diff --git a/.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/conversation-surface-fidelity.md b/.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/conversation-surface-fidelity.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a66a49361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/conversation-surface-fidelity.md
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+# Conversation Surface Prototype Fidelity
+
+- Slice date: 2026-04-26
+- Executable harness: `packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs`
+- Command:
+  `cd packages/desktop && npm run e2e:cdp`
+- Result: pass
+- Artifact directory:
+  `.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/artifacts/2026-04-26T01-26-44-948Z/`
+
+## Scenario
+
+1. Launch the real Electron app with isolated HOME, runtime, user-data, and a
+   fake dirty Git workspace.
+2. Open the fake project through the desktop directory picker path.
+3. Send the first composer prompt and approve the fake command request.
+4. Wait for the dense fake ACP assistant response, file-reference chips,
+   assistant actions, and changed-files summary.
+5. Capture computed styles and geometry for the assistant message, user prompt,
+   changed-files summary, action buttons, timeline, and document width.
+6. Save `conversation-surface-fidelity.json` and
+   `conversation-surface-fidelity.png`, then continue the compact conversation,
+   compact review, review safety, commit, settings, and terminal workflows.
+
+## Assertions
+
+- Assistant message border widths are all `0`.
+- Assistant message background alpha is `0`, so assistant prose is not a
+  framed card.
+- User prompt remains a compact right-aligned bubble with a visible border and
+  background alpha of `0.1`.
+- Changed-files summary remains an inline supporting surface with background
+  alpha `0.024`, border alpha `0.11`, and height `153.5` px.
+- Changed-file rows do not render as nested cards.
+- Changed-files `Review Changes` action height is `30` px.
+- Assistant action buttons remain compact at `28x28` px.
+- Document scroll width stayed equal to the `1240` px viewport.
+- Console errors: 0.
+- Failed local network requests: 0.
+
+## Artifacts
+
+- `conversation-surface-fidelity.json`
+- `conversation-surface-fidelity.png`
+- `assistant-message-actions.json`
+- `assistant-message-actions.png`
+- `compact-dense-conversation.json`
+- `compact-dense-conversation.png`
+- `compact-review-drawer.json`
+- `compact-review-drawer.png`
+- `review-drawer-layout.json`
+- `terminal-expanded-layout.json`
+- `electron.log`
+- `summary.json`
+
+## Failed Run Fixed
+
+Iteration 15 produced a partial artifact directory at
+`.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/artifacts/2026-04-26T01-19-16-242Z/`.
+That run stopped before `conversation-surface-fidelity.json` or `summary.json`
+were written. Iteration 16 reran the full CDP smoke successfully with the same
+slice changes and produced the passing artifact directory above.
+
+## Known Uncovered Risk
+
+The harness validates deterministic fake ACP content at the default and compact
+desktop sizes. Long branch names, long model names, and unusually long project
+names with the review drawer open still need a focused truncation and overflow
+assertion.
diff --git a/design/qwen-code-electron-desktop-implementation-plan.md b/design/qwen-code-electron-desktop-implementation-plan.md
index 0694d3825..f201772a9 100644
--- a/design/qwen-code-electron-desktop-implementation-plan.md
+++ b/design/qwen-code-electron-desktop-implementation-plan.md
@@ -22,6 +22,109 @@ execution order, verification, decisions, and remaining work.
 
 ## Codex Alignment Progress
 
+### Completed Slice: Conversation Surface Prototype Fidelity
+
+Status: completed in iteration 16.
+
+Goal: reduce the remaining boxed/dashboard treatment in the conversation
+timeline so assistant prose reads as the main workbench surface, while changed
+files and tool/activity summaries remain compact supporting surfaces.
+
+User-visible value: the first viewport moves closer to `home.jpg`: the
+conversation feels like a coding-agent timeline instead of stacked cards, with
+less border noise and a lighter inline review entry point.
+
+Expected files:
+
+- `packages/desktop/src/renderer/styles.css`
+- `packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs`
+- `.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/conversation-surface-fidelity.md`
+- `design/qwen-code-electron-desktop-implementation-plan.md`
+
+Acceptance criteria:
+
+- Assistant messages no longer render as visibly framed cards.
+- User prompts remain readable as compact right-aligned bubbles.
+- Changed-files summary and tool/activity surfaces retain accessible
+  landmarks/actions but use subtler borders, backgrounds, and tighter density.
+- Existing assistant file-reference, action-row, changed-files, review,
+  settings, and terminal flows continue to pass.
+- Real Electron CDP coverage records computed surface styles and geometry, and
+  fails if assistant messages regain a visible card frame or if the changed
+  files summary becomes visually heavy again.
+
+Verification:
+
+- Unit/component test command: no component logic change expected.
+- Syntax command: `node --check packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs`
+- Build/typecheck/lint commands:
+  `cd packages/desktop && npm run typecheck && npm run lint && npm run build`
+- Real Electron harness:
+  `cd packages/desktop && npm run e2e:cdp`
+- Harness path: `packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs`
+- E2E scenario steps: launch real Electron with isolated HOME/runtime/user-data
+  and fake ACP, open the fake project, send a prompt, approve the fake command
+  request, wait for the dense assistant response and changed-files summary,
+  assert assistant action/file chips, assert conversation surface computed
+  styles and geometry, capture screenshot/JSON artifacts, then continue the
+  existing compact, review, settings, and terminal workflow.
+- E2E assertions: assistant message border widths are zero and background is
+  transparent, user message remains a compact bubble, changed-files summary
+  uses subtle border/background alpha and stays shorter than the previous
+  dashboard-like card, action buttons remain compact, and console
+  errors/failed local requests are absent.
+- Diagnostic artifacts: `conversation-surface-fidelity.json`,
+  `conversation-surface-fidelity.png`, plus existing CDP screenshots, Electron
+  log, and summary JSON under `.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/artifacts/`.
+- Required skills applied: `frontend-design` for prototype-constrained visual
+  hierarchy and density; `electron-desktop-dev` for renderer/CDP real Electron
+  verification; `brainstorming` applied by choosing the smallest fidelity
+  slice from the recorded next-work items instead of introducing new product
+  scope.
+
+Notes and decisions:
+
+- `frontend-design` was applied with the extra Ralph constraint that
+  `home.jpg` wins over inventing a new visual direction. The slice removes the
+  remaining assistant message frame instead of adding a new card treatment, and
+  keeps changed-files/tool summaries as quieter supporting inline surfaces.
+- `electron-desktop-dev` was applied by extending the real Electron CDP smoke
+  path with computed-style and geometry assertions, not just visual inspection.
+- The unframed assistant message still uses compact action icon buttons and
+  file chips so the timeline remains actionable without becoming a dashboard.
+- Changed-files summary rows now read more like a compact inline table: no
+  nested row cards, subtler background, and a 30 px review action.
+- Iteration 15 left this slice uncommitted after starting a CDP run that did
+  not reach the new fidelity assertion. Iteration 16 reran the full verification
+  and recorded the passing artifacts below.
+
+Verification results:
+
+- `node --check packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs` passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && npm run typecheck` passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && npm run lint` passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && npm run build` passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && npm run e2e:cdp` passed after launch through real
+  Electron over CDP, including the new conversation surface fidelity assertion
+  and the existing compact conversation, compact review, settings, terminal,
+  review safety, and commit workflows.
+- Passing artifacts:
+  `.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/artifacts/2026-04-26T01-26-44-948Z/`.
+- Key recorded metrics: assistant message border widths were all `0`,
+  assistant background alpha was `0`, changed-files summary background alpha
+  was `0.024`, changed-files summary border alpha was `0.11`, changed-files
+  summary height was `153.5`, and the document scroll width stayed equal to the
+  `1240` px viewport.
+
+Next work:
+
+- Continue prototype fidelity by reducing remaining visual heaviness in tool
+  result cards and topbar/sidebar typography visible in the current CDP
+  screenshots.
+- Add focused long branch/model/project-name CDP coverage with review open,
+  since compact review and composer chips now rely on truncation to avoid
+  overflow.
+
 ### Completed Slice: Compact Review Drawer CDP Coverage
 
 Status: completed in iteration 14.
diff --git a/packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs b/packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs
index 0b56dce23..fd95a358e 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs
+++ b/packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs
@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ async function main() {
   await saveScreenshot('resolved-tool-activity.png');
   await assertAssistantMessageActions('assistant-message-actions.json');
   await saveScreenshot('assistant-message-actions.png');
+  await assertConversationSurfaceFidelity('conversation-surface-fidelity.json');
+  await saveScreenshot('conversation-surface-fidelity.png');
   await setElectronWindowBounds(target.id, compactWindowBounds);
   await assertCompactDenseConversationLayout(
     'compact-dense-conversation.json',
@@ -1133,6 +1135,242 @@ async function assertAssistantMessageActions(fileName) {
   }
 }
 
+async function assertConversationSurfaceFidelity(fileName) {
+  await waitForSelector('[data-testid="conversation-changes-summary"]');
+  const snapshot = await evaluate(`(() => {
+    const rectFor = (element) => {
+      if (!element) {
+        return null;
+      }
+      const rect = element.getBoundingClientRect();
+      return {
+        top: rect.top,
+        right: rect.right,
+        bottom: rect.bottom,
+        left: rect.left,
+        width: rect.width,
+        height: rect.height
+      };
+    };
+    const alphaFromColor = (color) => {
+      if (!color || color === 'transparent') {
+        return 0;
+      }
+
+      const match = color.match(/rgba?\\(([^)]+)\\)/u);
+      if (!match) {
+        return 1;
+      }
+
+      const parts = match[1].split(',').map((part) => part.trim());
+      if (parts.length < 4) {
+        return 1;
+      }
+
+      const alpha = Number(parts[3]);
+      return Number.isFinite(alpha) ? alpha : 1;
+    };
+    const numberFromPixel = (value) => {
+      const number = Number.parseFloat(value);
+      return Number.isFinite(number) ? number : 0;
+    };
+    const styleFor = (element) => {
+      if (!element) {
+        return null;
+      }
+
+      const style = window.getComputedStyle(element);
+      return {
+        backgroundColor: style.backgroundColor,
+        backgroundAlpha: alphaFromColor(style.backgroundColor),
+        borderColor: style.borderTopColor,
+        borderAlpha: alphaFromColor(style.borderTopColor),
+        borderTopWidth: numberFromPixel(style.borderTopWidth),
+        borderRightWidth: numberFromPixel(style.borderRightWidth),
+        borderBottomWidth: numberFromPixel(style.borderBottomWidth),
+        borderLeftWidth: numberFromPixel(style.borderLeftWidth),
+        borderRadius: style.borderTopLeftRadius
+      };
+    };
+    const assistantMessage = [
+      ...document.querySelectorAll('[data-testid="assistant-message"]')
+    ].find((candidate) =>
+      candidate.innerText.includes('E2E fake ACP response received')
+    );
+    const userMessage = document.querySelector('.chat-message-user');
+    const summary = document.querySelector(
+      '[data-testid="conversation-changes-summary"]'
+    );
+    const summaryAction = summary?.querySelector(
+      'button[aria-label="Review Changes"]'
+    );
+    const firstSummaryRow = summary?.querySelector(
+      '.conversation-changes-list li'
+    );
+    const timeline = document.querySelector('.chat-timeline');
+    const actionButtons = assistantMessage
+      ? [
+          ...assistantMessage.querySelectorAll(
+            '[data-testid="assistant-message-actions"] button'
+          )
+        ]
+      : [];
+
+    return {
+      assistant: {
+        rect: rectFor(assistantMessage),
+        style: styleFor(assistantMessage)
+      },
+      user: {
+        rect: rectFor(userMessage),
+        style: styleFor(userMessage)
+      },
+      summary: {
+        rect: rectFor(summary),
+        style: styleFor(summary),
+        actionRect: rectFor(summaryAction),
+        rowStyle: styleFor(firstSummaryRow)
+      },
+      timeline: rectFor(timeline),
+      actionButtons: actionButtons.map((button) => ({
+        label: button.getAttribute('aria-label') || '',
+        rect: rectFor(button),
+        style: styleFor(button)
+      })),
+      document: {
+        viewportWidth: window.innerWidth,
+        scrollWidth: document.documentElement.scrollWidth
+      }
+    };
+  })()`);
+
+  await writeFile(
+    join(artifactDir, fileName),
+    `${JSON.stringify(snapshot, null, 2)}\n`,
+    'utf8',
+  );
+
+  if (
+    !snapshot.assistant.rect ||
+    !snapshot.assistant.style ||
+    !snapshot.user.rect ||
+    !snapshot.user.style ||
+    !snapshot.summary.rect ||
+    !snapshot.summary.style ||
+    !snapshot.summary.actionRect ||
+    !snapshot.summary.rowStyle ||
+    !snapshot.timeline
+  ) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Conversation surface fidelity metrics are missing: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  const assistantBorders = [
+    snapshot.assistant.style.borderTopWidth,
+    snapshot.assistant.style.borderRightWidth,
+    snapshot.assistant.style.borderBottomWidth,
+    snapshot.assistant.style.borderLeftWidth,
+  ];
+  if (assistantBorders.some((width) => width > 0)) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Assistant message should render as unframed timeline prose: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot.assistant.style,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (snapshot.assistant.style.backgroundAlpha > 0.02) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Assistant message background is too card-like: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot.assistant.style,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (
+    snapshot.assistant.rect.left < snapshot.timeline.left ||
+    snapshot.assistant.rect.right > snapshot.timeline.right + 1
+  ) {
+    throw new Error('Assistant message escaped the conversation timeline.');
+  }
+
+  if (
+    snapshot.user.rect.width > 620 ||
+    snapshot.user.style.backgroundAlpha < 0.05 ||
+    snapshot.user.style.borderTopWidth < 1
+  ) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `User prompt bubble lost compact bubble treatment: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot.user,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (
+    snapshot.summary.style.borderAlpha > 0.14 ||
+    snapshot.summary.style.backgroundAlpha > 0.045
+  ) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Changed-files summary surface is too visually heavy: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot.summary.style,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (snapshot.summary.rect.height > 158) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Changed-files summary should stay compact: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot.summary.rect,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (snapshot.summary.rowStyle.backgroundAlpha > 0.04) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Changed-files rows should not look like nested cards: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot.summary.rowStyle,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (snapshot.summary.actionRect.height > 34) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Changed-files action is too tall: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot.summary.actionRect,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  for (const button of snapshot.actionButtons) {
+    if (!button.rect || !button.style) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Assistant action button metrics are missing: ${JSON.stringify(
+          button,
+        )}`,
+      );
+    }
+
+    if (button.rect.width > 32 || button.rect.height > 32) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Assistant action button should remain compact: ${JSON.stringify(
+          button,
+        )}`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (snapshot.document.scrollWidth > snapshot.document.viewportWidth + 4) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Conversation surface introduced horizontal document overflow: ${JSON.stringify(
+        snapshot.document,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 async function assertCompactDenseConversationLayout(fileName) {
   await waitFor(
     'compact dense conversation viewport',
diff --git a/packages/desktop/src/renderer/styles.css b/packages/desktop/src/renderer/styles.css
index 4957afc98..7d2bac34b 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/src/renderer/styles.css
+++ b/packages/desktop/src/renderer/styles.css
@@ -678,7 +678,7 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   display: flex;
   min-height: 0;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 12px;
+  gap: 14px;
   overflow: auto;
   padding: 10px 18px 18px;
 }
@@ -688,10 +688,10 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   display: grid;
   width: min(860px, 100%);
   gap: 8px;
-  padding: 12px 14px;
-  border: 1px solid var(--line);
-  border-radius: var(--radius);
-  background: rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.04);
+  padding: 0;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 0;
+  background: transparent;
 }
 
 .chat-message {
@@ -699,15 +699,23 @@ summary:focus-visible {
 }
 
 .chat-message-user {
-  width: min(620px, 86%);
+  width: min(560px, 82%);
   align-self: flex-end;
-  border-color: rgba(240, 182, 110, 0.38);
-  background: var(--warning-soft);
+  padding: 10px 12px;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(240, 182, 110, 0.26);
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  background: rgba(240, 182, 110, 0.1);
+}
+
+.chat-message-assistant {
+  padding: 2px 0 0;
 }
 
 .chat-message-thinking {
-  border-color: rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.32);
-  background: var(--accent-soft);
+  padding: 10px 12px;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.22);
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  background: rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.08);
 }
 
 .chat-message p,
@@ -795,6 +803,8 @@ summary:focus-visible {
 
 .chat-plan {
   align-self: center;
+  padding: 8px 0 8px 14px;
+  border-left: 2px solid rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.28);
 }
 
 .chat-plan ol {
@@ -831,31 +841,29 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   width: min(860px, 100%);
   align-self: center;
   gap: 10px;
-  padding: 12px 14px;
-  border: 1px solid rgba(117, 217, 156, 0.22);
+  padding: 10px 12px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--line);
+  border-left: 2px solid rgba(117, 217, 156, 0.34);
   border-radius: var(--radius);
-  background:
-    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(117, 217, 156, 0.07), transparent),
-    rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.035);
+  background: rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.025);
   color: var(--text-soft);
 }
 
 .conversation-tool-card-running {
-  border-color: rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.26);
-  background:
-    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.08), transparent),
-    rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.035);
+  border-color: var(--line);
+  border-left-color: rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.42);
+  background: rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.045);
 }
 
 .conversation-tool-card-complete {
-  border-color: rgba(117, 217, 156, 0.26);
+  border-color: var(--line);
+  border-left-color: rgba(117, 217, 156, 0.38);
 }
 
 .conversation-tool-card-danger {
-  border-color: rgba(255, 127, 105, 0.34);
-  background:
-    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255, 127, 105, 0.08), transparent),
-    rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.035);
+  border-color: var(--line);
+  border-left-color: rgba(255, 127, 105, 0.46);
+  background: rgba(255, 127, 105, 0.055);
 }
 
 .conversation-tool-heading {
@@ -949,13 +957,11 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   display: grid;
   width: min(860px, 100%);
   align-self: center;
-  gap: 10px;
-  padding: 12px;
-  border: 1px solid rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.2);
+  gap: 6px;
+  padding: 10px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--line);
   border-radius: var(--radius);
-  background:
-    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(85, 166, 255, 0.08), transparent),
-    rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.035);
+  background: rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.025);
   color: var(--text-soft);
 }
 
@@ -1013,18 +1019,24 @@ summary:focus-visible {
 
 .conversation-changes-list {
   display: grid;
-  gap: 1px;
+  gap: 0;
   margin: 0;
   padding: 0;
+  border-top: 1px solid var(--line);
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
   list-style: none;
 }
 
 .conversation-changes-list li {
-  min-height: 30px;
+  min-height: 27px;
   justify-content: space-between;
-  padding: 5px 8px;
-  border-radius: 6px;
-  background: rgba(8, 10, 11, 0.24);
+  padding: 4px 4px;
+  border-radius: 0;
+  background: transparent;
+}
+
+.conversation-changes-list li + li {
+  border-top: 1px solid rgba(226, 232, 222, 0.07);
 }
 
 .conversation-changes-list span {
@@ -1050,6 +1062,11 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   justify-content: flex-end;
 }
 
+.conversation-changes-actions .secondary-button {
+  min-height: 30px;
+  padding: 0 10px;
+}
+
 .chat-scroll-anchor {
   width: 1px;
   height: 1px;
@@ -2017,7 +2034,8 @@ textarea:focus {
     padding: 8px 10px 12px;
   }
 
-  .workspace-grid-review-open .chat-message,
+  .workspace-grid-review-open .chat-message-user,
+  .workspace-grid-review-open .chat-message-thinking,
   .workspace-grid-review-open .chat-plan,
   .workspace-grid-review-open .conversation-tool-card,
   .workspace-grid-review-open .conversation-changes-card,
@@ -2025,6 +2043,10 @@ textarea:focus {
     padding: 10px;
   }
 
+  .workspace-grid-review-open .chat-message-assistant {
+    padding: 2px 0 0;
+  }
+
   .workspace-grid-review-open .composer {
     width: calc(100% - 20px);
     gap: 6px;