diff --git a/apps/settings/lib/Search/SectionSearch.php b/apps/settings/lib/Search/SectionSearch.php
index aaffe6d52d8..e9f0da646f8 100644
--- a/apps/settings/lib/Search/SectionSearch.php
+++ b/apps/settings/lib/Search/SectionSearch.php
@@ -121,9 +121,7 @@ class SectionSearch implements IProvider {
 					continue;
 				}
 
-				// The section's own icon, falling back to a generic cog when it has none.
-				// These are dark monochrome glyphs; the client inverts them for dark
-				// themes via --background-invert-if-dark.
+				// The section's own icon, or a generic cog fallback.
 				$icon = $section->getIcon();
 				if ($icon === '') {
 					$icon = $this->urlGenerator->imagePath('settings', 'settings.svg');
diff --git a/core/src/components/AppIcon.vue b/core/src/components/AppIcon.vue
index 5209b581d7f..d215e332948 100644
--- a/core/src/components/AppIcon.vue
+++ b/core/src/components/AppIcon.vue
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
 withDefaults(defineProps<{
-	/** URL of the app icon. Painted bright on the coloured circle, like the app menu. */
+	/** URL of the app icon (painted bright on the coloured circle). */
 	icon: string
 	/** Render the circle as an outline only (no fill or gradient). */
 	outlined?: boolean
@@ -55,13 +55,11 @@ withDefaults(defineProps<{
 	&__img {
 		width: var(--app-icon-icon-size);
 		height: var(--app-icon-icon-size);
-		// App icons are bright by default; flip them to dark when the
-		// primary color (circle background) is bright (e.g. white in dark mode).
+		// App icons are bright; flip to dark when the circle background is bright (e.g. white in dark mode).
 		filter: var(--primary-invert-if-bright);
 		mask: var(--header-menu-icon-mask);
 	}
 
-	// Outlined variant: no fill or gradient.
 	&--outlined {
 		background: transparent;
 		background-image: none;
diff --git a/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/SearchResult.vue b/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/SearchResult.vue
index 134f2e7cc74..6ced6278187 100644
--- a/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/SearchResult.vue
+++ b/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/SearchResult.vue
@@ -12,22 +12,29 @@
 		:href="resourceUrl"
 		target="_self">
 		<template #icon>
+			<AppIcon
+				v-if="isAppIcon"
+				class="result-item__app-icon"
+				:icon="icon" />
 			<div
+				v-else
 				aria-hidden="true"
 				class="result-item__icon"
 				:class="{
 					'result-item__icon--rounded': rounded,
-					'result-item__icon--no-preview': !isValidIconOrPreviewUrl(thumbnailUrl),
-					'result-item__icon--with-thumbnail': isValidIconOrPreviewUrl(thumbnailUrl),
-					[icon]: !isValidIconOrPreviewUrl(icon),
-				}"
-				:style="{
-					backgroundImage: isValidIconOrPreviewUrl(icon) ? `url(${icon})` : '',
+					'result-item__icon--with-thumbnail': hasThumbnail,
+					[icon]: !iconIsUrl && !hasThumbnail,
 				}">
 				<img
-					v-if="isValidIconOrPreviewUrl(thumbnailUrl) && !thumbnailHasError"
+					v-if="hasThumbnail"
 					:src="thumbnailUrl"
 					@error="thumbnailErrorHandler">
+				<img
+					v-else-if="iconIsUrl"
+					class="result-item__icon-img"
+					:src="icon"
+					alt=""
+					aria-hidden="true">
 			</div>
 		</template>
 		<template #subname>
@@ -38,10 +45,12 @@
 
 <script>
 import NcListItem from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcListItem'
+import AppIcon from '../AppIcon.vue'
 
 export default {
 	name: 'SearchResult',
 	components: {
+		AppIcon,
 		NcListItem,
 	},
 
@@ -108,6 +117,26 @@ export default {
 		}
 	},
 
+	computed: {
+		/** A usable thumbnail image (a preview/avatar), not errored. */
+		hasThumbnail() {
+			return this.isValidIconOrPreviewUrl(this.thumbnailUrl) && !this.thumbnailHasError
+		},
+
+		/** The icon is a real URL we can put in an <img>, not a legacy CSS class string. */
+		iconIsUrl() {
+			return this.isValidIconOrPreviewUrl(this.icon)
+		},
+
+		/**
+		 * App-style icon (bright glyph on a primary circle, like the app menu). Providers
+		 * flag it by marking the entry rounded with an icon URL and no thumbnail.
+		 */
+		isAppIcon() {
+			return this.rounded && this.iconIsUrl && !this.hasThumbnail
+		},
+	},
+
 	watch: {
 		thumbnailUrl() {
 			this.thumbnailHasError = false
@@ -128,15 +157,23 @@ export default {
 
 <style lang="scss" scoped>
 .result-item {
+	padding-inline: 0;
+
 	:deep(a) {
 		border: 2px solid transparent;
 		border-radius: var(--border-radius-large) !important;
 
+		// Hover/press: neutral gray fill only, no border.
 		&:active,
-		&:hover,
-		&:focus {
+		&:hover {
 			background-color: var(--color-background-hover);
-			border: 2px solid var(--color-border-maxcontrast);
+		}
+
+		// Plain Tab into a result keeps a visible focus ring (a11y). Normally the combobox
+		// keeps focus in the input and drives selection via `active` below.
+		&:focus-visible {
+			background-color: var(--color-background-hover);
+			border-color: var(--color-border-maxcontrast);
 		}
 
 		* {
@@ -144,27 +181,41 @@ export default {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// NcListItem's `active` state paints a primary fill, white text and a blue stripe.
+	// We want a neutral look: the gray hover fill plus a maxcontrast border, readable text.
+	&.list-item__wrapper--active {
+		:deep(.list-item) {
+			background-color: var(--color-background-hover);
+
+			&:hover {
+				background-color: var(--color-background-hover);
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Undo the forced active text colour. Chain through the anchor to outrank
+		// NcListItem's own !important rule.
+		:deep(.list-item__anchor .list-item-content__name),
+		:deep(.list-item__anchor .list-item-content__subname),
+		:deep(.list-item__anchor .list-item-content__details),
+		:deep(.list-item__anchor .list-item-details__details) {
+			color: var(--color-main-text) !important;
+		}
+	}
+
 	&__icon {
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		justify-content: center;
 		overflow: hidden;
 		width: var(--default-clickable-area);
 		height: var(--default-clickable-area);
 		border-radius: var(--border-radius);
-		background-repeat: no-repeat;
-		background-position: center center;
-		background-size: 32px;
+		margin-inline-start: var(--default-grid-baseline);
 
 		&--rounded {
 			border-radius: calc(var(--default-clickable-area) / 2);
 		}
 
-		&--no-preview {
-			background-size: 32px;
-		}
-
-		&--with-thumbnail {
-			background-size: cover;
-		}
-
 		&--with-thumbnail:not(#{&}--rounded) {
 			border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
 			// compensate for border
@@ -172,7 +223,8 @@ export default {
 			max-width: calc(var(--default-clickable-area) - 2px);
 		}
 
-		img {
+		// A full-bleed thumbnail (preview or avatar) fills the box.
+		&--with-thumbnail img {
 			// Make sure to keep ratio
 			width: 100%;
 			height: 100%;
@@ -180,6 +232,21 @@ export default {
 			object-fit: cover;
 			object-position: center;
 		}
+
+		// A small monochrome glyph (e.g. a settings section), not a thumbnail.
+		&-img {
+			width: 20px;
+			height: 20px;
+			object-fit: contain;
+			// Dark monochrome icons invert to light in dark themes.
+			filter: var(--background-invert-if-dark);
+		}
+	}
+
+	// App results reuse the app-menu tile (AppIcon); size its circle to the icon column.
+	&__app-icon {
+		--app-icon-circle-size: var(--default-clickable-area);
+		margin-inline-start: var(--default-grid-baseline);
 	}
 }
 </style>
diff --git a/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchInput.vue b/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchInput.vue
index f4e426c200e..185c1392c60 100644
--- a/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchInput.vue
+++ b/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchInput.vue
@@ -57,6 +57,11 @@
 					<IconFilterVariant :size="20" />
 				</template>
 			</NcButton>
+			<!-- Loading spinner while a search is in flight. -->
+			<NcLoadingIcon
+				v-if="loading"
+				class="unified-search-input__loading"
+				:size="20" />
 			<!-- Trailing X: clears the query, or closes the search when the field is empty. -->
 			<NcButton
 				v-if="isActive"
@@ -87,6 +92,7 @@ import { computed, ref } from 'vue'
 import NcButton from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcButton'
 import NcHeaderButton from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcHeaderButton'
 import NcKbd from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcKbd'
+import NcLoadingIcon from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcLoadingIcon'
 import IconClose from 'vue-material-design-icons/Close.vue'
 import IconFilterVariant from 'vue-material-design-icons/FilterVariant.vue'
 import IconMagnify from 'vue-material-design-icons/Magnify.vue'
@@ -106,6 +112,8 @@ const props = defineProps<{
 	/** Id of the active result row, for aria-activedescendant. Empty when none. */
 	activeDescendantId?: string
 	query: string
+	/** A search is in flight: show the loading spinner. */
+	loading?: boolean
 	/** Filters are already revealed, so hide the pre-typing funnel. */
 	filtersRevealed?: boolean
 }>()
@@ -391,6 +399,13 @@ defineExpose({ focus })
 		margin-inline-end: 2px;
 	}
 
+	&__loading {
+		flex-shrink: 0;
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		margin-inline: var(--default-grid-baseline);
+	}
+
 	// Pinned to the trailing edge, overlaid on the input (pointer-events: none so a
 	// click there still focuses the field).
 	&__shortcut {
@@ -429,9 +444,11 @@ defineExpose({ focus })
 	--resting-background-hover: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-primary-element) 22%, transparent);
 }
 
-// translateX is physical, so flip the resting slide under RTL to keep it moving
-// toward the leading (right) edge.
-[dir=rtl] .unified-search-input__resting {
+// translateX is physical, so flip the resting slide under RTL to keep it moving toward
+// the leading (right) edge. :dir(rtl) tracks the computed direction, so it applies whether
+// RTL comes from the body dir attribute or a direction style (an [dir=rtl] attribute
+// selector would miss the latter).
+.unified-search-input__resting:dir(rtl) {
 	--slide-sign: -1;
 }
 
diff --git a/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchModal.vue b/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchModal.vue
index 9195a9b2e90..5fdb7d6482f 100644
--- a/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchModal.vue
+++ b/core/src/components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchModal.vue
@@ -22,8 +22,9 @@
 				</div>
 				<!-- Unified search form -->
 				<div
+					v-show="showHeader"
 					class="unified-search-modal__header"
-					:class="{ 'unified-search-modal__header--has-results': hasVisibleResults }">
+					:class="{ 'unified-search-modal__header--has-results': hasVisibleResults && !detailCategory }">
 					<div v-if="isSmallMobile" class="unified-search-modal__mobile-input">
 						<NcTextField
 							type="search"
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@
 							:trailingButtonLabel="t('core', 'Clear search')"
 							@update:modelValue="onMobileSearchInput"
 							@trailing-button-click="searchQuery = ''" />
+						<NcLoadingIcon v-if="isBusy" :size="20" />
 						<NcButton
 							variant="tertiary"
 							:aria-label="t('core', 'Close search')"
@@ -125,16 +127,8 @@
 								<IconFilter :size="20" />
 							</template>
 						</NcButton>
-						<NcCheckboxRadioSwitch
-							v-if="hasExternalResources"
-							v-model="searchExternalResources"
-							type="switch"
-							class="unified-search-modal__search-external-resources"
-							:class="{ 'unified-search-modal__search-external-resources--aligned': localSearch }">
-							{{ t('core', 'Search connected services') }}
-						</NcCheckboxRadioSwitch>
 					</div>
-					<div class="unified-search-modal__filters-applied">
+					<div v-show="!detailCategory && hasAnyActiveFilter" class="unified-search-modal__filters-applied">
 						<FilterChip
 							v-for="filter in filters"
 							:key="filter.id"
@@ -162,78 +156,101 @@
 							<IconMagnify :size="64" />
 						</template>
 					</NcEmptyContent>
+					<!-- Offered even with zero results, so the user can reach external providers. -->
+					<div v-if="showConnectedServicesButton" class="unified-search-modal__connected-services">
+						<NcButton variant="secondary" wide @click="toggleExternalResources">
+							{{ connectedServicesLabel }}
+						</NcButton>
+					</div>
 				</div>
 
-				<div v-else class="unified-search-modal__results">
+				<div v-else ref="resultsContainer" class="unified-search-modal__results">
 					<h3 class="hidden-visually">
 						{{ t('core', 'Results') }}
 					</h3>
-					<!-- Filtered results section -->
-					<div v-for="providerResult in filteredResults" :key="providerResult.id" class="result">
-						<h4 :id="`unified-search-result-${providerResult.id}`" class="result-title">
-							{{ providerResult.name }}
+					<!-- Detail view: back control returns to the aggregate list; focus stays in the input. -->
+					<div v-if="detailCategory && detailGroup" class="unified-search-modal__detail-header">
+						<NcButton
+							class="unified-search-modal__detail-back"
+							variant="tertiary"
+							:aria-label="t('core', 'Back to all results')"
+							@click="closeDetailView">
+							<template #icon>
+								<IconArrowLeft class="unified-search-modal__rtl-icon" :size="20" />
+							</template>
+							{{ t('core', 'Back') }}
+						</NcButton>
+						<h4 :id="headingId(detailGroup)" class="unified-search-modal__detail-title">
+							{{ detailGroup.name }}
 						</h4>
-						<ul class="result-items" :role="isSmallMobile ? undefined : 'listbox'" :aria-labelledby="`unified-search-result-${providerResult.id}`">
-							<SearchResult
-								v-for="(result, index) in providerResult.results"
-								:key="index"
-								v-bind="result"
-								:role="isSmallMobile ? undefined : 'option'"
-								:elementId="rowElementId(providerResult.id, index)"
-								:active="activeDescendantId === rowElementId(providerResult.id, index)" />
-						</ul>
-						<div class="result-footer">
-							<NcButton v-if="providerResult.hasMore" variant="tertiary-no-background" @click="loadMoreResultsForProvider(providerResult)">
-								{{ t('core', 'Load more results') }}
-								<template #icon>
-									<IconDotsHorizontal :size="20" />
-								</template>
-							</NcButton>
-							<NcButton v-if="providerResult.inAppSearch" alignment="end-reverse" variant="tertiary-no-background">
-								{{ t('core', 'Search in') }} {{ providerResult.name }}
-								<template #icon>
-									<IconArrowRight :size="20" />
-								</template>
-							</NcButton>
-						</div>
 					</div>
-					<!-- Unfiltered results section -->
-					<template v-if="unfilteredResults.length > 0">
-						<div class="unified-search-modal__unfiltered-header">
+					<!-- One flat loop over renderedGroups so the template and navigableRows stay in lockstep. -->
+					<div v-for="group in renderedGroups" :key="group.id" class="result-group">
+						<div
+							v-if="group.showPartialHeader"
+							class="unified-search-modal__unfiltered-header">
 							<span class="unified-search-modal__unfiltered-label">{{ t('core', 'Partial matches') }}</span>
 						</div>
-						<div v-for="providerResult in unfilteredResults" :key="`unfiltered-${providerResult.id}`" class="result result--unfiltered">
-							<h4 :id="`unified-search-result-unfiltered-${providerResult.id}`" class="result-title">
-								{{ providerResult.name }}
+						<div class="result" :class="{ 'result--unfiltered': group.unfiltered }">
+							<NcButton
+								v-if="group.overflow"
+								:id="headingId(group)"
+								alignment="start-reverse"
+								variant="tertiary-no-background"
+								class="result-title--more"
+								@click="openDetailView(group)">
+								{{ t('core', 'More from {name}', { name: group.name }) }}
+								<template #icon>
+									<IconArrowRight class="unified-search-modal__rtl-icon" :size="20" />
+								</template>
+							</NcButton>
+							<!-- In detail view the name is in the header, so skip the in-list heading (avoids a duplicate id). -->
+							<h4 v-else-if="group.section !== 'detail'" :id="headingId(group)" class="result-title">
+								{{ group.name }}
 							</h4>
-							<ul class="result-items" :role="isSmallMobile ? undefined : 'listbox'" :aria-labelledby="`unified-search-result-unfiltered-${providerResult.id}`">
+							<ul
+								class="result-items"
+								:role="isSmallMobile ? undefined : 'listbox'"
+								:aria-labelledby="headingId(group)">
 								<SearchResult
-									v-for="(result, index) in providerResult.results"
+									v-for="(result, index) in group.results"
 									:key="index"
 									v-bind="result"
 									:role="isSmallMobile ? undefined : 'option'"
-									:elementId="rowElementId(providerResult.id, index, true)"
-									:active="activeDescendantId === rowElementId(providerResult.id, index, true)" />
+									:elementId="rowElementId(group.id, index, group.unfiltered)"
+									:active="activeDescendantId === rowElementId(group.id, index, group.unfiltered)" />
 							</ul>
 							<div class="result-footer">
-								<NcButton v-if="providerResult.hasMore" variant="tertiary-no-background" @click="loadMoreResultsForProvider(providerResult)">
+								<NcButton
+									v-if="group.section === 'detail' && group.hasMore"
+									variant="tertiary-no-background"
+									@click="loadMoreResultsForProvider(group)">
 									{{ t('core', 'Load more results') }}
 									<template #icon>
 										<IconDotsHorizontal :size="20" />
 									</template>
 								</NcButton>
-								<NcButton v-if="providerResult.inAppSearch" alignment="end-reverse" variant="tertiary-no-background">
-									{{ t('core', 'Search in') }} {{ providerResult.name }}
+								<NcButton v-if="group.inAppSearch" alignment="end-reverse" variant="tertiary-no-background">
+									{{ t('core', 'Search in') }} {{ group.name }}
 									<template #icon>
 										<IconArrowRight :size="20" />
 									</template>
 								</NcButton>
 							</div>
 						</div>
-					</template>
+					</div>
+					<!-- Connected-services opt-in. Toggling re-runs find() (searchExternalResources watcher). Hidden in detail view. -->
+					<div v-if="showConnectedServicesButton" class="unified-search-modal__connected-services">
+						<NcButton variant="secondary" wide @click="toggleExternalResources">
+							{{ connectedServicesLabel }}
+						</NcButton>
+					</div>
 				</div>
 			</div>
-			<div class="unified-search-modal__scrim" @click="onScrimClick" />
+			<!-- `modal-mask` is how @nextcloud/vue's useHotKey guard recognises an open modal and
+				suppresses background app shortcuts (else the Files app's arrow-key nav fires behind
+				the scrim). NcModal's `.modal-mask` styles are scoped, so no foreign CSS leaks in. -->
+			<div class="unified-search-modal__scrim modal-mask" @click="onScrimClick" />
 		</div>
 	</transition>
 </template>
@@ -254,10 +271,11 @@ import NcActionButton from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcActionButton'
 import NcActions from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcActions'
 import NcAvatar from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcAvatar'
 import NcButton from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcButton'
-import NcCheckboxRadioSwitch from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcCheckboxRadioSwitch'
 import NcEmptyContent from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcEmptyContent'
+import NcLoadingIcon from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcLoadingIcon'
 import NcTextField from '@nextcloud/vue/components/NcTextField'
 import IconAccountMultipleOutline from 'vue-material-design-icons/AccountMultipleOutline.vue'
+import IconArrowLeft from 'vue-material-design-icons/ArrowLeft.vue'
 import IconArrowRight from 'vue-material-design-icons/ArrowRight.vue'
 import IconCalendarBlankOutline from 'vue-material-design-icons/CalendarBlankOutline.vue'
 import IconClose from 'vue-material-design-icons/Close.vue'
@@ -274,6 +292,12 @@ import { unifiedSearchLogger } from '../../logger.js'
 import { getContacts, getProviders } from '../../services/UnifiedSearchService.js'
 import { useSearchStore } from '../../store/unified-search-external-filters.js'
 
+/**
+ * Rows shown per category in the aggregate list. A view-only cap: the controller keeps
+ * the full set, and a category with more shows a "More from" button to the detail view.
+ */
+const RESULTS_PER_CATEGORY = 3
+
 /** One selectable result row in the flat keyboard-navigation list. */
 interface NavigableRow {
 	id: string
@@ -284,6 +308,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
 	name: 'UnifiedSearchModal',
 	components: {
 		IconAccountMultipleOutline,
+		IconArrowLeft,
 		IconArrowRight,
 		IconCalendarBlankOutline,
 		IconClose,
@@ -299,7 +324,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		NcAvatar,
 		NcButton,
 		NcEmptyContent,
-		NcCheckboxRadioSwitch,
+		NcLoadingIcon,
 		NcTextField,
 		SearchableList,
 		SearchResult,
@@ -341,7 +366,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		},
 	},
 
-	emits: ['update:open', 'update:query', 'update:activeDescendant'],
+	emits: ['update:open', 'update:query', 'update:activeDescendant', 'update:loading'],
 
 	setup() {
 		/**
@@ -387,7 +412,12 @@ export default defineComponent({
 			contacts: [],
 			showDateRangeModal: false,
 			initialized: false,
+			// True from the query change until the debounced find() runs, so the busy state
+			// covers the debounce gap and we don't flash "No results" before searching starts.
+			pendingSearch: false,
 			searchExternalResources: false,
+			// Set = this one category's full result set (detail view); null = the capped aggregate list.
+			detailCategory: null as string | null,
 			// Index of the selected row in the flat navigableRows list. -1 = nothing
 			// selected (no results yet). Focus stays in the input; this drives the
 			// aria-activedescendant highlight (combobox pattern).
@@ -424,18 +454,40 @@ export default defineComponent({
 
 		// Desktop hides the filter row until the funnel reveals it, or a query/active
 		// filter exists. Always shown on mobile, where the modal is the whole search surface.
+		// The detail view ("More from …") drops filters entirely.
 		showFilterRow() {
+			if (this.detailCategory) {
+				return false
+			}
 			return this.isSmallMobile
 				|| this.filtersRevealed
 				|| this.searchQuery.length > 0
 				|| this.hasAnyActiveFilter
 		},
 
+		// The header only takes space when it has something to show: the mobile search
+		// field, or the filter row. Hidden otherwise (desktop detail view, resting empty
+		// query) so its padding can't become a dead strip above the content.
+		showHeader() {
+			return this.isSmallMobile || this.showFilterRow
+		},
+
 		// True while any category is still fetching.
 		searching() {
 			return Object.values(this.searchStates).some((state) => state.status === 'loading')
 		},
 
+		// Drives the search-input spinner: an in-flight category search, or a pending query
+		// before providers finish. Never spins without a searchable query.
+		isBusy() {
+			// A closed modal never reports busy: the header input must not spin for a search
+			// that is not open, and initialisation may still be pending in the background.
+			if (!this.open || this.isEmptySearch || this.isSearchQueryTooShort) {
+				return false
+			}
+			return this.searching || this.pendingSearch || !this.initialized
+		},
+
 		hasNoResults() {
 			return !this.isEmptySearch && this.results.length === 0
 		},
@@ -445,11 +497,13 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		},
 
 		showEmptyContentInfo() {
-			return this.hasNoResults
+			// Nothing renders while the spinner is up; only real empty states (too-short query,
+			// or settled with no results) show.
+			return this.hasNoResults && !this.isBusy
 		},
 
 		emptyContentMessage() {
-			// Order matters: a query shrinking below the minimum mid-search shows the prompt, not "searching".
+			// A query shrinking below the minimum mid-search shows the prompt.
 			if (this.isSearchQueryTooShort) {
 				switch (this.minSearchLength) {
 					case 1:
@@ -459,11 +513,6 @@ export default defineComponent({
 				}
 			}
 
-			// Also "searching" before providers load: a query is pending but nothing is in flight yet.
-			if ((this.searching || !this.initialized) && this.hasNoResults) {
-				return t('core', 'Searching …')
-			}
-
 			return t('core', 'No matching results')
 		},
 
@@ -553,6 +602,49 @@ export default defineComponent({
 				.filter((provider) => provider.results.length > 0)
 		},
 
+		// The category shown in the detail view (uncapped), or null in aggregate. Read from
+		// `results` so it carries live entries + hasMore; null once the category drops out.
+		detailGroup() {
+			if (!this.detailCategory) {
+				return null
+			}
+			return this.results.find((group) => group.id === this.detailCategory) ?? null
+		},
+
+		// The groups on screen, shaped identically for the template and navigableRows so the
+		// two can't drift (a11y invariant). Aggregate: filtered then partial-match groups,
+		// capped to RESULTS_PER_CATEGORY with `overflow` when there's more. Detail: the
+		// opened category alone, uncapped.
+		renderedGroups() {
+			if (this.detailCategory) {
+				return this.detailGroup
+					? [this.toRenderedGroup(this.detailGroup, 'detail', false)]
+					: []
+			}
+			return [
+				...this.filteredResults.map((group) => this.toRenderedGroup(group, 'filtered', false)),
+				...this.unfilteredResults.map((group, index) => this.toRenderedGroup(group, 'unfiltered', index === 0)),
+			]
+		},
+
+		// The connected-services opt-in. Shows for any searchable query when external providers
+		// exist (including zero results, so the user can opt in when local search found nothing),
+		// never on empty/too-short queries or in detail view. Held until the search settles
+		// (!isBusy) so it doesn't flash while providers load.
+		showConnectedServicesButton() {
+			return this.hasExternalResources
+				&& !this.detailCategory
+				&& !this.isEmptySearch
+				&& !this.isSearchQueryTooShort
+				&& !this.isBusy
+		},
+
+		connectedServicesLabel() {
+			return this.searchExternalResources
+				? t('core', 'Less from connected services')
+				: t('core', 'More from connected services')
+		},
+
 		// The rendered rows flattened into a single list in visual order (filtered
 		// groups first, then the partial-matches groups), each with the DOM id of its
 		// option element. This is the index space the arrow keys walk; it must stay in
@@ -566,14 +658,9 @@ export default defineComponent({
 				return []
 			}
 			const rows: NavigableRow[] = []
-			this.filteredResults.forEach((provider) => {
-				provider.results.forEach((entry, index) => {
-					rows.push({ id: this.rowElementId(provider.id, index), resourceUrl: entry.resourceUrl })
-				})
-			})
-			this.unfilteredResults.forEach((provider) => {
-				provider.results.forEach((entry, index) => {
-					rows.push({ id: this.rowElementId(provider.id, index, true), resourceUrl: entry.resourceUrl })
+			this.renderedGroups.forEach((group) => {
+				group.results.forEach((entry, index) => {
+					rows.push({ id: this.rowElementId(group.id, index, group.unfiltered), resourceUrl: entry.resourceUrl })
 				})
 			})
 			return rows
@@ -602,6 +689,10 @@ export default defineComponent({
 			if (this.navigableRows.length === 0) {
 				return t('core', 'No matching results')
 			}
+			// In detail view, name the category and keep the count so "Load more" re-announces the grown set.
+			if (this.detailCategory && this.detailGroup) {
+				return n('core', 'Showing %n result from {name}', 'Showing %n results from {name}', this.navigableRows.length, { name: this.detailGroup.name })
+			}
 			return n('core', '%n result', '%n results', this.navigableRows.length)
 		},
 
@@ -645,6 +736,12 @@ export default defineComponent({
 				// Clear them on close so they can't flash on the next open. Close is the
 				// reliable hook: every close path flips this prop true -> false.
 				this.reset()
+				// Drop in-flight search bookkeeping so a preserved query can't keep the header
+				// input spinning, and cancel the pending debounce so it can't dispatch after close.
+				this.pendingSearch = false
+				this.debouncedFind.clear()
+				// Start the next open on the aggregate list, never mid-detail-view.
+				this.detailCategory = null
 				document.removeEventListener('keydown', this.onEscapeKey)
 				this.deactivateFocusTrap()
 			}
@@ -659,28 +756,65 @@ export default defineComponent({
 
 		searchQuery: {
 			handler() {
+				// A new query reshapes the category set; leave any open detail view.
+				this.detailCategory = null
 				this.$emit('update:query', this.searchQuery)
 				// Only search while open: the query prop keeps flowing from the header even
 				// when closed (e.g. the local search bar on deck), so a hidden modal must
 				// not fire background searches.
 				if (this.open) {
+					// Mark busy synchronously so the debounce window doesn't flash the empty state.
+					this.pendingSearch = true
 					this.debouncedFind(this.searchQuery)
 				}
 			},
 		},
 
 		searchExternalResources() {
+			// Toggling connected services changes the category set, so return to the aggregate list.
+			this.detailCategory = null
 			if (this.searchQuery) {
 				this.find(this.searchQuery)
 			}
 		},
 
-		// Auto-select the first result on each new result set, keep the selection on
-		// its row as slower categories settle, and clamp when results shrink.
+		// Any filter change reshapes the category set, so drop back to the aggregate list.
+		filters: {
+			deep: true,
+			handler() {
+				this.detailCategory = null
+			},
+		},
+
+		// Safety net: if the open category disappears (e.g. a filter removes it), leave the detail view.
+		detailGroup(group) {
+			if (this.detailCategory && !group) {
+				this.closeDetailView()
+			}
+		},
+
+		// Entering/leaving/switching detail view resets the scroll to the top.
+		detailCategory() {
+			this.$nextTick(() => {
+				if (this.$refs.resultsContainer) {
+					this.$refs.resultsContainer.scrollTop = 0
+				}
+			})
+		},
+
+		// Keep the selection on its row as slower categories settle; auto-select the first row for a fresh set.
 		navigableRows(next, previous) {
 			this.reconcileActiveIndex(next, previous)
 		},
 
+		// Surface the loading state so the header input can show its spinner.
+		isBusy: {
+			immediate: true,
+			handler(busy) {
+				this.$emit('update:loading', busy)
+			},
+		},
+
 		// Surface the active option id so the header input (a sibling) can point its
 		// aria-activedescendant at it while keeping focus.
 		activeDescendantId: {
@@ -815,6 +949,9 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		},
 
 		find(query: string) {
+			// The debounced search is running now; from here `searching` (or `!initialized`) drives busy.
+			this.pendingSearch = false
+
 			if (this.isSearchQueryTooShort) {
 				return
 			}
@@ -920,6 +1057,75 @@ export default defineComponent({
 			this.loadMore(provider.id)
 		},
 
+		// Shape one category for rendering: aggregate caps to RESULTS_PER_CATEGORY and sets
+		// `overflow` (the "More from" button); detail keeps the full set.
+		toRenderedGroup(group, section: 'filtered' | 'unfiltered' | 'detail', showPartialHeader: boolean) {
+			const detail = section === 'detail'
+			return {
+				id: group.id,
+				name: group.name,
+				section,
+				unfiltered: section === 'unfiltered',
+				results: detail ? group.results : group.results.slice(0, RESULTS_PER_CATEGORY),
+				// Count-based per the design: "More from" only when more than the cap was fetched
+				// (PAGE_SIZE 10 fetched, RESULTS_PER_CATEGORY 3 shown). NOT keyed off hasMore: some
+				// providers advertise a cursor past their last page, which would show the button and
+				// then a dead-end detail view.
+				overflow: detail ? false : group.results.length > RESULTS_PER_CATEGORY,
+				hasMore: group.hasMore,
+				inAppSearch: group.inAppSearch ?? false,
+				showPartialHeader,
+			}
+		},
+
+		// DOM id for a group heading; the listbox's aria-labelledby target (plain title or "More from" button).
+		headingId(group): string {
+			return group.unfiltered
+				? `unified-search-result-unfiltered-${group.id}`
+				: `unified-search-result-${group.id}`
+		},
+
+		// Open one category's full result set in the detail view. Focus returns to the input
+		// (the clicked "More from" trigger is about to unmount).
+		openDetailView(group) {
+			this.detailCategory = group.id
+			this.$nextTick(() => this.focusSearchInput())
+		},
+
+		/**
+		 * Leave the detail view for the aggregate list, returning focus to the input.
+		 */
+		closeDetailView() {
+			this.detailCategory = null
+			this.$nextTick(() => this.focusSearchInput())
+		},
+
+		/**
+		 * Move focus back to the search input. Prefers the in-panel mobile field, then the
+		 * header input (mirroring the focus trap's initialFocus). Used when a focused control unmounts.
+		 */
+		focusSearchInput() {
+			const panel = this.$refs.panel as HTMLElement | undefined
+			const mobileInput = panel?.querySelector('input[type="search"]') as HTMLElement | null
+			if (mobileInput) {
+				mobileInput.focus()
+				return
+			}
+			const menu = (this.$el as HTMLElement)?.closest?.('.unified-search-menu') ?? null
+			const headerInput = (menu?.querySelector('.unified-search-input input') ?? null) as HTMLElement | null
+			headerInput?.focus()
+		},
+
+		/**
+		 * Flip the connected-services opt-in; the searchExternalResources watcher re-runs find().
+		 */
+		toggleExternalResources() {
+			this.searchExternalResources = !this.searchExternalResources
+			// The re-search flips isBusy, which unmounts this very button; move focus back to
+			// the input (like the detail-view controls) so keyboard navigation keeps working.
+			this.$nextTick(() => this.focusSearchInput())
+		},
+
 		addProviderFilter(providerFilter) {
 			unifiedSearchLogger.debug('Applying provider filter', { providerFilter })
 			if (!providerFilter.id) {
@@ -1180,14 +1386,16 @@ export default defineComponent({
 
 		/**
 		 * Open the selected result. Enter reaches here from the input (focus never
-		 * leaves it), so navigate to the row's url programmatically. A no-op when
-		 * nothing is selected (empty / still-searching).
+		 * leaves it), so navigate to the row's url programmatically. With nothing
+		 * highlighted yet, fall back to the first result so typing + Enter still opens
+		 * the top hit. A no-op when there is nothing to open (empty / still-searching).
 		 */
 		activateActive() {
-			if (!this.activeRow?.resourceUrl) {
+			const row = this.activeRow ?? this.navigableRows[0]
+			if (!row?.resourceUrl) {
 				return
 			}
-			this.openResourceUrl(this.activeRow.resourceUrl)
+			this.openResourceUrl(row.resourceUrl)
 		},
 
 		/**
@@ -1230,8 +1438,8 @@ export default defineComponent({
 			if (selectedId !== undefined) {
 				const at = next.findIndex((row) => row.id === selectedId)
 				this.activeIndex = at >= 0 ? at : 0
-			} else if (this.activeIndex < 0 || this.activeIndex >= next.length) {
-				// No prior selection (or it fell out of range): auto-select the first row.
+			} else {
+				// Nothing to preserve (fresh set, or selection out of range): auto-select the first row.
 				this.activeIndex = 0
 			}
 		},
@@ -1280,7 +1488,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
 	max-width: 90vw;
 	// Leave ~10vh below the panel so it does not reach the bottom of the page
 	max-height: calc(90vh - var(--header-height));
-	border-radius: var(--border-radius-container, var(--border-radius-rounded));
+	border-radius: var(--border-radius-container-large, var(--border-radius-rounded));
 	// Clip the header/results to the rounded corners
 	overflow: hidden;
 	background-color: var(--color-main-background);
@@ -1343,20 +1551,30 @@ export default defineComponent({
 
 .unified-search-modal {
 	&__header {
-		// Add background to prevent leaking scrolled content (because of sticky position)
-		background-color: var(--color-main-background);
-		// Fix padding to have the input centered
-		padding-inline: 12px;
-		// Make it sticky with the input margin for the label
-		position: sticky;
-		top: 6px;
-		z-index: 1;
+		// Owns all its own spacing: the inline inset, the gap above the first row, and the
+		// gap between stacked rows (mobile input, filters, applied chips). position:
+		// relative only anchors the divider below; the header never scrolls (the results
+		// list scrolls in its own box), so it needs no sticky offset.
+		position: relative;
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		gap: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 2);
+		padding-inline: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 4);
+		// Trim the bottom when the filter row is all there is; results add it back below.
+		padding-block: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 4) var(--default-grid-baseline);
 
-		// Some padding to make elements scrolled under sticky position look nicer.
-		// Only when there are results to scroll: otherwise it just adds a dead gap.
+		// With results below, restore the full bottom inset above the divider (which aligns
+		// to the content edge).
 		&--has-results {
-			padding-bottom: 12px;
-			border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+			padding-block-end: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 4);
+
+			&::after {
+				content: '';
+				position: absolute;
+				inset-inline: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 4);
+				inset-block-end: 0;
+				border-block-end: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -1364,7 +1582,6 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		display: flex;
 		align-items: center;
 		gap: 4px;
-		margin-block-end: 8px;
 
 		:deep(.input-field) {
 			flex: 1 1 auto;
@@ -1376,10 +1593,9 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		flex-wrap: wrap;
 		gap: 4px;
 		justify-content: start;
-		padding-top: 6px;
 
 		// The three category triggers split the row into thirds; any extra controls
-		// (local search, connected-services switch) keep their size and wrap below.
+		// (local search) keep their size and wrap below.
 		> [data-cy-unified-search-filter="places"],
 		> [data-cy-unified-search-filter="date"],
 		> [data-cy-unified-search-filter="people"] {
@@ -1401,6 +1617,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
 				position: relative;
 				width: 100%;
 				padding-inline: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 6);
+				border-radius: var(--border-radius-element);
 
 				&::after {
 					content: '';
@@ -1420,32 +1637,73 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		}
 	}
 
-	&__search-external-resources {
-		:deep(span.checkbox-content) {
-			padding-top: 0;
-			padding-bottom: 0;
-		}
-
-		:deep(.checkbox-content__icon) {
-			margin: auto !important;
-		}
-
-		&--aligned {
-			margin-inline-start: auto;
-		}
-	}
-
 	&__filters-applied {
-		padding-top: 4px;
 		display: flex;
 		flex-wrap: wrap;
 	}
 
 	&__no-content {
 		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		align-items: center;
+		justify-content: center;
+		gap: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 2);
+		// min-height (not fixed) so the panel grows to keep the button inside, not spilling past the edge.
+		min-height: 200px;
+		// Match the results container's inset so the button lines up, not flush to the edges.
+		padding-inline: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 4);
+		padding-block-end: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 4);
+	}
+
+	// Detail-view chrome: the back control sits above the category's heading + list.
+	&__detail-header {
+		// Three tracks: "Back" at the start, title centred, empty end track to balance it.
+		display: grid;
+		grid-template-columns: 1fr auto 1fr;
 		align-items: center;
-		margin-top: 0.5em;
-		height: 70%;
+		gap: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 2);
+		// Sticky at the top of the scrolling results. Background hides rows underneath; padding
+		// (not margin) stops bleed-through above.
+		position: sticky;
+		top: 0;
+		z-index: 1;
+		background-color: var(--color-main-background);
+		padding-block: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 3) calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 2);
+		border-block-end: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+	}
+
+	&__detail-back {
+		justify-self: start;
+	}
+
+	&__detail-title {
+		font-size: var(--default-font-size);
+		font-weight: bold;
+		grid-column: 2;
+		margin: 0;
+		margin-block-start: -3px;
+		// Centre the text the same way the Back button centres its label: stretch to the row
+		// height and flex-centre, instead of a line-height that lands the ink a few px off.
+		align-self: stretch;
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		justify-content: center;
+	}
+
+	// End-of-list (and empty-state) connected-services opt-in.
+	&__connected-services {
+		display: flex;
+		flex-wrap: wrap;
+		// Stretch to panel width so the wide button fills it (the empty-state's centred column
+		// would otherwise shrink it to content width).
+		width: 100%;
+		margin-block-start: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 3);
+	}
+
+	// Directional glyphs (back arrow, more-from chevron) point the other way in RTL.
+	// :dir(rtl) tracks the computed direction, unlike an [dir=rtl] attribute selector.
+	&__rtl-icon:dir(rtl) {
+		transform: scaleX(-1);
 	}
 
 	&__results {
@@ -1454,14 +1712,31 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		min-height: 0;
 		overflow: hidden auto;
 		// Adjust padding to match container but keep the scrollbar on the very end
-		padding-inline: 12px;
-		padding-block: 0 12px;
+		padding-inline: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 4);
+		padding-block: 0 calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 4);
 
 		.result {
 			&-title {
-				color: var(--color-primary-element);
-				font-size: 16px;
-				margin-block: 8px 4px;
+				color: var(--color-text-maxcontrast);
+				font-size: var(--default-font-size);
+				// 14px is not a grid multiple; kept raw rather than mixing units in one shorthand.
+				margin-block: 14px 4px;
+				margin-inline-start: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 2);
+			}
+
+			// The overflow heading is a real button; make it read like the plain title.
+			&-title--more {
+				margin-block: calc(var(--default-grid-baseline) * 2) var(--default-grid-baseline);
+
+				:deep(.button-vue__text) {
+					font-size: var(--default-font-size);
+					font-weight: normal;
+					color: var(--color-main-text);
+				}
+
+				:deep(.button-vue__icon) {
+					color: var(--color-main-text);
+				}
 			}
 
 			&-footer {
diff --git a/core/src/services/UnifiedSearchController.ts b/core/src/services/UnifiedSearchController.ts
index de7b794a8be..43c41171831 100644
--- a/core/src/services/UnifiedSearchController.ts
+++ b/core/src/services/UnifiedSearchController.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,12 @@ export interface CategorySearchParams {
 
 export const REVEAL_INTERVAL_MS = 1500
 
+/**
+ * Results fetched per category per page. Sized for the detail view (which shows the
+ * whole page); the aggregate caps to RESULTS_PER_CATEGORY. Server default 5, design 10.
+ */
+export const PAGE_SIZE = 10
+
 /**
  * Runs a unified search across categories in priority order, blocking
  * lower-priority results until their predecessors arrive or a timer reveals them.
@@ -49,6 +55,10 @@ export class UnifiedSearchController {
 	 */
 	async search(query: string, categories: string[], params?: Record<string, CategorySearchParams>): Promise<void> {
 		this.cancelPendingRequests()
+		// Stale-while-revalidate: keep the previous page on screen while the new search is in
+		// flight, so refining a query swaps results in place instead of flashing an empty panel.
+		// Each recurring category is reseeded with its prior entries below; dropped ones vanish.
+		const previous = this.searchStates
 		this.searchStates = {}
 		this.searchGeneration++
 		const generation = this.searchGeneration
@@ -57,7 +67,14 @@ export class UnifiedSearchController {
 
 		this.startRevealTimer()
 
-		await Promise.allSettled(categories.map((category) => this.searchCategory(category, generation, categories)))
+		await Promise.allSettled(categories.map((category) => {
+			const prev = previous[category]
+			// Only entries that were actually on screen seed the stale view. A blocked or failed
+			// category's entries were fetched but never rendered, so they must not carry over
+			// (and must not let the category skip the ordered reveal).
+			const staleEntries = prev && (prev.status === 'loaded' || prev.status === 'loading') ? prev.entries : []
+			return this.searchCategory(category, generation, categories, staleEntries)
+		}))
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -80,6 +97,7 @@ export class UnifiedSearchController {
 			type: category,
 			query: this.query,
 			cursor: categoryState.cursor,
+			limit: PAGE_SIZE,
 			...this.params[category],
 		})
 
@@ -92,10 +110,14 @@ export class UnifiedSearchController {
 			}
 			const { entries, cursor, isPaginated } = response.data.ocs.data
 
+			// A provider can echo a non-null cursor on an empty page, keeping hasMore true and
+			// leaving a dead "Load more" button. An empty page means exhausted, cursor or not.
+			const reachedEnd = entries.length === 0
+
 			this.patchStates({[category]: {
 				entries: [...categoryState.entries, ...entries],
 				cursor,
-				hasMore: this.hasMorePages(isPaginated, cursor),
+				hasMore: !reachedEnd && this.hasMorePages(isPaginated, cursor),
 				status: 'loaded',
 			}})
 		} catch {
@@ -132,10 +154,13 @@ export class UnifiedSearchController {
 		category: string,
 		generation: number,
 		categories: string[],
+		staleEntries: unknown[] = [],
 	): Promise<void> {
+		// Seed with the prior page (stale-while-revalidate) so it stays visible under the
+		// spinner until the fresh page replaces it. Empty on a first search.
 		this.patchStates({ [category]: {
 			status: 'loading',
-			entries: [],
+			entries: staleEntries,
 			cursor: null,
 			hasMore: false,
 			loadMoreFailed: false,
@@ -145,6 +170,7 @@ export class UnifiedSearchController {
 			type: category,
 			query: this.query,
 			cursor: null,
+			limit: PAGE_SIZE,
 			...this.params[category],
 		})
 
@@ -159,9 +185,12 @@ export class UnifiedSearchController {
 
 			const { entries, cursor, isPaginated } = response.data.ocs.data
 			// Decide blocked vs loaded once, here at settle. Reconcile only promotes after this
-			// (never re-blocks), so this is the only place a category becomes blocked.
+			// (never re-blocks), so this is the only place a category becomes blocked. A category
+			// that carried stale results skips blocking: it is already on screen, so blocking it
+			// would blink it off until its predecessors clear. Ordered reveal is only for the
+			// first paint, when nothing is shown yet.
 			this.patchStates({ [category]: {
-				status: this.shouldBlockCategory(category, categories) ? 'blocked' : 'loaded',
+				status: (staleEntries.length === 0 && this.shouldBlockCategory(category, categories)) ? 'blocked' : 'loaded',
 				entries,
 				cursor,
 				hasMore: this.hasMorePages(isPaginated, cursor),
diff --git a/core/src/services/UnifiedSearchService.js b/core/src/services/UnifiedSearchService.js
index dd42c479f88..65d4ce466f1 100644
--- a/core/src/services/UnifiedSearchService.js
+++ b/core/src/services/UnifiedSearchService.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export async function getProviders() {
  * @param {number|string|null} [options.cursor] the offset for paginated searches
  * @param {string} [options.since] start of the date-range filter
  * @param {string} [options.until] end of the date-range filter
- * @param {string} [options.limit] maximum number of results
+ * @param {number} [options.limit] maximum number of results
  * @param {string} [options.person] filter results by person
  * @param {object} [options.extraQueries] additional queries to filter search results
  * @return {object} {request: Promise, cancel: Promise}
diff --git a/core/src/tests/components/SearchResult.spec.ts b/core/src/tests/components/SearchResult.spec.ts
index 17beeeba0e2..6546e38c9a6 100644
--- a/core/src/tests/components/SearchResult.spec.ts
+++ b/core/src/tests/components/SearchResult.spec.ts
@@ -37,3 +37,36 @@ describe('SearchResult combobox option', () => {
 		expect(wrapper.findComponent(NcListItem).props('active')).toBe(false)
 	})
 })
+
+describe('SearchResult icon', () => {
+	it('renders a URL icon (e.g. a settings section) as an image', () => {
+		const wrapper = factory({ icon: '/apps/settings/img/password.svg' })
+
+		const img = wrapper.find('img')
+		expect(img.exists()).toBe(true)
+		expect(img.attributes('src')).toBe('/apps/settings/img/password.svg')
+	})
+
+	it('renders an app icon (rounded, no thumbnail) as an image', () => {
+		const wrapper = factory({ icon: '/apps/files/img/app.svg', rounded: true })
+
+		const img = wrapper.find('img')
+		expect(img.exists()).toBe(true)
+		expect(img.attributes('src')).toBe('/apps/files/img/app.svg')
+	})
+
+	it('does not render a broken image for a legacy CSS-class icon', () => {
+		const wrapper = factory({ icon: 'icon-confirm' })
+
+		// A class string is not a URL, so no <img> should point at it.
+		expect(wrapper.findAll('img').length).toBe(0)
+	})
+
+	it('renders the thumbnail image when one is provided', () => {
+		const wrapper = factory({ thumbnailUrl: '/preview/1', icon: 'icon-confirm' })
+
+		const img = wrapper.find('img')
+		expect(img.exists()).toBe(true)
+		expect(img.attributes('src')).toBe('/preview/1')
+	})
+})
diff --git a/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearch.spec.ts b/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearch.spec.ts
index 51efe4c1202..9961f5480a0 100644
--- a/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearch.spec.ts
+++ b/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearch.spec.ts
@@ -208,6 +208,53 @@ describe('UnifiedSearch find shortcut (Ctrl+F) aligns with Ctrl+K', () => {
 		expect(prevented).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
 		wrapper.destroy()
 	})
+
+	// Once search is engaged, Ctrl+F belongs to the browser again: a second press must
+	// reach the native find bar instead of being swallowed to re-focus what is already focused.
+	it('falls through to the browser once the results are open', () => {
+		const wrapper = mountWithShortcuts()
+		const focusInput = vi.spyOn(wrapper.vm, 'focusInput').mockImplementation(() => {})
+		wrapper.vm.showUnifiedSearch = true
+
+		const prevented = pressCtrl('f')
+
+		expect(prevented).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+		expect(focusInput).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+		wrapper.destroy()
+	})
+
+	it('falls through to the browser while the header input already holds focus', () => {
+		const wrapper = mountWithShortcuts()
+		const focusInput = vi.spyOn(wrapper.vm, 'focusInput').mockImplementation(() => {})
+		// The engaged check tests the real focused element against the input's DOM subtree,
+		// so it needs a focusable node that is actually in the document.
+		const host = document.createElement('div')
+		const field = document.createElement('input')
+		host.appendChild(field)
+		document.body.appendChild(host)
+		wrapper.vm.$refs.searchInput = { $el: host }
+		field.focus()
+
+		const prevented = pressCtrl('f')
+
+		expect(prevented).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+		expect(focusInput).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+		host.remove()
+		wrapper.destroy()
+	})
+
+	// Only Ctrl+F defers to the browser. Ctrl+K has no native meaning worth preserving
+	// (in Firefox it focuses the address bar), so it stays claimed even when engaged.
+	it('does not make Ctrl+K fall through as well', () => {
+		const wrapper = mountWithShortcuts()
+		vi.spyOn(wrapper.vm, 'focusInput').mockImplementation(() => {})
+		wrapper.vm.showUnifiedSearch = true
+
+		const prevented = pressCtrl('k')
+
+		expect(prevented).toHaveBeenCalled()
+		wrapper.destroy()
+	})
 })
 
 describe('UnifiedSearch combobox expanded state', () => {
diff --git a/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearchInput.spec.ts b/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearchInput.spec.ts
index 1b0597251f0..914247b9479 100644
--- a/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearchInput.spec.ts
+++ b/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearchInput.spec.ts
@@ -305,3 +305,15 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchInput trailing controls', () => {
 		expect(wrapper.emitted('open-filters')).toBeTruthy()
 	})
 })
+
+describe('UnifiedSearchInput loading spinner', () => {
+	const hasSpinner = (wrapper: ReturnType<typeof factory>) => wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'NcLoadingIcon' }).exists()
+
+	it('shows a spinner while a search is loading', () => {
+		expect(hasSpinner(factory({ query: 'abc', loading: true }))).toBe(true)
+	})
+
+	it('shows no spinner when not loading', () => {
+		expect(hasSpinner(factory({ query: 'abc', loading: false }))).toBe(false)
+	})
+})
diff --git a/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearchModal.spec.ts b/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearchModal.spec.ts
index 6888cecc20d..17f3afd7d65 100644
--- a/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearchModal.spec.ts
+++ b/core/src/tests/components/UnifiedSearchModal.spec.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,12 @@ vi.mock('../../services/UnifiedSearchService.js', () => ({
 vi.mock('../../store/unified-search-external-filters.js', () => ({
 	useSearchStore: () => ({ externalFilters: [], scopeToApp: false }),
 }))
+// The real module builds a logger at import time (detectUser() and all), and the modal
+// logs on provider init. Stubbed to keep the unit off that dependency and out of the
+// test output; the vi.fn()s also leave log calls assertable if a test ever needs them.
+vi.mock('../../logger.js', () => ({
+	unifiedSearchLogger: { debug: vi.fn(), error: vi.fn() },
+}))
 
 import UnifiedSearchModal from '../../components/UnifiedSearch/UnifiedSearchModal.vue'
 
@@ -146,7 +152,8 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal controller wiring', () => {
 		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
 		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
 
-		expect(wrapper.findAll('.result-title').wrappers.map((w) => w.text())).toEqual(['Files'])
+		// The already-loaded row stays on screen while the next page loads.
+		expect(wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'SearchResult' })).toHaveLength(1)
 		expect(wrapper.vm.showEmptyContentInfo).toBe(false)
 	})
 
@@ -268,8 +275,9 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal controller wiring', () => {
 		// list and settle instantly into "no results". It must be withheld instead...
 		wrapper.vm.find('hello')
 		expect(searchSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-		// ...and the empty state reads as searching, not "no results".
-		expect(wrapper.vm.emptyContentMessage).toContain('Searching')
+		// ...and it reads as busy (input spinner), with no in-modal loading text.
+		expect(wrapper.vm.isBusy).toBe(true)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showEmptyContentInfo).toBe(false)
 
 		// Once initialized, the same query dispatches normally.
 		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
@@ -296,6 +304,26 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal reset on close', () => {
 		expect(resetSpy).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
 		expect(wrapper.vm.results).toEqual([])
 	})
+
+	it('stops reporting busy and cancels the pending search when it closes with the query kept', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory() // starts open
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id: 'files', name: 'Files', order: 0 }]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		// Typing schedules the debounced search; pendingSearch reports busy across the gap.
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.isBusy).toBe(true)
+
+		// The pending debounce must be cancelled on close so it can't dispatch for a shut modal.
+		const cancelPending = vi.spyOn(wrapper.vm.debouncedFind, 'clear')
+
+		// searchLocally-style close: keep the query, just shut the popover.
+		await wrapper.setProps({ open: false })
+
+		expect(cancelPending).toHaveBeenCalled()
+		// A closed modal must not report busy, or the always-mounted header input keeps spinning.
+		expect(wrapper.vm.isBusy).toBe(false)
+	})
 })
 
 describe('UnifiedSearchModal filter triggers', () => {
@@ -385,6 +413,56 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal filter row reveal', () => {
 	})
 })
 
+describe('UnifiedSearchModal header visibility', () => {
+	const header = (wrapper) => wrapper.find('.unified-search-modal__header')
+
+	/**
+	 * Mount and let the provider init settle, so its logging cannot land after teardown.
+	 */
+	async function mounted(open = true) {
+		const wrapper = factory(open)
+		await flushPromises()
+		return wrapper
+	}
+
+	// The header is padded, so leaving it mounted while empty puts a dead strip above
+	// the content. It only takes space when it has the mobile field or the filter row.
+	it('hides the header on a resting empty query', async () => {
+		const wrapper = await mounted() // desktop, empty query, filtersRevealed defaults to false
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showHeader).toBe(false)
+		expect(header(wrapper).isVisible()).toBe(false)
+	})
+
+	it('shows the header once the funnel reveals the filter row', async () => {
+		const wrapper = await mounted()
+		await wrapper.setProps({ filtersRevealed: true })
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showHeader).toBe(true)
+		expect(header(wrapper).isVisible()).toBe(true)
+	})
+
+	// The detail view drops the filters, leaving the desktop header with nothing to show.
+	it('hides the header in the desktop detail view', async () => {
+		const wrapper = await mounted()
+		await wrapper.setProps({ filtersRevealed: true })
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showHeader).toBe(true)
+
+		wrapper.vm.detailCategory = 'files'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showHeader).toBe(false)
+		expect(header(wrapper).isVisible()).toBe(false)
+	})
+
+	// Mobile keeps it either way: the header carries the only search field on that layout.
+	it('keeps the header on mobile even in the detail view', async () => {
+		mobile.value = true
+		const wrapper = await mounted()
+		wrapper.vm.detailCategory = 'files'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showHeader).toBe(true)
+		expect(header(wrapper).isVisible()).toBe(true)
+	})
+})
+
 describe('UnifiedSearchModal controller wiring (init)', () => {
 	it('runs a query typed before providers finished loading, once initialized', async () => {
 		const { getProviders } = await import('../../services/UnifiedSearchService.js')
@@ -427,10 +505,11 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal keyboard selection', () => {
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeDescendantId).toBeNull()
 	})
 
-	it('auto-selects the first result once results arrive', async () => {
+	it('auto-selects the first result', async () => {
 		const wrapper = factory()
 		await withRows(wrapper, [{ resourceUrl: '/a' }, { resourceUrl: '/b' }])
 
+		// The first row is selected as soon as results arrive (keyboard users act immediately).
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeIndex).toBe(0)
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeDescendantId).toBe('unified-search-result-files-0')
 	})
@@ -439,13 +518,14 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal keyboard selection', () => {
 		const wrapper = factory()
 		await withRows(wrapper, [{ resourceUrl: '/a' }, { resourceUrl: '/b' }])
 
-		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next')
+		expect(wrapper.vm.activeIndex).toBe(0) // first row auto-selected
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next') // 0 → 1
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeIndex).toBe(1)
-		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next')
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next') // clamp at the last row
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeIndex).toBe(1)
-		wrapper.vm.moveActive('prev')
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('prev') // 1 → 0
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeIndex).toBe(0)
-		wrapper.vm.moveActive('prev')
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('prev') // clamp at the first row
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeIndex).toBe(0)
 	})
 
@@ -472,8 +552,8 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal keyboard selection', () => {
 		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
 		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
 
-		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next')
-		// Second row lives in the next provider group.
+		// From the auto-selected first row (files-0), the next move crosses into the next group.
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next') // 0 (files-0) → 1 (talk-0)
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeDescendantId).toBe('unified-search-result-talk-0')
 	})
 
@@ -482,13 +562,24 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal keyboard selection', () => {
 		await withRows(wrapper, [{ resourceUrl: '/a' }, { resourceUrl: '/b' }])
 		const open = vi.spyOn(wrapper.vm, 'openResourceUrl').mockImplementation(() => {})
 
-		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next')
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next') // 0 (/a) → 1 (/b)
 		wrapper.vm.activateActive()
 
 		expect(open).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/b')
 	})
 
-	it('does nothing on activate when there is no active row', () => {
+	it('opens the first result on activate when nothing has been navigated to', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		await withRows(wrapper, [{ resourceUrl: '/a' }, { resourceUrl: '/b' }])
+		const open = vi.spyOn(wrapper.vm, 'openResourceUrl').mockImplementation(() => {})
+
+		// The first row is auto-selected, so Enter opens the top hit without any navigation.
+		wrapper.vm.activateActive()
+
+		expect(open).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/a')
+	})
+
+	it('does nothing on activate when there are no results', () => {
 		const wrapper = factory()
 		const open = vi.spyOn(wrapper.vm, 'openResourceUrl').mockImplementation(() => {})
 
@@ -500,6 +591,8 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal keyboard selection', () => {
 	it('emits the active descendant id upward for the input to reference', async () => {
 		const wrapper = factory()
 		await withRows(wrapper, [{ resourceUrl: '/a' }])
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
 
 		expect(wrapper.emitted('update:activeDescendant')?.at(-1)).toEqual(['unified-search-result-files-0'])
 	})
@@ -513,7 +606,7 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal keyboard selection', () => {
 		searchStates.value = { files: loaded([{ resourceUrl: '/a' }, { resourceUrl: '/b' }]) }
 		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
 		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
-		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next')
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next') // 0 → 1
 		expect(wrapper.vm.activeDescendantId).toBe('unified-search-result-files-1')
 
 		// A lower-priority group arrives below; the selected row keeps its identity.
@@ -548,7 +641,8 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal keyboard selection', () => {
 		secondRow.scrollIntoView = vi.fn()
 		document.body.appendChild(secondRow)
 
-		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next')
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next') // -1 → 0
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next') // 0 → 1 (below the fold)
 		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
 
 		expect(secondRow.scrollIntoView).toHaveBeenCalled()
@@ -559,6 +653,7 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal keyboard selection', () => {
 		const wrapper = factory()
 		await withRows(wrapper, [{ resourceUrl: '/a' }, { resourceUrl: '/b' }])
 
+		// The first row is highlighted on its own (auto-selected).
 		expect(wrapper.findAll('[role=listbox]')).toHaveLength(1)
 		const rows = wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'SearchResult' })
 		expect(rows.at(0).props('elementId')).toBe('unified-search-result-files-0')
@@ -749,3 +844,334 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchModal People filter', () => {
 		expect(wrapper.vm.filters.some((f: { type: string }) => f.type === 'person')).toBe(true)
 	})
 })
+
+describe('UnifiedSearchModal result presentation', () => {
+	/**
+	 * Seed one category with the given rows and settle.
+	 */
+	async function withGroup(wrapper: ReturnType<typeof factory>, id: string, entries: unknown[], hasMore = false) {
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id, name: 'Files', order: 0 }]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		searchStates.value = { [id]: loaded(entries, hasMore) }
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+	}
+
+	const rows = (n: number) => Array.from({ length: n }, (_, i) => ({ resourceUrl: `/r${i}` }))
+
+	// The overflow heading is the only NcButton carrying the group's heading id, so we
+	// find the "More from" control by that rather than a style class.
+	const moreFromButton = (wrapper: ReturnType<typeof factory>) => wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'NcButton' }).wrappers
+		.find((w) => w.attributes('id') === 'unified-search-result-files')
+
+	const buttonWithText = (wrapper: ReturnType<typeof factory>, text: string) => wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'NcButton' }).wrappers
+		.find((w) => w.text().includes(text))
+
+	// Find the back control by its ariaLabel ("Back to all results").
+	const backButton = (wrapper: ReturnType<typeof factory>) => wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'NcButton' }).wrappers
+		.find((w) => w.props('ariaLabel') === 'Back to all results')
+
+	it('caps a category at three rows in the aggregate view, and navigableRows follows', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(5))
+
+		expect(wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'SearchResult' })).toHaveLength(3)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.navigableRows).toHaveLength(3)
+	})
+
+	it('flags overflow purely on the fetched count, not on the pagination cursor', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+
+		// More than the cap fetched: "More from" button.
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(4))
+		expect(wrapper.vm.renderedGroups[0].overflow).toBe(true)
+		expect(moreFromButton(wrapper)).toBeTruthy()
+
+		// At the cap but the provider still advertises a cursor (some do past their last page).
+		// The button must NOT show: opening the detail view would be a dead end.
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(2), true)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.renderedGroups[0].overflow).toBe(false)
+		expect(moreFromButton(wrapper)).toBeUndefined()
+
+		// Exactly the cap and nothing more: plain title, no "More from".
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(3), false)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.renderedGroups[0].overflow).toBe(false)
+		expect(moreFromButton(wrapper)).toBeUndefined()
+	})
+
+	it('opens the uncapped detail view from "More from" and back returns to the capped list', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(5))
+
+		moreFromButton(wrapper)!.vm.$emit('click')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.vm.detailCategory).toBe('files')
+		// Uncapped in detail, and navigableRows matches the rendered rows (lockstep).
+		expect(wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'SearchResult' })).toHaveLength(5)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.navigableRows).toHaveLength(5)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.liveMessage).toContain('Showing')
+
+		backButton(wrapper)!.vm.$emit('click')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.vm.detailCategory).toBeNull()
+		expect(wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'SearchResult' })).toHaveLength(3)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.navigableRows).toHaveLength(3)
+	})
+
+	it('scrolls the results back to the top when returning from the detail view', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(5))
+		wrapper.vm.openDetailView({ id: 'files' })
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		// jsdom has no layout, so stand in for the scroll container and capture writes.
+		const scrollWrites: number[] = []
+		Object.defineProperty(wrapper.vm.$refs.resultsContainer, 'scrollTop', {
+			configurable: true,
+			get: () => 400,
+			set: (value) => scrollWrites.push(value),
+		})
+
+		wrapper.vm.closeDetailView()
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(scrollWrites).toContain(0)
+	})
+
+	it('drops the filter row and titles the detail view with the category name', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(5))
+
+		moreFromButton(wrapper)!.vm.$emit('click')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		// Filters are hidden while viewing one category's full results.
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showFilterRow).toBe(false)
+		// The category name titles the detail view (shown once, in the header).
+		const title = wrapper.find('.unified-search-modal__detail-title')
+		expect(title.exists()).toBe(true)
+		expect(title.text()).toBe('Files')
+	})
+
+	it('pages the detail view through the controller loadMore', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		// Over the cap so the aggregate shows "More from", and still paginating so the
+		// detail view offers "Load more results".
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(5), true)
+
+		moreFromButton(wrapper)!.vm.$emit('click')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		buttonWithText(wrapper, 'Load more results')!.vm.$emit('click')
+		expect(loadMoreSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith('files')
+	})
+
+	it('keeps the selected-row highlight working in the detail view', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(5))
+		moreFromButton(wrapper)!.vm.$emit('click')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		// The first row is auto-selected; arrow keys drive the highlight in the detail view too.
+		wrapper.vm.moveActive('next') // 0 → 1
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.vm.activeDescendantId).toBe('unified-search-result-files-1')
+		const second = wrapper.findAllComponents({ name: 'SearchResult' }).at(1)
+		expect(second.props('active')).toBe(true)
+	})
+
+	it('leaves the detail view on a query change, a filter change, or a services toggle', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(4))
+		wrapper.vm.openDetailView({ id: 'files' })
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'other'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.detailCategory).toBeNull()
+
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(4))
+		wrapper.vm.openDetailView({ id: 'files' })
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		wrapper.vm.filters = [{ id: 'date', type: 'date', text: 'Today' }]
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.detailCategory).toBeNull()
+
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(4))
+		wrapper.vm.openDetailView({ id: 'files' })
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		wrapper.vm.toggleExternalResources()
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.detailCategory).toBeNull()
+	})
+
+	it('leaves the detail view if the open category drops out of the results', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		await withGroup(wrapper, 'files', rows(4))
+		wrapper.vm.openDetailView({ id: 'files' })
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.detailCategory).toBe('files')
+
+		searchStates.value = {}
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.detailCategory).toBeNull()
+	})
+
+	it('labels the connected-services button by the toggle state and re-runs find on toggle', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [
+			{ id: 'files', name: 'Files', order: 0 },
+			{ id: 'ext', name: 'External', order: 1, isExternalProvider: true },
+		]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		searchStates.value = { files: loaded([{ resourceUrl: '/a' }]) }
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		// Settle the debounced search so the button's !isBusy gate opens (pendingSearch clears).
+		wrapper.vm.find('query')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(buttonWithText(wrapper, 'More from connected services')).toBeTruthy()
+
+		wrapper.vm.toggleExternalResources()
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(searchSpy).toHaveBeenCalled()
+		expect(buttonWithText(wrapper, 'Less from connected services')).toBeTruthy()
+	})
+
+	it('returns focus to the search input after toggling connected services', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [
+			{ id: 'files', name: 'Files', order: 0 },
+			{ id: 'ext', name: 'External', order: 1, isExternalProvider: true },
+		]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		searchStates.value = { files: loaded([{ resourceUrl: '/a' }]) }
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		wrapper.vm.find('query')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		// The toggle re-runs the search, which unmounts the button that held focus. In
+		// shallowMount focusSearchInput can't move real DOM focus, so assert the modal
+		// re-homes focus onto the input (the same recovery the detail-view controls use).
+		const focusSpy = vi.spyOn(wrapper.vm, 'focusSearchInput')
+		wrapper.vm.toggleExternalResources()
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(focusSpy).toHaveBeenCalled()
+	})
+
+	it('offers the connected-services opt-in even when a query returns no results', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id: 'ext', name: 'External', order: 0, isExternalProvider: true }]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		searchStates.value = {}
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		// Dispatch the debounced search; it settles with no results, when the empty state should show.
+		wrapper.vm.find('query')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showEmptyContentInfo).toBe(true)
+		expect(buttonWithText(wrapper, 'connected services')).toBeTruthy()
+	})
+
+	it('no longer renders the connected-services switch in the filter row', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id: 'ext', name: 'External', order: 0, isExternalProvider: true }]
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'NcCheckboxRadioSwitch' }).exists()).toBe(false)
+	})
+})
+
+describe('UnifiedSearchModal loading state', () => {
+	const loadingState = { status: 'loading', entries: [], cursor: null, hasMore: false, loadMoreFailed: false }
+
+	it('is busy while a category loads, with no in-modal loading text, and settles when done', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id: 'files', name: 'Files', order: 0 }]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		searchStates.value = { files: loadingState }
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		// The debounce fires and dispatches the real search, clearing the pending flag; from
+		// here the controller's loading state alone drives busy.
+		wrapper.vm.find('query')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.vm.isBusy).toBe(true)
+		// The empty-content block stays hidden while busy.
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showEmptyContentInfo).toBe(false)
+
+		searchStates.value = { files: loaded([{ resourceUrl: '/a' }]) }
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.vm.isBusy).toBe(false)
+	})
+
+	it('stays busy through the debounce window so it does not flash the empty state', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id: 'files', name: 'Files', order: 0 }]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		// A fresh query, but the debounced find() (and thus the loading state) has not run yet.
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.vm.pendingSearch).toBe(true)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.isBusy).toBe(true)
+		expect(wrapper.vm.showEmptyContentInfo).toBe(false)
+
+		// When the search actually dispatches, the pending window ends and searching takes over.
+		wrapper.vm.find('query')
+		expect(wrapper.vm.pendingSearch).toBe(false)
+	})
+
+	it('is not busy for an empty or too-short query even if a stale request is loading', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id: 'files', name: 'Files', order: 0 }]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		wrapper.vm.minSearchLength = 3
+		searchStates.value = { files: loadingState }
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'ab'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.vm.isBusy).toBe(false)
+	})
+
+	it('emits update:loading as the busy state changes', async () => {
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id: 'files', name: 'Files', order: 0 }]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		searchStates.value = { files: loadingState }
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		// The debounce fires and dispatches; the pending flag clears and the loading category
+		// alone keeps it busy.
+		wrapper.vm.find('query')
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.emitted('update:loading')?.at(-1)).toEqual([true])
+
+		searchStates.value = { files: loaded([{ resourceUrl: '/a' }]) }
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+		expect(wrapper.emitted('update:loading')?.at(-1)).toEqual([false])
+	})
+
+	it('shows a spinner in the mobile input while busy', async () => {
+		mobile.value = true
+		const wrapper = factory()
+		wrapper.vm.providers = [{ id: 'files', name: 'Files', order: 0 }]
+		wrapper.vm.initialized = true
+		searchStates.value = { files: loadingState }
+		wrapper.vm.searchQuery = 'query'
+		await wrapper.vm.$nextTick()
+
+		expect(wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'NcLoadingIcon' }).exists()).toBe(true)
+	})
+})
diff --git a/core/src/tests/services/UnifiedSearchController.spec.ts b/core/src/tests/services/UnifiedSearchController.spec.ts
index 591763295f6..bc8b5b581a3 100644
--- a/core/src/tests/services/UnifiedSearchController.spec.ts
+++ b/core/src/tests/services/UnifiedSearchController.spec.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
  */
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
-import { REVEAL_INTERVAL_MS, UnifiedSearchController } from '../../services/UnifiedSearchController.ts'
+import { PAGE_SIZE, REVEAL_INTERVAL_MS, UnifiedSearchController } from '../../services/UnifiedSearchController.ts'
 
 const service = vi.hoisted(() => ({
 	search: vi.fn(),
@@ -287,6 +287,69 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchController', () => {
 		})
 	})
 
+	describe('stale-while-revalidate', () => {
+		it('keeps the previous results visible while a refetch is in flight', async () => {
+			const first = mockProviders(['files'])
+
+			const searchController = new UnifiedSearchController()
+			searchController.search('old', ['files'])
+			first.files.resolve(['Old result'])
+			await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+
+			// A refined query starts a new search. The prior entries must stay on screen
+			// (status loading, entries kept) so the panel does not flash empty mid-request.
+			const second = mockProviders(['files'])
+			searchController.search('new', ['files'])
+			expect(searchController.getSnapshot().files).toEqual({
+				status: 'loading',
+				entries: ['Old result'],
+				cursor: null,
+				hasMore: false,
+				loadMoreFailed: false,
+			})
+
+			// The fresh page replaces them once it lands.
+			second.files.resolve(['New result'])
+			await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+			expect(searchController.getSnapshot().files).toEqual({
+				status: 'loaded',
+				entries: ['New result'],
+				cursor: null,
+				hasMore: false,
+				loadMoreFailed: false,
+			})
+		})
+
+		it('settles a refetched category that carried results straight to loaded, never blocked', async () => {
+			const first = mockProviders(['files', 'talk'])
+
+			const searchController = new UnifiedSearchController()
+			searchController.search('old', ['files', 'talk'])
+			first.files.resolve(['Old files'])
+			await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+			first.talk.resolve(['Old talk'])
+			await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+
+			// Refine. talk (lower priority) comes back before files this time. It already had
+			// results, so it must not drop into blocked (which excludes it from the rendered
+			// set and blinks it off screen); it stays visible by settling straight to loaded.
+			const second = mockProviders(['files', 'talk'])
+			searchController.search('new', ['files', 'talk'])
+			second.talk.resolve(['New talk'])
+			await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+
+			expect(searchController.getSnapshot().talk.status).toBe('loaded')
+			// files is still fetching; its stale page stays up meanwhile.
+			expect(searchController.getSnapshot().files).toEqual({
+				status: 'loading',
+				entries: ['Old files'],
+				cursor: null,
+				hasMore: false,
+				loadMoreFailed: false,
+			})
+		})
+	})
+
 	describe('cancellation', () => {
 		it('cancels the previous search\'s in-flight requests when a new search starts', () => {
 			const first = mockProviders(['files', 'talk'])
@@ -506,6 +569,32 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchController', () => {
 			expect(searchController.getSnapshot().files.hasMore).toBe(false)
 		})
 
+		it('stops paging when a page yields nothing new, even if the provider echoes a cursor', async () => {
+			const files = pagedProvider()
+			service.search.mockReturnValue(files)
+
+			const searchController = new UnifiedSearchController()
+			searchController.search('query', ['files'])
+
+			files.resolvePage(0, { entries: ['a'], cursor: 'cursor-1', isPaginated: true })
+			await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+			expect(searchController.getSnapshot().files.hasMore).toBe(true)
+
+			// The next page comes back empty but still carries a paginated cursor. Without
+			// the guard this would leave hasMore true and a "Load more" button that no-ops.
+			searchController.loadMore('files')
+			files.resolvePage(1, { entries: [], cursor: 'cursor-2', isPaginated: true })
+			await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0)
+
+			expect(searchController.getSnapshot().files).toEqual({
+				status: 'loaded',
+				entries: ['a'],
+				cursor: 'cursor-2',
+				hasMore: false,
+				loadMoreFailed: false,
+			})
+		})
+
 		it('appends the next page of results when loadMore is called', async () => {
 			const files = pagedProvider()
 			service.search.mockReturnValue(files)
@@ -577,7 +666,17 @@ describe('UnifiedSearchController', () => {
 
 			searchController.loadMore('files')
 
-			expect(service.search).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({ type: 'files', query: 'query', cursor: 'cursor-1' }))
+			expect(service.search).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({ type: 'files', query: 'query', cursor: 'cursor-1', limit: PAGE_SIZE }))
+		})
+
+		it('requests the configured page size on the initial category search', async () => {
+			const files = pagedProvider()
+			service.search.mockReturnValue(files)
+
+			const searchController = new UnifiedSearchController()
+			searchController.search('query', ['files'])
+
+			expect(service.search).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({ type: 'files', query: 'query', limit: PAGE_SIZE }))
 		})
 
 		it('flags a page-load failure without dropping the results already loaded', async () => {
diff --git a/core/src/views/UnifiedSearch.vue b/core/src/views/UnifiedSearch.vue
index 601f7abc727..5c8cf7af585 100644
--- a/core/src/views/UnifiedSearch.vue
+++ b/core/src/views/UnifiedSearch.vue
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 			:query="queryText"
 			:expanded="showUnifiedSearch"
 			:activeDescendantId="activeDescendantId"
+			:loading="searching"
 			:filtersRevealed="filtersRevealed"
 			@click="openModal"
 			@open-filters="onOpenFilters"
@@ -31,7 +32,8 @@
 			:filtersRevealed="filtersRevealed"
 			@update:query="queryText = $event"
 			@update:open="showUnifiedSearch = $event"
-			@update:activeDescendant="activeDescendantId = $event || ''" />
+			@update:activeDescendant="activeDescendantId = $event || ''"
+			@update:loading="searching = $event" />
 	</div>
 </template>
 
@@ -81,6 +83,8 @@ export default defineComponent({
 			 * sibling input can point aria-activedescendant at it. '' = nothing selected.
 			 */
 			activeDescendantId: '',
+			/** Whether a search is in flight, driving the input spinner */
+			searching: false,
 			/** Whether the funnel has revealed the filter row before typing */
 			filtersRevealed: false,
 		}
@@ -197,7 +201,11 @@ export default defineComponent({
 					return
 				}
 				// Everywhere else, behave like Ctrl+K: focus the input (desktop) / open the
-				// modal (mobile), rather than opening it on an empty query.
+				// modal (mobile). Once search is already engaged, let a second press fall
+				// through to the browser's native find instead of claiming Ctrl+F again.
+				if (this.isSearchEngaged()) {
+					return
+				}
 				event.preventDefault()
 				this.focusSearch()
 			} else if ((event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey) && key === 'k') {
@@ -234,6 +242,18 @@ export default defineComponent({
 			input?.focus?.()
 		},
 
+		/**
+		 * Whether search is already engaged: the modal is open, or the header input holds
+		 * focus. Lets a second Ctrl+F fall through to the browser's native find.
+		 */
+		isSearchEngaged(): boolean {
+			if (this.showUnifiedSearch) {
+				return true
+			}
+			const el = (this.$refs.searchInput as { $el?: HTMLElement } | undefined)?.$el
+			return Boolean(el && el.contains(document.activeElement))
+		},
+
 		/**
 		 * Relay an arrow-navigation intent from the input to the results modal, which
 		 * owns the selection state.
diff --git a/tests/playwright/e2e/core/header-unified-search.spec.ts b/tests/playwright/e2e/core/header-unified-search.spec.ts
index a7cd2cd0414..733810eaa64 100644
--- a/tests/playwright/e2e/core/header-unified-search.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/playwright/e2e/core/header-unified-search.spec.ts
@@ -144,4 +144,63 @@ test.describe('Header: unified search keyboard navigation', () => {
 		await expect(search.input()).not.toBeFocused()
 		await expect(search.panel()).toHaveCount(0)
 	})
+
+	test('"More from" opens the uncapped detail view, pages it, and Back returns to the aggregate list', async ({ page, user }) => {
+		// The three files from beforeEach plus nine more give twelve matches: past the
+		// aggregate cap of three (so "More from" shows) and past the ten-row first page
+		// (so the detail view offers "Load more results").
+		for (let i = 0; i < 9; i++) {
+			await uploadContent(page.request, user, 'content', 'text/plain', `/${TOKEN}-more-${i}.txt`)
+		}
+		const search = new UnifiedSearchPage(page)
+		await search.input().fill(TOKEN)
+
+		// Aggregate view: capped at three rows, with the overflow control.
+		await expect(search.options()).toHaveCount(3)
+		await expect(search.moreFrom('Files')).toBeVisible()
+
+		// The detail view shows the full first page (PAGE_SIZE) for that one category.
+		await search.moreFrom('Files').click()
+		await expect(search.detailBack()).toBeVisible()
+		await expect(search.detailHeading('Files')).toBeVisible()
+		await expect(search.options()).toHaveCount(10)
+		await expect(search.loadMore()).toBeVisible()
+
+		// Paging appends the next page.
+		await search.loadMore().click()
+		await expect(search.options()).toHaveCount(12)
+
+		// Back returns to the capped aggregate list.
+		await search.detailBack().click()
+		await expect(search.moreFrom('Files')).toBeVisible()
+		await expect(search.options()).toHaveCount(3)
+	})
+
+	test('the open search overlay suppresses the app keyboard shortcuts behind it', async ({ page }) => {
+		const search = new UnifiedSearchPage(page)
+		// `v` toggles the Files grid/list view (a useHotKey). The toggle button's name
+		// flips with the mode, so use it to observe whether the shortcut fired.
+		const toGrid = page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Switch to grid view' })
+		const toList = page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Switch to list view' })
+
+		// It fires on the bare page: list -> grid -> list.
+		await expect(toGrid).toBeVisible()
+		await page.keyboard.press('v')
+		await expect(toList).toBeVisible()
+		await page.keyboard.press('v')
+		await expect(toGrid).toBeVisible()
+
+		// Open the search and move focus onto a result, off the input (where the app's
+		// `v` would otherwise fire). The scrim's `modal-mask` makes useHotKey suppress
+		// background shortcuts, the same guard that stops arrow keys driving the file
+		// list behind the overlay.
+		await search.input().fill(TOKEN)
+		await expect(search.options().first()).toBeVisible()
+		await page.keyboard.press('Tab')
+		await expect(search.input()).not.toBeFocused()
+
+		await page.keyboard.press('v')
+		// The view did not toggle: the shortcut was suppressed while the overlay was open.
+		await expect(toGrid).toBeVisible()
+	})
 })
diff --git a/tests/playwright/support/sections/UnifiedSearchPage.ts b/tests/playwright/support/sections/UnifiedSearchPage.ts
index 5100c25ff21..e692a138a1d 100644
--- a/tests/playwright/support/sections/UnifiedSearchPage.ts
+++ b/tests/playwright/support/sections/UnifiedSearchPage.ts
@@ -115,4 +115,33 @@ export class UnifiedSearchPage {
 	option(id: string): Locator {
 		return this.page.locator(`[id="${id}"]`)
 	}
+
+	/**
+	 * The "More from {name}" overflow control: a category heading rendered as a button
+	 * when the category has more than the aggregate cap of rows. Opens the detail view.
+	 *
+	 * @param name the category name, e.g. "Files"
+	 */
+	moreFrom(name: string): Locator {
+		return this.panel().getByRole('button', { name: `More from ${name}` })
+	}
+
+	/** The detail view's back control, which returns to the aggregate list. */
+	detailBack(): Locator {
+		return this.panel().getByRole('button', { name: 'Back to all results' })
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * The heading titling the detail view (shown once a category is expanded).
+	 *
+	 * @param name the category name
+	 */
+	detailHeading(name: string): Locator {
+		return this.panel().getByRole('heading', { name })
+	}
+
+	/** The detail view's pagination control, present while the category has more pages. */
+	loadMore(): Locator {
+		return this.panel().getByRole('button', { name: 'Load more results' })
+	}
 }