diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/chat-drop-overlay.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/chat-drop-overlay.tsx
index 428511da2..f9d3fc370 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/chat-drop-overlay.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/chat-drop-overlay.tsx
@@ -1,26 +1,43 @@
+import { useRef } from 'react'
+
+import type { DragKind } from '@/app/chat/hooks/use-file-drop-zone'
 import { Codicon } from '@/components/ui/codicon'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 
+const COPY: Record<'files' | 'session', { icon: string; label: string }> = {
+  files: { icon: 'cloud-upload', label: 'Drop files to attach' },
+  session: { icon: 'comment-discussion', label: 'Drop to link this chat' }
+}
+
 /**
- * Full-bleed affordance shown while files are dragged over the chat area. Always
- * `pointer-events-none` so the drop lands on the real element underneath and the
- * drop-zone handler claims it — the overlay is purely visual. Mirrors the
- * composer surface so the two read as one family.
+ * Full-bleed affordance shown while files or a session are dragged over the chat
+ * area. Always `pointer-events-none` so the drop lands on the real element
+ * underneath and the drop-zone handler claims it — the overlay is purely visual.
+ * Copy adapts to whatever is being dragged; the last kind is held through the
+ * fade-out so the label doesn't blank.
  */
-export function ChatDropOverlay({ active }: { active: boolean }) {
+export function ChatDropOverlay({ kind }: { kind: DragKind }) {
+  const lastKind = useRef<'files' | 'session'>('files')
+
+  if (kind) {
+    lastKind.current = kind
+  }
+
+  const { icon, label } = COPY[kind ?? lastKind.current]
+
   return (
     <div
       aria-hidden
       className={cn(
         'pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 z-40 flex items-center justify-center p-4 transition-opacity duration-150 ease-out',
-        active ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0'
+        kind ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0'
       )}
       data-slot="chat-drop-overlay"
     >
       <div className="absolute inset-2 rounded-2xl border-2 border-dashed border-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--dt-composer-ring)_55%,transparent)] bg-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--dt-card)_55%,transparent)] backdrop-blur-[2px] [-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(2px)]" />
       <div className="relative flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--dt-composer-ring)_45%,transparent)] bg-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--dt-card)_92%,transparent)] px-4 py-2 text-[0.8125rem] font-medium text-foreground shadow-composer">
-        <Codicon className="text-(--ui-accent)" name="cloud-upload" size="1rem" />
-        Drop files to attach
+        <Codicon className="text-(--ui-accent)" name={icon} size="1rem" />
+        {label}
       </div>
     </div>
   )
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/chat-swap-overlay.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/chat-swap-overlay.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..586835092
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/chat-swap-overlay.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react'
+
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+
+// Braille spinner frames — reads as a tiny ASCII loader in monospace.
+const FRAMES = ['⠋', '⠙', '⠹', '⠸', '⠼', '⠴', '⠦', '⠧', '⠇', '⠏']
+
+// Shown over the conversation while the live gateway swaps to another profile's
+// backend (lazily spawned). Keeps the last profile name through the fade-out so
+// the label doesn't blank. Purely visual — pointer-events-none.
+export function ChatSwapOverlay({ profile }: { profile: string | null }) {
+  const [frame, setFrame] = useState(0)
+  const [label, setLabel] = useState<null | string>(profile)
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (profile) {
+      setLabel(profile)
+    }
+  }, [profile])
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!profile) {
+      return
+    }
+
+    const id = window.setInterval(() => setFrame(value => (value + 1) % FRAMES.length), 80)
+
+    return () => window.clearInterval(id)
+  }, [profile])
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      aria-hidden
+      className={cn(
+        'pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center transition-opacity duration-150 ease-out',
+        profile ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0'
+      )}
+    >
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--dt-composer-ring)_45%,transparent)] bg-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--dt-card)_92%,transparent)] px-4 py-2 font-mono text-[0.8125rem] text-foreground shadow-composer">
+        <span className="w-3 text-(--ui-accent)">{FRAMES[frame]}</span>
+        Waking up {label}…
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/focus.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/focus.ts
index bf9e72b4b..ae1560e96 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/focus.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/focus.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
  * steal focus from the composer effect.
  */
 
+import type { InlineRefInput } from './inline-refs'
+
 export type ComposerTarget = 'edit' | 'main'
 export type ComposerInsertMode = 'block' | 'inline'
 
@@ -23,8 +25,14 @@ interface InsertDetail {
   text: string
 }
 
+interface InsertRefsDetail {
+  refs: InlineRefInput[]
+  target: ComposerTarget
+}
+
 const FOCUS_EVENT = 'hermes:composer-focus'
 const INSERT_EVENT = 'hermes:composer-insert'
+const INSERT_REFS_EVENT = 'hermes:composer-insert-refs'
 
 let activeTarget: ComposerTarget = 'main'
 
@@ -82,6 +90,20 @@ export const onComposerFocusRequest = (handler: (target: ComposerTarget) => void
 export const onComposerInsertRequest = (handler: (detail: InsertDetail) => void) =>
   subscribe<InsertDetail>(INSERT_EVENT, handler)
 
+/** Insert typed ref chips (carrying a display label) into a composer — the
+ * structured cousin of {@link requestComposerInsert}, used for session links. */
+export const requestComposerInsertRefs = (
+  refs: InlineRefInput[],
+  { target = 'active' }: { target?: ComposerTarget | 'active' } = {}
+) => {
+  if (refs.length) {
+    dispatch<InsertRefsDetail>(INSERT_REFS_EVENT, { refs, target: resolve(target) })
+  }
+}
+
+export const onComposerInsertRefsRequest = (handler: (detail: InsertRefsDetail) => void) =>
+  subscribe<InsertRefsDetail>(INSERT_REFS_EVENT, handler)
+
 /**
  * Focus a composer input across React commit + browser focus restore.
  *
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
index 97e7d78a2..1c36b161d 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import {
   focusComposerInput,
   markActiveComposer,
   onComposerFocusRequest,
+  onComposerInsertRefsRequest,
   onComposerInsertRequest
 } from './focus'
 import { HelpHint } from './help-hint'
@@ -51,7 +52,12 @@ import { useAtCompletions } from './hooks/use-at-completions'
 import { useSlashCompletions } from './hooks/use-slash-completions'
 import { useVoiceConversation } from './hooks/use-voice-conversation'
 import { useVoiceRecorder } from './hooks/use-voice-recorder'
-import { dragHasAttachments, droppedFileInlineRef, insertInlineRefsIntoEditor } from './inline-refs'
+import {
+  dragHasAttachments,
+  droppedFileInlineRef,
+  type InlineRefInput,
+  insertInlineRefsIntoEditor
+} from './inline-refs'
 import { QueuePanel } from './queue-panel'
 import {
   composerPlainText,
@@ -431,7 +437,7 @@ export function ChatBar({
     requestMainFocus()
   }
 
-  const insertInlineRefs = (refs: string[]) => {
+  const insertInlineRefs = (refs: InlineRefInput[]) => {
     const editor = editorRef.current
 
     if (!editor) {
@@ -451,6 +457,19 @@ export function ChatBar({
     return true
   }
 
+  // Latest-closure ref so the (once-only) subscription always calls the current
+  // insertInlineRefs without re-subscribing every render.
+  const insertInlineRefsRef = useRef(insertInlineRefs)
+  insertInlineRefsRef.current = insertInlineRefs
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return onComposerInsertRefsRequest(({ refs, target }) => {
+      if (target === 'main') {
+        insertInlineRefsRef.current(refs)
+      }
+    })
+  }, [])
+
   const selectSkinSlashCommand = (command: string) => {
     draftRef.current = command
     aui.composer().setText(command)
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/inline-refs.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/inline-refs.ts
index bb59a9c68..c8fa48d6e 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/inline-refs.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/inline-refs.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,49 @@ import type { DroppedFile } from '../hooks/use-composer-actions'
 
 import { composerPlainText, escapeHtml, placeCaretEnd, refChipHtml } from './rich-editor'
 
+/** A chip to insert: a raw `@kind:value` string, or a typed value + display label. */
+export type InlineRefInput = string | { kind: string; label?: string; value: string }
+
+/** MIME for an in-app session drag (sidebar row → composer). */
+export const HERMES_SESSION_MIME = 'application/x-hermes-session'
+
+export interface SessionDragPayload {
+  id: string
+  profile: string
+  title: string
+}
+
+export function writeSessionDrag(transfer: DataTransfer, payload: SessionDragPayload) {
+  transfer.setData(HERMES_SESSION_MIME, JSON.stringify(payload))
+  transfer.effectAllowed = 'copy'
+}
+
+export function dragHasSession(transfer: DataTransfer | null) {
+  return Boolean(transfer) && Array.from(transfer!.types || []).includes(HERMES_SESSION_MIME)
+}
+
+export function readSessionDrag(transfer: DataTransfer | null): null | SessionDragPayload {
+  const raw = transfer?.getData(HERMES_SESSION_MIME)
+
+  if (!raw) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as Partial<SessionDragPayload>
+
+    return parsed.id ? { id: parsed.id, profile: parsed.profile || 'default', title: parsed.title || '' } : null
+  } catch {
+    return null
+  }
+}
+
+/** Build a `@session:<profile>/<id>` chip. Value carries the metadata the agent
+ * needs to resolve the link (session_search); label shows the friendly title. */
+export function sessionInlineRef({ id, profile, title }: SessionDragPayload): InlineRefInput {
+  return { kind: 'session', label: title || `chat ${id.slice(0, 8)}`, value: `${profile || 'default'}/${id}` }
+}
+
 export function dragHasAttachments(transfer: DataTransfer | null, pathsMime: string) {
   if (!transfer) {
     return false
@@ -40,13 +83,17 @@ export function droppedFileInlineRef(candidate: DroppedFile, cwd: string | null
   return `@${kind}:${formatRefValue(rel)}`
 }
 
-export function insertInlineRefsIntoEditor(editor: HTMLDivElement, refs: readonly string[]) {
+export function insertInlineRefsIntoEditor(editor: HTMLDivElement, refs: readonly InlineRefInput[]) {
   if (!refs.length) {
     return null
   }
 
   const refsHtml = refs
     .map(ref => {
+      if (typeof ref !== 'string') {
+        return refChipHtml(ref.kind, ref.value, ref.label)
+      }
+
       const match = ref.match(/^@([^:]+):(.+)$/)
 
       return match ? refChipHtml(match[1], match[2]) : escapeHtml(ref)
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/rich-editor.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/rich-editor.ts
index 3a45028e7..38ab85d0f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/rich-editor.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/rich-editor.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import {
 
 export const RICH_INPUT_SLOT = 'composer-rich-input'
 
-export const REF_RE = /@(file|folder|url|image|tool|line|terminal):(`[^`\n]+`|"[^"\n]+"|'[^'\n]+'|\S+)/g
+export const REF_RE = /@(file|folder|url|image|tool|line|terminal|session):(`[^`\n]+`|"[^"\n]+"|'[^'\n]+'|\S+)/g
 
 const ESC: Record<string, string> = { '&': '&amp;', '<': '&lt;', '>': '&gt;', '"': '&quot;', "'": '&#039;' }
 
@@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ export function quoteRefValue(value: string) {
   return formatRefValue(value)
 }
 
-export function refChipHtml(kind: string, rawValue: string) {
+export function refChipHtml(kind: string, rawValue: string, displayLabel?: string) {
   const id = unquoteRef(rawValue)
   const text = `@${kind}:${quoteRefValue(id)}`
 
-  return `<span contenteditable="false" data-ref-text="${escapeHtml(text)}" data-ref-id="${escapeHtml(id)}" data-ref-kind="${escapeHtml(kind)}" class="${DIRECTIVE_CHIP_CLASS}">${directiveIconSvg(kind)}<span class="truncate">${escapeHtml(refLabel(id))}</span></span>`
+  return `<span contenteditable="false" data-ref-text="${escapeHtml(text)}" data-ref-id="${escapeHtml(id)}" data-ref-kind="${escapeHtml(kind)}" class="${DIRECTIVE_CHIP_CLASS}">${directiveIconSvg(kind)}<span class="truncate">${escapeHtml(displayLabel || refLabel(id))}</span></span>`
 }
 
-export function refChipElement(kind: string, rawValue: string) {
+export function refChipElement(kind: string, rawValue: string, displayLabel?: string) {
   const id = unquoteRef(rawValue)
   const text = `@${kind}:${quoteRefValue(id)}`
   const chip = document.createElement('span')
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ export function refChipElement(kind: string, rawValue: string) {
   chip.dataset.refKind = kind
   chip.className = DIRECTIVE_CHIP_CLASS
   label.className = 'truncate'
-  label.textContent = refLabel(id)
+  label.textContent = displayLabel || refLabel(id)
   chip.append(directiveIconElement(kind), label)
 
   return chip
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/hooks/use-file-drop-zone.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/hooks/use-file-drop-zone.ts
index 3254cbf04..10b3cfe40 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/hooks/use-file-drop-zone.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/hooks/use-file-drop-zone.ts
@@ -1,50 +1,71 @@
 import { type DragEvent as ReactDragEvent, useCallback, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 
-import { dragHasAttachments } from '@/app/chat/composer/inline-refs'
+import {
+  dragHasAttachments,
+  dragHasSession,
+  readSessionDrag,
+  type SessionDragPayload
+} from '@/app/chat/composer/inline-refs'
 
 import { type DroppedFile, extractDroppedFiles, HERMES_PATHS_MIME } from './use-composer-actions'
 
-const hasFiles = (event: ReactDragEvent) => dragHasAttachments(event.dataTransfer, HERMES_PATHS_MIME)
+export type DragKind = 'files' | 'session' | null
+
+const dragKindOf = (event: ReactDragEvent): DragKind => {
+  if (dragHasSession(event.dataTransfer)) {
+    return 'session'
+  }
+
+  if (dragHasAttachments(event.dataTransfer, HERMES_PATHS_MIME)) {
+    return 'files'
+  }
+
+  return null
+}
 
 interface FileDropZoneOptions {
   /** When false the zone ignores drags entirely. */
   enabled?: boolean
   onDropFiles: (files: DroppedFile[]) => void
+  onDropSession?: (session: SessionDragPayload) => void
 }
 
 /**
- * "Drop files anywhere in this region" affordance. An enter/leave depth counter
- * keeps nested children from flickering the active state; `onDropCapture` clears
- * it even when a nested target (the composer) handles the drop and stops
- * propagation before our bubble-phase `onDrop` would fire.
+ * "Drop anywhere in this region" affordance for files *and* in-app session
+ * links. An enter/leave depth counter keeps nested children from flickering the
+ * active state; `onDropCapture` clears it even when a nested target (the
+ * composer) handles the drop and stops propagation before our bubble-phase
+ * `onDrop` would fire.
  *
- * Spread `dropHandlers` onto the container; render an overlay off `dragActive`.
+ * Spread `dropHandlers` onto the container; render an overlay off `dragKind`.
  */
-export function useFileDropZone({ enabled = true, onDropFiles }: FileDropZoneOptions) {
-  const [dragActive, setDragActive] = useState(false)
+export function useFileDropZone({ enabled = true, onDropFiles, onDropSession }: FileDropZoneOptions) {
+  const [dragKind, setDragKind] = useState<DragKind>(null)
   const depth = useRef(0)
 
   const reset = useCallback(() => {
     depth.current = 0
-    setDragActive(false)
+    setDragKind(null)
   }, [])
 
   const onDragEnter = useCallback(
     (event: ReactDragEvent) => {
-      if (!enabled || !hasFiles(event)) {
+      const kind = enabled ? dragKindOf(event) : null
+
+      if (!kind) {
         return
       }
 
       event.preventDefault()
       depth.current += 1
-      setDragActive(true)
+      setDragKind(kind)
     },
     [enabled]
   )
 
   const onDragOver = useCallback(
     (event: ReactDragEvent) => {
-      if (!enabled || !hasFiles(event)) {
+      if (!enabled || !dragKindOf(event)) {
         return
       }
 
@@ -62,21 +83,36 @@ export function useFileDropZone({ enabled = true, onDropFiles }: FileDropZoneOpt
 
   const onDrop = useCallback(
     (event: ReactDragEvent) => {
-      if (!enabled || !hasFiles(event)) {
+      const kind = enabled ? dragKindOf(event) : null
+
+      if (!kind) {
         return
       }
 
       event.preventDefault()
       reset()
 
+      if (kind === 'session') {
+        const session = readSessionDrag(event.dataTransfer)
+
+        if (session) {
+          onDropSession?.(session)
+        }
+
+        return
+      }
+
       const files = extractDroppedFiles(event.dataTransfer)
 
       if (files.length) {
         onDropFiles(files)
       }
     },
-    [enabled, onDropFiles, reset]
+    [enabled, onDropFiles, onDropSession, reset]
   )
 
-  return { dragActive, dropHandlers: { onDragEnter, onDragLeave, onDragOver, onDrop, onDropCapture: reset } }
+  return {
+    dragKind,
+    dropHandlers: { onDragEnter, onDragLeave, onDragOver, onDrop, onDropCapture: reset }
+  }
 }
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/index.tsx
index 0c14ab5ca..ec8f9df3f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/index.tsx
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import { useIncrementalExternalStoreRuntime } from '@/lib/incremental-external-s
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import type { ComposerAttachment } from '@/store/composer'
 import { $pinnedSessionIds } from '@/store/layout'
+import { $gatewaySwapTarget } from '@/store/profile'
 import {
   $activeSessionId,
   $awaitingResponse,
@@ -45,9 +46,10 @@ import { routeSessionId } from '../routes'
 import { titlebarHeaderBaseClass, titlebarHeaderShadowClass } from '../shell/titlebar'
 
 import { ChatDropOverlay } from './chat-drop-overlay'
+import { ChatSwapOverlay } from './chat-swap-overlay'
 import { ChatBar, ChatBarFallback } from './composer'
-import { requestComposerInsert } from './composer/focus'
-import { droppedFileInlineRef } from './composer/inline-refs'
+import { requestComposerInsert, requestComposerInsertRefs } from './composer/focus'
+import { droppedFileInlineRef, type SessionDragPayload, sessionInlineRef } from './composer/inline-refs'
 import type { ChatBarState } from './composer/types'
 import type { DroppedFile } from './hooks/use-composer-actions'
 import { useFileDropZone } from './hooks/use-file-drop-zone'
@@ -178,6 +180,7 @@ export function ChatView({
   const currentProvider = useStore($currentProvider)
   const freshDraftReady = useStore($freshDraftReady)
   const gatewayState = useStore($gatewayState)
+  const gatewaySwapTarget = useStore($gatewaySwapTarget)
   const gatewayOpen = gatewayState === 'open'
   const introPersonality = useStore($introPersonality)
   const introSeed = useStore($introSeed)
@@ -306,7 +309,13 @@ export function ChatView({
     [currentCwd]
   )
 
-  const { dragActive, dropHandlers } = useFileDropZone({ enabled: showChatBar, onDropFiles })
+  // Dropping a sidebar session inserts an @session link the agent can resolve
+  // via session_search (carries the source profile, so cross-profile works).
+  const onDropSession = useCallback((session: SessionDragPayload) => {
+    requestComposerInsertRefs([sessionInlineRef(session)], { target: 'main' })
+  }, [])
+
+  const { dragKind, dropHandlers } = useFileDropZone({ enabled: showChatBar, onDropFiles, onDropSession })
 
   return (
     <div
@@ -370,7 +379,8 @@ export function ChatView({
             </Suspense>
           )}
         </AssistantRuntimeProvider>
-        <ChatDropOverlay active={dragActive} />
+        <ChatDropOverlay kind={dragKind} />
+        <ChatSwapOverlay profile={gatewaySwapTarget} />
       </div>
     </div>
   )
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/session-row.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/session-row.tsx
index 8542619f4..4c79e85b0 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/session-row.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/session-row.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { useStore } from '@nanostores/react'
 import type * as React from 'react'
 
+import { writeSessionDrag } from '@/app/chat/composer/inline-refs'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Codicon } from '@/components/ui/codicon'
 import type { SessionInfo } from '@/hermes'
@@ -87,6 +88,22 @@ export function SidebarSessionRow({
           className
         )}
         data-working={isWorking ? 'true' : undefined}
+        draggable
+        onDragStart={event => {
+          // Reorder drags belong to dnd-kit (the grab handle) — cancel the
+          // native drag so the two DnD systems don't fight.
+          if ((event.target as HTMLElement).closest('[data-reorder-handle]')) {
+            event.preventDefault()
+
+            return
+          }
+
+          writeSessionDrag(event.dataTransfer, {
+            id: session.id,
+            profile: session.profile || 'default',
+            title
+          })
+        }}
         ref={ref}
         style={style}
         {...rest}
@@ -132,6 +149,7 @@ export function SidebarSessionRow({
                 // out instead of being clipped by this handle's overflow-hidden.
                 needsInput && 'overflow-visible'
               )}
+              data-reorder-handle
               onClick={event => event.stopPropagation()}
             >
               <SidebarRowDot
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/gateway/hooks/use-gateway-boot.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/gateway/hooks/use-gateway-boot.ts
index 3c93e0155..d8458a931 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/gateway/hooks/use-gateway-boot.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/gateway/hooks/use-gateway-boot.ts
@@ -77,6 +77,10 @@ export function useGatewayBoot({
     let reconnecting = false
     let reconnectTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
     let reconnectAttempt = 0
+    // Surface "sign in again" once per disconnect episode, not on every backoff
+    // tick — a stale OAuth ticket fails every attempt and would otherwise stack
+    // identical error toasts (and their haptics). Reset on the next clean open.
+    let reauthNotified = false
 
     // Wrap the live getter in a call so TS control-flow analysis doesn't narrow
     // `connectionState` to a constant across the early-return guards (the state
@@ -128,7 +132,8 @@ export function useGatewayBoot({
         // again" message once instead of silently looping the backoff against a
         // ticket that can never succeed. Transport failures fall through to the
         // backoff in the finally block below.
-        if (!cancelled && isGatewayReauthRequired(err)) {
+        if (!cancelled && isGatewayReauthRequired(err) && !reauthNotified) {
+          reauthNotified = true
           notifyError(err, 'Gateway sign-in required')
         }
       } finally {
@@ -188,6 +193,7 @@ export function useGatewayBoot({
 
       if (st === 'open') {
         reconnectAttempt = 0
+        reauthNotified = false
         clearReconnectTimer()
       } else if (bootCompleted && (st === 'closed' || st === 'error')) {
         // The socket dropped after a healthy boot (typically sleep/wake). Try
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/directive-text.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/directive-text.tsx
index 9189356dc..c1cde84d4 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/directive-text.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/directive-text.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { Fragment, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react'
 import { ZoomableImage } from '@/components/chat/zoomable-image'
 import { extractEmbeddedImages } from '@/lib/embedded-images'
 
-const HERMES_REF_TYPES = ['file', 'folder', 'url', 'image', 'tool', 'line', 'terminal'] as const
+const HERMES_REF_TYPES = ['file', 'folder', 'url', 'image', 'tool', 'line', 'terminal', 'session'] as const
 type HermesRefType = (typeof HERMES_REF_TYPES)[number]
 
 /** Single source of truth for chip icon glyphs (Tabler outline @ 24×24).
@@ -38,7 +38,12 @@ const ICON_PATHS: Record<HermesRefType, string[]> = {
   ],
   tool: ['M7 10h3v-3l-3.5 -3.5a6 6 0 0 1 8 8l6 6a2 2 0 0 1 -3 3l-6 -6a6 6 0 0 1 -8 -8l3.5 3.5'],
   line: ['M5 9l14 0', 'M5 15l14 0', 'M11 4l-4 16', 'M17 4l-4 16'],
-  terminal: ['M5 7l5 5l-5 5', 'M12 19l7 0']
+  terminal: ['M5 7l5 5l-5 5', 'M12 19l7 0'],
+  session: [
+    'M8 9h8',
+    'M8 13h6',
+    'M18 4a3 3 0 0 1 3 3v8a3 3 0 0 1 -3 3h-5l-5 3v-3h-2a3 3 0 0 1 -3 -3v-8a3 3 0 0 1 3 -3z'
+  ]
 }
 
 const ICON_FALLBACK = ['M8 12a4 4 0 1 0 8 0a4 4 0 1 0 -8 0', 'M16 12v1.5a2.5 2.5 0 0 0 5 0v-1.5a9 9 0 1 0 -5.5 8.28']
@@ -98,7 +103,7 @@ const DirectiveIcon: FC<{ type: string }> = ({ type }) => (
  * raw HTML composer chips in `rich-editor.ts`. Neutral subtle wash + plain
  * muted-foreground text so chips read as quiet tags on any bubble color. */
 export const DIRECTIVE_CHIP_CLASS =
-  'mx-0.5 inline-flex max-w-56 items-center gap-1 rounded px-1.5 py-0.5 align-[0.02em] text-[0.86em] font-normal leading-none bg-[color-mix(in_srgb,currentColor_8%,transparent)] text-muted-foreground'
+  'mx-0.5 inline-flex max-w-56 items-center gap-1 rounded px-1.5 py-0.5 align-middle text-[0.86em] font-normal leading-none bg-[color-mix(in_srgb,currentColor_8%,transparent)] text-muted-foreground'
 
 /**
  * Parses our composer's `@type:value` references into directive segments
@@ -113,7 +118,7 @@ export const DIRECTIVE_CHIP_CLASS =
 const CANONICAL_DIRECTIVE_RE = /:([\w-]{1,64})\[([^\]\n]{1,1024})\](?:\{name=([^}\n]{1,1024})\})?/g
 
 const HERMES_DIRECTIVE_RE = new RegExp(
-  '@(file|folder|url|image|tool|line|terminal):(' + '`[^`\\n]+`' + '|"[^"\\n]+"' + "|'[^'\\n]+'" + '|\\S+' + ')',
+  '@(file|folder|url|image|tool|line|terminal|session):(' + '`[^`\\n]+`' + '|"[^"\\n]+"' + "|'[^'\\n]+'" + '|\\S+' + ')',
   'g'
 )
 
@@ -263,6 +268,14 @@ function shortLabel(type: HermesRefType, id: string): string {
     }
   }
 
+  // `@session:<profile>/<id>` — show a short id; the composer chip carries the
+  // friendly title, but once sent the wire form only has the id.
+  if (type === 'session') {
+    const sid = id.split('/').filter(Boolean).pop() || id
+
+    return sid.length > 10 ? `${sid.slice(0, 8)}…` : sid
+  }
+
   const tail = id.split(/[\\/]/).filter(Boolean).pop()
 
   return tail || id
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/lib/haptics.ts b/apps/desktop/src/lib/haptics.ts
index 7b1a9c3d9..83daf7bef 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/lib/haptics.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/lib/haptics.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,15 @@ export type HapticTrigger = (input?: HapticInput, options?: TriggerOptions) => P
 let registeredTrigger: HapticTrigger | null = null
 let lastSelectionAt = 0
 
+// Global rolling rate-limit. A runaway upstream loop (auth-expiry error-toast
+// storms, reconnect flaps) can request dozens of haptics a second, which the
+// trackpad actuator renders as a frantic "clickity" buzz. Cap firings to
+// RATE_LIMIT per RATE_WINDOW so no source can machine-gun the actuator;
+// intentional UI haptics are human-paced and never approach the ceiling.
+const RATE_WINDOW = 1000
+const RATE_LIMIT = 5
+let recentFires: number[] = []
+
 export function registerHapticTrigger(trigger: HapticTrigger | null) {
   registeredTrigger = trigger
 }
@@ -106,6 +115,14 @@ export function triggerHaptic(intent: HapticIntent = 'selection') {
     lastSelectionAt = now
   }
 
+  recentFires = recentFires.filter(t => now - t < RATE_WINDOW)
+
+  if (recentFires.length >= RATE_LIMIT) {
+    return
+  }
+
+  recentFires.push(now)
+
   const config = HAPTIC_INTENTS[intent]
 
   void registeredTrigger(config.pattern, config.options)?.catch(() => undefined)
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/store/profile.ts b/apps/desktop/src/store/profile.ts
index 2add7efe9..5a59de89b 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/store/profile.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/store/profile.ts
@@ -141,6 +141,11 @@ $activeGatewayProfile.subscribe(value => {
   _lastRoutedProfile = key
 })
 
+// Target profile while a gateway swap is mid-flight (spawning/reconnecting that
+// profile's backend), else null. Drives the chat's "waking up <profile>" loader
+// so a lazy spawn doesn't read as a hang. Single-profile users never swap.
+export const $gatewaySwapTarget = atom<string | null>(null)
+
 let gatewaySwitch: Promise<void> | null = null
 
 // Reconnect the single live gateway to `profile`'s backend if it isn't already
@@ -176,6 +181,7 @@ export async function ensureGatewayProfile(profile: string | null | undefined):
     }
   }
 
+  $gatewaySwapTarget.set(target)
   gatewaySwitch = (async () => {
     const desktop = window.hermesDesktop
     const gateway = $gateway.get()
@@ -205,6 +211,7 @@ export async function ensureGatewayProfile(profile: string | null | undefined):
     await gatewaySwitch
   } finally {
     gatewaySwitch = null
+    $gatewaySwapTarget.set(null)
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_session_search.py b/tests/tools/test_session_search.py
index 3f517aa1a..f564504e1 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_session_search.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_session_search.py
@@ -399,3 +399,124 @@ class TestShapePrecedence:
         _seed_modpack_sessions(db)
         result = json.loads(session_search(query=None, db=db))  # type: ignore
         assert result["mode"] == "browse"
+
+    def test_session_id_without_anchor_reads(self, db):
+        _seed_modpack_sessions(db)
+        # session_id alone (no anchor, no query) → read shape, not browse.
+        result = json.loads(session_search(session_id="s_oldest", db=db))
+        assert result["mode"] == "read"
+
+
+# =========================================================================
+# Read shape — dump a whole session by id (serves @session links)
+# =========================================================================
+
+class TestReadShape:
+    def test_read_returns_full_session(self, db):
+        _seed_modpack_sessions(db)
+        result = json.loads(session_search(session_id="s_oldest", db=db))
+        assert result["success"] is True
+        assert result["mode"] == "read"
+        assert result["session_id"] == "s_oldest"
+        assert result["message_count"] == 5
+        assert result["truncated"] is False
+        assert len(result["messages"]) == 5
+        assert result["session_meta"]["title"] == "Building the Modpack"
+
+    def test_read_unknown_session_errors(self, db):
+        result = json.loads(session_search(session_id="ghost", db=db))
+        assert result["success"] is False
+
+    def test_read_truncates_large_session(self, db):
+        db.create_session("s_big", source="cli")
+        for i in range(50):
+            db.append_message("s_big", role="user" if i % 2 == 0 else "assistant", content=f"m{i}")
+        db._conn.commit()
+        result = json.loads(session_search(session_id="s_big", db=db))
+        assert result["mode"] == "read"
+        assert result["message_count"] == 50
+        assert result["truncated"] is True
+        assert len(result["messages"]) == 30  # head 20 + tail 10
+
+
+# =========================================================================
+# Cross-profile read — `profile` swaps in another profile's DB (read-only)
+# =========================================================================
+
+class TestCrossProfileRead:
+    def _patch_profiles(self, monkeypatch, home, exists=True):
+        from hermes_cli import profiles as profiles_mod
+        monkeypatch.setattr(profiles_mod, "normalize_profile_name", lambda n: n)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(profiles_mod, "validate_profile_name", lambda n: None)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(profiles_mod, "profile_exists", lambda n: exists)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(profiles_mod, "get_profile_dir", lambda n: home)
+
+    def test_profile_param_reads_other_db(self, db, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+        other_home = tmp_path / "other_home"
+        other_home.mkdir()
+        other = SessionDB(other_home / "state.db")
+        other.create_session("s_other", source="cli")
+        other._conn.execute(
+            "UPDATE sessions SET title = ? WHERE id = ?", ("Other Profile Chat", "s_other")
+        )
+        other.append_message("s_other", role="user", content="hello from the other profile")
+        other._conn.commit()
+
+        self._patch_profiles(monkeypatch, other_home)
+
+        # s_other lives only in the other profile; the current `db` lacks it.
+        result = json.loads(session_search(session_id="s_other", profile="other", db=db))
+        assert result["success"] is True
+        assert result["mode"] == "read"
+        assert result["session_meta"]["title"] == "Other Profile Chat"
+
+    def test_bare_id_locates_across_profiles(self, db, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+        # The real-world failure: model dropped the owning profile and passed a
+        # bare id. The tool must scan profiles and find it anyway.
+        other_home = tmp_path / "asdf_home"
+        other_home.mkdir()
+        other = SessionDB(other_home / "state.db")
+        other.create_session("s_far", source="cli")
+        other.append_message("s_far", role="user", content="hi")
+        other._conn.commit()
+
+        from collections import namedtuple
+        from hermes_cli import profiles as profiles_mod
+        Info = namedtuple("Info", "name path")
+        monkeypatch.setattr(profiles_mod, "get_profile_dir", lambda n: tmp_path / "default_home")
+        monkeypatch.setattr(profiles_mod, "list_profiles", lambda: [Info("asdf", other_home)])
+
+        # `db` (current profile) lacks s_far; no profile passed → scan finds it.
+        result = json.loads(session_search(session_id="s_far", db=db))
+        assert result["success"] is True
+        assert result["mode"] == "read"
+        assert result["profile"] == "asdf"
+
+    def test_unknown_profile_errors(self, db, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+        self._patch_profiles(monkeypatch, tmp_path, exists=False)
+        result = json.loads(session_search(session_id="x", profile="ghost", db=db))
+        assert result["success"] is False
+        assert "ghost" in result.get("error", "")
+
+    def test_combined_value_autosplits(self, db, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+        # Agent passed the raw "@session:<profile>/<id>" value as session_id with
+        # no separate profile — the tool should recover both.
+        other_home = tmp_path / "other_home"
+        other_home.mkdir()
+        other = SessionDB(other_home / "state.db")
+        other.create_session("s_other", source="cli")
+        other.append_message("s_other", role="user", content="hi")
+        other._conn.commit()
+
+        self._patch_profiles(monkeypatch, other_home)
+
+        # Every permutation the model might send must resolve to (asdf, s_other).
+        for kwargs in (
+            {"session_id": "asdf/s_other"},                    # full value, no profile
+            {"session_id": "asdf/s_other", "profile": "asdf"},  # full value AND profile
+            {"session_id": "s_other", "profile": "asdf"},       # bare id + profile
+        ):
+            result = json.loads(session_search(db=db, **kwargs))
+            assert result["success"] is True, kwargs
+            assert result["mode"] == "read"
+            assert result["session_id"] == "s_other"
diff --git a/tools/session_search_tool.py b/tools/session_search_tool.py
index 65b9d32f1..7bbb26a2e 100644
--- a/tools/session_search_tool.py
+++ b/tools/session_search_tool.py
@@ -107,6 +107,122 @@ def _shape_message(m: Dict[str, Any], anchor_id: Optional[int] = None) -> Dict[s
     return {k: v for k, v in entry.items() if v is not None or k in ("content",)}
 
 
+def _resolve_profile_db(profile: str):
+    """Open another profile's ``state.db`` read-only, or None for the current one.
+
+    The desktop's ``@session:<profile>/<id>`` links always carry the source
+    profile, so a linked session from profile B can be read while the agent
+    runs in profile A. ``read_only=True`` (mode=ro) takes no write lock — safe
+    to point at a live profile's DB, including our own. Returns None when no
+    profile is given (use the caller's default db).
+    """
+    if profile is None or not str(profile).strip():
+        return None
+
+    from hermes_cli import profiles as profiles_mod
+    from hermes_state import SessionDB
+
+    canon = profiles_mod.normalize_profile_name(profile)
+    profiles_mod.validate_profile_name(canon)
+    if not profiles_mod.profile_exists(canon):
+        raise ValueError(f"profile '{canon}' does not exist")
+
+    return SessionDB(db_path=profiles_mod.get_profile_dir(canon) / "state.db", read_only=True)
+
+
+def _locate_session_db(session_id: str):
+    """Scan every profile's ``state.db`` (read-only) for a session id.
+
+    Returns ``(db, profile_name)`` for the first profile that owns the id, or
+    ``(None, None)``. Session ids are globally unique (timestamp + random hex),
+    so the first hit is authoritative. This is the safety net for linked-session
+    reads where the model dropped the owning profile from the link and passed a
+    bare id — we find it wherever it actually lives instead of failing.
+    """
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli import profiles as profiles_mod
+        from hermes_state import SessionDB
+    except Exception:
+        return None, None
+
+    targets = [("default", profiles_mod.get_profile_dir("default"))]
+    try:
+        targets += [(info.name, info.path) for info in profiles_mod.list_profiles()]
+    except Exception:
+        logging.debug("list_profiles failed during session locate", exc_info=True)
+
+    seen: set = set()
+    for name, home in targets:
+        db_path = Path(home) / "state.db"
+        key = str(db_path)
+        if key in seen or not db_path.exists():
+            continue
+        seen.add(key)
+        try:
+            pdb = SessionDB(db_path=db_path, read_only=True)
+        except Exception:
+            continue
+        try:
+            if pdb.get_session(session_id):
+                return pdb, name
+        except Exception:
+            logging.debug("get_session probe failed for %s in %s", session_id, name, exc_info=True)
+        pdb.close()
+
+    return None, None
+
+
+def _read_session(db, session_id: str, head: int = 20, tail: int = 10) -> str:
+    """Read shape: dump a whole session by id (head + tail when large).
+
+    Serves the linked-session case — the user dropped an @session reference and
+    the agent wants the transcript. Bounded payload: small sessions return in
+    full, large ones return the first ``head`` and last ``tail`` messages with a
+    pointer to scroll the middle.
+    """
+    try:
+        meta = db.get_session(session_id) or {}
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.debug("get_session failed for %s: %s", session_id, e, exc_info=True)
+        meta = {}
+    if not meta:
+        return tool_error(f"session_id not found: {session_id}", success=False)
+
+    try:
+        rows = db.get_messages(session_id)
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.error("get_messages failed for %s: %s", session_id, e, exc_info=True)
+        return tool_error(f"failed to load session: {e}", success=False)
+
+    shaped = [_shape_message(m) for m in rows]
+    total = len(shaped)
+    truncated = total > head + tail
+    window = shaped[:head] + shaped[-tail:] if truncated else shaped
+
+    response = {
+        "success": True,
+        "mode": "read",
+        "session_id": session_id,
+        "session_meta": {
+            "when": _format_timestamp(meta.get("started_at")),
+            "source": meta.get("source"),
+            "model": meta.get("model"),
+            "title": meta.get("title"),
+        },
+        "message_count": total,
+        "truncated": truncated,
+        "messages": window,
+    }
+    if truncated:
+        response["message"] = (
+            f"Session has {total} messages; showing first {head} + last {tail}. "
+            "Pass around_message_id (any id above) to scroll the middle."
+        )
+    return json.dumps(response, ensure_ascii=False)
+
+
 def _list_recent_sessions(db, limit: int, current_session_id: str = None) -> str:
     """Return metadata for the most recent sessions (no LLM calls, no FTS5)."""
     try:
@@ -387,15 +503,19 @@ def session_search(
     window: int = 5,
     # Discovery shape
     sort: str = None,
+    # Cross-profile (any shape)
+    profile: str = None,
 ) -> str:
     """Single-shape tool. Mode inferred from which args are set.
 
     Discovery: pass ``query``.
     Scroll:    pass ``session_id`` + ``around_message_id``.
+    Read:      pass ``session_id`` (no anchor) — dumps the whole session.
     Browse:    pass nothing.
 
-    Scroll wins over discovery when both are set — the agent has explicitly
-    asked for a slice of a known session.
+    Pass ``profile`` to read another profile's sessions (e.g. resolving an
+    ``@session:<profile>/<id>`` link). Scroll wins over read/discovery when an
+    anchor is set — the agent has asked for a specific slice.
     """
     if db is None:
         try:
@@ -406,6 +526,30 @@ def session_search(
             from hermes_state import format_session_db_unavailable
             return tool_error(format_session_db_unavailable(), success=False)
 
+    # Normalise a raw `@session:<profile>/<id>` link value passed as session_id.
+    # Session ids never contain "/", so a slash unambiguously means profile/id —
+    # always strip the prefix off the id, and adopt the embedded profile only
+    # when one wasn't passed explicitly. Handles every permutation the model
+    # might send (full value as id, with or without a separate profile=).
+    if isinstance(session_id, str) and "/" in session_id:
+        emb_profile, _, emb_id = session_id.partition("/")
+        if emb_id:
+            session_id = emb_id
+            if emb_profile and (profile is None or not str(profile).strip()):
+                profile = emb_profile
+
+    # Cross-profile read: swap in the named profile's DB (read-only) for every
+    # shape below. The current-session-lineage guards no longer apply across
+    # profiles, but they key off ids that won't collide, so they stay inert.
+    if profile is not None and str(profile).strip():
+        try:
+            profile_db = _resolve_profile_db(profile)
+        except Exception as e:
+            return tool_error(f"profile '{profile}': {e}", success=False)
+        if profile_db is not None:
+            db = profile_db
+            current_session_id = None
+
     # Scroll shape takes precedence — explicit anchor beats any query.
     if (isinstance(session_id, str) and session_id.strip()) and around_message_id is not None:
         return _scroll(
@@ -416,6 +560,27 @@ def session_search(
             current_session_id=current_session_id,
         )
 
+    # Read shape: a session_id with no anchor → dump the whole session.
+    if isinstance(session_id, str) and session_id.strip():
+        sid = session_id.strip()
+        result = _read_session(db, sid)
+        if json.loads(result).get("success"):
+            return result
+
+        # Miss in the target profile — the model may have dropped the owning
+        # profile from the link. Scan every profile and read it from wherever
+        # it lives, tagging the profile it was found in.
+        located, owner = _locate_session_db(sid)
+        if located is not None:
+            try:
+                found = json.loads(_read_session(located, sid))
+            finally:
+                located.close()
+            if found.get("success"):
+                found["profile"] = owner
+                return json.dumps(found, ensure_ascii=False)
+        return result
+
     # Limit clamp [1, 10]
     if not isinstance(limit, int):
         try:
@@ -465,7 +630,7 @@ SESSION_SEARCH_SCHEMA = {
         "Search past sessions stored in the local session DB, or scroll inside one. "
         "FTS5-backed retrieval over the SQLite message store. No LLM calls — every "
         "shape returns actual messages from the DB.\n\n"
-        "THREE CALLING SHAPES\n\n"
+        "FOUR CALLING SHAPES\n\n"
         "  1) DISCOVERY — pass `query`:\n"
         "     session_search(query=\"auth refactor\", limit=3)\n"
         "     Runs FTS5, dedupes hits by session lineage, returns the top N sessions. "
@@ -491,7 +656,13 @@ SESSION_SEARCH_SCHEMA = {
         "       - The boundary message appears in both windows — orientation marker.\n"
         "       - When messages_before or messages_after is < window, you're at the "
         "start or end of the session.\n\n"
-        "  3) BROWSE — no args:\n"
+        "  3) READ — pass `session_id` only (no around_message_id):\n"
+        "     session_search(session_id=\"...\", profile=\"work\")\n"
+        "     Dumps the whole session by id (first 20 + last 10 messages when "
+        "large). This is how you resolve an `@session:<profile>/<id>` link the "
+        "user dropped into the chat: split the value on `/` into profile + id "
+        "and call session_search(session_id=id, profile=profile).\n\n"
+        "  4) BROWSE — no args:\n"
         "     session_search()\n"
         "     Returns recent sessions chronologically: titles, previews, timestamps. "
         "Use when the user asks \"what was I working on\" without naming a topic.\n\n"
@@ -573,6 +744,15 @@ SESSION_SEARCH_SCHEMA = {
                     "behaviour) or 'tool' to search tool output only."
                 ),
             },
+            "profile": {
+                "type": "string",
+                "description": (
+                    "Optional. Read sessions from another Hermes profile's database "
+                    "(read-only). Use when resolving an `@session:<profile>/<id>` link: "
+                    "pass the profile segment here with session_id as the id segment. "
+                    "Omit to use the current profile."
+                ),
+            },
         },
         "required": [],
     },
@@ -594,6 +774,7 @@ registry.register(
         around_message_id=args.get("around_message_id"),
         window=args.get("window", 5),
         sort=args.get("sort"),
+        profile=args.get("profile"),
         db=kw.get("db"),
         current_session_id=kw.get("current_session_id"),
     ),