diff --git a/.cursor/skills/idle-spectator-e2e/SKILL.md b/.cursor/skills/idle-spectator-e2e/SKILL.md
index 5167bb5..829e538 100644
--- a/.cursor/skills/idle-spectator-e2e/SKILL.md
+++ b/.cursor/skills/idle-spectator-e2e/SKILL.md
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ Use `fast_timing` / `director_run` instead.
 - `set_setting` (`expect=enabled|show_watch_reasons|show_dossier_caption|chronicle_enabled`)
 - `discovery_reset`, `discovery_note`, `discovery_mark`, `discovery_drain`
 - `chronicle_force`, `chronicle_open`, `chronicle_jump`
-- `assert` expects: `idle`, `health`, `power_bar`, `no_bad`, `tip_matches_unit`, `unit_asset`, `tip_contains`, `enabled`, `show_watch_reasons`, `current_tier`, `would_accept_curiosity`, `focus_same`, `presented`, `pending_discovery`, `pending_interest`, `in_grace`, `dossier_contains`, `caption_contains`, `dossier_traits_ok`, `caption_layout_ok`, `dossier_history_contains`, `chronicle_count`, `chronicle_latest_contains`
+- `assert` expects: `idle`, `health`, `power_bar`, `no_bad`, `tip_matches_unit`, `unit_asset`, `tip_contains`, `enabled`, `show_watch_reasons`, `current_tier`, `would_accept_curiosity`, `focus_same`, `presented`, `pending_discovery`, `pending_interest`, `in_grace`, `dossier_contains`, `caption_contains`, `dossier_traits_ok`, `caption_layout_ok`, `dossier_history_contains`, `chronicle_count`, `chronicle_latest_contains`, `chronicle_latest_dated`, `focus_arrows`
 - `snapshot`, `reset_counters`, `scenario`
 
 ## Process safety
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs b/IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs
index f626f68..699a4bb 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs
@@ -1121,18 +1121,29 @@ public static class AgentHarness
 
                 ChronicleEntry latest = Chronicle.Latest;
                 string line = latest != null ? latest.Line : "";
+                string display = latest != null ? latest.DisplayLine : "";
                 pass = latest != null
                        && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(needle)
                        && line.IndexOf(needle, System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) >= 0;
-                detail = $"latest='{line}' needle='{needle}'";
+                detail = $"latest='{display}' needle='{needle}' date='{(latest != null ? latest.DateLabel : "")}'";
+                break;
+            }
+            case "chronicle_latest_dated":
+            {
+                ChronicleEntry latest = Chronicle.Latest;
+                pass = latest != null
+                       && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(latest.DateLabel)
+                       && latest.WorldTime > 0;
+                detail =
+                    $"date='{(latest != null ? latest.DateLabel : "")}' worldTime={(latest != null ? latest.WorldTime.ToString("0.###") : "0")} line='{(latest != null ? latest.Line : "")}'";
                 break;
             }
             case "caption_layout_ok":
             {
                 pass = WatchCaption.LastLayoutOk
                        && WatchCaption.LastPanelSize.y > 20f
-                       && WatchCaption.LastPanelSize.y < 140f
-                       && WatchCaption.LastPanelSize.x <= 300f;
+                       && WatchCaption.LastPanelSize.y < 220f
+                       && WatchCaption.LastPanelSize.x <= 440f;
                 detail =
                     $"layoutOk={WatchCaption.LastLayoutOk} size={WatchCaption.LastPanelSize} caption='{(WatchCaption.LastCaptionText ?? "").Replace("\n", " | ")}' hist='{(WatchCaption.LastHistoryPreview ?? "").Replace("\n", " ")}'";
                 break;
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/CameraDirector.cs b/IdleSpectator/CameraDirector.cs
index cadb01b..20bc467 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/CameraDirector.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/CameraDirector.cs
@@ -35,11 +35,6 @@ public static class CameraDirector
         string tip = FormatWatchTip(interest);
         LastWatchLabel = interest.Label ?? "";
         LastWatchAssetId = interest.AssetId ?? "";
-        if (ModSettings.ShowWatchReasons && !ModSettings.ShowDossierCaption)
-        {
-            WorldTip.showNowTop(tip, pTranslate: false);
-        }
-
         LogService.LogInfo($"[IdleSpectator] {tip}");
         WatchCaption.SetFromInterest(interest);
 
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/Chronicle.cs b/IdleSpectator/Chronicle.cs
index b22785a..1cb2342 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/Chronicle.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/Chronicle.cs
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ public enum ChronicleTab
 public sealed class ChronicleEntry
 {
     public float CreatedAt;
+    /// <summary>WorldBox sim time when the event was recorded (<see cref="MapBox.getCurWorldTime"/>).</summary>
+    public double WorldTime;
+    /// <summary>In-world month + year, e.g. <c>January 1</c> (no brackets).</summary>
+    public string DateLabel = "";
     public ChronicleKind Kind;
     public long SubjectId;
     public long OtherId;
@@ -33,6 +37,46 @@ public sealed class ChronicleEntry
 
     /// <summary>Back-compat for harness / jump helpers.</summary>
     public long UnitId => SubjectId;
+
+    /// <summary>Plain date-prefixed line for logs / asserts.</summary>
+    public string DisplayLine
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(DateLabel))
+            {
+                return Line ?? "";
+            }
+
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(Line))
+            {
+                return "[" + DateLabel + "]";
+            }
+
+            return "[" + DateLabel + "] " + Line;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>HUD line with a muted colored date in brackets (Unity rich text).</summary>
+    public string DisplayLineRich
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(DateLabel))
+            {
+                return Line ?? "";
+            }
+
+            const string color = "#A8B4C8";
+            string stamped = "<color=" + color + ">[" + DateLabel + "]</color>";
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(Line))
+            {
+                return stamped;
+            }
+
+            return stamped + " " + Line;
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 /// <summary>
@@ -494,13 +538,21 @@ public static class Chronicle
         }
 
         Actor unit = MoveCamera._focus_unit;
-        UnitDossier dossier = UnitDossier.FromActor(unit);
         string kindPrefix = string.IsNullOrEmpty(prefix) ? "Killed" : prefix;
-        AppendHistory(
-            ChronicleKind.Other,
-            unit,
-            null,
-            $"{kindPrefix}: {dossier.Name} ({dossier.SpeciesId}) - life event");
+        // Short tags keep the old "Killed: Name (species) - life event" shape.
+        // Long strings are treated as the full event line (dossier wrap tests).
+        string line;
+        if (kindPrefix.Length <= 24 && kindPrefix.IndexOf(' ') < 0)
+        {
+            UnitDossier dossier = UnitDossier.FromActor(unit);
+            line = $"{kindPrefix}: {dossier.Name} ({dossier.SpeciesId}) - life event";
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            line = kindPrefix;
+        }
+
+        AppendHistory(ChronicleKind.Other, unit, null, line);
         return true;
     }
 
@@ -620,9 +672,12 @@ public static class Chronicle
             return;
         }
 
+        StampWorldDate(out double worldTime, out string dateLabel);
         ChronicleEntry entry = new ChronicleEntry
         {
             CreatedAt = Time.unscaledTime,
+            WorldTime = worldTime,
+            DateLabel = dateLabel,
             Kind = kind,
             SubjectId = subjectId,
             OtherId = other != null ? other.getID() : 0,
@@ -647,7 +702,7 @@ public static class Chronicle
             }
         }
 
-        LogService.LogInfo($"[IdleSpectator][CHRONICLE][History:{subjectId}] {line}");
+        LogService.LogInfo($"[IdleSpectator][CHRONICLE][History:{subjectId}] {entry.DisplayLine}");
     }
 
     private static void AppendWorld(Actor unit, string line, Vector3 fallbackPosition)
@@ -657,9 +712,12 @@ public static class Chronicle
             return;
         }
 
+        StampWorldDate(out double worldTime, out string dateLabel);
         ChronicleEntry entry = new ChronicleEntry
         {
             CreatedAt = Time.unscaledTime,
+            WorldTime = worldTime,
+            DateLabel = dateLabel,
             Kind = ChronicleKind.World,
             SubjectId = unit != null ? unit.getID() : 0,
             OtherId = 0,
@@ -678,7 +736,44 @@ public static class Chronicle
             }
         }
 
-        LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator][CHRONICLE][World] " + line);
+        LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator][CHRONICLE][World] " + entry.DisplayLine);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Capture current WorldBox calendar as month + year (e.g. <c>January 1</c>).
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void StampWorldDate(out double worldTime, out string dateLabel)
+    {
+        worldTime = 0;
+        dateLabel = "";
+        try
+        {
+            if (World.world == null)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            worldTime = World.world.getCurWorldTime();
+            int[] raw = Date.getRawDate(worldTime);
+            if (raw == null || raw.Length < 3)
+            {
+                dateLabel = "y" + Date.getCurrentYear() + " m" + Date.getCurrentMonth();
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // raw: [day, month, year] - UI uses month + year only
+            string monthName = Date.formatMonth(raw[1]);
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(monthName))
+            {
+                monthName = "m" + raw[1];
+            }
+
+            dateLabel = monthName + " " + raw[2];
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            dateLabel = "";
+        }
     }
 
     private static string PairKey(long a, long b)
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/ChronicleHud.cs b/IdleSpectator/ChronicleHud.cs
index ee83e87..32f3aa4 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/ChronicleHud.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/ChronicleHud.cs
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ namespace IdleSpectator;
 /// </summary>
 public static class ChronicleHud
 {
-    private const float PanelWidth = 260f;
-    private const float PanelHeight = 186f;
-    private const int MaxVisibleRows = 5;
-    private const float RowHeight = 24f;
+    private const float PanelWidth = 380f;
+    private const float PanelHeight = 280f;
+    private const int MaxVisibleRows = 24;
+    private const float RowHeightMin = 28f;
     private const float KindIconSize = 14f;
     private const float TitleIconSize = 16f;
 
@@ -129,11 +129,11 @@ public static class ChronicleHud
 
         VerticalLayoutGroup layout = contentGo.GetComponent<VerticalLayoutGroup>();
         layout.childAlignment = TextAnchor.UpperCenter;
-        layout.childControlHeight = false;
+        layout.childControlHeight = true;
         layout.childControlWidth = true;
         layout.childForceExpandHeight = false;
         layout.childForceExpandWidth = true;
-        layout.spacing = 2f;
+        layout.spacing = 3f;
         layout.padding = new RectOffset(0, 0, 0, 0);
 
         ContentSizeFitter fitter = contentGo.GetComponent<ContentSizeFitter>();
@@ -378,46 +378,69 @@ public static class ChronicleHud
     {
         GameObject go = new GameObject("Empty", typeof(RectTransform), typeof(LayoutElement));
         RectTransform rt = go.GetComponent<RectTransform>();
-        rt.sizeDelta = new Vector2(PanelWidth - 16f, RowHeight);
+        rt.sizeDelta = new Vector2(PanelWidth - 16f, RowHeightMin);
         LayoutElement le = go.GetComponent<LayoutElement>();
-        le.minHeight = RowHeight;
-        le.preferredHeight = RowHeight;
+        le.minHeight = RowHeightMin;
+        le.preferredHeight = RowHeightMin;
 
         Text label = HudCanvas.MakeText(go.transform, "Text", text, 9);
         Stretch(label.GetComponent<RectTransform>(), 4f);
         label.alignment = TextAnchor.MiddleLeft;
         label.color = new Color(0.65f, 0.68f, 0.72f, 0.95f);
+        label.resizeTextForBestFit = false;
+        label.horizontalOverflow = HorizontalWrapMode.Wrap;
+        label.verticalOverflow = VerticalWrapMode.Overflow;
         return go;
     }
 
     private static GameObject BuildClickableRow(ChronicleEntry entry, int index)
     {
-        GameObject go = new GameObject($"Row_{index}", typeof(RectTransform), typeof(Image), typeof(Button), typeof(LayoutElement));
+        GameObject go = new GameObject(
+            $"Row_{index}",
+            typeof(RectTransform),
+            typeof(Image),
+            typeof(Button),
+            typeof(LayoutElement),
+            typeof(ContentSizeFitter));
         RectTransform rt = go.GetComponent<RectTransform>();
-        rt.sizeDelta = new Vector2(PanelWidth - 16f, RowHeight);
+        rt.sizeDelta = new Vector2(PanelWidth - 16f, RowHeightMin);
+
         LayoutElement le = go.GetComponent<LayoutElement>();
-        le.minHeight = RowHeight;
-        le.preferredHeight = RowHeight;
+        le.minHeight = RowHeightMin;
+        le.preferredHeight = -1f;
+
+        ContentSizeFitter rowFit = go.GetComponent<ContentSizeFitter>();
+        rowFit.verticalFit = ContentSizeFitter.FitMode.PreferredSize;
+        rowFit.horizontalFit = ContentSizeFitter.FitMode.Unconstrained;
 
         Image bg = go.GetComponent<Image>();
         bg.color = new Color(1f, 1f, 1f, 0.03f);
 
         Image kindIcon = HudCanvas.MakeIcon(go.transform, "Kind", KindIconSize);
         RectTransform kindRt = kindIcon.GetComponent<RectTransform>();
-        kindRt.anchorMin = new Vector2(0f, 0.5f);
-        kindRt.anchorMax = new Vector2(0f, 0.5f);
-        kindRt.pivot = new Vector2(0.5f, 0.5f);
-        kindRt.anchoredPosition = new Vector2(10f, 0f);
+        kindRt.anchorMin = new Vector2(0f, 1f);
+        kindRt.anchorMax = new Vector2(0f, 1f);
+        kindRt.pivot = new Vector2(0.5f, 1f);
+        kindRt.anchoredPosition = new Vector2(10f, -7f);
         HudIcons.Apply(kindIcon, HudIcons.ForChronicleKind(entry.Kind));
 
-        Text label = HudCanvas.MakeText(go.transform, "Text", Truncate(entry.Line, 40), 9);
+        Text label = HudCanvas.MakeText(go.transform, "Text", entry.DisplayLineRich, 9);
         RectTransform labelRt = label.GetComponent<RectTransform>();
-        labelRt.anchorMin = Vector2.zero;
-        labelRt.anchorMax = Vector2.one;
-        labelRt.offsetMin = new Vector2(22f, 1f);
-        labelRt.offsetMax = new Vector2(-4f, -1f);
-        label.alignment = TextAnchor.MiddleLeft;
+        labelRt.anchorMin = new Vector2(0f, 0f);
+        labelRt.anchorMax = new Vector2(1f, 1f);
+        labelRt.offsetMin = new Vector2(22f, 4f);
+        labelRt.offsetMax = new Vector2(-6f, -4f);
+        label.alignment = TextAnchor.UpperLeft;
         label.color = ColorForKind(entry.Kind);
+        label.supportRichText = true;
+        label.resizeTextForBestFit = false;
+        label.horizontalOverflow = HorizontalWrapMode.Wrap;
+        label.verticalOverflow = VerticalWrapMode.Overflow;
+
+        // Drive row height from wrapped text preferred height.
+        ContentSizeFitter textFit = label.gameObject.AddComponent<ContentSizeFitter>();
+        textFit.verticalFit = ContentSizeFitter.FitMode.PreferredSize;
+        textFit.horizontalFit = ContentSizeFitter.FitMode.Unconstrained;
 
         Button button = go.GetComponent<Button>();
         ColorBlock colors = button.colors;
@@ -430,7 +453,7 @@ public static class ChronicleHud
         button.onClick.AddListener(new UnityAction(() =>
         {
             bool ok = Chronicle.JumpTo(captured);
-            LogService.LogInfo($"[IdleSpectator][CHRONICLE] jump ok={ok} line={captured.Line}");
+            LogService.LogInfo($"[IdleSpectator][CHRONICLE] jump ok={ok} line={captured.DisplayLine}");
         }));
 
         return go;
@@ -462,14 +485,4 @@ public static class ChronicleHud
         rt.offsetMin = new Vector2(pad, 1f);
         rt.offsetMax = new Vector2(-pad, -1f);
     }
-
-    private static string Truncate(string s, int max)
-    {
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(s) || s.Length <= max)
-        {
-            return s ?? "";
-        }
-
-        return s.Substring(0, max - 3) + "...";
-    }
 }
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/HarnessScenarios.cs b/IdleSpectator/HarnessScenarios.cs
index 97836de..01c7152 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/HarnessScenarios.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/HarnessScenarios.cs
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
             Step("c50", "simulate_input"),
             Step("c51", "wait", wait: 0.25f),
             Step("c52", "assert", expect: "idle", value: "false"),
+            Step("c52b", "assert", expect: "caption_contains", value: "Paused"),
             Step("c53", "assert", expect: "no_bad"),
 
             Step("c99", "snapshot"),
@@ -416,10 +417,20 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
             Step("ch13", "chronicle_force", label: "Killed"),
             Step("ch14", "assert", expect: "chronicle_count", value: "1", label: "min"),
             Step("ch15", "assert", expect: "chronicle_latest_contains", value: "Killed"),
+            Step("ch15a2", "assert", expect: "chronicle_latest_dated"),
             Step("ch15b", "assert", expect: "chronicle_latest_contains", value: "auto"),
             Step("ch15c", "wait", wait: 0.2f),
             Step("ch15d", "assert", expect: "dossier_history_contains", value: "Killed"),
 
+            // Long event wraps in the narrow dossier history column (no wider panel).
+            Step("ch15e", "chronicle_force",
+                label: "Became legendary after surviving the great crab migration across three kingdoms, returning home with a stolen crown, and telling the tale for forty winters"),
+            Step("ch15f", "wait", wait: 0.35f),
+            Step("ch15g", "assert", expect: "dossier_history_contains", value: "crab migration"),
+            Step("ch15h", "assert", expect: "caption_layout_ok"),
+            Step("ch15i", "screenshot", value: "hud-dossier-long-hist.png"),
+            Step("ch15j", "wait", wait: 0.65f),
+
             // Death-cause wording samples (victim POV)
             Step("ch16a", "chronicle_death_sample", value: "Age"),
             Step("ch16b", "assert", expect: "chronicle_latest_contains", value: "old age"),
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs b/IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs
index d86ce93..b4da004 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs
@@ -241,8 +241,8 @@ public static class InterestDirector
 
     private static void ExitFromManualInput()
     {
-        SpectatorMode.SetActive(false);
-        WorldTip.showNowTop("Idle Spectator paused (manual input)", pTranslate: false);
+        SpectatorMode.SetActive(false, quiet: true);
+        WatchCaption.ShowStatusBanner("Paused (manual input)");
         LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator] Spectator paused (manual input)");
     }
 
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/SpectatorMode.cs b/IdleSpectator/SpectatorMode.cs
index 9c5be0e..31b52c2 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/SpectatorMode.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/SpectatorMode.cs
@@ -19,11 +19,10 @@ public static class SpectatorMode
         SetActive(!Active);
     }
 
-    public static void SetActive(bool active)
+    public static void SetActive(bool active, bool quiet = false)
     {
         if (active && !ModSettings.Enabled)
         {
-            WorldTip.showNowTop("Idle Spectator disabled in mod settings", pTranslate: false);
             LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator] Enable blocked: disabled in settings");
             return;
         }
@@ -40,8 +39,7 @@ public static class SpectatorMode
             SpeciesDiscovery.OnSpectatorEnabled();
             Chronicle.OnSpectatorEnabled();
             FocusRelationshipArrows.OnSpectatorEnabled();
-            WorldTip.showNowTop("Idle Spectator ON (I or any input to stop; F9 chronicle)", pTranslate: false);
-            LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator] Spectator mode enabled");
+            LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator] Spectator mode enabled (I or any input to stop; F9 chronicle)");
         }
         else
         {
@@ -49,10 +47,17 @@ public static class SpectatorMode
             SpeciesDiscovery.OnSpectatorDisabled();
             FocusRelationshipArrows.OnSpectatorDisabled();
             CameraDirector.ClearFollow();
-            WatchCaption.Clear();
-            StateProbe.Reset();
-            WorldTip.showNowTop("Idle Spectator OFF", pTranslate: false);
-            LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator] Spectator mode disabled");
+            if (quiet)
+            {
+                // Manual-input pause: leave dossier up so ShowStatusBanner can reuse it.
+                StateProbe.Reset();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                WatchCaption.Clear();
+                StateProbe.Reset();
+                LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator] Spectator mode disabled");
+            }
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs b/IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs
index 61c3f10..8a98ec6 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs
@@ -10,23 +10,29 @@ namespace IdleSpectator;
 /// </summary>
 public static class WatchCaption
 {
-    private const float PanelWidthMax = 340f;
+    private const float PanelWidthMax = 420f;
     private const float SpeciesSize = 16f;
     private const float SexSize = 14f;
     private const float LiveMax = 44f;
     private const float ChipIcon = 12f;
     private const float TraitIcon = 12f;
     private const float HistoryIcon = 10f;
-    private const float HistoryColW = 118f;
+    private const float HistoryColMinW = 118f;
     private const float PadX = 4f;
     private const float PadTop = 4f;
     private const float HeaderH = 18f;
     private const float BodyH = 44f;
     private const float TraitsH = 14f;
-    private const float ReasonH = 12f;
-    private const float HistoryLineH = 13f;
+    private const float ReasonH = 14f;
+    private const float HistoryLineMinH = 13f;
+    private const float HistoryLineMaxH = 72f;
     private const float Gap = 2f;
     private const int HistoryMax = 3;
+    private const float StatusBannerSeconds = 5f;
+
+    /// <summary>History column grows with content until the dossier hits <see cref="PanelWidthMax"/>.</summary>
+    private static float HistoryColMaxW =>
+        Mathf.Max(HistoryColMinW, PanelWidthMax - PadX * 2f - LiveMax - 4f);
 
     private static float _panelWidth = LiveMax + PadX * 2f;
 
@@ -36,6 +42,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
     private static readonly Color ReasonColor = new Color(0.95f, 0.72f, 0.38f, 1f);
     private static readonly Color TraitNameColor = new Color(0.78f, 0.8f, 0.84f, 1f);
     private static readonly Color HistoryTextColor = new Color(0.82f, 0.84f, 0.86f, 1f);
+    private static readonly Color StatusBannerColor = new Color(1f, 0.55f, 0.18f, 1f);
 
     private static GameObject _root;
     private static RectTransform _rootRt;
@@ -54,12 +61,16 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
     private static GameObject _historyCol;
     private static readonly HistorySlot[] _historySlots = new HistorySlot[HistoryMax];
+    private static readonly float[] _historySlotHeights = new float[HistoryMax];
+    private static float _historyColW = HistoryColMinW;
     private static int _lastHistoryCount = -1;
     private static long _lastHistorySubjectId;
 
     private static UnitDossier _current;
     private static Actor _boundActor;
     private static bool _visible;
+    private static string _statusBanner = "";
+    private static float _statusBannerUntil;
 
     private sealed class TraitSlot
     {
@@ -135,10 +146,54 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         LastLayoutOk = false;
         _lastHistoryCount = -1;
         _lastHistorySubjectId = 0;
+        _historyColW = HistoryColMinW;
+        _statusBanner = "";
+        _statusBannerUntil = 0f;
         ApplyVisual(null, null);
         SetVisible(false);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Show a short status line on the dossier (replaces the top WorldTip for pause exits).
+    /// </summary>
+    public static void ShowStatusBanner(string message, float seconds = StatusBannerSeconds)
+    {
+        if (!ModSettings.ShowDossierCaption || string.IsNullOrEmpty(message))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        EnsureBuilt();
+        _statusBanner = message;
+        _statusBannerUntil = Time.unscaledTime + Mathf.Max(0.5f, seconds);
+
+        if (_nameText != null && (string.IsNullOrEmpty(_nameText.text) || _current == null))
+        {
+            _nameText.text = "Idle Spectator";
+            LastHeadline = "Idle Spectator";
+        }
+
+        if (_reasonText != null)
+        {
+            _reasonText.text = message;
+            _reasonText.color = StatusBannerColor;
+            _reasonText.supportRichText = false;
+            _reasonText.resizeTextForBestFit = false;
+            _reasonText.horizontalOverflow = HorizontalWrapMode.Wrap;
+            _reasonText.verticalOverflow = VerticalWrapMode.Overflow;
+            _reasonText.gameObject.SetActive(true);
+        }
+
+        LastCaptionText = (LastHeadline ?? "Idle Spectator") + " | " + message;
+        int hist = CountActiveHistorySlots();
+        int traits = CountActiveTraitSlots();
+        bool hasTask = _taskText != null && _taskText.gameObject.activeSelf;
+        bool hasBody = _boundActor != null || hist > 0 || _current != null;
+        Relayout(hasBody, traits, hasTask, hasReason: true, hist);
+        SetVisible(true);
+        LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator][CAPTION] status=" + message);
+    }
+
     public static void SetFromInterest(InterestEvent interest)
     {
         Actor unit = interest != null && interest.HasFollowUnit
@@ -174,6 +229,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
     public static void SetFromActor(Actor actor, InterestTier? tier = null, string label = null)
     {
+        ClearStatusBanner();
         UnitDossier dossier = UnitDossier.FromActor(actor, tier, label);
         _current = dossier;
         _boundActor = actor;
@@ -188,6 +244,22 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
     public static void Update()
     {
+        if (HasStatusBanner())
+        {
+            if (!_visible && ModSettings.ShowDossierCaption)
+            {
+                SetVisible(true);
+            }
+
+            if (!SpectatorMode.Active)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // Idle resumed - drop banner and restore normal reason styling next ApplyVisual.
+            ClearStatusBanner();
+        }
+
         if (!SpectatorMode.Active || !ModSettings.ShowDossierCaption)
         {
             if (_visible)
@@ -219,6 +291,49 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         RefreshHistoryIfChanged();
     }
 
+    private static bool HasStatusBanner()
+    {
+        return !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_statusBanner) && Time.unscaledTime < _statusBannerUntil;
+    }
+
+    private static void ClearStatusBanner()
+    {
+        _statusBanner = "";
+        _statusBannerUntil = 0f;
+        if (_reasonText != null)
+        {
+            _reasonText.color = ReasonColor;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static int CountActiveHistorySlots()
+    {
+        int n = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < _historySlots.Length; i++)
+        {
+            if (_historySlots[i]?.Root != null && _historySlots[i].Root.activeSelf)
+            {
+                n++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return n;
+    }
+
+    private static int CountActiveTraitSlots()
+    {
+        int n = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < _traitSlots.Length; i++)
+        {
+            if (_traitSlots[i]?.Root != null && _traitSlots[i].Root.activeSelf)
+            {
+                n++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return n;
+    }
+
     private static void RefreshLivePortrait()
     {
         if (!_visible)
@@ -471,6 +586,12 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
         int shown = 0;
         LastHistoryPreview = "";
+        _historyColW = HistoryColMinW;
+        for (int i = 0; i < _historySlotHeights.Length; i++)
+        {
+            _historySlotHeights[i] = HistoryLineMinH;
+        }
+
         if (_historyCol == null)
         {
             return 0;
@@ -483,6 +604,42 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         }
 
         _historyCol.SetActive(true);
+
+        // Pass 1: grow the history column toward content width (capped by dossier max).
+        float widestLabel = 0f;
+        for (int i = 0; i < _historySlots.Length; i++)
+        {
+            HistorySlot slot = _historySlots[i];
+            if (slot?.Label == null || i >= entries.Count || entries[i] == null)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            Text label = slot.Label;
+            label.supportRichText = true;
+            label.resizeTextForBestFit = false;
+            label.horizontalOverflow = HorizontalWrapMode.Overflow;
+            label.verticalOverflow = VerticalWrapMode.Overflow;
+            label.alignment = TextAnchor.UpperLeft;
+            label.text = entries[i].DisplayLineRich ?? "";
+            Canvas.ForceUpdateCanvases();
+            try
+            {
+                widestLabel = Mathf.Max(widestLabel, label.preferredWidth);
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                widestLabel = Mathf.Max(widestLabel, (entries[i].DisplayLine ?? "").Length * 6.2f);
+            }
+        }
+
+        _historyColW = Mathf.Clamp(
+            widestLabel + HistoryIcon + 4f,
+            HistoryColMinW,
+            HistoryColMaxW);
+        float labelW = Mathf.Max(24f, _historyColW - HistoryIcon - 2f);
+
+        // Pass 2: wrap at the chosen column width and size each row height.
         for (int i = 0; i < _historySlots.Length; i++)
         {
             HistorySlot slot = _historySlots[i];
@@ -496,20 +653,33 @@ public static class WatchCaption
                 ChronicleEntry e = entries[i];
                 slot.Root.SetActive(true);
                 HudIcons.Apply(slot.Icon, HudIcons.ForChronicleKind(e.Kind));
-                string line = e.Line ?? "";
-                if (line.Length > 28)
-                {
-                    line = line.Substring(0, 27) + "...";
-                }
-
                 if (slot.Label != null)
                 {
-                    slot.Label.text = line;
+                    slot.Label.horizontalOverflow = HorizontalWrapMode.Wrap;
+                    slot.Label.verticalOverflow = VerticalWrapMode.Overflow;
+                    slot.Label.text = e.DisplayLineRich ?? "";
+                    RectTransform lrt = slot.Label.GetComponent<RectTransform>();
+                    lrt.SetSizeWithCurrentAnchors(RectTransform.Axis.Horizontal, labelW);
+                    Canvas.ForceUpdateCanvases();
+                    float needed = HistoryLineMinH;
+                    try
+                    {
+                        needed = Mathf.Max(HistoryLineMinH, slot.Label.preferredHeight + 4f);
+                    }
+                    catch
+                    {
+                        int chars = (e.DisplayLine ?? "").Length;
+                        int perLine = Mathf.Max(12, (int)(labelW / 6.2f));
+                        int lines = Mathf.Max(1, (chars + perLine - 1) / perLine);
+                        needed = HistoryLineMinH * lines;
+                    }
+
+                    _historySlotHeights[i] = Mathf.Clamp(needed, HistoryLineMinH, HistoryLineMaxH);
                 }
 
                 if (shown == 0)
                 {
-                    LastHistoryPreview = e.Line ?? "";
+                    LastHistoryPreview = e.DisplayLine ?? "";
                 }
 
                 shown++;
@@ -517,12 +687,36 @@ public static class WatchCaption
             else
             {
                 slot.Root.SetActive(false);
+                _historySlotHeights[i] = 0f;
             }
         }
 
         return shown;
     }
 
+    private static float MeasureHistoryColumnHeight(int historyCount)
+    {
+        if (historyCount <= 0)
+        {
+            return BodyH;
+        }
+
+        float total = 0f;
+        int used = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < _historySlotHeights.Length && used < historyCount; i++)
+        {
+            if (_historySlotHeights[i] <= 0.01f)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            total += _historySlotHeights[i];
+            used++;
+        }
+
+        return Mathf.Max(BodyH, total);
+    }
+
     private static void Relayout(bool hasBody, int traitCount, bool hasTask, bool hasReason, int historyCount)
     {
         float y = PadTop;
@@ -535,11 +729,12 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
         if (hasBody)
         {
-            PlaceBody(y, historyCount);
+            float bodyH = historyCount > 0 ? MeasureHistoryColumnHeight(historyCount) : BodyH;
+            PlaceBody(y, historyCount, bodyH);
             if (historyCount > 0)
             {
-                bodyW = LiveMax + 4f + HistoryColW;
-                y += BodyH + Gap;
+                bodyW = LiveMax + 4f + _historyColW;
+                y += bodyH + Gap;
             }
             else if (traitsBeside)
             {
@@ -690,7 +885,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         return fallback;
     }
 
-    private static void PlaceBody(float yFromTop, int historyCount)
+    private static void PlaceBody(float yFromTop, int historyCount, float bodyH)
     {
         DossierAvatar.Place(PadX, yFromTop, LiveMax);
 
@@ -711,8 +906,9 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         col.anchorMax = new Vector2(0f, 1f);
         col.pivot = new Vector2(0f, 1f);
         col.anchoredPosition = new Vector2(PadX + LiveMax + 4f, -yFromTop);
-        col.sizeDelta = new Vector2(HistoryColW, BodyH);
+        col.sizeDelta = new Vector2(_historyColW, bodyH);
 
+        float top = 0f;
         for (int i = 0; i < _historySlots.Length; i++)
         {
             HistorySlot slot = _historySlots[i];
@@ -721,21 +917,22 @@ public static class WatchCaption
                 continue;
             }
 
+            float lineH = _historySlotHeights[i] > 0.01f ? _historySlotHeights[i] : HistoryLineMinH;
             RectTransform rt = slot.Root.GetComponent<RectTransform>();
             rt.anchorMin = new Vector2(0f, 1f);
             rt.anchorMax = new Vector2(1f, 1f);
             rt.pivot = new Vector2(0.5f, 1f);
-            float top = i * HistoryLineH;
-            rt.offsetMin = new Vector2(0f, -(top + HistoryLineH));
+            rt.offsetMin = new Vector2(0f, -(top + lineH));
             rt.offsetMax = new Vector2(0f, -top);
+            top += lineH;
 
             if (slot.Icon != null)
             {
                 RectTransform irt = slot.Icon.GetComponent<RectTransform>();
-                irt.anchorMin = new Vector2(0f, 0.5f);
-                irt.anchorMax = new Vector2(0f, 0.5f);
-                irt.pivot = new Vector2(0f, 0.5f);
-                irt.anchoredPosition = Vector2.zero;
+                irt.anchorMin = new Vector2(0f, 1f);
+                irt.anchorMax = new Vector2(0f, 1f);
+                irt.pivot = new Vector2(0f, 1f);
+                irt.anchoredPosition = new Vector2(0f, -1f);
                 irt.sizeDelta = new Vector2(HistoryIcon, HistoryIcon);
             }
 
@@ -745,7 +942,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
                 lrt.anchorMin = new Vector2(0f, 0f);
                 lrt.anchorMax = new Vector2(1f, 1f);
                 lrt.offsetMin = new Vector2(HistoryIcon + 2f, 0f);
-                lrt.offsetMax = Vector2.zero;
+                lrt.offsetMax = new Vector2(0f, -1f);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -817,7 +1014,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         row.anchoredPosition = new Vector2(PadX + LiveMax + 4f, -yFromTop);
         row.sizeDelta = new Vector2(colW, BodyH);
 
-        float line = Mathf.Min(HistoryLineH, BodyH / Mathf.Max(1, traitCount));
+        float line = Mathf.Min(HistoryLineMinH, BodyH / Mathf.Max(1, traitCount));
         int shown = 0;
         for (int i = 0; i < _traitSlots.Length; i++)
         {
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/mod.json b/IdleSpectator/mod.json
index 69d3b78..648131e 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/mod.json
+++ b/IdleSpectator/mod.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "IdleSpectator",
   "author": "dazed",
-  "version": "0.9.22",
-  "description": "AFK Idle Spectator (I) + Chronicle (F9). Focus arrows respect vanilla toggles.",
+  "version": "0.9.28",
+  "description": "AFK Idle Spectator (I) + Chronicle (F9). Dossier grows wide before history wraps.",
   "GUID": "com.dazed.idlespectator"
 }