Merge pull request #204 from Tencent/release/0.2.1

Release/0.2.1

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -37,6 +37,35 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run Rust tests
         run: cargo test --workspace --locked
 
+  windows-daemon:
+    name: Windows daemon, installer and cancellation regression tests
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+
+      - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
+
+      - name: Run Windows named-pipe tests
+        run: cargo test -p bsk --lib --locked daemon::ipc::windows::tests
+
+      - name: Run Windows process liveness tests
+        run: cargo test -p bsk --lib --locked daemon::lockfile::tests
+
+      - name: Run Windows update tests
+        run: cargo test -p bsk --lib --locked cli::update::tests
+
+      - name: Run Windows update and cancellation process tests
+        run: cargo test -p bsk --test windows_update --test windows_parent_cancel --locked
+
+      - name: Run installer tests (Windows PowerShell 5.1)
+        shell: powershell
+        run: ./scripts/install-windows.test.ps1
+
+      - name: Run installer tests (PowerShell 7)
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: ./scripts/install-windows.test.ps1
+
   frontend:
     name: Frontend lint, typecheck, tests, build
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to BrowserSkill will be documented in this file.
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/).
+
+Starting from 0.2.0, CLI / Extension / DSH Plugin share the same version number.
+
+## [0.2.1] - 2026-09-09
+
+### Changed
+- DSH Plugin: clarified installation, configuration, profile restart, and upgrade instructions
+
+### Fixed
+- CLI: reliable Windows self-updates, including executable replacement and daemon restart
+- CLI: Windows named-pipe connection continuity and stale daemon process detection
+- Windows installer: PowerShell 5.1 compatibility, path quoting, and staged executable replacement
+- CLI / DSH Plugin: cancellation propagation and upload/download cleanup when the parent process exits
+- Extension: tab ownership and session cleanup when agent tabs fail to open or borrowed tabs are returned or closed
+- Extension: navigation recovery when other extensions restrict Chrome DevTools Protocol access
+- Extension: background input filling, automatic append behavior, and verification of field values before reporting success
+- Extension: match observed form state to the correct element after page changes
+- Extension: UUID generation fallback for recording and overlays on insecure origins
+- Browser locale matching for regional language variants
+- DSH Plugin: observation state synchronization, thumbnail capture lifecycle, and stale preview cleanup
+- DSH Plugin: removed the obsolete client runtime host dependency
+
+## [0.2.0] - 2026-09-02
+
+### Added
+- File transfer: upload and download support across CLI, Extension, and DSH Plugin
+- File transfer: drag-and-drop upload (`drop-to-upload`)
+- VOM semantic graph, name enrichment, and hover perception modules
+- VOM hover probing (opt-in via `observe` parameter)
+- DSH Plugin: browser tool parity with CLI commands
+- Edge Add-ons automated publishing in CI
+- Protocol upgrade reminder when CLI / Extension protocol versions differ
+- Browser evaluation harness (`evals/browser/`)
+- Unified release script (`scripts/release.mjs`)
+
+### Changed
+- **Version scheme**: all three components now share the same semver
+- VOM rendering algorithm optimizations
+- Leaner SKILL.md agent instructions
+- DSH Plugin: simplified browser commands
+- Borrow confirmation UX — proactive focus and longer timeout
+- PiP window now has a close button
+
+### Fixed
+- Screenshot media type detection (was hard-coded to `image/png`)
+- DSH Plugin session lifecycle stability
+- DSH Plugin Cordis package ID mismatch
+- Observation thumbnail media type sniffing
+- Upload/download race conditions and layout bypass issues
+- VOM repeated name and safety policy issues
+
+---
+
+*Previous releases used independent version numbers per component.*
+
+## CLI 0.1.11 / Extension 0.1.7 / DSH Plugin 0.1.2 — 2026-08-26 ~ 2026-08-29
+
+### Added
+- DSH Plugin sidebar integration, session lifecycle, and archive cleanup
+- Recorder iframe and OOPIF support
+
+### Changed
+- VOM functional refactor
+
+### Fixed
+- Recorder safety policy and bug fixes
+
+## CLI 0.1.10 / Extension 0.1.6 — 2026-08-08
+
+### Added
+- VOM observation recording and settled-state detection
+- Record overlay timer
+
+### Fixed
+- Browser keepalive disconnect handling
+
+## CLI 0.1.9 / Extension 0.1.5 — 2026-07-29
+
+### Added
+- CLI auto-update mechanism
+- Trace v3 protocol and recorder
+
+### Fixed
+- MV3 keepalive disconnect
+
+## CLI 0.1.8 / Extension 0.1.4 — 2026-07-22
+
+### Added
+- More browser interaction actions
+
+### Fixed
+- Windows named-pipe hash-only path issue
+
+## CLI 0.1.7 / Extension 0.1.3 — 2026-07-07
+
+Initial public release pair.
+
+## CLI 0.1.6 — 2026-06-30
+
+### Fixed
+- Minor CLI fixes
+
+## CLI 0.1.5 / Extension 0.1.2 — 2026-06-22
+
+First tagged releases.

Cargo.lock

@@ -134,9 +134,10 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "bsk"
-version = "0.1.11"
+version = "0.2.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
+ "base64",
  "bsk-protocol",
  "clap",
  "console",
@@ -168,7 +169,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "bsk-protocol"
-version = "0.1.11"
+version = "0.2.1"
 dependencies = [
  "schemars",
  "semver",

Cargo.toml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ members = [
 default-members = ["crates/bsk-cli"]
 
 [workspace.package]
-version = "0.1.11"
+version = "0.2.1"
 edition = "2024"
 rust-version = "1.85"
 license = "MIT"
@@ -36,13 +36,14 @@ flate2 = "1.1.9"
 tar = "0.4.46"
 zip = { version = "7.2.0", default-features = false, features = ["deflate"] }
 sha2 = "0.11.0"
+base64 = "0.22"
 tempfile = "3"
 nix = { version = "0.29", features = ["signal", "process"] }
 rand = "0.8"
 uuid = { version = "1", features = ["v4", "serde"] }
 
 # Workspace crates (version required for `cargo publish` of dependents)
-bsk-protocol = { version = "0.1.9", path = "crates/bsk-protocol" }
+bsk-protocol = { version = "0.2.1", path = "crates/bsk-protocol" }
 
 [profile.release]
 strip = "symbols"

README.md

@@ -147,20 +147,26 @@ Start a new Agent session and write a prompt that needs the browser, for example
 Using [DeepSeek Harness](https://github.com/deepseek-ai/deepseek-harness) (`dsh`)?
 BrowserSkill ships a first-class dsh plugin on npm as
 [`@wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin).
-It injects native `browser_*` tools (no shelling out to `bsk`) and a live Web UI
-overlay of each Agent Window.
+It gives the agent native `browser_*` tools and a live view of its browser sessions
+in the Web UI. The plugin runs `bsk` on the agent's behalf.
 
-Add it to a dsh profile, then start that profile:
+Install the `bsk` CLI and connect the browser extension first. Then add the plugin
+to a dsh profile and start it (replace `web` with your profile name):
 
 ```sh
 dsh plugin --profile web add @wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin
 dsh --profile web
 ```
 
-The plugin carries its own copy of the skill, so `bsk install-skill` is not needed
-for dsh — but the `bsk` CLI and the browser extension are still prerequisites. See
-the [plugin README](packages/dsh-plugin-browserskill/README.md) for the tool list,
-configuration, and the observation overlay.
+The plugin includes the `browser-skill` skill, so `bsk install-skill` is not needed
+for dsh. Installed plugins do not update automatically. To upgrade this plugin:
+
+```sh
+dsh plugin --profile web update @wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin --latest
+```
+
+Restart the profile after upgrading. See the
+[plugin README](packages/dsh-plugin-browserskill/README.md) for usage and configuration.
 
 ## How It Works
 

README.zh-CN.md

@@ -125,16 +125,22 @@ bsk install-skill
 
 ## DeepSeek Harness 插件
 
-在用 [DeepSeek Harness](https://github.com/deepseek-ai/deepseek-harness)（`dsh`）？BrowserSkill 提供了官方 dsh 插件，已发布到 npm：[`@wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin)。它会注入原生 `browser_*` 工具（无需再通过 Shell 调用 `bsk`），并在 Web UI 中实时观察每个 Agent Window。
+在用 [DeepSeek Harness](https://github.com/deepseek-ai/deepseek-harness)（`dsh`）？BrowserSkill 提供了官方 dsh 插件，已发布到 npm：[`@wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin)。它为 Agent 提供原生 `browser_*` 工具，由插件代为调用 `bsk`，并在 Web UI 中实时展示浏览器会话。
 
-把它装进某个 dsh profile，然后启动该 profile：
+先安装 `bsk` CLI 并连接浏览器扩展，再将插件装进 dsh profile 并启动（将 `web` 替换为你的 profile 名称）：
 
 ```sh
 dsh plugin --profile web add @wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin
 dsh --profile web
 ```
 
-插件自带 skill，所以在 dsh 下无需执行 `bsk install-skill`；但 `bsk` CLI 和浏览器扩展仍是前置条件。工具清单、配置项与观察浮层见[插件 README](packages/dsh-plugin-browserskill/README.md)。
+插件自带 `browser-skill` skill，所以在 dsh 下无需执行 `bsk install-skill`。已安装的插件不会自动更新；升级此插件请运行：
+
+```sh
+dsh plugin --profile web update @wxg-prc-cpg/browser-skill-dsh-plugin --latest
+```
+
+升级后重启该 profile。用法与配置见[插件 README](packages/dsh-plugin-browserskill/README.md)。
 
 ## 工作原理
 

apps/extension/PRIVACY.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # BrowserSkill — Privacy Policy
 
-**Last updated:** May 25, 2026
+**Last updated:** August 20, 2026
 
 This Privacy Policy describes how the **BrowserSkill** browser extension (the "Extension") handles information when you install and use it. BrowserSkill is published as part of the open-source [BrowserSkill](https://github.com/Tencent/BrowserSkill) project. The source code is publicly auditable.
 
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ BrowserSkill is a local automation bridge that lets AI coding agents (such as Cu
 
 ## 2. Single Purpose
 
-The Extension's single purpose is to expose browser automation primitives (navigation, DOM observation, screenshots, clicks, form filling, tab management) to a locally running BrowserSkill daemon over a WebSocket connection on `127.0.0.1`, so that an AI agent invoked by the user can interact with web pages on the user's behalf.
+The Extension's single purpose is to expose browser automation primitives (navigation, DOM observation, screenshots, clicks, form filling, task-scoped file transfer, and tab management) to a locally running BrowserSkill daemon over a WebSocket connection on `127.0.0.1`, so that an AI agent invoked by the user can interact with web pages on the user's behalf.
 
 ## 3. Data the Extension Accesses
 
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ Depending on the commands the user (via their AI agent) sends to the local daemo
 | **User input simulated by the agent** | Mouse clicks, keystrokes, and form values that the AI agent dispatches through the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP). | Required to perform automation actions the user has asked the agent to do. |
 | **Tab and window metadata** | Tab IDs, URLs, titles, window IDs of the Agent Window and any tabs the user explicitly authorizes. | Required to target automation commands at the correct tab/window. |
 | **Local extension storage** | A randomly generated 8-character instance ID and an optional user-supplied label. | Used so the local daemon can recognize this browser instance across reconnects. No personal data is stored. |
+| **File transfers requested by the agent** | Local files explicitly supplied to `bsk upload`, and the file created by a single `bsk download` action. | Required to attach a task file to a web page or return a browser-generated download to the invoking local agent. |
 | **OS notifications** | Permission to display a system notification when the agent requests to "borrow" one of the user's existing tabs. | Required to obtain explicit, per-tab user consent before the agent touches any pre-existing tab. |
 
 ## 4. Data the Extension Does **Not** Collect
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ BrowserSkill does **not**:
 
 - Send any data to remote servers, the Extension's authors, or any third party.
 - Call any LLM, AI, or cloud API. The Extension contains no API keys, model identifiers, or remote endpoints.
-- Read or transmit cookies, browsing history, bookmarks, downloads, saved passwords, or autofill data.
+- Read or transmit cookies, browsing history, bookmarks, saved passwords, or autofill data. It observes only the download initiated by an active `bsk download` call, not download history generally.
 - Use webcam, microphone, geolocation, or any device sensor.
 - Include analytics, telemetry, crash reporting, advertising SDKs, or fingerprinting code.
 - Track users across websites or across sessions.
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ The Extension requests the following Chrome permissions. Each is used solely for
 - **`alarms`** — Periodically wake the service worker to keep the local WebSocket connection alive.
 - **`idle`** — Detect when the device returns from idle/locked so the Extension can promptly re-establish the local WebSocket connection after the machine wakes. No idle data is stored or transmitted.
 - **`notifications`** — Show a system notification to obtain user approval before the agent borrows a user-owned tab.
+- **`downloads`** — Correlate and route the one browser download initiated by an active `bsk download` command. If that claimed transaction fails, BrowserSkill cancels an in-progress file or removes its completed temporary browser file. It is not used to enumerate download history or alter unclaimed downloads.
 - **`storage`** — Persist a random instance ID and optional label in `chrome.storage.local`.
 - **Host permission `<all_urls>`** — Inject a small status overlay (showing "Agent Active") on pages controlled by the agent, and enable automation across whatever sites the user directs the agent to. The Extension does **not** read or transmit page content from sites the agent is not actively driving.
 
@@ -61,6 +63,7 @@ All Extension activity stays on the user's local device. The only network traffi
 
 - The instance ID and optional label persist in `chrome.storage.local` until the user uninstalls the Extension or clears extension storage.
 - Page content, screenshots, DOM snapshots, and other observed data are returned to the local daemon in response to commands and are **not retained by the Extension**. They live only as long as the agent's tool call.
+- Upload and download bytes are staged by the local daemon in a private, session-scoped directory. Download staging is removed after it is copied to the requested destination. Upload staging is retained until the session ends so a later form submission can still read the attached file. Remaining staging is removed when the session ends or disconnects, or when the daemon next starts after a crash.
 
 ## 8. User Control
 

apps/extension/e2e/fixtures/file-transfer.html

@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+<!doctype html>
+<html lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta charset="utf-8" />
+    <title>BrowserSkill file-transfer fixture</title>
+    <style>
+      body { font: 16px system-ui; max-width: 760px; margin: 48px auto; }
+      .actions { display: flex; gap: 12px; align-items: center; margin: 24px 0; }
+      button, a { padding: 10px 16px; border: 1px solid #777; border-radius: 8px; }
+      a[aria-disabled="true"] { opacity: .45; pointer-events: none; }
+      #drop { padding: 36px; border: 3px dashed #777; border-radius: 12px; text-align: center; }
+      #drop.dragging { border-color: #2563eb; background: #eff6ff; }
+      img { display: block; max-width: 480px; max-height: 360px; margin-top: 20px; }
+    </style>
+  </head>
+  <body>
+    <h1>Upload then download the same image</h1>
+    <p id="status">No image selected</p>
+    <div class="actions">
+      <button id="upload" type="button">Upload through file input</button>
+      <input id="file" type="file" accept="image/png" hidden />
+      <a id="download" aria-disabled="true">Download uploaded image</a>
+    </div>
+    <div id="drop" role="button" tabindex="0">Drop an image here</div>
+    <img id="preview" alt="Uploaded image preview" hidden />
+    <script>
+      const input = document.querySelector('#file');
+      const upload = document.querySelector('#upload');
+      const drop = document.querySelector('#drop');
+      const download = document.querySelector('#download');
+      const preview = document.querySelector('#preview');
+      const status = document.querySelector('#status');
+      let objectUrl;
+
+      window.__bskTransferFixture = { events: [], result: null };
+
+      function accept(file, mechanism) {
+        if (!file) return;
+        if (objectUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(objectUrl);
+        objectUrl = URL.createObjectURL(file);
+        preview.src = objectUrl;
+        preview.hidden = false;
+        download.href = objectUrl;
+        download.download = file.name;
+        download.removeAttribute('aria-disabled');
+        status.textContent = `Ready via ${mechanism}: ${file.name} (${file.size} bytes)`;
+        window.__bskTransferFixture.result = {
+          mechanism,
+          name: file.name,
+          size: file.size,
+          type: file.type,
+          hasPathProperty: 'path' in file,
+        };
+      }
+
+      upload.addEventListener('click', () => input.click());
+      input.addEventListener('change', () => accept(input.files[0], 'input'));
+
+      for (const type of ['dragenter', 'dragover']) {
+        drop.addEventListener(type, event => {
+          const types = [...event.dataTransfer.types];
+          window.__bskTransferFixture.events.push({ type, types });
+          if (!types.includes('Files')) return;
+          event.preventDefault();
+          drop.classList.add('dragging');
+        });
+      }
+      drop.addEventListener('dragleave', () => drop.classList.remove('dragging'));
+      drop.addEventListener('drop', event => {
+        window.__bskTransferFixture.events.push({
+          type: 'drop',
+          types: [...event.dataTransfer.types],
+          fileCount: event.dataTransfer.files.length,
+        });
+        event.preventDefault();
+        drop.classList.remove('dragging');
+        accept(event.dataTransfer.files[0], 'drop');
+      });
+    </script>
+  </body>
+</html>

apps/extension/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@browser-skill/extension",
-  "version": "0.1.7",
+  "version": "0.2.1",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {

apps/extension/src/browser-driver/__tests__/chromium-cdp.test.ts

@@ -254,6 +254,69 @@ describe("ChromiumCdp", () => {
     expect(cdp.isAttached(7)).toBe(false);
   });
 
+  it.each([
+    false,
+    true,
+  ])("waits for detach before reconnecting a returned tab (detach rejects: %s)", async (rejectDetach) => {
+    const { api } = fakeApi();
+    const attached = new Set<number>();
+    let finishDetach!: () => void;
+    vi.mocked(api.attach).mockImplementation(async ({ tabId }) => {
+      if (attached.has(tabId!)) throw new Error("Another debugger is already attached");
+      attached.add(tabId!);
+    });
+    vi.mocked(api.detach).mockImplementation(async ({ tabId }) => {
+      attached.delete(tabId!);
+    });
+    vi.mocked(api.detach).mockImplementationOnce(
+      ({ tabId }) =>
+        new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
+          finishDetach = () => {
+            attached.delete(tabId!);
+            if (rejectDetach) reject(new Error("tab already detached"));
+            else resolve();
+          };
+        }),
+    );
+    const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api);
+    cdp.trackSessionTab("aa11", 7);
+    await cdp.ensureAttached(7);
+    const returning = cdp.releaseSessionTab("aa11", 7);
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(api.detach).toHaveBeenCalledOnce());
+    let duplicateDetachFinished = false;
+    const duplicateDetach = cdp.detach(7).then(() => {
+      duplicateDetachFinished = true;
+    });
+
+    cdp.trackSessionTab("bb22", 7);
+    // Register rejection handlers immediately; the pre-fix driver rejects
+    // both commands while the browser still has the previous attachment.
+    const pending = Promise.allSettled([
+      cdp.send(7, "Runtime.evaluate", { expression: "document.title" }),
+      cdp.send(7, "DOM.getDocument"),
+    ]);
+    await cdp.send(8, "DOM.getDocument");
+    const finishedEarly = duplicateDetachFinished;
+    finishDetach();
+    await Promise.all([returning, duplicateDetach]);
+
+    expect(await pending).toEqual([
+      { status: "fulfilled", value: { ok: true } },
+      { status: "fulfilled", value: { ok: true } },
+    ]);
+    expect(finishedEarly).toBe(false);
+    expect(vi.mocked(api.attach).mock.calls.filter(([target]) => target.tabId === 7)).toHaveLength(
+      2,
+    );
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(7)).toBe(true);
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(8)).toBe(true);
+    await cdp.detachSession("bb22");
+    expect(api.detach).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(7)).toBe(false);
+    expect(attached.has(7)).toBe(false);
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(8)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
   it("detachAll() iterates every cached tab", async () => {
     const { api } = fakeApi();
     const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api);
@@ -651,6 +714,155 @@ describe("ChromiumCdp", () => {
     expect(cdp.networkEntriesSince(33, 0, 50, 1000).entries[0].url).toBeUndefined();
   });
 
+  it("releases only the returning session's claim on a tab", async () => {
+    const { api } = fakeApi();
+    const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api);
+    await cdp.ensureAttached(1);
+    await cdp.ensureAttached(2);
+    cdp.trackSessionTab("aa11", 1);
+    cdp.trackSessionTab("bb22", 1);
+    cdp.trackSessionTab("aa11", 2);
+
+    await cdp.releaseSessionTab("unknown", 1);
+    await cdp.releaseSessionTab("aa11", 1);
+    expect(api.detach).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+    await cdp.releaseSessionTab("bb22", 1);
+    await cdp.releaseSessionTab("bb22", 1);
+    expect(api.detach).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith({ tabId: 1 });
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(2)).toBe(true);
+
+    await cdp.detachSession("aa11");
+    expect(api.detach).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
+    expect(api.detach).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith({ tabId: 2 });
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    false,
+    true,
+  ])("releases a tab with an attachment in flight (new owner: %s)", async (newOwner) => {
+    const { api } = fakeApi();
+    let finishAttach!: () => void;
+    vi.mocked(api.attach).mockImplementationOnce(
+      () =>
+        new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          finishAttach = resolve;
+        }),
+    );
+    const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api);
+    cdp.trackSessionTab("aa11", 1);
+    const attaching = cdp.ensureAttached(1);
+    const releasing = cdp.releaseSessionTab("aa11", 1);
+    if (newOwner) cdp.trackSessionTab("bb22", 1);
+    finishAttach();
+    await Promise.all([attaching, releasing]);
+
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(1)).toBe(newOwner);
+    expect(api.detach).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(newOwner ? 0 : 1);
+  });
+
+  it("stops accepting dialogs on a returned tab even when another session keeps CDP attached", async () => {
+    const { api, onEvent } = fakeApi();
+    let controlled = true;
+    const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api, { shouldAutoAcceptDialog: () => controlled });
+    cdp.trackSessionTab("aa11", 1);
+    cdp.trackSessionTab("bb22", 1);
+    await cdp.ensureAttached(1);
+    onEvent.fire({ tabId: 1 }, "Page.javascriptDialogOpening", {
+      type: "confirm",
+      message: "before return",
+    });
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(cdp.dialogsSince(1, 0)).toHaveLength(1));
+    vi.mocked(api.sendCommand).mockClear();
+
+    controlled = false;
+    await cdp.releaseSessionTab("aa11", 1);
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(1)).toBe(true);
+    onEvent.fire({ tabId: 1 }, "Page.javascriptDialogOpening", {
+      type: "confirm",
+      message: "after return",
+    });
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(api.sendCommand).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(cdp.dialogsSince(1, 0)).toHaveLength(1);
+
+    controlled = true;
+    onEvent.fire({ tabId: 1 }, "Page.javascriptDialogOpening", {
+      type: "alert",
+      message: "borrowed again",
+    });
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(cdp.dialogsSince(1, 0)).toHaveLength(2));
+    expect(api.sendCommand).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith(
+      { tabId: 1 },
+      "Page.handleJavaScriptDialog",
+      { accept: true },
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("ignores dialog events after detach, including a pending eligibility check", async () => {
+    const { api, onEvent } = fakeApi();
+    let resolveEligibility!: (value: boolean) => void;
+    const shouldAutoAcceptDialog = vi.fn(
+      () =>
+        new Promise<boolean>((resolve) => {
+          resolveEligibility = resolve;
+        }),
+    );
+    const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api, { shouldAutoAcceptDialog });
+    await cdp.ensureAttached(1);
+    onEvent.fire({ tabId: 1 }, "Page.javascriptDialogOpening", { type: "alert" });
+    await cdp.detach(1);
+    resolveEligibility(true);
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    onEvent.fire({ tabId: 1 }, "Page.javascriptDialogOpening", { type: "alert" });
+
+    expect(shouldAutoAcceptDialog).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(api.sendCommand).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.anything(),
+      "Page.handleJavaScriptDialog",
+      expect.anything(),
+    );
+    expect(cdp.dialogsSince(1, 0)).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it("does not accept dialogs when the tab's current scope cannot be determined", async () => {
+    const { api, onEvent } = fakeApi();
+    const shouldAutoAcceptDialog = vi.fn(async () => {
+      throw new Error("tab is gone");
+    });
+    const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api, { shouldAutoAcceptDialog });
+    await cdp.ensureAttached(1);
+    vi.mocked(api.sendCommand).mockClear();
+
+    onEvent.fire({ tabId: 1 }, "Page.javascriptDialogOpening", { type: "confirm" });
+    await Promise.resolve();
+
+    expect(shouldAutoAcceptDialog).toHaveBeenCalledWith(1);
+    expect(api.sendCommand).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(cdp.dialogsSince(1, 0)).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it("does not restore dialog state when an acceptance completes after detach", async () => {
+    const { api, onEvent } = fakeApi();
+    const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api);
+    await cdp.ensureAttached(1);
+    let finishAccept!: () => void;
+    vi.mocked(api.sendCommand).mockImplementationOnce(
+      () =>
+        new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          finishAccept = resolve;
+        }),
+    );
+
+    onEvent.fire({ tabId: 1 }, "Page.javascriptDialogOpening", { type: "alert" });
+    await cdp.detach(1);
+    finishAccept();
+    await Promise.resolve();
+
+    expect(cdp.dialogsSince(1, 0)).toEqual([]);
+    expect(cdp.dialogCursor(1)).toBe(0);
+  });
+
   it("detachSession only detaches tabs no other session owns", async () => {
     const { api } = fakeApi();
     const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(api);

apps/extension/src/browser-driver/chromium-cdp.ts

@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ export class ChromiumCdp {
   private readonly api: CdpDebuggerApi;
   private readonly attachedTabs = new Set<number>();
   private readonly attachInFlight = new Map<number, Promise<void>>();
+  private readonly detachInFlight = new Map<number, Promise<void>>();
   private readonly tabOwners = new Map<number, Set<string>>();
   private readonly dialogBuffers = new Map<number, JavaScriptDialogInfo[]>();
   private readonly dialogSequences = new Map<number, number>();
@@ -182,7 +183,13 @@ export class ChromiumCdp {
   private networkSubscription: { dispose(): void } | null = null;
   private frameTargetSubscription: { dispose(): void } | null = null;
 
-  constructor(api: CdpDebuggerApi = chromeDebuggerApi) {
+  constructor(
+    api: CdpDebuggerApi = chromeDebuggerApi,
+    private readonly options: {
+      /** CDP observation alone does not authorize dismissing user dialogs. */
+      shouldAutoAcceptDialog?: (tabId: number) => boolean | Promise<boolean>;
+    } = {},
+  ) {
     this.api = api;
     this.bindAutoDetach();
     this.bindDialogHandler();
@@ -193,6 +200,10 @@ export class ChromiumCdp {
 
   /** Attach to `tabId` if we haven't already in this driver. */
   async ensureAttached(tabId: number): Promise<void> {
+    // Returning a tab clears the cache before Chrome finishes detaching.
+    // New observers must wait before opening the next connection to that tab.
+    const detaching = this.detachInFlight.get(tabId);
+    if (detaching) await detaching;
     if (this.attachedTabs.has(tabId)) return;
     const existing = this.attachInFlight.get(tabId);
     if (existing) {
@@ -425,6 +436,11 @@ export class ChromiumCdp {
 
   /** Detach if attached; never throws. */
   async detach(tabId: number): Promise<void> {
+    const existing = this.detachInFlight.get(tabId);
+    if (existing) {
+      await existing;
+      return;
+    }
     this.attachInFlight.delete(tabId);
     if (!this.attachedTabs.has(tabId)) return;
     this.attachedTabs.delete(tabId);
@@ -432,13 +448,19 @@ export class ChromiumCdp {
     this.clearConsoleState(tabId);
     this.clearNetworkState(tabId);
     this.clearFrameState(tabId);
-    try {
-      await this.api.detach({ tabId });
-    } catch (err) {
-      // Tab may already be gone — Chrome auto-detaches on close. Log
-      // at debug so production builds aren't noisy.
-      console.debug("[bsk cdp] detach failed (likely tab already closed)", err);
-    }
+    const detach = (async () => {
+      try {
+        await this.api.detach({ tabId });
+      } catch (err) {
+        // Tab may already be gone — Chrome auto-detaches on close. Log
+        // at debug so production builds aren't noisy.
+        console.debug("[bsk cdp] detach failed (likely tab already closed)", err);
+      }
+    })().finally(() => {
+      this.detachInFlight.delete(tabId);
+    });
+    this.detachInFlight.set(tabId, detach);
+    await detach;
   }
 
   /** True iff `ensureAttached(tabId)` has succeeded since the last detach. */
@@ -453,6 +475,17 @@ export class ChromiumCdp {
     this.tabOwners.set(tabId, owners);
   }
 
+  /** Release one session's claim, preserving attachments still used by another. */
+  async releaseSessionTab(sessionId: string, tabId: number): Promise<void> {
+    const owners = this.tabOwners.get(tabId);
+    if (!owners?.delete(sessionId) || owners.size > 0) return;
+    this.tabOwners.delete(tabId);
+    // An observation may still be attaching when the tab is returned. Wait
+    // for it so detach cannot miss the attachment or remove a new owner's claim.
+    await this.attachInFlight.get(tabId)?.catch(() => {});
+    if (!this.tabOwners.has(tabId)) await this.detach(tabId);
+  }
+
   /** Subscribe to all CDP events. Returned disposable removes the listener. */
   onEvent(handler: (source: CdpDebuggee, method: string, params: unknown) => void): {
     dispose(): void;
@@ -639,13 +672,23 @@ export class ChromiumCdp {
   }
 
   private async onJavaScriptDialogOpening(tabId: number, params: unknown): Promise<void> {
+    if (!this.attachedTabs.has(tabId) && !this.attachInFlight.has(tabId)) return;
     const parsed = parseDialogOpeningParams(params);
     try {
+      if (
+        this.options.shouldAutoAcceptDialog &&
+        !(await this.options.shouldAutoAcceptDialog(tabId))
+      ) {
+        return;
+      }
+      // The tab may have been returned while its current scope was checked.
+      if (!this.attachedTabs.has(tabId) && !this.attachInFlight.has(tabId)) return;
       const handleParams: { accept: boolean; promptText?: string } = { accept: true };
       if (parsed.type === "prompt") {
         handleParams.promptText = parsed.defaultPrompt ?? "";
       }
       await this.api.sendCommand({ tabId }, "Page.handleJavaScriptDialog", handleParams);
+      if (!this.attachedTabs.has(tabId) && !this.attachInFlight.has(tabId)) return;
       const sequence = (this.dialogSequences.get(tabId) ?? 0) + 1;
       this.dialogSequences.set(tabId, sequence);
       this.appendDialog(tabId, {
@@ -835,15 +878,9 @@ export class ChromiumCdp {
 
   /** Detach tabs only when no other live session has claimed them. */
   async detachSession(sessionId: string): Promise<void> {
-    const tabsToDetach: number[] = [];
-    for (const [tabId, owners] of this.tabOwners) {
-      owners.delete(sessionId);
-      if (owners.size === 0) {
-        this.tabOwners.delete(tabId);
-        tabsToDetach.push(tabId);
-      }
-    }
-    await Promise.all(tabsToDetach.map((tabId) => this.detach(tabId)));
+    await Promise.all(
+      Array.from(this.tabOwners.keys(), (tabId) => this.releaseSessionTab(sessionId, tabId)),
+    );
   }
 }
 

apps/extension/src/content/__tests__/record-frame-agent.test.ts

@@ -45,10 +45,32 @@ function portHarness() {
 
 describe("RecordFrameAgent", () => {
   afterEach(() => {
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
     document.documentElement.removeAttribute(RECORD_DOCUMENT_ATTRIBUTE);
     document.body.replaceChildren();
   });
 
+  it("starts when crypto.randomUUID is unavailable", async () => {
+    const harness = portHarness();
+    const getRandomValues = vi.fn((bytes: Uint8Array) => {
+      bytes.fill(0x11);
+      return bytes;
+    });
+    vi.stubGlobal("crypto", { getRandomValues });
+    vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+      runtime: {
+        connect: vi.fn(() => harness.port),
+        sendMessage: vi.fn(),
+      },
+    });
+    const agent = new RecordFrameAgent();
+
+    await expect(
+      agent.start({ type: RECORD_FRAME_START, requestId: "rec-http", startedAtMs: 10 }),
+    ).resolves.toEqual({ ok: true });
+    expect(getRandomValues).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   it("keeps a failed stop retryable and flushes the final dirty fill", async () => {
     const harness = portHarness();
     const sendMessage = vi

apps/extension/src/content/record-step-delivery.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { createRandomUuid } from "@/lib/random-uuid";
 import {
   isAcceptedRecordStepAck,
   RECORD_STEP,
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ export class RecordStepDelivery {
   constructor(
     requestId: string,
     send: SendRecordStepMessage = (message) => chrome.runtime.sendMessage(message),
-    producerId: string = crypto.randomUUID(),
+    producerId: string = createRandomUuid(),
   ) {
     this.#requestId = requestId;
     this.#producerId = producerId;

apps/extension/src/content/recording/frame-agent.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { createRandomUuid } from "@/lib/random-uuid";
 import {
   markRecordingDocument,
   type RecordingDocumentMarker,
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ export class RecordFrameAgent {
   async #start(
     message: RecordFrameStartMessage,
   ): Promise<{ ok: true } | { ok: false; error: string }> {
-    const producerId = crypto.randomUUID();
+    const producerId = createRandomUuid();
     const root = await waitForDocumentElement();
     if (this.#disposed) return { ok: false, error: "recording document is disposed" };
     const marker = markRecordingDocument(producerId, root);

apps/extension/src/entrypoints/background.ts

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import { recordFrameCoordinator } from "@/lib/recording/frame-coordinator";
 import { attachSessionsLiveFlag } from "@/lib/sessions-live-flag";
 import { createDisconnectCleanup } from "@/session-manager/disconnect-cleanup";
 import { attachSessionEventHandler } from "@/session-manager/event-handler";
-import { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import { isAgentControlledTab, SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
 import {
   attachBorrowNotificationButtonHandler,
   attachBorrowNotificationClickHandler,
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ import {
   attachRecordStepListener,
   type RecordRuntimeDeps,
 } from "@/tools/record";
+import { chromeTabsApi } from "@/tools/shared";
+import { chromeTabMutationApi } from "@/tools/tabs";
 import { detectBrowserMeta } from "@/transport/handshake";
 import type { Transport } from "@/transport/transport";
 import { WSTransport } from "@/transport/ws-transport";
@@ -49,7 +51,12 @@ export default defineBackground(() => {
   const controller = new ConnectionController();
   const transport = new WSTransport({ url: __BSK_DAEMON_WS_URL__ });
   const sessions = new SessionManager();
-  const cdp = new ChromiumCdp();
+  const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(undefined, {
+    shouldAutoAcceptDialog: async (tabId) => {
+      const tab = await chrome.tabs.get(tabId);
+      return sessions.findByWindowId(tab.windowId) !== null;
+    },
+  });
   const sessionsLive = attachSessionsLiveFlag({ manager: sessions });
   let overlayGeneration = 0;
   const controlModes = new Map<string, OverlayMode>();
@@ -80,6 +87,24 @@ export default defineBackground(() => {
     };
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Authoritative overlay state for a specific tab. Agent Window tabs are
+   * free by default; only tabs explicitly claimed through session startup,
+   * `tab_create`, or `tab_borrow` receive the control overlay.
+   */
+  function overlayStateForTab(tabId?: number, windowId?: number): OverlayAgentStateMessage {
+    if (typeof tabId === "number" && typeof windowId === "number") {
+      const ctx = sessions.findByWindowId(windowId);
+      if (ctx && isAgentControlledTab(ctx, tabId)) return overlayStateForWindow(windowId);
+    }
+    return {
+      type: OVERLAY_AGENT_STATE,
+      sessionId: null,
+      mode: "hidden",
+      generation: overlayGeneration,
+    };
+  }
+
   async function pushOverlayStateToTab(
     tabId: number,
     state: OverlayAgentStateMessage,
@@ -91,13 +116,18 @@ export default defineBackground(() => {
     }
   }
 
+  async function pushOverlayStateForTab(tabId: number, windowId?: number): Promise<void> {
+    const state = overlayStateForTab(tabId, windowId);
+    await pushOverlayStateToTab(tabId, state);
+  }
+
   async function pushOverlayStateForWindow(windowId: number): Promise<void> {
-    const state = overlayStateForWindow(windowId);
     const tabs = await chrome.tabs.query({ windowId });
     await Promise.all(
-      tabs.map((tab) =>
-        typeof tab.id === "number" ? pushOverlayStateToTab(tab.id, state) : Promise.resolve(),
-      ),
+      tabs.map((tab) => {
+        if (typeof tab.id !== "number") return Promise.resolve();
+        return pushOverlayStateForTab(tab.id, windowId);
+      }),
     );
   }
 
@@ -136,13 +166,30 @@ export default defineBackground(() => {
     if (typeof tab.windowId !== "number") return;
     pushOverlayStateForAgentWindow(tab.windowId);
   });
+  // Newly observed tabs are free unless the agent's own creation path has
+  // already claimed their concrete id. This listener only renders that
+  // state; it never infers or mutates ownership from event ordering.
+  chrome.tabs.onCreated.addListener((tab) => {
+    if (typeof tab.windowId !== "number" || typeof tab.id !== "number") return;
+    if (!sessions.findByWindowId(tab.windowId)) return;
+    void pushOverlayStateForTab(tab.id, tab.windowId);
+  });
+  chrome.tabs.onRemoved.addListener((tabId, removeInfo) => {
+    sessions.forgetClosedTab(tabId, { isWindowClosing: removeInfo.isWindowClosing });
+  });
   // Re-sync the storage.session flag on SW startup so a previous SW's
   // stale `true` does not keep waking us on every page load until the
   // first mutation (review M4/M5 round 3 m-R3-1).
   void sessionsLive.refresh();
   const cleanupAfterDisconnect = createDisconnectCleanup({
     manager: sessions,
-    sessionStopDeps: { cdp },
+    // Same contract as the dispatcher's `tool.session_stop`: without these
+    // deps the agent-tab cleanup and the window-release path are dead code.
+    sessionStopDeps: {
+      cdp,
+      tabManagement: { tabs: chromeTabMutationApi },
+      tabsQuery: chromeTabsApi,
+    },
     onSessionsChanged: () => {
       void sessionsLive.syncFromManager();
     },
@@ -176,6 +223,9 @@ export default defineBackground(() => {
     recording: recordDeps,
     onSessionsChanged: onOverlaySessionStateChanged,
     onBrowserControlResumed,
+    onAgentTabClaimed: (tabId, windowId) => {
+      void pushOverlayStateForTab(tabId, windowId);
+    },
     approveBorrow: (ctx) =>
       requestBorrowConfirmation(ctx.tabId, {
         ...(ctx.signal !== undefined ? { signal: ctx.signal } : {}),
@@ -309,7 +359,11 @@ export default defineBackground(() => {
     }
 
     if (msg.kind === OVERLAY_MSG_READY) {
-      sendResponse(overlayStateForWindow(sender.tab?.windowId));
+      // Resolve from explicit tab ownership before sending so free tabs never
+      // flash the control mask.
+      if (typeof sender.tab?.id === "number") {
+        void pushOverlayStateForTab(sender.tab.id, sender.tab.windowId);
+      }
       return false;
     }
 

apps/extension/src/entrypoints/popup/App.test.tsx

@@ -122,8 +122,8 @@ describe("App", () => {
 
     expect(screen.queryByText(/^扩展 v/)).toBeNull();
     expect(screen.queryByText(/^daemon v/)).toBeNull();
-    expect(screen.getByTitle("扩展版本").textContent).toBe(EXTENSION_VERSION);
-    expect(screen.getByTitle("bsk 版本").textContent).toBe(mockDaemonVersion);
+    expect(screen.getByTitle("扩展版本").textContent).toBe(`Ext ${EXTENSION_VERSION}`);
+    expect(screen.getByTitle("bsk 版本").textContent).toBe(`CLI ${mockDaemonVersion}`);
     expect(screen.getByText("03c3e47f")).toBeTruthy();
 
     const copyButton = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "复制实例 ID" });

apps/extension/src/entrypoints/popup/App.tsx

@@ -267,9 +267,9 @@ export function App() {
             data-slot="popup-meta"
           >
             <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-1">
-              <span title={t("popup.extensionVersionHint")}>{extensionVersion}</span>
+              <span title={t("popup.daemonVersionHint")}>CLI {daemonVersion}</span>
               <span aria-hidden>/</span>
-              <span title={t("popup.daemonVersionHint")}>{daemonVersion}</span>
+              <span title={t("popup.extensionVersionHint")}>Ext {extensionVersion}</span>
             </div>
             <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center justify-end gap-1">
               <span className="shrink-0">{t("popup.instanceTitle")}</span>

apps/extension/src/lib/__tests__/capture-suppress-bridge.test.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import {
   CAPTURE_SUPPRESS,
   type CaptureSuppressMessage,
-  withOverlaysHiddenForCapture,
+  withExtensionOverlayHidden,
 } from "../capture-suppress-bridge";
 
 function recordingSendToTab(events: string[]) {
@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@ function recordingSendToTab(events: string[]) {
   });
 }
 
-describe("withOverlaysHiddenForCapture", () => {
+describe("withExtensionOverlayHidden", () => {
   it("sends begin → fn → end and returns fn's result", async () => {
     const events: string[] = [];
     const sendToTab = recordingSendToTab(events);
 
-    const result = await withOverlaysHiddenForCapture(
+    const result = await withExtensionOverlayHidden(
       7,
       async () => {
         events.push("capture");
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ describe("withOverlaysHiddenForCapture", () => {
     const sendToTab = recordingSendToTab(events);
 
     await expect(
-      withOverlaysHiddenForCapture(
+      withExtensionOverlayHidden(
         7,
         async () => {
           events.push("capture");
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ describe("withOverlaysHiddenForCapture", () => {
     });
     const fn = vi.fn(async () => "shot");
 
-    const result = await withOverlaysHiddenForCapture(7, fn, sendToTab);
+    const result = await withExtensionOverlayHidden(7, fn, sendToTab);
 
     expect(result).toBe("shot");
     expect(fn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ describe("withOverlaysHiddenForCapture", () => {
       return { type: CAPTURE_SUPPRESS, ok: true };
     });
 
-    const result = await withOverlaysHiddenForCapture(7, async () => "shot", sendToTab);
+    const result = await withExtensionOverlayHidden(7, async () => "shot", sendToTab);
 
     expect(result).toBe("shot");
     expect(sendToTab).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);

apps/extension/src/lib/__tests__/random-uuid.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { createRandomUuid } from "../random-uuid";
+
+describe("createRandomUuid", () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+  });
+
+  it("uses crypto.randomUUID when it is available", () => {
+    const randomUUID = vi.fn(() => "00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000000");
+    vi.stubGlobal("crypto", { randomUUID, getRandomValues: vi.fn() });
+
+    expect(createRandomUuid()).toBe("00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000000");
+    expect(randomUUID).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to getRandomValues and sets UUID v4 bits", () => {
+    const bytes = new Uint8Array(16).fill(0xff);
+    const getRandomValues = vi.fn((target: Uint8Array) => {
+      target.set(bytes);
+      return target;
+    });
+    vi.stubGlobal("crypto", { getRandomValues });
+
+    const uuid = createRandomUuid();
+
+    expect(uuid).toBe("ffffffff-ffff-4fff-bfff-ffffffffffff");
+    expect(getRandomValues).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+});

apps/extension/src/lib/capture-suppress-bridge.ts

@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 /**
- * Wire protocol and background-side helper for hiding the extension's
- * in-page overlay while a screenshot is captured, so captured frames only
- * contain the page itself.
+ * Wire protocol and background-side helper for temporarily excluding the
+ * extension's in-page overlay. Screenshots use it to avoid captured chrome;
+ * coordinate-driven native input uses it so Chrome hit-tests the page.
  *
- * The background wraps every capture in `withOverlaysHiddenForCapture`,
+ * The background wraps each bounded operation in `withExtensionOverlayHidden`,
  * which sends `begin` (the content script hides the overlay host and only
  * acks once the compositor has produced an overlay-free frame) and always
  * follows up with `end`, even when the capture throws. Tabs without the
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ const defaultSendToTab: CaptureSuppressSendToTab = (tabId, message) =>
  * (or any other `begin` failure) simply skips suppression — there is no
  * overlay to hide in that tab.
  */
-export async function withOverlaysHiddenForCapture<T>(
+export async function withExtensionOverlayHidden<T>(
   tabId: number,
   fn: () => Promise<T>,
   sendToTab: CaptureSuppressSendToTab = defaultSendToTab,

apps/extension/src/lib/overlay-bridge.ts

@@ -3,8 +3,10 @@
  * between the content-script control overlay and the background SW.
  *
  * Content script → background:
- *  - `{ kind: "overlay.ready" }` → background replies with the authoritative
- *      overlay state for the sender's window.
+ *  - `{ kind: "overlay.ready" }` → background decides the per-tab state first
+ *      (see overlayStateForTab) and pushes the authoritative overlay state for
+ *      that tab. It also proactively pushes on tab create and control-mode
+ *      change, so a tab usually receives state before it ever sends ready.
  *  - `{ kind: "overlay.interrupt", sessionId }` → background asks the
  *      daemon (via a `session.user_interrupt` WS event) to cancel
  *      every inflight + queued tool call for that session with

apps/extension/src/lib/random-uuid.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+/**
+ * Generate a UUID v4 in browser contexts where randomUUID() is unavailable.
+ *
+ * Crypto.randomUUID() is restricted to secure contexts, while
+ * crypto.getRandomValues() is available to content scripts on ordinary HTTP
+ * origins. BrowserSkill records many intranet pages served over HTTP, so the
+ * fallback is required for recording to work on those pages.
+ */
+export function createRandomUuid(): string {
+  const cryptoApi = globalThis.crypto;
+  if (typeof cryptoApi.randomUUID === "function") return cryptoApi.randomUUID();
+
+  const bytes = new Uint8Array(16);
+  cryptoApi.getRandomValues(bytes);
+  bytes[6] = (bytes[6]! & 0x0f) | 0x40;
+  bytes[8] = (bytes[8]! & 0x3f) | 0x80;
+
+  const hex = Array.from(bytes, (byte) => byte.toString(16).padStart(2, "0")).join("");
+  return [
+    hex.slice(0, 8),
+    hex.slice(8, 12),
+    hex.slice(12, 16),
+    hex.slice(16, 20),
+    hex.slice(20),
+  ].join("-");
+}

apps/extension/src/lib/recording/frame-coordinator.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { createRandomUuid } from "../random-uuid";
 import {
   isRecordFrameQueryMessage,
   RECORD_FRAME_PORT,
@@ -188,7 +189,7 @@ export class RecordFrameCoordinator {
     const recording = this.#recordings.get(requestId);
     if (!recording) return true;
     recording.finishing = true;
-    const commandId = crypto.randomUUID();
+    const commandId = createRandomUuid();
     const results = await Promise.all(
       [...recording.agents.values()].map((agent) => this.#stopAgent(agent, requestId, commandId)),
     );

apps/extension/src/session-manager/__tests__/disconnect-cleanup.test.ts

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ describe("disconnect session cleanup", () => {
     const manager = new SessionManager({
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => nextWindowId++),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove,
       },
     });
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ describe("disconnect session cleanup", () => {
     const manager = new SessionManager({
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 100),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(() => removeGate),
       },
     });

apps/extension/src/session-manager/__tests__/event-handler.test.ts

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ describe("attachSessionEventHandler", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     await manager.start("aa11");
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ describe("attachSessionEventHandler", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const ctx = await manager.start("aa11");
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ describe("attachSessionEventHandler", () => {
       windowEvents: events.api,
     });
 
+    manager.forgetClosedTab(7, { isWindowClosing: true });
     events.emit(4242);
     for (let i = 0; i < 4; i += 1) await Promise.resolve();
 
@@ -113,7 +114,7 @@ describe("attachSessionEventHandler", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const transport = fakeTransport();
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ describe("attachSessionEventHandler", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const transport = fakeTransport();

apps/extension/src/session-manager/__tests__/manager.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import type { AgentWindowApi, AgentWindowCreateOptions } from "../agent-window";
-import { SessionManager } from "../manager";
+import { isAgentControlledTab, SessionManager } from "../manager";
 
 function fakeAgentWindow(): AgentWindowApi & {
   createMock: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(): AgentWindowApi & {
     return id;
   });
   const removeMock = vi.fn(async (_id: number) => {});
-  const ensureActiveTabMock = vi.fn(async (_windowId: number, _url: string) => {});
+  const ensureActiveTabMock = vi.fn(async (_windowId: number, _url: string) => 0);
   return {
     create: createMock,
     remove: removeMock,
@@ -151,6 +151,76 @@ describe("SessionManager", () => {
     expect(sm.list()).toEqual([]);
   });
 
+  describe("explicit tab claims", () => {
+    it("claims the exact home tab returned by AgentWindowApi", async () => {
+      const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow() });
+      const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+      expect(ctx.agentCreatedTabs).toEqual(new Set([0]));
+      expect(isAgentControlledTab(ctx, 0)).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("keeps every other tab free without classification state", async () => {
+      const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow() });
+      const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+      expect(isAgentControlledTab(ctx, 99)).toBe(false);
+      expect(ctx).not.toHaveProperty("userTabs");
+      expect(ctx).not.toHaveProperty("pendingAgentTabCount");
+    });
+
+    it("treats a committed borrow as an explicit claim", async () => {
+      const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow() });
+      const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+      const reservation = sm.tryReserveBorrow(42, ctx.sessionId);
+      if ("borrowedBy" in reservation) throw new Error("unexpected borrow conflict");
+      reservation.commit({ tabId: 42, originalWindowId: 7, originalIndex: 3 });
+      expect(isAgentControlledTab(ctx, 42)).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("forgets an agent-created tab after Chrome removes it", async () => {
+      const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow() });
+      const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+      ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(42);
+      sm.forgetClosedTab(42);
+      expect(ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(42)).toBe(false);
+      expect(isAgentControlledTab(ctx, 0)).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("forgets closed borrows idempotently without affecting other tabs or sessions", async () => {
+      const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow() });
+      const a = await sm.start("aa11");
+      const b = await sm.start("bb22");
+      a.borrowedTabs.set(42, { tabId: 42, originalWindowId: 7, originalIndex: 0 });
+      a.borrowedTabs.set(43, { tabId: 43, originalWindowId: 7, originalIndex: 1 });
+      b.borrowedTabs.set(44, { tabId: 44, originalWindowId: 8, originalIndex: 0 });
+
+      sm.forgetClosedTab(42);
+      sm.forgetClosedTab(42);
+      sm.forgetClosedTab(999);
+
+      expect(isAgentControlledTab(a, 42)).toBe(false);
+      expect(sm.findBorrowingSession(42, null)).toBeNull();
+      expect([...a.borrowedTabs.keys()]).toEqual([43]);
+      expect([...b.borrowedTabs.keys()]).toEqual([44]);
+      expect(sm.list()).toHaveLength(2);
+    });
+
+    it("prevents an in-flight borrow from reclaiming a closed tab", async () => {
+      const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow() });
+      const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+      const reservation = sm.tryReserveBorrow(42, ctx.sessionId);
+      if ("borrowedBy" in reservation) throw new Error("unexpected borrow conflict");
+
+      sm.forgetClosedTab(42);
+
+      expect(() =>
+        reservation.commit({ tabId: 42, originalWindowId: 7, originalIndex: 0 }),
+      ).toThrow(/reservation disappeared/);
+      reservation.release();
+      expect(sm.findBorrowingSession(42, null)).toBeNull();
+      expect(ctx.borrowedTabs.has(42)).toBe(false);
+    });
+  });
+
   describe("findBorrowingSession", () => {
     it("returns null when no session has borrowed the tab", async () => {
       const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow() });

apps/extension/src/session-manager/agent-window.ts

@@ -14,8 +14,11 @@ export interface AgentWindowApi {
    * Guarantee the Agent Window has an active, CDP-navigable tab.
    * `chrome://` pages (including the New Tab page) reject `Page.navigate`,
    * so sessions bootstrap with `about:blank` instead.
+   *
+   * Resolves with the id of the activated (or newly created) tab, so callers
+   * can track the session's home tab without re-querying Chrome.
    */
-  ensureActiveTab(windowId: number, url: string): Promise<void>;
+  ensureActiveTab(windowId: number, url: string): Promise<number>;
 }
 
 /** Creation hints for a new Agent Window. */
@@ -49,15 +52,19 @@ export const chromeAgentWindowApi: AgentWindowApi = {
     // cancellation success while the Agent Window remains open.
     await chrome.windows.remove(windowId);
   },
-  async ensureActiveTab(windowId: number, url: string): Promise<void> {
+  async ensureActiveTab(windowId: number, url: string): Promise<number> {
     const tabs = await chrome.tabs.query({ windowId });
     const first = tabs.find((t) => typeof t.id === "number");
-    if (first?.id) {
+    if (first?.id !== undefined) {
       if (!first.active) {
         await chrome.tabs.update(first.id, { active: true });
       }
-      return;
+      return first.id;
     }
-    await chrome.tabs.create({ windowId, url, active: true });
+    const created = await chrome.tabs.create({ windowId, url, active: true });
+    if (typeof created?.id !== "number") {
+      throw new Error("[bh] chrome.tabs.create returned no tab id");
+    }
+    return created.id;
   },
 };

apps/extension/src/session-manager/manager.ts

@@ -6,9 +6,20 @@ export interface SessionContext {
   agentWindowId: number;
   refStore: RefStore;
   borrowedTabs: Map<number, BorrowedTab>;
+  /**
+   * Tabs explicitly claimed by the agent because it created them. This
+   * includes the Agent Window's home tab and tabs created by `tool.tab_create`.
+   * Tabs opened through Chrome UI never enter this set.
+   */
+  agentCreatedTabs: Set<number>;
   createdAtMs: number;
 }
 
+/** Whether this session has explicitly claimed control of `tabId`. */
+export function isAgentControlledTab(ctx: SessionContext, tabId: number): boolean {
+  return ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(tabId) || ctx.borrowedTabs.has(tabId);
+}
+
 export interface BorrowedTab {
   tabId: number;
   originalWindowId: number;
@@ -106,6 +117,19 @@ export class SessionManager {
     return Array.from(this.sessions.values());
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Forget a tab Chrome has removed, including any uncommitted borrow.
+   * Whole-window closures keep committed borrows until the window-removed
+   * handler reports which user tabs could not be returned.
+   */
+  forgetClosedTab(tabId: number, { isWindowClosing = false } = {}): void {
+    this.borrowReservations.delete(tabId);
+    for (const ctx of this.sessions.values()) {
+      ctx.agentCreatedTabs.delete(tabId);
+      if (!isWindowClosing) ctx.borrowedTabs.delete(tabId);
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Look up whether `tabId` is currently borrowed by some *other*
    * session than the one calling. Used by M8 `tab_borrow` to refuse
@@ -179,7 +203,7 @@ export class SessionManager {
       const { signal: _signal, ...createOptions } = opts;
       windowId = await this.agentWindow.create(AGENT_WINDOW_HOME, createOptions);
       throwIfSessionStartAborted(opts.signal);
-      await this.agentWindow.ensureActiveTab(windowId, AGENT_WINDOW_HOME);
+      const homeTabId = await this.agentWindow.ensureActiveTab(windowId, AGENT_WINDOW_HOME);
       throwIfSessionStartAborted(opts.signal);
 
       const ctx: SessionContext = {
@@ -187,6 +211,10 @@ export class SessionManager {
         agentWindowId: windowId,
         refStore: new RefStore(),
         borrowedTabs: new Map(),
+        // The home tab is the session's first explicit claim. Every other
+        // tab remains free until `tab_create` or `tab_borrow` identifies it
+        // by its concrete Chrome tab id.
+        agentCreatedTabs: new Set([homeTabId]),
         createdAtMs: this.now(),
       };
       this.sessions.set(sessionId, ctx);

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/console.test.ts

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/dispatcher.test.ts

@@ -49,13 +49,54 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
     vi.unstubAllGlobals();
   });
 
+  it.each([
+    "tool.snapshot",
+    "tool.evaluate",
+    "tool.get_html",
+    "tool.console",
+  ])("annotates Chrome extension-access failures from %s", async (method) => {
+    const tab = { id: 7, windowId: 4242, active: true, url: "https://example.test" };
+    vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+      tabs: {
+        get: vi.fn(async () => tab),
+        query: vi.fn(async () => [tab]),
+      },
+    });
+    const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
+    const sessions = new SessionManager({
+      agentWindow: {
+        create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
+        remove: vi.fn(),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(),
+      },
+    });
+    await sessions.start("test");
+    const error = new Error("Cannot access a chrome-extension:// URL of different extension");
+    const cdp = {
+      send: vi.fn().mockRejectedValue(error),
+      ensureConsoleCapture: vi.fn().mockRejectedValue(error),
+      consoleEntriesSince: vi.fn(),
+    } as unknown as TestDispatcherCdp;
+    const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions, cdp });
+    dispatcher.start();
+    deliver(makeRequest(method, { session_id: "test", expression: "document.title" }));
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(sent).toHaveLength(1));
+    expect(sent[0]).toMatchObject({
+      error: {
+        code: "cdp_failed",
+        data: { reason: "cdp_extension_access_denied" },
+      },
+    });
+    dispatcher.stop();
+  });
+
   it("uses the configured recording runtime for start and stop", async () => {
     const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
     const sessions = new SessionManager({
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     await sessions.start("aa11");
@@ -117,7 +158,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -140,7 +181,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create,
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -158,7 +199,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     await sessions.start("aa11");
@@ -172,6 +213,47 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
     expect(sent[0]).toEqual({ id: "r-1", result: {} });
   });
 
+  it("wires the production tab APIs into tool.session_stop so a surviving user tab releases the window", async () => {
+    // Regression guard for the deps that session_stop reads directly: when
+    // `tabManagement.tabs` / `tabsQuery` are not injected by the dispatcher,
+    // the agent-tab cleanup and the release decision silently no-op and the
+    // Agent Window is closed even though a user tab is still open (issue #57).
+    const removeTab = vi.fn(async () => {});
+    const closeWindow = vi.fn(async () => {});
+    // After cleanup the window still holds one tab (id 99) that is neither
+    // the home tab nor an agent-created tab — i.e. a genuine user tab.
+    vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+      tabs: {
+        remove: removeTab,
+        query: vi.fn(async () => [{ id: 99, windowId: 4242, active: true }]),
+      },
+    });
+    const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
+    const sessions = new SessionManager({
+      agentWindow: {
+        create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
+        remove: closeWindow,
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
+      },
+    });
+    await sessions.start("aa11");
+    // Register the exact tab id returned by the agent's creation path.
+    sessions.get("aa11")?.agentCreatedTabs.add(7);
+
+    const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
+    dispatcher.start();
+
+    deliver(makeRequest("tool.session_stop", { session_id: "aa11" }));
+    await flushMicrotasks();
+
+    // The agent tab is closed through the real chrome.tabs surface...
+    expect(removeTab).toHaveBeenCalledWith(7);
+    // ...and the window is released rather than closed, so the user's tab survives.
+    expect(closeWindow).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(sessions.has("aa11")).toBe(false);
+    expect(sent[0]).toEqual({ id: "r-1", result: { window_released: true } });
+  });
+
   it("routes tool.console through the CDP console buffer", async () => {
     vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
       tabs: {
@@ -183,7 +265,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     await sessions.start("aa11");
@@ -232,13 +314,114 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it("bypasses and restores the control overlay for an upload trigger click", async () => {
+    const sendMessage = vi.fn(async () => undefined);
+    vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+      tabs: {
+        get: vi.fn(async () => ({ id: 7, windowId: 4242, active: true })),
+        query: vi.fn(async () => [{ id: 7, windowId: 4242, active: true }]),
+        sendMessage,
+      },
+    });
+    const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
+    const sessions = new SessionManager({
+      agentWindow: {
+        create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
+        remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
+      },
+    });
+    const ctx = await sessions.start("aa11");
+    ctx.refStore.set("e1", 123, { tabId: 7 });
+    const send = vi.fn(async <T>(_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+      if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics") {
+        return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 1280, clientHeight: 720 } } as T;
+      }
+      if (method === "DOM.getContentQuads") {
+        return { quads: [[0, 0, 20, 0, 20, 20, 0, 20]] } as T;
+      }
+      if (method === "DOM.resolveNode") {
+        return { object: { objectId: "trigger-object" } } as T;
+      }
+      if (method === "DOM.describeNode") return { node: { backendNodeId: 456 } } as T;
+      if (method === "Runtime.callFunctionOn") {
+        const declaration = (params as { functionDeclaration?: string }).functionDeclaration ?? "";
+        if (declaration.includes("count: state.inputs.length")) {
+          return { result: { value: { count: 1, multiple: false } } } as T;
+        }
+        if (declaration.includes("inputs[0]")) {
+          return { result: { objectId: "input-object" } } as T;
+        }
+        return { result: { value: true } } as T;
+      }
+      if (method === "Runtime.evaluate") {
+        const expression = (params as { expression?: string }).expression ?? "";
+        if (expression.includes("overlayDetails")) {
+          return { result: { value: { hitIndex: 0 } } } as T;
+        }
+        if (expression.includes("overlayHostPresent")) {
+          return {
+            result: {
+              value: { overlayHostPresent: true, overlayHostConnected: true },
+            },
+          } as T;
+        }
+        if (expression.includes("count:")) {
+          return { result: { value: { count: 1, multiple: false } } } as T;
+        }
+        if (expression.includes("?.inputs[0]")) {
+          return { result: { objectId: "input-object" } } as T;
+        }
+        return { result: { value: true } } as T;
+      }
+      return {} as T;
+    });
+    const cdp = {
+      send,
+      detachSession: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      ensureNetworkCapture: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      networkEntriesSince: vi.fn(() => ({
+        tab_id: 7,
+        entries: [],
+        next_since: 0,
+        truncated: false,
+      })),
+      setDeviceMetricsOverride: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      clearDeviceMetricsOverride: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      setUserAgentOverride: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      setTouchEmulationEnabled: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions, cdp: cdp as TestDispatcherCdp });
+    dispatcher.start();
+
+    deliver(
+      makeRequest("tool.upload", {
+        session_id: "aa11",
+        ref: "@e1",
+        files: [{ transfer_id: "tr_1", name: "test.png", staged_path: "/stage/test.png" }],
+      }),
+    );
+    await flushMicrotasks();
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(sent).toHaveLength(1));
+
+    expect(sent[0]).toMatchObject({ result: { tab_id: 7, file_names: ["test.png"] } });
+    expect(sendMessage).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(1, 7, {
+      type: "bh-automation-bypass",
+      enabled: true,
+    });
+    expect(sendMessage).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2, 7, {
+      type: "bh-automation-bypass",
+      enabled: false,
+    });
+  });
+
   it("detaches CDP state before stopping a session", async () => {
     const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
     const sessions = new SessionManager({
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     await sessions.start("aa11");
@@ -274,7 +457,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove,
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     await sessions.start("aa11");
@@ -322,7 +505,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -342,7 +525,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -366,7 +549,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -383,7 +566,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -400,7 +583,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const onSessionsChanged = vi.fn();
@@ -417,16 +600,32 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
   });
 
   it("invokes onBrowserControlResumed for browser-control tools but not passive reads", async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+      tabs: {
+        create: vi.fn(async (props: chrome.tabs.CreateProperties) => ({
+          id: 7,
+          windowId: props.windowId,
+          url: props.url,
+          active: props.active,
+        })),
+      },
+    });
     const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
     const sessions = new SessionManager({
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const onBrowserControlResumed = vi.fn();
-    const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions, onBrowserControlResumed });
+    const onAgentTabClaimed = vi.fn();
+    const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({
+      transport,
+      sessions,
+      onBrowserControlResumed,
+      onAgentTabClaimed,
+    });
     dispatcher.start();
 
     deliver(makeRequest("tool.session_start", { session_id: "aa11" }));
@@ -443,6 +642,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
     });
     await flushMicrotasks();
     expect(onBrowserControlResumed).toHaveBeenCalledWith("aa11");
+    expect(onAgentTabClaimed).toHaveBeenCalledWith(7, 1);
   });
 
   it("reasserts remembered hover before follow-up work and releases only after actions", async () => {
@@ -456,7 +656,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const order: string[] = [];
@@ -538,7 +738,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const cdp = {
@@ -588,6 +788,135 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
     );
   });
 
+  it.each([
+    { tab_id: 7, code: "not_found" },
+    { tab_id: undefined, code: "invalid_params" },
+  ])("keeps hover when tab_return is rejected with $code", async ({ tab_id, code }) => {
+    const sendMessage = vi.fn(async () => undefined);
+    vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+      tabs: {
+        sendMessage,
+        get: vi.fn(async () => ({ id: 7, windowId: 100, active: true })),
+        query: vi.fn(async () => [{ id: 7, windowId: 100, active: true }]),
+      },
+    });
+    const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
+    const sessions = new SessionManager({
+      agentWindow: {
+        create: vi.fn(async () => 100),
+        remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
+      },
+    });
+    await sessions.start("aa11");
+    const cdp = {
+      send: vi.fn(async <T>() => ({}) as T),
+      detachSession: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      releaseSessionTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({
+      transport,
+      sessions,
+      cdp: cdp as unknown as TestDispatcherCdp,
+    });
+    const helpers = dispatcher as unknown as {
+      rememberHover: (sessionId: string, result: unknown) => unknown;
+      setHoverBypass: (sessionId: string, tabId: number, enabled: boolean) => Promise<void>;
+      withHoverReassert: <T>(
+        params: { session_id: string; tab_id?: number },
+        work: () => Promise<T>,
+      ) => Promise<T>;
+    };
+    helpers.rememberHover("aa11", { tab_id: 7, x: 10, y: 20 });
+    await helpers.setHoverBypass("aa11", 7, true);
+    dispatcher.start();
+    deliver(makeRequest("tool.tab_return", { session_id: "aa11", tab_id }));
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(sent).toHaveLength(1));
+
+    expect(sent[0]).toMatchObject({ error: { code } });
+    expect(cdp.releaseSessionTab).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(sendMessage).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(7, expect.objectContaining({ enabled: false }));
+    await helpers.withHoverReassert({ session_id: "aa11", tab_id: 7 }, async () => ({}));
+    expect(cdp.send).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith(7, "Input.dispatchMouseEvent", {
+      type: "mouseMoved",
+      x: 10,
+      y: 20,
+    });
+    dispatcher.stop();
+  });
+
+  it("releases the returned tab's hover before moving it and leaves other tabs alone", async () => {
+    const sendMessage = vi.fn(async () => undefined);
+    const move = vi.fn(async () => {
+      expect(sendMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(7, expect.objectContaining({ enabled: false }));
+      return { id: 7, windowId: 200, index: 4 };
+    });
+    vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+      tabs: { sendMessage, move },
+      windows: { get: vi.fn(async () => ({ id: 200 })) },
+    });
+    const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
+    const sessions = new SessionManager({
+      agentWindow: {
+        create: vi.fn(async () => 100),
+        remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
+      },
+    });
+    const ctx = await sessions.start("aa11");
+    ctx.borrowedTabs.set(7, { tabId: 7, originalWindowId: 200, originalIndex: 4 });
+    const cdp = {
+      send: vi.fn(async <T>() => ({}) as T),
+      detachSession: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      releaseSessionTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({
+      transport,
+      sessions,
+      cdp: cdp as unknown as TestDispatcherCdp,
+    });
+    const helpers = dispatcher as unknown as {
+      rememberHover: (sessionId: string, result: unknown) => unknown;
+      setHoverBypass: (sessionId: string, tabId: number, enabled: boolean) => Promise<void>;
+      withHoverReassert: <T>(
+        params: { session_id: string; tab_id?: number },
+        work: () => Promise<T>,
+      ) => Promise<T>;
+    };
+    for (const [sessionId, tabId] of [
+      ["aa11", 7],
+      ["aa11", 8],
+      ["bb22", 9],
+    ] as const) {
+      helpers.rememberHover(sessionId, { tab_id: tabId, x: 10, y: 20 });
+      await helpers.setHoverBypass(sessionId, tabId, true);
+    }
+    dispatcher.start();
+    deliver(makeRequest("tool.tab_return", { session_id: "aa11", tab_id: 7 }));
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(sent).toHaveLength(1));
+
+    expect(sent[0]).toMatchObject({ result: { tab_id: 7, returned_to_window_id: 200 } });
+    expect(cdp.releaseSessionTab).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith("aa11", 7);
+    await helpers.withHoverReassert({ session_id: "aa11", tab_id: 7 }, async () => ({}));
+    expect(cdp.send).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    for (const [sessionId, tabId] of [
+      ["aa11", 8],
+      ["bb22", 9],
+    ] as const) {
+      expect(sendMessage).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        tabId,
+        expect.objectContaining({ enabled: false }),
+      );
+      await helpers.withHoverReassert({ session_id: sessionId, tab_id: tabId }, async () => ({}));
+      expect(cdp.send).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(tabId, "Input.dispatchMouseEvent", {
+        type: "mouseMoved",
+        x: 10,
+        y: 20,
+      });
+    }
+    dispatcher.stop();
+  });
+
   it("transfers hover overlay bypass ownership between sessions", async () => {
     vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
       tabs: {
@@ -599,7 +928,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -636,7 +965,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     await sessions.start("aa11");
@@ -688,7 +1017,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -722,7 +1051,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     transport.send = () => {
@@ -744,7 +1073,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 5555),
         remove,
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     transport.send = () => {
@@ -772,7 +1101,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(() => createPromise),
         remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -823,7 +1152,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(async () => 1),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });
@@ -844,7 +1173,7 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
       agentWindow: {
         create: vi.fn(() => createPromise),
         remove: vi.fn(),
-        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
       },
     });
     const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions });

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/emulate.test.ts

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/errors.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import type { RpcError } from "@/transport/types";
+import { cdpError, classifyCdpError } from "../errors";
+
+const denied = "Cannot access a chrome-extension:// URL of different extension";
+
+describe("CDP extension access errors", () => {
+  it("classifies both Chrome Error instances and string failures", () => {
+    for (const error of [new Error(denied), denied]) {
+      expect(cdpError(error)).toEqual({
+        code: "cdp_failed",
+        message: denied,
+        data: { reason: "cdp_extension_access_denied" },
+      });
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("preserves transfer outcome and cleanup instructions when CDP was denied", () => {
+    const error: RpcError = {
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      message: denied,
+      data: {
+        reason: "transfer_outcome_unknown",
+        effect_state: "unknown",
+        cleanup_state: "failed",
+      },
+    };
+    expect(classifyCdpError(error)).toBe(error);
+  });
+
+  it("leaves other error codes and unrelated debugger failures unchanged", () => {
+    for (const error of [
+      { code: "permission_denied", message: denied },
+      { code: "cdp_failed", message: "Another debugger is already attached" },
+    ] satisfies RpcError[]) {
+      expect(classifyCdpError(error)).toBe(error);
+    }
+  });
+});

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/evaluate.test.ts

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/file-transfer.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,988 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import { type DownloadsApi, handleDownload } from "../download";
+import { captureBrowserDownload } from "../download-capture";
+import { uploadThroughFileDrop } from "../file-drop-transaction";
+import { uploadThroughActivatedFileInput } from "../file-input-transaction";
+import type { ResolvedActionTarget } from "../interaction";
+import type { CdpRunner } from "../shared";
+import { handleUpload } from "../upload";
+
+function sessions() {
+  return new SessionManager({
+    agentWindow: {
+      create: vi.fn(async () => 100),
+      remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+function tabsApi() {
+  return {
+    get: vi.fn(
+      async (tabId: number) => ({ id: tabId, windowId: 100, active: true }) as chrome.tabs.Tab,
+    ),
+    query: vi.fn(async () => [{ id: 4, windowId: 100, active: true } as chrome.tabs.Tab]),
+  };
+}
+
+function fakeEvent<T extends (...args: never[]) => unknown>() {
+  const listeners = new Set<T>();
+  return {
+    addListener: (listener: T) => listeners.add(listener),
+    removeListener: (listener: T) => listeners.delete(listener),
+    emit: (...args: Parameters<T>) => {
+      for (const listener of listeners) listener(...args);
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function actionTarget(frameId?: string, sessionId?: string): ResolvedActionTarget {
+  return {
+    tab: { tabId: 4, windowId: 100, active: true },
+    backendNodeId: 123,
+    cdpTarget: { tabId: 4, ...(sessionId ? { sessionId } : {}) },
+    ...(frameId ? { frameId } : {}),
+    usedRef: "e3",
+  };
+}
+
+function withoutOverlay<T>(operation: () => Promise<T>): Promise<T> {
+  return operation();
+}
+
+function uploadCdp(
+  options: {
+    inputCount?: number;
+    multiple?: boolean;
+    chooser?: { frameId?: string; backendNodeId?: number; mode?: string };
+    pendingResolve?: boolean;
+  } = {},
+) {
+  const calls: Array<{ method: string; params?: object }> = [];
+  let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+  const send = vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+    calls.push({ method, params });
+    if (method === "DOM.scrollIntoViewIfNeeded") return {};
+    if (method === "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog") return {};
+    if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics")
+      return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 1280, clientHeight: 720 } };
+    if (method === "DOM.getContentQuads") return { quads: [[0, 0, 20, 0, 20, 20, 0, 20]] };
+    if (method === "DOM.resolveNode") {
+      if (options.pendingResolve) return new Promise<never>(() => {});
+      return { object: { objectId: "trigger-object" } };
+    }
+    if (method === "Runtime.callFunctionOn") {
+      const declaration = (params as { functionDeclaration?: string }).functionDeclaration ?? "";
+      if (declaration.includes("Object.defineProperty")) return { result: { value: true } };
+      if (declaration.includes("count: state.inputs.length")) {
+        return {
+          result: {
+            value: {
+              count: options.inputCount ?? 1,
+              multiple: options.multiple ?? true,
+            },
+          },
+        };
+      }
+      if (declaration.includes("inputs[0]")) {
+        return { result: { objectId: "input-object" } };
+      }
+      return { result: { value: true } };
+    }
+    if (method === "DOM.describeNode") return { node: { backendNodeId: 456 } };
+    if (
+      method === "Input.dispatchMouseEvent" &&
+      (params as { type?: string }).type === "mousePressed" &&
+      options.chooser
+    ) {
+      cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.fileChooserOpened", options.chooser);
+    }
+    return {};
+  });
+  const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+    send: send as unknown as CdpRunner["send"],
+    onEvent: (handler) => {
+      cdpEvent = handler;
+      return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+    },
+  };
+  return {
+    calls,
+    emitChooser: (event: { frameId?: string; backendNodeId?: number; mode?: string }) =>
+      cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.fileChooserOpened", event),
+    cdp,
+  };
+}
+
+function dropCdp(
+  options: {
+    targetContainsPoint?: boolean;
+    dispatchError?: (type: string) => Error | Promise<never> | undefined;
+    onCall?: (method: string) => void;
+  } = {},
+) {
+  const calls: Array<{ method: string; params?: object }> = [];
+  const detach = vi.fn(async () => {});
+  const send = vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+    calls.push({ method, params });
+    options.onCall?.(method);
+    if (method === "DOM.scrollIntoViewIfNeeded") return {};
+    if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics") {
+      return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 1280, clientHeight: 720 } };
+    }
+    if (method === "DOM.getContentQuads") {
+      return { quads: [[10, 20, 210, 20, 210, 120, 10, 120]] };
+    }
+    if (method === "DOM.getNodeForLocation") return { backendNodeId: 124 };
+    if (method === "DOM.resolveNode") {
+      const id = (params as { backendNodeId?: number }).backendNodeId;
+      return { object: { objectId: id === 123 ? "drop-target" : "hit-target" } };
+    }
+    if (method === "Runtime.callFunctionOn") {
+      return { result: { value: options.targetContainsPoint ?? true } };
+    }
+    if (method === "Input.dispatchDragEvent") {
+      const type = (params as { type?: string }).type ?? "";
+      const error = options.dispatchError?.(type);
+      if (error instanceof Promise) return error;
+      if (error) throw error;
+      return {};
+    }
+    if (method === "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup") return {};
+    throw new Error(`unexpected drop CDP command ${method}`);
+  });
+  const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+    send: send as unknown as CdpRunner["send"],
+    detach,
+  };
+  return { calls, cdp, detach };
+}
+
+describe("file transfer tools", () => {
+  it("captures the file input activated by the requested click and injects only staged paths", async () => {
+    const manager = sessions();
+    const ctx = await manager.start("s1");
+    ctx.refStore.set("e3", 123, { tabId: 4 });
+    const { cdp, calls } = uploadCdp();
+
+    const result = await handleUpload(
+      manager,
+      {
+        session_id: "s1",
+        ref: "@e3",
+        files: [
+          { transfer_id: "tr_1", name: "one.png", staged_path: "/private/stage/one" },
+          { transfer_id: "tr_2", name: "two.png", staged_path: "/private/stage/two" },
+        ],
+      },
+      { cdp, tabsApi: tabsApi() },
+    );
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ tab_id: 4, file_names: ["one.png", "two.png"] });
+    expect(calls[0]).toEqual({
+      method: "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog",
+      params: { enabled: true },
+    });
+    expect(calls).toContainEqual({
+      method: "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog",
+      params: { enabled: false, cancel: true },
+    });
+    expect(calls).toContainEqual({
+      method: "DOM.setFileInputFiles",
+      params: { files: ["/private/stage/one", "/private/stage/two"], backendNodeId: 456 },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("fails immediately when the trigger does not activate a file input", async () => {
+    const { cdp } = uploadCdp({ inputCount: 0 });
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger: async () => ({ tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 }),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "unsupported",
+      data: { reason: "file_input_not_activated", phase: "resolve_input" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("fails before clicking when chooser interception is unavailable", async () => {
+    const trigger = vi.fn(async () => ({ tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 }));
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string) => {
+        if (method === "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog") {
+          throw new Error("method unavailable");
+        }
+        return {};
+      }) as CdpRunner["send"],
+    };
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger,
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { effect_state: "none", phase: "arm_interception" },
+    });
+    expect(trigger).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("uses an exact chooser event as an independent input-location signal", async () => {
+    const { cdp, calls, emitChooser } = uploadCdp({ inputCount: 0 });
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget("f1"),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        emitChooser({ frameId: "f1", backendNodeId: 789, mode: "selectSingle" });
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ multiple: false });
+    expect(calls).toContainEqual({
+      method: "DOM.setFileInputFiles",
+      params: { files: ["/private/stage/one"], backendNodeId: 789 },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("reports a File System Access picker without waiting for a timeout", async () => {
+    const { cdp, emitChooser } = uploadCdp({
+      inputCount: 0,
+    });
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget("f1"),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        emitChooser({ frameId: "f1", mode: "selectSingle" });
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "unsupported",
+      message: "upload trigger invoked a non-input file picker",
+      data: { reason: "file_input_not_activated", phase: "resolve_input" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("bounds a stuck file-input probe", async () => {
+    const { cdp } = uploadCdp({ pendingResolve: true });
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 5,
+      trigger: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "timeout",
+      data: { reason: "file_input_probe_failed", phase: "arm_input_probe" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("marks a timed-out file assignment unknown and detaches browser state", async () => {
+    const fixture = uploadCdp();
+    const originalSend = fixture.cdp.send;
+    const detach = vi.fn(async () => {});
+    fixture.cdp.detach = detach;
+    fixture.cdp.send = vi.fn((tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+      if (method === "DOM.setFileInputFiles") return new Promise<never>(() => {});
+      return originalSend(tabId, method, params);
+    }) as CdpRunner["send"];
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp: fixture.cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 10,
+      trigger: async () => ({ tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 }),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "timeout",
+      data: { effect_state: "unknown", phase: "set_files" },
+    });
+    expect(detach).toHaveBeenCalledWith(4);
+  });
+
+  it("delivers staged files through one explicit native drop without clicking", async () => {
+    const manager = sessions();
+    const ctx = await manager.start("s1");
+    ctx.refStore.set("e3", 123, { tabId: 4 });
+    const lifecycle: string[] = [];
+    const { cdp, calls } = dropCdp({ onCall: (method) => lifecycle.push(method) });
+    const overlayPhases: string[] = [];
+
+    const result = await handleUpload(
+      manager,
+      {
+        session_id: "s1",
+        ref: "@e3",
+        mode: "drop",
+        files: [{ transfer_id: "tr_1", name: "one.png", staged_path: "/stage/one.png" }],
+      },
+      {
+        cdp,
+        tabsApi: tabsApi(),
+        sendToTab: vi.fn(async (_tabId, message) => {
+          overlayPhases.push(message.phase);
+          lifecycle.push(`overlay:${message.phase}`);
+        }),
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ tab_id: 4, used_ref: "e3", file_names: ["one.png"] });
+    expect(calls.filter((call) => call.method === "Input.dispatchDragEvent")).toEqual([
+      {
+        method: "Input.dispatchDragEvent",
+        params: {
+          type: "dragEnter",
+          x: 110,
+          y: 70,
+          data: { items: [], files: ["/stage/one.png"], dragOperationsMask: 1 },
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        method: "Input.dispatchDragEvent",
+        params: {
+          type: "dragOver",
+          x: 110,
+          y: 70,
+          data: { items: [], files: ["/stage/one.png"], dragOperationsMask: 1 },
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        method: "Input.dispatchDragEvent",
+        params: {
+          type: "drop",
+          x: 110,
+          y: 70,
+          data: { items: [], files: ["/stage/one.png"], dragOperationsMask: 1 },
+        },
+      },
+    ]);
+    expect(calls.some((call) => call.method === "Input.dispatchMouseEvent")).toBe(false);
+    expect(overlayPhases).toEqual(["begin", "end"]);
+    expect(lifecycle.indexOf("DOM.getContentQuads")).toBeLessThan(
+      lifecycle.indexOf("overlay:begin"),
+    );
+    expect(lifecycle.indexOf("overlay:begin")).toBeLessThan(
+      lifecycle.indexOf("DOM.getNodeForLocation"),
+    );
+    expect(lifecycle.lastIndexOf("Input.dispatchDragEvent")).toBeLessThan(
+      lifecycle.indexOf("overlay:end"),
+    );
+    expect(lifecycle.indexOf("overlay:end")).toBeLessThan(
+      lifecycle.indexOf("Runtime.releaseObjectGroup"),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("fails closed before dragging when another element owns the action point", async () => {
+    const { cdp, calls } = dropCdp({ targetContainsPoint: false });
+    const result = await uploadThroughFileDrop({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/stage/one.png"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      withOverlayHidden: withoutOverlay,
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "permission_denied",
+      data: {
+        reason: "file_drop_target_unavailable",
+        mechanism: "drop",
+        effect_state: "none",
+        phase: "resolve_target",
+      },
+    });
+    expect(calls.some((call) => call.method === "Input.dispatchDragEvent")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("dispatches an OOPIF file drop in the child target's local coordinates", async () => {
+    const rootCalls: Array<{ method: string; params?: object }> = [];
+    const childCalls: Array<{ method: string; params?: object }> = [];
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async (_tabId, method, params) => {
+        rootCalls.push({ method, params });
+        if (method === "DOM.scrollIntoViewIfNeeded") return {};
+        if (method === "DOM.getBoxModel") {
+          return { model: { content: [100, 100, 300, 100, 300, 200, 100, 200] } };
+        }
+        if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics") {
+          return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 800, clientHeight: 600 } };
+        }
+        throw new Error(`unexpected root command ${method}`);
+      }) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      sendToTarget: vi.fn(async (_target, method, params) => {
+        childCalls.push({ method, params });
+        if (method === "DOM.scrollIntoViewIfNeeded") return {};
+        if (method === "DOM.getContentQuads") {
+          return { quads: [[10, 20, 210, 20, 210, 120, 10, 120]] };
+        }
+        if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics") {
+          return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 400, clientHeight: 300 } };
+        }
+        if (method === "DOM.getNodeForLocation") {
+          return { backendNodeId: 124, frameId: "child" };
+        }
+        if (method === "DOM.resolveNode") {
+          const id = (params as { backendNodeId?: number }).backendNodeId;
+          return { object: { objectId: id === 123 ? "drop-target" : "hit-target" } };
+        }
+        if (method === "Runtime.callFunctionOn") return { result: { value: true } };
+        if (method === "Input.dispatchDragEvent" || method === "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup") {
+          return {};
+        }
+        throw new Error(`unexpected child command ${method}`);
+      }) as CdpRunner["sendToTarget"],
+      getFrameGraph: vi.fn(async () => ({
+        rootFrameId: "main",
+        frames: [
+          { frameId: "main", target: { tabId: 4 } },
+          {
+            frameId: "child",
+            parentFrameId: "main",
+            ownerBackendNodeId: 10,
+            target: { tabId: 4, sessionId: "child-session" },
+          },
+        ],
+      })),
+    };
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughFileDrop({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget("child", "child-session"),
+      files: ["/stage/one.png"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      withOverlayHidden: withoutOverlay,
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ x: 110, y: 70 });
+    expect(
+      childCalls
+        .filter((call) => call.method === "Input.dispatchDragEvent")
+        .map((call) => call.params),
+    ).toEqual([
+      expect.objectContaining({ type: "dragEnter", x: 110, y: 70 }),
+      expect.objectContaining({ type: "dragOver", x: 110, y: 70 }),
+      expect.objectContaining({ type: "drop", x: 110, y: 70 }),
+    ]);
+    expect(rootCalls.some((call) => call.method === "Input.dispatchDragEvent")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("reports a missing native drag command as unsupported before commit", async () => {
+    const { cdp } = dropCdp({
+      dispatchError: (type) =>
+        type === "dragEnter" ? new Error("'Input.dispatchDragEvent' wasn't found") : undefined,
+    });
+    const result = await uploadThroughFileDrop({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/stage/one.png"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      withOverlayHidden: withoutOverlay,
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "unsupported",
+      data: {
+        reason: "upload_mechanism_unsupported",
+        effect_state: "none",
+        phase: "drag_enter",
+      },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("cancels an unresolved drag before returning a pre-commit timeout", async () => {
+    const { cdp, calls } = dropCdp({
+      dispatchError: (type) => (type === "dragEnter" ? new Promise<never>(() => {}) : undefined),
+    });
+    const result = await uploadThroughFileDrop({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/stage/one.png"],
+      timeoutMs: 10,
+      withOverlayHidden: withoutOverlay,
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "timeout",
+      data: { reason: "file_drop_failed", effect_state: "none", phase: "drag_enter" },
+    });
+    expect(calls).toContainEqual({
+      method: "Input.dispatchDragEvent",
+      params: expect.objectContaining({ type: "dragCancel" }),
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("marks an unresolved drop unknown and detaches browser state", async () => {
+    const { cdp, detach } = dropCdp({
+      dispatchError: (type) => (type === "drop" ? new Promise<never>(() => {}) : undefined),
+    });
+    const result = await uploadThroughFileDrop({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/stage/one.png"],
+      timeoutMs: 10,
+      withOverlayHidden: withoutOverlay,
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "timeout",
+      data: { reason: "file_drop_failed", effect_state: "unknown", phase: "drop" },
+    });
+    expect(detach).toHaveBeenCalledWith(4);
+  });
+
+  it("routes one exact-target download through a browser-relative capability", async () => {
+    const manager = sessions();
+    const ctx = await manager.start("s1");
+    ctx.refStore.set("e3", 123, { tabId: 4 });
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const initial = {
+      id: 9,
+      url: "https://example.test/result.zip",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/result.zip",
+      filename: "result.zip",
+      state: "in_progress",
+      fileSize: -1,
+      totalBytes: 12,
+      mime: "application/zip",
+      danger: "safe",
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const completed = {
+      ...initial,
+      filename: "/profile/Downloads/BrowserSkill/tr_1/result.zip",
+      state: "complete",
+      fileSize: 12,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => [completed]),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    let suggested: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion | undefined;
+    const send = vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+      if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics")
+        return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 1280, clientHeight: 720 } };
+      if (method === "DOM.getContentQuads") return { quads: [[0, 0, 20, 0, 20, 20, 0, 20]] };
+      if (
+        method === "Input.dispatchMouseEvent" &&
+        (params as { type?: string }).type === "mousePressed"
+      ) {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: initial.url,
+          suggestedFilename: "result.zip",
+        });
+        await new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(initial, (value) => {
+            suggested = value;
+            resolve();
+          });
+        });
+        onCreated.emit(completed);
+      }
+      return {};
+    });
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: send as unknown as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+
+    const result = await handleDownload(
+      manager,
+      { session_id: "s1", ref: "@e3", browser_relative_dir: "BrowserSkill/tr_1" },
+      { cdp, tabsApi: tabsApi(), downloads },
+    );
+
+    expect(suggested).toEqual({
+      filename: "BrowserSkill/tr_1/result.zip",
+      conflictAction: "overwrite",
+    });
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      tab_id: 4,
+      suggested_filename: "result.zip",
+      byte_size: 12,
+      browser_path: completed.filename,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("does not claim a download without an intent from the exact target", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => []),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as unknown as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+    const unrelated = {
+      id: 17,
+      url: "https://example.test/unrelated.zip",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/unrelated.zip",
+      filename: "unrelated.zip",
+      state: "in_progress",
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    let defaultSuggestionCalled = false;
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4, sessionId: "expected-child" },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_1",
+      timeoutMs: 5,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4, sessionId: "other-child" }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: unrelated.url,
+          suggestedFilename: unrelated.filename,
+        });
+        onDeterminingFilename.emit(unrelated, (suggestion) => {
+          defaultSuggestionCalled = suggestion === undefined;
+        });
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(defaultSuggestionCalled).toBe(true);
+    expect(downloads.cancel).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "download_capture_failed" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("correlates a filename candidate that arrives before the CDP intent", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const initial = {
+      id: 21,
+      url: "https://example.test/candidate-first.bin",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/candidate-first.bin",
+      filename: "candidate-first.bin",
+      state: "in_progress",
+      fileSize: -1,
+      totalBytes: 4,
+      bytesReceived: 0,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const complete = {
+      ...initial,
+      state: "complete",
+      fileSize: 4,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => [complete]),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+    let suggestion: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion | undefined;
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4 },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_21",
+      timeoutMs: 1_000,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        const suggested = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(initial, (value) => {
+            suggestion = value;
+            resolve();
+          });
+        });
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: initial.url,
+          suggestedFilename: initial.filename,
+        });
+        await suggested;
+        onCreated.emit(complete);
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(suggestion).toEqual({
+      filename: "BrowserSkill/tr_21/candidate-first.bin",
+      conflictAction: "overwrite",
+    });
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ item: { id: 21, state: "complete" } });
+  });
+
+  it("removes a completed download when the final size exceeds the limit", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const initial = {
+      id: 22,
+      url: "https://example.test/oversized.bin",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/oversized.bin",
+      filename: "oversized.bin",
+      state: "in_progress",
+      fileSize: -1,
+      totalBytes: -1,
+      bytesReceived: 0,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const complete = {
+      ...initial,
+      filename: "/profile/Downloads/BrowserSkill/tr_22/oversized.bin",
+      state: "complete",
+      fileSize: 8,
+      totalBytes: 8,
+      bytesReceived: 8,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => [complete]),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4 },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_22",
+      maxByteSize: 4,
+      timeoutMs: 1_000,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: initial.url,
+          suggestedFilename: initial.filename,
+        });
+        await new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(initial, () => resolve());
+        });
+        onCreated.emit(initial);
+        onChanged.emit({ id: initial.id, state: { current: "complete" } });
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "download_capture_failed", effect_state: "committed" },
+    });
+    expect(downloads.removeFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(initial.id);
+    expect(downloads.cancel).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("reconciles a download that completes while cancellation is being requested", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const initial = {
+      id: 23,
+      url: "https://example.test/racing.bin",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/racing.bin",
+      filename: "racing.bin",
+      state: "in_progress",
+      fileSize: -1,
+      totalBytes: -1,
+      bytesReceived: 0,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const complete = {
+      ...initial,
+      filename: "/profile/Downloads/BrowserSkill/tr_23/racing.bin",
+      state: "complete",
+      fileSize: 4,
+      totalBytes: 4,
+      bytesReceived: 4,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn().mockResolvedValueOnce([initial]).mockResolvedValueOnce([complete]),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {
+        throw new Error("download already complete");
+      }),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4 },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_23",
+      timeoutMs: 80,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: initial.url,
+          suggestedFilename: initial.filename,
+        });
+        await new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(initial, () => resolve());
+        });
+        onCreated.emit(initial);
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "download_capture_failed", effect_state: "committed" },
+    });
+    expect(downloads.cancel).toHaveBeenCalledWith(initial.id);
+    expect(downloads.removeFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(initial.id);
+    expect(result).not.toMatchObject({ data: { cleanup_state: "failed" } });
+  });
+
+  it("rejects ambiguous attribution without cancelling either unclaimed download", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => []),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+    const defaults: number[] = [];
+    const candidate = (id: number) =>
+      ({
+        id,
+        url: "https://example.test/same.bin",
+        finalUrl: "https://example.test/same.bin",
+        filename: "same.bin",
+        state: "in_progress",
+      }) as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4 },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_ambiguous",
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: "https://example.test/same.bin",
+          suggestedFilename: "same.bin",
+        });
+        for (const id of [31, 32]) {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(candidate(id), (value) => {
+            if (value === undefined) defaults.push(id);
+          });
+        }
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(defaults.sort()).toEqual([31, 32]);
+    expect(downloads.cancel).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { effect_state: "unknown", phase: "attribution" },
+    });
+  });
+});

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/fill.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,573 @@
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import type { CdpRunner } from "@/tools/shared";
+import { handleFill } from "../interaction";
+
+interface ScriptParams {
+  functionDeclaration: string;
+  arguments?: Array<{ value: unknown }>;
+}
+
+async function setup(markup = '<input value="old">') {
+  document.body.innerHTML = markup;
+  const element = document.body.firstElementChild as HTMLInputElement;
+  const manager = new SessionManager({
+    agentWindow: {
+      create: async () => 100,
+      remove: async () => {},
+      ensureActiveTab: async () => 4,
+    },
+  });
+  const ctx = await manager.start("aa11");
+  ctx.refStore.set("e1", 12, { tabId: 4 });
+  const script = vi.fn(async (params: ScriptParams): Promise<unknown> => {
+    try {
+      const fn = new Function(`return (${params.functionDeclaration})`)();
+      return {
+        result: {
+          value: await fn.apply(
+            element,
+            (params.arguments ?? []).map((arg) => arg.value),
+          ),
+        },
+      };
+    } catch {
+      return { exceptionDetails: { text: "test page script failed" } };
+    }
+  });
+  // Number/email controls have a browser caret even though their selection
+  // getters return null. Model that caret instead of assuming it is at the end.
+  const hiddenCaret = { start: 0, end: 0 };
+  const moveToEnd = vi.fn(async () => {
+    if (typeof element.selectionStart === "number") {
+      element.setSelectionRange(element.value.length, element.value.length);
+    } else {
+      hiddenCaret.start = hiddenCaret.end = element.value.length;
+    }
+  });
+  const insert = vi.fn(async (text: string) => {
+    const focused = document.activeElement as HTMLInputElement;
+    if (focused.readOnly || focused.disabled) return;
+    const start = focused.selectionStart ?? hiddenCaret.start;
+    const end = focused.selectionEnd ?? hiddenCaret.end;
+    const value = focused.value.slice(0, start) + text + focused.value.slice(end);
+    focused.value = focused.maxLength >= 0 ? value.slice(0, focused.maxLength) : value;
+    hiddenCaret.start = hiddenCaret.end = Math.min(start + text.length, focused.value.length);
+    focused.dispatchEvent(new Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+  });
+  const release = vi.fn(async () => ({}));
+  const send = vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+    switch (method) {
+      case "DOM.describeNode":
+        return {
+          node: {
+            nodeName: element.tagName,
+            attributes: Array.from(element.attributes).flatMap((attr) => [attr.name, attr.value]),
+          },
+        };
+      case "DOM.scrollIntoViewIfNeeded":
+        return {};
+      case "DOM.focus":
+        element.focus();
+        return {};
+      case "DOM.resolveNode":
+        return { object: { objectId: "fill-target" } };
+      case "Runtime.callFunctionOn":
+        return script(params as ScriptParams);
+      case "Input.insertText":
+        await insert((params as { text: string }).text);
+        return {};
+      case "Input.dispatchKeyEvent":
+        if ((params as { commands?: string[] }).commands?.includes("moveToEndOfDocument")) {
+          await moveToEnd();
+        }
+        return {};
+      case "Runtime.releaseObject":
+        return release();
+      default:
+        throw new Error(`unexpected ${method}`);
+    }
+  });
+  return {
+    element,
+    hiddenCaret,
+    moveToEnd,
+    script,
+    insert,
+    release,
+    send,
+    fill: (value = "hello", clearBefore = true, signal?: AbortSignal) =>
+      handleFill(
+        manager,
+        { session_id: "aa11", ref: "e1", value, clear_before: clearBefore },
+        {
+          cdp: { send: send as CdpRunner["send"] },
+          tabsApi: {
+            get: async (id) => ({ id, windowId: 100, active: true }) as chrome.tabs.Tab,
+            query: async () => [{ id: 4, windowId: 100, active: true } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+          },
+          signal,
+        },
+      ),
+  };
+}
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  vi.restoreAllMocks();
+  document.body.innerHTML = "";
+});
+
+describe("fill result verification", () => {
+  it.each([
+    "readonly",
+    "disabled",
+  ])("preserves a %s field before rejecting it", async (attribute) => {
+    const h = await setup(`<input ${attribute} value="old">`);
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "invalid_params",
+      data: { reason: "target_not_fillable" },
+    });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("old");
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "checkbox",
+    "radio",
+    "range",
+    "date",
+    "file",
+  ])("rejects an unsupported %s input before clearing", async (type) => {
+    const h = await setup(`<input type="${type}">`);
+    const before = h.element.value;
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "invalid_params",
+      data: { reason: "target_not_fillable" },
+    });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe(before);
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("rejects an overlong value before clearing", async () => {
+    const h = await setup('<input maxlength="3" value="old">');
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "invalid_params",
+      message: /maxlength/,
+      data: { reason: "fill_value_invalid" },
+    });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("old");
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    true,
+    false,
+  ])("classifies a DOM.focus rejection on a disabled=%s target", async (disabled) => {
+    const h = await setup(`<input ${disabled ? "disabled" : ""} value="old">`);
+    const send = h.send.getMockImplementation()!;
+    h.send.mockImplementation(async (tabId, method, params) => {
+      if (method === "DOM.focus") throw new Error("Element is not focusable");
+      return send(tabId, method, params);
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: disabled ? "invalid_params" : "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: disabled ? "target_not_fillable" : "fill_failed" },
+    });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("old");
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it("fills a background document without requiring foreground browser focus", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    vi.spyOn(document, "hasFocus").mockReturnValue(false);
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({ value_length: 5 });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("hello");
+  });
+
+  it("restores focus once after clearing without typing into another field", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    const other = document.createElement("input");
+    document.body.append(other);
+    h.element.addEventListener("input", () => other.focus());
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({ value_length: 5 });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("hello");
+    expect(other.value).toBe("");
+    expect(h.send.mock.calls.filter(([, method]) => method === "DOM.focus")).toHaveLength(2);
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "focus",
+    "value",
+  ])("rechecks %s after restoring focus, without retrying again", async (action) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    const other = document.createElement("input");
+    document.body.append(other);
+    h.element.addEventListener(
+      "input",
+      () => {
+        other.focus();
+        h.element.addEventListener("focus", () => {
+          if (action === "focus") queueMicrotask(() => other.focus());
+          else h.element.value = "changed";
+        });
+      },
+      { once: true },
+    );
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: action === "focus" ? "fill_focus_lost" : "fill_target_changed" },
+    });
+    expect(other.value).toBe("");
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(h.send.mock.calls.filter(([, method]) => method === "DOM.focus")).toHaveLength(2);
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "remove",
+    "readonly",
+    "restore",
+    "microtask-restore",
+  ])("stops when clearing causes the page to %s the target", async (action) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.element.addEventListener("input", () => {
+      if (action === "remove") h.element.remove();
+      if (action === "readonly") h.element.readOnly = true;
+      if (action === "restore") h.element.value = "restored";
+      if (action === "microtask-restore")
+        queueMicrotask(() => {
+          h.element.value = "restored";
+        });
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "fill_target_changed" },
+    });
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("fails when insertText is acknowledged without changing the value", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.insert.mockImplementation(async () => {});
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "fill_value_mismatch" },
+    });
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it("detects truncation when maxlength changes after preparation", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.element.addEventListener(
+      "input",
+      () => {
+        h.element.maxLength = 3;
+      },
+      { once: true },
+    );
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "fill_value_mismatch" },
+    });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("hel");
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "input",
+    "change",
+    "microtask-change",
+  ])("detects a value reverted by the %s handler", async (event) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.element.addEventListener(event === "microtask-change" ? "change" : event, () => {
+      if (event === "microtask-change")
+        queueMicrotask(() => {
+          h.element.value = "";
+        });
+      else h.element.value = "";
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({ code: "cdp_failed", message: /expected value/ });
+  });
+
+  it("compares content rather than length without including field values in the error", async () => {
+    const h = await setup('<input type="password">');
+    h.element.addEventListener("change", () => {
+      h.element.value = "other-secret";
+    });
+    const result = await h.fill("given-secret");
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ code: "cdp_failed", message: /expected value/ });
+    expect(JSON.stringify(result)).not.toMatch(/given-secret|other-secret/);
+  });
+
+  it("does not report success for a target replaced by a change handler", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.element.addEventListener("change", () => h.element.replaceWith(h.element.cloneNode()));
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "fill_target_changed" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
+  ])("rejects script exceptions at phase %s and releases the target", async (phase) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    vi.spyOn(document, "hasFocus").mockReturnValue(false);
+    const run = h.script.getMockImplementation()!;
+    let count = 0;
+    h.script.mockImplementation(async (params) =>
+      ++count === phase ? { exceptionDetails: { text: "page secret" } } : run(params),
+    );
+    const result = await h.fill();
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ code: "cdp_failed", data: { reason: "fill_failed" } });
+    expect(JSON.stringify(result)).not.toContain("page secret");
+    if (phase <= 3) expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it.each([1, 2, 3, 5])("rejects missing results at phase %s", async (phase) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    vi.spyOn(document, "hasFocus").mockReturnValue(false);
+    const run = h.script.getMockImplementation()!;
+    let count = 0;
+    h.script.mockImplementation(async (params) =>
+      ++count === phase ? { result: { type: "undefined" } } : run(params),
+    );
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({ code: "cdp_failed" });
+    if (phase <= 3) expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it.each(["input", "change"])("checks state after nested microtasks from %s", async (event) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.element.addEventListener(event, () => {
+      queueMicrotask(() =>
+        queueMicrotask(() => {
+          h.element.value = "reverted";
+        }),
+      );
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({ code: "cdp_failed" });
+    if (event === "input") expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "<input>",
+    '<input type="password">',
+    "<textarea></textarea>",
+  ])("verifies successful text in %s", async (markup) => {
+    const h = await setup(markup);
+    expect(await h.fill("你好🙂")).toMatchObject({ value_length: 4 });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("你好🙂");
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it("verifies append against the old value plus the requested text", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.element.focus();
+    h.element.setSelectionRange(3, 3);
+    expect(await h.fill("!", false)).toMatchObject({ value_length: 4 });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("old!");
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    ["<textarea></textarea>", "a\r\nb", "a\nb"],
+    ["<input>", "a\nb", "a b"],
+    ["<input>", "a\r\nb", "a b"],
+    [
+      '<input type="email" multiple>',
+      " a@example.com , b@example.com ",
+      "a@example.com,b@example.com",
+    ],
+  ])("accepts native normalization for %s", async (markup, requested, normalized) => {
+    if (markup.startsWith("<textarea")) {
+      // Happy DOM does not implement Chrome's textarea line-ending normalization.
+      const setter = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(HTMLTextAreaElement.prototype, "value")!.set!;
+      vi.spyOn(HTMLTextAreaElement.prototype, "value", "set").mockImplementation(function (
+        this: HTMLTextAreaElement,
+        value,
+      ) {
+        setter.call(this, value.replace(/\r\n?/g, "\n"));
+      });
+    }
+    const h = await setup(markup);
+    h.insert.mockImplementation(async () => {
+      h.element.value = normalized;
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill(requested)).toMatchObject({ value_length: normalized.length });
+  });
+
+  it("does not count an editable padding break as an extra typed character", async () => {
+    const h = await setup('<div contenteditable="true" tabindex="0"></div>');
+    // These two layout/editability properties are missing in Happy DOM.
+    let innerText = "";
+    Object.defineProperty(h.element, "isContentEditable", { get: () => true });
+    Object.defineProperty(h.element, "innerText", { get: () => innerText });
+    h.insert.mockImplementation(async () => {
+      h.element.innerHTML = "one<div><br></div>";
+      innerText = "one\n\n";
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill("one\n")).toMatchObject({ value_length: 4 });
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    [0, 0],
+    [1, 1],
+    [0, 3],
+  ])("appends after moving selection %s:%s to the end", async (start, end) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.element.focus();
+    h.element.setSelectionRange(start, end);
+    expect(await h.fill("🙂", false)).toMatchObject({ value_length: 5 });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("old🙂");
+  });
+
+  it.each(
+    ["number", "email"].flatMap((type) =>
+      [
+        [0, 0],
+        [1, 1],
+        [0, 2],
+      ].map(([start, end]) => ({ type, start, end })),
+    ),
+  )("appends to $type from selection $start:$end without using its unsupported API", async ({
+    type,
+    start,
+    end,
+  }) => {
+    const h = await setup(`<input type="${type}" value="12">`);
+    Object.assign(h.hiddenCaret, { start, end });
+    vi.spyOn(h.element, "selectionStart", "get").mockReturnValue(null);
+    vi.spyOn(h.element, "selectionEnd", "get").mockReturnValue(null);
+    const selection = vi.spyOn(h.element, "setSelectionRange").mockImplementation(() => {
+      throw new DOMException("unsupported", "InvalidStateError");
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill("3", false)).toMatchObject({ value_length: 3 });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("123");
+    expect(selection).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "number",
+    "email",
+  ])("does not report successful %s append when the caret command is ignored", async (type) => {
+    const h = await setup(`<input type="${type}" value="12">`);
+    vi.spyOn(h.element, "selectionStart", "get").mockReturnValue(null);
+    vi.spyOn(h.element, "selectionEnd", "get").mockReturnValue(null);
+    h.moveToEnd.mockResolvedValueOnce(undefined);
+    expect(await h.fill("3", false)).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "fill_value_mismatch" },
+    });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("312");
+    expect(h.insert).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it("rejects invalid number text before clearing", async () => {
+    const h = await setup('<input type="number" value="12">');
+    expect(await h.fill("abc")).toMatchObject({
+      code: "invalid_params",
+      data: { reason: "fill_value_invalid" },
+    });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("12");
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("reports page formatting as unconfirmed without retrying the write", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.element.addEventListener("change", () => {
+      h.element.value = h.element.value.toUpperCase();
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "fill_value_mismatch" },
+    });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("HELLO");
+    expect(h.insert).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    ["focus", false],
+    ["focus", true],
+    ["value", false],
+    ["value", true],
+    ["cancel", false],
+    ["cancel", true],
+    ["throw", false],
+    ["throw", true],
+  ] as const)("stops when positioning triggers %s (clear=%s) and releases the key", async (action, clearBefore) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    vi.spyOn(document, "hasFocus").mockReturnValue(false);
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    const other = document.createElement("input");
+    document.body.append(other);
+    const send = h.send.getMockImplementation()!;
+    h.send.mockImplementation(async (tabId, method, params) => {
+      const reply = await send(tabId, method, params);
+      if (
+        method === "Input.dispatchKeyEvent" &&
+        (params as { type: string }).type === "rawKeyDown"
+      ) {
+        if (action === "focus") other.focus();
+        if (action === "value") h.element.value = "changed";
+        if (action === "cancel") controller.abort();
+        if (action === "throw") throw new Error("dispatch failed");
+      }
+      return reply;
+    });
+    const result = await h.fill("!", clearBefore, controller.signal);
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ code: action === "cancel" ? "cancelled" : "cdp_failed" });
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(other.value).toBe("");
+    expect(h.send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      4,
+      "Input.dispatchKeyEvent",
+      expect.objectContaining({ type: "keyUp" }),
+    );
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it.each([true, false])("verifies an empty request with clear_before=%s", async (clearBefore) => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    expect(await h.fill("", clearBefore)).toMatchObject({ value_length: clearBefore ? 0 : 3 });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe(clearBefore ? "" : "old");
+    expect(h.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("cancels after insertion without sending change events", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    h.insert.mockImplementation(async () => controller.abort());
+    expect(await h.fill("hello", true, controller.signal)).toMatchObject({ code: "cancelled" });
+    expect(h.script).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it("cancels after resolving the remote object without clearing the field", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    const send = h.send.getMockImplementation()!;
+    h.send.mockImplementation(async (tabId, method, params) => {
+      const result = await send(tabId, method, params);
+      if (method === "DOM.resolveNode") controller.abort();
+      return result;
+    });
+    expect(await h.fill("hello", true, controller.signal)).toMatchObject({ code: "cancelled" });
+    expect(h.element.value).toBe("old");
+    expect(h.script).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it("honors cancellation during verification", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    h.element.addEventListener("change", () => controller.abort());
+    expect(await h.fill("hello", true, controller.signal)).toMatchObject({ code: "cancelled" });
+    expect(h.release).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+
+  it("keeps the verified outcome when releasing the remote object fails", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    h.release.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error("target closed"));
+    expect(await h.fill()).toMatchObject({ value_length: 5 });
+  });
+});

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/frame-geometry.test.ts

@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ describe("frame geometry projection", () => {
     expect(geometry).toMatchObject({
       topBounds: { x: 100, y: 100, width: 200, height: 100 },
       actionPoint: { x: 200, y: 150 },
+      targetActionPoint: { x: 100, y: 50 },
     });
   });
 
@@ -261,6 +262,7 @@ describe("frame geometry projection", () => {
     expect(geometry).toMatchObject({
       topBounds: { x: 100, y: 100, width: 200, height: 100 },
       actionPoint: { x: 200, y: 150 },
+      targetActionPoint: { x: 200, y: 150 },
     });
   });
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/interaction.test.ts

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 
@@ -540,6 +540,21 @@ describe("handleHover", () => {
   });
 });
 
+function successfulFillScript(params: unknown) {
+  const script = params as { arguments?: Array<{ value: unknown }>; functionDeclaration: string };
+  const args = script.arguments ?? [];
+  return {
+    result: {
+      value:
+        args.length === 2
+          ? { before: "", expected: args[0].value }
+          : script.functionDeclaration.startsWith("function(expected)")
+            ? { connected: true, matches: true, valueLength: String(args[0].value).length }
+            : "ready",
+    },
+  };
+}
+
 describe("handleFill", () => {
   it("returns not_found for unknown ref", async () => {
     const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow([100]) });
@@ -586,7 +601,8 @@ describe("handleFill", () => {
       "DOM.scrollIntoViewIfNeeded": () => ({}),
       "DOM.focus": () => ({}),
       "DOM.resolveNode": () => ({ object: { objectId: "obj-1" } }),
-      "Runtime.callFunctionOn": () => ({ result: { type: "undefined" } }),
+      "Runtime.callFunctionOn": successfulFillScript,
+      "Runtime.releaseObject": () => ({}),
       "Input.insertText": () => ({}),
     });
     const res = await handleFill(
@@ -600,13 +616,12 @@ describe("handleFill", () => {
     expect(res.used_ref).toBe("e1");
     const insert = fake.sent.find((c) => c.method === "Input.insertText");
     expect(insert?.params).toEqual({ text: "hello" });
-    // clear_before defaults to true → callFunctionOn invoked once to
-    // clear, once to fire input/change after typing.
+    // Foreground replacement needs no extra caret-positioning round trip.
     const callFns = fake.sent.filter((c) => c.method === "Runtime.callFunctionOn");
-    expect(callFns.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
+    expect(callFns).toHaveLength(4);
   });
 
-  it("clear_before=false skips the wipe call", async () => {
+  it("passes clear_before=false to preparation and verifies the result", async () => {
     const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow([100]) });
     const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
     ctx.refStore.set("e1", 1, { tabId: 4 });
@@ -618,12 +633,12 @@ describe("handleFill", () => {
       "DOM.focus": () => ({}),
       "DOM.resolveNode": () => ({ object: { objectId: "obj-2" } }),
       "Runtime.callFunctionOn": (p) => {
-        const fn = (p as { functionDeclaration?: string }).functionDeclaration ?? "";
-        // No "this.value = ''" clearing on a no-clear path; only the
-        // post-input dispatchEvent.
-        expect(fn).not.toMatch(/this\.value\s*=\s*''/);
-        return { result: { type: "undefined" } };
+        const args = (p as { arguments?: Array<{ value: unknown }> }).arguments ?? [];
+        if (args.length === 2) expect(args[1].value).toBe(false);
+        return successfulFillScript(p);
       },
+      "Input.dispatchKeyEvent": () => ({}),
+      "Runtime.releaseObject": () => ({}),
       "Input.insertText": () => ({}),
     });
     const res = await handleFill(
@@ -650,7 +665,8 @@ describe("handleFill", () => {
       "DOM.scrollIntoViewIfNeeded": () => ({}),
       "DOM.focus": () => ({}),
       "DOM.resolveNode": () => ({ object: { objectId: "obj-3" } }),
-      "Runtime.callFunctionOn": () => ({ result: { type: "undefined" } }),
+      "Runtime.callFunctionOn": successfulFillScript,
+      "Runtime.releaseObject": () => ({}),
       "Input.insertText": () => ({}),
     });
     const res = await handleFill(

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/navigation-recovery.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,266 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import type { BrowserNavigationApi } from "../browser-navigation";
+import { handleNavigate, handleReload } from "../navigation";
+import type { CdpRunner } from "../shared";
+
+const denied = "Cannot access a chrome-extension:// URL of different extension";
+const url = "https://example.test/recovered";
+
+function event<T extends (...args: never[]) => void>() {
+  const listeners = new Set<T>();
+  return {
+    listeners,
+    addListener: (listener: T) => listeners.add(listener),
+    removeListener: (listener: T) => listeners.delete(listener),
+    fire: (...args: Parameters<T>) => {
+      for (const listener of [...listeners]) listener(...args);
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+async function fixture() {
+  const manager = new SessionManager({
+    agentWindow: {
+      create: vi.fn(async () => 100),
+      remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 4),
+    },
+  });
+  await manager.start("test");
+  type Listener = Parameters<BrowserNavigationApi["onCommitted"]["addListener"]>[0];
+  const events = {
+    onCommitted: event<Listener>(),
+    onDOMContentLoaded: event<Listener>(),
+    onCompleted: event<Listener>(),
+    onErrorOccurred: event<Listener>(),
+  };
+  const cdpEvents = event<Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0]>();
+  const state = { blocked: true, destinationBlocked: false, emitIdle: true };
+  const send = vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string) => {
+    if (state.blocked) throw new Error(denied);
+    if (method === "Page.getFrameTree") {
+      return { frameTree: { frame: { id: "main", loaderId: "new-loader" } } };
+    }
+    if (method === "Runtime.evaluate") return { result: { value: "complete" } };
+    if (method === "Page.setLifecycleEventsEnabled" && state.emitIdle) {
+      cdpEvents.fire({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.lifecycleEvent", {
+        frameId: "main",
+        loaderId: "new-loader",
+        name: "networkIdle",
+      });
+    }
+    if (method === "Page.navigate") return { frameId: "main", loaderId: "new-loader" };
+    return {};
+  });
+  const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+    send: send as CdpRunner["send"],
+    onEvent: (listener) => {
+      cdpEvents.addListener(listener);
+      return { dispose: () => cdpEvents.removeListener(listener) };
+    },
+  };
+  const main = { tabId: 4, frameId: 0, documentId: "new-document" };
+  const navigate = async () => {
+    state.blocked = state.destinationBlocked;
+    events.onCommitted.fire(main);
+    events.onDOMContentLoaded.fire(main);
+    events.onCompleted.fire(main);
+  };
+  const browserNavigation = { ...events, update: vi.fn(navigate), reload: vi.fn(navigate) };
+  const tab = { id: 4, windowId: 100, active: true, url } as chrome.tabs.Tab;
+  const tabsApi = { get: vi.fn(async () => tab), query: vi.fn(async () => [tab]) };
+  const deps = { cdp, tabsApi, browserNavigation, defaultTimeoutMs: 1000 };
+  const expectCleanedUp = () => {
+    for (const entry of Object.values(events)) expect(entry.listeners.size).toBe(0);
+    expect(cdpEvents.listeners.size).toBe(0);
+  };
+  return { manager, deps, state, send, events, main, cdpEvents, expectCleanedUp };
+}
+
+describe("navigation after Chrome denies extension-frame access", () => {
+  it.each([
+    "load",
+    "commit",
+    "domcontentloaded",
+    "networkidle",
+  ] as const)("recovers the same tab with the requested %s checkpoint", async (waitUntil) => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    const result = await handleNavigate(
+      f.manager,
+      {
+        session_id: "test",
+        url,
+        wait_until: waitUntil,
+      },
+      f.deps,
+    );
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ tab_id: 4, final_url: url, reached: waitUntil });
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.update).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith(4, { url });
+    expect(f.send.mock.calls.some(([, method]) => method === "Page.navigate")).toBe(false);
+    expect(f.send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(4, "Page.enable", {});
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("recovers reload through tabs.reload and preserves hard reload", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    const result = await handleReload(f.manager, { session_id: "test", hard: true }, f.deps);
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ tab_id: 4, reached: "load" });
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.reload).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith(4, {
+      bypassCache: true,
+    });
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.update).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("reports the restriction when reload leaves the conflicting frame present", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    f.state.destinationBlocked = true;
+    const result = await handleReload(f.manager, { session_id: "test" }, f.deps);
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "cdp_extension_access_denied" },
+    });
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.reload).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("does not fall back for unrelated debugger failures", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    f.send.mockRejectedValue(new Error("Another debugger is already attached"));
+    const result = await handleNavigate(f.manager, { session_id: "test", url }, f.deps);
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      message: "Another debugger is already attached",
+    });
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.update).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("does not replay navigation when a dispatched CDP command fails", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    f.state.blocked = false;
+    const send = f.send.getMockImplementation()!;
+    f.send.mockImplementation(async (tabId, method) => {
+      if (method === "Page.navigate") throw new Error(denied);
+      return send(tabId, method);
+    });
+    const result = await handleNavigate(f.manager, { session_id: "test", url }, f.deps);
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "cdp_extension_access_denied" },
+    });
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.update).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("keeps the Agent Window guard in front of the recovery", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    f.deps.tabsApi.get.mockResolvedValue({
+      id: 4,
+      windowId: 200,
+      active: true,
+      url,
+    } as chrome.tabs.Tab);
+    const result = await handleNavigate(f.manager, { session_id: "test", tab_id: 4, url }, f.deps);
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ code: "permission_denied" });
+    expect(f.send).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.update).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("ignores old-document, subframe, and other-tab completion events", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    f.deps.browserNavigation.update.mockImplementation(async () => {});
+    let settled = false;
+    const work = handleNavigate(f.manager, { session_id: "test", url }, f.deps).then((result) => {
+      settled = true;
+      return result;
+    });
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.update).toHaveBeenCalledOnce());
+    f.events.onCompleted.fire(f.main);
+    f.events.onCommitted.fire({ ...f.main, tabId: 9 });
+    f.events.onCommitted.fire({ ...f.main, frameId: 1 });
+    f.events.onCompleted.fire(f.main);
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(settled).toBe(false);
+    f.events.onCommitted.fire(f.main);
+    f.events.onCompleted.fire({ ...f.main, documentId: "old-document" });
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(settled).toBe(false);
+    f.state.blocked = false;
+    f.events.onCompleted.fire(f.main);
+    expect(await work).toMatchObject({ reached: "load" });
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("does not infer network idle from a browser load event", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    f.state.emitIdle = false;
+    const result = await handleNavigate(
+      f.manager,
+      {
+        session_id: "test",
+        url,
+        wait_until: "networkidle",
+        timeout_ms: 10,
+      },
+      f.deps,
+    );
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ reached: "timeout" });
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("cleans up browser listeners on timeout", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    f.deps.browserNavigation.update.mockImplementation(async () => {});
+    const result = await handleNavigate(
+      f.manager,
+      { session_id: "test", url, timeout_ms: 10 },
+      f.deps,
+    );
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ reached: "timeout" });
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("does not navigate an already-cancelled request", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    const result = await handleNavigate(
+      f.manager,
+      { session_id: "test", url },
+      {
+        ...f.deps,
+        signal: AbortSignal.abort(),
+      },
+    );
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ code: "cancelled" });
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.update).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("cleans up browser listeners when cancelled after dispatch", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    const ac = new AbortController();
+    f.deps.browserNavigation.update.mockImplementation(async () => {
+      ac.abort();
+    });
+    const result = await handleNavigate(
+      f.manager,
+      { session_id: "test", url },
+      { ...f.deps, signal: ac.signal },
+    );
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ code: "cancelled" });
+    expect(f.deps.browserNavigation.update).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+
+  it("reports browser navigation errors and releases listeners", async () => {
+    const f = await fixture();
+    f.deps.browserNavigation.update.mockImplementation(async () => {
+      f.events.onErrorOccurred.fire({ ...f.main, error: "net::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED" });
+    });
+    const result = await handleNavigate(f.manager, { session_id: "test", url }, f.deps);
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ code: "cdp_failed", message: "net::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED" });
+    f.expectCleanedUp();
+  });
+});

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/navigation.test.ts

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/network.test.ts

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/observation.test.ts

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/session.test.ts

@@ -1,8 +1,26 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
 import { handleSessionStop } from "../session";
+import type { ChromeTabsApi } from "../shared";
 import { type AgentOverlayResetApi, type ChromeWindowsApi, type TabMutationApi } from "../tabs";
 
+/** Build a read-only query api over a FakeState. */
+function makeQuery(state: FakeState): ChromeTabsApi {
+  return {
+    get: vi.fn(async (id) => {
+      const t = state.tabs.get(id);
+      if (!t) throw new Error(`tab ${id} not found`);
+      return t;
+    }),
+    query: vi.fn(async (q: chrome.tabs.QueryInfo) => {
+      const w = q.windowId;
+      return Array.from(state.tabs.values()).filter(
+        (t) => typeof w !== "number" || t.windowId === w,
+      );
+    }),
+  };
+}
+
 function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
   let i = 0;
   const create = vi.fn(async () => {
@@ -11,7 +29,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
     return id;
   });
   const remove = vi.fn(async () => {});
-  const ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => {});
+  const ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 0);
   return { create, remove, ensureActiveTab };
 }
 
@@ -30,7 +48,9 @@ function makeApis(
 } {
   const tabs: TabMutationApi = {
     create: vi.fn(),
-    remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    remove: vi.fn(async (id: number) => {
+      state.tabs.delete(id);
+    }),
     update: vi.fn(async (_id, _p) => undefined),
     get: vi.fn(async (id) => {
       const t = state.tabs.get(id);
@@ -237,11 +257,15 @@ describe("handleSessionStop with auto-return", () => {
       moves: [],
     };
     const { tabs, windows } = makeApis(state, { moveThrowsFor: new Set([1]) });
+    const cdp = {
+      detachSession: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      releaseSessionTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
 
     const res = await handleSessionStop(
       sm,
       { session_id: "aa11" },
-      { tabManagement: { tabs, windows } },
+      { cdp, tabManagement: { tabs, windows } },
     );
     if ("code" in res) throw new Error(`unexpected error: ${JSON.stringify(res)}`);
     expect(res.return_failures?.map((f) => f.tab_id)).toEqual([1]);
@@ -249,6 +273,8 @@ describe("handleSessionStop with auto-return", () => {
     expect(sm.has("aa11")).toBe(true);
     expect(ctx.borrowedTabs.has(1)).toBe(true);
     expect(ctx.borrowedTabs.has(2)).toBe(false);
+    expect(cdp.releaseSessionTab).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith("aa11", 2);
+    expect(cdp.detachSession).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(aw.remove).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
@@ -267,4 +293,275 @@ describe("handleSessionStop with auto-return", () => {
     await handleSessionStop(sm, { session_id: "aa11" }, { tabManagement: { tabs, windows } });
     expect(ctx.refStore.isEmpty()).toBe(true);
   });
+
+  it.each([
+    "before teardown",
+    "during its return",
+    "after its return failed",
+    "before its turn in the return loop",
+  ])("finishes stopping when a borrowed tab closes %s", async (timing) => {
+    const aw = fakeAgentWindow([100]);
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: aw });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.borrowedTabs.set(1, { tabId: 1, originalWindowId: 200, originalIndex: 0 });
+    ctx.borrowedTabs.set(2, { tabId: 2, originalWindowId: 200, originalIndex: 1 });
+    const state: FakeState = {
+      tabs: new Map([
+        [1, { id: 1, windowId: 100 } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+        [2, { id: 2, windowId: 100 } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+      ]),
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+      moves: [],
+    };
+    const { tabs, windows } = makeApis(state);
+    const cdp = { detachSession: vi.fn(async () => {}) };
+    const closeTab = (tabId: number) => {
+      state.tabs.delete(tabId);
+      sm.forgetClosedTab(tabId);
+    };
+    const baseMove = tabs.move;
+    tabs.move = vi.fn(async (tabId, props) => {
+      if (tabId === 1 && timing === "during its return") closeTab(1);
+      if (tabId === 1 && timing === "after its return failed") {
+        throw new Error("simulated move failure");
+      }
+      if (tabId === 2 && timing === "after its return failed") closeTab(1);
+      if (tabId === 1 && timing === "before its turn in the return loop") closeTab(2);
+      if (!state.tabs.has(tabId)) throw new Error(`tab ${tabId} not found`);
+      return baseMove(tabId, props);
+    });
+    if (timing === "before teardown") closeTab(1);
+
+    const res = await handleSessionStop(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11" },
+      {
+        cdp,
+        tabManagement: {
+          tabs,
+          windows,
+          agentOverlayReset: { resetAgentOverlays: vi.fn(async () => {}) },
+        },
+        tabsQuery: makeQuery(state),
+      },
+    );
+
+    if ("code" in res) throw new Error(`unexpected error: ${JSON.stringify(res)}`);
+    const closedTabId = timing === "before its turn in the return loop" ? 2 : 1;
+    expect(res.returned_tab_ids).toEqual([closedTabId === 1 ? 2 : 1]);
+    expect(res.return_failures).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(ctx.borrowedTabs.size).toBe(0);
+    expect(sm.has("aa11")).toBe(false);
+    expect(cdp.detachSession).toHaveBeenCalledWith("aa11");
+    expect(aw.remove).toHaveBeenCalledWith(100);
+    if (timing === "before teardown" || timing === "before its turn in the return loop") {
+      expect(tabs.move).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(closedTabId, expect.anything());
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+describe("handleSessionStop window release (issue #57)", () => {
+  const agentWindowId = 100;
+
+  it("releases the window when user-created tabs remain", async () => {
+    const aw = fakeAgentWindow([agentWindowId]);
+    // ensureActiveTab returns the home tab id (10). We override the fake to
+    // return a known id.
+    aw.ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 10);
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: aw });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(11);
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(12);
+    // user tab 99 (created via Chrome UI, NOT in agentCreatedTabs)
+    const state: FakeState = {
+      tabs: new Map([
+        [10, { id: 10, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+        [11, { id: 11, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+        [12, { id: 12, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+        [99, { id: 99, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+      ]),
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+      moves: [],
+    };
+    const { tabs, windows } = makeApis(state);
+    const query = makeQuery(state);
+
+    const res = await handleSessionStop(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11" },
+      { tabManagement: { tabs, windows }, tabsQuery: query },
+    );
+    if ("code" in res) throw new Error(`unexpected error: ${JSON.stringify(res)}`);
+    expect(res.window_released).toBe(true);
+    // agent tabs + home removed, user tab 99 kept
+    expect((tabs.remove as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mock.calls.map((c) => c[0]).sort()).toEqual([
+      10, 11, 12,
+    ]);
+    expect(state.tabs.has(99)).toBe(true);
+    // window released (dropOnly), not closed
+    expect(aw.remove).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(sm.has("aa11")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("closes the window (not release) when no user tabs remain", async () => {
+    const aw = fakeAgentWindow([agentWindowId]);
+    aw.ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 10);
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: aw });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(11);
+    const state: FakeState = {
+      tabs: new Map([
+        [10, { id: 10, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+        [11, { id: 11, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+      ]),
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+      moves: [],
+    };
+    const { tabs, windows } = makeApis(state);
+    const query = makeQuery(state);
+
+    const res = await handleSessionStop(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11" },
+      { tabManagement: { tabs, windows }, tabsQuery: query },
+    );
+    if ("code" in res) throw new Error(`unexpected error: ${JSON.stringify(res)}`);
+    expect(res.window_released).toBeFalsy();
+    expect(aw.remove).toHaveBeenCalledWith(agentWindowId);
+    expect(sm.has("aa11")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("is non-fatal when an agent tab is already gone", async () => {
+    const aw = fakeAgentWindow([agentWindowId]);
+    aw.ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 10);
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: aw });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(11); // no longer in state → remove throws
+    const state: FakeState = {
+      tabs: new Map([[10, { id: 10, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab]]),
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+      moves: [],
+    };
+    const { tabs, windows } = makeApis(state);
+    (tabs.remove as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockImplementation(async (id: number) => {
+      if (id === 11) throw new Error("tab 11 already closed");
+      state.tabs.delete(id); // home (10) removed normally
+    });
+    const query = makeQuery(state);
+
+    const res = await handleSessionStop(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11" },
+      { tabManagement: { tabs, windows }, tabsQuery: query },
+    );
+    if ("code" in res) throw new Error(`unexpected error: ${JSON.stringify(res)}`);
+    // user tab 10? no — 10 is home, removed. window would be empty → close.
+    expect(res.window_released).toBeFalsy();
+    expect(aw.remove).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("degrades to close-window when tabsQuery is missing", async () => {
+    const aw = fakeAgentWindow([agentWindowId]);
+    aw.ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 10);
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: aw });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(11);
+    const state: FakeState = {
+      tabs: new Map([
+        [10, { id: 10, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+        [11, { id: 11, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+      ]),
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+      moves: [],
+    };
+    const { tabs, windows } = makeApis(state);
+
+    const res = await handleSessionStop(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11" },
+      { tabManagement: { tabs, windows } }, // no tabsQuery
+    );
+    if ("code" in res) throw new Error(`unexpected error: ${JSON.stringify(res)}`);
+    // No query available → conservatively close the window.
+    expect(res.window_released).toBeFalsy();
+    expect(aw.remove).toHaveBeenCalledWith(agentWindowId);
+  });
+
+  it("degrades to close-window when tabsQuery.query throws", async () => {
+    const aw = fakeAgentWindow([agentWindowId]);
+    aw.ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 10);
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: aw });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(11);
+    const state: FakeState = {
+      tabs: new Map([[11, { id: 11, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab]]),
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+      moves: [],
+    };
+    const { tabs, windows } = makeApis(state);
+    const query = makeQuery(state);
+    (query.query as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockImplementation(async () => {
+      throw new Error("query failed");
+    });
+
+    const res = await handleSessionStop(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11" },
+      { tabManagement: { tabs, windows }, tabsQuery: query },
+    );
+    if ("code" in res) throw new Error(`unexpected error: ${JSON.stringify(res)}`);
+    expect(res.window_released).toBeFalsy();
+    expect(aw.remove).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("tracks agentCreatedTabs across tab_create / tab_close", async () => {
+    const aw = fakeAgentWindow([agentWindowId]);
+    aw.ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 10);
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: aw });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    // Simulate handleTabCreate adding, then handleTabClose removing.
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(11);
+    expect(ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(11)).toBe(true);
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.delete(11); // as handleTabClose does on success
+    expect(ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(11)).toBe(false);
+    // Unknown id delete is a safe no-op (user-closed tab).
+    expect(() => ctx.agentCreatedTabs.delete(999)).not.toThrow();
+  });
+
+  it("closes the window (not release) when an agent tab fails to close", async () => {
+    // Regression: a leaked agent tab (still in agentCreatedTabs, but
+    // still present because Step 4 remove() threw) must NOT be mistaken
+    // for a user tab. Otherwise the window would be released (dropOnly)
+    // and the agent tab would leak (issue #57 regression).
+    const aw = fakeAgentWindow([agentWindowId]);
+    aw.ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 10);
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: aw });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(11); // Step 4 remove() will throw for this tab
+    const state: FakeState = {
+      tabs: new Map([
+        [10, { id: 10, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+        [11, { id: 11, windowId: agentWindowId } as chrome.tabs.Tab],
+      ]),
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+      moves: [],
+    };
+    const { tabs, windows } = makeApis(state);
+    (tabs.remove as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockImplementation(async (id: number) => {
+      if (id === 11) throw new Error("tab 11 failed to close");
+      state.tabs.delete(id); // home (10) removed normally; 11 lingers
+    });
+    const query = makeQuery(state);
+
+    const res = await handleSessionStop(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11" },
+      { tabManagement: { tabs, windows }, tabsQuery: query },
+    );
+    if ("code" in res) throw new Error(`unexpected error: ${JSON.stringify(res)}`);
+    // The leaked agent tab must NOT keep the window open.
+    expect(res.window_released).toBeFalsy();
+    expect(aw.remove).toHaveBeenCalledWith(agentWindowId);
+    expect(sm.has("aa11")).toBe(false);
+  });
 });

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/shared.test.ts

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow() {
   return {
     create: vi.fn(async () => 100),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/snapshot-ref.test.ts

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     },
     remove: async () => {},
-    ensureActiveTab: async () => {},
+    ensureActiveTab: async () => 1,
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/tabs.test.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { type CdpDebuggerApi, ChromiumCdp } from "@/browser-driver/chromium-cdp";
 import { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import { handleHover } from "../interaction";
 import {
   type AgentOverlayResetApi,
   type ChromeWindowsApi,
@@ -23,7 +25,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 
@@ -221,6 +223,7 @@ describe("handleTabCreate", () => {
       active: true,
     });
     expect(res).toMatchObject({ tab_id: 10, window_id: 100 });
+    expect(sm.get("aa11")?.agentCreatedTabs.has(10)).toBe(true);
   });
 
   it("forwards explicit url + index + active=false", async () => {
@@ -256,6 +259,41 @@ describe("handleTabCreate", () => {
     const res = await handleTabCreate(sm, { session_id: "aa11", index: -1 }, { tabs: api });
     expect(res).toMatchObject({ code: "invalid_params" });
   });
+
+  it("does not claim any tab when chrome.tabs.create fails", async () => {
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow([100]) });
+    await sm.start("aa11");
+    const state: FakeTabState = { tabs: new Map(), nextTabId: 10, windowsClosed: new Set() };
+    const { api, spies } = makeTabMutationApi(state);
+    spies.create.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error("chrome.tabs.create failed"));
+
+    const res = await handleTabCreate(sm, { session_id: "aa11" }, { tabs: api });
+    expect(res).toMatchObject({ code: "protocol_error" });
+
+    expect(sm.get("aa11")?.agentCreatedTabs).toEqual(new Set([1]));
+  });
+
+  it("claims the returned id even when a user tab appears during tab creation", async () => {
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow([100]) });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    const state: FakeTabState = { tabs: new Map(), nextTabId: 10, windowsClosed: new Set() };
+    const { api, spies } = makeTabMutationApi(state);
+    let resolveCreate!: (tab: chrome.tabs.Tab) => void;
+    const createResult = new Promise<chrome.tabs.Tab>((resolve) => {
+      resolveCreate = resolve;
+    });
+    spies.create.mockImplementationOnce(() => createResult);
+
+    const pending = handleTabCreate(sm, { session_id: "aa11" }, { tabs: api });
+    // A user can create an unrelated same-window tab while Chrome is still
+    // resolving the agent request. There is no pending slot for it to steal.
+    expect(ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(99)).toBe(false);
+    resolveCreate({ id: 10, windowId: 100, active: true } as chrome.tabs.Tab);
+
+    await expect(pending).resolves.toMatchObject({ tab_id: 10 });
+    expect(ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(10)).toBe(true);
+    expect(ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(99)).toBe(false);
+  });
 });
 
 describe("handleTabClose", () => {
@@ -511,6 +549,148 @@ describe("handleTabBorrow", () => {
 });
 
 describe("handleTabReturn", () => {
+  it.each([
+    "not_found",
+    "cdp_failed",
+  ])("detaches after selector resolution fails with %s", async (code) => {
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow([100]) });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.borrowedTabs.set(7, { tabId: 7, originalWindowId: 200, originalIndex: 4 });
+    const state: FakeTabState = {
+      tabs: new Map([[7, { id: 7, windowId: 100 } as chrome.tabs.Tab]]),
+      nextTabId: 50,
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+    };
+    const { api } = makeTabMutationApi(state);
+    const { api: windows } = makeWindowsApi(state);
+    const debuggerApi = {
+      attach: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      detach: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      sendCommand: vi.fn(async (_target: unknown, method: string) => {
+        if (method === "DOM.getDocument") return { root: { nodeId: 1 } };
+        if (method === "DOM.querySelector") {
+          if (code === "cdp_failed") throw new Error("selector query failed");
+          return { nodeId: 0 };
+        }
+        return {};
+      }),
+      onEvent: { addListener: vi.fn(), removeListener: vi.fn() },
+      onDetach: { addListener: vi.fn(), removeListener: vi.fn() },
+    };
+    const cdp = new ChromiumCdp(debuggerApi as unknown as CdpDebuggerApi);
+
+    const hover = await handleHover(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11", tab_id: 7, selector: "#missing" },
+      {
+        cdp,
+        tabsApi: { get: api.get, query: vi.fn(async () => []) },
+      },
+    );
+    expect(hover).toMatchObject({ code });
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(7)).toBe(true);
+
+    const returned = await handleTabReturn(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11", tab_id: 7 },
+      {
+        tabs: api,
+        windows,
+        cdp,
+        agentOverlayReset: { resetAgentOverlays: vi.fn(async () => {}) },
+      },
+    );
+    expect(returned).toMatchObject({ returned_to_window_id: 200 });
+    expect(ctx.borrowedTabs.has(7)).toBe(false);
+    expect(cdp.isAttached(7)).toBe(false);
+    expect(debuggerApi.detach).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith({ tabId: 7 });
+    cdp.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("honours cancellation while preparing a validated return", async () => {
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow([100]) });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.borrowedTabs.set(7, { tabId: 7, originalWindowId: 200, originalIndex: 4 });
+    const state: FakeTabState = {
+      tabs: new Map([[7, { id: 7, windowId: 100 } as chrome.tabs.Tab]]),
+      nextTabId: 50,
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+    };
+    const { api, spies } = makeTabMutationApi(state);
+    const { api: windows } = makeWindowsApi(state);
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    const beforeReturn = vi.fn(async () => {
+      controller.abort();
+    });
+    const result = await handleTabReturn(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11", tab_id: 7 },
+      {
+        tabs: api,
+        windows,
+        signal: controller.signal,
+        beforeReturn,
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ code: "cancelled" });
+    expect(beforeReturn).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith("aa11", 7);
+    expect(spies.move).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(ctx.borrowedTabs.has(7)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "original",
+    "fallback",
+    "cleanup_failed",
+    "failed",
+    "cancelled",
+  ])("releases CDP only after a successful return (%s)", async (mode) => {
+    const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow([100]) });
+    const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");
+    ctx.borrowedTabs.set(7, { tabId: 7, originalWindowId: 200, originalIndex: 4 });
+    const state: FakeTabState = {
+      tabs: new Map([[7, { id: 7, windowId: 100 } as chrome.tabs.Tab]]),
+      nextTabId: 50,
+      windowsClosed: new Set(),
+    };
+    const { api, spies } = makeTabMutationApi(state);
+    const { api: windowsApi } = makeWindowsApi(state, { lastFocused: 500 });
+    const success = mode !== "failed" && mode !== "cancelled";
+    if (mode === "fallback") spies.move.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error("original move failed"));
+    if (mode === "failed") spies.move.mockRejectedValue(new Error("move failed"));
+    let windowAtRelease: number | undefined;
+    const cdp = {
+      releaseSessionTab: vi.fn(async () => {
+        windowAtRelease = state.tabs.get(7)?.windowId;
+        if (mode === "cleanup_failed") throw new Error("debugger release failed");
+      }),
+    };
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    if (mode === "cancelled") controller.abort();
+
+    const result = await handleTabReturn(
+      sm,
+      { session_id: "aa11", tab_id: 7 },
+      {
+        tabs: api,
+        windows: windowsApi,
+        cdp,
+        signal: controller.signal,
+        agentOverlayReset: { resetAgentOverlays: vi.fn(async () => {}) },
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect("code" in result).toBe(!success);
+    expect(ctx.borrowedTabs.has(7)).toBe(!success);
+    expect(cdp.releaseSessionTab).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(success ? 1 : 0);
+    if (success) {
+      expect(cdp.releaseSessionTab).toHaveBeenCalledWith("aa11", 7);
+      expect(windowAtRelease).toBe(mode === "fallback" ? 500 : 200);
+      expect(spies.move).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(mode === "fallback" ? 2 : 1);
+    }
+  });
+
   it("returns the tab to its original window/index and clears borrowedTabs", async () => {
     const sm = new SessionManager({ agentWindow: fakeAgentWindow([100]) });
     const ctx = await sm.start("aa11");

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/waits.test.ts

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
       return id;
     }),
     remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
-    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => 1),
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/window.test.ts

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ function fakeAgentWindow(ids: number[]) {
     return id;
   });
   const remove = vi.fn(async () => {});
-  const ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => {});
+  const ensureActiveTab = vi.fn(async () => 1);
   return { create, remove, ensureActiveTab };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/browser-navigation.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+import type { RpcError, WaitUntil } from "@/transport/types";
+import { cdpError } from "./errors";
+
+interface NavigationEvent {
+  tabId: number;
+  frameId: number;
+  documentId?: string;
+  error?: string;
+}
+
+interface NavigationEvents {
+  addListener(listener: (details: NavigationEvent) => void): void;
+  removeListener(listener: (details: NavigationEvent) => void): void;
+}
+
+/** Normal browser navigation remains available when chrome.debugger is denied. */
+export interface BrowserNavigationApi {
+  update(tabId: number, props: { url: string }): Promise<unknown>;
+  reload(tabId: number, props: { bypassCache: boolean }): Promise<void>;
+  onCommitted: NavigationEvents;
+  onDOMContentLoaded: NavigationEvents;
+  onCompleted: NavigationEvents;
+  onErrorOccurred: NavigationEvents;
+}
+
+export const chromeBrowserNavigationApi: BrowserNavigationApi = {
+  update: (tabId, props) => chrome.tabs.update(tabId, props),
+  reload: (tabId, props) => chrome.tabs.reload(tabId, props),
+  get onCommitted() {
+    return chrome.webNavigation.onCommitted;
+  },
+  get onDOMContentLoaded() {
+    return chrome.webNavigation.onDOMContentLoaded;
+  },
+  get onCompleted() {
+    return chrome.webNavigation.onCompleted;
+  },
+  get onErrorOccurred() {
+    return chrome.webNavigation.onErrorOccurred;
+  },
+};
+
+export type NavigationOutcome =
+  | { reached: "match" | "timeout" | "cancelled"; lastLifecycle?: string }
+  | { reached: "failed"; error: RpcError };
+
+/** Subscribe before dispatch and ignore the departing document's load events. */
+export async function navigateWithBrowserApi(
+  api: BrowserNavigationApi,
+  tabId: number,
+  action: () => Promise<unknown>,
+  waitUntil: Exclude<WaitUntil, "networkidle">,
+  timeoutMs: number,
+  signal?: AbortSignal,
+): Promise<NavigationOutcome> {
+  if (signal?.aborted) return { reached: "cancelled" };
+  if (timeoutMs <= 0) return { reached: "timeout" };
+  let committed = false;
+  let documentId: string | undefined;
+  let lastLifecycle: string | undefined;
+  let finish!: (outcome: NavigationOutcome) => void;
+  const outcome = new Promise<NavigationOutcome>((resolve) => {
+    finish = resolve;
+  });
+  const isMainFrame = (details: NavigationEvent) =>
+    details.tabId === tabId && details.frameId === 0;
+  const onCommitted = (details: NavigationEvent) => {
+    if (!isMainFrame(details)) return;
+    committed = true;
+    documentId = details.documentId;
+    lastLifecycle = "commit";
+    if (waitUntil === "commit") finish({ reached: "match", lastLifecycle });
+  };
+  const onDOMContentLoaded = (details: NavigationEvent) => {
+    if (!isMainFrame(details) || !committed || (documentId && details.documentId !== documentId))
+      return;
+    lastLifecycle = "DOMContentLoaded";
+    if (waitUntil === "domcontentloaded") finish({ reached: "match", lastLifecycle });
+  };
+  const onCompleted = (details: NavigationEvent) => {
+    if (!isMainFrame(details) || !committed || (documentId && details.documentId !== documentId))
+      return;
+    finish({ reached: "match", lastLifecycle: "load" });
+  };
+  const onError = (details: NavigationEvent) => {
+    if (!isMainFrame(details)) return;
+    finish({ reached: "failed", error: cdpError(details.error ?? "browser navigation failed") });
+  };
+  const onAbort = () => finish({ reached: "cancelled", lastLifecycle });
+  const subscriptions = [
+    [api.onCommitted, onCommitted],
+    [api.onDOMContentLoaded, onDOMContentLoaded],
+    [api.onCompleted, onCompleted],
+    [api.onErrorOccurred, onError],
+  ] as const;
+  for (const [event, listener] of subscriptions) event.addListener(listener);
+  signal?.addEventListener("abort", onAbort, { once: true });
+  const timer = setTimeout(() => finish({ reached: "timeout", lastLifecycle }), timeoutMs);
+  try {
+    if (signal?.aborted) return { reached: "cancelled" };
+    await action();
+    return await outcome;
+  } catch (error) {
+    return { reached: "failed", error: cdpError(error) };
+  } finally {
+    clearTimeout(timer);
+    signal?.removeEventListener("abort", onAbort);
+    for (const [event, listener] of subscriptions) event.removeListener(listener);
+  }
+}

apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import type { Transport } from "@/transport/transport";
 import type {
   ClickParams,
   ConsoleParams,
+  DownloadParams,
   EmulateParams,
   EvaluateParams,
   FillParams,
@@ -28,11 +29,14 @@ import type {
   ScreenshotParams,
   SelectParams,
   SnapshotParams,
+  UploadParams,
   WaitForNavigationParams,
 } from "@/transport/types";
 import { isRequestFrame } from "@/transport/types";
 import { handleConsole } from "./console";
+import { handleDownload } from "./download";
 import { type EmulateCdpRunner, handleEmulate } from "./emulate";
+import { classifyCdpError } from "./errors";
 import { handleEvaluate } from "./evaluate";
 import { handleRequestHelp } from "./human-loop";
 import { handleClick, handleFill, handleHover, handlePress, handleSelect } from "./interaction";
@@ -66,6 +70,7 @@ import {
 import { chromeTabsApi, lookupSession, resolveTargetTab } from "./shared";
 import {
   type BorrowConfirmationApprover,
+  chromeTabMutationApi,
   handleTabBorrow,
   handleTabClose,
   handleTabCreate,
@@ -79,6 +84,7 @@ import {
   type TabReturnParams,
   type TabSelectParams,
 } from "./tabs";
+import { handleUpload } from "./upload";
 import { handleWaitForNavigation } from "./waits";
 import { handleWindowResize, type WindowResizeParams } from "./window";
 
@@ -114,6 +120,8 @@ export interface DispatcherDeps {
   onSessionsChanged?: () => void;
   /** Invoked before a tool that dispatches page input or mutates browser state is forwarded. */
   onBrowserControlResumed?: (sessionId: string) => void;
+  /** Invoked after a tab is explicitly claimed so its overlay can be refreshed immediately. */
+  onAgentTabClaimed?: (tabId: number, windowId: number) => void;
   /** User approval for `tool.tab_borrow` (overlay in content script). */
   approveBorrow?: BorrowConfirmationApprover;
   /** i18n notification copy for `tool.request_help` (resolved per-call). */
@@ -143,6 +151,7 @@ export class ToolDispatcher {
   private readonly recording?: RecordRuntimeDeps;
   private readonly onSessionsChanged?: () => void;
   private readonly onBrowserControlResumed?: (sessionId: string) => void;
+  private readonly onAgentTabClaimed?: (tabId: number, windowId: number) => void;
   private readonly approveBorrow?: BorrowConfirmationApprover;
   private readonly helpNotificationCopy?: () => { title: string; body: string };
   private subscription: { dispose(): void } | null = null;
@@ -163,6 +172,7 @@ export class ToolDispatcher {
     this.recording = deps.recording;
     this.onSessionsChanged = deps.onSessionsChanged;
     this.onBrowserControlResumed = deps.onBrowserControlResumed;
+    this.onAgentTabClaimed = deps.onAgentTabClaimed;
     this.approveBorrow = deps.approveBorrow;
     this.helpNotificationCopy = deps.helpNotificationCopy;
   }
@@ -230,7 +240,7 @@ export class ToolDispatcher {
       if (sessionId) this.onBrowserControlResumed?.(sessionId);
       const result = await this.invoke(req, ac.signal);
       if (isRpcError(result)) {
-        body = { id: req.id, error: result };
+        body = { id: req.id, error: classifyCdpError(result) };
       } else {
         body = { id: req.id, result };
         if (req.method === "tool.session_start") {
@@ -298,13 +308,25 @@ export class ToolDispatcher {
         await this.releaseHoverLatch((req.params as SessionStopParams).session_id);
         return handleSessionStop(this.sessions, req.params as SessionStopParams, {
           cdp: this.cdp,
+          // Must be wired in production: the agent-tab cleanup and the
+          // window-release decision (issue #57) read these deps directly
+          // and silently no-op when they are absent.
+          tabManagement: { tabs: chromeTabMutationApi },
+          tabsQuery: chromeTabsApi,
           signal,
         });
       }
       case "tool.tab_list":
         return handleTabList(this.sessions, req.params as TabListParams, chromeTabsApi, signal);
-      case "tool.tab_create":
-        return handleTabCreate(this.sessions, req.params as TabCreateParams, { signal });
+      case "tool.tab_create": {
+        const result = await handleTabCreate(this.sessions, req.params as TabCreateParams, {
+          signal,
+        });
+        if (!isRpcError(result)) {
+          this.onAgentTabClaimed?.(result.tab_id, result.window_id);
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
       case "tool.tab_close":
         return this.withHoverReleaseForRequest(
           req.params as TabCloseParams,
@@ -313,13 +335,22 @@ export class ToolDispatcher {
         );
       case "tool.tab_select":
         return handleTabSelect(this.sessions, req.params as TabSelectParams, { signal });
-      case "tool.tab_borrow":
-        return handleTabBorrow(this.sessions, req.params as TabBorrowParams, {
+      case "tool.tab_borrow": {
+        const result = await handleTabBorrow(this.sessions, req.params as TabBorrowParams, {
           signal,
           approveBorrow: this.approveBorrow,
         });
+        if (!isRpcError(result)) {
+          this.onAgentTabClaimed?.(result.tab_id, result.agent_window_id);
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
       case "tool.tab_return":
-        return handleTabReturn(this.sessions, req.params as TabReturnParams, { signal });
+        return handleTabReturn(this.sessions, req.params as TabReturnParams, {
+          signal,
+          cdp: this.cdp,
+          beforeReturn: (sessionId, tabId) => this.releaseHoverLatch(sessionId, tabId),
+        });
       case "tool.window_resize":
         return handleWindowResize(
           this.sessions,
@@ -517,6 +548,40 @@ export class ToolDispatcher {
             ),
           signal,
         );
+      case "tool.upload":
+        return this.withHoverReleaseForRequest(
+          req.params as UploadParams,
+          () =>
+            this.cdp
+              ? handleUpload(this.sessions, req.params as UploadParams, {
+                  cdp: this.cdp,
+                  tabsApi: chromeTabsApi,
+                  signal,
+                  bypassOverlay,
+                })
+              : Promise.resolve({
+                  code: "unsupported",
+                  message: "upload requires CDP",
+                } satisfies RpcError),
+          signal,
+        );
+      case "tool.download":
+        return this.withHoverReleaseForRequest(
+          req.params as DownloadParams,
+          () =>
+            this.cdp
+              ? handleDownload(this.sessions, req.params as DownloadParams, {
+                  cdp: this.cdp,
+                  tabsApi: chromeTabsApi,
+                  signal,
+                  bypassOverlay,
+                })
+              : Promise.resolve({
+                  code: "unsupported",
+                  message: "download requires CDP",
+                } satisfies RpcError),
+          signal,
+        );
       case "tool.evaluate":
         return handleEvaluate(
           this.sessions,
@@ -723,6 +788,8 @@ function sessionIdForBrowserControlMethod(req: RequestFrame): string | null {
     case "tool.fill":
     case "tool.press":
     case "tool.select":
+    case "tool.upload":
+    case "tool.download":
     case "tool.evaluate":
     case "tool.observe":
     case "tool.request_help":

apps/extension/src/tools/download-capture.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,364 @@
+// Order-independent coordinator for one browser download. CDP supplies the
+// exact target/frame intent while chrome.downloads supplies the download id
+// and filename routing hook; neither event is assumed to arrive first.
+
+import type { CdpTarget } from "@/browser-driver/frame-graph";
+import type { ClickResult, RpcError, TransferEffectState } from "@/transport/types";
+import { transferError } from "./errors";
+import { type CdpRunner, isRpcError } from "./shared";
+
+const CORRELATION_GRACE_MS = 750;
+const UNIQUE_SETTLE_MS = 50;
+const SIZE_POLL_MS = 250;
+
+type DeterminingFilenameListener = (
+  item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+  suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+) => void | true;
+
+interface ListenerEvent<T> {
+  addListener(listener: T): void;
+  removeListener(listener: T): void;
+}
+
+export interface DownloadsApi {
+  onCreated: ListenerEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>;
+  onChanged: ListenerEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>;
+  onDeterminingFilename: ListenerEvent<DeterminingFilenameListener>;
+  search(query: chrome.downloads.DownloadQuery): Promise<chrome.downloads.DownloadItem[]>;
+  cancel(downloadId: number): Promise<void>;
+  removeFile(downloadId: number): Promise<void>;
+}
+
+export const chromeDownloadsApi: DownloadsApi = {
+  get onCreated() {
+    return chrome.downloads.onCreated;
+  },
+  get onChanged() {
+    return chrome.downloads.onChanged;
+  },
+  get onDeterminingFilename() {
+    return chrome.downloads.onDeterminingFilename;
+  },
+  search: (query) => chrome.downloads.search(query),
+  cancel: (id) => chrome.downloads.cancel(id),
+  removeFile: (id) => chrome.downloads.removeFile(id),
+};
+
+export interface DownloadCaptureOptions {
+  cdp: CdpRunner;
+  target: CdpTarget;
+  expectedFrameId?: string;
+  downloads: DownloadsApi;
+  browserRelativeDir: string;
+  maxByteSize?: number;
+  timeoutMs: number;
+  signal?: AbortSignal;
+  trigger(): Promise<ClickResult | RpcError>;
+}
+
+export interface DownloadCaptureResult {
+  click: ClickResult;
+  item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+}
+
+interface DownloadIntent {
+  url: string;
+  suggestedFilename: string;
+  frameId?: string;
+}
+
+interface DownloadCandidate {
+  item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+  suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void;
+  suggested: boolean;
+  graceTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>;
+}
+
+function safeBasename(filename: string): string {
+  const basename = filename.split(/[\\/]/).pop()?.trim();
+  return basename && basename !== "." && basename !== ".." ? basename : "download";
+}
+
+function sameTarget(source: { tabId?: number; sessionId?: string }, target: CdpTarget): boolean {
+  return source.tabId === target.tabId && source.sessionId === target.sessionId;
+}
+
+function matchesIntent(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem, intent: DownloadIntent): boolean {
+  const urlMatches = item.url === intent.url || item.finalUrl === intent.url;
+  return urlMatches && safeBasename(item.filename) === safeBasename(intent.suggestedFilename);
+}
+
+function knownSize(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem): number | undefined {
+  if (item.fileSize >= 0) return item.fileSize;
+  if (item.totalBytes >= 0) return item.totalBytes;
+  return undefined;
+}
+
+function captureError(
+  message: string,
+  effectState: TransferEffectState,
+  phase: string,
+  cleanupFailed = false,
+): RpcError {
+  return transferError("cdp_failed", "download_capture_failed", message, {
+    effectState,
+    phase,
+    ...(cleanupFailed ? { cleanupState: "failed" } : {}),
+  });
+}
+
+async function cleanupClaimedDownload(downloads: DownloadsApi, downloadId: number): Promise<void> {
+  const lookup = async () => (await downloads.search({ id: downloadId }))[0];
+  const item = await lookup();
+  if (!item || item.state === "interrupted") return;
+  if (item.state === "complete") {
+    await downloads.removeFile(downloadId);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    await downloads.cancel(downloadId);
+  } catch (cancelError) {
+    // Completion can win the race after the lookup but before cancellation.
+    // Reconcile against Chrome's authoritative state before declaring cleanup
+    // failed so every terminal state has one explicit cleanup path.
+    const reconciled = await lookup();
+    if (!reconciled || reconciled.state === "interrupted") return;
+    if (reconciled.state === "complete") {
+      await downloads.removeFile(downloadId);
+      return;
+    }
+    throw cancelError;
+  }
+}
+
+export async function captureBrowserDownload(
+  options: DownloadCaptureOptions,
+): Promise<DownloadCaptureResult | RpcError> {
+  let click: ClickResult | undefined;
+  let intent: DownloadIntent | undefined;
+  let capturedId: number | undefined;
+  let settled = false;
+  let succeeded = false;
+  let failureResult: RpcError | undefined;
+  let uniquenessTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
+  let operationTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
+  let sizePoll: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | undefined;
+  const candidates = new Map<number, DownloadCandidate>();
+  const createdItems = new Map<number, chrome.downloads.DownloadItem>();
+
+  let resolveCompletion!: (item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void;
+  let rejectCompletion!: (error: Error) => void;
+  const completion = new Promise<chrome.downloads.DownloadItem>((resolve, reject) => {
+    resolveCompletion = resolve;
+    rejectCompletion = reject;
+  });
+  const fail = (error: Error) => {
+    if (settled) return;
+    settled = true;
+    rejectCompletion(error);
+  };
+  const complete = (item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => {
+    if (settled) return;
+    const size = knownSize(item);
+    if (size !== undefined && options.maxByteSize !== undefined && size > options.maxByteSize) {
+      fail(new Error(`download exceeds transfer limit ${options.maxByteSize}`));
+      return;
+    }
+    settled = true;
+    resolveCompletion(item);
+  };
+  const suggestDefault = (candidate: DownloadCandidate) => {
+    if (candidate.suggested) return;
+    candidate.suggested = true;
+    candidate.suggest();
+  };
+  const matchingCandidates = (): DownloadCandidate[] => {
+    const currentIntent = intent;
+    return currentIntent
+      ? [...candidates.values()].filter(
+          (candidate) => !candidate.suggested && matchesIntent(candidate.item, currentIntent),
+        )
+      : [];
+  };
+
+  const claimUnique = () => {
+    uniquenessTimer = undefined;
+    if (settled || capturedId !== undefined || !intent) return;
+    const matches = matchingCandidates();
+    if (matches.length !== 1) {
+      if (matches.length > 1) {
+        for (const candidate of matches) suggestDefault(candidate);
+        fail(new Error("download attribution is ambiguous"));
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    const candidate = matches[0];
+    candidate.suggested = true;
+    clearTimeout(candidate.graceTimer);
+    capturedId = candidate.item.id;
+    candidate.suggest({
+      filename: `${options.browserRelativeDir}/${safeBasename(intent.suggestedFilename)}`,
+      conflictAction: "overwrite",
+    });
+    const size = knownSize(candidate.item);
+    if (size !== undefined && options.maxByteSize !== undefined && size > options.maxByteSize) {
+      fail(new Error(`download exceeds transfer limit ${options.maxByteSize}`));
+      return;
+    }
+    const created = createdItems.get(candidate.item.id);
+    if (created?.state === "interrupted") {
+      fail(new Error(created.error ?? "download interrupted"));
+    } else if (created?.state === "complete") {
+      complete(created);
+    }
+  };
+  const reconcile = () => {
+    if (settled || capturedId !== undefined || !intent) return;
+    const matches = matchingCandidates();
+    if (matches.length > 1) {
+      for (const candidate of matches) suggestDefault(candidate);
+      fail(new Error("download attribution is ambiguous"));
+      return;
+    }
+    if (matches.length === 1 && !uniquenessTimer) {
+      uniquenessTimer = setTimeout(claimUnique, UNIQUE_SETTLE_MS);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const determiningListener: DeterminingFilenameListener = (item, suggest) => {
+    const candidate: DownloadCandidate = {
+      item,
+      suggest,
+      suggested: false,
+      graceTimer: setTimeout(() => {
+        suggestDefault(candidate);
+        candidates.delete(item.id);
+        if (intent && matchesIntent(item, intent) && capturedId === undefined) {
+          fail(new Error("download correlation grace elapsed before unique attribution"));
+        }
+      }, CORRELATION_GRACE_MS),
+    };
+    candidates.set(item.id, candidate);
+    reconcile();
+    return true;
+  };
+  const createdListener = (item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => {
+    createdItems.set(item.id, item);
+    if (capturedId !== item.id) return;
+    if (item.state === "interrupted") {
+      fail(new Error(item.error ?? "download interrupted"));
+    } else if (item.state === "complete") {
+      complete(item);
+    }
+  };
+  const changedListener = async (delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => {
+    if (capturedId === undefined || delta.id !== capturedId || settled) return;
+    if (delta.state?.current === "interrupted" || delta.error?.current) {
+      fail(new Error(delta.error?.current ?? "download interrupted"));
+      return;
+    }
+    if (delta.state?.current === "complete") {
+      try {
+        const [item] = await options.downloads.search({ id: delta.id });
+        if (item) complete(item);
+        else fail(new Error("completed download disappeared"));
+      } catch (err) {
+        fail(err instanceof Error ? err : new Error(String(err)));
+      }
+    }
+  };
+  const onAbort = () => fail(new DOMException("aborted", "AbortError"));
+  const cdpSubscription = options.cdp.onEvent?.((source, method, raw) => {
+    if (method !== "Page.downloadWillBegin" || !sameTarget(source, options.target)) return;
+    const event = raw as { url?: unknown; suggestedFilename?: unknown; frameId?: unknown };
+    if (typeof event.url !== "string" || typeof event.suggestedFilename !== "string") return;
+    if (options.expectedFrameId && event.frameId !== options.expectedFrameId) {
+      fail(new Error("download originated from a different frame"));
+      return;
+    }
+    if (intent) {
+      fail(new Error("download trigger produced more than one browser download intent"));
+      return;
+    }
+    intent = {
+      url: event.url,
+      suggestedFilename: event.suggestedFilename,
+      ...(typeof event.frameId === "string" ? { frameId: event.frameId } : {}),
+    };
+    reconcile();
+  });
+  if (!cdpSubscription) {
+    return captureError("CDP download intent subscription unavailable", "none", "arm");
+  }
+
+  options.downloads.onDeterminingFilename.addListener(determiningListener);
+  options.downloads.onCreated.addListener(createdListener);
+  options.downloads.onChanged.addListener(changedListener);
+  options.signal?.addEventListener("abort", onAbort, { once: true });
+  operationTimer = setTimeout(
+    () => fail(new Error("download did not complete before timeout")),
+    options.timeoutMs,
+  );
+  sizePoll = setInterval(() => {
+    if (capturedId === undefined || settled || options.maxByteSize === undefined) return;
+    void options.downloads
+      .search({ id: capturedId })
+      .then(([item]) => {
+        if (!item || settled) return;
+        if (item.bytesReceived > (options.maxByteSize as number)) {
+          fail(new Error(`download exceeds transfer limit ${options.maxByteSize}`));
+        }
+      })
+      .catch((err) => fail(err instanceof Error ? err : new Error(String(err))));
+  }, SIZE_POLL_MS);
+
+  try {
+    const triggered = await options.trigger();
+    if (isRpcError(triggered)) {
+      void completion.catch(() => undefined);
+      const effect: TransferEffectState =
+        capturedId !== undefined ? "committed" : intent ? "unknown" : "none";
+      failureResult = {
+        ...triggered,
+        data: { ...triggered.data, effect_state: effect, phase: "trigger" },
+      };
+      return failureResult;
+    }
+    click = triggered;
+    const item = await completion;
+    succeeded = true;
+    return { click, item };
+  } catch (err) {
+    const effect: TransferEffectState =
+      capturedId !== undefined ? "committed" : click ? "unknown" : "none";
+    failureResult = captureError(
+      err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+      effect,
+      capturedId !== undefined ? "download" : "attribution",
+    );
+    return failureResult;
+  } finally {
+    settled = true;
+    if (operationTimer) clearTimeout(operationTimer);
+    if (uniquenessTimer) clearTimeout(uniquenessTimer);
+    if (sizePoll) clearInterval(sizePoll);
+    options.signal?.removeEventListener("abort", onAbort);
+    options.downloads.onDeterminingFilename.removeListener(determiningListener);
+    options.downloads.onCreated.removeListener(createdListener);
+    options.downloads.onChanged.removeListener(changedListener);
+    cdpSubscription.dispose();
+    for (const candidate of candidates.values()) {
+      clearTimeout(candidate.graceTimer);
+      if (candidate.item.id !== capturedId) suggestDefault(candidate);
+    }
+    if (!succeeded && capturedId !== undefined) {
+      try {
+        await cleanupClaimedDownload(options.downloads, capturedId);
+      } catch {
+        if (failureResult?.data) failureResult.data.cleanup_state = "failed";
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}

apps/extension/src/tools/download.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+// Download orchestration: validate session/tab ownership, then delegate one
+// browser-global chrome.downloads transaction to download-capture.ts.
+
+import type { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import type { DownloadParams, DownloadResult, RpcError } from "@/transport/types";
+import { captureBrowserDownload, chromeDownloadsApi, type DownloadsApi } from "./download-capture";
+import { clickResolvedTarget, type InteractionDeps, resolveActionTarget } from "./interaction";
+import { enforceAgentWindow, isRpcError, lookupSession, resolveTargetTab } from "./shared";
+
+let downloadActive = false;
+
+export type { DownloadsApi } from "./download-capture";
+
+export interface DownloadDeps extends InteractionDeps {
+  downloads?: DownloadsApi;
+}
+
+export async function handleDownload(
+  manager: SessionManager,
+  params: DownloadParams,
+  deps: DownloadDeps,
+): Promise<DownloadResult | RpcError> {
+  if (downloadActive) return { code: "invalid_params", message: "another bsk download is active" };
+  downloadActive = true;
+  try {
+    const ctx = lookupSession(manager, params, "download");
+    if (isRpcError(ctx)) return ctx;
+    const target = await resolveTargetTab(manager, ctx, params.tab_id, deps.tabsApi);
+    if (isRpcError(target)) return target;
+    const denied = enforceAgentWindow(ctx, target, "download");
+    if (denied) return denied;
+    if (!params.browser_relative_dir) {
+      return { code: "invalid_params", message: "download requires a daemon capability directory" };
+    }
+    const address = await resolveActionTarget(deps.cdp, ctx, target, params, "download");
+    if (isRpcError(address)) return address;
+
+    const capture = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp: deps.cdp,
+      target: address.cdpTarget,
+      downloads: deps.downloads ?? chromeDownloadsApi,
+      browserRelativeDir: params.browser_relative_dir,
+      maxByteSize: params.max_byte_size,
+      timeoutMs: params.timeout_ms ?? 120_000,
+      signal: deps.signal,
+      expectedFrameId: address.frameId,
+      trigger: () => clickResolvedTarget(ctx, address, {}, deps),
+    });
+    if (isRpcError(capture)) return capture;
+    const { click, item } = capture;
+    return {
+      tab_id: target.tabId,
+      used_ref: click.used_ref,
+      used_selector: click.used_selector,
+      suggested_filename: item.filename.split(/[\\/]/).pop() ?? "download",
+      byte_size: item.fileSize >= 0 ? item.fileSize : item.totalBytes,
+      mime: item.mime || undefined,
+      danger: item.danger,
+      browser_path: item.filename,
+    };
+  } finally {
+    downloadActive = false;
+  }
+}

apps/extension/src/tools/errors.ts

@@ -2,10 +2,51 @@
 // rendering. Extension handlers attach reasons here; human-facing copy
 // lives in bsk-cli `render_error.rs`.
 
-import type { ErrorCode, RpcError, RpcErrorData, RpcErrorReason } from "@/transport/types";
+import type {
+  ErrorCode,
+  RpcError,
+  RpcErrorData,
+  RpcErrorReason,
+  TransferCleanupState,
+  TransferEffectState,
+} from "@/transport/types";
 
 export type { RpcErrorData, RpcErrorReason };
 
+/** Chrome checks the whole tab's frame tree, including other extensions' frames. */
+export function isCdpExtensionAccessDenied(error: unknown): boolean {
+  const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
+  return message.includes("Cannot access a chrome-extension:// URL of different extension");
+}
+
+/** Preserve more specific reasons, especially file-transfer outcome/cleanup details. */
+export function classifyCdpError(error: RpcError): RpcError {
+  if (
+    error.code !== "cdp_failed" ||
+    error.data?.reason ||
+    !isCdpExtensionAccessDenied(error.message)
+  ) {
+    return error;
+  }
+  return {
+    ...error,
+    data: { ...error.data, reason: "cdp_extension_access_denied" },
+  };
+}
+
+export function cdpError(error: unknown): RpcError {
+  return classifyCdpError({
+    code: "cdp_failed",
+    message: error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error),
+  });
+}
+
+export interface TransferErrorOptions {
+  effectState: TransferEffectState;
+  phase: string;
+  cleanupState?: TransferCleanupState;
+}
+
 export function rpcError(
   code: ErrorCode,
   reason: RpcErrorReason,
@@ -15,3 +56,16 @@ export function rpcError(
   const data: RpcErrorData = { reason, ...extra };
   return { code, message, data };
 }
+
+export function transferError(
+  code: ErrorCode,
+  reason: RpcErrorReason,
+  message: string,
+  options: TransferErrorOptions,
+): RpcError {
+  return rpcError(code, reason, message, {
+    effect_state: options.effectState,
+    phase: options.phase,
+    ...(options.cleanupState ? { cleanup_state: options.cleanupState } : {}),
+  });
+}

apps/extension/src/tools/file-drop-transaction.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,319 @@
+// One native file-drop transaction bound to an explicit page target. CDP drag
+// events are sent to the target that owns the node: root targets use top-level
+// coordinates, while OOPIF targets require coordinates local to their session.
+
+import type { RpcError, TransferEffectState } from "@/transport/types";
+import { transferError } from "./errors";
+import { resolveNodeGeometry } from "./frame-geometry";
+import type { ResolvedActionTarget } from "./interaction";
+import { type CdpRunner, isRpcError, sendToCdpTarget } from "./shared";
+import { BoundedWaitError, waitBounded } from "./transfer-transaction";
+
+const CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS = 1_000;
+
+type FileDropPhase = "resolve_target" | "drag_enter" | "drag_over" | "drop" | "cleanup";
+
+interface RuntimeReply {
+  result?: { value?: unknown; objectId?: string };
+  exceptionDetails?: { text?: string; exception?: { description?: string } };
+}
+
+interface DragData {
+  items: [];
+  files: string[];
+  dragOperationsMask: number;
+}
+
+export interface FileDropTransactionOptions {
+  cdp: CdpRunner;
+  actionTarget: ResolvedActionTarget;
+  files: string[];
+  timeoutMs: number;
+  signal?: AbortSignal;
+  withOverlayHidden: <T>(operation: () => Promise<T>) => Promise<T>;
+}
+
+export interface FileDropTransactionResult {
+  x: number;
+  y: number;
+}
+
+function failure(
+  code: RpcError["code"],
+  reason: "upload_mechanism_unsupported" | "file_drop_target_unavailable" | "file_drop_failed",
+  message: string,
+  effectState: TransferEffectState,
+  phase: FileDropPhase,
+): RpcError {
+  const error = transferError(code, reason, message, { effectState, phase });
+  error.data = { ...error.data, mechanism: "drop" };
+  return error;
+}
+
+function enrichFailure(
+  error: RpcError,
+  effectState: TransferEffectState,
+  phase: FileDropPhase,
+): RpcError {
+  return {
+    ...error,
+    data: {
+      ...error.data,
+      mechanism: "drop",
+      effect_state: effectState,
+      phase,
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function messageOf(error: unknown): string {
+  return error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
+}
+
+function methodUnavailable(error: unknown): boolean {
+  return /(?:method|command).*(?:not found|wasn't found|unsupported)|wasn't found|-32601/i.test(
+    messageOf(error),
+  );
+}
+
+function runtimeError(reply: RuntimeReply, fallback: string): Error | null {
+  if (!reply.exceptionDetails) return null;
+  return new Error(
+    reply.exceptionDetails.exception?.description ?? reply.exceptionDetails.text ?? fallback,
+  );
+}
+
+async function pointBelongsToTarget(
+  options: FileDropTransactionOptions,
+  x: number,
+  y: number,
+  objectGroup: string,
+): Promise<boolean> {
+  const target = options.actionTarget.cdpTarget;
+  const hit = await sendToCdpTarget<{ backendNodeId?: number; frameId?: string }>(
+    options.cdp,
+    target,
+    "DOM.getNodeForLocation",
+    { x: Math.round(x), y: Math.round(y), includeUserAgentShadowDOM: true },
+  );
+  if (typeof hit.backendNodeId !== "number") return false;
+  if (options.actionTarget.frameId && hit.frameId !== options.actionTarget.frameId) return false;
+
+  const [resolvedTarget, resolvedHit] = await Promise.all([
+    sendToCdpTarget<{ object?: { objectId?: string } }>(options.cdp, target, "DOM.resolveNode", {
+      backendNodeId: options.actionTarget.backendNodeId,
+      objectGroup,
+    }),
+    sendToCdpTarget<{ object?: { objectId?: string } }>(options.cdp, target, "DOM.resolveNode", {
+      backendNodeId: hit.backendNodeId,
+      objectGroup,
+    }),
+  ]);
+  const targetObjectId = resolvedTarget.object?.objectId;
+  const hitObjectId = resolvedHit.object?.objectId;
+  if (!targetObjectId || !hitObjectId) return false;
+
+  const reply = await sendToCdpTarget<RuntimeReply>(options.cdp, target, "Runtime.callFunctionOn", {
+    objectId: targetObjectId,
+    functionDeclaration: `function(hit) {
+        for (let node = hit; node; ) {
+          if (node === this) return true;
+          if (this.contains?.(node)) return true;
+          const root = node.getRootNode?.();
+          node = node.parentNode || (root && root !== node ? root.host : null);
+        }
+        return false;
+      }`,
+    arguments: [{ objectId: hitObjectId }],
+    returnByValue: true,
+  });
+  const error = runtimeError(reply, "failed to verify file-drop target");
+  if (error) throw error;
+  return reply.result?.value === true;
+}
+
+export async function uploadThroughFileDrop(
+  options: FileDropTransactionOptions,
+): Promise<FileDropTransactionResult | RpcError> {
+  const deadline = Date.now() + options.timeoutMs;
+  const target = options.actionTarget.cdpTarget;
+  const objectGroup = `bsk-file-drop-${crypto.randomUUID()}`;
+  const dragData: DragData = {
+    items: [],
+    files: options.files,
+    dragOperationsMask: 1,
+  };
+  let dragStarted = false;
+  let dropSent = false;
+  let dragPoint = { x: 0, y: 0 };
+  let cleanupFailed = false;
+  let outcome: FileDropTransactionResult | RpcError = failure(
+    "protocol_error",
+    "file_drop_failed",
+    "file-drop transaction ended without an outcome",
+    "none",
+    "cleanup",
+  );
+
+  try {
+    const geometry = await waitBounded(
+      resolveNodeGeometry(
+        options.cdp,
+        options.actionTarget.tab.tabId,
+        {
+          target,
+          backendNodeId: options.actionTarget.backendNodeId,
+          ...(options.actionTarget.frameId ? { frameId: options.actionTarget.frameId } : {}),
+        },
+        { scrollIntoView: true },
+      ),
+      deadline,
+      options.signal,
+      "resolving file-drop target timed out",
+    );
+    if (isRpcError(geometry)) {
+      outcome = enrichFailure(geometry, "none", "resolve_target");
+      return outcome;
+    }
+    const point = geometry.targetActionPoint;
+    dragPoint = point;
+
+    outcome = await options.withOverlayHidden(async () => {
+      try {
+        try {
+          const belongs = await waitBounded(
+            pointBelongsToTarget(options, point.x, point.y, objectGroup),
+            deadline,
+            options.signal,
+            "verifying file-drop target timed out",
+          );
+          if (!belongs) {
+            return failure(
+              "permission_denied",
+              "file_drop_target_unavailable",
+              "file-drop target is not the topmost element at its action point",
+              "none",
+              "resolve_target",
+            );
+          }
+        } catch (error) {
+          return failure(
+            error instanceof BoundedWaitError ? "timeout" : "cdp_failed",
+            "file_drop_target_unavailable",
+            messageOf(error),
+            "none",
+            "resolve_target",
+          );
+        }
+
+        for (const [type, phase] of [
+          ["dragEnter", "drag_enter"],
+          ["dragOver", "drag_over"],
+        ] as const) {
+          try {
+            if (type === "dragEnter") dragStarted = true;
+            await waitBounded(
+              sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Input.dispatchDragEvent", {
+                type,
+                x: point.x,
+                y: point.y,
+                data: dragData,
+              }),
+              deadline,
+              options.signal,
+              `${type} timed out`,
+            );
+          } catch (error) {
+            const unsupported = methodUnavailable(error);
+            if (type === "dragEnter" && unsupported) dragStarted = false;
+            return failure(
+              unsupported
+                ? "unsupported"
+                : error instanceof BoundedWaitError
+                  ? "timeout"
+                  : "cdp_failed",
+              unsupported ? "upload_mechanism_unsupported" : "file_drop_failed",
+              messageOf(error),
+              "none",
+              phase,
+            );
+          }
+        }
+
+        try {
+          dropSent = true;
+          await waitBounded(
+            sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Input.dispatchDragEvent", {
+              type: "drop",
+              x: point.x,
+              y: point.y,
+              data: dragData,
+            }),
+            deadline,
+            options.signal,
+            "file drop timed out",
+          );
+          return { x: point.x, y: point.y };
+        } catch (error) {
+          outcome = failure(
+            error instanceof BoundedWaitError ? "timeout" : "cdp_failed",
+            "file_drop_failed",
+            messageOf(error),
+            "unknown",
+            "drop",
+          );
+          return outcome;
+        }
+      } finally {
+        if (dragStarted && !dropSent) {
+          try {
+            await waitBounded(
+              sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Input.dispatchDragEvent", {
+                type: "dragCancel",
+                x: dragPoint.x,
+                y: dragPoint.y,
+                data: dragData,
+              }),
+              Date.now() + CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS,
+              undefined,
+              "cancelling file drag timed out",
+            );
+          } catch {
+            cleanupFailed = true;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    });
+    return outcome;
+  } catch (error) {
+    outcome = failure(
+      error instanceof BoundedWaitError ? "timeout" : "cdp_failed",
+      "file_drop_target_unavailable",
+      messageOf(error),
+      "none",
+      "resolve_target",
+    );
+    return outcome;
+  } finally {
+    try {
+      await waitBounded(
+        sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup", { objectGroup }),
+        Date.now() + CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS,
+        undefined,
+        "releasing file-drop object group timed out",
+      );
+    } catch {
+      cleanupFailed = true;
+    }
+
+    const effect = isRpcError(outcome)
+      ? (outcome.data?.effect_state as TransferEffectState | undefined)
+      : "committed";
+    if (effect === "unknown" || cleanupFailed) {
+      await options.cdp.detach?.(target.tabId);
+    }
+    if (cleanupFailed && isRpcError(outcome)) {
+      outcome.data = { ...outcome.data, cleanup_state: "failed" };
+    }
+  }
+}

apps/extension/src/tools/file-input-transaction.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,445 @@
+// One upload transaction with an explicit browser-side commit boundary.
+// Chrome interception prevents a native chooser from escaping automation;
+// chooser events and a frame-scoped DOM probe are independent input-location
+// signals, so event delivery is not required for standard file inputs.
+
+import type { ClickResult, RpcError, TransferEffectState } from "@/transport/types";
+import { transferError } from "./errors";
+import type { ResolvedActionTarget } from "./interaction";
+import { type CdpRunner, isRpcError, sendToCdpTarget } from "./shared";
+import { BoundedWaitError, remainingMs, waitBounded } from "./transfer-transaction";
+
+const CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS = 1_000;
+const ACTIVATION_GRACE_MS = 1_000;
+const PROBE_INTERVAL_MS = 20;
+
+type UploadPhase =
+  | "arm_interception"
+  | "arm_input_probe"
+  | "trigger"
+  | "resolve_input"
+  | "set_files"
+  | "cleanup";
+
+interface RuntimeReply {
+  result?: { value?: unknown; objectId?: string };
+  exceptionDetails?: { text?: string; exception?: { description?: string } };
+}
+
+interface ChooserEvent {
+  frameId?: string;
+  backendNodeId?: number;
+  mode?: "selectSingle" | "selectMultiple";
+}
+
+export interface FileInputTransactionOptions {
+  cdp: CdpRunner;
+  actionTarget: ResolvedActionTarget;
+  files: string[];
+  timeoutMs: number;
+  signal?: AbortSignal;
+  trigger(): Promise<ClickResult | RpcError>;
+}
+
+export interface FileInputTransactionResult {
+  click: ClickResult;
+  multiple: boolean;
+}
+
+function runtimeError(reply: RuntimeReply, fallback: string): Error | null {
+  if (!reply.exceptionDetails) return null;
+  return new Error(
+    reply.exceptionDetails.exception?.description ?? reply.exceptionDetails.text ?? fallback,
+  );
+}
+
+function transferFailure(
+  code: RpcError["code"],
+  reason: "file_input_probe_failed" | "file_input_not_activated" | "set_file_input_failed",
+  message: string,
+  effectState: TransferEffectState,
+  phase: UploadPhase,
+): RpcError {
+  return transferError(code, reason, message, { effectState, phase });
+}
+
+function enrichFailure(
+  error: RpcError,
+  effectState: TransferEffectState,
+  phase: UploadPhase,
+): RpcError {
+  return {
+    ...error,
+    data: { ...error.data, effect_state: effectState, phase },
+  };
+}
+
+function sameTarget(
+  source: { tabId?: number; sessionId?: string },
+  target: { tabId: number; sessionId?: string },
+): boolean {
+  return source.tabId === target.tabId && source.sessionId === target.sessionId;
+}
+
+async function delay(ms: number, signal?: AbortSignal): Promise<void> {
+  await waitBounded(
+    new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms)),
+    Date.now() + ms + 1,
+    signal,
+    "upload activation probe timed out",
+  );
+}
+
+async function callOnTrigger<T = RuntimeReply>(
+  options: FileInputTransactionOptions,
+  objectId: string,
+  functionDeclaration: string,
+  args: unknown[],
+  returnByValue: boolean,
+): Promise<T> {
+  return sendToCdpTarget<T>(options.cdp, options.actionTarget.cdpTarget, "Runtime.callFunctionOn", {
+    objectId,
+    functionDeclaration,
+    arguments: args.map((value) => ({ value })),
+    returnByValue,
+    awaitPromise: false,
+  });
+}
+
+export async function uploadThroughActivatedFileInput(
+  options: FileInputTransactionOptions,
+): Promise<FileInputTransactionResult | RpcError> {
+  const deadline = Date.now() + options.timeoutMs;
+  const target = options.actionTarget.cdpTarget;
+  const objectGroup = `bsk-upload-${crypto.randomUUID()}`;
+  const stateKey = `__bskUpload_${crypto.randomUUID().replaceAll("-", "")}`;
+  const chooserEvents: ChooserEvent[] = [];
+  let interceptionArmed = false;
+  let probeArmed = false;
+  let triggerObjectId: string | undefined;
+  let outcome: FileInputTransactionResult | RpcError = transferFailure(
+    "protocol_error",
+    "file_input_probe_failed",
+    "upload transaction ended without an outcome",
+    "none",
+    "cleanup",
+  );
+
+  const chooserSubscription = options.cdp.onEvent?.((source, method, raw) => {
+    if (method !== "Page.fileChooserOpened" || !sameTarget(source, target)) return;
+    const event = raw as ChooserEvent;
+    chooserEvents.push(event);
+  });
+
+  try {
+    try {
+      await waitBounded(
+        sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog", {
+          enabled: true,
+        }),
+        deadline,
+        options.signal,
+        "arming native file chooser interception timed out",
+      );
+      interceptionArmed = true;
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcome = transferFailure(
+        err instanceof BoundedWaitError ? "timeout" : "cdp_failed",
+        "file_input_probe_failed",
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+        "none",
+        "arm_interception",
+      );
+      return outcome;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const resolved = await waitBounded(
+        sendToCdpTarget<{ object?: { objectId?: string } }>(
+          options.cdp,
+          target,
+          "DOM.resolveNode",
+          {
+            backendNodeId: options.actionTarget.backendNodeId,
+            objectGroup,
+          },
+        ),
+        deadline,
+        options.signal,
+        "resolving upload trigger timed out",
+      );
+      triggerObjectId = resolved.object?.objectId;
+      if (!triggerObjectId) throw new Error("DOM.resolveNode returned no trigger objectId");
+
+      const armed = await waitBounded(
+        callOnTrigger<RuntimeReply>(
+          options,
+          triggerObjectId,
+          `function(key) {
+            const doc = this.ownerDocument;
+            const owner = doc.defaultView;
+            if (!owner) return false;
+            const state = { inputs: [], listener: null };
+            Object.defineProperty(owner, key, { value: state, configurable: true });
+            state.listener = event => {
+              const path = typeof event.composedPath === "function" ? event.composedPath() : [];
+              const candidate = path[0] || event.target;
+              if (candidate && candidate.nodeType === 1 &&
+                  candidate.localName === "input" && candidate.type === "file") {
+                if (!state.inputs.includes(candidate)) state.inputs.push(candidate);
+                event.preventDefault();
+              }
+            };
+            doc.addEventListener("click", state.listener, true);
+            return true;
+          }`,
+          [stateKey],
+          true,
+        ),
+        deadline,
+        options.signal,
+        "arming frame-scoped file input probe timed out",
+      );
+      const armError = runtimeError(armed, "failed to arm file input probe");
+      if (armError || armed.result?.value !== true) {
+        throw armError ?? new Error("file input probe did not arm");
+      }
+      probeArmed = true;
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcome = transferFailure(
+        err instanceof BoundedWaitError ? "timeout" : "cdp_failed",
+        "file_input_probe_failed",
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+        "none",
+        "arm_input_probe",
+      );
+      return outcome;
+    }
+
+    let click: ClickResult | RpcError;
+    try {
+      click = await waitBounded(
+        options.trigger(),
+        deadline,
+        options.signal,
+        "upload trigger timed out",
+      );
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcome = transferFailure(
+        err instanceof BoundedWaitError ? "timeout" : "cdp_failed",
+        "file_input_probe_failed",
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+        "none",
+        "trigger",
+      );
+      return outcome;
+    }
+    if (isRpcError(click)) {
+      outcome = enrichFailure(click, "none", "trigger");
+      return outcome;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const activationDeadline = Math.min(deadline, Date.now() + ACTIVATION_GRACE_MS);
+      let summary: { count: number; multiple: boolean } = { count: 0, multiple: false };
+      while (Date.now() < activationDeadline) {
+        if (chooserEvents.length > 0) break;
+        const reply = await callOnTrigger<RuntimeReply>(
+          options,
+          triggerObjectId,
+          `function(key) {
+            const state = this.ownerDocument.defaultView?.[key];
+            return state
+              ? { count: state.inputs.length, multiple: state.inputs[0]?.multiple === true }
+              : { count: 0, multiple: false };
+          }`,
+          [stateKey],
+          true,
+        );
+        const summaryError = runtimeError(reply, "failed to inspect activated file input");
+        if (summaryError) throw summaryError;
+        const value = reply.result?.value as { count?: unknown; multiple?: unknown } | undefined;
+        summary = {
+          count: typeof value?.count === "number" ? value.count : 0,
+          multiple: value?.multiple === true,
+        };
+        if (summary.count > 0) break;
+        await delay(Math.min(PROBE_INTERVAL_MS, remainingMs(activationDeadline)), options.signal);
+      }
+
+      if (chooserEvents.length > 1) {
+        outcome = transferFailure(
+          "unsupported",
+          "file_input_not_activated",
+          "upload trigger activated more than one file chooser",
+          "none",
+          "resolve_input",
+        );
+        return outcome;
+      }
+
+      const chooser = chooserEvents[0];
+      let backendNodeId: number | undefined;
+      let multiple = summary.multiple;
+      if (chooser) {
+        if (options.actionTarget.frameId && chooser.frameId !== options.actionTarget.frameId) {
+          outcome = transferFailure(
+            "unsupported",
+            "file_input_not_activated",
+            "upload trigger activated a file chooser in a different frame",
+            "none",
+            "resolve_input",
+          );
+          return outcome;
+        }
+        if (typeof chooser.backendNodeId !== "number") {
+          outcome = transferFailure(
+            "unsupported",
+            "file_input_not_activated",
+            "upload trigger invoked a non-input file picker",
+            "none",
+            "resolve_input",
+          );
+          return outcome;
+        }
+        backendNodeId = chooser.backendNodeId;
+        multiple = chooser.mode === "selectMultiple";
+      } else {
+        if (summary.count !== 1) {
+          outcome = transferFailure(
+            "unsupported",
+            "file_input_not_activated",
+            summary.count === 0
+              ? "upload trigger did not activate an input[type=file]"
+              : "upload trigger activated more than one input[type=file]",
+            "none",
+            "resolve_input",
+          );
+          return outcome;
+        }
+        const input = await callOnTrigger<RuntimeReply>(
+          options,
+          triggerObjectId,
+          `function(key) { return this.ownerDocument.defaultView?.[key]?.inputs[0]; }`,
+          [stateKey],
+          false,
+        );
+        const inputError = runtimeError(input, "failed to resolve activated file input object");
+        if (inputError) throw inputError;
+        if (!input.result?.objectId) throw new Error("activated file input returned no objectId");
+        const described = await sendToCdpTarget<{ node?: { backendNodeId?: number } }>(
+          options.cdp,
+          target,
+          "DOM.describeNode",
+          { objectId: input.result.objectId },
+        );
+        backendNodeId = described.node?.backendNodeId;
+        if (typeof backendNodeId !== "number") {
+          throw new Error("DOM.describeNode returned no file input backendNodeId");
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (!multiple && options.files.length !== 1) {
+        outcome = enrichFailure(
+          { code: "invalid_params", message: "file input accepts exactly one file" },
+          "none",
+          "resolve_input",
+        );
+        return outcome;
+      }
+
+      try {
+        await waitBounded(
+          sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "DOM.setFileInputFiles", {
+            files: options.files,
+            backendNodeId,
+          }),
+          deadline,
+          options.signal,
+          "setting file input files timed out",
+        );
+      } catch (err) {
+        outcome = transferFailure(
+          err instanceof BoundedWaitError ? "timeout" : "cdp_failed",
+          "set_file_input_failed",
+          err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+          "unknown",
+          "set_files",
+        );
+        return outcome;
+      }
+      outcome = { click, multiple };
+      return outcome;
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcome = transferFailure(
+        err instanceof BoundedWaitError ? "timeout" : "cdp_failed",
+        "file_input_probe_failed",
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+        "none",
+        "resolve_input",
+      );
+      return outcome;
+    }
+  } finally {
+    chooserSubscription?.dispose();
+    let cleanupFailed = false;
+    if (probeArmed && triggerObjectId) {
+      try {
+        await waitBounded(
+          callOnTrigger(
+            options,
+            triggerObjectId,
+            `function(key) {
+              const owner = this.ownerDocument.defaultView;
+              const state = owner?.[key];
+              if (state?.listener) this.ownerDocument.removeEventListener("click", state.listener, true);
+              if (owner) delete owner[key];
+            }`,
+            [stateKey],
+            true,
+          ),
+          Date.now() + CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS,
+          undefined,
+          "cleaning file input probe timed out",
+        );
+      } catch {
+        cleanupFailed = true;
+      }
+    }
+    if (interceptionArmed) {
+      try {
+        await waitBounded(
+          sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog", {
+            enabled: false,
+            cancel: true,
+          }),
+          Date.now() + CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS,
+          undefined,
+          "disabling file chooser interception timed out",
+        );
+      } catch {
+        cleanupFailed = true;
+      }
+    }
+    try {
+      await waitBounded(
+        sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup", { objectGroup }),
+        Date.now() + CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS,
+        undefined,
+        "releasing upload object group timed out",
+      );
+    } catch {
+      cleanupFailed = true;
+    }
+
+    const effect = isRpcError(outcome)
+      ? (outcome.data?.effect_state as TransferEffectState | undefined)
+      : "committed";
+    if (effect === "unknown" || cleanupFailed) {
+      await options.cdp.detach?.(target.tabId);
+    }
+    if (cleanupFailed && isRpcError(outcome)) {
+      outcome.data = { ...outcome.data, cleanup_state: "failed" };
+    }
+  }
+}

apps/extension/src/tools/frame-geometry.ts

@@ -29,7 +29,10 @@ export interface NodeAddress {
 export interface ResolvedNodeGeometry {
   topVisibleRegions: Region;
   topBounds: ViewportRect;
+  /** Point in the top-level tab viewport, used by root-target input events. */
   actionPoint: Point;
+  /** Point in the addressed CDP target's viewport, used by OOPIF-local input events. */
+  targetActionPoint: Point;
 }
 
 function geometryError(message: string): RpcError {
@@ -262,11 +265,30 @@ export async function resolveNodeGeometry(
     if (isRpcError(localRegion)) return localRegion;
 
     let topVisibleRegions: Region;
+    let targetActionPoint: Point | null = null;
     if (address.frameId && graph) {
       const projection = await resolveFrameProjection(cdp, graph, address.frameId);
       if (!projection)
         return geometryError(`could not resolve frame geometry for ${address.frameId}`);
       topVisibleRegions = projectRegionToViewport(localRegion, projection);
+      if (address.target.sessionId) {
+        const localViewport = projection.edges[0]?.sourceViewport ?? projection.topViewport;
+        const localVisibleRegions = localRegion
+          .map((polygon) =>
+            clipPolygon(
+              polygon,
+              rectPolygon({
+                x: 0,
+                y: 0,
+                w: localViewport.width,
+                h: localViewport.height,
+              }),
+            ),
+          )
+          .filter((polygon) => polygon.length >= 3);
+        const localActionRegion = largestRegion(localVisibleRegions);
+        targetActionPoint = localActionRegion ? polygonCentroid(localActionRegion) : null;
+      }
     } else {
       const viewport = await targetViewport(cdp, address.target);
       if (!viewport) return geometryError("could not resolve top viewport geometry");
@@ -283,7 +305,11 @@ export async function resolveNodeGeometry(
     if (!topBounds || !actionPoint) {
       return { code: "permission_denied", message: "element not visible" };
     }
-    return { topVisibleRegions, topBounds, actionPoint };
+    if (address.target.sessionId && !targetActionPoint) {
+      return { code: "permission_denied", message: "element not visible in its target" };
+    }
+    targetActionPoint ??= actionPoint;
+    return { topVisibleRegions, topBounds, actionPoint, targetActionPoint };
   } catch (error) {
     return geometryError(error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error));
   }

apps/extension/src/tools/interaction.ts

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import {
   enforceAgentWindow,
   isRpcError,
   lookupSession,
+  type ResolvedTargetTab,
   resolveTargetTab,
 } from "./shared";
 import { resolveSnapshotRef } from "./snapshot-ref";
@@ -56,6 +57,15 @@ export interface InteractionDeps {
   keepOverlayBypassAfterHover?: boolean;
 }
 
+export interface ResolvedActionTarget {
+  tab: ResolvedTargetTab;
+  backendNodeId: number;
+  cdpTarget: CdpTarget;
+  frameId?: string;
+  usedRef?: string;
+  usedSelector?: string;
+}
+
 const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS = 30_000;
 const DEFAULT_HOVER_SETTLE_MS = 200;
 
@@ -128,7 +138,7 @@ async function wait(ms: number, signal?: AbortSignal): Promise<void> {
  * `RpcError` if the caller supplied neither (or both), or if neither
  * lookup matched.
  */
-async function resolveBackendNode(
+export async function resolveBackendNode(
   cdp: CdpRunner,
   ctx: SessionContext,
   target: { tabId: number },
@@ -173,6 +183,8 @@ async function resolveBackendNode(
   }
   // selector path
   try {
+    // Selector lookup itself attaches CDP, even when no element is found.
+    cdp.trackSessionTab?.(ctx.sessionId, target.tabId);
     const doc = await cdp.send<{ root?: { nodeId?: number } }>(target.tabId, "DOM.getDocument", {
       depth: 0,
     });
@@ -215,6 +227,17 @@ async function resolveBackendNode(
   }
 }
 
+export async function resolveActionTarget(
+  cdp: CdpRunner,
+  ctx: SessionContext,
+  target: ResolvedTargetTab,
+  params: { ref?: string; selector?: string },
+  toolName: string,
+): Promise<ResolvedActionTarget | RpcError> {
+  const node = await resolveBackendNode(cdp, ctx, target, params, toolName);
+  return isRpcError(node) ? node : { tab: target, ...node };
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // tool.click
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -233,10 +256,19 @@ export async function handleClick(
   if (isRpcError(target)) return target;
   const denied = enforceAgentWindow(ctx, target, "click");
   if (denied) return denied;
-  const dialogCursor = markDialogCursor(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
+  const resolved = await resolveActionTarget(deps.cdp, ctx, target, params, "click");
+  if (isRpcError(resolved)) return resolved;
+  return clickResolvedTarget(ctx, resolved, params, deps);
+}
 
-  const node = await resolveBackendNode(deps.cdp, ctx, target, params, "click");
-  if (isRpcError(node)) return node;
+export async function clickResolvedTarget(
+  ctx: SessionContext,
+  resolved: ResolvedActionTarget,
+  params: Pick<ClickParams, "button" | "click_count" | "modifiers">,
+  deps: InteractionDeps,
+): Promise<ClickResult | RpcError> {
+  const { tab: target } = resolved;
+  const dialogCursor = markDialogCursor(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
 
   if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
     return { code: "cancelled", message: "click aborted" };
@@ -247,9 +279,9 @@ export async function handleClick(
     deps.cdp,
     target.tabId,
     {
-      target: node.cdpTarget,
-      backendNodeId: node.backendNodeId,
-      ...(node.frameId ? { frameId: node.frameId } : {}),
+      target: resolved.cdpTarget,
+      backendNodeId: resolved.backendNodeId,
+      ...(resolved.frameId ? { frameId: resolved.frameId } : {}),
     },
     { scrollIntoView: true },
   );
@@ -337,8 +369,8 @@ export async function handleClick(
 
   return attachDialogs(deps.cdp, target.tabId, dialogCursor, {
     tab_id: target.tabId,
-    used_ref: node.usedRef,
-    used_selector: node.usedSelector,
+    used_ref: resolved.usedRef,
+    used_selector: resolved.usedSelector,
     x: centre.x,
     y: centre.y,
   });
@@ -577,6 +609,53 @@ type SelectMutationResult =
 // tool.fill
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+type FillFailureReason =
+  | "target_not_fillable"
+  | "fill_value_invalid"
+  | "fill_target_changed"
+  | "fill_focus_lost"
+  | "fill_value_mismatch"
+  | "fill_failed";
+
+type FillPreparation =
+  | { before: string; expected: string }
+  | { reason: FillFailureReason; error: string };
+
+type FillReadiness = "ready" | "background" | "fill_target_changed" | "fill_focus_lost";
+
+function fillError(reason: FillFailureReason, message: string): RpcError {
+  return rpcError(
+    reason === "target_not_fillable" || reason === "fill_value_invalid"
+      ? "invalid_params"
+      : "cdp_failed",
+    reason,
+    message,
+  );
+}
+
+interface FillScriptReply<T> {
+  result?: { value?: T };
+  exceptionDetails?: unknown;
+}
+
+const FILL_EDITABLE_FUNCTION = `function() {
+  const tag = this.tagName.toLowerCase();
+  const supported = tag === 'input'
+    ? ['text', 'search', 'tel', 'url', 'email', 'password', 'number'].includes(this.type)
+    : tag === 'textarea' || this.isContentEditable;
+  return this.isConnected && supported && !this.readOnly && !this.matches(':disabled');
+}`;
+
+// Chrome renders a trailing editable newline with an empty <div><br></div>.
+// innerText includes the padding break; it is not an extra typed character.
+const FILL_VALUE_FUNCTION = `function() {
+  if (!this.isContentEditable) return this.value;
+  const value = this.innerText;
+  const tail = this.lastChild;
+  const padding = tail && tail.nodeName === 'DIV' && tail.childNodes.length === 1 && tail.firstChild.nodeName === 'BR';
+  return padding && value.endsWith('\\n\\n') ? value.slice(0, -1) : value;
+}`;
+
 export async function handleFill(
   manager: SessionManager,
   params: FillParams,
@@ -628,12 +707,8 @@ export async function handleFill(
     if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
       return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
     }
-    await nodeCdp.send(target.tabId, "DOM.focus", { backendNodeId: node.backendNodeId });
   } catch (err) {
-    return {
-      code: "cdp_failed",
-      message: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
-    };
+    return fillError("fill_failed", err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err));
   }
 
   if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
@@ -646,57 +721,252 @@ export async function handleFill(
   const clearBefore = params.clear_before ?? true;
 
   try {
-    if (clearBefore) {
-      // Clear input/textarea value or wipe contenteditable innerText,
-      // then fire `input` so frameworks observe the empty state.
-      await nodeCdp.send(target.tabId, "Runtime.callFunctionOn", {
-        objectId,
-        functionDeclaration: `function() {
-          if (this.isContentEditable) { this.textContent = ''; }
-          else {
-            const proto = this instanceof HTMLTextAreaElement
-              ? HTMLTextAreaElement.prototype
-              : HTMLInputElement.prototype;
-            const descriptor = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(proto, 'value');
-            if (descriptor && descriptor.set) descriptor.set.call(this, '');
-            else this.value = '';
-          }
-          this.dispatchEvent(new Event('input', { bubbles: true }));
-        }`,
-        returnByValue: true,
-      });
+    if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+      return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+    }
+    try {
+      await nodeCdp.send(target.tabId, "DOM.focus", { backendNodeId: node.backendNodeId });
+    } catch (error) {
+      // Chrome rejects DOM.focus for disabled controls, including inherited
+      // fieldset state. Classify the live target before treating this as a
+      // browser failure; the normal path needs no extra round trip.
+      const editable = await nodeCdp.send<FillScriptReply<boolean>>(
+        target.tabId,
+        "Runtime.callFunctionOn",
+        { objectId, functionDeclaration: FILL_EDITABLE_FUNCTION, returnByValue: true },
+      );
+      if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+        return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+      }
+      if (!editable.exceptionDetails && editable.result?.value === false) {
+        return fillError(
+          "target_not_fillable",
+          "fill target is not editable or its input type is unsupported",
+        );
+      }
+      throw error;
     }
     if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
       return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
     }
+    // Check editability before clearing. Keep the expected result tied to
+    // this object, including the existing value on the append path.
+    const prepared = await nodeCdp.send<FillScriptReply<FillPreparation>>(
+      target.tabId,
+      "Runtime.callFunctionOn",
+      {
+        objectId,
+        functionDeclaration: `function(value, clearBefore) {
+          const tag = this.tagName.toLowerCase();
+          const native = tag === 'input' || tag === 'textarea';
+          if (!(${FILL_EDITABLE_FUNCTION}).call(this)) return { reason: 'target_not_fillable', error: 'fill target is not editable or its input type is unsupported' };
+          if (this.getRootNode().activeElement !== this) return { reason: 'fill_focus_lost', error: 'fill target does not have focus' };
+          const before = clearBefore ? '' : (${FILL_VALUE_FUNCTION}).call(this);
+          let expected = before + value;
+          if (native) {
+            // Use the browser's own value sanitization (e.g. textarea
+            // line endings) without changing the live control.
+            const normalizer = this.ownerDocument.createElement(tag);
+            if (tag === 'input') {
+              normalizer.type = this.type;
+              normalizer.multiple = this.multiple;
+            }
+            // insertText treats line breaks in a single-line input as spaces.
+            if (tag === 'input') expected = expected.replace(/\\r\\n|\\r|\\n/g, ' ');
+            normalizer.value = expected;
+            if (expected !== '' && normalizer.value === '' && this.type === 'number') {
+              return { reason: 'fill_value_invalid', error: 'fill value is not valid for a number input' };
+            }
+            expected = normalizer.value;
+            if (this.type !== 'number' && this.maxLength >= 0 && expected.length > this.maxLength) {
+              return { reason: 'fill_value_invalid', error: 'fill value exceeds the target maxlength' };
+            }
+          } else {
+            expected = expected.replace(/\\r\\n?/g, '\\n');
+          }
+          if (clearBefore) {
+            if (native) {
+              const proto = tag === 'textarea' ? HTMLTextAreaElement.prototype : HTMLInputElement.prototype;
+              Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(proto, 'value').set.call(this, '');
+            } else {
+              this.textContent = '';
+            }
+            this.dispatchEvent(new Event('input', { bubbles: true }));
+          }
+          return { before, expected };
+        }`,
+        arguments: [{ value: params.value }, { value: clearBefore }],
+        returnByValue: true,
+      },
+    );
+    if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+      return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+    }
+    if (prepared.exceptionDetails) {
+      return fillError("fill_failed", "fill preparation script failed");
+    }
+    const preparation = prepared.result?.value;
+    if (preparation && "error" in preparation) {
+      return fillError(preparation.reason, preparation.error);
+    }
+    if (typeof preparation?.before !== "string" || typeof preparation?.expected !== "string") {
+      return fillError("fill_failed", "fill preparation returned an unexpected result");
+    }
+    // A separate call runs after the clearing event's microtasks drain.
+    // DOM focus works in background tabs. Use document.hasFocus() only to
+    // detect deferred focus events, never to reject background input.
+    const checkReady = async (): Promise<FillReadiness | RpcError> => {
+      const reply = await nodeCdp.send<FillScriptReply<FillReadiness>>(
+        target.tabId,
+        "Runtime.callFunctionOn",
+        {
+          objectId,
+          functionDeclaration: `function(before) {
+            if (!(${FILL_EDITABLE_FUNCTION}).call(this) ||
+                (${FILL_VALUE_FUNCTION}).call(this) !== before) return 'fill_target_changed';
+            if (this.getRootNode().activeElement !== this) return 'fill_focus_lost';
+            return this.ownerDocument.hasFocus() ? 'ready' : 'background';
+          }`,
+          arguments: [{ value: preparation.before }],
+          returnByValue: true,
+        },
+      );
+      const state = reply.result?.value;
+      if (
+        reply.exceptionDetails ||
+        (state !== "ready" &&
+          state !== "background" &&
+          state !== "fill_target_changed" &&
+          state !== "fill_focus_lost")
+      ) {
+        return fillError(
+          "fill_failed",
+          "fill readiness script failed or returned an unexpected result",
+        );
+      }
+      return state;
+    };
+    let ready = await checkReady();
+    if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+      return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+    }
+    // Restore focus once only if clearing left this same target editable
+    // and unchanged. Recheck after focus handlers have run.
+    if (clearBefore && ready === "fill_focus_lost") {
+      await nodeCdp.send(target.tabId, "DOM.focus", { backendNodeId: node.backendNodeId });
+      if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+        return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+      }
+      ready = await checkReady();
+    }
+    if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+      return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+    }
+    if (typeof ready !== "string") return ready;
+    if (ready !== "ready" && ready !== "background") {
+      return fillError(ready, "fill target changed or lost focus before typing");
+    }
+    if (params.value !== "" && (!clearBefore || ready === "background")) {
+      // Native editing commands also support number/email inputs, whose
+      // selection APIs cannot set a caret, and multiline contenteditables.
+      // Also do this for background replacement: CDP input focuses the
+      // renderer, delivering deferred focus events before it inserts text.
+      // Use a command-only event so this does not invoke an End shortcut.
+      try {
+        await deps.cdp.send(target.tabId, "Input.dispatchKeyEvent", {
+          type: "rawKeyDown",
+          commands: ["moveToEndOfDocument"],
+        });
+      } finally {
+        await deps.cdp.send(target.tabId, "Input.dispatchKeyEvent", { type: "keyUp" });
+      }
+      if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+        return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+      }
+      // Focus and key handlers can change the target or move focus too.
+      ready = await checkReady();
+      if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+        return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+      }
+      if (typeof ready !== "string") return ready;
+      if (ready !== "ready" && ready !== "background") {
+        return fillError(ready, "fill target changed or lost focus while positioning the caret");
+      }
+    }
     // CDP `Input.insertText` handles IME / multi-byte input out of the
     // box, much more reliably than per-key `dispatchKeyEvent`.
-    await deps.cdp.send(target.tabId, "Input.insertText", { text: params.value });
+    if (params.value !== "") {
+      await deps.cdp.send(target.tabId, "Input.insertText", { text: params.value });
+    }
     if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
       return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
     }
-    // Fire `input` + `change` so React / Vue controlled inputs commit.
-    await nodeCdp.send(target.tabId, "Runtime.callFunctionOn", {
+    // Keep the existing notifications, then read in a separate call so
+    // nested microtasks queued by the page cannot race the verification.
+    const notified = await nodeCdp.send<FillScriptReply<unknown>>(
+      target.tabId,
+      "Runtime.callFunctionOn",
+      {
+        objectId,
+        functionDeclaration: `function() {
+          this.dispatchEvent(new Event('input', { bubbles: true }));
+          this.dispatchEvent(new Event('change', { bubbles: true }));
+        }`,
+        returnByValue: true,
+      },
+    );
+    if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+      return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+    }
+    if (notified.exceptionDetails) {
+      return fillError("fill_failed", "fill notification script failed");
+    }
+    const verified = await nodeCdp.send<
+      FillScriptReply<{ connected: boolean; matches: boolean; valueLength: number }>
+    >(target.tabId, "Runtime.callFunctionOn", {
       objectId,
-      functionDeclaration: `function() {
-        this.dispatchEvent(new Event('input', { bubbles: true }));
-        this.dispatchEvent(new Event('change', { bubbles: true }));
-      }`,
+      functionDeclaration: `function(expected) {
+          const value = (${FILL_VALUE_FUNCTION}).call(this);
+          return { connected: this.isConnected, matches: value === expected, valueLength: value.length };
+        }`,
+      arguments: [{ value: preparation.expected }],
       returnByValue: true,
     });
+    if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
+      return { code: "cancelled", message: "fill aborted" };
+    }
+    const verification = verified.result?.value;
+    if (
+      verified.exceptionDetails ||
+      typeof verification?.connected !== "boolean" ||
+      typeof verification?.matches !== "boolean" ||
+      typeof verification?.valueLength !== "number"
+    ) {
+      return fillError(
+        "fill_failed",
+        "fill verification script failed or returned an unexpected result",
+      );
+    }
+    if (!verification.connected) {
+      return fillError("fill_target_changed", "fill target was removed or replaced during input");
+    }
+    if (!verification.matches) {
+      return fillError(
+        "fill_value_mismatch",
+        "fill could not verify the expected value; observe the page before deciding whether to retry",
+      );
+    }
+    return attachDialogs(deps.cdp, target.tabId, dialogCursor, {
+      tab_id: target.tabId,
+      used_ref: node.usedRef,
+      used_selector: node.usedSelector,
+      value_length: verification.valueLength,
+    });
   } catch (err) {
-    return {
-      code: "cdp_failed",
-      message: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
-    };
+    return fillError("fill_failed", err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err));
+  } finally {
+    await nodeCdp.send(target.tabId, "Runtime.releaseObject", { objectId }).catch(() => undefined);
   }
-
-  return attachDialogs(deps.cdp, target.tabId, dialogCursor, {
-    tab_id: target.tabId,
-    used_ref: node.usedRef,
-    used_selector: node.usedSelector,
-    value_length: params.value.length,
-  });
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

apps/extension/src/tools/navigation.ts

@@ -28,7 +28,13 @@ import type {
   RpcError,
   WaitUntil,
 } from "@/transport/types";
+import {
+  type BrowserNavigationApi,
+  chromeBrowserNavigationApi,
+  navigateWithBrowserApi,
+} from "./browser-navigation";
 import { attachDialogs, markDialogCursor } from "./dialogs";
+import { cdpError, isCdpExtensionAccessDenied } from "./errors";
 import {
   type CdpRunner,
   type ChromeTabsApi,
@@ -42,6 +48,7 @@ import {
 export interface NavigationDeps {
   cdp: CdpRunner;
   tabsApi: ChromeTabsApi;
+  browserNavigation?: BrowserNavigationApi;
   /** Optional AbortSignal — M7 abort hook (M10.2 will wire the full chain). */
   signal?: AbortSignal;
   /** Override default timeout when the caller omits `timeout_ms`. */
@@ -479,6 +486,81 @@ async function readTabUrl(api: ChromeTabsApi, tabId: number): Promise<string | u
   }
 }
 
+/** Recover only a failed preflight; never replay an already-dispatched navigation. */
+async function recoverBrowserNavigation(
+  deps: NavigationDeps,
+  tabId: number,
+  action: (api: BrowserNavigationApi) => Promise<unknown>,
+  waitUntil: WaitUntil,
+  timeoutMs: number,
+): Promise<ReloadResult | RpcError> {
+  const abort = linkedAbortSignal(deps.signal);
+  const deadline = Date.now() + timeoutMs;
+  const api = deps.browserNavigation ?? chromeBrowserNavigationApi;
+  try {
+    let outcome = await navigateWithBrowserApi(
+      api,
+      tabId,
+      () => action(api),
+      waitUntil === "networkidle" ? "commit" : waitUntil,
+      timeoutMs,
+      abort.signal,
+    );
+    if (outcome.reached === "failed") return outcome.error;
+    if (outcome.reached === "cancelled" || abort.signal.aborted) {
+      return { code: "cancelled", message: "navigation recovery aborted" };
+    }
+    if (outcome.reached === "match") {
+      // A completed reload is not a recovery if the restricted frame remains.
+      await deps.cdp.send(tabId, "Page.enable", {});
+      if (abort.signal.aborted)
+        return { code: "cancelled", message: "navigation recovery aborted" };
+      if (waitUntil === "networkidle") {
+        // webNavigation cannot prove network idle. Subscribe on the new
+        // document before enabling CDP lifecycle events after its commit.
+        const frame = await readMainFrameInfo(deps.cdp, tabId);
+        if (!frame.frameId) return cdpError("no main frame after navigation");
+        const remaining = deadline - Date.now();
+        if (remaining <= 0) {
+          outcome = { reached: "timeout", lastLifecycle: "commit" };
+        } else {
+          const wait = startLifecycleWait(
+            deps.cdp,
+            tabId,
+            frame.frameId,
+            "networkIdle",
+            remaining,
+            abort.signal,
+            { loaderId: frame.loaderId ?? undefined },
+          );
+          await deps.cdp.send(tabId, "Page.setLifecycleEventsEnabled", { enabled: true });
+          outcome = await wait.promise;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    if (outcome.reached === "cancelled" || abort.signal.aborted) {
+      return { code: "cancelled", message: "navigation recovery aborted" };
+    }
+    return {
+      tab_id: tabId,
+      final_url: await readTabUrl(deps.tabsApi, tabId),
+      reached: outcome.reached === "match" ? waitUntil : "timeout",
+      ...(outcome.reached === "timeout"
+        ? {
+            error_text: `timed out waiting for ${waitUntil} during navigation recovery after ${timeoutMs}ms`,
+          }
+        : {}),
+    };
+  } catch (error) {
+    return abort.signal.aborted
+      ? { code: "cancelled", message: "navigation recovery aborted" }
+      : cdpError(error);
+  } finally {
+    abort.abort();
+    abort.cleanup();
+  }
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // tool.navigate
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -505,7 +587,20 @@ export async function handleNavigate(
 
   try {
     deps.cdp.trackSessionTab?.(ctx.sessionId, target.tabId);
-    await ensureCdpReady(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
+    try {
+      await ensureCdpReady(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (!isCdpExtensionAccessDenied(error)) throw error;
+      const recovered = await recoverBrowserNavigation(
+        deps,
+        target.tabId,
+        (api) => api.update(target.tabId, { url: params.url }),
+        waitUntil,
+        timeoutMs,
+      );
+      if (isRpcError(recovered)) return recovered;
+      return attachDialogs(deps.cdp, target.tabId, dialogCursor, { ...recovered, url: params.url });
+    }
     const expected = cdpLifecycleName(waitUntil);
     const beforeReadyState = await probeMainFrameReadyState(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
     const beforeFrame = await readMainFrameInfo(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
@@ -574,10 +669,7 @@ export async function handleNavigate(
       }`,
     });
   } catch (err) {
-    return {
-      code: "cdp_failed",
-      message: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
-    };
+    return cdpError(err);
   }
 }
 
@@ -727,7 +819,24 @@ export async function handleReload(
 
   try {
     deps.cdp.trackSessionTab?.(ctx.sessionId, target.tabId);
-    await ensureCdpReady(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
+    try {
+      await ensureCdpReady(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (!isCdpExtensionAccessDenied(error)) throw error;
+      const previousUrl = await readTabUrl(deps.tabsApi, target.tabId);
+      const recovered = await recoverBrowserNavigation(
+        deps,
+        target.tabId,
+        (api) => api.reload(target.tabId, { bypassCache: ignoreCache }),
+        waitUntil,
+        timeoutMs,
+      );
+      if (isRpcError(recovered)) return recovered;
+      return attachDialogs(deps.cdp, target.tabId, dialogCursor, {
+        ...recovered,
+        previous_url: previousUrl,
+      });
+    }
     const previousUrl = await readTabUrl(deps.tabsApi, target.tabId);
     const beforeFrame = await readMainFrameInfo(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
     const expected = cdpLifecycleName(waitUntil);
@@ -776,10 +885,7 @@ export async function handleReload(
       }`,
     });
   } catch (err) {
-    return {
-      code: "cdp_failed",
-      message: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
-    };
+    return cdpError(err);
   }
 }
 

apps/extension/src/tools/observation.ts

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import { ChromiumCdp } from "@/browser-driver/chromium-cdp";
 import type { CdpTarget } from "@/browser-driver/frame-graph";
 import {
   type CaptureSuppressSendToTab,
-  withOverlaysHiddenForCapture,
+  withExtensionOverlayHidden,
 } from "@/lib/capture-suppress-bridge";
 import type { SessionContext, SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
 import type {
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ export async function handleScreenshot(
       tabId: target.tabId,
       ...(node.cdpSessionId ? { sessionId: node.cdpSessionId } : {}),
     };
-    const captured = await withOverlaysHiddenForCapture(
+    const captured = await withExtensionOverlayHidden(
       target.tabId,
       () =>
         captureElementScreenshot(
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ export async function handleScreenshot(
     );
   }
 
-  const captured = await withOverlaysHiddenForCapture(
+  const captured = await withExtensionOverlayHidden(
     target.tabId,
     () => captureFullTabPng(deps, ctx, target, signal),
     deps.sendToTab,

apps/extension/src/tools/session.ts

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { type SessionManager, SessionStartCleanupError } from "@/session-manager
 import type { RpcError } from "@/transport/types";
 import { rpcError } from "./errors";
 import { clearRecordingForSession } from "./record";
+import type { CdpRunner, ChromeTabsApi } from "./shared";
 import { isRpcError } from "./shared";
 import { returnBorrowedTab, type TabManagementDeps } from "./tabs";
 
@@ -73,11 +74,17 @@ export interface SessionStopResult {
   /** Tab ids whose return path failed; those entries remain borrowed so
    *  shutdown can be retried without closing the Agent Window. */
   return_failures?: Array<{ tab_id: number; code: string; message: string }>;
+  /**
+   * True when the Agent Window was *released* to the user (instead of being
+   * closed) because it still contained user-created tabs after the agent's own
+   * tabs were closed. Single-session scope.
+   */
+  window_released?: boolean;
 }
 
 export interface SessionStopDeps {
   signal?: AbortSignal;
-  cdp?: {
+  cdp?: Pick<CdpRunner, "releaseSessionTab"> & {
     detachSession(sessionId: string): Promise<void>;
   };
   /**
@@ -87,6 +94,13 @@ export interface SessionStopDeps {
    * without a real browser.
    */
   tabManagement?: TabManagementDeps;
+  /**
+   * Read-only Chrome tabs API used to *query* remaining tabs before deciding
+   * whether to release the window. Kept separate from `tabManagement.tabs`
+   * (a `TabMutationApi` that has no `query`) so the mutation interface stays
+   * pure. Tests can inject a fake `ChromeTabsApi` too.
+   */
+  tabsQuery?: ChromeTabsApi;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -152,8 +166,10 @@ export async function handleSessionStart(
  *      cleanly (review parity with M6).
  *   3. Detach CDP sessions the extension still holds for this
  *      session (no-op if M6/M7 didn't attach to any tab).
- *   4. Close the Agent Window. SessionManager.stop() removes the
- *      Chrome window and forgets the context.
+ *   4. Close the agent-created tabs and the home tab (design §3.2).
+ *   5. If any tab remains — those are user-created tabs — release the
+ *      window to the user (dropOnly) instead of closing it, so user
+ *      tabs survive. Otherwise close the window as before.
  *
  * Failures in step 1 keep the Agent Window open: a failed borrowed tab
  * may still be there, so closing the window would risk losing user
@@ -188,15 +204,19 @@ export async function handleSessionStop(
   const returnFailures: SessionStopResult["return_failures"] = [];
   const borrowedIds = Array.from(ctx.borrowedTabs.keys());
   for (const tabId of borrowedIds) {
+    // A close event may have removed this borrow while another tab returned.
+    if (!ctx.borrowedTabs.has(tabId)) continue;
     try {
       const tabManagement = {
         ...(deps.tabManagement ?? {}),
+        cdp: deps.cdp ?? deps.tabManagement?.cdp,
         signal: deps.signal,
         isAgentWindowId:
           deps.tabManagement?.isAgentWindowId ??
           ((windowId: number) => manager.findByWindowId(windowId) !== null),
       };
       const outcome = await returnBorrowedTab(ctx, tabId, tabManagement);
+      if (!ctx.borrowedTabs.has(tabId)) continue;
       if (typeof outcome === "object" && "code" in outcome) {
         console.warn(`[bsk session_stop] auto-return failed for tab ${tabId}`, outcome);
         returnFailures?.push({
@@ -209,6 +229,7 @@ export async function handleSessionStop(
         ctx.borrowedTabs.delete(tabId);
       }
     } catch (err) {
+      if (!ctx.borrowedTabs.has(tabId)) continue;
       const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
       console.warn(`[bsk session_stop] auto-return threw for tab ${tabId}: ${message}`);
       returnFailures?.push({
@@ -219,8 +240,15 @@ export async function handleSessionStop(
     }
   }
 
+  // A previously failed tab may have closed during a later return. Only
+  // confirmed close events remove borrows; ordinary move failures stay retryable.
+  const pendingReturnFailures = returnFailures.filter((failure) =>
+    ctx.borrowedTabs.has(failure.tab_id),
+  );
   if (deps.signal?.aborted) {
-    const nonCancelFailures = returnFailures?.filter((failure) => failure.code !== "cancelled");
+    const nonCancelFailures = pendingReturnFailures.filter(
+      (failure) => failure.code !== "cancelled",
+    );
     if (nonCancelFailures && nonCancelFailures.length > 0) {
       return {
         ...(returnedTabIds.length > 0 ? { returned_tab_ids: returnedTabIds } : {}),
@@ -232,8 +260,8 @@ export async function handleSessionStop(
 
   const result: SessionStopResult = {};
   if (returnedTabIds.length > 0) result.returned_tab_ids = returnedTabIds;
-  if (returnFailures && returnFailures.length > 0) {
-    result.return_failures = returnFailures;
+  if (pendingReturnFailures.length > 0) {
+    result.return_failures = pendingReturnFailures;
     // A failed return means at least one borrowed user tab may still be
     // inside the Agent Window. Keep the session/window alive so the user
     // can retry `bsk session stop` or explicitly `bsk tab return` after the
@@ -253,8 +281,66 @@ export async function handleSessionStop(
     return { code: "cancelled", message: "session_stop aborted before window close" };
   }
 
-  // Step 4: close the Agent Window and drop the context.
-  await manager.stop(params.session_id);
+  // Step 4: close every tab explicitly created by the agent, including the
+  // home tab. `tabsApi` is a
+  // TabMutationApi (remove only); `queryApi` is a separate read-only
+  // ChromeTabsApi. If neither is injected, we conservatively fall back to
+  // closing the window (see Step 5).
+  const tabsApi = deps.tabManagement?.tabs;
+  const queryApi = deps.tabsQuery;
+
+  if (tabsApi) {
+    // Close each agent-created tab that still exists.
+    const agentCreatedTabIds = Array.from(ctx.agentCreatedTabs);
+    for (const tabId of agentCreatedTabIds) {
+      try {
+        await tabsApi.remove(tabId);
+        ctx.agentCreatedTabs.delete(tabId);
+      } catch (err) {
+        // Tab may already be gone (closed by the user). Non-fatal.
+        console.warn(`[bsk session_stop] failed to close agent tab ${tabId}`, err);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Step 5: decide whether to release (keep) the window or close it.
+  let shouldRelease = false;
+  if (queryApi) {
+    try {
+      const liveWindowTabs = await queryApi.query({ windowId: ctx.agentWindowId });
+      // Only genuine *user* tabs count toward keeping the window open.
+      // An agent tab that failed to close in Step 4 may still be present
+      // here; if we counted it as a reason to release (dropOnly), the
+      // window would be kept and that agent tab would leak (issue #57
+      // regression). Exclude any id still tracked in agentCreatedTabs.
+      const userTabs = liveWindowTabs.filter((t) => {
+        if (t.id === undefined) return false;
+        return !ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(t.id);
+      });
+      const leakedAgentTabs = liveWindowTabs.filter(
+        (t) => t.id !== undefined && ctx.agentCreatedTabs.has(t.id),
+      );
+      if (leakedAgentTabs.length > 0) {
+        console.warn(
+          `[bsk session_stop] ${leakedAgentTabs.length} agent tab(s) failed to close; forcing window close instead of release`,
+          leakedAgentTabs.map((t) => t.id),
+        );
+      }
+      shouldRelease = userTabs.length > 0;
+    } catch {
+      // Query failed (e.g. window already gone) — conservatively close it.
+      shouldRelease = false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (shouldRelease) {
+    // Keep the window + its user tabs; only drop the session binding.
+    await manager.stop(params.session_id, { dropOnly: true });
+    result.window_released = true;
+  } else {
+    // Window is empty (or we couldn't verify state) — close it.
+    await manager.stop(params.session_id);
+  }
 
   return result;
 }

apps/extension/src/tools/shared.ts

@@ -53,9 +53,11 @@ export type { DialogCursor };
 export interface CdpRunner {
   send<T = unknown>(tabId: number, method: string, params?: object): Promise<T>;
   sendToTarget?<T = unknown>(target: CdpTarget, method: string, params?: object): Promise<T>;
+  detach?(tabId: number): Promise<void>;
   getFrameGraph?(tabId: number): Promise<CdpFrameGraph>;
   ensureAttachedToUrl?(tabId: number, expectedUrl: string | undefined): Promise<void>;
   trackSessionTab?(sessionId: string, tabId: number): void;
+  releaseSessionTab?(sessionId: string, tabId: number): Promise<void>;
   onEvent?(handler: (source: CdpDebuggee, method: string, params: unknown) => void): {
     dispose(): void;
   };

apps/extension/src/tools/tabs.ts

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import {
 import type { SessionContext, SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
 import type { RpcError } from "@/transport/types";
 import { rpcError } from "./errors";
-import { isRpcError, lookupSession } from "./shared";
+import { type CdpRunner, isRpcError, lookupSession } from "./shared";
 
 export type TabScope = "user" | "agent" | "all";
 
@@ -287,6 +287,10 @@ export interface TabManagementDeps {
   approveBorrow?: BorrowConfirmationApprover;
   /** Clears Agent-scoped overlays after a borrowed tab is returned. */
   agentOverlayReset?: AgentOverlayResetApi;
+  /** Releases this session's CDP claim after a borrowed tab is returned. */
+  cdp?: Pick<CdpRunner, "releaseSessionTab">;
+  /** Runs after tab_return validation, before moving the borrowed tab. */
+  beforeReturn?: (sessionId: string, tabId: number) => Promise<void>;
   /**
    * Reports whether `windowId` is any live session's Agent Window.
    * `tab_return`'s fallback window picker uses this to avoid moving a
@@ -369,6 +373,7 @@ function buildCreateProps(
  * Returns the created tab on success, or an `RpcError` on failure.
  */
 async function createTabAndCleanup(
+  ctx: SessionContext,
   deps: TabManagementDeps,
   createProps: chrome.tabs.CreateProperties,
 ): Promise<CreatedChromeTab | RpcError> {
@@ -381,25 +386,28 @@ async function createTabAndCleanup(
       message: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
     };
   }
-  if (aborted(deps.signal, "tab_create")) {
-    // We already opened the tab; close it on abort so we don't leak.
-    if (typeof tab.id === "number") {
-      try {
-        await getTabsApi(deps).remove(tab.id);
-      } catch (cleanupErr) {
-        return rpcError(
-          "protocol_error",
-          "cleanup_failed",
-          `tab_create aborted but cleanup of tab ${tab.id} failed: ${describeError(cleanupErr)}`,
-          { resource_type: "tab", resource_id: tab.id },
-        );
-      }
-    }
-    return { code: "cancelled", message: "tab_create aborted" };
-  }
   if (typeof tab.id !== "number") {
     return { code: "protocol_error", message: "chrome.tabs.create returned no tab id" };
   }
+  // Claim the concrete id returned by Chrome. Ownership never depends on
+  // matching this request to an asynchronous onCreated event.
+  ctx.agentCreatedTabs.add(tab.id);
+  if (aborted(deps.signal, "tab_create")) {
+    try {
+      await getTabsApi(deps).remove(tab.id);
+      ctx.agentCreatedTabs.delete(tab.id);
+    } catch (cleanupErr) {
+      // Keep the claim when cleanup fails so session_stop can retry instead
+      // of releasing an agent-owned tab to the user.
+      return rpcError(
+        "protocol_error",
+        "cleanup_failed",
+        `tab_create aborted but cleanup of tab ${tab.id} failed: ${describeError(cleanupErr)}`,
+        { resource_type: "tab", resource_id: tab.id },
+      );
+    }
+    return { code: "cancelled", message: "tab_create aborted" };
+  }
   return { ...tab, id: tab.id };
 }
 
@@ -426,7 +434,7 @@ export async function handleTabCreate(
   const paramErr = validateTabCreateParams(params);
   if (paramErr) return paramErr;
 
-  const tab = await createTabAndCleanup(deps, buildCreateProps(ctx, params));
+  const tab = await createTabAndCleanup(ctx, deps, buildCreateProps(ctx, params));
   if (isRpcError(tab)) return tab;
 
   return {
@@ -526,6 +534,9 @@ export async function handleTabClose(
   }
   try {
     await getTabsApi(deps).remove(params.tab_id);
+    // Keep the tracking set accurate so session_stop won't try to close a
+    // tab that's already gone (design §3.1).
+    ctx.agentCreatedTabs.delete(params.tab_id);
   } catch (err) {
     return {
       code: "protocol_error",
@@ -753,13 +764,6 @@ async function executeBorrowCore(
   );
   if (moveErr) return moveErr;
 
-  // Best-effort activation — failure is non-fatal.
-  try {
-    await p.tabsApi.update(p.tabId, { active: true });
-  } catch (err) {
-    console.debug("[bsk tab_borrow] activate after move failed", err);
-  }
-
   return { originalWindowId, originalIndex };
 }
 
@@ -823,6 +827,12 @@ export async function handleTabBorrow(
         message: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
       };
     }
+    // Activate after commit so overlay/event observers see the tab as claimed.
+    try {
+      await tabsApi.update(params.tab_id, { active: true });
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.debug("[bsk tab_borrow] activate after move failed", err);
+    }
     return {
       tab_id: params.tab_id,
       original_window_id: coreResult.originalWindowId,
@@ -939,16 +949,22 @@ async function cleanupUnusedFallbackWindow(
   }
 }
 
-function resetAgentOverlaysInReturnedTab(
+async function releaseReturnedTabState(
   ctx: SessionContext,
   tabId: number,
   deps: TabManagementDeps,
-): void {
+): Promise<void> {
   void getAgentOverlayResetApi(deps)
     .resetAgentOverlays(tabId, ctx.sessionId)
     .catch((err) => {
       console.debug("[bsk tab_return] agent overlay reset failed", err);
     });
+  try {
+    await deps.cdp?.releaseSessionTab?.(ctx.sessionId, tabId);
+  } catch (err) {
+    // A successful move must not be retried because debugger cleanup failed.
+    console.debug("[bsk tab_return] CDP release failed", err);
+  }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -1022,7 +1038,7 @@ export async function returnBorrowedTab(
     });
     const movedTab = Array.isArray(moved) ? moved[0] : moved;
     const finalIndex = typeof movedTab?.index === "number" ? movedTab.index : targetIndex;
-    resetAgentOverlaysInReturnedTab(ctx, tabId, deps);
+    await releaseReturnedTabState(ctx, tabId, deps);
     return {
       tabId,
       toWindowId: targetWindowId,
@@ -1064,7 +1080,7 @@ export async function returnBorrowedTab(
         });
         const movedTab = Array.isArray(moved) ? moved[0] : moved;
         const finalIndex = typeof movedTab?.index === "number" ? movedTab.index : target.index;
-        resetAgentOverlaysInReturnedTab(ctx, tabId, deps);
+        await releaseReturnedTabState(ctx, tabId, deps);
         return {
           tabId,
           toWindowId: target.windowId,
@@ -1110,6 +1126,7 @@ export async function handleTabReturn(
       message: `tab_return: tab ${params.tab_id} is not borrowed by this session`,
     };
   }
+  await deps.beforeReturn?.(ctx.sessionId, params.tab_id);
   const outcome = await returnBorrowedTab(ctx, params.tab_id, {
     ...deps,
     isAgentWindowId:

apps/extension/src/tools/transfer-transaction.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+// Shared time boundary for browser-side file-transfer transactions. Concrete
+// upload/download mechanisms own their state machines and effect semantics.
+
+export class BoundedWaitError extends Error {
+  constructor(
+    readonly kind: "timeout" | "aborted",
+    message: string,
+  ) {
+    super(message);
+  }
+}
+
+export function remainingMs(deadline: number): number {
+  return Math.max(0, deadline - Date.now());
+}
+
+export async function waitBounded<T>(
+  promise: Promise<T>,
+  deadline: number,
+  signal: AbortSignal | undefined,
+  timeoutMessage: string,
+): Promise<T> {
+  const remaining = remainingMs(deadline);
+  if (signal?.aborted) throw new BoundedWaitError("aborted", "file transfer aborted");
+  if (remaining === 0) throw new BoundedWaitError("timeout", timeoutMessage);
+
+  let timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
+  let onAbort: (() => void) | undefined;
+  const boundary = new Promise<never>((_resolve, reject) => {
+    timer = setTimeout(() => reject(new BoundedWaitError("timeout", timeoutMessage)), remaining);
+    if (signal) {
+      onAbort = () => reject(new BoundedWaitError("aborted", "file transfer aborted"));
+      signal.addEventListener("abort", onAbort, { once: true });
+    }
+  });
+  try {
+    return await Promise.race([promise, boundary]);
+  } finally {
+    if (timer) clearTimeout(timer);
+    if (signal && onAbort) signal.removeEventListener("abort", onAbort);
+  }
+}

apps/extension/src/tools/upload.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+// Upload orchestration: validate the session-scoped request, resolve its click
+// target, then delegate the browser protocol transaction to the file-input
+// transaction module.
+
+import {
+  type CaptureSuppressSendToTab,
+  withExtensionOverlayHidden,
+} from "@/lib/capture-suppress-bridge";
+import type { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import type { RpcError, UploadParams, UploadResult } from "@/transport/types";
+import { uploadThroughFileDrop } from "./file-drop-transaction";
+import { uploadThroughActivatedFileInput } from "./file-input-transaction";
+import { clickResolvedTarget, type InteractionDeps, resolveActionTarget } from "./interaction";
+import {
+  type CdpRunner,
+  enforceAgentWindow,
+  isRpcError,
+  lookupSession,
+  resolveTargetTab,
+} from "./shared";
+
+const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS = 120_000;
+
+export interface UploadDeps extends InteractionDeps {
+  cdp: CdpRunner;
+  sendToTab?: CaptureSuppressSendToTab;
+}
+
+export async function handleUpload(
+  manager: SessionManager,
+  params: UploadParams,
+  deps: UploadDeps,
+): Promise<UploadResult | RpcError> {
+  const ctx = lookupSession(manager, params, "upload");
+  if (isRpcError(ctx)) return ctx;
+  const target = await resolveTargetTab(manager, ctx, params.tab_id, deps.tabsApi);
+  if (isRpcError(target)) return target;
+  const denied = enforceAgentWindow(ctx, target, "upload");
+  if (denied) return denied;
+  if (
+    params.files.length === 0 ||
+    params.files.length > 20 ||
+    params.files.some((file) => !file.staged_path)
+  ) {
+    return { code: "invalid_params", message: "upload requires daemon-staged files" };
+  }
+  const address = await resolveActionTarget(deps.cdp, ctx, target, params, "upload");
+  if (isRpcError(address)) return address;
+  const timeoutMs = params.timeout_ms ?? DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS;
+  const files = params.files.map((file) => file.staged_path as string);
+  const mode = params.mode ?? "input";
+  let usedRef = address.usedRef;
+  let usedSelector = address.usedSelector;
+  if (mode === "drop") {
+    deps.cdp.trackSessionTab?.(ctx.sessionId, target.tabId);
+    const transaction = await uploadThroughFileDrop({
+      cdp: deps.cdp,
+      actionTarget: address,
+      files,
+      timeoutMs,
+      signal: deps.signal,
+      withOverlayHidden: (operation) =>
+        withExtensionOverlayHidden(target.tabId, operation, deps.sendToTab),
+    });
+    if (isRpcError(transaction)) return transaction;
+  } else {
+    const transaction = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp: deps.cdp,
+      actionTarget: address,
+      files,
+      timeoutMs,
+      signal: deps.signal,
+      trigger: () => clickResolvedTarget(ctx, address, {}, deps),
+    });
+    if (isRpcError(transaction)) return transaction;
+    usedRef = transaction.click.used_ref;
+    usedSelector = transaction.click.used_selector;
+  }
+  return {
+    tab_id: target.tabId,
+    used_ref: usedRef,
+    used_selector: usedSelector,
+    file_names: params.files.map((file) => file.name),
+  };
+}

apps/extension/src/tools/vom/__tests__/capture.test.ts

@@ -215,21 +215,29 @@ function makeCdp(snapshot: unknown) {
       if (method === "Runtime.evaluate") {
         return {
           result: {
-            value: {
-              controls: [
+            deepSerializedValue: {
+              type: "array",
+              value: [
                 {
-                  state: "filled",
-                  sensitive: true,
-                  defaultValue: "hunter2",
-                  value: "hunter2",
-                  placeholder: "secret",
+                  type: "array",
+                  value: [
+                    { type: "node", value: { backendNodeId: 13 } },
+                    {
+                      type: "string",
+                      value: JSON.stringify({
+                        state: "filled",
+                        sensitive: true,
+                        placeholder: "secret",
+                      }),
+                    },
+                  ],
                 },
               ],
-              childFrames: [],
             },
           },
         };
       }
+      if (method === "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup") return {};
       throw new Error(`unexpected ${method}`);
     }) as unknown as <T>(tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => Promise<T>,
   };
@@ -273,8 +281,11 @@ describe("captureViewModel", () => {
     expect(cdp.send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       4,
       "Runtime.evaluate",
-      expect.objectContaining({ returnByValue: true }),
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        serializationOptions: expect.objectContaining({ serialization: "deep" }),
+      }),
     );
+    expect(cdp.send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(4, "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup", expect.anything());
     expect(cdp.send).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(4, "DOM.resolveNode", expect.anything());
     expect(cdp.send).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(4, "Runtime.callFunctionOn", expect.anything());
   });

apps/extension/src/tools/vom/__tests__/form-state.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,270 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { type CdpRunner, cdpRunnerForTarget } from "../../shared";
+import { captureViewModel } from "../capture";
+
+interface Control {
+  id: number;
+  value: string;
+  type?: string;
+}
+
+function snapshot(groups: Control[][]) {
+  const strings: string[] = [];
+  const str = (value: string) => {
+    let index = strings.indexOf(value);
+    if (index < 0) index = strings.push(value) - 1;
+    return index;
+  };
+  const documents = groups.map((controls, groupIndex) => ({
+    frameId: `frame-${groupIndex}`,
+    nodes: {
+      parentIndex: [-1, 0, ...controls.map(() => 1)],
+      nodeName: [str("html"), str("body"), ...controls.map(() => str("input"))],
+      backendNodeId: [8000 + groupIndex * 2, 8001 + groupIndex * 2, ...controls.map((c) => c.id)],
+      attributes: [
+        [],
+        [],
+        ...controls.map((c) => [
+          str("type"),
+          str(c.type ?? "text"),
+          str("placeholder"),
+          str("snapshot placeholder"),
+        ]),
+      ],
+      inputValue: {
+        index: controls.map((_, i) => i + 2),
+        value: controls.map((c) => str(c.value)),
+      },
+      contentDocumentIndex: { index: [] as number[], value: [] as number[] },
+    },
+  }));
+  const root = documents[0].nodes;
+  for (let i = 1; i < documents.length; i++) {
+    root.contentDocumentIndex.index.push(root.backendNodeId.length);
+    root.contentDocumentIndex.value.push(i);
+    root.parentIndex.push(1);
+    root.nodeName.push(str("iframe"));
+    root.backendNodeId.push(9000 + i);
+    root.attributes.push([]);
+  }
+  return { strings, documents };
+}
+
+function state(value: string) {
+  return {
+    value,
+    defaultValue: "",
+    placeholder: "live placeholder",
+    state: value ? "filled" : "empty",
+    sensitive: false,
+  };
+}
+
+function reply(entries: Array<[number, unknown]>) {
+  return {
+    result: {
+      deepSerializedValue: {
+        type: "array",
+        value: entries.map(([backendNodeId, fields]) => ({
+          type: "array",
+          value: [
+            { type: "node", value: { backendNodeId } },
+            { type: "string", value: JSON.stringify(fields) },
+          ],
+        })),
+      },
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function fakeCdp(groups: Control[][], evaluate: (params: Record<string, unknown>) => unknown) {
+  const snap = snapshot(groups);
+  const send = vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+    if (method === "DOMSnapshot.captureSnapshot") return snap;
+    if (method === "Runtime.evaluate") return evaluate(params as Record<string, unknown>);
+    return {};
+  });
+  return { send, cdp: { send: send as CdpRunner["send"] } };
+}
+
+describe("form state identity", () => {
+  it("matches reordered controls by identity and preserves controls missing from the batch", async () => {
+    // The snapshot includes a shadow input. The runtime query skips it,
+    // encounters a new input, and sees the remaining inputs in a new order.
+    const { cdp } = fakeCdp(
+      [
+        [
+          { id: 10, value: "" },
+          { id: 11, value: "old email" },
+          { id: 12, value: "old city" },
+        ],
+      ],
+      () =>
+        reply([
+          [99, state("new control")],
+          [12, state("上海")],
+          [11, state("alice@example.com")],
+        ]),
+    );
+    const captured = await captureViewModel(cdp, 7);
+    expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 10)).toMatchObject({
+      formValue: "",
+      formState: "empty",
+      formPlaceholder: "snapshot placeholder",
+    });
+    expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 11)).toMatchObject({
+      formValue: "alice@example.com",
+    });
+    expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 12)).toMatchObject({ formValue: "上海" });
+    expect(captured.nodes.some((n) => n.backendNodeId === 99)).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("does not shift state between frames when one frame is absent from the runtime batch", async () => {
+    const { cdp } = fakeCdp(
+      [
+        [],
+        [{ id: 11, value: "inaccessible frame" }],
+        [{ id: 21, value: "old second" }],
+        [{ id: 31, value: "old third" }],
+      ],
+      () =>
+        reply([
+          [31, state("third frame")],
+          [21, state("second frame")],
+        ]),
+    );
+    const captured = await captureViewModel(cdp, 7);
+    const controls = [...captured.iframeNodes.values()].flat();
+    expect(controls.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 11)?.formValue).toBe("inaccessible frame");
+    expect(controls.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 21)?.formValue).toBe("second frame");
+    expect(controls.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 31)?.formValue).toBe("third frame");
+  });
+
+  it("keeps identical backend ids in different OOPIF targets separate", async () => {
+    const sendToTarget = vi.fn(async (target, method) => {
+      if (method === "DOMSnapshot.captureSnapshot") return snapshot([[{ id: 11, value: "old" }]]);
+      if (method === "Runtime.evaluate") return reply([[11, state(target.sessionId)]]);
+      return {};
+    });
+    const send = vi.fn(async () => {
+      throw new Error("unexpected top-level target");
+    });
+    const cdp = { send, sendToTarget } as unknown as CdpRunner;
+    for (const sessionId of ["left-frame", "right-frame"]) {
+      const captured = await captureViewModel(cdpRunnerForTarget(cdp, { tabId: 7, sessionId }), 7);
+      expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 11)?.formValue).toBe(sessionId);
+      expect(sendToTarget).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        { tabId: 7, sessionId },
+        "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup",
+        expect.anything(),
+      );
+    }
+    expect(send).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "unsupported",
+    "legacy",
+    "malformed",
+    "invalid-state",
+  ])("preserves snapshot data when enrichment is %s", async (mode) => {
+    const { cdp, send } = fakeCdp([[{ id: 11, value: "snapshot value" }]], () => {
+      if (mode === "unsupported") throw new Error("serialization unsupported");
+      if (mode === "legacy") return { result: { value: { controls: [state("wrong value")] } } };
+      const result = reply([
+        [11, mode === "invalid-state" ? { value: "wrong value" } : state("wrong value")],
+      ]);
+      if (mode === "malformed")
+        result.result.deepSerializedValue.value[0].value[1].value = "not json";
+      return result;
+    });
+    const captured = await captureViewModel(cdp, 7);
+    expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 11)).toMatchObject({
+      formValue: "snapshot value",
+      formPlaceholder: "snapshot placeholder",
+    });
+    expect(send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(7, "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup", expect.anything());
+  });
+
+  it("releases the batch's remote objects when capture is cancelled", async () => {
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    const { cdp, send } = fakeCdp([[{ id: 11, value: "old" }]], () => {
+      controller.abort();
+      return reply([[11, state("new")]]);
+    });
+    await expect(captureViewModel(cdp, 7, { signal: controller.signal })).rejects.toMatchObject({
+      name: "AbortError",
+    });
+    expect(send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(7, "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup", expect.anything());
+  });
+
+  it("skips entries without node identity while still applying valid entries", async () => {
+    const { cdp } = fakeCdp(
+      [
+        [
+          { id: 11, value: "snapshot value" },
+          { id: 12, value: "old value" },
+        ],
+      ],
+      () => {
+        const result = reply([
+          [11, state("wrong value")],
+          [12, state("live value")],
+        ]);
+        const element = result.result.deepSerializedValue.value[0].value[0];
+        delete (element.value as { backendNodeId?: number }).backendNodeId;
+        return result;
+      },
+    );
+    const captured = await captureViewModel(cdp, 7);
+    expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 11)?.formValue).toBe("snapshot value");
+    expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 12)?.formValue).toBe("live value");
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    "password",
+    "text",
+  ])("redacts a sensitive %s control after identity matching", async (type) => {
+    const { cdp } = fakeCdp([[{ id: 11, value: "secret", type }]], () =>
+      reply([[11, { ...state("secret"), sensitive: true }]]),
+    );
+    const captured = await captureViewModel(cdp, 7);
+    const control = captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 11);
+    expect(control?.formState).toBe("filled");
+    expect(control?.formValue).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(control?.formDefaultValue).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(control?.attrs.value).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("keeps one bounded batch without per-control CDP queries", async () => {
+    const controls = Array.from({ length: 251 }, (_, i) => ({ id: i + 1, value: "old" }));
+    const elements = controls.map((c) => ({
+      backendNodeId: c.id,
+      tagName: "INPUT",
+      type: "text",
+      value: `live ${c.id}`,
+      defaultValue: "",
+      placeholder: "",
+    }));
+    const { cdp, send } = fakeCdp([controls], (params) => {
+      const doc = {
+        querySelectorAll: (selector: string) =>
+          selector === "input,textarea,select" ? elements : [],
+      };
+      const entries = new Function("document", `return ${params.expression}`)(doc) as Array<
+        [{ backendNodeId: number }, string]
+      >;
+      expect(entries).toHaveLength(250);
+      return reply(entries.map(([element, json]) => [element.backendNodeId, JSON.parse(json)]));
+    });
+    const captured = await captureViewModel(cdp, 7);
+    expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 250)?.formValue).toBe("live 250");
+    expect(captured.nodes.find((n) => n.backendNodeId === 251)?.formValue).toBe("old");
+    expect(send.mock.calls.filter(([, method]) => method === "Runtime.evaluate")).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(
+      send.mock.calls.filter(([, method]) => method === "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup"),
+    ).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(send).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(7, "DOM.resolveNode", expect.anything());
+    expect(send).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(7, "Runtime.callFunctionOn", expect.anything());
+  });
+});

apps/extension/src/tools/vom/capture.ts

@@ -190,9 +190,9 @@ interface CapturedFormState {
   sensitive?: boolean;
 }
 
-interface CapturedFrameFormState {
-  controls: CapturedFormState[];
-  childFrames: CapturedFrameFormState[];
+interface DeepSerializedValue {
+  type: string;
+  value?: unknown;
 }
 
 function formStateBatchExpression(maxControls: number): string {
@@ -215,43 +215,63 @@ function formStateBatchExpression(maxControls: number): string {
         ...(sensitive ? {} : { value: rawValue, defaultValue }),
       };
     };
+    const controls = [];
     const collect = (doc) => {
-      const controls = [];
       for (const el of Array.from(doc.querySelectorAll(controlSelector))) {
         if (remaining <= 0) break;
-        controls.push(controlState(el));
+        // Deep serialization supplies the node's backend id. Keep the
+        // state as JSON so decoding needs no general-purpose V8 deserializer.
+        controls.push([el, JSON.stringify(controlState(el))]);
         remaining -= 1;
       }
-      const childFrames = [];
       for (const frame of Array.from(doc.querySelectorAll("iframe"))) {
+        if (remaining <= 0) break;
         let childDoc = null;
         try { childDoc = frame.contentDocument; } catch { childDoc = null; }
-        childFrames.push(childDoc && remaining > 0 ? collect(childDoc) : { controls: [], childFrames: [] });
+        if (childDoc) collect(childDoc);
       }
-      return { controls, childFrames };
     };
-    return collect(document);
+    collect(document);
+    return controls;
   })()`;
 }
 
-function flattenFrameFormStates(
-  frame: CapturedFrameFormState | undefined,
-  out: CapturedFormState[][] = [],
-): CapturedFormState[][] {
-  if (!frame) return out;
-  out.push(Array.isArray(frame.controls) ? frame.controls : []);
-  for (const child of Array.isArray(frame.childFrames) ? frame.childFrames : []) {
-    flattenFrameFormStates(child, out);
+function formStatesByBackendId(result: RuntimeEvaluateReply): Map<number, CapturedFormState> {
+  const states = new Map<number, CapturedFormState>();
+  const serialized = result.result?.deepSerializedValue;
+  if (serialized?.type !== "array" || !Array.isArray(serialized.value)) return states;
+  for (const entry of serialized.value as DeepSerializedValue[]) {
+    if (entry?.type !== "array" || !Array.isArray(entry.value)) continue;
+    const [element, json] = entry.value as DeepSerializedValue[];
+    if (element?.type !== "node" || json?.type !== "string" || typeof json.value !== "string") {
+      continue;
+    }
+    const backendNodeId = (element.value as { backendNodeId?: number } | undefined)?.backendNodeId;
+    if (typeof backendNodeId !== "number" || !Number.isSafeInteger(backendNodeId)) continue;
+    try {
+      const state = JSON.parse(json.value) as CapturedFormState | null;
+      if (
+        !state ||
+        !["empty", "filled", "default"].includes(state.state ?? "") ||
+        typeof state.sensitive !== "boolean" ||
+        typeof state.placeholder !== "string" ||
+        (!state.sensitive &&
+          (typeof state.value !== "string" || typeof state.defaultValue !== "string"))
+      ) {
+        continue;
+      }
+      states.set(backendNodeId, state);
+    } catch {
+      // A malformed entry must not overwrite the snapshot's own state.
+    }
   }
-  return out;
+  return states;
 }
 
-function applyFormStates(nodes: CapturedNode[], states: CapturedFormState[]): void {
-  let index = 0;
+function applyFormStates(nodes: CapturedNode[], states: Map<number, CapturedFormState>): void {
   for (const node of nodes) {
     if (!isFormControlTag(node.tag)) continue;
-    const state = states[index];
-    index += 1;
+    const state = states.get(node.backendNodeId);
     if (!state) continue;
     node.formState = state.state;
     node.formPlaceholder = state.placeholder ?? "";
@@ -276,26 +296,37 @@ async function enrichFormControlStates(
     nodes.some((node) => isFormControlTag(node.tag)),
   );
   if (!hasControls) return;
+  const objectGroup = `bsk-vom-forms-${crypto.randomUUID()}`;
   try {
     throwIfAborted(signal);
     const result = await cdp.send<RuntimeEvaluateReply>(tabId, "Runtime.evaluate", {
       expression: formStateBatchExpression(MAX_FORM_ENRICH_CONTROLS),
-      returnByValue: true,
+      objectGroup,
+      serializationOptions: {
+        serialization: "deep",
+        maxDepth: 3,
+        additionalParameters: { maxNodeDepth: 0, includeShadowTree: "none" },
+      },
     });
     throwIfAborted(signal);
-    const frameStates = flattenFrameFormStates(runtimeValue<CapturedFrameFormState>(result));
-    for (let i = 0; i < frameNodeGroups.length; i += 1) {
-      applyFormStates(frameNodeGroups[i], frameStates[i] ?? []);
+    // Backend ids are scoped to this capture's CDP target. OOPIF targets
+    // use their own captureViewModel call and never share this lookup.
+    const states = formStatesByBackendId(result);
+    for (const nodes of frameNodeGroups) {
+      applyFormStates(nodes, states);
     }
   } catch (error) {
     if (isAbortError(error)) throw error;
     // Best-effort enrichment. DOMSnapshot/AX data still carries the nodes.
+  } finally {
+    await cdp.send(tabId, "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup", { objectGroup }).catch(() => undefined);
   }
 }
 
 interface RuntimeEvaluateReply {
   result?: {
     value?: unknown;
+    deepSerializedValue?: DeepSerializedValue;
   };
 }
 

apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts

@@ -26,17 +26,38 @@ export type RpcErrorReason =
   | "ref_not_found"
   | "selector_not_found"
   | "target_not_fillable"
+  | "fill_value_invalid"
+  | "fill_target_changed"
+  | "fill_focus_lost"
+  | "fill_value_mismatch"
+  | "fill_failed"
   | "target_not_select"
   | "option_not_found"
   | "single_select_value_count"
   | "tab_not_active"
   | "restricted_tab_url"
+  | "cdp_extension_access_denied"
   | "borrow_conflict"
   | "screenshot_capture_failed"
+  | "file_input_probe_failed"
+  | "file_input_not_activated"
+  | "set_file_input_failed"
+  | "upload_mechanism_unsupported"
+  | "file_drop_target_unavailable"
+  | "file_drop_failed"
+  | "download_capture_failed"
+  | "transfer_outcome_unknown"
+  | "transfer_timeout"
   | "cleanup_failed";
 
+export type TransferEffectState = "none" | "committed" | "unknown";
+export type TransferCleanupState = "complete" | "failed";
+
 export interface RpcErrorData {
   reason?: RpcErrorReason;
+  effect_state?: TransferEffectState;
+  phase?: string;
+  cleanup_state?: TransferCleanupState;
   [key: string]: unknown;
 }
 
@@ -505,6 +526,53 @@ export interface SelectResult {
   dialogs?: JavaScriptDialogInfo[];
 }
 
+export interface UploadFile {
+  transfer_id: string;
+  name: string;
+  staged_path?: string;
+}
+
+export type UploadMode = "input" | "drop";
+
+export interface UploadParams {
+  session_id: string;
+  ref?: string;
+  selector?: string;
+  tab_id?: number;
+  files: UploadFile[];
+  mode?: UploadMode;
+  timeout_ms?: number;
+}
+
+export interface UploadResult {
+  tab_id: number;
+  used_ref?: string;
+  used_selector?: string;
+  file_names: string[];
+}
+
+export interface DownloadParams {
+  session_id: string;
+  ref?: string;
+  selector?: string;
+  tab_id?: number;
+  timeout_ms?: number;
+  browser_relative_dir?: string;
+  max_byte_size?: number;
+}
+
+export interface DownloadResult {
+  tab_id: number;
+  used_ref?: string;
+  used_selector?: string;
+  suggested_filename: string;
+  byte_size: number;
+  mime?: string;
+  danger?: string;
+  browser_path?: string;
+  transfer_id?: string;
+}
+
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // M9 tool payloads — evaluate / wait_for_navigation / wait_ms
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------

apps/extension/wxt.config.ts

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
     permissions: [
       "alarms",
       "debugger",
+      "downloads",
       "idle",
       "notifications",
       "tabs",

crates/bsk-cli/Cargo.toml

@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ flate2 = { workspace = true }
 tar = { workspace = true }
 zip = { workspace = true }
 sha2 = { workspace = true }
+base64 = { workspace = true }
 
 [target.'cfg(unix)'.dependencies]
 nix = { workspace = true }
@@ -63,6 +64,7 @@ windows-sys = { version = "0.59", features = [
     "Win32_Foundation",
     "Win32_System_Threading",
     "Win32_Security",
+    "Win32_Storage_FileSystem",
 ] }
 
 [dev-dependencies]

crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md

@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ navigate   navigate-back   navigate-forward   reload   wait-for-navigation   wai
 observe   snapshot   get-html   screenshot   console   network
 click   hover   fill   select   press   evaluate
 tab list|create|close|select|borrow|return   window resize   emulate
-request-help   record start|stop
+upload   download   request-help   record start|stop
 ```
 
 Required flags that are easy to get wrong:
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ Required flags that are easy to get wrong:
 ```text
 bsk fill <ref> --value <text>      bsk select <ref> --value <option-value>
 bsk screenshot --out <path>        bsk emulate --device <preset-id>
+bsk upload <ref> --file <path>     bsk download <ref> --out <path>
 ```
 
 `select` matches an option's `value` attribute, not its visible label. Device preset ids are
@@ -138,11 +139,43 @@ lowercase and hyphenated, such as `iphone-14`.
 - `record` captures a user's actions for later replay. Read `bsk record start --help` before use,
   and never record banking, SSO, password-manager, or other sensitive pages.
 
+## File transfer
+
+`upload` and `download` stage files through the daemon; the agent never touches browser-internal
+paths. Treat upload as disclosure to the website, download as accepting website-controlled bytes.
+
+Upload has two independent mechanisms — choose explicitly, never rely on automatic fallback:
+
+- **Default (input mode):** for upload buttons, file-input labels, or "upload from computer"
+  actions. The command clicks the target and intercepts the native file chooser.
+- **`--mode drop`:** for reliably identified attachment-receiving areas — an explicit drop zone,
+  chat composer, email editor, or form attachment area. Do not target page whitespace, generic
+  containers, or areas whose attachment ownership is ambiguous.
+
+Decision sequence when uploading:
+
+1. Try input mode (the default).
+2. If it returns `reason=file_input_not_activated` with `effect_state=none`, re-observe. When a
+   reliable attachment target exists, try `--mode drop` once against that target.
+3. Otherwise fall back to `request-help`.
+4. **Never** switch mechanisms or repeat when `effect_state` is `unknown` or `committed` — the
+   browser may already have applied the file.
+
+A successful drop means Chrome dispatched the native file-drop event; it does not prove the site
+accepted the attachment. Observe the page once after the command.
+
+Download default-refuses to overwrite; pass `--overwrite` when replacing an existing file is
+intended. Read `bsk upload --help` and `bsk download --help` for all flags and error details.
+
 ## Recover without wandering
 
 - Stale ref: observe again and retry the intended action once.
 - Unknown tab or session: list current tabs/sessions; never guess identifiers.
 - Timeout: inspect current page state before deciding whether one longer purposeful wait is useful.
+- Fill result unconfirmed (`fill_value_mismatch`): observe the field first; the page may have
+  formatted the value. Continue if the visible result satisfies the user's intent. Otherwise correct
+  the remaining difference; do not blindly repeat fill or immediately request human help. For other
+  fill errors, follow the returned hint and inspect current state before retrying.
 - Unsupported command: continue with available capabilities; suggest updating only when the missing
   command is necessary.
 - Unrecoverable failure: report the blocker and stop the session in a finally-style path.

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/atomic_output.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+//! Atomic visibility boundary for files received into a same-directory temp.
+
+use std::path::Path;
+
+pub fn commit(temp: &Path, out: &Path, overwrite: bool) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    if !overwrite {
+        std::fs::hard_link(temp, out)?;
+        std::fs::remove_file(temp)?;
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    replace(temp, out)
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)]
+fn replace(temp: &Path, out: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    // POSIX rename replaces an existing non-directory destination atomically.
+    std::fs::rename(temp, out)
+}
+
+#[cfg(windows)]
+fn replace(temp: &Path, out: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    use std::os::windows::ffi::OsStrExt;
+    use windows_sys::Win32::Storage::FileSystem::{
+        MOVEFILE_REPLACE_EXISTING, MOVEFILE_WRITE_THROUGH, MoveFileExW,
+    };
+
+    let from: Vec<u16> = temp.as_os_str().encode_wide().chain(Some(0)).collect();
+    let to: Vec<u16> = out.as_os_str().encode_wide().chain(Some(0)).collect();
+    // SAFETY: both buffers are NUL-terminated and remain alive for the call.
+    let ok = unsafe {
+        MoveFileExW(
+            from.as_ptr(),
+            to.as_ptr(),
+            MOVEFILE_REPLACE_EXISTING | MOVEFILE_WRITE_THROUGH,
+        )
+    };
+    if ok == 0 {
+        Err(std::io::Error::last_os_error())
+    } else {
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(any(unix, windows)))]
+fn replace(temp: &Path, out: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    std::fs::rename(temp, out)
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn no_replace_never_overwrites_existing_output() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let temp = dir.path().join("new.part");
+        let out = dir.path().join("out.bin");
+        std::fs::write(&temp, b"new").unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(&out, b"old").unwrap();
+        assert!(commit(&temp, &out, false).is_err());
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&out).unwrap(), b"old");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn overwrite_replaces_existing_output_without_predelete() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let temp = dir.path().join("new.part");
+        let out = dir.path().join("out.bin");
+        std::fs::write(&temp, b"new").unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(&out, b"old").unwrap();
+        commit(&temp, &out, true).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&out).unwrap(), b"new");
+        assert!(!temp.exists());
+    }
+}

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/business_rpc.rs

@@ -73,6 +73,14 @@ where
     P: Serialize + Send + 'static,
     R: DeserializeOwned + Send + 'static,
 {
+    let parent_cancel = stdin_cancellation();
+    if parent_cancel.as_ref().is_some_and(|rx| *rx.borrow()) {
+        return Err(CliError::from_rpc(RpcError {
+            code: ErrorCode::Cancelled,
+            message: "parent closed the cancellation pipe".into(),
+            data: Some(serde_json::json!({"reason": "cancelled_before_dispatch"})),
+        }));
+    }
     let rpc_id: RpcId = format!("{}-{}", rpc_id_prefix, random_short_id());
     let mut client = IpcClient::connect(sock.clone()).await?;
     let rpc_id_for_call = rpc_id.clone();
@@ -88,16 +96,16 @@ where
     let outcome = tokio::select! {
         biased;
         res = &mut main_fut => res?,
-        sig = wait_for_sigint() => {
-            sig.context("install SIGINT handler").map_err(CliError::Local)?;
-            debug!(rpc_id = %rpc_id_for_cancel, "SIGINT: forwarding cancel to daemon");
+        sig = wait_for_cancel(parent_cancel) => {
+            sig.context("wait for cancellation").map_err(CliError::Local)?;
+            debug!(rpc_id = %rpc_id_for_cancel, "forwarding cancel to daemon");
             let _ = send_cancel(&sock, &rpc_id_for_cancel).await;
             match tokio::time::timeout(CANCEL_RESPONSE_GRACE, &mut main_fut).await {
                 Ok(res) => res?,
                 Err(_) => {
                     debug!(
                         rpc_id = %rpc_id_for_cancel,
-                        "SIGINT: cancel grace elapsed; synthesising cancelled error"
+                        "cancel grace elapsed; synthesising cancelled error"
                     );
                     return Err(CliError::from_rpc(RpcError {
                         code: ErrorCode::Cancelled,
@@ -112,6 +120,46 @@ where
     outcome.map_err(CliError::from_rpc)
 }
 
+/// Release caller-owned staging even after cancellation. This deliberately
+/// exposes only transfer.release, not a general bypass for business RPCs.
+/// The entire batch, including connection setup, shares one bounded budget.
+pub fn release_transfers<'a>(
+    sock: &Path,
+    transfer_ids: impl IntoIterator<Item = &'a str>,
+) -> Result<(), CliError> {
+    use bsk_protocol::tools::{TransferIdParams, TransferReleaseResult};
+    const CLEANUP_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(5);
+    let ids: Vec<_> = transfer_ids.into_iter().collect();
+    if ids.is_empty() {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    let rt = tokio::runtime::Builder::new_current_thread()
+        .enable_all()
+        .build()
+        .context("build runtime for transfer cleanup")?;
+    rt.block_on(async {
+        tokio::time::timeout(CLEANUP_TIMEOUT, async {
+            let mut client = IpcClient::connect(sock).await?;
+            for id in ids {
+                client
+                    .call::<_, TransferReleaseResult>(
+                        "transfer-release",
+                        Method::TransferRelease,
+                        Some(TransferIdParams {
+                            transfer_id: id.to_string(),
+                        }),
+                        CLEANUP_TIMEOUT,
+                    )
+                    .await?
+                    .map_err(CliError::from_rpc)?;
+            }
+            Ok::<_, CliError>(())
+        })
+        .await
+        .context("transfer cleanup exceeded its total time budget")?
+    })
+}
+
 /// Send a `cancel { rpc_id }` frame over a fresh connection so it
 /// lands on the daemon while the original call is still parked.
 ///
@@ -146,8 +194,57 @@ fn random_short_id() -> String {
     bytes.iter().map(|b| format!("{b:02x}")).collect()
 }
 
-/// Wait for either Ctrl-C or process SIGTERM. Returning here means
-/// the user has asked us to stop.
+/// Opt-in control pipe for parent processes that cannot send Ctrl-C (Node on
+/// Windows). One reader survives the short-lived runtimes used by multi-RPC
+/// commands such as upload. Ordinary CLI stdin and terminal Ctrl-C are unchanged.
+fn stdin_cancellation() -> Option<tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<bool>> {
+    if std::env::var("BSK_CANCEL_ON_STDIN_CLOSE").as_deref() != Ok("1") {
+        return None;
+    }
+    static CANCEL: std::sync::OnceLock<tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<bool>> =
+        std::sync::OnceLock::new();
+    Some(
+        CANCEL
+            .get_or_init(|| {
+                let (tx, rx) = tokio::sync::watch::channel(false);
+                std::thread::spawn(move || {
+                    use std::io::Read;
+                    let mut stdin = std::io::stdin().lock();
+                    let mut buf = [0; 64];
+                    loop {
+                        match stdin.read(&mut buf) {
+                            Ok(0) => break,
+                            Ok(_) => {}
+                            Err(err) if err.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::Interrupted => continue,
+                            Err(_) => break,
+                        }
+                    }
+                    let _ = tx.send(true);
+                });
+                rx
+            })
+            .clone(),
+    )
+}
+
+async fn wait_for_cancel(
+    parent_cancel: Option<tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<bool>>,
+) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    let parent_closed = async move {
+        match parent_cancel {
+            Some(mut rx) => {
+                let _ = rx.wait_for(|closed| *closed).await;
+            }
+            None => std::future::pending::<()>().await,
+        }
+    };
+    tokio::select! {
+        result = wait_for_sigint() => result,
+        _ = parent_closed => Ok(()),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Wait for terminal Ctrl-C.
 async fn wait_for_sigint() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     tokio::signal::ctrl_c().await.context("listen for SIGINT")?;
     Ok(())

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/download.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+//! `bsk download` — capture one browser download and atomically commit it.
+
+use std::fs::OpenOptions;
+use std::io::Write;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use anyhow::Context;
+use base64::Engine;
+use bsk_protocol::Method;
+use bsk_protocol::tools::{
+    DownloadParams, DownloadResult, TransferChunkParams, TransferChunkResult,
+};
+use clap::Args;
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+use crate::cli::atomic_output;
+use crate::cli::ensure_daemon::ensure_daemon;
+use crate::cli::error::{CliError, Format};
+use crate::cli::interaction::split_target;
+use crate::cli::navigate::parse_timeout_ms;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Args)]
+pub struct DownloadArgs {
+    /// Snapshot ref (`@e3`) or CSS selector for the download trigger.
+    pub target: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long = "ref")]
+    pub ref_: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long = "selector")]
+    pub selector: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub out: PathBuf,
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub session: String,
+    #[arg(long = "tab-id")]
+    pub tab_id: Option<i64>,
+    #[arg(long, default_value = "2m", value_parser = parse_timeout_ms)]
+    pub timeout: u32,
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub overwrite: bool,
+}
+
+pub fn dispatch(args: DownloadArgs, format: Format) -> Result<(), CliError> {
+    if args.out.exists() && !args.overwrite {
+        return Err(CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "output already exists (pass --overwrite to replace it): {}",
+            args.out.display()
+        )));
+    }
+    let info = ensure_daemon().context("ensure daemon is running")?;
+    let (ref_, selector) = split_target(args.target, args.ref_, args.selector)?;
+    let params = DownloadParams {
+        session_id: args.session,
+        ref_,
+        selector,
+        tab_id: args.tab_id,
+        timeout_ms: Some(args.timeout),
+        browser_relative_dir: None,
+        max_byte_size: None,
+    };
+    let reply: DownloadResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+        info.sock_path.clone(),
+        "download",
+        Method::ToolDownload,
+        Some(params),
+        ipc_timeout(args.timeout),
+    )?;
+    let transfer_id = reply.transfer_id.clone().ok_or_else(|| {
+        CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!("daemon returned no download transfer id"))
+    })?;
+    let write_result = write_transfer(&info.sock_path, &transfer_id, &args.out, args.overwrite);
+    let _ = crate::cli::business_rpc::release_transfers(&info.sock_path, [transfer_id.as_str()]);
+    write_result?;
+    match format {
+        Format::Json => {
+            let mut value = serde_json::to_value(&reply).unwrap();
+            value["path"] = serde_json::json!(args.out.to_string_lossy());
+            if let Some(obj) = value.as_object_mut() {
+                obj.remove("transfer_id");
+                obj.remove("browser_path");
+            }
+            println!("{}", serde_json::to_string_pretty(&value).unwrap());
+        }
+        Format::Human => println!("{}", args.out.display()),
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn write_transfer(sock: &Path, id: &str, out: &Path, overwrite: bool) -> Result<(), CliError> {
+    let parent = out
+        .parent()
+        .filter(|p| !p.as_os_str().is_empty())
+        .unwrap_or(Path::new("."));
+    let temp = parent.join(format!(".bsk-download-{}.part", Uuid::new_v4().simple()));
+    let result = (|| {
+        let mut file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .write(true)
+            .create_new(true)
+            .open(&temp)
+            .with_context(|| format!("create temporary download {}", temp.display()))
+            .map_err(CliError::Local)?;
+        let mut offset = 0u64;
+        loop {
+            let chunk: TransferChunkResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+                sock.to_path_buf(),
+                "transfer-read",
+                Method::TransferRead,
+                Some(TransferChunkParams {
+                    transfer_id: id.to_string(),
+                    offset,
+                    data_base64: String::new(),
+                }),
+                Duration::from_secs(30),
+            )?;
+            let encoded = chunk.data_base64.as_deref().unwrap_or("");
+            let bytes = base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD
+                .decode(encoded)
+                .map_err(|e| CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!("decode download chunk: {e}")))?;
+            file.write_all(&bytes)
+                .map_err(|e| CliError::Local(e.into()))?;
+            offset = chunk.next_offset;
+            if chunk.eof {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        file.sync_all().map_err(|e| CliError::Local(e.into()))?;
+        drop(file);
+        atomic_output::commit(&temp, out, overwrite)
+            .with_context(|| format!("atomically commit download to {}", out.display()))
+            .map_err(CliError::Local)
+    })();
+    if result.is_err() {
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&temp);
+    }
+    result
+}
+
+fn ipc_timeout(timeout_ms: u32) -> Duration {
+    Duration::from_millis(u64::from(timeout_ms) + 5_000)
+}

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/interaction.rs

@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ pub(crate) fn parse_modifiers(input: &str) -> Result<Vec<KeyModifier>, String> {
     Ok(out)
 }
 
-fn split_target(
+pub(crate) fn split_target(
     positional: Option<String>,
     explicit_ref: Option<String>,
     explicit_selector: Option<String>,

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/mod.rs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 use std::time::Duration;
 
+mod atomic_output;
 pub mod browser_wait;
 pub mod browsers;
 pub mod business_rpc;
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ pub mod console;
 pub mod daemon;
 pub mod dialogs;
 pub mod doctor;
+pub mod download;
 pub mod emulate;
 pub mod ensure_daemon;
 pub mod error;
@@ -31,6 +33,7 @@ pub mod snapshot;
 pub mod status;
 pub mod tab;
 pub mod update;
+pub mod upload;
 pub mod waits;
 pub mod window;
 
@@ -38,6 +41,7 @@ use clap::{Args, Parser, Subcommand};
 
 use crate::cli::console::ConsoleArgs;
 use crate::cli::daemon::DaemonCmd;
+use crate::cli::download::DownloadArgs;
 use crate::cli::emulate::EmulateArgs;
 use crate::cli::evaluate::EvaluateArgs;
 use crate::cli::get_html::GetHtmlArgs;
@@ -53,6 +57,7 @@ use crate::cli::session::SessionCmd;
 use crate::cli::snapshot::SnapshotArgs;
 use crate::cli::tab::TabCmd;
 use crate::cli::update::UpdateArgs;
+use crate::cli::upload::UploadArgs;
 use crate::cli::waits::{WaitForNavigationArgs, WaitMsArgs};
 use crate::cli::window::WindowCmd;
 
@@ -177,6 +182,12 @@ pub enum Command {
     /// Set `<select>` option values by `value` attribute.
     Select(SelectArgs),
 
+    /// Upload files through a page file input or explicit drop target.
+    Upload(UploadArgs),
+
+    /// Capture one browser download and write it to a local path.
+    Download(DownloadArgs),
+
     /// Evaluate a JavaScript expression inside the Agent Window.
     Evaluate(EvaluateArgs),
 

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/render_error.rs

@@ -43,12 +43,27 @@ pub mod reason {
     pub const REF_NOT_FOUND: &str = "ref_not_found";
     pub const SELECTOR_NOT_FOUND: &str = "selector_not_found";
     pub const TARGET_NOT_FILLABLE: &str = "target_not_fillable";
+    pub const FILL_VALUE_INVALID: &str = "fill_value_invalid";
+    pub const FILL_TARGET_CHANGED: &str = "fill_target_changed";
+    pub const FILL_FOCUS_LOST: &str = "fill_focus_lost";
+    pub const FILL_VALUE_MISMATCH: &str = "fill_value_mismatch";
+    pub const FILL_FAILED: &str = "fill_failed";
     pub const TARGET_NOT_SELECT: &str = "target_not_select";
     pub const OPTION_NOT_FOUND: &str = "option_not_found";
     pub const SINGLE_SELECT_VALUE_COUNT: &str = "single_select_value_count";
     pub const TAB_NOT_ACTIVE: &str = "tab_not_active";
+    pub const CDP_EXTENSION_ACCESS_DENIED: &str = "cdp_extension_access_denied";
     pub const BORROW_CONFLICT: &str = "borrow_conflict";
     pub const SCREENSHOT_CAPTURE_FAILED: &str = "screenshot_capture_failed";
+    pub const FILE_INPUT_PROBE_FAILED: &str = "file_input_probe_failed";
+    pub const FILE_INPUT_NOT_ACTIVATED: &str = "file_input_not_activated";
+    pub const SET_FILE_INPUT_FAILED: &str = "set_file_input_failed";
+    pub const UPLOAD_MECHANISM_UNSUPPORTED: &str = "upload_mechanism_unsupported";
+    pub const FILE_DROP_TARGET_UNAVAILABLE: &str = "file_drop_target_unavailable";
+    pub const FILE_DROP_FAILED: &str = "file_drop_failed";
+    pub const DOWNLOAD_CAPTURE_FAILED: &str = "download_capture_failed";
+    pub const TRANSFER_OUTCOME_UNKNOWN: &str = "transfer_outcome_unknown";
+    pub const TRANSFER_TIMEOUT: &str = "transfer_timeout";
     pub const SESSION_BUSY: &str = crate::rpc_reason::SESSION_BUSY;
     pub const RECORD_START_PAGE_UNREACHABLE: &str = "record_start_page_unreachable";
 }
@@ -197,6 +212,27 @@ pub fn info_for_error(code: ErrorCode, data: Option<&serde_json::Value>) -> Rend
         return base;
     };
     match (code, reason) {
+        (ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::CDP_EXTENSION_ACCESS_DENIED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "Chrome blocked CDP access to another extension's content in this tab",
+            hint: Some(
+                "a web page can contain a restricted extension frame; disable the conflicting extension and reload, or use `bsk navigate <url>` to leave this page; reconnecting BrowserSkill alone does not remove the restriction",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (_, reason::TRANSFER_OUTCOME_UNKNOWN) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the file transfer outcome could not be confirmed",
+            hint: Some(
+                "do not retry the transfer: the browser may already have applied it; inspect the page or stop safely",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::Timeout, reason::TRANSFER_TIMEOUT) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the file transfer timed out after browser dispatch",
+            hint: Some(
+                "do not retry when effect_state is unknown or committed; inspect the page before taking another action",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
         (ErrorCode::PermissionDenied, reason::ELEMENT_NOT_VISIBLE) => RenderInfo {
             summary: "target element has no visible geometry",
             hint: Some(
@@ -224,7 +260,42 @@ pub fn info_for_error(code: ErrorCode, data: Option<&serde_json::Value>) -> Rend
         (ErrorCode::InvalidParams, reason::TARGET_NOT_FILLABLE) => RenderInfo {
             summary: "target element is not fillable",
             hint: Some(
-                "choose an input, textarea, or contenteditable element from the latest snapshot",
+                "observe the page and choose an enabled, editable text input, textarea, or contenteditable; use the appropriate interaction for other control types",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::InvalidParams, reason::FILL_VALUE_INVALID) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the requested text does not fit the field constraints",
+            hint: Some(
+                "check the field's input type and maxlength; use a compatible value without silently truncating or changing the user's intended data",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::FILL_TARGET_CHANGED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the fill target changed during the action",
+            hint: Some(
+                "observe the current page and field value; if the intended result is missing, use a fresh editable target before retrying",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::FILL_FOCUS_LOST) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the page moved focus away from the fill target",
+            hint: Some(
+                "observe the page for a dialog or rerender and resolve it before retrying; fill manages field focus and does not require bringing the browser to the foreground",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::FILL_VALUE_MISMATCH) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the fill result could not be confirmed",
+            hint: Some(
+                "observe the field before retrying; the page may have formatted the value. Continue if the visible result satisfies the user's intent; otherwise correct the remaining difference. Do not blindly repeat fill or immediately request human help",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::FILL_FAILED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "fill encountered a browser or page-script error",
+            hint: Some(
+                "observe the page before retrying because the field may already have changed; retry only if the intended result is missing and the target is still available",
             ),
             exit_code: base.exit_code,
         },
@@ -280,6 +351,60 @@ pub fn info_for_error(code: ErrorCode, data: Option<&serde_json::Value>) -> Rend
             ),
             exit_code: base.exit_code,
         },
+        (ErrorCode::Unsupported, reason::FILE_INPUT_NOT_ACTIVATED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the upload trigger did not activate a file input",
+            hint: Some(
+                "the page may use a non-input picker such as showOpenFilePicker(); when effect_state is none, re-observe and use `--mode drop` once only for a reliably identified attachment-receiving area — otherwise use `bsk request-help` with the exact original local path",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::Timeout | ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::FILE_INPUT_PROBE_FAILED) => {
+            RenderInfo {
+                summary: "the browser upload transaction could not be established",
+                hint: Some(
+                    "do not retry the same upload blindly; use `bsk request-help` when human help is available",
+                ),
+                exit_code: base.exit_code,
+            }
+        }
+        (ErrorCode::Timeout | ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::SET_FILE_INPUT_FAILED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the browser could not attach the staged file to the input",
+            hint: Some(
+                "check that BrowserSkill has Chrome's 'Allow access to file URLs' permission; otherwise use `bsk request-help`",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::Unsupported, reason::UPLOAD_MECHANISM_UNSUPPORTED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the browser does not support native file-drop upload",
+            hint: Some(
+                "do not retry the same drop; use a standard file-input target or `bsk request-help`",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (
+            ErrorCode::PermissionDenied | ErrorCode::Timeout | ErrorCode::CdpFailed,
+            reason::FILE_DROP_TARGET_UNAVAILABLE,
+        ) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the file-drop target could not be safely resolved",
+            hint: Some(
+                "rerun observe and select the attachment-receiving editor or drop zone itself; do not guess another target — no file was delivered when effect_state is none",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::Timeout | ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::FILE_DROP_FAILED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the browser could not complete the native file drop",
+            hint: Some(
+                "do not retry when effect_state is unknown; observe the page first, otherwise use `bsk request-help`",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::DOWNLOAD_CAPTURE_FAILED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the browser download could not be attributed or completed",
+            hint: Some(
+                "do not retry blindly; the target browser may not expose a reliable download intent signal",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
         _ => base,
     }
 }
@@ -365,6 +490,56 @@ mod tests {
         ErrorCode::NoBrowserConnected,
     ];
 
+    #[test]
+    fn fill_reasons_provide_recovery_without_changing_exit_codes() {
+        for (code, reason, hint_fragment) in [
+            (
+                ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
+                reason::TARGET_NOT_FILLABLE,
+                "enabled, editable",
+            ),
+            (
+                ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
+                reason::FILL_VALUE_INVALID,
+                "maxlength",
+            ),
+            (
+                ErrorCode::CdpFailed,
+                reason::FILL_TARGET_CHANGED,
+                "fresh editable target",
+            ),
+            (
+                ErrorCode::CdpFailed,
+                reason::FILL_FOCUS_LOST,
+                "does not require bringing the browser",
+            ),
+            (
+                ErrorCode::CdpFailed,
+                reason::FILL_VALUE_MISMATCH,
+                "Continue if the visible result satisfies",
+            ),
+            (
+                ErrorCode::CdpFailed,
+                reason::FILL_FAILED,
+                "may already have changed",
+            ),
+        ] {
+            let data = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason });
+            let info = info_for_error(code, Some(&data));
+            assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains(hint_fragment), "{reason}");
+            assert_eq!(info.exit_code, info_for(code).exit_code);
+        }
+        let mismatch = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::FILL_VALUE_MISMATCH });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::CdpFailed, Some(&mismatch));
+        assert_eq!(info.summary, "the fill result could not be confirmed");
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("Do not blindly repeat fill"));
+        let unknown = serde_json::json!({ "reason": "future_fill_reason" });
+        assert_eq!(
+            info_for_error(ErrorCode::CdpFailed, Some(&unknown)),
+            info_for(ErrorCode::CdpFailed)
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn element_not_visible_overrides_permission_denied_copy() {
         let data = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::ELEMENT_NOT_VISIBLE });
@@ -377,6 +552,18 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!info.summary.contains("sandbox"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn extension_access_denied_explains_the_frame_restriction_and_navigation_recovery() {
+        let data = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::CDP_EXTENSION_ACCESS_DENIED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::CdpFailed, Some(&data));
+        assert!(info.summary.contains("another extension"));
+        let hint = info.hint.unwrap();
+        assert!(hint.contains("restricted extension frame"));
+        assert!(hint.contains("bsk navigate <url>"));
+        assert!(hint.contains("disable the conflicting extension"));
+        assert_eq!(info.exit_code, 3);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn session_busy_overrides_timeout_copy() {
         let data = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::SESSION_BUSY });
@@ -419,6 +606,64 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(info.exit_code, 3);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn file_transfer_reasons_render_actionable_fallbacks() {
+        let unsupported = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::FILE_INPUT_NOT_ACTIVATED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::Unsupported, Some(&unsupported));
+        assert_eq!(
+            info.summary,
+            "the upload trigger did not activate a file input"
+        );
+        let hint = info.hint.unwrap();
+        assert!(hint.contains("--mode drop"));
+        assert!(hint.contains("reliably identified attachment-receiving area"));
+        assert!(hint.contains("exact original local path"));
+
+        let control = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::FILE_INPUT_PROBE_FAILED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::Timeout, Some(&control));
+        assert!(
+            info.summary
+                .contains("transaction could not be established")
+        );
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("do not retry"));
+
+        let unsupported_drop =
+            serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::UPLOAD_MECHANISM_UNSUPPORTED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::Unsupported, Some(&unsupported_drop));
+        assert_eq!(
+            info.summary,
+            "the browser does not support native file-drop upload"
+        );
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("standard file-input"));
+
+        let unavailable_target =
+            serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::FILE_DROP_TARGET_UNAVAILABLE });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::PermissionDenied, Some(&unavailable_target));
+        assert_eq!(
+            info.summary,
+            "the file-drop target could not be safely resolved"
+        );
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("effect_state is none"));
+
+        let failed_drop = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::FILE_DROP_FAILED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::Timeout, Some(&failed_drop));
+        assert!(info.summary.contains("native file drop"));
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("effect_state is unknown"));
+
+        let download = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::DOWNLOAD_CAPTURE_FAILED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::CdpFailed, Some(&download));
+        assert!(info.summary.contains("download could not be attributed"));
+
+        let unknown = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::TRANSFER_OUTCOME_UNKNOWN });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::ProtocolError, Some(&unknown));
+        assert!(info.summary.contains("outcome could not be confirmed"));
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("do not retry"));
+
+        let timeout = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::TRANSFER_TIMEOUT });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::Timeout, Some(&timeout));
+        assert!(info.summary.contains("timed out after browser dispatch"));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn ref_not_found_overrides_not_found_copy() {
         let data = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::REF_NOT_FOUND });

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/update.rs

@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@ use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::time::{Duration, SystemTime};
 
 #[cfg(windows)]
-use std::os::windows::process::CommandExt;
-#[cfg(windows)]
-use std::process::{Command, Stdio};
+mod windows;
 
 use anyhow::{Context, Result, bail};
 use clap::Args;
@@ -363,7 +361,8 @@ fn install_candidate_with_client(
         crate::daemon::start::run_stop().context("stop bsk daemon before update")?;
     }
 
-    let action = replace_binary_for_update(&target, &binary, daemon_was_running)?;
+    let restart_args = daemon_was_running.then(StartArgs::default);
+    let action = replace_binary_for_update(&target, &binary, restart_args.as_ref())?;
 
     if daemon_was_running && matches!(action, InstallAction::Replaced) {
         crate::daemon::start::run_start(StartArgs::default())
@@ -394,8 +393,8 @@ pub(crate) fn download_candidate_binary(
 
 /// Daemon-side install: download, verify, and replace the executable at
 /// `target` (on Windows: stage the replacement next to it). Unlike the
-/// CLI path this never stops or starts the daemon — the daemon drives
-/// its own restart once the binary is replaced.
+/// CLI path this never stops the daemon. On Windows the helper starts
+/// its replacement after exit; elsewhere the daemon drives its own restart.
 ///
 /// `target` must be captured *before* any replacement happens: on Linux
 /// `std::env::current_exe` starts returning a ` (deleted)`-suffixed
@@ -403,10 +402,11 @@ pub(crate) fn download_candidate_binary(
 pub(crate) fn self_install_candidate(
     candidate: &UpdateCandidate,
     target: &Path,
+    restart_args: &StartArgs,
 ) -> Result<InstallAction> {
     let client = update_http_client(ARCHIVE_FETCH_TIMEOUT)?;
     let binary = download_candidate_binary(candidate, &client)?;
-    replace_binary_at_path(target, &binary)
+    replace_binary_for_update(target, &binary, Some(restart_args))
 }
 
 /// Outcome of one daemon auto-update step (see [`auto_update_step`]).
@@ -423,8 +423,8 @@ pub(crate) enum AutoUpdateOutcome {
     /// The new binary replaced the old one; the daemon should now
     /// restart into it.
     Replaced { latest: String },
-    /// Windows staged the replacement next to the running binary; a
-    /// daemon/terminal restart finishes it.
+    /// Windows started a helper that will replace the executable and
+    /// restart the daemon once the current process exits.
     Staged { latest: String },
 }
 
@@ -668,6 +668,7 @@ fn render_report(format: Format, report: &UpdateReport) -> Result<()> {
             }
             if matches!(report.install_action, Some("staged")) {
                 println!("the detached update helper will apply the replacement after exit");
+                println!("if it fails, see the *.update-*.log file next to the executable");
             }
         }
         Format::Json => {
@@ -688,22 +689,22 @@ pub fn extract_bsk_binary(archive_bytes: &[u8], kind: ArchiveKind) -> Result<Vec
 }
 
 pub fn replace_binary_at_path(target: &Path, binary: &[u8]) -> Result<InstallAction> {
-    replace_binary_for_update(target, binary, false)
+    replace_binary_for_update(target, binary, None)
 }
 
 fn replace_binary_for_update(
     target: &Path,
     binary: &[u8],
-    restart_daemon: bool,
+    restart_args: Option<&StartArgs>,
 ) -> Result<InstallAction> {
     #[cfg(windows)]
     {
-        stage_windows_replacement(target, binary, restart_daemon)
+        stage_windows_replacement(target, binary, restart_args)
     }
 
     #[cfg(not(windows))]
     {
-        let _ = restart_daemon;
+        let _ = restart_args;
         replace_binary_atomically(target, binary)
     }
 }
@@ -749,33 +750,69 @@ fn replace_binary_atomically(target: &Path, binary: &[u8]) -> Result<InstallActi
 fn stage_windows_replacement(
     target: &Path,
     binary: &[u8],
-    restart_daemon: bool,
+    restart_args: Option<&StartArgs>,
 ) -> Result<InstallAction> {
-    let paths = staged_replacement_paths(target, std::process::id())?;
-    std::fs::write(&paths.binary_path, binary)
-        .with_context(|| format!("write {}", paths.binary_path.display()))?;
-    std::fs::write(
-        &paths.script_path,
-        windows_replacement_script(target, &paths.binary_path, restart_daemon),
-    )
-    .with_context(|| format!("write {}", paths.script_path.display()))?;
+    // The helper owns replacement/restart after this process exits. Do not
+    // report Staged until it has actually begun executing the script.
+    let _child = spawn_windows_replacement(target, binary, restart_args, 120)?;
+    Ok(InstallAction::Staged)
+}
 
-    const CREATE_NO_WINDOW: u32 = 0x0800_0000;
-    let command = format!("\"{}\"", paths.script_path.display());
-    if let Err(err) = Command::new("cmd.exe")
-        .args(["/D", "/S", "/C"])
-        .arg(command)
-        .stdin(Stdio::null())
-        .stdout(Stdio::null())
-        .stderr(Stdio::null())
-        .creation_flags(CREATE_NO_WINDOW)
-        .spawn()
-    {
+#[cfg(windows)]
+fn spawn_windows_replacement(
+    target: &Path,
+    binary: &[u8],
+    restart_args: Option<&StartArgs>,
+    attempts: u32,
+) -> Result<windows::Helper> {
+    let paths = staged_replacement_paths(target, std::process::id())?;
+    let ready_path = paths.script_path.with_extension("ready");
+    let log_path = paths.script_path.with_extension("log");
+    let result = (|| {
+        // A previous failed attempt by this process must not acknowledge a
+        // new helper. All paths are private to this target and process id.
+        match std::fs::remove_file(&ready_path) {
+            Ok(()) => {}
+            Err(err) if err.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => {}
+            Err(err) => return Err(err.into()),
+        }
+        std::fs::write(&paths.binary_path, binary)
+            .with_context(|| format!("write {}", paths.binary_path.display()))?;
+        std::fs::write(
+            &paths.script_path,
+            windows_replacement_script(restart_args, attempts),
+        )
+        .with_context(|| format!("write {}", paths.script_path.display()))?;
+        let mut child = windows::spawn(
+            &paths.script_path,
+            &paths.binary_path,
+            target,
+            &ready_path,
+            &log_path,
+        )
+        .context("launch detached Windows update helper")?;
+        let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + Duration::from_secs(5);
+        loop {
+            if std::fs::remove_file(&ready_path).is_ok() {
+                return Ok(child);
+            }
+            if let Some(status) = child.try_wait()? {
+                bail!("Windows update helper exited before becoming ready: {status}");
+            }
+            if std::time::Instant::now() >= deadline {
+                let _ = child.kill();
+                let _ = child.wait();
+                bail!("Windows update helper did not become ready within 5 seconds");
+            }
+            std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(20));
+        }
+    })();
+    if result.is_err() {
         let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&paths.binary_path);
         let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&paths.script_path);
-        return Err(err).context("launch detached Windows update helper");
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&ready_path);
     }
-    Ok(InstallAction::Staged)
+    result.with_context(|| format!("Windows update helper failed; see {}", log_path.display()))
 }
 
 pub fn staged_replacement_paths(target: &Path, pid: u32) -> Result<StagedReplacementPaths> {
@@ -792,25 +829,43 @@ pub fn staged_replacement_paths(target: &Path, pid: u32) -> Result<StagedReplace
 }
 
 #[cfg(any(windows, test))]
-fn windows_replacement_script(target: &Path, staged_binary: &Path, restart_daemon: bool) -> String {
-    let target = target.display().to_string().replace('%', "%%");
-    let staged_binary = staged_binary.display().to_string().replace('%', "%%");
-    let restart = if restart_daemon {
-        format!("start \"\" /B \"{target}\" daemon start >nul 2>nul\r\n")
-    } else {
-        String::new()
-    };
+fn windows_replacement_script(restart_args: Option<&StartArgs>, attempts: u32) -> String {
+    // Only fixed switches and numeric values go into the ASCII script. Paths
+    // stay in Unicode environment variables, including %, ! and shell symbols.
+    let restart = restart_args.map_or_else(String::new, |args| {
+        format!(
+            "\"%BSK_UPDATE_TARGET%\" daemon start --port {} --session-idle {}ms --daemon-idle {}ms\r\nif errorlevel 1 goto failed_restart\r\n",
+            args.resolved_port(),
+            args.resolved_session_idle().as_millis(),
+            args.resolved_daemon_idle().as_millis(),
+        )
+    });
     format!(
         "@echo off\r\n\
-         setlocal\r\n\
+         setlocal DisableDelayedExpansion\r\n\
+         > \"%BSK_UPDATE_READY%\" echo ready\r\n\
+         if errorlevel 1 exit /b 1\r\n\
+         set /a attempts=0\r\n\
          :retry\r\n\
-         move /Y \"{staged_binary}\" \"{target}\" >nul 2>nul\r\n\
-         if errorlevel 1 (\r\n\
-           timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul\r\n\
-           goto retry\r\n\
-         )\r\n\
+         move /Y \"%BSK_UPDATE_SOURCE%\" \"%BSK_UPDATE_TARGET%\" >nul\r\n\
+         if not errorlevel 1 goto replaced\r\n\
+         set /a attempts+=1\r\n\
+         if %attempts% geq {attempts} goto failed_replace\r\n\
+         if not exist \"%BSK_UPDATE_SOURCE%\" goto failed_replace\r\n\
+         ping -n 2 127.0.0.1 >nul\r\n\
+         goto retry\r\n\
+         :failed_replace\r\n\
+         echo Failed to replace the executable after %attempts% attempts.\r\n\
+         goto failed\r\n\
+         :replaced\r\n\
          {restart}\
-         del /F /Q \"%~f0\" >nul 2>nul\r\n"
+         del /F /Q \"%BSK_UPDATE_LOG%\" >nul 2>nul\r\n\
+         (del /F /Q \"%BSK_UPDATE_SCRIPT%\" >nul 2>nul & exit 0)\r\n\
+         :failed_restart\r\n\
+         echo Replaced the executable but failed to restart the daemon.\r\n\
+         :failed\r\n\
+         del /F /Q \"%BSK_UPDATE_SOURCE%\" >nul 2>nul\r\n\
+         (del /F /Q \"%BSK_UPDATE_SCRIPT%\" >nul 2>nul & exit 1)\r\n"
     )
 }
 
@@ -964,6 +1019,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(extracted, b"windows binary");
     }
 
+    #[cfg(not(windows))]
     #[test]
     fn replaces_binary_at_path() {
         let tmp = tempfile::TempDir::new().unwrap();
@@ -998,29 +1054,139 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn windows_replacement_script_retries_restarts_and_cleans_itself() {
-        let script = windows_replacement_script(
-            Path::new(r"C:\Program Files\bsk.exe"),
-            Path::new(r"C:\Program Files\bsk.exe.update-42"),
-            true,
+    fn windows_replacement_script_preserves_restart_config() {
+        let args = StartArgs {
+            port: Some(54321),
+            session_idle: Some(Duration::from_millis(1234)),
+            daemon_idle: Some(Duration::from_secs(75)),
+            ..Default::default()
+        };
+        let script = windows_replacement_script(Some(&args), 120);
+        assert!(script.is_ascii());
+        assert!(
+            script
+                .contains("daemon start --port 54321 --session-idle 1234ms --daemon-idle 75000ms")
         );
-
-        assert!(script.contains(":retry"));
-        assert!(script.contains("move /Y"));
-        assert!(script.contains(r#"start "" /B "C:\Program Files\bsk.exe" daemon start"#));
-        assert!(script.contains(r#"del /F /Q "%~f0""#));
+        assert!(!windows_replacement_script(None, 120).contains("daemon start"));
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn windows_replacement_script_omits_restart_when_daemon_was_not_running() {
-        let script = windows_replacement_script(
-            Path::new(r"C:\bsk.exe"),
-            Path::new(r"C:\bsk.exe.update-42"),
-            false,
-        );
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    fn wait_for_helper(mut child: windows::Helper) -> std::process::ExitStatus {
+        let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + Duration::from_secs(10);
+        loop {
+            if let Some(status) = child.try_wait().unwrap() {
+                return status;
+            }
+            if std::time::Instant::now() >= deadline {
+                let _ = child.kill();
+                let _ = child.wait();
+                panic!("Windows update helper did not exit");
+            }
+            std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(20));
+        }
+    }
 
-        assert!(!script.contains("daemon start"));
-        assert!(script.contains(r#"del /F /Q "%~f0""#));
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    #[test]
+    fn windows_helper_replaces_in_unicode_spaces_and_shell_symbol_paths() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        for name in [
+            "ascii",
+            "with space",
+            "中文目录",
+            "literal %PATH% ! & (folder)",
+        ] {
+            let dir = tmp.path().join(name);
+            std::fs::create_dir(&dir).unwrap();
+            let target = dir.join("bsk.exe");
+            std::fs::write(&target, b"old binary").unwrap();
+            let child = spawn_windows_replacement(&target, b"new binary", None, 5).unwrap();
+            let paths = staged_replacement_paths(&target, std::process::id()).unwrap();
+            let status = wait_for_helper(child);
+            assert!(
+                status.success(),
+                "{name}: {:?}",
+                std::fs::read_to_string(paths.script_path.with_extension("log"))
+            );
+            assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&target).unwrap(), b"new binary", "{name}");
+            // Successful updates leave no helper, staged binary, ready file or log.
+            assert_eq!(std::fs::read_dir(&dir).unwrap().count(), 1, "{name}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    #[test]
+    fn windows_helper_waits_for_unlock_then_replaces() {
+        use std::os::windows::fs::OpenOptionsExt;
+        let tmp = tempfile::TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let target = tmp.path().join("bsk.exe");
+        std::fs::write(&target, b"old binary").unwrap();
+        // Deny delete sharing, like a running Windows executable.
+        let lock = std::fs::OpenOptions::new()
+            .read(true)
+            .share_mode(1)
+            .open(&target)
+            .unwrap();
+        let mut child = spawn_windows_replacement(&target, b"new binary", None, 5).unwrap();
+        std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(150));
+        assert!(child.try_wait().unwrap().is_none());
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&target).unwrap(), b"old binary");
+        drop(lock);
+        assert!(wait_for_helper(child).success());
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&target).unwrap(), b"new binary");
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    #[test]
+    fn windows_helper_bounds_retries_and_preserves_old_binary_on_failure() {
+        use std::os::windows::fs::OpenOptionsExt;
+        let tmp = tempfile::TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let target = tmp.path().join("bsk.exe");
+        std::fs::write(&target, b"old binary").unwrap();
+        let _lock = std::fs::OpenOptions::new()
+            .read(true)
+            .share_mode(1)
+            .open(&target)
+            .unwrap();
+        let child = spawn_windows_replacement(&target, b"new binary", None, 2).unwrap();
+        assert!(!wait_for_helper(child).success());
+        let paths = staged_replacement_paths(&target, std::process::id()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&target).unwrap(), b"old binary");
+        assert!(!paths.binary_path.exists());
+        assert!(!paths.script_path.exists());
+        let log_bytes = std::fs::read(paths.script_path.with_extension("log")).unwrap();
+        let log = String::from_utf8_lossy(&log_bytes);
+        assert!(
+            log.contains("Failed to replace the executable after 2 attempts."),
+            "{log}"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    #[test]
+    fn windows_helper_reports_restart_failure_without_losing_replacement() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let target = tmp.path().join("bsk.exe");
+        std::fs::write(&target, b"old binary").unwrap();
+        // Not a valid PE executable: replacement succeeds but restart fails.
+        let child = spawn_windows_replacement(
+            &target,
+            b"invalid executable",
+            Some(&StartArgs::default()),
+            2,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        assert!(!wait_for_helper(child).success());
+        let paths = staged_replacement_paths(&target, std::process::id()).unwrap();
+        let bytes = std::fs::read(paths.script_path.with_extension("log")).unwrap();
+        let log = String::from_utf8_lossy(&bytes);
+        assert!(
+            log.contains("Replaced the executable but failed to restart the daemon."),
+            "{log}"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&target).unwrap(), b"invalid executable");
+        assert!(!paths.script_path.exists());
+        assert!(!paths.binary_path.exists());
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -1279,10 +1445,9 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn auto_update_step_staged_outcome_requests_no_restart() {
-        // The Windows shape: the replacement is staged next to the
-        // running binary, so the outcome must not ask for the immediate
-        // self-restart that `Replaced` triggers.
+    fn auto_update_step_reports_staged_handoff() {
+        // The helper, rather than this process, starts the new executable.
+        // The daemon must exit to let that staged handoff finish.
         let candidate = test_candidate();
         let outcome =
             auto_update_step(Some(&candidate), true, 0, |_| Ok(InstallAction::Staged)).unwrap();

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/update/windows.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,203 @@
+//! Launch the update helper with only its stdio handles inherited.
+//!
+//! std::process::Command on Windows also inherits other inheritable handles.
+//! A daemon's listening socket must not survive in the helper: it would keep
+//! the port occupied after the daemon exits and prevent its replacement starting.
+
+use std::ffi::OsStr;
+use std::fs::File;
+use std::io;
+use std::os::windows::ffi::OsStrExt;
+use std::os::windows::io::{AsRawHandle, FromRawHandle, OwnedHandle};
+use std::os::windows::process::ExitStatusExt;
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::process::ExitStatus;
+
+use windows_sys::Win32::Foundation::{
+    HANDLE, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, SetHandleInformation, WAIT_OBJECT_0, WAIT_TIMEOUT,
+};
+use windows_sys::Win32::System::Threading::{
+    CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP, CREATE_NO_WINDOW, CREATE_UNICODE_ENVIRONMENT, CreateProcessW,
+    DeleteProcThreadAttributeList, EXTENDED_STARTUPINFO_PRESENT, GetExitCodeProcess,
+    InitializeProcThreadAttributeList, PROC_THREAD_ATTRIBUTE_HANDLE_LIST, PROCESS_INFORMATION,
+    STARTF_USESTDHANDLES, STARTUPINFOEXW, TerminateProcess, UpdateProcThreadAttribute,
+    WaitForSingleObject,
+};
+
+pub(super) struct Helper(OwnedHandle);
+
+impl Helper {
+    pub(super) fn try_wait(&mut self) -> io::Result<Option<ExitStatus>> {
+        // SAFETY: the owned process handle remains valid for both calls.
+        match unsafe { WaitForSingleObject(self.0.as_raw_handle(), 0) } {
+            WAIT_OBJECT_0 => {
+                let mut code = 0;
+                if unsafe { GetExitCodeProcess(self.0.as_raw_handle(), &mut code) } == 0 {
+                    return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+                }
+                Ok(Some(ExitStatus::from_raw(code)))
+            }
+            WAIT_TIMEOUT => Ok(None),
+            _ => Err(io::Error::last_os_error()),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn kill(&mut self) -> io::Result<()> {
+        // SAFETY: this handle belongs to the helper we created.
+        if unsafe { TerminateProcess(self.0.as_raw_handle(), 1) } == 0 {
+            return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn wait(&mut self) -> io::Result<()> {
+        // Only used after kill(); do not leave a live helper on startup failure.
+        if unsafe { WaitForSingleObject(self.0.as_raw_handle(), 5000) } != WAIT_OBJECT_0 {
+            return Err(io::Error::new(
+                io::ErrorKind::TimedOut,
+                "update helper did not exit",
+            ));
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+// The opaque attribute list needs pointer-aligned storage and explicit teardown.
+struct AttributeList(Vec<usize>);
+
+impl Drop for AttributeList {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        // SAFETY: this wrapper is constructed only after successful initialization.
+        unsafe { DeleteProcThreadAttributeList(self.0.as_mut_ptr().cast()) };
+    }
+}
+
+pub(super) fn spawn(
+    script: &Path,
+    source: &Path,
+    target: &Path,
+    ready: &Path,
+    log_path: &Path,
+) -> io::Result<Helper> {
+    let root = std::env::var_os("SystemRoot")
+        .ok_or_else(|| io::Error::new(io::ErrorKind::NotFound, "SystemRoot is not set"))?;
+    let application = wide(Path::new(&root).join("System32/cmd.exe").as_os_str());
+    // /S /C strips one outer pair of quotes. Environment expansion keeps paths
+    // Unicode and avoids CRT escaping, batch-file encoding, and CALL expansion.
+    let mut command = wide(OsStr::new(
+        "cmd.exe /D /V:OFF /S /C \"\"%BSK_UPDATE_SCRIPT%\"\"",
+    ));
+    let overrides = [
+        ("BSK_UPDATE_SCRIPT", script.as_os_str()),
+        ("BSK_UPDATE_SOURCE", source.as_os_str()),
+        ("BSK_UPDATE_TARGET", target.as_os_str()),
+        ("BSK_UPDATE_READY", ready.as_os_str()),
+        ("BSK_UPDATE_LOG", log_path.as_os_str()),
+    ];
+    let mut env: Vec<_> = std::env::vars_os()
+        .filter(|(key, _)| {
+            let key = key.to_string_lossy();
+            !overrides
+                .iter()
+                .any(|(name, _)| key.eq_ignore_ascii_case(name))
+                && !key.eq_ignore_ascii_case(crate::daemon::start::DAEMONIZED_ENV)
+                && !key.eq_ignore_ascii_case(crate::daemon::start::DAEMON_REPLACEMENT_WAIT_ENV)
+        })
+        .collect();
+    env.extend(
+        overrides
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|(key, value)| (key.into(), value.to_owned())),
+    );
+    env.sort_by_key(|(key, _)| key.to_string_lossy().to_uppercase());
+    let mut environment = Vec::new();
+    for (key, value) in env {
+        environment.extend(key.encode_wide());
+        environment.push(b'=' as u16);
+        environment.extend(value.encode_wide());
+        environment.push(0);
+    }
+    environment.push(0);
+
+    let input = File::open("NUL")?;
+    let log = File::create(log_path)?;
+    let handles: [HANDLE; 2] = [input.as_raw_handle(), log.as_raw_handle()];
+    for &handle in &handles {
+        // SAFETY: these are dedicated helper stdio handles, held until spawn
+        // finishes. The explicit handle list excludes every other parent handle.
+        if unsafe { SetHandleInformation(handle, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT) } == 0 {
+            return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+        }
+    }
+
+    let mut size = 0;
+    // SAFETY: the first call queries the allocation size, as required by Win32.
+    unsafe { InitializeProcThreadAttributeList(std::ptr::null_mut(), 1, 0, &mut size) };
+    if size == 0 {
+        return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+    }
+    let mut storage = vec![0usize; size.div_ceil(std::mem::size_of::<usize>())];
+    // SAFETY: storage has the requested size and pointer alignment.
+    if unsafe { InitializeProcThreadAttributeList(storage.as_mut_ptr().cast(), 1, 0, &mut size) }
+        == 0
+    {
+        return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+    }
+    let mut attributes = AttributeList(storage);
+    // SAFETY: the handle array and attribute storage outlive CreateProcessW.
+    if unsafe {
+        UpdateProcThreadAttribute(
+            attributes.0.as_mut_ptr().cast(),
+            0,
+            PROC_THREAD_ATTRIBUTE_HANDLE_LIST as usize,
+            handles.as_ptr().cast(),
+            std::mem::size_of_val(&handles),
+            std::ptr::null_mut(),
+            std::ptr::null(),
+        )
+    } == 0
+    {
+        return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+    }
+    // SAFETY: these Win32 structs permit zero initialization; required fields
+    // are populated below before the process is created.
+    let mut startup: STARTUPINFOEXW = unsafe { std::mem::zeroed() };
+    startup.StartupInfo.cb = std::mem::size_of::<STARTUPINFOEXW>() as u32;
+    startup.StartupInfo.dwFlags = STARTF_USESTDHANDLES;
+    startup.StartupInfo.hStdInput = handles[0];
+    startup.StartupInfo.hStdOutput = handles[1];
+    startup.StartupInfo.hStdError = handles[1];
+    startup.lpAttributeList = attributes.0.as_mut_ptr().cast();
+    let mut process: PROCESS_INFORMATION = unsafe { std::mem::zeroed() };
+    // SAFETY: strings are NUL-terminated UTF-16, the environment is double-NUL
+    // terminated, and all buffers/handles remain alive for the duration of spawn.
+    if unsafe {
+        CreateProcessW(
+            application.as_ptr(),
+            command.as_mut_ptr(),
+            std::ptr::null(),
+            std::ptr::null(),
+            1,
+            CREATE_NO_WINDOW
+                | CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP
+                | CREATE_UNICODE_ENVIRONMENT
+                | EXTENDED_STARTUPINFO_PRESENT,
+            environment.as_ptr().cast(),
+            std::ptr::null(),
+            &startup.StartupInfo,
+            &mut process,
+        )
+    } == 0
+    {
+        return Err(io::Error::last_os_error());
+    }
+    // SAFETY: successful CreateProcessW transfers these two handles to us.
+    let _thread = unsafe { OwnedHandle::from_raw_handle(process.hThread) };
+    Ok(Helper(unsafe {
+        OwnedHandle::from_raw_handle(process.hProcess)
+    }))
+}
+
+fn wide(value: &OsStr) -> Vec<u16> {
+    value.encode_wide().chain(Some(0)).collect()
+}

crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/upload.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+//! `bsk upload` — stage caller-readable files and attach them to a page.
+
+use std::fs::File;
+use std::io::Read;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use anyhow::Context;
+use base64::Engine;
+use bsk_protocol::Method;
+use bsk_protocol::tools::{
+    TransferBeginParams, TransferBeginResult, TransferChunkParams, TransferChunkResult,
+    TransferIdParams, TransferReadyResult, UploadFile, UploadMode, UploadParams, UploadResult,
+};
+use clap::{Args, ValueEnum};
+
+use crate::cli::ensure_daemon::ensure_daemon;
+use crate::cli::error::{CliError, Format};
+use crate::cli::interaction::split_target;
+use crate::cli::navigate::parse_timeout_ms;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, ValueEnum)]
+pub enum UploadModeArg {
+    #[default]
+    Input,
+    Drop,
+}
+
+impl From<UploadModeArg> for UploadMode {
+    fn from(value: UploadModeArg) -> Self {
+        match value {
+            UploadModeArg::Input => Self::Input,
+            UploadModeArg::Drop => Self::Drop,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Args)]
+pub struct UploadArgs {
+    /// Snapshot ref (`@e3`) or CSS selector for the chooser trigger / drop target.
+    pub target: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long = "ref")]
+    pub ref_: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long = "selector")]
+    pub selector: Option<String>,
+    /// Local file to upload. Repeat for a multiple-file input.
+    #[arg(long = "file", required = true)]
+    pub files: Vec<PathBuf>,
+    /// Browser mechanism used to deliver the staged files.
+    #[arg(long, value_enum, default_value_t)]
+    pub mode: UploadModeArg,
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub session: String,
+    #[arg(long = "tab-id")]
+    pub tab_id: Option<i64>,
+    #[arg(long, default_value = "2m", value_parser = parse_timeout_ms)]
+    pub timeout: u32,
+}
+
+pub fn dispatch(args: UploadArgs, format: Format) -> Result<(), CliError> {
+    if args.files.len() > crate::daemon::file_transfer::MAX_UPLOAD_FILES {
+        return Err(CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "upload accepts at most {} files",
+            crate::daemon::file_transfer::MAX_UPLOAD_FILES
+        )));
+    }
+    let info = ensure_daemon().context("ensure daemon is running")?;
+    let (ref_, selector) = split_target(args.target, args.ref_, args.selector)?;
+    let mut staged = Vec::new();
+    for path in &args.files {
+        if let Err(err) = stage_file(&info.sock_path, &args.session, path, &mut staged) {
+            let _ = crate::cli::business_rpc::release_transfers(
+                &info.sock_path,
+                staged.iter().map(|(id, _)| id.as_str()),
+            );
+            return Err(err);
+        }
+    }
+    let params = UploadParams {
+        session_id: args.session,
+        ref_,
+        selector,
+        tab_id: args.tab_id,
+        files: staged
+            .iter()
+            .map(|(id, name)| UploadFile {
+                transfer_id: id.clone(),
+                name: name.clone(),
+                staged_path: None,
+            })
+            .collect(),
+        mode: args.mode.into(),
+        timeout_ms: Some(args.timeout),
+    };
+    let result = crate::cli::business_rpc::call::<_, UploadResult>(
+        info.sock_path.clone(),
+        "upload",
+        Method::ToolUpload,
+        Some(params),
+        ipc_timeout(args.timeout),
+    );
+    // The helper can reject cancellation before handing any request to the
+    // daemon. In that case staging still belongs to this CLI.
+    if result.as_ref().is_err_and(|err| {
+        err.data()
+            .is_some_and(|data| data["reason"] == "cancelled_before_dispatch")
+    }) {
+        let _ = crate::cli::business_rpc::release_transfers(
+            &info.sock_path,
+            staged.iter().map(|(id, _)| id.as_str()),
+        );
+    }
+    // Once tool.upload is dispatched, staging ownership belongs to the
+    // session. A transport timeout cannot prove that Chrome did not attach
+    // the file, so releasing here could invalidate a late successful attach.
+    // Session teardown remains the single cleanup boundary after dispatch.
+    let reply = result?;
+    match format {
+        Format::Json => println!("{}", serde_json::to_string_pretty(&reply).unwrap()),
+        Format::Human => println!(
+            "upload ok tab={} files={}",
+            reply.tab_id,
+            reply.file_names.join(", ")
+        ),
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn stage_file(
+    sock: &Path,
+    session: &str,
+    path: &PathBuf,
+    staged: &mut Vec<(String, String)>,
+) -> Result<(), CliError> {
+    let mut file = File::open(path)
+        .with_context(|| format!("open upload file {}", path.display()))
+        .map_err(CliError::Local)?;
+    let meta = file
+        .metadata()
+        .with_context(|| format!("read upload file metadata {}", path.display()))
+        .map_err(CliError::Local)?;
+    if !meta.is_file() {
+        return Err(CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "upload source is not a regular file: {}",
+            path.display()
+        )));
+    }
+    let name = path
+        .file_name()
+        .and_then(|v| v.to_str())
+        .filter(|v| !v.is_empty())
+        .ok_or_else(|| CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!("upload file has no valid basename")))?
+        .to_string();
+    let begin: TransferBeginResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+        sock.to_path_buf(),
+        "transfer-begin",
+        Method::TransferBegin,
+        Some(TransferBeginParams {
+            session_id: session.to_string(),
+            name: name.clone(),
+            byte_size: meta.len(),
+        }),
+        Duration::from_secs(10),
+    )?;
+    // Record ownership immediately so one error path releases both completed
+    // files and the current partially staged file.
+    staged.push((begin.transfer_id.clone(), name));
+    let mut offset = 0u64;
+    let mut buf = vec![0u8; begin.chunk_size as usize];
+    loop {
+        let n = file.read(&mut buf).map_err(|e| CliError::Local(e.into()))?;
+        if n == 0 {
+            break;
+        }
+        let reply: TransferChunkResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+            sock.to_path_buf(),
+            "transfer-chunk",
+            Method::TransferChunk,
+            Some(TransferChunkParams {
+                transfer_id: begin.transfer_id.clone(),
+                offset,
+                data_base64: base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(&buf[..n]),
+            }),
+            Duration::from_secs(30),
+        )?;
+        offset = reply.next_offset;
+    }
+    let _: TransferReadyResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+        sock.to_path_buf(),
+        "transfer-finish",
+        Method::TransferFinish,
+        Some(TransferIdParams {
+            transfer_id: begin.transfer_id.clone(),
+        }),
+        Duration::from_secs(10),
+    )?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn ipc_timeout(timeout_ms: u32) -> Duration {
+    Duration::from_millis(u64::from(timeout_ms) + 5_000)
+}

crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/file_transfer.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,728 @@
+//! Session-scoped, content-transparent staging for upload/download tools.
+//!
+//! The registry deliberately exposes no arbitrary-path operations. Upload
+//! bytes arrive from the invoking CLI in bounded chunks; browser downloads
+//! land in a daemon-minted directory and are read back by the invoking CLI.
+
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::fs::{self, File, OpenOptions};
+use std::io::{Read, Seek, SeekFrom, Write};
+use std::path::{Component, Path, PathBuf};
+use std::sync::Mutex;
+
+use base64::Engine;
+use bsk_protocol::tools::{
+    TransferBeginParams, TransferBeginResult, TransferChunkParams, TransferChunkResult,
+    TransferIdParams, TransferReadyResult, TransferReleaseResult,
+};
+use bsk_protocol::{ErrorCode, RpcError};
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+use super::paths;
+
+pub const TRANSFER_CHUNK_SIZE: u32 = 512 * 1024;
+pub const MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES: u64 = 512 * 1024 * 1024;
+pub const MAX_UPLOAD_FILES: usize = 20;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+enum Direction {
+    Upload,
+    Download,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct Entry {
+    session_id: String,
+    direction: Direction,
+    path: PathBuf,
+    expected_size: Option<u64>,
+    written: u64,
+    ready: bool,
+}
+
+/// Browser download path after the daemon has verified that it belongs to
+/// the capability minted for this transfer. From this point onward the daemon
+/// owns cleanup on every error path; unvalidated arbitrary paths are never
+/// removed.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct ValidatedBrowserFile {
+    path: PathBuf,
+    parent: PathBuf,
+    cleanup_armed: bool,
+}
+
+impl ValidatedBrowserFile {
+    fn validate(reported_path: &Path, transfer_id: &str) -> Result<Self, RpcError> {
+        if !reported_path.is_absolute() {
+            return Err(permission(
+                "download path is outside its browser capability",
+            ));
+        }
+        let expected_parent = Path::new("BrowserSkill").join(transfer_id);
+        let parent = reported_path
+            .parent()
+            .ok_or_else(|| permission("download path has no parent directory"))?;
+        if !parent.ends_with(&expected_parent) {
+            return Err(permission(
+                "download escaped its browser capability directory",
+            ));
+        }
+        for path in [reported_path, parent] {
+            if fs::symlink_metadata(path)
+                .map_err(io_error)?
+                .file_type()
+                .is_symlink()
+            {
+                return Err(permission("download capability path contains a symlink"));
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(Self {
+            path: reported_path.to_path_buf(),
+            parent: parent.to_path_buf(),
+            cleanup_armed: true,
+        })
+    }
+
+    fn remove_source(mut self) -> Result<(), RpcError> {
+        remove_if_present(&self.path).map_err(io_error)?;
+        remove_dir_if_present(&self.parent).map_err(io_error)?;
+        self.cleanup_armed = false;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for ValidatedBrowserFile {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        if !self.cleanup_armed {
+            return;
+        }
+        let _ = remove_if_present(&self.path);
+        let _ = remove_dir_if_present(&self.parent);
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct DownloadStaging {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub browser_relative_dir: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct TransferRegistry {
+    root: PathBuf,
+    initialized: Mutex<bool>,
+    entries: Mutex<HashMap<String, Entry>>,
+}
+
+impl TransferRegistry {
+    pub fn new() -> anyhow::Result<Self> {
+        Ok(Self {
+            root: paths::bsk_home()?.join("run").join("transfers"),
+            initialized: Mutex::new(false),
+            entries: Mutex::new(HashMap::new()),
+        })
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(test)]
+    fn at_root(root: PathBuf) -> anyhow::Result<Self> {
+        let registry = Self {
+            root,
+            initialized: Mutex::new(false),
+            entries: Mutex::new(HashMap::new()),
+        };
+        registry.ensure_root()?;
+        Ok(registry)
+    }
+
+    pub fn initialize(&self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        self.ensure_root()
+    }
+
+    fn ensure_root(&self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        let mut initialized = self.initialized.lock().unwrap();
+        if *initialized {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+        if self.root.exists() {
+            // Transfers never survive a daemon; removing stale directories on
+            // startup gives crash cleanup without a second persistence model.
+            let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&self.root);
+        }
+        fs::create_dir_all(&self.root)?;
+        #[cfg(unix)]
+        {
+            use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+            fs::set_permissions(&self.root, fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o700))?;
+        }
+        *initialized = true;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    pub fn begin_upload(&self, p: TransferBeginParams) -> Result<TransferBeginResult, RpcError> {
+        self.ensure_root()
+            .map_err(|err| protocol_error(err.to_string()))?;
+        let basename = safe_upload_basename(&p.name)?;
+        if p.byte_size > MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES {
+            return Err(invalid(format!(
+                "file size {} exceeds transfer limit {}",
+                p.byte_size, MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES
+            )));
+        }
+        let mut entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let session_bytes: u64 = entries
+            .values()
+            .filter(|entry| entry.session_id == p.session_id)
+            .map(|entry| entry.expected_size.unwrap_or(entry.written))
+            .sum();
+        if session_bytes.saturating_add(p.byte_size) > MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES {
+            return Err(invalid(format!(
+                "session transfer staging exceeds limit {}",
+                MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES
+            )));
+        }
+        let id = new_id();
+        let dir = self.root.join(&id);
+        fs::create_dir(&dir).map_err(io_error)?;
+        set_private_dir(&dir).map_err(io_error)?;
+        let path = dir.join(basename);
+        let file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .write(true)
+            .create_new(true)
+            .open(&path)
+            .map_err(io_error)?;
+        set_private_file(&file).map_err(io_error)?;
+        entries.insert(
+            id.clone(),
+            Entry {
+                session_id: p.session_id,
+                direction: Direction::Upload,
+                path,
+                expected_size: Some(p.byte_size),
+                written: 0,
+                ready: false,
+            },
+        );
+        Ok(TransferBeginResult {
+            transfer_id: id,
+            chunk_size: TRANSFER_CHUNK_SIZE,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn write_chunk(&self, p: TransferChunkParams) -> Result<TransferChunkResult, RpcError> {
+        let bytes = base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD
+            .decode(p.data_base64)
+            .map_err(|e| invalid(format!("invalid transfer chunk: {e}")))?;
+        if bytes.len() > TRANSFER_CHUNK_SIZE as usize {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer chunk exceeds negotiated size"));
+        }
+        let mut entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let entry = entries
+            .get_mut(&p.transfer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| not_found("transfer not found"))?;
+        if entry.direction != Direction::Upload || entry.ready {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer is not writable"));
+        }
+        if p.offset != entry.written {
+            return Err(invalid(format!(
+                "non-sequential transfer offset: expected {}, got {}",
+                entry.written, p.offset
+            )));
+        }
+        let next = entry.written.saturating_add(bytes.len() as u64);
+        if next > entry.expected_size.unwrap_or(MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES) {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer exceeds declared byte size"));
+        }
+        let mut file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .append(true)
+            .open(&entry.path)
+            .map_err(io_error)?;
+        file.write_all(&bytes).map_err(io_error)?;
+        entry.written = next;
+        Ok(TransferChunkResult {
+            next_offset: next,
+            eof: false,
+            data_base64: None,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn finish_upload(&self, p: TransferIdParams) -> Result<TransferReadyResult, RpcError> {
+        let mut entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let entry = entries
+            .get_mut(&p.transfer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| not_found("transfer not found"))?;
+        if entry.direction != Direction::Upload {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer is not an upload"));
+        }
+        if entry.written != entry.expected_size.unwrap_or(entry.written) {
+            return Err(invalid(format!(
+                "incomplete transfer: expected {} bytes, received {}",
+                entry.expected_size.unwrap_or(0),
+                entry.written
+            )));
+        }
+        entry.ready = true;
+        Ok(TransferReadyResult {
+            transfer_id: p.transfer_id,
+            byte_size: entry.written,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn resolve_uploads(
+        &self,
+        session_id: &str,
+        ids: &[String],
+    ) -> Result<Vec<PathBuf>, RpcError> {
+        let entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        ids.iter()
+            .map(|id| {
+                let entry = entries
+                    .get(id)
+                    .ok_or_else(|| not_found("upload transfer not found"))?;
+                if entry.session_id != session_id
+                    || entry.direction != Direction::Upload
+                    || !entry.ready
+                {
+                    return Err(permission(
+                        "upload transfer is outside this session or not ready",
+                    ));
+                }
+                Ok(entry.path.clone())
+            })
+            .collect()
+    }
+
+    pub fn begin_download(&self, session_id: &str) -> Result<DownloadStaging, RpcError> {
+        self.ensure_root()
+            .map_err(|err| protocol_error(err.to_string()))?;
+        let id = new_id();
+        let dir = self.root.join(&id);
+        fs::create_dir(&dir).map_err(io_error)?;
+        set_private_dir(&dir).map_err(io_error)?;
+        self.entries.lock().unwrap().insert(
+            id.clone(),
+            Entry {
+                session_id: session_id.to_string(),
+                direction: Direction::Download,
+                path: dir.clone(),
+                expected_size: None,
+                written: 0,
+                ready: false,
+            },
+        );
+        Ok(DownloadStaging {
+            browser_relative_dir: format!("BrowserSkill/{id}"),
+            transfer_id: id,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn import_download(&self, id: &str, reported_path: &Path) -> Result<u64, RpcError> {
+        let mut entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let entry = entries
+            .get_mut(id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| not_found("download transfer not found"))?;
+        if entry.direction != Direction::Download {
+            return Err(permission("transfer is not a download capability"));
+        }
+        let browser_file = ValidatedBrowserFile::validate(reported_path, id)?;
+        let canonical = browser_file.path.canonicalize().map_err(io_error)?;
+        let meta = fs::metadata(&canonical).map_err(io_error)?;
+        if !meta.is_file() || meta.len() > MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES {
+            return Err(invalid(
+                "download is not a regular file or exceeds the transfer limit",
+            ));
+        }
+
+        let destination = entry.path.join("payload");
+        let source = File::open(&canonical).map_err(io_error)?;
+        let mut destination_file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .write(true)
+            .create_new(true)
+            .open(&destination)
+            .map_err(io_error)?;
+        let copied = std::io::copy(
+            &mut source.take(MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES.saturating_add(1)),
+            &mut destination_file,
+        )
+        .map_err(io_error)?;
+        if copied > MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES {
+            let _ = fs::remove_file(&destination);
+            return Err(invalid("download exceeds the transfer limit"));
+        }
+        entry.path = destination;
+        entry.written = copied;
+        entry.expected_size = Some(copied);
+        entry.ready = true;
+        browser_file.remove_source()?;
+        Ok(copied)
+    }
+
+    pub fn read_chunk(&self, p: TransferChunkParams) -> Result<TransferChunkResult, RpcError> {
+        let entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let entry = entries
+            .get(&p.transfer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| not_found("transfer not found"))?;
+        if entry.direction != Direction::Download || !entry.ready {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer is not readable"));
+        }
+        if p.offset > entry.written {
+            return Err(invalid("read offset is beyond transfer length"));
+        }
+        let mut file = File::open(&entry.path).map_err(io_error)?;
+        file.seek(SeekFrom::Start(p.offset)).map_err(io_error)?;
+        let mut buf = vec![0u8; TRANSFER_CHUNK_SIZE as usize];
+        let count = file.read(&mut buf).map_err(io_error)?;
+        buf.truncate(count);
+        let next = p.offset + count as u64;
+        Ok(TransferChunkResult {
+            next_offset: next,
+            eof: next >= entry.written,
+            data_base64: Some(base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(buf)),
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn release(&self, p: TransferIdParams) -> TransferReleaseResult {
+        let entry = self.entries.lock().unwrap().remove(&p.transfer_id);
+        if let Some(entry) = entry {
+            let dir = if entry.path.is_dir() {
+                entry.path
+            } else {
+                entry.path.parent().unwrap_or(&self.root).to_path_buf()
+            };
+            let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(dir);
+            TransferReleaseResult { released: true }
+        } else {
+            TransferReleaseResult { released: false }
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn release_session(&self, session_id: &str) {
+        let ids: Vec<String> = self
+            .entries
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .iter()
+            .filter(|(_, entry)| entry.session_id == session_id)
+            .map(|(id, _)| id.clone())
+            .collect();
+        for id in ids {
+            self.release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn new_id() -> String {
+    format!("tr_{}", Uuid::new_v4().simple())
+}
+
+fn set_private_dir(path: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+        fs::set_permissions(path, fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o700))?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn set_private_file(file: &File) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+        file.set_permissions(fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o600))?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn remove_if_present(path: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    match fs::remove_file(path) {
+        Ok(()) => Ok(()),
+        Err(err) if err.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => Ok(()),
+        Err(err) => Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn remove_dir_if_present(path: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    match fs::remove_dir(path) {
+        Ok(()) => Ok(()),
+        Err(err) if err.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => Ok(()),
+        Err(err) => Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn safe_upload_basename(name: &str) -> Result<&str, RpcError> {
+    if name.is_empty() || name.contains(['/', '\\', '\0']) {
+        return Err(invalid("upload name must be a safe basename"));
+    }
+    let mut components = Path::new(name).components();
+    match (components.next(), components.next()) {
+        (Some(Component::Normal(_)), None) => Ok(name),
+        _ => Err(invalid("upload name must be a safe basename")),
+    }
+}
+
+fn invalid(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+fn not_found(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::NotFound,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+fn permission(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::PermissionDenied,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+fn io_error(err: std::io::Error) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+        message: err.to_string(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+
+fn protocol_error(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn registry() -> (tempfile::TempDir, TransferRegistry) {
+        let temp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let registry = TransferRegistry::at_root(temp.path().join("transfers")).unwrap();
+        (temp, registry)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_is_not_resolvable_until_complete_or_from_another_session() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        let begin = registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                byte_size: 3,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .resolve_uploads("s1", std::slice::from_ref(&begin.transfer_id))
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        registry
+            .write_chunk(TransferChunkParams {
+                transfer_id: begin.transfer_id.clone(),
+                offset: 0,
+                data_base64: base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(b"abc"),
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        registry
+            .finish_upload(TransferIdParams {
+                transfer_id: begin.transfer_id.clone(),
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .resolve_uploads("s2", std::slice::from_ref(&begin.transfer_id))
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        let [path] = registry
+            .resolve_uploads("s1", &[begin.transfer_id])
+            .unwrap()
+            .try_into()
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(path.file_name().unwrap(), "image.png");
+        assert_eq!(fs::read(path).unwrap(), b"abc");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_name_must_be_one_safe_path_component() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        for name in ["", ".", "..", "../secret", "folder/file", "folder\\file"] {
+            let result = registry.begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: name.into(),
+                byte_size: 0,
+            });
+            assert!(result.is_err(), "accepted unsafe upload name");
+        }
+        assert!(registry.entries.lock().unwrap().is_empty());
+        assert!(fs::read_dir(&registry.root).unwrap().next().is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn same_upload_names_are_isolated_by_transfer_directory() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        let first = registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                byte_size: 0,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        let second = registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                byte_size: 0,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        let entries = registry.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let first_path = &entries[&first.transfer_id].path;
+        let second_path = &entries[&second.transfer_id].path;
+        assert_ne!(first_path.parent(), second_path.parent());
+        assert_eq!(first_path.file_name().unwrap(), "image.png");
+        assert_eq!(second_path.file_name().unwrap(), "image.png");
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_staging_is_private() {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        let begin = registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "private.png".into(),
+                byte_size: 0,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        let entries = registry.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let path = &entries[&begin.transfer_id].path;
+        assert_eq!(
+            fs::metadata(path.parent().unwrap())
+                .unwrap()
+                .permissions()
+                .mode()
+                & 0o777,
+            0o700
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            fs::metadata(path).unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777,
+            0o600
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn download_must_import_from_its_browser_capability_directory() {
+        let (temp, registry) = registry();
+        let staging = registry.begin_download("s1").unwrap();
+        let outside = temp.path().join("outside.bin");
+        fs::write(&outside, b"secret").unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .import_download(&staging.transfer_id, &outside)
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        assert_eq!(fs::read(&outside).unwrap(), b"secret");
+
+        let browser_dir = temp
+            .path()
+            .join("Downloads")
+            .join("BrowserSkill")
+            .join(&staging.transfer_id);
+        fs::create_dir_all(&browser_dir).unwrap();
+        let inside = browser_dir.join("result.bin");
+        fs::write(&inside, b"result").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            registry
+                .import_download(&staging.transfer_id, &inside)
+                .unwrap(),
+            6
+        );
+        assert!(!inside.exists());
+        let chunk = registry
+            .read_chunk(TransferChunkParams {
+                transfer_id: staging.transfer_id,
+                offset: 0,
+                data_base64: String::new(),
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD
+                .decode(chunk.data_base64.unwrap())
+                .unwrap(),
+            b"result"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn validated_oversized_browser_download_is_removed_on_rejection() {
+        let (temp, registry) = registry();
+        let staging = registry.begin_download("s1").unwrap();
+        let browser_dir = temp
+            .path()
+            .join("Downloads")
+            .join("BrowserSkill")
+            .join(&staging.transfer_id);
+        fs::create_dir_all(&browser_dir).unwrap();
+        let inside = browser_dir.join("oversized.bin");
+        File::create(&inside)
+            .unwrap()
+            .set_len(MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES + 1)
+            .unwrap();
+
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .import_download(&staging.transfer_id, &inside)
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        assert!(!inside.exists());
+        assert!(!browser_dir.exists());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn releasing_a_session_removes_all_staging() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        let first = registry.begin_download("s1").unwrap();
+        let second = registry.begin_download("s2").unwrap();
+        let first_directory = registry.root.join(&first.transfer_id);
+        let second_directory = registry.root.join(&second.transfer_id);
+        registry.release_session("s1");
+        assert!(!first_directory.exists());
+        assert!(second_directory.exists());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_staging_is_bounded_across_a_session() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "large.bin".into(),
+                byte_size: MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                    session_id: "s1".into(),
+                    name: "one-more-byte.bin".into(),
+                    byte_size: 1,
+                })
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                    session_id: "s2".into(),
+                    name: "other-session.bin".into(),
+                    byte_size: 1,
+                })
+                .is_ok()
+        );
+    }
+}

crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ipc.rs

@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ use bsk_protocol::system::{
     VersionSkewEntry,
 };
 use bsk_protocol::tools::{
-    HelpOutcome, RequestHelpResult, ReturnFailure, WaitMsParams, WaitMsResult,
+    DownloadParams, DownloadResult, HelpOutcome, RequestHelpResult, ReturnFailure,
+    TransferBeginParams, TransferIdParams, UploadParams, WaitMsParams, WaitMsResult,
 };
 use bsk_protocol::{
     CancelParams, CancelResult, ErrorCode, Method, PingResult, ResponseBody, RpcError, RpcId,
@@ -61,6 +62,10 @@ pub type RpcHandler = Arc<
 >;
 
 const DEFAULT_RPC_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(15);
+// The upload transaction owns its operation deadline and may need a bounded
+// cleanup before it can return a useful structured error. Keep only that
+// transport alive slightly longer so it does not replace the result.
+const EXTENSION_RESPONSE_GRACE: Duration = Duration::from_secs(2);
 /// Upper bound on `wait_for_browser_ms` accepted over IPC.
 const MAX_BROWSER_WAIT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(60);
 // `session.stop` fast-fails while another tool is active; this budget
@@ -223,6 +228,11 @@ pub fn full_handler(status: DaemonStatus, state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> RpcHandler
                     Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(v),
                     Err(e) => ResponseBody::Err(e),
                 },
+                Method::TransferBegin => handle_transfer_begin(&state, params),
+                Method::TransferChunk => handle_transfer_chunk(&state, params),
+                Method::TransferFinish => handle_transfer_finish(&state, params),
+                Method::TransferRead => handle_transfer_read(&state, params),
+                Method::TransferRelease => handle_transfer_release(&state, params),
                 Method::ToolTabList
                 | Method::ToolTabCreate
                 | Method::ToolTabClose
@@ -246,6 +256,8 @@ pub fn full_handler(status: DaemonStatus, state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> RpcHandler
                 | Method::ToolFill
                 | Method::ToolPress
                 | Method::ToolSelect
+                | Method::ToolUpload
+                | Method::ToolDownload
                 | Method::ToolEvaluate
                 | Method::ToolWaitForNavigation
                 | Method::ToolRequestHelp
@@ -324,7 +336,7 @@ async fn handle_tool_dispatch(
             data: None,
         });
     }
-    let timeout = match tool_dispatch_timeout(&params) {
+    let timeout = match tool_dispatch_transport_timeout(&method, &params) {
         Ok(timeout) => timeout,
         Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(err),
     };
@@ -338,24 +350,180 @@ async fn handle_tool_dispatch(
             });
         }
     };
+    let mut params = params;
+    let mut download_transfer_id: Option<String> = None;
+    if method == Method::ToolUpload {
+        let mut upload: UploadParams = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+        };
+        if upload.files.is_empty() || upload.files.len() > super::file_transfer::MAX_UPLOAD_FILES {
+            return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(format!(
+                "upload requires 1..={} files",
+                super::file_transfer::MAX_UPLOAD_FILES
+            )));
+        }
+        let ids: Vec<String> = upload.files.iter().map(|f| f.transfer_id.clone()).collect();
+        let paths = match state.transfers.resolve_uploads(&session_id.0, &ids) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(err),
+        };
+        for (file, path) in upload.files.iter_mut().zip(paths) {
+            file.staged_path = Some(path.to_string_lossy().into_owned());
+        }
+        params = serde_json::to_value(upload).unwrap_or(Value::Null);
+    } else if method == Method::ToolDownload {
+        let mut download: DownloadParams = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+        };
+        let staging = match state.transfers.begin_download(&session_id.0) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(err),
+        };
+        download.browser_relative_dir = Some(staging.browser_relative_dir);
+        download.max_byte_size = Some(super::file_transfer::MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES);
+        download_transfer_id = Some(staging.transfer_id);
+        params = serde_json::to_value(download).unwrap_or(Value::Null);
+    }
     let entry = inflight_guard.entry();
     // `record_stop` must reach the extension while `record_await` holds the
     // serial busy lock — finishing the recording unblocks await.
     let outcome = if method == Method::ToolRecordStop {
         state
             .tool_queues
-            .dispatch_unlocked(&session_id, method, params, timeout, Some(entry))
+            .dispatch_unlocked(&session_id, method.clone(), params, timeout, Some(entry))
             .await
     } else {
         state
             .tool_queues
-            .dispatch(&session_id, method, params, timeout, Some(entry))
+            .dispatch(&session_id, method.clone(), params, timeout, Some(entry))
             .await
     };
     drop(inflight_guard);
     match outcome {
+        Ok(v) if method == Method::ToolDownload => {
+            let id = download_transfer_id.expect("download transfer allocated");
+            let mut result: DownloadResult = match serde_json::from_value(v) {
+                Ok(v) => v,
+                Err(err) => {
+                    state
+                        .transfers
+                        .release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+                    return ResponseBody::Err(RpcError {
+                        code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+                        message: format!("invalid tool.download result: {err}"),
+                        data: None,
+                    });
+                }
+            };
+            let Some(path) = result.browser_path.take() else {
+                state
+                    .transfers
+                    .release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+                return ResponseBody::Err(RpcError {
+                    code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+                    message: "tool.download returned no browser_path".into(),
+                    data: None,
+                });
+            };
+            match state
+                .transfers
+                .import_download(&id, std::path::Path::new(&path))
+            {
+                Ok(size) => {
+                    result.byte_size = size;
+                    result.transfer_id = Some(id);
+                    ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(result).unwrap_or(Value::Null))
+                }
+                Err(err) => {
+                    state
+                        .transfers
+                        .release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+                    ResponseBody::Err(err)
+                }
+            }
+        }
         Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(v),
-        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err.into_rpc()),
+        Err(err) => {
+            if let Some(id) = download_transfer_id {
+                state
+                    .transfers
+                    .release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+            }
+            ResponseBody::Err(err.into_rpc())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_begin(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p: TransferBeginParams = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    if state
+        .sessions
+        .get(&SessionId(p.session_id.clone()))
+        .is_none()
+    {
+        return ResponseBody::Err(RpcError {
+            code: ErrorCode::NotFound,
+            message: format!("session {} unknown", p.session_id),
+            data: None,
+        });
+    }
+    match state.transfers.begin_upload(p) {
+        Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(v).unwrap_or(Value::Null)),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_chunk(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    match state.transfers.write_chunk(p) {
+        Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(v).unwrap_or(Value::Null)),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_finish(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    match state.transfers.finish_upload(p) {
+        Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(v).unwrap_or(Value::Null)),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_read(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    match state.transfers.read_chunk(p) {
+        Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(v).unwrap_or(Value::Null)),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_release(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p: TransferIdParams = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(state.transfers.release(p)).unwrap_or(Value::Null))
+}
+
+fn invalid_params(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
     }
 }
 
@@ -533,6 +701,16 @@ fn tool_dispatch_timeout(params: &Value) -> Result<Duration, RpcError> {
     Ok(Duration::from_millis(u64::from(ms)))
 }
 
+fn tool_dispatch_transport_timeout(method: &Method, params: &Value) -> Result<Duration, RpcError> {
+    tool_dispatch_timeout(params).map(|timeout| {
+        if matches!(method, Method::ToolUpload | Method::ToolDownload) {
+            timeout.saturating_add(EXTENSION_RESPONSE_GRACE)
+        } else {
+            timeout
+        }
+    })
+}
+
 // Local CLI-facing shapes. Intentionally distinct from
 // `bsk_protocol::tools::SessionStart*` (which describes the WS-facing
 // `tool.session_*` round-trip with the extension) so the two sides can
@@ -798,6 +976,7 @@ async fn handle_session_stop(
     .await
     {
         Ok(stop) => {
+            state.transfers.release_session(&session_id.0);
             let result = CliSessionStopResult {
                 stopped: vec![session_id.0],
                 failed: Vec::new(),
@@ -897,6 +1076,7 @@ async fn handle_session_stop_all(
         .await
         {
             Ok(stop) => {
+                state.transfers.release_session(&id.0);
                 stopped.push(id.0);
                 returned_tab_ids.extend(stop.returned_tab_ids);
                 return_failures.extend(stop.return_failures);
@@ -1219,6 +1399,28 @@ mod windows {
                 connected = pipe.connect() => {
                     match connected {
                         Ok(()) => {
+                            // Keep the connected instance alive until its replacement
+                            // exists. Otherwise a fast handler can close the last
+                            // instance and make new clients fail with NotFound.
+                            loop {
+                                match ServerOptions::new()
+                                    .access_inbound(true)
+                                    .access_outbound(true)
+                                    .create(&listener.pipe_name)
+                                {
+                                    Ok(next) => {
+                                        listener.first = Some(next);
+                                        break;
+                                    }
+                                    Err(err) => {
+                                        warn!(?err, "create next named-pipe instance failed");
+                                        tokio::select! {
+                                            _ = &mut shutdown => return,
+                                            _ = tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(50)) => {}
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
                             on_open();
                             let handler = handler.clone();
                             let on_act = on_activity.clone();
@@ -1287,6 +1489,118 @@ mod windows {
         }
         Ok(())
     }
+    #[cfg(test)]
+    mod tests {
+        use super::*;
+        use std::sync::Mutex;
+        use std::time::Duration;
+        use tokio::net::windows::named_pipe::ClientOptions;
+        use tokio::sync::oneshot;
+
+        fn isolated_listener() -> NamedPipeListener {
+            let pipe_name = format!(r"\\.\pipe\bsk-test-{}", uuid::Uuid::new_v4());
+            let first = ServerOptions::new()
+                .first_pipe_instance(true)
+                .create(&pipe_name)
+                .unwrap();
+            NamedPipeListener {
+                pipe_name,
+                first: Some(first),
+            }
+        }
+
+        #[tokio::test]
+        async fn next_instance_exists_before_connection_is_handed_off() {
+            let listener = isolated_listener();
+            let name = listener.pipe_name.clone();
+            let probe_name = name.clone();
+            let (probe_tx, probe_rx) = oneshot::channel();
+            let probe_tx = Mutex::new(Some(probe_tx));
+            let (stop_tx, stop_rx) = oneshot::channel();
+            let server = tokio::spawn(serve(
+                listener,
+                crate::daemon::ipc::default_ping_handler(),
+                move || {
+                    if let Some(tx) = probe_tx.lock().unwrap().take() {
+                        // This callback runs before the connection task can finish.
+                        // A second client must already have an instance to open.
+                        let result = ClientOptions::new().open(&probe_name).map(drop);
+                        let _ = tx.send(result);
+                    }
+                },
+                || {},
+                || {},
+                async {
+                    let _ = stop_rx.await;
+                },
+            ));
+            let client = ClientOptions::new().open(&name).unwrap();
+            let result = tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(5), probe_rx).await;
+            drop(client);
+            let _ = stop_tx.send(());
+            server.await.unwrap();
+            result
+                .expect("accept callback ran")
+                .unwrap()
+                .expect("next pipe instance is ready");
+        }
+
+        #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 4)]
+        async fn rapid_disconnects_and_concurrent_rpc_connections() {
+            let listener = isolated_listener();
+            let name = listener.pipe_name.clone();
+            let (stop_tx, stop_rx) = oneshot::channel();
+            let server = tokio::spawn(serve(
+                listener,
+                crate::daemon::ipc::default_ping_handler(),
+                || {},
+                || {},
+                || {},
+                async {
+                    let _ = stop_rx.await;
+                },
+            ));
+            let exercise = async {
+                // Include clients that close without sending any request.
+                for _ in 0..64 {
+                    drop(
+                        crate::ipc_client::Client::connect_path(name.clone().into())
+                            .await
+                            .unwrap(),
+                    );
+                }
+                let mut clients = tokio::task::JoinSet::new();
+                for _ in 0..8 {
+                    let name = name.clone();
+                    clients.spawn(async move {
+                        for _ in 0..32 {
+                            let mut client =
+                                crate::ipc_client::Client::connect_path(name.clone().into())
+                                    .await
+                                    .unwrap();
+                            let reply: bsk_protocol::PingResult = client
+                                .call(
+                                    bsk_protocol::Method::SystemPing,
+                                    &serde_json::json!({}),
+                                    Duration::from_secs(5),
+                                )
+                                .await
+                                .unwrap()
+                                .unwrap();
+                            assert!(reply.pong);
+                        }
+                    });
+                }
+                while let Some(result) = clients.join_next().await {
+                    result.unwrap();
+                }
+            };
+            let result = tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(30), exercise).await;
+            let _ = stop_tx.send(());
+            server.await.unwrap();
+            result.expect("connection exercise completed");
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(windows)]
@@ -1329,6 +1643,30 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(got, std::time::Duration::from_millis(300_000));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn extension_transport_outlives_the_operation_deadline() {
+        let params = serde_json::json!({
+            "session_id": "abcd",
+            "timeout_ms": 60_000,
+        });
+        let dispatch_timeout =
+            tool_dispatch_transport_timeout(&Method::ToolUpload, &params).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(dispatch_timeout, Duration::from_secs(62));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn extension_response_grace_does_not_change_other_tools() {
+        let params = serde_json::json!({
+            "session_id": "abcd",
+            "timeout_ms": 60_000,
+        });
+        let dispatch_timeout =
+            tool_dispatch_transport_timeout(&Method::ToolClick, &params).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(dispatch_timeout, Duration::from_secs(60));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn tool_dispatch_timeout_rejects_zero_timeout_ms() {
         let params = serde_json::json!({

crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/lockfile.rs

@@ -90,17 +90,21 @@ pub fn pid_alive(pid: u32) -> bool {
 
     #[cfg(windows)]
     {
-        use windows_sys::Win32::Foundation::CloseHandle;
+        use windows_sys::Win32::Foundation::{CloseHandle, WAIT_TIMEOUT};
         use windows_sys::Win32::System::Threading::{
-            OpenProcess, PROCESS_QUERY_LIMITED_INFORMATION,
+            OpenProcess, PROCESS_SYNCHRONIZE, WaitForSingleObject,
         };
         unsafe {
-            let handle = OpenProcess(PROCESS_QUERY_LIMITED_INFORMATION, 0, pid);
+            let handle = OpenProcess(PROCESS_SYNCHRONIZE, 0, pid);
             if handle.is_null() {
                 return false;
             }
+            // An exited process can still be opened while another handle
+            // keeps its kernel object alive. Poll its termination signal;
+            // unlike checking STILL_ACTIVE, this also handles exit code 259.
+            let alive = WaitForSingleObject(handle, 0) == WAIT_TIMEOUT;
             CloseHandle(handle);
-            true
+            alive
         }
     }
 
@@ -110,3 +114,39 @@ pub fn pid_alive(pid: u32) -> bool {
         false
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(all(test, windows))]
+mod tests {
+    use super::pid_alive;
+    use std::os::windows::process::CommandExt;
+    use std::process::Command;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn current_process_is_alive() {
+        assert!(pid_alive(std::process::id()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn invalid_process_is_not_alive() {
+        assert!(!pid_alive(0));
+        assert!(!pid_alive(u32::MAX));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn exited_process_with_retained_handle_is_not_alive() {
+        for exit_code in [0, 259] {
+            let mut child = Command::new("cmd.exe")
+                .args(["/D", "/C", &format!("exit {exit_code}")])
+                .creation_flags(0x0800_0000) // CREATE_NO_WINDOW
+                .spawn()
+                .expect("spawn short-lived process");
+            assert_eq!(child.wait().unwrap().code(), Some(exit_code));
+            // Keep Child (and its process handle) alive during the probe.
+            assert!(
+                !pid_alive(child.id()),
+                "exited process with code {exit_code}"
+            );
+            drop(child);
+        }
+    }
+}

crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/mod.rs

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 pub mod abort;
 pub mod browsers;
 mod cancel_forward;
+pub mod file_transfer;
 pub mod inflight;
 pub mod info;
 pub mod ipc;

crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/queue.rs

@@ -438,6 +438,7 @@ async fn dispatch_with_sender(
     lifecycle_cancel: Option<AbortToken>,
     cancel_cleanup_timeout: Duration,
 ) -> Result<Value, DispatchError> {
+    let effect_aware_transfer = is_effect_aware_transfer(&method);
     let (respond_tx, respond_rx) = oneshot::channel();
     let job = ToolJob {
         method,
@@ -474,15 +475,21 @@ async fn dispatch_with_sender(
             mpsc::error::TrySendError::Closed(_) => DispatchError::QueueClosed,
         });
     }
-    let mut response_timeout = timeout.saturating_add(Duration::from_secs(1));
-    if lifecycle_cancellable {
-        // A lifecycle cancel can arrive at the original RPC deadline and
-        // intentionally keeps the worker alive while extension cleanup
-        // settles. Do not let this outer waiter abandon that reconciliation
-        // early, which could reopen a daemon session whose window is gone.
-        response_timeout = response_timeout.saturating_add(cancel_cleanup_timeout);
-    }
-    let waited = tokio::time::timeout(response_timeout, respond_rx).await;
+    // Lifecycle teardown and effect-aware transfers both keep the worker busy
+    // for bounded compensation after their original deadline. Keep the outer
+    // waiter alive for the same grace period so it cannot abandon reconciliation.
+    let response_grace = if lifecycle_cancellable || effect_aware_transfer {
+        cancel_cleanup_timeout
+    } else {
+        Duration::ZERO
+    };
+    let waited = tokio::time::timeout(
+        timeout
+            .saturating_add(response_grace)
+            .saturating_add(Duration::from_secs(1)),
+        respond_rx,
+    )
+    .await;
     match waited {
         Ok(Ok(Ok(v))) => Ok(v),
         Ok(Ok(Err(rpc))) => Err(DispatchError::Rpc(rpc)),
@@ -636,44 +643,85 @@ async fn forward_one(
         .lifecycle_cancel
         .as_ref()
         .map(|_| &forward_lifecycle_cancel as &(dyn Fn() + Sync));
+    let send_deadline_cancel = || {
+        client
+            .sink
+            .send(Frame::Request(RequestFrame {
+                id: format!("deadline-cancel-{rpc_id}"),
+                method: Method::Cancel,
+                params: Some(serde_json::json!({ "rpc_id": rpc_id })),
+            }))
+            .is_ok()
+    };
+    let deadline_cancel: Option<&(dyn Fn() -> bool + Sync)> =
+        is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method).then_some(&send_deadline_cancel);
     let waited = await_with_optional_cancel(
         job.timeout,
         job.cancel_cleanup_timeout,
         waiter,
         cancel_token.as_ref(),
         on_abort,
+        deadline_cancel,
     )
     .await;
     let response = match waited {
         WaitOutcome::Response(resp) => resp,
         WaitOutcome::CancelledAfterResponse(resp) => {
             if job.method == Method::ToolSessionStop
-                && let ResponseBody::Ok(value) = resp.body
+                && let ResponseBody::Ok(value) = &resp.body
             {
                 // Teardown crossed its final irreversible boundary before
                 // the cancel landed. Commit the real extension result so the
                 // daemon does not retain a session whose window is gone.
-                return Ok(value);
+                return Ok(value.clone());
             }
-            // Cancellation wins the external verdict, but only after the
-            // extension's original RPC has settled. Preserve any non-cancel
-            // error so compensation failures remain explicit instead of
-            // being hidden behind a generic cancelled result.
-            if let ResponseBody::Err(err) = resp.body
-                && !matches!(err.code, ErrorCode::Cancelled | ErrorCode::UserAborted)
-            {
-                return Err(err);
+            // File transfer commits are irreversible. A late cancel cannot
+            // overwrite a confirmed success, and an unknown transfer effect
+            // must remain explicit so callers do not retry or release upload
+            // staging as though nothing happened.
+            if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) {
+                match &resp.body {
+                    ResponseBody::Ok(_) => resp,
+                    ResponseBody::Err(err)
+                        if transfer_effect(err) == Some("unknown")
+                            || transfer_effect(err) == Some("committed") =>
+                    {
+                        return Err(err.clone());
+                    }
+                    ResponseBody::Err(err)
+                        if !matches!(err.code, ErrorCode::Cancelled | ErrorCode::UserAborted) =>
+                    {
+                        return Err(err.clone());
+                    }
+                    ResponseBody::Err(_) => {
+                        return Err(cancelled_error(
+                            job.inflight.as_deref(),
+                            "tool dispatch cancelled after extension cleanup",
+                        ));
+                    }
+                }
+            } else {
+                // For ordinary tools cancellation keeps the existing verdict,
+                // while non-cancel errors still expose compensation failures.
+                if let ResponseBody::Err(err) = resp.body
+                    && !matches!(err.code, ErrorCode::Cancelled | ErrorCode::UserAborted)
+                {
+                    return Err(err);
+                }
+                return Err(cancelled_error(
+                    job.inflight.as_deref(),
+                    "tool dispatch cancelled after extension cleanup",
+                ));
             }
-            return Err(cancelled_error(
-                job.inflight.as_deref(),
-                "tool dispatch cancelled after extension cleanup",
-            ));
         }
         WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(resp) => match resp.body {
-            ResponseBody::Ok(value) if job.method == Method::ToolSessionStop => {
+            ResponseBody::Ok(value)
+                if job.method == Method::ToolSessionStop
+                    || is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) =>
+            {
                 // The close crossed its irreversible boundary during the
-                // timeout cleanup grace. Reconcile daemon state instead of
-                // reopening a session whose window is already gone.
+                // timeout cleanup grace, or the transfer committed before its
+                // deadline cancel settled. Preserve the irreversible result.
                 return Ok(value);
             }
             ResponseBody::Err(err)
@@ -681,6 +729,9 @@ async fn forward_one(
             {
                 return Err(err);
             }
+            ResponseBody::Err(err) if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) => {
+                return Err(timed_out_transfer_error(&err));
+            }
             _ => {
                 return Err(RpcError {
                     code: ErrorCode::Timeout,
@@ -691,6 +742,14 @@ async fn forward_one(
         },
         WaitOutcome::CleanupTimeout => {
             client.pending.lock().unwrap().cancel(&rpc_id);
+            if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) {
+                return Err(unknown_transfer_error(
+                    ErrorCode::Timeout,
+                    "cancelled file transfer did not confirm its outcome before cleanup timed out",
+                    "cleanup",
+                    true,
+                ));
+            }
             return Err(RpcError {
                 code: ErrorCode::Timeout,
                 message: format!(
@@ -700,8 +759,25 @@ async fn forward_one(
                 data: Some(serde_json::json!({ "reason": "cancel_cleanup_timeout" })),
             });
         }
+        WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed => {
+            client.pending.lock().unwrap().cancel(&rpc_id);
+            return Err(unknown_transfer_error(
+                ErrorCode::Timeout,
+                "file transfer timed out and cleanup could not be confirmed",
+                "cleanup",
+                true,
+            ));
+        }
         WaitOutcome::WaiterClosed => {
             client.pending.lock().unwrap().cancel(&rpc_id);
+            if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) {
+                return Err(unknown_transfer_error(
+                    ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+                    "file transfer transport closed after dispatch; outcome is unknown",
+                    "transport",
+                    false,
+                ));
+            }
             return Err(RpcError {
                 code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
                 message: "transport closed mid-call".into(),
@@ -710,6 +786,14 @@ async fn forward_one(
         }
         WaitOutcome::Timeout => {
             client.pending.lock().unwrap().cancel(&rpc_id);
+            if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) {
+                return Err(unknown_transfer_error(
+                    ErrorCode::Timeout,
+                    "file transfer timed out after dispatch; outcome is unknown",
+                    "transport",
+                    false,
+                ));
+            }
             return Err(RpcError {
                 code: ErrorCode::Timeout,
                 message: format!("tool RPC timed out after {:?}", job.timeout),
@@ -723,12 +807,65 @@ async fn forward_one(
     }
 }
 
+fn is_effect_aware_transfer(method: &Method) -> bool {
+    matches!(method, Method::ToolUpload | Method::ToolDownload)
+}
+
+fn transfer_effect(err: &RpcError) -> Option<&str> {
+    err.data.as_ref()?.get("effect_state")?.as_str()
+}
+
+fn unknown_transfer_error(
+    code: ErrorCode,
+    message: impl Into<String>,
+    phase: &str,
+    cleanup_failed: bool,
+) -> RpcError {
+    let mut data = serde_json::json!({
+        "reason": "transfer_outcome_unknown",
+        "effect_state": "unknown",
+        "phase": phase,
+    });
+    if cleanup_failed {
+        data["cleanup_state"] = serde_json::json!("failed");
+    }
+    RpcError {
+        code,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: Some(data),
+    }
+}
+
+fn timed_out_transfer_error(err: &RpcError) -> RpcError {
+    let data = err.data.as_ref();
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::Timeout,
+        message: "file transfer timed out after dispatch".into(),
+        data: Some(serde_json::json!({
+            "reason": "transfer_timeout",
+            "effect_state": data
+                .and_then(|value| value.get("effect_state"))
+                .and_then(Value::as_str)
+                .unwrap_or("unknown"),
+            "phase": data
+                .and_then(|value| value.get("phase"))
+                .and_then(Value::as_str)
+                .unwrap_or("cleanup"),
+            "cleanup_state": data
+                .and_then(|value| value.get("cleanup_state"))
+                .and_then(Value::as_str)
+                .unwrap_or("complete"),
+        })),
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug)]
 enum WaitOutcome {
     Response(bsk_protocol::ResponseFrame),
     CancelledAfterResponse(bsk_protocol::ResponseFrame),
     TimedOutAfterResponse(bsk_protocol::ResponseFrame),
     CleanupTimeout,
+    TimeoutCleanupFailed,
     WaiterClosed,
     Timeout,
 }
@@ -739,6 +876,7 @@ async fn await_with_optional_cancel(
     mut waiter: oneshot::Receiver<bsk_protocol::ResponseFrame>,
     cancel: Option<&super::abort::AbortToken>,
     on_abort: Option<&(dyn Fn() + Sync)>,
+    on_deadline: Option<&(dyn Fn() -> bool + Sync)>,
 ) -> WaitOutcome {
     match cancel {
         Some(token) => {
@@ -764,6 +902,16 @@ async fn await_with_optional_cancel(
                     Err(_) => WaitOutcome::WaiterClosed,
                 },
                 _ = &mut deadline => {
+                    if let Some(send_cancel) = on_deadline {
+                        return if send_cancel() {
+                            match tokio::time::timeout(cleanup_timeout, &mut waiter).await {
+                                Ok(Ok(resp)) => WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(resp),
+                                Ok(Err(_)) | Err(_) => WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed,
+                            }
+                        } else {
+                            WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed
+                        };
+                    }
                     let Some(on_abort) = on_abort else {
                         return WaitOutcome::Timeout;
                     };
@@ -779,7 +927,16 @@ async fn await_with_optional_cancel(
         None => match tokio::time::timeout(timeout, &mut waiter).await {
             Ok(Ok(resp)) => WaitOutcome::Response(resp),
             Ok(Err(_)) => WaitOutcome::WaiterClosed,
-            Err(_) => WaitOutcome::Timeout,
+            Err(_) => match on_deadline {
+                Some(send_cancel) if send_cancel() => {
+                    match tokio::time::timeout(cleanup_timeout, &mut waiter).await {
+                        Ok(Ok(resp)) => WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(resp),
+                        Ok(Err(_)) | Err(_) => WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed,
+                    }
+                }
+                Some(_) => WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed,
+                None => WaitOutcome::Timeout,
+            },
         },
     }
 }
@@ -864,6 +1021,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             Some(&token),
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
         assert!(
@@ -887,6 +1045,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             Some(&token),
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
         match outcome {
@@ -907,6 +1066,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             None,
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
         assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::Response(_)));
@@ -924,6 +1084,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
                 rx,
                 Some(&token),
                 None,
+                None,
             )
             .await
         });
@@ -948,6 +1109,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             Some(&token),
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
         assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::CleanupTimeout));
@@ -972,12 +1134,49 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             Some(&token),
             Some(&forward_abort),
+            None,
         )
         .await;
 
         assert!(abort_forwarded.load(Ordering::SeqCst));
         assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(_)));
     }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn transfer_deadline_sends_cancel_and_waits_for_cleanup_response() {
+        let (tx, rx) = oneshot::channel();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(5)).await;
+            tx.send(dummy_response()).unwrap();
+        });
+        let send_cancel = || true;
+        let outcome = await_with_optional_cancel(
+            Duration::from_millis(1),
+            Duration::from_secs(1),
+            rx,
+            None,
+            None,
+            Some(&send_cancel),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(_)));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn transfer_deadline_is_unknown_when_cancel_cannot_be_sent() {
+        let (_tx, rx) = oneshot::channel();
+        let send_cancel = || false;
+        let outcome = await_with_optional_cancel(
+            Duration::from_millis(1),
+            Duration::from_secs(1),
+            rx,
+            None,
+            None,
+            Some(&send_cancel),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed));
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]

crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/start.rs

@@ -225,11 +225,15 @@ pub fn run_foreground(cfg: DaemonConfig) -> Result<()> {
             .with_context(|| format!("bind IPC endpoint {}", sock_path.display()))?;
 
         let state = Arc::new(DaemonState::new(cfg.clone()));
+        state
+            .transfers
+            .initialize()
+            .context("initialize transfer staging")?;
         let session_idle_task = spawn_session_idle_reaper(Arc::clone(&state));
         let browser_liveness_task = spawn_browser_liveness_reaper(Arc::clone(&state));
         // Fired by the update check task after a successful auto-update:
-        // the replacement daemon has already been spawned, so this
-        // process should shut down and let it take over.
+        // the replacement daemon (or Windows update helper) is ready, so
+        // this process should shut down and let it take over.
         let restart_notify = Arc::new(tokio::sync::Notify::new());
         let update_check_task =
             spawn_update_check_task(Arc::clone(&state), Arc::clone(&restart_notify));
@@ -448,6 +452,7 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_browser_liveness_reaper(
                     for s in state.sessions.purge_browser(&client.id) {
                         state.tool_queues.remove(&s.id);
                         state.session_interrupts.drop_session(&s.id);
+                        state.transfers.release_session(&s.id.0);
                         debug!(session = %s.id, "purged session on browser liveness timeout");
                     }
                 }
@@ -485,7 +490,10 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_session_idle_reaper(state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> tokio::task:
                 )
                 .await
                 {
-                    Ok(_) => info!(session = %session_id, "idle session stopped"),
+                    Ok(_) => {
+                        state.transfers.release_session(&session_id.0);
+                        info!(session = %session_id, "idle session stopped");
+                    }
                     Err(StopSessionError::SessionBusy | StopSessionError::Stopping) => {
                         debug!(session = %session_id, "idle session still active; retrying later");
                     }
@@ -496,6 +504,7 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_session_idle_reaper(state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> tokio::task:
                             &state.session_interrupts,
                             &session_id,
                         );
+                        state.transfers.release_session(&session_id.0);
                     }
                     Err(err) => {
                         warn!(session = %session_id, error = %err, "failed to stop idle session");
@@ -530,8 +539,8 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_session_idle_reaper(state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> tokio::task:
 /// task spawns the replacement daemon (see
 /// [`DAEMON_REPLACEMENT_WAIT_ENV`]) and fires `restart` so this process
 /// shuts down and the new version takes over; on Windows the
-/// replacement can only be staged, so it just logs that a restart is
-/// needed.
+/// helper waits for this process to exit, replaces the binary, and starts
+/// the new daemon with the same configuration.
 pub(crate) fn spawn_update_check_task(
     state: Arc<DaemonState>,
     restart: Arc<tokio::sync::Notify>,
@@ -596,7 +605,11 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_update_check_task(
                         |candidate| {
                             let target =
                                 exe_path.as_deref().context("current executable unknown")?;
-                            update::self_install_candidate(candidate, target)
+                            update::self_install_candidate(
+                                candidate,
+                                target,
+                                &restart_start_args(&state.config),
+                            )
                         },
                     )
                 })
@@ -626,10 +639,11 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_update_check_task(
                     sessions,
                     "auto-update postponed: agent session(s) active; will retry on the next tick"
                 ),
-                update::AutoUpdateOutcome::Staged { latest } => warn!(
-                    %latest,
-                    "auto-update staged the new binary but cannot replace the running daemon in place; restart the daemon (or terminal) to finish the upgrade"
-                ),
+                update::AutoUpdateOutcome::Staged { latest } => {
+                    info!(%latest, "update helper ready; exiting so it can replace and restart the daemon");
+                    restart.notify_one();
+                    return;
+                }
                 update::AutoUpdateOutcome::Replaced { latest } => {
                     info!(
                         current = env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION"),

crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/state.rs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use tokio::task::JoinHandle;
 
 use super::abort::AbortRegistry;
 use super::browsers::BrowserRegistry;
+use super::file_transfer::TransferRegistry;
 use super::inflight::ToolInflightRegistry;
 use super::ipc::IpcHandle;
 use super::queue::ToolQueueRegistry;
@@ -51,6 +52,9 @@ pub struct DaemonState {
     /// `SessionRegistry` because the signal is a transient runtime
     /// control state.
     pub session_interrupts: Arc<SessionInterruptRegistry>,
+    /// Operation-scoped local file staging. The extension only sees paths
+    /// minted here; agent-facing RPCs use opaque transfer ids.
+    pub transfers: Arc<TransferRegistry>,
 }
 
 impl DaemonState {
@@ -64,6 +68,7 @@ impl DaemonState {
         ));
         let abort_registry = Arc::new(AbortRegistry::new());
         let session_interrupts = Arc::new(SessionInterruptRegistry::new());
+        let transfers = Arc::new(TransferRegistry::new().expect("initialise transfer staging"));
         Self {
             config,
             browsers,
@@ -72,6 +77,7 @@ impl DaemonState {
             abort_registry,
             tool_inflight,
             session_interrupts,
+            transfers,
         }
     }
 }

crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ws.rs

@@ -295,6 +295,7 @@ async fn drive_connection(
     for session in state.sessions.purge_browser(&browser_id) {
         state.tool_queues.remove(&session.id);
         state.session_interrupts.drop_session(&session.id);
+        state.transfers.release_session(&session.id.0);
         debug!(session = %session.id, "purged stale session before browser reconnect");
     }
     let (tx, mut rx) = mpsc::unbounded_channel::<Frame>();
@@ -407,6 +408,7 @@ async fn drive_connection(
         for s in state.sessions.purge_browser(&browser_id) {
             state.tool_queues.remove(&s.id);
             state.session_interrupts.drop_session(&s.id);
+            state.transfers.release_session(&s.id.0);
             debug!(session = %s.id, "purged session on browser disconnect");
         }
     } else {
@@ -503,6 +505,7 @@ fn handle_session_window_closed(
         &state.session_interrupts,
         &session_id,
     ) {
+        state.transfers.release_session(&session_id.0);
         info!(session = %session_id, "session removed: user closed Agent Window");
     } else {
         debug!(session = %session_id, "session.window_closed for unknown session id");

crates/bsk-cli/src/main.rs

@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ fn dispatch(cli: Cli, format: Format) -> Result<(), CliError> {
         Command::Fill(args) => cli::interaction::dispatch_fill(args, format),
         Command::Press(args) => cli::interaction::dispatch_press(args, format),
         Command::Select(args) => cli::interaction::dispatch_select(args, format),
+        Command::Upload(args) => cli::upload::dispatch(args, format),
+        Command::Download(args) => cli::download::dispatch(args, format),
         Command::Evaluate(args) => cli::evaluate::dispatch(args, format),
         Command::WaitForNavigation(args) => cli::waits::dispatch_wait_for_navigation(args, format),
         Command::WaitMs(args) => cli::waits::dispatch_wait_ms(args, format),

crates/bsk-cli/tests/cli_parse.rs

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use bsk::cli::daemon::{DaemonCmd, parse_duration};
 use bsk::cli::navigate::NavigateCmd;
 use bsk::cli::record::{RecordCmd, RecordSub};
 use bsk::cli::session::{SessionCmd, SessionSub};
+use bsk::cli::upload::UploadModeArg;
 use bsk::{Cli, Command};
 use clap::Parser;
 
@@ -13,6 +14,54 @@ fn parse(args: &[&str]) -> Cli {
     Cli::try_parse_from(args).expect("clap parse should succeed")
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn parses_upload_modes() {
+    let cli = parse(&[
+        "bsk",
+        "upload",
+        "@e1",
+        "--file",
+        "image.png",
+        "--session",
+        "s1",
+    ]);
+    let Command::Upload(default_args) = cli.command else {
+        panic!("expected upload subcommand");
+    };
+    assert_eq!(default_args.mode, UploadModeArg::Input);
+
+    let cli = parse(&[
+        "bsk",
+        "upload",
+        "@e1",
+        "--file",
+        "image.png",
+        "--session",
+        "s1",
+        "--mode",
+        "drop",
+    ]);
+    let Command::Upload(drop_args) = cli.command else {
+        panic!("expected upload subcommand");
+    };
+    assert_eq!(drop_args.mode, UploadModeArg::Drop);
+
+    assert!(
+        Cli::try_parse_from([
+            "bsk",
+            "upload",
+            "@e1",
+            "--file",
+            "image.png",
+            "--session",
+            "s1",
+            "--mode",
+            "auto",
+        ])
+        .is_err()
+    );
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn parses_daemon_start_with_defaults() {
     let cli = parse(&["bsk", "daemon", "start"]);
@@ -213,6 +262,45 @@ fn rejects_zero_click_count() {
     );
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn parses_upload_with_repeated_files() {
+    let cli = parse(&[
+        "bsk",
+        "upload",
+        "@e3",
+        "--file",
+        "one.png",
+        "--file",
+        "two.png",
+        "--session",
+        "s1",
+    ]);
+    let Command::Upload(args) = cli.command else {
+        panic!("expected upload command");
+    };
+    assert_eq!(args.target.as_deref(), Some("@e3"));
+    assert_eq!(args.files.len(), 2);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn parses_download_with_exact_output_policy() {
+    let cli = parse(&[
+        "bsk",
+        "download",
+        "#export",
+        "--out",
+        "result.zip",
+        "--session",
+        "s1",
+        "--overwrite",
+    ]);
+    let Command::Download(args) = cli.command else {
+        panic!("expected download command");
+    };
+    assert_eq!(args.target.as_deref(), Some("#export"));
+    assert!(args.overwrite);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn parses_record_start_with_browser_and_url() {
     let cli = parse(&[

crates/bsk-cli/tests/windows_parent_cancel.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,342 @@
+//! Real Windows CLI cancellation, including caller-owned transfer cleanup.
+#![cfg(windows)]
+
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+use bsk::daemon::{file_transfer::TransferRegistry, info::DaemonInfo};
+use bsk_protocol::tools::{TransferBeginParams, TransferIdParams};
+use bsk_protocol::{ErrorCode, Frame, Method, ResponseBody, ResponseFrame, RpcError};
+use serde_json::json;
+use tokio::io::{AsyncBufReadExt, AsyncWriteExt, BufReader};
+use tokio::net::windows::named_pipe::ServerOptions;
+use tokio::process::Command;
+use tokio::sync::{Notify, watch};
+
+fn response<T: serde::Serialize>(result: Result<T, RpcError>) -> ResponseBody {
+    match result {
+        Ok(value) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(value).unwrap()),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn stdin_close_cancels_business_but_releases_resources_with_a_bounded_budget() {
+    // Resolve the production registry's root before starting any runtime threads.
+    let registry_home = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let original_home = std::env::var_os("BSK_HOME");
+    unsafe {
+        std::env::set_var("BSK_HOME", registry_home.path());
+    }
+    let transfers = Arc::new(TransferRegistry::new().unwrap());
+    unsafe {
+        match original_home {
+            Some(value) => std::env::set_var("BSK_HOME", value),
+            None => std::env::remove_var("BSK_HOME"),
+        }
+    }
+    transfers.initialize().unwrap();
+    tokio::runtime::Builder::new_current_thread()
+        .enable_all()
+        .build()
+        .unwrap()
+        .block_on(exercise(
+            transfers,
+            &registry_home.path().join("run/transfers"),
+        ));
+}
+
+async fn exercise(transfers: Arc<TransferRegistry>, staging_root: &Path) {
+    for mode in [
+        "wait",
+        "upload",
+        "upload-multi",
+        "upload-before-dispatch",
+        "download",
+        "upload-multi-stall",
+        "ordinary",
+    ] {
+        let home = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let pipe_name = format!(r"\\.\pipe\bsk-parent-cancel-{}", uuid::Uuid::new_v4());
+        let info = DaemonInfo::now(std::process::id(), (&pipe_name).into(), 0, "0.2.0");
+        std::fs::write(
+            home.path().join("daemon.json"),
+            serde_json::to_vec(&info).unwrap(),
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let mut pipe = ServerOptions::new()
+            .first_pipe_instance(true)
+            .create(&pipe_name)
+            .unwrap();
+        let registered = Arc::new(Notify::new());
+        let pending = Arc::new(Mutex::new(None::<String>));
+        let ids = Arc::new(Mutex::new(Vec::<String>::new()));
+        let released = Arc::new(Mutex::new(Vec::<String>::new()));
+        let received = Arc::new(Mutex::new(Vec::<Method>::new()));
+        let download_id = if mode == "download" {
+            let staging = transfers.begin_download("fixture").unwrap();
+            let browser_dir = home.path().join("BrowserSkill").join(&staging.transfer_id);
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(&browser_dir).unwrap();
+            let file = browser_dir.join("download.txt");
+            std::fs::write(&file, b"download fixture").unwrap();
+            transfers
+                .import_download(&staging.transfer_id, &file)
+                .unwrap();
+            ids.lock().unwrap().push(staging.transfer_id.clone());
+            Some(staging.transfer_id)
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
+        let (cancel, cancelled) = watch::channel(false);
+        let ready = Arc::clone(&registered);
+        let name = pipe_name.clone();
+        let registry = Arc::clone(&transfers);
+        let server_ids = Arc::clone(&ids);
+        let server_released = Arc::clone(&released);
+        let server_received = Arc::clone(&received);
+        let server = tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let mut connections = tokio::task::JoinSet::new();
+            loop {
+                pipe.connect().await.unwrap();
+                let next = ServerOptions::new().create(&name).unwrap();
+                let connection = std::mem::replace(&mut pipe, next);
+                let ready = Arc::clone(&ready);
+                let pending = Arc::clone(&pending);
+                let cancel = cancel.clone();
+                let mut cancelled = cancelled.clone();
+                let name = name.clone();
+                let registry = Arc::clone(&registry);
+                let ids = Arc::clone(&server_ids);
+                let released = Arc::clone(&server_released);
+                let received = Arc::clone(&server_received);
+                let download_id = download_id.clone();
+                connections.spawn(async move {
+                    let (read, mut write) = tokio::io::split(connection);
+                    let mut reader = BufReader::new(read);
+                    let mut line = String::new();
+                    while reader.read_line(&mut line).await.unwrap_or(0) > 0 {
+                        let Frame::Request(req) = serde_json::from_str::<Frame>(&line).unwrap()
+                        else {
+                            panic!("expected request");
+                        };
+                        line.clear();
+                        received.lock().unwrap().push(req.method.clone());
+                        let params = req.params.clone().unwrap_or_default();
+                        let body = match req.method {
+                            Method::SystemStatus => ResponseBody::Ok(json!({
+                                "daemon_version": "0.2.0", "protocol_version": "1.1",
+                                "pid": std::process::id(), "uptime_secs": 0,
+                                "ws_port": 0, "sock_path": name,
+                                "browsers": [], "sessions": [], "version_skew_browsers": []
+                            })),
+                            Method::TransferBegin => {
+                                let begin = registry
+                                    .begin_upload(serde_json::from_value(params).unwrap())
+                                    .unwrap();
+                                ids.lock().unwrap().push(begin.transfer_id.clone());
+                                response(Ok(begin))
+                            }
+                            Method::ToolDownload => ResponseBody::Ok(json!({
+                                "tab_id": 1, "suggested_filename": "download.txt",
+                                "byte_size": 16, "transfer_id": download_id,
+                            })),
+                            Method::ToolWaitMs if mode == "ordinary" => {
+                                ResponseBody::Ok(json!({"waited_ms": 1}))
+                            }
+                            Method::TransferChunk
+                                if mode == "upload-before-dispatch"
+                                    || (mode.contains("multi")
+                                        && ids.lock().unwrap().len() == 1) =>
+                            {
+                                response(
+                                    registry.write_chunk(serde_json::from_value(params).unwrap()),
+                                )
+                            }
+                            Method::TransferFinish if mode != "upload-before-dispatch" => response(
+                                registry.finish_upload(serde_json::from_value(params).unwrap()),
+                            ),
+                            Method::ToolWaitMs
+                            | Method::TransferChunk
+                            | Method::TransferRead
+                            | Method::TransferFinish => {
+                                *pending.lock().unwrap() = Some(req.id.clone());
+                                ready.notify_one();
+                                cancelled.wait_for(|value| *value).await.unwrap();
+                                if mode == "upload-before-dispatch" {
+                                    // Finish won the race with cancellation, but tool.upload must
+                                    // not be dispatched and the CLI still owns the staging.
+                                    response(
+                                        registry
+                                            .finish_upload(serde_json::from_value(params).unwrap()),
+                                    )
+                                } else {
+                                    ResponseBody::Err(RpcError {
+                                        code: ErrorCode::Cancelled,
+                                        message: "parent cancellation reached daemon".into(),
+                                        data: None,
+                                    })
+                                }
+                            }
+                            Method::Cancel => {
+                                let target = params["rpc_id"].as_str().unwrap();
+                                assert_eq!(pending.lock().unwrap().as_deref(), Some(target));
+                                cancel.send(true).unwrap();
+                                ResponseBody::Ok(json!({"cancelled": true}))
+                            }
+                            Method::TransferRelease => {
+                                let params: TransferIdParams =
+                                    serde_json::from_value(params).unwrap();
+                                released.lock().unwrap().push(params.transfer_id.clone());
+                                if mode.contains("stall") {
+                                    std::future::pending::<()>().await;
+                                }
+                                response(Ok(registry.release(params)))
+                            }
+                            other => panic!("unexpected request after cancellation: {other:?}"),
+                        };
+                        let response = Frame::Response(ResponseFrame { id: req.id, body });
+                        let mut bytes = serde_json::to_vec(&response).unwrap();
+                        bytes.push(b'\n');
+                        if write.write_all(&bytes).await.is_err() {
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                });
+            }
+        });
+
+        let mut cmd = Command::new(env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_bsk"));
+        cmd.env("BSK_HOME", home.path())
+            .env("BSK_AUTO_UPDATE", "off")
+            .env_remove("BSK_CANCEL_ON_STDIN_CLOSE")
+            .stdout(std::process::Stdio::piped())
+            .stderr(std::process::Stdio::piped())
+            .creation_flags(0x0800_0000)
+            .kill_on_drop(true);
+        if mode.starts_with("upload") {
+            let source = home.path().join("upload.txt");
+            // Declare 300 MiB without allocating or transferring that much data.
+            std::fs::File::create(&source)
+                .unwrap()
+                .set_len(if mode == "upload-before-dispatch" {
+                    16
+                } else {
+                    300 * 1024 * 1024
+                })
+                .unwrap();
+            cmd.args(["upload", "--session", "fixture", "--selector", "input"]);
+            if mode.contains("multi") {
+                let first = home.path().join("first.txt");
+                std::fs::write(&first, b"first file").unwrap();
+                cmd.arg("--file").arg(first);
+            }
+            cmd.arg("--file").arg(source);
+        } else if mode == "download" {
+            let out = home.path().join("out.txt");
+            std::fs::write(&out, b"existing output").unwrap();
+            cmd.args([
+                "download",
+                "--session",
+                "fixture",
+                "--selector",
+                "a",
+                "--overwrite",
+                "--out",
+            ])
+            .arg(out);
+        } else {
+            cmd.args(["wait-ms", if mode == "ordinary" { "1ms" } else { "60s" }]);
+        }
+        cmd.arg("--json");
+        if mode == "ordinary" {
+            cmd.stdin(std::process::Stdio::null());
+        } else {
+            cmd.env("BSK_CANCEL_ON_STDIN_CLOSE", "1")
+                .stdin(std::process::Stdio::piped());
+        }
+        let mut child = cmd.spawn().unwrap();
+        if mode != "ordinary" {
+            tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(10), registered.notified())
+                .await
+                .expect("CLI registered business RPC");
+            child
+                .stdin
+                .as_mut()
+                .unwrap()
+                .write_all(b"still connected")
+                .await
+                .unwrap();
+            drop(child.stdin.take());
+        }
+        let start = Instant::now();
+        let output = tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(8), child.wait_with_output())
+            .await
+            .expect("CLI must settle promptly, including cleanup")
+            .unwrap();
+        server.abort();
+        let _ = server.await;
+        assert_eq!(
+            output.status.code(),
+            Some(if mode == "ordinary" { 0 } else { 2 }),
+            "{mode}: stdout={} stderr={}",
+            String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout),
+            String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr)
+        );
+        if mode != "ordinary" {
+            let body: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_slice(&output.stdout).unwrap();
+            assert_eq!(body["code"], "cancelled");
+            if mode != "upload-before-dispatch" {
+                assert_eq!(body["message"], "parent cancellation reached daemon");
+            }
+            let received = received.lock().unwrap();
+            let cancel = received.iter().position(|m| *m == Method::Cancel).unwrap();
+            assert!(
+                received[cancel + 1..]
+                    .iter()
+                    .all(|m| *m == Method::TransferRelease),
+                "only cleanup may follow cancellation: {received:?}"
+            );
+        }
+        let ids = ids.lock().unwrap();
+        if mode.contains("stall") {
+            assert_eq!(released.lock().unwrap().len(), 1);
+            assert!(start.elapsed() >= Duration::from_secs(4));
+            // The CLI cannot force an unresponsive daemon to clean up.
+            transfers.release_session("fixture");
+        } else {
+            assert_eq!(
+                *released.lock().unwrap(),
+                *ids,
+                "{mode}: every allocation must be released"
+            );
+            for id in ids.iter() {
+                assert!(!staging_root.join(id).exists(), "staging leaked: {id}");
+            }
+            if mode.starts_with("upload") {
+                let retry = transfers
+                    .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                        session_id: "fixture".into(),
+                        name: "retry.txt".into(),
+                        byte_size: 300 * 1024 * 1024,
+                    })
+                    .expect("same session must have room for another 300 MiB upload");
+                transfers.release(TransferIdParams {
+                    transfer_id: retry.transfer_id,
+                });
+            }
+        }
+        if mode == "download" {
+            assert_eq!(
+                std::fs::read(home.path().join("out.txt")).unwrap(),
+                b"existing output"
+            );
+            assert!(
+                !std::fs::read_dir(home.path())
+                    .unwrap()
+                    .flatten()
+                    .any(|entry| entry.file_name().to_string_lossy().ends_with(".part"))
+            );
+        }
+    }
+}

crates/bsk-cli/tests/windows_update.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,343 @@
+//! Exercise self-update with a real executable and a local release server.
+#![cfg(windows)]
+
+use std::fs;
+use std::io::{Cursor, Read, Write};
+use std::net::{TcpListener, TcpStream};
+use std::os::windows::process::CommandExt;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::process::{Child, Command, Stdio};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use std::thread;
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+use bsk::daemon::info::DaemonInfo;
+use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
+
+const MARKER: &[u8] = b"windows-update-regression-fixture";
+
+struct ReleaseServer {
+    url: String,
+    requests: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    stop: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    worker: Option<thread::JoinHandle<()>>,
+}
+
+impl ReleaseServer {
+    fn new(binary: &[u8]) -> Self {
+        let mut archive = zip::ZipWriter::new(Cursor::new(Vec::new()));
+        archive
+            .start_file(
+                "bsk.exe",
+                zip::write::SimpleFileOptions::default()
+                    .compression_method(zip::CompressionMethod::Stored),
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+        archive.write_all(binary).unwrap();
+        let archive = archive.finish().unwrap().into_inner();
+        let listener = TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").unwrap();
+        listener.set_nonblocking(true).unwrap();
+        let url = format!("http://{}", listener.local_addr().unwrap());
+        let manifest = serde_json::to_vec(&serde_json::json!({
+            "version": "999.0.0",
+            "assets": {"windows-x64": {
+                "url": format!("{url}/bsk.zip"),
+                "sha256": Sha256::digest(&archive).iter().map(|byte| format!("{byte:02x}")).collect::<String>(),
+            }},
+        }))
+        .unwrap();
+        let stop = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
+        let worker_stop = Arc::clone(&stop);
+        let requests = Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0));
+        let worker_requests = Arc::clone(&requests);
+        let worker = thread::spawn(move || {
+            while !worker_stop.load(Ordering::SeqCst) {
+                let (mut stream, _) = match listener.accept() {
+                    Ok(connection) => connection,
+                    Err(err) if err.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::WouldBlock => {
+                        thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(10));
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    Err(err) => panic!("accept release request: {err}"),
+                };
+                // Windows accept() inherits the listener's nonblocking mode.
+                // Keep accept polling for shutdown, but read/write each request
+                // in blocking mode with the bounded timeouts below.
+                stream.set_nonblocking(false).unwrap();
+                stream
+                    .set_read_timeout(Some(Duration::from_secs(5)))
+                    .unwrap();
+                stream
+                    .set_write_timeout(Some(Duration::from_secs(5)))
+                    .unwrap();
+                let mut request = Vec::new();
+                let mut chunk = [0; 1024];
+                while !request.windows(4).any(|window| window == b"\r\n\r\n") {
+                    let len = stream.read(&mut chunk).unwrap();
+                    if len == 0 {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    request.extend_from_slice(&chunk[..len]);
+                }
+                let body = if request.starts_with(b"GET /bsk.zip ") {
+                    worker_requests.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
+                    &archive
+                } else {
+                    &manifest
+                };
+                write!(
+                    stream,
+                    "HTTP/1.1 200 OK\r\nContent-Length: {}\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n",
+                    body.len()
+                )
+                .unwrap();
+                stream.write_all(body).unwrap();
+            }
+        });
+        Self {
+            url: format!("{url}/version.json"),
+            requests,
+            stop,
+            worker: Some(worker),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for ReleaseServer {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        self.stop.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        let _ = self.worker.take().unwrap().join();
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn release_server_waits_for_delayed_and_fragmented_request_headers() {
+    let server = ReleaseServer::new(b"test binary");
+    let address = server
+        .url
+        .strip_prefix("http://")
+        .unwrap()
+        .strip_suffix("/version.json")
+        .unwrap();
+    let mut stream = TcpStream::connect(address).unwrap();
+    stream
+        .set_read_timeout(Some(Duration::from_secs(5)))
+        .unwrap();
+    stream
+        .set_write_timeout(Some(Duration::from_secs(5)))
+        .unwrap();
+    // Give accept() time to run before any bytes arrive, then split the
+    // headers across writes. Both reads must wait rather than return WouldBlock.
+    thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(100));
+    stream.write_all(b"GET /version.json HTTP/1.1\r\n").unwrap();
+    thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(100));
+    stream.write_all(b"Host: localhost\r\n\r\n").unwrap();
+    let mut response = String::new();
+    stream.read_to_string(&mut response).unwrap();
+    assert!(response.starts_with("HTTP/1.1 200 OK\r\n"), "{response}");
+    let (_, body) = response.split_once("\r\n\r\n").unwrap();
+    let manifest: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_str(body).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(manifest["version"], "999.0.0");
+}
+
+struct Fixture {
+    _tmp: tempfile::TempDir,
+    exe: PathBuf,
+    home: PathBuf,
+    binary: Vec<u8>,
+    server: ReleaseServer,
+    daemon: Option<Child>,
+}
+
+impl Fixture {
+    fn new() -> Self {
+        let tmp = tempfile::TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let dir = tmp.path().join("中文 space %PATH% ! & (update)");
+        fs::create_dir(&dir).unwrap();
+        let exe = dir.join("bsk.exe");
+        let home = tmp.path().join("home");
+        fs::create_dir(&home).unwrap();
+        fs::copy(env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_bsk"), &exe).unwrap();
+        // A PE overlay distinguishes the replacement without requiring a
+        // second build or changing the executable's behavior/version.
+        let mut binary = fs::read(&exe).unwrap();
+        binary.extend_from_slice(MARKER);
+        let server = ReleaseServer::new(&binary);
+        Self {
+            _tmp: tmp,
+            exe,
+            home,
+            binary,
+            server,
+            daemon: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn command(&self) -> Command {
+        let mut cmd = Command::new(&self.exe);
+        cmd.env("BSK_HOME", &self.home)
+            .env("BSK_UPDATE_MANIFEST_URL", &self.server.url)
+            .env("BSK_AUTO_UPDATE", "off")
+            .env("RUST_LOG", "info")
+            .env("NO_PROXY", "127.0.0.1,localhost")
+            .env_remove("BSK_DAEMONIZED")
+            .env_remove("BSK_DAEMON_REPLACES_PID")
+            .stdin(Stdio::null())
+            .creation_flags(0x0800_0000);
+        cmd
+    }
+
+    fn wait_for(&self, description: &str, mut check: impl FnMut() -> bool) {
+        let deadline = Instant::now() + Duration::from_secs(30);
+        while Instant::now() < deadline {
+            if check() {
+                return;
+            }
+            thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(50));
+        }
+        let diagnostics: Vec<_> = fs::read_dir(self.exe.parent().unwrap())
+            .unwrap()
+            .flatten()
+            .filter(|entry| entry.path().extension().is_some_and(|ext| ext == "log"))
+            .map(|entry| {
+                (
+                    entry.path(),
+                    String::from_utf8_lossy(&fs::read(entry.path()).unwrap_or_default())
+                        .into_owned(),
+                )
+            })
+            .collect();
+        let home_logs: Vec<_> = fs::read_dir(&self.home)
+            .unwrap()
+            .flatten()
+            .filter(|entry| entry.file_name().to_string_lossy().contains("log"))
+            .map(|entry| {
+                (
+                    entry.path(),
+                    String::from_utf8_lossy(&fs::read(entry.path()).unwrap_or_default())
+                        .into_owned(),
+                )
+            })
+            .collect();
+        panic!(
+            "timed out waiting for {description}; helper logs: {diagnostics:?}; daemon logs: {home_logs:?}"
+        );
+    }
+
+    fn info(&self) -> Option<DaemonInfo> {
+        serde_json::from_slice(&fs::read(self.home.join("daemon.json")).ok()?).ok()
+    }
+
+    fn updated(&self) -> bool {
+        // A locked executable may briefly reject reads during replacement.
+        fs::read(&self.exe).is_ok_and(|binary| binary == self.binary)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for Fixture {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        // Stop only the daemon belonging to this isolated BSK_HOME. Also reap
+        // the foreground process on assertion failures to avoid leaking locks.
+        let _ = self.command().args(["daemon", "stop"]).output();
+        if let Some(child) = self.daemon.as_mut() {
+            let _ = child.kill();
+            let _ = child.wait();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn manual_update_replaces_the_running_executable_after_cli_exit() {
+    let fixture = Fixture::new();
+    let out = fixture
+        .command()
+        .args(["--json", "update", "--yes"])
+        .output()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        out.status.success(),
+        "{}",
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr)
+    );
+    let report: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_slice(&out.stdout).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(report["status"], "staged");
+    fixture.wait_for("CLI replacement and helper cleanup", || {
+        fixture.updated() && fs::read_dir(fixture.exe.parent().unwrap()).unwrap().count() == 1
+    });
+    assert!(
+        fixture.info().is_none(),
+        "an update must not start a previously absent daemon"
+    );
+    assert_eq!(fixture.server.requests.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 1);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn automatic_update_exits_old_daemon_and_restarts_on_the_same_port() {
+    let mut fixture = Fixture::new();
+    let port = unused_port();
+    let log = fs::File::create(fixture.home.join("foreground.log")).unwrap();
+    let child = fixture
+        .command()
+        .env("BSK_AUTO_UPDATE", "on")
+        // Exercise the environment inherited by a normally detached daemon.
+        .env("BSK_DAEMONIZED", "1")
+        .args([
+            "daemon",
+            "start",
+            "--port",
+            &port.to_string(),
+            "--session-idle",
+            "1234ms",
+            "--daemon-idle",
+            "30s",
+        ])
+        .stdout(Stdio::from(log.try_clone().unwrap()))
+        .stderr(Stdio::from(log))
+        .spawn()
+        .unwrap();
+    let old_pid = child.id();
+    fixture.daemon = Some(child);
+    fixture.wait_for("replacement daemon", || {
+        fixture.updated()
+            && fixture
+                .info()
+                .is_some_and(|info| info.pid != old_pid && info.ws_port == port)
+    });
+    assert!(
+        fixture
+            .daemon
+            .as_mut()
+            .unwrap()
+            .try_wait()
+            .unwrap()
+            .is_some(),
+        "old daemon must exit"
+    );
+    fixture.wait_for("helper cleanup", || {
+        fs::read_dir(fixture.exe.parent().unwrap()).unwrap().count() == 1
+    });
+    let status = fixture
+        .command()
+        .args(["--json", "status"])
+        .output()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        status.status.success(),
+        "{}",
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&status.stderr)
+    );
+    assert_eq!(
+        fixture.server.requests.load(Ordering::SeqCst),
+        1,
+        "the replacement must not stage another update immediately"
+    );
+}
+
+fn unused_port() -> u16 {
+    TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0")
+        .unwrap()
+        .local_addr()
+        .unwrap()
+        .port()
+}

crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_download_params.json

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "DownloadParams",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": [
+    "session_id"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "browser_relative_dir": {
+      "description": "Daemon-injected relative directory beneath Chrome's Downloads root.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "max_byte_size": {
+      "description": "Daemon-injected authoritative transfer size limit. The extension uses it only for early cancellation; daemon import remains the final check.",
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "uint64",
+      "minimum": 0.0
+    },
+    "ref": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "selector": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "session_id": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "tab_id": {
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "int64"
+    },
+    "timeout_ms": {
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "uint32",
+      "minimum": 0.0
+    }
+  }
+}

crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_download_result.json

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "DownloadResult",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": [
+    "byte_size",
+    "suggested_filename",
+    "tab_id"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "browser_path": {
+      "description": "Extension-internal completed Chrome download path, stripped by the daemon.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "byte_size": {
+      "type": "integer",
+      "format": "uint64",
+      "minimum": 0.0
+    },
+    "danger": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "mime": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "suggested_filename": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "tab_id": {
+      "type": "integer",
+      "format": "int64"
+    },
+    "transfer_id": {
+      "description": "Opaque id returned by the daemon to the CLI.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "used_ref": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "used_selector": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    }
+  }
+}

crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_upload_params.json

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "UploadParams",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": [
+    "files",
+    "session_id"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "files": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "items": {
+        "$ref": "#/definitions/UploadFile"
+      }
+    },
+    "mode": {
+      "$ref": "#/definitions/UploadMode"
+    },
+    "ref": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "selector": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "session_id": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "tab_id": {
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "int64"
+    },
+    "timeout_ms": {
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "uint32",
+      "minimum": 0.0
+    }
+  },
+  "definitions": {
+    "UploadFile": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "required": [
+        "name",
+        "transfer_id"
+      ],
+      "properties": {
+        "name": {
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        "staged_path": {
+          "type": [
+            "string",
+            "null"
+          ]
+        },
+        "transfer_id": {
+          "type": "string"
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "UploadMode": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "enum": [
+        "input",
+        "drop"
+      ]
+    }
+  }
+}

crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_upload_result.json

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "UploadResult",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": [
+    "file_names",
+    "tab_id"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "file_names": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "tab_id": {
+      "type": "integer",
+      "format": "int64"
+    },
+    "used_ref": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "used_selector": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    }
+  }
+}

crates/bsk-protocol/src/bin/dump-schema.rs

@@ -85,6 +85,10 @@ fn main() {
     dump!(PressResult, "tool_press_result");
     dump!(SelectParams, "tool_select_params");
     dump!(SelectResult, "tool_select_result");
+    dump!(UploadParams, "tool_upload_params");
+    dump!(UploadResult, "tool_upload_result");
+    dump!(DownloadParams, "tool_download_params");
+    dump!(DownloadResult, "tool_download_result");
 
     dump!(SnapshotParams, "tool_snapshot_params");
     dump!(SnapshotResult, "tool_snapshot_result");

crates/bsk-protocol/src/method.rs

@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ pub enum Method {
     ToolPress,
     #[serde(rename = "tool.select")]
     ToolSelect,
+    #[serde(rename = "tool.upload")]
+    ToolUpload,
+    #[serde(rename = "tool.download")]
+    ToolDownload,
     #[serde(rename = "tool.snapshot")]
     ToolSnapshot,
     #[serde(rename = "tool.observe")]
@@ -105,6 +109,17 @@ pub enum Method {
     #[serde(rename = "tool.record_await")]
     ToolRecordAwait,
 
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.begin")]
+    TransferBegin,
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.chunk")]
+    TransferChunk,
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.finish")]
+    TransferFinish,
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.read")]
+    TransferRead,
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.release")]
+    TransferRelease,
+
     #[serde(rename = "cancel")]
     Cancel,
 }
@@ -156,6 +171,8 @@ impl Method {
             | Method::ToolFill
             | Method::ToolPress
             | Method::ToolSelect
+            | Method::ToolUpload
+            | Method::ToolDownload
             | Method::ToolEvaluate
             // May navigate via optional `url` and changes Agent Window
             // chrome; gate behind pending-interrupt like other writes.
@@ -194,6 +211,11 @@ impl Method {
             | Method::SystemPing
             | Method::SystemStatus
             | Method::BrowserList
+            | Method::TransferBegin
+            | Method::TransferChunk
+            | Method::TransferFinish
+            | Method::TransferRead
+            | Method::TransferRelease
             | Method::Cancel => MethodEffect::ControlPlane,
         }
     }

crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/file_transfer.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,213 @@
+//! Content-transparent file transfer contracts.
+//!
+//! Public tool calls carry opaque transfer ids. Filesystem paths are injected
+//! by the daemon only on the daemon -> extension hop and are never accepted as
+//! an agent-facing source or destination.
+
+use schemars::JsonSchema;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct UploadFile {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub name: String,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub staged_path: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum UploadMode {
+    #[default]
+    Input,
+    Drop,
+}
+
+impl UploadMode {
+    fn is_input(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self, Self::Input)
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct UploadParams {
+    pub session_id: String,
+    #[serde(
+        rename = "ref",
+        alias = "ref_",
+        default,
+        skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none"
+    )]
+    pub ref_: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub selector: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub tab_id: Option<i64>,
+    pub files: Vec<UploadFile>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "UploadMode::is_input")]
+    pub mode: UploadMode,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub timeout_ms: Option<u32>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct UploadResult {
+    pub tab_id: i64,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub used_ref: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub used_selector: Option<String>,
+    pub file_names: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct DownloadParams {
+    pub session_id: String,
+    #[serde(
+        rename = "ref",
+        alias = "ref_",
+        default,
+        skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none"
+    )]
+    pub ref_: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub selector: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub tab_id: Option<i64>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub timeout_ms: Option<u32>,
+    /// Daemon-injected relative directory beneath Chrome's Downloads root.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub browser_relative_dir: Option<String>,
+    /// Daemon-injected authoritative transfer size limit. The extension uses
+    /// it only for early cancellation; daemon import remains the final check.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub max_byte_size: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct DownloadResult {
+    pub tab_id: i64,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub used_ref: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub used_selector: Option<String>,
+    pub suggested_filename: String,
+    pub byte_size: u64,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub mime: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub danger: Option<String>,
+    /// Extension-internal completed Chrome download path, stripped by the daemon.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub browser_path: Option<String>,
+    /// Opaque id returned by the daemon to the CLI.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub transfer_id: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferBeginParams {
+    pub session_id: String,
+    pub name: String,
+    pub byte_size: u64,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferBeginResult {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub chunk_size: u32,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferChunkParams {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub offset: u64,
+    pub data_base64: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferChunkResult {
+    pub next_offset: u64,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub eof: bool,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub data_base64: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferIdParams {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferReadyResult {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub byte_size: u64,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferReleaseResult {
+    pub released: bool,
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_agent_shape_omits_daemon_path_and_uses_ref_wire_name() {
+        let value = serde_json::to_value(UploadParams {
+            session_id: "s1".into(),
+            ref_: Some("@e3".into()),
+            selector: None,
+            tab_id: None,
+            files: vec![UploadFile {
+                transfer_id: "tr_1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                staged_path: None,
+            }],
+            mode: UploadMode::Input,
+            timeout_ms: None,
+        })
+        .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(value["ref"], "@e3");
+        assert!(value["files"][0].get("staged_path").is_none());
+        assert!(value.get("mode").is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_drop_mode_is_explicit_on_the_wire() {
+        let value = serde_json::to_value(UploadParams {
+            session_id: "s1".into(),
+            ref_: Some("@e3".into()),
+            selector: None,
+            tab_id: None,
+            files: vec![UploadFile {
+                transfer_id: "tr_1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                staged_path: None,
+            }],
+            mode: UploadMode::Drop,
+            timeout_ms: None,
+        })
+        .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(value["mode"], "drop");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn download_agent_shape_omits_daemon_path() {
+        let value = serde_json::to_value(DownloadParams {
+            session_id: "s1".into(),
+            ref_: None,
+            selector: Some("#export".into()),
+            tab_id: None,
+            timeout_ms: None,
+            browser_relative_dir: None,
+            max_byte_size: None,
+        })
+        .unwrap();
+        assert!(value.get("browser_relative_dir").is_none());
+        assert!(value.get("max_byte_size").is_none());
+    }
+}

crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/mod.rs

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 pub mod console;
 pub mod dialog;
 pub mod emulate;
+pub mod file_transfer;
 pub mod human_loop;
 pub mod interaction;
 pub mod navigation;
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ pub mod window;
 pub use console::*;
 pub use dialog::*;
 pub use emulate::*;
+pub use file_transfer::*;
 pub use human_loop::*;
 pub use interaction::*;
 pub use navigation::*;

docs/architecture.md

@@ -143,6 +143,15 @@ flowchart LR
 - No credential storage in bsk — cookies stay in the user's browser profile.
 - `evaluate` restricted to Agent Window tabs in sandbox mode.
 
+### File-transfer boundary
+
+- The invoking agent/harness decides whether a transfer is authorized and supplies the task-local source or destination path.
+- The CLI is the only component that reads an upload source or writes the final download destination. Before browser dispatch it owns rollback of partially staged uploads; after dispatch, ownership moves to the session because a transport timeout cannot prove that Chrome did not attach the file. Download output becomes visible through one atomic commit, and replacement is opt-in without a pre-delete window. The extension never receives either agent-facing path.
+- The daemon is the authority for storage capabilities and limits. It issues opaque session-scoped transfer IDs, stages bounded chunks in a private runtime directory, and injects only private staged upload paths. For download it mints one relative Chrome directory capability. Only after validating the reported path, file type, symlink boundary, and authoritative byte limit does it take ownership of browser-file cleanup and import the bytes.
+- The extension owns only the browser transaction. Every transfer resolves one `ResolvedActionTarget`. The default upload mechanism arms Chrome's chooser interception before clicking, then accepts either an exact `Page.fileChooserOpened` input node or an independent probe anchored in the trigger node's document; one verified input is committed with `DOM.setFileInputFiles`, while a non-input picker is rejected immediately. Explicit drop mode performs no click and never falls back to the chooser mechanism: after geometry resolution it temporarily excludes BrowserSkill's own overlay, verifies that the resolved drop zone still owns its local action point, and sends one native `dragEnter` / `dragOver` / `drop` transaction to that node's CDP target before restoring the overlay. OOPIF drops use target-local coordinates rather than top-level click coordinates. Download correlates exact-target CDP intent and `chrome.downloads` filename candidates in either arrival order, claims only one unique match, and never cancels an unclaimed candidate.
+- Browser-side operations report `effect_state` (`none`, `committed`, or `unknown`), `phase`, and `cleanup_state`. Confirmed success wins over a late cancel; an unknown effect is preserved across timeout or transport loss and must not be retried blindly. A transfer deadline sends cancellation to the extension and keeps the session queue occupied for bounded compensation rather than abandoning an in-flight browser effect.
+- Download staging is released after CLI commit. Upload staging remains until session teardown because the page may read an attached file only on a later form submission. Remaining staging is released on session stop/browser disconnect and on daemon startup after a crash. BrowserSkill does not inspect content or decide whether a transfer is appropriate.
+
 ## Repository layout
 
 ```