diff --git a/freevideo_engine/adaptive.py b/freevideo_engine/adaptive.py
index 6fa6011f..37d9a9b8 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/adaptive.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/adaptive.py
@@ -660,11 +660,13 @@ def complete_observation(metrics, canvas, output, artifacts, telemetry):
     from .validation import _retained_array_header, finite_number
     expected = canvas['frames']
     continuation = metrics.get('continuation')
-    output_frames = expected
+    from .continuation import validate_hide_tail
+    hidden = validate_hide_tail(metrics.get('hide_tail_frames', 0))
+    output_frames = expected - hidden
     if continuation is not None:
         from .continuation import OVERLAP_FRAMES
         if (not isinstance(continuation, dict) or continuation.get('overlap_frames') != OVERLAP_FRAMES
-                or continuation.get('new_frames') != expected - OVERLAP_FRAMES):
+                or continuation.get('new_frames') != expected - hidden - OVERLAP_FRAMES):
             raise ValueError('Invalid continuation output geometry')
         output_frames = continuation['new_frames']
     preview = metrics.get('preview') is True
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/cast.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/cast.py
index 7ed1f999..1b32163d 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/cast.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/cast.py
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ def view(card):
     if card.get('voice'):
         value['voice'] = dict(deepcopy(card['voice']), media=media_view(card['voice']['media']),
                               clip=assets.view(card['voice']['clip']['file']))
+    value['generate_error'] = errors.with_reason(value.get('generate_error'))
     return value
 
 
@@ -112,7 +113,8 @@ def row_view(card):
     return dict(id=card['id'], kind=card['kind'], name=card['name'], description=card['description'],
                 origin=card['origin'], revision=card['revision'], updated_at=card['updated_at'],
                 images=len(card['images']), voice=card['voice'] is not None,
-                generating=card.get('generating') is not None, thumbnail=thumbnail(card))
+                generating=card.get('generating') is not None, thumbnail=thumbnail(card),
+                generate_error=errors.with_reason(card.get('generate_error')))
 
 
 def _plain(item):
@@ -729,7 +731,7 @@ def _land_image(self, identity, generating, hidden, rows):
                     code = (row.get('error') or {}).get('code') if row else 'not_found'
                     code = code or (row['status'] if row else 'not_found')
                     detail = errors.image_failure(code, (row.get('error') or {}).get('report_id') if row else None)
-                    failure = failure or dict(code=code or row['status'], job=job, message=(
+                    failure = failure or dict(code=code, job=job, error_zh=detail['reason']['zh'], message=(
                         'The generation was cancelled.' if row and row['status'] == 'cancelled'
                         else detail['reason']['en']), **detail)
                     continue
@@ -764,7 +766,8 @@ def _land(self, identity, generating, hidden, rows):
                 face = job == generating.get('face_job')
                 if row is None or row['status'] != 'succeeded':
                     code = (row.get('error') or {}).get('code') if row else 'not_found'
-                    failure = failure or dict(code=code or row['status'], job=job, message=(
+                    failure = failure or dict(code=code or row['status'], job=job,
+                        error_zh=errors.failure_reason((row.get('error') or dict(code=code or row['status'])) if row else dict(code=code)), message=(
                         'The generation was cancelled.' if row and row['status'] == 'cancelled'
                         else 'The reference clip did not finish.'))
                     continue
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/comfy.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/comfy.py
index 96deda12..4d7f3201 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/comfy.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/comfy.py
@@ -101,6 +101,13 @@ def capability_snapshot(self, query):
         cache = getattr(self.server, '_freevideo_capabilities', None)
         return cache.get(_query(query)) if hasattr(cache, 'get') else dict(UNAVAILABLE)
 
+    def prepared_precision(self):
+        """'int8' or 'fp8', the family of the model setup prepared for this machine; None while unknown."""
+        cache = getattr(self.server, '_freevideo_capabilities', None)
+        snapshot = getattr(cache, 'snapshot', None)
+        saved = snapshot[0].get('prepared_format', 'int8') if snapshot else None
+        return next((p for p in ('int8', 'fp8') if isinstance(saved, str) and saved.startswith(p)), None)
+
     def output_summary(self, relative):
         from .jobs import library_id
         from ..comfy_library import _report
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/drama.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/drama.py
index 8d1e1154..a9ce60e7 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/drama.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/drama.py
@@ -62,7 +62,17 @@ def __init__(self, problems):
 CARD = re.compile(r'c[0-9a-f]{12}')  # characters.<key>.card names a cast library card
 # How a shot carries its cast cards. Change these after the reference tests; nothing else needs to.
 PICTURE_ORDER = ('sheet', 'front', 'three_quarter', 'face')  # then any other label, in card order
-PICTURES_EACH = 3
+PICTURES_EACH = 6
+PICTURES_LEAST = 3  # What a person carried before six: a device that cannot hold more still shoots with these.
+# Six pictures cost extra time on every step. A class of machine starts from six only when it was measured at 25%
+# extra or less on every step, cold and warm: (card memory tier in GiB, people in the shot, weight precision).
+# Everything else, and everything unmeasured, starts from three. Only Linux is measured. Two people went 45-79% over
+# at 8 to 24 GiB, so only one-person classes can ever be listed. No class has passed yet.
+SIX_PICTURES_CLASSES = frozenset()
+SIX_PICTURES_TIERS_GIB = (8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32)  # measured card sizes; a card takes the largest one it reaches
+SIX_PICTURES_SYSTEMS = ('Linux',)
+TIER_SLACK_GIB = .5  # A "24 GB" card reports a little under 24 GiB.
+CONTINUED_ORDER = ('face', 'front', 'three_quarter')  # a continuing shot's picture for each person
 MAX_VOICES = 3      # voice clips per shot, the model limit
 MAX_REFERENCES = 32
 
@@ -150,16 +160,16 @@ def validate(function, *args, **kwargs):
                 validate(specs._int, shot[field], path + '/' + field, low, high)
         if 'seconds' in shot:
             validate(specs._number, shot['seconds'], path + '/seconds', 1.625, 60.)
-        modes = int(shot.get('first') is not None) + int(bool(shot.get('continue'))) + int('references' in shot)
-        if modes > 1:
-            problem(path, 'first, continue and references are mutually exclusive')
+        # A continuing shot starts from the previous one and may add reference pictures, never a first frame.
+        if shot.get('first') is not None and (shot.get('continue') or shot.get('references')):
+            problem(path, 'first is exclusive with continue and references')
         # Continuing a shot, or one longer than one 15 s block, needs two-pass text generation.
         seconds = shot.get('seconds', play.get('seconds'))
         long = isinstance(seconds, (int, float)) and not isinstance(seconds, bool) and seconds > 15
         if ((shot.get('continue') or long) and play.get('quality') in specs.QUALITY
                 and not specs.QUALITY[play['quality']][0] and all(p['path'] != '/quality' for p in problems)):
             problem('/quality', '"light" (two-pass) when a shot continues another or is longer than 15 s')
-        if long and (shot.get('first') is not None or 'references' in shot):
+        if long and (shot.get('first') is not None or shot.get('references') and not shot.get('continue')):
             problem(path + '/seconds', 'at most 15 with a first frame or references')
         elif long and not shot.get('continue') and _carded(play, shot):
             # Cast cards travel as references, which one generation of at most 15 s carries.
@@ -171,9 +181,13 @@ def validate(function, *args, **kwargs):
             refs = shot['references']
             if not isinstance(refs, list) or len(refs) > 32:
                 problem(path + '/references', 'must be a list of at most 32 items')
+            elif shot.get('continue') and len(refs) > specs.CONTINUED_PICTURES:
+                problem(path + '/references', 'at most %d pictures when the shot continues' % specs.CONTINUED_PICTURES)
             if isinstance(refs, list):
                 for j, ref in enumerate(refs):
-                    validate(specs.media_item, ref, path + '/references/%d' % j)
+                    validate(specs.media_item, ref, path + '/references/%d' % j, image=bool(shot.get('continue')))
+                    if shot.get('continue') and not specs.still_picture(ref):
+                        problem(path + '/references/%d' % j, 'must be a picture when the shot continues')
         if 'cast' in shot:
             if not isinstance(shot['cast'], list):
                 problem(path + '/cast', 'must be a list of character names')
@@ -261,7 +275,9 @@ def prompt(play, shot):
 def subject_definitions(subjects):
     """The prompt prefix tying cast cards to their reference tags; the one place its wording lives.
 
-    subjects: [{'name', 'description', 'pictures': (first, last) or None, 'audio': number or None}]."""
+    subjects: [{'name', 'description', 'pictures': (first, last), a list of such pairs, or None, 'audio': number or None}].
+    The page writes the same prompt from the same wording (web/cast_mention.js); tests/fixtures/subject_definitions.json
+    holds the cases both sides must reproduce exactly."""
     parts = []
     for number, subject in enumerate(subjects, 1):
         text = '<Subject %d> is %s' % (number, subject['name'])
@@ -269,9 +285,12 @@ def subject_definitions(subjects):
         text += (': %s.' % description) if description else '.'
         tags = []
         if subject.get('pictures'):
-            first, last = subject['pictures']
-            pictures = '<Picture %d>' % first if first == last else '<Picture %d> to <Picture %d>' % (first, last)
-            tags.append('%s show%s its appearance' % (pictures, 's' if first == last else ''))
+            # One (first, last) pair, or several when the person's pictures are not side by side.
+            ranges = [subject['pictures']] if isinstance(subject['pictures'][0], int) else subject['pictures']
+            pictures = ', '.join('<Picture %d>' % a if a == b else '<Picture %d> to <Picture %d>' % (a, b)
+                                 for a, b in ranges)
+            single = len(ranges) == 1 and ranges[0][0] == ranges[0][1]
+            tags.append('%s show%s its appearance' % (pictures, 's' if single else ''))
         if subject.get('audio'):
             tags.append('<Audio %d> is its voice' % subject['audio'])
         if tags:
@@ -280,32 +299,50 @@ def subject_definitions(subjects):
     return 'subject_definitions: ' + ' '.join(parts)
 
 
-def _pictures(card):
+def _pictures(card, each=PICTURES_EACH):
     rank = {label: i for i, label in enumerate(PICTURE_ORDER)}
     rows = sorted(enumerate(card.get('images') or []), key=lambda r: (rank.get(r[1]['label'], len(rank)), r[0]))
-    return [row['media'] for _, row in rows[:PICTURES_EACH]]
+    return [row['media'] for _, row in rows[:each]]
 
 
-def cast_references(play, shot, cards, *, continues=False):
+def _continued_pictures(card, alone):
+    """The pictures a continuing shot carries for one person.
+
+    Alone in the shot: the sheet, then a close face (else the front view), because a sheet
+    alone makes the face too small. With others: one picture, face > front > three_quarter."""
+    by = {}
+    for item in card.get('images') or []:
+        by.setdefault(item['label'], item['media'])
+    rest = [item['media'] for item in card.get('images') or [] if item['label'] not in CONTINUED_ORDER]
+    ordered = [by[label] for label in CONTINUED_ORDER if label in by] + rest
+    if not alone:
+        return ordered[:1]
+    sheet = by.get('sheet')
+    close = by.get('face') or by.get('front') or next((m for m in ordered if m is not sheet), None)
+    return [m for m in (sheet, close) if m is not None] or ordered[:1]
+
+
+def cast_references(play, shot, cards, *, continues=False, each=PICTURES_EACH):
     """Which cast cards a shot carries, as references and a prompt prefix.
 
     cards maps a card ID to the current card, or None once it is gone. The same
-    function serves plan previews and the moment a take is submitted.
-    cast_reference: None (no character in the shot has a card), 'inherited'
-    (continues the previous shot), 'own' (the shot names its own first frame or
-    references), 'missing' (a card was deleted), 'partial' (not everyone fit)
-    or 'cards'. 'omitted' lists people left out entirely; 'voice_omitted' lists
-    people whose pictures are carried but whose voice did not fit."""
+    function serves plan previews and the moment a take is submitted. each is
+    the most pictures one person carries; pictures_each says what was used.
+    cast_reference: None (no character in the shot has a card), 'own' (the shot
+    names its own first frame or references; an empty list means no pictures), 'missing' (a card was deleted),
+    'partial' (not everyone fit) or 'cards'. 'omitted' lists people left out
+    entirely; 'voice_omitted' lists people whose pictures are carried but whose
+    voice did not fit. A shot that continues the previous one carries one picture
+    per person (face, else front, else three-quarter; a lone person gets the sheet and
+    then a face close-up) for at most CONTINUED_PICTURES people, and no voice clip: its voices carry on from the previous shot."""
     characters = play.get('characters', {})
     keys = [k for k in cast(play, shot) if isinstance(characters[k].get('card'), str)]
     result = dict(cast_reference=None, people=[], omitted=[], voice_omitted=[], missing=[], references=[],
-                  prefix=None, subjects=[], cards={})
+                  prefix=None, subjects=[], cards={}, pictures_each=each, clip_seconds=[])
     if not keys:
         return result
-    if continues:
-        result['cast_reference'] = 'inherited'
-        return result
-    if shot.get('first') is not None or 'references' in shot:
+    # A references list, even an empty one, is the shot's own choice: cards are added only when it is left out.
+    if shot.get('first') is not None or isinstance(shot.get('references'), list):
         result['cast_reference'] = 'own'
         return result
     spoken = {}
@@ -313,13 +350,21 @@ def cast_references(play, shot, cards, *, continues=False):
         spoken[line['who']] = spoken.get(line['who'], 0) + 1
     # People with more lines come first when not everyone fits; ties keep the order of appearance.
     chosen, pictures, voices = [], 0, 0
+    alone = continues and sum(1 for k in keys if cards.get(characters[k]['card']) is not None
+                              and _pictures(cards[characters[k]['card']])) == 1
     for key in sorted(keys, key=lambda k: -spoken.get(k, 0)):
         identity = characters[key]['card']
         card = cards.get(identity)
         if card is None:
             result['missing'].append(key)
             continue
-        images = _pictures(card)
+        images = _pictures(card, each)  # a continuing shot ignores each: it carries at most 2, within the 3 it may hold
+        if continues:
+            if images and len(chosen) < specs.CONTINUED_PICTURES:
+                chosen.append((key, card, _continued_pictures(card, alone), False))
+            else:
+                result['omitted'].append(key)
+            continue
         voice = card.get('voice') is not None and voices < MAX_VOICES
         if pictures + len(images) + voices + voice > MAX_REFERENCES:
             result['omitted'].append(key)
@@ -335,6 +380,7 @@ def cast_references(play, shot, cards, *, continues=False):
         result['references'].extend(dict(item) for item in images)
         if voice:
             clips.append(dict(card['voice']['clip']))
+            result['clip_seconds'].append(card['voice'].get('end', 15.) - card['voice'].get('start', 0.))
         person = characters[key]
         subject = dict(name=person.get('name') or key, description=card.get('description'),
                        pictures=(picture + 1, picture + len(images)) if images else None,
@@ -353,6 +399,27 @@ def cast_references(play, shot, cards, *, continues=False):
     return result
 
 
+def pictures_start(machine, people=1):
+    """Pictures a person carries before the length check: six for a measured class, else three.
+    machine is a capability table's `machine` row; a missing or unreadable one is unmeasured."""
+    try:
+        if machine['system'] in SIX_PICTURES_SYSTEMS:
+            vram = float(machine['vram_gib']) + TIER_SLACK_GIB
+            tier = max((t for t in SIX_PICTURES_TIERS_GIB if t <= vram), default=None)
+            if tier is not None and (tier, people, machine['precision']) in SIX_PICTURES_CLASSES:
+                return PICTURES_EACH
+    except (KeyError, TypeError, ValueError):
+        pass
+    return PICTURES_LEAST
+
+
+def pictures_note(each, cut=True):
+    """One sentence when the length check carried fewer pictures than this device started from; otherwise None."""
+    if each is None or each >= PICTURES_EACH or not cut:
+        return None
+    return 'Each person carries %d pictures in this shot; this device cannot hold more at this length.' % each
+
+
 PROMPT_LIMIT = 20000
 DESCRIPTION_CUTS = (500, 250, 120, 0)
 
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/edit.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/edit.py
index 64b26dc8..46aa3cd6 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/edit.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/edit.py
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ def _apply(m, x, y):
 # Colour and rasters: float32 premultiplied RGBA in 0..1, like a canvas.
 
 def _color(value, path='/'):
-    if value is None or value == 'transparent':
+    if value is None or isinstance(value, str) and value.strip().lower() in ('transparent', 'none'):
         return (0., 0., 0., 0.)
     try:
         r, g, b, a = ImageColor.getcolor(str(value), 'RGBA')
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/errors.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/errors.py
index f79540a1..4acf7bf9 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/errors.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/errors.py
@@ -118,8 +118,8 @@
 
 # Static bilingual image reasons; backend exception strings never enter the API.
 IMAGE_REASONS = {
-    'no_memory': ('Not enough GPU memory. Make the picture smaller in "Image size…" and try again.',
-                  '显存不足。在“图像大小…”里缩小后再试。'),
+    'no_memory': ('Not enough GPU memory, even at the smallest size. Close other apps using the GPU, then try again.',
+                  '显存不够，最小尺寸也没能生成。关掉其他占用显卡的程序后再试。'),
     'busy_video': ('A video is generating. Try again when it finishes.', '视频正在生成，完成后再试。'),
     'pack_missing': ('Download "Image generation models" in the launcher first.',
                      '请先在启动器里下载“图像生成模型”。'),
@@ -248,6 +248,82 @@ def safe_details(value):
     return '[redacted]'
 
 
+# One public sentence shared by conversation cards, HTTP and MCP. Backend text
+# is classified, never echoed: it can contain prompts, filenames or credentials.
+FAILURE_REASONS_ZH = {
+    'out_of_memory': '生成时显存或内存不足',
+    'insufficient_memory': '可用显存或内存不够生成这段内容',
+    'no_memory': '可用显存或内存不够生成这张图片',
+    'ram_space': '加载模型时系统内存不足',
+    'model_missing': '需要的模型还没有安装好',
+    'pack_missing': '图片模型还没有安装好',
+    'not_ready': '生成所需的环境还没有安装好',
+    'cancelled': '生成已被停止',
+    'stopped_by_user': '生成已被停止',
+    'interrupted': '生成服务中途重启，任务被打断',
+    'worker_exit': '图片生成进程中途退出',
+    'closed': '图片生成服务已经关闭',
+    'image_unavailable': '图片生成服务还没有启动',
+    'vlm_unavailable': '读取画面的模型服务还没有启动',
+    'vlm_failed': '读取画面的模型没有完成请求',
+    'vlm_invalid_json': '模型返回的结果格式无法读取',
+    'context_length': '描述和参考图超过了模型可读取的长度',
+    'dependency_failed': '前面依赖的任务没有完成',
+    'lost': '生成服务没有保留这次任务的结果',
+    'unknown_job': '图片生成服务找不到这次任务',
+    'not_found': '找不到这次任务或素材',
+    'source_missing': '接续所需的上一段视频已经不在',
+    'chain_missing': '接续所需的生成记录已经不在',
+    'chain_unavailable': '分段生成服务还没有启动',
+    'continuation_unavailable': '当前生成方式不支持接续视频',
+    'join_failed': '片段已生成，但拼接成片时出错',
+    'invalid_output': '生成的结果无法读取或保存',
+    'storage_unavailable': '任务记录或素材无法写入磁盘',
+    'submit_interrupted': '提交生成时服务中断，尚未确认任务是否开始',
+    'timeout': '生成等待超时',
+    'invalid_media': '参考素材无法读取',
+    'clip_unreadable': '生成的角色参考视频无法读取',
+    'invalid_request': '生成参数不符合支持的范围',
+    'invalid_drama': '短剧计划中有无法使用的参数',
+    'reshoot_limit': '这个镜头已达到可生成的次数上限',
+    'production_limit': '这部短剧已达到可生成的任务数量上限',
+    'export_failed': '导出成片时出错',
+    'invalid_prompt': '图片描述为空或超过了支持的长度',
+    'invalid_dimensions': '图片尺寸超出了支持的范围',
+    'too_many_images': '参考图片数量超过了支持的范围',
+    'chain_too_long': '接续后的视频超过了支持的段数',
+    'chain_rejected': '生成服务无法使用这组参数',
+    'generation_failed': '生成过程中出错，未能完成结果',
+    'internal_error': '处理任务时出错，未能完成结果',
+}
+FAILURE_MESSAGES_ZH = {
+    'The previous video is too short to continue; it needs to be at least 2 s long.': '接续的上一段视频太短，至少需要 2 秒',
+    'The previous video has no usable continuation data. Generate it again with this version of FreeVideo.': '上一段视频缺少可用的接续数据',
+    'The previous video cannot be read.': '接续的上一段视频无法读取',
+    'Use the same width and height as the previous video.': '接续的画面大小与上一段视频不一致',
+    'The reference video is too short; it needs to be at least about 1 s long.': '参考视频太短，至少需要约 1 秒',
+}
+
+
+def failure_reason(error):
+    if isinstance(error.get('error_zh'), str) and error['error_zh'].strip():
+        return error['error_zh']
+    lines = str(error.get('message') or '').strip().splitlines()
+    line = lines[0] if lines else ''
+    if line.startswith('FreeVideo generation failed') and len(lines) > 1:
+        line = lines[1].strip()
+    line = re.sub(r'^(?:[\w.]*Error|[\w.]*Exception):\s*', '', line)
+    if line in FAILURE_MESSAGES_ZH:
+        return FAILURE_MESSAGES_ZH[line]
+    if line.startswith(('CUDA out of memory', 'MPS backend out of memory')):
+        return FAILURE_REASONS_ZH['out_of_memory']
+    return FAILURE_REASONS_ZH.get(error.get('code'), '处理任务时出错，未能完成结果')
+
+
+def with_reason(error):
+    return dict(error, error_zh=failure_reason(error)) if error else error
+
+
 def build(code, *, details=None, request=None, validation=False, message=None, next_action=None,
           action_required=True, retry_after_seconds=None, owner=None, kind=None, stage='request', resumable=True,
           report_id=None):
@@ -270,7 +346,7 @@ def build(code, *, details=None, request=None, validation=False, message=None, n
         result['retry_after_seconds'] = retry_after_seconds or 1
         result['details'].append(dict(owner=owner if owner in ('agent', 'ui') else 'ui'))
         result['message'] += ' An Agent job is ahead.' if owner == 'agent' else ' A job in the user interface is ahead.'
-    return result
+    return with_reason(result)
 
 
 def validation(errors, code='invalid_request'):
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/guide.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/guide.py
index 92301670..5c6d0a15 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/guide.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/guide.py
@@ -75,8 +75,12 @@
         'Under 30 s defaults to one generation when the device supports this size and quality; unknown limits use 15 s. '
         'Otherwise it uses as few parts as possible, each at least 10 s; how many depends on how long this computer can generate in one run, and the parts continue and join automatically. '
         'Multiple blocks or continue_from need two-pass text generation: quality "light" '
-        'or sampling.two_pass=true, no preview and no media. '
+        'or sampling.two_pass=true and no preview. Their only media is media.references with at most 3 pictures, '
+        'which every continuing part also sees (keeps the same people); first_frame_reference then gives way to them. '
         'Multi-block output is cut to the planned duration. POST /plan shows the chain plan. '
+        'For a video in several parts, part_prompts gives each part its own description in order (as many as '
+        'chain_plan.blocks from POST /plan), so each part continues the story instead of replaying it; '
+        'without it FreeVideo splits prompt itself. '
         'A continue_from job saves a new video that holds only the added part; to hand the user one video, '
         'insert both into a project and export it.',
         'first_frame_reference (default false) reduces drift in a continued video: each continuing part also '
@@ -530,7 +534,9 @@ def connection_text(value):
     'Changes need the revision you read (body revision or If-Match); stale_revision returns the current card in '
     'error.card. Fields the user changed return changed_by_user: keep the user\'s version.',
     'Film with a card by setting characters.<key>.card. Cards are read when each take is submitted. Shots that '
-    'continue the previous one carry no references (cast_reference inherited); POST /drama/plan shows each shot\'s cast. '
+    'continue the previous one carry one card picture per person (a person alone: the sheet and a face close-up) for '
+    'at most 3 people, and keep the voices of the previous shot; POST /drama/plan shows each shot\'s cast. '
+    'A shot\'s own references replace the card pictures; references=[] sends none. '
     'A shot with a carded character is at most 15 s; continue it in the next shot to go longer.',
     'POST /cast/{id}/generate makes reference pictures from the description as a normal job (face=true adds a close-up). '
     'It defaults to the installed image model, otherwise video frames (labels guessed, label_guess). '
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/jobs.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/jobs.py
index 2e12cdb2..15451274 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/jobs.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/jobs.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 import logging
 import math
 import os
+import re
 import secrets
 import shutil
 import stat
@@ -135,9 +136,14 @@ def continuation_problems(spec, prefix='', *, editor=None):
         problems.append(dict(problem, got=got, message=problem['message'].replace('received None', 'received ' + got)))
     if spec['preview']:
         problems.append(schema.diagnostic(prefix + '/preview', 'false' + why, True))
-    if spec['media']:
-        problems.append(schema.diagnostic(prefix + '/media', 'none' + why + ' (continue_from carries the previous video)',
+    others = [key for key, value in spec['media'].items() if key != 'references' and value]
+    pictures = spec['media'].get('references') or []
+    if others:
+        problems.append(schema.diagnostic(prefix + '/media', 'only references' + why + ' (continue_from carries the previous video)',
                                           None))
+    elif len(pictures) > specs.CONTINUED_PICTURES or not all(specs.still_picture(item) for item in pictures):
+        problems.append(schema.diagnostic(prefix + '/media/references', 'at most %d pictures%s' % (specs.CONTINUED_PICTURES, why),
+                                          len(pictures)))
     return problems
 
 
@@ -156,6 +162,24 @@ def cut_problems(spec, seconds, prefix='', *, editor=None):
     return [dict(problem, got=got, message=problem['message'].replace('received None', 'received ' + got))]
 
 
+def part_prompt_problems(spec, prefix=''):
+    """part_prompts gives one description per planned part; the chain backend refuses any other count."""
+    if spec['kind'] != 'generate' or not spec.get('part_prompts'):
+        return []
+    from ..chain_plan import PlanError, plan
+    try:
+        count = len(plan(spec['seconds'], max_frames=single_frame_limit(spec),
+                         continued=bool(spec.get('continue_from')))['blocks'])
+    except PlanError:
+        return []  # parts_problems names the length.
+    given = len(spec['part_prompts'])
+    if given == count:
+        return []
+    allowed = '%d description%s, one for each of the chain_plan.blocks POST /plan gives for %g s' % (
+        count, '' if count == 1 else 's', spec['seconds'])
+    return [schema.diagnostic(prefix + '/part_prompts', allowed, given)]
+
+
 def _continued_part_problem(seconds, chain):
     """True when a video that continues another has a part the backend refuses, or is under 10 s.
 
@@ -592,15 +616,21 @@ def touch(self, row, **changes):
     def finish(self, row, status, *, result=None, error=None, save=True):
         if error is not None:
             code = error.get('code', 'internal_error')
+            report_id = error.get('report_id')
             if code == 'invalid_json' and row['kind'] in ('vlm', 'enhance'):
                 code = 'vlm_invalid_json'
+            reason_zh = errors.failure_reason(dict(error, code=code))
             if code != error.get('code') or not error.get('request_id') or row['kind'] == 'image':
                 error = errors.build(code, details=error.get('details'),
                     request=row.get('request_id'), action_required=code != 'cancelled',
                     kind=row['kind'], stage='terminal', resumable=not row['spec'].get('refine_from'),
                     report_id=error.get('report_id'))
+                if row['kind'] == 'image':
+                    reason_zh = error['error_zh']
         if error is not None:
-            error = dict(error, request_id=row.get('request_id') or error['request_id'])
+            error = dict(error, request_id=row.get('request_id') or error['request_id'], error_zh=reason_zh)
+            if row['kind'] != 'image' and isinstance(report_id, str) and re.fullmatch(r'[a-f0-9]{32}', report_id):
+                error['report_id'] = report_id
             if error.get('next'):
                 error['next'] = errors.recovery(error['code'], kind=row['kind'], stage='terminal',
                     resumable=not row['spec'].get('refine_from')).replace('{id}', row['id'])
@@ -726,6 +756,7 @@ def submit_request(self, value, *, client=None, key=None, parent=None, editor=No
                                                work=self.continued_work(normalized),
                                                planned=self.planned_parts(normalized, rows)))
                 problems.extend(cut_problems(normalized, normalized.get('seconds'), prefix, editor=editor))
+                problems.extend(part_prompt_problems(normalized, prefix))
                 try:
                     self.port.check(normalized)
                 except specs.SpecError as error:
@@ -1068,6 +1099,11 @@ def view(self, row, *, detail=True):
                 result['error'] = errors.build(result['error']['code'], kind='image', stage='terminal',
                     details=result['error'].get('details'), request=row.get('request_id'),
                     action_required=result['error']['code'] != 'cancelled', report_id=row['error'].get('report_id'))
+            else:
+                result['error'] = dict(result['error'], error_zh=errors.failure_reason(row['error']))
+                report_id = row['error'].get('report_id')
+                if isinstance(report_id, str) and re.fullmatch(r'[a-f0-9]{32}', report_id):
+                    result['error']['report_id'] = report_id
             if result['error'].get('next'):
                 result['error'] = dict(result['error'], next=errors.recovery(result['error']['code'], kind=row['kind'],
                     stage='terminal', resumable=not row['spec'].get('refine_from')).replace('{id}', row['id']))
@@ -1464,6 +1500,10 @@ def resolve():
                     # Planned as a continuation, so the new video is as long as the request says.
                     payload.update(after=dict(work=self.port.output_relative(self.source_video(spec['continue_from']))),
                                    text=prompt, seed=spec['seed'])
+                if spec.get('part_prompts') and 'seconds' in payload:
+                    # Each part plays its own description, with the same LoRA trigger words the whole prompt gets.
+                    from ..lora_triggers import apply_triggers
+                    payload['texts'] = [apply_triggers(text, spec.get('loras', [])) for text in spec['part_prompts']]
                 self.start_chain(row, payload=payload)
         work = asyncio.create_task(asyncio.to_thread(prepare))
         try:
@@ -1696,6 +1736,10 @@ def generation_failure(self, row, chain):
                     reason = self.port.generation_error(history, chain['node'])
             except Exception as error:
                 self.log_poll_failure(row, error)
+        try:
+            report_id = (self.port.progress(chain['node']) or {}).get('report_id')
+        except Exception:
+            report_id = None
         code = reason.get('code', 'generation_failed')
         if code not in ('insufficient_memory', 'out_of_memory', 'generation_failed'):
             code = 'generation_failed'
@@ -1718,8 +1762,12 @@ def generation_failure(self, row, chain):
                        'POST /freevideo/agent/v1/jobs/%s/resume to retry unfinished work.' % row['id'])
         if code == 'insufficient_memory' and reason.get('alternatives'):
             next_action = 'Use the alternatives in details to lower size or duration, then POST /freevideo/agent/v1/jobs.'
-        return chain_error(code, errors.ERRORS[code][2], next_action, details=[detail],
-                           retryable=code != 'insufficient_memory').view()
+        failure = dict(chain_error(code, errors.ERRORS[code][2], next_action, details=[detail],
+                           retryable=code != 'insufficient_memory').view(),
+                    error_zh=errors.failure_reason(dict(code=code, message=message)))
+        if isinstance(report_id, str) and re.fullmatch(r'[a-f0-9]{32}', report_id):
+            failure['report_id'] = report_id
+        return failure
 
     # Local image generation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     def wait_image(self, row, code, *, waiting_for=None):
@@ -1781,7 +1829,9 @@ def poll_image(self, row):
         elif phase == 'cancelled':
             self.finish(row, 'cancelled', error=dict(code='cancelled'))
         else:
-            code = state.get('error') or 'generation_failed'
+            failure = state.get('error')
+            code = failure.get('code') if isinstance(failure, dict) else failure
+            code = code or 'generation_failed'
             if not self.wait_image(row, code):
                 self.finish(row, 'failed', error=dict(code=code, report_id=state.get('report_id')))
 
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/length.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/length.py
index eb4a4923..adacee8f 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/length.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/length.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 """Studio capability limits for Agent generation plans, without hardware probing."""
+import json
 import time
 
 # A size asked for the first time is worked out in the background in about 0.1 s. The plan that asks first
@@ -6,9 +7,12 @@
 WAIT_SECONDS = 3.
 
 
-def capability_table(port, spec, *, wait=0.):
+def capability_table(port, spec, *, wait=0., references=None, task=None):
+    """references: panel metadata rows (see capabilities.normalize_references) for a layout other than the default."""
     query = dict(width=str(spec['width']), height=str(spec['height']),
-                 task=spec['task'], adapters='1' if spec['loras'] else '0')
+                 task=task or spec['task'], adapters='1' if spec['loras'] else '0')
+    if references is not None:
+        query['references'] = json.dumps(references, separators=(',', ':'))
     deadline = time.monotonic() + wait
     try:
         while True:
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/production.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/production.py
index 07a5c72e..d172622a 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/production.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/production.py
@@ -266,11 +266,10 @@ def _schedule(state, shot, count, by, note=None, *, automatic=False):
         job.pop('media', None)
         if job['project'] is None:
             job.pop('project')
-        if not shot['continues']:
-            if source.get('first') is not None:
-                job['media'] = {'first': deepcopy(source['first'])}
-            elif 'references' in source:
-                job['media'] = {'references': deepcopy(source['references'])}
+        if source.get('first') is not None and not shot['continues']:
+            job['media'] = {'first': deepcopy(source['first'])}
+        elif source.get('references'):
+            job['media'] = {'references': deepcopy(source['references'])}
         jobs.append(dict(take=None, job=None, generation=None, seed=None, state='queued', automatic=automatic,
                          stale=False, continues_take=None, note=note, by=by, library_id=None, seconds=None,
                          cancel_requested=False, error=None, spec=job))
@@ -722,7 +721,9 @@ def view(state):
         latest = next((t for t in reversed(shot['takes']) if 'cast_reference' in t), {})
         row.update(cast_reference=latest.get('cast_reference'), cast_omitted=deepcopy(latest.get('cast_omitted', [])),
                    cast_voice_omitted=deepcopy(latest.get('cast_voice_omitted', [])),
-                   cast_missing=deepcopy(latest.get('cast_missing', [])))
+                   cast_missing=deepcopy(latest.get('cast_missing', [])),
+                   cast_pictures_each=latest.get('cast_pictures_each'),
+                   cast_note=drama.pictures_note(latest.get('cast_pictures_each'), latest.get('cast_pictures_cut', True)))
         row['takes'] = []
         for take in shot['takes']:
             item = {key: deepcopy(take[key]) for key in ('take', 'job', 'generation', 'seed', 'state', 'stale',
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/productions.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/productions.py
index 54c794f2..df888664 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/productions.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/productions.py
@@ -65,6 +65,16 @@ def _rows(error):
     return rows
 
 
+def pictures_each(resolved):
+    """Pictures per person a shot used; None when no card was carried."""
+    return resolved['pictures_each'] if resolved['people'] else None
+
+
+def pictures_cut(resolved):
+    """True when the length check took pictures away from what this device starts with."""
+    return bool(resolved['people'] and resolved.get('pictures_cut'))
+
+
 class MaterialRejected(JobError):
     """External callers named material the content-only boundary does not admit: the job validation error."""
     status = 422
@@ -140,12 +150,28 @@ def _safe_error(error):
     rows = [_safe_row(row) for row in details] if isinstance(details, list) and details else []
     if rows and all(rows):
         result.update(details=rows, message='; '.join(row['message'] for row in rows))
-    return result
+    return dict(result, error_zh=errors.failure_reason(error))
+
+
+def failure(view):
+    """The current failure, excluding old takes superseded by a usable take."""
+    if view.get('stalled'):
+        return view['stalled'], None
+    join = view.get('join') or {}
+    if join.get('state') in ('failed', 'interrupted') and join.get('error'):
+        return join['error'], join.get('task')
+    for shot in view.get('shots', []):
+        if shot['state'] == 'failed':
+            take = next((t for t in reversed(shot['takes']) if t.get('error') and not t['stale']), {})
+            if take:
+                return take['error'], take.get('task')
+    return None, None
 
 
 class Productions:
     def __init__(self, jobs):
         self.jobs = jobs
+        self._machine = None  # the capability table's machine row, once known
         self.directory = jobs.directory / 'productions'
         self.records = {}
         self.changed = threading.Condition(jobs.lock)
@@ -194,7 +220,7 @@ def load(self):
 
     def _stalled(self, error):
         code = error.code if isinstance(getattr(error, 'code', None), str) and error.code in errors.ERRORS else 'internal_error'
-        return dict(code=code, message=errors.ERRORS[code][2], at=iso(self.jobs.clock()))
+        return errors.with_reason(dict(code=code, message=errors.ERRORS[code][2], at=iso(self.jobs.clock())))
 
     def _save(self, record):
         self.directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
@@ -343,11 +369,13 @@ def plan(self, request, *, local=True):
         problems = []
         for i, (row, source, shot) in enumerate(zip(result['preview']['shots'], play['shots'], state['shots'])):
             # The same resolution a take gets when it is submitted, with the cards as they are now.
-            resolved = drama.cast_references(play, source, cards, continues=shot['continues'])
+            first = next((t for s, t in self._takes(state) if s is shot), None)
+            resolved = self._carry(play, source, cards, first and first['spec'], continues=shot['continues'])
             row['prompt'] = drama.with_cast(row['prompt'], resolved)
             row.update(cast_reference=resolved['cast_reference'], cast=resolved['people'],
                        cast_omitted=resolved['omitted'], cast_voice_omitted=resolved['voice_omitted'],
-                       cast_missing=resolved['missing'],
+                       cast_missing=resolved['missing'], cast_pictures_each=pictures_each(resolved),
+                       cast_note=drama.pictures_note(pictures_each(resolved), pictures_cut(resolved)),
                        references=len(resolved['references']))
             try:
                 spec._text(row['prompt'], '/screenplay/shots/%d/prompt' % i, 20000)
@@ -374,9 +402,8 @@ def _take_estimate(self, state, shot, take, item=None):
                 item['continue_from'] = dict(from_job='j000000000000')
             if item.get('continue_from', {}).get('ref'):
                 item['continue_from'] = dict(from_job='j000000000000')
-            resolved = drama.cast_references(state['screenplay'],
-                state['screenplay']['shots'][shot['index'] - 1], self._current(state['screenplay']),
-                continues=shot['continues'])
+            resolved = self._carry(state['screenplay'], state['screenplay']['shots'][shot['index'] - 1],
+                                   self._current(state['screenplay']), item, continues=shot['continues'])
             if resolved['references']:
                 item['media'] = dict(references=deepcopy(resolved['references']))
             estimate, revision = generation_estimate(self.jobs.port, spec.normalize(item, port=self.jobs.port))
@@ -588,7 +615,7 @@ def _view(self, record):
         value = production.view(record['state'])
         tasks = record.get('tasks', {})
         def contextual(error, join=False):
-            error = deepcopy(error)
+            error = errors.with_reason(deepcopy(error))
             if error and 'next' in error:
                 action = self._context_next(record, join)
                 if action:
@@ -604,9 +631,11 @@ def contextual(error, join=False):
             ref = record['state']['current_join']
             join = next(j for j in record['state']['joins'] if j['ref'] == ref)
             value['join'].update(ref=ref, task=tasks.get(ref), error=contextual(join['error'], True))
-        value['stalled'] = deepcopy(record.get('stalled'))
+        value['stalled'] = errors.with_reason(deepcopy(record.get('stalled')))
         value['progress'] = self._progress(record)
         value['over_budget'] = self._elapsed_budget(value['progress'])
+        error, _ = failure(value)
+        value['error_zh'] = errors.failure_reason(error) if error else None
         return value
 
     def get(self, identity, *, since=None, wait=0, compact=True):
@@ -625,9 +654,15 @@ def _reply(self, identity, since, compact):
         changed = record['state']['revision'] != since
         if not changed and compact:
             progress = self._progress(record)
-            return dict(id=identity, revision=since, changed=False, status=record['state']['status'],
+            value = dict(id=identity, revision=since, changed=False, status=record['state']['status'],
                         paused=deepcopy(record['state'].get('paused')), fraction=progress['fraction'],
                         elapsed_seconds=progress['elapsed_seconds'])
+            state = record['state']
+            join = next((j for j in state['joins'] if j['ref'] == state['current_join']), None)
+            error, _ = failure(dict(stalled=record.get('stalled'), join=join, shots=state['shots']))
+            if error:
+                value['error_zh'] = errors.failure_reason(error)
+            return value
         return dict(self._view(record), changed=changed)
 
     async def get_async(self, identity, *, since=None, wait=0, compact=True):
@@ -676,7 +711,7 @@ def list(self, *, status='all', limit=50):
                 shot = next((s for s in view['shots'] if s['chosen'] is None), view['shots'][-1])
                 result.append(dict(id=view['id'], title=view['title'], status=view['status'], revision=view['revision'],
                     shot=shot['index'], shots=len(view['shots']), next=view['todo'][0] if view['todo'] else None,
-                    paused=view['paused'], stalled=view['stalled'], session=record.get('session')))
+                    paused=view['paused'], stalled=view['stalled'], session=record.get('session'), error_zh=view['error_zh']))
             return result
 
     def _mutate(self, action, identity, *, by, ref=None, client=None, **values):
@@ -885,7 +920,9 @@ def _execute(self, identity, action):
                     saved.update(cast=dict(resolved['cards']), cast_reference=resolved['cast_reference'],
                                  cast_omitted=list(resolved['omitted']),
                                  cast_voice_omitted=list(resolved['voice_omitted']),
-                                 cast_missing=list(resolved['missing']))
+                                 cast_missing=list(resolved['missing']),
+                                 cast_pictures_each=pictures_each(resolved),
+                                 cast_pictures_cut=pictures_cut(resolved))
                 self._save(marker)  # Durable before Jobs may accept it.
                 self.jobs.submit(item, client='production:' + identity, parent=dict(production=identity, ref=ref))
             except spec.SpecError as error:
@@ -908,8 +945,8 @@ def _cast(self, state, take, item):
         """Read the cast cards now, at submission: later takes and reshoots use the cards as they are then."""
         play = state['screenplay']
         shot = next(s for s in state['shots'] if any(t['job'] == take['job'] for t in s['takes']))
-        resolved = drama.cast_references(play, play['shots'][shot['index'] - 1], self._current(play),
-                                         continues=shot['continues'])
+        resolved = self._carry(play, play['shots'][shot['index'] - 1], self._current(play), item,
+                               continues=shot['continues'])
         if resolved['cast_reference'] is None:
             return resolved
         if resolved['references']:
@@ -919,6 +956,79 @@ def _cast(self, state, take, item):
                                 cast_reference=resolved['cast_reference'])
         return resolved
 
+    def _carry(self, play, shot, cards, item, *, continues):
+        """The cast a shot carries: this device's starting number of pictures a person (six for a measured
+        class of card, people and precision, else three), fewer where it cannot hold them, down to three. Plan
+        previews and submissions both come here, so they agree."""
+        if continues:
+            # A continuing shot carries one picture a person whatever the device holds.
+            resolved = drama.cast_references(play, shot, cards, continues=True, each=drama.PICTURES_LEAST)
+            resolved.update(pictures_each=None, pictures_cut=False)
+            return resolved
+        people = len(drama.cast_references(play, shot, cards, continues=continues, each=drama.PICTURES_LEAST)['people'])
+        start = each = self._pictures_start(item, people)
+        while True:
+            resolved = drama.cast_references(play, shot, cards, continues=continues, each=each)
+            if each <= drama.PICTURES_LEAST or item is None or not self._too_long(item, resolved):
+                resolved['pictures_cut'] = each < start
+                return resolved
+            each -= 1
+
+    def _pictures_start(self, item, people):
+        """Where the picture count starts for this many people on this machine, from the capability table's
+        graphics card, system and precision. Any canvas names the same machine, so a shot without a take asks
+        about the default canvas."""
+        if self._machine is None:
+            from .length import capability_table
+            width, height = spec.canvas_size(item or {})
+            table = capability_table(self.jobs.port, dict(width=width, height=height, task='ref2va', loras=False), wait=3.)
+            if table.get('status') != 'ready':
+                return drama.pictures_start(None)  # Not worked out yet: three, and the next ask looks again.
+            precision = getattr(self.jobs.port, 'prepared_precision', lambda: None)()
+            # The machine does not change while this server runs.
+            self._machine = dict(table.get('machine') or {}, precision=precision if isinstance(precision, str) else None)
+        return drama.pictures_start(self._machine, people)
+
+    def _too_long(self, item, resolved):
+        """True when this device cannot generate the shot with these references. A table that is not ready
+        (still computing, unavailable) or lacks this canvas says False and keeps the pictures; a ready table
+        that admits no length at this canvas, or a limit this shot's length cannot be planned under, says True."""
+        pictures = sum(p['pictures'] for p in resolved['people'])
+        if not pictures:
+            return False
+        try:
+            from ..chain_plan import PlanError, plan as chain_plan
+            from .length import capability_table
+            media = dict(references=deepcopy(resolved['references']))
+            normalized = spec.normalize(dict(deepcopy(item), media=media))
+            rows = ([dict(kind='image', width=normalized['width'], height=normalized['height'])] * pictures
+                    + [dict(kind='audio', seconds=seconds) for seconds in resolved['clip_seconds']])
+            table = capability_table(self.jobs.port, normalized, wait=3., references=rows,
+                                     task='ref2va_av' if resolved['clip_seconds'] else 'ref2va')
+            if table.get('status') != 'ready':
+                return False
+            index = next((i for i, row in enumerate(table.get('sizes', []))
+                          if (row['width'], row['height']) == (normalized['width'], normalized['height'])), None)
+            tiers = table.get('tiers', {})
+            tier = tiers.get(normalized['quality'])
+            if tier is None:
+                tier = next((row for row in tiers.values()
+                             if row.get('steps') == normalized['base_steps'] and row.get('two_pass') == normalized['two_pass']
+                             and (not normalized['two_pass'] or normalized['refine_steps'] == 3)), None)
+            maxima = tier.get('max_frames') if tier else None
+            if index is None or not isinstance(maxima, list) or index >= len(maxima):
+                return False
+            limit = maxima[index]
+            if limit is None:
+                return True  # no length at all fits at this canvas with these pictures
+            try:
+                chain_plan(normalized['seconds'], max_frames=limit, continued=bool(normalized.get('continue_from')))
+            except PlanError:
+                return True
+            return False
+        except Exception:  # The limit is advisory: a failure here keeps the pictures and lets the job decide.
+            return False
+
     def _current(self, play):
         """Cards as they are now; a card deleted since the film started is None (the shot uses text)."""
         cast = getattr(self.jobs, 'cast', None)
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/routes.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/routes.py
index e47d59bf..0dfc2474 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/routes.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/routes.py
@@ -231,8 +231,8 @@ def plan(port, value, jobs=None):
     result = dict(spec={k: v for k, v in spec.items() if k != 'depends_on'}, warnings=[])
     if spec['kind'] != 'generate' or spec.get('refine_from'):
         return result
-    from .jobs import continuation_problems, cut_problems, parts_problems
-    problems = continuation_problems(spec) + cut_problems(spec, spec['seconds'])
+    from .jobs import continuation_problems, cut_problems, part_prompt_problems, parts_problems
+    problems = continuation_problems(spec) + cut_problems(spec, spec['seconds']) + part_prompt_problems(spec)
     if jobs is not None:
         problems += parts_problems(spec, jobs.port.chain_runner(), work=jobs.continued_work(spec),
                                    planned=jobs.planned_parts(spec))
@@ -586,6 +586,12 @@ def response_refs(value):
         for key in ('drama', 'project', 'image'):
             if isinstance(value.get(key), str):
                 refs[key] = value[key]
+        identity = value.get('id')
+        if isinstance(identity, str):
+            if identity.startswith('d') and 'shots' in value:
+                refs['drama'] = identity
+            elif identity.startswith('c') and value.get('kind') in ('character', 'setting'):
+                refs['cast'] = identity
         return refs
 
     async def session_after(request, response):
@@ -726,6 +732,9 @@ def activity_item(row, *, card=False):
             value['waiting_for'] = len(view['waiting_for'])
         if view.get('error'):
             value['error'] = view['error']
+        report_id = (view.get('error') or {}).get('report_id') or (view.get('result') or {}).get('report_id')
+        if isinstance(report_id, str) and re.fullmatch(r'[a-f0-9]{32}', report_id):
+            value['report_id'] = report_id
         video = (view.get('result') or {}).get('video') or {}
         if video.get('url'):
             value['video'] = video['url']
@@ -792,7 +801,8 @@ def chat_fold(store, sid):
         if fold is None:
             while len(chat['folds']) >= 8:
                 chat['folds'].pop(next(iter(chat['folds'])))
-            fold = chat['folds'][sid] = dict(seq=0, items=[], jobs={}, asked={}, sent={}, ids={}, names={}, said=None)
+            # Message IDs persist in session events and rebuild deduplication when a fold is evicted.
+            fold = chat['folds'][sid] = dict(seq=0, items=[], jobs={}, entities={}, asked={}, sent={}, ids={}, names={}, said=None)
         while store.get(sid)['last_seq'] > fold['seq']:
             rows = store.events(sid, after=fold['seq'], limit=500)
             if not rows:
@@ -810,11 +820,18 @@ def chat_fold(store, sid):
                             while len(fold['sent']) > 500:
                                 fold['ids'].pop(fold['sent'].pop(next(iter(fold['sent']))), None)
                 elif row['type'] == 'step' and row['state'] == 'done':
-                    job = (row.get('refs') or {}).get('job')
+                    refs = row.get('refs') or {}
+                    job = refs.get('job')
+                    entity = next(((refs[key], kind) for key, kind in (('drama', 'production'), ('cast', 'cast')) if refs.get(key)), None)
+                    new_entity = entity and entity[0] not in fold['entities']
+                    if new_entity:
+                        fold['entities'][entity[0]] = entity[1]
                     if job and job not in fold['jobs']:
                         fold['jobs'][job] = row['seq']
                         fold['names'][job] = chat_name(fold['said'])
-                        fold['items'].append(dict(base, type='job', job=job))
+                        fold['items'].append(dict(base, type='job', job=job, **({'entity': entity[0]} if new_entity else {})))
+                    elif new_entity:
+                        fold['items'].append(dict(base, type=entity[1], entity=entity[0]))
                 elif row['type'] == 'confirm':
                     if row['state'] == 'asked':
                         item = dict(base, id=row['id'], question=row.get('question'),
@@ -854,7 +871,7 @@ def read():
             store = work_sessions()
             sid = chat_session(store, wanted)
             rows = jobs.rows()
-            value = dict(agent=agent_state(), session=sid, here=chat_session(store), last_seq=0, read_seq=0, items=[], jobs={}, confirms={}, current=None,
+            value = dict(agent=agent_state(), session=sid, here=chat_session(store), last_seq=0, read_seq=0, items=[], jobs={}, failures={}, confirms={}, current=None,
                          active=sum(1 for r in rows if r['status'] in ACTIVE))
             if sid is None:
                 return value
@@ -883,6 +900,24 @@ def read():
             shown = {r['id']: r for r in mine if r['status'] in ACTIVE or (r.get('finished_at') or 0) > now - 1800}
             shown.update((i['job'], known[i['job']]) for i in items if i['type'] == 'job')
             value['jobs'] = {identity: chat_card(row, fold) for identity, row in shown.items()}
+            for identity, kind in fold['entities'].items():
+                try:
+                    entity = jobs.productions.get(identity, compact=False) if kind == 'production' else jobs.cast.get(identity)
+                except JobError:
+                    continue  # A deleted card is no longer part of this conversation.
+                error, task = None, None
+                if kind == 'cast':
+                    error = entity.get('generate_error')
+                    task = (error or {}).get('job')
+                else:
+                    from .productions import failure
+                    error, task = failure(entity)
+                if error:
+                    task_view = jobs.view(known[task], detail=False) if task in known else {}
+                    report_id = ((task_view.get('error') or {}).get('report_id')
+                                 or (task_view.get('result') or {}).get('report_id'))
+                    value['failures'][identity] = dict(id=identity, kind=kind, status='failed',
+                        label=entity.get('title') or entity.get('name'), error=errors.with_reason(error), report_id=report_id)
             value['current'] = current['id'] if current else None
             if current and current['id'] not in value['jobs']:
                 value['jobs'][current['id']] = chat_card(current, fold)
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/schema.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/schema.py
index 11ef962f..303b8ee4 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/schema.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/schema.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def enum(values, **kw):
 REF = string(128, pattern=r'^[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9._:-]{0,127}$',
              description='Idempotency key; reuse only with the same request content. Batch row refs also name dependencies.')
 FILE = string(1024, pattern=r'^(?!/)(?!.*(?:\\|:))(?!.*(?:^|/)\.\.(?:/|$)).+$')
-FRAME = {'oneOf': [enum(('first', 'last')), number(0)]}
+FRAME = {'oneOf': [enum(('first', 'last')), number(0, 86400)]}  # Seconds into the video; the bound keeps it a float.
 WAIT = number(0, default=0, description='x-clamp caps accepted wait values at 25 seconds without rejecting larger values.', **{'x-clamp': 25})
 CLIENT_WAIT = number(0, 25, default=25)
 # Waiting for the user's words is longer: a person types slowly, and each wait is one tool call.
@@ -162,11 +162,14 @@ def generate(*, local=False):
         first_frame_reference={'type': 'boolean', 'default': False, 'description':
             'Reduces drift over a continued video: every continuing part also sees the first frame of the whole '
             'video. It holds framing and motion close to that frame.'},
+        part_prompts=array(string(20000), 1, 5, description='One description per part of a video made in several '
+            'parts, in order, so each part plays its own share of the story. The count must equal the '
+            'chain_plan.blocks POST /plan gives for this length. Omitted: FreeVideo splits prompt into parts before the first part.'),
         takes=number(1, 8, integer=True, default=1), **common()),
         allOf=[{'if': {'required': ['refine_from'], 'properties': {'refine_from': {'type': 'string'}}},
                 'then': {'properties': {k: False for k in ('prompt', 'width', 'height', 'aspect', 'megapixels',
                     'seconds', 'seed', 'quality', 'sampling', 'media', 'loras', 'preview', 'continue_from',
-                    'first_frame_reference')}},
+                    'first_frame_reference', 'part_prompts')}},
                 'else': {'required': ['prompt']}},
                {'if': {'anyOf': [{'required': [k]} for k in ('aspect', 'megapixels')]},
                 'then': {'not': {'anyOf': [{'required': [k]} for k in ('width', 'height')]}}},
@@ -510,7 +513,7 @@ def cast_view():
         description=nullable(string(1000)), revision=number(1, integer=True),
         images=array(picture, 0, 6), candidates=array(picture, 0, 6),
         generating=nullable(generating), generated=nullable(generated),
-        generate_error=nullable(obj(dict(code=string(), job=JOB, message=string()), ('code', 'job', 'message')))),
+        generate_error=nullable(obj(dict(code=string(), job=JOB, message=string(), error_zh=string()), ('code', 'job', 'message')))),
         ('id', 'kind', 'name', 'revision', 'images', 'candidates', 'generating')), additionalProperties=True)
 
 
@@ -856,8 +859,8 @@ def drama_route_table():
 CAST_REFERENCE = {'enum': [None, 'cards', 'partial', 'missing', 'inherited', 'own'],
                   'description': 'How the shot carries cast cards: cards; partial (cast_omitted did not fit at all, or '
                                  'cast_voice_omitted came without their voice); missing '
-                                 '(a card was deleted, cast_missing shoot from text); inherited (continues the '
-                                 'previous shot); own (the shot names its own first frame or references); null.'}
+                                 '(a card was deleted, cast_missing shoot from text); inherited (a film made before continuing '
+                                 'shots carried cards); own (the shot names its own first frame or references); null.'}
 
 
 def production_response():
@@ -889,6 +892,8 @@ def production_response():
             cast_reference=CAST_REFERENCE, cast_omitted=dict(type='array', items=string()),
             cast_voice_omitted=dict(type='array', items=string()),
             cast_missing=dict(type='array', items=string()),
+            cast_pictures_each=dict(type=['integer', 'null'], description='Pictures each person carries in this shot: six or three by graphics card class, fewer (down to three) when this device cannot hold the starting number at the shot length.'),
+            cast_note=dict(type=['string', 'null'], description='One sentence saying so, only when it was reduced from the starting number.'),
             takes=dict(type='array', items=dict(type='object', properties=dict(take=number(1, integer=True), job=REF,
                 task={'oneOf': [JOB, {'type': 'null'}]}, generation=number(0, integer=True), seed=number(0, integer=True),
                 stale={'type': 'boolean'}, error={'type': ['object', 'null']},
@@ -1084,8 +1089,9 @@ def bad(field, allowed, got=None):
         if value.get('scene_image') and not value.get('people'):
             bad('scene_image', 'omitted unless people is supplied', value['scene_image'])
     if kind == 'generate':
-        if value.get('continue_from') and value.get('media'):
-            bad('media', 'omitted when continue_from is supplied', value['media'])
+        if value.get('continue_from') and isinstance(value.get('media'), dict) and any(
+                v is not None for k, v in value['media'].items() if k != 'references'):
+            bad('media', 'only references when continue_from is supplied', value['media'])
         if value.get('refine_from') is None:
             custom = value.get('sampling', {})
             two, base, refine = QUALITY[value.get('quality', 'light')]
@@ -1332,7 +1338,8 @@ def openapi():
                 report_id={'type': ['string', 'null'], 'pattern': '^[0-9a-f]{32}$',
                            'description': 'Image diagnostic report ID, or null when no report exists.'},
                 request_id=string(), docs=string(), retry_after_seconds=number(0), card={'type': 'object'}, job=JOB,
-                project={'type': 'object'}, current_revision=number(1, integer=True)),
+                project={'type': 'object'}, current_revision=number(1, integer=True),
+                error_zh=string()),
                 ('code', 'message', 'details', 'retryable', 'request_id', 'docs'))}))
 
 
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/agent/spec.py b/freevideo_engine/agent/spec.py
index 96ab196a..39973501 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/agent/spec.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/agent/spec.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 QUALITY, ASPECTS = contract.QUALITY, contract.ASPECTS
 KINDS = tuple(contract.KINDS)
 FRAMES = ('first', 'last')
+# A part that continues a video carries at most this many reference pictures, and no other reference media.
+CONTINUED_PICTURES = 3
 MAX_SEED = contract.generate()['properties']['seed']['maximum']
 JOB_ID = re.compile(contract.JOB['pattern'].strip('^$'))
 LIBRARY_ID = re.compile(contract.SAVED['pattern'].strip('^$'))
@@ -142,6 +144,19 @@ def generation_media(value):
     return result
 
 
+def still_picture(item):
+    """A reference that is one picture: a frame of a video, or a picture file."""
+    if isinstance(item, str):
+        item = {'file': item}
+    if not isinstance(item, dict):
+        return False
+    if 'frame' in item:
+        return True
+    from ..comfy_assets import EXTENSIONS
+    source = item.get('file') or item.get('path')
+    return isinstance(source, str) and source.lower().endswith(tuple(EXTENSIONS['image']))
+
+
 def task(media):
     if media.get('references'):
         return 'ref2va'
@@ -191,6 +206,8 @@ def normalize(value, *, port=None):
                 result['continue_from'] = dict(value['continue_from'])
             if value['first_frame_reference']:
                 result['first_frame_reference'] = True
+            if value.get('part_prompts'):
+                result['part_prompts'] = list(value['part_prompts'])
             result['loras'] = [dict(name=row, strength=1.) if isinstance(row, str) else {'strength': 1., **row}
                                for row in value['loras']]
             if port is not None:
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/background_compile.py b/freevideo_engine/background_compile.py
index 3b6b998e..377c09ad 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/background_compile.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/background_compile.py
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
 The first request after an update, a repair, a new installation or a GPU
 driver update compiles its kernels; on a 12 GB Windows laptop that cost 50 s of
 a 564 s request. Nobody waits for this compile here. Once ComfyUI has had no
-work for START_DELAY seconds, precompile runs at the lowest CPU and disk
+work for START_DELAY seconds (OWED_DELAY when no compile is on record for this
+installation), precompile runs at the lowest CPU and disk
 priority. A queued prompt stops it within POLL seconds, and a generation, a
 prompt rewrite or a calibration stops it before taking the GPU. Kernels
 compiled by then stay in the caches, and the request compiles the rest as it
@@ -25,6 +26,9 @@
 from .long_paths import io_path
 
 START_DELAY = 30.
+# A compile that is owed (nothing compiled yet for this code, driver or GPU)
+# starts this soon after ComfyUI loads, before the user's first request.
+OWED_DELAY = 5.
 MAX_DELAY = 600.
 POLL = .25
 # Longer than the Linux supervisor takes to end every descendant (4.5 s):
@@ -37,6 +41,27 @@
 ATTEMPTS = 8
 
 
+def compile_owed(root):
+    """True when no finished compile on record matches this installation's code.
+
+    Reads only the receipt and the compute sources, without tensors or a GPU
+    query; the compile itself decides again with the full identity, so a wrong
+    "owed" costs one early start that ends at once with the receipt's skip.
+    """
+    import json
+    try:
+        previous = json.loads((Path(root) / 'precompile.json').read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
+        identity = previous['identity']
+        if not previous.get('success') or not identity:
+            return True
+        from .tuning import COMPUTE_FILES, digest
+        package = Path(__file__).parent
+        return (identity.get('source_sha256') != {name: digest(package / name) for name in COMPUTE_FILES}
+                or identity.get('dependency_manifest_sha256') != digest(package / 'dependencies.json'))
+    except Exception:
+        return True
+
+
 class BackgroundCompile:
     def __init__(self):
         self.guard = threading.Lock()
@@ -112,9 +137,12 @@ def _quiet(self, busy, delay):
         return True
 
     def _work(self, command, environment, cwd, log, busy, delay):
+        # The first wait may be shorter than the retry backoff, which always
+        # starts from START_DELAY: a stopped or crowded-out run is not hammered.
+        pause = START_DELAY
         for attempt in range(ATTEMPTS):
             if attempt:
-                delay = min(2 * delay, MAX_DELAY)
+                pause = delay = min(2 * pause, MAX_DELAY)
             if not self._quiet(busy, delay):
                 return
             with self.guard:
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/chain_runner.py b/freevideo_engine/chain_runner.py
index f48c478b..64e809df 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/chain_runner.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/chain_runner.py
@@ -212,6 +212,30 @@ def cancel(self, chain_id):
                 self.wake.set()
             return self._view(record)
 
+    def set_text(self, chain_id, block_id, text):
+        """The description of a part that has not started; the user's own words, used as written."""
+        if not isinstance(text, str) or not text.strip() or len(text) > 20000:
+            raise ValueError('Text must be a nonempty string of at most 20000 characters')
+        with self.lock:
+            record = self.records[chain_id]
+            block = next((row for row in record['blocks'] if row['id'] == block_id), None)
+            if block is None:
+                raise KeyError(block_id)
+            if (record.get('split') or {}).get('state') in ('pending', 'running'):
+                raise ChainBusy('The descriptions of the parts are not written yet')
+            if block['state'] != 'pending' or block['prompt_id'] is not None:
+                raise ChainBusy('This part has already started')
+            previous = block['inputs']['text']
+            block['inputs']['text'] = text
+            try:
+                from .lora_triggers import apply_chain_triggers
+                apply_chain_triggers(record)
+            except Exception:
+                block['inputs']['text'] = previous
+                raise ValueError('Text must be at most 20000 characters with LoRA triggers') from None
+            self._save(record)
+            return self._view(record)
+
     def resume(self, chain_id, client_id=None):
         with self.lock:
             record = self.records[chain_id]
@@ -231,6 +255,12 @@ def resume(self, chain_id, client_id=None):
                                  seconds=None, output=None, report_id=None, error=None,
                                  fraction=0., remaining_seconds=None, continuation=None,
                                  skip_frames=0, skip_audio_samples=0)
+            split = record.get('split')
+            if (split is not None and split['state'] == 'failed' and split['reason'] in ('busy', 'memory')
+                    and all(row['state'] != 'done' for row in record['blocks'])
+                    and len({row['inputs']['text'] for row in record['blocks']}) == 1):
+                # Busy and memory pass; nothing has started and no part was rewritten, so split again.
+                split.update(state='pending', reason=None)
             if client_id is not None:
                 record['client_id'] = client_id
             record['state'] = 'queued'
@@ -300,6 +330,12 @@ def _find(self, prompt_id, node):
                     return record, block
         return None, None
 
+    def owns(self, prompt_id):
+        """True while a chain block submitted this host request; its order is the chain's."""
+        with self.lock:
+            return any(row['prompt_id'] == prompt_id and row['state'] in ('queued', 'running')
+                       for record in self.records.values() for row in record['blocks'])
+
     def _start(self, block):
         if block['started'] is None:
             block['started'] = self.wall()
@@ -485,8 +521,18 @@ def _step_chain(self, identity):
             else:
                 prompt_id, node = block['prompt_id'], record['node']
                 action = 'status'
+            split = record.get('split')
             if action == 'join':
                 pass
+            elif (prompt_id is None and split is not None and split['state'] == 'pending'
+                  and record['state'] != 'cancelling' and block['index'] == 0):
+                # Before the first part: one description per part, so later parts carry on instead of replaying.
+                split['state'] = 'running'
+                record['state'] = 'running'
+                self._save(record)
+                value = dict(text=block['inputs']['text'], continued=block['after'] is not None,
+                             seconds=[row['new_frames'] / chain_plan.FPS for row in record['blocks']])
+                action = 'split'
             elif prompt_id is None:
                 self.progress_messages.pop(identity, None)
                 self.progress_values.get(identity, {}).pop('remaining_seconds', None)
@@ -497,6 +543,7 @@ def _step_chain(self, identity):
                 self._save(record)
                 prompt = deepcopy(record['snapshot']['prompt'])
                 block_inputs = dict(block['inputs'])
+                block_inputs.update(index=block['index'], count=len(record['blocks']))
                 sources = self._sources(record, block)
                 extra = deepcopy(record['snapshot']['extra_data'])
                 if record['client_id'] is not None:
@@ -513,6 +560,11 @@ def _step_chain(self, identity):
         if action == 'join':
             self._join(identity, snapshot)
             return
+        if action == 'split':
+            self._split(record, value)
+            if record['split']['state'] != 'pending':
+                self._step_chain(identity)  # The first part starts in the same pass.
+            return
         if action == 'submit':
             try:
                 for key, source in sources.items():
@@ -524,11 +576,13 @@ def _step_chain(self, identity):
                     block_inputs[key] = (source['output'] or '') if source is not None else ''
                 for name in getattr(self.host, 'continuation_inputs', ()):
                     prompt[node]['inputs'].pop(name, None)
-                # A part that continues footage takes no keyframes or references of its own:
-                # only a part that starts fresh keeps the request's media.
+                # A part that continues footage takes no keyframes of its own: it starts from the footage.
+                # The host's media inputs name what only a part that starts fresh keeps.
                 if any(source is not None for source in sources.values()):
                     for name in getattr(self.host, 'media_inputs', ()):
                         prompt[node]['inputs'].pop(name, None)
+                    if hasattr(self.host, 'continued'):
+                        self.host.continued(prompt, node)
                 prompt[node]['inputs'].update(self.inputs(block_inputs))
                 self.host.submit(prompt_id, node_prompt(prompt, node), extra)
             except Exception as error:
@@ -578,6 +632,39 @@ def _step_chain(self, identity):
                         block['state'] = desired
                     self._save(record)
 
+    def _split(self, record, value):
+        def cancelled():
+            return record['state'] == 'cancelling' or self.closed.is_set()
+        split = getattr(self.host, 'split_texts', None)
+        parts, reason = None, 'unavailable'
+        if split is not None:
+            try:
+                parts, reason = split(value, cancelled)
+            except Exception:
+                logging.exception('[FreeVideo] Splitting the description failed')
+                parts, reason = None, 'failed'
+        with self.lock:
+            if parts is None and cancelled():
+                record['split']['state'] = 'pending'  # Split again when resumed.
+            elif parts is not None and len(parts) == len(record['blocks']) and all(
+                    isinstance(part, str) and part.strip() for part in parts):
+                for row, part in zip(record['blocks'], parts):
+                    row['inputs']['text'] = part
+                try:
+                    from .lora_triggers import apply_chain_triggers
+                    apply_chain_triggers(record)
+                    record['split'].update(state='done', reason=None)
+                except Exception:
+                    for row in record['blocks']:
+                        row['inputs']['text'] = value['text']
+                    record['split'].update(state='failed', reason='failed')
+            else:
+                # The whole description goes to every part, as before; the page says why.
+                if parts is not None:
+                    reason = 'unusable'
+                record['split'].update(state='failed', reason=reason if reason in store.SPLIT_REASONS else 'failed')
+            self._save(record)
+
     def _join(self, identity, snapshot):
         final_state = snapshot.get('join_final_state', 'done')
         def cancelled():
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/chain_store.py b/freevideo_engine/chain_store.py
index 065a8ad8..468e49e5 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/chain_store.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/chain_store.py
@@ -16,6 +16,16 @@
 CHAIN_STATES = (*ACTIVE, 'cancelled', 'failed', 'interrupted', 'done')
 BLOCK_STATES = ('pending', 'queued', 'running', 'done', 'cancelled', 'failed', 'interrupted')
 OUTPUT_STATES = ('none', 'pending', 'joining', 'done', 'failed')
+# pending: split before the first part; given: the request gave one text per part; none: nothing to split.
+SPLIT_STATES = ('pending', 'running', 'done', 'failed', 'given', 'none')
+SPLIT_REASONS = {
+    'model_missing': 'The prompt model is not installed, so every part used the whole description.',
+    'busy': 'The prompt model was busy, so every part used the whole description.',
+    'memory': 'There was not enough memory to split the description, so every part used the whole description.',
+    'unusable': 'The description could not be split into parts, so every part used the whole description.',
+    'unavailable': 'Splitting is not available here, so every part used the whole description.',
+    'failed': 'Splitting the description failed, so every part used the whole description.',
+}
 # Parts one video may be continued through: the first part and four continuations.
 MAX_PARTS = 5
 
@@ -63,7 +73,7 @@ def validate(payload):
         raise ValueError('Invalid extra data or client ID')
     if ('blocks' in payload) == ('seconds' in payload):
         raise ValueError('Specify blocks or seconds, not both')
-    planned = None
+    planned = split = None
     join = payload.get('join', 'seconds' in payload)
     if type(join) is not bool:
         raise ValueError('Join must be a bool')
@@ -81,9 +91,19 @@ def validate(payload):
             raise ValueError('Text must be a string')
         if type(seed) is not int or seed < 0:
             raise ValueError('A nonnegative integer seed is required')
+        # Each part plays its own share of the description; one text for all parts replays the story
+        # from the start in every part. Without texts the runner splits it before the first part.
+        texts = payload.get('texts')
+        if texts is not None and (not isinstance(texts, list) or len(texts) != len(planned['blocks'])
+                                  or any(not isinstance(row, str) or not row.strip() for row in texts)):
+            raise ValueError('Texts must give one description for each planned part')
         rows = [dict(id='b%s' % (index + 1), after='b%s' % index if index else source,
-                     frames=row['frames'], text=text, seed=seed + index)
+                     frames=row['frames'], text=texts[index] if texts else text, seed=seed + index)
                 for index, row in enumerate(planned['blocks'])]
+        if len(rows) > 1:
+            split = dict(state='given' if texts else 'pending' if text.strip() else 'none', reason=None)
+    elif 'texts' in payload:
+        raise ValueError('Texts are given with seconds; blocks carry their own text')
     else:
         rows = payload['blocks']
     if not isinstance(rows, list) or not 1 <= len(rows) <= chain_plan.MAX_BLOCKS:
@@ -143,7 +163,7 @@ def visit(identity):
                   updated=now, state='queued', client_id=client,
                   snapshot=dict(prompt=deepcopy(prompt), extra_data=deepcopy(extra)), blocks=blocks,
                   plan=planned, join=join, output=None, output_state='pending' if join else 'none',
-                  output_error=None, output_blocks=0)
+                  output_error=None, output_blocks=0, split=split)
     try:
         json.dumps(record, allow_nan=False)
     except (ValueError, TypeError, OverflowError) as error:
@@ -166,7 +186,7 @@ def summary(record):
     return dict({key: deepcopy(record[key]) for key in
                  ('version', 'id', 'node', 'created', 'updated', 'state',
                   'join', 'output', 'output_state', 'output_error', 'output_blocks')},
-                output_seams=deepcopy(record.get('output_seams')),
+                output_seams=deepcopy(record.get('output_seams')), split=deepcopy(record.get('split')),
                 count=len(blocks), done=sum(row['state'] == 'done' for row in blocks),
                 current=current, elapsed_seconds=sum(row['seconds'] or 0 for row in blocks if row['state'] == 'done'),
                 last_report_id=record.get('last_report_id') or next((row['report_id'] for row in reversed(blocks)
@@ -224,6 +244,13 @@ def load_all(directory, limit=200, *, identity=None):
             if (type(record['output_blocks']) is not int or not 0 <= record['output_blocks'] <= len(record['blocks'])
                     or record['output'] is None and record['output_blocks'] != 0):
                 raise ValueError('Invalid chain output block count')
+            split = record.setdefault('split', None)
+            if split is not None and (not isinstance(split, dict) or set(split) != {'state', 'reason'}
+                                      or split['state'] not in SPLIT_STATES
+                                      or split['reason'] is not None and split['reason'] not in SPLIT_REASONS):
+                raise ValueError('Invalid chain split')
+            if split is not None and split['state'] == 'running':
+                split['state'] = 'pending'  # Stopped while splitting: split again when resumed.
             seams = record.get('output_seams')
             if seams is not None and (not isinstance(seams, dict) or set(seams) != {'expected', 'kept'}
                                       or any(type(value) is not int or value < 0 for value in seams.values())):
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/cli.py b/freevideo_engine/cli.py
index 8da891a8..2059597d 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/cli.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/cli.py
@@ -97,6 +97,10 @@ def main():
                           help='With --continue-from: also give the model the first frame of the whole film as a '
                                'reference picture. Reduces drift over many parts; holds framing and motion close to '
                                'the opening, so leave it off when later parts should move away from it')
+    generate.add_argument('--hide-tail', action='store_true',
+                          help='Generate and discard 34 extra frames for dialogue segments.')
+    generate.add_argument('--voice-reference', action='store_true',
+                          help='With --continue-from: use the opening six seconds as a voice reference when the prompt has dialogue')
     generate.add_argument('--continue-anchor', type=Path, metavar='IMAGE',
                           help='Experimental: a reference picture of your own for a continuation, with no prompt note')
     generate.add_argument('--allocator-limit-gib', type=float,
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_assets.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_assets.py
index 88d142ea..266d8770 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_assets.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_assets.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 import os
 from pathlib import Path, PurePosixPath, PureWindowsPath
 from . import launcher_bridge
+from .comfy_continuation import optional_text
 from .monitoring import thermal_slowdown, shared_gpu_note, worker_gpu
 from .paths import data_root
 from .support_report import encoder_sizes
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ def saved_video(output, output_directory):
 
 def resolve_loras(serialized, names, resolve, previous=None):
     """Resolve a UI stack through Comfy's registered libraries, never raw paths."""
+    serialized = optional_text(serialized, '[]')
     if not isinstance(serialized, str) or len(serialized) > 128 * 1024:
         raise ValueError('Invalid LoRA selection')
     rows = json.loads(serialized)
@@ -64,6 +66,7 @@ def media_kind(filename):
 
 
 def resolve_assets(serialized, input_directory):
+    serialized = optional_text(serialized, '[]')
     if not isinstance(serialized, str) or len(serialized) > 128 * 1024:
         raise ValueError('Invalid media selection')
     rows = json.loads(serialized)
@@ -101,11 +104,33 @@ def resolve_assets(serialized, input_directory):
             result.setdefault('references', []).append({'kind': kind, 'path': str(path)})
         else:
             raise ValueError('Media role must be first, last or reference')
-    if result.get('references') and any(name in result for name in ('first', 'last')):
-        raise ValueError('Use first/last frames or references in this request. Disable unused media cards.')
+    # Mixing keyframes and references is checked when the video is made (comfy_media.export):
+    # a part that continues a video uses its keyframes as pictures.
     return result
 
 
+def continued_assets(serialized):
+    """The panel rows a continued part uses: enabled image references in panel order, at most three.
+
+    Its frames and sounds stay in the panel for parts that start fresh, but never reach a continued part's checks."""
+    from .continuation import PICTURES_MAX
+    try:
+        rows = json.loads(serialized)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return '[]'
+    kept = []
+    for row in rows if isinstance(rows, list) else ():
+        if (isinstance(row, dict) and row.get('enabled', True) is True and row.get('role') == 'reference'
+                and isinstance(row.get('file'), str)):
+            try:
+                image = media_kind(row['file']) == 'image'
+            except ValueError:
+                image = False
+            if image and len(kept) < PICTURES_MAX:
+                kept.append(dict(file=row['file'], role='reference'))
+    return json.dumps(kept)
+
+
 def connect_assets(assets, *, first=None, last=None, reference=None, reference_audio=None, **images):
     """Keep connected IMAGE/AUDIO values native until request input export."""
     result = dict(assets)
@@ -126,9 +151,6 @@ def connect_assets(assets, *, first=None, last=None, reference=None, reference_a
     if count > 32:
         raise ValueError(f'There are {count} references and the limit is 32. '
                          'For a long image batch, connect a clip to the Reference node\'s video input; a clip counts as one reference.')
-    if count and any(
-            name in result or name in connected for name in ('first', 'last')):
-        raise ValueError('Choose keyframes or references; disable the unused inputs')
     if connected:
         result['_connected'] = connected
     return result
@@ -162,6 +184,10 @@ def output_summary(report, relative_video):
                 video=relative_video.as_posix(), report=relative_video.with_suffix(
                     '.debug.json' if report.get('diagnostic_file') == relative_video.with_suffix('.debug.json').name
                     else '.request.json').as_posix())
+    if type(report.get('output_frames')) is int and report['output_frames'] > 0:
+        # Resource reports keep the generated canvas; result cards show only saved frames.
+        result['geometry'].update(frames=report['output_frames'],
+                                  seconds=report['output_frames'] / (result['geometry'].get('fps') or 24))
     checkpoint = encoding.get('checkpoint') or {}
     sizes = checkpoint.get('bytes'), checkpoint.get('expected_bytes')
     # Reports are read back from disk; a malformed one gets no notice rather than failing the library.
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_bridge.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_bridge.py
index 59eb37c1..e820671e 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_bridge.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_bridge.py
@@ -908,6 +908,21 @@ def events(self):
         return result
 
 
+def preview_state(event):
+    """The few facts the page needs to show the newest frame preview, or None."""
+    values = {key: event.get(key) for key in ('serial', 'step', 'total', 'frames', 'frame_width', 'frame_height')}
+    if any(type(value) is not int or value < 1 or value > 100000 for value in values.values()) or values['frames'] > 8:
+        return None
+    return values
+
+
+def preview_update(current, event):
+    """The page's frame picture after a frame_preview / frame_preview_clear event."""
+    if event.get('event') == 'frame_preview_clear':
+        return None
+    return preview_state(event) or current
+
+
 def progress_message(event):
     from .sampling_progress import progress_message as sampling_message
     sampling = sampling_message(event)
@@ -1155,9 +1170,13 @@ def generate(prompt, width, height, seconds, seed, output_directory, *,
              release_models=None, export_inputs=None, two_pass=True, encoder_prewarm=None,
              force_regenerate=False, base_steps=8, refine_steps=3, comfy_metadata=None,
              prompt_rewrite_report=None, preview=False, refine_from=None, report_extra=None,
-             continue_from=None, frames=None, first_frame_reference=False):
+             continue_from=None, frames=None, first_frame_reference=False, voice_reference=False, hide_tail=False):
     if type(first_frame_reference) is not bool:
         raise ValueError('First-frame reference must be a boolean')
+    if type(voice_reference) is not bool:
+        raise ValueError('Voice reference must be a boolean')
+    if type(hide_tail) is not bool:
+        raise ValueError('Hide tail must be a boolean')
     if continue_from is not None:
         from .continuation import validate_route
         validate_route(two_pass=two_pass, preview=preview, refine_from=refine_from)
@@ -1167,6 +1186,8 @@ def generate(prompt, width, height, seconds, seed, output_directory, *,
         raise ValueError('Force regeneration must be a boolean')
     if type(preview) is not bool:
         raise ValueError('Preview must be a boolean')
+    from .comfy_continuation import optional_text
+    refine_from = optional_text(refine_from)
     refine_from = refine_from if isinstance(refine_from, str) and refine_from.strip() else None
     upscale = None
     if refine_from:
@@ -1249,6 +1270,8 @@ def check_ending():
         command += ['--continue-from', str(continue_from)]
         if first_frame_reference:
             command.append('--first-frame-reference')
+        if voice_reference:
+            command.append('--voice-reference')
         if continuation is not None:
             from .continuation import persist_snapshot
             continuation = persist_snapshot(continuation, run / 'continuation-source.safetensors')
@@ -1262,6 +1285,8 @@ def check_ending():
                 command += ['--' + field.replace('_', '-'), str(reserve)]
         if preview:
             command.append('--preview')
+    if hide_tail:
+        command.append('--hide-tail')
     state = {'status': 'starting', 'geometry': canvas, 'seed': seed, 'installation': str(root),
              'command': command, 'output': str(output), 'source': str(source), 'resources': resources}
     if preview:
@@ -1285,9 +1310,15 @@ def check_ending():
     whole_progress = _SafeProgress(whole_progress)
     from .comfy_progress import REPORTS
     report_id = REPORTS.register(output)
+    frame_state = [None]
     def send_progress(message, event=None):
         if progress:
-            progress(whole_progress.annotate(dict(message, report_id=report_id), event=event))
+            value = whole_progress.annotate(dict(message, report_id=report_id), event=event)
+            if message.get('phase') in ('sample_finalize', 'decode') or message.get('timing_phase') in ('decode', 'encoding'):
+                frame_state[0] = None
+            if frame_state[0] is not None:
+                value = dict(value, frame_preview=frame_state[0])
+            progress(value)
     process = None
     from .result_cache import ResultCache, request_key, inspect_bounded
     cache = ResultCache(output_directory)
@@ -1300,6 +1331,9 @@ def poll():
             for event in tail.events():
                 if index == 0 and event.get('event') == 'resource_retry':
                     tails[2].reset()
+                if event.get('event') in ('frame_preview', 'frame_preview_clear'):
+                    frame_state[0] = preview_update(frame_state[0], event)
+                    continue
                 message = progress_message(event)
                 if message:
                     send_progress(message, event)
@@ -1338,21 +1372,31 @@ def poll():
             media = extra.get('media') or {}
             send_progress({'label': 'Retaining and checking input media', 'timing_phase': 'encoding',
                            'references': any(media.get(key) for key in ('first', 'last', 'references'))})
+        # A continued part keeps the cast's pictures; the engine then leaves out the film's first frame.
+        pictured = continue_from is not None and any(
+            row.get('kind') == 'image' for row in (extra.get('media') or {}).get('references', []))
+        if pictured:
+            anchored = False
         from .media_request import task_for
         from .two_pass import plan, sampling_canvas
+        from .generate import hide_tail_geometry
+        generated_canvas, hidden = hide_tail_geometry(canvas, None if extra.get('conditioning') else prompt,
+                                                      hide_tail, preview=bool(preview or upscale))
+        hide_tail_frames = hidden['frames'] if hidden and hidden['used'] else 0
         # The engine samples this canvas; results, cache keys and labels keep the requested size.
-        sampled, output_size = sampling_canvas(canvas, staged=bool(preview or upscale), media=extra.get('media'),
+        sampled, output_size = sampling_canvas(generated_canvas, staged=bool(preview or upscale), media=extra.get('media'),
                                                conditioned=bool(extra.get('conditioning')))
-        planned = plan(sampled, two_pass, 'ref2va' if anchored else task_for(extra.get('media', {})),
+        planned = plan(sampled, two_pass, 'ref2va' if anchored or pictured else task_for(extra.get('media', {})),
                        base_steps=base_steps, refine_steps=refine_steps, staged=bool(preview or upscale))
         if continue_from is not None:
             from .continuation import ADALN_TASK, ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK, MISSING, validate_snapshot, summary
-            validate_route(task='ref2va' if anchored else task_for(extra.get('media', {})), anchor=anchored,
+            validate_route(task='ref2va' if anchored or pictured else task_for(extra.get('media', {})),
+                           anchor=anchored or pictured,
                            media=extra.get('media'))
             if continuation is not None:
                 try:
                     continuation = validate_snapshot(continuation, sampled, sampling_plan=planned)
-                    state['continuation'] = summary(continuation)
+                    state['continuation'] = summary(continuation, hide_tail_frames=hide_tail_frames)
                 except ValueError as error:
                     if str(error) != MISSING:
                         raise
@@ -1367,9 +1411,11 @@ def poll():
             if continuation is None:
                 from .continuation import OVERLAP_FRAMES
                 state['continuation'] = dict(overlap_frames=OVERLAP_FRAMES,
-                                             new_frames=sampled['frames'] - OVERLAP_FRAMES, encoded=True)
+                                             new_frames=sampled['frames'] - hide_tail_frames - OVERLAP_FRAMES, encoded=True)
         # A preview is its own result; an upscale is always run from its preview.
         keyed = dict(planned, preview=True) if preview else planned
+        if hide_tail_frames:
+            keyed = dict(keyed, hide_tail_frames=hide_tail_frames)
         identify = lambda check: request_key(prompt, seed, canvas, keyed, extra, machine,
                                              resources, source, environment, inspection=check)
         state['result_cache'] = dict(enabled=False, hit=False, forced=force_regenerate)
@@ -1400,7 +1446,7 @@ def asset_progress(message):
         preparation_started = time.monotonic()
         try:
             # Reference audio selects its own tables; match the encoder's choice.
-            asset_task = ((ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK if anchored else ADALN_TASK) if continue_from is not None
+            asset_task = ((ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK if anchored or pictured else ADALN_TASK) if continue_from is not None
                           else engine_task(extra.get('media', {}), media_base))
             preparation = prepare_sampling_assets(root, machine, planned, asset_task,
                 progress=asset_progress, interrupted=interrupted, environ=environment)
@@ -1453,6 +1499,15 @@ def asset_progress(message):
                 raise RuntimeError(generation_failure(run, process.returncode, repair=hint))
         report = json.loads(output.with_suffix('.request.json').read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
         engine = json.loads(output.with_suffix('.engine.json').read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
+        if hide_tail_frames and report.get('hide_tail') == dict(requested=True, used=False, reason='too_long'):
+            # Admission before encoding can decline the extra frames after the bridge's
+            # estimate. Validate the ordinary plan and don't cache it as a hidden-tail result.
+            # After encoding the conditioning is tied to the longer canvas, so a later refusal
+            # fails like any other request.
+            sampled, output_size = sampling_canvas(canvas, staged=bool(preview or upscale),
+                media=extra.get('media'), conditioned=bool(extra.get('conditioning')))
+            hidden, hide_tail_frames = report['hide_tail'], 0
+            cache_key = None
         from .two_pass import steps, plan
         completed_steps = steps(report.get('sampling_plan'))
         expected_plan = plan(sampled, two_pass, report.get('profile', {}).get('engine', {}).get('task', 't2va'),
@@ -1468,6 +1523,7 @@ def asset_progress(message):
                 or engine.get('sampling_plan') != report.get('sampling_plan')
                 or report.get('sampling_plan') != expected_plan
                 or bool(report.get('preview')) != preview or bool(report.get('upscaled_preview')) != bool(upscale)
+                or (hide_tail and report.get('hide_tail') != hidden)
                 or any(engine.get('geometry', {}).get(k) != shown[k] for k in ('width', 'height', 'frames'))
                 or (report.get('output_size') or None) != output_size):
             from .comfy_launcher_api import repair_hint
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_chain.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_chain.py
index 18ceae9c..f1c86cb9 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_chain.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_chain.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import os
 from pathlib import Path, PurePosixPath
 import ssl
+import time
 from urllib import error, request
 
 from .chain_runner import ChainBusy, ChainPartTooShort, ChainRunner, ChainTooLong
@@ -39,12 +40,28 @@ def seconds_for_frames(frames, minimum=1.625, maximum=60., step=.1):
 
 
 class ComfyHost:
-    continuation_inputs = tuple(CONTINUE_INPUTS.values())
-    media_inputs = ('media', 'first', 'last', 'references', 'conditioning')
+    continuation_inputs = (*CONTINUE_INPUTS.values(), 'voice_reference', 'hide_tail')
+    # Inputs a continued part drops. The media panel and references stay: the Generate node keeps their pictures.
+    media_inputs = ('first', 'last', 'conditioning')
 
     def __init__(self, server):
         self.server = server
 
+    def continued(self, prompt, node):
+        """A continued part's media panel keeps only the pictures it uses (prompt is this submission's copy)."""
+        link = prompt[node]['inputs'].get('media')
+        if not (isinstance(link, list) and len(link) == 2 and link[0] in prompt):
+            return
+        media = prompt[link[0]]
+        if not isinstance(media, dict) or media.get('class_type') != 'FreeVideoMedia':
+            return
+        inputs = media.setdefault('inputs', {})
+        for name in ('first', 'last', 'reference_audio'):
+            inputs.pop(name, None)
+        if isinstance(inputs.get('assets'), str):
+            from .comfy_assets import continued_assets
+            inputs['assets'] = continued_assets(inputs['assets'])
+
     def inputs(self, block_inputs):
         schema = _generate_inputs()
         values = {key: block_inputs[key] for key in ('text', 'seed')}
@@ -59,6 +76,10 @@ def inputs(self, block_inputs):
             # Each direction is filled once the node offers its input.
             if name in schema:
                 values[name] = '' if independent else block_inputs[key]
+        if 'voice_reference' in schema and values.get('continue_from'):
+            values['voice_reference'] = True
+        if 'hide_tail' in schema and not independent and block_inputs.get('index', 0) < block_inputs.get('count', 0) - 1:
+            values['hide_tail'] = True
         return values
 
     def work_exists(self, path):
@@ -157,6 +178,54 @@ def join(self, record, cancelled):
         return join_outputs([block['output'] for block in blocks], record['id'], cancelled,
                             frames=frames, replace=record.get('output'), **kept)
 
+    def split_texts(self, value, cancelled):
+        """One description per part from the local prompt model: (parts, None) or (None, reason)."""
+        service = getattr(self.server, '_freevideo_prompt_vlm', None)
+        if service is None:
+            return None, 'unavailable'
+        # A rewrite or a single video the user started a moment ago finishes first; busy is said only after
+        # ten minutes of waiting. Up to ten minutes waiting plus fifteen splitting hold the runner thread; there
+        # is one active chain, so nothing else waits behind it.
+        waiting = time.monotonic() + 600
+        while True:
+            try:
+                job = service.start('split', value)['job']
+            except ValueError as failure:
+                if str(failure) != 'busy' or time.monotonic() > waiting or cancelled():
+                    return None, {'model_missing': 'model_missing', 'busy': 'busy'}.get(str(failure), 'failed')
+                time.sleep(2)
+                continue
+            parts, reason = self._split_job(service, job, cancelled)
+            if reason != 'busy' or time.monotonic() > waiting or cancelled():
+                return parts, reason
+            time.sleep(2)
+
+    def _split_job(self, service, job, cancelled):
+        deadline = time.monotonic() + 900
+        while True:
+            try:
+                row = service.status(job)
+            except ValueError:
+                return None, 'failed'
+            phase = row.get('phase')
+            if phase == 'complete':
+                return row.get('parts'), None
+            if phase in ('failed', 'cancelled'):
+                error = row.get('error')
+                return None, ('memory' if error in ('ram_space', 'disk_space') else 'busy' if error == 'busy'
+                              else 'unusable' if error == 'split_failed' else 'failed')
+            if cancelled() or time.monotonic() > deadline:
+                service.cancel(job)
+                stopping = time.monotonic() + 30
+                try:
+                    while (time.monotonic() < stopping
+                           and service.status(job).get('phase') not in ('complete', 'failed', 'cancelled')):
+                        time.sleep(.2)
+                except ValueError:
+                    pass
+                return None, 'failed'
+            time.sleep(.5)
+
     def lead(self, output, previous):
         """A finished block's seam sound, read while its record is still in the shared store."""
         from .comfy_continuation import audio_lead_in
@@ -312,6 +381,19 @@ async def cancel(request):
         except KeyError:
             return response({'error': 'Unknown chain'}, 404)
 
+    @server.routes.post('/freevideo/chain/{id}/blocks/{block}/text')
+    async def text(request):
+        try:
+            value = await body(request)
+            return response({'chain': runner.set_text(request.match_info['id'], request.match_info['block'],
+                                                      value.get('text') if isinstance(value, dict) else None)})
+        except KeyError:
+            return response({'error': 'Unknown chain or part'}, 404)
+        except ChainBusy as failure:
+            return response({'error': str(failure)}, 409)
+        except ValueError as failure:
+            return response({'error': str(failure)}, 400)
+
     @server.routes.post('/freevideo/chain/{id}/resume')
     async def resume(request):
         try:
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_continuation.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_continuation.py
index 115fd1c9..4af4becd 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_continuation.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_continuation.py
@@ -5,6 +5,23 @@
                            LEAD_IN_FADE, LEAD_IN_RATE)
 
 
+_EMPTY_TEXT = frozenset(('none', 'null', 'undefined', 'nan'))
+
+
+def optional_text(value, default=''):
+    """Return an optional text input, or default when it was not given.
+
+    A missing optional widget can arrive as None, a blank string or the word a
+    script or an older workflow wrote for "nothing" ("None", "null",
+    "undefined", "NaN"). Other values are returned unchanged for the caller's
+    own checks, so a real value is never reinterpreted.
+    """
+    if value is None or isinstance(value, str) and (
+            not value.strip() or value.strip().lower() in _EMPTY_TEXT):
+        return default
+    return value
+
+
 def request_frames(value):
     """Translate the node's duration sentinel into the bridge's optional count."""
     if type(value) is not int or value != 0 and (value < 39 or (value - 5) % 17):
@@ -49,6 +66,7 @@ def resolve_continue_from(value, output_directory, input_directory):
 
 def request_options(continue_from='', frames=0):
     count = request_frames(frames)
+    continue_from = optional_text(continue_from)
     if not isinstance(continue_from, str):
         raise ValueError(INVALID_FILE)
     previous = None
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_editor.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_editor.py
index 619b9b2e..57053c62 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_editor.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_editor.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 """
 import asyncio
 import copy
+import errno
 import hashlib
 import json
 import logging
@@ -48,6 +49,11 @@
 _LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def _disk_full(error):
+    # The page names a full disk; other write errors stay a plain retry.
+    return {'reason': 'disk_full'} if getattr(error, 'errno', None) == errno.ENOSPC else {}
+
+
 class Conflict(ValueError):
     def __init__(self, revision, identity=None):
         super().__init__('Editor project has changed')
@@ -1173,8 +1179,8 @@ async def guarded(request):
                     return web.json_response(dict(error='Editor request is too large'), status=413, headers=_HEADERS)
                 except FileNotFoundError:
                     return web.json_response(dict(error='Editor item unavailable'), status=404, headers=_HEADERS)
-                except OSError:
-                    return web.json_response(dict(saved=False, retry=True), status=503, headers=_HEADERS)
+                except OSError as error:
+                    return web.json_response(dict(saved=False, retry=True, **_disk_full(error)), status=503, headers=_HEADERS)
                 except (ValueError, TypeError, KeyError, RecursionError):
                     return web.json_response(dict(error='Invalid editor request'), status=400, headers=_HEADERS)
                 except Exception:
@@ -1205,9 +1211,9 @@ async def persist(request):
             result = await asyncio.to_thread(save, root(), body.get('project'), body.get('create'), body.get('operation'))
         except MissingProject:
             raise
-        except OSError:
+        except OSError as error:
             # A missing staging directory is a retryable write error, not 404.
-            return web.json_response(dict(saved=False, retry=True), status=503, headers=_HEADERS)
+            return web.json_response(dict(saved=False, retry=True, **_disk_full(error)), status=503, headers=_HEADERS)
         return web.json_response(dict(project=result), headers=_HEADERS)
 
     @endpoint('get', '/freevideo/editor/sources')
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_library.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_library.py
index d852c22b..6c529436 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_library.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_library.py
@@ -561,6 +561,34 @@ async def sampling_estimate(request):
             # Estimation is advisory; installation and generation remain usable.
             return web.json_response({}, headers={'Cache-Control': 'no-store'})
 
+    @server.routes.get('/freevideo/request-assets')
+    async def request_assets(request):
+        """What this request still needs downloaded; advisory and read-only."""
+        from .comfy_bridge import installation
+        from .request_assets import inspect
+        query = request.query
+        try:
+            root, machine = installation()
+            value = dict(width=int(query['width']), height=int(query['height']), seconds=float(query['seconds']),
+                         task=query.get('task', 't2va'), base_steps=int(query.get('base_steps', '8')),
+                         refine_steps=int(query.get('refine_steps', '3')), two_pass=query.get('two_pass', '1') == '1',
+                         enhance=query.get('enhance') == '1', loras=query.getall('lora', [])[:32])
+            refs = []
+            for item in query.getall('ref', [])[:32]:
+                kind, _, name = item.partition(':')
+                parts = Path(name).parts
+                if kind in ('image', 'video', 'audio') and parts and not Path(name).is_absolute() and '..' not in parts:
+                    refs.append(dict(kind=kind, path=name))
+            if refs:
+                # The generation path's own classification decides the tables (audio track in a video).
+                value.update(references=refs, media_base=folder_paths.get_input_directory())
+            names = await asyncio.to_thread(folder_paths.get_filename_list, 'loras') if value['loras'] else None
+            result = await asyncio.to_thread(inspect, root, machine, value, lora_names=names)
+            return web.json_response(result, headers={'Cache-Control': 'no-store'})
+        except (OSError, ValueError, TypeError, KeyError):
+            # Advisory: generation still reports whatever it needs.
+            return web.json_response({}, headers={'Cache-Control': 'no-store'})
+
     @server.routes.get('/freevideo/library')
     async def library(request):
         try:
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_media.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_media.py
index d7abd950..dbf06460 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_media.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_media.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 """Native Comfy sockets -> retained local files, without model duplication."""
+import logging
 from pathlib import Path
 from .comfy_assets import REFERENCE_INPUTS
 
@@ -43,7 +44,49 @@ def _audio(value, path):
             container.mux(packet)
 
 
-def export(run, canvas, *, first=None, last=None, references=None, loras=None, conditioning=None, assets=None):
+def continued(exported, notes=None):
+    """What a continued part keeps of exported inputs: up to three pictures, and the LoRAs.
+
+    It starts from the footage, so a first or last frame image becomes one more picture after the
+    reference pictures; pre-encoded conditioning, clips and sound are left out. When keyframes are
+    used or pictures are left out, notes gets one line saying so."""
+    from .continuation import PICTURES_MAX
+    media = (exported or {}).get('media') or {}
+    kept = {key: value for key, value in media.items()
+            if key not in ('first', 'last', 'references', 'conditioning_info')}
+    pictures = [row for row in media.get('references', []) if row.get('kind') == 'image']
+    keyframes = [name for name in ('first', 'last') if media.get(name)]
+    candidates = pictures + [{'kind': 'image', 'path': media[name]} for name in keyframes]
+    if candidates:
+        kept['references'] = candidates[:PICTURES_MAX]
+    lines = [continued_note(len(pictures), keyframes, len(candidates[:PICTURES_MAX]))]
+    if any(row.get('kind') != 'image' for row in media.get('references', [])) or media.get('conditioning_info') \
+            or (exported or {}).get('conditioning'):
+        lines.append('A continued part uses picture references only. Video, audio and pre-encoded inputs are skipped.')
+    for line in filter(None, lines):
+        logging.info('[FreeVideo] %s', line)
+        if notes is not None:
+            notes.append(line)
+    return {'media': kept} if len(kept) > 1 else {}
+
+
+def continued_note(pictures, keyframes, used):
+    """One line for a continued part whose keyframes became pictures or whose pictures did not all fit."""
+    frames = 'the %s frame%s' % (' and '.join(keyframes), 's' if len(keyframes) > 1 else '')
+    if pictures + len(keyframes) > used:
+        return ('Continuing the previous video with %d of %d pictures: references first, then %s.'
+                % (used, pictures + len(keyframes), frames) if keyframes
+                else 'Continuing the previous video with the first %d of %d references.' % (used, pictures))
+    if keyframes:
+        return 'Continuing the previous video. %s %s used as %s.' % (
+            frames[0].upper() + frames[1:], 'are' if len(keyframes) > 1 else 'is',
+            'references' if len(keyframes) > 1 else 'a reference')
+    return None
+
+
+def export(run, canvas, *, first=None, last=None, references=None, loras=None, conditioning=None, assets=None,
+           continuing=False):
+    """continuing: the request continues a video, so keyframes and references may be mixed (see continued)."""
     media = {'version': 1}
     if assets:
         if conditioning is not None or first is not None or last is not None or references:
@@ -63,7 +106,8 @@ def export(run, canvas, *, first=None, last=None, references=None, loras=None, c
             references.append({'kind': 'audio', 'value': connected['reference_audio']})
     if conditioning is not None and (first is not None or last is not None or references):
         raise ValueError('Preencoded conditioning already includes media; do not connect a second set')
-    if references and (first is not None or last is not None):
+    keyframes = first is not None or last is not None or any(name in media for name in ('first', 'last'))
+    if not continuing and keyframes and (references or media.get('references')):
         raise ValueError('Choose keyframes or experimental references; mixed layouts are not supported')
     result = {}
     run = Path(run)
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_nodes.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_nodes.py
index eacab22f..c918a344 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_nodes.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_nodes.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 from comfy_api.latest import ComfyExtension, InputImpl, io, ui
 
 from . import comfy_bridge
-from .comfy_continuation import request_options
+from .comfy_continuation import optional_text, request_options
 from .default_prompt import DEFAULT_PROMPT
 
 References = io.Custom('FREEVIDEO_REFERENCES')
@@ -64,6 +64,10 @@ def define_schema(cls):
                             'Includes the 22 overlap frames when continuing; the saved MP4 contains only new frames.'),
                 io.Boolean.Input('first_frame_reference', display_name='First-frame reference', default=False,
                     optional=True, advanced=True, tooltip='Reduces drift.'),
+                io.Boolean.Input('voice_reference', display_name='Voice reference', default=False,
+                    optional=True, advanced=True, tooltip='Keeps the opening voice consistent in continued dialogue.'),
+                io.Boolean.Input('hide_tail', display_name='Hide dialogue tail', default=False,
+                    optional=True, advanced=True, tooltip='Generates and discards 34 extra frames to keep dialogue moving between parts.'),
             ],
             outputs=[io.Video.Output('video'), io.String.Output('report', display_name='Report JSON')],
             hidden=[io.Hidden.unique_id, io.Hidden.prompt, io.Hidden.extra_pnginfo],
@@ -71,31 +75,31 @@ def define_schema(cls):
         )
 
     @classmethod
-    def validate_inputs(cls, text, width, height, seconds, seed, **kwargs):
+    def validate_inputs(cls, text, width, height, seconds, seed, continue_from='', frames=0, two_pass=True,
+                        preview=False, refine_from='', base_steps=8, refine_steps=3):
+        # ComfyUI marks every input named here when a check fails, so only the checked widgets are
+        # listed. Linked pictures, media and conditioning have no value before the run anyway.
+        refine_from = optional_text(refine_from)
         try:
-            options = request_options(kwargs.get('continue_from', ''), kwargs.get('frames', 0))
+            options = request_options(continue_from, frames)
             if options.get('continue_from'):
-                # Use presence checks: tensor inputs have no scalar truth value.
-                assets = kwargs.get('media')
-                connected = assets.get('_connected', {}) if isinstance(assets, dict) else {}
-                media = dict(first=kwargs.get('first') is not None or connected.get('first') is not None,
-                             last=kwargs.get('last') is not None or connected.get('last') is not None,
-                             references=bool(kwargs.get('references')) or any(
-                                 connected.get(key) is not None for key in ('reference', 'reference_audio')),
-                             conditioning_info=kwargs.get('conditioning') is not None)
-                if isinstance(assets, dict):
-                    for key in ('first', 'last', 'references', 'conditioning_info'):
-                        media[key] = media[key] or bool(assets.get(key))
-                options.update(two_pass=kwargs.get('two_pass', True), preview=kwargs.get('preview', False),
-                               refine_from=kwargs.get('refine_from'), media=media)
+                # A continued part turns on two passes, skips the preview and takes keyframes as pictures (execute).
+                two_pass, preview = True, False
+                options.update(two_pass=True, preview=False, refine_from=refine_from or None,
+                               media=dict(first=False, last=False, conditioning_info=False))
             comfy_bridge.validate_request(text, width, height, seconds, seed, **options)
-            if not kwargs.get('refine_from'):
+            if not refine_from:
                 from .two_pass import validate_steps
-                validate_steps(kwargs.get('base_steps', 8), kwargs.get('refine_steps', 3), kwargs.get('two_pass', True))
-                if kwargs.get('preview') and not kwargs.get('two_pass', True):
+                validate_steps(base_steps, refine_steps, two_pass)
+                if preview and not two_pass:
                     return 'Preview first needs two-pass acceleration.'
             comfy_bridge.installation()
         except (OSError, ValueError, KeyError) as error:
+            from .continuation import UNSUPPORTED
+            if str(error).startswith(UNSUPPORTED):
+                # A refusal of the whole route (device, refine) is not one input's fault: the run stops
+                # at this node with the same guidance instead of marking every widget.
+                return True
             return str(error)
         return True
 
@@ -109,19 +113,27 @@ def fingerprint_inputs(cls, **kwargs):
     def execute(cls, text, width, height, seconds, seed, first=None, last=None,
                 references=None, loras=None, conditioning=None, media=None, two_pass=True,
                 force_regenerate=False, base_steps=8, refine_steps=3, preview=False, refine_from='',
-                continue_from='', frames=0, first_frame_reference=False):
+                continue_from='', frames=0, first_frame_reference=False, voice_reference=False, hide_tail=False):
         from server import PromptServer
         from .comfy_chain import block_context, block_finished, report_fields
+        refine_from, continue_from = optional_text(refine_from), optional_text(continue_from)
         node_id = cls.hidden.unique_id
         chain = block_context(PromptServer.instance, node_id)
         options = request_options(continue_from, frames)
+        notes = []
+        if options.get('continue_from') and not two_pass:
+            two_pass = True
+            notes.append('Continuing a video needs "Two-pass acceleration", so it is on for this part.')
+        if options.get('continue_from') and preview:
+            preview = False
+            notes.append('A continued part is made in full, without stopping at the preview.')
         from .two_pass import validate_steps
         if not refine_from:
             validate_steps(base_steps, refine_steps, two_pass)
         from .background_compile import COMPILE
         # Returns once the idle compile released the GPU and the engine lease.
         COMPILE.stop(final=True)
-        from .comfy_media import export
+        from .comfy_media import continued, export
         import folder_paths
         import comfy.model_management as memory
         from comfy.utils import ProgressBar
@@ -162,6 +174,8 @@ def execute(cls, text, width, height, seconds, seed, first=None, last=None,
             logging.warning('[FreeVideo] %s', notice)
             PromptServer.instance.send_progress_text(notice, node_id)
         notice = notice + '\n' if notice else ''
+        def said():
+            return notice + ''.join(line + '\n' for line in notes)
         def progress(message):
             if message.get('report_id'):
                 result_report[0] = message['report_id']
@@ -179,7 +193,7 @@ def progress(message):
                 publish(server, node_id, message)
                 if server is not None:
                     detail = message.get('detail')
-                    server.send_progress_text(notice + label + (' · ' + detail if detail else ''), node_id)
+                    server.send_progress_text(said() + label + (' · ' + detail if detail else ''), node_id)
                 last_message[0] = dict(message)
         def release():
             cpu_prewarm = IDLE.stop()
@@ -207,6 +221,19 @@ def release():
             # workflow, not one that points at this machine's preview file.
             graph = comfy_bridge.without_upscale(graph, node_id, refine_from)
         output_root = Path(folder_paths.get_output_directory()).resolve()
+
+        def kept(exported):
+            if not options.get('continue_from'):
+                return exported
+            before = len(notes)
+            result = continued(exported, notes)
+            if len(notes) > before and PromptServer.instance is not None:
+                PromptServer.instance.send_progress_text(said().rstrip('\n'), node_id)
+            return result
+        for line in notes:
+            logging.info('[FreeVideo] %s', line)
+        if notes and PromptServer.instance is not None:
+            PromptServer.instance.send_progress_text(said().rstrip('\n'), node_id)
         publish(PromptServer.instance, node_id, {'label': 'Preparing video', 'new_request': True})
         try:
             output = comfy_bridge.generate(text, width, height, seconds, seed, output_root,
@@ -216,11 +243,13 @@ def release():
                 base_steps=base_steps, refine_steps=refine_steps, comfy_metadata=graph,
                 preview=bool(preview), refine_from=refine_from or None,
                 interrupted=memory.throw_exception_if_processing_interrupted, release_models=release,
-                export_inputs=lambda run, canvas: export(run, canvas, first=first, last=last,
-                    references=references, loras=loras, conditioning=conditioning, assets=media),
+                export_inputs=lambda run, canvas: kept(export(run, canvas, first=first, last=last, references=references,
+                    loras=loras, conditioning=conditioning, assets=media, continuing=bool(options.get('continue_from')))),
                 **options,
                 # Only a part that continues another can use it; other requests keep the existing bridge call.
                 **({'first_frame_reference': True} if first_frame_reference is True and options.get('continue_from') else {}),
+                **({'voice_reference': True} if voice_reference is True and options.get('continue_from') else {}),
+                **({'hide_tail': True} if hide_tail is True else {}),
                 **({'report_extra': {'chain': report_fields(chain)}} if chain is not None else {}))
             relative = output.relative_to(output_root)
             report = output.with_suffix('.request.json').read_text(encoding='utf-8')
@@ -433,7 +462,7 @@ def start_background_compile():
     """Compile recent request shapes once this session is idle; see background_compile."""
     import os
     from server import PromptServer
-    from .background_compile import COMPILE
+    from .background_compile import COMPILE, OWED_DELAY, START_DELAY, compile_owed
     if os.environ.get('FREEVIDEO_BACKGROUND_COMPILE', 'auto').lower() in ('0', 'off', 'false'):
         return False
     root, machine = comfy_bridge.installation()
@@ -449,7 +478,8 @@ def busy():
     return COMPILE.start([machine['python'], '-B', '-m', 'freevideo_engine.precompile',
                           '--config', str(root / 'machine.json'), '--background'],
                          environment=environment, cwd=str(source), log=root / 'precompile.log',
-                         lock=environment.get('FREEVIDEO_LOCK_PATH') or root / 'engine.lock', busy=busy)
+                         lock=environment.get('FREEVIDEO_LOCK_PATH') or root / 'engine.lock', busy=busy,
+                         delay=OWED_DELAY if compile_owed(root) else START_DELAY)
 
 
 class FreeVideoExtension(ComfyExtension):
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/comfy_progress.py b/freevideo_engine/comfy_progress.py
index 32126c37..2a016c34 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/comfy_progress.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/comfy_progress.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Transient progress snapshots for reopened ComfyUI tabs; no request inputs."""
 from copy import deepcopy
 from pathlib import Path
+import heapq
 import threading
 import time
 import uuid
@@ -71,7 +72,8 @@ def publish(self, node, message):
                 'sampling_plan', 'bytes_per_second', 'block', 'blocks', 'elapsed_seconds', 'step_elapsed_seconds',
                 'estimated_step_seconds', 'remaining_seconds', 'display_fraction',
                 'estimated', 'uniform_remaining_steps', 'overall', 'retry', 'warning', 'kernel_cache_note',
-                'new_request', 'reset', 'result', 'report_id', 'compatibility', 'memory_tight', 'references', 'chain')
+                'new_request', 'reset', 'result', 'report_id', 'compatibility', 'memory_tight', 'references', 'chain',
+                'frame_preview')
         value = deepcopy({key: message[key] for key in keys if key in message})
         if isinstance(message.get('prediction'), dict):
             # The UI only needs a history marker, not the resource forecast.
@@ -197,6 +199,24 @@ def snapshot(self, token):
         return path.read_bytes()
 
 
+    def preview(self, token):
+        """The newest frame preview picture of a registered run, or KeyError."""
+        from .frame_preview import FILE
+        from .diagnostics import is_link
+        with self.lock:
+            output = self.runs.get(token)
+        if output is None:
+            raise KeyError('Unknown run')
+        path = output.parent / FILE
+        if is_link(output.parent) or path.is_symlink() or not path.is_file():
+            raise KeyError('No preview')
+        with path.open('rb') as stream:
+            data = stream.read(2 * 1024 * 1024 + 1)
+        if not data or len(data) > 2 * 1024 * 1024:
+            raise KeyError('No preview')
+        return data
+
+
 REPORTS = ReportDownloads()
 
 
@@ -242,6 +262,30 @@ def matches(row):
         return 'finished'
 
 
+def move_request_first(queue, prompt_id, node_id, protected=lambda prompt_id: False):
+    """Put exactly this waiting FreeVideo request ahead of every other waiting one.
+
+    Comfy runs the smallest queue number first, so the request takes a number
+    below the current smallest. Everything else keeps its relative order.
+    """
+    with queue.mutex:
+        waiting = queue.queue
+        row = next((row for row in waiting if row[1] == prompt_id
+                    and row[2].get(str(node_id), {}).get('class_type') == 'FreeVideoGenerate'), None)
+        if row is None:
+            running = any(item[1] == prompt_id for item in queue.currently_running.values())
+            return 'running' if running else 'finished'
+        if protected(prompt_id):
+            return 'unavailable'
+        if row is min(waiting):
+            return 'first'
+        index = next(i for i, item in enumerate(waiting) if item is row)
+        waiting[index] = (min(item[0] for item in waiting) - 1,) + tuple(row[1:])
+        heapq.heapify(waiting)
+        queue.server.queue_updated()
+        return 'moved'
+
+
 def register():
     import asyncio
     from aiohttp import web
@@ -265,6 +309,15 @@ async def report(request):
             'Cache-Control': 'no-store', 'X-Content-Type-Options': 'nosniff',
             'Content-Disposition': 'attachment; filename="FreeVideo-report-%s.json"' % time.strftime('%Y%m%d-%H%M%S')})
 
+    @server.routes.get('/freevideo/frame-preview/{report_id}')
+    async def frame_preview(request):
+        try:
+            data = await asyncio.to_thread(REPORTS.preview, request.match_info['report_id'])
+        except (KeyError, OSError):
+            raise web.HTTPNotFound(text='') from None
+        return web.Response(body=data, content_type='image/jpeg', headers={
+            'Cache-Control': 'no-store', 'X-Content-Type-Options': 'nosniff'})
+
     @server.routes.get('/freevideo/progress')
     async def progress(request):
         return web.json_response({'progress': STATE.snapshot()},
@@ -279,3 +332,14 @@ async def cancel(request):
         import nodes
         return web.json_response({'status': cancel_request(server.prompt_queue, prompt_id,
             node_id, nodes.interrupt_processing)})
+
+    @server.routes.post('/freevideo/queue/first')
+    async def queue_first(request):
+        value = await request.json()
+        prompt_id, node_id = value.get('prompt_id'), value.get('node_id')
+        if not isinstance(prompt_id, str) or not prompt_id or not isinstance(node_id, str):
+            return web.json_response({'error': 'A request and node ID are required'}, status=400)
+        from . import comfy_chain
+        runner = comfy_chain.RUNNER
+        return web.json_response({'status': move_request_first(server.prompt_queue, prompt_id, node_id,
+            runner.owns if runner is not None else (lambda prompt_id: False))})
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/continuation.py b/freevideo_engine/continuation.py
index b262bb04..139ab931 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/continuation.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/continuation.py
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
                     'location, framing and colour tone as in that image throughout.')
 FIRST_FRAME_MAX_BYTES = 8 * 1024 * 1024
 FIRST_FRAME_MAX_SIDE = 4096
+FIRST_SOUND_MAX_BYTES = 4 * 1024 * 1024
+FIRST_SOUND_SECONDS = 6
 # The picture the model is given is half the side of the film's first frame, but not under this
 # on its short side: on a real six-part chain it held framing and colour as well as the full
 # picture for a third of the extra sampling time. Smaller pictures are not tested.
@@ -30,7 +32,14 @@
 
 MISSING = 'The previous video has no usable continuation data. Generate it again with this version of FreeVideo.'
 SIZE_MISMATCH = 'Use the same width and height as the previous video.'
-UNSUPPORTED = 'Video continuation requires full two-pass text generation on an NVIDIA GPU, without first frames, last frames or reference media.'
+# Every refusal starts with UNSUPPORTED, then says what to change.
+UNSUPPORTED = 'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings.'
+UNSUPPORTED_DEVICE = UNSUPPORTED + ' Continuing a video needs an NVIDIA GPU. To make a new video, clear "Continue from video".'
+UNSUPPORTED_PASSES = UNSUPPORTED + ' Turn on "Two-pass acceleration" and turn off the first-pass preview.'
+UNSUPPORTED_REFINE = UNSUPPORTED + ' Clear either "Second pass of preview" or "Continue from video".'
+UNSUPPORTED_MEDIA = UNSUPPORTED + ' Connect up to 3 pictures as references, and remove video, audio and pre-encoded inputs.'
+# A continued part keeps the cast's pictures, one per person and at most three people in a frame.
+PICTURES_MAX = 3
 INVALID_FRAMES = 'Frame count must be 5 + 17n and at least 39 (39, 56, 73, 90, ...).'
 INVALID_FILE = 'Choose an existing MP4 video using its absolute path.'
 
@@ -68,17 +77,49 @@ def validate_frames(frames):
 
 
 def validate_route(*, task='t2va', two_pass=True, preview=False, refine_from=None,
-                   media=None, backend=None, anchor=False):
+                   media=None, backend=None, anchor=False, sound=False):
+    """anchor: the part also takes pictures (an explicit anchor or the cast's pictures);
+    sound: the engine adds the film's opening sound as the one audio reference."""
     media = media or {}
     references = media.get('references')
-    valid_reference = (anchor and isinstance(references, list) and len(references) == 1
-                       and isinstance(references[0], dict)
-                       and references[0].get('kind') == 'image')
-    if (not supported()[0] or backend not in (None, 'cuda') or task != ('ref2va' if anchor else 't2va')
-            or not two_pass or preview or refine_from
-            or any(media.get(key) for key in ('first', 'last', 'conditioning_info'))
+    kinds = ([row.get('kind') if isinstance(row, dict) else None for row in references]
+             if isinstance(references, list) else None)
+    valid_reference = (kinds is not None and kinds.count('image') + kinds.count('audio') == len(kinds)
+                       and kinds.count('image') <= (PICTURES_MAX if anchor else 0)
+                       and kinds.count('audio') == (1 if sound else 0))
+    valid_task = task == ('ref2va' if anchor else 't2va')
+    if sound:
+        valid_task = valid_reference and task in (('ref2va', 'ref2va_av') if anchor else ('t2va', 'ref2va', 'ref2va_audio'))
+    if not supported()[0] or backend not in (None, 'cuda'):
+        raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED_DEVICE)
+    if refine_from:
+        raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED_REFINE)
+    if not two_pass or preview:
+        raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED_PASSES)
+    # Keyframes reach a continued part as pictures (comfy_media.continued); here they are a request error.
+    if (not valid_task or any(media.get(key) for key in ('first', 'last', 'conditioning_info'))
             or (references and not valid_reference)):
-        raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED)
+        raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED_MEDIA)
+
+
+def encoded_references(conditions, task, anchor):
+    """Check a continued part's encoded references: its pictures, then the engine's sound. True when the sound is there."""
+    rows = conditions or []
+    images = [row for row in rows if row['kind'] == 'image' and row.get('audio_latent') is None]
+    sound = (task == ('ref2va_av' if anchor else 'ref2va_audio') and len(rows) == len(images) + 1
+             and rows[-1]['kind'] == 'audio' and rows[-1].get('audio_latent') is not None)
+    if not rows or anchor != bool(images) or len(images) + sound != len(rows) or len(images) > PICTURES_MAX:
+        raise ValueError('Continuation pictures must be one to %d images, followed only by its own sound' % PICTURES_MAX)
+    return sound
+
+
+def continuation_pictures(media):
+    """The pictures a continued part takes: image references only, at most PICTURES_MAX (one per person)."""
+    references = media.get('references') or []
+    pictures = [row for row in references if row.get('kind') == 'image']
+    if len(pictures) != len(references) or len(pictures) > PICTURES_MAX:
+        raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED_MEDIA)
+    return pictures
 
 
 def anchor_media(media, path):
@@ -198,6 +239,101 @@ def _chain_first_frame(request, video_path):
     return pack_first_frame(first_frame_png(video_path))
 
 
+def pack_first_sound(raw):
+    """A bounded stereo PCM16 WAV, starting at the film's first audio sample."""
+    import io
+    import wave
+    try:
+        if not isinstance(raw, bytes) or len(raw) > FIRST_SOUND_MAX_BYTES:
+            raise ValueError('Invalid first sound')
+        with wave.open(io.BytesIO(raw), 'rb') as source:
+            rate, samples = source.getframerate(), source.getnframes()
+            if (source.getnchannels() != 2 or source.getsampwidth() != 2 or source.getcomptype() != 'NONE'
+                    or rate <= 0 or not 0 < samples <= round(FIRST_SOUND_SECONDS * rate)
+                    or len(source.readframes(samples + 1)) != samples * 4):
+                raise ValueError('Invalid first sound')
+        return dict(format='wav', rate=rate, data=base64.b64encode(raw).decode('ascii'))
+    except (ValueError, EOFError, wave.Error, OSError):
+        raise ValueError('Invalid first sound') from None
+
+
+def unpack_first_sound(value):
+    """Recheck the record's WAV, including its declared rate and decoded size."""
+    try:
+        if (value['format'] != 'wav' or type(value['rate']) is not int
+                or not isinstance(value['data'], str)
+                or len(value['data']) > (FIRST_SOUND_MAX_BYTES + 2) // 3 * 4):
+            raise ValueError('Invalid first sound')
+        raw = base64.b64decode(value['data'], validate=True)
+        if pack_first_sound(raw) != value:
+            raise ValueError('Invalid first sound')
+        return raw
+    except (KeyError, TypeError, ValueError, OSError):
+        raise ValueError('Invalid first sound') from None
+
+
+def first_sound_wav(video_path):
+    """Decode at most six seconds, at the source rate; duplicate mono without changing its gain."""
+    import io
+    import wave
+    import av
+    with av.open(str(video_path)) as container:
+        stream = container.streams.audio[0]
+        rate = stream.codec_context.sample_rate
+        if rate <= 0:
+            raise ValueError('Invalid first sound')
+        # Read one sample past the size limit to reject an oversized opening, while still
+        # accepting a short high-rate source whose actual WAV fits within the bound.
+        limit = (FIRST_SOUND_MAX_BYTES - 44) // 4
+        count = min(round(FIRST_SOUND_SECONDS * rate), limit + 1)
+        saved = 0
+        mono = len(stream.codec_context.layout.channels) == 1
+        resampler = av.AudioResampler(format='s16', layout='mono' if mono else 'stereo', rate=rate)
+        chunks = []
+        def keep(frame):
+            nonlocal count, saved
+            samples = frame.to_ndarray().reshape(-1, 1 if mono else 2)[:count]
+            if mono:
+                samples = samples.repeat(2, axis=1)
+            chunks.append(samples.astype('<i2', copy=False).tobytes())
+            count -= len(samples)
+            saved += len(samples)
+            if saved > limit:
+                raise ValueError('Invalid first sound')
+        for frame in container.decode(stream):
+            for converted in resampler.resample(frame):
+                keep(converted)
+            if count == 0:
+                break
+        if count:
+            for converted in resampler.resample(None):
+                keep(converted)
+    target = io.BytesIO()
+    with wave.open(target, 'wb') as output:
+        output.setparams((2, 2, rate, 0, 'NONE', 'not compressed'))
+        output.writeframes(b''.join(chunks))
+    return target.getvalue()
+
+
+def chain_first_sound(request, video_path=None):
+    """Carry the opening sound unchanged; only the first part may supply it from its own file."""
+    try:
+        metadata = _snapshot_value(request)['metadata']
+        if metadata.get('first_sound') is not None:
+            unpack_first_sound(metadata['first_sound'])
+            return metadata['first_sound']
+        if metadata['chain']['segment'] != 1 or video_path is None:
+            return None
+        from .continuation_store import video_id
+        if video_id(video_path) != request.get('source_id'):
+            raise ValueError(MISSING)
+        return pack_first_sound(first_sound_wav(video_path))
+    except (ValueError, MemoryError):
+        raise
+    except Exception:
+        raise ValueError('Invalid first sound') from None
+
+
 def validate_path(video_path):
     path = Path(video_path)
     if not path.is_absolute() or path.suffix.lower() != '.mp4' or not path.is_file():
@@ -313,9 +449,12 @@ def validate_snapshot(request, canvas, manifest=None, sampling_plan=None):
     return _prepare_snapshot(request, _snapshot_value(request), canvas, manifest, sampling_plan)
 
 
-def summary(request):
-    return dict({key: request[key] for key in ('overlap_frames', 'new_frames', 'frame_origin', 'audio_origin', 'segment')},
-                audio_lead_in_samples=request.get('audio_lead_in_samples', 0))
+def summary(request, *, hide_tail_frames=0):
+    result = dict({key: request[key] for key in ('overlap_frames', 'new_frames', 'frame_origin', 'audio_origin', 'segment')},
+                  audio_lead_in_samples=request.get('audio_lead_in_samples', 0))
+    if hide_tail_frames:
+        result['new_frames'] -= validate_hide_tail(hide_tail_frames)
+    return result
 
 
 def load(request, stage):
@@ -329,17 +468,33 @@ def load(request, stage):
                 audio=torch.from_numpy(value['audio'].copy()))
 
 
-def tail(video):
+# Dialogue parts settle into an ending over their last ~1.5 s; 17 frames hid only the pause, 34 also the pose reset.
+HIDE_TAIL_FRAMES = 34
+
+
+def validate_hide_tail(frames):
+    if type(frames) is not int or frames not in (0, 17, HIDE_TAIL_FRAMES):
+        raise ValueError('Hidden tail must be 0, 17 or 34 frames')
+    return frames
+
+
+def tail(video, *, hide_tail_frames=0):
     # clone avoids keeping the entire clip's storage behind a small view.
+    hidden = validate_hide_tail(hide_tail_frames) // 17 * 5
+    if hidden:
+        return video[:, :, -hidden - LATENT_FRAMES:-hidden].detach().cpu().clone()
     return video[:, :, -LATENT_FRAMES:].detach().cpu().clone()
 
 
-def tail_data(first, video, audio, canvas, sampling_plan, manifest, request=None):
+def tail_data(first, video, audio, canvas, sampling_plan, manifest, request=None, *, hide_tail_frames=0):
     chain = ({key: request[key] for key in ('segment', 'frame_origin', 'audio_origin')} if request
              else dict(segment=1, frame_origin=0, audio_origin=0))
-    start = audio_origin(chain['frame_origin'] + canvas['frames'] - OVERLAP_FRAMES) - chain['audio_origin']
-    return dict(video_lo=first, video_hi=tail(video), audio=audio[:, :, start:].detach().cpu().clone(),
-                metadata=dict(identity=identity(manifest), geometry={key: canvas[key] for key in ('width', 'height', 'frames')},
+    kept = canvas['frames'] - validate_hide_tail(hide_tail_frames)
+    start = audio_origin(chain['frame_origin'] + kept - OVERLAP_FRAMES) - chain['audio_origin']
+    end = round(kept * 40 / 24) if hide_tail_frames else audio.shape[2]
+    return dict(video_lo=first, video_hi=tail(video, hide_tail_frames=hide_tail_frames),
+                audio=audio[:, :, start:end].detach().cpu().clone(),
+                metadata=dict(identity=identity(manifest), geometry=dict(width=canvas['width'], height=canvas['height'], frames=kept),
                     first_canvas={key: sampling_plan['first'][key] for key in ('width', 'height')}, chain=chain,
                     **({'source_id': request['source_id']} if request and 'source_id' in request else {})))
 
@@ -375,13 +530,16 @@ class Prefix:
     update. Audio is either kept clean or re-noised at each call, and restored
     on return. Only re-noising owns an independent RNG.
     """
-    def __init__(self, transformer, data, seed, device, *, video_offset=0):
+    def __init__(self, transformer, data, seed, device, *, video_offset=0, audio_offset=0):
         import torch
         from diffusers.modular_pipelines.minimax_h3.before_denoise import patchify_video_latents
         self.audio_context = validate_audio_context(data.get('audio_context', AUDIO_CONTEXT_DEFAULT))
         if type(video_offset) is not int or video_offset < 0:
             raise ValueError('Invalid continuation reference row offset')
         self.video_offset = video_offset
+        if type(audio_offset) is not int or audio_offset < 0:
+            raise ValueError('Invalid continuation reference row offset')
+        self.audio_offset = audio_offset
         self.video = data['video'].to(device=device, dtype=torch.float32)
         self.audio = data['audio'].to(device=device, dtype=torch.float32)
         if (self.video.ndim != 5 or self.video.shape[:3] != (1, transformer.config.in_channels, LATENT_FRAMES)
@@ -400,18 +558,20 @@ def before(self, model, args, kwargs):
         import torch
         video, audio = kwargs['hidden_states'][0], kwargs['audio_hidden_states'][0]
         count, ticks = self.video_rows.shape[0], self.audio.shape[2]
-        if video.shape[0] <= self.video_offset + count or audio.shape[0] // 2 < ticks:
+        generated = audio.shape[0] - self.audio_offset
+        if video.shape[0] <= self.video_offset + count or generated // 2 < ticks:
             raise ValueError(MISSING)
         self.current_video = video
         self.restore_video()
-        audio_rows = torch.cat([torch.arange(ticks, device=audio.device) + channel * (audio.shape[0] // 2)
+        audio_rows = torch.cat([torch.arange(ticks, device=audio.device) + self.audio_offset + channel * (generated // 2)
                                 for channel in range(2)])
         row_times = kwargs['timestep'][kwargs['timestep_indices']].clone()
         if self.audio_context == 'clean':
             audio[audio_rows] = self.audio_rows
             row_times[kwargs['audio_indices'][audio_rows]] = CLEAN_T
         else:
-            audio_t = row_times[kwargs['audio_indices'][0]]
+            # The first generated row: a voice reference ahead of it stays clean.
+            audio_t = row_times[kwargs['audio_indices'][self.audio_offset]]
             # scale_noise uses H3's clean-at-one convention, not a standard DDPM clock.
             audio[audio_rows] = self.scheduler.scale_noise(self.audio_rows, audio_t, self.noise)
         row_times[kwargs['video_indices'][self.video_offset:self.video_offset + count]] = CLEAN_T
@@ -429,12 +589,13 @@ def finish(self, video, audio):
 
 
 @contextmanager
-def sampling(transformer, data, seed, device, *, video_offset=0):
+def sampling(transformer, data, seed, device, *, video_offset=0, audio_offset=0):
     if data is None:
         yield None
         return
     # Keep the legacy constructor call identical for existing continuations.
-    prefix = Prefix(transformer, data, seed, device, **({'video_offset': video_offset} if video_offset else {}))
+    prefix = Prefix(transformer, data, seed, device, **({'video_offset': video_offset} if video_offset else {}),
+                    **({'audio_offset': audio_offset} if audio_offset else {}))
     handle = transformer.register_forward_pre_hook(prefix.before, with_kwargs=True, prepend=True)
     try:
         yield prefix
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/decode.py b/freevideo_engine/decode.py
index cedb2228..2c6d79f4 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/decode.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/decode.py
@@ -25,7 +25,10 @@
 def decode_to_file(latents, audio_latents, out_path, *, base, offload=False, prefetch=True, tile_group=False,
                    preload=False, pin_weights=False, artifacts_dir=None, phase_callback=None,
                    stream_output=False, stream_weights=False, resident_blocks=0, model_cache=None,
-                   linear_compute_cache=False, continuation=None, audio_lead_in_callback=None, output_size=None):
+                   linear_compute_cache=False, continuation=None, audio_lead_in_callback=None, output_size=None,
+                   hide_tail_frames=0):
+    from .continuation import validate_hide_tail
+    validate_hide_tail(hide_tail_frames)
     def phase(name):
         if phase_callback is not None:
             phase_callback(name)
@@ -171,6 +174,9 @@ def decoded(done, total, elapsed):
                 chunk = (video[:, :, start:start + 8].float() * pixel_std + pixel_mean).clamp_(0, 1)
                 frames[start:start + chunk.shape[2]] = (chunk[0].permute(1, 2, 3, 0) * 255).round().to(torch.uint8)
             del video
+        if hide_tail_frames:
+            kept_frames = len(frames) - hide_tail_frames
+            frames = frames[:kept_frames]
         if continuation is not None:
             from .continuation import OVERLAP_FRAMES
             frames = frames[OVERLAP_FRAMES:]
@@ -181,12 +187,17 @@ def decoded(done, total, elapsed):
             tick = time.perf_counter()
             artifacts_dir = Path(artifacts_dir)
             artifacts_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-            if not stream_output or continuation is not None:
-                # A streamed mapping still contains the overlap. Replace its
+            if not stream_output or continuation is not None or hide_tail_frames:
+                # A streamed mapping still contains overlap/hidden frames. Replace its
                 # retained artifact after the mapping closes, below.
                 rgb_path = artifacts_dir / ('rgb-new.npy' if stream_output else 'rgb.npy')
                 np.save(rgb_path, frames.numpy() if hasattr(frames, 'numpy') else frames, allow_pickle=False)
             artifact_seconds += time.perf_counter() - tick
+        elif stream_output and hide_tail_frames:
+            # render_rgb also retains a mapping when no explicit artifacts directory was requested.
+            import numpy as np
+            np.save(directory / 'rgb-new.npy', frames.numpy() if hasattr(frames, 'numpy') else frames,
+                    allow_pickle=False)
         audio_start = time.perf_counter()
         phase('audio_load_decode')
         audio_vae = None
@@ -212,6 +223,9 @@ def decoded(done, total, elapsed):
             if audio_lead_in_callback is not None:
                 from .continuation import capture_audio_lead_in
                 audio_lead_in_callback(capture_audio_lead_in(audio, continuation, rate))
+        if hide_tail_frames:
+            audio = audio[:, :round(kept_frames * 40 / 24) * 800]
+        if continuation is not None:
             audio = audio[:, continuation['audio_latents'] * 800:]
         del audio_vae, audio_mean, audio_std
         gc.collect()
@@ -248,8 +262,9 @@ def decoded(done, total, elapsed):
         if rgb_mapping is not None:
             del frames
             rgb_mapping._mmap.close()
-            if continuation is not None and artifacts_dir and (artifacts_dir / 'rgb-new.npy').is_file():
-                (artifacts_dir / 'rgb-new.npy').replace(artifacts_dir / 'rgb.npy')
+            retained = Path(artifacts_dir) if artifacts_dir else directory
+            if (continuation is not None or hide_tail_frames) and (retained / 'rgb-new.npy').is_file():
+                (retained / 'rgb-new.npy').replace(retained / 'rgb.npy')
     return {'vae_load_seconds': load_seconds, 'video_decode_seconds': video_decode_seconds,
             'vae_linear_compute_cache': linear_compute_cache, 'vae_compute_cache_preparation': compute_cache_metrics,
             'resident_vae_cache_hit': vae_cache_hit, 'resident_audio_vae_cache_hit': audio_cache_hit,
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/decode_resume.py b/freevideo_engine/decode_resume.py
index 4a27033b..58fc2416 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/decode_resume.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/decode_resume.py
@@ -94,6 +94,8 @@ def sampling_provenance(request):
             result['upscaler_sha256'] = _digest(request['upscaler_checkpoint'])
             if result['upscaler_sha256'] != request['sampling_plan']['upscaler_sha256']:
                 raise ValueError('Latent upscaler differs from the planned checkpoint')
+    if request.get('hide_tail_frames'):
+        result['hide_tail_frames'] = request['hide_tail_frames']
     if request.get('continuation') is not None:
         # A retry's identity binds the accepted bytes, without embedding the
         # snapshot again or making a relocation change computation identity.
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/desktop_runtime.py b/freevideo_engine/desktop_runtime.py
index 9edc47b6..551464fa 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/desktop_runtime.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/desktop_runtime.py
@@ -235,18 +235,18 @@ def local_model_ui(message):
     label = {'scan': 'Find existing models', 'verify': 'Verify local model', 'copy': 'Copy local model',
              'link': 'Reuse local model', 'ready': 'Existing models checked'}.get(phase, 'Check local models')
     detail = message.get('file', '')
+    scanned = done if phase == 'scan' else 0
     if phase == 'scan':
         detail = '%d files / folders scanned' % done
         done = 0
     elif phase in ('verify', 'copy'):
         detail = '%.1f / %.1f MiB · %.1f MiB/s · %s' % (done/2**20, total/2**20, (rate or 0)/2**20, detail)
     return dict(kind='task_end' if phase == 'ready' else 'progress', key='local-models',
-                # The card names the step; byte counts, speed and scan counts stay in the detail.
                 activity={'verify': 'check', 'copy': 'copy', 'scan': 'note'}.get(phase, ''),
                 name=((message.get('name') or message.get('file', '')) if phase in ('verify', 'copy')
                       else 'Finding existing models' if phase == 'scan' else ''), unit='bytes',
                 label=label, detail=detail, state='complete' if phase == 'ready' else 'running',
-                done=done, total=total, elapsed_seconds=message.get('elapsed_seconds', 0),
+                done=done, total=total, rate=rate, scanned=scanned, elapsed_seconds=message.get('elapsed_seconds', 0),
                 remaining_seconds=(total-done)/rate if total and rate and phase in ('verify', 'copy') else None)
 
 
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/failure_details.py b/freevideo_engine/failure_details.py
index ab0a64e4..f57b9121 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/failure_details.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/failure_details.py
@@ -446,10 +446,18 @@ def launcher_failure(value, *, zh=False, other_disk=False, disk_name='', can_rep
          ('Choose a supported frame count', '请选择支持的帧数'),
          ('Use 39, 56, 73, 90, or another value reached by adding 17. This includes the 22 repeated frames when continuing a video.',
           '请使用 39、56、73、90 等每次增加 17 的帧数；接续时，这个数包含开头重复的 22 帧。')),
-        (r'Video continuation requires full two-pass text generation', 'continuation-route',
-         ('This generation mode cannot continue a video', '当前生成方式不支持视频接续'),
-         ('Use full two-pass text generation on an NVIDIA GPU and remove first frames, last frames and reference media. Mac and preview generation are not supported.',
-          '请在 NVIDIA 显卡上使用完整的文字生成两遍流程，移除首帧、尾帧和参考素材。Mac 和预览生成暂不支持接续。')),
+        (r'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings\. Continuing a video needs an NVIDIA', 'continuation-route',
+         ("This computer can't continue a video", '这台电脑无法接续视频'),
+         ('Continuing a video needs an NVIDIA GPU. To make a new video, clear "Continue from video".', '接续视频需要 NVIDIA 显卡。要生成新视频，请清空“Continue from video”。')),
+        (r'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings\. Turn on "Two-pass', 'continuation-passes',
+         ('Continuing needs two-pass acceleration', '接续需要二次采样加速'),
+         ('Turn on "Two-pass acceleration" and turn off the first-pass preview.', '请打开“二次采样加速”，并关闭首轮预览。')),
+        (r'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings\. Clear either', 'continuation-refine',
+         ('A continued part is made in full', '接续会完整生成这一段'),
+         ('Clear either "Second pass of preview" or "Continue from video".', '请清空“Second pass of preview”或“Continue from video”其中一项。')),
+        (r'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings\. Connect up to 3 pictures', 'continuation-media',
+         ('A continued part takes picture references only', '接续段只能用图片参考'),
+         ('Connect up to 3 pictures as references, and remove video, audio and pre-encoded inputs.', '最多接 3 张图片作为参考图，并移除视频、音频参考和预编码输入。')),
         (r'Choose an existing MP4 video using its absolute path', 'continuation-file',
          ('Choose the previous video', '请选择上一段视频'),
          ('Select an existing MP4 video generated by FreeVideo. In ComfyUI, keep it inside the output or input folder.',
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/frame_preview.py b/freevideo_engine/frame_preview.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f59c6053
--- /dev/null
+++ b/freevideo_engine/frame_preview.py
@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+"""Coarse frame previews of the video being sampled.
+
+At each step the scheduler already holds the model's prediction of the clean
+latents. A fixed per-pixel affine map from the 24 latent channels to RGB turns
+four of those latent frames into a small picture without running the VAE. The
+observer only reads tensors the sampler already produced and never writes to
+them, so the sampled latents are identical with it on or off. Any failure
+silently turns it off for the rest of the request.
+"""
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+import json
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+
+WEIGHTS = Path(__file__).with_name('frame_preview_weights.json')
+FILE = 'frame-preview.jpg'
+MARKER = 'frame-preview-off'
+ENV = 'FREEVIDEO_FRAME_PREVIEW'
+FIRST_STEP = 3
+FRAMES = 4
+QUALITY = 82
+MAX_FRAME_WIDTH = 336
+CHANNELS = 24
+ROW_WIDTH = CHANNELS * 4  # 24 channels x a (1, 2, 2) patch
+
+_sink = None
+_active = None
+_weights = None
+_marker = None  # request-level file: a failure in one process keeps the request's later processes off
+_failed = False  # request-level: one failure turns previews off for every later pass
+_serial = 0      # request-level: numbers pictures across passes so the page never mistakes a new one for the old
+
+
+def disabled(environ=None):
+    value = (os.environ if environ is None else environ).get(ENV, '')
+    return value.strip().lower() in ('0', 'off', 'false', 'no')
+
+
+def load_weights(path=WEIGHTS):
+    """(k, weight[24, 3k^2], bias[3k^2]) as lists; ValueError when malformed."""
+    value = json.loads(Path(path).read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
+    k, weight, bias = value['k'], value['weight'], value['bias']
+    outputs = 3 * k * k
+    if (value.get('version') != 1 or type(k) is not int or not 1 <= k <= 8 or value.get('channels') != CHANNELS
+            or len(weight) != CHANNELS or any(len(row) != outputs for row in weight) or len(bias) != outputs):
+        raise ValueError('Unsupported frame preview weights')
+    return k, weight, bias
+
+
+def configure(directory, emit=None, *, weights=None, request_state=None):
+    """Turn previews on for this process; returns whether they are active.
+
+    `directory` receives the picture; `emit(event)` reports each new one.
+    `request_state` is a per-request directory shared by the request's worker
+    processes: a failure leaves a marker there, so a later process of the same
+    request stays off.
+    """
+    global _sink, _weights, _failed, _serial, _marker
+    _sink = _weights = None
+    _failed, _serial = False, 0
+    _marker = None if request_state is None else Path(request_state) / MARKER
+    if disabled():
+        return False
+    if _marker is not None and _marker.exists():
+        _failed = True
+        return False
+    try:
+        k, weight, bias = load_weights(WEIGHTS if weights is None else weights)
+        if emit is None:
+            from .sampling_progress import emit_event as emit
+        _weights = (k, weight, bias)
+        _sink = (Path(directory), emit)
+    except Exception:
+        _sink = _weights = None
+    return _sink is not None
+
+
+def _remove(directory):
+    for name in (FILE, FILE + '.tmp'):
+        try:
+            (directory / name).unlink()
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+
+def clear():
+    """Forget the sink and remove the last picture."""
+    global _sink, _weights
+    sink, _sink, _weights = _sink, None, None
+    if sink is not None:
+        _remove(sink[0])
+
+
+def _fail():
+    """Previews stay off for the rest of the request: drop the picture and tell the page to do the same."""
+    global _sink, _weights, _failed
+    sink, _sink, _weights, _failed = _sink, None, None, True
+    if _marker is not None:
+        try:
+            _marker.write_text('off\n', encoding='ascii')
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+    if sink is None:
+        return
+    _remove(sink[0])
+    try:
+        sink[1](dict(event='frame_preview_clear'))
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+
+class _Preview:
+    def __init__(self, latent_frames, frame_h, frame_w, step_offset, total):
+        self.rows = latent_frames * frame_h * frame_w
+        self.shape = (latent_frames, frame_h, frame_w)
+        self.step_offset, self.total = step_offset, total
+        self.calls = 0
+        count = min(FRAMES, latent_frames)
+        self.indices = sorted({round(i * (latent_frames - 1) / max(1, count - 1)) for i in range(count)})
+        self.tensors = None
+
+    def render(self, model_output, timestep, sample):
+        """The preview strip as uint8 (height, frames * width, 3), from the predicted clean latents."""
+        import torch
+        k, weight, bias = _weights
+        t, fh, fw = self.shape
+        if self.tensors is None or self.tensors[0].device != sample.device:
+            self.tensors = (torch.tensor(weight, dtype=torch.float32, device=sample.device),
+                            torch.tensor(bias, dtype=torch.float32, device=sample.device))
+        matrix, offset = self.tensors
+        index = torch.tensor(self.indices, device=sample.device)
+        with torch.no_grad():
+            seen = sample.detach().reshape(t, fh, fw, ROW_WIDTH)[index].float()
+            velocity = model_output.detach().reshape(t, fh, fw, ROW_WIDTH)[index].float()
+            x0 = seen + (1. - float(timestep)) * velocity
+            n = len(self.indices)
+            # (n, fh, fw, C, 1, 2, 2) -> (n, fh*2, fw*2, C)
+            x0 = x0.reshape(n, fh, fw, CHANNELS, 2, 2).permute(0, 1, 4, 2, 5, 3).reshape(n, fh * 2, fw * 2, CHANNELS)
+            out = torch.addmm(offset, x0.reshape(-1, CHANNELS), matrix)
+            out = out.reshape(n, fh * 2, fw * 2, 3, k, k).permute(0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5)
+            out = out.reshape(n, 3, fh * 2 * k, fw * 2 * k)
+            if out.shape[-1] > MAX_FRAME_WIDTH:
+                size = (max(1, round(out.shape[-2] * MAX_FRAME_WIDTH / out.shape[-1])), MAX_FRAME_WIDTH)
+                out = torch.nn.functional.interpolate(out, size=size, mode='area')
+            picture = out.clamp(0., 1.).mul(255.).round().to(torch.uint8)
+            return picture.permute(2, 0, 3, 1).reshape(picture.shape[2], n * picture.shape[3], 3).cpu().numpy()
+
+    def observe(self, model_output, timestep, sample):
+        global _serial
+        if sample.ndim != 2 or tuple(sample.shape) != (self.rows, ROW_WIDTH):
+            return
+        self.calls += 1
+        step = self.step_offset + self.calls
+        if step < FIRST_STEP:
+            return
+        from PIL import Image
+        directory, emit = _sink
+        strip = self.render(model_output, timestep, sample)
+        target = directory / FILE
+        temporary = directory / (FILE + '.tmp')
+        Image.fromarray(strip).save(temporary, 'JPEG', quality=QUALITY)
+        os.replace(temporary, target)
+        # Never repeats within a request, also when the second pass runs in another process.
+        _serial = max(_serial + 1, step)
+        n = len(self.indices)
+        emit(dict(event='frame_preview', step=step, total=self.total, serial=_serial, frames=n,
+                  frame_width=strip.shape[1] // n, frame_height=strip.shape[0]))
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def observing(*, latent_frames, frame_h, frame_w, step_offset=0, total=None):
+    """Observe the video scheduler of one sampling pass; no-op unless configured."""
+    global _active
+    previous = _active
+    _active = None
+    if _sink is not None and not _failed:
+        try:
+            _active = _Preview(latent_frames, frame_h, frame_w, step_offset, total)
+        except Exception:
+            _active = None
+            _fail()
+    try:
+        yield
+    finally:
+        _active = previous
+
+
+def observe(model_output, timestep, sample):
+    """Called by the scheduler before its step; never raises, never changes tensors."""
+    active = _active
+    if active is None or _sink is None:
+        return
+    try:
+        active.observe(model_output, timestep, sample)
+    except Exception:
+        _fail()
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/frame_preview_weights.json b/freevideo_engine/frame_preview_weights.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0cac62fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/freevideo_engine/frame_preview_weights.json
@@ -0,0 +1,362 @@
+{
+  "version": 1,
+  "k": 2,
+  "channels": 24,
+  "weight": [
+    [
+      -0.07370627671480179,
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+      -0.09502269327640533,
+      -0.03627718612551689
+    ],
+    [
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+      0.05108590051531792,
+      0.06971317529678345,
+      0.038094718009233475,
+      0.07261519879102707,
+      0.022622162476181984
+    ],
+    [
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+      0.14805379509925842,
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+      -0.05549245700240135,
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+      0.0034296857193112373,
+      -0.00573814008384943
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+      0.035335153341293335,
+      0.0922073945403099,
+      0.018523549661040306,
+      0.03119659051299095,
+      -0.09246083348989487,
+      -0.037830889225006104,
+      -0.12320800125598907,
+      -0.11105380952358246
+    ],
+    [
+      0.03231861814856529,
+      0.11165520548820496,
+      0.03146477788686752,
+      0.07725152373313904,
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+      0.05710931867361069,
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+      -0.0011704942444339395
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+    [
+      0.0628710612654686,
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+      0.03601812943816185,
+      0.05913423374295235,
+      0.05801016837358475
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+      0.06921479851007462,
+      0.029630688950419426,
+      0.05848361551761627,
+      0.041103530675172806
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+      0.02539006806910038,
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+      0.2088213711977005,
+      0.19070301949977875,
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+      0.1696886271238327
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+      -0.05294238403439522,
+      -0.028783956542611122
+    ],
+    [
+      -0.06594467163085938,
+      -0.04023434594273567,
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+      -0.02980121225118637,
+      -0.03832818195223808,
+      -0.012012233026325703,
+      -0.016248520463705063,
+      0.0003055122506339103
+    ],
+    [
+      -0.00596569525077939,
+      0.02090793289244175,
+      0.00036170310340821743,
+      0.02729453705251217,
+      -0.007709733210504055,
+      0.01476181112229824,
+      -0.00327357673086226,
+      0.019488535821437836,
+      0.012850006110966206,
+      0.029879936948418617,
+      0.01460183784365654,
+      0.03194494917988777
+    ],
+    [
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+      0.010011233389377594,
+      0.006098836660385132,
+      0.014581647701561451,
+      0.005372623447328806
+    ],
+    [
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+      0.024566134437918663,
+      0.04130033403635025,
+      0.02450460009276867,
+      0.051814280450344086
+    ],
+    [
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+      -0.007361074909567833,
+      -0.03877578675746918,
+      -0.021378973498940468,
+      -0.037113092839717865,
+      -0.021142682060599327,
+      -0.046845436096191406
+    ],
+    [
+      0.004361477680504322,
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+      0.0014298983151093125,
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+      -0.006494482979178429,
+      -0.0022530308924615383,
+      -0.007610456086695194
+    ],
+    [
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+      0.0030405947472900152,
+      0.008226056583225727,
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+      0.007954205386340618
+    ],
+    [
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+    ],
+    [
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+      0.035451315343379974,
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+      0.04869825765490532,
+      0.04650479927659035
+    ],
+    [
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+      0.002363154198974371,
+      0.006159558892250061,
+      0.006894534919410944,
+      0.00761735625565052
+    ],
+    [
+      -0.00989028625190258,
+      -0.007693048566579819,
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+      -0.004166752099990845,
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+      -0.009838343597948551,
+      -0.0070527661591768265,
+      -0.00656382879242301,
+      -0.006510042119771242,
+      -0.0062386454083025455,
+      -0.004144312348216772,
+      -0.0045488919131457806
+    ],
+    [
+      0.0007720825960859656,
+      -0.0050218538381159306,
+      -0.0010583248222246766,
+      -0.006029705051332712,
+      0.008309479802846909,
+      0.0034250589087605476,
+      0.006893445737659931,
+      0.003156658262014389,
+      0.007973856292665005,
+      0.004382360260933638,
+      0.008171267807483673,
+      0.005685930605977774
+    ],
+    [
+      -0.0033922994043678045,
+      0.004595596343278885,
+      -0.0029562979470938444,
+      0.0036109904758632183,
+      0.0010521572548896074,
+      0.006223274394869804,
+      0.0015403894940391183,
+      0.005569476634263992,
+      0.009277775883674622,
+      0.011203019879758358,
+      0.009717206470668316,
+      0.010944867506623268
+    ]
+  ],
+  "bias": [
+    0.5390540361404419,
+    0.5248196721076965,
+    0.5133297443389893,
+    0.5151060819625854,
+    0.4978678226470947,
+    0.4825141429901123,
+    0.4765666127204895,
+    0.47454312443733215,
+    0.4710156321525574,
+    0.45429182052612305,
+    0.45320016145706177,
+    0.4500283896923065
+  ],
+  "weight_layout": "weight[c][j]: 24 rows x (3*k*k) columns",
+  "output_layout": "j=rgb*k*k+dy*k+dx; out[h*k+dy,w*k+dx,rgb]=sum_c v[c]*weight[c][j]+bias[j]",
+  "input": "normalized H3 latents, no extra mean/std transform",
+  "output": "RGB [0,1], clip after affine projection",
+  "precision": "float32 values serialized as round-trippable JSON numbers"
+}
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/generate.py b/freevideo_engine/generate.py
index 47f7275e..6585e63d 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/generate.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/generate.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 import argparse
 import json
 import os
+import re
 from pathlib import Path
 import signal
 import subprocess
@@ -339,6 +340,33 @@ def run(args):
         raise
 
 
+def dialogue_reason(prompt):
+    """Shared eligibility for opening-voice references and hidden dialogue tails."""
+    from .prompt_vlm.rules import split_source
+    if not prompt or not split_source(prompt)[2]:
+        return 'no_lines'
+    if re.search(r'(?i)\b(?:sing|sings|singing|sang|sung|lyrics)\b|唱', prompt):
+        return 'singing'
+    return None
+
+
+def hide_tail_geometry(canvas, prompt, requested=False, *, preview=False, max_frames=None):
+    """Plan the generated canvas while keeping the ordinary output duration."""
+    if not requested:
+        return canvas, None
+    from .continuation import HIDE_TAIL_FRAMES
+    from .geometry import geometry
+    # The product's longest selectable request is 60 seconds on the H3 grid.
+    limit = geometry(seconds=60)['frames'] if max_frames is None else max_frames
+    reason = 'preview' if preview else dialogue_reason(prompt)
+    if reason is None and canvas['frames'] + HIDE_TAIL_FRAMES > limit:
+        reason = 'too_long'
+    if reason is not None:
+        return canvas, dict(requested=True, used=False, reason=reason)
+    generated = dict(canvas, **geometry(canvas['width'], canvas['height'], frames=canvas['frames'] + HIDE_TAIL_FRAMES))
+    return generated, dict(requested=True, used=True, frames=HIDE_TAIL_FRAMES)
+
+
 def _run(args):
     from .hardware import detect
     from .geometry import geometry
@@ -364,7 +392,7 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
                 raise
         # A record of another version, other weights or another first-pass size.
         value = dict(encoded_continuation(continue_from, canvas),
-                     **{key: value[key] for key in ('audio_context', 'source_video', 'anchor') if key in value})
+                     **{key: value[key] for key in ('audio_context', 'source_video', 'anchor', 'pictures', 'sound') if key in value})
         return freeze_continuation(value) if continuation_directory is not None else value
 
     frames = getattr(args, 'frames', None)
@@ -374,6 +402,8 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
         raise ValueError('--continue-anchor requires --continue-from')
     # Every part of a long video is asked alike; only a part that continues another can use it.
     first_frame = None
+    voice_reference = (dict(requested=True, used=False, reason=None)
+                       if getattr(args, 'voice_reference', False) and continue_from is not None else None)
     if getattr(args, 'first_frame_reference', False) and continue_from is not None:
         if continue_anchor is not None:
             raise ValueError('Choose --first-frame-reference or --continue-anchor, not both')
@@ -382,6 +412,12 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
         validate_frames(frames)
     canvas = geometry(getattr(args, 'width', 1344), getattr(args, 'height', 768),
                       frames=frames, seconds=getattr(args, 'seconds', None))
+    visible_canvas = canvas
+    canvas, hide_tail = hide_tail_geometry(canvas,
+        args.prompt_file.read_text(encoding='utf-8') if getattr(args, 'hide_tail', False) and args.prompt_file else None,
+        getattr(args, 'hide_tail', False),
+        preview=bool(getattr(args, 'preview', False) or getattr(args, 'refine_from', None)))
+    hide_tail_frames = hide_tail['frames'] if hide_tail and hide_tail['used'] else 0
     continuation = None
     from .two_pass import validate_steps
     requested_steps = getattr(args, 'base_steps', None)
@@ -400,14 +436,20 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
     if continue_anchor is not None:
         from .continuation import anchor_media
         media = anchor_media(media, continue_anchor)
+    # The cast's pictures, sent with a continued part like with a part that starts fresh.
+    pictures = []
+    if continue_from is not None and continue_anchor is None and media.get('references'):
+        from .continuation import continuation_pictures
+        pictures = continuation_pictures(media)
+    anchored = continue_anchor is not None or bool(pictures)
     # Too small to sample cleanly: render larger, scale the picture down. Decided before anything
     # compares or stores the canvas, so every later check sees the size that is sampled.
     from .two_pass import sampling_canvas
     canvas, output_size = sampling_canvas(canvas, staged=bool(preview or refine_source), media=media,
                                           conditioned=bool(args.conditioning))
     if continue_from is not None:
-        validate_route(task=getattr(args, 'task', None) or ('ref2va' if continue_anchor else 't2va'),
-                       anchor=continue_anchor is not None, two_pass=two_pass,
+        validate_route(task=getattr(args, 'task', None) or ('ref2va' if anchored else 't2va'),
+                       anchor=anchored, two_pass=two_pass,
                        preview=preview, refine_from=getattr(args, 'refine_from', None), media=media)
         # Reject absent/mismatched context before text encoding or model loading.
         if getattr(args, 'continuation_snapshot', None):
@@ -422,7 +464,10 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
                 # Nothing was stored for this file: its own ending is encoded when the run starts.
                 continuation = encoded_continuation(continue_from, canvas)
         continuation = dict(continuation, audio_context=audio_context(), source_video=str(continue_from))
-        if first_frame is not None:
+        if first_frame is not None and pictures:
+            # The cast's pictures already hold the people; the film's first frame is not added to them.
+            first_frame['reason'] = 'pictures'
+        elif first_frame is not None:
             from .continuation import anchor_media, chain_first_frame_picture
             try:
                 # A context encoded from the file carries no first frame; whoever planned this run saw none either.
@@ -444,8 +489,22 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
                 validate_route(task=getattr(args, 'task', None) or 'ref2va', anchor=True, two_pass=two_pass,
                                preview=preview, refine_from=getattr(args, 'refine_from', None), media=media)
                 first_frame.update(used=True, width=picture_width, height=picture_height)
-        if continue_anchor is not None:
+                anchored = True
+        if anchored:
             continuation['anchor'] = media['references'][0]
+        if pictures:
+            continuation['pictures'] = len(pictures)
+        if voice_reference is not None:
+            if first_frame is not None and not pictures:
+                voice_reference['reason'] = 'first_frame'
+            elif continue_anchor is not None:
+                voice_reference['reason'] = 'anchor'
+            elif args.conditioning:
+                # Preencoded conditioning cannot take another reference.
+                voice_reference['reason'] = 'conditioning'
+            else:
+                voice_reference['reason'] = dialogue_reason(
+                    args.prompt_file.read_text(encoding='utf-8') if args.prompt_file else None)
     active_loras = [row for row in media.get('loras', []) if row['strength'] != 0]
     if media:
         inferred_task = task_for(media)
@@ -462,7 +521,21 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
         hardware, resident_credit = credit(detect())
         profile = json.loads(args.profile.read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
     else:
-        hardware, resident_credit, profile = automatic_profile(args, canvas, stage='before-encoding', evidence=planning)
+        from .policy import ResourceBudgetError
+        try:
+            hardware, resident_credit, profile = automatic_profile(args, canvas, stage='before-encoding', evidence=planning)
+        except ResourceBudgetError:
+            if not hide_tail_frames:
+                raise
+            # The optional tail must fit this size/step tier too. Re-admit the
+            # original duration before encoding anything; never shorten it.
+            canvas, output_size = sampling_canvas(dict(canvas, **visible_canvas),
+                staged=bool(preview or refine_source), media=media, conditioned=bool(args.conditioning))
+            hardware, resident_credit, profile = automatic_profile(args, canvas, stage='before-encoding', evidence=planning)
+            hide_tail, hide_tail_frames = dict(requested=True, used=False, reason='too_long'), 0
+            if continuation is not None:
+                from .continuation import OVERLAP_FRAMES
+                continuation = dict(continuation, new_frames=canvas['frames'] - OVERLAP_FRAMES)
     print(json.dumps(dict(event='compute_device', backend='CUDA', name=getattr(hardware, 'gpu_name', None),
                           uuid=getattr(hardware, 'gpu_uuid', None), vram_total_bytes=getattr(hardware, 'vram_total', None),
                           vram_free_bytes=getattr(hardware, 'vram_free', None))), flush=True)
@@ -492,7 +565,7 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
     manifest = json.loads((args.cache / 'manifest.json').read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
     if continuation is not None:
         from .two_pass import plan as continuation_plan
-        validate_route(task=profile['engine'].get('task', 't2va'), anchor=continue_anchor is not None)
+        validate_route(task=profile['engine'].get('task', 't2va'), anchor=anchored)
         planned = continuation_plan(canvas, two_pass, base_steps=base_steps, refine_steps=refine_steps)
         continuation_first = planned['first']
         continuation = usable_continuation(continuation, canvas, None if active_loras else manifest, planned)
@@ -523,14 +596,23 @@ def usable_continuation(value, *check):
               'reclaimable_resident_models': resident_credit,
               'encoder_mode': 'native H3 encoder library child' if args.prompt_file else 'preencoded shared conditioning'}
     if continuation is not None:
-        report['continuation'] = continuation_summary(continuation)
+        report['continuation'] = continuation_summary(continuation, hide_tail_frames=hide_tail_frames)
         if 'tail' in continuation:
             report['continuation']['context'] = 'encoded'
         report['audio_context'] = continuation['audio_context']
         if continue_anchor is not None:
             report['continue_anchor'] = continuation['anchor']
+        if pictures:
+            report['continue_pictures'] = len(pictures)
     if first_frame is not None:
         report['first_frame_reference'] = first_frame
+    if voice_reference is not None:
+        report['voice_reference'] = voice_reference
+    if hide_tail is not None:
+        report['hide_tail'] = hide_tail
+    if hide_tail_frames:
+        report['output_frames'] = (report['continuation']['new_frames'] if continuation is not None
+                                   else canvas['frames'] - hide_tail_frames)
     from .support_report import code_identity, write as write_debug
     report['runtime_hardware'] = hardware.to_dict()
     report['runtime_code'] = code_identity()
@@ -565,6 +647,33 @@ def interrupted(signum, frame):
                 if args._lora_max_block_bytes or args._lora_root_bytes:
                     profile.setdefault('policy', {})['lora_max_block_bytes'] = args._lora_max_block_bytes
                     profile['policy']['lora_root_bytes'] = args._lora_root_bytes
+            if voice_reference is not None and voice_reference['reason'] is None:
+                # Model identity, first-pass size and LoRA admission may have switched this
+                # request to tail encoding. Decide only after those checks, before encoding media.
+                if 'tail' in continuation:
+                    voice_reference['reason'] = 'source_predates'
+                else:
+                    from .continuation import chain_first_sound, unpack_first_sound
+                    try:
+                        kept = chain_first_sound(continuation, continue_from)
+                        sound = unpack_first_sound(kept) if kept is not None else None
+                    except ValueError:
+                        sound = None
+                    if sound is None:
+                        voice_reference['reason'] = 'unreadable'
+                    else:
+                        path = destination.with_suffix('.first-sound.wav')
+                        path.write_bytes(sound)
+                        from .media_request import digest
+                        # After the cast's pictures: the sound is the last reference.
+                        media = dict(media, version=1, references=[*media.get('references', []), dict(kind='audio',
+                                     path=str(path), sha256=digest(path), bytes=path.stat().st_size)])
+                        validate_route(task=getattr(args, 'task', None) or ('ref2va' if anchored else 't2va'), sound=True,
+                                       anchor=anchored, two_pass=two_pass,
+                                       preview=preview, refine_from=getattr(args, 'refine_from', None), media=media)
+                        continuation['sound'] = media['references'][-1]
+                        args.task = profile['engine']['task'] = task_for(media)
+                        voice_reference['used'] = True
             resource_identity = local_identity(hardware, args.cache)
             history = ResourceHistory(history_path())
             history.recover_pending()
@@ -729,7 +838,8 @@ def interrupted(signum, frame):
                                           staged=bool(preview or refine_source))
             report['sampling_plan'] = sampling_plan
             if continuation is not None:
-                validate_route(task=profile['engine'].get('task', 't2va'), anchor=continue_anchor is not None)
+                validate_route(task=profile['engine'].get('task', 't2va'), anchor=anchored,
+                               **(dict(sound=True, media=media) if voice_reference and voice_reference['used'] else {}))
                 continuation = usable_continuation(continuation, canvas,
                     json.loads((args.cache / 'manifest.json').read_text(encoding='utf-8')), sampling_plan)
                 if 'tail' in continuation:
@@ -829,6 +939,8 @@ def validate(metrics, telemetry, selected):
                        'metrics': str(destination.with_suffix('.engine.json'))}
             if continuation is not None:
                 request['continuation'] = continuation
+            if hide_tail_frames:
+                request['hide_tail_frames'] = hide_tail_frames
             if preview:
                 request['preview'] = True
             if allocator_limit_bytes is not None:
@@ -852,7 +964,7 @@ def launch(selected, attempt):
                 if continuation is not None:
                     from .continuation import ADALN_TASK, ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK
                     selected['engine'] = dict(selected['engine'],
-                        adaln_task=ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK if continue_anchor is not None else ADALN_TASK)
+                        adaln_task=ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK if anchored else ADALN_TASK)
                 request.update(engine_options=selected['engine'], decoder_options=selected['decoder'],
                                ram_budget_bytes=round(selected['inference_ram_budget_gb'] * 1e9),
                                ram_budget_is_estimate=ram_budget_is_estimate(args),
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/cast_views.py b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/cast_views.py
index 9c985ad8..a316d036 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/cast_views.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/cast_views.py
@@ -96,3 +96,15 @@ def photo_prompt():
             'feet. Turn the head and body to face us. Neutral pose with the arms relaxed, %s. Keep exactly '
             'the same person, face, hair and clothes as in image 1. Preserve all existing accessories; '
             'add no new accessories.' % BACKDROP)
+
+
+def page_views(description):
+    """What the page needs to make the pictures of a new character itself: each view's prompt and size.
+
+    The page runs the pictures one by one so each shows when it is done; the prompts stay here, so a
+    card made from a description and these pictures are made from the same words."""
+    if not isinstance(description, str) or not description.strip() or len(description) > 1000:
+        raise ValueError('invalid_prompt')
+    card = dict(name=description.strip()[:120], description=description.strip(), kind='character')
+    return dict(views=[dict(view=view, prompt=view_prompt(card, view), width=SIZES[view][0],
+                            height=SIZES[view][1], from_front=uses_front(view)) for view in VIEWS])
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/failure.py b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/failure.py
index 891498ac..700c05ca 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/failure.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/failure.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 STAGES = ('start', 'load', 'text', 'encode', 'denoise', 'decode')
 KINDS = ('generate', 'edit', 'cast', 'compose', 'download', 'install')
 MESSAGE_ZH = {
-    'no_memory': '显存不足。在“图像大小…”里缩小后再试。',
+    'no_memory': '显存不够，最小尺寸也没能生成。关掉其他占用显卡的程序后再试。',
     'busy_video': '视频正在生成，完成后再试。',
     'busy': '已有一张图在生成，请等它完成。',
     'pack_missing': '请先在启动器里下载“图像生成模型”。',
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/image_pack.py b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/image_pack.py
index 578616ff..52d421f0 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/image_pack.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/image_pack.py
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 """Optional, hash-pinned image weights under <model_root>/image_gen/.
 
 Downloads use the engine's source ranking, proxy policy and resumable transfers.
-Status reads verification stamps without hashing gigabytes. Repair hashes every
-file and retains mismatches; removal touches only unchanged files we created.
+Status reads verification stamps without hashing gigabytes on the caller's thread;
+a full-size file whose stamp no longer matches (a hard link raised its change time,
+the folder moved) is hashed once in the background and re-stamped. Repair hashes
+every file and retains mismatches; removal touches only unchanged files we created.
 Installer.start('install', background=True) yields to the existing engine lease
 or an optional busy callback. The CLI writes atomic, read-only status snapshots.
 """
@@ -240,14 +242,125 @@ def _write_notice(folder, owned):
         logging.warning('[FreeVideo] Could not write the image model notice: %s', redacted_launcher_error(error))
 
 
+_RECHECKS = {}
+_RECHECKED = set()
+_RETRY_AT = {}
+_KEYS = {}
+_RECHECK_GUARD = threading.Lock()
+_RETRY_SECONDS = 300
+
+
+def _stale(path, row, ledger):
+    """A complete file that was verified before and whose stamp no longer matches."""
+    try:
+        return path.is_file() and path.stat().st_size == row['bytes'] and isinstance(ledger.get(str(path)), dict)
+    except OSError:
+        return False
+
+
+def _same_file(path, row, before):
+    try:
+        return provision.file_identity(path, row) == before
+    except OSError:
+        return False
+
+
+def _recheck(root, folder, pending):
+    """Hash files whose stamp went stale and refresh the receipt; contents decide, not the stamp.
+
+    Hashing only reads. Under the pack lease the result is merged only into the receipt and the
+    file it was read from: a file or receipt changed in the meantime (a repair, an install) keeps
+    its newer state and is looked at again later. A file is marked as checked only once its result
+    was published; any failure leaves it to be retried after a pause.
+    """
+    published = []
+    try:
+        stamps = deepcopy(_read(folder, LEDGER))
+        results = []
+        for row in rows():
+            path = target(row, root)
+            name = str(path)
+            if name in pending and _stale(path, row, stamps):
+                prior, before, shape = deepcopy(stamps[name]), provision.file_identity(path, row), model_repair.identity(path)
+                results.append((row, path, prior, before, shape, provision.verified(path, row, stamps, mode='full')))
+        with _lease(root):
+            ledger = _read(folder, LEDGER)
+            for row, path, prior, before, shape, intact in results:
+                name = str(path)
+                if ledger.get(name) != prior or not _same_file(path, row, before):
+                    continue
+                if intact:
+                    stamp = stamps[name]
+                    if not all(stamp.get(k) == v for k, v in before.items()):
+                        continue
+                    ledger[name] = stamp
+                else:
+                    ledger.pop(name, None)
+                    model_repair.record(folder, path, row, shape)
+                published.append(name)
+            save(_path(folder, LEDGER), ledger)
+    except Exception as error:
+        published = []
+        logging.warning('[FreeVideo] Could not re-check the image model files: %s', redacted_launcher_error(error))
+    finally:
+        with _RECHECK_GUARD:
+            for name in pending:
+                key = _KEYS.pop((folder, name), None)
+                if key is None:
+                    continue
+                if name in published and key[1] is not None:
+                    _RECHECKED.add(key[0])
+                else:
+                    _RETRY_AT[key[0]] = time.monotonic() + _RETRY_SECONDS
+            _RECHECKS.pop(folder, None)
+
+
+
+def _start_recheck(root, folder, stale):
+    """One background check per folder; a file already checked at this identity is not hashed again."""
+    keys = {}
+    for path in stale:
+        try:
+            info = provision.fingerprint(path)
+        except OSError:
+            continue
+        # The same identity the receipt is compared by, so a change the stamp would notice is noticed here.
+        keys[str(path)] = (str(path), tuple(sorted(info.items())))
+    now = time.monotonic()
+    with _RECHECK_GUARD:
+        if folder in _RECHECKS:
+            return True
+        pending = {name for name, key in keys.items()
+                   if key not in _RECHECKED and _RETRY_AT.get(key, 0) <= now}
+        if not pending or downloading(root):
+            return False
+        for name in pending:
+            reliable = dict(keys[name][1]).get('change_time_ns', 0) is not None
+            _KEYS[(folder, name)] = (keys[name], reliable)
+        worker = threading.Thread(target=_recheck, args=(root, folder, pending), name='image-pack-recheck', daemon=True)
+        try:
+            worker.start()
+        except Exception:
+            for name in pending:
+                _KEYS.pop((folder, name), None)
+            raise
+        # Registered only after it runs, so a lease taken meanwhile never joins a thread that has not started.
+        _RECHECKS[folder] = worker
+    return True
+
+
 def status(root=None):
-    """Missing files and unique retained bytes; no network or full weight reads."""
+    """Missing files and unique retained bytes; no network and no weight reads on this thread."""
     folder = base(root)
     ledger = _read(folder, LEDGER)
     files, missing, downloaded, verified_bytes = [], [], 0, 0
+    stale = []
     for row in rows():
         path = target(row, root)
         intact = _intact(path, row, ledger)
+        old = not intact and _stale(path, row, ledger)
+        if old:
+            stale.append(path)
         size = path.stat().st_size if path.is_file() else 0
         part = _path(folder, row['file'] + '.partial')
         partial = part.stat().st_size if part.is_file() else 0
@@ -256,20 +369,28 @@ def status(root=None):
         verified_bytes += row['bytes'] if intact else 0
         if not intact:
             missing.append(row['file'])
-        files.append(dict(file=row['file'], bytes=row['bytes'], ready=intact, downloaded_bytes=retained))
+        files.append(dict(file=row['file'], bytes=row['bytes'], ready=intact, downloaded_bytes=retained, stale=old))
+    checking = bool(stale) and _start_recheck(root, folder, stale)
     try:
         notice_ready = _notice_ready(_path(folder, 'NOTICE.txt'))
     except PackError:
         notice_ready = False
     total = sum(r['bytes'] for r in files)
     available = not missing
+    # Files being re-checked are all there: nothing to download for them.
     return dict(installable=True, ready=available, total_bytes=total, verified_bytes=verified_bytes,
-                downloaded_bytes=downloaded, bytes=sum(r['bytes'] for r in files if not r['ready']),
+                downloaded_bytes=downloaded,
+                bytes=sum(r['bytes'] for r in files if not r['ready'] and not (checking and r['stale'])),
                 remaining_bytes=sum(r['bytes'] - r['downloaded_bytes'] for r in files if not r['ready']),
-                missing=missing, notice_ready=notice_ready, files=files,
+                missing=missing, notice_ready=notice_ready, files=files, checking=checking,
                 state='ready' if available else 'partial' if downloaded else 'missing')
 
 
+def checking(root=None) -> bool:
+    """True while a background stamp re-check of this pack is hashing."""
+    return base(root) in _RECHECKS
+
+
 def ready(root=None):
     return status(root)['ready']
 
@@ -308,6 +429,10 @@ def _lease(root, engine_root=None, destructive=False):
     folder = base(root)
     _path(folder, 'pack.lock')
     _path(folder, 'logs/model-mismatches.json')
+    # A stamp re-check started by status() only reads and then merges its receipt; let it finish first.
+    worker = _RECHECKS.get(folder)
+    if worker is not None and worker is not threading.current_thread():
+        worker.join()
     with ExitStack() as stack:
         if engine_root is not None:
             engine = Path(engine_root)
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/image_runner.py b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/image_runner.py
index 563f2967..e96c8002 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/image_runner.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/image_runner.py
@@ -235,6 +235,10 @@ def generate(self, prompt, *, width, height, seed=None, reference_images=None, p
         return self.generator.generate(prompt, width=width, height=height, seed=seed,
                                        reference_images=reference_images, progress=progress, cancel=cancel)
 
+    def at_boundary(self):
+        """False when a failure left a weights streamer inside a layer pass; the next request cannot use it."""
+        return self.dit_stack.offloader.at_boundary and self.te_stack.offloader.at_boundary
+
     def stats(self):
         return dict(dit=self.dit_stack.stats(), text_encoder=self.te_stack.stats(),
                     plan=self.last_plan.to_dict() if self.last_plan else None, load_seconds=self.load_seconds)
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/service.py b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/service.py
index 7b36a814..f2f78e25 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/service.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/service.py
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@
                             'invalid_media', 'too_many_images'))
 
 
+class WorkerIdleExit(RuntimeError):
+    """The worker closed itself after its idle timeout before it answered anything."""
+
+
 class Worker:
     """One reader owns each pipe; stderr is drained without retaining user text."""
     def __init__(self, process):
@@ -110,6 +114,7 @@ def info(self):
         spec = image_pack.catalog()
         ready = image_pack.ready(machine['model_root'])
         return dict(ready=ready, model=spec['repo'],
+                    checking=not ready and image_pack.checking(machine['model_root']),
                     downloading=not ready and image_pack.downloading(machine['model_root'], engine_root),
                     bytes=sum(row['bytes'] for row in spec['groups']['image']), busy=self.busy(),
                     max_images=MAX_IMAGES)
@@ -126,7 +131,9 @@ def request(self, value):
         seed = value.get('seed')
         if seed is not None and (type(seed) is not int or not -2**63 <= seed < 2**64):
             raise ValueError('invalid_seed')
-        images = value.get('images', [])
+        images = value.get('images')
+        if images is None:
+            images = []
         if not isinstance(images, list):
             raise ValueError('invalid_media')
         if len(images) > MAX_IMAGES:
@@ -524,6 +531,16 @@ def work(self, root, machine):
                         return
                     if self.video_busy():
                         raise BlockingIOError('busy_video')
+                    def respawn():
+                        nonlocal session
+                        session.process.wait()
+                        session.close()
+                        session = Worker(self.spawn(root, machine, env, descriptor))
+                        with self.mutex:
+                            self.worker = session
+                            self.process = session.process
+                            self.worker_restarts += 1
+
                     session = Worker(self.spawn(root, machine, env, descriptor))
                     with self.mutex:
                         self.worker = session
@@ -540,14 +557,17 @@ def work(self, root, machine):
                                     break
                             continue
                         if session.process.poll() == 0:
-                            session.process.wait()
-                            session.close()
-                            session = Worker(self.spawn(root, machine, env, descriptor))
-                            with self.mutex:
-                                self.worker = session
-                                self.process = session.process
-                                self.worker_restarts += 1
-                        self.infer(session, value)
+                            respawn()
+                        try:
+                            self.infer(session, value)
+                        except WorkerIdleExit:
+                            # The request reached a worker that was already unloading after
+                            # its idle timeout and was never read. Nothing ran: send it to a
+                            # fresh worker once; a second exit is reported as a failure.
+                            if self.stop.is_set() or self.session_stop.is_set():
+                                raise
+                            respawn()
+                            self.infer(session, value)
                 finally:
                     # Keep the parent's lease until the whole owned process tree exits.
                     if session is not None:
@@ -585,9 +605,56 @@ def work(self, root, machine):
                     self.context = None
                 self.queue_wake.set()
 
+    def shrink(self, value, row, context):
+        """After a memory error while working on the picture, step the size down for one more try.
+
+        The ladder is the one start-up fitting uses (32-pixel grid, 512 pixels at the least);
+        the step grows with the size so a big canvas needs few tries. False at the smallest size.
+        """
+        if (row.get('code') != 'no_memory' or row.get('stage') in ('load', 'text', 'encode')
+                or self.stop.is_set() or self.session_stop.is_set()):
+            return False
+        width, height = value['width'], value['height']
+        long, short = max(width, height), min(width, height)
+        # A worker that had to load the model again costs seconds per try; take bigger steps then.
+        side = long - max(32, long // (8 if row.get('reloaded') else 16) // 32 * 32)
+
+        def fitted(length):
+            return (short * length + long * 16) // (long * 32) * 32
+
+        if side < 512 or fitted(side) < 512:
+            # The step would jump past the least size: try that size itself before giving up.
+            side = next((n for n in range(512, long, 32) if fitted(n) >= 512), None)
+            if side is None:
+                return False
+        other = fitted(side)
+        value['width'], value['height'] = (side, other) if width >= height else (other, side)
+        with self.mutex:
+            fitted = self.state.get('fitted') or {}
+            requested = fitted.get('requested') or dict(width=width, height=height)
+            self.state['fitted'] = dict(width=value['width'], height=value['height'], requested=requested)
+            self.state.update(phase='progress', stage='start', fraction=0)
+        context.update_request(value)
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def worker_gone(session, heard):
+        """The error for a worker pipe that ended; it carries the exit code for the report."""
+        try:
+            code = session.process.wait(timeout=2)
+        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+            code = None
+        if code == 0 and not heard:
+            return WorkerIdleExit('worker_exit (exit code 0, before any answer)')
+        return RuntimeError('worker_exit' if code is None else 'worker_exit (exit code %d)' % code)
+
     def infer(self, session, value):
         context = self.context or Context('generate', value)
-        session.send(action='generate', **value)
+        heard = False
+        try:
+            session.send(action='generate', **value)
+        except OSError:
+            raise self.worker_gone(session, heard)
         cancelled_at = None
         deadline = time.monotonic() + INFERENCE_TIMEOUT
         while True:
@@ -605,7 +672,8 @@ def infer(self, session, value):
             except queue.Empty:
                 continue
             if row is None:
-                raise RuntimeError('worker_exit')
+                raise self.worker_gone(session, heard)
+            heard = True
             phase = row.get('phase')
             if phase == 'progress':
                 stage, fraction = row.get('stage'), row.get('fraction')
@@ -622,6 +690,11 @@ def infer(self, session, value):
             elif phase in ('result', 'error'):
                 if self.stop.is_set() or row.get('code') == 'cancelled':
                     result = dict(phase='cancelled')
+                elif phase == 'error' and self.shrink(value, row, context):
+                    # The memory estimate was optimistic for this machine: same worker, next size down.
+                    session.send(action='generate', **value)
+                    deadline = time.monotonic() + INFERENCE_TIMEOUT
+                    continue
                 elif phase == 'error':
                     code = row.get('code')
                     result = self.failed(code, context, row=row)
@@ -730,7 +803,10 @@ async def action(request):
             if not isinstance(value, dict):
                 raise ValueError('invalid_request')
             name = request.match_info['action']
-            if name == 'status':
+            if name == 'cast-views':
+                from .cast_views import page_views
+                result = page_views(value.get('description'))
+            elif name == 'status':
                 result = service.status(value.get('job'))
             elif name == 'cancel':
                 result = service.cancel(value.get('job'))
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/worker.py b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/worker.py
index 4d9afceb..3ca7012e 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/image_gen/worker.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/image_gen/worker.py
@@ -142,10 +142,25 @@ def progress(stage, fraction):
                     except Exception:
                         # Diagnostics must not replace the inference exception.
                         pass
-                result = dict(phase='error', code=code, stage=context.timing.stage,
+                reload = not getattr(runner, 'at_boundary', lambda: True)()
+                result = dict(phase='error', code=code, stage=context.timing.stage, reloaded=reload,
                               seconds=context.timing.seconds(), stages=context.timing.snapshot(), plan=plan,
                               error=exception_details(error, context.redactor, code))
             finally:
+                if result is not None and result.get('reloaded'):
+                    # A failure inside a layer pass leaves the weights streamer part-way through it and the
+                    # next request would be refused; the model is loaded again for that one.
+                    with redirect_stdout(sys.stderr):
+                        try:
+                            runner.close()
+                        except Exception as error:
+                            print('image runner close failed: %s' % type(error).__name__, file=sys.stderr, flush=True)
+                    runner = None
+                    import gc
+                    gc.collect()
+                    torch = sys.modules.get('torch')
+                    if torch is not None and torch.cuda.is_available():
+                        torch.cuda.empty_cache()
                 with inbox.mutex:
                     inbox.busy = False
                     if result is not None:
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/launcher/Main.qml b/freevideo_engine/launcher/Main.qml
index aaf7bb68..d2f5b533 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/launcher/Main.qml
+++ b/freevideo_engine/launcher/Main.qml
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ ApplicationWindow {
         if (phase === "restarting" || phase === "engine") return t("ComfyUI restarts once; open FreeVideo pages refresh automatically.", "ComfyUI 会重启一次，已打开的 FreeVideo 页面会自动刷新。")
         if (phase === "checking") return ""
         if (s.update.status === "error" && s.update.error) return s.update.error
+        if (s.update.candidate && s.update.manual) return t("Current version ", "当前版本 ") + releaseVersion(currentRelease) + t(". Download it and replace this version; models and settings are kept.", "。下载新版后替换当前版本，模型和设置会保留。")
         if (s.update.candidate) return t("Current version ", "当前版本 ") + releaseVersion(currentRelease) + t(". Updating keeps your models and settings and takes about a minute.", "。更新会保留模型和设置，约需 1 分钟。")
         return t("Installed engine ", "已安装引擎 ") + engineVersion + t(". Updating takes about a minute and keeps your models and settings.", "。更新约需 1 分钟，模型和设置都会保留。")
     }
@@ -778,8 +779,8 @@ ApplicationWindow {
                             FButton {
                                 // Repair and opening FreeVideo come first; the banner's colour already marks the update.
                                 id: engineUpdate; objectName: "engineUpdateButton"; primary: !s.repair_offered && s.status !== "open" && !(updateFirst && !s.retry_kind); visible: !s.update.phase; enabled: !s.busy
-                                text: s.update.status === "error" ? t("Retry update", "重试更新") : s.update.status === "ready" && s.update.candidate ? t("Restart & update", "重启并更新") : t("Update now", "立即更新")
-                                onClicked: { manualUpdate = !!s.update.candidate; backend.update("") }
+                                text: s.update.status === "error" ? t("Retry update", "重试更新") : s.update.status === "ready" && s.update.candidate ? t("Restart & update", "重启并更新") : s.update.manual && s.update.candidate ? t("Download ↗", "去下载 ↗") : t("Update now", "立即更新")
+                                onClicked: { manualUpdate = !!s.update.candidate && !s.update.manual; backend.update("") }
                             }
                         }
                         FMeter { visible: s.update.phase === "downloading"; Layout.fillWidth: true; fraction: s.update.progress && s.update.progress.total ? s.update.progress.done / s.update.progress.total : -1; active: visible }
@@ -1513,7 +1514,7 @@ ApplicationWindow {
             spacing: 14
             FText { objectName: "updateActionNotice"; visible: !!s.action_notice; text: s.action_notice || ""; color: theme.muted; Layout.fillWidth: true }
             FText { text: s.update.candidate ? t("Update available", "有可用更新") : s.update.engine ? t("Engine update", "引擎更新") : t("Updates", "更新"); font.pixelSize: theme.section + 2; font.weight: Font.DemiBold }
-            FText { objectName: "updateDialogText"; text: s.update.phase === "waiting" ? t("A video is still generating. FreeVideo restarts and updates as soon as it finishes.", "还有视频正在生成，完成后会自动重启并更新。") : s.update.status === "ready" && s.update.candidate ? t("Downloaded. Restart to finish; models and settings are kept.", "下载完成，重启即可完成更新，模型和设置都会保留。") : s.update.candidate ? t("FreeVideo ", "FreeVideo ") + releaseVersion(s.update.candidate) + t(" is available (current ", " 已发布（当前 ") + releaseVersion(currentRelease) + t("). Updating keeps your models and settings. FreeVideo restarts after the download; running videos finish first.", "）。更新会保留模型和设置，下载完成后自动重启；正在生成的视频会先完成。") : s.update.engine ? t("This launcher already includes engine ", "启动器已带有新版引擎 ") + releaseVersion(currentRelease) + t(" (installed: ", "（已安装 ") + engineVersion + (s.status === "open" ? t("). Updating takes about a minute, restarts ComfyUI once and keeps your models and settings.", "）。更新约需 1 分钟，会重启一次 ComfyUI，模型和设置都会保留。") : t("). Updating takes about a minute, then FreeVideo starts; models and settings are kept.", "）。更新约需 1 分钟，完成后自动启动，模型和设置都会保留。")) : s.update.status === "current" ? t("You're up to date.", "已是最新版本。") : s.update.status === "development" ? t("Running from source. Update with Git.", "当前从源码运行，请通过 Git 更新。") : s.update.status === "error" ? t("Could not check for updates.", "暂时无法检查更新。") : t("Checking the latest release…", "正在检查最新版本…"); color: theme.muted; Layout.fillWidth: true }
+            FText { objectName: "updateDialogText"; text: s.update.phase === "waiting" ? t("A video is still generating. FreeVideo restarts and updates as soon as it finishes.", "还有视频正在生成，完成后会自动重启并更新。") : s.update.status === "ready" && s.update.candidate ? t("Downloaded. Restart to finish; models and settings are kept.", "下载完成，重启即可完成更新，模型和设置都会保留。") : s.update.candidate && s.update.manual ? t("FreeVideo ", "FreeVideo ") + releaseVersion(s.update.candidate) + t(" is available (current ", " 已发布（当前 ") + releaseVersion(currentRelease) + t("). Download it and replace this version; models and settings are kept.", "）。下载新版后替换当前版本，模型和设置会保留。") : s.update.candidate ? t("FreeVideo ", "FreeVideo ") + releaseVersion(s.update.candidate) + t(" is available (current ", " 已发布（当前 ") + releaseVersion(currentRelease) + t("). Updating keeps your models and settings. FreeVideo restarts after the download; running videos finish first.", "）。更新会保留模型和设置，下载完成后自动重启；正在生成的视频会先完成。") : s.update.engine ? t("This launcher already includes engine ", "启动器已带有新版引擎 ") + releaseVersion(currentRelease) + t(" (installed: ", "（已安装 ") + engineVersion + (s.status === "open" ? t("). Updating takes about a minute, restarts ComfyUI once and keeps your models and settings.", "）。更新约需 1 分钟，会重启一次 ComfyUI，模型和设置都会保留。") : t("). Updating takes about a minute, then FreeVideo starts; models and settings are kept.", "）。更新约需 1 分钟，完成后自动启动，模型和设置都会保留。")) : s.update.status === "current" ? t("You're up to date.", "已是最新版本。") : s.update.status === "development" ? t("Running from source. Update with Git.", "当前从源码运行，请通过 Git 更新。") : s.update.status === "error" ? t("Could not check for updates.", "暂时无法检查更新。") : t("Checking the latest release…", "正在检查最新版本…"); color: theme.muted; Layout.fillWidth: true }
             FMeter { Layout.fillWidth: true; visible: s.update.status === "downloading"; active: true; fraction: s.update.progress && s.update.progress.total ? s.update.progress.done/s.update.progress.total : -1 }
             FReleaseNotes { objectName: "updateReleaseNotes"; visible: !!availableRelease; Layout.fillWidth: true; release: availableRelease; earlier: availableEarlier; zh: s.zh; heading: t("What's new", "更新内容") + " · " + releaseVersion(availableRelease) }
             FButton { text: t("Version & release notes", "版本与更新说明"); flat: true; onClicked: releaseNotesOpen = true }
@@ -1525,7 +1526,7 @@ ApplicationWindow {
                 id: updateActions; Layout.fillWidth: true
                 FButton { objectName: "updateLaterButton"; text: s.update.candidate || s.update.engine ? t("Later", "稍后更新") : t("Close", "关闭"); flat: true; onClicked: { manualUpdate = false; backend.dismissUpdate() } }
                 Item { Layout.fillWidth: true }
-                FButton { objectName: "updateNowButton"; text: s.update.status === "error" ? t("Retry update", "重试更新") : s.update.status === "ready" && s.update.candidate ? t("Restart & update", "重启并更新") : s.update.candidate || s.update.engine ? t("Update now", "立即更新") : t("Check again", "重新检查"); primary: true; enabled: ["checking","downloading"].indexOf(s.update.status) < 0 && s.update.phase !== "waiting"; onClicked: { manualUpdate = !!s.update.candidate || !s.update.engine; backend.update("") } }
+                FButton { objectName: "updateNowButton"; text: s.update.status === "error" ? t("Retry update", "重试更新") : s.update.status === "ready" && s.update.candidate ? t("Restart & update", "重启并更新") : s.update.manual && s.update.candidate ? t("Download ↗", "去下载 ↗") : s.update.candidate || s.update.engine ? t("Update now", "立即更新") : t("Check again", "重新检查"); primary: true; enabled: ["checking","downloading"].indexOf(s.update.status) < 0 && s.update.phase !== "waiting"; onClicked: { manualUpdate = (!!s.update.candidate || !s.update.engine) && !(s.update.manual && s.update.candidate); backend.update("") } }
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/launcher_copy.py b/freevideo_engine/launcher_copy.py
index 9b8f301b..d34e0761 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/launcher_copy.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/launcher_copy.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
     'installation_missing': ('There is no installation information yet. Complete installation first.',
                              '还没有安装信息，请先完成安装'),
     'checking_update': ('Checking for updates. Please wait.', '正在检查更新，请稍候'),
+    'update_page_failed': ('Couldn\'t open the download page. Please try again later.', '无法打开下载页，请稍后再试。'),
     'busy': ('The background task is busy. You can do this when it finishes.',
              '后台正在忙，完成后可以操作'),
     'import_queued': ('Saved. Importing will start when the current task finishes.',
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/launcher_session.py b/freevideo_engine/launcher_session.py
index 564567b9..5f1ca3cc 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/launcher_session.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/launcher_session.py
@@ -722,6 +722,8 @@ def image_pack_view(self):
         labels = {'missing': ('Not installed', '未安装'), 'partial': ('Paused', '已暂停'),
                   'ready': ('Ready', '已就绪'), 'invalid': ('Needs repair', '需要修复')}
         detail = self.t(*labels[value['state']])
+        if value.get('checking'):
+            detail = self.t('Checking', '正在校验')
         # Repair only answers a pack that is ready or known to be damaged; half a download just continues.
         repairable = value['state'] in ('ready', 'invalid')
         if active.get('state') == 'running':
@@ -740,7 +742,8 @@ def image_pack_view(self):
                    or self.closing or self.engine_updating or self.update_intent or self.upgrade.active or self.model_switch
                    or self.updater and self.updater.busy)
         return dict(value, visible=bool(self.installation_engine()), title=self.t(*NAMES['image']),
-                    detail=detail, busy=busy, install=active, can_act=not (blocked or busy), removable_bytes=removable,
+                    detail=detail, busy=busy, install=active, can_act=not (blocked or busy or value.get('checking')),
+                    removable_bytes=removable,
                     repairable=repairable, failure=failure, report_id=active.get('report_id'))
 
     def image_pack_report(self):
@@ -1053,9 +1056,7 @@ def dismiss_update(self):
         self.bridge_pending = False
         if self.action_notice == 'update_queued':
             self.action_notice = ''
-        key = self.update_key()
-        if key:
-            self.update_snoozed = dict(self.update_snoozed, **{key: time.monotonic() + SNOOZE_SECONDS})
+        self._snooze_update()
         self.update_intent = None
         self.update_waiting = False
         if self.updater and (self.updater.state['status'] == 'downloading'
@@ -1063,6 +1064,11 @@ def dismiss_update(self):
             self.updater.cancelled.set()
             self.updater.stop()
 
+    def _snooze_update(self):
+        key = self.update_key()
+        if key:
+            self.update_snoozed = dict(self.update_snoozed, **{key: time.monotonic() + SNOOZE_SECONDS})
+
     def _unsnooze(self):
         key = self.update_key()
         self.update_snoozed = {k: v for k, v in self.update_snoozed.items() if k != key}
@@ -1080,12 +1086,36 @@ def check_update(self, token=''):
         self.update_checked = time.monotonic()
         self.updater.run('check')
 
+    def _open_release_page(self):
+        """A package the user installs themselves (macOS app, Windows folder): the release
+        page opens and the reminder closes. True when this update was handled that way."""
+        row = self.updater.state if self.updater else {}
+        if not (row.get('candidate') and row.get('status') != 'checking'
+                and self.updater.current.get('packaging') in ('onedir', 'app')):
+            return False
+        from .launcher_update import release_page
+        from .windows_ux import open_browser
+        self.pending_update = None
+        self.update_intent = None
+        try:
+            opened = open_browser(release_page(self.updater.current))
+        except OSError:
+            opened = False
+        if opened:
+            self.action_notice = ''
+            self._snooze_update()
+        else:
+            self.action_notice = 'update_page_failed'
+        return True
+
     def update(self, token='', source='launcher'):
         """One explicit update: the newest launcher if one is known, otherwise
         the engine bundled with this launcher. Downloading, waiting for running
         ComfyUI jobs and restarting continue from tick()."""
         if self.engine_updating or self.update_restarting:
             return
+        if self._open_release_page():
+            return
         if self.task_busy() or self.updater and self.updater.busy:
             self.pending_update = (token, source)
             self.action_notice = 'update_queued'
@@ -1100,12 +1130,6 @@ def update(self, token='', source='launcher'):
         self.queue_state = None
         row = self.updater.state if self.updater else {}
         if self.updater and row.get('candidate') and row.get('status') != 'checking':
-            if self.updater.current.get('packaging') in ('onedir', 'app'):
-                from .launcher_update import release_page
-                from .windows_ux import open_browser
-                self.update_intent = None
-                open_browser(release_page(self.updater.current))
-                return
             self._unsnooze()
             self.update_intent = 'launcher'
             if row['status'] == 'ready':
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/macos_runtime.py b/freevideo_engine/macos_runtime.py
index bb9277c8..618e5a11 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/macos_runtime.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/macos_runtime.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 import os
 import time
 
+from . import frame_preview
 from .macos_conditions import BLOCK_SECONDS_SCOPE, runtime_conditions
 from .sampling_progress import SamplingProgress
 
@@ -555,7 +556,10 @@ def host_guard(module, inputs):
                 sampling_specs = [row for row in self.specs
                                   if not row[2].startswith('token_refiner.refiner_blocks.')]
                 with self._sampling_weights(sampling_specs, retention) as residency, \
-                        progress.layers(self.model.transformer_blocks):
+                        progress.layers(self.model.transformer_blocks), \
+                        frame_preview.observing(latent_frames=canvas['latent_frames'], frame_h=height // 32,
+                                                frame_w=width // 32, step_offset=progress_offset,
+                                                total=progress_total if progress_total is not None else active_steps):
                     self.residency = residency
                     video, audio = sampler(self.model, prompt, tags, canvas['frames'], self.steps,
                                           seed, 'mps', step_seconds=durations,
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/macos_stages.py b/freevideo_engine/macos_stages.py
index 94501a88..cf8dd134 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/macos_stages.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/macos_stages.py
@@ -327,6 +327,9 @@ def worker(value):
         sampling_lifetime(resource)
         if phase in ('first-pass', 'refinement'):
             from .macos_runtime import Engine
+            from . import frame_preview
+            # The picture goes next to the video, where the page's report link reads it.
+            frame_preview.configure(Path(value['output']).parent, request_state=artifacts)
             refining = phase == 'refinement'
             if refining and not sampling['enabled']:
                 raise ValueError('Refinement is absent from this sampling plan')
@@ -436,6 +439,9 @@ def first_saved(video, audio, metrics):
         result.update(error_type=type(error).__name__, error_message=str(error), exception=traceback.format_exc())
         raise
     finally:
+        if phase in ('first-pass', 'refinement'):
+            from . import frame_preview
+            frame_preview.clear()
         if phase == 'decode':
             result['conditions'].append(runtime_conditions())
             if isinstance(result.get('decode'), dict):
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/media_request.py b/freevideo_engine/media_request.py
index fb6ea662..256e3ffa 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/media_request.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/media_request.py
@@ -44,7 +44,9 @@ def file_info(name):
         if value.get(anchor):
             result[anchor] = file_info(value[anchor])
     for field in ('references', 'loras'):
-        entries = value.get(field, [])
+        entries = value.get(field)
+        if entries is None:
+            entries = []
         if not isinstance(entries, list) or len(entries) > 32:
             raise ValueError('At most 32 ' + field + ' per request')
         result[field] = []
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/offload.py b/freevideo_engine/offload.py
index 19e4353a..123217fc 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/offload.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/offload.py
@@ -514,6 +514,11 @@ def staging(count, dtype):
             self.hooks.append(layer.register_forward_hook(
                 lambda module, args, result, index=index: self._after(index), always_call=True))
 
+    @property
+    def at_boundary(self):
+        """No layer pass is open, so the next pass can start; False after a failure inside one."""
+        return not (self.expected or self.pending or self.host_pending)
+
     def cache_between_steps(self, max_bytes, *, max_layers=None, allow_growth=True):
         """Retain affordable device planes until this sampling pass closes.
 
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/rules.py b/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/rules.py
index 7b6c5ced..e1bfa77a 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/rules.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/rules.py
@@ -204,6 +204,15 @@ def spoken_lines(scene):
     return lines
 
 
+def split_source(text):
+    """Description, sound sections and spoken lines, using only the prompt's text."""
+    sound = re.search(r'(?m)^[ \t]*overall_soundscape[ \t]*:', text)
+    scene, soundscape = (text[:sound.start()], text[sound.start():]) if sound else (text, '')
+    tagged = re.findall(r'<(?:d|en|zh|ja|ko|cn)>\s*(.*?)\s*</(?:d|en|zh|ja|ko|cn)>', scene, re.S)
+    lines = [line for line in tagged if plain(line)] + spoken_lines(scene)
+    return scene, soundscape, list(dict.fromkeys(lines))
+
+
 def dialogue(text, scene):
     """Turn the user's spoken lines that came back quoted into H3 dialogue, verbatim.
 
@@ -402,3 +411,214 @@ def validate_answers(answers, value):
         if 'error' in answer and answer['error'] not in ('invalid_json', 'context_length'):
             raise ValueError('invalid_output')
     return answers
+
+
+# Long videos: one description per part --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Every part of a long video is generated from its own text. Handing each part the whole description makes
+# the model play the story from the start again in every part: the opening pause, the first line and the
+# first action come back after each seam. Each part instead gets the shared look and sound plus only what
+# happens during its own seconds.
+#
+# The small local model only sorts the events: spoken lines become placeholders it places, and the shared
+# description, the sound sections and the words themselves are put back by code, so they cannot drift.
+SPLIT_MAX_PARTS = 8
+CONTINUE = 'Continuing directly from the previous moment, with no pause: everything already in progress keeps going.'
+SPEAKER = re.compile(r'(?:\(S\d+(?:,S\d+)*\)\s*)?<d>(\[[A-Za-z]+\])?\s*([^<\n]{1,400}?)\s*</d>')
+
+
+def split_request(value):
+    if not isinstance(value, dict) or set(value) - {'text', 'seconds', 'mode', 'continued'}:
+        raise ValueError('invalid_request')
+    text, seconds = value.get('text'), value.get('seconds')
+    if type(value.get('continued', False)) is not bool:
+        raise ValueError('invalid_request')
+    if not isinstance(text, str) or not text.strip() or len(text) > 12000:
+        raise ValueError('invalid_prompt')
+    if (not isinstance(seconds, list) or not 2 <= len(seconds) <= SPLIT_MAX_PARTS or
+            any(type(s) not in (float, int) or not math.isfinite(s) or not 1 <= s <= 60 for s in seconds)):
+        raise ValueError('invalid_duration')
+    return dict(mode='split', text=text, seconds=[float(s) for s in seconds],
+                continued=value.get('continued', False))
+
+
+def speech_seconds(words):
+    """Rough speaking time: about 2.6 English words or 4.5 CJK characters a second."""
+    cjk = len(re.findall(r'[぀-ヿ㐀-鿿가-힯]', words))
+    return round(cjk / 4.5 + len(re.findall(r'[A-Za-z0-9À-ɏ]+', words)) / 2.6, 1)
+
+
+def part_source(text):
+    """(body, sound sections, lines): the description with each spoken line as [L1], [L2], ...
+
+    H3 prompts keep their sound sections apart; they describe the whole video and are repeated as written.
+    """
+    body, sound = text.strip(), ''
+    found = re.search(r'(?m)^overall_soundscape:', body)
+    if body.startswith('integrated_multimodal_description:') and found:
+        body, sound = body[:found.start()].strip(), body[found.start():].strip()
+        body = body[len('integrated_multimodal_description:'):].strip()
+        body = re.sub(r'^\[Shot 1\]\s*', '', body)
+    lines = []
+    def tagged(match):
+        lines.append(match.group(0))
+        return '[L%d]' % len(lines)
+    body = SPEAKER.sub(tagged, body)
+    spoken = set(spoken_lines(body))
+    def quoted(match):
+        words = next(group for group in match.groups() if group is not None).strip()
+        if words not in spoken:
+            return match.group(0)
+        lines.append(match.group(0))
+        return '[L%d]' % len(lines)
+    if spoken:
+        body = QUOTED.sub(quoted, body)
+    numbers = [int(n) for n in re.findall(r'\[L(\d+)\]', body)]
+    if numbers != list(range(1, len(lines) + 1)):
+        raise ValueError('invalid_prompt')
+    return body, sound, lines
+
+
+def split_instruction(value):
+    count = len(value['seconds'])
+    rows, start = [], 0.
+    for i, length in enumerate(value['seconds'], 1):
+        rows.append(f'Part {i}: {start:.0f}-{start + length:.0f} s')
+        start += length
+    opening = 'continues an earlier video' if value.get('continued') else 'is the opening'
+    return f"""A long video is made of {count} parts generated one after another; each part continues where the
+previous one ended. Sort the user's description into what stays the same and what happens in each part:
+{chr(10).join(rows)}
+Shared: who is in the scene and how they look, the place, the lighting, the camera, the style and the
+background sound. Copy these words from the description. Leave out every action, event, change and every [L] marker.
+Part N: only what happens during that part, in the order of the description, so each action happens
+once. Part 1 {opening}; each later part picks up where the previous part ended. When the story is
+shorter than the video, the later parts continue the same activity calmly instead of repeating it.
+The markers [L1], [L2], ... stand for spoken lines; their speaking time is given. Put each marker in
+exactly one part, in order, where it is said, as "he says [L2]" or "她说 [L2]"; spread them so each
+part's speech fits its seconds. Do not write any other speech.
+Example for a 2-part video. Description: A girl in a yellow raincoat stands on a wooden pier at dawn,
+filmed in a wide shot, gulls crying. She waves and shouts [L1], runs to the end of the pier and jumps
+into the sea. Speaking time: [L1] 2 s
+Shared: A girl in a yellow raincoat on a wooden pier at dawn, filmed in a wide shot, gulls crying.
+Part 1: She waves and shouts [L1], then starts running along the pier.
+Part 2: She reaches the end of the pier and jumps into the sea.
+Write in the language of the description. Answer with exactly these lines and nothing else:
+Shared: ...
+{chr(10).join(f'Part {i}: ...' for i in range(1, count + 1))}"""
+
+
+def split_user_text(value):
+    body, _, lines = part_source(value['text'])
+    text = f'Description of the whole {sum(value["seconds"]):.0f}-second video:\n{body}'
+    if lines:
+        text += '\n\nSpeaking time: ' + ', '.join('[L%d] %.0f s' % (i, max(1, speech_seconds(line)))
+                                                 for i, line in enumerate(lines, 1))
+    return text
+
+
+def split_answer(text, count):
+    if not isinstance(text, str):
+        raise ValueError('invalid_output')
+    text = text.strip().strip('`').strip()
+    found = list(re.finditer(r'(?m)^[ \t*#]*(Shared|Part[ \t]+(\d+))[ \t*]*[:：]', text))
+    names = [m.group(2) or 'shared' for m in found]
+    if names != ['shared'] + [str(i) for i in range(1, count + 1)] or text[:found[0].start()].strip(' \t\n*#'):
+        raise ValueError('invalid_output')
+    ends = [m.start() for m in found[1:]] + [len(text)]
+    values = [' '.join(text[m.end():end].split()).strip('* ') for m, end in zip(found, ends)]
+    return values[0], values[1:]
+
+
+def place_lines(body, lines, seconds):
+    """Spoken lines to parts, in order, when the model did not place them.
+
+    A line starts halfway between where an even spread of the speech puts it and where it stands in the
+    story between the first and the last line; a line that would run into the next part starts early enough to fit.
+    """
+    total, lengths = sum(seconds), [max(1., speech_seconds(line)) for line in lines]
+    ends = [sum(seconds[:i + 1]) for i in range(len(seconds))]
+    gap = max(0., total - sum(lengths)) / len(lines)
+    first = body.index('[L1]')
+    span = max(1, body.index('[L%d]' % len(lines)) - first)  # Scenery after the last line is not story time.
+    placed, clock = [], 0.
+    for index, length in enumerate(lengths):
+        even = sum(lengths[:index]) + index * gap
+        story = (body.index('[L%d]' % (index + 1)) - first) / span * total
+        start = max(clock, min((even + story) / 2, total - sum(lengths[index:])))
+        part = next((n for n, end in enumerate(ends) if start < end), len(ends) - 1)
+        opening = ends[part - 1] if part else 0.
+        if start + length > ends[part] and part < len(ends) - 1:
+            if ends[part] - length >= max(clock, opening):
+                start = ends[part] - length
+            elif start - opening > seconds[part] / 2:  # A long line starting early in a part stays there.
+                part, start = part + 1, max(start, ends[part])
+        placed.append(part)
+        clock = start + length
+    return placed
+
+
+def spoken(line, words):
+    """A line put back by code: H3 lines carry their own speaker tag; plain quotes need a speech verb."""
+    if '<d>' in line:
+        return line
+    return ('说：' if language(words) in ('Chinese', 'Japanese') else 'says: ') + line
+
+
+def validate_split(text, value, *, strict=False):
+    """Part texts built from the model's sorting; every spoken line kept once, in order.
+
+    A part with nothing new carries on from the previous one; a misplaced line is placed by speaking time.
+    Only an answer without the expected layout or a usable shared description fails; strict also
+    fails when the model did not place every line once and in order, so it can be asked again.
+    """
+    body, sound, lines = part_source(value['text'])
+    shared, events = split_answer(text, len(value['seconds']))
+    shared = ' '.join(re.sub(r'\[L\d+\]', '', shared).split())
+    if not 20 <= len(shared) <= 4000:
+        raise ValueError('invalid_output')
+    seen, cleaned = {plain(shared), plain(body)}, []
+    for event in events:
+        key = plain(re.sub(r'\[L\d+\]', '', event))
+        if len(event) > 4000 or not key or key in seen or key in plain(shared):
+            key = ''
+        seen.add(key)
+        cleaned.append(event if key else ' '.join(re.findall(r'\[L\d+\]', event)))
+    events = cleaned
+    placed = [int(n) for event in events for n in re.findall(r'\[L(\d+)\]', event)]
+    if placed != list(range(1, len(lines) + 1)) and strict:
+        raise ValueError('invalid_output')
+    if placed != list(range(1, len(lines) + 1)):
+        # The model lost or reordered a line: keep its events, place the lines by time.
+        events = [' '.join(re.sub(r'\s*\[L\d+\]\s*[:：,，]?', ' ', event).split()).rstrip(':：,，') for event in events]
+        for number, part in enumerate(place_lines(body, lines, value['seconds']), 1):
+            events[part] = (events[part] + ' [P%d]' % number).strip()
+    def restore(words):
+        # [L] stands where the model put a line in its own words; [P] where code placed it.
+        return re.sub(r'\[([LP])(\d+)\]', lambda m: (lines[int(m.group(2)) - 1] if m.group(1) == 'L'
+                                                      else spoken(lines[int(m.group(2)) - 1], shared)), words)
+    parts = []
+    for index, event in enumerate(events):
+        if index == 0 and not re.sub(r'\[[LP]\d+\]', '', event).strip():
+            # Nothing sorted into the opening: it is the user's own description, without later lines.
+            mine = set(re.findall(r'\[[LP](\d+)\]', event))
+            words = re.sub(r'\[L(\d+)\]', lambda m: m.group(0) if m.group(1) in mine else '', body)
+            words = restore(' '.join(words.split()))
+        else:
+            words = ' '.join(([CONTINUE] if index or value.get('continued') else []) + [shared] +
+                             ([restore(event)] if event else []))
+        if sound:
+            words = 'integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] ' + words + '\n\n' + sound
+        parts.append(words)
+    return parts
+
+
+def validate_parts(parts, value):
+    """Worker output shape for a split job: one non-empty text per part."""
+    if (not isinstance(parts, list) or len(parts) != len(value['seconds'])
+            or any(not isinstance(part, str) or not 40 <= len(part) <= 20000 for part in parts)):
+        raise ValueError('invalid_output')
+    return parts
+
+
+SPLIT_RETRY = ('Answer again with exactly one "Shared:" line and the "Part N:" lines, every [L] marker exactly once '
+               'and in order, and no marker in Shared.')
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/service.py b/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/service.py
index fc64c895..cad2b225 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/service.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/service.py
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ def progress(self, row):
 
     def start(self, action, value):
         received_epoch = time.time()
-        if action not in ('install', 'rewrite', 'ask'):
+        if action not in ('install', 'rewrite', 'ask', 'split'):
             raise ValueError('invalid_request')
         if self.busy():
             raise ValueError('busy')
@@ -274,6 +274,10 @@ def start(self, action, value):
             if not assets.ready(root):
                 raise ValueError('model_missing')
             value = self.ask_images(rules.ask_request(value))
+        elif action == 'split':
+            if not assets.ready(root):
+                raise ValueError('model_missing')
+            value = rules.split_request(value)
         else:
             if not assets.ready(root):
                 raise ValueError('model_missing')
@@ -290,7 +294,7 @@ def start(self, action, value):
         with self.mutex:
             if self.busy():
                 raise ValueError('busy')
-            if action in ('rewrite', 'ask'):
+            if action != 'install':
                 self.prestart_ticket += 1  # Invalidate pending imports before the worker starts.
             self.key = secrets.token_urlsafe(24)
             self.stop.clear()
@@ -326,6 +330,7 @@ def status(self, key):
             if self.result_expires and time.monotonic() > self.result_expires:
                 self.state.pop('text', None)
                 self.state.pop('answers', None)
+                self.state.pop('parts', None)
                 self.state.update(phase='failed', error='expired')
             row = dict(self.state)
             # The browser may immediately queue video work or the next rewrite.
@@ -334,6 +339,7 @@ def status(self, key):
                 row['phase'] = 'finishing'
                 row.pop('text', None)
                 row.pop('answers', None)
+                row.pop('parts', None)
             return row
 
     def cancel(self, key):
@@ -368,7 +374,7 @@ def work(self, root, machine, action, value):
             from ..background_compile import COMPILE
             COMPILE.stop()
             self.release_idle_image_worker()
-            if action in ('rewrite', 'ask'):
+            if action != 'install':
                 from ..resident_process import OWNER
                 if OWNER.active:
                     raise BlockingIOError('busy')
@@ -388,13 +394,14 @@ def work(self, root, machine, action, value):
         except BlockingIOError:
             self.progress(dict(phase='failed', error='busy'))
         except Exception as error:
-            known = {'disk_space', 'ram_space', 'rewrite_failed', 'worker_exit', 'timeout', 'worker_cleanup_failed'}
+            known = {'disk_space', 'ram_space', 'rewrite_failed', 'split_failed', 'worker_exit', 'timeout', 'worker_cleanup_failed'}
             self.progress(dict(phase='failed', error=str(error) if str(error) in known
                                else 'download_failed' if action == 'install'
-                               else 'ask_failed' if action == 'ask' else 'rewrite_failed',
+                               else 'ask_failed' if action == 'ask' else 'split_failed' if action == 'split'
+                               else 'rewrite_failed',
                                exception=type(error).__name__))
         finally:
-            if action in ('rewrite', 'ask'):
+            if action != 'install':
                 self.stop_prestart(self.prewarm_state.get('reason', 'none'))
             if self.stop.is_set():
                 self.progress(dict(phase='cancelled'))
@@ -564,6 +571,8 @@ def read_rows():
             if result.get('phase') == 'complete':
                 if value.get('mode') == 'ask':
                     rules.validate_answers(result.get('answers'), value)
+                elif value.get('mode') == 'split':
+                    rules.validate_parts(result.get('parts'), value)
                 else:
                     rules.validate_output(result.get('text'), value)
             self.progress(dict(result, worker_returncode=child.returncode))
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/worker.py b/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/worker.py
index 0fe96cee..34595365 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/worker.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/prompt_vlm/worker.py
@@ -343,6 +343,8 @@ def run(folder, value, *, stats=None):
     stats = {} if stats is None else stats
     if value.get('mode') == 'ask':
         return ask(folder, value, stats)
+    if value.get('mode') == 'split':
+        return split(folder, value, stats)
     return rewrite(folder, value, stats)
 
 
@@ -409,6 +411,62 @@ def on_token(timing):
     emit(phase='complete', text=rewritten, diagnostics=dict(stats))
 
 
+def split(folder, value, stats):
+    """One description per part of a long video; text leaves only via stdout."""
+    from .rules import SPLIT_RETRY, split_instruction, split_user_text, validate_split
+    count = len(value['seconds'])
+    limit = min(2 * OUTPUT_TOKENS - 200, 600 + 300 * count)  # Within the cache reserved for a rewrite and its retry.
+    stats.update(stage='imports', pid=os.getpid(), mode='split', part_count=count, dtype='bfloat16',
+                 attention='sdpa', kv_cache='dynamic', backend='transformers', accelerations=[],
+                 persistent_model=False)
+    torch, checkpoint = begin(stats)
+    from transformers import AutoProcessor
+    checkpoint('preprocess')
+    preparing = time.monotonic()
+    processor = AutoProcessor.from_pretrained(folder, local_files_only=True, trust_remote_code=False)
+    messages = [{'role': 'system', 'content': split_instruction(value)},
+                {'role': 'user', 'content': [{'type': 'text', 'text': split_user_text(value)}]}]
+    inputs = tokenize(processor, messages)
+    if inputs.input_ids.shape[-1] > 6500:
+        raise ValueError('context_length')
+    stats.update(input_tokens=int(inputs.input_ids.shape[-1]), preprocess_seconds=time.monotonic() - preparing)
+    model, device = load_model(folder, torch, stats, checkpoint)
+    loaded = time.monotonic()
+    checkpoint('prefill', 'splitting')
+    shown = [0.]
+    def on_token(timing):
+        stats.update(output_tokens=timing['output_tokens'], decode_seconds=timing['decode_seconds'])
+        if time.monotonic() - shown[0] > .5:
+            checkpoint('decode', 'splitting')
+            shown[0] = time.monotonic()
+    ids, _ = generate(torch, model, inputs.to(device), limit, loaded, on_token)
+    answers = [processor.decode(ids, skip_special_tokens=True)] if len(ids) < limit else []
+    stats.update(split_seconds=time.monotonic() - loaded, output_tokens=len(ids))
+    parts = None
+    try:
+        parts = validate_split(answers[0], value, strict=True)
+    except (ValueError, IndexError):
+        # One more try with the rules restated; resending the wrong answer would not fit the cache.
+        retry = [messages[0], {'role': 'user', 'content': [{'type': 'text', 'text': (
+            split_user_text(value) + '\n\n' + SPLIT_RETRY)}]}]
+        retry_inputs = tokenize(processor, retry)
+        if retry_inputs.input_ids.shape[-1] + limit <= stats.get('kv_positions', 10 ** 9):
+            ids, _ = generate(torch, model, retry_inputs.to(device), limit, time.monotonic(), lambda timing: None)
+            stats.update(split_retry=True, retry_output_tokens=len(ids), split_seconds=time.monotonic() - loaded)
+            if len(ids) < limit:
+                answers.insert(0, processor.decode(ids, skip_special_tokens=True))
+        for strict in (True, False):
+            for answer in answers:
+                try:
+                    parts = parts or validate_split(answer, value, strict=strict)
+                except ValueError:
+                    pass
+        if parts is None:
+            raise ValueError('split_failed')
+    stats['stage'] = 'complete'
+    emit(phase='complete', parts=parts, diagnostics=dict(stats))
+
+
 def ask(folder, value, stats):
     """Answer each question with one loaded model; answers leave only via stdout."""
     from .rules import ask_instruction, image_tokens, parse_json, ASK_JSON_RETRY
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/release_notes.json b/freevideo_engine/release_notes.json
index 716afd46..52ecdb3f 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/release_notes.json
+++ b/freevideo_engine/release_notes.json
@@ -1,41 +1,74 @@
 {
   "schema": 1,
-  "product_version": "0.4.5",
+  "product_version": "0.4.6",
   "en": {
-    "summary": "Generation progress now says what is happening with real percentages, image generation explains failures and waits in line behind running work, and the creation panel keeps your settings and media after a refresh. The editing view gains a first-open guide, smoother playback and clearer continued parts, prompts suggest camera and motion words, and many smaller issues are fixed.",
+    "summary": "Long videos keep the same voices and people from part to part and no longer pause where parts join, and a new character library lets you create characters, generate their pictures and bring them into a prompt with @. A small preview appears while a video is generated, a waiting video can be moved to the front of the queue, and image generation, the editing view and the launcher get many fixes.",
     "changes": [
-      "Progress: generation progress names what is happening during loading, decoding and saving, shows real percentages, and no longer stays on the same line for minutes; the upscale before the second pass keeps reporting while it runs. When a longer run finishes in a background tab, the tab title flashes and a short sound plays; desktop notifications can be turned on in the settings.",
-      "Image generation: a failure says why on the card and offers the diagnostic report; a request made while the graphics card is busy waits in line; a size that does not fit memory is made smaller automatically; model loading shows progress by what has actually been read; the panel tells a model that is still downloading from one that is not installed; Generate with an empty description says what is missing. Graphics memory is released 45 seconds after the last picture when nothing else is waiting.",
-      "Creation panel: settings, prompt and media are kept after a refresh, undo and redo; an empty duration, size, seed or step count is asked for instead of reusing an old value; the duration control explains lengths longer than one run; part-by-part videos show cancelled, resumed and finished states after a refresh and say why a part failed; result actions, sharing and the second pass report their progress and failures.",
-      "Prompts: while you type, the start of a camera or motion word lists matching words in English or Chinese; these suggestions and @ mentions open under the line being typed.",
-      "Editing view: a short first-open guide that can be skipped; smoother timeline playback, with the next clip made ready before each cut; a failed part says which step went wrong and offers the diagnostic report; export failures say why (missing font characters, a missing or unreadable source, a full disk). Edit, Create and Autopilot in the view switch open even when no node is selected.",
-      "Editing view timeline: a part that continues the one before it shows a link mark; continued parts keep the ten-second minimum while dragging and fill to ten seconds on release; a part waiting in line still says Queued after a reload; a reopened edit fits its content; the description box and Generate button stay in place while a part is made; on phone-width windows the toolbar stays on one row, with the rest in a More menu.",
-      "LoRA: each LoRA can carry its own trigger words, added to the prompt whenever it is selected and removed when it is not, in Create, Agent and the editing view. The list keeps the three most recently used LoRAs at the top and has a Clear button.",
-      "Agent: tools no longer stall on the first call on Windows; conversations can be deleted from the row menu; drafts and failed messages stay after switching conversations, and a retry after an unclear failure no longer sends the message twice. Finished pictures have an Open button with zoom and drag, past chats show a small cover from their first finished video, screenplay problems name the field at fault, and take sheets show one frame per second unless a count is given; on narrow windows the Autopilot header keeps Settings, and the connection shows as a dot.",
-      "Launcher and offline packages: actions requested while background work is running start once it finishes or say why they are unavailable; update failures tell a full disk from a network problem; offline package imports check file contents before finishing and no longer clash with a cleanup running at the same time.",
-      "Settings: an empty manual graphics-memory value is reported instead of being ignored, compatibility saves no longer overlap and show their progress, and the placement test shows its progress and Stop button as soon as it starts; the setup Stop button appears only while something is running; the additional model folders box is taller and its save status sits beside the button, in a warning colour when a folder cannot be found.",
-      "Windows int8: the second pass on large videos chooses its group size from the graphics memory actually available, so it no longer shows a memory warning and retries.",
-      "Browser page translation leaves the product name as written."
+      "Long videos: voices keep the same sound and loudness from part to part, the pause and the return to the same pose where parts with dialogue join are gone, and continued parts also receive the characters' pictures. A long video made in one request gives each part its own share of the description, and each part's description can be read and edited; if the description cannot be split, every part uses the whole description and the reason is shown. Agent can also write one description per part.",
+      "Characters: the material section has a character row where you add, edit and delete characters, each with a front picture and up to five more views. The AI tab of the character dialog generates the front, three-quarter, side, back and face pictures one by one, with progress, stop and retry. Type @ in the prompt to bring a character's pictures in as references. In Agent shots, continuing parts carry the characters' pictures too: two when one person is in the shot, one each when there are more.",
+      "Continue from video: first and last frame images are used as reference pictures, and settings that cannot continue a video are adjusted automatically with a short note instead of stopping with an error. In the editing view, a part that continues the one before keeps your reference pictures, so people stay the same; first and last frames apply only to a part that starts fresh.",
+      "Generation: from the third sampling step, a small picture of the frames being made appears in the progress block, in both passes. The creation panel and the bottom bar show the same estimated time, and once a run goes past it both say it is taking longer than expected. The main button stays on Add to queue while a video is running. Above Generate, the creation panel lists what the current settings will still download and which LoRA files cannot be found.",
+      "Queue: from the second waiting video on, each row has a Move to front button. The row is greyed until the server confirms; the running video and the parts of a continuous chain are never moved. The waiting list is shown in queue order and stays inside narrow windows.",
+      "Image generation: when graphics memory runs out, the picture is retried one size smaller until it fits, and the size made is shown. After the image pack is moved or copied it is checked again instead of being reported as missing and downloaded again. A page refresh resumes the running image task at its exact canvas size, and a request that arrives while the idle image worker is closing runs on a fresh worker instead of failing.",
+      "Editing view: a subtitle look can be saved as a style and applied to every subtitle in one press; a range drawn on the timeline starts exactly where it is pressed; a queued part that is cancelled, or left unstarted when a run fails, shows as stopped, and after a cancel is accepted the bar reads Stopping; a failed save before export names the reason, and choosing media without sound for Replace audio says so.",
+      "Install and launcher: Settings show right away what an installation check or install is doing, and the launcher shows counts and speed while it finds, checks and copies existing models. The one-time background kernel compile after an install or update starts about 5 seconds after ComfyUI opens instead of 30. Reopening the creation panel from the launcher keeps the previous project's media and connections. On macOS, the update reminder says to download the new version and replace the current one, and its button opens the download page.",
+      "AI autopilot: every button responds at once and retries before giving up, and a message sent while the agent is not listening goes out when it listens again. Failed tasks, pictures, short dramas and character cards name the step that failed and offer the same report download and submit dialog as video. The character library keeps every picture of cards without a front picture, tells characters that share a name apart, and stays hidden while the Agent interface is off.",
+      "Optional inputs left empty or written as \"None\" or \"null\" by older workflows or scripts are no longer treated as real values, so an ordinary generation is no longer sent down the second-pass route."
     ]
   },
   "zh": {
-    "summary": "生成进度会写明正在做什么，百分比按实际进度走；图像生成失败时会说明原因，显卡忙时自动排队；创作面板刷新后保留设置和素材。剪辑视图加了首次打开的引导，播放更顺，接续的段更清楚；写提示词时会提示运镜和动作词；另修复了多处小问题。",
+    "summary": "长视频各段的人声和人物保持一致，段与段相接处不再停顿；新增角色库，可以新建角色、用 AI 生成角色图片，并在描述里用 @ 引用。生成视频时进度块里会显示正在生成的画面小预览，等待中的视频可以排到最前；图像生成、剪辑视图和启动器也修复了多处问题。",
     "changes": [
-      "进度：生成进度会写明载入、解码、保存各在做什么，百分比按实际进度走，不再长时间停在同一句；第二遍前的放大过程中进度持续更新。较长的生成在后台标签页完成时，标签标题会闪烁并响一声短提示音；在设置里可以打开桌面通知。",
-      "图像生成：失败时卡片上写明原因，并可提交诊断报告；显卡忙时发起的生成自动排队；尺寸超出显存时自动缩小；模型载入进度按实际读取量显示；能区分模型“下载中”和“未安装”；描述为空时点生成会提示缺什么。最后一张图完成 45 秒后，如果没有别的任务在等，就释放显存。",
-      "创作面板：刷新、撤销和重做后，设置、提示词和素材都会保留；时长、尺寸、种子或步数留空时会提示填写，不再沿用旧值；时长控件会说明超过一次能生成的长度时怎么处理；分段生成的视频刷新后能显示已取消、已继续和已完成，失败的段会说明原因；结果操作、分享和第二遍都会显示进度和失败原因。",
-      "提示词：输入运镜或动作词的开头时，会列出匹配的词，中英文都可以；这些候选和 @ 选择器跟在正在输入的那一行下面。",
-      "剪辑视图：首次打开时有一段简短引导，可以跳过；时间线播放更顺，换段前先把下一段准备好；某一段失败时说明是哪一步出的错，并可提交诊断报告；导出失败会说明原因（字体缺字、源文件缺失或读不出、磁盘已满）。没有选中节点时，视图切换里的剪辑、创作、全自动也能打开。",
-      "剪辑视图时间线：接续上一段的部分带链环标记；接着生成的每一段在拖动时就保证至少 10 秒，松手后自动补齐；排队的段刷新后仍显示“排队中”；重新打开的作品按内容适配缩放；生成一段时描述框和“生成”按钮留在原位；手机宽度的窗口里工具栏保持一行，其余放进“更多”菜单。",
-      "LoRA：每个 LoRA 可以带自己的触发词，选中时自动加进提示词，取消时去掉，创作、Agent 和剪辑视图都适用。列表把最近用过的三个放在最上面，并新增“清除”按钮。",
-      "Agent：Windows 上第一次调用工具不再卡住；可以在对话行的菜单里删除对话；切换对话后草稿和发送失败的消息仍在，失败原因不明时重试不会把消息发两遍。做好的图片可以点“打开”放大、拖动查看；历史对话显示第一段做成的视频的小封面；剧本有问题时写明是哪个字段；审片拼图默认每秒一帧；窄窗口下全自动页顶栏保留“设置”，连接状态显示为圆点。",
-      "启动器和离线包：后台任务进行中点的操作，会在任务结束后执行一次，或者说明暂时不能用的原因；更新失败时区分磁盘已满和网络问题；导入离线包会先核对文件内容再完成，不再和同时进行的清理冲突。",
-      "设置：手动显存留空时会提示，不再被忽略；兼容性设置的保存不会重叠，并显示进度；放置测试一开始就显示进度和停止按钮；安装页的停止按钮只在运行时出现；其他模型目录输入框加高，保存结果显示在按钮旁，找不到目录时用警示色。",
-      "Windows int8：生成较大的视频时，第二遍按实际可用的显存选分组大小，不再弹显存提示后重试。",
-      "浏览器翻译页面时不再翻译产品名。"
+      "长视频：人声在各段之间保持同样的音色和音量；有对话的段相接处不再停顿，人物也不再每段回到同一个姿势；接续的段也会带上人物参考图。一次请求生成的长视频，每段只用描述里属于自己的部分，每段的描述可以查看和修改；描述无法拆分时，各段都用完整描述，并说明原因。Agent 也可以为每段分别写描述。",
+      "角色：素材区新增“角色”一行，可以新建、编辑和删除角色，每个角色有一张正面图和最多五张其他角度图。角色对话框的“AI 生成”会逐张生成正面、四分之三、侧面、背面和脸部五张图，可看进度、停止和重试。在描述里输入 @ 可以引用角色，它的图片自动加入参考素材。Agent 拍片时，接续的镜头也带上人物图片：只有一个人时带两张，多人时每人一张。",
+      "视频接续：首帧和尾帧图会用作参考图；不能用于接续的设置会自动调整并附一句说明，不再直接报错停止。剪辑视图里接着上一段生成的段会保留参考图，人物保持一致；首尾帧只用于重新开始的段。",
+      "生成：从采样第 3 步起，进度块里会显示一张正在生成的画面小预览，两遍采样都有。创作面板和底栏显示同一个预计时间，超过预计后两处都改为“比预计久”。视频生成中主按钮保持“加入队列”。“生成”按钮上方会列出当前设置还需要下载的内容，以及找不到的 LoRA 文件。",
+      "队列：从第 2 个等待中的视频起，每行有“排到最前”按钮。点击后这一行置灰，服务端确认后按新顺序显示；正在生成的视频和连续生成的各段不会被移动。等待列表按队列顺序显示，在窄窗口里也不会被截掉。",
+      "图像生成：显存不足时自动缩小一档重试，直到能出图，并显示实际尺寸。图像包被移动或复制后会先重新校验，不再误报缺失、要求重新下载。刷新页面后会按原画布尺寸接回正在进行的图像任务；空闲的图像进程正在关闭时发来的请求会在新进程上运行，不再失败。",
+      "剪辑视图：字幕样式可以存为预设，一键套用到所有字幕；在时间线上画范围，起点就是按下的位置；取消排队中的段，或整条失败时还没开始的段，会显示为已停止，取消生效后底栏显示“正在停止”；导出前保存失败会说明原因；替换声音时选了没有声音的素材会提示。",
+      "安装和启动器：设置里检查安装、开始安装时马上显示正在做什么；启动器复用已有模型时，显示查找、校验和复制的项数与速度。安装或更新后的一次性后台内核编译在 ComfyUI 打开约 5 秒后开始（原来 30 秒）。从启动器重新打开创作面板时，上次工程的素材和连线会保留。Mac 上的更新提醒写明“下载新版后替换当前版本”，按钮会打开下载页。",
+      "AI 全自动：每个按钮点了都会马上响应，失败会先重试；Agent 没在接收时发出的消息，会在它恢复后发出。任务、图片、短剧和角色卡失败时写明是哪一步出的错，并和视频一样可以下载和提交诊断报告。角色库里没有正面图的角色卡会保留全部图片，同名角色可以区分，Agent 界面关闭时角色库也隐藏。",
+      "旧工作流或脚本把可选输入留空、写成 \"None\" 或 \"null\" 时，不再被当成真实值，普通生成也不会再被误当作第二遍处理。"
     ]
   },
   "history": [
+    {
+      "product_version": "0.4.5",
+      "en": {
+        "summary": "Generation progress now says what is happening with real percentages, image generation explains failures and waits in line behind running work, and the creation panel keeps your settings and media after a refresh. The editing view gains a first-open guide, smoother playback and clearer continued parts, prompts suggest camera and motion words, and many smaller issues are fixed.",
+        "changes": [
+          "Progress: generation progress names what is happening during loading, decoding and saving, shows real percentages, and no longer stays on the same line for minutes; the upscale before the second pass keeps reporting while it runs. When a longer run finishes in a background tab, the tab title flashes and a short sound plays; desktop notifications can be turned on in the settings.",
+          "Image generation: a failure says why on the card and offers the diagnostic report; a request made while the graphics card is busy waits in line; a size that does not fit memory is made smaller automatically; model loading shows progress by what has actually been read; the panel tells a model that is still downloading from one that is not installed; Generate with an empty description says what is missing. Graphics memory is released 45 seconds after the last picture when nothing else is waiting.",
+          "Creation panel: settings, prompt and media are kept after a refresh, undo and redo; an empty duration, size, seed or step count is asked for instead of reusing an old value; the duration control explains lengths longer than one run; part-by-part videos show cancelled, resumed and finished states after a refresh and say why a part failed; result actions, sharing and the second pass report their progress and failures.",
+          "Prompts: while you type, the start of a camera or motion word lists matching words in English or Chinese; these suggestions and @ mentions open under the line being typed.",
+          "Editing view: a short first-open guide that can be skipped; smoother timeline playback, with the next clip made ready before each cut; a failed part says which step went wrong and offers the diagnostic report; export failures say why (missing font characters, a missing or unreadable source, a full disk). Edit, Create and Autopilot in the view switch open even when no node is selected.",
+          "Editing view timeline: a part that continues the one before it shows a link mark; continued parts keep the ten-second minimum while dragging and fill to ten seconds on release; a part waiting in line still says Queued after a reload; a reopened edit fits its content; the description box and Generate button stay in place while a part is made; on phone-width windows the toolbar stays on one row, with the rest in a More menu.",
+          "LoRA: each LoRA can carry its own trigger words, added to the prompt whenever it is selected and removed when it is not, in Create, Agent and the editing view. The list keeps the three most recently used LoRAs at the top and has a Clear button.",
+          "Agent: tools no longer stall on the first call on Windows; conversations can be deleted from the row menu; drafts and failed messages stay after switching conversations, and a retry after an unclear failure no longer sends the message twice. Finished pictures have an Open button with zoom and drag, past chats show a small cover from their first finished video, screenplay problems name the field at fault, and take sheets show one frame per second unless a count is given; on narrow windows the Autopilot header keeps Settings, and the connection shows as a dot.",
+          "Launcher and offline packages: actions requested while background work is running start once it finishes or say why they are unavailable; update failures tell a full disk from a network problem; offline package imports check file contents before finishing and no longer clash with a cleanup running at the same time.",
+          "Settings: an empty manual graphics-memory value is reported instead of being ignored, compatibility saves no longer overlap and show their progress, and the placement test shows its progress and Stop button as soon as it starts; the setup Stop button appears only while something is running; the additional model folders box is taller and its save status sits beside the button, in a warning colour when a folder cannot be found.",
+          "Windows int8: the second pass on large videos chooses its group size from the graphics memory actually available, so it no longer shows a memory warning and retries.",
+          "Browser page translation leaves the product name as written."
+        ]
+      },
+      "zh": {
+        "summary": "生成进度会写明正在做什么，百分比按实际进度走；图像生成失败时会说明原因，显卡忙时自动排队；创作面板刷新后保留设置和素材。剪辑视图加了首次打开的引导，播放更顺，接续的段更清楚；写提示词时会提示运镜和动作词；另修复了多处小问题。",
+        "changes": [
+          "进度：生成进度会写明载入、解码、保存各在做什么，百分比按实际进度走，不再长时间停在同一句；第二遍前的放大过程中进度持续更新。较长的生成在后台标签页完成时，标签标题会闪烁并响一声短提示音；在设置里可以打开桌面通知。",
+          "图像生成：失败时卡片上写明原因，并可提交诊断报告；显卡忙时发起的生成自动排队；尺寸超出显存时自动缩小；模型载入进度按实际读取量显示；能区分模型“下载中”和“未安装”；描述为空时点生成会提示缺什么。最后一张图完成 45 秒后，如果没有别的任务在等，就释放显存。",
+          "创作面板：刷新、撤销和重做后，设置、提示词和素材都会保留；时长、尺寸、种子或步数留空时会提示填写，不再沿用旧值；时长控件会说明超过一次能生成的长度时怎么处理；分段生成的视频刷新后能显示已取消、已继续和已完成，失败的段会说明原因；结果操作、分享和第二遍都会显示进度和失败原因。",
+          "提示词：输入运镜或动作词的开头时，会列出匹配的词，中英文都可以；这些候选和 @ 选择器跟在正在输入的那一行下面。",
+          "剪辑视图：首次打开时有一段简短引导，可以跳过；时间线播放更顺，换段前先把下一段准备好；某一段失败时说明是哪一步出的错，并可提交诊断报告；导出失败会说明原因（字体缺字、源文件缺失或读不出、磁盘已满）。没有选中节点时，视图切换里的剪辑、创作、全自动也能打开。",
+          "剪辑视图时间线：接续上一段的部分带链环标记；接着生成的每一段在拖动时就保证至少 10 秒，松手后自动补齐；排队的段刷新后仍显示“排队中”；重新打开的作品按内容适配缩放；生成一段时描述框和“生成”按钮留在原位；手机宽度的窗口里工具栏保持一行，其余放进“更多”菜单。",
+          "LoRA：每个 LoRA 可以带自己的触发词，选中时自动加进提示词，取消时去掉，创作、Agent 和剪辑视图都适用。列表把最近用过的三个放在最上面，并新增“清除”按钮。",
+          "Agent：Windows 上第一次调用工具不再卡住；可以在对话行的菜单里删除对话；切换对话后草稿和发送失败的消息仍在，失败原因不明时重试不会把消息发两遍。做好的图片可以点“打开”放大、拖动查看；历史对话显示第一段做成的视频的小封面；剧本有问题时写明是哪个字段；审片拼图默认每秒一帧；窄窗口下全自动页顶栏保留“设置”，连接状态显示为圆点。",
+          "启动器和离线包：后台任务进行中点的操作，会在任务结束后执行一次，或者说明暂时不能用的原因；更新失败时区分磁盘已满和网络问题；导入离线包会先核对文件内容再完成，不再和同时进行的清理冲突。",
+          "设置：手动显存留空时会提示，不再被忽略；兼容性设置的保存不会重叠，并显示进度；放置测试一开始就显示进度和停止按钮；安装页的停止按钮只在运行时出现；其他模型目录输入框加高，保存结果显示在按钮旁，找不到目录时用警示色。",
+          "Windows int8：生成较大的视频时，第二遍按实际可用的显存选分组大小，不再弹显存提示后重试。",
+          "浏览器翻译页面时不再翻译产品名。"
+        ]
+      }
+    },
     {
       "product_version": "0.4.4",
       "en": {
@@ -227,37 +260,6 @@
           "创作面板“画幅与时长”下面新增“可生成范围”：展开是一张图，显示可以生成的画面大小和时长；鼠标移到图上会显示预计用时，点击图中的位置会填入对应的大小和时长。"
         ]
       }
-    },
-    {
-      "product_version": "0.3.24",
-      "en": {
-        "summary": "Compiling after an update now runs in the background while FreeVideo is idle, and Windows PCs with less RAM and 8 GB RTX 30 cards generate faster; Repair handles more cases and offline installations update their engine with the launcher.",
-        "changes": [
-          "After an update, an installation, a repair or a graphics driver update, FreeVideo compiles in the background while it is idle, which takes two to three minutes, and the first video after that no longer waits for compiling; the background work stops as soon as a video starts.",
-          "Clearing the system's temporary files no longer slows the next video: compiled results are now kept in the FreeVideo folder.",
-          "On Windows PCs with less RAM, each step reads less from the drive, and the second pass of a two-pass video starts sooner; 8 GB RTX 30-series cards also run the second pass of full-size videos faster.",
-          "With prompt enhancement on, a rewrite starts 3–4 seconds sooner. The background preparation uses about 0.7 GiB of RAM and no GPU memory, and it stops when a video starts generating.",
-          "Repair also restores ComfyUI packages whose files were deleted or changed, and replaces model files that differ from the tested version, keeping the original under a new name. When the text encoder folder holds a same-named file of a different size, generation uses the tested one.",
-          "FreeVideo installed from an offline package now updates its engine with the launcher without downloading; an older launcher no longer overwrites a newer FreeVideo, and both versions are shown when they differ.",
-          "When a browser extension interferes with FreeVideo, the error card names the extension and lists ways to fix it.",
-          "View licenses in the license step lists each license you accept, and each one opens; in installations from an offline package the full texts open from this computer, without a connection.",
-          "Fixes: after an engine update, commands run with the engine's own Python use the new FreeVideo; on Linux, Install / repair completes when the uv tool in the installation folder is a link to another location."
-        ]
-      },
-      "zh": {
-        "summary": "更新后的编译改在空闲时于后台完成，内存较小的 Windows 电脑和 8 GB 的 RTX 30 显卡生成更快；“修复”能处理更多情况，离线安装也能随启动器更新引擎。",
-        "changes": [
-          "更新、安装、修复或更新显卡驱动后，FreeVideo 会在空闲时于后台完成编译，约两三分钟，之后的第一次生成不用再等编译；开始生成时后台编译会立即停止。",
-          "清理系统临时文件后，下一次生成不再变慢：编译结果改存在 FreeVideo 的目录里。",
-          "内存较小的 Windows 电脑上，生成时每一步从硬盘读取的数据更少，两遍生成的第二遍也开始得更快；8 GB 的 RTX 30 系列显卡上，全尺寸视频的第二遍更快。",
-          "开启提示词增强时，改写开始前少等 3–4 秒。为此 FreeVideo 会在后台提前做好准备，约占 0.7 GiB 内存，不占显存，开始生成视频时自动退出。",
-          "“修复”也会补回 ComfyUI 环境里被删除或改动的包，并把和测试版本不同的模型文件改名保留、换回测试过的版本。生成时如果文本编码器目录里有同名但大小不同的文件，会改用测试过的那份。",
-          "用离线整合包装的 FreeVideo 也会随启动器更新引擎，不用下载；旧启动器不再覆盖新版 FreeVideo，两者版本不同时会分别显示。",
-          "浏览器扩展干扰 FreeVideo 时，出错卡片会写出是哪个扩展，并给出解决办法。",
-          "许可确认里的“查看许可证”会列出要同意的每一项许可，每项都能打开；用离线整合包安装时打开的是本机全文，断网也能看。",
-          "修复：引擎更新后，用引擎自带 Python 运行的命令也会用新版 FreeVideo；Linux 上安装目录里的 uv 被换成链接时，“安装 / 修复”也能完成。"
-        ]
-      }
     }
   ]
 }
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/request_assets.py b/freevideo_engine/request_assets.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6c9893ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/freevideo_engine/request_assets.py
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+"""What one generation request still needs that setup did not install.
+
+Read-only: nothing is downloaded, written, moved or hashed here, and the
+network is not probed. The sources named are the ones the request's own
+download would try first, from the same ordering and download settings.
+"""
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+def _first_source(root, spec):
+    """Id of the source the download would start with, or '' when unknown."""
+    from . import network
+    from .adaln_assets import _download_plan
+    try:
+        return network.model_urls(_download_plan(root), spec)[0][0]
+    except (OSError, ValueError, KeyError, IndexError, TypeError):
+        return ''
+
+
+def _sampling(root, machine, request):
+    from . import sampling_assets
+    from .geometry import geometry
+    from .two_pass import plan, sampling_canvas
+    task = request.get('task', 't2va')
+    if request.get('references'):
+        # Same rule as generation: a reference video with an audio track selects the audio tables.
+        task = sampling_assets.engine_task({'references': request['references']}, request.get('media_base'))
+    canvas = sampling_canvas(geometry(request['width'], request['height'], seconds=request['seconds']))[0]
+    two_pass = bool(request.get('two_pass', True))
+    sampled = plan(canvas, two_pass, task, base_steps=request.get('base_steps', 8),
+                   refine_steps=request.get('refine_steps', 3))
+    rows = sampling_assets.pending(root, machine, sampled, task)
+    items = []
+    if rows:
+        remote = rows[0]['table']['download']
+        spec = dict(repo=remote['repo'], revision=remote['revision'],
+                    file=remote['prefix'] + '/' + rows[0]['row']['file'])
+        items.append(dict(id='sampling', kind='sampling', files=len(rows),
+                          bytes=sum(r['row']['bytes'] for r in rows),
+                          source=_first_source(root, spec), action='auto'))
+    return sampled, items
+
+
+def _upscaler(root, sampled):
+    from . import two_pass
+    if not sampled.get('enabled') or not sampled.get('upscaler_sha256'):
+        return []
+    try:
+        path = two_pass.checkpoint_path()
+        if path.is_file() and path.stat().st_size == two_pass.UPSCALER['bytes']:
+            return []
+    except OSError:
+        pass
+    spec = dict(repo=two_pass.UPSCALER['repo'], revision=two_pass.UPSCALER['revision'],
+                file=two_pass.UPSCALER['file'])
+    return [dict(id='upscaler', kind='upscaler', files=1, bytes=two_pass.UPSCALER['bytes'],
+                 source=_first_source(root, spec), action='auto')]
+
+
+def _prompt_vlm(root):
+    from .prompt_vlm import assets
+    if assets.ready(root):
+        return []
+    spec = assets.catalog()
+    return [dict(id='prompt-vlm', kind='prompt-vlm', files=len(spec['files']),
+                 bytes=sum(row['bytes'] for row in spec['files']), source='', action='consent')]
+
+
+def inspect(root, machine, request, *, lora_names=None):
+    """Missing items for one request, in the order generation would need them.
+
+    request: width, height, seconds, task, base_steps, refine_steps, two_pass,
+    enhance (the prompt will be rewritten by the local model), loras (names),
+    references (kind/path rows; replace task) with media_base for relative paths.
+    lora_names: the LoRA files that exist; None skips the LoRA check.
+    Every item: id, kind, files, bytes, source (id of the source tried first,
+    '' when not applicable) and action: 'auto' is fetched when Generate starts,
+    'consent' asks first, 'manual' means the user adds the file.
+    """
+    root = Path(root)
+    sampled, items = _sampling(root, machine, request)
+    items += _upscaler(root, sampled)
+    if request.get('enhance'):
+        items += _prompt_vlm(root)
+    if lora_names is not None:
+        absent = [name for name in dict.fromkeys(request.get('loras') or []) if name not in set(lora_names)]
+        if absent:
+            items.append(dict(id='lora', kind='lora', files=len(absent), bytes=0, source='',
+                              action='manual', names=absent[:8]))
+    return dict(items=items, bytes=sum(item['bytes'] for item in items), ready=not items)
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/runtime.py b/freevideo_engine/runtime.py
index 64188b4f..6bc32980 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/runtime.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/runtime.py
@@ -547,10 +547,13 @@ def _sample(self, conditioning, seed, frames=243, width=1344, height=768, *, fin
                budget_refresh=None, continuation=None):
         from src.inference.render import load_prompt, generate_latents
         from .geometry import geometry, sampler_for_canvas
+        from . import frame_preview
         refining = initial_latents is not None
         if continuation is not None:
             from .continuation import validate_route
-            validate_route(task=self.task, anchor=bool(continuation.get('anchor')))
+            # Audio references are admitted below, after inspecting the encoded modalities.
+            if self.task not in ('ref2va_audio', 'ref2va_av'):
+                validate_route(task=self.task, anchor=bool(continuation.get('anchor')))
             if tuple(continuation['video'].shape[-2:]) != (height // 16, width // 16):
                 from .continuation import SIZE_MISMATCH
                 raise ValueError(SIZE_MISMATCH)
@@ -584,7 +587,7 @@ def _sample(self, conditioning, seed, frames=243, width=1344, height=768, *, fin
         progress = SamplingProgress(active_steps, len(self.transformer.transformer_blocks),
                                     offset=progress_offset, total=progress_total)
         progress.start()
-        continuation_offset = 0
+        continuation_offset = continuation_audio_offset = 0
         early_receipt = None
         condition_schedule = None
         sampling_kwargs = {}
@@ -616,18 +619,21 @@ def _sample(self, conditioning, seed, frames=243, width=1344, height=768, *, fin
                     sampling_kwargs.update(condition_schedule=condition_schedule, condition_trace=early_receipt['steps'])
             conditions = value.get('references') or None
             if continuation is not None:
-                if conditions is None or len(conditions) != 1 or conditions[0]['kind'] != 'image' or conditions[0].get('audio_latent') is not None:
-                    raise ValueError('Continuation anchor requires exactly one image reference without audio')
+                from .continuation import encoded_references
+                if encoded_references(conditions, self.task, bool(continuation.get('anchor'))):
+                    validate_route(task=self.task, sound=True, anchor=bool(continuation.get('anchor')),
+                                   media=dict(references=[dict(kind=row['kind']) for row in conditions]))
                 # Ref2VA packs independent-size references before generated
                 # video rows in both passes. Their latents do not need the
                 # keyframe resize used by first/last-frame conditioning.
                 continuation_offset = info['reference_video_tokens']
+                continuation_audio_offset = info['reference_audio_tokens']
             prompt, tags = value['prompt_embeds'].to(self.device_backend.device, torch.bfloat16), value['text_token_tags']
         else:
             prompt, tags, conditions = load_prompt(str(conditioning), self.device_backend.device)
             if continuation is not None and conditions:
-                from .continuation import UNSUPPORTED
-                raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED)
+                from .continuation import UNSUPPORTED_MEDIA
+                raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED_MEDIA)
             from .keyframes import validate_conditioning
             source_canvas = self.canvas if allow_smaller_canvas and self.canvas is not None else canvas
             validate_conditioning(prompt, tags, conditions, self.task,
@@ -821,8 +827,12 @@ def append(self, value):
             with progress.layers(self.transformer.transformer_blocks), self.device_backend.make_offloader(
                     self.offload_layers, prefetch=self.prefetch, weight_source=self.stream_weight_source) as offloader, sampling(
                     self.transformer, continuation, seed, self.device_backend.device,
-                    **({'video_offset': continuation_offset} if continuation_offset else {})) as prefix, \
-                    (watch.layers(self.transformer.transformer_blocks) if watch is not None else nullcontext()):
+                    **({'video_offset': continuation_offset} if continuation_offset else {}),
+                    **({'audio_offset': continuation_audio_offset} if continuation_audio_offset else {})) as prefix, \
+                    (watch.layers(self.transformer.transformer_blocks) if watch is not None else nullcontext()), \
+                    frame_preview.observing(latent_frames=canvas.get('latent_frames'), frame_h=height // 32,
+                                            frame_w=width // 32, step_offset=progress_offset,
+                                            total=progress_total if progress_total is not None else active_steps):
                 latents, audio = generate_latents(self.transformer, prompt, tags, frames,
                                                 self.steps, seed, self.device_backend.device, step_seconds=step_seconds,
                                                 conditions=conditions, **sampling_kwargs)
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/sampling_assets.py b/freevideo_engine/sampling_assets.py
index 1020391c..22988572 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/sampling_assets.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/sampling_assets.py
@@ -221,6 +221,50 @@ def retire_superseded(machine):
     return result
 
 
+def select(manifest, sampling, task, catalog=None):
+    """The published tables one request samples with; the single selection rule.
+
+    prepare() fetches exactly these and pending() reports them without touching disk.
+    """
+    from . import adaln_assets as assets
+    from .refine_schedule import COMMUNITY
+    weights = assets.weight_identity(manifest)
+    kind = 'i2va' if task in ('i2va', 'l2va', 'fl2va', 'ref2va') else task
+    def needed(table):
+        count = len(table['identity']['timesteps'])
+        return (count == 3 and sampling.get('refine_schedule') == COMMUNITY if refinement(table)
+                else count == sampling['base_steps'])
+    return kind, [t for t in (tables() if catalog is None else catalog) if t.get('task') == kind
+                  and needed(t) and t['identity']['weights'] == weights]
+
+
+def pending(root, machine, sampling, task):
+    """Read-only: table files this request would download. Nothing is written,
+    moved or fetched; a file of the right size counts as present (prepare()
+    hashes it once and downloads again if it does not match)."""
+    from . import adaln_assets as assets
+    cache = Path(machine['cache'])
+    try:
+        manifest = json.loads(io_path(cache / 'manifest.json').read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        return []
+    _, selected = select(manifest, sampling, task)
+    shared = cache_root(machine['model_root'])
+    missing = []
+    for table in selected:
+        for row in table['files']:
+            for folder in (cache, shared):
+                path = assets.asset_path(folder, row['file'])
+                try:
+                    if io_path(path).stat().st_size == row['bytes']:
+                        break
+                except OSError:
+                    pass
+            else:
+                missing.append(dict(table=table, row=row))
+    return missing
+
+
 def prepare(root, machine, sampling, task, *, progress, interrupted=None, environ=None):
     """Fetch only this request's missing tables before starting its timer."""
     from concurrent.futures import FIRST_EXCEPTION, ThreadPoolExecutor, wait
@@ -228,20 +272,12 @@ def prepare(root, machine, sampling, task, *, progress, interrupted=None, enviro
     import threading
     from . import adaln_assets as assets, network, provision
     from .monitoring import save
-    from .refine_schedule import COMMUNITY
     cache = Path(machine['cache'])
     if not (cache / 'manifest.json').is_file():
         return dict(seconds=0., downloaded_bytes=0)  # Generation reports an invalid installation.
     manifest = json.loads((cache / 'manifest.json').read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
-    weights = assets.weight_identity(manifest)
-    kind = 'i2va' if task in ('i2va', 'l2va', 'fl2va', 'ref2va') else task
-    def needed(table):
-        count = len(table['identity']['timesteps'])
-        return (count == 3 and sampling.get('refine_schedule') == COMMUNITY if refinement(table)
-                else count == sampling['base_steps'])
     catalog = tables()
-    selected = [t for t in catalog if t.get('task') == kind
-                and needed(t) and t['identity']['weights'] == weights]
+    kind, selected = select(manifest, sampling, task, catalog)
     root = Path(root)
     shared = cache_root(machine['model_root'])
     ledger = root / 'verified-models.json'
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/setup_progress.py b/freevideo_engine/setup_progress.py
index e1c38d22..fb3baa72 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/setup_progress.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/setup_progress.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import time
 
 from .launcher_copy import size_text
+from .model_status import NAMES
 
 
 def number(value):
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ def transfer_parts(done, total, rate, decimal_sizes=False):
 
 
 def progress_text(event, zh=False, *, decimal_sizes=False):
-    """One activity line for the launcher; step counts and ETAs remain in worker events/logs."""
+    """One activity line for the launcher, including known transfer and scan counts."""
     t = lambda en, cn: cn if zh else en
     activity, name = event.get('activity'), event.get('name') or ''
     if activity == 'count':
@@ -117,13 +118,21 @@ def progress_text(event, zh=False, *, decimal_sizes=False):
     if activity == 'resume':
         return t('The connection dropped; resuming the download and keeping what was already downloaded',
                  '连接中断，正在继续下载，已下载的部分会保留')
-    if activity == 'check':
-        return t('Checking ', '正在校验 ') + name
-    if activity == 'copy':
-        return t('Copying ', '正在复制 ') + name
+    if activity in ('check', 'copy'):
+        # Mid-sentence, a model family name starts in lower case in English; Chinese has no space after the verb.
+        name = name[:1].lower() + name[1:] if any(name == en for en, _ in NAMES.values()) else name
+        parts = [t('Checking ', '正在校验') + name if activity == 'check'
+                 else t('Copying ', '正在复制') + name]
+        done, total = event.get('done'), event.get('total')
+        if event.get('unit') == 'bytes' and number(done) and number(total) and total > 0 and done <= total:
+            parts.extend(transfer_parts(done, total, event.get('rate'), decimal_sizes))
+        return ' · '.join(parts)
     if activity == 'note':
-        # A fixed description of the step (already translated with the event), and its speed if any.
-        return ' · '.join([name] + transfer_parts(0, 0, event.get('rate'), decimal_sizes))
+        parts = [name]
+        scanned = event.get('scanned')
+        if number(scanned) and scanned > 0:
+            parts.append(t('{:,} checked', '已查看 {} 项').format(scanned))
+        return ' · '.join(parts + transfer_parts(0, 0, event.get('rate'), decimal_sizes))
     if activity == 'download':
         total = event.get('total') if event.get('unit') == 'bytes' else 0
         return ' · '.join([t('Downloading ', '正在下载 ') + name] +
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/step_grid.py b/freevideo_engine/step_grid.py
index a748276c..a7babfcc 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/step_grid.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/step_grid.py
@@ -44,6 +44,13 @@ def set_timesteps(self, num_inference_steps=None, device=None, sigmas=None):
                 sigmas = self._shift * base / (1 + (self._shift - 1) * base)
             super().set_timesteps(num_inference_steps, device=device, sigmas=sigmas)
 
+        def step(self, model_output, timestep, sample, return_dict=True):
+            # Read-only: the frame preview looks at the prediction, then the
+            # upstream update runs exactly as before.
+            from .frame_preview import observe
+            observe(model_output, timestep, sample)
+            return super().step(model_output, timestep, sample, return_dict=return_dict)
+
     return Scheduler
 
 
diff --git a/freevideo_engine/worker.py b/freevideo_engine/worker.py
index 537c0c09..b79bbaf2 100644
--- a/freevideo_engine/worker.py
+++ b/freevideo_engine/worker.py
@@ -85,6 +85,10 @@ def released(engine):
                    'torch_num_threads': torch.get_num_threads()}}}
     save(request['metrics'], metrics)
     try:
+        from .continuation import validate_hide_tail
+        hide_tail_frames = validate_hide_tail(request.get('hide_tail_frames', 0))
+        if hide_tail_frames:
+            metrics['hide_tail_frames'] = hide_tail_frames
         if 'sampling_plan' in request:
             from .two_pass import plan
             expected = plan(request['geometry'], request['sampling_plan']['requested'],
@@ -97,23 +101,25 @@ def released(engine):
             metrics['sampling_plan'] = expected
         continuation = request.get('continuation')
         if continuation is not None:
-            from .continuation import (validate_route, summary, ADALN_TASK, ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK, UNSUPPORTED,
+            from .continuation import (validate_route, summary, ADALN_TASK, ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK, UNSUPPORTED_DEVICE,
                                        validate_audio_context, AUDIO_CONTEXT_DEFAULT)
             # A plan that fell back to one pass on a small canvas still has
             # the two-pass flag set and keeps its continuation; an explicit
             # single-pass request does not.
             validate_route(task=request['engine_options'].get('task', 't2va'),
                            anchor=bool(continuation.get('anchor')),
+                           **(dict(sound=True, media=dict(references=[continuation['sound']]))
+                              if continuation.get('sound') else {}),
                            two_pass=bool(request.get('sampling_plan', {}).get('requested')),
                            preview=request.get('preview', False), refine_from=request.get('resume_first_pass'))
             if isinstance(getattr(torch.version, 'hip', None), str):
-                raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED)
+                raise ValueError(UNSUPPORTED_DEVICE)
             continuation = dict(continuation,
                 audio_context=validate_audio_context(continuation.get('audio_context', AUDIO_CONTEXT_DEFAULT)))
             request['continuation'] = continuation
             request['engine_options'] = dict(request['engine_options'],
                 adaln_task=ANCHOR_ADALN_TASK if continuation.get('anchor') else ADALN_TASK)
-            metrics['continuation'] = summary(continuation)
+            metrics['continuation'] = summary(continuation, hide_tail_frames=hide_tail_frames)
             metrics['audio_context'] = continuation['audio_context']
         metrics['device_memory'] = device_memory_report(request['gpu_budget_bytes'], request.get('allocator_limit_bytes'),
             reserve_bytes=request.get('gpu_reserve_bytes', 0), capacity_trial=request.get('capacity_trial', False))
@@ -238,7 +244,7 @@ def capture_first(video):
                 return
             try:
                 from .continuation import tail
-                first_tail = tail(video)
+                first_tail = tail(video, **({'hide_tail_frames': hide_tail_frames} if hide_tail_frames else {}))
             except Exception as error:
                 tail_failure(error)
                 first_tail = None
@@ -251,7 +257,7 @@ def capture_first(video):
                 **({'continuation_tail_callback': restore_tail} if continuable else {}))
             metrics.update(sampled, phase='decode', decode_phase='latent_transfer')
             if continuation is not None:
-                metrics['continuation'] = summary(continuation)
+                metrics['continuation'] = summary(continuation, hide_tail_frames=hide_tail_frames)
             save(request['metrics'], metrics)
             print(json.dumps(dict(event='decode_resume', sampling_source_attempt=metrics['sampling_source_attempt'])), flush=True)
             fit_decoder()
@@ -299,6 +305,9 @@ def read_decoder_ahead():
                 decode_read_ahead.start(drive_idle=getattr(engine, 'drive_idle', False) is True)
             from .sampling_memory import SamplingMemory
             memory_diagnostics = SamplingMemory(torch, Path(request['output']).with_suffix('.sampling-memory.json')).start()
+            from . import frame_preview
+            if not request.get('capacity_trial', False):
+                frame_preview.configure(Path(request['output']).parent)
             def sample_finalize_phase(name):
                 metrics.update(phase='sample_finalize', sample_finalize_phase=name)
                 save(request['metrics'], metrics)
@@ -319,7 +328,8 @@ def sampling_complete(latents, audio, sampled):
                     try:
                         from .continuation import tail_data
                         continuation_data = tail_data(first_tail, latents, audio, canvas,
-                            request['sampling_plan'], manifest, continuation)
+                            request['sampling_plan'], manifest, continuation,
+                            **({'hide_tail_frames': hide_tail_frames} if hide_tail_frames else {}))
                     except Exception as error:
                         tail_failure(error)
                         continuation_data = None
@@ -579,6 +589,7 @@ def refined_complete(video, sound, receipt):
                         gpu_reserve_bytes=request.get('gpu_reserve_bytes', 0),
                         budget_refresh=refresh_budget if live_budget is not None else None)
             finally:
+                frame_preview.clear()
                 metrics['sampling_memory'] = memory_diagnostics.close()
             metrics.update(sampled)
             metrics.pop('sample_metrics_scope', None)
@@ -634,6 +645,7 @@ def keep_audio_lead_in(value):
                 # Older retained sampling tails predate the predecessor binding.
                 continuation_data['metadata']['source_id'] = continuation['source_id']
         metrics.update(decode_to_file(latents, audio, request['output'], base=base, artifacts_dir=artifacts,
+                                     **({'hide_tail_frames': hide_tail_frames} if hide_tail_frames else {}),
                                      **({'continuation': continuation} if continuation is not None else {}),
                                      **({'audio_lead_in_callback': keep_audio_lead_in}
                                         if continuation is not None and continuation_data is not None else {}),
@@ -652,6 +664,16 @@ def keep_audio_lead_in(value):
                             'OutOfMemoryError', 'CancelledError', 'InterruptProcessingException'):
                         raise
                     metrics['first_frame_kept'] = dict(saved=False, error=type(error).__name__)
+                try:
+                    from .continuation import chain_first_sound
+                    sound = chain_first_sound(continuation, continuation.get('source_video'))
+                    if sound is not None:
+                        continuation_data['metadata']['first_sound'] = sound
+                except Exception as error:
+                    if isinstance(error, MemoryError) or type(error).__name__ in (
+                            'OutOfMemoryError', 'CancelledError', 'InterruptProcessingException'):
+                        raise
+                    metrics['first_sound_kept'] = dict(saved=False, error=type(error).__name__)
             try:
                 from .continuation_store import save as save_continuation
                 metrics['continuation_store'] = dict(save_continuation(request['output'], continuation_data), saved=True)
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 78fdd3f2..530629bd 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@ include = ["freevideo_engine*"]
 [tool.setuptools.package-data]
 "freevideo_engine.prompt_vlm" = ["model.json"]
 "freevideo_engine.image_gen" = ["image_models.json", "licenses/NOTICE.txt"]
-freevideo_engine = ["stage_estimate_params.json", "build-version.txt", "build-identity.json", "release_notes.json", "dependencies.json", "model_files.json", "model_shares.json", "prepared_models.json", "macos_reference_catalog.json", "superseded_tables.json", "bootstrap_versions.json", "curl_windows.json", "git_linux.json", "gcc_linux.json", "uv_downloads.json", "torch_downloads.json", "test_prompts.json", "windows_bootstrap.ps1", "assets/*.png", "assets/*.ico", "launcher/*.qml", "launcher/licenses/*.txt", "licenses/*.txt", "licenses/runtime/*.txt", "subtitle_pack.json"]
+freevideo_engine = ["stage_estimate_params.json", "build-version.txt", "build-identity.json", "release_notes.json", "dependencies.json", "model_files.json", "model_shares.json", "prepared_models.json", "macos_reference_catalog.json", "superseded_tables.json", "bootstrap_versions.json", "curl_windows.json", "git_linux.json", "gcc_linux.json", "uv_downloads.json", "torch_downloads.json", "test_prompts.json", "windows_bootstrap.ps1", "assets/*.png", "assets/*.ico", "launcher/*.qml", "launcher/licenses/*.txt", "licenses/*.txt", "licenses/runtime/*.txt", "subtitle_pack.json", "frame_preview_weights.json"]
diff --git a/scripts/test_freevideo_entry.mjs b/scripts/test_freevideo_entry.mjs
index bc4f4ea1..23c5365b 100644
--- a/scripts/test_freevideo_entry.mjs
+++ b/scripts/test_freevideo_entry.mjs
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@ import {readFile} from 'node:fs/promises';
 import test from 'node:test';
 import {outputDownloadURL} from '../web/output_download.js';
 import {regenerateResult, upscaleResult, createSecondPassQueue} from '../web/studio_queue.js';
-import {referenceInputs} from '../web/prompt_references.js';
-import {cleanOptionalPrompt, cleanOptionalWidgets} from '../web/optional_inputs.js';
+import {referenceInputs, mediaRows} from '../web/prompt_references.js';
+import {expandCast} from '../web/cast_mention.js';
+import {cleanOptionalPrompt, cleanOptionalWidgets, optionalInputValue} from '../web/optional_inputs.js';
 
 class Element {
     constructor(tag) {
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ class Element {
 test('main browser entry registers both views and preserves node hooks', async t => {
     const extensions = [], opened = [], installed = [], events = new EventTarget();
     let refreshed = 0, compatibilityChecks = 0, updateChecks = 0, doneNotifyStarts = 0, rememberedView = null;
+    const casts = [];
     let progressView, progressOptions, realProgressFactory;
     const app = {
         registerExtension(extension) { extensions.push(extension); },
@@ -36,7 +38,11 @@ test('main browser entry registers both views and preserves node hooks', async t
     const document = {head: new Element('head'), createElement: tag => new Element(tag),
         createRange: () => ({createContextualFragment: () => new Element('span')})};
     const dependencies = {
-        app, api, outputDownloadURL, regenerateResult, upscaleResult, createSecondPassQueue, referenceInputs, cleanOptionalPrompt, cleanOptionalWidgets,
+        app, api, outputDownloadURL, regenerateResult, upscaleResult, createSecondPassQueue, referenceInputs, mediaRows, expandCast, cleanOptionalPrompt, cleanOptionalWidgets, optionalInputValue,
+        createCastLibrary: options => {
+            const cast = {element: new Element('cast'), options, destroyed: false, destroy() { this.destroyed = true; }};
+            casts.push(cast); return cast;
+        },
         secondPassAction: () => new Element('button'),
         createErrorPanel: () => ({element: new Element('error'), show() {}, clear() {}}),
         errorText: value => String(value),
@@ -92,18 +98,20 @@ test('main browser entry registers both views and preserves node hooks', async t
             .replace("import { notifyCompatibility } from './compatibility.js';", 'const {notifyCompatibility} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { startUpdateChecks } from './updates.js';", 'const {startUpdateChecks} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { startDoneNotify, askDesktopPermission, DESKTOP_SETTING } from './done_notify.js';", 'const {startDoneNotify,askDesktopPermission} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest; const DESKTOP_SETTING = "FreeVideo.DoneNotify.Desktop";')
-            .replace("import { attachReferencePicker, referenceItems, syncReferencePrompt, referenceInputs } from './prompt_references.js';", 'const {attachReferencePicker,referenceItems,syncReferencePrompt,referenceInputs} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
+            .replace("import { attachReferencePicker, referenceItems, syncReferencePrompt, referenceInputs, mediaRows } from './prompt_references.js';", 'const {attachReferencePicker,referenceItems,syncReferencePrompt,referenceInputs,mediaRows} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
+            .replace("import { expandCast } from './cast_mention.js';", 'const {expandCast} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { outputDownloadURL } from './output_download.js';", 'const {outputDownloadURL} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { shareButton } from './share.js';", 'const {shareButton} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { reportFileName } from './report_issue.js';", 'const {reportFileName} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { rememberPromptDraft, savePromptDraft, trackPromptDraft, watchPromptHistory, promptHistoryRestoring } from './prompt_draft.js';", 'const {rememberPromptDraft,savePromptDraft} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest; const trackPromptDraft = () => {}; const watchPromptHistory = () => {}; const promptHistoryRestoring = () => false;')
-            .replace("import { cleanOptionalWidgets, cleanOptionalPrompt } from './optional_inputs.js';", 'const {cleanOptionalWidgets,cleanOptionalPrompt} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
+            .replace("import { cleanOptionalWidgets, cleanOptionalPrompt, optionalInputValue } from './optional_inputs.js';", 'const {cleanOptionalWidgets,cleanOptionalPrompt,optionalInputValue} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { regenerateResult, upscaleResult } from './studio_queue.js';", 'const {regenerateResult,upscaleResult} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { regenerateResult, createSecondPassQueue } from './studio_queue.js';", 'const {regenerateResult,createSecondPassQueue} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { secondPassAction } from './result_actions.js';", 'const {secondPassAction} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { openImageEditor, icon } from './image_editor.js';", 'const {openImageEditor,icon} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { installNavigation, refreshNavigation, preferredView } from './view_navigation.js';", 'const {installNavigation,refreshNavigation,preferredView} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { imageGenerationSupported } from './image_generation.js';", 'const imageGenerationSupported = () => true;')
+            .replace("import { createCastLibrary } from './cast_library.js';", 'const {createCastLibrary} = globalThis.__freevideoEntryTest;')
             .replace("import { agentInterfaceEnabled } from './agent_connect.js';", 'const agentInterfaceEnabled = async () => false;');
         await import('data:text/javascript;base64,' + Buffer.from(source).toString('base64'));
         const extension = extensions.find(row => row.name === 'FreeVideo.UnifiedMedia');
@@ -295,7 +303,11 @@ test('main browser entry registers both views and preserves node hooks', async t
         await extension.beforeRegisterNodeDef(MediaNode, {name: 'FreeVideoMedia'});
         const media = new MediaNode(); media.onNodeCreated();
         const panel = media.dom.find(row => row.name === 'freevideo_media').element;
-        const [toolbar, mode, note, audioHelp, connections] = panel.children;
+        const [castRow, toolbar, mode, note, audioHelp, connections] = panel.children;
+        assert.equal(castRow, casts[0].element);
+        assert.equal(casts[0].options.api, api);
+        assert.equal(typeof casts[0].options.uploadOne, 'function');
+        assert.equal(typeof casts[0].options.viewURL, 'function');
         assert.match(mode.textContent, /Reference/);
         assert.equal(audioHelp.hidden, false);
         assert.match(audioHelp.textContent, /<Audio 1>/);
@@ -329,6 +341,10 @@ test('main browser entry registers both views and preserves node hooks', async t
         await imagePicker.onchange();
         assert.deepEqual(JSON.parse(media.widgets[0].value).map(row => row.role), ['reference', 'first']);
         media.onRemoved();
+        assert.equal(casts[0].destroyed, true);
+        const mounted = new Element('mount'), disposeMedia = media.freevideoCreateMediaEditor(mounted);
+        assert.equal(mounted.children[0].children[0], casts[1].element);
+        disposeMedia(); assert.equal(casts[1].destroyed, true);
 
         await t.test('Generate node removal preserves the original hook when setSize throws', async () => {
             const previousInterval = globalThis.setInterval, previousClear = globalThis.clearInterval;
@@ -345,9 +361,9 @@ test('main browser entry registers both views and preserves node hooks', async t
                 removalNode = new GenerateNode(); removalNode.id = 10; removalNode.onNodeCreated();
                 removalNode.freevideoShowProgress({phase: 'load', received_at: 0});
                 const progress = progressView;
-                assert.deepEqual(progress.element.children.slice(0, 8).map(child => child.className), [
+                assert.deepEqual(progress.element.children.slice(0, 10).map(child => child.className), [
                     'fv-generation-heading', 'fv-generation-track', 'fv-generation-label',
-                    'fv-generation-mini', 'fv-generation-times', 'fv-generation-compatibility', 'fv-generation-status', 'fv-generation-live']);
+                    'fv-generation-mini', 'fv-generation-frames', 'fv-generation-times', 'fv-generation-late', 'fv-generation-compatibility', 'fv-generation-status', 'fv-generation-live']);
                 const activity = progress.snapshot().label;
                 removalNode.freevideoShowProgress({compatibility: {level: 2, name_en: 'Compatible', name_zh: '兼容'}});
                 assert.equal(progress.snapshot().label, activity, 'The node must not replace the activity for settings-only events');
diff --git a/web/agent_activity.js b/web/agent_activity.js
index 5785391a..224ca578 100644
--- a/web/agent_activity.js
+++ b/web/agent_activity.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import {agentPost} from './agent_session.js';
+import {retryAgentPost} from './agent_session.js';
 // What agents connected to this FreeVideo are doing. Their requests share the
 // studio's queue, so people can see them, follow progress and stop them.
 const css = document.createElement('link'); css.rel = 'stylesheet'; css.href = new URL('./agent_activity.css', import.meta.url).href; document.head.append(css);
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ function phaseText(p, t) {
 function status(job, t) {
     const [en, zh] = KINDS[job.kind] || KINDS.generate;
     if (job.status === 'running') return t(en, zh);
+    if (job.status === 'cancelling') return t('Stopping', '正在停止');
     if (job.status === 'queued') return job.progress?.queue_position
         ? t(`In queue · #${job.progress.queue_position}`, `排队 · 第 ${job.progress.queue_position} 位`) : t('Queued', '排队中');
     if (job.status === 'waiting') return job.waiting_for ? t('Waiting for earlier steps', '等待前序任务') : t('Waiting for the GPU', '等待显卡');
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ function title(job, t) {
     const name = NAMES[job.kind] || NAMES.generate;
     return job.label || (t(name[0], name[1]) + (job.take ? ' · ' + t(`Take ${job.take}`, `第 ${job.take} 条`) : ''));
 }
-function row(job, t, api, refresh, open) {
+function row(job, t, api, refresh, open, cancellationErrors) {
     const item = el('li', 'fv-agent-job'); item.dataset.status = job.status; item.dataset.job = job.id;
     item.append(glyph((KINDS[job.kind] || KINDS.generate)[2]));
     const body = el('div', 'fv-agent-body');
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ function row(job, t, api, refresh, open) {
     if (job.status === 'running' && p.remaining_seconds > 0) meta.push(left(p.remaining_seconds, t));
     const reason = job.status === 'failed' && REASONS[job.error?.code];
     if (reason) meta.push(t(...reason));
-    else if (job.error?.message && job.status === 'failed') meta.push(job.error.message);
+    else if (job.status === 'failed') meta.push(t(job.error?.message || 'The task failed.', job.error?.error_zh || '处理任务时出错，未能完成结果'));
     if (job.project) meta.push(job.project);
     const foot = el('div', 'fv-agent-foot');
     const details = el('p', 'fv-agent-meta', meta.join(' · '));
@@ -85,10 +86,16 @@ function row(job, t, api, refresh, open) {
         const stop = el('button', 'fv-agent-stop', t('Stop', '停止')); stop.type = 'button';
         stop.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Stop ', '停止 ') + title(job, t));
         stop.onclick = async () => {
-            stop.disabled = true;
+            stop.disabled = true; stop.textContent = t('Stopping', '正在停止');
             try {
-                await agentPost(api, '/freevideo/agent/activity/cancel', {id: job.id});
+                const response = await retryAgentPost(api, '/freevideo/agent/activity/cancel', {id: job.id});
+                if (!response?.ok) {
+                    const message = t('Stopping failed after a retry. If still running, click again.', '停止没成功，已重试；仍在运行请再点一次');
+                    details.textContent = message;
+                    cancellationErrors.set(job.id, message);
+                } else cancellationErrors.delete(job.id);
             } finally { refresh(); }
+            stop.disabled = false; stop.textContent = t('Stop', '停止');
         };
         foot.append(stop);
     }
@@ -100,21 +107,22 @@ function row(job, t, api, refresh, open) {
         foot.append(show);
     }
     body.append(foot);
+    if (cancellationErrors.has(job.id)) details.textContent = cancellationErrors.get(job.id);
     item.append(body);
     return item;
 }
 // Running first, then the rest in the order they will run; finished ones after, newest first.
-function rows(jobs, t, api, refresh, open) {
-    const rank = {running: 0, queued: 1, waiting: 2};
+function rows(jobs, t, api, refresh, open, cancellationErrors) {
+    const rank = {running: 0, cancelling: 0, queued: 1, waiting: 2};
     const active = jobs.filter(j => j.status in rank)
         .sort((a, b) => rank[a.status] - rank[b.status] || String(a.created_at).localeCompare(String(b.created_at)));
     const done = jobs.filter(j => !(j.status in rank))
         .sort((a, b) => String(b.finished_at).localeCompare(String(a.finished_at)));
-    const items = active.map(job => row(job, t, api, refresh, open));
+    const items = active.map(job => row(job, t, api, refresh, open, cancellationErrors));
     if (done.length) {
         const divider = el('li', 'fv-agent-divider', t('Last 30 minutes', '最近 30 分钟'));
         divider.setAttribute('role', 'presentation');
-        items.push(divider, ...done.map(job => row(job, t, api, refresh, open)));
+        items.push(divider, ...done.map(job => row(job, t, api, refresh, open, cancellationErrors)));
     }
     return items;
 }
@@ -140,18 +148,20 @@ export function createAgentActivity(t, api, host, {interval = [1500, 8000], open
     panel.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Agent jobs', 'Agent 任务'));
     host.append(panel);
     let data = {active: 0, jobs: []}, timer = null, disposed = false, failures = 0;
+    const cancellationErrors = new Map();
 
     function renderPanel() {
         const header = el('header');
         header.append(el('h2', null, t('Agent jobs', 'Agent 任务')));
         const list = el('ol');
-        const key = refill(panel, list, rows(data.jobs, t, api, poll, job => { setOpen(false); open(job); }));
+        const key = refill(panel, list, rows(data.jobs, t, api, poll, job => { setOpen(false); open(job); }, cancellationErrors));
         panel.replaceChildren();
         panel.append(header, list);
         if (key) (panel.querySelector(`[data-job="${key[0]}"] .${key[1].split(' ')[0]}`) || panel).focus?.();
     }
     function render() {
         const jobs = data.jobs || [];
+        for (const job of jobs) if (!['waiting', 'queued', 'running', 'cancelling'].includes(job.status)) cancellationErrors.delete(job.id);
         element.hidden = !jobs.length;
         if (!jobs.length) { setOpen(false); return; }
         const running = jobs.find(j => j.status === 'running'), active = data.active || 0;
diff --git a/web/agent_connect.css b/web/agent_connect.css
index 2d0c8ca2..f6f5d75f 100644
--- a/web/agent_connect.css
+++ b/web/agent_connect.css
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@
 .fv-studio .fv-autopilot-now-stop{flex:none;width:30px;height:30px;padding:0}
 .fv-autopilot-now-stop::after{content:"";width:18px;height:18px;border-radius:5px;background:#1b2a3a radial-gradient(circle,var(--fv-danger) 0 0) center/7px 7px no-repeat}
 .fv-studio .fv-autopilot-now-stop:hover::after{background-color:var(--fv-danger-subtle)}
+.fv-studio .fv-autopilot-now-stop[aria-busy=true]{width:auto;padding:0 8px;font-size:12px;color:var(--fv-muted);opacity:1}
+.fv-autopilot-now-stop[aria-busy=true]::after{display:none}
 .fv-autopilot-line{position:absolute;left:0;bottom:-1px;height:2px;border-radius:0 2px 2px 0;background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--fv-accent),var(--fv-accent-hover));transition:width .6s var(--fv-ease),opacity .4s;pointer-events:none}
 .fv-autopilot-line[data-on=false]{opacity:0}
 @media(max-width:1050px){.fv-autopilot-now-go>em{display:none}.fv-autopilot-now-name{max-width:120px}}
diff --git a/web/agent_connect.js b/web/agent_connect.js
index b8f8e9f1..65bf2cd0 100644
--- a/web/agent_connect.js
+++ b/web/agent_connect.js
@@ -43,15 +43,22 @@ export function agentConnectCard(t, api, shown = () => true) {
     const arrow = el('span', 'fv-agent-connect-arrow', '→'); arrow.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true');
     actions.append(button, arrow, el('span', 'fv-agent-connect-hint', t('Paste to your agent', '粘贴给 Agent')));
     const sentence = el('p', 'fv-agent-sentence'); sentence.hidden = true;
-    body.append(mark, title, subtitle, actions, sentence);
+    const status = el('p', 'fv-agent-connect-status', t('Getting the connection address…', '正在获取连接地址…')); status.setAttribute('role', 'status');
+    body.append(mark, title, subtitle, actions, sentence, status);
 
-    let feedback = false, text = '';
+    let feedback = false, text = '', failures = 0;
     let timer, feedbackTimer, controller, generation = 0;
     const active = () => body.isConnected && shown();
-    const render = () => { label.textContent = feedback ? t('Copied', '已复制') : t('Copy', '复制'); };
+    const render = () => {
+        label.textContent = !text && failures >= 3 ? t('Could not get address. Retry', '获取失败，重试') : feedback ? t('Copied', '已复制') : t('Copy', '复制');
+        button.disabled = !text && failures < 3;
+        button.title = !text && failures < 3 ? t('Getting the connection address…', '正在获取连接地址…') : '';
+        status.hidden = !!text; status.textContent = !text && failures < 3 ? t('Getting the connection address…', '正在获取连接地址…') : '';
+    };
     render();
 
     button.onclick = async () => {
+        if (!text) { failures = 0; render(); await load(); return; }
         try { await navigator.clipboard.writeText(text); sentence.hidden = true; }
         catch {
             sentence.textContent = text; sentence.hidden = false;
@@ -77,20 +84,21 @@ export function agentConnectCard(t, api, shown = () => true) {
             // The sentence carries no parameter: the server gives the agent the language this card showed.
             const response = await api.fetchApi('/freevideo/agent/connect?lang=' + t('en', 'zh'), {cache: 'no-store', signal: request.signal});
             const connect = response.ok ? await response.json() : null;
-            if (current !== generation || !connect?.address) return;
+            if (current !== generation) return;
+            if (!connect?.address) throw new Error('Missing address');
             text = connectionSentence(connect.address, t);
-            button.disabled = false;
-        } catch { /* Try again while the card is in sight. */ }
+            failures = 0; render();
+        } catch { if (current === generation) { failures++; render(); } }
         finally {
             if (current === generation) {
                 controller = null;
-                if (!text && active()) timer = setTimeout(load, 3000);
+                if (!text && active() && failures < 3) timer = setTimeout(() => { timer = null; void load(); }, 3000);
             }
         }
     }
     function sync() {
         if (!active()) { stop(); return; }
-        if (!text && !controller && !timer) load();
+        if (!text && failures < 3 && !controller && !timer) load();
     }
     // Resolves to whether this FreeVideo has the Agent interface on; a surface shows nothing when it is off.
     const enabled = agentInterfaceEnabled(api);
diff --git a/web/agent_session.js b/web/agent_session.js
index c4a69799..9eb20b7c 100644
--- a/web/agent_session.js
+++ b/web/agent_session.js
@@ -28,12 +28,32 @@ export async function agentGet(api, path, options = {}) {
 
 // A restarted FreeVideo forgets page sessions: fetch a new one once and repeat.
 export async function agentPost(api, path, body) {
+    return agentSend(api, 'POST', path, body);
+}
+
+export async function agentSend(api, method, path, body, headers = {}) {
     for (let attempt = 0; ; attempt++) {
-        const response = await api.fetchApi(path, {method: 'POST',
-            headers: {'Content-Type': 'application/json', ...await agentHeaders(api)}, body: JSON.stringify(body)});
+        const response = await api.fetchApi(path, {method, credentials: 'same-origin',
+            headers: {'Content-Type': 'application/json', ...headers, ...await agentHeaders(api)},
+            ...(body === undefined ? {} : {body: JSON.stringify(body)})});
         if (response.status !== 403 || attempt) return response;
         const value = await response.clone().json().catch(() => null);
         if (value?.error?.code !== 'page_session_required') return response;
         sessions.delete(api);
     }
 }
+
+// UI actions retry once, including HTTP refusals. Callers keep the same
+// idempotency id/body and show the result where the user clicked.
+export async function retryAgentPost(api, path, body, {retry = async () => body, accept = () => true} = {}) {
+    for (let attempt = 0; attempt < 2; attempt++) {
+        let response = null;
+        try {
+            response = await agentPost(api, path, body);
+            if (response?.ok && await accept(response)) return response;
+        } catch { /* Retry below, including an unreadable response body. */ }
+        if (attempt) return response?.ok ? null : response;
+        body = await retry(response);
+        if (!body) return response;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/web/autopilot.js b/web/autopilot.js
index fe348b62..9453dd5d 100644
--- a/web/autopilot.js
+++ b/web/autopilot.js
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@ export function openAutopilotView(node, {studio = null} = {}) {
         const job = talking ? last.current : null;
         now.hidden = !job; line.dataset.on = String(!!job);
         halt.disabled = !!last.stopping;
-        halt.title = last.stopping ? t('Stopping', '正在停止') : t('Stop all', '全部停止'); halt.setAttribute('aria-label', halt.title);
+        halt.setAttribute('aria-busy', String(!!last.stopping));
+        halt.textContent = last.stopping ? t('Stopping…', '正在停止…') : '';
+        halt.title = last.stopping ? t('Stopping…', '正在停止…') : t('Stop all', '全部停止'); halt.setAttribute('aria-label', halt.title);
         if (job) {
             const fraction = last.fraction || 0, running = job.status === 'running';
             currentId = job.id; name.textContent = jobName(job, t); more.textContent = last.active > 1 ? `+${last.active - 1}` : '';
diff --git a/web/autopilot_chat.css b/web/autopilot_chat.css
index db8f83b2..7f2fa371 100644
--- a/web/autopilot_chat.css
+++ b/web/autopilot_chat.css
@@ -109,6 +109,13 @@
 .fv-studio .fv-chat-down{position:absolute;right:max(40px,calc(50% - 360px));bottom:96px;width:34px;height:34px;min-height:0;padding:0;border-radius:50%;background:var(--fv-raised);box-shadow:0 6px 18px #0008}
 .fv-chat svg{width:16px;height:16px;fill:none;stroke:currentColor;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round}
 .fv-chat-input{box-sizing:border-box;justify-self:center;width:100%;max-width:720px;min-height:54px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) auto;gap:10px;align-items:end;border:1px solid var(--fv-border);background:#0e151e;border-radius:14px;padding:8px 8px 8px 16px;transition:border-color var(--fv-quick),box-shadow var(--fv-quick)}
+.fv-chat-notice{justify-self:center;width:100%;max-width:720px;margin:6px 0;font-size:14px;color:var(--fv-ink)}
+.fv-chat-preview[data-loading=true] .fv-chat-play::before{border-color:var(--fv-accent);animation:fv-chat-breathe 1s infinite}
+.fv-chat-job:is([data-mode=failed],[data-mode=stopped]){display:block;width:100%}.fv-chat-job:is([data-mode=failed],[data-mode=stopped]) .fv-chat-actions{margin-top:10px;flex-wrap:wrap}
+.fv-studio .fv-chat-job:is([data-mode=failed],[data-mode=stopped]) .fv-result-links{justify-content:flex-start}
+.fv-chat-job .fv-report-tip{max-width:100%}
+.fv-chat-main{grid-template-rows:auto minmax(0,1fr) auto auto}
+.fv-chat-tools{grid-row:1}.fv-chat-scroll{grid-row:2}.fv-chat-notice{grid-row:3}.fv-chat-input{grid-row:4}
 .fv-chat-input:focus-within{border-color:var(--fv-accent-dim);box-shadow:0 0 0 3px color-mix(in srgb,var(--fv-accent) 13%,transparent)}
 .fv-studio.fv-autopilot .fv-chat-input textarea,.fv-chat-input textarea{box-sizing:border-box;width:100%;height:36px;min-height:36px;max-height:none;padding:7px 0;border:0;border-radius:0;background:none;color:var(--fv-ink);font-size:14.5px;line-height:22px;resize:none;outline:none;overflow-y:auto}
 .fv-chat-input textarea::placeholder{color:var(--fv-disabled)}
@@ -120,7 +127,7 @@
  .fv-studio .fv-chat-conversations .fv-chat-conversation-row:has(> .fv-chat-more:not([hidden])) .fv-chat-conversation{padding-right:calc(var(--fv-chats-pad) + 36px)}
  .fv-studio .fv-chat-conversations .fv-chat-more,.fv-studio .fv-chat-conversation-row:is(:hover,:focus-within,[data-menu-open=true]) .fv-chat-more{width:36px;height:36px;min-height:36px;opacity:1;pointer-events:auto}
  .fv-chat[data-conversations=true]{grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr)}
- .fv-chat[data-conversations=true] .fv-chat-main{grid-template-rows:auto minmax(0,1fr) auto}
+ .fv-chat[data-conversations=true] .fv-chat-main{grid-template-rows:auto minmax(0,1fr) auto auto}
  .fv-chat-tools:not([hidden]){display:flex;padding-top:12px;margin-bottom:-12px}
  .fv-studio .fv-chat-chats{position:relative;width:var(--fv-chats-toggle);height:var(--fv-chats-toggle);min-height:0;padding:0;border-radius:var(--fv-chats-radius);background:var(--fv-card)}
  .fv-chat-chats .fv-chat-running{position:absolute;top:5px;right:5px}
diff --git a/web/autopilot_chat.js b/web/autopilot_chat.js
index 39cccda6..6be090bf 100644
--- a/web/autopilot_chat.js
+++ b/web/autopilot_chat.js
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 // The conversation with the connected agent: what the user says, what the agent answers, and the agent's jobs as
 // cards at the place they happened. Reads and sends use the page session; the agent's token never enters the page.
-import {agentGet, agentPost} from './agent_session.js';
+import {agentGet, agentPost, retryAgentPost} from './agent_session.js';
 import {isolateDialogKeys, routeDialogKey} from './dialog_keys.js';
 import {closeDialog} from './motion.js';
-import { estimatedFraction, remainingAbove, remainingShown } from './generation_progress.js';
+import { estimatedFraction, remainingAbove, remainingShown, createDiagnosticReportControl } from './generation_progress.js';
+import {createErrorReport} from './error_panel.js';
 import {canDeleteConversation, conversationMenu, emptyConversations, hasConversations, mergeConversations, removeConversation, runningElsewhere, selectConversation} from './autopilot_conversations.js';
 import {renderImageFailure} from './image_generation.js';
 
@@ -19,9 +20,26 @@ function glyph(path, width = 2.2) {
 const press = (cls, text, action) => { const b = el('button', cls, text); b.type = 'button'; b.onclick = action; return b; };
 let chatNumber = 0;
 
-const WORKING = ['running', 'queued', 'waiting'], VIDEOS = ['generate', 'assemble'];
+const WORKING = ['running', 'queued', 'waiting', 'cancelling'], VIDEOS = ['generate', 'assemble'];
 // What a job with no picture of its own is doing, in the reader's language.
 const QUIET = {vlm: ['Checking', '检查中'], enhance: ['Polishing', '润色中']};
+const SEND_ATTEMPTS = 3, WAIT_FOR_AGENT = ['not_connected', 'not_listening'];
+const GENERIC_FAILURE_ZH = '处理任务时出错，未能完成结果';
+// A listening/connection race is queued; other 4xx refusals never repeat automatically.
+const sendRefused = (error, response) => error?.code === 'session_full' || error?.retryable === false
+    || response?.status >= 400 && response.status < 500 && !WAIT_FOR_AGENT.includes(error?.code);
+async function sendError(response) {
+    if (!response) return null;
+    try { return (await (response.clone?.() || response).json())?.error || null; }
+    catch { return null; }
+}
+// Sends and failure cards use the same public reason, including the engine's Chinese mapping.
+function failureReason(value, t) {
+    const error = value.error, reason = error?.error_zh || value.error_zh;
+    if (error?.code === 'session_full' && (!reason || reason === GENERIC_FAILURE_ZH))
+        return t('This conversation is full. Start a new chat.', '这个对话已达到消息数量上限，请新建对话');
+    return t(error?.message || 'The task failed.', reason || GENERIC_FAILURE_ZH);
+}
 
 export const about = (seconds, t) => seconds >= 60 ? t(`About ${Math.ceil(seconds / 60)} min`, `约 ${Math.ceil(seconds / 60)} 分钟`) : t('Under 1 min', '不到 1 分钟');
 export function clock(seconds) { const s = Math.max(0, Math.round(seconds)); return `${Math.floor(s / 60)}:${String(s % 60).padStart(2, '0')}`; }
@@ -78,6 +96,7 @@ const SAVING = ['decode', 'finishing', 'assembling'], stepped = p => p.phase ===
 // The one line that says where a job is. No step count is written unless the engine gave one.
 export function jobLine(job, t) {
     const p = job.progress || {};
+    if (job.status === 'cancelling') return t('Stopping', '正在停止');
     if (job.status !== 'running') return t('Queued', '排队中');
     if (stepped(p)) return t(`Step ${p.step.done} / ${p.step.total}`, `生成 ${p.step.done} / ${p.step.total}`);
     if (SAVING.includes(p.phase)) return t('Saving', '保存中');
@@ -110,14 +129,14 @@ export function jobParts(job) {
     return Array.from({length: block.total}, (_, i) => i < (block.done || 0) ? 1 : i === block.index - 1 ? inside : 0);
 }
 
-export const emptyChat = () => ({session: undefined, items: new Map(), jobs: {}, confirms: {}, last: 0, read: 0, agent: {}, current: null, active: 0});
+export const emptyChat = () => ({session: undefined, items: new Map(), jobs: {}, failures: {}, confirms: {}, last: 0, read: 0, agent: {}, current: null, active: 0});
 // One answer from the server folded into what the page already has: entries add up by their number, jobs are
 // replaced by id (a card keeps its last state after the server stops listing its job), and so are the answers to its questions.
 export function chatMerge(state, data) {
     const items = new Map(state.items);
-    for (const item of data.items || []) if (['message', 'job', 'confirm'].includes(item.type) && Number.isFinite(item.seq)) items.set(item.seq, item);
+    for (const item of data.items || []) if (['message', 'job', 'confirm', 'production', 'cast'].includes(item.type) && Number.isFinite(item.seq)) items.set(item.seq, item);
     const read = Math.max(state.read, Number(data.read_seq) || 0, ...(data.items || []).filter(item => item.read === true).map(item => item.seq));
-    return {session: data.session ?? null, items, jobs: {...state.jobs, ...(data.jobs || {})}, confirms: {...state.confirms, ...(data.confirms || {})}, read,
+    return {session: data.session ?? null, items, jobs: {...state.jobs, ...(data.jobs || {})}, failures: data.failures || {}, confirms: {...state.confirms, ...(data.confirms || {})}, read,
         last: Math.max(state.last, Number(data.last_seq) || 0, ...items.keys()), agent: data.agent || {},
         current: data.current || null, active: Number(data.active) || 0};
 }
@@ -222,6 +241,8 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
     input.rows = 1; input.maxLength = 8000; input.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Message the agent', '对 Agent 说'));
     sendButton.type = 'submit'; sendButton.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Send', '发送')); sendButton.append(glyph('M12 19V5M5 12l7-7 7 7'));
     form.append(input, sendButton); scroller.append(log); main.append(scroller, down, form); element.append(main);
+    const notice = el('p', 'fv-chat-notice'); notice.hidden = true; notice.setAttribute('role', 'status'); main.insertBefore(notice, form);
+    function say(text) { notice.textContent = text; notice.hidden = !text; }
 
     let dismissImage = null;
     let state = emptyChat(), pending = [], known = false, stopped = false, timer = null, busy = false, failures = 0;
@@ -433,7 +454,7 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         }
     }
     function chooseChat(session, focus = false) {
-        closeMenu();
+        closeMenu(); say('');
         showDraft(session); rememberSelection(session);
         selectedSession = session; selection++; pinned = true; away = null;
         conversations = selectConversation(conversations, session); renderConversations();
@@ -512,7 +533,7 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
     // Whether the reader is at the newest entry. It holds while the conversation is out of sight, which forgets where it was scrolled.
     let pinned = true;
     const closed = new AbortController();
-    const nodes = new Map(), answers = new Map(), stopping = new Set(), stopErrors = new Map(), retrying = new Set(), confirming = new Set(), confirmErrors = new Map();
+    const nodes = new Map(), answers = new Map(), stopping = new Set(), retrying = new Set(), confirming = new Set(), confirmErrors = new Map();
     let bulkStopping = false;
     const cardKey = (session, id) => JSON.stringify([session, id]);
     // The fraction each job shows: the estimate, never backwards, short of 100% until the video is saved.
@@ -539,19 +560,20 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
     }
     const active = () => !stopped && element.isConnected && !document.hidden && shown();
     const inSelectedChat = () => !creating && (!selectedSession || selectedSession === state.session);
+    const composeAllowed = () => inSelectedChat() && state.agent.connected === true;
     const sendingAllowed = () => inSelectedChat() && canSend(state);
 
     const draftSending = () => pending.some(entry => entry.sending && entry.draft && entry.draft === drafts.get(draftSession));
-    async function cancelJob(job, session) {
-        if (stopping.has(job.id)) return;
-        stopping.add(job.id); stopErrors.delete(job.id); render(); report();
-        try {
-            const response = await agentPost(api, '/freevideo/agent/activity/cancel', {id: job.id});
-            if (!response.ok) throw await requestError(response);
-        } catch (error) {
-            stopping.delete(job.id);
-            stopErrors.set(job.id, {session, text: t('Could not stop "' + jobName(job, t) + '": ', '没有停止“' + jobName(job, t) + '”：') + reason(error)});
-        }
+    async function cancelJobs(ids) {
+        if (!ids.length) { say(t('No tasks are running.', '当前没有在运行的任务')); return; }
+        ids = ids.filter(id => !stopping.has(id));
+        if (!ids.length) return;
+        say(t('Stopping…', '正在停止…'));
+        ids.forEach(id => stopping.add(id)); render(); report();
+        const results = await Promise.all(ids.map(id => retryAgentPost(api, '/freevideo/agent/activity/cancel', {id})));
+        results.forEach((response, index) => { if (!response?.ok) stopping.delete(ids[index]); });
+        if (results.some(response => !response?.ok)) say(t('Stopping failed after a retry. If still running, click again.', '停止没成功，已重试；仍在运行请再点一次'));
+        else say('');
         if (!stopped) { render(); report(); void poll(); }
     }
     async function retryJob(key, text) {
@@ -601,10 +623,8 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         const middle = el('div', 'fv-chat-where'), parts = el('div', 'fv-chat-parts'), line = el('p', 'fv-chat-line'), part = el('span'), step = el('span'); line.append(part, step);
         middle.append(parts, line);
         const foot = el('div', 'fv-chat-actions'), left = el('span', 'fv-chat-left');
-        const session = state.session;
-        const stop = press('fv-chat-stop', null, () => void cancelJob(job, session));
-        const error = el('p', 'fv-chat-error'); error.setAttribute('role', 'alert');
-        foot.append(left, stop); info.append(head, middle, foot, error); item.replaceChildren(box, info);
+        const stop = press('fv-chat-stop', null, () => void cancelJobs([job.id]));
+        foot.append(left, stop); info.append(head, middle, foot); item.replaceChildren(box, info);
         const said = {};
         // The number rides on the water, and goes under the line once there is no room left above it.
         const level = next => {
@@ -629,9 +649,9 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
             const where = cardLine(said, next, t);
             part.textContent = cells.length ? t(`Part ${block.index} / ${block.total}`, `第 ${block.index} / ${block.total} 段`) : where;
             step.textContent = cells.length ? where : '';
-            error.textContent = stopErrors.get(next.id)?.text || ''; error.hidden = !error.textContent;
-            const going = stopping.has(next.id);
-            stop.disabled = going; stop.textContent = going ? t('Stopping', '正在停止') : t('Stop', '停止');
+            const going = stopping.has(next.id) || next.status === 'cancelling';
+            stop.disabled = going; stop.textContent = going ? t('Stopping…', '正在停止…') : t('Stop', '停止');
+            stop.setAttribute('aria-busy', String(going));
             stop.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Stop ', '停止 ') + jobName(next, t));
         };
     }
@@ -661,6 +681,24 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
             if (job.play) {
                 // The video plays inside its frame, with its sound; the line under it follows and can be dragged.
                 let video = null;
+                let playing = false, loadRetried = false;
+                const playbackFailure = () => {
+                    if (item.dataset.mode !== 'done') return;
+                    playback.textContent = t('Cannot play right now. Open it in Creations.', '暂时播放不了，可在作品库中打开'); playback.hidden = false;
+                    show.textContent = t('Open in Creations', '在作品库打开'); if (!show.parentNode) foot.append(show);
+                    if (!foot.parentNode) info.append(foot);
+                };
+                const playback = el('p', 'fv-chat-playback'); playback.hidden = true; info.append(playback);
+                const play = async () => {
+                    if (playing) return;
+                    playing = true; box.dataset.loading = 'true';
+                    try { await video.play(); playback.hidden = true; }
+                    catch {
+                        if (loadRetried) playbackFailure();
+                        else try { loadRetried = true; video.load(); await video.play(); playback.hidden = true; } catch { playbackFailure(); }
+                    }
+                    finally { playing = false; delete box.dataset.loading; }
+                };
                 const toggle = press('fv-chat-play', null, () => {
                     if (!video) {
                         video = el('video'); video.playsInline = true; video.src = api.apiURL(job.play);
@@ -669,10 +707,15 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
                         video.onloadedmetadata = () => shape(video.videoWidth, video.videoHeight);
                         video.ontimeupdate = () => { if (video.duration) seek.value = String(Math.round(video.currentTime / video.duration * 1000)); };
                         video.onplay = video.onpause = video.onended = () => { box.dataset.playing = String(!video.paused && !video.ended); label(); };
+                        video.onerror = () => {
+                            if (playing) return;
+                            if (loadRetried) { playbackFailure(); return; }
+                            loadRetried = true; video.load(); void play();
+                        };
                         seek.oninput = () => { if (video.duration) video.currentTime = seek.value / 1000 * video.duration; };
                         box.prepend(video); box.append(seek); box.dataset.video = 'true';
                     }
-                    if (video.paused || video.ended) void video.play().catch(() => {}); else video.pause();
+                    if (video.paused || video.ended) { loadRetried = false; void play(); } else video.pause();
                 });
                 const label = () => toggle.setAttribute('aria-label', (box.dataset.playing === 'true' ? t('Pause ', '暂停 ') : t('Play ', '播放 ')) + jobName(job, t));
                 label(); box.append(toggle);
@@ -693,27 +736,43 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         return {element: item, update(job, {latest, retry, key}) {
             // Jobs without a picture (a check, a prompt) are one quiet line while they run, and nothing after.
             // A picture takes seconds: the same quiet line while it is made, then the picture.
-            const card = VIDEOS.includes(job.kind || 'generate') || (job.kind === 'image' && !WORKING.includes(job.status));
+            const card = VIDEOS.includes(job.kind || 'generate') || (['image', 'production', 'cast'].includes(job.kind) && !WORKING.includes(job.status));
             const next = card ? jobMode(job) + (jobMode(job) === 'done' ? `:${job.play}:${job.thumbnail}:${job.work}`
-                : jobMode(job) === 'failed' ? `:${job.error?.code}:${job.error?.report_id}` : '')
+                : jobMode(job) === 'failed' && job.kind === 'image' ? `:${job.error?.code}:${job.error?.report_id}` : '')
                 : WORKING.includes(job.status) ? 'quiet' : 'none';
             if (next !== mode) {
                 mode = next; item.dataset.job = job.id; item.dataset.mode = next.split(':')[0]; item.hidden = next === 'none';
                 if (job.kind === 'image') item.dataset.kind = 'image'; else delete item.dataset.kind;
-                if (next !== 'working') { stopping.delete(job.id); stopErrors.delete(job.id); }
+                if (!WORKING.includes(job.status)) stopping.delete(job.id);
                 if (next === 'working') apply = working(item, job);
                 else if (next.startsWith('done')) apply = done(item, job);
-                else if (next === 'quiet') { item.replaceChildren(el('span', 'fv-chat-dots'), el('span', null, t(...(QUIET[job.kind] || ['Working', '进行中'])))); apply = null; }
-                else if (next === 'stopped') { item.replaceChildren(el('span', null, t('Stopped', '已停止'))); apply = null; }
-                else if (next.startsWith('failed')) {
-                    if (job.kind === 'image') {
-                        const host = el('div');
-                        renderImageFailure(host, {error: job.error?.code || 'generation_failed', report_id: job.error?.report_id}, t,
-                            {productVersion, fetchApi: (path, options) => api.fetchApi(path, options)});
-                        item.replaceChildren(host);
-                    } else item.replaceChildren(el('span', null, t('Could not generate', '没有生成出来')));
+                else if (next === 'quiet') {
+                    const label = el('span'); item.replaceChildren(el('span', 'fv-chat-dots'), label);
+                    apply = next => { label.textContent = stopping.has(next.id) || next.status === 'cancelling'
+                        ? t('Stopping', '正在停止') : t(...(QUIET[next.kind] || ['Working', '进行中'])); };
+                }
+                else if (next === 'stopped' && (!job.error || job.kind === 'image')) { item.replaceChildren(el('span', null, t('Stopped', '已停止'))); apply = null; }
+                else if (next.startsWith('failed') && job.kind === 'image') {
+                    // Picture failures name their step with the picture's own report card.
+                    const host = el('div');
+                    renderImageFailure(host, {error: job.error?.code || 'generation_failed', report_id: job.error?.report_id}, t,
+                        {productVersion, fetchApi: (path, options) => api.fetchApi(path, options)});
+                    item.replaceChildren(host);
                     if (retry) item.append(press('fv-chat-retry', t('Retry', '重试'), retry));
                     apply = null;
+                }
+                else if (next === 'failed' || next === 'stopped') {
+                    const reason = el('p'), actions = el('div', 'fv-chat-actions fv-actions'), links = el('div', 'fv-result-links');
+                    let current = job;
+                    const diagnostic = createDiagnosticReportControl(t, {api, tip: true, version: productVersion,
+                        label: () => t('Download diagnostic report', '下载诊断报告'),
+                        fallback: () => new Blob([JSON.stringify(createErrorReport({error: current.error, exception_type: current.error?.code,
+                            details: current.error?.request_id}, {stage: 'execution'}), null, 2)], {type: 'application/json'})});
+                    actions.append(diagnostic.report);
+                    if (retry) actions.append(press('fv-chat-retry', t('Retry', '重试'), retry));
+                    links.append(actions); item.replaceChildren(reason, links);
+                    apply = next => { current = next; reason.textContent = failureReason(next, t);
+                        diagnostic.updateReport({report_id: next.report_id}); };
                 } else { item.replaceChildren(); apply = null; }
             }
             apply?.(job, latest);
@@ -771,7 +830,7 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         item.setAttribute('role', 'status'); item.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Thinking', '正在思考')); item.append(mark);
         return {element: item, update() {}};
     }
-    const MAKE = {error: () => { const element = el('li', 'fv-chat-error'); element.setAttribute('role', 'alert'); return {element, update(text) { element.textContent = text; }}; }, hello, examples, dots, user: () => message('user'), agent: () => message('agent'), job: jobCard, confirm: confirmCard};
+    const MAKE = {hello, examples, dots, user: () => message('user'), agent: () => message('agent'), job: jobCard, confirm: confirmCard};
 
     function render(follow = false) {
         const entries = chatEntries(state), ids = new Set(entries.map(entry => entry.id).filter(Boolean));
@@ -792,12 +851,16 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
                 const text = lastUser?.text;
                 const key = cardKey(state.session, job.id);
                 wanted.push([`s:${entry.seq}`, 'job', job, {latest: entry === finished, key, retry: text ? () => retryJob(key, text) : null}]);
+                const failure = state.failures[entry.entity];
+                if (failure) wanted.push([`e:${entry.seq}`, 'job', failure]);
+            } else if (entry.type === 'production' || entry.type === 'cast') {
+                const failure = state.failures[entry.entity];
+                if (failure) wanted.push([`s:${entry.seq}`, 'job', failure]);
             } else wanted.push([`s:${entry.seq}`, 'confirm', entry]);
         }
         for (const entry of localPending) wanted.push([`m:${entry.id}`, 'user', {...entry, taken: false}]);
         if (!said) wanted.push(['examples', 'examples', null]);
         // The agent has the sentence, or is waiting for one, and has not answered yet.
-        for (const [id, error] of stopErrors) if (error.session !== state.session) wanted.push([`stop:${id}`, 'error', error.text]);
         const tail = localPending.at(-1) || entries.at(-1);
         if (tail?.type !== 'job' && tail?.type !== 'confirm' && (localPending.some(entry => !entry.error) || !tail?.error && tail?.role === 'user') && state.agent.connected === true
             && (state.agent.listening !== false || tail.taken === true)) wanted.push(['dots', 'dots', null]);
@@ -814,7 +877,7 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         const sendable = sendingAllowed();
         input.disabled = state.agent.connected !== true || creating || !!selectedSession && selectedSession !== state.session;
         input.placeholder = state.agent.connected === true && !sendable ? t('Ask your agent to continue', '请在 Agent 里让它继续') : t('Message the agent…', '对 Agent 说…');
-        sendButton.disabled = !sendable || draftSending() || !input.value.trim();
+        sendButton.disabled = !composeAllowed() || draftSending() || !input.value.trim();
         if (focusSession === state.session && focusSession && !input.disabled && active()) { focusSession = null; input.focus(); }
         if (stick) { pinned = true; scroller.scrollTop = scroller.scrollHeight; down.hidden = true; }
         else if (log.children.length > before) down.hidden = false;
@@ -847,34 +910,63 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
             stopping: bulkStopping, any: state.items.size > 0 || pending.some(entry => entry.session === state.session)});
     }
     function acknowledge(entry) {
-        entry.acknowledged = true; entry.error = null;
+        entry.acknowledged = true; entry.error = null; entry.automatic = false;
+        if (entry.session === state.session) say('');
         unsaidSessions.delete(entry.session);
         if (entry.draft && drafts.get(entry.session) === entry.draft) {
             drafts.delete(entry.session);
             if (draftSession === entry.session) { input.value = ''; grow(); }
         }
     }
-    async function send(text, original = null, draft = null) {
+    const waitingNotice = code => (code ? code === 'not_listening' : state.agent.connected === true)
+        ? t('Not sent: Agent is not listening yet. It will send automatically once listening resumes.', '没发出去：Agent 还没在听，继续监听后会自动发送')
+        : t('Not sent: Agent is not connected. It will send automatically once connected.', '没发出去：Agent 还没连接，连接后会自动发送');
+    async function send(text, original = null, draft = null, automatic = false) {
         text = String(text).trim();
-        original ||= pending.find(entry => entry.session === (state.session ?? null) && entry.text === text && (entry.error || entry.sending));
-        if (!text || !sendingAllowed() || original?.sending || original && original.session !== state.session) return false;
+        original ||= pending.find(entry => entry.session === (state.session ?? null) && entry.text === text && (entry.error || entry.sending || entry.automatic));
+        if (!text || original?.sending || original && original.session !== state.session) return false;
+        if (!inSelectedChat()) {
+            say(creating ? t('Creating a new chat…', '正在新建对话…') : t('Loading this chat. Please send again shortly.', '正在读取对话，请稍后再发一次'));
+            return false;
+        }
         const entry = original || {id: newId(), text, session: state.session ?? null, draft};
         if (draft) entry.draft = draft;
         if (!original) pending.push(entry);
-        entry.sending = true; entry.retried = !!original; entry.error = null; render(true); report();
+        if (!automatic) entry.attempts = 0;
+        if (!sendingAllowed()) {
+            entry.automatic = true; entry.error = waitingNotice();
+            say(entry.error); render(); report(); return false;
+        }
+        entry.sending = true; entry.retried = !!original; entry.error = null; entry.automatic = false; render(true); report();
         try {
             const body = {id: entry.id, text: entry.text};
             if (conversations.supported === true && entry.session) body.session = entry.session;
-            const response = await agentPost(api, '/freevideo/agent/chat', body);
-            if (!response.ok) throw await requestError(response);
-            const value = await response.json().catch(() => ({}));
-            acknowledge(entry);
-            if (!entry.session && value.session) entry.session = value.session;
-            if (!stopped) { void poll(); void readConversations(true); }
-            return true;
-        } catch (error) {
+            entry.attempts++;
+            const response = await retryAgentPost(api, '/freevideo/agent/chat', body, {retry: async response => {
+                if (stopped || entry.acknowledged || sendRefused(await sendError(response), response) || entry.attempts >= SEND_ATTEMPTS) return null;
+                entry.attempts++; return body;
+            }});
             if (entry.acknowledged) return true;
-            entry.error = t('Could not send: ', '没有发送成功：') + reason(error);
+            if (response?.ok) {
+                const value = await response.json().catch(() => ({}));
+                acknowledge(entry);
+                if (!entry.session && value.session) entry.session = value.session;
+                if (!stopped) { void poll(); void readConversations(true); }
+                return true;
+            }
+            const error = await sendError(response), refused = sendRefused(error, response);
+            const waiting = !refused && (WAIT_FOR_AGENT.includes(error?.code) || !error && state.agent.connected !== true);
+            const exhausted = entry.attempts >= SEND_ATTEMPTS;
+            entry.automatic = waiting && !exhausted;
+            const explanation = refused || error && !waiting ? t('Not sent: ', '没发出去：') + failureReason({error}, t)
+                : exhausted ? t('Not sent: tried 3 times. Automatic sending stopped; please send again.', '没发出去：已尝试 3 次，已停止自动发送，请再发一次')
+                : waiting ? waitingNotice(error?.code) : t('The network is unstable. Retried; please send again.', '网络不稳，已重试，请再发一次');
+            entry.error = waiting ? explanation : t('Could not send: ', '没有发送成功：') + (error?.message || explanation);
+            if (entry.session === state.session) {
+                if (waiting && error?.code === 'not_connected') state = {...state, agent: {connected: false, name: null}};
+                if (waiting && error?.code === 'not_listening') state = {...state, agent: {...state.agent, listening: false}};
+                say(explanation);
+            }
             return false;
         } finally {
             entry.sending = false;
@@ -886,9 +978,19 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         // At most five lines; the box scrolls after that.
         const line = (typeof getComputedStyle === 'function' && parseFloat(getComputedStyle(input).lineHeight)) || 22;
         input.style.height = `${Math.min(input.scrollHeight, Math.round(line * 5) + 14)}px`;
-        sendButton.disabled = !sendingAllowed() || draftSending() || !input.value.trim();
+        sendButton.disabled = !composeAllowed() || draftSending() || !input.value.trim();
     }
-    input.addEventListener('input', () => { saveDraft(); grow(); if (unsaidSessions.has(draftSession)) renderConversations(); });
+    input.addEventListener('input', () => {
+        saveDraft();
+        // Editing a queued draft cancels its automatic delivery. Its original message remains available for manual retry.
+        for (const entry of pending) if (entry.automatic && entry.session === draftSession && entry.draft !== drafts.get(draftSession)) {
+            entry.automatic = false;
+            entry.error = t('Not sent: the queued draft changed. Retry to send the original.', '没发出去：排队草稿已修改，原消息需手动重试');
+            say('');
+        }
+        if (!input.value.trim()) say('');
+        grow(); if (unsaidSessions.has(draftSession)) renderConversations();
+    });
     // Enter sends, Shift+Enter starts a new line; Enter that confirms an input-method candidate does neither.
     input.addEventListener('keydown', event => {
         if (event.key !== 'Enter' || event.shiftKey || event.isComposing || event.keyCode === 229) return;
@@ -898,7 +1000,7 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         event.preventDefault();
         const text = input.value;
         const draft = saveDraft();
-        if (!text.trim() || !sendingAllowed() || draftSending()) return;
+        if (!text.trim() || !composeAllowed() || draftSending()) return;
         const failed = pending.find(entry => entry.session === state.session && entry.draft === draft && entry.error);
         void send(text, failed, draft);
     });
@@ -968,6 +1070,11 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         const idle = state.agent.connected !== true && !state.active;
         timer = setTimeout(poll, (idle ? Math.max(interval, 3000) : interval) * Math.min(4, 1 + failures));
         render(); report();
+        if (sendingAllowed()) for (const entry of [...pending]) {
+            if (entry.session !== state.session || !entry.automatic || entry.sending || entry.acknowledged) continue;
+            await send(entry.text, entry, entry.draft, true);
+            if (!sendingAllowed() || stopped) break;
+        }
     }
     // Between reads the estimate keeps moving, on the cards and in the page's header alike.
     const moving = setInterval(() => {
@@ -990,10 +1097,9 @@ export function agentChat(t, api, {open, edit, shown = () => true, changed = ()
         },
         async stopAll() {
             if (bulkStopping) return;
-            const jobs = new Map(Object.values(state.jobs).filter(job => WORKING.includes(job.status)).map(job => [job.id, {job, session: state.session}]));
-            for (const id of away?.ids || []) if (!jobs.has(id)) jobs.set(id, {job: away.jobs[id], session: away.session});
+            const ids = [...new Set([...Object.values(state.jobs).filter(job => WORKING.includes(job.status)).map(job => job.id), ...(away?.ids || [])])];
             bulkStopping = true; report();
-            try { await Promise.all([...jobs.values()].map(({job, session}) => cancelJob(job, session))); }
+            try { await cancelJobs(ids); }
             finally { bulkStopping = false; if (!stopped) { report(); void poll(); } }
         },
         stop() { closeMenu(); stopped = true; dismissImage?.(); closed.abort(); clearInterval(moving); clearTimeout(timer); timer = null;
diff --git a/web/cast_generate.css b/web/cast_generate.css
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bfd453b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/cast_generate.css
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+.fv-cg{container-type:inline-size;color:var(--fv-ink,#e8ecf3);font-size:13px}
+.fv-cg-body{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,2fr) minmax(0,3fr);gap:24px;align-items:start}
+.fv-cg [hidden]{display:none!important}
+.fv-cg-side{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px;min-width:0;align-self:stretch}
+.fv-cg-foot{display:grid;grid-template-columns:auto minmax(0,1fr) auto;align-items:center;gap:8px}
+.fv-cg-text{flex:1;box-sizing:border-box;width:100%;min-height:160px;resize:none;padding:12px;border:1px solid var(--fv-border,#ffffff15);border-radius:8px;background:var(--fv-card,#202a38);color:inherit;font:inherit;line-height:1.6;outline:none;transition:border-color .2s}
+.fv-cg-text:focus{border-color:color-mix(in srgb,var(--fv-accent,#6db8fa) 60%,transparent)}
+.fv-cg-text:read-only{opacity:.7}
+.fv-cg-text::placeholder{color:var(--fv-muted,#7d8794)}
+.fv-cg-note{grid-column:1/-1;font-size:12px;line-height:1.6;color:var(--fv-muted,#aaaeb9)}
+/* A failure is the reason on one line, then the report button left and the retry right on the next. */
+.fv-cg-note[data-failed=true],.fv-cg-note[data-failed=true] .fv-result-links,.fv-cg-note[data-failed=true] .fv-actions{display:contents}
+.fv-cg-note .fv-image-failure-reason{grid-column:1/-1}
+.fv-cg-note .fv-report-tip{grid-column:1/-1}
+.fv-cg .fv-actions .fv-action-report{grid-column:1;justify-self:start;height:36px;min-height:36px;padding:0 16px;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid var(--fv-border,#ffffff1f);background:transparent;color:var(--fv-ink,#e8ecf3);font:inherit;font-weight:400}
+.fv-cg .fv-actions .fv-action-report:hover{background:#ffffff0d}
+.fv-cg-note[data-failed=true]{color:var(--fv-danger,#ff8a80)}
+.fv-cg-note .fv-image-failure-reason{color:var(--fv-danger,#ff8a80)}
+.fv-cg-action{grid-column:3;justify-self:end;min-height:36px;padding:6px 16px;border:1px solid var(--fv-border,#ffffff1f);border-radius:8px;background:transparent;color:inherit;font:inherit;cursor:pointer;transition:background .18s,border-color .18s}
+.fv-cg-action:hover{background:#ffffff0d}
+.fv-cg-action[data-primary=true]{border-color:transparent;background:var(--fv-accent,#6db8fa);color:var(--fv-bg,#111720)}
+.fv-cg-action[data-primary=true]:hover{background:var(--fv-accent-hover,#91cbff)}
+.fv-cg-action:focus-visible,.fv-cg-text:focus-visible{outline:2px solid var(--fv-accent,#6db8fa);outline-offset:2px}
+.fv-cg-views{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,minmax(0,1fr));gap:8px;min-width:0}
+.fv-cg-view{position:relative;aspect-ratio:3/4;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px dashed var(--fv-sheen,#ffffff1f);border-radius:6px;background:var(--fv-raised,#202a38);overflow:hidden;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:6px}
+.fv-cg-view img{position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:contain;background:#ffffff08}
+.fv-cg-view[data-state=done]{border-style:solid}
+.fv-cg-view:not([data-state=done]) img{display:none}
+.fv-cg-percent{position:relative;font-size:12px;color:var(--fv-muted,#aaaeb9);font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums}
+.fv-cg-meter{position:relative;width:64px;height:2px;border-radius:1px;background:#ffffff14;overflow:hidden}
+.fv-cg-meter b{position:absolute;inset:0 auto 0 0;width:0;background:var(--fv-accent,#6db8fa);transition:width .4s ease-out}
+.fv-cg-view:not([data-state=running]) .fv-cg-meter{display:none}
+@container (max-width:520px){
+  .fv-cg-body{grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr);gap:12px}
+  .fv-cg-text{height:108px;min-height:108px;flex:none}
+  .fv-cg-views{display:flex;overflow-x:auto;padding-bottom:4px;scrollbar-width:thin}
+  .fv-cg-view{flex:none;width:72px}
+}
+@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.fv-cg *{transition:none}}
diff --git a/web/cast_generate.js b/web/cast_generate.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4eae26f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/cast_generate.js
@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+// "Generate with AI" page of the new-character dialog: one description becomes five pictures of the
+// same person (front, three-quarter, side, back, face). Each picture shows as it is finished; the
+// dialog's Save waits for all five. Pictures are made one by one through the page's image client
+// and stay in the input folder; the dialog puts them on the card.
+import {createImageGenClient, imageGenProgress, imagePackUnavailableMessage, renderImageFailure,
+    IMAGE_GEN_POLL_MS, IMAGE_GEN_INFO_POLL_MS} from './image_generation.js';
+
+export {imageGenerationSupported as castGenerateSupported} from './image_generation.js';
+
+export const CAST_VIEWS = Object.freeze(['front', 'three_quarter', 'side', 'back', 'face']);
+const VIEW_TITLES = Object.freeze({
+    front: ['Front', '正面'], three_quarter: ['Three-quarter', '四分之三'], side: ['Side', '侧面'],
+    back: ['Back', '背面'], face: ['Face', '脸部'],
+});
+
+function el(tag, cls, text) { const e = document.createElement(tag); if (cls) e.className = cls; if (text != null) e.textContent = text; return e; }
+const failureOf = error => ({error: error?.code || 'generation_failed', report_id: error?.report_id || null});
+const randomSeed = () => crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint32Array(1))[0] >>> 1;
+
+// The five pictures of one description. No DOM: the page below draws its state.
+export function createCastGenerator({client, onChange = () => {}, schedule = setTimeout, unschedule = clearTimeout}) {
+    const fresh = () => CAST_VIEWS.map(view => ({view, file: '', fraction: 0}));
+    let state = {pictures: fresh(), running: false, current: -1, error: '', report_id: null, waiting: '', description: ''};
+    let epoch = 0, timer = null, job = null, plan = null, seed = 0, disposed = false;
+    const emit = patch => { state = {...state, ...patch}; if (!disposed) onChange(state); };
+    const setPicture = (index, patch) => emit({pictures: state.pictures.map((row, i) => i === index ? {...row, ...patch} : row)});
+    const cancelJob = id => Promise.resolve().then(() => client.cancel(id)).catch(() => {});
+    const done = () => state.pictures.every(row => row.file);
+
+    async function runOne(index, alive) {
+        const view = plan[index], front = state.pictures[0].file;
+        const row = await client.generate({prompt: view.prompt, width: view.width, height: view.height, seed,
+            images: view.from_front ? [front] : []});
+        if (!row.job) throw Object.assign(new Error(row.error || 'generation_failed'), {code: row.error, report_id: row.report_id});
+        if (!alive()) { await cancelJob(row.job); return null; }
+        job = row.job;
+        for (;;) {
+            await new Promise(resolve => { timer = schedule(() => { timer = null; resolve(); }, IMAGE_GEN_POLL_MS); });
+            if (!alive()) return null;
+            const status = await client.status(job);
+            if (!alive()) return null;
+            if (status.state === 'error') {
+                throw Object.assign(new Error(status.error), {code: status.error, report_id: status.report_id});
+            }
+            if (status.state === 'done') {
+                if (!status.file) throw new Error('generation_failed');
+                return status.file;
+            }
+            setPicture(index, {fraction: Math.max(state.pictures[index].fraction,
+                imageGenProgress(status.stage, status.fraction, view.from_front)), stage: status.stage || ''});
+            emit({waiting: status.waiting || ''});
+        }
+    }
+
+    async function start(description) {
+        description = String(description || '').trim();
+        if (state.running || disposed || !description) return;
+        // After a failure the same description goes on from the picture that failed.
+        const resume = !!state.error && description === state.description && plan && !done();
+        const current = ++epoch;
+        const alive = () => current === epoch && !disposed;
+        if (!resume) { seed = randomSeed(); plan = null; }
+        emit({running: true, error: '', report_id: null, waiting: '', description,
+            ...(resume ? {} : {pictures: fresh(), current: 0})});
+        try {
+            if (!plan) {
+                plan = await client.castViews(description);
+                if (!alive()) return;
+            }
+            for (let index = 0; index < plan.length; index++) {
+                if (state.pictures[index].file) continue;
+                emit({current: index});
+                const file = await runOne(index, alive);
+                if (file === null || !alive()) return;
+                job = null;
+                setPicture(index, {file, fraction: 1});
+            }
+            emit({running: false, current: -1, waiting: ''});
+        } catch (error) {
+            if (!alive()) return;
+            const id = job; job = null;
+            if (id) void cancelJob(id);
+            // A failure keeps the pictures already made; the next Generate goes on from the failed one.
+            emit({running: false, current: -1, waiting: '', ...failureOf(error),
+                pictures: state.pictures.map(row => row.file ? row : {...row, fraction: 0})});
+        }
+    }
+
+    function stop() {
+        const id = job; job = null;
+        ++epoch; unschedule(timer); timer = null; plan = null;
+        // A stopped run is dropped whole: the next Generate starts again from the description.
+        emit({running: false, current: -1, waiting: '', error: '', report_id: null, pictures: fresh()});
+        return id ? cancelJob(id) : Promise.resolve();
+    }
+    // The description changed: pictures made from the old one no longer belong to it.
+    function reset() {
+        if (state.running || !(state.pictures.some(row => row.file) || state.error)) return;
+        plan = null;
+        emit({pictures: fresh(), error: '', report_id: null, current: -1});
+    }
+    return {start, stop, reset, state: () => state, done,
+        dispose() { disposed = true; return stop(); }};
+}
+
+export function mountCastGenerate({container, api, text, t = text, viewURL, onState = () => {}, fetchApi, client}) {
+    const tr = t || ((en) => en);
+    const fetcher = fetchApi || (api ? api.fetchApi.bind(api) : globalThis.fetch.bind(globalThis));
+    client = client || createImageGenClient(fetcher);
+    const url = viewURL || (file => {
+        const i = file.lastIndexOf('/');
+        const query = new URLSearchParams({filename: file.slice(i + 1), subfolder: file.slice(0, Math.max(0, i)), type: 'input'});
+        return (api?.apiURL ? api.apiURL('/view?' + query) : '/view?' + query);
+    });
+    const cssURL = new URL('./cast_generate.css', import.meta.url).href;
+    if (!document.querySelector(`link[href="${cssURL}"]`)) {
+        const css = el('link'); css.rel = 'stylesheet'; css.href = cssURL; document.head.append(css);
+    }
+
+    const root = el('div', 'fv-cg');
+    const body = el('div', 'fv-cg-body');
+    const side = el('div', 'fv-cg-side');
+    const foot = el('div', 'fv-cg-foot');
+    const field = el('textarea', 'fv-cg-text');
+    field.placeholder = tr('Describe the character', '描述人物');
+    field.setAttribute('aria-label', field.placeholder);
+    field.maxLength = 1000;
+    const note = el('div', 'fv-cg-note'); note.setAttribute('role', 'status');
+    const action = el('button', 'fv-cg-action'); action.type = 'button';
+    foot.append(note, action);
+    side.append(field, foot);
+    const grid = el('div', 'fv-cg-views');
+    const cells = CAST_VIEWS.map(view => {
+        const cell = el('div', 'fv-cg-view');
+        const title = tr(...VIEW_TITLES[view]);
+        cell.title = title; cell.setAttribute('role', 'img');
+        const image = el('img'); image.alt = ''; image.draggable = false;
+        const percent = el('span', 'fv-cg-percent');
+        const meter = el('i', 'fv-cg-meter'); const fill = el('b'); meter.append(fill);
+        cell.append(image, percent, meter);
+        grid.append(cell);
+        return {cell, image, percent, fill, title};
+    });
+    body.append(side, grid);
+    root.append(body);
+    container.append(root);
+
+    let info = null, infoTimer = null, disposed = false, failureKey = null, attention = null;
+    const generator = createCastGenerator({client, onChange: render});
+    let last = '';
+
+    function missing() { return info && !info.installed && !info.ready; }
+    function render(state = generator.state()) {
+        const running = state.running;
+        const isMissing = missing();
+        root.dataset.state = isMissing ? 'missing' : running ? 'running' : generator.done() ? 'done' : state.error ? 'failed' : 'idle';
+        field.readOnly = running;
+        action.hidden = !!isMissing;
+        // One accent button at a time: Generate until the five pictures exist, then Regenerate is neutral.
+        const finishedAll = generator.done() && !running;
+        action.textContent = running ? tr('Stop', '停止') : finishedAll ? tr('Regenerate', '重新生成') : tr('Generate', '生成');
+        action.dataset.primary = String(!running && !finishedAll);
+        const finished = state.pictures.filter(row => row.file).length;
+        const currentFraction = running && state.current >= 0 ? state.pictures[state.current]?.fraction || 0 : 0;
+        const progress = generator.done() ? 1 : (finished + currentFraction) / CAST_VIEWS.length;
+        state.pictures.forEach((row, i) => {
+            const cell = cells[i];
+            const active = running && i === state.current && !row.file;
+            const src = row.file ? url(row.file) : '';
+            if (cell.image.getAttribute('src') !== src) src ? cell.image.src = src : cell.image.removeAttribute('src');
+            cell.cell.dataset.state = row.file ? 'done' : active ? 'running' : 'empty';
+            cell.cell.setAttribute('aria-label', cell.title + (row.file ? '' : active
+                ? ' ' + Math.floor(row.fraction * 100) + '%' : ''));
+            cell.percent.textContent = active && !state.waiting ? Math.floor(row.fraction * 100) + '%' : '';
+            cell.fill.style.width = (active ? row.fraction * 100 : 0) + '%';
+        });
+        if (state.error) {
+            const key = `${state.error}:${state.report_id || ''}`;
+            if (failureKey !== key) { renderImageFailure(note, state, tr, {fetchApi: fetcher}); failureKey = key; }
+        } else {
+            failureKey = null;
+            note.textContent = isMissing ? imagePackUnavailableMessage(info, tr)
+                : running && state.waiting ? tr('Added to the queue. It starts when the previous one finishes.',
+                    '已加入队列，前面的完成后自动开始。')
+                : attention ? attention : '';
+        }
+        note.hidden = !note.textContent && !note.firstChild;
+        note.dataset.failed = String(!!state.error);
+        // The last picture lands a moment before the run ends: done means finished, not just five files.
+        const complete = generator.done() && !running;
+        const summary = JSON.stringify([running, complete, Math.round(progress * 100)]);
+        if (summary !== last) {
+            last = summary;
+            onState({busy: running, progress, done: complete});
+        }
+    }
+
+    async function checkInfo() {
+        try { info = await client.info(); } catch { info = null; }
+        if (disposed) return;
+        render();
+        clearTimeout(infoTimer);
+        if (missing()) infoTimer = setTimeout(checkInfo, IMAGE_GEN_INFO_POLL_MS);
+    }
+
+    function begin() {
+        if (!field.value.trim()) {
+            attention = tr('Describe the character first.', '请先描述人物。');
+            render(); field.focus();
+            return;
+        }
+        attention = null;
+        void generator.start(field.value);
+    }
+    action.onclick = () => generator.state().running ? void generator.stop() : begin();
+    field.addEventListener('input', () => {
+        if (attention) { attention = null; render(); }
+        if (field.value.trim() !== generator.state().description) generator.reset();
+    });
+    // Enter in the description box is a new line; Ctrl/Cmd+Enter generates.
+    field.addEventListener('keydown', event => {
+        if (event.key === 'Enter' && (event.ctrlKey || event.metaKey) && !generator.state().running) { event.preventDefault(); begin(); }
+    });
+
+    render();
+    void checkInfo();
+    return {
+        getPictures: () => generator.done() && !generator.state().running ? generator.state().pictures.map(row => ({file: row.file, label: row.view})) : [],
+        isBusy: () => generator.state().running,
+        cancel: () => generator.stop(),
+        destroy() { disposed = true; clearTimeout(infoTimer); void generator.dispose(); root.remove(); },
+        element: root,
+    };
+}
diff --git a/web/cast_library.css b/web/cast_library.css
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..02bc2427
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/cast_library.css
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+.fv-cast-library[hidden]{display:none}
+.fv-cast-library{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end;gap:10px;min-width:0;padding:2px 0 10px;color:var(--fv-ink);font:13px/1.5 var(--fv-font)}
+.fv-cast-heading{flex-shrink:0;margin-right:auto;font-weight:var(--fv-medium,500)}
+.fv-cast-avatars{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:7px;min-width:0;overflow:auto;padding:3px}
+.fv-cast-avatars:empty{display:none}
+.fv-cast-library .fv-cast-avatar,.fv-cast-library .fv-cast-add{display:grid;place-items:center;flex:0 0 34px;width:34px;height:34px;min-height:0;padding:0;border:1px solid var(--fv-border);border-radius:50%;background:var(--fv-raised);color:var(--fv-muted);cursor:pointer;overflow:hidden}
+.fv-cast-avatar img{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 25%}
+.fv-cast-library .fv-cast-add{font-size:22px;border-style:dashed}
+.fv-cast-library button:hover{border-color:var(--fv-accent);background:var(--fv-hover)}
+.fv-cast-dialog{box-sizing:border-box;width:min(680px,calc(100vw - 32px));max-width:calc(100vw - 32px);max-height:calc(100dvh - 32px);margin:auto;padding:20px;border:1px solid var(--fv-border);border-radius:var(--fv-r-lg,16px);background:var(--fv-card);color:var(--fv-ink);font:13px/1.5 var(--fv-font);box-shadow:0 24px 80px #0008;overflow:auto;color-scheme:dark}
+.fv-cast-dialog *{box-sizing:border-box}
+.fv-cast-dialog::backdrop{background:#080c12bb;backdrop-filter:blur(4px)}
+.fv-cast-top{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:12px;margin-bottom:14px}
+.fv-cast-top h2{margin:0;font-size:var(--fv-strong,16px);font-weight:var(--fv-semibold,600)}
+.fv-cast-dialog button{appearance:none;min-height:32px;padding:5px 13px;border:1px solid var(--fv-border);border-radius:var(--fv-r-sm,8px);background:var(--fv-raised);color:var(--fv-ink);font:inherit;cursor:pointer;touch-action:manipulation}
+.fv-cast-dialog button:hover{background:var(--fv-hover)}
+.fv-cast-dialog button:disabled{opacity:.45;cursor:default}
+.fv-cast-dialog :focus-visible,.fv-cast-library :focus-visible{outline:2px solid var(--fv-accent);outline-offset:2px}
+.fv-cast-dialog .fv-cast-close{min-height:28px;width:28px;padding:0;border:0;background:transparent;color:var(--fv-muted);font-size:22px}
+.fv-cast-name{display:block;width:100%;height:36px;margin:0 0 14px;padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid var(--fv-border);border-radius:var(--fv-r-sm,8px);background:var(--fv-raised);color:var(--fv-ink);font:inherit}
+.fv-cast-name::placeholder{color:var(--fv-disabled)}
+.fv-cast-tabs{display:flex;gap:3px;margin-bottom:16px;padding:3px;border:1px solid var(--fv-border);border-radius:var(--fv-r-sm,8px);background:var(--fv-bg)}
+.fv-cast-tabs button{flex:1;border:0;background:transparent;color:var(--fv-muted)}
+.fv-cast-tabs button[aria-selected=true]{background:var(--fv-raised);color:var(--fv-ink)}
+.fv-cast-upload{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,2fr) minmax(0,3fr);gap:16px}
+.fv-cast-views{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,minmax(0,1fr));grid-template-rows:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr));gap:8px}
+.fv-cast-slot{position:relative;min-width:0;min-height:0;aspect-ratio:3/4}
+.fv-cast-front{aspect-ratio:3/4}
+.fv-cast-dialog .fv-cast-choose{display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:6px;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:0;padding:0;border:1px dashed var(--fv-sheen);border-radius:var(--fv-r-sm,8px);background:var(--fv-raised);color:var(--fv-muted);overflow:hidden}
+.fv-cast-choose:has(img){border-style:solid}
+.fv-cast-slot-plus{font-size:24px;line-height:1}
+.fv-cast-choose img{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:contain}
+.fv-cast-dialog .fv-cast-remove{position:absolute;right:5px;top:5px;width:24px;min-height:24px;padding:0;border-color:var(--fv-sheen);border-radius:50%;background:var(--fv-bg);font-size:18px;line-height:1}
+.fv-cast-actions{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end;gap:8px;margin-top:18px}
+.fv-cast-dialog .fv-cast-delete{margin-right:auto;color:var(--fv-danger)}
+.fv-cast-dialog .fv-cast-save{border-color:var(--fv-accent);background:var(--fv-accent);color:var(--fv-bg);font-weight:var(--fv-semibold,600)}
+.fv-cast-dialog .fv-cast-save:hover{background:var(--fv-accent-hover)}
+.fv-cast-message{margin-top:12px;color:var(--fv-danger);white-space:nowrap;text-overflow:ellipsis;overflow:hidden}
+.fv-cast-message.fv-cast-notice{color:var(--fv-muted)}
+.fv-cast-dialog .fv-cast-delete.fv-cast-confirm{border-color:#c9414f;background:#c9414f;color:#fff}
+.fv-cast-dialog .fv-cast-delete.fv-cast-confirm:hover{border-color:#b0343f;background:#b0343f}
+.fv-cast-generate{min-width:0}
+.fv-cast-dialog [hidden],.fv-cast-library [hidden]{display:none!important}
+@media(max-width:540px){.fv-cast-dialog{padding:14px}.fv-cast-upload{gap:10px}.fv-cast-views{gap:5px}.fv-cast-actions{gap:5px}.fv-cast-actions button{padding:5px 9px}}
+.fv-cast-library .fv-cast-avatar.fv-cast-mentioned{border-color:var(--fv-accent);box-shadow:0 0 0 1px var(--fv-accent)}
diff --git a/web/cast_library.js b/web/cast_library.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5ce3fb10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/cast_library.js
@@ -0,0 +1,302 @@
+import {agentGet, agentPost, agentSend} from './agent_session.js';
+import {agentInterfaceEnabled} from './agent_connect.js';
+
+// The optional generator owns its UI and job lifecycle; keep its contract here.
+async function mountGenerator(options) {
+    try {
+        const {mountCastGenerate, castGenerateSupported} = await import('./cast_generate.js');
+        if (typeof mountCastGenerate !== 'function' || (castGenerateSupported && !castGenerateSupported())) return null;
+        return await mountCastGenerate(options);
+    } catch { return null; }
+}
+
+const el = (tag, className, value) => {
+    const node = document.createElement(tag);
+    if (className) node.className = className;
+    if (value !== undefined) node.textContent = value;
+    return node;
+};
+const button = (className, label, action) => {
+    const node = el('button', className, label); node.type = 'button'; node.onclick = action; return node;
+};
+const path = id => '/freevideo/agent/cast/' + encodeURIComponent(id);
+
+export function createCastLibrary({api, text, viewURL, uploadOne, onChange = () => {}}) {
+    if (!document.querySelector('link[data-freevideo-cast]')) {
+        const css = el('link'); css.rel = 'stylesheet'; css.dataset.freevideoCast = '';
+        css.href = new URL('./cast_library.css', import.meta.url).href; document.head.append(css);
+    }
+    let rows = [], mentioned = new Set(), disposed = false, request = 0, current = null, broadcasting = false;
+    const subscribers = new Set();
+    const element = el('div', 'fv-cast-library');
+    // The row shows, and the page session is asked for, only once /freevideo/agent says the interface is on.
+    let available = false; element.hidden = true;
+    const probe = agentInterfaceEnabled(api).then(on => { available = on && !disposed; element.hidden = !available; return available; });
+    const heading = el('span', 'fv-cast-heading', text('Characters', '角色'));
+    const avatars = el('div', 'fv-cast-avatars');
+    const add = button('fv-cast-add', '+', () => openDialog());
+    add.setAttribute('aria-label', text('New character', '新建角色'));
+    element.append(heading, avatars, add);
+
+    async function value(response) {
+        const data = await response.json().catch(() => null);
+        if (!response.ok) {
+            const error = new Error(data?.error?.message || (typeof data?.error === 'string' && data.error)
+                || data?.message || response.statusText || text('Request failed', '请求失败'));
+            error.status = response.status; throw error;
+        }
+        return data;
+    }
+    // The front picture always comes first: the @ popup and the edit dialog both rely on it.
+    const get = async id => {
+        const card = await value(await agentGet(api, path(id)));
+        const images = card.images || [], front = images.find(image => image.label === 'front');
+        return {...card, images: front ? [front, ...images.filter(image => image !== front)] : images};
+    };
+    function render() {
+        avatars.replaceChildren(); heading.hidden = !rows.length;
+        for (const row of rows) {
+            const avatar = button('fv-cast-avatar', '', () => openDialog(row.id));
+            avatar.classList.toggle('fv-cast-mentioned', mentioned.has(row.id));
+            avatar.title = row.name; avatar.setAttribute('aria-label', row.name);
+            const image = row.thumbnail?.file ? el('img') : el('span', 'fv-cast-initial', row.name.slice(0, 1));
+            if (row.thumbnail?.file) { image.src = viewURL(row.thumbnail.file); image.alt = ''; image.loading = 'lazy'; }
+            avatar.append(image); avatars.append(avatar);
+        }
+    }
+    async function refresh() {
+        if (disposed || !await probe) return rows;
+        const serial = ++request;
+        const data = await value(await agentGet(api, '/freevideo/agent/cast?kind=character&limit=200'));
+        if (!disposed && serial === request) {
+            rows = data.cards; render(); onChange(rows);
+            for (const fn of subscribers) fn(rows);
+        }
+        return rows;
+    }
+    const changed = () => {
+        if (!broadcasting) refresh().catch(error => current?.message(error.message));
+    };
+    async function saved() {
+        broadcasting = true;
+        try { window.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('freevideo-cast-changed')); }
+        finally { broadcasting = false; }
+        await refresh();
+    }
+
+    function openDialog(id = null) {
+        if (disposed || !available) return;
+        current?.close();
+        let closed = false, loading = !!id, saving = false, revision, active = 'upload';
+        let generator = null, aiState = {busy: false, done: false}, deleteTimer = null, confirming = false, frontless = false;
+        const slots = Array(6).fill(null), slotUI = [];
+        const dialog = el('dialog', 'fv-cast-dialog');
+        const top = el('div', 'fv-cast-top');
+        const title = el('h2', '', id ? text('Edit character', '编辑角色') : text('New character', '新建角色'));
+        dialog.setAttribute('aria-label', title.textContent);
+        const closeButton = button('fv-cast-close', '×', () => close());
+        closeButton.setAttribute('aria-label', text('Close', '关闭')); top.append(title, closeButton);
+        const name = el('input', 'fv-cast-name'); name.type = 'text'; name.maxLength = 120;
+        name.placeholder = text('Name', '姓名'); name.setAttribute('aria-label', text('Name', '姓名'));
+        name.oninput = () => sync();
+        name.onkeydown = event => { if (event.key === 'Enter') event.preventDefault(); };
+        const tabs = el('div', 'fv-cast-tabs'); tabs.setAttribute('role', 'tablist');
+        tabs.setAttribute('aria-label', text('Images', '图片'));
+        const uploadTab = button('', text('Upload images', '上传图片'), () => select('upload'));
+        const aiTab = button('', text('Generate with AI', 'AI 生成'), () => select('ai')); aiTab.hidden = tabs.hidden = true;
+        for (const tab of [uploadTab, aiTab]) tab.setAttribute('role', 'tab');
+        // Tab panels are dialog-local, so multiple material panels can coexist.
+        const uploadPane = el('div', 'fv-cast-upload'), views = el('div', 'fv-cast-views');
+        const aiPane = el('div', 'fv-cast-generate'); aiPane.hidden = true;
+        const status = el('div', 'fv-cast-message'); status.setAttribute('role', 'status'); status.hidden = true;
+        const actions = el('div', 'fv-cast-actions');
+        const remove = button('fv-cast-delete', text('Delete character', '删除角色'), () => deleteCard()); remove.hidden = !id;
+        const cancel = button('', text('Cancel', '取消'), () => close());
+        const save = button('fv-cast-save', text('Save', '保存'), () => saveCard());
+        actions.append(remove, cancel, save);
+        dialog.append(top, name, tabs, uploadPane, aiPane, status, actions); tabs.append(uploadTab, aiTab);
+
+        // A refresh notice is plain secondary text; only failures are shown as errors.
+        const message = (content, notice = false) => {
+            if (closed) return;
+            status.textContent = content; status.hidden = !content; status.classList.toggle('fv-cast-notice', notice);
+        };
+        const aiBusy = () => aiState.busy || !!generator?.isBusy();
+        function sync() {
+            const busy = loading || saving;
+            name.disabled = busy; remove.disabled = busy;
+            uploadTab.disabled = aiTab.disabled = busy;
+            save.disabled = busy || aiBusy() || !name.value.trim()
+                || (active === 'upload' ? !(frontless ? slots.some(Boolean) : slots[0]) : !aiState.done);
+            for (let index = 0; index < slotUI.length; index++) {
+                slotUI[index].choose.disabled = busy; slotUI[index].remove.disabled = busy;
+            }
+        }
+        function select(tab) {
+            active = tab;
+            uploadPane.hidden = tab !== 'upload'; aiPane.hidden = tab !== 'ai';
+            for (const [key, node] of [['upload', uploadTab], ['ai', aiTab]]) {
+                node.setAttribute('aria-selected', String(key === tab)); node.tabIndex = key === tab ? 0 : -1;
+            }
+            sync();
+        }
+        tabs.onkeydown = event => {
+            if (!['ArrowLeft', 'ArrowRight', 'Home', 'End'].includes(event.key) || aiTab.hidden || saving || loading) return;
+            event.preventDefault();
+            select(event.key === 'Home' ? 'upload' : event.key === 'End' ? 'ai' : active === 'upload' ? 'ai' : 'upload');
+            (active === 'upload' ? uploadTab : aiTab).focus();
+        };
+        function release(index) {
+            if (slots[index]?.preview) URL.revokeObjectURL(slots[index].preview);
+            slots[index] = null;
+        }
+        function paint(index) {
+            const {choose, remove} = slotUI[index], picture = slots[index];
+            choose.replaceChildren(); let image = null;
+            if (picture) {
+                image = el('img'); image.alt = '';
+                // The remove button waits for the picture, so a slot still loading never looks like a filled one.
+                const shown = () => { if (slots[index] === picture) remove.hidden = false; };
+                image.onload = image.onerror = shown;
+                image.src = picture.preview || viewURL(typeof picture.media === 'string' ? picture.media : picture.media.file);
+                choose.append(image);
+            } else {
+                choose.append(el('span', 'fv-cast-slot-plus', '+'));
+                if (!index) choose.append(el('span', '', text('Front image', '正面图片')));
+            }
+            remove.hidden = true; if (image?.complete) remove.hidden = false; sync();
+        }
+        function chooseFiles(index, files) {
+            if (loading || saving || closed) return;
+            for (const file of Array.from(files).slice(0, 6 - index)) {
+                release(index);
+                slots[index] = {file, label: index ? 'other' : 'front', preview: URL.createObjectURL(file)};
+                paint(index++);
+            }
+            message('');
+        }
+        for (let index = 0; index < 6; index++) {
+            const slot = el('div', 'fv-cast-slot' + (index ? '' : ' fv-cast-front'));
+            const input = el('input'); input.type = 'file'; input.accept = 'image/*'; input.hidden = true;
+            const label = index ? text(`View image ${index}`, `视角图片 ${index}`) : text('Front image', '正面图片');
+            const choose = button('fv-cast-choose', '', () => input.click()); choose.setAttribute('aria-label', label);
+            const remove = button('fv-cast-remove', '×', () => { release(index); paint(index); });
+            remove.setAttribute('aria-label', text('Remove image', '移除图片'));
+            input.onchange = () => { chooseFiles(index, input.files); input.value = ''; };
+            slot.ondragover = event => { event.preventDefault(); event.stopPropagation(); };
+            slot.ondrop = event => { event.preventDefault(); event.stopPropagation(); chooseFiles(index, event.dataTransfer.files); };
+            slot.append(choose, remove, input); slotUI.push({choose, remove});
+            (index ? views : uploadPane).append(slot); paint(index);
+        }
+        uploadPane.append(views);
+        function resetDelete() {
+            clearTimeout(deleteTimer); deleteTimer = null; confirming = false;
+            remove.textContent = text('Delete character', '删除角色'); remove.classList.remove('fv-cast-confirm');
+        }
+        async function load() {
+            loading = true; sync();
+            try {
+                const card = await get(id);
+                if (closed) return;
+                revision = card.revision; name.value = card.name;
+                for (let i = 0; i < 6; i++) release(i);
+                // A card may have no front picture (the API does not require one): all its pictures stay, in order, and
+                // saving does not ask for a front; the front slot is only reserved while there is a front to keep first.
+                frontless = card.images.length > 0 && card.images[0].label !== 'front';
+                card.images.slice(0, 6).forEach((picture, index) => { slots[index] = {...picture}; });
+                slotUI.forEach((_, index) => paint(index));
+                generator?.cancel(); aiState = {busy: false, done: false}; select('upload'); resetDelete();
+            } finally { loading = false; if (!closed) sync(); }
+        }
+        async function failure(error) {
+            if (closed) return;
+            if (error.status === 409 && id) {
+                try {
+                    await load();
+                    message(text('Changed elsewhere. Showing the latest version.', '已在别处修改，已显示最新内容'), true);
+                } catch (error) { message(error.message); }
+            } else message(error.message);
+        }
+        async function saveCard() {
+            if (save.disabled || closed) return;
+            saving = true; resetDelete(); message(''); sync();
+            try {
+                const pictures = active === 'upload' ? slots.filter(Boolean) : generator.getPictures().map((picture, index) => ({
+                    ...(typeof picture.file === 'string' ? {media: picture.file} : {file: picture.file}),
+                    label: picture.label || (index ? 'other' : 'front'),
+                }));
+                const frontNeeded = active === 'ai' || !frontless;
+                if (!pictures.length || pictures.length > 6 || (frontNeeded && !pictures.some(picture => picture.label === 'front')))
+                    throw new Error(text('Choose a front image and up to five views', '请选择正面图片，最多五张视角图片'));
+                const images = [];
+                for (const picture of pictures) {
+                    if (closed) return;
+                    // Cache uploads on the slot so retrying a refused save does not upload twice.
+                    if (picture.file && !picture.media) picture.media = (await uploadOne(picture.file)).file;
+                    images.push({media: picture.media, label: picture.label});
+                }
+                if (closed) return;
+                const body = {name: name.value.trim(), images};
+                await value(await (id ? agentSend(api, 'PATCH', path(id), {revision, ...body})
+                    : agentPost(api, '/freevideo/agent/cast', {kind: 'character', ...body})));
+                close(); await saved();
+            } catch (error) { await failure(error); }
+            finally { saving = false; if (!closed) sync(); }
+        }
+        async function deleteCard() {
+            if (loading || saving || closed || revision === undefined) return;
+            if (!confirming) {
+                confirming = true; remove.textContent = text('Confirm delete', '确认删除'); remove.classList.add('fv-cast-confirm');
+                deleteTimer = setTimeout(resetDelete, 3000); return;
+            }
+            saving = true; resetDelete(); message(''); sync();
+            try {
+                await value(await agentSend(api, 'DELETE', path(id), {}, {'If-Match': String(revision)}));
+                close(); await saved();
+            } catch (error) { await failure(error); }
+            finally { saving = false; if (!closed) sync(); }
+        }
+        function close() {
+            if (closed) return;
+            closed = true; clearTimeout(deleteTimer);
+            generator?.cancel(); generator?.destroy();
+            for (let index = 0; index < 6; index++) release(index);
+            if (dialog.open) dialog.close(); dialog.remove();
+            if (current?.element === dialog) current = null;
+            add.focus();
+        }
+        // A click anywhere else in the dialog takes the second step back.
+        dialog.onpointerdown = event => { if (confirming && event.target !== remove) resetDelete(); };
+        dialog.oncancel = event => { event.preventDefault(); close(); };
+        dialog.onclose = close;
+        current = {element: dialog, message, close};
+        name.value = ''; select('upload'); document.body.append(dialog); dialog.showModal(); name.focus();
+        if (id) load().catch(error => message(error.message));
+        mountGenerator({container: aiPane, api, text, viewURL, onState: state => {
+            if (closed) return;
+            aiState = state; sync();
+        }}).then(instance => {
+            if (closed) { instance?.cancel(); instance?.destroy(); return; }
+            generator = instance; aiTab.hidden = tabs.hidden = !instance; sync();
+        });
+    }
+
+    // The @ popup reports which characters the prompt currently mentions; they get an accent ring.
+    const mentions = event => {
+        mentioned = new Set(Array.isArray(event.detail) ? event.detail : []); render();
+    };
+    window.addEventListener('freevideo-cast-mentioned', mentions);
+    window.addEventListener('focus', changed);
+    window.addEventListener('freevideo-cast-changed', changed);
+    render(); changed();
+    return {element, list: () => rows, get, refresh,
+        subscribe(fn) { subscribers.add(fn); return () => subscribers.delete(fn); },
+        openNew: () => openDialog(), openEdit: id => openDialog(id),
+        destroy() {
+            if (disposed) return;
+            disposed = true; request++; current?.close(); subscribers.clear(); element.remove();
+            window.removeEventListener('freevideo-cast-mentioned', mentions);
+            window.removeEventListener('focus', changed);
+            window.removeEventListener('freevideo-cast-changed', changed);
+        }};
+}
diff --git a/web/cast_mention.js b/web/cast_mention.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c3ba43dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/cast_mention.js
@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+// @-mentions of library characters in the prompt box.
+// While editing, the text keeps the character's name ("@Su Wan"); the character's pictures are ordinary reference rows
+// of the media list that carry `cast: {id, name, description}`. When a request is made the names become <Subject N>
+// and the subject definitions go in front, the same wording the Agent's drama planner writes (agent/drama.py).
+export const MAX_PEOPLE = 3;
+export const MAX_PICTURES_EACH = 6;
+export const MAX_REFERENCES = 32;
+// Which of a card's pictures come first; the others follow in the card's own order.
+export const PICTURE_ORDER = ['sheet', 'front', 'three_quarter', 'face'];
+
+// subjects: [{name, description, pictures: [first, last] | null, audio: number | null}]. This is the one JS place for
+// the wording; its Python twin is subject_definitions() and tests/fixtures/subject_definitions.json holds the cases
+// both sides must reproduce character for character.
+export function subjectDefinitions(subjects) {
+    const parts = subjects.map((subject, index) => {
+        let text = `<Subject ${index + 1}> is ${subject.name}`;
+        const description = String(subject.description || '').trim().replace(/\.+$/, '');
+        text += description ? `: ${description}.` : '.';
+        const tags = [];
+        if (subject.pictures) {
+            // One [first, last] pair, or several when the person's pictures are not side by side.
+            const ranges = typeof subject.pictures[0] === 'number' ? [subject.pictures] : subject.pictures;
+            const pictures = ranges.map(([a, b]) => a === b ? `<Picture ${a}>` : `<Picture ${a}> to <Picture ${b}>`).join(', ');
+            const single = ranges.length === 1 && ranges[0][0] === ranges[0][1];
+            tags.push(`${pictures} show${single ? 's' : ''} its appearance`);
+        }
+        if (subject.audio) tags.push(`<Audio ${subject.audio}> is its voice`);
+        if (tags.length) text += ' ' + tags.join('; ') + '.';
+        return text;
+    });
+    return 'subject_definitions: ' + parts.join(' ');
+}
+
+const IMAGE = /\.(png|jpe?g|webp|bmp|tiff?)$/i;
+const enabled = row => row && row.enabled !== false;
+// The number H3 gives each reference picture: images in list order (connected inputs come after the list).
+function pictureNumbers(rows) {
+    const numbers = new Map();
+    let count = 0;
+    rows.forEach((row, index) => {
+        if (enabled(row) && row.role === 'reference' && IMAGE.test(row.file || '')) numbers.set(index, ++count);
+    });
+    return numbers;
+}
+
+// The characters present in the media list, in list order, with the rows that carry each one's pictures.
+export function castInRows(rows) {
+    const people = new Map();
+    (Array.isArray(rows) ? rows : []).forEach((row, index) => {
+        if (!enabled(row) || !row.cast?.id || row.role !== 'reference' || !IMAGE.test(row.file || '')) return;
+        const name = row.cast.name || '';
+        // `handle` is what the text says after the @: the name, or "name (2)" when another present character has the same name.
+        const person = people.get(row.cast.id) || {id: row.cast.id, name, handle: row.cast.handle || name, description: row.cast.description || '', rows: []};
+        person.rows.push(index); people.set(row.cast.id, person);
+    });
+    return [...people.values()];
+}
+
+// Ids of the characters present in the media list and written in the text, in list order.
+export function mentionedIds(text, rows) {
+    const people = castInRows(rows), handles = new Set(mentionRanges(String(text ?? ''), people).map(range => range.name));
+    return people.filter(person => handles.has(person.handle)).map(person => person.id);
+}
+
+const escape = text => text.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, '\\$&');
+// Where `@name` of a present character stands in the text; longer names win, an @ right after a word or an address is not
+// a mention (the same rule as the @ list's).
+export function mentionRanges(text, people) {
+    const names = [...new Set(people.map(person => person.handle ?? person.name).filter(Boolean))].sort((a, b) => b.length - a.length);
+    if (!names.length || !text.includes('@')) return [];
+    // A name written in Latin letters does not end in the middle of a longer word ("@Su Wanda" is not "@Su Wan").
+    const whole = name => escape(name) + (/[A-Za-z0-9_]$/.test(name) ? '(?![A-Za-z0-9_])' : '');
+    const pattern = new RegExp('(^|[^\\w.%+\\-])@(' + names.map(whole).join('|') + ')', 'gu');
+    const ranges = [];
+    for (const match of text.matchAll(pattern)) {
+        const start = match.index + match[1].length;
+        ranges.push({start, end: start + 1 + match[2].length, name: match[2]});
+    }
+    return ranges;
+}
+
+// The prompt a request carries. Characters mentioned in the text are numbered in order of first mention; one whose
+// pictures are gone is written as a plain name. `active: false` (first/last frames, a continued video) leaves every
+// name plain too, since pictures of people cannot go with those.
+export function expandCast(text, rows, {active = true} = {}) {
+    text = String(text ?? '');
+    const list = Array.isArray(rows) ? rows : [];
+    const people = castInRows(list);
+    const ranges = mentionRanges(text, people);
+    if (!ranges.length) return {text, subjects: []};
+    if (list.some(row => enabled(row) && (row.role === 'first' || row.role === 'last'))) active = false;
+    const numbers = pictureNumbers(list);
+    const order = [];
+    let result = '', at = 0;
+    for (const range of ranges) {
+        result += text.slice(at, range.start); at = range.end;
+        const person = people.find(p => (p.handle ?? p.name) === range.name);
+        if (!active || !person) { result += person ? person.name : range.name; continue; }
+        let number = order.indexOf(person) + 1;
+        if (!number) {
+            if (order.length >= MAX_PEOPLE) { result += person.name; continue; }
+            order.push(person); number = order.length;
+        }
+        result += `<Subject ${number}>`;
+    }
+    result += text.slice(at);
+    if (!order.length) return {text: result, subjects: []};
+    const subjects = order.map(person => {
+        // Consecutive picture numbers make one range; a person whose pictures are apart gets several.
+        const ranges = [];
+        for (const number of person.rows.map(index => numbers.get(index)).sort((a, b) => a - b)) {
+            const last = ranges[ranges.length - 1];
+            if (last && number === last[1] + 1) last[1] = number; else ranges.push([number, number]);
+        }
+        return {name: person.name, description: person.description, pictures: ranges, audio: null};
+    });
+    return {text: subjectDefinitions(subjects) + '\n\n' + result, subjects};
+}
+
+// The pictures of a card to put in the media list: the card's own order after the preferred labels, the first six.
+export function cardPictures(card) {
+    const rank = new Map(PICTURE_ORDER.map((label, index) => [label, index]));
+    return (card?.images || []).map((image, index) => ({image, index}))
+        .filter(({image}) => image?.media?.file && IMAGE.test(image.media.file))
+        .sort((a, b) => (rank.get(a.image.label) ?? PICTURE_ORDER.length) - (rank.get(b.image.label) ?? PICTURE_ORDER.length) || a.index - b.index)
+        .slice(0, MAX_PICTURES_EACH).map(({image}) => image.media.file);
+}
+
+// Whether a character can be mentioned now; `reason` is the one thing in the way.
+// `count` is how many pictures the card would add when only its list row is known.
+export function mentionState(rows, card, count = cardPictures(card).length) {
+    const list = Array.isArray(rows) ? rows : [];
+    const people = castInRows(list);
+    if (people.some(person => person.id === card.id)) return {ok: true, present: true};
+    if (list.some(row => enabled(row) && (row.role === 'first' || row.role === 'last'))) return {ok: false, reason: 'frames'};
+    if (people.length >= MAX_PEOPLE) return {ok: false, reason: 'people'};
+    if (list.filter(enabled).length + count > MAX_REFERENCES) return {ok: false, reason: 'full'};
+    return {ok: true, present: false};
+}
+
+// What the text says after the @ for this card: its name, unless another character in the list already goes by that
+// name (the library allows two cards with one name); then "name (2)", "name (3)" … so each @ points at one card.
+// `pending` maps ids of characters chosen a moment ago, whose rows have not landed yet, to the handle already typed.
+export function mentionHandle(rows, card, pending = new Map()) {
+    const people = castInRows(rows), present = people.find(person => person.id === card.id);
+    if (present) return present.handle;
+    if (pending.has(card.id)) return pending.get(card.id);
+    const taken = new Set([...people.map(person => person.handle), ...pending.values()]);
+    let handle = card.name, number = 1;
+    while (taken.has(handle)) handle = `${card.name} (${++number})`;
+    return handle;
+}
+
+// The media list with the character's pictures appended together, so one range of picture numbers covers them.
+export function withCharacter(rows, card, typed = '') {
+    const list = Array.isArray(rows) ? rows.map(row => ({...row})) : [];
+    if (castInRows(list).some(person => person.id === card.id)) return list;
+    const handle = typed || mentionHandle(list, card);
+    const cast = {id: card.id, name: card.name, description: card.description || '', ...(handle === card.name ? {} : {handle})};
+    return [...list, ...cardPictures(card).map(file => ({file, role: 'reference', enabled: true, cast}))];
+}
diff --git a/web/cast_overlay.js b/web/cast_overlay.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..01cf3c2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/cast_overlay.js
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+// Shows @mentions of characters in the accent colour. The textarea keeps the text; while a mention is present a copy of
+// the text (same font, wrapping and scroll) is drawn over it and the textarea's own glyphs are made transparent.
+import {mentionRanges} from './cast_mention.js';
+
+const COPIED = ['fontFamily', 'fontSize', 'fontWeight', 'fontStyle', 'fontVariantLigatures', 'letterSpacing', 'wordSpacing', 'lineHeight',
+    'textIndent', 'textTransform', 'tabSize', 'paddingTop', 'paddingRight', 'paddingBottom', 'paddingLeft', 'direction'];
+
+// `people()` lists the characters present in the media list: [{name}].
+export function attachMentionOverlay(input, {people}) {
+    const mirror = document.createElement('div'), inner = document.createElement('div');
+    mirror.className = 'fv-mention-mirror'; mirror.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true'); mirror.hidden = true;
+    mirror.append(inner);
+    input.parentNode.insertBefore(mirror, input.nextSibling);
+    let composing = false, disposed = false;
+    function layout() {
+        const style = getComputedStyle(input);
+        for (const name of COPIED) mirror.style[name] = style[name];
+        Object.assign(mirror.style, {left: `${input.offsetLeft + input.clientLeft}px`, top: `${input.offsetTop + input.clientTop}px`,
+            width: `${input.clientWidth}px`, height: `${input.clientHeight}px`, opacity: input.disabled ? '.5' : ''});
+        inner.style.transform = `translateY(${-input.scrollTop}px)`;
+    }
+    function refresh() {
+        if (disposed) return;
+        const text = input.value, ranges = composing ? [] : mentionRanges(text, people());
+        const live = ranges.length > 0;
+        input.classList.toggle('fv-mention-live', live); mirror.hidden = !live;
+        if (!live) { inner.replaceChildren(); return; }
+        const parts = []; let at = 0;
+        for (const range of ranges) {
+            if (range.start > at) parts.push(document.createTextNode(text.slice(at, range.start)));
+            const name = document.createElement('span'); name.className = 'fv-mention'; name.textContent = text.slice(range.start, range.end);
+            parts.push(name); at = range.end;
+        }
+        parts.push(document.createTextNode(text.slice(at) + (text.endsWith('\n') ? '​' : '')));
+        inner.replaceChildren(...parts);
+        layout();
+    }
+    const listeners = [], listen = (target, name, fn) => { target.addEventListener(name, fn); listeners.push(() => target.removeEventListener(name, fn)); };
+    listen(input, 'input', refresh);
+    listen(input, 'scroll', () => { if (!mirror.hidden) inner.style.transform = `translateY(${-input.scrollTop}px)`; });
+    listen(input, 'compositionstart', () => { composing = true; refresh(); });
+    listen(input, 'compositionend', () => { composing = false; refresh(); });
+    listen(window, 'resize', () => { if (!mirror.hidden) layout(); });
+    const observer = typeof ResizeObserver === 'function' ? new ResizeObserver(() => { if (!mirror.hidden) layout(); }) : null;
+    observer?.observe(input);
+    return {refresh, dispose() { disposed = true; observer?.disconnect(); listeners.forEach(stop => stop()); mirror.remove(); input.classList.remove('fv-mention-live'); }};
+}
diff --git a/web/cast_source.js b/web/cast_source.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5806387b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/cast_source.js
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+// The character library the @ list reads: the library module's own object, or nothing while that module is absent.
+export async function openCastLibrary(deps) {
+    try {
+        const {createCastLibrary} = await import('./cast_library.js');
+        return createCastLibrary(deps);
+    } catch { return null; }
+}
diff --git a/web/editor.js b/web/editor.js
index 385f35fe..6dc9f6f5 100644
--- a/web/editor.js
+++ b/web/editor.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import {createBlockNotes, describedTrack} from './editor_notes.js';
 import {createFirstRunGuide} from './first_run_guide.js';
 import {createEditorFailures} from './editor_failure.js';
 import {fitEditorHeader} from './editor_header_fit.js';
+import {optionalText} from './optional_inputs.js';
 const editorStyles = Promise.all(['result_actions.css', 'editor.css', 'editor_tracks.css', 'editor_frame.css', 'editor_adjust.css', 'editor_adjust_picture.css', 'editor_preview_picture.css', 'editor_select.css', 'editor_menu.css', 'editor_text.css', 'editor_notes.css', 'editor_transport.css'].map(name => {
     const style = document.createElement('link'); style.rel = 'stylesheet'; style.href = new URL(name, import.meta.url).href;
     const ready = 'sheet' in style ? new Promise(resolve => { style.onload = style.onerror = resolve; }) : Promise.resolve();
@@ -71,6 +72,11 @@ function exportErrorText(value, t) {
     // A bare status code means nothing to the user; the server's own words do.
     return message ? t(`Export failed: ${message}`, `导出时出错：${message}`) : t('Export failed. Try again.', '导出时出错，请再试一次。');
 }
+// The save route's own messages are internal English, so only a full disk is named.
+function saveErrorText(value, t) {
+    return value?.reason === 'disk_full' ? t('Saving changes failed: the disk is full. Free some space, then export again.', '保存改动时出错：磁盘空间不够，空出空间后再导出。')
+        : t('Saving changes failed. Please export again.', '保存改动时出错，请再导出一次。');
+}
 function restoreGeneration(record, before, prepared) {
     const same = (a, b) => JSON.stringify(a) === JSON.stringify(b);
     const entries = value => new Map(value.tracks.flatMap(track => track.clips.map(clip => [clip.id, {track: track.id, clip}])));
@@ -260,11 +266,12 @@ export function openEditor({api, app, from = null, panel = {}, components: given
                 : t(en || 'Each continued part must be at least 10 seconds. Make it longer.', zh || '接着生成的每一段至少 10 秒，请加长一些。');
             notify(text); return {ok: false, reason: code, say: text};
         }
-        if (['busy', 'locked', 'text', 'audio_full', 'overlap', 'range'].includes(code)) {
+        if (['busy', 'locked', 'text', 'audio_full', 'overlap', 'range', 'no_audio'].includes(code)) {
             if (['locked', 'audio_full', 'overlap', 'range'].includes(code)) tracks?.flashBlocked?.(value.displayFrame);
             const said = {busy: t('This part is generating.', '这一段正在生成。'), locked: t('This track is locked.', '这条轨道已锁定。'),
                 text: t('Write a description first.', '先写一句描述。'), overlap: t('That spot is taken. Use an empty spot.', '这里已经有片段了，请放到空白处。'),
-                audio_full: t('Both audio tracks are full here. Move an audio clip first.', '这里两条声音轨都满了，请先挪开一段声音。')}[code];
+                audio_full: t('Both audio tracks are full here. Move an audio clip first.', '这里两条声音轨都满了，请先挪开一段声音。'),
+                no_audio: t('This clip has no sound. Please choose one with sound.', '这个素材没有声音，请选一段有声音的。')}[code];
             if (said) notify(said);
             return {ok: false, reason: code};
         }
@@ -313,9 +320,9 @@ export function openEditor({api, app, from = null, panel = {}, components: given
         const start = Math.min(...clips.map(clip => clip.start));
         return {start, frames: Math.max(...clips.map(clip => clip.start + clip.frames)) - start};
     }
-    // Whether the part about to be made starts fresh instead of continuing footage: only then can pictures guide it.
-    function startsFresh() {
-        const range = selectionRange(); if (!range) return false;
+    // How the part about to be made starts: 'fresh' (pictures can guide it), 'continues' (from the footage before it) or null.
+    function partStart() {
+        const range = selectionRange(); if (!range) return null;
         try {
             const selected = selectionClips();
             const planned = selected.length && selected.every(clip => clip.pending && !clip.source)
@@ -323,8 +330,9 @@ export function openEditor({api, app, from = null, panel = {}, components: given
                 : model.planRange(state.record, {...range, target: 'both', text: 'x', maxSeconds: capability.maxSeconds, maxFollowSeconds: capability.maxFollowSeconds});
             const ids = planned.tracks[0].clips.filter(clip => clip.start >= range.start && clip.start < range.start + range.frames
                 && clip.pending && !['queued', 'running'].includes(clip.pending)).map(clip => clip.id);
-            return ids.length > 0 && model.generationBefore(model.prepare(planned, ids), ids).some(before => before == null);
-        } catch (value) { if (value instanceof model.EditError) return false; throw value; }
+            if (!ids.length) return null;
+            return model.generationBefore(model.prepare(planned, ids), ids).some(before => before == null) ? 'fresh' : 'continues';
+        } catch (value) { if (value instanceof model.EditError) return null; throw value; }
     }
     const jobActive = () => generationBusy || [...jobStatuses.values()].some(job => ['queued', 'running', 'cancelling'].includes(job.state));
     // Parts pressed while they cannot be sent yet: the engine is still starting, or they continue a part
@@ -443,10 +451,7 @@ export function openEditor({api, app, from = null, panel = {}, components: given
             await queue.flush();
         }
         if (disposed || closing || epoch !== projectEpoch) return false;
-        if (queue.dirty) {
-            notify(t('Changes could not be saved after three tries. Check disk space, then export again.', '改动没有保存成功，已重试三次。请检查磁盘空间后再导出。'));
-            return false;
-        }
+        if (queue.dirty) { notify(saveErrorText(queue.failure, t)); return false; }
         return !!state.record.id;
     }
     function updateTop() {
@@ -470,7 +475,7 @@ export function openEditor({api, app, from = null, panel = {}, components: given
         if (!value.node || !value.prompt?.[value.node]) throw new Error('missing_node');
         const inputs = value.prompt[value.node].inputs;
         Object.assign(inputs, state.record.settings || {}, capability.generationSize || generationSize(state.record));
-        // The media panel's pictures guide a part that starts fresh (generate() drops them when every part continues footage);
+        // The media panel's pictures guide every part (the engine keeps only the references for a part that continues);
         // without a panel to show them they stay out of the request.
         if (!panel.references?.available()) delete inputs.media;
         delete inputs.continue_from; delete inputs.continue_to;
@@ -727,9 +732,9 @@ export function openEditor({api, app, from = null, panel = {}, components: given
                 clip.start + clip.frames === range.start && clip.source && clip.extend && clip.in + clip.frames === clip.length);
             return before || model.rangeParts(state.record, {...range, ...capability}).length > 1;
         },
-        // Pictures that guide a new part: the creative panel's media rows, shown while the part starts fresh.
+        // Pictures that guide a new part: the creative panel's media rows; a part that continues shows only its references.
         references: panel.references ? {source: panel.references, notify, size: () => capability.generationSize || generationSize(state.record),
-            visible: () => store.generationAvailable && actions.supportedSelection() && startsFresh()} : null,
+            visible: () => store.generationAvailable && actions.supportedSelection() ? partStart() : null} : null,
         setFirstFrame: value => { state.apply(t('First-frame reference', '首帧参考'), record => model.setFlag(record, 'first_frame_reference', value)); },
         previewRange: selection => genbar?.preview(selection),
         async estimate(selection) {
@@ -765,8 +770,6 @@ export function openEditor({api, app, from = null, panel = {}, components: given
                 submittedSelection = shown && state.selection === selection ? state.select({kind: 'clip', ids}) : state.selection; await completeSources();
                 const paths = Object.fromEntries([...store.sources].map(([key, value]) => [key, value.path]));
                 const request = model.generationRequest(prepared, ids, {text, paths});
-                // Pictures guide parts that start fresh; a request whose parts all continue footage carries none.
-                if (!request.blocks.some(block => !block.after)) delete frozen.prompt[frozen.node].inputs.media;
                 const follow = continuedSize(model.generationBefore(prepared, ids), store.sources), edit = capability.generationSize || generationSize(state.record);
                 Object.assign(frozen.prompt[frozen.node].inputs, follow || {});
                 // Parts made at another size than the edit's have that size's limit.
@@ -1225,7 +1228,7 @@ export function openEditor({api, app, from = null, panel = {}, components: given
                         has_video: true, has_audio: true, path: work.video, missing: false, thumbnail: '/freevideo/library/thumbnail?' + new URLSearchParams({id})}});
                 }
             } else {
-                let id; try { id = localStorage.getItem('fv-editor-last'); } catch {}
+                let id; try { id = optionalText(localStorage.getItem('fv-editor-last')); } catch {}
                 let draft; try { draft = globalThis.sessionStorage?.getItem('fv-editor-draft'); } catch { draft = lastDraft; }
                 if (draft?.startsWith('draft:')) key = draft;
                 else if (id) { record = await store.load(id); if (record) key = id; }
diff --git a/web/editor_audio.js b/web/editor_audio.js
index 0a619697..ec0e2326 100644
--- a/web/editor_audio.js
+++ b/web/editor_audio.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ export function createAudioIntegration({state, player, t, error, adjust, library
     const unregisterMenu = () => { unregisterItem?.(); unregisterItem = null; stopMenu(); };
     const stopMenu = state.subscribe(event => { if (event.type === 'record') syncMenu(); });
     syncMenu();
-    const detachPicker = library && store ? attachReplacePicker({state, library, store, actions: integration.actions, t}) : null;
+    const detachPicker = library && store ? attachReplacePicker({state, library, store, actions: integration.actions, t, error}) : null;
     const showJunction = () => { if (value.junction) { adjust?.element.querySelector('[data-adjust-tab="audio"]').click(); adjust?.open(); } };
     if (adjust) {
         unregister = adjust.register('audio', {
diff --git a/web/editor_audio_replace.js b/web/editor_audio_replace.js
index f61e6d34..cf07a1dc 100644
--- a/web/editor_audio_replace.js
+++ b/web/editor_audio_replace.js
@@ -25,14 +25,15 @@ const payloadOf = (key, metadata) => {
     return {source: {kind: key.slice(0, separator), id: key.slice(separator + 1)}, frames: metadata.frames, hasAudio: true, hasVideo: false};
 };
 // The library cards keep their own gestures; while the mode is on, "add" gestures pick instead.
-export function attachReplacePicker({state, library, store, actions, t}) {
+export function attachReplacePicker({state, library, store, actions, t, error = () => {}}) {
     const mode = replaceMode(state);
     async function pick(key) {
         const id = mode.id;
         await store.getSources([key]);
         if (mode.id !== id || id === null) return;
-        const payload = payloadOf(key, store.sources.get(key));
-        if (!payload) return;
+        const metadata = store.sources.get(key), payload = payloadOf(key, metadata);
+        // A pick that cannot replace says why; the mode stays on for another pick.
+        if (!payload) { error(metadata && !metadata._fallback ? {reason: 'no_audio'} : new Error('source')); return; }
         if (actions.replaceAudio(id, payload).ok !== false) mode.cancel();
     }
     const choose = event => {
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ export function attachReplacePicker({state, library, store, actions, t}) {
         const button = event.target.closest?.('.fv-ed-source-card')?.querySelector('.fv-ed-source');
         if (!button || button.disabled) return;
         event.preventDefault(); event.stopImmediatePropagation();
-        pick(button.dataset.key).catch(() => {});
+        pick(button.dataset.key).catch(value => error(value));
     };
     const onClick = event => { if (event.target.closest?.('.fv-ed-source-add')) choose(event); };
     // The keys a card answers to: Enter on the card, Enter or Space on its add button.
diff --git a/web/editor_entry.js b/web/editor_entry.js
index 2420faab..d01abfe0 100644
--- a/web/editor_entry.js
+++ b/web/editor_entry.js
@@ -38,7 +38,10 @@ export function openEditorView(node, {studio, work = null, extend = false} = {})
             };
             // The block already shows the overall percentage; the bar keeps only the stage sentence.
             const stage = words('.fv-generation-label').replace(/（本步 \d+%）$| \(\d+% of this step\)$/, '');
-            return {stage, time: words('.fv-generation-status'), stall: words('.fv-generation-stall')};
+            const eta = progressElement.querySelector('.fv-generation-eta');
+            const shown = eta && !eta.hidden ? eta.dataset : null, left = shown?.seconds != null ? Number(shown.seconds) : null;
+            return {stage, time: words('.fv-generation-status'), stall: words('.fv-generation-stall'),
+                left: Number.isFinite(left) ? left : null, over: words('.fv-generation-late') !== ''};
         };
     }
     const handle = openEditor({api, app, panel, from: work ? {work, ...(extend ? {extend: true} : {})} : null, onView(view) {
diff --git a/web/editor_genbar.js b/web/editor_genbar.js
index 2e2c459e..5a5692b1 100644
--- a/web/editor_genbar.js
+++ b/web/editor_genbar.js
@@ -84,10 +84,13 @@ export function createEditorGenbar(host, {state, t, actions, text = ''}) {
             : '';
         input.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Description', '描述'));
         generate.classList.toggle('fv-primary', selected && !busy);
-        cancel.hidden = !busy || opening; resume.hidden = !stopped;
+        // A cancel already accepted is not offered again; the bar says it is stopping until the run ends.
+        const cancelling = status?.state === 'cancelling' && !held;
+        cancel.hidden = !busy || opening || cancelling; resume.hidden = !stopped;
         const waiting = status?.state === 'queued' && !(status.blocks || []).some(block => ['queued', 'running'].includes(block.state) && block.prompt_id);
         if (opening) hint.textContent = t('Starting…', '正在开始…');
         else if (held || waiting) hint.textContent = t('Queued', '排队中');
+        else if (cancelling) hint.textContent = t('Stopping…', '正在停止…');
         else if (running) {
             const blocks = status?.blocks || [], done = blocks.filter(block => block.state === 'done').length;
             const number = Math.min(blocks.length || 1, Math.max(done, status?.chainProgress?.index || 0) + 1), count = blocks.length || 1;
@@ -96,7 +99,9 @@ export function createEditorGenbar(host, {state, t, actions, text = ''}) {
             // The creation panel's own sentences, so a long step says what it is and how long it has taken.
             // At a narrow width only the stage sentence is cut; the part number and the time stay.
             // A single part needs no number; with nothing else to say it reads "Preparing".
-            const time = words?.stall || words?.time || (remaining != null ? timeEstimate(remaining, t) : '');
+            // The creation panel's own time when it has one, so the bar and the panel never differ; the job's sum until the panel has one.
+            const left = words?.over ? null : words?.left ?? remaining;
+            const time = words?.stall || (words?.over ? t('Taking longer than expected', '比预计久，仍在生成') : words?.time || (left != null ? timeEstimate(left, t) : ''));
             const stage = words?.stage || (count === 1 && !time ? t('Preparing', '正在准备') : '');
             const spans = [['fv-ed-gen-part', count > 1 ? t(`Part ${number}/${count}`, `第 ${number}/${count} 段`) : ''],
                 ['fv-ed-gen-stage', stage], ['fv-ed-gen-time', time]];
@@ -105,7 +110,7 @@ export function createEditorGenbar(host, {state, t, actions, text = ''}) {
             hint.title = shown.map(([, text]) => text).join('');
         }
         firstFrame.update(busy);
-        references?.update(busy, busy ? undefined : !!actions.references.visible());
+        references?.update(busy, busy ? undefined : actions.references.visible() || false);
         generate.textContent = t('Generate', '生成');
         // Never disabled for a reason the press itself can explain or fix.
         generate.disabled = busy || !!previewSelection;
@@ -178,7 +183,11 @@ export function editorBlockStates(job, messages = [], resolve = null) {
     if (resolve) return resolve(job, messages);
     const states = {pending: 'waiting', queued: 'waiting', running: 'generating', done: 'done',
         failed: 'failed', cancelled: 'stopped', interrupted: 'stopped'};
+    // A part that never started in a run that was stopped or failed is stopped too, not still queued.
+    // Once a cancel is accepted (cancelling), such a part can only end cancelled, so it reads stopped at once.
+    const ended = ['failed', 'cancelled', 'interrupted', 'cancelling'].includes(job.state);
     return Object.fromEntries((job.blocks || []).map(block => {
+        if (ended && ['pending', 'queued'].includes(block.state)) return [block.id, {state: 'stopped', fraction: 0, remainingSeconds: null}];
         const live = messages.find(message => message.chain?.id === job.id && message.chain?.block === block.id);
         const running = block.state === 'running' || block.state === 'queued';
         const fraction = block.state === 'done' ? 1 : running && live
diff --git a/web/editor_references.js b/web/editor_references.js
index 5f2f8ec3..4bd6f808 100644
--- a/web/editor_references.js
+++ b/web/editor_references.js
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 // Reference pictures for a new part, kept small inside the generation bar: thumbnails and one "+".
+// A part that continues the one before keeps its reference pictures (people stay the same) but not its first or last frame.
 // `source` is the media rows of the creative panel (editor_media_references.js); `size()` is the video's shape.
 const el = (tag, cls, text) => { const e = document.createElement(tag); if (cls) e.className = cls; if (text != null) e.textContent = text; return e; };
 const IMAGE = /\.(png|jpe?g|webp|bmp|tiff?)$/i;
 const MAX = 32;
+// The engine keeps the first three references of a part that continues.
+const CONTINUE_MAX = 3;
 export function createEditorReferences({t, source, size = () => null, error = () => {}, notify = () => {}}) {
     const root = el('div', 'fv-ed-refs'), chips = el('div', 'fv-ed-ref-chips');
     const add = el('button', 'fv-ed-ref-add'); add.type = 'button';
@@ -12,12 +15,16 @@ export function createEditorReferences({t, source, size = () => null, error = ()
     const menu = el('div', 'fv-ed-ref-menu'); menu.hidden = true; menu.setAttribute('role', 'menu');
     const picker = el('input'); picker.type = 'file'; picker.accept = 'image/*'; picker.multiple = true; picker.hidden = true;
     root.append(add, chips, menu, picker);
-    let shown = false, busy = false, working = false, opener = null, disposed = false, entries = [], waited = false;
+    let shown = false, continuing = false, busy = false, working = false, opener = null, disposed = false, entries = [], waited = false;
     const active = () => source.rows().map((row, index) => ({row, index})).filter(({row}) => row.enabled !== false);
     const isImage = file => IMAGE.test(file || '');
+    // The pictures this part uses: all of them, or the first reference images of a part that continues
+    // (sound or video references do not count there, as the engine skips them).
+    const used = () => continuing ? active().filter(({row}) => (row.role || 'reference') === 'reference' && isImage(row.file)).slice(0, CONTINUE_MAX) : active();
+    const full = () => continuing ? used().length >= CONTINUE_MAX : active().length >= MAX;
     // On hover without a full stop; in the notice line with one.
     const waitText = () => t('Available after generation finishes', '生成完成后可改');
-    const fullText = () => t('Up to 32 images', '最多 32\u00a0张');
+    const fullText = () => continuing ? t('Up to 3 images when continuing', '接续时最多 3\u00a0张') : t('Up to 32 images', '最多 32\u00a0张');
     const sentence = text => text + t('.', '。');
     const label = role => role === 'first' ? t('First frame', '首帧') : role === 'last' ? t('Last frame', '尾帧') : t('Reference', '参考');
     function close(focus = true) {
@@ -58,7 +65,7 @@ export function createEditorReferences({t, source, size = () => null, error = ()
         working = true; update();
         try {
             for (const file of files) {
-                if (active().length >= MAX) break;
+                if (full()) break;
                 const result = await source.upload(file);
                 write([...source.rows(), {file: result.file, role: 'reference', enabled: true}]);
             }
@@ -93,6 +100,11 @@ export function createEditorReferences({t, source, size = () => null, error = ()
     }
     function chipMenu(entry) {
         entries = [];
+        const remove = () => item(t('Remove', '移除'), () => {
+            const rows = source.rows();
+            if (rows[entry.index]?.file === entry.row.file) { rows[entry.index] = {...rows[entry.index], enabled: false}; write(rows); }
+        });
+        if (continuing) return [remove()];
         const roles = ['reference', 'first', 'last'].map(role => {
             const b = item(label(role), () => {
                 const rows = source.rows();
@@ -104,25 +116,23 @@ export function createEditorReferences({t, source, size = () => null, error = ()
             b.setAttribute('aria-checked', String((entry.row.role || 'reference') === role)); return b;
         });
         const separator = el('div'); separator.setAttribute('role', 'separator');
-        return [...roles, separator, item(t('Remove', '移除'), () => {
-            const rows = source.rows();
-            if (rows[entry.index]?.file === entry.row.file) { rows[entry.index] = {...rows[entry.index], enabled: false}; write(rows); }
-        })];
+        return [...roles, separator, remove()];
     }
     // The line said on a click while a part is made; it goes away with the busy state it describes.
     const wait = () => { waited = true; notify(sentence(waitText())); };
     function update(isBusy = busy, visible = shown) {
         if (waited && busy && !isBusy) { waited = false; notify(''); }
-        busy = isBusy; shown = visible;
+        const was = continuing;
+        busy = isBusy; shown = visible; continuing = shown === 'continues';
         root.hidden = !shown || !source.available();
-        if ((root.hidden || busy) && !menu.hidden) close(false);
-        // The panel holds at most MAX pictures: a full list greys the plus out rather than ignoring a click.
-        const full = active().length >= MAX;
+        if ((root.hidden || busy || was !== continuing) && !menu.hidden) close(false);
+        // The panel holds at most MAX pictures, a continuing part uses three: a full list greys the plus out rather than ignoring a click.
+        const isFull = full();
         // While a part is being made the controls stay clickable and say why they do nothing.
         add.disabled = working;
-        add.setAttribute('aria-disabled', String(busy || full));
-        add.title = busy ? waitText() : full ? fullText() : t('Reference image', '参考图');
-        chips.replaceChildren(...active().map(entry => {
+        add.setAttribute('aria-disabled', String(busy || isFull));
+        add.title = busy ? waitText() : isFull ? fullText() : t('Reference image', '参考图');
+        chips.replaceChildren(...used().map(entry => {
             const chip = el('button', 'fv-ed-ref-chip'); chip.type = 'button'; chip.disabled = working; chip.setAttribute('aria-disabled', String(busy));
             chip.dataset.role = entry.row.role || 'reference';
             chip.title = busy ? waitText() : label(entry.row.role); chip.setAttribute('aria-haspopup', 'menu');
@@ -134,7 +144,7 @@ export function createEditorReferences({t, source, size = () => null, error = ()
     }
     add.onclick = () => {
         if (busy) { wait(); return; }
-        if (active().length >= MAX) { notify(sentence(fullText())); return; }
+        if (full()) { notify(sentence(fullText())); return; }
         if (!menu.hidden && opener === add) close(); else open(add, addMenu()); };
     picker.onchange = () => addFiles(Array.from(picker.files));
     // Keys stay in the menu: Escape closes it only, and the arrows move through it.
diff --git a/web/editor_store.js b/web/editor_store.js
index ea90d2cd..16f5e522 100644
--- a/web/editor_store.js
+++ b/web/editor_store.js
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ const clockDefault = {now: () => Date.now(), setTimeout: (fn, ms) => setTimeout(
 const copy = value => structuredClone(value);
 const memoryProjects = new Map();
 const errorFor = response => Object.assign(new Error('editor_request'), {status: response.status});
+// A failed save keeps the server's reason so the page can say what went wrong.
+async function saveFailure(response) {
+    let body = null; try { body = await response.json(); } catch {}
+    return Object.assign(errorFor(response), body && typeof body === 'object' ? {reason: body.reason, response: body} : {});
+}
 const post = value => ({method: 'POST', headers: {'Content-Type': 'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify(value)});
 export const sourceKey = source => source ? `${source.kind}:${source.id}` : null;
 import {chainRoute, createPoller, interpolate, capabilityPoints} from './chain_support.js';
@@ -57,7 +62,7 @@ export function createSaveQueue({write, read, onSaved = () => {}, onConflict = (
     initial = null, getRecord = null, copySuffix = ' (copy)', session = null, create = null, attempt: resumedAttempt = null}) {
     const owner = session || holdSession();
     let pending = null, inFlight = null, timer = null, heartbeat = null, meta = null, retry = 0, disposed = false;
-    let memory = false, memoryNoticed = false, lastSaved = initial && copy(initial), failed = false, copied = false, retained = false;
+    let memory = false, memoryNoticed = false, lastSaved = initial && copy(initial), failed = false, failure = null, copied = false, retained = false;
     let createOperation = create || (initial?.id ? null : operationId());
     let attempt = resumedAttempt && copy(resumedAttempt);
     const localKey = owner.session;
@@ -108,7 +113,7 @@ export function createSaveQueue({write, read, onSaved = () => {}, onConflict = (
                     }
                     attempt = null; pending = {...latest, ...meta}; retain(pending); retry = 0; return;
                 }
-                if (!response.ok) throw errorFor(response);
+                if (!response.ok) throw await saveFailure(response);
                 const saved = (await response.json()).project;
                 if (disposed) return;
                 attempt = null;
@@ -119,7 +124,7 @@ export function createSaveQueue({write, read, onSaved = () => {}, onConflict = (
                 if (pending) retain({...pending, ...meta});
                 else { saveOutbox(localKey, null); retained = false; clock.clearTimeout(heartbeat); heartbeat = null; }
             } catch (error) {
-                failed = true;
+                failed = true; failure = error;
                 if (!disposed) {
                     retain({...(pending || sent), ...(meta || {})});
                     schedule(Math.min(30000, 1000 * 2 ** retry++)); onError(error);
@@ -154,6 +159,8 @@ export function createSaveQueue({write, read, onSaved = () => {}, onConflict = (
         get recovery() { return {project: copy({...(pending || attempt?.project), ...(meta || {})}), baseline: copy(lastSaved), create: createOperation, attempt: copy(attempt)}; },
         dispose({discard = false} = {}) { disposed = true; clock.clearTimeout(timer); timer = null; clock.clearTimeout(heartbeat); heartbeat = null; if (discard) saveOutbox(localKey, null); if (!session) owner.dispose(); },
         get dirty() { return !!pending || !!attempt || !!inFlight; },
+        // Why the last write failed, while that failure still stands.
+        get failure() { return failed ? failure : null; },
         get locallyRetained() { return retained; },
     };
 }
diff --git a/web/editor_text.css b/web/editor_text.css
index 04273bdb..243f8bd9 100644
--- a/web/editor_text.css
+++ b/web/editor_text.css
@@ -40,3 +40,11 @@
 .fv-ed-track-head[data-text-track=true]>svg{display:none}
 
 .fv-ed-text-notice{display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;cursor:pointer}
+.fv-ed-style-presets{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:6px;align-items:center}
+.fv-ed-preset{position:relative;display:inline-flex}
+.fv-editor .fv-ed-preset-apply{width:40px;height:32px;padding:0;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;border:1px solid var(--fv-border);border-radius:4px}
+.fv-ed-preset[data-current=true] .fv-ed-preset-apply{outline:2px solid var(--fv-accent);outline-offset:1px}
+.fv-ed-preset-note{font-size:12px;color:var(--fv-muted)}
+.fv-editor .fv-ed-preset-remove{position:absolute;top:-6px;right:-6px;width:16px;height:16px;min-width:0;padding:0;font-size:11px;line-height:1;border-radius:50%;opacity:0;background:var(--fv-card);border:1px solid var(--fv-border);color:var(--fv-ink)}
+.fv-ed-preset:hover .fv-ed-preset-remove,.fv-ed-preset:focus-within .fv-ed-preset-remove{opacity:1}
+.fv-editor .fv-ed-preset-save{height:32px;padding:0 10px;font-size:12px}
diff --git a/web/editor_text.js b/web/editor_text.js
index a161dca0..e9baaa9b 100644
--- a/web/editor_text.js
+++ b/web/editor_text.js
@@ -3,13 +3,22 @@
 import * as model from './editor_model.js';
 import {FONT_KEYS} from './fonts.js';
 import {row, button, slider, number, segmented, toggle} from './editor_adjust.js';
-import {isText, isTextTrack, addText, changeText, changeSubtitleStyle, styleOf, activeText, setTextTrack, parseSRT, importSRT, addSubtitles, defaults} from './editor_text_model.js';
+import {isText, isTextTrack, addText, changeText, changeSubtitleStyle, styleOf, activeText, setTextTrack, parseSRT, importSRT, addSubtitles, defaults, cleanStyle, SUBTITLE_DEFAULTS} from './editor_text_model.js';
 import {loadCoverage, loadTextFonts, textFontStack, missingGlyphs, missingHint, overTwoHint, textLayout, drawText} from './editor_text_layout.js';
 import {createSelectionActions, isTyping} from './editor_select.js';
 import {plan} from './editor_geometry.js';
 import {isolateDialogKeys} from './dialog_keys.js';
 const el=(tag,cls,text)=>{const e=document.createElement(tag);if(cls)e.className=cls;if(text!=null)e.textContent=text;return e;};
 const clamp=(v,lo,hi)=>Math.max(lo,Math.min(hi,v));
+const PRESET_KEY='freevideo.subtitle-presets',PRESET_LIMIT=6;
+// Saved subtitle looks live in this browser, so any project can reuse them; a bad or missing store is an empty list.
+function readPresets(){
+    let saved;try{saved=JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(PRESET_KEY));}catch{return [];}
+    if(!Array.isArray(saved))return [];
+    return saved.flatMap(value=>{try{return [cleanStyle(value,'subtitle')];}catch{return [];}}).slice(0,PRESET_LIMIT);
+}
+function writePresets(list){try{localStorage.setItem(PRESET_KEY,JSON.stringify(list));}catch{/* The look still applies without storage. */}}
+const sameStyle=(a,b)=>JSON.stringify(Object.entries(cleanStyle(a,'subtitle')).sort())===JSON.stringify(Object.entries(cleanStyle(b,'subtitle')).sort());
 export function createEditorText({element,state,t,actions,adjust,player,toolbar,exportBox,tracksHost}) {
     const frame=player.element, canvas=el('canvas','fv-ed-text-canvas'), boundsLayer=el('div','fv-ed-text-handles');
     canvas.setAttribute('aria-hidden','true'); frame.append(canvas,boundsLayer);
@@ -115,7 +124,11 @@ export function createEditorText({element,state,t,actions,adjust,player,toolbar,
         host.append(row(t('Content','内容'),content),warning,overflow);
         const duration=number({min:1/24,max:1e7/24,step:1/24,label:t('Duration','时长'),onChange:v=>{const c=selectedText();if(c)apply(t('Duration','时长'),r=>changeText(r,c.id,{frames:Math.max(1,Math.round(v*24))}));}});
         const durationRow=row(t('Duration','时长'),duration);
-        if(kind==='subtitle')host.append(durationRow,el('hr'),el('strong','fv-ed-subtitle-style-title',t('Style for all subtitles','全部字幕的样式')));
+        let presetRow=null;
+        if(kind==='subtitle'){
+            presetRow=el('div','fv-ed-style-presets');
+            host.append(durationRow,el('hr'),el('strong','fv-ed-subtitle-style-title',t('Style for all subtitles','全部字幕的样式')),presetRow);
+        }
         const font=el('select','fv-ed-text-font');font.setAttribute('aria-label',t('Font','字体'));
         for(const key of FONT_KEYS){const option=el('option','',names[key]);option.value=key;option.style.fontFamily=textFontStack(key);font.append(option);}
         font.onchange=()=>modifyStyle({font:font.value});host.append(row(t('Font','字体'),font));
@@ -161,9 +174,37 @@ export function createEditorText({element,state,t,actions,adjust,player,toolbar,
             if(e.key==='Escape'){e.preventDefault();finishContent();content.blur();}
             else if(kind==='subtitle' && e.key==='Enter' && !e.shiftKey && !e.isComposing){e.preventDefault();const c=selectedText();if(!c||!model.find(record(),c.id)?.text.trim())return;commitDraft();add('subtitle',c.start+c.frames);content.value='';}
         };
-        panels.set(kind,{content,warning,overflow,font,size,sizeNumber,custom,backing,bold,align,position,duration,fade,host});
+        panels.set(kind,{presetRow,content,warning,overflow,font,size,sizeNumber,custom,backing,bold,align,position,duration,fade,host});
         updatePanel(kind);
     }
+    // One press saves the subtitle look as a preset; one press on a preset sets it on every subtitle.
+    function renderPresets(host,current,replaced=false){
+        const list=readPresets(),found=list.findIndex(value=>sameStyle(value,current));
+        host.replaceChildren();
+        list.forEach((value,index)=>{
+            const full={...SUBTITLE_DEFAULTS,...value},chip=el('span','fv-ed-preset');chip.dataset.current=String(index===found);
+            const apply_=button('Aa',{onClick:()=>modifyStyle({...SUBTITLE_DEFAULTS,...value})});apply_.classList.add('fv-ed-preset-apply');
+            apply_.setAttribute('aria-label',t(`Use style ${index+1}`,`套用样式 ${index+1}`));apply_.title=t(`Use style ${index+1}`,`套用样式 ${index+1}`);
+            apply_.style.fontFamily=textFontStack(full.font);apply_.style.color=full.color;
+            const light=parseInt(full.color.slice(1,3),16)*.3+parseInt(full.color.slice(3,5),16)*.59+parseInt(full.color.slice(5,7),16)*.11>140;
+            apply_.style.backgroundColor=full.backing==='box'?'#000000':light?'#2a2f38':'#e5e7eb';
+            if(full.backing==='outline')apply_.style.textShadow=light?'0 0 2px #000, 0 0 2px #000':'0 0 2px #fff, 0 0 2px #fff';
+            const remove=button('×',{onClick:()=>{const next=readPresets();next.splice(index,1);writePresets(next);renderPresets(host,current);}});
+            remove.classList.add('fv-ed-preset-remove');remove.setAttribute('aria-label',t(`Delete style ${index+1}`,`删除样式 ${index+1}`));remove.title=t('Delete','删除');
+            chip.append(apply_,remove);host.append(chip);
+        });
+        const save=button(t('Save style','保存样式'),{onClick:()=>{
+            // A full list gives up its oldest look for the new one, and says so for a moment.
+            const next=readPresets(),full=next.length>=PRESET_LIMIT;if(full)next.shift();
+            next.push(cleanStyle(current,'subtitle'));writePresets(next);renderPresets(host,current,full);}});
+        save.classList.add('fv-ed-preset-save');
+        if(found>=0){save.disabled=true;save.title=t('Already saved','已保存过');}
+        host.append(save);
+        if(replaced){
+            const note=el('span','fv-ed-preset-note',t('Replaced the oldest','已替换最早的一套'));note.setAttribute('role','status');host.append(note);
+            setTimeout(()=>note.remove(),2000);
+        }
+    }
     function updatePanel(kind){
         const p=panels.get(kind),c=selectedText();if(!p||!c||c.text_kind!==kind)return;
         p.host.disabled=locked(c);
@@ -172,6 +213,7 @@ export function createEditorText({element,state,t,actions,adjust,player,toolbar,
         if(!draft){p.size.value=s.size*1080;p.sizeNumber.value=Math.round(s.size*1080);p.custom.value=s.color;}
         p.backing.value=s.backing;p.position.value=kind==='text'?s.y:s.position;p.duration.value=c.frames/24;
         if(p.bold){p.bold.value=s.bold;p.align.value=s.align;p.fade.value=s.fade;}
+        if(p.presetRow&&!draft)renderPresets(p.presetRow,s);
         updateWarnings();
     }
     for(const kind of ['text','subtitle'])adjust.register(kind,{render:host=>buildPanel(host,kind),update:()=>updatePanel(kind)});
diff --git a/web/editor_tracks.js b/web/editor_tracks.js
index 3b202b9a..46d5f61a 100644
--- a/web/editor_tracks.js
+++ b/web/editor_tracks.js
@@ -39,11 +39,11 @@ export function insertionPoint(clips, frame, exceptIds = []) {
     return {frame: edge === 'start' ? hit.start : hit.start + hit.frames, hit: hit.id, edge};
 }
 
+// A range starts where it was pressed (ends there when drawn leftwards); its length is whole seconds, at least two.
 export function rangeParameters(anchor, frame, tracks = ['v1', 'a1'], fps = model.FPS) {
-    const first = Math.max(0, Math.round(anchor / fps) * fps);
-    const last = Math.max(0, Math.round(frame / fps) * fps);
-    const start = Math.min(first, last);
-    return {kind: 'range', start, frames: Math.max(2 * fps, Math.abs(last - first)), tracks: [...tracks]};
+    const from = Math.max(0, Math.round(anchor)), to = Math.max(0, Math.round(frame));
+    const frames = Math.max(2 * fps, Math.round(Math.abs(to - from) / fps) * fps);
+    return {kind: 'range', start: to < from ? Math.max(0, from - frames) : from, frames, tracks: [...tracks]};
 }
 
 export function moveParameters(clip, anchor, frame, points, zoom) {
@@ -743,21 +743,23 @@ export function createTracks(host, {state, sources = {}, t = en => en, actions =
                 gesture.selection = {...original, start: aligned.frame};
             } else {
                 aligned = snap(frame, dragPoints(frame), state.zoom);
-                const end = original.start + original.frames, at = Math.round(aligned.frame / model.FPS) * model.FPS;
-                const start = gesture.edge === 'start' ? Math.min(end - 2 * model.FPS, at) : original.start;
-                const stop = gesture.edge === 'end' ? Math.max(start + 2 * model.FPS, at) : end;
-                gesture.selection = capRange({kind: 'range', start, frames: stop - start, tracks: original.tracks}, gesture.edge === 'start');
+                // The edge held still stays exactly where it is; the dragged one follows the pointer by whole seconds.
+                const end = original.start + original.frames, fixed = gesture.edge === 'start' ? end : original.start;
+                const drawn = rangeParameters(fixed, gesture.edge === 'start' ? Math.min(aligned.frame, end - 2 * model.FPS) : Math.max(aligned.frame, fixed), original.tracks);
+                gesture.selection = capRange(drawn, gesture.edge === 'start');
             }
             previewSelection = gesture.selection; showGuide(aligned.guide); renderSelection();
             hint(gesture.selection, event, false, gesture.type === 'rangeMove');
             if (gesture.type === 'rangeMove' && gesture.rangeBlocked) tooltip.hidden = true;
         } else if (gesture.type === 'range') {
             const aligned = snap(frame, points, state.zoom);
-            const drawn = rangeParameters(gesture.anchor, aligned.frame);
+            // Where it was pressed, drawn to a clip edge, marker or the playhead nearby.
+            gesture.from ??= snap(gesture.anchor, points, state.zoom).frame;
+            const drawn = rangeParameters(gesture.from, aligned.frame);
             // Drawn from a clip's end, the range starts exactly there.
             if (gesture.flush != null && aligned.frame > gesture.flush) Object.assign(drawn, {start: gesture.flush,
                 frames: Math.max(2 * model.FPS, Math.round((aligned.frame - gesture.flush) / model.FPS) * model.FPS)});
-            gesture.selection = capRange(drawn, aligned.frame < gesture.anchor);
+            gesture.selection = capRange(drawn, aligned.frame < gesture.from);
             previewSelection = gesture.selection; showGuide(aligned.guide);
             renderSelection(); hint(gesture.selection, event);
         } else if (gesture.type === 'move') {
diff --git a/web/error_panel.js b/web/error_panel.js
index c29e5acf..3df01e3d 100644
--- a/web/error_panel.js
+++ b/web/error_panel.js
@@ -21,9 +21,18 @@ const PLAIN_ERRORS = [
     {key: 'continuation-size', message: 'Use the same width and height as the previous video.',
         title: ['The video sizes differ', '两段视频的画面大小不一致'],
         summary: ['Set the width and height to the previous video’s size.', '请把宽度和高度设为与上一段视频相同。']},
-    {key: 'continuation-route', message: 'Video continuation requires full two-pass text generation on an NVIDIA GPU, without first frames, last frames or reference media.',
-        title: ['This generation mode cannot continue a video', '当前生成方式不支持视频接续'],
-        summary: ['Use full two-pass text generation on an NVIDIA GPU and remove first frames, last frames and reference media. Mac and preview generation are not supported.', '请在 NVIDIA 显卡上使用完整的文字生成两遍流程，移除首帧、尾帧和参考素材。Mac 和预览生成暂不支持接续。']},
+    {key: 'continuation-route', message: 'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings. Continuing a video needs an NVIDIA GPU. To make a new video, clear "Continue from video".',
+        title: ['This computer can\'t continue a video', '这台电脑无法接续视频'],
+        summary: ['Continuing a video needs an NVIDIA GPU. To make a new video, clear "Continue from video".', '接续视频需要 NVIDIA 显卡。要生成新视频，请清空“Continue from video”。']},
+    {key: 'continuation-passes', message: 'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings. Turn on "Two-pass acceleration" and turn off the first-pass preview.',
+        title: ['Continuing needs two-pass acceleration', '接续需要二次采样加速'],
+        summary: ['Turn on "Two-pass acceleration" and turn off the first-pass preview.', '请打开“二次采样加速”，并关闭首轮预览。']},
+    {key: 'continuation-refine', message: 'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings. Clear either "Second pass of preview" or "Continue from video".',
+        title: ['A continued part is made in full', '接续会完整生成这一段'],
+        summary: ['Clear either "Second pass of preview" or "Continue from video".', '请清空“Second pass of preview”或“Continue from video”其中一项。']},
+    {key: 'continuation-media', message: 'Continue from video cannot be used with these settings. Connect up to 3 pictures as references, and remove video, audio and pre-encoded inputs.',
+        title: ['A continued part takes picture references only', '接续段只能用图片参考'],
+        summary: ['Connect up to 3 pictures as references, and remove video, audio and pre-encoded inputs.', '最多接 3 张图片作为参考图，并移除视频、音频参考和预编码输入。']},
     {key: 'continuation-frames', message: 'Frame count must be 5 + 17n and at least 39 (39, 56, 73, 90, ...).',
         aliases: ['Frames must be 0 to use Duration, or 5 + 17n and at least 39 (for example, 39, 56, 141 or 243). The total includes 22 overlap frames when continuing.'],
         title: ['Choose a supported frame count', '请选择支持的帧数'],
diff --git a/web/freevideo.js b/web/freevideo.js
index 2ed83532..e11c54be 100644
--- a/web/freevideo.js
+++ b/web/freevideo.js
@@ -10,16 +10,18 @@ import { startUpdateChecks } from './updates.js';
 import { startDoneNotify, askDesktopPermission, DESKTOP_SETTING } from './done_notify.js';
 import { installNavigation, refreshNavigation, preferredView } from './view_navigation.js';
 import { agentInterfaceEnabled } from './agent_connect.js';
-import { attachReferencePicker, referenceItems, syncReferencePrompt, referenceInputs } from './prompt_references.js';
+import { attachReferencePicker, referenceItems, syncReferencePrompt, referenceInputs, mediaRows } from './prompt_references.js';
+import { expandCast } from './cast_mention.js';
 import { outputDownloadURL } from './output_download.js';
 import { shareButton } from './share.js';
 import { reportFileName } from './report_issue.js';
 import { rememberPromptDraft, savePromptDraft, trackPromptDraft, watchPromptHistory, promptHistoryRestoring } from './prompt_draft.js';
-import { cleanOptionalWidgets, cleanOptionalPrompt } from './optional_inputs.js';
+import { cleanOptionalWidgets, cleanOptionalPrompt, optionalInputValue } from './optional_inputs.js';
 import { regenerateResult, createSecondPassQueue } from './studio_queue.js';
 import { secondPassAction } from './result_actions.js';
 import { openImageEditor, icon } from './image_editor.js';
 import { imageGenerationSupported } from './image_generation.js';
+import { createCastLibrary } from './cast_library.js';
 
 const languageOverride = typeof location !== 'undefined'
     ? new URLSearchParams(location.search).get('freevideo_lang') : null;
@@ -130,6 +132,8 @@ function mediaPanel(node, mount = null) {
     }
     role.value = 'reference';
     toolbar.append(add, generateImage, addAudio, role, picker, audioPicker); panel.append(toolbar, mode, note, audioHelp, connections, cards);
+    const cast = createCastLibrary({api, text, viewURL, uploadOne});
+    panel.prepend(cast.element);
     const read = () => {
         const rows = JSON.parse(serialized.value || "[]");
         if (!Array.isArray(rows) || rows.length > 32) throw new Error(text("Use at most 32 media items", "最多使用 32 个素材"));
@@ -238,6 +242,11 @@ function mediaPanel(node, mount = null) {
         try { rows = read(); } catch (error) { message(error.message, true); return; }
         const active = rows.filter(row => row.enabled !== false);
         const linked = name => node.inputs?.find(i => i.name === name)?.link != null;
+        // A Generate node that continues a video takes these keyframes as pictures, so they may sit beside references.
+        const continuing = (node.outputs?.[0]?.links || []).some(id => {
+            const target = node.graph?.getNodeById(node.graph?.links[id]?.target_id);
+            return target?.type === 'FreeVideoGenerate' && optionalInputValue('continue_from', target.widgets?.find(w => w.name === 'continue_from')?.value) !== '';
+        });
         const first = active.filter(row => row.role === "first").length + Number(linked('first'));
         const last = active.filter(row => row.role === "last").length + Number(linked('last'));
         const audioRefs = active.filter(row => row.role === 'reference' && mediaKind(row.file) === 'audio').length + Number(linked('reference_audio'));
@@ -254,7 +263,7 @@ function mediaPanel(node, mount = null) {
             chip.title = source?.title || source?.type || label; connections.append(chip);
         }
         mode.textContent = refs ? text("Reference video · experimental", "参考生成 · 实验性") : first && last ? text("First + last frame", "首尾帧生成") : first ? text("Image to video", "图生视频") : last ? text("Last frame to video", "尾帧生成") : text("Text to video · media is optional", "文生视频 · 素材可留空");
-        message(refs > 32 ? text(`There are ${refs} references and the limit is 32. Remove some before generating.`, `参考素材有 ${refs} 个，超过了 32 个的上限，请减少后再生成。`) : refs && (first || last) ? text("Choose keyframes or references. Disable unused cards.", "首尾帧与参考模式不能混用，请关闭本次不用的素材。") : first > 1 || last > 1 ? text("Keep only one first frame and one last frame enabled.", "首帧和尾帧各只能启用一张图片。") : text("Connect IMAGE / AUDIO outputs on the left, or drop / paste files here.", "可连接左侧 IMAGE / AUDIO 输入，或拖入、粘贴文件。"), Boolean(refs > 32 || refs && (first || last) || first > 1 || last > 1));
+        message(refs > 32 ? text(`There are ${refs} references and the limit is 32. Remove some before generating.`, `参考素材有 ${refs} 个，超过了 32 个的上限，请减少后再生成。`) : (first || last) && continuing ? text("When continuing a video, the first and last frames are used as references.", "接续视频时，首尾帧会用作参考图。") : refs && (first || last) ? text("Choose keyframes or references. Disable unused cards.", "首尾帧与参考模式不能混用，请关闭本次不用的素材。") : first > 1 || last > 1 ? text("Keep only one first frame and one last frame enabled.", "首帧和尾帧各只能启用一张图片。") : text("Connect IMAGE / AUDIO outputs on the left, or drop / paste files here.", "可连接左侧 IMAGE / AUDIO 输入，或拖入、粘贴文件。"), Boolean(refs > 32 || refs && (first || last) && !continuing || first > 1 || last > 1));
         if (!rows.length && !connections.childElementCount) cards.append(el("div", text("Leave empty for text to video.", "留空则为文生视频。"), "fv-empty"));
         if (!rows.length && connections.childElementCount) cards.append(el('div', text('Media will come from the connected nodes.\nNo upload is needed.', '素材由已连接的节点提供。\n无需上传文件。'), 'fv-connected-card'));
         rows.forEach((row, index) => {
@@ -262,7 +271,7 @@ function mediaPanel(node, mount = null) {
             const top = el("div", undefined, "fv-row");
             const enabled = el("input"); enabled.type = "checkbox"; enabled.checked = row.enabled !== false;
             enabled.setAttribute("aria-label", text("Use media", "使用素材")); enabled.onchange = () => { rows[index].enabled = enabled.checked; update(rows); };
-            const label = el("span", (row.source || row.file).split("/").pop(), "fv-file"); label.title = row.file;
+            const label = el("span", row.cast?.name || (row.source || row.file).split("/").pop(), "fv-file"); label.title = row.file;
             const select = el("select"); select.setAttribute("aria-label", text("Media role", "素材用途"));
             const kind = mediaKind(row.file);
             for (const [value, title] of (kind === "image" ? [["reference", text("Reference", "参考")], ["first", text("First frame", "首帧")], ["last", text("Last frame", "尾帧")]] : [["reference", text("Reference", "参考")]])) {
@@ -349,7 +358,7 @@ function mediaPanel(node, mount = null) {
     panel.ondragover = event => { event.preventDefault(); event.stopPropagation(); };
     panel.ondrop = event => { event.preventDefault(); event.stopPropagation(); upload(event.dataTransfer.files); };
     panel.onpaste = event => { if (event.clipboardData?.files.length) { event.preventDefault(); event.stopPropagation(); upload(event.clipboardData.files); } };
-    const dispose = () => window.removeEventListener('freevideo-media', changed);
+    const dispose = () => { window.removeEventListener('freevideo-media', changed); cast.destroy(); };
     if (mount) { mount.append(panel); render(); return dispose; }
     node.freevideoCreateMediaEditor = target => mediaPanel(node, target);
     node.addDOMWidget("freevideo_media", "freevideo_media", panel, {serialize: false, getMinHeight: () => 300, getMaxHeight: () => 520});
@@ -675,6 +684,9 @@ app.registerExtension({
                     force.type = 'hidden'; force.computeSize = () => [0, -4]; force.draw = () => {};
                     force.value = false; force.serializeValue = () => false;
                 }
+                // Characters mentioned with @ travel as <Subject N> plus their definitions; the draft keeps the typed names.
+                const prompt = this.widgets?.find(w => w.name === 'text');
+                if (prompt) { const owner = this; prompt.serializeValue = () => expandCast(prompt.value, mediaRows(owner), {active: !owner.freevideoCastOff?.()}).text; }
                 const quality = this.widgets?.find(w => w.name === 'two_pass');
                 if (quality) {
                     quality.label = text('Two-pass acceleration', '二次采样加速');
diff --git a/web/generation_progress.css b/web/generation_progress.css
index c1807310..bd3c9745 100644
--- a/web/generation_progress.css
+++ b/web/generation_progress.css
@@ -19,11 +19,17 @@
 .fv-generation-note{font-size:var(--fv-micro);color:var(--fv-muted,#a2abba);margin:10px auto 0;max-width:400px;line-height:1.5}
 .fv-panel .fv-generation-progress{padding:12px 14px;margin-bottom:12px;border-radius:var(--fv-r-md)}
 .fv-generation-compact{max-width:820px}
-.fv-generation-times>span[hidden],.fv-generation-status[hidden],.fv-generation-times[hidden]{display:none!important}
+.fv-generation-late{margin-top:5px;text-align:center;font-size:12px;color:var(--fv-muted,#a2abba)}
+.fv-generation-late[hidden],.fv-generation-times>span[hidden],.fv-generation-status[hidden],.fv-generation-times[hidden]{display:none!important}
 /* No reserved blank rows or clipped copy. Browser checks measure actual lines. */
 .fv-generation-status{box-sizing:border-box;width:100%;flex:none;margin-top:10px;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;color:var(--fv-muted,#a2abba);text-align:center;text-wrap:balance}
 .fv-generation-compatibility{box-sizing:border-box;width:100%;flex:none;margin-top:10px;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;color:var(--fv-ink,#e8edf5);text-align:center;text-wrap:balance}
 .fv-generation-compatibility[hidden]{display:none!important}
+.fv-generation-frames{display:block;box-sizing:border-box;width:auto;max-width:100%;max-height:min(30vh,200px);margin:12px auto 0;border-radius:var(--fv-r-sm,6px);object-fit:contain;background:var(--fv-raised,#212a37)}
+.fv-studio .fv-stage .fv-generation-frames{width:auto;height:auto}
+.fv-generation-frames[data-wide=true],.fv-studio .fv-stage .fv-generation-frames[data-wide=true]{height:64px}
+.fv-generation-frames[hidden]{display:none!important}
+.fv-studio .fv-stage[data-short=true] .fv-generation-frames{display:none!important}
 .fv-generation-live{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip-path:inset(50%);white-space:nowrap;border:0}
 /* Studio shows progress with the preview's rising wave, so its bar stays
    hidden (studio.css); the node view keeps the bar under the percentage. */
diff --git a/web/generation_progress.js b/web/generation_progress.js
index e6314f01..1a4ddfe4 100644
--- a/web/generation_progress.js
+++ b/web/generation_progress.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // One whole-video estimate and the same five rows in Studio and the node view.
-import { saveReport } from './report_issue.js';
+import { saveReport, reportIssue, showReportTip } from './report_issue.js';
 const css = document.createElement('link');
 css.rel = 'stylesheet'; css.href = new URL('./generation_progress.css', import.meta.url).href;
 document.head.append(css);
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@ const STALL_SECONDS_BY_PHASE = Object.freeze({
     starting: 180, encoding: 180, load: 180, sampling: 180, refinement: 180,
     latent_upscale: 180, sample_finalize: 180, decode: 180, save: 180,
     dependencies: 180, recovery: 180, other: 180,
+    // A long video's part descriptions: the server waits at most 10 min for the model and
+    // writes for at most 15 min, then falls back to the whole description on its own.
+    describe: 1500,
 });
 // Normal stage sentences keep the sampling step or a download's size and speed.
 // After 15 s of engine silence SUBACTIVITY names the work without counts.
@@ -101,6 +104,7 @@ const STALL_SECONDS_BY_PHASE = Object.freeze({
 // Stage words the product already uses: settings say 一采 / 二采, results say 解码.
 const ACTIVITY = {
     prepare: ['Preparing', '正在准备'],
+    describe: ['Writing part descriptions', '正在写各段描述'],
     prompt: ['Encoding the prompt', '正在编码提示词'],
     combined: ['Encoding the prompt and references', '正在编码提示词和参考素材'],
     load: ['Loading the video model', '正在载入视频模型'],
@@ -194,7 +198,7 @@ function activityLabel(message, t, plan = {}, secondPass = false, references = f
         return steps('pass1', twoPass ? 'first' : 'single', step, count);
     }
     const key = labelActivities.get(message.label) || {
-        starting: 'prepare', prepare: 'prepare', prediction: 'prepare', encoding: 'combined',
+        starting: 'prepare', prepare: 'prepare', prediction: 'prepare', describe: 'describe', encoding: 'combined',
         load: 'load', decode: 'decode', save: 'save',
     }[phase] || labelActivities.get(message.stage);
     if (!key) return null;
@@ -349,6 +353,59 @@ export function estimatedFraction(state, overall, stateAge, overallAge) {
     return candidate;
 }
 
+// The video's report download, also used by Agent failure cards. A task that
+// failed before creating an engine report supplies the shared redacted summary.
+export function createDiagnosticReportControl(t, {api = null, fallback = null, tip = false, version = null,
+    label = () => t('Download report', '下载报告')} = {}) {
+    if (tip) {
+        const href = new URL('./result_actions.css', import.meta.url).href;
+        if (![...document.head.querySelectorAll('link')].some(link => link.href === href)) {
+            const style = document.createElement('link'); style.rel = 'stylesheet'; style.href = href; document.head.append(style);
+        }
+    }
+    const report = el('button', 'fv-report-download fv-quiet'); report.type = 'button'; report.hidden = true;
+    let reportId = null, revision = 0;
+    report.textContent = label();
+    function updateReport(message) {
+        if (message.new_request === true || message.overall?.reset === true || message.reset === true && !message.phase) {
+            reportId = null; revision++; report.hidden = true;
+        }
+        if (typeof message.report_id === 'string' && /^[a-f0-9]{32}$/.test(message.report_id)) {
+            if (reportId !== message.report_id) { revision++; report.disabled = false; report.textContent = label(); }
+            reportId = message.report_id;
+        }
+        report.hidden = !reportId && !fallback;
+        return reportId;
+    }
+    async function fetchReport() {
+        if (reportId) {
+            const path = `/freevideo/report/${reportId}`;
+            const response = await (api ? api.fetchApi(path) : fetch(path));
+            if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Report unavailable');
+            return response.blob();
+        }
+        if (fallback) return fallback();
+        throw new Error('Report unavailable');
+    }
+    async function downloadReport() { saveReport(await fetchReport()); }
+    report.onclick = async () => {
+        if (report.disabled || report.hidden) return;
+        const current = revision;
+        report.disabled = true; report.textContent = t('Preparing report…', '正在整理报告…');
+        try {
+            await downloadReport();
+            if (current === revision) {
+                report.textContent = label();
+                if (tip && report.isConnected) showReportTip(report.parentElement, report, t, {mode: 'downloaded',
+                    submit: () => reportIssue(fetchReport, typeof version === 'function' ? version() : version, {save: false})});
+            }
+        } catch {
+            if (current === revision) report.textContent = t('Report unavailable · retry', '报告暂不可用 · 重试');
+        } finally { if (current === revision) report.disabled = false; }
+    };
+    return {report, updateReport, fetchReport, downloadReport, hasReport: () => reportId !== null};
+}
+
 export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = false, api = null, onLayout = null} = {}) {
     const element = el('section', 'fv-generation-progress'); element.hidden = true;
     if (compact) element.classList.add('fv-generation-compact');
@@ -361,8 +418,12 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
     heading.append(count);
     const track = el('div', 'fv-generation-track'), fill = el('div', 'fv-generation-fill');
     track.setAttribute('role', 'progressbar'); track.setAttribute('aria-valuemin', '0'); track.append(fill);
+    // The sampler's newest coarse frames; decorative, so it carries no text.
+    const frames = el('img', 'fv-generation-frames'); frames.alt = ''; frames.hidden = true;
+    frames.decoding = 'async'; frames.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true'); frames.draggable = false;
     const times = el('div', 'fv-generation-times');
-    const elapsed = el('span', ''), eta = el('span', ''); times.append(elapsed, eta);
+    const elapsed = el('span', ''), eta = el('span', 'fv-generation-eta'); times.append(elapsed, eta);
+    const late = el('div', 'fv-generation-late'); late.hidden = true;
     const status = el('div', 'fv-generation-status'); status.hidden = true;
     const compatibilityNote = el('div', 'fv-generation-compatibility'); compatibilityNote.hidden = true;
     const live = el('div', 'fv-generation-live');
@@ -371,8 +432,8 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
     stall.setAttribute('role', 'status');
     const stallText = el('span', ''); stall.append(stallText);
     const trims = new Map();
-    element.append(heading, track, label, mini, times, compatibilityNote, status, live);
-    let recovery = '', lowMemory = false, compatibility = null, samplingPlan = {}, secondPass = false, references = false;
+    element.append(heading, track, label, mini, frames, times, late, compatibilityNote, status, live);
+    let recovery = '', lowMemory = false, compatibility = null, samplingPlan = {}, secondPass = false, references = false, splitFailed = null;
     let hasHeartbeat = false;
     // Mac: the unified-memory notice of this request, and whether its first pass has ended.
     let memoryTight = null, firstPassOver = false;
@@ -422,42 +483,49 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
     const fraction = value => Math.min(1, Math.max(0, value));
     const newRequest = message => message.new_request === true || message.overall?.reset === true
         || (message.reset === true && !message.phase);
-    const report = el('button', 'fv-report-download fv-quiet'); report.type = 'button'; report.hidden = true;
-    let reportId = null;
-    const reportLabel = () => t('Download report', '下载报告');
-    report.textContent = reportLabel();
-    function updateReport(message) {
-        if (newRequest(message)) { reportId = null; report.hidden = true; }
-        if (typeof message.report_id === 'string' && /^[a-f0-9]{32}$/.test(message.report_id)) {
-            if (reportId !== message.report_id) { report.disabled = false; report.textContent = reportLabel(); }
-            reportId = message.report_id; report.hidden = false;
-        }
-        // The saved video's request record is different from the redacted
-        // diagnostic download. Keep this token available after completion;
-        // only a new request clears it.
-        return reportId;
+    const diagnostic = createDiagnosticReportControl(t, {api});
+    const {report, updateReport, fetchReport, downloadReport} = diagnostic;
+    // The newest frame picture. Any failure leaves the page as it was without one.
+    // `framesToken` changes whenever a pending fetch stops being wanted, so a late answer is dropped.
+    let framesKey = '', framesUrl = null, framesLoading = null, framesToken = 0;
+    function clearFrames() {
+        framesKey = ''; framesLoading = null; framesToken++; frames.hidden = true;
+        if (framesUrl) { URL.revokeObjectURL(framesUrl); framesUrl = null; }
+        frames.removeAttribute('src');
     }
-    // The redacted diagnostic export; throws when it is unavailable.
-    async function fetchReport() {
-        const id = reportId;
-        if (!id) throw new Error('Report unavailable');
-        const path = `/freevideo/report/${id}`;
-        const response = await (api ? api.fetchApi(path) : fetch(path));
-        if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Report unavailable');
-        return response.blob();
+    // In a wide column each frame is 64 px high; a narrow one keeps the picture's own size.
+    function fitFrames() {
+        const width = (element.parentElement || element).clientWidth;
+        frames.dataset.wide = width > 480 ? 'true' : 'false';
+    }
+    function updateFrames(message, id) {
+        const value = message.frame_preview;
+        fitFrames();
+        const usable = value && typeof value === 'object' && Number.isInteger(value.serial) && value.serial > 0
+            && Number.isInteger(value.frames) && value.frames > 0 && value.frames <= 8;
+        if (!usable || !id || ['complete', 'failed', 'cancelled'].includes(message.phase)) { if (framesKey || framesLoading) clearFrames(); return; }
+        const key = `${id}:${value.serial}`;
+        if (key === framesKey || key === framesLoading) return;
+        framesLoading = key;
+        const token = ++framesToken;
+        const path = `/freevideo/frame-preview/${id}`;
+        (async () => {
+            try {
+                const response = await (api ? api.fetchApi(path) : fetch(path));
+                if (!response.ok) throw new Error('No picture');
+                const blob = await response.blob();
+                if (framesToken !== token) return;
+                const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
+                const old = framesUrl;
+                frames.onload = () => { fitFrames(); if (framesUrl === url) frames.hidden = false; try { onLayout?.(); } catch {} };
+                frames.onerror = () => { if (framesUrl === url) clearFrames(); };
+                framesUrl = url; framesKey = key; frames.src = url;
+                if (old) URL.revokeObjectURL(old);
+            } catch {
+                if (framesToken === token) clearFrames();
+            }
+        })();
     }
-    async function downloadReport() { saveReport(await fetchReport()); }
-    report.onclick = async () => {
-        if (!reportId || report.disabled) return;
-        const id = reportId;
-        report.disabled = true; report.textContent = t('Preparing report…', '正在整理报告…');
-        try {
-            await downloadReport();
-            if (id === reportId) report.textContent = reportLabel();
-        } catch {
-            if (id === reportId) report.textContent = t('Report unavailable · retry', '报告暂不可用 · 重试');
-        } finally { if (id === reportId) report.disabled = false; }
-    };
     const hasCount = value => Number.isInteger(value.total) && value.total > 0 && Number.isInteger(value.done)
         && value.done >= 0 && value.done <= value.total;
 
@@ -513,7 +581,7 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
         const threshold = Math.max(floor, valid(typical) ? 2 * typical : 0);
         const shown = !ended && age >= threshold;
         const wasShown = !stall.hidden;
-        const hasReport = reportId !== null;
+        const hasReport = diagnostic.hasReport();
         // The separate notice never adds another clock or blocks the run.
         if (shown && (stall.hidden || hasReport !== stallHasReport)) {
             const first = t('No progress for a while. Generation is still running, so you can keep waiting.',
@@ -679,7 +747,8 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
         const progressText = [paused ? pauseText : '', decodeEta].filter(Boolean).join(t(' · ', '，'));
         const level = ended ? '' : recovery ? 'retry' : paused ? 'pause'
             : lowMemory ? 'memory' : memoryTight ? 'unified-memory' : automatic ? 'automatic'
-                : compatibility && compatibility.level > 0 ? 'compatibility' : trims.size ? 'notice' : '';
+                : compatibility && compatibility.level > 0 ? 'compatibility' : trims.size ? 'notice'
+                    : splitFailed && !progressText ? 'split' : '';
         const explanation = {retry: recovery,
             pause: progressText,
             memory: t('This video uses a memory-saving mode, so it takes longer than usual but will finish.',
@@ -695,7 +764,10 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
             compatibility: compatibility ? t(`Compatibility setting ${compatibility.name_en} is on, so generation is slower than usual.`,
                 `已开启兼容性设置（${compatibility.name_zh}档），生成会比平时慢。`) : '',
             automatic: compatibilityText,
-            notice: trimStatus([...trims.values()], t)}[level] || (!ended ? progressText : '');
+            notice: trimStatus([...trims.values()], t),
+            // A long video whose part descriptions could not be written: the server's own words stay in the report.
+            split: splitFailed === 'model_missing' ? t('Prompt model not installed. Every part uses the same description.', '未安装提示词模型，各段用同一段描述')
+                : t('Every part uses the same description.', '各段用同一段描述')}[level] || (!ended ? progressText : '');
         if (status.textContent !== explanation) status.textContent = explanation;
         status.hidden = !explanation; status.dataset.level = level;
         const announcements = [];
@@ -786,7 +858,11 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
             }
         }
         remainingAt = now();
+        // The editor's bar reads this number, so both places always show the same time.
         eta.hidden = remainingSeconds === null;
+        // Past the shown time the line says so once, instead of a number that only shrinks.
+        late.hidden = !(remainingSeconds === null && remainingRetired && !ended);
+        late.textContent = late.hidden ? '' : t('Taking longer than expected', '比预计久，仍在生成');
         const etaText = remainingSeconds === null ? '' : remainingSeconds >= 60
             ? t(`About ${Math.ceil(remainingSeconds / 60)}\u00a0min left`, `预计还需约 ${Math.ceil(remainingSeconds / 60)}\u00a0分钟`)
             : t('Less than a minute left', '预计还需不到 1\u00a0分钟');
@@ -795,6 +871,10 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
         if (eta.textContent !== etaText && (!initial || !eta.textContent || now() - etaChangedAt >= 5000)) {
             eta.textContent = etaText; etaChangedAt = now();
         }
+        // The bar takes the number behind the words on screen: while the shown minutes wait out their
+        // spacing, the seconds wait with them.
+        if (remainingSeconds === null) delete eta.dataset.seconds;
+        else if (eta.textContent === etaText) eta.dataset.seconds = String(Math.ceil(remainingSeconds));
         elapsed.hidden = false; times.hidden = elapsed.hidden && eta.hidden;
         drawStall(age, ended);
         drawActivity(age, ended);
@@ -803,7 +883,7 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
     // A finished first-pass preview is not the finished video.
     const savedText = () => state.label === 'Preview saved' ? t('Preview saved', '预览已保存') : t('Video saved', '视频已保存');
     function update(message) {
-        updateReport(message);
+        updateFrames(message, updateReport(message));
         // Older servers may still forward this diagnostic-only event. It is
         // not a stage change or something the user needs to act on.
         if (message.warning === 'ram_budget_warning' && !message.phase) return;
@@ -828,7 +908,7 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
             pauseAnnounced = false; lastExplanation = ''; announcedMessages.clear();
             live.textContent = ''; status.textContent = ''; resetRemaining(); lastActivity = null; resetMini();
             stopCount(); countShown = null;
-            recovery = ''; lowMemory = false; compatibility = null; references = false; trims.clear();
+            recovery = ''; lowMemory = false; compatibility = null; references = false; trims.clear(); splitFailed = null;
             memoryTight = null; firstPassOver = false;
             samplingPlan = {}; secondPass = false; hasHeartbeat = false;
             detail = null; localShare = null; workShares.clear(); decodeMinutes = null; decodeMinutesAt = -Infinity;
@@ -873,6 +953,7 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
             completedSteps = Math.max(completedSteps, message.done);
         if (message.low_memory && typeof message.low_memory === 'object') lowMemory = true;
         if (message.compatibility && typeof message.compatibility === 'object') compatibility = message.compatibility;
+        if (message.chain && typeof message.chain === 'object') splitFailed = typeof message.chain.split_failed === 'string' ? message.chain.split_failed : null;
         // Whether the request has reference media (first or last frame, references).
         if (typeof message.references === 'boolean') references = message.references;
         if (message.reference_trimmed || REFERENCE_WORK.has(message.label)) references = true;
@@ -960,7 +1041,8 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
         tick(); if (timer === null) timer = setInterval(tick, 250);
     }
     function hide() {
-        element.hidden = true; status.hidden = true; recovery = ''; placeholder = false; elapsedLead = 0; trims.clear(); lowMemory = false; compatibility = null; references = false; hasHeartbeat = false;
+        clearFrames();
+        element.hidden = true; status.hidden = true; recovery = ''; placeholder = false; elapsedLead = 0; trims.clear(); lowMemory = false; compatibility = null; references = false; hasHeartbeat = false; splitFailed = null;
         compatibilityNote.hidden = true; compatibilityNote.textContent = '';
         memoryTight = null; firstPassOver = false;
         elapsedShown = 0;
@@ -987,6 +1069,6 @@ export function createGenerationProgress(t, now = () => Date.now(), {compact = f
             mini_fraction: visible && !mini.hidden && miniMode === 'determinate' ? miniShown : null,
             mini_shimmer: visible && !mini.hidden && miniShimmer};
     }
-    return {element, stall, report, updateReport, fetchReport, downloadReport, hasReport: () => reportId !== null, update, hide, dispose: hide,
+    return {element, stall, report, updateReport, fetchReport, downloadReport, hasReport: diagnostic.hasReport, update, hide, dispose: hide,
         noticeCount: () => trims.size, stallShown: () => !stall.hidden, percentShown: () => !heading.hidden, snapshot};
 }
diff --git a/web/health.js b/web/health.js
index 538e8ed5..a9e07e74 100644
--- a/web/health.js
+++ b/web/health.js
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@ const t = (en, zh) => cn ? zh : en;
 // launcher.js removes this flag during setup; read it before that.
 const launchVisit = query.get('freevideo') === 'launch';
 // Every script this folder ships; a test keeps the list in step with web/*.js.
-export const MODULES = ['agent_activity.js', 'agent_connect.js', 'agent_session.js', 'autopilot.js', 'autopilot_chat.js', 'autopilot_conversations.js', 'browser_extension.js', 'caret_rect.js', 'chain_support.js', 'capability_view.js', 'compatibility.js', 'error_panel.js', 'first_run_guide.js', 'fonts.js', 'freevideo.js', 'generation_progress.js',
+export const MODULES = ['agent_activity.js', 'agent_connect.js', 'agent_session.js', 'autopilot.js', 'autopilot_chat.js', 'autopilot_conversations.js', 'browser_extension.js', 'caret_rect.js', 'chain_support.js', 'capability_view.js', 'cast_generate.js', 'cast_mention.js', 'cast_overlay.js', 'cast_source.js', 'compatibility.js', 'error_panel.js', 'first_run_guide.js', 'fonts.js', 'freevideo.js', 'generation_progress.js',
     'editor.js', 'editor_actions.js', 'editor_adjust.js', 'editor_adjust_picture.js', 'editor_picture_fields.js', 'editor_picture_session.js', 'editor_preview_picture.js', 'editor_entry.js', 'editor_export_dialog.js', 'editor_first_frame.js', 'editor_media_references.js', 'editor_references.js', 'editor_genbar.js', 'editor_geometry.js', 'editor_library.js', 'editor_menu.js', 'editor_model.js', 'editor_frame.js', 'editor_player.js', 'editor_room.js', 'editor_select.js', 'editor_state.js', 'editor_store.js', 'editor_tracks.js', 'editor_generation.js', 'editor_transport.js', 'editor_transport_model.js', 'editor_audio.js', 'editor_audio_model.js', 'editor_audio_notes.js', 'editor_audio_replace.js', 'editor_audio_rules.js', 'editor_speed.js', 'editor_speed_model.js', 'editor_failure.js', 'editor_header_fit.js',
     'editor_loader.js', 'editor_text_coverage.js', 'editor_text.js', 'editor_toolbar_more.js', 'editor_text_model.js', 'editor_text_layout.js', 'editor_notes.js', 'editor_icons.js', 'dialog_keys.js', 'done_notify.js', 'frame_sizes.js', 'health.js', 'image_commands.js', 'image_editor.js', 'image_editor_engine.js', 'image_generation.js', 'launcher.js', 'length_plan.js', 'lora_triggers.js', 'library.js', 'motion.js', 'output_download.js', 'port_notice.js', 'preview_scene.js',
-    'progress_connection.js', 'prompt_draft.js', 'prompt_enhance.js', 'prompt_references.js', 'prompt_terms.js', 'report_issue.js', 'studio_recent.js',
+    'progress_connection.js', 'prompt_draft.js', 'prompt_enhance.js', 'prompt_references.js', 'prompt_terms.js', 'request_assets.js', 'report_issue.js', 'studio_recent.js',
     'result_actions.js', 'sampling_effort.js', 'setup.js', 'share.js', 'share_layout.js', 'studio.js', 'studio_chain.js', 'studio_extend.js', 'studio_length.js', 'first_frame_row.js', 'optional_inputs.js', 'studio_queue.js', 'studio_size.js',
-    'toolbar_position.js', 'updates.js', 'view_navigation.js', 'wordmark.js'];
+    'toolbar_position.js', 'updates.js', 'view_navigation.js', 'wordmark.js', 'cast_library.js'];
 const sleep = ms => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
 let visibleAt = 0;
 async function waitForVisible() {
diff --git a/web/image_editor.js b/web/image_editor.js
index ba45039a..4ae672f9 100644
--- a/web/image_editor.js
+++ b/web/image_editor.js
@@ -227,7 +227,8 @@ export async function openImageEditor({source = null, name = source || '', targe
     document.body.append(dialog);
     const generation = createImageGeneration({client: imageGenClient || createImageGenClient(api.fetchApi.bind(api)),
         renderer, t, getDoc: () => doc, getSelection: () => selection, commit: commitInserted, el, button, segmented,
-        library, resolve, icon, onRatioChange: setBlankCanvasRatio, productVersion, fetchApi: (path, options) => api.fetchApi(path, options)});
+        library, resolve, icon, onRatioChange: setBlankCanvasRatio, productVersion, fetchApi: (path, options) => api.fetchApi(path, options),
+        resumeKey: `${role}|${source || ''}|${name}`});
 
     // ----- tools ----------------------------------------------------------------
     const TOOLS = [
@@ -911,8 +912,8 @@ export async function openImageEditor({source = null, name = source || '', targe
     }
 
     // ----- canvas: shape, orientation, size ----------------------------------------------
-    function setBlankCanvasRatio(ratio) {
-        if (doc.layers.length || generation.state().running) return;
+    function setBlankCanvasRatio(ratio, resumed = false) {
+        if (doc.layers.length || (!resumed && generation.state().running)) return;
         const next = blankDocument(blankSizeForRatio(ratio), ratio);
         followSize(doc, next); deselectQuiet(); commit(next);
     }
@@ -1595,7 +1596,13 @@ export async function openImageEditor({source = null, name = source || '', targe
     dialog.showModal();
     computeLayout();
     renderPanels();
-    select(!doc.layers.length ? 'generate' : startTool || (fresh && target && role !== 'reference' ? 'crop' : 'move'));
+    // The result is placed on the canvas the request was made for, not on the one a reload rebuilt.
+    const resumedCanvas = generation.resumedCanvas;
+    if (resumedCanvas && !doc.layers.length && (resumedCanvas.width !== doc.width || resumedCanvas.height !== doc.height)) {
+        const next = blankDocument(resumedCanvas, blankCanvasRatio(resumedCanvas));
+        followSize(doc, next); deselectQuiet(); commit(next);
+    }
+    select(!doc.layers.length || generation.state().running ? 'generate' : startTool || (fresh && target && role !== 'reference' ? 'crop' : 'move'));
     (save.disabled ? stage : save).focus();
     // The other fonts load in the background, so switching to one is immediate.
     loadFonts(FONT_KEYS.flatMap(k => [[k, 400], [k, 700]])).catch(error => console.warn('FreeVideo image editor fonts unavailable; using fallback fonts.', error));
diff --git a/web/image_generation.js b/web/image_generation.js
index d074f3d3..6279cead 100644
--- a/web/image_generation.js
+++ b/web/image_generation.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import {saveReport, reportIssue, showReportTip} from './report_issue.js';
 
 export const IMAGE_GEN_PROTOCOL = Object.freeze({
     root: '/freevideo/image-gen', header: 'X-FreeVideo-Image', upload: '/upload/image',
-    installed: 'ready', phase: 'phase', bytes: 'bytes', downloading: 'downloading',
+    installed: 'ready', phase: 'phase', bytes: 'bytes', downloading: 'downloading', checking: 'checking',
     token: 'token', job: 'job', prompt: 'prompt', width: 'width', height: 'height', images: 'images', seed: 'seed',
     stage: 'stage', fraction: 'fraction', file: 'file', error: 'error', name: 'name', subfolder: 'subfolder',
     states: {queued: 'waiting', starting: 'queued', progress: 'running', complete: 'done', failed: 'error',
@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ export function createImageGenClient(fetchImpl = globalThis.fetch.bind(globalThi
                 ...(phase === 'cancelled' ? {error: 'cancelled'} : {})};
         },
         cancel: job => post('cancel', {[p.job]: job}),
+        // The prompts and sizes of a new character's five pictures (the Agent's cards use the same ones).
+        castViews: async description => (await post('cast-views', {description})).views,
         async upload(file) {
             // ComfyUI's existing image upload stores this at input/<unique name>.
             // FreeVideo's media upload uses subdirectories the image worker rejects.
@@ -105,8 +107,8 @@ export function imagePackMessage(info, t) {
 }
 export function imageGenError(code, info, t) {
     const reasons = {
-        no_memory: ['Not enough GPU memory. Make the picture smaller in "Image size…" and try again.',
-            '显存不足。在“图像大小…”里缩小后再试。'],
+        no_memory: ['Not enough GPU memory, even at the smallest size. Close other apps using the GPU, then try again.',
+            '显存不够，最小尺寸也没能生成。关掉其他占用显卡的程序后再试。'],
         busy_video: ['A video is generating. Try again when it finishes.', '视频正在生成，完成后再试。'],
         busy: ['An image is already being generated. Try again when it finishes.', '已有一张图在生成，完成后再试。'],
         model_unreadable: ['The image generation model files could not be read. Repair them in the launcher and try again.',
@@ -189,7 +191,8 @@ export function renderImageFailure(host, {error, report_id} = {}, t,
     bar.append(anchor); card.append(bar);
     return card;
 }
-function imagePackUnavailableMessage(info, t) {
+export function imagePackUnavailableMessage(info, t) {
+    if (info?.[IMAGE_GEN_PROTOCOL.checking]) return t('Checking. Available when finished.', '正在检查，完成后可用。');
     return info?.[IMAGE_GEN_PROTOCOL.downloading]
         ? t('Downloading. Available when finished.', '正在下载，完成后可用。') : imagePackMessage(info, t);
 }
@@ -287,7 +290,7 @@ export function imageGenProgress(stage, fraction, withImages = false) {
 // An epoch rejects late uploads/status/results. A generate response arriving
 // after Stop still has to be cancelled, even though its job was not known yet.
 export function createImageGenSession({client, prepare, apply, onChange = () => {},
-    schedule = setTimeout, unschedule = clearTimeout,
+    schedule = setTimeout, unschedule = clearTimeout, store = null,
     visible = () => globalThis.document?.visibilityState !== 'hidden'}) {
     let epoch = 0, timer = null, infoTimer = null, disposed = false, checking = null;
     let state = {info: null, checking: false, running: false, job: null, fraction: 0, stage: '', error: '', report_id: null,
@@ -296,6 +299,7 @@ export function createImageGenSession({client, prepare, apply, onChange = () =>
     const failed = error => error.code === 'cancelled' ? {error: '', report_id: null, stage: ''}
         : {error: error.code || 'generation_failed', report_id: error.report_id || null, stage: error.stage || ''};
     const cancelJob = job => Promise.resolve().then(() => client.cancel(job)).catch(() => {});
+    const forget = () => { try { store?.clear(); } catch { /* the job is only not resumed after a reload */ } };
     function scheduleInfo() {
         unschedule(infoTimer); infoTimer = null;
         if (disposed || state.info?.installed) return;
@@ -314,13 +318,11 @@ export function createImageGenSession({client, prepare, apply, onChange = () =>
         })();
         return checking;
     }
-    async function start(request) {
-        if (state.running || disposed || !request.prompt.trim() || !state.info?.installed) return;
-        const current = ++epoch;
-        emit({running: true, job: null, fraction: 0, stage: '', error: '', report_id: null, waiting: '', fitted: null});
+    // One job from its first status to the result. A job taken up again after the page was
+    // reloaded (``resumed``) that the service no longer knows ends quietly: there is nothing to say.
+    function track(current, job, context, withImages, resumed = false) {
         const alive = () => current === epoch && !disposed;
-        let withImages = false;
-        async function poll(job, context) {
+        async function poll() {
             try {
                 const row = await client.status(job);
                 if (!alive()) return;
@@ -330,43 +332,98 @@ export function createImageGenSession({client, prepare, apply, onChange = () =>
                 if (row.state === 'done') {
                     if (!row.file) throw failure();
                     await apply(row, context, alive);
-                    if (alive()) emit({running: false, job: null, fraction: 1, stage: '', waiting: ''});
+                    if (alive()) { forget(); emit({running: false, job: null, fraction: 1, stage: '', waiting: ''}); }
                 } else if (row.state === 'error') throw failure(row.error, row);
-                else timer = schedule(() => { timer = null; void poll(job, context); }, IMAGE_GEN_POLL_MS);
+                else timer = schedule(() => { timer = null; void poll(); }, IMAGE_GEN_POLL_MS);
             } catch (error) {
                 if (alive()) {
+                    forget();
+                    if (resumed && (error.code === 'unknown_job' || error.code === 'reload')) {
+                        emit({running: false, job: null, fraction: 0, stage: '', waiting: ''});
+                        return;
+                    }
                     void cancelJob(job);
                     emit({running: false, job: null, waiting: '', ...failed(error)});
                 }
             }
         }
+        timer = schedule(() => { timer = null; void poll(); }, IMAGE_GEN_POLL_MS);
+    }
+    async function start(request) {
+        if (state.running || disposed || !request.prompt.trim() || !state.info?.installed) return;
+        const current = ++epoch;
+        emit({running: true, job: null, fraction: 0, stage: '', error: '', report_id: null, waiting: '', fitted: null});
+        const alive = () => current === epoch && !disposed;
         try {
             const {context, images = []} = await prepare(request, alive);
             if (!alive()) return;
-            withImages = images.length > 0;
+            const withImages = images.length > 0;
             const row = await client.generate({prompt: request.prompt, width: context.width, height: context.height, images});
             const {job} = row;
             if (!job) throw failure(row.error, row);
             if (row.fitted) emit({fitted: row.fitted});
             if (!alive()) { await cancelJob(job); return; }
             emit({job});
-            timer = schedule(() => { timer = null; void poll(job, context); }, IMAGE_GEN_POLL_MS);
+            try { store?.save({job, context, withImages}); } catch { /* the job is only not resumed after a reload */ }
+            track(current, job, context, withImages);
         } catch (error) {
             if (alive()) emit({running: false, job: null, ...failed(error)});
         }
     }
+    // The page was reloaded while a picture was being made: follow the same job and place its result.
+    function resume({job, context, withImages = false}) {
+        if (state.running || disposed || !job || !context) return false;
+        const current = ++epoch;
+        emit({running: true, job, fraction: 0, stage: '', error: '', report_id: null, waiting: '', fitted: null});
+        track(current, job, context, withImages, true);
+        return true;
+    }
     function cancel() {
         ++epoch; unschedule(timer); timer = null;
         const job = state.job;
+        forget();
         emit({running: false, job: null, stage: '', fraction: 0, error: '', report_id: null, waiting: '', fitted: null});
         return job ? cancelJob(job) : Promise.resolve();
     }
-    return {check, start, cancel, clearError: () => emit({error: '', report_id: null}), state: () => state,
+    return {check, start, resume, cancel, clearError: () => emit({error: '', report_id: null}), state: () => state,
         dispose() { disposed = true; unschedule(infoTimer); infoTimer = null; return cancel(); }};
 }
 
+// The job being made, kept for this tab only so that a reloaded page can follow it and place the
+// result. Only what placing needs is kept (never the document), and a record for another editor or
+// older than the service keeps its results is left alone.
+export const IMAGE_JOB_KEEP_MS = 30 * 60 * 1000;
+export function imageJobStore(key, storage = globalThis.sessionStorage, now = Date.now, name = 'freevideo.imageGenJob') {
+    return {
+        save({job, context, withImages}) {
+            const {layer, selection} = context;
+            const keep = layer && {id: layer.id, cx: layer.cx, cy: layer.cy, w: layer.w, h: layer.h,
+                rotation: layer.rotation, flipX: layer.flipX, flipY: layer.flipY};
+            storage.setItem(name, JSON.stringify({key, job, withImages: !!withImages, at: now(), context: {
+                mode: context.mode, doc: {width: context.doc.width, height: context.doc.height},
+                layer: keep || null, selection: selection || null}}));
+        },
+        load() {
+            try {
+                const record = JSON.parse(storage.getItem(name) || 'null');
+                if (!record || record.key !== key || typeof record.job !== 'string' || !record.context?.doc
+                    || !(now() - record.at < IMAGE_JOB_KEEP_MS)) return null;
+                return record;
+            } catch { return null; }
+        },
+        // Only this editor's own record: closing another picture's editor leaves it alone.
+        clear() {
+            try {
+                let record = null;
+                try { record = JSON.parse(storage.getItem(name) || 'null'); } catch { /* unreadable: drop it */ }
+                if (!record || record.key === key) storage.removeItem(name);
+            } catch { /* nothing kept */ }
+        },
+    };
+}
+
 export function createImageGeneration({client, renderer, t, getDoc, getSelection, commit, el, button, segmented,
-    library = [], resolve = file => file, icon = () => '', onRatioChange, productVersion, fetchApi}) {
+    library = [], resolve = file => file, icon = () => '', onRatioChange, productVersion, fetchApi, resumeKey = null}) {
     let mode = 'edit', prompt = '', mounted = null, references = [];
     let promptRequired = false, attentionTimer = null;
     const copies = new Map();
@@ -378,7 +435,9 @@ export function createImageGeneration({client, renderer, t, getDoc, getSelection
         canvas.getContext('2d').drawImage(image, 0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
         return new Promise((done, fail) => canvas.toBlob(b => b ? done(b) : fail(failure()), 'image/png'));
     }
-    const session = createImageGenSession({client,
+    let store = null;
+    try { if (resumeKey != null && globalThis.sessionStorage) store = imageJobStore(resumeKey); } catch { /* no storage */ }
+    const session = createImageGenSession({client, store,
         prepare: async (request, alive) => {
             const context = generationContext(getDoc(), getSelection(), request.mode);
             const images = request.mode === 'edit' ? [await uploadGenerationReference(renderer, client, context, alive),
@@ -392,6 +451,8 @@ export function createImageGeneration({client, renderer, t, getDoc, getSelection
             commit(insertGenerationResult(getDoc(), {src: result.file, nw: image.naturalWidth, nh: image.naturalHeight}, context, t));
         }, onChange: update,
     });
+    const saved = store?.load();
+    const resumed = saved && session.resume(saved) ? saved : null;
     const limit = () => referenceLimit(session.state().info);
     const chosen = () => mode === 'edit' ? references.slice(0, limit() - 1) : [];
     function clearAttention() {
@@ -556,5 +617,8 @@ export function createImageGeneration({client, renderer, t, getDoc, getSelection
     }
     return {mount, unmount() { clearAttention(); promptRequired = false; mounted = null; },
         selected: () => session.check(), cancel: session.cancel,
+        // The blank canvas a reloaded generation was started on, to be set again by the editor.
+        resumedCanvas: resumed?.context?.mode === 'new'
+            ? {width: resumed.context.doc.width, height: resumed.context.doc.height} : null,
         dispose() { clearAttention(); return session.dispose(); }, state: session.state};
 }
diff --git a/web/launcher.js b/web/launcher.js
index 5c32c475..cc7a8081 100644
--- a/web/launcher.js
+++ b/web/launcher.js
@@ -10,6 +10,23 @@ const studioWorkflow = graph => (graph?._nodes || graph?.nodes || []).some(n =>
 const sleep = ms => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
 let configured = performance.now();
 
+// ComfyUI's own session storage holds the last project's tabs and drafts under
+// several keys that differ between frontend versions; any of them naming one of
+// our nodes (the generate node may have been removed) means a project from the previous visit is waiting to be restored.
+function cachedStudioProject() {
+    for (const area of ['localStorage', 'sessionStorage']) {
+        try {
+            const store = globalThis[area];
+            for (let index = 0; index < (store?.length || 0); index++) {
+                const key = store.key(index);
+                if (key !== 'workflow' && !key?.startsWith('Comfy.')) continue;
+                if (/FreeVideo(Generate|Media)|freevideo_studio/.test(store.getItem(key) || '')) return true;
+            }
+        } catch { /* Storage blocked: open the bundled workflow right away. */ }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 async function existingStudioWorkflow(target, bundled) {
     // Restored background tabs are lazy: load() reads the host's saved draft,
     // whereas the workflow store's openWorkflow() only selects the tab record.
@@ -97,18 +114,22 @@ app.registerExtension({
         url.searchParams.delete('freevideo');
         window.history.replaceState(window.history.state, '', url);
         let workflow;
+        const cached = cachedStudioProject();
         try {
             const response = await api.fetchApi('/freevideo/launcher/workflow');
             if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`FreeVideo workflow: HTTP ${response.status}`);
             // A fresh copy of the bundled workflow, with the prompt last written.
             workflow = await restorePromptDraft(api, await response.json());
-            await app.loadGraphData(structuredClone(workflow), true, true, 'FreeVideo');
+            // Opening the bundled graph now would overwrite the cached project's
+            // media and connections before ComfyUI restores them; keepInFront
+            // brings the restored tab forward instead.
+            if (!cached) await app.loadGraphData(structuredClone(workflow), true, true, 'FreeVideo');
         } catch (error) {
             console.error('FreeVideo launcher:', error);
             health({type: 'launch', error});
             return;
         }
-        const opened = app.extensionManager?.workflow?.activeWorkflow;
+        const opened = cached ? undefined : app.extensionManager?.workflow?.activeWorkflow;
         keepInFront(workflow, opened).then(() => health({type: 'launch'}), error => {
             console.error('FreeVideo launcher:', error);
             health({type: 'launch', error});
diff --git a/web/optional_inputs.js b/web/optional_inputs.js
index 1ce5dcfa..240a3b0c 100644
--- a/web/optional_inputs.js
+++ b/web/optional_inputs.js
@@ -2,11 +2,21 @@
 // shape. A workflow restored from an older version, or a widget list that moved,
 // can leave an empty or missing value in them, and Comfy then rejects the whole
 // request. Keep each of them to a value the server accepts.
-const DEFAULTS = {continue_from: '', frames: 0, first_frame_reference: false};
+const DEFAULTS = {refine_from: '', continue_from: '', frames: 0, first_frame_reference: false};
+
+// The words a script, an older workflow or String(null) leaves behind for "not given".
+const EMPTY_WORDS = new Set(['none', 'null', 'undefined', 'nan']);
+
+// Text of an optional input, or '' when it was not given.
+export function optionalText(value) {
+    if (typeof value !== 'string') return '';
+    const text = value.trim();
+    return !text || EMPTY_WORDS.has(text.toLowerCase()) ? '' : value;
+}
 
 export function optionalInputValue(name, value) {
     if (name === 'frames') return Number.isSafeInteger(value) && value >= 0 ? value : 0;
-    if (name === 'continue_from') return typeof value === 'string' ? value : '';
+    if (name === 'refine_from' || name === 'continue_from') return optionalText(value);
     if (name === 'first_frame_reference') return value === true;
     return value;
 }
diff --git a/web/prompt_enhance.js b/web/prompt_enhance.js
index 1af8c72f..28d21683 100644
--- a/web/prompt_enhance.js
+++ b/web/prompt_enhance.js
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ export function promptPrestart(api, nodeId, enabled, alive = () => true) {
 
 // An empty box is never rewritten, the untouched starter prompt included:
 // enhancement waits for the user's own scene.
-export function createPromptEnhancer({node, input, editor, api, context, setText, t, starter = '', onReport = () => {}, onChange = () => {}}) {
+// `prepare` turns the user's text into what the model reads (character mentions written out with their pictures).
+export function createPromptEnhancer({node, input, editor, api, context, setText, t, starter = '', prepare = text => text, onReport = () => {}, onChange = () => {}}) {
     const saved = node.properties?.freevideo_prompt_versions;
     // Drafts saved before the starter became a placeholder hold it as the original.
     const versions = new PromptVersions(starter && saved?.original === starter ? {...saved, original: ''} : saved, input.value);
@@ -248,7 +249,7 @@ export function createPromptEnhancer({node, input, editor, api, context, setText
                 }
                 await poll('install', {accept_download: true});
             }
-            const result = await poll('rewrite', {text: original, ...scene});
+            const result = await poll('rewrite', {text: prepare(original), ...scene});
             if (disposed || cancelling) throw new Error('cancelled');
             if (edits !== versions.value.edits || !versions.accept(key, context(), result.text)) throw new Error('stale');
             apply(); show('');
diff --git a/web/prompt_references.css b/web/prompt_references.css
index 476afa45..332485ed 100644
--- a/web/prompt_references.css
+++ b/web/prompt_references.css
@@ -13,3 +13,14 @@
 .fv-term-picker .fv-reference-options{max-height:220px}
 .fv-term-option{min-height:34px;padding:5px 10px}
 .fv-term-option strong{flex:none;font-size:13px}
+
+.fv-reference-group{padding:6px 8px 3px;font-size:11px;color:var(--fv-muted,#a9b3c4)}
+.fv-reference-person{min-height:36px;padding:5px 8px;gap:10px}
+.fv-reference-face{width:24px;height:24px;flex:none;border-radius:50%;object-fit:cover;background:var(--fv-raised,#252e39)}
+.fv-reference-person strong{font-size:13px;font-weight:550;min-width:0;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap}
+.fv-reference-person[aria-disabled=true]{opacity:.5;cursor:not-allowed}
+.fv-prompt-editor{position:relative}
+.fv-mention-mirror{position:absolute;box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;pointer-events:none;white-space:pre-wrap;overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:normal;color:var(--fv-ink,#eee);z-index:1}
+.fv-mention-mirror[hidden]{display:none}
+.fv-mention{color:var(--fv-accent,#6cb4ff)}
+.fv-studio textarea.fv-mention-live{color:transparent;caret-color:var(--fv-ink,#eee)}
diff --git a/web/prompt_references.js b/web/prompt_references.js
index 3dfb0ac4..0f27b5b5 100644
--- a/web/prompt_references.js
+++ b/web/prompt_references.js
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ export function referenceKind(file) {
         : ['wav','mp3','flac','ogg','m4a','aac','opus'].includes(ext) ? 'audio' : null;
 }
 
+// The raw media list a generate node reads, [] when there is none or it cannot be read.
+export function mediaRows(node) {
+    try { const rows = JSON.parse(widget(sourceFor(node, 'media'), 'assets')?.value || '[]'); return Array.isArray(rows) ? rows : []; } catch { return []; }
+}
+
 export function referenceItems(node) {
     if (linkFor(node, 'conditioning')) return [];
     const refs = [], anchors = {}, seen = new Set();
@@ -33,7 +38,7 @@ export function referenceItems(node) {
             const kind = referenceKind(row.file);
             if (!kind) throw new Error('invalid_media');
             const item = {key: `file:${media.id}:${row.file}:${occurrence}`, kind, file: row.file,
-                name: row.file.split('/').pop(), assetIndex: rows.indexOf(row)};
+                name: row.cast?.name || row.file.split('/').pop(), assetIndex: rows.indexOf(row)};
             if (row.role === 'reference') refs.push(item);
             else if (kind === 'image' && ['first','last'].includes(row.role) && !anchors[row.role]) anchors[row.role] = item;
             else throw new Error('invalid_media');
@@ -97,7 +102,9 @@ export function mentionAt(text, start, end = start) {
 }
 
 let serial = 0;
-export function attachReferencePicker(input, {items, t = en => en, view, host, addMedia} = {}) {
+// `characters()` lists library characters for the same popup: [{id, name, thumb, blocked}], `blocked` being the reason
+// one cannot be used now; `onCharacter(character)` puts its pictures in the media list and may return false to refuse.
+export function attachReferencePicker(input, {items, t = en => en, view, host, addMedia, characters = () => [], onCharacter = () => true} = {}) {
     if (!document.querySelector('link[data-freevideo-references]')) {
         const css = document.createElement('link'); css.rel = 'stylesheet';
         css.dataset.freevideoReferences = ''; css.href = new URL('./prompt_references.css', import.meta.url).href;
@@ -129,11 +136,21 @@ export function attachReferencePicker(input, {items, t = en => en, view, host, a
         const line = caretRect(input);
         popup.style.top = `${Math.max(12, line.bottom + height + 8 < innerHeight ? line.bottom + 4 : line.top - height - 4)}px`;
     }
+    const usable = index => Boolean(matches[index]) && !matches[index].character?.blocked;
+    // The next row a key can land on, skipping blocked characters; -1 when every row is blocked.
+    function step(from, direction) {
+        for (let i = 1; i <= matches.length; i++) {
+            const index = (from + direction * i + matches.length * 2) % matches.length;
+            if (usable(index)) return index;
+        }
+        return -1;
+    }
     function select(index) {
         active = index;
-        for (const [i, option] of [...list.children].entries()) option.setAttribute('aria-selected', String(i === active));
-        const selected = list.children[active];
-        if (selected && matches.length) {
+        const options = list.querySelectorAll('[role=option]');
+        for (const [i, option] of [...options].entries()) option.setAttribute('aria-selected', String(i === active));
+        const selected = options[active];
+        if (selected && matches.length && usable(active)) {
             input.setAttribute('aria-activedescendant', selected.id);
             if (selected.offsetTop < list.scrollTop) list.scrollTop = selected.offsetTop;
             else if (selected.offsetTop + selected.offsetHeight > list.scrollTop + list.clientHeight)
@@ -151,6 +168,11 @@ export function attachReferencePicker(input, {items, t = en => en, view, host, a
     function choose(index) {
         if (!range || !matches[index]) return;
         const item = matches[index], selection = range;
+        if (item.character) {
+            if (item.character.blocked || onCharacter(item.character) === false) return;
+            close(); insert('@' + (item.character.handle || item.character.name) + (/^\s/.test(input.value.slice(selection.end)) ? '' : ' '), selection.start, selection.end); close();
+            return;
+        }
         close(); insert(item.token + (/^\s/.test(input.value.slice(selection.end)) ? '' : ' '), selection.start, selection.end); close();
     }
     function refresh() {
@@ -159,22 +181,39 @@ export function attachReferencePicker(input, {items, t = en => en, view, host, a
         if (!range) { close(); return; }
         let available = [], invalid = false;
         try { available = items(); } catch { invalid = true; }
-        matches = available.filter(item => `${item.name} ${item.token} ${t(item.kind, {image:'图片',video:'视频',audio:'音频'}[item.kind])} ${item.number}`.toLowerCase().includes(range.query));
+        const media = available.filter(item => `${item.name} ${item.token} ${t(item.kind, {image:'图片',video:'视频',audio:'音频'}[item.kind])} ${item.number}`.toLowerCase().includes(range.query));
+        let everyone = [];
+        try { everyone = characters(); } catch {}
+        const people = everyone.filter(person => person.name.toLowerCase().includes(range.query));
+        matches = [...people.map(character => ({character})), ...media];
         list.replaceChildren();
         if (!matches.length) {
             const empty = document.createElement('div'); empty.className = 'fv-reference-empty';
             empty.textContent = invalid ? t('Check your media selection.', '请检查素材用途是否冲突。')
-                : available.length ? t('No matching references', '没有匹配的素材') : t('Add reference media to use @', '添加参考素材后即可使用 @');
+                : available.length || everyone.length ? t('No matching references', '没有匹配的素材') : t('Add reference media to use @', '添加参考素材后即可使用 @');
             list.append(empty);
-            if (!available.length && !invalid && addMedia) {
+            if (!available.length && !everyone.length && !invalid && addMedia) {
                 const add = document.createElement('button'); add.type = 'button'; add.textContent = t('Add media', '添加素材');
                 add.onpointerdown = e => e.preventDefault();
                 add.onclick = () => { close(); addMedia(); }; list.append(add);
             }
         }
+        const heading = (en, zh) => { const h = document.createElement('div'); h.className = 'fv-reference-group'; h.setAttribute('role', 'presentation'); h.textContent = t(en, zh); list.append(h); };
+        if (people.length) heading('Characters', '角色');
         for (const [index, item] of matches.entries()) {
+            if (index === people.length && people.length && media.length) heading('Media', '素材');
             const option = document.createElement('div'); option.id = `${list.id}-${index}`;
             option.className = 'fv-reference-option'; option.setAttribute('role', 'option');
+            if (item.character) {
+                const person = item.character, face = document.createElement('img');
+                face.className = 'fv-reference-face'; face.alt = ''; face.src = person.thumb || '';
+                const name = document.createElement('strong'); name.textContent = person.name;
+                option.className += ' fv-reference-person'; option.append(face, name);
+                if (person.blocked) { option.setAttribute('aria-disabled', 'true'); option.title = person.blocked; }
+                option.onpointerdown = e => e.preventDefault(); option.onclick = () => choose(index);
+                option.onpointermove = () => { if (usable(index)) select(index); }; list.append(option);
+                continue;
+            }
             const thumb = document.createElement(item.file && item.kind === 'image' ? 'img' : 'span');
             thumb.className = 'fv-reference-thumb';
             if (thumb.tagName === 'IMG') { thumb.src = view(item.file); thumb.alt = ''; }
@@ -189,7 +228,7 @@ export function attachReferencePicker(input, {items, t = en => en, view, host, a
         }
         const wasHidden = popup.hidden; popup.hidden = false;
         if (wasHidden && popup.showPopover) popup.showPopover();
-        input.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true'); active = 0; select(active); place();
+        input.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true'); select(usable(0) ? 0 : step(0, 1)); place();
     }
     listen(input, 'input', refresh); listen(input, 'click', refresh);
     listen(input, 'compositionstart', () => { composing = true; close(); });
@@ -197,9 +236,9 @@ export function attachReferencePicker(input, {items, t = en => en, view, host, a
     listen(input, 'keydown', e => {
         if (composing || e.isComposing || e.keyCode === 229 || popup.hidden || e.ctrlKey || e.metaKey || e.altKey) return;
         if (['ArrowDown','ArrowUp'].includes(e.key) && matches.length) {
-            e.preventDefault(); e.stopPropagation(); select((active + (e.key === 'ArrowDown' ? 1 : -1) + matches.length) % matches.length);
+            e.preventDefault(); e.stopPropagation(); select(step(active < 0 ? 0 : active, e.key === 'ArrowDown' ? 1 : -1));
         } else if ((e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === 'Tab') && !e.shiftKey && matches.length) {
-            e.preventDefault(); e.stopPropagation(); choose(active);
+            e.preventDefault(); e.stopPropagation(); if (usable(active)) choose(active);
         } else if (e.key === 'Escape') { e.preventDefault(); e.stopPropagation(); close(); }
     });
     listen(input, 'keyup', e => { if (['ArrowLeft','ArrowRight','Home','End'].includes(e.key)) refresh(); });
diff --git a/web/request_assets.js b/web/request_assets.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..04eb6822
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/request_assets.js
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+// One muted line above Generate: what this request will download first.
+// LoRA file names this request would load, through the whole `previous` chain.
+export function enabledLoras(start, {upstream, widget, value}) {
+    const names = [];
+    for (let current = start, depth = 0; current && depth < 16; current = upstream(current, 'previous'), depth++) {
+        try {
+            if (widget(current, 'adapters')) {
+                for (const row of JSON.parse(value(current, 'adapters') || '[]')) {
+                    if (row.enabled !== false && Number(row.strength ?? 1) !== 0 && typeof row.name === 'string') names.push(row.name);
+                }
+            } else if (widget(current, 'lora')) {
+                const name = value(current, 'lora');
+                if (name && name !== 'None' && Number(value(current, 'strength') ?? 1) !== 0) names.push(name);
+            }
+        } catch {}
+    }
+    return names;
+}
+
+// Reference files as `kind:file`, so generation's own rule can tell whether a video has audio.
+// A reference that is not a file in the input folder makes the task unknowable here: send none.
+export function referenceFiles(refs) {
+    return refs.length && refs.every(r => typeof r.file === 'string' && r.kind) ? refs.map(r => `${r.kind}:${r.file}`) : [];
+}
+
+// Keep the extension and the end of a long file name; shorten the middle.
+const short = name => name.length <= 28 ? name
+    : name.slice(0, 12) + '…' + name.slice(-15);
+
+export function createRequestAssets({t, api, request, onError = () => {}}) {
+    const element = document.createElement('div');
+    element.className = 'fv-request-assets fv-muted';
+    element.hidden = true;
+    element.setAttribute('aria-live', 'polite');
+    let timer = 0, controller = null, key = '', disposed = false;
+    const size = bytes => bytes >= 2 ** 30 ? (bytes / 2 ** 30).toFixed(1) + ' GB' : Math.max(1, Math.round(bytes / 2 ** 20)) + ' MB';
+    function lines(items) {
+        const rows = [];
+        // Tables and the upscaler are one download to the user.
+        const auto = items.filter(item => item.action === 'auto').reduce((sum, item) => sum + item.bytes, 0);
+        if (auto) rows.push(t(`Downloads ${size(auto)} before generating`, `生成前会先下载 ${size(auto)}`));
+        for (const item of items) {
+            if (item.kind === 'prompt-vlm') {
+                rows.push(t(`First prompt rewrite downloads ${size(item.bytes)}`, `首次改写提示词会先下载 ${size(item.bytes)}`));
+            } else if (item.kind === 'lora') {
+                const names = (item.names || []).map(short);
+                rows.push(t(`LoRA not found: ${names.join(', ')}`, `找不到 LoRA：${names.join('、')}`));
+            }
+        }
+        return rows;
+    }
+    function show(items) {
+        const rows = lines(items);
+        element.replaceChildren(...rows.map(text => Object.assign(document.createElement('div'), {textContent: text})));
+        element.hidden = rows.length === 0;
+    }
+    function refresh(force = false) {
+        const query = request();
+        if (!query) { show([]); return; }
+        const next = query.toString();
+        if (next === key && !force) return;
+        key = next;
+        clearTimeout(timer); controller?.abort();
+        timer = setTimeout(async () => {
+            const current = controller = new AbortController();
+            try {
+                const reply = await api.fetchApi('/freevideo/request-assets?' + next, {signal: current.signal});
+                if (!reply.ok) return;
+                const result = await reply.json();
+                if (disposed || current.signal.aborted || key !== next) return;
+                show(Array.isArray(result.items) ? result.items : []);
+            } catch (error) { if (error?.name !== 'AbortError') onError(error); } // Advisory; never blocks Generate.
+        }, 300);
+    }
+    return {element, refresh, dispose() { disposed = true; clearTimeout(timer); controller?.abort(); }};
+}
diff --git a/web/setup.js b/web/setup.js
index 0093e327..3b3c7453 100644
--- a/web/setup.js
+++ b/web/setup.js
@@ -161,8 +161,10 @@ export async function openSetup() {
     dialog.addEventListener('cancel', e => { e.preventDefault(); closeDialog(dialog); });
     document.body.append(dialog); dialog.showModal();
     let savedFolders = "", savedMissing = false;
-    let token, planId, busy = false, probeBusy = false, pollTimer, lastPlanId, planErrors = false, planStale = false, ready = false;
-    const fail = error => { installation.open = true; state.textContent = failureText(error.message); state.className = "fv-failure"; state.scrollIntoView({block:'nearest'}); };
+    let token, planId, busy = false, probeBusy = false, pollTimer, lastPlanId, planErrors = false, planStale = false, ready = false, waitSince;
+    // A click names what is happening at once, before the server has answered.
+    const doing = (en, zh) => { waitSince ??= Date.now(); state.className = ''; state.textContent = t(en, zh); };
+    const fail = error => { waitSince = undefined; installation.open = true; state.textContent = failureText(error.message); state.className = "fv-failure"; state.scrollIntoView({block:'nearest'}); };
     const request = async (action, value) => {
         const response = await api.fetchApi("/freevideo/setup" + (action ? "/" + action : root.value ? '?root='+encodeURIComponent(root.value) : ""), action ? {
             method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", "X-FreeVideo-Setup": token }, body: JSON.stringify(value || {}),
@@ -323,7 +325,8 @@ export async function openSetup() {
         if (value.errors?.length) { const e = node("p", value.errors.map(failureText).join("\n")); e.className = "fv-failure"; plan.append(e); }
     }
     function render(task) {
-        busy = Boolean(task.busy); ready = Boolean(task.ready) || ready && task.status !== 'failed';
+        busy = Boolean(task.busy); if (!busy) waitSince = undefined; else waitSince ??= Date.now();
+        ready = Boolean(task.ready) || ready && task.status !== 'failed';
         cancel.textContent = task.action === 'calibrate' ? t('Stop', '停止') : t('Stop setup', '停止安装');
         inputs.hidden = busy; plan.hidden = busy;
         if (task.plan_id && task.plan_id !== lastPlanId) {
@@ -342,8 +345,8 @@ export async function openSetup() {
         overallText.textContent = phases.total > 0 ? `${t("Overall", "整体进度")} · ${phases.done} / ${phases.total} ${t("stages complete", "阶段已完成")} · ${Math.floor(100 * phases.done / phases.total)}%` : t("Preparing installation plan…", "正在准备安装计划…");
         bar.hidden = !busy; bar.max = valid ? p.total : 1; bar.value = valid ? p.done : 0;
         const amount = n => p.total >= 2 ** 30 ? gib(n) : `${(n / 2 ** 20).toFixed(1)} MiB`;
-        const count = valid ? `${Math.floor(100 * p.done / p.total)}% · ${p.unit === "bytes" ? `${amount(p.done)} / ${amount(p.total)}` : `${p.done} / ${p.total}`}` : t("Measuring progress…", "正在获取进度…");
-        const eta = valid && Number.isFinite(p.remaining_seconds) && p.remaining_seconds > 0 ? `${p.unit === "bytes" ? t("File ETA", "本文件预计剩余") : t("ETA", "预计剩余")} ~${Math.ceil(p.remaining_seconds)} s` : t("Estimating remaining time…", "正在估算剩余时间…");
+        const count = valid ? `${Math.floor(100 * p.done / p.total)}% · ${p.unit === "bytes" ? `${amount(p.done)} / ${amount(p.total)}` : `${p.done} / ${p.total}`}` : t("Preparing…", "正在准备…");
+        const eta = valid && Number.isFinite(p.remaining_seconds) && p.remaining_seconds > 0 ? `${p.unit === "bytes" ? t("File ETA", "本文件预计剩余") : t("ETA", "预计剩余")} ~${Math.ceil(p.remaining_seconds)} s` : valid ? t("Estimating remaining time…", "正在估算剩余时间…") : `${t("Elapsed", "已用时")} ${Math.floor((Date.now() - (waitSince || Date.now())) / 1000)} s`;
         counters.textContent = busy ? `${count} · ${eta}` : "";
         const others = (task.active_tasks || []).slice(1).map(p => p.label).filter(Boolean);
         const progressDetail = (p.detail || '').replace(/^Keeping the original file: /, t('Keeping the original file: ', '正在保留原文件：'));
@@ -375,16 +378,18 @@ export async function openSetup() {
     }
     saveFolders.onclick = async () => {
         invalidate(true); busy = true; controls();
+        const before = [state.textContent, state.className]; doing('Saving model folders…', '正在保存模型目录…');
         try { await saveModelFolders(); }
         catch (error) { savedFolders = ''; savedMissing = false; folderStatus.textContent = failureText(error.message); folderStatus.className = 'fv-failure'; }
-        finally { busy = false; controls(); }
+        finally { busy = false; waitSince = undefined; [state.textContent, state.className] = before; controls(); }
     };
     inspect.onclick = async () => {
-        invalidate(); busy = true; controls();
+        invalidate(); busy = true; controls(); doing('Checking installation…', '正在检查安装…');
         try { await saveModelFolders(); render(await request("inspect", {root: root.value, extra_libraries: extra.value.split("\n").map(s => s.trim()).filter(Boolean), copy: copy.checked, sampling_caches: samplingCaches.checked})); poll(); }
-        catch (error) { busy = false; controls(); fail(error); }
+        catch (error) { busy = false; waitSince = undefined; controls(); fail(error); }
     };
     install.onclick = async () => {
+        doing('Starting installation…', '正在开始安装…');
         try { render(await request("install", {plan_id: planId, accept_licenses: accept.checked})); invalidate(); poll(); }
         catch (error) { fail(error); }
     };
@@ -394,6 +399,7 @@ export async function openSetup() {
     };
     cancel.onclick = async () => { try { render(await request("cancel")); poll(); } catch (error) { fail(error); } };
     dialog.onclose = () => { clearTimeout(pollTimer); for (const dispose of motions) dispose(); dialog.remove(); if (current === dialog) current = undefined; };
+    doing('Reading installation settings…', '正在读取安装设置…');
     try {
         const info = await request(); token = info.discovery.token; root.value = info.discovery.root;
         extra.value = (info.discovery.extra_libraries || []).join("\n");
diff --git a/web/studio.css b/web/studio.css
index f5992760..23d32696 100644
--- a/web/studio.css
+++ b/web/studio.css
@@ -112,9 +112,11 @@
 .fv-studio .fv-run-menu .fv-field{padding:10px 8px 0}.fv-studio .fv-run-menu p{margin:10px 8px 2px;line-height:1.6}
 .fv-studio .fv-queue-actions{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin-top:8px}
 .fv-studio .fv-queue-actions button,.fv-studio .fv-queue-details>summary{padding:4px 8px;min-height:28px;font-size:var(--fv-micro);color:var(--fv-muted)}
-.fv-studio .fv-queue-details{position:relative}.fv-studio .fv-queue-details>summary{cursor:pointer;list-style:none}
+.fv-studio .fv-queue-actions{position:relative}.fv-studio .fv-queue-details{position:static}.fv-studio .fv-queue-details>summary{cursor:pointer;list-style:none}
 .fv-studio .fv-queue-list{left:0;right:auto;bottom:calc(100% + var(--fv-h-lg) + 24px);width:300px;max-height:260px;overflow:auto;scrollbar-width:thin}
 .fv-studio .fv-queue-item{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:8px;font-size:var(--fv-micro);padding:3px 0;white-space:nowrap}
+.fv-studio .fv-queue-item span{flex:1;min-width:0;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}
+.fv-studio .fv-queue-item button{flex:none}
 .fv-studio .fv-status{min-height:22px;text-align:center;font-size:var(--fv-micro);color:var(--fv-muted);overflow-wrap:anywhere}.fv-studio .fv-status[data-error=true]{color:var(--fv-danger)}
 .fv-studio .fv-progress{width:100%;height:4px;accent-color:var(--fv-accent);border:0;margin:0 0 10px}.fv-studio .fv-budget,.fv-studio .fv-prewarm{text-align:center;font-size:var(--fv-micro);color:var(--fv-muted)}
 .fv-studio .fv-panel{height:auto;padding:0;border:none;border-radius:0;background:transparent;color:var(--fv-ink);font-size:var(--fv-micro);overflow:visible}
@@ -184,3 +186,19 @@
 .fv-studio .fv-first-frame input:checked{background:var(--fv-accent,#6db8fa)}
 .fv-studio .fv-first-frame input:checked::before{transform:translateX(10px)}
 .fv-studio .fv-first-frame:has(input:disabled){opacity:.4}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-parts{display:grid;gap:2px;margin-top:-7px}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-parts[hidden]{display:none}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part{display:grid;grid-template-columns:auto minmax(0,1fr) auto;align-items:start;gap:14px;padding:4px 4px 4px 12px;border-radius:var(--fv-r-sm);font-size:var(--fv-micro);line-height:20px}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part-name{padding-top:7px;color:var(--fv-muted);white-space:nowrap}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part .fv-chain-part-text{display:block;min-width:0;min-height:32px;padding:6px 10px;border-color:transparent;background:transparent;color:var(--fv-ink);font-weight:var(--fv-regular);text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part:has(.fv-chain-part-text:not(:disabled):not([hidden])):hover{background:var(--fv-hover);cursor:text}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part:has(.fv-chain-part-text:not(:disabled):not([hidden])):hover .fv-chain-part-text{background:transparent;cursor:text}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part .fv-chain-part-text:disabled{opacity:1;color:var(--fv-disabled)}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part:has(.fv-chain-part-text:disabled) :is(.fv-chain-part-name,.fv-chain-part-tag:not([data-kind=error])){color:var(--fv-disabled)}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part-text[hidden]{display:none}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part .fv-chain-part-editor{min-height:76px;height:96px;max-height:220px;padding:6px 10px;font-size:var(--fv-micro);line-height:20px;outline:none}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part-tag{padding:7px 8px 0 0;color:var(--fv-muted);white-space:nowrap}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part-tag:empty{display:none}
+.fv-studio .fv-chain-part-tag[data-kind=error]{color:var(--fv-warning);white-space:normal;max-width:16em;text-align:right}
+@media(max-width:680px){.fv-studio .fv-chain-part{gap:8px;padding-left:4px}}
+.fv-studio .fv-request-assets{font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 8px}
diff --git a/web/studio.js b/web/studio.js
index 702026ab..b7d91ad5 100644
--- a/web/studio.js
+++ b/web/studio.js
@@ -17,12 +17,16 @@ import { openLibrary } from './library.js';
 import { createRecentVideos } from './studio_recent.js';
 import { createAgentActivity } from './agent_activity.js';
 import { createStudioQueue, randomSeed } from './studio_queue.js';
-import { attachReferencePicker, referenceItems, syncReferencePrompt, referenceInputs, mentionAt } from './prompt_references.js';
+import { attachReferencePicker, referenceItems, syncReferencePrompt, referenceInputs, mentionAt, mediaRows } from './prompt_references.js';
 import { attachTermSuggest } from './prompt_terms.js';
+import { castInRows, expandCast, mentionHandle, mentionState, mentionedIds, withCharacter, MAX_PICTURES_EACH } from './cast_mention.js';
+import { attachMentionOverlay } from './cast_overlay.js';
+import { openCastLibrary } from './cast_source.js';
 import { reconcileLoraTriggers } from './lora_triggers.js';
 import { createSamplingEffort } from './sampling_effort.js';
 import { resultActions, previewBadge, icon } from './result_actions.js';
 import { createPromptEnhancer } from './prompt_enhance.js';
+import { createRequestAssets, enabledLoras, referenceFiles } from './request_assets.js';
 import { rememberPromptDraft, trackPromptDraft } from './prompt_draft.js';
 import { canvasDimensions, imageSizeSelection } from './studio_size.js';
 import { createCapabilityView } from './capability_view.js';
@@ -31,7 +35,7 @@ import { frameShapes, frameSize } from './frame_sizes.js';
 import { createFirstRunGuide } from './first_run_guide.js';
 import { createStudioLength, savedSeconds } from './studio_length.js?v=20261011-length';
 import { firstFrameRow } from './first_frame_row.js';
-import { createStudioChain, chainPosition, readChainResult, sumPartEstimates, singleRunSnapshot } from './studio_chain.js?v=20261011-length';
+import { createStudioChain, chainPosition, chainParts, chainSplit, readChainResult, sumPartEstimates, singleRunSnapshot } from './studio_chain.js?v=20261014-parts';
 import { createExtendState, extendText, extendSourceExists, readExtendRecord, extendSnapshot, mountExtendThumbnail, videoUnavailableText } from './studio_extend.js';
 
 const languageOverride = typeof location !== 'undefined'
@@ -43,6 +47,97 @@ const css = document.createElement('link'); css.rel = 'stylesheet'; css.href = n
 const effortCss = document.createElement('link'); effortCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; effortCss.href = new URL('./sampling_effort.css', import.meta.url).href; document.head.append(effortCss);
 const enhanceCss = document.createElement('link'); enhanceCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; enhanceCss.href = new URL('./prompt_enhance.css', import.meta.url).href; document.head.append(enhanceCss);
 const el = (tag, label, cls) => { const e = document.createElement(tag); if (label != null) e.textContent = label; if (cls) e.className = cls; return e; };
+// One line per part of a long video, under the preview. A part that has not started opens in
+// place for editing and saves when it loses focus; the server's reply decides what stays.
+function createChainPartList(t, save, {onShow = () => {}, onHide = () => {}} = {}) {
+    const element = el('div', null, 'fv-chain-parts'); element.hidden = true;
+    const rows = new Map(), timers = new Map();
+    let editing = null, showing = null;
+    function tag(row, text, kind = '') { row.tag.textContent = text; row.tag.dataset.kind = kind; }
+    function draw(row) {
+        const {part} = row, writing = editing === row;
+        row.element.dataset.state = part.editable ? 'pending' : part.state;
+        row.text.textContent = part.text;
+        row.text.disabled = !part.editable;
+        if (!writing && row.editor) { row.editor.remove(); row.editor = null; row.text.hidden = false; }
+        // A note about a lost edit stays on its line until that part is done.
+        if (row.tag.dataset.kind === 'error' && part.state === 'done') row.tag.dataset.kind = '';
+        if (timers.has(part.id) || row.tag.dataset.kind === 'error') return;
+        tag(row, part.state === 'done' ? t('Done', '已完成') : part.editable || !['queued', 'running', 'pending'].includes(part.state) ? '' : t('Generating', '生成中'));
+    }
+    function flash(row, text, kind) {
+        clearTimeout(timers.get(row.part.id)); tag(row, text, kind);
+        if (kind === 'saved') timers.set(row.part.id, setTimeout(() => { timers.delete(row.part.id); tag(row, ''); draw(row); }, 2000));
+    }
+    async function finish(row, keep) {
+        if (editing !== row) return;
+        const before = row.part.text, value = row.editor.value;
+        editing = null;
+        if (!keep || !value.trim() || value === before) { draw(row); return; }
+        row.part = {...row.part, text: value}; row.saving = value; draw(row);
+        try {
+            await save(row.part.id, value);
+            row.saving = null;
+            if (rows.get(row.part.id) === row) flash(row, t('Saved', '已保存'), 'saved');
+        } catch (error) {
+            row.saving = null;
+            if (rows.get(row.part.id) !== row) return;
+            row.part = {...row.part, text: before}; draw(row);
+            flash(row, error.status === 409 ? t('This part has started. Your edit was not saved.', '这一段已开始，修改未保存')
+                : t('Your edit was not saved.', '修改未保存'), 'error');
+        }
+    }
+    function open(row) {
+        if (!row.part.editable || editing === row) return;
+        if (editing) finish(editing, true);
+        editing = row; clearTimeout(timers.get(row.part.id)); timers.delete(row.part.id); tag(row, '');
+        const editor = row.editor = el('textarea', null, 'fv-chain-part-editor');
+        editor.maxLength = 20000; editor.value = row.part.text;
+        editor.setAttribute('aria-label', t(`Part ${row.part.index + 1} description`, `第 ${row.part.index + 1} 段描述`));
+        editor.addEventListener('blur', () => finish(row, true));
+        editor.addEventListener('keydown', event => {
+            // Escape leaves the edit, never the studio.
+            if (event.key === 'Escape') { event.preventDefault(); event.stopPropagation(); finish(row, false); row.text.focus(); }
+        });
+        row.text.hidden = true; row.text.after(editor); editor.focus();
+        editor.setSelectionRange(editor.value.length, editor.value.length);
+        editor.scrollIntoView({block: 'nearest'});
+    }
+    function clear() {
+        if (!element.hidden) onHide();
+        element.hidden = true; element.replaceChildren(); rows.clear(); editing = null; showing = null;
+        for (const id of timers.values()) clearTimeout(id); timers.clear();
+    }
+    return {element, clear, update(chain, active) {
+        // The list belongs to one generation: it shows once the descriptions are written and closes when that ends.
+        if (!active || !chain?.split || chainSplit(chain).writing) { if (!active || showing !== chain?.id) clear(); return; }
+        if (showing !== chain.id) clear();
+        showing = chain.id;
+        const first = element.hidden; element.hidden = false;
+        chainParts(chain).forEach((part, index) => {
+            part.state = chain.blocks[index].state === 'pending' && chain.blocks[index].prompt_id != null ? 'queued' : chain.blocks[index].state;
+            let row = rows.get(part.id);
+            if (!row) {
+                row = {element: el('div', null, 'fv-chain-part'), tag: el('span', null, 'fv-chain-part-tag')};
+                row.text = el('button', null, 'fv-chain-part-text'); row.text.type = 'button';
+                row.element.onclick = () => open(row);
+                row.element.append(el('span', t(`Part ${index + 1}`, `第 ${index + 1} 段`), 'fv-chain-part-name'), row.text, row.tag);
+                rows.set(part.id, row); element.append(row.element);
+            }
+            if (editing === row && !part.editable) {
+                // The part began while it was open: the words typed so far cannot reach it.
+                const changed = row.editor.value !== row.part.text;
+                editing = null; row.part = part; draw(row);
+                if (changed) flash(row, t('This part has started. Your edit was not saved.', '这一段已开始，修改未保存'), 'error');
+                return;
+            }
+            if (editing === row) { row.part = {...part, text: row.part.text}; return; }
+            // A poll answered before the save shows the words being saved, not the older ones.
+            row.part = row.saving != null ? {...part, text: row.saving} : part; draw(row);
+        });
+        if (first) onShow();
+    }};
+}
 const button = (label, action, cls = '') => { const e = el('button', label, cls); e.type = 'button'; e.onclick = action; return e; };
 const widget = (node, name) => node?.widgets?.find(w => w.name === name);
 const linked = (node, name) => node?.inputs?.some(input => input.name === name && input.link != null);
@@ -406,7 +501,50 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
     placeholder();
     prompt.disabled = linked(node, 'text'); prompt.oninput = () => { set(node, 'text', prompt.value); placeholder(); };
     const promptEditor = el('div', null, 'fv-prompt-editor'); promptEditor.append(prompt);
+    // Library characters offered in the @ list; a mention puts the character's pictures in the media list.
+    let castLibrary = null;
+    const castAssets = () => { const owner = upstream(node, 'media'); const field = owner && widget(owner, 'assets'); return field ? {owner, field} : null; };
+    // The library's own upload of a picture goes to the same streaming upload the media panel uses.
+    const castUpload = async file => {
+        const body = new FormData(); body.append('file', file);
+        const response = await api.fetchApi('/freevideo/media/upload', {method: 'POST', body});
+        const result = await response.json(); if (!response.ok) throw new Error(result.error || response.statusText);
+        return result;
+    };
+    const castBlocked = reason => ({frames: t('Not available with first and last frames', '首尾帧不能和角色同时使用'),
+        people: t('Up to 3 characters', '最多 3 个角色'), full: t('Up to 32 references', '参考素材最多 32 个'),
+        extend: t('Not available when continuing a video', '接着生成时不能使用角色')}[reason] || '');
+    const castPending = new Map();
+    function castChoices() {
+        if (!castLibrary || linked(node, 'text') || !castAssets()) return [];
+        const rows = mediaRows(node);
+        return castLibrary.list().filter(card => card.name).map(card => {
+            const state = extension.source ? {ok: false, reason: 'extend'}
+                : mentionState(rows, card, Math.min(MAX_PICTURES_EACH, Number(card.images) || 0));
+            return {id: card.id, name: card.name, handle: mentionHandle(rows, card, castPending), thumb: card.thumbnail?.file ? view(card.thumbnail.file) : card.thumbnail?.url || '',
+                blocked: state.ok ? '' : castBlocked(state.reason)};
+        });
+    }
+    // The name goes into the text at once; the card's pictures follow when the full card has been read.
+    function mentionCharacter(person) {
+        if (!castLibrary || extension.source) return false;
+        if (castInRows(mediaRows(node)).some(entry => entry.id === person.id)) return true;
+        if (!mentionState(mediaRows(node), {id: person.id}, 1).ok) return false;
+        const typed = person.handle || person.name;
+        castPending.set(person.id, typed);
+        castLibrary.get(person.id).then(card => {
+            if (disposed) return;
+            const rows = mediaRows(node), target = castAssets();
+            if (!target || !mentionState(rows, card).ok) return;
+            target.field.value = JSON.stringify(withCharacter(rows, card, typed));
+            target.owner.graph?.change?.();
+            window.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('freevideo-media', {detail: target.owner.id}));
+        }).catch(() => { if (!disposed) { status.dataset.error = 'true'; status.textContent = t('Could not add the character\'s pictures', '无法加入角色的图片'); } })
+            .finally(() => castPending.delete(person.id));
+        return true;
+    }
     const references = attachReferencePicker(prompt, {items: () => referenceItems(node), t, view, host: dialog,
+        characters: castChoices, onCharacter: mentionCharacter,
         addMedia: () => { mediaDetails.open = true; mediaDetails.scrollIntoView({block: 'nearest', behavior: 'smooth'}); mediaMount.querySelector('button')?.focus(); }});
     const mention = button('@', () => references.open(), 'fv-reference-trigger');
     mention.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Reference media (@)', '引用素材（@）'));
@@ -415,16 +553,35 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
     cleanup.push(() => references.dispose());
     const terms = attachTermSuggest(prompt, {t, host: dialog, suppressed: () => !!mentionAt(prompt.value, prompt.selectionStart, prompt.selectionEnd)});
     cleanup.push(() => terms.dispose());
+    const castOverlay = attachMentionOverlay(prompt, {people: () => castInRows(mediaRows(node))});
+    // The library's entry row rings the characters this prompt uses.
+    let castShown = '';
+    const announceCast = () => {
+        const ids = mentionedIds(prompt.value, mediaRows(node));
+        if (ids.join() !== castShown) { castShown = ids.join(); window.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('freevideo-cast-mentioned', {detail: ids})); }
+    };
+    prompt.addEventListener('input', announceCast);
+    const castChanged = event => { if (String(event.detail) === String(mediaNode?.id)) { castOverlay.refresh(); references.refresh(); announceCast(); } };
+    window.addEventListener('freevideo-media', castChanged);
+    node.freevideoCastOff = () => Boolean(extension.source);
+    cleanup.push(() => { castLibrary?.destroy?.(); castLibrary = null; window.removeEventListener('freevideo-media', castChanged); prompt.removeEventListener('input', announceCast); castOverlay.dispose(); delete node.freevideoCastOff; });
+    openCastLibrary({api, text: t, viewURL: view, uploadOne: castUpload, onChange: () => { castOverlay.refresh(); references.refresh(); }})
+        .then(library => { if (disposed) library?.destroy?.(); else castLibrary = library; });
+    let requestAssets = null;
     const enhancer = createPromptEnhancer({node, input: prompt, editor: promptEditor, api, t, starter,
+        prepare: text => expandCast(text, mediaRows(node), {active: !extension.source}).text,
         onReport: row => { node.freevideoReportId = row.report_id; progress.updateReport(row); },
-        onChange: () => rememberPromptDraft(api, node),
+        onChange: () => { rememberPromptDraft(api, node); requestAssets?.refresh(); },
         setText: text => { set(node, 'text', text || (untouched() ? starter : '')); placeholder(); }, context: () => {
         const items = referenceItems(node);
         if (linked(node, 'conditioning') || items.some(row => !row.file || row.kind !== 'image')) throw new Error('unsupported_media');
         return {seconds: Number(value(node, 'seconds')), media: items.map(row => ({file: row.file, role: row.role || 'reference'}))};
     }});
     cleanup.push(() => enhancer.dispose());
-    const promptChanged = e => { if (String(e.detail) === String(node.id)) { if (prompt.value !== shown(value(node, 'text'))) prompt.value = shown(value(node, 'text')); prompt.disabled = linked(node, 'text'); mention.disabled = prompt.disabled; placeholder(); references.refresh(); enhancer.sync(); } };
+    requestAssets = createRequestAssets({t, api, request: () => requestAssetsQuery?.()});
+    cleanup.push(() => requestAssets.dispose());
+    let requestAssetsQuery = null;
+    const promptChanged = e => { if (String(e.detail) === String(node.id)) { if (prompt.value !== shown(value(node, 'text'))) prompt.value = shown(value(node, 'text')); prompt.disabled = linked(node, 'text'); mention.disabled = prompt.disabled; placeholder(); castOverlay.refresh(); references.refresh(); announceCast(); enhancer.sync(); } };
     window.addEventListener('freevideo-reference-prompt', promptChanged);
     cleanup.push(() => window.removeEventListener('freevideo-reference-prompt', promptChanged));
     const promptSection = section(t('Describe your scene', '描述画面'));
@@ -546,8 +703,8 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
     else if (loraNode && widget(loraNode, 'lora')) {
         const select = el('select'); select.setAttribute('aria-label', t('LoRA model', 'LoRA 模型'));
         for (const name of widget(loraNode, 'lora').options?.values || ['None']) { const o = el('option', name); o.value = name; select.append(o); }
-        select.value = value(loraNode, 'lora'); select.onchange = () => set(loraNode, 'lora', select.value);
-        const strength = el('input'); strength.type = 'number'; strength.min = '-4'; strength.max = '4'; strength.step = '.05'; strength.value = value(loraNode, 'strength'); strength.onchange = () => { if (strength.reportValidity()) set(loraNode, 'strength', Number(strength.value)); };
+        select.value = value(loraNode, 'lora'); select.onchange = () => { set(loraNode, 'lora', select.value); requestAssets?.refresh(); };
+        const strength = el('input'); strength.type = 'number'; strength.min = '-4'; strength.max = '4'; strength.step = '.05'; strength.value = value(loraNode, 'strength'); strength.onchange = () => { if (strength.reportValidity()) { set(loraNode, 'strength', Number(strength.value)); requestAssets?.refresh(); } };
         loraMount.append(field(t('LoRA', 'LoRA'), select), field(t('Strength', '强度'), strength), el('p', loraWarning(), 'fv-lora-note'));
     } else loraMount.append(el('p', loraWarning(), 'fv-lora-note'));
     const [, advanced] = expand(t('Advanced', '高级选项'));
@@ -687,9 +844,11 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
     function refreshEffortEstimate(force = false) {
         capabilityView?.update();
         let task = 'external';
+        let requestRefs = [];
         try {
             if (!linked(node, 'conditioning')) {
                 const media = referenceItems(node), refs = media.filter(r => !r.role);
+                requestRefs = refs;
                 const audio = refs.some(r => r.kind === 'audio'), visual = refs.some(r => r.kind !== 'audio');
                 const first = media.some(r => r.role === 'first'), last = media.some(r => r.role === 'last');
                 task = audio ? visual ? 'ref2va_av' : 'ref2va_audio' : visual ? 'ref2va'
@@ -704,6 +863,15 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
         lengthControl?.refresh({width: requestWidth, height: requestHeight, task, adapters,
             settings: {tier: twoPass.checked ? 'light' : ({12: 'medium', 16: 'high', 20: 'max'}[Number(baseSteps.value)] || 'custom'),
                 base_steps: Number(baseSteps.value), refine_steps: Number(refineSteps.value), two_pass: twoPass.checked}}, force);
+        requestAssetsQuery = () => {
+            const query = new URLSearchParams({width: requestWidth, height: requestHeight, seconds: value(node, 'seconds'), task,
+                base_steps: baseSteps.value, refine_steps: refineSteps.value, two_pass: twoPass.checked ? '1' : '0',
+                enhance: node.properties?.freevideo_prompt_versions?.enabled ? '1' : '0'});
+            for (const name of enabledLoras(loraNode, {upstream, widget, value})) query.append('lora', name);
+            for (const row of referenceFiles(requestRefs)) query.append('ref', row);
+            return query;
+        };
+        requestAssets.refresh(force);
         const query = new URLSearchParams({width: requestWidth, height: requestHeight, seconds: value(node, 'seconds'), task, adapters: adapters ? '1' : '0'}).toString();
         if (query === effortEstimateKey && !force) { showEffortEstimate(); return; }
         clearTimeout(effortEstimateTimer);
@@ -733,6 +901,12 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
             extend: (saved, options) => openExtendEditor(saved, node, {studio: dialog, ...options})});
     })); previewHead.append(previewTools); output.append(previewHead);
     const previewSpace = el('div', null, 'fv-preview-space'); output.append(previewSpace);
+    // The preview keeps the size it has once the list is in; an opened part grows the column, which scrolls.
+    const partList = createChainPartList(t, (block, text) => chainController.setText(block, text), {
+        onShow: () => { previewSpace.style.flex = `0 0 ${previewSpace.getBoundingClientRect().height}px`; },
+        onHide: () => { previewSpace.style.flex = ''; }});
+    output.append(partList.element);
+    cleanup.push(() => partList.clear());
     const stage = el('div', null, 'fv-stage');
     stage.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Video preview', '视频预览'));
     const stageMedia = el('div', null, 'fv-stage-media');
@@ -909,6 +1083,12 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
     }
     const runbar = el('div', null, 'fv-runbar');
     let busy = false, queued = false, cancelling = false, activePrompt = null, capturing = false;
+    // The queue lists only this page's own requests. A video started elsewhere (another tab, a
+    // reloaded page) is still running on the server and reports progress here, so the button must
+    // not fall back to "Generate video" between two reports, e.g. while decoding.
+    const LIVE_PROGRESS_MS = 120000;
+    let liveProgressAt = 0;
+    const progressLive = () => Date.now() - liveProgressAt < LIVE_PROGRESS_MS;
     let runMode = ['single', 'batch', 'loop'].includes(node.properties?.freevideo_run_mode)
         ? node.properties.freevideo_run_mode : 'single', queueState;
     if (!studioQueues.has(node)) studioQueues.set(node, createStudioQueue(api, node.id, {
@@ -940,6 +1120,7 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
                 lastQueueError = null; status.textContent = ''; status.dataset.error = 'false';
             }
             chainWasActive = active;
+            partList.update(chain, active);
             busy = active || Boolean(queueState?.running || queueState?.pending.length); queued = chain?.state === 'queued';
             chainLine.hidden = !active;
             chainLine.textContent = outcome?.joining ? t('Joining the parts.', '正在接合各段。')
@@ -1015,10 +1196,11 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
         finally { stopLoop.disabled = false; }
     }, 'fv-quiet');
     queueActions.append(queueDetails, cancelCurrent, stopLoop, resumeChain);
-    runbar.append(runrow, queueActions); controls.append(runbar);
+    runbar.append(requestAssets.element, runrow, queueActions); controls.append(runbar);
     const queueError = error => ({
         queue_unavailable: t('Could not read the queue. Any loop has been stopped; already submitted videos stay queued.', '暂时无法读取队列。循环已停止追加，已提交的任务仍在队列中。'),
         cancel_failed: t('Could not cancel. Try again.', '暂时未能取消，请重试。'),
+        move_failed: t('Could not move it. Try again.', '暂时未能移动，请重试。'),
         submit_failed: t('The workflow was not queued. Check the node settings.', '工作流未能提交，请检查节点设置。'),
         loop_active: t('Stop the current loop before starting another.', '请先停止当前循环。'),
         loop_stopped: t('The last request did not complete. The loop has stopped.', '上一条任务未完成，循环已停止。'),
@@ -1093,7 +1275,7 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
         if (chainController?.active) { queueActions.hidden = false; updateRunButton(); return; }
         const active = state.running || state.pending[0];
         activePrompt = active?.id || null;
-        busy = Boolean(active); queued = !state.running && Boolean(state.pending.length);
+        busy = Boolean(active) || progressLive(); queued = !state.running && Boolean(state.pending.length);
         const g = active?.inputs;
         // The right-hand frame belongs to the submitted video. Draft edits on
         // the left must never reshape a video currently being generated.
@@ -1113,7 +1295,17 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
                     catch (error) { showQueueError(error); remove.disabled = false; }
                 }, 'fv-quiet');
                 remove.setAttribute('aria-label', t(`Remove queued video ${index + 1}`, `移除第 ${index + 1} 条排队任务`));
-                item.append(description, remove); queueList.append(item);
+                item.append(description);
+                if (index > 0) {
+                    const first = button(t('Move to front', '排到最前'), async () => {
+                        first.disabled = remove.disabled = true;
+                        try { await queueController.moveFirst(row.id); }
+                        catch (error) { showQueueError(error); first.disabled = remove.disabled = false; }
+                    }, 'fv-quiet');
+                    first.setAttribute('aria-label', t(`Move queued video ${index + 1} to front`, `把第 ${index + 1} 条排队任务排到最前`));
+                    item.append(first);
+                }
+                item.append(remove); queueList.append(item);
             });
         }
         if (!busy) cancelling = false;
@@ -1272,19 +1464,19 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
     cleanup.push(() => { window.removeEventListener('freevideo-media', mediaChanged); window.removeEventListener('freevideo-result', resultChanged); });
     const listen = (type, handler) => { api.addEventListener(type, handler); cleanup.push(() => api.removeEventListener(type, handler)); };
     listen('status', () => { syncQueue().catch(() => {}); });
-    listen('executing', e => { const id = typeof e.detail === 'object' ? e.detail?.node : e.detail; if (String(id) === String(node.id)) { if (chainController.active) { chainController.refresh(); return; } failure.clear(); node.freevideoFailure = ''; node.freevideoFailureReport = null; busy = true; queued = false; updateRunButton(); showProgress(node.freevideoProgress || {label: t('Preparing your video', '正在准备视频'), reset: true, new_request: true}); status.textContent = ''; } syncQueue().catch(() => {}); });
+    listen('executing', e => { const id = typeof e.detail === 'object' ? e.detail?.node : e.detail; if (String(id) === String(node.id)) { if (chainController.active) { chainController.refresh(); return; } failure.clear(); node.freevideoFailure = ''; node.freevideoFailureReport = null; liveProgressAt = Date.now(); busy = true; queued = false; updateRunButton(); showProgress(node.freevideoProgress || {label: t('Preparing your video', '正在准备视频'), reset: true, new_request: true}); status.textContent = ''; } syncQueue().catch(() => {}); });
     const progressChanged = e => {
         if (String(e.detail.node) !== String(node.id)) return;
         if (chainController.progress(e.detail)) return;
         progress.updateReport(e.detail);
         if (['failed', 'cancelled'].includes(e.detail.phase) || e.detail.result) {
-            busy = cancelling = false; updateRunButton();
+            liveProgressAt = 0; busy = cancelling = false; updateRunButton();
             if (e.detail.phase === 'cancelled') { hideProgress(); status.textContent = t('Cancelled', '已取消'); }
             else if (e.detail.phase === 'failed') { hideProgress(); status.textContent = t('Generation stopped', '生成已停止'); }
             else if (revealTimer === null) hideProgress();
             return;
         }
-        busy = true; queued = false; updateRunButton(); status.dataset.error = 'false';
+        liveProgressAt = Date.now(); busy = true; queued = false; updateRunButton(); status.dataset.error = 'false';
         if (cancelling) return;
         status.textContent = '';
         showProgress(e.detail);
@@ -1300,7 +1492,7 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
             for (const input of currentNode.inputs || []) pending.push(upstream(currentNode, input.name));
         }
         if (!seen.has(String(e.detail?.node_id))) return;
-        busy = cancelling = false; updateRunButton(); hideProgress(); status.dataset.error = 'true';
+        liveProgressAt = 0; busy = cancelling = false; updateRunButton(); hideProgress(); status.dataset.error = 'true';
         node.freevideoFailureReport = failure.show(e.detail, true, {stage: 'execution', node, graph: app.graph, progress: node.freevideoProgress});
         node.freevideoFailure = errorText(node.freevideoFailureReport);
         status.textContent = t('Generation stopped.', '生成已停止。');
@@ -1308,7 +1500,7 @@ export function openStudio(node, {extendFrom = null} = {}) {
     listen('execution_interrupted', e => {
         if (chainController.active && String(e.detail?.node_id) === String(node.id)) { chainController.refresh(); return; }
         if (activePrompt ? e.detail?.prompt_id !== activePrompt : String(e.detail?.node_id) !== String(node.id)) return;
-        busy = cancelling = false; activePrompt = null; updateRunButton(); hideProgress();
+        liveProgressAt = 0; busy = cancelling = false; activePrompt = null; updateRunButton(); hideProgress();
         failure.clear(); node.freevideoFailure = ''; node.freevideoFailureReport = null; status.dataset.error = 'false'; status.textContent = t('Cancelled', '已取消');
     });
     const escape = e => { if ((e.ctrlKey || e.metaKey) && e.key === 'Enter') {
diff --git a/web/studio_chain.js b/web/studio_chain.js
index 7168c418..a6117860 100644
--- a/web/studio_chain.js
+++ b/web/studio_chain.js
@@ -29,6 +29,17 @@ export function readChainResult(chain) {
         error: failedJoin ? chain.output_error || 'join_failed' : chain.error || chain.blocks?.find(block => block.state === 'failed')?.error || null};
 }
 
+// Before the first part starts the server writes one description per part; until then no part can be changed.
+export function chainSplit(chain) {
+    const split = chain?.split;
+    return {writing: ['pending', 'running'].includes(split?.state), reason: split?.state === 'failed' ? split.reason || 'failed' : null};
+}
+export function chainParts(chain) {
+    const writing = chainSplit(chain).writing;
+    return (chain?.blocks || []).map((block, index) => ({id: block.id, index, text: block.inputs?.text ?? '',
+        editable: !writing && block.state === 'pending' && block.prompt_id == null}));
+}
+
 export function sumPartEstimates(plan, estimate) {
     if (!plan || plan.count < 2 || typeof estimate !== 'function') return null;
     const values = plan.blocks.map(block => estimate(block.frames));
@@ -80,10 +91,10 @@ export function createStudioChain({api, node, onState = () => {}, onProgress = (
         if (Object.keys(overall).length) Object.assign(overall, {status: 'running', reset: false, estimated: false, sampling_time_weighted: true});
         previous = overall;
         lastMessage = {...lastMessage, ...message};
-        const phase = readChainResult(chain).joining ? 'save'
+        const phase = readChainResult(chain).joining ? 'save' : chain.split?.state === 'running' ? 'describe'
             : ['complete', 'failed', 'cancelled'].includes(lastMessage.phase) ? 'prepare' : lastMessage.phase || 'prepare';
         onProgress({...lastMessage, phase, result: null, reset: false, new_request: fresh,
-            chain: {id: chain.id, ...position}, overall}, chain);
+            chain: {id: chain.id, ...position, split_failed: chainSplit(chain).reason}, overall}, chain);
     }
     function deliver(value, fresh = false) {
         if (disposed) return false;
@@ -182,6 +193,14 @@ export function createStudioChain({api, node, onState = () => {}, onProgress = (
             } finally { submitting = false; }
         },
         refresh,
+        // The reply carries the whole chain, so the part shows the words the server keeps.
+        async setText(block, text) {
+            if (!chain) throw new Error('chain_missing');
+            const id = chain.id, version = epoch;
+            const value = (await json(chainRoute(id, `blocks/${encodeURIComponent(block)}/text`), post({text})))?.chain;
+            if (value?.id === id && version === epoch && !disposed) deliver(value);
+            return value;
+        },
         async cancel() {
             if (!chain) return;
             await changeState('cancel', {});
diff --git a/web/studio_queue.js b/web/studio_queue.js
index 25a7bd74..dd7796a6 100644
--- a/web/studio_queue.js
+++ b/web/studio_queue.js
@@ -124,6 +124,16 @@ export function createStudioQueue(api, nodeId, {random = randomSeed, pollMs = 20
         if (!response.ok) throw new Error('cancel_failed');
         return response.json();
     }
+    // The page changes its list only after the server says where the request now is.
+    async function moveFirst(id) {
+        const response = await api.fetchApi('/freevideo/queue/first', {method: 'POST',
+            headers: {'Content-Type': 'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify({prompt_id: id, node_id: nodeId})});
+        if (!response.ok) throw new Error('move_failed');
+        const reply = await response.json();
+        if (reply.status === 'unavailable') throw new Error('move_failed');
+        await refresh();
+        return reply;
+    }
     async function submit(session, randomized) {
         let seed = session.snapshot.output[nodeId].inputs.seed;
         if (randomized) {
@@ -176,7 +186,8 @@ export function createStudioQueue(api, nodeId, {random = randomSeed, pollMs = 20
         if (!response.ok) throw new Error('queue_unavailable');
         const queue = await response.json();
         running = (queue.queue_running || []).filter(matches).map(entry)[0] || null;
-        pending = (queue.queue_pending || []).filter(matches).map(entry);
+        // Comfy returns its heap array; the queue number gives the real running order.
+        pending = (queue.queue_pending || []).filter(matches).sort((a, b) => a[0] - b[0]).map(entry);
         for (const row of [running, ...pending]) if (row) remember(row.id);
         await advanceLoop(); publish();
     }
@@ -223,7 +234,7 @@ export function createStudioQueue(api, nodeId, {random = randomSeed, pollMs = 20
     api.addEventListener('execution_interrupted', onFailure);
     api.addEventListener('executed', onExecuted);
     return {
-        state, refresh, start, stopLoop,
+        state, refresh, start, stopLoop, moveFirst,
         subscribe(listener) { listeners.add(listener); listener(state()); schedule(); return () => { listeners.delete(listener); schedule(); }; },
         async cancel(id) {
             if (loop?.waiting === id) { loop.active = false; publish(); }
diff --git a/web/theme.css b/web/theme.css
index 41fbbd7c..5982442c 100644
--- a/web/theme.css
+++ b/web/theme.css
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* One token table for the web views, mirroring freevideo_engine/branding.py so
    a control looks the same in the launcher and in ComfyUI. Scope the tokens to
    our own views; never change ComfyUI's theme. */
-:where(.fv-studio,.fv-setup,.fv-panel,.fv-generation-progress,.fv-view-navigation,.fv-prompt-guide,.fv-failure-dialog,.fv-reference-picker,.fv-release-notes,.fv-image-editor){
+:where(.fv-studio,.fv-setup,.fv-panel,.fv-generation-progress,.fv-view-navigation,.fv-prompt-guide,.fv-failure-dialog,.fv-reference-picker,.fv-release-notes,.fv-image-editor,.fv-cast-dialog){
   /* Surfaces, from the backdrop up to a hovered control; mirrors branding.py. */
   --fv-bg:#111720;--fv-canvas:#161e29;--fv-card:#1a222e;--fv-raised:#212a37;--fv-hover:#2a3341;
   --fv-border:#2a3443;--fv-sheen:#35404e;