diff --git a/desktop/src-tauri/src/unread_catch_up.rs b/desktop/src-tauri/src/unread_catch_up.rs
index f8609ef1f60..96a740638b9 100644
--- a/desktop/src-tauri/src/unread_catch_up.rs
+++ b/desktop/src-tauri/src/unread_catch_up.rs
@@ -300,6 +300,7 @@ fn classify_batch(
             let broadcast = has_exact_tag(&event.tags, "broadcast", "1");
             let threaded = reference.parent_id.is_some() && !broadcast;
             let high_priority = item.channel.channel_type == "dm"
+                || threaded
                 || broadcast
                 || has_tag_value(&event.tags, "p", &self_pubkey);
             max_trigger = max_trigger.max(event.created_at);
@@ -518,9 +519,9 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(
             observed_events
                 .iter()
-                .map(|event| event.id.as_str())
+                .map(|event| (event.id.as_str(), event.high_priority))
                 .collect::<Vec<_>>(),
-            ["external-reply"]
+            [("external-reply", true)]
         );
         assert_eq!(discovered.participated, ["root"]);
     }
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx b/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
index 071cc3b1803..b4c2039023e 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
@@ -918,6 +918,7 @@ export function AppShell() {
                           selectedChannelId={selectedChannelId}
                           selectedView={selectedView}
                           unreadChannelIds={unreadChannelIds}
+                          {...{ highPriorityUnreadChannelIds }}
                           previewActivityChannelIds={unreadThreadChannelIds}
                           unreadChannelCounts={unreadChannelCounts}
                           mutedChannelIds={mutedChannelIds}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/useUnreadChannels.ts b/desktop/src/features/channels/useUnreadChannels.ts
index ceab544d8cb..9e224670622 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/useUnreadChannels.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/useUnreadChannels.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import {
 } from "@/features/channels/useLiveChannelUpdates";
 import {
   countUnreadAppBadgeObservedEvents,
-  countUnreadBadgeObservedEvents,
   countUnreadHighPriorityObservedEvents,
   countUnreadObservedEvents,
   hasUnreadTopLevelObservedEvent,
@@ -426,13 +425,14 @@ export function useUnreadChannels(
   const handleChannelMessage = React.useCallback(
     (channelId: string, event: RelayEvent) => {
       const channel = channelsRef.current.find((ch) => ch.id === channelId);
+      const isThreadedReply =
+        getThreadReference(event.tags).parentId !== null &&
+        !isBroadcastReply(event.tags);
       const isHighPriority =
         channel?.channelType === "dm" ||
+        isThreadedReply ||
         (normalizedPubkey !== null &&
           isHighPriorityEventForUser(event, normalizedPubkey));
-      const isThreadedReply =
-        getThreadReference(event.tags).parentId !== null &&
-        !isBroadcastReply(event.tags);
       const didRecordUnreadEvent = recordUnreadEvent(
         channelId,
         makeObservedUnreadEvent({
@@ -852,38 +852,24 @@ export function useUnreadChannels(
         ) {
           topLevelUnread.add(channel.id);
         }
-        const badgeCount =
-          nativeProjection?.badgeCount ??
-          countUnreadBadgeObservedEvents(
-            observedEvents,
-            readAtForObservedEvent,
-          );
         const appBadgeCount =
           nativeProjection?.appBadgeCount ??
           countUnreadAppBadgeObservedEvents(
             observedEvents,
             readAtForObservedEvent,
           );
-        // Sidebar numerals on non-DM rows count every unread mention and
-        // broadcast, including threaded ones. The Dock projection
-        // (appBadgeCount) keeps excluding threaded replies because Home's
-        // badge subtotal already counts those; reusing it here would hide
-        // thread mentions from the channel row.
         const highPriorityCount =
           nativeProjection?.highPriorityCount ??
           countUnreadHighPriorityObservedEvents(
             observedEvents,
             readAtForObservedEvent,
           );
-        counts.set(
-          channel.id,
-          channel.channelType === "dm" ? badgeCount : highPriorityCount,
-        );
+        counts.set(channel.id, unreadCount);
         unreadChannelNotificationCount += appBadgeCount;
 
         // DM channels: any unread DM is high-priority. Non-DM: high-priority
-        // only if at least one mention/broadcast remains unread in its own
-        // channel/thread context.
+        // only if at least one mention, broadcast, or relevant thread reply
+        // remains unread in its own channel/thread context.
         if (channel.channelType === "dm" || highPriorityCount > 0) {
           highPriority.add(channel.id);
         }
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useOffscreenActivityChannelIds.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useOffscreenActivityChannelIds.test.mjs
deleted file mode 100644
index 34f696aa515..00000000000
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useOffscreenActivityChannelIds.test.mjs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,52 +0,0 @@
-import assert from "node:assert/strict";
-import test from "node:test";
-
-import { getOffscreenActivityChannelIds } from "./useOffscreenActivityChannelIds.ts";
-import { getSidebarActivityOverflowLabel } from "./useSidebarActivityOverflow.ts";
-
-test("keeps every unread channel navigable while adding working activity", () => {
-  const activity = getOffscreenActivityChannelIds({
-    activeWorkingByChannelId: new Map([["working", {}]]),
-    previewActivityChannelIds: new Set(["preview"]),
-    unreadChannelIds: new Set(["dm", "forum", "stream"]),
-  });
-
-  assert.deepEqual([...activity.messageChannelIds].sort(), [
-    "dm",
-    "forum",
-    "preview",
-    "stream",
-  ]);
-  assert.deepEqual([...activity.channelIds].sort(), [
-    "dm",
-    "forum",
-    "preview",
-    "stream",
-    "working",
-  ]);
-});
-
-test("keeps working-only channels out of message overflow prioritization", () => {
-  const activity = getOffscreenActivityChannelIds({
-    activeWorkingByChannelId: new Map([["read-working-dm", {}]]),
-    previewActivityChannelIds: new Set(),
-    unreadChannelIds: new Set(["unread-channel"]),
-  });
-
-  assert.deepEqual([...activity.messageChannelIds], ["unread-channel"]);
-  assert.deepEqual(
-    [...activity.channelIds],
-    ["unread-channel", "read-working-dm"],
-  );
-});
-
-test("uses an activity-neutral overflow label when work contributes", () => {
-  assert.equal(
-    getSidebarActivityOverflowLabel({ activityCount: 2, messageCount: 1 }),
-    "2 new activity",
-  );
-  assert.equal(
-    getSidebarActivityOverflowLabel({ activityCount: 1, messageCount: 1 }),
-    undefined,
-  );
-});
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useOffscreenActivityChannelIds.ts b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useOffscreenActivityChannelIds.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index aef953efffe..00000000000
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useOffscreenActivityChannelIds.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-import * as React from "react";
-
-type OffscreenActivityChannelIds = {
-  messageChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
-  channelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
-};
-
-export function getOffscreenActivityChannelIds({
-  activeWorkingByChannelId,
-  previewActivityChannelIds,
-  unreadChannelIds,
-}: {
-  activeWorkingByChannelId: ReadonlyMap<string, unknown>;
-  previewActivityChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
-  unreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
-}): OffscreenActivityChannelIds {
-  // Every unread row must remain navigable, including top-level stream and
-  // forum unreads that do not have thread-preview activity.
-  const messageChannelIds = new Set([
-    ...unreadChannelIds,
-    ...previewActivityChannelIds,
-  ]);
-
-  return {
-    messageChannelIds,
-    channelIds: new Set([
-      ...messageChannelIds,
-      ...activeWorkingByChannelId.keys(),
-    ]),
-  };
-}
-
-export function useOffscreenActivityChannelIds(args: {
-  activeWorkingByChannelId: ReadonlyMap<string, unknown>;
-  previewActivityChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
-  unreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
-}) {
-  const {
-    activeWorkingByChannelId,
-    previewActivityChannelIds,
-    unreadChannelIds,
-  } = args;
-
-  return React.useMemo(
-    () =>
-      getOffscreenActivityChannelIds({
-        activeWorkingByChannelId,
-        previewActivityChannelIds,
-        unreadChannelIds,
-      }),
-    [activeWorkingByChannelId, previewActivityChannelIds, unreadChannelIds],
-  );
-}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarActivityOverflow.ts b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarActivityOverflow.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 2dac012bca4..00000000000
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarActivityOverflow.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,47 +0,0 @@
-import { useOffscreenActivityChannelIds } from "@/features/sidebar/lib/useOffscreenActivityChannelIds";
-import { useUnreadOverflow } from "@/features/sidebar/lib/useUnreadOverflow";
-
-type ActivityOptions = Parameters<typeof useOffscreenActivityChannelIds>[0];
-type ScrollRef = Parameters<typeof useUnreadOverflow>[0]["scrollRef"];
-
-export function getSidebarActivityOverflowLabel({
-  activityCount,
-  messageCount,
-}: {
-  activityCount: number;
-  messageCount: number;
-}) {
-  return activityCount === messageCount
-    ? undefined
-    : `${activityCount} new activity`;
-}
-
-export function useSidebarActivityOverflow({
-  scrollRef,
-  ...activityOptions
-}: ActivityOptions & { scrollRef: ScrollRef }) {
-  const { channelIds, messageChannelIds } =
-    useOffscreenActivityChannelIds(activityOptions);
-  const activityOverflow = useUnreadOverflow({
-    scrollRef,
-    unreadChannelIds: channelIds,
-  });
-  const messageOverflow = useUnreadOverflow({
-    scrollRef,
-    unreadChannelIds: messageChannelIds,
-  });
-
-  return {
-    ...activityOverflow,
-    unreadMessageAboveChannelIds: messageOverflow.unreadAboveChannelIds,
-    unreadMessageBelowChannelIds: messageOverflow.unreadBelowChannelIds,
-    unreadAboveLabel: getSidebarActivityOverflowLabel({
-      activityCount: activityOverflow.unreadAboveCount,
-      messageCount: messageOverflow.unreadAboveCount,
-    }),
-    unreadBelowLabel: getSidebarActivityOverflowLabel({
-      activityCount: activityOverflow.unreadBelowCount,
-      messageCount: messageOverflow.unreadBelowCount,
-    }),
-  };
-}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarUnreadOverflow.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarUnreadOverflow.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..187586a3e3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarUnreadOverflow.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import test from "node:test";
+
+import {
+  hasHighPriorityOverflow,
+  sidebarOverflowUnreadLabel,
+} from "./useSidebarUnreadOverflow.ts";
+
+test("labels the destination total as unread", () => {
+  assert.equal(sidebarOverflowUnreadLabel(3), "3 unread");
+});
+
+test("promotes actionable unread and every offscreen DM", () => {
+  const actionable = new Set(["mention"]);
+  const dms = new Set(["dm"]);
+
+  assert.equal(hasHighPriorityOverflow(["channel"], actionable, dms), false);
+  assert.equal(hasHighPriorityOverflow(["mention"], actionable, dms), true);
+  assert.equal(hasHighPriorityOverflow(["dm"], actionable, dms), true);
+  assert.equal(
+    hasHighPriorityOverflow(["channel", "dm"], actionable, dms),
+    true,
+  );
+});
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarUnreadOverflow.ts b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarUnreadOverflow.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7e59c712a4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarUnreadOverflow.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+import { useUnreadOverflow } from "@/features/sidebar/lib/useUnreadOverflow";
+
+type ScrollRef = Parameters<typeof useUnreadOverflow>[0]["scrollRef"];
+
+/**
+ * Returns whether any offscreen destination is a DM or has directed unread
+ * activity, which should keep the sidebar overflow control emphasized.
+ */
+export function hasHighPriorityOverflow(
+  offscreenChannelIds: readonly string[],
+  highPriorityUnreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>,
+  dmChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>,
+) {
+  return offscreenChannelIds.some(
+    (channelId) =>
+      dmChannelIds.has(channelId) ||
+      highPriorityUnreadChannelIds.has(channelId),
+  );
+}
+
+/** Formats the accessible label for a distinct unread destination count. */
+export function sidebarOverflowUnreadLabel(count: number) {
+  return `${count} unread`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Projects unread message and thread activity into offscreen destination sets.
+ * Message and preview destinations are unioned and deduplicated; DMs and
+ * destinations with directed unread activity receive high-priority treatment.
+ */
+export function useSidebarUnreadOverflow({
+  dmChannelIds,
+  highPriorityUnreadChannelIds,
+  previewActivityChannelIds,
+  scrollRef,
+  unreadChannelIds,
+}: {
+  dmChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
+  highPriorityUnreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
+  previewActivityChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
+  scrollRef: ScrollRef;
+  unreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
+}) {
+  const messageChannelIds = React.useMemo(
+    () => new Set([...unreadChannelIds, ...previewActivityChannelIds]),
+    [previewActivityChannelIds, unreadChannelIds],
+  );
+  const messageOverflow = useUnreadOverflow({
+    scrollRef,
+    unreadChannelIds: messageChannelIds,
+  });
+
+  return {
+    ...messageOverflow,
+    unreadMessageBelowChannelIds: messageOverflow.unreadBelowChannelIds,
+    hasHighPriorityAbove: hasHighPriorityOverflow(
+      messageOverflow.unreadAboveChannelIds,
+      highPriorityUnreadChannelIds,
+      dmChannelIds,
+    ),
+    hasHighPriorityBelow: hasHighPriorityOverflow(
+      messageOverflow.unreadBelowChannelIds,
+      highPriorityUnreadChannelIds,
+      dmChannelIds,
+    ),
+  };
+}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
index 647ed632644..93b6defe487 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
@@ -20,7 +20,10 @@ import {
 import { useChannelSortPreference } from "@/features/sidebar/lib/useChannelSortPreference";
 import { useSidebarScrollLock } from "@/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarScrollLock";
 import { isSidebarBackgroundTarget } from "@/features/sidebar/lib/sidebarBackgroundTarget";
-import { useSidebarActivityOverflow } from "@/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarActivityOverflow";
+import {
+  sidebarOverflowUnreadLabel,
+  useSidebarUnreadOverflow,
+} from "@/features/sidebar/lib/useSidebarUnreadOverflow";
 import {
   CreateSectionDialog,
   DeleteSectionAlertDialog,
@@ -38,7 +41,6 @@ import {
   MoreUnreadButton,
   preferredUnreadTarget,
 } from "@/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton";
-import { unreadCountLabel } from "@/shared/ui/UnreadPill";
 import { SidebarSection } from "@/features/sidebar/ui/SidebarSection";
 import {
   ChannelGroupSection,
@@ -96,6 +98,7 @@ export function AppSidebar({
   selectedView,
   unreadChannelCounts,
   unreadChannelIds,
+  highPriorityUnreadChannelIds,
   previewActivityChannelIds,
   communities,
   onAddCommunity,
@@ -151,10 +154,22 @@ export function AppSidebar({
   const showSidebarUpdateCard =
     canShowSidebarUpdateCard && !isSidebarUpdateCardDismissed;
   const [dmActionsMenuOpen, setDmActionsMenuOpen] = React.useState(false);
+  const allDirectMessages = React.useMemo(
+    () => channels.filter((channel) => channel.channelType === "dm"),
+    [channels],
+  );
+  const directMessages = useProtectedVisibleDirectMessages(
+    allDirectMessages,
+    currentPubkey,
+  );
+  const dmChannelIds = React.useMemo(
+    () => new Set(directMessages.map(({ id }) => id)),
+    [directMessages],
+  );
   const scrollRef = React.useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
   useSidebarScrollLock(scrollRef);
   // biome-ignore format: keep compact to stay within file size limit
-  const { scrollToChannel, scrollToNextAbove, scrollToNextBelow, unreadAboveCount, unreadBelowCount, unreadMessageBelowChannelIds, unreadAboveLabel, unreadBelowLabel } = useSidebarActivityOverflow({ activeWorkingByChannelId, previewActivityChannelIds, scrollRef, unreadChannelIds });
+  const { hasHighPriorityAbove, hasHighPriorityBelow, scrollToChannel, scrollToNextAbove, scrollToNextBelow, unreadAboveCount, unreadBelowCount, unreadMessageBelowChannelIds } = useSidebarUnreadOverflow({ dmChannelIds, highPriorityUnreadChannelIds, previewActivityChannelIds, scrollRef, unreadChannelIds });
 
   React.useEffect(() => {
     const scrollElement = scrollRef.current;
@@ -368,14 +383,6 @@ export function AppSidebar({
       ),
     [channels, sortModeFor],
   );
-  const allDirectMessages = React.useMemo(
-    () => channels.filter((channel) => channel.channelType === "dm"),
-    [channels],
-  );
-  const directMessages = useProtectedVisibleDirectMessages(
-    allDirectMessages,
-    currentPubkey,
-  );
   const isSelectedDirectMessage =
     selectedView === "channel" &&
     directMessages.some((channel) => channel.id === selectedChannelId);
@@ -540,7 +547,8 @@ export function AppSidebar({
           {unreadAboveCount > 0 ? (
             <MoreUnreadButton
               count={unreadAboveCount}
-              label={unreadAboveLabel ?? unreadCountLabel(unreadAboveCount)}
+              emphasis={hasHighPriorityAbove ? "primary" : "default"}
+              label={sidebarOverflowUnreadLabel(unreadAboveCount)}
               onClick={scrollToNextAbove}
               position="top"
               testId="sidebar-more-unread-above"
@@ -600,7 +608,6 @@ export function AppSidebar({
                       onToggleCollapsed={() => toggleCollapsedGroup("starred")}
                       selectedChannelId={selectedChannelId}
                       title="Starred"
-                      unreadChannelCounts={unreadChannelCounts}
                       unreadChannelIds={unreadChannelIds}
                       mutedChannelIds={mutedChannelIds}
                       onMuteChannel={onMuteChannel}
@@ -634,7 +641,6 @@ export function AppSidebar({
                         isActiveChannel={selectedView === "channel"}
                         activeWorkingByChannelId={activeWorkingByChannelId}
                         selectedChannelId={selectedChannelId}
-                        unreadChannelCounts={unreadChannelCounts}
                         unreadChannelIds={unreadChannelIds}
                         sections={channelSections}
                         assignments={channelAssignments}
@@ -705,7 +711,6 @@ export function AppSidebar({
                       onToggleCollapsed={() => toggleCollapsedGroup("channels")}
                       selectedChannelId={selectedChannelId}
                       title="Channels"
-                      unreadChannelCounts={unreadChannelCounts}
                       unreadChannelIds={unreadChannelIds}
                       sections={channelSections}
                       assignments={channelAssignments}
@@ -744,7 +749,6 @@ export function AppSidebar({
                       onToggleCollapsed={() => toggleCollapsedGroup("forums")}
                       selectedChannelId={selectedChannelId}
                       title="Forums"
-                      unreadChannelCounts={unreadChannelCounts}
                       unreadChannelIds={unreadChannelIds}
                       mutedChannelIds={mutedChannelIds}
                       onMuteChannel={onMuteChannel}
@@ -814,7 +818,8 @@ export function AppSidebar({
               bottomClassName="bottom-full"
               count={unreadBelowCount}
               dmPreviews={unreadDmPreviewsBelow}
-              label={unreadBelowLabel ?? unreadCountLabel(unreadBelowCount)}
+              emphasis={hasHighPriorityBelow ? "primary" : "default"}
+              label={sidebarOverflowUnreadLabel(unreadBelowCount)}
               onClick={() =>
                 nextUnreadDmBelowId
                   ? scrollToChannel(nextUnreadDmBelowId)
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.types.ts b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.types.ts
index 43eb094b3a4..d884c6d5536 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.types.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.types.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ export type AppSidebarProps = {
     | "projects";
   unreadChannelCounts: ReadonlyMap<string, number>;
   unreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
+  highPriorityUnreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
   previewActivityChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
   communities: Community[];
   onAddCommunity: (community: Community) => void;
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/CustomChannelSection.tsx b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/CustomChannelSection.tsx
index 9885f130850..7666e704d45 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/CustomChannelSection.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/CustomChannelSection.tsx
@@ -358,7 +358,6 @@ export function ChannelGroupSection({
   onSortModeChange,
   actionsTestId,
   title,
-  unreadChannelCounts,
   unreadChannelIds,
   sections,
   assignments,
@@ -406,7 +405,6 @@ export function ChannelGroupSection({
   onSortModeChange?: (mode: ChannelSortMode) => void;
   actionsTestId?: string;
   title: string;
-  unreadChannelCounts: ReadonlyMap<string, number>;
   unreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
   hasUnread?: boolean;
   onMarkAllRead?: () => void;
@@ -440,7 +438,6 @@ export function ChannelGroupSection({
                       channel={channel}
                       activeWorking={activeWorkingByChannelId?.get(channel.id)}
                       hasUnread={unreadChannelIds.has(channel.id)}
-                      unreadCount={unreadChannelCounts.get(channel.id) ?? 0}
                       isMuted={mutedChannelIds?.has(channel.id)}
                       isActive={
                         isActiveChannel && selectedChannelId === channel.id
@@ -453,7 +450,6 @@ export function ChannelGroupSection({
                     channel={channel}
                     activeWorking={activeWorkingByChannelId?.get(channel.id)}
                     hasUnread={unreadChannelIds.has(channel.id)}
-                    unreadCount={unreadChannelCounts.get(channel.id) ?? 0}
                     isMuted={mutedChannelIds?.has(channel.id)}
                     isActive={
                       isActiveChannel && selectedChannelId === channel.id
@@ -548,7 +544,6 @@ export function CustomChannelSection({
   isActiveChannel,
   activeWorkingByChannelId,
   selectedChannelId,
-  unreadChannelCounts,
   unreadChannelIds,
   sections,
   assignments,
@@ -585,7 +580,6 @@ export function CustomChannelSection({
   isActiveChannel: boolean;
   activeWorkingByChannelId?: ReadonlyMap<string, ActiveChannelTurnSummary>;
   selectedChannelId: string | null;
-  unreadChannelCounts: ReadonlyMap<string, number>;
   unreadChannelIds: ReadonlySet<string>;
   sections: ChannelSection[];
   assignments: Record<string, string>;
@@ -744,9 +738,6 @@ export function CustomChannelSection({
                                   channel.id,
                                 )}
                                 hasUnread={unreadChannelIds.has(channel.id)}
-                                unreadCount={
-                                  unreadChannelCounts.get(channel.id) ?? 0
-                                }
                                 isMuted={mutedChannelIds?.has(channel.id)}
                                 isActive={
                                   isActiveChannel &&
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton.test.mjs b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton.test.mjs
index 45b14c31ff2..a1316c96df6 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton.test.mjs
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton.test.mjs
@@ -77,17 +77,7 @@ describe("MoreUnreadButton model", () => {
         position: "bottom",
         targetChannelId: "dm",
       }),
-      "Go to unread direct message from Alice. 2 new messages below.",
-    );
-    assert.equal(
-      unreadDmAccessibleLabel({
-        count: 2,
-        dmPreviews: [preview("dm", "Alice")],
-        label: "2 new activity",
-        position: "bottom",
-        targetChannelId: "dm",
-      }),
-      "Go to unread direct message from Alice. 2 new activity below.",
+      "Go to unread direct message from Alice. 2 unread below.",
     );
     assert.equal(
       unreadDmAccessibleLabel({
@@ -96,7 +86,7 @@ describe("MoreUnreadButton model", () => {
         position: "bottom",
         targetChannelId: "near-group",
       }),
-      "2 new messages below",
+      "2 unread below",
     );
     assert.equal(
       unreadDmAccessibleLabel({
@@ -104,7 +94,7 @@ describe("MoreUnreadButton model", () => {
         dmPreviews: [],
         position: "top",
       }),
-      "1 new message above",
+      "1 unread above",
     );
   });
 
@@ -118,6 +108,7 @@ describe("MoreUnreadButton model", () => {
           preview("dm-three", "Group DM"),
           preview("dm-four", "Dana"),
         ],
+        emphasis: "primary",
         onClick() {},
         position: "bottom",
         targetChannelId: "dm-one",
@@ -126,13 +117,10 @@ describe("MoreUnreadButton model", () => {
     );
 
     assert.match(markup, /class="[^"]*overflow-hidden[^"]*"/);
+    assert.match(markup, /<span class="min-w-0 truncate">5 unread<\/span>/);
     assert.match(
       markup,
-      /<span class="min-w-0 truncate">5 new messages<\/span>/,
-    );
-    assert.match(
-      markup,
-      /aria-label="Go to unread direct message from Alice\. 5 new messages below\."/,
+      /aria-label="Go to unread direct message from Alice\. 5 unread below\."/,
     );
     assert.doesNotMatch(markup, />Next<\/span>/);
     assert.match(markup, />·<\/span>/);
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton.tsx b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton.tsx
index 581f2e59868..eec2cea303b 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/MoreUnreadButton.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
 import { UserAvatar } from "@/shared/ui/UserAvatar";
-import { UnreadPill, unreadCountLabel } from "@/shared/ui/UnreadPill";
+import { UnreadPill } from "@/shared/ui/UnreadPill";
 
 export type UnreadDmPreview = {
   accessibleLabel: string;
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export function unreadDmAccessibleLabel({
   targetChannelId?: string;
 }) {
   const direction = position === "top" ? "above" : "below";
-  const resolvedLabel = label ?? unreadCountLabel(count);
+  const resolvedLabel = label ?? `${count} unread`;
   const targetPreview = dmPreviews.find(
     ({ channelId }) => channelId === targetChannelId,
   );
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ export function MoreUnreadButton({
   bottomClassName = "bottom-0",
   count,
   dmPreviews = [],
+  emphasis,
   label,
   onClick,
   position,
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ export function MoreUnreadButton({
   bottomClassName?: string;
   count: number;
   dmPreviews?: UnreadDmPreview[];
+  emphasis: "default" | "primary";
   label?: string;
   onClick: () => void;
   position: "top" | "bottom";
@@ -76,7 +78,7 @@ export function MoreUnreadButton({
   const positionClassName =
     position === "top" ? topChromeInset.top : bottomClassName;
   const visibleDmPreviews = visibleUnreadDmPreviews(dmPreviews);
-  const resolvedLabel = label ?? unreadCountLabel(count);
+  const resolvedLabel = label ?? `${count} unread`;
   const accessibleLabel = unreadDmAccessibleLabel({
     count,
     dmPreviews,
@@ -91,9 +93,9 @@ export function MoreUnreadButton({
     >
       <UnreadPill
         accessibleLabel={accessibleLabel}
-        className="max-w-full"
+        className="max-w-full overflow-hidden text-xs"
         direction={position === "top" ? "up" : "down"}
-        emphasis="primary"
+        emphasis={emphasis}
         label={resolvedLabel}
         leading={
           visibleDmPreviews.length > 0 ? (
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/SidebarSection.tsx b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/SidebarSection.tsx
index 6386d9b3def..0100ffce855 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/SidebarSection.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/SidebarSection.tsx
@@ -247,7 +247,6 @@ export function ChannelMenuButton({
   label,
   isActive,
   hasUnread,
-  unreadCount = 0,
   activeWorking,
   isMuted,
   dmParticipants,
@@ -258,7 +257,6 @@ export function ChannelMenuButton({
   label?: string;
   isActive: boolean;
   hasUnread: boolean;
-  unreadCount?: number;
   activeWorking?: ActiveChannelTurnSummary;
   isMuted?: boolean;
   dmParticipants?: SidebarDmParticipant[];
@@ -267,35 +265,19 @@ export function ChannelMenuButton({
 }) {
   const resolvedLabel = label ?? channel.name;
   const ephemeralDisplay = getEphemeralChannelDisplay(channel);
-  const {
-    hasSidebarUnreadProjections,
-    topLevelUnreadChannelIds,
-    unreadThreadChannelIds,
-  } = useAppShell();
-  const hasTopLevelUnread =
-    channel.channelType === "dm"
-      ? hasUnread
-      : hasSidebarUnreadProjections
-        ? topLevelUnreadChannelIds.has(channel.id)
-        : hasUnread;
+  const { hasSidebarUnreadProjections, unreadThreadChannelIds } = useAppShell();
   const hasThreadUnread =
     channel.channelType !== "dm" &&
     (hasSidebarUnreadProjections
       ? unreadThreadChannelIds.has(channel.id)
       : hasUnread);
-  const showsUnreadCount =
-    !isActive && channel.channelType !== "dm" && unreadCount > 0;
   const showsEphemeralBadge =
-    Boolean(ephemeralDisplay) &&
-    !activeWorking &&
-    !isMuted &&
-    !showsUnreadCount &&
-    !hasThreadUnread;
+    Boolean(ephemeralDisplay) && !activeWorking && !isMuted && !hasThreadUnread;
   const inactiveContentOpacity = cn(
-    !isActive && !hasTopLevelUnread && !isMuted && "opacity-80",
+    !isActive && !hasUnread && !isMuted && "opacity-80",
     !isActive &&
       isMuted &&
-      !hasTopLevelUnread &&
+      !hasUnread &&
       !hasThreadUnread &&
       "sidebar-muted-content opacity-50 dark:opacity-45",
   );
@@ -307,7 +289,7 @@ export function ChannelMenuButton({
         isActive
           ? "group-hover/menu-item:bg-sidebar-active group-hover/menu-item:text-sidebar-active-foreground"
           : "group-hover/menu-item:bg-sidebar-accent group-hover/menu-item:text-sidebar-foreground",
-        hasTopLevelUnread &&
+        hasUnread &&
           "font-bold text-sidebar-foreground hover:text-sidebar-foreground data-[active=true]:font-bold",
       )}
       data-channel-id={channel.id}
@@ -373,13 +355,7 @@ export function ChannelMenuButton({
           )}
         />
       ) : null}
-      {showsUnreadCount ? (
-        <UnreadCountBadge
-          channelName={channel.name}
-          className="ml-auto"
-          count={unreadCount}
-        />
-      ) : hasThreadUnread ? (
+      {hasThreadUnread ? (
         <UnreadDotBadge channelName={channel.name} className="ml-auto" />
       ) : null}
     </SidebarMenuButton>
@@ -502,7 +478,6 @@ export function SidebarSection({
                       activeWorking={activeWorkingByChannelId?.get(channel.id)}
                       dmParticipants={dmParticipantsByChannelId?.[channel.id]}
                       hasUnread={unreadChannelIds.has(channel.id)}
-                      unreadCount={unreadChannelCounts.get(channel.id) ?? 0}
                       isMuted={mutedChannelIds?.has(channel.id)}
                       isActive={
                         isActiveChannel && selectedChannelId === channel.id
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/UnreadPill.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/ui/UnreadPill.tsx
index f24f762f1da..7afab32210b 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/ui/UnreadPill.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/UnreadPill.tsx
@@ -4,10 +4,12 @@ import type { ReactNode } from "react";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
 
-const UNREAD_PILL_CLASS =
-  "pointer-events-auto h-7 min-h-7 gap-1.5 rounded-full border-border/70 bg-background/95 px-2 py-1 text-2xs font-medium tracking-[0.02em] text-muted-foreground/70 shadow-xs backdrop-blur-sm hover:bg-muted/70 hover:text-foreground [&_svg]:size-4";
-const PRIMARY_UNREAD_PILL_CLASS =
-  "pointer-events-auto h-7 min-h-7 max-w-[calc(100%_-_1rem)] overflow-hidden gap-1.5 rounded-full px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium shadow-sm [&_svg]:size-4";
+const UNREAD_PILL_COMPOSITION_CLASS =
+  "pointer-events-auto h-7 min-h-7 gap-1.5 rounded-full border px-2 py-1 text-2xs font-medium tracking-[0.02em] shadow-xs [&_svg]:size-4";
+const DEFAULT_UNREAD_PILL_TREATMENT_CLASS =
+  "border-border/70 bg-background/95 text-muted-foreground/70 backdrop-blur-sm hover:bg-muted/70 hover:text-foreground";
+const PRIMARY_UNREAD_PILL_TREATMENT_CLASS =
+  "border-primary bg-primary text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90";
 
 export function unreadCountLabel(count: number) {
   return `${count} new message${count === 1 ? "" : "s"}`;
@@ -37,7 +39,10 @@ export function UnreadPill({
     <Button
       aria-label={accessibleLabel}
       className={cn(
-        emphasis === "primary" ? PRIMARY_UNREAD_PILL_CLASS : UNREAD_PILL_CLASS,
+        UNREAD_PILL_COMPOSITION_CLASS,
+        emphasis === "primary"
+          ? PRIMARY_UNREAD_PILL_TREATMENT_CLASS
+          : DEFAULT_UNREAD_PILL_TREATMENT_CLASS,
         className,
       )}
       data-testid={testId}
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/badge.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/badge.spec.ts
index 5875cf555b4..0ff43f3be47 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/badge.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/badge.spec.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,25 @@ function withDotOnlyBadge(baseline: { state: string; count: number }) {
   return baseline.count > 0 ? baseline : { state: "dot", count: 0 };
 }
 
+async function getUnreadPillComposition(
+  pill: import("@playwright/test").Locator,
+) {
+  return pill.evaluate((element) => {
+    const style = getComputedStyle(element);
+    const icon = element.querySelector("svg")?.getBoundingClientRect();
+    return {
+      fontSize: style.fontSize,
+      gap: style.gap,
+      height: element.getBoundingClientRect().height,
+      iconHeight: icon?.height,
+      iconWidth: icon?.width,
+      letterSpacing: style.letterSpacing,
+      paddingBlock: `${style.paddingTop} ${style.paddingBottom}`,
+      paddingInline: `${style.paddingLeft} ${style.paddingRight}`,
+    };
+  });
+}
+
 test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
   await installMockBridge(page);
 });
@@ -279,7 +298,7 @@ test("dark mode keeps selected labels regular and channel-level unread labels bo
   });
 });
 
-test("offscreen top-level unread shows the primary sidebar arrow", async ({
+test("offscreen unread counts destinations and promotes without incrementing", async ({
   page,
 }) => {
   await page.setViewportSize({ width: 1280, height: 360 });
@@ -319,7 +338,45 @@ test("offscreen top-level unread shows the primary sidebar arrow", async ({
 
   const activityArrow = page.getByTestId("sidebar-more-unread-above");
   await expect(activityArrow).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(activityArrow).toContainText("1 unread");
+  await expect(activityArrow).not.toHaveClass(/bg-primary/);
+  await expect(activityArrow).toHaveCSS("font-size", "12px");
+  await waitForAnimations(page);
+  await page.screenshot({
+    path: `${SHOTS}/sidebar-unread-overflow-default.png`,
+    clip: { x: 0, y: 0, width: 320, height: 360 },
+  });
+
+  const defaultComposition = await getUnreadPillComposition(activityArrow);
+
+  await page.evaluate(
+    ({ pubkey, mentionPubkey }) => {
+      window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_MESSAGE__?.({
+        channelName: "random",
+        content: "A priority mention for @tyler",
+        kind: 40002,
+        pubkey,
+        mentionPubkeys: [mentionPubkey],
+      });
+    },
+    {
+      pubkey: TEST_IDENTITIES.alice.pubkey,
+      mentionPubkey: DEFAULT_MOCK_PUBKEY,
+    },
+  );
+
+  // A second message in the same destination promotes the pill but does not
+  // increase the number of places awaiting review.
+  await expect(activityArrow).toContainText("1 unread");
   await expect(activityArrow).toHaveClass(/bg-primary/);
+  await waitForAnimations(page);
+  await page.screenshot({
+    path: `${SHOTS}/sidebar-unread-overflow-primary.png`,
+    clip: { x: 0, y: 0, width: 320, height: 360 },
+  });
+  const primaryComposition = await getUnreadPillComposition(activityArrow);
+  expect(primaryComposition).toEqual(defaultComposition);
+
   await activityArrow.click();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-random")).toBeInViewport();
   await waitForAnimations(page);
@@ -357,7 +414,102 @@ test("offscreen unread DM shows the primary sidebar arrow", async ({
 
   const activityArrow = page.getByTestId("sidebar-more-unread-below");
   await expect(activityArrow).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(activityArrow).toContainText("1 unread");
+  await expect(activityArrow).toHaveClass(/bg-primary/);
+});
+
+test("thread-only activity in an offscreen DM stays primary", async ({
+  page,
+}) => {
+  await page.goto("/");
+  await page.getByTestId("channel-alice-tyler").click();
+  await waitForMockLiveSubscription(page, "alice-tyler");
+  await page.setViewportSize({ width: 1280, height: 360 });
+
+  const sidebarScroller = page
+    .getByTestId("app-sidebar")
+    .locator('[data-sidebar="content"]');
+  await sidebarScroller.evaluate((element) => {
+    element.scrollTop = 0;
+  });
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-alice-tyler")).not.toBeInViewport();
+
+  const initialReplyAt = Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000) - 10;
+  const rootEventId = await page.evaluate((pubkey) => {
+    const root = window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_MESSAGE__?.({
+      channelName: "alice-tyler",
+      content: "A DM thread I started",
+      kind: 40002,
+      pubkey,
+    });
+    return root?.id;
+  }, DEFAULT_MOCK_PUBKEY);
+  if (!rootEventId) throw new Error("Mock message emitter is unavailable");
+
+  await page.evaluate(
+    ({ createdAt, parentEventId, pubkey }) => {
+      window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_MESSAGE__?.({
+        channelName: "alice-tyler",
+        content: "Initial DM thread reply",
+        createdAt,
+        kind: 40002,
+        parentEventId,
+        pubkey,
+      });
+    },
+    {
+      createdAt: initialReplyAt,
+      parentEventId: rootEventId,
+      pubkey: TEST_IDENTITIES.alice.pubkey,
+    },
+  );
+
+  const threadSummary = page.getByTestId("message-thread-summary").first();
+  await expect(threadSummary).toBeVisible();
+  await threadSummary.click();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("message-thread-panel")).toBeVisible();
+  await page.getByTestId("auxiliary-panel-close").click();
+  const threadReadSecond = await page.evaluate(() =>
+    Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000),
+  );
+  await expect
+    .poll(() => page.evaluate(() => Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000)))
+    .toBeGreaterThan(threadReadSecond);
+
+  await page.evaluate(
+    ({ parentEventId, pubkey }) => {
+      const reply = window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_MESSAGE__?.({
+        channelName: "alice-tyler",
+        content: "A non-mention reply in the active DM thread",
+        kind: 40002,
+        parentEventId,
+        pubkey,
+      });
+      if (!reply) throw new Error("Mock message emitter is unavailable");
+      window.__BUZZ_E2E_PUSH_MOCK_FEED_ITEM__?.({
+        category: "activity",
+        channel_id: "f48efb06-0c93-5025-aac9-2e646bb6bfa8",
+        channel_name: "alice-tyler",
+        channel_type: "dm",
+        content: reply.content,
+        created_at: reply.created_at,
+        id: reply.id,
+        kind: reply.kind,
+        pubkey: reply.pubkey,
+        tags: reply.tags,
+      });
+    },
+    { parentEventId: rootEventId, pubkey: TEST_IDENTITIES.alice.pubkey },
+  );
+
+  const activityArrow = page.getByTestId("sidebar-more-unread-below");
+  await expect(activityArrow).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(activityArrow).toContainText("1 unread");
   await expect(activityArrow).toHaveClass(/bg-primary/);
+  await waitForAnimations(page);
+  await activityArrow.screenshot({
+    path: `${SHOTS}/sidebar-dm-thread-overflow-primary.png`,
+  });
 });
 
 test("regular message bolds inactive channel without numeric badge", async ({
@@ -402,16 +554,9 @@ test("regular message bolds inactive channel without numeric badge", async ({
   );
 });
 
-test("top-level @mention shows an accent-colored numeric badge on its channel", async ({
+test("top-level @mention bolds its channel without a trailing numeral", async ({
   page,
 }) => {
-  // The badge must follow the user's accent selection, not a fixed red.
-  // slack-ochin maps the generic destructive pair to white-on-white, so it
-  // doubles as an adversarial theme: the badge still renders the accent.
-  await page.addInitScript(() => {
-    window.localStorage.setItem("buzz-theme", "slack-ochin");
-    window.localStorage.setItem("buzz-accent-color", "#22c55e");
-  });
   await page.goto("/");
   await page.getByTestId("channel-general").click();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("chat-title")).toHaveText("general");
@@ -443,67 +588,18 @@ test("top-level @mention shows an accent-colored numeric badge on its channel",
     "font-weight",
     "700",
   );
-  const mentionBadge = page.getByTestId("channel-unread-random");
-  await expect(mentionBadge).toHaveText("2 unread notifications");
-  await expect(mentionBadge).toHaveClass(/bg-primary/);
-  // The badge resolves to the applied accent (`--primary`), not a fixed hue.
-  const accentMatch = await mentionBadge.evaluate((element) => {
-    const probe = document.createElement("span");
-    probe.style.backgroundColor = "hsl(var(--primary))";
-    probe.style.color = "hsl(var(--primary-foreground))";
-    document.body.appendChild(probe);
-    const probeStyle = getComputedStyle(probe);
-    const badgeStyle = getComputedStyle(element);
-    const result = {
-      badgeBg: badgeStyle.backgroundColor,
-      accentBg: probeStyle.backgroundColor,
-      badgeFg: badgeStyle.color,
-      accentFg: probeStyle.color,
-    };
-    probe.remove();
-    return result;
-  });
-  expect(accentMatch.badgeBg).toBe(accentMatch.accentBg);
-  expect(accentMatch.badgeFg).toBe(accentMatch.accentFg);
-  // Selected accent (#22c55e) actually landed — the badge is green here, not red.
-  expect(accentMatch.badgeBg).toBe("rgb(34, 197, 94)");
-  const badgeContrast = await mentionBadge.evaluate((element) => {
-    const parseRgb = (value: string) =>
-      (value.match(/[\d.]+/g) ?? []).slice(0, 3).map(Number);
-    const luminance = (color: number[]) =>
-      color
-        .map((channel) => {
-          const value = channel / 255;
-          return value <= 0.04045
-            ? value / 12.92
-            : ((value + 0.055) / 1.055) ** 2.4;
-        })
-        .reduce(
-          (sum, channel, index) =>
-            sum + channel * [0.2126, 0.7152, 0.0722][index],
-          0,
-        );
-    const style = getComputedStyle(element);
-    const foreground = luminance(parseRgb(style.color));
-    const background = luminance(parseRgb(style.backgroundColor));
-    return (
-      (Math.max(foreground, background) + 0.05) /
-      (Math.min(foreground, background) + 0.05)
-    );
-  });
-  expect(badgeContrast).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(4.5);
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-random")).toHaveCount(0);
   await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-dot-random")).toHaveCount(0);
   await waitForBadgeState(page, withAdditionalBadgeCount(baselineBadge, 2));
 });
 
-test("@mention inside a thread shows the numeric badge and keeps hover-to-preview", async ({
+test("@mention inside a thread bolds the room and keeps hover-to-preview", async ({
   page,
 }) => {
   await page.goto("/");
   await page.getByTestId("channel-general").click();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("chat-title")).toHaveText("general");
   await waitForMockLiveSubscription(page, "random");
-  const baselineBadge = await getSettledBadgeState(page);
 
   const rootEventId = await page.evaluate(() => {
     const root = window.__BUZZ_E2E_EMIT_MOCK_MESSAGE__?.({
@@ -533,13 +629,14 @@ test("@mention inside a thread shows the numeric badge and keeps hover-to-previe
     },
   );
 
-  // The threaded mention must produce the numeric badge, not just the dot.
-  const mentionBadge = page.getByTestId("channel-unread-random");
-  await expect(mentionBadge).toHaveText("1 unread notification");
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-dot-random")).toHaveCount(0);
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-random")).toHaveCSS(
+    "font-weight",
+    "700",
+  );
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-random")).toHaveCount(0);
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-dot-random")).toBeVisible();
 
-  // Hover-to-preview must survive the numeral replacing the dot: the channel
-  // activity popover still opens and lists the mentioning reply.
+  // Hover-to-preview is owned by the thread dot, not a trailing numeral.
   await page.getByTestId("channel-random").hover();
   const popover = page.getByTestId("channel-activity-popover-random");
   await expect(popover).toBeVisible();
@@ -609,7 +706,7 @@ test("interested thread reply shows the channel preview dot without incrementing
   await waitForBadgeState(page, baselineBadge);
 });
 
-test("broadcast reply shows a numeric channel badge without a thread dot", async ({
+test("broadcast reply bolds its channel without a trailing numeral", async ({
   page,
 }) => {
   await page.goto("/");
@@ -638,10 +735,7 @@ test("broadcast reply shows a numeric channel badge without a thread dot", async
     "font-weight",
     "700",
   );
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-random")).toHaveText(
-    "1 unread notification",
-  );
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-dot-random")).toHaveCount(0);
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-random")).toHaveCount(0);
   await waitForBadgeState(page, withAdditionalBadgeCount(baselineBadge, 1));
 });
 
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/channel-activity-popover.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/channel-activity-popover.spec.ts
index 415e0db1a57..0e6caac7762 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/channel-activity-popover.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/channel-activity-popover.spec.ts
@@ -244,11 +244,14 @@ async function seedChannelActivity(
     );
   }
 
-  // The seeded activity includes an in-thread @mention, so the row shows the
-  // numeric mention badge rather than the plain thread-activity dot. The
-  // hover preview popover must still work either way.
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-general")).toBeVisible();
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-dot-general")).toHaveCount(0);
+  // Thread activity owns the trailing row affordance; mentions additionally
+  // bold the channel name but do not add a numeric badge.
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-general")).toHaveCSS(
+    "font-weight",
+    "700",
+  );
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-general")).toHaveCount(0);
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-dot-general")).toBeVisible();
   if (includeAgent) {
     await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-working-general")).toBeVisible();
   }
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
index 9db4370b7cd..f9fd6dca58b 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
@@ -1657,10 +1657,16 @@ test("create ephemeral stream shows sidebar and header affordances", async ({
     },
   );
 
-  await expect(page.getByTestId(`channel-unread-${channelName}`)).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId(`channel-${channelName}`)).toHaveCSS(
+    "font-weight",
+    "700",
+  );
+  await expect(page.getByTestId(`channel-unread-${channelName}`)).toHaveCount(
+    0,
+  );
   await expect(
     page.getByTestId(`channel-ephemeral-${channelName}`),
-  ).toHaveCount(0);
+  ).toBeVisible();
 });
 
 test("ephemeral countdown refreshes when switching channels after a clock jump", async ({
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/thread-unread.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/thread-unread.spec.ts
index 358d5f55843..95a707a9863 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/thread-unread.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/thread-unread.spec.ts
@@ -778,12 +778,16 @@ test.describe("thread unread indicator", () => {
       mentionPubkeys: [SELF_PUBKEY],
       createdAt: unreadTimestamp(),
     });
-    // The reply mentions the user, so the row shows the numeric mention badge
-    // (which subsumes the thread-activity dot).
-    await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-all-replies")).toBeVisible();
+    // A thread reply keeps the channel bold and retains the thread-activity dot;
+    // the room itself does not show a numeric badge.
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-all-replies")).toHaveCSS(
+      "font-weight",
+      "700",
+    );
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-all-replies")).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(
       page.getByTestId("channel-unread-dot-all-replies"),
-    ).toHaveCount(0);
+    ).toBeVisible();
 
     // View all-replies while the reply is unread.
     await page.getByTestId("channel-all-replies").click();
@@ -793,7 +797,13 @@ test.describe("thread unread indicator", () => {
     // a channel sidebar unread indicator until the thread itself is read.
     await page.getByTestId("channel-general").click();
     await expect(page.getByTestId("chat-title")).toHaveText("general");
-    await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-all-replies")).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-all-replies")).toHaveCSS(
+      "font-weight",
+      "700",
+    );
+    await expect(
+      page.getByTestId("channel-unread-dot-all-replies"),
+    ).toBeVisible();
   });
 
   // Regression guard for BUG-2 (clear-on-read): opening an unread thread marks