Be much, much clearer about room server ops. Closes #78.

app/routers/server_control.py

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def _login_rejected_message(label: str) -> str:
 def _login_send_failed_message(label: str) -> str:
     return (
         f"The login request could not be sent to the {label}. "
-        f"The control panel is still available, but authenticated actions may fail until a login succeeds."
+        f"You're free to attempt interaction; try logging in again if authenticated actions fail."
     )
 
 
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def _login_timeout_message(label: str) -> str:
     return (
         f"No login confirmation was heard from the {label}. "
         "That can mean the password was wrong or the reply was missed in transit. "
-        "The control panel is still available; try logging in again if authenticated actions fail."
+        "You're free to attempt interaction; try logging in again if authenticated actions fail."
     )
 
 

frontend/src/components/RepeaterDashboard.tsx

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { Button } from './ui/button';
 import { Bell, Route, Star, Trash2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { DirectTraceIcon } from './DirectTraceIcon';
 import { RepeaterLogin } from './RepeaterLogin';
+import { ServerLoginStatusBanner } from './ServerLoginStatusBanner';
 import { useRememberedServerPassword } from '../hooks/useRememberedServerPassword';
 import { useRepeaterDashboard } from '../hooks/useRepeaterDashboard';
 import { isFavorite } from '../utils/favorites';
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
     loggedIn,
     loginLoading,
     loginError,
+    lastLoginAttempt,
     paneData,
     paneStates,
     consoleHistory,
@@ -249,6 +251,14 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
           />
         ) : (
           <div className="space-y-4">
+            <ServerLoginStatusBanner
+              attempt={lastLoginAttempt}
+              loading={loginLoading}
+              canRetryPassword={password.trim().length > 0}
+              onRetryPassword={() => handleRepeaterLogin(password)}
+              onRetryBlank={handleRepeaterGuestLogin}
+              blankRetryLabel="Retry Existing-Access Login"
+            />
             {/* Top row: Telemetry + Radio Settings | Node Info + Neighbors */}
             <div className="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 md:grid-cols-2 md:items-stretch">
               <div className="flex flex-col gap-4">

frontend/src/components/RoomServerPanel.tsx

@@ -16,7 +16,13 @@ import { AclPane } from './repeater/RepeaterAclPane';
 import { LppTelemetryPane } from './repeater/RepeaterLppTelemetryPane';
 import { ConsolePane } from './repeater/RepeaterConsolePane';
 import { RepeaterLogin } from './RepeaterLogin';
+import { ServerLoginStatusBanner } from './ServerLoginStatusBanner';
 import { useRememberedServerPassword } from '../hooks/useRememberedServerPassword';
+import {
+  buildServerLoginAttemptFromError,
+  buildServerLoginAttemptFromResponse,
+  type ServerLoginAttemptState,
+} from '../utils/serverLoginState';
 
 interface RoomServerPanelProps {
   contact: Contact;
@@ -61,6 +67,7 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
   const [loginLoading, setLoginLoading] = useState(false);
   const [loginError, setLoginError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [authenticated, setAuthenticated] = useState(false);
+  const [lastLoginAttempt, setLastLoginAttempt] = useState<ServerLoginAttemptState | null>(null);
   const [advancedOpen, setAdvancedOpen] = useState(false);
   const [paneData, setPaneData] = useState<RoomPaneData>({
     status: null,
@@ -75,6 +82,7 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
     setLoginLoading(false);
     setLoginError(null);
     setAuthenticated(false);
+    setLastLoginAttempt(null);
     setAdvancedOpen(false);
     setPaneData({
       status: null,
@@ -129,26 +137,32 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
   );
 
   const performLogin = useCallback(
-    async (password: string) => {
+    async (nextPassword: string, method: 'password' | 'blank') => {
       if (loginLoading) return;
 
       setLoginLoading(true);
       setLoginError(null);
       try {
-        const result = await api.roomLogin(contact.public_key, password);
+        const result = await api.roomLogin(contact.public_key, nextPassword);
+        setLastLoginAttempt(buildServerLoginAttemptFromResponse(method, result, 'room server'));
         setAuthenticated(true);
         if (result.authenticated) {
-          toast.success('Room login confirmed');
+          toast.success('Login confirmed by the room server.');
         } else {
-          toast.warning('Room login not confirmed', {
-            description: result.message ?? 'Room login was not confirmed',
+          toast.warning("Couldn't confirm room login", {
+            description:
+              result.message ??
+              'No confirmation came back from the room server. You can still open tools and try again.',
           });
         }
       } catch (err) {
         const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unknown error';
+        setLastLoginAttempt(buildServerLoginAttemptFromError(method, message, 'room server'));
         setAuthenticated(true);
         setLoginError(message);
-        toast.error('Room login failed', { description: message });
+        toast.error('Room login request failed', {
+          description: `${message}. You can still open tools and retry the login from here.`,
+        });
       } finally {
         setLoginLoading(false);
       }
@@ -157,15 +171,15 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
   );
 
   const handleLogin = useCallback(
-    async (password: string) => {
-      await performLogin(password);
-      persistAfterLogin(password);
+    async (nextPassword: string) => {
+      await performLogin(nextPassword, 'password');
+      persistAfterLogin(nextPassword);
     },
     [performLogin, persistAfterLogin]
   );
 
   const handleLoginAsGuest = useCallback(async () => {
-    await performLogin('');
+    await performLogin('', 'blank');
     persistAfterLogin('');
   }, [performLogin, persistAfterLogin]);
 
@@ -207,6 +221,8 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
   );
 
   const panelTitle = useMemo(() => contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12), [contact]);
+  const showLoginFailureState =
+    lastLoginAttempt !== null && lastLoginAttempt.outcome !== 'confirmed';
 
   if (!authenticated) {
     return (
@@ -236,7 +252,7 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
             onLoginAsGuest={handleLoginAsGuest}
             description="Log in with the room password or use ACL/guest access to enter this room server"
             passwordPlaceholder="Room server password..."
-            guestLabel="Login with ACL / Guest"
+            guestLabel="Login with Existing Access / Guest"
           />
         </div>
       </div>
@@ -245,7 +261,43 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
 
   return (
     <section className="border-b border-border bg-muted/20 px-4 py-3">
-      <div className="flex justify-end">
+      <div className="space-y-3">
+        {showLoginFailureState ? (
+          <ServerLoginStatusBanner
+            attempt={lastLoginAttempt}
+            loading={loginLoading}
+            canRetryPassword={password.trim().length > 0}
+            onRetryPassword={() => handleLogin(password)}
+            onRetryBlank={handleLoginAsGuest}
+            blankRetryLabel="Retry Existing-Access Login"
+            showRetryActions={false}
+          />
+        ) : null}
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-2">
+          {showLoginFailureState ? (
+            <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+              <Button
+                type="button"
+                variant="outline"
+                size="sm"
+                onClick={() => void handleLogin(password)}
+                disabled={loginLoading || password.trim().length === 0}
+              >
+                Retry Password Login
+              </Button>
+              <Button
+                type="button"
+                variant="outline"
+                size="sm"
+                onClick={handleLoginAsGuest}
+                disabled={loginLoading}
+              >
+                Retry Existing-Access Login
+              </Button>
+            </div>
+          ) : (
+            <div />
+          )}
           <Button
             type="button"
             variant="outline"
@@ -255,6 +307,7 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
             {advancedOpen ? 'Hide Tools' : 'Show Tools'}
           </Button>
         </div>
+      </div>
       <Sheet open={advancedOpen} onOpenChange={setAdvancedOpen}>
         <SheetContent side="right" className="w-full sm:max-w-4xl p-0 flex flex-col">
           <SheetHeader className="sr-only">
@@ -269,15 +322,6 @@ export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPa
                 <h2 className="truncate text-base font-semibold">Room Server Tools</h2>
                 <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{panelTitle}</p>
               </div>
-              <Button
-                type="button"
-                variant="outline"
-                onClick={handleLoginAsGuest}
-                disabled={loginLoading}
-                className="self-start sm:self-auto"
-              >
-                Refresh ACL Login
-              </Button>
             </div>
           </div>
           <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-4">

frontend/src/components/ServerLoginStatusBanner.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import type { ServerLoginAttemptState } from '../utils/serverLoginState';
+import { getServerLoginAttemptTone } from '../utils/serverLoginState';
+import { cn } from '../lib/utils';
+
+interface ServerLoginStatusBannerProps {
+  attempt: ServerLoginAttemptState | null;
+  loading: boolean;
+  canRetryPassword: boolean;
+  onRetryPassword: () => Promise<void> | void;
+  onRetryBlank: () => Promise<void> | void;
+  passwordRetryLabel?: string;
+  blankRetryLabel?: string;
+  showRetryActions?: boolean;
+}
+
+export function ServerLoginStatusBanner({
+  attempt,
+  loading,
+  canRetryPassword,
+  onRetryPassword,
+  onRetryBlank,
+  passwordRetryLabel = 'Retry Password Login',
+  blankRetryLabel = 'Retry Existing-Access Login',
+  showRetryActions = true,
+}: ServerLoginStatusBannerProps) {
+  if (attempt?.outcome === 'confirmed') {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const tone = getServerLoginAttemptTone(attempt);
+  const shouldShowActions = showRetryActions;
+  const toneClassName =
+    tone === 'success'
+      ? 'border-success/30 bg-success/10 text-success'
+      : tone === 'warning'
+        ? 'border-warning/30 bg-warning/10 text-warning'
+        : tone === 'destructive'
+          ? 'border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/10 text-destructive'
+          : 'border-border bg-muted/40 text-foreground';
+
+  return (
+    <div className={cn('rounded-md border px-4 py-3', toneClassName)}>
+      <div className="flex flex-col gap-3 sm:flex-row sm:items-start sm:justify-between">
+        <div className="min-w-0 space-y-1">
+          <p className="text-sm font-medium">
+            {attempt?.summary ?? 'No server login attempt has been recorded in this view yet.'}
+          </p>
+          {attempt?.details && <p className="text-xs opacity-90">{attempt.details}</p>}
+        </div>
+        {shouldShowActions ? (
+          <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+            <Button
+              type="button"
+              variant="outline"
+              size="sm"
+              onClick={() => void onRetryPassword()}
+              disabled={loading || !canRetryPassword}
+            >
+              {passwordRetryLabel}
+            </Button>
+            <Button
+              type="button"
+              variant="outline"
+              size="sm"
+              onClick={() => void onRetryBlank()}
+              disabled={loading}
+            >
+              {blankRetryLabel}
+            </Button>
+          </div>
+        ) : null}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/hooks/useRememberedServerPassword.ts

@@ -2,12 +2,13 @@ import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
 
 type ServerLoginKind = 'repeater' | 'room';
 
-const STORAGE_KEY_PREFIX = 'remoteterm-server-password';
-
 type StoredPassword = {
   password: string;
 };
 
+const STORAGE_KEY_PREFIX = 'remoteterm-server-password';
+const inMemoryPasswords = new Map<string, StoredPassword>();
+
 function getStorageKey(kind: ServerLoginKind, publicKey: string): string {
   return `${STORAGE_KEY_PREFIX}:${kind}:${publicKey}`;
 }
@@ -33,37 +34,46 @@ export function useRememberedServerPassword(kind: ServerLoginKind, publicKey: st
 
   useEffect(() => {
     const stored = loadStoredPassword(kind, publicKey);
-    if (!stored) {
-      setPassword('');
+    if (stored) {
+      setPassword(stored.password);
+      setRememberPassword(true);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const inMemoryStored = inMemoryPasswords.get(storageKey);
+    if (inMemoryStored) {
+      setPassword(inMemoryStored.password);
       setRememberPassword(false);
       return;
     }
-    setPassword(stored.password);
-    setRememberPassword(true);
-  }, [kind, publicKey]);
+
+    setPassword('');
+    setRememberPassword(false);
+  }, [kind, publicKey, storageKey]);
 
   const persistAfterLogin = useCallback(
     (submittedPassword: string) => {
+      const trimmedPassword = submittedPassword.trim();
+      if (!trimmedPassword) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      inMemoryPasswords.set(storageKey, { password: trimmedPassword });
+
       if (!rememberPassword) {
         try {
           localStorage.removeItem(storageKey);
         } catch {
           // localStorage may be unavailable
         }
-        setPassword('');
-        return;
-      }
-
-      const trimmedPassword = submittedPassword.trim();
-      if (!trimmedPassword) {
-        return;
-      }
-
+      } else {
         try {
           localStorage.setItem(storageKey, JSON.stringify({ password: trimmedPassword }));
         } catch {
           // localStorage may be unavailable
         }
+      }
+
       setPassword(trimmedPassword);
     },
     [rememberPassword, storageKey]

frontend/src/hooks/useRepeaterDashboard.ts

@@ -15,6 +15,11 @@ import type {
   RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse,
   CommandResponse,
 } from '../types';
+import {
+  buildServerLoginAttemptFromError,
+  buildServerLoginAttemptFromResponse,
+  type ServerLoginAttemptState,
+} from '../utils/serverLoginState';
 
 const MAX_RETRIES = 3;
 const RETRY_DELAY_MS = 2000;
@@ -41,6 +46,7 @@ interface PaneData {
 interface RepeaterDashboardCacheEntry {
   loggedIn: boolean;
   loginError: string | null;
+  lastLoginAttempt: ServerLoginAttemptState | null;
   paneData: PaneData;
   paneStates: Record<PaneName, PaneState>;
   consoleHistory: ConsoleEntry[];
@@ -119,6 +125,7 @@ function getCachedState(publicKey: string | null): RepeaterDashboardCacheEntry |
   return {
     loggedIn: cached.loggedIn,
     loginError: cached.loginError,
+    lastLoginAttempt: cached.lastLoginAttempt,
     paneData: clonePaneData(cached.paneData),
     paneStates: normalizePaneStates(cached.paneStates),
     consoleHistory: cloneConsoleHistory(cached.consoleHistory),
@@ -130,6 +137,7 @@ function cacheState(publicKey: string, entry: RepeaterDashboardCacheEntry) {
   repeaterDashboardCache.set(publicKey, {
     loggedIn: entry.loggedIn,
     loginError: entry.loginError,
+    lastLoginAttempt: entry.lastLoginAttempt,
     paneData: clonePaneData(entry.paneData),
     paneStates: normalizePaneStates(entry.paneStates),
     consoleHistory: cloneConsoleHistory(entry.consoleHistory),
@@ -173,6 +181,7 @@ export interface UseRepeaterDashboardResult {
   loggedIn: boolean;
   loginLoading: boolean;
   loginError: string | null;
+  lastLoginAttempt: ServerLoginAttemptState | null;
   paneData: PaneData;
   paneStates: Record<PaneName, PaneState>;
   consoleHistory: ConsoleEntry[];
@@ -203,6 +212,9 @@ export function useRepeaterDashboard(
   const [loggedIn, setLoggedIn] = useState(cachedState?.loggedIn ?? false);
   const [loginLoading, setLoginLoading] = useState(false);
   const [loginError, setLoginError] = useState<string | null>(cachedState?.loginError ?? null);
+  const [lastLoginAttempt, setLastLoginAttempt] = useState<ServerLoginAttemptState | null>(
+    cachedState?.lastLoginAttempt ?? null
+  );
 
   const [paneData, setPaneData] = useState<PaneData>(
     cachedState?.paneData ?? createInitialPaneData
@@ -243,11 +255,20 @@ export function useRepeaterDashboard(
     cacheState(conversationId, {
       loggedIn,
       loginError,
+      lastLoginAttempt,
       paneData,
       paneStates,
       consoleHistory,
     });
-  }, [consoleHistory, conversationId, loggedIn, loginError, paneData, paneStates]);
+  }, [
+    consoleHistory,
+    conversationId,
+    loggedIn,
+    loginError,
+    lastLoginAttempt,
+    paneData,
+    paneStates,
+  ]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     paneDataRef.current = paneData;
@@ -267,12 +288,14 @@ export function useRepeaterDashboard(
       const publicKey = getPublicKey();
       if (!publicKey) return;
       const conversationId = publicKey;
+      const method = password.trim().length > 0 ? 'password' : 'blank';
 
       setLoginLoading(true);
       setLoginError(null);
       try {
         const result = await api.repeaterLogin(publicKey, password);
         if (activeIdRef.current !== conversationId) return;
+        setLastLoginAttempt(buildServerLoginAttemptFromResponse(method, result, 'repeater'));
         setLoggedIn(true);
         if (!result.authenticated) {
           const msg = result.message ?? 'Repeater login was not confirmed';
@@ -282,6 +305,7 @@ export function useRepeaterDashboard(
       } catch (err) {
         if (activeIdRef.current !== conversationId) return;
         const msg = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Login failed';
+        setLastLoginAttempt(buildServerLoginAttemptFromError(method, msg, 'repeater'));
         setLoggedIn(true);
         setLoginError(msg);
         toast.error('Login request failed', {
@@ -475,6 +499,7 @@ export function useRepeaterDashboard(
     loggedIn,
     loginLoading,
     loginError,
+    lastLoginAttempt,
     paneData,
     paneStates,
     consoleHistory,

frontend/src/test/repeaterDashboard.test.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ const mockHook: {
   loggedIn: false,
   loginLoading: false,
   loginError: null,
+  lastLoginAttempt: null,
   paneData: {
     status: null,
     nodeInfo: null,

frontend/src/test/roomServerPanel.test.tsx

@@ -56,22 +56,84 @@ describe('RoomServerPanel', () => {
       status: 'timeout',
       authenticated: false,
       message:
-        'No login confirmation was heard from the room server. The control panel is still available; try logging in again if authenticated actions fail.',
+        "No login confirmation was heard from the room server. You're free to try sending messages; try logging in again if authenticated actions fail.",
     });
     const onAuthenticatedChange = vi.fn();
 
     render(<RoomServerPanel contact={roomContact} onAuthenticatedChange={onAuthenticatedChange} />);
 
-    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Login with ACL / Guest'));
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Login with Existing Access / Guest'));
 
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.getByText('Show Tools')).toBeInTheDocument();
     });
     expect(screen.getByText('Show Tools')).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(mockToast.warning).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Room login not confirmed', {
+    expect(screen.getByText('Retry Existing-Access Login')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(mockToast.warning).toHaveBeenCalledWith("Couldn't confirm room login", {
       description:
-        'No login confirmation was heard from the room server. The control panel is still available; try logging in again if authenticated actions fail.',
+        "No login confirmation was heard from the room server. You're free to try sending messages; try logging in again if authenticated actions fail.",
     });
     expect(onAuthenticatedChange).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(true);
   });
+
+  it('retains the last password for one-click retry after unlocking the panel', async () => {
+    mockApi.roomLogin
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce({
+        status: 'timeout',
+        authenticated: false,
+        message: 'No reply heard',
+      })
+      .mockResolvedValueOnce({
+        status: 'ok',
+        authenticated: true,
+        message: null,
+      });
+
+    render(<RoomServerPanel contact={roomContact} />);
+
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText('Repeater password'), {
+      target: { value: 'secret-room-password' },
+    });
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Login with Password'));
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getByText('Retry Password Login')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Retry Password Login'));
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(mockApi.roomLogin).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+        1,
+        roomContact.public_key,
+        'secret-room-password'
+      );
+      expect(mockApi.roomLogin).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+        2,
+        roomContact.public_key,
+        'secret-room-password'
+      );
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('shows only a success toast after a confirmed login', async () => {
+    mockApi.roomLogin.mockResolvedValueOnce({
+      status: 'ok',
+      authenticated: true,
+      message: null,
+    });
+
+    render(<RoomServerPanel contact={roomContact} />);
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Login with Existing Access / Guest'));
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getByText('Show Tools')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+
+    expect(screen.queryByText('Login confirmed by the room server.')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByText('Retry Password Login')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByText('Retry Existing-Access Login')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(mockToast.success).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Login confirmed by the room server.');
+  });
 });

frontend/src/test/useRememberedServerPassword.test.ts

@@ -8,70 +8,24 @@ describe('useRememberedServerPassword', () => {
     localStorage.clear();
   });
 
-  it('loads remembered passwords from localStorage', () => {
-    localStorage.setItem(
-      'remoteterm-server-password:repeater:abc123',
-      JSON.stringify({ password: 'stored-secret' })
+  it('restores the last in-memory password when local remember is disabled', () => {
+    const { result, unmount } = renderHook(() =>
+      useRememberedServerPassword('room', 'aa'.repeat(32))
     );
 
-    const { result } = renderHook(() => useRememberedServerPassword('repeater', 'abc123'));
-
-    expect(result.current.password).toBe('stored-secret');
-    expect(result.current.rememberPassword).toBe(true);
-  });
-
-  it('stores passwords after login when remember is enabled', () => {
-    const { result } = renderHook(() => useRememberedServerPassword('room', 'room-key'));
-
     act(() => {
-      result.current.setRememberPassword(true);
+      result.current.setPassword('room-secret');
+      result.current.persistAfterLogin('room-secret');
     });
 
-    act(() => {
-      result.current.persistAfterLogin('  hello  ');
-    });
+    expect(result.current.password).toBe('room-secret');
+    unmount();
 
-    expect(localStorage.getItem('remoteterm-server-password:room:room-key')).toBe(
-      JSON.stringify({ password: 'hello' })
-    );
-    expect(result.current.password).toBe('hello');
-  });
-
-  it('clears stored passwords when login is done with remember disabled', () => {
-    localStorage.setItem(
-      'remoteterm-server-password:repeater:abc123',
-      JSON.stringify({ password: 'stored-secret' })
+    const { result: remounted } = renderHook(() =>
+      useRememberedServerPassword('room', 'aa'.repeat(32))
     );
 
-    const { result } = renderHook(() => useRememberedServerPassword('repeater', 'abc123'));
-
-    act(() => {
-      result.current.setRememberPassword(false);
-    });
-
-    act(() => {
-      result.current.persistAfterLogin('new-secret');
-    });
-
-    expect(localStorage.getItem('remoteterm-server-password:repeater:abc123')).toBeNull();
-    expect(result.current.password).toBe('');
-  });
-
-  it('preserves remembered passwords on guest login when remember stays enabled', () => {
-    localStorage.setItem(
-      'remoteterm-server-password:room:room-key',
-      JSON.stringify({ password: 'stored-secret' })
-    );
-
-    const { result } = renderHook(() => useRememberedServerPassword('room', 'room-key'));
-
-    act(() => {
-      result.current.persistAfterLogin('');
-    });
-
-    expect(localStorage.getItem('remoteterm-server-password:room:room-key')).toBe(
-      JSON.stringify({ password: 'stored-secret' })
-    );
-    expect(result.current.password).toBe('stored-secret');
+    expect(remounted.current.password).toBe('room-secret');
+    expect(remounted.current.rememberPassword).toBe(false);
   });
 });

frontend/src/test/useRepeaterDashboard.test.ts

@@ -74,6 +74,8 @@ describe('useRepeaterDashboard', () => {
 
     expect(result.current.loggedIn).toBe(true);
     expect(result.current.loginError).toBe(null);
+    expect(result.current.lastLoginAttempt?.heardBack).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.current.lastLoginAttempt?.outcome).toBe('confirmed');
     expect(mockApi.repeaterLogin).toHaveBeenCalledWith(REPEATER_KEY, 'secret');
   });
 
@@ -92,6 +94,8 @@ describe('useRepeaterDashboard', () => {
 
     expect(result.current.loggedIn).toBe(true);
     expect(result.current.loginError).toBe('Auth failed');
+    expect(result.current.lastLoginAttempt?.heardBack).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.current.lastLoginAttempt?.outcome).toBe('not_confirmed');
     expect(mockToast.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Login not confirmed', {
       description: 'Auth failed',
     });
@@ -125,6 +129,8 @@ describe('useRepeaterDashboard', () => {
 
     expect(result.current.loggedIn).toBe(true);
     expect(result.current.loginError).toBe('Network error');
+    expect(result.current.lastLoginAttempt?.heardBack).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.current.lastLoginAttempt?.outcome).toBe('request_failed');
     expect(mockToast.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Login request failed', {
       description:
         'Network error. The dashboard is still available, but repeater operations may fail until a login succeeds.',

frontend/src/utils/serverLoginState.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+import type { RepeaterLoginResponse } from '../types';
+
+export type ServerLoginMethod = 'password' | 'blank';
+
+export type ServerLoginAttemptState =
+  | {
+      method: ServerLoginMethod;
+      outcome: 'confirmed';
+      summary: string;
+      details: string | null;
+      heardBack: true;
+      at: number;
+    }
+  | {
+      method: ServerLoginMethod;
+      outcome: 'not_confirmed';
+      summary: string;
+      details: string | null;
+      heardBack: boolean;
+      at: number;
+    }
+  | {
+      method: ServerLoginMethod;
+      outcome: 'request_failed';
+      summary: string;
+      details: string | null;
+      heardBack: false;
+      at: number;
+    };
+
+export function getServerLoginMethodLabel(
+  method: ServerLoginMethod,
+  blankLabel = 'existing-access'
+): string {
+  return method === 'password' ? 'password' : blankLabel;
+}
+
+export function getServerLoginAttemptTone(
+  attempt: ServerLoginAttemptState | null
+): 'success' | 'warning' | 'destructive' | 'muted' {
+  if (!attempt) return 'muted';
+  if (attempt.outcome === 'confirmed') return 'success';
+  if (attempt.outcome === 'not_confirmed') return 'warning';
+  return 'destructive';
+}
+
+export function buildServerLoginAttemptFromResponse(
+  method: ServerLoginMethod,
+  result: RepeaterLoginResponse,
+  entityLabel: string
+): ServerLoginAttemptState {
+  const methodLabel = getServerLoginMethodLabel(method);
+  const at = Date.now();
+  const target = `the ${entityLabel}`;
+
+  if (result.authenticated) {
+    return {
+      method,
+      outcome: 'confirmed',
+      summary: `Login confirmed by ${target}.`,
+      details: null,
+      heardBack: true,
+      at,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (result.status === 'timeout') {
+    return {
+      method,
+      outcome: 'not_confirmed',
+      summary: `We couldn't confirm the login.`,
+      details:
+        result.message ??
+        `No confirmation came back from ${target} after the ${methodLabel} login attempt.`,
+      heardBack: false,
+      at,
+    };
+  }
+
+  return {
+    method,
+    outcome: 'not_confirmed',
+    summary: `Login was not confirmed.`,
+    details:
+      result.message ??
+      `${target} responded, but did not confirm the ${methodLabel} login attempt.`,
+    heardBack: true,
+    at,
+  };
+}
+
+export function buildServerLoginAttemptFromError(
+  method: ServerLoginMethod,
+  message: string,
+  entityLabel: string
+): ServerLoginAttemptState {
+  const methodLabel = getServerLoginMethodLabel(method);
+  const target = `the ${entityLabel}`;
+  return {
+    method,
+    outcome: 'request_failed',
+    summary: `We couldn't send the login request.`,
+    details: `${target} never acknowledged the ${methodLabel} login attempt. ${message}`,
+    heardBack: false,
+    at: Date.now(),
+  };
+}

tests/test_radio_sync.py

@@ -487,7 +487,9 @@ class TestSyncAndOffloadAll:
         ):
             result = await sync_and_offload_all(mock_mc)
 
-        mock_start.assert_called_once_with(initial_radio_contacts=radio_contacts, expected_mc=mock_mc)
+        mock_start.assert_called_once_with(
+            initial_radio_contacts=radio_contacts, expected_mc=mock_mc
+        )
         assert result["contact_reconcile_started"] is True
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio