diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index a84af5f5..dbfada2f 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ Pick anything from here when relevant. Cross-cutting design notes live in
 
 ## UI / UX
 
+- **Per-agent UI substance.** Show last N inbox messages, last turn timing,
+  link back to dashboard.
 - **State badge: compacting + napping states.** Idle/thinking already
   ship (driven from SSE turn_start/turn_end). Add `compacting 📦` and
   `napping 😴` once the `/compact` trigger and `nap` tool exist —
@@ -40,6 +42,15 @@ Pick anything from here when relevant. Cross-cutting design notes live in
   `GET /api/state` (`status: "thinking" | "idle" | "compacting" |
   "napping"`). JS just renders. Drops the
   derive-from-events-and-pray code path.
+- **Terminal: inline diffs for Write/Edit.** Today a `Write` /
+  `Edit` tool-use row just shows the file path. Render the actual
+  change inline in the terminal: for `Edit`, a small `+`/`-`
+  per-line diff between `input.old_string` and `input.new_string`;
+  for `Write`, the first few lines of `input.content` (it's all
+  "+"). Keep collapsed by default (`<details>` like the existing
+  tool_result rollups), expand to full diff on click. Color via
+  the same `.diff-add` / `.diff-del` classes the dashboard
+  approval diff already uses.
 - **Terminal: `/model` slash command.** Operator-typeable model
   override from the terminal. Depends on the model-override work
   above; once an override mechanism exists, wire a `/model <name>`
@@ -68,6 +79,12 @@ Pick anything from here when relevant. Cross-cutting design notes live in
 
 ## Manager → operator question channel
 
+- **TTL / cancel on `ask_operator`.** Questions today block forever; the
+  manager turn stays alive until the operator answers. Add a per-question
+  `ttl_seconds` (or a dashboard "cancel" button that resolves the question
+  with a sentinel answer) so a long-idle question can time out and let the
+  manager fall back. Wire the timeout into `OperatorQuestions::wait_answered`
+  and surface remaining-time on the dashboard.
 
 ## Spawn flow
 
@@ -107,17 +124,6 @@ Pick anything from here when relevant. Cross-cutting design notes live in
 
 ## Lifecycle / reliability
 
-- **journald viewer per container in the dashboard.** Surface the
-  equivalent of `journalctl -M h-coder -b` in the dashboard so the
-  operator can see container logs without ssh-ing in. Optional
-  filter by hive-specific systemd unit (`hive-ag3nt.service`,
-  `hive-m1nd.service`). Implementation: backend shells out to
-  `journalctl -M <container> -b --output=short-iso --no-pager`
-  (optionally `-u <unit>`), streams or paginates the result over a
-  new dashboard endpoint. Could be a `<details>` per container row
-  or a dedicated page. Honest journalctl, not the in-container
-  events stream — those are different surfaces (events = claude turn
-  loop; journalctl = systemd-wide logs incl. boot, network, etc.).
 - **Container crash events.** Watch `container@*.service` via D-Bus, push
   `HelperEvent::ContainerCrash` to the manager's inbox so the manager can
   react (restart, escalate, etc.).
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/assets/agent.css b/hive-ag3nt/assets/agent.css
index 13031836..013fc82e 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/assets/agent.css
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/assets/agent.css
@@ -130,62 +130,6 @@ pre.diff {
   align-items: center;
   gap: 0.6em;
 }
-/* Per-agent inbox section — collapsible, dim, lives between the
-   state row and the terminal so the operator can peek at what
-   landed without scrolling through the live tail. */
-.agent-inbox {
-  margin: 0.4em 0;
-  font-size: 0.85em;
-  color: var(--muted);
-}
-.agent-inbox > summary {
-  cursor: pointer;
-  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
-  list-style: none;
-}
-.agent-inbox > summary::marker { content: ''; }
-.agent-inbox[open] > summary > span::before { content: ''; }
-.agent-inbox ul {
-  list-style: none;
-  padding: 0.4em 0.8em;
-  margin: 0.3em 0 0;
-  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02);
-  border-left: 2px solid var(--purple-dim);
-  max-height: 16em;
-  overflow-y: auto;
-}
-.agent-inbox li {
-  padding: 0.15em 0;
-  display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: auto auto auto 1fr;
-  gap: 0.5em;
-  align-items: baseline;
-}
-.agent-inbox .inbox-ts   { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.9em; }
-.agent-inbox .inbox-from { color: var(--amber); }
-.agent-inbox .inbox-sep  { color: var(--muted); }
-.agent-inbox .inbox-body { color: var(--fg); white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word; }
-
-.last-turn {
-  color: var(--muted);
-  font-size: 0.8em;
-  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
-}
-.btn-dashlink {
-  color: var(--cyan);
-  border: 1px solid var(--cyan);
-  padding: 0.15em 0.6em;
-  font-size: 0.55em;
-  font-family: inherit;
-  text-decoration: none;
-  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
-  margin-left: 0.6em;
-  vertical-align: middle;
-}
-.btn-dashlink:hover {
-  background: rgba(137, 220, 235, 0.1);
-  box-shadow: 0 0 10px -2px currentColor;
-}
 .btn-cancel-turn {
   font-family: inherit;
   font-size: 0.8em;
@@ -389,22 +333,6 @@ details.row > summary::before {
 }
 details.row[open] > summary::before { content: '▾ '; }
 details.row.tool-result-block > summary { color: var(--muted); }
-/* Inline diff body for Write / Edit tool_use rows: same shape as
-   tool-body but each line is wrapped in a span with diff-add /
-   diff-del / diff-ctx so + / - lines are colored. */
-details.row > pre.diff-body {
-  margin: 0.3em 0 0.4em 1.2em;
-  padding: 0.4em 0.6em;
-  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02);
-  border-left: 2px solid var(--purple-dim);
-  white-space: pre-wrap;
-  word-break: break-word;
-  max-height: 22em;
-  overflow-y: auto;
-}
-details.row > pre.diff-body .diff-add { color: var(--green); }
-details.row > pre.diff-body .diff-del { color: var(--red); }
-details.row > pre.diff-body .diff-ctx { color: var(--fg); }
 details.row > pre.tool-body {
   margin: 0.3em 0 0.4em 1.2em;
   padding: 0.4em 0.6em;
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/assets/app.js b/hive-ag3nt/assets/app.js
index 2702e7cc..0a40d59e 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/assets/app.js
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/assets/app.js
@@ -65,25 +65,16 @@
       `░▒▓█▓▒░  ${label}  ░▒▓█▓▒░  hyperhive ag3nt  ░▒▓█▓▒░`;
     const title = $('title');
     title.textContent = `◆ ${label} ◆ `;
-    // ↑ DASHB04RD — back-link to the host dashboard. Opens in a new
-    // tab to keep the agent page anchored where the operator is.
-    const dashUrl = `${location.protocol}//${location.hostname}:${dashboardPort}/`;
-    title.append(
-      el('a', {
-        href: dashUrl, target: '_blank', rel: 'noopener',
-        class: 'btn-dashlink', title: 'host dashboard',
-      }, '↑ DASHB04RD'),
-      ' ',
-    );
     const btn = el('a', {
       href: '#', class: 'btn-rebuild', id: 'rebuild-btn',
     }, '↻ R3BU1LD');
     btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
       e.preventDefault();
       if (!confirm(`rebuild ${label}? container will hot-reload.`)) return;
+      const url = `${location.protocol}//${location.hostname}:${dashboardPort}/rebuild/${label}`;
       const f = document.createElement('form');
       f.method = 'POST';
-      f.action = `${dashUrl}rebuild/${label}`;
+      f.action = url;
       document.body.appendChild(f);
       f.submit();
     });
@@ -319,13 +310,6 @@
   }
   function setState(next) {
     if (next === stateName) return;
-    // Capture the just-ending state's duration when leaving 'thinking'
-    // so the operator can eyeball turn length without scrolling the
-    // terminal back.
-    if (stateName === 'thinking' && next !== 'thinking') {
-      const elapsedMs = Date.now() - stateSince;
-      renderLastTurn(elapsedMs);
-    }
     stateName = next;
     stateSince = Date.now();
     const badge = $('state-badge');
@@ -337,40 +321,6 @@
     }
     renderStateBadge();
   }
-  function renderInbox(rows) {
-    const root = $('inbox-section');
-    const list = $('inbox-list');
-    const summary = $('inbox-summary');
-    if (!root || !list || !summary) return;
-    if (!rows.length) {
-      root.hidden = true;
-      return;
-    }
-    root.hidden = false;
-    summary.textContent = 'inbox · ' + rows.length;
-    list.innerHTML = '';
-    const fmt = (n) => new Date(n * 1000).toISOString().replace('T', ' ').slice(5, 19);
-    for (const m of rows) {
-      const li = el('li');
-      li.append(
-        el('span', { class: 'inbox-ts' }, fmt(m.at)), ' ',
-        el('span', { class: 'inbox-from' }, m.from), ' ',
-        el('span', { class: 'inbox-sep' }, '→'), ' ',
-        el('span', { class: 'inbox-body' }, m.body),
-      );
-      list.append(li);
-    }
-  }
-  function renderLastTurn(ms) {
-    const el_ = $('last-turn');
-    if (!el_) return;
-    let s = '';
-    if (ms < 1000) s = ms + 'ms';
-    else if (ms < 60_000) s = (ms / 1000).toFixed(1) + 's';
-    else s = Math.floor(ms / 60_000) + 'm ' + Math.floor((ms / 1000) % 60) + 's';
-    el_.textContent = '· last turn ' + s;
-    el_.hidden = false;
-  }
   function startStateTicker() {
     if (stateTickTimer) return;
     stateTickTimer = setInterval(renderStateBadge, 1000);
@@ -410,7 +360,6 @@
       const s = await resp.json();
       if (!headerSet) { setHeader(s.label, s.dashboard_port); headerSet = true; }
       renderTermInput(s.label, s.status === 'online');
-      renderInbox(s.inbox || []);
       // Drive the state badge from the harness status. Live SSE events
       // override to 'thinking' / 'idle' as turns start/end; this only
       // kicks in for the not-online (offline) case and the initial seed.
@@ -565,63 +514,6 @@
         default: return name + ' ' + trim(JSON.stringify(input), 200);
       }
     }
-    // Build a tool_use row for Write/Edit as a collapsed <details>
-    // showing the actual change. Returns null for any other tool so
-    // the caller falls back to the flat-row path.
-    //   Write: every input.content line is "+".
-    //   Edit:  old_string lines as "-", new_string lines as "+".
-    // Not a true diff algorithm — claude's Edit blocks are already a
-    // contiguous old/new pair, so a literal -/+ rendering is honest.
-    function renderFileWriteEdit(c) {
-      const name = c.name || '';
-      const input = c.input || {};
-      if (name !== 'Write' && name !== 'Edit') return null;
-      const path = input.file_path || '?';
-      let body;
-      let plus = 0;
-      let minus = 0;
-      if (name === 'Write') {
-        const content = String(input.content || '');
-        const lines = content.split('\n');
-        plus = lines.length;
-        body = lines.map(l => '+ ' + l).join('\n');
-      } else {
-        const oldLines = String(input.old_string || '').split('\n');
-        const newLines = String(input.new_string || '').split('\n');
-        minus = oldLines.length;
-        plus = newLines.length;
-        body = oldLines.map(l => '- ' + l).join('\n')
-             + '\n'
-             + newLines.map(l => '+ ' + l).join('\n');
-      }
-      const summary = '→  ' + name + ' ' + path + ' · '
-        + (minus ? '-' + minus + ' ' : '') + '+' + plus;
-      return detailsDiff('tool-use', summary, body);
-    }
-    function detailsDiff(cls, summary, body) {
-      clearPlaceholder();
-      const d = document.createElement('details');
-      d.className = 'row ' + (cls || '') + (currentNoAnim ? ' no-anim' : '');
-      const s = document.createElement('summary');
-      s.textContent = summary;
-      d.appendChild(s);
-      const pre = document.createElement('pre');
-      pre.className = 'tool-body diff-body';
-      // Color each line by its leading +/-.
-      for (const line of body.split('\n')) {
-        const span = document.createElement('span');
-        if (line.startsWith('+ ')) span.className = 'diff-add';
-        else if (line.startsWith('- ')) span.className = 'diff-del';
-        else span.className = 'diff-ctx';
-        span.textContent = line + '\n';
-        pre.appendChild(span);
-      }
-      d.appendChild(pre);
-      log.appendChild(d);
-      afterAppend();
-      return d;
-    }
-
     function renderToolResult(c) {
       const txt = Array.isArray(c.content)
         ? c.content.map(p => p.text || '').join('')
@@ -655,13 +547,7 @@
             const txt = (c.thinking || c.text || '').trim();
             row('thinking', txt ? '· ' + txt : '· thinking …');
           }
-          else if (c.type === 'tool_use') {
-            // Write/Edit get a collapsed +/- diff body; everything
-            // else stays as the flat row produced by fmtToolUse.
-            if (!renderFileWriteEdit(c)) {
-              row('tool-use', '→  ' + fmtToolUse(c));
-            }
-          }
+          else if (c.type === 'tool_use') row('tool-use', '→  ' + fmtToolUse(c));
         }
         return;
       }
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/assets/index.html b/hive-ag3nt/assets/index.html
index 9906176c..397fd327 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/assets/index.html
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/assets/index.html
@@ -15,15 +15,9 @@
 
   <div id="state-row">
     <span id="state-badge" class="state-badge state-loading">… booting</span>
-    <span id="last-turn" class="last-turn" hidden></span>
     <button type="button" id="cancel-btn" class="btn-cancel-turn" hidden>■ cancel turn</button>
   </div>
 
-  <details id="inbox-section" class="agent-inbox" hidden>
-    <summary>▸ <span id="inbox-summary">inbox</span></summary>
-    <ul id="inbox-list"></ul>
-  </details>
-
   <div class="terminal-wrap">
     <div id="live" class="live terminal"><div class="meta">connecting…</div></div>
     <div id="term-input" class="term-input"></div>
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/prompts/manager.md b/hive-ag3nt/prompts/manager.md
index ca96cae8..15b82f36 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/prompts/manager.md
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/prompts/manager.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Tools (hyperhive surface):
 - `mcp__hyperhive__start(name)` — start a stopped sub-agent. No approval required.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__restart(name)` — stop + start a sub-agent. No approval required.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__request_apply_commit(agent, commit_ref)` — submit a config change for any agent (`hm1nd` for self) for operator approval.
-- `mcp__hyperhive__ask_operator(question, options?, multi?, ttl_seconds?)` — surface a question on the dashboard. Returns immediately with a question id; the operator's answer arrives later as a system `operator_answered` event in your inbox. Options are advisory: the dashboard always lets the operator type a free-text answer in addition. Set `multi: true` to render options as checkboxes (operator can pick multiple); the answer comes back as `, `-separated. Set `ttl_seconds` to auto-cancel after a deadline — useful when the decision becomes moot if the operator hasn't responded in time; on expiry the answer is `[expired]`. Do not poll inside the same turn — finish the current work and react when the event lands.
+- `mcp__hyperhive__ask_operator(question, options?, multi?)` — surface a question on the dashboard. Returns immediately with a question id; the operator's answer arrives later as a system `operator_answered` event in your inbox. Options are advisory: the dashboard always lets the operator type a free-text answer in addition. Set `multi: true` to render options as checkboxes (operator can pick multiple); the answer comes back as `, `-separated. Do not poll inside the same turn — finish the current work and react when the event lands.
 
 Approval boundary: lifecycle ops on *existing* sub-agents (`kill`, `start`, `restart`) are at your discretion — no operator approval. *Creating* a new agent (`request_spawn`) and *changing* any agent's config (`request_apply_commit`) still go through the approval queue. The operator only signs off on changes; you run the day-to-day.
 
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs
index 6f899e65..e1bff364 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ async fn serve(
                 turn::emit_turn_end(&bus, &outcome);
             }
             Ok(AgentResponse::Empty) => {}
-            Ok(AgentResponse::Ok | AgentResponse::Status { .. } | AgentResponse::Recent { .. }) => {
+            Ok(AgentResponse::Ok | AgentResponse::Status { .. }) => {
                 tracing::warn!("recv produced unexpected response kind");
             }
             Ok(AgentResponse::Err { message }) => {
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs
index 06a61704..d3cbd8d7 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs
@@ -139,8 +139,7 @@ async fn serve(socket: &Path, interval: Duration, bus: Bus) -> Result<()> {
             Ok(
                 ManagerResponse::Ok
                 | ManagerResponse::Status { .. }
-                | ManagerResponse::QuestionQueued { .. }
-                | ManagerResponse::Recent { .. },
+                | ManagerResponse::QuestionQueued { .. },
             ) => {
                 tracing::warn!("recv produced unexpected response kind");
             }
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
index d47a021a..d48f4d8e 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ pub enum SocketReply {
     Empty,
     Status(u64),
     QuestionQueued(i64),
-    Recent(Vec<hive_sh4re::InboxRow>),
 }
 
 impl From<hive_sh4re::AgentResponse> for SocketReply {
@@ -49,7 +48,6 @@ impl From<hive_sh4re::AgentResponse> for SocketReply {
             hive_sh4re::AgentResponse::Message { from, body } => Self::Message { from, body },
             hive_sh4re::AgentResponse::Empty => Self::Empty,
             hive_sh4re::AgentResponse::Status { unread } => Self::Status(unread),
-            hive_sh4re::AgentResponse::Recent { rows } => Self::Recent(rows),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -63,7 +61,6 @@ impl From<hive_sh4re::ManagerResponse> for SocketReply {
             hive_sh4re::ManagerResponse::Empty => Self::Empty,
             hive_sh4re::ManagerResponse::Status { unread } => Self::Status(unread),
             hive_sh4re::ManagerResponse::QuestionQueued { id } => Self::QuestionQueued(id),
-            hive_sh4re::ManagerResponse::Recent { rows } => Self::Recent(rows),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -240,12 +237,6 @@ pub struct AskOperatorArgs {
     /// selections joined by ", ". Ignored when `options` is empty.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub multi: bool,
-    /// Optional auto-cancel after `ttl_seconds`. On expiry the question
-    /// resolves with answer `[expired]` and the manager receives the
-    /// usual `operator_answered` system event. `None` (default) =
-    /// wait indefinitely.
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub ttl_seconds: Option<u64>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, serde::Deserialize, schemars::JsonSchema)]
@@ -386,9 +377,7 @@ impl ManagerServer {
         request, policy call, scope clarification). `options` is advisory: pass a short \
         fixed-choice list when applicable, otherwise leave empty for free text. Set \
         `multi: true` to let the operator pick multiple options (checkboxes); the answer \
-        comes back as a comma-separated string. Set `ttl_seconds` to auto-cancel a \
-        no-longer-relevant question instead of blocking forever — on expiry the answer \
-        is `[expired]` and the same `operator_answered` event fires."
+        comes back as a comma-separated string."
     )]
     async fn ask_operator(&self, Parameters(args): Parameters<AskOperatorArgs>) -> String {
         let log = format!("{args:?}");
@@ -398,7 +387,6 @@ impl ManagerServer {
                     question: args.question,
                     options: args.options,
                     multi: args.multi,
-                    ttl_seconds: args.ttl_seconds,
                 })
                 .await;
             match resp {
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/web_ui.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/web_ui.rs
index 688f7a03..e0ea25f7 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/web_ui.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/web_ui.rs
@@ -83,7 +83,9 @@ pub async fn serve(
         .route("/api/compact", post(post_compact))
         .with_state(state);
     let addr = SocketAddr::from(([0, 0, 0, 0], port));
-    let listener = bind_with_retry(addr, "web UI").await?;
+    let listener = tokio::net::TcpListener::bind(addr)
+        .await
+        .with_context(|| format!("bind web UI on port {port}"))?;
     tracing::info!(%port, "web UI listening");
     axum::serve(listener, app).await?;
     Ok(())
@@ -93,33 +95,6 @@ pub async fn serve(
 // Static assets + state snapshot
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-/// Bind a TCP listener, retrying on `AddrInUse` for up to ~20s.
-/// nspawn restarts can race the previous harness's socket release;
-/// without retry the new harness fails to bind and systemd just
-/// keeps restarting it. `SO_REUSEADDR` would be the proper fix but
-/// would require socket2; retry is good enough here.
-async fn bind_with_retry(addr: SocketAddr, label: &str) -> Result<tokio::net::TcpListener> {
-    let mut delay_ms = 250u64;
-    let mut attempts = 0u32;
-    loop {
-        match tokio::net::TcpListener::bind(addr).await {
-            Ok(l) => return Ok(l),
-            Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::AddrInUse && attempts < 12 => {
-                tracing::warn!(
-                    %addr, attempt = attempts + 1,
-                    "{label}: AddrInUse, retrying in {delay_ms}ms"
-                );
-                tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(delay_ms)).await;
-                attempts += 1;
-                delay_ms = (delay_ms * 2).min(2000);
-            }
-            Err(e) => {
-                return Err(e).with_context(|| format!("bind {label} on {addr}"));
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 async fn serve_index() -> impl IntoResponse {
     (
         [("content-type", "text/html; charset=utf-8")],
@@ -149,10 +124,6 @@ struct StateSnapshot {
     status: &'static str,
     /// Present when `status == "needs_login_in_progress"`.
     session: Option<SessionView>,
-    /// Last N messages addressed to this agent, newest-first. Pulled
-    /// from the broker via the per-agent socket on each render.
-    /// Empty on transport failure.
-    inbox: Vec<hive_sh4re::InboxRow>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Serialize)]
@@ -186,47 +157,14 @@ async fn api_state(State(state): State<AppState>) -> axum::Json<StateSnapshot> {
         .ok()
         .and_then(|s| s.parse::<u16>().ok())
         .unwrap_or(7000);
-    let inbox = recent_inbox(&state.socket, state.flavor).await;
     axum::Json(StateSnapshot {
         label: state.label.clone(),
         dashboard_port,
         status,
         session: session_view,
-        inbox,
     })
 }
 
-/// Best-effort: pull the last 30 messages addressed to us via the
-/// per-agent / manager socket. Empty list on any transport / decode
-/// failure — the inbox section is decorative, not authoritative.
-async fn recent_inbox(socket: &std::path::Path, flavor: Flavor) -> Vec<hive_sh4re::InboxRow> {
-    const LIMIT: u64 = 30;
-    match flavor {
-        Flavor::Agent => {
-            match client::request::<_, hive_sh4re::AgentResponse>(
-                socket,
-                &hive_sh4re::AgentRequest::Recent { limit: LIMIT },
-            )
-            .await
-            {
-                Ok(hive_sh4re::AgentResponse::Recent { rows }) => rows,
-                _ => Vec::new(),
-            }
-        }
-        Flavor::Manager => {
-            match client::request::<_, hive_sh4re::ManagerResponse>(
-                socket,
-                &hive_sh4re::ManagerRequest::Recent { limit: LIMIT },
-            )
-            .await
-            {
-                Ok(hive_sh4re::ManagerResponse::Recent { rows }) => rows,
-                _ => Vec::new(),
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Action handlers
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/hive-c0re/assets/app.js b/hive-c0re/assets/app.js
index 61ee03e5..889aedde 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/assets/app.js
+++ b/hive-c0re/assets/app.js
@@ -237,23 +237,14 @@
     const ul = el('ul', { class: 'questions' });
     for (const q of s.questions) {
       const li = el('li', { class: 'question' });
-      const head = el('div', { class: 'q-head' },
-        el('span', { class: 'msg-ts' }, fmt(q.asked_at)), ' ',
-        el('span', { class: 'msg-from' }, q.asker), ' ',
-        el('span', { class: 'msg-sep' }, 'asks:'),
+      li.append(
+        el('div', { class: 'q-head' },
+          el('span', { class: 'msg-ts' }, fmt(q.asked_at)), ' ',
+          el('span', { class: 'msg-from' }, q.asker), ' ',
+          el('span', { class: 'msg-sep' }, 'asks:'),
+        ),
+        el('div', { class: 'q-body' }, q.question),
       );
-      if (q.deadline_at) {
-        const remaining = q.deadline_at - Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000);
-        let txt;
-        if (remaining <= 0) txt = 'expiring…';
-        else if (remaining < 60) txt = '⏳ ' + remaining + 's';
-        else if (remaining < 3600) txt = '⏳ ' + Math.floor(remaining / 60) + 'm '
-          + (remaining % 60) + 's';
-        else txt = '⏳ ' + Math.floor(remaining / 3600) + 'h '
-          + Math.floor((remaining % 3600) / 60) + 'm';
-        head.append(' ', el('span', { class: 'q-ttl' }, txt));
-      }
-      li.append(head, el('div', { class: 'q-body' }, q.question));
       const f = el('form', {
         method: 'POST', action: '/answer-question/' + q.id,
         class: 'qform', 'data-async': '',
@@ -293,28 +284,12 @@
         if (!merged) { ev.preventDefault(); alert('pick an option or type an answer'); }
       }, true);
       if (hasOptions) f.append(optionGroup);
-      const buttons = el('div', { class: 'q-buttons' });
-      buttons.append(
+      f.append(
+        el('div', { class: 'q-free' }, freeText),
         el('button', { type: 'submit', class: 'btn btn-approve' },
           isMulti ? '▸ ANSW3R · ' + (q.options.length) + ' opts' : '▸ ANSW3R'),
       );
-      f.append(
-        el('div', { class: 'q-free' }, freeText),
-        buttons,
-      );
       li.append(f);
-      // Separate form so the cancel button doesn't get the answer
-      // merge-on-submit handler attached to the main form.
-      const cancelForm = el('form', {
-        method: 'POST', action: '/cancel-question/' + q.id,
-        class: 'qform-cancel', 'data-async': '',
-        'data-confirm': 'cancel this question? manager will see '
-          + '"[cancelled]" as the answer.',
-      });
-      cancelForm.append(
-        el('button', { type: 'submit', class: 'btn btn-deny' }, '✗ CANC3L'),
-      );
-      li.append(cancelForm);
       ul.append(li);
     }
     root.append(ul);
diff --git a/hive-c0re/assets/dashboard.css b/hive-c0re/assets/dashboard.css
index b48cac30..1e0792ae 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/assets/dashboard.css
+++ b/hive-c0re/assets/dashboard.css
@@ -296,12 +296,6 @@ summary:hover { color: var(--purple); }
 }
 .questions li.question:last-child { border-bottom: 0; }
 .questions .q-head { font-size: 0.9em; }
-.questions .q-ttl {
-  color: var(--amber);
-  margin-left: 0.4em;
-  font-size: 0.95em;
-  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
-}
 .questions .q-body {
   color: var(--fg);
   margin: 0.3em 0;
@@ -338,7 +332,6 @@ summary:hover { color: var(--purple); }
 .qform .q-free input::placeholder { color: var(--muted); }
 .qform .q-free input:focus { outline: 1px solid var(--amber); }
 .qform button { align-self: flex-start; }
-.qform-cancel { margin-top: 0.3em; }
 .inbox {
   background: var(--bg-elev);
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
diff --git a/hive-c0re/src/agent_server.rs b/hive-c0re/src/agent_server.rs
index 1dacf469..82329cae 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/src/agent_server.rs
+++ b/hive-c0re/src/agent_server.rs
@@ -121,11 +121,5 @@ async fn dispatch(req: &AgentRequest, agent: &str, broker: &Broker) -> AgentResp
                 message: format!("{e:#}"),
             },
         },
-        AgentRequest::Recent { limit } => match broker.recent_for(agent, *limit) {
-            Ok(rows) => AgentResponse::Recent { rows },
-            Err(e) => AgentResponse::Err {
-                message: format!("{e:#}"),
-            },
-        },
     }
 }
diff --git a/hive-c0re/src/broker.rs b/hive-c0re/src/broker.rs
index 72486bad..bd6b45f9 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/src/broker.rs
+++ b/hive-c0re/src/broker.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use std::sync::Mutex;
 use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
-use hive_sh4re::{InboxRow, Message};
+use hive_sh4re::Message;
 use rusqlite::{Connection, OptionalExtension, params};
 use serde::Serialize;
 use tokio::sync::broadcast;
@@ -28,6 +28,16 @@ CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_messages_undelivered
 /// may drop events past this; we send a `lagged` notice in their stream.
 const EVENT_CHANNEL: usize = 256;
 
+/// One row in a `recent_for()` query — the broker's flat view of a
+/// message addressed to a given recipient.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
+pub struct InboxRow {
+    pub id: i64,
+    pub from: String,
+    pub body: String,
+    pub at: i64,
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "snake_case", tag = "kind")]
 pub enum MessageEvent {
diff --git a/hive-c0re/src/dashboard.rs b/hive-c0re/src/dashboard.rs
index 1165e990..eed42cd6 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/src/dashboard.rs
+++ b/hive-c0re/src/dashboard.rs
@@ -51,13 +51,14 @@ pub async fn serve(port: u16, coord: Arc<Coordinator>) -> Result<()> {
         .route("/rebuild/{name}", post(post_rebuild))
         .route("/update-all", post(post_update_all))
         .route("/answer-question/{id}", post(post_answer_question))
-        .route("/cancel-question/{id}", post(post_cancel_question))
         .route("/purge-tombstone/{name}", post(post_purge_tombstone))
         .route("/request-spawn", post(post_request_spawn))
         .route("/messages/stream", get(messages_stream))
         .with_state(AppState { coord });
     let addr = SocketAddr::from(([0, 0, 0, 0], port));
-    let listener = bind_with_retry(addr).await?;
+    let listener = tokio::net::TcpListener::bind(addr)
+        .await
+        .with_context(|| format!("bind dashboard on port {port}"))?;
     tracing::info!(%port, "dashboard listening");
     axum::serve(listener, app).await?;
     Ok(())
@@ -71,30 +72,6 @@ pub async fn serve(port: u16, coord: Arc<Coordinator>) -> Result<()> {
 // `/messages/stream` for broker traffic.
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-/// Retry-on-AddrInUse bind. Same shape as the per-agent variant —
-/// hive-c0re restarts also race the previous process's socket release.
-async fn bind_with_retry(addr: SocketAddr) -> Result<tokio::net::TcpListener> {
-    let mut delay_ms = 250u64;
-    let mut attempts = 0u32;
-    loop {
-        match tokio::net::TcpListener::bind(addr).await {
-            Ok(l) => return Ok(l),
-            Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::AddrInUse && attempts < 12 => {
-                tracing::warn!(
-                    %addr, attempt = attempts + 1,
-                    "dashboard: AddrInUse, retrying in {delay_ms}ms"
-                );
-                tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(delay_ms)).await;
-                attempts += 1;
-                delay_ms = (delay_ms * 2).min(2000);
-            }
-            Err(e) => {
-                return Err(e).with_context(|| format!("bind dashboard on {addr}"));
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 async fn serve_index() -> impl IntoResponse {
     Html(include_str!("../assets/index.html"))
 }
@@ -124,7 +101,7 @@ struct StateSnapshot {
     /// Latest messages addressed to `operator` — surfaces agent replies
     /// asynchronously so the operator can see them without watching the
     /// live panel during a turn.
-    operator_inbox: Vec<hive_sh4re::InboxRow>,
+    operator_inbox: Vec<crate::broker::InboxRow>,
     /// Pending operator questions (currently only from the manager).
     /// `ask_operator` returns immediately with the id; on `/answer-question`
     /// we mark the row answered and fire `HelperEvent::OperatorAnswered`
@@ -440,33 +417,6 @@ async fn post_answer_question(
     }
 }
 
-/// Resolve a pending operator question with a sentinel answer when
-/// the operator decides not to / can't answer. The manager harness
-/// receives an `OperatorAnswered` event with `answer = "[cancelled]"`
-/// so it can fall back on whatever default it had. Same code path as
-/// a real answer — just lets the operator close the loop instead of
-/// letting the question dangle forever.
-async fn post_cancel_question(
-    State(state): State<AppState>,
-    AxumPath(id): AxumPath<i64>,
-) -> Response {
-    const SENTINEL: &str = "[cancelled]";
-    match state.coord.questions.answer(id, SENTINEL) {
-        Ok(question) => {
-            tracing::info!(%id, "operator cancelled question");
-            state
-                .coord
-                .notify_manager(&hive_sh4re::HelperEvent::OperatorAnswered {
-                    id,
-                    question,
-                    answer: SENTINEL.to_owned(),
-                });
-            Redirect::to("/").into_response()
-        }
-        Err(e) => error_response(&format!("cancel-question {id} failed: {e:#}")),
-    }
-}
-
 async fn post_purge_tombstone(
     State(state): State<AppState>,
     AxumPath(name): AxumPath<String>,
diff --git a/hive-c0re/src/manager_server.rs b/hive-c0re/src/manager_server.rs
index d946b276..9e4ae18c 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/src/manager_server.rs
+++ b/hive-c0re/src/manager_server.rs
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ async fn serve(stream: UnixStream, coord: Arc<Coordinator>) -> Result<()> {
 const MANAGER_RECV_LONG_POLL: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(30);
 
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_lines)]
-async fn dispatch(req: &ManagerRequest, coord: &Arc<Coordinator>) -> ManagerResponse {
+async fn dispatch(req: &ManagerRequest, coord: &Coordinator) -> ManagerResponse {
     match req {
         ManagerRequest::Send { to, body } => match coord.broker.send(&Message {
             from: MANAGER_AGENT.to_owned(),
@@ -100,12 +100,6 @@ async fn dispatch(req: &ManagerRequest, coord: &Arc<Coordinator>) -> ManagerResp
                 message: format!("{e:#}"),
             },
         },
-        ManagerRequest::Recent { limit } => match coord.broker.recent_for(MANAGER_AGENT, *limit) {
-            Ok(rows) => ManagerResponse::Recent { rows },
-            Err(e) => ManagerResponse::Err {
-                message: format!("{e:#}"),
-            },
-        },
         ManagerRequest::Recv => match coord
             .broker
             .recv_blocking(MANAGER_AGENT, MANAGER_RECV_LONG_POLL)
@@ -198,26 +192,14 @@ async fn dispatch(req: &ManagerRequest, coord: &Arc<Coordinator>) -> ManagerResp
             question,
             options,
             multi,
-            ttl_seconds,
         } => {
-            tracing::info!(%question, ?options, multi, ?ttl_seconds, "manager: ask_operator");
-            let deadline_at = ttl_seconds.and_then(|s| {
-                let now = std::time::SystemTime::now()
-                    .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
-                    .ok()
-                    .and_then(|d| i64::try_from(d.as_secs()).ok())
-                    .unwrap_or(0);
-                i64::try_from(s).ok().map(|s| now + s)
-            });
+            tracing::info!(%question, ?options, multi, "manager: ask_operator");
             match coord
                 .questions
-                .submit(MANAGER_AGENT, question, options, *multi, deadline_at)
+                .submit(MANAGER_AGENT, question, options, *multi)
             {
                 Ok(id) => {
-                    tracing::info!(%id, ?deadline_at, "operator question queued");
-                    if let Some(ttl) = *ttl_seconds {
-                        spawn_question_watchdog(coord, id, ttl);
-                    }
+                    tracing::info!(%id, "operator question queued");
                     ManagerResponse::QuestionQueued { id }
                 }
                 Err(e) => ManagerResponse::Err {
@@ -239,28 +221,3 @@ async fn dispatch(req: &ManagerRequest, coord: &Arc<Coordinator>) -> ManagerResp
         }
     }
 }
-
-/// On `AskOperator { ttl_seconds: Some(n) }`, sleep n seconds and then
-/// try to resolve the question with `[expired]`. If the operator (or
-/// any other path) already answered it, `answer()` returns Err and
-/// we no-op silently. Otherwise fire the usual `OperatorAnswered`
-/// helper event so the manager sees a terminal state.
-const TTL_SENTINEL: &str = "[expired]";
-
-fn spawn_question_watchdog(coord: &Arc<Coordinator>, id: i64, ttl_secs: u64) {
-    let coord = coord.clone();
-    tokio::spawn(async move {
-        tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(ttl_secs)).await;
-        // `answer` returns Err if already resolved — that's the
-        // normal path when the operator responded before the ttl
-        // fired, so no-op silently.
-        if let Ok(question) = coord.questions.answer(id, TTL_SENTINEL) {
-            tracing::info!(%id, "operator question expired (ttl)");
-            coord.notify_manager(&hive_sh4re::HelperEvent::OperatorAnswered {
-                id,
-                question,
-                answer: TTL_SENTINEL.to_owned(),
-            });
-        }
-    });
-}
diff --git a/hive-c0re/src/operator_questions.rs b/hive-c0re/src/operator_questions.rs
index 4ca652ed..7ece4fcf 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/src/operator_questions.rs
+++ b/hive-c0re/src/operator_questions.rs
@@ -25,29 +25,17 @@ CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_operator_questions_pending
     ON operator_questions (id) WHERE answered_at IS NULL;
 ";
 
-/// Add late-added columns to pre-existing databases. `ALTER TABLE
-/// ADD COLUMN` has no `IF NOT EXISTS` form in sqlite, so we check
-/// `pragma_table_info` first per column.
-fn ensure_columns(conn: &Connection) -> Result<()> {
-    for (name, sql) in [
-        (
-            "multi",
+/// Add the `multi` column to pre-existing databases. `ALTER TABLE ADD COLUMN`
+/// has no `IF NOT EXISTS` form in sqlite, so we check `pragma_table_info` first.
+fn ensure_multi_column(conn: &Connection) -> Result<()> {
+    let has: bool = conn
+        .prepare("SELECT 1 FROM pragma_table_info('operator_questions') WHERE name = 'multi'")?
+        .exists([])?;
+    if !has {
+        conn.execute_batch(
             "ALTER TABLE operator_questions ADD COLUMN multi INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;",
-        ),
-        (
-            "deadline_at",
-            "ALTER TABLE operator_questions ADD COLUMN deadline_at INTEGER;",
-        ),
-    ] {
-        let has: bool = conn
-            .prepare(&format!(
-                "SELECT 1 FROM pragma_table_info('operator_questions') WHERE name = '{name}'"
-            ))?
-            .exists([])?;
-        if !has {
-            conn.execute_batch(sql)
-                .with_context(|| format!("add operator_questions.{name} column"))?;
-        }
+        )
+        .context("add operator_questions.multi column")?;
     }
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -61,10 +49,6 @@ pub struct OpQuestion {
     pub options: Vec<String>,
     pub multi: bool,
     pub asked_at: i64,
-    /// Absolute unix-seconds deadline after which a watchdog auto-
-    /// resolves the question with answer `[expired]`. `None` = no
-    /// expiry. Surfaced on the dashboard as a remaining-time chip.
-    pub deadline_at: Option<i64>,
     pub answered_at: Option<i64>,
     pub answer: Option<String>,
 }
@@ -84,7 +68,7 @@ impl OperatorQuestions {
             .with_context(|| format!("open operator_questions db {}", path.display()))?;
         conn.execute_batch(SCHEMA)
             .context("apply operator_questions schema")?;
-        ensure_columns(&conn).context("migrate operator_questions columns")?;
+        ensure_multi_column(&conn).context("migrate operator_questions.multi")?;
         Ok(Self {
             conn: Mutex::new(conn),
         })
@@ -96,22 +80,13 @@ impl OperatorQuestions {
         question: &str,
         options: &[String],
         multi: bool,
-        deadline_at: Option<i64>,
     ) -> Result<i64> {
         let conn = self.conn.lock().unwrap();
         let options_json = serde_json::to_string(options).unwrap_or_else(|_| "[]".into());
         conn.execute(
-            "INSERT INTO operator_questions
-               (asker, question, options_json, multi, deadline_at, asked_at)
-             VALUES (?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6)",
-            params![
-                asker,
-                question,
-                options_json,
-                i64::from(multi),
-                deadline_at,
-                now_unix(),
-            ],
+            "INSERT INTO operator_questions (asker, question, options_json, multi, asked_at)
+             VALUES (?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5)",
+            params![asker, question, options_json, i64::from(multi), now_unix()],
         )?;
         Ok(conn.last_insert_rowid())
     }
@@ -144,7 +119,7 @@ impl OperatorQuestions {
     pub fn get(&self, id: i64) -> Result<Option<OpQuestion>> {
         let conn = self.conn.lock().unwrap();
         conn.query_row(
-            "SELECT id, asker, question, options_json, multi, asked_at, answered_at, answer, deadline_at
+            "SELECT id, asker, question, options_json, multi, asked_at, answered_at, answer
                FROM operator_questions WHERE id = ?1",
             params![id],
             row_to_question,
@@ -156,7 +131,7 @@ impl OperatorQuestions {
     pub fn pending(&self) -> Result<Vec<OpQuestion>> {
         let conn = self.conn.lock().unwrap();
         let mut stmt = conn.prepare(
-            "SELECT id, asker, question, options_json, multi, asked_at, answered_at, answer, deadline_at
+            "SELECT id, asker, question, options_json, multi, asked_at, answered_at, answer
                FROM operator_questions
               WHERE answered_at IS NULL
               ORDER BY id ASC",
@@ -180,7 +155,6 @@ fn row_to_question(row: &rusqlite::Row<'_>) -> rusqlite::Result<OpQuestion> {
         asked_at: row.get(5)?,
         answered_at: row.get(6)?,
         answer: row.get(7)?,
-        deadline_at: row.get(8)?,
     })
 }
 
diff --git a/hive-sh4re/src/lib.rs b/hive-sh4re/src/lib.rs
index 52f80004..a1c34044 100644
--- a/hive-sh4re/src/lib.rs
+++ b/hive-sh4re/src/lib.rs
@@ -146,19 +146,6 @@ pub struct Message {
     pub body: String,
 }
 
-/// One row of a broker inbox query — what the dashboard renders in
-/// its operator-inbox section and what a per-agent web UI returns
-/// from a `Recent` request. Lives in `hive_sh4re` so it can travel
-/// over both the dashboard's `/api/state` and the agent socket
-/// without an internal-to-wire conversion.
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct InboxRow {
-    pub id: i64,
-    pub from: String,
-    pub body: String,
-    pub at: i64,
-}
-
 /// Requests on a per-agent socket. The agent's identity is the socket
 /// it came in on; `Send.from` is filled in by the server, not the client.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -176,10 +163,6 @@ pub enum AgentRequest {
     /// per-agent equivalent of the old dashboard T4LK form, but scoped to
     /// the agent whose page the operator is on.
     OperatorMsg { body: String },
-    /// Last `limit` messages addressed to this agent, newest-first.
-    /// Non-mutating — pulls from the broker without delivering. The
-    /// per-agent web UI uses this to render its own inbox section.
-    Recent { limit: u64 },
 }
 
 /// Responses on a per-agent socket.
@@ -196,8 +179,6 @@ pub enum AgentResponse {
     Empty,
     /// `Status` result: how many pending messages are in this agent's inbox.
     Status { unread: u64 },
-    /// `Recent` result: newest-first inbox rows.
-    Recent { rows: Vec<InboxRow> },
 }
 
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -283,11 +264,6 @@ pub enum ManagerRequest {
     OperatorMsg {
         body: String,
     },
-    /// Last `limit` messages addressed to the manager, newest-first.
-    /// Non-mutating; mirror of `AgentRequest::Recent`.
-    Recent {
-        limit: u64,
-    },
     /// Submit a spawn request for the user to approve. On approval the host
     /// creates and starts the container. Brand-new agent names only — if an
     /// agent of the same name already exists, the approval will fail.
@@ -323,18 +299,12 @@ pub enum ManagerRequest {
     /// - `multi=true` lets the operator pick multiple options (rendered
     ///   as checkboxes). The answer is returned as a single string with
     ///   selections joined by ", ".
-    /// - `ttl_seconds`: optional auto-cancel after that many seconds. On
-    ///   expiry the question is resolved with answer `[expired]` and the
-    ///   manager gets the usual `OperatorAnswered` event. None = wait
-    ///   forever for an operator answer (or manual cancel).
     AskOperator {
         question: String,
         #[serde(default)]
         options: Vec<String>,
         #[serde(default)]
         multi: bool,
-        #[serde(default)]
-        ttl_seconds: Option<u64>,
     },
 }
 
@@ -359,8 +329,4 @@ pub enum ManagerResponse {
     QuestionQueued {
         id: i64,
     },
-    /// `Recent` result: mirror of `AgentResponse::Recent`.
-    Recent {
-        rows: Vec<InboxRow>,
-    },
 }