diff --git a/quickshell/Common/ConnectedModeState.qml b/quickshell/Common/ConnectedModeState.qml
index fe06cd6f..64685f48 100644
--- a/quickshell/Common/ConnectedModeState.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Common/ConnectedModeState.qml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ Singleton {
         })
 
     // Popout state (updated by DankPopout when connectedFrameModeActive)
-    property string popoutOwnerToken: ""
+    property string popoutOwnerId: ""
     property bool popoutVisible: false
     property string popoutBarSide: "top"
     property real popoutBodyX: 0
@@ -36,20 +36,20 @@ Singleton {
     // Dock slide offsets — hot-path updates separated from full geometry state
     property var dockSlides: ({})
 
-    function hasPopoutOwner(token) {
-        return !!token && popoutOwnerToken === token;
+    function hasPopoutOwner(claimId) {
+        return !!claimId && popoutOwnerId === claimId;
     }
 
-    function claimPopout(token, state) {
-        if (!token)
+    function claimPopout(claimId, state) {
+        if (!claimId)
             return false;
 
-        popoutOwnerToken = token;
-        return updatePopout(token, state);
+        popoutOwnerId = claimId;
+        return updatePopout(claimId, state);
     }
 
-    function updatePopout(token, state) {
-        if (!hasPopoutOwner(token) || !state)
+    function updatePopout(claimId, state) {
+        if (!hasPopoutOwner(claimId) || !state)
             return false;
 
         if (state.visible !== undefined)
@@ -74,11 +74,11 @@ Singleton {
         return true;
     }
 
-    function releasePopout(token) {
-        if (!hasPopoutOwner(token))
+    function releasePopout(claimId) {
+        if (!hasPopoutOwner(claimId))
             return false;
 
-        popoutOwnerToken = "";
+        popoutOwnerId = "";
         popoutVisible = false;
         popoutBarSide = "top";
         popoutBodyX = 0;
@@ -150,4 +150,55 @@ Singleton {
         dockSlides = next;
         return true;
     }
+
+    // ─── Notification state (per screen, updated by NotificationSurface) ──────
+
+    readonly property var emptyNotificationState: ({
+        "visible": false,
+        "barSide": "top",
+        "bodyX": 0,
+        "bodyY": 0,
+        "bodyW": 0,
+        "bodyH": 0
+    })
+
+    property var notificationStates: ({})
+
+    function _cloneNotificationStates() {
+        const next = {};
+        for (const screenName in notificationStates)
+            next[screenName] = notificationStates[screenName];
+        return next;
+    }
+
+    function _normalizeNotificationState(state) {
+        return {
+            "visible": !!(state && state.visible),
+            "barSide": state && state.barSide ? state.barSide : "top",
+            "bodyX": Number(state && state.bodyX !== undefined ? state.bodyX : 0),
+            "bodyY": Number(state && state.bodyY !== undefined ? state.bodyY : 0),
+            "bodyW": Number(state && state.bodyW !== undefined ? state.bodyW : 0),
+            "bodyH": Number(state && state.bodyH !== undefined ? state.bodyH : 0)
+        };
+    }
+
+    function setNotificationState(screenName, state) {
+        if (!screenName || !state)
+            return false;
+
+        const next = _cloneNotificationStates();
+        next[screenName] = _normalizeNotificationState(state);
+        notificationStates = next;
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    function clearNotificationState(screenName) {
+        if (!screenName || !notificationStates[screenName])
+            return false;
+
+        const next = _cloneNotificationStates();
+        delete next[screenName];
+        notificationStates = next;
+        return true;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/quickshell/Modals/Clipboard/ClipboardHistoryModal.qml b/quickshell/Modals/Clipboard/ClipboardHistoryModal.qml
index 2f76cc78..2d50403e 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modals/Clipboard/ClipboardHistoryModal.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modals/Clipboard/ClipboardHistoryModal.qml
@@ -64,11 +64,19 @@ DankModal {
         activeImageLoads = 0;
         shouldHaveFocus = true;
         ClipboardService.reset();
-        if (clipboardAvailable)
-            ClipboardService.refresh();
         keyboardController.reset();
 
         Qt.callLater(function () {
+            if (clipboardAvailable) {
+                if (Theme.isConnectedEffect) {
+                    Qt.callLater(() => {
+                        if (clipboardHistoryModal.shouldBeVisible)
+                            ClipboardService.refresh();
+                    });
+                } else {
+                    ClipboardService.refresh();
+                }
+            }
             if (contentLoader.item?.searchField) {
                 contentLoader.item.searchField.text = "";
                 contentLoader.item.searchField.forceActiveFocus();
diff --git a/quickshell/Modals/Clipboard/ClipboardHistoryPopout.qml b/quickshell/Modals/Clipboard/ClipboardHistoryPopout.qml
index c4f0296f..924a3d18 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modals/Clipboard/ClipboardHistoryPopout.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modals/Clipboard/ClipboardHistoryPopout.qml
@@ -53,8 +53,6 @@ DankPopout {
         open();
         activeImageLoads = 0;
         ClipboardService.reset();
-        if (clipboardAvailable)
-            ClipboardService.refresh();
         keyboardController.reset();
 
         Qt.callLater(function () {
@@ -121,8 +119,16 @@ DankPopout {
     onShouldBeVisibleChanged: {
         if (!shouldBeVisible)
             return;
-        if (clipboardAvailable)
-            ClipboardService.refresh();
+        if (clipboardAvailable) {
+            if (Theme.isConnectedEffect) {
+                Qt.callLater(() => {
+                    if (root.shouldBeVisible)
+                        ClipboardService.refresh();
+                });
+            } else {
+                ClipboardService.refresh();
+            }
+        }
         keyboardController.reset();
         Qt.callLater(function () {
             if (contentLoader.item?.searchField) {
diff --git a/quickshell/Modals/Common/DankModal.qml b/quickshell/Modals/Common/DankModal.qml
index adab2fbd..e492657f 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modals/Common/DankModal.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modals/Common/DankModal.qml
@@ -26,11 +26,12 @@ Item {
     property bool closeOnEscapeKey: true
     property bool closeOnBackgroundClick: true
     property string animationType: "scale"
-    property int animationDuration: Theme.modalAnimationDuration
+    readonly property bool connectedMotionParity: Theme.isConnectedEffect
+    property int animationDuration: connectedMotionParity ? Theme.popoutAnimationDuration : Theme.modalAnimationDuration
     property real animationScaleCollapsed: Theme.effectScaleCollapsed
     property real animationOffset: Theme.effectAnimOffset
-    property list<real> animationEnterCurve: Theme.variantModalEnterCurve
-    property list<real> animationExitCurve: Theme.variantModalExitCurve
+    property list<real> animationEnterCurve: connectedMotionParity ? Theme.variantPopoutEnterCurve : Theme.variantModalEnterCurve
+    property list<real> animationExitCurve: connectedMotionParity ? Theme.variantPopoutExitCurve : Theme.variantModalExitCurve
     property color backgroundColor: Theme.surfaceContainer
     property color borderColor: Theme.outlineMedium
     property real borderWidth: 0
diff --git a/quickshell/Modals/DankLauncherV2/DankLauncherV2Modal.qml b/quickshell/Modals/DankLauncherV2/DankLauncherV2Modal.qml
index df171985..848fa1eb 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modals/DankLauncherV2/DankLauncherV2Modal.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modals/DankLauncherV2/DankLauncherV2Modal.qml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Item {
     property bool spotlightOpen: false
     property bool keyboardActive: false
     property bool contentVisible: false
-    readonly property bool launcherMotionVisible: Theme.isDirectionalEffect ? spotlightOpen : _motionActive
+    readonly property bool launcherMotionVisible: Theme.isConnectedEffect ? _motionActive : (Theme.isDirectionalEffect ? spotlightOpen : _motionActive)
     property var spotlightContent: launcherContentLoader.item
     property bool openedFromOverview: false
     property bool isClosing: false
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ Item {
     readonly property real modalY: (screenHeight - modalHeight) / 2
 
     readonly property bool connectedSurfaceOverride: Theme.isConnectedEffect
+    readonly property int launcherAnimationDuration: Theme.isConnectedEffect ? Theme.popoutAnimationDuration : Theme.modalAnimationDuration
+    readonly property list<real> launcherEnterCurve: Theme.isConnectedEffect ? Theme.variantPopoutEnterCurve : Theme.variantModalEnterCurve
+    readonly property list<real> launcherExitCurve: Theme.isConnectedEffect ? Theme.variantPopoutExitCurve : Theme.variantModalExitCurve
     readonly property color backgroundColor: connectedSurfaceOverride ? Theme.connectedSurfaceColor : Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
     readonly property real cornerRadius: connectedSurfaceOverride ? Theme.connectedSurfaceRadius : Theme.cornerRadius
     readonly property color borderColor: {
@@ -271,7 +274,7 @@ Item {
 
     Timer {
         id: closeCleanupTimer
-        interval: Theme.variantCloseInterval(Theme.modalAnimationDuration)
+        interval: Theme.variantCloseInterval(root.launcherAnimationDuration)
         repeat: false
         onTriggered: {
             isClosing = false;
@@ -394,8 +397,8 @@ Item {
             Behavior on opacity {
                 enabled: root.animationsEnabled && (!Theme.isDirectionalEffect || Theme.isConnectedEffect)
                 DankAnim {
-                    duration: Math.round(Theme.variantDuration(Theme.modalAnimationDuration, launcherMotionVisible) * Theme.variantOpacityDurationScale)
-                    easing.bezierCurve: launcherMotionVisible ? Theme.variantModalEnterCurve : Theme.variantModalExitCurve
+                    duration: Math.round(Theme.variantDuration(root.launcherAnimationDuration, launcherMotionVisible) * Theme.variantOpacityDurationScale)
+                    easing.bezierCurve: launcherMotionVisible ? root.launcherEnterCurve : root.launcherExitCurve
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -512,47 +515,32 @@ Item {
                 return -Math.max((root.shadowPad || 0) + Theme.effectAnimOffset, 40);
             }
 
-            // animX/animY are Behavior-animated — DankPopout pattern
-            property real animX: 0
-            property real animY: 0
-            property real scaleValue: Theme.isDirectionalEffect && typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && SettingsData.directionalAnimationMode === 2 ? Theme.effectScaleCollapsed : (Theme.isDirectionalEffect ? 1 : Theme.effectScaleCollapsed)
-
-            Component.onCompleted: {
-                animX = Theme.snap(root._motionActive ? 0 : collapsedMotionX, root.dpr);
-                animY = Theme.snap(root._motionActive ? 0 : collapsedMotionY, root.dpr);
-                scaleValue = root._motionActive ? 1.0 : (Theme.isDirectionalEffect && typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && SettingsData.directionalAnimationMode === 2 ? Theme.effectScaleCollapsed : (Theme.isDirectionalEffect ? 1 : Theme.effectScaleCollapsed));
-            }
-
-            Connections {
-                target: root
-                function on_MotionActiveChanged() {
-                    contentContainer.animX = Theme.snap(root._motionActive ? 0 : root._frozenMotionX, root.dpr);
-                    contentContainer.animY = Theme.snap(root._motionActive ? 0 : root._frozenMotionY, root.dpr);
-                    contentContainer.scaleValue = root._motionActive ? 1.0 : (Theme.isDirectionalEffect && typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && SettingsData.directionalAnimationMode === 2 ? Theme.effectScaleCollapsed : (Theme.isDirectionalEffect ? 1 : Theme.effectScaleCollapsed));
-                }
-            }
+            // Declarative bindings — snap applied at render layer (contentWrapper x/y)
+            property real animX: root._motionActive ? 0 : root._frozenMotionX
+            property real animY: root._motionActive ? 0 : root._frozenMotionY
+            property real scaleValue: root._motionActive ? 1.0 : (Theme.isDirectionalEffect && typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && SettingsData.directionalAnimationMode === 2 ? Theme.effectScaleCollapsed : (Theme.isDirectionalEffect ? 1 : Theme.effectScaleCollapsed))
 
             Behavior on animX {
                 enabled: root.animationsEnabled
                 DankAnim {
-                    duration: Theme.variantDuration(Theme.modalAnimationDuration, root._motionActive)
-                    easing.bezierCurve: root._motionActive ? Theme.variantModalEnterCurve : Theme.variantModalExitCurve
+                    duration: Theme.variantDuration(root.launcherAnimationDuration, root._motionActive)
+                    easing.bezierCurve: root._motionActive ? root.launcherEnterCurve : root.launcherExitCurve
                 }
             }
 
             Behavior on animY {
                 enabled: root.animationsEnabled
                 DankAnim {
-                    duration: Theme.variantDuration(Theme.modalAnimationDuration, root._motionActive)
-                    easing.bezierCurve: root._motionActive ? Theme.variantModalEnterCurve : Theme.variantModalExitCurve
+                    duration: Theme.variantDuration(root.launcherAnimationDuration, root._motionActive)
+                    easing.bezierCurve: root._motionActive ? root.launcherEnterCurve : root.launcherExitCurve
                 }
             }
 
             Behavior on scaleValue {
                 enabled: root.animationsEnabled && (!Theme.isDirectionalEffect || (typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && SettingsData.directionalAnimationMode === 2))
                 DankAnim {
-                    duration: Theme.variantDuration(Theme.modalAnimationDuration, root._motionActive)
-                    easing.bezierCurve: root._motionActive ? Theme.variantModalEnterCurve : Theme.variantModalExitCurve
+                    duration: Theme.variantDuration(root.launcherAnimationDuration, root._motionActive)
+                    easing.bezierCurve: root._motionActive ? root.launcherEnterCurve : root.launcherExitCurve
                 }
             }
 
@@ -608,8 +596,8 @@ Item {
                         Behavior on opacity {
                             enabled: root.animationsEnabled && (!Theme.isDirectionalEffect || Theme.isConnectedEffect)
                             DankAnim {
-                                duration: Math.round(Theme.variantDuration(Theme.modalAnimationDuration, launcherMotionVisible) * Theme.variantOpacityDurationScale)
-                                easing.bezierCurve: launcherMotionVisible ? Theme.variantModalEnterCurve : Theme.variantModalExitCurve
+                                duration: Math.round(Theme.variantDuration(root.launcherAnimationDuration, launcherMotionVisible) * Theme.variantOpacityDurationScale)
+                                easing.bezierCurve: launcherMotionVisible ? root.launcherEnterCurve : root.launcherExitCurve
                             }
                         }
 
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/Frame/FrameWindow.qml b/quickshell/Modules/Frame/FrameWindow.qml
index e70882b8..47b28b99 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/Frame/FrameWindow.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/Frame/FrameWindow.qml
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ PanelWindow {
 
         readonly property bool _active: ConnectedModeState.popoutVisible && ConnectedModeState.popoutScreen === win._screenName
 
-        readonly property real _dyClamp: (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "top" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "bottom") ? Math.max(-ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyH, Math.min(ConnectedModeState.popoutAnimY, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyH)) : 0
-        readonly property real _dxClamp: (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "left" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "right") ? Math.max(-ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyW, Math.min(ConnectedModeState.popoutAnimX, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyW)) : 0
+        readonly property real _dyClamp: (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "top" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "bottom") ? Math.max(-ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyH, Math.min(ConnectedModeState.popoutAnimY * 1.02, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyH)) : 0
+        readonly property real _dxClamp: (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "left" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "right") ? Math.max(-ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyW, Math.min(ConnectedModeState.popoutAnimX * 1.02, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyW)) : 0
 
         x: _active ? ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyX + (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "right" ? _dxClamp : 0) : 0
         y: _active ? ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyY + (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "bottom" ? _dyClamp : 0) : 0
@@ -218,60 +218,6 @@ PanelWindow {
         height: _active ? win._dockConnectorRadius() * 2 : 0
     }
 
-    Item {
-        id: _popoutLeftConnectorBlurAnchor
-        opacity: 0
-
-        readonly property bool _active: win._popoutArcVisible()
-        readonly property real _w: win._popoutConnectorWidth(0)
-        readonly property real _h: win._popoutConnectorHeight(0)
-
-        x: _active ? Theme.snap(win._popoutConnectorX(ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyX, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyW, "left", 0), win._dpr) : 0
-        y: _active ? Theme.snap(win._popoutConnectorY(ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyY, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyH, "left", 0), win._dpr) : 0
-        width: _active ? _w : 0
-        height: _active ? _h : 0
-    }
-
-    Item {
-        id: _popoutRightConnectorBlurAnchor
-        opacity: 0
-
-        readonly property bool _active: win._popoutArcVisible()
-        readonly property real _w: win._popoutConnectorWidth(0)
-        readonly property real _h: win._popoutConnectorHeight(0)
-
-        x: _active ? Theme.snap(win._popoutConnectorX(ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyX, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyW, "right", 0), win._dpr) : 0
-        y: _active ? Theme.snap(win._popoutConnectorY(ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyY, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyH, "right", 0), win._dpr) : 0
-        width: _active ? _w : 0
-        height: _active ? _h : 0
-    }
-
-    Item {
-        id: _popoutLeftConnectorCutout
-        opacity: 0
-
-        readonly property bool _active: _popoutLeftConnectorBlurAnchor.width > 0 && _popoutLeftConnectorBlurAnchor.height > 0
-        readonly property string _arcCorner: win._connectorArcCorner(ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide, "left")
-
-        x: _active ? win._connectorCutoutX(_popoutLeftConnectorBlurAnchor.x, _popoutLeftConnectorBlurAnchor.width, _arcCorner) : 0
-        y: _active ? win._connectorCutoutY(_popoutLeftConnectorBlurAnchor.y, _popoutLeftConnectorBlurAnchor.height, _arcCorner) : 0
-        width: _active ? win._effectivePopoutCcr * 2 : 0
-        height: _active ? win._effectivePopoutCcr * 2 : 0
-    }
-
-    Item {
-        id: _popoutRightConnectorCutout
-        opacity: 0
-
-        readonly property bool _active: _popoutRightConnectorBlurAnchor.width > 0 && _popoutRightConnectorBlurAnchor.height > 0
-        readonly property string _arcCorner: win._connectorArcCorner(ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide, "right")
-
-        x: _active ? win._connectorCutoutX(_popoutRightConnectorBlurAnchor.x, _popoutRightConnectorBlurAnchor.width, _arcCorner) : 0
-        y: _active ? win._connectorCutoutY(_popoutRightConnectorBlurAnchor.y, _popoutRightConnectorBlurAnchor.height, _arcCorner) : 0
-        width: _active ? win._effectivePopoutCcr * 2 : 0
-        height: _active ? win._effectivePopoutCcr * 2 : 0
-    }
-
     Region {
         id: _staticBlurRegion
         x: 0
@@ -289,31 +235,11 @@ PanelWindow {
         // ── Connected popout blur regions ──
         Region {
             item: _popoutBodyBlurAnchor
-            readonly property string _bs: ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide
-            topLeftRadius: (_bs === "top" || _bs === "left") ? win._effectivePopoutCcr : win._surfaceRadius
-            topRightRadius: (_bs === "top" || _bs === "right") ? win._effectivePopoutCcr : win._surfaceRadius
-            bottomLeftRadius: (_bs === "bottom" || _bs === "left") ? win._effectivePopoutCcr : win._surfaceRadius
-            bottomRightRadius: (_bs === "bottom" || _bs === "right") ? win._effectivePopoutCcr : win._surfaceRadius
+            radius: win._surfaceRadius
         }
         Region {
             item: _popoutBodyBlurCap
         }
-        Region {
-            item: _popoutLeftConnectorBlurAnchor
-            Region {
-                item: _popoutLeftConnectorCutout
-                intersection: Intersection.Subtract
-                radius: win._effectivePopoutCcr
-            }
-        }
-        Region {
-            item: _popoutRightConnectorBlurAnchor
-            Region {
-                item: _popoutRightConnectorCutout
-                intersection: Intersection.Subtract
-                radius: win._effectivePopoutCcr
-            }
-        }
 
         // ── Connected dock blur regions ──
         Region {
@@ -343,37 +269,7 @@ PanelWindow {
         }
     }
 
-    // ─── Connector position helpers (mirror DankPopout / Dock logic) ──────────
-
-    function _popoutConnectorWidth(spacing) {
-        const barSide = ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide;
-        return (barSide === "top" || barSide === "bottom") ? win._effectivePopoutCcr : (spacing + win._effectivePopoutCcr);
-    }
-
-    function _popoutConnectorHeight(spacing) {
-        const barSide = ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide;
-        return (barSide === "top" || barSide === "bottom") ? (spacing + win._effectivePopoutCcr) : win._effectivePopoutCcr;
-    }
-
-    function _popoutConnectorX(baseX, bodyWidth, placement, spacing) {
-        const barSide = ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide;
-        const seamX = (barSide === "top" || barSide === "bottom") ? (placement === "left" ? baseX : baseX + bodyWidth) : (barSide === "left" ? baseX : baseX + bodyWidth);
-        const w = _popoutConnectorWidth(spacing);
-        if (barSide === "top" || barSide === "bottom")
-            return placement === "left" ? seamX - w : seamX;
-        return barSide === "left" ? seamX : seamX - w;
-    }
-
-    function _popoutConnectorY(baseY, bodyHeight, placement, spacing) {
-        const barSide = ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide;
-        const seamY = barSide === "top" ? baseY : barSide === "bottom" ? baseY + bodyHeight : (placement === "left" ? baseY : baseY + bodyHeight);
-        const h = _popoutConnectorHeight(spacing);
-        if (barSide === "top")
-            return seamY;
-        if (barSide === "bottom")
-            return seamY - h;
-        return placement === "left" ? seamY - h : seamY;
-    }
+    // ─── Connector position helpers (dock) ─────────────────────────────────
 
     function _dockBodyBlurRadius() {
         return _dockBodyBlurAnchor._active ? Math.max(0, Math.min(win._surfaceRadius, _dockBodyBlurAnchor.width / 2, _dockBodyBlurAnchor.height / 2)) : win._surfaceRadius;
@@ -660,56 +556,27 @@ PanelWindow {
 
             Item {
                 id: _popoutClip
-                x: win._popoutClipX()
-                y: win._popoutClipY()
-                width: win._popoutClipWidth()
-                height: win._popoutClipHeight()
+                readonly property bool _barHoriz: ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "top" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "bottom"
+                // Expand clip by ccr on bar axis to include arc columns
+                x: win._popoutClipX() - (_barHoriz ? win._effectivePopoutCcr : 0)
+                y: win._popoutClipY() - (_barHoriz ? 0 : win._effectivePopoutCcr)
+                width: win._popoutClipWidth() + (_barHoriz ? win._effectivePopoutCcr * 2 : 0)
+                height: win._popoutClipHeight() + (_barHoriz ? 0 : win._effectivePopoutCcr * 2)
                 clip: true
 
-                Rectangle {
-                    id: _popoutFill
-                    x: win._popoutBodyXInClip()
-                    y: win._popoutBodyYInClip()
-                    width: win._popoutBodyFullWidth()
-                    height: win._popoutBodyFullHeight()
-                    color: win._opaqueSurfaceColor
-                    z: 1
-                    topLeftRadius: (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "top" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "left") ? 0 : win._surfaceRadius
-                    topRightRadius: (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "top" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "right") ? 0 : win._surfaceRadius
-                    bottomLeftRadius: (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "bottom" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "left") ? 0 : win._surfaceRadius
-                    bottomRightRadius: (ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "bottom" || ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide === "right") ? 0 : win._surfaceRadius
+                ConnectedShape {
+                    id: _popoutShape
+                    visible: _popoutBodyBlurAnchor._active && _popoutBodyBlurAnchor.width > 0 && _popoutBodyBlurAnchor.height > 0
+                    barSide: ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide
+                    bodyWidth: win._popoutClipWidth()
+                    bodyHeight: win._popoutClipHeight()
+                    connectorRadius: win._effectivePopoutCcr
+                    surfaceRadius: win._surfaceRadius
+                    fillColor: win._opaqueSurfaceColor
+                    x: 0
+                    y: 0
                 }
             }
-
-            ConnectedCorner {
-                id: _connPopoutLeft
-                visible: win._popoutArcVisible()
-                barSide: ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide
-                placement: "left"
-                spacing: 0
-                connectorRadius: win._effectivePopoutCcr
-                color: win._opaqueSurfaceColor
-                edgeStrokeWidth: win._seamOverlap
-                edgeStrokeColor: win._opaqueSurfaceColor
-                dpr: win._dpr
-                x: Theme.snap(win._popoutConnectorX(ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyX, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyW, "left", 0) - _popoutChrome.x, win._dpr)
-                y: Theme.snap(win._popoutConnectorY(ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyY, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyH, "left", 0) - _popoutChrome.y, win._dpr)
-            }
-
-            ConnectedCorner {
-                id: _connPopoutRight
-                visible: win._popoutArcVisible()
-                barSide: ConnectedModeState.popoutBarSide
-                placement: "right"
-                spacing: 0
-                connectorRadius: win._effectivePopoutCcr
-                color: win._opaqueSurfaceColor
-                edgeStrokeWidth: win._seamOverlap
-                edgeStrokeColor: win._opaqueSurfaceColor
-                dpr: win._dpr
-                x: Theme.snap(win._popoutConnectorX(ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyX, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyW, "right", 0) - _popoutChrome.x, win._dpr)
-                y: Theme.snap(win._popoutConnectorY(ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyY, ConnectedModeState.popoutBodyH, "right", 0) - _popoutChrome.y, win._dpr)
-            }
         }
 
         Item {
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/NotificationCard.qml b/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/NotificationCard.qml
index 7e404df5..e83d35e0 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/NotificationCard.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/NotificationCard.qml
@@ -34,11 +34,12 @@ Rectangle {
     readonly property real actionButtonHeight: compactMode ? 20 : 24
     readonly property real collapsedContentHeight: Math.max(iconSize, Theme.fontSizeSmall * 1.2 + Theme.fontSizeMedium * 1.2 + Theme.fontSizeSmall * 1.2 * (compactMode ? 1 : 2))
     readonly property real baseCardHeight: cardPadding * 2 + collapsedContentHeight + actionButtonHeight + contentSpacing
+    readonly property bool connectedFrameMode: SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive
 
     width: parent ? parent.width : 400
     height: expanded ? (expandedContent.height + cardPadding * 2) : (baseCardHeight + collapsedContent.extraHeight)
     readonly property real targetHeight: expanded ? (expandedContent.height + cardPadding * 2) : (baseCardHeight + collapsedContent.extraHeight)
-    radius: Theme.cornerRadius
+    radius: connectedFrameMode ? Theme.connectedSurfaceRadius : Theme.cornerRadius
     scale: (cardHoverHandler.hovered ? 1.004 : 1.0) * listLevelAdjacentScaleInfluence
     readonly property bool shadowsAllowed: Theme.elevationEnabled && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1"
     readonly property var shadowElevation: Theme.elevationLevel1
@@ -100,6 +101,8 @@ Rectangle {
         if (keyboardNavigationActive && expanded && selectedNotificationIndex >= 0) {
             return Theme.primaryHoverLight;
         }
+        if (connectedFrameMode)
+            return Theme.popupLayerColor(Theme.surfaceContainerHigh);
         return Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainerHigh, Theme.popupTransparency);
     }
     border.color: {
@@ -959,9 +962,9 @@ Rectangle {
     Behavior on height {
         enabled: root.__initialized && root.userInitiatedExpansion && root.animateExpansion
         NumberAnimation {
-            duration: root.expanded ? Theme.notificationExpandDuration : Theme.notificationCollapseDuration
+            duration: root.connectedFrameMode ? Theme.variantDuration(Theme.popoutAnimationDuration, root.expanded) : (root.expanded ? Theme.notificationExpandDuration : Theme.notificationCollapseDuration)
             easing.type: Easing.BezierSpline
-            easing.bezierCurve: Theme.expressiveCurves.emphasized
+            easing.bezierCurve: root.connectedFrameMode ? (root.expanded ? Theme.variantPopoutEnterCurve : Theme.variantPopoutExitCurve) : Theme.expressiveCurves.emphasized
             onRunningChanged: {
                 if (running) {
                     root.isAnimating = true;
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopup.qml b/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopup.qml
index ca36867a..83712555 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopup.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopup.qml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ PanelWindow {
         blurY: content.y + content.cardInset + swipeTx.y + tx.y
         blurWidth: !win._finalized ? Math.max(0, content.width - content.cardInset * 2) : 0
         blurHeight: !win._finalized ? Math.max(0, content.height - content.cardInset * 2) : 0
-        blurRadius: Theme.cornerRadius
+        blurRadius: SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive ? Theme.connectedSurfaceRadius : Theme.cornerRadius
     }
 
     WlrLayershell.namespace: "dms:notification-popup"
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopupManager.qml b/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopupManager.qml
index 02bfc0fe..283f5edf 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopupManager.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopupManager.qml
@@ -8,11 +8,12 @@ QtObject {
     property var modelData
     property int topMargin: 0
     readonly property bool compactMode: SettingsData.notificationCompactMode
+    readonly property bool connectedFrameMode: SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive
     readonly property real cardPadding: compactMode ? Theme.notificationCardPaddingCompact : Theme.notificationCardPadding
     readonly property real popupIconSize: compactMode ? Theme.notificationIconSizeCompact : Theme.notificationIconSizeNormal
     readonly property real actionButtonHeight: compactMode ? 20 : 24
     readonly property real contentSpacing: compactMode ? Theme.spacingXS : Theme.spacingS
-    readonly property real popupSpacing: compactMode ? 0 : Theme.spacingXS
+    readonly property real popupSpacing: connectedFrameMode ? 0 : (compactMode ? 0 : Theme.spacingXS)
     readonly property real collapsedContentHeight: Math.max(popupIconSize, Theme.fontSizeSmall * 1.2 + Theme.fontSizeMedium * 1.2 + Theme.fontSizeSmall * 1.2 * (compactMode ? 1 : 2))
     readonly property int baseNotificationHeight: cardPadding * 2 + collapsedContentHeight + actionButtonHeight + contentSpacing + popupSpacing
     property var popupWindows: []
diff --git a/quickshell/Widgets/ConnectedCorner.qml b/quickshell/Widgets/ConnectedCorner.qml
index 020d9522..25383b2e 100644
--- a/quickshell/Widgets/ConnectedCorner.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Widgets/ConnectedCorner.qml
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ import QtQuick.Shapes
 import qs.Common
 
 // Concave arc connector filling the gap between a bar corner and an adjacent surface.
+//
+// NOTE: FrameWindow now uses ConnectedShape.qml for frame-owned connected chrome
+// (unified single-path rendering). This component is still used by DankPopout's
+// own shadow source for non-frame-owned chrome (popouts on non-frame screens).
 
 Item {
     id: root
diff --git a/quickshell/Widgets/ConnectedShape.qml b/quickshell/Widgets/ConnectedShape.qml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a9fb36d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/quickshell/Widgets/ConnectedShape.qml
@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+import QtQuick
+import QtQuick.Shapes
+import qs.Common
+
+// Unified connected silhouette: body + concave arcs as one ShapePath.
+// PathArc pattern — 4 arcs + 4 lines, no sibling alignment.
+
+Item {
+    id: root
+
+    property string barSide: "top"
+
+    property real bodyWidth: 0
+    property real bodyHeight: 0
+
+    property real connectorRadius: 12
+
+    property real surfaceRadius: 12
+
+    property color fillColor: "transparent"
+
+    // ── Derived layout ──
+    readonly property bool _horiz: barSide === "top" || barSide === "bottom"
+    readonly property real _cr: Math.max(0, connectorRadius)
+    readonly property real _sr: Math.max(0, Math.min(surfaceRadius, (_horiz ? bodyWidth : bodyHeight) / 2, (_horiz ? bodyHeight : bodyWidth) / 2))
+
+    // Root-level aliases — PathArc/PathLine elements can't use `parent`.
+    readonly property real _bw: bodyWidth
+    readonly property real _bh: bodyHeight
+    readonly property real _totalW: _horiz ? _bw + _cr * 2 : _bw
+    readonly property real _totalH: _horiz ? _bh : _bh + _cr * 2
+
+    width: _totalW
+    height: _totalH
+
+    readonly property real bodyX: _horiz ? _cr : 0
+    readonly property real bodyY: _horiz ? 0 : _cr
+
+    Shape {
+        anchors.fill: parent
+        asynchronous: false
+        preferredRendererType: Shape.CurveRenderer
+
+        ShapePath {
+            fillColor: root.fillColor
+            strokeWidth: -1
+            fillRule: ShapePath.WindingFill
+
+            // CW path: bar edge → concave arc → body → convex arc → far edge → convex arc → body → concave arc
+
+            startX: root.barSide === "right" ? root._totalW : 0
+            startY: {
+                switch (root.barSide) {
+                case "bottom":
+                    return root._totalH;
+                case "left":
+                    return root._totalH;
+                case "right":
+                    return 0;
+                default:
+                    return 0;
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Bar edge
+            PathLine {
+                x: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "left":
+                        return 0;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._totalW;
+                    default:
+                        return root._totalW;
+                    }
+                }
+                y: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "bottom":
+                        return root._totalH;
+                    case "left":
+                        return 0;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._totalH;
+                    default:
+                        return 0;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Concave arc 1
+            PathArc {
+                relativeX: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._cr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return -root._cr;
+                    default:
+                        return -root._cr;
+                    }
+                }
+                relativeY: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "bottom":
+                        return -root._cr;
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._cr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return -root._cr;
+                    default:
+                        return root._cr;
+                    }
+                }
+                radiusX: root._cr
+                radiusY: root._cr
+                direction: PathArc.Counterclockwise
+            }
+
+            // Body edge to first convex corner
+            PathLine {
+                x: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._bw - root._sr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._sr;
+                    default:
+                        return root._totalW - root._cr;
+                    }
+                }
+                y: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "bottom":
+                        return root._sr;
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._cr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._cr + root._bh;
+                    default:
+                        return root._totalH - root._sr;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Convex arc 1
+            PathArc {
+                relativeX: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._sr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return -root._sr;
+                    default:
+                        return -root._sr;
+                    }
+                }
+                relativeY: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "bottom":
+                        return -root._sr;
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._sr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return -root._sr;
+                    default:
+                        return root._sr;
+                    }
+                }
+                radiusX: root._sr
+                radiusY: root._sr
+                direction: PathArc.Clockwise
+            }
+
+            // Far edge
+            PathLine {
+                x: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._bw;
+                    case "right":
+                        return 0;
+                    default:
+                        return root._cr + root._sr;
+                    }
+                }
+                y: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "bottom":
+                        return 0;
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._cr + root._bh - root._sr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._cr + root._sr;
+                    default:
+                        return root._totalH;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Convex arc 2
+            PathArc {
+                relativeX: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "left":
+                        return -root._sr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._sr;
+                    default:
+                        return -root._sr;
+                    }
+                }
+                relativeY: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "bottom":
+                        return root._sr;
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._sr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return -root._sr;
+                    default:
+                        return -root._sr;
+                    }
+                }
+                radiusX: root._sr
+                radiusY: root._sr
+                direction: PathArc.Clockwise
+            }
+
+            // Body edge to second concave arc
+            PathLine {
+                x: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._cr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._bw - root._cr;
+                    default:
+                        return root._cr;
+                    }
+                }
+                y: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "bottom":
+                        return root._totalH - root._cr;
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._cr + root._bh;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._cr;
+                    default:
+                        return root._cr;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Concave arc 2
+            PathArc {
+                relativeX: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "left":
+                        return -root._cr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return root._cr;
+                    default:
+                        return -root._cr;
+                    }
+                }
+                relativeY: {
+                    switch (root.barSide) {
+                    case "bottom":
+                        return root._cr;
+                    case "left":
+                        return root._cr;
+                    case "right":
+                        return -root._cr;
+                    default:
+                        return -root._cr;
+                    }
+                }
+                radiusX: root._cr
+                radiusY: root._cr
+                direction: PathArc.Counterclockwise
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/quickshell/Widgets/DankPopout.qml b/quickshell/Widgets/DankPopout.qml
index 518c1448..0f2f5930 100644
--- a/quickshell/Widgets/DankPopout.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Widgets/DankPopout.qml
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Item {
     property bool _resizeActive: false
     property real _surfaceMarginLeft: 0
     property real _surfaceW: 0
-    property string _connectedChromeToken: ""
+    property string _chromeClaimId: ""
     property int _connectedChromeSerial: 0
 
     property real storedBarThickness: Theme.barHeight - 4
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ Item {
         setBarContext(pos, bottomGap);
     }
 
-    function _nextConnectedChromeToken() {
+    function _nextChromeClaimId() {
         _connectedChromeSerial += 1;
         return layerNamespace + ":" + _connectedChromeSerial + ":" + (new Date()).getTime();
     }
@@ -174,21 +174,21 @@ Item {
     }
 
     function _publishConnectedChromeState(forceClaim, visibleOverride) {
-        if (!SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive || !root.screen || !_connectedChromeToken)
+        if (!root.frameOwnsConnectedChrome || !root.screen || !_chromeClaimId)
             return;
 
         const state = _connectedChromeState(visibleOverride);
-        if (forceClaim || !ConnectedModeState.hasPopoutOwner(_connectedChromeToken)) {
-            ConnectedModeState.claimPopout(_connectedChromeToken, state);
+        if (forceClaim || !ConnectedModeState.hasPopoutOwner(_chromeClaimId)) {
+            ConnectedModeState.claimPopout(_chromeClaimId, state);
         } else {
-            ConnectedModeState.updatePopout(_connectedChromeToken, state);
+            ConnectedModeState.updatePopout(_chromeClaimId, state);
         }
     }
 
     function _releaseConnectedChromeState() {
-        if (_connectedChromeToken)
-            ConnectedModeState.releasePopout(_connectedChromeToken);
-        _connectedChromeToken = "";
+        if (_chromeClaimId)
+            ConnectedModeState.releasePopout(_chromeClaimId);
+        _chromeClaimId = "";
     }
 
     // ─── Exposed animation state for ConnectedModeState ────────────────────
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ Item {
 
     // ─── ConnectedModeState sync ────────────────────────────────────────────
     function _syncPopoutChromeState() {
-        if (!SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive) {
+        if (!root.frameOwnsConnectedChrome) {
             _releaseConnectedChromeState();
             return;
         }
@@ -207,9 +207,9 @@ Item {
         }
         if (!contentWindow.visible && !shouldBeVisible)
             return;
-        if (!_connectedChromeToken)
-            _connectedChromeToken = _nextConnectedChromeToken();
-        _publishConnectedChromeState(contentWindow.visible && !ConnectedModeState.hasPopoutOwner(_connectedChromeToken));
+        if (!_chromeClaimId)
+            _chromeClaimId = _nextChromeClaimId();
+        _publishConnectedChromeState(contentWindow.visible && !ConnectedModeState.hasPopoutOwner(_chromeClaimId));
     }
 
     onAlignedXChanged: _syncPopoutChromeState()
@@ -233,10 +233,10 @@ Item {
     Connections {
         target: SettingsData
         function onConnectedFrameModeActiveChanged() {
-            if (SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive) {
+            if (root.frameOwnsConnectedChrome) {
                 if (contentWindow.visible || root.shouldBeVisible) {
-                    if (!root._connectedChromeToken)
-                        root._connectedChromeToken = root._nextConnectedChromeToken();
+                    if (!root._chromeClaimId)
+                        root._chromeClaimId = root._nextChromeClaimId();
                     root._publishConnectedChromeState(true);
                 }
             } else {
@@ -246,6 +246,9 @@ Item {
     }
 
     readonly property bool useBackgroundWindow: !CompositorService.isHyprland || CompositorService.useHyprlandFocusGrab
+    readonly property bool frameOwnsConnectedChrome: SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive
+        && !!root.screen
+        && SettingsData.isScreenInPreferences(root.screen, SettingsData.frameScreenPreferences)
 
     function updateSurfacePosition() {
         if (useBackgroundWindow && shouldBeVisible) {
@@ -282,11 +285,11 @@ Item {
             contentContainer.scaleValue = root.animationScaleCollapsed;
         }
 
-        if (SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive) {
-            _connectedChromeToken = _nextConnectedChromeToken();
+        if (root.frameOwnsConnectedChrome) {
+            _chromeClaimId = _nextChromeClaimId();
             _publishConnectedChromeState(true, true);
         } else {
-            _connectedChromeToken = "";
+            _chromeClaimId = "";
         }
 
         if (useBackgroundWindow) {
@@ -641,7 +644,7 @@ Item {
         WindowBlur {
             id: popoutBlur
             targetWindow: contentWindow
-            blurEnabled: root.effectiveSurfaceBlurEnabled && !SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive
+            blurEnabled: root.effectiveSurfaceBlurEnabled && !root.frameOwnsConnectedChrome
 
             readonly property real s: Math.min(1, contentContainer.scaleValue)
             readonly property bool trackBlurFromBarEdge: Theme.isConnectedEffect || (typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && Theme.isDirectionalEffect && SettingsData.directionalAnimationMode !== 2)
@@ -984,7 +987,7 @@ Item {
 
                             Item {
                                 anchors.fill: parent
-                                visible: Theme.isConnectedEffect && !SettingsData.connectedFrameModeActive
+                                visible: Theme.isConnectedEffect && !root.frameOwnsConnectedChrome
                                 clip: false
 
                                 Rectangle {