diff --git a/js/src/App.tsx b/js/src/App.tsx
index b55f52a..8e01b62 100644
--- a/js/src/App.tsx
+++ b/js/src/App.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useEffect } from "react";
-import { HashRouter, Routes, Route, Outlet } from "react-router-dom";
+import { HashRouter, Routes, Route } from "react-router-dom";
 import { TooltipProvider } from "@/components/ui/tooltip";
 import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth-store";
 import { LoginPage } from "@/features/auth/login-page";
diff --git a/js/src/features/compose/compose-overlay.tsx b/js/src/features/compose/compose-overlay.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84df155
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/src/features/compose/compose-overlay.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import { useComposeStore } from "@/stores/compose-store";
+import { RecordingOverlay } from "@/features/compose/recording-overlay";
+import { TextComposeStep } from "@/features/compose/text-compose-step";
+import { ConfigureStreamStep } from "@/features/compose/configure-stream-step";
+
+/**
+ * Renders the current compose step as a fullscreen overlay.
+ * Returns null when idle — zero cost when not composing.
+ */
+export function ComposeOverlay() {
+  const step = useComposeStore((s) => s.step);
+  const cancel = useComposeStore((s) => s.cancel);
+  const textContent = useComposeStore((s) => s.textContent);
+  const setTextContent = useComposeStore((s) => s.setTextContent);
+  const advanceToConfigure = useComposeStore((s) => s.advanceToConfigure);
+  const networkId = useComposeStore((s) => s.networkId);
+  const mediaStream = useComposeStore((s) => s.mediaStream);
+  const recordingMode = useComposeStore((s) => s.recordingMode);
+  const reviewBlob = useComposeStore((s) => s.reviewBlob);
+  const error = useComposeStore((s) => s.error);
+
+  if (step === "idle") return null;
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      {(step === "recording" || step === "reviewing") && (
+        <RecordingOverlay
+          step={step}
+          mediaStream={mediaStream}
+          recordingMode={recordingMode}
+          reviewBlob={reviewBlob}
+          error={error}
+          onClose={cancel}
+        />
+      )}
+      {step === "typing" && (
+        <TextComposeStep
+          textContent={textContent}
+          onTextChange={setTextContent}
+          onAdvance={advanceToConfigure}
+          onCancel={cancel}
+        />
+      )}
+      {step === "configuring" && (
+        <ConfigureStreamStep networkId={networkId} onCancel={cancel} />
+      )}
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/js/src/features/compose/configure-stream-step.tsx b/js/src/features/compose/configure-stream-step.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ccb477
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/src/features/compose/configure-stream-step.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from "react";
+import { useNetworks } from "@/hooks/use-networks";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { Check } from "lucide-react";
+
+interface ConfigureStreamStepProps {
+  networkId: string | null;
+  onCancel: () => void;
+}
+
+export function ConfigureStreamStep({
+  networkId,
+  onCancel,
+}: ConfigureStreamStepProps) {
+
+  const { data: networks } = useNetworks();
+  const network = networks?.find((n) => n.id === networkId);
+  const members = network?.humans ?? [];
+
+  const [name, setName] = useState("");
+  const [selectedEmails, setSelectedEmails] = useState<Set<string>>(new Set());
+  // -1 = name input is focused, 0+ = member list index
+  const [focusedIndex, setFocusedIndex] = useState(-1);
+  const nameRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+  const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    nameRef.current?.focus();
+  }, []);
+
+  // Return focus to the name input when navigating back up
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (focusedIndex === -1) {
+      nameRef.current?.focus();
+    } else {
+      // Blur the input so arrow keys don't move the cursor
+      nameRef.current?.blur();
+      containerRef.current?.focus();
+    }
+  }, [focusedIndex]);
+
+  const toggleMember = useCallback((email: string) => {
+    setSelectedEmails((prev) => {
+      const next = new Set(prev);
+      if (next.has(email)) next.delete(email);
+      else next.add(email);
+      return next;
+    });
+  }, []);
+
+  const handleSubmit = useCallback(async () => {
+    if (!name.trim() || !networkId) return;
+    // TODO: create stream particle, then attach recorded/text content
+    onCancel();
+  }, [name, networkId, onCancel]);
+
+  const handleKeyDown = useCallback(
+    (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
+      switch (e.key) {
+        case "Escape":
+          e.preventDefault();
+          onCancel();
+          return;
+
+        case "Enter":
+          if (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey) {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            handleSubmit();
+          } else if (focusedIndex === -1 && name.trim() && members.length > 0) {
+            // Enter in name input → move to member list
+            e.preventDefault();
+            setFocusedIndex(0);
+          }
+          return;
+
+        case "ArrowDown":
+          e.preventDefault();
+          setFocusedIndex((i) => Math.min(i + 1, members.length - 1));
+          return;
+
+        case "ArrowUp":
+          e.preventDefault();
+          setFocusedIndex((i) => Math.max(i - 1, -1));
+          return;
+
+        case " ":
+          if (focusedIndex >= 0) {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            toggleMember(members[focusedIndex].email);
+          }
+          return;
+      }
+    },
+    [onCancel, handleSubmit, focusedIndex, members, name, toggleMember],
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      ref={containerRef}
+      className="absolute inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/90"
+      onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
+      tabIndex={-1}
+    >
+      <div className="w-full max-w-sm space-y-4 px-6">
+        {/* Stream name */}
+        <div>
+          <label className="mb-1 block text-xs font-medium text-white/50">
+            Stream name
+          </label>
+          <input
+            ref={nameRef}
+            type="text"
+            value={name}
+            onChange={(e) => {
+              setName(e.target.value);
+              setFocusedIndex(-1);
+            }}
+            onFocus={() => setFocusedIndex(-1)}
+            placeholder="Give it a name..."
+            className="w-full rounded-md border border-white/10 bg-white/5 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-white placeholder-white/30 outline-none focus:border-white/30"
+          />
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Member selection */}
+        {members.length > 0 && (
+          <div>
+            <label className="mb-1 block text-xs font-medium text-white/50">
+              Visible to
+            </label>
+            <div className="space-y-0.5 rounded-md border border-white/10 p-1">
+              {members.map((member, index) => {
+                const isSelected = selectedEmails.has(member.email);
+                const isFocused = focusedIndex === index;
+                const initials = member.email_prefix
+                  .slice(0, 2)
+                  .toUpperCase();
+
+                return (
+                  <button
+                    key={member.email}
+                    type="button"
+                    onClick={() => toggleMember(member.email)}
+                    className={cn(
+                      "flex w-full items-center gap-2 rounded px-2 py-1.5 text-left text-sm transition-colors",
+                      isFocused
+                        ? "bg-white/10 text-white"
+                        : "text-white/70 hover:bg-white/5",
+                    )}
+                  >
+                    <span className="flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-white/10 text-[10px] font-medium">
+                      {initials}
+                    </span>
+                    <span className="flex-1 truncate">
+                      {member.email_prefix}
+                    </span>
+                    {isSelected && (
+                      <Check className="h-3.5 w-3.5 text-white/70" />
+                    )}
+                  </button>
+                );
+              })}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        )}
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Keyboard hints */}
+      <div className="absolute bottom-8 flex items-center gap-4 text-sm text-white/50">
+        <span>
+          <kbd className="rounded bg-white/10 px-1.5 py-0.5 font-mono text-xs">
+            Esc
+          </kbd>{" "}
+          cancel
+        </span>
+        <span>
+          <kbd className="rounded bg-white/10 px-1.5 py-0.5 font-mono text-xs">
+            ↑↓
+          </kbd>{" "}
+          navigate
+        </span>
+        <span>
+          <kbd className="rounded bg-white/10 px-1.5 py-0.5 font-mono text-xs">
+            Space
+          </kbd>{" "}
+          toggle
+        </span>
+        <span>
+          <kbd className="rounded bg-white/10 px-1.5 py-0.5 font-mono text-xs">
+            ⌘+Enter
+          </kbd>{" "}
+          create
+        </span>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/js/src/features/send/controls-indicator.tsx b/js/src/features/compose/controls-indicator.tsx
similarity index 84%
rename from js/src/features/send/controls-indicator.tsx
rename to js/src/features/compose/controls-indicator.tsx
index 3b1f8ed..e77d5d1 100644
--- a/js/src/features/send/controls-indicator.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/compose/controls-indicator.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import { Video, Mic, ChevronDown } from "lucide-react";
-import { useRecordingStore } from "@/stores/recording-store";
+import { Video, Mic } from "lucide-react";
+import { useComposeStore } from "@/stores/compose-store";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ interface ControlsIndicatorProps {
   type: "reply" | "new";
 }
 export default function ControlsIndicator({ type }: ControlsIndicatorProps) {
-  const recordingMode = useRecordingStore((s) => s.recordingMode);
-  const setRecordingMode = useRecordingStore((s) => s.setRecordingMode);
+  const recordingMode = useComposeStore((s) => s.recordingMode);
+  const setRecordingMode = useComposeStore((s) => s.setRecordingMode);
 
   return (
     <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs">
diff --git a/js/src/features/send/recording-overlay.tsx b/js/src/features/compose/recording-overlay.tsx
similarity index 74%
rename from js/src/features/send/recording-overlay.tsx
rename to js/src/features/compose/recording-overlay.tsx
index 9d8577e..0cb6c06 100644
--- a/js/src/features/send/recording-overlay.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/compose/recording-overlay.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
-import { useRecordingStore } from "@/stores/recording-store";
+import type { ComposeStep, RecordingMode } from "@/stores/compose-store";
 import { AudioLevelBars } from "@/components/audio/audio-level-bars";
 import { useAudioSource } from "@/components/audio/use-audio-source";
 
 interface RecordingOverlayProps {
+  step: ComposeStep;
+  mediaStream: MediaStream | null;
+  recordingMode: RecordingMode;
+  reviewBlob: Blob | null;
+  error: string | null;
   onClose: () => void;
 }
 
@@ -87,24 +92,17 @@ function ReviewPlayback({
   );
 }
 
-export function RecordingOverlay({ onClose }: RecordingOverlayProps) {
-  const status = useRecordingStore((s) => s.status);
-  const mediaStream = useRecordingStore((s) => s.mediaStream);
-  const recordingMode = useRecordingStore((s) => s.recordingMode);
-  const reviewBlob = useRecordingStore((s) => s.reviewBlob);
+export function RecordingOverlay({
+  step,
+  mediaStream,
+  recordingMode,
+  reviewBlob,
+  error,
+  onClose,
+}: RecordingOverlayProps) {
   const videoRef = useRef<HTMLVideoElement>(null);
-  const hasBeenActiveRef = useRef(false);
   const recordingAudioSource = useAudioSource(mediaStream ?? null);
 
-  // Track whether we've entered an active state at least once
-  if (
-    status === "recording" ||
-    status === "uploading" ||
-    status === "reviewing"
-  ) {
-    hasBeenActiveRef.current = true;
-  }
-
   // Set video srcObject for live preview
   useEffect(() => {
     if (videoRef.current && mediaStream && recordingMode === "video") {
@@ -112,26 +110,15 @@ export function RecordingOverlay({ onClose }: RecordingOverlayProps) {
     }
   }, [mediaStream, recordingMode]);
 
-  // Auto-close when status returns to idle after being active
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!hasBeenActiveRef.current) return;
-    if (status === "idle") {
-      onClose();
-    }
-  }, [status, onClose]);
-
   // Auto-close after error with a brief delay
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (status !== "error") return;
+    if (!error) return;
     const timeout = setTimeout(onClose, 1500);
     return () => clearTimeout(timeout);
-  }, [status, onClose]);
+  }, [error, onClose]);
 
-  const isUploading = status === "uploading";
-  const isReviewing = status === "reviewing";
-  const isRecording = status === "recording";
-
-  // Loading: status is recording but media stream hasn't arrived yet
+  const isReviewing = step === "reviewing";
+  const isRecording = step === "recording";
   const isLoading = isRecording && !mediaStream;
 
   return (
@@ -166,17 +153,9 @@ export function RecordingOverlay({ onClose }: RecordingOverlayProps) {
         />
       )}
 
-      {/* Dimmed overlay when uploading */}
-      {isUploading && <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black/60" />}
-
-      {/* Top center: recording indicator / uploading */}
+      {/* Top center: recording indicator */}
       <div className="absolute top-8 z-10">
-        {isUploading ? (
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            <span className="h-2.5 w-2.5 animate-pulse rounded-full bg-yellow-500" />
-            <span className="text-sm text-white/80">Sending...</span>
-          </div>
-        ) : isRecording && !isLoading ? (
+        {isRecording && !isLoading ? (
           <RecordingTimer />
         ) : isReviewing ? (
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
@@ -185,9 +164,9 @@ export function RecordingOverlay({ onClose }: RecordingOverlayProps) {
         ) : null}
       </div>
 
-      {/* Center: audio level bars (recording with active stream) */}
+      {/* Bottom center: audio level bars (recording with active stream) */}
       {isRecording && recordingAudioSource && (
-        <div className="z-10">
+        <div className="z-10 absolute bottom-12">
           <AudioLevelBars sourceNode={recordingAudioSource.sourceNode} />
         </div>
       )}
@@ -217,7 +196,7 @@ export function RecordingOverlay({ onClose }: RecordingOverlayProps) {
             <kbd className="rounded bg-white/10 px-1.5 py-0.5 font-mono text-xs">
               Enter
             </kbd>{" "}
-            to send
+            next
           </span>
           <span>
             <kbd className="rounded bg-white/10 px-1.5 py-0.5 font-mono text-xs">
@@ -229,9 +208,9 @@ export function RecordingOverlay({ onClose }: RecordingOverlayProps) {
       )}
 
       {/* Error state */}
-      {status === "error" && (
+      {error && (
         <div className="z-10 text-sm text-red-400">
-          {useRecordingStore.getState().error ?? "Recording failed"}
+          {error}
         </div>
       )}
     </div>
diff --git a/js/src/features/send/text-compose-overlay.tsx b/js/src/features/compose/text-compose-step.tsx
similarity index 56%
rename from js/src/features/send/text-compose-overlay.tsx
rename to js/src/features/compose/text-compose-step.tsx
index 73365bf..c3fcfe8 100644
--- a/js/src/features/send/text-compose-overlay.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/compose/text-compose-step.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-import { useState, useRef, useEffect, useCallback } from "react";
+import { useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from "react";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
-import { apiClient } from "@/api/client";
-import { useAppStore } from "@/stores/app-store";
 
-interface TextComposeOverlayProps {
-  streamId: string;
-  onClose: () => void;
+interface TextComposeStepProps {
+  textContent: string;
+  onTextChange: (text: string) => void;
+  onAdvance: () => void;
+  onCancel: () => void;
 }
 
 function getTextStyle(length: number) {
@@ -15,61 +15,41 @@ function getTextStyle(length: number) {
   return { size: "text-lg", weight: "font-normal" };
 }
 
-export function TextComposeOverlay({
-  streamId,
-  onClose,
-}: TextComposeOverlayProps) {
-  const [content, setContent] = useState("");
-  const [sending, setSending] = useState(false);
+export function TextComposeStep({
+  textContent,
+  onTextChange,
+  onAdvance,
+  onCancel,
+}: TextComposeStepProps) {
   const textareaRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null);
-  const addParticleToStream = useAppStore((s) => s.addParticleToStream);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     textareaRef.current?.focus();
   }, []);
 
-  const handleSend = useCallback(async () => {
-    const trimmed = content.trim();
-    if (!trimmed || sending) return;
-
-    setSending(true);
-    try {
-      const particle = await apiClient.createStreamParticle(streamId, {
-        type: "text",
-        data: { content: trimmed },
-      });
-      addParticleToStream(streamId, particle);
-      onClose();
-    } catch {
-      setSending(false);
-    }
-  }, [content, sending, streamId, addParticleToStream, onClose]);
-
   const handleKeyDown = useCallback(
     (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
       if (e.key === "Escape") {
         e.preventDefault();
-        e.stopPropagation();
-        onClose();
+        onCancel();
       } else if (e.key === "Enter" && (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey)) {
         e.preventDefault();
-        handleSend();
+        if (textContent.trim()) onAdvance();
       }
     },
-    [onClose, handleSend],
+    [onCancel, onAdvance, textContent],
   );
 
-  const style = getTextStyle(content.length);
+  const style = getTextStyle(textContent.length);
 
   return (
     <div className="absolute inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/90">
       <textarea
         ref={textareaRef}
-        value={content}
-        onChange={(e) => setContent(e.target.value)}
+        value={textContent}
+        onChange={(e) => onTextChange(e.target.value)}
         onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
         placeholder="Type a message..."
-        disabled={sending}
         className={cn(
           "w-full max-w-2xl resize-none border-none bg-transparent p-8 text-center text-white placeholder-white/40 outline-none",
           style.size,
@@ -86,9 +66,9 @@ export function TextComposeOverlay({
         </span>
         <span>
           <kbd className="rounded bg-white/10 px-1.5 py-0.5 font-mono text-xs">
-            Cmd+Enter
+            ⌘+Enter
           </kbd>{" "}
-          send
+          next
         </span>
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/js/src/features/compose/use-compose-keyboard.ts b/js/src/features/compose/use-compose-keyboard.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b86a0cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/src/features/compose/use-compose-keyboard.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+import { useEffect, useCallback } from "react";
+import { useComposeStore } from "@/stores/compose-store";
+import { useRecorder } from "@/features/compose/use-recorder";
+import { useParams } from "react-router-dom";
+
+/**
+ * Global keyboard handler for the compose flow.
+ *
+ * Handles keys for idle, recording, and reviewing steps.
+ * The typing and configuring steps handle their own keyboard
+ * events via focused elements — this hook ignores those steps.
+ */
+export function useComposeKeyboard() {
+  const networkId = useParams()["networkId"];
+
+  const { startRecording, stopRecording, cancelRecording } = useRecorder();
+
+  const handleKeyDown = useCallback(
+    (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      const { step } = useComposeStore.getState();
+
+      // Typing and configuring steps own their focused keyboard events
+      if (step === "typing" || step === "configuring") return;
+
+      // Don't intercept if the user is typing in an unrelated input
+      const target = e.target as HTMLElement;
+      if (
+        target.tagName === "INPUT" ||
+        target.tagName === "TEXTAREA" ||
+        target.isContentEditable
+      ) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      switch (step) {
+        case "idle": {
+          if (!networkId) return;
+          if (e.key === "`" && !e.repeat) {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            useComposeStore.getState().startRecording(networkId);
+            startRecording();
+          } else if (e.key === "t" || e.key === "T") {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            useComposeStore.getState().startTyping(networkId);
+          }
+          break;
+        }
+
+        case "recording": {
+          if (e.key === "q" || e.key === "Q" || e.key === "Escape") {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            cancelRecording();
+            useComposeStore.getState().cancel();
+          }
+          break;
+        }
+
+        case "reviewing": {
+          if (e.key === "q" || e.key === "Q" || e.key === "Escape") {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            cancelRecording();
+            useComposeStore.getState().cancel();
+          } else if (e.key === "Enter") {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            useComposeStore.getState().advanceToConfigure();
+          }
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    [networkId, startRecording, cancelRecording],
+  );
+
+  const handleKeyUp = useCallback(
+    (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      const { step } = useComposeStore.getState();
+
+      if (step === "recording" && e.key === "`") {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        stopRecording();
+        // finishRecording is called by the MediaRecorder onstop handler
+        // once the blob is ready — no need to call it here.
+      }
+    },
+    [stopRecording],
+  );
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    window.addEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
+    window.addEventListener("keyup", handleKeyUp);
+    return () => {
+      window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
+      window.removeEventListener("keyup", handleKeyUp);
+    };
+  }, [handleKeyDown, handleKeyUp]);
+}
diff --git a/js/src/features/compose/use-recorder.ts b/js/src/features/compose/use-recorder.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1a697f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/src/features/compose/use-recorder.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
+import { useComposeStore } from "@/stores/compose-store";
+
+const VIDEO_PREFERRED_MIME = "video/webm;codecs=vp9,opus";
+const VIDEO_FALLBACK_MIME = "video/webm";
+const AUDIO_PREFERRED_MIME = "audio/webm;codecs=opus";
+const AUDIO_FALLBACK_MIME = "audio/webm";
+
+function getMediaMime(mode: "video" | "audio"): string {
+  if (mode === "audio") {
+    return MediaRecorder.isTypeSupported(AUDIO_PREFERRED_MIME)
+      ? AUDIO_PREFERRED_MIME
+      : AUDIO_FALLBACK_MIME;
+  }
+  return MediaRecorder.isTypeSupported(VIDEO_PREFERRED_MIME)
+    ? VIDEO_PREFERRED_MIME
+    : VIDEO_FALLBACK_MIME;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Manages MediaRecorder lifecycle and writes results to compose-store.
+ *
+ * Does NOT handle uploads or particle creation — that responsibility
+ * belongs to the configure step after the user finalizes stream metadata.
+ */
+export function useRecorder() {
+  const recorderRef = useRef<MediaRecorder | null>(null);
+  const streamRef = useRef<MediaStream | null>(null);
+  const chunksRef = useRef<Blob[]>([]);
+  const startTimeRef = useRef<number>(0);
+
+  const recordingMode = useComposeStore((s) => s.recordingMode);
+  const setMediaStream = useComposeStore((s) => s.setMediaStream);
+  const setError = useComposeStore((s) => s.setError);
+  const finishRecording = useComposeStore((s) => s.finishRecording);
+
+  const stopTracks = useCallback(() => {
+    streamRef.current?.getTracks().forEach((t) => t.stop());
+    streamRef.current = null;
+    recorderRef.current = null;
+    chunksRef.current = [];
+    setMediaStream(null);
+  }, [setMediaStream]);
+
+  const startRecording = useCallback(async () => {
+    try {
+      const constraints =
+        recordingMode === "video"
+          ? { video: true, audio: true }
+          : { audio: true };
+
+      const mediaStream =
+        await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia(constraints);
+
+      streamRef.current = mediaStream;
+      setMediaStream(mediaStream);
+      chunksRef.current = [];
+      startTimeRef.current = Date.now();
+
+      const mime = getMediaMime(recordingMode);
+      const recorder = new MediaRecorder(mediaStream, { mimeType: mime });
+      recorderRef.current = recorder;
+
+      recorder.ondataavailable = (e) => {
+        if (e.data.size > 0) chunksRef.current.push(e.data);
+      };
+
+      recorder.onstop = () => {
+        const durationMs = Date.now() - startTimeRef.current;
+        const blob = new Blob(chunksRef.current, { type: mime });
+        stopTracks();
+
+        if (blob.size > 0) {
+          finishRecording(blob, durationMs);
+        }
+      };
+
+      recorder.start();
+    } catch (err) {
+      stopTracks();
+      setError(
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Failed to start recording",
+      );
+    }
+  }, [recordingMode, setMediaStream, setError, finishRecording, stopTracks]);
+
+  const stopRecording = useCallback(() => {
+    if (recorderRef.current?.state === "recording") {
+      recorderRef.current.stop();
+    }
+  }, []);
+
+  const cancelRecording = useCallback(() => {
+    if (recorderRef.current) {
+      recorderRef.current.ondataavailable = null;
+      recorderRef.current.onstop = null;
+      if (recorderRef.current.state === "recording") {
+        recorderRef.current.stop();
+      }
+    }
+    stopTracks();
+  }, [stopTracks]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => stopTracks();
+  }, [stopTracks]);
+
+  return { startRecording, stopRecording, cancelRecording };
+}
diff --git a/js/src/features/layoutwithpath.tsx b/js/src/features/layoutwithpath.tsx
index be74cf0..a227476 100644
--- a/js/src/features/layoutwithpath.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/layoutwithpath.tsx
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import {
 } from "@/components/ui/breadcrumb";
 import { Avatar, AvatarFallback } from "@/components/ui/avatar";
 import { useNetworks } from "@/hooks/use-networks";
+import { ComposeOverlay } from "@/features/compose/compose-overlay";
+import { useComposeKeyboard } from "@/features/compose/use-compose-keyboard";
 
 function NetworkBreadcrumbContent({ networkId }: { networkId: string }) {
   const { data: networks } = useNetworks();
@@ -117,10 +119,15 @@ function TopBar() {
 }
 
 export default function LayoutWithPath() {
+  useComposeKeyboard();
+
   return (
     <div className="flex h-screen flex-col">
       <TopBar />
-      <Outlet />
+      <div className="relative flex-1 overflow-hidden">
+        <Outlet />
+        <ComposeOverlay />
+      </div>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/js/src/features/network-root.tsx b/js/src/features/network-root.tsx
index b4458dc..f28bd1d 100644
--- a/js/src/features/network-root.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/network-root.tsx
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ export default function NetworkRoot() {
   const path = particlePath(networkId!, []);
 
   return (
-    <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">
-      <ParticleListView path={path} />
-    </div>
+    <ParticleListView path={path} />
   );
 }
diff --git a/js/src/features/particles/particle-list-view.tsx b/js/src/features/particles/particle-list-view.tsx
index 0d3205d..655a31f 100644
--- a/js/src/features/particles/particle-list-view.tsx
+++ b/js/src/features/particles/particle-list-view.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { useLiveParticleChildren } from "@/hooks/use-particle";
 import type { ParticlePath } from "@/lib/particle-path";
-import ControlsIndicator from "@/features/send/controls-indicator";
+import ControlsIndicator from "@/features/compose/controls-indicator";
 
 interface ParticleListViewProps {
   path: ParticlePath;
diff --git a/js/src/features/send/use-recorder.ts b/js/src/features/send/use-recorder.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index f46b364..0000000
--- a/js/src/features/send/use-recorder.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,190 +0,0 @@
-import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
-import { apiClient } from "@/api/client";
-import { useAppStore } from "@/stores/app-store";
-import { usePlaybackStore } from "@/stores/playback-store";
-import { useRecordingStore } from "@/stores/recording-store";
-
-const VIDEO_PREFERRED_MIME = "video/webm;codecs=vp9,opus";
-const VIDEO_FALLBACK_MIME = "video/webm";
-const AUDIO_PREFERRED_MIME = "audio/webm;codecs=opus";
-const AUDIO_FALLBACK_MIME = "audio/webm";
-
-function getMediaMime(mode: "video" | "audio"): string {
-  if (mode === "audio") {
-    if (MediaRecorder.isTypeSupported(AUDIO_PREFERRED_MIME))
-      return AUDIO_PREFERRED_MIME;
-    return AUDIO_FALLBACK_MIME;
-  }
-  if (MediaRecorder.isTypeSupported(VIDEO_PREFERRED_MIME))
-    return VIDEO_PREFERRED_MIME;
-  return VIDEO_FALLBACK_MIME;
-}
-
-export function useRecorder(
-  streamId: string | null,
-  networkId: string | null,
-) {
-  const recorderRef = useRef<MediaRecorder | null>(null);
-  const streamRef = useRef<MediaStream | null>(null);
-  const chunksRef = useRef<Blob[]>([]);
-  const startTimeRef = useRef<number>(0);
-  const mimeRef = useRef<string>("");
-
-  const recordingMode = useRecordingStore((s) => s.recordingMode);
-  const setStatus = useRecordingStore((s) => s.setStatus);
-  const setError = useRecordingStore((s) => s.setError);
-  const setMediaStream = useRecordingStore((s) => s.setMediaStream);
-  const setReviewBlob = useRecordingStore((s) => s.setReviewBlob);
-  const resetRecording = useRecordingStore((s) => s.reset);
-
-  const stopTracks = useCallback(() => {
-    streamRef.current?.getTracks().forEach((t) => t.stop());
-    streamRef.current = null;
-    recorderRef.current = null;
-    chunksRef.current = [];
-    setMediaStream(null);
-  }, [setMediaStream]);
-
-  const confirmSend = useCallback(async () => {
-    if (!streamId || !networkId) return;
-
-    const { reviewBlob, reviewDurationMs } = useRecordingStore.getState();
-    if (!reviewBlob) return;
-
-    setStatus("uploading");
-
-    try {
-      const mimeType = reviewBlob.type || VIDEO_FALLBACK_MIME;
-      const fileName = `recording-${Date.now()}.webm`;
-
-      const { object_id, upload_url } = await apiClient.prepareUpload({
-        network_id: networkId,
-        name: fileName,
-        content_type: mimeType,
-        content_length: reviewBlob.size,
-      });
-
-      await fetch(upload_url, {
-        method: "PUT",
-        headers: { "Content-Type": mimeType },
-        body: reviewBlob,
-      });
-
-      await apiClient.confirmUpload(object_id);
-
-      // const particle = await apiClient.createStreamParticle(streamId, {
-      //   type: "media",
-      //   data: {
-      //     object_id,
-      //     duration_ms: reviewDurationMs,
-      //     mime_type: mimeType,
-      //   },
-      // });
-      //
-      // addParticleToStream(streamId, particle);
-
-      // const playbackState = usePlaybackStore.getState();
-      // if (playbackState.streamId === streamId) {
-      //   usePlaybackStore.setState({
-      //     particles: [...playbackState.particles, particle],
-      //   });
-      // }
-
-      resetRecording();
-    } catch (err) {
-      setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Upload failed");
-    }
-  }, [streamId, networkId, setStatus, setError, resetRecording]);
-
-  const startRecording = useCallback(async () => {
-    const currentStatus = useRecordingStore.getState().status;
-    if (currentStatus !== "idle") return;
-
-    try {
-      const constraints =
-        recordingMode === "video"
-          ? { video: true, audio: true }
-          : { audio: true };
-
-      setStatus("recording");
-
-      const mediaStream =
-        await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia(constraints);
-
-      streamRef.current = mediaStream;
-      setMediaStream(mediaStream);
-      chunksRef.current = [];
-      startTimeRef.current = Date.now();
-
-      const mime = getMediaMime(recordingMode);
-      mimeRef.current = mime;
-      const recorder = new MediaRecorder(mediaStream, { mimeType: mime });
-      recorderRef.current = recorder;
-
-      recorder.ondataavailable = (e) => {
-        if (e.data.size > 0) chunksRef.current.push(e.data);
-      };
-
-      recorder.onstop = () => {
-        const durationMs = Date.now() - startTimeRef.current;
-        const blob = new Blob(chunksRef.current, { type: mime });
-        stopTracks();
-
-        if (blob.size > 0) {
-          setReviewBlob(blob, durationMs);
-        } else {
-          resetRecording();
-        }
-      };
-
-      recorder.start();
-    } catch (err) {
-      stopTracks();
-      setError(
-        err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Failed to start recording",
-      );
-    }
-  }, [
-    recordingMode,
-    setStatus,
-    setError,
-    setMediaStream,
-    setReviewBlob,
-    stopTracks,
-    resetRecording,
-  ]);
-
-  const stopRecording = useCallback(() => {
-    if (recorderRef.current?.state === "recording") {
-      recorderRef.current.stop();
-    }
-  }, []);
-
-  const cancelRecording = useCallback(() => {
-    const currentStatus = useRecordingStore.getState().status;
-
-    if (currentStatus === "reviewing") {
-      resetRecording();
-      return;
-    }
-
-    if (recorderRef.current) {
-      recorderRef.current.ondataavailable = null;
-      recorderRef.current.onstop = null;
-      if (recorderRef.current.state === "recording") {
-        recorderRef.current.stop();
-      }
-    }
-    stopTracks();
-    resetRecording();
-  }, [stopTracks, resetRecording]);
-
-  // Cleanup on unmount
-  useEffect(() => {
-    return () => {
-      stopTracks();
-    };
-  }, [stopTracks]);
-
-  return { startRecording, stopRecording, cancelRecording, confirmSend };
-}
diff --git a/js/src/stores/compose-store.ts b/js/src/stores/compose-store.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c532c69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/src/stores/compose-store.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+import { create } from "zustand";
+
+export type ComposeStep =
+  | "idle"
+  | "recording"
+  | "reviewing"
+  | "typing"
+  | "configuring";
+
+export type RecordingMode = "video" | "audio";
+
+const RECORDING_MODE_KEY = "llink:recording-mode";
+
+function loadRecordingMode(): RecordingMode {
+  const stored = localStorage.getItem(RECORDING_MODE_KEY);
+  return stored === "audio" ? "audio" : "video";
+}
+
+interface ComposeState {
+  // Flow
+  step: ComposeStep;
+  networkId: string | null;
+  error: string | null;
+
+  // Text compose
+  textContent: string;
+
+  // Recording
+  recordingMode: RecordingMode;
+  mediaStream: MediaStream | null;
+  reviewBlob: Blob | null;
+  reviewDurationMs: number;
+
+  // Transitions
+  startRecording: (networkId: string) => void;
+  finishRecording: (blob: Blob, durationMs: number) => void;
+  startTyping: (networkId: string) => void;
+  advanceToConfigure: () => void;
+  setTextContent: (text: string) => void;
+  cancel: () => void;
+
+  // Recording helpers (called by useRecorder)
+  setMediaStream: (stream: MediaStream | null) => void;
+  setRecordingMode: (mode: RecordingMode) => void;
+  setError: (error: string) => void;
+}
+
+export const useComposeStore = create<ComposeState>((set, get) => ({
+  step: "idle",
+  networkId: null,
+  error: null,
+  textContent: "",
+  recordingMode: loadRecordingMode(),
+  mediaStream: null,
+  reviewBlob: null,
+  reviewDurationMs: 0,
+
+  startRecording: (networkId) => {
+    if (get().step !== "idle") return;
+    set({
+      step: "recording",
+      networkId,
+      error: null,
+      reviewBlob: null,
+      reviewDurationMs: 0,
+    });
+  },
+
+  finishRecording: (blob, durationMs) => {
+    if (get().step !== "recording") return;
+    set({ step: "reviewing", reviewBlob: blob, reviewDurationMs: durationMs });
+  },
+
+  startTyping: (networkId) => {
+    if (get().step !== "idle") return;
+    set({ step: "typing", networkId, textContent: "", error: null });
+  },
+
+  advanceToConfigure: () => {
+    const { step } = get();
+    if (step !== "reviewing" && step !== "typing") return;
+    set({ step: "configuring" });
+  },
+
+  setTextContent: (textContent) => set({ textContent }),
+
+  cancel: () =>
+    set({
+      step: "idle",
+      networkId: null,
+      error: null,
+      textContent: "",
+      mediaStream: null,
+      reviewBlob: null,
+      reviewDurationMs: 0,
+    }),
+
+  setMediaStream: (mediaStream) => set({ mediaStream }),
+
+  setRecordingMode: (mode) => {
+    localStorage.setItem(RECORDING_MODE_KEY, mode);
+    set({ recordingMode: mode });
+  },
+
+  setError: (error) => set({ error }),
+}));
diff --git a/js/src/stores/recording-store.ts b/js/src/stores/recording-store.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 71caec9..0000000
--- a/js/src/stores/recording-store.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,54 +0,0 @@
-import { create } from "zustand";
-
-type RecordingStatus = "idle" | "recording" | "reviewing" | "uploading" | "error";
-type RecordingMode = "video" | "audio";
-
-const RECORDING_MODE_KEY = "llink:recording-mode";
-
-function loadRecordingMode(): RecordingMode {
-  const stored = localStorage.getItem(RECORDING_MODE_KEY);
-  return stored === "audio" ? "audio" : "video";
-}
-
-interface RecordingState {
-  status: RecordingStatus;
-  error: string | null;
-  mediaStream: MediaStream | null;
-  recordingMode: RecordingMode;
-  reviewBlob: Blob | null;
-  reviewDurationMs: number;
-
-  setStatus: (status: RecordingStatus) => void;
-  setError: (error: string) => void;
-  setMediaStream: (stream: MediaStream | null) => void;
-  setRecordingMode: (mode: RecordingMode) => void;
-  setReviewBlob: (blob: Blob, durationMs: number) => void;
-  reset: () => void;
-}
-
-export const useRecordingStore = create<RecordingState>((set) => ({
-  status: "idle",
-  error: null,
-  mediaStream: null,
-  recordingMode: loadRecordingMode(),
-  reviewBlob: null,
-  reviewDurationMs: 0,
-
-  setStatus: (status) => set({ status, error: null }),
-  setError: (error) => set({ status: "error", error }),
-  setMediaStream: (mediaStream) => set({ mediaStream }),
-  setRecordingMode: (recordingMode) => {
-    localStorage.setItem(RECORDING_MODE_KEY, recordingMode);
-    set({ recordingMode });
-  },
-  setReviewBlob: (reviewBlob, reviewDurationMs) =>
-    set({ status: "reviewing", reviewBlob, reviewDurationMs }),
-  reset: () =>
-    set({
-      status: "idle",
-      error: null,
-      mediaStream: null,
-      reviewBlob: null,
-      reviewDurationMs: 0,
-    }),
-}));