diff --git a/ui_forms.go b/ui_forms.go
index a6d0773..9af73bb 100644
--- a/ui_forms.go
+++ b/ui_forms.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 	busy := u.lifecycleBusy()
 	showLocalChooser := u.showLocalVaultChooser()
+	selectedLocalPath := strings.TrimSpace(u.vaultPath.Text())
 	return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 			lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "OPEN A VAULT")
@@ -202,52 +203,13 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 					return layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout(gtx)
 				}),
 				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-					selectedPath := strings.TrimSpace(u.vaultPath.Text())
 					switch {
 					case busy:
 						return labeledEditorHelp(u.theme, "Vault Path", localVaultPathHelp(), &u.vaultPath, false)(gtx)
-					case selectedPath == "":
+					case selectedLocalPath == "":
 						return localPathSelector(u.theme, &u.vaultPath, &u.pickVaultPath)(gtx)
 					default:
-						lastGroup := u.recentVaultGroup(selectedPath)
-						return compactCard(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-							return layout.UniformInset(unit.Dp(10)).Layout(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-								return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
-									layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-										lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "SELECTED VAULT")
-										lbl.Color = mutedColor
-										return lbl.Layout(gtx)
-									}),
-									layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(2)}.Layout),
-									layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-										lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(16), friendlyRecentVaultLabel(selectedPath))
-										lbl.Color = accentColor
-										return lbl.Layout(gtx)
-									}),
-									layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-										dir := compactPathDirectorySummary(selectedPath)
-										if dir == "" {
-											return layout.Dimensions{}
-										}
-										lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(11), dir)
-										lbl.Color = mutedColor
-										return lbl.Layout(gtx)
-									}),
-									layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-										if len(lastGroup) == 0 {
-											return layout.Dimensions{}
-										}
-										lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(11), "Last group: "+strings.Join(u.displayEntryPath(lastGroup), " / "))
-										lbl.Color = mutedColor
-										return lbl.Layout(gtx)
-									}),
-									layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
-									layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-										return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.clearVaultSelection, "Open Different Vault")
-									}),
-								)
-							})
-						})
+						return layout.Dimensions{}
 					}
 				}),
 			)
@@ -347,11 +309,65 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 					}
 					return sectionTabButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.createVault, "Create New Vault", false)
 				}),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if busy || selectedLocalPath == "" {
+						return layout.Dimensions{}
+					}
+					return layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(8)}.Layout(gtx)
+				}),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if busy || selectedLocalPath == "" {
+						return layout.Dimensions{}
+					}
+					return u.selectedLocalVaultCard(gtx, selectedLocalPath)
+				}),
 			)
 		}),
 	)
 }
 
+func (u *ui) selectedLocalVaultCard(gtx layout.Context, path string) layout.Dimensions {
+	lastGroup := u.recentVaultGroup(path)
+	return compactCard(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+		return layout.UniformInset(unit.Dp(10)).Layout(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+			return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "SELECTED VAULT")
+					lbl.Color = mutedColor
+					return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+				}),
+				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(2)}.Layout),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(16), friendlyRecentVaultLabel(path))
+					lbl.Color = accentColor
+					return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+				}),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					dir := compactPathDirectorySummary(path)
+					if dir == "" {
+						return layout.Dimensions{}
+					}
+					lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(11), dir)
+					lbl.Color = mutedColor
+					return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+				}),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if len(lastGroup) == 0 {
+						return layout.Dimensions{}
+					}
+					lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(11), "Last group: "+strings.Join(u.displayEntryPath(lastGroup), " / "))
+					lbl.Color = mutedColor
+					return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+				}),
+				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.clearVaultSelection, "Open Different Vault")
+				}),
+			)
+		})
+	})
+}
+
 func (u *ui) lifecycleSecuritySettingsSummary() string {
 	return "Cipher and KDF now live in Vault Settings so opening and creating a vault stays focused on the file, key material, and sync choices."
 }