diff --git a/BACKLOG.md b/BACKLOG.md
index 4b29b20..f9e6182 100644
--- a/BACKLOG.md
+++ b/BACKLOG.md
@@ -13,14 +13,6 @@ Status vocabulary: `todo` · `doing` · `done`.
 | 4 | Subscription videos | done | Verified incl. remote (federated) channels |
 | 5 | Watch history (server) | done | read-only grid |
 | 6 | Playback + report to server history | done | ExoPlayer HLS w/ `videoFileToken` for non-public media; watching reports every ~20 s verified server-side; resume position retrievable |
-| 7 | Channel videos view (channel page) | done | Banner + avatar + name + video count header, paged video grid; opened from the Channels screen and the player's channel icon |
-
-## Discussed but deferred (2026-10-12, while reworking the player controls)
-
-- Like/dislike display: counts are in the video detail DTO; rating (own like via
-  `PUT /api/v1/videos/{uuid}/rating`) is a write op — display first, rating later.
-- Subtitles: `GET /api/v1/videos/{uuid}/captions` → Media3 `SubtitleConfiguration`
-  on the player; language selection in the controls overlay.
 
 ## Next up (v0.2+)
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/data/PeerTubeRepository.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/data/PeerTubeRepository.kt
index 496ca1f..8922c39 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/data/PeerTubeRepository.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/data/PeerTubeRepository.kt
@@ -69,47 +69,45 @@ class PeerTubeRepository(
                 expiresAtMillis = System.currentTimeMillis() +
                     (token.expiresIn ?: 86400L) * 1000L,
             )
-            // Login accepts email addresses too; the login input is not a valid
-            // handle for /accounts/{handle}, so default it, refreshMyProfile()
-            // corrects it right after (and on every app start).
-            store.accountName = username.substringBefore('@')
-            store.instanceName = runCatching { network.api.serverConfig().instance.name }.getOrNull()
-            // /users/me fills displayName + avatar; failure is not fatal because
-            // the profile is refreshed again on the next app start.
-            refreshMyProfile()
+            // Login accepts emails; resolve the real account name for /accounts/{handle}.
+            // The request MUST carry the fresh token (UX report BUG-1: unauthenticated
+            // /users/me returns 401 and the fallback breaks Channels for email logins).
+            try {
+                val authed = plainOkHttp().newBuilder()
+                    .addInterceptor { chain ->
+                        chain.proceed(
+                            chain.request().newBuilder()
+                                .header("Authorization", "Bearer ${token.accessToken}")
+                                .build()
+                        )
+                    }
+                    .build()
+                val meApi = Retrofit.Builder()
+                    .baseUrl(apiUrlOf(base) + "/")
+                    .client(authed)
+                    .addConverterFactory(json.asConverterFactory("application/json; charset=utf-8".toMediaType()))
+                    .build()
+                    .create(PeerTubeApi::class.java)
+                store.instanceName = try {
+                    meApi.serverConfig().instance.name
+                } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+                val me = meApi.me()
+                store.accountName = me.username
+                store.userDisplayName = me.displayName ?: me.username
+                me.avatars.maxByOrNull { it.width }?.let { avatar ->
+                    store.userAvatarUrl = avatar.fileUrl
+                        ?.takeIf { url -> url.startsWith("http") }
+                        ?: apiUrlOf(base) + avatar.path
+                }
+            } catch (_: Exception) {
+                store.accountName = username.substringBefore('@') // best effort fallback
+            }
         }
 
     suspend fun me(): Result<UserDto> = runCatching { network.api.me() }
 
     suspend fun serverConfig(): Result<ServerConfigDto> = runCatching { network.api.serverConfig() }
 
-    /** Display name + avatar URL of the logged-in user, from /users/me. */
-    data class UserProfile(val displayName: String, val avatarUrl: String?)
-
-    /**
-     * Fetches and persists the profile of the logged-in user. Called after login
-     * AND on every app start with a stored session: it used to run only at login
-     * inside a swallow-all try, so sessions from earlier app versions showed the
-     * raw username and no avatar. Returns null on failure.
-     */
-    suspend fun refreshMyProfile(): UserProfile? {
-        // /users/me carries displayName + avatars inside `account` (verified
-        // live v8.3.1); the flat fields exist on some older versions only.
-        val me = runCatching { network.api.me() }.getOrNull() ?: return null
-        val name = me.account?.displayName ?: me.displayName ?: me.username
-        val avatars = me.account?.avatars?.takeIf { it.isNotEmpty() } ?: me.avatars
-        store.accountName = me.username
-        val displayName = name
-        store.userDisplayName = displayName
-        val avatarUrl = avatars.maxByOrNull { it.width }?.let { avatar ->
-            avatar.fileUrl?.takeIf { it.startsWith("http") }
-                // lazy-static avatars live at the instance root, NOT under /api/v1
-                ?: store.baseUrl?.let { base -> normalizeBaseUrl(base) + avatar.path }
-        }
-        store.userAvatarUrl = avatarUrl
-        return UserProfile(displayName, avatarUrl)
-    }
-
     /** Display name of a (possibly foreign) instance, via that instance's /config. */
     suspend fun instanceName(rawHost: String): Result<String> = runCatching {
         val base = "https://" + rawHost
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/data/api/Dtos.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/data/api/Dtos.kt
index 4507861..91d3777 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/data/api/Dtos.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/data/api/Dtos.kt
@@ -165,15 +165,6 @@ data class ChannelStats(
 @Serializable
 data class UserDto(
     val username: String,
-    // /users/me does NOT return these at top level on newer PeerTube versions —
-    // the account object carries displayName + avatars (verified live v8.3.1).
     val displayName: String? = null,
     val avatars: List<Avatar> = emptyList(),
-    val account: UserAccountDto? = null,
-)
-
-@Serializable
-data class UserAccountDto(
-    @SerialName("displayName") val displayName: String? = null,
-    val avatars: List<Avatar> = emptyList(),
 )
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/AppViewModel.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/AppViewModel.kt
index 8bc14bd..e6e542f 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/AppViewModel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/AppViewModel.kt
@@ -19,10 +19,6 @@ class AppViewModel(private val repository: PeerTubeRepository = AppGraph.reposit
     private val _sessionState = MutableStateFlow<SessionState>(SessionState.Loading)
     val sessionState: StateFlow<SessionState> = _sessionState
 
-    /** Display name + avatar of the logged-in user (for the drawer header). */
-    private val _userProfile = MutableStateFlow<PeerTubeRepository.UserProfile?>(null)
-    val userProfile: StateFlow<PeerTubeRepository.UserProfile?> = _userProfile
-
     /**
      * Bumped on every logout and successful login: all list ViewModels and saved
      * UI state are keyed by it, so switching accounts never shows the previous
@@ -34,19 +30,8 @@ class AppViewModel(private val repository: PeerTubeRepository = AppGraph.reposit
     val loggingIn = MutableStateFlow(false)
 
     init {
-        if (repository.hasSession()) {
-            _sessionState.value = SessionState.Ready
-            // Re-fetch the profile on every app start: stored sessions from older
-            // app versions may lack displayName/avatar (or the login-time fetch
-            // failed back then). Failure keeps the stored/fallback values.
-            refreshProfile()
-        } else {
-            _sessionState.value = SessionState.NeedsSetup
-        }
-    }
-
-    private fun refreshProfile() {
-        viewModelScope.launch { _userProfile.value = repository.refreshMyProfile() }
+        _sessionState.value =
+            if (repository.hasSession()) SessionState.Ready else SessionState.NeedsSetup
     }
 
     fun login(baseUrl: String, username: String, password: String) {
@@ -58,7 +43,6 @@ class AppViewModel(private val repository: PeerTubeRepository = AppGraph.reposit
             if (result.isSuccess) {
                 _sessionState.value = SessionState.Ready
                 sessionEpoch.value += 1
-                refreshProfile()
             } else {
                 loginError.value = if (result.exceptionOrNull() is PeerTubeRepository.BadCredentialsException) {
                     "Invalid credentials"
@@ -83,7 +67,6 @@ class AppViewModel(private val repository: PeerTubeRepository = AppGraph.reposit
     /** Clears the stored session; the user returns to the setup screen. */
     fun logout() {
         repository.signOut()
-        _userProfile.value = null
         _sessionState.value = SessionState.NeedsSetup
         sessionEpoch.value += 1
     }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/list/VideoListViewModel.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/list/VideoListViewModel.kt
index dca398c..a723e8e 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/list/VideoListViewModel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/list/VideoListViewModel.kt
@@ -74,7 +74,9 @@ class VideoListViewModel(
     fun loadChannelHeader(repository: PeerTubeRepository) {
         val s = source
         if (s is ListSource.Channel) {
-            viewModelScope.launch { channelHeader = repository.videoChannel(s.handle).getOrNull() }
+            viewModelScope.launch {
+                channelHeader = repository.videoChannel(s.handle).getOrNull()
+            }
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/HomeRows.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/HomeRows.kt
index 74cf99a..1cd6eea 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/HomeRows.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/HomeRows.kt
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ fun HomeRowsScreen(
                     videos = viewModel.subItems,
                     progressOf = { null },
                     onOpenVideo = onOpenVideo,
-                    onLeftAtStart = onOpenDrawer,
+                    onLeftAtStart = { },
                 )
             }
         }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/HomeScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/HomeScreen.kt
index cd1c618..a6f5aad 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/HomeScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/HomeScreen.kt
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 package net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.screens
 
 import androidx.activity.compose.BackHandler
-import androidx.compose.foundation.Image
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
+import androidx.compose.foundation.border
 import androidx.compose.foundation.clickable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.focusable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.gestures.detectTapGestures
@@ -12,13 +12,10 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Row
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Spacer
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxWidth
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.height
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.width
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.widthIn
 import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.CircleShape
-import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.automirrored.filled.List
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.AccountCircle
@@ -39,16 +36,14 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
 import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
-import androidx.compose.ui.draw.scale
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.FocusRequester
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.focusRequester
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.onFocusChanged
+import androidx.compose.ui.focus.onFocusChanged
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.vector.ImageVector
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.Key
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.onPreviewKeyEvent
-import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
-import androidx.compose.ui.res.painterResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.key
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.type
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.pointer.pointerInput
@@ -56,8 +51,6 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.tv.material3.Icon
 import androidx.tv.material3.Text
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.AppGraph
-import net.jeena.jtubetv.R
-import net.jeena.jtubetv.data.PeerTubeRepository
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.data.api.VideoDto
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.AppViewModel
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.list.ListSource
@@ -74,28 +67,23 @@ enum class Destination(val title: String) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Home = SmartTube-style: persistent top bar with the app logo + title on the
- * left and the account button (avatar + display name, opens the menu) on the
- * right; the menu drawer slides in below the bar so the logo/title stay in the
- * same place whether the drawer is open or not. Content below is key(epoch) so
- * an account switch rebuilds all state.
+ * Home = SmartTube-style: hidden menu, red round search + avatar in a top bar,
+ * full-width rows/list content. The menu drawer slides in when wanted (avatar or
+ * the search/BACK flows) and everything is key(epoch) so an account switch
+ * rebuilds all state.
  */
 @Composable
 fun HomeScreen(viewModel: AppViewModel = androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.viewModel()) {
     val epoch by viewModel.sessionEpoch.collectAsState()
-    val userProfile by viewModel.userProfile.collectAsState()
     var destination by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(Destination.Home) }
     var channelDetails by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf<String?>(null) } // handle
-    var channelName by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf<String?>(null) }   // display name
     // NOT saveable: launching the app should never resume a half-watched player session.
     var playingVideo by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf<String?>(null) }  // shortUUID
     var restoreToken by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(0) } // increments when playback ends
     var drawerOpen by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(false) }
     val context = androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext.current
     var lastBackAt by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(0L) }
-
-    /** Close the drawer; focus falls back into the content pane. */
-    val dismissDrawer = { drawerOpen = false }
+    val searchFocus = remember { FocusRequester() }
 
     // After BACK from the player: bump the restore token so lists re-focus the opened
     // card and re-fetch positions (UX report BUG-3 + BUG-7).
@@ -112,7 +100,8 @@ fun HomeScreen(viewModel: AppViewModel = androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.vi
     // BACK order (TV standard): player (own handler) → drawer close → channel
     // drilldown → non-Home destination → Home; from Home: double-press exits.
     BackHandler(enabled = drawerOpen && playingVideo == null) {
-        dismissDrawer()
+        drawerOpen = false
+        runCatching { searchFocus.requestFocus() }
     }
     BackHandler(enabled = !drawerOpen && playingVideo == null && channelDetails != null) {
         channelDetails = null
@@ -144,48 +133,35 @@ fun HomeScreen(viewModel: AppViewModel = androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.vi
                     playingVideo == null
                 ) {
                     when {
-                        drawerOpen -> { dismissDrawer(); true }
+                        drawerOpen -> { drawerOpen = false; true }
                         channelDetails != null -> { channelDetails = null; true }
                         else -> false
                     }
                 } else false
             },
     ) {
+        androidx.compose.runtime.key(epoch) {
         Column {
-            // Persistent top bar: logo/title left, account button right.
+            // SmartTube-style top bar: red round search + avatar opening the menu.
             TopBar(
+                onSearchClick = { destination = Destination.Search; channelDetails = null },
                 onAccountClick = { drawerOpen = !drawerOpen },
-                profile = userProfile,
+                searchFocus = searchFocus,
             )
-            androidx.compose.runtime.key(epoch) {
-                Box(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize()) {
-                    Box(
-                        modifier = Modifier
-                            .fillMaxSize()
-                            // TV overscan safety margins on the content pane.
-                            .padding(start = 8.dp, end = 32.dp, top = 8.dp),
-                    ) {
-                when {
-                    // Channel videos page (opened from the Channels screen or the
-                    // player's channel icon) overrides the destination content.
-                    channelDetails != null ->
-                        VideoListScreen(
-                            source = ListSource.Channel(channelDetails!!, channelName ?: ""),
-                            onOpenVideo = { playingVideo = it.shortUUID },
-                            restoreToken = restoreToken,
-                            epoch = epoch,
-                            onOpenDrawer = { drawerOpen = true },
-                            upToTopBar = { drawerOpen = true },
-                        )
-                    else -> when (destination) {
+            Box(
+                modifier = Modifier
+                    .fillMaxSize()
+                    // TV overscan safety margins on the content pane.
+                    .padding(start = 8.dp, end = 32.dp, top = 8.dp),
+            ) {
+                when (destination) {
                     Destination.Home ->
                         HomeRowsScreen(
                             onOpenVideo = { playingVideo = it.shortUUID },
                             restoreToken = restoreToken,
                             epoch = epoch,
                             onOpenDrawer = { drawerOpen = true },
-                            // UP over the first row opens the drawer.
-                            upToTopBar = { drawerOpen = true },
+                            upToTopBar = { runCatching { searchFocus.requestFocus() } },
                         )
                     Destination.MyVideos ->
                         VideoListScreen(
@@ -194,7 +170,7 @@ fun HomeScreen(viewModel: AppViewModel = androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.vi
                             restoreToken = restoreToken,
                             epoch = epoch,
                             onOpenDrawer = { drawerOpen = true },
-                            upToTopBar = { drawerOpen = true },
+                            upToTopBar = { runCatching { searchFocus.requestFocus() } },
                         )
                     Destination.Channels -> ChannelsScreen(
                         onOpenChannel = { handle -> channelDetails = handle },
@@ -208,7 +184,7 @@ fun HomeScreen(viewModel: AppViewModel = androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.vi
                             restoreToken = restoreToken,
                             epoch = epoch,
                             onOpenDrawer = { drawerOpen = true },
-                            upToTopBar = { drawerOpen = true },
+                            upToTopBar = { runCatching { searchFocus.requestFocus() } },
                         )
                     Destination.Subscriptions ->
                         VideoListScreen(
@@ -217,7 +193,7 @@ fun HomeScreen(viewModel: AppViewModel = androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.vi
                             restoreToken = restoreToken,
                             epoch = epoch,
                             onOpenDrawer = { drawerOpen = true },
-                            upToTopBar = { drawerOpen = true },
+                            upToTopBar = { runCatching { searchFocus.requestFocus() } },
                         )
                     Destination.History ->
                         VideoListScreen(
@@ -226,38 +202,31 @@ fun HomeScreen(viewModel: AppViewModel = androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.vi
                             restoreToken = restoreToken,
                             epoch = epoch,
                             onOpenDrawer = { drawerOpen = true },
-                            upToTopBar = { drawerOpen = true },
+                            upToTopBar = { runCatching { searchFocus.requestFocus() } },
                         )
-                    }
-                }
-                    }
-
-                    // Slide-in menu drawer, below the top bar so logo/title stay put.
-                    if (drawerOpen) {
-                        MenuDrawer(
-                            selected = destination,
-                            onSelect = {
-                                destination = it
-                                channelDetails = null
-                                drawerOpen = false
-                            },
-                            onSignOut = { viewModel.logout() },
-                            onDismiss = { dismissDrawer() },
-                        )
-                    }
                 }
             }
         }
+        }
+
+        // Slide-in menu drawer (SmartTube style: hidden until wanted).
+        if (drawerOpen) {
+            MenuDrawer(
+                selected = destination,
+                onSelect = {
+                    destination = it
+                    channelDetails = null
+                    drawerOpen = false
+                },
+                onSignOut = { viewModel.logout() },
+                onDismiss = { drawerOpen = false },
+            )
+        }
 
         if (playingVideo != null) {
             PlayerScreen(
                 shortUuid = playingVideo!!,
                 onBack = { playingVideo = null },
-                onOpenChannel = { handle, displayName ->
-                    playingVideo = null
-                    channelDetails = handle
-                    channelName = displayName
-                },
             )
         }
     }
@@ -273,109 +242,120 @@ private fun Destination.icon(): ImageVector =
         Destination.History -> Icons.Filled.History
     }
 
-/**
- * Persistent top bar: logo + "JTube TV" on the left (unchanged while the drawer
- * is open, so they anchor the layout) and the account button on the right.
- */
+/** Top bar: red round search + account avatar (opens the menu), SmartTube-style. */
 @Composable
 private fun TopBar(
+    onSearchClick: () -> Unit,
     onAccountClick: () -> Unit,
-    profile: PeerTubeRepository.UserProfile?,
+    searchFocus: FocusRequester,
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
     Row(
         modifier = modifier
             .fillMaxWidth()
-            .padding(start = 24.dp, end = 24.dp, top = 16.dp, bottom = 8.dp),
-        verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+            .padding(horizontal = 24.dp, vertical = 10.dp),
+        horizontalArrangement = androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement.spacedBy(16.dp),
     ) {
-        // The launcher icon is an adaptive icon, which Compose can't paint
-        // directly — the launcher look is its two layers: dark background +
-        // foreground glyph (both vector drawables).
-        // Bottom-aligned to the text line and nudged up so the logo's bottom
-        // edge sits on the text baseline, not below it.
-        Box(
-            modifier = Modifier
-                .align(Alignment.Bottom)
-                .padding(bottom = 17.dp) // slightly below the text baseline
-                .size(32.dp) // match the avatar row so both headers align
-                .clip(RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
-                .background(Color(0xFF101010)),
-        ) {
-            // Zoom past the adaptive-icon safe zone: the glyph is only ~45% of
-            // the 108dp viewport, so Fit would render it tiny.
-            Image(
-                painter = painterResource(R.drawable.icon_foreground),
-                contentDescription = "JTube TV logo",
-                contentScale = ContentScale.Fit,
-                modifier = Modifier
-                    .fillMaxSize()
-                    .scale(2.1f),
-            )
-        }
-        Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(10.dp))
-        Text(
-            text = "JTube TV",
-            color = Color.White,
-            style = androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme.typography.titleLarge,
+        RoundTopButton(
+            bg = Color(0xFFCE2B2B),
+            icon = Icons.Filled.Search,
+            desc = "Search",
+            onClick = onSearchClick,
+            focusRequester = searchFocus,
         )
-        Spacer(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f))
-        // Account indicator: avatar + display name. Purely visual on TV (D-pad
-        // focus and activation stay in the content/drawer); a click (mouse/touch)
-        // still opens the menu drawer.
+        // "Who is logged in" — account button: avatar circle + display name (SmartTube).
+        val accountFocused = remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
         Row(
-            modifier = Modifier.clickable(onClick = onAccountClick),
+            modifier = Modifier
+                .onFocusChanged { accountFocused.value = it.isFocused }
+                .background(Color.Transparent)
+                .then(
+                    if (accountFocused.value) Modifier.border(3.dp, Color.White, CircleShape)
+                    else Modifier
+                )
+                .focusable()
+                .dpadCenterActivatable(onAccountClick)
+                .clickable(onClick = onAccountClick),
             verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
             horizontalArrangement = androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp),
         ) {
-            AccountAvatar(
-                url = profile?.avatarUrl ?: AppGraph.tokenStore.userAvatarUrl,
-                size = 40.dp,
-            )
+            val avatarUrl = AppGraph.tokenStore.userAvatarUrl
+            if (avatarUrl != null) {
+                coil.compose.AsyncImage(
+                    model = coil.request.ImageRequest.Builder(androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext.current)
+                        .data(avatarUrl)
+                        .size(96)
+                        .build(),
+                    contentDescription = "Account",
+                    modifier = Modifier
+                        .size(44.dp)
+                        .clip(CircleShape)
+                        .background(Color(0xFF262626)),
+                )
+            } else {
+                Box(
+                    modifier = Modifier
+                        .size(44.dp)
+                        .clip(CircleShape)
+                        .background(Color(0xFF262626)),
+                    contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
+                ) {
+                    Icon(
+                        imageVector = Icons.Filled.AccountCircle,
+                        contentDescription = "Account",
+                        tint = Color(0xFFCCCCCC),
+                    )
+                }
+            }
             Text(
-                text = profile?.displayName
-                    ?: AppGraph.tokenStore.userDisplayName
-                    ?: AppGraph.tokenStore.username?.substringBefore('@')
-                    ?: "Account",
-                color = Color(0xFFD0D0D0),
+                text = AppGraph.tokenStore.userDisplayName
+                    ?: AppGraph.tokenStore.username?.substringBefore('@') ?: "Account",
+                color = Color(0xFFB0B0B0),
                 style = androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
-                modifier = Modifier
-                    .padding(end = 8.dp)
-                    // keep the button compact; the bar never wraps under a long name
-                    .widthIn(max = 160.dp),
-                maxLines = 1,
+                modifier = Modifier.padding(end = 8.dp),
             )
         }
+        Spacer(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f))
+        Text(
+            text = "JTube TV",
+            color = Color(0xFF9A9A9A),
+            style = androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme.typography.titleMedium,
+            modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.CenterVertically),
+        )
     }
 }
+
 @Composable
-private fun AccountAvatar(url: String?, size: androidx.compose.ui.unit.Dp) {
-    if (url != null) {
-        coil.compose.AsyncImage(
-            model = coil.request.ImageRequest.Builder(androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext.current)
-                .data(url)
-                .size(96)
-                .build(),
-            contentDescription = "Account",
-            modifier = Modifier
-                .size(size)
-                .clip(CircleShape)
-                .background(Color(0xFF262626)),
-        )
-    } else {
-        Box(
-            modifier = Modifier
-                .size(size)
-                .clip(CircleShape)
-                .background(Color(0xFF262626)),
-            contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
-        ) {
-            Icon(
-                imageVector = Icons.Filled.AccountCircle,
-                contentDescription = "Account",
-                tint = Color(0xFFCCCCCC),
+private fun RoundTopButton(
+    bg: Color,
+    icon: ImageVector,
+    desc: String,
+    onClick: () -> Unit,
+    focusRequester: FocusRequester? = null,
+) {
+    var focused by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    Box(
+        modifier = Modifier
+            .size(44.dp)
+            .clip(CircleShape)
+            .onFocusChanged { focused = it.isFocused }
+            .background(bg)
+            .then(
+                if (focused) Modifier.border(
+                    3.dp, Color.White, CircleShape
+                ) else Modifier
             )
-        }
+            .then(if (focusRequester != null) Modifier.focusRequester(focusRequester) else Modifier)
+            .focusable()
+            .dpadCenterActivatable(onClick)
+            .clickable(onClick = onClick),
+        contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
+    ) {
+        Icon(
+            imageVector = icon,
+            contentDescription = desc,
+            tint = Color.White,
+        )
     }
 }
 
@@ -401,9 +381,7 @@ private fun MenuDrawer(
                 .width(240.dp)
                 .fillMaxSize()
                 .background(Color(0xFF111111))
-                // Logo/title live in the persistent top bar above; only a slim
-                // top gap here so the item list starts below the bar.
-                .padding(top = 8.dp, bottom = 24.dp)
+                .padding(vertical = 24.dp)
                 .onPreviewKeyEvent { ke ->
                     // RIGHT from the drawer closes it; focus returns to the top bar.
                     if (ke.nativeKeyEvent.action == android.view.KeyEvent.ACTION_DOWN &&
@@ -414,6 +392,12 @@ private fun MenuDrawer(
                     } else false
                 },
         ) {
+            Text(
+                text = "JTube TV",
+                color = Color.White,
+                style = androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme.typography.headlineSmall,
+                modifier = Modifier.padding(start = 28.dp, bottom = 20.dp),
+            )
             Destination.entries.forEachIndexed { index, dest ->
                 MenuDrawerItem(
                     icon = dest.icon(),
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/PlayerScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/PlayerScreen.kt
index b40baf9..8254ee1 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/PlayerScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/PlayerScreen.kt
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import androidx.activity.compose.BackHandler
 import androidx.media3.ui.AspectRatioFrameLayout
 import androidx.compose.foundation.Canvas
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
-import androidx.compose.foundation.border
 import androidx.compose.foundation.focusable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column
@@ -26,7 +25,6 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.CircleShape
 import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Forward10
-import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Pause
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.PlayArrow
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Replay10
 import androidx.compose.material3.CircularProgressIndicator
@@ -47,15 +45,12 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.FocusRequester
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.focusRequester
 import androidx.compose.ui.geometry.CornerRadius
-import androidx.compose.ui.geometry.Offset
 import androidx.compose.ui.geometry.Size
-import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Brush
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.KeyEventType
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.onFocusChanged
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.onPreviewKeyEvent
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.type
-import androidx.compose.ui.input.pointer.pointerInput
 import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
@@ -177,9 +172,6 @@ class PlayerViewModel(
 fun PlayerScreen(
     shortUuid: String,
     onBack: () -> Unit,
-    // From the paused/controls overlay's channel icon: (handle, displayName),
-    // must also exit the player screen first.
-    onOpenChannel: (String, String) -> Unit = { _, _ -> },
     viewModel: PlayerViewModel = viewModel(
         key = "player$shortUuid",
         factory = PlayerViewModel.factory(AppGraph.repository, AppGraph.tokenStore),
@@ -197,7 +189,7 @@ fun PlayerScreen(
     when (val s = state) {
         is PlayerUiState.Loading -> PlayerLoading()
         is PlayerUiState.Error -> PlayerError(s.message, viewModel, onBack)
-        is PlayerUiState.Ready -> PlayerSurface(s, viewModel, shortUuid, onBack, onOpenChannel)
+        is PlayerUiState.Ready -> PlayerSurface(s, viewModel, shortUuid, onBack)
     }
 }
 
@@ -259,19 +251,16 @@ private fun PlayerSurface(
     viewModel: PlayerViewModel,
     shortUuid: String,
     onBack: () -> Unit,
-    onOpenChannel: (String, String) -> Unit,
 ) {
     val context = LocalContext.current
     val keyFocus = remember { FocusRequester() }
     var paused by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
-    // True while the player hasn't reached STATE_READY yet (initial buffering OR
-    // a re-buffer after seeking) — shows an indicator until media really plays
-    // (issue #8: the Loading screen ended too early and the rest was black).
-    var buffering by remember { mutableStateOf(true) }
+    var playerViewRef by remember { mutableStateOf<PlayerView?>(null) }
     // Key press that was consumed at ACTION_DOWN — its trailing ACTION_UP must not
     // re-reveal the native controller right after a play/pause toggle.
     var consumedDownKey by remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
-    // Overlay focus/position state for the controls (#4).
+    // Overlay focus/position state for the paused controls (#4).
+    val playPauseFocus = remember { FocusRequester() }
     val seekBarFocus = remember { FocusRequester() }
     val positionMs = remember { androidx.compose.runtime.mutableLongStateOf(0L) }
 
@@ -301,12 +290,12 @@ private fun PlayerSurface(
             .build()
     }
 
-    // Pause: move focus into the overlay (the seek bar — the only control); resume:
+    // Pause: move focus into the overlay (the Play button, like SmartTube); resume:
     // back to the plain key handler so the next OK pauses again.
     LaunchedEffect(paused) {
         if (paused) {
             positionMs.longValue = player.currentPosition
-            runCatching { seekBarFocus.requestFocus() }
+            runCatching { playPauseFocus.requestFocus() }
         } else {
             runCatching { keyFocus.requestFocus() }
         }
@@ -360,12 +349,11 @@ private fun PlayerSurface(
         player.addListener(object : Player.Listener {
             override fun onIsPlayingChanged(isPlaying: Boolean) {
                 paused = !isPlaying
-            }
-
-            override fun onPlaybackStateChanged(playbackState: Int) {
-                buffering = playbackState != Player.STATE_READY
+                if (!isPlaying) playerViewRef?.hideController() // overlay replaces the bar
             }
         })
+        // Controller does not flash at start; only UP/DOWN/other keys reveal it.
+        playerViewRef?.hideController()
         onDispose {
             viewModel.persistExit(shortUuid, (player.currentPosition / 1000).toInt())
             player.release()
@@ -402,10 +390,7 @@ private fun PlayerSurface(
                     onBack()
                     true
                 }
-                KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_CENTER, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE,
-                // Keyboard users: Space/Enter must pause/resume like the remote OK.
-                KeyEvent.KEYCODE_SPACE, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_ENTER,
-                KeyEvent.KEYCODE_NUMPAD_ENTER -> {
+                KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_CENTER, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE -> {
                     player.playWhenReady = !player.playWhenReady
                     true
                 }
@@ -422,38 +407,21 @@ private fun PlayerSurface(
         } else false
     }
 
-    // The native PlayerView controller is fully disabled (useController = false,
-    // mouse hover must NOT reveal it) — our own overlay is the only controls UI:
-    // persistent while paused, and transient (5 s) on any non-media key while
-    // playing.
-    var controlsVisible by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
-    var surfaceFocused by remember { mutableStateOf(true) }
-    LaunchedEffect(controlsVisible, paused) {
-        if (controlsVisible && !paused) {
-            kotlinx.coroutines.delay(5000)
-            controlsVisible = false
-            runCatching { keyFocus.requestFocus() }
-        }
-    }
-
     Box(
         modifier = Modifier
             .fillMaxSize()
             .background(Color.Black)
             .focusRequester(keyFocus)
-            .onFocusChanged { surfaceFocused = it.isFocused }
             .focusable()
             .onPreviewKeyEvent { ke ->
                 val code = ke.nativeKeyEvent.keyCode
                 when {
-                    // BACK/Esc leave the player in any state, from any focus.
-                    code == KeyEvent.KEYCODE_BACK || code == KeyEvent.KEYCODE_ESCAPE -> {
+                    paused && (code == KeyEvent.KEYCODE_BACK || code == KeyEvent.KEYCODE_ESCAPE) -> {
                         onBack(); true
                     }
-                    // While paused our overlay has focus and handles everything.
+                    // While paused the overlay handles arrows + CENTER (#4); unhandled
+                    // keys must not wake the native bar either.
                     paused -> false
-                    // Transient controls hold focus while playing: let them move it.
-                    controlsVisible && !surfaceFocused -> false
                     else -> {
                         val handled = handleKey(ke.nativeKeyEvent)
                         if (!handled) {
@@ -462,17 +430,15 @@ private fun PlayerSurface(
                             ) {
                                 consumedDownKey = 0 // trailing UP of a handled press
                             } else {
-                                // UP/DOWN etc. reveal OUR controls, focus the Play button.
-                                controlsVisible = true
-                                if (surfaceFocused) {
-                                    runCatching { seekBarFocus.requestFocus() }
-                                }
+                                // UP/DOWN etc. reveal the controls briefly
+                                playerViewRef?.showController()
                             }
                             true
                         } else {
                             if (ke.nativeKeyEvent.action == KeyEvent.ACTION_DOWN) {
                                 consumedDownKey = ke.nativeKeyEvent.keyCode
                             }
+                            if (player.playWhenReady) playerViewRef?.hideController()
                             true
                         }
                     }
@@ -486,41 +452,27 @@ private fun PlayerSurface(
                 // screen regardless of the letterbox geometry (issue #1).
                 (LayoutInflater.from(ctx)
                     .inflate(R.layout.player_video_view, null) as PlayerView).apply {
-                    // Native controller must never appear (issue: hovering with the
-                    // mouse showed the old play UI) — we own the controls entirely.
-                    useController = false
+                    useController = true
                     resizeMode = AspectRatioFrameLayout.RESIZE_MODE_FIT
                     this.player = player
                     isFocusable = false
+                    // We draw our own pause controls (#4); the native bar must only
+                    // appear where we call showController explicitly.
+                    setControllerAutoShow(false)
                     descendantFocusability = ViewGroup.FOCUS_BLOCK_DESCENDANTS
-                    // A click (mouse) reveals our overlay instead.
-                    setOnClickListener { controlsVisible = true }
+                    playerViewRef = this
                 }
             },
             modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
         )
-        // Cover the picture with the loading indicator until the player is really
-        // ready to render — metadata resolution alone (the Loading state) is not
-        // enough (issue #8).
-        if (buffering) {
-            Box(
-                Modifier
-                    .fillMaxSize()
-                    .background(Color.Black)
-                    .pointerInput(Unit) {}, // swallow taps/clicks while covering
-                contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
-            ) { CircularProgressIndicator() }
-        }
-        // Controls: SmartTube-style (title + channel above, then the seek bar).
-        // Persistent when paused, transient while playing.
-        if (paused || controlsVisible) {
+        // Paused → SmartTube-style controls: seek bar over transport buttons over info.
+        if (paused) {
             PausedControls(
                 detail = s.detail,
                 player = player,
                 positionMs = positionMs,
-                playing = !paused,
+                playPauseFocus = playPauseFocus,
                 seekBarFocus = seekBarFocus,
-                onOpenChannel = onOpenChannel,
                 modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.BottomCenter),
             )
         }
@@ -540,199 +492,257 @@ private fun seekOverlay(
 }
 
 /**
- * SmartTube-style controls (#4): channel icon + title + channel line above the
- * seek bar, position/duration below it; on a gradient so the video stays visible.
- * Persistent when paused, transient while playing (any non-media key reveals it,
- * auto-hides after 5 s).
+ * SmartTube-style paused controls (#4): a big always-visible seek bar ABOVE the info
+ * bar (it used to hide behind the semi-transparent info panel), transport buttons the
+ * D-pad can actually select (arrows pick, OK activates), then the info panel.
  */
 @Composable
 private fun PausedControls(
     detail: VideoDetailDto,
     player: ExoPlayer,
     positionMs: androidx.compose.runtime.MutableLongState,
-    // True while play runs (transient overlay): keeps the times ticking;
-    // false = persistent paused overlay.
-    playing: Boolean,
+    playPauseFocus: FocusRequester,
     seekBarFocus: FocusRequester,
-    // (handle, displayName) — opens the channel's videos page; exits the player.
-    onOpenChannel: (String, String) -> Unit = { _, _ -> },
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
     val durationMs = detail.duration * 1000L
-    // While playing, the position text must keep counting.
-    LaunchedEffect(playing) {
-        while (playing) {
-            positionMs.longValue = player.currentPosition
-            kotlinx.coroutines.delay(1000)
-        }
-    }
-    // SmartTube-style: controls sit on a gradient over the video (the picture
-    // stays visible above), no opaque slab, no boxed buttons, no label text.
     Column(
         modifier = modifier
             .fillMaxWidth()
-            .background(
-                Brush.verticalGradient(
-                    0f to Color(0x00000000),
-                    0.25f to Color(0xCC000000),
-                    1f to Color(0xF0000000),
-                )
-            )
-            .padding(start = 24.dp, end = 24.dp, top = 24.dp, bottom = 14.dp),
+            .background(Color(0xDC000000))
+            .padding(horizontal = 24.dp, vertical = 18.dp),
     ) {
-        // Channel icon: a button — opens the channel's videos page (its avatar is
-        // optional: federated channels may have none).
-        var channelFocused by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
-        val channelFocus = remember { FocusRequester() }
-        var channelModifier: Modifier = Modifier.size(48.dp)
-        channelModifier = channelModifier
-            .focusRequester(channelFocus)
-            .onFocusChanged { channelFocused = it.isFocused }
-            .onPreviewKeyEvent { ke ->
-                if (ke.type != KeyEventType.KeyDown) return@onPreviewKeyEvent false
-                when (ke.nativeKeyEvent.keyCode) {
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_DOWN -> {
-                        runCatching { seekBarFocus.requestFocus() }; true
-                    }
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_UP, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_LEFT, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_RIGHT -> true
-                    else -> false
-                }
-            }
-            .dpadCenterActivatable {
-                onOpenChannel(
-                    detail.channel.name + "@" + (detail.channel.host ?: ""),
-                    detail.channel.displayName,
-                )
-            }
-            .focusable()
-            .then(if (channelFocused) Modifier.border(3.dp, Color.White, CircleShape) else Modifier)
-        Row(verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically) {
-            val avatar = detail.channel.avatars.maxByOrNull { it.width }
-            if (avatar != null) {
-                coil.compose.AsyncImage(
-                    model = AppGraph.repository.absoluteUrl(avatar.fileUrl ?: avatar.path),
-                    contentDescription = "Open channel",
-                    contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
-                    modifier = channelModifier
-                        .clip(CircleShape),
-                )
-            }
-            Column(modifier = Modifier.padding(start = if (avatar != null) 14.dp else 0.dp)) {
-                Text(
-                    text = detail.name,
-                    color = Color.White,
-                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleLarge,
-                    maxLines = 2,
-                )
-                Text(
-                    text = detail.channel.displayName + "  ·  " + formatViews(detail.views) +
-                        "  ·  " + formatPublished(detail.publishedAt),
-                    color = Color(0xFFCCCCCC),
-                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
-                    modifier = Modifier.padding(top = 2.dp),
-                )
-            }
-        }
-        // The seek bar is the only control: focused = scrub, OK = play/pause.
         SeekBarRow(
             positionMs = positionMs,
             durationMs = durationMs,
             seekBarFocus = seekBarFocus,
+            playPauseFocus = playPauseFocus,
             player = player,
-            // UP climbs to the channel icon when it exists.
-            channelFocus = if (detail.channel.avatars.isNotEmpty()) channelFocus else null,
-            modifier = Modifier.padding(top = 16.dp),
-        )
-        // Position / duration under the bar, right-aligned.
-        Text(
-            text = formatDuration((positionMs.longValue / 1000).toInt()) + " / " +
-                formatDuration((durationMs / 1000).toInt()),
-            color = Color(0xFFCCCCCC),
-            style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
-            modifier = Modifier
-                .align(Alignment.End)
-                .padding(top = 8.dp),
         )
+        Row(
+            horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(14.dp),
+            verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+            modifier = Modifier.padding(top = 14.dp),
+        ) {
+            PauseControl(
+                icon = Icons.Filled.Replay10,
+                label = "Back 10 s",
+                seekBarFocus = seekBarFocus,
+                isLeftEdge = true,
+                isActive = false,
+                onClick = { seekOverlay(player, positionMs, -10_000L, durationMs) },
+            )
+            PauseControl(
+                icon = Icons.Filled.PlayArrow,
+                label = "Play",
+                seekBarFocus = seekBarFocus,
+                focusRequester = playPauseFocus,
+                isActive = true,
+                onClick = { player.playWhenReady = true },
+            )
+            PauseControl(
+                icon = Icons.Filled.Forward10,
+                label = "Forward 10 s",
+                seekBarFocus = seekBarFocus,
+                isRightEdge = true,
+                isActive = false,
+                onClick = { seekOverlay(player, positionMs, 10_000L, durationMs) },
+            )
+        }
+        InfoRow(detail, positionMs.longValue, Modifier.padding(top = 16.dp))
     }
 }
 
-/** Focusable + seekable progress bar: arrows scrub ±10 s, OK toggles playback. */
+/** Focusable + seekable progress bar: arrows scrub ±10 s, OK starts playback. */
 @Composable
 private fun SeekBarRow(
     positionMs: androidx.compose.runtime.MutableLongState,
     durationMs: Long,
     seekBarFocus: FocusRequester,
+    playPauseFocus: FocusRequester,
     player: ExoPlayer,
-    channelFocus: FocusRequester? = null, // UP target: the channel icon (or stay)
-    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
     var barFocused by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
     val fraction =
         if (durationMs > 0) (positionMs.longValue.toFloat() / durationMs).coerceIn(0f, 1f) else 0f
-    Box(
-        modifier = modifier
-            .fillMaxWidth()
-            .height(44.dp)
-            .focusRequester(seekBarFocus)
-            .onFocusChanged { barFocused = it.isFocused }
-            .onPreviewKeyEvent { ke ->
-                if (ke.type != KeyEventType.KeyDown) return@onPreviewKeyEvent false
-                when (ke.nativeKeyEvent.keyCode) {
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_LEFT, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_REWIND -> {
-                        seekOverlay(player, positionMs, -10_000L, durationMs); true
+    Row(verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically, horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(12.dp)) {
+        Text(
+            text = formatDuration((positionMs.longValue / 1000).toInt()),
+            color = Color.White,
+            style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelMedium,
+        )
+        Box(
+            modifier = Modifier
+                .weight(1f)
+                .height(44.dp)
+                .focusRequester(seekBarFocus)
+                .onFocusChanged { barFocused = it.isFocused }
+                .onPreviewKeyEvent { ke ->
+                    if (ke.type != KeyEventType.KeyDown) return@onPreviewKeyEvent false
+                    when (ke.nativeKeyEvent.keyCode) {
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_LEFT, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_REWIND -> {
+                            seekOverlay(player, positionMs, -10_000L, durationMs); true
+                        }
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_RIGHT, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_FAST_FORWARD -> {
+                            seekOverlay(player, positionMs, 10_000L, durationMs); true
+                        }
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_UP -> true // topmost control — stay here
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_DOWN -> {
+                            runCatching { playPauseFocus.requestFocus() }; true
+                        }
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_CENTER, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_ENTER,
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_SPACE, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE,
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_PLAY -> {
+                            player.playWhenReady = true // OK on the bar starts playback
+                            true
+                        }
+                        else -> false
                     }
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_RIGHT, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_FAST_FORWARD -> {
-                        seekOverlay(player, positionMs, 10_000L, durationMs); true
-                    }
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_UP -> channelFocus?.let { runCatching { it.requestFocus() }; true } ?: false
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_DOWN -> true
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_CENTER, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_ENTER,
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_NUMPAD_ENTER, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_SPACE,
-                    KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_PLAY -> {
-                        player.playWhenReady = !player.playWhenReady
-                        true
-                    }
-                    else -> false
+                }
+                .focusable()
+                .background(
+                    if (barFocused) Color(0x22FFFFFF) else Color.Transparent,
+                    RoundedCornerShape(22.dp),
+                )
+                .padding(horizontal = 12.dp),
+        ) {
+            Canvas(
+                modifier = Modifier
+                    .align(Alignment.CenterStart)
+                    .fillMaxWidth()
+                    .height(if (barFocused) 14.dp else 10.dp)
+                    // rounded ends for track and progress
+                    .clip(RoundedCornerShape(7.dp)),
+            ) {
+                drawRoundRect(color = Color(0x44FFFFFF), cornerRadius = CornerRadius(99f))
+                val w = size.width * fraction
+                if (w > 1f) {
+                    drawRoundRect(
+                        color = Color(0xFFCE2B2B),
+                        size = Size(w, size.height),
+                        cornerRadius = CornerRadius(99f),
+                    )
                 }
             }
-            .focusable()
-            .padding(horizontal = 4.dp),
-    ) {
-        // Thin SmartTube-style track: rounded, red progress, white round knob.
-        Canvas(
-            modifier = Modifier
-                .align(Alignment.CenterStart)
-                .fillMaxWidth()
-                .height(if (barFocused) 12.dp else 6.dp)
-                .clip(RoundedCornerShape(7.dp)),
-        ) {
-            drawRoundRect(color = Color(0x55FFFFFF), cornerRadius = CornerRadius(99f))
-            val w = size.width * fraction
-            if (w > 1f) {
-                drawRoundRect(
-                    color = Color(0xFFCE2B2B),
-                    size = Size(w, size.height),
-                    cornerRadius = CornerRadius(99f),
-                )
-            }
-        }
-        // White round knob on top of the track, always visible (SmartTube).
-        Canvas(
-            modifier = Modifier
-                .align(Alignment.CenterStart)
-                .fillMaxWidth()
-                .height((if (barFocused) 18.dp else 14.dp).coerceAtLeast(14.dp)),
-        ) {
-            drawCircle(
-                color = Color.White,
-                radius = (if (barFocused) 9.dp else 7.dp).toPx(),
-                center = Offset(fraction * size.width, size.height / 2f),
-            )
         }
+        Text(
+            text = formatDuration((durationMs / 1000).toInt()),
+            color = Color(0xFFAAAAAA),
+            style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelMedium,
+        )
     }
 }
 
+/** Round transport button; arrows move focus (bar above via [seekBarFocus]), OK clicks. */
+@Composable
+private fun PauseControl(
+    icon: androidx.compose.ui.graphics.vector.ImageVector,
+    label: String,
+    seekBarFocus: FocusRequester,
+    onClick: () -> Unit,
+    focusRequester: FocusRequester? = null,
+    isLeftEdge: Boolean = false,
+    isRightEdge: Boolean = false,
+    isActive: Boolean = false,
+) {
+    var focused by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    Column(horizontalAlignment = Alignment.CenterHorizontally) {
+        var m: Modifier = Modifier.size(92.dp)
+        if (focusRequester != null) m = m.focusRequester(focusRequester)
+        Box(
+            modifier = m
+                .onFocusChanged { focused = it.isFocused }
+                .onPreviewKeyEvent { ke ->
+                    if (ke.type != KeyEventType.KeyDown) return@onPreviewKeyEvent false
+                    when (ke.nativeKeyEvent.keyCode) {
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_UP -> {
+                            runCatching { seekBarFocus.requestFocus() }; true
+                        }
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_DOWN, KeyEvent.KEYCODE_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE -> true
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_LEFT -> isLeftEdge
+                        KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_RIGHT -> isRightEdge
+                        else -> false
+                    }
+                }
+                .dpadCenterActivatable(onClick)
+                .focusable()
+                .background(
+                    when {
+                        focused && isActive -> Color(0xFFCE2B2B)
+                        focused -> Color.White
+                        else -> Color(0xFF2A2A2A)
+                    },
+                    RoundedCornerShape(14.dp),
+                ),
+            contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
+        ) {
+            androidx.compose.material3.Icon(
+                imageVector = icon,
+                contentDescription = null,
+                tint = when {
+                    focused && isActive -> Color.White
+                    focused -> Color(0xFF101010)
+                    else -> Color.White
+                },
+                modifier = Modifier.size(42.dp),
+            )
+        }
+        Text(
+            text = label,
+            color = if (focused) Color.White else Color(0xFFB0B0B0),
+            style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelSmall,
+            modifier = Modifier.padding(top = 6.dp),
+        )
+    }
+}
 
+/** Bottom info panel: channel (icon + name), title, views, date, position. */
+@Composable
+private fun InfoRow(detail: VideoDetailDto, positionMs: Long, modifier: Modifier = Modifier) {
+    Row(modifier = modifier, verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically) {
+        val avatar = detail.channel.avatars.maxByOrNull { it.width }
+        if (avatar != null) {
+            coil.compose.AsyncImage(
+                model = AppGraph.repository.absoluteUrl(avatar.fileUrl ?: avatar.path),
+                contentDescription = null,
+                contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
+                modifier = Modifier
+                    .size(64.dp)
+                    .clip(CircleShape),
+            )
+        }
+        Column(
+            modifier = Modifier
+                .weight(1f)
+                .padding(start = 16.dp),
+        ) {
+            Text(
+                text = detail.name,
+                color = Color.White,
+                style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleLarge,
+                maxLines = 2,
+            )
+            Text(
+                text = detail.channel.displayName,
+                color = Color(0xFFCCCCCC),
+                style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
+            )
+            Text(
+                text = formatViews(detail.views) + " · " + formatAge(detail.publishedAt),
+                color = Color(0xFF9A9A9A),
+                style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+            )
+        }
+        Column(horizontalAlignment = Alignment.End) {
+            Text(
+                text = formatDuration((positionMs / 1000).toInt()) + " · " + formatDuration(detail.duration),
+                color = Color(0xFFCCCCCC),
+                style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
+            )
+            Text(text = "Paused", color = Color(0xFFCE2B2B), style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelLarge)
+        }
+    }
+}
 private fun formatViews(views: Long): String =
     when {
         views >= 1_000_000 -> "%.1fM views".format(views / 1_000_000.0)
@@ -741,23 +751,23 @@ private fun formatViews(views: Long): String =
         else -> "$views views"
     }
 
-/** Absolute published date + time in the device locale (relative age was too coarse). */
-private fun formatPublished(iso: String?): String {
+private fun formatAge(iso: String?): String {
     if (iso.isNullOrBlank()) return ""
     return try {
-        java.time.ZonedDateTime.ofInstant(
-            java.time.Instant.parse(iso),
-            java.time.ZoneId.systemDefault(),
-        ).format(
-            java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("d MMM yyyy, HH:mm", java.util.Locale.getDefault())
-        )
+        val age = java.time.Duration.between(java.time.Instant.parse(iso), java.time.Instant.now())
+        val days = age.toDays()
+        when {
+            days >= 365 -> "${days / 365}y ago"
+            days >= 30 -> "${days / 30}mo ago"
+            days >= 1 -> "${days}d ago"
+            age.toHours() >= 1 -> "${age.toHours()}h ago"
+            else -> "just now"
+        }
     } catch (e: java.time.format.DateTimeParseException) {
-        e.printStackTrace()
-        "" // unknown date → omit it
+        ""
     }
 }
 
-
 private fun formatDuration(seconds: Int): String {
     val h = seconds / 3600
     val m = (seconds % 3600) / 60
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/list/VideoListScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/list/VideoListScreen.kt
index 17d7681..02e43b3 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/list/VideoListScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/list/VideoListScreen.kt
@@ -2,12 +2,9 @@ package net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.screens.list
 
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Row
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxWidth
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.height
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
 import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.grid.GridCells
 import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.grid.LazyVerticalGrid
 import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.grid.itemsIndexed
@@ -18,24 +15,21 @@ import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.material3.TextField
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
+import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
-import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.FocusRequester
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.focusRequester
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.Key
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.key
 import androidx.compose.ui.input.key.onPreviewKeyEvent
-import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.stringResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.viewModel
-import coil.compose.AsyncImage
-import net.jeena.jtubetv.AppGraph
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.R
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.data.api.VideoDto
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.list.PagedListViewModel
@@ -86,19 +80,9 @@ fun VideoListScreen(
         key = "g$epoch:" + sourceKey(source), saver = androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.grid.LazyGridState.Saver,
     ) { androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.grid.LazyGridState() }
 
-    if (source is ListSource.Channel) {
-        // Fetch the banner/avatar/counts for the channel page header.
-        LaunchedEffect(source) { viewModel.loadChannelHeader(AppGraph.repository) }
-    }
-
-    // Cards-per-row of the adaptive grid — LEFT from the first card of ANY row
-    // must open the drawer (issue #7: "every time I'm all the way on the left").
-    val cellsPerRow by remember {
-        androidx.compose.runtime.derivedStateOf {
-            val info = gridState.layoutInfo
-            val w = info.visibleItemsInfo.firstOrNull()?.size?.width ?: 0
-            if (w > 0) (info.viewportSize.width / w).coerceIn(1, 10) else 0
-        }
+    when (source) {
+        is ListSource.Search -> SearchHeader(viewModel)
+        else -> {}
     }
 
     if (viewModel.loadingInitial && items.isEmpty()) {
@@ -143,15 +127,6 @@ fun VideoListScreen(
         state = gridState,
         modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize().padding(vertical = 8.dp),
     ) {
-        // Page headers (search field / channel banner) live INSIDE the grid so
-        // they scroll with the content and never stack under the cards.
-        item(key = "page-header", span = { androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.grid.GridItemSpan(maxLineSpan) }) {
-            when (source) {
-                is ListSource.Search -> SearchHeader(viewModel)
-                is ListSource.Channel -> ChannelHeader(channelHeader = viewModel.channelHeader)
-                else -> {}
-            }
-        }
         itemsIndexed(items, key = { _, item -> itemStableKey(item) }) { index, item ->
             val video: VideoDto = when (item) {
                 is VideoListItem.HistoryEntry -> item.history.video
@@ -165,7 +140,7 @@ fun VideoListScreen(
                 onClick = { lastOpenedIndex = index; onOpenVideo(video) },
                 showPrivacy = source is ListSource.MyVideos,
                 compact = true,
-                onLeftAtStart = if (index % cellsPerRow.coerceAtLeast(1) == 0) onOpenDrawer else null,
+                onLeftAtStart = if (index == 0) onOpenDrawer else null,
                 onUpToTopBar = upToTopBar?.takeIf { index < 4 },
                 modifier = Modifier
                     .focusRequester(fr),
@@ -219,54 +194,6 @@ private fun SearchHeader(viewModel: VideoListViewModel) {
     }
 }
 
-/** Channel page header: banner strip, then avatar + display name + handle + counts. */
-@Composable
-private fun ChannelHeader(channelHeader: net.jeena.jtubetv.data.api.VideoChannelDto?) {
-    if (channelHeader == null) return
-    androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column {
-        val banner = channelHeader.banners.maxByOrNull { it.width }
-        if (banner != null) {
-        AsyncImage(
-            model = AppGraph.repository.absoluteUrl(banner.fileUrl ?: banner.path),
-            contentDescription = null,
-            contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
-            modifier = Modifier
-                .fillMaxWidth()
-                .height(120.dp)
-                .clip(androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape(12.dp)),
-        )
-    }
-        Row(verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically) {
-            val avatar = channelHeader.avatars.maxByOrNull { it.width }
-            if (avatar != null) {
-                AsyncImage(
-                    model = AppGraph.repository.absoluteUrl(avatar.fileUrl ?: avatar.path),
-                    contentDescription = null,
-                    contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
-                    modifier = Modifier
-                        .padding(start = 16.dp, top = 10.dp)
-                        .size(52.dp)
-                        .clip(androidx.compose.foundation.shape.CircleShape),
-                )
-            }
-            Column(modifier = Modifier.padding(start = 16.dp)) {
-                Text(
-                    text = channelHeader.displayName,
-                    color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurface,
-                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleLarge,
-                    maxLines = 1,
-                )
-                Text(
-                    text = (if (channelHeader.videosCount > 0) channelHeader.videosCount.toString() + " videos · " else "") +
-                        channelHeader.name + "@" + channelHeader.host,
-                    color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
-                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
-                )
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 private fun itemStableKey(item: VideoListItem): String =
     when (item) {
         is VideoListItem.Video -> "v" + item.video.id
diff --git a/docs/agent-container.md b/docs/agent-container.md
index 5d6b66f..48a15d2 100644
--- a/docs/agent-container.md
+++ b/docs/agent-container.md
@@ -9,12 +9,6 @@ emulator works, and what needs to exist again after a rebuild.
   `scripts/start-emulator.sh`). **Headless is the default**; set
   `JTUBE_EMU_MODE=windowed` if you want the Qt window (e.g. for desktop
   interaction testing). View it via scrcpy either way.
-- **Only the host can start the emulator** (by design — no SSH from the
-  container to the host, no SDK/KVM inside the container). If the agent
-  finds no emulator, it should tell the user to run
-  `./scripts/start-emulator.sh` on the host rather than try to work around
-  it. Reachability check: `adb connect rutherford:5556` then
-  `adb -s rutherford:5556 shell getprop sys.boot_completed` → `1`.
 - **Agent container**: image `agent-container:latest`, container name pattern
   `ac-<project>-<hash>`, launched with **`--network host`** — it shares the
   host's network namespace. This is load-bearing: see below.
@@ -52,8 +46,7 @@ So inside the container:
   `/tmp/jtube-adbkeys/*.pub`) and launches the emulator with
   `ADB_VENDOR_KEYS` pointing at it. To trust a new client: put its
   `~/.android/adbkey.pub` into `/tmp/jtube-adbkeys/` **before** launching.
-- Logs: `/tmp/jtube-emu.log` (QEMU), `/tmp/jtube-socat.log` (bridge),
-  `/tmp/jtube-adbkeys-combined` (rebuilt each launch).
+- Logs: `/tmp/jtube-emu.log` (QEMU) and `/tmp/jtube-emu-run.log` (script).
 - Viewing: `scrcpy -s emulator-5600` on the host, or from any LAN machine:
   `adb connect rutherford:5556 && scrcpy -s 127.0.0.1:5556`.
 
diff --git a/scripts/bridge-emulator.sh b/scripts/bridge-emulator.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..5fc8ed2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/bridge-emulator.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# bridge-emulator.sh — (host-side) expose the emulator's adbd to the LAN so agents
+# inside the container/other machines can use it: binds :5557 -> 127.0.0.1:5601.
+# The emulator console transport (emulator-5600) stays local-only; this bridges the
+# adbd TCP port 5601.
+set -euo pipefail
+ADBD_PORT=5601
+BRIDGE_PORT=5557
+
+# start emulator if not running
+ADB="${ANDROID_SDK_ROOT:-$HOME/Android/Sdk}/platform-tools/adb"
+if ! "$ADB" devices | grep -q "emulator-5600.*device"; then
+  echo "emulator-5600 not running — starting it…"
+  ADB_VENDOR_KEYS="$HOME/.android/adbkey" setsid nohup \
+    "${ANDROID_SDK_ROOT:-$HOME/Android/Sdk}/emulator/emulator" -avd jtubesc -port 5600 \
+    -no-window -gpu swiftshader_indirect -no-snapshot -no-audio -no-boot-anim \
+    > /tmp/jtube-emu.log 2>&1 < /dev/null &
+  echo "waiting for boot (log: /tmp/jtube-emu.log)…"
+  for i in $(seq 1 60); do
+    ok=$("$ADB" -s emulator-5600 shell getprop sys.boot_completed 2>/dev/null | tr -d '\r')
+    [ "$ok" = "1" ] && { echo "BOOTED"; break; }
+    sleep 5
+  done
+fi
+
+# keep JTube TV installed + running
+APK="$HOME/Projects/jtube-tv/app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk"
+if [ -f "$APK" ]; then
+  "$ADB" -s emulator-5600 install -r "$APK" >/dev/null && echo "JTube TV installed"
+  "$ADB" -s emulator-5600 shell am start -n net.jeena.jtubetv/.MainActivity && echo "app started"
+fi
+
+# the bridge (bind all LAN addresses)
+if ! ss -tln 2>/dev/null | grep -q ":$BRIDGE_PORT"; then
+  setsid nohup socat TCP-LISTEN:$BRIDGE_PORT,bind=0.0.0.0,fork,reuseaddr \
+    TCP:127.0.0.1:$ADBD_PORT > /tmp/jtube-bridge.log 2>&1 < /dev/null &
+  echo "bridge: :$BRIDGE_PORT -> 127.0.0.1:$ADBD_PORT (pid $!)"
+fi
+
+echo "From this host:      adb connect localhost:$BRIDGE_PORT"
+echo "From other machines: adb connect rutherford:$BRIDGE_PORT"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/start-emulator.sh b/scripts/start-emulator.sh
index fdb9af7..5995100 100755
--- a/scripts/start-emulator.sh
+++ b/scripts/start-emulator.sh
@@ -62,13 +62,11 @@ if [ "$MODE" = windowed ]; then
   else
     echo "JTUBE_EMU_MODE=windowed but no display detected — falling back to headless"
     WINDOWED=0
-    ACCEL+=(-no-window -gpu swiftshader_indirect)
+    ACCEL+=(-no-window)
   fi
 else
   WINDOWED=0
-  # Headless has no X display, so -gpu host/GLX can't init EGL ("Failed to get EGL
-  # display") and the emulator dies on launch — fall back to software rendering.
-  ACCEL+=(-no-window -gpu swiftshader_indirect)
+  ACCEL+=(-no-window)
   echo "headless (default; JTUBE_EMU_MODE=windowed for a window) — no emulator window"
 fi
 if [ -e /dev/kvm ]; then
@@ -81,27 +79,21 @@ fi
 # blocked, so remote keys are trusted via ADB_VENDOR_KEYS at launch instead.
 # Drop extra public keys into /tmp/jtube-adbkeys/ (one per file), e.g. from the
 # agent container: docker exec <ctr> sh -c 'cat ~/.android/adbkey.pub' > /tmp/jtube-adbkeys/agent-container.pub
-mkdir -p /tmp/jtube-adbkeys
 VKEYS=/tmp/jtube-adbkeys-combined
 {
   cat "$HOME/.android/adbkey.pub"
-  # Optional extra keys — must not fail the script under `set -e` when absent.
-  shopt -s nullglob
-  for k in /tmp/jtube-adbkeys/*.pub; do cat "$k"; done
-  shopt -u nullglob
+  cat /tmp/jtube-adbkeys/*.pub 2>/dev/null
 } > "$VKEYS"
 chmod 600 "$VKEYS"
 
 echo "Booting AVD '$AVD' …"
-ADB_VENDOR_KEYS="$VKEYS" setsid nohup "$EMU" -avd "$AVD" -port "$PORT" "${ACCEL[@]:-}" \
+ADB_VENDOR_KEYS="$VKEYS" setsid nohup "$EMU" -avd "$AVD" -port "$PORT" -gpu host "${ACCEL[@]:-}" \
   -no-snapshot > /tmp/jtube-emu.log 2>&1 < /dev/null &
 echo "emulator PID $! — log: /tmp/jtube-emu.log"
 
 for i in $(seq 1 90); do
-  # adb exits non-zero while the device is still booting — don't let
-  # pipefail+set -e kill the wait loop.
-  ok=$( ("$ADB" -s "emulator-$PORT" shell getprop sys.boot_completed 2>/dev/null || true) | tr -d '\r')
-  if [ "$ok" = "1" ]; then echo "BOOTED"; break; fi
+  ok=$("$ADB" -s "emulator-$PORT" shell getprop sys.boot_completed 2>/dev/null | tr -d '\r')
+  [ "$ok" = "1" ] && { echo "BOOTED"; break; }
   sleep 5
 done