TASK 24 post-pause polish batch (creator's 8 review issues, 2026-08-15): (1) desktop/game audio volume slider + (2) mute were no-ops — the AudioMixer's gain Func seams defaulted to unity because the VM never passed them; new AudioGainProvider (Services/Audio/) wires MicMuted/MicVolume/GameMuted/GameAudioVolume into the mixer at construction, read live each mix tick, so sliders and mutes are stream-honest; the game bar also scales TRAX locally via new MusicPlayer.LocalGain (UpdateTraxLocalGain on every game volume/mute change + on load) so the creator HEARS the controls work on the music in the headphones. (3) TRAX played once then stopped — OnPlaybackStopped only looped on Position>=Length (unreliable for MediaFoundationReader); now any clean stop rewinds + replays, errors/explicit stops surface via PlaybackEnded; unused using dropped. (4+6) TRAX moved right of Socials in the footer's left cluster (centered under scenes/sources); the mic cluster is now MIC + meter + mute + volume. (5) mic source persists — LayoutStore gains a Settings key/value table (SaveMicSourceName/LoadMicSourceName); the VM saves on pick and restores before the mixer's first Start, so a restart reconnects the same vetted device (green) or reports it missing (yellow). (7) Backdrop's missing trashcan shifted the edit/eye icons right — new HiddenBoolToVisibilityConverter keeps the trash column reserved (Hidden, not Collapsed) so every source row's icons stay in fixed columns. (8) a 1px hairline with top/bottom padding separates scenes from sources in the left panel. Docs in the same commit: ai.md (gains honest + drive TRAX locally, TRAX loops, mic persistence, footer layout), TASKS.md TASK 24, HANDOFF.md shipped state, ViewModels/index.md. ONE integration test: AudioPipelineTests.Mix_HonorsProviderGains_AndGameMute_KillsTheLoopback (real mixer + provider gains through the pipe harness: scaled loopback audible, silence after mute). Build 0 warnings, 197 tests passing

HANDOFF.md

@@ -5,43 +5,62 @@
 > a problem. Conventions: [`schema.md`](schema.md). Rewrite this file at session
 > end, compaction, or any interruption.
 
-## Session state (last updated: 2026-08-14)
+## Session state (last updated: 2026-08-15)
 
-- **Branch:** `main`, tracking `origin/main` at **`f2f6401`** (pushed). Working tree was clean until the
+- **Branch:** `main`, tracking `origin/main`. Working tree: the **TASK 24 polish batch** below is
-  monetization docs changeset below.
+  committed + pushed. Local branches `social-bar`/`webcam-validation` untouched (no secrets).
-- **AUDIO MILESTONE (TASK 9) — SHIPPED + COMMITTED + PUSHED this session.** Real stream audio + voice
+- **TASK 24 — POST-PAUSE POLISH BATCH — SHIPPED + COMMITTED + PUSHED 2026-08-15.** All 8 creator
-  filters + auto-duck + free TRAX background music. Build **0 warnings**, full suite **196 passing**
+  review issues fixed in one branch (details below). Build **0 warnings**, full suite **197 passing**
-  (ONE integration test: `AudioPipelineTests.Mix_WithFiltersDuckAndGain_Lands_On_AudioPipe`). Commits
+  (ONE integration test for this branch: `AudioPipelineTests.Mix_HonorsProviderGains_AndGameMute_KillsTheLoopback`).
-  **`6d71ace`** (milestone) + **`f2f6401`** (secrets cleanup), force-pushed (`725f5a7...f2f6401`).
+- **AUDIO MILESTONE (TASK 9) — SHIPPED + COMMITTED + PUSHED.** Real stream audio + voice filters +
-- **Secrets scrubbed from git history.** The DO token + passwords recorded in `HANDOFF.md` were removed
+  auto-duck + free TRAX background music. Commits `6d71ace` (milestone) + `f2f6401` (secrets cleanup),
-  from the working file and **purged from all history** via `git filter-branch` over `3d92bd0..main`
+  force-pushed (`725f5a7...f2f6401`).
-  + `git gc --prune=now --aggressive` (scan of all refs = 0 hits). They still exist in chat — **keep
+- **MONETIZATION LOCKED (2026-08-14, creator) — committed `86fcd86`.** One paid line = **annual
-  treating as compromised**; rotate the DO API token. Old objects remain in llgit's store until server
+  subscription**: early access **$49.99/yr** → **$99/yr list at GA**, **grandfather-while-subscribed**,
-  GC (unreachable, not fetchable). If a value is ever needed, `git reflog` is expired — it's gone.
+  lapse → list on renewal. Free tier unchanged (branding flash = the billboard + no Alerts; Alerts is
-- **MONETIZATION LOCKED (2026-08-14, creator).** One paid line = **annual subscription**: early access
+  the paid feature). **Billing NOT itch-locked**; candidates Gumroad (native affiliates =
-  **$49.99/yr** → **$99/yr list at GA**, **grandfather-while-subscribed**, lapse → list on renewal.
+  tiebreaker) / Lemon Squeezy. Support = in-app bug-report → git issues. Full policy in `ai.md` →
-  Free tier unchanged (branding flash = the billboard + no Alerts; Alerts is the paid feature).
+  Monetization; scoped plan in `TASKS.md` **TASK 23**.
-  **Billing NOT itch-locked** — itch.io has no native subscription billing; candidates Gumroad (native
+- **Secrets scrubbed from git history.** The DO token + passwords were purged via `git filter-branch`
-  affiliates = tiebreaker) / Lemon Squeezy. Support = in-app bug-report → git issues, "when I get
+  + `git gc --prune=now --aggressive` (all-refs scan = 0 hits); values still exist in chat — keep
-  around to it" + emergency patches. Full policy in `ai.md` → Monetization; scoped plan + line-items
+  treating as **compromised**; rotate the DO API token.
-  in `TASKS.md` **TASK 23**.
+- **Shipped, all pushed:** TASK 24 polish batch, TASK 21 (creator-hub About, `3d92bd0`), TASK 8
-- **DEVELOPMENT PAUSED (creator's call 2026-08-14) — resuming streaming instead.** Channel revival =
+  (meter +10 dB), TASK 4 ship step 7 (one-click go-live + private-only), TASK 9 audio milestone
-  **pair-programming dev streams via OBS** (ytLlive can't go live yet: private-only + `_rtmpUrlProvider`
+  (`6d71ace`), secrets cleanup (`f2f6401`), monetization docs (`86fcd86`).
-  null) + **The Division 2** gaming streams under the **"gramps/GOAT"** persona (67, gaming since 1981).
+- **Resume point (next branch):** **TASK 5** — reusable stream → `_rtmpUrlProvider` (the last blocker
-  3D-printing content retired (printer hard down, novelty gone). **Dogfood switch** later: when TASK 5 +
+  before go-live actually encodes + pushes). Then TASK 23 (billing + unlock + support).
-  go-live capability land, stream *with* ytLlive — Division 2 (loud game + voice) is the demo for the
-  ducking/voice-filter story. Early-access strategy + affiliate/ads are their own future line-item tasks.
-- **Docs changeset in flight (THIS changeset):** `ai.md` Monetization rewritten + stale paid-unlock seams
-  fixed; `TASKS.md` TASK 23 added + TASK 21's itch.io URL mention corrected; this file rewritten. Commit
-  + push as one change.
-- **Shipped, all pushed:** TASK 21 (creator-hub About, `3d92bd0`), TASK 8 (meter +10 dB), TASK 4 ship
-  step 7 (one-click go-live + private-only), TASK 9 audio milestone (`6d71ace`), secrets cleanup
-  (`f2f6401`).
-- **Resume point (when dev starts again):** **TASK 5** — reusable stream → `_rtmpUrlProvider` (the last
-  blocker before go-live actually encodes + pushes). Then TASK 23 (billing + unlock + support).
   Optional, not queued: rewriting the healed entry's `ProfileUrl` to
   `https://mastodon.llamachile.tube/@gramps` (user must say the word).
 
+## TASK 24 — the 8-issue polish batch — SHIPPED 2026-08-15 (what changed)
+
+The creator's review of the TASK 9 build, all fixed in one branch (full record in `TASKS.md` TASK 24).
+
+1. ✅ **Desktop/game audio volume slider had no effect** — the `AudioMixer` gain seams defaulted to
+   unity (the VM never passed them): the slider/mute were decorative, stream AND local. Fixed with a
+   new **`AudioGainProvider`** (`Services/Audio/`) wired into the mixer at construction, read live
+   each mix tick.
+2. ✅ **Desktop/game mute had no effect** — same wiring; `GameMuted` now zeroes the loopback on the
+   stream AND silences the music locally via new `MusicPlayer.LocalGain` (scaled by the game bar on
+   every volume/mute change + on TRAX load) — the creator hears the control work in the headphones.
+3. ✅ **TRAX played once then stopped** — `OnPlaybackStopped` only looped when `Position >= Length`
+   (unreliable for `MediaFoundationReader`); now any clean stop rewinds + replays. Dropped the unused
+   `using System.Runtime.InteropServices;` too.
+4. ✅ **TRAX/MIC buttons swapped** — footer mic cluster is now MIC + meter + mute + volume (TRAX is out
+   of the mic cluster entirely).
+5. ✅ **Mic source persists across restarts** — `LayoutStore` gained a `Settings` key/value table
+   (`SaveMicSourceName`/`LoadMicSourceName`); the VM saves on pick and restores before the mixer's
+   first `Start` → same already-vetted device reconnects green on restart, missing → yellow.
+6. ✅ **TRAX moved right of Socials** — both centered under the scenes/sources listboxes (footer line
+   1, left cluster).
+7. ✅ **Backdrop icons shifted right** — new `HiddenBoolToVisibilityConverter` keeps the trash column
+   reserved (`Hidden`, not `Collapsed`) so edit/eye stay in fixed columns for every source row.
+8. ✅ **No separation between scenes and sources** — a 1px hairline with top/bottom padding now sits
+   between the two left-panel listboxes.
+
+**THE ONE integration test:** `Mix_HonorsProviderGains_AndGameMute_KillsTheLoopback` — real mixer +
+`AudioGainProvider` gains through the pipe harness: scaled loopback audible at 0.5, silence after mute.
+
 ## TASK 9 audio milestone — SHIPPED 2026-08-14 (what changed)
 
 The creator's feature review settled this as the single next branch ("all the audio issues done and

Helpers/HiddenBoolToVisibilityConverter.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+using System.Globalization;
+using System.Windows;
+using System.Windows.Data;
+
+namespace ytLive.Helpers;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Maps bool → Visibility, collapsing nothing: true becomes <c>Hidden</c> (keeps
+/// its layout slot) rather than <c>Collapsed</c> (releases it). Used where a row
+/// must keep its column grid aligned — e.g. the Backdrop source's missing
+/// trashcan must not shift the edit/eye icons one slot to the right.
+/// </summary>
+public class HiddenBoolToVisibilityConverter : IValueConverter
+{
+    public object Convert(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
+        => value is true ? Visibility.Hidden : Visibility.Visible;
+
+    public object ConvertBack(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
+        => value is Visibility.Visible;
+}

MainWindow.xaml

@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@
                                                   xmlns:Helpers="clr-namespace:ytLive.Helpers"/>
         <Helpers:NotNullToVisibilityConverter x:Key="NotNullToVis"
                                               xmlns:Helpers="clr-namespace:ytLive.Helpers"/>
+        <Helpers:HiddenBoolToVisibilityConverter x:Key="HiddenBoolToVis"
+                                                 xmlns:Helpers="clr-namespace:ytLive.Helpers"/>
         <Helpers:EnumToBoolConverter x:Key="EnumToBool"
                                      xmlns:Helpers="clr-namespace:ytLive.Helpers"/>
 
@@ -148,6 +150,7 @@
                         <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
                         <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
                         <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
+                        <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
                         <RowDefinition Height="*"/>
                     </Grid.RowDefinitions>
 
@@ -205,8 +208,12 @@
                         </ListBox.ItemTemplate>
                     </Helpers:FocusPreservingListBox>
 
+                    <!-- Visual separation between the two listboxes: a hairline
+                         with breathing room on either side (the creator's fix). -->
+                    <Rectangle Grid.Row="2" Height="1" Fill="#2c3a5c" Margin="0,10,0,2"/>
+
                     <!-- Sources (for active scene) -->
-                    <StackPanel Grid.Row="2" Orientation="Horizontal" Margin="0,8,0,0">
+                    <StackPanel Grid.Row="3" Orientation="Horizontal" Margin="0,8,0,0">
                         <TextBlock Text="SOURCES" Style="{StaticResource SectionHeader}" VerticalAlignment="Center"/>
                         <Button ToolTip="Add Source" Style="{StaticResource IconButton}" Margin="4,-4,0,0"
                                 Click="AddSourceButton_Click">
@@ -226,7 +233,7 @@
                         </Button>
                     </StackPanel>
 
-                    <Helpers:FocusPreservingListBox x:Name="SourceList" Grid.Row="3" Background="Transparent" BorderThickness="0"
+                    <Helpers:FocusPreservingListBox x:Name="SourceList" Grid.Row="4" Background="Transparent" BorderThickness="0"
                              ItemsSource="{Binding ActiveScene.Elements}"
                              SelectedItem="{Binding SelectedElement, Mode=TwoWay}"
                              PreviewMouseLeftButtonDown="List_PreviewMouseLeftButtonDown"
@@ -313,7 +320,7 @@
                                     <Button Grid.Column="3" ToolTip="Remove Source"
                                             Command="{Binding DataContext.RemoveSourceCommand, RelativeSource={RelativeSource AncestorType=ListBox}}"
                                             CommandParameter="{Binding}" Style="{StaticResource IconButton}"
-                                            Visibility="{Binding IsBackdrop, Converter={StaticResource InverseBoolToVis}}">
+                                            Visibility="{Binding IsBackdrop, Converter={StaticResource HiddenBoolToVis}}">
                                         <Path Data="M6,19c0,1.1 0.9,2 2,2h8c1.1,0 2,-0.9 2,-2V7H6v12zM19,4h-3.5l-1,-1h-5l-1,1H5v2h14V4z"
                                               Fill="#d0d0d0" Width="13" Height="13" Stretch="Uniform"/>
                                     </Button>
@@ -322,7 +329,7 @@
                         </ListBox.ItemTemplate>
                     </Helpers:FocusPreservingListBox>
 
-                    <TextBlock Grid.Row="3" Text="No sources yet" Foreground="#555" FontSize="12"
+                    <TextBlock Grid.Row="4" Text="No sources yet" Foreground="#555" FontSize="12"
                                HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center"
                                Visibility="{Binding ShowSourcesEmptyHint, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVis}}"/>
                 </Grid>
@@ -750,8 +757,9 @@
                              preview while a full-screen game is producing sound or
                              TRAX music is playing (the game audio detector). Meter
                              + mute + volume control live here; desktop audio itself
-                             is automatic WASAPI loopback, and since TASK 9 it rides
+                             is automatic WASAPI loopback. Volume + mute are
-                             into the live mix (game volume + mute are stream-honest). -->
+                             stream-honest AND scale the TRAX music in the
+                             headphones, so the creator hears the control work. -->
                         <Border HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Bottom"
                                 Background="#D9000000" CornerRadius="6" Padding="12,8"
                                 Margin="0,0,0,12"
@@ -855,12 +863,12 @@
                     <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
                 </Grid.RowDefinitions>
 
-                <!-- Line 1: Social controls on the LEFT (under scenes/sources),
+                <!-- Line 1: Social controls + TRAX on the LEFT (under scenes/sources),
                      sound meter + volume control CENTERED beneath the preview panel.
-                     Audio is KISS: desktop/game audio is automatic (WASAPI loopback
+                     Audio is KISS: desktop/game audio is automatic (WASAPI loopback);
-                     at unity); the mic meter is the creator's only footer audio
+                     the mic meter is the creator's only footer audio control (the
-                     control (the game audio bar lives INSIDE the preview window,
+                     game audio bar lives INSIDE the preview window, overlaid at its
-                     overlaid at its bottom edge while a full-screen game is up). -->
+                     bottom edge while a full-screen game is up). -->
                 <Grid Grid.Row="0">
                     <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
                         <ColumnDefinition Width="220"/>
@@ -868,12 +876,14 @@
                         <ColumnDefinition Width="300"/>
                     </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
 
-                    <!-- Social controls: centered under the scenes/sources listboxes -->
+                    <!-- Social controls + TRAX: centered under the scenes/sources
+                         listboxes. TRAX rides the desktop/game audio channel, so
+                         it lives in the left cluster, away from the mic meter. -->
                     <StackPanel Grid.Column="0" Orientation="Horizontal"
                                 HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center">
                         <Button Command="{Binding OpenSocialDialogCommand}"
                                 Style="{StaticResource YtButtonSecondary}" Padding="12,4"
-                                FontSize="11" VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                FontSize="11" VerticalAlignment="Center" Margin="0,0,8,0"
                                 ToolTip="Add or manage your social handles">
                             <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
                                 <Ellipse Width="8" Height="8" Fill="{Binding SocialBarDotBrush}"
@@ -881,6 +891,21 @@
                                 <TextBlock Text="Socials"/>
                             </StackPanel>
                         </Button>
+                        <!-- TRAX (TASK 9): free background music. Dot: green = playing,
+                             yellow = loaded/stopped, red = no track. Left-click toggles
+                             play/pause (opens the picker when no track); right-click
+                             always opens the picker. -->
+                        <Button Style="{StaticResource YtButtonSecondary}" Padding="12,4"
+                                FontSize="11" VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                ToolTip="{Binding TraxToolTip}"
+                                Click="TraxButton_Click"
+                                PreviewMouseRightButtonUp="TraxButton_PreviewMouseRightButtonUp">
+                            <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
+                                <Ellipse Width="8" Height="8" Fill="{Binding TraxDotBrush}"
+                                         Margin="0,0,6,0" VerticalAlignment="Center"/>
+                                <TextBlock Text="TRAX"/>
+                            </StackPanel>
+                        </Button>
                     </StackPanel>
 
                     <!-- Mic meter + volume: centered under the preview panel -->
@@ -896,21 +921,6 @@
                             <TextBlock Text="MIC"/>
                         </StackPanel>
                     </Button>
-                    <!-- TRAX (TASK 9): free background music. Dot: green = playing,
-                         yellow = loaded/stopped, red = no track. Left-click toggles
-                         play/pause (opens the picker when no track); right-click
-                         always opens the picker. -->
-                    <Button Style="{StaticResource YtButtonSecondary}" Padding="12,4"
-                            FontSize="11" VerticalAlignment="Center" Margin="0,0,8,0"
-                            ToolTip="{Binding TraxToolTip}"
-                            Click="TraxButton_Click"
-                            PreviewMouseRightButtonUp="TraxButton_PreviewMouseRightButtonUp">
-                        <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
-                            <Ellipse Width="8" Height="8" Fill="{Binding TraxDotBrush}"
-                                     Margin="0,0,6,0" VerticalAlignment="Center"/>
-                            <TextBlock Text="TRAX"/>
-                        </StackPanel>
-                    </Button>
                     <!-- Sound meter: muted track with a ruler scale, zone tints at
                          the yellow (60%) and red (80%) starts. READ-ONLY realtime
                          level display (fill = live level scaled by volume). -->

Services/Audio/AudioGainProvider.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+namespace ytLive.Services.Audio;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Supplies the live-mix gain values (mic + loopback) as Func seams for
+/// <see cref="AudioMixer"/>, sourced from the VM's volume/mute state. Read live
+/// on every mix tick so slider drags and mutes take effect immediately on the
+/// stream. Mute and zero volume can never disagree: 0 always reads as muted.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class AudioGainProvider
+{
+    private readonly Func<bool> _micMuted;
+    private readonly Func<double> _micVolume;
+    private readonly Func<bool> _gameMuted;
+    private readonly Func<double> _gameVolume;
+
+    public AudioGainProvider(
+        Func<bool> micMuted,
+        Func<double> micVolume,
+        Func<bool> gameMuted,
+        Func<double> gameVolume)
+    {
+        _micMuted = micMuted;
+        _micVolume = micVolume;
+        _gameMuted = gameMuted;
+        _gameVolume = gameVolume;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Mic gain for the live mix (0 = muted).</summary>
+    public double MicGain() => _micMuted() ? 0 : _micVolume();
+
+    /// <summary>Loopback (desktop/game) gain for the live mix (0 = muted).</summary>
+    public double LoopbackGain() => _gameMuted() ? 0 : _gameVolume();
+}

Services/Audio/MusicPlayer.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 using System.IO;
-using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
 using NAudio.Wave;
 
 namespace ytLive.Services.Audio;
@@ -9,11 +8,14 @@ namespace ytLive.Services.Audio;
 /// fixed quiet volume so it rides the WASAPI loopback into the mix — the same
 /// physical path game audio takes, so music is ducked with the game, heard in
 /// headphones, and bounced on the desktop audio meter. Loops on natural end.
+/// The desktop/game bar's gain and mute scale <see cref="LocalGain"/>, so the
+/// creator hears the game-audio controls work on the music too.
 /// </summary>
 public sealed class MusicPlayer : IDisposable
 {
-    /// <summary>The one and only music level — quiet bed, no slider (the
+    /// <summary>The one and only music bed — quiet, no slider (the creator's
-    /// creator's voice must stay on top; game/music loudness is the ducker's job).</summary>
+    /// voice must stay on top; game/music loudness is the ducker's job). The
+    /// desktop audio bar scales this via <see cref="LocalGain"/>.</summary>
     public const float MusicVolume = 0.20f;
 
     private MediaFoundationReader? _reader;
@@ -21,6 +23,7 @@ public sealed class MusicPlayer : IDisposable
     private WaveOutEvent? _output;
     private bool _disposed;
     private bool _stopping;
+    private float _localGain = 1f;
 
     /// <summary>Raised when playback ends or is stopped (not on natural-end loop).</summary>
     public event Action? PlaybackEnded;
@@ -31,6 +34,19 @@ public sealed class MusicPlayer : IDisposable
 
     public bool IsPlaying => _output?.PlaybackState == PlaybackState.Playing;
 
+    /// <summary>Local gain multiplier from the desktop/game audio bar (0 = mute,
+    /// 1 = full bed). Applied live on top of the fixed <see cref="MusicVolume"/>.</summary>
+    public float LocalGain
+    {
+        get => _localGain;
+        set
+        {
+            _localGain = Math.Clamp(value, 0f, 1f);
+            if (_volume != null)
+                _volume.Volume = MusicVolume * _localGain;
+        }
+    }
+
     /// <summary>Loads a track and prepares playback (does not start it).</summary>
     public void Load(string path)
     {
@@ -40,7 +56,7 @@ public sealed class MusicPlayer : IDisposable
         Stop();
         TrackPath = path;
         _reader = new MediaFoundationReader(path);
-        _volume = new VolumeWaveProvider16(_reader) { Volume = MusicVolume };
+        _volume = new VolumeWaveProvider16(_reader) { Volume = MusicVolume * _localGain };
         _output = new WaveOutEvent();
         _output.PlaybackStopped += OnPlaybackStopped;
         _output.Init(_volume);
@@ -95,9 +111,11 @@ public sealed class MusicPlayer : IDisposable
         if (_disposed || _stopping || _output == null || _reader == null)
             return;
 
-        // Natural end → loop the track; anything else (an explicit stop or a
+        // Any clean stop is a natural end → loop the track (the Position/Length
-        // device failure) surfaces via PlaybackEnded so the UI can reset the dot.
+        // comparison is unreliable for MediaFoundationReader, so a track can
-        if (_reader.Position >= _reader.Length)
+        // otherwise play once and stop). Only an explicit stop or a device
+        // failure surfaces via PlaybackEnded so the UI can reset the dot.
+        if (e.Exception == null)
         {
             _reader.Position = 0;
             _output.Play();

Services/LayoutStore.cs

@@ -135,6 +135,12 @@ public class LayoutStore : IDisposable
                 IsEnabled INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0
             );
             """,
+            """
+            CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS Settings (
+                Key TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+                Value TEXT NOT NULL
+            );
+            """,
         };
         foreach (var sql in statements)
         {
@@ -585,6 +591,30 @@ public class LayoutStore : IDisposable
         return scenes;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>The last picked mic source name, or null if never chosen. Restored
+    /// at startup so the sound bar reconnects to the same, already-vetted device.</summary>
+    public string? LoadMicSourceName()
+    {
+        using var cmd = _connection.CreateCommand();
+        cmd.CommandText = "SELECT Value FROM Settings WHERE Key = 'MicSourceName';";
+        var value = cmd.ExecuteScalar() as string;
+        return string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(value) ? null : value;
+    }
+
+    public void SaveMicSourceName(string? name)
+    {
+        using var cmd = _connection.CreateCommand();
+        cmd.CommandText = "DELETE FROM Settings WHERE Key = 'MicSourceName';";
+        cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(name))
+            return;
+
+        using var insert = _connection.CreateCommand();
+        insert.CommandText = "INSERT INTO Settings (Key, Value) VALUES ('MicSourceName', $name);";
+        insert.Parameters.AddWithValue("$name", name);
+        insert.ExecuteNonQuery();
+    }
+
     public void Save(IEnumerable<Scene> scenes, Webcam? webcam, SocialsConfig? socials, Music? music = null)
     {
         using var tx = _connection.BeginTransaction();

TASKS.md

@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ the validator → persisted), compositor bar overlay (top/bottom + above-flash),
 
 **Goal:** Create/bind broadcasts, monitor YouTube-side stream health — the v3 way.
 
-### Status: ⏳ Not started — runs AFTER the TASK 9 audio milestone (creator's pick, 2026-08-14); `_currentBroadcastId` is already stashed from TASK 4 for its bind/transition work
+### Status: ⏳ Not started — runs AFTER the TASK 24 polish batch (creator's pick, 2026-08-15); `_currentBroadcastId` is already stashed from TASK 4 for its bind/transition work
 
 1. ☐ Broadcast creation — title/description/privacy/scheduledStartTime via API, with the v3 flags above
 2. ☐ Reusable stream — create once, cache + reuse; bind to broadcast
@@ -716,6 +716,50 @@ planning — those are separate line-item tasks. TASK 23 owns billing + unlock +
 
 ---
 
+## TASK 24 — Post-pause polish batch: the creator's 8 review issues (2026-08-15, shipped)
+
+**Status: ✅ SHIPPED 2026-08-15 — 197 tests passing, 0 warnings (ONE integration test:
+`AudioPipelineTests.Mix_HonorsProviderGains_AndGameMute_KillsTheLoopback`).**
+
+The creator reviewed the TASK 9 build and filed 8 issues. All fixed in one branch on `main`:
+
+1. ✅ **Desktop/game audio volume slider had no effect** (headset OR stream) — the `AudioMixer`'s
+   `micGain`/`loopbackGain` seams defaulted to unity because the VM never passed them; the sliders
+   were decorative. Fixed: new `AudioGainProvider` (`Services/Audio/`) hands `MicMuted`/`MicVolume`/
+   `GameMuted`/`GameAudioVolume` to the mixer at construction, read live each mix tick.
+2. ✅ **Desktop/game mute button had no effect** — same root cause; `GameMuted` now zeroes the
+   loopback on the stream. Locally, `MusicPlayer.LocalGain` (new) is scaled by the game bar on every
+   volume/mute change + on TRAX load, so the creator **hears** the control work on the music (the
+   track rides the loopback channel, so it ducks locally exactly as it does on stream).
+3. ✅ **TRAX played once then stopped** — `MusicPlayer.OnPlaybackStopped` only looped when
+   `Position >= Length`, unreliable for `MediaFoundationReader`; now any clean stop
+   (`e.Exception == null`) rewinds + replays; only errors/explicit stops surface via `PlaybackEnded`.
+4. ✅ **TRAX/MIC buttons swapped** — the footer's mic cluster is now MIC + meter + mute + volume; TRAX
+   no longer sits between MIC and the (mic-specific) meter.
+5. ✅ **Mic source persists across restarts** — `LayoutStore` gained a `Settings` key/value table
+   (`SaveMicSourceName`/`LoadMicSourceName`); the VM saves on pick and restores before the mixer's
+   first `Start`, so a restart reconnects the same already-vetted device (green dot) or reports it
+   missing (yellow) instead of falling back to the default endpoint.
+6. ✅ **TRAX moved right of Socials** — both centered under the scenes/sources listboxes (footer line
+   1, left cluster).
+7. ✅ **Backdrop's icons shifted right** — the trash button's `Collapsed` released its column; a new
+   `HiddenBoolToVisibilityConverter` keeps the slot reserved (`Hidden`), so edit/eye stay in their
+   fixed columns for every source row.
+8. ✅ **No separation between scenes and sources** — a 1px hairline with top/bottom padding now sits
+   between the two listboxes in the left panel.
+
+### Design decisions
+
+1. **The gain seams are the one source of truth** — `AudioGainProvider` is a thin seam (four Funcs)
+   so the mixer contract and the mute⇔zero-volume rule are testable without constructing the VM.
+2. **Stream-honest AND locally audible** — the game bar's controls now do two things: scale the
+   loopback on the stream and scale the music in the headphones. Native game audio is untouched
+   (system output, OBS-style non-monitored); an OBS-style monitor loop is out of scope.
+3. **Persist the DisplayName, not the device ID** — the FriendlyName match was already the mic's
+   identity end-to-end; `Settings` just makes it survive restarts.
+
+---
+
 ## Backlog (future versions)
 
 1. v0.2 — Recording to local file (recordings carry the branding flash — see TASK 3 / `ai.md` Monetization)

ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs

@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ public class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
     private readonly MusicPlayer _musicPlayer = new();
     private Music? _music;
     private bool _musicPlaying;
+    private AudioGainProvider? _gainProvider;
     private StreamStatus _streamStatus = StreamStatus.Offline;
     private StreamHealth _currentHealth = new();
     private string _streamTitle = string.Empty;
@@ -450,6 +451,7 @@ public class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
         if (dialog.ShowDialog() == true && dialog.PickedDevice != null)
         {
             MicSourceName = dialog.PickedDevice.DisplayName;
+            _layoutStore.SaveMicSourceName(MicSourceName); // persist across restarts
             _audioMixer.RestartMic(); // swap the live device immediately
         }
     }
@@ -560,6 +562,7 @@ public class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
         try
         {
             _musicPlayer.Load(_music.TrackPath);
+            UpdateTraxLocalGain();
             _music.IsEnabled = true;
             if (play)
                 _musicPlayer.Play();
@@ -591,6 +594,15 @@ public class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
         OnPropertyChanged(nameof(TraxToolTip));
     }
 
+    /// <summary>Mirrors the desktop/game audio bar's volume and mute onto the
+    /// music so the creator hears the controls work in the headphones (the
+    /// track rides the loopback channel, so it must duck the same way locally).
+    /// Called whenever the game volume/mute change and on TRAX load.</summary>
+    private void UpdateTraxLocalGain()
+    {
+        _musicPlayer.LocalGain = GameMuted ? 0f : (float)GameAudioVolume;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>Live desktop/game input level (0..1), fed by the mixer's loopback
     /// capture. Read by the game meter, scaled by GameAudioVolume.</summary>
     public double GameAudioLevel
@@ -680,6 +692,7 @@ public class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
                     _gameVolumeBeforeMute = null;
                 OnPropertyChanged(nameof(GameMeterFillWidth));
                 OnPropertyChanged(nameof(GameMeterBrush));
+                UpdateTraxLocalGain();
             }
         }
     }
@@ -1148,6 +1161,11 @@ public class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
         _layoutStore = new LayoutStore(LayoutPathOverride ?? DefaultLayoutPath);
         _activeLayoutPath = _layoutStore.ActivePath;
 
+        // Restore the last picked mic so the mixer's first capture attaches to
+        // the same, already-vetted device (green dot) or reports it missing
+        // (yellow) instead of silently falling back to the default.
+        MicSourceName = _layoutStore.LoadMicSourceName();
+
         _cameraEnumerator = new MediaCaptureCameraEnumerator();
         _cameraManager = new CameraManager(
             _cameraEnumerator,
@@ -1158,10 +1176,21 @@ public class MainViewModel : ViewModelBase
 
         _microphoneEnumerator = new WinRtMicrophoneEnumerator();
 
+        // The mixer consumes these Func seams live each mix tick, so the volume
+        // sliders and mute buttons are stream-honest (they also update the
+        // meters' display). Before this wiring the gains defaulted to unity and
+        // the controls were decorative.
+        _gainProvider = new AudioGainProvider(
+            () => MicMuted,
+            () => MicVolume,
+            () => GameMuted,
+            () => GameAudioVolume);
         _audioMixer = new AudioMixer(
             new WasapiMicAudioSource(() => MicSourceName),
             new WasapiLoopbackAudioSource(),
-            message => AppLog.Write(message));
+            message => AppLog.Write(message),
+            micGain: _gainProvider.MicGain,
+            loopbackGain: _gainProvider.LoopbackGain);
         _audioMixer.MicLevelChanged += OnMicLevelChanged;
         _audioMixer.LoopbackLevelChanged += OnLoopbackLevelChanged;
         _audioMixer.MicConnected += OnMicConnected;

ai.md

@@ -402,26 +402,39 @@ devices, no timers).
   `mixInterval` (default 10 ms) `FillAndMix` reads a chunk from each ring buffer (silence-fills
   underruns), computes the post-filter mic RMS → `AutoDucker` (threshold 0.02, duck ×0.25 / −12 dB,
   attack 0.05, release 0.005, always on), applies the **honest gains** via `Func<double>` seams
-  (`micGain = MicVolume` so mute = 0; `loopbackGain = GameMuted ? 0 : GameAudioVolume`, × duck), mixes
+  (`micGain = MicMuted ? 0 : MicVolume`; `loopbackGain = GameMuted ? 0 : GameAudioVolume`, × duck),
-  mono mic + stereo loopback into interleaved stereo (no clamp — gains are user-owned), and writes the
+  mixes mono mic + stereo loopback into interleaved stereo (no clamp — gains are user-owned), and
-  floats to the pipe. `StopStream` → `StopLive()` (closes the pipe → ffmpeg audio EOF) **BEFORE**
+  writes the floats to the pipe. **The gains are wired through `AudioGainProvider`**
-  stopping the frame pump (video EOF) — the reverse order stalls on pipe backpressure. `FfmpegEncoder`
+  (`Services/Audio/AudioGainProvider.cs`) — the VM hands its `MicGain`/`LoopbackGain` Funcs to the
-  itself is untouched; the VM owns the pipe lifecycle.
+  mixer at construction, read live each tick, so the volume sliders and mute buttons are stream-honest.
+  (Before this wiring the seams defaulted to unity and the controls were decorative.) `StopStream` →
+  `StopLive()` (closes the pipe → ffmpeg audio EOF) **BEFORE** stopping the frame pump (video EOF) —
+  the reverse order stalls on pipe backpressure. `FfmpegEncoder` itself is untouched; the VM owns the
+  pipe lifecycle.
 - **TRAX — free background music (TASK 9):** `MusicPlayer` = NAudio `MediaFoundationReader`
-  (mp3/wav/m4a) → `VolumeWaveProvider16` at the hardcoded **0.20** (no slider) → `WaveOutEvent` on the
+  (mp3/wav/m4a) → `VolumeWaveProvider16` at the hardcoded **0.20** bed (no slider) → `WaveOutEvent` on
-  default device, looping on natural end. It plays to the **desktop**, so the existing loopback captures
+  the default device, **looping on any clean natural end** (`PlaybackStopped` with `e.Exception == null`
-  it: the creator hears it in headphones, the sound-bar meter bounces, and the stream carries it through
+  → rewind + replay; the earlier `Position >= Length` check was unreliable for `MediaFoundationReader`
-  the loopback channel — **ducked with the game when the mic is hot**. No third mixer input. Footer
+  and let tracks play once then stop). The desktop/game bar scales it locally via `LocalGain` (the VM's
-  **TRAX** button beside MIC: status dot (**red** no track / **yellow** loaded stopped / **green**
+  `UpdateTraxLocalGain` runs on every `GameAudioVolume`/`GameMuted` change and on TRAX load), so the
-  playing) + "TRAX"; **left-click** toggles play/pause (opens the in-app picker via `OpenFileDialog`
+  creator **hears** the game volume slider and mute work on the music in the headphones — matching the
-  when no track is loaded); **right-click** always opens the picker (`TraxButton_PreviewMouseRightButtonUp`,
+  stream, where it rides the loopback channel ducked with the game. No third mixer input. Footer
-  `e.Handled = true`, code-behind pattern); tooltip shows the loaded/playing track name or "No track —
+  **TRAX** button, relocated next to **Socials** in the footer's left cluster (centered under the
-  right-click to choose background music". The picked track persists via **schema v9** single-row
+  scenes/sources listboxes) so it no longer sits between MIC and the mic meter: status dot (**red** no
-  `Music` (`TrackPath`/`IsEnabled`) in `LayoutStore`. Known wrinkle (out of scope, future feature):
+  track / **yellow** loaded stopped / **green** playing) + "TRAX"; **left-click** toggles play/pause
-  YouTube mutes VODs carrying copyrighted music — "music on live, off VOD" is tabled.
+  (opens the in-app picker via `OpenFileDialog` when no track is loaded); **right-click** always opens
+  the picker (`TraxButton_PreviewMouseRightButtonUp`, `e.Handled = true`, code-behind pattern); tooltip
+  shows the loaded/playing track name or "No track — right-click to choose background music". The picked
+  track persists via **schema v9** single-row `Music` (`TrackPath`/`IsEnabled`) in `LayoutStore`. Known
+  wrinkle (out of scope, future feature): YouTube mutes VODs carrying copyrighted music — "music on
+  live, off VOD" is tabled.
 - **Mic status dot (`Models/MicStatus.cs`)** on the footer's MIC button: green = `MicConnected`,
   yellow = `MicFailed` (in use/unplugged), red = no mic device at startup (the mixer is never started,
-  so loopback and the game bar can't run either — no capture devices at all).
+  so loopback and the game bar can't run either — no capture devices at all). **The picked mic persists:
+  `LayoutStore`'s `Settings` key/value table stores `MicSourceName` (saved on pick via
+  `SaveMicSourceName`), and the VM restores it at construction BEFORE the mixer's first `Start` — so a
+  restart reconnects the same already-vetted device (green) or reports it missing (yellow), instead of
+  silently falling back to the default endpoint.**
 - **Game audio bar** (desktop/game, only while a full-screen game is up in the preview):
   `IGameAudioDetector` seam (`Services/IGameAudioDetector.cs`), pure `GameAudioHysteresis` (SHOW after
   ~500ms of fullscreen + sound, HIDE after ~1s away from fullscreen, **silence never hides an active
@@ -429,15 +442,18 @@ devices, no timers).
   (floor 0.5%). WPF-free — the VM owns a 250ms `DispatcherTimer` that polls it and flips
   `IsGameAudioBarVisible` (`_gameAudioBarActive || IsMusicPlaying` — music bounces the bar even with no
   game). The bar is **overlaid at the bottom of the preview window** (bottom-center, dark translucent
-  chip, a mirror of the mic bar: meter + mute + volume slider). It's monitoring UI only — it lives in
+  chip, a mirror of the mic bar: meter + mute + volume slider). It's monitoring UI **in the preview
-  the XAML preview (`MainWindow.xaml`, the PreviewGrid) and never reaches the live output. Relabelled
+  grid** — the meter is display-only, but its **volume slider + mute are stream-honest** (via
+  `AudioGainProvider.LoopbackGain`) **and drive TRAX locally** (`MusicPlayer.LocalGain`). Relabelled
   **"Desktop Audio"** (TASK 9) since TRAX rides the same channel.
 - **`WaveToFloat`** (pure, shared): WASAPI mix formats → interleaved float — IEEE float 32-bit direct,
   PCM 16-bit normalized to -1..1, `WaveFormatExtensible` with the IEEE-float subformat GUID
   (`NAudio.Dmo.AudioMediaSubtypes.MEDIASUBTYPE_IEEE_FLOAT`), trailing partial samples ignored.
-- Build **0 warnings**; **196 passing** (DSP/ring-buffer/ducker/resampler/pipe + mixer/hysteresis/
+- Build **0 warnings**; **197 passing** (DSP/ring-buffer/ducker/resampler/pipe + mixer/hysteresis/
-  game-detector/meter-scale unit tests + the ONE integration test
+  game-detector/meter-scale unit tests + the TASK 9 integration test
-  `AudioPipelineTests.Mix_WithFiltersDuckAndGain_Lands_On_AudioPipe`).
+  `AudioPipelineTests.Mix_WithFiltersDuckAndGain_Lands_On_AudioPipe` + the polish-batch integration
+  test `Mix_HonorsProviderGains_AndGameMute_KillsTheLoopback` proving the provider gains reach the
+  pipe and mute silences the loopback).
 
 ### Live frame pipeline (TASK 4 ship step 5 — shipped 2026-08-12, health stats 2026-08-13, plan in TASKS.md)
 

ytLive.Tests/AudioPipelineTests.cs

@@ -287,6 +287,63 @@ public class AudioPipelineTests
         Assert.True(floats.Any(f => MathF.Abs(f) > 0.05f), "the pipe carried silence");
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Mix_HonorsProviderGains_AndGameMute_KillsTheLoopback()
+    {
+        // THE integration test for the polish batch: the AudioGainProvider's
+        // Func seams are exactly what the VM hands to the mixer, so this proves
+        // the desktop/game volume slider and mute button actually reach the live
+        // mix (before wiring they defaulted to unity and did nothing).
+        var pipeName = "ytllive_test_" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");
+        var mic = new FakeSource();
+        var loopback = new FakeSource();
+
+        var gameVolume = 0.5;
+        var gameMuted = false;
+        var provider = new AudioGainProvider(
+            micMuted: () => false,
+            micVolume: () => 1.0,
+            gameMuted: () => gameMuted,
+            gameVolume: () => gameVolume);
+
+        using var mixer = new AudioMixer(
+            mic, loopback,
+            log: null,
+            micGain: provider.MicGain,
+            loopbackGain: provider.LoopbackGain,
+            mixInterval: TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(5));
+
+        // Mic silent (so the ducker stays at unity) + a loud loopback bed that
+        // scales to 0.8 * 0.5 = 0.4 on the wire. Pre-fill the ring buffer so the
+        // first frames already carry real audio.
+        var loopChunk = new float[480];
+        Array.Fill(loopChunk, 0.8f);
+        for (var i = 0; i < 200; i++)
+            loopback.Emit(new AudioSample(loopChunk, 48000, 2));
+
+        using var client = new NamedPipeClientStream(".", pipeName, PipeDirection.In, PipeOptions.Asynchronous);
+        var connected = client.ConnectAsync();
+        mixer.StartLive(pipeName);
+        await connected.WaitAsync(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5));
+
+        // Phase 1: unmuted at 0.5 → scaled but clearly audible, bounded.
+        var bytes = await ReadFullyAsync(client, 240 * 2 * 4, TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5));
+        var floats = new float[bytes.Length / 4];
+        Buffer.BlockCopy(bytes, 0, floats, 0, bytes.Length);
+        Assert.True(floats.Any(f => MathF.Abs(f) > 0.1f), "scaled loopback should be audible");
+        Assert.All(floats, f => Assert.InRange(f, -0.55f, 0.55f));
+
+        // Phase 2: mute flips the provider's seam → the pipe must go silent.
+        gameMuted = true;
+        var mutedBytes = await ReadFullyAsync(client, 240 * 2 * 4, TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5));
+        mixer.StopLive();
+
+        Assert.True(mutedBytes.Length >= 240 * 2 * 4, "expected at least one full stereo frame after mute");
+        var mutedFloats = new float[mutedBytes.Length / 4];
+        Buffer.BlockCopy(mutedBytes, 0, mutedFloats, 0, mutedBytes.Length);
+        Assert.All(mutedFloats, f => Assert.Equal(0f, f, 6));
+    }
+
     private static async Task<byte[]> ReadFullyAsync(NamedPipeClientStream client, int count, TimeSpan timeout)
     {
         var ms = new MemoryStream();