diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ComposeDiffPreviewDialog.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ComposeDiffPreviewDialog.tsx
index 8f0f03a2..d6d788b6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ComposeDiffPreviewDialog.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ComposeDiffPreviewDialog.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { Suspense } from 'react';
 import { DiffEditor } from '@/lib/monacoLoader';
-import { Loader2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Modal, ModalHeader, ModalFooter } from '@/components/ui/modal';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { BusyButton } from '@/components/ui/busy-button';
 import type { ComposeDiffActionLabel } from '@/components/resolveComposeDiffActionLabel';
 
 export interface ComposeDiffPreviewDialogProps {
@@ -75,16 +75,13 @@ export function ComposeDiffPreviewDialog({
           </Button>
         }
         primary={
-          <Button
+          <BusyButton
             size="sm"
+            pending={confirming}
             onClick={() => onConfirm()}
-            disabled={confirming}
           >
-            {confirming && (
-              <Loader2 className="w-4 h-4 mr-1.5 animate-spin" strokeWidth={1.5} />
-            )}
             {actionLabel}
-          </Button>
+          </BusyButton>
         }
       />
     </Modal>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout.tsx b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout.tsx
index 8c73458b..10be5d72 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout.tsx
@@ -1056,6 +1056,8 @@ export default function EditorLayout() {
         <ShellOverlays
           overlayState={overlayState}
           stackActions={stackActions}
+          stackActionMap={stackActionMap}
+          stackFiles={files}
           isDarkMode={isDarkMode}
           isAdmin={isAdmin}
           can={can}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/DeleteStackDialog.tsx b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/DeleteStackDialog.tsx
index 387188fa..bcd519ae 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/DeleteStackDialog.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/DeleteStackDialog.tsx
@@ -7,9 +7,17 @@ export interface DeleteStackDialogProps {
     onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
     stackName: string | null;
     onConfirm: (pruneVolumes: boolean) => void | Promise<void>;
+    /** True while the stack delete request owns the flow (from stackActionMap). */
+    confirming?: boolean;
 }
 
-export function DeleteStackDialog({ open, onOpenChange, stackName, onConfirm }: DeleteStackDialogProps) {
+export function DeleteStackDialog({
+    open,
+    onOpenChange,
+    stackName,
+    onConfirm,
+    confirming = false,
+}: DeleteStackDialogProps) {
     const [pruneVolumes, setPruneVolumes] = useState(false);
 
     const handleOpenChange = (next: boolean) => {
@@ -42,6 +50,8 @@ export function DeleteStackDialog({ open, onOpenChange, stackName, onConfirm }:
             description={`Confirm deletion of ${stackName ?? 'stack'}.`}
             hint={pruneVolumes ? 'VOLUMES PRUNED' : 'VOLUMES KEPT'}
             confirmLabel="Delete"
+            busyConfirmLabel="Deleting..."
+            confirming={confirming}
             onConfirm={() => onConfirm(pruneVolumes)}
         >
             <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">This action cannot be undone.</p>
@@ -49,6 +59,7 @@ export function DeleteStackDialog({ open, onOpenChange, stackName, onConfirm }:
                 <Checkbox
                     id="prune-volumes"
                     checked={pruneVolumes}
+                    disabled={confirming}
                     onCheckedChange={(v) => setPruneVolumes(v === true)}
                 />
                 <label htmlFor="prune-volumes" className="text-sm text-muted-foreground cursor-pointer select-none">
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/ShellOverlays.tsx b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/ShellOverlays.tsx
index 64e87a4e..9be57c51 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/ShellOverlays.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/ShellOverlays.tsx
@@ -19,10 +19,16 @@ import type { OverlayState } from './hooks/useOverlayState';
 import type { StackActionsHook } from './hooks/useStackActions';
 import type { PermissionAction } from '@/context/AuthContext';
 import type { useComposeReapplyAction } from '../FleetView/hooks/useComposeReapplyAction';
+import type { StackAction } from './EditorView';
+import { resolveStackFileKey } from './hooks/resolveStackFileKey';
 
 interface ShellOverlaysProps {
   overlayState: OverlayState;
   stackActions: StackActionsHook;
+  /** Filename-keyed busy map from stack list state (not the stackActions hook). */
+  stackActionMap: Record<string, StackAction>;
+  /** Stack filenames for resolveStackFileKey (overlay holds bare names). */
+  stackFiles: string[];
   isDarkMode: boolean;
   isAdmin: boolean;
   can: (action: PermissionAction, resourceType?: string, resourceId?: string, nodeId?: number | null) => boolean;
@@ -41,6 +47,8 @@ interface ShellOverlaysProps {
 export function ShellOverlays({
   overlayState,
   stackActions,
+  stackActionMap,
+  stackFiles,
   isDarkMode,
   isAdmin,
   can,
@@ -72,6 +80,13 @@ export function ShellOverlays({
     diffPreview, setDiffPreview, diffPreviewConfirming, setDiffPreviewConfirming,
   } = overlayState;
 
+  const isDeleteConfirming =
+    stackToDelete != null &&
+    stackActionMap[resolveStackFileKey(stackFiles, stackToDelete)] === 'delete';
+  const isTakeDownConfirming =
+    stackToTakeDown != null &&
+    stackActionMap[resolveStackFileKey(stackFiles, stackToTakeDown)] === 'down';
+
   return (
     <>
       <DeleteStackDialog
@@ -79,6 +94,7 @@ export function ShellOverlays({
         onOpenChange={(open) => { if (!open) closeDeleteDialog(); }}
         stackName={stackToDelete}
         onConfirm={stackActions.deleteStack}
+        confirming={isDeleteConfirming}
       />
 
       <TakeDownStackDialog
@@ -87,6 +103,7 @@ export function ShellOverlays({
         stackName={stackToTakeDown}
         showVolumeOption={canOfferVolumeRemoval}
         onConfirm={stackActions.takeDownStack}
+        confirming={isTakeDownConfirming}
       />
 
       <SelfStackProtectedDialog
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/TakeDownStackDialog.tsx b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/TakeDownStackDialog.tsx
index ed194c17..30e43c2d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/TakeDownStackDialog.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/TakeDownStackDialog.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ export interface TakeDownStackDialogProps {
     stackName: string | null;
     showVolumeOption: boolean;
     onConfirm: (removeVolumes: boolean) => void | Promise<void>;
+    /** True while the take-down request owns the flow (from stackActionMap). */
+    confirming?: boolean;
 }
 
 export function TakeDownStackDialog({
@@ -16,6 +18,7 @@ export function TakeDownStackDialog({
     stackName,
     showVolumeOption,
     onConfirm,
+    confirming = false,
 }: TakeDownStackDialogProps) {
     const [removeVolumes, setRemoveVolumes] = useState(false);
 
@@ -30,7 +33,6 @@ export function TakeDownStackDialog({
             open={open}
             onOpenChange={onOpenChange}
             variant="destructive"
-            data-testid="take-down-dialog"
             kicker={`${(stackName ?? 'STACK').toUpperCase()} · TAKE DOWN${removeVolumes ? '' : ' · REVERSIBLE'}`}
             title={
                 stackName ? (
@@ -44,6 +46,8 @@ export function TakeDownStackDialog({
             description="This removes running containers and compose-created networks. The stack configuration stays on disk so you can deploy again later."
             hint={removeVolumes ? 'VOLUMES REMOVED' : 'VOLUMES KEPT'}
             confirmLabel="Take down"
+            busyConfirmLabel="Taking down..."
+            confirming={confirming}
             onConfirm={() => onConfirm(removeVolumes)}
         >
             {showVolumeOption && (
@@ -52,6 +56,7 @@ export function TakeDownStackDialog({
                         id="take-down-remove-volumes"
                         data-testid="take-down-remove-volumes"
                         checked={removeVolumes}
+                        disabled={confirming}
                         onCheckedChange={(v) => setRemoveVolumes(v === true)}
                     />
                     <label
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/__tests__/DeleteStackDialog.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/__tests__/DeleteStackDialog.test.tsx
index 65a3fdab..6cb9dd5f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/__tests__/DeleteStackDialog.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/__tests__/DeleteStackDialog.test.tsx
@@ -28,4 +28,20 @@ describe('DeleteStackDialog', () => {
 
         expect(screen.getByTitle(LONG_STACK_NAME)).toHaveTextContent(LONG_STACK_NAME);
     });
+
+    it('disables Delete, Cancel, and volume checkbox while confirming', () => {
+        render(
+            <DeleteStackDialog
+                open
+                onOpenChange={vi.fn()}
+                stackName="web"
+                onConfirm={vi.fn()}
+                confirming
+            />,
+        );
+
+        expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Delete/i })).toBeDisabled();
+        expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Cancel' })).toBeDisabled();
+        expect(screen.getByRole('checkbox')).toBeDisabled();
+    });
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/__tests__/TakeDownStackDialog.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/__tests__/TakeDownStackDialog.test.tsx
index 37358d1e..481affc8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/__tests__/TakeDownStackDialog.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/__tests__/TakeDownStackDialog.test.tsx
@@ -88,4 +88,11 @@ describe('TakeDownStackDialog', () => {
         await user.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Take down' }));
         expect(onConfirm).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
     });
+
+    it('disables Take down, Cancel, and volume checkbox while confirming', () => {
+        renderDialog(true, { confirming: true });
+        expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Take down/i })).toBeDisabled();
+        expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Cancel' })).toBeDisabled();
+        expect(screen.getByTestId('take-down-remove-volumes')).toBeDisabled();
+    });
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/__tests__/resolveStackFileKey.test.ts b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/__tests__/resolveStackFileKey.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b95eb862
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/__tests__/resolveStackFileKey.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import { resolveStackFileKey } from '../resolveStackFileKey';
+
+describe('resolveStackFileKey', () => {
+  const files = ['web.yml', 'api.yaml', 'plain'];
+
+  it('returns an exact filename match', () => {
+    expect(resolveStackFileKey(files, 'web.yml')).toBe('web.yml');
+  });
+
+  it('matches a bare name against a .yml file', () => {
+    expect(resolveStackFileKey(files, 'web')).toBe('web.yml');
+  });
+
+  it('matches a bare name against a .yaml file', () => {
+    expect(resolveStackFileKey(files, 'api')).toBe('api.yaml');
+  });
+
+  it('passes through when no match exists', () => {
+    expect(resolveStackFileKey(files, 'missing')).toBe('missing');
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/resolveStackFileKey.ts b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/resolveStackFileKey.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bea3070e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/resolveStackFileKey.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+/**
+ * Map an overlay stack name (bare name or filename) to the key used in
+ * `stackActionMap` / stack file lists. The map is filename-keyed (e.g. `web.yml`);
+ * overlay state often holds the bare name (`web`).
+ */
+export function resolveStackFileKey(files: string[], name: string): string {
+  return (
+    files.find(
+      (f) => f === name || f.replace(/\.(yml|yaml)$/, '') === name,
+    ) ?? name
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/useStackActions.ts b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/useStackActions.ts
index 088dfad7..2c80aa62 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/useStackActions.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EditorLayout/hooks/useStackActions.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import type {
   MissingExternalNetworksPayload,
 } from '../../stack/MissingExternalNetworksDialog';
 import type { PreDeployScanImage } from '@/types/security';
+import { resolveStackFileKey } from './resolveStackFileKey';
 
 interface RunResult {
   ok: boolean;
@@ -1948,10 +1949,7 @@ export function useStackActions(options: UseStackActionsOptions) {
   const deleteStack = async (pruneVolumes: boolean) => {
     const stackToDelete = overlayState.stackToDelete;
     if (!stackToDelete) return;
-    const deleteKey =
-      stackListState.files.find(
-        f => f === stackToDelete || f.replace(/\.(yml|yaml)$/, '') === stackToDelete,
-      ) ?? stackToDelete;
+    const deleteKey = resolveStackFileKey(stackListState.files, stackToDelete);
     const canonicalName = deleteKey.replace(/\.(yml|yaml)$/, '');
     if (stackListState.isStackBusy(deleteKey)) return;
     stackListState.setStackAction(deleteKey, 'delete');
@@ -2010,10 +2008,7 @@ export function useStackActions(options: UseStackActionsOptions) {
       overlayState.closeTakeDownDialog();
       return;
     }
-    const stackFile =
-      stackListState.files.find(
-        f => f === stackToTakeDown || f.replace(/\.(yml|yaml)$/, '') === stackToTakeDown,
-      ) ?? stackToTakeDown;
+    const stackFile = resolveStackFileKey(stackListState.files, stackToTakeDown);
     if (stackListState.isStackBusy(stackFile)) return;
     if (openSelfStackProtectedIfNeeded(stackFile)) return;
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/files/DeleteFileConfirm.tsx b/frontend/src/components/files/DeleteFileConfirm.tsx
index 23a79dd5..10352b0a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/files/DeleteFileConfirm.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/files/DeleteFileConfirm.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
-import { AlertTriangle, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react';
+import { AlertTriangle } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Modal, ModalDestructiveHeader, ModalBody, ModalFooter } from '@/components/ui/modal';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { BusyButton } from '@/components/ui/busy-button';
 import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { toast } from '@/components/ui/toast-store';
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ export function DeleteFileConfirm({
   const protectedOk = !isProtected || confirmInput === entryName;
 
   const deleteLabel = notEmpty ? 'Delete all' : 'Delete';
+  const busyDeleteLabel = notEmpty ? 'Deleting all...' : 'Deleting...';
 
   const titleNode = entryName ? (
     <>
@@ -130,18 +132,17 @@ export function DeleteFileConfirm({
           </Button>
         }
         primary={
-          <Button
+          <BusyButton
             variant="destructive"
             size="sm"
             data-testid="delete-confirm-btn"
             onClick={handleDelete}
-            disabled={deleting || !protectedOk}
+            pending={deleting}
+            busyLabel={busyDeleteLabel}
+            disabled={!protectedOk}
           >
-            {deleting && (
-              <Loader2 className="w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-1.5 animate-spin" strokeWidth={1.5} />
-            )}
             {deleteLabel}
-          </Button>
+          </BusyButton>
         }
       />
     </Modal>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ui/__tests__/busy-button.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ui/__tests__/busy-button.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f37b28c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ui/__tests__/busy-button.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest';
+import { render, screen, act } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { BusyButton } from '../busy-button';
+import { DURATION_BASE_MS } from '@/hooks/useVisualBusy';
+
+describe('BusyButton', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  it('disables immediately when pending without showing spinner yet', () => {
+    render(
+      <BusyButton pending busyLabel="Saving...">
+        Save
+      </BusyButton>,
+    );
+    const btn = screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Save/i });
+    expect(btn).toBeDisabled();
+    expect(btn).toHaveAttribute('aria-busy', 'true');
+    expect(btn.querySelector('.animate-spin')).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it('shows spinner and progressive label after the visual delay', () => {
+    render(
+      <BusyButton pending busyLabel="Saving...">
+        Save
+      </BusyButton>,
+    );
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS);
+    });
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Saving/i })).toBeDisabled();
+    expect(document.querySelector('.animate-spin')).not.toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it('signals busy via aria-busy and label without requiring spin animation', () => {
+    render(
+      <BusyButton pending busyLabel="Deleting...">
+        Delete
+      </BusyButton>,
+    );
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS);
+    });
+    const btn = screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Deleting/i });
+    expect(btn).toHaveAttribute('aria-busy', 'true');
+    expect(btn).toHaveTextContent('Deleting...');
+    // Spinner is enhancement only; the accessible name and aria-busy are primary.
+    expect(btn.getAttribute('aria-busy')).toBe('true');
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ui/__tests__/modal.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ui/__tests__/modal.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2b476168
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ui/__tests__/modal.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest';
+import { render, screen, waitFor, act } from '@testing-library/react';
+import userEvent from '@testing-library/user-event';
+import type { ComponentProps } from 'react';
+import { ConfirmModal } from '../modal';
+import { DURATION_BASE_MS } from '@/hooks/useVisualBusy';
+
+function renderConfirm(props: Partial<ComponentProps<typeof ConfirmModal>> = {}) {
+  const onOpenChange = vi.fn();
+  const onConfirm = vi.fn();
+  render(
+    <ConfirmModal
+      open
+      onOpenChange={onOpenChange}
+      kicker="TEST"
+      title="Confirm?"
+      confirmLabel="Delete"
+      busyConfirmLabel="Deleting..."
+      onConfirm={onConfirm}
+      {...props}
+    />,
+  );
+  return { onOpenChange, onConfirm };
+}
+
+describe('ConfirmModal busy behaviour', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers({ shouldAdvanceTime: true });
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  it('keeps the dialog open for async onConfirm', async () => {
+    let resolveConfirm!: () => void;
+    const pending = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+      resolveConfirm = resolve;
+    });
+    const onConfirm = vi.fn(() => pending);
+    const onOpenChange = vi.fn();
+
+    render(
+      <ConfirmModal
+        open
+        onOpenChange={onOpenChange}
+        kicker="TEST"
+        title="Confirm?"
+        confirmLabel="Delete"
+        onConfirm={onConfirm}
+        confirming={false}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    const user = userEvent.setup({ advanceTimers: vi.advanceTimersByTime });
+    await user.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Delete' }));
+    expect(onConfirm).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    // Radix would otherwise close; preventDefault keeps it open so parent can set confirming.
+    expect(onOpenChange).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
+    resolveConfirm();
+    await act(async () => {
+      await pending;
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('disables only Confirm when confirmDisabled is set without confirming', () => {
+    renderConfirm({ confirmDisabled: true, confirming: false });
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Delete' })).toBeDisabled();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Cancel' })).not.toBeDisabled();
+  });
+
+  it('disables both Confirm and Cancel when confirming', () => {
+    renderConfirm({ confirming: true });
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Delete/i })).toBeDisabled();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Cancel' })).toBeDisabled();
+  });
+
+  it('does not call onOpenChange(false) on Escape while confirming', async () => {
+    const { onOpenChange } = renderConfirm({ confirming: true });
+    const user = userEvent.setup({ advanceTimers: vi.advanceTimersByTime });
+    await user.keyboard('{Escape}');
+    expect(onOpenChange).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
+  });
+
+  it('shows progressive busy label after the delay when confirming', async () => {
+    renderConfirm({ confirming: true });
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS);
+    });
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Deleting/i })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ui/alert-dialog.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ui/alert-dialog.tsx
index 2ac4345c..4493794a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ui/alert-dialog.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ui/alert-dialog.tsx
@@ -93,10 +93,12 @@ AlertDialogDescription.displayName = AlertDialogPrimitive.Description.displayNam
 const AlertDialogAction = React.forwardRef<
   React.ElementRef<typeof AlertDialogPrimitive.Action>,
   React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<typeof AlertDialogPrimitive.Action>
->(({ className, ...props }, ref) => (
+>(({ className, asChild, ...props }, ref) => (
   <AlertDialogPrimitive.Action
     ref={ref}
-    className={cn(buttonVariants(), className)}
+    asChild={asChild}
+    // When asChild, child (e.g. BusyButton) owns buttonVariants; do not stack defaults.
+    className={cn(asChild ? undefined : buttonVariants(), className)}
     {...props}
   />
 ));
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ui/busy-button.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ui/busy-button.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..94ae6d76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ui/busy-button.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+import * as React from 'react';
+import { Loader2 } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Button, type ButtonProps } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { useVisualBusy } from '@/hooks/useVisualBusy';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+
+export type BusyButtonProps = ButtonProps & {
+  /** Immediate interaction lock. Disables the control while true. */
+  pending: boolean;
+  /**
+   * Progressive label once delayed visual busy is shown. When omitted, idle
+   * children stay visible and only the spinner (if shown) appears.
+   */
+  busyLabel?: React.ReactNode;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Composition over {@link Button} for async click surfaces.
+ * Never use `asChild` on this component: busy chrome is multi-child content.
+ */
+export const BusyButton = React.forwardRef<HTMLButtonElement, BusyButtonProps>(
+  ({ pending, busyLabel, children, disabled, className, type = 'button', ...props }, ref) => {
+    const { showBusy } = useVisualBusy(pending);
+    const useTwinLabels =
+      typeof children === 'string' &&
+      typeof busyLabel === 'string';
+
+    return (
+      <Button
+        ref={ref}
+        type={type}
+        disabled={disabled || pending}
+        aria-busy={pending || undefined}
+        className={className}
+        {...props}
+      >
+        {pending ? (
+          <span
+            className="inline-flex size-4 shrink-0 items-center justify-center"
+            aria-hidden
+          >
+            {showBusy ? (
+              <Loader2 className="size-4 animate-spin" strokeWidth={1.5} />
+            ) : null}
+          </span>
+        ) : null}
+        {useTwinLabels ? (
+          <span className="relative inline-grid justify-items-center">
+            <span
+              className={cn(
+                'col-start-1 row-start-1',
+                showBusy && busyLabel != null && 'invisible',
+              )}
+              aria-hidden={showBusy && busyLabel != null ? true : undefined}
+            >
+              {children}
+            </span>
+            <span
+              className={cn(
+                'col-start-1 row-start-1',
+                !(showBusy && busyLabel != null) && 'invisible',
+              )}
+              aria-hidden={!(showBusy && busyLabel != null) ? true : undefined}
+            >
+              {busyLabel}
+            </span>
+          </span>
+        ) : (
+          <>{showBusy && busyLabel != null ? busyLabel : children}</>
+        )}
+      </Button>
+    );
+  },
+);
+BusyButton.displayName = 'BusyButton';
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ui/modal.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ui/modal.tsx
index 17116af8..3a17b021 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ui/modal.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ui/modal.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import * as React from 'react';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { buttonVariants } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { BusyButton } from '@/components/ui/busy-button';
 import {
   Dialog,
   DialogContent,
@@ -206,6 +207,12 @@ interface ConfirmModalProps {
   description?: string;
   hint?: React.ReactNode;
   confirmLabel: React.ReactNode;
+  /**
+   * Progressive confirm copy shown only after delayed visual busy
+   * (see BusyButton / useVisualBusy). Prefer static confirmLabel + this over
+   * swapping confirmLabel when confirming flips true.
+   */
+  busyConfirmLabel?: React.ReactNode;
   cancelLabel?: React.ReactNode;
   confirming?: boolean;
   /** When true, the confirm action stays disabled (e.g. plan still loading). */
@@ -225,6 +232,7 @@ export function ConfirmModal({
   description,
   hint,
   confirmLabel,
+  busyConfirmLabel,
   cancelLabel = 'Cancel',
   confirming = false,
   confirmDisabled = false,
@@ -234,14 +242,17 @@ export function ConfirmModal({
 }: ConfirmModalProps) {
   const Header = variant === 'destructive' ? ConfirmDestructiveHeader : ConfirmHeader;
   const cancelClass = buttonVariants({ variant: 'outline', size: 'sm' });
-  const actionClass = buttonVariants({
-    variant: variant === 'destructive' ? 'destructive' : 'default',
-    size: 'sm',
-  });
+  const actionVariant = variant === 'destructive' ? 'destructive' : 'default';
   const actionDisabled = confirming || confirmDisabled;
 
+  const handleOpenChange = (next: boolean) => {
+    // Block Esc / overlay dismiss while the confirm action owns the request.
+    if (!next && confirming) return;
+    onOpenChange(next);
+  };
+
   return (
-    <AlertDialog open={open} onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
+    <AlertDialog open={open} onOpenChange={handleOpenChange}>
       <AlertDialogContent className={cn('flex max-h-[85dvh] flex-col p-0 gap-0 overflow-hidden border-card-border/60', SIZE_CLASS[size])}>
         <Header kicker={kicker} title={title} description={description} />
         {children !== undefined && <ModalBody fill>{children}</ModalBody>}
@@ -257,21 +268,28 @@ export function ConfirmModal({
             </AlertDialogCancel>
           }
           primary={
-            <AlertDialogAction
-              className={actionClass}
-              disabled={actionDisabled}
-              onClick={(e) => {
-                const result = onConfirm();
-                // Async confirms keep the dialog open so the caller can render
-                // `confirming` state and close via onOpenChange when work completes.
-                // Sync confirms let Radix auto-close.
-                if (result instanceof Promise) {
-                  e.preventDefault();
-                  void result;
-                }
-              }}
-            >
-              {confirmLabel}
+            // BusyButton never uses asChild; Radix owns asChild on the Action
+            // shell so the multi-child busy chrome stays on the real button.
+            <AlertDialogAction asChild disabled={actionDisabled}>
+              <BusyButton
+                variant={actionVariant}
+                size="sm"
+                pending={confirming}
+                busyLabel={busyConfirmLabel}
+                disabled={actionDisabled}
+                onClick={(e) => {
+                  const result = onConfirm();
+                  // Async confirms keep the dialog open so the caller can render
+                  // `confirming` state and close via onOpenChange when work completes.
+                  // Sync confirms let Radix auto-close.
+                  if (result instanceof Promise) {
+                    e.preventDefault();
+                    void result;
+                  }
+                }}
+              >
+                {confirmLabel}
+              </BusyButton>
             </AlertDialogAction>
           }
         />
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/__tests__/useVisualBusy.test.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/__tests__/useVisualBusy.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cd360209
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/__tests__/useVisualBusy.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest';
+import { renderHook, act } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { DURATION_BASE_MS, useVisualBusy } from '../useVisualBusy';
+
+describe('useVisualBusy', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  it('does not show busy while not pending', () => {
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useVisualBusy(false));
+    expect(result.current.locked).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('never shows busy if pending ends before the delay', () => {
+    const { result, rerender } = renderHook(
+      ({ pending }) => useVisualBusy(pending),
+      { initialProps: { pending: true } },
+    );
+    expect(result.current.locked).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(false);
+
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS - 1);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(false);
+
+    rerender({ pending: false });
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.locked).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('shows busy after continuous pending through the delay', () => {
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useVisualBusy(true));
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.locked).toBe(true);
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('clears showBusy when pending becomes false', () => {
+    const { result, rerender } = renderHook(
+      ({ pending }) => useVisualBusy(pending),
+      { initialProps: { pending: true } },
+    );
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(true);
+
+    rerender({ pending: false });
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('does not update state after unmount mid-delay', () => {
+    const { unmount } = renderHook(() => useVisualBusy(true));
+    unmount();
+    expect(() => {
+      act(() => {
+        vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS);
+      });
+    }).not.toThrow();
+  });
+
+  it('restarts the delay on rapid pending toggles', () => {
+    const { result, rerender } = renderHook(
+      ({ pending }) => useVisualBusy(pending),
+      { initialProps: { pending: true } },
+    );
+
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS - 50);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(false);
+
+    rerender({ pending: false });
+    rerender({ pending: true });
+
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(DURATION_BASE_MS - 50);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(false);
+
+    act(() => {
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(50);
+    });
+    expect(result.current.showBusy).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useVisualBusy.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useVisualBusy.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f108bbba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useVisualBusy.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+
+/**
+ * Keep in sync with `--duration-base` in `frontend/src/index.css`.
+ * Default gate before showing delayed busy chrome (spinner / progressive label).
+ */
+export const DURATION_BASE_MS = 220;
+
+/**
+ * Split interaction lock from delayed visual busy so fast ops never flash chrome.
+ *
+ * - `locked` tracks the raw `pending` flag (caller uses this to disable controls).
+ * - `showBusy` becomes true only after `pending` stays true for `delayMs`.
+ */
+export function useVisualBusy(
+  pending: boolean,
+  delayMs: number = DURATION_BASE_MS,
+): { locked: boolean; showBusy: boolean } {
+  const [showBusy, setShowBusy] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!pending) {
+      setShowBusy(false);
+      return;
+    }
+    setShowBusy(false);
+    const id = window.setTimeout(() => {
+      setShowBusy(true);
+    }, delayMs);
+    return () => {
+      window.clearTimeout(id);
+    };
+  }, [pending, delayMs]);
+
+  return { locked: pending, showBusy };
+}