diff --git a/.github/workflows/cross-platform.yml b/.github/workflows/cross-platform.yml
index 5a7291a4..7d9af2f6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cross-platform.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cross-platform.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, macos-latest, windows-latest]
-        python: ["3.10", "3.12"]
+        python: ["3.9", "3.10", "3.12"]
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -61,13 +61,14 @@ jobs:
         run: python tests/test_status_parse.py
 
   safety:
-    name: safety (${{ matrix.os }})
+    name: safety (${{ matrix.os }} / py${{ matrix.python }})
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     timeout-minutes: 20
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, macos-latest]
+        python: ["3.9", "3.12"]
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ jobs:
           persist-credentials: false
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: "3.12"
+          python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
       - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
         with:
           node-version: "22"
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ccd95a27..a43d235b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Or as a Claude Code plugin:
 ```
 
 > [!NOTE]
-> The plugin ships the skills only. Run `/super-board:super-board onboard` and its 🔍 Checks step adds the guard hooks, scripts and workflows. Needs Claude Code, `gh`, `jq`, bash 3.2+ and Python 3; the installer checks.
+> The plugin ships the skills only. Run `/super-board:super-board onboard` and its 🔍 Checks step adds the guard hooks, scripts and workflows. Needs Claude Code, `gh`, `jq`, bash 3.2+ and Python 3.9+; the installer checks.
 
 ## Quick start
 
diff --git a/skills/visual/scripts/visual.py b/skills/visual/scripts/visual.py
index 41822ddc..dfa4c202 100644
--- a/skills/visual/scripts/visual.py
+++ b/skills/visual/scripts/visual.py
@@ -757,28 +757,41 @@ def find_chrome() -> str | None:
 def chrome(binary: str, *args: str, done=None, timeout: int = 45) -> str:
     """Run headless Chrome and return stdout. Headless Chrome on macOS can linger after it has
     written its output, so poll for `done(stdout_text)` and stop it ourselves."""
+    import shutil
     import tempfile
     # Chrome subprocesses can still write to the profile after the parent exits.
-    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(ignore_cleanup_errors=True) as prof, tempfile.TemporaryFile("w+") as out:
-        proc = subprocess.Popen([binary, "--headless", "--disable-gpu", "--hide-scrollbars",
-                                 "--no-first-run", "--no-default-browser-check", "--mute-audio",
-                                 f"--user-data-dir={prof}", *args],
-                                stdout=out, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL, text=True)
-        t0, text = time.time(), ""
-        while time.time() - t0 < timeout:
-            if proc.poll() is not None:
-                break
+    prof = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+    try:
+        with tempfile.TemporaryFile("w+") as out:
+            proc = subprocess.Popen([binary, "--headless", "--disable-gpu", "--hide-scrollbars",
+                                     "--no-first-run", "--no-default-browser-check", "--mute-audio",
+                                     f"--user-data-dir={prof}", *args],
+                                    stdout=out, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL, text=True)
+            t0, text = time.time(), ""
+            while time.time() - t0 < timeout:
+                if proc.poll() is not None:
+                    break
+                out.seek(0)
+                text = out.read()
+                if done and done(text):
+                    time.sleep(0.3)
+                    break
+                time.sleep(0.25)
+            if proc.poll() is None:
+                proc.kill()
+                proc.wait()
             out.seek(0)
-            text = out.read()
-            if done and done(text):
-                time.sleep(0.3)
+            return out.read()
+    finally:
+        # Python 3.9 has no TemporaryDirectory(ignore_cleanup_errors=...).
+        # Retry late profile writes briefly; cleanup must never hide Chrome's result/error.
+        for attempt in range(3):
+            shutil.rmtree(prof, onerror=lambda *_: None)
+            if not os.path.exists(prof):
                 break
-            time.sleep(0.25)
-        if proc.poll() is None:
-            proc.kill()
-            proc.wait()
-        out.seek(0)
-        return out.read()
+            if attempt < 2:
+                time.sleep(0.1)
+
 
 
 def run_check(page: Path, shots: Path | None, is_map: bool) -> dict:
diff --git a/tests/test_visual_families.py b/tests/test_visual_families.py
index d17160cf..780fdbc3 100644
--- a/tests/test_visual_families.py
+++ b/tests/test_visual_families.py
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 """Owner acceptance: nested skill families and usable column navigation in Chrome."""
-import html
 import copy
 import json
-import re
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 import sys
@@ -34,19 +32,34 @@
     invalid["views"][0][field] = value
     assert any(message in error for error in visual.validate_map(invalid)), (field, value)
 probe = r"""
-<style>* { transition-duration: 0s !important; }</style>
-<script>
-setTimeout(async () => {
+(async () => {
   const failures = [], facts = {};
   const check = (ok, message) => { if (!ok) failures.push(message); };
   const $ = s => document.querySelector(s), all = s => [...document.querySelectorAll(s)];
-  const settle = () => new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 100));
+  const diagnostic = () => {
+    const el = $('.mit[data-v="super-board"]'), r = el?.getBoundingClientRect();
+    return {hash:location.hash,ghosts:!!$('#m-ghosts'),fonts:document.fonts.status,columns:all('.mcol').length,
+      rect:r?.toJSON(),scroll:$('.miller')?.scrollLeft,viewport:[innerWidth,innerHeight],
+      target:r && document.elementFromPoint(r.left+r.width/2,r.top+r.height/2)?.outerHTML.slice(0,300)};
+  };
+  const waitFor = async (ready, name) => {
+    const deadline = performance.now() + 6000;
+    while (!ready()) {
+      if (performance.now() >= deadline) throw Error('Timed out waiting for ' + name + ': ' + JSON.stringify(diagnostic()));
+      await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 20));
+    }
+  };
+  const viewReady = id => new URLSearchParams(location.hash.slice(1)).get('view') === id &&
+    !!$('.mit[data-v="'+id+'"][aria-current="page"]');
   const click = el => { if (el) el.dispatchEvent(new MouseEvent('click', {bubbles:true})); };
   const box = el => { const b = el.getBBox(); return {x:b.x,y:b.y,w:b.width,h:b.height}; };
   const nodeBox = id => box($('.stage .node[data-id="'+id+'"] .n-body'));
   const frame = id => $('.stage .family[data-family="'+id+'"] .family-box');
   const contains = (a,b) => a.x < b.x && a.y < b.y && a.x+a.w > b.x+b.w && a.y+a.h > b.y+b.h;
   try {
+    await waitFor(() => !$('#m-ghosts') && !!$('.mcol'), 'initial column browser');
+    await waitFor(() => document.fonts.status === 'loaded', 'fonts');
+    await document.fonts.ready;
     const collect = frame('collect-family'), board = frame('board-family');
     check(!!collect && !!board, 'root draws nested intake and board family boxes');
     if (collect && board) {
@@ -69,18 +82,24 @@
       const miller = $('.miller');
       check(getComputedStyle(miller).overflowX === 'auto', 'column browser scrolls horizontally');
       const button = column.querySelector('[data-v="super-board"]');
-      button.scrollIntoView({block:'nearest',inline:'nearest'}); await settle();
+      // renderTree initially reveals the last column. Reveal this row synchronously,
+      // then wait for the physical hit target, including the sidebar's initial layout.
+      button.scrollIntoView({behavior:'instant',block:'nearest',inline:'nearest'});
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        const r = button.getBoundingClientRect();
+        return document.elementFromPoint(r.left+r.width/2,r.top+r.height/2)?.closest('button') === button;
+      }, 'physical board row');
       const r = button.getBoundingClientRect();
       const target = document.elementFromPoint(r.left+r.width/2,r.top+r.height/2);
       check(target && target.closest('button') === button, 'board row is physically clickable');
-      click(target); await settle();
+      click(target); await waitFor(() => viewReady('super-board'), 'board navigation');
       check(new URLSearchParams(location.hash.slice(1)).get('view') === 'super-board', 'board row opens its view');
       const childColumn = all('.mcol').find(c => c.querySelector('[data-v="sb-onboard"]'));
       facts.boardChildren = childColumn ? [...childColumn.querySelectorAll('.mit')].map(b => b.dataset.v) : [];
       check(facts.boardChildren.slice(0,3).join(',') === 'super-build,super-qa,super-review', 'board column lists its three lanes first');
       for (const id of ['sb-onboard','sb-lint','super-board-run','sb-status','sb-stop']) check(facts.boardChildren.includes(id), 'board column exposes '+id);
     }
-    click($('.mit[data-v="ui-refine-loop"]')); await settle();
+    click($('.mit[data-v="ui-refine-loop"]')); await waitFor(() => viewReady('ui-refine-loop'), 'loop navigation');
     check(new URLSearchParams(location.hash.slice(1)).get('view') === 'ui-refine-loop', 'standalone loop is reachable');
     const loop = frame('refine-family');
     check(!!loop, 'loop has a family container');
@@ -96,18 +115,17 @@
     check(facts.mainSteps.length === 6, 'loop preserves its six main steps');
     check($('#m-pillbtn .n').textContent === '6 steps', 'view counts primary steps separately from nested tools');
   } catch (e) { failures.push(e.stack || String(e)); }
-  const pre=document.createElement('pre'); pre.id='family-report'; pre.textContent=JSON.stringify({failures,facts}); document.body.appendChild(pre);
-}, 150);
-</script>
+  return {failures,facts};
+})()
 """
 
-# Virtual time does not advance animation frames reliably. CDP clicks and real elapsed time
-# exercise the production resize/animation path instead of screenshot mode's instant path.
+# Virtual time advances timers before scrolling/layout is painted. Use CDP real time
+# for physical family hits and the normal-motion production resize/animation path.
 motion_probe = r"""
 import {spawn} from 'node:child_process';
 import {mkdtemp,readFile,rm} from 'node:fs/promises';
 import {tmpdir} from 'node:os';
-const [binary,url]=process.argv.slice(1), delay=ms=>new Promise(r=>setTimeout(r,ms));
+const [binary,url,familyProbe]=process.argv.slice(1), delay=ms=>new Promise(r=>setTimeout(r,ms));
 const profile=await mkdtemp(tmpdir()+'/visual-navigation-');
 // Test normal motion explicitly: macOS CI can default to reduced motion.
 const browser=spawn(binary,['--headless','--disable-gpu','--force-prefers-no-reduced-motion','--remote-debugging-port=0','--no-first-run','--no-default-browser-check','--user-data-dir='+profile,'about:blank'],{stdio:'ignore'});
@@ -125,10 +143,29 @@
   const cdp=(method,params={})=>new Promise((resolve,reject)=>{const id=++next;pending.set(id,{resolve,reject});ws.send(JSON.stringify({id,method,params}));});
   const evaluate=async expression=>{const r=await cdp('Runtime.evaluate',{expression,returnByValue:true,awaitPromise:true});if(r.exceptionDetails)throw Error(JSON.stringify(r.exceptionDetails));return r.result.value;};
   await cdp('Page.enable'); await cdp('Emulation.setDeviceMetricsOverride',{width:1440,height:1000,deviceScaleFactor:1,mobile:false});
-  await cdp('Page.navigate',{url}); await delay(500);
+  const diagnostic=()=>evaluate(`(()=>{const el=document.querySelector('.mit[data-v="super-board"]'),r=el?.getBoundingClientRect();return {hash:location.hash,ghosts:!!document.querySelector("#m-ghosts"),fonts:document.fonts.status,columns:document.querySelectorAll(".mcol").length,rect:r?.toJSON(),scroll:document.querySelector('.miller')?.scrollLeft,viewport:[innerWidth,innerHeight],target:r && document.elementFromPoint(r.left+r.width/2,r.top+r.height/2)?.outerHTML.slice(0,300)};})()`);
+  const waitFor=async (expression,name)=>{const end=performance.now()+10000;while(!await evaluate(expression)){if(performance.now()>end)throw Error('Timed out waiting for '+name+': '+JSON.stringify(await diagnostic()));await delay(20);}};
+  await cdp('Page.navigate',{url:url+'#shot=1'});
+  await waitFor('window.__instant && !!document.querySelector(".mcol") && !document.querySelector("#m-ghosts")','family initial column browser');
+  const family=await evaluate(familyProbe);
+  failures.push(...family.failures); Object.assign(facts,family.facts);
+  await cdp('Page.navigate',{url});
+  await waitFor('!window.__instant && !!document.querySelector(".mcol") && !document.querySelector("#m-ghosts")','initial column browser');
+  await waitFor('document.fonts.status === "loaded"','fonts');
+  await evaluate('document.fonts.ready.then(()=>true)');
   check(await evaluate('!window.__instant && !matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)").matches'),'normal motion is enabled without screenshot flags');
+  const sidebarReady='Math.abs(document.querySelector("#m-tree").getBoundingClientRect().width-Math.min(parseFloat(document.body.style.getPropertyValue("--browser-width")),innerWidth*.38))<1';
+  await waitFor(sidebarReady,'initial sidebar width');
   facts.beforeWidth=await evaluate('document.querySelector("#m-tree").getBoundingClientRect().width');
-  const click=async id=>{const p=await evaluate(`(()=>{const el=document.querySelector('.mit[data-v="${id}"]');const r=el.getBoundingClientRect();return{x:r.left+r.width/2,y:r.top+r.height/2};})()`);await cdp('Input.dispatchMouseEvent',{type:'mousePressed',...p,button:'left',clickCount:1});await cdp('Input.dispatchMouseEvent',{type:'mouseReleased',...p,button:'left',clickCount:1});await delay(1600);};
+  const click=async id=>{
+    await evaluate(`document.querySelector('.mit[data-v="${id}"]').scrollIntoView({behavior:'instant',block:'nearest',inline:'nearest'})`);
+    await waitFor(`(()=>{const el=document.querySelector('.mit[data-v="${id}"]');const r=el.getBoundingClientRect();return document.elementFromPoint(r.left+r.width/2,r.top+r.height/2)?.closest('button')===el;})()`,'hittable '+id);
+    const p=await evaluate(`(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.mit[data-v="${id}"]').getBoundingClientRect();return{x:r.left+r.width/2,y:r.top+r.height/2};})()`);
+    await cdp('Input.dispatchMouseEvent',{type:'mousePressed',...p,button:'left',clickCount:1});
+    await cdp('Input.dispatchMouseEvent',{type:'mouseReleased',...p,button:'left',clickCount:1});
+    await waitFor(`new URLSearchParams(location.hash.slice(1)).get('view')==='${id}' && !!document.querySelector('.mit[data-v="${id}"][aria-current="page"]')`,'completed '+id+' navigation');
+    await waitFor(sidebarReady,'completed '+id+' sidebar width');
+  };
   await click('super-board');
   facts.boardView=await evaluate('new URLSearchParams(location.hash.slice(1)).get("view")');
   facts.afterWidth=await evaluate('document.querySelector("#m-tree").getBoundingClientRect().width');
@@ -146,21 +183,14 @@
 with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as directory:
     page = Path(directory) / "fixture.html"
     visual.write_page(page, model)
-    page.write_text(page.read_text().replace("</body>", probe + "</body>"))
-    dom = visual.chrome(binary, "--virtual-time-budget=8000", "--window-size=1440,1000", "--dump-dom",
-                        page.as_uri() + "#shot=1", done=lambda s: 'id="family-report"' in s)
-    match = re.search(r'<pre id="family-report"[^>]*>(.*?)</pre>', dom, re.S)
-    assert match, "family probe did not finish"
-    report = json.loads(html.unescape(match[1]))
-    assert not report["failures"], report
-    visual.write_page(page, model)
     node = shutil.which("node")
     if node and subprocess.run([node, "-e", "process.exit(typeof WebSocket === 'function' ? 0 : 1)"], capture_output=True).returncode == 0:
-        result = subprocess.run([node, "--input-type=module", "-e", motion_probe, binary, page.as_uri()],
-                                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=25)
+        result = subprocess.run([node, "--input-type=module", "-e", motion_probe, binary, page.as_uri(), probe],
+                                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=45)
         assert result.returncode == 0, result.stderr
         report = json.loads(result.stdout)
         assert not report["failures"], report
     else:
-        print("SKIP: normal-motion navigation probe (needs Node with built-in WebSocket)")
+        print("SKIP: test_visual_families.py (needs Node with built-in WebSocket)")
+        sys.exit(0)
 print("PASS: test_visual_families.py (nested boxes, physical clicks, readable rows, animated navigation)")