diff --git a/.claude/hookify.block-no-verify.local.md b/.claude/hookify.block-no-verify.local.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ba7b33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.claude/hookify.block-no-verify.local.md
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+---
+name: block-no-verify
+enabled: true
+event: bash
+pattern: git\s+commit\s+.*--no-verify|git\s+commit\s+--no-verify
+action: block
+---
+
+**BLOCKED: git commit --no-verify**
+
+You attempted to bypass pre-commit hooks with `--no-verify`.
+
+**Why this is blocked:**
+- Pre-commit hooks run `make quality` to ensure code standards
+- Bypassing them allows broken code to be committed
+- The user explicitly requested this protection
+
+**What to do instead:**
+1. Run `make quality` to see what's failing
+2. Fix the issues
+3. Commit normally: `git commit -m "your message"`
+
+**If you truly need to bypass (rare cases):**
+- Ask the user for explicit permission first
+- They can temporarily disable this rule in `.claude/hookify.block-no-verify.local.md`
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 16a0f6c..1c76936 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 .PHONY: all quality quality-ts quality-rs quality-py lint type-check test-quality \
         lint-rs clippy fmt fmt-rs fmt-check check help e2e e2e-ui e2e-grpc \
-        ensure-py ensure-ts ensure-rs ensure-hygiene
+        ensure-py ensure-ts ensure-rs ensure-hygiene install-hooks uninstall-hooks
 
 # Default target
 all: quality
@@ -215,6 +215,23 @@ e2e-grpc: ensure-rs
 	@echo "Requires: gRPC server running on :50051"
 	cd client/src-tauri && NOTEFLOW_INTEGRATION=1 cargo test --test grpc_integration -- --ignored --nocapture
 
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Git Hooks
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## Install git hooks (pre-commit)
+install-hooks:
+	@echo "=== Installing Git Hooks ==="
+	@chmod +x scripts/hooks/pre-commit
+	@ln -sf ../../scripts/hooks/pre-commit .git/hooks/pre-commit
+	@echo "✓ Pre-commit hook installed"
+
+## Uninstall git hooks
+uninstall-hooks:
+	@echo "=== Uninstalling Git Hooks ==="
+	@rm -f .git/hooks/pre-commit
+	@echo "✓ Pre-commit hook removed"
+
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Help
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -264,6 +281,10 @@ help:
 	@echo "  e2e-ui         Run Playwright e2e tests with UI mode"
 	@echo "  e2e-grpc       Run Rust gRPC integration tests (real backend wiring)"
 	@echo ""
+	@echo "Git Hooks:"
+	@echo "  install-hooks  Install pre-commit hook"
+	@echo "  uninstall-hooks Remove pre-commit hook"
+	@echo ""
 	@echo "Dependencies:"
 	@echo "  ensure-py      Ensure Python tooling is installed"
 	@echo "  ensure-ts      Ensure client dependencies are installed"
diff --git a/docs/sprints/sprint-18.6.md b/docs/sprints/sprint-18.6.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09205f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/sprints/sprint-18.6.md
@@ -0,0 +1,393 @@
+# Sprint 18.6: Live Meeting UI Refinement
+
+> **Size**: L | **Owner**: Frontend Team | **Prerequisites**: None
+> **Phase**: 1 - UI/UX Polish
+> **References**: [Meeting Explorer](https://github.com/aladagemre/meeting-explorer), [Transcript Seeker](https://github.com/Meeting-BaaS/transcript-seeker)
+
+---
+
+## Open Issues & Prerequisites
+
+> **Review Date**: 2026-01-18 — Initial specification
+
+### Blocking Issues
+
+| ID | Issue | Status | Resolution |
+|----|-------|--------|------------|
+| **B1** | **No blocking issues identified** | N/A | N/A |
+
+### Design Gaps to Address
+
+| ID | Gap | Resolution |
+|----|-----|------------|
+| G1 | Sidebar recording state not synced with Recording page | Implement shared recording context via `Outlet` context |
+| G2 | In-transcript search UX not defined | Follow Slack-style "Jump to live" + filter pattern |
+| G3 | Notes quick-action buttons not specified | Add "Insert timestamp", "Add action item", "Add decision" |
+
+### Prerequisite Verification
+
+| Prerequisite | Status | Notes |
+|--------------|--------|-------|
+| Resizable panels working | **DONE** | `react-resizable-panels` in use |
+| Speaker preferences system | **DONE** | `preferences.getSpeakerName()` exists |
+| ApiModeIndicator component | **DONE** | Sprint GAP-007 completed |
+
+---
+
+## Validation Status (2026-01-18)
+
+### PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED
+
+| Component | Status | Notes |
+|-----------|--------|-------|
+| Status badge consolidation | Partial | `ApiModeIndicator` exists but Recording/Timer/Simulated badges are separate |
+| Notes panel resizing | Partial | Resizable but collapsed state is too narrow |
+| Speaker renaming | Partial | Backend exists, inline UI not implemented |
+| Transcript interactions | Partial | Timestamps shown, no click-to-seek or segment actions |
+
+### NOT IMPLEMENTED
+
+| Component | Status | Notes |
+|-----------|--------|-------|
+| In-transcript search | Not implemented | Global search only in `top-bar.tsx` |
+| Notes quick actions | Not implemented | Only manual timestamp insertion exists |
+| Jump to live indicator | Not implemented | Auto-scroll exists but no manual trigger |
+| Stats panel warnings | Not implemented | Raw values only, no actionable alerts |
+
+---
+
+## Objective
+
+Refine the live meeting recording UI to reduce cognitive load, improve discoverability, and align with established "transcript viewer + notes" patterns from Meeting Explorer and Transcript Seeker. The goal is to create a calmer, more "enterprise-grade" interface where the recording controls, status indicators, transcript navigation, and notes capture work together cohesively.
+
+---
+
+## Key Decisions
+
+| Decision | Choice | Rationale |
+|----------|--------|-----------|
+| **Primary recording control location** | Header only (right side) | Single canonical location reduces "which button?" confusion |
+| **Sidebar button behavior** | Navigate to recording page | Acts as shortcut, not duplicate control |
+| **Status badge strategy** | Unified status row in header | Consolidate Recording/Timer/Mode into one compact display |
+| **Notes panel default width** | 25% minimum (was allowing too narrow) | Ensure placeholder text doesn't wrap vertically |
+| **Transcript segment interaction** | Hover actions + click-to-pin | Builds toward transcript-as-navigation pattern |
+| **In-transcript search** | Command palette style (Cmd+F) | Separates from global search, familiar pattern |
+
+---
+
+## What Already Exists
+
+| Asset | Location | Implication |
+|-------|----------|-------------|
+| `ApiModeIndicator` | `client/src/components/api-mode-indicator.tsx` | Reuse pattern for unified status display |
+| `SpeakerBadge` with preferences | `client/src/components/speaker-badge.tsx:26-28` | Extend for inline rename on click |
+| `TimestampedNotesEditor` | `client/src/components/timestamped-notes-editor.tsx` | Add quick-action buttons above editor |
+| `usePanelPreferences` hook | `client/src/hooks/use-panel-preferences.ts` | Already handles panel sizing persistence |
+| `TranscriptSegmentCard` with motion | `client/src/components/recording/transcript-segment-card.tsx` | Add hover actions overlay |
+| Outlet context pattern | `client/src/components/app-layout.tsx:30` | Use for shared recording state |
+| `formatElapsedTime` utility | `client/src/lib/format.ts` | Reuse for unified timer display |
+
+---
+
+## Scope
+
+| Task | Effort | Notes |
+|------|--------|-------|
+| **Phase 1: Control Consolidation** | | |
+| 1.1 Unify recording controls to header only | S | Remove duplicate from sidebar, keep navigation |
+| 1.2 Create `UnifiedStatusRow` component | M | Combine Recording badge + Timer + Mode indicator |
+| 1.3 Update `AppSidebar` to show recording state, not control | S | Button becomes "Go to Recording" when active |
+| **Phase 2: Panel Improvements** | | |
+| 2.1 Set minimum width constraint on Notes panel | S | Prevent text wrapping issue |
+| 2.2 Add tabbed drawer option for Notes/Stats | M | Optional: `Tabs` component in right rail |
+| 2.3 Make Stats panel collapsible by default | S | Lead with signal, hide raw telemetry |
+| **Phase 3: Notes Workflow Enhancement** | | |
+| 3.1 Add quick-action buttons to `NotesPanel` header | M | Insert timestamp, Add action item, Add decision |
+| 3.2 Add "Send to notes" hover action on transcript segments | M | Click segment → append to notes |
+| 3.3 Improve autosave indicator copy | S | "Auto-save: On" + "Saved 24s ago" format |
+| **Phase 4: Transcript Navigation** | | |
+| 4.1 Add hover actions to `TranscriptSegmentCard` | M | Copy, Pin, Add to Notes buttons |
+| 4.2 Implement "Jump to live" indicator | S | Appears when scrolled up, click returns to bottom |
+| 4.3 Add in-transcript search (Cmd+F) | L | Filter/highlight within current meeting |
+| **Phase 5: Speaker & Stats Polish** | | |
+| 5.1 Add inline speaker rename on badge click | M | Modal or inline input |
+| 5.2 Convert raw stats to actionable indicators | M | "Low input", "Clipping", "2 speakers detected" |
+| 5.3 Move confidence % to tooltip, show warning only | S | Reduce visual noise |
+
+**Total Effort**: L (estimated 3-4 days)
+
+---
+
+## UI Components
+
+### UnifiedStatusRow
+
+```tsx
+// client/src/components/recording/unified-status-row.tsx
+
+export interface UnifiedStatusRowProps {
+  recordingState: RecordingState;
+  elapsedTime: number;
+  connectionMode: ConnectionMode;
+  isSimulating: boolean;
+}
+
+export function UnifiedStatusRow({
+  recordingState,
+  elapsedTime,
+  connectionMode,
+  isSimulating,
+}: UnifiedStatusRowProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
+      {recordingState === 'recording' && (
+        <>
+          <Badge variant="recording" className="gap-1.5">
+            <RecordingDot />
+            Recording
+          </Badge>
+          <span className="text-muted-foreground">•</span>
+          <span className="font-mono">{formatElapsedTime(elapsedTime)}</span>
+        </>
+      )}
+      <ApiModeIndicator mode={connectionMode} isSimulating={isSimulating} compact />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+```
+
+### TranscriptSegmentActions (Hover Overlay)
+
+```tsx
+// client/src/components/recording/transcript-segment-actions.tsx
+
+export interface TranscriptSegmentActionsProps {
+  segment: FinalSegment;
+  onCopy: () => void;
+  onPin: () => void;
+  onAddToNotes: () => void;
+}
+
+export function TranscriptSegmentActions({
+  segment,
+  onCopy,
+  onPin,
+  onAddToNotes,
+}: TranscriptSegmentActionsProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className="absolute right-2 top-2 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity flex gap-1">
+      <Button variant="ghost" size="icon-sm" onClick={onCopy} title="Copy text">
+        <Copy className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+      </Button>
+      <Button variant="ghost" size="icon-sm" onClick={onPin} title="Pin segment">
+        <Pin className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+      </Button>
+      <Button variant="ghost" size="icon-sm" onClick={onAddToNotes} title="Add to notes">
+        <FileText className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+      </Button>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+```
+
+### NotesQuickActions
+
+```tsx
+// client/src/components/recording/notes-quick-actions.tsx
+
+export interface NotesQuickActionsProps {
+  onInsertTimestamp: () => void;
+  onAddActionItem: () => void;
+  onAddDecision: () => void;
+  elapsedTime: number;
+}
+
+export function NotesQuickActions({
+  onInsertTimestamp,
+  onAddActionItem,
+  onAddDecision,
+  elapsedTime,
+}: NotesQuickActionsProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className="flex gap-1 mb-2">
+      <Button variant="outline" size="xs" onClick={onInsertTimestamp}>
+        <Clock className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
+        {formatElapsedTime(elapsedTime)}
+      </Button>
+      <Button variant="outline" size="xs" onClick={onAddActionItem}>
+        <CheckSquare className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
+        Action
+      </Button>
+      <Button variant="outline" size="xs" onClick={onAddDecision}>
+        <Gavel className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
+        Decision
+      </Button>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+```
+
+### JumpToLiveIndicator
+
+```tsx
+// client/src/components/recording/jump-to-live.tsx
+
+export interface JumpToLiveIndicatorProps {
+  isVisible: boolean;
+  onClick: () => void;
+}
+
+export function JumpToLiveIndicator({ isVisible, onClick }: JumpToLiveIndicatorProps) {
+  if (!isVisible) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <Button
+      variant="secondary"
+      size="sm"
+      onClick={onClick}
+      className="fixed bottom-4 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 shadow-lg z-50"
+    >
+      <ArrowDown className="h-4 w-4 mr-1" />
+      Jump to live
+    </Button>
+  );
+}
+```
+
+### InTranscriptSearch
+
+```tsx
+// client/src/components/recording/in-transcript-search.tsx
+
+export interface InTranscriptSearchProps {
+  segments: FinalSegment[];
+  onHighlight: (segmentIds: string[]) => void;
+  onClose: () => void;
+}
+
+export function InTranscriptSearch({
+  segments,
+  onHighlight,
+  onClose,
+}: InTranscriptSearchProps) {
+  const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
+  const [matchCount, setMatchCount] = useState(0);
+  const [currentMatch, setCurrentMatch] = useState(0);
+
+  // Filter and highlight logic
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!query) {
+      onHighlight([]);
+      setMatchCount(0);
+      return;
+    }
+    const matches = segments.filter((s) =>
+      s.text.toLowerCase().includes(query.toLowerCase())
+    );
+    onHighlight(matches.map((m) => m.id));
+    setMatchCount(matches.length);
+  }, [query, segments, onHighlight]);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex items-center gap-2 p-2 border-b bg-muted/50">
+      <Input
+        autoFocus
+        placeholder="Find in transcript..."
+        value={query}
+        onChange={(e) => setQuery(e.target.value)}
+        className="flex-1 h-8"
+      />
+      {matchCount > 0 && (
+        <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+          {currentMatch + 1} of {matchCount}
+        </span>
+      )}
+      <Button variant="ghost" size="icon-sm" onClick={onClose}>
+        <X className="h-4 w-4" />
+      </Button>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Deliverables
+
+### Client Components
+
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/unified-status-row.tsx` — Consolidated recording status display
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/transcript-segment-actions.tsx` — Hover action overlay
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/notes-quick-actions.tsx` — Quick note capture buttons
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/jump-to-live.tsx` — Scroll-to-live indicator
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/in-transcript-search.tsx` — In-meeting search bar
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/speaker-rename-dialog.tsx` — Inline speaker rename modal
+
+### Component Updates
+
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/recording-header.tsx` — Use `UnifiedStatusRow`, remove duplicate badges
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/notes-panel.tsx` — Add `NotesQuickActions`, set min-width
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/stats-panel.tsx` — Make collapsible, add warning indicators
+- [ ] `client/src/components/recording/transcript-segment-card.tsx` — Add hover actions, group class
+- [ ] `client/src/components/speaker-badge.tsx` — Add onClick for rename
+- [ ] `client/src/components/app-sidebar.tsx` — Change recording button to navigation
+- [ ] `client/src/pages/Recording.tsx` — Integrate new components, add keyboard shortcuts
+
+### Hooks
+
+- [ ] `client/src/hooks/use-transcript-search.ts` — Search state and matching logic
+- [ ] `client/src/hooks/use-keyboard-shortcuts.ts` — Cmd+F binding for in-transcript search
+
+---
+
+## Test Strategy
+
+### Fixtures to extend or create
+
+- `client/src/test/mocks/segments.ts`: Add test segments with various speaker IDs
+- `client/src/test/mocks/recording-state.ts`: Add recording state mocks
+
+### Core test cases
+
+- **UnifiedStatusRow**: Renders all states (idle, recording, paused, stopping)
+- **TranscriptSegmentActions**: Hover reveals actions, click handlers fire
+- **NotesQuickActions**: Buttons insert correct content
+- **JumpToLiveIndicator**: Shows when scrolled up, hides at bottom
+- **InTranscriptSearch**: Filters segments, highlights matches, Escape closes
+- **SpeakerBadge**: Click opens rename, saves to preferences
+- **Integration**: Full recording flow with new components
+
+---
+
+## Quality Gates
+
+- [ ] `npm run test` passes for all new components
+- [ ] `npm run type-check` passes with no new errors
+- [ ] `npm run lint` passes with no new warnings
+- [ ] All new components have test coverage
+- [ ] No `any` types or `// @ts-ignore` comments
+- [ ] Accessibility: All buttons have aria-labels/titles
+- [ ] Responsive: Panels work at 1024px+ viewport widths
+
+---
+
+## Migration Notes
+
+### Breaking Changes
+
+None — all changes are additive or modify internal component structure.
+
+### Deprecations
+
+- `ApiModeIndicator` in header alongside recording badge → replaced by `UnifiedStatusRow`
+- Sidebar "Start Recording" button → becomes "Go to Recording" during active session
+
+---
+
+## Post-Sprint
+
+- [ ] Add transcript segment click-to-seek (requires audio playback integration)
+- [ ] Add speaker voice sample playback for identification
+- [ ] Implement multi-meeting transcript search
+- [ ] Add transcript export with timestamps
+- [ ] Consider tabbed notes/entities/stats drawer pattern
diff --git a/scripts/hooks/pre-commit b/scripts/hooks/pre-commit
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..b954de7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/hooks/pre-commit
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Pre-commit hook for NoteFlow
+# Runs quality checks before allowing commits
+#
+# Install: make install-hooks
+# Bypass:  git commit --no-verify
+
+set -e
+
+# Colors for output
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+NC='\033[0m' # No Color
+
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Running pre-commit quality checks...${NC}"
+
+# Get the repo root (in case hook is run from subdirectory)
+REPO_ROOT="$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)"
+cd "$REPO_ROOT"
+
+# Run make quality
+if make quality; then
+    echo -e "${GREEN}✓ All quality checks passed${NC}"
+    exit 0
+else
+    echo -e "${RED}✗ Quality checks failed${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Fix the issues above or use 'git commit --no-verify' to bypass${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi