diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..574765f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# Optional: share AutoHub's Live + recent inventory with its voice TUI.
+# Copy to .env, uncomment the base URL, then run npm start.
+# AUTOHUB_HUB_BASE=http://127.0.0.1:8767
+# AUTOHUB_HUB_TOKEN=
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 163b6de..879e49e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -152,7 +152,10 @@ when launching that way.
 Set `AUTOHUB_HUB_TOKEN` in `.env` or the server environment if that Hub requires a bearer
 token. In this mode CottageCode follows every `/v1/tasks` cursor page and reads
 canonical task detail, timelines, checklist data, and control capabilities.
-It does not open SQLite or scan Claude transcripts. The Hub owns discovery;
+The default map follows the same **Live + recent** inventory as the voice TUI.
+Its count spans every project town, not just HubTown. Older tasks stay available
+with **settled** enabled; historical PR links do not bring them back onto the
+default map. It does not open SQLite or scan Claude transcripts. The Hub owns discovery;
 CottageCode keeps its existing towns, cottages, inspectors, and message receipts.
 If the Hub is unavailable, the last complete feed stays visible as stale.
 Credentials and raw upstream errors are never returned to the browser.
diff --git a/docs/COTTAGE_FEED.md b/docs/COTTAGE_FEED.md
index 2ab0569..c816bb0 100644
--- a/docs/COTTAGE_FEED.md
+++ b/docs/COTTAGE_FEED.md
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ Full shape (everything else is optional):
 | `role` | string | Fallback for `town` if `town` is missing. |
 | `status` | string | One of `working` `idle` `blocked` `done` `offline`. |
 | `occupancy` | string | `live` `recent` `settled`. Optional. If omitted, the townmap classifies from `status` + timestamps (done ages out after ~2h). |
+| `inventoryScope` | string | Optional canonical Hub membership: `dashboard` keeps Live + recent tasks visible; `history` keeps older tasks settled, including those with historical PR links. Omit for standalone/custom classification. |
 | `parent` | string \| null | Id of the parent cottage. Kids render as sheds in the yard. |
 | `task` | string | Short description of the current work. Separate from the original request. |
 | `taskId` | string \| null | Explicit task/run identity. Changes reset the room and activity cache for that cottage. |
@@ -447,8 +448,18 @@ npx --yes http-server . -p 9999 --cors
 
 ### Shared Hub inventory mode
 
-The Node process caches successful inventory reads for five seconds; it follows
-all cursor pages before replacing a snapshot. Failed pages keep the previous
+The Node process caches dashboard reads for five seconds and history for one
+minute, using up to 500 tasks per page. It allows 45 seconds for a Hub request
+to finish during database contention instead of abandoning and requeuing it.
+It follows
+all cursor pages for both `history` and `dashboard` before replacing a snapshot.
+Dashboard membership controls the default map, matching the voice TUI's
+Live + recent inventory across all towns. Remaining history is available through
+the settled toggle. External children excluded by the Hub dashboard retain their
+parent identities in history; historical PR links do not override this membership.
+Background GitHub enrichment is reserved for dashboard tasks; history retains
+the PR evidence supplied by the Hub without polling hundreds of old links.
+Failed pages in either scope keep the previous
 complete snapshot and mark the feed stale. `id`, `parent`, and `taskId` retain
 Hub canonical task identities, including observed external sessions. Their
 `sessionId` stays separate. Town labels still derive from recorded project
diff --git a/scripts/browser-smoke.mjs b/scripts/browser-smoke.mjs
index f161840..89cfc9e 100644
--- a/scripts/browser-smoke.mjs
+++ b/scripts/browser-smoke.mjs
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ async function until(code,message,timeout=7000){
 }
 const state=()=>evaluate('window.cottageObservatory.state');
 async function key(key,ms=60){
-  return evaluate(`(async()=>{const c=document.getElementById(window.cottageObservatory.mode==='room'?'room-canvas':'town');c.focus();c.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keydown',{key:${JSON.stringify(key)},bubbles:true}));await new Promise(r=>setTimeout(r,${ms}));window.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keyup',{key:${JSON.stringify(key)},bubbles:true}));return window.cottageObservatory.state;})()`);
+  return evaluate(`(async()=>{const c=document.getElementById(window.cottageObservatory.mode==='room'?'room-canvas':'town');c.focus();c.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keydown',{key:${JSON.stringify(key)},bubbles:true}));if(${ms}>0)await new Promise(r=>setTimeout(r,${ms}));window.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keyup',{key:${JSON.stringify(key)},bubbles:true}));return window.cottageObservatory.state;})()`);
 }
 function pass(label){process.stdout.write('PASS '+label+'\n');}
 try{
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ try{
   assert.equal(await evaluate('document.activeElement.classList.contains(\'journal\')'),true);
   await click('[data-action="older"]');
   await until('document.querySelectorAll(\'.journal-event\').length===131','Older entries did not load');
+  await click('[data-action="latest"]');
+  await until('!window.cottageObservatory.state.activity.browsingHistory','Journal did not return to live entries');
   pass('walk indoors, inspect request, stream and paginate journal without scroll jumps');
   await click('[data-action="tab:review"]');
   assert.match(await evaluate('document.querySelector(\'.pr-snapshot\').textContent'),/Ready to merge/);
@@ -96,7 +98,9 @@ try{
     for(const target of path){let p=window.cottageObservatory.state.roomPlayer;const horizontal=Math.abs(target.x-p.x)>Math.abs(target.y-p.y),axis=horizontal?'x':'y',sign=Math.sign(target[axis]-p[axis]);if(Math.abs(target[axis]-p[axis])<1)continue;const key=horizontal?(sign>0?'ArrowRight':'ArrowLeft'):(sign>0?'ArrowDown':'ArrowUp');canvas.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keydown',{key,bubbles:true}));const end=performance.now()+800;while(sign*(target[axis]-window.cottageObservatory.state.roomPlayer[axis])>0&&performance.now()<end)await new Promise(requestAnimationFrame);window.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keyup',{key,bubbles:true}));}
     if(Math.hypot(window.cottageObservatory.state.roomPlayer.x-room.resident.x,window.cottageObservatory.state.roomPlayer.y-room.resident.y)>=30)throw new Error('Did not reach host');
   })()`);
-  await key('e');assert.equal((await state()).tab,'talk');assert.equal((await state()).talking,true);assert.equal((await state()).sound,false);
+  // Check the short murmur animation in the keypress response, before bridge
+  // round trips can outlast its 1.5-second lifetime.
+  const talking=await key('e',0);assert.equal(talking.tab,'talk');assert.equal(talking.talking,true);assert.equal(talking.sound,false);
   await browser('snapshot');
   await browser('fill',['--fields',JSON.stringify({'#agent-message':'Please keep the cottage furniture stable.'})]);
   await evaluate('const input=document.getElementById(\'agent-message\');input.focus();input.setSelectionRange(7,11);');
@@ -226,6 +230,55 @@ try{
   await until('window.cottageObservatory.state.replayIndex>'+reducedReplay,'Reduced motion incorrectly disabled replay');
   await key('Escape');
   pass('emulated reduced-motion preference preserves walking and recorded replay');
+  const historical=Array.from({length:500},(_,i)=>({id:'archived-'+i,name:'Old task '+i,town:'HubTown',status:'offline',occupancy:'settled',inventoryScope:'history',worktreePath:i===0?'/fixture/shared':'/fixture/history/'+i,pr:{...pr,number:i+1000,url:'https://github.com/example/history/pull/'+(i+1000),labels:['babysit:blocked']}}));
+  agents=[...historical,
+    {id:'current',name:'Current work',town:'HubTown',status:'working',occupancy:'live',inventoryScope:'dashboard',worktreePath:'/fixture/shared',task:'Current task',pr},
+    {id:'recent',name:'Recent work',town:'AppTown',status:'offline',occupancy:'recent',inventoryScope:'dashboard',task:'Recent task',pr:{state:'none'}},
+  ];
+  handoffs=[];
+  await browser('goto',['--url',url]);
+  await until('window.cottageObservatory?.state.selected===\'current\'','Hub history stole the initial selection');
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('window.cottageState().plots.length'),2);
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('document.querySelectorAll(\'#cottage-list button\').length'),2);
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('!!document.querySelector(\'[data-pr="blocked"]\')'),false);
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('document.querySelector(\'[data-pr="ready"] span\').textContent'),'1');
+  const compact=await evaluate('({height:window.cottageState().height,plot:window.cottageState().plots.find(p=>p.id===\'current\')})');
+  assert.ok(compact.height<1000);assert.deepEqual(compact.plot.roommates,[]);
+  await click('#settled');
+  await until('document.querySelectorAll(\'#cottage-list button\').length===502','Settled toggle did not expose canonical history');
+  assert.deepEqual(await evaluate('window.cottageState().plots.find(p=>p.id===\'current\').roommates'),['archived-0'],'The current task remains the shared-worktree host while history is visible');
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('document.querySelector(\'[data-pr="blocked"] span\').textContent'),'500');
+  await click('[data-pr="blocked"]');
+  await click('#settled');
+  await until('document.querySelectorAll(\'#cottage-list button\').length===2','Settled history did not hide again');
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('window.cottageState().height'),compact.height);
+  assert.deepEqual(await evaluate('window.cottageState().plots.find(p=>p.id===\'current\')'),compact.plot);
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('!!document.querySelector(\'[data-pr="blocked"]\')'),false);
+  assert.equal((await state()).prFilter,null,'A hidden history-only PR filter cannot strand the village');
+  await click('#settled');
+  const historicalPlot=await evaluate('window.cottageState().plots.find(p=>p.id===\'archived-400\')');
+  agents=[...agents.slice(0,500).reverse(),...agents.slice(500)];
+  await until('window.cottageState().agents[0].id===\'archived-499\'','Reordered history did not refresh');
+  assert.deepEqual(await evaluate('window.cottageState().plots.find(p=>p.id===\'archived-400\')'),historicalPlot,'Ordinary history refreshes preserve existing homes');
+  agents.push({...agents.at(-2),id:'arrival',name:'New arrival',worktreePath:'/fixture/new'});
+  await until('window.cottageState().plots.some(p=>p.id===\'arrival\')','New dashboard arrival did not get a plot while history was visible');
+  const expandedArrival=await evaluate('window.cottageState().plots.find(p=>p.id===\'arrival\')');
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('new Set(window.cottageState().plots.map(p=>p.x+\",\"+p.y)).size===window.cottageState().plots.length'),true,'Live arrivals never overlap historical cottages');
+  await click('#settled');
+  await until('window.cottageState().plots.length===3','New dashboard arrival did not get a plot');
+  assert.deepEqual(await evaluate('window.cottageState().plots.find(p=>p.id===\'arrival\')'),expandedArrival,'A live cottage arriving while history is visible keeps its canonical position');
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('window.cottageState().height'),compact.height,'Historical plots must not push new live cottages into distant annexes');
+  await click('#settled');
+  await click('.cottage-directory summary');
+  await click('[data-cottage="archived-400"]');
+  await click('[data-action="enter"]');
+  await click('#settled');
+  await key('Escape');
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('window.cottageObservatory.state.player.y<window.cottageState().height'),true,'Leaving a hidden historical cottage must return Jack inside the compact village');
+  agents.push(...Array.from({length:6},(_,i)=>({...agents.find(a=>a.id==='current'),id:'later-'+i,worktreePath:'/fixture/later/'+i})));
+  await until('window.cottageState().plots.length===9','Later dashboard arrivals did not get plots after the historical visit');
+  assert.equal(await evaluate('window.cottageState().height'),compact.height,'Visiting history must not consume the eight live HubTown slots');
+  pass('canonical live inventory keeps history out of plots, selection and PR counts; settled toggle restores stable homes');
   await browser('screenshot');
   process.stdout.write('Browser journey passed. Fixture: '+url+'\n');
 }finally{server.close();}
diff --git a/src/feed-client.mjs b/src/feed-client.mjs
index 9ca03b7..c9dd7a5 100644
--- a/src/feed-client.mjs
+++ b/src/feed-client.mjs
@@ -23,9 +23,27 @@ export function normalizeCottage(a,i,{town,model,occupancy,now=Date.now()}){
     activity:String(a.activity||''),lastLine:String(a.lastLine||''),result:String(a.result||''),
     attention:String(a.attention||''),model:model(a.model),tokens:Number(a.tokens)||0,cost:Number(a.cost)||0,
     dispatchedBy:String(a.dispatchedBy||a.parent||'unknown'),pr};
-  result.occupancy=hasOutstandingPr(result,now)?'live':(a.occupancy||occupancy(result,now));
+  // The Hub owns dashboard membership. A historical PR link is still useful
+  // at the desk, but it cannot bring an archived task back into the village.
+  result.occupancy=a.inventoryScope==='history'?'settled':
+    a.inventoryScope==='dashboard'?(a.occupancy||(['working','blocked','idle'].includes(status)?'live':'recent')):
+    hasOutstandingPr(result,now)?'live':(a.occupancy||occupancy(result,now));
   return result;
 }
+export function isCottageVisible(agent,{showSettled=false,interiorId=null,now=Date.now()}={}){
+  return showSettled||interiorId===agent.id||
+    (agent.inventoryScope!=='history'&&(agent.occupancy!=='settled'||hasOutstandingPr(agent,now)));
+}
+export function layoutCottages(agents,options={}){
+  // Standalone feeds retain their stable household anchors. Canonical history
+  // gets plots only when requested, so it cannot crowd out the live village.
+  return agents.filter(agent=>agent.inventoryScope!=='history'||isCottageVisible(agent,options));
+}
+export function feedStatusNote(agents,{source='',stale=false}={}){
+  const visible=agents.filter(agent=>isCottageVisible(agent)).length;
+  const sourceName=({hub:'AutoHub',claude:'Claude sessions','hub+claude':'AutoHub + Claude sessions',codex:'Codex tasks',demo:'Demo village',none:'Local feed'})[source]||source||'Custom feed';
+  return `${stale?'Stale snapshot · ':''}${sourceName} · ${visible} live + recent · ${agents.length-visible} settled`;
+}
 export function activityAddress(agent,endpoint){
   if(!agent.activityUrl)return null;
   try{const url=new URL(agent.activityUrl,endpoint);return ['http:','https:'].includes(url.protocol)?url:null;}catch{return null;}
diff --git a/src/feed.mjs b/src/feed.mjs
index b00d631..1bac076 100644
--- a/src/feed.mjs
+++ b/src/feed.mjs
@@ -354,8 +354,9 @@ export function createFeed({
     });
     for (const agent of claude.agents) if (!suppressedLocalIds.has(agent.id)) combined.push({ ...agent });
     const seen = new Set(combined.map(agent => agent.id));
-    // A live PR outlives a transcript window or DB scan window.
-    for (const old of cache) if (!seen.has(old.id) && hasOutstandingPr(old, now())) combined.push({ ...old, status: "offline" });
+    // A live PR outlives standalone scan windows. Shared Hub membership is
+    // authoritative, including removals when a task is archived upstream.
+    for (const old of cache) if (!hubInventory.configured && !seen.has(old.id) && hasOutstandingPr(old, now())) combined.push({ ...old, status: "offline" });
     for (const agent of combined) {
       const stored = remoteTodos.get(`${agent.id}\n${agent.taskId || ""}\n${agent.sessionId || ""}`);
       const supplied = normalizeTodos(agent.todos);
@@ -365,7 +366,13 @@ export function createFeed({
       if (agent.inputRequest && nextErrors.length) agent.inputRequest = { ...agent.inputRequest, stale: true };
     }
     let enriched = combined;
-    try { enriched = await enrich(await resolveRepos(combined)); }
+    try {
+      // Historical inventories can contain hundreds of old PRs. Keep their
+      // supplied evidence without spending live GitHub polling on hidden work.
+      const current = hubInventory.configured ? combined.filter(agent => agent.inventoryScope !== "history") : combined;
+      const observations = new Map((await enrich(await resolveRepos(current))).map(agent => [agent.id, agent]));
+      enriched = combined.map(agent => observations.get(agent.id) || agent);
+    }
     catch { nextErrors.push("PR metadata is temporarily unavailable"); }
     cache = stampOccupancy(sortCottages(enriched), now());
     // Retain activity for retained PR cottages; discard unrelated old sessions.
diff --git a/src/hub-inventory.mjs b/src/hub-inventory.mjs
index 281e5c0..b5b1de5 100644
--- a/src/hub-inventory.mjs
+++ b/src/hub-inventory.mjs
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ export function toInventoryCottage(task, now=Date.now()) {
 
 export function createHubInventoryReader({
   baseUrl=process.env.AUTOHUB_HUB_BASE || '',token=process.env.AUTOHUB_HUB_TOKEN || process.env.COTTAGE_HUB_TOKEN || '',
-  fetchFn=globalThis.fetch,now=Date.now,ttl=5000,pageSize=250,
+  fetchFn=globalThis.fetch,now=Date.now,ttl=5000,pageSize=500,historyTtl=60000,timeoutMs=45000,
 }={}) {
   let base=null;
   if(baseUrl) {
@@ -67,28 +67,43 @@ export function createHubInventoryReader({
       base.pathname=base.pathname.replace(/\/$/,'').replace(/\/v1$/,'')+'/v1/';base.search='';base.hash='';
     } catch {throw new Error('AUTOHUB_HUB_BASE must be an HTTP(S) URL without credentials.');}
   }
-  let previous=null,checkedAt=0,inFlight=null;
+  let previous=null,checkedAt=0,inFlight=null,history=null,historyCheckedAt=0;
   async function get(path) {
-    const response=await fetchFn(new URL(path,base),{headers:{accept:'application/json',...(token?{authorization:`Bearer ${token}`}:{})},redirect:'error',signal:AbortSignal.timeout(8000)});
+    const response=await fetchFn(new URL(path,base),{headers:{accept:'application/json',...(token?{authorization:`Bearer ${token}`}:{})},redirect:'error',signal:AbortSignal.timeout(timeoutMs)});
     if(!response.ok)throw new Error('Hub inventory temporarily unavailable');
     return response.json();
   }
   async function refresh() {
     try {
-      const tasks=new Map(),seen=new Set();let cursor='';
-      do {
-        const query=new URLSearchParams({scope:'history',limit:String(pageSize)});
-        if(cursor)query.set('cursor',cursor);
-        const page=await get(`tasks?${query}`);
-        if(!Array.isArray(page.tasks))throw new Error();
-        for(const task of page.tasks) {
-          if(typeof task?.id!=='string'||!task.id)throw new Error();
-          tasks.set(task.id,toInventoryCottage(task,now()));
+      const tasks=new Map();
+      let nextHistory=null;
+      // The Hub owns Live + recent membership. History alone cannot reproduce
+      // it from PR links or task clocks, and includes old external children.
+      // Read dashboard last so its newer rows win if a task changes mid-scan.
+      for(const scope of ['history','dashboard']) {
+        if(scope==='history'&&history&&now()-historyCheckedAt<historyTtl){
+          for(const [id,cottage] of history)tasks.set(id,cottage);
+          continue;
         }
-        cursor=page.has_more ? page.next_cursor : '';
-        if(page.has_more && (typeof cursor!=='string'||!cursor||seen.has(cursor)))throw new Error();
-        if(cursor)seen.add(cursor);
-      }while(cursor);
+        const seen=new Set();let cursor='';
+        do {
+          const query=new URLSearchParams({scope,limit:String(pageSize)});
+          if(cursor)query.set('cursor',cursor);
+          const page=await get(`tasks?${query}`);
+          if(!Array.isArray(page.tasks))throw new Error();
+          for(const task of page.tasks) {
+            if(typeof task?.id!=='string'||!task.id)throw new Error();
+            const cottage={...toInventoryCottage(task,now()),inventoryScope:scope};
+            cottage.occupancy=classifyOccupancy(cottage,now());
+            tasks.set(task.id,cottage);
+          }
+          cursor=page.has_more ? page.next_cursor : '';
+          if(page.has_more && (typeof cursor!=='string'||!cursor||seen.has(cursor)))throw new Error();
+          if(cursor)seen.add(cursor);
+        }while(cursor);
+        if(scope==='history')nextHistory=new Map(tasks);
+      }
+      if(nextHistory){history=nextHistory;historyCheckedAt=now();}
       previous={ok:true,agents:[...tasks.values()],keys:new Set(tasks.keys()),links:new Map([...tasks.keys()].map(id=>[id,new Set([id])]))};
       checkedAt=now();return previous;
     }catch {throw new Error('Hub inventory temporarily unavailable');}
@@ -105,7 +120,11 @@ export function createHubInventoryReader({
       try {
         const task=await get(`tasks/${encodeURIComponent(id)}`);
         if(task.id!==id)throw new Error();
-        return toInventoryCottage(task,now());
+        const cottage=toInventoryCottage(task,now());
+        const scope=previous?.agents.find(agent=>agent.id===id)?.inventoryScope;
+        if(scope)cottage.inventoryScope=scope;
+        cottage.occupancy=classifyOccupancy(cottage,now());
+        return cottage;
       }catch {throw new Error('Hub task detail temporarily unavailable');}
     },
   };
diff --git a/src/observatory.mjs b/src/observatory.mjs
index c575d15..1732f17 100644
--- a/src/observatory.mjs
+++ b/src/observatory.mjs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import {parcelReclaim,paintParcelReclaim} from './folklore.mjs';
 import {movePoint,inside,normalizeRelationships,normalizedHandoffs} from './world.mjs';
 import {createHistory} from './history.mjs';
 import {createSound} from './sound.mjs';
-import {activityAddress,mergeActivity,elapsedMs,validTime} from './feed-client.mjs';
+import {activityAddress,mergeActivity,elapsedMs,validTime,isCottageVisible} from './feed-client.mjs';
 import {cottageDoors,crossedDoor} from './interaction.mjs';
 import {normalizeTodos} from './todos.mjs';
 import {conversationCapability,MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH} from './conversation.mjs';
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ export const safeHttpsUrl=raw=>{try{const u=new URL(raw);return u.protocol==='ht
 const clock=value=>{const ms=validTime(value);return ms?new Date(ms).toLocaleString([], {month:'short',day:'numeric',hour:'2-digit',minute:'2-digit'}):'Unavailable';};
 const elapsed=agent=>{const duration=elapsedMs(agent);if(duration===null)return 'Unavailable';const sec=Math.floor(duration/1000);return Math.floor(sec/60)+'m '+(sec%60)+'s';};
 const distance=(a,b)=>Math.hypot(a.x-b.x,a.y-b.y);
+const cottageReturnPoint=plot=>({x:plot.x+(plot.parentPlot?8:27),y:plot.y+(plot.parentPlot?22:76)});
 export const button=(action,label,extra='')=>'<button type="button" data-action="'+esc(action)+'" '+extra+'>'+label+'</button>';
 export const handoffAction=url=>safeHttpsUrl(url)?button('handoff','Open handoff') : '';
 export function appendInlineHandoffs(events,append){
@@ -84,6 +85,19 @@ export function activityCacheFor(cache,a={}){
   if(cache?.identity===identity)return cache;
   return {identity,events:[],source:'none',cursor:null,hasMore:false,stale:false,unavailable:false};
 }
+/** Keep an intentional inspection; automatic choices start in the visible village. */
+export function cottageSelection(agents,{selected=null,interiorId=null,showSettled=false}={}){
+  if(interiorId&&agents.some(agent=>agent.id===interiorId))return interiorId;
+  if(selected&&agents.some(agent=>agent.id===selected))return selected;
+  const visible=agents.filter(agent=>isCottageVisible(agent,{showSettled}));
+  const hosts=visible.filter(agent=>!agent.parent);
+  return (hosts.find(agent=>['working','blocked'].includes(agent.status))||hosts[0]||visible[0])?.id||null;
+}
+export function inspectorPrCounts(agents,{showSettled=false,now=Date.now()}={}){
+  // Standalone feeds keep their existing PR accounting. Canonical Hub history
+  // joins the tally only when the user opens settled cottages.
+  return prCounts(agents.filter(agent=>agent.inventoryScope!=='history'||isCottageVisible(agent,{showSettled,now})),now);
+}
 const link=(url,text)=>safeUrl(url)?'<a href="'+esc(safeUrl(url))+'" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">'+esc(text)+'</a>':'';
 export function prSnapshotHtml(value){
   const pr=normalizePr(value),stage=pr.stage,s=STAGES[stage],ci=prCi(pr);
@@ -185,9 +199,11 @@ export function createObservatory(api){
   };
   const hint=text=>{if(text!==lastHint){$('scene-status').textContent=text;lastHint=text;}};
   function placePlayer(){
-    if(player)return;
-    const home=api.getWorld().jack;
-    player=home?{x:home.x+27,y:home.y+44}:{x:api.getWorld().roadX+18,y:65};
+    const world=api.getWorld();
+    if(player&&Number.isFinite(player.x)&&Number.isFinite(player.y)&&player.x>=0&&player.y>=0&&player.x<world.width&&player.y<world.height)return;
+    const home=world.jack;
+    player=home?{x:home.x+27,y:home.y+44}:{x:world.roadX+18,y:65};
+    followId=null;setMode(mode);scrollToPlayer(true);
   }
   function setMode(value){
     mode=value;keys.clear();
@@ -200,7 +216,7 @@ export function createObservatory(api){
   function enter(id){
     const a=byId(id),p=plotFor(id);if(!a||!p)return;
     selected=id;api.select(id);interiorId=id;room=roomFor(a);
-    roomPlayer={...room.door};returnTo={x:p.x+(p.parentPlot?8:27),y:p.y+(p.parentPlot?22:76)};
+    roomPlayer={...room.door};returnTo=cottageReturnPoint(p);
     selectedObject=null;tab='overview';transition=reduce?1:0;
     followId=null;setMode('room');sound.play('door');renderPanel(id);roomCanvas.focus();
   }
@@ -547,14 +563,16 @@ export function createObservatory(api){
     const range=$('replay-range');if(range)range.value=replayIndex;
   }
   function updatePrTally(){
-    const counts=prCounts(latestAgents),signature=JSON.stringify(counts)+prFilter;
+    const counts=inspectorPrCounts(latestAgents,{showSettled:api.getWorld().showSettled});
+    if(prFilter&&!counts[prFilter])prFilter=null;
+    const signature=JSON.stringify(counts)+prFilter;
     if(signature===stageSignature)return;stageSignature=signature;
     $('pr-tally').innerHTML=Object.entries(STAGES).filter(([k])=>counts[k]>0).map(([key,s])=>'<button type="button" data-pr="'+key+'" aria-pressed="'+(prFilter===key)+'"><i style="background:'+s.color+'"></i>'+s.label+' <span>'+counts[key]+'</span></button>').join('');
     $('pr-tally').setAttribute('aria-label','Filter by PR stage; shared pull requests counted once');
   }
   $('pr-tally').addEventListener('click',e=>{const b=e.target.closest('[data-pr]');if(!b)return;prFilter=prFilter===b.dataset.pr?null:b.dataset.pr;stageSignature='';updatePrTally();updateRoster();});
   function updateRoster(){
-    const list=latestAgents.filter(a=>visible(a)&&(a.occupancy!=='settled'||api.getWorld().showSettled));
+    const list=latestAgents.filter(a=>visible(a)&&isCottageVisible(a,{showSettled:api.getWorld().showSettled,interiorId}));
     const signature=JSON.stringify(list.map(a=>[a.id,a.name,a.status,prStage(a.pr)]))+selected;
     if(signature===rosterSignature)return;rosterSignature=signature;
     $('cottage-list').innerHTML=list.map(a=>'<button type="button" data-cottage="'+esc(a.id)+'" aria-pressed="'+(selected===a.id)+'"><span>'+esc(a.name)+'</span><small>'+esc(STAGES[prStage(a.pr)].label)+'</small></button>').join('');
@@ -571,6 +589,7 @@ export function createObservatory(api){
     if(from&&to&&Date.now()-e.timestamp<60000)couriers.push({...e,start:performance.now()/1000,fromPoint:{x:from.x+from.w/2,y:from.y+from.h-10},toPoint:{x:to.x+to.w/2,y:to.y+to.h-10}});
   }
   function update(agents,meta={}){
+    const selectedWasCottage=latestAgents.some(agent=>agent.id===selected);
     latestAgents=agents;feedStale=!!meta.stale;
     const nextKey=api.getSourceKey?.()||api.getEndpoint()||'demo';
     const sourceChanged=nextKey!==sourceKey;
@@ -597,10 +616,18 @@ export function createObservatory(api){
       }
       activityLines.set(a.id,line);
     }
+    if(mode==='room'){
+      if(!byId(interiorId))leave();
+      else{const plot=plotFor(interiorId);if(plot)returnTo=cottageReturnPoint(plot);}
+    }
     historyInitialized=true;placePlayer();if(sourceChanged)scrollToPlayer(true);
-    if(mode==='room'&&!byId(interiorId))leave();
-    if(!selected&&agents.length){selected=agents.find(a=>!a.parent)?.id||agents[0].id;api.select(selected);}
-    const w=api.getWorld();relationships=normalizeRelationships(meta.relationships||[],[...new Set(agents.map(a=>a.town))]);
+    const w=api.getWorld();
+    // Non-cottage selections, such as Jack's letters, belong to the town UI.
+    if(!selected||selectedWasCottage||byId(selected)){
+      const nextSelected=cottageSelection(agents,{selected,interiorId,showSettled:w.showSettled});
+      if(nextSelected!==selected){selected=nextSelected;tab='overview';selectedObject=null;api.select(selected);}
+    }
+    relationships=normalizeRelationships(meta.relationships||[],[...new Set(agents.map(a=>a.town))]);
     handoffs=normalizedHandoffs(meta.handoffs||[]);handoffs.forEach(appendHandoff);
     board={x:w.roadX+26,y:(w.roadYs?.[0]||w.height-60)+16};
     gramophone={x:board.x+40,y:board.y};
diff --git a/src/occupancy.mjs b/src/occupancy.mjs
index b4eba81..0f1a914 100644
--- a/src/occupancy.mjs
+++ b/src/occupancy.mjs
@@ -77,6 +77,9 @@ export function hasShowableWork(c) {
 }
 
 export function classifyOccupancy(c, now = Date.now()) {
+  if (c.inventoryScope === "history") return "settled";
+  if (c.inventoryScope === "dashboard")
+    return ["working", "blocked", "idle"].includes(c.status) ? "live" : "recent";
   if (c.status === "working" || c.status === "blocked") return "live";
   if (hasOutstandingPr(c, now)) return "live";
   if (c.status === "idle") {
diff --git a/src/roommates.mjs b/src/roommates.mjs
index ebd9e8d..b3dae3b 100644
--- a/src/roommates.mjs
+++ b/src/roommates.mjs
@@ -10,8 +10,11 @@ export function roommateKey(agent) {
   return isAbsolutePath(path) ? path : "";
 }
 
-/** Stable plot anchor: earliest id. Status and children must not move the cottage. */
+/** Dashboard members host shared cottages; earliest id breaks ties deterministically. */
 function preferHost(a, b) {
+  const leftDashboard = a?.inventoryScope === "dashboard";
+  const rightDashboard = b?.inventoryScope === "dashboard";
+  if (leftDashboard !== rightDashboard) return leftDashboard ? a : b;
   const left = String(a?.id || "");
   const right = String(b?.id || "");
   return left <= right ? a : b;
diff --git a/src/town.mjs b/src/town.mjs
index a48d5b9..7076df0 100644
--- a/src/town.mjs
+++ b/src/town.mjs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { normalizePr, prStage, hasOutstandingPr } from "./pr.mjs";
 import { createTownLayout, advanceDuck, normalizeTown } from "./world.mjs";
 import { renderResident } from "./interiors.mjs";
 import { createObservatory, apprenticeResidentTarget } from "./observatory.mjs";
-import { normalizeCottage } from "./feed-client.mjs";
+import { normalizeCottage, isCottageVisible, layoutCottages, feedStatusNote } from "./feed-client.mjs";
 import { blankFeedState, createLatestRefresh, readCurrentFeed, snapshotForEndpoint } from "./live-feed.mjs";
 import { lettersOf } from "./occupancy.mjs";
 import {
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ let feedRevision = 0;
 let FEED_META = {source:"demo",relationships:[],handoffs:[]};
 let observatory;
 const stableLayout = createTownLayout();
+let historyLayout = null, historyLiveSignature = '';
 let sceneSolids = [], scenePonds = [], sceneDistricts = [];
 let showSettled = false;
 
@@ -128,7 +129,7 @@ async function fetchAgents(){
     builtInDemo=false;LIVE=true;feedStale=!!data.stale;FEED_META=data;
     const list=data.agents.filter(a=>a&&typeof a==="object").map((a,i)=>normalizeCottage(data.stale?{...a,pr:{...a.pr,stale:true,reason:"The feed is stale; PR readiness is unverified."}}:a,i,{town:normalizeTown,model:shortModel,occupancy:classifyOccupancy}));
     lastSnapshot=list;lastEndpoint=endpoint;
-    feedNote((feedStale?"Stale snapshot · ":"live. ")+list.length+" cottages ("+(data.source||"custom feed")+")",feedStale?"#e7b778":"#94c99e");
+    feedNote(feedStatusNote(list,{source:data.source,stale:feedStale}),feedStale?"#e7b778":"#94c99e");
     return list;
   }catch(err){
     if(!current())return null;
@@ -1609,7 +1610,7 @@ function drawSign(x, y, label, color){
 
 /* ---------- layout ---------- */
 function visibleAgents(){
-  return agents.filter(a => showSettled || a.occupancy !== "settled" || hasOutstandingPr(a) || observatory?.state.interiorId===a.id);
+  return agents.filter(a => isCottageVisible(a,{showSettled,interiorId:observatory?.state.interiorId}));
 }
 
 function drawParcel(x, y, state){
@@ -1625,22 +1626,38 @@ function drawParcel(x, y, state){
 }
 
 function layout(){
-  // Group from the full feed so a settled host cannot lose the shared slot
-  // when roommates remain live and visible.
-  const rooted=plotAgentsForLayout(agents);
-  const lodgers=roommateLodgerIds(agents);
-  const hostById=new Map(rooted.map(h=>[h.id,h]));
-  const forLayout=agents.filter(a=>!lodgers.has(a.id)).map(a=>{
-    const host=hostById.get(a.id);
-    if(host) return host;
-    if(a.parent && lodgers.has(a.parent)){
-      const hostId=plotHostId(agents, a.parent);
-      return hostId ? {...a, parent:hostId} : a;
-    }
-    return a;
-  });
-  const world=stableLayout.update(forLayout);
-  const styles=districtsFrom(agents);
+  const prepare=residents=>{
+    const rooted=plotAgentsForLayout(residents),lodgers=roommateLodgerIds(residents);
+    const hostById=new Map(rooted.map(h=>[h.id,h]));
+    const forLayout=residents.filter(a=>!lodgers.has(a.id)).map(a=>{
+      const host=hostById.get(a.id);
+      if(host)return host;
+      if(a.parent&&lodgers.has(a.parent)){
+        const hostId=plotHostId(residents,a.parent);
+        return hostId?{...a,parent:hostId}:a;
+      }
+      return a;
+    });
+    return {residents,hostById,forLayout};
+  };
+  const current=prepare(layoutCottages(agents));
+  const options={trimEmptyBlocks:agents.some(a=>a.inventoryScope)};
+  const liveWorld=stableLayout.update(current.forLayout,options);
+  const liveSignature=JSON.stringify(liveWorld.plots.map(p=>[p.agent.plotKey||p.agent.id,p.x,p.y]).sort())+
+    JSON.stringify(Object.entries(liveWorld.shedSlots).sort());
+  // Preserve historical positions across ordinary feed updates, rebasing only
+  // when live allocations change so new arrivals keep their canonical slots.
+  if(showSettled){
+    if(!historyLayout||historyLiveSignature!==liveSignature)historyLayout=stableLayout.fork();
+    historyLiveSignature=liveSignature;
+  }else historyLayout=null;
+  const {residents,hostById,forLayout}=showSettled?prepare(agents):
+    prepare(layoutCottages(agents,{interiorId:observatory?.state.interiorId}));
+  // An occupied historical room needs an exit plot while hidden, but visiting
+  // it must never reserve capacity in the live village's permanent registry.
+  const world=showSettled?historyLayout.update(forLayout,options):
+    residents.length>current.residents.length?stableLayout.fork().update(forLayout,options):liveWorld;
+  const styles=districtsFrom(residents);
   TOWNS=world.blocks.map(b=>({...styles.find(d=>d.key===b.key)||FALLBACK_TOWN,key:b.key,label:b.key.toUpperCase()+(b.page?" ANNEX":"")}));
   DR=world.blocks;sceneDistricts=DR;
   if(!TOWNS.length){TOWNS=[{key:"HubTown",label:"HOME HUBTOWN",...TOWN_PALETTE[0]}];DR=[{key:"HubTown",x:MARGIN,y:MARGIN,w:world.districtWidth,h:340,row:0,col:0}];sceneDistricts=DR;}
@@ -2070,7 +2087,7 @@ document.getElementById("connect").onclick = ()=>{
     if(ENDPOINT!==null){
       activeFeedAbort?.abort();feedRevision++;clearFeedState();
     }
-    ENDPOINT=null;builtInDemo=true;stableLayout.reset();layoutSignature="";feedNote("Back on the demo townmap.");return refresh({latest:true});
+    ENDPOINT=null;builtInDemo=true;stableLayout.reset();historyLayout=null;layoutSignature="";feedNote("Back on the demo townmap.");return refresh({latest:true});
   }
   if(!isAllowedFeedUrl(v)){
     feedNote("feed URL must be http(s). data: and other schemes are blocked.", "#e2504a");
@@ -2080,7 +2097,7 @@ document.getElementById("connect").onclick = ()=>{
   if(nextEndpoint!==ENDPOINT){
     activeFeedAbort?.abort();feedRevision++;clearFeedState();
   }
-  ENDPOINT=nextEndpoint;builtInDemo=false;stableLayout.reset();layoutSignature="";feedNote("connecting...");refresh({latest:true});
+  ENDPOINT=nextEndpoint;builtInDemo=false;stableLayout.reset();historyLayout=null;layoutSignature="";feedNote("connecting...");refresh({latest:true});
 };
 document.getElementById("endpoint").addEventListener("keydown", e=>{
   if(e.key==="Enter") document.getElementById("connect").click();
@@ -2088,7 +2105,7 @@ document.getElementById("endpoint").addEventListener("keydown", e=>{
 document.getElementById("settled").onclick = (e)=>{
   showSettled = !showSettled;
   e.target.setAttribute("aria-pressed", String(showSettled));
-  layout(); renderTally(); renderPanel();
+  layout(); observatory?.update(agents,{...FEED_META,stale:feedStale}); renderTally(); renderPanel();
 };
 document.getElementById("pause").onclick = (e)=>{
   paused = !paused; SIM.setLive(!paused);
@@ -2160,7 +2177,7 @@ const refresh=createLatestRefresh(async ()=>{
     if(incoming===null)return true;
     agents=incoming;
     const nextSource=feedNamespace(ENDPOINT,builtInDemo);
-    if(nextSource!==layoutSource){layoutSource=nextSource;stableLayout.reset();layoutSignature="";fauna.length=0;}
+    if(nextSource!==layoutSource){layoutSource=nextSource;stableLayout.reset();historyLayout=null;layoutSignature="";fauna.length=0;}
     layout();observatory?.update(agents,{...FEED_META,stale:feedStale});renderTally();renderPanel();
     return false;
 });
diff --git a/src/world.mjs b/src/world.mjs
index 9a0b02e..e1f2b29 100644
--- a/src/world.mjs
+++ b/src/world.mjs
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 /** Stable plots: a growing town gets an annex instead of moving existing homes. */
-export function createTownLayout({columns=4, rows=2, houseWidth=54, houseHeight=66, gapX=26, gapY=70, margin=30, road=48, pad=18, signHeight=32}={}) {
-  const slots = new Map(), blocks = [], byTown = new Map(), childSlots=new Map(), parentCounts=new Map();
+export function createTownLayout(options={},seed=null) {
+  const {columns=4, rows=2, houseWidth=54, houseHeight=66, gapX=26, gapY=70, margin=30, road=48, pad=18, signHeight=32}=options;
+  const slots = new Map(seed?.slots), blocks = (seed?.blocks||[]).map(b=>({...b})), byTown = new Map(), childSlots=new Map(seed?.childSlots), parentCounts=new Map(seed?.parentCounts);
+  for(const block of blocks){const pages=byTown.get(block.key)||[];pages.push(block);byTown.set(block.key,pages);}
   const width = columns * (houseWidth + gapX) - gapX + pad*2;
   const height = signHeight + rows * (houseHeight+gapY) + pad*2;
   const capacity=columns*rows;
@@ -24,7 +26,7 @@ export function createTownLayout({columns=4, rows=2, houseWidth=54, houseHeight=
     return slot;
   }
   return {
-    update(agents) {
+    update(agents,{trimEmptyBlocks=false}={}) {
       const ids=new Set(agents.map(a=>a.id));
       const slotKeys=new Set([...slots.keys()]);
       for(const a of agents){
@@ -32,13 +34,18 @@ export function createTownLayout({columns=4, rows=2, houseWidth=54, houseHeight=
       }
       const roots=agents.filter(a=>!a.parent||!ids.has(a.parent)||childSlots.get(a.id)>=3||slotKeys.has(a.plotKey||a.id)||slots.has(a.id));
       const plots=roots.map(a=>({...allocate(a),agent:a}));
-      const n=Math.max(1,blocks.length);
-      return {plots,shedSlots:Object.fromEntries(childSlots),blocks:blocks.map(b=>({...b})),width:margin*2+2*width+road,
+      const occupied=new Set(plots.map(p=>p.blockId));
+      const shownBlocks=trimEmptyBlocks?blocks.filter(b=>occupied.has(b.id)):blocks;
+      const n=Math.max(1,...shownBlocks.map(b=>b.row*2+b.col+1));
+      return {plots,shedSlots:Object.fromEntries(childSlots),blocks:shownBlocks.map(b=>({...b})),width:margin*2+2*width+road,
         height:margin*2+Math.ceil(n/2)*height+(Math.ceil(n/2)-1)*road,
         districtWidth:width,roadX:margin+width,
         roadYs:Array.from({length:Math.ceil(n/2)},(_,i)=>margin+height+i*(height+road)),
         columns};
     },
+    // History can grow a separate map from these exact live positions without
+    // reserving hundreds of empty slots for the next live arrival.
+    fork(){return createTownLayout(options,{slots,blocks,childSlots,parentCounts});},
     reset(){ slots.clear();blocks.length=0;byTown.clear();childSlots.clear();parentCounts.clear(); }
   };
 }
diff --git a/test/feed-client.test.mjs b/test/feed-client.test.mjs
index 024d66a..d7426a7 100644
--- a/test/feed-client.test.mjs
+++ b/test/feed-client.test.mjs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import test from 'node:test';
 import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
-import {feedEnvelope,normalizeCottage,mergeActivity,activityAddress,elapsedMs} from '../src/feed-client.mjs';
+import {feedEnvelope,normalizeCottage,isCottageVisible,feedStatusNote,mergeActivity,activityAddress,elapsedMs} from '../src/feed-client.mjs';
 test('bare and wrapped feeds are compatible but missing agents is invalid',()=>{
   assert.deepEqual(feedEnvelope([]).agents,[]);assert.equal(feedEnvelope({agents:[],source:'custom'}).source,'custom');
   assert.throws(()=>feedEnvelope({source:'oops'}));
@@ -41,3 +41,38 @@ test('terminal attention keeps its known elapsed duration after normalizing',()=
   assert.equal(cottage.terminal,true);
   assert.equal(elapsedMs(cottage,start+9000),1000);
 });
+test('Hub history stays settled even when it retains an unresolved PR link',()=>{
+  const now=1700000000000;
+  const options={town:x=>x||'Town',model:x=>x||'?',occupancy:()=> 'live',now};
+  const pr={url:'https://github.com/example/repo/pull/42',state:'unknown'};
+  const history=normalizeCottage({id:'history',inventoryScope:'history',occupancy:'live',pr},0,options);
+  assert.equal(history.occupancy,'settled');
+  assert.equal(history.pr.url,pr.url);
+  assert.equal(isCottageVisible(history,{now}),false);
+  assert.equal(isCottageVisible(history,{showSettled:true,now}),true);
+  assert.equal(isCottageVisible(history,{interiorId:'history',now}),true);
+  assert.equal(isCottageVisible(history,{interiorId:'another-cottage',now}),false);
+});
+test('Hub dashboard occupancy remains authoritative while standalone PRs stay visible',()=>{
+  const now=1700000000000;
+  const options={town:x=>x||'Town',model:x=>x||'?',occupancy:()=> 'settled',now};
+  const pr={url:'https://github.com/example/repo/pull/42',state:'open',checkedAt:now};
+  const dashboard=normalizeCottage({id:'recent',inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:'recent',pr},0,options);
+  const standalone=normalizeCottage({id:'standalone',occupancy:'settled',pr},1,options);
+  assert.equal(dashboard.occupancy,'recent');
+  assert.equal(isCottageVisible(dashboard,{now}),true);
+  const undated=normalizeCottage({id:'undated',inventoryScope:'dashboard',status:'offline'},2,options);
+  assert.equal(undated.occupancy,'recent');assert.equal(isCottageVisible(undated,{now}),true);
+  assert.equal(standalone.occupancy,'live');
+  assert.equal(isCottageVisible(standalone,{now}),true);
+});
+test('feed note separates live and recent cottages from historical inventory',()=>{
+  const agents=[
+    ...Array.from({length:19},(_,i)=>({id:`dashboard-${i}`,inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:i%2?'live':'recent'})),
+    ...Array.from({length:521},(_,i)=>({id:`history-${i}`,inventoryScope:'history',occupancy:'settled',pr:{url:'https://github.com/example/repo/pull/42'}})),
+  ];
+  assert.equal(feedStatusNote(agents,{source:'hub'}),'AutoHub · 19 live + recent · 521 settled');
+  assert.equal(feedStatusNote(agents,{source:'hub+claude',stale:true}),'Stale snapshot · AutoHub + Claude sessions · 19 live + recent · 521 settled');
+  assert.equal(feedStatusNote([],{source:'claude'}),'Claude sessions · 0 live + recent · 0 settled');
+  assert.equal(feedStatusNote([]),'Custom feed · 0 live + recent · 0 settled');
+});
diff --git a/test/hub-inventory.test.mjs b/test/hub-inventory.test.mjs
index 201019e..4b94bff 100644
--- a/test/hub-inventory.test.mjs
+++ b/test/hub-inventory.test.mjs
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ test('inventory adapter follows all cursor pages and preserves canonical parent/
     return {ok:true,json:async()=>new URL(url).searchParams.get('cursor') ? {tasks:[task('child',{recordKind:'external_session',parentId:'canonical-parent'})],has_more:false,next_cursor:null} : {tasks:[task('canonical-parent')],has_more:true,next_cursor:'page-2'}};
   }});
   const value=await reader.read();
-  assert.equal(calls.length,2);
+  assert.equal(calls.length,4);
+  assert.deepEqual(calls.map(call=>new URL(call.url).searchParams.get('scope')),['history','history','dashboard','dashboard']);
   assert.equal(calls[0].options.headers.authorization,'Bearer secret');
   assert.equal(new URL(calls[0].url).pathname,'/v1/tasks');
   assert.deepEqual(value.agents.map(a=>a.id),['canonical-parent','child']);
@@ -30,12 +31,79 @@ test('inventory adapter follows all cursor pages and preserves canonical parent/
   assert.equal(value.agents[0].branch,'fix/cursor');
   assert.equal(JSON.stringify(value.agents).includes('secret'),false);
 });
+
+test('dashboard membership survives history PRs, old clocks, child records, and detail refresh',async()=>{
+  const old=new Date(now-10*86400e3).toISOString();
+  const link={kind:'pull_request',url:'https://github.com/acme/repo/pull/1'};
+  const history=[task('recent',{status:'completed',completedAt:old,updatedAt:old}),
+    task('old-pr',{status:'completed',updatedAt:old,resultLinks:[link]}),
+    task('child',{recordKind:'external_session',parentId:'recent'}),
+    task('waiting',{status:'awaiting_review',updatedAt:old})];
+  let fail=false;
+  const reader=createHubInventoryReader({baseUrl:'http://hub.test',now:()=>now,ttl:0,fetchFn:async url=>{
+    const u=new URL(url);
+    if(u.pathname.endsWith('/recent'))return {ok:true,json:async()=>history[0]};
+    const dashboard=u.searchParams.get('scope')==='dashboard';
+    if(dashboard && fail)throw new Error('private connection failure');
+    return {ok:true,json:async()=>({tasks:dashboard?[history[0],history[3]]:history,has_more:false})};
+  }});
+  const feed=createFeed({hubInventory:reader,resolveRepos:async a=>a,enrich:async a=>a,now:()=>now});
+  await feed.scan();
+  const snapshot=feed.snapshot();
+  assert.equal(snapshot.live,2);assert.equal(snapshot.settled,2);
+  assert.deepEqual(snapshot.agents.filter(a=>a.occupancy!=='settled').map(a=>a.id).sort(),['recent','waiting']);
+  assert.equal(snapshot.agents.find(a=>a.id==='child').parent,'recent');
+  assert.equal(snapshot.agents.find(a=>a.id==='old-pr').pr.url,link.url);
+  const detail=await reader.detail('recent');
+  assert.equal(detail.inventoryScope,'dashboard');assert.equal(detail.occupancy,'recent');
+  fail=true;await feed.scan();
+  assert.equal(feed.snapshot().stale,true);
+  assert.deepEqual(feed.snapshot().agents,snapshot.agents,'dashboard failure cannot publish a history-only snapshot');
+});
+
+test('canonical tasks can settle or disappear without old PRs resurrecting them',async()=>{
+  let phase=0;
+  const reader=createHubInventoryReader({baseUrl:'http://hub.test',now:()=>now,ttl:0,historyTtl:0,fetchFn:async url=>{
+    const dashboard=new URL(url).searchParams.get('scope')==='dashboard';
+    return {ok:true,json:async()=>({tasks:phase===2 || dashboard && phase===1 ? [] : [task('retiring',{resultLinks:[{kind:'pull_request',url:'https://github.com/acme/repo/pull/1'}]})],has_more:false})};
+  }});
+  const feed=createFeed({hubInventory:reader,resolveRepos:async a=>a,enrich:async a=>a,now:()=>now});
+  await feed.scan();assert.equal(feed.snapshot().live,1);
+  phase=1;await feed.scan();assert.equal(feed.snapshot().live,0);assert.equal(feed.snapshot().settled,1);
+  phase=2;await feed.scan();assert.equal(feed.snapshot().agents.length,0);
+});
+
+test('dashboard keeps refreshing while expensive historical pages are cached',async()=>{
+  let clock=now;const scopes=[];
+  const reader=createHubInventoryReader({baseUrl:'http://hub.test',now:()=>clock,ttl:0,fetchFn:async url=>{
+    const u=new URL(url),scope=u.searchParams.get('scope');scopes.push(scope);
+    assert.equal(u.searchParams.get('limit'),'500');
+    return {ok:true,json:async()=>({tasks:[task(scope==='history'?'old':'current')],has_more:false})};
+  }});
+  await reader.read();clock+=5000;await reader.read();
+  assert.deepEqual(scopes,['history','dashboard','dashboard']);
+  clock+=60000;await reader.read();
+  assert.deepEqual(scopes,['history','dashboard','dashboard','history','dashboard']);
+});
 test('configured hub mode never calls standalone scanner or SQLite reader',async()=>{
   let scans=0,reads=0;
   const inventory={configured:true,read:async()=>({ok:true,agents:[toInventoryCottage(task('canonical'),now)],keys:new Set(),links:new Map()})};
   const feed=createFeed({hubInventory:inventory,scanClaude:async()=>{scans++;throw new Error('scanner forbidden');},readHub:()=>{reads++;throw new Error('DB forbidden');},resolveRepos:async a=>a,enrich:async a=>a,now:()=>now});
   await feed.scan();assert.equal(scans,0);assert.equal(reads,0);assert.equal(feed.snapshot().agents[0].id,'canonical');assert.equal(feed.snapshot().source,'hub');
 });
+
+test('historical inventory does not consume live repository and GitHub polling',async()=>{
+  const agents=[{...toInventoryCottage(task('current'),now),inventoryScope:'dashboard'},
+    {...toInventoryCottage(task('old',{resultLinks:[{kind:'pull_request',url:'https://github.com/acme/repo/pull/1'}]}),now),inventoryScope:'history'}];
+  const calls=[];
+  const feed=createFeed({hubInventory:{configured:true,read:async()=>({ok:true,agents})},
+    resolveRepos:async a=>{calls.push(['repos',a.map(agent=>agent.id)]);return a;},
+    enrich:async a=>{calls.push(['github',a.map(agent=>agent.id)]);return a;},now:()=>now});
+  await feed.scan();
+  assert.deepEqual(calls,[['repos',['current']],['github',['current']]]);
+  assert.equal(feed.snapshot().agents.length,2);
+  assert.equal(feed.snapshot().agents.find(a=>a.id==='old').pr.url,'https://github.com/acme/repo/pull/1');
+});
 test('failed continuation retains the previous complete feed without exposing token/errors',async()=>{
   let fail=false;
   const reader=createHubInventoryReader({baseUrl:'http://hub.test',token:'private-token',ttl:0,fetchFn:async()=>{
diff --git a/test/observatory.test.mjs b/test/observatory.test.mjs
index 761803a..918afb9 100644
--- a/test/observatory.test.mjs
+++ b/test/observatory.test.mjs
@@ -1,9 +1,53 @@
 import test from 'node:test';
 import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
-import {activityJournalPresentation,activityCacheFor,applyActivityPage,returnToLatestActivity,activityPagingButtons,isPracticeDemo,button,handoffAction,appendInlineHandoffs,isApprenticeArrivalActive,apprenticeArrivalPosition,apprenticeResidentPosition,apprenticeResidentTarget,prSnapshotHtml} from '../src/observatory.mjs';
+import {activityJournalPresentation,activityCacheFor,applyActivityPage,returnToLatestActivity,activityPagingButtons,isPracticeDemo,button,handoffAction,appendInlineHandoffs,isApprenticeArrivalActive,apprenticeArrivalPosition,apprenticeResidentPosition,apprenticeResidentTarget,prSnapshotHtml,cottageSelection,inspectorPrCounts} from '../src/observatory.mjs';
 
 const pending = { id: 'practice-question', prompt: 'Which scope should I use?' };
 
+test('automatic inspection chooses visible work instead of the first historical record',()=>{
+  const agents=[
+    {id:'old-pr',inventoryScope:'history',occupancy:'settled',pr:{url:'https://github.com/example/repo/pull/1395'}},
+    {id:'child',inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:'live',parent:'working',status:'working'},
+    {id:'recent',inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:'recent',status:'done'},
+    {id:'working',inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:'live',status:'working'},
+  ];
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents),'working');
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents,{selected:'removed-cottage'}),'working','a vanished selection is replaced with visible work');
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents.slice(0,1)),null,'a history-only feed has no automatic hidden selection');
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents.slice(0,1),{showSettled:true}),'old-pr');
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents.slice(1,2)),'child','a visible child is inspectable even without a visible host');
+});
+
+test('explicit history inspection and the current room survive inventory updates and toggles',()=>{
+  const agents=[
+    {id:'history',inventoryScope:'history',occupancy:'settled'},
+    {id:'working',inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:'live',status:'working'},
+  ];
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents,{selected:'history',showSettled:true}),'history');
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents,{selected:'history',showSettled:false}),'history');
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents,{selected:'working',interiorId:'history'}),'history');
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection(agents.slice(1),{selected:'history',interiorId:'history'}),'working');
+  assert.equal(cottageSelection([],{selected:'working'}),null);
+});
+
+test('PR tally excludes canonical history until settled is shown and keeps standalone accounting',()=>{
+  const now=1700000000000;
+  const sharedPr={url:'https://github.com/example/repo/pull/42',state:'open',checkedAt:now};
+  const agents=[
+    {id:'working',inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:'live',pr:sharedPr},
+    {id:'shared',inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:'live',pr:sharedPr},
+    {id:'standalone',occupancy:'settled'},
+    ...Array.from({length:500},(_,i)=>({id:`history-${i}`,inventoryScope:'history',occupancy:'settled'})),
+  ];
+  const current=inspectorPrCounts(agents,{now});
+  assert.equal(current.total,1,'shared PRs still count once');
+  assert.equal(current.open,1);
+  assert.equal(current.unknown,1,'standalone accounting remains unchanged');
+  const all=inspectorPrCounts(agents,{showSettled:true,now});
+  assert.equal(all.open,1);
+  assert.equal(all.unknown,501);
+});
+
 test('practice replies require the built-in demo state, not a feed source label', () => {
   assert.equal(isPracticeDemo({ source: 'demo', inputRequest: pending }, true), true);
   assert.equal(isPracticeDemo({ source: 'demo', inputRequest: pending }, false), false);
diff --git a/test/occupancy.test.mjs b/test/occupancy.test.mjs
index c902238..036ec1f 100644
--- a/test/occupancy.test.mjs
+++ b/test/occupancy.test.mjs
@@ -6,6 +6,15 @@ const now = Date.parse("2026-09-14T12:00:00Z");
 const pr = { number: 4, url: "https://github.com/example/repo/pull/4", state: "open",
   labels: ["babysit:blocked"], source: "github", checkedAt: now, headSha: "head" };
 
+test("canonical Hub membership controls visibility without changing task status", () => {
+  const historical = { inventoryScope: "history", status: "working", pr };
+  const recent = { inventoryScope: "dashboard", status: "offline", endedAt: now - 10 * RECENT_MS };
+  assert.equal(classifyOccupancy(historical, now), "settled");
+  assert.equal(classifyOccupancy(recent, now), "recent");
+  assert.equal(classifyOccupancy({ ...recent, status: "blocked" }, now), "live");
+  assert.equal(stampOccupancy([historical], now)[0].status, "working");
+});
+
 test("completed cottages remain live while their PR is outstanding", () => {
   const old = { status: "offline", endedAt: now - 10 * RECENT_MS, pr };
   assert.equal(classifyOccupancy(old, now), "live");
diff --git a/test/roommates.test.mjs b/test/roommates.test.mjs
index 60ed26d..21fd9b7 100644
--- a/test/roommates.test.mjs
+++ b/test/roommates.test.mjs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   roommateKey,
   plotAgentsForLayout,
   plotHostId,
+  roommateLodgerIds,
   householdWorking,
 } from "../src/roommates.mjs";
 
@@ -60,6 +61,34 @@ test("plotKey stays on the worktree after the earliest host leaves", () => {
   assert.equal(before[0].plotKey, after[0].plotKey);
 });
 
+test("showing shared historical tasks keeps the dashboard host and worktree identity", () => {
+  const history = [
+    { id: "aaa", inventoryScope: "history", worktreePath: "/tmp/shared", name: "Old task", status: "done", pr: { state: "merged", number: 1 } },
+    { id: "bbb", inventoryScope: "history", worktreePath: "/tmp/shared", status: "done" },
+  ];
+  const dashboard = [
+    { id: "zzz", inventoryScope: "dashboard", worktreePath: "/tmp/shared", status: "blocked" },
+    { id: "yyy", inventoryScope: "dashboard", worktreePath: "/tmp/shared", name: "Current task", status: "working", pr: { state: "open", number: 42 } },
+  ];
+  const current = plotAgentsForLayout(dashboard)[0];
+  for (const agents of [[...history, ...dashboard], [...history, ...dashboard].reverse()]) {
+    const plots = plotAgentsForLayout(agents);
+    assert.equal(plots.length, 1);
+    const host = plots[0];
+    assert.equal(host.id, "yyy");
+    assert.equal(host.name, "Current task");
+    assert.equal(host.status, "working");
+    assert.deepEqual(host.pr, { state: "open", number: 42 });
+    assert.equal(host.plotKey, current.plotKey);
+    assert.equal(host.plotKey, "wt:/tmp/shared");
+    assert.deepEqual(host.roommates.map(agent => agent.id), ["aaa", "bbb", "zzz"]);
+    for (const agent of agents) assert.equal(plotHostId(agents, agent.id), "yyy");
+    assert.deepEqual([...roommateLodgerIds(agents)].sort(), ["aaa", "bbb", "zzz"]);
+  }
+  assert.equal(plotAgentsForLayout(history)[0].id, "aaa");
+  assert.equal(plotAgentsForLayout([...history].reverse())[0].id, "aaa");
+});
+
 test("missing paths never roommate together", () => {
   const agents = [
     { id: "a", worktreePath: "", status: "working" },
diff --git a/test/world.test.mjs b/test/world.test.mjs
index a15a9b6..fe61617 100644
--- a/test/world.test.mjs
+++ b/test/world.test.mjs
@@ -1,6 +1,30 @@
 import test from 'node:test';
 import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
 import {createTownLayout,movePoint,normalizeRelationships,normalizedHandoffs,advanceDuck} from '../src/world.mjs';
+import {layoutCottages} from '../src/feed-client.mjs';
+import {plotAgentsForLayout} from '../src/roommates.mjs';
+
+test('Hub history does not reserve empty districts or become the live roommate host',()=>{
+  const history=Array.from({length:500},(_,i)=>({id:'a-old-'+i,town:'HubTown',inventoryScope:'history',occupancy:'settled',worktreePath:i===0?'/project/shared':'/old/'+i}));
+  const active={id:'z-current',town:'HubTown',inventoryScope:'dashboard',occupancy:'live',worktreePath:'/project/shared'};
+  const all=[...history,active],layout=createTownLayout(),options={trimEmptyBlocks:true};
+  const current=()=>layout.update(plotAgentsForLayout(layoutCottages(all)),options);
+  const first=current();
+  assert.equal(first.plots.length,1);assert.equal(first.blocks.length,1);
+  assert.equal(first.plots[0].agent.id,active.id);assert.deepEqual(first.plots[0].agent.roommates,[]);
+  const expanded=layout.fork().update(plotAgentsForLayout(layoutCottages(all,{showSettled:true})),options);
+  assert.ok(expanded.height>first.height);
+  const restored=current();
+  assert.equal(restored.height,first.height);assert.equal(restored.blocks.length,1);
+  assert.equal(restored.plots[0].x,first.plots[0].x);assert.equal(restored.plots[0].y,first.plots[0].y);
+  const historical=expanded.plots.find(p=>p.agent.id==='a-old-10');
+  const again=layout.fork().update(plotAgentsForLayout(layoutCottages(all,{showSettled:true})),options);
+  assert.deepEqual(again.plots.find(p=>p.agent.id==='a-old-10'),historical,'history locations survive toggling');
+  all.push({...active,id:'new-arrival',worktreePath:'/project/new'});
+  const arrived=current();
+  assert.equal(arrived.height,first.height,'history never pushes new live work into distant annexes');
+  assert.equal(arrived.blocks.length,1);assert.equal(arrived.plots.length,2);
+});
 test('plots remain fixed through reorder, departure, overflow and new towns',()=>{
   const layout=createTownLayout({columns:2,rows:1});
   const a={id:'a',town:'HubTown'},b={id:'b',town:'AppTown'};