diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 9c83a14..de18338 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -179,3 +179,44 @@ Context: the mirrored browser probe finally reproduced the real failure class on
   - 0.16.25 removed the client mic backlog but exposed a stable hardware/browser path delta: p95 `557.3 ms`, median `-540.5 ms`, drift `+9.0 ms`, and fresh mic delivery ages around `2-10 ms`. Patch 0.16.26 raises the MJPEG/UVC factory audio delay to `+1260 ms` and expands the calibration clamp so this stable offset can actually be corrected instead of rejected.
 - [ ] Re-run the mirrored browser probe after the pre-start false-positive fix.
 - [ ] Run Google Meet manual validation.
+
+## 0.17.0 Tyrannical Upstream Playout Checklist
+
+Context: 0.16.x proved that queue tweaks and static calibration cannot guarantee lip sync. 0.17.0 changes the upstream contract: the server planner is authoritative, audio is the master, video follows by timestamp or freezes, and freshness wins over smooth-but-wrong playback.
+
+### Hard Product Invariants
+- [x] No normal live upstream playout may be more than 1000 ms behind the freshest known client capture frontier.
+- [x] Video may not advance outside the audio playhead sync budget.
+- [x] Audio should be continuous when possible, but stale audio must be dropped/skipped rather than drained.
+- [x] Missing or late video should freeze/stutter instead of pulling audio backward.
+- [x] Startup may be ugly, but must either enter fresh synced live mode or declare failure within 60 seconds.
+- [x] Healing may be visible, but must prevent persistent seconds-scale skew.
+- [x] Calibration may fine-tune sub-frame offsets only; it must not be required to rescue seconds-scale desync.
+
+- [x] Bump Lesavka to 0.17.0 because this is a media-contract change, not a patch tune.
+- [x] Add planner policy config: max live lag, max skew, startup timeout, target playout delay, and healing cooldown.
+- [x] Reset 0.17 defaults so shipped audio/video offsets do not intentionally exceed the freshness budget.
+- [x] Track latest camera/audio input timestamps in the server planner.
+- [x] Track actual planned/emitted audio and video playheads.
+- [x] Enforce audio as master: stale audio is dropped/skipped; it does not drain backlog.
+- [x] Enforce video follower behavior: frames ahead of audio wait; frames too far behind audio are dropped so the previous frame freezes.
+- [x] Re-anchor continuously when the live playhead falls outside the freshness budget, not only once at startup.
+- [x] Keep startup paired-only by default and fail visibly after the startup timeout.
+- [x] Add planner phases and counters to diagnostics/logs: acquiring, syncing, live, healing, failed; stale drops, skew drops, freshness heals, video freezes.
+- [x] Keep UVC/UAC sinks as dumb consumers of planner-approved packets.
+- [x] Update tests to prove stale media cannot be emitted and video cannot outrun/lag audio beyond policy.
+- [x] Update manual/probe diagnostics so 0.17 reports the planner state being tested.
+
+### Validation Targets Before Human Test
+- [x] Unit tests for startup pairing, stale audio drop, stale video drop, reanchor, startup timeout, audio-master/video-follower rules.
+- [x] Contract tests for installer defaults and version reporting.
+- [x] `cargo check -p lesavka_client -p lesavka_server --bins`.
+- [x] Focused `lesavka_testing` media/runtime contracts.
+- [ ] Only after all of the above, run the mirrored browser probe.
+
+### Progress Log
+- 2026-05-01: Added 0.17 planner defaults (`350ms` target playout, `1000ms` max live lag, `60000ms` startup timeout, `80000us` pair slack), reset MJPEG audio factory offset to `0`, and migrated old `-45ms`, `+720ms`, and `+1260ms` untouched baselines.
+- 2026-05-01: Server planner now tracks latest input frontier, presented audio/video playheads, phase, stale drops, skew drops, reanchors, startup timeouts, and freezes.
+- 2026-05-01: Runtime tests green for stale audio drop, stale video drop, audio-master/video-follower freeze, repeated reanchor, paired startup timeout, and planner snapshot basics: `cargo test -p lesavka_server upstream_media_runtime::tests -- --nocapture`.
+- 2026-05-01: Added `GetUpstreamSync` RPC, `lesavka-relayctl upstream-sync`, launcher diagnostics text, and mirrored-probe before/after planner snapshots so 0.17 probe runs report the exact planner state under test.
+- 2026-05-01: Validation green: `cargo test -p lesavka_server --lib --bins`, `cargo test -p lesavka_testing`, `cargo test -p lesavka_client --bins --lib`, and targeted installer/RPC/layout contracts.
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 744b9b1..4d946b7 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1652,7 +1652,7 @@ checksum = "09edd9e8b54e49e587e4f6295a7d29c3ea94d469cb40ab8ca70b288248a81db2"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_client"
-version = "0.16.26"
+version = "0.17.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-stream",
@@ -1686,7 +1686,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_common"
-version = "0.16.26"
+version = "0.17.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
@@ -1698,7 +1698,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_server"
-version = "0.16.26"
+version = "0.17.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
diff --git a/client/Cargo.toml b/client/Cargo.toml
index 55e48ea..3a9f145 100644
--- a/client/Cargo.toml
+++ b/client/Cargo.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ path                    = "src/main.rs"
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_client"
-version                 = "0.16.26"
+version                 = "0.17.0"
 edition                 = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]
diff --git a/client/src/bin/lesavka-relayctl.rs b/client/src/bin/lesavka-relayctl.rs
index f4fbcd9..bd0978f 100644
--- a/client/src/bin/lesavka-relayctl.rs
+++ b/client/src/bin/lesavka-relayctl.rs
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ enum CommandKind {
     RecoverUac,
     RecoverUvc,
     ResetUsb,
+    UpstreamSync,
 }
 
 impl CommandKind {
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ impl CommandKind {
             "recover-uac" => Some(Self::RecoverUac),
             "recover-uvc" => Some(Self::RecoverUvc),
             "reset-usb" | "hard-reset-usb" => Some(Self::ResetUsb),
+            "upstream-sync" | "sync" => Some(Self::UpstreamSync),
             _ => None,
         }
     }
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ enum ParseOutcome {
 }
 
 fn usage() -> &'static str {
-    "Usage: lesavka-relayctl [--server http://HOST:50051] <status|version|auto|on|off|recover-usb|recover-uac|recover-uvc|reset-usb>"
+    "Usage: lesavka-relayctl [--server http://HOST:50051] <status|version|upstream-sync|auto|on|off|recover-usb|recover-uac|recover-uvc|reset-usb>"
 }
 
 fn parse_args_outcome_from<I, S>(args: I) -> Result<ParseOutcome>
@@ -117,7 +119,8 @@ fn capture_power_request(command: CommandKind) -> Option<SetCapturePowerRequest>
         | CommandKind::RecoverUsb
         | CommandKind::RecoverUac
         | CommandKind::RecoverUvc
-        | CommandKind::ResetUsb => return None,
+        | CommandKind::ResetUsb
+        | CommandKind::UpstreamSync => return None,
         CommandKind::Auto => (false, CapturePowerCommand::Auto),
         CommandKind::On => (true, CapturePowerCommand::ForceOn),
         CommandKind::Off => (false, CapturePowerCommand::ForceOff),
@@ -186,6 +189,32 @@ fn print_versions(server_addr: &str, caps: &HandshakeSet) {
     println!("server_camera_codec={}", caps.camera_codec);
 }
 
+fn print_upstream_sync(state: lesavka_common::lesavka::UpstreamSyncState) {
+    println!("planner_session_id={}", state.session_id);
+    println!("planner_phase={}", state.phase);
+    println!(
+        "planner_live_lag_ms={}",
+        state
+            .live_lag_ms
+            .map(|value| format!("{value:.1}"))
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "pending".to_string())
+    );
+    println!(
+        "planner_skew_ms={}",
+        state
+            .planner_skew_ms
+            .map(|value| format!("{value:+.1}"))
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "pending".to_string())
+    );
+    println!("planner_stale_audio_drops={}", state.stale_audio_drops);
+    println!("planner_stale_video_drops={}", state.stale_video_drops);
+    println!("planner_skew_video_drops={}", state.skew_video_drops);
+    println!("planner_freshness_reanchors={}", state.freshness_reanchors);
+    println!("planner_startup_timeouts={}", state.startup_timeouts);
+    println!("planner_video_freezes={}", state.video_freezes);
+    println!("planner_detail={}", state.last_reason);
+}
+
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 #[tokio::main(flavor = "current_thread")]
 async fn main() -> Result<()> {
@@ -215,7 +244,8 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             | CommandKind::RecoverUsb
             | CommandKind::RecoverUac
             | CommandKind::RecoverUvc
-            | CommandKind::ResetUsb => unreachable!(),
+            | CommandKind::ResetUsb
+            | CommandKind::UpstreamSync => unreachable!(),
         };
         let reply = client
             .set_capture_power(Request::new(request))
@@ -268,6 +298,15 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             println!("ok={}", reply.ok);
             return Ok(());
         }
+        CommandKind::UpstreamSync => {
+            let reply = client
+                .get_upstream_sync(Request::new(Empty {}))
+                .await
+                .context("querying upstream sync planner state")?
+                .into_inner();
+            print_upstream_sync(reply);
+            return Ok(());
+        }
         CommandKind::Version | CommandKind::Auto | CommandKind::On | CommandKind::Off => {
             unreachable!()
         }
@@ -297,6 +336,11 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(CommandKind::parse("get"), Some(CommandKind::Status));
         assert_eq!(CommandKind::parse("version"), Some(CommandKind::Version));
         assert_eq!(CommandKind::parse("versions"), Some(CommandKind::Version));
+        assert_eq!(
+            CommandKind::parse("upstream-sync"),
+            Some(CommandKind::UpstreamSync)
+        );
+        assert_eq!(CommandKind::parse("sync"), Some(CommandKind::UpstreamSync));
         assert_eq!(CommandKind::parse("force-on"), Some(CommandKind::On));
         assert_eq!(CommandKind::parse("force-off"), Some(CommandKind::Off));
         assert_eq!(
@@ -328,9 +372,9 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn parse_args_accepts_server_and_command() {
         let config =
-            parse_args_from(["--server", " http://lab:50051 ", "reset-usb"]).expect("config");
+            parse_args_from(["--server", " http://lab:50051 ", "upstream-sync"]).expect("config");
         assert_eq!(config.server, "http://lab:50051");
-        assert_eq!(config.command, CommandKind::ResetUsb);
+        assert_eq!(config.command, CommandKind::UpstreamSync);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -391,6 +435,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(capture_power_request(CommandKind::RecoverUac).is_none());
         assert!(capture_power_request(CommandKind::RecoverUvc).is_none());
         assert!(capture_power_request(CommandKind::ResetUsb).is_none());
+        assert!(capture_power_request(CommandKind::UpstreamSync).is_none());
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/calibration.rs b/client/src/launcher/calibration.rs
index 5928885..7862ccb 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/calibration.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/calibration.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use lesavka_common::lesavka::{
 };
 use tonic::{Request, transport::Channel};
 
-use super::state::CalibrationStatus;
+use super::state::{CalibrationStatus, UpstreamSyncStatus};
 use crate::relay_transport;
 
 pub fn fetch_calibration(server_addr: &str) -> Result<CalibrationStatus> {
@@ -19,6 +19,18 @@ pub fn fetch_calibration(server_addr: &str) -> Result<CalibrationStatus> {
     })
 }
 
+pub fn fetch_upstream_sync(server_addr: &str) -> Result<UpstreamSyncStatus> {
+    with_runtime(async move {
+        let mut client = connect(server_addr).await?;
+        let reply = client
+            .get_upstream_sync(Request::new(Empty {}))
+            .await
+            .context("querying upstream A/V planner state")?
+            .into_inner();
+        Ok(UpstreamSyncStatus::from_proto(reply))
+    })
+}
+
 pub fn restore_default_calibration(server_addr: &str) -> Result<CalibrationStatus> {
     send_calibration_request(
         server_addr,
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/diagnostics_models.rs b/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/diagnostics_models.rs
index b424e88..d75ebf0 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/diagnostics_models.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/diagnostics_models.rs
@@ -163,6 +163,18 @@ pub struct SnapshotReport {
     pub av_delivery_skew_ms: f32,
     pub av_enqueue_skew_ms: f32,
     pub av_sync_health: String,
+    pub planner_available: bool,
+    pub planner_phase: String,
+    pub planner_session_id: u64,
+    pub planner_live_lag_ms: Option<f32>,
+    pub planner_skew_ms: Option<f32>,
+    pub planner_stale_audio_drops: u64,
+    pub planner_stale_video_drops: u64,
+    pub planner_skew_video_drops: u64,
+    pub planner_freshness_reanchors: u64,
+    pub planner_startup_timeouts: u64,
+    pub planner_video_freezes: u64,
+    pub planner_detail: String,
     pub calibration_available: bool,
     pub calibration_profile: String,
     pub calibration_source: String,
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/snapshot_report.rs b/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/snapshot_report.rs
index 60a732f..42c1b53 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/snapshot_report.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/snapshot_report.rs
@@ -238,6 +238,18 @@ impl SnapshotReport {
             av_delivery_skew_ms,
             av_enqueue_skew_ms,
             av_sync_health,
+            planner_available: state.upstream_sync.available,
+            planner_phase: state.upstream_sync.phase.clone(),
+            planner_session_id: state.upstream_sync.session_id,
+            planner_live_lag_ms: state.upstream_sync.live_lag_ms,
+            planner_skew_ms: state.upstream_sync.planner_skew_ms,
+            planner_stale_audio_drops: state.upstream_sync.stale_audio_drops,
+            planner_stale_video_drops: state.upstream_sync.stale_video_drops,
+            planner_skew_video_drops: state.upstream_sync.skew_video_drops,
+            planner_freshness_reanchors: state.upstream_sync.freshness_reanchors,
+            planner_startup_timeouts: state.upstream_sync.startup_timeouts,
+            planner_video_freezes: state.upstream_sync.video_freezes,
+            planner_detail: state.upstream_sync.detail.clone(),
             calibration_available: state.calibration.available,
             calibration_profile: state.calibration.profile.clone(),
             calibration_source: state.calibration.source.clone(),
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/snapshot_report_text.rs b/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/snapshot_report_text.rs
index 37700ed..b319ea9 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/snapshot_report_text.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/snapshot_report_text.rs
@@ -141,6 +141,41 @@ impl SnapshotReport {
             self.upstream_microphone.latest_enqueue_age_ms,
             self.upstream_microphone.latest_delivery_age_ms
         );
+        let _ = writeln!(text, "server upstream planner");
+        let _ = writeln!(
+            text,
+            "  status: {} | phase={} | session={}",
+            if self.planner_available {
+                "available"
+            } else {
+                "unavailable"
+            },
+            self.planner_phase,
+            self.planner_session_id
+        );
+        let live_lag = self
+            .planner_live_lag_ms
+            .map(|value| format!("{value:.1}ms"))
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "pending".to_string());
+        let planner_skew = self
+            .planner_skew_ms
+            .map(|value| format!("{value:+.1}ms audio-video"))
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "pending".to_string());
+        let _ = writeln!(
+            text,
+            "  live lag: {live_lag} | planner skew: {planner_skew}"
+        );
+        let _ = writeln!(
+            text,
+            "  drops/heals: stale_audio={} stale_video={} skew_video={} reanchors={} freezes={} startup_timeouts={}",
+            self.planner_stale_audio_drops,
+            self.planner_stale_video_drops,
+            self.planner_skew_video_drops,
+            self.planner_freshness_reanchors,
+            self.planner_video_freezes,
+            self.planner_startup_timeouts
+        );
+        let _ = writeln!(text, "  detail: {}", self.planner_detail);
         let _ = writeln!(text, "calibration");
         let _ = writeln!(
             text,
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/state/launcher_state_impl.rs b/client/src/launcher/state/launcher_state_impl.rs
index 9159b65..8fd4c52 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/state/launcher_state_impl.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/state/launcher_state_impl.rs
@@ -453,4 +453,7 @@ impl LauncherState {
         self.calibration = calibration;
     }
 
+    pub fn set_upstream_sync(&mut self, upstream_sync: UpstreamSyncStatus) {
+        self.upstream_sync = upstream_sync;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/state/selection_models.rs b/client/src/launcher/state/selection_models.rs
index 9ddc083..2d97324 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/state/selection_models.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/state/selection_models.rs
@@ -346,11 +346,11 @@ impl Default for CalibrationStatus {
         Self {
             available: false,
             profile: "mjpeg".to_string(),
-            factory_audio_offset_us: 1_260_000,
+            factory_audio_offset_us: 0,
             factory_video_offset_us: 0,
-            default_audio_offset_us: 1_260_000,
+            default_audio_offset_us: 0,
             default_video_offset_us: 0,
-            active_audio_offset_us: 1_260_000,
+            active_audio_offset_us: 0,
             active_video_offset_us: 0,
             source: "unknown".to_string(),
             confidence: "unknown".to_string(),
@@ -360,6 +360,81 @@ impl Default for CalibrationStatus {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct UpstreamSyncStatus {
+    pub available: bool,
+    pub session_id: u64,
+    pub phase: String,
+    pub latest_camera_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub latest_microphone_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub last_video_presented_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub last_audio_presented_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub live_lag_ms: Option<f32>,
+    pub planner_skew_ms: Option<f32>,
+    pub stale_audio_drops: u64,
+    pub stale_video_drops: u64,
+    pub skew_video_drops: u64,
+    pub freshness_reanchors: u64,
+    pub startup_timeouts: u64,
+    pub video_freezes: u64,
+    pub detail: String,
+}
+
+impl UpstreamSyncStatus {
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn from_proto(reply: lesavka_common::lesavka::UpstreamSyncState) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            available: true,
+            session_id: reply.session_id,
+            phase: reply.phase,
+            latest_camera_remote_pts_us: reply.latest_camera_remote_pts_us,
+            latest_microphone_remote_pts_us: reply.latest_microphone_remote_pts_us,
+            last_video_presented_pts_us: reply.last_video_presented_pts_us,
+            last_audio_presented_pts_us: reply.last_audio_presented_pts_us,
+            live_lag_ms: reply.live_lag_ms,
+            planner_skew_ms: reply.planner_skew_ms,
+            stale_audio_drops: reply.stale_audio_drops,
+            stale_video_drops: reply.stale_video_drops,
+            skew_video_drops: reply.skew_video_drops,
+            freshness_reanchors: reply.freshness_reanchors,
+            startup_timeouts: reply.startup_timeouts,
+            video_freezes: reply.video_freezes,
+            detail: reply.last_reason,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn unavailable(detail: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            detail: detail.into(),
+            ..Self::default()
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for UpstreamSyncStatus {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            available: false,
+            session_id: 0,
+            phase: "unknown".to_string(),
+            latest_camera_remote_pts_us: None,
+            latest_microphone_remote_pts_us: None,
+            last_video_presented_pts_us: None,
+            last_audio_presented_pts_us: None,
+            live_lag_ms: None,
+            planner_skew_ms: None,
+            stale_audio_drops: 0,
+            stale_video_drops: 0,
+            skew_video_drops: 0,
+            freshness_reanchors: 0,
+            startup_timeouts: 0,
+            video_freezes: 0,
+            detail: "upstream sync planner unavailable".to_string(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct DeviceSelection {
     pub camera: Option<String>,
@@ -415,6 +490,7 @@ pub struct LauncherState {
     pub swap_key_binding_token: u64,
     pub capture_power: CapturePowerStatus,
     pub calibration: CalibrationStatus,
+    pub upstream_sync: UpstreamSyncStatus,
     pub remote_active: bool,
     pub notes: Vec<String>,
 }
@@ -449,6 +525,7 @@ impl Default for LauncherState {
             swap_key_binding_token: 0,
             capture_power: CapturePowerStatus::default(),
             calibration: CalibrationStatus::default(),
+            upstream_sync: UpstreamSyncStatus::default(),
             remote_active: false,
             notes: Vec::new(),
         }
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/tests/preview.rs b/client/src/launcher/tests/preview.rs
index 2a4bc6e..a63e333 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/tests/preview.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/tests/preview.rs
@@ -175,6 +175,15 @@ impl Relay for ProbeRelay {
         self.get_calibration(Request::new(lesavka_common::lesavka::Empty {}))
             .await
     }
+
+    async fn get_upstream_sync(
+        &self,
+        _request: Request<lesavka_common::lesavka::Empty>,
+    ) -> Result<Response<lesavka_common::lesavka::UpstreamSyncState>, Status> {
+        Ok(Response::new(
+            lesavka_common::lesavka::UpstreamSyncState::default(),
+        ))
+    }
 }
 
 #[test]
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/tests/state.rs b/client/src/launcher/tests/state.rs
index af82c6a..9e4f08a 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/tests/state.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/tests/state.rs
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ fn capture_power_status_updates_snapshot_state() {
 fn calibration_status_tracks_proto_unavailable_and_status_line() {
     let mut state = LauncherState::new();
     assert!(!state.calibration.available);
-    assert_eq!(state.calibration.active_audio_offset_us, 1_260_000);
+    assert_eq!(state.calibration.active_audio_offset_us, 0);
 
     let unavailable = CalibrationStatus::unavailable("server unreachable");
     assert!(!unavailable.available);
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ fn calibration_status_tracks_proto_unavailable_and_status_line() {
     state.set_calibration(CalibrationStatus::from_proto(
         lesavka_common::lesavka::CalibrationState {
             profile: "mjpeg".to_string(),
-            factory_audio_offset_us: 1_260_000,
+            factory_audio_offset_us: 0,
             factory_video_offset_us: 0,
             default_audio_offset_us: -40_000,
             default_video_offset_us: 1_000,
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ fn calibration_status_tracks_proto_unavailable_and_status_line() {
 
     assert!(state.calibration.available);
     assert_eq!(state.calibration.profile, "mjpeg");
-    assert_eq!(state.calibration.factory_audio_offset_us, 1_260_000);
+    assert_eq!(state.calibration.factory_audio_offset_us, 0);
     assert_eq!(state.calibration.factory_video_offset_us, 0);
     assert_eq!(state.calibration.default_audio_offset_us, -40_000);
     assert_eq!(state.calibration.default_video_offset_us, 1_000);
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/tests/utility_actions.rs b/client/src/launcher/tests/utility_actions.rs
index 149f1df..423e585 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/tests/utility_actions.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/tests/utility_actions.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use futures::stream;
 use lesavka_common::lesavka::{
     AudioPacket, CalibrationRequest, CalibrationState, CapturePowerState, Empty, KeyboardReport,
     MonitorRequest, MouseReport, PasteReply, PasteRequest, ResetUsbReply, SetCapturePowerRequest,
-    VideoPacket,
+    UpstreamSyncState, VideoPacket,
     relay_server::{Relay, RelayServer},
 };
 use serial_test::serial;
@@ -158,6 +158,13 @@ impl Relay for UtilityRelay {
     ) -> Result<Response<CalibrationState>, Status> {
         Ok(Response::new(CalibrationState::default()))
     }
+
+    async fn get_upstream_sync(
+        &self,
+        _request: Request<Empty>,
+    ) -> Result<Response<UpstreamSyncState>, Status> {
+        Ok(Response::new(UpstreamSyncState::default()))
+    }
 }
 
 fn serve(relay: UtilityRelay) -> (tokio::runtime::Runtime, String) {
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui.rs
index 440e501..958531a 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui.rs
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ use anyhow::Result;
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 use {
     super::calibration::{
-        blind_calibration_estimate, fetch_calibration, nudge_audio_calibration,
-        restore_default_calibration, restore_factory_calibration,
+        blind_calibration_estimate, fetch_calibration, fetch_upstream_sync,
+        nudge_audio_calibration, restore_default_calibration, restore_factory_calibration,
     },
     super::clipboard::send_clipboard_text_to_remote,
     super::device_test::{DeviceTestController, DeviceTestKind},
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ use {
     super::state::{
         BreakoutSizePreset, CalibrationStatus, CapturePowerStatus, CaptureSizePreset,
         DisplaySurface, FeedSourcePreset, InputRouting, LauncherState, MAX_AUDIO_GAIN_PERCENT,
-        MAX_MIC_GAIN_PERCENT,
+        MAX_MIC_GAIN_PERCENT, UpstreamSyncStatus,
     },
     super::ui_components::{
         ConsoleLogLevel, build_launcher_view, sync_camera_quality_combo, sync_input_device_combo,
@@ -144,6 +144,9 @@ pub fn run_gui_launcher(server_addr: String) -> Result<()> {
                 calibration_tx,
                 calibration_rx,
                 calibration_request_in_flight,
+                upstream_sync_tx,
+                upstream_sync_rx,
+                upstream_sync_request_in_flight,
                 relay_tx,
                 relay_rx,
                 relay_request_in_flight,
@@ -154,6 +157,7 @@ pub fn run_gui_launcher(server_addr: String) -> Result<()> {
                 diagnostics_process,
                 next_power_probe,
                 next_calibration_probe,
+                next_upstream_sync_probe,
                 next_diagnostics_probe,
                 next_diagnostics_sample,
                 preview_session_active,
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/activation_context.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/activation_context.rs
index 114ece5..23af8e3 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/activation_context.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/activation_context.rs
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ struct ActivationContext {
     calibration_tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<CalibrationMessage>,
     calibration_rx: std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<CalibrationMessage>,
     calibration_request_in_flight: Rc<Cell<bool>>,
+    upstream_sync_tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<UpstreamSyncMessage>,
+    upstream_sync_rx: std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<UpstreamSyncMessage>,
+    upstream_sync_request_in_flight: Rc<Cell<bool>>,
     relay_tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<RelayMessage>,
     relay_rx: std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<RelayMessage>,
     relay_request_in_flight: Rc<Cell<bool>>,
@@ -31,6 +34,7 @@ struct ActivationContext {
     diagnostics_process: Rc<RefCell<ProcessCpuSampler>>,
     next_power_probe: Rc<Cell<Instant>>,
     next_calibration_probe: Rc<Cell<Instant>>,
+    next_upstream_sync_probe: Rc<Cell<Instant>>,
     next_diagnostics_probe: Rc<Cell<Instant>>,
     next_diagnostics_sample: Rc<Cell<Instant>>,
     preview_session_active: Rc<Cell<bool>>,
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/activation_setup.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/activation_setup.rs
index 1622324..f85149e 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/activation_setup.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/activation_setup.rs
@@ -112,6 +112,9 @@
             let (calibration_tx, calibration_rx) =
                 std::sync::mpsc::channel::<CalibrationMessage>();
             let calibration_request_in_flight = Rc::new(Cell::new(false));
+            let (upstream_sync_tx, upstream_sync_rx) =
+                std::sync::mpsc::channel::<UpstreamSyncMessage>();
+            let upstream_sync_request_in_flight = Rc::new(Cell::new(false));
             let (relay_tx, relay_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel::<RelayMessage>();
             let relay_request_in_flight = Rc::new(Cell::new(false));
             let (caps_tx, caps_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel::<CapsMessage>();
@@ -122,6 +125,8 @@
                 Rc::new(Cell::new(Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(500)));
             let next_calibration_probe =
                 Rc::new(Cell::new(Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(650)));
+            let next_upstream_sync_probe =
+                Rc::new(Cell::new(Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(750)));
             let next_diagnostics_probe =
                 Rc::new(Cell::new(Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(250)));
             let next_diagnostics_sample =
@@ -157,6 +162,9 @@
         calibration_tx,
         calibration_rx,
         calibration_request_in_flight,
+        upstream_sync_tx,
+        upstream_sync_rx,
+        upstream_sync_request_in_flight,
         relay_tx,
         relay_rx,
         relay_request_in_flight,
@@ -167,6 +175,7 @@
         diagnostics_process,
         next_power_probe,
         next_calibration_probe,
+        next_upstream_sync_probe,
         next_diagnostics_probe,
         next_diagnostics_sample,
         preview_session_active,
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/control_requests.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/control_requests.rs
index a07a8aa..84f2913 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/control_requests.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/control_requests.rs
@@ -179,6 +179,22 @@ fn request_calibration_refresh(
     });
 }
 
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+/// Refresh authoritative upstream sync planner state in the background.
+fn request_upstream_sync_refresh(
+    upstream_sync_tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<UpstreamSyncMessage>,
+    server_addr: String,
+    delay: Duration,
+) {
+    std::thread::spawn(move || {
+        if !delay.is_zero() {
+            std::thread::sleep(delay);
+        }
+        let result = fetch_upstream_sync(&server_addr).map_err(|err| err.to_string());
+        let _ = upstream_sync_tx.send(UpstreamSyncMessage::Refresh(result));
+    });
+}
+
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 fn request_calibration_command<F>(
     calibration_tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<CalibrationMessage>,
@@ -233,6 +249,11 @@ fn unavailable_calibration(detail: String) -> CalibrationStatus {
     CalibrationStatus::unavailable(detail)
 }
 
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+fn unavailable_upstream_sync(detail: String) -> UpstreamSyncStatus {
+    UpstreamSyncStatus::unavailable(detail)
+}
+
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 fn calibration_summary(calibration: &CalibrationStatus) -> String {
     format!(
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/message_and_network_state.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/message_and_network_state.rs
index c5a2aea..4729241 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/message_and_network_state.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/message_and_network_state.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@ enum CalibrationMessage {
     Command(std::result::Result<CalibrationStatus, String>),
 }
 
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+enum UpstreamSyncMessage {
+    Refresh(std::result::Result<UpstreamSyncStatus, String>),
+}
+
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 enum RelayMessage {
     Spawned(std::result::Result<RelayChild, String>),
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/runtime_poll.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/runtime_poll.rs
index 1508518..c3d5166 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/runtime_poll.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/runtime_poll.rs
@@ -13,14 +13,17 @@
                     Rc::new(RefCell::new(path_marker(focus_signal_path.as_path())));
                 let power_request_in_flight = Rc::clone(&power_request_in_flight);
                 let calibration_request_in_flight = Rc::clone(&calibration_request_in_flight);
+                let upstream_sync_request_in_flight = Rc::clone(&upstream_sync_request_in_flight);
                 let relay_request_in_flight = Rc::clone(&relay_request_in_flight);
                 let preview = preview.clone();
                 let power_tx = power_tx.clone();
                 let calibration_tx = calibration_tx.clone();
+                let upstream_sync_tx = upstream_sync_tx.clone();
                 let caps_tx = caps_tx.clone();
                 let caps_request_in_flight = Rc::clone(&caps_request_in_flight);
                 let diagnostics_network = Rc::clone(&diagnostics_network);
                 let diagnostics_process = Rc::clone(&diagnostics_process);
+                let next_upstream_sync_probe = Rc::clone(&next_upstream_sync_probe);
                 let next_diagnostics_probe = Rc::clone(&next_diagnostics_probe);
                 let next_diagnostics_sample = Rc::clone(&next_diagnostics_sample);
                 let preview_session_active = Rc::clone(&preview_session_active);
@@ -77,6 +80,11 @@
                             server_addr.clone(),
                             Duration::from_millis(350),
                         );
+                        request_upstream_sync_refresh(
+                            upstream_sync_tx.clone(),
+                            server_addr.clone(),
+                            Duration::from_millis(450),
+                        );
                         request_capture_power_refresh(
                             power_tx.clone(),
                             server_addr,
@@ -156,6 +164,11 @@
                                     server_addr.clone(),
                                     Duration::from_millis(300),
                                 );
+                                request_upstream_sync_refresh(
+                                    upstream_sync_tx.clone(),
+                                    server_addr.clone(),
+                                    Duration::from_millis(400),
+                                );
                                 request_capture_power_refresh(
                                     power_tx.clone(),
                                     server_addr,
@@ -302,6 +315,26 @@
                         }
                     }
 
+                    while let Ok(message) = upstream_sync_rx.try_recv() {
+                        upstream_sync_request_in_flight.set(false);
+                        match message {
+                            UpstreamSyncMessage::Refresh(Ok(upstream_sync)) => {
+                                let mut state = state.borrow_mut();
+                                state.set_server_available(true);
+                                state.set_upstream_sync(upstream_sync);
+                            }
+                            UpstreamSyncMessage::Refresh(Err(err)) => {
+                                let relay_live = child_proc.borrow().is_some()
+                                    || state.borrow().remote_active;
+                                let mut state = state.borrow_mut();
+                                if relay_live {
+                                    state.set_server_available(true);
+                                }
+                                state.set_upstream_sync(unavailable_upstream_sync(err));
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+
                     while let Ok(message) = caps_rx.try_recv() {
                         caps_request_in_flight.set(false);
                         match message {
@@ -393,6 +426,21 @@
                         next_calibration_probe.set(now + Duration::from_secs(2));
                     }
 
+                    if now >= next_upstream_sync_probe.get()
+                        && !upstream_sync_request_in_flight.get()
+                        && (child_running || state.borrow().server_available)
+                    {
+                        upstream_sync_request_in_flight.set(true);
+                        let server_addr =
+                            selected_server_addr(&server_entry, server_addr_fallback.as_ref());
+                        request_upstream_sync_refresh(
+                            upstream_sync_tx.clone(),
+                            server_addr,
+                            Duration::ZERO,
+                        );
+                        next_upstream_sync_probe.set(now + Duration::from_secs(2));
+                    }
+
                     if now >= next_diagnostics_probe.get() && !caps_request_in_flight.get() {
                         caps_request_in_flight.set(true);
                         let server_addr =
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/utility_button_bindings.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/utility_button_bindings.rs
index ea8de9e..d9fa58b 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/utility_button_bindings.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/utility_button_bindings.rs
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@
         let widgets = widgets.clone();
         widgets.calibration_rig_button.connect_clicked(move |_| {
             widgets.status_label.set_text(
-                "Rig calibration wizard is queued for the 0.16.0 test-equipment phase; for now the manual Tethys sync battery remains the measured-default path.",
+                "Rig calibration wizard is queued for lab tooling; for now the mirrored Tethys sync probe remains the measured-default path.",
             );
         });
     }
diff --git a/common/Cargo.toml b/common/Cargo.toml
index d578499..12769b0 100644
--- a/common/Cargo.toml
+++ b/common/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_common"
-version                 = "0.16.26"
+version                 = "0.17.0"
 edition                 = "2024"
 build                   = "build.rs"
 
diff --git a/common/proto/lesavka.proto b/common/proto/lesavka.proto
index f8f8bda..9af1a83 100644
--- a/common/proto/lesavka.proto
+++ b/common/proto/lesavka.proto
@@ -89,6 +89,24 @@ message CalibrationRequest {
   string note = 6;
 }
 
+message UpstreamSyncState {
+  uint64 session_id = 1;
+  string phase = 2;
+  optional uint64 latest_camera_remote_pts_us = 3;
+  optional uint64 latest_microphone_remote_pts_us = 4;
+  optional uint64 last_video_presented_pts_us = 5;
+  optional uint64 last_audio_presented_pts_us = 6;
+  optional float live_lag_ms = 7;
+  optional float planner_skew_ms = 8;
+  uint64 stale_audio_drops = 9;
+  uint64 stale_video_drops = 10;
+  uint64 skew_video_drops = 11;
+  uint64 freshness_reanchors = 12;
+  uint64 startup_timeouts = 13;
+  uint64 video_freezes = 14;
+  string last_reason = 15;
+}
+
 message HandshakeSet  {
   bool camera = 1;
   bool microphone = 2;
@@ -122,6 +140,7 @@ service Relay {
   rpc SetCapturePower  (SetCapturePowerRequest)  returns (CapturePowerState);
   rpc GetCalibration   (Empty)                   returns (CalibrationState);
   rpc Calibrate        (CalibrationRequest)       returns (CalibrationState);
+  rpc GetUpstreamSync  (Empty)                   returns (UpstreamSyncState);
 }
 
 service Handshake {
diff --git a/docs/operational-env.md b/docs/operational-env.md
index 9271b95..bc0adf1 100644
--- a/docs/operational-env.md
+++ b/docs/operational-env.md
@@ -248,8 +248,10 @@ from `LESAVKA_CLIENT_PKI_SSH_SOURCE` over SSH. Runtime clients require the insta
 | `LESAVKA_UAC_DEV` | server hardware/device override |
 | `LESAVKA_UAC_SESSION_CLOCK_ALIGN` | server audio sink clock-alignment override; `0` is the host-validated default |
 | `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US` | server upstream playout override; shifts gadget-audio presentation relative to the shared playout epoch |
-| `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US` | server upstream pairing override; how far video may lead the planned audio-master capture moment before the frame is held or dropped, defaults to `20000` |
-| `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS` | server upstream pairing/synchronization window; the server uses this shared buffer to pair webcam frames with their matching gadget-mic audio before remote presentation, defaults to `1000` |
+| `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS` | server upstream planner freshness ceiling; planner-approved audio/video should not exceed this live lag budget, defaults to `1000` |
+| `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US` | server upstream pairing override; how far video may diverge from the planned audio-master capture moment before the frame is held or dropped, defaults to `80000` |
+| `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS` | server upstream pairing/synchronization target buffer; the server uses this shared buffer to pair webcam frames with matching gadget-mic audio before remote presentation, defaults to `350` |
+| `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS` | server upstream startup guard; paired startup must converge before this timeout or fail visibly, defaults to `60000` |
 | `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STALE_DROP_MS` | server upstream freshness override; late audio/video that miss this budget are dropped instead of silently extending lag, defaults to `80` |
 | `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_TIMING_TRACE` | upstream capture/rebase trace override for sync debugging |
 | `LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_VIDEO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US` | server upstream playout override; shifts webcam-video presentation relative to the shared playout epoch |
diff --git a/scripts/install/server.sh b/scripts/install/server.sh
index c75cb03..6cfbc98 100755
--- a/scripts/install/server.sh
+++ b/scripts/install/server.sh
@@ -14,9 +14,10 @@ INSTALL_UVC_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_CODEC:-mjpeg}
 INSTALL_SERVER_BIND_ADDR=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_SERVER_BIND_ADDR:-0.0.0.0:50051}
 LESAVKA_TLS_DIR=${LESAVKA_TLS_DIR:-/etc/lesavka/pki}
 LESAVKA_CLIENT_BUNDLE=${LESAVKA_CLIENT_BUNDLE:-/etc/lesavka/lesavka-client-pki.tar.gz}
-DEFAULT_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=1260000
+DEFAULT_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=0
 LEGACY_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=-45000
 PREVIOUS_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=720000
+PREVIOUS_TUNED_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=1260000
 
 resolve_upstream_audio_playout_offset_us() {
   if [[ -n ${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US:-} ]]; then
@@ -24,8 +25,8 @@ resolve_upstream_audio_playout_offset_us() {
     return 0
   fi
 
-  if [[ ${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US:-} == "$LEGACY_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US" || ${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US:-} == "$PREVIOUS_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US" ]]; then
-    echo "⚠️  migrating stale upstream audio playout offset to +1260ms for MJPEG/UVC." >&2
+  if [[ ${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US:-} == "$LEGACY_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US" || ${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US:-} == "$PREVIOUS_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US" || ${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US:-} == "$PREVIOUS_TUNED_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US" ]]; then
+    echo "⚠️  migrating stale upstream audio playout offset to the 0.17 freshness-first planner default." >&2
     echo "    Use LESAVKA_INSTALL_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US to intentionally keep an older value." >&2
     printf '%s\n' "$DEFAULT_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US"
     return 0
@@ -974,7 +975,9 @@ fi
   printf 'LESAVKA_ALSA_DEV=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_ALSA_DEV:-hw:UAC2Gadget,0}"
   printf 'LESAVKA_UAC_HDMI_COMPENSATION_US=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_UAC_HDMI_COMPENSATION_US:-205000}"
   printf 'LESAVKA_UAC_SESSION_CLOCK_ALIGN=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_UAC_SESSION_CLOCK_ALIGN:-0}"
-  printf 'LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS:-1000}"
+  printf 'LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS:-350}"
+  printf 'LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS:-1000}"
+  printf 'LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS:-60000}"
   printf 'LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=%s\n' "$(resolve_upstream_audio_playout_offset_us)"
   printf 'LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_VIDEO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_VIDEO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US:-0}"
   printf 'LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US=%s\n' "${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US:-80000}"
diff --git a/scripts/manual/run_upstream_mirrored_av_sync.sh b/scripts/manual/run_upstream_mirrored_av_sync.sh
index b315983..7fb0a7f 100755
--- a/scripts/manual/run_upstream_mirrored_av_sync.sh
+++ b/scripts/manual/run_upstream_mirrored_av_sync.sh
@@ -185,6 +185,27 @@ print_lesavka_versions() {
   done <<<"${version_output}"
 }
 
+print_upstream_sync_state() {
+  local label="$1"
+  echo "==> upstream sync planner state (${label})"
+  if [[ ! -x "${REPO_ROOT}/target/debug/lesavka-relayctl" ]]; then
+    (cd "${REPO_ROOT}" && cargo build -p lesavka_client --bin lesavka-relayctl >/dev/null)
+  fi
+  local sync_output
+  if ! sync_output="$(
+    LESAVKA_TLS_DOMAIN="${LESAVKA_TLS_DOMAIN}" \
+      "${REPO_ROOT}/target/debug/lesavka-relayctl" \
+      --server "${RESOLVED_LESAVKA_SERVER_ADDR}" \
+      upstream-sync 2>&1
+  )"; then
+    echo "   ↪ planner query failed: ${sync_output}"
+    return 0
+  fi
+  while IFS= read -r line; do
+    [[ -n "${line}" ]] && echo "   ↪ ${line}"
+  done <<<"${sync_output}"
+}
+
 start_local_stimulus() {
   echo "==> starting local A/V stimulus server"
   python3 "${REPO_ROOT}/scripts/manual/local_av_stimulus.py" \
@@ -266,9 +287,11 @@ echo "==> prebuilding real client and analyzer"
 
 start_server_tunnel_if_needed
 print_lesavka_versions
+print_upstream_sync_state "before mirrored run"
 start_local_stimulus
 start_real_lesavka_client
 run_browser_capture_with_real_driver
+print_upstream_sync_state "after mirrored run"
 
 echo "==> mirrored probe complete"
 echo "artifact_dir: ${ARTIFACT_DIR}"
diff --git a/server/Cargo.toml b/server/Cargo.toml
index 7450d06..cea602a 100644
--- a/server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/server/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ bench                   = false
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_server"
-version                 = "0.16.26"
+version                 = "0.17.0"
 edition                 = "2024"
 autobins                = false
 
diff --git a/server/src/calibration.rs b/server/src/calibration.rs
index 78a9588..fe1f2c6 100644
--- a/server/src/calibration.rs
+++ b/server/src/calibration.rs
@@ -9,13 +9,14 @@ use lesavka_common::lesavka::{
 
 use crate::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamMediaRuntime;
 
-pub const FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US: i64 = 1_260_000;
+pub const FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US: i64 = 0;
 pub const FACTORY_MJPEG_VIDEO_OFFSET_US: i64 = 0;
 const LEGACY_FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US: i64 = -45_000;
 const PREVIOUS_FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US: i64 = 720_000;
+const PREVIOUS_TUNED_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US: i64 = 1_260_000;
 const PROFILE: &str = "mjpeg";
 const FACTORY_CONFIDENCE: &str = "factory";
-const OFFSET_LIMIT_US: i64 = 1_500_000;
+const OFFSET_LIMIT_US: i64 = 500_000;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
 struct CalibrationSnapshot {
@@ -237,10 +238,17 @@ fn parse_snapshot(raw: &str) -> CalibrationSnapshot {
 fn migrate_legacy_snapshot(mut state: CalibrationSnapshot) -> CalibrationSnapshot {
     let source_allows_migration = matches!(state.source.as_str(), "factory" | "env");
     let confidence_allows_migration = matches!(state.confidence.as_str(), "factory" | "configured");
-    let untouched_legacy_audio = matches!(
+    let clamped_previous_baseline = state.default_audio_offset_us == OFFSET_LIMIT_US
+        && state
+            .detail
+            .contains("loaded upstream A/V calibration defaults");
+    let untouched_legacy_audio = (matches!(
         state.default_audio_offset_us,
-        LEGACY_FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US | PREVIOUS_FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US
-    ) && state.active_audio_offset_us == state.default_audio_offset_us;
+        LEGACY_FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US
+            | PREVIOUS_FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US
+            | PREVIOUS_TUNED_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US
+    ) || clamped_previous_baseline)
+        && state.active_audio_offset_us == state.default_audio_offset_us;
     let untouched_legacy_video = state.default_video_offset_us == FACTORY_MJPEG_VIDEO_OFFSET_US
         && state.active_video_offset_us == FACTORY_MJPEG_VIDEO_OFFSET_US;
     if state.profile == PROFILE
@@ -321,7 +329,7 @@ mod tests {
             ],
             || {
                 let state = snapshot_from_env();
-                assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, 1_260_000);
+                assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, 0);
                 assert_eq!(state.active_video_offset_us, 0);
                 assert_eq!(state.source, "factory");
             },
@@ -345,10 +353,10 @@ mod tests {
                     note: String::new(),
                 })
                 .expect("manual adjust applies");
-            assert_eq!(state.active_audio_offset_us, 1_255_000);
-            assert_eq!(runtime.playout_offsets(), (0, 1_255_000));
+            assert_eq!(state.active_audio_offset_us, -5_000);
+            assert_eq!(runtime.playout_offsets(), (0, -5_000));
             let raw = std::fs::read_to_string(file.path()).expect("persisted calibration");
-            assert!(raw.contains("active_audio_offset_us=1255000"));
+            assert!(raw.contains("active_audio_offset_us=-5000"));
         });
     }
 
@@ -371,7 +379,7 @@ mod tests {
             ],
             || {
                 let state = snapshot_from_env();
-                assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, -1_500_000);
+                assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, -500_000);
                 assert_eq!(state.default_video_offset_us, 12_345);
                 assert_eq!(state.source, "env");
                 assert_eq!(state.confidence, "configured");
@@ -399,7 +407,7 @@ mod tests {
                 );
                 assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US);
                 assert_eq!(state.default_video_offset_us, 2_500);
-                assert_eq!(state.active_audio_offset_us, -1_500_000);
+                assert_eq!(state.active_audio_offset_us, -500_000);
                 assert_eq!(state.active_video_offset_us, FACTORY_MJPEG_VIDEO_OFFSET_US);
                 assert_eq!(state.source, "saved");
                 assert_eq!(state.confidence, FACTORY_CONFIDENCE);
@@ -429,10 +437,10 @@ mod tests {
             let runtime = Arc::new(UpstreamMediaRuntime::new());
             let store = CalibrationStore::load(runtime.clone());
             let state = store.current();
-            assert_eq!(state.active_audio_offset_us, 1_260_000);
-            assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, 1_260_000);
+            assert_eq!(state.active_audio_offset_us, 0);
+            assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, 0);
             assert_eq!(state.source, "factory");
-            assert_eq!(runtime.playout_offsets(), (0, 1_260_000));
+            assert_eq!(runtime.playout_offsets(), (0, 0));
             assert!(state.detail.contains("migrated legacy MJPEG"));
         });
     }
@@ -459,11 +467,11 @@ mod tests {
             let runtime = Arc::new(UpstreamMediaRuntime::new());
             let store = CalibrationStore::load(runtime.clone());
             let state = store.current();
-            assert_eq!(state.active_audio_offset_us, 1_260_000);
-            assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, 1_260_000);
+            assert_eq!(state.active_audio_offset_us, 0);
+            assert_eq!(state.default_audio_offset_us, 0);
             assert_eq!(state.source, "factory");
-            assert_eq!(runtime.playout_offsets(), (0, 1_260_000));
-            assert!(state.detail.contains("from +720.0ms to +1260.0ms"));
+            assert_eq!(runtime.playout_offsets(), (0, 0));
+            assert!(state.detail.contains("to +0.0ms"));
         });
     }
 
@@ -519,7 +527,7 @@ mod tests {
                     .expect("blind estimate");
                 assert_eq!(blind.source, "blind");
                 assert!(blind.detail.contains("delivery skew 44.0ms"));
-                assert_eq!(runtime.playout_offsets(), (-2_000, 1_265_000));
+                assert_eq!(runtime.playout_offsets(), (-2_000, 5_000));
 
                 let manual = store
                     .apply(CalibrationRequest {
@@ -531,7 +539,7 @@ mod tests {
                         note: String::new(),
                     })
                     .expect("manual clamp");
-                assert_eq!(manual.active_audio_offset_us, 1_500_000);
+                assert_eq!(manual.active_audio_offset_us, 500_000);
 
                 let saved = store
                     .apply(CalibrationRequest {
diff --git a/server/src/main.rs b/server/src/main.rs
index 6c3f558..bbaf67d 100644
--- a/server/src/main.rs
+++ b/server/src/main.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ use tracing::{debug, error, info, warn};
 use lesavka_common::lesavka::{
     AudioPacket, CalibrationRequest, CalibrationState, CapturePowerCommand, CapturePowerState,
     Empty, KeyboardReport, MonitorRequest, MouseReport, PasteReply, PasteRequest, ResetUsbReply,
-    SetCapturePowerRequest, VideoPacket,
+    SetCapturePowerRequest, UpstreamSyncState, VideoPacket,
     relay_server::{Relay, RelayServer},
 };
 
diff --git a/server/src/main/relay_service.rs b/server/src/main/relay_service.rs
index 1bd3751..dc052d0 100644
--- a/server/src/main/relay_service.rs
+++ b/server/src/main/relay_service.rs
@@ -198,12 +198,41 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
                 };
                 let plan = match upstream_media_rt.plan_audio_pts(pkt.pts) {
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::AwaitingPair => {
+                        if inbound_closed {
+                            tracing::debug!(
+                                rpc_id,
+                                session_id = lease.session_id,
+                                pts = pkt.pts,
+                                "🎤 dropping trailing upstream audio because no paired video arrived before stream close"
+                            );
+                            continue;
+                        }
                         pending.push_front(pkt);
                         continue;
                     }
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropBeforeOverlap => {
                         continue;
                     }
+                    lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale(reason) => {
+                        tracing::warn!(
+                            rpc_id,
+                            session_id = lease.session_id,
+                            pts = pkt.pts,
+                            reason,
+                            "🎤 upstream audio packet dropped by authoritative freshness planner"
+                        );
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::StartupFailed(reason) => {
+                        tracing::error!(
+                            rpc_id,
+                            session_id = lease.session_id,
+                            reason,
+                            "🎤 upstream audio startup failed"
+                        );
+                        cleanup.mark_aborted();
+                        break;
+                    }
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::Play(plan) => plan,
                 };
                 if plan.late_by > stale_drop_budget {
@@ -236,6 +265,7 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
                     tracing::info!(rpc_id, "🎤⬇ srv  pkt#{n}  {} bytes", pkt.data.len());
                 }
                 sink.push(&pkt);
+                upstream_media_rt.mark_audio_presented(pkt.pts);
             }
             sink.finish(); // flush on EOS
             let _ = tx.send(Ok(Empty {})).await;
@@ -362,12 +392,37 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropBeforeOverlap => {
                         continue;
                     }
+                    lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale(reason) => {
+                        tracing::warn!(
+                            rpc_id,
+                            session_id = upstream_lease.session_id,
+                            camera_session_id,
+                            pts = pkt.pts,
+                            reason,
+                            "🎥 upstream video frame dropped by authoritative freshness planner"
+                        );
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::StartupFailed(reason) => {
+                        tracing::error!(
+                            rpc_id,
+                            session_id = upstream_lease.session_id,
+                            camera_session_id,
+                            reason,
+                            "🎥 upstream video startup failed"
+                        );
+                        cleanup.mark_aborted();
+                        break;
+                    }
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::Play(plan) => plan,
                 };
                 if !upstream_media_rt
                     .wait_for_audio_master(plan.local_pts_us, plan.due_at)
                     .await
                 {
+                    upstream_media_rt.record_video_freeze(
+                        "video froze because audio master did not reach the frame timestamp",
+                    );
                     tracing::warn!(
                         rpc_id,
                         session_id = upstream_lease.session_id,
@@ -433,7 +488,9 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
                 }
                 pkt.pts = plan.local_pts_us;
                 startup_video_settled = true;
+                let presented_pts = pkt.pts;
                 relay.feed(pkt); // ← all logging inside video.rs
+                upstream_media_rt.mark_video_presented(presented_pts);
             }
             tx.send(Ok(Empty {})).await.ok();
             Ok::<(), Status>(())
@@ -503,6 +560,13 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
     ) -> Result<Response<CalibrationState>, Status> {
         self.calibrate_reply(req).await
     }
+
+    async fn get_upstream_sync(
+        &self,
+        _req: Request<Empty>,
+    ) -> Result<Response<UpstreamSyncState>, Status> {
+        self.get_upstream_sync_reply().await
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
diff --git a/server/src/main/relay_service_coverage.rs b/server/src/main/relay_service_coverage.rs
index 52b9421..cf51ccf 100644
--- a/server/src/main/relay_service_coverage.rs
+++ b/server/src/main/relay_service_coverage.rs
@@ -154,6 +154,12 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropBeforeOverlap => {
                         continue;
                     }
+                    lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale(_) => {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::StartupFailed(_) => {
+                        break;
+                    }
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::Play(plan) => plan,
                 };
                 if plan.late_by > stale_drop_budget {
@@ -168,6 +174,7 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
                 }
                 pkt.pts = plan.local_pts_us;
                 sink.push(&pkt);
+                upstream_media_rt.mark_audio_presented(pkt.pts);
             }
             sink.finish();
             upstream_media_rt.close_microphone(lease.generation);
@@ -233,12 +240,19 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropBeforeOverlap => {
                         continue;
                     }
+                    lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale(_) => {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::StartupFailed(_) => {
+                        break;
+                    }
                     lesavka_server::upstream_media_runtime::UpstreamPlanDecision::Play(plan) => plan,
                 };
                 if !upstream_media_rt
                     .wait_for_audio_master(plan.local_pts_us, plan.due_at)
                     .await
                 {
+                    upstream_media_rt.record_video_freeze("coverage video froze awaiting audio master");
                     continue;
                 }
                 if plan.late_by > stale_drop_budget {
@@ -254,7 +268,9 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
                     continue;
                 }
                 pkt.pts = plan.local_pts_us;
+                let presented_pts = pkt.pts;
                 relay.feed(pkt);
+                upstream_media_rt.mark_video_presented(presented_pts);
             }
             upstream_media_rt.close_camera(upstream_lease.generation);
             tx.send(Ok(Empty {})).await.ok();
@@ -336,4 +352,11 @@ impl Relay for Handler {
     ) -> Result<Response<CalibrationState>, Status> {
         self.calibrate_reply(req).await
     }
+
+    async fn get_upstream_sync(
+        &self,
+        _req: Request<Empty>,
+    ) -> Result<Response<UpstreamSyncState>, Status> {
+        self.get_upstream_sync_reply().await
+    }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/main/rpc_helpers.rs b/server/src/main/rpc_helpers.rs
index 5a50f45..d2c6cb1 100644
--- a/server/src/main/rpc_helpers.rs
+++ b/server/src/main/rpc_helpers.rs
@@ -164,4 +164,25 @@ impl Handler {
             .map(Response::new)
             .map_err(|e| Status::internal(format!("{e:#}")))
     }
+
+    async fn get_upstream_sync_reply(&self) -> Result<Response<UpstreamSyncState>, Status> {
+        let snapshot = self.upstream_media_rt.snapshot();
+        Ok(Response::new(UpstreamSyncState {
+            session_id: snapshot.session_id,
+            phase: snapshot.phase.to_string(),
+            latest_camera_remote_pts_us: snapshot.latest_camera_remote_pts_us,
+            latest_microphone_remote_pts_us: snapshot.latest_microphone_remote_pts_us,
+            last_video_presented_pts_us: snapshot.last_video_presented_pts_us,
+            last_audio_presented_pts_us: snapshot.last_audio_presented_pts_us,
+            live_lag_ms: snapshot.live_lag_ms.map(|value| value as f32),
+            planner_skew_ms: snapshot.planner_skew_ms.map(|value| value as f32),
+            stale_audio_drops: snapshot.stale_audio_drops,
+            stale_video_drops: snapshot.stale_video_drops,
+            skew_video_drops: snapshot.skew_video_drops,
+            freshness_reanchors: snapshot.freshness_reanchors,
+            startup_timeouts: snapshot.startup_timeouts,
+            video_freezes: snapshot.video_freezes,
+            last_reason: snapshot.last_reason,
+        }))
+    }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime.rs b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime.rs
index 05396a6..c32b8be 100644
--- a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime.rs
+++ b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime.rs
@@ -12,13 +12,15 @@ mod state;
 mod types;
 
 use config::{
-    apply_playout_offset, upstream_camera_startup_grace_us, upstream_pairing_master_slack,
-    upstream_playout_delay, upstream_playout_offset_us, upstream_reanchor_late_threshold,
-    upstream_reanchor_window_us, upstream_require_paired_startup, upstream_timing_trace_enabled,
+    apply_playout_offset, upstream_camera_startup_grace_us, upstream_max_live_lag,
+    upstream_pairing_master_slack, upstream_playout_delay, upstream_playout_offset_us,
+    upstream_reanchor_late_threshold, upstream_require_paired_startup, upstream_startup_timeout,
+    upstream_timing_trace_enabled,
 };
-use state::UpstreamClockState;
+use state::{UpstreamClockState, UpstreamSyncPhase};
 pub use types::{
-    PlannedUpstreamPacket, UpstreamMediaKind, UpstreamPlanDecision, UpstreamStreamLease,
+    PlannedUpstreamPacket, UpstreamMediaKind, UpstreamPlanDecision, UpstreamPlannerSnapshot,
+    UpstreamStreamLease,
 };
 
 /// Coordinate upstream stream ownership and keep audio/video on one timeline.
@@ -93,6 +95,79 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
         let microphone_offset_us = self.microphone_playout_offset_us.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
         microphone_offset_us.saturating_sub(camera_offset_us).max(0) as u64
     }
+
+    /// Mark one audio chunk as actually handed to the UAC sink.
+    pub fn mark_audio_presented(&self, local_pts_us: u64) {
+        let mut state = self
+            .state
+            .lock()
+            .expect("upstream media state mutex poisoned");
+        state.last_audio_presented_pts_us = Some(local_pts_us);
+        if state.phase != UpstreamSyncPhase::Failed {
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Live;
+            state.last_reason = "audio-master playhead flowing".to_string();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Mark one video frame as actually handed to the UVC/HDMI sink.
+    pub fn mark_video_presented(&self, local_pts_us: u64) {
+        let mut state = self
+            .state
+            .lock()
+            .expect("upstream media state mutex poisoned");
+        state.last_video_presented_pts_us = Some(local_pts_us);
+        if state.phase != UpstreamSyncPhase::Failed {
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Live;
+            state.last_reason = "video follower emitted a synced frame".to_string();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Record that video intentionally froze instead of showing an out-of-sync frame.
+    pub fn record_video_freeze(&self, reason: impl Into<String>) {
+        let mut state = self
+            .state
+            .lock()
+            .expect("upstream media state mutex poisoned");
+        state.video_freezes = state.video_freezes.saturating_add(1);
+        if state.phase != UpstreamSyncPhase::Failed {
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Healing;
+        }
+        state.last_reason = reason.into();
+    }
+
+    /// Return current planner facts for diagnostics and probe artifacts.
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn snapshot(&self) -> UpstreamPlannerSnapshot {
+        let state = self
+            .state
+            .lock()
+            .expect("upstream media state mutex poisoned");
+        let live_lag_ms = live_lag_us(&state).map(us_to_ms);
+        let planner_skew_ms = match (
+            state.last_audio_presented_pts_us,
+            state.last_video_presented_pts_us,
+        ) {
+            (Some(audio), Some(video)) => Some((audio as i128 - video as i128) as f64 / 1000.0),
+            _ => None,
+        };
+        UpstreamPlannerSnapshot {
+            session_id: state.session_id,
+            phase: state.phase.as_str(),
+            latest_camera_remote_pts_us: state.latest_camera_remote_pts_us,
+            latest_microphone_remote_pts_us: state.latest_microphone_remote_pts_us,
+            last_video_presented_pts_us: state.last_video_presented_pts_us,
+            last_audio_presented_pts_us: state.last_audio_presented_pts_us,
+            live_lag_ms,
+            planner_skew_ms,
+            stale_audio_drops: state.stale_audio_drops,
+            stale_video_drops: state.stale_video_drops,
+            skew_video_drops: state.skew_video_drops,
+            freshness_reanchors: state.freshness_reanchors,
+            startup_timeouts: state.startup_timeouts,
+            video_freezes: state.video_freezes,
+            last_reason: state.last_reason.clone(),
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 include!("upstream_media_runtime/lease_lifecycle.rs");
@@ -189,6 +264,7 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
                 state.microphone_packet_count
             }
         };
+        update_latest_remote_pts(&mut state, kind, remote_pts_us);
         let mut first_remote_for_kind = match kind {
             UpstreamMediaKind::Camera => {
                 let first_slot = &mut state.first_camera_remote_pts_us;
@@ -215,8 +291,20 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
             .pairing_anchor_deadline
             .get_or_insert_with(|| now + upstream_playout_delay());
         let playout_delay = upstream_playout_delay();
+        let max_live_lag = upstream_max_live_lag();
 
         if state.session_base_remote_pts_us.is_none() {
+            if state.session_started_at.is_some_and(|started_at| {
+                now.saturating_duration_since(started_at) > upstream_startup_timeout()
+            }) {
+                state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Failed;
+                state.startup_timeouts = state.startup_timeouts.saturating_add(1);
+                state.last_reason =
+                    "paired upstream startup did not converge before timeout".to_string();
+                return UpstreamPlanDecision::StartupFailed(
+                    "paired upstream startup did not converge before timeout",
+                );
+            }
             if state.first_camera_remote_pts_us.is_some()
                 && state.first_microphone_remote_pts_us.is_some()
                 && state.camera_startup_ready
@@ -230,6 +318,8 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
                 let overlap_epoch = now + playout_delay;
                 state.playout_epoch = Some(overlap_epoch);
                 state.pairing_anchor_deadline = Some(overlap_epoch);
+                state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Syncing;
+                state.last_reason = "fresh audio/video overlap anchor established".to_string();
                 if !state.startup_anchor_logged {
                     let startup_delta_us =
                         first_camera_remote_pts_us as i128 - first_microphone_remote_pts_us as i128;
@@ -246,6 +336,8 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
                 }
                 self.pairing_state_notify.notify_waiters();
             } else if now < pairing_deadline {
+                state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Acquiring;
+                state.last_reason = "awaiting both upstream media streams".to_string();
                 if upstream_timing_trace_enabled()
                     && (packet_count <= 10 || packet_count.is_multiple_of(300))
                 {
@@ -260,6 +352,8 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
                 }
                 return UpstreamPlanDecision::AwaitingPair;
             } else if state.first_camera_remote_pts_us.is_some() && !state.camera_startup_ready {
+                state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Syncing;
+                state.last_reason = "camera startup warm-up is still in progress".to_string();
                 if upstream_timing_trace_enabled()
                     && (packet_count <= 10 || packet_count.is_multiple_of(300))
                 {
@@ -290,6 +384,8 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
                         "upstream media pairing window expired; holding one-sided stream for synced startup"
                     );
                 }
+                state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Syncing;
+                state.last_reason = "holding one-sided stream for synced startup".to_string();
                 return UpstreamPlanDecision::AwaitingPair;
             } else {
                 let single_stream_base_remote_pts_us = match kind {
@@ -331,6 +427,23 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
             return UpstreamPlanDecision::DropBeforeOverlap;
         }
 
+        let source_lag = source_lag_for_kind(&state, kind, remote_pts_us);
+        if source_lag > max_live_lag {
+            match kind {
+                UpstreamMediaKind::Camera => {
+                    state.stale_video_drops = state.stale_video_drops.saturating_add(1);
+                    state.video_freezes = state.video_freezes.saturating_add(1);
+                    state.last_reason = "dropped stale video beyond max live lag".to_string();
+                }
+                UpstreamMediaKind::Microphone => {
+                    state.stale_audio_drops = state.stale_audio_drops.saturating_add(1);
+                    state.last_reason = "dropped stale audio beyond max live lag".to_string();
+                }
+            }
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Healing;
+            return UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale("packet exceeded max live lag");
+        }
+
         let mut local_pts_us = remote_pts_us.saturating_sub(session_base_remote_pts_us);
         let last_slot = match kind {
             UpstreamMediaKind::Camera => &mut state.last_video_local_pts_us,
@@ -342,27 +455,41 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
             local_pts_us = last_pts_us.saturating_add(min_step_us.max(1));
         }
         *last_slot = Some(local_pts_us);
+        if kind == UpstreamMediaKind::Camera
+            && state.last_audio_local_pts_us.is_some_and(|audio_pts_us| {
+                video_is_too_far_behind_audio(local_pts_us, audio_pts_us)
+            })
+        {
+            state.skew_video_drops = state.skew_video_drops.saturating_add(1);
+            state.video_freezes = state.video_freezes.saturating_add(1);
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Healing;
+            state.last_reason =
+                "dropped video frame that was too far behind the audio master".to_string();
+            return UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale("video frame was too far behind audio master");
+        }
         let epoch = *state.playout_epoch.get_or_insert(pairing_deadline);
         let sink_offset_us = self.playout_offset_us(kind);
-        let playout_delay = upstream_playout_delay();
+        let playout_delay = upstream_playout_delay().min(max_live_lag);
         let mut due_at =
             apply_playout_offset(epoch + Duration::from_micros(local_pts_us), sink_offset_us);
         let mut late_by = now.checked_duration_since(due_at).unwrap_or_default();
         let reanchor_threshold = upstream_reanchor_late_threshold(playout_delay);
-        let reanchor_window_us = upstream_reanchor_window_us(playout_delay);
-        if !state.catastrophic_reanchor_done
-            && local_pts_us <= reanchor_window_us
-            && late_by > reanchor_threshold
-        {
+        let max_future_wait = max_live_lag.saturating_sub(source_lag);
+        let due_future_wait = due_at.saturating_duration_since(now);
+        if late_by > reanchor_threshold || due_future_wait > max_future_wait {
             let old_late_by = late_by;
-            let desired_due_at = now + playout_delay;
+            let old_future_wait = due_future_wait;
+            let desired_delay = playout_delay.min(max_future_wait);
+            let desired_due_at = now + desired_delay;
             let unoffset_due_at = apply_playout_offset(desired_due_at, -sink_offset_us);
             let recovered_epoch = unoffset_due_at
                 .checked_sub(Duration::from_micros(local_pts_us))
                 .unwrap_or(unoffset_due_at);
             state.playout_epoch = Some(recovered_epoch);
             state.pairing_anchor_deadline = Some(desired_due_at);
-            state.catastrophic_reanchor_done = true;
+            state.freshness_reanchors = state.freshness_reanchors.saturating_add(1);
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Healing;
+            state.last_reason = "reanchored upstream playhead to preserve freshness".to_string();
             due_at = apply_playout_offset(
                 recovered_epoch + Duration::from_micros(local_pts_us),
                 sink_offset_us,
@@ -375,11 +502,33 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
                 local_pts_us,
                 remote_pts_us,
                 old_late_by_ms = old_late_by.as_millis(),
+                old_future_wait_ms = old_future_wait.as_millis(),
                 recovery_buffer_ms = playout_delay.as_millis(),
                 reanchor_threshold_ms = reanchor_threshold.as_millis(),
-                "upstream media playout epoch reanchored after catastrophic lateness"
+                max_live_lag_ms = max_live_lag.as_millis(),
+                source_lag_ms = source_lag.as_millis(),
+                "upstream media playhead reanchored to preserve freshness"
             );
         }
+        let predicted_lag_at_playout =
+            source_lag.saturating_add(due_at.saturating_duration_since(now));
+        if predicted_lag_at_playout > max_live_lag {
+            match kind {
+                UpstreamMediaKind::Camera => {
+                    state.stale_video_drops = state.stale_video_drops.saturating_add(1);
+                    state.video_freezes = state.video_freezes.saturating_add(1);
+                    state.last_reason =
+                        "dropped video that would exceed max live lag at playout".to_string();
+                }
+                UpstreamMediaKind::Microphone => {
+                    state.stale_audio_drops = state.stale_audio_drops.saturating_add(1);
+                    state.last_reason =
+                        "dropped audio that would exceed max live lag at playout".to_string();
+                }
+            }
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Healing;
+            return UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale("packet would exceed max live lag at playout");
+        }
         if upstream_timing_trace_enabled()
             && (packet_count <= 10 || packet_count.is_multiple_of(300))
         {
@@ -397,6 +546,7 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
                 playout_delay_us,
                 sink_offset_us,
                 late_by_us,
+                source_lag_us = source_lag.as_micros(),
                 "upstream media rebase sample"
             );
         }
@@ -407,10 +557,54 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
             local_pts_us,
             due_at,
             late_by,
+            source_lag,
         })
     }
 }
 
+fn update_latest_remote_pts(
+    state: &mut UpstreamClockState,
+    kind: UpstreamMediaKind,
+    remote_pts_us: u64,
+) {
+    let slot = match kind {
+        UpstreamMediaKind::Camera => &mut state.latest_camera_remote_pts_us,
+        UpstreamMediaKind::Microphone => &mut state.latest_microphone_remote_pts_us,
+    };
+    *slot = Some((*slot).unwrap_or(remote_pts_us).max(remote_pts_us));
+}
+
+fn source_lag_for_kind(
+    state: &UpstreamClockState,
+    kind: UpstreamMediaKind,
+    remote_pts_us: u64,
+) -> Duration {
+    let latest = match kind {
+        UpstreamMediaKind::Camera => state.latest_camera_remote_pts_us,
+        UpstreamMediaKind::Microphone => state.latest_microphone_remote_pts_us,
+    }
+    .unwrap_or(remote_pts_us);
+    Duration::from_micros(latest.saturating_sub(remote_pts_us))
+}
+
+fn video_is_too_far_behind_audio(video_pts_us: u64, audio_pts_us: u64) -> bool {
+    let slack_us = upstream_pairing_master_slack()
+        .as_micros()
+        .min(u64::MAX as u128) as u64;
+    video_pts_us.saturating_add(slack_us) < audio_pts_us
+}
+
+fn live_lag_us(state: &UpstreamClockState) -> Option<u64> {
+    let latest_audio = state.latest_microphone_remote_pts_us?;
+    let audio_playhead = state.last_audio_presented_pts_us?;
+    let base = state.session_base_remote_pts_us?;
+    Some(latest_audio.saturating_sub(base.saturating_add(audio_playhead)))
+}
+
+fn us_to_ms(value: u64) -> f64 {
+    value as f64 / 1000.0
+}
+
 fn refresh_unpaired_pairing_anchor(
     state: &mut UpstreamClockState,
     kind: UpstreamMediaKind,
diff --git a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/config.rs b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/config.rs
index 615eee6..7e4fac7 100644
--- a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/config.rs
+++ b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/config.rs
@@ -21,10 +21,26 @@ pub(super) fn upstream_playout_delay() -> Duration {
     let delay_ms = std::env::var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS")
         .ok()
         .and_then(|value| value.trim().parse::<u64>().ok())
-        .unwrap_or(1_000);
+        .unwrap_or(350);
     Duration::from_millis(delay_ms)
 }
 
+pub(super) fn upstream_max_live_lag() -> Duration {
+    let lag_ms = std::env::var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS")
+        .ok()
+        .and_then(|value| value.trim().parse::<u64>().ok())
+        .unwrap_or(1_000);
+    Duration::from_millis(lag_ms.max(1))
+}
+
+pub(super) fn upstream_startup_timeout() -> Duration {
+    let timeout_ms = std::env::var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS")
+        .ok()
+        .and_then(|value| value.trim().parse::<u64>().ok())
+        .unwrap_or(60_000);
+    Duration::from_millis(timeout_ms.max(1))
+}
+
 pub(super) fn upstream_require_paired_startup() -> bool {
     std::env::var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_REQUIRE_PAIRED_STARTUP")
         .ok()
@@ -45,10 +61,8 @@ pub(super) fn upstream_playout_offset_us(kind: UpstreamMediaKind) -> i64 {
     };
     let default_offset_us = match kind {
         UpstreamMediaKind::Camera => FACTORY_MJPEG_VIDEO_OFFSET_US,
-        // Hardware sync probes on the MJPEG UVC path show the UAC leg arriving
-        // about 80ms after video when using the older +35ms default. Bias the
-        // server playout earlier so the shipped default lands in the preferred
-        // lip-sync band instead of hovering at the guardrail.
+        // 0.17 keeps shipped offsets small: the planner owns freshness and
+        // pairing, while calibration only handles sub-frame trim.
         UpstreamMediaKind::Microphone => FACTORY_MJPEG_AUDIO_OFFSET_US,
     };
     std::env::var(name)
@@ -61,7 +75,7 @@ pub(super) fn upstream_pairing_master_slack() -> Duration {
     let slack_us = std::env::var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US")
         .ok()
         .and_then(|value| value.trim().parse::<u64>().ok())
-        .unwrap_or(20_000);
+        .unwrap_or(80_000);
     Duration::from_micros(slack_us)
 }
 
@@ -75,7 +89,7 @@ pub(super) fn upstream_reanchor_late_threshold(playout_delay: Duration) -> Durat
 
     let default_ms = (playout_delay.as_millis().min(u64::MAX as u128) as u64)
         .saturating_div(2)
-        .max(250);
+        .max(100);
     Duration::from_millis(default_ms)
 }
 
@@ -87,10 +101,6 @@ pub(super) fn upstream_camera_startup_grace_us() -> u64 {
         .saturating_mul(1_000)
 }
 
-pub(super) fn upstream_reanchor_window_us(playout_delay: Duration) -> u64 {
-    playout_delay.as_micros().min(u64::MAX as u128) as u64
-}
-
 pub(super) fn apply_playout_offset(base: Instant, offset_us: i64) -> Instant {
     if offset_us >= 0 {
         base + Duration::from_micros(offset_us as u64)
diff --git a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/lease_lifecycle.rs b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/lease_lifecycle.rs
index b5b9eaa..1e732f9 100644
--- a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/lease_lifecycle.rs
+++ b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/lease_lifecycle.rs
@@ -55,8 +55,14 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
         if starting_new_session {
             state.session_id = self.next_session_id.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst) + 1;
             reset_timing_anchors(&mut state);
+            state.session_started_at = Some(tokio::time::Instant::now());
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Acquiring;
+            state.last_reason = "new upstream session acquiring media".to_string();
         } else if reset_on_replace && replacing_existing_owner {
             reset_timing_anchors(&mut state);
+            state.session_started_at = Some(tokio::time::Instant::now());
+            state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Acquiring;
+            state.last_reason = "upstream stream replacement reset media anchors".to_string();
         }
         match kind {
             UpstreamMediaKind::Camera => state.active_camera_generation = Some(generation),
@@ -138,16 +144,28 @@ impl UpstreamMediaRuntime {
 }
 
 fn reset_timing_anchors(state: &mut UpstreamClockState) {
+    state.session_started_at = None;
     state.first_camera_remote_pts_us = None;
     state.first_microphone_remote_pts_us = None;
+    state.latest_camera_remote_pts_us = None;
+    state.latest_microphone_remote_pts_us = None;
     state.camera_startup_ready = false;
     state.session_base_remote_pts_us = None;
     state.last_video_local_pts_us = None;
     state.last_audio_local_pts_us = None;
+    state.last_video_presented_pts_us = None;
+    state.last_audio_presented_pts_us = None;
     state.camera_packet_count = 0;
     state.microphone_packet_count = 0;
     state.startup_anchor_logged = false;
     state.playout_epoch = None;
     state.pairing_anchor_deadline = None;
-    state.catastrophic_reanchor_done = false;
+    state.freshness_reanchors = 0;
+    state.stale_audio_drops = 0;
+    state.stale_video_drops = 0;
+    state.skew_video_drops = 0;
+    state.startup_timeouts = 0;
+    state.video_freezes = 0;
+    state.phase = UpstreamSyncPhase::Acquiring;
+    state.last_reason = "timing anchors reset".to_string();
 }
diff --git a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/state.rs b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/state.rs
index ac57526..ce6cbc0 100644
--- a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/state.rs
+++ b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/state.rs
@@ -1,20 +1,59 @@
 use tokio::time::Instant;
 
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
+pub enum UpstreamSyncPhase {
+    Acquiring,
+    Syncing,
+    Live,
+    Healing,
+    Failed,
+}
+
+impl UpstreamSyncPhase {
+    pub fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Acquiring => "acquiring",
+            Self::Syncing => "syncing",
+            Self::Live => "live",
+            Self::Healing => "healing",
+            Self::Failed => "failed",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Default)]
 pub(super) struct UpstreamClockState {
     pub session_id: u64,
     pub active_camera_generation: Option<u64>,
     pub active_microphone_generation: Option<u64>,
+    pub session_started_at: Option<Instant>,
+    pub phase: UpstreamSyncPhase,
     pub first_camera_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
     pub first_microphone_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub latest_camera_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub latest_microphone_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
     pub camera_startup_ready: bool,
     pub session_base_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
     pub last_video_local_pts_us: Option<u64>,
     pub last_audio_local_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub last_video_presented_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub last_audio_presented_pts_us: Option<u64>,
     pub camera_packet_count: u64,
     pub microphone_packet_count: u64,
     pub startup_anchor_logged: bool,
     pub playout_epoch: Option<Instant>,
     pub pairing_anchor_deadline: Option<Instant>,
-    pub catastrophic_reanchor_done: bool,
+    pub freshness_reanchors: u64,
+    pub stale_audio_drops: u64,
+    pub stale_video_drops: u64,
+    pub skew_video_drops: u64,
+    pub startup_timeouts: u64,
+    pub video_freezes: u64,
+    pub last_reason: String,
+}
+
+impl Default for UpstreamSyncPhase {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::Acquiring
+    }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/tests/config.rs b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/tests/config.rs
index f660004..eb2388e 100644
--- a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/tests/config.rs
+++ b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/tests/config.rs
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 
 #[test]
 #[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
-fn upstream_playout_delay_defaults_to_one_second_and_accepts_overrides() {
+fn upstream_playout_delay_defaults_to_freshness_budget_and_accepts_overrides() {
     temp_env::with_var_unset("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS", || {
-        assert_eq!(super::upstream_playout_delay(), Duration::from_secs(1));
+        assert_eq!(super::upstream_playout_delay(), Duration::from_millis(350));
     });
 
     temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS", Some("250"), || {
@@ -14,6 +14,33 @@ fn upstream_playout_delay_defaults_to_one_second_and_accepts_overrides() {
     });
 }
 
+#[test]
+#[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
+fn upstream_max_live_lag_defaults_to_one_second_and_accepts_overrides() {
+    temp_env::with_var_unset("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS", || {
+        assert_eq!(super::upstream_max_live_lag(), Duration::from_secs(1));
+    });
+
+    temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS", Some("750"), || {
+        assert_eq!(super::upstream_max_live_lag(), Duration::from_millis(750));
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+#[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
+fn upstream_startup_timeout_defaults_to_one_minute_and_accepts_overrides() {
+    temp_env::with_var_unset("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS", || {
+        assert_eq!(super::upstream_startup_timeout(), Duration::from_secs(60));
+    });
+
+    temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS", Some("2500"), || {
+        assert_eq!(
+            super::upstream_startup_timeout(),
+            Duration::from_millis(2500)
+        );
+    });
+}
+
 #[test]
 #[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
 fn upstream_requires_paired_startup_by_default_with_compatibility_override() {
@@ -43,7 +70,7 @@ fn upstream_playout_offsets_default_to_mjpeg_calibration_and_accept_overrides()
         temp_env::with_var_unset("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_VIDEO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US", || {
             assert_eq!(
                 super::upstream_playout_offset_us(UpstreamMediaKind::Microphone),
-                1_260_000
+                0
             );
             assert_eq!(
                 super::upstream_playout_offset_us(UpstreamMediaKind::Camera),
@@ -76,11 +103,11 @@ fn upstream_playout_offsets_default_to_mjpeg_calibration_and_accept_overrides()
 
 #[test]
 #[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
-fn upstream_pairing_master_slack_defaults_to_twenty_ms_and_accepts_overrides() {
+fn upstream_pairing_master_slack_defaults_to_eighty_ms_and_accepts_overrides() {
     temp_env::with_var_unset("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US", || {
         assert_eq!(
             super::upstream_pairing_master_slack(),
-            Duration::from_micros(20_000)
+            Duration::from_micros(80_000)
         );
     });
 
@@ -102,7 +129,7 @@ fn upstream_reanchor_late_threshold_defaults_to_half_the_buffer_and_accepts_over
         );
         assert_eq!(
             super::upstream_reanchor_late_threshold(Duration::from_millis(100)),
-            Duration::from_millis(250)
+            Duration::from_millis(100)
         );
     });
 
diff --git a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/tests/planning.rs b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/tests/planning.rs
index d22e896..242a736 100644
--- a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/tests/planning.rs
+++ b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/tests/planning.rs
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ fn overlap_anchor_gets_a_fresh_playout_budget_when_pairing_finishes_late() {
 
 #[test]
 #[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
-fn catastrophic_lateness_reanchors_only_once_per_session() {
+fn catastrophic_lateness_reanchors_repeatedly_to_preserve_freshness() {
     temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS", Some("20"), || {
         temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_REANCHOR_LATE_MS", Some("5"), || {
             let runtime = UpstreamMediaRuntime::new();
@@ -226,12 +226,18 @@ fn catastrophic_lateness_reanchors_only_once_per_session() {
             std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(30));
             let first_recovered = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_000_000));
             assert!(first_recovered.due_at > tokio::time::Instant::now());
+            assert!(first_recovered.late_by <= Duration::from_millis(1));
 
             std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(30));
-            let second_late = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_000_001));
+            let second_recovered = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_000_001));
+            assert!(second_recovered.due_at > tokio::time::Instant::now());
             assert!(
-                second_late.late_by > Duration::from_millis(5),
-                "session should not keep extending itself with repeated reanchors"
+                second_recovered.late_by <= Duration::from_millis(1),
+                "0.17 planner must keep healing instead of preserving stale timing"
+            );
+            assert!(
+                runtime.snapshot().freshness_reanchors >= 2,
+                "repeated freshness reanchors should be counted for diagnostics"
             );
         });
     });
@@ -239,7 +245,7 @@ fn catastrophic_lateness_reanchors_only_once_per_session() {
 
 #[test]
 #[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
-fn catastrophic_lateness_does_not_reanchor_once_the_session_is_well_past_startup() {
+fn catastrophic_lateness_reanchors_even_after_startup_window() {
     temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS", Some("20"), || {
         temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_REANCHOR_LATE_MS", Some("5"), || {
             let runtime = UpstreamMediaRuntime::new();
@@ -258,17 +264,152 @@ fn catastrophic_lateness_does_not_reanchor_once_the_session_is_well_past_startup
             let late_audio = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_100_000));
             assert_eq!(late_audio.local_pts_us, 100_000);
             assert!(
-                late_audio.late_by > Duration::from_millis(5),
-                "late packet should remain late instead of reanchoring the shared epoch mid-session"
+                late_audio.late_by <= Duration::from_millis(1),
+                "0.17 planner should heal mid-session lateness instead of preserving drift"
             );
             assert!(
-                late_audio.due_at <= tokio::time::Instant::now(),
-                "mid-session lateness should no longer push due_at back into the future"
+                late_audio.due_at > tokio::time::Instant::now(),
+                "mid-session freshness healing should push due_at back into the live budget"
             );
+            assert!(runtime.snapshot().freshness_reanchors >= 1);
         });
     });
 }
 
+#[test]
+#[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
+fn stale_audio_behind_the_freshest_audio_frontier_is_dropped() {
+    temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS", Some("0"), || {
+        temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS", Some("50"), || {
+            let runtime = runtime_without_offsets();
+            let _camera = runtime.activate_camera();
+            let _microphone = runtime.activate_microphone();
+
+            assert!(matches!(
+                runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666),
+                super::UpstreamPlanDecision::AwaitingPair
+            ));
+            let _audio = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_000_000));
+            let _video = play(runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666));
+            let _fresh_audio = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(2_000_000));
+
+            assert!(matches!(
+                runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_900_000),
+                super::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale("packet exceeded max live lag")
+            ));
+            assert_eq!(runtime.snapshot().stale_audio_drops, 1);
+        });
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+#[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
+fn stale_video_behind_the_freshest_video_frontier_is_dropped() {
+    temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS", Some("0"), || {
+        temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS", Some("50"), || {
+            let runtime = runtime_without_offsets();
+            let _camera = runtime.activate_camera();
+            let _microphone = runtime.activate_microphone();
+
+            assert!(matches!(
+                runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666),
+                super::UpstreamPlanDecision::AwaitingPair
+            ));
+            let _audio = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_000_000));
+            let _video = play(runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666));
+            let _fresh_video = play(runtime.plan_video_pts(2_000_000, 16_666));
+
+            assert!(matches!(
+                runtime.plan_video_pts(1_900_000, 16_666),
+                super::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale("packet exceeded max live lag")
+            ));
+            let snapshot = runtime.snapshot();
+            assert_eq!(snapshot.stale_video_drops, 1);
+            assert_eq!(snapshot.video_freezes, 1);
+        });
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+#[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
+fn video_too_far_behind_audio_master_is_dropped_and_counted_as_freeze() {
+    temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS", Some("0"), || {
+        temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US", Some("50000"), || {
+            let runtime = runtime_without_offsets();
+            let _camera = runtime.activate_camera();
+            let _microphone = runtime.activate_microphone();
+
+            assert!(matches!(
+                runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666),
+                super::UpstreamPlanDecision::AwaitingPair
+            ));
+            let _audio = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_000_000));
+            let _video = play(runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666));
+            let _audio_master = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_200_000));
+
+            assert!(matches!(
+                runtime.plan_video_pts(1_100_000, 16_666),
+                super::UpstreamPlanDecision::DropStale(
+                    "video frame was too far behind audio master"
+                )
+            ));
+            let snapshot = runtime.snapshot();
+            assert_eq!(snapshot.skew_video_drops, 1);
+            assert_eq!(snapshot.video_freezes, 1);
+        });
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+#[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
+fn paired_startup_times_out_instead_of_waiting_forever() {
+    temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS", Some("0"), || {
+        temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS", Some("1"), || {
+            let runtime = UpstreamMediaRuntime::new();
+            runtime.set_playout_offsets(0, 0);
+            let _camera = runtime.activate_camera();
+
+            assert!(matches!(
+                runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666),
+                super::UpstreamPlanDecision::AwaitingPair
+            ));
+            std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(3));
+            assert!(matches!(
+                runtime.plan_video_pts(1_016_666, 16_666),
+                super::UpstreamPlanDecision::StartupFailed(
+                    "paired upstream startup did not converge before timeout"
+                )
+            ));
+            let snapshot = runtime.snapshot();
+            assert_eq!(snapshot.phase, "failed");
+            assert_eq!(snapshot.startup_timeouts, 1);
+        });
+    });
+}
+
+#[test]
+#[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
+fn planner_snapshot_tracks_presented_playheads_and_skew() {
+    let runtime = runtime_without_offsets();
+    let _camera = runtime.activate_camera();
+    let _microphone = runtime.activate_microphone();
+
+    assert!(matches!(
+        runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666),
+        super::UpstreamPlanDecision::AwaitingPair
+    ));
+    let audio = play(runtime.plan_audio_pts(1_000_000));
+    let video = play(runtime.plan_video_pts(1_000_000, 16_666));
+    runtime.mark_audio_presented(audio.local_pts_us);
+    runtime.mark_video_presented(video.local_pts_us);
+
+    let snapshot = runtime.snapshot();
+    assert_eq!(snapshot.phase, "live");
+    assert_eq!(snapshot.last_audio_presented_pts_us, Some(0));
+    assert_eq!(snapshot.last_video_presented_pts_us, Some(0));
+    assert_eq!(snapshot.planner_skew_ms, Some(0.0));
+}
+
 #[test]
 #[serial(upstream_media_runtime)]
 fn default_runtime_covers_video_map_play_path() {
diff --git a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/types.rs b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/types.rs
index 4b3fd10..47d6f38 100644
--- a/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/types.rs
+++ b/server/src/upstream_media_runtime/types.rs
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ pub struct PlannedUpstreamPacket {
     pub due_at: Instant,
     /// How late the packet already is when planned, if any.
     pub late_by: Duration,
+    /// How far this packet's capture time trails the freshest relevant input
+    /// frontier known to the planner.
+    pub source_lag: Duration,
 }
 
 /// Result of asking the shared upstream runtime how to handle one packet.
@@ -39,6 +42,31 @@ pub enum UpstreamPlanDecision {
     /// Discard the packet because it belongs before the shared overlapping A/V
     /// session base and would only reintroduce startup skew.
     DropBeforeOverlap,
+    /// Discard a packet that would violate the live freshness or A/V skew
+    /// contract.
+    DropStale(&'static str),
+    /// Stop the stream because paired startup never converged.
+    StartupFailed(&'static str),
     /// Present the packet at the planned wall-clock deadline.
     Play(PlannedUpstreamPacket),
 }
+
+/// Snapshot of the authoritative upstream sync planner.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub struct UpstreamPlannerSnapshot {
+    pub session_id: u64,
+    pub phase: &'static str,
+    pub latest_camera_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub latest_microphone_remote_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub last_video_presented_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub last_audio_presented_pts_us: Option<u64>,
+    pub live_lag_ms: Option<f64>,
+    pub planner_skew_ms: Option<f64>,
+    pub stale_audio_drops: u64,
+    pub stale_video_drops: u64,
+    pub skew_video_drops: u64,
+    pub freshness_reanchors: u64,
+    pub startup_timeouts: u64,
+    pub video_freezes: u64,
+    pub last_reason: String,
+}
diff --git a/testing/tests/client_launcher_layout_contract.rs b/testing/tests/client_launcher_layout_contract.rs
index 9fff913..0d69156 100644
--- a/testing/tests/client_launcher_layout_contract.rs
+++ b/testing/tests/client_launcher_layout_contract.rs
@@ -333,9 +333,12 @@ fn relay_controls_keep_connect_inline_with_server_entry() {
     assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("tools_buttons.set_homogeneous(true);"));
     assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("tools_heading.set_width_chars(RELAY_SUBGROUP_LABEL_WIDTH);"));
     assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("let clipboard_button = rail_button(\"Clipboard\""));
-    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("let usb_recover_button = rail_button(\"USB\""));
-    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("let uac_recover_button = rail_button(\"UAC\""));
-    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("let uvc_recover_button = rail_button(\"UVC\""));
+    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("let usb_recover_button = rail_button("));
+    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("\"USB\","));
+    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("let uac_recover_button = rail_button("));
+    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("\"UAC\","));
+    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("let uvc_recover_button = rail_button("));
+    assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("\"UVC\","));
     assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("recovery_buttons.append(&usb_recover_button);"));
     assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("recovery_buttons.append(&uac_recover_button);"));
     assert!(UI_LAYOUT_SRC.contains("recovery_buttons.append(&uvc_recover_button);"));
diff --git a/testing/tests/server_install_script_contract.rs b/testing/tests/server_install_script_contract.rs
index da634d7..1855776 100644
--- a/testing/tests/server_install_script_contract.rs
+++ b/testing/tests/server_install_script_contract.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ fn server_install_pins_hdmi_camera_and_display_defaults() {
         "LESAVKA_HDMI_SINK=%s",
         "LESAVKA_HDMI_FBDEV=%s",
         "LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS=%s",
+        "LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS=%s",
+        "LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS=%s",
         "LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=%s",
         "LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_VIDEO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=%s",
         "LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US=%s",
@@ -49,16 +51,21 @@ fn server_install_pins_hdmi_camera_and_display_defaults() {
     assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_HDMI_WIDTH:-1920}"));
     assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_HDMI_HEIGHT:-1080}"));
     assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_HDMI_SINK:-fbdevsink}"));
-    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS:-1000}"));
-    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("DEFAULT_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=1260000"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PLAYOUT_DELAY_MS:-350}"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_MAX_LIVE_LAG_MS:-1000}"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS:-60000}"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("DEFAULT_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=0"));
     assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("LEGACY_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=-45000"));
+    assert!(
+        SERVER_INSTALL.contains("PREVIOUS_TUNED_MJPEG_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US=1260000")
+    );
     assert!(
         SERVER_INSTALL.contains("LESAVKA_INSTALL_UPSTREAM_AUDIO_PLAYOUT_OFFSET_US"),
         "install-specific offset override should bypass stale ambient runtime env"
     );
     assert!(
-        SERVER_INSTALL.contains("migrating stale upstream audio playout offset to +1260ms"),
-        "installer should not preserve the old MJPEG/UVC sync baseline accidentally"
+        SERVER_INSTALL.contains("migrating stale upstream audio playout offset to the 0.17 freshness-first planner default"),
+        "installer should not preserve old MJPEG/UVC sync baselines accidentally"
     );
     assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_PAIR_SLACK_US:-80000}"));
     assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UPSTREAM_STALE_DROP_MS:-80}"));
diff --git a/testing/tests/server_main_rpc_contract.rs b/testing/tests/server_main_rpc_contract.rs
index 4f35771..fcdab23 100644
--- a/testing/tests/server_main_rpc_contract.rs
+++ b/testing/tests/server_main_rpc_contract.rs
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ mod server_main_rpc {
                     .expect("initial calibration")
                     .into_inner();
                 assert_eq!(initial.profile, "mjpeg");
-                assert_eq!(initial.active_audio_offset_us, 1_260_000);
+                assert_eq!(initial.active_audio_offset_us, 0);
 
                 let adjusted = rt
                     .block_on(async {
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ mod server_main_rpc {
                     .expect("calibrate")
                     .into_inner();
                 assert_eq!(adjusted.source, "blind");
-                assert_eq!(adjusted.active_audio_offset_us, -35_000);
+                assert_eq!(adjusted.active_audio_offset_us, 10_000);
                 assert_eq!(adjusted.active_video_offset_us, 2_000);
                 assert!(
                     std::fs::read_to_string(calibration_path)
@@ -496,4 +496,27 @@ mod server_main_rpc {
             },
         );
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    #[cfg(coverage)]
+    #[serial]
+    fn upstream_sync_rpc_surfaces_planner_snapshot() {
+        let (_dir, handler) = build_handler_for_tests();
+        let rt = tokio::runtime::Runtime::new().expect("runtime");
+
+        let lease_camera = handler.upstream_media_rt.activate_camera();
+        let lease_microphone = handler.upstream_media_rt.activate_microphone();
+        assert_eq!(lease_camera.session_id, lease_microphone.session_id);
+
+        let initial = rt
+            .block_on(async {
+                handler
+                    .get_upstream_sync(tonic::Request::new(Empty {}))
+                    .await
+            })
+            .expect("planner sync state")
+            .into_inner();
+        assert_eq!(initial.phase, "acquiring");
+        assert_eq!(initial.session_id, lease_camera.session_id);
+    }
 }