diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/ConfirmDialog.vue b/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/ConfirmDialog.vue
index d63f05542..b5fe543ea 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/ConfirmDialog.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/shared/ConfirmDialog.vue
@@ -13,14 +13,7 @@
 // Tone defaults to "warning"; pass "danger" for irreversible-and-serious.
 import { RBtn, RDialog, RTextField } from "@v2/lib";
 import type { Emitter } from "mitt";
-import {
-  computed,
-  inject,
-  nextTick,
-  onBeforeUnmount,
-  onMounted,
-  ref,
-} from "vue";
+import { computed, inject, onBeforeUnmount, onMounted, ref } from "vue";
 import { useI18n } from "vue-i18n";
 import type { Events } from "@/types/emitter";
 
@@ -34,7 +27,6 @@ const emitter = inject<Emitter<Events>>("emitter");
 const open = ref(false);
 const payload = ref<Payload | null>(null);
 const typed = ref("");
-const cancelButtonRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof RBtn> | null>(null);
 
 const tone = computed(() => payload.value?.tone ?? "warning");
 const confirmColor = computed(() =>
@@ -66,9 +58,6 @@ function onShow(p: Payload) {
   payload.value = p;
   typed.value = "";
   open.value = true;
-  nextTick(() => {
-    cancelButtonRef.value?.$el?.focus?.();
-  });
 }
 
 // Closing without picking (header X, route change) counts as a cancel.
@@ -122,9 +111,11 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => emitter?.off("showConfirm", onShow));
       </div>
     </template>
     <template v-if="payload" #footer-start>
-      <RBtn ref="cancelButtonRef" variant="outlined" @click="onCancel">
+      <!-- eslint-disable vuejs-accessibility/no-autofocus -- RDialog reads [autofocus] to place initial focus, and Cancel is the safe default -->
+      <RBtn autofocus variant="outlined" @click="onCancel">
         {{ payload.cancelText ?? t("common.cancel") }}
       </RBtn>
+      <!-- eslint-enable vuejs-accessibility/no-autofocus -->
     </template>
     <template v-if="payload" #footer>
       <RBtn
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGamepad/index.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGamepad/index.test.ts
index d2601da25..2935ecbd5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGamepad/index.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGamepad/index.test.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,16 @@ import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { defineComponent } from "vue";
 import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
 import { useInputModality } from "@/v2/composables/useInputModality";
-import { AXIS_THRESHOLD, PAD_BUTTON, useGamepad } from "./index";
+import {
+  popEscapable,
+  pushEscapable,
+} from "@/v2/lib/overlays/RDialog/escapeStack";
+import {
+  AXIS_THRESHOLD,
+  EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS,
+  PAD_BUTTON,
+  useGamepad,
+} from "./index";
 
 vi.mock("vue-router", () => ({
   useRoute: () => ({ path: "/platforms" }),
@@ -31,11 +40,11 @@ function padWithStick(x: number, y: number): Gamepad {
   };
 }
 
-function padHolding(button: number): Gamepad {
+function padHolding(...held: number[]): Gamepad {
   const buttons = Array.from({ length: 17 }, (_, i) => ({
-    pressed: i === button,
-    touched: i === button,
-    value: i === button ? 1 : 0,
+    pressed: held.includes(i),
+    touched: held.includes(i),
+    value: held.includes(i) ? 1 : 0,
   }));
   return { ...padWithStick(0, 0), buttons };
 }
@@ -59,9 +68,9 @@ describe("useGamepad", () => {
 
   // Seeing a pad at install flips the modality, so hand the session back to
   // the mouse: these tests are about the user who launched with a click.
-  function installOnMouse(pad: Gamepad) {
+  function installOnMouse(pad: Gamepad | (() => Gamepad[])) {
     Object.defineProperty(navigator, "getGamepads", {
-      value: () => [pad],
+      value: typeof pad === "function" ? pad : () => [pad],
       configurable: true,
     });
     wrapper = mount(
@@ -144,4 +153,127 @@ describe("useGamepad", () => {
     expect(keys).toEqual([]);
     expect(modality.value).toBe("mouse");
   });
+
+  describe("exit chord", () => {
+    const CHORD = [PAD_BUTTON.back, PAD_BUTTON.start];
+    let pads: Gamepad[] = [];
+    let chords = 0;
+    const onChord = () => chords++;
+    let now: ReturnType<typeof vi.spyOn>;
+
+    // Polls once at `ms` past the clock's start.
+    function stepAt(ms: number) {
+      now.mockReturnValue(1000 + ms);
+      step();
+    }
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      pads = [];
+      chords = 0;
+      now = vi.spyOn(performance, "now").mockReturnValue(1000);
+      window.addEventListener("gamepad:exitchord", onChord);
+      installOnMouse(() => pads);
+      storePlaying().setPlaying(true);
+    });
+
+    afterEach(() => {
+      window.removeEventListener("gamepad:exitchord", onChord);
+    });
+
+    it("fires once Select+Start has been held for the full hold", () => {
+      pads = [padHolding(...CHORD)];
+
+      stepAt(0);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS - 1);
+      expect(chords).toBe(0);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS);
+      expect(chords).toBe(1);
+    });
+
+    it("waits for a release before a held chord can fire again", () => {
+      pads = [padHolding(...CHORD)];
+      stepAt(0);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 3);
+      expect(chords).toBe(1);
+
+      pads = [padHolding()];
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 3 + 100);
+      pads = [padHolding(...CHORD)];
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 4);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 5);
+      expect(chords).toBe(2);
+    });
+
+    it("starts the hold over when either button is let go", () => {
+      pads = [padHolding(...CHORD)];
+      stepAt(0);
+      pads = [padHolding(PAD_BUTTON.back)];
+      stepAt(1000);
+      pads = [padHolding(...CHORD)];
+      stepAt(1100);
+      stepAt(1100 + EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS - 1);
+
+      expect(chords).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it("ignores a disconnected pad's stale buttons", () => {
+      // Firefox keeps disconnected entries in getGamepads() (#3851).
+      pads = [{ ...padHolding(...CHORD), connected: false }];
+      stepAt(0);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 2);
+
+      expect(chords).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it("ignores pads without the standard mapping", () => {
+      pads = [{ ...padHolding(...CHORD), mapping: "" }];
+      stepAt(0);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 2);
+
+      expect(chords).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it("stays quiet outside a game, where Select and Start drive the app", () => {
+      storePlaying().setPlaying(false);
+      pads = [padHolding(...CHORD)];
+      stepAt(0);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 2);
+
+      expect(chords).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it("holds off while an overlay sits over the game", () => {
+      const dialog = { close: () => {}, persistent: true };
+      pushEscapable(dialog);
+      try {
+        pads = [padHolding(...CHORD)];
+        stepAt(0);
+        stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 2);
+      } finally {
+        popEscapable(dialog);
+      }
+
+      expect(chords).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it("stays fired after its dialog closes while the chord is still held", () => {
+      const dialog = { close: () => {}, persistent: false };
+      pads = [padHolding(...CHORD)];
+      stepAt(0);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS);
+      expect(chords).toBe(1);
+
+      pushEscapable(dialog);
+      try {
+        stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS + 100);
+      } finally {
+        popEscapable(dialog);
+      }
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 3);
+      stepAt(EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS * 5);
+
+      expect(chords).toBe(1);
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGamepad/index.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGamepad/index.ts
index 61c3c8ffa..adbe620b7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGamepad/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useGamepad/index.ts
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@
 // Two contexts suppress this translation:
 //   * Game running (storePlaying.playing): the emulator reads the pad
 //     itself, so all translation is off. Otherwise B (shared by Circle /
-//     Nintendo-A in the standard mapping) would quit the game.
+//     Nintendo-A in the standard mapping) would quit the game. Holding
+//     Select+Start instead fires `gamepad:exitchord`; a player opts into
+//     a pad exit by listening for it.
 //   * Controller-test screen (ACTIONS_DISABLED_PATHS): built-in actions
 //     are muted so every button can be pressed and inspected in place.
 import { onBeforeUnmount } from "vue";
@@ -51,6 +53,8 @@ const ACTIONS_DISABLED_PATHS = new Set<string>(["/controller-debug"]);
 const INITIAL_DELAY_MS = 350;
 const REPEAT_MS = 120;
 export const AXIS_THRESHOLD = 0.5;
+// Outlasts anything a game itself binds to Select+Start.
+export const EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS = 1500;
 
 // Short symbolic name → W3C standard-mapping button index, so a view can
 // read raw pad state without memorising indices. Exhaustive over the standard
@@ -92,6 +96,7 @@ export interface GamepadButtonEventDetail {
 declare global {
   interface WindowEventMap {
     "gamepad:buttondown": CustomEvent<GamepadButtonEventDetail>;
+    "gamepad:exitchord": Event;
   }
 }
 
@@ -123,6 +128,15 @@ export function isUsablePad(pad: Gamepad | null): pad is Gamepad {
   return pad !== null && pad.connected;
 }
 
+// Other mappings don't guarantee the Back/Start indices.
+function holdsExitChord(pad: Gamepad): boolean {
+  return (
+    pad.mapping === "standard" &&
+    !!pad.buttons[PAD_BUTTON.back]?.pressed &&
+    !!pad.buttons[PAD_BUTTON.start]?.pressed
+  );
+}
+
 function dispatchKey(binding: Binding) {
   const target =
     (document.activeElement as HTMLElement | null) ?? document.body;
@@ -242,6 +256,10 @@ export function useGamepad() {
     const { setModality } = useInputModality();
     let rafId = 0;
     let everSawPad = false;
+    let chordHeldSince: number | null = null;
+    // Cleared only on release, so a chord still held after its dialog is
+    // cancelled doesn't reopen it.
+    let chordFired = false;
 
     const onAnyInput = () => setModality("pad");
     const onConnect = () => setModality("pad");
@@ -285,10 +303,12 @@ export function useGamepad() {
       // On the controller-test screen the built-in actions are muted so
       // every button can be pressed and inspected without side effects.
       const actionsDisabled = ACTIONS_DISABLED_PATHS.has(route.path);
+      let chordHeld = false;
 
       for (const pad of pads) {
         // Skip disconnected phantom gamepads.
         if (!isUsablePad(pad)) continue;
+        chordHeld ||= holdsExitChord(pad);
         const key = `${pad.index}:${pad.id}`;
         const st = (states[key] ||= {
           buttons: {},
@@ -353,6 +373,20 @@ export function useGamepad() {
         }
       }
 
+      // B is muted during play, so a long Select+Start hold is the pad's exit.
+      if (!chordHeld) {
+        chordHeldSince = null;
+        chordFired = false;
+      } else if (!gameOwnsInput) {
+        chordHeldSince = null;
+      } else if (!chordFired) {
+        chordHeldSince ??= t;
+        if (t - chordHeldSince >= EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS) {
+          chordFired = true;
+          window.dispatchEvent(new Event("gamepad:exitchord"));
+        }
+      }
+
       rafId = requestAnimationFrame(loop);
     };
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useSpatialNav/index.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useSpatialNav/index.test.ts
index a48ea990e..0fb9070b4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useSpatialNav/index.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useSpatialNav/index.test.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,11 @@ import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { defineComponent, h, ref } from "vue";
 import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
 import { useGridNav } from "@/v2/composables/useGridNav";
+import {
+  type EscapableEntry,
+  popEscapable,
+  pushEscapable,
+} from "@/v2/lib/overlays/RDialog/escapeStack";
 import { useSpatialNav } from "./index";
 
 vi.mock("vue-router", () => ({
@@ -86,7 +91,38 @@ describe("useSpatialNav", () => {
     wrapper = mount(Page, { attachTo: document.body });
   });
 
+  // A dialog below the page with Cancel and Confirm side by side.
+  let dialog: EscapableEntry | null = null;
+  let dialogPanel: HTMLElement | null = null;
+  function openDialog(withPanel = true): void {
+    const panel = document.createElement("div");
+    for (const [id, x] of [
+      ["cancel", 0],
+      ["confirm", 100],
+    ] as const) {
+      const button = document.createElement("button");
+      button.id = id;
+      button.dataset.x = String(x);
+      button.dataset.y = "600";
+      panel.append(button);
+    }
+    document.body.append(panel);
+    dialogPanel = panel;
+    dialog = {
+      close: () => {},
+      persistent: true,
+      panel: withPanel ? () => panel : undefined,
+    };
+    pushEscapable(dialog);
+  }
+
   afterEach(() => {
+    if (dialog) {
+      popEscapable(dialog);
+      dialog = null;
+    }
+    dialogPanel?.remove();
+    dialogPanel = null;
     wrapper?.unmount();
     wrapper = null;
     restores.splice(0).forEach((restore) => restore());
@@ -157,4 +193,40 @@ describe("useSpatialNav", () => {
 
     expect(document.activeElement).toBe(el("play"));
   });
+
+  it("moves between an open dialog's buttons", () => {
+    openDialog();
+    el("cancel").focus();
+
+    expect(press("ArrowRight").defaultPrevented).toBe(true);
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(el("confirm"));
+  });
+
+  it("keeps focus inside the open dialog", () => {
+    openDialog();
+    el("cancel").focus();
+
+    press("ArrowUp");
+
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(el("cancel"));
+  });
+
+  it("moves inside a dialog opened over a running game", () => {
+    storePlaying().setPlaying(true);
+    openDialog();
+    el("cancel").focus();
+
+    press("ArrowRight");
+
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(el("confirm"));
+  });
+
+  it("leaves an overlay without a panel to its owner", () => {
+    openDialog(false);
+    el("tab").focus();
+
+    press("ArrowUp");
+
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(el("tab"));
+  });
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useSpatialNav/index.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useSpatialNav/index.ts
index dc068eec0..ac045dd38 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useSpatialNav/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useSpatialNav/index.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@
 // The grids listen on `document`, which an event reaches before `window`.
 import { onBeforeUnmount } from "vue";
 import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
-import { hasOpenEscapable } from "@/v2/lib/overlays/RDialog/escapeStack";
+import {
+  hasOpenEscapable,
+  topEscapablePanel,
+} from "@/v2/lib/overlays/RDialog/escapeStack";
 import {
   ARROW_DIRECTIONS,
   FOCUSABLE_SELECTOR,
@@ -77,10 +80,14 @@ function isInView(el: HTMLElement): boolean {
   return !hit || el.contains(hit) || hit.contains(el);
 }
 
-/** Moves focus from `from` to the nearest control in `dir`, if any. */
-export function moveFocus(from: HTMLElement, dir: SpatialDirection): boolean {
+/** Moves focus from `from` to the nearest control in `dir` under `scope`. */
+export function moveFocus(
+  from: HTMLElement,
+  dir: SpatialDirection,
+  scope: ParentNode = document,
+): boolean {
   const candidates = Array.from(
-    document.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(FOCUSABLE_SELECTOR),
+    scope.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(FOCUSABLE_SELECTOR),
   )
     .filter((el) => el !== from && !el.contains(from) && isNavigable(el))
     .map((el) => ({ item: el, box: el.getBoundingClientRect() }));
@@ -117,13 +124,20 @@ export function useSpatialNav() {
       const dir = ARROW_DIRECTIONS[e.key];
       if (!dir || e.defaultPrevented) return;
       if (e.altKey || e.ctrlKey || e.metaKey || e.shiftKey) return;
-      // A running game reads the arrows itself, and an open overlay keeps
-      // focus inside its own panel.
-      if (playingStore.playing || hasOpenEscapable()) return;
       const active = document.activeElement;
       if (!(active instanceof HTMLElement) || active === document.body) return;
       if (ownsArrowKeys(active)) return;
-      if (moveFocus(active, dir)) e.preventDefault();
+      // An open overlay, a dialog over a game included, keeps focus inside
+      // its own panel; otherwise a running game reads the arrows itself.
+      let scope: ParentNode = document;
+      if (hasOpenEscapable()) {
+        const panel = topEscapablePanel();
+        if (!panel?.contains(active)) return;
+        scope = panel;
+      } else if (playingStore.playing) {
+        return;
+      }
+      if (moveFocus(active, dir, scope)) e.preventDefault();
     }
 
     window.addEventListener("keydown", onKey);
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useStageActive/index.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useStageActive/index.test.ts
index 9fa546f55..89fd93f4a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useStageActive/index.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useStageActive/index.test.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,11 @@ import { createPinia, setActivePinia } from "pinia";
 import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import { effectScope, nextTick, ref } from "vue";
 import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
-import { installStageActiveClass, useStageActive } from "./index";
+import {
+  installStageActiveClass,
+  usePlayingWhile,
+  useStageActive,
+} from "./index";
 
 beforeEach(() => {
   setActivePinia(createPinia());
@@ -50,6 +54,31 @@ describe("useStageActive", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("usePlayingWhile", () => {
+  it("mirrors the active source into the playing flag", async () => {
+    const active = ref(true);
+    const scope = effectScope();
+    scope.run(() => usePlayingWhile(active));
+    const store = storePlaying();
+    expect(store.playing).toBe(true);
+
+    active.value = false;
+    await nextTick();
+    expect(store.playing).toBe(false);
+    scope.stop();
+  });
+
+  it("clears the flag when its owning scope is disposed", () => {
+    const scope = effectScope();
+    scope.run(() => usePlayingWhile(() => true));
+    const store = storePlaying();
+    expect(store.playing).toBe(true);
+
+    scope.stop();
+    expect(store.playing).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
 describe("installStageActiveClass", () => {
   function htmlHasClass(): boolean {
     return document.documentElement.classList.contains("r-v2-stage-active");
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useStageActive/index.ts b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useStageActive/index.ts
index 59a71ca73..40e210ffb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/composables/useStageActive/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/composables/useStageActive/index.ts
@@ -1,18 +1,29 @@
 import { onScopeDispose, toValue, watch, type MaybeRefOrGetter } from "vue";
 import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
 
+// Mirrors a source into one of the playing store's flags, cleared on dispose.
+function mirrorFlag(
+  source: MaybeRefOrGetter<boolean>,
+  set: (on: boolean) => void,
+): void {
+  watch(() => toValue(source), set, { immediate: true });
+  onScopeDispose(() => set(false));
+}
+
 /** Mirrors a player's running state into the global stage flag that
  *  unmounts the app chrome and zeroes the nav-height tokens. */
 export function useStageActive(running: MaybeRefOrGetter<boolean>): void {
   const playingStore = storePlaying();
   // Deliberately not the `playing` flag: that one also spans pre-stage
   // phases (Stream sets it while loading behind its config screen).
-  watch(
-    () => toValue(running),
-    (active) => playingStore.setStageActive(active),
-    { immediate: true },
-  );
-  onScopeDispose(() => playingStore.setStageActive(false));
+  mirrorFlag(running, (on) => playingStore.setStageActive(on));
+}
+
+/** Mirrors a session, launch or pending claim included, into the global
+ *  playing flag, which hands the controller from useGamepad to the session. */
+export function usePlayingWhile(active: MaybeRefOrGetter<boolean>): void {
+  const playingStore = storePlaying();
+  mirrorFlag(active, (on) => playingStore.setPlaying(on));
 }
 
 /** Mirrors the flag onto <html> (next to the theme classes) so
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/lib/overlays/RDialog/escapeStack.ts b/frontend/src/v2/lib/overlays/RDialog/escapeStack.ts
index f5b4737ae..c54431a76 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/lib/overlays/RDialog/escapeStack.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/lib/overlays/RDialog/escapeStack.ts
@@ -74,6 +74,11 @@ export function onEscapableOpen(listener: () => void): () => void {
   return () => openListeners.delete(listener);
 }
 
+/** The topmost overlay's panel; null when none is open or it has no panel. */
+export function topEscapablePanel(): HTMLElement | null {
+  return stack[stack.length - 1]?.panel?.() ?? null;
+}
+
 /** True when `el` is covered by the topmost overlay rather than living
  *  inside it. A panel-less entry has no opinion and covers nothing. */
 export function isUnderOpenEscapable(el: Node | null): boolean {
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Desktop.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Desktop.test.ts
index b0111f635..893986feb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Desktop.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Desktop.test.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   heartbeatTick: null as (() => Promise<void>) | null,
   routeLeave: null as (() => Promise<boolean> | boolean) | null,
   socketHandlers: {} as Record<string, (payload: unknown) => unknown>,
+  setPlaying: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
 vi.mock("vue-i18n", () => ({
@@ -49,6 +50,10 @@ vi.mock("@/services/api/streaming", () => ({
   },
 }));
 
+vi.mock("@/stores/playing", () => ({
+  default: () => ({ setPlaying: mocks.setPlaying }),
+}));
+
 vi.mock("@/stores/streaming", () => ({
   useStreamingStore: () => ({ heartbeatSession: mocks.heartbeatSession }),
 }));
@@ -83,6 +88,35 @@ let mounted: VueWrapper | null = null;
 
 const CLAIMED_AT = "2026-09-17T10:00:00";
 const KEY = "http://webstation-dev:8000";
+const CLAIM = {
+  data: {
+    container: KEY,
+    host: "http://webstation-dev:8080",
+    label: "PS2",
+    platform: "ps2",
+    claimed_at: CLAIMED_AT,
+  },
+};
+
+// A pending call the test answers by hand.
+function deferred() {
+  let answer = (_: unknown) => {};
+  const promise = new Promise((resolve) => {
+    answer = resolve;
+  });
+  return { promise, answer };
+}
+
+// Unstamped, a release reaches whichever session took the container.
+function expectReleasedOwnClaim(): void {
+  expect(mocks.releaseSession).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+    "ps2",
+    undefined,
+    KEY,
+    undefined,
+    CLAIMED_AT,
+  );
+}
 
 beforeEach(() => {
   vi.clearAllMocks();
@@ -103,15 +137,7 @@ async function mountDesktop(): Promise<VueWrapper> {
 }
 
 async function openDesktop(): Promise<VueWrapper> {
-  mocks.claimDesktop.mockResolvedValue({
-    data: {
-      container: KEY,
-      host: "http://webstation-dev:8080",
-      label: "PS2",
-      platform: "ps2",
-      claimed_at: CLAIMED_AT,
-    },
-  });
+  mocks.claimDesktop.mockResolvedValue(CLAIM);
   return mountDesktop();
 }
 
@@ -229,12 +255,8 @@ describe("Desktop heartbeats", () => {
   it("keeps the exit a release made while a beat was in flight", async () => {
     const wrapper = await openDesktop();
     mocks.releaseSession.mockResolvedValue({});
-    let answer = (_: unknown) => {};
-    mocks.heartbeatSession.mockReturnValue(
-      new Promise((resolve) => {
-        answer = resolve;
-      }),
-    );
+    const { promise, answer } = deferred();
+    mocks.heartbeatSession.mockReturnValue(promise);
 
     const beat = mocks.heartbeatTick?.();
     expect(await mocks.routeLeave?.()).toBe(true);
@@ -256,20 +278,13 @@ describe("Desktop heartbeats", () => {
 });
 
 describe("Desktop releases", () => {
-  // Unstamped, a release reaches whichever session took the container.
   it("names the claim it releases on exit", async () => {
     mocks.releaseSession.mockResolvedValue({});
     await openDesktop();
 
     expect(await mocks.routeLeave?.()).toBe(true);
 
-    expect(mocks.releaseSession).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      "ps2",
-      undefined,
-      KEY,
-      undefined,
-      CLAIMED_AT,
-    );
+    expectReleasedOwnClaim();
   });
 
   it("names the claim it releases when the tab closes", async () => {
@@ -345,3 +360,99 @@ describe("Desktop container naming", () => {
     );
   });
 });
+
+describe("Desktop controller ownership", () => {
+  // The emulator inside the container reads the pad, so RomM's gamepad
+  // navigation must stay muted or B pops history out of the session.
+  it("mutes pad navigation while the desktop is claimed", async () => {
+    await openDesktop();
+
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(true);
+  });
+
+  it("hands the pad back once a notice ends the claim", async () => {
+    await openDesktop();
+
+    endSession({ platform: "ps2", container: KEY });
+    await flushPromises();
+
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
+  });
+
+  it("hands the pad back when the claim is refused", async () => {
+    await refuseDesktop({ rom_name: null, claimed_at: null, draining: true });
+
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
+  });
+
+  it("hands the pad back when the view unmounts", async () => {
+    const wrapper = await openDesktop();
+
+    wrapper.unmount();
+    mounted = null;
+
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
+  });
+
+  it("mutes pad navigation while the claim is still in flight", async () => {
+    mocks.claimDesktop.mockReturnValue(new Promise(() => {}));
+    const wrapper = await mountDesktop();
+
+    expect(vmOf(wrapper).state).toBe("loading");
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(true);
+  });
+
+  it("hands the pad back once the desktop is exited", async () => {
+    mocks.releaseSession.mockResolvedValue({});
+    await openDesktop();
+
+    expect(await mocks.routeLeave?.()).toBe(true);
+    await flushPromises();
+
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
+  });
+
+  it("ends the desktop from the pad's exit chord", async () => {
+    // B is muted with the rest of the pad, so the chord is the pad's way out.
+    mocks.releaseSession.mockResolvedValue({});
+    const wrapper = await openDesktop();
+
+    window.dispatchEvent(new Event("gamepad:exitchord"));
+    await flushPromises();
+
+    expectReleasedOwnClaim();
+    expect(vmOf(wrapper).state).toBe("exited");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("Desktop claims that outlive the view", () => {
+  it("hands back a claim that answers after the view is gone", async () => {
+    const { promise, answer } = deferred();
+    mocks.claimDesktop.mockReturnValue(promise);
+    mocks.releaseSession.mockResolvedValue({});
+    const wrapper = await mountDesktop();
+
+    wrapper.unmount();
+    mounted = null;
+    answer(CLAIM);
+    await flushPromises();
+
+    expectReleasedOwnClaim();
+  });
+
+  it("hands back a claim that answers while the leave is still resolving", async () => {
+    const { promise, answer } = deferred();
+    mocks.claimDesktop.mockReturnValue(promise);
+    mocks.releaseSession.mockResolvedValue({});
+    const wrapper = await mountDesktop();
+
+    expect(await mocks.routeLeave?.()).toBe(true);
+    answer(CLAIM);
+    await flushPromises();
+    wrapper.unmount();
+    mounted = null;
+    await flushPromises();
+
+    expectReleasedOwnClaim();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Desktop.vue b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Desktop.vue
index dd98e8834..33c7f1e1c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Desktop.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Desktop.vue
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 import { RAlert, RBtn, RSpinner } from "@v2/lib";
 import { useEventListener, useIntervalFn } from "@vueuse/core";
 import { isAxiosError } from "axios";
-import { computed, onMounted, ref } from "vue";
+import { computed, onBeforeUnmount, onMounted, ref } from "vue";
 import { useI18n } from "vue-i18n";
 import { onBeforeRouteLeave, useRoute, useRouter } from "vue-router";
 import { ROUTES } from "@/plugins/router";
@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ import { type SessionTermination, useStreamingStore } from "@/stores/streaming";
 import SessionEndedReason from "@/v2/components/Player/SessionEndedReason.vue";
 import StreamStage from "@/v2/components/Player/StreamStage.vue";
 import { useConfirm } from "@/v2/composables/useConfirm";
+import { useIsAlive } from "@/v2/composables/useIsAlive";
 import { usePageTitle } from "@/v2/composables/usePageTitle";
 import { useSocketEvent } from "@/v2/composables/useSocketEvent";
+import { usePlayingWhile } from "@/v2/composables/useStageActive";
 
 const { t } = useI18n();
 const route = useRoute();
@@ -55,6 +57,19 @@ const claimedAt = ref("");
 
 usePageTitle(() => t("play.desktop-title"));
 
+// The emulator inside the desktop owns the controller, so pad presses must not
+// also drive RomM behind the stream (B would go back and prompt to end it).
+const sessionActive = computed(
+  () => state.value === "loading" || state.value === "running",
+);
+usePlayingWhile(sessionActive);
+// With B muted, useGamepad's Select+Start hold is the pad's way out.
+useEventListener(window, "gamepad:exitchord", () => void handleExit());
+
+// Leaving mid-claim is allowed, so a claim that answers after unmount is
+// released at once; otherwise it would hold the container until it went stale.
+const alive = useIsAlive();
+
 async function openDesktop(): Promise<void> {
   if (!containerName.value) {
     state.value = "error";
@@ -69,6 +84,10 @@ async function openDesktop(): Promise<void> {
     platform.value = data.platform;
     claimedAt.value = data.claimed_at;
     holdsClaim.value = true;
+    if (!alive.value) {
+      void release();
+      return;
+    }
     state.value = "running";
   } catch (err: unknown) {
     state.value = "error";
@@ -218,6 +237,12 @@ useEventListener(window, "pagehide", onPageHide);
 onMounted(() => {
   void openDesktop();
 });
+
+// A claim that answered after the leave guard let navigation through, while
+// the next route was still resolving, is still held here.
+onBeforeUnmount(() => {
+  if (holdsClaim.value) void release();
+});
 </script>
 
 <template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/EmulatorJS.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/EmulatorJS.test.ts
index 095888a13..cb9a0f426 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/EmulatorJS.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/EmulatorJS.test.ts
@@ -165,7 +165,10 @@ vi.mock("@/v2/composables/useSnackbar", () => ({
   }),
 }));
 
-vi.mock("@/v2/composables/useStageActive", () => ({ useStageActive: vi.fn() }));
+vi.mock("@/v2/composables/useStageActive", () => ({
+  useStageActive: vi.fn(),
+  usePlayingWhile: vi.fn(),
+}));
 
 vi.mock("@/v2/composables/useUnloadGuard", () => ({ useUnloadGuard: vi.fn() }));
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/EmulatorJS.vue b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/EmulatorJS.vue
index 1c172d1d8..bcda440e3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/EmulatorJS.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/EmulatorJS.vue
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ import {
 } from "@v2/lib";
 import { useEventListener, useLocalStorage } from "@vueuse/core";
 import type { Emitter } from "mitt";
-import { storeToRefs } from "pinia";
 import {
   computed,
   defineAsyncComponent,
@@ -49,7 +48,6 @@ import romApi from "@/services/api/rom";
 import { AUTOSAVE_SLOT, SAVE_SLOT_MAX_LENGTH } from "@/services/api/save";
 import storeConfig from "@/stores/config";
 import { useNativeStore } from "@/stores/native";
-import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
 import type { DetailedRom } from "@/stores/roms";
 import type { Events } from "@/types/emitter";
 import {
@@ -77,7 +75,10 @@ import { usePlayerHero } from "@/v2/composables/usePlayerHero";
 import { usePlayerNav } from "@/v2/composables/usePlayerNav";
 import { useSaveStateTabs } from "@/v2/composables/useSaveStateTabs";
 import { useSnackbar } from "@/v2/composables/useSnackbar";
-import { useStageActive } from "@/v2/composables/useStageActive";
+import {
+  usePlayingWhile,
+  useStageActive,
+} from "@/v2/composables/useStageActive";
 import { useUnloadGuard } from "@/v2/composables/useUnloadGuard";
 import type { AssetType } from "@/v2/utils/assets";
 import { joinNames } from "@/v2/utils/lists";
@@ -135,10 +136,8 @@ const Player = defineAsyncComponent(
 const { t, locale } = useI18n();
 const snackbar = useSnackbar();
 const emitter = inject<Emitter<Events>>("emitter");
-const playingStore = storePlaying();
 const configStore = storeConfig();
 const nativeStore = useNativeStore();
-const { playing } = storeToRefs(playingStore);
 const { fullscreenOnPlay } = useFullscreenPref();
 useFullscreenFallback();
 const playSession = usePlaySession();
@@ -199,6 +198,7 @@ const exit = usePlayerExit(
 // quiet for the full navigation it turns into.
 useUnloadGuard(() => gameRunning.value && !exit.departing.value);
 useStageActive(gameRunning);
+usePlayingWhile(gameRunning);
 onBeforeRouteLeave(exit.guard);
 
 // Stage-scoped so the non-passive listener never taxes touches elsewhere.
@@ -471,7 +471,6 @@ async function onPlay() {
 
   gameRunning.value = true;
   window.EJS_fullscreenOnLoaded = fullscreenOnPlay.value;
-  playing.value = true;
 
   const { EJS_NETPLAY_ENABLED } = configStore.config;
   const EMULATORJS_VERSION = EJS_NETPLAY_ENABLED ? "nightly" : "4.2.3";
@@ -500,7 +499,6 @@ async function onPlay() {
     // No emulator booted, so drop back to the config screen instead of
     // leaving the unload guard and the input mute armed.
     gameRunning.value = false;
-    playing.value = false;
   }
 }
 
@@ -674,9 +672,6 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   // the user never exited the game to the config screen first. flush() is
   // idempotent, so an exit that already flushed via the watch is a no-op.
   endSession();
-  // Hand the keyboard and gamepad back to the UI; the flag otherwise
-  // stays true and pad/hotkey navigation is dead until a reload.
-  playing.value = false;
   exitEmulatorOnce();
   emitter?.off("saveSelected", selectSave);
   emitter?.off("stateSelected", selectState);
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/JsDos.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/JsDos.test.ts
index 3951a4b6c..617b22233 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/JsDos.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/JsDos.test.ts
@@ -344,9 +344,9 @@ describe("JsDos player exit", () => {
     expect(mocks.locationReplace).toHaveBeenCalledWith("/rom/1");
     expect(mocks.routerReplace).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(mocks.flushPlaySession).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
-    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
     wrapper.unmount();
     expect(handle.stop).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
   });
 
   // A player document opened directly is cross-origin isolated, and the rest
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ describe("JsDos player exit", () => {
     expect(mocks.routerReplace).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(mocks.locationReplace).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(mocks.flushPlaySession).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-    expect(mocks.setPlaying).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(true);
     expect(
       wrapper.get(".r-v2-player__quit").attributes("disabled"),
     ).toBeUndefined();
@@ -419,9 +419,9 @@ describe("JsDos player exit", () => {
 
     expect(handle.stop).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
     expect(mocks.flushPlaySession).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
-    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
     expect(mocks.locationReplace).toHaveBeenCalledWith("/rom/1");
     wrapper.unmount();
+    expect(mocks.setPlaying).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
   });
 
   it("keeps the player open when the final save fails", async () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/JsDos.vue b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/JsDos.vue
index 6e4ba83f4..fa90ede94 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/JsDos.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/JsDos.vue
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import { useI18n } from "vue-i18n";
 import { onBeforeRouteLeave } from "vue-router";
 import romApi from "@/services/api/rom";
 import storeAuth from "@/stores/auth";
-import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
 import type { DetailedRom } from "@/stores/roms";
 import type { JsDosProps } from "@/types/js-dos";
 import { getDownloadPath } from "@/utils";
@@ -23,12 +22,12 @@ import { usePlaySession } from "@/v2/composables/usePlaySession";
 import { usePlayerExit } from "@/v2/composables/usePlayerExit";
 import { usePlayerHero } from "@/v2/composables/usePlayerHero";
 import { useSnackbar } from "@/v2/composables/useSnackbar";
+import { usePlayingWhile } from "@/v2/composables/useStageActive";
 import { useUnloadGuard } from "@/v2/composables/useUnloadGuard";
 import { loadJsDosRuntime } from "./jsDosRuntime";
 
 const { t } = useI18n();
 const authStore = storeAuth();
-const playingStore = storePlaying();
 const { fullscreenOnPlay } = useFullscreenPref();
 useFullscreenFallback();
 const playSession = usePlaySession();
@@ -41,6 +40,7 @@ const exit = usePlayerExit(() => runtimeBound);
 
 const rom = shallowRef<DetailedRom | null>(null);
 const gameRunning = ref(false);
+usePlayingWhile(gameRunning);
 const quitting = ref(false);
 const stage = ref<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
 
@@ -81,13 +81,10 @@ async function onPlay() {
     return;
   }
   gameRunning.value = true;
-  // Let the emulator own keyboard input while running.
-  playingStore.setPlaying(true);
 
   await nextTick();
   if (!stage.value) {
     gameRunning.value = false;
-    playingStore.setPlaying(false);
     return;
   }
 
@@ -136,7 +133,6 @@ async function saveQuietly(handle: JsDosProps) {
 
 function teardown() {
   playSession.flush();
-  playingStore.setPlaying(false);
   stopDos();
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Pico8.vue b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Pico8.vue
index 6aba139b3..4ede90c49 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Pico8.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Pico8.vue
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import { useEventListener } from "@vueuse/core";
 import { nextTick, onBeforeUnmount, onMounted, ref, shallowRef } from "vue";
 import { useI18n } from "vue-i18n";
 import romApi from "@/services/api/rom";
-import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
 import type { DetailedRom } from "@/stores/roms";
 import { getDownloadPath } from "@/utils";
 import PlayerShell from "@/v2/components/Player/PlayerShell.vue";
@@ -15,6 +14,7 @@ import { usePlaySession } from "@/v2/composables/usePlaySession";
 import { usePlayerFullscreen } from "@/v2/composables/usePlayerFullscreen";
 import { usePlayerHero } from "@/v2/composables/usePlayerHero";
 import { useSnackbar } from "@/v2/composables/useSnackbar";
+import { usePlayingWhile } from "@/v2/composables/useStageActive";
 import { useUnloadGuard } from "@/v2/composables/useUnloadGuard";
 import { createPico8Audio, type Pico8Audio } from "@/v2/utils/pico8Audio";
 import { createPico8Input } from "@/v2/utils/pico8Input";
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ import {
 } from "@/v2/utils/pico8Runtime";
 
 const { t } = useI18n();
-const playingStore = storePlaying();
 const playSession = usePlaySession();
 const snackbar = useSnackbar();
 const { fullscreenOnPlay } = useFullscreenPref();
@@ -37,6 +36,7 @@ const alive = useIsAlive();
 
 const rom = shallowRef<DetailedRom | null>(null);
 const gameRunning = ref(false);
+usePlayingWhile(gameRunning);
 const loading = ref(false);
 const stage = ref<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
 const canvas = ref<HTMLCanvasElement | null>(null);
@@ -186,7 +186,6 @@ function releaseGame() {
   audio = null;
   input.reset();
   playSession.flush();
-  playingStore.setPlaying(false);
   gameRunning.value = false;
   loading.value = false;
 }
@@ -211,7 +210,6 @@ async function onPlay() {
 
   gameRunning.value = true;
   loading.value = true;
-  playingStore.setPlaying(true);
   await nextTick();
 
   if (!gameRunning.value) return;
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Ruffle.vue b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Ruffle.vue
index 797ff43cb..05c1ec672 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Ruffle.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Ruffle.vue
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import { RIcon, RSwitch } from "@v2/lib";
 import { nextTick, onBeforeUnmount, onMounted, ref, shallowRef } from "vue";
 import { useI18n } from "vue-i18n";
 import romApi from "@/services/api/rom";
-import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
 import type { DetailedRom } from "@/stores/roms";
 import type { RuffleSourceAPI } from "@/types/ruffle";
 import { getDownloadPath } from "@/utils";
@@ -16,6 +15,7 @@ import { useFullscreenFallback } from "@/v2/composables/useFullscreenFallback";
 import { useFullscreenPref } from "@/v2/composables/useFullscreenPref";
 import { usePlaySession } from "@/v2/composables/usePlaySession";
 import { usePlayerHero } from "@/v2/composables/usePlayerHero";
+import { usePlayingWhile } from "@/v2/composables/useStageActive";
 import { useUnloadGuard } from "@/v2/composables/useUnloadGuard";
 import { colorCanvas } from "@/v2/tokens";
 
@@ -25,11 +25,12 @@ const DEFAULT_BACKGROUND_COLOR = colorCanvas.bgDeep;
 const { t } = useI18n();
 const { fullscreenOnPlay } = useFullscreenPref();
 useFullscreenFallback();
-const playingStore = storePlaying();
 const playSession = usePlaySession();
 
 const rom = shallowRef<DetailedRom | null>(null);
 const gameRunning = ref(false);
+// Flash games are keyboard-driven, so hotkeys and pad navigation stay muted.
+usePlayingWhile(gameRunning);
 const backgroundColor = ref<string>(DEFAULT_BACKGROUND_COLOR);
 
 useUnloadGuard(gameRunning);
@@ -56,14 +57,10 @@ const { romId, heroRom, title, platformLabel } = usePlayerHero(rom);
 // Nothing is running, so drop the guard and the input mute the launch armed.
 function abortPlay() {
   gameRunning.value = false;
-  playingStore.setPlaying(false);
 }
 
 function onPlay() {
   gameRunning.value = true;
-  // Flash games are keyboard-driven; flag the session so global hotkeys
-  // and pad-to-UI translation stay muted while the game owns input.
-  playingStore.setPlaying(true);
 
   nextTick(() => {
     if (!rom.value) {
@@ -147,8 +144,6 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   // Every exit path (Quit, back links, route change) unmounts the view, so
   // this is the single choke point for recording the session.
   playSession.flush();
-  // Hand the keyboard and gamepad back to the UI on any exit path.
-  playingStore.setPlaying(false);
 });
 </script>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Stream.test.ts b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Stream.test.ts
index f8568e74c..737b68e7d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Stream.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Stream.test.ts
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ vi.mock("@/v2/composables/useSocketEvent", () => ({
 
 vi.mock("@/v2/composables/useStageActive", () => ({
   useStageActive: vi.fn(),
+  usePlayingWhile: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
 vi.mock("@/v2/composables/useUnloadGuard", () => ({
@@ -476,6 +477,7 @@ type StreamVm = {
   claimedAt: string | null;
   playerState: string;
   endedDialogOpen: boolean;
+  exitDialogOpen: boolean;
   holdsClaim: boolean;
   containerHost: string;
   errorMessage: string;
@@ -626,6 +628,26 @@ describe("Stream session-ended notices", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("Stream exit chord", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+    mocks.claimSession.mockResolvedValue(CLAIM);
+  });
+
+  it("opens the exit dialog from the pad's exit chord", async () => {
+    // B is muted with the rest of the pad, so the chord is the pad's way out.
+    const wrapper = await launch({ picker: false });
+    await vmOf(wrapper).onPlay();
+    await launchReady();
+    expect(vmOf(wrapper).playerState).toBe("playing");
+
+    window.dispatchEvent(new Event("gamepad:exitchord"));
+    await flushPromises();
+
+    expect(vmOf(wrapper).exitDialogOpen).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
+
 describe("Stream claim hygiene", () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks();
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Stream.vue b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Stream.vue
index 82bf92b67..130d03bfa 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Stream.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/views/Player/Stream.vue
@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@ import streamingApi, {
   type MemoryCardImportDetail,
 } from "@/services/api/streaming";
 import storeAuth from "@/stores/auth";
-import storePlaying from "@/stores/playing";
 import storeRoms, { type DetailedRom, type SimpleRom } from "@/stores/roms";
 import {
   type SessionStatus,
@@ -82,7 +81,10 @@ import { usePlayerNav } from "@/v2/composables/usePlayerNav";
 import { romIdFromRoute } from "@/v2/composables/useRouteRom";
 import { useSnackbar } from "@/v2/composables/useSnackbar";
 import { useSocketEvent } from "@/v2/composables/useSocketEvent";
-import { useStageActive } from "@/v2/composables/useStageActive";
+import {
+  usePlayingWhile,
+  useStageActive,
+} from "@/v2/composables/useStageActive";
 import { useUnloadGuard } from "@/v2/composables/useUnloadGuard";
 import type { SliderBtnGroupItem } from "@/v2/lib/primitives/RSliderBtnGroup/types";
 import storeGalleryRoms from "@/v2/stores/galleryRoms";
@@ -97,7 +99,6 @@ const { t } = useI18n();
 const route = useRoute();
 const router = useRouter();
 const auth = storeAuth();
-const playingStore = storePlaying();
 const streamingStore = useStreamingStore();
 const snackbar = useSnackbar();
 const { fullscreenOnPlay } = useFullscreenPref();
@@ -160,8 +161,8 @@ const holdsClaim = ref(false);
 const sessionActive = computed(
   () => playerState.value === "playing" || playerState.value === "loading",
 );
+usePlayingWhile(sessionActive);
 watch(sessionActive, (active) => {
-  playingStore.setPlaying(active);
   if (active) startSessionPoll();
   else stopSessionPoll();
 });
@@ -1265,69 +1266,9 @@ async function exitWithoutSaving(): Promise<void> {
   (leave ?? backToRom)();
 }
 
-// Dialogs have no automatic spatial navigation, so cycle focus between
-// the action buttons on arrow keys (the d-pad arrives as synthetic
-// ArrowLeft/ArrowRight keydowns from useGamepad).
-function onExitDialogKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent): void {
-  const arrows = ["ArrowLeft", "ArrowRight", "ArrowUp", "ArrowDown"];
-  if (!arrows.includes(event.key)) return;
-  const root = event.currentTarget as HTMLElement;
-  const buttons = Array.from(
-    root.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>("button:not([disabled])"),
-  );
-  if (buttons.length === 0) return;
-  const idx = buttons.indexOf(document.activeElement as HTMLElement);
-  const step = event.key === "ArrowRight" || event.key === "ArrowDown" ? 1 : -1;
-  buttons[(idx + step + buttons.length) % buttons.length]?.focus();
-  event.preventDefault();
-}
-
-// ── Select+Start exit chord ────────────────────────────────────────
-// useGamepad is muted for the whole session (launch included), so the
-// chord is read straight from the Gamepad API here; polling while
-// "loading" keeps the cancel dialog reachable by pad if a launch hangs.
-// The 1.5s hold filters out anything a game itself binds to Select+Start.
-// Only standard-mapped pads participate: elsewhere indices 8/9 are not
-// guaranteed to be Select+Start.
-const EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS = 1500;
-// A 1.5s hold needs nowhere near frame resolution, and this runs on the thread
-// compositing the stream for as long as the session lasts.
-const EXIT_CHORD_POLL_MS = 100;
-let chordHeldSince = 0;
-
-function pollExitChord(): void {
-  const pads = navigator.getGamepads ? navigator.getGamepads() : [];
-  const held = Array.from(pads).some(
-    (pad) =>
-      pad &&
-      pad.mapping === "standard" &&
-      pad.buttons[8]?.pressed &&
-      pad.buttons[9]?.pressed,
-  );
-  const now = performance.now();
-  if (!held) {
-    chordHeldSince = 0;
-  } else if (!chordHeldSince) {
-    chordHeldSince = now;
-  } else if (now - chordHeldSince >= EXIT_CHORD_HOLD_MS) {
-    chordHeldSince = 0;
-    if (!exitDialogOpen.value) void openExitDialog();
-  }
-}
-
-const exitChordPoll = useIntervalFn(pollExitChord, EXIT_CHORD_POLL_MS, {
-  immediate: false,
-});
-
-function stopExitChordPoll(): void {
-  exitChordPoll.pause();
-  chordHeldSince = 0;
-}
-
-watch(sessionActive, (active) => {
-  if (active) exitChordPoll.resume();
-  else stopExitChordPoll();
-});
+// useGamepad is muted for the whole session (launch included), so its
+// Select+Start hold is the pad's only way to the exit dialog.
+useEventListener(window, "gamepad:exitchord", () => void openExitDialog());
 
 function formatTime(iso: string): string {
   try {
@@ -1405,7 +1346,6 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   // Every exit path (Stop, Save & Exit, back nav) unmounts the view, so this
   // is the single choke point for recording the session.
   playSession.flush();
-  playingStore.setPlaying(false);
   if (volumeDebounce) clearTimeout(volumeDebounce);
   // The polls clear themselves with the scope; the presence board does not
   // know the player has gone until it is told.
@@ -1880,7 +1820,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
       </template>
       <template #footer>
         <!-- eslint-disable-next-line vuejs-accessibility/no-static-element-interactions -- arrow keys rove focus between this container's real buttons, which stay the interactive elements; the listener sits here to catch keydowns bubbling from either of them -->
-        <div class="r-v2-stream__exit-actions" @keydown="onExitDialogKeydown">
+        <div class="r-v2-stream__exit-actions">
           <!-- eslint-disable vuejs-accessibility/no-autofocus -- RDialog reads [autofocus] to place initial focus, and the least destructive action is the intended target -->
           <RBtn
             autofocus