Merge story 74: agent lozenges float across UI during assignment

Resolves conflict in AgentPanel.test.tsx between story 73 (fade-out)
and story 74 (lozenge fly animation) - kept both the assertion and
the comment.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

frontend/src/components/AgentPanel.test.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
 import { act, render, screen, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react";
 import userEvent from "@testing-library/user-event";
-import { afterEach, beforeAll, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import {
+	afterEach,
+	beforeAll,
+	beforeEach,
+	describe,
+	expect,
+	it,
+	vi,
+} from "vitest";
 import type { AgentConfigInfo, AgentInfo } from "../api/agents";
 import { agentsApi } from "../api/agents";
 
@@ -337,14 +345,20 @@ describe("AgentPanel fade-out", () => {
 
 			const { container } = render(<AgentPanel />);
 
-			// Wait for the agent entry to appear
+			// With fake timers active, waitFor's polling setInterval never fires.
-			await waitFor(() => {
+			// Use act to flush pending promises and React state updates instead.
+			await act(async () => {
+				await Promise.resolve();
+				await Promise.resolve();
+				await Promise.resolve();
+				await Promise.resolve();
+			});
+
 			expect(
 				container.querySelector(
 					'[data-testid="agent-entry-73_remove_test:coder-1"]',
 				),
 			).toBeInTheDocument();
-			});
 
 			// Advance timers by 60 seconds and flush React state updates
 			await act(async () => {

frontend/src/components/AgentPanel.tsx

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import type {
 } from "../api/agents";
 import { agentsApi, subscribeAgentStream } from "../api/agents";
 import { settingsApi } from "../api/settings";
+import { useLozengeFly } from "./LozengeFlyContext";
 
 const { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } = React;
 
@@ -81,11 +82,22 @@ function RosterBadge({
 	agent: AgentConfigInfo;
 	activeStoryId: string | null;
 }) {
+	const { registerRosterEl } = useLozengeFly();
+	const badgeRef = useRef<HTMLSpanElement>(null);
 	const isActive = activeStoryId !== null;
 	const storyNumber = activeStoryId?.match(/^(\d+)/)?.[1];
 
+	// Register this element so fly animations know where to start/end
+	useEffect(() => {
+		const el = badgeRef.current;
+		if (el) registerRosterEl(agent.name, el);
+		return () => registerRosterEl(agent.name, null);
+	}, [agent.name, registerRosterEl]);
+
 	return (
 		<span
+			ref={badgeRef}
+			data-testid={`roster-badge-${agent.name}`}
 			style={{
 				display: "inline-flex",
 				alignItems: "center",
@@ -298,7 +310,9 @@ export function AgentPanel() {
 	const cleanupRefs = useRef<Record<string, () => void>>({});
 	const logEndRefs = useRef<Record<string, HTMLDivElement | null>>({});
 	// Refs for fade-out timers (pause/resume on expand/collapse)
-	const fadeTimerRef = useRef<Record<string, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>>({});
+	const fadeTimerRef = useRef<Record<string, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>>(
+		{},
+	);
 	const fadeElapsedRef = useRef<Record<string, number>>({});
 	const fadeTimerStartRef = useRef<Record<string, number | null>>({});
 
@@ -316,8 +330,7 @@ export function AgentPanel() {
 				const now = Date.now();
 				for (const a of agentList) {
 					const key = agentKey(a.story_id, a.agent_name);
-					const isTerminal =
+					const isTerminal = a.status === "completed" || a.status === "failed";
-						a.status === "completed" || a.status === "failed";
 					agentMap[key] = {
 						agentName: a.agent_name,
 						status: a.status,

frontend/src/components/Chat.tsx

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { api, ChatWebSocket } from "../api/client";
 import type { Message, ProviderConfig, ToolCall } from "../types";
 import { AgentPanel } from "./AgentPanel";
 import { ChatHeader } from "./ChatHeader";
+import { LozengeFlyProvider } from "./LozengeFlyContext";
 import { StagePanel } from "./StagePanel";
 
 const { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } = React;
@@ -713,12 +714,14 @@ export function Chat({ projectPath, onCloseProject }: ChatProps) {
 						gap: "12px",
 					}}
 				>
+					<LozengeFlyProvider pipeline={pipeline}>
 						<AgentPanel />
 
 						<StagePanel title="To Merge" items={pipeline.merge} />
 						<StagePanel title="QA" items={pipeline.qa} />
 						<StagePanel title="Current" items={pipeline.current} />
 						<StagePanel title="Upcoming" items={pipeline.upcoming} />
+					</LozengeFlyProvider>
 				</div>
 			</div>
 

frontend/src/components/LozengeFlyContext.test.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,482 @@
+import { act, render, screen } from "@testing-library/react";
+import * as React from "react";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import type { PipelineState } from "../api/client";
+import { LozengeFlyProvider, useLozengeFly } from "./LozengeFlyContext";
+import { StagePanel } from "./StagePanel";
+
+// ─── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function makePipeline(overrides: Partial<PipelineState> = {}): PipelineState {
+	return {
+		upcoming: [],
+		current: [],
+		qa: [],
+		merge: [],
+		...overrides,
+	};
+}
+
+/** A minimal roster element fixture that registers itself with the context. */
+function RosterFixture({ agentName }: { agentName: string }) {
+	const { registerRosterEl } = useLozengeFly();
+	const ref = React.useRef<HTMLSpanElement>(null);
+	React.useEffect(() => {
+		const el = ref.current;
+		if (el) registerRosterEl(agentName, el);
+		return () => registerRosterEl(agentName, null);
+	}, [agentName, registerRosterEl]);
+	return (
+		<span
+			ref={ref}
+			data-testid={`roster-${agentName}`}
+			style={{ position: "fixed", top: 10, left: 20, width: 80, height: 20 }}
+		/>
+	);
+}
+
+function Wrapper({
+	pipeline,
+	children,
+}: {
+	pipeline: PipelineState;
+	children: React.ReactNode;
+}) {
+	return (
+		<LozengeFlyProvider pipeline={pipeline}>{children}</LozengeFlyProvider>
+	);
+}
+
+// ─── Agent lozenge fixed intrinsic width ──────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe("AgentLozenge fixed intrinsic width", () => {
+	it("has align-self: flex-start so it never stretches inside a flex column", () => {
+		const items = [
+			{
+				story_id: "74_width_test",
+				name: "Width Test",
+				error: null,
+				agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: "sonnet", status: "running" },
+			},
+		];
+		const pipeline = makePipeline({ current: items });
+		const { container } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={pipeline}>
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={items} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		const lozenge = container.querySelector(
+			'[data-testid="slot-lozenge-74_width_test"]',
+		) as HTMLElement;
+		expect(lozenge).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect(lozenge.style.alignSelf).toBe("flex-start");
+	});
+});
+
+// ─── Fly-in: slot lozenge visibility ─────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe("LozengeFlyProvider fly-in visibility", () => {
+	beforeEach(() => {
+		Element.prototype.getBoundingClientRect = vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
+			left: 100,
+			top: 50,
+			right: 180,
+			bottom: 70,
+			width: 80,
+			height: 20,
+			x: 100,
+			y: 50,
+			toJSON: () => ({}),
+		});
+		vi.spyOn(window, "requestAnimationFrame").mockImplementation((cb) => {
+			cb(0);
+			return 0;
+		});
+	});
+
+	afterEach(() => {
+		vi.restoreAllMocks();
+	});
+
+	it("slot lozenge starts hidden when a matching roster element exists", async () => {
+		const noPipeline = makePipeline();
+		const withAgent = makePipeline({
+			current: [
+				{
+					story_id: "74_hidden_test",
+					name: "Hidden Test",
+					error: null,
+					agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: null, status: "running" },
+				},
+			],
+		});
+
+		const { rerender } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={noPipeline}>
+				<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={[]} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		// Rerender with the agent assigned
+		await act(async () => {
+			rerender(
+				<Wrapper pipeline={withAgent}>
+					<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+					<StagePanel title="Current" items={withAgent.current} />
+				</Wrapper>,
+			);
+		});
+
+		const lozenge = screen.getByTestId("slot-lozenge-74_hidden_test");
+		// Hidden while fly-in is in progress
+		expect(lozenge.style.opacity).toBe("0");
+	});
+
+	it("slot lozenge is visible when no roster element is registered", async () => {
+		const noPipeline = makePipeline();
+		const withAgent = makePipeline({
+			current: [
+				{
+					story_id: "74_no_roster",
+					name: "No Roster",
+					error: null,
+					agent: {
+						agent_name: "unknown-agent",
+						model: null,
+						status: "running",
+					},
+				},
+			],
+		});
+
+		const { rerender } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={noPipeline}>
+				{/* No RosterFixture for "unknown-agent" */}
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={[]} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		await act(async () => {
+			rerender(
+				<Wrapper pipeline={withAgent}>
+					<StagePanel title="Current" items={withAgent.current} />
+				</Wrapper>,
+			);
+		});
+
+		const lozenge = screen.getByTestId("slot-lozenge-74_no_roster");
+		// Immediately visible because no fly-in animation is possible
+		expect(lozenge.style.opacity).toBe("1");
+	});
+});
+
+// ─── Fly-in: flying clone in document.body portal ────────────────────────────
+
+describe("LozengeFlyProvider fly-in clone", () => {
+	beforeEach(() => {
+		vi.useFakeTimers();
+		Element.prototype.getBoundingClientRect = vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
+			left: 100,
+			top: 50,
+			right: 180,
+			bottom: 70,
+			width: 80,
+			height: 20,
+			x: 100,
+			y: 50,
+			toJSON: () => ({}),
+		});
+		vi.spyOn(window, "requestAnimationFrame").mockImplementation((cb) => {
+			cb(0);
+			return 0;
+		});
+	});
+
+	afterEach(() => {
+		vi.useRealTimers();
+		vi.restoreAllMocks();
+	});
+
+	it("renders a fixed-position clone in document.body when fly-in triggers", async () => {
+		const noPipeline = makePipeline();
+		const withAgent = makePipeline({
+			current: [
+				{
+					story_id: "74_portal_test",
+					name: "Portal Test",
+					error: null,
+					agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: "sonnet", status: "running" },
+				},
+			],
+		});
+
+		const { rerender } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={noPipeline}>
+				<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={[]} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		await act(async () => {
+			rerender(
+				<Wrapper pipeline={withAgent}>
+					<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+					<StagePanel title="Current" items={withAgent.current} />
+				</Wrapper>,
+			);
+			vi.runAllTimers();
+		});
+
+		// Clone is in document.body (portal), not inside the component container
+		const clone = document.body.querySelector(
+			'[data-testid^="flying-lozenge-fly-in"]',
+		) as HTMLElement | null;
+		expect(clone).not.toBeNull();
+		expect(clone?.style.position).toBe("fixed");
+		expect(Number(clone?.style.zIndex)).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(9999);
+		expect(clone?.style.pointerEvents).toBe("none");
+	});
+
+	it("clone is removed from document.body after 500 ms", async () => {
+		const noPipeline = makePipeline();
+		const withAgent = makePipeline({
+			current: [
+				{
+					story_id: "74_clone_remove",
+					name: "Clone Remove",
+					error: null,
+					agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: null, status: "running" },
+				},
+			],
+		});
+
+		const { rerender } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={noPipeline}>
+				<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={[]} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		await act(async () => {
+			rerender(
+				<Wrapper pipeline={withAgent}>
+					<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+					<StagePanel title="Current" items={withAgent.current} />
+				</Wrapper>,
+			);
+		});
+
+		// Clone should exist before timeout
+		const cloneBefore = document.body.querySelector(
+			'[data-testid^="flying-lozenge-fly-in"]',
+		);
+		expect(cloneBefore).not.toBeNull();
+
+		// Advance past the 500ms cleanup timeout
+		await act(async () => {
+			vi.advanceTimersByTime(600);
+		});
+
+		const cloneAfter = document.body.querySelector(
+			'[data-testid^="flying-lozenge-fly-in"]',
+		);
+		expect(cloneAfter).toBeNull();
+	});
+
+	it("slot lozenge becomes visible (opacity 1) after 500 ms timeout", async () => {
+		const noPipeline = makePipeline();
+		const withAgent = makePipeline({
+			current: [
+				{
+					story_id: "74_reveal_test",
+					name: "Reveal Test",
+					error: null,
+					agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: null, status: "running" },
+				},
+			],
+		});
+
+		const { rerender } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={noPipeline}>
+				<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={[]} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		await act(async () => {
+			rerender(
+				<Wrapper pipeline={withAgent}>
+					<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+					<StagePanel title="Current" items={withAgent.current} />
+				</Wrapper>,
+			);
+		});
+
+		// Initially hidden
+		const lozenge = screen.getByTestId("slot-lozenge-74_reveal_test");
+		expect(lozenge.style.opacity).toBe("0");
+
+		// After 500ms the slot becomes visible
+		await act(async () => {
+			vi.advanceTimersByTime(600);
+		});
+
+		expect(lozenge.style.opacity).toBe("1");
+	});
+});
+
+// ─── Fly-out animation ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe("LozengeFlyProvider fly-out", () => {
+	beforeEach(() => {
+		vi.useFakeTimers();
+		Element.prototype.getBoundingClientRect = vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
+			left: 100,
+			top: 50,
+			right: 180,
+			bottom: 70,
+			width: 80,
+			height: 20,
+			x: 100,
+			y: 50,
+			toJSON: () => ({}),
+		});
+		vi.spyOn(window, "requestAnimationFrame").mockImplementation((cb) => {
+			cb(0);
+			return 0;
+		});
+	});
+
+	afterEach(() => {
+		vi.useRealTimers();
+		vi.restoreAllMocks();
+	});
+
+	it("creates a fly-out clone in document.body when agent is removed", async () => {
+		const withAgent = makePipeline({
+			current: [
+				{
+					story_id: "74_fly_out_test",
+					name: "Fly Out Test",
+					error: null,
+					agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: "haiku", status: "completed" },
+				},
+			],
+		});
+
+		const { rerender } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={withAgent}>
+				<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={withAgent.current} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		// Advance past initial fly-in animation to get a clean state
+		await act(async () => {
+			vi.advanceTimersByTime(600);
+		});
+
+		// Remove the agent from the pipeline
+		const noAgent = makePipeline({
+			current: [
+				{
+					story_id: "74_fly_out_test",
+					name: "Fly Out Test",
+					error: null,
+					agent: null,
+				},
+			],
+		});
+
+		await act(async () => {
+			rerender(
+				<Wrapper pipeline={noAgent}>
+					<RosterFixture agentName="coder-1" />
+					<StagePanel title="Current" items={noAgent.current} />
+				</Wrapper>,
+			);
+		});
+
+		// A fly-out clone should now be in document.body
+		const clone = document.body.querySelector(
+			'[data-testid^="flying-lozenge-fly-out"]',
+		);
+		expect(clone).not.toBeNull();
+	});
+});
+
+// ─── Idle vs active visual distinction ────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe("AgentLozenge idle vs active appearance", () => {
+	it("running agent lozenge uses the blue active color", () => {
+		const items = [
+			{
+				story_id: "74_running_color",
+				name: "Running",
+				error: null,
+				agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: null, status: "running" },
+			},
+		];
+		const { container } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={makePipeline({ current: items })}>
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={items} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		const lozenge = container.querySelector(
+			'[data-testid="slot-lozenge-74_running_color"]',
+		) as HTMLElement;
+		expect(lozenge).toBeInTheDocument();
+		// Blue: rgb(88, 166, 255) = #58a6ff
+		expect(lozenge.style.color).toBe("rgb(88, 166, 255)");
+	});
+
+	it("pending agent lozenge uses the yellow pending color", () => {
+		const items = [
+			{
+				story_id: "74_pending_color",
+				name: "Pending",
+				error: null,
+				agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: null, status: "pending" },
+			},
+		];
+		const { container } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={makePipeline({ current: items })}>
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={items} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		const lozenge = container.querySelector(
+			'[data-testid="slot-lozenge-74_pending_color"]',
+		) as HTMLElement;
+		expect(lozenge).toBeInTheDocument();
+		// Yellow: rgb(227, 179, 65) = #e3b341
+		expect(lozenge.style.color).toBe("rgb(227, 179, 65)");
+	});
+
+	it("running lozenge has a pulsing dot child element", () => {
+		const items = [
+			{
+				story_id: "74_pulse_dot",
+				name: "Pulse",
+				error: null,
+				agent: { agent_name: "coder-1", model: null, status: "running" },
+			},
+		];
+		const { container } = render(
+			<Wrapper pipeline={makePipeline({ current: items })}>
+				<StagePanel title="Current" items={items} />
+			</Wrapper>,
+		);
+
+		const lozenge = container.querySelector(
+			'[data-testid="slot-lozenge-74_pulse_dot"]',
+		) as HTMLElement;
+		// The pulse dot is a child span with animation: pulse
+		const dot = lozenge.querySelector("span");
+		expect(dot).not.toBeNull();
+		expect(dot?.style.animation).toContain("pulse");
+	});
+});

frontend/src/components/LozengeFlyContext.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,376 @@
+/**
+ * LozengeFlyContext – FLIP-style animation system for agent lozenges.
+ *
+ * When an agent is assigned to a story, a fixed-positioned clone of the
+ * agent lozenge "flies" from the roster badge in AgentPanel to the slot
+ * in StagePanel (or vice-versa when the agent is removed).  The overlay
+ * travels above all other UI elements (z-index 9999) so it is never
+ * clipped by the layout.
+ */
+import * as React from "react";
+import * as ReactDOM from "react-dom";
+import type { PipelineState } from "../api/client";
+
+const {
+	createContext,
+	useCallback,
+	useContext,
+	useEffect,
+	useLayoutEffect,
+	useMemo,
+	useRef,
+	useState,
+} = React;
+
+// ─── Public context shape ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+export interface LozengeFlyContextValue {
+	/** Register/unregister a roster badge DOM element by agent name. */
+	registerRosterEl: (agentName: string, el: HTMLElement | null) => void;
+	/**
+	 * Save the latest DOMRect for a story's lozenge slot.
+	 * Called on every render of AgentLozenge via useLayoutEffect.
+	 */
+	saveSlotRect: (storyId: string, rect: DOMRect) => void;
+	/**
+	 * Set of storyIds whose slot lozenges should be hidden because a
+	 * fly-in animation is in progress.
+	 */
+	pendingFlyIns: ReadonlySet<string>;
+}
+
+const noop = () => {};
+const emptySet: ReadonlySet<string> = new Set();
+
+export const LozengeFlyContext = createContext<LozengeFlyContextValue>({
+	registerRosterEl: noop,
+	saveSlotRect: noop,
+	pendingFlyIns: emptySet,
+});
+
+// ─── Internal flying-lozenge state ───────────────────────────────────────────
+
+interface FlyingLozenge {
+	id: string;
+	label: string;
+	isActive: boolean;
+	startX: number;
+	startY: number;
+	endX: number;
+	endY: number;
+	/** false = positioned at start, true = CSS transition to end */
+	flying: boolean;
+}
+
+interface PendingFlyIn {
+	storyId: string;
+	agentName: string;
+	label: string;
+	isActive: boolean;
+}
+
+interface PendingFlyOut {
+	storyId: string;
+	agentName: string;
+	label: string;
+}
+
+// ─── Provider ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+interface LozengeFlyProviderProps {
+	children: React.ReactNode;
+	pipeline: PipelineState;
+}
+
+export function LozengeFlyProvider({
+	children,
+	pipeline,
+}: LozengeFlyProviderProps) {
+	const rosterElsRef = useRef<Map<string, HTMLElement>>(new Map());
+	const savedSlotRectsRef = useRef<Map<string, DOMRect>>(new Map());
+	const prevPipelineRef = useRef<PipelineState | null>(null);
+
+	// Actions detected in useLayoutEffect, consumed in useEffect
+	const pendingFlyInActionsRef = useRef<PendingFlyIn[]>([]);
+	const pendingFlyOutActionsRef = useRef<PendingFlyOut[]>([]);
+
+	const [pendingFlyIns, setPendingFlyIns] = useState<ReadonlySet<string>>(
+		new Set(),
+	);
+	const [flyingLozenges, setFlyingLozenges] = useState<FlyingLozenge[]>([]);
+
+	const registerRosterEl = useCallback(
+		(agentName: string, el: HTMLElement | null) => {
+			if (el) {
+				rosterElsRef.current.set(agentName, el);
+			} else {
+				rosterElsRef.current.delete(agentName);
+			}
+		},
+		[],
+	);
+
+	const saveSlotRect = useCallback((storyId: string, rect: DOMRect) => {
+		savedSlotRectsRef.current.set(storyId, rect);
+	}, []);
+
+	// ── Detect pipeline changes (runs before paint) ───────────────────────────
+	// Sets pendingFlyIns so slot lozenges hide before the browser paints,
+	// preventing a one-frame "flash" of the visible lozenge before fly-in.
+	useLayoutEffect(() => {
+		if (prevPipelineRef.current === null) {
+			prevPipelineRef.current = pipeline;
+			return;
+		}
+
+		const prev = prevPipelineRef.current;
+		const allPrev = [
+			...prev.upcoming,
+			...prev.current,
+			...prev.qa,
+			...prev.merge,
+		];
+		const allCurr = [
+			...pipeline.upcoming,
+			...pipeline.current,
+			...pipeline.qa,
+			...pipeline.merge,
+		];
+
+		const newFlyInStoryIds = new Set<string>();
+
+		for (const curr of allCurr) {
+			const prevItem = allPrev.find((p) => p.story_id === curr.story_id);
+			const agentChanged =
+				curr.agent &&
+				(!prevItem?.agent ||
+					prevItem.agent.agent_name !== curr.agent.agent_name);
+			if (agentChanged && curr.agent) {
+				const label = curr.agent.model
+					? `${curr.agent.agent_name} ${curr.agent.model}`
+					: curr.agent.agent_name;
+				pendingFlyInActionsRef.current.push({
+					storyId: curr.story_id,
+					agentName: curr.agent.agent_name,
+					label,
+					isActive: curr.agent.status === "running",
+				});
+				newFlyInStoryIds.add(curr.story_id);
+			}
+		}
+
+		for (const prevItem of allPrev) {
+			if (!prevItem.agent) continue;
+			const currItem = allCurr.find((c) => c.story_id === prevItem.story_id);
+			const agentRemoved =
+				!currItem?.agent ||
+				currItem.agent.agent_name !== prevItem.agent.agent_name;
+			if (agentRemoved) {
+				const label = prevItem.agent.model
+					? `${prevItem.agent.agent_name} ${prevItem.agent.model}`
+					: prevItem.agent.agent_name;
+				pendingFlyOutActionsRef.current.push({
+					storyId: prevItem.story_id,
+					agentName: prevItem.agent.agent_name,
+					label,
+				});
+			}
+		}
+
+		prevPipelineRef.current = pipeline;
+
+		// Only hide slots for stories that have a matching roster element
+		if (newFlyInStoryIds.size > 0) {
+			const hideable = new Set<string>();
+			for (const storyId of newFlyInStoryIds) {
+				const action = pendingFlyInActionsRef.current.find(
+					(a) => a.storyId === storyId,
+				);
+				if (action && rosterElsRef.current.has(action.agentName)) {
+					hideable.add(storyId);
+				}
+			}
+			if (hideable.size > 0) {
+				setPendingFlyIns((prev) => {
+					const next = new Set(prev);
+					for (const id of hideable) next.add(id);
+					return next;
+				});
+			}
+		}
+	}, [pipeline]);
+
+	// ── Execute animations (runs after paint, DOM positions are stable) ───────
+	useEffect(() => {
+		const flyIns = [...pendingFlyInActionsRef.current];
+		pendingFlyInActionsRef.current = [];
+		const flyOuts = [...pendingFlyOutActionsRef.current];
+		pendingFlyOutActionsRef.current = [];
+
+		for (const action of flyIns) {
+			const rosterEl = rosterElsRef.current.get(action.agentName);
+			const slotRect = savedSlotRectsRef.current.get(action.storyId);
+
+			if (!rosterEl || !slotRect) {
+				// No roster element: immediately reveal the slot lozenge
+				setPendingFlyIns((prev) => {
+					const next = new Set(prev);
+					next.delete(action.storyId);
+					return next;
+				});
+				continue;
+			}
+
+			const rosterRect = rosterEl.getBoundingClientRect();
+			const id = `fly-in-${action.agentName}-${action.storyId}-${Date.now()}`;
+
+			setFlyingLozenges((prev) => [
+				...prev,
+				{
+					id,
+					label: action.label,
+					isActive: action.isActive,
+					startX: rosterRect.left,
+					startY: rosterRect.top,
+					endX: slotRect.left,
+					endY: slotRect.top,
+					flying: false,
+				},
+			]);
+
+			// FLIP "Play" step: after two frames the transition begins
+			requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+				requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+					setFlyingLozenges((prev) =>
+						prev.map((l) => (l.id === id ? { ...l, flying: true } : l)),
+					);
+				});
+			});
+
+			// After the transition completes, remove clone and reveal slot lozenge
+			setTimeout(() => {
+				setFlyingLozenges((prev) => prev.filter((l) => l.id !== id));
+				setPendingFlyIns((prev) => {
+					const next = new Set(prev);
+					next.delete(action.storyId);
+					return next;
+				});
+			}, 500);
+		}
+
+		for (const action of flyOuts) {
+			const rosterEl = rosterElsRef.current.get(action.agentName);
+			const slotRect = savedSlotRectsRef.current.get(action.storyId);
+			if (!slotRect) continue;
+
+			const rosterRect = rosterEl?.getBoundingClientRect();
+			const id = `fly-out-${action.agentName}-${action.storyId}-${Date.now()}`;
+
+			setFlyingLozenges((prev) => [
+				...prev,
+				{
+					id,
+					label: action.label,
+					isActive: false,
+					startX: slotRect.left,
+					startY: slotRect.top,
+					endX: rosterRect?.left ?? slotRect.left,
+					endY: rosterRect?.top ?? Math.max(0, slotRect.top - 80),
+					flying: false,
+				},
+			]);
+
+			requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+				requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+					setFlyingLozenges((prev) =>
+						prev.map((l) => (l.id === id ? { ...l, flying: true } : l)),
+					);
+				});
+			});
+
+			setTimeout(() => {
+				setFlyingLozenges((prev) => prev.filter((l) => l.id !== id));
+			}, 500);
+		}
+	}, [pipeline]);
+
+	const contextValue = useMemo(
+		() => ({ registerRosterEl, saveSlotRect, pendingFlyIns }),
+		[registerRosterEl, saveSlotRect, pendingFlyIns],
+	);
+
+	return (
+		<LozengeFlyContext.Provider value={contextValue}>
+			{children}
+			{ReactDOM.createPortal(
+				<FloatingLozengeSurface lozenges={flyingLozenges} />,
+				document.body,
+			)}
+		</LozengeFlyContext.Provider>
+	);
+}
+
+// ─── Portal surface ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function FloatingLozengeSurface({ lozenges }: { lozenges: FlyingLozenge[] }) {
+	return (
+		<>
+			{lozenges.map((l) => (
+				<FlyingLozengeClone key={l.id} lozenge={l} />
+			))}
+		</>
+	);
+}
+
+function FlyingLozengeClone({ lozenge }: { lozenge: FlyingLozenge }) {
+	const color = lozenge.isActive ? "#58a6ff" : "#e3b341";
+	const x = lozenge.flying ? lozenge.endX : lozenge.startX;
+	const y = lozenge.flying ? lozenge.endY : lozenge.startY;
+
+	return (
+		<div
+			data-testid={`flying-lozenge-${lozenge.id}`}
+			style={{
+				position: "fixed",
+				left: `${x}px`,
+				top: `${y}px`,
+				zIndex: 9999,
+				pointerEvents: "none",
+				transition: lozenge.flying
+					? "left 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1), top 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)"
+					: "none",
+				display: "inline-flex",
+				alignItems: "center",
+				gap: "5px",
+				padding: "2px 8px",
+				borderRadius: "999px",
+				fontSize: "0.72em",
+				fontWeight: 600,
+				background: `${color}18`,
+				color,
+				border: `1px solid ${color}44`,
+				whiteSpace: "nowrap",
+			}}
+		>
+			{lozenge.isActive && (
+				<span
+					style={{
+						width: "5px",
+						height: "5px",
+						borderRadius: "50%",
+						background: color,
+						animation: "pulse 1.5s infinite",
+						flexShrink: 0,
+					}}
+				/>
+			)}
+			{lozenge.label}
+		</div>
+	);
+}
+
+// ─── Hook ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+export function useLozengeFly(): LozengeFlyContextValue {
+	return useContext(LozengeFlyContext);
+}

frontend/src/components/StagePanel.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
+import * as React from "react";
 import type { AgentAssignment, PipelineStageItem } from "../api/client";
+import { useLozengeFly } from "./LozengeFlyContext";
+
+const { useLayoutEffect, useRef } = React;
 
 interface StagePanelProps {
 	title: string;
@@ -6,7 +10,15 @@ interface StagePanelProps {
 	emptyMessage?: string;
 }
 
-function AgentLozenge({ agent }: { agent: AgentAssignment }) {
+function AgentLozenge({
+	agent,
+	storyId,
+}: {
+	agent: AgentAssignment;
+	storyId: string;
+}) {
+	const { saveSlotRect, pendingFlyIns } = useLozengeFly();
+	const lozengeRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
 	const isRunning = agent.status === "running";
 	const isPending = agent.status === "pending";
 	const color = isRunning ? "#58a6ff" : isPending ? "#e3b341" : "#aaa";
@@ -14,9 +26,20 @@ function AgentLozenge({ agent }: { agent: AgentAssignment }) {
 		? `${agent.agent_name} ${agent.model}`
 		: agent.agent_name;
 
+	const isFlyingIn = pendingFlyIns.has(storyId);
+
+	// Save our rect on every render so flyOut can reference it after unmount
+	useLayoutEffect(() => {
+		if (lozengeRef.current) {
+			saveSlotRect(storyId, lozengeRef.current.getBoundingClientRect());
+		}
+	});
+
 	return (
 		<div
+			ref={lozengeRef}
 			className="agent-lozenge"
+			data-testid={`slot-lozenge-${storyId}`}
 			style={{
 				display: "inline-flex",
 				alignItems: "center",
@@ -29,7 +52,12 @@ function AgentLozenge({ agent }: { agent: AgentAssignment }) {
 				color,
 				border: `1px solid ${color}44`,
 				marginTop: "4px",
-				animation: "agentAppear 0.3s ease-out",
+				// Fixed intrinsic width – never stretches to fill parent panel
+				alignSelf: "flex-start",
+				// Hidden during fly-in; revealed with a fade once the clone arrives
+				opacity: isFlyingIn ? 0 : 1,
+				transition: isFlyingIn ? "none" : "opacity 0.15s",
+				animation: isFlyingIn ? "none" : "agentAppear 0.3s ease-out",
 			}}
 		>
 			{isRunning && (
@@ -151,7 +179,9 @@ export function StagePanel({
 										</div>
 									)}
 								</div>
-								{item.agent && <AgentLozenge agent={item.agent} />}
+								{item.agent && (
+									<AgentLozenge agent={item.agent} storyId={item.story_id} />
+								)}
 							</div>
 						);
 					})}