diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 8f10e4a..4c53144 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1652,7 +1652,7 @@ checksum = "09edd9e8b54e49e587e4f6295a7d29c3ea94d469cb40ab8ca70b288248a81db2"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_client"
-version = "0.22.24"
+version = "0.22.25"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-stream",
@@ -1686,7 +1686,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_common"
-version = "0.22.24"
+version = "0.22.25"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
@@ -1698,7 +1698,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_server"
-version = "0.22.24"
+version = "0.22.25"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
diff --git a/client/Cargo.toml b/client/Cargo.toml
index a6c768b..b409c26 100644
--- a/client/Cargo.toml
+++ b/client/Cargo.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ path                    = "src/main.rs"
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_client"
-version                 = "0.22.24"
+version                 = "0.22.25"
 edition                 = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]
diff --git a/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs b/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
index 9b1ccdd..1b958dd 100644
--- a/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
@@ -502,8 +502,7 @@ impl CameraCapture {
             crate::live_capture_clock::upstream_source_lag_cap(),
         );
         if timing.lag_clamped {
-            log_camera_stale_source_drop(timing, map.as_slice().len());
-            return None;
+            log_camera_lag_clamped_source(timing, map.as_slice().len());
         }
         let pts = timing.packet_pts_us;
         static CAMERA_PACKET_COUNT: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64 =
@@ -610,21 +609,24 @@ fn log_camera_timing_sample(
     }
 }
 
-/// Keeps `log_camera_stale_source_drop` explicit because it sits on camera selection, where negotiated profiles must match the server output contract.
+/// Keeps `log_camera_lag_clamped_source` explicit because it sits on camera selection, where negotiated profiles must match the server output contract.
 /// Inputs are the typed parameters; output is the return value or side effect.
-fn log_camera_stale_source_drop(timing: crate::live_capture_clock::RebasedSourcePts, bytes: usize) {
-    static CAMERA_STALE_SOURCE_DROPS: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64 =
+fn log_camera_lag_clamped_source(
+    timing: crate::live_capture_clock::RebasedSourcePts,
+    bytes: usize,
+) {
+    static CAMERA_LAG_CLAMPED_PACKETS: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64 =
         std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64::new(0);
-    let drop_index =
-        CAMERA_STALE_SOURCE_DROPS.fetch_add(1, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
-    if drop_index < 10 || drop_index.is_multiple_of(300) {
+    let packet_index =
+        CAMERA_LAG_CLAMPED_PACKETS.fetch_add(1, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+    if packet_index < 10 || packet_index.is_multiple_of(300) {
         tracing::warn!(
-            drop_index,
+            packet_index,
             bytes,
             source_pts_us = timing.source_pts_us.unwrap_or_default(),
             capture_now_us = timing.capture_now_us,
             packet_pts_us = timing.packet_pts_us,
-            "📸 dropping stale webcam source buffer before bundled uplink"
+            "📸 clamped laggy webcam source timestamp before bundled uplink"
         );
     }
 }
diff --git a/client/src/input/microphone.rs b/client/src/input/microphone.rs
index f4d5c42..d774242 100644
--- a/client/src/input/microphone.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/microphone.rs
@@ -140,28 +140,28 @@ fn pcm_payload_duration_us(bytes: usize) -> u64 {
 }
 
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
-/// Keeps `log_microphone_stale_source_drop` explicit because it sits on microphone capture setup, where host audio stacks expose different source names and latency controls.
+/// Keeps `log_microphone_lag_clamped_source` explicit because it sits on microphone capture setup, where host audio stacks expose different source names and latency controls.
 /// Inputs are the typed parameters; output is the return value or side effect.
-fn log_microphone_stale_source_drop(
+fn log_microphone_lag_clamped_source(
     timing: crate::live_capture_clock::RebasedSourcePts,
     bytes: usize,
 ) {
-    static MIC_STALE_SOURCE_DROPS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
-    let drop_index = MIC_STALE_SOURCE_DROPS.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-    if drop_index < 10 || drop_index.is_multiple_of(300) {
+    static MIC_LAG_CLAMPED_PACKETS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
+    let packet_index = MIC_LAG_CLAMPED_PACKETS.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    if packet_index < 10 || packet_index.is_multiple_of(300) {
         warn!(
-            drop_index,
+            packet_index,
             bytes,
             source_pts_us = timing.source_pts_us.unwrap_or_default(),
             capture_now_us = timing.capture_now_us,
             packet_pts_us = timing.packet_pts_us,
-            "🎤 dropping stale microphone source buffer before bundled uplink"
+            "🎤 clamped laggy microphone source timestamp before bundled uplink"
         );
     }
 }
 
 #[cfg(coverage)]
-fn log_microphone_stale_source_drop(
+fn log_microphone_lag_clamped_source(
     _timing: crate::live_capture_clock::RebasedSourcePts,
     _bytes: usize,
 ) {
diff --git a/client/src/input/microphone/capture_runtime.rs b/client/src/input/microphone/capture_runtime.rs
index 14fc80c..4e26943 100644
--- a/client/src/input/microphone/capture_runtime.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/microphone/capture_runtime.rs
@@ -177,8 +177,7 @@ impl MicrophoneCapture {
                     crate::live_capture_clock::upstream_source_lag_cap(),
                 );
                 if timing.lag_clamped {
-                    log_microphone_stale_source_drop(timing, map.len());
-                    return None;
+                    log_microphone_lag_clamped_source(timing, map.len());
                 }
                 let pts = timing.packet_pts_us;
                 let target_bytes = mic_packet_target_bytes();
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/ui/eye_capture_bindings.rs b/client/src/launcher/ui/eye_capture_bindings.rs
index 502c95d..fbb866e 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/ui/eye_capture_bindings.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/ui/eye_capture_bindings.rs
@@ -411,6 +411,13 @@
                     let state = state.borrow();
                     best_effort_recording_profile(&state, preview.as_deref(), monitor_id)
                 };
+                if let Err(err) = current_eye_texture(&pane.picture) {
+                    widgets.status_label.set_text(&format!(
+                        "{} recording needs a live frame first: {err}",
+                        pane.title
+                    ));
+                    return;
+                }
                 let root = {
                     let borrowed = save_state.borrow();
                     match ensure_eye_capture_dir(borrowed.save_dir_override.as_deref(), "recordings") {
@@ -462,6 +469,7 @@
                 let pane_for_tick = pane.clone();
                 let widgets_for_tick = widgets.clone();
                 let save_state_for_tick = Rc::clone(&save_state);
+                let button_for_tick = button.clone();
                 let timer = glib::timeout_add_local(
                     Duration::from_millis(recording_interval_ms(record_fps)),
                     move || {
@@ -473,6 +481,13 @@
                             if let Some(frame_writer_tx) = state.frame_writer_tx.take() {
                                 let _ = frame_writer_tx.send(RecordFrameTask::Finish);
                             }
+                            state.timer = None;
+                            state.next_frame_index = 0;
+                            state.frame_dir = None;
+                            state.finalize_rx = None;
+                            button_for_tick.remove_css_class("recording-active");
+                            button_for_tick.set_sensitive(true);
+                            button_for_tick.set_label("Record");
                             widgets_for_tick.status_label.set_text(&format!(
                                 "{} recording frame skipped: {err}",
                                 pane_for_tick.title
diff --git a/common/Cargo.toml b/common/Cargo.toml
index 0e271e3..5400362 100644
--- a/common/Cargo.toml
+++ b/common/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_common"
-version                 = "0.22.24"
+version                 = "0.22.25"
 edition                 = "2024"
 build                   = "build.rs"
 
diff --git a/server/Cargo.toml b/server/Cargo.toml
index dcff47a..850fa89 100644
--- a/server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/server/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ bench                   = false
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_server"
-version                 = "0.22.24"
+version                 = "0.22.25"
 edition                 = "2024"
 autobins                = false
 
diff --git a/server/src/audio/ear_capture.rs b/server/src/audio/ear_capture.rs
index ed979e8..0aca853 100644
--- a/server/src/audio/ear_capture.rs
+++ b/server/src/audio/ear_capture.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use gstreamer as gst;
 use gstreamer_app as gst_app;
 use std::fs;
 use std::sync::{
-    Arc, Mutex,
+    Arc, Mutex, OnceLock,
     atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU64, Ordering},
 };
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ use lesavka_common::lesavka::AudioPacket;
 pub struct AudioStream {
     _pipeline: gst::Pipeline,
     inner: ReceiverStream<Result<AudioPacket, Status>>,
+    active_generation: Option<u64>,
 }
 
 impl Stream for AudioStream {
@@ -38,9 +39,74 @@ impl Stream for AudioStream {
 impl Drop for AudioStream {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
         let _ = self._pipeline.set_state(gst::State::Null);
+        clear_active_audio_capture(self.active_generation);
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+static NEXT_AUDIO_CAPTURE_GENERATION: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(1);
+
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+static ACTIVE_AUDIO_CAPTURE: OnceLock<Mutex<Option<(u64, gst::Pipeline)>>> = OnceLock::new();
+
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+fn active_audio_capture() -> &'static Mutex<Option<(u64, gst::Pipeline)>> {
+    ACTIVE_AUDIO_CAPTURE.get_or_init(|| Mutex::new(None))
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+fn next_audio_capture_generation() -> u64 {
+    NEXT_AUDIO_CAPTURE_GENERATION.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed)
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+fn retire_active_audio_capture(reason: &'static str) {
+    let Ok(mut active) = active_audio_capture().lock() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    if let Some((generation, pipeline)) = active.take() {
+        warn!(generation, reason, "🔊 retiring previous downstream audio capture");
+        let _ = pipeline.set_state(gst::State::Null);
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+fn remember_active_audio_capture(generation: u64, pipeline: &gst::Pipeline) {
+    let Ok(mut active) = active_audio_capture().lock() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    if let Some((previous_generation, previous_pipeline)) =
+        active.replace((generation, pipeline.clone()))
+    {
+        if previous_generation != generation {
+            warn!(
+                previous_generation,
+                generation, "🔊 replacing overlapping downstream audio capture"
+            );
+            let _ = previous_pipeline.set_state(gst::State::Null);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+fn clear_active_audio_capture(generation: Option<u64>) {
+    let Some(generation) = generation else {
+        return;
+    };
+    let Ok(mut active) = active_audio_capture().lock() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    if active
+        .as_ref()
+        .is_some_and(|(active_generation, _)| *active_generation == generation)
+    {
+        active.take();
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(coverage)]
+fn clear_active_audio_capture(_generation: Option<u64>) {}
+
 /// Start a GStreamer pipeline and reset it to NULL if startup fails.
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 pub(crate) fn start_pipeline_or_reset(
@@ -50,12 +116,47 @@ pub(crate) fn start_pipeline_or_reset(
     match pipeline.set_state(gst::State::Playing) {
         Ok(_) => Ok(()),
         Err(error) => {
+            let details = pipeline_start_failure_details(pipeline);
             let _ = pipeline.set_state(gst::State::Null);
-            Err(error).context(context)
+            Err(anyhow!("{error}{details}")).context(context)
         }
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(not(coverage))]
+fn pipeline_start_failure_details(pipeline: &gst::Pipeline) -> String {
+    let Some(bus) = pipeline.bus() else {
+        return String::new();
+    };
+    let mut details = Vec::new();
+    let deadline = Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(200);
+    while Instant::now() < deadline && details.len() < 3 {
+        let Some(msg) = bus.timed_pop(gst::ClockTime::from_mseconds(20)) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        match msg.view() {
+            Error(error) => details.push(format!(
+                "error from {:?}: {} ({})",
+                msg.src().map(gst::prelude::GstObjectExt::path_string),
+                error.error(),
+                error.debug().unwrap_or_default()
+            )),
+            Warning(warning) => details.push(format!(
+                "warning from {:?}: {} ({})",
+                msg.src().map(gst::prelude::GstObjectExt::path_string),
+                warning.error(),
+                warning.debug().unwrap_or_default()
+            )),
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+    if details.is_empty() {
+        String::new()
+    } else {
+        format!("; {}", details.join("; "))
+    }
+}
+
 /// Start a coverage pipeline with a deterministic forced-failure hook.
 #[cfg(coverage)]
 pub(crate) fn start_pipeline_or_reset(
@@ -156,6 +257,7 @@ pub async fn ear(alsa_dev: &str, id: u32) -> anyhow::Result<AudioStream> {
     Ok(AudioStream {
         _pipeline: pipeline,
         inner: ReceiverStream::new(rx),
+        active_generation: None,
     })
 }
 
@@ -166,6 +268,8 @@ pub async fn ear(alsa_dev: &str, id: u32) -> anyhow::Result<AudioStream> {
     //   added later (for multi‑channel) without changing the client.
     gst::init().context("gst init")?;
     ensure_remote_usb_audio_ready(alsa_dev)?;
+    let active_generation = next_audio_capture_generation();
+    retire_active_audio_capture("new downstream audio stream requested");
 
     /*──────────── pipeline description ────────────
      *
@@ -249,6 +353,7 @@ pub async fn ear(alsa_dev: &str, id: u32) -> anyhow::Result<AudioStream> {
     );
 
     start_pipeline_or_reset(&pipeline, "starting audio pipeline")?;
+    remember_active_audio_capture(active_generation, &pipeline);
     spawn_pipeline_bus_logger(bus, "audio", "🎶 audio pipeline PLAYING");
 
     spawn_audio_source_watchdog(
@@ -261,6 +366,7 @@ pub async fn ear(alsa_dev: &str, id: u32) -> anyhow::Result<AudioStream> {
     Ok(AudioStream {
         _pipeline: pipeline,
         inner: ReceiverStream::new(rx),
+        active_generation: Some(active_generation),
     })
 }
 
diff --git a/server/src/video_sinks/hevc_mjpeg_guard.rs b/server/src/video_sinks/hevc_mjpeg_guard.rs
index 7757555..71efdbc 100644
--- a/server/src/video_sinks/hevc_mjpeg_guard.rs
+++ b/server/src/video_sinks/hevc_mjpeg_guard.rs
@@ -163,6 +163,17 @@ pub(super) fn should_freeze_decoded_mjpeg_frame(previous_bytes: u64, decoded_mjp
         || should_freeze_decoded_mjpeg(previous_bytes, decoded_mjpeg.len())
 }
 
+/// Decide whether a direct MJPEG camera frame is unsafe to publish.
+///
+/// Inputs: MJPEG bytes from the client webcam capture path. Output: true only
+/// for incomplete JPEG payloads. Why: the aggressive decoded-HEVC visual guard
+/// intentionally freezes flat/size-collapsed frames, but applying that same
+/// heuristic to direct MJPEG can freeze a legitimate live camera path after one
+/// good frame; direct MJPEG should pass through unless the JPEG is incomplete.
+pub(super) fn should_reject_direct_mjpeg_frame(mjpeg: &[u8]) -> bool {
+    !looks_like_complete_jpeg(mjpeg)
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     #[test]
@@ -265,4 +276,23 @@ mod tests {
             },
         );
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn direct_mjpeg_guard_only_rejects_incomplete_jpegs() {
+        fn jpeg_with_payload(payload: &[u8]) -> Vec<u8> {
+            let mut bytes = vec![0xff, 0xd8, 0xff, 0xda];
+            bytes.extend_from_slice(payload);
+            bytes.extend_from_slice(&[0xff, 0xd9]);
+            bytes
+        }
+
+        let flat = jpeg_with_payload(&vec![0x80; 120_000]);
+        let varied = jpeg_with_payload(&(0..120_000).map(|idx| (idx % 251) as u8).collect::<Vec<_>>());
+        let mut truncated = varied.clone();
+        truncated.pop();
+
+        assert!(!super::should_reject_direct_mjpeg_frame(&flat));
+        assert!(!super::should_reject_direct_mjpeg_frame(&varied));
+        assert!(super::should_reject_direct_mjpeg_frame(&truncated));
+    }
 }
diff --git a/server/src/video_sinks/webcam_sink.rs b/server/src/video_sinks/webcam_sink.rs
index 45aaa88..fb33bd4 100644
--- a/server/src/video_sinks/webcam_sink.rs
+++ b/server/src/video_sinks/webcam_sink.rs
@@ -784,15 +784,11 @@ impl WebcamSink {
 
     #[cfg(not(coverage))]
     fn spool_direct_mjpeg_frame(&self, path: &Path, pkt: &VideoPacket) {
-        let previous_bytes = self
-            .last_mjpeg_passthrough_bytes
-            .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
-        if hevc_mjpeg_guard::should_freeze_decoded_mjpeg_frame(previous_bytes, &pkt.data) {
+        if hevc_mjpeg_guard::should_reject_direct_mjpeg_frame(&pkt.data) {
             warn!(
                 target:"lesavka_server::video",
-                previous_bytes,
                 next_bytes = pkt.data.len(),
-                "📸⚠️  freezing suspicious direct MJPEG frame before UVC spool"
+                "📸⚠️  dropping incomplete direct MJPEG frame before UVC spool"
             );
             return;
         }
diff --git a/tests/chaos/server/video_sinks/hevc_mjpeg_guard_chaos_contract.rs b/tests/chaos/server/video_sinks/hevc_mjpeg_guard_chaos_contract.rs
index 0d23883..4b96be4 100644
--- a/tests/chaos/server/video_sinks/hevc_mjpeg_guard_chaos_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/chaos/server/video_sinks/hevc_mjpeg_guard_chaos_contract.rs
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ mod guard {
     pub fn should_freeze_frame(previous_bytes: u64, decoded_mjpeg: &[u8]) -> bool {
         should_freeze_decoded_mjpeg_frame(previous_bytes, decoded_mjpeg)
     }
+
+    pub fn should_reject_direct_frame(mjpeg: &[u8]) -> bool {
+        should_reject_direct_mjpeg_frame(mjpeg)
+    }
 }
 
 const WEBCAM_SINK: &str = include_str!(concat!(
@@ -111,9 +115,10 @@ fn server_hevc_recovery_and_freshest_spool_paths_remain_wired() {
         "last_decoded_mjpeg_bytes",
         "last_mjpeg_passthrough_bytes",
         "should_freeze_decoded_mjpeg_frame(previous_bytes, map.as_slice())",
+        "should_reject_direct_mjpeg_frame(&pkt.data)",
         "spool_direct_mjpeg_frame",
         "freezing suspicious decoded HEVC->MJPEG frame",
-        "freezing suspicious direct MJPEG frame before UVC spool",
+        "dropping incomplete direct MJPEG frame before UVC spool",
     ] {
         assert!(
             WEBCAM_SINK.contains(marker),
@@ -133,6 +138,19 @@ fn server_hevc_recovery_and_freshest_spool_paths_remain_wired() {
     }
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn direct_mjpeg_passthrough_does_not_use_decoded_hevc_visual_freeze_rules() {
+    let healthy_payload: Vec<u8> = (0..140_000).map(|idx| (idx % 251) as u8).collect();
+    let flat = jpeg_with_payload(&vec![0x80; 140_000]);
+    let healthy = jpeg_with_payload(&healthy_payload);
+    let mut truncated = healthy.clone();
+    truncated.pop();
+
+    assert!(!guard::should_reject_direct_frame(&flat));
+    assert!(!guard::should_reject_direct_frame(&healthy));
+    assert!(guard::should_reject_direct_frame(&truncated));
+}
+
 fn jpeg_with_payload(payload: &[u8]) -> Vec<u8> {
     let mut bytes = vec![0xff, 0xd8, 0xff, 0xda];
     bytes.extend_from_slice(payload);
diff --git a/tests/contract/client/app/client_app_include_contract.rs b/tests/contract/client/app/client_app_include_contract.rs
index 5997813..761da51 100644
--- a/tests/contract/client/app/client_app_include_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/contract/client/app/client_app_include_contract.rs
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ mod app_support {
     use std::time::Duration;
 
     #[allow(dead_code)]
-    #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
+    #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
     pub enum CameraCodec {
         H264,
         Hevc,
diff --git a/tests/contract/client/input/camera/client_camera_timing_contract.rs b/tests/contract/client/input/camera/client_camera_timing_contract.rs
index 5216b1c..0eea3b8 100644
--- a/tests/contract/client/input/camera/client_camera_timing_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/contract/client/input/camera/client_camera_timing_contract.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ mod camera_timing_contract {
     include!(env!("LESAVKA_CLIENT_CAMERA_SRC"));
 
     use temp_env::with_var;
+    const CAMERA_CAPTURE_SRC: &str = include_str!(concat!(
+        env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"),
+        "/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs"
+    ));
 
     #[test]
     fn camera_timing_helpers_cover_first_packet_and_trace_enabled_paths() {
@@ -43,7 +47,7 @@ mod camera_timing_contract {
             );
         });
 
-        log_camera_stale_source_drop(
+        log_camera_lag_clamped_source(
             crate::live_capture_clock::RebasedSourcePts {
                 packet_pts_us: 1,
                 capture_now_us: 1_000_000,
@@ -57,4 +61,18 @@ mod camera_timing_contract {
             512,
         );
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn lag_clamped_camera_timestamp_still_sends_the_frame() {
+        assert!(CAMERA_CAPTURE_SRC.contains("log_camera_lag_clamped_source("));
+        assert!(CAMERA_CAPTURE_SRC.contains("let pts = timing.packet_pts_us;"));
+        assert!(
+            !CAMERA_CAPTURE_SRC.contains(
+                "log_camera_lag_clamped_source(timing, map.as_slice().len());\n            return None;"
+            ) && !CAMERA_CAPTURE_SRC.contains(
+                "log_camera_lag_clamped_source(\n                timing,\n                map.as_slice().len(),\n            );\n            return None;"
+            ),
+            "lag-clamped webcam packets should use the repaired live timestamp, not freeze UVC by being dropped"
+        );
+    }
 }
diff --git a/tests/contract/client/input/microphone/client_microphone_include_contract.rs b/tests/contract/client/input/microphone/client_microphone_include_contract.rs
index 95ce958..411b7cf 100644
--- a/tests/contract/client/input/microphone/client_microphone_include_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/contract/client/input/microphone/client_microphone_include_contract.rs
@@ -31,6 +31,11 @@ mod microphone_include_contract {
     use temp_env::with_var;
     use tempfile::tempdir;
 
+    const MICROPHONE_CAPTURE_SRC: &str = include_str!(concat!(
+        env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"),
+        "/client/src/input/microphone/capture_runtime.rs"
+    ));
+
     fn write_executable(dir: &Path, name: &str, body: &str) {
         let path = dir.join(name);
         fs::write(&path, body).expect("write script");
@@ -138,7 +143,7 @@ exit 0
         );
         assert!(duration_matches_pcm_payload(1, 0));
         assert!(!bool_env_enabled("LESAVKA_TEST_BOOL_ENV_NEVER_SET"));
-        log_microphone_stale_source_drop(
+        log_microphone_lag_clamped_source(
             crate::live_capture_clock::RebasedSourcePts {
                 packet_pts_us: 1,
                 capture_now_us: 10_000,
@@ -153,6 +158,21 @@ exit 0
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn lag_clamped_microphone_timestamp_still_sends_audio() {
+        assert!(
+            MICROPHONE_CAPTURE_SRC
+                .contains("log_microphone_lag_clamped_source(timing, map.len());")
+        );
+        assert!(MICROPHONE_CAPTURE_SRC.contains("let pts = timing.packet_pts_us;"));
+        assert!(
+            !MICROPHONE_CAPTURE_SRC.contains(
+                "log_microphone_lag_clamped_source(timing, map.len());\n                    return None;"
+            ),
+            "lag-clamped mic packets should use the repaired live timestamp instead of starving UAC"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn pipewire_source_desc_formats_selected_and_default_sources() {
         let selected = MicrophoneCapture::pipewire_source_desc(Some("alsa input/Desk Mic"));