diff --git a/src/features/chat/application/lifecycle.ts b/src/features/chat/application/lifecycle.ts
index 130c32e5..e11a0e4d 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/application/lifecycle.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/application/lifecycle.ts
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@ export type RestoredThreadLifecycleEvent =
 export interface ChatViewDeferredTasks {
   scheduleDiagnostics(callback: () => void): void;
   clearDiagnostics(): void;
-  scheduleRestoredThreadHydration(callback: () => void): void;
-  clearRestoredThreadHydration(): void;
   scheduleAppServerWarmup(callback: () => void): void;
   clearAppServerWarmup(): void;
   clearAll(): void;
diff --git a/src/features/chat/application/state/actions.ts b/src/features/chat/application/state/actions.ts
index 83973a7f..7d172276 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/application/state/actions.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/application/state/actions.ts
@@ -93,11 +93,6 @@ export interface ThreadListAppliedAction {
   threadsLoaded?: boolean;
 }
 
-export interface ActiveThreadRestoredPlaceholderAction {
-  type: "active-thread/restored-placeholder";
-  threadId: string;
-}
-
 export interface DisclosureSetAction {
   type: "ui/disclosure-set";
   bucket: "details" | "activityGroups" | "textDetails" | "userMessageExpanded" | "goalObjectiveExpanded" | "approvalDetails";
diff --git a/src/features/chat/application/state/root-reducer.ts b/src/features/chat/application/state/root-reducer.ts
index ee5a3c9b..c9de9039 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/application/state/root-reducer.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/application/state/root-reducer.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ import type { ComposerSuggestion } from "../composer/suggestions";
 import type { MessageStreamItem } from "../../domain/message-stream/items";
 import type {
   ActiveThreadResumedAction,
-  ActiveThreadRestoredPlaceholderAction,
   ActiveThreadSettingsAppliedAction,
   ClearActiveThreadAction,
   ClearDisconnectedConnectionStateAction,
@@ -233,7 +232,6 @@ type ChatTransitionAction =
   | ClearActiveThreadAction
   | ActiveThreadResumedAction
   | ActiveThreadSettingsAppliedAction
-  | ActiveThreadRestoredPlaceholderAction
   | { type: "active-thread/goal-set"; goal: ThreadGoal | null }
   | TurnAction
   | RequestResolvedAction
@@ -269,7 +267,6 @@ export function chatReducer(state: ChatState, action: ChatAction): ChatState {
     case "active-thread/cleared":
     case "active-thread/resumed":
     case "active-thread/settings-applied":
-    case "active-thread/restored-placeholder":
     case "active-thread/goal-set":
     case "turn/started":
     case "turn/completed":
@@ -295,8 +292,6 @@ function reduceChatTransition(state: ChatState, action: ChatTransitionAction): C
       return reduceActiveThreadResumedTransition(state, action);
     case "active-thread/settings-applied":
       return reduceActiveThreadSettingsAppliedTransition(state, action);
-    case "active-thread/restored-placeholder":
-      return reduceActiveThreadRestoredPlaceholderTransition(state, action);
     case "active-thread/goal-set":
       return reduceActiveThreadGoalSetTransition(state, action.goal);
     case "turn/started":
@@ -374,22 +369,6 @@ function reduceActiveThreadSettingsAppliedTransition(state: ChatState, action: A
   });
 }
 
-function reduceActiveThreadRestoredPlaceholderTransition(state: ChatState, action: ActiveThreadRestoredPlaceholderAction): ChatState {
-  return clearTurnScopedState(
-    patchChatState(state, {
-      activeThread: {
-        id: action.threadId,
-        cwd: null,
-        goal: null,
-        tokenUsage: null,
-      },
-      runtime: initialChatRuntimeState(),
-      messageStream: initialMessageStreamState(),
-      ui: initialUiState(),
-    }),
-  );
-}
-
 function reduceActiveThreadGoalSetTransition(state: ChatState, goal: ThreadGoal | null): ChatState {
   return patchChatState(state, {
     activeThread: {
diff --git a/src/features/chat/application/threads/active-thread-identity-sync.ts b/src/features/chat/application/threads/active-thread-identity-sync.ts
index da9f517f..6aba6c36 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/application/threads/active-thread-identity-sync.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/application/threads/active-thread-identity-sync.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ export interface ActiveThreadIdentitySyncHost {
   stateStore: ChatStateStore;
   restoration: RestorationController;
   invalidateThreadWork: () => void;
-  clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration: () => void;
   resetThreadTurnPresence: (hadTurns: boolean) => void;
   notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged: () => void;
   refreshTabHeader: () => void;
@@ -35,14 +34,13 @@ export function createActiveThreadIdentitySync(host: ActiveThreadIdentitySyncHos
 function clearActiveThreadIdentity(host: ActiveThreadIdentitySyncHost): void {
   host.invalidateThreadWork();
   host.restoration.clear();
-  host.clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration();
   host.stateStore.dispatch({ type: "active-thread/cleared" });
   host.resetThreadTurnPresence(false);
   host.notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged();
 }
 
 function applyThreadArchiveToActiveIdentity(host: ActiveThreadIdentitySyncHost, threadId: string): void {
-  if (activeThreadId(host.stateStore.getState()) !== threadId) return;
+  if (activeThreadId(host.stateStore.getState()) !== threadId && !host.restoration.isPending(threadId)) return;
   clearActiveThreadIdentity(host);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/features/chat/application/threads/lifecycle-parts.ts b/src/features/chat/application/threads/lifecycle-parts.ts
index 2393a6e3..d49bb49a 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/application/threads/lifecycle-parts.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/application/threads/lifecycle-parts.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type { AppServerClient } from "../../../../app-server/connection/client";
 import { recoverRolloutTokenUsage } from "../../../../app-server/services/rollout-token-usage";
-import type { ChatResumeWorkTracker, ChatViewDeferredTasks } from "../lifecycle";
+import type { ChatResumeWorkTracker } from "../lifecycle";
 import type { ChatStateStore } from "../state/store";
 import type { GoalActions } from "./goal-actions";
 import type { HistoryController } from "./history-controller";
@@ -16,11 +16,9 @@ export interface ThreadLifecyclePartsContext {
     ensureConnected: () => Promise<void>;
   };
   lifecycle: {
-    deferredTasks: ChatViewDeferredTasks;
     resumeWork: ChatResumeWorkTracker;
     history: HistoryController;
     invalidateThreadWork: () => void;
-    getOpened: () => boolean;
     getClosing: () => boolean;
   };
   thread: {
@@ -47,12 +45,9 @@ export interface ThreadLifecycleParts {
 
 export function createThreadLifecycleParts(context: ThreadLifecyclePartsContext): ThreadLifecycleParts {
   const { settingsRef, stateStore, client, lifecycle, thread, status, liveState, goals, resetThreadTurnPresence } = context;
-  const { deferredTasks, resumeWork, history, invalidateThreadWork } = lifecycle;
+  const { resumeWork, history, invalidateThreadWork } = lifecycle;
   const restoration = new RestorationController({
-    deferredTasks,
-    opened: lifecycle.getOpened,
     invalidateThreadWork,
-    stateStore,
     setStatus: status.set,
     refreshTabHeader: thread.refreshTabHeader,
   });
@@ -66,9 +61,6 @@ export function createThreadLifecycleParts(context: ThreadLifecyclePartsContext)
     ensureConnected: client.ensureConnected,
     closing: lifecycle.getClosing,
     resetThreadTurnPresence,
-    clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration: () => {
-      restoration.clearHydration();
-    },
     notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged: thread.notifyIdentityChanged,
     addSystemMessage: status.addSystemMessage,
     refreshLiveState: liveState.refresh,
@@ -83,9 +75,6 @@ export function createThreadLifecycleParts(context: ThreadLifecyclePartsContext)
     stateStore,
     restoration,
     invalidateThreadWork,
-    clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration: () => {
-      restoration.clearHydration();
-    },
     resetThreadTurnPresence,
     notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged: thread.notifyIdentityChanged,
     refreshTabHeader: thread.refreshTabHeader,
diff --git a/src/features/chat/application/threads/restoration-controller.ts b/src/features/chat/application/threads/restoration-controller.ts
index 712e25e9..ece1f8c6 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/application/threads/restoration-controller.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/application/threads/restoration-controller.ts
@@ -1,19 +1,14 @@
-import type { ChatStateStore } from "../state/store";
 import {
   transitionRestoredThreadLifecycle,
   type RestoredThreadLifecycleState,
   type RestoredThreadPlaceholderState,
   type RestoredThreadState,
-  type ChatViewDeferredTasks,
 } from "../lifecycle";
 
 const STATUS_THREAD_READY_TO_RESUME = "Thread ready to resume.";
 
 export interface RestorationControllerHost {
-  deferredTasks: ChatViewDeferredTasks;
-  opened: () => boolean;
   invalidateThreadWork: () => void;
-  stateStore: ChatStateStore;
   setStatus: (status: string) => void;
   refreshTabHeader: () => void;
 }
@@ -49,7 +44,6 @@ export class RestorationController {
       type: "placeholder-restored",
       restoredThread,
     });
-    this.host.stateStore.dispatch({ type: "active-thread/restored-placeholder", threadId: restoredThread.threadId });
     this.host.setStatus(STATUS_THREAD_READY_TO_RESUME);
     this.host.refreshTabHeader();
   }
@@ -57,7 +51,6 @@ export class RestorationController {
   async ensureLoaded(loadThread: RestoredThreadLoader): Promise<boolean> {
     const restoredThread = this.placeholder();
     if (!restoredThread) return true;
-    this.clearHydration();
     if (restoredThread.loading) {
       const threadId = restoredThread.threadId;
       await restoredThread.loading;
@@ -78,18 +71,4 @@ export class RestorationController {
   isPending(threadId: string): boolean {
     return this.placeholder()?.threadId === threadId;
   }
-
-  scheduleHydration(loadThread: RestoredThreadLoader): void {
-    const restoredThread = this.placeholder();
-    if (!this.host.opened() || !restoredThread) return;
-    const threadId = restoredThread.threadId;
-    this.host.deferredTasks.scheduleRestoredThreadHydration(() => {
-      if (!this.isPending(threadId)) return;
-      void this.ensureLoaded(loadThread);
-    });
-  }
-
-  clearHydration(): void {
-    this.host.deferredTasks.clearRestoredThreadHydration();
-  }
 }
diff --git a/src/features/chat/application/threads/resume-actions.ts b/src/features/chat/application/threads/resume-actions.ts
index 09b1910b..aec4c56a 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/application/threads/resume-actions.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/application/threads/resume-actions.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ export interface ResumeActionsHost {
   ensureConnected: () => Promise<void>;
   closing: () => boolean;
   resetThreadTurnPresence: (hadTurns: boolean) => void;
-  clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration: () => void;
   notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged: () => void;
   addSystemMessage: (text: string) => void;
   refreshLiveState: () => void;
@@ -88,7 +87,6 @@ function applyResumedThread(host: ResumeActionsHost, response: ChatThreadResumeS
     }),
   );
   host.restoration.clear();
-  host.clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration();
   host.resetThreadTurnPresence(false);
   host.notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged();
 }
diff --git a/src/features/chat/host/lifecycle.ts b/src/features/chat/host/lifecycle.ts
index e9362d76..48784b94 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/host/lifecycle.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/host/lifecycle.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import type { ChatViewDeferredTasks } from "../application/lifecycle";
 
 export function createChatViewDeferredTasks(getWindow: () => DeferredTaskWindow): ChatViewDeferredTasks {
   const diagnosticsTask = new DeferredTask(getWindow, 1_000);
-  const restoredThreadHydrationTask = new DeferredTask(getWindow, 1_500);
   const appServerWarmupTask = new DeferredTask(getWindow, 0);
 
   return {
@@ -15,14 +14,6 @@ export function createChatViewDeferredTasks(getWindow: () => DeferredTaskWindow)
       diagnosticsTask.clear();
     },
 
-    scheduleRestoredThreadHydration(callback): void {
-      restoredThreadHydrationTask.schedule(callback);
-    },
-
-    clearRestoredThreadHydration(): void {
-      restoredThreadHydrationTask.clear();
-    },
-
     scheduleAppServerWarmup(callback): void {
       appServerWarmupTask.schedule(callback);
     },
@@ -32,7 +23,6 @@ export function createChatViewDeferredTasks(getWindow: () => DeferredTaskWindow)
     },
 
     clearAll(): void {
-      restoredThreadHydrationTask.clear();
       appServerWarmupTask.clear();
       diagnosticsTask.clear();
     },
diff --git a/src/features/chat/host/session-graph.ts b/src/features/chat/host/session-graph.ts
index 56744182..e922b18c 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/host/session-graph.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/host/session-graph.ts
@@ -135,7 +135,6 @@ interface ChatPanelSessionGraphHost {
   resumeWork: ChatResumeWorkTracker;
   connectionWork: ConnectionWorkTracker;
   messageScrollController: ChatMessageScrollController;
-  getOpened: () => boolean;
   getClosing: () => boolean;
   viewWindow: () => Window;
 }
@@ -640,11 +639,9 @@ function createSessionThreadLifecycle(
       ensureConnected,
     },
     lifecycle: {
-      deferredTasks: host.deferredTasks,
       resumeWork: host.resumeWork,
       history,
       invalidateThreadWork,
-      getOpened: host.getOpened,
       getClosing: host.getClosing,
     },
     thread: {
diff --git a/src/features/chat/host/session.ts b/src/features/chat/host/session.ts
index ba2febb1..4a2c751a 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/host/session.ts
+++ b/src/features/chat/host/session.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { appServerQueryContextRawEquals, type AppServerQueryContext } from "../.
 import { threadMeaningfulTitle, threadWindowTitle } from "../../../domain/threads/title";
 import { ConnectionWorkTracker } from "../../../shared/lifecycle/connection-work";
 import { createChatViewDeferredTasks } from "./lifecycle";
-import { ChatResumeWorkTracker, type ChatViewDeferredTasks } from "../application/lifecycle";
+import { ChatResumeWorkTracker, type ChatViewDeferredTasks, type RestoredThreadPlaceholderState } from "../application/lifecycle";
 import { openPanelTurnLifecycle, parseRestoredThreadState, type ChatPanelSnapshot } from "../panel/snapshot";
 import type { ChatState } from "../application/state/root-reducer";
 import { pendingRequestCountsFromQueues } from "../../../domain/pending-requests/aggregate";
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ export class ChatPanelSession implements ChatSurfaceHandle {
   }
 
   displayTitle(): string {
-    return threadWindowTitle(this.state.activeThread.id, this.state.threadList.listedThreads, this.restoredThreadTitle());
+    return threadWindowTitle(this.panelThreadId(), this.state.threadList.listedThreads, this.restoredThreadTitle());
   }
 
   persistedState(): Record<string, unknown> {
-    const threadId = this.state.activeThread.id;
+    const threadId = this.panelThreadId();
     if (!threadId) return { version: 1 };
 
     const threadTitle = this.restoredThreadTitle() ?? this.activeThreadTitle();
@@ -53,13 +53,11 @@ export class ChatPanelSession implements ChatSurfaceHandle {
     const restoredThread = parseRestoredThreadState(state);
     if (restoredThread) {
       this.graph.thread.restoration.restore(restoredThread);
-      this.scheduleRestoredThreadHydration();
       return;
     }
 
     this.graph.actions.invalidateThreadWork();
     this.graph.thread.restoration.clear();
-    this.graph.thread.restoration.clearHydration();
     this.scheduleWarmup();
   }
 
@@ -93,7 +91,7 @@ export class ChatPanelSession implements ChatSurfaceHandle {
     const pendingRequests = pendingRequestCountsFromQueues(this.state.requests);
     return {
       viewId: this.environment.obsidian.viewId,
-      threadId: this.closing ? null : this.state.activeThread.id,
+      threadId: this.closing ? null : this.panelThreadId(),
       turnLifecycle: openPanelTurnLifecycle(this.state.turn.lifecycle),
       pendingApprovals: pendingRequests.approvals,
       pendingUserInputs: pendingRequests.userInputs,
@@ -109,7 +107,8 @@ export class ChatPanelSession implements ChatSurfaceHandle {
   }
 
   async focusThread(threadId: string | null = null): Promise<void> {
-    if (threadId && this.graph.thread.restoration.isPending(threadId)) {
+    const restoredThreadId = this.restoredThread()?.threadId ?? null;
+    if ((threadId && this.graph.thread.restoration.isPending(threadId)) || (!threadId && restoredThreadId)) {
       await this.ensureRestoredThreadLoaded();
     }
     this.focusComposer();
@@ -136,7 +135,6 @@ export class ChatPanelSession implements ChatSurfaceHandle {
     this.graph.runtime.sharedState.subscribe();
     this.mountOrRepairShell();
     this.scheduleWarmup();
-    this.scheduleRestoredThreadHydration();
   }
 
   close(): void {
@@ -231,17 +229,21 @@ export class ChatPanelSession implements ChatSurfaceHandle {
   }
 
   private restoredThreadTitle(): string | null {
-    return this.graph.thread.restoration.title();
+    return this.restoredThread()?.title ?? null;
+  }
+
+  private restoredThread(): RestoredThreadPlaceholderState | null {
+    return this.graph.thread.restoration.placeholder();
+  }
+
+  private panelThreadId(): string | null {
+    return this.restoredThread()?.threadId ?? this.state.activeThread.id;
   }
 
   private ensureRestoredThreadLoaded(): Promise<boolean> {
     return this.graph.thread.restoration.ensureLoaded((threadId) => this.graph.thread.resume.resumeThread(threadId));
   }
 
-  private scheduleRestoredThreadHydration(): void {
-    this.graph.thread.restoration.scheduleHydration((threadId) => this.graph.thread.resume.resumeThread(threadId));
-  }
-
   private createSessionGraph(): ChatPanelSessionGraph {
     return createChatPanelSessionGraph({
       environment: this.environment,
@@ -250,7 +252,6 @@ export class ChatPanelSession implements ChatSurfaceHandle {
       resumeWork: this.resumeWork,
       connectionWork: this.connectionWork,
       messageScrollController: this.messageScrollController,
-      getOpened: () => this.opened,
       getClosing: () => this.closing,
       viewWindow: () => this.viewWindow(),
     });
diff --git a/src/features/chat/panel/surface/composer-projection.tsx b/src/features/chat/panel/surface/composer-projection.tsx
index e8f89934..9ca4941a 100644
--- a/src/features/chat/panel/surface/composer-projection.tsx
+++ b/src/features/chat/panel/surface/composer-projection.tsx
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ function onOffLabel(active: boolean): string {
 }
 
 function activeComposerThreadName(state: ChatPanelComposerShellState, restoredThread: RestoredThreadTitleSnapshot | null): string | null {
-  const threadId = state.activeThread.id;
+  const threadId = restoredThread?.threadId ?? state.activeThread.id ?? null;
   if (!threadId) return null;
   const thread = state.threadList.listedThreads.find((item) => item.id === threadId);
   const listedName = thread ? explicitThreadName(thread) : null;
diff --git a/tests/features/chat/host/session-graph.test.ts b/tests/features/chat/host/session-graph.test.ts
index e976d1cd..d16a15cc 100644
--- a/tests/features/chat/host/session-graph.test.ts
+++ b/tests/features/chat/host/session-graph.test.ts
@@ -223,7 +223,6 @@ describe("createChatPanelSessionGraph actions", () => {
       resumeWork,
       connectionWork: new ConnectionWorkTracker(),
       messageScrollController: createChatMessageScrollController(),
-      getOpened: () => true,
       getClosing: () => false,
       viewWindow: () => window,
     });
diff --git a/tests/features/chat/state-reducer.test.ts b/tests/features/chat/state-reducer.test.ts
index 3ac2f2e4..8ed89721 100644
--- a/tests/features/chat/state-reducer.test.ts
+++ b/tests/features/chat/state-reducer.test.ts
@@ -196,46 +196,6 @@ describe("chatReducer", () => {
     expect(chatStateMessageStreamItems(next)).toEqual([]);
   });
 
-  it("keeps composer state when restoring a thread placeholder", () => {
-    let state = chatStateFixture();
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { activeThread: { id: "previous-thread" } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { turn: { lifecycle: { kind: "running", turnId: "previous-turn" } } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { runtime: { activeModel: "gpt-5.1" } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { activeThread: { goal: goal("previous-thread") } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { messageStream: { historyCursor: "cursor" } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { messageStream: { loadingHistory: true } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { composer: { draft: "draft in this panel" } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { composer: { suggestSelected: 1 } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { composer: { suggestions: [suggestion("/resume")] } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { composer: { suggestionsDismissedSignature: "dismissed" } });
-    state = withChatStateMessageStreamItems(state, [message("previous-message")]);
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { messageStream: { turnDiffs: new Map([["previous-turn", "@@"]]) } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { requests: { approvals: [approval(1)] } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { requests: { pendingUserInputs: [userInput(2)] } });
-    state = chatStateWith(state, { requests: { userInputDrafts: new Map([["2:note", "answer"]]) } });
-
-    const next = chatReducer(state, {
-      type: "active-thread/restored-placeholder",
-      threadId: "restored-thread",
-    });
-
-    expect(next.activeThread.id).toBe("restored-thread");
-    expect(activeTurnId(next)).toBeNull();
-    expect(next.runtime.activeModel).toBeNull();
-    expect(next.activeThread.goal).toBeNull();
-    expect(next.messageStream.historyCursor).toBeNull();
-    expect(next.messageStream.loadingHistory).toBe(false);
-    expect(chatStateMessageStreamItems(next)).toEqual([]);
-    expect(next.messageStream.turnDiffs.size).toBe(0);
-    expect(next.requests.approvals).toEqual([]);
-    expect(next.requests.pendingUserInputs).toEqual([]);
-    expect(next.requests.userInputDrafts.size).toBe(0);
-    expect(next.composer.draft).toBe("draft in this panel");
-    expect(next.composer.suggestSelected).toBe(1);
-    expect(next.composer.suggestions).toEqual([suggestion("/resume")]);
-    expect(next.composer.suggestionsDismissedSignature).toBe("dismissed");
-  });
-
   it("updates map-backed turn diffs and toolbar panel state", () => {
     let state = chatStateFixture();
     state = chatStateWith(state, { messageStream: { turnDiffs: new Map([["turn", "old"]]) } });
diff --git a/tests/features/chat/threads/active-thread-identity-sync.test.ts b/tests/features/chat/threads/active-thread-identity-sync.test.ts
index 6fbd21ce..46fc4e79 100644
--- a/tests/features/chat/threads/active-thread-identity-sync.test.ts
+++ b/tests/features/chat/threads/active-thread-identity-sync.test.ts
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ function createController(options: { restoredThreadPending?: boolean } = {}) {
     stateStore,
     restoration,
     invalidateThreadWork: vi.fn(),
-    clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration: vi.fn(),
     resetThreadTurnPresence: vi.fn(),
     notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged: vi.fn(),
     refreshTabHeader: vi.fn(),
@@ -61,7 +60,6 @@ describe("createActiveThreadIdentitySync", () => {
     expect(stateStore.getState().activeThread.id).toBeNull();
     expect(host.invalidateThreadWork).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
     expect(restoredClear).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
-    expect(host.clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
     expect(host.resetThreadTurnPresence).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
     expect(host.notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
     expect(host.refreshTabHeader).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
@@ -86,12 +84,24 @@ describe("createActiveThreadIdentitySync", () => {
     expect(stateStore.getState().activeThread.id).toBe("active");
     expect(host.invalidateThreadWork).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(restoredClear).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-    expect(host.clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(host.resetThreadTurnPresence).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(host.notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(host.refreshTabHeader).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it("clears pending restored thread identity when that thread is archived", () => {
+    const { controller, host, restoredClear, stateStore } = createController({ restoredThreadPending: true });
+
+    controller.applyThreadArchiveToActiveIdentity("thread");
+
+    expect(stateStore.getState().activeThread.id).toBeNull();
+    expect(host.invalidateThreadWork).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(restoredClear).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(host.resetThreadTurnPresence).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
+    expect(host.notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(host.refreshTabHeader).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   it("routes active thread rename notifications through active identity refresh", () => {
     const { controller, host, restoredRename, stateStore } = createController();
     stateStore.dispatch({
diff --git a/tests/features/chat/threads/lifecycle-parts.test.ts b/tests/features/chat/threads/lifecycle-parts.test.ts
index 274ca550..022f78a4 100644
--- a/tests/features/chat/threads/lifecycle-parts.test.ts
+++ b/tests/features/chat/threads/lifecycle-parts.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 
 import type { AppServerClient } from "../../../../src/app-server/connection/client";
-import { ChatResumeWorkTracker, type ChatViewDeferredTasks } from "../../../../src/features/chat/application/lifecycle";
+import { ChatResumeWorkTracker } from "../../../../src/features/chat/application/lifecycle";
 import { createChatStateStore } from "../../../../src/features/chat/application/state/store";
 import type { GoalActions } from "../../../../src/features/chat/application/threads/goal-actions";
 import { HistoryController } from "../../../../src/features/chat/application/threads/history-controller";
@@ -27,11 +27,9 @@ describe("ThreadLifecycleParts", () => {
         ensureConnected: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
       },
       lifecycle: {
-        deferredTasks: deferredTasks(),
         resumeWork,
         history,
         invalidateThreadWork,
-        getOpened: () => true,
         getClosing: () => false,
       },
       thread: {
@@ -61,15 +59,3 @@ describe("ThreadLifecycleParts", () => {
     expect(invalidateThreadWork).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
   });
 });
-
-function deferredTasks(): ChatViewDeferredTasks {
-  return {
-    scheduleDiagnostics: vi.fn(),
-    clearDiagnostics: vi.fn(),
-    scheduleRestoredThreadHydration: vi.fn(),
-    clearRestoredThreadHydration: vi.fn(),
-    scheduleAppServerWarmup: vi.fn(),
-    clearAppServerWarmup: vi.fn(),
-    clearAll: vi.fn(),
-  };
-}
diff --git a/tests/features/chat/threads/restoration-controller.test.ts b/tests/features/chat/threads/restoration-controller.test.ts
index 414d1dae..c4601cdd 100644
--- a/tests/features/chat/threads/restoration-controller.test.ts
+++ b/tests/features/chat/threads/restoration-controller.test.ts
@@ -2,34 +2,22 @@
 
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 
-import { createChatState } from "../../../../src/features/chat/application/state/root-reducer";
-import { createChatStateStore } from "../../../../src/features/chat/application/state/store";
 import { RestorationController } from "../../../../src/features/chat/application/threads/restoration-controller";
-import { createChatViewDeferredTasks } from "../../../../src/features/chat/host/lifecycle";
 import { deferred } from "../../../support/async";
 
 describe("RestorationController", () => {
-  it("restores a placeholder and schedules deferred hydration", () => {
-    vi.useFakeTimers();
-    const stateStore = createChatStateStore(createChatState());
+  it("restores a placeholder for explicit hydration", async () => {
     const resumeThread = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
-    const controller = new RestorationController({
-      deferredTasks: createChatViewDeferredTasks(() => window),
-      opened: () => true,
-      invalidateThreadWork: vi.fn(),
-      stateStore,
-      setStatus: vi.fn(),
-      refreshTabHeader: vi.fn(),
-    });
+    const controller = restoredThreadControllerFixture();
 
     controller.restore({ threadId: "thread", title: "Title", explicitName: null });
-    controller.scheduleHydration(resumeThread);
 
     expect(controller.placeholder()).toMatchObject({ threadId: "thread", title: "Title" });
-    expect(stateStore.getState().activeThread.id).toBe("thread");
-    vi.advanceTimersByTime(1_500);
+    expect(resumeThread).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+    await controller.ensureLoaded(resumeThread);
+
     expect(resumeThread).toHaveBeenCalledWith("thread");
-    vi.useRealTimers();
   });
 
   it("shares an in-flight restore load", async () => {
@@ -61,10 +49,7 @@ describe("RestorationController", () => {
 
 function restoredThreadControllerFixture(overrides: Partial<ConstructorParameters<typeof RestorationController>[0]> = {}) {
   return new RestorationController({
-    deferredTasks: createChatViewDeferredTasks(() => window),
-    opened: () => false,
     invalidateThreadWork: vi.fn(),
-    stateStore: createChatStateStore(createChatState()),
     setStatus: vi.fn(),
     refreshTabHeader: vi.fn(),
     ...overrides,
diff --git a/tests/features/chat/threads/resume-actions.test.ts b/tests/features/chat/threads/resume-actions.test.ts
index 35be2f10..e8f19b56 100644
--- a/tests/features/chat/threads/resume-actions.test.ts
+++ b/tests/features/chat/threads/resume-actions.test.ts
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ function createActions(response: ChatThreadResumeSnapshot = activation("thread")
     closing: () => false,
     systemItem: (text: string) => ({ id: "system", kind: "system" as const, role: "system" as const, text }),
     resetThreadTurnPresence: vi.fn(),
-    clearDeferredRestoredThreadHydration: vi.fn(),
     notifyActiveThreadIdentityChanged: vi.fn(),
     addSystemMessage: vi.fn(),
     refreshLiveState: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/tests/features/chat/view-connection.test.ts b/tests/features/chat/view-connection.test.ts
index 787d0550..cc0b700e 100644
--- a/tests/features/chat/view-connection.test.ts
+++ b/tests/features/chat/view-connection.test.ts
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ describe("CodexChatView connection lifecycle", () => {
     expect(view.surface.openPanelSnapshot()).toMatchObject({ connected: false });
   });
 
-  it("restores the active thread from workspace state and hydrates it after a delay", async () => {
+  it("restores workspace thread state without hydrating it automatically", async () => {
     vi.useFakeTimers();
     const client = connectedClient({
       resumeThread: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(resumedThread("thread-1")),
@@ -360,6 +360,7 @@ describe("CodexChatView connection lifecycle", () => {
 
     expect(view.getDisplayText()).toBe("Codex: Restored thread");
     expect(view.getState()).toEqual({ version: 1, threadId: "thread-1", threadTitle: "Restored thread" });
+    expect(view.surface.openPanelSnapshot()).toMatchObject({ threadId: "thread-1" });
     expect(connectionMock.state.connectCalls).toBe(0);
     expect(client.resumeThread).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(view.containerEl.textContent).not.toContain("Thread restored. Send a message to resume it.");
@@ -373,8 +374,8 @@ describe("CodexChatView connection lifecycle", () => {
 
     await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1_500);
 
-    expect(client.resumeThread).toHaveBeenCalledWith("thread-1", "/vault");
-    expect(client.threadTurnsList).toHaveBeenCalledWith("thread-1", null, 20);
+    expect(client.resumeThread).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(client.threadTurnsList).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   it("formats the panel title from listed thread metadata", async () => {
@@ -394,7 +395,7 @@ describe("CodexChatView connection lifecycle", () => {
     expect(view.getDisplayText()).toBe("Codex: 019e061e");
   });
 
-  it("hydrates a restored thread when workspace state arrives after open", async () => {
+  it("keeps late workspace thread state restored until explicit focus", async () => {
     vi.useFakeTimers();
     const client = connectedClient();
     connectionMock.state.client = client;
@@ -410,6 +411,14 @@ describe("CodexChatView connection lifecycle", () => {
     await view.setState({ threadId: "thread-1", threadTitle: "Restored thread" }, {} as never);
     await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1_500);
 
+    expect(view.getDisplayText()).toBe("Codex: Restored thread");
+    expect(view.getState()).toEqual({ version: 1, threadId: "thread-1", threadTitle: "Restored thread" });
+    expect(view.surface.openPanelSnapshot()).toMatchObject({ threadId: "thread-1" });
+    expect(client.resumeThread).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(client.threadTurnsList).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+    await view.surface.focusThread("thread-1");
+
     expect(client.resumeThread).toHaveBeenCalledWith("thread-1", "/vault");
     expect(client.threadTurnsList).toHaveBeenCalledWith("thread-1", null, 20);
   });
diff --git a/tests/features/chat/view-lifecycle.test.ts b/tests/features/chat/view-lifecycle.test.ts
index 0c83d26a..e6ad3ff8 100644
--- a/tests/features/chat/view-lifecycle.test.ts
+++ b/tests/features/chat/view-lifecycle.test.ts
@@ -14,18 +14,15 @@ describe("createChatViewDeferredTasks", () => {
   it("clears scheduled deferred work", async () => {
     const tasks = createChatViewDeferredTasks(() => window);
     const diagnostics = vi.fn();
-    const hydration = vi.fn();
     const warmup = vi.fn();
 
     tasks.scheduleDiagnostics(diagnostics);
-    tasks.scheduleRestoredThreadHydration(hydration);
     tasks.scheduleAppServerWarmup(warmup);
     tasks.clearAll();
 
     await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1_500);
 
     expect(diagnostics).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-    expect(hydration).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(warmup).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 });