diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.svelte b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.svelte
index ec08a83ff..1844a9c21 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.svelte
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.svelte
@@ -3,35 +3,86 @@ import { workspaceJobs } from "$lib/stores/workspaces.js"
 import { toasts } from "$lib/stores/toasts.js"
 import { extractErrorMessage } from "$lib/utils/error.js"
 import { workspaceRefresh } from "$lib/ipc/commands.js"
-import { Spinner } from "$lib/components/ui/spinner/index.js"
-import { workspaceJobBusy, workspaceJobLabel, workspaceJobPhase } from "$shared/workspace-operation.js"
+import { Loader2 } from "@lucide/svelte"
+import {
+  presentWorkspaceStatus,
+  type WorkspaceJob,
+} from "$shared/workspace-operation.js"
+import { goto } from "$lib/router.js"
 import { badgeVariants } from "$lib/components/ui/badge/index.js"
-import { Button } from "$lib/components/ui/button/index.js"
-let { id, status }: { id: string; status?: string } = $props()
-let job = $derived($workspaceJobs[id])
-let label = $derived(workspaceJobLabel(job))
-let phase = $derived(workspaceJobPhase(job))
+
+let {
+  id,
+  status,
+  job: jobOverride,
+  density = "compact",
+  onViewLogs,
+}: {
+  id: string
+  status?: string
+  job?: WorkspaceJob
+  density?: "compact" | "expanded"
+  onViewLogs?: () => void
+} = $props()
+let job = $derived(jobOverride ?? $workspaceJobs[id])
+let view = $derived(presentWorkspaceStatus({ lifecycle: status, job }))
 let refreshing = $state(false)
+function viewLogs(event: MouseEvent) {
+  event.stopPropagation()
+  if (onViewLogs) onViewLogs()
+  else goto(`/workspaces/${id}?tab=logs`)
+}
 async function retryRefresh(event: MouseEvent) {
   event.stopPropagation()
   refreshing = true
   try {
     await workspaceRefresh(id)
   } catch (error) {
-    toasts.error(`Could not refresh workspace status: ${extractErrorMessage(error)}`)
+    toasts.error(
+      `Could not refresh workspace status: ${extractErrorMessage(error)}`,
+    )
   } finally {
     refreshing = false
   }
 }
+const badgeVariant = $derived(
+  view.tone === "warning"
+    ? "secondary"
+    : (view.tone as "default" | "secondary" | "outline" | "destructive"),
+)
 </script>
-<div aria-live="polite" aria-busy={workspaceJobBusy(job)} class="flex flex-col items-start gap-1">
-  <span class={badgeVariants({ variant: job?.error ? "destructive" : label ? "secondary" : status?.toLowerCase() === "running" ? "default" : "outline" })}>
-    {#if workspaceJobBusy(job)}<Spinner class="size-3" />{/if}
-    {label ?? status ?? "Checking"}
+
+<div role="status" aria-live={view.error ? "assertive" : "polite"} aria-busy={view.busy} class="flex min-h-10 flex-col items-start gap-1">
+  <span class={badgeVariants({ variant: badgeVariant })}>
+    {#if view.busy}<Loader2 class="size-3 animate-spin" aria-hidden="true" />{/if}
+    {view.headline}
+  </span>
+  <span
+    class="max-w-full truncate text-xs {view.error
+      ? 'text-destructive'
+      : view.recovery
+        ? 'text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400'
+        : 'text-muted-foreground'}"
+    title={view.error ?? view.recovery?.message ?? view.phase ?? undefined}
+  >
+    {#if view.error}
+      {view.error}{#if density === "expanded"}{" · "}<button
+        type="button"
+        class="font-medium text-foreground underline underline-offset-2"
+        aria-label="View logs for {id}"
+        onclick={viewLogs}>View logs</button>{/if}
+    {:else if view.recovery}
+      &#9888; {view.recovery.message}{#if density === "expanded" && view.recovery.canRetry}{" · "}<button
+          type="button"
+          class="font-medium text-foreground underline underline-offset-2"
+          aria-label="Retry status for {id}"
+          disabled={refreshing}
+          onclick={retryRefresh}>Retry</button
+        >{/if}
+    {:else if view.phase}
+      {view.phase}
+    {:else}
+      <span aria-hidden="true">&nbsp;</span>
+    {/if}
   </span>
-  {#if phase}<span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">{phase}</span>{/if}
-  {#if job?.error}<span class="text-xs text-destructive">{job.error}</span>{/if}
-  {#if job?.refreshError}
-    <Button variant="ghost" size="sm" disabled={refreshing} onclick={retryRefresh}>Retry refresh</Button>
-  {/if}
 </div>
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.test.ts b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.test.ts
index 21b96034b..5e0e4b84c 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.test.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.test.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,20 @@
 import { cleanup, fireEvent, render, waitFor } from "@testing-library/svelte"
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest"
 import { mockInvoke, resetTauriMocks } from "$lib/__mocks__/tauri.js"
-import { workspaceJobs } from "$lib/stores/workspaces.js"
 import { toasts } from "$lib/stores/toasts.js"
+import { workspaceJobs } from "$lib/stores/workspaces.js"
 import WorkspaceOperation from "./WorkspaceOperation.svelte"
+
 vi.mock("$lib/stores/toasts.js", () => ({
-  toasts: { success: vi.fn(), error: vi.fn() },
+  toasts: { success: vi.fn(), error: vi.fn(), info: vi.fn() },
+}))
+vi.mock("$lib/router.js", () => ({
+  goto: vi.fn(),
+  push: vi.fn(),
+  replace: vi.fn(),
+  router: {},
+  location: { subscribe: () => () => {} },
+  querystring: { subscribe: () => () => {} },
 }))
 afterEach(cleanup)
 beforeEach(() => {
@@ -14,20 +23,20 @@ beforeEach(() => {
   vi.clearAllMocks()
 })
 describe("WorkspaceOperation", () => {
-  it("keeps the status pill at intrinsic width inside the live region", () => {
+  it("shows the observed lifecycle with the phase line reserved", () => {
     const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, { id: "ws", status: "Running" })
-    const badge = ui.getByText("Running")
-    const liveRegion = badge.parentElement
-    expect(liveRegion?.classList.contains("flex-col")).toBe(true)
-    expect(liveRegion?.classList.contains("items-start")).toBe(true)
+    expect(ui.getByText("Running")).toBeTruthy()
+    const region = ui.getByRole("status")
+    expect(region.getAttribute("aria-busy")).toBe("false")
+    expect(region.querySelector('[aria-hidden="true"]')).toBeTruthy()
   })
-  it("keeps the action visible over a stale runtime observation", () => {
+  it("keeps the active command ahead of a stale runtime observation", () => {
     workspaceJobs.set({
       ws: {
         commandId: "delete",
         activity: "deleting",
         state: "running",
-        phase: "Closing connections",
+        phase: "closing_connections",
       },
     })
     const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, { id: "ws", status: "Running" })
@@ -35,7 +44,22 @@ describe("WorkspaceOperation", () => {
     expect(ui.getByText("Closing connections")).toBeTruthy()
     expect(ui.queryByText("Running")).toBeNull()
   })
-  it("retries observation only and reports an IPC rejection", async () => {
+  it("says Confirming removal while a delete awaits confirmation, never Deleted", () => {
+    workspaceJobs.set({
+      ws: {
+        commandId: "delete",
+        activity: "deleting",
+        state: "reconciling",
+        phase: "Refreshing list",
+      },
+    })
+    const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, { id: "ws", status: "Running" })
+    expect(ui.getByText("Deleting")).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(ui.getByText("Confirming removal")).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(ui.queryByText("Deleted")).toBeNull()
+    expect(ui.getByRole("status").getAttribute("aria-busy")).toBe("true")
+  })
+  it("shows recovery wording with an expanded Retry that only re-refreshes", async () => {
     workspaceJobs.set({
       ws: {
         commandId: "delete",
@@ -46,9 +70,17 @@ describe("WorkspaceOperation", () => {
       },
     })
     mockInvoke.mockRejectedValue(new Error("IPC unavailable"))
-    const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, { id: "ws", status: "Running" })
-    expect(ui.getByText("Deleted")).toBeTruthy()
-    await fireEvent.click(ui.getByRole("button", { name: "Retry refresh" }))
+    const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, {
+      id: "ws",
+      status: "Running",
+      density: "expanded",
+    })
+    expect(ui.getByText(/List may be out of date/)).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(ui.queryByText("Deleted")).toBeNull()
+    expect(ui.getByRole("status").getAttribute("aria-busy")).toBe("false")
+    await fireEvent.click(
+      ui.getByRole("button", { name: "Retry status for ws" }),
+    )
     await waitFor(() =>
       expect(toasts.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
         expect.stringContaining("IPC unavailable"),
@@ -60,6 +92,73 @@ describe("WorkspaceOperation", () => {
     expect(
       mockInvoke.mock.calls.some((call) => call[0] === "workspace_delete"),
     ).toBe(false)
-    expect(ui.getByText("Deleted")).toBeTruthy()
+  })
+  it("renders an operation failure with the error and View logs when expanded", async () => {
+    workspaceJobs.set({
+      ws: {
+        commandId: "stop",
+        activity: "stopping",
+        state: "failed",
+        phase: "stopping_workspace",
+        error: "provider unavailable",
+      },
+    })
+    const onViewLogs = vi.fn()
+    const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, {
+      id: "ws",
+      status: "Running",
+      density: "expanded",
+      onViewLogs,
+    })
+    expect(ui.getByText("Stop failed")).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(ui.getByText(/provider unavailable/)).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(ui.getByRole("status").getAttribute("aria-live")).toBe("assertive")
+    await fireEvent.click(ui.getByRole("button", { name: "View logs for ws" }))
+    expect(onViewLogs).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+  })
+  it("does not nest a View logs button in compact density", () => {
+    workspaceJobs.set({
+      ws: {
+        commandId: "stop",
+        activity: "stopping",
+        state: "failed",
+        phase: "stopping_workspace",
+        error: "provider unavailable",
+      },
+    })
+    const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, { id: "ws", status: "Running" })
+    expect(ui.getByText("Stop failed")).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(ui.queryByRole("button", { name: "View logs for ws" })).toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it("does not nest a Retry button in compact density", () => {
+    workspaceJobs.set({
+      ws: {
+        commandId: "delete",
+        activity: "deleting",
+        state: "reconciling",
+        phase: "Refreshing list",
+        refreshError: "offline",
+      },
+    })
+    const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, { id: "ws", status: "Running" })
+
+    expect(ui.getByText(/List may be out of date/)).toBeTruthy()
+    expect(ui.queryByRole("button", { name: "Retry status for ws" })).toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it("announces compact operation errors assertively", () => {
+    workspaceJobs.set({
+      ws: {
+        commandId: "stop",
+        activity: "stopping",
+        state: "failed",
+        phase: "stopping_workspace",
+        error: "provider unavailable",
+      },
+    })
+    const ui = render(WorkspaceOperation, { id: "ws", status: "Running" })
+
+    expect(ui.getByRole("status").getAttribute("aria-live")).toBe("assertive")
   })
 })
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.platform.test.ts b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.platform.test.ts
index c1bb653dc..adede99f6 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.platform.test.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.platform.test.ts
@@ -37,7 +37,10 @@ vi.mock("$lib/stores/providers.js", async () => {
 })
 vi.mock("$lib/stores/workspaces.js", async () => {
   const { writable } = await import("svelte/store")
-  return { workspaces: writable<{ id: string }[]>([]), workspaceJobs: writable({}) }
+  return {
+    workspaces: writable<{ id: string }[]>([]),
+    workspaceJobs: writable({}),
+  }
 })
 vi.mock("$lib/stores/toasts.js", () => ({
   toasts: { success: vi.fn(), error: vi.fn(), info: vi.fn() },
@@ -206,7 +209,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard platform compatibility", () => {
     await gotoReviewWithImage(getByText, "ubuntu:22.04")
 
     await waitFor(() =>
-      expect(getByText(/Compatible with your machine \(linux\/arm64\)/i)).toBeTruthy(),
+      expect(
+        getByText(/Compatible with your machine \(linux\/arm64\)/i),
+      ).toBeTruthy(),
     )
     expect(getByText(/linux\/amd64, linux\/arm64/i)).toBeTruthy()
     unmount()
@@ -221,7 +226,7 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard platform compatibility", () => {
     await gotoReviewWithImage(getByText, "ubuntu:22.04")
 
     await waitFor(() =>
-      expect(getByText(/Couldn't verify compatibility/i)).toBeTruthy(),
+      expect(getByText(/Could not verify compatibility/i)).toBeTruthy(),
     )
     expect(queryByText(/no build for your machine/i)).toBeNull()
     expect(document.querySelector('input[type="checkbox"]')).toBeNull()
@@ -245,7 +250,7 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard platform compatibility", () => {
     await gotoReviewWithImage(getByText, "ubuntu:22.04")
 
     await waitFor(() =>
-      expect(getByText(/Couldn't verify compatibility/i)).toBeTruthy(),
+      expect(getByText(/Could not verify compatibility/i)).toBeTruthy(),
     )
     expect(queryByText(/no build for your machine/i)).toBeNull()
     unmount()
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.svelte b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.svelte
index 76afd320f..d34fd1e5a 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.svelte
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.svelte
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { MediaQuery } from "svelte/reactivity"
 import { goto } from "$lib/router.js"
 import {
   Check,
+  ChevronRight,
   ChevronsUpDown,
   AlertCircle,
   TriangleAlert,
@@ -30,7 +31,11 @@ import LanguageIcon from "$lib/components/workspace/LanguageIcon.svelte"
 import ImagePicker from "$lib/components/workspace/ImagePicker.svelte"
 import ConfirmDialog from "$lib/components/layout/ConfirmDialog.svelte"
 import LogTable from "$lib/components/log/LogTable.svelte"
-import { uniqueNamesGenerator, adjectives, animals } from "unique-names-generator"
+import {
+  uniqueNamesGenerator,
+  adjectives,
+  animals,
+} from "unique-names-generator"
 import {
   workspaceUp,
   openDirectoryDialog,
@@ -82,7 +87,8 @@ const IDE_ICON_DARK_VARIANTS = new Set([
 ])
 
 const ideIcon = (name: string) => {
-  const variant = darkMode.current && IDE_ICON_DARK_VARIANTS.has(name) ? `${name}_dark` : name
+  const variant =
+    darkMode.current && IDE_ICON_DARK_VARIANTS.has(name) ? `${name}_dark` : name
   return `./icons/ides/${variant}.svg`
 }
 
@@ -92,14 +98,26 @@ const IDE_GROUPS = [
     options: [
       { value: "none", label: "None", iconName: "none" },
       { value: "vscode", label: "VS Code", iconName: "vscode" },
-      { value: "openvscode", label: "OpenVSCode Server", iconName: "vscodebrowser" },
-      { value: "vscode-web", label: "VS Code for the Web", iconName: "vscode-web" },
+      {
+        value: "openvscode",
+        label: "OpenVSCode Server",
+        iconName: "vscodebrowser",
+      },
+      {
+        value: "vscode-web",
+        label: "VS Code for the Web",
+        iconName: "vscode-web",
+      },
       { value: "code-server", label: "code-server", iconName: "code-server" },
       { value: "cursor", label: "Cursor", iconName: "cursor" },
       { value: "zed", label: "Zed", iconName: "zed" },
       { value: "codium", label: "VSCodium", iconName: "codium" },
       { value: "windsurf", label: "Windsurf Editor", iconName: "windsurf" },
-      { value: "antigravity", label: "Google Antigravity", iconName: "antigravity" },
+      {
+        value: "antigravity",
+        label: "Google Antigravity",
+        iconName: "antigravity",
+      },
       { value: "bob", label: "IBM Bob", iconName: "bob" },
     ],
   },
@@ -122,9 +140,17 @@ const IDE_GROUPS = [
   {
     label: "Other",
     options: [
-      { value: "jupyternotebook", label: "Jupyter Notebook", iconName: "jupyter" },
+      {
+        value: "jupyternotebook",
+        label: "Jupyter Notebook",
+        iconName: "jupyter",
+      },
       { value: "marimo", label: "marimo", iconName: "marimo" },
-      { value: "vscode-insiders", label: "VS Code Insiders", iconName: "vscode_insiders" },
+      {
+        value: "vscode-insiders",
+        label: "VS Code Insiders",
+        iconName: "vscode_insiders",
+      },
       { value: "positron", label: "Positron", iconName: "positron" },
       { value: "rstudio", label: "RStudio Server", iconName: "rstudio" },
     ],
@@ -134,15 +160,33 @@ const IDE_GROUPS = [
 const ALL_IDES = IDE_GROUPS.flatMap((g) => g.options)
 
 const TEMPLATES = [
-  { name: "Python", source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-python" },
-  { name: "Node.js", source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-node" },
+  {
+    name: "Python",
+    source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-python",
+  },
+  {
+    name: "Node.js",
+    source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-node",
+  },
   { name: "Go", source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-go" },
-  { name: "Rust", source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-rust" },
-  { name: "Java", source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-java" },
+  {
+    name: "Rust",
+    source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-rust",
+  },
+  {
+    name: "Java",
+    source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-java",
+  },
   { name: "PHP", source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-php" },
   { name: "C++", source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-cpp" },
-  { name: ".NET", source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-dotnet" },
-  { name: "Ruby", source: "https://github.com/skevetter/devsy-quickstart-ruby" },
+  {
+    name: ".NET",
+    source: "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-remote-try-dotnet",
+  },
+  {
+    name: "Ruby",
+    source: "https://github.com/skevetter/devsy-quickstart-ruby",
+  },
 ]
 
 const SOURCE_TYPES: {
@@ -151,9 +195,24 @@ const SOURCE_TYPES: {
   hint: string
   icon: typeof GitBranch
 }[] = [
-  { value: "git", label: "Git Repo", hint: "Clone a repository", icon: GitBranch },
-  { value: "local", label: "Local Directory", hint: "Use a folder on this machine", icon: FolderOpen },
-  { value: "image", label: "Image", hint: "Start from a container image", icon: Container },
+  {
+    value: "git",
+    label: "Git Repo",
+    hint: "Clone a repository",
+    icon: GitBranch,
+  },
+  {
+    value: "local",
+    label: "Local Directory",
+    hint: "Use a folder on this machine",
+    icon: FolderOpen,
+  },
+  {
+    value: "image",
+    label: "Image",
+    hint: "Start from a container image",
+    icon: Container,
+  },
 ]
 
 const LAUNCH_TIMEOUT_MS = 10 * 60 * 1000
@@ -170,7 +229,7 @@ let currentStep = $state<Step>("provider")
 
 // Form state
 let selectedProvider = $state(
-  $providers.find((p) => p.isDefault && p.state?.initialized)?.name ?? ""
+  $providers.find((p) => p.isDefault && p.state?.initialized)?.name ?? "",
 )
 let sourceType = $state<WorkspaceSourceType>("git")
 let repoUrl = $state("")
@@ -229,12 +288,35 @@ let launchBuildFailed = $state(false)
 let launchIsRecovery = $state(false)
 let lastAttemptedId = $state("")
 let launchSuccess = $state(false)
+let showLogs = $state(false)
 let launchedWorkspaceId = $state<string | null>(null)
 let operationStatus = $state<WorkspaceStatus | null>(null)
+let launchJob = $derived($workspaceJobs[lastAttemptedId ?? ""])
+$effect(() => {
+  if (launchError) showLogs = true
+})
 $effect(() => {
   const job = $workspaceJobs[lastAttemptedId ?? ""]
-  if (launchRunning && commandId && job?.commandId === commandId && (job.state === "failed" || job.state === "succeeded")) {
-    finishProgress({ commandId, done: true, success: !job.error, cliError: job.error ? { code: "workspace_operation_failed", message: job.error } : undefined }, lastAttemptedId ?? undefined)
+  if (
+    launchRunning &&
+    commandId &&
+    job?.commandId === commandId &&
+    (job.state === "failed" || job.state === "succeeded")
+  ) {
+    finishProgress(
+      {
+        commandId,
+        done: true,
+        success: job.state !== "failed",
+        cliError: job.state === "failed"
+          ? {
+              code: "workspace_operation_failed",
+              message: job.error ?? "Workspace operation failed",
+            }
+          : undefined,
+      },
+      lastAttemptedId ?? undefined,
+    )
   }
 })
 let confirmCancelOpen = $state(false)
@@ -259,7 +341,9 @@ let initializedProviders = $derived(
 
 const selectedIdeEntry = $derived(ALL_IDES.find((i) => i.value === selectedIde))
 const ideLabel = $derived(selectedIdeEntry?.label ?? "Select an IDE...")
-const ideIconSrc = $derived(selectedIdeEntry ? ideIcon(selectedIdeEntry.iconName) : undefined)
+const ideIconSrc = $derived(
+  selectedIdeEntry ? ideIcon(selectedIdeEntry.iconName) : undefined,
+)
 
 let filteredIdes = $derived(
   ideSearch
@@ -282,9 +366,7 @@ let resolvedIdInvalid = $derived(
 
 let nameConflict = $derived(
   resolvedId !== "" &&
-    $workspaces.some(
-      (ws) => ws.id.toLowerCase() === resolvedId.toLowerCase(),
-    ),
+    $workspaces.some((ws) => ws.id.toLowerCase() === resolvedId.toLowerCase()),
 )
 
 let imageIncompatible = $derived(
@@ -297,7 +379,9 @@ let imageIncompatible = $derived(
 // Prefer linux/amd64 if the image offers it; otherwise the first listed
 // platform. This is what we run under emulation.
 let emulationTarget = $derived(
-  imagePlatforms.includes("linux/amd64") ? "linux/amd64" : imagePlatforms[0] ?? "",
+  imagePlatforms.includes("linux/amd64")
+    ? "linux/amd64"
+    : (imagePlatforms[0] ?? ""),
 )
 
 let imageCompatible = $derived(
@@ -348,7 +432,8 @@ function clearWatchdog() {
 
 function reset() {
   currentStep = "provider"
-  selectedProvider = $providers.find((p) => p.isDefault && p.state?.initialized)?.name ?? ""
+  selectedProvider =
+    $providers.find((p) => p.isDefault && p.state?.initialized)?.name ?? ""
   sourceType = "git"
   repoUrl = ""
   localPath = ""
@@ -375,6 +460,7 @@ function reset() {
   launchRunning = false
   launchError = ""
   launchSuccess = false
+  showLogs = false
   launchedWorkspaceId = null
   operationStatus = null
   confirmCancelOpen = false
@@ -465,7 +551,8 @@ function flushLines() {
 }
 
 function queueProgressLines(progress: CommandProgress) {
-  const incoming = progress.lines ?? (progress.message ? [progress.message] : [])
+  const incoming =
+    progress.lines ?? (progress.message ? [progress.message] : [])
   if (incoming.length === 0) return
   pendingLines.push(...incoming)
   if (flushHandle === null) {
@@ -1193,7 +1280,7 @@ function selectTemplate(t: { name: string; source: string }) {
 
           {#if compatUnknown}
             <p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-              Couldn't verify compatibility for your machine ({hostPlatform ||
+              Could not verify compatibility for your machine ({hostPlatform ||
                 "unknown"}); the image will be pulled as-is.
             </p>
           {/if}
@@ -1241,28 +1328,26 @@ function selectTemplate(t: { name: string; source: string }) {
 
       {:else if currentStep === "launch"}
         <div class="space-y-4">
-          <div>
-            <h2 class="text-lg font-semibold">
-              {#if launchRunning}
-                Creating Workspace
-              {:else if launchSuccess}
-                Workspace Ready
-              {:else if launchError}
-                Workspace Creation Failed
-              {:else}
-                Launching...
-              {/if}
-            </h2>
-            <p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-              {#if launchRunning}
-                Preparing your workspace...
-              {:else if launchSuccess}
-                {launchedWorkspaceId ?? resolvedId} is ready to use.
-              {:else if launchError}
-                Something went wrong while creating the workspace.
-              {/if}
-            </p>
-          </div>
+          {#if !launchRunning}
+            <div>
+              <h2 class="text-lg font-semibold">
+                {#if launchSuccess}
+                  Workspace Ready
+                {:else if launchError}
+                  Workspace Creation Failed
+                {:else}
+                  Launching...
+                {/if}
+              </h2>
+              <p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+                {#if launchSuccess}
+                  {launchedWorkspaceId ?? resolvedId} is ready to use.
+                {:else if launchError}
+                  Something went wrong while creating the workspace.
+                {/if}
+              </p>
+            </div>
+          {/if}
 
           {#if launchError}
             <Alert.Root variant="destructive">
@@ -1271,43 +1356,53 @@ function selectTemplate(t: { name: string; source: string }) {
             </Alert.Root>
           {/if}
 
-          {#if commandId && $workspaceJobs[lastAttemptedId ?? ""]?.commandId === commandId}
-            <WorkspaceOperation id={lastAttemptedId ?? resolvedId} />
-          {:else if launchRunning && operationStatus}
-            <div class="rounded-md border bg-muted/30 px-3 py-2 text-sm" data-testid="operation-status">
-              <span class="font-medium capitalize">
-                {operationStatus.phase.replaceAll("_", " ")}
-              </span>
-              {#if operationStatus.step}
-                <span class="text-muted-foreground"> — {operationStatus.step}</span>
-              {/if}
-            </div>
+          {#if commandId && launchJob?.commandId === commandId && (launchJob.state === "running" || launchJob.state === "reconciling")}
+            <WorkspaceOperation id={lastAttemptedId ?? resolvedId} density="expanded" />
+          {:else if launchRunning}
+            <WorkspaceOperation
+              id={lastAttemptedId ?? resolvedId}
+              density="expanded"
+              job={{
+                commandId: commandId ?? "launch",
+                activity: "creating",
+                state: "running",
+                phase: operationStatus?.step ?? operationStatus?.phase ?? "preparing_workspace",
+              }}
+            />
           {/if}
 
           {#if outputLines.length > 0}
             <div class="space-y-2">
-              <div class="flex items-center justify-between">
-                <h3 class="text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground uppercase tracking-wider">Output</h3>
-                <Button
-                  variant="outline"
-                  size="sm"
-                  onclick={async () => {
-                    try {
-                      await navigator.clipboard.writeText(outputLines.map(stripAnsi).join("\n"))
-                      toasts.success("Copied to clipboard")
-                    } catch {
-                      toasts.error("Failed to copy")
-                    }
-                  }}
-                >
-                  Copy
-                </Button>
-              </div>
-              <LogTable lines={outputLines} maxHeightClass="max-h-80" follow />
-            </div>
-          {:else if launchRunning}
-            <div class="flex items-center justify-center py-8">
-              <Loader2 class="h-6 w-6 animate-spin text-muted-foreground" />
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                class="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground"
+                aria-expanded={showLogs}
+                onclick={() => (showLogs = !showLogs)}
+              >
+                <ChevronRight class="h-3 w-3 transition-transform {showLogs ? 'rotate-90' : ''}" />
+                View details
+              </button>
+              {#if showLogs}
+                <div class="space-y-2">
+                  <div class="flex justify-end">
+                    <Button
+                      variant="outline"
+                      size="sm"
+                      onclick={async () => {
+                        try {
+                          await navigator.clipboard.writeText(outputLines.map(stripAnsi).join("\n"))
+                          toasts.success("Copied to clipboard")
+                        } catch {
+                          toasts.error("Failed to copy")
+                        }
+                      }}
+                    >
+                      Copy
+                    </Button>
+                  </div>
+                  <LogTable lines={outputLines} maxHeightClass="max-h-80" follow />
+                </div>
+              {/if}
             </div>
           {/if}
 
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.test.ts b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.test.ts
index 082ffd8b2..cec4270b5 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.test.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceWizard.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 import { fireEvent, render } from "@testing-library/svelte"
 import { tick } from "svelte"
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest"
-import type { CommandProgress, Provider, WorkspaceStatus } from "$lib/types/index.js"
+import type {
+  CommandProgress,
+  Provider,
+  WorkspaceStatus,
+} from "$lib/types/index.js"
 
 const workspaceUp = vi.fn()
 const onCommandProgress = vi.fn()
@@ -43,7 +47,10 @@ vi.mock("$lib/stores/providers.js", async () => {
 
 vi.mock("$lib/stores/workspaces.js", async () => {
   const { writable } = await import("svelte/store")
-  return { workspaces: writable<{ id: string }[]>([]), workspaceJobs: writable({}) }
+  return {
+    workspaces: writable<{ id: string }[]>([]),
+    workspaceJobs: writable({}),
+  }
 })
 
 vi.mock("$lib/stores/toasts.js", () => ({
@@ -59,7 +66,7 @@ vi.mock("$lib/router.js", () => ({
 }))
 
 import { providers } from "$lib/stores/providers.js"
-import { workspaces } from "$lib/stores/workspaces.js"
+import { workspaceJobs, workspaces } from "$lib/stores/workspaces.js"
 import WorkspaceWizard from "./WorkspaceWizard.svelte"
 
 function makeProvider(name: string, initialized = true): Provider {
@@ -117,6 +124,7 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     onWorkspaceStatus.mockReset()
     providers.set([])
     workspaces.set([])
+    ;(workspaceJobs as { set: (v: unknown) => void }).set({})
     progressCallback = null
     statusCallback = null
 
@@ -167,9 +175,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     expect(
       getByText(/At least one initialized provider is required/i),
     ).toBeTruthy()
-    const continueBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Continue") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const continueBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Continue",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     expect(continueBtn).toBeTruthy()
     expect(continueBtn.disabled).toBe(true)
     unmount()
@@ -310,9 +318,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     expect(nameInput.value).not.toBe("")
     expect(nameInput.value).not.toBe("python")
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     expect(launchBtn.disabled).toBe(false)
     unmount()
   })
@@ -333,9 +341,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await flushAsync()
 
     expect(getByText(/already exists/i)).toBeTruthy()
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     expect(launchBtn.disabled).toBe(true)
     unmount()
   })
@@ -357,9 +365,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await flushAsync()
     await advanceToReview(getByText)
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -376,9 +384,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await flushAsync()
     await advanceToReview(getByText)
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -389,13 +397,15 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     } as CommandProgress)
     await flushAsync()
 
+    await fireEvent.click(getByText("View details"))
+    await flushAsync()
     expect(queryByText(/Building workspace/)).not.toBeNull()
     unmount()
   })
 
   it("shows the current structured operation status while launching", async () => {
     providers.set([makeProvider("docker")])
-    const { getByText, queryByTestId, unmount } = render(WorkspaceWizard, {
+    const { getByText, unmount } = render(WorkspaceWizard, {
       props: { open: true },
     })
     await flushAsync()
@@ -407,17 +417,84 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
+    expect(document.querySelector('[role="status"]')?.textContent).toContain(
+      "Preparing workspace",
+    )
+
     statusCallback?.({
       commandId: "cmd-1",
       workspaceId: "python",
       phase: "building_image",
+      step: "Waiting for lock",
       state: "started",
     })
     await flushAsync()
 
-    expect(queryByTestId("operation-status")?.textContent).toContain(
-      "building image",
-    )
+    const region = document.querySelector('[role="status"]')
+    expect(region?.textContent).toContain("Creating")
+    expect(region?.textContent).toContain("Waiting for lock")
+    unmount()
+  })
+
+  it("shows exactly one failure surface when the job journal reports failure", async () => {
+    providers.set([makeProvider("docker")])
+    const { getByText, queryByText, unmount } = render(WorkspaceWizard, {
+      props: { open: true },
+    })
+    await flushAsync()
+    await advanceToReview(getByText)
+
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
+    await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
+    await flushAsync()
+
+    statusCallback?.({
+      commandId: "cmd-1",
+      workspaceId: "python",
+      phase: "building_image",
+      state: "started",
+    })
+    await flushAsync()
+    ;(workspaceJobs as { set: (v: unknown) => void }).set({
+      python: {
+        commandId: "cmd-1",
+        activity: "creating",
+        state: "failed",
+        phase: "building_image",
+        error: "provider exploded",
+      },
+    })
+    await flushAsync()
+
+    expect(queryByText(/provider exploded/)).not.toBeNull()
+    expect(document.querySelector('[role="status"]')).toBeNull()
+    unmount()
+  })
+
+  it("shows exactly one success headline when the job journal reports success", async () => {
+    providers.set([makeProvider("docker")])
+    const { getByText, queryByText, unmount } = render(WorkspaceWizard, {
+      props: { open: true },
+    })
+    await flushAsync()
+    await advanceToReview(getByText)
+
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
+    await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
+    await flushAsync()
+
+    ;(workspaceJobs as { set: (v: unknown) => void }).set({
+      python: { commandId: "cmd-1", activity: "creating", state: "succeeded" },
+    })
+    await flushAsync()
+
+    expect(queryByText(/is ready to use/)).not.toBeNull()
+    expect(queryByText("Checking")).toBeNull()
+    expect(document.querySelector('[role="status"]')).toBeNull()
     unmount()
   })
 
@@ -429,9 +506,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await flushAsync()
     await advanceToReview(getByText)
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -455,9 +532,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await flushAsync()
     await advanceToReview(getByText)
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -480,9 +557,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await flushAsync()
     await advanceToReview(getByText)
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -524,9 +601,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     })
     await flushAsync()
 
-    const advancedToggle = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => /advanced options/i.test(b.textContent ?? "")) as HTMLElement
+    const advancedToggle = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => /advanced options/i.test(b.textContent ?? ""),
+    ) as HTMLElement
     await fireEvent.click(advancedToggle)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -537,7 +614,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     const wsFolderInput = document.querySelector(
       'input[placeholder="/workspaces/app"]',
     ) as HTMLInputElement
-    await fireEvent.input(wsFolderInput, { target: { value: "/workspaces/app" } })
+    await fireEvent.input(wsFolderInput, {
+      target: { value: "/workspaces/app" },
+    })
     const prebuildInput = document.querySelector(
       'input[placeholder*="ghcr.io/org/prebuilds"]',
     ) as HTMLInputElement
@@ -551,9 +630,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await fireEvent.click(getActiveContinue(getByText))
     await flushAsync()
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -581,15 +660,17 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
 
     // Set a workspace folder via the git tab's advanced section; this state
     // persists when we switch source types.
-    const advancedToggle = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => /advanced options/i.test(b.textContent ?? "")) as HTMLElement
+    const advancedToggle = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => /advanced options/i.test(b.textContent ?? ""),
+    ) as HTMLElement
     await fireEvent.click(advancedToggle)
     await flushAsync()
     const wsFolderInput = document.querySelector(
       'input[placeholder="/workspaces/app"]',
     ) as HTMLInputElement
-    await fireEvent.input(wsFolderInput, { target: { value: "/workspaces/app" } })
+    await fireEvent.input(wsFolderInput, {
+      target: { value: "/workspaces/app" },
+    })
     await flushAsync()
 
     // Switch to the Image tab and enter a custom image ref.
@@ -598,7 +679,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     const customImageInput = document.querySelector(
       'input[placeholder*="registry/image:tag"]',
     ) as HTMLInputElement
-    await fireEvent.input(customImageInput, { target: { value: "ubuntu:22.04" } })
+    await fireEvent.input(customImageInput, {
+      target: { value: "ubuntu:22.04" },
+    })
     await flushAsync()
 
     await fireEvent.click(getActiveContinue(getByText))
@@ -606,9 +689,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await fireEvent.click(getActiveContinue(getByText))
     await flushAsync()
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -639,7 +722,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     const customImageInput = document.querySelector(
       'input[placeholder*="registry/image:tag"]',
     ) as HTMLInputElement
-    await fireEvent.input(customImageInput, { target: { value: "ubuntu:22.04" } })
+    await fireEvent.input(customImageInput, {
+      target: { value: "ubuntu:22.04" },
+    })
     await flushAsync()
 
     await fireEvent.click(getActiveContinue(getByText))
@@ -654,9 +739,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     ) as HTMLInputElement
     expect(nameInput.value).toBe("ubuntu-22.04")
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     expect(launchBtn.disabled).toBe(false)
     unmount()
   })
@@ -678,9 +763,9 @@ describe("WorkspaceWizard", () => {
     await flushAsync()
     await advanceToReview(getByText)
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -704,6 +789,7 @@ describe("launch watchdog", () => {
     onCommandProgress.mockReset()
     providers.set([])
     workspaces.set([])
+    ;(workspaceJobs as { set: (v: unknown) => void }).set({})
     progressCallback = null
 
     onCommandProgress.mockImplementation(
@@ -734,9 +820,9 @@ describe("launch watchdog", () => {
     await flushAsync()
     await advanceToReview(getByText)
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
@@ -758,9 +844,9 @@ describe("launch watchdog", () => {
     await flushAsync()
     await advanceToReview(getByText)
 
-    const launchBtn = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll("button"),
-    ).find((b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch") as HTMLButtonElement
+    const launchBtn = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll("button")).find(
+      (b) => b.textContent?.trim() === "Launch",
+    ) as HTMLButtonElement
     await fireEvent.click(launchBtn)
     await flushAsync()
 
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/toasts.ts b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/toasts.ts
index 5b010781f..19037303e 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/toasts.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/toasts.ts
@@ -21,19 +21,32 @@ const historyStore = writable<Toast[]>([])
 
 let nextId = 0
 
-function add(message: string, variant: Toast["variant"] = "default") {
+export interface ToastOptions {
+  sticky?: boolean
+  action?: { label: string; onClick: () => void }
+}
+
+function add(
+  message: string,
+  variant: Toast["variant"] = "default",
+  options?: ToastOptions,
+) {
   const id = String(++nextId)
-  const duration = DURATION_MS[variant]
+  const duration = options?.sticky ? Infinity : DURATION_MS[variant]
   const toast: Toast = { id, message, variant, timestamp: Date.now(), duration }
 
   historyStore.update((list) => [toast, ...list].slice(0, MAX_HISTORY))
 
+  const sonnerOptions = {
+    duration,
+    ...(options?.action ? { action: options.action } : {}),
+  }
   if (variant === "success") {
-    sonnerToast.success(message, { duration })
+    sonnerToast.success(message, sonnerOptions)
   } else if (variant === "error") {
-    sonnerToast.error(message, { duration })
+    sonnerToast.error(message, sonnerOptions)
   } else {
-    sonnerToast.info(message, { duration })
+    sonnerToast.info(message, sonnerOptions)
   }
 
   return id
@@ -53,9 +66,12 @@ const unreadCount = derived(historyStore, ($history) => {
 })
 
 export const toasts = {
-  success: (message: string) => add(message, "success"),
-  error: (message: string) => add(message, "error"),
-  info: (message: string) => add(message, "default"),
+  success: (message: string, options?: ToastOptions) =>
+    add(message, "success", options),
+  error: (message: string, options?: ToastOptions) =>
+    add(message, "error", options),
+  info: (message: string, options?: ToastOptions) =>
+    add(message, "default", options),
   dismiss: (id?: string | number) => sonnerToast.dismiss(id),
 }
 
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/workspaces.test.ts b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/workspaces.test.ts
index 41ff4d299..94f8e2ffe 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/workspaces.test.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/workspaces.test.ts
@@ -5,14 +5,25 @@ import {
   mockListen,
   resetTauriMocks,
 } from "$lib/__mocks__/tauri.js"
+import { toasts } from "./toasts.js"
 import {
   destroyWorkspaces,
   initWorkspaces,
-  workspaces,
   workspaceJobs,
+  workspaces,
   workspacesLoading,
 } from "./workspaces.js"
 
+vi.mock("./toasts.js", () => ({
+  toasts: { success: vi.fn(), error: vi.fn(), info: vi.fn() },
+  notificationHistory: {
+    subscribe: () => () => {},
+    remove: vi.fn(),
+    clear: vi.fn(),
+    unreadCount: { subscribe: () => () => {} },
+  },
+}))
+
 const job = {
   activity: "deleting",
   commandId: "delete",
@@ -21,6 +32,7 @@ const job = {
 }
 beforeEach(() => {
   resetTauriMocks()
+  vi.clearAllMocks()
   workspaces.set([])
   workspaceJobs.set({})
 })
@@ -103,6 +115,94 @@ describe("workspace snapshot store", () => {
     await first
     expect(get(workspaces)[0].id).toBe("new")
   })
+  it("stays silent while a job runs or reconciles, then confirms once", async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockResolvedValue({
+      revision: 1,
+      workspaces: [{ id: "ws", status: "Running" }],
+      jobs: { ws: job },
+    })
+    await initWorkspaces()
+    event({
+      revision: 2,
+      workspaces: [{ id: "ws", status: "Running" }],
+      jobs: { ws: { ...job, state: "reconciling", phase: "Refreshing list" } },
+    })
+    expect(toasts.success).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(toasts.error).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    event({
+      revision: 3,
+      workspaces: [],
+      jobs: { ws: { ...job, state: "succeeded" } },
+    })
+    expect(toasts.success).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(toasts.success).toHaveBeenCalledWith("ws: Workspace deleted")
+  })
+  it("reports an operation failure once, sticky, with the operation named", async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockResolvedValue({
+      revision: 1,
+      workspaces: [{ id: "ws", status: "Running" }],
+      jobs: { ws: { ...job, activity: "stopping", commandId: "stop" } },
+    })
+    await initWorkspaces()
+    event({
+      revision: 2,
+      workspaces: [{ id: "ws", status: "Running" }],
+      jobs: {
+        ws: {
+          ...job,
+          activity: "stopping",
+          commandId: "stop",
+          state: "failed",
+          error: "provider unavailable",
+        },
+      },
+    })
+    expect(toasts.error).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(toasts.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "ws: Stop failed - provider unavailable",
+      {
+        sticky: true,
+        action: { label: "View logs", onClick: expect.any(Function) },
+      },
+    )
+  })
+  it("toasts when a terminal job is the first observation of its command", async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockResolvedValue({
+      revision: 1,
+      workspaces: [{ id: "ws", status: "Running" }],
+      jobs: {},
+    })
+    await initWorkspaces()
+    event({
+      revision: 2,
+      workspaces: [{ id: "ws", status: "Stopped" }],
+      jobs: {
+        ws: {
+          ...job,
+          activity: "stopping",
+          commandId: "stop",
+          state: "succeeded",
+        },
+      },
+    })
+    expect(toasts.success).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(toasts.success).toHaveBeenCalledWith("ws: Workspace stopped")
+  })
+  it("does not toast while a refresh is stalled", async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockResolvedValue({
+      revision: 1,
+      workspaces: [{ id: "ws", status: "Running" }],
+      jobs: { ws: job },
+    })
+    await initWorkspaces()
+    event({
+      revision: 2,
+      workspaces: [{ id: "ws", status: "Running" }],
+      jobs: { ws: { ...job, state: "reconciling", refreshError: "offline" } },
+    })
+    expect(toasts.success).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(toasts.error).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
   it("leaves existing observations intact when snapshot loading fails", async () => {
     workspaces.set([{ id: "ws", status: "Running" }])
     mockInvoke.mockRejectedValue(new Error("offline"))
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/workspaces.ts b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/workspaces.ts
index 269f78d22..c6b9ac87f 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/workspaces.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/stores/workspaces.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
-import { derived, get, writable } from "svelte/store"
+import { derived, writable } from "svelte/store"
 import { workspaceSnapshot } from "$lib/ipc/commands.js"
 import { onWorkspacesChanged } from "$lib/ipc/events.js"
 import type { UnlistenFn } from "$lib/ipc/types.js"
+import { goto } from "$lib/router.js"
 import type {
   Workspace,
   WorkspaceJob,
   WorkspaceStatus,
 } from "$lib/types/index.js"
+import {
+  workspaceConfirmedToast,
+  workspaceFailedHeadline,
+} from "$shared/workspace-operation.js"
 import { toasts } from "./toasts.js"
 
 export const workspaces = writable<Workspace[]>([])
@@ -38,7 +43,6 @@ function apply(
 ) {
   if (nextRevision <= revision) return
   revision = nextRevision
-  const previous = get(workspaceJobs)
   const pending = Object.entries(jobs).filter(
     ([id, job]) =>
       !updated.some((workspace) => workspace.id === id) &&
@@ -48,17 +52,24 @@ function apply(
   workspaces.set([...updated, ...pending.map(([id]) => ({ id }))])
   workspaceJobs.set(jobs)
   for (const [id, job] of Object.entries(jobs)) {
-    if (job.state === "running") continue
-    if (!notify || !previous[id] || notified.has(job.commandId)) {
+    if (job.state === "running" || job.state === "reconciling") continue
+    if (!notify || notified.has(job.commandId)) {
       notified.add(job.commandId)
       continue
     }
     notified.add(job.commandId)
-    if (job.error) toasts.error(`${id}: ${job.error}`)
-    else
-      toasts.success(
-        `${id}: ${job.activity === "deleting" ? "Deleted" : "Operation completed"}`,
+    if (job.state === "failed")
+      toasts.error(
+        `${id}: ${workspaceFailedHeadline(job.activity)} - ${job.error ?? "Workspace operation failed"}`,
+        {
+          sticky: true,
+          action: {
+            label: "View logs",
+            onClick: () => goto(`/workspaces/${id}?tab=logs`),
+          },
+        },
       )
+    else toasts.success(`${id}: ${workspaceConfirmedToast(job.activity)}`)
   }
 }
 
@@ -88,6 +99,7 @@ export async function initWorkspaces() {
 
 export function destroyWorkspaces() {
   lifecycle++
+  notified.clear()
   unlisten?.()
   unlisten = null
 }
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/utils/workspace-operation.test.ts b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/utils/workspace-operation.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..54d4e4342
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/lib/utils/workspace-operation.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest"
+import {
+  humanPhase,
+  presentWorkspaceStatus,
+  type WorkspaceActivity,
+  type WorkspaceJob,
+  workspaceConfirmedToast,
+  workspaceFailedHeadline,
+} from "$shared/workspace-operation.js"
+
+function job(partial: Partial<WorkspaceJob>): WorkspaceJob {
+  return {
+    commandId: "cmd",
+    activity: "creating",
+    state: "running",
+    phase: "cloning_repository",
+    ...partial,
+  }
+}
+
+const ACTIVITIES: WorkspaceActivity[] = [
+  "creating",
+  "starting",
+  "stopping",
+  "deleting",
+  "rebuilding",
+  "resetting",
+]
+
+describe("presentWorkspaceStatus", () => {
+  it("falls back to the observed lifecycle when no job is active", () => {
+    const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({ lifecycle: "Running" })
+    expect(view.headline).toBe("Running")
+    expect(view.tone).toBe("default")
+    expect(view.busy).toBe(false)
+    expect(view.phase).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+  it("shows Checking when neither job nor status exists", () => {
+    expect(presentWorkspaceStatus({}).headline).toBe("Checking")
+  })
+  it("clears the operation layer once the job succeeded", () => {
+    const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+      lifecycle: "Stopped",
+      job: job({ state: "succeeded", activity: "stopping" }),
+    })
+    expect(view.headline).toBe("Stopped")
+    expect(view.busy).toBe(false)
+  })
+  it.each(ACTIVITIES)("shows the bare verb while %s is running", (activity) => {
+    const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+      lifecycle: "Running",
+      job: job({ activity }),
+    })
+    expect(view.headline).toBe(activity[0].toUpperCase() + activity.slice(1))
+    expect(view.busy).toBe(true)
+    expect(view.tone).toBe("secondary")
+    expect(view.phase).toBe("Cloning repository")
+  })
+  it("keeps the verb headline and says Confirming status while reconciling", () => {
+    const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+      lifecycle: "Running",
+      job: job({
+        activity: "stopping",
+        state: "reconciling",
+        phase: "Refreshing status",
+      }),
+    })
+    expect(view.headline).toBe("Stopping")
+    expect(view.phase).toBe("Confirming status")
+    expect(view.busy).toBe(true)
+  })
+  it("says Confirming removal for a delete awaiting confirmation", () => {
+    const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+      lifecycle: "Running",
+      job: job({
+        activity: "deleting",
+        state: "reconciling",
+        phase: "Refreshing list",
+      }),
+    })
+    expect(view.headline).toBe("Deleting")
+    expect(view.phase).toBe("Confirming removal")
+    expect(view.recovery).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(view.busy).toBe(true)
+  })
+  it("never claims Deleted before confirmation", () => {
+    for (const state of ["running", "reconciling"] as const) {
+      const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+        lifecycle: "Running",
+        job: job({ activity: "deleting", state }),
+      })
+      expect(view.headline).not.toBe("Deleted")
+      expect(view.headline).toBe("Deleting")
+    }
+  })
+  it("surfaces a stalled list refresh as recovery, not failure", () => {
+    const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+      lifecycle: "Running",
+      job: job({
+        activity: "deleting",
+        state: "reconciling",
+        refreshError: "offline",
+      }),
+    })
+    expect(view.headline).toBe("Deleting")
+    expect(view.recovery).toEqual({
+      message: "List may be out of date",
+      canRetry: true,
+    })
+    expect(view.error).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(view.tone).toBe("warning")
+    expect(view.busy).toBe(false)
+  })
+  it("uses Status may be out of date for non-delete stalls", () => {
+    const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+      job: job({
+        activity: "stopping",
+        state: "reconciling",
+        refreshError: "x",
+      }),
+    })
+    expect(view.recovery?.message).toBe("Status may be out of date")
+  })
+  it.each(ACTIVITIES)(
+    "maps a failed %s to its failure headline",
+    (activity) => {
+      const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+        job: job({ activity, state: "failed", error: "boom" }),
+      })
+      expect(view.headline).toBe(workspaceFailedHeadline(activity))
+      expect(view.error).toBe("boom")
+      expect(view.tone).toBe("destructive")
+      expect(view.busy).toBe(false)
+    },
+  )
+  it("falls back when a failed job has no error message", () => {
+    const view = presentWorkspaceStatus({
+      job: job({ state: "failed" }),
+    })
+    expect(view.error).toBe("Workspace operation failed")
+    expect(view.tone).toBe("destructive")
+  })
+  it("marks logs available while a job exists and not otherwise", () => {
+    expect(presentWorkspaceStatus({ job: job({}) }).detailsAvailable).toBe(true)
+    expect(
+      presentWorkspaceStatus({ lifecycle: "Running" }).detailsAvailable,
+    ).toBe(false)
+  })
+})
+
+describe("humanPhase", () => {
+  it("maps known CLI phases to customer language", () => {
+    expect(humanPhase("cloning_repository")).toBe("Cloning repository")
+    expect(humanPhase("building_image")).toBe("Building image")
+    expect(humanPhase("starting_container")).toBe("Starting container")
+    expect(humanPhase("injecting_agent")).toBe("Connecting agent")
+    expect(humanPhase("stopping_workspace")).toBe("Stopping resources")
+  })
+  it("sentence-cases unknown phases without exposing underscores", () => {
+    expect(humanPhase("waiting_for_lock")).toBe("Waiting for lock")
+  })
+  it("returns undefined for empty input", () => {
+    expect(humanPhase(undefined)).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(humanPhase("")).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+})
+
+describe("toast labels", () => {
+  it("confirms each operation with locked wording", () => {
+    expect(workspaceConfirmedToast("creating")).toBe("Workspace ready")
+    expect(workspaceConfirmedToast("starting")).toBe("Workspace running")
+    expect(workspaceConfirmedToast("stopping")).toBe("Workspace stopped")
+    expect(workspaceConfirmedToast("deleting")).toBe("Workspace deleted")
+    expect(workspaceConfirmedToast("rebuilding")).toBe("Workspace rebuilt")
+    expect(workspaceConfirmedToast("resetting")).toBe("Workspace reset")
+  })
+  it("names failed operations", () => {
+    expect(workspaceFailedHeadline("deleting")).toBe("Delete failed")
+    expect(workspaceFailedHeadline("stopping")).toBe("Stop failed")
+  })
+})
diff --git a/desktop/src/renderer/src/pages/WorkspaceDetailPage.svelte b/desktop/src/renderer/src/pages/WorkspaceDetailPage.svelte
index d4c585ec5..a2571b4a5 100644
--- a/desktop/src/renderer/src/pages/WorkspaceDetailPage.svelte
+++ b/desktop/src/renderer/src/pages/WorkspaceDetailPage.svelte
@@ -32,7 +32,10 @@ import ConfirmDialog from "$lib/components/layout/ConfirmDialog.svelte"
 import LogTable from "$lib/components/log/LogTable.svelte"
 import TerminalComponent from "$lib/components/terminal/Terminal.svelte"
 import WorkspaceOperation from "$lib/components/workspace/WorkspaceOperation.svelte"
-import { workspaceJobBusy, workspaceJobInterruptible } from "$shared/workspace-operation.js"
+import {
+  workspaceJobBusy,
+  workspaceJobInterruptible,
+} from "$shared/workspace-operation.js"
 import { workspaces, workspaceJobs } from "$lib/stores/workspaces.js"
 import { addTerminal, removeTerminal } from "$lib/stores/terminals.js"
 import { destroyTerminalInstance } from "$lib/stores/terminal-instances.js"
@@ -133,18 +136,32 @@ let isBusy = $derived.by(() => {
 const BUILD_OPS = new Set(["Start", "Open IDE", "Recovery", "Rebuild", "Reset"])
 
 let activeTab = $state("overview")
+$effect(() => {
+  const tab = new URLSearchParams($querystring ?? "").get("tab")
+  if (tab === "overview" || tab === "logs" || tab === "terminal")
+    activeTab = tab
+})
 let outputLines = $state<string[]>([])
 let commandId = $state<string | null>(null)
 let operationLabel = $state("")
 let awaitingAcceptance = $state(false)
-let operationRunning = $derived(awaitingAcceptance || workspaceJobBusy($workspaceJobs[id]))
+let operationRunning = $derived(
+  awaitingAcceptance || workspaceJobBusy($workspaceJobs[id]),
+)
 $effect(() => {
   const job = $workspaceJobs[id]
   if (job && (!awaitingAcceptance || job.commandId === commandId)) {
     awaitingAcceptance = false
     if (commandId !== job.commandId) {
       commandId = job.commandId
-      operationLabel = ({ creating: "Create", starting: "Start", stopping: "Stop", deleting: "Delete", rebuilding: "Rebuild", resetting: "Reset" })[job.activity]
+      operationLabel = {
+        creating: "Create",
+        starting: "Start",
+        stopping: "Stop",
+        deleting: "Delete",
+        rebuilding: "Rebuild",
+        resetting: "Reset",
+      }[job.activity]
       outputLines = []
     }
   }
@@ -637,10 +654,7 @@ async function handleRenameConfirmed() {
                 <span class="sr-only">Rename</span>
               </Button>
             {/if}
-            <WorkspaceOperation {id} status={workspace.status} />
-            {#if operationRunning || isBusy}
-              <Spinner class="size-3" />
-            {/if}
+            <WorkspaceOperation {id} status={workspace.status} density="expanded" onViewLogs={() => (activeTab = "logs")} />
             {#if inRecovery}
               <span class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md border border-amber-500/40 bg-amber-500/10 px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400">
                 <LifeBuoy class="h-3 w-3" />
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/workspace-operation.ts b/desktop/src/shared/workspace-operation.ts
index 4d7dceb56..878340eb3 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/workspace-operation.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/workspace-operation.ts
@@ -30,21 +30,162 @@ export function workspaceJobInterruptible(job?: WorkspaceJob): boolean {
   )
 }
 
-export function workspaceJobLabel(job?: WorkspaceJob): string | undefined {
-  if (!job || job.state === "succeeded") return undefined
-  const action = job.activity[0].toUpperCase() + job.activity.slice(1)
-  if (job.error)
-    return `${{ creating: "Create", starting: "Start", stopping: "Stop", deleting: "Delete", rebuilding: "Rebuild", resetting: "Reset" }[job.activity]} failed`
-  if (job.state === "reconciling" && job.activity === "deleting" && !job.error)
-    return "Deleted"
-  return action
+export type WorkspaceStatusTone =
+  | "default"
+  | "secondary"
+  | "outline"
+  | "destructive"
+  | "warning"
+
+export interface WorkspaceStatusView {
+  headline: string
+  phase?: string
+  tone: WorkspaceStatusTone
+  busy: boolean
+  announce: string
+  recovery?: { message: string; canRetry: boolean }
+  error?: string
+  detailsAvailable: boolean
 }
 
-export function workspaceJobPhase(job?: WorkspaceJob): string | undefined {
+const HEADLINE: Record<WorkspaceActivity, string> = {
+  creating: "Creating",
+  starting: "Starting",
+  stopping: "Stopping",
+  deleting: "Deleting",
+  rebuilding: "Rebuilding",
+  resetting: "Resetting",
+}
+
+const FAILED_HEADLINE: Record<WorkspaceActivity, string> = {
+  creating: "Create failed",
+  starting: "Start failed",
+  stopping: "Stop failed",
+  deleting: "Delete failed",
+  rebuilding: "Rebuild failed",
+  resetting: "Reset failed",
+}
+
+const CONFIRMED_TOAST: Record<WorkspaceActivity, string> = {
+  creating: "Workspace ready",
+  starting: "Workspace running",
+  stopping: "Workspace stopped",
+  deleting: "Workspace deleted",
+  rebuilding: "Workspace rebuilt",
+  resetting: "Workspace reset",
+}
+
+export function workspaceConfirmedToast(activity: WorkspaceActivity): string {
+  return CONFIRMED_TOAST[activity]
+}
+
+export function workspaceFailedHeadline(activity: WorkspaceActivity): string {
+  return FAILED_HEADLINE[activity]
+}
+
+const PHASE_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
+  cloning_repository: "Cloning repository",
+  resolving_config: "Resolving configuration",
+  initialize_command: "Running initialize command",
+  building_image: "Building image",
+  starting_container: "Starting container",
+  injecting_agent: "Connecting agent",
+  running_lifecycle_hook: "Running lifecycle hooks",
+  waiting_for: "Waiting",
+  running_command: "Running command",
+  configuring_workspace: "Configuring workspace",
+  configuring_ssh: "Configuring SSH",
+  starting_ssh_tunnel: "Starting SSH tunnel",
+  launching_ide: "Launching IDE",
+  stopping_workspace: "Stopping resources",
+  deleting_workspace: "Removing workspace",
+  rebuilding_workspace: "Rebuilding workspace",
+  resetting_workspace: "Resetting workspace",
+  ready: "Ready",
+  failed: "Failed",
+}
+
+export function humanPhase(raw?: string): string | undefined {
+  if (!raw) return undefined
+  const mapped = PHASE_LABELS[raw]
+  if (mapped) return mapped
+  const spaced = raw.replaceAll("_", " ").replaceAll("-", " ").trim()
+  if (!spaced) return undefined
+  return spaced[0].toUpperCase() + spaced.slice(1)
+}
+
+function confirmingPhase(activity: WorkspaceActivity): string {
+  return activity === "deleting" ? "Confirming removal" : "Confirming status"
+}
+
+function stalledMessage(activity: WorkspaceActivity): string {
+  return activity === "deleting"
+    ? "List may be out of date"
+    : "Status may be out of date"
+}
+
+export function presentWorkspaceStatus(input: {
+  lifecycle?: string
+  job?: WorkspaceJob
+}): WorkspaceStatusView {
+  const { lifecycle, job } = input
+  if (!job || job.state === "succeeded") {
+    const headline = lifecycle ?? "Checking"
+    return {
+      headline,
+      tone: lifecycle?.toLowerCase() === "running" ? "default" : "outline",
+      busy: false,
+      announce: headline,
+      detailsAvailable: false,
+    }
+  }
+  if (job.state === "failed") {
+    const headline = FAILED_HEADLINE[job.activity]
+    return {
+      headline,
+      tone: "destructive",
+      busy: false,
+      announce: headline,
+      error: job.error ?? "Workspace operation failed",
+      detailsAvailable: true,
+    }
+  }
+  const headline = HEADLINE[job.activity]
+  if (job.state === "reconciling") {
+    if (job.refreshError) {
+      const message = stalledMessage(job.activity)
+      return {
+        headline,
+        tone: "warning",
+        busy: false,
+        announce: `${headline}. ${message}`,
+        recovery: { message, canRetry: true },
+        detailsAvailable: true,
+      }
+    }
+    const phase = confirmingPhase(job.activity)
+    return {
+      headline,
+      phase,
+      tone: "secondary",
+      busy: true,
+      announce: `${headline}. ${phase}`,
+      detailsAvailable: true,
+    }
+  }
+  const phase = humanPhase(job.phase)
+  return {
+    headline,
+    phase,
+    tone: "secondary",
+    busy: true,
+    announce: phase ? `${headline}. ${phase}` : headline,
+    detailsAvailable: true,
+  }
+}
+
+export function workspaceJobLabel(job?: WorkspaceJob): string | undefined {
   if (!job || job.state === "succeeded") return undefined
-  if (job.refreshError)
-    return job.activity === "deleting"
-      ? "Unable to refresh list"
-      : "Unable to refresh status"
-  return job.phase
+  if (job.state === "failed") return workspaceFailedHeadline(job.activity)
+  return job.activity[0].toUpperCase() + job.activity.slice(1)
 }