diff --git a/src/features/recent/components/HistoryPanel.svelte b/src/features/recent/components/HistoryPanel.svelte
index 323b8ff..cb0cc86 100644
--- a/src/features/recent/components/HistoryPanel.svelte
+++ b/src/features/recent/components/HistoryPanel.svelte
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onMount } from "svelte";
-  import { ClockCounterClockwise, Trash, MagnifyingGlass, Books, Fire, BookOpen, Clock, TrendUp } from "phosphor-svelte";
+  import { ClockCounterClockwise, Books, Fire, BookOpen, Clock, TrendUp } from "phosphor-svelte";
   import Thumbnail from "@shared/manga/Thumbnail.svelte";
-  import { store, clearHistory, setPreviewManga } from "@store/state.svelte";
+  import { store, setPreviewManga } from "@store/state.svelte";
   import { gql } from "@api/client";
   import { GET_LIBRARY } from "@api/queries/manga";
   import { cache, CACHE_KEYS } from "@core/cache";
@@ -10,6 +10,13 @@
   import type { Manga } from "@types";
   import { timeAgo, dayLabel, formatReadTime } from "@core/util";
 
+  interface Props {
+    search: string;
+    confirmClear: boolean;
+  }
+
+  let { search, confirmClear }: Props = $props();
+
   let libraryManga = $state<Manga[]>([]);
 
   onMount(() => {
@@ -24,9 +31,6 @@
     return libraryManga.find(m => m.id === mangaId)?.thumbnailUrl ?? fallback ?? "";
   }
 
-  let search       = $state("");
-  let confirmClear = $state(false);
-
   const SESSION_GAP_MS = 30 * 60 * 1000;
 
   interface Session {
@@ -90,42 +94,9 @@
     }
     return Array.from(map.entries()).map(([label, items]) => ({ label, items }));
   });
-
-  function handleClear() {
-    if (!confirmClear) { confirmClear = true; setTimeout(() => confirmClear = false, 3000); return; }
-    clearHistory(); confirmClear = false;
-  }
 </script>
 
 <div class="root anim-fade-in">
-
-  <div class="header">
-    <div class="heading-group">
-      <ClockCounterClockwise size={13} weight="light" class="heading-icon" />
-      <span class="heading">History</span>
-    </div>
-    <div class="header-right">
-      <div class="search-wrap">
-        <MagnifyingGlass size={11} class="search-icon" weight="light" />
-        <input class="search" placeholder="Search…" bind:value={search} />
-        {#if search}
-          <button class="search-clear" onclick={() => search = ""}>×</button>
-        {/if}
-      </div>
-      {#if store.history.length > 0}
-        <button
-          class="clear-btn"
-          class:confirm={confirmClear}
-          onclick={handleClear}
-          title={confirmClear ? "Click again to confirm" : "Clear history"}
-        >
-          <Trash size={12} weight="light" />
-          {#if confirmClear}<span class="clear-label">Confirm?</span>{/if}
-        </button>
-      {/if}
-    </div>
-  </div>
-
   {#if store.readingStats.totalChaptersRead > 0}
     <div class="stats-grid">
       <div class="stat-card streak">
@@ -230,100 +201,6 @@
     overflow: hidden;
   }
 
-  .header {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: space-between;
-    padding: var(--sp-4) var(--sp-6);
-    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    flex-shrink: 0;
-  }
-
-  .heading-group {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    gap: var(--sp-2);
-  }
-
-  :global(.heading-icon) { color: var(--text-faint); }
-
-  .heading {
-    font-family: var(--font-ui);
-    font-size: var(--text-xs);
-    font-weight: var(--weight-medium);
-    color: var(--text-muted);
-    letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wider);
-    text-transform: uppercase;
-  }
-
-  .header-right {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    gap: var(--sp-2);
-  }
-
-  .search-wrap {
-    position: relative;
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-  }
-
-  .search-wrap :global(.search-icon) {
-    position: absolute;
-    left: 8px;
-    color: var(--text-faint);
-    pointer-events: none;
-  }
-
-  .search {
-    background: var(--bg-raised);
-    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    border-radius: var(--radius-md);
-    padding: 4px 26px;
-    color: var(--text-primary);
-    font-size: var(--text-xs);
-    width: 148px;
-    outline: none;
-    transition: border-color var(--t-base), width var(--t-base), background var(--t-base);
-  }
-
-  .search::placeholder { color: var(--text-faint); }
-
-  .search:focus {
-    border-color: var(--border-strong);
-    background: var(--bg-elevated);
-    width: 200px;
-  }
-
-  .search-clear {
-    position: absolute;
-    right: 8px;
-    color: var(--text-faint);
-    font-size: 13px;
-    line-height: 1;
-    background: none;
-    border: none;
-    cursor: pointer;
-    padding: 2px;
-    transition: color var(--t-base);
-  }
-
-  .search-clear:hover { color: var(--text-muted); }
-
-  .clear-btn {
-    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px;
-    height: 30px; padding: 0 var(--sp-2);
-    border-radius: var(--radius-md); border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    background: var(--bg-raised); color: var(--text-faint);
-    cursor: pointer; font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-2xs);
-    letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); flex-shrink: 0;
-    transition: color var(--t-base), background var(--t-base), border-color var(--t-base);
-  }
-  .clear-btn:hover { color: var(--color-error); background: var(--color-error-bg); border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-error) 30%, transparent); }
-  .clear-btn.confirm { color: var(--color-error); background: var(--color-error-bg); border-color: var(--color-error); }
-
-  .clear-label { font-size: var(--text-2xs); }
-
   .stats-grid {
     display: grid;
     grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
diff --git a/src/features/recent/components/Recent.svelte b/src/features/recent/components/Recent.svelte
index 532f06a..e7350e3 100644
--- a/src/features/recent/components/Recent.svelte
+++ b/src/features/recent/components/Recent.svelte
@@ -1,14 +1,35 @@
 <script lang="ts">
+  import { ArrowsClockwise, CircleNotch, MagnifyingGlass, Trash } from "phosphor-svelte";
+  import { store, clearHistory } from "@store/state.svelte";
   import HistoryPanel from "./HistoryPanel.svelte";
   import UpdatesPanel from "./UpdatesPanel.svelte";
 
   type RecentTab = "updates" | "history";
   let tab = $state<RecentTab>("updates");
+
+  // History toolbar state
+  let historySearch       = $state("");
+  let historyConfirmClear = $state(false);
+
+  function handleHistoryClear() {
+    if (!historyConfirmClear) {
+      historyConfirmClear = true;
+      setTimeout(() => { historyConfirmClear = false; }, 3000);
+      return;
+    }
+    clearHistory();
+    historyConfirmClear = false;
+  }
+
+  // Updates toolbar state — bound to the child panel
+  let updatesLoading    = $state(true);
+  let updatesRefreshFn  = $state<(() => Promise<void>) | null>(null);
 </script>
 
 <div class="root anim-fade-in">
   <div class="header">
     <span class="heading">Recent</span>
+
     <div class="tabs">
       <button class="tab" class:active={tab === "updates"} onclick={() => tab = "updates"}>
         Updates
@@ -17,13 +38,52 @@
         Reading history
       </button>
     </div>
+
+    <div class="header-right">
+      {#if tab === "updates"}
+        <button class="icon-btn" onclick={() => updatesRefreshFn?.()} disabled={updatesLoading} title="Refresh updates">
+          {#if updatesLoading}
+            <CircleNotch size={14} weight="light" class="anim-spin" />
+          {:else}
+            <ArrowsClockwise size={14} weight="bold" />
+          {/if}
+        </button>
+      {:else}
+        <div class="search-wrap">
+          <MagnifyingGlass size={11} class="search-icon" weight="light" />
+          <input
+            class="search"
+            placeholder="Search…"
+            value={historySearch}
+            oninput={(e) => historySearch = (e.target as HTMLInputElement).value}
+          />
+          {#if historySearch}
+            <button class="search-clear" onclick={() => historySearch = ""}>×</button>
+          {/if}
+        </div>
+        {#if store.history.length > 0}
+          <button
+            class="clear-btn"
+            class:confirm={historyConfirmClear}
+            onclick={handleHistoryClear}
+            title={historyConfirmClear ? "Click again to confirm" : "Clear history"}
+          >
+            <Trash size={12} weight="light" />
+            {#if historyConfirmClear}<span class="clear-label">Confirm?</span>{/if}
+          </button>
+        {/if}
+      {/if}
+    </div>
   </div>
 
   <div class="content">
     {#if tab === "updates"}
-      <UpdatesPanel />
+      <UpdatesPanel
+        bind:loading={updatesLoading}
+        onRegisterRefresh={(fn) => updatesRefreshFn = fn}
+      />
     {:else}
-      <HistoryPanel />
+      <HistoryPanel search={historySearch} confirmClear={historyConfirmClear} />
     {/if}
   </div>
 </div>
@@ -82,6 +142,83 @@
   .tab:hover { color: var(--text-muted); }
   .tab.active { background: var(--accent-muted); color: var(--accent-fg); border-color: var(--accent-dim); }
 
+  .header-right {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: var(--sp-2);
+    margin-left: auto;
+  }
+
+  .icon-btn {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    width: 28px;
+    height: 28px;
+    border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    background: var(--bg-raised);
+    color: var(--text-faint);
+    cursor: pointer;
+    transition: color var(--t-base), border-color var(--t-base), background var(--t-base);
+  }
+  .icon-btn:hover:not(:disabled) { color: var(--text-primary); border-color: var(--border-strong); }
+  .icon-btn:disabled { opacity: 0.45; cursor: default; }
+
+  .search-wrap {
+    position: relative;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+  }
+
+  .search-wrap :global(.search-icon) {
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 8px;
+    color: var(--text-faint);
+    pointer-events: none;
+  }
+
+  .search {
+    background: var(--bg-raised);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+    padding: 4px 26px;
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+    font-size: var(--text-xs);
+    width: 148px;
+    outline: none;
+    transition: border-color var(--t-base), width var(--t-base), background var(--t-base);
+  }
+  .search::placeholder { color: var(--text-faint); }
+  .search:focus { border-color: var(--border-strong); background: var(--bg-elevated); width: 200px; }
+
+  .search-clear {
+    position: absolute;
+    right: 8px;
+    color: var(--text-faint);
+    font-size: 13px;
+    line-height: 1;
+    background: none;
+    border: none;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    padding: 2px;
+    transition: color var(--t-base);
+  }
+  .search-clear:hover { color: var(--text-muted); }
+
+  .clear-btn {
+    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px;
+    height: 28px; padding: 0 var(--sp-2);
+    border-radius: var(--radius-md); border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    background: var(--bg-raised); color: var(--text-faint);
+    cursor: pointer; font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-2xs);
+    letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); flex-shrink: 0;
+    transition: color var(--t-base), background var(--t-base), border-color var(--t-base);
+  }
+  .clear-btn:hover { color: var(--color-error); background: var(--color-error-bg); border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-error) 30%, transparent); }
+  .clear-btn.confirm { color: var(--color-error); background: var(--color-error-bg); border-color: var(--color-error); }
+  .clear-label { font-size: var(--text-2xs); }
+
   .content {
     flex: 1;
     min-height: 0;
diff --git a/src/features/recent/components/UpdatesPanel.svelte b/src/features/recent/components/UpdatesPanel.svelte
index 8d89e2e..2949387 100644
--- a/src/features/recent/components/UpdatesPanel.svelte
+++ b/src/features/recent/components/UpdatesPanel.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onMount, onDestroy } from "svelte";
-  import { ArrowsClockwise, BookOpen, CircleNotch } from "phosphor-svelte";
+  import { BookOpen, CircleNotch } from "phosphor-svelte";
   import { gql } from "@api/client";
   import { GET_RECENTLY_UPDATED, GET_CHAPTERS } from "@api/queries";
   import { store, openReader, setActiveManga, addToast } from "@store/state.svelte";
@@ -9,6 +9,13 @@
   import Thumbnail from "@shared/manga/Thumbnail.svelte";
   import type { Chapter, Manga } from "@types";
 
+  interface Props {
+    loading?: boolean;
+    onRegisterRefresh?: (fn: () => Promise<void>) => void;
+  }
+
+  let { loading = $bindable(true), onRegisterRefresh }: Props = $props();
+
   interface RecentUpdate extends Pick<Chapter, "id" | "name" | "chapterNumber" | "sourceOrder" | "isRead" | "lastPageRead" | "mangaId" | "fetchedAt"> {
     manga: { id: number; title: string; thumbnailUrl: string; inLibrary: boolean } | null;
   }
@@ -19,13 +26,13 @@
   }
 
   let updates   = $state<RecentUpdate[]>([]);
-  let loading   = $state(true);
   let error     = $state<string | null>(null);
   let openingId = $state<number | null>(null);
 
   let ctrl: AbortController | null = null;
 
   onMount(() => {
+    onRegisterRefresh?.(loadUpdates);
     void loadUpdates();
   });
 
@@ -48,22 +55,20 @@
     return Array.from(map.entries()).map(([label, items]) => ({ label, items })) as UpdateGroup[];
   });
 
-  const lastUpdatedTs = $derived(
-    store.lastLibraryRefresh > 0
-      ? store.lastLibraryRefresh
-      : (updates.length > 0 ? fetchedAtMs(updates[0]) : null)
+  const lastCheckedTs = $derived(
+    updates.length > 0 ? fetchedAtMs(updates[0]) : null
   );
 
-  const lastUpdatedLabel = $derived(
-    lastUpdatedTs
-      ? new Date(lastUpdatedTs).toLocaleString("en-US", {
+  const lastCheckedLabel = $derived(
+    lastCheckedTs
+      ? new Date(lastCheckedTs).toLocaleString("en-US", {
           month: "short",
           day: "numeric",
           year: "numeric",
           hour: "numeric",
           minute: "2-digit",
         })
-      : "Never"
+      : null
   );
 
   function mangaStub(item: RecentUpdate): Manga {
@@ -131,16 +136,22 @@
 </script>
 
 <div class="root anim-fade-in">
-  <div class="header">
-    <div class="heading-group">
-      <ArrowsClockwise size={13} weight="light" class="heading-icon" />
-      <span class="heading">Library updates</span>
-      <span class="last-updated">Last updated: {lastUpdatedLabel}</span>
+  <div class="bar-wrap">
+    <div class="status-bar">
+      <div class="status-dot" class:active={loading}></div>
+      <span class="status-text">
+        {#if loading}Checking for updates…{:else if error}Update check failed{:else}Up to date{/if}
+      </span>
+      <div class="status-right">
+        {#if !loading && lastCheckedLabel}
+          <span class="status-detail">Last checked: {lastCheckedLabel}</span>
+          <div class="bar-sep"></div>
+        {/if}
+        {#if !loading && updates.length > 0}
+          <span class="status-count">{updates.length} chapter{updates.length === 1 ? "" : "s"}</span>
+        {/if}
+      </div>
     </div>
-    <button class="icon-btn" onclick={loadUpdates} disabled={loading} title="Refresh updates">
-      {#if loading}<CircleNotch size={14} weight="light" class="anim-spin" />
-      {:else}<ArrowsClockwise size={14} weight="bold" />{/if}
-    </button>
   </div>
 
   {#if loading && updates.length === 0}
@@ -177,36 +188,38 @@
 
           <div class="updates-list">
             {#each items as item (item.id)}
-              <button class="update-row" onclick={() => openUpdate(item)} disabled={openingId === item.id}>
-                <div class="thumb-wrap">
+              <div class="update-row" class:read={item.isRead}>
+                <button class="thumb-btn" onclick={() => setActiveManga(mangaStub(item))} title="View series">
                   <Thumbnail src={item.manga?.thumbnailUrl ?? ""} alt={item.manga?.title ?? "Series cover"} class="thumb" />
-                </div>
+                </button>
 
-                <div class="update-info">
-                  <div class="title-row">
-                    <span class="series-title">{item.manga?.title ?? "Unknown series"}</span>
-                    {#if !item.isRead}
-                      <span class="pill">Unread</span>
+                <button class="info-btn" onclick={() => openUpdate(item)} disabled={openingId === item.id}>
+                  <div class="update-info">
+                    <div class="title-row">
+                      <span class="series-title">{item.manga?.title ?? "Unknown series"}</span>
+                      {#if !item.isRead}
+                        <span class="pill">Unread</span>
+                      {/if}
+                    </div>
+
+                    <span class="chapter-title">{chapterLabel(item)}</span>
+
+                    {#if (item.lastPageRead ?? 0) > 0 && !item.isRead}
+                      <div class="meta-row">
+                        <span>Resume p.{item.lastPageRead}</span>
+                      </div>
                     {/if}
                   </div>
 
-                  <span class="chapter-title">{chapterLabel(item)}</span>
-
-                  {#if (item.lastPageRead ?? 0) > 0 && !item.isRead}
-                    <div class="meta-row">
-                      <span>Resume p.{item.lastPageRead}</span>
-                    </div>
-                  {/if}
-                </div>
-
-                <div class="row-end">
-                  {#if openingId === item.id}
-                    <CircleNotch size={14} weight="light" class="anim-spin" />
-                  {:else}
-                    <BookOpen size={14} weight="light" />
-                  {/if}
-                </div>
-              </button>
+                  <div class="row-end">
+                    {#if openingId === item.id}
+                      <CircleNotch size={14} weight="light" class="anim-spin" />
+                    {:else}
+                      <BookOpen size={14} weight="light" />
+                    {/if}
+                  </div>
+                </button>
+              </div>
             {/each}
           </div>
         </section>
@@ -223,60 +236,21 @@
     overflow: hidden;
   }
 
-  .header {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: space-between;
-    padding: var(--sp-4) var(--sp-6);
-    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    flex-shrink: 0;
-  }
+  .bar-wrap { padding: var(--sp-3) var(--sp-6); flex-shrink: 0; }
 
-  .heading-group {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    gap: var(--sp-2);
-  }
-
-  :global(.heading-icon) { color: var(--text-faint); }
-
-  .heading {
-    font-family: var(--font-ui);
-    font-size: var(--text-xs);
-    font-weight: var(--weight-medium);
-    color: var(--text-muted);
-    letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wider);
-    text-transform: uppercase;
-  }
-
-  .last-updated {
-    font-family: var(--font-ui);
-    font-size: var(--text-2xs);
-    color: var(--text-faint);
-    letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
-    text-transform: none;
-  }
-
-  .icon-btn {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: center;
-    width: 30px;
-    height: 30px;
-    border-radius: var(--radius-md);
-    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    background: var(--bg-raised);
-    color: var(--text-faint);
-    cursor: pointer;
-    transition: color var(--t-base), border-color var(--t-base), background var(--t-base);
-  }
-  .icon-btn:hover:not(:disabled) { color: var(--text-primary); border-color: var(--border-strong); }
-  .icon-btn:disabled { opacity: 0.45; cursor: default; }
+  .status-bar { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: var(--sp-3); padding: var(--sp-3) var(--sp-4); background: var(--bg-surface, var(--bg-raised)); border: 1px solid var(--border-strong, var(--border-dim)); border-radius: var(--radius-md); box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.25); }
+  .status-dot { width: 6px; height: 6px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--text-faint); flex-shrink: 0; transition: background var(--t-base); }
+  .status-dot.active { background: var(--accent); animation: pulse 1.6s ease infinite; }
+  .status-text { font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-xs); color: var(--text-muted); flex: 1; letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); }
+  .status-right { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: var(--sp-2); margin-left: auto; }
+  .status-detail { font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-xs); color: var(--text-faint); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); }
+  .status-count { font-family: var(--font-ui); font-size: var(--text-xs); color: var(--text-faint); letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide); }
+  .bar-sep { width: 1px; height: 12px; background: var(--border-dim); flex-shrink: 0; }
 
   .timeline {
     flex: 1;
     overflow-y: auto;
-    padding: var(--sp-5) var(--sp-6) var(--sp-6);
+    padding: var(--sp-4) var(--sp-6) var(--sp-6);
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
     gap: var(--sp-5);
@@ -316,42 +290,60 @@
   }
 
   .update-row {
-    display: grid;
-    grid-template-columns: 52px minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
-    align-items: center;
-    gap: var(--sp-3);
-    width: 100%;
-    padding: var(--sp-2);
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: stretch;
     border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
     border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
     background: var(--bg-base);
-    cursor: pointer;
-    text-align: left;
-    transition: background var(--t-base), border-color var(--t-base), transform var(--t-base);
+    overflow: hidden;
+    transition: border-color var(--t-base), transform var(--t-base);
   }
-  .update-row:hover:not(:disabled) {
-    background: var(--bg-raised);
+  .update-row:has(.info-btn:hover:not(:disabled)) {
     border-color: var(--border-strong);
     transform: translateY(-1px);
   }
-  .update-row:disabled { cursor: default; opacity: 0.8; }
+  .update-row.read { opacity: 0.5; }
 
-  .thumb-wrap {
+  .thumb-btn {
     width: 52px;
-    aspect-ratio: 2 / 3;
-    border-radius: var(--radius-md);
-    overflow: hidden;
-    background: var(--bg-overlay);
-    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+    padding: var(--sp-2);
+    background: none;
+    border: none;
+    border-right: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    cursor: pointer;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    transition: background var(--t-base);
   }
+  .thumb-btn:hover { background: var(--bg-raised); }
+
   :global(.thumb) {
     width: 100%;
-    height: 100%;
+    aspect-ratio: 2 / 3;
     display: block;
     object-fit: cover;
+    border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
   }
 
+  .info-btn {
+    flex: 1;
+    min-width: 0;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: var(--sp-3);
+    padding: var(--sp-2) var(--sp-3);
+    background: none;
+    border: none;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    text-align: left;
+    transition: background var(--t-base);
+  }
+  .info-btn:hover:not(:disabled) { background: var(--bg-raised); }
+  .info-btn:disabled { cursor: default; opacity: 0.8; }
+
   .update-info {
+    flex: 1;
     min-width: 0;
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
@@ -409,6 +401,7 @@
     align-items: center;
     justify-content: center;
     width: 24px;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
   }
 
   .empty {
@@ -447,4 +440,6 @@
     font-size: var(--text-xs);
     color: var(--text-faint);
   }
+
+  @keyframes pulse { 0%, 100% { opacity: 1 } 50% { opacity: 0.4 } }
 </style>