        </div>
-      );
-    }
+    case "text":
+      return <TextPreview particle={particle} />;
+    case "media":
+      return <MediaPreview particle={particle} />;
+    case "quest":
+      return <QuestPreview particle={particle} />;
+    case "paper":
+      return <PaperPreview particle={particle} />;
+    case "file":
+      return <FilePreview particle={particle} />;
+    case "folder":
+      return <FolderPreview particle={particle} />;
     default:
-      return null;
+      return <EmptyPreview />;
   }
 }
+
+function TextPreview({ particle }: { particle: StreamParticle }) {
+  const data = getParticleData(particle, "text");
+  return (
+    <div className="flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center bg-gradient-to-br from-violet-500/15 to-indigo-500/15 p-4">
+      <p
+        className={cn(
+          "line-clamp-4 text-center leading-relaxed",
+          getPreviewTextStyle(data.content.length),
+        )}
+      >
+        {data.content}
+      </p>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function MediaPreview({ particle }: { particle: StreamParticle }) {
+  const data = getParticleData(particle, "media");
+  const isVideo = data.mime_type.startsWith("video");
+  const durationSec = Math.round(data.duration_ms / 1000);
+  const durationLabel = `${Math.floor(durationSec / 60)}:${String(durationSec % 60).padStart(2, "0")}`;
+
+  if (isVideo) {
+    return <VideoThumbnail particleId={particle.id} duration={durationLabel} />;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex h-full w-full flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-black/90">
+      <Mic className="h-8 w-8 text-white/60" />
+      <span className="font-mono text-xs text-white/50">{durationLabel}</span>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function VideoThumbnail({
+  particleId,
+  duration,
+}: {
+  particleId: string;
+  duration: string;
+}) {
+  const [url, setUrl] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [error, setError] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    let cancelled = false;
+    apiClient
+      .getParticleDownloadUrl(particleId)
+      .then((downloadUrl) => {
+        if (!cancelled) setUrl(downloadUrl);
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        if (!cancelled) setError(true);
+      });
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [particleId]);
+
+  if (error) {
+    return (
+      <div className="flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center bg-black/80">
+        <Video className="h-8 w-8 text-white/40" />
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (!url) {
+    return <Skeleton className="h-full w-full rounded-none" />;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="relative h-full w-full bg-black">
+      <video
+        src={url}
+        preload="metadata"
+        muted
+        playsInline
+        className="h-full w-full object-cover"
+      />
+      <span className="absolute right-1.5 bottom-1.5 rounded bg-black/70 px-1.5 py-0.5 font-mono text-[10px] text-white/80">
+        {duration}
+      </span>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function QuestPreview({ particle }: { particle: StreamParticle }) {
+  const data = getParticleData(particle, "quest");
+  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">
+        {data.title}
+      </p>
+      {data.status && (
+        <span className="text-muted-foreground text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wide">
+          {data.status}
+        </span>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function PaperPreview({ particle }: { particle: StreamParticle }) {
+  const data = getParticleData(particle, "paper");
+  return (
+    <div className="flex h-full w-full flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-blue-500/10 p-4">
+      <BookOpen className="h-6 w-6 text-blue-600/70 dark:text-blue-400/70" />
+      <p className="line-clamp-2 text-center text-sm font-medium">
+        {data.title}
+      </p>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function FilePreview({ particle }: { particle: StreamParticle }) {
+  const data = getParticleData(particle, "file");
+  return (
+    <div className="flex h-full w-full flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-emerald-500/10 p-4">
+      <FileIcon className="h-6 w-6 text-emerald-600/70 dark:text-emerald-400/70" />
+      <p className="text-muted-foreground line-clamp-1 text-center text-xs">
+        {data.filename}
+      </p>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function FolderPreview({ particle }: { particle: StreamParticle }) {
+  const data = getParticleData(particle, "folder");
+  return (
+    <div className="flex h-full w-full flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-orange-500/10 p-4">
+      <FolderIcon className="h-6 w-6 text-orange-600/70 dark:text-orange-400/70" />
+      <p className="text-muted-foreground line-clamp-1 text-center text-xs">
+        {data.name}
+      </p>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function EmptyPreview() {
+  return (
+    <div className="flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center">
+      <p className="text-muted-foreground text-xs italic">No messages yet</p>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/js/src/features/streams/stream-list.tsx b/js/src/features/streams/stream-list.tsx
index a79fb0c..d87cd23 100644
--- a/js/src/features/streams/stream-list.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/streams/stream-list.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
 import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
-import { Card, CardContent } from "@/components/ui/card";
+import { Card } from "@/components/ui/card";
+import { Avatar, AvatarFallback } from "@/components/ui/avatar";
 import { useAppStore } from "@/stores/app-store";
 import { flattenStreams } from "@/lib/stream-utils";
 import { formatDistanceToNow } from "@/lib/time-utils";
 import { ParticlePreview } from "./particle-preview";
 
+function getInitials(email: string): string {
+  const prefix = email.split("@")[0] ?? "";
+  return prefix.slice(0, 2).toUpperCase();
+}
+
 export function StreamList() {
   const networks = useAppStore((s) => s.networks);
   const selectedNetworkId = useAppStore((s) => s.selectedNetworkId);
@@ -30,48 +36,60 @@ export function StreamList() {
             : null;
 
         const timeSource = lastParticle?.created_at ?? stream.updated_at;
+        const senderEmail = lastParticle?.created_by_email;
+        const senderPrefix = senderEmail?.split("@")[0];
 
         return (
           <Card
             key={stream.id}
             size="sm"
-            className="hover:bg-accent/50 cursor-pointer transition-colors"
+            className="hover:bg-accent/50 cursor-pointer overflow-hidden transition-colors"
             onClick={() => navigate(`/streams/${stream.id}`)}
           >
-            <CardContent className="min-h-[3rem]">
+            {/* Preview hero area */}
+            <div className="relative aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden">
               {lastParticle ? (
                 <ParticlePreview particle={lastParticle} />
               ) : (
-                <p className="text-muted-foreground text-xs italic">
-                  No messages yet
-                </p>
+                <div className="flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center">
+                  <p className="text-muted-foreground text-xs italic">
+                    No messages yet
+                  </p>
+                </div>
               )}
-            </CardContent>
 
-            <CardContent className="pt-0">
-              <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                <span className="min-w-0 truncate text-sm font-medium">
-                  {stream.name}
-                </span>
-                {stream.unseen_count > 0 && (
-                  <Badge variant="default" className="shrink-0">
-                    {stream.unseen_count}
-                  </Badge>
-                )}
+              {/* Unseen badge overlay */}
+              {stream.unseen_count > 0 && (
+                <Badge
+                  variant="default"
+                  className="absolute top-1.5 right-1.5 text-[10px]"
+                >
+                  {stream.unseen_count}
+                </Badge>
+              )}
+            </div>
+
+            {/* Footer: avatar + stream info */}
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2">
+              {senderEmail ? (
+                <Avatar size="sm">
+                  <AvatarFallback className="text-[10px]">
+                    {getInitials(senderEmail)}
+                  </AvatarFallback>
+                </Avatar>
+              ) : (
+                <div className="size-6 shrink-0" />
+              )}
+
+              <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+                <p className="truncate text-sm font-medium">{stream.name}</p>
+                <p className="text-muted-foreground truncate text-[11px]">
+                  {senderPrefix && <span>{senderPrefix}</span>}
+                  {senderPrefix && timeSource && <span> &middot; </span>}
+                  {timeSource && <span>{formatDistanceToNow(timeSource)}</span>}
+                </p>
               </div>
-            </CardContent>
-
-            <CardContent className="pt-0">
-              <p className="text-muted-foreground truncate text-xs">
-                {lastParticle && (
-                  <>
-                    {lastParticle.created_by_email.split("@")[0]}
-                    {" · "}
-                  </>
-                )}
-                {timeSource && formatDistanceToNow(timeSource)}
-              </p>
-            </CardContent>
+            </div>
           </Card>
         );
       })}
diff --git a/js/src/pages/stream-player-page.tsx b/js/src/pages/stream-player-page.tsx
index b82f762..051add8 100644
--- a/js/src/pages/stream-player-page.tsx
+++ b/js/src/pages/stream-player-page.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useEffect, useCallback, useState } from "react";
 import { useParams, useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
 import { ArrowLeft } from "lucide-react";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { Avatar, AvatarFallback } from "@/components/ui/avatar";
 import { useAppStore } from "@/stores/app-store";
 import { usePlaybackStore } from "@/stores/playback-store";
 import { useRecordingStore } from "@/stores/recording-store";
@@ -236,11 +237,21 @@ export function StreamPlayerPage() {
 
       {/* Bottom overlay: stream info + reply */}
       <div className="absolute right-0 bottom-0 left-0 z-10 flex justify-center px-3 pb-3">
-        <div className="flex w-full items-center justify-between rounded-full bg-black/30 px-4 py-2 backdrop-blur-sm">
-          <span className="text-xs font-medium text-white/70">
+        <div className="flex w-full items-center gap-2.5 rounded-full bg-black/30 px-3 py-2 backdrop-blur-sm">
+          {currentParticle && (
+            <Avatar size="sm">
+              <AvatarFallback className="bg-white/20 text-[10px] text-white">
+                {currentParticle.created_by_email
+                  .split("@")[0]
+                  .slice(0, 2)
+                  .toUpperCase()}
+              </AvatarFallback>
+            </Avatar>
+          )}
+          <span className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate text-xs font-medium text-white/70">
             {stream.name}
-            <span className="text-white/40"> &gt; </span>
-            {currentParticle?.created_by_email}
+            <span className="text-white/40"> &middot; </span>
+            {currentParticle?.created_by_email.split("@")[0]}
           </span>
           <ReplyIndicator />
         </div>