diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 0d84b85..c79a24b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,22 @@
 # Changelog
 
-## Unreleased performance pass
+## v0.4.3 Alpha 1 (2026-07-26)
+
+* Copy and Move now work like a file-manager clipboard: select items, stage the
+  action, navigate to a destination, then choose **Paste Here**
+* Restored double-click folder opening while keeping single-click selection and
+  the explicit **Open** button
+* Fixed the upload drop area consuming the file-list height in short or empty
+  folders
+* Dragging files anywhere over the browser now reveals the upload state and
+  accepts the drop
+* Fixed virtual scrolling to listen to the actual file-list scroller
+* Reorganized file actions and disabled controls that do not apply to the
+  current selection
+* The clipboard panel now explains the workflow, shows staged items and the
+  current destination, and includes quick destination shortcuts
+* The three-column layout collapses earlier so the clipboard no longer gets
+  clipped on common laptop-sized browser windows
 
 * Large regular-file copies overlap sequential reads with one writer through
   two fixed 8 MiB, PS5-page-aligned slots; small files and initialization
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 612f933..df111ca 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ PYTHON ?= python3
 # Ship / daily use must stay 5905.
 WEB_PORT ?= 5905
 
-VERSION_TAG := bfpilot-v0.4.2-test
-BUILD_VERSION ?= v0.4.2-test
+VERSION_TAG := bfpilot-v0.4.3-alpha.1
+BUILD_VERSION ?= v0.4.3-alpha.1
 
 LLVM_CONFIG ?= $(if $(wildcard $(PS5_PAYLOAD_SDK)/bin/prospero-llvm-config),$(PS5_PAYLOAD_SDK)/bin/prospero-llvm-config,$(CURDIR)/build-tools/llvm-config)
 LLVM_BINDIR ?= $(shell "$(LLVM_CONFIG)" --bindir 2>/dev/null || dirname "$$(command -v clang 2>/dev/null || command -v clang.exe 2>/dev/null || command -v llvm-strip 2>/dev/null || command -v llvm-strip.exe 2>/dev/null || echo clang)" 2>/dev/null || echo .)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 169b14b..5d9f2d3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ http://<PS5_IP>:5905/
 
 Works from the PS5 browser or any PC/phone on the same network.
 
-Version **v0.4.2-test**. This is a test build; the v0.4.1 baseline was tested
+Version **v0.4.3-alpha.1**. This is an alpha build; the v0.4.1 baseline was tested
 on FW **11.60**.
 
 ## Payloads
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ on FW **11.60**.
 ## Features
 
 **Browse & transfer**
-- Dual panels: left = browse, right = Target for copy/move/extract
+- File clipboard: select items, choose Copy or Move, open the destination, then choose Paste Here
 - Places: `/`, `/data`, `/data/homebrew`, `/user`, `/mnt`, USB/ext when plugged in, custom shortcuts
 - Upload files or a whole folder using the picker or drag-and-drop (recursive
   dropped folders need the browser's WebKit entry API)
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ on FW **11.60**.
 - Free space check before copy/move when size is known
 - Same-device, no-symlink recursive traversal with a 64-level depth cap and immediate abort on fatal storage/vnode errors
 - ShadowMountPlus warning before writes to its common scan roots
-- Folder size on click
+- Single-click selects; double-click opens folders; the Open button works with controllers
+- Folder size is calculated when a folder is selected
 
 **Selection**
 - Checkboxes + select all (works fine with a controller)
diff --git a/assets/files.html b/assets/files.html
index 9b323e2..9032057 100644
--- a/assets/files.html
+++ b/assets/files.html
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@
     .browser {
       min-height: 650px;
       display: grid;
-      grid-template-rows: auto auto auto minmax(0, 1fr);
+      grid-template-rows: auto auto auto auto minmax(0, 1fr);
       overflow: hidden;
     }
 
@@ -331,9 +331,25 @@
       flex: 0 0 auto;
     }
 
+    .action-group {
+      display: inline-flex;
+      flex-wrap: wrap;
+      align-items: center;
+      gap: 6px;
+      padding-right: 8px;
+      margin-right: 2px;
+      border-right: 1px solid var(--line);
+    }
+
+    .action-group:last-of-type {
+      border-right: 0;
+      padding-right: 0;
+    }
+
     .upload-drop {
       margin: 0 12px 12px;
       padding: 12px;
+      min-height: 44px;
       border: 1px dashed #465b70;
       border-radius: 8px;
       color: var(--muted);
@@ -343,9 +359,16 @@
     }
 
     .upload-drop.active {
-      border-color: var(--accent);
-      background: rgba(76, 201, 240, 0.08);
-      color: var(--text);
+      border-color: var(--deep-2);
+      background: rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.12);
+      color: var(--ink);
+    }
+
+    .browser.drag-active .upload-drop {
+      border-color: var(--deep-2);
+      background: rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.12);
+      color: var(--ink);
+      box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(94, 224, 170, 0.2);
     }
 
     .count {
@@ -473,6 +496,30 @@
       font-size: 15px;
     }
 
+    .target-hint {
+      margin: -2px 0 0;
+      color: var(--muted);
+      font-size: 12px;
+      line-height: 1.4;
+    }
+
+    .clipboard-status {
+      border: 1px solid var(--line);
+      border-radius: 8px;
+      background: #0c1219;
+      padding: 10px;
+      color: var(--muted);
+      font-size: 12px;
+      overflow-wrap: anywhere;
+    }
+
+    .clipboard-status strong {
+      display: block;
+      margin-bottom: 3px;
+      color: var(--ink);
+      font-size: 13px;
+    }
+
     .target-path {
       height: 36px;
       border: 1px solid var(--line);
@@ -653,7 +700,7 @@
       display: none;
     }
 
-    @media (max-width: 1080px) {
+    @media (max-width: 1300px) {
       .shell {
         grid-template-columns: 132px minmax(0, 1fr);
       }
@@ -736,6 +783,14 @@
         font-size: 12px;
       }
 
+      .action-group {
+        width: 100%;
+        padding: 0 0 6px;
+        margin: 0;
+        border-right: 0;
+        border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
+      }
+
       .file-head,
       .file-row {
         grid-template-columns: 28px 40px minmax(0, 1fr) 78px;
@@ -824,18 +879,22 @@
       </div>
 
       <div class="actions">
-        <button id="new-folder">New Folder</button>
-        <button id="new-text">New Text File</button>
-        <button id="rename">Rename</button>
-        <button id="download">Download</button>
-        <button id="load-payload" class="primary" title="Send selected .elf/.bin to elfldr on port 9021">Load payload</button>
-        <button id="open-folder" title="Open selected folder">Open</button>
-        <button id="chmod" title="Set permissions on selected paths">chmod</button>
-        <button id="edit-file" class="primary">Edit</button>
-        <button id="extract" class="primary">Extract</button>
-        <button id="upload-files" class="warn">Upload Files</button>
-        <button id="upload-folder" class="warn">Upload Folder</button>
-        <button id="delete" class="danger">Delete</button>
+        <span class="action-group">
+          <button id="new-folder">New Folder</button>
+          <button id="new-text">New Text File</button>
+          <button id="upload-files" class="warn">Upload Files</button>
+          <button id="upload-folder" class="warn">Upload Folder</button>
+        </span>
+        <span class="action-group">
+          <button id="open-folder" title="Open the selected folder">Open</button>
+          <button id="rename">Rename</button>
+          <button id="download">Download</button>
+          <button id="edit-file" class="primary">Edit</button>
+          <button id="load-payload" class="primary" title="Send selected .elf/.bin/.js to elfldr on port 9021">Load payload</button>
+          <button id="extract" class="primary">Extract</button>
+          <button id="chmod" title="Set permissions on selected paths">chmod</button>
+          <button id="delete" class="danger">Delete</button>
+        </span>
         <span id="selection" class="count">0 selected</span>
       </div>
 
@@ -854,18 +913,24 @@
       </div>
     </section>
 
-    <aside class="target" aria-label="Transfer target">
-      <h2>Target</h2>
-      <input id="target-path" class="target-path" spellcheck="false" value="/data">
+    <aside class="target" aria-label="File clipboard">
+      <h2>Clipboard</h2>
+      <p class="target-hint">Select files or folders, choose Copy or Move, open the destination, then choose Paste Here.</p>
+      <input id="target-path" class="target-path" spellcheck="false" value="/data" readonly aria-label="Current paste destination">
       <div class="target-buttons">
-        <button id="copy" class="primary">Copy Here</button>
-        <button id="move">Move Here</button>
+        <button id="copy" class="primary">Copy</button>
+        <button id="move">Move</button>
       </div>
+      <div id="clipboard-status" class="clipboard-status">
+        <strong>Clipboard empty</strong>
+        Select items in the file list.
+      </div>
+      <div class="target-buttons">
+        <button id="paste" class="primary" disabled>Paste Here</button>
+        <button id="clear-clipboard" disabled>Clear</button>
+      </div>
+      <div class="rail-title">Jump to destination</div>
       <div class="target-grid" id="target-grid"></div>
-      <div class="target-actions">
-        <button id="target-current">Current</button>
-        <button id="open-target">Open</button>
-      </div>
       <div class="detail" id="detail">
         <strong>No selection</strong>
         <span>Ready</span>
@@ -954,7 +1019,8 @@
         active: false,
         root: 'all',
         query: ''
-      }
+      },
+      clipboard: null
     };
 
     const el = id => document.getElementById(id);
@@ -1163,8 +1229,7 @@
       }
       button.title = (place.label ? place.label + ' | ' : '') + path;
       button.addEventListener('click', () => {
-        el('target-path').value = path;
-        updatePlaces();
+        openPath(path);
       });
       return button;
     }
@@ -1180,7 +1245,8 @@
         seen.add(path);
       }
       for (const place of state.places) {
-        if (!place.custom) continue;
+        const isStorage = /^\/mnt\/(usb[0-7]|ext[01])(?:\/|$)/.test(cleanPath(place.path));
+        if (!place.custom && !isStorage) continue;
         const path = cleanPath(place.path);
         if (seen.has(path)) continue;
         seen.add(path);
@@ -1225,12 +1291,8 @@
 
     function activeShortcut() {
       const current = cleanPath(state.path);
-      let match = state.places.find((place) => place.custom && cleanPath(place.path) === current);
-      if (!match) {
-        const target = cleanPath(el('target-path').value || '');
-        match = state.places.find((place) => place.custom && cleanPath(place.path) === target);
-      }
-      return match || null;
+      return state.places.find((place) =>
+        place.custom && cleanPath(place.path) === current) || null;
     }
 
     async function addShortcut() {
@@ -1251,7 +1313,7 @@
     async function removeShortcut() {
       const match = activeShortcut();
       if (!match) {
-        toast('Open a custom shortcut first, or put one in Target', 'err');
+        toast('Open a custom shortcut first', 'err');
         return;
       }
       if (!confirm('Remove shortcut "' + (match.label || match.path) + '"?')) return;
@@ -1267,7 +1329,7 @@
     async function customizeShortcut() {
       const match = activeShortcut();
       if (!match) {
-        toast('Open a custom shortcut first, or put one in Target', 'err');
+        toast('Open a custom shortcut first', 'err');
         return;
       }
       const label = prompt('Shortcut name', match.label || match.path);
@@ -1597,16 +1659,78 @@
       const currentCustom = state.places.some((place) => {
         return place.custom && cleanPath(place.path) === state.path;
       });
-      const targetCustom = state.places.some((place) => place.custom &&
-        cleanPath(place.path) === cleanPath(el('target-path').value || ''));
-      el('remove-shortcut').disabled = !currentCustom && !targetCustom;
-      el('customize-shortcut').disabled = !currentCustom && !targetCustom;
+      el('remove-shortcut').disabled = !currentCustom;
+      el('customize-shortcut').disabled = !currentCustom;
+    }
+
+    function updateClipboard() {
+      const status = el('clipboard-status');
+      const clipboard = state.clipboard;
+      el('target-path').value = state.path;
+      status.textContent = '';
+
+      const title = document.createElement('strong');
+      if (!clipboard || !clipboard.entries.length) {
+        title.textContent = 'Clipboard empty';
+        status.appendChild(title);
+        status.appendChild(document.createTextNode('Select items in the file list.'));
+        el('paste').disabled = true;
+        el('clear-clipboard').disabled = true;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const count = clipboard.entries.length;
+      title.textContent = (clipboard.verb === 'move' ? 'Move ' : 'Copy ') +
+        count + (count === 1 ? ' item' : ' items');
+      status.appendChild(title);
+      const names = clipboard.entries.slice(0, 3).map((entry) => entry.name).join(', ');
+      status.appendChild(document.createTextNode(
+        names + (count > 3 ? ' +' + (count - 3) + ' more' : '')
+      ));
+      el('paste').disabled = false;
+      el('clear-clipboard').disabled = false;
+    }
+
+    function stageClipboard(verb) {
+      const entries = selectedEntries();
+      if (!entries.length) {
+        toast('Select files or folders first', 'err');
+        return;
+      }
+      state.clipboard = {
+        verb,
+        entries: entries.map((entry) => ({
+          name: entry.name,
+          dir: !!entry.dir,
+          path: entryPath(entry)
+        }))
+      };
+      state.selected.clear();
+      drawList();
+      updateClipboard();
+      toast((verb === 'move' ? 'Move' : 'Copy') +
+        ' ready. Open a destination and choose Paste Here.', 'ok');
+    }
+
+    function clearClipboard() {
+      state.clipboard = null;
+      updateClipboard();
     }
 
     function updateSelection() {
       const token = ++state.detailToken;
       const entries = selectedEntries();
+      const one = entries.length === 1 ? entries[0] : null;
       el('selection').textContent = entries.length + ' selected';
+      el('open-folder').disabled = !(one && one.dir);
+      el('rename').disabled = !one;
+      el('download').disabled = !(one && !one.dir);
+      el('load-payload').disabled = !(one && canLaunchPayload(one));
+      el('chmod').disabled = entries.length === 0;
+      el('extract').disabled = !(one && !one.dir && isArchiveName(one.name));
+      el('delete').disabled = entries.length === 0;
+      el('copy').disabled = entries.length === 0;
+      el('move').disabled = entries.length === 0;
       if (el('edit-file')) {
         const hasSelection = entries.length === 1;
         const isEditable = hasSelection && canEdit(entries[0]);
@@ -1614,6 +1738,7 @@
         el('edit-file').disabled = !(isEditable || isViewable);
         el('edit-file').textContent = isViewable ? 'View' : 'Edit';
       }
+      updateClipboard();
 
       const detail = el('detail');
       if (!entries.length) {
@@ -1715,11 +1840,6 @@
           drawList();
           return;
         }
-        /* Click folder name (or whole row without ctrl) opens directory (#7) */
-        if (entry.dir && !event.ctrlKey && !event.metaKey) {
-          openPath(entryPath(entry));
-          return;
-        }
         if (event.ctrlKey || event.metaKey) {
           if (state.selected.has(key)) state.selected.delete(key);
           else state.selected.add(key);
@@ -1791,7 +1911,7 @@
       scroller.style.position = 'relative';
       list.appendChild(scroller);
 
-      const parent = list.parentElement; // .main-body
+      const parent = list;
 
       function renderViewport() {
         const viewportHeight = parent.clientHeight || 600;
@@ -1992,15 +2112,8 @@
       await refresh();
     }
 
-    async function transfer(verb) {
-      const entries = selectedEntries();
-      const target = cleanPath(el('target-path').value);
-      if (!entries.length) {
-        toast('No selection', 'err');
-        return;
-      }
-      if (!confirmShadowMountWrite(target, verb)) return;
-
+    async function executeTransfer(verb, entries, target) {
+      let completed = true;
       for (const entry of entries) {
         const source = entryPath(entry);
         try {
@@ -2031,21 +2144,52 @@
               } catch (retryErr) {
                 if ((retryErr.message || '').toLowerCase().includes('job')) pollJob();
                 toast(verb + ': ' + retryErr.message, 'err');
+                completed = false;
                 break;
               }
             } else {
-              // skip (continue to next entry)
+              completed = false;
               continue;
             }
           } else {
             if ((err.message || '').toLowerCase().includes('job')) pollJob();
             toast(verb + ': ' + err.message, 'err');
+            completed = false;
             break;
           }
         }
       }
 
       await refreshCurrentView();
+      return completed;
+    }
+
+    async function pasteClipboard() {
+      const clipboard = state.clipboard;
+      if (!clipboard || !clipboard.entries.length) {
+        toast('Clipboard is empty', 'err');
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const target = state.path;
+      for (const entry of clipboard.entries) {
+        const source = cleanPath(entry.path);
+        if (entry.dir && (target === source || target.startsWith(source + '/'))) {
+          toast('Cannot paste a folder into itself', 'err');
+          return;
+        }
+      }
+      if (!confirmShadowMountWrite(target, clipboard.verb)) return;
+
+      const completed = await executeTransfer(
+        clipboard.verb, clipboard.entries, target);
+      if (completed) {
+        toast((clipboard.verb === 'move' ? 'Moved' : 'Copied') +
+          ' to ' + target, 'ok');
+        if (clipboard.verb === 'move') clearClipboard();
+      } else {
+        toast('Some clipboard items were not pasted', 'err');
+      }
     }
 
     async function waitJobIdle() {
@@ -2320,6 +2464,9 @@
         };
         readNext();
       });
+      if (!parent && entry.dir) {
+        row.title = 'Double-click to open folder';
+      }
     }
 
     async function droppedUploads(dataTransfer) {
@@ -2824,15 +2971,10 @@
       el('chmod').addEventListener('click', chmodSelected);
       el('extract').addEventListener('click', extractSelected);
       el('delete').addEventListener('click', deleteSelected);
-      el('copy').addEventListener('click', () => transfer('copy'));
-      el('move').addEventListener('click', () => transfer('move'));
-      el('target-current').addEventListener('click', () => {
-        el('target-path').value = state.path;
-      });
-      el('open-target').addEventListener('click', () => {
-        openPath(el('target-path').value);
-      });
-      el('target-path').addEventListener('input', updatePlaces);
+      el('copy').addEventListener('click', () => stageClipboard('copy'));
+      el('move').addEventListener('click', () => stageClipboard('move'));
+      el('paste').addEventListener('click', pasteClipboard);
+      el('clear-clipboard').addEventListener('click', clearClipboard);
       el('job-cancel').addEventListener('click', () => {
         if (state.archiveTimer) {
           toast('Archive extraction cannot be cancelled yet', 'err');
@@ -2876,13 +3018,36 @@
       } catch (err) {}
 
       const drop = el('upload-drop');
-      drop.addEventListener('dragover', (event) => {
+      const browser = document.querySelector('.browser');
+      let dragDepth = 0;
+      const hasDroppedFiles = (event) => {
+        const types = event.dataTransfer && event.dataTransfer.types;
+        return types && Array.prototype.indexOf.call(types, 'Files') >= 0;
+      };
+      browser.addEventListener('dragenter', (event) => {
+        if (!hasDroppedFiles(event)) return;
         event.preventDefault();
+        dragDepth++;
+        browser.classList.add('drag-active');
         drop.classList.add('active');
       });
-      drop.addEventListener('dragleave', () => drop.classList.remove('active'));
-      drop.addEventListener('drop', async (event) => {
+      browser.addEventListener('dragover', (event) => {
+        if (!hasDroppedFiles(event)) return;
         event.preventDefault();
+        if (event.dataTransfer) event.dataTransfer.dropEffect = 'copy';
+      });
+      browser.addEventListener('dragleave', () => {
+        dragDepth = Math.max(0, dragDepth - 1);
+        if (dragDepth === 0) {
+          browser.classList.remove('drag-active');
+          drop.classList.remove('active');
+        }
+      });
+      browser.addEventListener('drop', async (event) => {
+        if (!hasDroppedFiles(event)) return;
+        event.preventDefault();
+        dragDepth = 0;
+        browser.classList.remove('drag-active');
         drop.classList.remove('active');
         const files = await droppedUploads(event.dataTransfer);
         if (!files.length) {
diff --git a/bfpilot-launcher-installer.elf b/bfpilot-launcher-installer.elf
index 53cf6ae..4d7a5a6 100755
Binary files a/bfpilot-launcher-installer.elf and b/bfpilot-launcher-installer.elf differ
diff --git a/bfpilot.elf b/bfpilot.elf
index 2e83bd9..73e1e0f 100755
Binary files a/bfpilot.elf and b/bfpilot.elf differ
diff --git a/docs/RELEASE_NOTES_v0.4.3-alpha.1.md b/docs/RELEASE_NOTES_v0.4.3-alpha.1.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f8cad2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/RELEASE_NOTES_v0.4.3-alpha.1.md
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# BFpilot v0.4.3 Alpha 1
+
+This alpha contains the work added after v0.4.0:
+
+- Separate Media tile installer, one `/data/BFpilot` data directory, and clean
+  reinjection/shutdown behavior
+- Payload loading through elfldr, chmod, case-insensitive paths, multi-select,
+  and RAR/7z/ZIP extraction
+- Safe text editing, recursive folder upload, conflict handling, staged
+  overwrite/merge, physical no-symlink traversal, and ShadowMountPlus warnings
+- Faster bounded large-file copies, writeback checkpoints, download tuning,
+  and earlier-return search queries with expanded telemetry
+- Clipboard-style Copy/Move/Paste, restored double-click folder opening,
+  selection-aware actions, fixed drag feedback, correct empty-folder sizing,
+  and responsive clipboard layout
+
+This still needs hardware testing for copy/move conflicts, large transfers,
+Rest Mode, and USB disconnect behavior before it should be considered stable.
diff --git a/scripts/test_issue_surface_host.mjs b/scripts/test_issue_surface_host.mjs
index e819290..c45cd56 100644
--- a/scripts/test_issue_surface_host.mjs
+++ b/scripts/test_issue_surface_host.mjs
@@ -13,8 +13,9 @@ const pathOps = fs.readFileSync(path.join(root, 'src', 'path_ops.c'), 'utf8')
 const versionH = fs.readFileSync(path.join(root, 'src', 'version.h'), 'utf8')
 const makefile = fs.readFileSync(path.join(root, 'Makefile'), 'utf8')
 
-// #7 folder open via click on dir name
-assert(html.includes('entry.dir') && html.includes('openPath(entryPath(entry))'), '#7 openPath on dir click')
+// #7 folder open via double-click or the explicit Open button
+assert(html.includes("row.addEventListener('dblclick'") &&
+       html.includes('openPath(next)'), '#7 double-click folder open')
 assert(html.includes('open-folder') || html.includes('openSelectedFolder'), '#7 open folder control')
 
 // #8 case-insensitive resolve
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ assert(html.includes('select-all-checkbox'), '#11 select all')
 assert(html.includes('selectedEntries'), '#11 selection helper')
 
 // #12 version
-assert(versionH.includes('v0.4.2-test'), 'version.h v0.4.2-test')
-assert(makefile.includes('v0.4.2-test'), 'Makefile v0.4.2-test')
+assert(versionH.includes('v0.4.3-alpha.1'), 'version.h v0.4.3-alpha.1')
+assert(makefile.includes('v0.4.3-alpha.1'), 'Makefile v0.4.3-alpha.1')
 
 console.log('issue surface checks passed (7-12,10)')
diff --git a/scripts/test_v041_ux_tile_host.mjs b/scripts/test_v041_ux_tile_host.mjs
index ef8c556..3f474b8 100644
--- a/scripts/test_v041_ux_tile_host.mjs
+++ b/scripts/test_v041_ux_tile_host.mjs
@@ -72,13 +72,14 @@ assert(tileBoot.includes('BFPILOT_INSTALLER_ELF_PATH') ||
        tileBoot.includes('/data/BFpilot/bfpilot-launcher-installer.elf'))
 
 // --- Prior issue surface (#7-12, #10) ---
-assert(html.includes('openPath(entryPath(entry))'), '#7')
+assert(html.includes("row.addEventListener('dblclick'") &&
+       html.includes('openPath(next)'), '#7')
 assert(pathOps.includes('bfpilot_path_resolve_ci'), '#8')
 assert(html.includes("endsWith('.7z')"), '#9')
 assert(transfer.includes('chmod_request') || transfer.includes('/api/fs/chmod'), '#10')
 assert(html.includes('chmodSelected') || html.includes('id="chmod"'), '#10 ui')
 assert(html.includes('row-checkbox') && html.includes('select-all-checkbox'), '#11')
-assert(versionH.includes('v0.4.2-test') && makefile.includes('v0.4.2-test'),
-       'current test-build version')
+assert(versionH.includes('v0.4.3-alpha.1') && makefile.includes('v0.4.3-alpha.1'),
+       'current alpha version')
 
-console.log('v0.4.2-test separate-launcher + UX host checks passed')
+console.log('v0.4.3-alpha.1 separate-launcher + UX host checks passed')
diff --git a/scripts/test_v043_ui_host.mjs b/scripts/test_v043_ui_host.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8aa793d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/test_v043_ui_host.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import assert from 'assert'
+import fs from 'fs'
+import path from 'path'
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'url'
+
+const root = path.join(path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url)), '..')
+const html = fs.readFileSync(path.join(root, 'assets', 'files.html'), 'utf8')
+const version = fs.readFileSync(path.join(root, 'src', 'version.h'), 'utf8')
+const makefile = fs.readFileSync(path.join(root, 'Makefile'), 'utf8')
+
+assert(
+  /\.browser\s*\{[^}]*grid-template-rows:\s*auto auto auto auto minmax\(0,\s*1fr\)/s.test(html),
+  'upload row cannot consume the flexible file-list height'
+)
+assert(!html.includes('var(--accent)') && !html.includes('var(--text)'),
+  'drag state uses defined theme colors')
+assert(html.includes("const parent = list;"), 'virtual list listens to its own scroller')
+assert(html.includes("row.addEventListener('dblclick'"), 'double-click handler exists')
+
+const clickBlock = html.slice(
+  html.indexOf("row.addEventListener('click'"),
+  html.indexOf("row.addEventListener('dblclick'")
+)
+assert(!clickBlock.includes('if (entry.dir'), 'single click selects instead of opening a folder')
+
+for (const marker of [
+  'id="clipboard-status"',
+  'id="paste"',
+  'stageClipboard',
+  'pasteClipboard',
+  'clearClipboard',
+  'Paste Here'
+]) {
+  assert(html.includes(marker), `clipboard flow includes ${marker}`)
+}
+
+assert(html.includes("el('open-folder').disabled"), 'Open disabled-state is selection-aware')
+assert(html.includes("el('extract').disabled"), 'Extract disabled-state is selection-aware')
+assert(html.includes("browser.addEventListener('dragenter'"), 'whole browser reveals drag state')
+assert(html.includes("browser.addEventListener('drop'"), 'whole browser accepts dropped files')
+assert(!html.includes('id="target-current"') && !html.includes('id="open-target"'),
+  'old direct-target controls removed')
+assert(version.includes('v0.4.3-alpha.1') && makefile.includes('v0.4.3-alpha.1'),
+  'alpha version is consistent')
+
+const scriptMatch = html.match(/<script>([\s\S]*)<\/script>/)
+assert(scriptMatch, 'inline application script found')
+new Function(scriptMatch[1])
+
+console.log('v0.4.3 alpha UI checks passed')
diff --git a/src/version.h b/src/version.h
index 3d4617a..2eefb77 100644
--- a/src/version.h
+++ b/src/version.h
@@ -5,11 +5,11 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #ifndef VERSION_TAG
-#define VERSION_TAG "bfpilot-v0.4.2-test"
+#define VERSION_TAG "bfpilot-v0.4.3-alpha.1"
 #endif
 
 #ifndef BUILD_VERSION
-#define BUILD_VERSION "v0.4.2-test"
+#define BUILD_VERSION "v0.4.3-alpha.1"
 #endif
 
 #ifndef BFPILOT_SDK_PATH