docs(changelog): cut 0.46.0 — Phase H feedback polish

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.gitea/workflows/test.yml

@@ -2,6 +2,19 @@
 # locally, run on every master push and pull request. Until this workflow
 # existed, nothing in CI ran the test suite at all — a direct push to
 # master was entirely unguarded.
+#
+# Build caching (2026-07-13): the Gitea actions cache never restored on
+# this instance — every run back through run 597 logged "No cache found"
+# even for exact keys saved successfully ("Cache saved successfully") by
+# a run an hour earlier, including master→master restores. Until the
+# cache server on the runner host is fixed, Swatinem/rust-cache is pure
+# overhead here. `rust-host` is a HOST executor (its filesystem persists
+# between runs — ~/.cargo and the rustup toolchain already carry over),
+# so we get warm builds by pointing CARGO_TARGET_DIR at a persistent
+# path on the runner instead of tarring gigabytes through a cache API
+# that never returns them. Concurrent runs are safe: cargo serialises
+# on the target-dir lock.
+
 name: Test
 
 on:
@@ -28,8 +41,27 @@ on:
   workflow_dispatch:
 
 jobs:
+  # Seconds-long formatting gate in its own job so a rustfmt slip fails
+  # here instead of after a 35-minute cold build (run 600 spent its
+  # whole build budget to report an unformatted file).
+  fmt:
+    runs-on: rust-host
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Install Rust 1.95.0
+        uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@master
+        with:
+          toolchain: 1.95.0
+          components: rustfmt
+
+      - name: Format check
+        run: cargo fmt --check
+
   test:
     runs-on: rust-host
+    needs: fmt
 
     # Full debuginfo made the solitaire_engine test-binary link peak past the
     # runner's memory — ld was OOM-killed (signal 9) on runs 447 and 486.
@@ -40,10 +72,19 @@ jobs:
     # test binaries concurrently; as the workspace grew (runs 514/516/519)
     # two+ simultaneous ld processes OOM-killed the runner again even at
     # line-tables-only. Two jobs keeps at most two links in flight — the
-    # compile-throughput cost is small next to the cache-warm build.
+    # compile-throughput cost is small next to the warm build.
+    #
+    # CARGO_INCREMENTAL=0: incremental artifacts bloat the persistent
+    # target dir for little benefit in CI (rust-cache used to set this
+    # for the same reason).
+    #
+    # CARGO_TARGET_DIR: persistent on the runner host — see the header
+    # comment. The prune step below keeps it from growing unbounded.
     env:
       CARGO_PROFILE_DEV_DEBUG: line-tables-only
       CARGO_BUILD_JOBS: '2'
+      CARGO_INCREMENTAL: '0'
+      CARGO_TARGET_DIR: /home/runner/.cache/ferrous-solitaire/target
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
@@ -53,10 +94,21 @@ jobs:
         uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@master
         with:
           toolchain: 1.95.0
-          components: clippy, rustfmt
+          components: clippy
 
-      - name: Cache cargo build
-        uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v2
+      # Toolchain or lockfile bumps strand stale artifacts nothing will
+      # ever reuse; reset the dir when it crosses 40 GiB rather than
+      # curating it (a cold rebuild every few weeks is cheaper than the
+      # bookkeeping).
+      - name: Prune persistent target dir when oversized
+        run: |
+          limit_kb=$((40 * 1024 * 1024))
+          used_kb=$(du -sk "$CARGO_TARGET_DIR" 2>/dev/null | cut -f1 || echo 0)
+          echo "persistent target dir: $((used_kb / 1024)) MiB (limit $((limit_kb / 1024)) MiB)"
+          if [ "${used_kb:-0}" -gt "$limit_kb" ]; then
+            echo "over limit — clearing for a fresh cold build"
+            rm -rf "$CARGO_TARGET_DIR"
+          fi
 
       # Native link deps for the Bevy crates (engine/app/web) on a bare
       # ubuntu runner: ALSA + udev for input/audio, X11 + Wayland for winit.
@@ -67,9 +119,6 @@ jobs:
             libasound2-dev libudev-dev pkg-config libx11-dev libxcursor-dev \
             libxrandr-dev libxi-dev libwayland-dev libxkbcommon-dev
 
-      - name: Format check
-        run: cargo fmt --check
-
       # SQLX_OFFLINE uses the checked-in `.sqlx/` query cache (no live DB),
       # same as the web-e2e workflow's server prebuild.
       - name: Clippy (deny warnings)

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -6,6 +6,81 @@ project follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.46.0] — 2026-07-13
+
+### Added
+
+- **Theme-store previews.** The store modal now shows each theme's
+  preview image next to its name — the server has advertised them since
+  the store launched; the client finally fetches them. Thumbnails load
+  in the background, pop in as they arrive, and are remembered for the
+  session. (#179)
+- **Hint ghost preview.** Asking for a hint now also plays a translucent
+  copy of the suggested card gliding to its destination (twice, then it
+  fades) alongside the usual highlights — you see the move, not just the
+  pieces. Automatically disabled when reduce-motion is on. (#179)
+
+### Changed
+
+- **One toast style, one place.** Queued info banners and instant
+  celebration/warning/error toasts now share a single bottom-anchored
+  stack that clears the touch action bar; simultaneous toasts stack
+  upward instead of overlapping. (#178)
+
+### Fixed
+
+- **Touch onboarding copy.** The how-to-play slide no longer tells touch
+  players to left/right-click; it now describes drag, double-tap, and
+  the bottom-bar Hint button. (#178)
+- **First launch shows one screen at a time.** On a fresh install the
+  Home screen no longer spawns underneath the welcome tour; the order is
+  now onboarding → Home → table. (#178)
+
+## [0.45.0] — 2026-07-13
+
+### Added
+
+- **Thumb-reach action bar on touch (menu redesign Phase F).** The bottom
+  bar slims to five buttons: an enlarged **Undo · Draw · Hint** trio
+  (96×64 px targets) between compact Menu and Pause. **Draw is new** — it
+  draws from the stock exactly like tapping the deck, without the reach to
+  the top of a tall folded screen. Help, Modes, and New Game moved off the
+  touch bar (Menu → System, the Home grid, and Home's hero button cover
+  them). Desktop keeps its seven-button bar unchanged.
+- **Hold-to-repeat Undo.** Press and hold Undo to step back repeatedly
+  (~5.5 undos/s after a short delay) instead of tap-tap-tap. Every step
+  goes through the normal undo path, so scoring penalties apply as usual.
+
+## [0.44.0] — 2026-07-13
+
+### Added
+
+- **Home is now a real home (menu redesign Phase B).** The mode picker became
+  a hierarchy: a **Continue** card (mode · elapsed · score) appears while a
+  game is in progress and returns to the table; a hero **New Game** button
+  replays your last mode with the current deal options in one tap; deal
+  options (draw 1/3, a new **winnable-only** toggle, difficulty tiers) moved
+  into a disclosure under the hero; the six modes sit in a compact symmetric
+  2×3 grid with descriptions on wide screens; and the stats strip moved to
+  the bottom. Wide viewports (desktop, unfolded foldables) get a two-pane
+  layout — launch surfaces left, Continue/daily/stats right. Cancel is now
+  **Back to table** and only appears while a live game exists. (#175)
+
+### Fixed
+
+- **Save files are self-contained (schema v6).** Like replays in 0.43.3, a
+  saved game now stores the dealt board via the upstream session serializers
+  instead of re-dealing from the seed on load; v4/v5 saves still load through
+  the legacy path and rewrite as v6 on next save. (#171)
+
+### Internal
+
+- **CI is ~9× faster.** Root-caused why the actions cache never restored on
+  the host-executor runner (per-run workdir paths poisoned the cache version
+  hash); the test workflow now uses a persistent on-runner target dir, and a
+  seconds-long `fmt` gate fails formatting mistakes before the build. Warm
+  full-gate runs: 4m29s, down from ~40 min. (#176)
+
 ## [0.43.3] — 2026-07-10
 
 ### Fixed

docs/ui-redesign-2026-07.md

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 # Menu UX Redesign — July 2026
 
-Status: PLANNING. Visual identity (Terminal / base16-eighties) is settled and
-out of scope — this is about **structure and interaction**, not colors or type.
+Status: IN PROGRESS. A / E / C / G shipped in v0.43.0; B implemented on
+`feat/home-hierarchy` (2026-07-13); F / H and the I–M backlog remain open.
+Visual identity (Terminal / base16-eighties) is settled and out of
+scope — this is about **structure and interaction**, not colors or type.
 
 ## Diagnosis (from code survey, 2026-07-07)
 
@@ -197,8 +199,13 @@ slimming), then **B**, then **F/G/H** as independent follow-ups.
 ## Open decisions
 
 1. ~~Settings: tabs vs. sub-pages~~ — **DECIDED 2026-07-07: tabs.**
-2. Deal options: disclosure on Classic card (proposed) vs. keep global row?
-3. Time Attack + Seed: top-level cards (proposed, grid stays symmetric) vs.
-   tucked under a "More" card?
-4. Stitch mockups for Phase B, or iterate directly in-engine?
-5. Phase F bottom bar: touch-only (proposed) or also desktop?
+2. ~~Deal options: disclosure on Classic card vs. keep global row~~ —
+   **DECIDED 2026-07-09: disclosure on the Classic card / New Game hero.**
+3. ~~Time Attack + Seed: top-level cards vs. "More" card~~ —
+   **DECIDED 2026-07-09: top-level cards, symmetric 2×3 grid.**
+4. ~~Stitch mockups for Phase B, or iterate directly in-engine~~ —
+   **DECIDED 2026-07-09: directly in-engine.**
+5. ~~Phase F bottom bar: touch-only vs. also desktop~~ —
+   **DECIDED 2026-07-13: touch-only.** Desktop keeps the current top
+   band; the bar is additive per §3.3 so a later desktop rollout stays
+   a settings flag away.

solitaire_data/src/settings.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ use std::io;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-use solitaire_core::{DrawStockConfig, game_state::DifficultyLevel};
+use solitaire_core::{
+    DrawStockConfig,
+    game_state::{DifficultyLevel, GameMode},
+};
 
 const SETTINGS_FILE_NAME: &str = "settings.json";
 
@@ -248,6 +251,12 @@ pub struct Settings {
     /// cleanly to `None` via `#[serde(default)]`.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub last_difficulty: Option<DifficultyLevel>,
+    /// Mode of the last game the player launched from the home overlay.
+    /// The home hero "New Game" button replays this mode with one tap.
+    /// Older `settings.json` files written before this field existed
+    /// deserialize cleanly to `GameMode::Classic` via `#[serde(default)]`.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub last_mode: GameMode,
     /// Custom public name displayed on the leaderboard. When `None`, the
     /// player's server `username` is used instead. Trimmed to 32 characters
     /// before submission. Older `settings.json` files written before this
@@ -415,6 +424,7 @@ impl Default for Settings {
             disable_smart_default_size: false,
             replay_move_interval_secs: default_replay_move_interval_secs(),
             last_difficulty: None,
+            last_mode: GameMode::Classic,
             leaderboard_display_name: None,
             leaderboard_opted_in: false,
             take_from_foundation: true,

solitaire_data/src/theme_store_client.rs

@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ use thiserror::Error;
 /// so downloading it is pure waste.
 pub const MAX_THEME_DOWNLOAD_BYTES: u64 = 20 * 1024 * 1024;
 
+/// Hard cap on a preview PNG download — previews are small decorative
+/// thumbnails; anything past this is a misconfigured server.
+pub const MAX_PREVIEW_BYTES: u64 = 512 * 1024;
+
 /// Errors surfaced by [`ThemeStoreClient`].
 #[derive(Debug, Error)]
 pub enum ThemeStoreError {
@@ -110,6 +114,42 @@ impl ThemeStoreClient {
         verify_archive(&bytes, entry)?;
         Ok(bytes.to_vec())
     }
+
+    /// Fetch the preview PNG the catalog advertises for `entry`.
+    ///
+    /// Returns `Http(404)` when the entry carries no `preview_url` —
+    /// the same shape the server answers with when the file is absent,
+    /// so callers only handle one "no preview" case. Previews are
+    /// decorative; unlike archives they carry no checksum, only the
+    /// [`MAX_PREVIEW_BYTES`] size cap.
+    pub async fn fetch_preview(
+        &self,
+        entry: &ThemeCatalogEntry,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<u8>, ThemeStoreError> {
+        let Some(path) = entry.preview_url.as_deref() else {
+            return Err(ThemeStoreError::Http(404));
+        };
+        let resp = self
+            .client
+            .get(format!("{}{}", self.base_url, path))
+            .send()
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| ThemeStoreError::Network(e.to_string()))?;
+        if !resp.status().is_success() {
+            return Err(ThemeStoreError::Http(resp.status().as_u16()));
+        }
+        let bytes = resp
+            .bytes()
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| ThemeStoreError::Network(e.to_string()))?;
+        if bytes.len() as u64 > MAX_PREVIEW_BYTES {
+            return Err(ThemeStoreError::Oversized {
+                expected: MAX_PREVIEW_BYTES,
+                got: bytes.len() as u64,
+            });
+        }
+        Ok(bytes.to_vec())
+    }
 }
 
 /// Checks downloaded `bytes` against the catalog `entry`'s declared

solitaire_engine/src/animation_plugin.rs

@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@ use crate::events::{
 use crate::game_plugin::GameMutation;
 use crate::layout::LayoutResource;
 use crate::pause_plugin::PausedResource;
+use crate::platform::USE_TOUCH_UI_LAYOUT;
 use crate::progress_plugin::LevelUpEvent;
+use crate::safe_area::SafeAreaAnchoredBottom;
 use crate::settings_plugin::{SettingsChangedEvent, SettingsResource};
 use crate::time_attack_plugin::TimeAttackEndedEvent;
 use crate::ui_theme::{
@@ -160,6 +162,68 @@ pub struct ActiveToast {
 /// Duration of each queued info-toast in seconds.
 const QUEUED_TOAST_SECS: f32 = 2.5;
 
+/// Marker on the persistent bottom-anchored flex column every toast
+/// spawns into (Phase H). Stacking through one container gives queued
+/// and immediate toasts a single shared anchor — simultaneous toasts
+/// stack upward instead of relying on the old staggered-percentage
+/// anchors to dodge each other.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct ToastStackRoot;
+
+/// Marker on every toast card node (both paths). Freshly spawned toasts
+/// start `Visibility::Hidden` and unparented; [`adopt_toasts_into_stack`]
+/// re-parents them under [`ToastStackRoot`] and reveals them — one frame
+/// of latency, imperceptible at toast timescales, in exchange for the 14
+/// toast handlers keeping their `Commands`-only signatures.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct ToastNode;
+
+/// Logical-pixel gap between the screen bottom and the toast stack,
+/// before safe-area insets. Clears the Phase F bottom action bar on
+/// touch (compact 44px buttons + primary 64px trio + bar padding);
+/// desktop's shorter bar needs less.
+const TOAST_STACK_BASE_BOTTOM_PX: f32 = if USE_TOUCH_UI_LAYOUT { 112.0 } else { 72.0 };
+
+/// Spawns the persistent [`ToastStackRoot`] container at startup.
+fn spawn_toast_stack_root(mut commands: Commands) {
+    commands.spawn((
+        ToastStackRoot,
+        Node {
+            position_type: PositionType::Absolute,
+            bottom: Val::Px(TOAST_STACK_BASE_BOTTOM_PX),
+            left: Val::Px(0.0),
+            width: Val::Percent(100.0),
+            // Newest toast sits nearest the bottom edge; older ones
+            // push upward.
+            flex_direction: FlexDirection::ColumnReverse,
+            align_items: AlignItems::Center,
+            row_gap: VAL_SPACE_2,
+            ..default()
+        },
+        SafeAreaAnchoredBottom {
+            base_bottom: TOAST_STACK_BASE_BOTTOM_PX,
+        },
+        ZIndex(Z_TOAST),
+    ));
+}
+
+/// Re-parents freshly spawned [`ToastNode`]s under the stack root and
+/// reveals them. No-op when every toast is already adopted.
+fn adopt_toasts_into_stack(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    orphans: Query<Entity, (With<ToastNode>, Without<ChildOf>)>,
+    root: Query<Entity, With<ToastStackRoot>>,
+) {
+    let Ok(root) = root.single() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    for toast in &orphans {
+        commands
+            .entity(toast)
+            .insert((ChildOf(root), Visibility::Inherited));
+    }
+}
+
 /// Drives all linear card animations (`CardAnim`), toast notifications, deal stagger, win cascade, and the auto-complete card-slide sequence.
 pub struct AnimationPlugin;
 
@@ -185,7 +249,7 @@ impl Plugin for AnimationPlugin {
             .init_resource::<EffectiveSlideDuration>()
             .init_resource::<ToastQueue>()
             .init_resource::<ActiveToast>()
-            .add_systems(Startup, init_slide_duration)
+            .add_systems(Startup, (init_slide_duration, spawn_toast_stack_root))
             .add_systems(
                 Update,
                 (
@@ -206,6 +270,7 @@ impl Plugin for AnimationPlugin {
                     handle_warning_toast,
                     tick_toasts,
                     (enqueue_toasts, drive_toast_display).chain(),
+                    adopt_toasts_into_stack,
                 )
                     .after(GameMutation),
             );
@@ -637,26 +702,14 @@ impl ToastVariant {
     }
 }
 
-/// Spawns a bottom-anchored `ToastEntity` for the queued toast system.
+/// Spawns a `ToastEntity` for the queued toast system.
 ///
 /// Queued toasts always carry [`ToastVariant::Info`] — the queue is fed
 /// by [`InfoToastEvent`] which is by definition neutral system info.
 /// Variants other than `Info` belong on the immediate-fire path
 /// ([`spawn_toast`]) where the call site knows the semantic intent.
 fn spawn_queued_toast(commands: &mut Commands, message: String) -> Entity {
-    spawn_toast_node(
-        commands,
-        ToastEntity,
-        message,
-        ToastVariant::Info,
-        // Slightly taller anchor than the immediate-fire path so a
-        // queued info banner doesn't collide with a celebration toast
-        // fired in the same frame.
-        Val::Percent(6.0),
-        Val::Percent(15.0),
-        Val::Percent(70.0),
-        UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_4, VAL_SPACE_2),
-    )
+    spawn_toast_node(commands, ToastEntity, message, ToastVariant::Info)
 }
 
 fn handle_xp_awarded_toast(mut commands: Commands, mut events: MessageReader<XpAwardedEvent>) {
@@ -744,12 +797,6 @@ fn spawn_toast(
         (ToastOverlay, ToastTimer(duration_secs)),
         message,
         variant,
-        // Sits above the queued banner so a celebration toast spawned
-        // alongside a queued info message remains readable.
-        Val::Percent(14.0),
-        Val::Percent(25.0),
-        Val::Percent(50.0),
-        UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_4, VAL_SPACE_3),
     );
 }
 
@@ -766,31 +813,25 @@ fn spawn_toast(
 ///   rungs; 18 is the closest rung that preserves the scale invariants
 ///   tested in `ui_theme::tests`.
 /// - [`RADIUS_MD`] corners.
-/// - Bottom-anchored absolute position; `bottom_pct` differs between
-///   queued and immediate paths so they layer instead of overlap.
-// The 8-argument signature is intentional — these are the per-toast
-// layout values that genuinely differ between the queued and fire-and-
-// forget call sites. A struct wrapper would just rename the same data.
-#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+///
+/// Layout is owned by [`ToastStackRoot`] (Phase H): the node spawns
+/// hidden and unpositioned, and [`adopt_toasts_into_stack`] slots it
+/// into the shared bottom-anchored column — one anchor for every toast,
+/// simultaneous toasts stack instead of overlapping.
 fn spawn_toast_node<B: Bundle>(
     commands: &mut Commands,
     bundle: B,
     message: String,
     variant: ToastVariant,
-    bottom_pct: Val,
-    left_pct: Val,
-    width_pct: Val,
-    padding: UiRect,
 ) -> Entity {
     commands
         .spawn((
             bundle,
+            ToastNode,
+            Visibility::Hidden,
             Node {
-                position_type: PositionType::Absolute,
-                left: left_pct,
-                bottom: bottom_pct,
-                width: width_pct,
-                padding,
+                max_width: Val::Percent(70.0),
+                padding: UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_4, VAL_SPACE_3),
                 justify_content: JustifyContent::Center,
                 align_items: AlignItems::Center,
                 border: UiRect::all(Val::Px(1.0)),
@@ -799,7 +840,6 @@ fn spawn_toast_node<B: Bundle>(
             },
             BackgroundColor(BG_ELEVATED),
             BorderColor::all(variant.border_color()),
-            ZIndex(Z_TOAST),
         ))
         .with_children(|b| {
             b.spawn((
@@ -1315,4 +1355,85 @@ mod tests {
     fn cascade_duration_instant_is_zero() {
         assert_eq!(cascade_duration_secs(AnimSpeed::Instant), 0.0);
     }
+
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Phase H: unified toast stack
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    /// Both toast paths must end up as visible children of the single
+    /// [`ToastStackRoot`] — the Phase H "one anchor" contract.
+    #[test]
+    fn queued_and_immediate_toasts_stack_under_one_root() {
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins).add_plugins(AnimationPlugin);
+        app.update(); // Startup: spawns the stack root.
+
+        // One immediate (error) toast + one queued (info) toast in the
+        // same frame — the exact collision case the old staggered
+        // anchors existed to dodge.
+        use solitaire_core::{KlondikePile, Tableau};
+        app.world_mut().write_message(MoveRejectedEvent {
+            from: KlondikePile::Tableau(Tableau::Tableau1),
+            to: KlondikePile::Tableau(Tableau::Tableau2),
+            count: 1,
+        });
+        app.world_mut()
+            .write_message(InfoToastEvent("stacked info".to_string()));
+        app.update(); // handlers spawn both toasts (hidden, unparented)
+        app.update(); // adopt_toasts_into_stack re-parents + reveals
+
+        let root = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<Entity, With<ToastStackRoot>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("exactly one ToastStackRoot must exist");
+
+        let toasts: Vec<(Entity, &ChildOf, &Visibility)> = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<(Entity, &ChildOf, &Visibility), With<ToastNode>>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .collect();
+        assert_eq!(
+            toasts.len(),
+            2,
+            "both the immediate and the queued toast must be adopted"
+        );
+        for (entity, child_of, visibility) in toasts {
+            assert_eq!(
+                child_of.parent(),
+                root,
+                "toast {entity} must be a child of the shared stack root"
+            );
+            assert_eq!(
+                *visibility,
+                Visibility::Inherited,
+                "adopted toast {entity} must be revealed"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Toast nodes must not carry their own absolute positioning — the
+    /// stack root owns layout (regression guard against reintroducing
+    /// per-path anchors).
+    #[test]
+    fn toast_nodes_have_no_absolute_position() {
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins).add_plugins(AnimationPlugin);
+        app.update();
+
+        app.world_mut()
+            .write_message(WarningToastEvent("layout check".to_string()));
+        app.update();
+
+        let node = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<&Node, With<ToastNode>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("warning toast must spawn a ToastNode");
+        assert_eq!(
+            node.position_type,
+            PositionType::Relative,
+            "toast nodes are flex children of the stack, not absolute overlays"
+        );
+    }
 }

solitaire_engine/src/feedback_anim_plugin.rs

@@ -49,10 +49,11 @@ use solitaire_core::klondike_adapter::foundation_from_slot;
 use solitaire_data::AnimSpeed;
 
 use crate::animation_plugin::CardAnim;
-use crate::card_plugin::CardEntity;
+use crate::card_animation::{MotionCurve, sample_curve};
+use crate::card_plugin::{CardEntity, CardEntityIndex};
 use crate::events::{
-    DrawRequestEvent, FoundationCompletedEvent, MoveRejectedEvent, MoveRequestEvent,
-    NewGameRequestEvent,
+    DrawRequestEvent, FoundationCompletedEvent, HintVisualEvent, MoveRejectedEvent,
+    MoveRequestEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, StateChangedEvent,
 };
 use crate::game_plugin::GameMutation;
 use crate::layout::LayoutResource;
@@ -207,6 +208,8 @@ impl Plugin for FeedbackAnimPlugin {
             .add_message::<MoveRejectedEvent>()
             .add_message::<NewGameRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<FoundationCompletedEvent>()
+            .add_message::<HintVisualEvent>()
+            .add_message::<StateChangedEvent>()
             .add_message::<RequestRedraw>()
             .add_systems(
                 Update,
@@ -224,6 +227,20 @@ impl Plugin for FeedbackAnimPlugin {
                     start_deal_anim.after(GameMutation),
                     start_foundation_flourish.after(GameMutation),
                 ),
+            )
+            // Hint ghost (Phase H): the spawn reads card Transform/Sprite,
+            // so it orders after the board painters; the tick only touches
+            // ghost entities (Without<CardEntity>) and stays conflict-free.
+            .add_systems(
+                Update,
+                (
+                    spawn_hint_ghost
+                        .after(GameMutation)
+                        .after(crate::card_plugin::BoardVisuals),
+                    tick_hint_ghosts,
+                    despawn_hint_ghosts_on_state_change.after(GameMutation),
+                )
+                    .chain(),
             );
     }
 }
@@ -664,6 +681,147 @@ fn pile_cards(
     }
 }
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Phase H — hint ghost-motion preview
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// Duration of one ghost glide from the hinted card to its destination.
+const HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS: f32 = 0.7;
+/// How many glides one hint plays before the ghost despawns. Two reads
+/// as "this move, over there" without outstaying the 2 s static
+/// highlight it accompanies.
+const HINT_GHOST_PASSES: f32 = 2.0;
+/// Ghost translucency — clearly a projection, never mistakable for the
+/// real card.
+const HINT_GHOST_ALPHA: f32 = 0.45;
+/// Ghost render depth: above every settled pile (~1.04 max) and the
+/// in-flight `CardAnim` lift (50), below a dragged card (500).
+const HINT_GHOST_Z: f32 = 400.0;
+
+/// A translucent copy of the hinted card gliding to the suggested
+/// destination (Phase H). Purely decorative — despawned by timer, by a
+/// newer hint, or by any state change.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct HintGhost {
+    start: Vec3,
+    target: Vec3,
+    elapsed: f32,
+}
+
+/// Normalised progress of the current glide pass, restarting from the
+/// source each pass. Pure for unit testing.
+fn hint_ghost_pass_t(elapsed: f32) -> f32 {
+    (elapsed % HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS) / HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS
+}
+
+/// Ghost alpha at `pass_t` — full strength for most of the glide, then
+/// fading over the last 20 % so the loop restart reads as a repeat
+/// rather than a teleport. Pure for unit testing.
+fn hint_ghost_alpha(pass_t: f32) -> f32 {
+    let fade_in_tail = ((pass_t - 0.8) / 0.2).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+    HINT_GHOST_ALPHA * (1.0 - fade_in_tail)
+}
+
+/// Spawns the ghost when a hint fires. The static highlights (source
+/// card + gold destination pile) still spawn regardless; under
+/// reduce-motion they are the whole story and no ghost appears
+/// (`design-system.md` §Accessibility).
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn spawn_hint_ghost(
+    mut events: MessageReader<HintVisualEvent>,
+    settings: Option<Res<SettingsResource>>,
+    index: Option<Res<CardEntityIndex>>,
+    layout: Option<Res<LayoutResource>>,
+    cards: Query<(&Transform, &Sprite), With<CardEntity>>,
+    existing: Query<Entity, With<HintGhost>>,
+    mut commands: Commands,
+) {
+    if events.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    if settings.is_some_and(|s| s.0.reduce_motion_mode) {
+        events.clear();
+        return;
+    }
+    let (Some(index), Some(layout)) = (index, layout) else {
+        events.clear();
+        return;
+    };
+    for ev in events.read() {
+        // A fresh hint replaces any ghost still in flight.
+        for entity in &existing {
+            commands.entity(entity).despawn();
+        }
+        let Some(card_entity) = index.get(&ev.source_card) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let Ok((transform, sprite)) = cards.get(card_entity) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let Some(&dest) = layout.0.pile_positions.get(&ev.dest_pile) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let start = transform.translation.truncate().extend(HINT_GHOST_Z);
+        let mut ghost_sprite = sprite.clone();
+        ghost_sprite.color = ghost_sprite.color.with_alpha(HINT_GHOST_ALPHA);
+        commands.spawn((
+            HintGhost {
+                start,
+                target: dest.extend(HINT_GHOST_Z),
+                elapsed: 0.0,
+            },
+            ghost_sprite,
+            Transform::from_translation(start),
+        ));
+    }
+}
+
+/// Advances every ghost: eased glide per pass, tail fade, despawn after
+/// [`HINT_GHOST_PASSES`]. Frozen while paused, like every other
+/// decorative animation.
+#[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
+fn tick_hint_ghosts(
+    time: Res<Time>,
+    paused: Option<Res<PausedResource>>,
+    mut ghosts: Query<
+        (Entity, &mut HintGhost, &mut Transform, &mut Sprite),
+        (Without<CardEntity>, Without<PileMarker>),
+    >,
+    mut commands: Commands,
+) {
+    if paused.is_some_and(|p| p.0) {
+        return;
+    }
+    let dt = time.delta_secs();
+    for (entity, mut ghost, mut transform, mut sprite) in ghosts.iter_mut() {
+        ghost.elapsed += dt;
+        if ghost.elapsed >= HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS * HINT_GHOST_PASSES {
+            commands.entity(entity).despawn();
+            continue;
+        }
+        let pass_t = hint_ghost_pass_t(ghost.elapsed);
+        let eased = sample_curve(MotionCurve::SmoothSnap, pass_t);
+        transform.translation = ghost.start.lerp(ghost.target, eased);
+        sprite.color = sprite.color.with_alpha(hint_ghost_alpha(pass_t));
+    }
+}
+
+/// A ghost previews a move against the *current* board; the moment the
+/// board changes (move, undo, draw, new game) it is stale and vanishes.
+fn despawn_hint_ghosts_on_state_change(
+    mut events: MessageReader<StateChangedEvent>,
+    ghosts: Query<Entity, With<HintGhost>>,
+    mut commands: Commands,
+) {
+    if events.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    events.clear();
+    for entity in &ghosts {
+        commands.entity(entity).despawn();
+    }
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Unit tests (pure functions only — no Bevy world required)
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -955,4 +1113,147 @@ mod tests {
             "FoundationFlourish must not be inserted under reduce-motion"
         );
     }
+
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Phase H — hint ghost-motion preview
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hint_ghost_pass_t_restarts_each_pass() {
+        assert_eq!(hint_ghost_pass_t(0.0), 0.0);
+        // Just past one full pass, progress wraps back near zero.
+        assert!(hint_ghost_pass_t(HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS + 0.01) < 0.1);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hint_ghost_alpha_fades_only_in_the_tail() {
+        assert_eq!(hint_ghost_alpha(0.0), HINT_GHOST_ALPHA);
+        assert_eq!(hint_ghost_alpha(0.79), HINT_GHOST_ALPHA);
+        assert!(hint_ghost_alpha(0.9) < HINT_GHOST_ALPHA);
+        assert!(hint_ghost_alpha(1.0).abs() < 1e-6);
+    }
+
+    /// App with one indexed card entity and a real layout, ready to
+    /// receive `HintVisualEvent`s.
+    fn ghost_app(reduce_motion: bool) -> (App, Card) {
+        use solitaire_core::{Deck, Rank, Suit};
+
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins)
+            .add_plugins(FeedbackAnimPlugin);
+        // Sibling systems in the plugin take GameStateResource
+        // non-optionally; give them a fresh deal.
+        app.insert_resource(GameStateResource(
+            solitaire_core::game_state::GameState::new(1, solitaire_core::DrawStockConfig::DrawOne),
+        ));
+        app.insert_resource(SettingsResource(solitaire_data::Settings {
+            reduce_motion_mode: reduce_motion,
+            ..Default::default()
+        }));
+
+        let card = Card::new(Deck::Deck1, Suit::Spades, Rank::Ace);
+        let entity = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .spawn((
+                CardEntity { card: card.clone() },
+                Sprite::default(),
+                Transform::from_xyz(-100.0, 40.0, 1.0),
+            ))
+            .id();
+        let mut index = CardEntityIndex::default();
+        index.0.insert(card.clone(), entity);
+        app.insert_resource(index);
+        app.insert_resource(LayoutResource(crate::layout::compute_layout(
+            Vec2::new(1280.0, 720.0),
+            0.0,
+            0.0,
+            true,
+        )));
+        app.update();
+        (app, card)
+    }
+
+    fn fire_hint(app: &mut App, card: Card) {
+        use solitaire_core::Tableau;
+        app.world_mut().write_message(HintVisualEvent {
+            source_card: card,
+            dest_pile: KlondikePile::Tableau(Tableau::Tableau2),
+        });
+        app.update();
+    }
+
+    fn ghost_count(app: &mut App) -> usize {
+        app.world_mut()
+            .query::<&HintGhost>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .count()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hint_event_spawns_one_ghost_at_the_source_card() {
+        let (mut app, card) = ghost_app(false);
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card);
+
+        assert_eq!(ghost_count(&mut app), 1, "hint must spawn one ghost");
+        let transform = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<&Transform, With<HintGhost>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("ghost transform");
+        // The tick system may have advanced the ghost by one real-time
+        // frame already; assert it is still essentially at the source.
+        assert!(
+            transform
+                .translation
+                .truncate()
+                .distance(Vec2::new(-100.0, 40.0))
+                < 5.0,
+            "ghost must start at the hinted card, got {:?}",
+            transform.translation
+        );
+        assert_eq!(transform.translation.z, HINT_GHOST_Z);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hint_ghost_suppressed_under_reduce_motion() {
+        let (mut app, card) = ghost_app(true);
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            ghost_count(&mut app),
+            0,
+            "no ghost may spawn under reduce-motion; the static highlight is the whole story"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn state_change_despawns_the_ghost() {
+        let (mut app, card) = ghost_app(false);
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card);
+        assert_eq!(ghost_count(&mut app), 1);
+
+        app.world_mut().write_message(StateChangedEvent);
+        app.update();
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            ghost_count(&mut app),
+            0,
+            "a board change makes the previewed move stale — the ghost must vanish"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn second_hint_replaces_the_first_ghost() {
+        let (mut app, card) = ghost_app(false);
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card.clone());
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card);
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            ghost_count(&mut app),
+            1,
+            "re-hinting must replace the in-flight ghost, not stack a second"
+        );
+    }
 }

solitaire_engine/src/game_plugin/mod.rs

@@ -86,6 +86,14 @@ pub struct NewGameRequestWriters;
 #[derive(SystemSet, Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 pub struct UndoRequestWriters;
 
+/// Self-ambiguous set for writers of `DrawRequestEvent` — same rationale as
+/// [`NewGameRequestWriters`]: consumers drain the queue, append order is
+/// meaningless (#143). Members: keyboard `D`/`Space`, stock click, touch
+/// stock tap (input_plugin), and the touch action bar's Draw button
+/// (hud_plugin, Phase F).
+#[derive(SystemSet, Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
+pub struct DrawRequestWriters;
+
 /// Self-ambiguous set for writers of `InfoToastEvent` — toasts queue in
 /// arrival order and any same-frame order is fine (#143).
 #[derive(SystemSet, Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]

solitaire_engine/src/hud_plugin/interaction.rs

@@ -30,6 +30,86 @@ pub(super) fn handle_undo_button(
     }
 }
 
+/// Seconds the Undo button must be continuously held before hold-to-repeat
+/// kicks in. Long enough that a normal tap (press + release inside one or
+/// two frames) never triggers a second undo.
+const UNDO_HOLD_INITIAL_DELAY_SECS: f32 = 0.45;
+
+/// Interval between repeated undos while the hold continues. ~5.5 undos/s —
+/// fast enough to unwind a long line, slow enough to release in time when
+/// the board reaches the state the player wants.
+const UNDO_HOLD_REPEAT_INTERVAL_SECS: f32 = 0.18;
+
+/// Hold-to-repeat undo (Phase F): while the Undo button stays pressed,
+/// fire additional [`UndoRequestEvent`]s after an initial delay, one per
+/// repeat interval. The plain tap path stays in [`handle_undo_button`]
+/// (its `Changed<Interaction>` filter fires exactly once per press);
+/// this system only adds events once the hold outlives the delay, so a
+/// tap never double-undoes.
+///
+/// Each repeat goes through the normal request queue — the scoring
+/// penalty and No-Undo-mode gating in the consumer apply to every step.
+pub(super) fn repeat_undo_on_hold(
+    time: Res<Time>,
+    buttons: Query<&Interaction, With<UndoButton>>,
+    mut state: ResMut<UndoHoldState>,
+    mut undo: MessageWriter<UndoRequestEvent>,
+) {
+    let held = buttons.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed);
+    if !held {
+        if state.held_secs != 0.0 {
+            state.held_secs = 0.0;
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let before = state.held_secs;
+    state.held_secs += time.delta_secs();
+    if undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(before, state.held_secs) {
+        undo.write(UndoRequestEvent);
+    }
+}
+
+/// `true` when a hold that lasted `before` seconds at the previous frame
+/// and `now` seconds this frame should fire a repeat undo: once when the
+/// hold first outlives the initial delay, then once per repeat-interval
+/// boundary. Pure so the timing contract is unit-testable without
+/// fighting `Time`.
+pub(super) fn undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(before: f32, now: f32) -> bool {
+    if now < UNDO_HOLD_INITIAL_DELAY_SECS {
+        return false;
+    }
+    if before < UNDO_HOLD_INITIAL_DELAY_SECS {
+        // Crossed the initial-delay threshold this frame — first repeat.
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Fire once each time the hold crosses another repeat-interval boundary.
+    let intervals_before =
+        ((before - UNDO_HOLD_INITIAL_DELAY_SECS) / UNDO_HOLD_REPEAT_INTERVAL_SECS).floor();
+    let intervals_now =
+        ((now - UNDO_HOLD_INITIAL_DELAY_SECS) / UNDO_HOLD_REPEAT_INTERVAL_SECS).floor();
+    intervals_now > intervals_before
+}
+
+/// Click on the touch action bar's Draw button — same
+/// [`DrawRequestEvent`] the stock-pile tap writes, so the consumer's
+/// rules (recycle, won-game rejection) apply identically. Skipped while
+/// paused, mirroring `handle_stock_click`'s guard.
+pub(super) fn handle_draw_button(
+    interaction_query: Query<&Interaction, (With<DrawButton>, Changed<Interaction>)>,
+    paused: Option<Res<PausedResource>>,
+    mut draw: MessageWriter<DrawRequestEvent>,
+) {
+    if paused.is_some_and(|p| p.0) {
+        return;
+    }
+    for interaction in &interaction_query {
+        if *interaction == Interaction::Pressed {
+            draw.write(DrawRequestEvent);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 pub(super) fn handle_pause_button(
     interaction_query: Query<&Interaction, (With<PauseButton>, Changed<Interaction>)>,
     mut pause: MessageWriter<PauseRequestEvent>,

solitaire_engine/src/hud_plugin/mod.rs

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ struct AvatarResource(Option<bevy::prelude::Handle<bevy::prelude::Image>>);
 use crate::challenge_plugin::CHALLENGE_UNLOCK_LEVEL;
 use crate::daily_challenge_plugin::DailyChallengeResource;
 use crate::events::{
-    HelpRequestEvent, InfoToastEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, PauseRequestEvent,
+    DrawRequestEvent, HelpRequestEvent, InfoToastEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, PauseRequestEvent,
     StartChallengeRequestEvent, StartDailyChallengeRequestEvent, StartTimeAttackRequestEvent,
     StartZenRequestEvent, ToggleAchievementsRequestEvent, ToggleHomeRequestEvent,
     ToggleLeaderboardRequestEvent, ToggleProfileRequestEvent, ToggleSettingsRequestEvent,
@@ -313,6 +313,18 @@ pub struct UndoButton;
 #[derive(Component, Debug)]
 pub struct PauseButton;
 
+/// Accumulated hold time on the Undo button, driving hold-to-repeat undo
+/// (Phase F). `handle_undo_button` owns the instant first undo on press;
+/// `repeat_undo_on_hold` starts firing additional [`UndoRequestEvent`]s
+/// once the hold passes `UNDO_HOLD_INITIAL_DELAY_SECS` and then every
+/// `UNDO_HOLD_REPEAT_INTERVAL_SECS`. Each repeated undo goes through the
+/// normal request path, so the existing scoring penalty applies per step.
+#[derive(Resource, Debug, Default)]
+pub struct UndoHoldState {
+    /// Seconds the Undo button has been continuously held.
+    held_secs: f32,
+}
+
 /// Marker on the "Help" action button. Click fires [`HelpRequestEvent`],
 /// mirroring the `F1` keyboard accelerator.
 #[derive(Component, Debug)]
@@ -323,31 +335,27 @@ pub struct HelpButton;
 #[derive(Component, Debug)]
 pub struct HintButton;
 
+/// Marker on the touch action bar's "Draw" button (Phase F). Click fires
+/// [`DrawRequestEvent`] — same queue as tapping the stock pile — so the
+/// draw action is within thumb reach without stretching to the top of a
+/// tall folded screen. Touch layout only; desktop draws via stock
+/// click / `D` / `Space`.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct DrawButton;
+
 /// Android HUD label for the Hint button — shared with the help screen's
 /// controls reference so both always agree.
 #[cfg(target_os = "android")]
 pub(crate) const ANDROID_HINT_LABEL: &str = "Hint";
 
+/// Hint label used by the touch action bar. Aliases [`ANDROID_HINT_LABEL`]
+/// on Android so the bar and the help screen's controls reference can
+/// never drift; the non-Android value only exists so the touch spawn
+/// path stays host-compilable for tests.
 #[cfg(target_os = "android")]
-const ACTION_BAR_LABELS: [&str; 7] = [
-    "Menu",
-    "Undo",
-    "Pause",
-    "Help",
-    ANDROID_HINT_LABEL,
-    "Mode",
-    "New",
-];
+const TOUCH_HINT_LABEL: &str = ANDROID_HINT_LABEL;
 #[cfg(not(target_os = "android"))]
-const ACTION_BAR_LABELS: [&str; 7] = [
-    "Menu \u{2193}",
-    "Undo",
-    "Pause",
-    "Help",
-    "Hint",
-    "Modes \u{2193}",
-    "New Game",
-];
+const TOUCH_HINT_LABEL: &str = "Hint";
 #[cfg(target_os = "android")]
 const ACTION_BAR_COLUMN_GAP: Val = Val::Px(4.0);
 #[cfg(not(target_os = "android"))]
@@ -455,6 +463,7 @@ impl Plugin for HudPlugin {
         // idempotent.
         app.add_message::<NewGameRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<UndoRequestEvent>()
+            .add_message::<DrawRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<PauseRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<HelpRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<StartZenRequestEvent>()
@@ -471,6 +480,7 @@ impl Plugin for HudPlugin {
             .init_resource::<PreviousScore>()
             .init_resource::<HudActionFade>()
             .init_resource::<HudVisibility>()
+            .init_resource::<UndoHoldState>()
             // Escape-close handlers for popovers read this; init defensively
             // so HudPlugin works under MinimalPlugins in tests.
             .init_resource::<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>()
@@ -560,6 +570,14 @@ impl Plugin for HudPlugin {
                         .in_set(crate::game_plugin::UndoRequestWriters)
                         .ambiguous_with(crate::game_plugin::UndoRequestWriters)
                         .before(GameMutation),
+                    repeat_undo_on_hold
+                        .in_set(crate::game_plugin::UndoRequestWriters)
+                        .ambiguous_with(crate::game_plugin::UndoRequestWriters)
+                        .before(GameMutation),
+                    handle_draw_button
+                        .in_set(crate::game_plugin::DrawRequestWriters)
+                        .ambiguous_with(crate::game_plugin::DrawRequestWriters)
+                        .before(GameMutation),
                     handle_pause_button,
                     handle_help_button,
                     handle_hint_button

solitaire_engine/src/hud_plugin/spawn.rs

@@ -400,83 +400,152 @@ pub(super) fn spawn_action_buttons(
             HudActionBar,
         ))
         .with_children(|row| {
-            // The trailing `order` argument feeds `Focusable { group: Hud, order }`
-            // so Tab cycles the action bar in visual reading order.
-            // Undo and Pause are the primary gameplay actions — full brightness.
-            // Menu, Help, Hint, Modes, New are navigation/utility — dimmed.
-            spawn_action_button(
-                row,
-                MenuButton,
-                ACTION_BAR_LABELS[0],
-                None,
-                "Open Stats, Achievements, Profile, Settings, or Leaderboard.",
-                &font,
-                0,
-                TEXT_SECONDARY,
-            );
-            spawn_action_button(
-                row,
-                UndoButton,
-                ACTION_BAR_LABELS[1],
-                Some("U"),
-                "Take back your last move. Costs points and blocks No Undo.",
-                &font,
-                1,
-                TEXT_PRIMARY,
-            );
-            spawn_action_button(
-                row,
-                PauseButton,
-                ACTION_BAR_LABELS[2],
-                Some("Esc"),
-                "Pause the game and freeze the timer.",
-                &font,
-                2,
-                TEXT_PRIMARY,
-            );
-            spawn_action_button(
-                row,
-                HelpButton,
-                ACTION_BAR_LABELS[3],
-                Some("F1"),
-                "Show controls, rules, and keyboard shortcuts.",
-                &font,
-                3,
-                TEXT_SECONDARY,
-            );
-            spawn_action_button(
-                row,
-                HintButton,
-                ACTION_BAR_LABELS[4],
-                Some("H"),
-                "Highlight a suggested move. Cycles through alternatives on repeat taps.",
-                &font,
-                4,
-                TEXT_SECONDARY,
-            );
-            spawn_action_button(
-                row,
-                ModesButton,
-                ACTION_BAR_LABELS[5],
-                None,
-                "Switch modes: Classic, Daily, Zen, Challenge, Time Attack.",
-                &font,
-                5,
-                TEXT_SECONDARY,
-            );
-            spawn_action_button(
-                row,
-                NewGameButton,
-                ACTION_BAR_LABELS[6],
-                Some("N"),
-                "Start a fresh deal. Confirms first if a game is in progress.",
-                &font,
-                6,
-                TEXT_SECONDARY,
-            );
+            if USE_TOUCH_UI_LAYOUT {
+                spawn_touch_action_bar(row, &font);
+            } else {
+                spawn_desktop_action_bar(row, &font);
+            }
         });
 }
 
+/// Phase F touch action bar — five buttons, three of them big.
+///
+/// The core gameplay trio (**Undo · Draw · Hint**) gets enlarged
+/// thumb-reach targets; Menu and Pause stay compact at the edges. The
+/// utility actions the desktop bar carries are reachable elsewhere on
+/// touch and are deliberately absent here: Help lives in Menu → System,
+/// mode switching lives on the Home screen (Phase B), and New Game is
+/// Home's hero button. Draw duplicates the stock-pile tap so the most
+/// frequent action of all no longer requires reaching the top half of a
+/// tall folded screen.
+pub(super) fn spawn_touch_action_bar(row: &mut ChildSpawnerCommands, font: &TextFont) {
+    // The trailing `order` argument feeds `Focusable { group: Hud, order }`
+    // so Tab (external keyboard) cycles the bar in visual reading order.
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        MenuButton,
+        "Menu",
+        None,
+        "Open Home, Stats, Achievements, Profile, Settings, or Leaderboard.",
+        font,
+        0,
+        TEXT_SECONDARY,
+    );
+    spawn_primary_action_button(
+        row,
+        UndoButton,
+        "Undo",
+        "Take back your last move. Hold to keep undoing. Costs points and blocks No Undo.",
+        font,
+        1,
+    );
+    spawn_primary_action_button(
+        row,
+        DrawButton,
+        "Draw",
+        "Draw from the stock — same as tapping the deck.",
+        font,
+        2,
+    );
+    spawn_primary_action_button(
+        row,
+        HintButton,
+        TOUCH_HINT_LABEL,
+        "Highlight a suggested move. Cycles through alternatives on repeat taps.",
+        font,
+        3,
+    );
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        PauseButton,
+        "Pause",
+        None,
+        "Pause the game and freeze the timer.",
+        font,
+        4,
+        TEXT_SECONDARY,
+    );
+}
+
+/// Desktop action bar — unchanged by Phase F (decision 5: the touch bar
+/// is touch-only). All seven actions, uniform sizing.
+pub(super) fn spawn_desktop_action_bar(row: &mut ChildSpawnerCommands, font: &TextFont) {
+    // The trailing `order` argument feeds `Focusable { group: Hud, order }`
+    // so Tab cycles the action bar in visual reading order.
+    // Undo and Pause are the primary gameplay actions — full brightness.
+    // Menu, Help, Hint, Modes, New are navigation/utility — dimmed.
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        MenuButton,
+        "Menu \u{2193}",
+        None,
+        "Open Stats, Achievements, Profile, Settings, or Leaderboard.",
+        font,
+        0,
+        TEXT_SECONDARY,
+    );
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        UndoButton,
+        "Undo",
+        Some("U"),
+        "Take back your last move. Hold to keep undoing. Costs points and blocks No Undo.",
+        font,
+        1,
+        TEXT_PRIMARY,
+    );
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        PauseButton,
+        "Pause",
+        Some("Esc"),
+        "Pause the game and freeze the timer.",
+        font,
+        2,
+        TEXT_PRIMARY,
+    );
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        HelpButton,
+        "Help",
+        Some("F1"),
+        "Show controls, rules, and keyboard shortcuts.",
+        font,
+        3,
+        TEXT_SECONDARY,
+    );
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        HintButton,
+        "Hint",
+        Some("H"),
+        "Highlight a suggested move. Cycles through alternatives on repeat taps.",
+        font,
+        4,
+        TEXT_SECONDARY,
+    );
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        ModesButton,
+        "Modes \u{2193}",
+        None,
+        "Switch modes: Classic, Daily, Zen, Challenge, Time Attack.",
+        font,
+        5,
+        TEXT_SECONDARY,
+    );
+    spawn_action_button(
+        row,
+        NewGameButton,
+        "New Game",
+        Some("N"),
+        "Start a fresh deal. Confirms first if a game is in progress.",
+        font,
+        6,
+        TEXT_SECONDARY,
+    );
+}
+
 /// Spawns a single action button as a child of `row`. Each button shares
 /// the same node geometry, idle colour, and `ActionButton` marker so
 /// `paint_action_buttons` can recolour all of them with one query.
@@ -510,13 +579,69 @@ pub(super) fn spawn_action_button<M: Component>(
         None
     };
 
+    let (pad, min_w, min_h) = action_button_metrics();
+    spawn_action_button_sized(
+        row, marker, label, hotkey, tooltip, font, order, text_color, pad, min_w, min_h,
+    );
+}
+
+/// Enlarged variant for the touch bar's core gameplay trio (Phase F):
+/// bigger padding / minimum target and a scaled-up label so Undo, Draw,
+/// and Hint read (and hit) as the primary actions. Hotkey chips are
+/// irrelevant on touch, so the variant takes none.
+pub(super) fn spawn_primary_action_button<M: Component>(
+    row: &mut ChildSpawnerCommands,
+    marker: M,
+    label: &str,
+    tooltip: &'static str,
+    font: &TextFont,
+    order: i32,
+) {
+    let (pad, min_w, min_h) = primary_action_button_metrics();
+    let primary_font = TextFont {
+        font: font.font.clone(),
+        // 1.35× the bar's responsive size, capped so landscape tablets
+        // don't blow the row height out.
+        font_size: (font.font_size * 1.35).min(24.0),
+        ..default()
+    };
+    spawn_action_button_sized(
+        row,
+        marker,
+        label,
+        None,
+        tooltip,
+        &primary_font,
+        order,
+        TEXT_PRIMARY,
+        pad,
+        min_w,
+        min_h,
+    );
+}
+
+/// Shared body of [`spawn_action_button`] / [`spawn_primary_action_button`]
+/// — one place owns the component set so `paint_action_buttons`, tooltips,
+/// and the focus ring treat every bar button identically.
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn spawn_action_button_sized<M: Component>(
+    row: &mut ChildSpawnerCommands,
+    marker: M,
+    label: &str,
+    hotkey: Option<&'static str>,
+    tooltip: &'static str,
+    font: &TextFont,
+    order: i32,
+    text_color: Color,
+    pad: UiRect,
+    min_w: Val,
+    min_h: Val,
+) {
     let hotkey_font = TextFont {
         font: font.font.clone(),
         font_size: TYPE_CAPTION,
         ..default()
     };
-    let (pad, min_w, min_h) = action_button_metrics();
-
     row.spawn((
         marker,
         ActionButton,

solitaire_engine/src/hud_plugin/tests.rs

@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ fn hud_elements_carry_expected_tooltip_strings() {
     );
     assert_eq!(
         tooltip_for::<UndoButton>(&mut app),
-        "Take back your last move. Costs points and blocks No Undo."
+        "Take back your last move. Hold to keep undoing. Costs points and blocks No Undo."
     );
     assert_eq!(
         tooltip_for::<PauseButton>(&mut app),
@@ -899,3 +899,157 @@ fn hud_focus_only_engages_when_button_hovered() {
         "Hud-engaged Tab must focus a Hud-grouped entity"
     );
 }
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Phase F: touch action bar + hold-to-repeat undo
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// Bare app (no `HudPlugin`) so bar-content assertions count only the
+/// buttons the tested spawn function creates — `headless_app` would
+/// pre-spawn the platform-default bar and pollute the counts.
+fn bar_only_app(touch: bool) -> App {
+    let mut app = App::new();
+    app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins);
+    app.update();
+    let font = TextFont::default();
+    let world = app.world_mut();
+    let mut commands = world.commands();
+    commands.spawn(Node::default()).with_children(|row| {
+        if touch {
+            spawn_touch_action_bar(row, &font);
+        } else {
+            spawn_desktop_action_bar(row, &font);
+        }
+    });
+    app.update();
+    app
+}
+
+fn count_buttons<C: Component>(app: &mut App) -> usize {
+    app.world_mut()
+        .query_filtered::<(), With<C>>()
+        .iter(app.world())
+        .count()
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn touch_action_bar_has_thumb_trio_plus_menu_and_pause() {
+    let mut app = bar_only_app(true);
+
+    assert_eq!(count_buttons::<UndoButton>(&mut app), 1);
+    assert_eq!(count_buttons::<DrawButton>(&mut app), 1);
+    assert_eq!(count_buttons::<HintButton>(&mut app), 1);
+    assert_eq!(count_buttons::<MenuButton>(&mut app), 1);
+    assert_eq!(count_buttons::<PauseButton>(&mut app), 1);
+
+    // Utility actions live elsewhere on touch: Help in Menu → System,
+    // modes on the Home screen, New Game on Home's hero button.
+    assert_eq!(count_buttons::<HelpButton>(&mut app), 0);
+    assert_eq!(count_buttons::<ModesButton>(&mut app), 0);
+    assert_eq!(count_buttons::<NewGameButton>(&mut app), 0);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn desktop_action_bar_keeps_all_seven_and_no_draw() {
+    let mut app = bar_only_app(false);
+
+    for (count, name) in [
+        (count_buttons::<MenuButton>(&mut app), "Menu"),
+        (count_buttons::<UndoButton>(&mut app), "Undo"),
+        (count_buttons::<PauseButton>(&mut app), "Pause"),
+        (count_buttons::<HelpButton>(&mut app), "Help"),
+        (count_buttons::<HintButton>(&mut app), "Hint"),
+        (count_buttons::<ModesButton>(&mut app), "Modes"),
+        (count_buttons::<NewGameButton>(&mut app), "New Game"),
+    ] {
+        assert_eq!(count, 1, "desktop bar must keep its {name} button");
+    }
+    assert_eq!(
+        count_buttons::<DrawButton>(&mut app),
+        0,
+        "Draw is touch-only (decision 5); desktop draws via stock click / D / Space"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn draw_button_press_fires_draw_request() {
+    let mut app = headless_app();
+    app.world_mut()
+        .resource_mut::<Messages<DrawRequestEvent>>()
+        .clear();
+
+    app.world_mut().spawn((DrawButton, Interaction::Pressed));
+    app.update();
+
+    let events = app.world().resource::<Messages<DrawRequestEvent>>();
+    let mut cursor = events.get_cursor();
+    assert_eq!(
+        cursor.read(events).count(),
+        1,
+        "pressing the Draw button must fire exactly one DrawRequestEvent"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn draw_button_press_is_noop_while_paused() {
+    let mut app = headless_app();
+    app.insert_resource(PausedResource(true));
+    app.world_mut()
+        .resource_mut::<Messages<DrawRequestEvent>>()
+        .clear();
+
+    app.world_mut().spawn((DrawButton, Interaction::Pressed));
+    app.update();
+
+    let events = app.world().resource::<Messages<DrawRequestEvent>>();
+    let mut cursor = events.get_cursor();
+    assert_eq!(
+        cursor.read(events).count(),
+        0,
+        "the Draw button must be inert while paused (mirrors the stock-click guard)"
+    );
+}
+
+/// The timing contract for hold-to-repeat undo, exercised through the
+/// pure boundary function so no wall-clock is involved. Delay = 0.45 s,
+/// interval = 0.18 s → boundaries at 0.45, 0.63, 0.81, …
+#[test]
+fn undo_hold_boundary_math() {
+    // A tap never repeats.
+    assert!(!undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(0.0, 0.05));
+    assert!(!undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(0.2, 0.44));
+    // Crossing the initial delay fires the first repeat.
+    assert!(undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(0.44, 0.46));
+    // Inside the first repeat interval: quiet.
+    assert!(!undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(0.46, 0.62));
+    // Each interval boundary fires exactly once.
+    assert!(undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(0.62, 0.64));
+    assert!(!undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(0.64, 0.80));
+    assert!(undo_hold_crossed_fire_boundary(0.80, 0.82));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn undo_hold_state_accumulates_and_resets_on_release() {
+    let mut app = headless_app();
+    let button = app
+        .world_mut()
+        .spawn((UndoButton, Interaction::Pressed))
+        .id();
+    app.update();
+    app.update();
+    app.update();
+
+    assert!(
+        app.world().resource::<UndoHoldState>().held_secs > 0.0,
+        "held time must accumulate while the Undo button stays pressed"
+    );
+
+    app.world_mut().entity_mut(button).insert(Interaction::None);
+    app.update();
+
+    assert_eq!(
+        app.world().resource::<UndoHoldState>().held_secs,
+        0.0,
+        "releasing the Undo button must reset the hold state"
+    );
+}

solitaire_engine/src/hud_plugin/updates.rs

@@ -554,11 +554,11 @@ pub(super) fn action_bar_font_size(window_width: f32) -> f32 {
 
 pub(super) fn action_button_metrics() -> (UiRect, Val, Val) {
     if USE_TOUCH_UI_LAYOUT {
-        // Tight 3 px horizontal padding (down from 4) trims 14 px off the row
-        // total across 7 buttons, and a 44 px min_width (down from 52) lets the
-        // shortest labels ("New", "Help") shrink to their text rather than
-        // padding the row out past the 900 logical-px viewport. min_height
-        // stays at 44 px to preserve the comfortable touch target.
+        // Tight 3 px horizontal padding keeps the compact buttons narrow;
+        // Phase F trimmed the touch bar to 5 buttons (2 compact + 3
+        // primary), so width pressure is lower than the old 7-button row.
+        // min_height stays at 44 px to preserve the comfortable touch
+        // target on the compact buttons.
         (
             UiRect::axes(Val::Px(3.0), Val::Px(4.0)),
             Val::Px(44.0),
@@ -573,6 +573,20 @@ pub(super) fn action_button_metrics() -> (UiRect, Val, Val) {
     }
 }
 
+/// Metrics for the touch bar's enlarged Undo / Draw / Hint trio (Phase F).
+/// 96×64 px targets — comfortably past the 44 px accessibility floor and
+/// big enough to hit one-handed without looking. Only the touch layout
+/// spawns primary buttons, so no desktop branch is needed; the desktop
+/// values exist purely so host-side tests can exercise the touch spawn
+/// path with sensible numbers.
+pub(super) fn primary_action_button_metrics() -> (UiRect, Val, Val) {
+    (
+        UiRect::axes(Val::Px(10.0), Val::Px(8.0)),
+        Val::Px(96.0),
+        Val::Px(64.0),
+    )
+}
+
 pub(super) fn spawn_action_button_label(
     parent: &mut ChildSpawnerCommands,
     label: &str,

solitaire_engine/src/input_plugin/mod.rs

@@ -136,11 +136,22 @@ impl Plugin for InputPlugin {
             .add_systems(
                 Update,
                 (
-                    handle_keyboard_core,
+                    // The three `DrawRequestEvent` writers join the
+                    // self-ambiguous `DrawRequestWriters` set so the HUD's
+                    // touch Draw button (hud_plugin, Phase F) can write the
+                    // same queue without tripping the ambiguity gate. The
+                    // `.chain()` still orders them relative to each other.
+                    handle_keyboard_core
+                        .in_set(crate::game_plugin::DrawRequestWriters)
+                        .ambiguous_with(crate::game_plugin::DrawRequestWriters),
                     handle_keyboard_hint,
                     handle_keyboard_forfeit,
-                    handle_stock_click,
-                    handle_touch_stock_tap,
+                    handle_stock_click
+                        .in_set(crate::game_plugin::DrawRequestWriters)
+                        .ambiguous_with(crate::game_plugin::DrawRequestWriters),
+                    handle_touch_stock_tap
+                        .in_set(crate::game_plugin::DrawRequestWriters)
+                        .ambiguous_with(crate::game_plugin::DrawRequestWriters),
                     handle_double_click,
                     // Mouse drag pipeline.
                     start_drag,

solitaire_engine/src/onboarding_plugin.rs

@@ -382,20 +382,27 @@ fn spawn_slide_welcome(commands: &mut Commands, font_res: Option<&FontResource>)
     });
 }
 
+/// How-to-play body copy, phrased for the platform's input vocabulary —
+/// a touch player never left-clicks (Phase H polish; spotted in the
+/// emulator smoke of v0.44.0).
+#[cfg(target_os = "android")]
+const HOW_TO_PLAY_BODY: &str = "Drag any face-up card to move it between piles. \
+     You can drag a whole column at once by grabbing the topmost card \
+     you want to move. Double-tap a face-up card to send it to a \
+     foundation pile automatically (when the move is legal). \
+     Tap Hint in the bottom bar for a suggested move.";
+#[cfg(not(target_os = "android"))]
+const HOW_TO_PLAY_BODY: &str = "Left-click and drag any face-up card to move it between piles. \
+     You can drag a whole column at once by grabbing the topmost card \
+     you want to move. Double-click a face-up card to send it to a \
+     foundation pile automatically (when the move is legal). \
+     Right-click a card for a hint — valid destinations will highlight.";
+
 /// Slide 2 — How to play.
 fn spawn_slide_how_to_play(commands: &mut Commands, font_res: Option<&FontResource>) {
     spawn_modal(commands, OnboardingScreen, Z_ONBOARDING, |card| {
         spawn_modal_header(card, "Drag cards to play", font_res);
-        spawn_modal_body_text(
-            card,
-            "Left-click and drag any face-up card to move it between piles. \
-             You can drag a whole column at once by grabbing the topmost card \
-             you want to move. Double-click a face-up card to send it to a \
-             foundation pile automatically (when the move is legal). \
-             Right-click a card for a hint — valid destinations will highlight.",
-            TEXT_SECONDARY,
-            font_res,
-        );
+        spawn_modal_body_text(card, HOW_TO_PLAY_BODY, TEXT_SECONDARY, font_res);
         spawn_modal_actions(card, |actions| {
             spawn_modal_button(
                 actions,

solitaire_engine/src/theme_store_plugin.rs

@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@
 //! filesystem-based; the plugin is gated out on wasm32 alongside
 //! `SyncPlugin`.
 
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
+use bevy::asset::RenderAssetUsages;
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 use bevy::tasks::{AsyncComputeTaskPool, Task, futures_lite::future};
 use thiserror::Error;
@@ -105,6 +108,21 @@ struct InstallTask(Option<(String, Task<InstallResult>)>);
 #[derive(Resource, Default)]
 struct StoreBaseUrl(Option<String>);
 
+/// Decoded preview thumbnails by theme id (Phase H). Session-lifetime:
+/// previews survive closing and reopening the store, so a revisit
+/// renders instantly without refetching.
+#[derive(Resource, Default)]
+struct PreviewCache(HashMap<String, Handle<Image>>);
+
+/// One in-flight preview download: raw PNG bytes or the fetch error.
+type PreviewFetch = Task<Result<Vec<u8>, ThemeStoreError>>;
+
+/// In-flight preview downloads, one per catalog entry that advertises
+/// a `preview_url` not already in [`PreviewCache`]. `String` is the
+/// theme id the bytes belong to.
+#[derive(Resource, Default)]
+struct PreviewTasks(Vec<(String, PreviewFetch)>);
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Plugin
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -118,6 +136,8 @@ impl Plugin for ThemeStorePlugin {
             .init_resource::<CatalogTask>()
             .init_resource::<InstallTask>()
             .init_resource::<StoreBaseUrl>()
+            .init_resource::<PreviewCache>()
+            .init_resource::<PreviewTasks>()
             // Esc-close reads keyboard input; register defensively so
             // the plugin works under MinimalPlugins in tests.
             .init_resource::<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>()
@@ -129,6 +149,7 @@ impl Plugin for ThemeStorePlugin {
                 (
                     handle_open_request,
                     poll_catalog_task,
+                    poll_preview_tasks,
                     handle_install_buttons,
                     poll_install_task,
                     handle_close_button,
@@ -176,6 +197,7 @@ fn handle_open_request(
     mut catalog_task: ResMut<CatalogTask>,
     mut store_base: ResMut<StoreBaseUrl>,
     mut warning_toast: MessageWriter<WarningToastEvent>,
+    previews: Res<PreviewCache>,
     mut commands: Commands,
     font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
 ) {
@@ -207,16 +229,28 @@ fn handle_open_request(
         rt.block_on(async { ThemeStoreClient::new(base_url).fetch_catalog().await })
     }));
 
-    spawn_store_modal(&mut commands, &catalog_state, None, font_res.as_deref());
+    spawn_store_modal(
+        &mut commands,
+        &catalog_state,
+        None,
+        &previews,
+        font_res.as_deref(),
+    );
 }
 
-/// Polls the catalog fetch; on completion updates [`CatalogState`] and
+/// Polls the catalog fetch; on completion updates [`CatalogState`],
+/// kicks off preview downloads for entries not yet in the cache, and
 /// rebuilds the modal if it is still open.
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 fn poll_catalog_task(
     mut catalog_task: ResMut<CatalogTask>,
     mut catalog_state: ResMut<CatalogState>,
     screens: Query<Entity, With<ThemeStoreScreen>>,
     registry: Option<Res<ThemeRegistry>>,
+    rt: Option<Res<TokioRuntimeResource>>,
+    store_base: Res<StoreBaseUrl>,
+    previews: Res<PreviewCache>,
+    mut preview_tasks: ResMut<PreviewTasks>,
     mut commands: Commands,
     font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
 ) {
@@ -229,7 +263,29 @@ fn poll_catalog_task(
     catalog_task.0 = None;
 
     *catalog_state = match result {
-        Ok(entries) => CatalogState::Loaded(entries),
+        Ok(entries) => {
+            // Fetch previews for anything new. Decorative — failures
+            // just leave the row text-only, so errors only log.
+            if let (Some(rt), Some(base_url)) = (rt.as_ref(), store_base.0.as_deref()) {
+                for entry in entries
+                    .iter()
+                    .filter(|e| e.preview_url.is_some() && !previews.0.contains_key(&e.id))
+                {
+                    let rt = rt.0.clone();
+                    let base_url = base_url.to_owned();
+                    let entry = entry.clone();
+                    preview_tasks.0.push((
+                        entry.id.clone(),
+                        AsyncComputeTaskPool::get().spawn(async move {
+                            rt.block_on(async {
+                                ThemeStoreClient::new(base_url).fetch_preview(&entry).await
+                            })
+                        }),
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            CatalogState::Loaded(entries)
+        }
         Err(e) => {
             warn!("theme store: catalog fetch failed: {e}");
             CatalogState::Error(e.to_string())
@@ -241,10 +297,69 @@ fn poll_catalog_task(
         &mut commands,
         &catalog_state,
         registry.as_deref(),
+        &previews,
         font_res.as_deref(),
     );
 }
 
+/// Polls in-flight preview downloads. Each finished PNG is decoded into
+/// an [`Image`] asset and cached by theme id; the open modal rebuilds
+/// once per frame that added at least one preview, so thumbnails pop in
+/// as they arrive. Failures log and leave the row text-only. Skipped
+/// entirely when `Assets<Image>` is absent (`MinimalPlugins` tests).
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn poll_preview_tasks(
+    mut preview_tasks: ResMut<PreviewTasks>,
+    mut previews: ResMut<PreviewCache>,
+    images: Option<ResMut<Assets<Image>>>,
+    catalog_state: Res<CatalogState>,
+    screens: Query<Entity, With<ThemeStoreScreen>>,
+    registry: Option<Res<ThemeRegistry>>,
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
+) {
+    if preview_tasks.0.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    let Some(mut images) = images else {
+        return;
+    };
+
+    let mut added = false;
+    preview_tasks.0.retain_mut(|(id, task)| {
+        let Some(result) = future::block_on(future::poll_once(task)) else {
+            return true; // still downloading
+        };
+        match result {
+            Ok(bytes) => match image::load_from_memory(&bytes) {
+                Ok(dyn_img) => {
+                    let handle = images.add(Image::from_dynamic(
+                        dyn_img,
+                        true,
+                        RenderAssetUsages::RENDER_WORLD,
+                    ));
+                    previews.0.insert(id.clone(), handle);
+                    added = true;
+                }
+                Err(e) => warn!("theme store: preview for '{id}' failed to decode: {e}"),
+            },
+            Err(e) => warn!("theme store: preview fetch for '{id}' failed: {e}"),
+        }
+        false
+    });
+
+    if added {
+        rebuild_open_modal(
+            &screens,
+            &mut commands,
+            &catalog_state,
+            registry.as_deref(),
+            &previews,
+            font_res.as_deref(),
+        );
+    }
+}
+
 /// Starts a download + import task when an Install button is pressed.
 /// One install at a time; repeat clicks while busy are ignored.
 fn handle_install_buttons(
@@ -308,6 +423,7 @@ fn poll_install_task(
     screens: Query<Entity, With<ThemeStoreScreen>>,
     mut info_toast: MessageWriter<InfoToastEvent>,
     mut warning_toast: MessageWriter<WarningToastEvent>,
+    previews: Res<PreviewCache>,
     mut commands: Commands,
     font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
 ) {
@@ -343,6 +459,7 @@ fn poll_install_task(
         &mut commands,
         &catalog_state,
         registry.as_deref(),
+        &previews,
         font_res.as_deref(),
     );
 }
@@ -378,11 +495,12 @@ fn rebuild_open_modal(
     commands: &mut Commands,
     catalog_state: &CatalogState,
     registry: Option<&ThemeRegistry>,
+    previews: &PreviewCache,
     font_res: Option<&FontResource>,
 ) {
     for entity in screens {
         commands.entity(entity).despawn();
-        spawn_store_modal(commands, catalog_state, registry, font_res);
+        spawn_store_modal(commands, catalog_state, registry, previews, font_res);
     }
 }
 
@@ -391,6 +509,7 @@ fn spawn_store_modal(
     commands: &mut Commands,
     catalog_state: &CatalogState,
     registry: Option<&ThemeRegistry>,
+    previews: &PreviewCache,
     font_res: Option<&FontResource>,
 ) {
     let body_font = TextFont {
@@ -433,7 +552,15 @@ fn spawn_store_modal(
                 for entry in entries {
                     let installed =
                         registry.is_some_and(|registry| registry.find(&entry.id).is_some());
-                    spawn_store_row(card, entry, installed, &body_font, &caption_font, font_res);
+                    spawn_store_row(
+                        card,
+                        entry,
+                        installed,
+                        previews.0.get(&entry.id),
+                        &body_font,
+                        &caption_font,
+                        font_res,
+                    );
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -452,12 +579,20 @@ fn spawn_store_modal(
     commands.entity(scrim).insert(ScrimDismissible);
 }
 
-/// One catalog row: name + author/size caption on the left, Install
-/// button (or "Installed" caption) on the right.
+/// Height of a row's preview thumbnail in logical pixels; the width
+/// follows the theme's own `card_aspect` so a preview is never
+/// stretched.
+const PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX: f32 = 72.0;
+
+/// One catalog row: preview thumbnail (when downloaded) + name +
+/// author/size caption on the left, Install button (or "Installed"
+/// caption) on the right.
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 fn spawn_store_row(
     parent: &mut ChildSpawnerCommands,
     entry: &ThemeCatalogEntry,
     installed: bool,
+    preview: Option<&Handle<Image>>,
     body_font: &TextFont,
     caption_font: &TextFont,
     font_res: Option<&FontResource>,
@@ -477,25 +612,45 @@ fn spawn_store_row(
         ))
         .with_children(|row| {
             row.spawn(Node {
-                flex_direction: FlexDirection::Column,
-                row_gap: VAL_SPACE_2,
+                flex_direction: FlexDirection::Row,
+                align_items: AlignItems::Center,
+                column_gap: VAL_SPACE_3,
                 ..default()
             })
-            .with_children(|col| {
-                col.spawn((
-                    Text::new(entry.name.clone()),
-                    body_font.clone(),
-                    TextColor(TEXT_PRIMARY),
-                ));
-                col.spawn((
-                    Text::new(format!(
-                        "by {} — {} KB",
-                        entry.author,
-                        entry.size_bytes.div_ceil(1024)
-                    )),
-                    caption_font.clone(),
-                    TextColor(TEXT_SECONDARY),
-                ));
+            .with_children(|left| {
+                if let Some(handle) = preview {
+                    let (aw, ah) = entry.card_aspect;
+                    let width = PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX * aw.max(1) as f32 / ah.max(1) as f32;
+                    left.spawn((
+                        ImageNode::new(handle.clone()),
+                        Node {
+                            width: Val::Px(width),
+                            height: Val::Px(PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX),
+                            ..default()
+                        },
+                    ));
+                }
+                left.spawn(Node {
+                    flex_direction: FlexDirection::Column,
+                    row_gap: VAL_SPACE_2,
+                    ..default()
+                })
+                .with_children(|col| {
+                    col.spawn((
+                        Text::new(entry.name.clone()),
+                        body_font.clone(),
+                        TextColor(TEXT_PRIMARY),
+                    ));
+                    col.spawn((
+                        Text::new(format!(
+                            "by {} — {} KB",
+                            entry.author,
+                            entry.size_bytes.div_ceil(1024)
+                        )),
+                        caption_font.clone(),
+                        TextColor(TEXT_SECONDARY),
+                    ));
+                });
             });
             if installed {
                 row.spawn((
@@ -661,4 +816,85 @@ mod tests {
         ));
         assert_eq!(screen_count(&mut app), 1);
     }
+
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Phase H part 2: preview thumbnails
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    fn catalog_entry(id: &str, preview: bool) -> ThemeCatalogEntry {
+        ThemeCatalogEntry {
+            id: id.into(),
+            name: id.into(),
+            author: "Test".into(),
+            version: "1.0.0".into(),
+            card_aspect: (2, 3),
+            size_bytes: 1024,
+            sha256: "00".into(),
+            download_url: format!("/api/themes/{id}/download"),
+            preview_url: preview.then(|| format!("/api/themes/{id}/preview")),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// A row whose theme id is in the [`PreviewCache`] renders an
+    /// `ImageNode` thumbnail; a row without one stays text-only.
+    #[test]
+    fn loaded_row_shows_preview_thumbnail_only_when_cached() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        let cached = catalog_entry("with-preview", true);
+        let uncached = catalog_entry("without-preview", false);
+
+        let mut cache = PreviewCache::default();
+        cache
+            .0
+            .insert(cached.id.clone(), Handle::<Image>::default());
+        let state = CatalogState::Loaded(vec![cached, uncached]);
+
+        {
+            let world = app.world_mut();
+            let mut commands = world.commands();
+            spawn_store_modal(&mut commands, &state, None, &cache, None);
+        }
+        app.update();
+
+        let thumbs = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query::<&ImageNode>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .count();
+        assert_eq!(
+            thumbs, 1,
+            "exactly the cached entry must render a preview thumbnail"
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// The thumbnail width follows the theme's own card aspect so a
+    /// preview never renders stretched.
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_thumbnail_width_follows_card_aspect() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        let mut entry = catalog_entry("wide", true);
+        entry.card_aspect = (1, 1); // square theme art
+        let mut cache = PreviewCache::default();
+        cache.0.insert(entry.id.clone(), Handle::<Image>::default());
+        let state = CatalogState::Loaded(vec![entry]);
+
+        {
+            let world = app.world_mut();
+            let mut commands = world.commands();
+            spawn_store_modal(&mut commands, &state, None, &cache, None);
+        }
+        app.update();
+
+        let node = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<&Node, With<ImageNode>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("thumbnail node must exist");
+        assert_eq!(node.height, Val::Px(PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX));
+        assert_eq!(
+            node.width,
+            Val::Px(PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX),
+            "a 1:1 aspect must yield a square thumbnail"
+        );
+    }
 }

solitaire_engine/src/ui_modal.rs

@@ -178,6 +178,32 @@ pub fn spawn_modal<M: Component, F>(
     z_panel: i32,
     build_card: F,
 ) -> Entity
+where
+    F: FnOnce(&mut ChildSpawnerCommands),
+{
+    spawn_modal_sized(
+        commands,
+        plugin_marker,
+        z_panel,
+        MODAL_CARD_MAX_WIDTH,
+        build_card,
+    )
+}
+
+/// Default maximum card width in logical pixels — every [`spawn_modal`]
+/// caller gets this. Surfaces that lay out side-by-side panes (e.g. the
+/// two-pane Home on wide viewports) can raise it via [`spawn_modal_sized`].
+pub const MODAL_CARD_MAX_WIDTH: f32 = 720.0;
+
+/// [`spawn_modal`] with an explicit card `max_width`. Behaviour is
+/// otherwise identical — same scrim, enter animation, and card chrome.
+pub fn spawn_modal_sized<M: Component, F>(
+    commands: &mut Commands,
+    plugin_marker: M,
+    z_panel: i32,
+    max_width: f32,
+    build_card: F,
+) -> Entity
 where
     F: FnOnce(&mut ChildSpawnerCommands),
 {
@@ -235,7 +261,7 @@ where
                     padding: UiRect::all(VAL_SPACE_5),
                     border: UiRect::all(Val::Px(1.0)),
                     border_radius: BorderRadius::all(Val::Px(RADIUS_LG)),
-                    max_width: Val::Px(720.0),
+                    max_width: Val::Px(max_width),
                     align_items: AlignItems::Stretch,
                     ..default()
                 },

solitaire_server/e2e/scripts/cycle_metrics.js

@@ -206,7 +206,9 @@ async function main() {
                     invariant_ok: !!snap?.invariants?.state_ok,
                     history_len: Array.isArray(snap?.move_history) ? snap.move_history.length : null,
                     replay_payload_present: payload !== null,
-                    replay_moves_len: Array.isArray(payload?.moves) ? payload.moves.length : 0,
+                    replay_moves_len: Array.isArray(payload?.recording?.instructions)
+                        ? payload.recording.instructions.length
+                        : 0,
                 };
             }, { stepCap: maxSteps, policyName: policy, maxVisits: maxVisitsPerState });
 

solitaire_server/e2e/tests/gameplay_review.spec.js

@@ -69,9 +69,9 @@ test("draw-mode toggle affects replay payload draw_mode", async ({ page }) => {
 
     const payload = await page.evaluate(() => window.__FERROUS_DEBUG__.replayPayload());
     expect(payload.draw_mode).toBe("DrawThree");
-    expect(payload.schema_version).toBe(2);
-    expect(Array.isArray(payload.moves)).toBeTruthy();
-    expect(payload.moves.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(payload.schema_version).toBe(4);
+    expect(Array.isArray(payload.recording?.instructions)).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(payload.recording.instructions.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
 });
 
 test("autonomous play keeps invariants stable across seed batch", async ({ page }) => {

solitaire_server/e2e/tests/smoke.spec.js

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ test("debug failure report contains replay diagnostics", async ({ page }) => {
     expect(report.invariants).toBeTruthy();
 });
 
-test("replay payload builder exports schema-v2 moves", async ({ page }) => {
+test("replay payload builder exports a schema-v4 recording", async ({ page }) => {
     await page.goto("/play-classic?seed=42");
     await page.waitForFunction(() => typeof window.__FERROUS_DEBUG__ === "object");
 
@@ -57,10 +57,14 @@ test("replay payload builder exports schema-v2 moves", async ({ page }) => {
         .poll(async () => await page.evaluate(() => window.__FERROUS_DEBUG__.replayPayload() !== null))
         .toBe(true);
     const payload = await page.evaluate(() => window.__FERROUS_DEBUG__.replayPayload());
-    expect(payload.schema_version).toBe(2);
+    // Schema v4: the wasm layer assembles the whole payload; the deal is
+    // embedded in `recording` and moves live at recording.instructions.
+    expect(payload.schema_version).toBe(4);
     expect(payload.draw_mode).toMatch(/Draw(One|Three)/);
     expect(payload.mode).toBe("Classic");
-    expect(Array.isArray(payload.moves)).toBeTruthy();
-    expect(payload.moves.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
-    expect(payload.win_move_index).toBe(payload.moves.length - 1);
+    expect(payload.recording).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(payload.recording.initial_state).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(Array.isArray(payload.recording.instructions)).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(payload.recording.instructions.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(payload.win_move_index).toBe(payload.recording.instructions.length - 1);
 });