diff --git a/docs/chat-chain-changes/2026-10-24-profile-startup.md b/docs/chat-chain-changes/2026-10-24-profile-startup.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01f1c12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/chat-chain-changes/2026-10-24-profile-startup.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+date: 2026-10-24
+pr: pending
+feature: Conversation startup and profile loading
+impact: Load conversations independently of metadata and recover failed resume requests via HTTP.
+---
+
+# 2026-10-24: Conversation startup and profile loading
+
+- PR/commit: pending local review.
+- Touched feature: client chat startup, session switching, resume listener lifecycle, and profile list metadata.
+- Behavior impact: conversation loading no longer waits for profile/settings/model metadata. Session switches ignore obsolete replies (including A/B/A), cancel obsolete resume listeners, and fall back to paginated HTTP history after a three-second resume timeout. Failed history loads show a retry action. Profile inventory uses disk metadata instead of spawning Hermes CLI; uploaded avatar bodies are fetched on demand through an access-checked endpoint.
+- The `/chat-run` event names, fields and server emission timing remain unchanged. Only the client's wait/fallback behavior changes.
+- Validation: focused store/view/profile tests, Playwright startup/retry/multi-tab/profile tests, full Vitest coverage, harness and production build. See task results for actual outcomes.
diff --git a/docs/openapi.json b/docs/openapi.json
index 0f458c5..24fdae5 100644
--- a/docs/openapi.json
+++ b/docs/openapi.json
@@ -7375,6 +7375,40 @@
       }
     },
     "/api/hermes/profiles/{name}/avatar": {
+      "get": {
+        "tags": [
+          "Profiles"
+        ],
+        "summary": "Get avatar",
+        "description": "GET /api/hermes/profiles/:name/avatar",
+        "operationId": "getAvatar",
+        "security": [
+          {
+            "BearerAuth": []
+          }
+        ],
+        "responses": {
+          "200": {
+            "description": "Success"
+          },
+          "401": {
+            "$ref": "#/components/responses/Unauthorized"
+          },
+          "404": {
+            "description": "Not found"
+          }
+        },
+        "parameters": [
+          {
+            "name": "name",
+            "in": "path",
+            "required": true,
+            "schema": {
+              "type": "string"
+            }
+          }
+        ]
+      },
       "put": {
         "tags": [
           "Profiles"
diff --git a/packages/client/src/api/hermes/chat.ts b/packages/client/src/api/hermes/chat.ts
index f48df7d..701d9ae 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/api/hermes/chat.ts
+++ b/packages/client/src/api/hermes/chat.ts
@@ -788,14 +788,21 @@ export function resumeSession(
   onResumed: (data: ResumeSessionPayload) => void,
   profile?: string | null,
   transport: ChatRunTransport = 'chat-run',
+  signal?: AbortSignal,
 ): Socket {
   const socket = connectChatRun(profile, transport)
 
   const handleResumed = (data: ResumeSessionPayload) => {
     if (data?.session_id !== sessionId) return
-    removeSocketListener(socket, 'resumed', handleResumed)
+    cleanup()
     onResumed(data)
   }
+  const cleanup = () => {
+    removeSocketListener(socket, 'resumed', handleResumed)
+    signal?.removeEventListener('abort', cleanup)
+  }
+  if (signal?.aborted) return socket
+  signal?.addEventListener('abort', cleanup, { once: true })
   socket.on('resumed', handleResumed)
   socket.emit('resume', { session_id: sessionId, ...(profile ? { profile } : {}) })
 
diff --git a/packages/client/src/api/hermes/profiles.ts b/packages/client/src/api/hermes/profiles.ts
index e8fbe00..c7d877f 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/api/hermes/profiles.ts
+++ b/packages/client/src/api/hermes/profiles.ts
@@ -242,3 +242,8 @@ export async function importProfile(file: File): Promise<boolean> {
     return false
   }
 }
+
+export async function fetchProfileAvatar(name: string): Promise<ProfileAvatar | null> {
+  const res = await request<{ avatar: ProfileAvatar | null }>(`/api/hermes/profiles/${encodeURIComponent(name)}/avatar`)
+  return res.avatar
+}
diff --git a/packages/client/src/components/hermes/chat/MessageList.vue b/packages/client/src/components/hermes/chat/MessageList.vue
index 299d9f8..e55a8a5 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/components/hermes/chat/MessageList.vue
+++ b/packages/client/src/components/hermes/chat/MessageList.vue
@@ -450,6 +450,11 @@ defineExpose({
 
 <template>
   <div class="message-list-shell">
+    <div v-if="chatStore.messageLoadFailed" class="message-load-status" role="alert">
+      {{ t('chat.messageLoadFailed') }}
+      <a-button size="small" @click="chatStore.activeSessionId && chatStore.switchSession(chatStore.activeSessionId)">{{ t('common.retry') }}</a-button>
+    </div>
+    <div v-else-if="chatStore.isLoadingMessages" class="message-load-status" role="status">{{ t('common.loading') }}</div>
     <VirtualMessageList
       :key="chatStore.activeSessionId || 'chat-empty'"
       ref="listRef"
@@ -869,6 +874,19 @@ defineExpose({
   display: flex;
 }
 
+.message-load-status {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 8px;
+  left: 50%;
+  transform: translateX(-50%);
+  z-index: 9;
+  max-width: calc(100% - 24px);
+  padding: 8px 12px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  background: var(--bg-secondary);
+  color: var(--text-primary);
+}
+
 .message-float-stack {
   position: absolute;
   right: 16px;
diff --git a/packages/client/src/components/hermes/profiles/ProfileAvatar.vue b/packages/client/src/components/hermes/profiles/ProfileAvatar.vue
index 5a07b68..8925ef3 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/components/hermes/profiles/ProfileAvatar.vue
+++ b/packages/client/src/components/hermes/profiles/ProfileAvatar.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { computed } from 'vue'
+import { computed, ref, watch } from 'vue'
 import multiavatar from '@multiavatar/multiavatar'
-import type { ProfileAvatar } from '@/api/hermes/profiles'
+import { fetchProfileAvatar, type ProfileAvatar } from '@/api/hermes/profiles'
 
 const props = withDefaults(defineProps<{
   name: string
@@ -11,6 +11,20 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<{
   size: 24,
 })
 
+const imageDataUrl = ref('')
+let imageRequest = 0
+watch(() => [props.name, props.avatar?.type, props.avatar?.updatedAt, props.avatar?.dataUrl], async () => {
+  const requestId = ++imageRequest
+  imageDataUrl.value = props.avatar?.dataUrl || ''
+  if (props.avatar?.type !== 'image' || imageDataUrl.value) return
+  try {
+    const avatar = await fetchProfileAvatar(props.name)
+    if (requestId === imageRequest) imageDataUrl.value = avatar?.dataUrl || ''
+  } catch {
+    // Keep the generated avatar when the image is unavailable.
+  }
+}, { immediate: true })
+
 const fallbackSeed = computed(() => props.name || 'default')
 const generatedSvg = computed(() => multiavatar(props.avatar?.seed || fallbackSeed.value))
 const style = computed(() => ({
@@ -23,9 +37,9 @@ const style = computed(() => ({
 <template>
   <span class="profile-avatar-view" :style="style">
     <img
-      v-if="avatar?.type === 'image' && avatar.dataUrl"
+      v-if="avatar?.type === 'image' && imageDataUrl"
       class="profile-avatar-image"
-      :src="avatar.dataUrl"
+      :src="imageDataUrl"
       alt=""
       draggable="false"
     >
diff --git a/packages/client/src/i18n/locales/en.ts b/packages/client/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
index e7ff020..be53e5d 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
+++ b/packages/client/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
@@ -453,6 +453,7 @@ export default {
 
   // Chat
   chat: {
+    messageLoadFailed: 'Could not load this conversation. Please retry.',
     contextRemaining: 'remaining',
     contextClickToEdit: 'Click to edit context length',
     contextEditTitle: 'Edit Context Length',
diff --git a/packages/client/src/i18n/locales/zh.ts b/packages/client/src/i18n/locales/zh.ts
index 60895fc..6c0d6aa 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/i18n/locales/zh.ts
+++ b/packages/client/src/i18n/locales/zh.ts
@@ -453,6 +453,7 @@ export default {
 
   // 对话
   chat: {
+    messageLoadFailed: '会话加载失败，请重试。',
     contextRemaining: '剩余',
     contextClickToEdit: '点击编辑上下文长度',
     contextEditTitle: '编辑上下文长度',
diff --git a/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/chat.ts b/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/chat.ts
index a84bdff..1596946 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/chat.ts
+++ b/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/chat.ts
@@ -698,6 +698,9 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
   const isLoadingSessions = ref(false)
   const sessionsLoaded = ref(false)
   const isLoadingMessages = ref(false)
+  const messageLoadFailed = ref(false)
+  let sessionLoadGeneration = 0
+  let sessionResumeAbort: AbortController | null = null
   const isRunActive = computed(() => isStreaming.value)
 
   async function fetchRuntimeSessions(profile?: string | null): Promise<SessionSummary[]> {
@@ -805,6 +808,10 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
   }
 
   function clearActiveSession() {
+    sessionLoadGeneration++
+    sessionResumeAbort?.abort()
+    isLoadingMessages.value = false
+    messageLoadFailed.value = false
     const sid = activeSessionId.value
     activeSessionId.value = null
     activeSession.value = null
@@ -1082,8 +1089,9 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
   }
 
   // Re-pull active session from server. Used on tab-visible events.
-  async function refreshActiveSession(): Promise<boolean> {
+  async function refreshActiveSession(isCurrent: () => boolean = () => true): Promise<boolean> {
     const sid = activeSessionId.value
+    const generation = sessionLoadGeneration
     if (!sid) return false
     try {
       const target = sessions.value.find(s => s.id === sid)
@@ -1093,7 +1101,7 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
         LIVE_CHAT_MAX_LOADED_MESSAGES,
       )
       const detail = await fetchSessionMessagesPage(sid, 0, limit, activeSession.value?.profile)
-      if (!detail) return false
+      if (!detail || !isCurrent() || generation !== sessionLoadGeneration || activeSessionId.value !== sid) return false
       const mapped = mapHermesMessages(detail.messages || [])
       target.messages = mapped
       target.loadedMessageCount = detail.messages.length
@@ -1176,6 +1184,12 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
   }
 
   async function switchSession(sessionId: string, focusId?: string | null) {
+    const generation = ++sessionLoadGeneration
+    sessionResumeAbort?.abort()
+    const resumeAbort = new AbortController()
+    sessionResumeAbort = resumeAbort
+    messageLoadFailed.value = false
+    isLoadingMessages.value = false
     clearThinkingObservationFor(sessionId)
     activeSessionId.value = sessionId
     focusMessageId.value = focusId ?? null
@@ -1188,17 +1202,43 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
     if (!activeSession.value) return
 
     isLoadingMessages.value = true
+    let awaitingRuntime = false
+    let runtimeReceived = false
+    let resumeTimeout: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined
+    let httpHistoryLoaded = false
+    let runtimeExpiry: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined
+    resumeAbort.signal.addEventListener('abort', () => clearTimeout(runtimeExpiry), { once: true })
 
     try {
       // Load messages via Socket.IO resume (server loads from DB if not in memory)
       await new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
-        const timeout = setTimeout(() => reject(new Error('resume timeout')), 15_000)
-        resumeSession(sessionId, (data) => {
+        let settled = false
+        const cancel = () => {
+          if (settled) return
+          settled = true
           clearTimeout(timeout)
-          if (data.session_id !== sessionId || activeSessionId.value !== sessionId) {
+          resolve()
+        }
+        const timeout = setTimeout(() => {
+          settled = true
+          // Recover history now, while allowing a late resume to restore live run state.
+          awaitingRuntime = true
+          runtimeExpiry = setTimeout(() => resumeAbort.abort(), 12_000)
+          reject(new Error('resume timeout'))
+        }, 3000)
+        resumeTimeout = timeout
+        resumeAbort.signal.addEventListener('abort', cancel, { once: true })
+        resumeSession(sessionId, (data) => {
+          if (settled && !awaitingRuntime) return
+          awaitingRuntime = false
+          settled = true
+          clearTimeout(timeout)
+          clearTimeout(runtimeExpiry)
+          if (generation !== sessionLoadGeneration || data.session_id !== sessionId || activeSessionId.value !== sessionId) {
             resolve()
             return
           }
+          runtimeReceived = true
           const target = sessions.value.find(s => s.id === sessionId)
           if (!target) {
             resolve()
@@ -1237,7 +1277,7 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
           target.parentTitle = (data as any).parentTitle || target.parentTitle || null
           target.parentLastMessage = (data as any).parentLastMessage || target.parentLastMessage || null
           target.parentLastMessageRole = (data as any).parentLastMessageRole || target.parentLastMessageRole || null
-          if (data.messages?.length) {
+          if (!httpHistoryLoaded && data.messages?.length) {
             target.messages = mapHermesMessages(data.messages as any[])
             restoreWorkspaceRunChangeMessages(sessionId)
             target.loadedMessageCount = data.messageLoadedCount ?? data.messages.length
@@ -1253,6 +1293,7 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
             }
           }
           activeSession.value = target
+          messageLoadFailed.value = false
           // Process replayed events (compression state etc.)
           if (data.events?.length) {
             for (const evt of data.events) {
@@ -1346,20 +1387,31 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
               }
             }
           }
+          resumeServerWorkingRun(sessionId)
+          resumeAbort.abort()
           resolve()
-        }, activeSession.value?.profile, runtimeTransport())
+        }, activeSession.value?.profile, runtimeTransport(), resumeAbort.signal)
       })
-      if (activeSessionId.value === sessionId) {
+      if (generation === sessionLoadGeneration && activeSessionId.value === sessionId) {
         await loadWorkspaceRunChangesForSession(sessionId)
       }
     } catch (err) {
+      clearTimeout(resumeTimeout)
       console.error('Failed to load session messages via resume:', err)
+      if (generation === sessionLoadGeneration && activeSessionId.value === sessionId) {
+        const loaded = await refreshActiveSession(() => !runtimeReceived)
+        if (generation === sessionLoadGeneration && !runtimeReceived) {
+          httpHistoryLoaded = loaded
+          messageLoadFailed.value = !loaded
+        }
+      }
     } finally {
-      isLoadingMessages.value = false
+      if (!awaitingRuntime) resumeAbort.abort()
+      if (generation === sessionLoadGeneration) isLoadingMessages.value = false
     }
 
     // Resume in-flight run event listeners if needed
-    if (activeSessionId.value === sessionId) {
+    if (generation === sessionLoadGeneration && activeSessionId.value === sessionId) {
       resumeServerWorkingRun(sessionId)
     }
   }
@@ -3732,7 +3784,9 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
         const sid = activeSessionId.value
         if (sid && !streamStates.value.has(sid)) {
           // Re-load messages via resume (server loads from DB)
+          const generation = sessionLoadGeneration
           resumeSession(sid, (data) => {
+            if (generation !== sessionLoadGeneration || activeSessionId.value !== sid) return
             if (data.isWorking) {
               serverWorking.value.add(sid)
             } else {
@@ -3904,6 +3958,7 @@ export const useChatStore = defineStore('chat', () => {
     isLoadingSessions,
     sessionsLoaded,
     isLoadingMessages,
+    messageLoadFailed,
 
     newChat,
     newCliSession,
diff --git a/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/profiles.ts b/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/profiles.ts
index 0f51c9e..04fa93c 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/profiles.ts
+++ b/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/profiles.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,15 @@ export const useProfilesStore = defineStore('profiles', () => {
   const loading = ref(false)
   const switching = ref(false)
 
-  async function fetchProfiles() {
+  let profilesLoadPromise: Promise<void> | null = null
+
+  function fetchProfiles(): Promise<void> {
+    if (profilesLoadPromise) return profilesLoadPromise
+    profilesLoadPromise = loadProfiles().finally(() => { profilesLoadPromise = null })
+    return profilesLoadPromise
+  }
+
+  async function loadProfiles() {
     loading.value = true
     try {
       profiles.value = await profilesApi.fetchProfiles()
diff --git a/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/settings.ts b/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/settings.ts
index f37ac43..3919f31 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/settings.ts
+++ b/packages/client/src/stores/hermes/settings.ts
@@ -66,7 +66,14 @@ export const useSettingsStore = defineStore('settings', () => {
   const weixin = ref<Record<string, any>>({})
   const platforms = ref<Record<string, any>>({})
 
-  async function fetchSettings() {
+  let settingsLoadPromise: Promise<void> | null = null
+  function fetchSettings(): Promise<void> {
+    if (settingsLoadPromise) return settingsLoadPromise
+    settingsLoadPromise = loadSettings().finally(() => { settingsLoadPromise = null })
+    return settingsLoadPromise
+  }
+
+  async function loadSettings() {
     loading.value = true
     try {
       const data = await configApi.fetchConfig()
diff --git a/packages/client/src/views/hermes/ChatView.vue b/packages/client/src/views/hermes/ChatView.vue
index 7407010..e14ffe9 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/views/hermes/ChatView.vue
+++ b/packages/client/src/views/hermes/ChatView.vue
@@ -50,12 +50,8 @@ async function loadRouteSession() {
 onMounted(async () => {
   chatStore.setRuntimeMode('default')
   appStore.loadModels()
-  // 先加载 profile，确保缓存 key 使用正确的 profile name；同时预取显示设置，
-  // 让聊天完成提示音不依赖用户先打开 Settings 页面。
-  await Promise.all([
-    profilesStore.fetchProfiles(),
-    settingsStore.fetchSettings(),
-  ])
+  void profilesStore.fetchProfiles()
+  void settingsStore.fetchSettings()
   await loadRouteSession()
   initialLoadFinished.value = true
 })
@@ -63,7 +59,9 @@ onMounted(async () => {
 watch([() => appStore.connected, initialLoadFinished], async ([connected, initialized], [, wasInitialized]) => {
   if (!connected || !initialized) return
   if (!wasInitialized && chatStore.sessionsLoaded) return
-  await Promise.all([profilesStore.fetchProfiles(), settingsStore.fetchSettings(), appStore.loadModels()])
+  void profilesStore.fetchProfiles()
+  void settingsStore.fetchSettings()
+  void appStore.loadModels()
   if (chatStore.isLoadingSessions) return
   if (!chatStore.sessionsLoaded) await loadRouteSession()
   else await chatStore.refreshSessionListOnly(chatStore.sessionProfileFilter)
diff --git a/packages/server/src/controllers/hermes/profiles.ts b/packages/server/src/controllers/hermes/profiles.ts
index 478d257..49916f6 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/controllers/hermes/profiles.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/controllers/hermes/profiles.ts
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ function profileAvatarImagePath(name: string, file = 'avatar.bin'): string {
   return join(profileMetadataDir(name), file)
 }
 
-function readProfileAvatar(name: string): ProfileAvatarResponse | null {
+function readProfileAvatar(name: string, includeImage = true): ProfileAvatarResponse | null {
   const metaPath = profileAvatarMetaPath(name)
   if (!existsSync(metaPath)) return null
   try {
@@ -203,6 +203,7 @@ function readProfileAvatar(name: string): ProfileAvatarResponse | null {
     if (meta.type === 'image' && meta.file && meta.mime) {
       const imagePath = profileAvatarImagePath(name, meta.file)
       if (!existsSync(imagePath)) return null
+      if (!includeImage) return { type: 'image', updatedAt: meta.updatedAt }
       const data = readFileSync(imagePath).toString('base64')
       return {
         type: 'image',
@@ -219,7 +220,7 @@ function readProfileAvatar(name: string): ProfileAvatarResponse | null {
 function attachProfileAvatars<T extends HermesProfile>(profiles: T[]): Array<T & { avatar: ProfileAvatarResponse | null }> {
   return profiles.map(profile => ({
     ...profile,
-    avatar: readProfileAvatar(profile.name),
+    avatar: readProfileAvatar(profile.name, false),
   }))
 }
 
@@ -376,18 +377,7 @@ function scheduleRuntimeStatusRefresh(): void {
 
 export async function list(ctx: any) {
   try {
-    let profiles: HermesProfile[]
-    try {
-      profiles = await hermesCli.listProfiles()
-    } catch (err: any) {
-      const { getActiveProfileName } = await import('../../services/hermes/hermes-profile')
-      const activeProfileName = getActiveProfileName()
-      if (!isForbiddenProfileName(activeProfileName)) throw err
-
-      logger.warn(err, '[listProfiles] active_profile "%s" is invalid/reserved; resetting to default and listing profiles from disk', activeProfileName)
-      writeFileSync(getActiveProfileFile(), 'default\n', 'utf-8')
-      profiles = listProfilesFromDisk('default')
-    }
+    let profiles = hermesCli.listProfilesSnapshot()
 
     const activeProfileName = requestedProfileName(ctx)
 
@@ -485,6 +475,12 @@ export async function get(ctx: any) {
   }
 }
 
+export async function getAvatar(ctx: any) {
+  const name = String(ctx.params.name || '').trim()
+  if (denyProfile(ctx, name)) return
+  ctx.body = { avatar: readProfileAvatar(name) }
+}
+
 export async function updateAvatar(ctx: any) {
   const name = String(ctx.params.name || '').trim() || 'default'
   if (denyProfile(ctx, name)) return
diff --git a/packages/server/src/routes/hermes/profiles.ts b/packages/server/src/routes/hermes/profiles.ts
index 3f83282..3b51ef8 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/routes/hermes/profiles.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/routes/hermes/profiles.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ profileRoutes.post('/api/hermes/profiles/restart-all', ctrl.restartAllProfiles)
 profileRoutes.get('/api/hermes/profiles/:name/runtime-status', ctrl.runtimeStatus)
 profileRoutes.post('/api/hermes/profiles/:name/restart', ctrl.restartProfileRuntime)
 profileRoutes.post('/api/hermes/profiles/:name/gateway/restart', ctrl.restartGatewayForProfile)
+profileRoutes.get('/api/hermes/profiles/:name/avatar', ctrl.getAvatar)
 profileRoutes.put('/api/hermes/profiles/:name/avatar', ctrl.updateAvatar)
 profileRoutes.delete('/api/hermes/profiles/:name/avatar', ctrl.deleteAvatar)
 profileRoutes.get('/api/hermes/profiles/:name', ctrl.get)
diff --git a/packages/server/src/services/hermes/hermes-cli.ts b/packages/server/src/services/hermes/hermes-cli.ts
index c6a86fd..9079888 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/services/hermes/hermes-cli.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/services/hermes/hermes-cli.ts
@@ -591,6 +591,16 @@ function readProfileDefaultModel(name: string): string {
 /**
  * List all profiles
  */
+export function listProfilesSnapshot(): HermesProfile[] {
+  const activeProfileName = getActiveProfileName()
+  return listProfileNamesFromDisk().map(name => ({
+    name,
+    active: name === activeProfileName,
+    model: readProfileDefaultModel(name),
+    alias: '',
+  }))
+}
+
 export async function listProfiles(): Promise<HermesProfile[]> {
   const profileNames = listProfileNamesFromDisk()
   const activeProfileName = getActiveProfileName()
diff --git a/tests/client/chat-run-reconnect.test.ts b/tests/client/chat-run-reconnect.test.ts
index e1b28bb..7e43904 100644
--- a/tests/client/chat-run-reconnect.test.ts
+++ b/tests/client/chat-run-reconnect.test.ts
@@ -85,6 +85,22 @@ describe('chat-run socket reconnect handling', () => {
     socketState.sockets = []
   })
 
+  it('removes cancelled resume listeners without disturbing the current request', async () => {
+    const { resumeSession } = await import('../../packages/client/src/api/hermes/chat')
+    const controller = new AbortController()
+    const oldReply = vi.fn()
+    resumeSession('session-1', oldReply, 'default', 'chat-run', controller.signal)
+    const socket = socketState.sockets[0]
+    controller.abort()
+    expect(socket.__listenerCount('resumed')).toBe(0)
+    const currentReply = vi.fn()
+    resumeSession('session-1', currentReply, 'default')
+    socket.__trigger('resumed', { session_id: 'session-1', messages: [], isWorking: false, events: [] })
+    expect(oldReply).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(currentReply).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    expect(socket.__listenerCount('resumed')).toBe(0)
+  })
+
   it('keeps transient mobile disconnects alive and resumes after reconnect', async () => {
     const { startRunViaSocket } = await import('../../packages/client/src/api/hermes/chat')
     const onEvent = vi.fn()
diff --git a/tests/client/chat-store-session-command.test.ts b/tests/client/chat-store-session-command.test.ts
index a57477e..d436f2c 100644
--- a/tests/client/chat-store-session-command.test.ts
+++ b/tests/client/chat-store-session-command.test.ts
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ describe('chat store session.command fanout', () => {
       workspace: '/repo',
     })
     expect(store.activeSessionId).toBe('branch-1')
-    expect(chatApi.resumeSession).toHaveBeenCalledWith('branch-1', expect.any(Function), 'default', 'chat-run')
+    expect(chatApi.resumeSession).toHaveBeenCalledWith('branch-1', expect.any(Function), 'default', 'chat-run', expect.any(AbortSignal))
 
     await store.switchSession('session-1')
     expect(store.activeSessionId).toBe('session-1')
diff --git a/tests/client/chat-store-session-loading.test.ts b/tests/client/chat-store-session-loading.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d28a2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/client/chat-store-session-loading.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+// @vitest-environment jsdom
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { createPinia, setActivePinia } from 'pinia'
+
+const chatApi = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  startRunViaSocket: vi.fn(),
+  resumeSession: vi.fn(),
+  registerSessionHandlers: vi.fn(),
+  unregisterSessionHandlers: vi.fn(),
+}))
+
+vi.mock('@/api/hermes/chat', () => ({
+  startRunViaSocket: chatApi.startRunViaSocket,
+  resumeSession: chatApi.resumeSession,
+  registerSessionHandlers: chatApi.registerSessionHandlers,
+  unregisterSessionHandlers: chatApi.unregisterSessionHandlers,
+  getChatRunSocket: vi.fn(() => ({ emit: vi.fn() })),
+  respondToolApproval: vi.fn(),
+  respondClarify: vi.fn(),
+  onPeerUserMessage: vi.fn(() => vi.fn()),
+  onSessionCommand: vi.fn(() => vi.fn()),
+  onSessionTitleUpdated: vi.fn(() => vi.fn()),
+  onSessionWorkspaceUpdated: vi.fn(() => vi.fn()),
+}))
+
+vi.mock('@/api/client', () => ({
+  getActiveProfileName: () => 'default',
+  hasApiKey: () => false,
+}))
+
+vi.mock('@/api/hermes/sessions', () => ({
+  archiveSession: vi.fn(),
+  deleteSession: vi.fn(),
+  fetchSessionMessagesPage: vi.fn(),
+  fetchSessions: vi.fn(),
+  fetchWorkspaceRunChangesForSession: vi.fn(async () => []),
+  fetchWorkspaceRunChangeFile: vi.fn(async () => null),
+  setSessionModel: vi.fn(),
+}))
+
+vi.mock('@/api/hermes/download', () => ({
+  getDownloadUrl: (_path: string, name: string) => `/download/${name}`,
+}))
+
+vi.mock('@/api/hermes/system', () => ({
+  checkHealth: vi.fn(),
+  fetchAvailableModels: vi.fn(),
+  addCustomModel: vi.fn(),
+  removeCustomModel: vi.fn(),
+  updateDefaultModel: vi.fn(),
+  updateModelVisibility: vi.fn(),
+  updateModelAlias: vi.fn(),
+}))
+
+vi.mock('@/utils/completion-sound', () => ({
+  primeCompletionSound: vi.fn(),
+  playCompletionSound: vi.fn(),
+}))
+
+import { useChatStore, type Message, type Session } from '@/stores/hermes/chat'
+
+function makeSession(id: string): Session {
+  return {
+    id,
+    title: id,
+    messages: [],
+    createdAt: Date.now(),
+    updatedAt: Date.now(),
+  }
+}
+
+import { fetchSessionMessagesPage } from '@/api/hermes/sessions'
+
+describe('session loading recovery', () => {
+  let callbacks: Array<(data: any) => void>
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers()
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+    setActivePinia(createPinia())
+    callbacks = []
+    chatApi.resumeSession.mockImplementation((_id: string, callback: any) => { callbacks.push(callback) })
+    vi.spyOn(console, 'error').mockImplementation(() => {})
+  })
+  afterEach(() => { vi.useRealTimers(); vi.restoreAllMocks() })
+
+  it('ignores old replies and keeps loading the latest request during A/B/A switching', async () => {
+    const store = useChatStore()
+    store.sessions = [makeSession('a'), makeSession('b')]
+    const first = store.switchSession('a')
+    const second = store.switchSession('b')
+    const third = store.switchSession('a')
+    callbacks[0]({ session_id: 'a', messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'old' }], events: [], isWorking: false })
+    await Promise.all([first, second])
+    expect(store.isLoadingMessages).toBe(true)
+    expect(store.messages).toEqual([])
+    callbacks[2]({ session_id: 'a', messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'latest' }], events: [], isWorking: false })
+    await third
+    expect(store.messages[0]?.content).toBe('latest')
+    expect(store.isLoadingMessages).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('loads history via HTTP when the socket does not reply', async () => {
+    const store = useChatStore()
+    store.sessions = [{ ...makeSession('a'), profile: 'research' }]
+    vi.mocked(fetchSessionMessagesPage).mockResolvedValue({ session: { title: 'Recovered' }, messages: [{ id: 1, role: 'user', content: 'HTTP history' }], total: 1, hasMore: false } as any)
+    const pending = store.switchSession('a')
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(3000)
+    await pending
+    expect(fetchSessionMessagesPage).toHaveBeenCalledWith('a', 0, expect.any(Number), 'research')
+    expect(store.messages[0]?.content).toBe('HTTP history')
+    expect(store.messageLoadFailed).toBe(false)
+    expect(store.isStreaming).toBe(false)
+    callbacks[0]({ session_id: 'a', messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'stale socket' }], isWorking: true, events: [] })
+    expect(store.messages[0]?.content).toBe('HTTP history')
+    expect(store.isStreaming).toBe(true)
+  })
+
+  it('falls back immediately if the socket cannot be opened', async () => {
+    const store = useChatStore()
+    store.sessions = [makeSession('a')]
+    chatApi.resumeSession.mockImplementation(() => { throw new Error('socket unavailable') })
+    vi.mocked(fetchSessionMessagesPage).mockResolvedValue({ session: {}, messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'HTTP fallback' }], total: 1, hasMore: false } as any)
+    await store.switchSession('a')
+    expect(store.messages[0]?.content).toBe('HTTP fallback')
+    expect(store.messageLoadFailed).toBe(false)
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(3000)
+    expect(fetchSessionMessagesPage).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('exposes failure and supports retrying the same session', async () => {
+    const store = useChatStore()
+    store.sessions = [makeSession('a')]
+    vi.mocked(fetchSessionMessagesPage).mockRejectedValue(new Error('offline'))
+    const pending = store.switchSession('a')
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(3000)
+    await pending
+    expect(store.messageLoadFailed).toBe(true)
+    expect(store.isLoadingMessages).toBe(false)
+    const retry = store.switchSession('a')
+    expect(store.messageLoadFailed).toBe(false)
+    callbacks.at(-1)!({ session_id: 'a', messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Recovered' }], events: [], isWorking: false })
+    await retry
+    expect(store.messages[0]?.content).toBe('Recovered')
+  })
+
+  it('does not apply a late HTTP fallback after another selection', async () => {
+    const store = useChatStore()
+    store.sessions = [makeSession('a'), makeSession('b')]
+    let finish!: (data: any) => void
+    vi.mocked(fetchSessionMessagesPage).mockReturnValue(new Promise(resolve => { finish = resolve }))
+    const first = store.switchSession('a')
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(3000)
+    const second = store.switchSession('b')
+    callbacks[1]({ session_id: 'b', messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'B' }], events: [], isWorking: false })
+    await second
+    finish({ session: {}, messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'A' }], total: 1, hasMore: false })
+    await first
+    expect(store.activeSessionId).toBe('b')
+    expect(store.messages[0]?.content).toBe('B')
+    expect(store.messageLoadFailed).toBe(false)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/client/chat-view-tab-title.test.ts b/tests/client/chat-view-tab-title.test.ts
index ea51b32..4745381 100644
--- a/tests/client/chat-view-tab-title.test.ts
+++ b/tests/client/chat-view-tab-title.test.ts
@@ -94,6 +94,17 @@ describe('ChatView tab title', () => {
     vi.spyOn(chatStore, 'loadSessions').mockResolvedValue()
   })
 
+  it('loads sessions while profiles, settings and models are still pending', async () => {
+    const pending = new Promise<void>(() => {})
+    vi.mocked(useProfilesStore().fetchProfiles).mockReturnValue(pending)
+    vi.mocked(useSettingsStore().fetchSettings).mockReturnValue(pending)
+    vi.mocked(useAppStore().loadModels).mockReturnValue(pending)
+    const wrapper = mount(ChatView)
+    await nextTick()
+    expect(useChatStore().loadSessions).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    wrapper.unmount()
+  })
+
   it('reflects the active session title in the browser tab', async () => {
     const chatStore = useChatStore()
     chatStore.activeSession = makeSession('Research Plan')
diff --git a/tests/client/profile-avatar-loading.test.ts b/tests/client/profile-avatar-loading.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..29c8a39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/client/profile-avatar-loading.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+// @vitest-environment jsdom
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { mount, flushPromises } from '@vue/test-utils'
+import ProfileAvatar from '@/components/hermes/profiles/ProfileAvatar.vue'
+import { fetchProfileAvatar } from '@/api/hermes/profiles'
+
+vi.mock('@/api/hermes/profiles', () => ({ fetchProfileAvatar: vi.fn() }))
+
+describe('profile avatar loading', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => vi.clearAllMocks())
+
+  it('fetches an uploaded image only when displayed and ignores old profile responses', async () => {
+    let finish!: (data: any) => void
+    vi.mocked(fetchProfileAvatar).mockReturnValueOnce(new Promise(resolve => { finish = resolve }))
+    vi.mocked(fetchProfileAvatar).mockResolvedValueOnce({ type: 'image', dataUrl: 'data:image/png;base64,Yg==' })
+    const wrapper = mount(ProfileAvatar, { props: { name: 'a', avatar: { type: 'image', updatedAt: 1 } } })
+    expect(fetchProfileAvatar).toHaveBeenCalledWith('a')
+    await wrapper.setProps({ name: 'b', avatar: { type: 'image', updatedAt: 2 } })
+    await flushPromises()
+    expect(wrapper.find('img').attributes('src')).toBe('data:image/png;base64,Yg==')
+    finish({ type: 'image', dataUrl: 'data:image/png;base64,YQ==' })
+    await flushPromises()
+    expect(wrapper.find('img').attributes('src')).toBe('data:image/png;base64,Yg==')
+    wrapper.unmount()
+  })
+
+  it('does not fetch generated or already loaded avatars', async () => {
+    const wrapper = mount(ProfileAvatar, { props: { name: 'a', avatar: { type: 'generated', seed: 'a' } } })
+    await wrapper.setProps({ avatar: { type: 'image', dataUrl: 'data:image/png;base64,YQ==' } })
+    expect(fetchProfileAvatar).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(wrapper.find('img').attributes('src')).toBe('data:image/png;base64,YQ==')
+    wrapper.unmount()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/client/profiles-store.test.ts b/tests/client/profiles-store.test.ts
index 962ce35..2dc01fe 100644
--- a/tests/client/profiles-store.test.ts
+++ b/tests/client/profiles-store.test.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,20 @@ describe('Profiles Store', () => {
     vi.clearAllMocks()
   })
 
+  it('shares an in-flight profile request and allows later refreshes', async () => {
+    let resolve!: (value: any[]) => void
+    mockProfilesApi.fetchProfiles.mockReturnValue(new Promise(done => { resolve = done }))
+    const store = useProfilesStore()
+    const first = store.fetchProfiles()
+    const second = store.fetchProfiles()
+    expect(mockProfilesApi.fetchProfiles).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    resolve([])
+    await Promise.all([first, second])
+    mockProfilesApi.fetchProfiles.mockResolvedValue([])
+    await store.fetchProfiles()
+    expect(mockProfilesApi.fetchProfiles).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+  })
+
   it('fetchProfiles loads profiles and sets active', async () => {
     const profiles = [
       { name: 'default', active: true, model: 'gpt-4', alias: '' },
diff --git a/tests/e2e/chat-startup-recovery.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/chat-startup-recovery.spec.ts
index 2ea6e86..5c635f1 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/chat-startup-recovery.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/chat-startup-recovery.spec.ts
@@ -45,3 +45,44 @@ test('batch-delete text appears in its confirmation popup without leaking into t
   await expect(popup).toContainText(confirmation)
   await expect(popup.getByRole('button', { name: /cancel/i })).toBeVisible()
 })
+
+for (const path of ['/hermes/chat', '/hermes/session/restored-chat?profile=research']) {
+  test(`shows conversation before slow profile, settings and model requests finish: ${path}`, async ({ page }) => {
+    await authenticate(page, TEST_ACCESS_KEY, 'research')
+    await mockHermesApi(page, { sessions: [session] })
+    await mockChatSocket(page)
+    await page.addInitScript(() => {
+      ;(window as any).__PW_CHAT_SOCKET_RESUMES__ = {
+        'restored-chat': { session_id: 'restored-chat', messages: [{ id: 1, role: 'user', content: 'History without waiting for profiles', timestamp: 1000 }], isWorking: false, events: [] },
+      }
+    })
+    let release!: () => void
+    const gate = new Promise<void>(resolve => { release = resolve })
+    await page.route(url => ['/api/hermes/profiles', '/api/hermes/config', '/api/hermes/available-models'].includes(url.pathname), async route => {
+      await gate
+      await route.fallback()
+    })
+    try {
+      await page.goto(`/#${path}`)
+      await expect(page.getByText('History without waiting for profiles', { exact: true })).toBeVisible()
+    } finally { release() }
+  })
+}
+
+test('falls back to HTTP history and offers retry after a failed load', async ({ page }) => {
+  await authenticate(page, TEST_ACCESS_KEY, 'research')
+  await mockHermesApi(page, { sessions: [session] })
+  await mockChatSocket(page)
+  let fail = true
+  await page.route('**/sessions/conversations/restored-chat/messages/paginated?*', async route => {
+    await route.fulfill(fail
+      ? { status: 503, json: { error: 'temporarily unavailable' } }
+      : { json: { session, messages: [{ id: 1, role: 'user', content: 'History recovered by retry', timestamp: 1000 }], total: 1, hasMore: false } })
+  })
+  await page.goto('/#/hermes/chat')
+  await expect(page.getByRole('alert')).toContainText('Could not load this conversation', { timeout: 12000 })
+  fail = false
+  await page.getByRole('alert').getByRole('button', { name: 'Retry' }).click()
+  await expect(page.getByText('History recovered by retry', { exact: true })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 12000 })
+  await expect(page.getByRole('alert')).toHaveCount(0)
+})
diff --git a/tests/server/profile-list-snapshot.test.ts b/tests/server/profile-list-snapshot.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a92821
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server/profile-list-snapshot.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { mkdtemp, mkdir, rm, writeFile } from 'fs/promises'
+import { tmpdir } from 'os'
+import { join } from 'path'
+import { performance } from 'perf_hooks'
+
+vi.mock('../../packages/server/src/services/hermes/hermes-process', () => ({
+  execHermesWithBin: vi.fn(() => { throw new Error('Inventory must not invoke CLI') }),
+  spawnHermesWithBin: vi.fn(),
+}))
+import { listProfilesSnapshot } from '../../packages/server/src/services/hermes/hermes-cli'
+import { execHermesWithBin } from '../../packages/server/src/services/hermes/hermes-process'
+
+const originalHome = process.env.HERMES_HOME
+let home: string | undefined
+
+afterEach(async () => {
+  if (originalHome === undefined) delete process.env.HERMES_HOME
+  else process.env.HERMES_HOME = originalHome
+  if (home) await rm(home, { recursive: true, force: true })
+})
+
+describe('disk profile inventory', () => {
+  it('reads models and active selection for 20 profiles without scanning histories or skills', async () => {
+    home = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'hermes-profile-snapshot-'))
+    process.env.HERMES_HOME = home
+    await writeFile(join(home, 'config.yaml'), 'model: default-model\n')
+    await writeFile(join(home, 'active_profile'), 'perf-19\n')
+    for (let index = 0; index < 20; index++) {
+      const dir = join(home, 'profiles', `perf-${index}`)
+      await mkdir(dir, { recursive: true })
+      await writeFile(join(dir, 'config.yaml'), `model:\n  default: model-${index}\n`)
+      // These are deliberately invalid; inventory must not parse session history.
+      await writeFile(join(dir, 'state.db'), 'not a database')
+    }
+    const started = performance.now()
+    const profiles = listProfilesSnapshot()
+    console.info(`Disk inventory for 21 profiles: ${(performance.now() - started).toFixed(2)} ms`)
+    expect(profiles).toHaveLength(21)
+    expect(profiles.find(profile => profile.name === 'perf-19')).toMatchObject({ model: 'model-19', active: true })
+    expect(profiles[0]).toMatchObject({ name: 'default', model: 'default-model', active: false })
+    expect(execHermesWithBin).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/server/profiles-routes.test.ts b/tests/server/profiles-routes.test.ts
index eaef10b..de77a07 100644
--- a/tests/server/profiles-routes.test.ts
+++ b/tests/server/profiles-routes.test.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ const gatewayAutostartMocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
 // Mock hermes-cli
 vi.mock('../../packages/server/src/services/hermes/hermes-cli', () => ({
   listProfiles: vi.fn(),
+  listProfilesSnapshot: vi.fn(),
   getProfile: vi.fn(),
   createProfile: vi.fn(),
   deleteProfile: vi.fn(),
@@ -313,6 +314,28 @@ describe('Profile Routes', () => {
     })
   })
 
+  it('lists 20 profiles without waiting for CLI or embedding uploaded images', async () => {
+    const webUiHome = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'hermes-ui-profile-list-'))
+    tempHomes.push(webUiHome)
+    process.env.HERMES_WEB_UI_HOME = webUiHome
+    const { list, updateAvatar, getAvatar } = await import('../../packages/server/src/controllers/hermes/profiles')
+    await updateAvatar({ params: { name: 'work-0' }, request: { body: { type: 'image', dataUrl: 'data:image/png;base64,YQ==' } } })
+    vi.mocked(hermesCli.listProfiles).mockReturnValue(new Promise(() => {}))
+    vi.mocked(hermesCli.listProfilesSnapshot).mockReturnValue(Array.from({ length: 20 }, (_, index) => ({ name: `work-${index}`, active: false, model: 'test', alias: '' })))
+    const ctx: any = { state: { profile: { name: 'work-0' } } }
+    await list(ctx)
+    expect(hermesCli.listProfiles).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(ctx.body.profiles).toHaveLength(20)
+    expect(ctx.body.profiles[0]).toMatchObject({ active: true, avatar: { type: 'image' } })
+    expect(ctx.body.profiles[0].avatar.dataUrl).toBeUndefined()
+    const imageCtx: any = { params: { name: 'work-0' } }
+    await getAvatar(imageCtx)
+    expect(imageCtx.body.avatar.dataUrl).toBe('data:image/png;base64,YQ==')
+    const denied: any = { params: { name: 'work-0' }, state: { user: { id: -123, role: 'admin' } } }
+    await getAvatar(denied)
+    expect(denied.status).toBe(403)
+  })
+
   describe('profile avatars', () => {
     it('stores generated avatar metadata under the Web UI home', async () => {
       const webUiHome = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'hermes-ui-avatar-'))