diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 709d8cc9..27816cb9 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "betterseqtaplus",
-  "version": "3.6.0",
+  "version": "3.6.2",
   "type": "module",
   "description": "Enhance SEQTA Learn's usability and aesthetics! A fork of BetterSEQTA to continue development and add heaps more features!",
   "browserslist": "> 0.5%, last 2 versions, not dead",
diff --git a/src/background.ts b/src/background.ts
index acdeddae..d0926ae7 100644
--- a/src/background.ts
+++ b/src/background.ts
@@ -133,6 +133,74 @@ function handleCloudLogin(request: any, sendResponse: MessageSender): boolean {
   return true;
 }
 
+function handleCloudStartLogin(request: any, sendResponse: MessageSender): boolean {
+  const { client_id, redirect_uri } = request;
+  if (!client_id || !redirect_uri) {
+    sendResponse({ error: "Missing client_id or redirect_uri" });
+    return true;
+  }
+  const authorizeUrl = `https://accounts.betterseqta.org/login?redirect=${encodeURIComponent(`/oauth/authorize?client_id=${client_id}&redirect_uri=${encodeURIComponent(redirect_uri)}`)}`;
+  browser.tabs.create({ url: authorizeUrl }).then(() => {
+    sendResponse({ success: true });
+  }).catch((err) => {
+    console.error("[Background] cloudStartLogin error:", err);
+    sendResponse({ error: err?.message ?? "Failed to open login page" });
+  });
+  return true;
+}
+
+const CALLBACK_URL_PREFIX = "https://accounts.betterseqta.org/auth/bsplus/callback";
+
+function initCloudLoginCallbackListener() {
+  browser.tabs.onUpdated.addListener((tabId, changeInfo, tab) => {
+    if (changeInfo.url && changeInfo.url.startsWith(CALLBACK_URL_PREFIX)) {
+      try {
+        const url = new URL(changeInfo.url);
+        const token = url.searchParams.get("token");
+        const refreshToken = url.searchParams.get("refresh_token");
+        const userId = url.searchParams.get("user_id");
+
+        if (token && refreshToken) {
+          // Store tokens
+          void (async () => {
+            try {
+              await browser.storage.local.set({
+                bsplus_token: token,
+                bsplus_refresh_token: refreshToken,
+              });
+
+              // Fetch full user info
+              const userRes = await fetch("https://accounts.betterseqta.org/api/auth/me", {
+                headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${token}` },
+              });
+              if (userRes.ok) {
+                const user = await userRes.json();
+                await browser.storage.local.set({ bsplus_user: user });
+              } else if (userId) {
+                await browser.storage.local.set({ bsplus_user: { id: userId } });
+              }
+
+              // Trigger cloud settings download
+              void performCloudSettingsDownloadWithRetry(token).catch((err) => {
+                console.warn("[Background] Cloud settings download after login:", err);
+              });
+            } catch (err) {
+              console.error("[Background] Failed to process login callback:", err);
+            }
+          })();
+
+          // Close the callback tab
+          void browser.tabs.remove(tabId);
+        }
+      } catch (err) {
+        console.error("[Background] Error parsing callback URL:", err);
+      }
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+initCloudLoginCallbackListener();
+
 function handleCloudRefresh(request: any, sendResponse: MessageSender): boolean {
   const { refresh_token, client_id } = request;
   if (!refresh_token || !client_id) {
@@ -269,6 +337,7 @@ const MESSAGE_HANDLERS: Record<string, MessageHandler> = {
   fetchFromUrl: handleFetchFromUrl,
   cloudReserveClient: handleCloudReserveClient,
   cloudLogin: handleCloudLogin,
+  cloudStartLogin: handleCloudStartLogin,
   cloudRefresh: handleCloudRefresh,
   cloudFavorite: handleCloudFavorite,
   cloudSettingsUpload: handleCloudSettingsUpload,
diff --git a/src/background/cloudSettingsAutoSync.ts b/src/background/cloudSettingsAutoSync.ts
index 8aa23112..a75de192 100644
--- a/src/background/cloudSettingsAutoSync.ts
+++ b/src/background/cloudSettingsAutoSync.ts
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ export const CLOUD_SUMMARY_URL = `${ACCOUNTS_BASE}/api/user/cloud-summary`;
 const CLOUD_SETTINGS_SYNC_URL = `${ACCOUNTS_BASE}/api/bsplus/settings/sync`;
 const REFRESH_URL = `${ACCOUNTS_BASE}/api/bsplus/refresh`;
 
-const ALARM_NAME = "bsplus_cloud_settings_auto_sync";
-const PERIOD_MINUTES = 60;
 const UPLOAD_DEBOUNCE_MS = 2000;
+const POLL_THROTTLE_MS = 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
+const POLL_THROTTLE_KEY = "bsplus_lastCloudPoll";
 
 type CloudSummaryResponse = {
   desqta?: unknown;
@@ -323,6 +323,9 @@ export function runCloudSettingsPoll(): Promise<void> {
   if (pollInFlight) return pollInFlight;
   pollInFlight = (async () => {
     try {
+      const { [POLL_THROTTLE_KEY]: last } = await browser.storage.local.get(POLL_THROTTLE_KEY);
+      if (Date.now() - (Number(last) || 0) < POLL_THROTTLE_MS) return;
+      await browser.storage.local.set({ [POLL_THROTTLE_KEY]: Date.now() });
       await runCloudSettingsPollInner();
     } catch (e) {
       console.error("[BS+ cloud sync] Poll error:", e);
@@ -360,14 +363,11 @@ async function runDebouncedUploadJob(): Promise<void> {
   }
 }
 
-async function syncAlarmWithStorage(): Promise<void> {
+async function syncAutoUploadWithStorage(): Promise<void> {
   const all = (await browser.storage.local.get()) as Record<string, unknown>;
   if (!isAutoCloudSyncEnabled(all)) {
-    await browser.alarms.clear(ALARM_NAME);
     clearUploadDebounce();
-    return;
   }
-  await browser.alarms.create(ALARM_NAME, { periodInMinutes: PERIOD_MINUTES });
 }
 
 function onStorageChanged(
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ function onStorageChanged(
   if (area !== "local") return;
 
   if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(changes, "autoCloudSettingsSync")) {
-    void syncAlarmWithStorage();
+    void syncAutoUploadWithStorage();
   }
 
   const keys = Object.keys(changes);
@@ -392,15 +392,8 @@ function onStorageChanged(
   })();
 }
 
-function onAlarm(alarm: browser.Alarms.Alarm): void {
-  if (alarm.name !== ALARM_NAME) return;
-  void runCloudSettingsPoll();
-}
-
 export function initCloudSettingsAutoSync(deps: { reloadSeqtaPages: () => void }): void {
   reloadSeqtaPagesFn = deps.reloadSeqtaPages;
-  browser.alarms.onAlarm.addListener(onAlarm);
   browser.storage.onChanged.addListener(onStorageChanged);
-  void syncAlarmWithStorage();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/css/injected.scss b/src/css/injected.scss
index 7130e166..261552c2 100644
--- a/src/css/injected.scss
+++ b/src/css/injected.scss
@@ -1653,6 +1653,13 @@ html.transparencyEffects
   box-shadow: 0px 10px 15px -3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
 }
 
+/* Smoothed by attachNotificationsPanelAnimation (matches #ExtensionPopup spring) */
+.bsplus-notifications-panel {
+  transform-origin: top right;
+  will-change: opacity, transform;
+  filter: drop-shadow(0px 0px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35));
+}
+
 #menu li.active {
   color: #ffffff !important;
   background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);
@@ -3524,6 +3531,26 @@ div.day-empty {
   font-size: 1em;
   color: var(--text-primary);
 }
+.whatsnewHeader.engageParentsAnnouncementHeader {
+  height: auto;
+  min-height: unset;
+}
+.whatsnewHeader.engageParentsAnnouncementHeader h1 {
+  line-height: 1.2;
+}
+.whatsnewHeader.engageParentsAnnouncementHeader .engageParentsSubheading {
+  margin-top: 0.35rem;
+  font-size: 1.05rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  opacity: 0.92;
+}
+.seqtaEngageAccent {
+  color: #ea580c;
+  font-weight: 700;
+}
+.dark .seqtaEngageAccent {
+  color: #fb923c;
+}
 .whatsnewBackground {
   width: 100%;
   height: 100%;
@@ -3652,6 +3679,138 @@ div.day-empty {
   object-fit: cover;
   margin-bottom: 12px;
 }
+.whatsnewTextContainer .engageParentsPromoWrap {
+  width: 100%;
+  margin-bottom: 12px;
+  border-radius: 16px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
+  box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.28);
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--background-secondary) 88%, var(--text-primary) 12%);
+}
+.whatsnewTextContainer .engageParentsPromoWrap .engageParentsPromoImg {
+  display: block;
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  margin: 0;
+  border-radius: 0;
+  aspect-ratio: unset;
+  object-fit: contain;
+  object-position: center;
+}
+
+.whatsnewHeader.bsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncementHeader {
+  height: auto;
+  min-height: unset;
+}
+.whatsnewHeader.bsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncementHeader h1 {
+  line-height: 1.2;
+}
+.bsCloudAccent {
+  color: #059669;
+  font-weight: 700;
+}
+.dark .bsCloudAccent {
+  color: #34d399;
+}
+.whatsnewTextContainer .bsCloudAutoSyncSignupCallout {
+  margin: 1.5rem 0 0;
+  padding: 1.25rem 1rem 0;
+  border-top: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--text-primary) 12%, transparent);
+  font-size: clamp(1.35rem, 3.8vw, 1.85rem);
+  font-weight: 800;
+  line-height: 1.35;
+  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
+  text-align: center;
+  color: var(--text-primary);
+}
+
+.popup-media-fullscreenable {
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in-out, transform 0.2s ease-in-out;
+}
+.popup-media-fullscreenable:hover {
+  opacity: 0.95;
+}
+.popup-media-fullscreenable:focus {
+  outline: none;
+}
+.popup-media-fullscreenable:focus-visible {
+  outline: 2px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--text-primary) 70%, transparent);
+  outline-offset: 4px;
+}
+
+.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 2147483646;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  padding: clamp(20px, 4vw, 48px);
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
+  backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
+  opacity: 0;
+  transition: opacity 0.28s cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.03, 0.26, 1);
+}
+
+.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop--visible {
+  opacity: 1;
+}
+
+.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop.bsplus-popup-media-overlay--instant {
+  transition: none;
+}
+
+.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-inner {
+  position: relative;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: stretch;
+  width: 100%;
+  max-width: min(96vw, 1320px);
+  max-height: calc(100vh - clamp(40px, 10vw, 96px));
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  background: var(--background-primary);
+  box-shadow: 0 16px 48px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);
+  opacity: 0;
+  transform: scale(0.94) translateY(12px);
+  transition:
+    opacity 0.28s cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.03, 0.26, 1),
+    transform 0.28s cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.03, 0.26, 1);
+}
+
+.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop--visible
+  .bsplus-popup-media-overlay-inner {
+  opacity: 1;
+  transform: scale(1) translateY(0);
+}
+
+.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop.bsplus-popup-media-overlay--instant
+  .bsplus-popup-media-overlay-inner {
+  transition: none;
+}
+
+.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-slot {
+  width: 100%;
+  max-height: inherit;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  padding: clamp(16px, 3vw, 28px);
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+}
+
+.bsplus-popup-media-overlay-media {
+  max-width: 100%;
+  max-height: calc(100vh - clamp(120px, 22vh, 200px));
+  width: auto;
+  height: auto;
+  object-fit: contain;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+}
 
 @keyframes shimmer {
   0% {
@@ -4212,3 +4371,41 @@ h2.home-subtitle {
   font-size: 20px;
   font-weight: 400;
 }
+
+.bsplus-toast {
+  position: fixed;
+  bottom: 24px;
+  right: 24px;
+  z-index: 10000;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: flex-start;
+  gap: 12px;
+  max-width: 380px;
+  padding: 16px 18px;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: var(--background-secondary, #fff);
+  color: var(--text-primary, #1a1a1a);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.18);
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  line-height: 1.5;
+}
+.bsplus-toast-content p {
+  margin: 6px 0 0;
+  opacity: 0.8;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+}
+.bsplus-toast-close {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  color: var(--text-primary, #1a1a1a);
+  font-size: 1.3rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  padding: 0 2px;
+  line-height: 1;
+  opacity: 0.5;
+  transition: opacity 0.15s;
+}
+.bsplus-toast-close:hover {
+  opacity: 1;
+}
diff --git a/src/interface/components/CloudPanel.svelte b/src/interface/components/CloudPanel.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ee8faea2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/interface/components/CloudPanel.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  import { onMount } from "svelte";
+  import { animate } from "motion";
+  import { delay } from "@/seqta/utils/delay.ts";
+  import { cloudAuth } from "@/seqta/utils/CloudAuth";
+
+  const { hidePanel } = $props<{
+    hidePanel: () => void;
+  }>();
+
+  let cloudState = $state(cloudAuth.state);
+  let background = $state<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+  let content = $state<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+  let loginError = $state<string | null>(null);
+
+  onMount(() => {
+    const unsub = cloudAuth.subscribe((s) => {
+      cloudState = s;
+    });
+
+    if (background && content) {
+      animate(
+        background,
+        { opacity: [0, 1] },
+        { duration: 0.3, ease: [0.4, 0, 0.2, 1] }
+      );
+      animate(
+        content,
+        { scale: [0.4, 1], opacity: [0, 1] },
+        { type: "spring", stiffness: 400, damping: 30 }
+      );
+    }
+
+    const handleEscapeKey = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      if (e.key === "Escape") closePanel();
+    };
+    document.addEventListener("keydown", handleEscapeKey);
+
+    return () => {
+      unsub();
+      document.removeEventListener("keydown", handleEscapeKey);
+    };
+  });
+
+  async function closePanel() {
+    if (!background || !content) return;
+    animate(
+      content,
+      { scale: [1, 0.4], opacity: [1, 0] },
+      { type: "spring", stiffness: 400, damping: 30 }
+    );
+    animate(
+      background,
+      { opacity: [1, 0] },
+      { ease: [0.4, 0, 0.2, 1] }
+    );
+    await delay(400);
+    hidePanel();
+  }
+
+  function handleBackgroundClick(event: MouseEvent) {
+    if (event.target === background) closePanel();
+  }
+
+  async function handleSignIn() {
+    loginError = null;
+    const result = await cloudAuth.startLogin();
+    if (result.success) {
+      closePanel();
+    } else {
+      loginError = result.error ?? "Failed to open login page";
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function handleLogout() {
+    await cloudAuth.logout();
+  }
+
+  function getInitials(): string {
+    const u = cloudState.user;
+    if (!u) return "?";
+    if (u.displayName) return u.displayName.slice(0, 2).toUpperCase();
+    if (u.username) return u.username.slice(0, 2).toUpperCase();
+    if (u.email) return u.email.slice(0, 2).toUpperCase();
+    return "?";
+  }
+</script>
+
+<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
+<div
+  bind:this={background}
+  class="flex absolute top-0 left-0 z-50 justify-center items-center w-full h-full cursor-pointer bg-black/50"
+  onclick={handleBackgroundClick}
+  onkeydown={(e) => { if (e.key === "Enter") handleBackgroundClick; }}
+>
+  <div
+    bind:this={content}
+    class="p-5 w-[320px] bg-white rounded-xl border shadow-lg cursor-auto dark:bg-zinc-800 border-zinc-100 dark:border-zinc-700"
+  >
+    <h3 class="text-lg font-bold text-zinc-900 dark:text-white">BetterSEQTA Cloud</h3>
+    <p class="mt-0.5 text-sm text-zinc-500 dark:text-zinc-400">Account & sync</p>
+
+    <div class="mt-4">
+      {#if cloudState.isLoggedIn}
+        <div class="flex flex-col gap-4">
+          <div class="flex items-center gap-3">
+            {#if cloudState.user?.pfpUrl}
+              <img
+                src={cloudState.user.pfpUrl}
+                alt=""
+                class="w-12 h-12 rounded-full object-cover ring-2 ring-zinc-200 dark:ring-zinc-600"
+              />
+            {:else}
+              <div class="flex items-center justify-center w-12 h-12 rounded-full bg-zinc-300 dark:bg-zinc-600 text-zinc-700 dark:text-zinc-200 font-semibold text-base">
+                {getInitials()}
+              </div>
+            {/if}
+            <div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
+              <p class="text-sm font-medium text-zinc-900 dark:text-white truncate">
+                {cloudState.user?.displayName || cloudState.user?.username || cloudState.user?.email || "User"}
+              </p>
+              {#if cloudState.user?.email && cloudState.user?.email !== (cloudState.user?.displayName || cloudState.user?.username)}
+                <p class="text-xs text-zinc-500 dark:text-zinc-400 truncate">{cloudState.user.email}</p>
+              {/if}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            onclick={handleLogout}
+            class="w-full px-4 py-2.5 text-sm font-medium rounded-lg bg-zinc-200 dark:bg-zinc-700 text-zinc-900 dark:text-white hover:bg-zinc-300 dark:hover:bg-zinc-600 transition-colors duration-200"
+          >
+            Sign out
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      {:else}
+        <div class="flex flex-col gap-3">
+          <p class="text-sm text-zinc-600 dark:text-zinc-400">
+            Sign in to sync settings across devices, use your cloud profile picture, and more.
+          </p>
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            onclick={handleSignIn}
+            class="w-full px-4 py-2.5 text-sm font-medium rounded-lg bg-zinc-800 dark:bg-zinc-200 text-white dark:text-zinc-900 hover:bg-zinc-700 dark:hover:bg-zinc-300 transition-colors duration-200"
+          >
+            Sign in with BetterSEQTA Cloud
+          </button>
+          {#if loginError}
+            <p class="text-xs text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{loginError}</p>
+          {/if}
+          <p class="text-xs text-center text-zinc-400 dark:text-zinc-500">
+            Opens accounts.betterseqta.org in a new tab
+          </p>
+        </div>
+      {/if}
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
diff --git a/src/interface/components/CloudSettingsSync.svelte b/src/interface/components/CloudSettingsSync.svelte
index b50fe6b4..9acb24bf 100644
--- a/src/interface/components/CloudSettingsSync.svelte
+++ b/src/interface/components/CloudSettingsSync.svelte
@@ -2,17 +2,17 @@
   import browser from "webextension-polyfill";
   import { cloudAuth } from "@/seqta/utils/CloudAuth";
   import { settingsState } from "@/seqta/utils/listeners/SettingsState";
-  import DisclaimerModal from "./DisclaimerModal.svelte";
   import Button from "./Button.svelte";
   import Switch from "./Switch.svelte";
 
+  let { showDisclaimer } = $props<{
+    showDisclaimer: (onConfirm: () => void, onCancel: () => void) => void;
+  }>();
+
   let cloudState = $state(cloudAuth.state);
   let busy = $state(false);
   let statusMessage = $state<string | null>(null);
   let statusError = $state<string | null>(null);
-  let lastUploadAt = $state<string | null>(null);
-  let lastDownloadAt = $state<string | null>(null);
-  let showRestoreConfirm = $state(false);
 
   $effect(() => {
     const unsub = cloudAuth.subscribe((s) => {
@@ -21,13 +21,6 @@
     return unsub;
   });
 
-  function formatNow(): string {
-    return new Date().toLocaleString(undefined, {
-      dateStyle: "short",
-      timeStyle: "short",
-    });
-  }
-
   async function upload() {
     const token = await cloudAuth.getStoredToken();
     if (!token) return;
@@ -40,8 +33,7 @@
         token,
       })) as { success?: boolean; error?: string };
       if (res?.success) {
-        statusMessage = "Settings saved to the cloud.";
-        lastUploadAt = formatNow();
+        statusMessage = "Settings uploaded.";
       } else {
         statusError = res?.error ?? "Upload failed";
       }
@@ -53,11 +45,10 @@
   }
 
   function promptDownload() {
-    showRestoreConfirm = true;
+    showDisclaimer(confirmDownload, () => {});
   }
 
   async function confirmDownload() {
-    showRestoreConfirm = false;
     const token = await cloudAuth.getStoredToken();
     if (!token) return;
     busy = true;
@@ -69,8 +60,7 @@
         token,
       })) as { success?: boolean; error?: string; notFound?: boolean };
       if (res?.success) {
-        statusMessage = "Settings restored from the cloud. SEQTA tabs were reloaded.";
-        lastDownloadAt = formatNow();
+        statusMessage = "Settings restored.";
       } else {
         statusError = res?.error ?? "Download failed";
       }
@@ -82,22 +72,13 @@
   }
 </script>
 
-<div
-  class="w-full rounded-xl border border-zinc-200/60 bg-zinc-50/80 px-4 py-2.5 dark:border-zinc-700/50 dark:bg-zinc-900/40"
->
-  <h3 class="text-xs font-bold text-zinc-800 dark:text-zinc-100">Cloud settings backup</h3>
-  <p class="mt-0.5 text-[11px] leading-snug text-zinc-500 dark:text-zinc-400">
-    Upload copies this browser’s BetterSEQTA+ settings to your account. Download replaces local settings with the
-    cloud copy (your sign-in stays on this device).
-  </p>
-
-  <div
-    class="mt-2 flex flex-col gap-2 rounded-lg border border-zinc-200/50 bg-white/60 px-3 py-2.5 dark:border-zinc-600/40 dark:bg-zinc-800/40"
-  >
-    <div class="flex items-start justify-between gap-3">
-      <p class="min-w-0 flex-1 pt-0.5 text-[11px] font-semibold leading-tight text-zinc-800 dark:text-zinc-100">
-        Automatic sync
-      </p>
+{#if cloudState.isLoggedIn}
+  <div class="flex flex-col gap-2.5">
+    <div class="flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
+      <div>
+        <p class="text-[11px] font-semibold text-zinc-800 dark:text-zinc-100">Automatic sync</p>
+        <p class="text-[10px] text-zinc-500 dark:text-zinc-400">Syncs settings when SEQTA loads and when you make changes</p>
+      </div>
       <div class="shrink-0">
         <Switch
           state={$settingsState.autoCloudSettingsSync !== false}
@@ -105,62 +86,35 @@
         />
       </div>
     </div>
-    <p class="text-[10px] leading-snug text-zinc-500 dark:text-zinc-400">
-      When signed in, each time SEQTA loads and also hourly, if the cloud backup is newer it will replace local
-      settings. Settings you change will upload shortly after you adjust them.
-    </p>
-    <p class="text-[10px] leading-snug text-zinc-500 dark:text-zinc-400">
-      Passwords, tokens, and other sensitive data are not included in the backup.
+
+    <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+      <Button
+        text={busy ? "Please wait\u2026" : "Upload"}
+        onClick={upload}
+        disabled={busy}
+      />
+      <Button
+        text={busy ? "Please wait\u2026" : "Download"}
+        onClick={promptDownload}
+        disabled={busy}
+      />
+    </div>
+
+    {#if statusMessage}
+      <p class="text-[11px] text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400">{statusMessage}</p>
+    {/if}
+    {#if statusError}
+      <p class="text-[11px] text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{statusError}</p>
+    {/if}
+
+    <p class="text-[10px] text-zinc-400 dark:text-zinc-500">
+      Passwords and tokens are never synced.
       <a
         href="https://betterseqta.org/privacy"
         target="_blank"
         rel="noopener noreferrer"
-        class="ml-0.5 inline font-medium text-emerald-600 underline decoration-emerald-600/50 underline-offset-2 transition-all duration-200 hover:text-emerald-700 hover:decoration-emerald-700 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-emerald-500 focus-visible:ring-offset-2 focus-visible:ring-offset-white dark:text-emerald-400 dark:decoration-emerald-400/50 dark:hover:text-emerald-300 dark:focus-visible:ring-offset-zinc-800 rounded-sm"
-      >
-        Privacy policy
-      </a>
+        class="font-medium text-emerald-600 underline decoration-emerald-600/50 underline-offset-2 hover:text-emerald-700 dark:text-emerald-400 dark:hover:text-emerald-300 rounded-sm"
+      >Privacy policy</a>
     </p>
   </div>
-
-  <div class="mt-2 flex flex-wrap gap-2">
-    <Button
-      text={busy ? "Please wait…" : "Upload to cloud"}
-      onClick={upload}
-      disabled={busy || !cloudState.isLoggedIn}
-    />
-    <Button
-      text={busy ? "Please wait…" : "Download from cloud"}
-      onClick={promptDownload}
-      disabled={busy || !cloudState.isLoggedIn}
-    />
-  </div>
-
-  {#if !cloudState.isLoggedIn}
-    <p class="mt-2 text-[11px] text-zinc-500 dark:text-zinc-400">
-      Sign in from the BetterSEQTA Cloud header above to sync settings.
-    </p>
-  {/if}
-
-  {#if statusMessage}
-    <p class="mt-2 text-[11px] text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400">{statusMessage}</p>
-  {/if}
-  {#if statusError}
-    <p class="mt-2 text-[11px] text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{statusError}</p>
-  {/if}
-  {#if lastUploadAt || lastDownloadAt}
-    <p class="mt-1 text-[10px] text-zinc-400 dark:text-zinc-500">
-      {#if lastUploadAt}<span>Last upload: {lastUploadAt}</span>{/if}
-      {#if lastUploadAt && lastDownloadAt}<span class="mx-1">·</span>{/if}
-      {#if lastDownloadAt}<span>Last download: {lastDownloadAt}</span>{/if}
-    </p>
-  {/if}
-</div>
-
-{#if showRestoreConfirm}
-  <DisclaimerModal
-    title="Restore from cloud?"
-    message="This will replace BetterSEQTA+ settings in this browser with your cloud backup. Your BetterSEQTA Cloud sign-in on this device will be kept. Continue?"
-    onConfirm={confirmDownload}
-    onCancel={() => (showRestoreConfirm = false)}
-  />
 {/if}
diff --git a/src/interface/components/SignInToFavoriteModal.svelte b/src/interface/components/SignInToFavoriteModal.svelte
index 2f5f178f..133b3f98 100644
--- a/src/interface/components/SignInToFavoriteModal.svelte
+++ b/src/interface/components/SignInToFavoriteModal.svelte
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
   import { animate } from "motion";
   import { onMount } from "svelte";
   import { cloudAuth } from "@/seqta/utils/CloudAuth";
-  import CloudLoginForm from "@/interface/components/store/CloudLoginForm.svelte";
 
   let { onClose } = $props<{ onClose: () => void }>();
   let modalElement: HTMLElement;
@@ -23,6 +22,10 @@
       );
     }
   });
+
+  async function handleSignIn() {
+    await cloudAuth.startLogin();
+  }
 </script>
 
 <div
@@ -52,7 +55,16 @@
       Sign in to the Theme Store to save favorites across devices, or create an account to get started.
     </p>
 
-    <CloudLoginForm compact onSuccess={onClose} />
+    <button
+      type="button"
+      onclick={handleSignIn}
+      class="w-full px-4 py-2.5 text-sm font-medium rounded-lg bg-zinc-800 dark:bg-zinc-200 text-white dark:text-zinc-900 hover:bg-zinc-700 dark:hover:bg-zinc-300 transition-colors duration-200"
+    >
+      Sign in with BetterSEQTA Cloud
+    </button>
+    <p class="mt-2 text-xs text-center text-zinc-400 dark:text-zinc-500">
+      Opens accounts.betterseqta.org in a new tab
+    </p>
 
     <div class="flex justify-end mt-4">
       <button
diff --git a/src/interface/components/store/CloudHeader.svelte b/src/interface/components/store/CloudHeader.svelte
index 1c8aca05..b8ce98da 100644
--- a/src/interface/components/store/CloudHeader.svelte
+++ b/src/interface/components/store/CloudHeader.svelte
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onMount } from "svelte";
   import { cloudAuth } from "@/seqta/utils/CloudAuth";
-  import CloudLoginForm from "./CloudLoginForm.svelte";
 
-  let { alwaysShowUserName = false } = $props<{
-    /** When true (e.g. narrow extension popup), show display name below sm breakpoint */
+  let { alwaysShowUserName = false, onClick = undefined } = $props<{
     alwaysShowUserName?: boolean;
+    onClick?: () => void;
   }>();
 
   let cloudState = $state(cloudAuth.state);
@@ -42,6 +41,19 @@
     open = false;
   }
 
+  async function handleSignIn() {
+    await cloudAuth.startLogin();
+    open = false;
+  }
+
+  function handleButtonClick() {
+    if (onClick) {
+      onClick();
+    } else {
+      open = !open;
+    }
+  }
+
   function getInitials(): string {
     const u = cloudState.user;
     if (!u) return "?";
@@ -55,35 +67,35 @@
 <div class="relative flex items-center" bind:this={dropdownEl}>
   <button
     type="button"
-    onclick={() => (open = !open)}
-    class="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg bg-zinc-100/80 dark:bg-zinc-700/80 hover:bg-zinc-200/80 dark:hover:bg-zinc-600/80 transition-colors duration-200 text-base font-medium text-zinc-900 dark:text-white"
+    onclick={handleButtonClick}
+    class="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-1.5 text-[0.75rem] rounded-lg shadow-2xl border dark:bg-[#38373D]/50 bg-[#DDDDDD]/50 border-[#DDDDDD]/30 dark:border-[#38373D]/30 dark:text-white transition-colors duration-200"
   >
     {#if cloudState.isLoggedIn}
       {#if cloudState.user?.pfpUrl}
         <img
           src={cloudState.user.pfpUrl}
           alt=""
-          class="w-8 h-8 rounded-full object-cover ring-2 ring-zinc-200 dark:ring-zinc-600"
+          class="w-5 h-5 rounded-full object-cover ring-1 ring-zinc-200 dark:ring-zinc-600"
         />
       {:else}
-        <div class="flex items-center justify-center w-8 h-8 rounded-full bg-zinc-300 dark:bg-zinc-600 text-zinc-700 dark:text-zinc-200 font-semibold text-sm">
+        <div class="flex items-center justify-center w-5 h-5 rounded-full bg-zinc-300 dark:bg-zinc-600 text-zinc-700 dark:text-zinc-200 font-semibold text-[0.6rem]">
           {getInitials()}
         </div>
       {/if}
       <span
         class={alwaysShowUserName
-          ? "inline max-w-[10rem] truncate text-sm"
-          : "hidden max-w-24 truncate sm:inline text-base"}
+          ? "inline max-w-[10rem] truncate text-[0.75rem]"
+          : "hidden max-w-24 truncate sm:inline text-[0.75rem]"}
       >
         {cloudState.user?.displayName || cloudState.user?.username || cloudState.user?.email || "User"}
       </span>
     {:else}
-      <span class="text-xl font-IconFamily" aria-hidden="true">{'\ued53'}</span>
-      <span class="text-base font-medium">Sign in</span>
+      <span class="text-sm font-IconFamily" aria-hidden="true">{'\ued53'}</span>
+      <span class="text-[0.75rem]">Sign in</span>
     {/if}
   </button>
 
-  {#if open}
+  {#if !onClick && open}
     <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_click_events_have_key_events -->
     <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
     <div
@@ -127,11 +139,21 @@
             </button>
           </div>
         {:else}
-          <CloudLoginForm
-            onSuccess={() => {
-              open = false;
-            }}
-          />
+          <div class="flex flex-col gap-3">
+            <p class="text-sm text-zinc-600 dark:text-zinc-400">
+              Sign in to sync favorites across devices.
+            </p>
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              onclick={handleSignIn}
+              class="w-full px-4 py-3 text-base font-medium rounded-lg bg-zinc-800 dark:bg-zinc-200 text-white dark:text-zinc-900 hover:bg-zinc-700 dark:hover:bg-zinc-300 transition-colors duration-200"
+            >
+              Sign in with BetterSEQTA Cloud
+            </button>
+            <p class="text-xs text-center text-zinc-400 dark:text-zinc-500">
+              Opens accounts.betterseqta.org in a new tab
+            </p>
+          </div>
         {/if}
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/src/interface/pages/settings.svelte b/src/interface/pages/settings.svelte
index 777cedbc..bcff0e80 100644
--- a/src/interface/pages/settings.svelte
+++ b/src/interface/pages/settings.svelte
@@ -15,14 +15,16 @@
   //import { OpenMinecraftServerPopup } from "@/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenMinecraftServerPopup";
 
   import ColourPicker from "../components/ColourPicker.svelte";
+  import CloudPanel from "../components/CloudPanel.svelte";
   import DisclaimerModal from "../components/DisclaimerModal.svelte";
-  import CloudHeader from "@/interface/components/store/CloudHeader.svelte";
   import { settingsPopup } from "../hooks/SettingsPopup";
 
   let devModeSequence = "";
   let settingsActiveTab = $state(0);
   let showDisclaimerModal = $state(false);
   let disclaimerCallbacks = $state<{ onConfirm: () => void, onCancel: () => void } | null>(null);
+  let disclaimerTitle = $state("Confirm");
+  let disclaimerMessage = $state("");
 
   const handleDevModeToggle = () => {
     const handleKeyDown = (event: KeyboardEvent) => {
@@ -67,15 +69,23 @@
 
   let { standalone } = $props<{ standalone?: boolean }>();
   let showColourPicker = $state<boolean>(false);
+  let showCloudPanel = $state<boolean>(false);
 
-  const showDisclaimer = (onConfirm: () => void, onCancel: () => void) => {
+  const openCloudPanel = () => {
+    showCloudPanel = true;
+  };
+
+  const showDisclaimer = (onConfirm: () => void, onCancel: () => void, title?: string, message?: string) => {
     disclaimerCallbacks = { onConfirm, onCancel };
+    disclaimerTitle = title ?? "Confirm";
+    disclaimerMessage = message ?? "";
     showDisclaimerModal = true;
   };
 
   onMount(() => {
     settingsPopup.addListener(() => {
       showColourPicker = false;
+      showCloudPanel = false;
     });
 
     if (standalone) {
@@ -277,25 +287,13 @@
       {/if}
     </div>
 
-    <div
-      class="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between gap-2 px-4 py-2.5 border-b border-zinc-200/40 dark:border-zinc-700/40"
-    >
-      <div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
-        <h2 class="text-sm font-bold text-zinc-900 dark:text-white">BetterSEQTA Cloud</h2>
-        <p class="text-xs text-zinc-500 dark:text-zinc-400">Account & sync</p>
-      </div>
-      <div class="shrink-0">
-        <CloudHeader alwaysShowUserName />
-      </div>
-    </div>
-
     <TabbedContainer
       bind:activeTab={settingsActiveTab}
       tabs={[
         {
           title: "Settings",
           Content: Settings,
-          props: { showColourPicker: openColourPicker, showDisclaimer },
+          props: { showColourPicker: openColourPicker, showDisclaimer, showCloudPanel: openCloudPanel },
         },
         { title: "Shortcuts", Content: Shortcuts },
         { title: "Themes", Content: Theme },
@@ -310,19 +308,20 @@
       }}
     />
   {/if}
+
+  {#if showCloudPanel}
+    <CloudPanel
+      hidePanel={() => {
+        showCloudPanel = false;
+      }}
+    />
+  {/if}
 </div>
 
 {#if showDisclaimerModal && disclaimerCallbacks}
   <DisclaimerModal
-    title="Assessment Averages Disclaimer"
-    message="This feature calculates a simple average of your assessment grades. It does not take into account:
-• Assessment weightings
-• Different grading scales
-• Other factors used in official reports
-
-The displayed average may be inaccurate compared to your actual marks found in reports.
-
-Do you want to enable this feature?"
+    title={disclaimerTitle}
+    message={disclaimerMessage}
     onConfirm={() => {
       disclaimerCallbacks?.onConfirm();
       showDisclaimerModal = false;
diff --git a/src/interface/pages/settings/general.svelte b/src/interface/pages/settings/general.svelte
index 5e7236fd..2928fffa 100644
--- a/src/interface/pages/settings/general.svelte
+++ b/src/interface/pages/settings/general.svelte
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
   import PickerSwatch from "@/interface/components/PickerSwatch.svelte"
   import ConnectMobileApp from "@/interface/components/ConnectMobileApp.svelte"
   import CloudSettingsSync from "@/interface/components/CloudSettingsSync.svelte"
+  import CloudHeader from "@/interface/components/store/CloudHeader.svelte"
+  import { cloudAuth } from "@/seqta/utils/CloudAuth"
   import { showPrivacyNotification } from "@/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenPrivacyNotification"
   import { closeExtensionPopup } from "@/seqta/utils/Closers/closeExtensionPopup"
   import { getSnapshotForUpload } from "@/seqta/utils/cloudSettingsSync"
@@ -53,6 +55,12 @@
 
   const pluginSettings = getAllPluginSettings() as Plugin[];
   const pluginSettingsValues = $state<Record<string, Record<string, any>>>({});
+
+  let cloudState = $state(cloudAuth.state);
+  $effect(() => {
+    const unsub = cloudAuth.subscribe((s) => { cloudState = s; });
+    return unsub;
+  });
   
   async function loadPluginSettings() {
     for (const plugin of pluginSettings) {
@@ -95,9 +103,10 @@
     loadPluginSettings();
   })
 
-  const { showColourPicker, showDisclaimer } = $props<{ 
+  const { showColourPicker, showDisclaimer, showCloudPanel } = $props<{ 
     showColourPicker: () => void;
-    showDisclaimer: (onConfirm: () => void, onCancel: () => void) => void;
+    showDisclaimer: (onConfirm: () => void, onCancel: () => void, title?: string, message?: string) => void;
+    showCloudPanel: () => void;
   }>();
 
   async function exportCloudSettingsJsonToFile() {
@@ -196,12 +205,11 @@
     },
     {
       title: "Default Page",
-      description:
-        "The page to load when SEQTA Learn or SEQTA Engage opens (uses the same #?page=/… URL as SEQTA). BetterSEQTA home on Engage only applies when Home is selected.",
+      description: "Choose which page loads first when you open SEQTA",
       id: 10,
       Component: Select,
       props: {
-        state: $settingsState.defaultPage,
+        state: $settingsState.defaultPage ?? "home",
         onChange: (value: string) => (settingsState.defaultPage = value),
         options: [
           { value: "home", label: "Home" },
@@ -310,8 +318,9 @@
                       async () => {
                         await updatePluginSetting(plugin.pluginId, 'enabled', true);
                       },
-                      () => {
-                      }
+                      () => {},
+                      "Assessment Averages Disclaimer",
+                      "This feature calculates a simple average of your assessment grades. It does not take into account:\n• Assessment weightings\n• Different grading scales\n• Other factors used in official reports\n\nThe displayed average may be inaccurate compared to your actual marks found in reports.\n\nDo you want to enable this feature?"
                     );
                     return;
                   }
@@ -324,8 +333,8 @@
   
         {#if !((plugin as any).disableToggle) || (pluginSettingsValues[plugin.pluginId]?.enabled ?? true)}
           {#each Object.entries(plugin.settings) as [key, setting]}
-            <!-- Skip the 'enabled' setting if it's part of the settings object -->
-            {#if key !== 'enabled'}
+            <!-- Skip the 'enabled' setting and hide cloud-only settings when not signed in -->
+            {#if key !== 'enabled' && !(key === 'useCloudPfp' && !cloudState.isLoggedIn)}
               <div class="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3">
                 <div class="pr-4">
                   <h2 class="text-sm font-bold">{setting.title || key}</h2>
@@ -388,6 +397,25 @@
   </div>
   {/each}
 
+  <div class="border-none">
+    <div class="p-1 my-1 from-white to-zinc-100 bg-gradient-to-br rounded-xl border shadow-sm border-zinc-200/50 dark:border-zinc-700/40 dark:to-zinc-900/50 dark:from-zinc-900/40">
+      <div class="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3">
+        <div class="pr-4">
+          <h2 class="text-sm font-bold">BetterSEQTA Cloud</h2>
+          <p class="text-xs">Account & sync</p>
+        </div>
+        <div>
+          <CloudHeader alwaysShowUserName onClick={showCloudPanel} />
+        </div>
+      </div>
+      {#if cloudState.isLoggedIn}
+        <div class="px-3 pb-3">
+          <CloudSettingsSync showDisclaimer={(onConfirm, onCancel) => showDisclaimer(onConfirm, onCancel, "Restore from cloud?", "This will replace your local settings with the cloud backup. Continue?")} />
+        </div>
+      {/if}
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
   <div class="p-1 border-none"></div>
 
   {@render Setting({
@@ -401,10 +429,6 @@
     }
   })}
 
-  <div class="border-none py-3">
-    <CloudSettingsSync />
-  </div>
-
   {#if $settingsState.devMode}
     <div class="flex-col p-1 my-1 bg-gradient-to-br from-white rounded-xl border shadow-sm to-zinc-100 border-zinc-200/50 dark:border-zinc-700/40 dark:to-zinc-900/50 dark:from-zinc-900/40">
       <div class="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3">
diff --git a/src/manifests/manifest.json b/src/manifests/manifest.json
index f768851e..b4bfe4e4 100644
--- a/src/manifests/manifest.json
+++ b/src/manifests/manifest.json
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
       "64": "resources/icons/icon-64.png"
     }
   },
-  "permissions": ["tabs", "notifications", "storage", "alarms"],
+  "permissions": ["tabs", "notifications", "storage"],
   "host_permissions": ["https://newsapi.org/", "https://betterseqta.org/", "https://accounts.betterseqta.org/", "*://*/*"],
   "background": {
     "service_worker": "background.ts"
diff --git a/src/plugins/built-in/notificationCollector/index.ts b/src/plugins/built-in/notificationCollector/index.ts
index dc4576c1..779183cb 100644
--- a/src/plugins/built-in/notificationCollector/index.ts
+++ b/src/plugins/built-in/notificationCollector/index.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { Plugin } from "../../core/types";
+import { isSeqtaEngageExperience } from "@/seqta/utils/isSeqtaEngage";
 
 interface NotificationCollectorStorage {
   lastNotificationCount: number;
@@ -15,6 +16,10 @@ const notificationCollectorPlugin: Plugin<{}, NotificationCollectorStorage> = {
   disableToggle: true,
 
   run: async (api) => {
+    if (isSeqtaEngageExperience()) {
+      return () => {};
+    }
+
     let pollInterval: number | null = null;
     let isVisible = !document.hidden;
     let baseInterval = 30000; // 30 seconds
diff --git a/src/plugins/built-in/profilePicture/index.ts b/src/plugins/built-in/profilePicture/index.ts
index eee17cb9..9cf3e7d5 100644
--- a/src/plugins/built-in/profilePicture/index.ts
+++ b/src/plugins/built-in/profilePicture/index.ts
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@ const settings = defineSettings({
   useCloudPfp: booleanSetting({
     default: false,
     title: "Use BetterSEQTA Cloud profile picture",
-    description:
-      "When enabled, uses the avatar from your BetterSEQTA Cloud account (sign in from the extension store). Otherwise uses the uploaded image below.",
+    description: "Use your cloud account avatar instead of the uploaded image below",
   }),
   picture: componentSetting({
     title: "Profile Picture",
diff --git a/src/plugins/built-in/themes/theme-manager.ts b/src/plugins/built-in/themes/theme-manager.ts
index 2260e8df..b3bc490a 100644
--- a/src/plugins/built-in/themes/theme-manager.ts
+++ b/src/plugins/built-in/themes/theme-manager.ts
@@ -680,9 +680,17 @@ export class ThemeManager {
    * Compare installed store themes to GET /api/themes and refresh when the server is newer.
    * Skips themes with userEdited: true (theme creator / popup save, or custom accent vs default).
    */
+  private static STORE_CHECK_KEY = "bsplus_lastStoreThemeCheck";
+  private static STORE_CHECK_INTERVAL_MS = 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; // 24 hours
+
   public async checkStoreThemeUpdates(): Promise<void> {
     if (this.storeUpdateCheckRunning) return;
+
+    const lastCheck = Number(localStorage.getItem(ThemeManager.STORE_CHECK_KEY) || 0);
+    if (Date.now() - lastCheck < ThemeManager.STORE_CHECK_INTERVAL_MS) return;
+
     this.storeUpdateCheckRunning = true;
+    localStorage.setItem(ThemeManager.STORE_CHECK_KEY, String(Date.now()));
     try {
       const token = await cloudAuth.getStoredToken();
       const res = (await browser.runtime.sendMessage({
diff --git a/src/plugins/built-in/timetable/index.ts b/src/plugins/built-in/timetable/index.ts
index 9a60d85a..99c9bd0a 100644
--- a/src/plugins/built-in/timetable/index.ts
+++ b/src/plugins/built-in/timetable/index.ts
@@ -63,7 +63,12 @@ function resetTimetableStyles(): void {
 }
 
 async function handleTimetable(): Promise<void> {
-  await waitForElm(".time", true, 10);
+  // SEQTA uses `.times` blocks on entries, not necessarily `.time`; avoid infinite polling on a missing selector.
+  try {
+    await waitForElm(".timetablepage .times, .timetablepage .entry.class", true, 50, 200);
+  } catch {
+    /* timetable body may render after the shell */
+  }
 
   // Convert time format if needed
   if (settingsState.timeFormat == "12") {
diff --git a/src/plugins/built-in/timetableEdit/index.ts b/src/plugins/built-in/timetableEdit/index.ts
index 0adefb62..02ca8911 100644
--- a/src/plugins/built-in/timetableEdit/index.ts
+++ b/src/plugins/built-in/timetableEdit/index.ts
@@ -271,7 +271,9 @@ const timetableEditPlugin: Plugin<{}, TimetableStorage> = {
     };
 
     const syncQuickbarFromDOM = () => {
-      const quickbar = document.querySelector(".timetablepage .quickbar.visible");
+      const quickbar = document.querySelector(
+        ".timetablepage .quickbar.below.visible, .timetablepage .quickbar.visible",
+      );
       if (quickbar && quickbar.getAttribute("data-type") === "class") {
         const titleEl = quickbar.querySelector(".title");
         const roomEl = quickbar.querySelector(".meta .room");
@@ -287,7 +289,9 @@ const timetableEditPlugin: Plugin<{}, TimetableStorage> = {
       if (!timetablePage || quickbarObserver) return;
 
       quickbarObserver = new MutationObserver(() => {
-        const quickbar = document.querySelector(".timetablepage .quickbar.visible");
+        const quickbar = document.querySelector(
+          ".timetablepage .quickbar.below.visible, .timetablepage .quickbar.visible",
+        );
         if (quickbar?.getAttribute("data-type") === "class") {
           addEditButtonToQuickbar(quickbar as HTMLElement);
         }
@@ -302,7 +306,13 @@ const timetableEditPlugin: Plugin<{}, TimetableStorage> = {
     };
 
     const handleTimetable = async () => {
-      await waitForElm(".timetablepage .entry", true, 10, 100);
+      // Class entries (`div.entry.class`) load after the page shell; don't fail the whole
+      // setup if they are slow or briefly absent (e.g. navigation). Observers still catch them.
+      try {
+        await waitForElm(".timetablepage .entry.class", true, 50, 300);
+      } catch {
+        /* entries may appear later */
+      }
       processAllEntries();
       setupQuickbarObserver();
       syncQuickbarFromDOM();
diff --git a/src/plugins/monofile.ts b/src/plugins/monofile.ts
index 353386e3..4892c7df 100644
--- a/src/plugins/monofile.ts
+++ b/src/plugins/monofile.ts
@@ -29,8 +29,7 @@ import {
   updateEngageHomeMenuActive,
 } from "@/seqta/utils/Loaders/LoadEngageHomePage";
 import { loadHomePage } from "@/seqta/utils/Loaders/LoadHomePage";
-import { OpenWhatsNewPopup } from "@/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenWhatsNewPopup";
-import { showPrivacyNotification } from "@/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenPrivacyNotification";
+import { runStartupPopupQueue } from "@/seqta/utils/Openers/StartupPopupQueue";
 
 import { updateTimetableTimes } from "@/seqta/utils/updateTimetableTimes";
 
@@ -106,14 +105,7 @@ export async function finishLoad() {
     console.error("Error during loading cleanup:", err);
   }
 
-  // Check and show privacy statement notification (before what's new)
-  if (!document.getElementById("privacy-notification")) {
-    await showPrivacyNotification();
-  }
-
-  if (settingsState.justupdated && !document.getElementById("whatsnewbk") && !document.getElementById("privacy-notification")) {
-    OpenWhatsNewPopup();
-  }
+  runStartupPopupQueue();
 }
 
 export function GetCSSElement(file: string) {
@@ -517,6 +509,9 @@ function CheckNoticeTextColour(notice: any) {
 }
 
 function watchForEngageLogin() {
+  if (!document.querySelector(".login")) {
+    return;
+  }
   const observer = new MutationObserver(() => {
     if (!document.querySelector(".login")) {
       observer.disconnect();
@@ -526,24 +521,69 @@ function watchForEngageLogin() {
   observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
 }
 
+/** Wait until Engage shows either the login shell or the main app (`#content`), so we never call `LoadPageElements` while still on login (which would hang on `waitForElm("#content")`). */
+function waitForEngageLoginOrContent(): Promise<"login" | "app" | "timeout"> {
+  if (document.querySelector(".login")) {
+    return Promise.resolve("login");
+  }
+  if (document.getElementById("content")) {
+    return Promise.resolve("app");
+  }
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    let settled = false;
+    const finish = (mode: "login" | "app") => {
+      if (settled) return;
+      settled = true;
+      mo.disconnect();
+      window.clearTimeout(tid);
+      resolve(mode);
+    };
+    const check = () => {
+      if (document.querySelector(".login")) finish("login");
+      else if (document.getElementById("content")) finish("app");
+    };
+    const mo = new MutationObserver(check);
+    mo.observe(document.documentElement, { subtree: true, childList: true });
+    const tid = window.setTimeout(() => {
+      if (settled) return;
+      mo.disconnect();
+      settled = true;
+      if (document.querySelector(".login")) resolve("login");
+      else if (document.getElementById("content")) resolve("app");
+      else {
+        console.warn(
+          "[BetterSEQTA+] Engage: timed out waiting for .login or #content; unblocking load UI.",
+        );
+        resolve("timeout");
+      }
+    }, 120_000);
+  });
+}
+
 export function tryLoad() {
   if (isSeqtaEngageExperience()) {
     updateIframesWithDarkMode();
     window.addEventListener("load", () => removeThemeTagsFromNotices(), { once: true });
 
-    const runEngageLoad = () => {
-      if (document.querySelector(".login")) {
+    const runEngageLoad = async () => {
+      const mode = await waitForEngageLoginOrContent();
+      if (mode === "login") {
         finishLoad();
         watchForEngageLogin();
         return;
       }
-      void LoadPageElements();
+      if (mode === "timeout") {
+        finishLoad();
+        void waitForElm("#content").then(() => void LoadPageElements());
+        return;
+      }
+      await LoadPageElements();
     };
 
     if (document.readyState === "complete") {
-      runEngageLoad();
+      void runEngageLoad();
     } else {
-      window.addEventListener("load", () => runEngageLoad(), { once: true });
+      window.addEventListener("load", () => void runEngageLoad(), { once: true });
     }
     return;
   }
diff --git a/src/resources/bq+engage.png b/src/resources/bq+engage.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..298ce3b6
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/resources/bq+engage.png differ
diff --git a/src/resources/bsclouddemo.webm b/src/resources/bsclouddemo.webm
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4c212608
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/resources/bsclouddemo.webm differ
diff --git a/src/seqta/ui/AddBetterSEQTAElements.ts b/src/seqta/ui/AddBetterSEQTAElements.ts
index 8a7729a3..dd512c99 100644
--- a/src/seqta/ui/AddBetterSEQTAElements.ts
+++ b/src/seqta/ui/AddBetterSEQTAElements.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { isSeqtaEngageExperience } from "@/seqta/utils/isSeqtaEngage";
 import { loadEngageHomePage } from "@/seqta/utils/Loaders/LoadEngageHomePage";
 import { loadHomePage } from "@/seqta/utils/Loaders/LoadHomePage";
 import { SendNewsPage } from "@/seqta/utils/SendNewsPage";
+import { attachNotificationsPanelAnimation } from "@/seqta/utils/attachNotificationsPanelAnimation";
 import { setupSettingsButton } from "@/seqta/utils/setupSettingsButton";
 import { waitForElm } from "@/seqta/utils/waitForElm";
 
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ export async function AddBetterSEQTAElements() {
   addExtensionSettings();
   await createSettingsButton();
   setupSettingsButton();
+  attachNotificationsPanelAnimation();
 }
 
 function createHomeButton(fragment: DocumentFragment, _: HTMLElement) {
@@ -423,10 +425,12 @@ async function setupEngageSettingsButton() {
     await addDarkLightToggle(parent);
     await createSettingsButton(parent);
     setupSettingsButton();
+    attachNotificationsPanelAnimation();
   } catch {
     await addDarkLightToggle();
     await createSettingsButton();
     setupSettingsButton();
+    attachNotificationsPanelAnimation();
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/CloudAuth.ts b/src/seqta/utils/CloudAuth.ts
index ff4f15f8..a2490959 100644
--- a/src/seqta/utils/CloudAuth.ts
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/CloudAuth.ts
@@ -83,6 +83,25 @@ class CloudAuthService {
     }
   }
 
+  /** Pull cloud settings backup after a fresh sign-in (matches manual “Download from cloud”). */
+  private triggerCloudSettingsDownloadAfterLogin(accessToken: string): void {
+    void browser.runtime
+      .sendMessage({
+        type: "cloudSettingsDownload",
+        token: accessToken,
+      })
+      .then((res: unknown) => {
+        const r = res as { success?: boolean; notFound?: boolean; error?: string } | undefined;
+        if (r?.success || r?.notFound) return;
+        if (r?.error) {
+          console.warn("[BetterSEQTA+] Cloud settings download after login:", r.error);
+        }
+      })
+      .catch((err) => {
+        console.warn("[BetterSEQTA+] Cloud settings download after login failed:", err);
+      });
+  }
+
   public async getStoredToken(): Promise<string | null> {
     const result = await browser.storage.local.get(STORAGE_KEYS.accessToken);
     return (result[STORAGE_KEYS.accessToken] as string) ?? null;
@@ -108,6 +127,26 @@ class CloudAuthService {
     return clientId;
   }
 
+  public async startLogin(): Promise<{ success: boolean; error?: string }> {
+    try {
+      const clientId = await this.getClientId();
+      const result = (await browser.runtime.sendMessage({
+        type: "cloudStartLogin",
+        client_id: clientId,
+        redirect_uri: REDIRECT_URI,
+      })) as { success?: boolean; error?: string };
+      if (result?.success) {
+        return { success: true };
+      }
+      return { success: false, error: result?.error ?? "Failed to open login page" };
+    } catch (err) {
+      return {
+        success: false,
+        error: err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Failed to open login page",
+      };
+    }
+  }
+
   public async login(
     login: string,
     password: string
@@ -135,6 +174,7 @@ class CloudAuthService {
           user: result.user ?? null,
         };
         this.notify();
+        this.triggerCloudSettingsDownloadAfterLogin(result.access_token);
         return { success: true };
       }
       return {
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenBsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncement.ts b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenBsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncement.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..440e3ca0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenBsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncement.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+import stringToHTML from "../stringToHTML";
+import { settingsState } from "../listeners/SettingsState";
+import { openPopup } from "./PopupManager";
+import { attachPopupMediaFullscreen } from "./attachPopupMediaFullscreen";
+
+/** Same hosting pattern as the What's New update video (GitHub raw). */
+const BS_CLOUD_DEMO_VIDEO_URL =
+  "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BetterSEQTA/BetterSEQTA-Plus/main/src/resources/bsclouddemo.webm";
+
+export function shouldShowBsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncement(): boolean {
+  return !settingsState.bsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncementShown;
+}
+
+/**
+ * One-time announcement for BetterSEQTA Cloud automatic settings sync (after other startup popups).
+ * Video layout matches {@link OpenWhatsNewPopup} (`whatsnewImgContainer` / `whatsnewImg`).
+ */
+export function showBsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncement(onDismissed?: () => void) {
+  if (document.getElementById("whatsnewbk")) {
+    onDismissed?.();
+    return;
+  }
+  if (!shouldShowBsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncement()) {
+    onDismissed?.();
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const header = stringToHTML(
+    /* html */
+    `<div class="whatsnewHeader bsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncementHeader">
+      <h1>BetterSEQTA Cloud</h1>
+    </div>`,
+  ).firstChild as HTMLElement;
+
+  const imageContainer = document.createElement("div");
+  imageContainer.classList.add("whatsnewImgContainer");
+
+  const video = document.createElement("video");
+  const source = document.createElement("source");
+  source.setAttribute("src", BS_CLOUD_DEMO_VIDEO_URL);
+  source.setAttribute("type", "video/webm");
+  video.autoplay = true;
+  video.muted = true;
+  video.loop = true;
+  video.appendChild(source);
+  video.classList.add("whatsnewImg");
+  imageContainer.appendChild(video);
+  attachPopupMediaFullscreen(video);
+
+  const text = stringToHTML(/* html */ `
+    <div class="whatsnewTextContainer privacyStatement" style="height: 50%; overflow-y: auto; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: 1.6;">
+      <p>
+        <strong class="bsCloudAccent">BetterSEQTA Cloud</strong> can keep your BetterSEQTA+ settings backed up and in
+        sync across browsers. Optional <strong>automatic settings sync</strong> runs when you are signed in (passwords
+        and tokens are never included).
+      </p>
+      <p>
+        Close this dialog when you are done. We will not show this announcement again.
+      </p>
+      <p class="bsCloudAutoSyncSignupCallout">Sign up in BetterSEQTA settings</p>
+    </div>
+  `).firstChild as HTMLElement;
+
+  settingsState.bsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncementShown = true;
+
+  openPopup({
+    header,
+    content: [imageContainer, text],
+    afterClose: onDismissed,
+  });
+}
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenEngageParentsAnnouncement.ts b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenEngageParentsAnnouncement.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1cd72939
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenEngageParentsAnnouncement.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import { settingsState } from "../listeners/SettingsState";
+import { animate as motionAnimate } from "motion";
+
+export function shouldShowEngageParentsAnnouncement(): boolean {
+  return !settingsState.engageParentsAnnouncementShown;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Non-blocking bottom-right toast announcing SEQTA Engage support. Shown once.
+ */
+export function showEngageParentsToast() {
+  if (!shouldShowEngageParentsAnnouncement()) return;
+
+  settingsState.engageParentsAnnouncementShown = true;
+
+  const toast = document.createElement("div");
+  toast.className = "bsplus-toast";
+  toast.innerHTML = /* html */ `
+    <div class="bsplus-toast-content">
+      <strong>BetterSEQTA+ now supports <span class="seqtaEngageAccent">SEQTA Engage</span></strong>
+      <p>Buy your mum a BetterSEQTA Plus! Parents now get themes, a cleaner home page, and all the Plus polish on SEQTA Engage.</p>
+    </div>
+    <button class="bsplus-toast-close" aria-label="Dismiss">&times;</button>
+  `;
+
+  toast.style.opacity = "0";
+  document.getElementById("container")?.append(toast);
+
+  if (settingsState.animations) {
+    (motionAnimate as any)(
+      toast,
+      { opacity: [0, 1], y: [40, 0] },
+      { duration: 0.35, easing: [0.22, 0.03, 0.26, 1] },
+    );
+  } else {
+    toast.style.opacity = "1";
+  }
+
+  const dismiss = () => {
+    if (settingsState.animations) {
+      (motionAnimate as any)(
+        toast,
+        { opacity: [1, 0], y: [0, 40] },
+        { duration: 0.2, easing: [0.22, 0.03, 0.26, 1] },
+      ).then(() => toast.remove());
+    } else {
+      toast.remove();
+    }
+  };
+
+  toast.querySelector(".bsplus-toast-close")!.addEventListener("click", dismiss);
+
+  setTimeout(dismiss, 10000);
+}
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenPrivacyNotification.ts b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenPrivacyNotification.ts
index fa573fc9..b42268f5 100644
--- a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenPrivacyNotification.ts
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenPrivacyNotification.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,31 @@
 import stringToHTML from "../stringToHTML";
 import { settingsState } from "../listeners/SettingsState";
 import { openPopup } from "./PopupManager";
+import { attachPopupMediaFullscreenIfPresent } from "./attachPopupMediaFullscreen";
 
-export function showPrivacyNotification() {
-  const lastUpdated = "2025-12-19";
+const PRIVACY_STATEMENT_VERSION = "2025-12-19";
 
-  if (document.getElementById("whatsnewbk")) return;
-  if (settingsState.privacyStatementShown) return;
-  if (settingsState.privacyStatementLastUpdated && new Date(settingsState.privacyStatementLastUpdated) > new Date(lastUpdated)) return;
+export function shouldShowPrivacyNotification(): boolean {
+  if (settingsState.privacyStatementShown) return false;
+  if (
+    settingsState.privacyStatementLastUpdated &&
+    new Date(settingsState.privacyStatementLastUpdated) >
+      new Date(PRIVACY_STATEMENT_VERSION)
+  ) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+export function showPrivacyNotification(onDismissed?: () => void) {
+  if (document.getElementById("whatsnewbk")) {
+    onDismissed?.();
+    return;
+  }
+  if (!shouldShowPrivacyNotification()) {
+    onDismissed?.();
+    return;
+  }
 
   const header = stringToHTML(
     /* html */
@@ -42,11 +60,14 @@ export function showPrivacyNotification() {
     </div>
   `).firstChild as HTMLElement;
 
+  attachPopupMediaFullscreenIfPresent(text, "img.aboutImg");
+
   settingsState.privacyStatementLastUpdated = "2025-12-20";
   settingsState.privacyStatementShown = true;
 
   openPopup({
     header,
     content: [text],
+    afterClose: onDismissed,
   });
 }
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenWhatsNewPopup.ts b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenWhatsNewPopup.ts
index dd7e8329..bbe7f386 100644
--- a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenWhatsNewPopup.ts
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/OpenWhatsNewPopup.ts
@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@ import stringToHTML from "../stringToHTML";
 import browser from "webextension-polyfill";
 import kofi from "@/resources/kofi.png?base64";
 import { openPopup } from "./PopupManager";
+import { attachPopupMediaFullscreen } from "./attachPopupMediaFullscreen";
 
-export function OpenWhatsNewPopup() {
+export function OpenWhatsNewPopup(onDismissed?: () => void) {
   const header = stringToHTML(
     /* html */
     `<div class="whatsnewHeader">
@@ -28,11 +29,12 @@ export function OpenWhatsNewPopup() {
   video.appendChild(source);
   video.classList.add("whatsnewImg");
   imageContainer.appendChild(video);
+  attachPopupMediaFullscreen(video);
 
   const text = stringToHTML(/* html */ `
     <div class="whatsnewTextContainer" style="height: 50%;overflow-y: auto;">
 
-      <h1>3.6.0 - Cloud backup, various fixes & SEQTA Engage support</h1>
+      <h1>3.6.2 - Cloud backup, various fixes & SEQTA Engage support</h1>
       <li>BetterSEQTA Cloud: back up and restore extension settings from your account (General settings).</li>
       <li>Optional automatic cloud sync if signed in (on by default).</li>
       <li>Option to use cloud profile photo as the local SEQTA profile picture</li>
@@ -43,7 +45,8 @@ export function OpenWhatsNewPopup() {
       <li>Fixed today's lessons on the homepage misbehaving in developer mode.</li>
       <li>Reduced overlap between BetterSEQTA subject averages and SEQTA's built-in averages UI.</li>
       <li>Updated outdated in-app links and update some under the hood code (Vite 8).</li>
-
+      <li>Added a notifications panel animation to work like settings.</li>
+      <li>Fix timetable edit plugin not working correctly.</li>
       <h1>3.5.3 - Adaptive theme updates</h1>
       <li>Fixed adaptive theming on current-year course and assessment pages.</li>
 
@@ -364,5 +367,7 @@ export function OpenWhatsNewPopup() {
   openPopup({
     header,
     content: [imageContainer, text, footer],
+    afterClose: onDismissed,
+    clearJustUpdated: true,
   });
 }
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/PopupManager.ts b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/PopupManager.ts
index 57125289..ca44c68d 100644
--- a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/PopupManager.ts
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/PopupManager.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,13 @@ import { animate as motionAnimate, stagger } from "motion";
 type AnimationTarget = string | Element | Element[] | NodeList | null;
 
 let isClosing = false;
+let pendingAfterClose: (() => void) | undefined;
+
+function invokeAfterClose() {
+  const fn = pendingAfterClose;
+  pendingAfterClose = undefined;
+  fn?.();
+}
 
 export async function closePopup() {
   if (isClosing) return;
@@ -16,12 +23,14 @@ export async function closePopup() {
 
   if (!background || !popup) {
     isClosing = false;
+    invokeAfterClose();
     return;
   }
 
   if (!settingsState.animations) {
     background.remove();
     isClosing = false;
+    invokeAfterClose();
     return;
   }
 
@@ -33,19 +42,28 @@ export async function closePopup() {
 
   background.remove();
   isClosing = false;
+  invokeAfterClose();
 }
 
 interface OpenPopupOptions {
   header?: Node | null;
   content?: (Node | null | undefined)[];
   animateSelector?: AnimationTarget;
+  /** Called once after this popup is fully closed (including skip-animation path). */
+  afterClose?: () => void;
+  /** When true, clears the post-update flag when this popup opens (What's New only). */
+  clearJustUpdated?: boolean;
 }
 
 export function openPopup({
   header,
   content = [],
   animateSelector = ".whatsnewTextContainer *",
+  afterClose,
+  clearJustUpdated = false,
 }: OpenPopupOptions = {}) {
+  pendingAfterClose = afterClose;
+
   const background = document.createElement("div");
   background.id = "whatsnewbk";
   background.classList.add("whatsnewBackground");
@@ -88,7 +106,9 @@ export function openPopup({
     }
   }
 
-  delete settingsState.justupdated;
+  if (clearJustUpdated) {
+    delete settingsState.justupdated;
+  }
 
   background.addEventListener("click", (event) => {
     if (event.target === background) void closePopup();
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/StartupPopupQueue.ts b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/StartupPopupQueue.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7bfa4e8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/StartupPopupQueue.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+import { settingsState } from "../listeners/SettingsState";
+import { OpenWhatsNewPopup } from "./OpenWhatsNewPopup";
+import {
+  shouldShowEngageParentsAnnouncement,
+  showEngageParentsToast,
+} from "./OpenEngageParentsAnnouncement";
+
+type QueueStep = (goNext: () => void) => void;
+
+/**
+ * Runs startup modals in order: What's New (if the extension just updated),
+ * then shows the SEQTA Engage toast (once, non-blocking).
+ */
+export function runStartupPopupQueue() {
+  const steps: QueueStep[] = [];
+
+  if (settingsState.justupdated) {
+    steps.push((goNext) => OpenWhatsNewPopup(goNext));
+  }
+
+  function runNext() {
+    const step = steps.shift();
+    if (step) step(runNext);
+    else {
+      if (shouldShowEngageParentsAnnouncement()) {
+        showEngageParentsToast();
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  runNext();
+}
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/Openers/attachPopupMediaFullscreen.ts b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/attachPopupMediaFullscreen.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8990989c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/Openers/attachPopupMediaFullscreen.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+/**
+ * Makes popup hero images/videos open a padded overlay (not browser fullscreen) on click.
+ * Escape or backdrop click dismisses it. Clicks use stopPropagation so the
+ * parent SEQTA popup does not close.
+ */
+
+import { settingsState } from "../listeners/SettingsState";
+
+const FULLSCREENABLE_CLASS = "popup-media-fullscreenable";
+const OVERLAY_VISIBLE_CLASS = "bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop--visible";
+const OVERLAY_ANIM_MS = 280;
+
+function isImageOrVideo(el: Element): el is HTMLImageElement | HTMLVideoElement {
+  return el instanceof HTMLImageElement || el instanceof HTMLVideoElement;
+}
+
+export function attachPopupMediaFullscreen(el: HTMLImageElement | HTMLVideoElement) {
+  el.classList.add(FULLSCREENABLE_CLASS);
+  el.setAttribute("tabindex", "0");
+  el.setAttribute("role", "button");
+  el.setAttribute("aria-label", "View larger");
+  el.title = "Click to view larger";
+
+  const open = (e: Event) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    e.stopPropagation();
+    openMediaOverlayViewer(el);
+  };
+
+  el.addEventListener("click", open);
+  el.addEventListener("keydown", (e) => {
+    if (e.key === "Enter" || e.key === " ") {
+      open(e);
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+function openMediaOverlayViewer(source: HTMLImageElement | HTMLVideoElement) {
+  const backdrop = document.createElement("div");
+  backdrop.id = "bsplus-popup-media-overlay";
+  backdrop.className = "bsplus-popup-media-overlay-backdrop";
+
+  const inner = document.createElement("div");
+  inner.className = "bsplus-popup-media-overlay-inner";
+
+  const slot = document.createElement("div");
+  slot.className = "bsplus-popup-media-overlay-slot";
+
+  let media: HTMLImageElement | HTMLVideoElement;
+  if (source instanceof HTMLVideoElement) {
+    const v = source;
+    const nv = document.createElement("video");
+    nv.classList.add("bsplus-popup-media-overlay-media");
+    nv.controls = true;
+    nv.playsInline = true;
+    nv.loop = v.loop;
+    nv.muted = v.muted;
+    nv.volume = v.volume;
+    for (const s of v.querySelectorAll("source")) {
+      const ns = document.createElement("source");
+      ns.src = (s as HTMLSourceElement).src;
+      const t = (s as HTMLSourceElement).type;
+      if (t) ns.type = t;
+      nv.appendChild(ns);
+    }
+    nv.addEventListener(
+      "loadeddata",
+      () => {
+        try {
+          nv.currentTime = v.currentTime;
+        } catch {
+          /* ignore */
+        }
+        void nv.play().catch(() => {});
+      },
+      { once: true },
+    );
+    v.pause();
+    nv.load();
+    media = nv;
+  } else {
+    const img = document.createElement("img");
+    img.classList.add("bsplus-popup-media-overlay-media");
+    img.src = source.currentSrc || source.src;
+    img.alt = source.alt || "";
+    media = img;
+  }
+
+  media.addEventListener("click", (e) => e.stopPropagation());
+
+  slot.appendChild(media);
+  inner.append(slot);
+  backdrop.appendChild(inner);
+  document.body.append(backdrop);
+
+  if (!settingsState.animations) {
+    backdrop.classList.add("bsplus-popup-media-overlay--instant");
+    backdrop.classList.add(OVERLAY_VISIBLE_CLASS);
+  } else {
+    requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+        backdrop.classList.add(OVERLAY_VISIBLE_CLASS);
+      });
+    });
+  }
+
+  inner.addEventListener("click", (e) => e.stopPropagation());
+
+  let done = false;
+  const removeOverlay = () => {
+    if (source instanceof HTMLVideoElement && media instanceof HTMLVideoElement) {
+      try {
+        source.currentTime = media.currentTime;
+      } catch {
+        /* ignore */
+      }
+      void source.play().catch(() => {});
+    }
+    backdrop.remove();
+  };
+
+  const close = () => {
+    if (done) return;
+    done = true;
+    document.removeEventListener("keydown", onDocKey, true);
+
+    if (!settingsState.animations) {
+      removeOverlay();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    backdrop.classList.remove(OVERLAY_VISIBLE_CLASS);
+    window.setTimeout(removeOverlay, OVERLAY_ANIM_MS);
+  };
+
+  const onDocKey = (ev: KeyboardEvent) => {
+    if (ev.key === "Escape") {
+      ev.stopPropagation();
+      close();
+    }
+  };
+
+  document.addEventListener("keydown", onDocKey, true);
+
+  backdrop.addEventListener("click", () => {
+    close();
+  });
+}
+
+export function attachPopupMediaFullscreenIfPresent(
+  root: ParentNode,
+  selector: string,
+) {
+  const el = root.querySelector(selector);
+  if (el && isImageOrVideo(el)) {
+    attachPopupMediaFullscreen(el);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/attachNotificationsPanelAnimation.ts b/src/seqta/utils/attachNotificationsPanelAnimation.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1f74c558
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/attachNotificationsPanelAnimation.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+import { animate } from "motion";
+import { settingsState } from "@/seqta/utils/listeners/SettingsState";
+import { waitForElm } from "@/seqta/utils/waitForElm";
+
+/**
+ * Finds the SEQTA notifications dropdown panel (the list container next to the bell).
+ */
+function findNotificationPanel(): HTMLElement | null {
+  const wrapper = document.querySelector(".connectedNotificationsWrapper");
+  if (!wrapper) return null;
+
+  const flat = wrapper.querySelector<HTMLElement>(":scope > div > button + div");
+  if (flat) return flat;
+
+  const notifBlock = wrapper.querySelector("[class*='notifications__notifications___']");
+  if (notifBlock?.nextElementSibling instanceof HTMLElement) {
+    return notifBlock.nextElementSibling;
+  }
+
+  const list = wrapper.querySelector<HTMLElement>("[class*='notifications__list___']");
+  if (list) return list;
+
+  return null;
+}
+
+function isPanelVisible(el: HTMLElement): boolean {
+  return (
+    el.getClientRects().length > 0 && getComputedStyle(el).visibility !== "hidden"
+  );
+}
+
+let lastVisible = false;
+/** Invalidates in-flight open animations when the panel closes or reopens. */
+let motionGeneration = 0;
+
+function runOpenAnimation(panel: HTMLElement) {
+  const myGen = ++motionGeneration;
+  panel.classList.add("bsplus-notifications-panel");
+
+  if (!settingsState.animations) {
+    panel.style.opacity = "1";
+    panel.style.transform = "scale(1)";
+    return;
+  }
+
+  panel.style.opacity = "0";
+  panel.style.transform = "scale(0)";
+
+  requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+    if (myGen !== motionGeneration) return;
+    animate(0, 1, {
+      onUpdate: (progress) => {
+        panel.style.opacity = String(progress);
+        panel.style.transform = `scale(${progress})`;
+      },
+      type: "spring",
+      stiffness: 280,
+      damping: 20,
+    });
+  });
+}
+
+function clearPanelMotionStyles(panel: HTMLElement) {
+  motionGeneration++;
+  panel.style.opacity = "";
+  panel.style.transform = "";
+}
+
+/**
+ * Spring open / fade close for the native SEQTA notifications dropdown, matching ExtensionPopup.
+ */
+export function attachNotificationsPanelAnimation() {
+  void setupNotificationsPanelAnimation();
+}
+
+async function setupNotificationsPanelAnimation() {
+  try {
+    await waitForElm(".connectedNotificationsWrapper", true, 100, 60);
+  } catch {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const wrapper = document.querySelector(".connectedNotificationsWrapper");
+  if (!wrapper) return;
+
+  const sync = () => {
+    const panel = findNotificationPanel();
+    // When SEQTA removes the dropdown from the DOM on close, we must reset
+    // lastVisible — otherwise the next open still looks "already visible" and skips animation.
+    if (!panel) {
+      if (lastVisible) {
+        lastVisible = false;
+        motionGeneration++;
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const visible = isPanelVisible(panel);
+    if (visible === lastVisible) return;
+
+    if (visible) {
+      runOpenAnimation(panel);
+    } else {
+      clearPanelMotionStyles(panel);
+    }
+    lastVisible = visible;
+  };
+
+  const observer = new MutationObserver(() => {
+    sync();
+  });
+  observer.observe(wrapper, {
+    subtree: true,
+    childList: true,
+    attributes: true,
+    attributeFilter: ["style", "class"],
+  });
+
+  document.addEventListener(
+    "click",
+    () => {
+      requestAnimationFrame(() => requestAnimationFrame(sync));
+    },
+    true,
+  );
+
+  sync();
+}
diff --git a/src/seqta/utils/cloudSettingsSync.ts b/src/seqta/utils/cloudSettingsSync.ts
index 40392e03..8918cd80 100644
--- a/src/seqta/utils/cloudSettingsSync.ts
+++ b/src/seqta/utils/cloudSettingsSync.ts
@@ -36,7 +36,10 @@ export const SENSITIVE_DEVICE_STORAGE_KEYS_EXACT = [
 /** e.g. any future `plugin.global-search.storage.*` keys in chrome.storage */
 export const SENSITIVE_DEVICE_STORAGE_KEY_PREFIXES = ["plugin.global-search.storage."] as const;
 
-const CLIENT_ONLY_CLOUD_KEYS_EXACT = [BSPLUS_CLOUD_KNOWN_REMOTE_UPDATED_AT_KEY] as const;
+const CLIENT_ONLY_CLOUD_KEYS_EXACT = [
+  BSPLUS_CLOUD_KNOWN_REMOTE_UPDATED_AT_KEY,
+  "bsplus_lastCloudPoll",
+] as const;
 
 /** After restoring from cloud, keep local session so the user stays signed in. */
 const AUTH_KEYS_TO_PRESERVE = [
@@ -102,11 +105,12 @@ export function buildUploadPayload(all: Record<string, unknown>): {
   schemaVersion: number;
   data: Record<string, unknown>;
 } {
-  const data: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+  const filtered: Record<string, unknown> = {};
   for (const [k, v] of Object.entries(all)) {
     if (shouldOmitKeyFromCloudPayload(k)) continue;
-    data[k] = v;
+    filtered[k] = v;
   }
+  const data = migrateLegacyToPluginSettings(filtered);
   return { schemaVersion: CLOUD_SETTINGS_SYNC_SCHEMA_VERSION, data };
 }
 
@@ -124,8 +128,77 @@ export async function setKnownRemoteUpdatedAt(iso: string | undefined): Promise<
 }
 
 /**
- * Replace local extension storage with the downloaded snapshot, except auth keys
- * and device-only sensitive caches, which are preserved from the current device.
+ * Migrate legacy storage keys to plugin settings format.
+ * Only applies migrations for keys present in the data; does not overwrite
+ * existing plugin settings if the legacy key is absent.
+ */
+function migrateLegacyToPluginSettings(data: Record<string, unknown>): Record<string, unknown> {
+  const result = { ...data };
+
+  function ensurePluginSettings(pluginId: string): Record<string, unknown> {
+    const key = `plugin.${pluginId}.settings`;
+    if (!result[key] || typeof result[key] !== "object") {
+      result[key] = {};
+    }
+    return result[key] as Record<string, unknown>;
+  }
+
+  // animatedbk -> plugin.animated-background.settings.enabled
+  if ("animatedbk" in result) {
+    const settings = ensurePluginSettings("animated-background");
+    if (settings.enabled === undefined) {
+      settings.enabled = !!result.animatedbk;
+    }
+    delete result.animatedbk;
+  }
+
+  // bksliderinput -> plugin.animated-background.settings.speed
+  // Legacy: string "0"-"100", New: float 0.1-2.0
+  if ("bksliderinput" in result) {
+    const settings = ensurePluginSettings("animated-background");
+    if (settings.speed === undefined) {
+      const legacy = parseFloat(String(result.bksliderinput));
+      if (!isNaN(legacy)) {
+        settings.speed = Math.round((0.1 + (legacy / 100) * 1.9) * 100) / 100;
+      }
+    }
+    delete result.bksliderinput;
+  }
+
+  // assessmentsAverage -> plugin.assessments-average.settings.enabled
+  if ("assessmentsAverage" in result) {
+    const settings = ensurePluginSettings("assessments-average");
+    if (settings.enabled === undefined) {
+      settings.enabled = !!result.assessmentsAverage;
+    }
+    delete result.assessmentsAverage;
+  }
+
+  // lettergrade -> plugin.assessments-average.settings.lettergrade
+  if ("lettergrade" in result) {
+    const settings = ensurePluginSettings("assessments-average");
+    if (settings.lettergrade === undefined) {
+      settings.lettergrade = !!result.lettergrade;
+    }
+    delete result.lettergrade;
+  }
+
+  // notificationCollector -> plugin.notificationCollector.settings.enabled
+  if ("notificationCollector" in result && typeof result.notificationCollector === "boolean") {
+    const settings = ensurePluginSettings("notificationCollector");
+    if (settings.enabled === undefined) {
+      settings.enabled = result.notificationCollector;
+    }
+    delete result.notificationCollector;
+  }
+
+  return result;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Apply the downloaded cloud snapshot by setting each key individually,
+ * preserving auth keys and device-only sensitive caches.
+ * Legacy keys are automatically migrated to plugin settings format.
  */
 export async function applyDownloadedEnvelope(envelope: unknown): Promise<void> {
   let remoteFlat: Record<string, unknown>;
@@ -145,10 +218,7 @@ export async function applyDownloadedEnvelope(envelope: unknown): Promise<void>
     throw new Error("Invalid cloud settings payload");
   }
 
-  const local = await browser.storage.local.get();
-  const preserved = collectLocalKeysToPreserve(local);
-  const remoteSanitized = stripExcludedKeysFromRemoteData(remoteFlat);
-
-  await browser.storage.local.clear();
-  await browser.storage.local.set({ ...remoteSanitized, ...preserved });
+  const migrated = migrateLegacyToPluginSettings(remoteFlat);
+  const remoteSanitized = stripExcludedKeysFromRemoteData(migrated);
+  await browser.storage.local.set(remoteSanitized);
 }
diff --git a/src/types/storage.ts b/src/types/storage.ts
index 232bc4c2..adbaf8c9 100644
--- a/src/types/storage.ts
+++ b/src/types/storage.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ export interface SettingsState {
   justupdated?: boolean;
   privacyStatementShown?: boolean;
   privacyStatementLastUpdated?: string;
+  /** One-time announcement: SEQTA Engage support for parents (dismissed popup queue). */
+  engageParentsAnnouncementShown?: boolean;
+  /** One-time announcement: BS Cloud automatic settings sync (last in startup popup queue). */
+  bsCloudAutoSyncAnnouncementShown?: boolean;
   timeFormat?: string;
   animations: boolean;
   defaultPage: string;