diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/InstallVersionModal.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/InstallVersionModal.vue
index 47edbc73..36977f87 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/components/InstallVersionModal.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/InstallVersionModal.vue
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
       <div class="flex gap-2 mt-6">
         <button
           type="button"
-          class="flex-1 rounded-lg bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-500 disabled:opacity-50 text-white text-sm font-semibold py-2.5 transition-colors"
+          class="flex-1 rounded-lg bg-orange-500 hover:bg-orange-600 disabled:opacity-50 text-white text-sm font-semibold py-2.5 transition-colors"
           :disabled="loading || !selected"
           @click="confirm"
         >
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/composables/useControllerNav.ts b/neode-ui/src/composables/useControllerNav.ts
index 2b855f3d..d667627d 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/composables/useControllerNav.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/composables/useControllerNav.ts
@@ -236,8 +236,17 @@ export function useControllerNav(containerRef?: { value: HTMLElement | null }) {
 
     // ── TEXT INPUT HANDLING ──────────────────────────────────
     if (target.tagName === 'INPUT' || target.tagName === 'TEXTAREA') {
-      if (e.key === 'Enter' && target.tagName === 'INPUT' && (target as HTMLInputElement).type !== 'submit') {
-        // Enter in input: click next button (submit pattern)
+      if (
+        e.key === 'Enter' &&
+        target.tagName === 'INPUT' &&
+        (target as HTMLInputElement).type !== 'submit' &&
+        !target.hasAttribute('data-controller-no-submit')
+      ) {
+        // Enter in input: click next button (submit pattern). Live-filter
+        // search boxes opt out via data-controller-no-submit — the "next
+        // focusable element" after a search field is often an unrelated
+        // button (a clear icon, a sideload/upload action) that just happens
+        // to sit next to it in the DOM, not a submit action for the query.
         e.preventDefault()
         const all = getFocusableElements(containerRef?.value ?? document)
         const idx = all.indexOf(target)
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/locales/en.json b/neode-ui/src/locales/en.json
index c618d628..bc632719 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/locales/en.json
+++ b/neode-ui/src/locales/en.json
@@ -441,13 +441,11 @@
     "yourTorAddress": "Your Tor address",
     "discoverableWarning": "Making your node discoverable lets other Archipelago users find and connect with you.",
     "noPeers": "No peers yet. Add a peer manually or use Discover to find nodes on Nostr.",
-    "noMessages": "No messages yet. Messages from peers will appear here.",
     "noRequests": "No pending connection requests.",
     "accept": "Accept",
     "reject": "Reject",
     "discovering": "Discovering...",
     "discoverNodes": "Discover Nodes on Nostr",
-    "refreshMessages": "Refresh Messages",
     "refreshRequests": "Refresh Requests",
     "torServices": "Tor Services",
     "torServicesDesc": "Hidden services exposing your apps over Tor",
@@ -530,7 +528,6 @@
     "observer": "Observer",
     "observers": "Observers",
     "noObservers": "No observers yet.",
-    "messages": "Messages",
     "requests": "Requests",
     "myContent": "My Content",
     "browsePeers": "Browse Peers",
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/locales/es.json b/neode-ui/src/locales/es.json
index c7bd54f7..b4fd127b 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/locales/es.json
+++ b/neode-ui/src/locales/es.json
@@ -439,13 +439,11 @@
     "yourTorAddress": "Su direcci\u00f3n Tor",
     "discoverableWarning": "Hacer su nodo descubrible permite que otros usuarios de Archipelago le encuentren y se conecten con usted.",
     "noPeers": "A\u00fan no hay pares. Agregue un par manualmente o use Descubrir para encontrar nodos en Nostr.",
-    "noMessages": "A\u00fan no hay mensajes. Los mensajes de pares aparecer\u00e1n aqu\u00ed.",
     "noRequests": "No hay solicitudes de conexi\u00f3n pendientes.",
     "accept": "Aceptar",
     "reject": "Rechazar",
     "discovering": "Descubriendo...",
     "discoverNodes": "Descubrir nodos en Nostr",
-    "refreshMessages": "Actualizar mensajes",
     "refreshRequests": "Actualizar solicitudes",
     "torServices": "Servicios Tor",
     "torServicesDesc": "Servicios ocultos que exponen sus aplicaciones a trav\u00e9s de Tor",
@@ -528,7 +526,6 @@
     "observer": "Observador",
     "observers": "Observadores",
     "noObservers": "A\u00fan no hay observadores.",
-    "messages": "Mensajes",
     "requests": "Solicitudes",
     "myContent": "Mi contenido",
     "browsePeers": "Explorar pares",
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/style.css b/neode-ui/src/style.css
index ce209929..432736b9 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/style.css
+++ b/neode-ui/src/style.css
@@ -420,6 +420,46 @@ input[type="radio"]:active + * {
     max-width: none;
   }
 
+  /* Give the search bar the same pill-container look as .mode-switcher (the
+     My Apps/App Store/Services and category tabs it sits next to), instead
+     of its own brighter ad-hoc background/border. */
+  .app-header-search {
+    padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
+    border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+    outline: none;
+    transition: border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease;
+  }
+
+  .app-header-search:focus {
+    border-color: rgba(251, 146, 60, 0.35);
+    background-color: rgba(251, 146, 60, 0.08);
+  }
+
+  /* Match the search bar to the tabs it sits beside — not just the inner
+     button, but the full .mode-switcher pill container (button + its 3px
+     padding + border): 40px on desktop. On mobile, the visible tab row is
+     the floating top tab bar (DashboardMobileNav), measured at 52px. */
+  @media (min-width: 921px) {
+    .app-header-search {
+      height: 40px;
+      padding-top: 0;
+      padding-bottom: 0;
+      font-size: 0.8rem;
+      box-sizing: border-box;
+    }
+  }
+
+  @media (max-width: 920px) {
+    .app-header-search {
+      height: 52px;
+      padding-top: 0;
+      padding-bottom: 0;
+      box-sizing: border-box;
+    }
+  }
+
   .segmented-select .mode-switcher-btn {
     flex: 0 0 auto;
   }
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/Apps.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/Apps.vue
index be850005..413b1a0f 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/Apps.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/Apps.vue
@@ -61,7 +61,8 @@
             type="text"
             :placeholder="t('apps.searchPlaceholder')"
             :aria-label="t('apps.searchLabel')"
-            class="min-w-0 flex-1 px-4 py-2 bg-white/10 border border-white/20 rounded-lg text-white placeholder-white/50 focus:outline-none focus:border-white/40 transition-colors"
+            data-controller-no-submit
+            class="app-header-search min-w-0 flex-1 text-white placeholder-white/50 focus:outline-none transition-colors"
           />
           <button
             type="button"
@@ -110,7 +111,8 @@
             type="text"
             :placeholder="t('apps.searchPlaceholder')"
             :aria-label="t('apps.searchLabel')"
-            class="min-w-0 flex-1 px-4 py-3 bg-white/10 border border-white/20 rounded-lg text-white placeholder-white/50 focus:outline-none focus:border-white/40 transition-colors"
+            data-controller-no-submit
+            class="app-header-search min-w-0 flex-1 text-white placeholder-white/50 focus:outline-none transition-colors"
           />
           <button
             type="button"
@@ -260,6 +262,7 @@
       @confirm="onConfirmUninstall"
     />
 
+    <Teleport to="body">
     <Transition name="fade">
       <div
         v-if="credentialModal.show"
@@ -272,7 +275,11 @@
               <h2 class="text-lg font-semibold text-white">{{ credentialModal.title }}</h2>
               <p class="text-sm text-white/55 mt-1">{{ credentialModal.description }}</p>
             </div>
-            <button type="button" class="sideload-close-btn" aria-label="Close" @click="closeCredentialModal">&times;</button>
+            <button type="button" class="sideload-close-btn" aria-label="Close" @click="closeCredentialModal">
+              <svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12" />
+              </svg>
+            </button>
           </div>
           <div class="credential-modal-body space-y-3">
             <div v-for="cred in credentialModal.credentials" :key="cred.label" class="rounded-lg border border-white/10 bg-white/[0.04] p-3">
@@ -290,7 +297,9 @@
         </div>
       </div>
     </Transition>
+    </Teleport>
 
+    <Teleport to="body">
     <Transition name="fade">
       <div
         v-if="showSideload"
@@ -303,7 +312,11 @@
               <h2 class="text-lg font-semibold text-white">Sideload app</h2>
               <p class="text-sm text-white/55 mt-1">Install a trusted Docker image with a simple web UI.</p>
             </div>
-            <button type="button" class="sideload-close-btn" aria-label="Close" @click="closeSideload">&times;</button>
+            <button type="button" class="sideload-close-btn" aria-label="Close" @click="closeSideload">
+              <svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12" />
+              </svg>
+            </button>
           </div>
 
           <div class="space-y-4">
@@ -347,6 +360,7 @@
         </form>
       </div>
     </Transition>
+    </Teleport>
 
     <!-- Action error toast -->
     <Transition name="fade">
@@ -772,11 +786,11 @@ async function submitSideload() {
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
   flex-shrink: 0;
-  width: 42px;
-  height: 42px;
-  border-radius: 0.75rem;
-  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
-  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  width: 40px;
+  height: 40px;
+  border-radius: 0.5rem;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
   color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.78);
   transition: border-color 0.15s ease, background 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
 }
@@ -787,8 +801,8 @@ async function submitSideload() {
   color: white;
 }
 .sideload-icon-btn-mobile {
-  width: 48px;
-  height: 48px;
+  width: 52px;
+  height: 52px;
 }
 .sideload-modal {
   width: 100%;
@@ -796,18 +810,37 @@ async function submitSideload() {
   max-height: calc(100dvh - var(--safe-area-top, env(safe-area-inset-top, 0px)) - 12px);
   overflow-y: auto;
   border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
+  /* Bottom sheet on mobile (flush with the screen edge, so only the top
+     corners round); the md: breakpoint below switches to a centered
+     floating card, matching the wrapper's own items-end -> md:items-center
+     layout switch, so it gets fully rounded corners like every other modal. */
   border-radius: 1.5rem 1.5rem 0 0;
   background: rgba(8, 10, 18, 0.94);
   padding: 1.25rem;
   padding-bottom: calc(1.25rem + var(--safe-area-bottom, env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px)));
   box-shadow: 0 -24px 70px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
 }
+@media (min-width: 768px) {
+  .sideload-modal {
+    border-radius: 1.5rem;
+    box-shadow: 0 24px 70px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
+  }
+}
 .sideload-close-btn {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
   width: 2.25rem;
   height: 2.25rem;
   border-radius: 0.75rem;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.55);
-  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
+  background: transparent;
+  transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
+}
+.sideload-close-btn:hover,
+.sideload-close-btn:focus-visible {
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  color: white;
 }
 .sideload-label {
   display: block;
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/Discover.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/Discover.vue
index 7361d00c..7e5cc663 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/Discover.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/Discover.vue
@@ -54,7 +54,8 @@
           type="text"
           placeholder="Search apps..."
           aria-label="Search apps"
-          class="app-header-search px-4 py-2 bg-white/10 border border-white/20 rounded-lg text-white placeholder-white/50 focus:outline-none focus:border-white/40 transition-colors"
+          data-controller-no-submit
+          class="app-header-search text-white placeholder-white/50 focus:outline-none transition-colors"
         />
       </div>
 
@@ -84,7 +85,8 @@
           type="text"
           placeholder="Search apps..."
           aria-label="Search apps"
-          class="w-full px-4 py-3 bg-white/10 border border-white/20 rounded-lg text-white placeholder-white/50 focus:outline-none focus:border-white/40 transition-colors"
+          data-controller-no-submit
+          class="app-header-search w-full text-white placeholder-white/50 focus:outline-none transition-colors"
         />
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/Mesh.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/Mesh.vue
index 14b3b07a..64d910e1 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/Mesh.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/Mesh.vue
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ const connectingDevice = ref<string | null>(null)
 const showOnboardingModal = ref(false)
 const onboardingDismissed = ref<Set<string>>(new Set())
 const chatScrollEl = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const messageInputRef = ref<HTMLInputElement | null>(null)
 const mobileShowChat = ref(false)
 // Device status panel starts collapsed on mobile (expandable via its header).
 const deviceExpanded = ref(false)
@@ -366,13 +367,21 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   await Promise.all([mesh.refreshAll(), transport.fetchStatus(), refreshFederationNodes(), refreshSelfOnion(), refreshSelfDid(), refreshContacts()])
   refreshOutboxCount()
   // Deep-link from a message toast: open the sender's conversation if we can
-  // match it; otherwise just land on the mesh page (graceful fallback).
+  // match a LoRa mesh peer; otherwise open the Archipelago channel, since
+  // getReceivedMessages() (the toast's only message source) is exclusively
+  // Archipelago (Tor federation) traffic — a federation pubkey will never
+  // match an entry in mesh.peers, so without this fallback the deep-link
+  // silently failed and just landed on the bare mesh page every time.
   const targetPeer = typeof route.query.peer === 'string' ? route.query.peer : ''
   if (targetPeer) {
     const match = mesh.peers.find(
       (p) => p.pubkey_hex === targetPeer || p.did === targetPeer
     )
-    if (match) openChat(match)
+    if (match) {
+      openChat(match)
+    } else {
+      openArchChannel()
+    }
   }
   // Start background polling for Archipelago (Tor) messages so unread count works
   loadArchMessages()
@@ -913,7 +922,7 @@ async function handleSendMessage() {
   if (mesh.sending || sendingArch.value) return
   if (archChannelActive.value) {
     await sendArchMessage()
-    nextTick(() => scrollChatToBottom())
+    nextTick(() => { scrollChatToBottom(); refocusMessageInput() })
     return
   }
   // Pending reply: Send flushes as mesh.send-reply targeting the stashed
@@ -931,7 +940,7 @@ async function handleSendMessage() {
       )
       messageText.value = ''
       pendingEdit.value = null
-      nextTick(() => scrollChatToBottom())
+      nextTick(() => { scrollChatToBottom(); refocusMessageInput() })
     } catch (err: unknown) {
       sendError.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Edit failed'
     }
@@ -949,7 +958,7 @@ async function handleSendMessage() {
       )
       messageText.value = ''
       pendingReply.value = null
-      nextTick(() => scrollChatToBottom())
+      nextTick(() => { scrollChatToBottom(); refocusMessageInput() })
     } catch (err: unknown) {
       sendError.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Reply failed'
     }
@@ -966,7 +975,7 @@ async function handleSendMessage() {
       await mesh.sendContent(activeChatPeer.value.contact_id, pendingAttachment.value.cid, caption)
       messageText.value = ''
       pendingAttachment.value = null
-      nextTick(() => scrollChatToBottom())
+      nextTick(() => { scrollChatToBottom(); refocusMessageInput() })
     } catch (err: unknown) {
       sendError.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Share failed'
     }
@@ -978,11 +987,11 @@ async function handleSendMessage() {
     if (activeChatChannel.value) {
       await mesh.sendChannelMessage(activeChatChannel.value.index, messageText.value)
       messageText.value = ''
-      nextTick(() => scrollChatToBottom())
+      nextTick(() => { scrollChatToBottom(); refocusMessageInput() })
     } else if (activeChatPeer.value) {
       await mesh.sendMessage(activeChatPeer.value.contact_id, messageText.value)
       messageText.value = ''
-      nextTick(() => scrollChatToBottom())
+      nextTick(() => { scrollChatToBottom(); refocusMessageInput() })
     }
   } catch (err: unknown) {
     sendError.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Send failed'
@@ -995,6 +1004,13 @@ function scrollChatToBottom() {
   }
 }
 
+// Keep the compose field focused after a send so the user can keep typing
+// without re-clicking it (Enter re-focuses natively, but the Send button
+// click otherwise leaves focus on the button).
+function refocusMessageInput() {
+  messageInputRef.value?.focus()
+}
+
 // Wheel over the chat must scroll ONLY the chat — never leak to the contacts
 // list or the page. Bound with `@wheel.stop.prevent`: `.stop` keeps the event
 // from reaching the global controller-nav wheel handler (which would otherwise
@@ -1869,6 +1885,7 @@ async function downloadAttachment(payload: MeshAttachmentPayload) {
               class="mesh-peer-search"
               placeholder="Search contacts…"
               aria-label="Search contacts"
+              data-controller-no-submit
             />
             <button
               v-if="peerSearch"
@@ -2301,6 +2318,7 @@ async function downloadAttachment(payload: MeshAttachmentPayload) {
                   </button>
                 </div>
                 <input
+                  ref="messageInputRef"
                   v-model="messageText"
                   class="mesh-chat-input"
                   :placeholder="activeChatPeer ? 'Type a message or pick a file…' : 'Type a message...'"
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/AppIconGrid.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/AppIconGrid.vue
index 4302e28c..96d4353c 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/AppIconGrid.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/AppIconGrid.vue
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@
       ></button>
     </div>
 
+    <Teleport to="body">
     <Transition name="fade">
       <div v-if="credentialModal.show" class="credential-modal-overlay fixed inset-0 z-[2700] flex items-center justify-center bg-black/80 backdrop-blur-md p-4" @click.self="closeCredentialModal">
         <div class="credential-modal-panel">
@@ -99,7 +100,11 @@
               <h2 class="text-lg font-semibold text-white">{{ credentialModal.title }}</h2>
               <p class="text-sm text-white/55 mt-1">{{ credentialModal.description }}</p>
             </div>
-            <button type="button" class="sideload-close-btn" aria-label="Close" @click="closeCredentialModal">&times;</button>
+            <button type="button" class="sideload-close-btn" aria-label="Close" @click="closeCredentialModal">
+              <svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12" />
+              </svg>
+            </button>
           </div>
           <div class="credential-modal-body space-y-3">
             <div v-for="cred in credentialModal.credentials" :key="cred.label" class="rounded-lg border border-white/10 bg-white/[0.04] p-3">
@@ -117,6 +122,7 @@
         </div>
       </div>
     </Transition>
+    </Teleport>
   </div>
 </template>
 
@@ -344,27 +350,22 @@ function scrollToPage(index: number) {
   transform: scale(0.88);
 }
 
-.sideload-modal {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 34rem;
-  max-height: calc(100dvh - var(--safe-area-top, env(safe-area-inset-top, 0px)) - 12px);
-  overflow: hidden;
-  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
-  border-radius: 1.5rem 1.5rem 0 0;
-  background: rgba(8, 10, 18, 0.94);
-  padding: 1.25rem;
-  padding-bottom: calc(1.25rem + var(--safe-area-bottom, env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px)));
-  box-shadow: 0 -24px 70px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
-}
 .sideload-close-btn {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
   width: 2.25rem;
   height: 2.25rem;
   flex-shrink: 0;
   border-radius: 0.75rem;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.55);
-  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
+  background: transparent;
+  transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
+}
+.sideload-close-btn:hover,
+.sideload-close-btn:focus-visible {
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  color: white;
 }
 .credential-modal-body {
   flex: 1 1 auto;
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/LightningChannels.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/LightningChannels.vue
index 6129a276..2a55d735 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/LightningChannels.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/LightningChannels.vue
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@
     </Transition>
 
     <!-- Open Channel Modal -->
+    <Teleport to="body">
     <div v-if="showOpenModal" class="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/60 backdrop-blur-md" @click.self="showOpenModal = false">
       <div class="glass-card p-6 w-full max-w-md mx-4">
         <h2 class="text-lg font-bold text-white mb-4">Open Channel</h2>
@@ -166,15 +167,17 @@
           <button
             @click="openChannel"
             :disabled="openingChannel"
-            class="flex-1 glass-button px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-medium bg-blue-500/20 border-blue-500/30"
+            class="flex-1 glass-button glass-button-warning px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-medium"
           >
             {{ openingChannel ? 'Opening...' : 'Open Channel' }}
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
+    </Teleport>
 
     <!-- Close Confirmation Modal -->
+    <Teleport to="body">
     <div v-if="closeTarget" class="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/60 backdrop-blur-md" @click.self="closeTarget = null">
       <div class="glass-card p-6 w-full max-w-sm mx-4">
         <h2 class="text-lg font-bold text-white mb-2">Close Channel?</h2>
@@ -194,6 +197,7 @@
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
+    </Teleport>
   </div>
 </template>
 
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/__tests__/AppIconGrid.test.ts b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/__tests__/AppIconGrid.test.ts
index abd9d664..5322944b 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/__tests__/AppIconGrid.test.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/__tests__/AppIconGrid.test.ts
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ describe('AppIconGrid', () => {
       props: { apps: [['filebrowser', makePkg('filebrowser')]] },
       global: {
         plugins: [pinia],
+        // The credential modal is <Teleport to="body">'d (so its full-screen
+        // backdrop isn't clipped by the dashboard's transformed layout) —
+        // stub it to render inline so wrapper.text() still sees it.
+        stubs: { teleport: true },
       },
     })
 
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/federation/NodeDetailModal.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/federation/NodeDetailModal.vue
index 843446ee..9dc07f81 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/federation/NodeDetailModal.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/federation/NodeDetailModal.vue
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <template>
+  <Teleport to="body">
   <div v-if="node" class="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center p-4 bg-black/60 backdrop-blur-md" @click.self="handleClose">
     <div class="glass-card p-6 w-full max-w-lg max-h-[80vh] overflow-y-auto">
       <div class="flex items-center justify-between mb-6">
@@ -125,6 +126,7 @@
       </div>
     </div>
   </div>
+  </Teleport>
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/mesh/mesh-styles.css b/neode-ui/src/views/mesh/mesh-styles.css
index 1e921fa8..d30e3e1c 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/mesh/mesh-styles.css
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/mesh/mesh-styles.css
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@
 
 .mesh-view {
   padding: 24px;
-  max-width: 1600px;
-  margin: 0 auto;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: 16px;
@@ -57,14 +55,16 @@
 .mesh-columns-wide .mesh-mobile-back-btn,
 .mesh-columns-wide .mesh-tab-bar { display: none; }
 .mesh-status-card { padding: 16px; flex-shrink: 0; }
-.mesh-status-header { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 12px; }
+.mesh-status-header { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 12px; cursor: pointer; }
+.mesh-status-card.mesh-status-collapsed .mesh-status-header { margin-bottom: 0; }
+.mesh-status-card.mesh-status-collapsed .mesh-status-grid,
+.mesh-status-card.mesh-status-collapsed .mesh-detected-devices { display: none; }
 .mesh-status-indicator { width: 8px; height: 8px; border-radius: 50%; flex-shrink: 0; }
 .mesh-status-indicator.connected { background: #4ade80; box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(74, 222, 128, 0.5); }
 .mesh-status-indicator.disconnected { background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3); }
 .mesh-section-title { font-size: 0.95rem; font-weight: 600; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); margin: 0; }
-/* Collapse chevron — only used on mobile (hidden on desktop, where the Device
-   panel is always expanded). Kept small and pushed to the far right. */
-.mesh-status-chevron { display: none; width: 16px; height: 16px; margin-left: auto; flex-shrink: 0; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); transition: transform 0.2s ease; }
+/* Collapse chevron — the Device panel collapses/expands on every breakpoint. */
+.mesh-status-chevron { display: block; width: 16px; height: 16px; margin-left: auto; flex-shrink: 0; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); transition: transform 0.2s ease; }
 .mesh-status-card:not(.mesh-status-collapsed) .mesh-status-chevron { transform: rotate(180deg); }
 .mesh-status-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 8px; }
 .mesh-stat { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1px; padding: 8px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05); border-radius: 6px; }
@@ -91,10 +91,10 @@
 .mesh-peer-row.active { background: rgba(251, 146, 60, 0.1); border: 1px solid rgba(251, 146, 60, 0.2); }
 .mesh-peer-avatar { position: relative; width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 50%; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; font-size: 0.9rem; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6); flex-shrink: 0; font-weight: 600; }
 .mesh-peer-search-wrap { position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px; flex-shrink: 0; }
-.mesh-peer-search { width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 7px 30px 7px 10px; font-size: 0.85rem; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); background: rgba(0,0,0,0.25); color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9); outline: none; }
+.mesh-peer-search { width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 7px 36px 7px 10px; font-size: 0.85rem; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); background: rgba(0,0,0,0.25); color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9); outline: none; }
 .mesh-peer-search::placeholder { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.35); }
 .mesh-peer-search:focus { border-color: rgba(251,146,60,0.4); }
-.mesh-peer-search-clear { position: absolute; top: 50%; right: 6px; transform: translateY(-50%); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 20px; height: 20px; line-height: 1; border: none; border-radius: 50%; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.12); color: rgba(255,255,255,0.7); font-size: 15px; cursor: pointer; padding: 0; }
+.mesh-peer-search-clear { position: absolute; top: 50%; right: 4px; transform: translateY(-50%); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 28px; height: 28px; line-height: 1; border: none; border-radius: 50%; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.12); color: rgba(255,255,255,0.7); font-size: 15px; cursor: pointer; padding: 0; touch-action: manipulation; }
 .mesh-peer-search-clear:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.22); color: #fff; }
 .mesh-peer-reach { position: absolute; bottom: -1px; right: -1px; width: 10px; height: 10px; border-radius: 50%; border: 2px solid #11131a; }
 .mesh-peer-reach.is-reachable { background: #34d399; }
@@ -271,14 +271,6 @@
   /* Floating mesh tab strip — same placement logic as the mobile back button. */
   .mesh-mobile-tabbar { display: flex; }
   .mobile-hidden { display: none !important; }
-  /* Device panel is a collapsible/expandable accordion on mobile (starts
-     collapsed). Show the chevron, make the header tappable, and hide the body
-     when collapsed. */
-  .mesh-status-chevron { display: block; }
-  .mesh-status-card .mesh-status-header { cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 12px; }
-  .mesh-status-card.mesh-status-collapsed .mesh-status-header { margin-bottom: 0; }
-  .mesh-status-card.mesh-status-collapsed .mesh-status-grid,
-  .mesh-status-card.mesh-status-collapsed .mesh-detected-devices { display: none; }
   :deep(.mesh-bitcoin-panel),
   :deep(.mesh-assistant-panel),
   :deep(.mesh-deadman-panel) { flex: none; cursor: pointer; flex-shrink: 0; }
@@ -297,6 +289,29 @@
   .mesh-chat-mobile-back.mobile-back-btn {
     left: 268px;
   }
+
+  /* The ≤1279px bottom offsets above reserve `--mobile-tab-bar-height` for the
+     OS-style bottom nav bar — but that bar only ever renders below 768px
+     (DashboardMobileNav's `md:hidden`); here the desktop sidebar is the primary
+     nav instead, so the var is always unset and its 72px fallback becomes a
+     phantom reservation with nothing under it, leaving a huge dead gap below
+     the panel. Drop that term so bottom clearance matches the top/left/right
+     margins, keeping only the space actually needed for the in-page floating
+     tab bar / back button. */
+  .mesh-left,
+  .mesh-mobile-tools,
+  .mesh-chat-card.mesh-chat-card-active {
+    bottom: calc(var(--audio-player-height, 0px) + 72px);
+  }
+  .mesh-chat-card.mesh-chat-card-active {
+    bottom: calc(max(var(--audio-player-height, 0px), var(--keyboard-inset, 0px)) + 68px);
+  }
+  .mesh-mobile-tabbar {
+    bottom: calc(var(--audio-player-height, 0px) + 12px);
+  }
+  .mesh-chat-mobile-back.mobile-back-btn {
+    bottom: calc(max(var(--audio-player-height, 0px), var(--keyboard-inset, 0px)) + 8px);
+  }
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 920px) {
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5.vue
index 6b72f584..729528ba 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5.vue
@@ -90,8 +90,7 @@ let web5AnimationDone = false
 </script>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, onMounted, onUnmounted, watch } from 'vue'
-import { useRoute } from 'vue-router'
+import { ref, computed, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue'
 import { useI18n } from 'vue-i18n'
 import { rpcClient } from '@/api/rpc-client'
 import { safeClipboardWrite } from './utils'
@@ -110,7 +109,6 @@ import Web5Monitoring from './Web5Monitoring.vue'
 import Web5Federation from './Web5Federation.vue'
 // import Web5SendReceiveModals from './Web5SendReceiveModals.vue'  // wallet hidden
 
-const route = useRoute()
 const { t } = useI18n()
 
 const showStagger = !web5AnimationDone
@@ -409,11 +407,6 @@ onMounted(() => {
     loadTransactions()
     loadEcashBalance()
   }, 30000)
-
-  // Open Messages tab when navigated via toast
-  if (route.query.tab === 'messages') {
-    connectedNodesRef.value?.scrollToMessages()
-  }
 })
 
 onUnmounted(() => {
@@ -422,10 +415,4 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
     walletRefreshInterval = null
   }
 })
-
-watch(() => route.query.tab, (tab) => {
-  if (tab === 'messages') {
-    connectedNodesRef.value?.scrollToMessages()
-  }
-})
 </script>
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5ConnectedNodes.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5ConnectedNodes.vue
index 834280c2..ac84816c 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5ConnectedNodes.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5ConnectedNodes.vue
@@ -57,15 +57,6 @@
         {{ t('web5.observers') }}
         <span v-if="observers.length > 0" class="ml-1.5 text-xs text-white/50">({{ observers.length }})</span>
       </button>
-      <button
-        @click="switchToMessagesTab"
-        class="px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium rounded-t-lg transition-colors flex items-center gap-1.5"
-        :class="nodesContainerTab === 'messages' ? 'bg-white/10 text-white' : 'text-white/60 hover:text-white/80 hover:bg-white/5'"
-      >
-        {{ t('web5.messages') }}
-        <span v-if="receivedMessages.length > 0" class="ml-1.5 text-xs" :class="unreadCount > 0 ? 'text-orange-400' : 'text-white/50'">({{ receivedMessages.length }})</span>
-        <span v-if="unreadCount > 0" class="w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-orange-500 animate-pulse"></span>
-      </button>
       <button
         @click="switchToRequestsTab"
         class="px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium rounded-t-lg transition-colors flex items-center gap-1.5"
@@ -140,30 +131,6 @@
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Messages tab -->
-    <div v-show="nodesContainerTab === 'messages'" class="space-y-2 max-h-72 overflow-y-auto">
-      <div v-if="loadingMessages && receivedMessages.length === 0" class="p-4 text-center text-white/60 text-sm">
-        {{ t('common.loading') }}
-      </div>
-      <div v-else-if="receivedMessages.length === 0" class="p-4 text-center text-white/60 text-sm">
-        {{ t('web5.noMessages') }}
-      </div>
-      <div v-else-if="loadingMessages" class="p-2 text-center text-white/45 text-xs">
-        {{ t('common.loading') }}
-      </div>
-      <div
-        v-for="(m, idx) in receivedMessages"
-        :key="idx"
-        class="p-3 bg-white/5 rounded-lg border-l-2 border-orange-500/50"
-      >
-        <div class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 mb-1">
-          <p class="text-xs font-mono text-white/60 truncate" :title="m.from_pubkey">{{ peerNameFromPubkey(m.from_pubkey) }}</p>
-          <span class="text-xs text-white/40 shrink-0">{{ formatMessageTime(m.timestamp) }}</span>
-        </div>
-        <p class="text-sm text-white/90 break-words">{{ m.message }}</p>
-      </div>
-    </div>
-
     <!-- Requests tab -->
     <div v-show="nodesContainerTab === 'requests'" class="space-y-2 max-h-72 overflow-y-auto">
       <div v-if="loadingRequests && connectionRequests.length === 0" class="p-4 text-center text-white/60 text-sm">
@@ -238,14 +205,6 @@
       >
         {{ loadingPeers ? t('common.loading') : t('common.refresh') }}
       </button>
-      <button
-        v-else-if="nodesContainerTab === 'messages'"
-        @click="loadReceivedMessages"
-        :disabled="loadingMessages"
-        class="w-full px-4 py-2 glass-button rounded-lg text-sm font-medium text-white/90 hover:text-white transition-colors disabled:opacity-50"
-      >
-        {{ loadingMessages ? t('common.loading') : t('web5.refreshMessages') }}
-      </button>
       <button
         v-else
         @click="loadConnectionRequests"
@@ -309,7 +268,7 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, nextTick } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed } from 'vue'
 import { useRouter } from 'vue-router'
 import { useI18n } from 'vue-i18n'
 import { rpcClient } from '@/api/rpc-client'
@@ -361,8 +320,8 @@ function writeConnectedNodesCache(state: ConnectedNodesCache) {
 }
 
 const nodesContainerRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
-const nodesContainerTab = ref<'trusted' | 'observers' | 'messages' | 'requests'>('trusted')
-const { receivedMessages, loadingMessages, unreadCount, loadReceivedMessages, markAsRead } = messageToast
+const nodesContainerTab = ref<'trusted' | 'observers' | 'requests'>('trusted')
+const { loadReceivedMessages } = messageToast
 
 const cached = readConnectedNodesCache()
 const peers = ref<Peer[]>(cached.peers ?? [])
@@ -413,11 +372,6 @@ function federationNodeToPeer(node: FederationNode): Peer {
   }
 }
 
-function switchToMessagesTab() {
-  nodesContainerTab.value = 'messages'
-  markAsRead()
-}
-
 function switchToRequestsTab() {
   nodesContainerTab.value = 'requests'
   if (connectionRequests.value.length === 0 && !loadingRequests.value) {
@@ -586,13 +540,5 @@ async function rejectRequest(requestId: string) {
   }
 }
 
-function scrollToMessages() {
-  nodesContainerTab.value = 'messages'
-  markAsRead()
-  nextTick(() => {
-    nodesContainerRef.value?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'center' })
-  })
-}
-
-defineExpose({ loadPeers, loadReceivedMessages, loadConnectionRequests, peers, observers, scrollToMessages })
+defineExpose({ loadPeers, loadReceivedMessages, loadConnectionRequests, peers, observers })
 </script>
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5Identities.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5Identities.vue
index 221a3559..1d232c31 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5Identities.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5Identities.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <template>
   <!-- Identity Management -->
-  <div class="glass-card p-6">
+  <div class="glass-card p-6 identities-card">
     <!-- Desktop: side-by-side -->
     <div class="hidden md:flex items-center justify-between mb-4">
       <div class="flex items-center gap-3">
@@ -61,9 +61,10 @@
       <div
         v-for="(identity, idx) in managedIdentities"
         :key="identity.id"
-        :class="{ 'card-stagger': showStagger }" class="flex items-center gap-4 p-4 bg-white/5 rounded-lg"
+        :class="{ 'card-stagger': showStagger }" class="identity-row flex flex-col gap-3 p-4 bg-white/[0.08] rounded-lg"
         :style="{ '--stagger-index': idx }"
       >
+      <div class="identity-row-main flex items-center gap-4 min-w-0">
         <!-- Avatar -->
         <button @click="openProfileEditor(identity)" class="relative flex-shrink-0 w-10 h-10 rounded-full overflow-hidden group" title="Edit profile">
           <img
@@ -113,9 +114,10 @@
             </button>
           </div>
         </div>
+      </div>
 
         <!-- Actions -->
-        <div class="flex items-center gap-1 shrink-0">
+        <div class="flex items-center justify-end gap-1 shrink-0">
           <button @click="openKeyViewer(identity)" class="p-2 rounded-lg text-white/50 hover:text-white hover:bg-white/10 transition-colors" title="View keys">
             <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
               <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M15 7a2 2 0 012 2m4 0a6 6 0 01-7.743 5.743L11 17H9v2H7v2H4a1 1 0 01-1-1v-2.586a1 1 0 01.293-.707l5.964-5.964A6 6 0 1121 9z" />
@@ -168,7 +170,7 @@
       </div>
       <div class="flex gap-3 mt-6">
         <button @click="showCreateIdentityModal = false" class="flex-1 glass-button px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm">{{ t('common.cancel') }}</button>
-        <button @click="createIdentity" :disabled="creatingIdentity" class="flex-1 glass-button px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-medium bg-blue-500/20 border-blue-500/30">
+        <button @click="createIdentity" :disabled="creatingIdentity" class="flex-1 glass-button glass-button-warning px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-medium">
           {{ creatingIdentity ? t('web5.creatingDid') : t('web5.createIdentity') }}
         </button>
       </div>
@@ -697,3 +699,26 @@ async function publishProfile() {
 
 defineExpose({ loadIdentities, managedIdentities })
 </script>
+
+<style scoped>
+/* This card sits in a 2-column page grid, so its own rendered width is
+   roughly half the viewport — a viewport media query can't tell whether
+   the row actually has room for a horizontal layout. Use a container query
+   instead, keyed to the row's real width. */
+.identities-card {
+  container-type: inline-size;
+  container-name: identities-card;
+}
+
+@container identities-card (min-width: 560px) {
+  .identity-row {
+    flex-direction: row;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 1rem;
+  }
+
+  .identity-row-main {
+    flex: 1 1 auto;
+  }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5QuickActions.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5QuickActions.vue
index 58263a80..1989bb17 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5QuickActions.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/Web5QuickActions.vue
@@ -25,6 +25,20 @@
         </button>
       </div>
 
+      <!-- Mobile-only toggle: DID Status through Connected Nodes are often not
+           needed at a glance, so collapse them by default to save space. -->
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        class="md:hidden flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5 py-2 text-xs font-medium text-white/50 hover:text-white/80 transition-colors"
+        @click="mobileCollapsed = !mobileCollapsed"
+      >
+        {{ mobileCollapsed ? 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}
+        <svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5 transition-transform" :class="{ 'rotate-180': !mobileCollapsed }" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+          <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M19 9l-7 7-7-7" />
+        </svg>
+      </button>
+
+      <div :class="mobileCollapsed ? 'hidden md:contents' : 'contents'">
       <!-- DID Status -->
       <div data-controller-container tabindex="0" :class="{ 'card-stagger': showStagger }" class="flex flex-col gap-3 p-4 bg-white/5 rounded-lg min-w-0" style="--stagger-index: 1">
         <div class="flex items-center gap-3 min-w-0">
@@ -167,6 +181,7 @@
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
+      </div>
     </div>
   </div>
 
@@ -187,6 +202,7 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref } from 'vue'
 import { useRouter } from 'vue-router'
 import { useI18n } from 'vue-i18n'
 import type { ProfitsData, NostrRelayStatsData, HwWalletDevice } from './types'
@@ -194,6 +210,10 @@ import type { ProfitsData, NostrRelayStatsData, HwWalletDevice } from './types'
 const router = useRouter()
 const { t } = useI18n()
 
+// DID Status through Connected Nodes are often not needed at a glance on
+// mobile, so start collapsed there to save space. Desktop always shows them.
+const mobileCollapsed = ref(true)
+
 defineProps<{
   showStagger: boolean
   profitsBreakdown: ProfitsData | null
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/__tests__/Web5ConnectedNodes.test.ts b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/__tests__/Web5ConnectedNodes.test.ts
index 04da57fc..d4d18d33 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/web5/__tests__/Web5ConnectedNodes.test.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/web5/__tests__/Web5ConnectedNodes.test.ts
@@ -3,11 +3,6 @@ import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import Web5ConnectedNodes from '../Web5ConnectedNodes.vue'
 import { rpcClient } from '@/api/rpc-client'
 
-const messageState = vi.hoisted(() => ({
-  receivedMessages: { __v_isRef: true, value: [] as Array<{ from_pubkey: string; timestamp: number; message: string }> },
-  loadingMessages: { __v_isRef: true, value: false },
-}))
-
 vi.mock('vue-router', () => ({
   useRouter: () => ({ push: vi.fn() }),
 }))
@@ -27,11 +22,7 @@ vi.mock('@/api/rpc-client', () => ({
 
 vi.mock('@/composables/useMessageToast', () => ({
   useMessageToast: () => ({
-    receivedMessages: messageState.receivedMessages,
-    loadingMessages: messageState.loadingMessages,
-    unreadCount: { value: 0 },
     loadReceivedMessages: vi.fn(),
-    markAsRead: vi.fn(),
   }),
 }))
 
@@ -50,8 +41,6 @@ vi.mock('@/composables/useModalKeyboard', () => ({
 describe('Web5ConnectedNodes', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks()
-    messageState.receivedMessages.value = []
-    messageState.loadingMessages.value = false
   })
 
   it('shows a loading state for empty trusted nodes while peers are loading', async () => {
@@ -64,22 +53,6 @@ describe('Web5ConnectedNodes', () => {
     expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain('web5.noPeers')
   })
 
-  it('keeps received messages visible during refresh', async () => {
-    messageState.receivedMessages.value = [{
-      from_pubkey: 'peer-pubkey',
-      timestamp: 1760000000,
-      message: 'Existing message',
-    }]
-    messageState.loadingMessages.value = true
-
-    const wrapper = mount(Web5ConnectedNodes)
-    ;(wrapper.vm as unknown as { nodesContainerTab: string }).nodesContainerTab = 'messages'
-    await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
-
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Existing message')
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('common.loading')
-  })
-
   it('keeps connection requests visible while refresh is pending or fails', async () => {
     vi.mocked(rpcClient.call).mockResolvedValueOnce({
       requests: [{
diff --git a/reticulum-daemon/reticulum_daemon.py b/reticulum-daemon/reticulum_daemon.py
index 2fd17985..3fb15eef 100644
--- a/reticulum-daemon/reticulum_daemon.py
+++ b/reticulum-daemon/reticulum_daemon.py
@@ -502,7 +502,32 @@ def _parse_args(argv):
     return p.parse_args(argv)
 
 
+def _install_parent_death_signal() -> None:
+    """Die when our parent process does.
+
+    The daemon ships as a PyInstaller one-file binary: our direct parent is the
+    bootloader, and the Rust supervisor (mesh/reticulum.rs) stops us by SIGKILL-
+    ing that bootloader. SIGKILL can't be forwarded, so without this the Python
+    child is orphaned and keeps holding the RNode serial port — which piles up
+    stale daemons that jam the radio (observed: 9 instances on one node). Asking
+    the kernel to send us SIGTERM on parent death lets our existing SIGTERM
+    handler shut down cleanly and free the port. Linux-only; no-op elsewhere.
+    """
+    if sys.platform != "linux":
+        return
+    try:
+        import ctypes
+
+        PR_SET_PDEATHSIG = 1
+        ctypes.CDLL("libc.so.6", use_errno=True).prctl(
+            PR_SET_PDEATHSIG, signal.SIGTERM
+        )
+    except Exception:
+        pass  # best-effort; never block startup on this
+
+
 def main(argv=None) -> int:
+    _install_parent_death_signal()
     args = _parse_args(argv if argv is not None else sys.argv[1:])
 
     if args.check: