diff --git a/app/src/components/intelligence/MemoryGraph.tsx b/app/src/components/intelligence/MemoryGraph.tsx
index 46e7406d7..2db7028b7 100644
--- a/app/src/components/intelligence/MemoryGraph.tsx
+++ b/app/src/components/intelligence/MemoryGraph.tsx
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import {
   type PointerEvent as ReactPointerEvent,
   type WheelEvent as ReactWheelEvent,
   useCallback,
+  useEffect,
   useMemo,
   useReducer,
   useRef,
@@ -53,6 +54,8 @@ import {
 } from './memoryGraphLayout';
 import { summaryWorkspacePath } from './memoryWorkspacePaths';
 import { PixiGraph } from './PixiGraph';
+import { seedSvgLayout } from './seedSvgLayout';
+import { useSvgForceLayout, WORKER_SUPPORTED } from './useSvgForceLayout';
 
 /** Use WebGL (Pixi) in production; fall back to SVG in test (jsdom). */
 const HAS_WEBGL =
@@ -74,6 +77,21 @@ interface SimNode extends GraphNode {
   vy: number;
 }
 
+interface SimState {
+  sim: SimNode[];
+  edges: Array<[number, number]>;
+  radii: number[];
+  alpha: number;
+}
+
+// Stable empties so the worker-layout effect's deps don't change every render
+// when there's no graph yet.
+const NO_NODES: SimNode[] = [];
+const NO_RADII: number[] = [];
+const NO_EDGES: Array<[number, number]> = [];
+// Stable centre the SVG worker layout settles around (matches the viewBox).
+const SVG_CENTER: readonly [number, number] = [VIEWPORT_W / 2, VIEWPORT_H / 2];
+
 interface MemoryGraphProps {
   /** Pre-fetched summary / chunk / contact nodes. */
   nodes: GraphNode[];
@@ -196,6 +214,18 @@ export function MemoryGraph({ nodes, edges, mode, emptyHint }: MemoryGraphProps)
   // True once the pointer moved during the current gesture — guards the
   // node click so a drag doesn't also open the summary file.
   const movedRef = useRef(false);
+  // Halts the SVG layout worker once the user grabs a node/background, so its
+  // streamed positions stop fighting the manual drag. Set after the hook below.
+  const stopLayoutRef = useRef<() => void>(() => {});
+  // Set once the user grabs the camera, so the settle-time auto-fit doesn't
+  // yank the view out from under them.
+  const userInteractedRef = useRef(false);
+  // Re-frame the SVG graph from "Reset view" (set after fitToView below).
+  const fitRef = useRef<() => void>(() => {});
+  // Holds the current sim across renders; during the next build it still points
+  // at the OUTGOING sim, whose nodes carry the latest live coordinates (the
+  // worker / a drag mutate them in place) — read for position carry-over.
+  const liveSimRef = useRef<SimState | null>(null);
 
   const clientToGraph = useCallback(
     (clientX: number, clientY: number) => {
@@ -236,6 +266,12 @@ export function MemoryGraph({ nodes, edges, mode, emptyHint }: MemoryGraphProps)
     (e: ReactPointerEvent) => {
       const d = dragRef.current;
       if (!d) return;
+      // On the first real movement (not a plain click), hand the camera to the
+      // user: freeze the worker layout and suppress the settle-time auto-fit.
+      if (!movedRef.current) {
+        stopLayoutRef.current();
+        userInteractedRef.current = true;
+      }
       if (d.kind === 'node') {
         const g = clientToGraph(e.clientX, e.clientY);
         if (!g) return;
@@ -261,6 +297,7 @@ export function MemoryGraph({ nodes, edges, mode, emptyHint }: MemoryGraphProps)
   const onWheelZoom = useCallback((e: ReactWheelEvent) => {
     const vb = clientToViewBox(svgRef.current, e.clientX, e.clientY);
     if (!vb) return;
+    userInteractedRef.current = true;
     setView(v => {
       const factor = Math.exp(-e.deltaY * 0.0015);
       const scale = Math.min(ZOOM_MAX, Math.max(ZOOM_MIN, v.scale * factor));
@@ -272,9 +309,10 @@ export function MemoryGraph({ nodes, edges, mode, emptyHint }: MemoryGraphProps)
   }, []);
 
   const resetView = useCallback(() => {
-    // SVG fallback resets its transform; the Pixi canvas listens on the
-    // reset signal. Both are bumped so the button works in either path.
-    setView({ tx: 0, ty: 0, scale: 1 });
+    // SVG re-frames the whole graph; the Pixi canvas listens on the reset
+    // signal. Both are triggered so the button works in either path.
+    userInteractedRef.current = false;
+    fitRef.current();
     bumpReset();
   }, []);
 
@@ -309,45 +347,166 @@ export function MemoryGraph({ nodes, edges, mode, emptyHint }: MemoryGraphProps)
     }
   }, []);
 
-  // Build edges and (for the SVG fallback) seed positions + relax. The
-  // O(n²) relax only runs when WebGL is unavailable; the Pixi path runs
-  // its own d3-force simulation instead.
-  const sim = useMemo(() => {
+  // Build edges + seed positions, carrying over the last positions of any
+  // surviving node so a live data update doesn't reshuffle the whole graph
+  // (seedSvgLayout). The O(n²) relax only runs as the no-worker fallback (test
+  // env); the worker settles otherwise; the Pixi path runs its own sim.
+  const sim = useMemo<SimState | null>(() => {
     if (!nodes || nodes.length === 0) return null;
-    const idIndex = new Map<string, number>();
-    nodes.forEach((n, i) => idIndex.set(n.id, i));
-    const sim: SimNode[] = nodes.map((n, i) => {
-      const angle = (i / nodes.length) * Math.PI * 2;
-      const r = 200 + (i % 7) * 12;
-      return {
-        ...n,
-        x: VIEWPORT_W / 2 + Math.cos(angle) * r,
-        y: VIEWPORT_H / 2 + Math.sin(angle) * r,
-        vx: 0,
-        vy: 0,
-      };
-    });
-    const edgeIndices: Array<[number, number]> = [];
-    if (mode === 'tree') {
-      // Tree mode: each summary's parent_id is the edge.
-      for (const n of nodes) {
-        if (!n.parent_id) continue;
-        const childIdx = idIndex.get(n.id);
-        const parentIdx = idIndex.get(n.parent_id);
-        if (childIdx == null || parentIdx == null) continue;
-        edgeIndices.push([childIdx, parentIdx]);
-      }
-    } else {
-      for (const e of edges) {
-        const a = idIndex.get(e.from);
-        const b = idIndex.get(e.to);
-        if (a == null || b == null) continue;
-        edgeIndices.push([a, b]);
+    // Snapshot the OUTGOING graph's live coordinates so survivors carry over
+    // from where they actually are now — not a stale init/settle snapshot —
+    // even mid-settle or after a drag.
+    const prev = liveSimRef.current;
+    const prevPos = new Map<string, { x: number; y: number }>();
+    if (prev) for (const n of prev.sim) prevPos.set(n.id, { x: n.x, y: n.y });
+    const seed = seedSvgLayout(nodes, edges, mode, prevPos);
+    const sim: SimNode[] = nodes.map((n, i) => ({
+      ...n,
+      x: seed.positions[i].x,
+      y: seed.positions[i].y,
+      vx: 0,
+      vy: 0,
+    }));
+    const radii = sim.map(n => nodeRadius(n));
+    if (!useWebGL && !WORKER_SUPPORTED) relaxLayout(sim, seed.edges);
+    return { sim, edges: seed.edges, radii, alpha: seed.reheatAlpha };
+  }, [nodes, edges, mode, useWebGL]);
+  // Becomes the "previous" sim on the next build (above).
+  liveSimRef.current = sim;
+
+  // Element refs for imperative position updates: while the worker streams
+  // positions we write cx/cy (and line endpoints) straight to the DOM instead
+  // of re-rendering up to 10k elements through React every frame.
+  const circleEls = useRef<(SVGCircleElement | null)[]>([]);
+  const lineEls = useRef<(SVGLineElement | null)[]>([]);
+
+  // Progressive DOM mount for the SVG path: reveal nodes in per-frame batches
+  // so a large graph never blocks building thousands of elements in one commit.
+  // WebGL draws to one canvas, so it shows everything at once.
+  const FIRST_BATCH = 800;
+  const [svgVisible, setSvgVisible] = useState(() =>
+    sim ? Math.min(sim.sim.length, FIRST_BATCH) : 0
+  );
+  // Reset the reveal window + element refs during render when the graph data
+  // changes (the recommended alternative to setState-in-effect).
+  const simIdRef = useRef(sim);
+  if (simIdRef.current !== sim) {
+    simIdRef.current = sim;
+    circleEls.current = [];
+    lineEls.current = [];
+    setSvgVisible(sim ? Math.min(sim.sim.length, FIRST_BATCH) : 0);
+  }
+
+  // Latest visible count read by the stable imperative applier without
+  // re-subscribing the worker every render.
+  const latestVisibleRef = useRef(svgVisible);
+  latestVisibleRef.current = svgVisible;
+
+  // Write current positions straight to the mounted SVG elements.
+  const applyPositions = useCallback(() => {
+    const s = liveSimRef.current;
+    if (!s) return;
+    const vis = latestVisibleRef.current;
+    const ns = s.sim;
+    for (let i = 0; i < vis && i < ns.length; i++) {
+      const el = circleEls.current[i];
+      if (el) {
+        el.setAttribute('cx', String(ns[i].x));
+        el.setAttribute('cy', String(ns[i].y));
       }
     }
-    if (!useWebGL) relaxLayout(sim, edgeIndices);
-    return { sim, edges: edgeIndices };
-  }, [nodes, edges, mode, useWebGL]);
+    for (let e = 0; e < s.edges.length; e++) {
+      const [ai, bi] = s.edges[e];
+      if (ai >= vis || bi >= vis) continue;
+      const el = lineEls.current[e];
+      if (el) {
+        el.setAttribute('x1', String(ns[ai].x));
+        el.setAttribute('y1', String(ns[ai].y));
+        el.setAttribute('x2', String(ns[bi].x));
+        el.setAttribute('y2', String(ns[bi].y));
+      }
+    }
+  }, []);
+
+  // Frame the whole cloud in the viewport. d3-force spreads a large graph far
+  // past the viewBox, so without this most nodes sit off-screen. Committed to
+  // `view` state (single source) so pan/zoom keep working; called once the
+  // worker settles, unless the user already grabbed the camera.
+  const fitToView = useCallback(() => {
+    const s = liveSimRef.current;
+    if (!s || userInteractedRef.current) return;
+    const ns = s.sim;
+    if (ns.length === 0) return;
+    let minX = Infinity;
+    let minY = Infinity;
+    let maxX = -Infinity;
+    let maxY = -Infinity;
+    for (const n of ns) {
+      if (n.x < minX) minX = n.x;
+      if (n.y < minY) minY = n.y;
+      if (n.x > maxX) maxX = n.x;
+      if (n.y > maxY) maxY = n.y;
+    }
+    if (!Number.isFinite(minX)) return;
+    const pad = 48;
+    const w = Math.max(1, maxX - minX);
+    const h = Math.max(1, maxY - minY);
+    const scale = Math.min(
+      ZOOM_MAX,
+      Math.max(ZOOM_MIN, Math.min((VIEWPORT_W - pad) / w, (VIEWPORT_H - pad) / h))
+    );
+    setView({
+      scale,
+      tx: VIEWPORT_W / 2 - ((minX + maxX) / 2) * scale,
+      ty: VIEWPORT_H / 2 - ((minY + maxY) / 2) * scale,
+    });
+  }, []);
+  fitRef.current = fitToView;
+
+  // Coalesce worker ticks to one DOM write per frame.
+  const applyPendingRef = useRef(false);
+  const scheduleApply = useCallback(() => {
+    if (applyPendingRef.current) return;
+    applyPendingRef.current = true;
+    const run = () => {
+      applyPendingRef.current = false;
+      applyPositions();
+    };
+    if (typeof window.requestAnimationFrame === 'function') window.requestAnimationFrame(run);
+    else run();
+  }, [applyPositions]);
+
+  // SVG fallback layout runs in a worker (off the main thread); positions
+  // stream back and are applied imperatively. No-op on WebGL and where workers
+  // are unavailable (the synchronous relaxLayout above covers that case).
+  const svgLayout = useSvgForceLayout(
+    !useWebGL && !!sim,
+    sim?.sim ?? NO_NODES,
+    sim?.radii ?? NO_RADII,
+    sim?.edges ?? NO_EDGES,
+    SVG_CENTER,
+    sim?.alpha ?? 1,
+    scheduleApply,
+    fitToView
+  );
+  stopLayoutRef.current = svgLayout.stop;
+
+  // Ramp the rest in per-frame batches (setState only inside the rAF callback).
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (useWebGL || !sim) return;
+    const total = sim.sim.length;
+    if (total <= FIRST_BATCH || typeof window.requestAnimationFrame !== 'function') return;
+    let raf = 0;
+    const step = () => {
+      setSvgVisible(c => {
+        const next = Math.min(total, c + 1200);
+        if (next < total) raf = window.requestAnimationFrame(step);
+        return next;
+      });
+    };
+    raf = window.requestAnimationFrame(step);
+    return () => window.cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
+  }, [useWebGL, sim]);
 
   if (nodes.length === 0) {
     return (
@@ -454,13 +613,26 @@ export function MemoryGraph({ nodes, edges, mode, emptyHint }: MemoryGraphProps)
           <g transform={`translate(${view.tx} ${view.ty}) scale(${view.scale})`}>
             <g stroke="#cbd5e1" strokeWidth={0.6} opacity={0.7}>
               {sim.edges.map(([ai, bi], idx) => {
+                // Only draw edges whose endpoints are both mounted yet.
+                if (ai >= svgVisible || bi >= svgVisible) return null;
                 const a = sim.sim[ai];
                 const b = sim.sim[bi];
-                return <line key={idx} x1={a.x} y1={a.y} x2={b.x} y2={b.y} />;
+                return (
+                  <line
+                    key={idx}
+                    ref={el => {
+                      lineEls.current[idx] = el;
+                    }}
+                    x1={a.x}
+                    y1={a.y}
+                    x2={b.x}
+                    y2={b.y}
+                  />
+                );
               })}
             </g>
             <g>
-              {sim.sim.map(n => {
+              {sim.sim.slice(0, svgVisible).map((n, i) => {
                 const r = nodeRadius(n);
                 const fill = nodeColor(n);
                 const isHover = hovered?.id === n.id;
@@ -471,6 +643,9 @@ export function MemoryGraph({ nodes, edges, mode, emptyHint }: MemoryGraphProps)
                 return (
                   <circle
                     key={n.id}
+                    ref={el => {
+                      circleEls.current[i] = el;
+                    }}
                     cx={n.x}
                     cy={n.y}
                     r={isHover ? r + 2 : r}
diff --git a/app/src/components/intelligence/MemoryGraph.worker.test.tsx b/app/src/components/intelligence/MemoryGraph.worker.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..24d1088ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/components/intelligence/MemoryGraph.worker.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,172 @@
+/**
+ * Exercises the worker-backed SVG path of MemoryGraph, which can't run under
+ * the default test env (no real Worker). A mocked Worker lets us drive the
+ * streamed-position apply, settle-time fit, drag-freeze, and progressive mount.
+ *
+ * `WORKER_SUPPORTED` is captured at module load, so Worker must be stubbed
+ * before MemoryGraph is imported — hence the dynamic import in beforeAll.
+ */
+import { act, fireEvent, render } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { beforeAll, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+
+import type { GraphNode } from '../../utils/tauriCommands';
+
+vi.mock('../../utils/openUrl', () => ({ openUrl: vi.fn() }));
+vi.mock('../../utils/tauriCommands/workspacePaths', () => ({
+  openWorkspacePath: vi.fn(),
+  previewWorkspaceText: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+class MockWorker {
+  static instances: MockWorker[] = [];
+  onmessage: ((e: { data: unknown }) => void) | null = null;
+  posted: Array<Record<string, unknown>> = [];
+  terminated = false;
+  constructor() {
+    MockWorker.instances.push(this);
+  }
+  postMessage(m: Record<string, unknown>) {
+    this.posted.push(m);
+  }
+  terminate() {
+    this.terminated = true;
+  }
+  emit(data: unknown) {
+    this.onmessage?.({ data });
+  }
+}
+
+const last = () => MockWorker.instances[MockWorker.instances.length - 1];
+
+let MemoryGraph: typeof import('./MemoryGraph').MemoryGraph;
+
+beforeAll(async () => {
+  vi.stubGlobal('Worker', MockWorker as unknown as typeof Worker);
+  // Run rAF synchronously so imperative position writes + the mount ramp are
+  // deterministic within a test tick.
+  vi.stubGlobal('requestAnimationFrame', (cb: FrameRequestCallback) => {
+    cb(0);
+    return 1;
+  });
+  vi.stubGlobal('cancelAnimationFrame', () => {});
+  ({ MemoryGraph } = await import('./MemoryGraph'));
+});
+
+function treeNodes(leaves: number): GraphNode[] {
+  const nodes: GraphNode[] = [{ kind: 'source', id: 's', label: 's', parent_id: null }];
+  for (let i = 0; i < leaves; i++) {
+    nodes.push({ kind: 'chunk', id: `c${i}`, label: `c${i}`, parent_id: 's' });
+  }
+  return nodes;
+}
+
+/** Give the SVG a usable CTM so pan/drag math doesn't no-op under jsdom. */
+function withCTM(svg: Element) {
+  (svg as unknown as { getScreenCTM: () => unknown }).getScreenCTM = () => ({
+    inverse: () => ({ a: 1, b: 0, c: 0, d: 1, e: 0, f: 0 }),
+  });
+}
+
+describe('<MemoryGraph /> worker-backed SVG path', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    MockWorker.instances = [];
+  });
+
+  it('spins up a worker and applies streamed positions imperatively', () => {
+    const { container } = render(<MemoryGraph nodes={treeNodes(3)} edges={[]} mode="tree" />);
+    const w = last();
+    expect(w).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(w.posted[0].type).toBe('init');
+    expect(w.posted[0].alpha).toBe(1); // fresh graph → full reheat
+
+    act(() =>
+      w.emit({
+        type: 'tick',
+        positions: new Float32Array([11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88]),
+        alpha: 0.5,
+      })
+    );
+    const circles = container.querySelectorAll('circle');
+    expect(circles.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(circles[0].getAttribute('cx')).toBe('11');
+    expect(circles[0].getAttribute('cy')).toBe('22');
+  });
+
+  it('frames the graph on settle (end → fit transform)', () => {
+    const { container } = render(<MemoryGraph nodes={treeNodes(3)} edges={[]} mode="tree" />);
+    const w = last();
+    act(() =>
+      w.emit({
+        type: 'tick',
+        positions: new Float32Array([0, 0, 200, 0, 0, 200, 200, 200]),
+        alpha: 0.1,
+      })
+    );
+    act(() => w.emit({ type: 'end' }));
+    const g = container.querySelector('[data-testid="memory-graph-svg"] g');
+    expect(g?.getAttribute('transform')).toMatch(/translate\(.*\) scale\(/);
+  });
+
+  it('freezes the worker on a drag, but NOT on a plain click', () => {
+    const { container } = render(<MemoryGraph nodes={treeNodes(3)} edges={[]} mode="tree" />);
+    const svg = container.querySelector('[data-testid="memory-graph-svg"]') as Element;
+    withCTM(svg);
+    const w = last();
+
+    // Plain click (down + up, no move) must not stop layout.
+    fireEvent.pointerDown(svg, { clientX: 10, clientY: 10 });
+    fireEvent.pointerUp(svg, { clientX: 10, clientY: 10 });
+    expect(w.terminated).toBe(false);
+
+    // Drag (down + move) hands the camera over → stop().
+    fireEvent.pointerDown(svg, { clientX: 10, clientY: 10 });
+    fireEvent.pointerMove(svg, { clientX: 80, clientY: 80 });
+    expect(w.terminated).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('reheats gently and carries positions over on an incremental update', () => {
+    const { rerender } = render(<MemoryGraph nodes={treeNodes(3)} edges={[]} mode="tree" />);
+    const first = last();
+    act(() =>
+      first.emit({
+        type: 'tick',
+        positions: new Float32Array([1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4]),
+        alpha: 0.5,
+      })
+    );
+    // Add a node → same instance, new props → new worker session.
+    rerender(<MemoryGraph nodes={treeNodes(4)} edges={[]} mode="tree" />);
+    const second = last();
+    expect(second).not.toBe(first);
+    expect(second.posted[0].type).toBe('init');
+    expect(second.posted[0].alpha).toBe(0.3); // survivors present → gentle reheat
+  });
+
+  it('mounts a large graph progressively without throwing', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      render(<MemoryGraph nodes={treeNodes(900)} edges={[]} mode="tree" />)
+    ).not.toThrow();
+  });
+
+  it('handles node drag, wheel zoom, and reset view', () => {
+    const { container, getByTestId } = render(
+      <MemoryGraph nodes={treeNodes(3)} edges={[]} mode="tree" />
+    );
+    const svg = container.querySelector('[data-testid="memory-graph-svg"]') as Element;
+    withCTM(svg);
+    const w = last();
+
+    // Drag a node → freezes layout and repositions the node.
+    const node = container.querySelector('[data-testid="memory-graph-node-c0"]') as Element;
+    fireEvent.pointerDown(node, { clientX: 20, clientY: 20 });
+    fireEvent.pointerMove(svg, { clientX: 90, clientY: 90 });
+    fireEvent.pointerUp(svg, { clientX: 90, clientY: 90 });
+    expect(w.terminated).toBe(true);
+
+    // Wheel zoom is a real interaction (no throw).
+    expect(() => fireEvent.wheel(svg, { deltaY: -120, clientX: 50, clientY: 50 })).not.toThrow();
+
+    // Reset view re-frames.
+    expect(() => fireEvent.click(getByTestId('memory-graph-reset-view'))).not.toThrow();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/app/src/components/intelligence/seedSvgLayout.test.ts b/app/src/components/intelligence/seedSvgLayout.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4098244df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/components/intelligence/seedSvgLayout.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,172 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+
+import { type GraphEdge, type GraphNode } from '../../utils/tauriCommands';
+import { seedSvgLayout } from './seedSvgLayout';
+
+const src = (id: string): GraphNode => ({ kind: 'source', id, label: id, parent_id: null });
+const sum = (id: string, parent: string): GraphNode => ({
+  kind: 'summary',
+  id,
+  label: id,
+  level: 1,
+  parent_id: parent,
+});
+const chunk = (id: string, parent: string): GraphNode => ({
+  kind: 'chunk',
+  id,
+  label: id,
+  parent_id: parent,
+});
+const contact = (id: string): GraphNode => ({
+  kind: 'contact',
+  id,
+  label: id,
+  entity_kind: 'person',
+});
+
+const NO_PREV = new Map<string, { x: number; y: number }>();
+const finite = (p: { x: number; y: number }) => Number.isFinite(p.x) && Number.isFinite(p.y);
+
+describe('seedSvgLayout — first load (no previous positions)', () => {
+  it('marks every node new, reheats fully, and produces finite positions', () => {
+    const nodes = [src('s'), sum('a', 's'), chunk('c1', 'a'), chunk('c2', 'a')];
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', NO_PREV);
+    expect(r.positions).toHaveLength(4);
+    expect(r.positions.every(p => p.isNew)).toBe(true);
+    expect(r.newCount).toBe(4);
+    expect(r.reheatAlpha).toBe(1);
+    expect(r.positions.every(finite)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('handles an empty graph', () => {
+    const r = seedSvgLayout([], [], 'tree', NO_PREV);
+    expect(r.positions).toEqual([]);
+    expect(r.edges).toEqual([]);
+    expect(r.newCount).toBe(0);
+    expect(r.reheatAlpha).toBe(1);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('seedSvgLayout — carry-over', () => {
+  it('preserves the exact previous position of surviving nodes', () => {
+    const nodes = [src('s'), sum('a', 's')];
+    const prev = new Map([
+      ['s', { x: 100, y: 120 }],
+      ['a', { x: 300, y: 340 }],
+    ]);
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', prev);
+    expect(r.positions[0]).toEqual({ x: 100, y: 120, isNew: false });
+    expect(r.positions[1]).toEqual({ x: 300, y: 340, isNew: false });
+    expect(r.newCount).toBe(0);
+    expect(r.reheatAlpha).toBe(0.3); // all survived → gentle reheat
+  });
+
+  it('drops removed nodes — result length tracks the current node set', () => {
+    const nodes = [src('s')];
+    const prev = new Map([
+      ['s', { x: 10, y: 10 }],
+      ['gone-1', { x: 1, y: 1 }],
+      ['gone-2', { x: 2, y: 2 }],
+    ]);
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', prev);
+    expect(r.positions).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(r.positions[0]).toEqual({ x: 10, y: 10, isNew: false });
+  });
+});
+
+describe('seedSvgLayout — new nodes', () => {
+  it('seeds a new child near its parent’s previous position', () => {
+    const nodes = [sum('a', 's'), chunk('c', 'a')];
+    const prev = new Map([['a', { x: 500, y: 250 }]]); // parent survived, child is new
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', prev);
+    const childPos = r.positions[1];
+    expect(childPos.isNew).toBe(true);
+    const dist = Math.hypot(childPos.x - 500, childPos.y - 250);
+    expect(dist).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(dist).toBeLessThanOrEqual(25); // within the small offset of the parent
+  });
+
+  it('falls back to the ring when a new node’s parent is also new (not in prev)', () => {
+    const nodes = [sum('a', 's'), chunk('c', 'a')]; // neither in prev
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', NO_PREV);
+    expect(r.positions[1].isNew).toBe(true);
+    expect(finite(r.positions[1])).toBe(true);
+    // not clustered at the parent (parent has no known position)
+    expect(r.positions[1]).not.toEqual(r.positions[0]);
+  });
+
+  it('falls back to the ring for a parent-less new node', () => {
+    const nodes = [src('s')];
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', NO_PREV);
+    expect(r.positions[0].isNew).toBe(true);
+    expect(finite(r.positions[0])).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('reheats fully when the graph is entirely replaced (no survivors)', () => {
+    const nodes = [src('x'), sum('y', 'x')];
+    const prev = new Map([['old', { x: 1, y: 2 }]]); // stale ids, none match
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', prev);
+    expect(r.newCount).toBe(2);
+    expect(r.reheatAlpha).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it('reheats gently when at least one node survives a mixed update', () => {
+    const nodes = [sum('a', 's'), chunk('c1', 'a'), chunk('c2', 'a')];
+    const prev = new Map([['a', { x: 400, y: 300 }]]); // a survives, c1/c2 new
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', prev);
+    expect(r.newCount).toBe(2);
+    expect(r.positions[0].isNew).toBe(false);
+    expect(r.reheatAlpha).toBe(0.3);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('seedSvgLayout — edges', () => {
+  it('derives tree edges from parent_id', () => {
+    const nodes = [src('s'), sum('a', 's'), chunk('c', 'a')];
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', NO_PREV);
+    // [child, parent] index pairs: a→s (1,0), c→a (2,1)
+    expect(r.edges).toEqual([
+      [1, 0],
+      [2, 1],
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('skips tree edges whose parent_id is missing from the node set', () => {
+    const nodes = [sum('a', 'ghost-parent'), chunk('c', 'a')];
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', NO_PREV);
+    expect(r.edges).toEqual([[1, 0]]); // a→ghost dropped; c→a kept
+    expect(r.edges.every(([x, y]) => x < nodes.length && y < nodes.length)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('uses explicit edges in contacts mode and skips dangling endpoints', () => {
+    const nodes = [chunk('c', 'whatever'), contact('p')];
+    const edges: GraphEdge[] = [
+      { from: 'c', to: 'p' },
+      { from: 'c', to: 'missing' }, // dangling → skipped
+    ];
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, edges, 'contacts', NO_PREV);
+    expect(r.edges).toEqual([[0, 1]]);
+    expect(r.edges.every(([x, y]) => x < nodes.length && y < nodes.length)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('seeds new contact-mode nodes on the ring (no parent_id seeding)', () => {
+    const nodes = [chunk('c', 'x'), contact('p')];
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [{ from: 'c', to: 'p' }], 'contacts', NO_PREV);
+    expect(r.positions.every(p => p.isNew && finite(p))).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('seedSvgLayout — invariants', () => {
+  it('is deterministic for identical inputs', () => {
+    const nodes = [src('s'), sum('a', 's'), chunk('c1', 'a'), chunk('c2', 'a')];
+    const a = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', NO_PREV);
+    const b = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', NO_PREV);
+    expect(a).toEqual(b);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps positions index-aligned with the node array', () => {
+    const nodes = [src('s'), sum('a', 's'), chunk('c', 'a')];
+    const r = seedSvgLayout(nodes, [], 'tree', new Map([['a', { x: 9, y: 9 }]]));
+    expect(r.positions).toHaveLength(nodes.length);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/app/src/components/intelligence/seedSvgLayout.ts b/app/src/components/intelligence/seedSvgLayout.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6bdc81dcc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/components/intelligence/seedSvgLayout.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+/**
+ * Position seeding for the SVG force layout, with incremental carry-over.
+ *
+ * When the graph data changes (a background sync completes, a rebuild, a mode
+ * toggle) the component re-derives its node array. Re-seeding every node from
+ * scratch makes the whole graph reshuffle and re-settle — jarring on a live
+ * update. Instead this:
+ *   - keeps each surviving node (same `id`) at its previous position,
+ *   - seeds a genuinely-new node near its parent's previous position (tree
+ *     mode) so it eases in next to where it belongs, falling back to a
+ *     deterministic ring around the viewport centre,
+ *   - reports a `reheatAlpha`: a gentle 0.3 when anything carried over (so the
+ *     sim nudges rather than explodes), or a full 1 for a first / fully-new
+ *     graph.
+ *
+ * Pure and deterministic (no RNG / clock) so it is straightforward to test.
+ */
+import { type GraphEdge, type GraphMode, type GraphNode } from '../../utils/tauriCommands';
+import { VIEWPORT_H, VIEWPORT_W } from './memoryGraphLayout';
+
+export interface SeededPosition {
+  x: number;
+  y: number;
+  /** True when the node had no carried-over position (newly arrived). */
+  isNew: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface SeedResult {
+  /** Index-aligned with the input `nodes`. */
+  positions: SeededPosition[];
+  /** Edge index pairs [childIdx, parentIdx] (tree) or [fromIdx, toIdx] (contacts). */
+  edges: Array<[number, number]>;
+  /** How many nodes had no previous position. */
+  newCount: number;
+  /** Initial simulation alpha: gentle (0.3) on an incremental update, full (1) otherwise. */
+  reheatAlpha: number;
+}
+
+const CX = VIEWPORT_W / 2;
+const CY = VIEWPORT_H / 2;
+const NEW_NODE_OFFSET = 24;
+
+/** Deterministic ring position around the viewport centre for index `i`. */
+function ringPosition(i: number, total: number): { x: number; y: number } {
+  const angle = (i / Math.max(1, total)) * Math.PI * 2;
+  const r = 200 + (i % 7) * 12;
+  return { x: CX + Math.cos(angle) * r, y: CY + Math.sin(angle) * r };
+}
+
+export function seedSvgLayout(
+  nodes: GraphNode[],
+  edges: GraphEdge[],
+  mode: GraphMode,
+  prev: ReadonlyMap<string, { x: number; y: number }>
+): SeedResult {
+  const idIndex = new Map<string, number>();
+  nodes.forEach((n, i) => idIndex.set(n.id, i));
+
+  const positions: SeededPosition[] = nodes.map((n, i) => {
+    const carried = prev.get(n.id);
+    if (carried) return { x: carried.x, y: carried.y, isNew: false };
+
+    // New node — seed near its parent's previous position if we know it.
+    if (mode === 'tree' && n.parent_id) {
+      const parent = prev.get(n.parent_id);
+      if (parent) {
+        const a = (i % 12) * (Math.PI / 6);
+        return {
+          x: parent.x + Math.cos(a) * NEW_NODE_OFFSET,
+          y: parent.y + Math.sin(a) * NEW_NODE_OFFSET,
+          isNew: true,
+        };
+      }
+    }
+    const ring = ringPosition(i, nodes.length);
+    return { x: ring.x, y: ring.y, isNew: true };
+  });
+
+  const edgeIndices: Array<[number, number]> = [];
+  if (mode === 'tree') {
+    for (const n of nodes) {
+      if (!n.parent_id) continue;
+      const child = idIndex.get(n.id);
+      const parent = idIndex.get(n.parent_id);
+      if (child == null || parent == null) continue;
+      edgeIndices.push([child, parent]);
+    }
+  } else {
+    for (const e of edges) {
+      const a = idIndex.get(e.from);
+      const b = idIndex.get(e.to);
+      if (a == null || b == null) continue;
+      edgeIndices.push([a, b]);
+    }
+  }
+
+  const newCount = positions.reduce((acc, p) => acc + (p.isNew ? 1 : 0), 0);
+  // Gentle reheat only when at least one node survived (an incremental update);
+  // a first load or a fully-replaced graph gets a full settle.
+  const reheatAlpha = nodes.length > 0 && newCount < nodes.length ? 0.3 : 1;
+
+  return { positions, edges: edgeIndices, newCount, reheatAlpha };
+}
diff --git a/app/src/components/intelligence/svgForceLayout.worker.test.ts b/app/src/components/intelligence/svgForceLayout.worker.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8c26b1ee1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/components/intelligence/svgForceLayout.worker.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+/**
+ * Drives the worker module directly with a stubbed `self`, since a real
+ * Worker context can't run under the test env. Verifies it streams tick frames,
+ * cools to an end, pins on drag, and halts on stop.
+ */
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+
+interface FakeSelf {
+  onmessage: ((e: { data: unknown }) => void) | null;
+  postMessage: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+}
+
+let workerSelf: FakeSelf;
+
+async function loadWorker() {
+  workerSelf = { onmessage: null, postMessage: vi.fn() };
+  vi.stubGlobal('self', workerSelf);
+  vi.resetModules();
+  await import('./svgForceLayout.worker');
+}
+
+function send(msg: unknown) {
+  workerSelf.onmessage?.({ data: msg });
+}
+
+function initMsg(n: number) {
+  return {
+    type: 'init',
+    nodes: Array.from({ length: n }, (_, i) => ({ x: i * 10, y: i * 10, r: 6 })),
+    links: n > 1 ? [{ source: 1, target: 0 }] : [],
+    cx: 550,
+    cy: 320,
+    alpha: 1,
+  };
+}
+
+const ticks = () => workerSelf.postMessage.mock.calls.filter(c => c[0]?.type === 'tick');
+const ended = () => workerSelf.postMessage.mock.calls.some(c => c[0]?.type === 'end');
+
+describe('svgForceLayout.worker', () => {
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    await loadWorker();
+  });
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+  });
+
+  it('streams a tick frame with a transferable positions buffer on init', () => {
+    send(initMsg(3));
+    const tick = ticks()[0];
+    expect(tick).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(tick[0].positions).toBeInstanceOf(Float32Array);
+    expect(tick[0].positions.length).toBe(6); // 3 nodes × (x,y)
+    expect(Array.isArray(tick[1])).toBe(true); // transfer list
+  });
+
+  it('cools to an end message and then stops ticking', () => {
+    send(initMsg(2));
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(20000); // run the tick loop down to alphaMin
+    expect(ended()).toBe(true);
+    const afterEnd = workerSelf.postMessage.mock.calls.length;
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(5000);
+    expect(workerSelf.postMessage.mock.calls.length).toBe(afterEnd); // no more ticks
+  });
+
+  it('halts the loop on stop (no further frames)', () => {
+    send(initMsg(2));
+    send({ type: 'stop' });
+    const before = workerSelf.postMessage.mock.calls.length;
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(5000);
+    expect(workerSelf.postMessage.mock.calls.length).toBe(before);
+  });
+
+  it('pins/unpins a node on drag and resumes ticking after it settles', () => {
+    send(initMsg(2));
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(20000); // settle (loop idle)
+    const before = workerSelf.postMessage.mock.calls.length;
+    send({ type: 'drag', index: 0, x: 100, y: 100, fixed: true });
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(64); // a few frames
+    expect(workerSelf.postMessage.mock.calls.length).toBeGreaterThan(before);
+    send({ type: 'drag', index: 0, x: 0, y: 0, fixed: false }); // unpin — no throw
+  });
+
+  it('ignores a drag for an out-of-range index without throwing', () => {
+    send(initMsg(2));
+    expect(() => send({ type: 'drag', index: 99, x: 0, y: 0, fixed: true })).not.toThrow();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/app/src/components/intelligence/svgForceLayout.worker.ts b/app/src/components/intelligence/svgForceLayout.worker.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..15c6e7840
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/components/intelligence/svgForceLayout.worker.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+/**
+ * Off-main-thread force layout for the SVG fallback renderer.
+ *
+ * The SVG path used to settle its graph with a synchronous O(n²) all-pairs
+ * relaxation (`relaxLayout` in MemoryGraph.tsx) that ran 220 iterations in one
+ * blocking call — fine at a few hundred nodes, a multi-second freeze at ~1k,
+ * and a renderer-killing hang at ~10k. This worker moves that work off the UI
+ * thread: it runs the same d3-force simulation the WebGL path uses (Barnes–Hut
+ * charge, link springs, centring, collision) and streams node positions back
+ * as a transferable Float32Array each tick. The main thread only applies
+ * positions and repaints, so it never blocks regardless of graph size.
+ *
+ * Protocol (main → worker):
+ *   { type: 'init', nodes: {x,y,r}[], links: {source,target}[] }  // source/target = node indices
+ *   { type: 'drag', index, x, y, fixed }                          // pin/unpin a node during drag
+ *   { type: 'stop' }                                              // halt + tear down the sim
+ * Worker → main:
+ *   { type: 'tick', positions: Float32Array([x0,y0,x1,y1,…]), alpha }
+ *   { type: 'end' }                                               // sim cooled below alphaMin
+ */
+import {
+  forceCenter,
+  forceCollide,
+  forceLink,
+  forceManyBody,
+  forceSimulation,
+  type Simulation,
+  type SimulationNodeDatum,
+} from 'd3-force';
+
+interface WNode extends SimulationNodeDatum {
+  r: number;
+}
+interface WLink {
+  source: number;
+  target: number;
+}
+
+// Local worker-global type so we don't pull the `webworker` lib (which would
+// clash with the DOM lib across the whole tsc program). `self` is the worker's
+// global scope at runtime.
+const ctx = self as unknown as {
+  onmessage: ((e: MessageEvent) => void) | null;
+  postMessage: (message: unknown, transfer?: Transferable[]) => void;
+};
+
+let sim: Simulation<WNode, WLink> | null = null;
+let nodes: WNode[] = [];
+let timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | 0 = 0;
+
+// d3 charge/link/collide params mirror createSimulation() in
+// memoryGraphLayout.ts so the worker layout matches the WebGL path. `cx`/`cy`
+// centre the cloud on the SVG viewport (the WebGL path recentres its own
+// camera, but the SVG path renders in fixed viewBox coordinates).
+function build(
+  initNodes: { x: number; y: number; r: number }[],
+  links: WLink[],
+  cx: number,
+  cy: number,
+  alpha: number
+) {
+  nodes = initNodes.map(n => ({ x: n.x, y: n.y, r: n.r }));
+  sim = forceSimulation<WNode, WLink>(nodes)
+    .force('charge', forceManyBody<WNode>().strength(-140).distanceMax(420))
+    .force(
+      'link',
+      forceLink<WNode, WLink>(links)
+        .id((_d, i) => i)
+        .distance(58)
+        .strength(0.35)
+    )
+    .force('center', forceCenter(cx, cy).strength(0.04))
+    .force(
+      'collide',
+      forceCollide<WNode>().radius(d => d.r + 2)
+    )
+    .stop();
+  // 1 on a fresh graph (full settle); ~0.3 on an incremental update so carried
+  // positions barely move and only new nodes ease into place.
+  sim.alpha(alpha > 0 ? alpha : 1);
+}
+
+function postPositions() {
+  const buf = new Float32Array(nodes.length * 2);
+  for (let i = 0; i < nodes.length; i++) {
+    buf[i * 2] = nodes[i].x ?? 0;
+    buf[i * 2 + 1] = nodes[i].y ?? 0;
+  }
+  ctx.postMessage({ type: 'tick', positions: buf, alpha: sim?.alpha() ?? 0 }, [buf.buffer]);
+}
+
+function loop() {
+  if (!sim) return;
+  sim.tick(); // one integration step per frame
+  postPositions();
+  if (sim.alpha() > sim.alphaMin()) {
+    timer = setTimeout(loop, 16); // ~60fps; workers have no requestAnimationFrame
+  } else {
+    timer = 0;
+    ctx.postMessage({ type: 'end' });
+  }
+}
+
+function stop() {
+  if (timer) {
+    clearTimeout(timer);
+    timer = 0;
+  }
+  sim?.stop();
+  sim = null;
+}
+
+ctx.onmessage = (e: MessageEvent) => {
+  const msg = e.data as
+    | {
+        type: 'init';
+        nodes: { x: number; y: number; r: number }[];
+        links: WLink[];
+        cx: number;
+        cy: number;
+        alpha: number;
+      }
+    | { type: 'drag'; index: number; x: number; y: number; fixed: boolean }
+    | { type: 'stop' };
+
+  if (msg.type === 'init') {
+    stop();
+    build(msg.nodes, msg.links, msg.cx, msg.cy, msg.alpha);
+    loop();
+  } else if (msg.type === 'drag') {
+    const n = nodes[msg.index];
+    if (n) {
+      if (msg.fixed) {
+        n.fx = msg.x;
+        n.fy = msg.y;
+      } else {
+        n.fx = null;
+        n.fy = null;
+      }
+    }
+    if (sim) sim.alpha(Math.max(sim.alpha(), 0.2));
+    if (!timer) loop();
+  } else if (msg.type === 'stop') {
+    stop();
+  }
+};
diff --git a/app/src/components/intelligence/useSvgForceLayout.ts b/app/src/components/intelligence/useSvgForceLayout.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3311fb602
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/components/intelligence/useSvgForceLayout.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+/**
+ * React hook that drives the SVG fallback's layout from a Web Worker.
+ *
+ * When enabled, it spins up {@link svgForceLayout.worker} with the seeded node
+ * positions + edges, applies each streamed position frame back onto the same
+ * `nodes` array (mutated in place, by index), and calls `onTick` so the SVG
+ * repaints — the graph visibly settles instead of freezing. The worker is torn
+ * down on data change / unmount / `stop()`.
+ *
+ * If `Worker` is unavailable (jsdom under test, or a runtime without workers),
+ * the hook is a no-op and the caller's synchronous `relaxLayout` fallback runs
+ * instead — so behaviour and tests are unchanged off the worker path.
+ */
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+
+export interface SvgLayoutNode {
+  x: number;
+  y: number;
+}
+
+interface WorkerTickMessage {
+  type: 'tick';
+  positions: Float32Array;
+  alpha: number;
+}
+
+export const WORKER_SUPPORTED = typeof Worker !== 'undefined';
+
+/**
+ * @param enabled    only true on the SVG path with worker support
+ * @param nodes      the live SimNode array (mutated in place with streamed x/y)
+ * @param radii      per-node collision radius, index-aligned with `nodes`
+ * @param edges      index pairs [childIdx, parentIdx]
+ * @param center     [cx, cy] viewport centre the layout settles around
+ * @param alpha      initial sim energy: 1 fresh graph, ~0.3 incremental update
+ * @param onTick     stable callback to trigger a repaint (e.g. an imperative apply)
+ * @param onSettled  stable callback fired once the sim cools (good time to fit)
+ */
+export function useSvgForceLayout(
+  enabled: boolean,
+  nodes: SvgLayoutNode[],
+  radii: number[],
+  edges: Array<[number, number]>,
+  center: readonly [number, number],
+  alpha: number,
+  onTick: () => void,
+  onSettled: () => void
+): { drag: (index: number, x: number, y: number, fixed: boolean) => void; stop: () => void } {
+  const workerRef = useRef<Worker | null>(null);
+  // Session-alive guard, shared by the message handler, the effect cleanup, and
+  // stop(); flipping it false makes any in-flight tick/end a no-op.
+  const aliveRef = useRef(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!enabled || !WORKER_SUPPORTED || nodes.length === 0) return;
+
+    const worker = new Worker(new URL('./svgForceLayout.worker.ts', import.meta.url), {
+      type: 'module',
+    });
+    workerRef.current = worker;
+    aliveRef.current = true;
+
+    worker.onmessage = (e: MessageEvent) => {
+      // aliveRef is flipped false by the cleanup AND by stop(), so a late
+      // tick/end from a just-stopped worker can't mutate nodes or fit.
+      if (!aliveRef.current) return;
+      const msg = e.data as WorkerTickMessage | { type: 'end' };
+      if (msg.type === 'tick') {
+        const pos = msg.positions;
+        const n = Math.min(nodes.length, pos.length >> 1);
+        for (let i = 0; i < n; i++) {
+          nodes[i].x = pos[i * 2];
+          nodes[i].y = pos[i * 2 + 1];
+        }
+        onTick();
+      } else if (msg.type === 'end') {
+        onSettled();
+      }
+    };
+
+    worker.postMessage({
+      type: 'init',
+      nodes: nodes.map((node, i) => ({ x: node.x, y: node.y, r: radii[i] ?? 6 })),
+      links: edges.map(([a, b]) => ({ source: a, target: b })),
+      cx: center[0],
+      cy: center[1],
+      alpha,
+    });
+
+    return () => {
+      aliveRef.current = false;
+      worker.postMessage({ type: 'stop' });
+      worker.terminate();
+      workerRef.current = null;
+    };
+  }, [enabled, nodes, radii, edges, center, alpha, onTick, onSettled]);
+
+  const drag = useCallback((index: number, x: number, y: number, fixed: boolean) => {
+    workerRef.current?.postMessage({ type: 'drag', index, x, y, fixed });
+  }, []);
+  const stop = useCallback(() => {
+    aliveRef.current = false; // ignore any in-flight tick/end from this worker
+    workerRef.current?.postMessage({ type: 'stop' });
+    workerRef.current?.terminate();
+    workerRef.current = null;
+  }, []);
+
+  return { drag, stop };
+}