diff --git a/packages/app/src/desktop/electron/idle.test.ts b/packages/app/src/desktop/electron/idle.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b3721d758
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/app/src/desktop/electron/idle.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+const { invokeDesktopCommandMock } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  invokeDesktopCommandMock: vi.fn<() => Promise<unknown>>(async () => 12_000),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@/desktop/electron/invoke", () => ({
+  invokeDesktopCommand: invokeDesktopCommandMock,
+}));
+
+import { getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs } from "./idle";
+
+describe("getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs", () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    invokeDesktopCommandMock.mockReset();
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  it("invokes the desktop idle command and returns the millisecond value", async () => {
+    invokeDesktopCommandMock.mockResolvedValueOnce(4_200);
+
+    const idleTimeMs = await getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs();
+
+    expect(invokeDesktopCommandMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith("desktop_get_system_idle_time");
+    expect(idleTimeMs).toBe(4_200);
+  });
+
+  it("returns null and logs once when IPC rejects", async () => {
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, "warn").mockImplementation(() => {});
+    const error = new Error("ipc failed");
+    invokeDesktopCommandMock.mockRejectedValueOnce(error);
+
+    const idleTimeMs = await getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs();
+
+    expect(idleTimeMs).toBeNull();
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith("[DesktopIdle] Failed to read system idle time", error);
+  });
+
+  it("returns null and logs once when IPC returns null", async () => {
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, "warn").mockImplementation(() => {});
+    invokeDesktopCommandMock.mockResolvedValueOnce(null);
+
+    const idleTimeMs = await getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs();
+
+    expect(idleTimeMs).toBeNull();
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith("[DesktopIdle] Invalid system idle time", null);
+  });
+
+  it("returns null and logs once when IPC returns NaN", async () => {
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, "warn").mockImplementation(() => {});
+    invokeDesktopCommandMock.mockResolvedValueOnce(Number.NaN);
+
+    const idleTimeMs = await getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs();
+
+    expect(idleTimeMs).toBeNull();
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith("[DesktopIdle] Invalid system idle time", Number.NaN);
+  });
+
+  it("returns null and logs once when IPC returns a negative value", async () => {
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, "warn").mockImplementation(() => {});
+    invokeDesktopCommandMock.mockResolvedValueOnce(-1);
+
+    const idleTimeMs = await getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs();
+
+    expect(idleTimeMs).toBeNull();
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith("[DesktopIdle] Invalid system idle time", -1);
+  });
+
+  it("returns 0 when IPC returns zero", async () => {
+    invokeDesktopCommandMock.mockResolvedValueOnce(0);
+
+    const idleTimeMs = await getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs();
+
+    expect(idleTimeMs).toBe(0);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/app/src/desktop/electron/idle.ts b/packages/app/src/desktop/electron/idle.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a3386f268
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/app/src/desktop/electron/idle.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import { invokeDesktopCommand } from "@/desktop/electron/invoke";
+
+const DESKTOP_SYSTEM_IDLE_COMMAND = "desktop_get_system_idle_time";
+
+function isValidIdleTimeMs(value: unknown): value is number {
+  return typeof value === "number" && Number.isFinite(value) && value >= 0;
+}
+
+export async function getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs(): Promise<number | null> {
+  try {
+    const idleTimeMs = await invokeDesktopCommand<unknown>(DESKTOP_SYSTEM_IDLE_COMMAND);
+    if (!isValidIdleTimeMs(idleTimeMs)) {
+      console.warn("[DesktopIdle] Invalid system idle time", idleTimeMs);
+      return null;
+    }
+    return idleTimeMs;
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.warn("[DesktopIdle] Failed to read system idle time", error);
+    return null;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/app/src/hooks/use-client-activity.test.tsx b/packages/app/src/hooks/use-client-activity.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..61f86d188
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/app/src/hooks/use-client-activity.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+import React, { act } from "react";
+import { createRoot, type Root } from "react-dom/client";
+import { JSDOM } from "jsdom";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { useClientActivity } from "./use-client-activity";
+
+type HeartbeatPayload = {
+  deviceType: "web" | "mobile";
+  focusedAgentId: string | null;
+  lastActivityAt: string;
+  appVisible: boolean;
+  appVisibilityChangedAt?: string;
+};
+
+const { platformState, getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  platformState: {
+    isWeb: true,
+    isNative: false,
+    isElectron: false,
+  },
+  getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs: vi.fn<() => Promise<number | null>>(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@/constants/platform", () => ({
+  get isWeb() {
+    return platformState.isWeb;
+  },
+  get isNative() {
+    return platformState.isNative;
+  },
+  getIsElectron: () => platformState.isElectron,
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@/desktop/electron/idle", () => ({
+  getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs,
+}));
+
+vi.mock("react-native", () => ({
+  AppState: {
+    currentState: "active",
+    addEventListener: vi.fn(() => ({
+      remove: vi.fn(),
+    })),
+  },
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@server/client/daemon-client", () => ({}));
+
+function createTestClient() {
+  return {
+    isConnected: true,
+    subscribeConnectionStatus: vi.fn(() => vi.fn()),
+    sendHeartbeat: vi.fn<(payload: HeartbeatPayload) => void>(),
+  };
+}
+
+function latestHeartbeat(client: ReturnType<typeof createTestClient>): HeartbeatPayload {
+  const call = client.sendHeartbeat.mock.calls.at(-1);
+  if (!call) {
+    throw new Error("Expected a heartbeat");
+  }
+  return call[0];
+}
+
+function heartbeatTimeMs(client: ReturnType<typeof createTestClient>): number {
+  return new Date(latestHeartbeat(client).lastActivityAt).getTime();
+}
+
+async function renderActivityHook({
+  client = createTestClient(),
+}: {
+  client?: ReturnType<typeof createTestClient>;
+} = {}) {
+  function Probe() {
+    useClientActivity({
+      client: client as unknown as Parameters<typeof useClientActivity>[0]["client"],
+      focusedAgentId: "agent-1",
+    });
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const container = document.createElement("div");
+  document.body.appendChild(container);
+  const root = createRoot(container);
+
+  await act(async () => {
+    root.render(<Probe />);
+  });
+
+  return { client, root };
+}
+
+async function advance(ms: number) {
+  await act(async () => {
+    await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(ms);
+  });
+}
+
+describe("useClientActivity", () => {
+  let root: Root | null = null;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    vi.setSystemTime(new Date("2026-04-19T10:00:00.000Z"));
+
+    platformState.isWeb = true;
+    platformState.isNative = false;
+    platformState.isElectron = false;
+    getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs.mockReset();
+
+    const dom = new JSDOM("<!doctype html><html><body></body></html>", {
+      url: "http://localhost",
+    });
+    vi.stubGlobal("IS_REACT_ACT_ENVIRONMENT", true);
+    vi.stubGlobal("window", dom.window);
+    vi.stubGlobal("document", dom.window.document);
+  });
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    if (root) {
+      await act(async () => {
+        root?.unmount();
+      });
+      root = null;
+    }
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  it("updates lastActivityAt from web pointer activity", async () => {
+    const rendered = await renderActivityHook();
+    root = rendered.root;
+
+    vi.setSystemTime(new Date("2026-04-19T10:00:05.250Z"));
+    window.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("pointerdown"));
+
+    expect(heartbeatTimeMs(rendered.client)).toBe(Date.now());
+    expect(getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("drives lastActivityAt forward from Electron idle polling", async () => {
+    platformState.isElectron = true;
+    getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs.mockResolvedValue(0);
+    const rendered = await renderActivityHook();
+    root = rendered.root;
+
+    await advance(5_000);
+    expect(getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+
+    await advance(10_000);
+
+    expect(heartbeatTimeMs(rendered.client)).toBe(Date.now());
+  });
+
+  it("sets lastActivityAt to Date.now() minus the Electron idle time", async () => {
+    platformState.isElectron = true;
+    getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs.mockResolvedValue(2_000);
+    const rendered = await renderActivityHook();
+    root = rendered.root;
+
+    await advance(5_000);
+    await advance(10_000);
+
+    expect(heartbeatTimeMs(rendered.client)).toBe(Date.now() - 2_000);
+  });
+
+  it("skips failed Electron idle polls", async () => {
+    platformState.isElectron = true;
+    getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs.mockResolvedValue(null);
+    const rendered = await renderActivityHook();
+    root = rendered.root;
+    const previousLastActivityAt = heartbeatTimeMs(rendered.client);
+
+    await advance(5_000);
+    await advance(10_000);
+
+    expect(heartbeatTimeMs(rendered.client)).toBe(previousLastActivityAt);
+  });
+
+  it("never moves lastActivityAt backward from an idle poll", async () => {
+    platformState.isElectron = true;
+    getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs.mockResolvedValue(20_000);
+    const rendered = await renderActivityHook();
+    root = rendered.root;
+
+    vi.setSystemTime(new Date("2026-04-19T10:00:05.000Z"));
+    window.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("pointerdown"));
+    const pointerActivityAt = latestHeartbeat(rendered.client).lastActivityAt;
+
+    await advance(5_000);
+    expect(getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+    await advance(10_000);
+
+    expect(latestHeartbeat(rendered.client).lastActivityAt).toBe(pointerActivityAt);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps an Electron pointerdown newer than a stale idle poll", async () => {
+    platformState.isElectron = true;
+    getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs.mockResolvedValue(20_000);
+    const rendered = await renderActivityHook();
+    root = rendered.root;
+
+    await advance(4_500);
+    window.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("pointerdown"));
+    const pointerActivityAt = latestHeartbeat(rendered.client).lastActivityAt;
+
+    await advance(500);
+    expect(getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs).toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+    await advance(10_000);
+
+    expect(latestHeartbeat(rendered.client).lastActivityAt).toBe(pointerActivityAt);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/app/src/hooks/use-client-activity.ts b/packages/app/src/hooks/use-client-activity.ts
index 2855219fc..a244df33b 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/hooks/use-client-activity.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/hooks/use-client-activity.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from "react";
 import { AppState } from "react-native";
 import type { DaemonClient } from "@server/client/daemon-client";
-import { isWeb, isNative } from "@/constants/platform";
+import { getIsElectron, isWeb, isNative } from "@/constants/platform";
+import { getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs } from "@/desktop/electron/idle";
 
 const HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS = 15_000;
 const ACTIVITY_HEARTBEAT_THROTTLE_MS = 5_000;
+const DESKTOP_IDLE_POLL_INTERVAL_MS = 5_000;
 
 interface ClientActivityOptions {
   client: DaemonClient;
@@ -130,6 +132,31 @@ export function useClientActivity({
     };
   }, [maybeSendImmediateHeartbeat, recordUserActivity, setAppVisible]);
 
+  // Track OS-wide activity in Electron so backgrounded desktop windows still report presence.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!getIsElectron()) return;
+
+    let disposed = false;
+    const pollSystemIdleTime = async () => {
+      const systemIdleMs = await getDesktopSystemIdleTimeMs();
+      if (disposed || systemIdleMs === null) return;
+
+      const systemLastActivityAtMs = Date.now() - systemIdleMs;
+      if (systemLastActivityAtMs > lastActivityAtRef.current.getTime()) {
+        lastActivityAtRef.current = new Date(systemLastActivityAtMs);
+      }
+    };
+
+    const interval = setInterval(() => {
+      void pollSystemIdleTime();
+    }, DESKTOP_IDLE_POLL_INTERVAL_MS);
+
+    return () => {
+      disposed = true;
+      clearInterval(interval);
+    };
+  }, [client]);
+
   // Send heartbeat on focused agent change
   useEffect(() => {
     if (prevFocusedAgentIdRef.current !== focusedAgentId) {
diff --git a/packages/desktop/src/daemon/daemon-manager.ts b/packages/desktop/src/daemon/daemon-manager.ts
index c07873cf5..2d1496138 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/src/daemon/daemon-manager.ts
+++ b/packages/desktop/src/daemon/daemon-manager.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { type ChildProcess } from "node:child_process";
 import { readFileSync } from "node:fs";
 import path from "node:path";
-import { app, ipcMain } from "electron";
+import { app, ipcMain, powerMonitor } from "electron";
 import log from "electron-log/main";
 import { resolvePaseoHome, spawnProcess } from "@getpaseo/server";
 import {
@@ -444,6 +444,10 @@ function resolveCurrentUpdateVersion(): string {
   return resolveDesktopAppVersion();
 }
 
+function getSystemIdleTimeMs(): number {
+  return powerMonitor.getSystemIdleTime() * 1000;
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // IPC registration
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -456,6 +460,7 @@ export function createDaemonCommandHandlers(): Record<string, DesktopCommandHand
     restart_desktop_daemon: () => restartDaemon(),
     desktop_daemon_logs: () => getDaemonLogs(),
     desktop_daemon_pairing: () => getDaemonPairing(),
+    desktop_get_system_idle_time: () => getSystemIdleTimeMs(),
     cli_daemon_status: () => getCliDaemonStatus(),
     write_attachment_base64: (args) => writeAttachmentBase64(args ?? {}),
     copy_attachment_file: (args) => copyAttachmentFileToManagedStorage(args ?? {}),
diff --git a/packages/server/src/server/agent-attention-policy.test.ts b/packages/server/src/server/agent-attention-policy.test.ts
index ed78e0509..fe3cae5ca 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/server/agent-attention-policy.test.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/server/agent-attention-policy.test.ts
@@ -1,239 +1,173 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import {
-  computeShouldNotifyClient,
-  computeShouldSendPush,
-  type ClientAttentionState,
+  computeNotificationPlan,
+  type ClientPresenceState,
+  PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS,
 } from "./agent-attention-policy.js";
 
-function state(overrides: Partial<ClientAttentionState>): ClientAttentionState {
+function state(overrides: Partial<ClientPresenceState>): ClientPresenceState {
   return {
-    deviceType: null,
     focusedAgentId: null,
-    isStale: false,
-    appVisible: false,
+    lastActivityAtMs: null,
     ...overrides,
   };
 }
 
-describe("computeShouldNotifyClient", () => {
-  it("suppresses notifications when someone is actively focused on the agent", () => {
-    const activeOnAgent = state({
-      deviceType: "web",
+describe("computeNotificationPlan", () => {
+  const nowMs = Date.parse("2026-04-19T12:00:00.000Z");
+  const staleAtMs = nowMs - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 1;
+  const presentAtMs = nowMs - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS + 1;
+
+  it("does not suppress notifications when a focused client is stale", () => {
+    const staleFocused = state({
       focusedAgentId: "agent-1",
-      isStale: false,
-      appVisible: true,
-    });
-    const staleMobile = state({
-      deviceType: "mobile",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: true,
-      appVisible: false,
+      lastActivityAtMs: staleAtMs,
     });
 
     expect(
-      computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: staleMobile,
-        allClientStates: [activeOnAgent, staleMobile],
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [staleFocused],
         agentId: "agent-1",
-      }),
-    ).toBe(false);
-  });
-
-  it("notifies unidentified clients by default when agent is not actively focused", () => {
-    const unknownClient = state({
-      deviceType: null,
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: false,
-      appVisible: false,
-    });
-
-    expect(
-      computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: unknownClient,
-        allClientStates: [unknownClient],
-        agentId: "agent-2",
-      }),
-    ).toBe(true);
-  });
-
-  it("notifies active visible clients when they are focused on an agent", () => {
-    const focusedWeb = state({
-      deviceType: "web",
-      focusedAgentId: "agent-2",
-      isStale: false,
-      appVisible: true,
-    });
-
-    expect(
-      computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: focusedWeb,
-        allClientStates: [focusedWeb],
-        agentId: "agent-3",
-      }),
-    ).toBe(true);
-  });
-
-  it("suppresses active clients that are not focused on an agent", () => {
-    const activeButNotFocused = state({
-      deviceType: "web",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: false,
-      appVisible: true,
-    });
-
-    expect(
-      computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: activeButNotFocused,
-        allClientStates: [activeButNotFocused],
-        agentId: "agent-4",
-      }),
-    ).toBe(false);
-  });
-
-  it("suppresses stale mobile notifications when an active web client exists", () => {
-    const staleMobile = state({
-      deviceType: "mobile",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: true,
-      appVisible: false,
-    });
-    const activeWeb = state({
-      deviceType: "web",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: false,
-      appVisible: true,
-    });
-
-    expect(
-      computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: staleMobile,
-        allClientStates: [staleMobile, activeWeb],
-        agentId: "agent-5",
-      }),
-    ).toBe(false);
-  });
-
-  it("allows stale mobile notifications when no active web client exists", () => {
-    const staleMobile = state({
-      deviceType: "mobile",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: true,
-      appVisible: false,
-    });
-    const staleWeb = state({
-      deviceType: "web",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: true,
-      appVisible: false,
-    });
-
-    expect(
-      computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: staleMobile,
-        allClientStates: [staleMobile, staleWeb],
-        agentId: "agent-6",
-      }),
-    ).toBe(true);
-  });
-
-  it("suppresses stale web notifications when a mobile client is also present", () => {
-    const staleWeb = state({
-      deviceType: "web",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: true,
-      appVisible: false,
-    });
-    const staleMobile = state({
-      deviceType: "mobile",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: true,
-      appVisible: false,
-    });
-
-    expect(
-      computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: staleWeb,
-        allClientStates: [staleWeb, staleMobile],
-        agentId: "agent-7",
-      }),
-    ).toBe(false);
-  });
-
-  it("allows stale web notifications when there are no mobile or unidentified clients", () => {
-    const staleWeb = state({
-      deviceType: "web",
-      focusedAgentId: null,
-      isStale: true,
-      appVisible: false,
-    });
-
-    expect(
-      computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: staleWeb,
-        allClientStates: [staleWeb],
-        agentId: "agent-8",
-      }),
-    ).toBe(true);
-  });
-});
-
-describe("computeShouldSendPush", () => {
-  it("never sends push for error attention events", () => {
-    expect(
-      computeShouldSendPush({
-        reason: "error",
-        allClientStates: [],
-      }),
-    ).toBe(false);
-  });
-
-  it("suppresses push when any active web client exists", () => {
-    expect(
-      computeShouldSendPush({
         reason: "finished",
-        allClientStates: [
+        nowMs,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: null, shouldPush: true });
+  });
+
+  it("suppresses notifications when a focused client is present", () => {
+    const staleFocused = state({
+      focusedAgentId: "agent-1",
+      lastActivityAtMs: staleAtMs,
+    });
+    const presentFocused = state({
+      focusedAgentId: "agent-1",
+      lastActivityAtMs: presentAtMs,
+    });
+
+    expect(
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [staleFocused, presentFocused],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "finished",
+        nowMs,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: null, shouldPush: false });
+  });
+
+  it("treats present clients focused on different agents as eligible", () => {
+    expect(
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [
           state({
-            deviceType: "web",
-            isStale: false,
-            appVisible: true,
+            focusedAgentId: "agent-2",
+            lastActivityAtMs: nowMs - 1_000,
           }),
         ],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "finished",
+        nowMs,
       }),
-    ).toBe(false);
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: 0, shouldPush: false });
   });
 
-  it("suppresses push when a mobile app is actively visible", () => {
+  it("chooses the present client with the greatest clamped activity timestamp", () => {
     expect(
-      computeShouldSendPush({
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [
+          state({ lastActivityAtMs: nowMs - 10_000 }),
+          state({ lastActivityAtMs: nowMs - 1_000 }),
+          state({ lastActivityAtMs: staleAtMs }),
+        ],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
         reason: "permission",
-        allClientStates: [
-          state({
-            deviceType: "mobile",
-            isStale: false,
-            appVisible: true,
-          }),
-        ],
+        nowMs,
       }),
-    ).toBe(false);
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: 1, shouldPush: false });
   });
 
-  it("sends push when no active web client or foreground mobile client exists", () => {
+  it("uses the lower index when present clients have identical timestamps", () => {
     expect(
-      computeShouldSendPush({
-        reason: "finished",
-        allClientStates: [
-          state({
-            deviceType: "mobile",
-            isStale: true,
-            appVisible: false,
-          }),
-          state({
-            deviceType: "web",
-            isStale: true,
-            appVisible: false,
-          }),
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [
+          state({ lastActivityAtMs: nowMs - 1_000 }),
+          state({ lastActivityAtMs: nowMs - 1_000 }),
         ],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "finished",
+        nowMs,
       }),
-    ).toBe(true);
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: 0, shouldPush: false });
+  });
+
+  it("clamps future timestamps to now and treats them as present", () => {
+    expect(
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [
+          state({ lastActivityAtMs: nowMs - 1 }),
+          state({ lastActivityAtMs: nowMs + 600_000 }),
+        ],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "permission",
+        nowMs,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: 1, shouldPush: false });
+  });
+
+  it("never treats no-heartbeat clients as present", () => {
+    expect(
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [state({ lastActivityAtMs: null })],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "finished",
+        nowMs,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: null, shouldPush: true });
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to push for non-error attention when no clients are present", () => {
+    expect(
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [state({ lastActivityAtMs: staleAtMs })],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "permission",
+        nowMs,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: null, shouldPush: true });
+  });
+
+  it("does not push error attention when no clients are present", () => {
+    expect(
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [state({ lastActivityAtMs: staleAtMs })],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "error",
+        nowMs,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: null, shouldPush: false });
+  });
+
+  it("lets a foreground mobile-style client with recent activity win as most recent", () => {
+    expect(
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [
+          state({ focusedAgentId: "agent-2", lastActivityAtMs: nowMs - 20_000 }),
+          state({ focusedAgentId: null, lastActivityAtMs: nowMs - 500 }),
+        ],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "finished",
+        nowMs,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: 1, shouldPush: false });
+  });
+
+  it("selects no in-app recipient and pushes when two web-style clients are stale", () => {
+    expect(
+      computeNotificationPlan({
+        allStates: [state({ lastActivityAtMs: staleAtMs }), state({ lastActivityAtMs: staleAtMs })],
+        agentId: "agent-1",
+        reason: "finished",
+        nowMs,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ inAppRecipientIndex: null, shouldPush: true });
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/server/src/server/agent-attention-policy.ts b/packages/server/src/server/agent-attention-policy.ts
index ac76776ca..8008b2735 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/server/agent-attention-policy.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/server/agent-attention-policy.ts
@@ -1,88 +1,56 @@
 import type { AgentAttentionReason } from "../shared/agent-attention-notification.js";
 
-export type ClientAttentionState = {
-  deviceType: "web" | "mobile" | null;
+export const PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS = 180_000;
+
+export interface ClientPresenceState {
+  lastActivityAtMs: number | null;
   focusedAgentId: string | null;
-  isStale: boolean;
-  appVisible: boolean;
-};
+}
 
-type ComputeClientNotificationInput = {
-  clientState: ClientAttentionState;
-  allClientStates: ClientAttentionState[];
+export interface NotificationPlan {
+  inAppRecipientIndex: number | null;
+  shouldPush: boolean;
+}
+
+type ComputeNotificationPlanInput = {
+  allStates: ClientPresenceState[];
   agentId: string;
-};
-
-type ComputePushNotificationInput = {
   reason: AgentAttentionReason;
-  allClientStates: ClientAttentionState[];
+  nowMs: number;
 };
 
-function hasActiveClientOnAgent(allClientStates: ClientAttentionState[], agentId: string): boolean {
-  return allClientStates.some(
-    (state) => state.focusedAgentId === agentId && state.appVisible && !state.isStale,
-  );
-}
-
-function hasActiveWebClient(allClientStates: ClientAttentionState[]): boolean {
-  return allClientStates.some((state) => state.deviceType === "web" && !state.isStale);
-}
-
-function hasOtherCompetingClient(
-  clientState: ClientAttentionState,
-  allClientStates: ClientAttentionState[],
-): boolean {
-  return allClientStates.some(
-    (state) =>
-      state !== clientState && (state.deviceType === "mobile" || state.deviceType === null),
-  );
-}
-
-function hasActiveForegroundMobileClient(allClientStates: ClientAttentionState[]): boolean {
-  return allClientStates.some(
-    (state) => state.deviceType === "mobile" && state.appVisible && !state.isStale,
-  );
-}
-
-export function computeShouldNotifyClient({
-  clientState,
-  allClientStates,
+export function computeNotificationPlan({
+  allStates,
   agentId,
-}: ComputeClientNotificationInput): boolean {
-  if (hasActiveClientOnAgent(allClientStates, agentId)) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  if (clientState.deviceType === null) {
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  if (!clientState.isStale && clientState.appVisible && clientState.focusedAgentId !== null) {
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  if (!clientState.isStale) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  if (clientState.deviceType === "mobile") {
-    return !hasActiveWebClient(allClientStates);
-  }
-
-  if (clientState.deviceType === "web") {
-    return !hasOtherCompetingClient(clientState, allClientStates);
-  }
-
-  return true;
-}
-
-export function computeShouldSendPush({
   reason,
-  allClientStates,
-}: ComputePushNotificationInput): boolean {
-  if (reason === "error") {
-    return false;
+  nowMs,
+}: ComputeNotificationPlanInput): NotificationPlan {
+  let mostRecentPresentIndex: number | null = null;
+  let mostRecentPresentAtMs = Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY;
+
+  for (const [clientIndex, state] of allStates.entries()) {
+    const clampedActivityAtMs =
+      state.lastActivityAtMs === null ? null : Math.min(state.lastActivityAtMs, nowMs);
+    const isPresent =
+      clampedActivityAtMs !== null && nowMs - clampedActivityAtMs <= PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS;
+
+    if (!isPresent) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (state.focusedAgentId === agentId) {
+      return { inAppRecipientIndex: null, shouldPush: false };
+    }
+
+    if (clampedActivityAtMs > mostRecentPresentAtMs) {
+      mostRecentPresentIndex = clientIndex;
+      mostRecentPresentAtMs = clampedActivityAtMs;
+    }
   }
 
-  return !hasActiveWebClient(allClientStates) && !hasActiveForegroundMobileClient(allClientStates);
+  if (mostRecentPresentIndex !== null) {
+    return { inAppRecipientIndex: mostRecentPresentIndex, shouldPush: false };
+  }
+
+  return { inAppRecipientIndex: null, shouldPush: reason !== "error" };
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/server/client-activity.e2e.test.ts b/packages/server/src/server/client-activity.e2e.test.ts
index a596ba7fb..77770e677 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/server/client-activity.e2e.test.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/server/client-activity.e2e.test.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
-import { describe, test, expect, beforeEach, afterEach } from "vitest";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, test, vi } from "vitest";
 import { createTestPaseoDaemon, type TestPaseoDaemon } from "./test-utils/paseo-daemon.js";
 import { DaemonClient } from "./test-utils/daemon-client.js";
 import type { AgentStreamEventPayload } from "../shared/messages.js";
 import type { AgentSnapshotPayload } from "./messages.js";
+import { PushService } from "./push/push-service.js";
+import { PushTokenStore } from "./push/token-store.js";
+import { PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS } from "./agent-attention-policy.js";
 
 /**
  * Tests for client activity tracking and smart notifications.
@@ -11,11 +14,9 @@ import type { AgentSnapshotPayload } from "./messages.js";
  * We want to notify them where they'll see it.
  *
  * Rules:
- * 1. If user is actively looking at the agent (focused + visible + recent activity) → no notification
- * 2. If user is on a device but looking elsewhere → notify on that device
- * 3. If web is stale (>2min no activity) but mobile is connected → notify mobile, not web
- * 4. Mobile is the fallback - always notify if connected and web is stale
- * 5. Switching tabs (appVisible=false) with recent activity → NO notification (user is still at computer)
+ * 1. If a present client is focused on the agent → no notification
+ * 2. Otherwise, notify the most recently active present client
+ * 3. If no client is present → send push for non-error attention
  *
  * Heartbeat contains:
  * - deviceType: "web" | "mobile"
@@ -30,8 +31,14 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
   let daemon: TestPaseoDaemon;
   let client1: DaemonClient;
   let client2: DaemonClient;
+  let sendPushSpy: ReturnType<typeof vi.spyOn>;
+  let getAllTokensSpy: ReturnType<typeof vi.spyOn>;
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
+    sendPushSpy = vi.spyOn(PushService.prototype, "sendPush").mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    getAllTokensSpy = vi
+      .spyOn(PushTokenStore.prototype, "getAllTokens")
+      .mockReturnValue(["ExponentPushToken[activity-test]"]);
     daemon = await createTestPaseoDaemon();
   });
 
@@ -39,6 +46,8 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
     if (client1) await client1.close().catch(() => {});
     if (client2) await client2.close().catch(() => {});
     await daemon.close();
+    sendPushSpy.mockRestore();
+    getAllTokensSpy.mockRestore();
   }, 30000);
 
   async function createClient(): Promise<DaemonClient> {
@@ -143,7 +152,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
     }, 120000);
 
-    test("no notification when app is not visible but activity is recent (user just switched tabs)", async () => {
+    test("notification when app is not visible but activity is recent", async () => {
       client1 = await createClient();
 
       const agent = await createAgent({
@@ -151,7 +160,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
         title: "App Hidden Test",
       });
 
-      // User switched away from the app but was active recently - they're still at the computer
+      // User switched away from the app but was active recently.
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "web",
         focusedAgentId: null, // null because app not visible
@@ -167,10 +176,10 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       const attention = await attentionPromise;
 
       expect(attention.reason).toBe("finished");
-      expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
     }, 120000);
 
-    test("notification when activity is stale (user walked away for 2+ minutes)", async () => {
+    test("push fallback when activity is stale beyond the presence threshold", async () => {
       client1 = await createClient();
 
       const agent = await createAgent({
@@ -178,8 +187,8 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
         title: "Stale Activity Test",
       });
 
-      // User had agent focused but no activity for 2+ minutes (stale threshold)
-      const staleTime = new Date(Date.now() - 125_000).toISOString(); // 2min 5sec ago
+      // User had agent focused but no activity beyond the presence threshold.
+      const staleTime = new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 5_000).toISOString();
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "web",
         focusedAgentId: agent.id,
@@ -195,7 +204,8 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       const attention = await attentionPromise;
 
       expect(attention.reason).toBe("finished");
-      expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
+      expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(sendPushSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     }, 120000);
 
     test("notification when no heartbeat received (legacy/new client)", async () => {
@@ -214,7 +224,8 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       const attention = await attentionPromise;
 
       expect(attention.reason).toBe("finished");
-      expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
+      expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(sendPushSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     }, 120000);
   });
 
@@ -261,7 +272,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
     }, 120000);
 
-    test("both notify when both web clients are inactive", async () => {
+    test("pushes when both web clients are inactive", async () => {
       client1 = await createClient();
       client2 = await createClient();
 
@@ -270,7 +281,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
         title: "Both Inactive Test",
       });
 
-      const staleTime = new Date(Date.now() - 120_000).toISOString();
+      const staleTime = new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 5_000).toISOString();
 
       // Both clients stale
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
@@ -295,9 +306,46 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
 
       const [attention1, attention2] = await Promise.all([attention1Promise, attention2Promise]);
 
-      // Both should notify - no one is watching
-      expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
+      // No stale client is selected for in-app; push handles the fallback.
+      expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(sendPushSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    }, 120000);
+
+    test("notifies only the present Electron-style web client when Firefox is stale", async () => {
+      client1 = await createClient();
+      client2 = await createClient();
+
+      const agent = await createAgent({
+        client: client1,
+        title: "Stale Firefox Present Electron Test",
+      });
+
+      client1.sendHeartbeat({
+        deviceType: "web",
+        focusedAgentId: agent.id,
+        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 60_000).toISOString(),
+        appVisible: false,
+      });
+
+      client2.sendHeartbeat({
+        deviceType: "web",
+        focusedAgentId: null,
+        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 1_000).toISOString(),
+        appVisible: false,
+      });
+
+      await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 100));
+
+      const attention1Promise = waitForAttentionRequired(client1, agent.id);
+      const attention2Promise = waitForAttentionRequired(client2, agent.id);
+      await client1.sendMessage(agent.id, "Say 'hello' and nothing else");
+
+      const [attention1, attention2] = await Promise.all([attention1Promise, attention2Promise]);
+
+      expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
       expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
+      expect(sendPushSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     }, 120000);
   });
 
@@ -327,7 +375,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       client2.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "mobile",
         focusedAgentId: null,
-        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 300_000).toISOString(), // 5 min ago
+        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 60_000).toISOString(),
         appVisible: false,
       });
 
@@ -357,7 +405,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "web",
         focusedAgentId: null,
-        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 120_000).toISOString(),
+        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 5_000).toISOString(),
         appVisible: false,
       });
 
@@ -382,7 +430,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
     }, 120000);
 
-    test("notify mobile only when web is stale", async () => {
+    test("notify mobile only when web is stale and mobile is present", async () => {
       client1 = await createClient(); // web
       client2 = await createClient(); // mobile
 
@@ -395,15 +443,15 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "web",
         focusedAgentId: agent.id, // was looking at agent
-        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 120_000).toISOString(), // but 2 min ago
+        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 5_000).toISOString(),
         appVisible: true,
       });
 
-      // Mobile: connected but not active (phone in pocket)
+      // Mobile: present but not focused on the agent
       client2.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "mobile",
         focusedAgentId: null,
-        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 300_000).toISOString(), // 5 min ago
+        lastActivityAt: new Date().toISOString(),
         appVisible: false,
       });
 
@@ -415,9 +463,9 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
 
       const [attention1, attention2] = await Promise.all([attention1Promise, attention2Promise]);
 
-      // Web stale → don't notify web, notify mobile instead
       expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
       expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
+      expect(sendPushSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     }, 120000);
 
     test("notify web when user active on web but looking at different agent", async () => {
@@ -440,7 +488,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       client2.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "mobile",
         focusedAgentId: null,
-        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 300_000).toISOString(),
+        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 60_000).toISOString(),
         appVisible: false,
       });
 
@@ -458,7 +506,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
     }, 120000);
 
-    test("notify both when both devices inactive and no one watching agent", async () => {
+    test("pushes when both devices are inactive and no one is watching agent", async () => {
       client1 = await createClient(); // web
       client2 = await createClient(); // mobile
 
@@ -467,7 +515,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
         title: "Both Inactive Test",
       });
 
-      const staleTime = new Date(Date.now() - 120_000).toISOString();
+      const staleTime = new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 5_000).toISOString();
 
       // Web: stale
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
@@ -493,10 +541,9 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
 
       const [attention1, attention2] = await Promise.all([attention1Promise, attention2Promise]);
 
-      // Mobile always notifies when no one is watching
-      // Web is stale so don't bother notifying there
-      expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(false); // web stale
-      expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(true); // mobile fallback
+      expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(sendPushSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     }, 120000);
   });
 
@@ -505,7 +552,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
   // ===========================================================================
 
   describe("edge cases", () => {
-    test("mobile notifies even with no heartbeat when web is stale", async () => {
+    test("pushes when web is stale and mobile has no heartbeat", async () => {
       client1 = await createClient(); // web
       client2 = await createClient(); // mobile - no heartbeat
 
@@ -518,12 +565,11 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "web",
         focusedAgentId: agent.id,
-        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 120_000).toISOString(),
+        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - PRESENCE_THRESHOLD_MS - 5_000).toISOString(),
         appVisible: true,
       });
 
       // Mobile: never sent heartbeat (new connection)
-      // Should still receive notification as fallback
 
       await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 100));
 
@@ -533,13 +579,12 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
 
       const [attention1, attention2] = await Promise.all([attention1Promise, attention2Promise]);
 
-      // Web stale → no notification
-      // Mobile has no heartbeat → treat as should notify (we don't know device type)
       expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
-      expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
+      expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(sendPushSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     }, 120000);
 
-    test("no notification when app not visible but activity recent (switched tabs recently)", async () => {
+    test("notification when app not visible but activity is recent", async () => {
       client1 = await createClient();
 
       const agent = await createAgent({
@@ -547,7 +592,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
         title: "Tab Switch Test",
       });
 
-      // User just switched tabs but was active 10 seconds ago - still at computer
+      // User just switched tabs but was active 10 seconds ago.
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "web",
         focusedAgentId: null, // not focused - tab hidden
@@ -562,11 +607,10 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
 
       const attention = await attentionPromise;
 
-      // User is at the computer (recent activity) - no notification needed
-      expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(attention.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
     }, 120000);
 
-    test("no notification to either when both have recent activity (user is present)", async () => {
+    test("notifies only the lower-index client when both have identical recent activity", async () => {
       client1 = await createClient(); // web
       client2 = await createClient(); // mobile
 
@@ -575,11 +619,13 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
         title: "Both Recent Activity Test",
       });
 
-      // Web: tab hidden but recent activity (user at computer, switched tabs)
+      const recentTime = new Date(Date.now() - 30_000).toISOString();
+
+      // Web: tab hidden but recent activity
       client1.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "web",
         focusedAgentId: null,
-        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 30_000).toISOString(), // 30s ago
+        lastActivityAt: recentTime,
         appVisible: false,
       });
 
@@ -587,7 +633,7 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
       client2.sendHeartbeat({
         deviceType: "mobile",
         focusedAgentId: null,
-        lastActivityAt: new Date(Date.now() - 30_000).toISOString(),
+        lastActivityAt: recentTime,
         appVisible: false,
       });
 
@@ -599,9 +645,9 @@ describe("client activity tracking", () => {
 
       const [attention1, attention2] = await Promise.all([attention1Promise, attention2Promise]);
 
-      // Both have recent activity - user is present, no notification needed
-      expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(attention1.shouldNotify).toBe(true);
       expect(attention2.shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+      expect(sendPushSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     }, 120000);
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/server/src/server/websocket-server.notifications.test.ts b/packages/server/src/server/websocket-server.notifications.test.ts
index 3bddaeeb1..b130e4dbb 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/server/websocket-server.notifications.test.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/server/websocket-server.notifications.test.ts
@@ -109,6 +109,62 @@ function createServer(agentManagerOverrides?: Record<string, unknown>) {
   return { server, agentManager };
 }
 
+function createOpenSocket() {
+  return {
+    readyState: 1,
+    send: vi.fn(),
+    close: vi.fn(),
+    on: vi.fn(),
+    once: vi.fn(),
+  };
+}
+
+function createSessionWithActivity(
+  activity: {
+    deviceType: "web" | "mobile";
+    focusedAgentId: string | null;
+    lastActivityAt: Date;
+    appVisible: boolean;
+    appVisibilityChangedAt?: Date;
+  } | null,
+) {
+  return {
+    getClientActivity: vi.fn(() => activity),
+  };
+}
+
+function connectClient(
+  server: VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer,
+  activity: {
+    deviceType: "web" | "mobile";
+    focusedAgentId: string | null;
+    lastActivityAt: Date;
+    appVisible: boolean;
+    appVisibilityChangedAt?: Date;
+  } | null,
+) {
+  const ws = createOpenSocket();
+  (server as any).sessions.set(ws, {
+    session: createSessionWithActivity(activity),
+    clientId: "client-test",
+    appVersion: null,
+    connectionLogger: createLogger(),
+    sockets: new Set([ws]),
+    externalDisconnectCleanupTimeout: null,
+  });
+  return ws;
+}
+
+function readAttentionRequiredMessage(ws: ReturnType<typeof createOpenSocket>) {
+  const rawMessage = ws.send.mock.calls[0]?.[0];
+  expect(typeof rawMessage).toBe("string");
+  const message = JSON.parse(rawMessage as string);
+  expect(message.type).toBe("session");
+  expect(message.message.type).toBe("agent_stream");
+  expect(message.message.payload.event.type).toBe("attention_required");
+  return message.message.payload.event;
+}
+
 describe("VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer notification payloads", () => {
   afterEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks();
@@ -166,4 +222,59 @@ describe("VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer notification payloads", () => {
     expect(pushMocks.sendPush).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     expect(getLastAssistantMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith("agent-2");
   });
+
+  it("routes a hidden stale focused browser tab's notification to the present Electron web client", async () => {
+    const { server } = createServer();
+    const nowMs = Date.now();
+    const electronWs = connectClient(server, {
+      deviceType: "web",
+      appVisible: false,
+      focusedAgentId: "agent-Y",
+      lastActivityAt: new Date(nowMs - 5_000),
+    });
+    const firefoxWs = connectClient(server, {
+      deviceType: "web",
+      appVisible: false,
+      focusedAgentId: "agent-X",
+      lastActivityAt: new Date(nowMs - 300_000),
+    });
+
+    await (server as any).broadcastAgentAttention({
+      agentId: "agent-X",
+      provider: "claude",
+      reason: "finished",
+    });
+
+    expect(readAttentionRequiredMessage(electronWs).shouldNotify).toBe(true);
+    expect(readAttentionRequiredMessage(firefoxWs).shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+    expect(pushMocks.sendPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("pushes non-error attention when the only connected client has never sent a heartbeat", async () => {
+    const { server } = createServer();
+    const ws = connectClient(server, null);
+
+    await (server as any).broadcastAgentAttention({
+      agentId: "agent-no-heartbeat",
+      provider: "claude",
+      reason: "finished",
+    });
+
+    expect(readAttentionRequiredMessage(ws).shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+    expect(pushMocks.sendPush).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it("does not push error attention when the only connected client has never sent a heartbeat", async () => {
+    const { server } = createServer();
+    const ws = connectClient(server, null);
+
+    await (server as any).broadcastAgentAttention({
+      agentId: "agent-no-heartbeat",
+      provider: "claude",
+      reason: "error",
+    });
+
+    expect(readAttentionRequiredMessage(ws).shouldNotify).toBe(false);
+    expect(pushMocks.sendPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
 });
diff --git a/packages/server/src/server/websocket-server.ts b/packages/server/src/server/websocket-server.ts
index dff46c27d..a4c0bdebc 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/server/websocket-server.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/server/websocket-server.ts
@@ -42,11 +42,7 @@ import type { ScriptRouteStore } from "./script-proxy.js";
 import type { WorkspaceScriptRuntimeStore } from "./workspace-script-runtime-store.js";
 import type { SpeechReadinessSnapshot, SpeechService } from "./speech/speech-runtime.js";
 import type { VoiceCallerContext, VoiceSpeakHandler } from "./voice-types.js";
-import {
-  computeShouldNotifyClient,
-  computeShouldSendPush,
-  type ClientAttentionState,
-} from "./agent-attention-policy.js";
+import { computeNotificationPlan, type ClientPresenceState } from "./agent-attention-policy.js";
 import {
   buildAgentAttentionNotificationPayload,
   findLatestPermissionRequest,
@@ -1319,8 +1315,6 @@ export class VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer {
     }
   }
 
-  private readonly ACTIVITY_THRESHOLD_MS = 120_000;
-
   private incrementRuntimeCounter(counter: keyof WebSocketRuntimeCounters): void {
     this.runtimeCounters[counter] += 1;
   }
@@ -1520,19 +1514,18 @@ export class VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer {
     this.runtimeWindowStartedAt = now;
   }
 
-  private getClientActivityState(session: Session): ClientAttentionState {
+  private getClientActivityState(session: Session): ClientPresenceState {
     const activity = session.getClientActivity();
     if (!activity) {
-      return { deviceType: null, focusedAgentId: null, isStale: true, appVisible: false };
+      return {
+        focusedAgentId: null,
+        lastActivityAtMs: null,
+      };
     }
-    const now = Date.now();
-    const ageMs = now - activity.lastActivityAt.getTime();
-    const isStale = ageMs >= this.ACTIVITY_THRESHOLD_MS;
+
     return {
-      deviceType: activity.deviceType,
       focusedAgentId: activity.focusedAgentId,
-      isStale,
-      appVisible: activity.appVisible,
+      lastActivityAtMs: activity.lastActivityAt.getTime(),
     };
   }
 
@@ -1543,7 +1536,7 @@ export class VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer {
   }): Promise<void> {
     const clientEntries: Array<{
       ws: WebSocketLike;
-      state: ClientAttentionState;
+      state: ClientPresenceState;
     }> = [];
 
     for (const [ws, connection] of this.sessions) {
@@ -1554,6 +1547,7 @@ export class VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer {
     }
 
     const allStates = clientEntries.map((e) => e.state);
+    const nowMs = Date.now();
     const agent = this.agentManager.getAgent(params.agentId);
     const assistantMessage = await this.agentManager.getLastAssistantMessage(params.agentId);
     const notification = buildAgentAttentionNotificationPayload({
@@ -1564,14 +1558,14 @@ export class VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer {
       permissionRequest: agent ? findLatestPermissionRequest(agent.pendingPermissions) : null,
     });
 
-    // Push is only a fallback when the user is away from desktop/web.
-    // Also suppress push if they're actively using the mobile app.
-    const shouldSendPush = computeShouldSendPush({
+    const plan = computeNotificationPlan({
+      allStates,
+      agentId: params.agentId,
       reason: params.reason,
-      allClientStates: allStates,
+      nowMs,
     });
 
-    if (shouldSendPush) {
+    if (plan.shouldPush) {
       const tokens = this.pushTokenStore.getAllTokens();
       this.logger.info({ tokenCount: tokens.length }, "Sending push notification");
       if (tokens.length > 0) {
@@ -1579,13 +1573,9 @@ export class VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer {
       }
     }
 
-    for (const { ws, state } of clientEntries) {
-      const shouldNotify = computeShouldNotifyClient({
-        clientState: state,
-        allClientStates: allStates,
-        agentId: params.agentId,
-      });
-
+    for (const [clientIndex, { ws }] of clientEntries.entries()) {
+      const shouldNotify = clientIndex === plan.inAppRecipientIndex;
+      const timestamp = new Date().toISOString();
       const message = wrapSessionMessage({
         type: "agent_stream",
         payload: {
@@ -1594,11 +1584,11 @@ export class VoiceAssistantWebSocketServer {
             type: "attention_required",
             provider: params.provider,
             reason: params.reason,
-            timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
+            timestamp,
             shouldNotify,
             notification,
           },
-          timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
+          timestamp,
         },
       });