diff --git a/src/components/ClinicalDashboard.tsx b/src/components/ClinicalDashboard.tsx
index a6d1fd98eb..707ed02bad 100644
--- a/src/components/ClinicalDashboard.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ClinicalDashboard.tsx
@@ -72,10 +72,10 @@ import { SystemNotice, DegradedNotice } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/da
 import { sanitizeAnswerDisplayText, sanitizeDisplayText } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/display-text";
 import { isPreformattedGroundedAnswer } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-content";
 import {
-  AnswerEmptyState,
   AnswerProgressStepper,
   AnswerSkeleton,
   SearchProgressBanner,
+  SharedHomeEmptyState,
 } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-status";
 import {
   type AnswerProgressUpdate,
@@ -3383,6 +3383,7 @@ export function ClinicalDashboard({
           composerFollowUpSuggestions={searchMode === "answer" ? answerFollowUpSuggestions : undefined}
           onPickComposerFollowUpSuggestion={handlePickFollowUpSuggestion}
           composerFollowUpSuggestionsDisabled={loading}
+          sharedHomeIdentity={showSharedHome}
           composerPlaceholder={searchMode === "answer" && latestAnswerQuery ? "Ask a follow-up..." : undefined}
           mobileSearchPlacement={hasMobileBottomSearch ? "bottom" : "default"}
           // Every phone dock is the compact single-row pill so content keeps
@@ -3661,10 +3662,11 @@ export function ClinicalDashboard({
 
                 {showSharedHome ? (
                   // The one home surface, shared by all 13 modes. It sits above every
-                  // mode-specific branch so picking a mode on `/` changes only the pill
-                  // and the composer placeholder; the mode's own content stays behind
+                  // mode-specific branch so picking a mode on `/` changes only its
+                  // presentation and composer target; mode-owned content stays behind
                   // its own route (/tools, /favourites, /dsm, …).
-                  <AnswerEmptyState
+                  <SharedHomeEmptyState
+                    modeId={searchMode}
                     desktopComposerSlotId={desktopHomeComposerSlotId}
                     recentQueries={recentQueries}
                     onSelectRecent={(recentQuery) => {
diff --git a/src/components/answer-home-proposal-mockups.tsx b/src/components/answer-home-proposal-mockups.tsx
index 3777932338..eda7ead82b 100644
--- a/src/components/answer-home-proposal-mockups.tsx
+++ b/src/components/answer-home-proposal-mockups.tsx
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import { cn } from "@/components/ui-primitives";
 // Pinned by tests/privacy-ui.test.ts and reproduced verbatim on both sides:
 // "Do not enter patient-identifiable information." and the "Privacy and data
 // processing" link to /privacy. The subtitle is ordinary product copy
-// (src/lib/ui-copy.ts, answerEmptyState.subheading) and is not pinned.
+// (src/lib/ui-copy.ts, sharedHomePresentation.answer.subtitle) and is not pinned.
 
 const OBLIGATION = "Do not enter patient-identifiable information.";
 const PRIVACY_LINK = "Privacy and data processing";
diff --git a/src/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-status.tsx b/src/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-status.tsx
index d86ab1b616..dbb8c5b506 100644
--- a/src/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-status.tsx
+++ b/src/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-status.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useLayoutEffect, useRef, type CSSProperties } from "react";
-import { Check, Circle, Clipboard, ClipboardCheck, History, Loader2, MessageSquareText, Square } from "lucide-react";
+import { Check, Circle, Clipboard, ClipboardCheck, History, Loader2, Square } from "lucide-react";
 
 import {
   answerProgressDisplayMessage,
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@ import { AnswerSuggestionChips } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-su
 import { useAppPreferences } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/use-app-preferences";
 import { ModeHomeTemplate } from "@/components/mode-home-template";
 import { cn, floatingControl, sourceCard } from "@/components/ui-primitives";
-import { answerEmptyState, answerLoading, copyButton } from "@/lib/ui-copy";
+import { appModeIcons } from "@/lib/app-mode-icons";
+import type { AppModeId } from "@/lib/app-modes";
+import { answerLoading, copyButton, sharedHomeEmptyState, sharedHomePresentation } from "@/lib/ui-copy";
 
 export function CopyButton({
   label,
@@ -47,11 +49,13 @@ export function CopyButton({
   );
 }
 
-export function AnswerEmptyState({
+export function SharedHomeEmptyState({
+  modeId,
   desktopComposerSlotId,
   recentQueries = [],
   onSelectRecent,
 }: {
+  modeId: AppModeId;
   desktopComposerSlotId?: string;
   recentQueries?: string[];
   onSelectRecent?: (query: string) => void;
@@ -65,25 +69,27 @@ export function AnswerEmptyState({
     onSelectRecent && preferences.showRecentOnHome
       ? recentQueries.filter((entry) => entry.trim().length > 0).slice(0, 5)
       : [];
+  const presentation = sharedHomePresentation[modeId];
 
   return (
     <ModeHomeTemplate
-      testId="answer-empty-state"
-      title={answerEmptyState.heading}
-      subtitle={answerEmptyState.subheading}
-      icon={MessageSquareText}
+      testId="shared-home-empty-state"
+      title={presentation.title}
+      subtitle={presentation.subtitle}
+      icon={appModeIcons[modeId]}
       headingLevel={2}
+      stabilizePhoneCopy
       desktopComposerSlotId={desktopComposerSlotId}
-      actionsLabel={answerEmptyState.starterActionsLabel}
+      actionsLabel={sharedHomeEmptyState.starterActionsLabel}
       actions={[]}
       footer={
         <div className="grid w-full gap-3">
           {recents.length > 0 && (
             <AnswerSuggestionChips
-              testId="answer-recent-queries"
+              testId="shared-home-recent-queries"
               suggestions={recents}
               onPick={(entry) => onSelectRecent?.(entry)}
-              label={answerEmptyState.recentLabel}
+              label={sharedHomeEmptyState.recentLabel}
               layout="wrap"
               className="justify-center"
               icon={History}
diff --git a/src/components/clinical-dashboard/master-search-header.tsx b/src/components/clinical-dashboard/master-search-header.tsx
index 69f223a36f..d76266e2d2 100644
--- a/src/components/clinical-dashboard/master-search-header.tsx
+++ b/src/components/clinical-dashboard/master-search-header.tsx
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import { PrivacyInputNotice } from "@/components/privacy-input-notice";
 import { restoreFocusUnlessMoved, useDismissableLayer } from "@/components/use-dismissable-layer";
 import { useHideOnScroll } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/use-hide-on-scroll";
 import { useEventCallback } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/use-event-callback";
+import { BrandMark } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/brand";
 import { PhoneFooterLayerPortal } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/phone-footer-layer-portal";
 import { AnswerFollowUpSuggestions } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-follow-up-suggestions";
 import { SearchPinsMenu } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/search-pins-menu";
@@ -189,6 +190,7 @@ export function MasterSearchHeader({
   onPickComposerFollowUpSuggestion,
   composerFollowUpSuggestionsDisabled = false,
   headerVariant = "default",
+  sharedHomeIdentity = false,
   mobileSearchPlacement = "default",
   mobileBottomSearchVariant = "default",
   desktopSearchPlacement = "default",
@@ -241,6 +243,8 @@ export function MasterSearchHeader({
   onPickComposerFollowUpSuggestion?: (suggestion: string) => void;
   composerFollowUpSuggestionsDisabled?: boolean;
   headerVariant?: "default" | "workflow";
+  /** Keep the product identity stable while `/` retargets between modes. */
+  sharedHomeIdentity?: boolean;
   mobileSearchPlacement?: "default" | "bottom";
   /** "compact" drops the phone footer chip row and hugs the bottom edge so
    *  content keeps maximum screen space. Every phone dock uses it now; the
@@ -486,6 +490,7 @@ export function MasterSearchHeader({
   const modeMenuRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
   const modeButtonRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement | null>(null);
   const modeOptionRefs = useRef<Array<HTMLButtonElement | null>>([]);
+  const pendingModeSelectionFocusRef = useRef<AppModeId | null>(null);
   const prefetchedModeHrefsRef = useRef(new Set<string>());
   const scopePopoverRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
   const actionMenuTriggerRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement | null>(null);
@@ -501,6 +506,29 @@ export function MasterSearchHeader({
         .filter((document): document is ClinicalDocument => Boolean(document)),
     [documentById, selectedDocumentIds],
   );
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const pendingMode = pendingModeSelectionFocusRef.current;
+    if (modeMenuOpen || pendingMode === null || pendingMode !== searchMode) return undefined;
+
+    let settledFrame: number | null = null;
+    const frame = window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      settledFrame = window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+        if (pendingModeSelectionFocusRef.current !== searchMode) return;
+        // Phone Sheet may still mount #app-mode-menu during exit animation.
+        // Leave pending armed so a later searchMode tick (or same-mode retry)
+        // can finish restore instead of giving up on a no-op.
+        if (document.getElementById("app-mode-menu")) return;
+        restoreFocusUnlessMoved(modeButtonRef.current);
+        pendingModeSelectionFocusRef.current = null;
+      });
+    });
+
+    return () => {
+      window.cancelAnimationFrame(frame);
+      if (settledFrame !== null) window.cancelAnimationFrame(settledFrame);
+    };
+  }, [modeMenuOpen, searchMode]);
   const scopeSummary = selectedDocumentIds.length === 0 ? "All documents" : `${selectedDocumentIds.length} scoped`;
   const scopePreview = useMemo(
     () =>
@@ -822,6 +850,33 @@ export function MasterSearchHeader({
   function selectAppMode(mode: (typeof appModeDefinitions)[number]) {
     setModeMenuOpen(false);
     if (isSearchableAppMode(mode.id)) {
+      // Wait until the URL-owned mode prop settles before returning focus. The
+      // trigger's accessible name changes with that prop; focusing in the click
+      // frame races the shared-home URL sync and can fall through to <body>.
+      //
+      // Same-mode reselect is different: shared-home replaceState keeps an
+      // identical URL, so searchMode never changes and the pending-focus effect
+      // gets only the menu-close tick — which can race phone Sheet teardown.
+      if (mode.id === searchMode) {
+        pendingModeSelectionFocusRef.current = mode.id;
+        onSearchModeChange(mode.id);
+        const restoreSameModeFocus = () => {
+          if (pendingModeSelectionFocusRef.current !== mode.id) return;
+          if (document.getElementById("app-mode-menu")) {
+            window.setTimeout(restoreSameModeFocus, 50);
+            return;
+          }
+          if (!restoreFocusUnlessMoved(modeButtonRef.current)) {
+            modeButtonRef.current?.focus({ preventScroll: true });
+          }
+          pendingModeSelectionFocusRef.current = null;
+        };
+        window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+          window.requestAnimationFrame(restoreSameModeFocus);
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+      pendingModeSelectionFocusRef.current = mode.id;
       onSearchModeChange(mode.id);
       return;
     }
@@ -993,10 +1048,7 @@ export function MasterSearchHeader({
           onFocus={() => prefetchModeDestination(mode.id)}
           onPointerEnter={() => prefetchModeDestination(mode.id)}
           onKeyDown={(event) => handleModeOptionKeyDown(event, index)}
-          onClick={() => {
-            selectAppMode(mode);
-            window.requestAnimationFrame(() => modeButtonRef.current?.focus());
-          }}
+          onClick={() => selectAppMode(mode)}
           className={cn(
             "relative grid w-full items-center gap-2 text-left transition focus-visible:outline focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-2 focus-visible:outline-[color:var(--focus)]",
             usesPhoneSearchLayout
@@ -2063,7 +2115,19 @@ export function MasterSearchHeader({
           >
             <Menu aria-hidden="true" className="h-5 w-5" />
           </button>
-          {isServicesMode ? (
+          {sharedHomeIdentity ? (
+            <div data-testid="shared-home-brand" className="hidden min-w-0 items-center gap-3 lg:flex">
+              <BrandMark className="h-10 w-10" />
+              <span className="min-w-0">
+                <span className="block truncate text-lg font-extrabold leading-5 text-[color:var(--text-heading)]">
+                  Clinical KB
+                </span>
+                <span className="block truncate text-xs font-semibold text-[color:var(--text-muted)]">
+                  Source-backed clinical search
+                </span>
+              </span>
+            </div>
+          ) : isServicesMode ? (
             <div className="hidden min-w-0 items-center gap-3 lg:flex">
               <span className="grid h-10 w-10 place-items-center rounded-xl bg-[color:var(--clinical-accent)] text-[color:var(--clinical-accent-contrast)] shadow-[var(--shadow-tight)]">
                 <ShieldCheck className="h-5 w-5" aria-hidden />
@@ -2109,7 +2173,7 @@ export function MasterSearchHeader({
               "universal-header-mode-button inline-grid min-w-0 grid-cols-[auto_minmax(0,1fr)_auto] items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-[color:var(--border)] bg-[color:var(--surface)] px-2.5 text-left transition hover:border-[color:var(--border-strong)] hover:bg-[color:var(--surface-subtle)] focus-visible:outline focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-2 focus-visible:outline-[color:var(--focus)]",
               isWorkflowHeader
                 ? "h-tap w-[min(11rem,calc(100vw-11rem))] sm:w-[12rem] sm:min-w-0 lg:w-[12.5rem]"
-                : "h-12 w-[min(13rem,calc(100vw-11.5rem))] sm:w-auto sm:min-w-[13rem] sm:pr-3",
+                : "h-12 w-[min(13rem,calc(100vw-9rem))] sm:w-auto sm:min-w-[13rem] sm:pr-3",
             )}
             aria-haspopup={usesPhoneSearchLayout ? "dialog" : "menu"}
             aria-expanded={modeMenuOpen}
diff --git a/src/components/mode-home-template.tsx b/src/components/mode-home-template.tsx
index 4f537fae6b..314240ac93 100644
--- a/src/components/mode-home-template.tsx
+++ b/src/components/mode-home-template.tsx
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ type ModeHomeTemplateProps = {
   footer?: ReactNode;
   className?: string;
   headingLevel?: 1 | 2;
+  stabilizePhoneCopy?: boolean;
 };
 
 const pillToneClass: Record<NonNullable<ModeHomePill["tone"]>, string> = {
@@ -59,12 +60,14 @@ export function ModeHomeHero({
   subtitle,
   icon: Icon,
   headingLevel = 1,
+  stabilizePhoneCopy = false,
 }: {
   testId?: string;
   title: string;
   subtitle: string;
   icon: LucideIcon;
   headingLevel?: 1 | 2;
+  stabilizePhoneCopy?: boolean;
 }) {
   const Heading = headingLevel === 1 ? "h1" : "h2";
 
@@ -84,11 +87,19 @@ export function ModeHomeHero({
       <div className="grid gap-1 sm:gap-1.5">
         <Heading
           id={`${testId ?? "mode-home"}-title`}
-          className="text-balance text-hero font-extrabold leading-display tracking-normal text-[color:var(--text-heading)]"
+          className={cn(
+            "text-balance text-hero font-extrabold leading-display tracking-normal text-[color:var(--text-heading)]",
+            stabilizePhoneCopy && "max-sm:grid max-sm:min-h-[2lh] max-sm:place-items-center",
+          )}
         >
           {title}
         </Heading>
-        <p className="mx-auto max-w-2xl text-pretty text-sm font-medium leading-5 text-[color:var(--text-muted)] sm:text-base-minus sm:leading-5 lg:text-base lg:leading-6">
+        <p
+          className={cn(
+            "mx-auto max-w-2xl text-pretty text-sm font-medium leading-5 text-[color:var(--text-muted)] sm:text-base-minus sm:leading-5 lg:text-base lg:leading-6",
+            stabilizePhoneCopy && "max-sm:grid max-sm:min-h-[2lh] max-sm:place-items-center",
+          )}
+        >
           {subtitle}
         </p>
       </div>
@@ -261,6 +272,7 @@ export function ModeHomeTemplate({
   footer,
   className,
   headingLevel = 1,
+  stabilizePhoneCopy = false,
 }: ModeHomeTemplateProps) {
   return (
     <div
@@ -270,7 +282,14 @@ export function ModeHomeTemplate({
         className,
       )}
     >
-      <ModeHomeHero testId={testId} title={title} subtitle={subtitle} icon={icon} headingLevel={headingLevel} />
+      <ModeHomeHero
+        testId={testId}
+        title={title}
+        subtitle={subtitle}
+        icon={icon}
+        headingLevel={headingLevel}
+        stabilizePhoneCopy={stabilizePhoneCopy}
+      />
 
       {/* Reserve settled composer height only while adoption is pending or the
           portal host is present. SSR starts pending so first paint does not CLS;
diff --git a/src/lib/app-modes.ts b/src/lib/app-modes.ts
index 45dab5be39..704ad37b77 100644
--- a/src/lib/app-modes.ts
+++ b/src/lib/app-modes.ts
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ export const appModeDefinitions = [
     href: "/formulation",
     search: {
       kind: "formulation",
-      placeholder: "Describe a pattern, mechanism, or clinical clue...",
+      placeholder: "Describe a pattern or clinical clue...",
       inputAriaLabel: "Search formulation mechanisms by pattern or patient language",
       submitIdleLabel: "Find",
       submitBusyLabel: "Find",
diff --git a/src/lib/ui-copy.ts b/src/lib/ui-copy.ts
index 6a16f1844b..bd3c2cc283 100644
--- a/src/lib/ui-copy.ts
+++ b/src/lib/ui-copy.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import type { AppModeId } from "@/lib/app-modes";
+
 /**
  * Central home for static, user-facing UI copy.
  *
@@ -12,9 +14,67 @@
  * never hardcoded here.
  */
 
-export const answerEmptyState = {
-  heading: "How can I help?",
-  subheading: "Ask a clinical question or search your documents.",
+export type SharedHomePresentation = {
+  title: string;
+  subtitle: string;
+};
+
+export const sharedHomePresentation = {
+  answer: {
+    title: "What can I help with?",
+    subtitle: "Ask a source-backed clinical question.",
+  },
+  documents: {
+    title: "Find a source?",
+    subtitle: "Search documents and evidence passages.",
+  },
+  services: {
+    title: "Find a service?",
+    subtitle: "Search services and referral pathways.",
+  },
+  forms: {
+    title: "Find a form?",
+    subtitle: "Search clinical forms and pathways.",
+  },
+  favourites: {
+    title: "Find a saved item?",
+    subtitle: "Search your saved clinical items.",
+  },
+  differentials: {
+    title: "What else could it be?",
+    subtitle: "Compare causes and clinical clues.",
+  },
+  dsm: {
+    title: "Check DSM-5 criteria?",
+    subtitle: "Search diagnoses, criteria, and codes.",
+  },
+  specifiers: {
+    title: "Which specifier fits?",
+    subtitle: "Refine diagnostic wording and episode patterns.",
+  },
+  formulation: {
+    title: "What explains the pattern?",
+    subtitle: "Explore mechanisms behind the presentation.",
+  },
+  prescribing: {
+    title: "Check a medication?",
+    subtitle: "Check dosing, safety, and monitoring.",
+  },
+  tools: {
+    title: "Find a clinical tool?",
+    subtitle: "Search clinical tools and applications.",
+  },
+  "therapy-compass": {
+    title: "Which therapy fits?",
+    subtitle: "Explore source-grounded therapy guidance.",
+  },
+  factsheets: {
+    title: "Find a patient factsheet?",
+    subtitle: "Search clear patient information to share.",
+  },
+} as const satisfies Record<AppModeId, SharedHomePresentation>;
+
+export const sharedHomeEmptyState = {
   starterActionsLabel: "Starter actions",
   recentLabel: "Recent searches",
 } as const;
diff --git a/tests/answer-preferences.dom.test.tsx b/tests/answer-preferences.dom.test.tsx
index 2b933093fc..73a402f615 100644
--- a/tests/answer-preferences.dom.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/answer-preferences.dom.test.tsx
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 import { render, screen } from "@testing-library/react";
 import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 
-import { AnswerEmptyState } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-status";
+import { SharedHomeEmptyState } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-status";
 import { sourceCapsuleDisplay } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-content";
 import { DEFAULT_PREFERENCES, landingModeForPreference } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/use-app-preferences";
 
 // Behavior coverage for the preferences wired on 2026-07-19: "Recent searches
-// on home" gates the AnswerEmptyState chips, "Compact citations" drops the
+// on home" gates the SharedHomeEmptyState chips, "Compact citations" drops the
 // source-capsule text label (never the missing-source warning), and "Default
 // landing view" maps onto a dashboard mode for the shell's one-shot redirect.
 
@@ -18,7 +18,11 @@ function storePreferences(overrides: Record<string, unknown>) {
 
 function renderEmptyState() {
   return render(
-    <AnswerEmptyState recentQueries={["clozapine monitoring", "lithium levels"]} onSelectRecent={vi.fn()} />,
+    <SharedHomeEmptyState
+      modeId="answer"
+      recentQueries={["clozapine monitoring", "lithium levels"]}
+      onSelectRecent={vi.fn()}
+    />,
   );
 }
 
@@ -30,14 +34,14 @@ describe("recent searches on home preference", () => {
   it("shows recent-query chips when the preference is on (default)", () => {
     storePreferences({ showRecentOnHome: true });
     renderEmptyState();
-    expect(screen.getByTestId("answer-recent-queries")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("shared-home-recent-queries")).toBeInTheDocument();
     expect(screen.getByText("clozapine monitoring")).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
   it("hides recent-query chips when the preference is off", () => {
     storePreferences({ showRecentOnHome: false });
     renderEmptyState();
-    expect(screen.queryByTestId("answer-recent-queries")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId("shared-home-recent-queries")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
     expect(screen.queryByText("clozapine monitoring")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 });
diff --git a/tests/mode-menu-prefetch.dom.test.tsx b/tests/mode-menu-prefetch.dom.test.tsx
index 877a1e7151..242b243347 100644
--- a/tests/mode-menu-prefetch.dom.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/mode-menu-prefetch.dom.test.tsx
@@ -148,4 +148,23 @@ describe("mode menu destination prefetch", () => {
     expect(router.prefetch.mock.calls.some(([href]) => href === previousHref)).toBe(true);
     expect(new Set(router.prefetch.mock.calls.map(([href]) => href)).size).toBe(1);
   });
+
+  it("restores mode-trigger focus when re-selecting the already active mode", async () => {
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    const onSearchModeChange = vi.fn();
+    render(<MasterSearchHeader {...headerProps()} onSearchModeChange={onSearchModeChange} />);
+
+    const trigger = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /Mode Answer/i });
+    await user.click(trigger);
+    const answerOption = within(await screen.findByRole("menu", { name: "Choose app mode" })).getByRole(
+      "menuitemradio",
+      { name: /Answer/i },
+    );
+    await user.click(answerOption);
+
+    expect(onSearchModeChange).toHaveBeenCalledWith("answer");
+    await vi.waitFor(() => {
+      expect(trigger).toHaveFocus();
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/tests/settings-inert-preferences.dom.test.tsx b/tests/settings-inert-preferences.dom.test.tsx
index af21707482..b93506becb 100644
--- a/tests/settings-inert-preferences.dom.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/settings-inert-preferences.dom.test.tsx
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ const FUNCTIONAL_ROWS = [
   "settings-row-appearance",
   "settings-row-interface-density",
   "settings-row-reduce-motion",
-  // Wired 2026-07-19: landing → shell mode redirect, recents → AnswerEmptyState
+  // Wired 2026-07-19: landing → shell mode redirect, recents → SharedHomeEmptyState
   // gate, compact citations → source-capsule label.
   "settings-row-default-landing-view",
   "settings-row-recent-searches-on-home",
diff --git a/tests/shared-home-empty-state.dom.test.tsx b/tests/shared-home-empty-state.dom.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8573102621
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/shared-home-empty-state.dom.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+import { render, screen } from "@testing-library/react";
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import { SharedHomeEmptyState } from "@/components/clinical-dashboard/answer-status";
+import { appModeIds, type AppModeId } from "@/lib/app-modes";
+
+const expectedPresentations = [
+  {
+    modeId: "answer",
+    title: "What can I help with?",
+    subtitle: "Ask a source-backed clinical question.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-sparkles",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "documents",
+    title: "Find a source?",
+    subtitle: "Search documents and evidence passages.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-file-text",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "services",
+    title: "Find a service?",
+    subtitle: "Search services and referral pathways.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-route",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "forms",
+    title: "Find a form?",
+    subtitle: "Search clinical forms and pathways.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-file-pen-line",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "favourites",
+    title: "Find a saved item?",
+    subtitle: "Search your saved clinical items.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-heart",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "differentials",
+    title: "What else could it be?",
+    subtitle: "Compare causes and clinical clues.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-brain-circuit",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "dsm",
+    title: "Check DSM-5 criteria?",
+    subtitle: "Search diagnoses, criteria, and codes.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-book-open-check",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "specifiers",
+    title: "Which specifier fits?",
+    subtitle: "Refine diagnostic wording and episode patterns.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-tags",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "formulation",
+    title: "What explains the pattern?",
+    subtitle: "Explore mechanisms behind the presentation.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-network",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "prescribing",
+    title: "Check a medication?",
+    subtitle: "Check dosing, safety, and monitoring.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-pill",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "tools",
+    title: "Find a clinical tool?",
+    subtitle: "Search clinical tools and applications.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-wrench",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "therapy-compass",
+    title: "Which therapy fits?",
+    subtitle: "Explore source-grounded therapy guidance.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-compass",
+  },
+  {
+    modeId: "factsheets",
+    title: "Find a patient factsheet?",
+    subtitle: "Search clear patient information to share.",
+    iconClass: "lucide-book-open-text",
+  },
+] as const satisfies ReadonlyArray<{
+  modeId: AppModeId;
+  title: string;
+  subtitle: string;
+  iconClass: string;
+}>;
+
+describe("SharedHomeEmptyState", () => {
+  it("covers every current app mode exactly once", () => {
+    expect(expectedPresentations.map(({ modeId }) => modeId)).toEqual(appModeIds);
+  });
+
+  it.each(expectedPresentations)(
+    "renders the canonical $modeId presentation",
+    ({ modeId, title, subtitle, iconClass }) => {
+      const { container } = render(<SharedHomeEmptyState modeId={modeId} />);
+
+      expect(screen.getByTestId("shared-home-empty-state")).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: title })).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(screen.getByText(subtitle, { exact: true })).toBeInTheDocument();
+
+      const icon = container.querySelector(".mode-home-icon svg");
+      expect(icon).toHaveClass(iconClass);
+      expect(icon).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
+    },
+  );
+
+  it("updates the same shared-home root when the active mode changes", () => {
+    const { rerender } = render(<SharedHomeEmptyState modeId="answer" />);
+    const sharedHomeRoot = screen.getByTestId("shared-home-empty-state");
+
+    expect(sharedHomeRoot.querySelector(".mode-home-icon svg")).toHaveClass("lucide-sparkles");
+
+    rerender(<SharedHomeEmptyState modeId="services" />);
+
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("shared-home-empty-state")).toBe(sharedHomeRoot);
+    expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Find a service?" })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByText("Search services and referral pathways.", { exact: true })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(sharedHomeRoot.querySelector(".mode-home-icon svg")).toHaveClass("lucide-route");
+    expect(screen.queryByText("What can I help with?", { exact: true })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/ui-smoke.spec.ts b/tests/ui-smoke.spec.ts
index 60b3148766..75228fa4a2 100644
--- a/tests/ui-smoke.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/ui-smoke.spec.ts
@@ -1646,7 +1646,7 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB UI smoke coverage", () => {
     await expect(appModeMenu).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/\?mode=tools\b/);
     await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Tools" })).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(visibleByTestId(page, "answer-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(visibleByTestId(page, "shared-home-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
     await expectNoPageHorizontalOverflow(page);
   });
 
@@ -2517,7 +2517,7 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB UI smoke coverage", () => {
     await gotoApp(page, "/");
     await waitForDemoDashboardReady(page);
 
-    const recentChips = page.getByTestId("answer-recent-queries");
+    const recentChips = page.getByTestId("shared-home-recent-queries");
     await expect(recentChips).toBeVisible();
     await expect(recentChips).toContainText("Recent searches");
     const chip = recentChips.getByRole("button", { name: recent });
@@ -2564,8 +2564,8 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB UI smoke coverage", () => {
 
     await page.goto(`/?mode=answer&q=${encodeURIComponent(question)}&focus=1&run=1`, { waitUntil: "domcontentloaded" });
 
-    await expect(page.getByTestId("answer-empty-state")).toHaveCount(0);
-    await expect(page.getByText("How can I help?", { exact: true })).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("shared-home-empty-state")).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(page.getByText("What can I help with?", { exact: true })).toHaveCount(0);
     // Prefer :visible — a useSearchParams() Suspense ancestor can leave a persistent
     // hidden S: clone (search-chrome invariant 17), which makes getByLabel strict-mode fail.
     await expect(page.locator('[aria-label="Loading answer"]:visible')).toBeVisible();
@@ -2576,8 +2576,8 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB UI smoke coverage", () => {
     await expect(questionEcho).toContainText(question);
     await expect(page.getByTestId("plain-answer-response")).toContainText("synthetic clozapine table image highlights");
     await expect(visibleQuestionInput(page)).toHaveValue("");
-    await expect(page.getByTestId("answer-empty-state")).toHaveCount(0);
-    await expect(page.getByText("How can I help?", { exact: true })).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("shared-home-empty-state")).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(page.getByText("What can I help with?", { exact: true })).toHaveCount(0);
     expect(answerRequests).toEqual([question]);
     await expectNoPageHorizontalOverflow(page);
   });
diff --git a/tests/ui-stress.spec.ts b/tests/ui-stress.spec.ts
index 42d55fa928..7d559fc814 100644
--- a/tests/ui-stress.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/ui-stress.spec.ts
@@ -374,9 +374,11 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB long-content stress coverage", () => {
       // Production hydration can briefly replace the server-rendered composer.
       // Require one settled owner with live React handlers before typing, or the
       // replacement can lose the value and leave the submit button disabled.
-      const answerSurface = page.getByTestId("answer-empty-state");
-      await expect(answerSurface).toHaveCount(1, { timeout: 15_000 });
-      const questionInput = answerSurface.locator('[aria-label^="Search indexed guidelines by question or keyword"]');
+      const sharedHomeSurface = page.getByTestId("shared-home-empty-state");
+      await expect(sharedHomeSurface).toHaveCount(1, { timeout: 15_000 });
+      const questionInput = sharedHomeSurface.locator(
+        '[aria-label^="Search indexed guidelines by question or keyword"]',
+      );
       await expect(questionInput).toHaveCount(1);
       const answerForm = questionInput.locator("xpath=ancestor::form[1]");
       await waitForReactEventHandler(questionInput, "onChange");
diff --git a/tests/ui-tools.spec.ts b/tests/ui-tools.spec.ts
index 199cbdc911..14748ddf6c 100644
--- a/tests/ui-tools.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/ui-tools.spec.ts
@@ -559,30 +559,52 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB tools launcher", () => {
     await expectNoPageHorizontalOverflow(page);
   });
 
-  test("mode toggle retargets the shared home instead of opening a mode home", async ({ page }) => {
+  test("shared-home presentation updates in place when the mode changes", async ({ page }) => {
     await page.setViewportSize({ width: 1280, height: 900 });
     // Asserts the collapsed rail affordance below; explicit for clarity even
     // though collapsed is now the default for new users too.
     await page.addInitScript(() => window.localStorage.setItem("clinical-kb-sidebar-collapsed", "1"));
     await gotoLauncher(page, "/?mode=answer");
 
+    const sharedHome = visibleByTestId(page, "shared-home-empty-state");
+    const searchInput = visibleGlobalSearchInput(page);
+    const sharedHomeBrand = page.getByTestId("shared-home-brand");
+    await expect(sharedHomeBrand).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHomeBrand).toContainText("Clinical KB");
+    await expect(sharedHomeBrand).toContainText("Source-backed clinical search");
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "What can I help with?" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByText("Ask a source-backed clinical question.", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.locator(".mode-home-icon svg")).toHaveClass(/\blucide-sparkles\b/);
+    await searchInput.fill("lithium draft");
+    const historyLengthBefore = await page.evaluate(() => window.history.length);
+
     const answerMenu = await openAppModeMenu(page, "Answer");
     const servicesMode = answerMenu.getByRole("menuitemradio", { name: /^Services\b/ });
     await waitForReactEventHandler(servicesMode);
     await servicesMode.click();
 
-    // `/` is the single home page: picking a mode stays put and only retargets
-    // the composer. It must NOT navigate to /services.
+    // `/` is the single home page: picking a mode stays put while its hero and
+    // composer retarget together. It must NOT navigate to /services.
     await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/\?mode=services\b/, { timeout: 20_000 });
-    await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Services" })).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(visibleByTestId(page, "answer-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
+    const servicesModeButton = page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Services" });
+    await expect(servicesModeButton).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(servicesModeButton).toBeFocused();
+    await expect(sharedHome).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Find a service?" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByText("Search services and referral pathways.", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.locator(".mode-home-icon svg")).toHaveClass(/\blucide-route\b/);
+    await expect(sharedHomeBrand).toContainText("Clinical KB");
+    await expect(page.getByText("Services Navigator", { exact: true })).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(page.getByTestId("services-home")).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Expand sidebar" })).toBeVisible();
     await expect(page.getByTestId("collapsed-account-settings")).toBeVisible();
 
-    // One composer, and the placeholder is the only thing that tracks the mode.
-    await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveCount(1);
-    await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveAttribute("placeholder", "Search services...");
+    // One composer stays mounted with its draft while every visible mode cue
+    // updates from the same URL-owned searchMode.
+    await expect(searchInput).toHaveCount(1);
+    await expect(searchInput).toHaveAttribute("placeholder", "Search services...");
+    await expect(searchInput).toHaveValue("lithium draft");
+    expect(await page.evaluate(() => window.history.length)).toBe(historyLengthBefore);
 
     const servicesMenu = await openAppModeMenu(page, "Services");
     await expect(servicesMenu.getByRole("menuitemradio", { name: /^Answer\b/ })).toBeVisible();
@@ -596,10 +618,16 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB tools launcher", () => {
     await waitForReactEventHandler(formsMode);
     await formsMode.click();
     await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/\?mode=forms\b/, { timeout: 20_000 });
-    await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Forms" })).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(visibleByTestId(page, "answer-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
+    const formsModeButton = page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Forms" });
+    await expect(formsModeButton).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(formsModeButton).toBeFocused();
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Find a form?" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByText("Search clinical forms and pathways.", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.locator(".mode-home-icon svg")).toHaveClass(/\blucide-file-pen-line\b/);
     await expect(page.getByTestId("forms-home")).toHaveCount(0);
-    await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveAttribute("placeholder", "Search forms...");
+    await expect(searchInput).toHaveAttribute("placeholder", "Search forms...");
+    await expect(searchInput).toHaveValue("lithium draft");
+    expect(await page.evaluate(() => window.history.length)).toBe(historyLengthBefore);
     await expectNoPageHorizontalOverflow(page);
   });
 
@@ -626,6 +654,8 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB tools launcher", () => {
 
     await gotoLauncher(page, "/services?q=13YARN&focus=1&run=1");
     await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Services" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByText("Services Navigator", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("shared-home-brand")).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(page.getByTestId("service-search-results")).toBeVisible();
     await expect(page.getByTestId("service-search-result-13yarn")).toBeVisible();
 
@@ -655,48 +685,157 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB tools launcher", () => {
 
     await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/\?mode=services\b/, { timeout: 20_000 });
     await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Services" })).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(visibleByTestId(page, "answer-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(visibleByTestId(page, "shared-home-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
     await expect(page.getByTestId("services-home")).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveCount(1);
     await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveValue("");
     await expectNoPageHorizontalOverflow(page);
   });
 
-  test("phone keeps the answer home search centered in the hero with the privacy notice", async ({ page }) => {
+  test("phone shared-home presentation stays accessible and centered after a mode change", async ({ page }) => {
     await mockAnswerDashboardApi(page);
-    await page.setViewportSize({ width: 390, height: 820 });
+    await page.setViewportSize({ width: 390, height: 844 });
 
     await gotoLauncher(page, "/?mode=answer");
-    await expect(page.getByTestId("answer-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
+    const sharedHome = page.getByTestId("shared-home-empty-state");
+    await expect(sharedHome).toBeVisible();
     await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveCount(1, { timeout: 15_000 });
 
-    const heroSearch = page.getByTestId("answer-empty-state").getByTestId("global-search-input");
+    const answerMenu = await openAppModeMenu(page, "Answer");
+    const specifiersMode = answerMenu.getByRole("menuitemradio", { name: /^Specifiers\b/ });
+    await waitForReactEventHandler(specifiersMode);
+    await specifiersMode.focus();
+    await specifiersMode.press("Enter");
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/\?mode=specifiers\b/, { timeout: 20_000 });
+    const specifiersModeButton = page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Specifiers" });
+    await expect(specifiersModeButton).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(specifiersModeButton).toBeFocused();
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Which specifier fits?" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(
+      sharedHome.getByText("Refine diagnostic wording and episode patterns.", { exact: true }),
+    ).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.locator(".mode-home-icon svg")).toHaveClass(/\blucide-tags\b/);
+
+    const heroSearch = sharedHome.getByTestId("global-search-input");
+    await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveCount(1);
     await expect(heroSearch).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(heroSearch).toHaveAttribute("placeholder", "Describe the presentation or search a specifier...");
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("specifiers-home")).toHaveCount(0);
+
+    const expectSoundPhoneGeometry = async () => {
+      const searchBox = await heroSearch.boundingBox();
+      const headingBox = await page.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Which specifier fits?" }).boundingBox();
+      const mainBox = await page.locator("#main-content").boundingBox();
+      expect(searchBox).not.toBeNull();
+      expect(headingBox).not.toBeNull();
+      expect(mainBox).not.toBeNull();
+      expect((headingBox?.y ?? 0) + (headingBox?.height ?? 0)).toBeLessThan(searchBox?.y ?? 0);
+      // The home centres its hero+search block in the scrollable main pane on
+      // phones (below the sticky header), not necessarily the full viewport.
+      const searchMidpoint = (searchBox?.y ?? 0) + (searchBox?.height ?? 0) / 2;
+      const mainTop = mainBox?.y ?? 0;
+      const mainHeight = mainBox?.height ?? 844;
+      expect(searchMidpoint).toBeLessThan(mainTop + mainHeight * 0.72);
+      expect(searchMidpoint).toBeGreaterThan(mainTop + mainHeight * 0.08);
+      const metrics = await globalSearchComposerMetrics(page, "shared-home-empty-state");
+      expect(metrics).not.toBeNull();
+      expect(metrics?.position).not.toBe("fixed");
+      expect(metrics?.formWidth ?? 0).toBeLessThanOrEqual(390 - 16);
+      expect(metrics?.pillClassName).toContain("answer-footer-search-pill");
+      expect(metrics?.homeCenterX).not.toBeNull();
+      expect(Math.abs((metrics?.formCenterX ?? 0) - (metrics?.homeCenterX ?? 0))).toBeLessThanOrEqual(24);
+      await expectNoPageHorizontalOverflow(page);
+    };
 
-    const searchBox = await heroSearch.boundingBox();
-    const headingBox = await page.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "How can I help?" }).boundingBox();
-    const mainBox = await page.locator("#main-content").boundingBox();
-    expect(searchBox).not.toBeNull();
-    expect(headingBox).not.toBeNull();
-    expect(mainBox).not.toBeNull();
-    expect((headingBox?.y ?? 0) + (headingBox?.height ?? 0)).toBeLessThan(searchBox?.y ?? 0);
-    // The home centres its hero+search block in the scrollable main pane on
-    // phones (below the sticky header), not necessarily the full viewport.
-    const searchMidpoint = (searchBox?.y ?? 0) + (searchBox?.height ?? 0) / 2;
-    const mainTop = mainBox?.y ?? 0;
-    const mainHeight = mainBox?.height ?? 820;
-    expect(searchMidpoint).toBeLessThan(mainTop + mainHeight * 0.72);
-    expect(searchMidpoint).toBeGreaterThan(mainTop + mainHeight * 0.08);
-    const metrics = await globalSearchComposerMetrics(page, "answer-empty-state");
-    expect(metrics).not.toBeNull();
-    expect(metrics?.position).not.toBe("fixed");
-    expect(metrics?.formWidth ?? 0).toBeLessThanOrEqual(390 - 16);
-    expect(metrics?.pillClassName).toContain("answer-footer-search-pill");
-    expect(metrics?.homeCenterX).not.toBeNull();
-    expect(Math.abs((metrics?.formCenterX ?? 0) - (metrics?.homeCenterX ?? 0))).toBeLessThanOrEqual(24);
+    await expectSoundPhoneGeometry();
+    await page.emulateMedia({ reducedMotion: "reduce", forcedColors: "none" });
+    await expectSoundPhoneGeometry();
+    await page.emulateMedia({ reducedMotion: "no-preference", forcedColors: "active" });
+    await expectSoundPhoneGeometry();
     await expect(page.locator(".answer-footer-search-chip:visible")).toHaveCount(0);
     // The home hero is the only phone surface with the APP-5 privacy notice.
     await expect(page.getByTestId("answer-composer-privacy-warning")).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test("320px shared-home presentation wraps the longest mode copy without overflow", async ({ page }) => {
+    await mockAnswerDashboardApi(page);
+    await page.setViewportSize({ width: 320, height: 720 });
+
+    await gotoLauncher(page, "/?mode=answer");
+    const sharedHome = page.getByTestId("shared-home-empty-state");
+    const historyLengthBefore = await page.evaluate(() => window.history.length);
+    await expect(sharedHome).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveCount(1, { timeout: 15_000 });
+
+    const answerMenu = await openAppModeMenu(page, "Answer");
+    const specifiersMode = answerMenu.getByRole("menuitemradio", { name: /^Specifiers\b/ });
+    await waitForReactEventHandler(specifiersMode);
+    await specifiersMode.focus();
+    await specifiersMode.press("Enter");
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/\?mode=specifiers\b/, { timeout: 20_000 });
+    const specifiersModeButton = page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Specifiers" });
+    await expect(specifiersModeButton).toBeFocused();
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Which specifier fits?" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(
+      sharedHome.getByText("Refine diagnostic wording and episode patterns.", { exact: true }),
+    ).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.locator(".mode-home-icon svg")).toHaveClass(/\blucide-tags\b/);
+    await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveAttribute(
+      "placeholder",
+      "Describe the presentation or search a specifier...",
+    );
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("specifiers-home")).toHaveCount(0);
+
+    const specifiersHeadingBox = await sharedHome
+      .getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Which specifier fits?" })
+      .boundingBox();
+    expect(specifiersHeadingBox).not.toBeNull();
+    expect((specifiersHeadingBox?.x ?? 0) + (specifiersHeadingBox?.width ?? 0)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(320);
+    let metrics = await globalSearchComposerMetrics(page, "shared-home-empty-state");
+    expect(metrics).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(metrics?.position).not.toBe("fixed");
+    expect(metrics?.formWidth ?? 0).toBeLessThanOrEqual(320 - 16);
+    const specifiersComposerTop = metrics?.formTop ?? 0;
+    await expectNoPageHorizontalOverflow(page);
+
+    const specifiersMenu = await openAppModeMenu(page, "Specifiers");
+    const formulationMode = specifiersMenu.getByRole("menuitemradio", { name: /^Formulation\b/ });
+    await waitForReactEventHandler(formulationMode);
+    await formulationMode.focus();
+    await formulationMode.press("Enter");
+
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/\?mode=formulation\b/, { timeout: 20_000 });
+    const formulationModeButton = page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Formulation" });
+    await expect(formulationModeButton).toBeFocused();
+    const formulationModeLabel = formulationModeButton.getByText("Formulation", { exact: true });
+    await expect(formulationModeLabel).toBeVisible();
+    expect(
+      await formulationModeLabel.evaluate((label) => label.scrollWidth <= label.clientWidth),
+      "the full 320px mode label should fit without visual truncation",
+    ).toBe(true);
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "What explains the pattern?" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.getByText("Explore mechanisms behind the presentation.", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(sharedHome.locator(".mode-home-icon svg")).toHaveClass(/\blucide-network\b/);
+    await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveAttribute(
+      "placeholder",
+      "Describe a pattern or clinical clue...",
+    );
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("formulation-home")).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(visibleGlobalSearchInput(page)).toHaveCount(1);
+    expect(await page.evaluate(() => window.history.length)).toBe(historyLengthBefore);
+
+    const formulationHeadingBox = await sharedHome
+      .getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "What explains the pattern?" })
+      .boundingBox();
+    expect(formulationHeadingBox).not.toBeNull();
+    expect((formulationHeadingBox?.x ?? 0) + (formulationHeadingBox?.width ?? 0)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(320);
+    metrics = await globalSearchComposerMetrics(page, "shared-home-empty-state");
+    expect(metrics).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(metrics?.position).not.toBe("fixed");
+    expect(metrics?.formWidth ?? 0).toBeLessThanOrEqual(320 - 16);
+    expect(Math.abs((metrics?.formTop ?? 0) - specifiersComposerTop)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
     await expectNoPageHorizontalOverflow(page);
   });
 
@@ -762,7 +901,7 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB tools launcher", () => {
     { name: "desktop", width: 1280, height: 900 },
   ] as const) {
     for (const home of [
-      { path: "/?mode=answer", testId: "answer-empty-state" },
+      { path: "/?mode=answer", testId: "shared-home-empty-state" },
       { path: "/services", testId: "services-home" },
     ] as const) {
       test(`mode home search composer is present at ${viewport.name} width on ${home.path} @critical`, async ({
@@ -808,7 +947,7 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB tools launcher", () => {
   });
 
   for (const home of [
-    { path: "/?mode=answer", testId: "answer-empty-state", heroTestId: "answer-empty-state" },
+    { path: "/?mode=answer", testId: "shared-home-empty-state", heroTestId: "shared-home-empty-state" },
     { path: "/documents", testId: "document-search-empty-state", heroTestId: "document-search-empty-state" },
     { path: "/medications", testId: "medication-home", heroTestId: "medication-home" },
     { path: "/tools", testId: "tools-home", heroTestId: "tools-home" },
@@ -928,7 +1067,12 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB tools launcher", () => {
     { name: "desktop", width: 1280, height: 900 },
   ] as const) {
     for (const home of [
-      { path: "/?mode=answer", testId: "answer-empty-state", heading: "How can I help?", headingLevel: 2 },
+      {
+        path: "/?mode=answer",
+        testId: "shared-home-empty-state",
+        heading: "What can I help with?",
+        headingLevel: 2,
+      },
       { path: "/documents", testId: "document-search-empty-state", heading: "Documents", headingLevel: 2 },
       {
         path: "/medications",
@@ -1466,19 +1610,19 @@ test.describe("Clinical KB tools launcher", () => {
     await menu.getByRole("menuitemradio", { name: /^Forms\b/ }).click();
 
     // Picking a mode must not move the page or the composer: the hero stays put
-    // and only the placeholder changes. A geometry shift here is the reserve flip
-    // the pathname-gated hero rule exists to prevent.
+    // while its presentation and placeholder update in place. A geometry shift
+    // here is the reserve flip the pathname-gated hero rule exists to prevent.
     await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/\?mode=forms\b/, { timeout: 20_000 });
     await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: "Mode Forms" })).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(visibleByTestId(page, "answer-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(visibleByTestId(page, "shared-home-empty-state")).toBeVisible();
     await expect(page.getByTestId("forms-home")).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(page.getByTestId("services-home")).toHaveCount(0);
 
-    const heroSearch = visibleByTestId(page, "answer-empty-state").getByTestId("global-search-input");
+    const heroSearch = visibleByTestId(page, "shared-home-empty-state").getByTestId("global-search-input");
     await expect(heroSearch).toBeVisible();
     await expect(heroSearch).toHaveAttribute("placeholder", "Search forms...");
     const searchBox = await heroSearch.boundingBox();
-    const headingBox = await page.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "How can I help?" }).boundingBox();
+    const headingBox = await page.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Find a form?" }).boundingBox();
     expect(searchBox).not.toBeNull();
     expect(headingBox).not.toBeNull();
     expect((headingBox?.y ?? 0) + (headingBox?.height ?? 0)).toBeLessThan(searchBox?.y ?? 0);