diff --git a/dank-qml-common b/dank-qml-common
index ea058153e..5a0a6b1e6 160000
--- a/dank-qml-common
+++ b/dank-qml-common
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit ea058153e7362c13585ec3af72f19b666dfffdc0
+Subproject commit 5a0a6b1e6049bee316e5055d7fa6d9bb255e102e
diff --git a/flake.lock b/flake.lock
index 3c1c45e68..a046891b0 100644
--- a/flake.lock
+++ b/flake.lock
@@ -3,11 +3,11 @@
     "dank-qml-common": {
       "flake": false,
       "locked": {
-        "lastModified": 1791820510,
-        "narHash": "sha256-aDpJTeAE89k0zN584vponqj99QgiHK9gNoTZo3qiLWM=",
+        "lastModified": 1791861042,
+        "narHash": "sha256-Wop1FPbCObjcDAHjo2fWTVBJGKPihhcohN8YTM3Jw5Y=",
         "owner": "AvengeMedia",
         "repo": "dank-qml-common",
-        "rev": "ea058153e7362c13585ec3af72f19b666dfffdc0",
+        "rev": "5a0a6b1e6049bee316e5055d7fa6d9bb255e102e",
         "type": "github"
       },
       "original": {
diff --git a/quickshell/Common/Anims.qml b/quickshell/Common/Anims.qml
index a62ddffd8..d41b6c55b 100644
--- a/quickshell/Common/Anims.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Common/Anims.qml
@@ -31,12 +31,4 @@ Singleton {
     readonly property var expressiveDefaultSpatial: [0.38, 1.21, 0.22, 1, 1, 1]
     readonly property var expressiveFastSpatial: [0.42, 1.67, 0.21, 0.9, 1, 1]
     readonly property var expressiveEffects: [0.34, 0.8, 0.34, 1, 1, 1]
-
-    // Expressive spatial spring presets ([stiffness, damping], unit mass) tuned to a
-    // 500ms reference transition; runtime values scale via Theme.springPreset().
-    readonly property var spatialSprings: {
-        "expressive": [560, 37],
-        "fast": [220, 23],
-        "default": [100, 16]
-    }
 }
diff --git a/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/Controller.qml b/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/Controller.qml
index 704e3823e..bca7372c7 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/Controller.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/Controller.qml
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ Item {
     property var collapsedSections: ({})
     property bool keyboardNavigationActive: false
     property bool active: false
+    property bool retainResultsOnClose: false
     property var _modeSectionsCache: ({})
     property bool _queryDrivenSearch: false
     property bool _diskCacheConsumed: false
@@ -183,9 +184,14 @@ Item {
         } else {
             SessionData.addLauncherHistory(searchQuery, explicitQuerySession);
         }
+        _cancelSearch();
+        selectedFlatIndex = -1;
+        selectedItem = null;
+        keyboardNavigationActive = false;
+        if (retainResultsOnClose && searchMode !== "dmenu")
+            return;
         sections = [];
         flatModel = [];
-        selectedItem = null;
         _clearModeCache();
     }
 
@@ -247,9 +253,9 @@ Item {
     readonly property int searchCacheVersion: AppSearchService.cacheVersion
 
     onSearchCacheVersionChanged: {
+        _clearModeCache();
         if (!active)
             return;
-        _clearModeCache();
         if (searchMode === "apps") {
             _loadAppCategories();
             performSearch();
@@ -542,6 +548,19 @@ Item {
 
     property bool _searchPending: false
 
+    function _cancelSearch() {
+        _searchVersion++;
+        searchDebounce.stop();
+        pluginPhaseTimer.stop();
+        fileSearchDebounce.stop();
+        _searchPending = false;
+        _pluginPhasePending = false;
+        _pluginPhaseForceFirst = false;
+        _phase1Items = [];
+        isSearching = false;
+        isFileSearching = false;
+    }
+
     // Leading-edge debounce: search immediately when idle, coalesce bursts
     function requestSearch() {
         if (searchDebounce.running) {
@@ -673,11 +692,11 @@ Item {
     }
 
     function reset() {
+        _cancelSearch();
         searchQuery = "";
         searchMode = "all";
         previousSearchMode = "all";
         autoSwitchedToFiles = false;
-        isFileSearching = false;
         fileSearchType = "all";
         fileSearchExt = "";
         fileSearchFolder = "";
@@ -686,7 +705,6 @@ Item {
         flatModel = [];
         selectedFlatIndex = 0;
         selectedItem = null;
-        isSearching = false;
         activePluginId = "";
         activePluginName = "";
         activePluginCategories = [];
@@ -697,12 +715,10 @@ Item {
         collapsedSections = {};
         _clearModeCache();
         _queryDrivenSearch = false;
-        _pluginPhasePending = false;
-        _pluginPhaseForceFirst = false;
-        _phase1Items = [];
     }
 
     function openSession(query, explicitQuery, mode, searchWhenEmpty) {
+        _cancelSearch();
         if (mode && mode.indexOf("dmenu:") === 0) {
             _startDmenuSession(mode.slice("dmenu:".length));
             return;
@@ -716,7 +732,6 @@ Item {
         historyIndex = -1;
         previousSearchMode = "all";
         autoSwitchedToFiles = false;
-        isFileSearching = false;
         fileSearchType = SessionData.launcherLastFileSearchType || "all";
         fileSearchExt = "";
         fileSearchFolder = "";
@@ -729,9 +744,6 @@ Item {
         selectedFlatIndex = 0;
         selectedItem = null;
         _queryDrivenSearch = false;
-        _pluginPhasePending = false;
-        _pluginPhaseForceFirst = false;
-        _phase1Items = [];
         searchMode = mode;
         if (query) {
             setSearchQuery(query);
@@ -1528,7 +1540,7 @@ Item {
 
     function _performPluginPhase() {
         _pluginPhasePending = false;
-        if (searchMode !== "all")
+        if (!active || searchMode !== "all")
             return;
         if (searchQuery && searchQuery.length < 2)
             return;
@@ -1671,7 +1683,7 @@ Item {
     }
 
     function performFileSearch() {
-        if (!DSearchService.dsearchAvailable)
+        if (!active || !DSearchService.dsearchAvailable)
             return;
         var fileQuery = "";
         var effectiveType = fileSearchType || "all";
@@ -1706,6 +1718,8 @@ Item {
         var queryTypes = splitBothTypes ? ["file", "dir"] : [effectiveType];
         var pending = queryTypes.length;
         var aggregatedItems = [];
+        const currentVersion = _searchVersion;
+        const currentMode = searchMode;
 
         for (var t = 0; t < queryTypes.length; t++) {
             var queryType = queryTypes[t];
@@ -1727,6 +1741,8 @@ Item {
             }
 
             DSearchService.search(fileQuery, params, function (response) {
+                if (!root.active || currentVersion !== root._searchVersion || currentMode !== root.searchMode)
+                    return;
                 pending--;
                 if (!response.error) {
                     var hits = response.result?.hits || [];
diff --git a/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/ResultsList.qml b/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/ResultsList.qml
index acfc176ad..dff222121 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/ResultsList.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/ResultsList.qml
@@ -492,49 +492,6 @@ Item {
         }
     }
 
-    Rectangle {
-        id: bottomShadow
-        anchors.left: parent.left
-        anchors.right: parent.right
-        anchors.bottom: parent.bottom
-        anchors.bottomMargin: bottomSectionHeader.visible ? bottomSectionHeader.height : 0
-        height: Theme.spacingXL
-        z: 100
-        visible: {
-            if (BlurService.enabled)
-                return false;
-            if (mainListView.contentHeight <= mainListView.height)
-                return false;
-            var atBottom = mainListView.contentY >= mainListView.contentHeight - mainListView.height + mainListView.originY - Theme.spacingXS;
-            if (atBottom)
-                return false;
-
-            var flatModel = root.controller?.flatModel;
-            if (!flatModel || flatModel.length === 0)
-                return false;
-            var lastItemIdx = -1;
-            for (var i = flatModel.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
-                if (!flatModel[i].isHeader) {
-                    lastItemIdx = i;
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-            if (lastItemIdx >= 0 && root.controller?.selectedFlatIndex === lastItemIdx)
-                return false;
-            return true;
-        }
-        gradient: Gradient {
-            GradientStop {
-                position: 0.0
-                color: "transparent"
-            }
-            GradientStop {
-                position: 1.0
-                color: Theme.readableSurface
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     Rectangle {
         id: stickyHeader
         anchors.left: parent.left
diff --git a/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/SpotlightLauncherContent.qml b/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/SpotlightLauncherContent.qml
index 50c583392..7b7543e98 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/SpotlightLauncherContent.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modals/DLauncherV2/SpotlightLauncherContent.qml
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ FocusScope {
     property bool showResultsWithoutQuery: false
     property bool suspendSearchUpdates: false
     property real maxResultsHeight: 0
+    // Off for fixed-height hosts, where the resize would only slide the bottom fade.
+    property bool resizeAnimated: true
     property real resultsInset: LauncherMetrics.spotlightInset
 
     property bool editMode: false
@@ -447,7 +449,7 @@ FocusScope {
         visible: !root.editMode
 
         Behavior on height {
-            enabled: root._animateResize
+            enabled: root.resizeAnimated && root._animateResize
             NumberAnimation {
                 duration: root._resizeDuration
                 easing.type: Easing.BezierSpline
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/Activities/LauncherExpanded.qml b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/Activities/LauncherExpanded.qml
index fb67101c0..4a7b2449a 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/Activities/LauncherExpanded.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/Activities/LauncherExpanded.qml
@@ -25,18 +25,22 @@ FocusScope {
     }
 
     function initializeSession() {
-        const targetQuery = root.controller.launcherPendingQuery || (SettingsData.rememberLastQuery ? (SessionData.launcherLastQuery || "") : "");
+        const pendingQuery = root.controller.launcherPendingQuery;
+        const targetQuery = pendingQuery || (SettingsData.rememberLastQuery ? (SessionData.launcherLastQuery || "") : "");
         const targetMode = root.controller.launcherPendingMode || SessionData.getLauncherRestoreMode();
+        // Used once: the face stays loaded between opens.
+        root.controller.launcherPendingQuery = "";
+        root.controller.launcherPendingMode = "";
 
         launcherContent.closeTransientUi?.();
         launcherContent.suspendSearchUpdates = true;
         launcherContent.searchField.text = targetQuery;
         launcherContent.suspendSearchUpdates = false;
-        launcherController.openSession(targetQuery, !!root.controller.launcherPendingQuery, targetMode, true);
+        launcherController.openSession(targetQuery, !!pendingQuery, targetMode, true);
 
         launcherContent.resetScroll();
         root.focusFace();
-        if (!root.controller.launcherPendingQuery) {
+        if (!pendingQuery) {
             launcherContent.searchField.selectAll();
             return;
         }
@@ -73,6 +77,7 @@ FocusScope {
         controllerOverride: root.launcherController
         transientSurfaceTracker: root.transientSurfaceTracker
         showResultsWithoutQuery: true
+        resizeAnimated: false
         maxResultsHeight: Math.max(120, root.controller.launcherExpandedTarget.height - Theme.spacingM - root.bottomInset - launcherContent.searchAreaHeight - launcherContent.actionPanelHeight)
     }
 
@@ -81,9 +86,10 @@ FocusScope {
     Connections {
         target: root.controller
 
+        // Synchronous so the results are ready before the first morph frame.
         function onSessionStarted(activityId) {
             if (activityId === "launcher")
-                Qt.callLater(root.initializeSession);
+                root.initializeSession();
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/DIslandSurface.qml b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/DIslandSurface.qml
index 4489aed20..2602af2a1 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/DIslandSurface.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/DIslandSurface.qml
@@ -422,6 +422,7 @@ Item {
             id: contentHost
 
             controller: root.controller
+            surfaceColor: root.effectiveSurfaceColor
             freeMode: root.freeMode
             compactFaceOverride: root.compactFaceOverride
             resolveTarget: target => root.resolveTarget(target)
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandBarHost.qml b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandBarHost.qml
index 73ccd5ca1..79cc75cd5 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandBarHost.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandBarHost.qml
@@ -445,6 +445,7 @@ Item {
         id: launcherController
 
         active: controller.launcherSessionActive
+        retainResultsOnClose: true
         viewModeContext: "spotlight"
         forceLinearNavigation: true
     }
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandContentHost.qml b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandContentHost.qml
index ccbaf4868..9f30e3c89 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandContentHost.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandContentHost.qml
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ Item {
     required property bool expanded
     required property bool pointerInside
     required property string activityId
+    // The colour painted behind the faces, so edge fades blend into it.
+    required property color surfaceColor
     property bool freeMode: false
     property Component compactFaceOverride: null
     // Hosted islands fold the slot anchor into every target; the face must pin to the same resolved slot.
@@ -58,12 +60,10 @@ Item {
     readonly property bool mediaSurfaceActive: root.surfaceActive("media")
     readonly property bool systemSurfaceActive: root.controller.systemActivities.some(id => root.surfaceActive(id))
 
-    function systemCompactOpacity() {
-        return Math.max(0, ...root.controller.systemActivities.map(id => root.compactOpacity(id)));
-    }
-
-    function systemExpandedOpacity() {
-        return Math.max(0, ...root.controller.systemActivities.map(id => root.expandedOpacity(id)));
+    function systemOpacity(opacityFor) {
+        const incoming = root.controller.isSystemActivity(root.renderedActivity) ? opacityFor(root.renderedActivity) : 0;
+        const outgoing = root.controller.isSystemActivity(root.outgoingActivity) ? opacityFor(root.outgoingActivity) : 0;
+        return Math.max(incoming, outgoing);
     }
 
     property string renderedActivity: "home"
@@ -174,14 +174,25 @@ Item {
         }
     }
 
+    // Where a resolved target sits at rest, in host coordinates.
+    function slotAlong(target) {
+        return root.controller.isVertical ? (root.hostHeight - target.height) / 2 + target.offsetAlong : (root.hostWidth - target.width) / 2 + target.offsetAlong;
+    }
+
+    function slotCross(target) {
+        if (!root.controller.farEdge)
+            return target.offsetCross;
+        return root.controller.isVertical ? root.hostWidth - target.offsetCross - target.width : root.hostHeight - target.offsetCross - target.height;
+    }
+
     // Pinned to the compact target's own screen slot so the face holds still while the island morphs.
     component CompactFace: Loader {
         required property string activity
         required property Component face
         readonly property var target: root.resolveTarget(root.controller.compactTargetFor(activity))
         readonly property bool isVertical: root.controller.isVertical
-        readonly property real alongPos: isVertical ? Math.round((root.hostHeight - target.height) / 2 + target.offsetAlong) - Math.round(root.islandY) : Math.round((root.hostWidth - target.width) / 2 + target.offsetAlong) - Math.round(root.islandX)
-        readonly property real crossPos: isVertical ? Math.round((parent.width - width) / 2) : Math.round((parent.height - height) / 2)
+        readonly property real alongPos: !active ? 0 : Math.round(root.slotAlong(target)) - Math.round(isVertical ? root.islandY : root.islandX)
+        readonly property real crossPos: !active ? 0 : Math.round(root.slotCross(target)) - Math.round(isVertical ? root.islandX : root.islandY)
 
         x: root.freeMode ? Math.round((parent.width - width) / 2) : (isVertical ? crossPos : alongPos)
         y: root.freeMode ? Math.round((parent.height - height) / 2) : (isVertical ? alongPos : crossPos)
@@ -189,19 +200,26 @@ Item {
         height: target.height
         asynchronous: false
         sourceComponent: root.compactFaceOverride && root.controller.usesDotFace(activity) ? root.compactFaceOverride : face
+        opacity: !active ? 0 : root.controller.isSystemActivity(activity) ? root.systemOpacity(root.compactOpacity) : root.compactOpacity(activity)
         visible: opacity > 0.001
         enabled: opacity >= 0.5
     }
 
+    // Pinned to the sheet's settled slot so the content holds still while the island morphs.
     component ExpandedFace: Loader {
         required property string activity
         readonly property var target: root.controller.expandedTargetFor(activity)
+        readonly property var slot: root.resolveTarget(target)
         readonly property bool isVertical: root.controller.isVertical
+        readonly property real inset: root.controller.farEdge ? 0 : root.expandedInset
+        readonly property real alongPos: !active ? 0 : Math.round(root.slotAlong(slot)) - Math.round(isVertical ? root.islandY : root.islandX)
+        readonly property real crossPos: !active ? 0 : Math.round(root.slotCross(slot)) - Math.round(isVertical ? root.islandX : root.islandY) + inset
 
-        x: isVertical && !root.controller.farEdge ? root.expandedInset : 0
-        y: !isVertical && !root.controller.farEdge ? root.expandedInset : 0
+        x: isVertical ? crossPos : alongPos
+        y: isVertical ? alongPos : crossPos
         width: target.width
         height: target.height
+        opacity: !active ? 0 : root.controller.isSystemActivity(activity) ? root.systemOpacity(root.expandedOpacity) : root.expandedOpacity(activity)
         visible: opacity > 0.001
         enabled: opacity >= 0.5
     }
@@ -210,7 +228,6 @@ Item {
         active: true
         activity: "home"
         face: root.homeCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("home")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -220,14 +237,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.homeExpandedTouched
         asynchronous: true
         sourceComponent: root.homeExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("home")
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.mediaSurfaceActive
         activity: "media"
         face: root.mediaCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("media")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -237,14 +252,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.mediaSurfaceActive && (root.expanded || root.expandedFade > 0)
         asynchronous: false
         sourceComponent: root.mediaExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("media")
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.surfaceActive("launcher")
         activity: "launcher"
         face: root.launcherCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("launcher")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -254,7 +267,6 @@ Item {
         active: root.controller.visualsRequested("launcher")
         asynchronous: true
         sourceComponent: root.launcherExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("launcher")
         onEnabledChanged: {
             if (enabled)
                 root.refocusLauncher();
@@ -269,7 +281,6 @@ Item {
         active: root.surfaceActive("controlcenter")
         activity: "controlcenter"
         face: root.controlCenterCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("controlcenter")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -278,14 +289,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.controller.visualsRequested("controlcenter")
         asynchronous: false
         sourceComponent: root.controlCenterExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("controlcenter")
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.surfaceActive("wallpaper")
         activity: "wallpaper"
         face: root.wallpaperCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("wallpaper")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -295,14 +304,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.controller.visualsRequested("wallpaper")
         asynchronous: true
         sourceComponent: root.wallpaperExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("wallpaper")
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.surfaceActive("weather")
         activity: "weather"
         face: root.weatherCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("weather")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -312,14 +319,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.controller.visualsRequested("weather")
         asynchronous: true
         sourceComponent: root.weatherExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("weather")
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.surfaceActive("notificationcenter")
         activity: "notificationcenter"
         face: root.notificationCenterCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("notificationcenter")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -329,14 +334,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.controller.visualsRequested("notificationcenter")
         asynchronous: true
         sourceComponent: root.notificationCenterExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("notificationcenter")
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.surfaceActive("clipboard")
         activity: "clipboard"
         face: root.clipboardCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("clipboard")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -346,14 +349,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.controller.visualsRequested("clipboard")
         asynchronous: true
         sourceComponent: root.clipboardExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("clipboard")
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.surfaceActive("powermenu")
         activity: "powermenu"
         face: root.powerMenuCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("powermenu")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -363,14 +364,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.controller.visualsRequested("powermenu")
         asynchronous: true
         sourceComponent: root.powerMenuExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("powermenu")
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.systemSurfaceActive
         activity: "volume"
         face: root.systemCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.systemCompactOpacity()
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -378,14 +377,12 @@ Item {
         active: root.systemSurfaceActive && (root.expanded || root.expandedFade > 0)
         asynchronous: false
         sourceComponent: root.systemExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.systemExpandedOpacity()
     }
 
     CompactFace {
         active: root.surfaceActive("notification")
         activity: "notification"
         face: root.notificationCompactComponent
-        opacity: root.compactOpacity("notification")
     }
 
     ExpandedFace {
@@ -393,6 +390,5 @@ Item {
         active: root.surfaceActive("notification") && (root.expanded || root.expandedFade > 0)
         asynchronous: false
         sourceComponent: root.notificationExpandedComponent
-        opacity: root.expandedOpacity("notification")
     }
 }
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandController.qml b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandController.qml
index 20c830a31..e968c279f 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandController.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/DIsland/IslandController.qml
@@ -324,12 +324,17 @@ QtObject {
             destinationRevision++;
     }
 
+    // The launcher stays loaded once built, so reopening never waits on a rebuild.
+    function keepsVisuals(activityId) {
+        return activityId === "launcher" && destinationState[activityId].ready;
+    }
+
     function releaseIdleVisuals() {
         for (const id of destinations) {
             if (expanded && activeActivity === id)
                 continue;
             const entry = destinationState[id];
-            if (!entry.requested && !entry.ready)
+            if (root.keepsVisuals(id) || (!entry.requested && !entry.ready))
                 continue;
             visualsReleaseTimer.restart();
             return;
@@ -341,7 +346,7 @@ QtObject {
         for (const id of destinations) {
             if (expanded && activeActivity === id)
                 continue;
-            if (destinationState[id].pending)
+            if (destinationState[id].pending || root.keepsVisuals(id))
                 continue;
             dropVisuals(id);
         }
@@ -753,11 +758,21 @@ QtObject {
     }
 
     function requestLauncher(query, mode, shouldToggle) {
-        if (shouldToggle === true && activeActivity === "launcher" && expanded)
+        const open = activeActivity === "launcher" && expanded;
+        if (shouldToggle === true && open)
             return requestCollapse();
         launcherPendingQuery = query || "";
         launcherPendingMode = mode || "";
-        return requestActivity("launcher", true, true);
+        const handled = requestActivity("launcher", true, true);
+        // An open launcher applies a new query or mode in place.
+        if (handled && open && (launcherPendingQuery || launcherPendingMode))
+            sessionStarted("launcher");
+        // Only a launcher that is still loading reads these later.
+        if (!destinationState.launcher.pending) {
+            launcherPendingQuery = "";
+            launcherPendingMode = "";
+        }
+        return handled;
     }
 
     function requestControlCenter(section, shouldToggle) {
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/SurfaceWidgets/VectorSpringMotion.qml b/quickshell/Modules/SurfaceWidgets/VectorSpringMotion.qml
index 756e0ef9c..4b26c5291 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/SurfaceWidgets/VectorSpringMotion.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/SurfaceWidgets/VectorSpringMotion.qml
@@ -148,27 +148,37 @@ QtObject {
         const steps = Math.max(1, Math.ceil(frameTime / integrationStep));
         const step = frameTime / steps;
         const inverseMass = 1 / Math.max(0.001, mass);
+        const k = stiffness;
+        const c = damping;
+        const target = [targetWidth, targetHeight, targetOffsetAlong, targetOffsetCross, targetTopLeftRadius, targetTopRightRadius, targetBottomLeftRadius, targetBottomRightRadius];
+        const current = [currentWidth, currentHeight, currentOffsetAlong, currentOffsetCross, currentTopLeftRadius, currentTopRightRadius, currentBottomLeftRadius, currentBottomRightRadius];
+        const velocity = [velocityWidth, velocityHeight, velocityOffsetAlong, velocityOffsetCross, velocityTopLeftRadius, velocityTopRightRadius, velocityBottomLeftRadius, velocityBottomRightRadius];
 
+        // Integrate in locals and write once per frame; every property write re-runs its bindings.
         for (let i = 0; i < steps; i++) {
-            velocityWidth += (stiffness * (targetWidth - currentWidth) - damping * velocityWidth) * inverseMass * step;
-            velocityHeight += (stiffness * (targetHeight - currentHeight) - damping * velocityHeight) * inverseMass * step;
-            velocityOffsetAlong += (stiffness * (targetOffsetAlong - currentOffsetAlong) - damping * velocityOffsetAlong) * inverseMass * step;
-            velocityOffsetCross += (stiffness * (targetOffsetCross - currentOffsetCross) - damping * velocityOffsetCross) * inverseMass * step;
-            velocityTopLeftRadius += (stiffness * (targetTopLeftRadius - currentTopLeftRadius) - damping * velocityTopLeftRadius) * inverseMass * step;
-            velocityTopRightRadius += (stiffness * (targetTopRightRadius - currentTopRightRadius) - damping * velocityTopRightRadius) * inverseMass * step;
-            velocityBottomLeftRadius += (stiffness * (targetBottomLeftRadius - currentBottomLeftRadius) - damping * velocityBottomLeftRadius) * inverseMass * step;
-            velocityBottomRightRadius += (stiffness * (targetBottomRightRadius - currentBottomRightRadius) - damping * velocityBottomRightRadius) * inverseMass * step;
-
-            currentWidth += velocityWidth * step;
-            currentHeight += velocityHeight * step;
-            currentOffsetAlong += velocityOffsetAlong * step;
-            currentOffsetCross += velocityOffsetCross * step;
-            currentTopLeftRadius += velocityTopLeftRadius * step;
-            currentTopRightRadius += velocityTopRightRadius * step;
-            currentBottomLeftRadius += velocityBottomLeftRadius * step;
-            currentBottomRightRadius += velocityBottomRightRadius * step;
+            for (let j = 0; j < 8; j++) {
+                velocity[j] += (k * (target[j] - current[j]) - c * velocity[j]) * inverseMass * step;
+                current[j] += velocity[j] * step;
+            }
         }
 
+        velocityWidth = velocity[0];
+        velocityHeight = velocity[1];
+        velocityOffsetAlong = velocity[2];
+        velocityOffsetCross = velocity[3];
+        velocityTopLeftRadius = velocity[4];
+        velocityTopRightRadius = velocity[5];
+        velocityBottomLeftRadius = velocity[6];
+        velocityBottomRightRadius = velocity[7];
+        currentWidth = current[0];
+        currentHeight = current[1];
+        currentOffsetAlong = current[2];
+        currentOffsetCross = current[3];
+        currentTopLeftRadius = current[4];
+        currentTopRightRadius = current[5];
+        currentBottomLeftRadius = current[6];
+        currentBottomRightRadius = current[7];
+
         if (isSettled())
             settle();
         else