diff --git a/client/Cargo.toml b/client/Cargo.toml
index 7d601e1..2887c49 100644
--- a/client/Cargo.toml
+++ b/client/Cargo.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ path                    = "src/main.rs"
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_client"
-version                 = "0.11.26"
+version                 = "0.11.27"
 edition                 = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/mod.rs b/client/src/launcher/mod.rs
index 87843d6..f142578 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/mod.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/mod.rs
@@ -221,6 +221,17 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!envs.contains_key("LESAVKA_DISABLE_VIDEO_RENDER"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn runtime_env_vars_leave_auto_audio_devices_unset() {
+        let mut state = LauncherState::new();
+        state.select_microphone(Some("auto".to_string()));
+        state.select_speaker(Some("auto".to_string()));
+
+        let envs = runtime_env_vars(&state);
+        assert!(!envs.contains_key("LESAVKA_MIC_SOURCE"));
+        assert!(!envs.contains_key("LESAVKA_AUDIO_SINK"));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn maybe_run_launcher_returns_false_with_explicit_opt_out() {
         let args = vec!["--no-launcher".to_string()];
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/state.rs b/client/src/launcher/state.rs
index 2b38dde..c67869e 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/state.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/state.rs
@@ -650,12 +650,6 @@ impl LauncherState {
         if self.devices.camera.is_none() {
             self.devices.camera = catalog.cameras.first().cloned();
         }
-        if self.devices.microphone.is_none() {
-            self.devices.microphone = catalog.microphones.first().cloned();
-        }
-        if self.devices.speaker.is_none() {
-            self.devices.speaker = catalog.speakers.first().cloned();
-        }
     }
 
     pub fn set_swap_key(&mut self, swap_key: impl Into<String>) {
@@ -1078,8 +1072,8 @@ mod tests {
         state.apply_catalog_defaults(&catalog);
 
         assert_eq!(state.devices.camera.as_deref(), Some("/dev/video-special"));
-        assert_eq!(state.devices.microphone.as_deref(), Some("alsa_input.usb"));
-        assert_eq!(state.devices.speaker.as_deref(), Some("alsa_output.usb"));
+        assert!(state.devices.microphone.is_none());
+        assert!(state.devices.speaker.is_none());
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui.rs
index 6736c55..d2d8948 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui.rs
@@ -61,6 +61,15 @@ enum ClipboardMessage {
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 const NETWORK_TELEMETRY_WINDOW: Duration = Duration::from_secs(8);
 
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+fn usb_audio_kernel_support_missing() -> bool {
+    Command::new("modinfo")
+        .arg("snd_usb_audio")
+        .status()
+        .map(|status| !status.success())
+        .unwrap_or(true)
+}
+
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 #[derive(Default)]
 struct NetworkTelemetry {
@@ -1140,9 +1149,12 @@ pub fn run_gui_launcher(server_addr: String) -> Result<()> {
                             .status_label
                             .set_text(&format!("Device refresh succeeded, but the webcam test could not switch cleanly: {err}"));
                     } else {
-                        widgets_handle.status_label.set_text(
-                            "Device staging refreshed. Newly attached devices are ready for local tests; reconnect the relay if you want the live session to use a new webcam, mic, or speaker.",
-                        );
+                        let message = if usb_audio_kernel_support_missing() {
+                            "Device staging refreshed. USB audio devices may still stay invisible until the host boots a kernel with snd_usb_audio available; reconnect the relay if you want the live session to use a new webcam, mic, or speaker."
+                        } else {
+                            "Device staging refreshed. Newly attached devices are ready for local tests; reconnect the relay if you want the live session to use a new webcam, mic, or speaker."
+                        };
+                        widgets_handle.status_label.set_text(message);
                     }
                     refresh_launcher_ui(
                         &widgets_handle,
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui_components.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui_components.rs
index f1b0030..1452ed1 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui_components.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui_components.rs
@@ -212,9 +212,8 @@ pub fn build_launcher_view(
     devices_body.set_spacing(8);
 
     let control_group = build_subgroup("Control Inputs");
-    let control_row = gtk::Box::new(gtk::Orientation::Horizontal, 12);
-    control_row.set_homogeneous(true);
-    control_group.append(&control_row);
+    let control_stack = gtk::Box::new(gtk::Orientation::Vertical, 10);
+    control_group.append(&control_stack);
 
     let camera_combo = gtk::ComboBoxText::new();
     camera_combo.append(Some("auto"), "auto");
@@ -249,8 +248,8 @@ pub fn build_launcher_view(
     keyboard_combo.set_tooltip_text(Some(
         "Leave this on all keyboards to relay every keyboard, or pick one specific device.",
     ));
-    let keyboard_block = build_selector_block("Keyboard", &keyboard_combo);
-    control_row.append(&keyboard_block);
+    let keyboard_row = build_inline_selector_row("Keyboard", &keyboard_combo);
+    control_stack.append(&keyboard_row);
 
     let mouse_combo = gtk::ComboBoxText::new();
     mouse_combo.append(Some("all"), "all mice");
@@ -261,8 +260,8 @@ pub fn build_launcher_view(
     mouse_combo.set_tooltip_text(Some(
         "Leave this on all mice to relay every pointer, or pick one specific device.",
     ));
-    let mouse_block = build_selector_block("Mouse", &mouse_combo);
-    control_row.append(&mouse_block);
+    let mouse_row = build_inline_selector_row("Mouse", &mouse_combo);
+    control_stack.append(&mouse_row);
     devices_body.append(&control_group);
 
     let media_group = build_subgroup("Media Controls");
@@ -1050,10 +1049,12 @@ fn attach_device_row(
     grid.attach(test_button, 2, row, 1, 1);
 }
 
-fn build_selector_block(label: &str, combo: &gtk::ComboBoxText) -> gtk::Box {
-    let block = gtk::Box::new(gtk::Orientation::Vertical, 6);
+fn build_inline_selector_row(label: &str, combo: &gtk::ComboBoxText) -> gtk::Box {
+    let block = gtk::Box::new(gtk::Orientation::Horizontal, 8);
     let label_widget = gtk::Label::new(Some(label));
     label_widget.set_halign(gtk::Align::Start);
+    label_widget.set_width_chars(9);
+    label_widget.set_xalign(0.0);
     combo.set_hexpand(true);
     combo.set_size_request(0, -1);
     block.append(&label_widget);
@@ -1061,6 +1062,22 @@ fn build_selector_block(label: &str, combo: &gtk::ComboBoxText) -> gtk::Box {
     block
 }
 
+fn build_inline_combo_row(
+    label: &str,
+    combo: &impl IsA<gtk::Widget>,
+    min_label_chars: i32,
+) -> gtk::Box {
+    let row = gtk::Box::new(gtk::Orientation::Horizontal, 8);
+    let label_widget = gtk::Label::new(Some(label));
+    label_widget.add_css_class("dim-label");
+    label_widget.set_width_chars(min_label_chars);
+    label_widget.set_xalign(0.0);
+    label_widget.set_halign(gtk::Align::Start);
+    row.append(&label_widget);
+    row.append(combo);
+    row
+}
+
 fn append_input_choice(combo: &gtk::ComboBoxText, value: &str) {
     let short = value.rsplit('/').next().unwrap_or(value);
     let label = Device::open(value)
@@ -1178,7 +1195,8 @@ fn build_display_pane(title: &str, capture_path: &str) -> DisplayPaneWidgets {
     feed_source_combo.set_tooltip_text(Some(
         "Choose which physical eye feed appears in this pane. Off disables the pane; the opposite-eye option mirrors the other physical feed while preserving a separate stream load for realistic validation.",
     ));
-    feed_source_combo.set_size_request(118, -1);
+    feed_source_combo.set_hexpand(true);
+    feed_source_combo.set_size_request(0, -1);
     let capture_resolution_combo = gtk::ComboBoxText::new();
     capture_resolution_combo.set_tooltip_text(Some(
         "Choose the eye-stream source mode for this feed. Source keeps the HDMI device's own H.264 stream; cheaper source-device modes will appear here once the hardware proves it supports them.",
@@ -1199,9 +1217,15 @@ fn build_display_pane(title: &str, capture_path: &str) -> DisplayPaneWidgets {
     controls_grid.set_column_spacing(8);
     controls_grid.set_row_spacing(8);
     controls_grid.set_hexpand(true);
-    controls_grid.attach(&feed_source_combo, 0, 0, 1, 1);
-    controls_grid.attach(&capture_resolution_combo, 1, 0, 1, 1);
-    controls_grid.attach(&breakout_combo, 0, 1, 1, 1);
+    let feed_row = build_inline_combo_row("Feed", &feed_source_combo, 4);
+    let capture_row = build_inline_combo_row("Capture", &capture_resolution_combo, 7);
+    let breakout_row = build_inline_combo_row("Display", &breakout_combo, 7);
+    feed_row.set_hexpand(true);
+    capture_row.set_hexpand(true);
+    breakout_row.set_hexpand(true);
+    controls_grid.attach(&feed_row, 0, 0, 1, 1);
+    controls_grid.attach(&capture_row, 1, 0, 1, 1);
+    controls_grid.attach(&breakout_row, 0, 1, 1, 1);
     controls_grid.attach(&action_button, 1, 1, 1, 1);
     footer_shell.append(&controls_grid);
     root.append(&footer_shell);
diff --git a/common/Cargo.toml b/common/Cargo.toml
index 40a76a0..3067c98 100644
--- a/common/Cargo.toml
+++ b/common/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_common"
-version                 = "0.11.26"
+version                 = "0.11.27"
 edition                 = "2024"
 build                   = "build.rs"
 
diff --git a/common/src/cli.rs b/common/src/cli.rs
index c7f3156..2b09a41 100644
--- a/common/src/cli.rs
+++ b/common/src/cli.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn banner_includes_version() {
-        assert_eq!(banner("0.11.26"), "lesavka-common CLI (v0.11.26)");
+        assert_eq!(banner("0.11.27"), "lesavka-common CLI (v0.11.27)");
     }
 }
diff --git a/scripts/install/client.sh b/scripts/install/client.sh
index 3a1b2f2..3c8f90d 100755
--- a/scripts/install/client.sh
+++ b/scripts/install/client.sh
@@ -36,6 +36,28 @@ require_linkable() {
   fi
 }
 
+require_gst_element() {
+  local element=$1
+  if gst-inspect-1.0 "$element" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+  echo "❌ required GStreamer element '$element' is unavailable after install." >&2
+  exit 1
+}
+
+require_kernel_module() {
+  local module=$1
+  local why=$2
+  if modinfo "$module" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+  echo "❌ required kernel module '$module' is unavailable for the running kernel $(uname -r)." >&2
+  echo "   Lesavka needs it for $why." >&2
+  echo "   This usually means the machine booted an older kernel than the modules that are currently installed." >&2
+  echo "   Reboot into the freshly installed kernel, then rerun the installer." >&2
+  exit 1
+}
+
 run_as_user() {
   sudo -u "$ORIG_USER" env HOME="$USER_HOME" SSH_AUTH_SOCK="${SSH_AUTH_SOCK:-}" "$@"
 }
@@ -48,11 +70,9 @@ fi
 REPO_URL=${REPO_URL:-$DEFAULT_REPO_URL}
 
 log "1. Installing base packages"
-# Intentionally leave the host audio stack alone. Workstations often carry
-# tightly versioned PipeWire packages, and Lesavka should not force an audio
-# stack upgrade just to install the client.
 sudo pacman -Sq --needed --noconfirm \
   git rustup protobuf abseil-cpp gcc clang llvm-libs compiler-rt evtest base-devel libpulse \
+  pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber alsa-utils gst-plugin-pipewire \
   gstreamer gst-plugins-base gst-plugins-good gst-plugins-bad gst-plugins-ugly gst-libav \
   wmctrl qt6-tools wl-clipboard xclip xsel desktop-file-utils
 
@@ -85,6 +105,9 @@ sudo usermod -aG input "$ORIG_USER"
 
 log "1d. Verifying runtime tools"
 require_command pactl "libpulse"
+require_command gst-inspect-1.0 "gstreamer"
+require_command arecord "alsa-utils"
+require_command speaker-test "alsa-utils"
 require_command wmctrl "wmctrl"
 require_command qdbus6 "qt6-tools"
 require_command protoc "protobuf"
@@ -98,6 +121,15 @@ require_linkable "$(command -v protoc)" "protoc"
 if [[ -e /usr/lib/libclang.so ]]; then
   require_linkable /usr/lib/libclang.so "libclang"
 fi
+if [[ ! -d /lib/modules/$(uname -r) ]]; then
+  echo "❌ no kernel module tree exists for the running kernel $(uname -r)." >&2
+  echo "   Reboot into the freshly installed kernel, then rerun the installer." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+require_kernel_module snd_usb_audio "USB microphones and USB headsets"
+require_gst_element pulsesrc
+require_gst_element pulsesink
+require_gst_element pipewiresrc
 protoc --version >/dev/null
 if ! run_as_user pactl info >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   echo "⚠️  pactl is installed, but no PulseAudio/PipeWire Pulse server is reachable right now."
diff --git a/server/Cargo.toml b/server/Cargo.toml
index 2fa3e32..f94f2cd 100644
--- a/server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/server/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ bench                   = false
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_server"
-version                 = "0.11.26"
+version                 = "0.11.27"
 edition                 = "2024"
 autobins                = false