diff --git a/crates/engine/src/lib.rs b/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
index 65ac57bf..a9c58520 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
@@ -867,6 +867,8 @@ impl Session {
         });
         if self.state.active_comp.is_some_and(|c| p.comp(c).is_none()) {
             self.clear_live_selection();
+            // A matching layer id in the fallback comp is not the document being edited.
+            self.state.text_edit = None;
             self.state.active_comp = self.state.open_comps.first().copied();
             if let Some(id) = self.state.active_comp {
                 self.recall_selection(id);
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests_text_edit.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests_text_edit.rs
index 1b2fcc95..db92b28b 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests_text_edit.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests_text_edit.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,98 @@ fn sel(s: &Session) -> (usize, usize) {
     (e.anchor, e.caret)
 }
 
+/// Start editing the text layer with everything selected (no caret given).
+fn begin_edit(s: &mut Session, t: u64) {
+    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// Start editing the text layer with the caret at `caret`.
+fn begin_edit_at(s: &mut Session, t: u64, caret: usize) {
+    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": caret})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// A session with one text layer already open in the editor at `caret`.
+fn editing(text: &str, caret: usize) -> (Session, u64) {
+    let (mut s, t) = session(text);
+    begin_edit_at(&mut s, t, caret);
+    (s, t)
+}
+
+/// A session with one text layer already open in the editor with everything selected.
+fn editing_all(text: &str) -> (Session, u64) {
+    let (mut s, t) = session(text);
+    begin_edit(&mut s, t);
+    (s, t)
+}
+
+/// The IME owner token of the open editor.
+fn ime_owner(s: &Session) -> u64 {
+    s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session
+}
+
+fn undo_steps(s: &Session) -> usize {
+    s.history.undo.len()
+}
+
+/// The editor kept its document (same IME owner).
+fn assert_ime_owner(s: &Session, expected: u64, why: &str) {
+    assert_eq!(ime_owner(s), expected, "{why}");
+}
+
+/// The editor's document was replaced (new IME owner/epoch).
+fn assert_ime_epoch_changed(s: &Session, previous: u64, why: &str) {
+    assert_ne!(ime_owner(s), previous, "{why}");
+}
+
+fn assert_text(s: &Session, t: u64, expected: &str) {
+    assert_eq!(doc(s, t).text, expected);
+}
+
+/// A new, empty composition called "Other" (the standard second comp).
+fn new_other_comp(s: &mut Session) -> u64 {
+    s.execute("comp.new", json!({"name": "Other", "width": 320, "height": 180, "duration": 2})).unwrap()["comp"].as_u64().unwrap()
+}
+
+/// Stopwatch the layer's Source Text (one key at the CTI).
+fn animate_source(s: &mut Session, t: u64) {
+    s.execute("prop.toggleAnimation", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText"})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// Add a Source Text key at `time`.
+fn add_source_key(s: &mut Session, t: u64, time: f64, value: &str) {
+    s.execute("prop.addKey", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": time, "value": value})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// Write Source Text as a static value (a replacement when it differs from the shown text).
+fn set_source(s: &mut Session, t: u64, value: &str) {
+    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "value": value})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// Write the Source Text key at `time`.
+fn set_source_key(s: &mut Session, t: u64, time: f64, value: &str) {
+    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": time, "value": value})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// Set the Source Text key at the CTI (`keys.set`).
+fn set_source_cti_key(s: &mut Session, t: u64, time: f64, value: &str) {
+    s.execute("keys.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": time, "value": value})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// Replace the whole Source Text of the layer (`layer.setText`).
+fn replace_text(s: &mut Session, t: u64, text: &str) {
+    s.execute("layer.setText", json!({"layer": t, "text": text})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// Select the character range `start..end` in the open editor.
+fn select(s: &mut Session, start: usize, end: usize) {
+    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"start": start, "end": end})).unwrap();
+}
+
+/// Set both selection ends, keeping their direction (`anchor` is the other end).
+fn select_anchor(s: &mut Session, anchor: usize, caret: usize) {
+    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"anchor": anchor, "caret": caret})).unwrap();
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn set_text_with_a_range_creates_runs_and_undoes() {
     let (mut s, t) = session("Hello World");
@@ -209,30 +301,29 @@ fn edit_state_round_trips_through_serde() {
 
 #[test]
 fn ime_session_epoch_tracks_replaced_text_and_layer_restoration() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
-    let first = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    let (mut s, t) = editing_all("abc");
+    let first = ime_owner(&s);
 
     // Replacing Source Text is a new document even though the layer id stays.
-    s.execute("layer.setText", json!({"layer": t, "text": "replaced"})).unwrap();
-    let replaced = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    replace_text(&mut s, t, "replaced");
+    let replaced = ime_owner(&s);
     assert_ne!(replaced, first, "layer.setText starts a new IME epoch");
 
     // Undo restores another document: it must not revive the token from before either edit.
     s.execute("edit.undo", json!({})).unwrap();
-    let undone = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    let undone = ime_owner(&s);
     assert_ne!(undone, replaced);
     assert_ne!(undone, first);
 
     // Clear + immediate undo in the same command sequence: the layer is gone long enough to
     // end the session, and the restored layer cannot inherit a composition.
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
+    begin_edit(&mut s, t);
     s.execute("edit.clear", json!({"layers": [t]})).unwrap();
     assert!(s.state.text_edit.is_none(), "clearing the edited layer ends the session");
     s.execute("edit.undo", json!({})).unwrap();
     assert!(s.state.text_edit.is_none(), "undo does not recreate the old composition session");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
-    assert_ne!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, first);
+    begin_edit(&mut s, t);
+    assert_ne!(ime_owner(&s), first);
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -250,8 +341,8 @@ fn no_op_ime_deletion_keeps_a_static_plain_text_value_and_records_no_step() {
         .prop_mut("text/sourceText")
         .unwrap();
     pr.value = KV::Str("abc".into());
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 0})).unwrap();
-    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+    begin_edit_at(&mut s, t, 0);
+    let steps = undo_steps(&s);
 
     // A non-zero before count at the document start deletes nothing.
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 1, "after": 0})).unwrap();
@@ -259,98 +350,94 @@ fn no_op_ime_deletion_keeps_a_static_plain_text_value_and_records_no_step() {
     let pr = s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(effectcraft_project::LayerId(t)).unwrap().props.prop("text/sourceText").unwrap();
     assert!(matches!(&pr.value, KV::Str(_)), "a no-op keeps the static Str variant");
     assert!(pr.keys.is_empty());
-    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps, "a no-op adds no undo step");
+    assert_eq!(undo_steps(&s), steps, "a no-op adds no undo step");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn no_op_ime_deletion_does_not_add_a_keyframe_to_animated_source_text() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 0})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("prop.toggleAnimation", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText"})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("abc", 0);
+    animate_source(&mut s, t);
     let lid = effectcraft_project::LayerId(t);
     let keys = |s: &Session| s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(lid).unwrap().props.prop("text/sourceText").unwrap().keys.len();
     assert_eq!(keys(&s), 1, "one key from the stopwatch");
     s.execute("time.set", json!({"time": 1.0})).unwrap();
-    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+    let steps = undo_steps(&s);
 
     // A non-zero before count at the document start deletes nothing, at a time with no key.
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 1, "after": 0})).unwrap();
 
     assert_eq!(keys(&s), 1, "a no-op does not key Source Text at the CTI");
-    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps, "a no-op adds no undo step");
+    assert_eq!(undo_steps(&s), steps, "a no-op adds no undo step");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn property_writes_replace_the_edited_document_only_when_the_text_changes() {
     let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
     let other = s.execute("layer.newText", json!({"text": "other"})).unwrap()["layer"].as_u64().unwrap();
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 1})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
-    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+    begin_edit_at(&mut s, t, 1);
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
+    let steps = undo_steps(&s);
 
     // Writing the text the document already has is a no-op: same document, same owner, no step.
-    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "value": "abc"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "a no-op write keeps the IME owner");
-    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps, "a no-op write records no undo step");
-    s.execute("layer.setText", json!({"layer": t, "text": "abc"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "a no-op layer.setText keeps the IME owner");
-    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps, "a no-op layer.setText records no undo step");
+    set_source(&mut s, t, "abc");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "a no-op write keeps the IME owner");
+    assert_eq!(undo_steps(&s), steps, "a no-op write records no undo step");
+    replace_text(&mut s, t, "abc");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "a no-op layer.setText keeps the IME owner");
+    assert_eq!(undo_steps(&s), steps, "a no-op layer.setText records no undo step");
 
     // Another property of the edited layer leaves its document alone.
     s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "transform/opacity", "value": 50})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "an unrelated property keeps the IME owner");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "an unrelated property keeps the IME owner");
 
     // Source Text of another layer is not the editor's document either.
-    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": other, "path": "text/sourceText", "value": "changed"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "another layer's text keeps the IME owner");
+    set_source(&mut s, other, "changed");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "another layer's text keeps the IME owner");
 
     // Replacing the edited layer's Source Text is a document replacement: a new IME epoch.
-    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "value": "replaced"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "replaced");
-    assert_ne!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "replacing the document changes the IME owner");
+    set_source(&mut s, t, "replaced");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "replaced");
+    assert_ime_epoch_changed(&s, owner, "replacing the document changes the IME owner");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn a_replacing_property_write_clamps_the_selection_so_the_next_backspace_deletes() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abcdef");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 6})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("abcdef", 6);
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
 
-    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "value": "a"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "a");
+    set_source(&mut s, t, "a");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "a");
     assert_eq!(sel(&s), (1, 1), "the shortened document leaves the caret in range");
-    assert_ne!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner);
+    assert_ne!(ime_owner(&s), owner);
 
     // Backspace at the clamped caret removes the character instead of no-opping on 5..6.
     s.execute("text.delete", json!({})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "");
     assert_eq!(sel(&s), (0, 0));
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn keyframe_writes_on_source_text_replace_the_edited_document_only_when_the_cti_value_changes() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 1})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("abc", 1);
     // Keying the text the CTI already shows leaves the document equal.
-    s.execute("prop.toggleAnimation", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText"})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    animate_source(&mut s, t);
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
 
-    s.execute("keys.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": 0.0, "value": "abc"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "a no-op key write keeps the IME owner");
+    set_source_cti_key(&mut s, t, 0.0, "abc");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "a no-op key write keeps the IME owner");
 
     // `keys.set` changes the key at the CTI: a document replacement.
-    s.execute("keys.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": 0.0, "value": "replaced"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "replaced");
-    assert_ne!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "a changed keyframe changes the IME owner");
+    set_source_cti_key(&mut s, t, 0.0, "replaced");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "replaced");
+    assert_ime_epoch_changed(&s, owner, "a changed keyframe changes the IME owner");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn deleting_the_cti_keyframe_first_replaces_the_document_then_the_last_key_is_a_noop() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 1})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("prop.toggleAnimation", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText"})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("prop.addKey", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": 1.0, "value": "later"})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("abc", 1);
+    animate_source(&mut s, t);
+    add_source_key(&mut s, t, 1.0, "later");
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
     let lid = effectcraft_project::LayerId(t);
     let pr = s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(lid).unwrap().props.prop("text/sourceText").unwrap();
     let uid = pr.uid;
@@ -361,143 +448,167 @@ fn deleting_the_cti_keyframe_first_replaces_the_document_then_the_last_key_is_a_
     // the document starts a new epoch.
     s.state.selected_keys = vec![crate::KeyRef { layer: lid, prop: uid, time: times[0] }];
     assert_eq!(s.execute("keys.delete", json!({})).unwrap(), json!(1));
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "later");
-    let replaced = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    assert_text(&s, t, "later");
+    let replaced = ime_owner(&s);
     assert_ne!(replaced, owner, "deleting the CTI key changed the document");
 
     // Removing the last key turns its value into the static CTI value. That value is what the
     // CTI already showed, so the document does not change and the new owner stays.
     s.state.selected_keys = vec![crate::KeyRef { layer: lid, prop: uid, time: times[1] }];
     assert_eq!(s.execute("keys.delete", json!({})).unwrap(), json!(1));
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "later");
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, replaced, "removing the last key is a document no-op");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "later");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, replaced, "removing the last key is a document no-op");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn moving_the_cti_to_a_shorter_animated_key_clamps_and_starts_a_new_epoch() {
     let (mut s, t) = session("abcdef");
-    s.execute("prop.toggleAnimation", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText"})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("prop.addKey", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": 1.0, "value": "a"})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 6})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    animate_source(&mut s, t);
+    add_source_key(&mut s, t, 1.0, "a");
+    begin_edit_at(&mut s, t, 6);
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
 
     // The same time still shows the same document: no new epoch.
     s.execute("time.set", json!({"time": 0.0})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "abcdef");
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "an unchanged CTI document keeps the IME owner");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "abcdef");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "an unchanged CTI document keeps the IME owner");
 
     // The key at 1s holds shorter text: the document changes, the selection is clamped and the
     // editor gets a new epoch.
     s.execute("time.set", json!({"time": 1.0})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "a");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "a");
     assert_eq!(sel(&s), (1, 1), "the shortened document leaves the caret in range");
-    let replaced = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    let replaced = ime_owner(&s);
     assert_ne!(replaced, owner, "a changed CTI document starts a new IME epoch");
 
     // Backspace at the clamped caret removes the character instead of no-opping on 5..6.
     s.execute("text.delete", json!({})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "");
     assert_eq!(sel(&s), (0, 0));
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, replaced, "typing after the replacement keeps its owner");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, replaced, "typing after the replacement keeps its owner");
 
     // Staying at the same time after the edit is a no-op for the document too.
     s.execute("time.set", json!({"time": 1.0})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "");
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, replaced, "a no-op time move keeps the IME owner");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, replaced, "a no-op time move keeps the IME owner");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn sync_related_times_replaces_the_edited_document_when_it_moves_the_active_comp() {
     let (mut s, t) = session("abcdef");
-    s.execute("prop.toggleAnimation", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText"})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("prop.addKey", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": 1.0, "value": "a"})).unwrap();
+    animate_source(&mut s, t);
+    add_source_key(&mut s, t, 1.0, "a");
     let outer = s.active_comp_id().unwrap();
     let r = s.execute("layer.precompose", json!({"layers": [t], "name": "Inner", "open": true})).unwrap();
     let inner = effectcraft_project::ItemId(r["comp"].as_u64().unwrap());
     assert_eq!(s.active_comp_id(), Some(inner));
 
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 6})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    begin_edit_at(&mut s, t, 6);
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
     s.sync_related_times(outer, effectcraft_time::Tick::from_seconds_f64(1.0));
 
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "a");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "a");
     assert_eq!(sel(&s), (1, 1), "the related time move clamps the selection");
-    assert_ne!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "the related time move changed the document");
+    assert_ime_epoch_changed(&s, owner, "the related time move changed the document");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn applying_a_preset_that_writes_source_text_replaces_the_edited_document() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 1})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("abc", 1);
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
     let preset = json!({
         "effectcraftAnimationPreset": 1,
         "properties": [{"path": "text/sourceText", "value": {"t": "Text", "v": {"text": "replaced"}}, "keys": []}],
     });
     s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"preset": preset, "layers": [t]})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "replaced");
-    assert_ne!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "a preset that replaces source text changes the IME owner");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "replaced");
+    assert_ime_epoch_changed(&s, owner, "a preset that replaces source text changes the IME owner");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn a_failed_property_write_keeps_the_edited_document_and_its_owner() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 1})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
-    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("abc", 1);
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
+    let steps = undo_steps(&s);
 
     // null cannot coerce to a Text value: the edit fails before anything is committed.
     assert!(s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "value": null})).is_err());
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "abc");
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "a failed write keeps the IME owner");
-    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps, "a failed write records no undo step");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "abc");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "a failed write keeps the IME owner");
+    assert_eq!(undo_steps(&s), steps, "a failed write records no undo step");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn property_writes_off_the_cti_keep_the_owner_until_they_change_the_cti_document() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 1})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("prop.toggleAnimation", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText"})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("prop.addKey", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": 1.0, "value": "later"})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("abc", 1);
+    animate_source(&mut s, t);
+    add_source_key(&mut s, t, 1.0, "later");
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
 
     // Writing a key at 1s leaves the CTI (0s) value as it was.
-    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "time": 1.0, "value": "changed"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "abc");
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "an off-CTI write keeps the IME owner");
+    set_source_key(&mut s, t, 1.0, "changed");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "abc");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "an off-CTI write keeps the IME owner");
 
     // Writing the CTI value itself replaces the document.
-    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": t, "path": "text/sourceText", "value": "cti"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "cti");
-    assert_ne!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "a CTI write changes the IME owner");
+    set_source(&mut s, t, "cti");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "cti");
+    assert_ime_epoch_changed(&s, owner, "a CTI write changes the IME owner");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn unrelated_project_cleanup_keeps_the_ime_owner_but_replacement_changes_it() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 1})).unwrap();
-    let owner = s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session;
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("abc", 1);
+    let owner = ime_owner(&s);
 
     // file.removeUnusedFootage calls sanitize_state while the edited document is untouched.
     s.execute("file.importSolid", json!({"name": "Unused"})).unwrap();
     let removed = s.execute("file.removeUnusedFootage", json!({})).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(removed["removed"], json!(1), "the unused solid was actually removed");
-    assert_eq!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "unrelated cleanup keeps the IME owner");
+    assert_ime_owner(&s, owner, "unrelated cleanup keeps the IME owner");
 
     // Replacing the Source Text is a document replacement: a new owner.
-    s.execute("layer.setText", json!({"layer": t, "text": "replaced"})).unwrap();
-    assert_ne!(s.state.text_edit.as_ref().unwrap().session, owner, "replacing the document changes the owner");
+    replace_text(&mut s, t, "replaced");
+    assert_ime_epoch_changed(&s, owner, "replacing the document changes the owner");
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn ime_session_does_not_cross_a_composition_switch() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abc");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
-    let other = s.execute("comp.new", json!({"name": "Other", "width": 320, "height": 180, "duration": 2})).unwrap()["comp"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let (mut s, _) = editing_all("abc");
+    let other = new_other_comp(&mut s);
     s.execute("comp.open", json!({"comp": other})).unwrap();
     assert!(s.state.text_edit.is_none(), "the old comp's editor is not reused in another comp");
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn removing_the_active_comp_does_not_retarget_its_text_editor() {
+    for replacement in [false, true] {
+        let (mut s, t) = session("original");
+        let original = s.active_comp_id().unwrap();
+        let layer = s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(effectcraft_project::LayerId(t)).unwrap().clone();
+        let other = new_other_comp(&mut s);
+        let other_id = effectcraft_project::ItemId(other);
+        std::sync::Arc::make_mut(&mut s.project).comp_mut(other_id).unwrap().layers.push(layer);
+        s.execute("comp.open", json!({"comp": other})).unwrap();
+        s.execute("comp.open", json!({"comp": original.0})).unwrap();
+        begin_edit_at(&mut s, t, 1);
+        assert!(s.state.text_edit.is_some());
+
+        // Reproduce cleanup after a project replacement, bypassing Session::edit's earlier
+        // document guard so this specifically exercises sanitize_state's fallback-comp branch.
+        std::sync::Arc::make_mut(&mut s.project).items.remove(&original);
+        if replacement {
+            s.sanitize_after_replacement();
+        } else {
+            s.sanitize_state();
+        }
+        assert_eq!(s.active_comp_id(), Some(other_id));
+        assert!(s.state.text_edit.is_none(), "the same-numbered layer belongs to a different comp");
+        assert!(s.execute("text.insert", json!({"text": "wrong document"})).is_err());
+        assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "original", "the fallback comp was not edited");
+    }
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn opentype_features_per_range_render_and_query() {
     let (mut s, t) = session("Office 1/2");
@@ -555,26 +666,32 @@ fn fonts_lists_bundled_and_installed_families() {
     assert_eq!(crate::font_styles("No Such Family").len(), 5);
 }
 
-/// A font file of just `name` (the family, Regular) and an `fvar` table with one axis pinned at
-/// 400 (so the helpers that look for an installed font with a real axis range never pick it).
-fn pinned_variable_font(family: &str) -> Vec<u8> {
-    let u16s = |v: &[u16]| -> Vec<u8> { v.iter().flat_map(|x| x.to_be_bytes()).collect() };
-    let strings: Vec<Vec<u8>> = [family, "Regular"].iter().map(|s| s.encode_utf16().flat_map(|u| u.to_be_bytes()).collect()).collect();
-    let mut name = u16s(&[0, 2, 30]);
+/// A big-endian `u16` array, as sfnt tables store them.
+fn u16s(v: &[u16]) -> Vec<u8> {
+    v.iter().flat_map(|x| x.to_be_bytes()).collect()
+}
+
+/// A `name` table with one Windows/Unicode English record per `(id, text)`.
+fn name_table(strings: &[(u16, String)]) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let enc: Vec<(u16, Vec<u8>)> = strings.iter().map(|(id, s)| (*id, s.encode_utf16().flat_map(|u| u.to_be_bytes()).collect())).collect();
+    let mut name = u16s(&[0, enc.len() as u16, 6 + 12 * enc.len() as u16]);
     let mut off = 0;
-    for (id, st) in strings.iter().enumerate() {
-        name.extend(u16s(&[3, 1, 0x409, id as u16 + 1, st.len() as u16, off]));
+    for (id, st) in &enc {
+        name.extend(u16s(&[3, 1, 0x409, *id, st.len() as u16, off]));
         off += st.len() as u16;
     }
-    strings.iter().for_each(|st| name.extend(st));
-    let mut fvar = u16s(&[1, 0, 16, 2, 1, 20, 0, 8]);
-    fvar.extend(b"wght".iter().copied().chain(u16s(&[0x190, 0, 0x190, 0, 0x190, 0, 0, 256])));
-    let mut out = u16s(&[1, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0]);
+    enc.iter().for_each(|(_, st)| name.extend(st));
+    name
+}
+
+/// A single-face font with `tables` in order (zero checksums, offsets after the directory).
+fn sfnt(tables: &[(&[u8; 4], Vec<u8>)]) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let mut out = u16s(&[1, 0, tables.len() as u16, 0, 0, 0]);
     let mut body: Vec<u8> = vec![];
-    for (tag, data) in [(b"fvar", fvar), (b"name", name)] {
-        out.extend(tag);
+    for (tag, data) in tables {
+        out.extend(*tag);
         out.extend([0u8; 4]);
-        out.extend(((12 + 32 + body.len()) as u32).to_be_bytes());
+        out.extend(((12 + 16 * tables.len() + body.len()) as u32).to_be_bytes());
         out.extend((data.len() as u32).to_be_bytes());
         body.extend(data);
     }
@@ -582,6 +699,15 @@ fn pinned_variable_font(family: &str) -> Vec<u8> {
     out
 }
 
+/// A font file of just `name` (the family, Regular) and an `fvar` table with one axis pinned at
+/// 400 (so the helpers that look for an installed font with a real axis range never pick it).
+fn pinned_variable_font(family: &str) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let mut fvar = u16s(&[1, 0, 16, 2, 1, 20, 0, 8]);
+    fvar.extend(b"wght".iter().copied().chain(u16s(&[0x190, 0, 0x190, 0, 0x190, 0, 0, 256])));
+    let name = name_table(&[(1, family.to_owned()), (2, "Regular".to_owned())]);
+    sfnt(&[(b"fvar", fvar), (b"name", name)])
+}
+
 /// The font menu's Variable Fonts filter (After Effects 26.3): `text.fonts {variable: true}`
 /// lists only families with variation axes, every listing says which families are variable, and
 /// the font menu's rows carry the flag the filter uses.
@@ -616,7 +742,6 @@ fn fonts_filter_variable_families() {
 /// `Light`) and the named `instances` (style, `wght`), each with a PostScript name
 /// `<family without spaces>-<style without spaces>`.
 fn instanced_variable_font(family: &str, instances: &[(&str, f32)]) -> Vec<u8> {
-    let u16s = |v: &[u16]| -> Vec<u8> { v.iter().flat_map(|x| x.to_be_bytes()).collect() };
     let squash = |s: &str| s.chars().filter(char::is_ascii_alphanumeric).collect::<String>();
     let mut strings: Vec<(u16, String)> = vec![(1, family.into()), (2, "Light".into())];
     let mut fvar = u16s(&[1, 0, 16, 2, 1, 20, instances.len() as u16, 10]);
@@ -629,25 +754,7 @@ fn instanced_variable_font(family: &str, instances: &[(&str, f32)]) -> Vec<u8> {
         fvar.extend(((w * 65536.0) as i32).to_be_bytes());
         fvar.extend(u16s(&[id + 1]));
     }
-    let enc: Vec<(u16, Vec<u8>)> = strings.iter().map(|(id, s)| (*id, s.encode_utf16().flat_map(|u| u.to_be_bytes()).collect())).collect();
-    let mut name = u16s(&[0, enc.len() as u16, 6 + 12 * enc.len() as u16]);
-    let mut off = 0;
-    for (id, st) in &enc {
-        name.extend(u16s(&[3, 1, 0x409, *id, st.len() as u16, off]));
-        off += st.len() as u16;
-    }
-    enc.iter().for_each(|(_, st)| name.extend(st));
-    let mut out = u16s(&[1, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0]);
-    let mut body: Vec<u8> = vec![];
-    for (tag, data) in [(b"fvar", fvar), (b"name", name)] {
-        out.extend(tag);
-        out.extend([0u8; 4]);
-        out.extend(((12 + 32 + body.len()) as u32).to_be_bytes());
-        out.extend((data.len() as u32).to_be_bytes());
-        body.extend(data);
-    }
-    out.extend(body);
-    out
+    sfnt(&[(b"fvar", fvar), (b"name", name_table(&strings))])
 }
 
 /// #1563: a variable font's named instances are styles of its family in `text.fonts`, and a
@@ -693,38 +800,35 @@ fn set_text_schema_accepts_every_opentype_key_and_requires_none() {
 /// a byte count that ends inside a UTF-8 character leaves that character.
 #[test]
 fn ime_replacement_keeps_the_selection_and_never_splits_a_character() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("abcdef");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"start": 1, "end": 4})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, t) = editing_all("abcdef");
+    select(&mut s, 1, 4);
     // One character before "bcd" and everything after it: the selection survives for the commit.
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 1, "after": 99, "merge": "typing-0"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "bcd");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "bcd");
     assert_eq!(sel(&s), (0, 3), "the selection is kept for the commit that follows");
     s.execute("text.insert", json!({"text": "X", "merge": "typing-0"})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "X");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "X");
     assert_eq!(sel(&s), (1, 1));
     s.execute("edit.undo", json!({})).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "abcdef", "the surrounding delete and its commit are one undo step");
     // An empty count is a no-op (deletion-only batches, empty commits), never an undo step.
     s.execute("edit.redo", json!({})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"start": 0, "end": 1})).unwrap();
+    select(&mut s, 0, 1);
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 0, "after": 0})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "X");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "X");
 
     // Byte counts end inside a character: it stays whole (never a split UTF-8 sequence).
-    let (mut s, t) = session("A😀B");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"start": 3, "end": 3})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, t) = editing_all("A😀B");
+    select(&mut s, 3, 3);
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 2, "after": 0, "bytes": true})).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "A😀", "B is whole, the emoji only partly covered, so both are not one range");
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"start": 2, "end": 2})).unwrap();
+    select(&mut s, 2, 2);
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 4, "after": 0, "bytes": true})).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "A", "four bytes cover the whole emoji");
 
     // A combining mark is one character of two bytes: one byte of it removes nothing.
-    let (mut s, t) = session("e\u{301}");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"start": 2, "end": 2})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, t) = editing_all("e\u{301}");
+    select(&mut s, 2, 2);
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 1, "after": 0, "bytes": true})).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "e\u{301}", "a partial combining mark stays");
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 2, "after": 0, "bytes": true})).unwrap();
@@ -736,9 +840,8 @@ fn ime_replacement_keeps_the_selection_and_never_splits_a_character() {
 /// answer for a selection that cannot be represented.
 #[test]
 fn ime_surrounding_maps_characters_to_bytes_and_preserves_direction() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("café😀");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"anchor": 2, "caret": 5})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, _) = editing_all("café😀");
+    select_anchor(&mut s, 2, 5);
     let w = ime_surrounding(&s).expect("an available document");
     assert_eq!(w.text, "café😀");
     assert_eq!((w.cursor, w.anchor), (9, 2), "the caret is six characters in, after the emoji; the anchor stays at byte 2");
@@ -746,14 +849,13 @@ fn ime_surrounding_maps_characters_to_bytes_and_preserves_direction() {
     assert_eq!(&w.text[..w.anchor], "ca");
 
     // Reversed: the caret stays the primary end and the anchor the other one.
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"anchor": 5, "caret": 2})).unwrap();
+    select_anchor(&mut s, 5, 2);
     let reversed = ime_surrounding(&s).expect("an available document");
     assert_eq!((reversed.cursor, reversed.anchor), (2, 9), "cursor > anchor is preserved after the conversion");
     assert_eq!(&reversed.text[reversed.cursor..reversed.anchor], "fé😀");
 
     // An available empty document is not the unavailable state.
-    let (mut s, t) = session("");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
+    let (s, _) = editing_all("");
     let empty = ime_surrounding(&s).expect("empty text is available");
     assert_eq!((empty.text.as_str(), empty.cursor, empty.anchor), ("", 0, 0));
 
@@ -766,8 +868,7 @@ fn ime_surrounding_maps_characters_to_bytes_and_preserves_direction() {
 fn ime_surrounding_is_bounded_and_refuses_a_too_wide_selection() {
     // A long line: the query copies only a window around the caret, never the document.
     let text = "a".repeat(20_000);
-    let (mut s, t) = session(&text);
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 10_000})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, _) = editing(&text, 10_000);
     let w = ime_surrounding(&s).expect("a collapsed caret fits");
     assert!(w.text.len() <= MAX_IME_TEXT_BYTES, "the payload is bounded");
     assert!(w.text.len() > 1000, "the caret keeps a useful amount of context");
@@ -775,13 +876,12 @@ fn ime_surrounding_is_bounded_and_refuses_a_too_wide_selection() {
     assert_eq!(w.cursor, w.anchor);
 
     // A selection wider than the protocol limit is unavailable, not a truncated one.
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"start": 0, "end": 20_000})).unwrap();
+    select(&mut s, 0, 20_000);
     assert!(ime_surrounding(&s).is_none(), "a too-wide selection is unavailable");
 
     // Multi-byte text at the window boundary is never split, and offsets stay on boundaries.
     let text = "é".repeat(5_000);
-    let (mut s, t) = session(&text);
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 2_500})).unwrap();
+    let (s, _) = editing(&text, 2_500);
     let w = ime_surrounding(&s).expect("a collapsed caret fits");
     assert!(w.text.len() <= MAX_IME_TEXT_BYTES);
     assert!(w.text.is_char_boundary(w.cursor));
@@ -793,19 +893,18 @@ fn ime_surrounding_is_bounded_and_refuses_a_too_wide_selection() {
 /// either side stay whole.
 #[test]
 fn ime_byte_deletion_keeps_a_reversed_selection_direction() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("😀ab😀");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t})).unwrap();
-    s.execute("text.setSelection", json!({"anchor": 3, "caret": 1})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, t) = editing_all("😀ab😀");
+    select_anchor(&mut s, 3, 1);
     let (anchor, caret) = sel(&s);
     assert_eq!((anchor, caret), (3, 1), "reversed before the replacement");
 
     // Three bytes cover only part of either four-byte emoji: neither is split or removed.
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 3, "after": 3, "bytes": true})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "😀ab😀");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "😀ab😀");
 
     // Four bytes cover each whole emoji: the selection text stays, shifted, still reversed.
     s.execute("text.deleteSurrounding", json!({"before": 4, "after": 4, "bytes": true})).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "ab");
+    assert_text(&s, t, "ab");
     assert_eq!(sel(&s), (2, 0), "the anchor stays after the caret");
     let w = ime_surrounding(&s).expect("available");
     assert_eq!((w.text.as_str(), w.cursor, w.anchor), ("ab", 0, 2), "the outgoing offsets keep the direction");
@@ -813,8 +912,7 @@ fn ime_byte_deletion_keeps_a_reversed_selection_direction() {
 
 #[test]
 fn deselect_all_ends_the_open_edit() {
-    let (mut s, t) = session("Hello");
-    s.execute("text.edit", json!({"layer": t, "caret": 5})).unwrap();
+    let (mut s, t) = editing("Hello", 5);
     s.execute("text.insert", json!({"text": "!"})).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(doc(&s, t).text, "Hello!");
     s.execute("edit.deselectAll", json!({})).unwrap();
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
index 2eed3678..7f8e0268 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
@@ -526,6 +526,34 @@ struct SavedWorkspaces {
     floating: std::collections::BTreeMap<String, Vec<dock::Floating>>,
 }
 
+/// The comp frames a playback pass covers (`first..=last`).
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
+struct FrameWindow {
+    first: i64,
+    last: i64,
+}
+
+/// The inputs of one playback pass: the viewer series it renders, the preview plan and
+/// position, and the frame range and clock settings its steps share. `queued` is a snapshot of
+/// the in-flight render count that each step copies. Built once in `advance_playback`.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+struct PlaybackPass<'a> {
+    ctx: &'a egui::Context,
+    comp: &'a effectcraft_engine::project::Comp,
+    cid: ItemId,
+    scale: f64,
+    now: f64,
+    frame_rate: effectcraft_engine::time::FrameRate,
+    series: FrameKey,
+    plan: Option<effectcraft_engine::preview::PreviewPlan>,
+    window: FrameWindow,
+    cur: i64,
+    video: bool,
+    looping: bool,
+    ahead: i64,
+    queued: usize,
+}
+
 impl EffectcraftApp {
     pub fn new(session: Session) -> Self {
         let mut ui = UiState::default();
@@ -1408,23 +1436,39 @@ impl EffectcraftApp {
         // The preview's position orders prefetch and eviction (#595).
         let playhead = plan.filter(|p| p.video).map(|p| frames::Playhead { series, cur, start: p.start, end: p.end, step: p.step, looping: p.looping });
         self.frames.set_playhead(playhead);
-        if self.cache_preview(ctx, &c, cid, scale, now, fr, series, plan, ahead, queued) {
+        let pass = PlaybackPass {
+            ctx,
+            comp: &c,
+            cid,
+            scale,
+            now,
+            frame_rate: fr,
+            series,
+            plan,
+            window: FrameWindow { first: wa, last: wb },
+            cur,
+            video,
+            looping,
+            ahead,
+            queued,
+        };
+        if self.cache_preview(&pass) {
             return;
         }
         let step = plan.map_or(1, |p| p.step);
         let fit_ahead = self.frames_that_fit(&c, scale) - 1;
-        self.prefetch_playback(cid, scale, plan, cur, wa, wb, ahead, fit_ahead, series, queued, video);
+        self.prefetch_playback(&pass, fit_ahead);
         self.pump_meters(ctx, now);
         if !self.playback.playing {
             self.cache_when_idle(ctx, &c, &series, now, input_active, (wa, wb));
             return;
         }
         let fit = self.frames_that_fit(&c, scale);
-        self.start_held_audio(now, plan, series, cur, ahead, fit, fr);
-        if self.advance_audio_clock(ctx, now, series, wa, wb, video, fr, cur, step) {
+        self.start_held_audio(&pass, fit);
+        if self.advance_audio_clock(&pass, step) {
             return;
         }
-        self.advance_frame_clock(ctx, now, plan, video, looping, wa, wb, fr, cur, step, series);
+        self.advance_frame_clock(&pass, step);
     }
 
     /// While paused (scrubbing, editing) the viewer's frame comes first: prefetch only a few
@@ -1449,19 +1493,8 @@ impl EffectcraftApp {
     /// Cache Before Playback: the range in play order, then start the clock. A range larger than
     /// the RAM preview budget is cut to the frames that fit (caching more would evict the first
     /// ones and never finish). Returns true when this pass handled the preview.
-    fn cache_preview(
-        &mut self,
-        ctx: &egui::Context,
-        comp: &effectcraft_engine::project::Comp,
-        cid: ItemId,
-        scale: f64,
-        now: f64,
-        fr: effectcraft_engine::time::FrameRate,
-        series: FrameKey,
-        plan: Option<effectcraft_engine::preview::PreviewPlan>,
-        ahead: i64,
-        mut queued: usize,
-    ) -> bool {
+    fn cache_preview(&mut self, pass: &PlaybackPass<'_>) -> bool {
+        let PlaybackPass { ctx, comp, cid, scale, now, frame_rate: fr, series, plan, ahead, mut queued, .. } = *pass;
         if !self.playback.caching {
             return false;
         }
@@ -1506,20 +1539,9 @@ impl EffectcraftApp {
     /// and a window from the playhead left the workers idle until it came near the end of the
     /// cached run. It stays ahead × 3 frames wide: workers spread over the whole preview render
     /// frames with different layers at once (on the GPU, an atlas each: #1812).
-    fn prefetch_playback(
-        &self,
-        cid: ItemId,
-        scale: f64,
-        plan: Option<effectcraft_engine::preview::PreviewPlan>,
-        cur: i64,
-        wa: i64,
-        wb: i64,
-        ahead: i64,
-        fit_ahead: i64,
-        series: FrameKey,
-        mut queued: usize,
-        video: bool,
-    ) {
+    fn prefetch_playback(&self, pass: &PlaybackPass<'_>, fit_ahead: i64) {
+        let PlaybackPass { cid, scale, plan, cur, ahead, series, mut queued, video, .. } = *pass;
+        let FrameWindow { first: wa, last: wb } = pass.window;
         let frame = |k: i64| match plan {
             Some(p) => p.frame_after(cur, k),
             None => {
@@ -1568,16 +1590,8 @@ impl EffectcraftApp {
 
     /// Held sound starts once the frames ahead are cached (see `Playback::audio_held`): the
     /// prefetch window when the silent preview keeps real time, else the rest of the preview.
-    fn start_held_audio(
-        &mut self,
-        now: f64,
-        plan: Option<effectcraft_engine::preview::PreviewPlan>,
-        series: FrameKey,
-        cur: i64,
-        ahead: i64,
-        fit: i64,
-        fr: effectcraft_engine::time::FrameRate,
-    ) {
+    fn start_held_audio(&mut self, pass: &PlaybackPass<'_>, fit: i64) {
+        let PlaybackPass { now, plan, series, cur, ahead, frame_rate: fr, .. } = *pass;
         if !self.playback.audio_held {
             return;
         }
@@ -1592,18 +1606,9 @@ impl EffectcraftApp {
 
     /// Audio clock drives playback: show the frame under the audible sample. Returns true when
     /// the audio path handled this pass (including stopping at the end).
-    fn advance_audio_clock(
-        &mut self,
-        ctx: &egui::Context,
-        now: f64,
-        series: FrameKey,
-        wa: i64,
-        wb: i64,
-        video: bool,
-        fr: effectcraft_engine::time::FrameRate,
-        cur: i64,
-        step: i64,
-    ) -> bool {
+    fn advance_audio_clock(&mut self, pass: &PlaybackPass<'_>, step: i64) -> bool {
+        let PlaybackPass { ctx, now, series, video, frame_rate: fr, cur, .. } = *pass;
+        let FrameWindow { first: wa, last: wb } = pass.window;
         let Some(a) = &self.audio else { return false };
         if a.finished() {
             if video {
@@ -1641,20 +1646,9 @@ impl EffectcraftApp {
 
     /// The wall clock advances the preview when no audio device drives it, and shows the target
     /// frame (or holds when it is not cached yet).
-    fn advance_frame_clock(
-        &mut self,
-        ctx: &egui::Context,
-        now: f64,
-        plan: Option<effectcraft_engine::preview::PreviewPlan>,
-        video: bool,
-        looping: bool,
-        wa: i64,
-        wb: i64,
-        fr: effectcraft_engine::time::FrameRate,
-        cur: i64,
-        step: i64,
-        series: FrameKey,
-    ) {
+    fn advance_frame_clock(&mut self, pass: &PlaybackPass<'_>, step: i64) {
+        let PlaybackPass { ctx, now, plan, video, looping, frame_rate: fr, cur, series, .. } = *pass;
+        let FrameWindow { first: wa, last: wb } = pass.window;
         let elapsed = now - self.playback.start_wall;
         // The plan carries the rate the preview was started with (and `play_with` copies it to
         // `Playback::fps`). Deriving the frame from the plan keeps a logic-only tick correct even
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_menus.rs b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_menus.rs
index a59599df..90207b52 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_menus.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_menus.rs
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@ fn harness() -> Harness<'static, EffectcraftApp> {
     h
 }
 
-fn rect(h: &Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, id: &str) -> Rect {
+pub(crate) fn rect(h: &Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, id: &str) -> Rect {
     let e = h.state().auto.find(id).unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("no {id}"));
     Rect::from_min_size(pos2(e.rect[0], e.rect[1]), vec2(e.rect[2], e.rect[3]))
 }
 
-fn click_at(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
+pub(crate) fn click_at(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(p));
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerButton { pos: p, button: egui::PointerButton::Primary, pressed: true, modifiers: Default::default() });
     h.step();
@@ -30,14 +30,14 @@ fn click_at(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
 }
 
 /// Press the primary button at `p` and keep it down.
-fn press(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
+pub(crate) fn press(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(p));
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerButton { pos: p, button: egui::PointerButton::Primary, pressed: true, modifiers: Default::default() });
     h.run_steps(2);
 }
 
 /// Move the pointer to `p` (press or no press, whichever is held).
-fn move_to(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
+pub(crate) fn move_to(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(p));
     h.run_steps(2);
 }
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_scrolling.rs b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_scrolling.rs
index 4d80452c..bba415d6 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_scrolling.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_scrolling.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@ use egui_kittest::Harness;
 use egui_kittest::kittest::Queryable;
 use serde_json::json;
 
+// The pointer/geometry helpers are shared with the sibling menu and long-tail test modules:
+// `rect`, `click_at`, `move_to` and press-and-hold (`hold`) live in ui_menus, `drag` in ui_tail.
+use super::ui_menus::{click_at, move_to, press as hold, rect};
+use super::ui_tail::drag;
+
 /// Open the demo project in a UI test harness with the requested window size.
 fn harness(w: f32, h: f32) -> Harness<'static, EffectcraftApp> {
     let mut s = Session::default();
@@ -17,20 +22,6 @@ fn harness(w: f32, h: f32) -> Harness<'static, EffectcraftApp> {
     h
 }
 
-/// Return a registered widget's rectangle so UI tests can inspect its layout.
-fn rect(h: &Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, id: &str) -> Rect {
-    let e = h.state().auto.find(id).unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("no {id}"));
-    Rect::from_min_size(pos2(e.rect[0], e.rect[1]), vec2(e.rect[2], e.rect[3]))
-}
-
-fn click_at(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(p));
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerButton { pos: p, button: egui::PointerButton::Primary, pressed: true, modifiers: Default::default() });
-    h.step();
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerButton { pos: p, button: egui::PointerButton::Primary, pressed: false, modifiers: Default::default() });
-    h.run_steps(2);
-}
-
 fn wheel(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, at: Pos2, dy: f32) {
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(at));
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::MouseWheel {
@@ -43,19 +34,6 @@ fn wheel(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, at: Pos2, dy: f32) {
     h.run_steps(20);
 }
 
-/// Press the primary button at `p` and keep it down (press-and-browse, as on a menu title).
-fn hold(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(p));
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerButton { pos: p, button: egui::PointerButton::Primary, pressed: true, modifiers: Default::default() });
-    h.run_steps(2);
-}
-
-/// Move the pointer to `p`, keeping whatever button is held.
-fn move_to(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, p: Pos2) {
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(p));
-    h.run_steps(2);
-}
-
 /// The open menu popup's rect (frame included), from egui's area memory: the only tall area up.
 fn open_popup(h: &Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>) -> Rect {
     h.ctx
@@ -89,17 +67,29 @@ fn a_menu_taller_than_the_window_scrolls() {
     assert_eq!(h.state().dialog, Some(effectcraft_ui_egui::Dialog::Shortcuts), "the entry takes the click");
 }
 
+/// Open Edit in a window shorter than the menu (holding or clicking its title) and return the
+/// last entry's rect before any scroll, plus the open popup's rect. `opened` is the failure
+/// message when the menu did not open.
+fn open_tall_edit(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, held: bool, opened: &str) -> (Rect, Rect) {
+    let edit = rect(h, "menu.Edit");
+    if held {
+        hold(h, edit.center());
+    } else {
+        click_at(h, edit.center());
+    }
+    let before = h.query_by_label_contains("Keyboard Shortcuts").expect(opened).rect();
+    assert!(before.max.y > 520.0, "Edit is taller than the window ({before:?})");
+    let menu = open_popup(h);
+    (before, menu)
+}
+
 /// With the title still held down (press-and-browse), resting the pointer against the bottom
 /// edge of a menu too tall for the window scrolls it from there — a crawl, then a run, as native
 /// menus do — so the long list can be walked with no wheel.
 #[test]
 fn holding_the_title_scrolls_the_menu_from_its_bottom_edge() {
     let mut h = harness(1200.0, 520.0);
-    let edit = rect(&h, "menu.Edit");
-    hold(&mut h, edit.center());
-    let before = h.query_by_label_contains("Keyboard Shortcuts").expect("the Edit menu opens on the press").rect();
-    assert!(before.max.y > 520.0, "Edit is taller than the window ({before:?})");
-    let menu = open_popup(&h);
+    let (before, menu) = open_tall_edit(&mut h, true, "the Edit menu opens on the press");
     // Creeping down the edge: the 18 pt band above the menu's inner bottom lies at one of these
     // positions, whatever the frame's margin (they are 6 pt apart).
     let mut walked = false;
@@ -121,11 +111,7 @@ fn holding_the_title_scrolls_the_menu_from_its_bottom_edge() {
 #[test]
 fn without_the_hold_the_edge_does_not_scroll_the_menu() {
     let mut h = harness(1200.0, 520.0);
-    let edit = rect(&h, "menu.Edit");
-    click_at(&mut h, edit.center());
-    let before = h.query_by_label_contains("Keyboard Shortcuts").expect("the Edit menu is open").rect();
-    assert!(before.max.y > 520.0, "Edit is taller than the window ({before:?})");
-    let menu = open_popup(&h);
+    let (before, menu) = open_tall_edit(&mut h, false, "the Edit menu is open");
     for step in 0..5 {
         move_to(&mut h, pos2(menu.center().x, menu.max.y - 6.0 - 6.0 * step as f32));
         h.run_steps(8);
@@ -281,18 +267,6 @@ fn menu_edge_crawl_is_bounded_stops_and_keeps_wheel_and_menu_state_independent()
     assert_eq!(h.query_by_label_contains("Open Project").unwrap().rect(), released, "without the hold, the edge does not restart a crawl");
 }
 
-fn drag(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, from: Pos2, to: Pos2) {
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(from));
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerButton { pos: from, button: egui::PointerButton::Primary, pressed: true, modifiers: Default::default() });
-    h.step();
-    for i in 1..=8 {
-        h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(from + (to - from) * (i as f32 / 8.0)));
-        h.step();
-    }
-    h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerButton { pos: to, button: egui::PointerButton::Primary, pressed: false, modifiers: Default::default() });
-    h.run_steps(2);
-}
-
 /// A scroll bar's "scroll/max" automation label.
 fn scrolled(h: &Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, id: &str) -> (f32, f32) {
     let label = h.state().auto.find(id).unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("no {id}")).label.clone();
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_tail.rs b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_tail.rs
index 1d730841..ca902662 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_tail.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_tail.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ fn rect(h: &Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, id: &str) -> Rect {
     Rect::from_min_size(pos2(e.rect[0], e.rect[1]), vec2(e.rect[2], e.rect[3]))
 }
 
-fn drag(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, from: Pos2, to: Pos2) {
+pub(crate) fn drag(h: &mut Harness<'_, EffectcraftApp>, from: Pos2, to: Pos2) {
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerMoved(from));
     h.input_mut().events.push(Event::PointerButton { pos: from, button: egui::PointerButton::Primary, pressed: true, modifiers: Default::default() });
     h.step();