diff --git a/frontend/src/components/transcript-debug/ChatContainer.vue b/frontend/src/components/transcript-debug/ChatContainer.vue
index c7f5504..748c114 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/transcript-debug/ChatContainer.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/transcript-debug/ChatContainer.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick, TransitionGroup } from 'vue'
 import type {
   ParsedConversation,
   ParsedUserMessage,
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import AssistantMessageBubble from './AssistantMessageBubble.vue'
 import ProgressEvent from './ProgressEvent.vue'
 import SystemMessage from './SystemMessage.vue'
 import TurnEndDivider from './TurnEndDivider.vue'
+import CompactBoundaryDivider from './CompactBoundaryDivider.vue'
 import UserInput from './UserInput.vue'
 import SessionLifecycleStatus from './SessionLifecycleStatus.vue'
 import ResumeTerminalButton from './ResumeTerminalButton.vue'
@@ -49,17 +50,17 @@ const props = defineProps<{
 // ── Agent status display ──
 const sessionStore = useSessionState()
 
-const STATUS_DISPLAY: Record<AgentStatus, { color: string; label: string }> = {
-  idle:              { color: '#6b7280', label: 'Available' },
-  thinking:          { color: '#60a5fa', label: 'Thinking...' },
-  reading:           { color: '#22d3ee', label: 'Reading' },
-  writing:           { color: '#4ade80', label: 'Writing' },
-  toolUse:           { color: '#fbbf24', label: 'Using' },
-  permissionRequest: { color: '#fb923c', label: 'Waiting approval' },
-  interrupted:       { color: '#f87171', label: 'Interrupted' },
-  error:             { color: '#f87171', label: 'Error' },
-  sessionStart:      { color: '#60a5fa', label: 'Starting' },
-  sessionEnd:        { color: '#6b7280', label: 'Session ended' },
+const STATUS_DISPLAY: Record<AgentStatus, { color: string; label: string; icon: string; filled?: boolean; processing?: boolean }> = {
+  idle:              { color: '#6b7280', label: 'Available',        icon: 'M12 12m-2 0a2 2 0 1 0 4 0 2 2 0 1 0-4 0', filled: true },
+  thinking:          { color: '#60a5fa', label: 'Thinking...',      icon: 'M12 4v2m0 12v2m-8-8H2m20 0h-2m-2.9-5.1l-1.4 1.4m-9.4 9.4l-1.4 1.4m0-12.8l1.4 1.4m9.4 9.4l1.4 1.4', processing: true },
+  reading:           { color: '#22d3ee', label: 'Reading',          icon: 'M2 4h6a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v12a3 3 0 0 0-3-3H2zm20 0h-6a4 4 0 0 0-4 4v12a3 3 0 0 1 3-3h7z' },
+  writing:           { color: '#4ade80', label: 'Writing',          icon: 'M17 3l4 4L7 21H3v-4z', processing: true },
+  toolUse:           { color: '#fbbf24', label: 'Using',            icon: 'M14.7 6.3a1 1 0 0 0 0 1.4l1.6 1.6a1 1 0 0 0 1.4 0l3.77-3.77a6 6 0 0 1-7.94 7.94l-6.91 6.91a2.12 2.12 0 0 1-3-3l6.91-6.91a6 6 0 0 1 7.94-7.94l-3.76 3.76z', processing: true },
+  permissionRequest: { color: '#fb923c', label: 'Waiting approval', icon: 'M12 22s8-4 8-10V5l-8-3-8 3v7c0 6 8 10 8 10z', processing: true },
+  interrupted:       { color: '#f87171', label: 'Interrupted',      icon: 'M10 4h4v8h-4zm0 12h4v4h-4z', filled: true },
+  error:             { color: '#f87171', label: 'Error',            icon: 'M12 2L2 22h20zm0 7v6m0 2v2' },
+  sessionStart:      { color: '#60a5fa', label: 'Starting',         icon: 'M5 3l14 9-14 9z', filled: true, processing: true },
+  sessionEnd:        { color: '#6b7280', label: 'Session ended',    icon: 'M18 6L6 18M6 6l12 12' },
 }
 
 const agentStatus = computed(() => {
@@ -70,26 +71,43 @@ const agentStatus = computed(() => {
   const display = STATUS_DISPLAY[state.status] || STATUS_DISPLAY.idle
   const toolSuffix = state.currentTool ? ` ${state.currentTool.name}` : ''
   return {
-    ...display,
-    label: display.label + toolSuffix,
+    color: display.color,
+    icon: display.icon,
+    filled: !!display.filled,
+    processing: !!display.processing,
+    tooltip: display.label + toolSuffix,
     status: state.status,
   }
 })
 
 // ── Lifecycle hook event (for SessionLifecycleStatus) ──
+// Only show live hook data when viewing the agent's current active session
+const isLiveSession = computed(() => {
+  const agent = props.selectedAgent
+  if (!agent) return false
+  const agentState = sessionStore.agents[agent]
+  if (!agentState?.sessionId) return false
+  // If no session selected, assume live
+  if (!props.selectedSessionId) return true
+  return props.selectedSessionId === agentState.sessionId
+})
+
 const lifecycleEvent = computed(() => {
+  if (!isLiveSession.value) return null
   const agent = props.selectedAgent
   if (!agent) return null
   return sessionStore.agents[agent]?.lastHookEvent ?? null
 })
 
 const lifecycleDetail = computed(() => {
+  if (!isLiveSession.value) return ''
   const agent = props.selectedAgent
   if (!agent) return ''
   return sessionStore.agents[agent]?.lastHookDetail ?? ''
 })
 
 const hookHistory = computed(() => {
+  if (!isLiveSession.value) return []
   const agent = props.selectedAgent
   if (!agent) return []
   return sessionStore.agents[agent]?.hookHistory ?? []
@@ -97,6 +115,20 @@ const hookHistory = computed(() => {
 
 // ── Derived display values ──
 const permissionMode = computed(() => props.hookPermissionMode || '')
+
+const PERMISSION_ICONS: Record<string, { icon: string; color: string; label: string; filled?: boolean }> = {
+  default:           { icon: 'M12 22s8-4 8-10V5l-8-3-8 3v7c0 6 8 10 8 10z', color: '#6b7280', label: 'Default — asks before risky actions' },
+  acceptEdits:       { icon: 'M17 3l4 4L7 21H3v-4z',                         color: '#4ade80', label: 'Accept Edits — auto-approves file changes' },
+  plan:              { icon: 'M1 12s4-8 11-8 11 8 11 8-4 8-11 8-11-8zm11-3a3 3 0 1 0 0 6 3 3 0 0 0 0-6z', color: '#60a5fa', label: 'Plan — read-only, proposes before acting' },
+  bypassPermissions: { icon: 'M13 2L3 14h9l-1 8 10-12h-9z', color: '#f87171', label: 'Bypass — auto-approves everything', filled: true },
+  dontAsk:           { icon: 'M18 6L6 18M6 6l12 12',         color: '#fb923c', label: 'Don\'t Ask — denies unless pre-approved' },
+}
+
+const permissionIcon = computed(() => {
+  const mode = permissionMode.value
+  if (!mode) return null
+  return PERMISSION_ICONS[mode] || { icon: 'M12 22s8-4 8-10V5l-8-3-8 3v7c0 6 8 10 8 10z', color: '#94a3b8', label: mode }
+})
 const fullCwd = computed(() => props.conversation.metadata.cwd || '')
 const displayCwd = computed(() => {
   const cwd = fullCwd.value
@@ -374,22 +406,44 @@ watch(userUuids, (newUuids) => {
   collapsedSections.value = new Set(newUuids.slice(0, -1))
 })
 
+// Pre-filtered visible messages for TransitionGroup (no v-if needed in template)
+const visibleMessages = computed(() => {
+  const filtered = props.conversation.messages.filter(msg => !isCollapsedChild(msg))
+  return filtered.map((msg, i) => ({
+    msg,
+    isAssistantContinuation: msg.kind === 'assistant' && i > 0 && filtered[i - 1].kind === 'assistant'
+  }))
+})
+
 defineExpose({ selectMode, toggleSelectMode, allCollapsed, collapseAllExceptLast })
 
 // Track messages that just resolved from optimistic → real
 // These skip the bounce animation and get a smooth transition instead
 const resolvedUuids = ref(new Set<string>())
 
-// Force scroll to the absolute bottom of the container
+// Force scroll to the absolute bottom of the container.
+// Multiple passes: rAF covers content-visibility reflow,
+// delayed pass covers CSS transition height settle (350ms outer + 300ms inner).
+let scrollRafId = 0
+let scrollTimerId = 0
 function scrollToBottom() {
   if (!scrollContainer.value) return
   const el = scrollContainer.value
   el.scrollTop = el.scrollHeight
-  // Second pass: content-visibility: auto can cause reflow after initial paint,
-  // so re-scroll after the browser finishes layout
-  requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+
+  cancelAnimationFrame(scrollRafId)
+  clearTimeout(scrollTimerId)
+
+  scrollRafId = requestAnimationFrame(() => {
     el.scrollTop = el.scrollHeight
+    requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      el.scrollTop = el.scrollHeight
+    })
   })
+  // Final pass after transitions settle
+  scrollTimerId = window.setTimeout(() => {
+    el.scrollTop = el.scrollHeight
+  }, 350)
 }
 
 // Scroll to bottom when a new transcript is loaded
@@ -402,9 +456,12 @@ watch(
   { immediate: true }
 )
 
-// Auto-scroll to bottom when messages change (every WS update)
+// Auto-scroll to bottom on every WS update.
+// Watch the array reference (not .length) because parseJsonl creates a new array
+// each time — even when messages.length stays the same (e.g. assistant content
+// appended to an existing message, tool results resolved, etc.)
 watch(
-  () => props.conversation.messages.length,
+  () => props.conversation.messages,
   async () => {
     await nextTick()
     scrollToBottom()
@@ -593,16 +650,14 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
       </div>
     </div>
     <div ref="scrollContainer" class="messages-scroll">
-      <template
-        v-for="(msg, idx) in conversation.messages"
-        :key="msg.uuid"
-      >
+      <TransitionGroup name="msg">
         <div
-          v-if="!isCollapsedChild(msg)"
+          v-for="{ msg, isAssistantContinuation } in visibleMessages"
+          :key="msg.uuid"
           :class="['message-wrapper', {
             resolved: resolvedUuids.has(msg.uuid),
             selected: selectedUuids.has(msg.uuid),
-            'assistant-continuation': msg.kind === 'assistant' && idx > 0 && conversation.messages[idx - 1].kind === 'assistant' && !isCollapsedChild(conversation.messages[idx - 1])
+            'assistant-continuation': isAssistantContinuation
           }]"
         >
           <!-- Select checkbox -->
@@ -629,7 +684,7 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
             <AssistantMessageBubble
               v-else-if="msg.kind === 'assistant'"
               :message="msg"
-              :show-header="!(idx > 0 && conversation.messages[idx - 1].kind === 'assistant')"
+              :show-header="!isAssistantContinuation"
             />
             <ProgressEvent
               v-else-if="msg.kind === 'progress'"
@@ -639,13 +694,17 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
               v-else-if="msg.kind === 'system' && msg.subtype === 'turn_end'"
               :message="msg"
             />
+            <CompactBoundaryDivider
+              v-else-if="msg.kind === 'system' && msg.subtype === 'compact_boundary'"
+              :message="msg"
+            />
             <SystemMessage
               v-else-if="msg.kind === 'system'"
               :message="msg"
             />
           </div>
         </div>
-      </template>
+      </TransitionGroup>
     </div>
 
     <!-- Selection floating bar -->
@@ -694,7 +753,22 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
       />
 
       <div class="status-bar">
-      <span v-if="permissionMode" class="meta-badge mode">{{ permissionMode }}</span>
+      <span v-if="agentStatus" class="agent-status-icon" :class="{ processing: agentStatus.processing }">
+        <svg width="12" height="12" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+          :fill="agentStatus.filled ? agentStatus.color : 'none'"
+          :stroke="agentStatus.filled ? 'none' : agentStatus.color"
+          stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"
+        ><path :d="agentStatus.icon" /></svg>
+        <span class="agent-status-tooltip">{{ agentStatus.tooltip }}</span>
+      </span>
+      <span v-if="permissionIcon" class="perm-icon-wrap">
+        <svg width="12" height="12" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+          :fill="permissionIcon.filled ? permissionIcon.color : 'none'"
+          :stroke="permissionIcon.filled ? 'none' : permissionIcon.color"
+          stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"
+        ><path :d="permissionIcon.icon" /></svg>
+        <span class="perm-tooltip">{{ permissionIcon.label }}</span>
+      </span>
       <span v-if="displayCwd" class="meta-badge origin" tabindex="0">{{ fullCwd }}</span>
       <span class="meta-count">{{ conversation.messages.length }} msgs</span>
       <button class="new-session-status-btn" @click="emit('createSession')" title="New session">
@@ -839,6 +913,87 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
+/* ── Agent status icon ── */
+.agent-status-icon {
+  position: relative;
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  width: 16px;
+  height: 16px;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  cursor: default;
+}
+
+.agent-status-icon.processing svg {
+  animation: agent-pulse 1.5s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes agent-pulse {
+  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.45; transform: scale(0.85); }
+  50%      { opacity: 1;    transform: scale(1.1);  }
+}
+
+.agent-status-tooltip {
+  position: absolute;
+  bottom: calc(100% + 5px);
+  left: 50%;
+  transform: translateX(-50%);
+  padding: 3px 7px;
+  background: rgba(10, 10, 18, 0.95);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  font-size: 9px;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  opacity: 0;
+  transition: opacity 0.15s ease;
+  z-index: 20;
+}
+
+.agent-status-icon:hover .agent-status-tooltip {
+  opacity: 1;
+}
+
+/* ── Permission mode icon ── */
+.perm-icon-wrap {
+  position: relative;
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  width: 16px;
+  height: 16px;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  cursor: default;
+}
+
+.perm-tooltip {
+  position: absolute;
+  bottom: calc(100% + 5px);
+  left: 50%;
+  transform: translateX(-50%);
+  padding: 3px 7px;
+  background: rgba(10, 10, 18, 0.95);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  font-size: 9px;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  opacity: 0;
+  transition: opacity 0.15s ease;
+  z-index: 20;
+}
+
+.perm-icon-wrap:hover .perm-tooltip {
+  opacity: 1;
+}
+
 .new-session-status-btn {
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
@@ -1001,7 +1156,6 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
 }
 
 .message-wrapper {
-  animation: fadeIn 0.15s ease-out;
   display: flex;
   align-items: flex-start;
   gap: 0.4rem;
@@ -1010,6 +1164,7 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
   contain-intrinsic-size: auto 120px;
 }
 
+
 .message-wrapper.selected {
   background: rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.06);
   border-radius: 8px;
@@ -1145,11 +1300,6 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
   transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(8px);
 }
 
-@keyframes fadeIn {
-  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(4px); }
-  to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
-}
-
 @keyframes resolveIn {
   from { opacity: 0.7; }
   to { opacity: 1; }
@@ -1386,6 +1536,29 @@ function formatDuration(start: string, end: string): string {
   text-align: right;
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
-
-
+</style>
+
+<!-- Non-scoped: TransitionGroup classes must reach child components -->
+<style>
+.msg-enter-active {
+  transition: opacity 0.35s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1),
+              transform 0.35s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
+  /* Override content-visibility during transition so browser doesn't skip frames */
+  content-visibility: visible !important;
+}
+
+.msg-enter-from {
+  opacity: 0;
+  transform: translateY(10px);
+}
+
+.msg-leave-active {
+  transition: opacity 0.15s ease, transform 0.15s ease;
+  content-visibility: visible !important;
+}
+
+.msg-leave-to {
+  opacity: 0;
+  transform: translateY(-4px);
+}
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/transcript-debug/SessionLifecycleStatus.vue b/frontend/src/components/transcript-debug/SessionLifecycleStatus.vue
index a03894a..71de64d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/transcript-debug/SessionLifecycleStatus.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/transcript-debug/SessionLifecycleStatus.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, watch, onMounted, onBeforeUnmount } from 'vue'
+import { computed } from 'vue'
 
 type LifecycleEvent =
   | 'SessionStart' | 'UserPromptSubmit'
@@ -13,66 +13,52 @@ type Category = 'session' | 'user' | 'tool' | 'agent' | 'system'
 interface LifecycleInfo {
   color: string
   label: string
+  icon: string
   category: Category
   processing?: boolean
 }
 
+// SVG path data for each icon (14x14 viewBox)
+const ICON = {
+  play:     'M4 2 L12 7 L4 12Z',
+  chat:     'M2 2h10v7H6l-2 2v-2H2z',
+  wrench:   'M10 2 L8 4 9 5 5 9 4 8 2 10 4 12 6 10 5 9 9 5 10 6 12 4z',
+  lock:     'M4 6V4a3 3 0 0 1 6 0v2h1v6H3V6zm2-2v2h2V4a1 1 0 0 0-2 0z',
+  check:    'M2 7 L5 10 L12 3',
+  xmark:    'M3 3 L11 11 M11 3 L3 11',
+  bell:     'M7 1a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v1A4 4 0 0 0 3 7v3l-1 1v1h10v-1l-1-1V7a4 4 0 0 0-3-4V2a1 1 0 0 0-1-1zm-1 12a1 1 0 0 0 2 0z',
+  fork:     'M4 2v5a3 3 0 0 0 3 3h0a3 3 0 0 0 3-3V2 M4 5h6 M7 10v2',
+  merge:    'M4 12V7a3 3 0 0 1 3-3h0a3 3 0 0 1 3 3v5 M4 9h6 M7 4V2',
+  moon:     'M9 2A5 5 0 1 0 9 12 4 4 0 0 1 9 2z',
+  trophy:   'M4 2h6v5a3 3 0 0 1-6 0z M2 2h2 M10 2h2 M5 10h4v2H5z M2 3v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2 M12 3v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2',
+  gear:     'M7 1l1 2h-2l1-2zM7 13l-1-2h2l-1 2zM1 7l2-1v2l-2-1zM13 7l-2 1V6l2 1zM2.5 3l2 .5-1 1.5-1-2zM11.5 11l-2-.5 1-1.5 1 2zM3 11.5l.5-2 1.5 1-2 1zM11 2.5l-.5 2-1.5-1 2-1zM7 5a2 2 0 1 0 0 4 2 2 0 0 0 0-4z',
+  compress: 'M2 5h4V1 M12 9H8v4 M2 9h4v4 M12 5H8V1',
+  power:    'M7 1v5 M4 3A5 5 0 1 0 10 3',
+  stop:     'M3 3h8v8H3z',
+} as const
+
 const LIFECYCLE_DISPLAY: Record<LifecycleEvent, LifecycleInfo> = {
-  SessionStart:       { color: '#60a5fa', label: 'Session started',     category: 'session' },
-  UserPromptSubmit:   { color: '#a78bfa', label: 'Prompt submitted',    category: 'user' },
-  PreToolUse:         { color: '#fbbf24', label: 'Tool starting',       category: 'tool',    processing: true },
-  PermissionRequest:  { color: '#fb923c', label: 'Permission required', category: 'tool',    processing: true },
-  PostToolUse:        { color: '#4ade80', label: 'Tool completed',      category: 'tool' },
-  PostToolUseFailure: { color: '#f87171', label: 'Tool failed',         category: 'tool' },
-  Notification:       { color: '#38bdf8', label: 'Notification',        category: 'system' },
-  SubagentStart:      { color: '#c084fc', label: 'Subagent spawned',    category: 'agent',   processing: true },
-  SubagentStop:       { color: '#a855f7', label: 'Subagent finished',   category: 'agent' },
-  Stop:               { color: '#22d3ee', label: 'Response complete',   category: 'session' },
-  TeammateIdle:       { color: '#94a3b8', label: 'Teammate idle',       category: 'agent' },
-  TaskCompleted:      { color: '#34d399', label: 'Task completed',      category: 'system' },
-  ConfigChange:       { color: '#e879f9', label: 'Config changed',      category: 'system' },
-  PreCompact:         { color: '#f59e0b', label: 'Compacting context',  category: 'system',  processing: true },
-  SessionEnd:         { color: '#6b7280', label: 'Session ended',       category: 'session' },
+  SessionStart:       { color: '#60a5fa', label: 'Session started',     icon: 'play',     category: 'session' },
+  UserPromptSubmit:   { color: '#a78bfa', label: 'Prompt submitted',    icon: 'chat',     category: 'user' },
+  PreToolUse:         { color: '#fbbf24', label: 'Tool starting',       icon: 'wrench',   category: 'tool',    processing: true },
+  PermissionRequest:  { color: '#fb923c', label: 'Permission required', icon: 'lock',     category: 'tool',    processing: true },
+  PostToolUse:        { color: '#4ade80', label: 'Tool completed',      icon: 'check',    category: 'tool' },
+  PostToolUseFailure: { color: '#f87171', label: 'Tool failed',         icon: 'xmark',    category: 'tool' },
+  Notification:       { color: '#38bdf8', label: 'Notification',        icon: 'bell',     category: 'system' },
+  SubagentStart:      { color: '#c084fc', label: 'Subagent spawned',    icon: 'fork',     category: 'agent',   processing: true },
+  SubagentStop:       { color: '#a855f7', label: 'Subagent finished',   icon: 'merge',    category: 'agent' },
+  Stop:               { color: '#22d3ee', label: 'Response complete',   icon: 'stop',     category: 'session' },
+  TeammateIdle:       { color: '#94a3b8', label: 'Teammate idle',       icon: 'moon',     category: 'agent' },
+  TaskCompleted:      { color: '#34d399', label: 'Task completed',      icon: 'trophy',   category: 'system' },
+  ConfigChange:       { color: '#e879f9', label: 'Config changed',      icon: 'gear',     category: 'system' },
+  PreCompact:         { color: '#f59e0b', label: 'Compacting context',  icon: 'compress', category: 'system',  processing: true },
+  SessionEnd:         { color: '#6b7280', label: 'Session ended',       icon: 'power',    category: 'session' },
 }
 
 const CATEGORY_ORDER: Record<Category, number> = {
   session: 0, user: 1, tool: 2, agent: 3, system: 4
 }
 
-interface MockStep {
-  event: LifecycleEvent
-  duration: number
-  detail?: string
-}
-
-const MOCK_SEQUENCE: MockStep[] = [
-  { event: 'SessionStart',       duration: 2000,  detail: 'claude-opus-4-6' },
-  { event: 'UserPromptSubmit',   duration: 1500,  detail: '"Fix the login bug"' },
-  { event: 'PreToolUse',         duration: 800,   detail: 'Grep' },
-  { event: 'PostToolUse',        duration: 1200,  detail: 'Grep' },
-  { event: 'PreToolUse',         duration: 600,   detail: 'Read' },
-  { event: 'PostToolUse',        duration: 1000,  detail: 'Read' },
-  { event: 'PreToolUse',         duration: 500,   detail: 'Edit' },
-  { event: 'PermissionRequest',  duration: 3000,  detail: 'Edit src/auth.ts' },
-  { event: 'PostToolUse',        duration: 1500,  detail: 'Edit' },
-  { event: 'PreToolUse',         duration: 400,   detail: 'Bash' },
-  { event: 'PermissionRequest',  duration: 2500,  detail: 'npm test' },
-  { event: 'PostToolUseFailure', duration: 2000,  detail: 'Bash (exit 1)' },
-  { event: 'Notification',       duration: 1500,  detail: 'Test failed, retrying' },
-  { event: 'PreToolUse',         duration: 500,   detail: 'Edit' },
-  { event: 'PostToolUse',        duration: 1000,  detail: 'Edit' },
-  { event: 'PreToolUse',         duration: 400,   detail: 'Bash' },
-  { event: 'PostToolUse',        duration: 1500,  detail: 'Bash (tests pass)' },
-  { event: 'SubagentStart',      duration: 1000,  detail: 'code-review' },
-  { event: 'SubagentStop',       duration: 1500,  detail: 'code-review' },
-  { event: 'PreCompact',         duration: 2000 },
-  { event: 'TaskCompleted',      duration: 1500,  detail: 'Login bug fixed' },
-  { event: 'Stop',               duration: 3000,  detail: 'Done' },
-  { event: 'TeammateIdle',       duration: 1500 },
-  { event: 'ConfigChange',       duration: 1200,  detail: '.claude/settings.json' },
-  { event: 'SessionEnd',         duration: 4000 },
-]
-
 interface HookHistoryEntry {
   event: string
   timestamp: number
@@ -91,24 +77,29 @@ const props = defineProps<{
   hookHistory?: HookHistoryEntry[]
 }>()
 
-const isMock = computed(() => !props.currentEvent || !(props.currentEvent in LIFECYCLE_DISPLAY))
+const hasEvent = computed(() => !!props.currentEvent && props.currentEvent in LIFECYCLE_DISPLAY)
 
-const mockIndex = ref(0)
-const mockHistory = ref<{ event: string }[]>([])
-let mockTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
-
-const activeEvent = computed<LifecycleEvent>(() => {
-  if (!isMock.value) return props.currentEvent as LifecycleEvent
-  return MOCK_SEQUENCE[mockIndex.value].event
+const activeEvent = computed<LifecycleEvent | null>(() => {
+  if (!hasEvent.value) return null
+  return props.currentEvent as LifecycleEvent
 })
 
-const activeDetail = computed(() => {
-  if (!isMock.value) return props.eventDetail || ''
-  return MOCK_SEQUENCE[mockIndex.value].detail || ''
-})
+const activeDetail = computed(() => props.eventDetail || '')
 
-const displayInfo = computed(() => LIFECYCLE_DISPLAY[activeEvent.value])
-const isProcessing = computed(() => !!displayInfo.value.processing)
+const displayInfo = computed(() => activeEvent.value ? LIFECYCLE_DISPLAY[activeEvent.value] : null)
+const isProcessing = computed(() => !!displayInfo.value?.processing)
+const iconPath = computed(() => displayInfo.value ? ICON[displayInfo.value.icon as keyof typeof ICON] : '')
+const isFilled = computed(() => {
+  if (!displayInfo.value) return false
+  const i = displayInfo.value.icon
+  return i === 'play' || i === 'chat' || i === 'bell' || i === 'moon' || i === 'stop'
+})
+const tooltipText = computed(() => {
+  if (!displayInfo.value) return ''
+  const label = displayInfo.value.label
+  const detail = activeDetail.value
+  return detail ? `${label} — ${detail}` : label
+})
 
 // ── Badge counts ──
 
@@ -141,57 +132,11 @@ function countEvents(entries: { event: string }[]): EventCountEntry[] {
   return result
 }
 
-const realCounts = computed(() => countEvents(props.hookHistory || []))
-const mockCounts = computed(() => countEvents(mockHistory.value))
-const displayCounts = computed(() => isMock.value ? mockCounts.value : realCounts.value)
-
-// ── Mock mode ──
-
-function advanceMock() {
-  const nextIndex = (mockIndex.value + 1) % MOCK_SEQUENCE.length
-  const nextEvent = MOCK_SEQUENCE[nextIndex].event
-
-  if (nextEvent === 'SessionStart') {
-    mockHistory.value = []
-  }
-
-  mockHistory.value = [...mockHistory.value, { event: nextEvent }]
-  mockIndex.value = nextIndex
-  scheduleMock()
-}
-
-function scheduleMock() {
-  if (mockTimer) clearTimeout(mockTimer)
-  mockTimer = setTimeout(advanceMock, MOCK_SEQUENCE[mockIndex.value].duration)
-}
-
-watch(isMock, (mock) => {
-  if (mock) {
-    mockHistory.value = [{ event: MOCK_SEQUENCE[mockIndex.value].event }]
-    scheduleMock()
-  } else if (mockTimer) {
-    clearTimeout(mockTimer)
-    mockTimer = null
-  }
-})
-
-onMounted(() => {
-  if (isMock.value) {
-    mockHistory.value = [{ event: MOCK_SEQUENCE[mockIndex.value].event }]
-    scheduleMock()
-  }
-})
-
-onBeforeUnmount(() => {
-  if (mockTimer) {
-    clearTimeout(mockTimer)
-    mockTimer = null
-  }
-})
+const displayCounts = computed(() => countEvents(props.hookHistory || []))
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <div class="lifecycle-ribbon" :class="['category-' + displayInfo.category]">
+  <div v-if="displayInfo" class="lifecycle-ribbon" :class="['category-' + displayInfo.category]">
     <!-- Badge counts -->
     <div class="lc-badges" v-if="displayCounts.length > 0">
       <TransitionGroup name="badge">
@@ -209,16 +154,21 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
       </TransitionGroup>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Current event display -->
+    <!-- Current event icon + tooltip -->
     <Transition name="lc" mode="out-in">
-      <div class="lc-content" :key="activeEvent + activeDetail">
-        <span
-          class="lc-dot"
-          :class="{ processing: isProcessing }"
-          :style="{ background: displayInfo.color }"
-        />
-        <span class="lc-event" :style="{ color: displayInfo.color }">{{ activeEvent }}</span>
-        <span v-if="activeDetail" class="lc-detail">{{ activeDetail }}</span>
+      <div class="lc-icon-wrap" :key="activeEvent + activeDetail" :class="{ processing: isProcessing }">
+        <svg
+          class="lc-icon"
+          width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 14 14"
+          :fill="isFilled ? displayInfo.color : 'none'"
+          :stroke="isFilled ? 'none' : displayInfo.color"
+          stroke-width="1.5"
+          stroke-linecap="round"
+          stroke-linejoin="round"
+        >
+          <path :d="iconPath" />
+        </svg>
+        <span class="lc-tooltip">{{ tooltipText }}</span>
       </div>
     </Transition>
   </div>
@@ -288,49 +238,54 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   transition: transform 0.2s ease;
 }
 
-/* ── Current event ── */
+/* ── Icon + tooltip ── */
 
-.lc-content {
+.lc-icon-wrap {
+  position: relative;
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 5px;
-  flex: 1;
-  min-width: 0;
-}
-
-.lc-dot {
-  width: 5px;
-  height: 5px;
+  justify-content: center;
+  width: 18px;
+  height: 18px;
   flex-shrink: 0;
-  border-radius: 0;
-  transition: background 0.3s ease;
+  cursor: default;
 }
 
-.lc-dot.processing {
-  animation: pulse-lifecycle 1.5s ease-in-out infinite;
+.lc-icon {
+  transition: transform 0.2s ease, filter 0.2s ease;
 }
 
-@keyframes pulse-lifecycle {
-  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.5; transform: scale(0.8); }
-  50% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1.2); }
+.lc-icon-wrap.processing .lc-icon {
+  animation: pulse-icon 1.5s ease-in-out infinite;
 }
 
-.lc-event {
+@keyframes pulse-icon {
+  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.5; transform: scale(0.85); }
+  50% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1.1); }
+}
+
+.lc-tooltip {
+  position: absolute;
+  bottom: calc(100% + 4px);
+  left: 50%;
+  transform: translateX(-50%);
+  padding: 3px 6px;
+  background: rgba(15, 15, 25, 0.95);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  border-radius: 4px;
   font-size: 9px;
   font-weight: 600;
   font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);
   white-space: nowrap;
-  transition: color 0.3s ease;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  opacity: 0;
+  transition: opacity 0.15s ease;
+  z-index: 20;
 }
 
-.lc-detail {
-  font-size: 9px;
-  font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
-  white-space: nowrap;
-  max-width: 120px;
-  overflow: hidden;
-  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+.lc-icon-wrap:hover .lc-tooltip {
+  opacity: 1;
 }
 
 /* Transition classes */
diff --git a/frontend/src/composables/transcript-debug/index.ts b/frontend/src/composables/transcript-debug/index.ts
index 82fc9ce..eda613d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/composables/transcript-debug/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/composables/transcript-debug/index.ts
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
 export { useTranscriptDebug } from './useTranscriptDebug'
-export { useHooksApproval } from './useHooksApproval'
diff --git a/frontend/src/composables/transcript-debug/useHooksApproval.ts b/frontend/src/composables/transcript-debug/useHooksApproval.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index b1e11b7..0000000
--- a/frontend/src/composables/transcript-debug/useHooksApproval.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,112 +0,0 @@
-import { ref } from 'vue'
-import { apiFetch } from '@/lib/tauri'
-import type { HooksApprovalPermissionRequest, HooksApprovalPlanRequest } from '@/types/hooks-approval'
-
-export function useHooksApproval() {
-  const pendingPermissions = ref<HooksApprovalPermissionRequest[]>([])
-  const pendingPlans = ref<HooksApprovalPlanRequest[]>([])
-
-  // ── WS message handler (called from useTranscriptDebug) ──
-
-  function handleApprovalMessage(msg: { type: string; [key: string]: unknown }) {
-    if (msg.type === 'hooks-approval-permission') {
-      pendingPermissions.value.push({
-        requestId: msg.requestId as string,
-        tool_name: msg.tool_name as string | undefined,
-        tool_input: msg.tool_input,
-        agent_name: msg.agent_name as string | undefined,
-        session_id: msg.session_id as string | undefined,
-        cwd: msg.cwd as string | undefined,
-        timestamp: msg.timestamp as number
-      })
-    } else if (msg.type === 'hooks-approval-plan') {
-      pendingPlans.value.push({
-        requestId: msg.requestId as string,
-        session_id: msg.session_id as string | undefined,
-        permission_mode: msg.permission_mode as string | undefined,
-        lastAssistantText: (msg.lastAssistantText as string) || '',
-        timestamp: msg.timestamp as number
-      })
-    }
-  }
-
-  // ── Respond to permission ──
-
-  async function respondPermission(requestId: string, decision: 'allow' | 'deny') {
-    try {
-      await apiFetch('/api/hooks-approval/respond', {
-        method: 'POST',
-        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ requestId, decision })
-      })
-    } catch (e) {
-      console.error('[HooksApproval] Failed to respond permission:', e)
-    }
-    pendingPermissions.value = pendingPermissions.value.filter(p => p.requestId !== requestId)
-  }
-
-  // ── Respond to plan ──
-
-  async function respondPlan(requestId: string, decision: 'approve' | 'reject' | 'edit', reason?: string) {
-    try {
-      await apiFetch('/api/hooks-approval/respond-plan', {
-        method: 'POST',
-        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ requestId, decision, reason })
-      })
-    } catch (e) {
-      console.error('[HooksApproval] Failed to respond plan:', e)
-    }
-    pendingPlans.value = pendingPlans.value.filter(p => p.requestId !== requestId)
-  }
-
-  // ── Fetch pending on page load (state recovery) ──
-
-  async function fetchPending() {
-    try {
-      const res = await apiFetch('/api/hooks-approval')
-      if (!res.ok) return
-      const data = await res.json()
-
-      if (Array.isArray(data.permissions)) {
-        for (const p of data.permissions) {
-          if (!pendingPermissions.value.some(e => e.requestId === p.requestId)) {
-            pendingPermissions.value.push({
-              requestId: p.requestId,
-              tool_name: p.tool_name,
-              tool_input: p.tool_input,
-              agent_name: p.agent_name,
-              session_id: p.session_id,
-              timestamp: p.createdAt
-            })
-          }
-        }
-      }
-
-      if (Array.isArray(data.plans)) {
-        for (const p of data.plans) {
-          if (!pendingPlans.value.some(e => e.requestId === p.requestId)) {
-            pendingPlans.value.push({
-              requestId: p.requestId,
-              session_id: p.session_id,
-              permission_mode: p.permission_mode,
-              lastAssistantText: p.lastAssistantText || '',
-              timestamp: p.createdAt
-            })
-          }
-        }
-      }
-    } catch (e) {
-      console.error('[HooksApproval] Failed to fetch pending:', e)
-    }
-  }
-
-  return {
-    pendingPermissions,
-    pendingPlans,
-    handleApprovalMessage,
-    respondPermission,
-    respondPlan,
-    fetchPending
-  }
-}
diff --git a/server/services/session-state.ts b/server/services/session-state.ts
index 8513585..b41c576 100644
--- a/server/services/session-state.ts
+++ b/server/services/session-state.ts
@@ -322,8 +322,12 @@ class SessionStateManager {
 
     // Build notification
     const notification = buildNotification(payload)
-    const updatedNotifications = [...state.notifications, notification].slice(-MAX_NOTIFICATIONS)
-    patch.notifications = updatedNotifications
+    if (payload.hook_event_name === 'SessionStart') {
+      // Reset notifications on new session, only keep the SessionStart notification
+      patch.notifications = [notification]
+    } else {
+      patch.notifications = [...state.notifications, notification].slice(-MAX_NOTIFICATIONS)
+    }
 
     // Build hook history entry
     const historyEntry: HookHistoryEntry = {