diff --git a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
index dda5a86e3..c32945e05 100644
--- a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
+++ b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
@@ -5551,10 +5551,10 @@ pins and share links already supply complete boxes.
 
 ### Split-flap status chips (August 2026)
 
-- The three status chips flip their LABELS over character by character when the text changes, like a departure board: `#global-loading-label` ("LOADING LIVE DATA" → "LOAD COMPLETE"), `#traffic-sync-label`, and `#cctv-sync-label` ("loading frames" → "camera grid ready"). All three route through `setSplitFlapText()` in `src/splitFlap.js`; there is no other writer of those three elements. The progress counters (`#*-sync-progress`, `#global-loading-detail`) are deliberately left as plain `textContent` — they tick several times a second, and flapping them reads as a slot machine.
-- `#global-loading-label` doubles as the universal top-center status banner, so anything routed through `_showGlobalStatusNotice()` flaps as well — in particular the share-link restore notices, of which "Shared military flight could not be restored — feed unavailable" is the longest at 63 characters. That needs no special case: `planSplitFlap()` compresses the stagger to hold the 620 ms budget (26 ms → 6.9 ms per column at that length), every column is reserved for the whole cascade, and `element.textContent` is the complete notice at every instant, so the `aria-live` region announces the whole sentence rather than a fragment. A notice deferred minutes past boot is equally safe: `ensureHost()` re-validates the shell on every call, and the long-lived `Text` node is never replaced.
-- **DOM text is the truth, and its node NEVER moves — do not "fix" this.** The first call upgrades a chip label into a permanent shell (`ensureHost`): a `.gev-flap-text` span holding one long-lived `Text` node, plus an `aria-hidden` `.gev-flap-cells` sibling. After that the ONLY text operation for the life of the chip is `node.data = next`. Nothing is reparented, so the label is never transiently empty and the `aria-live` region never sees a removal/reinsertion pair it could announce twice. `element.textContent` is the settled string at every instant, because the cells carry no text at all: both glyphs are CSS generated content (`::before` from `data-flap-prev` = outgoing, `::after` from `data-flap-next` = incoming), which never reaches `textContent`. This keeps QA pins honest and lets `_updateTrafficSyncChip`'s own `textContent !==` guard keep working. The shell is built on a tick where the text is NOT changing, so no real label change ever carries a structural mutation.
-- **No animation loop, and exactly ONE `setTimeout` per change.** CSS `animation`/`transition` only, triggered once per text change and staggered through a per-cell `--gev-flap-delay`. The single timer is the settle that strips the cells; the width ease ends on a `transitionend`/`transitioncancel` listener, never a second timer. Idle cost is zero, there is no periodic work, and nothing requests a Cesium render or takes a render-governor hold. `setSplitFlapText` is a no-op on unchanged text, which is required — the chips are repainted by a 60 ms and a 500 ms ticker.
+- The three status chips flip their LABELS over character by character when the text changes, like a departure board: `#global-loading-label` ("LOADING LIVE DATA" → "LOAD COMPLETE"), `#traffic-sync-label`, and `#cctv-sync-label` ("loading frames" → "camera grid ready"). ShellFeedback and CctvControls publish them to the `gev-status` store, and the scene chrome renders each label with `SplitFlapText.vue`, which plays the cascade `src/splitFlap.js` plans; there is no other writer of those three labels. When an owner is destroyed it publishes the label `stopped`, which rests it at once. The progress counters (`#*-sync-progress`, `#global-loading-detail`) are deliberately left as plain `textContent` — they tick several times a second, and flapping them reads as a slot machine.
+- `#global-loading-label` doubles as the universal top-center status banner, so anything routed through `_showGlobalStatusNotice()` flaps as well — in particular the share-link restore notices, of which "Shared military flight could not be restored — feed unavailable" is the longest at 63 characters. That needs no special case: `planSplitFlap()` compresses the stagger to hold the 620 ms budget (26 ms → 6.9 ms per column at that length), every column is reserved for the whole cascade, and `element.textContent` is the complete notice at every instant, so the `aria-live` region announces the whole sentence rather than a fragment. A notice deferred minutes past boot is equally safe: the long-lived `Text` node is never replaced.
+- **DOM text is the truth, and its node NEVER moves — do not "fix" this.** The label is a `.gev-flap-text` span holding one long-lived `Text` node, plus an `aria-hidden` `.gev-flap-cells` sibling; the component's `v-flap-text` directive writes it, because Vue would patch a lone `{{ text }}` child by setting `textContent` and swap the node. The ONLY text operation for the life of the chip is `node.data = next`. Nothing is reparented, so the label is never transiently empty and the `aria-live` region never sees a removal/reinsertion pair it could announce twice. `element.textContent` is the settled string at every instant, because the cells carry no text at all: both glyphs are CSS generated content (`::before` from `data-flap-prev` = outgoing, `::after` from `data-flap-next` = incoming), which never reaches `textContent`. This keeps QA pins honest. Whether the label is on screen is read once the change has rendered, after its chip shows or hides with it; the cells go in before the browser paints.
+- **No animation loop, and exactly ONE `setTimeout` per change.** CSS `animation`/`transition` only, triggered once per text change and staggered through a per-cell `--gev-flap-delay`. The single timer is the settle that strips the cells; the width ease ends on a `transitionend`/`transitioncancel` listener, never a second timer. Idle cost is zero, there is no periodic work, and nothing requests a Cesium render or takes a render-governor hold. An unchanged label is not republished, which is required — the chips are recomputed by a 60 ms and a 500 ms ticker.
 - **Only what was visible flaps away.** An interrupted cascade (A→B cut short by C) derives each column's outgoing glyph from `visibleGlyphs()` — what that column is actually SHOWING at that instant, which for a column whose stagger has not elapsed is still A, not the pending B. `FLAP_TURN_RATIO` must track the `gev-flap-out`/`gev-flap-in` keyframe crossover in style.css.
 - **Columns never renumber mid-cascade — do not "optimise" this away.** For the whole cascade the board keeps one column per index of the LONGER string, each holding its own width; a column the new string does not reach flaps to a BLANK in place (`data-flap-next=" "`) rather than collapsing. Collapsing stacks the absolutely-positioned outgoing glyphs on one x AND lets a later glyph slide into an earlier column, which makes `visibleGlyphs()` lie and the interrupt rule flap the wrong glyph away. Pinned by "a cleared column holds its place instead of letting later glyphs slide left".
 - Length changes are eased, never snapped, and the ease is placed so it never fights the flaps (`.gev-flap-sizing`): a GROWING label reserves its columns as the cells go in and eases at the START; a SHRINKING one holds full width for the whole cascade and eases at SETTLEMENT.
diff --git a/docs/VUE-MIGRATION.md b/docs/VUE-MIGRATION.md
index 5caa59f1c..759e454b0 100644
--- a/docs/VUE-MIGRATION.md
+++ b/docs/VUE-MIGRATION.md
@@ -143,7 +143,11 @@ a feature supplying only its accent.
    imagery dividers (`ImagerySplitView`, in the scene chrome, teleports each
    before/after divider that `createImagerySplit` publishes to the
    `gev-imagery-split` store to the body; the split keeps the
-   drag, keyboard, CSS position and scene split), then
+   drag, keyboard, CSS position and scene split), the status chips
+   (the top-center loading status and the road network and camera grid
+   chips render what ShellFeedback and CctvControls publish to the
+   `gev-status` store; `SplitFlapText` plays the departure-board flip that
+   `splitFlap.js` plans, writing only the label's one text node), then
    Cockpit (in progress: `CockpitBriefing` renders the briefing card's
    pages, cycle toggle, regional news and local conditions, and
    `CockpitContext` the Contact card's scope, navigation, counts, nearest
diff --git a/scripts/format-scope.json b/scripts/format-scope.json
index 36a7ce514..d44430021 100644
--- a/scripts/format-scope.json
+++ b/scripts/format-scope.json
@@ -1127,5 +1127,8 @@
   "build/vueLoader.js",
   "build/registerVue.js",
   "src/ui/panelNavigation.test.mjs",
-  "src/ui/stores/panels.test.mjs"
+  "src/ui/stores/panels.test.mjs",
+  "src/ui/stores/status.js",
+  "src/ui/statusChipsView.test.mjs",
+  "src/ui/statusChipOwners.test.mjs"
 ]
diff --git a/scripts/package-boundaries.json b/scripts/package-boundaries.json
index 1173730e4..31759cc44 100644
--- a/scripts/package-boundaries.json
+++ b/scripts/package-boundaries.json
@@ -94,7 +94,10 @@
       "src/ui/rail/statusText.js",
       "src/voice/control.js",
       "src/ui/views/panels/ImagerySplitView.vue",
-      "src/ui/stores/imagerySplit.js"
+      "src/ui/stores/imagerySplit.js",
+      "src/ui/stores/status.js",
+      "src/ui/views/panels/SplitFlapText.vue",
+      "src/splitFlap.js"
     ],
     "external": ["vue", "pinia"]
   },
@@ -702,7 +705,8 @@
       "src/i18n/locales/zh-Hant.json",
       "src/ui/unitLabels.js",
       "src/ui/vueRuntime.js",
-      "src/ui/stores/cctv.js"
+      "src/ui/stores/cctv.js",
+      "src/ui/stores/status.js"
     ],
     "external": ["vue", "pinia"]
   },
@@ -847,7 +851,6 @@
       "src/navigationPolicy.js",
       "src/panelStackLayout.js",
       "src/rightRailPolicy.js",
-      "src/splitFlap.js",
       "src/styles/anime.js",
       "src/styles/noir.js",
       "src/styles/retro.js",
@@ -1012,7 +1015,8 @@
       "src/ui/stores/sceneSharing.js",
       "src/ui/stores/voice.js",
       "src/ui/stores/location.js",
-      "src/ui/stores/display.js"
+      "src/ui/stores/display.js",
+      "src/ui/stores/status.js"
     ],
     "external": ["cesium", "vue", "pinia"]
   },
@@ -2995,7 +2999,8 @@
       "src/ui/stores/voice.js",
       "src/ui/stores/location.js",
       "src/ui/stores/display.js",
-      "src/ui/stores/imagerySplit.js"
+      "src/ui/stores/imagerySplit.js",
+      "src/ui/stores/status.js"
     ],
     "external": [
       "hls.js",
diff --git a/scripts/qa-ui-disposal.mjs b/scripts/qa-ui-disposal.mjs
index ac89ec5d0..f3d82e01e 100644
--- a/scripts/qa-ui-disposal.mjs
+++ b/scripts/qa-ui-disposal.mjs
@@ -118,10 +118,18 @@ try {
       if (type === 'resize' && callback === resizeHandler) counts.resize++;
       return removeEventListener.call(this, type, callback, options);
     };
-    const { setSplitFlapText } = await import('/src/splitFlap.js');
+    // Through the owner, so its copy of the label and the store agree.
     const feedbackLabel = document.getElementById('global-loading-label');
-    setSplitFlapText(feedbackLabel, 'CHECKING LIVE DATA');
-    setSplitFlapText(feedbackLabel, 'LOAD COMPLETE');
+    for (const label of ['CHECKING LIVE DATA', 'LOAD COMPLETE']) {
+      ui._feedback._publishLoading({
+        hidden: false,
+        state: 'loading',
+        label,
+        detail: '',
+      });
+      // Vue renders on a microtask; a task later the label shows it.
+      await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve));
+    }
     const permanentText =
       feedbackLabel.querySelector('.gev-flap-text')?.firstChild;
     let stateNotifications = 0;
@@ -202,6 +210,7 @@ try {
           feedbackLabel.querySelector('.gev-flap-text')?.firstChild ===
             permanentText &&
           permanentText.data === 'LOAD COMPLETE' &&
+          document.getElementById('global-loading-status').hidden &&
           !feedbackLabel.classList.contains('gev-flap-active') &&
           feedbackLabel.querySelector('.gev-flap-cells')?.childNodes.length ===
             0,
diff --git a/src/loadingFeedback.test.mjs b/src/loadingFeedback.test.mjs
index f838e3b9c..d892ddf1c 100644
--- a/src/loadingFeedback.test.mjs
+++ b/src/loadingFeedback.test.mjs
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ test('universal notice lifecycle clears on dispose and uses the one top-center l
   const disposeEnd = ui.indexOf('\n  }\n', disposeStart);
   const dispose = ui.slice(disposeStart, disposeEnd);
 
-  assert.match(dispose, /this\._feedback\._globalStatusNotice = null;/);
+  assert.match(dispose, /this\._feedback\.clearLoadingStatus\(\);/);
   assert.match(dispose, /this\._shareRestoration\.destroy\(\)/);
   assert.match(ShareRestoration.prototype.destroy.toString(), /this\._shareTrackingNoticeGeneration \+= 1;/);
   assert.match(html, /<div id="global-loading-status" role="status" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true" hidden>/);
@@ -539,20 +539,10 @@ test('the settled traffic chip shows exactly one percentage — the coverage it
   assert.doesNotMatch(rendered, /100%/);
 });
 
-test('the chip renderer clears the progress slot instead of stranding the last value', () => {
-  const ui = readFileSync(new URL('./ui/shellFeedback.js', import.meta.url), 'utf8');
+test('an emptied progress slot collapses rather than leaving a min-width stub', () => {
+  // ShellFeedback publishes the empty settled progress
+  // (src/ui/statusChipOwners.test.mjs); the slot must then take no room.
   const css = readStylesheet(new URL('../style.css', import.meta.url));
-  const start = ui.indexOf('  _updateTrafficSyncChip(');
-  assert.ok(start > 0, '_updateTrafficSyncChip is missing');
-  const body = ui.slice(start, ui.indexOf('\n  }', start));
-  // A truthiness guard here would leave the busy "..." sitting beside the
-  // settled label, which is the contradiction wearing a different hat.
-  assert.doesNotMatch(body, /if \(presentation\.progressText\s*\n?\s*&&/);
-  assert.match(
-    body,
-    /if \(this\._trafficSyncProgress\.textContent !== presentation\.progressText\) \{/,
-  );
-  // …and the emptied slot must collapse rather than leave a min-width stub.
   assert.match(css, /#traffic-sync-progress:empty \{\s*display: none;\s*\}/);
 });
 
diff --git a/src/radioMarkup.test.mjs b/src/radioMarkup.test.mjs
index 41babb96a..c4a480b48 100644
--- a/src/radioMarkup.test.mjs
+++ b/src/radioMarkup.test.mjs
@@ -359,7 +359,6 @@ test('panel collapse is presentation-only and Radio exposes explicit voice playb
   assert.doesNotMatch(enableMethod, /contextRadio/);
   assert.match(enableMethod, /toggleRadio\(this\._radioEnableBtn\)/);
   assert.match(ui, /setAttribute\('aria-expanded', String\(/);
-  assert.match(readFileSync(new URL('./ui/shellFeedback.js', import.meta.url), 'utf8'), /\.hidden = !/);
   assert.doesNotMatch(method, /panelId === 'global-context-panel'[\s\S]*?this\._radioState\?\.enabled[\s\S]*?setPanelCollapsed\('radio-panel', false\)/);
 });
 
diff --git a/src/splitFlap.js b/src/splitFlap.js
index 5b365471f..9d57e30c1 100644
--- a/src/splitFlap.js
+++ b/src/splitFlap.js
@@ -5,21 +5,21 @@
  * "loading frames" → "camera grid ready" — the characters flip over
  * mechanically, left to right, like a Solari board at a ferry terminal.
  *
- * FOUR INVARIANTS HOLD THIS TOGETHER — do not "fix" any of them:
+ * This module plans the cascade; the SplitFlapText view
+ * (src/ui/views/panels/SplitFlapText.vue) renders it. FOUR INVARIANTS HOLD
+ * THIS TOGETHER — do not "fix" any of them:
  *
- * 1. DOM TEXT IS THE TRUTH, AND ITS NODE NEVER MOVES. The first call upgrades
- *    a chip label into a permanent two-child shell: a `.gev-flap-text` span
- *    holding one long-lived `Text` node, and an `aria-hidden`
- *    `.gev-flap-cells` sibling. After that the ONLY text operation for the
- *    life of the chip is `node.data = next` — a single `characterData`
- *    mutation. Nothing is ever reparented, so the label is never
- *    transiently empty and the `aria-live` region never sees a removal /
+ * 1. DOM TEXT IS THE TRUTH, AND ITS NODE NEVER MOVES. The label is a
+ *    `.gev-flap-text` span holding one long-lived `Text` node, beside an
+ *    `aria-hidden` `.gev-flap-cells` sibling. The ONLY text operation for the
+ *    life of the label is a change to that node's data — a single
+ *    `characterData` mutation. Nothing is ever reparented, so the label is
+ *    never transiently empty and the `aria-live` region never sees a removal /
  *    reinsertion pair it could announce twice. `element.textContent` is the
  *    settled string at every instant, because the cells carry NO text at all:
  *    both glyphs are CSS generated content (`::before` from `data-flap-prev`,
  *    `::after` from `data-flap-next`), which never reaches `textContent`.
- *    QA pins and the traffic chip's own `textContent !==` guard in ui.js
- *    therefore always read the truth; the flaps are purely visual.
+ *    QA pins therefore always read the truth; the flaps are purely visual.
  *
  * 2. NO ANIMATION LOOP, AND EXACTLY ONE TIMER PER CHANGE. The motion is CSS
  *    `animation`/`transition` only, triggered once per text change and
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ export const FLAP_STAGGER_MS = 26;
  */
 export const FLAP_MAX_TOTAL_MS = 620;
 /** Slack after the last character lands before the cells are stripped. */
-const FLAP_SETTLE_SLACK_MS = 60;
+export const FLAP_SETTLE_SLACK_MS = 60;
 /**
  * Fraction of a character's flip at which the outgoing glyph has rotated
  * away and the incoming one takes over as what the eye reads. MUST track the
@@ -81,38 +81,18 @@ const FLAP_SETTLE_SLACK_MS = 60;
  */
 export const FLAP_TURN_RATIO = 0.5;
 
-const HOST_CLASS = 'gev-flap-host';
-const ACTIVE_CLASS = 'gev-flap-active';
-const TEXT_CLASS = 'gev-flap-text';
-const CELLS_CLASS = 'gev-flap-cells';
-const CELL_CLASS = 'gev-flap-cell';
-const FLAPPING_CLASS = 'is-flapping';
-const SIZING_CLASS = 'gev-flap-sizing';
-
 /**
  * What a reserved-but-empty column shows. A column the new string does not
  * reach is not removed mid-cascade — it flaps to a blank and holds its place,
  * which is both what a real board does and what keeps column indices stable.
  */
-const BLANK = ' ';
-
-/** In-flight cascade state, keyed by element so nothing is stored on the node. */
-const flapStates = new WeakMap();
-/** Teardown for an in-flight width ease (listeners, not timers). */
-const widthEases = new WeakMap();
+export const FLAP_BLANK = ' ';
 
 function positiveNumber(value, fallback) {
   const number = Number(value);
   return Number.isFinite(number) && number > 0 ? number : fallback;
 }
 
-function nowMs() {
-  return typeof performance !== 'undefined' &&
-    typeof performance.now === 'function'
-    ? performance.now()
-    : Date.now();
-}
-
 /**
  * Diff two strings into per-character flap cells with staggered delays.
  *
@@ -207,7 +187,7 @@ export function planSplitFlap(fromText, toText, options = {}) {
  */
 function displayedGlyph(cell, turned) {
   if (!cell.changed) return cell.to;
-  return (turned ? cell.to : cell.from) || BLANK;
+  return (turned ? cell.to : cell.from) || FLAP_BLANK;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -248,7 +228,7 @@ export function visibleGlyphs(plan, elapsedMs, options = {}) {
 }
 
 /** Whether the viewer asked for reduced motion. */
-function prefersReducedMotion() {
+export function prefersReducedMotion() {
   return (
     typeof window !== 'undefined' &&
     typeof window.matchMedia === 'function' &&
@@ -266,7 +246,7 @@ function prefersReducedMotion() {
  * would animate a chip nobody can see. `checkVisibility` walks ancestors for
  * exactly these properties; the fallback walks them by hand.
  */
-function isVisible(element) {
+export function isOnScreen(element) {
   if (!element?.isConnected) return false;
   if (typeof element.checkVisibility === 'function') {
     return element.checkVisibility({
@@ -290,257 +270,3 @@ function isVisible(element) {
   }
   return true;
 }
-
-function measureWidth(element) {
-  return typeof element.getBoundingClientRect === 'function'
-    ? element.getBoundingClientRect().width
-    : 0;
-}
-
-/**
- * The chip label's permanent shell.
- *
- * Built once per element and then reused forever: the `Text` node inside
- * `.gev-flap-text` is the same object for the life of the chip, so a label
- * change never reparents anything (invariant 1). Rebuilt only if something
- * outside this module has clobbered the label's children.
- */
-function ensureHost(element) {
-  // O(1) happy path: this runs on every chip tick, including the ones where
-  // nothing changed.
-  const text = element.firstElementChild;
-  const cells = text?.nextElementSibling;
-  if (
-    text?.classList?.contains(TEXT_CLASS) &&
-    text.firstChild?.nodeType === 3 &&
-    cells?.classList?.contains(CELLS_CLASS) &&
-    !cells.nextElementSibling
-  ) {
-    return { text, cells };
-  }
-
-  const doc = element.ownerDocument || globalThis.document;
-  const carried = element.textContent ?? '';
-  const nextText = doc.createElement('span');
-  nextText.className = TEXT_CLASS;
-  nextText.append(doc.createTextNode(carried));
-  const nextCells = doc.createElement('span');
-  nextCells.className = CELLS_CLASS;
-  // Decorative only. Assistive tech ignores this subtree entirely, which is
-  // why rebuilding it every change cannot disturb the aria-live region.
-  nextCells.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true');
-  element.classList.add(HOST_CLASS);
-  element.replaceChildren(nextText, nextCells);
-  return { text: nextText, cells: nextCells };
-}
-
-/** Drop the width transition, leaving the element at its natural width. */
-function clearSizing(element) {
-  element.classList?.remove(SIZING_CLASS);
-  element.style?.removeProperty('width');
-  element.style?.removeProperty('--gev-flap-total');
-}
-
-function cancelWidthEase(element) {
-  const teardown = widthEases.get(element);
-  if (!teardown) return;
-  widthEases.delete(element);
-  teardown();
-}
-
-/**
- * Ease the element between two measured widths.
- *
- * Called twice per change, and exactly one of the two ever has work to do: a
- * GROWING label reserves its new columns the moment the cells go in, so the
- * ease happens at the start; a SHRINKING label holds every column for the
- * whole cascade, so the slack is only taken up once the flaps have landed.
- *
- * The end of the ease is a `transitionend` listener rather than a timer, so a
- * change still schedules exactly one `setTimeout` (invariant 2). A transition
- * that never fires is harmless: the pinned width equals the natural width it
- * was easing to, and the next change clears it regardless.
- */
-function easeWidth(element, fromWidth, toWidth, durationMs) {
-  cancelWidthEase(element);
-  if (!(fromWidth > 0.5) || Math.abs(toWidth - fromWidth) <= 0.5) {
-    clearSizing(element);
-    return false;
-  }
-  element.style.setProperty('--gev-flap-total', `${durationMs}ms`);
-  element.style.width = `${fromWidth}px`;
-  element.classList.add(SIZING_CLASS);
-  void element.offsetWidth; // flush the start value so the transition runs
-  element.style.width = `${toWidth}px`;
-
-  const finish = (event) => {
-    if (event && (event.target !== element || event.propertyName !== 'width'))
-      return;
-    cancelWidthEase(element);
-    clearSizing(element);
-  };
-  const teardown = () => {
-    element.removeEventListener('transitionend', finish);
-    element.removeEventListener('transitioncancel', finish);
-  };
-  element.addEventListener('transitionend', finish);
-  element.addEventListener('transitioncancel', finish);
-  widthEases.set(element, teardown);
-  return true;
-}
-
-function clearFlapTimer(element) {
-  const state = flapStates.get(element);
-  if (!state) return;
-  clearTimeout(state.timer);
-  flapStates.delete(element);
-}
-
-/**
- * Put the label back in its resting state: real text visible, no cells.
- *
- * The `Text` node is untouched apart from its data, and neither permanent span
- * is removed — only the decorative cells are emptied.
- */
-function rest(element, host) {
-  element.classList.remove(ACTIVE_CLASS);
-  host.cells.replaceChildren();
-  element.style?.removeProperty('--gev-flap-dur');
-  // The real text is the accessible name; a stale aria-label from an earlier
-  // render would otherwise mask it.
-  element.removeAttribute?.('aria-label');
-}
-
-/**
- * Strip the cells once the cascade lands, then take up any width slack.
- *
- * A shrinking label has been holding every column at full width for the whole
- * cascade (invariant 4), so this is where the board narrows — as one eased
- * transition, never a single-frame snap.
- */
-function settle(element, expected, easeMs) {
-  flapStates.delete(element);
-  // A newer label won the race — leave its cells alone.
-  if (element.textContent !== expected) return;
-  const host = ensureHost(element);
-  const cascadeWidth = measureWidth(element);
-  cancelWidthEase(element);
-  clearSizing(element);
-  rest(element, host);
-  const naturalWidth = measureWidth(element);
-  easeWidth(element, cascadeWidth, naturalWidth, easeMs);
-}
-
-/**
- * Set a chip label, flipping the changed characters into place.
- *
- * Safe to call on every tick: the chips are repainted by a 500 ms ticker and
- * a 60 ms one, so an unchanged write must be a no-op or the animation would
- * restart forever. Returns whether a flap was actually started.
- *
- * @param {HTMLElement|null} element - Chip label element.
- * @param {string} text - Text to settle on.
- * @param {{immediate?: boolean, charMs?: number, staggerMs?: number,
- *          maxTotalMs?: number}} [options]
- * @returns {boolean} True when a flap animation was started.
- */
-export function setSplitFlapText(element, text, options = {}) {
-  if (!element) return false;
-  const next = String(text ?? '');
-  // Upgrade to the permanent shell FIRST, so that one-time structural change
-  // happens on a tick where the text is not changing. Every subsequent label
-  // change is then a lone characterData mutation (invariant 1).
-  const host = ensureHost(element);
-  // textContent is the SETTLED string even mid-cascade, so this is the right
-  // idempotence check against the repeating chip tickers.
-  const settled = element.textContent ?? '';
-  if (settled === next) return false;
-
-  // What the viewer can SEE right now. Mid-cascade that is not the settled
-  // string: columns whose stagger has not elapsed are still showing the
-  // previous label's glyphs, and those are what must flap away.
-  const state = flapStates.get(element);
-  const displayed = state
-    ? visibleGlyphs(state.plan, nowMs() - state.startedAt, {
-        charMs: state.charMs,
-      })
-    : settled;
-  clearFlapTimer(element);
-
-  const beforeWidth = measureWidth(element);
-
-  const animate =
-    SPLIT_FLAP_ENABLED &&
-    options.immediate !== true &&
-    !prefersReducedMotion() &&
-    isVisible(element);
-
-  const plan = animate ? planSplitFlap(displayed, next, options) : null;
-
-  // THE ONLY TEXT OPERATION. One characterData mutation, no reparenting, so
-  // the label is never transiently empty and the live region cannot see a
-  // removal/reinsertion pair (invariant 1).
-  host.text.firstChild.data = next;
-
-  if (!plan?.changedCount) {
-    cancelWidthEase(element);
-    clearSizing(element);
-    rest(element, host);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  const doc = element.ownerDocument || globalThis.document;
-  const charMs = positiveNumber(options.charMs, FLAP_CHAR_MS);
-
-  const cellNodes = [];
-  for (const cell of plan.cells) {
-    const node = doc.createElement('span');
-    node.className = CELL_CLASS;
-    // Every column carries an in-flow incoming face, so every column holds a
-    // width and its index for the whole cascade (invariant 4). A column the
-    // new string does not reach flaps to a blank rather than collapsing.
-    node.dataset.flapNext = cell.to || BLANK;
-    if (cell.changed) {
-      node.classList.add(FLAPPING_CLASS);
-      node.dataset.flapPrev = cell.from || BLANK;
-      node.style.setProperty('--gev-flap-delay', `${cell.delayMs}ms`);
-    }
-    cellNodes.push(node);
-  }
-
-  element.removeAttribute('aria-label');
-  cancelWidthEase(element);
-  clearSizing(element);
-  // Only the decorative sibling is rebuilt; the text node is not involved.
-  host.cells.replaceChildren(...cellNodes);
-  element.classList.add(ACTIVE_CLASS);
-  element.style.setProperty('--gev-flap-dur', `${charMs}ms`);
-
-  // Width, phase one. A GROWING label reserves its new columns the instant the
-  // cells go in, so ease from what was on screen to the cascade width. A
-  // shrinking one is already at cascade width, so this is a no-op and the ease
-  // happens in settle() instead, once the flaps have landed.
-  easeWidth(element, beforeWidth, measureWidth(element), plan.durationMs);
-
-  // The one and only timer this change schedules (invariant 2).
-  flapStates.set(element, {
-    plan,
-    charMs,
-    startedAt: nowMs(),
-    timer: setTimeout(
-      () => settle(element, next, plan.durationMs),
-      plan.durationMs + FLAP_SETTLE_SLACK_MS,
-    ),
-  });
-  return true;
-}
-
-/** Stop decoration without replacing the label's permanent accessible text. */
-export function disposeSplitFlap(element) {
-  if (!element) return;
-  clearFlapTimer(element);
-  cancelWidthEase(element);
-  clearSizing(element);
-  const cells = element.querySelector?.('.gev-flap-cells');
-  if (cells) rest(element, { cells });
-}
diff --git a/src/ui/applicationShell.js b/src/ui/applicationShell.js
index 3bf2c9322..d0b1b3897 100644
--- a/src/ui/applicationShell.js
+++ b/src/ui/applicationShell.js
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import { NavigationController } from './navigationController.js';
 import { ShareRestoration } from './shareRestoration.js';
 import { DisplayBindings } from './displayBindings.js';
 import { createStateChannel } from '../app/stateChannel.js';
-import { setSplitFlapText } from '../splitFlap.js';
 import { UiLifetime } from './uiLifetime.js';
 import { RecordingControls } from './recordingControls.js';
 import { readShellElements } from './shellElements.js';
@@ -1196,9 +1195,6 @@ export class StyleManager extends ShellFacade {
         _cctvSelect: this._cctvSelect,
         _cctvSourceBadge: this._cctvSourceBadge,
         _cctvSummary: this._cctvSummary,
-        _cctvSyncChip: this._cctvSyncChip,
-        _cctvSyncLabel: this._cctvSyncLabel,
-        _cctvSyncProgress: this._cctvSyncProgress,
       },
       cctv: cctvLayer,
       actions: {
@@ -1210,7 +1206,6 @@ export class StyleManager extends ShellFacade {
         setPanelCollapsed: (...args) => this.setPanelCollapsed(...args),
         showToast: (message) => this._showToast(message),
         syncViewport: () => this._syncCctvPanelViewport(),
-        setSplitFlapText,
       },
     });
   }
@@ -1760,8 +1755,7 @@ export class StyleManager extends ShellFacade {
       this.services;
     if (this._disposed) return;
     this._shareRestoration.destroy();
-    this._feedback._globalStatusNotice = null;
-    if (this._globalLoadingStatus) this._globalLoadingStatus.hidden = true;
+    this._feedback.clearLoadingStatus();
     this._disposed = true;
     this._navigation.stop();
     this._shareState.destroy();
diff --git a/src/ui/cctvControls.js b/src/ui/cctvControls.js
index c6858267f..ab2999cf3 100644
--- a/src/ui/cctvControls.js
+++ b/src/ui/cctvControls.js
@@ -14,17 +14,20 @@ import {
 import {
   _calBadgeLabel,
   _renderCctvState,
+  _publishCctvChip,
   _typeCctvSummary,
   _updateCctvSyncChip,
 } from './cctvPresentation.js';
 import { _initCctvPanel } from './cctvBindings.js';
 import { useCctvStore } from './stores/cctv.js';
+import { useStatusStore } from './stores/status.js';
 import { applicationPinia } from './vueRuntime.js';
 
 /**
  * Own camera-panel interaction and presentation; receive the camera port and
  * application actions. The panel view renders the buttons, CAL chip and meta
- * line from what this publishes (`gev-cctv` store).
+ * line from what this publishes (`gev-cctv` store), and the scene chrome the
+ * camera grid chip (`gev-status` store).
  */
 export class CctvControls {
   constructor({
@@ -32,9 +35,11 @@ export class CctvControls {
     cctv,
     actions,
     store = useCctvStore(applicationPinia()),
+    statusStore = useStatusStore(applicationPinia()),
   }) {
     Object.assign(this, elements);
     this.store = store;
+    this.statusStore = statusStore;
     this.cctv = cctv;
     this.actions = actions;
     this.destroyed = false;
@@ -46,6 +51,8 @@ export class CctvControls {
     this._lastSeenCctvActiveId = null;
     this._cctvChipHideTimer = null;
     this._cctvChipWasBusy = false;
+    // The camera grid chip as last published; its label stays while hidden.
+    this._cctvChip = null;
     this._cctvFrameRequestToken = 0;
     this._cctvFramePreloader = null;
     this._frame = EMPTY_CCTV_FRAME;
@@ -117,6 +124,9 @@ export class CctvControls {
   _typeCctvSummary(...args) {
     return _typeCctvSummary.call(this, ...args);
   }
+  _publishCctvChip(...args) {
+    return _publishCctvChip.call(this, ...args);
+  }
   _updateCctvSyncChip(...args) {
     return _updateCctvSyncChip.call(this, ...args);
   }
@@ -138,6 +148,6 @@ export class CctvControls {
     clearTimeout(this._cctvChipHideTimer);
     this._cctvSummaryTypingTimer = null;
     this._cctvChipHideTimer = null;
-    this._cctvSyncChip?.classList.remove('visible');
+    this._publishCctvChip({ visible: false, stopped: true });
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/ui/cctvPresentation.js b/src/ui/cctvPresentation.js
index 9b5ed82e0..ed5da4057 100644
--- a/src/ui/cctvPresentation.js
+++ b/src/ui/cctvPresentation.js
@@ -301,10 +301,27 @@ export function _typeCctvSummary(text) {
   }, 20);
 }
 
+/** Publish a change to the camera grid chip; its label stays while hidden. */
+export function _publishCctvChip(patch) {
+  const current = this._cctvChip ?? {
+    visible: false,
+    label: t('loading frames'),
+    immediate: false,
+    progress: '0/0',
+    stopped: false,
+  };
+  const next = { ...current, ...patch };
+  if (
+    this._cctvChip &&
+    Object.keys(next).every((key) => next[key] === current[key])
+  )
+    return;
+  this._cctvChip = next;
+  this.statusStore.publishCctv(next);
+}
+
 export function _updateCctvSyncChip(loading, enabled) {
   if (this.destroyed) return;
-  if (!this._cctvSyncChip || !this._cctvSyncLabel || !this._cctvSyncProgress)
-    return;
   const total = Number(loading?.total) || 0;
   const loaded = Math.max(0, Math.min(Number(loading?.loaded) || 0, total));
   const busy = !!enabled && !!loading?.active && total > 0;
@@ -313,31 +330,35 @@ export function _updateCctvSyncChip(loading, enabled) {
     clearTimeout(this._cctvChipHideTimer);
     this._cctvChipHideTimer = null;
     this._cctvChipWasBusy = true;
-    this.actions.setSplitFlapText(this._cctvSyncLabel, t('loading frames'));
     // The counter is left plain on purpose: it ticks every few frames
     // during a grid load, and flapping it would read as a slot machine.
-    this._cctvSyncProgress.textContent = `${loaded}/${total}`;
-    this._cctvSyncChip.classList.add('visible');
+    this._publishCctvChip({
+      visible: true,
+      label: t('loading frames'),
+      progress: `${loaded}/${total}`,
+    });
     return;
   }
 
   if (this._cctvChipWasBusy && enabled && total > 0) {
     // Load just completed — flash the final count, then auto-hide.
     this._cctvChipWasBusy = false;
-    this.actions.setSplitFlapText(this._cctvSyncLabel, t('camera grid ready'));
-    this._cctvSyncProgress.textContent = `${total}/${total}`;
-    this._cctvSyncChip.classList.add('visible');
+    this._publishCctvChip({
+      visible: true,
+      label: t('camera grid ready'),
+      progress: `${total}/${total}`,
+    });
     clearTimeout(this._cctvChipHideTimer);
     this._cctvChipHideTimer = window.setTimeout(() => {
       if (this.destroyed) return;
       this._cctvChipHideTimer = null;
-      this._cctvSyncChip.classList.remove('visible');
+      this._publishCctvChip({ visible: false });
     }, 1500);
     return;
   }
 
   if (!this._cctvChipHideTimer) {
     this._cctvChipWasBusy = false;
-    this._cctvSyncChip.classList.remove('visible');
+    this._publishCctvChip({ visible: false });
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/ui/shellElements.js b/src/ui/shellElements.js
index f60213841..bf2ac0ceb 100644
--- a/src/ui/shellElements.js
+++ b/src/ui/shellElements.js
@@ -100,18 +100,9 @@ export function readShellElements(document = globalThis.document) {
     _tiltMapBtn: document.getElementById('tilt-map-view'),
     _northUpBtn: document.getElementById('north-up-view'),
     _clearSelectedLayersBtn: document.getElementById('clear-selected-layers'),
-    _globalLoadingStatus: document.getElementById('global-loading-status'),
-    _globalLoadingLabel: document.getElementById('global-loading-label'),
-    _globalLoadingDetail: document.getElementById('global-loading-detail'),
     _resetGlobeBtn: document.getElementById('reset-globe-view'),
     _cockpitResetGlobeBtn: document.getElementById('cockpit-reset-globe'),
     _styleButtons: document.getElementById('style-buttons'),
-    _trafficSyncChip: document.getElementById('traffic-sync-chip'),
-    _trafficSyncLabel: document.getElementById('traffic-sync-label'),
-    _trafficSyncProgress: document.getElementById('traffic-sync-progress'),
-    _cctvSyncChip: document.getElementById('cctv-sync-chip'),
-    _cctvSyncLabel: document.getElementById('cctv-sync-label'),
-    _cctvSyncProgress: document.getElementById('cctv-sync-progress'),
     _toast: document.getElementById('toast'),
     _locationSearch: document.getElementById('location-search'),
     _searchToggle: document.getElementById('search-toggle'),
diff --git a/src/ui/shellFeedback.js b/src/ui/shellFeedback.js
index 332fa50af..22c2346b2 100644
--- a/src/ui/shellFeedback.js
+++ b/src/ui/shellFeedback.js
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@ import {
   reduceLoadingFeedback,
   reduceTrafficSyncFeedback,
 } from '../loadingFeedback.js';
-import { setSplitFlapText, disposeSplitFlap } from '../splitFlap.js';
 import { getLocale, t, msg } from '../i18n/index.js';
 import { localizeLayerName } from './layerPanel.js';
 import { translateFeedError } from './statusText.js';
+import { useStatusStore } from './stores/status.js';
+import { applicationPinia } from './vueRuntime.js';
 
 // The server also loads loadingFeedback.js (through the HUD summary), so its
 // labels stay English. Translate the known ones; pass anything else (a live
@@ -116,8 +117,14 @@ export function localizeLoadingPresentation(presentation) {
   };
 }
 export class ShellFeedback {
-  constructor({ readLayers }) {
+  /**
+   * @param {object} options
+   * @param {() => object[]} options.readLayers The data layers' states.
+   * @param {object} [options.store] The status store the chips render from.
+   */
+  constructor({ readLayers, store = useStatusStore(applicationPinia()) }) {
     this.readLayers = readLayers;
+    this.store = store;
     this.destroyed = false;
     this._loadingFeedbackState = createLoadingFeedbackState();
     this._trafficSyncFeedbackState = createTrafficSyncFeedbackState();
@@ -131,18 +138,21 @@ export class ShellFeedback {
     this._lastLoadingFeedbackUpdateAt = 0;
     this._lastTrafficChipUpdateAt = 0;
     this._lastTrafficGlobalUpdateAt = 0;
-    this._globalLoadingStatus = document.getElementById(
-      'global-loading-status',
-    );
-    this._globalLoadingLabel = document.getElementById('global-loading-label');
-    this._globalLoadingDetail = document.getElementById(
-      'global-loading-detail',
-    );
-    this._trafficSyncChip = document.getElementById('traffic-sync-chip');
-    this._trafficSyncLabel = document.getElementById('traffic-sync-label');
-    this._trafficSyncProgress = document.getElementById(
-      'traffic-sync-progress',
-    );
+    // What the chips last showed; a label stays while its chip is hidden.
+    this._loadingView = {
+      hidden: true,
+      state: null,
+      label: t('LOADING LIVE DATA'),
+      detail: '',
+      stopped: false,
+    };
+    this._trafficView = {
+      visible: false,
+      label: t('syncing road network'),
+      immediate: false,
+      progress: '0%',
+      stopped: false,
+    };
     this._toast = document.getElementById('toast');
   }
   observeVisibility() {
@@ -158,12 +168,6 @@ export class ShellFeedback {
   }
   _updateTrafficSyncChip(forceShow = false, now = performance.now()) {
     if (this.destroyed) return;
-    if (
-      !this._trafficSyncChip ||
-      !this._trafficSyncLabel ||
-      !this._trafficSyncProgress
-    )
-      return;
     const layers = this.readLayers();
     const traffic = Array.isArray(layers)
       ? layers.find((layer) => layer.id === 'traffic')
@@ -178,30 +182,22 @@ export class ShellFeedback {
       now,
     );
     const presentation = this._trafficSyncFeedbackState;
-    // setSplitFlapText carries the same unchanged-text guard internally, and
-    // the flap keeps textContent equal to the settled label throughout, so
-    // this stays a no-op on the repeat ticks exactly as it did before.
-    if (presentation.label)
-      setSplitFlapText(
-        this._trafficSyncLabel,
-        localizeStatusLabel(presentation.label),
-        {
-          // Completion is a timing signal, not another animated loading stage.
-          immediate: !presentation.busy,
-        },
-      );
-    // Written on every change INCLUDING the empty settled value — the reducer
-    // clears the progress number once the sync lands, and a truthiness guard
-    // here would strand the last "..." beside the settled label.
-    if (this._trafficSyncProgress.textContent !== presentation.progressText) {
-      this._trafficSyncProgress.textContent = presentation.progressText;
-    }
-    this._trafficSyncChip.classList.toggle('visible', presentation.visible);
+    // The label flaps only when it changes; completion swaps it in, a timing
+    // signal rather than another animated loading stage. The progress is
+    // written on every change INCLUDING the empty settled value: the reducer
+    // clears it once the sync lands.
+    this._publishTraffic({
+      visible: presentation.visible,
+      ...(presentation.label && {
+        label: localizeStatusLabel(presentation.label),
+        immediate: !presentation.busy,
+      }),
+      progress: presentation.progressText,
+    });
   }
 
   _updateGlobalLoadingFeedback(now = performance.now()) {
     if (this.destroyed) return;
-    if (!this._globalLoadingStatus) return;
     const summary = aggregateLayerLoading(this.readLayers() || []);
     this._loadingFeedbackState = reduceLoadingFeedback(
       this._loadingFeedbackState,
@@ -230,20 +226,43 @@ export class ShellFeedback {
     if (this._loadingFeedbackState?.phase !== 'idle' || noticeNeedsTicker) {
       this._armLoadingFeedbackTicker();
     }
-    const localized = localizeLoadingPresentation(presentation);
-    this._globalLoadingStatus.hidden = !presentation;
     if (!presentation) {
-      delete this._globalLoadingStatus.dataset.state;
+      this._publishLoading({ hidden: true, state: null });
       return;
     }
-    this._globalLoadingStatus.dataset.state = presentation.state;
-    // Split-flap the LABEL only ("LOADING LIVE DATA" -> "LOAD COMPLETE").
-    // setSplitFlapText is a no-op when the text is unchanged, which matters
-    // here: this runs on every 60 ms and 500 ms tick. The detail line is the
-    // live layer roster inside an ellipsised, width-capped span — flapping a
-    // list that churns as layers join would be noise, not delight.
-    setSplitFlapText(this._globalLoadingLabel, localized.label);
-    this._globalLoadingDetail.textContent = localized.detail;
+    const localized = localizeLoadingPresentation(presentation);
+    // The LABEL flaps ("LOADING LIVE DATA" -> "LOAD COMPLETE") only when it
+    // changes, which matters here: this runs on every 60 ms and 500 ms tick.
+    // The detail is the live layer roster inside an ellipsised, width-capped
+    // span; flapping a list that churns as layers join would be noise.
+    this._publishLoading({
+      hidden: false,
+      state: presentation.state,
+      label: localized.label,
+      detail: localized.detail,
+    });
+  }
+
+  _publishLoading(patch) {
+    const next = { ...this._loadingView, ...patch };
+    if (Object.keys(next).every((key) => next[key] === this._loadingView[key]))
+      return;
+    this._loadingView = next;
+    this.store.publishLoading(next);
+  }
+
+  _publishTraffic(patch) {
+    const next = { ...this._trafficView, ...patch };
+    if (Object.keys(next).every((key) => next[key] === this._trafficView[key]))
+      return;
+    this._trafficView = next;
+    this.store.publishTraffic(next);
+  }
+
+  /** Drop any retained notice and hide the loading status. */
+  clearLoadingStatus() {
+    this._globalStatusNotice = null;
+    this._publishLoading({ hidden: true, state: null });
   }
 
   _showGlobalStatusNotice(message, options = {}) {
@@ -327,9 +346,9 @@ export class ShellFeedback {
         this._loadingVisibilityHandler,
       );
     this._loadingVisibilityHandler = null;
-    disposeSplitFlap(this._globalLoadingLabel);
-    disposeSplitFlap(this._trafficSyncLabel);
     this._toast?.classList.remove('visible');
-    if (this._globalLoadingStatus) this._globalLoadingStatus.hidden = true;
+    // The labels rest at once; a cascade does not outlive its owner.
+    this._publishLoading({ hidden: true, state: null, stopped: true });
+    this._publishTraffic({ stopped: true });
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/ui/shellFeedbackStatusLocalization.test.mjs b/src/ui/shellFeedbackStatusLocalization.test.mjs
index b0e931a65..b05ceb54f 100644
--- a/src/ui/shellFeedbackStatusLocalization.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/shellFeedbackStatusLocalization.test.mjs
@@ -10,12 +10,8 @@ import {
   reduceLoadingFeedback,
 } from '../loadingFeedback.js';
 
-const elements = {
-  'global-loading-status': { hidden: true, dataset: {} },
-  'global-loading-detail': { textContent: '' },
-};
 globalThis.document ??= {
-  getElementById: (id) => elements[id] ?? null,
+  getElementById: () => null,
   addEventListener() {},
   removeEventListener() {},
   // The layer panel reaches Vue, whose DOM runtime creates one element as it
@@ -38,10 +34,14 @@ function alprChipDetail(locale, retryInMs) {
       retryAt: Date.now() + retryInMs,
     },
   };
-  const feedback = new ShellFeedback({ readLayers: () => [layer] });
+  let loading = null;
+  const feedback = new ShellFeedback({
+    readLayers: () => [layer],
+    store: { publishLoading: (view) => (loading = view) },
+  });
   feedback._armLoadingFeedbackTicker = () => {};
   feedback._updateGlobalLoadingFeedback(0);
-  return elements['global-loading-detail'].textContent;
+  return loading.detail;
 }
 
 test.afterEach(() => setLocale('en'));
diff --git a/src/ui/shellLifecycle.test.mjs b/src/ui/shellLifecycle.test.mjs
index ca94a4e60..94c955c38 100644
--- a/src/ui/shellLifecycle.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/shellLifecycle.test.mjs
@@ -54,8 +54,6 @@ function fixture() {
       'right-context-rail',
       'pp-toggles',
       'toast',
-      'global-loading-status',
-      'global-loading-detail',
       'safe-frame-overlay',
       'safe-frame-box',
       'hud-toggle',
@@ -176,11 +174,20 @@ test('panel layout coalesces each rail and cannot rearm after destruction', () =
 test('feedback disposal clears toast and polling work and rejects retained notices', () => {
   const f = fixture();
   try {
-    const owner = new ShellFeedback({ readLayers: () => [] });
+    const loading = [];
+    const owner = new ShellFeedback({
+      readLayers: () => [],
+      store: {
+        publishLoading: (view) => loading.push(view),
+        publishTraffic() {},
+      },
+    });
     owner.observeVisibility();
     owner._startTrafficChipTicker();
     owner._showToast('Saved');
     assert.equal(f.timers.size, 2);
+    owner._showGlobalStatusNotice('Saving');
+    assert.equal(loading.at(-1).hidden, false);
     owner.destroy();
     owner._showToast('Late');
     owner._showGlobalStatusNotice('Late');
@@ -189,7 +196,8 @@ test('feedback disposal clears toast and polling work and rejects retained notic
     assert.equal(f.timers.size, 0);
     assert.equal(f.nodes.get('toast').textContent, 'Saved');
     assert.equal(f.nodes.get('toast').classList.contains('visible'), false);
-    assert.equal(f.nodes.get('global-loading-status').hidden, true);
+    assert.equal(loading.at(-1).hidden, true);
+    assert.equal(loading.at(-1).label, 'Saving', 'the hidden label stays');
   } finally {
     f.restore();
   }
diff --git a/src/ui/statusChipOwners.test.mjs b/src/ui/statusChipOwners.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b3cc7f091
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ui/statusChipOwners.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+// src/ui/statusChipOwners.test.mjs — what ShellFeedback and the CCTV
+// presentation publish for the road network and camera grid chips.
+import test from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+
+globalThis.document ??= {
+  getElementById: () => null,
+  addEventListener() {},
+  removeEventListener() {},
+  // The layer panel reaches Vue, whose DOM runtime creates one element as it
+  // loads.
+  createElement: () => ({}),
+  hidden: false,
+};
+const { ShellFeedback } = await import('./shellFeedback.js');
+const { _publishCctvChip, _updateCctvSyncChip } =
+  await import('./cctvPresentation.js');
+
+test('the road network chip clears its progress once the sync lands and keeps its label', () => {
+  const published = [];
+  let stats = { loading: true, phaseProgressPct: 40, phaseLabel: 'LIVE' };
+  const feedback = new ShellFeedback({
+    readLayers: () => [{ id: 'traffic', enabled: true, stats }],
+    store: {
+      publishTraffic: (view) => published.push(view),
+      publishLoading() {},
+    },
+  });
+  feedback._updateTrafficSyncChip(false, 0);
+  assert.deepEqual(published.at(-1), {
+    visible: true,
+    label: 'LIVE',
+    immediate: false,
+    progress: '40%',
+    stopped: false,
+  });
+  feedback._updateTrafficSyncChip(false, 10);
+  assert.equal(published.length, 1, 'an unchanged chip is not republished');
+  stats = { phaseProgressPct: 100, phaseLabel: 'LIVE · 80% cov' };
+  feedback._updateTrafficSyncChip(false, 20);
+  assert.deepEqual(published.at(-1), {
+    visible: true,
+    label: 'LIVE · 80% cov',
+    immediate: true,
+    progress: '',
+    stopped: false,
+  });
+  feedback._updateTrafficSyncChip(false, 60_000);
+  assert.deepEqual(published.at(-1), {
+    visible: false,
+    label: 'LIVE · 80% cov',
+    immediate: true,
+    progress: '',
+    stopped: false,
+  });
+  feedback.destroy();
+  assert.equal(published.at(-1).stopped, true, 'destroy rests the label');
+});
+
+function cctvOwner() {
+  const published = [];
+  const owner = {
+    destroyed: false,
+    _cctvChip: null,
+    _cctvChipWasBusy: false,
+    _cctvChipHideTimer: null,
+    statusStore: { publishCctv: (view) => published.push(view) },
+  };
+  owner._publishCctvChip = _publishCctvChip.bind(owner);
+  const update = _updateCctvSyncChip.bind(owner);
+  return { owner, published, update };
+}
+
+test('the camera grid chip counts frames, flashes the total, then hides', (t) => {
+  t.mock.timers.enable({ apis: ['setTimeout'] });
+  globalThis.window ??= globalThis;
+  const { published, update } = cctvOwner();
+  update({ active: true, loaded: 3, total: 12 }, true);
+  assert.deepEqual(published.at(-1), {
+    visible: true,
+    label: 'loading frames',
+    immediate: false,
+    progress: '3/12',
+    stopped: false,
+  });
+  update({ active: false, loaded: 12, total: 12 }, true);
+  assert.deepEqual(published.at(-1), {
+    visible: true,
+    label: 'camera grid ready',
+    immediate: false,
+    progress: '12/12',
+    stopped: false,
+  });
+  update({ active: false, loaded: 12, total: 12 }, true);
+  assert.equal(published.length, 2, 'the flash holds until its timer');
+  t.mock.timers.tick(1500);
+  assert.deepEqual(published.at(-1), {
+    visible: false,
+    label: 'camera grid ready',
+    immediate: false,
+    progress: '12/12',
+    stopped: false,
+  });
+});
+
+test('a camera grid chip that never showed publishes its first hide once', () => {
+  const { published, update } = cctvOwner();
+  update(null, false);
+  update(null, false);
+  assert.deepEqual(published, [
+    {
+      visible: false,
+      label: 'loading frames',
+      immediate: false,
+      progress: '0/0',
+      stopped: false,
+    },
+  ]);
+});
diff --git a/src/ui/statusChipsView.test.mjs b/src/ui/statusChipsView.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..057dfeeb0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ui/statusChipsView.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+// src/ui/statusChipsView.test.mjs — the split-flap label and the scene's
+// status chips, rendered from the status store over happy-dom.
+import '../testSupport/registerDom.mjs';
+import test from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { createApp, h, nextTick, ref } from 'vue';
+import { createPinia } from 'pinia';
+import { FLAP_SETTLE_SLACK_MS, planSplitFlap } from '../splitFlap.js';
+import { useStatusStore } from './stores/status.js';
+import SceneChromeView from './views/SceneChromeView.vue';
+import SplitFlapText from './views/panels/SplitFlapText.vue';
+
+// happy-dom lays nothing out: the label counts as on screen unless a test
+// says otherwise, and is wider while its cells stand in for the text.
+let onScreen = true;
+HTMLElement.prototype.checkVisibility = function () {
+  return onScreen && !this.closest('[hidden]');
+};
+HTMLElement.prototype.getBoundingClientRect = function () {
+  const width = this.querySelector('.gev-flap-cell') ? 80 : 50;
+  return { width, height: 10, left: 0, top: 0, right: width, bottom: 10 };
+};
+
+// A change renders, then its cells go in once the label is seen on screen.
+const rendered = async () => {
+  for (let flush = 0; flush < 4; flush += 1) await nextTick();
+};
+
+function mountLabel(t, initial = 'LOADING LIVE DATA') {
+  onScreen = true;
+  document.body.replaceChildren();
+  const text = ref(initial);
+  const immediate = ref(false);
+  const app = createApp({
+    render: () =>
+      h(SplitFlapText, {
+        id: 'label',
+        text: text.value,
+        immediate: immediate.value,
+      }),
+  });
+  app.mount(document.body.appendChild(document.createElement('div')));
+  t.after(() => app.unmount());
+  const label = document.getElementById('label');
+  return {
+    text,
+    immediate,
+    label,
+    node: () => label.querySelector('.gev-flap-text').firstChild,
+    cells: () => [...label.querySelectorAll('.gev-flap-cell')],
+  };
+}
+
+test('the label is one text node beside empty decorative cells', (t) => {
+  const { label, node, cells } = mountLabel(t);
+  assert.equal(label.className, 'gev-flap-host');
+  assert.equal(node().nodeType, Node.TEXT_NODE);
+  assert.equal(node().data, 'LOADING LIVE DATA');
+  assert.equal(label.textContent, 'LOADING LIVE DATA');
+  assert.equal(
+    label.querySelector('.gev-flap-cells').getAttribute('aria-hidden'),
+    'true',
+  );
+  assert.equal(cells().length, 0);
+});
+
+test('a change flaps its changed columns over the same text node, then settles', async (t) => {
+  t.mock.timers.enable({ apis: ['setTimeout'] });
+  const { text, label, node, cells } = mountLabel(t);
+  const permanent = node();
+  text.value = 'LOAD COMPLETE';
+  await rendered();
+  assert.ok(node() === permanent, 'the text node never moves');
+  assert.equal(permanent.data, 'LOAD COMPLETE');
+  assert.equal(label.textContent, 'LOAD COMPLETE', 'cells carry no text');
+  assert.equal(label.classList.contains('gev-flap-active'), true);
+  assert.equal(label.style.getPropertyValue('--gev-flap-dur'), '190ms');
+  const plan = planSplitFlap('LOADING LIVE DATA', 'LOAD COMPLETE');
+  assert.equal(cells().length, plan.cells.length);
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    cells().map((cell) => cell.dataset.flapNext),
+    plan.cells.map((cell) => cell.to || ' '),
+  );
+  const flapping = cells().filter((cell) =>
+    cell.classList.contains('is-flapping'),
+  );
+  assert.equal(flapping.length, plan.changedCount);
+  const first = plan.cells.find((cell) => cell.changed);
+  assert.equal(cells()[first.index].dataset.flapPrev, first.from);
+  assert.equal(
+    cells()[first.index].style.getPropertyValue('--gev-flap-delay'),
+    `${first.delayMs}ms`,
+  );
+  assert.equal(cells()[0].dataset.flapPrev, undefined, 'L stays put');
+  t.mock.timers.tick(plan.durationMs + FLAP_SETTLE_SLACK_MS);
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(cells().length, 0);
+  assert.equal(label.classList.contains('gev-flap-active'), false);
+  assert.equal(label.style.getPropertyValue('--gev-flap-dur'), '');
+  assert.ok(node() === permanent);
+});
+
+test('an interrupted cascade rebuilds its cells so every flap restarts', async (t) => {
+  t.mock.timers.enable({ apis: ['setTimeout'] });
+  const { text, cells } = mountLabel(t, 'AAAA');
+  text.value = 'BBBB';
+  await rendered();
+  const before = cells();
+  text.value = 'CCCC';
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(cells().length, 4);
+  assert.ok(cells().every((cell) => !before.includes(cell)));
+  // Nothing had turned yet, so the ORIGINAL label flaps away (invariant 3).
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    cells().map((cell) => cell.dataset.flapPrev),
+    ['A', 'A', 'A', 'A'],
+  );
+});
+
+test('a completion, a hidden label or an unchanged label swaps without flaps', async (t) => {
+  const { text, immediate, label, cells } = mountLabel(t);
+  immediate.value = true;
+  text.value = 'LOAD COMPLETE';
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(label.textContent, 'LOAD COMPLETE');
+  assert.equal(cells().length, 0);
+  immediate.value = false;
+  onScreen = false;
+  text.value = 'LOAD FAILED';
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(label.textContent, 'LOAD FAILED');
+  assert.equal(cells().length, 0);
+  assert.equal(label.classList.contains('gev-flap-active'), false);
+});
+
+test('a growing label eases to its cascade width and ends on transitionend', async (t) => {
+  t.mock.timers.enable({ apis: ['setTimeout'] });
+  const { text, label } = mountLabel(t, 'OFF');
+  text.value = 'LOADING';
+  // The ease renders its start width, lays it out, then renders the end.
+  for (let flush = 0; flush < 2; flush += 1) await rendered();
+  assert.equal(label.classList.contains('gev-flap-sizing'), true);
+  assert.equal(label.style.width, '80px');
+  const other = new Event('transitionend');
+  other.propertyName = 'opacity';
+  label.dispatchEvent(other);
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(label.style.width, '80px', 'only the width ease ends it');
+  const end = new Event('transitionend');
+  end.propertyName = 'width';
+  label.dispatchEvent(end);
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(label.classList.contains('gev-flap-sizing'), false);
+  assert.equal(label.style.width, '');
+});
+
+test('a stopped label rests at once and changes without flaps from then on', async (t) => {
+  t.mock.timers.enable({ apis: ['setTimeout'] });
+  const stopped = ref(false);
+  const text = ref('AAAA');
+  document.body.replaceChildren();
+  onScreen = true;
+  const app = createApp({
+    render: () =>
+      h(SplitFlapText, {
+        id: 'label',
+        text: text.value,
+        stopped: stopped.value,
+      }),
+  });
+  app.mount(document.body.appendChild(document.createElement('div')));
+  t.after(() => app.unmount());
+  const label = document.getElementById('label');
+  text.value = 'BBBB';
+  await rendered();
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(label.querySelectorAll('.gev-flap-cell').length, 4);
+  stopped.value = true;
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(label.querySelectorAll('.gev-flap-cell').length, 0);
+  assert.equal(label.classList.contains('gev-flap-active'), false);
+  text.value = 'CCCC';
+  await rendered();
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal(label.textContent, 'CCCC');
+  assert.equal(label.querySelectorAll('.gev-flap-cell').length, 0);
+});
+
+function mountChrome(t) {
+  onScreen = false;
+  document.body.replaceChildren();
+  const pinia = createPinia();
+  const app = createApp(SceneChromeView).use(pinia);
+  app.mount(document.body.appendChild(document.createElement('div')));
+  t.after(() => app.unmount());
+  return { store: useStatusStore(pinia) };
+}
+
+const $ = (selector) => document.querySelector(selector);
+
+test('before anything publishes, the chips hold their resting labels', (t) => {
+  mountChrome(t);
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-status').hidden, true);
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-status').hasAttribute('data-state'), false);
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-label').textContent, 'LOADING LIVE DATA');
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-detail').textContent, '');
+  assert.equal($('#traffic-sync-chip').classList.contains('visible'), false);
+  assert.equal($('#traffic-sync-label').textContent, 'syncing road network');
+  assert.equal($('#traffic-sync-progress').textContent, '0%');
+  assert.equal($('#cctv-sync-chip').classList.contains('visible'), false);
+  assert.equal($('#cctv-sync-label').textContent, 'loading frames');
+  assert.equal($('#cctv-sync-progress').textContent, '0/0');
+});
+
+test('the chips render what the status store publishes', async (t) => {
+  const { store } = mountChrome(t);
+  store.publishLoading({
+    hidden: false,
+    state: 'complete',
+    label: 'LOAD COMPLETE',
+    detail: 'Flights · Ships',
+  });
+  store.publishTraffic({
+    visible: true,
+    label: 'road network ready',
+    immediate: true,
+    progress: '',
+  });
+  store.publishCctv({
+    visible: true,
+    label: 'camera grid ready',
+    immediate: false,
+    progress: '12/12',
+  });
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-status').hidden, false);
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-status').dataset.state, 'complete');
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-label').textContent, 'LOAD COMPLETE');
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-detail').textContent, 'Flights · Ships');
+  assert.equal($('#traffic-sync-chip').classList.contains('visible'), true);
+  assert.equal($('#traffic-sync-label').textContent, 'road network ready');
+  assert.equal($('#traffic-sync-progress').textContent, '');
+  assert.equal($('#cctv-sync-chip').classList.contains('visible'), true);
+  assert.equal($('#cctv-sync-progress').textContent, '12/12');
+  $('#traffic-sync-chip').classList.add('panel-avoid');
+  store.publishTraffic({
+    visible: false,
+    label: 'road network ready',
+    immediate: true,
+    progress: '',
+  });
+  store.publishLoading({
+    hidden: true,
+    state: null,
+    label: 'LOAD COMPLETE',
+    detail: 'Flights · Ships',
+  });
+  await rendered();
+  assert.equal($('#traffic-sync-chip').classList.contains('visible'), false);
+  assert.equal(
+    $('#traffic-sync-chip').classList.contains('panel-avoid'),
+    true,
+    'classes other code sets survive',
+  );
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-status').hidden, true);
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-status').hasAttribute('data-state'), false);
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-label').textContent, 'LOAD COMPLETE');
+});
+
+test('a label that changes as its status shows flaps once the status is visible', async (t) => {
+  t.mock.timers.enable({ apis: ['setTimeout'] });
+  const { store } = mountChrome(t);
+  onScreen = true;
+  store.publishLoading({
+    hidden: false,
+    state: 'error',
+    label: 'LOAD FAILED',
+    detail: '',
+  });
+  await rendered();
+  await rendered();
+  const label = $('#global-loading-label');
+  assert.equal($('#global-loading-status').hidden, false);
+  assert.equal(label.classList.contains('gev-flap-active'), true);
+  assert.ok(label.querySelectorAll('.gev-flap-cell.is-flapping').length > 0);
+});
diff --git a/src/ui/stores/status.js b/src/ui/stores/status.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..efe0cbe03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ui/stores/status.js
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { defineStore } from 'pinia';
+import { markRaw, shallowRef } from 'vue';
+
+/**
+ * The scene's status chips as their views render them. ShellFeedback
+ * (src/ui/shellFeedback.js) publishes the top-center loading status and the
+ * road network chip, CctvControls the camera grid chip. Each label keeps its
+ * last text while hidden, so the next change flaps from what was shown.
+ */
+export const useStatusStore = defineStore('gev-status', () => {
+  /**
+   * `{hidden, state, label, detail, stopped}`; null until first published.
+   * `stopped` rests a label for good once its owner is destroyed.
+   */
+  const loading = shallowRef(null);
+  /** `{visible, label, immediate, progress, stopped}`, or null. */
+  const traffic = shallowRef(null);
+  /** `{visible, label, immediate, progress, stopped}`, or null. */
+  const cctv = shallowRef(null);
+
+  /** @param {?object} next A fresh presentation of the loading status. */
+  function publishLoading(next) {
+    loading.value = next && markRaw(next);
+  }
+
+  /** @param {?object} next A fresh presentation of the road network chip. */
+  function publishTraffic(next) {
+    traffic.value = next && markRaw(next);
+  }
+
+  /** @param {?object} next A fresh presentation of the camera grid chip. */
+  function publishCctv(next) {
+    cctv.value = next && markRaw(next);
+  }
+
+  return {
+    loading,
+    publishLoading,
+    traffic,
+    publishTraffic,
+    cctv,
+    publishCctv,
+  };
+});
diff --git a/src/ui/styles/status.css b/src/ui/styles/status.css
index 2b3ff7e62..bba1ef788 100644
--- a/src/ui/styles/status.css
+++ b/src/ui/styles/status.css
@@ -243,20 +243,20 @@ html:not([lang='en']) #global-loading-detail {
 
 /* ── Split-flap chip text ─────────────────────────────────────────
    Per-character departure-board flip when a chip label changes.
-   Driven entirely by src/splitFlap.js, which rebuilds the label as
-   one span per character on the change and strips them again once
-   the cascade lands.
+   Planned by src/splitFlap.js and rendered by SplitFlapText.vue, which
+   lays out one cell per character on the change and strips them again
+   once the cascade lands.
 
    The DOM text is the truth and its node never moves. A chip label is
-   upgraded once into a permanent shell — a .gev-flap-text span holding
-   one long-lived Text node, plus an aria-hidden .gev-flap-cells
-   sibling — and from then on a label change is only `node.data = next`.
+   a .gev-flap-text span holding one long-lived Text node, plus an
+   aria-hidden .gev-flap-cells sibling, and a label change is only
+   `node.data = next`.
    During a cascade the host takes .gev-flap-active, which clips the
    real text out of view and lets the cells stand in for it. The cells
    carry no text at all: both glyphs are generated content (::before =
    outgoing, ::after = incoming), and generated content never reaches
-   textContent. That is what keeps QA pins and the traffic chip's own
-   `textContent !==` guard honest, and it lets the cells be rebuilt
+   textContent. That is what keeps QA pins honest, and it lets the
+   cells be rebuilt
    freely while the aria-live region sees only one characterData
    change per label update.
 
diff --git a/src/ui/views/SceneChromeView.vue b/src/ui/views/SceneChromeView.vue
index 1bf8c5a74..4ba941e7d 100644
--- a/src/ui/views/SceneChromeView.vue
+++ b/src/ui/views/SceneChromeView.vue
@@ -2,10 +2,15 @@
 import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
 import { t } from '../../i18n/index.js';
 import { useDisplayStore } from '../stores/display.js';
+import { useStatusStore } from '../stores/status.js';
+import { vClassToggle } from '../rail/classToggle.js';
 import ImagerySplitView from './panels/ImagerySplitView.vue';
+import SplitFlapText from './panels/SplitFlapText.vue';
 
 // The ACTIVE STYLE corner shows the style VisualSettings publishes.
 const { style } = storeToRefs(useDisplayStore());
+// The status chips show what ShellFeedback and CctvControls publish.
+const { loading, traffic, cctv } = storeToRefs(useStatusStore());
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -50,17 +55,17 @@ const { style } = storeToRefs(useDisplayStore());
       <span class="material-symbols-outlined" aria-hidden="true">public</span>
     </button>
   </nav>
-  <div id="global-loading-status" role="status" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true" hidden>
-    <span id="global-loading-label" data-i18n>LOADING LIVE DATA</span>
-    <span id="global-loading-detail"></span>
+  <div id="global-loading-status" role="status" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true" :hidden="loading ? loading.hidden : true" :data-state="loading?.state ?? undefined">
+    <SplitFlapText id="global-loading-label" :text="loading ? loading.label : t('LOADING LIVE DATA')" :stopped="!!loading?.stopped" />
+    <span id="global-loading-detail">{{ loading ? loading.detail : '' }}</span>
   </div>
-  <div id="traffic-sync-chip" aria-live="polite">
-    <span id="traffic-sync-label" data-i18n>syncing road network</span>
-    <span id="traffic-sync-progress">0%</span>
+  <div id="traffic-sync-chip" aria-live="polite" v-class-toggle="{ visible: !!traffic?.visible }">
+    <SplitFlapText id="traffic-sync-label" :text="traffic ? traffic.label : t('syncing road network')" :immediate="!!traffic?.immediate" :stopped="!!traffic?.stopped" />
+    <span id="traffic-sync-progress">{{ traffic ? traffic.progress : '0%' }}</span>
   </div>
-  <div id="cctv-sync-chip" aria-live="polite">
-    <span id="cctv-sync-label" data-i18n>loading frames</span>
-    <span id="cctv-sync-progress">0/0</span>
+  <div id="cctv-sync-chip" aria-live="polite" v-class-toggle="{ visible: !!cctv?.visible }">
+    <SplitFlapText id="cctv-sync-label" :text="cctv ? cctv.label : t('loading frames')" :immediate="!!cctv?.immediate" :stopped="!!cctv?.stopped" />
+    <span id="cctv-sync-progress">{{ cctv ? cctv.progress : '0/0' }}</span>
   </div>
 
   <!-- Toast notification -->
diff --git a/src/ui/views/panels/SplitFlapText.vue b/src/ui/views/panels/SplitFlapText.vue
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..63742eea3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ui/views/panels/SplitFlapText.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+<script setup>
+import { nextTick, onBeforeUnmount, ref, shallowRef, watch } from 'vue';
+import {
+  FLAP_BLANK,
+  FLAP_CHAR_MS,
+  FLAP_SETTLE_SLACK_MS,
+  SPLIT_FLAP_ENABLED,
+  isOnScreen,
+  planSplitFlap,
+  prefersReducedMotion,
+  visibleGlyphs,
+} from '../../../splitFlap.js';
+
+// A status label that flips its changed characters into place, planned by
+// src/splitFlap.js (read its invariants first). The text is one long-lived
+// node whose data is the only thing a change writes; the aria-hidden cells
+// stand in for it while a cascade plays and carry their glyphs as generated
+// content, so textContent is the settled label at every instant.
+const props = defineProps({
+  text: { type: String, default: '' },
+  // Swap the text without a cascade: a completion, not another stage.
+  immediate: { type: Boolean, default: false },
+  // Rest at once and stay still: the label's owner is gone.
+  stopped: { type: Boolean, default: false },
+});
+
+// The label's one Text node. Vue would patch a lone `{{ text }}` child by
+// setting textContent, which swaps the node; this writes only its data.
+const vFlapText = {
+  mounted(el, { value }) {
+    el.append(el.ownerDocument.createTextNode(value));
+  },
+  updated(el, { value }) {
+    if (el.firstChild.data !== value) el.firstChild.data = value;
+  },
+};
+
+const root = ref(null);
+// The cascade's columns; each cascade keys its own, so the flaps restart.
+const cells = shallowRef([]);
+const active = ref(false);
+// The width ease, `{width, totalMs}`, or null at the natural width.
+const sizing = shallowRef(null);
+// The cascade in flight: its plan, start and the one settle timer.
+let flap = null;
+// Bumped by every change; a stale continuation finds it moved on.
+let run = 0;
+
+const now = () => globalThis.performance?.now?.() ?? Date.now();
+const measure = () => root.value?.getBoundingClientRect?.().width ?? 0;
+
+function rest() {
+  active.value = false;
+  cells.value = [];
+}
+
+function clearFlap() {
+  if (flap) clearTimeout(flap.timer);
+  flap = null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Ease between two measured widths. The start width lays out before the end
+ * width renders, so the transition runs; it ends on transitionend, not a
+ * timer. A growing label eases as its cells go in, a shrinking one once the
+ * flaps have landed.
+ */
+async function easeWidth(from, to, totalMs, change) {
+  if (!(from > 0.5) || Math.abs(to - from) <= 0.5) {
+    sizing.value = null;
+    return;
+  }
+  sizing.value = { width: from, totalMs };
+  await nextTick();
+  if (change !== run || !root.value) return;
+  void root.value.offsetWidth;
+  sizing.value = { width: to, totalMs };
+}
+
+function endEase(event) {
+  if (event.target !== root.value || event.propertyName !== 'width') return;
+  sizing.value = null;
+}
+
+/** Strip the cells once the cascade lands, then take up any width slack. */
+async function settle(change, easeMs) {
+  flap = null;
+  if (change !== run) return;
+  const cascadeWidth = measure();
+  sizing.value = null;
+  rest();
+  await nextTick();
+  if (change !== run) return;
+  void easeWidth(cascadeWidth, measure(), easeMs, change);
+}
+
+// Runs before the label re-renders, while it still shows the old text: what
+// was on screen and its width are read here. Whether the label is on screen
+// is read once the change has rendered, after its chip shows or hides with it;
+// the cells then go in before the browser paints.
+watch(
+  () => props.text,
+  async (next, settled) => {
+    const change = ++run;
+    // What the viewer sees right now: mid-cascade, columns whose stagger has
+    // not elapsed still show the previous label (invariant 3).
+    const displayed = flap
+      ? visibleGlyphs(flap.plan, now() - flap.startedAt, {
+          charMs: FLAP_CHAR_MS,
+        })
+      : settled;
+    clearFlap();
+    const beforeWidth = measure();
+    sizing.value = null;
+    rest();
+    if (
+      !SPLIT_FLAP_ENABLED ||
+      props.immediate ||
+      props.stopped ||
+      prefersReducedMotion()
+    )
+      return;
+    await nextTick();
+    if (change !== run || !isOnScreen(root.value)) return;
+    const plan = planSplitFlap(displayed, next);
+    if (!plan.changedCount) return;
+    // Every column holds its width and index for the whole cascade; one the
+    // new string does not reach flaps to a blank (invariant 4).
+    cells.value = plan.cells.map((cell) => ({
+      key: `${change}:${cell.index}`,
+      next: cell.to || FLAP_BLANK,
+      prev: cell.changed ? cell.from || FLAP_BLANK : null,
+      delay: cell.changed ? `${cell.delayMs}ms` : null,
+    }));
+    active.value = true;
+    flap = {
+      plan,
+      startedAt: now(),
+      timer: setTimeout(
+        () => settle(change, plan.durationMs),
+        plan.durationMs + FLAP_SETTLE_SLACK_MS,
+      ),
+    };
+    await nextTick();
+    if (change !== run) return;
+    void easeWidth(beforeWidth, measure(), plan.durationMs, change);
+  },
+  { flush: 'pre' },
+);
+
+function stop() {
+  run += 1;
+  clearFlap();
+}
+
+watch(
+  () => props.stopped,
+  (stopped) => {
+    if (!stopped) return;
+    stop();
+    sizing.value = null;
+    rest();
+  },
+);
+
+onBeforeUnmount(stop);
+
+const hostStyle = () => ({
+  '--gev-flap-dur': active.value ? `${FLAP_CHAR_MS}ms` : null,
+  '--gev-flap-total': sizing.value ? `${sizing.value.totalMs}ms` : null,
+  width: sizing.value ? `${sizing.value.width}px` : null,
+});
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <span ref="root" class="gev-flap-host" :class="{ 'gev-flap-active': active, 'gev-flap-sizing': !!sizing }" :style="hostStyle()" @transitionend="endEase" @transitioncancel="endEase"><span v-flap-text="text" class="gev-flap-text"></span><span class="gev-flap-cells" aria-hidden="true"><span v-for="cell in cells" :key="cell.key" class="gev-flap-cell" :class="{ 'is-flapping': cell.prev != null }" :data-flap-next="cell.next" :data-flap-prev="cell.prev ?? undefined" :style="cell.delay ? { '--gev-flap-delay': cell.delay } : undefined"></span></span></span>
+</template>