diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 85bd589..9dfdd10 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1652,7 +1652,7 @@ checksum = "09edd9e8b54e49e587e4f6295a7d29c3ea94d469cb40ab8ca70b288248a81db2"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_client"
-version = "0.16.8"
+version = "0.16.9"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-stream",
@@ -1686,7 +1686,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_common"
-version = "0.16.8"
+version = "0.16.9"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
@@ -1698,7 +1698,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_server"
-version = "0.16.8"
+version = "0.16.9"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
diff --git a/client/Cargo.toml b/client/Cargo.toml
index c522ef2..68585a1 100644
--- a/client/Cargo.toml
+++ b/client/Cargo.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ path                    = "src/main.rs"
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_client"
-version                 = "0.16.8"
+version                 = "0.16.9"
 edition                 = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]
diff --git a/client/src/input/camera.rs b/client/src/input/camera.rs
index 8575b2f..efcc4db 100644
--- a/client/src/input/camera.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/camera.rs
@@ -64,13 +64,13 @@ include!("camera/bus_and_encoder.rs");
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::{CameraCodec, CameraConfig, resolved_capture_profile};
+    use super::{CameraCodec, CameraConfig, resolved_capture_profile, resolved_output_profile};
     use serial_test::serial;
 
     #[test]
     #[serial]
-    /// Guards the browser-facing UVC contract against launcher preview overrides.
-    fn negotiated_capture_profile_overrides_launcher_quality_env_by_default() {
+    /// Keeps the selected local webcam mode independent from the UVC gadget mode.
+    fn local_capture_profile_keeps_launcher_quality_env_by_default() {
         let cfg = CameraConfig {
             codec: CameraCodec::Mjpeg,
             width: 640,
@@ -84,7 +84,35 @@ mod tests {
                 ("LESAVKA_CAM_FPS", Some("30")),
                 ("LESAVKA_CAM_ALLOW_PROFILE_OVERRIDE", None),
             ],
-            || assert_eq!(resolved_capture_profile(Some(cfg)), (640, 480, 20)),
+            || assert_eq!(resolved_capture_profile(Some(cfg)), (1280, 720, 30)),
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    #[serial]
+    /// Guards the browser-facing UVC contract against launcher quality selection.
+    fn negotiated_output_profile_uses_server_uvc_contract_by_default() {
+        let cfg = CameraConfig {
+            codec: CameraCodec::Mjpeg,
+            width: 640,
+            height: 480,
+            fps: 20,
+        };
+        temp_env::with_vars(
+            [
+                ("LESAVKA_CAM_WIDTH", Some("1280")),
+                ("LESAVKA_CAM_HEIGHT", Some("720")),
+                ("LESAVKA_CAM_FPS", Some("30")),
+                ("LESAVKA_CAM_ALLOW_PROFILE_OVERRIDE", None),
+            ],
+            || {
+                let capture_profile = resolved_capture_profile(Some(cfg));
+                assert_eq!(capture_profile, (1280, 720, 30));
+                assert_eq!(
+                    resolved_output_profile(Some(cfg), capture_profile),
+                    (640, 480, 20)
+                );
+            },
         );
     }
 
@@ -105,7 +133,14 @@ mod tests {
                 ("LESAVKA_CAM_FPS", Some("30")),
                 ("LESAVKA_CAM_ALLOW_PROFILE_OVERRIDE", Some("1")),
             ],
-            || assert_eq!(resolved_capture_profile(Some(cfg)), (1280, 720, 30)),
+            || {
+                let capture_profile = resolved_capture_profile(Some(cfg));
+                assert_eq!(capture_profile, (1280, 720, 30));
+                assert_eq!(
+                    resolved_output_profile(Some(cfg), capture_profile),
+                    (1280, 720, 30)
+                );
+            },
         );
     }
 }
diff --git a/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs b/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
index d01a093..3e8d268 100644
--- a/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
@@ -40,10 +40,14 @@ impl CameraCapture {
             |cfg| matches!(cfg.codec, CameraCodec::Mjpeg),
         );
         let jpeg_quality = env_u32("LESAVKA_CAM_JPEG_QUALITY", 85).clamp(1, 100);
-        let (width, height, fps) = resolved_capture_profile(cfg);
+        let capture_profile = resolved_capture_profile(cfg);
+        let (capture_width, capture_height, capture_fps) = capture_profile;
+        let (width, height, fps) = resolved_output_profile(cfg, capture_profile);
         let keyframe_interval = env_u32("LESAVKA_CAM_KEYFRAME_INTERVAL", fps.min(5)).clamp(1, fps);
         let source_profile = camera_source_profile(allow_mjpg_source);
         let use_mjpg_source = source_profile == CameraSourceProfile::Mjpeg;
+        let passthrough_mjpg_source =
+            use_mjpg_source && capture_profile == (width, height, fps);
         let (enc, kf_prop) = if use_mjpg_source && !output_mjpeg {
             ("x264enc", Some("key-int-max"))
         } else {
@@ -66,29 +70,29 @@ impl CameraCapture {
         }
         #[cfg(not(coverage))]
         let have_nvvidconv = gst::ElementFactory::find("nvvidconv").is_some();
-        let (src_caps, preenc) = match enc {
+        let preenc = match enc {
             // ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
             // Jetson (has nvvidconv)      Desktop (falls back to videoconvert)
             // ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
             #[cfg(not(coverage))]
             "nvh264enc" if have_nvvidconv =>
-                (format!(
-                    "video/x-raw(memory:NVMM),format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1"
-                ), "nvvidconv !"),
+                format!(
+                    "nvvidconv ! video/x-raw(memory:NVMM),format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 !"
+                ),
             #[cfg(not(coverage))]
             "nvh264enc" /* else */ =>
-                (format!(
-                    "video/x-raw,format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1"
-                ), "videoconvert !"),
+                format!(
+                    "videoconvert ! video/x-raw,format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 !"
+                ),
             #[cfg(not(coverage))]
             "vaapih264enc" =>
-                (format!(
-                    "video/x-raw,format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1"
-                ), "videoconvert !"),
+                format!(
+                    "videoconvert ! video/x-raw,format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 !"
+                ),
             _ =>
-                (format!(
-                    "video/x-raw,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1"
-                ), "videoconvert !"),
+                format!(
+                    "videoconvert ! video/x-raw,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 !"
+                ),
         };
 
         // let desc = format!(
@@ -104,11 +108,24 @@ impl CameraCapture {
         //  * x264enc needs the usual raw caps.
         let preview_tap_path = camera_preview_tap_path();
         let preview_tap_branch = camera_preview_tap_branch(width, height, fps);
-        let raw_source_chain =
-            camera_raw_source_chain(&src_desc, &src_caps, width, height, fps, source_profile);
+        let source_raw_caps = format!(
+            "video/x-raw,width={capture_width},height={capture_height},framerate={capture_fps}/1"
+        );
+        let raw_source_chain = camera_raw_source_chain(
+            &src_desc,
+            &source_raw_caps,
+            capture_width,
+            capture_height,
+            capture_fps,
+            source_profile,
+        );
+        let normalized_raw_chain = format!(
+            "{raw_source_chain} ! {}",
+            camera_output_raw_chain(width, height, fps)
+        );
         let desc = if preview_tap_path.is_some() {
             if output_mjpeg {
-                if use_mjpg_source {
+                if passthrough_mjpg_source {
                     format!(
                         "{src_desc} ! \
                          image/jpeg,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 ! \
@@ -120,7 +137,7 @@ impl CameraCapture {
                     )
                 } else {
                     format!(
-                        "{raw_source_chain} ! \
+                        "{normalized_raw_chain} ! \
                          tee name=t \
                          t. ! queue max-size-buffers=30 leaky=downstream ! \
                               videoconvert ! jpegenc quality={jpeg_quality} ! \
@@ -129,22 +146,9 @@ impl CameraCapture {
                               {preview_tap_branch}"
                     )
                 }
-            } else if use_mjpg_source {
-                format!(
-                    "{src_desc} ! \
-                     image/jpeg,width={width},height={height} ! \
-                     jpegdec ! videorate ! video/x-raw,framerate={fps}/1 ! \
-                     tee name=t \
-                     t. ! queue max-size-buffers=30 leaky=downstream ! \
-                          videoconvert ! {enc_opts} ! \
-                          h264parse config-interval=-1 ! video/x-h264,stream-format=byte-stream,alignment=au ! \
-                          appsink name=asink emit-signals=true max-buffers=60 drop=true \
-                     t. ! queue max-size-buffers=2 leaky=downstream ! \
-                          {preview_tap_branch}"
-                )
             } else {
                 format!(
-                    "{raw_source_chain} ! \
+                    "{normalized_raw_chain} ! \
                      tee name=t \
                      t. ! queue max-size-buffers=30 leaky=downstream ! \
                           {preenc} {enc_opts} ! \
@@ -155,7 +159,7 @@ impl CameraCapture {
                 )
             }
         } else if output_mjpeg {
-            if use_mjpg_source {
+            if passthrough_mjpg_source {
                 format!(
                     "{src_desc} ! \
                      image/jpeg,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 ! \
@@ -164,32 +168,32 @@ impl CameraCapture {
                 )
             } else {
                 format!(
-                    "{raw_source_chain} ! \
+                    "{normalized_raw_chain} ! \
                      videoconvert ! jpegenc quality={jpeg_quality} ! \
                      queue max-size-buffers=30 leaky=downstream ! \
                      appsink name=asink emit-signals=true max-buffers=60 drop=true"
                 )
             }
-        } else if use_mjpg_source {
-            format!(
-                "{src_desc} ! \
-                 image/jpeg,width={width},height={height} ! \
-                 jpegdec ! videorate ! video/x-raw,framerate={fps}/1 ! \
-                 videoconvert ! {enc_opts} ! \
-                 h264parse config-interval=-1 ! video/x-h264,stream-format=byte-stream,alignment=au ! \
-                 queue max-size-buffers=30 leaky=downstream ! \
-                 appsink name=asink emit-signals=true max-buffers=60 drop=true"
-            )
         } else {
             format!(
-                "{raw_source_chain} ! \
+                "{normalized_raw_chain} ! \
                  {preenc} {enc_opts} ! \
                  h264parse config-interval=-1 ! video/x-h264,stream-format=byte-stream,alignment=au ! \
                  queue max-size-buffers=30 leaky=downstream ! \
                  appsink name=asink emit-signals=true max-buffers=60 drop=true"
             )
         };
-        tracing::info!(%enc, width, height, fps, ?desc, "📸 using encoder element");
+        tracing::info!(
+            %enc,
+            capture_width,
+            capture_height,
+            capture_fps,
+            output_width = width,
+            output_height = height,
+            output_fps = fps,
+            ?desc,
+            "📸 using encoder element"
+        );
 
         let pipeline: gst::Pipeline = gst::parse::launch(&desc)
             .context("gst parse_launch(cam)")?
@@ -259,15 +263,12 @@ impl CameraCapture {
     }
 }
 
-/// Resolve the exact profile the client sends, preferring the server UVC contract.
+/// Resolve the profile requested from the local webcam.
+///
+/// The server UVC contract is applied after capture. Keeping these separate
+/// prevents a browser-facing 640x480/20 gadget mode from forcing a local webcam
+/// to expose that exact mode when the selected camera quality is 720p/30.
 fn resolved_capture_profile(cfg: Option<CameraConfig>) -> (u32, u32, u32) {
-    match cfg {
-        Some(cfg) if !env_flag_enabled("LESAVKA_CAM_ALLOW_PROFILE_OVERRIDE") => {
-            return (cfg.width, cfg.height, cfg.fps.max(1));
-        }
-        _ => {}
-    }
-
     (
         env_u32("LESAVKA_CAM_WIDTH", cfg.map_or(1280, |cfg| cfg.width)),
         env_u32("LESAVKA_CAM_HEIGHT", cfg.map_or(720, |cfg| cfg.height)),
@@ -275,6 +276,19 @@ fn resolved_capture_profile(cfg: Option<CameraConfig>) -> (u32, u32, u32) {
     )
 }
 
+/// Resolve the profile emitted toward the remote UVC gadget.
+fn resolved_output_profile(
+    cfg: Option<CameraConfig>,
+    capture_profile: (u32, u32, u32),
+) -> (u32, u32, u32) {
+    match cfg {
+        Some(cfg) if !env_flag_enabled("LESAVKA_CAM_ALLOW_PROFILE_OVERRIDE") => {
+            (cfg.width, cfg.height, cfg.fps.max(1))
+        }
+        _ => capture_profile,
+    }
+}
+
 fn env_flag_enabled(name: &str) -> bool {
     std::env::var(name).ok().is_some_and(|value| {
         let trimmed = value.trim();
diff --git a/client/src/input/camera/source_description.rs b/client/src/input/camera/source_description.rs
index 3c31f6e..083495a 100644
--- a/client/src/input/camera/source_description.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/camera/source_description.rs
@@ -56,6 +56,14 @@ fn camera_auto_decode_caps(width: u32, height: u32, fps: u32) -> String {
     )
 }
 
+/// Convert local webcam frames into the exact outbound UVC profile.
+fn camera_output_raw_chain(width: u32, height: u32, fps: u32) -> String {
+    format!(
+        "videoconvert ! videoscale ! videorate ! \
+         video/x-raw,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1,pixel-aspect-ratio=1/1"
+    )
+}
+
 fn camera_preview_tap_path() -> Option<PathBuf> {
     std::env::var(CAMERA_PREVIEW_TAP_ENV)
         .ok()
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/media_device_bindings.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/media_device_bindings.rs
index ef5d55a..a6a55a7 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/media_device_bindings.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/media_device_bindings.rs
@@ -10,12 +10,17 @@
                     state
                         .borrow_mut()
                         .select_microphone(selected_combo_value(&microphone_combo_read));
-                    if tests.borrow_mut().is_running(DeviceTestKind::Microphone) {
+                    let relay_live = child_proc.borrow().is_some();
+                    if relay_live {
+                        widgets.status_label.set_text(
+                            "Microphone selection staged for the next relay launch. Use the Mic toggle to soft-pause or resume the current live feed.",
+                        );
+                    } else if tests.borrow_mut().is_running(DeviceTestKind::Microphone) {
                         widgets.status_label.set_text(
                             "Microphone selection changed. Restart Monitor Mic to audition the new input.",
                         );
                     }
-                    refresh_launcher_ui(&widgets, &state.borrow(), child_proc.borrow().is_some());
+                    refresh_launcher_ui(&widgets, &state.borrow(), relay_live);
                     refresh_test_buttons(&widgets, &mut tests.borrow_mut());
                 });
             }
@@ -34,12 +39,17 @@
                     let speaker_running = tests.borrow_mut().is_running(DeviceTestKind::Speaker);
                     let microphone_running =
                         tests.borrow_mut().is_running(DeviceTestKind::Microphone);
-                    if speaker_running || microphone_running {
+                    let relay_live = child_proc.borrow().is_some();
+                    if relay_live {
+                        widgets.status_label.set_text(
+                            "Speaker selection staged for the next relay launch. Speaker gain still applies live.",
+                        );
+                    } else if speaker_running || microphone_running {
                         widgets.status_label.set_text(
                             "Speaker selection changed. Restart the local audio tests to hear the new output.",
                         );
                     }
-                    refresh_launcher_ui(&widgets, &state.borrow(), child_proc.borrow().is_some());
+                    refresh_launcher_ui(&widgets, &state.borrow(), relay_live);
                     refresh_test_buttons(&widgets, &mut tests.borrow_mut());
                 });
             }
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/stage_device_bindings.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/stage_device_bindings.rs
index 463639b..e170ea3 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/stage_device_bindings.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/stage_device_bindings.rs
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@
                         widgets
                             .status_label
                             .set_text(&format!("Camera quality update failed: {err}"));
+                    } else if child_proc.borrow().is_some() {
+                        widgets.status_label.set_text(
+                            "Camera selection staged for the next relay launch. Use the Camera toggle to soft-pause or resume the current live feed.",
+                        );
                     } else if preview_was_running {
                         widgets.status_label.set_text(&format!(
                             "Local camera preview switched to {}{}.",
@@ -68,6 +72,10 @@
                         widgets
                             .status_label
                             .set_text(&format!("Camera quality update failed: {err}"));
+                    } else if child_proc.borrow().is_some() {
+                        widgets.status_label.set_text(
+                            "Camera quality staged for the next relay launch. The live feed keeps its current capture pipeline.",
+                        );
                     } else if preview_was_running {
                         widgets.status_label.set_text(&format!(
                             "Local camera preview switched to {}.",
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui_components/build_operations_rail.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui_components/build_operations_rail.rs
index 114eebb..5f91ce9 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui_components/build_operations_rail.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui_components/build_operations_rail.rs
@@ -235,8 +235,8 @@
     console_level_combo.set_tooltip_text(Some("Show relay logs at this level or higher."));
     let console_copy_button = gtk::Button::with_label("Copy");
     console_copy_button.set_tooltip_text(Some("Copy visible log."));
-    let console_popout_button = gtk::Button::with_label("Pop Out");
-    console_popout_button.set_tooltip_text(Some("Open log window."));
+    let console_popout_button = gtk::Button::with_label("Break Out");
+    console_popout_button.set_tooltip_text(Some("Break out the log window."));
     let console_buttons = gtk::Box::new(gtk::Orientation::Horizontal, 8);
     console_buttons.set_hexpand(true);
     console_buttons.set_homogeneous(true);
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui_runtime/status_refresh.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui_runtime/status_refresh.rs
index cf2b9ca..013c2f6 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui_runtime/status_refresh.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui_runtime/status_refresh.rs
@@ -171,25 +171,24 @@ pub fn refresh_launcher_ui(widgets: &LauncherWidgets, state: &LauncherState, chi
     widgets
         .uvc_recover_button
         .set_sensitive(state.server_available);
-    widgets.device_refresh_button.set_sensitive(!relay_live);
+    widgets.device_refresh_button.set_sensitive(true);
     widgets
         .camera_combo
-        .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.camera);
+        .set_sensitive(state.channels.camera);
     widgets.camera_quality_combo.set_sensitive(
-        !relay_live
-            && state.channels.camera
+        state.channels.camera
             && state.devices.camera.is_some()
             && state.camera_quality.is_some(),
     );
     widgets
         .microphone_combo
-        .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.microphone);
+        .set_sensitive(state.channels.microphone);
     widgets
         .speaker_combo
-        .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.audio);
+        .set_sensitive(state.channels.audio);
     widgets
         .audio_gain_scale
-        .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.audio);
+        .set_sensitive(state.channels.audio);
     widgets.keyboard_combo.set_sensitive(!relay_live);
     widgets.mouse_combo.set_sensitive(!relay_live);
     widgets
@@ -223,7 +222,7 @@ pub fn refresh_launcher_ui(widgets: &LauncherWidgets, state: &LauncherState, chi
         .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.microphone);
     widgets
         .mic_gain_scale
-        .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.microphone);
+        .set_sensitive(state.channels.microphone);
     widgets
         .speaker_test_button
         .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.audio);
diff --git a/common/Cargo.toml b/common/Cargo.toml
index 4fc2022..e8b237f 100644
--- a/common/Cargo.toml
+++ b/common/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_common"
-version                 = "0.16.8"
+version                 = "0.16.9"
 edition                 = "2024"
 build                   = "build.rs"
 
diff --git a/scripts/ci/hygiene_gate_baseline.json b/scripts/ci/hygiene_gate_baseline.json
index ae8b203..2703297 100644
--- a/scripts/ci/hygiene_gate_baseline.json
+++ b/scripts/ci/hygiene_gate_baseline.json
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
     "client/src/input/camera.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
       "doc_debt": 0,
-      "loc": 111
+      "loc": 146
     },
     "client/src/input/camera/bus_and_encoder.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
     "client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
       "doc_debt": 4,
-      "loc": 320
+      "loc": 334
     },
     "client/src/input/camera/device_selection.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@
     "client/src/input/camera/source_description.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
       "doc_debt": 0,
-      "loc": 76
+      "loc": 84
     },
     "client/src/input/inputs.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@
     "client/src/launcher/ui/media_device_bindings.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
       "doc_debt": 0,
-      "loc": 182
+      "loc": 192
     },
     "client/src/launcher/ui/message_and_network_state.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@
     "client/src/launcher/ui/stage_device_bindings.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
       "doc_debt": 0,
-      "loc": 176
+      "loc": 184
     },
     "client/src/launcher/ui/startup_window_guard.rs": {
       "clippy_warnings": 0,
diff --git a/scripts/ci/media_reliability_gate.sh b/scripts/ci/media_reliability_gate.sh
index e8022f1..b5b045e 100755
--- a/scripts/ci/media_reliability_gate.sh
+++ b/scripts/ci/media_reliability_gate.sh
@@ -47,7 +47,18 @@ MEDIA_TESTS=(
 start_seconds=$(date +%s)
 status=0
 set +e
-cargo test -p lesavka_testing "${MEDIA_TESTS[@]}" --color never 2>&1 | tee "${TEST_LOG}"
+{
+  echo '==> client camera profile/unit guards'
+  cargo test -p lesavka_client --color never input::camera::tests -- --nocapture
+  camera_status=${PIPESTATUS[0]}
+  echo
+  echo '==> media reliability contract tests'
+  cargo test -p lesavka_testing --color never "${MEDIA_TESTS[@]}"
+  contract_status=${PIPESTATUS[0]}
+  if [[ "${camera_status}" -ne 0 || "${contract_status}" -ne 0 ]]; then
+    exit 1
+  fi
+} 2>&1 | tee "${TEST_LOG}"
 status=${PIPESTATUS[0]}
 set -e
 end_seconds=$(date +%s)
diff --git a/server/Cargo.toml b/server/Cargo.toml
index 075ae97..67e371e 100644
--- a/server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/server/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ bench                   = false
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_server"
-version                 = "0.16.8"
+version                 = "0.16.9"
 edition                 = "2024"
 autobins                = false
 
diff --git a/testing/tests/client_launcher_runtime_contract.rs b/testing/tests/client_launcher_runtime_contract.rs
index 7e4e3a7..750ef57 100644
--- a/testing/tests/client_launcher_runtime_contract.rs
+++ b/testing/tests/client_launcher_runtime_contract.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ const UI_SRC: &str = concat!(
     include_str!("../../client/src/launcher/ui/activation_setup.rs"),
     include_str!("../../client/src/launcher/ui/device_refresh_binding.rs"),
     include_str!("../../client/src/launcher/ui/local_test_bindings.rs"),
+    include_str!("../../client/src/launcher/ui/media_device_bindings.rs"),
     include_str!("../../client/src/launcher/ui/relay_input_bindings.rs"),
     include_str!("../../client/src/launcher/ui/runtime_poll.rs"),
     include_str!("../../client/src/launcher/ui/stage_device_bindings.rs"),
@@ -68,29 +69,26 @@ fn relay_child_starts_safe_parent_watchdog_on_boot() {
 }
 
 #[test]
-fn relay_address_entry_is_locked_while_relay_is_live() {
+fn relay_address_locks_but_media_staging_stays_available_while_relay_is_live() {
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("widgets.server_entry.set_sensitive(!relay_live);"));
     assert!(
-        UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(
-            ".camera_combo\n        .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.camera);"
-        )
+        UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".camera_combo\n        .set_sensitive(state.channels.camera);")
     );
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".camera_quality_combo"));
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("widgets.camera_quality_combo.set_sensitive("));
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("state.devices.camera.is_some()"));
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("state.camera_quality.is_some()"));
-    assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(
-        ".microphone_combo\n        .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.microphone);"
-    ));
     assert!(
-        UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(
-            ".speaker_combo\n        .set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.audio);"
-        )
+        UI_RUNTIME_SRC
+            .contains(".microphone_combo\n        .set_sensitive(state.channels.microphone);")
+    );
+    assert!(
+        UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".speaker_combo\n        .set_sensitive(state.channels.audio);")
     );
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".audio_gain_scale"));
-    assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.audio);"));
+    assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".set_sensitive(state.channels.audio);"));
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".mic_gain_scale"));
-    assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".set_sensitive(!relay_live && state.channels.microphone);"));
+    assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains(".set_sensitive(state.channels.microphone);"));
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("widgets.keyboard_combo.set_sensitive(!relay_live);"));
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("widgets.mouse_combo.set_sensitive(!relay_live);"));
     assert!(
@@ -108,6 +106,10 @@ fn relay_address_entry_is_locked_while_relay_is_live() {
         )
     );
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("Soft-pause or resume this feed in the running relay"));
+    assert!(UI_SRC.contains("Camera selection staged for the next relay launch"));
+    assert!(UI_SRC.contains("Camera quality staged for the next relay launch"));
+    assert!(UI_SRC.contains("Microphone selection staged for the next relay launch"));
+    assert!(UI_SRC.contains("Speaker selection staged for the next relay launch"));
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("\"Connect\""));
     assert!(UI_RUNTIME_SRC.contains("\"Disconnect\""));
 }