feat: live activity panel with SSE event feed and relative timestamps

Replace static item list refresh with real-time event feed:
- Add _relative_time() helper for human-friendly timestamps
- Prepend SSE events (item updates, new revisions, mode changes) instantly
- Seed feed with 10 recent items on first SSE connect (no per-item revision calls)
- Refresh relative timestamps every 60 seconds
- Cap activity feed at 50 events
- Remove expensive list_items + get_revisions calls on every SSE event

freecad/InitGui.py

@@ -35,9 +35,20 @@ class SiloWorkbench(FreeCADGui.Workbench):
         except Exception as e:
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Could not register Silo origin: {e}\n")
 
+        # Silo origin toolbar — shown as an overlay on any context when the
+        # active document is Silo-tracked.  Registered as Unavailable so
+        # EditingContextResolver controls visibility via the overlay system.
+        self.silo_toolbar_commands = [
+            "Silo_Commit",
+            "Silo_Pull",
+            "Silo_Push",
+            "Separator",
+            "Silo_Info",
+            "Silo_BOM",
+        ]
+        self.appendToolbar("Silo Origin", self.silo_toolbar_commands, "Unavailable")
+
         # Silo menu provides admin/management commands.
-        # File operations (New/Open/Save) are handled by the standard File
-        # toolbar via the origin system -- no separate Silo toolbar needed.
         self.menu_commands = [
             "Silo_Info",
             "Silo_BOM",
@@ -67,3 +78,67 @@ class SiloWorkbench(FreeCADGui.Workbench):
 
 FreeCADGui.addWorkbench(SiloWorkbench())
 FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Silo workbench registered\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Silo overlay context — adds "Silo Origin" toolbar to any active context
+# when the current document is Silo-tracked.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _register_silo_overlay():
+    """Register the Silo overlay after the Silo workbench has initialised."""
+
+    def _silo_overlay_match():
+        """Return True if the active document is Silo-tracked."""
+        try:
+            doc = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument
+            if not doc:
+                return False
+            from silo_origin import get_silo_origin
+
+            origin = get_silo_origin()
+            return origin.ownsDocument(doc)
+        except Exception:
+            return False
+
+    try:
+        FreeCADGui.registerEditingOverlay(
+            "silo",  # overlay id
+            ["Silo Origin"],  # toolbar names to append
+            _silo_overlay_match,  # match function
+        )
+    except Exception as e:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Silo overlay registration failed: {e}\n")
+
+
+from PySide import QtCore as _QtCore
+
+_QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(2500, _register_silo_overlay)
+
+
+# Override the Start page with Silo-aware version (must happen before
+# the C++ StartLauncher fires at ~100ms after GUI init)
+try:
+    import silo_start
+
+    silo_start.register()
+except Exception as e:
+    FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Silo Start page override failed: {e}\n")
+
+
+# Handle kindred:// URLs passed as command-line arguments on cold start.
+# Delayed to run after the GUI is fully initialised and the Silo addon has
+# loaded its client/sync objects.
+def _handle_startup_urls():
+    """Process any kindred:// URLs passed as command-line arguments."""
+    import sys
+
+    from silo_commands import handle_kindred_url
+
+    for arg in sys.argv[1:]:
+        if arg.startswith("kindred://"):
+            handle_kindred_url(arg)
+
+
+_QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(500, _handle_startup_urls)

freecad/open_search.py

@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+"""Search-and-open widget for Kindred Create.
+
+Provides :class:`OpenItemWidget`, a plain ``QWidget`` that can be
+embedded in an MDI sub-window.  Searches both the Silo database and
+local CAD files, presenting results in a unified table.  Emits
+``item_selected`` when the user picks an item and ``cancelled`` when
+the user clicks Cancel.
+"""
+
+import FreeCAD
+from PySide import QtCore, QtWidgets
+
+
+class OpenItemWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
+    """Search-and-open widget for embedding in an MDI subwindow.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    client : SiloClient
+        Authenticated Silo API client instance.
+    search_local_fn : callable
+        Function that accepts a search term string and returns an
+        iterable of dicts with keys ``part_number``, ``description``,
+        ``path``, ``modified``.
+    parent : QWidget, optional
+        Parent widget.
+
+    Signals
+    -------
+    item_selected(dict)
+        Emitted when the user selects an item.  The dict contains
+        keys: *part_number*, *description*, *item_type*, *source*
+        (``"database"``, ``"local"``, or ``"both"``), *modified*,
+        and *path* (str or ``None``).
+    cancelled()
+        Emitted when the user clicks Cancel.
+    """
+
+    item_selected = QtCore.Signal(dict)
+    cancelled = QtCore.Signal()
+
+    def __init__(self, client, search_local_fn, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._client = client
+        self._search_local = search_local_fn
+        self._results_data = []
+
+        self.setMinimumWidth(700)
+        self.setMinimumHeight(500)
+
+        self._build_ui()
+
+        # Debounced search timer (500 ms)
+        self._search_timer = QtCore.QTimer(self)
+        self._search_timer.setSingleShot(True)
+        self._search_timer.setInterval(500)
+        self._search_timer.timeout.connect(self._do_search)
+
+        # Populate on first display
+        QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(0, self._do_search)
+
+    # ---- UI construction ---------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _build_ui(self):
+        layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.setSpacing(8)
+
+        # Search row
+        self._search_input = QtWidgets.QLineEdit()
+        self._search_input.setPlaceholderText("Search by part number or description...")
+        self._search_input.textChanged.connect(self._on_search_changed)
+        layout.addWidget(self._search_input)
+
+        # Filter checkboxes
+        filter_layout = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout()
+        self._db_checkbox = QtWidgets.QCheckBox("Database")
+        self._db_checkbox.setChecked(True)
+        self._local_checkbox = QtWidgets.QCheckBox("Local Files")
+        self._local_checkbox.setChecked(True)
+        self._db_checkbox.toggled.connect(self._on_filter_changed)
+        self._local_checkbox.toggled.connect(self._on_filter_changed)
+        filter_layout.addWidget(self._db_checkbox)
+        filter_layout.addWidget(self._local_checkbox)
+        filter_layout.addStretch()
+        layout.addLayout(filter_layout)
+
+        # Results table
+        self._results_table = QtWidgets.QTableWidget()
+        self._results_table.setColumnCount(5)
+        self._results_table.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(
+            ["Part Number", "Description", "Type", "Source", "Modified"]
+        )
+        self._results_table.setSelectionBehavior(QtWidgets.QAbstractItemView.SelectRows)
+        self._results_table.setSelectionMode(QtWidgets.QAbstractItemView.SingleSelection)
+        self._results_table.horizontalHeader().setStretchLastSection(True)
+        self._results_table.setEditTriggers(QtWidgets.QAbstractItemView.NoEditTriggers)
+        self._results_table.doubleClicked.connect(self._open_selected)
+        layout.addWidget(self._results_table, 1)
+
+        # Buttons
+        btn_layout = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout()
+        btn_layout.addStretch()
+        open_btn = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Open")
+        open_btn.clicked.connect(self._open_selected)
+        cancel_btn = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Cancel")
+        cancel_btn.clicked.connect(self.cancelled.emit)
+        btn_layout.addWidget(open_btn)
+        btn_layout.addWidget(cancel_btn)
+        layout.addLayout(btn_layout)
+
+    # ---- Search logic ------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _on_search_changed(self, _text):
+        """Restart debounce timer on each keystroke."""
+        self._search_timer.start()
+
+    def _on_filter_changed(self, _checked):
+        """Re-run search immediately when filter checkboxes change."""
+        self._do_search()
+
+    def _do_search(self):
+        """Execute search against database and/or local files."""
+        search_term = self._search_input.text().strip()
+        self._results_data = []
+
+        if self._db_checkbox.isChecked():
+            try:
+                for item in self._client.list_items(search=search_term):
+                    self._results_data.append(
+                        {
+                            "part_number": item.get("part_number", ""),
+                            "description": item.get("description", ""),
+                            "item_type": item.get("item_type", ""),
+                            "source": "database",
+                            "modified": item.get("updated_at", "")[:10]
+                            if item.get("updated_at")
+                            else "",
+                            "path": None,
+                        }
+                    )
+            except Exception as e:
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"DB search failed: {e}\n")
+
+        if self._local_checkbox.isChecked():
+            try:
+                for item in self._search_local(search_term):
+                    existing = next(
+                        (r for r in self._results_data if r["part_number"] == item["part_number"]),
+                        None,
+                    )
+                    if existing:
+                        existing["source"] = "both"
+                        existing["path"] = item.get("path")
+                    else:
+                        self._results_data.append(
+                            {
+                                "part_number": item.get("part_number", ""),
+                                "description": item.get("description", ""),
+                                "item_type": "",
+                                "source": "local",
+                                "modified": item.get("modified", "")[:10]
+                                if item.get("modified")
+                                else "",
+                                "path": item.get("path"),
+                            }
+                        )
+            except Exception as e:
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Local search failed: {e}\n")
+
+        self._populate_table()
+
+    def _populate_table(self):
+        """Refresh the results table from ``_results_data``."""
+        self._results_table.setRowCount(len(self._results_data))
+        for row, data in enumerate(self._results_data):
+            self._results_table.setItem(row, 0, QtWidgets.QTableWidgetItem(data["part_number"]))
+            self._results_table.setItem(row, 1, QtWidgets.QTableWidgetItem(data["description"]))
+            self._results_table.setItem(row, 2, QtWidgets.QTableWidgetItem(data["item_type"]))
+            self._results_table.setItem(row, 3, QtWidgets.QTableWidgetItem(data["source"]))
+            self._results_table.setItem(row, 4, QtWidgets.QTableWidgetItem(data["modified"]))
+        self._results_table.resizeColumnsToContents()
+
+    # ---- Selection ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _open_selected(self):
+        """Emit ``item_selected`` with the data from the selected row."""
+        selected = self._results_table.selectedItems()
+        if not selected:
+            return
+        row = selected[0].row()
+        self.item_selected.emit(dict(self._results_data[row]))

freecad/schema_form.py

@@ -0,0 +1,629 @@
+"""Schema-driven new-item form for Kindred Create.
+
+Fetches schema data from the Silo REST API and builds a dynamic Qt form
+that mirrors the React ``CreateItemPane`` — category picker, property
+fields grouped by domain, live part number preview, and project tagging.
+
+The primary widget is :class:`SchemaFormWidget` (a plain ``QWidget``)
+which can be embedded in an MDI tab, dock panel, or wrapped in the
+backward-compatible :class:`SchemaFormDialog` modal.
+"""
+
+import json
+import urllib.error
+import urllib.parse
+import urllib.request
+
+import FreeCAD
+from PySide import QtCore, QtGui, QtWidgets
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Domain labels derived from the first character of category codes.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+_DOMAIN_LABELS = {
+    "F": "Fasteners",
+    "C": "Fluid Fittings",
+    "R": "Motion Components",
+    "S": "Structural",
+    "E": "Electrical",
+    "M": "Mechanical",
+    "T": "Tooling",
+    "A": "Assemblies",
+    "P": "Purchased",
+    "X": "Custom Fabricated",
+}
+
+_ITEM_TYPES = ["part", "assembly", "consumable", "tool"]
+_SOURCING_TYPES = ["manufactured", "purchased"]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Collapsible group box
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class _CollapsibleGroup(QtWidgets.QGroupBox):
+    """A QGroupBox that can be collapsed by clicking its title."""
+
+    def __init__(self, title: str, parent=None, collapsed=False):
+        super().__init__(title, parent)
+        self.setCheckable(True)
+        self.setChecked(not collapsed)
+        self.toggled.connect(self._on_toggled)
+        self._content = QtWidgets.QWidget()
+        self._layout = QtWidgets.QFormLayout(self._content)
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(8, 4, 8, 4)
+        self._layout.setSpacing(6)
+
+        outer = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(self)
+        outer.setContentsMargins(0, 4, 0, 0)
+        outer.addWidget(self._content)
+
+        if collapsed:
+            self._content.hide()
+
+    def form_layout(self) -> QtWidgets.QFormLayout:
+        return self._layout
+
+    def _on_toggled(self, checked: bool):
+        self._content.setVisible(checked)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Category picker (domain combo → subcategory combo)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class _CategoryPicker(QtWidgets.QWidget):
+    """Two chained combo boxes: domain group → subcategory within that group."""
+
+    category_changed = QtCore.Signal(str)  # emits full code e.g. "F01"
+
+    def __init__(self, categories: dict, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._categories = categories  # {code: description, ...}
+
+        # Group by first character
+        self._groups = {}  # {prefix: [(code, desc), ...]}
+        for code, desc in sorted(categories.items()):
+            prefix = code[0] if code else "?"
+            self._groups.setdefault(prefix, []).append((code, desc))
+
+        layout = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        layout.setSpacing(8)
+
+        self._domain_combo = QtWidgets.QComboBox()
+        self._domain_combo.addItem("-- Select domain --", "")
+        for prefix in sorted(self._groups.keys()):
+            label = _DOMAIN_LABELS.get(prefix, prefix)
+            count = len(self._groups[prefix])
+            self._domain_combo.addItem(f"{prefix} \u2014 {label} ({count})", prefix)
+        self._domain_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(self._on_domain_changed)
+        layout.addWidget(self._domain_combo, 1)
+
+        self._sub_combo = QtWidgets.QComboBox()
+        self._sub_combo.setEnabled(False)
+        self._sub_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(self._on_sub_changed)
+        layout.addWidget(self._sub_combo, 1)
+
+    def selected_category(self) -> str:
+        return self._sub_combo.currentData() or ""
+
+    def _on_domain_changed(self, _index: int):
+        prefix = self._domain_combo.currentData()
+        self._sub_combo.clear()
+        if not prefix:
+            self._sub_combo.setEnabled(False)
+            self.category_changed.emit("")
+            return
+
+        self._sub_combo.setEnabled(True)
+        self._sub_combo.addItem("-- Select subcategory --", "")
+        for code, desc in self._groups.get(prefix, []):
+            self._sub_combo.addItem(f"{code} \u2014 {desc}", code)
+
+    def _on_sub_changed(self, _index: int):
+        code = self._sub_combo.currentData() or ""
+        self.category_changed.emit(code)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Property field factory
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _make_field(prop_def: dict) -> QtWidgets.QWidget:
+    """Create a Qt widget for a property definition.
+
+    ``prop_def`` has keys: type, default, unit, description, required.
+    """
+    ptype = prop_def.get("type", "string")
+
+    if ptype == "boolean":
+        cb = QtWidgets.QCheckBox()
+        default = prop_def.get("default")
+        if default is True:
+            cb.setChecked(True)
+        if prop_def.get("description"):
+            cb.setToolTip(prop_def["description"])
+        return cb
+
+    if ptype == "number":
+        container = QtWidgets.QWidget()
+        h = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout(container)
+        h.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        h.setSpacing(4)
+
+        spin = QtWidgets.QDoubleSpinBox()
+        spin.setDecimals(4)
+        spin.setRange(-1e9, 1e9)
+        spin.setSpecialValueText("")  # show empty when at minimum
+        default = prop_def.get("default")
+        if default is not None and default != "":
+            try:
+                spin.setValue(float(default))
+            except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                pass
+        else:
+            spin.clear()
+        if prop_def.get("description"):
+            spin.setToolTip(prop_def["description"])
+        h.addWidget(spin, 1)
+
+        unit = prop_def.get("unit", "")
+        if unit:
+            unit_label = QtWidgets.QLabel(unit)
+            unit_label.setFixedWidth(40)
+            h.addWidget(unit_label)
+
+        return container
+
+    # Default: string
+    le = QtWidgets.QLineEdit()
+    default = prop_def.get("default")
+    if default and isinstance(default, str):
+        le.setText(default)
+    if prop_def.get("description"):
+        le.setPlaceholderText(prop_def["description"])
+        le.setToolTip(prop_def["description"])
+    return le
+
+
+def _read_field(widget: QtWidgets.QWidget, prop_def: dict):
+    """Extract the value from a property widget, type-converted."""
+    ptype = prop_def.get("type", "string")
+
+    if ptype == "boolean":
+        return widget.isChecked()
+
+    if ptype == "number":
+        spin = widget.findChild(QtWidgets.QDoubleSpinBox)
+        if spin is None:
+            return None
+        text = spin.text().strip()
+        if not text:
+            return None
+        return spin.value()
+
+    # string
+    if isinstance(widget, QtWidgets.QLineEdit):
+        val = widget.text().strip()
+        return val if val else None
+    return None
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Embeddable form widget
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class SchemaFormWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
+    """Schema-driven new-item form widget.
+
+    A plain ``QWidget`` that can be embedded in an MDI subwindow, dock
+    panel, or dialog.  Emits :pyqt:`item_created` on successful creation
+    and :pyqt:`cancelled` when the user clicks Cancel.
+    """
+
+    item_created = QtCore.Signal(dict)
+    cancelled = QtCore.Signal()
+
+    def __init__(self, client, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._client = client
+        self._prop_widgets = {}  # {key: (widget, prop_def)}
+        self._prop_groups = []  # list of _CollapsibleGroup to clear on category change
+        self._categories = {}
+        self._projects = []
+
+        self._load_schema_data()
+        self._build_ui()
+
+        # Part number preview debounce timer
+        self._pn_timer = QtCore.QTimer(self)
+        self._pn_timer.setSingleShot(True)
+        self._pn_timer.setInterval(500)
+        self._pn_timer.timeout.connect(self._update_pn_preview)
+
+    # -- data loading -------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _load_schema_data(self):
+        """Fetch categories and projects from the API."""
+        try:
+            schema = self._client.get_schema()
+            segments = schema.get("segments", [])
+            cat_segment = next((s for s in segments if s.get("name") == "category"), None)
+            if cat_segment and cat_segment.get("values"):
+                self._categories = cat_segment["values"]
+        except Exception as e:
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Schema form: failed to fetch schema: {e}\n")
+
+        try:
+            self._projects = self._client.get_projects() or []
+        except Exception:
+            self._projects = []
+
+    def _fetch_properties(self, category: str) -> dict:
+        """Fetch merged property definitions for a category."""
+        from silo_commands import _get_api_url, _get_auth_headers, _get_ssl_context
+
+        api_url = _get_api_url().rstrip("/")
+        url = f"{api_url}/schemas/kindred-rd/properties?category={urllib.parse.quote(category)}"
+        req = urllib.request.Request(url, method="GET")
+        req.add_header("Accept", "application/json")
+        for k, v in _get_auth_headers().items():
+            req.add_header(k, v)
+        try:
+            resp = urllib.request.urlopen(req, context=_get_ssl_context(), timeout=5)
+            data = json.loads(resp.read().decode("utf-8"))
+            return data.get("properties", data)
+        except Exception as e:
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(
+                f"Schema form: failed to fetch properties for {category}: {e}\n"
+            )
+            return {}
+
+    def _generate_pn_preview(self, category: str) -> str:
+        """Call the server to preview the next part number."""
+        from silo_commands import _get_api_url, _get_auth_headers, _get_ssl_context
+
+        api_url = _get_api_url().rstrip("/")
+        url = f"{api_url}/generate-part-number"
+        payload = json.dumps({"schema": "kindred-rd", "category": category}).encode()
+        req = urllib.request.Request(url, data=payload, method="POST")
+        req.add_header("Content-Type", "application/json")
+        req.add_header("Accept", "application/json")
+        for k, v in _get_auth_headers().items():
+            req.add_header(k, v)
+        try:
+            resp = urllib.request.urlopen(req, context=_get_ssl_context(), timeout=5)
+            data = json.loads(resp.read().decode("utf-8"))
+            return data.get("part_number", "")
+        except Exception:
+            return ""
+
+    # -- UI construction ----------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _build_ui(self):
+        root = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(self)
+        root.setSpacing(8)
+
+        # Inline error label (hidden by default)
+        self._error_label = QtWidgets.QLabel()
+        self._error_label.setStyleSheet(
+            "background-color: #f38ba8; color: #1e1e2e; "
+            "padding: 8px; border-radius: 4px; font-weight: bold;"
+        )
+        self._error_label.setAlignment(QtCore.Qt.AlignCenter)
+        self._error_label.hide()
+        root.addWidget(self._error_label)
+
+        # Part number preview banner
+        self._pn_label = QtWidgets.QLabel("Part Number: \u2014")
+        self._pn_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px;")
+        self._pn_label.setAlignment(QtCore.Qt.AlignCenter)
+        root.addWidget(self._pn_label)
+
+        # Scroll area for form content
+        scroll = QtWidgets.QScrollArea()
+        scroll.setWidgetResizable(True)
+        scroll.setFrameShape(QtWidgets.QFrame.NoFrame)
+        scroll_content = QtWidgets.QWidget()
+        self._form_layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(scroll_content)
+        self._form_layout.setSpacing(8)
+        self._form_layout.setContentsMargins(8, 4, 8, 4)
+        scroll.setWidget(scroll_content)
+        root.addWidget(scroll, 1)
+
+        # --- Identity section ---
+        identity = _CollapsibleGroup("Identity")
+        fl = identity.form_layout()
+
+        self._type_combo = QtWidgets.QComboBox()
+        for t in _ITEM_TYPES:
+            self._type_combo.addItem(t.capitalize(), t)
+        fl.addRow("Type:", self._type_combo)
+
+        self._desc_edit = QtWidgets.QLineEdit()
+        self._desc_edit.setPlaceholderText("Item description")
+        fl.addRow("Description:", self._desc_edit)
+
+        self._cat_picker = _CategoryPicker(self._categories)
+        self._cat_picker.category_changed.connect(self._on_category_changed)
+        fl.addRow("Category:", self._cat_picker)
+
+        self._form_layout.addWidget(identity)
+
+        # --- Sourcing section ---
+        sourcing = _CollapsibleGroup("Sourcing", collapsed=True)
+        fl = sourcing.form_layout()
+
+        self._sourcing_combo = QtWidgets.QComboBox()
+        for s in _SOURCING_TYPES:
+            self._sourcing_combo.addItem(s.capitalize(), s)
+        fl.addRow("Sourcing:", self._sourcing_combo)
+
+        self._cost_spin = QtWidgets.QDoubleSpinBox()
+        self._cost_spin.setDecimals(2)
+        self._cost_spin.setRange(0, 1e9)
+        self._cost_spin.setPrefix("$ ")
+        self._cost_spin.setSpecialValueText("")
+        fl.addRow("Standard Cost:", self._cost_spin)
+
+        self._sourcing_url = QtWidgets.QLineEdit()
+        self._sourcing_url.setPlaceholderText("https://...")
+        fl.addRow("Sourcing URL:", self._sourcing_url)
+
+        self._form_layout.addWidget(sourcing)
+
+        # --- Details section ---
+        details = _CollapsibleGroup("Details", collapsed=True)
+        fl = details.form_layout()
+
+        self._long_desc = QtWidgets.QTextEdit()
+        self._long_desc.setMaximumHeight(80)
+        self._long_desc.setPlaceholderText("Detailed description...")
+        fl.addRow("Long Description:", self._long_desc)
+
+        # Project selection
+        self._project_list = QtWidgets.QListWidget()
+        self._project_list.setSelectionMode(QtWidgets.QAbstractItemView.MultiSelection)
+        self._project_list.setMaximumHeight(100)
+        for proj in self._projects:
+            code = proj.get("code", "")
+            name = proj.get("name", "")
+            label = f"{code} \u2014 {name}" if name else code
+            item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem(label)
+            item.setData(QtCore.Qt.UserRole, code)
+            self._project_list.addItem(item)
+        if self._projects:
+            fl.addRow("Projects:", self._project_list)
+
+        self._form_layout.addWidget(details)
+
+        # --- Dynamic property groups (inserted here on category change) ---
+        self._prop_insert_index = self._form_layout.count()
+
+        # Spacer
+        self._form_layout.addStretch()
+
+        # --- Buttons ---
+        btn_layout = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout()
+        btn_layout.addStretch()
+
+        self._cancel_btn = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Cancel")
+        self._cancel_btn.clicked.connect(self.cancelled.emit)
+        btn_layout.addWidget(self._cancel_btn)
+
+        self._create_btn = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Create")
+        self._create_btn.setEnabled(False)
+        self._create_btn.setDefault(True)
+        self._create_btn.clicked.connect(self._on_create)
+        btn_layout.addWidget(self._create_btn)
+
+        root.addLayout(btn_layout)
+
+    # -- category change ----------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _on_category_changed(self, category: str):
+        """Rebuild property groups when category selection changes."""
+        self._create_btn.setEnabled(bool(category))
+
+        # Remove old property groups
+        for group in self._prop_groups:
+            self._form_layout.removeWidget(group)
+            group.deleteLater()
+        self._prop_groups.clear()
+        self._prop_widgets.clear()
+
+        if not category:
+            self._pn_label.setText("Part Number: \u2014")
+            return
+
+        # Trigger part number preview
+        self._pn_timer.start()
+
+        # Fetch properties
+        all_props = self._fetch_properties(category)
+        if not all_props:
+            return
+
+        # Separate into category-specific and common (default) properties.
+        # The server merges them but we can identify category-specific ones
+        # by checking what the schema defines for this category prefix.
+        prefix = category[0]
+        domain_label = _DOMAIN_LABELS.get(prefix, prefix)
+
+        # We fetch the raw schema to determine which keys are category-specific.
+        # For now, use a heuristic: keys that are NOT in the well-known defaults
+        # list are category-specific.
+        _KNOWN_DEFAULTS = {
+            "manufacturer",
+            "manufacturer_pn",
+            "supplier",
+            "supplier_pn",
+            "sourcing_link",
+            "standard_cost",
+            "lead_time_days",
+            "minimum_order_qty",
+            "lifecycle_status",
+            "rohs_compliant",
+            "country_of_origin",
+            "notes",
+        }
+
+        cat_specific = {}
+        common = {}
+        for key, pdef in sorted(all_props.items()):
+            if key in _KNOWN_DEFAULTS:
+                common[key] = pdef
+            else:
+                cat_specific[key] = pdef
+
+        insert_pos = self._prop_insert_index
+
+        # Category-specific properties group
+        if cat_specific:
+            group = _CollapsibleGroup(f"{domain_label} Properties")
+            fl = group.form_layout()
+            for key, pdef in cat_specific.items():
+                label = key.replace("_", " ").title()
+                widget = _make_field(pdef)
+                fl.addRow(f"{label}:", widget)
+                self._prop_widgets[key] = (widget, pdef)
+            self._form_layout.insertWidget(insert_pos, group)
+            self._prop_groups.append(group)
+            insert_pos += 1
+
+        # Common properties group (collapsed by default)
+        if common:
+            group = _CollapsibleGroup("Common Properties", collapsed=True)
+            fl = group.form_layout()
+            for key, pdef in common.items():
+                label = key.replace("_", " ").title()
+                widget = _make_field(pdef)
+                fl.addRow(f"{label}:", widget)
+                self._prop_widgets[key] = (widget, pdef)
+            self._form_layout.insertWidget(insert_pos, group)
+            self._prop_groups.append(group)
+
+    def _update_pn_preview(self):
+        """Fetch and display the next part number preview."""
+        category = self._cat_picker.selected_category()
+        if not category:
+            self._pn_label.setText("Part Number: \u2014")
+            return
+
+        pn = self._generate_pn_preview(category)
+        if pn:
+            self._pn_label.setText(f"Part Number: {pn}")
+            self.setWindowTitle(f"New: {pn}")
+        else:
+            self._pn_label.setText(f"Part Number: {category}-????")
+            self.setWindowTitle(f"New: {category}-????")
+
+    # -- submission ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _collect_form_data(self) -> dict:
+        """Collect all form values into a dict suitable for create_item."""
+        category = self._cat_picker.selected_category()
+        description = self._desc_edit.text().strip()
+        item_type = self._type_combo.currentData()
+        sourcing_type = self._sourcing_combo.currentData()
+        cost_text = self._cost_spin.text().strip().lstrip("$ ")
+        standard_cost = float(cost_text) if cost_text else None
+        sourcing_link = self._sourcing_url.text().strip() or None
+        long_description = self._long_desc.toPlainText().strip() or None
+
+        # Projects
+        selected_projects = []
+        for item in self._project_list.selectedItems():
+            code = item.data(QtCore.Qt.UserRole)
+            if code:
+                selected_projects.append(code)
+
+        # Properties
+        properties = {}
+        for key, (widget, pdef) in self._prop_widgets.items():
+            val = _read_field(widget, pdef)
+            if val is not None and val != "":
+                properties[key] = val
+
+        return {
+            "category": category,
+            "description": description,
+            "item_type": item_type,
+            "sourcing_type": sourcing_type,
+            "standard_cost": standard_cost,
+            "sourcing_link": sourcing_link,
+            "long_description": long_description,
+            "projects": selected_projects if selected_projects else None,
+            "properties": properties if properties else None,
+        }
+
+    def _on_create(self):
+        """Validate and submit the form."""
+        self._error_label.hide()
+        data = self._collect_form_data()
+
+        if not data["category"]:
+            self._error_label.setText("Category is required.")
+            self._error_label.show()
+            return
+
+        try:
+            result = self._client.create_item(
+                "kindred-rd",
+                data["category"],
+                data["description"],
+                projects=data["projects"],
+            )
+            result["_form_data"] = data
+            self.item_created.emit(result)
+        except Exception as e:
+            self._error_label.setText(f"Failed to create item: {e}")
+            self._error_label.show()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Modal dialog wrapper (backward compatibility)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class SchemaFormDialog(QtWidgets.QDialog):
+    """Modal dialog wrapper around :class:`SchemaFormWidget`.
+
+    Provides the same ``exec_and_create()`` API as the original
+    implementation for callers that still need blocking modal behavior.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, client, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setWindowTitle("New Item")
+        self.setMinimumSize(600, 500)
+        self.resize(680, 700)
+        self._result = None
+
+        layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._form = SchemaFormWidget(client, parent=self)
+        self._form.item_created.connect(self._on_created)
+        self._form.cancelled.connect(self.reject)
+        layout.addWidget(self._form)
+
+    @property
+    def _desc_edit(self):
+        """Expose description field for pre-fill by callers."""
+        return self._form._desc_edit
+
+    def _on_created(self, result):
+        self._result = result
+        self.accept()
+
+    def exec_and_create(self):
+        """Show dialog and return the creation result, or None if cancelled."""
+        if self.exec_() == QtWidgets.QDialog.Accepted:
+            return self._result
+        return None

freecad/silo_commands.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import socket
 import urllib.error
 import urllib.parse
 import urllib.request
+from datetime import datetime
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
 
@@ -31,6 +32,25 @@ SILO_PROJECTS_DIR = os.environ.get(
 )
 
 
+def _relative_time(dt):
+    """Format a datetime as a human-friendly relative string."""
+    now = datetime.now()
+    diff = now - dt
+    seconds = int(diff.total_seconds())
+    if seconds < 60:
+        return "just now"
+    minutes = seconds // 60
+    if minutes < 60:
+        return f"{minutes}m ago"
+    hours = minutes // 60
+    if hours < 24:
+        return f"{hours}h ago"
+    days = hours // 24
+    if days < 30:
+        return f"{days}d ago"
+    return dt.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # FreeCAD settings adapter
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -557,6 +577,37 @@ class SiloSync:
 _sync = SiloSync()
 
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# kindred:// URL handler
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def handle_kindred_url(url: str):
+    """Handle a ``kindred://`` URL by opening the referenced item.
+
+    URL format::
+
+        kindred://item/{part_number}
+        kindred://item/{part_number}/revision/{rev_number}
+
+    Called from C++ ``MainWindow::processMessages()`` when a ``kindred://``
+    URL arrives via IPC, or from ``InitGui.py`` for cold-start URL arguments.
+    """
+    from urllib.parse import urlparse
+
+    parsed = urlparse(url)
+    if parsed.scheme != "kindred":
+        return
+    # urlparse treats "kindred://item/PN-001" as netloc="item", path="/PN-001"
+    parts = [parsed.netloc] + [p for p in parsed.path.split("/") if p]
+    if len(parts) >= 2 and parts[0] == "item":
+        part_number = parts[1]
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(
+            f"Silo: Opening item {part_number} from kindred:// URL\n"
+        )
+        _sync.open_item(part_number)
+
+
 # ============================================================================
 # COMMANDS
 # ============================================================================
@@ -573,157 +624,44 @@ class Silo_Open:
         }
 
     def Activated(self):
-        from PySide import QtCore, QtGui
+        from open_search import OpenItemWidget
+        from PySide import QtGui, QtWidgets
 
-        dialog = QtGui.QDialog()
-        dialog.setWindowTitle("Silo - Open Item")
-        dialog.setMinimumWidth(700)
-        dialog.setMinimumHeight(500)
+        mw = FreeCADGui.getMainWindow()
+        mdi = mw.findChild(QtWidgets.QMdiArea)
+        if not mdi:
+            return
 
-        layout = QtGui.QVBoxLayout(dialog)
+        widget = OpenItemWidget(_client, search_local_files)
 
-        # Search row
-        search_layout = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
-        search_input = QtGui.QLineEdit()
-        search_input.setPlaceholderText("Search by part number or description...")
-        search_layout.addWidget(search_input)
-        layout.addLayout(search_layout)
+        sw = mdi.addSubWindow(widget)
+        sw.setWindowTitle("Open Item")
+        sw.setWindowIcon(QtGui.QIcon(_icon("open")))
+        sw.show()
+        mdi.setActiveSubWindow(sw)
 
-        # Filters
-        filter_layout = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
-        db_checkbox = QtGui.QCheckBox("Database")
-        db_checkbox.setChecked(True)
-        local_checkbox = QtGui.QCheckBox("Local Files")
-        local_checkbox.setChecked(True)
-        filter_layout.addWidget(db_checkbox)
-        filter_layout.addWidget(local_checkbox)
-        filter_layout.addStretch()
-        layout.addLayout(filter_layout)
-
-        # Results table
-        results_table = QtGui.QTableWidget()
-        results_table.setColumnCount(5)
-        results_table.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(
-            ["Part Number", "Description", "Type", "Source", "Modified"]
-        )
-        results_table.setSelectionBehavior(QtGui.QAbstractItemView.SelectRows)
-        results_table.setSelectionMode(QtGui.QAbstractItemView.SingleSelection)
-        results_table.horizontalHeader().setStretchLastSection(True)
-        results_table.setEditTriggers(QtGui.QAbstractItemView.NoEditTriggers)
-        layout.addWidget(results_table)
-
-        results_data = []
-
-        def do_search():
-            nonlocal results_data
-            search_term = search_input.text().strip()
-            results_data = []
-            results_table.setRowCount(0)
-
-            if db_checkbox.isChecked():
-                try:
-                    for item in _client.list_items(search=search_term):
-                        results_data.append(
-                            {
-                                "part_number": item.get("part_number", ""),
-                                "description": item.get("description", ""),
-                                "item_type": item.get("item_type", ""),
-                                "source": "database",
-                                "modified": item.get("updated_at", "")[:10]
-                                if item.get("updated_at")
-                                else "",
-                                "path": None,
-                            }
-                        )
-                except Exception as e:
-                    FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"DB search failed: {e}\n")
-
-            if local_checkbox.isChecked():
-                try:
-                    for item in search_local_files(search_term):
-                        existing = next(
-                            (
-                                r
-                                for r in results_data
-                                if r["part_number"] == item["part_number"]
-                            ),
-                            None,
-                        )
-                        if existing:
-                            existing["source"] = "both"
-                            existing["path"] = item.get("path")
-                        else:
-                            results_data.append(
-                                {
-                                    "part_number": item.get("part_number", ""),
-                                    "description": item.get("description", ""),
-                                    "item_type": "",
-                                    "source": "local",
-                                    "modified": item.get("modified", "")[:10]
-                                    if item.get("modified")
-                                    else "",
-                                    "path": item.get("path"),
-                                }
-                            )
-                except Exception as e:
-                    FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Local search failed: {e}\n")
-
-            results_table.setRowCount(len(results_data))
-            for row, data in enumerate(results_data):
-                results_table.setItem(
-                    row, 0, QtGui.QTableWidgetItem(data["part_number"])
-                )
-                results_table.setItem(
-                    row, 1, QtGui.QTableWidgetItem(data["description"])
-                )
-                results_table.setItem(row, 2, QtGui.QTableWidgetItem(data["item_type"]))
-                results_table.setItem(row, 3, QtGui.QTableWidgetItem(data["source"]))
-                results_table.setItem(row, 4, QtGui.QTableWidgetItem(data["modified"]))
-            results_table.resizeColumnsToContents()
-
-        _open_after_close = [None]
-
-        def open_selected():
-            selected = results_table.selectedItems()
-            if not selected:
-                return
-            row = selected[0].row()
-            _open_after_close[0] = dict(results_data[row])
-            dialog.accept()
-
-        search_input.textChanged.connect(lambda: do_search())
-        results_table.doubleClicked.connect(open_selected)
-
-        # Buttons
-        btn_layout = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
-        open_btn = QtGui.QPushButton("Open")
-        open_btn.clicked.connect(open_selected)
-        cancel_btn = QtGui.QPushButton("Cancel")
-        cancel_btn.clicked.connect(dialog.reject)
-        btn_layout.addStretch()
-        btn_layout.addWidget(open_btn)
-        btn_layout.addWidget(cancel_btn)
-        layout.addLayout(btn_layout)
-
-        do_search()
-        dialog.exec_()
-
-        # Open the document AFTER the dialog has fully closed so that
-        # heavy document loads (especially Assembly files) don't run
-        # inside the dialog's nested event loop, which can cause crashes.
-        data = _open_after_close[0]
-        if data is not None:
+        def _on_selected(data):
+            sw.close()
             if data.get("path"):
                 FreeCAD.openDocument(data["path"])
             else:
                 _sync.open_item(data["part_number"])
 
+        widget.item_selected.connect(_on_selected)
+        widget.cancelled.connect(sw.close)
+
     def IsActive(self):
         return True
 
 
 class Silo_New:
-    """Create new item with part number."""
+    """Create new item with part number.
+
+    Opens a pre-document MDI tab containing the schema-driven creation
+    form.  Each invocation opens a new tab so multiple items can be
+    prepared in parallel.  On successful creation the tab closes and
+    the real document opens in its place.
+    """
 
     def GetResources(self):
         return {
@@ -733,122 +671,61 @@ class Silo_New:
         }
 
     def Activated(self):
-        from PySide import QtGui
+        from PySide import QtGui, QtWidgets
+        from schema_form import SchemaFormWidget
 
-        sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()
-
-        # Category selection
-        try:
-            schema = _client.get_schema()
-            categories = schema.get("segments", [])
-            cat_segment = next(
-                (s for s in categories if s.get("name") == "category"), None
-            )
-            if cat_segment and cat_segment.get("values"):
-                cat_list = [
-                    f"{k} - {v}" for k, v in sorted(cat_segment["values"].items())
-                ]
-                category_str, ok = QtGui.QInputDialog.getItem(
-                    None, "New Item", "Category:", cat_list, 0, False
-                )
-                if not ok:
-                    return
-                category = category_str.split(" - ")[0]
-            else:
-                category, ok = QtGui.QInputDialog.getText(
-                    None, "New Item", "Category code:"
-                )
-                if not ok:
-                    return
-        except Exception:
-            category, ok = QtGui.QInputDialog.getText(
-                None, "New Item", "Category code:"
-            )
-            if not ok:
-                return
-
-        # Description
-        default_desc = sel[0].Label if sel else ""
-        description, ok = QtGui.QInputDialog.getText(
-            None, "New Item", "Description:", text=default_desc
-        )
-        if not ok:
+        mw = FreeCADGui.getMainWindow()
+        mdi = mw.findChild(QtWidgets.QMdiArea)
+        if not mdi:
             return
 
-        # Optional project tagging
-        selected_projects = []
-        try:
-            projects = _client.get_projects()
-            if projects:
-                project_codes = [p.get("code", "") for p in projects if p.get("code")]
-                if project_codes:
-                    # Multi-select dialog for projects
-                    dialog = QtGui.QDialog()
-                    dialog.setWindowTitle("Tag with Projects (Optional)")
-                    dialog.setMinimumWidth(300)
-                    layout = QtGui.QVBoxLayout(dialog)
+        # Each invocation creates a new pre-document tab
+        form = SchemaFormWidget(_client)
 
-                    label = QtGui.QLabel("Select projects to tag this item with:")
-                    layout.addWidget(label)
+        # Pre-fill description from current selection
+        sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()
+        if sel:
+            form._desc_edit.setText(sel[0].Label)
 
-                    list_widget = QtGui.QListWidget()
-                    list_widget.setSelectionMode(QtGui.QAbstractItemView.MultiSelection)
-                    for code in project_codes:
-                        list_widget.addItem(code)
-                    layout.addWidget(list_widget)
+        # Add as MDI subwindow (appears as a tab alongside documents)
+        sw = mdi.addSubWindow(form)
+        sw.setWindowTitle("New Item")
+        sw.setWindowIcon(QtGui.QIcon(_icon("new")))
+        sw.show()
+        mdi.setActiveSubWindow(sw)
 
-                    btn_layout = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
-                    skip_btn = QtGui.QPushButton("Skip")
-                    ok_btn = QtGui.QPushButton("Tag Selected")
-                    btn_layout.addWidget(skip_btn)
-                    btn_layout.addWidget(ok_btn)
-                    layout.addLayout(btn_layout)
-
-                    skip_btn.clicked.connect(dialog.reject)
-                    ok_btn.clicked.connect(dialog.accept)
-
-                    if dialog.exec_() == QtGui.QDialog.Accepted:
-                        selected_projects = [
-                            item.text() for item in list_widget.selectedItems()
-                        ]
-        except Exception as e:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Could not fetch projects: {e}\n")
-
-        try:
-            result = _client.create_item(
-                "kindred-rd",
-                category,
-                description,
-                projects=selected_projects if selected_projects else None,
-            )
+        # On creation: process result, close tab, open real document
+        def _on_created(result):
             part_number = result["part_number"]
 
-            if sel:
-                # Tag selected object
-                obj = sel[0]
-                set_silo_properties(
-                    obj,
-                    {
-                        "SiloItemId": result.get("id", ""),
-                        "SiloPartNumber": part_number,
-                        "SiloRevision": 1,
-                    },
-                )
-                obj.Label = part_number
-                _sync.save_to_canonical_path(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument, force_rename=True)
-            else:
-                # Create new document
-                _sync.create_document_for_item(result, save=True)
+            try:
+                sel_now = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()
+                if sel_now:
+                    obj = sel_now[0]
+                    set_silo_properties(
+                        obj,
+                        {
+                            "SiloItemId": result.get("id", ""),
+                            "SiloPartNumber": part_number,
+                            "SiloRevision": 1,
+                        },
+                    )
+                    obj.Label = part_number
+                    _sync.save_to_canonical_path(
+                        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument, force_rename=True
+                    )
+                else:
+                    _sync.create_document_for_item(result, save=True)
 
-            msg = f"Part number: {part_number}"
-            if selected_projects:
-                msg += f"\nTagged with projects: {', '.join(selected_projects)}"
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(f"Created: {part_number}\n")
+            except Exception as e:
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Failed to process created item: {e}\n")
 
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(f"Created: {part_number}\n")
-            QtGui.QMessageBox.information(None, "Item Created", msg)
+            # Close the pre-document tab
+            sw.close()
 
-        except Exception as e:
-            QtGui.QMessageBox.critical(None, "Error", str(e))
+        form.item_created.connect(_on_created)
+        form.cancelled.connect(sw.close)
 
     def IsActive(self):
         return _server_mode == "normal"
@@ -993,8 +870,10 @@ def _check_pull_conflicts(part_number, local_path, doc=None):
     conflicts = []
 
     # Check for unsaved changes in an open document
-    if doc is not None and doc.IsModified():
-        conflicts.append("Document has unsaved local changes.")
+    if doc is not None:
+        gui_doc = FreeCADGui.getDocument(doc.Name) if doc.Name else None
+        if gui_doc and gui_doc.Modified:
+            conflicts.append("Document has unsaved local changes.")
 
     # Check local revision vs server latest
     if doc is not None:
@@ -1126,6 +1005,67 @@ class SiloPullDialog:
         return None
 
 
+def _pull_dependencies(part_number, progress_callback=None):
+    """Recursively pull all BOM children that have files on the server.
+
+    Returns list of (part_number, dest_path) tuples for successfully pulled files.
+    Skips children that already exist locally.
+    """
+    pulled = []
+    try:
+        bom = _client.get_bom(part_number)
+    except Exception as e:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Could not fetch BOM for {part_number}: {e}\n")
+        return pulled
+
+    for entry in bom:
+        child_pn = entry.get("child_part_number")
+        if not child_pn:
+            continue
+
+        # Skip if already exists locally
+        existing = find_file_by_part_number(child_pn)
+        if existing and existing.exists():
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(
+                f"  {child_pn}: already exists at {existing}\n"
+            )
+            # Still recurse — this child may itself be an assembly with missing deps
+            _pull_dependencies(child_pn, progress_callback)
+            continue
+
+        # Check if this child has a file on the server
+        try:
+            latest = _client.latest_file_revision(child_pn)
+        except Exception:
+            latest = None
+
+        if not latest or not latest.get("file_key"):
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(f"  {child_pn}: no file on server, skipping\n")
+            continue
+
+        # Determine destination path
+        child_desc = entry.get("child_description", "")
+        dest_path = get_cad_file_path(child_pn, child_desc)
+        dest_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+        rev_num = latest["revision_number"]
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(f"  Pulling {child_pn} rev {rev_num}...\n")
+
+        try:
+            ok = _client._download_file(
+                child_pn, rev_num, str(dest_path), progress_callback=progress_callback
+            )
+            if ok:
+                pulled.append((child_pn, dest_path))
+        except Exception as e:
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"  Failed to pull {child_pn}: {e}\n")
+
+        # Recurse into child (it may be a sub-assembly)
+        _pull_dependencies(child_pn, progress_callback)
+
+    return pulled
+
+
 class Silo_Pull:
     """Download from MinIO / sync from database."""
 
@@ -1224,7 +1164,7 @@ class Silo_Pull:
         progress = QtGui.QProgressDialog(
             f"Downloading {part_number} rev {rev_num}...", "Cancel", 0, 100
         )
-        progress.setWindowModality(2)  # Qt.WindowModal
+        progress.setWindowModality(QtCore.Qt.WindowModal)
         progress.setMinimumDuration(0)
         progress.setValue(0)
 
@@ -1257,6 +1197,19 @@ class Silo_Pull:
 
         FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(f"Pulled revision {rev_num} of {part_number}\n")
 
+        # Pull assembly dependencies before opening so links resolve
+        if item.get("item_type") == "assembly":
+            progress.setLabelText(f"Pulling dependencies for {part_number}...")
+            progress.setValue(0)
+            progress.show()
+            dep_pulled = _pull_dependencies(part_number, progress_callback=on_progress)
+            progress.setValue(100)
+            progress.close()
+            if dep_pulled:
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(
+                    f"Pulled {len(dep_pulled)} dependency file(s)\n"
+                )
+
         # Close existing document if open, then reopen
         if doc and doc.FileName == str(dest_path):
             FreeCAD.closeDocument(doc.Name)
@@ -1998,15 +1951,18 @@ class Silo_BOM:
 
         obj = get_tracked_object(doc)
         if not obj:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintError("No tracked Silo item in active document.\n")
-            from PySide import QtGui as _qg
-
-            _qg.QMessageBox.warning(
+            reply = QtGui.QMessageBox.question(
                 None,
                 "BOM",
-                "This document is not registered with Silo.\nUse Silo > New to register it first.",
+                "This document is not registered with Silo.\n\nRegister it now?",
+                QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes | QtGui.QMessageBox.No,
             )
-            return
+            if reply != QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes:
+                return
+            FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_New")
+            obj = get_tracked_object(doc)
+            if not obj:
+                return
 
         part_number = obj.SiloPartNumber
 
@@ -2394,23 +2350,30 @@ class SiloEventListener(QtCore.QThread):
     # -- thread entry -------------------------------------------------------
 
     def run(self):
+        import time
+
         retries = 0
         last_error = ""
         while not self._stop_flag:
+            t0 = time.monotonic()
             try:
                 self._listen()
                 # _listen returns normally only on clean EOF / stop
                 if self._stop_flag:
                     return
-                retries += 1
                 last_error = "connection closed"
             except _SSEUnsupported:
                 self.connection_status.emit("unsupported", 0, "")
                 return
             except Exception as exc:
-                retries += 1
                 last_error = str(exc) or "unknown error"
 
+            # Reset retries if the connection was up for a while
+            elapsed = time.monotonic() - t0
+            if elapsed > 30:
+                retries = 0
+            retries += 1
+
             if retries > self._MAX_RETRIES:
                 self.connection_status.emit("gave_up", retries - 1, last_error)
                 return
@@ -2428,7 +2391,7 @@ class SiloEventListener(QtCore.QThread):
     # -- SSE stream reader --------------------------------------------------
 
     def _listen(self):
-        url = f"{_get_api_url().rstrip('/')}/api/events"
+        url = f"{_get_api_url().rstrip('/')}/events"
         headers = {"Accept": "text/event-stream"}
         headers.update(_get_auth_headers())
         req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers=headers, method="GET")
@@ -2507,6 +2470,8 @@ class SiloAuthDockWidget:
 
         self.widget = QtGui.QWidget()
         self._event_listener = None
+        self._activity_events = []  # list of (datetime, text, part_number)
+        self._activity_seeded = False
         self._build_ui()
         self._refresh_status()
 
@@ -2514,6 +2479,11 @@ class SiloAuthDockWidget:
         self._timer.timeout.connect(self._refresh_status)
         self._timer.start(30000)
 
+        # Refresh relative timestamps every 60s
+        self._ts_timer = QtCore.QTimer(self.widget)
+        self._ts_timer.timeout.connect(self._rebuild_activity_feed)
+        self._ts_timer.start(60000)
+
     # -- UI construction ----------------------------------------------------
 
     def _build_ui(self):
@@ -2716,6 +2686,7 @@ class SiloAuthDockWidget:
             self._sse_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 11px; color: #4CAF50;")
             self._sse_label.setToolTip("")
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Silo: SSE connected\n")
+            self._seed_activity_feed()
         elif status == "disconnected":
             self._sse_label.setText(
                 f"Reconnecting ({retry}/{SiloEventListener._MAX_RETRIES})..."
@@ -2740,6 +2711,8 @@ class SiloAuthDockWidget:
         global _server_mode
         _server_mode = mode
         self._update_mode_banner()
+        if mode != "normal":
+            self._append_activity_event(f"Server mode: {mode}")
 
     def _update_mode_banner(self):
         _MODE_BANNERS = {
@@ -2770,7 +2743,7 @@ class SiloAuthDockWidget:
         mw = FreeCADGui.getMainWindow()
         if mw is not None:
             mw.statusBar().showMessage(f"Silo: {part_number} updated on server", 5000)
-        self._refresh_activity_panel()
+        self._append_activity_event(f"{part_number} updated", part_number)
 
     def _on_remote_revision(self, part_number, revision):
         FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(
@@ -2781,11 +2754,48 @@ class SiloAuthDockWidget:
             mw.statusBar().showMessage(
                 f"Silo: {part_number} rev {revision} available", 5000
             )
-        self._refresh_activity_panel()
+        self._append_activity_event(
+            f"{part_number} Rev {revision} created", part_number
+        )
 
-    def _refresh_activity_panel(self):
-        """Refresh the Database Activity panel if it exists."""
-        from PySide import QtCore, QtGui, QtWidgets
+    def _append_activity_event(self, text, pn=""):
+        """Prepend an event to the activity feed and rebuild the display."""
+        self._activity_events.insert(0, (datetime.now(), text, pn))
+        self._activity_events = self._activity_events[:50]
+        self._rebuild_activity_feed()
+
+    def _seed_activity_feed(self):
+        """One-time: populate the feed with recent items from the database."""
+        if self._activity_seeded:
+            return
+        self._activity_seeded = True
+        try:
+            items = _client.list_items()
+            if isinstance(items, list):
+                for item in reversed(items[:10]):
+                    pn = item.get("part_number", "")
+                    desc = item.get("description", "")
+                    if desc and len(desc) > 40:
+                        desc = desc[:37] + "..."
+                    text = f"{pn} \u2013 {desc}" if desc else pn
+                    updated = item.get("updated_at", "")
+                    ts = datetime.now()
+                    if updated:
+                        try:
+                            ts = datetime.fromisoformat(
+                                updated.replace("Z", "+00:00")
+                            ).replace(tzinfo=None)
+                        except (ValueError, AttributeError):
+                            pass
+                    self._activity_events.insert(0, (ts, text, pn))
+                self._activity_events = self._activity_events[:50]
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        self._rebuild_activity_feed()
+
+    def _rebuild_activity_feed(self):
+        """Render _activity_events into the Database Activity QListWidget."""
+        from PySide import QtCore, QtWidgets
 
         mw = FreeCADGui.getMainWindow()
         if mw is None:
@@ -2807,66 +2817,18 @@ class SiloAuthDockWidget:
             )
             activity_list._silo_connected = True
 
-        # Collect local part numbers for badge
-        local_pns = set()
-        try:
-            for lf in search_local_files():
-                local_pns.add(lf.get("part_number", ""))
-        except Exception:
-            pass
+        if not self._activity_events:
+            item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem("(No activity yet)")
+            item.setFlags(QtCore.Qt.NoItemFlags)
+            activity_list.addItem(item)
+            return
 
-        try:
-            items = _client.list_items()
-            if isinstance(items, list):
-                for item in items[:20]:
-                    pn = item.get("part_number", "")
-                    desc = item.get("description", "")
-                    updated = item.get("updated_at", "")
-                    if updated:
-                        updated = updated[:10]
-
-                    # Fetch latest revision info
-                    rev_num = ""
-                    comment = ""
-                    try:
-                        revs = _client.get_revisions(pn)
-                        if revs:
-                            latest = revs[0] if isinstance(revs, list) else revs
-                            rev_num = str(latest.get("revision_number", ""))
-                            comment = latest.get("comment", "") or ""
-                    except Exception:
-                        pass
-
-                    # Truncate long descriptions
-                    desc_display = desc
-                    if len(desc_display) > 40:
-                        desc_display = desc_display[:37] + "..."
-
-                    # Build display text
-                    rev_part = f" \u2013 Rev {rev_num}" if rev_num else ""
-                    date_part = f" \u2013 {updated}" if updated else ""
-                    local_badge = " \u25cf local" if pn in local_pns else ""
-                    line1 = (
-                        f"{pn} \u2013 {desc_display}{rev_part}{date_part}{local_badge}"
-                    )
-
-                    if comment:
-                        line1 += f'\n  "{comment}"'
-                    else:
-                        line1 += "\n  (no comment)"
-
-                    list_item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem(line1)
-                    list_item.setData(QtCore.Qt.UserRole, pn)
-                    if desc and len(desc) > 40:
-                        list_item.setToolTip(desc)
-                    if pn in local_pns:
-                        list_item.setForeground(QtGui.QColor("#4CAF50"))
-                    activity_list.addItem(list_item)
-
-            if activity_list.count() == 0:
-                activity_list.addItem("(No items in database)")
-        except Exception:
-            activity_list.addItem("(Unable to refresh activity)")
+        for ts, text, pn in self._activity_events:
+            label = f"{text}  \u00b7  {_relative_time(ts)}"
+            list_item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem(label)
+            if pn:
+                list_item.setData(QtCore.Qt.UserRole, pn)
+            activity_list.addItem(list_item)
 
     def _on_activity_double_click(self, item):
         """Open/checkout item from activity pane."""
@@ -3343,8 +3305,6 @@ class _DiagWorker(QtCore.QThread):
             addrs = socket.getaddrinfo(
                 hostname, None, socket.AF_UNSPEC, socket.SOCK_STREAM
             )
-            first_ip = addrs[0][4][0] if addrs else "?"
-            self.result.emit("DNS", True, f"{hostname} -> {first_ip}")
         except socket.gaierror as e:
             self.result.emit("DNS", False, f"{hostname}: {e}")
         except Exception as e:

freecad/silo_origin.py

@@ -299,9 +299,7 @@ class SiloOrigin:
             Created App.Document or None
         """
         try:
-            cmd = FreeCADGui.Command.get("Silo_New")
-            if cmd:
-                cmd.Activated()
+            FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_New")
             return FreeCAD.ActiveDocument
         except Exception as e:
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo new document failed: {e}\n")
@@ -322,9 +320,7 @@ class SiloOrigin:
         if not identity:
             # No identity - show search dialog
             try:
-                cmd = FreeCADGui.Command.get("Silo_Open")
-                if cmd:
-                    cmd.Activated()
+                FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_Open")
                 return FreeCAD.ActiveDocument
             except Exception as e:
                 FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo open failed: {e}\n")
@@ -354,9 +350,7 @@ class SiloOrigin:
             Opened App.Document or None
         """
         try:
-            cmd = FreeCADGui.Command.get("Silo_Open")
-            if cmd:
-                cmd.Activated()
+            FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_Open")
             return FreeCAD.ActiveDocument
         except Exception as e:
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo open failed: {e}\n")
@@ -398,12 +392,17 @@ class SiloOrigin:
                 obj.SiloPartNumber, str(file_path), properties, comment=""
             )
 
-            # Clear modified flag
-            doc.Modified = False
+            # Clear modified flag (Modified is on Gui.Document, not App.Document)
+            gui_doc = FreeCADGui.getDocument(doc.Name)
+            if gui_doc:
+                gui_doc.Modified = False
 
             return True
         except Exception as e:
+            import traceback
+
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo save failed: {e}\n")
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(traceback.format_exc())
             return False
 
     def saveDocumentAs(self, doc, newIdentity: str) -> bool:
@@ -473,10 +472,8 @@ class SiloOrigin:
             True if command was executed
         """
         try:
-            cmd = FreeCADGui.Command.get("Silo_Commit")
-            if cmd:
-                cmd.Activated()
-                return True
+            FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_Commit")
+            return True
         except Exception as e:
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo commit failed: {e}\n")
         return False
@@ -493,10 +490,8 @@ class SiloOrigin:
             True if command was executed
         """
         try:
-            cmd = FreeCADGui.Command.get("Silo_Pull")
-            if cmd:
-                cmd.Activated()
-                return True
+            FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_Pull")
+            return True
         except Exception as e:
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo pull failed: {e}\n")
         return False
@@ -513,10 +508,8 @@ class SiloOrigin:
             True if command was executed
         """
         try:
-            cmd = FreeCADGui.Command.get("Silo_Push")
-            if cmd:
-                cmd.Activated()
-                return True
+            FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_Push")
+            return True
         except Exception as e:
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo push failed: {e}\n")
         return False
@@ -530,9 +523,7 @@ class SiloOrigin:
             doc: FreeCAD App.Document
         """
         try:
-            cmd = FreeCADGui.Command.get("Silo_Info")
-            if cmd:
-                cmd.Activated()
+            FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_Info")
         except Exception as e:
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo info failed: {e}\n")
 
@@ -545,9 +536,7 @@ class SiloOrigin:
             doc: FreeCAD App.Document
         """
         try:
-            cmd = FreeCADGui.Command.get("Silo_BOM")
-            if cmd:
-                cmd.Activated()
+            FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_BOM")
         except Exception as e:
             FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo BOM failed: {e}\n")
 

freecad/silo_start.py

@@ -0,0 +1,667 @@
+"""Silo Start Page — native Qt start view for Kindred Create.
+
+Replaces the default Start page with a rich native panel that fetches data
+from the Silo REST API, shows real-time activity via SSE, and provides quick
+access to database items and recent local files.
+
+The command override is activated by calling ``register()`` at module level
+from InitGui.py, which overwrites the C++ ``Start_Start`` command.
+"""
+
+import os
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import FreeCAD
+import FreeCADGui
+from PySide import QtCore, QtGui, QtWidgets
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Catppuccin Mocha palette
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+_MOCHA = {
+    "base": "#1e1e2e",
+    "mantle": "#181825",
+    "crust": "#11111b",
+    "surface0": "#313244",
+    "surface1": "#45475a",
+    "surface2": "#585b70",
+    "text": "#cdd6f4",
+    "subtext0": "#a6adc8",
+    "subtext1": "#bac2de",
+    "blue": "#89b4fa",
+    "green": "#a6e3a1",
+    "red": "#f38ba8",
+    "peach": "#fab387",
+    "lavender": "#b4befe",
+    "overlay0": "#6c7086",
+}
+
+_PREF_GROUP = "User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/KindredSilo"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _get_silo_base_url() -> str:
+    """Return the Silo web UI root URL (without /api)."""
+    param = FreeCAD.ParamGet(_PREF_GROUP)
+    url = param.GetString("ApiUrl", "")
+    if not url:
+        url = os.environ.get("SILO_API_URL", "http://localhost:8080/api")
+    url = url.rstrip("/")
+    if url.endswith("/api"):
+        url = url[:-4]
+    return url
+
+
+def _get_recent_files() -> list:
+    """Read recent files from FreeCAD preferences."""
+    group = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/RecentFiles")
+    count = group.GetInt("RecentFiles", 0)
+    files = []
+    for i in range(count):
+        path = group.GetString(f"MRU{i}", "")
+        if path and os.path.exists(path):
+            p = Path(path)
+            mtime = datetime.fromtimestamp(p.stat().st_mtime)
+            files.append({"path": str(p), "name": p.name, "modified": mtime})
+    return files
+
+
+def _relative_time(dt: datetime) -> str:
+    """Format a datetime as a human-friendly relative string."""
+    now = datetime.now()
+    diff = now - dt
+    seconds = int(diff.total_seconds())
+    if seconds < 60:
+        return "just now"
+    minutes = seconds // 60
+    if minutes < 60:
+        return f"{minutes}m ago"
+    hours = minutes // 60
+    if hours < 24:
+        return f"{hours}h ago"
+    days = hours // 24
+    if days < 30:
+        return f"{days}d ago"
+    return dt.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Stylesheet
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+_STYLESHEET = f"""
+SiloStartView {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["base"]};
+}}
+
+/* --- Status banner --- */
+#SiloStatusBanner {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["surface0"]};
+    border-radius: 8px;
+}}
+#SiloStatusBanner QLabel {{
+    color: {_MOCHA["text"]};
+    font-size: 13px;
+}}
+#SiloStatusBanner QPushButton {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["blue"]};
+    color: {_MOCHA["crust"]};
+    border: none;
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    padding: 6px 12px;
+    font-weight: bold;
+    font-size: 12px;
+}}
+#SiloStatusBanner QPushButton:hover {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["lavender"]};
+}}
+
+/* --- Section headers --- */
+.SiloSectionHeader {{
+    color: {_MOCHA["text"]};
+    font-size: 14px;
+    font-weight: bold;
+}}
+
+/* --- Search field --- */
+#SiloSearchField {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["surface0"]};
+    border: 1px solid {_MOCHA["surface1"]};
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    padding: 6px 10px;
+    color: {_MOCHA["text"]};
+    font-size: 13px;
+}}
+#SiloSearchField:focus {{
+    border-color: {_MOCHA["blue"]};
+}}
+
+/* --- List widgets --- */
+.SiloList {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["mantle"]};
+    border: 1px solid {_MOCHA["surface0"]};
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    padding: 4px;
+}}
+.SiloList::item {{
+    padding: 8px 10px;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid {_MOCHA["surface0"]};
+    color: {_MOCHA["text"]};
+}}
+.SiloList::item:last {{
+    border-bottom: none;
+}}
+.SiloList::item:hover {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["surface0"]};
+}}
+.SiloList::item:selected {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["surface1"]};
+}}
+
+/* --- Activity feed --- */
+#SiloActivityFeed {{
+    background-color: {_MOCHA["mantle"]};
+    border: 1px solid {_MOCHA["surface0"]};
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    padding: 4px;
+}}
+#SiloActivityFeed::item {{
+    padding: 6px 10px;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid {_MOCHA["surface0"]};
+    color: {_MOCHA["subtext0"]};
+    font-size: 12px;
+}}
+#SiloActivityFeed::item:last {{
+    border-bottom: none;
+}}
+
+/* --- Footer checkbox --- */
+QCheckBox {{
+    color: {_MOCHA["subtext0"]};
+    font-size: 12px;
+}}
+QCheckBox::indicator {{
+    width: 14px;
+    height: 14px;
+}}
+"""
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Main start view
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class SiloStartView(QtWidgets.QWidget):
+    """Native Qt start page with Silo database items, recent files, and
+    real-time activity feed."""
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setObjectName("SiloStartView")
+
+        self._silo_url = _get_silo_base_url()
+        self._connected = False
+        self._event_listener = None
+        self._activity_events = []  # list of (datetime, text) tuples
+        self._silo_imported = False
+        self._silo_cmds = None  # lazy ref to silo_commands module
+
+        self._build_ui()
+        self.setStyleSheet(_STYLESHEET)
+
+        # Debounce timer for search
+        self._search_timer = QtCore.QTimer(self)
+        self._search_timer.setSingleShot(True)
+        self._search_timer.setInterval(300)
+        self._search_timer.timeout.connect(self._refresh_items)
+
+        # Periodic refresh
+        self._poll_timer = QtCore.QTimer(self)
+        self._poll_timer.setInterval(30000)
+        self._poll_timer.timeout.connect(self._periodic_refresh)
+        self._poll_timer.start()
+
+        # Initial load after event loop starts
+        QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(100, self._initial_load)
+
+    # -- lazy import --------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _silo(self):
+        """Lazy-import silo_commands to avoid circular import at module load."""
+        if not self._silo_imported:
+            try:
+                import silo_commands
+
+                self._silo_cmds = silo_commands
+            except Exception as e:
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Silo Start: cannot import silo_commands: {e}\n")
+                self._silo_cmds = None
+            self._silo_imported = True
+        return self._silo_cmds
+
+    # -- UI construction ----------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _build_ui(self):
+        root = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(self)
+        root.setContentsMargins(32, 24, 32, 16)
+        root.setSpacing(0)
+
+        # --- Status banner ---
+        banner = QtWidgets.QFrame()
+        banner.setObjectName("SiloStatusBanner")
+        banner_layout = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout(banner)
+        banner_layout.setContentsMargins(16, 10, 16, 10)
+
+        self._status_icon = QtWidgets.QLabel()
+        self._status_icon.setFixedSize(12, 12)
+        banner_layout.addWidget(self._status_icon)
+
+        self._status_label = QtWidgets.QLabel("Checking Silo connection...")
+        self._status_label.setWordWrap(True)
+        banner_layout.addWidget(self._status_label, 1)
+
+        self._browser_btn = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Open in Browser")
+        self._browser_btn.setFixedWidth(130)
+        self._browser_btn.setCursor(QtCore.Qt.PointingHandCursor)
+        self._browser_btn.clicked.connect(self._open_in_browser)
+        banner_layout.addWidget(self._browser_btn)
+
+        self._retry_btn = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Retry")
+        self._retry_btn.setFixedWidth(70)
+        self._retry_btn.setCursor(QtCore.Qt.PointingHandCursor)
+        self._retry_btn.clicked.connect(self._initial_load)
+        self._retry_btn.hide()
+        banner_layout.addWidget(self._retry_btn)
+
+        root.addWidget(banner)
+        root.addSpacing(20)
+
+        # --- Main content: items (left) + recent files (right) ---
+        content_splitter = QtWidgets.QSplitter(QtCore.Qt.Horizontal)
+        content_splitter.setHandleWidth(12)
+        content_splitter.setStyleSheet(
+            f"QSplitter::handle {{ background-color: {_MOCHA['base']}; }}"
+        )
+
+        # Left: Database Items
+        left = QtWidgets.QWidget()
+        left_layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(left)
+        left_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        left_layout.setSpacing(8)
+
+        items_header = QtWidgets.QLabel("Database Items")
+        items_header.setProperty("class", "SiloSectionHeader")
+        left_layout.addWidget(items_header)
+
+        self._search_field = QtWidgets.QLineEdit()
+        self._search_field.setObjectName("SiloSearchField")
+        self._search_field.setPlaceholderText("Search items...")
+        self._search_field.textChanged.connect(self._on_search_changed)
+        left_layout.addWidget(self._search_field)
+
+        self._items_list = QtWidgets.QListWidget()
+        self._items_list.setProperty("class", "SiloList")
+        self._items_list.setHorizontalScrollBarPolicy(QtCore.Qt.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
+        self._items_list.itemDoubleClicked.connect(self._on_item_double_clicked)
+        self._items_list.setContextMenuPolicy(QtCore.Qt.CustomContextMenu)
+        self._items_list.customContextMenuRequested.connect(self._on_item_context_menu)
+        left_layout.addWidget(self._items_list, 1)
+
+        content_splitter.addWidget(left)
+
+        # Right: Recent Files
+        right = QtWidgets.QWidget()
+        right_layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(right)
+        right_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        right_layout.setSpacing(8)
+
+        recent_header = QtWidgets.QLabel("Recent Files")
+        recent_header.setProperty("class", "SiloSectionHeader")
+        right_layout.addWidget(recent_header)
+
+        self._file_list = QtWidgets.QListWidget()
+        self._file_list.setProperty("class", "SiloList")
+        self._file_list.setHorizontalScrollBarPolicy(QtCore.Qt.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
+        self._file_list.itemDoubleClicked.connect(self._on_file_clicked)
+        right_layout.addWidget(self._file_list, 1)
+
+        content_splitter.addWidget(right)
+        content_splitter.setStretchFactor(0, 3)
+        content_splitter.setStretchFactor(1, 2)
+
+        root.addWidget(content_splitter, 1)
+        root.addSpacing(12)
+
+        # --- Activity Feed (bottom) ---
+        activity_header = QtWidgets.QLabel("Activity")
+        activity_header.setProperty("class", "SiloSectionHeader")
+        root.addWidget(activity_header)
+        root.addSpacing(6)
+
+        self._activity_list = QtWidgets.QListWidget()
+        self._activity_list.setObjectName("SiloActivityFeed")
+        self._activity_list.setMaximumHeight(140)
+        self._activity_list.setHorizontalScrollBarPolicy(QtCore.Qt.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
+        root.addWidget(self._activity_list)
+        root.addSpacing(12)
+
+        # --- Footer ---
+        footer = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout()
+        footer.addStretch()
+        self._startup_cb = QtWidgets.QCheckBox("Don't show this page on startup")
+        start_prefs = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/Start")
+        show = start_prefs.GetBool("ShowOnStartup", True)
+        self._startup_cb.setChecked(not show)
+        self._startup_cb.toggled.connect(self._on_startup_toggled)
+        footer.addWidget(self._startup_cb)
+        root.addLayout(footer)
+
+    # -- data loading -------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _initial_load(self):
+        """First-time data load and SSE connection."""
+        self._refresh_status()
+        self._refresh_items()
+        self._refresh_recent_files()
+        self._start_sse()
+
+    def _periodic_refresh(self):
+        """Periodic refresh of items and connection status."""
+        self._refresh_status()
+        self._refresh_items()
+        self._refresh_recent_files()
+
+    def _refresh_status(self):
+        """Update the connection status banner."""
+        sc = self._silo()
+        if sc is None:
+            self._set_status(False, "Silo addon not available")
+            return
+
+        try:
+            reachable, _ = sc._client.check_connection()
+        except Exception:
+            reachable = False
+
+        self._silo_url = _get_silo_base_url()
+        if reachable:
+            self._set_status(True, f"Connected to {self._silo_url}")
+        else:
+            self._set_status(False, f"Cannot reach {self._silo_url}")
+
+    def _set_status(self, connected: bool, message: str):
+        self._connected = connected
+        if connected:
+            self._status_icon.setStyleSheet(
+                f"background-color: {_MOCHA['green']}; border-radius: 6px;"
+            )
+            self._retry_btn.hide()
+            self._browser_btn.show()
+        else:
+            self._status_icon.setStyleSheet(
+                f"background-color: {_MOCHA['red']}; border-radius: 6px;"
+            )
+            self._retry_btn.show()
+            self._browser_btn.hide()
+        self._status_label.setText(message)
+
+    def _refresh_items(self):
+        """Fetch items from Silo API and populate the items list."""
+        sc = self._silo()
+        if sc is None:
+            return
+
+        self._items_list.clear()
+        search = self._search_field.text().strip()
+
+        try:
+            if search:
+                items = sc._client.list_items(search=search)
+            else:
+                items = sc._client.list_items()
+        except Exception:
+            item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem("(Unable to fetch items)")
+            item.setFlags(QtCore.Qt.NoItemFlags)
+            self._items_list.addItem(item)
+            return
+
+        if not isinstance(items, list) or not items:
+            item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem("(No items found)")
+            item.setFlags(QtCore.Qt.NoItemFlags)
+            self._items_list.addItem(item)
+            return
+
+        # Collect local part numbers for badge
+        local_pns = set()
+        try:
+            for lf in sc.search_local_files():
+                local_pns.add(lf.get("part_number", ""))
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+        for entry in items[:30]:
+            pn = entry.get("part_number", "")
+            desc = entry.get("description", "")
+            rev = entry.get("current_revision", "")
+
+            desc_display = desc
+            if len(desc_display) > 50:
+                desc_display = desc_display[:47] + "..."
+
+            local_badge = "  [local]" if pn in local_pns else ""
+            rev_part = f"  Rev {rev}" if rev else ""
+            label = f"{pn} \u2014 {desc_display}{rev_part}{local_badge}"
+
+            list_item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem(label)
+            list_item.setData(QtCore.Qt.UserRole, pn)
+            if desc and len(desc) > 50:
+                list_item.setToolTip(desc)
+            if pn in local_pns:
+                list_item.setForeground(QtGui.QColor(_MOCHA["green"]))
+            self._items_list.addItem(list_item)
+
+    def _refresh_recent_files(self):
+        """Populate the recent files list."""
+        self._file_list.clear()
+        files = _get_recent_files()
+        if not files:
+            item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem("(No recent files)")
+            item.setFlags(QtCore.Qt.NoItemFlags)
+            self._file_list.addItem(item)
+            return
+        for f in files:
+            label = f"{f['name']}\n{_relative_time(f['modified'])}"
+            item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem(label)
+            item.setData(QtCore.Qt.UserRole, f["path"])
+            item.setToolTip(f["path"])
+            self._file_list.addItem(item)
+
+    # -- SSE ----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _start_sse(self):
+        """Connect to SSE for live activity updates."""
+        sc = self._silo()
+        if sc is None:
+            return
+
+        if self._event_listener is not None:
+            return  # already running
+
+        try:
+            self._event_listener = sc.SiloEventListener()
+            self._event_listener.item_updated.connect(self._on_sse_item_updated)
+            self._event_listener.revision_created.connect(self._on_sse_revision_created)
+            self._event_listener.connection_status.connect(self._on_sse_status)
+            self._event_listener.start()
+        except Exception as e:
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog(f"Silo Start: SSE listener failed to start: {e}\n")
+
+    def _stop_sse(self):
+        """Stop SSE listener when the view is destroyed."""
+        if self._event_listener is not None:
+            self._event_listener.stop()
+            self._event_listener = None
+
+    def _on_sse_item_updated(self, part_number: str):
+        self._add_activity_event(f"{part_number} updated")
+        self._refresh_items()
+
+    def _on_sse_revision_created(self, part_number: str, revision: int):
+        self._add_activity_event(f"{part_number} Rev {revision} created")
+        self._refresh_items()
+
+    def _on_sse_status(self, status: str, retry: int, error: str):
+        if status == "connected":
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog("Silo Start: SSE connected\n")
+        elif status == "disconnected":
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog(f"Silo Start: SSE disconnected (retry {retry}): {error}\n")
+
+    def _add_activity_event(self, text: str):
+        """Add an event to the activity feed."""
+        now = datetime.now()
+        self._activity_events.insert(0, (now, text))
+        self._activity_events = self._activity_events[:20]
+        self._rebuild_activity_feed()
+
+    def _rebuild_activity_feed(self):
+        """Rebuild the activity list widget from stored events."""
+        self._activity_list.clear()
+        if not self._activity_events:
+            item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem("(No recent activity)")
+            item.setFlags(QtCore.Qt.NoItemFlags)
+            self._activity_list.addItem(item)
+            return
+        for ts, text in self._activity_events:
+            label = f"{text}  \u00b7  {_relative_time(ts)}"
+            self._activity_list.addItem(label)
+
+    # -- interaction --------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _on_search_changed(self, _text: str):
+        """Debounce search input."""
+        self._search_timer.start()
+
+    def _on_item_double_clicked(self, item: QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem):
+        pn = item.data(QtCore.Qt.UserRole)
+        if not pn:
+            return
+        sc = self._silo()
+        if sc is None:
+            return
+        local_path = sc.find_file_by_part_number(pn)
+        if local_path and local_path.exists():
+            FreeCAD.openDocument(str(local_path))
+        else:
+            sc._sync.open_item(pn)
+
+    def _on_item_context_menu(self, pos):
+        item = self._items_list.itemAt(pos)
+        if item is None:
+            return
+        pn = item.data(QtCore.Qt.UserRole)
+        if not pn:
+            return
+
+        menu = QtWidgets.QMenu()
+        open_action = menu.addAction("Open in Create")
+        browser_action = menu.addAction("Open in Browser")
+        copy_action = menu.addAction("Copy Part Number")
+
+        action = menu.exec_(self._items_list.mapToGlobal(pos))
+        sc = self._silo()
+        if action == open_action:
+            if sc:
+                local_path = sc.find_file_by_part_number(pn)
+                if local_path and local_path.exists():
+                    FreeCAD.openDocument(str(local_path))
+                else:
+                    sc._sync.open_item(pn)
+        elif action == browser_action:
+            url = f"{_get_silo_base_url()}/items/{pn}"
+            QtGui.QDesktopServices.openUrl(QtCore.QUrl(url))
+        elif action == copy_action:
+            QtWidgets.QApplication.clipboard().setText(pn)
+
+    def _on_file_clicked(self, item: QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem):
+        path = item.data(QtCore.Qt.UserRole)
+        if path:
+            try:
+                FreeCADGui.open(path)
+            except Exception as e:
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(f"Silo Start: failed to open {path}: {e}\n")
+
+    def _open_in_browser(self):
+        """Open Silo web UI in the system browser."""
+        url = _get_silo_base_url()
+        QtGui.QDesktopServices.openUrl(QtCore.QUrl(url))
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _on_startup_toggled(checked: bool):
+        prefs = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/Start")
+        prefs.SetBool("ShowOnStartup", not checked)
+
+    # -- cleanup ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        self._stop_sse()
+        self._poll_timer.stop()
+        super().closeEvent(event)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Command override
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class _SiloStartCommand:
+    """Replacement for the C++ Start_Start command."""
+
+    def Activated(self):
+        mw = FreeCADGui.getMainWindow()
+        mdi = mw.findChild(QtWidgets.QMdiArea)
+        if not mdi:
+            return
+
+        # Reuse existing view if open
+        for sw in mdi.subWindowList():
+            if sw.widget() and sw.widget().objectName() == "SiloStartView":
+                mdi.setActiveSubWindow(sw)
+                sw.show()
+                return
+
+        # Create new view as MDI subwindow
+        view = SiloStartView()
+        sw = mdi.addSubWindow(view)
+        sw.setWindowTitle("Start")
+        sw.setWindowIcon(QtGui.QIcon(":/icons/StartCommandIcon.svg"))
+        sw.show()
+        mdi.setActiveSubWindow(sw)
+
+    def GetResources(self):
+        return {
+            "MenuText": "&Start Page",
+            "ToolTip": "Displays the start page",
+            "Pixmap": "StartCommandIcon",
+        }
+
+    def IsActive(self):
+        return True
+
+
+def register():
+    """Override the Start_Start command with the Silo start page.
+
+    Call this from InitGui.py at module level so the override is in
+    place before the C++ StartLauncher fires (100ms after GUI init).
+    """
+    try:
+        FreeCADGui.addCommand("Start_Start", _SiloStartCommand())
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Silo Start: registered start page override\n")
+    except Exception as e:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Silo Start: failed to register override: {e}\n")