diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 03f07a4..ad14a8e 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -61,8 +61,10 @@ const (
 )
 
 type uiBanner struct {
-	Kind    bannerKind
-	Message string
+	Kind        bannerKind
+	Message     string
+	Detail      string
+	Dismissable bool
 }
 
 type uiSurface struct {
@@ -200,6 +202,9 @@ type ui struct {
 	pickVaultPath           widget.Clickable
 	pickKeyFile             widget.Clickable
 	pickSyncLocalPath       widget.Clickable
+	clearVaultSelection     widget.Clickable
+	clearRemoteSelection    widget.Clickable
+	dismissBanner           widget.Clickable
 	addEntry                widget.Clickable
 	saveEntry               widget.Clickable
 	duplicateEntry          widget.Clickable
@@ -1688,21 +1693,60 @@ func (u *ui) describeActionError(label string, err error) string {
 func (u *ui) bannerSurface() uiBanner {
 	switch {
 	case strings.TrimSpace(u.loadingMessage) != "":
-		return uiBanner{Kind: bannerLoading, Message: strings.TrimSpace(u.loadingMessage)}
+		return uiBanner{
+			Kind:    bannerLoading,
+			Message: strings.TrimSpace(u.loadingMessage),
+			Detail:  u.loadingDetailMessage(),
+		}
 	case strings.TrimSpace(u.state.ErrorMessage) != "":
-		return uiBanner{Kind: bannerError, Message: strings.TrimSpace(u.state.ErrorMessage)}
+		return uiBanner{
+			Kind:        bannerError,
+			Message:     strings.TrimSpace(u.state.ErrorMessage),
+			Dismissable: true,
+		}
 	case strings.TrimSpace(u.state.StatusMessage) != "":
 		if !u.statusExpiresAt.IsZero() && !u.now().Before(u.statusExpiresAt) {
 			u.state.StatusMessage = ""
 			u.statusExpiresAt = time.Time{}
 			return uiBanner{}
 		}
-		return uiBanner{Kind: bannerStatus, Message: strings.TrimSpace(u.state.StatusMessage)}
+		return uiBanner{
+			Kind:        bannerStatus,
+			Message:     strings.TrimSpace(u.state.StatusMessage),
+			Dismissable: true,
+		}
 	default:
 		return uiBanner{}
 	}
 }
 
+func (u *ui) loadingDetailMessage() string {
+	if !u.shouldShowLifecycleSetup() {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if u.lifecycleMode == "remote" {
+		baseURL := strings.TrimSpace(u.remoteBaseURL.Text())
+		path := strings.TrimSpace(u.remotePath.Text())
+		switch {
+		case baseURL != "" && path != "":
+			return fmt.Sprintf(
+				"Target: %s (%s)",
+				friendlyRecentRemoteLabel(recentRemoteRecord{BaseURL: baseURL, Path: path}),
+				path,
+			)
+		case baseURL != "":
+			return "Target: " + baseURL
+		default:
+			return "Preparing remote vault access"
+		}
+	}
+	path := strings.TrimSpace(u.vaultPath.Text())
+	if path == "" {
+		return "Preparing local vault access"
+	}
+	return "Target: " + path
+}
+
 func (u *ui) sessionSurface() uiSurface {
 	if u.state.Session == nil {
 		return uiSurface{}
@@ -1739,6 +1783,10 @@ func (u *ui) shouldShowLifecycleSetup() bool {
 	return !u.hasOpenVault()
 }
 
+func (u *ui) lifecycleBusy() bool {
+	return u.shouldShowLifecycleSetup() && strings.TrimSpace(u.loadingMessage) != ""
+}
+
 func (u *ui) shouldUseLockedSinglePane() bool {
 	return u.isVaultLocked() && !u.shouldShowLifecycleSetup()
 }
@@ -1958,12 +2006,21 @@ func (u *ui) layout(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 		u.showAPIAuditSection()
 	}
 	for u.showLocalLifecycle.Clicked(gtx) {
+		if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+			continue
+		}
 		u.lifecycleMode = "local"
 	}
 	for u.showRemoteLifecycle.Clicked(gtx) {
+		if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+			continue
+		}
 		u.lifecycleMode = "remote"
 	}
 	for u.toggleLifecycleAdvanced.Clicked(gtx) {
+		if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+			continue
+		}
 		u.lifecycleAdvancedHidden = !u.lifecycleAdvancedHidden
 		u.saveUIPreferences()
 	}
@@ -2059,9 +2116,15 @@ func (u *ui) layout(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 		u.loadSelectedEntryIntoEditor()
 	}
 	for u.pickVaultPath.Clicked(gtx) {
+		if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+			continue
+		}
 		u.runAction("choose vault path", func() error { return u.chooseExistingFileAction(&u.vaultPath) })
 	}
 	for u.pickKeyFile.Clicked(gtx) {
+		if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+			continue
+		}
 		u.runAction("choose key file", func() error { return u.chooseExistingFileAction(&u.keyFilePath) })
 	}
 	for u.pickSyncLocalPath.Clicked(gtx) {
@@ -2069,18 +2132,50 @@ func (u *ui) layout(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 	}
 	for i := range u.recentVaultClicks {
 		for u.recentVaultClicks[i].Clicked(gtx) {
+			if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+				continue
+			}
 			if i < len(u.recentVaults) {
+				u.lifecycleMode = "local"
 				u.vaultPath.SetText(u.recentVaults[i])
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	for i := range u.recentRemoteClicks {
 		for u.recentRemoteClicks[i].Clicked(gtx) {
+			if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+				continue
+			}
 			if i < len(u.recentRemotes) {
+				u.lifecycleMode = "remote"
 				u.applyRecentRemoteRecord(u.recentRemotes[i])
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	for u.clearVaultSelection.Clicked(gtx) {
+		if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+			continue
+		}
+		u.vaultPath.SetText("")
+		u.state.ErrorMessage = ""
+		u.state.StatusMessage = ""
+	}
+	for u.clearRemoteSelection.Clicked(gtx) {
+		if u.lifecycleBusy() {
+			continue
+		}
+		u.remoteBaseURL.SetText("")
+		u.remotePath.SetText("")
+		u.remoteUsername.SetText("")
+		u.remotePassword.SetText("")
+		u.state.ErrorMessage = ""
+		u.state.StatusMessage = ""
+	}
+	for u.dismissBanner.Clicked(gtx) {
+		u.state.ErrorMessage = ""
+		u.state.StatusMessage = ""
+		u.statusExpiresAt = time.Time{}
+	}
 	for u.addEntry.Clicked(gtx) {
 		u.state.BeginNewEntry()
 		u.loadSelectedEntryIntoEditor()
@@ -3304,9 +3399,35 @@ func (u *ui) banner(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 
 	return layout.Background{}.Layout(gtx, fill(bg), func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 		return layout.UniformInset(unit.Dp(12)).Layout(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-			lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(14), banner.Message)
-			lbl.Color = fg
-			return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+			return layout.Flex{Alignment: layout.Middle}.Layout(gtx,
+				layout.Flexed(1, 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(14), banner.Message)
+							lbl.Color = fg
+							return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+						}),
+						layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+							if strings.TrimSpace(banner.Detail) == "" {
+								return layout.Dimensions{}
+							}
+							return layout.Inset{Top: unit.Dp(2)}.Layout(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+								lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), banner.Detail)
+								lbl.Color = fg
+								return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+							})
+						}),
+					)
+				}),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if !banner.Dismissable {
+						return layout.Dimensions{}
+					}
+					return layout.Inset{Left: unit.Dp(10)}.Layout(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+						return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.dismissBanner, "Dismiss")
+					})
+				}),
+			)
 		})
 	})
 }
diff --git a/main_test.go b/main_test.go
index eda1f82..93785ae 100644
--- a/main_test.go
+++ b/main_test.go
@@ -2905,6 +2905,89 @@ func TestSelectingRecentRemoteConnectionKeepsPasswordMasked(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSelectingRecentVaultSwitchesToLocalMode(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	u := newUIWithSession("desktop", &session.Manager{})
+	u.lifecycleMode = "remote"
+	u.recentVaults = []string{"/tmp/example.kdbx"}
+	u.recentVaultClicks = make([]widget.Clickable, 1)
+	u.recentVaultClicks[0].Click()
+
+	gtx := layout.Context{}
+	for u.recentVaultClicks[0].Clicked(gtx) {
+		if 0 < len(u.recentVaults) {
+			u.lifecycleMode = "local"
+			u.vaultPath.SetText(u.recentVaults[0])
+		}
+	}
+
+	if got := u.lifecycleMode; got != "local" {
+		t.Fatalf("lifecycleMode after recent vault click = %q, want local", got)
+	}
+	if got := u.vaultPath.Text(); got != "/tmp/example.kdbx" {
+		t.Fatalf("vaultPath after recent vault click = %q, want /tmp/example.kdbx", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSelectingRecentRemoteSwitchesToRemoteMode(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	u := newUIWithSession("desktop", &session.Manager{})
+	u.lifecycleMode = "local"
+	u.recentRemotes = []recentRemoteRecord{{
+		BaseURL: "https://dav.example.com",
+		Path:    "vaults/home.kdbx",
+	}}
+	u.recentRemoteClicks = make([]widget.Clickable, 1)
+	u.recentRemoteClicks[0].Click()
+
+	gtx := layout.Context{}
+	for u.recentRemoteClicks[0].Clicked(gtx) {
+		if 0 < len(u.recentRemotes) {
+			u.lifecycleMode = "remote"
+			u.applyRecentRemoteRecord(u.recentRemotes[0])
+		}
+	}
+
+	if got := u.lifecycleMode; got != "remote" {
+		t.Fatalf("lifecycleMode after recent remote click = %q, want remote", got)
+	}
+	if got := u.remoteBaseURL.Text(); got != "https://dav.example.com" {
+		t.Fatalf("remoteBaseURL after recent remote click = %q, want https://dav.example.com", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUILoadingDetailMessageUsesSelectedVault(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	u := newUIWithSession("desktop", &session.Manager{})
+	u.vaultPath.SetText("/home/julian/vaults/main.kdbx")
+	u.loadingMessage = "Open vault..."
+
+	got := u.loadingDetailMessage()
+	want := "Target: /home/julian/vaults/main.kdbx"
+	if got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("loadingDetailMessage() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUILoadingDetailMessageUsesSelectedRemote(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	u := newUIWithSession("desktop", &session.Manager{})
+	u.lifecycleMode = "remote"
+	u.remoteBaseURL.SetText("https://dav.example.com")
+	u.remotePath.SetText("vaults/home.kdbx")
+	u.loadingMessage = "Open remote vault..."
+
+	got := u.loadingDetailMessage()
+	want := "Target: dav.example.com · vaults/home.kdbx (vaults/home.kdbx)"
+	if got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("loadingDetailMessage() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestUIOpenRemoteVaultRestoresLastOpenedGroupForThatConnection(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
diff --git a/ui_forms.go b/ui_forms.go
index 073221b..eff6e2f 100644
--- a/ui_forms.go
+++ b/ui_forms.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+	busy := u.lifecycleBusy()
 	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 OR CREATE VAULT")
@@ -27,10 +28,16 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 			return layout.Flex{Spacing: layout.SpaceStart}.Layout(gtx,
 				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if busy {
+						return passiveSectionTab(gtx, u.theme, "Local Vault", u.lifecycleMode == "local")
+					}
 					return sectionTabButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.showLocalLifecycle, "Local Vault", u.lifecycleMode == "local")
 				}),
 				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Width: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
 				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if busy {
+						return passiveSectionTab(gtx, u.theme, "Remote Vault", u.lifecycleMode == "remote")
+					}
 					return sectionTabButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.showRemoteLifecycle, "Remote Vault", u.lifecycleMode == "remote")
 				}),
 			)
@@ -40,7 +47,12 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 			return u.masterPasswordField(gtx, "Leave blank if this vault is protected by key file only.")
 		}),
 		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
-		layout.Rigid(selectorEditorHelp(u.theme, "Key File", "Optional path to a KeePass-compatible key file.", &u.keyFilePath, &u.pickKeyFile, "Choose File", false)),
+		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+			if busy {
+				return labeledEditorHelp(u.theme, "Key File", "Optional path to a KeePass-compatible key file.", &u.keyFilePath, false)(gtx)
+			}
+			return selectorEditorHelp(u.theme, "Key File", "Optional path to a KeePass-compatible key file.", &u.keyFilePath, &u.pickKeyFile, "Choose File", false)(gtx)
+		}),
 		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 			if u.lifecycleMode == "remote" {
@@ -91,6 +103,13 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 										lbl.Color = accentColor
 										return lbl.Layout(gtx)
 									}),
+									layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
+									layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+										if busy {
+											return layout.Dimensions{}
+										}
+										return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.clearRemoteSelection, "Change...")
+									}),
 									layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(2)}.Layout),
 									layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 										lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(11), record.BaseURL)
@@ -116,7 +135,12 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 						return box.Layout(gtx)
 					}),
 					layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(8)}.Layout),
-					layout.Rigid(u.recentRemoteList),
+					layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+						if busy {
+							return layout.Dimensions{}
+						}
+						return u.recentRemoteList(gtx)
+					}),
 				)
 			}
 			return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
@@ -126,7 +150,12 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 					return lbl.Layout(gtx)
 				}),
 				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
-				layout.Rigid(selectorEditorHelp(u.theme, "Vault Path", "Choose the existing .kdbx file to open.", &u.vaultPath, &u.pickVaultPath, "Choose File", false)),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if busy {
+						return labeledEditorHelp(u.theme, "Vault Path", "Choose the existing .kdbx file to open.", &u.vaultPath, false)(gtx)
+					}
+					return selectorEditorHelp(u.theme, "Vault Path", "Choose the existing .kdbx file to open.", &u.vaultPath, &u.pickVaultPath, "Choose File", false)(gtx)
+				}),
 				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
 				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 					if strings.TrimSpace(u.vaultPath.Text()) == "" {
@@ -146,6 +175,13 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 									lbl.Color = accentColor
 									return lbl.Layout(gtx)
 								}),
+								layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
+								layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+									if busy {
+										return layout.Dimensions{}
+									}
+									return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.clearVaultSelection, "Change...")
+								}),
 								layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(2)}.Layout),
 								layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 									lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(11), u.vaultPath.Text())
@@ -157,14 +193,34 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 					})
 				}),
 				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(8)}.Layout),
-				layout.Rigid(u.recentVaultList),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if busy {
+						return layout.Dimensions{}
+					}
+					return u.recentVaultList(gtx)
+				}),
 			)
 		}),
-		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(8)}.Layout),
-		layout.Rigid(u.lifecycleAdvancedDisclosure),
-		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-			if u.lifecycleAdvancedHidden {
+			if busy {
+				return layout.Dimensions{}
+			}
+			return layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(8)}.Layout(gtx)
+		}),
+		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+			if busy {
+				return layout.Dimensions{}
+			}
+			return u.lifecycleAdvancedDisclosure(gtx)
+		}),
+		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+			if busy {
+				return layout.Dimensions{}
+			}
+			return layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout(gtx)
+		}),
+		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+			if busy || u.lifecycleAdvancedHidden {
 				return layout.Dimensions{}
 			}
 			return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
@@ -176,14 +232,31 @@ func (u *ui) lifecycleControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(8)}.Layout),
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 			if u.lifecycleMode == "remote" {
-				return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.openRemote, "Open Remote Vault")
+				label := "Open Remote Vault"
+				if busy {
+					label = "Opening Remote Vault..."
+				}
+				if busy {
+					return passiveTonedButton(gtx, u.theme, label)
+				}
+				return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.openRemote, label)
 			}
 			return layout.Flex{Spacing: layout.SpaceStart}.Layout(gtx,
 				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-					return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.openVault, "Open Vault")
+					label := "Open Vault"
+					if busy {
+						label = "Opening Vault..."
+					}
+					if busy {
+						return passiveTonedButton(gtx, u.theme, label)
+					}
+					return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.openVault, label)
 				}),
 				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Width: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
 				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					if busy {
+						return passiveTonedButton(gtx, u.theme, "New Vault")
+					}
 					return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.createVault, "New Vault")
 				}),
 			)
@@ -368,6 +441,16 @@ func recentSelectionCard(gtx layout.Context, selected bool, w layout.Widget) lay
 	)
 }
 
+func passiveSectionTab(gtx layout.Context, th *material.Theme, label string, active bool) layout.Dimensions {
+	click := new(widget.Clickable)
+	return sectionTabButton(gtx, th, click, label, active)
+}
+
+func passiveTonedButton(gtx layout.Context, th *material.Theme, label string) layout.Dimensions {
+	click := new(widget.Clickable)
+	return tonedButton(gtx, th, click, label)
+}
+
 func friendlyRecentVaultLabel(path string) string {
 	value := strings.TrimSpace(path)
 	if value == "" {