diff --git a/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilPhoneShellView.swift b/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilPhoneShellView.swift
index ab92e13..1b48086 100644
--- a/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilPhoneShellView.swift
+++ b/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilPhoneShellView.swift
@@ -77,6 +77,27 @@ struct SybilPhoneShellView: View {
 private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRoot: View {
     @Bindable var viewModel: SybilViewModel
     @Binding var path: [PhoneRoute]
+    @State private var openingSelection: SidebarSelection?
+    @State private var openingRequestID: UUID?
+
+    private var highlightedSelection: SidebarSelection? {
+        if let openingSelection {
+            return openingSelection
+        }
+
+        guard let route = path.last else {
+            return nil
+        }
+
+        switch route {
+        case let .chat(chatID):
+            return .chat(chatID)
+        case let .search(searchID):
+            return .search(searchID)
+        case .draftChat, .draftSearch, .settings:
+            return nil
+        }
+    }
 
     var body: some View {
         VStack(spacing: 0) {
@@ -118,10 +139,16 @@ private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRoot: View {
                 ScrollView {
                     LazyVStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
                         ForEach(viewModel.sidebarItems) { item in
-                            NavigationLink(value: PhoneRoute.from(selection: item.selection)) {
+                            Button {
+                                open(item.selection)
+                            } label: {
                                 SybilPhoneSidebarRow(item: item)
                             }
-                            .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                            .buttonStyle(
+                                SybilPhoneSidebarRowButtonStyle(
+                                    isHighlighted: highlightedSelection == item.selection
+                                )
+                            )
                             .contextMenu {
                                 Button(role: .destructive) {
                                     Task {
@@ -150,17 +177,20 @@ private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRoot: View {
 
             HStack(spacing: 12) {
                 toolbarIconButton(systemImage: "gearshape", accessibilityLabel: "Settings") {
+                    clearOpeningSelection()
                     path = [.settings]
                 }
 
                 Spacer()
 
                 toolbarIconButton(systemImage: "magnifyingglass", accessibilityLabel: "New search") {
+                    clearOpeningSelection()
                     viewModel.startNewSearch()
                     path = [.draftSearch]
                 }
 
                 toolbarIconButton(systemImage: "plus", accessibilityLabel: "New chat", isPrimary: true) {
+                    clearOpeningSelection()
                     viewModel.startNewChat()
                     path = [.draftChat]
                 }
@@ -198,9 +228,54 @@ private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRoot: View {
         .buttonStyle(.plain)
         .accessibilityLabel(accessibilityLabel)
     }
+
+    private func clearOpeningSelection() {
+        openingRequestID = nil
+        openingSelection = nil
+    }
+
+    private func open(_ selection: SidebarSelection) {
+        guard openingSelection != selection else {
+            return
+        }
+
+        let requestID = UUID()
+        openingRequestID = requestID
+        openingSelection = selection
+        Task {
+            await viewModel.selectForNavigation(selection)
+            guard openingRequestID == requestID else {
+                return
+            }
+            path = [PhoneRoute.from(selection: selection)]
+            openingRequestID = nil
+            openingSelection = nil
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRowIsActiveKey: EnvironmentKey {
+    static let defaultValue = false
+}
+
+private extension EnvironmentValues {
+    var sybilPhoneSidebarRowIsActive: Bool {
+        get { self[SybilPhoneSidebarRowIsActiveKey.self] }
+        set { self[SybilPhoneSidebarRowIsActiveKey.self] = newValue }
+    }
+}
+
+private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRowButtonStyle: ButtonStyle {
+    var isHighlighted: Bool
+
+    func makeBody(configuration: Configuration) -> some View {
+        configuration.label
+            .environment(\.sybilPhoneSidebarRowIsActive, isHighlighted || configuration.isPressed)
+    }
 }
 
 private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRow: View {
+    @Environment(\.sybilPhoneSidebarRowIsActive) private var isHighlighted
     var item: SidebarItem
 
     var body: some View {
@@ -208,14 +283,14 @@ private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRow: View {
             HStack(spacing: 8) {
                 Image(systemName: item.kind == .chat ? "message" : "globe")
                     .font(.system(size: 12, weight: .semibold))
-                    .foregroundStyle(SybilTheme.textMuted)
+                    .foregroundStyle(isHighlighted ? SybilTheme.accent : SybilTheme.textMuted)
                     .frame(width: 22, height: 22)
                     .background(
                         RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 7)
-                            .fill(SybilTheme.surface.opacity(0.72))
+                            .fill(isHighlighted ? SybilTheme.accent.opacity(0.12) : SybilTheme.surface.opacity(0.72))
                             .overlay(
                                 RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 7)
-                                    .stroke(SybilTheme.border.opacity(0.72), lineWidth: 1)
+                                    .stroke(isHighlighted ? SybilTheme.accent.opacity(0.36) : SybilTheme.border.opacity(0.72), lineWidth: 1)
                             )
                     )
 
@@ -246,11 +321,15 @@ private struct SybilPhoneSidebarRow: View {
         .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
         .background(
             RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 12)
-                .fill(LinearGradient(colors: [SybilTheme.surface.opacity(0.56), SybilTheme.surface.opacity(0.36)], startPoint: .topLeading, endPoint: .bottomTrailing))
+                .fill(
+                    isHighlighted
+                        ? SybilTheme.selectedRowGradient
+                        : LinearGradient(colors: [SybilTheme.surface.opacity(0.56), SybilTheme.surface.opacity(0.36)], startPoint: .topLeading, endPoint: .bottomTrailing)
+                )
         )
         .overlay(
             RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 12)
-                .stroke(SybilTheme.border.opacity(0.72), lineWidth: 1)
+                .stroke(isHighlighted ? SybilTheme.primary.opacity(0.55) : SybilTheme.border.opacity(0.72), lineWidth: 1)
         )
     }
 }
@@ -285,8 +364,14 @@ private struct SybilPhoneDestinationView: View {
     private func applyRoute() {
         switch route {
         case let .chat(chatID):
+            guard viewModel.draftKind != nil || viewModel.selectedItem != .chat(chatID) else {
+                return
+            }
             viewModel.select(.chat(chatID))
         case let .search(searchID):
+            guard viewModel.draftKind != nil || viewModel.selectedItem != .search(searchID) else {
+                return
+            }
             viewModel.select(.search(searchID))
         case .draftChat:
             viewModel.startNewChat()
diff --git a/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilViewModel.swift b/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilViewModel.swift
index 8cdafa7..12858e9 100644
--- a/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilViewModel.swift
+++ b/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilViewModel.swift
@@ -42,6 +42,22 @@ private struct PendingChatState {
     var messages: [Message]
 }
 
+private enum ActiveSendContext: Equatable {
+    case draftChat(UUID)
+    case chat(String)
+    case draftSearch(UUID)
+    case search(String)
+
+    var isSearch: Bool {
+        switch self {
+        case .draftSearch, .search:
+            return true
+        case .draftChat, .chat:
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 private actor CompletionStreamStatus {
     private var streamError: String?
 
@@ -99,6 +115,8 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
     @ObservationIgnored
     private var hasBootstrapped = false
     private var pendingChatState: PendingChatState?
+    private var activeSendContext: ActiveSendContext?
+    private var draftIdentity = UUID()
     @ObservationIgnored
     private var selectionTask: Task<Void, Never>?
     @ObservationIgnored
@@ -157,7 +175,7 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
 
         switch selectedItem {
         case .chat:
-            if let selectedChat {
+            if let selectedChat = currentSelectedChat {
                 return chatTitle(title: selectedChat.title, messages: selectedChat.messages)
             }
             if let summary = selectedChatSummary {
@@ -166,7 +184,7 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
             return "Chat"
 
         case .search:
-            if let selectedSearch {
+            if let selectedSearch = currentSelectedSearch {
                 return searchTitle(title: selectedSearch.title, query: selectedSearch.query)
             }
             if let summary = selectedSearchSummary {
@@ -233,7 +251,7 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
     }
 
     var displayedMessages: [Message] {
-        let canonical = displayableMessages(selectedChat?.messages ?? [])
+        let canonical = displayableMessages(currentSelectedChat?.messages ?? [])
         guard let pending = pendingChatState else {
             return canonical
         }
@@ -252,6 +270,40 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         return canonical
     }
 
+    var displayedSearch: SearchDetail? {
+        currentSelectedSearch
+    }
+
+    var isSendingVisibleChat: Bool {
+        guard isSending, pendingChatState != nil else {
+            return false
+        }
+
+        switch activeSendContext {
+        case let .draftChat(identity):
+            return draftKind == .chat && identity == draftIdentity
+        case let .chat(chatID):
+            return selectedItem == .chat(chatID)
+        case .draftSearch, .search, nil:
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+
+    var isRunningVisibleSearch: Bool {
+        guard isSending else {
+            return false
+        }
+
+        switch activeSendContext {
+        case let .draftSearch(identity):
+            return draftKind == .search && identity == draftIdentity
+        case let .search(searchID):
+            return selectedItem == .search(searchID)
+        case .draftChat, .chat, nil:
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+
     var sidebarItems: [SidebarItem] {
         let chatItems: [SidebarItem] = chats.map { chat in
             let initiatedLabel: String?
@@ -324,7 +376,10 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         isCheckingSession = true
         authError = nil
         errorMessage = nil
+        resetSelectionLoading()
         pendingChatState = nil
+        activeSendContext = nil
+        draftIdentity = UUID()
         composerAttachments = []
         settings.persist()
 
@@ -396,10 +451,13 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
 
     func startNewChat() {
         SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.ui, "Starting draft chat")
+        resetSelectionLoading()
+        draftIdentity = UUID()
         draftKind = .chat
         selectedItem = nil
         selectedChat = nil
         selectedSearch = nil
+        pendingChatState = nil
         errorMessage = nil
         composer = ""
         composerAttachments = []
@@ -407,10 +465,13 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
 
     func startNewSearch() {
         SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.ui, "Starting draft search")
+        resetSelectionLoading()
+        draftIdentity = UUID()
         draftKind = .search
         selectedItem = nil
         selectedChat = nil
         selectedSearch = nil
+        pendingChatState = nil
         errorMessage = nil
         composer = ""
         composerAttachments = []
@@ -418,33 +479,72 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
 
     func openSettings() {
         SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.ui, "Opening settings")
+        resetSelectionLoading()
         draftKind = nil
         selectedItem = .settings
         selectedChat = nil
         selectedSearch = nil
+        pendingChatState = nil
         errorMessage = nil
         composerAttachments = []
     }
 
     func select(_ selection: SidebarSelection) {
-        SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.ui, "Selecting \(selection.id)")
-        draftKind = nil
-        selectedItem = selection
-        errorMessage = nil
-        if case .search = selection {
-            composerAttachments = []
-        }
+        _ = beginSelecting(selection)
+    }
 
-        if case .settings = selection {
-            selectedChat = nil
-            selectedSearch = nil
+    func selectForNavigation(_ selection: SidebarSelection, preloadTimeout: Duration = .seconds(3)) async {
+        guard beginSelecting(selection) != nil else {
             return
         }
 
-        selectionTask?.cancel()
-        selectionTask = Task { [weak self] in
-            await self?.refreshSelectionIfNeeded()
+        await waitForSelectionLoad(timeout: preloadTimeout)
+    }
+
+    @discardableResult
+    private func beginSelecting(_ selection: SidebarSelection) -> Task<Void, Never>? {
+        SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.ui, "Selecting \(selection.id)")
+
+        if draftKind == nil, selectedItem == selection {
+            errorMessage = nil
+            if case .search = selection {
+                composerAttachments = []
+            }
+
+            if needsSelectionLoad(selection) {
+                return startSelectionRefreshTask()
+            }
+
+            return selectionTask
         }
+
+        resetSelectionLoading()
+        draftKind = nil
+        selectedItem = selection
+        errorMessage = nil
+
+        switch selection {
+        case let .chat(chatID):
+            if selectedChat?.id != chatID {
+                selectedChat = nil
+            }
+            selectedSearch = nil
+
+        case let .search(searchID):
+            if selectedSearch?.id != searchID {
+                selectedSearch = nil
+            }
+            selectedChat = nil
+            composerAttachments = []
+
+        case .settings:
+            selectedChat = nil
+            selectedSearch = nil
+            pendingChatState = nil
+            return nil
+        }
+
+        return startSelectionRefreshTask()
     }
 
     func selectPreviousSidebarItem() {
@@ -565,12 +665,13 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
     func sendComposer() async {
         let content = composer.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
         let attachments = composerAttachments
+        let sendContext = currentSendContext
 
         guard !isSending else {
             return
         }
 
-        if isSearchMode {
+        if sendContext.isSearch {
             guard !content.isEmpty else { return }
         } else if content.isEmpty && attachments.isEmpty {
             return
@@ -579,10 +680,11 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         composer = ""
         composerAttachments = []
         errorMessage = nil
+        activeSendContext = sendContext
         isSending = true
 
         do {
-            if isSearchMode {
+            if sendContext.isSearch {
                 SybilLog.info(SybilLog.ui, "Sending search query")
                 try await sendSearch(query: content)
             } else {
@@ -590,35 +692,43 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
                 try await sendChat(content: content, attachments: attachments)
             }
         } catch {
-            errorMessage = normalizeAPIError(error)
+            let shouldSurfaceError = isSendContextVisible(sendContext) || (activeSendContext.map { isSendContextVisible($0) } ?? false)
+            if shouldSurfaceError {
+                errorMessage = normalizeAPIError(error)
+            }
             SybilLog.error(SybilLog.ui, "Send failed", error: error)
 
-            if case let .chat(chatID) = selectedItem {
+            if shouldSurfaceError, case let .chat(chatID) = selectedItem {
                 do {
                     let chat = try await client().getChat(chatID: chatID)
-                    selectedChat = chat
+                    if selectedItem == .chat(chatID), draftKind == nil {
+                        selectedChat = chat
+                    }
                 } catch {
                     SybilLog.error(SybilLog.ui, "Fallback chat refresh after failure failed", error: error)
                 }
             }
 
-            if case let .search(searchID) = selectedItem {
+            if shouldSurfaceError, case let .search(searchID) = selectedItem {
                 do {
                     let search = try await client().getSearch(searchID: searchID)
-                    selectedSearch = search
+                    if selectedItem == .search(searchID), draftKind == nil {
+                        selectedSearch = search
+                    }
                 } catch {
                     SybilLog.error(SybilLog.ui, "Fallback search refresh after failure failed", error: error)
                 }
             }
 
-            if !isSearchMode {
+            if !sendContext.isSearch, shouldSurfaceError {
                 composer = content
                 composerAttachments = attachments
-                pendingChatState = nil
             }
+            pendingChatState = nil
         }
 
         isSending = false
+        activeSendContext = nil
     }
 
     func appendComposerAttachments(_ attachments: [ChatAttachment]) throws {
@@ -644,16 +754,25 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
     }
 
     func startChatFromSelectedSearch() async {
-        guard let search = selectedSearch, !isCreatingSearchChat, !isSending else {
+        guard let search = currentSelectedSearch, !isCreatingSearchChat, !isSending else {
             return
         }
 
+        let sourceSelection = SidebarSelection.search(search.id)
         isCreatingSearchChat = true
         errorMessage = nil
 
         do {
             let client = try client()
             let chat = try await client.createChatFromSearch(searchID: search.id, title: nil)
+
+            guard selectedItem == sourceSelection, draftKind == nil else {
+                chats.removeAll(where: { $0.id == chat.id })
+                chats.insert(chat, at: 0)
+                isCreatingSearchChat = false
+                return
+            }
+
             draftKind = nil
             pendingChatState = nil
             composer = ""
@@ -767,6 +886,11 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
             )
             errorMessage = nil
 
+            if draftKind != nil {
+                isLoadingCollections = false
+                return
+            }
+
             if case .settings = selectedItem {
                 isLoadingCollections = false
                 return
@@ -797,26 +921,68 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         isLoadingCollections = false
     }
 
+    private func resetSelectionLoading() {
+        selectionTask?.cancel()
+        selectionTask = nil
+        isLoadingSelection = false
+    }
+
+    private func startSelectionRefreshTask() -> Task<Void, Never> {
+        isLoadingSelection = true
+        let task = Task { [weak self] in
+            guard let self else {
+                return
+            }
+            await self.refreshSelectionIfNeeded()
+        }
+        selectionTask = task
+        return task
+    }
+
+    private func waitForSelectionLoad(timeout: Duration) async {
+        let clock = ContinuousClock()
+        let deadline = clock.now.advanced(by: timeout)
+
+        while isLoadingSelection, clock.now < deadline {
+            try? await Task.sleep(for: .milliseconds(10))
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func needsSelectionLoad(_ selection: SidebarSelection) -> Bool {
+        switch selection {
+        case let .chat(chatID):
+            return selectedChat?.id != chatID
+        case let .search(searchID):
+            return selectedSearch?.id != searchID
+        case .settings:
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+
     private func refreshSelectionIfNeeded() async {
-        guard let selectedItem else {
+        guard let target = selectedItem else {
             selectedChat = nil
             selectedSearch = nil
+            isLoadingSelection = false
             return
         }
 
-        guard case .settings = selectedItem else {
+        guard case .settings = target else {
             isLoadingSelection = true
             do {
                 let client = try client()
-                switch selectedItem {
+                switch target {
                 case let .chat(chatID):
                     SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.app, "Refreshing chat \(chatID)")
-                    selectedChat = try await client.getChat(chatID: chatID)
+                    let chat = try await client.getChat(chatID: chatID)
+                    guard selectedItem == target, draftKind == nil else {
+                        return
+                    }
+                    selectedChat = chat
                     selectedSearch = nil
 
-                    if let detail = selectedChat,
-                       let provider = detail.lastUsedProvider,
-                       let model = detail.lastUsedModel,
+                    if let provider = chat.lastUsedProvider,
+                       let model = chat.lastUsedModel,
                        !model.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).isEmpty {
                         self.provider = provider
                         self.model = model
@@ -824,7 +990,11 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
 
                 case let .search(searchID):
                     SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.app, "Refreshing search \(searchID)")
-                    selectedSearch = try await client.getSearch(searchID: searchID)
+                    let search = try await client.getSearch(searchID: searchID)
+                    guard selectedItem == target, draftKind == nil else {
+                        return
+                    }
+                    selectedSearch = search
                     selectedChat = nil
 
                 case .settings:
@@ -833,20 +1003,24 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
                 errorMessage = nil
             } catch {
                 if isCancellation(error) {
-                    SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.app, "Selection refresh cancelled for \(selectedItem.id)")
+                    SybilLog.debug(SybilLog.app, "Selection refresh cancelled for \(target.id)")
                 } else if shouldSuppressInactiveTransportError(error) {
                     SybilLog.info(SybilLog.app, "Suppressing selection refresh transport interruption while app is inactive")
-                } else {
+                } else if selectedItem == target, draftKind == nil {
                     errorMessage = normalizeAPIError(error)
                     SybilLog.error(SybilLog.app, "Selection refresh failed", error: error)
                 }
             }
-            isLoadingSelection = false
+            if selectedItem == target, draftKind == nil {
+                isLoadingSelection = false
+                selectionTask = nil
+            }
             return
         }
 
         selectedChat = nil
         selectedSearch = nil
+        isLoadingSelection = false
     }
 
     private func sendChat(content: String, attachments: [ChatAttachment]) async throws {
@@ -869,7 +1043,7 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
 
         pendingChatState = PendingChatState(
             chatID: currentChatID,
-            messages: (selectedChat?.messages ?? []) + [optimisticUser, optimisticAssistant]
+            messages: (currentSelectedChat?.messages ?? []) + [optimisticUser, optimisticAssistant]
         )
 
         let client = try client()
@@ -878,24 +1052,29 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         if chatID == nil {
             let created = try await client.createChat(title: nil)
             chatID = created.id
-            draftKind = nil
-            selectedItem = .chat(created.id)
+            let shouldShowCreatedChat = activeSendContext.map { isSendContextVisible($0) } ?? true
+            activeSendContext = .chat(created.id)
 
             chats.removeAll(where: { $0.id == created.id })
             chats.insert(created, at: 0)
 
-            selectedChat = ChatDetail(
-                id: created.id,
-                title: created.title,
-                createdAt: created.createdAt,
-                updatedAt: created.updatedAt,
-                initiatedProvider: created.initiatedProvider,
-                initiatedModel: created.initiatedModel,
-                lastUsedProvider: created.lastUsedProvider,
-                lastUsedModel: created.lastUsedModel,
-                messages: []
-            )
-            selectedSearch = nil
+            if shouldShowCreatedChat {
+                draftKind = nil
+                selectedItem = .chat(created.id)
+
+                selectedChat = ChatDetail(
+                    id: created.id,
+                    title: created.title,
+                    createdAt: created.createdAt,
+                    updatedAt: created.updatedAt,
+                    initiatedProvider: created.initiatedProvider,
+                    initiatedModel: created.initiatedModel,
+                    lastUsedProvider: created.lastUsedProvider,
+                    lastUsedModel: created.lastUsedModel,
+                    messages: []
+                )
+                selectedSearch = nil
+            }
 
             SybilLog.info(SybilLog.app, "Created chat \(created.id)")
         }
@@ -907,7 +1086,7 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         pendingChatState?.chatID = chatID
 
         let baseChat: ChatDetail
-        if let selectedChat, selectedChat.id == chatID {
+        if let selectedChat = currentSelectedChat, selectedChat.id == chatID {
             baseChat = selectedChat
         } else {
             baseChat = try await client.getChat(chatID: chatID)
@@ -929,7 +1108,7 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         let streamLifecycleGeneration = appLifecycleGeneration
         let streamStartedWhileInactive = !isAppActive
 
-        if isUntitledChat(chatID: chatID, detail: selectedChat) {
+        if isUntitledChat(chatID: chatID, detail: currentSelectedChat) {
             Task { [weak self] in
                 guard let self else { return }
                 do {
@@ -1001,9 +1180,25 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
             return
         }
 
-        await refreshCollections(preferredSelection: .chat(chatID))
+        let sentChatSelection = SidebarSelection.chat(chatID)
+        let shouldKeepSentChatSelected = selectedItem == sentChatSelection && draftKind == nil
+        await refreshCollections(
+            preferredSelection: shouldKeepSentChatSelected ? sentChatSelection : selectedItem,
+            refreshSelection: false
+        )
+
+        guard selectedItem == sentChatSelection, draftKind == nil else {
+            pendingChatState = nil
+            return
+        }
+
         do {
-            selectedChat = try await client.getChat(chatID: chatID)
+            let refreshedChat = try await client.getChat(chatID: chatID)
+            guard selectedItem == sentChatSelection, draftKind == nil else {
+                pendingChatState = nil
+                return
+            }
+            selectedChat = refreshedChat
         } catch {
             if shouldSuppressLifecycleTransportError(
                 error,
@@ -1057,12 +1252,17 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         if searchID == nil {
             let created = try await client.createSearch(title: String(query.prefix(80)), query: query)
             searchID = created.id
-            draftKind = nil
-            selectedItem = .search(created.id)
+            let shouldShowCreatedSearch = activeSendContext.map { isSendContextVisible($0) } ?? true
+            activeSendContext = .search(created.id)
 
             searches.removeAll(where: { $0.id == created.id })
             searches.insert(created, at: 0)
 
+            if shouldShowCreatedSearch {
+                draftKind = nil
+                selectedItem = .search(created.id)
+            }
+
             SybilLog.info(SybilLog.app, "Created search \(created.id)")
         }
 
@@ -1071,21 +1271,23 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         }
 
         let now = Date()
-        selectedSearch = SearchDetail(
-            id: searchID,
-            title: String(query.prefix(80)),
-            query: query,
-            createdAt: selectedSearch?.createdAt ?? now,
-            updatedAt: now,
-            requestId: nil,
-            latencyMs: nil,
-            error: nil,
-            answerText: nil,
-            answerRequestId: nil,
-            answerCitations: nil,
-            answerError: nil,
-            results: []
-        )
+        if selectedItem == .search(searchID), draftKind == nil {
+            selectedSearch = SearchDetail(
+                id: searchID,
+                title: String(query.prefix(80)),
+                query: query,
+                createdAt: currentSelectedSearch?.createdAt ?? now,
+                updatedAt: now,
+                requestId: nil,
+                latencyMs: nil,
+                error: nil,
+                answerText: nil,
+                answerRequestId: nil,
+                answerCitations: nil,
+                answerError: nil,
+                results: []
+            )
+        }
 
         let streamStatus = SearchStreamStatus()
         let streamLifecycleGeneration = appLifecycleGeneration
@@ -1123,7 +1325,12 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
             return
         }
 
-        await refreshCollections(preferredSelection: .search(searchID))
+        let sentSearchSelection = SidebarSelection.search(searchID)
+        let shouldKeepSentSearchSelected = selectedItem == sentSearchSelection && draftKind == nil
+        await refreshCollections(
+            preferredSelection: shouldKeepSentSearchSelected ? sentSearchSelection : selectedItem,
+            refreshSelection: false
+        )
     }
 
     private func applySearchEvent(
@@ -1131,8 +1338,10 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         searchID: String,
         streamStatus: SearchStreamStatus
     ) async {
-        guard let current = selectedSearch, current.id == searchID else {
-            if case let .done(payload) = event {
+        guard let current = currentSelectedSearch, current.id == searchID else {
+            if case let .done(payload) = event,
+               selectedItem == .search(searchID),
+               draftKind == nil {
                 selectedSearch = payload.search
             }
             return
@@ -1239,6 +1448,22 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         return nil
     }
 
+    private var currentSelectedChat: ChatDetail? {
+        guard case let .chat(chatID) = selectedItem,
+              selectedChat?.id == chatID else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        return selectedChat
+    }
+
+    private var currentSelectedSearch: SearchDetail? {
+        guard case let .search(searchID) = selectedItem,
+              selectedSearch?.id == searchID else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        return selectedSearch
+    }
+
     private var currentSearchID: String? {
         if draftKind == .search {
             return nil
@@ -1249,6 +1474,33 @@ final class SybilViewModel {
         return nil
     }
 
+    private var currentSendContext: ActiveSendContext {
+        if isSearchMode {
+            if let searchID = currentSearchID {
+                return .search(searchID)
+            }
+            return .draftSearch(draftIdentity)
+        }
+
+        if let chatID = currentChatID {
+            return .chat(chatID)
+        }
+        return .draftChat(draftIdentity)
+    }
+
+    private func isSendContextVisible(_ context: ActiveSendContext) -> Bool {
+        switch context {
+        case let .draftChat(identity):
+            return draftKind == .chat && draftIdentity == identity
+        case let .chat(chatID):
+            return selectedItem == .chat(chatID)
+        case let .draftSearch(identity):
+            return draftKind == .search && draftIdentity == identity
+        case let .search(searchID):
+            return selectedItem == .search(searchID)
+        }
+    }
+
     private func hasSelection(_ selection: SidebarSelection, chats: [ChatSummary], searches: [SearchSummary]) -> Bool {
         switch selection {
         case let .chat(chatID):
diff --git a/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilWorkspaceView.swift b/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilWorkspaceView.swift
index 5822cbf..b55dafc 100644
--- a/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilWorkspaceView.swift
+++ b/ios/Packages/Sybil/Sources/Sybil/SybilWorkspaceView.swift
@@ -155,9 +155,9 @@ struct SybilWorkspaceView: View {
                     SybilSettingsView(viewModel: viewModel)
                 } else if viewModel.isSearchMode {
                     SybilSearchResultsView(
-                        search: viewModel.selectedSearch,
+                        search: viewModel.displayedSearch,
                         isLoading: viewModel.isLoadingSelection,
-                        isRunning: viewModel.isSending,
+                        isRunning: viewModel.isRunningVisibleSearch,
                         isStartingChat: viewModel.isCreatingSearchChat,
                         topContentInset: showsCustomWorkspaceNavigation ? customWorkspaceNavigationContentInset : 0,
                         bottomContentInset: viewModel.showsComposer ? composerOverlayContentInset : 0
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ struct SybilWorkspaceView: View {
                     SybilChatTranscriptView(
                         messages: viewModel.displayedMessages,
                         isLoading: viewModel.isLoadingSelection,
-                        isSending: viewModel.isSending,
+                        isSending: viewModel.isSendingVisibleChat,
                         topContentInset: showsCustomWorkspaceNavigation ? customWorkspaceNavigationContentInset : 0,
                         bottomContentInset: viewModel.showsComposer ? composerOverlayContentInset : 0
                     )
diff --git a/ios/Packages/Sybil/Tests/SybilTests/SybilTests.swift b/ios/Packages/Sybil/Tests/SybilTests/SybilTests.swift
index 748161a..9d6bc86 100644
--- a/ios/Packages/Sybil/Tests/SybilTests/SybilTests.swift
+++ b/ios/Packages/Sybil/Tests/SybilTests/SybilTests.swift
@@ -17,8 +17,11 @@ private actor MockSybilClient: SybilAPIClienting {
     private let searchesResponse: [SearchSummary]
     private let chatDetails: [String: ChatDetail]
     private let searchDetails: [String: SearchDetail]
+    private let createChatResponse: ChatSummary?
 
     private var snapshot = MockClientCallSnapshot()
+    private var getChatDelayNanoseconds: UInt64 = 0
+    private var getSearchDelayNanoseconds: UInt64 = 0
     private var completionStreamNetworkErrorMessage: String?
     private var completionStreamDelayNanoseconds: UInt64 = 0
     private var searchStreamNetworkErrorMessage: String?
@@ -28,12 +31,14 @@ private actor MockSybilClient: SybilAPIClienting {
         chatsResponse: [ChatSummary] = [],
         searchesResponse: [SearchSummary] = [],
         chatDetails: [String: ChatDetail] = [:],
-        searchDetails: [String: SearchDetail] = [:]
+        searchDetails: [String: SearchDetail] = [:],
+        createChatResponse: ChatSummary? = nil
     ) {
         self.chatsResponse = chatsResponse
         self.searchesResponse = searchesResponse
         self.chatDetails = chatDetails
         self.searchDetails = searchDetails
+        self.createChatResponse = createChatResponse
     }
 
     func currentSnapshot() -> MockClientCallSnapshot {
@@ -45,6 +50,14 @@ private actor MockSybilClient: SybilAPIClienting {
         completionStreamDelayNanoseconds = delayNanoseconds
     }
 
+    func setGetChatDelay(_ delayNanoseconds: UInt64) {
+        getChatDelayNanoseconds = delayNanoseconds
+    }
+
+    func setGetSearchDelay(_ delayNanoseconds: UInt64) {
+        getSearchDelayNanoseconds = delayNanoseconds
+    }
+
     func setSearchStreamNetworkError(_ message: String, delayNanoseconds: UInt64 = 0) {
         searchStreamNetworkErrorMessage = message
         searchStreamDelayNanoseconds = delayNanoseconds
@@ -60,11 +73,17 @@ private actor MockSybilClient: SybilAPIClienting {
     }
 
     func createChat(title: String?) async throws -> ChatSummary {
+        if let createChatResponse {
+            return createChatResponse
+        }
         throw UnexpectedClientCall()
     }
 
     func getChat(chatID: String) async throws -> ChatDetail {
         snapshot.getChat += 1
+        if getChatDelayNanoseconds > 0 {
+            try await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: getChatDelayNanoseconds)
+        }
         guard let detail = chatDetails[chatID] else {
             throw UnexpectedClientCall()
         }
@@ -90,6 +109,9 @@ private actor MockSybilClient: SybilAPIClienting {
 
     func getSearch(searchID: String) async throws -> SearchDetail {
         snapshot.getSearch += 1
+        if getSearchDelayNanoseconds > 0 {
+            try await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: getSearchDelayNanoseconds)
+        }
         guard let detail = searchDetails[searchID] else {
             throw UnexpectedClientCall()
         }
@@ -293,6 +315,100 @@ private func makeSearchDetail(id: String, date: Date, answer: String) -> SearchD
     #expect(viewModel.selectedSearch?.answerText == "fresh answer")
 }
 
+@MainActor
+@Test func selectingChatClearsStaleTranscriptUntilNewDetailLoads() async throws {
+    let date = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_700_000_210)
+    let staleDetail = makeChatDetail(id: "chat-old", date: date, body: "stale transcript")
+    let freshDetail = makeChatDetail(id: "chat-new", date: date, body: "fresh transcript")
+    let client = MockSybilClient(chatDetails: ["chat-new": freshDetail])
+    await client.setGetChatDelay(50_000_000)
+    let viewModel = SybilViewModel(settings: testSettings(named: #function)) { _ in client }
+    viewModel.isAuthenticated = true
+    viewModel.isCheckingSession = false
+    viewModel.selectedItem = .chat("chat-old")
+    viewModel.selectedChat = staleDetail
+
+    viewModel.select(.chat("chat-new"))
+
+    #expect(viewModel.displayedMessages.isEmpty)
+    #expect(viewModel.isLoadingSelection)
+
+    try await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 90_000_000)
+
+    #expect(viewModel.displayedMessages.first?.content == "fresh transcript")
+    #expect(!viewModel.isLoadingSelection)
+}
+
+@MainActor
+@Test func navigationSelectionWaitsForFastTranscriptLoad() async throws {
+    let date = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_700_000_220)
+    let detail = makeChatDetail(id: "chat-fast", date: date, body: "loaded before push")
+    let client = MockSybilClient(chatDetails: ["chat-fast": detail])
+    await client.setGetChatDelay(20_000_000)
+    let viewModel = SybilViewModel(settings: testSettings(named: #function)) { _ in client }
+    viewModel.isAuthenticated = true
+    viewModel.isCheckingSession = false
+
+    await viewModel.selectForNavigation(.chat("chat-fast"), preloadTimeout: .milliseconds(500))
+
+    #expect(viewModel.selectedItem == .chat("chat-fast"))
+    #expect(viewModel.displayedMessages.first?.content == "loaded before push")
+    #expect(!viewModel.isLoadingSelection)
+}
+
+@MainActor
+@Test func navigationSelectionTimesOutAndKeepsLoadingTranscript() async throws {
+    let date = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_700_000_230)
+    let detail = makeChatDetail(id: "chat-slow", date: date, body: "loaded after push")
+    let client = MockSybilClient(chatDetails: ["chat-slow": detail])
+    await client.setGetChatDelay(100_000_000)
+    let viewModel = SybilViewModel(settings: testSettings(named: #function)) { _ in client }
+    viewModel.isAuthenticated = true
+    viewModel.isCheckingSession = false
+
+    await viewModel.selectForNavigation(.chat("chat-slow"), preloadTimeout: .milliseconds(10))
+
+    #expect(viewModel.selectedItem == .chat("chat-slow"))
+    #expect(viewModel.displayedMessages.isEmpty)
+    #expect(viewModel.isLoadingSelection)
+
+    try await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 150_000_000)
+
+    #expect(viewModel.displayedMessages.first?.content == "loaded after push")
+    #expect(!viewModel.isLoadingSelection)
+}
+
+@MainActor
+@Test func newDraftChatDoesNotShowTypingStateFromPreviousSend() async throws {
+    let date = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_700_000_240)
+    let detail = makeChatDetail(id: "chat-typing", date: date, body: "existing transcript")
+    let client = MockSybilClient(chatDetails: ["chat-typing": detail])
+    await client.setCompletionStreamNetworkError(
+        "Network error -1005 while requesting POST: The network connection was lost.",
+        delayNanoseconds: 50_000_000
+    )
+    let viewModel = SybilViewModel(settings: testSettings(named: #function)) { _ in client }
+    viewModel.isAuthenticated = true
+    viewModel.isCheckingSession = false
+    viewModel.selectedItem = .chat("chat-typing")
+    viewModel.selectedChat = detail
+    viewModel.composer = "continue"
+
+    let sendTask = Task {
+        await viewModel.sendComposer()
+    }
+    try await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 10_000_000)
+
+    #expect(viewModel.isSendingVisibleChat)
+
+    viewModel.startNewChat()
+
+    #expect(viewModel.displayedMessages.isEmpty)
+    #expect(!viewModel.isSendingVisibleChat)
+
+    await sendTask.value
+}
+
 @MainActor
 @Test func backgroundChatStreamInterruptionIsSuppressedUntilForegroundRefresh() async throws {
     let date = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_700_000_300)